cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Pain In Children and Adolescent with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Abstract Abstract 1651 Background: Pain crises are the most common symptom experienced by individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Frequency of pain crises varies significantly and high rate is a risk factor for higher mortality in adults with SCA. The risk factors for pain crises in children and adolescents with SCA are not completely understood. To determine factors associated with frequent severe pain crises, we analyzed the cohort of children and adolescents with SCA who were enrolled in the prospective study “The Pulmonary Hypertension and the Hypoxic Response in SCD (PUSH)”. All children were evaluated in their steady, non-crisis state. Methods: Family-reported history of number of severe pain crises in the preceding 12 months was recorded prospectively in 365 children and adolescents with SCA. Severe pain crises were defined as painful vaso-occlusive episodes requiring evaluation in Emergency Department (ED) or in-patient hospitalization. Lifetime history of red cell transfusions, echocardiography, and laboratory studies were obtained. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of study subjects who had ≥3 severe pain crises in the preceding year were compared to subjects with Results: Study subject ranged in age from 3–20 years and 175 (48%) were female. Seventy two children (20 %) had ≥3 severe pain crises in the preceding year (frequent pain crisis group); 293 (80%) children had 10 lifetime transfusions (42% vs. 22%; p=0.001). Median tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRV) was higher in the frequent pain crisis group (2.41 vs. 2.31; p= 0.001) but the proportion of children with TRV>2.5 was not different (19.4% vs.11.5% in infrequent crises group; p=0.09). Hydroxyurea use was not different between the groups (51% vs. 40%; p=0.08) nor was fetal hemoglobin (10% vs. 12%; p=0.2). Conclusions: The occurrence of severe pain crisis varies among children and adolescents with SCA with a large number of children experiencing no severe painful episodes. Consistent with the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease report, the risk of severe pain crisis increases with age. Individuals with α-thalassemia trait are likely to experience more frequent pain crises possibly related to higher hemoglobin concentration and viscosity. However, even after controlling for α-thalassemia trait, children and adolescents who reported more frequent severe pain crises showed evidence of less hemolysis, consistent with a hypothetical model associating the hemolytic subphenotype of SCA with less frequent vasoocclusive pain crises. Further studies are indicated to identify the molecular mechanisms of pain in sickle cell anemia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Prevalence and Prognosis of Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction in Asymptomatic Patients With Diabetes: A Two-Center Study With Up to 5 Years of Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) by delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) in asymptomatic patients with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this prospective, two-center study of asymptomatic patients without known cardiac disease (n = 120), two prespecified cohorts underwent a research MRI: 1) a high-risk group with type 1 diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency (n = 50) and 2) an average-risk group with type 2 diabetes (n = 70). The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality and clinical MI. RESULTS Overall, the prevalence of unrecognized MI was 19% by DE-MRI (28% high-risk group and 13% average-risk group) and 5% by electrocardiography. During up to 5 years of follow-up with a total of 460 patient-years of follow-up, the rate of death/MI was markedly higher in patients with diabetes with (vs. without) unrecognized MI (all 44% vs. 7%, high-risk group 43% vs. 6%, and average-risk group 44% vs. 8%; all P CONCLUSIONS Unrecognized MI is prevalent in asymptomatic patients with diabetes without a history of cardiac disease and confers a markedly increased risk of death and clinical MI.
The Cambridge Introduction to British Fiction, 1900–1950

Examining the work of more than one hundred writers, in a wide variety of genres including detective, spy, gothic, fantasy, comic, and science fiction, this book is an unusually comprehensive introduction to the novels and short stories of the period. Providing fresh readings of famous modernist figures (Conrad, Ford Madox Ford, Joyce, Woolf, Forster, Lawrence, and others), Robert L. Caserio also brings new attention to lesser-known writers who merit increased attention. He provides readers with an overview of modernist fiction's intellectual milieu, and addresses its contextualization by history and politics - feminism, global war, and the emergence of the welfare state after World War II. An ideal introduction for the student, this book offers a thought-provoking re-examination of literary history, and an exploration of the unique value of fiction's portrayals of the world.
Characterization of immune response in Cross-Reactive Immunological Material (CRIM)-positive infantile Pompe disease patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy.

