cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Aerosol Devices and Administration Techniques on Drug Delivery in a Simulated Spontaneously Breathing Pediatric Tracheostomy Model.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the efficiency of jet nebulizers, vibrating mesh nebulizers, and pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) during assisted and unassisted administration techniques using a simulated spontaneously breathing pediatric model with a tracheostomy tube (TT). METHODS: An in vitro breathing model consisting of an uncuffed TT (4.5-mm inner diameter) was attached to a collecting filter (Respirgard) connected to a dual-chamber test lung and a ventilator (Hamilton Medical) to simulate breathing parameters of a 2-y-old child (breathing frequency, 25 breaths/min; tidal volume, 150 mL; inspiratory time, 0.8 s; peak inspiratory flow, 20 L/min). Albuterol sulfate was administered using a jet nebulizer (MicroMist, 2.5 mg/3 mL), vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aeroneb Solo, 2.5 mg/3 mL), and pMDI (ProAir HFA, 432 μg). Each device was tested 5 times with an unassisted technique (direct administration of aerosols with simulated spontaneous breathing) and with an assisted technique (using a manual resuscitation bag in conjunction with an aerosol device and synchronized with inspiration). Drug collected on the filter was analyzed by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: With the unassisted technique, the pMDI had the highest inhaled mass percent (IM%, 47.15 ± 7.82%), followed by the vibrating mesh nebulizer (19.77 ± 2.99%) and the jet nebulizer (5.88 ± 0.77%, P = .002). IM was greater with the vibrating mesh nebulizer (0.49 ± .07 mg) than with the pMDI (0.20 ± 0.03 mg) and the jet nebulizer (0.15 ± 0.01 mg, P = .007). The trend of lower deposition with the assisted versus unassisted technique was not significant for the jet nebulizer (P = .46), vibrating mesh nebulizer (P = .19), and pMDI (P = .64). CONCLUSIONS: In this in vitro pediatric breathing model with a TT, the pMDI delivered the highest IM%, whereas the vibrating mesh nebulizer delivered the highest IM. The jet nebulizer was the least efficient device. Delivery efficiency was similar with unassisted and assisted administration techniques.
A Discrete-Time Polynomial Model of Single Channel Long-Haul Fiber-Optic Communication Systems

To mitigate various physical impairments of long-haul dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems and exploit their system capacity, there is a need to develop a two-dimensional (time and wavelength) discrete-time input-output model which can become the foundation of signal processing for optical communications. As the first step, this paper develops a model for single channel multipulse multispan systems based on the Volterra series transfer function (VSTF) method. This model is suitable for high-bit-rate time-division multiplexing (TDM) transmission in the pseudo-linear regime and is easily extendable to the multichannel case. We overcome the well-known triple integral problem and reduce it to a simple integral. This model takes into account fiber losses, frequency chirp and photodetection, which are ignored in the literature. Furthermore, with this model we introduce the intersymbol interference (ISI), self phase modulation (SPM), intrachannel cross phase modulation (IXPM) and intrachannel four wave mixing (IFWM) coefficients to characterize the impact of these effects on the system performance. The model is in excellent agreement with SSF (split-step Fourier) simulation. To illustrate its application, we develop a constrained coding scheme based on the system model to suppress the impact of various impairments.
On the dominance of unidimensional rules in unsupervised categorization.

In several experiments, observers tried to categorize stimuli constructed from two separable stimulus dimensions in the absence of any trial-by-trial feedback. In all of the experiments, the observers were told the number of categories (i.e., two), they were told that perfect accuracy was possible, and they were given extensive experience in the task (i.e., 800 trials). When the boundary separating the contrasting categories was umdimensional, the accuracy of all observers improved significantly over blocks (i.e., learning occurred), and all observers eventually responded optimally. When the optimal boundary was diagonal, none of the observers responded optimally. Instead they all used some sort of suboptimal unidimensional rule. In a separate feedback experiment, all observers responded optimally in the diagonal condition. These results contrast with those for supervised category learning; they support the hypothesis that in the absence of feedback, people are constrained to use unidimensional rules.
A Stroke of Genius

