cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From surviving to thriving: Understanding reunification among African American mothers with histories of addiction

Abstract Child maltreatment cases involving substance abuse have increased. Estimates reveal that between 40% and 80% of all families involved with child protection have substance-abuse issues. Only 12%–20% of substance-abusing families regain custody of their children. Little is known about the factors that contribute to substance-abusing women regaining or losing custody of their children. Using the Multiple Embedded Case Study method, this study illuminates the experiences and feelings of mothers struggling to overcome addiction and highlights the main differences between women who regained custody and those who permanently lost custody of their children. In this study, 50% of the women lost custody and 50% regained custody of their children. The women who lost custody of their children tended to be in survival mode, characterized as going through the motions, engaging in acting-out behaviors, and failing to follow treatment recommendations. The women who regained custody of their children tended to thrive, characterized as having internal motivation, taking responsibility, and engaging the material. This study advances our knowledge of the factors contributing to reunification. Understanding these factors can lead to the development of practices that increase the likelihood of reunification for families struggling to overcome addiction.
TAXONOMIC COMMENTS ON THE EURYLAIMIDAE

SUMMARY On the basis of supposed differences in the shape of the spina externa of the sternum, the number of cervical vertebrae, the deep plantar tendons, the quadrato-jugal articulation, and the size of the hallux, the Eurylaimidae were put in a separate suborder, the Eurylaimi. All of these characters are now shown to be variable within the family or shared with other suboscine families. It is recommended that the subordinal designation “Eurylaimi” be abandoned and that the family be included in the suborder Tyranni. A number of characters point to the Cotingidae as the nearest possible extant relatives of the Eurylaimidae. The Eurylaimidae consist of a number of unrelated genera with several relict species, and probably represent the remains of an ancient, once more widespread group that became isolated and gave rise to the suboscine fauna in South America while being largely replaced by oscines in the Old World. Recognition of subfamilies within the Eurylaimidae is discouraged. Smitkornis should be considered the most advanced of the eurylaimids. The sequence of suboscine families is discussed and a rearrangement is suggested.
Naloxone suppresses intake of highly preferred saccharin solutions in food deprived and sated rats.

Abstract In repeated tests naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc) suppressed intake of a narrow range of highly preferred saccharin concentrations (0.1 and 1.0%) in nondeprived male rats but a wider range of concentrations (.001 − 1.0%) following 10 hr. food deprivation. Ins sated rats a low dose of morphine (0.1 mg/kg, sc) had no effect on intake of low concentrations of saccharin but significantly facilitated intake of the highest (10%) and least preferred concentration. These data support the hypothesis that endogenous opioids can modulate the affective quality of gustatory stimuli.
A Longitudinal Study of Engineering Student Performance and Retention. IV. Instructional Methods

As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, the author taught five chemical engineering courses in consecutive semesters to a cohort of students, using cooperative learning and other instructional methods designed to address a broad spectrum of learning styles. This paper outlines the policies and procedures, assignments, and classroom activities in the experimental course sequence and describes the students' performance and attitudes as they progressed through the sequence. The results suggest that active and cooperative learning methods facilitate both learning and a variety of interpersonal and thinking skills, and that while these methods may initially provoke student resistance, the resistance can be overcome if the methods are implemented with care.
Design of Multi-Band, Compact Parasitic Array With Twisted, Helical Directors

A new design for compact parasitic array is suggested in order to achieve multiple bands. The driver is folded for close spacing between the driver and the directors, and the directors are twisted in helical shapes with different radii and heights. The three proposed compact parasitic arrays have two, three, and four helical directors, and the number of directors results in the same number of resonances. At all generated resonances, the maximum measured realized gains in the direction of the directors are greater than 8.6 dBi, and the front-to-back ratios are greater than 9 dB. Both results are similar to those in a conventional two-element Yagi antenna, whilst the proposed design offers multiband operation and smaller overall volume.
Saxitoxin binding sites in frog-myocardial cytosol

Cytosolic fractions of frog heart homogenates contain large amounts of a soluble, large molecular weight protein that binds the specific neurotoxin saxitoxin with the same high affinity as does the plasma membrane. Another neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, which ordinarily is competitive with saxitoxin, does not displace saxitoxin from the cytosolic sites or from plasma membrane-enriched vesicular fractions even when its concentration exceeds that of saxitoxin by a factor of 1000. Thus, cytosolic sites are similar to membrane sites in this respect. The vesicular fraction accounts quantitatively for the amount of saxitoxin bound by whole ventricles, so that no appreciable losses seem to occur. Therefore, the cytosolic site probably is a membrane site precursor, although other possibilities cannot be ruled out. In any case, the occurrence of a soluble molecule closely related to the sodium channel provides opportunities for further study of the structure of the sodium channel.
Granulation of zeolite-containing aluminosilicate hydrogel