Abstract Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with rhGAA has improved clinical outcomes in infantile Pompe disease (IPD). A subset of CRIM-positive IPD patients develop high and sustained antibody titers (HSAT; ≥51,200) and/or sustained intermediate titer (SIT; ≥12,800 and 6 months of antibody titer data available, were included in the study. Patients were classified based on their longitudinal antibody titers into HSAT, SIT, and low titer (LT;
Loss of Appetite and Neutropenia

Isolated neutropenia in an otherwise healthy child is usually indicative of a viral or medication-induced cause
“We Didn't Cross the Border, the Border Crossed Us”: Artists' Images of the US-Mexico Border and Immigration

Generations of artists have returned to the themes of the US-Mexico border and the impact of its inconsistent and often arbitrary enforcement on the lives of Mexican, Mexican American, and other Latinx communities. Visual art, music, and literature produced from the 1930s through the present offer rich data for contemplating shifting representations of the border and immigrants over time and for exploring factors that shape the context, content, and tone of such representations. Because many of these creative expressions emerged in the context of social movement activism, they also allow us to explore shifts in movement politics, including new ways of thinking about race, class, nation, gender, and sexuality in relationship to immigration. RESUMEN Generaciones de artistas han tratado el tema de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y Mexico, asi como el impacto en las comunidades mexicanas, mexicoamericanas y latinx del control irregular y a menudo arbitrario que las autoridades estadounidenses han ejercido sobre ella. Las artes visuales, la musica y la literatura producidas desde la decada de 1930 hasta la actualidad dan cuenta de los grandes cambios que ha habido durante estos anos en las representaciones de la frontera y los inmigrantes, al tiempo que nos permiten explorar factores que condicionan el contexto, el contenido y el tono de tales representaciones. Puesto que muchas de estas obras surgieron en el contexto de diversos movimientos sociales, tambien permiten explorar cambios en la manera de hacer politica a nivel popular, que incluyen nuevas formas de conceptualizar la raza, las clases sociales, la nacion, el genero y la sexualidad en relacion con la inmigracion. RESUMO Geracoes de artistas voltaram a temas da fronteira EUA-Mexico e o impacto de sua aplicacao inconsistente e muitas vezes arbitraria na vida de comunidades mexicanas, mexicanas-americanas e latino-americanas. A arte visual, a musica e a literatura produzidas a partir da decada de 1930 ate o presente oferecem dados valiosos para contemplar representacoes instaveis da fronteira e dos imigrantes ao longo do tempo e para explorar fatores que moldam o contexto, o conteudo e o tom de tais representacoes. Como muitas dessas expressoes criativas surgiram no contexto do ativismo em movimentos sociais, elas tambem nos permitem explorar mudancas politicas desses movimentos, incluindo novas maneiras de pensar sobre raca, classe, nacao, genero, e sexualidade em relacao a imigracao.
EHR phenotyping for research recruitment: Researcher, IRB, and physician perspectives on approaches to contacting patients.

Introduction: Failure to achieve accrual goals is a common problem in health-related research. Electronic health records represent a promising resource, offering the ability to identify a precisely defined cohort of patients who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria. However, challenges associated with the recruitment process remain and institutional policies vary. Methods: We interviewed researchers, institutional review board chairs, and primary care physicians in North Carolina and Tennessee. Questions focused on strategies for initiating contact with potentially eligible patients, as well as recruitment letters asking recipients to opt in versus opt out of further communication. Results: When we asked about initiating contact with prospective participants, qualitative themes included trust, credibility, and established relationships; research efficiency and validity; privacy and autonomy; the intersection between research and clinical care; and disruption to physician–researcher and physician–patient relationships. All interviewees said it was acceptable for researchers to contact patients through their physicians; most said it was acceptable for researchers to contact patients directly. Over half chose contact through physicians as more appropriate. Regarding recruitment letters, qualitative themes included the quality of the participant pool; privacy and control; research efficiency and representativeness; and patients’ opportunity to make their own decisions. All interviewees said asking recipients to opt in to further communication was acceptable; nearly all said opt out was acceptable. Similar proportions chose each approach as more appropriate. Conclusions: Comparing these results to our previous research with patients reveals potential differences in stakeholder perspectives. We offer suggestions for developing balanced approaches that respect patients and facilitate the advancement of science.
Differential ventilation using flow control valves as a potential bridge to full ventilatory support during the COVID-19 crisis: From bench to bedside

ABSTRACT Background It has been projected that there will be too few ventilators to meet demand during the COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) pandemic. Ventilator sharing has been suggested as a crisis standard of care strategy to increase availability of mechanical ventilation. The safety and practicality of shared ventilation in patients is unknown. We designed and evaluated a system whereby one mechanical ventilator can be used to simultaneously ventilate two patients who have different lung compliances using a custom manufactured flow control valve to allow for individual adjustment of tidal volume and airway pressure for each patient. Methods The system was first evaluated in a simulation lab using two human patient simulators under expected clinical conditions. It was then tested in an observational study of four patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Two separately ventilated COVID-19 patients were connected to a single ventilator for one hour. This intervention was repeated in a second pair of patients. Ventilatory parameters (tidal volume, peak airway pressures, compliance) were recorded at five minute intervals during both studys. Arterial blood gases were taken at zero, thirty, and sixty minutes. The primary outcome was maintenance of stable acid-base status and oxygenation during shared ventilation. Results Two male and two female patients, age range 32-56 yrs, participated. Ideal body weight and driving pressure were markedly different among patients. All patients demonstrated stable physiology and ventilation for the duration of shared ventilation. In one patient tidal volume was increased after 30 minutes to correct a respiratory acidosis. Conclusions Differential ventilation using a single ventilator and a split breathing circuit with flow control valves is possible. A single ventilator could feasibly be used to safely ventilate two COVID-19 patients simultaneously as a bridge to full ventilatory support. Summary Statement Not applicable.
From Targeting to Simulation: Transducer Positioning and Localization for Focused Ultrasound Transcranial Applications

