cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatric traumatic brain injury: beyond the guidelines.

In 2003, a multidisciplinary group of physicians formulated the first guidelines for the management of severe traumatic brain injury in infants and children. Initial treatment of these patients is focused on stabilization to prevent the occurrence of secondary insults such as hypotension and hypoxemia. However, this article focuses on the established and emerging therapies used in the intensive care unit management of intracranial hypertension—which represents the key target for contemporary therapy of this condition. A critical pathway for the treatment of this condition was estab-lished within the guidelines, and this pathway is appropriately focused on limiting intracranial hypertension and optimizing cerebral perfusion during the intensive care unit phase. This includes first- and second-tier therapies. This article contains a brief synopsis of this critical pathway and discusses important new developments for the management of this condition. Key new developments include a better understanding of the optimal cerebral perfusion pressure target for intracranial pressure-directed therapy, with emerging evidence supporting the use of two therapeutic modalities, mild-moderate hypothermia and decompressive craniectomy.
The Effects of Task Clarification and Group Graphic Feedback on Early Punch-In Times

Task clarification in the form of workplace policy guidelines coupled with weekly graphic feedback of group punch-in times on the staff clock were presented to waitstaff, cooks, cash register clerks, dishwashers, buffet attendants, and hourly assistant managers in a restaurant sub-franchise. Clocking in early dropped from 130 min during baseline to 62 min per week during intervention. A 1-week return to baseline resulted in 189 min of clocking in early by restaurant personnel. The use of task clarification and group feedback reduced company expenses without reductions in job satisfaction or increased stress.
Medical technology: balancing the unbalanced.

Elderly but healthy people are often seriously injured in falls. Exploiting the phenomenon of stochastic resonance, biological physicists have designed a shoe with a vibrating insole that helps maintain balance.
Single-port, single-operator-light endoscopic robot-assisted laparoscopic urology: pilot study in a pig model.

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVES To present our initial operative experience in which single-port-light endoscopic robot-assisted reconstructive and extirpative urological surgery was performed by one surgeon, using a pig model. MATERIALS AND METHODS This pilot study was conducted in male farm pigs to determine the feasibility and safety of single-port, single-surgeon urological surgery. All pigs had a general anaesthetic and were placed in the flank position. A 2-cm umbilical incision was made, through which a single port was placed and pneumoperitoneum obtained. An operative laparoscope was introduced and securely held using a novel low-profile robot under foot and/or voice control. Using articulating instruments, each pig had bilateral reconstructive and extirpative renal surgery. Salient intraoperative and postmortem data were recorded. Results were analysed statistically to determine if outcomes improved with surgeon experience. RESULTS Five male farm pigs underwent bilateral partial nephrectomy and bilateral pyeloplasty before a completion bilateral radical nephrectomy. There were no intraoperative complications and there was no need for additional ports to be placed. The mean (range) operative duration for partial nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, and nephrectomy were 120 (100–150), 110 (95–130) and 20 (15–30) min, respectively. The mean (range) estimated blood loss for all procedures was 240 (200–280) mL. The preparation time decreased with increasing number of cases (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The combination of a single-port, a robotic endoscope holder and articulated instruments operated by one surgeon is feasible. With a single-port access, the robot allows more room to the surgeon than an assistant.
Reaction of OH + NO2 + M: A New View

A reexamination of data and theoretical computations for the title reaction leads to the conclusion that both HONO2 (nitric acid) and HOONO (pernitrous acid) can be formed. We describe hindered-Gorin RRKM calculations that fit most of the extant data and explain differences among the studies. We conclude that the rate constant for nitric acid formation at low temperatures could be considerably (∼20%) lower than the data for loss of OH in the presence of NO2 would indicate. We have examined the atmospheric consequences of this conclusion on ozone and nitrogen oxide concentrations through the use of box models. We include a tentative recommendation for the rate constants for the individual steps as functions of temperature and density in the NASA format.
Guest tunable structure and spin crossover properties in a nanoporous coordination framework material.

The electronic switching properties of the nanoporous spin crossover framework [Fe(NCS)2(bpbd)2]·x(guest), SCOF-2, can be rationally manipulated via sorption of a range of molecular guests (acetone, ethanol, methanol, propanol, 1-acetonitrile) into the 1-D channels of this material. Pronounced changes to the spin crossover properties are related directly to the steric and electronic influence of the individual guests: the degree of lattice cooperativity, as reflected in the abruptness of the transition and presence of hysteresis, is strongly influenced by the presence of cooperative host−guest interactions, and the temperature of the transition varies with guest polarity through a proposed electrostatic interaction.
Elastic Scattering of 3.1-Mev Polarized Neutrons

