cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discriminative Models of Spontaneous Kicking Movement Patterns for Term and Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

In this paper, we discuss machine learning methods for classifying gross kicking activity for the term and preterm infants. We examine different combinations of sensors to determine the relative importance of each sensor to gross activity detection. In addition, we discuss methods to correlate infant age to the amount of time an infant performs unilateral vs bilateral kicking and time an infant is at rest. For preterm infants, we examine this same relationship using birth age and adjusted age. From this comparison, we aim to determine which age is a better predictor for movement breakdown. For gross activity recognition, it was determined that a sensor placed on the thigh was less important to overall recognition than a sensor placed on the foot or shin. In addition, a sensor placed on the foot tended to be the most accurate on its own while the thigh sensor tended to be the least accurate. For the relationship between infant age and movement breakdown, it was determined that the amount of time spent at rest increases as age increases. Furthermore, the amount of time spent performing bilateral kicking decreases at a more rapid rate than unilateral kicking as age increases. Finally, we examine how this relationship changes over time for infants observed over multiple months.
A linear-scaling algorithm for rapid computation of inelastic transitions in the presence of multiple electron scattering.

Strong multiple scattering of the probe in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) means image simulations are usually required for quantitative interpretation and analysis of elemental maps produced by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). These simulations require a full quantum-mechanical treatment of multiple scattering of the electron beam, both before and after a core-level inelastic transition. Current algorithms scale quadratically and can take up to a week to calculate on desktop machines even for simple crystal unit cells and do not scale well to the nano-scale heterogeneous systems that are often of interest to materials science researchers. We introduce an algorithm with linear scaling that typically results in an order of magnitude reduction in compute time for these calculations without introducing additional error and discuss approximations that further improve computational scaling for larger scale objects with modest penalties in calculation error. We demonstrate these speed-ups by calculating the atomic resolution STEM-EELS map using the L-edge transition of Fe, for of a nanoparticle 80 \AA\ in diameter in 16 hours, a calculation that would have taken at least 80 days using a conventional multislice approach.
Choice of Reference Creatinine for Post-Traumatic Acute Kidney Injury Diagnosis.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) after trauma is associated with poor outcomes. According to current guidelines, a diagnosis of AKI should be made based on an increase in serum creatinine from a reference value. However, a true reference is often unknown in patients presenting with traumatic injury. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal reference creatinine estimate for post-traumatic AKI diagnosis and staging. The optimal reference estimate was defined by a high incidence, strong prognostic ability, and incrementality at each stage. Study Design This was a cohort study of adult trauma patients (older than 16 years) requiring ICU admission between 2009 and 2018 (n = 8,026) at a single Level I trauma center. AKI was determined using the following 4 reference creatinine estimates: Modified Diet of Renal Diseases (MDRD), Trauma MDRD, admission creatinine, and the first-day creatinine nadir. Inclusivity was assessed by incidence of AKI diagnosed with different reference creatinine estimates; prognostic ability was assessed by multivariable modified Poisson regression; and incrementality was assessed by correlation of mortality risk by AKI stage. Results There was a wide range of AKI incidence, from 21% when using admission creatinine to 76% using the Trauma MDRD. The MDRD reference creatinine estimate resulted in an AKI incidence of 41% and a diagnosis that was both prognostic of mortality and incremental with each AKI stage. All other reference estimates resulted in AKI diagnoses that were either not prognostic or not incremental. Conclusions Reference creatinine estimate determines the clinical importance of AKI diagnoses. In this study, the MDRD reference resulted in optimal AKI diagnoses.
Human Milk Feeding Patterns at 6 Months of Age are a Major Determinant of Fecal Bacterial Diversity in Infants

BackgroundMaternal pre-pregnancy obesity and human milk feeding have been associated with altered infant gut microbiota.Research aimDetermine the relationships between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, h...
A Compact Virtual-Source Model for Carbon Nanotube FETs in the Sub-10-nm Regime—Part II: Extrinsic Elements, Performance Assessment, and Design Optimization

We present a data-calibrated compact model of carbon nanotube (CNT) FETs (CNFETs), including contact resistance, direct source-to-drain, and band-to-band tunneling currents. The model captures the effects of dimensional scaling and performance degradations due to parasitic effects, and is used to study the tradeoffs between the drive current and the leakage current of CNFETs according to the selection of CNT diameter, CNT density, contact length, and gate length for a target contacted gate pitch. We describe a co-optimization study of CNFET device parameters near the limits of scaling with physical insight, and project the CNFET performance at the 5-nm technology node with an estimated contacted gate pitch of 31 nm. Based on the analysis, including parasitic resistance, capacitance, and tunneling leakage current, a CNT density of 180 CNTs/ $\mu \text{m}$ will enable the CNFET technology to meet the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors target of drive current (1.33 mA/ $\mu \text{m}$ ), which is within reach of modern experimental capabilities.
Framework for Naturally Light Singlet Neutrinos

