cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling the three-dimensional transport and distribution of multiple microplastic polymer types in Lake Erie

Abstract We model three-dimensional motion of plastic pollution in Lake Erie due to advection, density-driven sinking, and turbulent mixing using a Lagrangian transport model to explore the distribution of plastic in the water column and sediment. Nine polymer types that make up over 75% of predicted worldwide plastic waste were modeled, and the model keeps track of particles that hit the bottom to represent deposition. Modeled spatial distributions are compared with samples from the surface to calibrate the model and derive estimates for the mass of plastic in the lake volume and the flux of plastic into the sediment. The mass estimate of 381 ± 204 metric tons is two orders of magnitude larger than previous surface estimates, though still a fraction of predicted yearly input. The results are a step towards closing the plastic mass balance in Lake Erie as well as understanding the transport of plastic into the sediment.
Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) is defined as the ocular manifestations of severe carotid artery stenosis or occlusion. For some patients, the first indication of carotid disease is OIS. Diagnosing a patient with OIS gives them a poor prognosis for both ocular and systemic morbidity, but may provide the physician with an opportunity to prevent a major stroke (Sivalingam et al. 1989, 1991). Since OIS was first described in 1963 (Hedges 1963; Kearns and Hollenhort 1963), imaging techniques have evolved, improving our ability to characterize the ocular findings of this disease. Although other authors have used the term venous stasis retinopathy, we will use the term ocular ischemic syndrome in this chapter (Brown et al. 2018).
P49 Adding Parent Feeding Information to an Established Nutrition Education Program: Fidelity Across 2 States, 2 Languages in a Randomized Control Trial

Objective Determine if peer educators can simultaneously deliver 3 arms of a randomized control trial while maintaining curriculum fidelity. Use of Theory or Research Implementation Science principles Target Audience Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program participants (n = 540, enrolled) in Washington and Colorado; experienced peer educators (n = 11). Program Description A randomized control trial with 3 arms, each with English and Spanish classes. The same educators taught Control, In-class, and Online arms. All participants, including the Control arm, received 9 lessons using the Eating Smart • Being Active (ESBA) curriculum. In-class participants watched videos on parent feeding behaviors (adapted from previous work) and participated in related educator led activities. Online participants received texts with links to 7 videos and activities between face-to-face lessons but no in-class content. Evaluations occurred at Pre-, Post-, 6- and 12 months post. To address fidelity, educators received extensive training and practice opportunities. Multiple observations in each class series and educator-supervisor discussions assessed and reinforced fidelity. Evaluation Methods Detailed class observation forms, tailored to the specific intervention arm, assessed adherence to ESBA and parent feeding information as well as any cross-contamination of parent feeding behavior information between arms. Open-ended phone interviews with educators post-program. Results One hundred and twenty-eight observations, 58 in English and 70 in Spanish, with 40-45 per arm. The Control group received no parent feeding behavior information; ESBA lessons were delivered as intended 89% of time. In the Online group, minor parent feeding behavior information was shared during 7% of the observations; ESBA lessons were followed 87% of the time. The In-class group delivered the parent feeding behavior information appropriately 84-90% of the time. Most issues were minor and, typically, involved hurried discussions or reviews of previous material. Conclusions With proper training and support, peer educators are capable of maintaining fidelity while delivering multiple arms in a randomized control trial. Researchers interested in studying educational programming delivered by peer educators should invest resources to establish and maintain fidelity for quality research.
Member States' Due Diligence Obligations to Supervise International Organizations

There are two reasons to consider obligations to supervise international organizations as a distinct category of due diligence obligations. First, due diligence obligations typically require states to regulate third parties in some way. But it is harder for states to regulate international organizations unilaterally than to regulate private actors within their own territories because international law protects the autonomy of those organizations. Second, such due diligence obligations merit attention because they may compensate for the dearth of mechanisms to hold international organizations accountable when they cause harm. These accountability concerns are especially acute when it comes to private individuals who are harmed by such organizations’ activities. If member states policed international organizations more carefully, those organizations may be less likely to cause harm, or be more likely to provide recourse when they do. The International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations (the ARIO), adopted in 2011, establish some general, cross-cutting obligations on states to act (or refrain from acting) in particular ways vis-a-vis international organizations. The chapter argues that these obligations are framed too narrowly. First, the Commission should have made clear that member states would incur responsibility by aiding and assisting or directing and controlling acts by international organizations that violate the latter’s international obligations. This omission does not matter when an international organization’s obligations coincide with those of its member states. But in some important cases, their obligations diverge. Second, the Commission should have affirmed that, when an international organization breaches an international obligation, member states have a duty to make sure that the organization can implement all of the obligations that are triggered by a violation of international law — not just the obligation to make full reparation. The chapter closes by making the normative case for establishing a due diligence obligation on member states to ensure that international organizations do not abuse their immunities.
Electroweak Measurements from Hadron Colliders

A review of recent electroweak results from hadron colliders is given. Properties of the W and Z gauge bosons using final states containing electrons and muons based on large integrated luminosities are presented. The emphasis is placed on the measurement of the mass of the W boson and the measurement of trilinear gauge boson couplings.
Designing and Evaluating COVID-19 Protocols for an Office-Based Opioid Treatment Program in an Urban Underserved Setting.

