cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Education-based interventions to minimize sampling errors in transfusion

Background and Objectives Sampling errors are an important preventable cause of incorrect blood component transfusion. A variety of measures designed to minimize ‘Wrong Blood in Tube’ errors have been published, but they are often costly and difficult to implement in resource-limited settings. The aim of our study was to describe the impact of two education-based interventions on the rate of transfusion sampling errors at our institution. Materials and Methods We prospectively collected data on transfusion sampling errors between 2001 and 2014. Sampling errors were categorized as types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The ‘Quest’ project focusing on the education of staff on transfusion sampling was carried out in 2001. We subsequently trained nurses to perform transfusion sampling in 2008. Results A total of 75 sampling errors were identified during the study period. The ‘Quest’ project resulted in a reduction in sampling errors as a percentage of all type and screen (T&S) specimens received. Sampling errors comprised 0·05% of total T&S specimens in 2001 compared to 0·01% in 2007 (P = 0·014). Between 2002 and 2014, sampling errors comprised a median 0·02% of total T&S specimens received. Training of nurses in T&S sampling resulted in a reduction of type 3 sampling errors from 0·02% in 2008 to 0 in 2013, (P = 0·01). Conclusions Our study highlights that simple, education-based measures can be highly effective at reducing the incidence of sampling errors. The interventions we describe maybe easily implemented in resource-limited settings.
Microstructure and corrosion behavior of laser surface-treated AZ31B Mg bio-implant material

Although magnesium and magnesium alloys are considered biocompatible and biodegradable, they suffer from poor corrosion performance in the human body environment. In light of this, surface modification via rapid surface melting of AZ31B Mg alloy using a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser was conducted. Laser processing was performed with laser energy ranging from 1.06 to 3.18 J/mm2. The corrosion behavior in simulated body fluid of laser surface-treated and untreated AZ31B Mg alloy samples was evaluated using electrochemical technique. The effect of laser surface treatment on phase and microstructure evolution was evaluated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Microstructure examination revealed grain refinement as well as formation and uniform distribution of Mg17Al12 phase along the grain boundary for laser surface-treated samples. Evolution of such unique microstructure during laser surface treatment indicated enhancement in the corrosion resistance of laser surface-treated samples compared to untreated alloy.
Prefrontal Executive Functions Predict and Preadapt

Abstract The prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in the temporal organization of behavior and language within the broad neurobiological framework of the perception–action (PA) cycle, the circular processing of information that regulates the adaptation of the organism to its environment. That temporal organizing role of the prefrontal cortex is supported by three major executive functions that constitute the essential dynamic components of the cognitive control of behavior and language: (1) executive attention, (2) working memory, and (3) decision-making. The three functions are teleonomic in that they have a critical future perspective toward goal or reward. In this chapter, after discussion of the PA cycle and of the physiological role of the prefrontal cortex in it, executive attention, working memory, and decision-making are empirically placed in both cycle and cortex with the available experimental evidence.
Challenges With Implementation of a Respiratory Therapist-Driven Protocol of Spontaneous Breathing Trials in the Pediatric ICU.

