cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conceptual areas of death education

The need for the inclusion of death education concepts into the curriculum at all levels has been expressed by numerous health educators. In order to effectively meet this need, it is imperative that teachers be adequately prepared to deal with the diverse and sometimes controversial topics encompassed by a death education course. Although there is a vast amount of information in the area of death and dying, there does not appear to be a consensus about the essential knowledge base which should be included in a professional preparation course in death education for health educators. As a result, death education courses vary tremendously in the scope and depth of topics covered. Current events, instructor biases, previous experiences, and departmental philosophy often determine the focus of a death education course.
A Conflict Primacy Model of the Public Board

The board of directors is the theoretical fulcrum of the corporate form: Statutes task the board with managing the corporation. Yet in the twentieth century, CEOs and other executives came to dominate the real-world control of the corporation. In light of this transformation, in the 1970s Melvin E. Eisenberg proposed reconceiving the board as an independent monitor. Eisenberg’s monitoring board is now the dominant regulatory model of the board. Recently two different visions of the board of directors have emerged. Stephen Bainbridge’s “director primacy” model calls directors “Platonic guardians,” and Margaret Blair and Lynn Stout’s “team production model” characterizes them as “mediating hierarchs.” Each of these models involves different conceptions of the board, but both theories presume that boards should play a central role in corporate governance. The reality of today’s public corporate board, however, is one of limited information, constrained time, and uncertain ability. The reforms of the past three decades have left us with supermajority independent boards — boards, that is, composed mostly of outsiders. There is no guarantee that the directors populating these boards have any knowledge of the corporation in general or of the particulars of the business they serve. With one exception (the financial expert), they need not have advanced degrees or a minimum level of experience in business or management. The only quality they must have is independence, defined as a lack of ties to the corporation. This chief strength of the board is also a weakness, because it means that most members of the board rely on the CEO for knowledge of the corporation and its business.The centrality of independence to modern boards requires us to rethink their essential role. I do so here by articulating and defending a “conflict primacy” model of the public company board. In my view, expecting a group dominated by outsiders to make substantive managerial decisions about the corporation – about the proper approach to labor disputes, when to expand the corporation, how to expend corporate resources – simply does not make sense. What does make sense is for the board to police situations in which the self-interest of the corporation’s day-to-day managers impedes their ability to function effectively. The board’s central role, then, should concern monitoring CEO performance and pay (including the removal power and succession planning), overseeing the audit function, and dealing with takeovers and derivative suits. In such areas of conflict of interest the board’s lack of ties to management becomes a strength, and so it is on these subjects that the board should focus. Perhaps controversially, the conflict primacy model would reduce the CEO’s role on the board, demoting him to nonvoting, ex officio status. Reconstituted in this manner as a more fully independent body, the board of directors would have a clear but circumscribed mandate that comports with its modern character. Part-timers are not well situated to second-guess executives, but are well equipped to manage conflicts of interest.
Amyloid‐associated depression and ApoE4 allele: longitudinal follow‐up for the development of Alzheimer's disease

Background Amyloid-associated depression is associated with cognitive impairment cross sectionally. This follow-up study was to determine the relationship between amyloid-associated depression and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Two hundred and twenty three subjects who did not have dementia at baseline were given a repeat cognitive evaluation for incident AD. Depression was defined by having a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) score ≥ 16, and non-amyloid vs. amyloid-associated depression by having a low vs. high plasma amyloid-β peptide 40 (Aβ40)/Aβ42 ratio. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype was determined, and antidepressant usage was documented. Results Fifteen subjects developed AD (7%) after an average follow-up time of 6.2 years. While none of those with non-amyloid depression developed AD, 9% of those with amyloid-associated depression developed AD. Further, among those with amyloid-associated depression, ApoE4 carriers tended to have a higher risk of AD than ApoE4 non-carriers (40% vs. 4%, p = 0.06). In contrast, 8% of those who did not have depression at baseline developed AD, but ApoE4 carriers and non-carriers did not show a difference in the AD risk. After adjusting for age, the interaction between ApoE4 and amyloid-associated depression (β = +0.113, SE = 0.047, P = 0.02) and the interaction between ApoE4 and antidepressant use (β = +0.174, SE = 0.064, P = 0.007) were associated with the AD risk. Conclusions Amyloid-associated depression may be prodromal depression of AD especially in the presence of ApoE4. Future studies with a larger cohort and a longer follow-up are warranted to further confirm this conclusion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
National Section on Women's Athletics

(1944). National Section on Women's Athletics. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 15, No. 9, pp. 508-508.
Low energy helium atom scattering from HCl monolayers physisorbed on graphite