Background Despite changing federal regulations for providing telehealth services and provision of controlled substances during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is little guidance available for office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) programs integrated into primary care settings. Purpose (1) Develop disaster-preparedness protocols specific to the COVID-19 pandemic for an urban OBOT program, and (2) evaluate the impacts of the protocol and telehealth on care. Methods Disaster-preparedness protocols specific to the COVID-19 pandemic were developed for an urban OBOT program, implemented on March 16, 2020. Retrospective chart review compared patients from January 1, 2020 to March 13, 2020, to patients from March 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020, abstracting patient demographics and comparing show and no-show rates between studied groups. Results The disaster-preparedness protocol was developed under a deliberative process to address social issues of the urban underserved population. Of 852 visits conducted between Jan 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020, a 91.7% show rate (n = 166/181) was documented for telemedicine visits after protocol implementation compared with a 74.1% show rate (n = 497/671) for routine in-person care (P = .06) without significant differences between the study populations. The no-show rate was significantly lower after protocol implementation (8.3% vs 25.9%; P Conclusions OBOTs require organized workflows to continue to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine, in the face of relaxed federal regulations, has the opportunity to enhance addiction care, creating a more convenient as well as an equally effective mechanism for OBOTs to deliver care that should inform future policy.
Cancer COVID Watch: A feasibility study of intensive remote symptom monitoring via automated text messages with integrated nurse practitioner triage for patients with cancer and suspected or confirmed COVID-19

e13580Background: Patients with cancer are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms and dying from COVID-19 than the general population. Early detection of worsening symptoms and rapid nurse p...
Venture Capital and Private Equity Investors, Governance and Success of IPOs – Evidence from India

In this study, we are the first to examine the role of domestic and foreign venture capital and private equity firms (VCPEs) in Indian firms. We find robust evidence to indicate that portfolio firms backed by foreign VCPEs incorporate effective governance structures in the post-IPO period. Specifically, these firms are associated with smaller, more independent and gender-diverse boards. Furthermore, our results suggest that foreign VCPEs continue their association with their portfolio firms in the post-IPO period by nominating directors to the boards. Our results also suggest that portfolio firms backed by foreign VCPEs are associated with better long-term operating performance and profitability. We note that this positive effect is exacerbated by the presence of VCPE nominated directors on the boards. Collectively, our results provide credence to the view that good governance practices are key to long term success of a business, especially in economies that may lack good legal systems, developed financial markets and a variety of alternative investment opportunities and where developing trust between parties involved in a transaction is more important.
Characteristics of Women with Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnancy.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in pregnancy. Known risk factors for UTI in pregnancy include diabetes and certain urologic conditions. Other maternal characteristics might also be associated with risk and could provide clues to the etiology of UTI in pregnancy. Our objective was to identify maternal characteristics associated with UTI in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: We used data from pregnant women participating in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a population-based study of risk factors for major structural birth defects in 10 U.S. sites, from 1997 to 2011. In cross-sectional analyses, we used multivariable log-binomial regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between self-reported maternal characteristics and UTI in pregnancy. Results: In our sample of 41,869 women, the overall prevalence of reported UTI in pregnancy was 18%, but ranged from 11% to 26% between study sites. In adjusted models, diabetes was moderately associated with higher UTI prevalence (PR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.24-1.57). Higher UTI prevalence was associated even more strongly with low educational attainment (PR 2.06, 95% CI: 1.77-2.40 for some high school vs. graduate school), low household income (PR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.46-1.84 for <$10,000 vs. ≥$50,000), and race/ethnicity (PR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.13-1.80 for American Indian or Alaska Native vs. White women). Conclusions: About one in six women reported UTI in pregnancy but the prevalence varied markedly by geography and maternal characteristics. This variability could provide clues to the causes of UTI in pregnancy.
Scalable knowledge base completion with superposition memories.