BACKGROUND: Timely ventilator liberation is crucial in the pediatric ICU. In many pediatric ICUs, the decision to initiate weaning is driven by the physician, which may lead to delays in ventilator liberation. The objectives of this quality improvement project were to develop and implement a respiratory therapist (RT)–led protocol for screening for spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) readiness, to test protocol feasibility, and to evaluate its impact on SBT timing. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all intubated patients in the pediatric ICU for 18 months prior to protocol institution. An RT-driven protocol was developed and implemented, enabling consistent screening for SBT readiness. When criteria were met, an SBT was initiated after order placement. The difference in the timing of the first SBT between physician-directed screening and the RT-driven protocol was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 219 subjects were included in this project (128 pre-intervention; 91 intervention). Baseline demographic data, including mortality risk and endotracheal tube size, were similar in both groups. The time of the first SBT (median [25th, 75th percentile]) was not significantly different between the intervention and preintervention groups (39.5 [25.3, 85.2] vs 42.6 [26.4, 81.3], respectively). There was no difference in mechanical ventilation duration, or length of hospital and ICU stay. The odds of being placed on noninvasive respiratory support were higher in the intervention group at 1 h (odds ratio [95% CI]: 2.29 [1.10, 4.78], P = .03) and 12 h (odds ratio 2.53 [1.23, 5.20], P = .01) postextubation, but the odds of re-intubation did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio 2.60 [0.73, 9.27], P = .14). RT adherence with patient screening was 56.4%. CONCLUSIONS: An RT-driven protocol was successfully introduced in an academic pediatric ICU. However, it did not impact time of SBT initiation, potentially due to the difficulty in maintaining adherence over time. RT-driven protocols require further study.
Potential Functional Benefit From Light Intensity Physical Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction Knee pain may preclude participation in higher intensity physical activity in people with knee osteoarthritis and benefits of light activity are unclear. The effect of replacing sedentary time with light intensity activity on incident functional limitation 2 years later was investigated. Methods Included were people with or at high risk of knee osteoarthritis without baseline functional limitation using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative collected between August 2008 and July 2010. Data were analyzed between May 2016 and August 2016 for time in sedentary, light, and moderate to vigorous physical activity from accelerometer monitoring. Incident functional limitation was defined as (1) slow gait speed Results Inclusion criteria were met by 1,873 people (mean age=65.0 [SD=9.0] years, mean BMI=28.4 [SD=4.7] kg/m2). Replacing 60 minutes/day of sedentary time with 60 minutes/day of light activity was associated with a 17% reduced risk for incident slow gait speed 2 years later (Hazard Ratio=0.83, 95% CI=0.70, 0.99) after adjustment. Approximately 5 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity would be necessary to receive the equivalent benefit of 60 minutes/day of light activity. Effects in secondary patient-reported outcomes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Replacing sedentary time with light activity may reduce the risk of performance-based functional limitation. As expected, moderate to vigorous physical activity rather than light provided stronger risk reduction. When moderate to vigorous physical activity is not an option, pursuing light activity may be a beneficial alternative to being sedentary.
Evidence for disruption of normal circadian cortisol rhythm in women with obesity.

Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may play a role in the pathogenesis of comorbidities encountered in obesity, including the relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism that we and others have observed. We sought to examine serum cortisol profiles throughout the day and evening in a sample of normal weight women and women with obesity. In this cross-sectional study, regularly cycling obese (n = 12) and normal weight (n = 10) women were recruited. Mean serum cortisol was measured by frequent blood sampling for 16 h (8am-midnight) in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with obesity had significantly higher overall cortisol levels when compared to normal weight women (6.2 [4.3, 6.6] vs. 4.7 [3.7, 5.5] ug/dl, p = .04). Over the two-hour postprandial period, obese women displayed an almost two-fold greater (7.2 [6.5, 8.6] ug/dl) rise in cortisol than normal weight controls (4.4 [3.7, 6.2] ug/dl, p < .01). In addition, obese women demonstrated a sustained evening cortisol elevation compared to normal weight women, who displayed the typical decline in cortisol (3.2 [2.3, 4] vs. 2 [1.5, 3.2] ug/dl, p < .05). Changes in the HPA axis in the setting of obesity may be related to risks of obesity-associated metabolic comorbidities and reproductive dysfunction often seen in these women.
Effects of evolving quality of landfill leachate on microbial fuel cell performance

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a novel technology for landfill leachate treatment with simultaneous electric power generation. In recent years, more and more modern landfills are operating as bioreac...
The biotin-ligating protein BPL-1 is critical for lipid biosynthesis and polarization of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo

Biotin is an essential cofactor for multiple metabolic reactions catalyzed by carboxylases. Biotin is covalently linked to apoproteins by holocarboxylase synthetase (HCS). Accordingly, some mutations in HCS cause holocarboxylase deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder that can be life-threatening if left untreated. However, the long-term effects of HCS deficiency are poorly understood. Here, we report our investigations of bpl-1, which encodes the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of HCS. We found that mutations in the biotin-binding region of bpl-1 are maternal-effect lethal and cause defects in embryonic polarity establishment, meiosis, and the integrity of the eggshell permeability barrier. We confirmed that BPL-1 biotinylates four carboxylase enzymes, and we demonstrate that BPL-1 is required for efficient de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. We also show that the lack of larval growth defects as well as nearly normal fatty acid composition in young adult worms is due to sufficient fatty acid precursors provided by dietary bacteria. However, BPL-1 disruption strongly decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in embryos produced by bpl-1 mutant hermaphrodites, revealing a critical role for BPL-1 in lipid biosynthesis during embryogenesis and demonstrating that dietary fatty acids and lipid precursors are not adequate to support early embryogenesis in the absence of BPL-1. Our findings highlight that studying BPL-1 function in C. elegans could help dissect the roles of this important metabolic enzyme under different environmental and dietary conditions.
The Universal Rule of Natural Law and Written Constitutions in the Thought of Johannes Althusius