The word “stroke” derives from its most dangerous characteristic: that it strikes suddenly, without warning. A stroke occurs when a part of the brain is cut off from its blood supply by a clot or broken blood vessel. Brain cells immediately begin to die at a rate of 2 million cells per minute, causing irreversible disability or death. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major contributor to stroke—especially in elderly people and in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This condition is characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β proteins in the blood vessels of the brain and causes excessive inflammation, leading to hemorrhagic stroke. Although CAA can be treated with immunosuppressive steroids when detected early, it can only be diagnosed with a brain biopsy, leaving the problem frequently undiagnosed until catastrophic consequences arise. To overcome the challenge of detection and minimize systemic side effects of the immunosuppressive treatment, Agyare and colleagues engineered theranostic nanovehicles (TNVs) capable of targeting amyloid-β deposits to simultaneously enhance imaging modalities while locally delivering the drug. The team prepared chitosan nanoparticles that incorporated a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, a core of the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide, and an outer shell of antibodies to amyloid-β. In in vitro experiments, TNVs effectively bound to amyloid-β proteins and reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from endothelial cells typical of the inflamed blood brain barrier. In vivo, TNVs accumulated preferentially in brain arteries of mice pretreated with amyloid-β proteins, an important consequence of their amyloid-β–targeting surfaces, as compared with mice without these proteins. Most importantly, TNVs enhanced detection with MRI and computed tomography. This new strategy may prove to be a useful tool for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of early CAA before it leads to hemorrhagic stroke. The TNVs will need to be evaluated for their ability to treat cerebral inflammation in a more stringent animal model of CAA, and the contrast enhancement could be improved for smaller blood vessels. However, the use of a single engineered nanoparticle for both treatment and imaging of CAA is an important step toward the prevention of one of the leading causes of death in the United States. E. K. Agyare et al ., Engineering theranostic nanovehicles capable of targeting cerebrovascular amyloid deposits. J. Controlled Release 184 , 121–129 (2014). [[PubMed]][1] [1]: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24735640
Tributyl ((1E,3E)‐4‐(4,4,5,5‐Tetramethyl)‐(1,2,3‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)buta‐1,3‐dienyl)stannane

[853335-17-8] C22H43BO2Sn (MW 469.10) InChI = 1S/C10H16BO2.3C4H9.Sn/c1-6-7-8-11-12-9(2,3)10(4,5)13-11;3*1-3-4-2;/h1,6-8H,2-5H3;3*1,3-4H2,2H3;/b6-1?,8-7+;;;; InChIKey = ZBEVVAJCXOEONR-XIZNWYPTSA-N (vinyl nucleophile in palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions1) Physical Data: yellow oil. Solubility: soluble in common organic solvents; insoluble in H2O. Form Supplied in: not commercially available. Analysis of Reagent Purity: MS, IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. Preparative Methods: addition of mixed stannylcuprate2 to propargylaldehyde diethyl acetal and treatment of the crude acetal with p-toluenesulfonic acid affords (E)-(3-tributylstannyl)-2-propenal. Treatment of (E)-(3-tributylstannyl)-2-propenal with dichloromethylborinate,3 chromium(II) chloride, and lithium iodide in THF affords tributyl ((1E,3E)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl)-(1,2,3-dioxaborolan-2-yl)buta-1,3-dienyl)stannane 1 with greater than 90% (E)-selectivity (eq 1). (1) Purification: purified by flash chromatography (0–5% EtOAc/hexane) (Florisil®). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: stable over a period of a few months if stored in a refrigerator. It is recommended to purify prior to use. Organotin compounds should be considered toxic and should be handled with appropriate care.
Localization of spontaneous magnetoencephalographic activity of neonates and fetuses using independent component and Hilbert phase analysis

The fetal magnetoencephalogram (fMEG) is measured in the presence of large interference from maternal and fetal magnetocardiograms (mMCG and fMCG). These cardiac interferences can be attenuated by orthogonal projection (OP) technique of the corresponding spatial vectors. However, the OP technique redistributes the fMEG signal among the channels and also leaves some cardiac residuals (partially attenuated mMCG and fMCG) due to loss of stationarity in the signal. In this paper, we propose a novel way to extract and localize the neonatal and fetal spontaneous brain activity by using independent component analysis (ICA) technique. In this approach, we perform ICA on a small subset of sensors for 1-min duration. The independent components obtained are further investigated for the presence of discontinuous patterns as identified by the Hilbert phase analysis and are used as decision criteria for localizing the spontaneous brain activity. In order to locate the region of highest spontaneous brain activity content, this analysis is performed on the sensor subsets, which are traversed across the entire sensor space. The region of the spontaneous brain activity as identified by the proposed approach correlated well with the neonatal and fetal head location. In addition, the burst duration and the inter-burst interval computed for the identified discontinuous brain patterns are in agreement with the reported values.
Influence of supplemental energy and protein on protein synthesis and crude protein reaching the abomasum

Abstract Six ruminal and abomasum-cannulated steers were randomly assigned to a 6×6 Latin square arrangement of treatments to determine the influence of various supplemental energy sources on intraruminal fermentation and protein metabolism. Approximately 60% of the energy was provided by sorghum silage. Supplemental energy sources were soybean meal plus ground shelled corn, soybean meal plus soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, wheat middlings, 50% corn gluten feed plus 50% soybean hulls, and 50% corn gluten feed plus 50% wheat middlings. Mixed diets were fed once daily. Additions of supplemental energy sources increased intakes of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose compared with intake on the soybean meal plus ground shelled corn diet. Diets containing corn gluten feed had the lowest reticulorumen digestibilities of NDF and ADF and the highest total tract digestibility of hemicellulose. Ruminal NH 3 , propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and valerate concentrations were greatest for diets containing corn gluten feed. Calculated ruminal escape of dietary CP for the respective supplemental energy sources were 24.2, 30.4, 28.3, 8.0, 28.7, and 16.3%.
Enhanced Nitric Oxide Inactivation and Protein Nitration by Reactive Oxygen Species in Renal Insufficiency