The totality of present neutrino data seems to require four light neutrinos, but only three of them can be the neutral components of left-handed lepton doublets. To accommodate one or more naturally light singlet neutrino(s), an extra U(1) gauge factor is proposed to implement an analogous seesaw mechanism which accounts for the light doublet neutrinos. Using the constraints of anomaly cancellation, the property of this U(1) is determined. The most attractive theoretical framework is that of a supersymmetric $SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y \times U(1)_N$ model already proposed.
Development of the Investigation Design, Explanation, and Argument Assessment for General Chemistry I Laboratory

There have been multiple calls to incorporate the teaching of scientific practices within science laboratory courses over the past decade. To accomplish this goal, changes must be made to the curriculum standards, instructional programs, and assessment-evaluation systems used in laboratory courses. One instructional program that can used in a laboratory course to help students learn scientific practices such as investigation design, collecting and analyzing data, argument generation and critique, and science writing is the argument-driven inquiry (ADI) instructional model. This article describes the development of an end-of-course assessment, the Investigation Design, Explanation, and Argument Assessment for General Chemistry I Laboratory (IDEAA-GC1), that educators can use to measure students’ ability to use scientific practices after incorporating the ADI instructional model into the General Chemistry I Laboratory. This new instrument has strong face and content validity as well as consistent instructor grading. The face validity of the instrument was established through iterative revisions of the IDEAA-GC1 based on faculty and student feedback. Content validity was established through the alignment of the IDEAA-GC1 with scientific practices and anchoring concepts as described by the Three-Dimensional Learning Assessment Protocol and the General Chemistry Anchoring Concepts Content Map.
Commercial bank seigniorage and the macroeconomy

Abstract This article focuses on the role of commercial banks as creators of money, and specifically on their rent extraction power in the form of seigniorage. The article examines how the relative size of banks in the payment system combines with their capacity (and limits) to determine quantities and prices in the market for demand deposits, giving them the power to extract rents – seigniorage – from the economy, and clarifies the distinction between seigniorage from commercial bank money creation and profits from pure financial intermediation. The article studies how this form of seigniorage affects aggregate output, prices, and resource distribution, and draws political-economy and economic-policy implications.
From d’Alembert to Bloch and back: A semi-analytical solution of 1D boundary value problems governed by the wave equation in periodic media

Abstract We propose a simple semi-analytical model for solving one-dimensional (1D) boundary value problems governed by the wave equation in periodic media at arbitrary frequency. When the boundary value problem is well-posed in that the excitation frequency does not match any of its resonant frequencies, any solution that satisfies the field equation and boundary conditions is the (unique) solution of the problem. This motivates us to seek the solution in the form of Bloch waves that by design solve the wave equation with periodic coefficients. For a given excitation frequency this assumption leads to a quadratic eigenvalue problem in terms of the wavenumber k which, in turn, produces a d’Alembert-type solution in terms of the “right”- and “left”- propagating (or evanescent) Bloch waves. In this vein, the solution of a boundary value problem is obtained by computing the amplitudes of the two Bloch waves from the prescribed boundary conditions. For completeness, we consider situations when the driving frequency is: (i) within a passband, (ii) inside a band gap, (iii) at the edge of a band gap (the so-called exceptional points), and (iv) at band crossing (repeated eigenfrequency). From simulations, we find that the semi-analytical solution – expressed in terms of either propagating, evanescent, or standing Bloch waves – is computationally effective and reproduces the numerical results with high fidelity. Consistent with related studies, we also find that the solution of the boundary value problem undergoes sharp transition in a frequency neighborhood of exceptional points. One of the most intriguing results of this study is our finding that near exceptional points, the global resonance of a periodic medium could be induced by “microscopically” adjusting the support locations so they coincide with a shared node of the germane Bloch eigenfunctions. This opens a door toward the design of adaptive wave control systems whose performance can be tuned by adjusting the boundary conditions – as opposed to altering the properties of a periodic medium.
Telomere length is associated with oppositional defiant behavior and maternal clinical depression in Latino preschool children.