By using a partially polarized neutron beam from the $\mathrm{D}(d, n){\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ reaction, the elastic scattering polarization of a number of elements has been observed. For Be and C scatterers, the angular dependence of the polarization can be correlated with parameters characterizing compound-nucleus levels excited by the incident neutrons. For medium and heavy scattering nuclei, the observed polarization is in poor agreement with the few existing optical-model calculations for 3.1-Mev neutrons. With the exception of Pb, all medium and heavy elements studied yielded positive polarization in the 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} range of scattering angles, i.e., they would produce polarization in the direction ${\mathrm{k}}_{n}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{{\mathrm{k}}_{n}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ in single scattering events.
Nucleosome-Positioning Sequence Repeats Impact Chromatin Silencing in Yeast Minichromosomes

Eukaryotic gene expression occurs in the context of structurally distinct chromosomal domains such as the relatively open, gene-rich, and transcriptionally active euchromatin and the condensed and gene-poor heterochromatin where its specific chromatin environment inhibits transcription. To study gene silencing by heterochromatin, we created a minichromosome reporter system where the gene silencer elements were used to repress the URA3 reporter gene. The minichromosome reporters were propagated in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a stable copy number. Conduction of gene silencing through nucleosome arrays was studied by placing various repeats of clone-601 DNA with high affinity for histones between the silencer and reporter in the yeast minichromosomes. High-resolution chromatin mapping with micrococcal nuclease showed that the clone-601 nucleosome positioning downstream of the HML-E gene silencing element was not significantly altered by chromatin silencing. Using URA3 reporter assays, we observed that gene silencing was conducted through arrays of up to eight nucleosomes. We showed that the shorter nucleosome repeat lengths, typical of yeast (167 and 172 bp), were more efficient in conducting silencing in vivo compared to the longer repeats (207 bp) typical of higher eukaryotes. Both the longer and the shorter repeat lengths were able to conduct silencing in minichromosomes independently of clone-601 nucleosome positioning orientations vs. the silencer element. We suggest that the shorter nucleosome linkers are more suitable for conducting gene silencing than the long repeats in yeast due to their higher propensity to support native-like chromatin higher-order folding.
Consideration Of Encapsulants For Photovoltaic Arrays In Terrestrial Applications

Long-term survivability of photovoltaic arrays and components in terrestrial environments will require development of adequate protective systems. Highly considered are polymeric encapsulants, a method which was successfully employed in space and aerospace applications to protect critical electrical circuitry. To be employable, however, the polymer encapsulants must themselves be chemically and mechanically resistant to failure in terrestrial service. Chemical resistance includes stability to the degrading actions of ultraviolet light, oxygen, moisture and elevated temperatures in sun rich areas. Programs are underway to identify and develop chemically stable encapsulant candidates. Chemical considerations aside, mechanical failures of the encapsulants must also be avoided in array designs. This paper discusses design considerations for avoiding mechanical failures of polymeric encapsulants, with emphasis on biaxial properties, thermal fatigue, and anisotropy and nonhomogeneity of material properties. The general principles to be presented evolved from actual failures of polymeric materials in engineering applications. Also included are brief remarks on the permeability of polymer materials to atmospheric gases.
Determining primary care physician information needs to inform ambulatory visit note display.

Background: With the increase in the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) across the US, primary care physicians are experiencing information overload. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the information needs of primary care physicians (PCPs) as they review clinic visit notes to inform EHR display. Method: Data collection was conducted with 15 primary care physicians during semi-structured interviews, including a third party observer to control bias. Physicians reviewed major sections of an artificial but typical acute and chronic care visit note to identify the note sections that were relevant to their information needs. Statistical methods used were McNemar-Mosteller’s and Cochran Q. Results: Physicians identified History of Present Illness (HPI), Assessment, and Plan (A&P) as the most important sections of a visit note. In contrast, they largely judged the Review of Systems (ROS) to be superfluous. There was also a statistical difference in physicians’ highlighting among all seven major note sections in acute (p = 0.00) and chronic (p = 0.00) care visit notes. Conclusion: A&P and HPI sections were most frequently identified as important which suggests that physicians may have to identify a few key sections out of a long, unnecessarily verbose visit note. ROS is viewed by doctors as mostly “not needed,” but can have relevant information. The ROS can contain information needed for patient care when other sections of the Visit note, such as the HPI, lack the relevant information. Future studies should include producing a display that provides only relevant information to increase physician efficiency at the point of care. Also, research on moving A&P to the top of visit notes instead of having A&P at the bottom of the page is needed, since those are usually the first sections physicians refer to and reviewing from top to bottom may cause cognitive load.
Identification of HLA-A3-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes derived from mammaglobin-A, a tumor-associated antigen of human breast cancer.