Calvinist jurist Johannes Althusius (1557-1638) developed what he called a “universal theory” of law and politics for war-torn Europe. He called for written constitutions that separated the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of cities, provinces, nations, and empires alike and that guaranteed the natural rights and liberties of all subjects. To be valid, he argued, these constitutions had to respect the universal natural law set out in Christian and classical, biblical and rational teachings of law, authority, and rights. To be effective, these constitutions had to recognize the symbiotic nature of human beings who are born with a dependence on God and neighbor, family and community, and who are by nature inclined to form covenantal associations to maintain liberty and community. Althusius left comprehensive Christian theory of rule of law and political that anticipated many of the arguments of later Enlightenment theorists of social and government contracts.
Influence of CdTe Deposition Temperature and Window Thickness on CdTe Grain Size and Lifetime After CdCl 2 Recrystallization

Grain structure influences both transport and recombination in CdTe solar cells. Larger grains generally are obtained with higher deposition temperatures, but commercially it is important to avoid softening soda-lime glass. Furthermore, depositing at lower temperatures can enable different substrates and reduced cost in the future. We examine how initial deposition temperatures and morphology influence grain size and lifetime after CdCl2 recrystallization. Techniques are developed to estimate grain distribution quickly with low-cost optical microscopy, which compares well with electron backscatter diffraction data providing corroborative assessments of exposed CdTe grain structures. Average grain size increases as a function of CdCl2 temperature. For lower temperature close-spaced sublimation CdTe depositions, there can be more stress and grain segregation during recrystallization. However, the resulting lifetimes and grain sizes are similar to high-temperature CdTe depositions. The grain structures and lifetimes are largely independent of the presence and/or interdiffusion of Se at the interface, before and after the CdCl2 treatment.
The Call of the Homeland: “My Relationship to Somalia Is Difficult to Explain”

Somali migrants in Minnesota are actively involved in the American society through education, employment, entrepreneurship and political participation, but they also remain connected to their homeland through kinship, economic, religious, political and cultural ties. Although the contemporary communication technologies have made these connections more accessible, the relationship to the country of birth is nevertheless not an easy one. This chapter explores how Somali migrants in Minnesota comprehend their relationship to their distant homeland. By paying attention to the differences between the first and the 1.5-generation migrants, this chapter contributes to the ongoing debate about the transmission of diasporic orientations from one migrant generation to another.
Receiver Behavior Modeling Based on System Identification

In moderm high-speed chip to chip SerDes (Serializer-Deserializer) links, the measured eye diagram at the receiver input is often closed. A receiver behavioral model is needed to predict the inner signal at the output of the receiver. In this paper, receiver modeling based on system identification approach is obtained. The advantage of this approach is that receiver system identification model can be performed only using the input and output time domain signals. In this research, model performances of linear and nonlinear system identification models are presented. System identification models are compared with Recurrent neural networks(RNN) and show better results.
EFFECT OF VISION LOSS ON SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Purpose Age-related vision loss can adversely impact physical and mental health status and performance of daily activities. The self-stigma of becoming a burden and relying on others leads to geriatric depression and potential suicidal ideation. This study aims to rigorously examine the association between vision loss and suicidal ideation among older adults, using a nationally representative sample.
Page - body - performance: a journey into active analysis and how it helps the actor’s body learn

This article examines my journey into the concepts and practice of Stanislavski-based Active Analysis from my initial encounter in writings, through the embodiment of practice during the S Word: A ...
Non-HIV Comorbid Conditions and Polypharmacy Among People Living with HIV Age 65 or Older Compared with HIV-Negative Individuals Age 65 or Older in the United States: A Retrospective Claims-Based Analysis.