Abstract Low energy helium atom scattering has been used to characterize monolayers of HCl adsorbed onto single crystals of graphite. The unit cell of this system is described by real space lattice vectors 3.80 A in length, separated by 120°. The monolayer's lattice is rotated 30° with respect to the substrate. The attenuation of the He beam scattered in the specular direction due to the thermal motion of the HCl molecules perpendicular to the surface, can be described as due to a collection of Einstein oscillators with a common, characteristic frequency of 7.8 × 10 12 rad s . A polar plot i.e. a plot of the specular intensity as a function of the incident angle, has been compared to the predictions of a close-coupled scattering program, that uses realistic He-surface interaction potentials which include the contributions from the atom-adlayer and atom-substrate interactions, along with the relevant three-body interaction terms. The existing HeHCl spherically averaged potentials do not give good agreement with our data although reducing the well depth by 8.5% improves the agreement slightly. Since the HeHCl interaction in the “T” geometry is less strong than that along the molecular axis (and therefore than the spherically averaged interaction) our measurements may suggest that the HCl molecules are preferentially aligned with their dipole axes parallel to the surface.
Religion, Spirituality, and Social Work: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study on the Behaviors of Social Workers in Conducting Individual Therapy

Using the findings of a quantitative and qualitative study, this article discusses the growing interest in how spirituality and religion might relate to clinical practice. From the 126 participants who were gathered from her network of social workers and members of a midwestern National Association of Social Workers chapter, this researcher examined if, and how often, social workers integrate a number of spiritual behaviors with clients in individual therapy. Similar to samples from previous studies, these participants confirmed the hypothesis that social workers would be more likely to integrate indirect ways of engaging spirituality. Among these participants, there were high percentages of acceptance beliefs and spiritual-based practices.
Assessment of a Refined Short Acculturation Scale for Latino Preteens in Rural Colorado

Acculturation level was assessed among 137 fourth- and fifth-grade children in rural, southern Colorado, using the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanic Youth (SASH-Y), a 12-point, unidimensional instrument adapted for this audience. Reliability was determined by test-retest (70.8% agreement) with a small subsample of this population. Eleven children were considered Mexican, 33 Mexican American, and 93 Euro-American. Analysis of the sample yielded a strong internal consistency (α=.89) and split-half reliability (.84). Based on factor analysis, personal language use, external language use, and ethnic social relations accounted for 82.6%, 13.5%, and 5.9% of all variance, respectively. Latino self-identification did not correlate with acculturation. The findings demonstrate that the SASH-Y, especially questions related to language use, is robust with a young, rural-based Latino population.
Structure analysis of O2 and H2O chemisorption on a Si{100} surface

The technique of time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS) has been applied to structural analysis of O2 and H2O chemisorption on a Si{100} surface near room temperature. The H, O, and Si recoil intensities were monitored as a function of the beam incident angles and crystal azimuthal angles. Structural information was directly elucidated from the angular anisotropies of these recoil intensities. The results show that the Si(2 × 1) dimer structure is gradually destroyed due to oxygen adsorption in the initial oxidation stage; the resulting structure lacks long-range or short-range order with a 1 ML oxygen coverage. Chemisorption of N2O was also carried out in order to prove the dissociative nature of O2 chemisorption. At all coverages, no short-range order for oxygen adsorbates was observed. A totally different behavior was observed upon H2O adsorption; the (2 × 1) structure was maintained even at saturation coverage. Concerning the adsorption sites, O atoms adsorb randomly at sites that are > 0.5 A above the 1st-layer Si atoms at low coverage ( < 0.5 ML) and begin to adsorb at lower positions at higher coverages; the data are consistent with this lower position being the bridge site between 1st- and 2nd-Si layers. Water is dissociatively adsorbed on the Si{100} surface, resulting in H(ad) and OH(ad) species. The data is consistent with both of the H and OH species being bound at the on-top site on through the Si dangling bonds.
Instruction to Faculty and Graduate Students: A Tutorial to Teach Publication Strategies

Although online information literacy tutorials have proven to be a popular method of delivering instruction to undergraduates, there seem to be relatively few that are targeted toward junior faculty or graduate students. Librarians at the University of Colorado have created an online tutorial for junior faculty and graduate students. "Publish Not Perish: The Art and Craft of Publishing in Scholarly Journals" is an online tutorial that addresses the information literacy needs of junior faculty regarding the subject of publication strategies. It also presents an opportunity to further familiarize junior faculty with the concept of open access publication.
Enhanced Endothelialization of a New Stent Polymer Through Surface Enhancement and Incorporation of Growth Factor-Delivering Microparticles

In this study, we sought to develop strategies for improved endothelialization of a new polymer coating for vascular stents. Surface enhancement of the new poly-1,8-octanediol-co-citric acid (POC) polymer was achieved through conjugation of anti-CD34 antibody and incorporation of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor-containing poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid microparticles to improve capture and proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and compared to untreated POC and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) polymer. Our results indicate that compared to PLLA, POC coating was more hemocompatible, with less platelet activation (p = 0.01), thrombogenicity (p < 0.05 for 20 and 30 min clot formation), and inflammatory response (IL-1β release, p = 0.0009; TNF-α release, p = 0.004). EPC adhesion and proliferation on POC were significantly improved with surface enhancement and microparticle incorporation compared to untreated POC (p = 0.006) and PLLA (p = 0.003). These results suggest a new strategy for enhancing endothelialization of polymeric coatings of vascular prostheses.
Critical current of a Josephson junction with spatial fluctuations of the order parameter.