The granulation of aluminosilicate hydrogel as an intermediate for the synthesis of cracking catalysts was investigated from the standpoint of eliminating the splitting cone from the granulator and eliminating coagulation directly on the cone surface. A method for forming the gel without a cone was developed by dispersion of jets of sol issuing directly from the mixer. Gel quality was considerably higher in dispersions of time-constant jets of the sol. The experimental mixer can be used as a design basis for a multijet granulator with a capacity equivalent to one or several splitting cones in commercial units.
Osteoclast activating factor : its role in myeloma and other types of hypercalcaemia of malignancy

Abstract There is no single unifying mechanism for the pathogenesis of the hypercalcemia which occurs in patients with malignant disease. in patients with solid tumors without bone metastases, the likely mechanism is production by the tumor cells of an ectopic hormone which stimulates bone resorption systemically. In patients with solid tumors and bone metastases, best exemplified by breast cancer, hypercalcemia follows metastasis of tumor cells to bone. The cellular interactions involved in the development of bone metastases are complex. Selective migration of tumor cells towards bones surfaces, probably mediated by chemotactic signals released from bone, and destruction of bone by a complex series of interactions between tumor cells and normal cells such as lymphocytes and monocytes are most likely involved. In patients with hematological malignancies, the likely mechanism of hypercalcemia is the productlon by the neoplastic cells of an osteoclast activating factor which is responsible for stimulating adjacent osteociasts which cause bone destruction and ultimately, in some patients, hypercalcemia.
Reaction kinetics in hot-gas ignition of ethane-air

Abstract Heat balances were studied in a jet of heated nitrogen issuing into cool ethane-air. Rates of heat production were obtained for the oxidation of ethane at low concentra tion near the axis of the jet. Assuming the course of reaction to be unchanged at all temperatures (800° to 875°C) and fuel concentrations used, the order of reaction is unity with respect to fuel and 0·25 with respect to oxygen. The activation energy is about 49 kcal/mole. These values were tested by prediction of the hot-gas ignition temperature, assuming a purely thermal ignition, and by use in the Spalding centroid procedure to predict burning velocity.
Diffraction Effects Of Secondary Mirror Spiders Upon Telescope Image Quality

Diffraction effects of secondary mirror spiders upon telescope image quality can be important in certain imaging applications. However, rigorous analytical calculations are often unwieldy and virtually all commercially available optical design and analysis codes that have a diffraction analysis capability are based upon numerical Fourier transform algorithms which lack adequate sampling density to model very narrow spiders. A simple empirical equation is developed that allows accurate engineering calculations of fractional encircled energy to be made for arbitrary spider configurations. Characteristic design and evaluation curves are provided for use with this equation for a variety of obscuration ratios and spider widths. The results of this empirical equation are compared to those of rigorous calculations to determine its range of validity. Finally, parametric encircled energy curves are presented that provide insight into the diffraction effects of secondary mirror spiders.
Shock tube measurements of specific reaction rates in the branched chain CH4-CO-O2 system

Rate constants of two elementary bimolecular reactions involved in the oxidation of methane were determined by monitoring the exponential growth of CO flame band emission behind incident shocks in three suitably chosen gas mixtures.
SIMULATIONS OF GLASS FORMING LIQUIDS: WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

Molecular dynamics simulations of supercooled fluid mixtures of soft-spheres and of Lennard-Jones particles have revealed the existence of a kinetic transition that occurs above the glass transition temperature. This transition appears to be thermodynamic in origin. It is associated with a change in the local mobility of the particles. The basis for these conclusions is discussed.
The pressure dependence of Tc in the infinite-layer electron-doped compound Sr0.84Nd0.16CuO2

Abstract We report the effect of nearly hydrostatic pressure in the range 0–20 kbar on the resistively determined superconducting transition temperature T c of the recently discovered infinite-layer electron-doped copper-oxide compound Sr 0.84 ND 0.16 CuO 2 . In contrast to other electron-doped copper oxides, we observe a positive and appreciable change in T c with pressure with value d T c d P =+0.06±0.02 K/kbar . Thus the sign and magnitude of d T c dP are not dominated by the carrier type; in this compound, we suggest they are determined by a pressure-induced enhancement of the interlayer coupling.
Materials Challenges for CMOS Junctions

Against a backdrop of the latest ITRS predictions for CMOS junctions, we compare methods for dopant introduction and activation, methods for making contact to these regions, and methods for measurement of material and device properties. As activation without diffusion (sub-melt laser, capacitor discharge flash, or solid phase epitaxy) becomes more feasible, the burden on Xj, Rsh and abruptness falls on the implanters, and the process margin appears slim, opening the door for other methods of doping. For contact resistance, a major component of transistor parasitics, we find that either a move to a different substrate, or from a single midgap silicide to two band-edge metals/silicides can be quite beneficial. Through the use of simple test structures, we describe a means of extracting each component of the parasitic resistance, facilitating development of materials for CMOS junctions.
Sustainability of Transgenic Insecticidal Cultivars: Integrating Pest Genetics and Ecology