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is being explored for a variety of non-thermal transcranial applications, such as neuromodulation and blood-brain barrier opening. Although MRI is the gold standard for image guidance during FUS procedures, researchers are increasingly exploring other navigation methods, such as optical tracking, to guide ultrasound beam placement based on pre-acquired images for targeting outside the MRI setting. Current offline neuronavigation methods perform guidance based on the free-field ultrasound beam and do not incorporate attenuation and aberration effects of the skull. Here, we developed a pipeline that combines optical tracking and acoustic simulations to obtain accurate maps of the acoustic pressure within the skull.
Cruising in-between immunity and community: A virtual ethnography of cruising in Istanbul:

This article revisits the concept of (virtual) cruising with the purpose of uncovering an often-disregarded fact in queer theory: that cruising is equally about rejecting as it is about welcoming o...
Venous anatomy of the left ventricular summit: Therapeutic implications for ethanol infusion.

Background Venous ethanol ablation (VEA) is effective for treatment of left ventricular (LV) summit (LVS) arrhythmias. The LVS venous anatomy is poorly understood and has inconsistent nomenclature. Objective The purpose of this study was to delineate the LVS venous anatomy by selective venography and 3-dimensional (3D) mapping during VEA and by venous-phase coronary computed tomographic angiography (vCTA). Methods We analyzed (1) LVS venograms and 3D maps of 53 patients undergoing VEA; and (2) 3D reconstructions of 52 vCTAs, tracing LVS veins. Results Angiography identified the following LVS veins: (1) LV annular branch of the great cardiac vein (GCV) (19/53); (2) septal (rightward) branches of the anterior ventricular vein (AIV) (53/53); and (3) diagonal branches of the AIV (51/53). Collateral connections between LVS veins and outflow, conus, and retroaortic veins were common. VEA was delivered to target arrhythmias in 38 of 53 septal, 6 of 53 annular, and 2 of 53 diagonal veins. vCTA identified LVS veins (range 1–5) in a similar distribution. GCV–AIV transition could either form an angle close to the left main artery bifurcation (n = 16; 88° ± 13°) or cut diagonally (n = 36; 133°±12°) (P ≤.001). Twenty-one patients had LV annular vein. In 28 patients only septal LVS veins were visualized in vCTA, in 2 patients only diagonal veins and in 22 patients both septal and diagonal veins were seen. In 39 patients the LVS veins reached the outflow tracts and their vicinity. Conclusion We provide a systematic atlas and nomenclature of LVS veins related to arrhythmogenic substrates. vCTA can be useful for noninvasive evaluation of LVS veins before ethanol ablation.
Unconventional routes to developing insect-resistant crops.

Abstract Concerns over widespread use of insecticides and heightened insect pest virulence under climate change continue to fuel the need for environmentally safe and sustainable control strategies. However, to develop such strategies, a better understanding of the molecular basis of plant-pest interactions is still needed. Despite decades of research investigating plant-insect interactions, few examples exist where underlying molecular mechanisms are well characterized, and even rarer are cases where this knowledge has been successfully applied to manage harmful agricultural pests. Consequently, the field appears to be static, urgently needing shifts in approaches to identify novel mechanisms by which insects colonize plants and plants avoid insect pressure. In this perspective, we outline necessary steps for advancing holistic methodologies that capture complex plant-insect molecular interactions. We highlight novel and underexploited approaches in plant-insect interaction research as essential routes to translate knowledge of underlying molecular mechanisms into durable pest control strategies, including embracing microbial partnerships, identifying what makes a plant an unsuitable host, capitalizing on tolerance of insect damage, and learning from cases where crop domestication and agronomic practices enhance pest virulence.
High-Elevation Populations of Montane Grasshoppers Exhibit Greater Developmental Plasticity in Response to Seasonal Cues.