Mammaglobin-A is highly overexpressed in breast cancer cell lines and primary breast tumors. This pattern of expression is restricted to mammary epithelium and metastatic breast tumors. Thus, mammaglobin-A-specific T cell immune responses may provide an important approach for the design of breast cancer-specific immunotherapy. The purpose of our study was to define the T cell-mediated immune response to mammaglobin-A. We determined that the frequency of mammaglobin-A-reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in breast cancer patients is significantly higher than that observed in healthy female controls using limiting dilution analyses (p = 0.026 and p = 0.02, respectively). We identified 8 mammaglobin-A-derived 9-mer peptides with the highest binding affinity for the HLA-A3 molecule (Mam-A3.1-8) using a computer-assisted analysis of the mammaglobin-A protein sequence. Subsequently, we determined that CD8+ T cells from breast cancer patients reacted to peptides Mam-A3.1 (23-31, PLLENVISK), Mam-A3.3 (2-10, KLLMVLMLA), Mam-A3.4 (55-63, TTNAIDELK) and Mam-A3.8 (58-66, AIDELKECF) using an IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assay. A CD8+ T cell line generated in vitro against HLA-A*0301-transfected TAP-deficient T2 cells loaded with these peptides showed significant cytotoxic activity against the Mam-A3.1 peptide. This CD8+ T cell line showed a significant HLA-A3-restricted cytotoxic activity against mammaglobin-A-positive but not mammaglobin-A-negative breast cancer cells. In summary, our study identified four HLA-A3-restricted mammaglobin-A-derived epitopes naturally expressed by breast cancer cells, indicating the immunotherapeutic potential of this novel antigen for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
Ligand substituent effect observed for ytterbocene 4'-cyano-2,2': 6',2''-terpyridine

A new N-heterocyclic complex of ytterbocene (Cp(2)Yb(II), Cp = C(5)Me(5)) has been prepared by the addition of 4'-cyano-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (tpyCN) to Cp(2)Yb(II)(OEt(2)) in toluene to give a dark blue species designated as Cp(2)Yb(tpyCN). The effect of the electron-withdrawing group (-CN) on the redox potentials of the charge-transfer form of this complex [in which an electron is transferred from the f(14) metal center to the lowest unoccupied (pi) molecular orbital of the tpyCN ligand to give a 4f(13)-pi(1) electronic configuration] has been quantified by cyclic voltammetry. The tpyCN ligand stabilizes this configuration by 60 mV more than that in the unsubstituted tpy ligand complex and by 110 mV more than that in the unsubstituted bpy ligand complex. Magnetic susceptibility measurements corroborate the enhanced stabilization of the 4f(13)-pi(1) configuration by the substituted terpyridyl ligand complex. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the magnetic data is most consistent with a thermally induced valence tautomeric equilibrium between this paramagnetic 4f(13)-pi(1) form that dominates near room temperature and the diamagnetic 4f(14)-pi(0) form that dominates at low temperature. Differing coordination modes for the tpyCN ligand to the ytterbocene center have also been confirmed by isolation and X-ray crystallographic characterization of complexes binding through either the cyano nitrogen of tpyCN or the three terpyridyl nitrogen atoms of tpyCN.
A continuous coupled spectrophotometric assay for tyrosine aminotransferase activity with aromatic and other nonpolar amino acids.

Abstract A continuous assay for Escherichia coli tyrosine aminotransferase (TATase) that employs Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus hydroxyisocaproate dehydrogenase (HO-HxoDH) as a coupling enzyme is described. α-Keto acids, including those formed by TATase-catalyzed transamination of l -phenylalanine, l -tyrosine, l -tryptophan, l -methionine, and l -leucine, are converted to the corresponding α-hydroxy acids by the auxiliary enzyme. The concomitant reduction of NADH by this enzyme can be followed as a decrease in absorbance at 340 nm. Importantly, HO-HxoDHcatalyzed reduction of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a cosubstrate of TATase required to regenerate the pyridoxal-5′-phosphate cofactor of this enzyme from pyridoxamine-5′-phosphate, is a poor substrate and does not interfere with the assay. The kinetic parameters determined for the transamination of phenylalanine by TATase ( k cat = 180 s −1 , K M (L-Phe) = 0.56 m m , K M (α-KG) = 5 m m ) with HO-HxoDH as a coupling enzyme are comparable to those reported in the literature, which were determined by direct monitoring of the formation of phenylpyruvate at 280 nm. This new assay offers the advantages of increased sensitivity and broad substrate specificity.
Semiconductor Conjugated Polymer−Quantum Dot Nanocomposites at the Air/Water Interface and Their Photovoltaic Performance

Organic−inorganic nanocomposites consisting of electroactive conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), intimately tethered on the surface of semiconductor CdSe quantum dot (i.e., P3HT−CdSe nanocomposites) at the air/water interface formed via Langmuir isotherms were explored for the first time. The P3HT−CdSe nanocomposites displayed a high pressure plateau (∼10.5 mN/m) in the Langmuir isotherm, illustrating their complex packing at the air/water interface. The packing of the Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) depositions of nanocomposites was revealed by AFM measurements. Furthermore, photovoltaic devices fabricated from the LB depositions of the P3HT−CdSe nanocomposites exhibited a relatively high short circuit current, ISC, while maintaining a thin film profile. These studies provide insights into the fundamental behaviors of semiconductor organic−inorganic nanocomposites confined at the air/water interface as well as in the active layer of an organic-based photovoltaic device.
Multicell Homogenization of One-Dimensional Periodic Structures