The magnetic field dependence of the critical current of a Josephson junction near the critical temperature is studied. It is proven that as the temperature approaches ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, the ${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{c}}$(H) dependence of a comparatively small Josephson junction shows random current oscillations with amplitudes of the order of those of the current itself. This mesoscopic behavior is investigated above and below the critical temperature. At temperatures above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$, the supercurrent flowing in small junctions is predicted. Below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ the deviations from the periodic ``Fraunhofer'' dependence of the critical current are obtained. The correlation functions of currents are calculated for various values of the magnetic field.
Shallowing-upward cycles in the Middle Proterozoic Altyn Formation

Phanerozoic carbonate rocks commonly contain cycles, a few metres thick, which were deposited during progressive shallowing of their oceanic environment1. Each cycle represents a deepening of water in a nearshore area, followed by the accumulation of sediments up to sea level. The causes of the water deepening which begins each cycle are rarely known. Possibilities include tectonic activity that affected the depositional basin and changes in ocean volume due to the expansion and contraction of ice sheets. I report here that similar cycles occur in the Middle Proterozoic Altyn Formation, part of the Belt Supergroup2. The cycles are probably related to vertical tectonic activity which influenced sedimentation in the Belt basin. The presence of shallowing-upward cycles in the Altyn Formation shows that such cycles are not confined to the Phanerozoic. Other Precambrian sequences should be examined to see if they too contain cycles. Where such cycles are found they may give important information about Precambrian tectonism and glaciation.
Does oxybutynin alter plaques, amyloid beta peptides and behavior in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease?

Purpose: In elderly patients oxybutynin (Sigma-Aldrich™) is commonly used to treat overactive bladder despite increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in this population. We determined whether oxybutynin altered plaque formation, amyloid β peptide expression and behavior in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease expressing the mutant human presenilin 1 (DeltaE9) and a chimeric mouse/human amyloid precursor protein (APPswe).Materials and Methods: Mice were treated for 30 days in an acute experiment or 5 months in a chronic experiment with oxybutynin (30 mg/kg) or vehicle. Behavioral testing was performed monthly with the elevated plus maze (Med Associates, St. Albans, Vermont) in the chronic experiment. Brains were tested for plaque burden using Hirano silver and thioflavin-S (Sigma-Aldrich) staining. Amyloid β peptide expression was tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for amyloid β peptides 1-40 and 1-42.Results: Animals treated with chronic oxybutynin had a decreased plaque burden ...
Electrical properties of thin films of polyphenylacetylene doped with iodine or arsenic pentafluoride

Abstract Polyphenylacetylene 1(PPA) is a soluble polymer with a bandgap of 2.3 eV. The doping reaction can be carried out in solution, and this allows the formation of uniformly-doped, chemically stable semiconductors in fast doping reactions.
Microstructures and behavior near the Curie temperature of Gd and GdC alloys

Abstract Measurements have been made, in the neighbourhood of the Curie temperature, of heat capacities and electrical resistivity coefficients of Gd with controlled C impurities added. In the present communication, the microstructures of the GdC specimens are studied, both to explore the role of microstructure in critical behavior near magnetic transitions and to find a basis for anomalous behavior of the 1% C specimen. Relatively small changes in critical behavior among the alloys is accompanied by remarkably great differences in microstructure.
Political Parties and the War

The pathology of political parties is illustrated under especially illuminating circumstances during time of war. The internal political conditions of every important nation are influenced to some extent by its external relations. War on a world-wide scale is the external relation which has the most profound influence upon the internal political conditions of every participating nation. This influence varies in different cases, depending upon the proximity of the particular nation to the scene of the conflict, the extent of its participation, the relative danger of invasion by its enemies, the character of the internal governmental organization, the length of the conflict, and other factors. In normal times, it has been found by experience in nations operating under the two-party system that oscillations in the fortunes of the two principal parties occur with a surprising degree of regularity. This see-saw of party politics may have an injurious effect upon the continuity and constructiveness of the nation's foreign policy even in normal times; its continuation in time of war when the nation's fate may be hanging in the balance would be a serious, if not intolerable, danger. One effect of war upon the party system, therefore, is to bring about, at least for a time, a relatively greater stability of party control, if not complete quiescence of partisanship, either through coalition or through cessation of party opposition, or both.
16 MB DRAM trench depth characterization using dome scatterometry