Populations of insects can differ in how sensitive their development, growth, and performance are to environmental conditions such as temperature and daylength. The environmental sensitivity of development can alter phenology (seasonal timing) and ecology. Warming accelerates development of most populations. However, high-elevation and season-limited populations can exhibit developmental plasticity to either advance or prolong development depending on conditions. High-elevation populations of the montane, early-season, univoltine grasshopper Melanoplus boulderensis exhibit rapid early development and slow late development in warm seasons. We investigate the physiology underlying these field observations by examining how diurnal temperature variation and daylength interact to shape growth, development, and performance of several populations along an elevation gradient. Contrary to our expectation of long days delaying development if temperatures were permissive, populations exhibited similar thermal sensitivities of development under long-day conditions. However, short days accelerated the development of high-elevation populations exposed to high temperature variability. Such plasticity commonly evolves to ensure the completion of a generation and is consistent with field observations but is unexpected for an early-season species that generally completes development before days shorten. Selection to develop rapidly as days shorten late in the season may have occurred at higher elevations than those studied. Notably, accelerated development generally did not decrease body size or alter body shape. Developmental plasticity did not strongly influence thermal tolerance but altered the temperature dependence of performance in complex ways inconsistent with trade-offs of accelerated development. Short days increasing the thermal sensitivity of development for high-elevation and season-limited populations is consistent with field phenology. The results highlight that developmental plasticity at the population level can shapes phenological responses to climate change and these responses will have potential implications for community and ecosystem structure.
The Laser Reaction in Tissue

The development of the laser brought to the biologist and to the cancer researcher a form of radiation from the visible end of the spectrum. For the first time, there were available light waves which produced tremendous power and energy densities. The laser reaction in tissue produces a multi-faceted response. A large part of I this reaction is thermal, some of it is physical, and some is what may be called loosely, electromagnetic.
A Rapid and Specific Assay for Sugar Methylation in Ribonucleic Acid

Working with 14CH3-labeled 2'-O-methyladenosine, it has been shown that the ether linkage is cleaved during digestion with 70% perchloric acid at 100° for 25 min, yielding a volatile product, methanol. The heterocyclic base residues of nucleosides and their methyl groups have been shown to be relatively stable to this treatment. This procedure has been used to examine the degree of sugar methylation in the transfer RNA of an Escherichia coli strain and the result agrees well with values from this and other laboratories obtained by more laborious procedures.
EXPERIMENTAL AND TEHORETICAL STUDIES OF PROPAGATION OF GROUND WAVES ACROSS MIXED PATHS.

Abstract : Experimental studies of ground wave propagation along mixed paths have been conducted using laboratory models. The experimental configurations studied correspond to propagation perpendicular to a coastline, propagation oblique to a coastline, and propagation across three section paths (such as across a river or isthmus). The laboratory models were not intended to be scale models of any particular terrestrial mixed paths, but rather were used to evaluate the accuracy of approximate theoretical solutions. The agreement between theory and experiment was good for all configurations, indicating a high degree of accuracy for the theoretical solutions. (Author)
The Suspension of the “Me” in Communication

SUMMARY Certain therapeutic methods with couples can enhance the potential for mutual empathy and the co-creation of meanings. These methods invariably require a willingness to experience that quality of excitation which is, in its extremes, both terror and passion. Couples report, however, that once having crossed the initial barrier to this deeper level of communication, the process seems deeply relaxing. They also often observe that the experience of being “at one” with another, simultaneously intensifies the experience of being in their own bodies, individually alive.
Comparative Genomics: Differential Display and Subtractive Hybridization

An understanding of genome function within the context of human cells requires new methodology. This article describes comparative approaches that are used for genomes and genes in situ. However, the major focus of the article is on differential display (DD) and subtractive hybridization (SH) because these two methods are most accessible to a large number of researchers. The basic principles of these methods are described along with some fundamental reminders about the important factors that must be kept in mind for successful experiments.
The Treaty Basis of Michigan Indian Education

A socio-historical content analysis of 16 treaties and 3 contemporary American Indian education laws at the federal level revealed that a certain amount of the treaty obligation may yet be unfulfilled regarding tribes currently located within the State of Michigan. Both monetary and non-monetary provisions were analyzed using the United States Supreme Court’s Canons of Treaty Construction. The treaty provisions were further categorized according to certain criteria based on the trust doctrine. The outcomes of the treaty analysis were then compared to the provisions of the Indian Education Act, the Indian Self-Determination & Education Assistance Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Responsibilities of each level of government, implications for school policy and procedures, and recommendations for further study are included. There is a general assumption that the federal government is obligated to provide for the educational interests of American Indian tribal citizens based on the educational provisions contained within treaties entered into between the United States (US) government and American Indian tribal nations. The problem with such an assumption is that it does not take into account that the US did not enter into any comprehensive treaty with all of the American Indian tribes as a single unit. While it is true that there are many educational provisions contained within treaties that have similar language, the fact remains that the treaties were made with different American Indian tribal nations.
The Feminist Therapy Institute Code of Ethics:: Implications for Working with Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

The philosophical underpinnings of the Feminist Therapy Institute (FTI) Code of Ethics, as well as its sensitivity to power issues and recognition of the complexity of ethical decision-making, provide an excellent foundation for helping feminist therapists respond confidently and competently to clients in the midst of a cultural climate that supports increased questioning of the veracity of clients' memories of sexual abuse. The suggestions in this article are organized around three of the major themes discussed by the FTI Code of Ethics: (a) therapist knowledge and accountability, (b) cultural diversities and oppressions, and (c) egalitarian therapist-client relationships.
Holographic optical interconnections