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with oxidative stress which promotes production of reactive carbonyl compounds and lipoperoxides leading to the accumulation of advanced glycation and lipoxidation end products. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) avidly reacts with nitric oxide (NO) producing cytotoxic reactive nitrogen species capable of nitrating proteins and damaging other molecules. This study tested the hypothesis that CRF results in enhanced ROS-mediated NO inactivation and protein nitration which can be ameliorated with antioxidant therapy. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to CRF (5/6 nephrectomy) and sham-operated controls and fed either a regular diet (vitamin E, 40 U/Kg food) or an antioxidant-fortified diet (vitamin E, 5000 U/Kg food) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), tissue NO synthase (NOS) isoforms, tissue nitrotyrosine (the footprint of NO interaction with ROS), and vascular tissue NO production were determined. CRF resulted in marked elevations of blood pressure, plasma MDA, and tissue nitrotyrosine abundance, but did not change plasma L-arginine level. This was coupled with depressed vascular tissue NO production and reduced immunodetectable NOS proteins in the vascular, renal, and cardiac tissues. Antioxidant therapy ameliorated the CRF-induced hypertension, improved vascular tissue NO production, lowered tissue nitrotyrosine burden, and reversed downregulations of NOS isoforms. In contrast, antioxidant therapy had no effects in the controls. CRF is associated with oxidative stress which promotes NO inactivation by ROS leading to functional NO deficiency, hypertension, and widespread accumulation of protein nitration products. Amelioration of oxidative stress by high-dose vitamin E enhances NO availability, improves hypertension, lowers protein nitration products, and increases NOS expression and vascular NO production in CRF animals.
The Importance of Defining ‘Data’ in Data Management Policies

What comprises ‘data’ varies from one institution to another based on the information which is deemed important by individual institutions. To effectively and efficiently produce, collect, and retain data, an organization develops specific defining characteristics of data to meet its informational needs. Procedures to maintain and retain knowledge among laboratory members and principal investigators will allow for improved efficiency of data collection. Optimization of communication, maintenance of inventories, record keeping, and updating relevant training programs are all critical to supporting the quality and integrity of a particular organization’s data. Concurrent revisions to such procedures will ensure that the definition of data as well as the means by which it is collected and maintained remain appropriate to the needs of the individual organization.
Compact Charge Model for Independent-Gate Asymmetric DGFET

Analytical expressions for terminal charges of an independent-gate asymmetric double gate MOSFET (DGFET) are derived. The new charge model is C∞ continuous, valid for all bias conditions and does not involve charge-sheet approximation. This is accomplished by developing the symmetric linearization method in the form that does not require identical boundary conditions at the two Si-SiO2 interfaces and allows for the volume inversion in the DGFET channel. Verification of the model is performed with both numerical computations and 2D TCAD simulations under a wide range of biasing conditions. The terminal charges expressions are similar to those in the PSP bulk MOSFET model and in the PSP-based common-gate symmetric DGFET model. The latter becomes a special case of the new model.
Growth Hormone and Aging in Mice

After decades of research, the physiological mechanisms leading to aging are still poorly understood. A number of studies have shown that the endocrine system is intimately involved in the control of aging processes. The somatotropic axis, in particular, has come to the forefront as a major player in aging and longevity. Many of these reports derive data from multiple endocrine mutants, those that exhibit elevated levels of both growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or deficiencies in one or both of these hormones. In general, both spontaneous and genetically engineered GH and IGF-I deficiencies have led to small body size, delayed development of both sexual maturation and age-related pathologic conditions, and life-span extension. In contrast, high levels of circulating GH have led to larger body sizes, early puberty and reproductive senescence, increased cancer incidence, and reduced life span compared with wild-type animals with normal plasma hormone concentrations. This information, along with that found in multiple other species, implicates this anabolic pathway as the major regulator of longevity in animals.
Retinol Administration to Superovulated Ewes Improves In Vitro Embryonic Viability