Advances in memory IC technology for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices have been achieved by increasing the number of memory cells occupying a certain chip area, consequently increasing memory size. Current methods of implementation include vertical topography, which relies on reducing the cell's thickness while increasing its depth in order to maintain the same capacitance of stored electrical charges. As the memory size on DRAM devices rises, memory cells have to reach deeper levels, thus making the process of measuring depth even harder. A novel metrology technique, which utilizes both 2-D diffraction analysis and multivariate statistical methods to measure deep trench depth, is discussed in this work. This technique was applied to two DRAM product wafers, and successful prediction of trench depth was obtained for both wafers with an accuracy of +/- 0.04 micrometers , or +/- 0.56% variation.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An inquiry into the perceptions of leisure-work-family conflict among female Ironman participants

Triathlon is one of the fastest growing niche sports in the USA (USA Triathlon, 2012). Niche sports are often characterised as lifestyle sports (Miloch and Lambrecht, 2006; Puchan, 2005), and can create inter-role conflict as athletes balance their sport participation with the demands of potentially competing roles such as spouse, parent and employee (Greenhaus and Beutell, 1985). This study examined perceptions of inter-role conflict among leisure, work and family roles with niche sport athletes-specifically female Ironman participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 women to identify factors influencing their perceptions of inter-role conflict and how they negotiated those factors. The athletes faced obstacles such as financial commitments, time restraints and gender stereotypes, and they used their support systems comprised of family members, friends and colleagues as well as role management strategies to navigate the obstacles. Theoretical and practical findings for employers and niche sport event organisers are discussed.
The Role of Government Structure in Deterrence

This article analyzes the effect of governmental structures on the deterrent calculus of nation-states. It identifies certain governing structures, and their functional relationships, that are likely to influence a particular regime's propensity to take risks and engage in war. The article then explores the institutional dimension of three familiar case studies in which American or Western efforts at deterrence (or compellence) failed: Nazi Germany in the late 1930s; Imperial Japan during the early 1940s; and Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1990 and 2003. These case studies highlight the point that there are significant differences in governmental structure among regimes that are generally classified as “nondemocratic” or “ideological/theocratic.” For instance, Iranian and North Korean governmental institutions, as well as their political cultures, differ in important respects. American efforts to pressure—or, alternatively, accommodate—such hostile regimes can have exactly the opposite effect of that intended, ...
Permanent Confinement in Four-Dimensional Non-Abelian Lattice Gauge Theory

It is shown that the standard SU(2) lattice gauge theory is in a confining phase for all values of the coupling, 0<..beta..
Comparison of ambulatory blood pressure and Task Force criteria to identify pediatric hypertension

The aim of this study was to assess the level of agreement between central European ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and American Task Force (TF) criteria when applied to blood pressure (BP) measurements collected by ABPM to evaluate patients with hypertension. In 169 patients, we applied both sets of criteria and calculated mean daytime and nighttime BP and daytime BP loads. The frequency of hypertension for daytime systolic BP was significantly higher when TF criteria were used (p ≤ 0.001). However, the frequency of hypertension for nighttime systolic BP was significantly increased when ABPM criteria were applied (p ≤ 0.01). Therefore, with daytime ABPM measurements, hypertension was overdiagnosed with TF criteria, while nighttime hypertension was underdiagnosed using TF criteria. In contrast with previous reports, 40% of our patients with essential hypertension showed absence of nighttime dipping, regardless of the criteria used. The number of hypertensive patients was significantly higher using ABPM compared to TF criteria when patients with BP load ≥50% were evaluated (p ≤ 0.01). Therefore, current recommendations for ABPM use in children such as to define white coat hypertension or as a screening tool to differentiate between primary and secondary hypertension need to be validated using yet to be produced normative ABPM criteria in American children.
The Obligation Thesis: Understanding the Persistent 'Black Voice' in Modern Legal Academia

This Article revisits the debate over minority voice scholarship, particularly African-American scholarship, that raged in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the advent of critical race theory (CRT). Many critical race theorists elevated the voices of minority scholars, arguing that scholarship in the minority voice should be accorded greater legitimacy than white intellectuals' work on race. Many scholars of all ethnicities disagreed with Crits' analyses. They charged that good scholarship by minority writers should be judged as a fact-in-itself, not ghettoized or subjected to less rigorous analysis than other scholarship. This Article explores the work of four current up-and-coming black legal scholars to revisit that early disagreement and its ramifications in the modern black legal academy. By and large, it appears that the anti-CRT writers have won the debate. Today's legal academy more closely reflects the anti-narrative perspective on scholarship. Black scholars continue to write on racial topics, but tend not to convey points through claims of authenticity. This Article suggests that one reason African-American legal scholars continue to write about race, despite the risks of doing so, is their sense of obligation to the black community. I contend that this obligation runs just as deeply for black academics as it does for black practitioners, who tend to closely relate the legal profession with the struggle for racial justice.
Effect of exercise upon liver following partial hepatectomy in albino rats.