Exposure to psychological stress and depression are associated with shorter white blood cell telomere length (TL) in adults, possibly via associated lifelong oxidative stressors. Exposure to maternal depression increases risk for future depression and behavior problems in children, and Latino youth are at high risk. Few studies have evaluated the role of exposure to maternal depression or child behavior in relation to TL in children. We assessed early-childhood exposures to maternal depression from birth to the age of 5 years and child behavior from ages 3–5 years in a cohort of Latino children in relation to child leukocyte TL at ages 4 and 5 years. Children who had oppositional defiant behavior at 3, 4 or 5 years had shorter TL than those without by ~450 base pairs (P<0.01). In multivariate analyses, independent predictors for shorter TL at 4 and 5 years of age included oppositional defiant disorder at 3, 4 or 5 years (β=−359.25, 95% CI −633.84 to 84.66; P=0.01), exposure to maternal clinical depression at 3 years of age (β=−363.99, 95% CI −651.24 to 764.74; P=0.01), shorter maternal TL (β=502.92, 95% CI 189.21–816.63) and younger paternal age at the child's birth (β=24.63, 95% CI 1.14–48.12). Thus, exposure to maternal clinical depression (versus depressive symptoms) in early childhood was associated with deleterious consequences on child cellular health as indicated by shorter TL at 4 and 5 years of age. Similarly, children with oppositional defiant behavior also had shorter TL, possibly related to early exposures to maternal clinical depression. Our study is the first to link maternal clinical depression and oppositional defiant behavior with shorter TL in the preschool years in a relatively homogenous population of low-income Latino children.
Land Tenure, Democracy, and Patterns of Violence During the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal, 1996–2005

Objectives. We seek to investigate the determinants of Nepal's relapse into authoritarianism and resort to violence rather than reform as a response to the Maoist insurgency. Revolutionary insurgency emerged in Nepal after a transition to parliamentary democracy, whereas democracy is supposed to inoculate a nation against the risk of civil war. We present a theory of how the level of violence varies across districts with variations in the distribution of peasants among land tenure categories. Methods. We use district‐level data from Nepal and test hypotheses by using negative binominal statistical analysis. Results. Our results indicate that the level of violence varies across districts with variations in land tenure patterns, the level of electoral participation, and the extent of poverty. Conclusions. Our study provides insights into how the concentration of landed resources and political power creates incentives for a landowning coalition that dominated the state to use violence against those segments of the peasantry that have incentives to support an insurgency that promised to redistribute land.
The new collagen gene COL27A1 contains SOX9-responsive enhancer elements

The most recently discovered collagen gene, COL27A1, codes for type XXVII collagen. The COL27A1 gene is strongly expressed in developing cartilage and weakly expressed in many other tissue types. The present study was undertaken to identify transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern the expression of COL27A1 in cartilage, and in particular to determine whether SOX9, a key regulator of chondrogenesis, could activate COL27A1. The first intron of COL27A1 was examined to identify sites with homology to the Sox consensus sequence A/TA/TCAAA/TG. Three 50-bp regions that contained paired Sox sites arranged in opposite orientation to each other and separated by 3 or 4 bp were targeted for further analysis. The elements were tested by transient transfection of reporter plasmids, and two of the three elements showed enhancer activity in chondrocytic cells. The same two elements bound SOX9 in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). They were not transcriptionally active in fibroblasts, but cotransfection with a SOX9 expression plasmid resulted in activation. The independent mutation of either Sox site in a pair prevented SOX9 binding to the enhancers in EMSA experiments, indicating that SOX9 binds these enhancers only as a dimer. Mutation of either site in a pair also abolished enhancer activity in chondrocytes, indicating that dimeric binding of SOX9 is required for transcriptional activation of the two new enhancers. In summary, these results suggest that SOX9 may play an important role in the transcriptional activation of the newest collagen gene, COL27A1.
Identification of the hepatocyte Na+-dependent bile acid transport protein using monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies have been utilized to characterize the hepatocyte Na+-dependent bile acid transport system. Sinusoidal plasma membrane proteins in the 49-54-kDa range, which are thought to be components of this transport system, based on photo-affinity labeling and reconstitution studies, have been partially purified by affinity chromatography and utilized as an immunogen for the production of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb). One of these mAbs, 25A-3, recognized both a 49- and a 54-kDa protein as assessed by immunoprecipitation. In addition, it was shown to protect the bile acid transport system from inhibition by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) in a dose-dependent manner. DIDS covalently labeled membrane proteins of 49 and 54 kDa, and this process could be significantly inhibited when performed in the presence of mAb 25A-3. Furthermore, the DIDS-labeled membrane proteins were immunoprecipitated by 25A-3. These results establish that one of these membrane components is the bile acid carrier protein. Another mAb (25D-1) which immunoprecipitated only a 49-kDa protein was shown to block the protective effect of 25A-3 on DIDS inhibition of bile acid transport. In addition both antibodies effected each other's binding capacity to hepatocytes and reacted with the same 49-kDa protein as established by sequential immunoprecipitation. Binding studies indicated that there are approximately 3.3 X 10(6) 49-kDa transport molecules/hepatocyte. These results firmly establish that the 49-kDa protein is the Na+-dependent hepatocyte bile acid transporter.
Complications of Primary Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection

AbstractThe surgical morbidity in 478 patients who underwent primary retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for clinical stages I and II nonseminomatous testicular cancer from 1982 to 1992 was reviewed. There were 54 complications in 51 patients (10.6%) and no operative related mortality. Superficial wound infection was the most frequent complication, comprising 45% of the total number of complications. Most major complications were related to small bowel obstruction and atelectasis. No complications caused permanent disability. The complication rate was less in patients who underwent a modified unilateral procedure (9.4%) than in those who underwent bilateral dissection (19.3%). Complications were significantly less with procedures done during the latter 6 years of the study (1987 to 1992). The ejaculation rate of patients undergoing a nerve sparing procedure was 98%, which reflects the increase in experience gained with the technique of nerve sparing modified unilateral dissection for early stage testicular ca...
Automatic volcanic ash detection from MODIS observations using a back-propagation neural network

Abstract. Due to the climate effects and aviation threats of volcanic eruptions, it is important to accurately locate ash in the atmosphere. This study aims to explore the accuracy and reliability of training a neural network to identify cases of ash using observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Satellite images were obtained for the following eruptions: Kasatochi, Aleutian Islands, 2008; Okmok, Aleutian Islands, 2008; Grimsvotn, northeastern Iceland, 2011; Chaiten, southern Chile, 2008; Puyehue-Cordon Caulle, central Chile, 2011; Sangeang Api, Indonesia, 2014; and Kelut, Indonesia, 2014. The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to obtain ash concentrations for the same archived eruptions. Two back-propagation neural networks were then trained using brightness temperature differences as inputs obtained via the following band combinations: 12–11, 11–8.6, 11–7.3, and 11 μm. Using the ash concentrations determined via HYSPLIT, flags were created to differentiate between ash (1) and no ash (0) and SO2-rich ash (1) and no SO2-rich ash (0) and used as output. When neural network output was compared to the test data set, 93 % of pixels containing ash were correctly identified and 7 % were missed. Nearly 100 % of pixels containing SO2-rich ash were correctly identified. The optimal thresholds, determined using Heidke skill scores, for ash retrieval and SO2-rich ash retrieval were 0.48 and 0.47, respectively. The networks show significantly less accuracy in the presence of high water vapor, liquid water, ice, or dust concentrations. Significant errors are also observed at the edge of the MODIS swath.
Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency: Unanticipated Benefits from the Study of a Rare Immunodeficiency

The serendipitous discovery of adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency in two patients with cellular immunodeficiency in 1972 by Dr. Eloise Giblett and colleagues ([1][1]) ushered in a new era in the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying primary immunodeficiency disorders. This finding
PowerSense: power aware dengue diagnosis on mobile phones

Dengue is a flu-like viral disease found mostly in the tropical regions, and is spread by infected mosquitoes. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe and often fatal manifestation if left untreated. In 2009, India reported 899 cases of dengue fever. PowerSense is an extensible module for the Dengue Detector Mobile Application (DDMA) that proactively facilitates management of processes for web service assisted mobile applications. PowerSense uses measured power consumption and application processing delay metrics from the smartphone device to dispatch image processing jobs locally or remotely to the DDMA .NET web service (DDMA-WS) at runtime. This work is the first step towards an application level middle-ware framework for power conscious computing.
Effect of maternal oxygen inhalation on the fetus with growth retardation.

ABSTRACT: Decreased nutrient and oxygen transfer to the fetus accounts for fetal growth retardation in pregnancies complicated by severe uteroplacental insufficiency. A model of uteroplacental insufficiency was produced by ligation of the uterine artery of one horn in pregnant rats at 17 days of gestation. The pregnant rats were assigned to environmental chambers containing a gas mixture of either an increased fractional inspired oxygen concentration of 0.40 (O2) or room air from day 17 through 21 of gestation. Supplemental oxygen inhalation resulted in increased survival of the fetuses from the ligated horn [34 ± 6% in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)-room air versus 57 ± 8% in IUGR-O2] and an increase in fetal weight, expressed as a percentage of nonligated appropriate for gestational age control littermates (67 ± 2% in IUGR-room air versus 74 ± 2% in IUGR-O2). A role for hypoxia in the suppression of fatty acid synthesis in IUGR fetal tissues had been postulated; however, maternal oxygen inhalation did not result in any increase in fatty acid content or specific activity in liver, lung, or carcass of IUGR fetuses. These data indicate that supplemental maternal oxygen inhalation improves survival and growth of fetuses compromised by uteroplacental insufficiency, but it has no apparent effect on lipogenesis at term.
Statistical methods for evaluating pregnancy outcomes in patients with Hodgkin's disease.