Much attention has been recently devoted to the application of homogenization methods for the prediction of the dynamic behavior of periodic domains. One of the most popular techniques employs the Fourier transform in space in conjunction with Taylor series expansions to approximate the behavior of structures in the low frequency/long wavelength regime. The technique is quite effective, but suffers from two major drawbacks. First, the order of the Taylor expansion, and the corresponding frequency range of approximation, is limited by the resulting order of the continuum equations and by the number of boundary conditions, which may be imposed in accordance with the physical constraints on the system. Second, the approximation at low frequencies does not allow capturing bandgap characteristics of the periodic domain. An attempt at overcoming the latter can be made by applying the Fourier series expansion to a macrocell spanning two (or more) irreducible unit cells of the periodic medium. This multicell approach allows the simultaneous approximation of low frequency and high frequency dynamic behavior and provides the capability of analyzing the structural response in the vicinity of the lowest bandgap. The method is illustrated through examples on simple one-dimensional structures to demonstrate its effectiveness and its potentials for application to complex one-dimensional and two-dimensional configurations.
Circulating Vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Humans: An Important Tool to Define Adequate Nutritional Vitamin D Status

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is generally considered the means by which we define nutritional vitamin D status. There is much debate, however, with respect to what a healthy minimum level of circulation 25(OH)D should be. Recent data using various biomarkers such as intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), intestinal calcium absorption, and skeletal density measurements suggest this minimum level to be 80 nmol (32 ng/mL). Surprisingly, the relationship between circulating vitamin D(3) and its metabolic product-25(OH)D(3) has not been studied. We investigated this relationship in two separate populations: the first, individuals from Hawaii who received significant sun exposure; the second, subjects from a lactation study who received up to 6400IU vitamin D(3)/day for 6 months. Results (1) the relationship between circulating vitamin D(3) and 25(OH)D in both groups was not linear, but appeared saturable and controlled; (2) optimal nutritional vitamin D status appeared to occur when molar ratios of circulating vitamin D(3) and 25(OH)D exceeded 0.3; at this point, the V(max) of the 25-hydroxylase appeared to be achieved. This was achieved when circulating 25(OH)D exceeded 100 nmol. We hypothesize that as humans live today, the 25-hydroxylase operates well below its V(max) because of chronic substrate deficiency, namely vitamin D(3). When humans are sun (or dietary) replete, the vitamin D endocrine system will function in a fashion as do these other steroid synthetic pathways, not limited by substrate. Thus, the relationship between circulating vitamin D and 25(OH)D may represent what "normal" vitamin D status should be.
Metabolite formation and toxicity measurements in evaluating bioremediation of a jet-fuel-contaminated aquifer.

The metabolic capabilities of subsurface, jet-fuel-contaminated, aquifer microbial communities were characterized using an ecological approach to biotreatment assessment. A multifaceted experimental design was used that incorporated quantification of metabolite formation and toxicity screening along with the typical microbial activity measurements and pollutant degradation measurements used for assessing biorem ediation potential. Forselect experiments, dissolved oxygen levels and pH in microcosm systems were also monitored. Results suggest that a sizable, metabolically active microbial community exists in both contaminated and uncontaminated areas of the study site. Time course metabolism analyses indicated that the microbial communities were capable of degrading all three test compounds (amino acids, decane, and toluene) without any apparent adaptation period. Measurements of mineralization, cellular uptake, and metabolite formation indicated that metabolite formation was the predominant fate of the target pollutants in the microcosms. The results of toxicity screening time courses indicated that under oxygen-limiting conditions, the potential for the accumulation of toxic, acidic metabolites that could adversely affect the rates and extent of bioremediation existed. The experimental results indicate that the microbial communities at the site possess the metabolic potential for in situ biodegradation of the jet fuel. Care must be taken in the design of an in situ biodegradation treatment system (for this site and perhaps other petroleum-contaminated aquifers) to avoid the development of microaerophilic or oxygen-depleted zones; which could result in possible self-poisoning owing to acidic metabolite accumulation
Residence time of sulphite in SO2 ‘sensitive’ and ‘tolerant’ soybean cultivars

Different species of plants—and in some cases different varieties or cultivars of a single species—are known to vary in the severity of their response to air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide. In most cases the reason for this differential response is not understood but it is believed to be due to differences in physiological tolerance to the pollutant gas as well as differential gas uptake by the plant tissues. Leaves from eight soybean cultivars differing in sensitivity to sulphur dioxide injury were treated by introduction of sulphite (dissolved SO2) through the petiole. After completion of the treatment period, the leaves were analysed for their sulphite content at predetermined intervals. During the treatment period when the tissue loads of sulphite were the highest, the four comparatively ‘resistant’ cultivars were found to convert the sulphite more rapidly than the relatively ‘sensitive’ cultivars. The major product of the sulphite conversion was relatively non-toxic sulphate. These results suggest that th differential capacities of soybean cultivars to metabolise toxic sulphite to the less toxic sulphate under conditions of severe sulphite stress may be related to previously observed differences in SO2 sensitivity.
Domain size dependence of glass transition temperature