Summary1. Exercise in a revolving cage did not retard liver restoration in white rats subjected to partial hepatectomy.2. The daily food consumption of exercised animals, both operated and non-operated, was slightly less than that of non-exercised animals.
Sporogony of the swine Coccidium Eimeria debliecki Douwes, 1921

SYNOPSIS. A pure strain of Eimeria debliecki isolated from a single oocyst in parasite free pigs was used thruout the study. Oocysts were allowed to sporulate at 3 constant temperatures, 20, 25, and 30 C, and the sporulation process was examined at 12-hour intervals. A detailed description of the anatomic sequence of sporulation at 20 C is given and illustrated with photomicrographs and line drawings. The sporocysts and sporozoites are also described.
Genetics and congenital heart disease: perspectives and prospects

Elucidating the role of genes in the ontogenesis of the cardiovascular system is a task that involves many fields of inquiry. Recent dramatic advances in the molecular biology of transcription and its variations and the prospects for sequencing the entire human genome must not induce complacency; the major task of determining how a one-dimensional code specifies a three-dimensional structure demands an understanding of biologic systems considerably beyond the current level. The study of pathologic cardiovascular ontogeny is equally in need of new insight and fresh approaches. Although all clinicians might agree that genes are important contributors to both the etiology and the pathogenesis of congenital heart defects, with the exception of a few Mendelian conditions, this knowledge cannot be put to practice beyond crude statements of empirically determined probabilities. In this review, we selectively examine studies that are addressing what we perceive as provocative issues and suggest some areas, such as chaos theory, in which new ideas might be found.
Blood screening for HBV DNA.

The safety of the blood supply has been greatly improved in the past two decades owing to continuous improvement in the technology and sensitivity of laboratory testing, better donor education and selection, and tighter quality control on blood bank operations. Despite these efforts and
The venous circulation.

Some aspects of the circulation through the veins remain unexplained. The pressure gradient which ordinarily exists across a large vein, for example, is much greater than that necessary to maintain the same flow through a rigid tube of identical diameter (Brecher, 1956; Starling and Evans, 1962). During inspiration, blood flow through the thoracic portion of the inferior vena cava increases markedly, while that through the distal abdominal portion does not change. Furthermore, an active source of pressure drop in the chest is necessary to maintain venous flow. For the open chest the pressure drop occurs mainly during ventricular contraction, while in the closed chest it is produced chiefly by inspiration. The present study indicates that the high distensibility of the veins accounts in significant degree for the behavior characteristic of the venous circulation.
Economic analysis of a feedlot biomass fuel and waste meal system.

Abstract An economic analysis of a feedlot biomass fuel and waste meal system is conducted. Depending on current feedlot structural conditions and risk preference of the decision-maker, a biomass fuel and waste meal system has been shown to be economically viable in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. Present value analysis indicates that under current economic conditions profits can be expected from an investment of this nature unless inflation and opportunity cost factors cause the discount rate to reach approximately 30%. Economic sensitivity testing included alternative levels of receipts, cash outlays, interest rates and discount rates. The robustness of the economic analysis provides support for consideration of a feedlot biomass fuel and waste meal system to utilize an otherwise useless agricultural product.
Cocaine stimulates rat hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone secretion in vitro

Acute or chronic cocaine administration exerts multiple behavioral and physiologic effects including stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Pharmacologically, cocaine shares major properties with at least 2 classes of pharmaceuticals. It is a local anesthetic and also a potent psychomotor stimulant. The psychomotor stimulant properties of cocaine are thought to be related to its ability to modify the metabolism and the activity of many neurotransmitter systems, such as acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA). We and others have shown that all these neurotransmitters are potent stimulants of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) secretion. The present study was undertaken to examine whether cocaine stimulates hypothalamic CRH secretion and whether or not such an effect is mediated by any of the above neurotransmitters. To accomplish this task, we employed a rat hypothalamic organ culture system, in which CRH secretion form single explanted hypothalami was evaluated by specific radioimmunoassay (iCRH). Cocaine stimulated iCRH secretion in a dose-dependent fashion with peak of activity at 10(-8) M. Isolated or simultaneous pharmacologic blockade of cholinergic (atropine plus hexamethonium), serotonergic (ritanserin), alpha-adrenergic (phentolamine) and/or dopaminergic (compound SCH 23390) receptor subtypes failed to inhibit cocaine-induced iCRH secretion. On the other hand, cocaine-induced iCRH secretion was inhibited by GABA, a potent inhibitor of CRH secretion, dexamethasone, verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin, a sodium channel blocker, and carbamazepine, an antiepileptic and antidepressive agent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Non-neurogenic bladder and chronic renal insufficiency in childhood