Retinol and its metabolites, all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoid acid, are regulators of cellular growth, differentiation, and development and have been implicated in reproductive processes including folliculogenesis and embryonic survival. Three experiments were conducted to identify effects of retinoid treatment of superovulated ewes upon subsequent in vitro embryonic development. Ewes were treated with all-trans retinol (ROH), all-trans retinoic acid (RA), 9-cis retinoic acid (CIS), or vehicle (Control) on the first and last day of FSH treatment. Embryos were recovered at the morula stage, cultured in vitro for 96 h, and observed for blastocyst formation. Embryos from ROH-treated animals had a higher (p < 0.01) incidence of blastocyst formation than RA-, CIS-, or vehicle-treated animals (72% vs. 27%, 33% and 32%, respectively). In experiment 2, ewes were given ROH or vehicle and treated as above. ROH treatment resulted in an increased percentage of embryos forming blastocysts (70% vs. 22%, p < 0.05). In experiment 3, ewes were treated with ROH or vehicle, and embryos were collected at the 1- to 4-cell stage and cultured for 7 days. ROH treatment resulted in increased blastocyst formation (79% vs. 5%, p < 0.05). The majority of embryos (60% vs. 6%; p < 0.01)) from vehicle-treated animals failed to develop beyond the 8-cell stage in comparison with those from ROH animals. ROH treatment of superovulated ewes increased embryonic viability and positively impacted embryonic development.
Multifunctional coating interlayers for thermal-barrier systems

The complex thermochemical and thermomechanical environments in high temperature propulsion and energy generation systems often demand the use of suites of materials with disparate properties. Unique combinations of materials that simultaneously function to optimize mechanical, thermal, and environmental properties can enable breakthroughs in design and system capability. This article focuses on interlayers that function as environmental barriers and promote adhesion of the ceramic thermal barriers to metallic substrates. The structure, composition, processing, and performance of major classes of bond coatings are briefly reviewed. Challenges for the development of new coating systems and for prediction of their performance in service are addressed.
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Segmentectomy: The Future of Surgery for Lung Cancer?

Pulmonary segmentectomy has become a good option for small peripheral non-small cell lung cancers and is currently being evaluated in a large North American randomized study, CALGB-140503 (Cancer and Leukemia Group B-140503). Using a video-assisted thoracic surgical approach to segmentectomy decreases the morbidity and hastens the recovery of patients having this operation relative to a thoracotomy. This technique can be easily learned by surgeons who use video-assisted thoracic surgery to perform other operations.
Multi-converter observability issues associated with shipboard MVDC power systems

In power electronics systems, such as the planned Naval Shipboard Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) system, multiple converters are used in distribution and generation subsystems to provide different voltage levels and form. A measure of observability of such systems will allow one to quantify their operational performance. This paper attempts to account for observability of these multiconverter systems through the inclusion of other dynamics such as electromechnical behavior of generators and loads, providing a more comprehensive view of system performance. The example section will focus on a DAE model of a simplified MVDC system where the observability formulation is applied and results reflect the influence of these additional states on overall observability and system performance.
Effect of Arterial Hypoxia on Myocardial Oxygen Consumption

To evaluate the effect of arterial hypoxia on myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) under controlled conditions of stable or decreased contractility and tension, 18 anesthetized, adrenergically blocked dogs on right heart bypass were studied. Heart rate, cardiac output, pH, and Pco2 were constant. In 9 dogs, progressive decreases in arterial oxygen content were associated with progressive significant increases in MVO2 to a peak of 1.5 ± 0.5 ml/min 100 g" 1 left ventricle (P 200 mm Hg). Progressive decreases occurred in mean aortic pressure (P < 0.001) and tension-time index (P < 0.001) with no significant change in mean ejection rate, left ventricular dP/dt, or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Quantitatively similar increases in MV02 with controlled hemodynamics were found when coronary flow was held constant (5 dogs), after catecholamine depletion with reserpine (2 dogs), and in the beating, empty ventricle (2 dogs). Thus, arterial hypoxia results in (1) an increase in MVO2 despite no change or a decrease in the magnitude of the hemodynamic parameters correlated with MVO2 and (2) a decrease in myocardial efficiency. hypoxemia myocardial efficiency coronary blood flow contractility reserpine hemodynamic variables propranolol
Modeling driving and sentence comprehension dual-task performance in queueing network-ACTR

Modeling driving performance in multi-task scenarios is important for both the examination of human performance modeling theories and the evaluation of in-vehicle interfaces. Previous driving performance models mainly focused on driving tasks with perceptual-motor components. The current study focuses on modeling a dual-task driving scenario containing a sentence comprehension component that involves complex cognitive processes. The model was built in Queueing Network-ACTR (QN-ACTR) cognitive architecture implementing a QN filtering discipline that has been previously proposed and tested for scheduling multiple task demands. A comparison of empirical and modeling results demonstrated that this filtering discipline is necessary for modeling the dual-task of lane keeping and sentence comprehension.
Ontogenetic and sex‐specific differences in density‐dependent habitat selection of a marine fish population