▪ Abstract This review examines potential impacts of transgenic cultivars on insect population dynamics and evolution. Experience with classically bred, insecticidal cultivars has demonstrated that a solid understanding of both the target insect's ecology and the cultivar's performance under varied field conditions will be essential for predicting area-wide effects of transgenic cultivars on pest and natural enemy dynamics. This experience has also demonstrated the evolutionary capacity of pests for adaptive response to insecticidal traits in crops. Biochemical and genetic studies of insect adaptation to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins expressed by currently marketed transgenic cultivars indicate a high risk for rapid adaptation if these cultivars are misused. Theoretical and practical issues involved in implementing strategies to delay pest adaptation to insecticidal cultivars are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on examining the “high dose”/refuge strategy that has become the goal of industry and reg...
Dielectric Relaxation Of Semicrystalline Polyimides

Aromatic polyimides because of their structure process a unique property combination of outstanding thermal stability and radiation and solvent resistance. Their excellent mechanical and electrical properties make polyimides the materials of choice for a wide range of applications in the electronics industry. Polyimides have long been amorphous materials but recently, flexible hinge groups containing ether and ketone linkages have been incorporated into the polymer backbone [1]. This results in increased flexibility and development of crystallinity. The introduction of crystallinity is an effective means of improving the melt processability, however, little work has been done to determine the effects of crystallinity on the insulating characteristics of polyimides. Here we report the dielectric behavior for the semicrystalline polyimide New-TPI [2], which is synthesized by Mitsui Toatsu Chemical Co. and film processed by Foster-Miller, Inc. We have used dielectric relaxation to study New-TPI, especially its behavior near T g .
Can less really be more? Using lessons from leukemia and cancer stem cells to make sense of oral maintenance for metastatic sarcoma.

If a little is good, it stands to reason a lot is better. In fact, the steep dose–response curve of most anticancer drugs is well known [1], hence the nearly ubiquitous central venous catheter. But when it comes to the treatment of metastatic solid tumors, with the notable exception of neuroblastoma [2], unexpectedly more, in fact, is not panning out to be better. One-by-one the list of metastatic solid tumors responding to megadose therapy made possible by hematopoietic stem cell rescue continues to shrink, deflating our hopes of being rescued by our marrow transplant colleagues and prompting calls for novel ideas [3]. Might one of those “new” ideas be found in the acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) playbook, oral maintenance? Enter stage left the German Cooperative Weichteilsarkomstudie. While the luster of high dose therapy (HDT) was still alluring, they designed the CWS 96 trial to compare HDT to oral maintenance treatment (OMT), reported in this issue of Pediatric Blood & Cancer. Talk about David versus Goliath! Given the fact that antiangiogenic metronomic dosing was still a twinkle in Dr. Folkman’s eye [4], the idea of using OMT for metastatic sarcoma was, to use the definition of “novel” from the online etymology dictionary (www.etymonline.com), certainly “strange and unusual.” In fact, finding 51 subjects to take low-dose pills instead of intravenous therapy, especially at that time as part of up-front therapy, could be considered astonishing! As I’ve heard happens with the stock market, sometimes risks lead to payoffs. Klingebiel et al. report superior results using OMT compared to HDT. As they point out in their discussion, the fact that HDT was not helpful for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is no longer a surprise. The results with OMT, however, are nothing short of remarkable. With a median follow-up of nearly 5 years, the overall survival of patients treated with OMT was double that seen with patients given HDT, and for patients with rhabdomyosarcoma survival was tripled. Unfortunately, neither treatment strategy was helpful for patients with bone or bone marrow involvement.
Electronic Properties of Liquid Silicon

The electronic properties of liquid silicon were computed by coupling molecular dynamics and tight binding methods. By employing the Stillinger-Weber potential, atomic configurations of liquid Si at 1740°C were generated by molecular dynamics. Tight binding parameters chosen to fit fcc,bcc, simple cubic and diamond cubic band structures of silicon, were then used to obtain the electronic properties of the system. All states within 10eV of the Fermi level are found to be delocalized, the density of states spectrum similar (but much broadened) to that of diamond cubic silicon and the optical conductivity is found to be almost featureless with no Drude behavior.
Antidepressant exacerbation of spasticity

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) may develop depression. This may be related to adjustment to living with an SCI in addition to dealing with complications of the injury, such as spasticity. Pharmacologic treatment of depression can be difficult because of neurochemical and receptor changes that are associated with SCI. Newer antidepressant agents are purported to have selective activity by alteration of serotonergic neurotransmission. A case report is presented that illustrates exacerbation of spasticity by this family of antidepressant medications. Mechanisms possibly explaining this exacerbation of spasticity are the effects of serotonin on motor neuron and reflex activity, denervation supersensitivity, and the serotonin syndrome. Understanding the relationship between serotonergic systems and spasticity can be important in treating depression in patients with spasticity.
Using statistical reasoning performance to reveal information parsing preferences in the mind.