Functional voiding disorders and urinary tract infections are common in childhood, but are usually not accompanied by upper urinary tract deterioration. Nevertheless a small group of children remain at risk of developing chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Clinically these children present day and night wetting. The most important parameter, however, is urinary retention which is reflected by an abnormal voiding pattern in the uroflow curve. After ruling out patients with neurogenic or anatomical disorders, nine girls with psychogenic urine retention were observed for 5 years. Terminal renal insufficiency was seen in one, CRI in five patients and in three patients the kidney function could be maintained, but they all had severe scarring of at least one kidney. Furthermore, all revealed a dilation of the bladder and the upper urinary tract. Vesicoureteral reflux occurred in six and obstruction of the ureterovesical junction in three patients. Two girls underwent repeated reflux surgery resulting in a rapid deterioration of renal function. Three patients developed hypertension and one had a hypertensive crisis with microangiopathic anaemia and acute renal failure. Psychogenic disorders and problematic family settings were observed in all cases. Bladder training, transitory suprapubic catheters, intermittent catheterisation, medication and psychotherapy can avoid severe kidney damage and achieve a stabilisation of renal function. It is important to bear this syndrome in mind when evaluating girls with asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary retention.
Controlling surface nano-structure using flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying (FFESS) of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide).

Abstract Improved control of surface micro- and nano-structure may lead to enhanced performance of degradable biomedical devices such as surgical dressings, vascular grafts, tissue engineering scaffolds, sutures, and structures for guided tissue regeneration. An electrohydrodynamic method called flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying (FFESS) has been developed as an improved technique for the controlled deposition of polymeric material. Injecting charge using a nano-sharpened tungsten needle in a process called field ionization can efficiently induce an ionic state in a solution of poly( d , l -lactide- co -glycolide) increasing its capacity to carry charge. As a result, sprays have been produced that are finer and more precisely controlled than sprays produced by conventional electrospraying techniques, which employ hypodermic needles as the spray nozzle. Here, the effect of FFESS variables including applied voltage, polymer solution flow rate, and solvent properties (surface tension, viscosity, vapor pressure) on spray performance have been qualitatively evaluated. Under certain conditions, increasing the applied voltage produced an increasingly rough surface morphology. Similarly, by reducing solvent surface tension and increasing solvent vapor pressure, more distinct surface structures could be formed including uniform nanoparticles. Working ranges of the important parameters for the production of specific structure types such as smooth or porous surfaces, non-woven or melded fibers, and distinct or melded nanoparticles have been defined. FFESS technology provides a simple yet powerful technique for fabricating biomedical devices with a precisely defined nano-structure potentially capable of utilizing a broad range of biocompatible polymeric materials.
Chia Seed as a Source of Oil, Polysaccharide, and Protein

Chia seed, Salvia polystachya, was analyzed as a source of oil, polysaccharide, and protein for possible use by the food industry. Seeds were found to contain 30% oil of which more than 90% was composed of triglycerides. The fatty acid composition of the oil was found to consist mostly of C16:0, C18:0, C18:2 and C18:3. The protein content of chia seed was found to be 23.4%. A very viscous polysaccharide was isolated from the seeds. Acid hydrolysis followed by gas liquid chromatographic analysis demonstrated that xylose and arabinose were the major constituents of the polysaccharide. Seeds were found to contain niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin at a concentration of 83, 2 and 14 μg/g seed, respectively. Spectrochemical analysis showed the presence of eleven elements with calcium, potassium, and phosphorus being the most prominent. The percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, the concentration of protein and the viscosity of the polysaccharide in chia seeds would indicate that further research should be conducted to investigate possible food uses for these seeds.
Inhalation Challenge with Carbachol and Isoproterenol to Predict Bronchospastic Response to Propranolol in COPD

Disabling propranolol-induced bronchospasm occasionally prevents use of this drug in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A means was developed to identify patients who have high risk for this adverse effect using bronchial challenge by inhaling the parasympathomimetic drug, carbachol, and isoproterenol. After baseline pulmonary function tests, 12 patients with varying degrees of COPD and 13 control patients underwent maximal beta-blockade using intravenously administered propranolol during cardiac catheterization followed by repeat pulmonary function testing. Seven of the patients with COPD and ten of the control subjects were restudied while taking propranolol orally for at least three weeks. The results indicated that the bronchodilator response to inhaled isoproterenol does not reliably identify patients who develop bronchoconstriction with propranolol, but bronchoconstriction after inhaling carbachol is indicative of the high risk of developing bronchoconstriction from propranolol.
ISPD 2010 high performance clock network synthesis contest: benchmark suite and results