Introduces a new type of planar optical interconnect, the transverse holographic waveguides. With this type of interconnect, one dimensional, input light distribution is converted into a one dimensional output light distribution via holographic patterning along the direction of the optical wave propagation. >
A new method for detecting aortic valve dynamics during control of the rotary Left Ventricular Assist Device support

The rotary Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) has largely been used as a destination therapy device for patients with congestive heart failure who are awaiting heart transplantation. In recent years, however, the device has also been used as a bridge to recovery device for patients whose heart condition might recover as a result of the LVAD support. In this latter case, the aortic valve dynamics under normal physiological conditions (i.e. continuously opening and closing in each cardiac cycle) plays an important role in the LVAD accomplishing its role as a bridge to recovery device. Serious complications can result if the aortic valve closes permanently during the LVAD support. Therefore, a reliable technique for detecting the aortic valve dynamics is crucial. This paper presents a new method that can predict working patterns of the aortic valve, based on an indicator derived from the systemic vascular current signal in the circulatory system to make a decision about whether the aortic valve is open or permanently closed. The proposed method has been tested using a nonlinear mathematical model of the combined cardiovascular-LVAD system. The simulation results show that the proposed method can detect the aortic valve dynamics effectively. The ability of the proposed method to detect the aortic valve dynamics provides a reliable platform for the development of a feedback control system to control the power, and hence rotational speed, of the LVAD, to ensure that the aortic valve opens and closes properly within each cardiac cycle to allow blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta.
Calculation of various relaxation times and conductivity for a single dielectric relaxation process

Abstract Various dielectric functions, i.e., ϵ∗, tanδ, M∗, Z∗ and Y∗, have been used to calculate the corresponding time constants for three relaxation models: (1) Debye, (2) Cole-Cole and (3) ideal conduction. It has been proved that each dielectric function gives rise to a different relaxation time which follows the general order: τϵ≥τy>τtanδ>τz≥τm. The difference between them depends largely on the dielectric relaxation ratio, ϵ s ϵ ∞ , as well as the distribution parameter, α. Moreover, on a logarithmic scale, the loss tangent relaxation time is equal to the average relaxation time for any pair of inverse complex functions, e.g., ϵ∗ and M∗, Z∗ and Y∗. The relationships between the relaxation times illustrate the advantages of using different dielectric functions to analyze experimental data. The relaxation times have also been related to the dielectric conductivity in the Debye and ideal conduction cases.
Recurrent random walks in nonnegative matrices: attractors of certain iterated function systems

In this paper the structure of the set of recurrent points for random walks in finite dimensional nonnegative matrices is determined. The structural results are then used in understanding attractors of certain (not necessarily contractive) iterated function systems.
Versatile Solid Phase Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle Dimers Using an Asymmetric Functionalization Approach

Metal nanoparticles have received great attention due to their unique optical properties and wide range of applicability. In this context, controlling the particle−particle interaction is a major challenge to generate programmable assembly of nanoparticles for application in device fabrication and detection systems. In this communication, we report a versatile solid phase synthesis of gold nanoparticle dimers using commercially available organic reagents in an asymmetric functionalization approach. The method provides the opportunity to synthesize gold nanoparticle dimers for a wide size range. In addition, dimers consisting of two particles of different sizes also were prepared. The yield of the dimers varies from ∼30 to ∼65%, depending on the particle sizes. The process could be generalized to fabricate metal−semiconductor conjugates and to control interparticle spacing by changing the chain lengths of the linker molecules.
Ch'i: A Neural Hologram? Microtubules, Bioholography, and Acupuncture

Structure, occurrence, and functions of microtubules are reviewed. The theoretical principles of bioholography are outlined and the neuronal microtubular system is offered as an anatomical substrate for such a mechanism. This entails microtubules acting as coherency inducing, dielectric wave-guides and resonators for atmospheric ultraviolet radiation which is refracted by the stratum corneum and other tissues. The proposed corporeal energy and its pathways are correlated with Ch'i, the ancient Chinese life energy and medium of acupuncture.
The effect of spinal analgesia on visceral nociceptive neurons in caudal medulla of the rat.