Many cognitive tasks require the parsing of information into smaller, discrete units in order to enable effective information processing. This parsing can, broadly speaking, be done along either situationally ad hoc dimensions or done preferentially along ecologically and evolutionarily relevant dimensions. The present research systematically evaluates these two possibilities within a statistical reasoning context. While replicating results that appear to support the partition-edit-count hypothesis (that item parsing is equipotential, based on subtle linguistic cues), this result was found to be in large part due to confounds in the nature of the tasks rather than the partitioning manipulations (Experiment 1). Additionally, a frequency presentation of the same task not only eliminated the earlier confounds but also improved performance directly and as predicted by the alternative hypothesis (Experiment 2). Attempts to reintroduce a biasing partition frame (Experiment 3) and a process study of participants...
Dilsulfide‐linked receptors for mitogenic lectins on piglet lymphocytes

The interaction between leucoagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (L-PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and lentil lectin (LcH) with disulfide-linked cell surface receptors on lymphocytes from mesenteric lymph nodes of 3-day piglets (PMLN) was investigated. Surface radioiodinated PMLN lymphocytes were lysed with buffer containing Nonidet-P40. The lysates were adsorbed on lectin-agarose derivatives (or bovine serum albumin-agarose). Eluates from the lectin-agarose derivatives were analyzed by one-dimensional or two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both under reducing and nonreducing conditions. Among the various-lectin-binding polypeptides, L-PHA recognizes a single 92-kDa disulfide-linked moiety in piglet lymphocyte lysate, comprised of polydisperse 52-kDa subunits. In addition to this apparent homodimer, SBA, Con A and LcH bind a much less prominent 82-kDa heterodimer comprised of 47-kDa and 37-kDa polypeptides; these molecules are not observed in eluates of L-PHA. Binding of the 92- and 82-kDa molecules by LcH is inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. These results indicate that there are two lectin-binding disulfide-linked glycoproteins on lymphocytes from 3-day piglets which bind preferentially to potent mitogens. The electrophoretic properties of these molecules, under both reducing and nonreducing conditions, as well as their lectin-binding properties are very similar to those observed for antigen receptor molecules on lymphocytes from other species.
Olanzapine for the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents

Background: The second-generation antipsychotic olanzapine has been shown to be efficacious as a treatment for adults with bipolar disorder and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes as well as for maintenance treatment in bipolar adults. Objective: This review examines the use of olanzapine for the treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder and presents a discussion of the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of olanzapine in children and adolescents. In addition, efficacy and safety data are reviewed and the risks and benefits of using olanzapine in bipolar youth are summarized. Methods: Articles published in English were identified using a search of the National Library of Medicine from 1990 to 2007 with manual review of references of each article as well as review of the US Clinical Trials database. Articles describing the use of olanzapine in children or adolescents were included....
Results of an asthma disease management program in an urban pediatric community clinic.

PURPOSE. Asthma is increasing in incidence, but adherence to national diagnosis and treatment guidelines is poor. The Children's Asthma Management Program (CHAMP) was designed and implemented by nurse practitioners to address the problem of inconsistent asthma management. DESIGN AND METHODS. This is an outcome-based evaluation of a novel asthma management program in which practitioners created a structured mechanism for implementing national evidence-based asthma treatment guidelines. RESULTS. Children who completed the program experienced an 85% decrease in hospitalizations for asthma, 87% decrease in emergency room visits for asthma, and 71% decrease in acute office visits for asthma exacerbations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Patients may benefit from microsystem structures intentionally designed to facilitate implementation of evidence-based guidelines.
Globalization and the connection of remote communities: A review of household effects and their biodiversity implications

Abstract The remote regions of the world provide refuge to a disproportionate amount of the Earth's biodiversity. As globalization continues, isolated human communities in these regions are increasingly connected to global market, migration, and technology networks. We review the diffuse literature on the household effects of changing market access, migration, and technology adoption in remote regions and implications for native biodiversity. Market access affects biodiversity in remote communities through changes in household economics and social networks. Migration, either to or from remote settlements, affects biodiversity through changes in population, remittances, human capital, and social networks. Finally, we consider effects due to production, public infrastructure, and information and communication technologies. There is much ambiguity surrounding these causal pathways, and thus we also examine the roles of various ecological, household, community, and institutional mediating factors in determining the impacts of global connection. Finally, we explore the limitations of our current knowledge and research practices and propose directions for future work to address key uncertainties in theory and evidence as well as weaknesses in methodological approaches. We recommend a broad and interdisciplinary mode of inquiry as the best means toward clarifying globalization's impacts on human settlements and the biodiversity harbored in the Earth's remaining remote regions.
Elective bowel resection for incurable stage IV colorectal cancer: prognostic variables for asymptomatic patients.