This report presents a review of difficulties in the analysis of case-control studies in which multiple binary responses are observed for each individual and the number of controls per case varies. These statistical considerations are described in the context of a previously reported analysis of the influence of treatment for Hodgkin's disease on pregnancy outcomes.
Sterol content and distribution in two Nicotiana species and their spontaneous-tumoring hybrid

Abstract Sterol contents of Nicotiana suaveolens (Lehm), N. langsdorffii (Weinm.) and their spontaneous-tumoring hybrid were compared when plants of both species and the hybrid began flowering, and again after numerous tumours had developed spontaneously on the hybrid plants. In general, the upper plant parts (younger tissues) had higher sterol contents than did the lower plant parts (older tissues) at both sampling dates. β-Sitosterol was the most abundant sterol in the above ground portions while stigmasterol was most abundant in roots. Low cholesterol and high campesterol levels were found in N. suaveolens in contrast with high cholesterol and low campesterol in N. langsdorffii . Levels of cholesterol and campesterol in the hybrid were intermediate between the parental species. Low cholesterol and high campesterol contents were found in tumours of the hybrid, and in roots of both of the parental species and the hybrid.
Doing Magic with DNA

After providing a historical perspective on the problem of DNA entanglement, Wang discusses structural, functional, and clinical aspects of topoisomerases.
Victim impact statements and crime heinousness: a test of the saturation hypothesis

Abstract In Payne v. Tennessee (1991), it was argued that the harmful effects of a victim impact statement (VIS) during sentencing are diminished as the heinousness of the crime increases. We tested this hypothesis by giving 180 mock jurors a summary of a murder trial that varied the presence/absence of VIS along with the crime heinousness (more/less). Participants gave significantly harsher sentencing ratings when VIS was present than when it was absent, and crime heinousness also significantly affected sentencing ratings. However, a significant heinousness by VIS interaction failed to emerge for sentencing, perceptions of victim suffering, or anger toward defendant.
The effects of bereavement on adult sibling bone marrow donors’ psychological well-being and reactions to donation

As living organ, tissue, and bone marrow donation become increasingly prevalent treatments for a variety of diseases, better understanding of living donors' experiences, especially when the recipient does not survive after the transplant, also becomes more critical. Although some psychological outcome data exist concerning living donation, there have been no systematic prospective investigations, to date, of the psychological impact of bereavement among sibling bone marrow donors. Studies of bereavement effects in other donation settings such as unrelated bone marrow donation and related kidney donation, suggest that bereavement may have a significant impact on donors' reactions. The present investigation studied a panel of sibling bone marrow donors at three key points in the donation process in order to (1) examine donor psychological well-being across time, and (2) investigate the effect of the sibling recipient's death on donor well-being. We surveyed sibling donors by mail 1-2 weeks prior to donation, 1-2 weeks following donation, and again 1 year after their donation. In general, all donors reported high levels of predonation self-esteem, mastery, happiness and life satisfaction. As might be expected, bereaved donors felt less as if their donation had really helped their sibling as time passed. However, despite such donation-specific perceptions, bereaved donors experienced global psychological gains following bereavement including enhanced self-esteem, happiness, and life satisfaction compared to donors whose siblings were still living. These findings suggest that physicians and mental health practitioners should monitor donors' psychological well-being for extended periods post-donation, and should consider clinical interventions for bereaved and nonbereaved sibling donors.
One-dimensional quantum localization in amorphous W—Re films

Abstract We have examined the dependence of a resistance on the cross-sectional area and on temperature of amorphous W—Re films. We find that the data qualitatively fits the expression for one dimensional quantum localization.
Characterization of Sr2.7Ln0.3Fe1.4Co0.6O7 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Gd) intergrowth oxides as cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Perovskite-related intergrowth oxides Sr2.7Ln0.3Fe1.4Co0.6O7 − δ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, and Gd) have been investigated as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). With decreasing size of the Ln3+ ions, the unit cell volume, oxygen content, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), and total electrical conductivity decrease from Ln = La to Gd. The decreasing unit cell volume and oxygen content is attributed to the decreasing size of Ln3+ ions from Ln = La to Gd and a consequent preference for lower coordination numbers. While the decrease in the ionicity of the Ln–O bonds from Ln = La to Gd causes a decrease in the TEC, the increasing amount of oxygen vacancies leads to a decrease in electrical conductivity arising from a thermally activated semiconducting behavior. The cathode polarization conductance (Rp− 1) measured using the ac-impedance spectroscopy and the catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in SOFC decrease from Ln = La to Gd partly due to the decrease in electrical conductivity.
Contemporary results of angioplasty-based infrainguinal percutaneous interventions