The effect of particle size on glass transition temperatures is discussed. The phenomenon is treated in terms of Ehrenfest second-order thermodynamics and in addition related to free volume concepts. Consistent formulas are obtained and the order of magnitude of the effect is estimated.
Ipecac misuse in clinical and non-clinical samples

To look at the occurrence of ipecac misuse in two high-risk populations, we distributed a structured self-report questionnaire regarding eating attitudes and behaviors to a non-clinical sample of 5,537 young women in a national collegiate social organization and to a clinical sample of 299 consecutive outpatients referred to our Eating Disorders Clinic. The lifetime prevalence of ipecac use in the college population was 2.5% compared to 10% in the outpatient sample. The prevalence rates in both populations suggest that further restriction of syrup of ipecac by warnings of toxicity on labels, package inserts, and pharmacist dispension over-the-counter should be considered
A simulation of the effects of temperature on hippocampal neurons.

Abstract We have developed a model to predict the effects of temperature on the electrical activity of a hippocampal pyramidal cell. Four populations of membrane channels in the pyramidal cell were simulated. Equations for current through these ion channels are similar to those first developed by Hodgkin and Huxley for Na + and K + channels in the squid axon and more recently extended by Traub to include not only these channel types but, in addition, Ca 2+ and Ca 2+ mediated K + channels in hippocampal cells. Voltage- and/or concentration-dependent rate functions are used to describe the kinetic behavior of each population of channels. A temperature-dependent term is included for each rate function to simulate the effect of changing temperature on neural activity. Model simulations correspond to experimental data over a range of temperature from 40°C to 35 °C.
λ 5303 Fe XIV density models of the inner solar corona

The Sacramento Peak Observatory's 40 cm coronagraph was used with an emission line photometer to observe the distribution of λ5303 Fe XIV brightness as a function of position angle, height above the limb, and time. These data were used to construct models of the volume emissivity as a function of solar latitude and longitude. These models in turn yield estimates of the distribution of electron density in the lower solar corona as a function of latitude and longitude for several specific periods in 1973 and 1975. Three observational results are obtained. An upper limit for the inferred electron density in coronal hole regions is set at log Ne = 7.4 for an altitude of 1.15R⊙. Density models from late 1973 demonstrate an evolutionary trend toward a rather regular four-lobed appearance of coronal material; models from 1975 suggest that this characterization persisted for at least 27 solar rotations. A decrease in the total integrated λ5303 intensity of a factor of 2.9 is inferred to have taken place between 1973 and 1975.
Nucleation, Growth, and TEM Analysis of Metal Particles and Clusters Deposited in UHV

Abstract It has been established for some time [1, 2] that small supported metal particles can be reproducibly prepared in a controlled way by ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) deposition onto planar supports. Such planar deposits have been employed in the past to study the physical [3–11] and chemical [12–20] properties of mesoscopic metal aggregates. In these studies, the emphasis has usually been placed on pointing out the differences in particle properties with respect to the bulk properties of the same material. Although it has often been found that the electronic properties reach bulk values at surprisingly small cluster sizes of about 30 to 50 atoms, it has also been observed that the chemical properties can change over a much wider particle size range [21] for structure-sensitive reactions [22]. Furthermore, it is generally realized that particle size alone is usually not the only important parameter but that the influence of the support in terms of electronic, structural, chemical, and morphological particl...
Customized Certificate Revocation Lists for IEEE 802.11s-Based Smart Grid AMI Networks

Public-key cryptography (PKC) is widely used in smart grid (SG) communications to reduce the overhead of key management. However, PKC comes with its own problems in terms of certificate management. Specifically, certificate revocation lists (CRLs) need to be maintained and distributed to the smart meters (SMs) in order to ensure security of the communications. The size of CRLs may grow over time and eventually may introduce additional delay, bandwidth, and storage overhead when various applications are run on SG. In this paper, we propose novel algorithms for creating customized CRLs with reduced size for IEEE 802.11s-based advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) networks. Rather than maintaining a huge-size single CRL that introduces unnecessary search time and storage, the idea is to cluster/group SMs within the AMI network and create CRLs based on these groups. The grouping is mainly done in such a way that they bring together the SMs that will be very likely to communicate so that the CRLs will be kept local to that group. To this end, we propose two novel grouping algorithms. The first algorithm is a bottom-up approach, which is based on the existing routes from the SMs to the gateway. Since the SMs will be sending their data to the gateway through the nodes on the route, this forms a natural grouping. The second approach is a top-down recursive approach, which considers the minimum spanning tree of the network and then divides it into smaller subtrees. Via grouping, the length of the CRL for each SM and the corresponding distribution overhead can be reduced significantly. Simulation results have shown that our approach can maintain a balance between the size of the CRL and the number of signatures generated by CAs while guaranteeing security of the communications.
Traitement endovasculaire en deux temps d'un anévrysme bilatéral de l'artère hypogastrique