We present Harmonic Memory Networks (HMem), a neural architecture for knowledge base completion that models entities as weighted sums of pairwise bindings between an entity's neighbors and corresponding relations. Since entities are modeled as aggregated neighborhoods, representations of unseen entities can be generated on the fly. We demonstrate this with two new datasets: WNGen and FBGen. Experiments show that the model is SOTA on benchmarks, and flexible enough to evolve without retraining as the knowledge graph grows.
Social Construction of Boundaries in the Context of the Official and Unofficial Economies

Estimates of the value of business activities in the unofficial economy,1 defined as the environment outside the legal sphere for producing and selling goods and services, vary from 6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in Japan, to 29% in Greece and Italy, over 70% in Nigeria, and approximately 10%, or over $1 trillion, in the United States (Schneider & Enste, 2000). In developing economies, the unofficial economy accounts for between 40 and 60% of GDP. Overall, these percentages are more currently estimated to be between 30 and 40% in transition economies and between 10 and 40% in developed economies (Blades, Ferreira, & Lugo, 2011). On a global scale, the unofficial economy may be as much as a 10 trillion dollar industry, making it the second largest economy in the world behind the US economy (Neuwirth, 2011). The official economy, which includes the formal and marginal quadrants—quadrants in which business activities are legal—accounts for all GDP that is generated outside the unofficial economy. In 2012, the size of the global official economy was estimated at $72 trillion through the gross world product, or GWP, which is the sum of the world’s individual country-level GDPs (CIA World Factbook, 2013). At first glance it might appear that the official and unofficial economies operate independently; however, a closer examination reveals that the location of the boundaries between the official and the unofficial economies is unclear and that the boundaries themselves are permeable and unstable. Indeed, the complex intersections between the unofficial and official economies increase as societal preferences and organizational practices change. For example, a business activity that is legal and legitimate at a point in time might subsequently become illegal or illegitimate, illustrating a boundary shift to which businesses must adapt. Accordingly and based on this logic, we conceptualize legitimacy for the purposes of this work as a synonym of social acceptability and, as such, define it
Taxes and Elections

In the democratic societies people are tax payers and voters. This unity makes it very important that in every voter should speak the taxpayer and vice versa. The paper makes parallel between this dualism in human nature and figure how the tax payer influences the voter. The elections influence usually the taxes in three ways - tax legislation, tax rates and general taxation. These three ways concern the development stage of the society. The foreseen tax harmonization in the European Union didn't happen for electoral reasons. In Eastern Europe the fear of the past is replaced by the tax fear.
A queueing model for a data station within the IEEE 802.6 MAN

An exact queuing model for a station that operates within the IEEE 802.6 subnetwork of a metropolitan area network (MAN) is developed. The model reflects the station's perception of the subnetwork and it has been developed by mapping the media access control (MAC) protocol to a queuing service discipline. The model is a discrete-time single-server queue with two classes of customers served according to a quasi-gated discipline. The one class of customers represents the data packets generated by the station, while the other class represents the requests registered by the station. The model gives useful insight into the operation of the station and it can be used as a cornerstone module for analytical and/or simulation models of the whole IEEE 802.6 subnetwork. >
An Optical Rotation Experiment to Search for Neutral Current Effects in Atomic Bismuth

We discuss here the current status of an experiment1,2 at the University of Washington in which we are searching for a small parity non-conserving (PNC) effect in atoms. As first pointed out by Bouchiat and Bouchiat3, effects of measurable size are expected in heavy atoms if the neutral weak current interaction4–6 between electrons and nucleons has a PNC component. In our experiment, the effect of interest is an optical rotation associated with the 8755A magnetic-dipole absorption line in atomic bismuth vapor. Similar experiments have been proposed by Sandars7 and Khriplovich8, and one using the 6476A line in Bi is underway and is being reported at this conference.9
Conflicts of Rights: When the Federal Constitution Restricts Civil Liberties

“It is elementary that States are free to provide greater protections . . . than the Federal Constitution requires,” California v. Ramos, 463 U.S. 992, 1013-14 (1983), and the same goes for Congress, so far as it operates within its constitutional powers. Indeed many of our civil rights and liberties are protected by statutes or by state constitutions. But this principle has its limitations: sometimes the Federal Constitution can limit the ability of Congress or the States to expand civil liberties. In other words, sometimes the Federal Constitution is not just a floor for civil rights, it is also a ceiling. This occurs whenever civil rights conflict. Thus, conflicts among civil rights present a potentially troublesome form of judicial review since they may limit the ability of the democratic process to provide more freedom. And yet, as we shall see, courts often resolve these conflicts with little more than a flick of the wrist. This Article analyzes claims of conflicts of rights arising under the Federal Constitution and examines the argument that such conflicts do not lend themselves to rational resolution—a contention based, inter alia, on Isaiah Berlin’s thesis of the incommensurability of fundamental values.
Stability of social behavior in captive American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber): A quantitative case study

Over a three-year period a captive American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) group showed recurring seasonal changes in the pattern of agonistic behavior. In spite of seasonal changes in the rates of agonistic behavior, dominance relations were generally stable across seasons. Males had significantly higher dominance status than females, and birds in long-term male–female pair bonds had significantly higher dominance than others. Unresolved agonistic encounters (URI), those with no clear winner or loser, were frequently observed; and their pattern of occurrence changed over the course of the year. URI were most frequent on the breeding “island” during the breeding season, and at the feeder in the post-breeding season. Thus, the frequency of URI reliably tracked seasonal changes regarding the resources most in contention; and, the extent of an individual's involvement in URI was indicative of privileged access to resources over which competition occurred. Zoo Biol. 34:305–313, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Deconstructing innate immune signaling in myelodysplastic syndromes