Introduction Although lower-extremity bypass grafting has been the gold standard for infrainguinal revascularization, endovascular therapies have been increasingly applied to avoid operative morbidities. This study addresses the initial results of an implementation of infrainguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) performed by vascular surgeons to treat lower-extremity ischemia. Methods From January 2002 to July 2003, 95 consecutive patients presenting with the spectrum of lower-extremity ischemic manifestations, in whom infrainguinal PTA was the initial choice of treatment, were assessed for treatment efficacy by clinical and noninvasive evaluation. Study end points of angiographic, hemodynamic, and clinical successes (Society of Vascular Surgery reporting standards) were recorded, and variables associated with ischemic category improvement were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. During the same study interval, 87 patients underwent bypass grafting (not further considered). Results PTA was used to treat 100 limbs in 95 consecutive patients: 63 limbs (63%) had femoropopliteal PTA, 17 limbs (17%) had tibioperoneal PTA, and 20 limbs (20%) had multilevel PTA. Tissue-threatening ischemia was present in 47% of patients, and 53% were treated for claudication. Complications (no mortality) included one myocardial infarction (1%) and two access site hematomas (2%). Angiographic and hemodynamic success (a .10 increase in ankle-brachial index) was obtained in 97% and 90% of the treated limbs, respectively. With a mean follow-up of 14 months, clinical success was obtained in 85% of the treated limbs, and limb salvage for critical ischemia was achieved in 75% (30/40 limbs). Of the PTA failures, five patients (5%) underwent bypass grafting, and five patients (5%) underwent major amputation because of no further reconstructive options or extensive necrosis. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (risk ratio [RR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 8.7, P = .02), poor runoff into the foot (RR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6 to 8.6, P = .001), and renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL) (RR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.8 to 7.6, P = .001) were predictive of PTA failure. Conclusion Infrainguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for lower-extremity ischemia is feasible, safe and provides acceptable hemodynamic and clinical results. PTA will become the initial treatment for most patients requiring lower-extremity revascularization.
Experimental verification of multispectral forward scatter phenotyping from bacterial colonies

We present an experimental verification of multispectral forward scattering from individual bacteria colonies. A new instrument was designed to provide broader spectral data from bacterial colonies. Experiments with Staphylococcus colonies show excellent agreement with theories.
Use of overseas migrants' remittances to the extended family for business investment: A research note

The extended family's role in economic improvement has been extensively debated. From a modernization theory perspective, the extended family is viewed as an institutional obstacle to economic progress, while a social capital perspective suggests that it is an “engine” insofar as it permits individuals to activate networks and pool resources beyond their own. This paper examines, from these perspectives, extended family influences on the use of remittances from transnational migrants. The research asks whether family influences are positive or negative and are more or less important than other factors in determining business investments. The research draws on interviews with 170 family heads in a small community in Pakistan. The results show that relatively little remittance income from family members working in the Middle East was channeled into business investments, despite government incentives offered to migrant households. Most of the extended family measures used in the research are statistically unimportant in explaining level of business investment. There thus appears to be little support for either modernization theory or social capital arguments on the role of the extended family. Of the five operationalized extended family dimensions only one was related to business investment, and that positively. However, “family” considerations are not irrelevant. The best predictors of business investment were a preexisting level of business exposure/experience within the family and whether or not the family head was aware of business investment opportunities. The results raise questions about the need to reconceptualize family influences beyond the formal dimensions of extended family structure.
Generation of the ocular motor nuclei and their cell types in the rabbit

Autoradiography of 3H-thymidine incorporation was combined with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) transport to distinguish the birthdates of motoneurons and internuclear neurons of the abducens nucleus, and of specific motor pools within the oculomotor nucleus. Motoneurons were identified by their retrograde transport of HRP from the extraocular muscles. In other experiments, internuclear neurons of the abducens nucleus were identified by their retrograde transport of HRP from the oculomotor nucleus. We found that motoneurons and internuclear neurons are generated simultaneously in the abducens nucleus, and suggest that the differentiation of these two neuron types may be controlled by the local environment. The motor pools of the oculomotor nucleus are generated sequentially. This may reflect the mechanism whereby nuclei are constructed.
PREDATOR-AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR EXTENDS TROPHIC CASCADES TO REFUGE HABITATS

Consideration of how trait-mediated indirect interactions (TMIIs) affect community dynamics is recognized as an important focus for ecological research. Although these indirect effects have been shown to mediate trophic cascades in ecological communities, our understanding of how habitat refuge influences the strength and direction of cascading effects is limited. We examined whether or not oyster toadfish (top predator) affect mud crab (intermediate predator) foraging on juvenile hard clams (infaunal prey) in oyster reefs, a physically complex habitat that can provide refuge for both intermediate predators and basal prey. In particular, we manipulated toadfish presence in mesocosms containing experimental oyster reefs and quantified both mud crab and juvenile clam mortality. Toadfish significantly reduced mud crab foraging on clams and increased clam survivorship even though mud crabs foraging on the surface of the reef sought refuge from toadfish deeper within the oyster-shell matrix where they were mor...
The Default Effect in End-of-Life Medical Treatment Preferences:

Background. Living wills are intended to preserve patient autonomy, but recent studies suggest that they do not always have their desired effect. One possible explanation is that living wills do not capture the authentic preferences of the patients who write them but instead reflect transient contextual effects on preferences.Purpose.Two experiments examined whether end-of-life treatment preferences expressed in a living will were influenced by the presence of default options.Method.College students participated in 2 Web-based questionnaire experiments (Ns = 182 and 51). Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 or 3 default conditions. Results.In experiment 1, participants expressed significantly different treatment preferences in 3 normatively equivalent, check box—formatted living wills that were either positively worded (“indicate medical treatments you would want administered”), negatively worded (“indicate treatments you would want withheld”), or of forced-choice format (P = 0.01). Participants ...
Analysis of internet-based patient education materials related to pituitary tumors.