In the talk, the details of ISPD 2010 high performance clock network synthesis contest will be introduced. Compared to first clock network synthesis contest in 2009, the rules have been revised to better reflect the real problems from the industry. Instead of clock latency range upon two simulations with different supply voltage settings, the total clock power (modeled by capacitance) is set to be the major judging criteria. However, a valid clock distribution network solution must have local clock skew under a preset limit. Only local clock skew constraints will be enforced because (1) early mode timing violations are often limited in local regions, and (2) local timing violations often directly lead to congestion problems which are very hard to fix. Moreover, delay variation will be formulated in the contest and simplified Monte Carlo simulation will be used to evaluate valid solutions. More importantly, a new set of benchmarks will be announced and used to decide the winner of the contest. These test-cases are all directly derived from real industrial microprocessor and high-performance ASIC designs and they have over 1000 clock sinks. More than ten academic clock synthesis tools have participated in the contest and the final results will be announced during this talk.
Redox-driven atomic-scale changes in mixed catalysts: VOX/WOX/α-TiO2 (110)

X-ray studies of vanadium–tungsten mixed-monolayer-oxide catalysts grown on the rutile α-TiO2 (110) single crystal surface show redox behavior not observed for lone supported vanadium or tungsten oxides. Two cases are presented: sub-monolayer (sub-ML) vanadium oxide (vanadia) grown on ML tungsten oxide and ML vanadia grown on sub-ML tungsten oxide. The X-ray standing wave (XSW) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) observations for both cases show coverage-dependent reversible redox-induced atomic-scale structural and chemical state changes. Atomic force microscopy shows that the mixed VOX/WOX overlayers have a conformal film-like structure in the as-deposited state. XSW analysis in light of XPS reveals that the V and W cations that are uncorrelated with the substrate lattice play an important role in catalytic redox reactions. Distinct differences in the redox-induced changes for these two mixed catalysts result from tuning the ratio of V to W, and relationships are drawn between the catalyst composition, structure, and chemistry. Comparison of these V–W mixed cases and the corresponding unmixed cases reveals a synergistic effect in which the reduction of W can be significantly enhanced by the addition of V.
Lipid infusion rescue for bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest after axillary block.

UPIVACAINE, A LONG-ACTING local anesthetic agent, is widely used for pain control in ambulatory surgery patients. Surgeons and anesthesiologists employ bupivacaine for cutaneous infiltration, intra-articular injection, peripheral nerve blocks, epidural anesthesia, and spinal anesthesia. Unlike lidocaine, bupivacaine is highly lipophilic. Accidental bupivacaine intravascular injection or excessive systemic absorption can lead to cardiac depression, severe arrhythmias, hypotension, and/or cardiac arrest. Resuscitation of patients with bupivacaine toxicity may be difficult, prolonged, and, in some cases, impossible. Heroic measures including cardiopulmonary bypass have been performed in cases in which conventional resuscitative measures failed. Lipid emulsion has recently been advocated as a new therapy to treat bupivacaine systemic toxicity. This article reports the successful resuscitation of a hand surgery patient after inadvertent intravascular injection of bupivacaine during axillary block and reviews the pertinent literature.
Effect of metal precursor on the growth and electrochemical sensing properties of Pt–Ag nanoboxes

Pt–Ag nanoboxes prepared using a Pt4+versus Pt2+ precursor show not only stoichiometric, but also catalytic effects on the nanobox growth, resulting in metal content and surface morphology differences. Electrochemical studies on these nanoboxes reveal the combined importance of composition and hollow, rough-walled nanostructure for improved detection of electroactive molecules.
Unsuspected or Unacknowledged Depressive Symptoms in Young Adult Emergency Department Patients

Objectives: The objective was to determine the frequency of unsuspected or unacknowledged depressive symptoms among young adult emergency department (ED) patients. Methods: The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and a demographic/lifestyle questionnaire were administered to a cross-section of medically stable, English-speaking young adult ED patients (aged 18–23 years) with nonpsychiatric chief complaints. The frequency of moderate to severe depressive symptoms was determined. Group results were analyzed with descriptive statistics; multivariate analysis assessed for patient characteristics associated with depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 2,898 patients were screened; 2,255 were eligible for enrollment, and 1,264 enrolled (56%; 64% female, 42% African American; mean age = 21 [±1.7] years). Twenty-nine percent had BDI-II scores consistent with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Patient characteristics associated with depressive symptoms included knowledge of someone who had intentionally hurt him- or herself (odds ratio [OR] = 2) or died a violent nonaccidental death (OR = 1.4), low personal income (OR = 1.8), chronic health issues (OR = 1.7), cigarette smoking (OR = 1.6), and African American race (OR = 1.5). Those who attended school (OR = 0.5), engaged in frequent social activities (OR = 0.5), or drove a car (OR = 0.7) were less likely to have depressive symptoms. Patients lacked insight into their depressive symptoms. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in young adult ED patients. Young adults often do not recognize, or are reluctant to acknowledge, depressive symptoms. Specific patient characteristics may be useful in deciding which young adults should undergo ED screening for depression.
cDNA Cloning of Mouse Nebulin Evidence that the Nebulin‐Coding Sequence is Highly Conserved Among Vertebrates