Overexpression of immune-related genes is widely reported in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), and chronic immune stimulation increases the risk for developing MDS. Aberrant innate immune activation, such as that caused by increased toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, in MDS can contribute to systemic effects on hematopoiesis, in addition to cell-intrinsic defects on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) function. This review will deconstruct aberrant function of TLR signaling mediators within MDS HSPCs that may contribute to cell-intrinsic consequences on hematopoiesis and disease pathogenesis. We will discuss the contribution of chronic TLR signaling to the pathogenesis of MDS based on evidence from patients and mouse genetic models.
Comparison of oral and aerosol ribavirin regimens in the high risk elderly

A comparison of different regimens of ribavirin (R), administered either orally or by aerosol, was performed in 16 elderly subjects (13 men, 3 women, mean age 63 ± 8 years) considered to be in the “high-risk” category for complications from influenza as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. The subjects were divided into four groups. Group O-600 received 600 mg orally R every 8 hours for 48 hours followed by 200 mg every 8 hours for 72 hours for a total dose of 5.4 g (22.1 mmol). Group O-800 received 800 mg oral R every 8 hours for 24 hours followed by 400 mg every 12 hours for 96 hours for a total dose of 4.1 g (22.9 mMoles). Group A-40 received R (40 mg/ml) aerosolized through a small particle aerosol generator for 6 hours every 12 hours for 96 hours, yielding an average delivered dose of 6.2 g (25.4 mMoles) R. Group A-60 received aerosolized R (60 mg/mL) for 2 hours every 8 hours for 96 hours, yielding an average delivered dose of 4.6 g (18.8 mMoles) R. No hematologic or other laboratory abnormalities were associated with any of the regimens. Group O-800 and O-600 reached mean peak plasma R levels of 11.8 μM and 5.3 μM, respectively, after 18 hours of therapy. Subsequent administration of 20 mg R every 8 hours was sufficient to maintain a plasma R level greater than 7 μM. Among the aerosol groups, group A-40 approached steady state plasma R levels (8–10 μM) more quickly than group A-60. Steady state levels could be maintained by administering 60 mg/ml aerosol R for 2 hours, every 8 hours. No adverse pulmonary effects were noted in any patient. Further trials evaluating the clinical efficacy of oral and aerosol ribavirin in the elderly should be carried out.
Lay concepts of etiology

Abstract This paper reports on how persons from rural and urban cultures answered the question, “Why do (specified symptoms) happen to me?” Within the sample and methodological dimensions of this study, the following hypotheses are confirmed: (1) for persons of the same sex, rural symptom explanations significantly vary from those of urban residents; and (2) within the same rural and urban area, husbands and wives agree on the explanations about one-third of the time. Furthermore, persons in the rural culture perceive themselves as having more symptoms than do urban residents. Observations derived from informal field work methods emphasize the heterogeneity of symptom explanation and scarcely mention interpersonal relations as etiological factors. Furthermore, it is suggested that lay reports of physician explanations may undergo change and rewording as the person incorporates scientific etiology into his own health subsystem. A number of questions still remain: What is the relationship between symptom explanation and physician visits? What actions, if any, follow upon the recognition of symptoms? How do interactions concerning symptoms correspond to how individuals respond to other social and economic problems? These have been briefly considered with respect to medical care and will be elaborated in subsquent reports.
Experimental and cytological studies on bisexual and hermaphrodite free-living nematodes, with special reference to problems of sex

Hermaphroditic gonads of Rhabdites elegans can be distinguished in early developmental stages, but oogonia cannot be told from spermatogonia. Certain peculiar males show developmental processes approaching those of hermaphrodites. More eggs are produced by a hermaphrodite than there are sperm with which to fertilize them. Such exhausted hermaphrodites may be mated with males and produce fertile eggs, but convincing evidence of cross-fertilization is lacking. Unmated females of Diplogaster aerivora live longer than mated ones, but no difference was found in the males. Sexual instinct seems to be lacking in males of R. dolichura and R. elegans. Hermaphrodites mated with males produce many more male offspring than by self-fertilization, but these do not exhibit sexual instincts. Females produced by cross-fertilization are not pure females, nor have they been found at all in R. elegans or R. dolichura. After fertilization in these two species, both polar bodies are formed and the pronuclei fuse. Sex is determined by the form of sperm.
Does it matter with whom you slay? The effects of competition, cooperation and relationship type among video game players