Abstract Background Surgical resection of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with stage IV disease at initial presentation remains controversial. Although bowel resection to manage symptoms such as bleeding, perforation, or obstruction has been advocated, management of asymptomatic patients has not been well defined. Patient-dependent factors (performance status, comorbid disease) and extent of distant metastases are among the considerations that impact on the decision to proceed with surgical management in asymptomatic stage IV CRC patients. We postulated that selected patients might benefit from elective resection of the asymptomatic primary CRC. The extent of distant metastases was objectively measured by several methods to identify potential prognostic variables that may help guide patient selection in this population. Study design We reviewed hospital and colorectal service databases for the years 1996 to 1999. Stage IV patients who had colorectal resections with gross residual metastatic disease were identified (n = 209). Among these 209 patients, 82 patients operated on for symptoms (obstruction, perforation, bleeding, or pain) were excluded, leaving 127 patients who underwent elective resection of their asymptomatic primary CRC. Over the same time period, 103 stage IV patients who did not undergo resection were identified. Data on patient characteristics and clinical management were collected. A radiologist performed an independent review of available CT scans to assess extent of liver disease. The chi-square test was used for analysis of categoric data and Student's t -test for continuous variables. Survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and distributions compared by the log rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression. Results The resected group could be easily distinguished from the nonresected group by a higher frequency of right colon cancers (p = 0.03) and metastatic disease restricted to the liver (p = 0.02) or one other site apart from the primary tumor (p = 0.02). Resected patients had prolonged median (16 versus 9 months, p Conclusions Stage IV patients selected for elective palliative resection of asymptomatic primary colorectal cancers had substantial postoperative survival that was significantly better than those never having resection. Limited metastatic tumor burden and less extensive liver involvement were associated with better survival and a higher likelihood of benefit from elective bowel resection in asymptomatic patients with incurable stage IV CRC.
Maximizing expected gain in supervised discrete Bayesian classification when fusing binary valued features

In this paper, previously reported work is extended for fusing binary valued features. In general, when mining discrete data to train supervised discrete Bayesian classifiers, it is often of interest to determine the best threshold setting for maximizing performance. In this work, we utilize a discrete Bayesian classification model, a gain function, to determine the best threshold setting for a given number of binary valued training data under each class. Results are demonstrated for simulated data by plotting the expected gain versus threshold settings for different numbers of training data. In general, it is shown that the expected gain reaches a maximum at a certain threshold. Further, this maximum point varies with the overall quantization of the data. Additional results are also shown for a different gain function on the decision variable, that are used to extend previously reported results.
Relative Safety of External Beam Radiation Therapy in Lung Transplant Recipients Who Develop Thoracic Malignancies.

We report outcomes for three patients who previously received lung transplants, subsequently developed malignancies, and were given radiation therapy to the chest for treatment of their cancers despite lack of scientific data on radiation tolerance of transplanted lung. None of three patients exhibited early or delayed adverse reactions to radiotherapy. For these three cases, the mean dose to the ipsilateral transplanted lung was 10 Gy, and ipsilateral lung relative volume of lung receiving 20 Gy or more was, on average, 22%. These doses are relatively low and would have been considered safe for patients with native lungs. In our opinion, tolerance of transplanted lung to therapeutic radiotherapy clearly requires additional research. While those data are pending, radiation therapy to the thorax should not be ruled out on the basis of having a lung transplant alone, provided lung dose can be maintained as low as possible using meticulous treatment planning.
Use of Analogous Projects for Trade Space Analysis for Lunar Command, Control, Communication, and Information Architectures

A survey across a wide range of historical, status quo, and related analogues can be performed to form a multi-dimensional trade space for the des ign of the NASA Constellation Program's Lunar Command, Control, Communication, and Information (C3I) architecture. In turn, a comprehensive mapping of the architectural trade space informs which design variables and options are available to synthesize, analyze, and e valuate numerous system-of-systems configurations over the evolution of the lunar camp aign. In order to achieve this mapping, the scope of this paper focuses on extracting and documenting commonalities and differences in the control and management of information and operational activities across seven selected analogues, so as to better understand which information flow models and concepts enable desired states of operations.
DESIGN POTENTIAL CONCEPT FOR RELIABILITY-BASED DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

This paper presents a design potential concept for reliability-based design optimization by integrating the probability analysis into the design optimization process. The reliability-based system parameter design is illustrated by the design potential concept in a unified system space, where design potential surfaces are derived from first-order reliability methods and an adaptive strategy is developed for robust and more efficient probabilistic constraint evaluation. More important, the design potential concept provides an in-depth understanding of reliability-based design optimization and leads to a design potential method that can significantly accelerate the process of robust system parameter design optimization.
Variability of runoff-based drought conditions in the conterminous United States