The spatial dynamics of species are the result of complex interactions between density-independent and density-dependent sources of variability. Disentangling these two sources of variability has challenged ecologists working in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Using a novel spatially explicit statistical model, we tested for the presence of density-independent and density-dependent habitat selection in yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) in the eastern Bering Sea. We found specificities in the density-dependent processes operating across ontogeny and particularly with gender. Density-dependent habitat expansion occurred primarily in females, and to a lesser degree in males. These patterns were especially evident in adult stages, while juvenile stages of both sexes exhibited a mix of different dynamics. Association of yellowfin sole with substrate type also varied by sex and to a lesser degree with size, with large females distributed over a wider range of substrates than males. Moreover, yellowfin sole expanded northward as cold subsurface waters retracted in summer, suggesting high sensitivity to arctic warming. Our findings illustrate how marginal habitats can play an important role in buffering density-dependent habitat expansion, with direct implications for resource management. Our spatially explicit modeling approach is effective in evaluating density-dependent spatial dynamics, and can easily be used to test similar hypotheses from a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
The role of eosinophils in pulmonary fibrosis (Review).

Pulmonary fibrosis is commonly characterized by inflammation of the alveolar wall, leading to derangement of normal alveolar architecture, and interstitial as well as intra-alveolar fibrosis. The process involves cellular interactions via a complex cytokine network and heightened collagen gene expression with abnormal deposition in the lung. Recent studies have identified a myriad of cytokines with potential roles in pulmonary fibrosis. Based on in vivo antibody neutralization studies, important roles for tumor necrosis a (TNFa), macrophage inflammatory protein 1a (MIP-1a) and transforming growth factor (TGF), have been established. The recent demonstration that the eosinophil is a major source for several of these key pro-fibrogenic cytokines during the early stages of fibrosis, strongly suggest a role for the eosinophil in pulmonary fibrosis. In vitro, eosinophils can elaborate factors capable of stimulating fibroblast proliferation, and their presence in lungs undergoing many forms of pulmonary fibrosis has been well documented. Further support for a role for eosinophils in pulmonary fibrosis are suggested by clinical data showing a correlation between lung eosinophil count and a poor prognosis and decreased responsiveness to therapy. This review will focus on the recent findings, which suggest novel potential roles for the eosinophil in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
Evaluation of BACTEC MYCO/F Lytic Medium for Recovery of Mycobacteria, Fungi, and Bacteria from Blood

MYCO/F Lytic medium (MFL), a liquid medium developed for use with the BACTEC 9240 blood culture system, was compared to the Isolator system (IS) for the recovery of fungi and to the BACTEC 13A medium for the recovery of mycobacteria. Recovery of bacteria was compared to routine BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F (AF) blood cultures. Microbial growth was detected in 203 (17%) of 1,166 blood cultures. Fifty-seven specimens were positive for fungi: 35 were positive with both IS and MFL; six were positive with IS only (three Candida albicans, one Histoplasma capsulatum, one Candida glabrata, and one Fusarium species isolate); three were positive with AF only (two C. albicans and one Candida parapsilosis isolate); and 13 were positive with MFL only (five C. glabrata, three C. albicans, two Candida krusei, two Candida tropicalis, and one C. parapsilosis isolate; P > 0.05 versus IS). Eighteen of 19 blood cultures positive for H. capsulatum grew in both IS and MFL, although the time to detection for MFL was greater. The mean time to detection for all fungi was 8.15 days for IS and 12.07 days for MFL. Seven hundred forty specimens were also cultured for mycobacteria with MFL and 13A. Forty-four grew mycobacteria; 38 were positive with both 13A and MFL; and 16 were positive with MFL only. Mycobacterium avium was recovered from 41 specimens; 36 were positive for both systems and 5 were positive for MFL alone. MFL was also compared to the AF bottle for the same 740 specimens. MFL and AF both detected 34 of the 40 clinically significant bacteria, while IS detected only 15 of 40. In summary, MFL is an excellent medium for the recovery of fungi, mycobacteria, and bacteria; however, the time to detection of H. capsulatum is increased.
CHECKLIST OF THE PLANTS OF THE GUIANA SHIELD 1. AN UPDATE TO THE ANGIOSPERMS

An update to the Checklist of the Plants of the Guiana Shield is proposed. It comprises more than 700 additions, corrections, and synonymies for the Angiosperms. Two new combinations are made in the Rubiaceae: Appunia longipedunculata and Appunia peduncularis.
Incorporating Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) into Predoctoral Trainee Curriculum to Evaluate Student-Generated Hypotheses

As part of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute predoctoral TL1 training program at the Pennsylvania State University, a multidisciplinary team of predoctoral trainees representing the Chemistry, Neurosurgery, Nutritional Sciences, and Public Health Sciences departments were introduced to the NIH-sponsored Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) database to test the following student-generated hypothesis: children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are at increased risk of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children aged 4-12 and 4-17 years were categorized into IDA and control groups. De-identified medical records from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (HMC) and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (VCUMC) were used for the analysis. Overall, ADHD prevalence at each institution was lower than 2011 state estimates. There was a significant association between IDA and ADHD in the 4-17-year-old age group for all children (OR: 1.902 [95% CI: 1.363-2.656]), Caucasian children (OR: 1.802 [95% CI: 1.133-2.864]), and African American children (OR: 1.865 [95% CI: 1.152-3.021]). Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) infrastructure is particularly useful for trainees to answer de novo scientific questions with minimal additional training and technical expertise. Moreover, projects can be expanded by collaborating within the CTSA network.
Demonstrations of Additive Manufacturing for the Hospitality Industry