Les anevrysmes de l'artere hypogastrique (AAH) presentent plusieurs difficultes pour le chirurgie vasculaire. Ils sont rares et leur traitement, souvent difficile, comporte une morbidite et une mortalite relativement elevees. Leur caractere bilateral ajoute des complications techniques dues a des problemes ischemiques. Dans le cas presente, un homme de 76 ans ayant un AAH bilateral a eu en deux temps une embolisation endovasculaire par des coils, entrainant l'exclusion du flux dans les anevrysmes et evitant les complications ischemiques post-operatoires. L'arteriographie en cours de procedure a verifie l'occlusion complete des deux AAH, qui se confirmait a 6 semaines et a un an en tomodensitometrie. Ce cas illustre le traitement avec succes d'AAH bilateraux par des techniques endovasculaires.
A NOTE ON THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF LARGE HUB-AND-SPOKE NETWORKS

Abstract This note explores the extent to which airlines operating large hub-and-spoke networks secure a competitive advantage. More specifically, this paper explores the intricate relationship which arises among productive efficiencies and profitability when the size of the hub-and-spoke network expands. To this end, Brueckner and Spiller (1991, International Journal of Industrial Organization 9, 323–342) airline economics model is generalized by allowing the size of the hub-and-spoke network to vary. The central result shows that, although the model exhibits decreasing returns to firm/network size (RTNS), nonetheless there is a competitive advantage to increasing the size of a network.
Review of current practice in ‘clean’ diets in the UK

A survey of current practice in the provision of ‘clean’ diets at UK bone-marrow transplant (BMT) centres was carried out as a basis for updating the information given to patients at Sheffield Children's Hospital (SCH). ‘Clean’ diets are used to minimize the risk of infection from food in immuno-suppressed patients. Information received varied greatly from sterile diets to modified ward diets. It was found difficult to collate the results for this reason. In addition, there has been little documented evidence on the use and effectiveness of these diets. In general, there appears to be a move away from a stringent sterile diet towards a more relaxed diet, giving patients a greater choice of foods. Following this survey, the information given to BMT patients at SCH was modified to allow greater freedom of choice, whilst maintaining sensible food hygiene guidelines.
Nanoparticles for localized delivery of hyaluronan oligomers towards regenerative repair of elastic matrix.

Abstract Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are rupture-prone progressive dilations of the infrarenal aorta due to a loss of elastic matrix that lead to weakening of the aortic wall. Therapies to coax biomimetic regenerative repair of the elastic matrix by resident, diseased vascular cells may thus be useful to slow, arrest or regress AAA growth. Hyaluronan oligomers (HA-o) have been shown to induce elastic matrix synthesis by healthy and aneurysmal rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro but only via exogenous dosing, which potentially has side-effects and limitations to in vivo delivery towards therapy. In this paper, we describe the development of HA-o loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted, controlled and sustained delivery of HA-o towards the elastogenic induction of aneurysmal rat aortic SMCs. These NPs were able to deliver HA-o over an extended period (>30 days) at previously determined elastogenic doses (0.2–20 μg ml −1 ). HA-o released from the NPs led to dose-dependent increases in elastic matrix synthesis, and the recruitment and activity of lysyl oxidase, the enzyme which cross-links elastin precursor molecules into mature fibers/matrix. Therefore, we were able to successfully develop a nanoparticle-based system for controlled and sustained HA-o delivery for the in vitro elastogenic induction of aneurysmal rat aortic smooth muscle cells.
Implementing high-performance grid computing in student computer labs

Information technology infrastructure consumes significant resources at most higher education institutions. Innovative ways to more efficiently use this infrastructure are always being sought. Research universities must balance resource consumption between their research and teaching and learning missions. The University of Florida recently installed a grid computing client software product in the University's student computer labs. This product allows faculty with large data analysis research projects to take advantage of the tremendous computing power available through the harvesting of unused CPU capacity available in the University's student computer labs. The grid computing client software runs on the lab computers, and accepts computational jobs from programs submitted to the grid computing system by research users, devoting system resources from each lab PC to the computations whenever they are not being used by the local student user. This presentation will describe the system architecture, costs, implications, and strengths and weaknesses that are important for implementation, including the technical requirements and management system, and will be focused on providing operational staff from other institutions with useful information to help in the evaluation of whether such a system would be effective at that their institution.
Frontal Sinus and Naso-orbital-Ethmoid Fractures

ImportanceFrontal sinus and naso-orbital-ethmoid (NOE) fractures are among the most challenging injuries in the treatment of maxillofacial trauma. ObjectiveTo summarize the current knowledge regard...
Developing and Assessing Commonality Metrics for Product Families: A Process-Based Cost-Modeling Approach