In this study, a monthly water-balance model is used to simulate monthly runoff for 2109 hydrologic units (HUs) in the conterminous United States (CONUS) for water-years 1901 through 2014. The monthly runoff time series for each HU were smoothed with a 3-month moving average, and then the 3-month moving-average runoff values were converted to percentiles. For each HU, a drought was considered to occur when the HU runoff percentile dropped to the 20th percentile or lower. A drought was considered to end when the HU runoff percentile exceeded the 20th percentile. After identifying drought events for each HU, the frequency and length of drought events were examined. Results indicated that (1) the longest mean drought lengths occur in the eastern CONUS and parts of the Rocky Mountain region and the northwestern CONUS, (2) the frequency of drought is highest in the southwestern and central CONUS, and lowest in the eastern CONUS, the Rocky Mountain region, and the northwestern CONUS, (3) droughts have occurred during all months of the year and there does not appear to be a seasonal pattern to drought occurrence, (4) the variability of precipitation appears to have been the principal climatic factor determining drought, and (5) for most of the CONUS, drought frequency appears to have decreased during the 1901 through 2014 period.
Extracellular Na+ dependency of free cytosolic Ca2+ regulation in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

This study examined contribution of Na(+)-dependent processes to the regulation of free cytosolic calcium (Ca2+i) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) using fura-2. Removal of Na+ from superfusate (replacement with choline) resulted in an increment of Ca2+i that was greatly augmented by pretreatment with ouabain. Under both conditions, Ca2+i increase was followed by partial recovery to a new steady state that was still significantly higher than that seen before removal of external Na+ (Na+o). In ouabain-pretreated cells lowering of Na+o caused progressive increases in Ca2+i. Addition of NiCl2, a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, completely blocked the increase in Ca2+i produced by removal of Na+o, indicating that the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter was responsible for observed Ca2+i changes. Ca2+i increase produced by reduction of Na+o was also seen after depletion of inositol trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ stores with repeated pulses of angiotensin II or after blockade of sarcoplasmatic reticulum Ca2+ release with TMB-8 but was not observed in the absence of external Ca2+. These observations indicate that the source of Ca2+i increase in response to changes in the transmembrane Na+ gradient is largely external, and potentiation of the Ca2+i surge by ouabain suggests Ca2+ influx via the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger operating in the reverse mode. The relative contribution of a Na(+)-dependent and -independent component of Ca2+i recovery was investigated by superfusing cells with ionomycin in a Na(+)-free medium and later adding Na+ to the medium. This Ca2+ ionophore increased Ca2+i to a peak, and this was followed by a rapid but partial recovery to a new steady state. Readdition of varying amounts of Na+ to the superfusate, in the continued presence of ionomycin, resulted in concentration-related decline in Ca2+i, thereby uncovering a substantial contribution of a Na(+)-dependent mechanism of Ca2+i regulation. Decline of Ca2+i produced by readdition of Na+ was blocked by addition of NiCl2 to the superfusate. Our findings thereby provide evidence for Ca2+i regulation in VSMC via a Na(+)-dependent mechanism, consistent with a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, which acts as a Ca2+ efflux mechanism when Ca2+i is elevated. Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger acts as a Ca2+ influx mechanism when intracellular Na+ is elevated by prior exposure to ouabain.
G133 Exploring the ethical tensions arising from changing perceptions of the use of renal replacement therapy

Background Our tertiary paediatric nephrology unit was recently challenged by the different circumstances of two children with multiple comorbidities and complex backgrounds who were offered renal replacement therapy. The ethical tensions arose because these treatments may not have been accessible to such children in the past. An ethics workshop for all members of our multidisciplinary team was held to explore the changing perceptions amongst parents and staff on the indications for renal replacement therapy, and the constraints this presents. Cases presenting an ethical challenge The first child has CHARGE syndrome, developmental delay and significant neurological disability, who was commenced on peritoneal dialysis, with a view to possible future transplantation. The second case was a child with mitochondrial cytopathy and heart failure, who was offered peritoneal dialysis as part of his palliative care pathway for symptom relief. Until recently, renal replacement therapy was considered as a continuum. A child would be offered haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis only if there was scope for future kidney transplantation, as these modalities have risks and complications. The gold standard in renal replacement is a living-related kidney transplant. If this is planned, however, the child is simultaneously placed on the deceased donor list as a potential recipient. This is of significance if the parent/relative is not a suitable match. As children are prioritised above adults due to the allocation algorithm, should this still happen in children with very complex backgrounds and severe disability? In addition, renal replacement is considered a ‘life-sustaining’ treatment, but may be used as symptom relief as an aspect of a palliative care package, despite the intensity of provision and cost. Due to dialysis complications, and effects on family as well as quality of life, the decision to embark on this route is not straightforward. Conclusion The multi-professional team all felt comfortable and confident in renal replacement as a palliation tool, but not ad infinitum. The collective views expressed were to practise within an agreed clinical time course and legal framework, taking into account the child’s best interests, quality of life and family views.
Learning objects: resources for instruction.