UNLABELLED A population of neurons resident in the caudal ventrolateral medulla are excited by noxious cutaneous and visceral stimuli from large portions of the body. These neurons act as monitors of ascending nociceptive information, and we hypothesized that they would be inhibited by spinally administered analgesics in a clinically relevant fashion. Rats were anesthetized with oxygen/ halothane. The caudal medulla was surgically exposed, and a catheter placed into the intrathecal space overlying the lower thoracic spinal cord via the surgical site. Single medullary neurons were characterized for responses to cutaneous and visceral (colorectal distension) stimuli. The effects of i.v. and intrathecally administered morphine and lidocaine were determined. The intrathecal infusion of morphine for 6 days before testing was also used as a pretreatment. Colorectal distension-evoked responses of medullary nociceptive neurons were inhibited in a dose-dependent, naloxonereversible fashion by intrathecal and i.v. morphine (50% effective dose values: 3.5 and 440 microg/kg, respectively). Intrathecal lidocaine abolished responses to colorectal distension and produced a spinal level at doses producing minimal effects when administered systemically. Prior treatment with an infusion of morphine produced tolerance to the effects of subsequent intrathecal morphine administration. These findings support the use of this preparation as a neurophysiologic model of spinal analgesia. IMPLICATIONS Neurons in the brainstem, isolated electrophysiologically, were used as whole body monitors of pain-related activity in the rat. As a neurophysiologic model of nociception, this preparation may prove useful for the study of regionally administered analgesics and local anesthetics.
Immunological Technique for Measuring Insect Contamination of Grain

An immunological assay to measure insect contamination of grain was established. Polyclonal antibodies were prepared against the insect muscle protein myosin from crickets. These antibodies were used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA can sensitively measure low nanogram quantities of insect myosin, and can detect a wide variety of common insect pests of stored grain. The assay can quantitatively detect as little as one granary weevil per 50 g of grain and can detect adult, pupal, and larval life stages, but not eggs.
TPD-NMR study of hydrogen irreversibly adsorbed on Rh/TiO2

Abstract TPD-NMR studies are demonstrated which reveal the presence of three irreversibly bound hydrogen species on Rh/TiO 2 , two assigned to species produced when rhodium metal is present on the surface and one to surface hydroxyl groups. The two surface species dependent on the presence of Rh desorb with maxima at around 120 arid 270°C, while the remaining species (assigned to hydroxyl groups) desorbs around 550°C.
Efficacy of clevidipine in controlling perioperative hypertension in neurosurgical patients: initial single-center experience.

BackgroundAcute blood pressure (BP) elevations in neurosurgical patients are associated with serious neurologic, cardiovascular, or surgical site complications. Clevidipine, an ultra-short-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, has been shown to be efficacious and safe for acute hypertension in
Thrombotic intracranial aneurysms: classification scheme and management strategies in 68 patients.

Objective Thrombotic aneurysms are a diverse collection of complex aneurysms characterized by organized intraluminal thrombus and solid mass. Consequently, their treatment often requires techniques other than conventional clipping, such as thrombectomy with clip reconstruction or bypass with parent artery occlusion. A single-surgeon experience with thrombotic aneurysms was analyzed to determine optimal treatment strategies. A classification scheme was devised on the basis of aneurysm, thrombus, and lumen morphology to relate these anatomic features to surgical therapy. Methods Sixty-eight patients with thrombotic aneurysms were managed during a period of 6.25 years. Thrombotic aneurysms were classified into six types: concentric (n = 17, 25%), eccentric (n = 14, 21%), lobulated (n = 2, 3%), complete (n = 2, 3%), canalized (n = 17, 25%), and coiled (n = 16, 24%). Results Aneurysm management consisted of direct clipping (n = 22, 32%), thrombectomy-clip reconstruction (n = 18, 26%), bypass-occlusion (n = 20, 29%), other (n = 6, 9%), or observation (n = 2, 3%). Complete angiographic obliteration was achieved in 97% of patients, and 47% of aneurysms were thrombectomized. The surgical mortality rate was 6%, and the permanent neurological morbidity rate was 7%. Overall, 87% of patients were improved or unchanged at follow-up, with 79% reaching a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 5 or 4. Management strategy was influenced by thrombotic aneurysm type, but patient outcome was not. The best results were observed in patients treated with direct clipping and bypass-occlusion. Conclusion Despite their solid mass, one-third of thrombotic aneurysms can be treated surgically with conventional clipping. Direct clipping is associated with the best surgical results, and the proposed classification scheme identifies thrombotic aneurysms that may be clippable. Patients with unclippable thrombotic aneurysms had more favorable results when treated with bypass and aneurysm occlusion than with thrombectomy and clip reconstruction. The classification scheme may provide conceptual clarity and therapeutic guidance with preoperative and intraoperative decision making.
Cross-Cultural Considerations in the Recruitment of Latinos of Mexican Origin into HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region: Clinician and Patient Perspectives

Despite increasing prevalence of HIV among U.S. Latinos, participation in HIV clinical trials is low. Barriers to HIV clinical trial participation in U.S. Latinos are not well understood. Using in-depth, semistructured interviews with HIV care providers serving HIV-positive Latinos and focus groups with HIV-positive Mexican-origin Latinos, we assessed cross-cultural barriers (e.g., stigma and linguistic) to HIV clinical trials in San Diego, California, bordering Mexico. Cross-cultural barriers were explored using grounded theory analytical techniques. Patient-provider concordance on the nature of HIV-related stigma, linguistic barriers, the impact of U.S.-Mexico border on Latino patients and participation in clinical trials were found. Providers described care access challenges faced by patients of Mexican-origin, particularly in light of immigration and U.S. border policy. HIV-related stigma and communication barriers among Latinos remain important obstacles to clinical trials participation and care acce...
Big data analytics with small footprint: squaring the cloud