ABSTRACT Objective The Internet has become a primary and ubiquitous information source for patient education material (PEM); however, the information provided may not be appropriate for the average patient to comprehend. Various national healthcare organizations have recommended that PEM be written at or below the sixth-grade level. The purpose of this study was to assess the readability of pituitary tumor–related PEMs available on the Internet. Methods: Fifty-one PEMs on pituitary tumors were downloaded from professional society and clinical practice websites. Analysis of readability was performed using 4 different readability indices: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and Gunning Frequency Measure of Gobbledygook (Gunning FOG). Results Scores from the FKGL, SMOG, and Gunning FOG scales correspond to reading grade levels. Therefore, a higher number corresponds to higher difficulty and lower readability. The average grade level of the PEMs according to the readability indices were as follows: FKGL = 11.71 (11th to 12th grades), SMOG = 14.56 (college level), and Gunning FOG = 14.86 (college level). For the FRES, higher scores imply easier readability. The average FRES was 40.19 (fairly difficult–between 10th and 11th grades). Conclusion These findings suggest that online pituitary tumor–related material may be too difficult for comprehension by the majority of the targeted patient population. Keeping the reading level of PEMs at or below the sixth grade may improve understanding of this disease and its management for pituitary tumor patients. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:1044-1050)
A new adaptive system approach to predator–prey modeling

Abstract A computable general equilibrium approach can effectively model adaptive ecological systems, and here it is applied to a predator–prey system. Features of the model include: (1) predators and prey maximize net energy intake by responding to energy expenditures for capturing prey and for avoiding capture; (2) the expenditures are determined system-wide by the interaction of all predators and prey; (3) predator consumption is negatively related to its expenditures on prey; (4) prey biomass given up to predators is negatively related to the predator’s expenditure owing to predation risk; (5) when there is but one prey species, the steady-state predator consumption and expenditure are independent of the prey density because any advantage of a larger prey density is competed away by the predators; (6) when there are two prey species, the steady-state predator consumptions and expenditures are not independent of the densities, because there are many combinations of consumptions and expenditures that yield a steady state, and the combinations are differentiated by prey densities; (7) no a priori assumptions are made about functional responses, and the functional response observed depends on whether the prey consumption is allowed to vary and on the numerical response of the predator; (8) functional and numerical responses tend to be negatively related; (9) predator switching behavior depends on the relative expenditures for the prey species, and the predator may specialize in one prey or switch gradually between prey; (10) population difference equations depend on individual net energies and not on aggregated species parameters, while oscillations in a population depend on average lifespan.
Historical review of air-bearing spacecraft simulators

An overview of air-bearing spacecraft simulators is provided. Air bearings have been used for satellite attitude determination and control hardware verie cation and software development for nearly 45 years. It is interesting to consider the history of this technology: how early systems were e rst devised and what diverse capabilities current systems provide. First a survey is given of planar systems that give a payload freedom to translate and spin. Then several classes of rotational air bearings are discussed: those which simulate three-axis satellite attitude dynamics. The subsequent section discusses perhaps the most interesting facilities: those that provide both translational and three-dimensional rotational freedom. Thediverse capabilities each styleofair-bearing testbed provides, themany settings they can be found in, and ways to improve facility performance are described.
Respirometric assay for biofilm kinetics estimation: Parameter identifiability and retrievability

Currently, no fast and accurate methods exist for measuring extant biokinetic parameters for biofilm systems. This article presents a new approach to measure extant biokinetic parameters of biofilms and examines the numerical feasibility of such a method. A completely mixed attached growth bioreactor is subjected to a pulse of substrate, and oxygen consumption is monitored by on-line measurement of dissolved oxygen concentration in the bulk liquid. The oxygen concentration profile is then fit with a mechanistic mathematical model for the biofilm to estimate biokinetic parameters. In this study a transient biofilm model is developed and solved to generate dissolved oxygen profiles in the bulk liquid. Sensitivity analysis of the model reveals that the dissolved oxygen profiles are sufficiently sensitive to the biokinetic parameters—the maximum specific growth rate coefficient (⁁μ) and the half-saturation coefficient (Ks)—to support parameter estimation if accurate estimates of other model parameters can be obtained. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted with the model to add typical measurement error to the generated dissolved oxygen profiles. Even with measurement error in the dissolved oxygen profile, a pair of biokinetic parameters is always retrievable. The geometric mean of the parameter estimates from the Monte Carlo simulations prove to be an accurate estimator for the true biokinetic values. Higher precision is obtained for ⁁μ estimates than for Ks estimates. In summary, this theoretical analysis reveals that an on-line respirometric assay holds promise for measuring extant biofilm kinetic parameters. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng57: 35–45, 1998.
Chronic lorcainide therapy for symptomatic premature ventricular complexes: Efficacy, pharmacokinetics and evidence for norlorcainide antiarrhythmic effect