To be competitive in today's global economy, firms must deliver more products that are viable in the marketplace for shorter times. The use of product families allows firms to meet these needs in a cost-competitive manner. The determination of which components to share and which should be unique is very important to the development of product families. Commonality metrics are presented with the goal of assessing (at the early stages of development) the ability of the product family to reduce costs. The methodology of process-based cost modeling is used to project product development, fabrication, and assembly costs in both the standalone and shared situations. A case study of two automotive instrument panel beams is analyzed. Linear-regression analysis shows that when compared to total cost savings, a simple piece commonality metric and a fabrication-investment-weighted metric have higher R2 than a mass- or piece-cost-weighted metric. When correlated to fixed cost savings, the fabrication-investment-weighted metric has the highest R2 (0.62) and is significant at the 0.025 level. Fixed cost savings are proposed as the desired quantity when assessing product family efficiency.
State Strategies to Contain Costs in the Early Intervention Program: Policy and Evidence

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act allows states to create family-centered developmental services for infants and toddlers (birth—3 yrs) with delays. Part C Early Intervention (EI) programs have grown enormously in size and cost since becoming operational in 1994. In this article, the author describes strategies that states have taken to reduce EI costs, including creating eligibility restrictions, shifting costs to the health care system, charging parent fees, and enhancing insurance collection. A review of these strategies suggests that only enhanced insurance collection is free of unintended consequences, including loss of services to children in need, increased long-term expenditures, and a disproportionate impact on low-income families.
Determining summer residence status and vertical habitat use of sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) in the Arabian Gulf

Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) were deployed on 18 sailfish in the Arabian Gulf between 2001 and 2005 to determine summer geoposition and habitat preference. Programmed releases following periods ranging from 110 to 156 d provided an aggregate total of 533 monitoring days of data. Three PSATs failed to report and nine released prematurely after periods ranging from 3 to 93 d. Four were recovered in gillnets after periods ranging from 39 to 90 d, and two transmitted after programmed releases of 127 and 128 d. Pooled archival data from recovered PSATs showed a cumulative mean distribution of 83.9% for total time spent in the upper 10 m, with no significant difference between day and night (x 2 ¼ 0.84, p ¼ 0.93). Depth ranged from 0 to 61 m, and ambient water temperature from 19.78C to 30.18C. Linear displacements ranged from 11 to 543 km and were all located inside the Gulf. Satellite- and light-level-derived geopositioning suggested that all fish remained in the Gulf. The two PSATs releasing on schedule validated summer residence inside the Gulf, providing further evidence in support of genetic analyses and conventional mark-recapture studies, which suggested that this billfish population confines itself year-round within a shallow marginal sea area. Preference for near-surface depths suggests a great susceptibility to capture by gillnets and other surface gears, raising concern for the effectiveness of regional management and conservation of the species.
Rethinking the portrayal of deaf characters in children's picture books

Children's literature provides the opportunity for children to see both representations of themselves and of others in print and in pictures. Not only can engaging with picture books develop key literacy and language skills and a love of reading, but reading (and/or being read) high quality books also has the potential to foster an appreciation and respect for oneself and others. However, sometimes the diversity that exists in the real world is not represented well—or at all—in books created for young children (Mendoza and Reese, 2001; Kama, 2004). In this article we will discuss the lack of, and critical need for, children's books that portray Deaf1 characters from a cultural perspective. We will also provide examples, from a sampling of children's picture books, of messages about deafness and deaf characters in text and illustrations (e.g., Golos and Moses, 2011; Golos et al., 2012). Finally, we will highlight the implications for both hearing and d/Deaf children as well as parents and educators. Typically, when people think about deafness, they think about a person with a disability, that is, someone who is unable to do something (i.e., hear). This represents a pathological perspective of deafness, which entails viewing deafness as a disability or as a condition that needs to be fixed with medical intervention (i.e., cochlear implants or hearing aids; e.g., Lane, 1992; Lane et al., 1996; Padden and Humphries, 2006). Deaf studies scholars suggest an alternative view of deafness from a cultural perspective, in which the deaf person is seen a member of a minority population, the Deaf community, rich with their own language (i.e., American Sign Language or ASL) and culture (i.e., Deaf culture) (e.g., Lane et al., 1996).
CXCR4 suppression attenuates EGFRvIII-mediated invasion and induces p38 MAPK-dependent protein trafficking and degradation of EGFRvIII in breast cancer cells

Our previous report has shown that the constitutively activated EGFR variant, EGFRvIII, up-regulates the pro-metastatic chemokine receptor CXCR4 in breast cancer cells. Here we evaluated the biological effect and cell signaling effects of silencing CXCR4 expression in EGFRvIII-expressing breast cancer cells. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated suppression of CXCR4 expression significantly reduced the invasive potential and proliferation of EGFRvIII-expressing breast cancer cells. These cells exhibited a reduction of EGFRvIII activity and protein expression due to increased protein degradation and altered protein trafficking. In conclusion, suppression of CXCR4 inhibits EGFRvIII-mediated breast cancer cell invasion and proliferation.
Adaptation and Feasibility of a Communication Intervention for Mexican Immigrant Mothers and Children in a School Setting