Cooperation and competition have emerged as factors that may affect video game players. Competition consistently has been found to elicit increased aggression whilst cooperation has been found to mitigate aggression and increase cooperative behaviors after game play. Of interest is the effect of the relationship between players (friend vs. stranger) in cooperative and competitive multiplayer contexts. In this study, we considered how game goal structure - competition or cooperation - and relationships between players - friend or stranger - affect aggression and cooperative behaviors. Compared with competition, cooperative play resulted in significantly more cooperative behaviors in a modified Prisoner's Dilemma task. However, neither competitive nor cooperative goal structures significantly increased state hostility, suggesting that altering players' gaming goals (e.g. competition or cooperation) may not be enough to elicit strong affective aggression. Additionally, cooperative game play was found to predict increased cooperative behaviors and trust in their partner. Implications of the findings are discussed.
The influence of drawing, twisting, heat setting and untwisting on the structure and mechanical properties of melt spun polypropylene filament

The changes in structure and mechanical properties of melt spun polypropylene filaments were determined as the filaments were successively (i) drawn, (ii) twisted, (iii) annealed, and (iv) untwisted. Filaments spun to two different melt draw down levels were studied. The effects of draw temperature and draw ratio, extent of twist, annealing temperature, and the extent of untwisting were examined. Melt spun and twisted filaments (draw ratio of 1) were also considered. Structural characterization techniques used in this study include wide angle (WAXS) and small angle (SAXS) diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), birefringence and density measurement. Drawing increased crystalline orientation and at low temperatures disrupted the monoclinic unit. cell existing in the melt spun fibers. The drawing produced considerable fibrillation under all conditions even when carried out at 120°C. The fibrillation quid void formation due to low temperature drawing was more pronounced. The variation of WAXS patterns and mechanical properties of twisted drawn filaments was interpreted by presuming that the fibrils act in a manner analogous to that of the filaments in a continuous filament twisted yarn. In the case of incompletely drawn filaments the effect of additional drawing occurring during twistin must be considered. Twisted fibers annealed at 150°C sowed a drastic reduction in tensile properties, while those annealed at 125°C did not set the twist and caused the fibers to tend to untwist. Annealing at 140°C appeared to give satisfactory heat setting. Annealing of cold drawn and cold drawn and twisted fibers increased the density, removed many defects and reformed a well defined monoclinic crystal structure and a lamellar morphology. Untwisting of heat set filaments tended to give back the properties of hot drawn fibers. In some cases, however, the opening of cracks was noted.
Evidence that genomic and antigenomic RNA self-cleaving elements from hepatitis delta virus have similar secondary structures

Abstract The two sequences that define the self-cleaving elements from the genomic and antigenomic RNA of hepatitis delta virus were folded into secondary structures with similar features. Evidence in support of the two models was obtained from limited ribonuclease digestion of genomic and antigenomic RNA fragments containing the sequence 3' of the cleavage site. Under conditions where the rates of self-cleavage are enhanced by addition of 5 M urea (2-10 mM Mg2+ at 37 degrees C), ribonucleases T1, U2, A and V1 generated digestion patterns consistent with the proposed RNA structures. The evidence for a relatively stable structure in urea when Mg2+ is present suggests that denaturant-enhanced rates of self-cleavage could result from destabilization of competing inactive structures.
An Animal Model for Measuring the Effect of Common NICU Procedures on ATP Metabolism

Neonates exposed to common neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) procedures show alterations in heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. However, it is unclear if these physiologic changes increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) utilization, thus potentially increasing the risk for tissue hypoxia in medically fragile neonates. Plasma uric acid is a commonly used marker of increased ATP utilization because uric acid levels increase when ATP consumption is enhanced. To examine the effect of a common NICU procedure on plasma uric acid concentration, we developed a model that allows for acute monitoring of this biochemical marker in plasma in 7- to 9-day-old rabbits. In our pilot study, we exposed neonatal rabbits to a single heel lance 2.5 hr after catheter placement. We measured uric acid concentration before and 30 min after the heel lance and compared findings to levels in control animals not exposed to the heel lance. Our pilot data shows a significant difference in uric acid concentration over tim...
Prevalence of retinal hemorrhages and child abuse in children who present with an apparent life-threatening event