Abstract This article demonstrates the potential application of additive manufacturing techniques and technologies in food safe applications for industrial, commercial, and consumer scales. We produced an entirely additively manufactured dinner to demonstrate use cases of the technology. Drawing on additive manufacturing's strengths of low production runs and low-cost geometric complexity, we directly produced tableware of complex form targeted for limited audiences. Current additive manufacturing techniques lack the required process control and certifications for widespread use in food contact applications. The use of coatings can mitigate the concern for prototypes and small-scale production. Directly printing food-related items is of use for tableware in increasing artistry, addressing niche markets, and prototyping. Other researchers in the commercial and private sectors can build upon this work to develop the processes and procedures needed to enable more widespread adoption of 3D printing in food-re...
Moisture Sorption Thermodynamics

The wood-water system has been treated by the classical techniques of thermodynamics although the system is not perfectly reversible in the thermodynamic sense. This irreversibility is primarily because of sorption hysteresis, already noted in the discussion of the sorption isotherms for wood. Morton and Hearle (1962, 1975) pointed out that, because hysteresis indicates the existence of states of metastable equilibrium during moisture sorption, application of thermodynamic equations to such systems should be treated cautiously. Nevertheless, it is useful to consider moisture sorption as a reversible process in order to calculate the approximate magnitudes of certain thermodynamic properties.
Assessing Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response Methodology: Portsmouth, Virginia, 2013.

Objective For the past decade, emergency preparedness campaigns have encouraged households to meet preparedness metrics, such as having a household evacuation plan and emergency supplies of food, water, and medication. To estimate current household preparedness levels and to enhance disaster response planning, the Virginia Department of Health with remote technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a community health assessment in 2013 in Portsmouth, Virginia. Methods Using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology with 2-stage cluster sampling, we randomly selected 210 households for in-person interviews. Households were questioned about emergency planning and supplies, information sources during emergencies, and chronic health conditions. Results Interview teams completed 180 interviews (86%). Interviews revealed that 70% of households had an emergency evacuation plan, 67% had a 3-day supply of water for each member, and 77% had a first aid kit. Most households (65%) reported that the television was the primary source of information during an emergency. Heart disease (54%) and obesity (40%) were the most frequently reported chronic conditions. Conclusions The Virginia Department of Health identified important gaps in local household preparedness. Data from the assessment have been used to inform community health partners, enhance disaster response planning, set community health priorities, and influence Portsmouth’s Community Health Improvement Plan. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:193–198)
Correlations of Diapause Intensities of Euphilotes spp. and Philotiella speciosa (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) to Host Bloom Period and Elevation

Euphilotes Mattoni spp. and Philotiella speciosa (Hy Edwards) are small, blue butterflies of western North America whose larvae feed on flowers and seeds of various Eriogonum Michaux spp. (wild buckwheats). The many species and varieties of Eriogonum hosts variously bloom from March to October, although most bloom only for a month or so. Adult flight periods of Euphilotes spp. and P. speciosa coincide with the bloom periods of their respective hosts. Univoltine Euphilotes populations and P. speciosa exhibit obligate pupal diapause. Pupal diapause intensity was measured by the number of days for adult eclosion at 25°C after 90 d of chilling at 4°C. Diapause intensities for Euphilotes and P. speciosa correlated positively with the seasonal bloom periods of their hosts and negatively with elevation.
WHAT DRIVES FOLLOW-UP OF PEDIATRIC BICUSPID AORTIC VALVE: PROVIDER PREFERENCE OR DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS?

Rate of disease progression for a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with no dysfunction is unknown and management is controversial. We described the natural history of aortopathy and valve dysfunction in children with an isolated BAV and studied its impact on current management practices. This
Optimization of Commutation Failure Prevention and Automatic Recovery for East China Multi-infeed High-voltage Direct Current System