Chronic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) have been effectively suppressed by oral lorcainide as reported in previous short-term studies. The plasma level-effect relation of lorcainide may be affected by the possible cardioactivity of norlorcainide, a metabolite that accumulates after repeated oral doses. This study evaluated the long-term efficacy of lorcainide in suppressing chronic symptomatic PVCs, and examined the relation of arrhythmia suppression to plasma concentrations of lorcainide and norlorcainide. Fourteen patients were treated with lorcainide, 200 to 400 mg/day, 12 of whom achieved nearly complete suppression of arrhythmias after treatment for 1 year. Chronic lorcainide treatment was well tolerated; no patient discontinued treatment because of adverse effects. Lorcainide and norlorcainide plasma concentrations remained stable after the first week of therapy. Antiarrhythmic activity persisted throughout the year. Upon drug withdrawal, the mean lorcainide washout half-life was 14.3 +/- 3.7 hours and the mean norlorcainide washout half-life was 31.9 +/- 8.9 hours. The return of arrhythmias occurred well after the lorcainide plasma concentration had decreased to subtherapeutic levels, suggesting an antiarrhythmic effect of norlorcainide. Thus, long-term lorcainide therapy is effective in treating chronic symptomatic PVCs and is well tolerated by most patients. The metabolite norlorcainide appears to have antiarrhythmic activity independent of lorcainide.
A brief remark on van der Waerden spaces

We demonstrate that Martin's axiom for σ-centered notions of forcing implies the existence of a van der Waerden space that is not a Hindman space. Our proof is an adaptation of the one given by M. Kojman and S. Shelah that such a space exists if one assumes the continuum hypothesis to be true.
Expression of Human Milk Proteins in Plants

Human milk proteins are believed to have a multitude of biological activities benefiting the newborn infant. Such functions include antibacterial and antiviral activities, enhancement of the immune system and increased nutrient absorption. To date, only breast-fed infants have been exposed to these proteins. However, by using genetic engineering it is now possible to express these proteins in plants, such as rice, at very high levels. Recombinant human milk proteins can subsequently be added to infant formula and baby foods. Prior to such addition, safety tests and efficacy trials need to be conducted. The safety tests will initially be done in rats and then in humans. The efficacy trials should also evaluate stability against heat treatment (processing), pH (stomach conditions) and proteolytic enzymes (digestion). To date, we have expressed recombinant human lactoferrin, lysozyme and alpha1-antitrypsin in rice at very high expression levels. These recombinant proteins showed a stability and activities similar to those of the native milk proteins, suggesting that they may be able to exert biological activities in infants when added to formula or baby foods.
Asymptomatic 5-year-old child with hypothyroidism and concurrent severe hypercholesterolemia

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects 1 in 1 million children, whereas heterozygous FH affects 1 in 500 children. The concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) usually exceeds 500 mg/dL in affected children. If left untreated, these children are at risk for the development of atherosclerosis and early cardiovascular disease. However, very high LDL-C is not always the result of FH, and secondary causes of hypercholesterolemia should be ruled out as part of the medical workup, even though these causes are unusual in children.
Phylogenetic Stains: Ribosomal RNA-Based Probes for the Identification of Single Cells

Rapid phylogenetic identification of single microbial cells was achieved with a new staining method. Formaldehyde-fixed, intact cells were hybridized with fluorescently labeled oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and viewed by fluorescence microscopy. Because of the abundance of rRNA in cells, the binding of the fluorescent probes to individual cells is readily visualized. Phylogenetic identification is achieved by the use of oligonucleotides (length 17 to 34 nucleotides) that are complementary to phylogenetic group-specific 16S rRNA sequences. Appropriate probes can be composed of oligonucleotide sequences that distinguish between the primary kingdoms (eukaryotes, eubacteria, archaebacteria) and between closely related organisms. The simultaneous use of multiple probes, labeled with different fluorescent dyes, allows the identification of different cell types in the same microscopic field. Quantitative microfluorimetry shows that the amount of an rRNA-specific probe that binds to Escherichia coli varies with the ribosome content and therefore reflects growth rate.
Correlation inequalities for vector spin models

Correlation inequalities forn-vector spin models (n ⩾ 2) are reviewed. A relatively simple and unified derivation of the inequalities is achieved, using duplicate variable methods, for spin dimensionalitiesn=2 (plane rotator model),n=3 (classical Heisenberg model), andn=4. Although correlation inequalities are lacking forn > 4, new proofs are presented for the comparison inequalities relating correlations for systems with arbitrary spin dimensionality to corresponding correlations for systems with low spin dimensionality (n = 1 or 2).