Objective Child abuse (CA) can present with a spectrum of signs and symptoms. Apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) may be a subtle presentation of CA. Retinal hemorrhages (RHs) are a well-described finding in some patients with CA. We hypothesized that screening children who present with a chief complaint of an ALTE for RH would detect an otherwise occult presentation of CA. Methods Children who were younger than 24 months of age and presented to the emergency department between March 1, 1997, and February 28, 1999, with signs and symptoms consistent with the National Institutes of Health's definition of an ALTE were studied prospectively. Children were excluded when it was readily apparent on presentation that the child was a victim of CA. Demographic data, a complete blood count with differential, venous blood gas, carboxyhemoglobin level, and urine toxicological screen were collected. A pediatric ophthalmologist performed a dilated funduscopic examination; patients who were found to have RH underwent a noncontrast computerized tomographic scan of the head and skeletal survey to evaluate for occult injury. Evaluations by social services or Children, Youth and Families, the results of all diagnostic tests obtained, and the final discharge diagnosis were recorded. Medical records of all patients were reviewed at 1 year; subsequent visits, hospitalizations, and evaluations by social services or Children, Youth and Families were recorded. Results A total of 128 patients presented to the emergency department with an ALTE during the study period. No patients were excluded. Mean age was 2.1 months (median: 1.27; range: 0.07-16.0; standard deviation: 2.1). Fifty-seven (44.5%) were boys; 86 (67.2%) were white, and 36 (27.9%) were black. A total of 26 (20.3%) of 128 patients had a history of an ALTE, 4 (3.4%) of 117 had a family history of an ALTE, and 15 (12.8%) of 117 had a family history of sudden infant death syndrome. Dilated funduscopic examination was performed on 73 (57.0%) of 128 patients; RH was detected in 1 patient (1.4%). Four children, including the patient with RH, underwent an evaluation for suspected abuse; 3 (2.3%) of 128 were determined to have been abused. Conclusions RH was detected in 1 (1.4%) of 73 patients in our population of infants with ALTEs and 1 of 3 patients who were victims of CA and presented with an ALTE. CA was detected in 2.3% of patients who presented with an ALTE. The diagnosis of CA should be seriously considered in patients who present with an ALTE. The evaluation of ALTEs should include funduscopic examination as ALTEs and RHs are associated with CA.
The origin of the histidine decarboxylase in rat forestomach

Abstract Histidine decarboxylase of rat glandular stomach was compared with that of the rat forestomach. The enzymes differ as to pH optimum, ease of solubility and cofactor requirement. The characteristics of the enzyme from the forestomach resemble those of histidine decarboxylase from bacteria normally found in this part of the rat stomach; furthermore, bacteria-free rats did not have histidine decarboxylase activity in the forestomach. These facts led to the conclusion that the histidine decarboxylase activity in rat forestomach is of bacterial origin.
Stochastic mortality theory and the mortality potential: A biophysical model for certain competing risks

Abstract The theory of competing risks cannot be based entirely on the analysis of postmortem pathology data. It is necessary also to know the prevalence and residence times of the diseases in question, separately and jointly, in the living population at risk. It is also necessary to have a conceptual model of the transition process from health to disease, or from one disease state to another, within the organism, so that the formal transition probabilities estimated from epidemiological data can be interpreted in biophysical terms as arising from changes in the physico-chemical state of the organism. This paper offers such a model for transition processes arising from fluctuations of physiological state (for example, lapse into diabetic coma or insulin shock as a result of extreme high or low excursions of the blood sugar level). A Gaussian fluctuation process is postulated, and the transition probability, or incidence rate, is calculated as the frequency with which the state variable fluctuates beyond a specified distance, Λ, from the mean state. An explicit solution is given for the limiting, but biologically reasonable, case that such an excursion is a rare event. In this case, the transition probability varies exponentially for linear displacement of Λ or of the dispersion of fluctuations, σ. If Λ decreases, and/or σ increases, as a linear function of age, this model yields an exponential (Gompertzian) relation of disease incidence to age. Generalization to more than one variable is accomplished by introducing the concept of a mortality potential surface, in which the disease transitions are geometrized as saddle points, or “passes”, on the surface.
Magnetization quantum tunneling and improper rotational symmetry

Abstract We examine the magnetization quantum tunneling (MQT) behavior expected for a single-molecule magnet (SMM) with improper rotational symmetry. The simplest possible realization is the [NiII(hmp)(dmb)Cl]4 cubane complex that crystallizes in the I41/a space group, resulting in S4 molecular point-group symmetry. A mapping is performed of the energy-level diagram obtained via exact diagonalization of a multi-spin Hamiltonian onto that of a giant-spin model which assumes ferromagnetic coupling and a spin S = 4 ground state. The results are compared with a similar analysis for a C3 symmetric Mn3 SMM (S = 6 ground state). In the even rotational case (Ni4), the time-reversal invariance associated with the spin–orbit interaction gives rise to a zero-field spin-Hamiltonian that possesses an additional mirror plane perpendicular to the S4 axis, which is not a symmetry element of the molecular point-group. This conclusion applies quite generally to any molecule with improper rotational symmetry (Sq, with q even), including the more widely studied Mn12 SMM. The combined Ni4 and Mn3 studies lead to some interesting predictions concerning MQT selection rules in molecules with even versus odd rotational symmetries. We conclude by considering a case with essentially no symmetry at all, by deliberately distorting the high-symmetry Ni4 molecule. In this case, finite gaps are found at all intersections in the energy-level diagram, indicating a complete absence of MQT selection rules.
Effects of azelastine on contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle.