Nebulin is a family of giant myofibrillar proteins with molecular masses ranging over 700-900 kDa. Using a human nebulin cDNA probe, we isolated three nebulin cDNA clones from a mouse skeletal muscle cDNA library. These three clones, labeled 8c. 7a and 4b. carry inserts of 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 kb, respectively. In Northern blots, each insert detected the same approximately = 25 kb message from skeletal muscle as the human nebulin probe, while detecting no messages from cardiac muscle. Sequence data in combination with reverse-transcriptase PCR indicates that clones 7a and 8c overlap to form 4076 bp contiguous sequence. Alignment with the published full-length human nebulin sequence indicates that clone 4b overlaps with clone 7a over 1596 bp. However, after the first 798-bp overlap, the sequence of these two mouse nebulin clones diverge, suggesting that they derive from distinct transcripts encoding isoforms of mouse nebulin. The mouse nebulin clones encode a series of = 245-residue super repeats, each of which can be subdivided into seven = 35-residue, weakly repeating modules centered around a conserved tyrosine residue, consistent with the human nebulin sequence. The mouse nebulin clones align along the central third of the full-length human sequence, corresponding to super repeats 8-16 of the 22 super repeats found in human nebulin. The translated sequence is greater than 90% identical to the human sequence, with the exception of a 200-amino-acid region at the C-terminus of clone 4b, which is less than 60% identical. In genomic Southern blots, a mouse nebulin probe detected a homologous sequence in a wide variety of vertebrate species under stringent conditions. However, no significant hybridization was observed to genomic DNA from invertebrates and microorganisms, even under very low stringency. The sequence and Southern-blot data suggest that the nebulin sequence is highly conserved among vertebrate species.
Embedding perseverative interest of a child with autism in text may result in improved reading comprehension: A pilot study.

Objective: We investigated the effects of embedding the perseverative interest (PI) of a child with autism (i.e. cars) within texts on reading comprehension. Methods: A PI text condition (text alte...
Neonatal gastric motility in dogs: maturation and response to pentagastrin

The postnatal development of gastric motility and pH, and the response to pentagastrin (PG) were studied at 10 intervals in 5 beagles from birth to 6 weeks. Motility was monitored using twin single lumen 1.7 mm catheters with 1 mm side openings at the tips which were 2 cm apart. Catheters were perfused with distilled H2O at a constant rate and pressure transducers were interposed in the system. Oral catheter insertion distance to the antrum of the stomach was determined radiographically. Puppies were fasted 3-6 hours prior to study; gastric contents were aspirated, and the stomach rinsed with distilled H2O. After an initial gastric pH determination and a 10-20 min. period of baseline motility monitoring, the response to 8 μ g/kg of s.c. PG was determined. Baseline mean antral contractions increased from 0.25/min on day 1 to 2.0/min on day 1 through weaning in the 4th week when the frequency decreased to 6.0 until day 7 when mean pH was 3.4. PG produced a significant decrease in pH on day 3 (p < 0.05), but the maximum decrease did not appear until day 9 and thereafter (p < 0.005). PG inhibition of the frequency and force of antral contractions was apparent from the 3rd day through the 6th week. These observations in beagle puppies suggest a developmental maturation in gastric motility and acid secretion from birth through the 2nd week, and a delay in responsiveness to PG.
Cationic polymerization of α-methyl styrene from polydienes. II. Tensile properties of poly(butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) and poly(styrene-b-butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) copolymers

Tensile properties of poly(butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) copolymers have been investigated on molded samples. These graft copolymers show thermoplastic elastomer behavior because of their graft copolymer structure. Both modulus and strength increase with increasing α-methyl styrene content and tensile strength is highest at the 45–50% by weight α-methyl styrene level. Tensile strength at elevated test temperatures is considerably higher for these poly(butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) copolymers than for styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock polymers. This is attributed to the higher glass transition temperature for poly(α-methyl styrene) segments compared to polystyrene segments. The oil acceptance of these graft copolymers appears to depend on the number of loose polybutadiene chain ends. Thus, the tensile strength of oil-extended poly(butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) copolymers was considerably lower than oil-extended poly(styrene-b-butadiene-g-α-methyl styrene) copolymers even though both copolymers contained equal hard segment contents.