On the basis of the dynamical equivalent data of East China power system in big load mode in summer of 2013,a research model of AC/DC transmission system in East China is built in the electro-magnetic transient program.The multiinfeed DC transmission system identically based as the actual project is established,realizing the combination of NARI Group Corporation',XJ Group Corporation'and ABB Group's various detailed technical route models of high-voltage direct current(HVDC)control and protection.The commutation failure prediction methods and the low voltage current limiting parameters of the six HVDC projects in East China are at present compared and analyzed and the parameter differences among them are given.The effects on preventing the commutation failure of different methods,such as optimizing commutation failure parameters,increasing the constant extinction area,increasing the rated extinction angle,etc.,are researched.Finally,according to research on the low voltage current limiting parameters and limits for the instantaneous current,the recovery strategy after HVDC commutation failure is presented.The research results are able to provide technical reference to the operation of the HVDC system.
Preservation of Fat-free Mass after Bariatric Surgery: A Comparison of Malabsorptive and Restrictive Procedures.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been shown to cause significant weight loss. However, fat-free mass (FFM) is often lost with this rapid weight change. It is suggested that the loss of FFM i...
Three Innovative Software Engineering Methodologies

Software engineering has come to the stage where speed of development, level of correctness, interoperability, user friendliness, usefulness, and reusability in different projects are very important factors in determining the success of a software engineering venture. Equally important is the use of methodologies for software design. In just over six decades, we have seen the progress of software design from an amorphous set of informal methodologies to structured techniques, formal methodologies, and object-oriented methodologies. In the area of object-oriented methodologies (OOM), the unified modeling language (UML) has made a significant contribution in defining a set of methodologies that can be applied to any software engineering effort. This paper draws on the UML methodologies and proposes three methodologies that could add richness and additional flexibility to the software engineering experience. They are system topology charts, object/entity specification grid, and the extended operation specification. The system topology charts include an information topology chart (ITC) that presents the object types and/or information entities in the way they will be managed in the software system, and a user interface topology chart (UITC) that presents operations the way they will appear in the system. The object/entity specification grid (O/ESG) adopts the conventions of the UML class diagram, but expands it to include additional critical information that lead to better software construction. The extended operation specification (EOS) embraces the UML guidelines for the activity diagram, but is flexible enough to include other techniques such as pseudo-code, Warnier-Orr diagram, and collaboration diagram. It also allows for the specification of other critical information not covered in these standard techniques.
The Universal Common Good and the Authority of International Law

This article examines the foundations of international law and the authority of international institutions from the perspective of the intellectual traditions of Roman Catholic social thought and natural law theory. The first half of the discussion focuses on the concept of a "universal common good" which grounds the authority of international law. It identifies four unresolved ambiguities in the idea of a universal common good, which need to be further clarified in order to understand better the role of international law and institutions in the contemporary world. The second part of the article applies the discussion of the universal common good to the analysis of one important aspect of contemporary international law: the authority of international institutions. Using in particular the example of the UN Security Council, the article argues that the decisions of international institutions should be considered to be authoritative in the fullest sense insofar as they serve the universal common good.
Estimating Perturbation and Meta-Stability in the Daily Attendance Rates of Six Small High Schools

This paper discusses the daily attendance rates in six small high schools over a ten-year period and evaluates how stable those rates are. “Stability” is approached from two vantage points: pulse models are fitted to estimate the impact of sudden perturbations and their reverberation through the series, and Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average (ARFIMA) techniques are used to detect dependencies over the long range of the series. The analyses are meant to (1) exemplify the utility of time series approaches in educational research, which lacks a time series tradition, (2) discuss some time series features that seem to be particular to daily attendance rate trajectories such as the distinct downward pull coming from extreme observations, and (3) present an analytical approach to handle the important yet distinct patterns of variability that can be found in these data. The analysis also illustrates why the assumption of stability that underlies the habitual reporting of weekly, monthly and ye...
Improving hospital quality to reduce disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality

Significant racial/ethnic disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality exist in the United States. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die a pregnancy-related death as compared with white women. Growing research suggests that hospital quality may be a critical lever for improving outcomes and narrowing disparities. This overview reviews the evidence demonstrating that hospital quality is related to maternal mortality and morbidity, discusses the pathways through which these associations between quality and severe maternal morbidity generate disparities, and concludes with a discussion of possible levers for action to reduce disparities by improving hospital quality.
The Monte Carlo based virtual entropy generation analysis

Abstract Due to a lack of any persuasive principle in defining a reasonable error criterion, regulations of experiment measurement are mostly experience-based. Measurement criteria developed by virtual entropy generation (VEG) analysis provide a new perspective on experiment control and data reliability. However, it is expensive to validate these criteria through experiments. Therefore, developing affordable numerical tools are necessary and important in VEG analysis. In the present research, we developed a Monto Carlo based model for a counter-flow heat exchanger virtual entropy generation analysis. In the present research, the uncertainty boundary of virtual entropy generation analysis was implanted to a counter-flow heat exchanger through Monte Carlo method. By a comparison study with existing analytical and experiment results, capabilities of the Monte Carlo model were demonstrated in providing quantitative and comprehensive data at a low cost.
Retrograde semaphorin–plexin signalling drives homeostatic synaptic plasticity