OBJECTIVE: Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to describe learning objects (LOs) and discuss their use in clinical laboratory sciences instruction. DESIGN: Through a questionnaire, educators evaluated clinical laboratory sciences-related LOs for accessibility, usability and instructional qualities. SETTING: LOs were presented on a password-accessed website. Evaluations were completed on the website. PARTICIPANTS: Nine educators participated in the evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: The LOs were made available to participants for use in their own instructional material. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The evaluation measured educators9 interest in and perceived usefulness of LOs in clinical laboratory sciences curriculum. RESULTS: On a scale of one to five with one equal to poor and five equal to excellent, participants rated LOs as accessible (4.68) and usable (4.61). Ninety-eight percent stated that they would use LOs in their curriculum. Fifty-seven percent stated that they could attribute improved learning performance on student exposure to LOs. CONCLUSION: LOs are useful, relevant, and time-saving resources to clinical laboratory sciences instruction. ABBREVIATIONS:CLS = clinical laboratory sciences; LO = learning object.
Lateral Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry of the Spine: Comparison to AP-DXA and QCT

Early work on lateral dual x- ray absorptiometry (L-DXA) has shown improved diagnostic sensitivity over AP dual x-ray absorptiometry (AP-DXA). We have designed this study to investigate the performance of L-DXA as compared to AP-DXA and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Fourteen normal premenopausal women (Group I), 11 normal postmenopausal women (Group II), and 7 osteoporotic postmenopausal women (Group Ill) were recruited for study. With the subjects in a decubitus position, lateral DXA scans were obtained on a Hologic QDR-1000W scanner. Bone images of L-DXA were transferred to a DEC VAXstation 3520 computer, where a ROI corresponding to the area measured by QCT was evaluated: a 1 cm high midvertebral box, located anteriorly and 2/3 of the vertebral body wide. AP-DXA and QCT scans were generated and evaluated following standard procedures. Normal postmenopausal and osteoporotic postmenopausal women demonstrated greater bone loss on L-DXA and QCT than on AP-DXA (Table 1). Correlation between AP-DXA and L-DXA was r=0.72, between AP-DXA and QCT r=0.75, and between L-DXA and QCT r=0.86.
Festivals, Censorship and the Canon: The Makings of Sinophone Cinemas

Film festivals have long offered a major opportunity for film-makers to premiere new work and seek contracts from potential distributors, who target festivals based on their own market interests. The success of the competing films can significantly influence the distributors’ decisions as well as the opinions of the general public, who expect festivals to ‘pre-screen’ numerous new productions, and who form a list of worthy picks before the films open in theatres. As a natural consequence, festivals generate publicity and serve as a weather vane for many international films’ potential markets: domestic or overseas. In analyzing strategies of marketing independent films, Robert Sickels (2009) points out that even a big studio like Sony Pictures Classics would create a profile for a given film through a series of film festivals, as it is an inexpensive way to garner publicity and critical acclaim (p. 140). For many independent film-makers in China and Taiwan, who frequently work without substantial government funding or the financial backing of big studios, international film festivals have become the primary venue for gaining recognition. In the case of Taiwan, this also leads to government cash awards.1 Using Ang Lee, Jia Zhangke and Wei Te-sheng as case studies,2 this chapter examines the role international film festivals play in promoting Sinophone cinemas — which comprise the many ‘Chinese’ language films (Hua yu dian ying) inside and outside China.
The adrenergic nervous system as a therapeutic target in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cautionary tale.

A study of beta-adrenergic blockade in patients with PAH demonstrated no benefit but some serious adverse effects http://ow.ly/xeJy302c69b
Computation of the Starting Vortex Flow Past a Flat Plate

Abstract This paper compares two numerical methods applied to compute the starting vortex flow past a flat plate. The plate is inclined relative to a constant background flow at angle α, with α = 90°, 60°, 30°. The numerical methods considered are (1) direct numerical simulation of the viscous flow (DNS), and (2) an inviscid vortex sheet model. The viscous DNS solves the Navier- Stokes equations by an operator splitting finite-difference method, for Reynolds numbers Re = 250, 500, 1000, 2000. The inviscid flow is computed by a regularized vortex sheet method, with the unsteady Kutta condition imposed at the edges of the plate, for regularization parameters δ = 0.2, 0.1, 0.05. We present viscous vorticity contours, and compare streaklines and shed circulation obtained with both methods. Good agreement is found in the large-scale features of the separated spiral streaklines and the shed circulation as Re increases and δ decreases. For small inclination angle α, secondary separation on the downwind side of the plate introduces small-scale features in the viscous flow that are absent in the inviscid model. The vortex sheet model is much less costly than the viscous DNS, but it is limited by the omission of the boundary layers present in the viscous flow.
Update on a phase II study of cyclophosphamide, etoposide and estramustine in patients with androgen independent prostate cancer