This paper describes the BID Data Suite, a collection of hardware, software and design patterns that enable fast, large-scale data mining at very low cost. By co-designing all of these elements we achieve single-machine performance levels that equal or exceed reported cluster implementations for common benchmark problems. A key design criterion is rapid exploration of models, hence the system is interactive and primarily single-user. The elements of the suite are: (i) the data engine, a hardware design pattern that balances storage, CPU and GPU acceleration for typical data mining workloads, (ii) BIDMat, an interactive matrix library that integrates CPU and GPU acceleration and novel computational kernels (iii), BIDMach, a machine learning system that includes very efficient model optimizers, (iv) Butterfly mixing, a communication strategy that hides the latency of frequent model updates needed by fast optimizers and (v) Design patterns to improve performance of iterative update algorithms. We present several benchmark problems to show how the above elements combine to yield multiple orders-of-magnitude improvements for each problem.
THE AQUEOUS EQUILIBRIA OF CHROMIUM(II) WITH FORMATE ION. EVIDENCE FOR A WEAK CHROMIUMCHROMIUM MULTIPLE BOND

Abstract The equilibria of Cr(II) with formate ion in aqueous media have been analyzed by spectrophotometric and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. A binuclear complex is observed to be incompletely formed throughout the intermediate formate ion concentration range and is suggested to be structually analogous to the quadruply metal-metal bonded dichromium tetraacetate. This complex is formed via the equilibrium 2 Cr(Formate)+ + Formate− ⇆Cr2 (Formate)3 + for which the equilibrium constant is 2.1 ± 0.2 M−2. At the highest formate ion concentrations studied, the binuclear complex dissociates to mononuclear high-spin complexes with formate to metal ion ratios greater than 3. The existence of the binuclear complex in only a narrow ligand concentration range suggests that the chromium-chromium bond is of marginal importance to the stability of the binuclear species and is subordinate to chromium(II)-formate ion bond strength.
Temporal dynamics of glutamate efflux in the prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampus following repeated stress: effects of pretreatment with saline or diazepam

Abstract Acute stress has been associated with activation of glutamate efflux in forebrain structures. The present study sought to characterize the extracellular dynamics of glutamate in response to acute and repeated stress in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in rats. One-minute sampling of extracellular glutamate levels was performed during repeated tail-pinch stress. Animals were stressed three times, beginning at approximately 10.30 a.m. and continuing at 2.5-h intervals. In the prefrontal cortex, the initial 10-min tail pinch produced a robust increase in extracellular levels of glutamate. This increase was apparent immediately (i.e. 1 min) after the start of the stress procedure. The second tail pinch produced a smaller increase in glutamate levels while the third tail pinch did not significantly increase these levels. In the hippocampus, the initial stress response was smaller in magnitude than that observed in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, responses to subsequent tail pinches were similar to that seen following the first tail pinch. Treatment with diazepam (3 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min before the first stress session abolished the stress response in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, in the prefrontal cortex, the second tail pinch (performed approximately 3 h after diazepam administration) produced a robust increase in glutamate efflux. In contrast, in the hippocampus of diazepam-treated rats, the second tail pinch produced a small delayed response. Pretreatment with saline resulted in non-significant responses to all three tail pinches in the prefrontal cortex. The present study suggests that: (i) stress produces a rapid increase in glutamate efflux in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, (ii) repeated stress reveals tolerance in the glutamatergic response in the prefrontal cortex, (iii) saline and diazepam pretreatment block the stress-induced efflux of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex, and (iv) exposure to diazepam may prevent the prefrontal cortex from adapting its response to the subsequent stressor. These finding are consistent with the role of the prefrontal cortex as a region which may regulate reactions to aversive stimuli.
Effect of vitamin A deficiency on respiratory infection: Causal inference for a discretely observed continuous time non‐stationary Markov process