Homeostatic signalling systems ensure stable but flexible neural activity and animal behaviour. Presynaptic homeostatic plasticity is a conserved form of neuronal homeostatic signalling that is observed in organisms ranging from Drosophila to human. Defining the underlying molecular mechanisms of neuronal homeostatic signalling will be essential in order to establish clear connections to the causes and progression of neurological disease. During neural development, semaphorin-plexin signalling instructs axon guidance and neuronal morphogenesis. However, semaphorins and plexins are also expressed in the adult brain. Here we show that semaphorin 2b (Sema2b) is a target-derived signal that acts upon presynaptic plexin B (PlexB) receptors to mediate the retrograde, homeostatic control of presynaptic neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction in Drosophila. Further, we show that Sema2b-PlexB signalling regulates presynaptic homeostatic plasticity through the cytoplasmic protein Mical and the oxoreductase-dependent control of presynaptic actin. We propose that semaphorin-plexin signalling is an essential platform for the stabilization of synaptic transmission throughout the developing and mature nervous system. These findings may be relevant to the aetiology and treatment of diverse neurological and psychiatric diseases that are characterized by altered or inappropriate neural function and behaviour.
Optimization in load scheduling of a residential community using dynamic pricing

Demand side management at the utility level is facing challenges of managing the peak demands since electricity cannot be stored in bulk so the utility has to match demand at any point in time. Scheduling of electrical appliances and proper design of the electricity tariffs are some of the optimization schemes used to reduce these peaks. With proper optimization scheme, the household consumer will be motivated to either shift their loads from peaking periods or reduce their consumption. In this paper, a residential community of three houses are considered with different electric appliances. Genetic algorithm (GA) and dynamic programming (DP) based smart appliance scheduling schemes and time-of-use pricing are employed for comparative studies with demand response. The optimization control approaches are capable of solving energy optimization problem of a small community. Three types of houses, with real-world appliances, and with different power consumption are compared under energy management benchmark problem. The simulation results discuss the impact of priority of using household appliances in terms of customer comfort-level and cost minimization. The optimization performance of control approaches are also validated with several different priority conditions of household appliances.
High-Throughput Acoustofluidic Self-Assembly of Colloidal Crystals

Colloidal crystals are encountered in a variety of energy-harvesting applications, where they serve as waveguides or filters for electromagnetic and electro-optic energy. Techniques such as electri...
CURRENT RESPONSE OF BILAYER MEMBRANES EXPOSED TO TWO ANESTHETICS, CARBOCAINE AND TETRACAINE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the current response of bilayer membrane exposed to two anesthetics, carbocaine, and tetracane. The chapter describes experiments conducted on giant axon of squid and other cells. These experiments established the fact that the key property underlying excitability in physiological membranes is voltage dependent time-variant conductance change. The chapter presents results of experiments where both static and dynamic parameters were measured in the presence of two anesthetics simultaneously. In the experiment described in the chapter, the bilayer membranes were formed from a solution of 2% egg lecithin and 0.75% cholesterol in normal decane. Voltage clamp experiments were then done on the membrane. Current through the membrane was measured by Ag–AgCl electrodes placed in each chamber. The current was measured on type 656 Tecktronix dual beam oscilloscope. The voltage across the membrane was measured by using calomel electrodes, one in each chamber, and the voltage read on a digital voltmeter.
c-Cbl Expression Correlates with Human Colorectal Cancer Survival and Its Wnt/β-Catenin Suppressor Function Is Regulated by Tyr371 Phosphorylation.

The proto-oncogene β-catenin drives colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis. Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (c-Cbl) inhibits CRC tumor growth through targeting nuclear β-catenin by a poorly understood mechanism. In addition, the role of c-Cbl in human CRC remains largely underexplored. Using a novel quantitative histopathologic technique, we demonstrate that patients with high c-Cbl–expressing tumors had significantly better median survival (3.7 years) compared with low c-Cbl–expressing tumors (1.8 years; P = 0.0026) and were more than twice as likely to be alive at 3 years compared with low c-Cbl tumors (P = 0.0171). Our data further demonstrate that c-Cbl regulation of nuclear β-catenin requires phosphorylation of c-Cbl Tyr371 because its mutation compromises its ability to target β-catenin. The tyrosine 371 (Y371H) mutant interacted with but failed to ubiquitinate nuclear β-catenin. The nuclear localization of the c-Cbl–Y371H mutant contributed to its dominant negative effect on nuclear β-catenin. The biological importance of c-Cbl–Y371H was demonstrated in various systems, including a transgenic Wnt-8 zebrafish model. c-Cbl–Y371H mutant showed augmented Wnt/β-catenin signaling, increased Wnt target genes, angiogenesis, and CRC tumor growth. This study demonstrates a strong link between c-Cbl and overall survival of patients with CRC and provides new insights into a possible role of Tyr371 phosphorylation in Wnt/β-catenin regulation, which has important implications in tumor growth and angiogenesis in CRC.