Children of Mexican immigrants are exposed to multiple ecological risks that heighten their likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. In previous studies, affirming parent-child communication has been found to be protective against depressive symptoms in Hispanic youth. Interventions focused on enhancing communication between parents and youth have the possibility of strengthening protective factors for children. The aims of this study were to (1) adapt an evidence-based parent-child communication intervention (Mission Possible) for cultural relevance for low-income, low-literacy Mexican immigrant mothers and their children and (2) assess feasibility of delivering the adapted intervention in a school setting. Adaptation took place in a series of focus groups of mother-child dyads. The revised intervention was delivered to 27 mother-child dyads in two elementary schools. Feasibility was supported by high participant satisfaction, 80% attendance rate, and 75% retention rate. This preliminary work suggests strategies for school nurses to partner with immigrant families and outlines a potential intervention that expands the school nursing role.
Differences in ankle range of motion before and after exercise in 2 tape conditions.

BackgroundAthletic tape has been used on the ankle to decrease range of motion and to prevent injuries. Results from previous research found that with physical exercise athletic tape loses some of its restricting properties; recently, a new self-adherent taping product was developed that may restrict range of motion regardless of exercise.HypothesisSelf-adherent tape will maintain ankle range of motion restriction more than traditional white cloth tape both before and after activity.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsTwenty volunteers participated in testing procedures on 3 separate days, 1 for each taping condition (self-adherent, white cloth, and no tape). The participant's ankle range of motion was measured with an electrogoniometer before application of the tape, immediately after application of the tape, and after 30 minutes of physical exercise. Range of motion was measured in 2 planes of motion: inversion to eversion and dorsiflexion to plantar flexion.ResultsWhite cloth tape and self-a...
Are there true cosmopolitan sipunculan worms? A genetic variation study within Phascolosoma perlucens (Sipuncula, Phascolosomatidae)

Phascolosoma perlucens is one of the most common intertidal sipunculan species and has been considered a circumtropical cosmopolitan taxon due to the presence of a long-lived larva. To verify whether P. perlucens is a true cosmopolitan species or a complex of cryptic forms, we examined the population structure and demographics of 56 putative P. perlucens individuals from 13 localities throughout the tropics. Analysis of two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA, suggests high levels of genetic differentiation between distantly located populations of P. perlucens. At least four different lineages identified morphologically as P. perlucens were distinguished. These lineages are likewise supported by phylogenetic analysis of the two mitochondrial markers and by the haplotype network analysis. Our results suggest that P. perlucens is a case of overconservative taxonomy, rejecting the alleged cosmopolitanism of P. perlucens. However, cryptic speciation also exists in some areas, including a possible case of geminate species across the Isthmus of Panama.
Practical quantum mechanics-based fragment methods for predicting molecular crystal properties

Significant advances in fragment-based electronic structure methods have created a real alternative to force-field and density functional techniques in condensed-phase problems such as molecular crystals. This perspective article highlights some of the important challenges in modeling molecular crystals and discusses techniques for addressing them. First, we survey recent developments in fragment-based methods for molecular crystals. Second, we use examples from our own recent research on a fragment-based QM/MM method, the hybrid many-body interaction (HMBI) model, to analyze the physical requirements for a practical and effective molecular crystal model chemistry. We demonstrate that it is possible to predict molecular crystal lattice energies to within a couple kJ mol−1 and lattice parameters to within a few percent in small-molecule crystals. Fragment methods provide a systematically improvable approach to making predictions in the condensed phase, which is critical to making robust predictions regarding the subtle energy differences found in molecular crystals.
In vivo metabolism of apolipoprotein A-I in a patient with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), caused by a defect in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, results in high plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol due to both overproduction and delayed catabolism of LDL. FH is also associated with significantly lower levels of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I in both heterozygous and homozygous patients. However, the metabolic basis of the hypoalphalipoproteinemia in FH has not been elucidated. We investigated the kinetics of apo A-I in a homozygous FH patient and two normal control subjects by using endogenous labeling with a stable isotopically labeled amino acid. Study subjects were administered a primed constant infusion of 13C6-phenylalanine for 12 hours. Apolipoproteins were isolated from plasma drawn at selected time points and analyzed for their isotopic enrichment by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The fractional catabolic rate of apo A-I in the FH subject was found to be substantially increased (0.38 day-1) compared with that of the normal subjects (mean, 0.26 day-1). In addition, the apo A-I production rate was decreased in the FH subject (6.5 mg/kg.day-1) compared with the normal subjects (mean, 11.1 mg/kg.day-1). In conclusion, the low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo A-I in this homozygous FH patient are due to the combined metabolic defects of increased apo A-I catabolism and decreased apo A-I production.