4647 Background: Oral therapy offers the tremendous advantage of independence and avoids all the catheter-related complications. Cyclophosphamide (C), etoposide (E) and estramustine (E) are active ...
Roles of NADPH oxidase and mitochondria in flow-induced vasodilation of human adipose arterioles: ROS-induced ROS release in coronary artery disease.

Objectives Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contributes to flow-induced dilation (FID) of human arterioles. This study is designed to examine the roles of mitochondria and NADPH oxidase in modulating the release of ROS and in mediating FID. We tested whether NADPH oxidase contributes to mitochondrial ROS generation in arterioles during coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Visceral adipose arterioles obtained from patients with or without CAD were cannulated and pressurized for videomicroscopic measurement of arteriolar diameters. Dilator responses and ROS production during flow were determined in the presence and absence of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor gp91ds-tat and the mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor rotenone. Results Both dilation and H2O2 generation during flow were reduced in the presence of rotenone (13.5±8% vs. 97±17% without rotenone) or gp91ds-tat in patients with CAD, while patients without CAD exhibited H2O2-independent dilations. Mitochondrial superoxide production during flow was attenuated by gp91ds-tat in arterioles from CAD patients. Conclusions These findings indicate that ROS produced by NADPH oxidase are an upstream component of the mitochondria-dependent pathway contributing to flow-dependent H2O2 generation and dilation in peripheral microvessels from patients with CAD. We conclude that in CAD, both mitochondria and NADPH oxidase contribute to FID through a redox mechanism in visceral arterioles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Pharmacological Modulation of Noradrenergic Arousal Circuitry Disrupts Functional Connectivity of the Locus Ceruleus in Humans

State-dependent activity of locus ceruleus (LC) neurons has long suggested a role for noradrenergic modulation of arousal. However, in vivo insights into noradrenergic arousal circuitry have been constrained by the fundamental inaccessibility of the human brain for invasive studies. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies performed during site-specific pharmacological manipulations of arousal levels may be used to study brain arousal circuitry. Dexmedetomidine is an anesthetic that alters the level of arousal by selectively targeting α2 adrenergic receptors on LC neurons, resulting in reduced firing rate and norepinephrine release. Thus, we hypothesized that dexmedetomidine-induced altered arousal would manifest with reduced functional connectivity between the LC and key brain regions involved in the regulation of arousal. To test this hypothesis, we acquired resting-state fMRI data in right-handed healthy volunteers 18-36 years of age (n = 15, 6 males) at baseline, during dexmedetomidine-induced altered arousal, and recovery states. As previously reported, seed-based resting-state fMRI analyses revealed that the LC was functionally connected to a broad network of regions including the reticular formation, basal ganglia, thalamus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), precuneus, and cerebellum. Functional connectivity of the LC to only a subset of these regions (PCC, thalamus, and caudate nucleus) covaried with the level of arousal. Functional connectivity of the PCC to the ventral tegmental area/pontine reticular formation and thalamus, in addition to the LC, also covaried with the level of arousal. We propose a framework in which the LC, PCC, thalamus, and basal ganglia comprise a functional arousal circuitry.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Electrophysiological studies of locus ceruleus (LC) neurons have long suggested a role for noradrenergic mechanisms in mediating arousal. However, the fundamental inaccessibility of the human brain for invasive studies has limited a precise understanding of putative brain regions that integrate with the LC to regulate arousal. Our results suggest that the PCC, thalamus, and basal ganglia are key components of a LC-noradrenergic arousal circuit.
Redefining the Practice of Peer Review Through Intelligent Automation—Part 3: Automated Report Analysis and Data Reconciliation

One method for addressing existing peer review limitations is the assignment of peer review cases on a completely blinded basis, in which the peer reviewer would create an independent report which can then be cross-referenced with the primary reader report of record. By leveraging existing computerized data mining techniques, one could in theory automate and objectify the process of report data extraction, classification, and analysis, while reducing time and resource requirements intrinsic to manual peer review report analysis. Once inter-report analysis has been performed, resulting inter-report discrepancies can be presented to the radiologist of record for review, along with the option to directly communicate with the peer reviewer through an electronic data reconciliation tool aimed at collaboratively resolving inter-report discrepancies and improving report accuracy. All associated report and reconciled data could in turn be recorded in a referenceable peer review database, which provides opportunity for context and user-specific education and decision support.