Abstract Azelastine [4-(p-chlorobenzyl)-2-(hexahydro-1-methyl-1H-azepine-4-yl)-1(2H)-phthalazinone hydrochloride] is a new anti-asthmatic drug. We examined the mechanism of its inhibitory action on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle contraction by measuring membrane potential and isometric force using intracellular microelectrodes and a micro-force transducer. The mean resting membrane potential of guinea pig tracheal muscle cells was −54 mV. Perfusion with 20 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) caused membrane depolarization and elicited spontaneous action potentials. Azelastine (1–100 μM) suppressed both the amplitude and maximal rate of rise of the action potentials in a concentration-dependent manner. Complete abolition occurred at 100 μM. Similarly, azelastine (0.1–100 μM) inhibited and abolished 50 mM KCl-induced contractions. These results suggest that azelastine may inhibit voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Next, pretreatment of tracheal muscle (for 15 min) with azelastine (0.01–100 μM) inhibited subsequent acetylcholine (ACh) (0.01–100 μM)-induced contractions. Azelastine, 100 μM, completely abolished the ACh-induced contractions. In contrast, high concentrations of Ca2+ channel antagonists diltiazem (10–100 μM) or nifedipine (20 μM), and Ca2+-free solution, only partially depressed the ACh contractions suggesting that azelastine has an additional effect on intracellular Ca2+ release. In Ca2+-free solution (containing 0.5 nM EGTA), azelastine (1–100 μM) depressed and abolished the transient contractions induced by 10 μM ACh. We conclude that azelastine inhibits airway constriction by inhibiting both voltage-sensitive Ca2+ slow channels on the cell membrane and Ca2+ release from a intracellular storage site.
Increased turnover of 3H-norepinephrine in rat brain following castration or treatment with ovine follicle-stimulating hormone.

Castration or treatment with exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) both increase the turnover of 3H-norepinephrine in rat brain. The effect of castration is greatest in the hypothalamus and midbrain, and is probably mediated by endogenous FSH. The action of FSH is independent of the gonads, and is not shared by luteinizing hormone. (Endocrinology 84: 1489, 1969)
Abstract YR02: Clinical – Early breast cancer

The past year has brought several major changes in the management of early stage breast cancer. First was evidence from two randomized phase III trials, including ATLAS (Lancet. 2013: 9; 381) and aTTom (ASCO 2013; abstract 5), that extending the duration of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy from 5 to 10 years reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer mortality, and overall mortality. A pooled analysis of the 17,477 patients enrolled both trials showed that for patients who took tamoxifen for 10 years, although there was no benefit in years 5-9 during tamoxifen therapy, there was a 25% reduction in breast cancer mortality beginning at year 10 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% CI 0.65-0.86; p = 0.00004) and a 16% reduction overall mortality (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.93; p = 0.0007). Although there was an increase in the risk of endometrial cancer in ATLAS (2.20, p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr YR02.
Non-stochastic Ti–6Al–4V foam structures with negative Poisson's ratio

Abstract This paper details the design, fabrication, and testing of non-stochastic auxetic lattice lattice structures. All Ti–6Al–4V samples were created via the Electron Beam Melting (EBM) additive manufacturing process. It was found that the Poisson's ratio values significantly influence the mechanical properties of the structures. The bending properties of the auxetic samples were significantly higher than those of currently commercialized metal foams. The compressive strength was moderately higher than available metal foams. These results suggest that metallic auxetic structures have considerable promise for use in a variety of applications in which tradeoffs between mass and mechanical properties are crucial.
Serial rapid naming skills in children with reading disabilities.

This study compared the performance of children with reading disability (RD) and normal reading achievement (NRA) on tasks of serial rapid naming, verbal fluency, letter-based word retrieval, and articulatory speed. The groups, composed of children at two discrete age levels, one younger and one older, were matched for age, gender, and neighborhood school. Analyses of the on-line measurement of the children’s serial rapid naming indicated that the children with RD had significantly larger reaction times and production durations than their NRA peers despite similar levels of accuracy. They also performed significantly worse on the categorical verbal fluency task, the letter-based word retrieval task, and the test of articulatory speed. The findings suggest that both access and post-access processes, such as oral-motor inefficiency that extends the duration of word production, may be implicated in the slower serial rapid naming that has typified many samples of children with RD.
From Access to Opportunity: The Evolving Social Roles of Community Colleges

This paper looks at the social role played by community colleges, the students they serve, and some of the current challenges they face. Community colleges have always been multi-mission institutions and in recent decades have been leaders in enrolling students from diverse family backgrounds. “Nontraditional” students make up the majority of community college students. This paper looks at the diversity of students in terms of race and ethnicity, first-generation college-goers, and students who are academically underprepared. The paper concludes with a discussion of the strengths of the community college experience for students coming from diverse backgrounds.
Teen Court Counseling Groups: Facilitating Positive Change for Adolescents Who Are First-Time Juvenile Offenders