In this paper, we analyze the effect of vitamin A deficiency on respiratory infection using a longitudinal data set from a study of young Indonesian children. For this study, it is reasonable to assume that everything happens in continuous time but is only observed at discrete times, and that the treatment level is only coarsely observed. We model the data as discrete time observations from a continuous time Markov model. We have designed an MCMC algorithm with data augmentation to estimate the model. A simulation study shows that the estimation algorithm works well. From the model, we find that vitamin A deficiency has a strong effect on respiratory infection. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 40: 646–662; 2012 © 2012 Statistical Society of Canada Dans cet article, nous analysons l'effet d'une carence en vitamine A sur les infections respiratoires a l'aide d'un jeu de donnees longitudinales provenant d'une etude chez les jeunes enfants indonesiens. Pour cette etude, il est raisonnable de supposer que les evenements surviennent de facon continue, mais qu'ils sont observes a des temps discrets. De plus, nous supposons que le niveau des traitements est observe de facon irreguliere. Nous modelisons les donnees comme etant des temps d'observation discrets d'un modele de Markov continu. Nous avons developpe un algorithme MCMC avec augmentation de donnees pour estimer le modele. Une etude de simulation indique que l'algorithme d'estimation fonctionne bien. A partir de ce modele, nous pouvons conclure qu'une carence en vitamine A a un effet important sur les infections respiratoires. La revue canadienne de statistique 40: 646–662; 2012 © 2012 Societe statistique du Canada
Organometallic Dehydro[14]annulenes Containing Vollhardt's Cyclobutadiene: Are CpCo-Complexed Cyclobutadienes More Aromatic than Benzene?

Pd-catalyzed coupling of 1,2-diethynyl-3,4-(bistrimethylsilyl)cyclobutadienecyclopentadienylcobalt to a series of 1-iodo-2-(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzenes and 1-chloro-4-trimethylsilylbut-1-ene-3-yne is followed by desilylation with potassium carbonate. Cu(OAc)2-promoted oxidative ring closure leads to dehydro[14]annulenes and dehydro[14]benzoannulenes fused to a cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienylcobalt) complex. Five of these fused dehydroannulenes were structurally characterized. 1H NMR spectroscopy of the organometallic dehydro[14]annulenes incorporating the (bistrimethylsilyl)cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienylcobalt) unit suggested that the aromaticity of the fused cyclobutadiene complex might be stronger than that of benzene according to the ring-current criterion.
Spontaneous Glial Calcium Waves in the Retina Develop over Early Adulthood

Intercellular glial Ca2+ waves constitute a signaling pathway between glial cells. Artificial stimuli have previously been used to evoke these waves, and their physiological significance has been questioned. We report here that Ca2+ waves occur spontaneously in rat retinal glial cells, both in the isolated retina and in vivo. These spontaneous waves are propagated by ATP release. In the isolated retina, suramin (P2 receptor antagonist) reduces the frequency of spontaneous wave generation by 53%, and apyrase (ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme) reduces frequency by 95–100%. Luciferin-luciferase chemiluminescence reveals waves of ATP matching the spontaneous Ca2+ waves, indicating that ATP release occurs as spontaneous Ca2+ waves are generated. Wave generation also depends on age. Spontaneous wave frequency rises from 0.27 to 1.0 per minute per mm2, as rats age from 20 to 120 d. The sensitivity of glia to ATP does not increase with age, but the ATP released by evoked waves is 31% greater in 120-d-old than in 20-d-old rats, suggesting that increased ATP release in older animals could account for the higher frequency of wave generation. Simultaneous imaging of glial Ca2+ and arterioles in the isolated retina demonstrates that spontaneous waves alter vessel diameter, implying that spontaneous waves may have a significant impact on retinal physiology. Spontaneous intercellular glial Ca2+ waves also occur in the retina in vivo, with frequency, speed, and diameter similar to the isolated retina. Increased spontaneous wave occurrence with age suggests that wave generation may be related to retinal pathology.
PARAMETER RECOVERY AND SUBPOPULATION PROFICIENCY ESTIMATION IN HIERARCHICAL LATENT REGRESSION MODELS

The hierarchical latent regression model (HLRM) is a flexible framework for estimating group-level proficiency while taking into account the complex sample designs often found in large-scale educational surveys. A complex assessment design in which information is collected at different levels (such as student, school, and district), the model also provides a mechanism for estimating group differences at various levels and for partitioning variance components among those levels. This study examines parameter recovery in the HLRM and compares it to regular latent regression models (LRMs) through simulation for various levels of cluster variation. Results show that regression effect estimates are similar between the HLRM and the LRM, in particular under small cluster variation. Similarly, student posterior mean estimates and marginal maximum likelihood mean estimates for student groups are comparable across the two model approaches. However, substantial differences are found for the residual variance estimates, the standard errors for regression effect estimates and related standard errors for group estimates, and for students posterior variance estimates. As expected, these differences are larger when the variation across clusters is larger, since a substantial portion of variance remains unexplained in LRM.
International student persistence in U.S. postsecondary institutions

The study used the data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study data set to observe the characteristics of international students in their first-year in college and examine the factors that influenced their persistence in U.S. postsecondary institutions. Results from logistic regression analysis revealed that GPA, degree plans, and academic integration were positively related to persistence of international students, while remediation in English and social integration had the negative effects on their persistence outcome. The results of the study signal the importance of encouraging collaboration between offices of international student services and other academic departments or support services on campus. The retention of international students should not be viewed as the responsibility of only international student advisors. Instead, it should become a joint responsibility of faculty, academic advisors, English language program staff, and student affairs professionals on campus.