Teen Court is a promising type of diversion program offered to adolescents who have been arrested for first-time misdemeanors, serving as a voluntary and effective alternative to the juvenile justice system. Diversion programs that use group counseling as a mandatory component of sentencing demonstrate initial success in reducing recidivism rates in national outcome studies. In this article, the authors provide a description of 1 Teen Court counseling group model, offer pilot evaluation data, and highlight the implications of implementing Teen Court counseling groups for group counselors.
Femtosecond laser micromilling of Si wafers

Abstract Femtosecond laser micromilling of silicon is investigated using a regeneratively amplified 775 nm Ti:Sapphire laser with a pulse duration of 150 fs operating at 1 kHz repetition rate. The morphological observation and topological analysis of craters fabricated by single-shot laser irradiation indicated that the material removal is thermal in nature and there are two distinct ablation regimes of low fluence and higher fluence with logarithmical relations between the ablation depth and the laser fluence. Crater patterns were categorized into four characteristic groups and their formation mechanisms were investigated. Femtosecond laser micromilling of pockets in silicon was performed. The effect of process parameters such as pulse energy, translation speed, and the number of passes on the material removal rate and the formation of cone-shaped microstructures were investigated. The results indicate that the microstructuring mechanism has a strong dependence on the polarization, the number of passes and laser fluence. The optimal laser fluence range for Si micromilling was found to be 2–8 J/cm 2 and the milling efficiency attains its maximum between 10 and 20 J/cm 2 .
Communicating clearly about conservation corridors

Abstract Conflicting definitions lead to confusion when people communicate about ‘corridors’, particularly when they come from different disciplinary backgrounds. Usage of ‘corridor’ in game management, island biogeography, and metapopulation literature focused on function, namely, the movement of flora and fauna from one area to another. A structural usage of the term arose in the field of landscape ecology as it developed in North America with the matrix–patch–corridor paradigm of landscape structure. ‘Corridor’ is now used to describe both the structural and functional aspects of linear landscape features, often implicitly, in a wide range of disciplinary literature. Lack of a clear and consistent terminology leads to confusion about the goals or implied functions of corridors. Consequently, the manner in which corridors should be designed, managed, and evaluated is also unclear. Proper design and management of a corridor depends critically on a clear and explicit statement of its intended functions. If corridors are not designed to perform well-defined functions, the outcome may be disappointing, or even deleterious. The roles corridors play derive from six ecological functions: habitat, conduit, filter, barrier, source, and sink. These ecological functions have been recognized widely and adopted by a number of disciplines, including conservation biology, wildlife management, landscape ecology, and landscape planning. We review briefly the history of the term ‘corridor’ in the context of conservation, catalog some of its definitions and uses, review the functions of corridors, and differentiate between the structural and functional aspects of corridors. We reject the notion of defining ‘corridor’ succinctly, because of the complex and multiple functions a corridor may serve. Instead, we suggest that conservationists and planners consider and document explicitly all of the possible functions of corridors when designing them. Addressing explicitly these functions when designing a corridor should eliminate much of the confusion surrounding their roles, and focus attention on establishing design criteria for corridors that function as intended.
Stone soup: using co-teaching and Photovoice to support inclusive education

The purpose of this action research project was to increase the local educational system’s capacity to teach to greater student diversity across all grades through the use of Photovoice and co-teaching. Teacher education programs in the United States have reflected a historical legacy of separation according to student achievement and were organized in discrete and independent fashions. Barriers to collaboration now appear in even greater relief due to recent changes in US educational laws. Faculty and doctoral students from multiple programs in the School of Education, along with field supervisors, student-teachers and cooperating teachers, participated in an action research project to develop innovative strategies for integrating teacher preparation programs. Using Photovoice and co-teaching, investigators identified themes discovered in the data. Results indicated that collaboration benefits our student-teachers and the pupils they will teach. Recommendations for change are discussed.
Low-cost III–V solar cells grown by hydride vapor-phase epitaxy

The high epitaxial cost of high-efficiency III–V photovoltaic devices has limited these cells to niche markets. In this work, we demonstrate hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) growth of III–V materials as a low-cost, high-throughput alternative to conventional metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE). A brand new, custom-built HVPE reactor was used to obtain high-quality GaAs films at growth rates as high as 1.5 µm/min (90 µm/h). Near-ideal Hall mobilities for both n- and p-type carriers are demonstrated. Preliminary GaAs p-n junctions with unpassivated surfaces show significant rectifying behavior and excellent carrier collection, open-circuit voltage as high as 0.95 V, and fill factors of 86% under AM1.5G illumination. These results show the viability of HVPE for the growth of high-quality III–V devices at significantly lower costs.