Abstract The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) ≥65 years is increasing in the United States. By 2035, the proportion of PLWH in this age group is projected to be 27%. As PLWH live longer, the...
Effects of Actinomycin D on RNA Transcription, Protein Synthesis, and Nuclear Structure

Neurons and glia are sites of active turnover of RNA and protein. (1,2) These metabolic activities are of fundamental importance for the biosynthetic renewal of a wide assortment of structural, soluble, enzyme, and other proteins necessary for maintenance of normal neural structure and function. However, the relation of RNA and protein synthesis to neurophysiological functions such as excitation, inhibition, nerve impulse conduction, and synaptic transmission has not been clearly defined. Earlier studies(3–6) from this laboratory showed that the pyrimidine analogs, 5-fluoroorotic acid and 5-fluorouridine, after a latent period of several days cause severe neurophysiological disturbances and neuropathological lesions in cat spinal cord concomitant with impaired synthesis of RNA and protein. Edstrom and Grampp(7) found that a crustacean stretch receptor neuron could generate action potentials in vitro for 12–24 hr after RNA synthesis was blocked by actinomycin D. Cohen and Barondes(8) were able to inhibit RNA synthesis in rat brain by intracerebral injection of AMD without adversely affecting learning in short-term experiments.
The Ruegheimer—Burrows Reaction Revisited: Facile Preparation of 4‐Alkylisoquinolines and 3,5‐Dialkylpyridines from (Partially) Saturated Amines.

Reinvestigation of the title reaction reveals that benzoic acid efficiently promotes condensation of amines, such as piperidine and quinolines, with aromatic aldehydes, resulting in amine β-functionalization and aromatization.
Regional pulmonary perfusion patterns in humans are not significantly altered by inspiratory hypercapnia.

Although it is well known that the pulmonary circulation responds to local alveolar hypoxia, and that this mechanism may facilitate ventilation-perfusion matching, the relative role of CO2 is not w...
What Triggers Health Information Search: An Explorative Analysis on the Information Needs, Situations, Technologies, and Habits in Health Information Search Across the Lifespan:

Given the access to online health information is no longer a problem, continuous growth in health information seeking has been observed. The goal of the study was to explore the triggers, informati...
Global Efforts to Engage Men and Boys in Gender-Based Violence Prevention

Efforts to engage men and boys to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) have proliferated rapidly throughout much of the world. These efforts can be seen in marked expansion of community-based prevention programming, as well as in policy support for such involvement. Many of the most innovative, best developed programs and most rigorously evaluated have grown internationally outside of North America. In this special issue, we offer a compilation of some of the exciting work underway to conceptualize, create, implement, and evaluate these rapidly developing efforts around the world. Authors address the theoretical foundations of this work and present some examples of how programs are being implemented, including models developed in the Global South adapted for the Global North. Authors also address the tensions and ongoing concerns that accompany these burgeoning attempts to include men and boys in the effort to end GBV.
The Effect of Intramuscular 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone in Women Screened for Shortened Cervical Length.

Objective This article assesses the effect of weekly intramuscular 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) on midtrimester cervical length (CL) in patients with prior spontaneous preterm birth. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of all singletons that underwent CL screening at a single institution from 2011 to 2016. The timing of 17P exposure was assessed. The primary outcome was shortest midtrimester CL. Secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, rate of short cervix, cerclage, preterm labor admission, and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Multivariable regression analysis was used to model the relationship between 17P exposure and shortest CL, controlling for selected covariates. Results Of 409 women who underwent screening, 211 received and 198 did not receive 17P prior to the last CL. Rates of short cervix and cerclage were similar between groups. After adjusting for covariates, the shortest CL was significantly shorter in the 17P group. In a secondary analysis, those who received any 17P (n = 293) versus those who did not (n = 116) had higher rates of preterm PROM, preterm labor admission, and cerclage. After controlling for covariates, gestational age at delivery was significantly lower in those receiving 17P. Conclusion In high-risk patients undergoing CL screening for ultrasound-indicated cerclage, 17P did not prevent midtrimester cervical shortening or prolong gestation.
Linking the local with the global: gender, childhoods, and development

In this paper, I advocate for reintroducing the gender and development (GAD) perspective, but this time with a twist: bringing the standpoints of children into the approach. This new version of the GAD approach would allow us to envision a nexus of gender, childhoods, and development. Specifically, life histories collected from youth living in children's homes in Nepal illuminate how particular populations carry the impact of development, globalisation, and human progress. Listening to the voices of youth at the local level provides us with a unique opportunity to envision the transformative potential at a much broader level.
Cost Drivers Associated With Anterior Shoulder Stabilization Surgery.

Background:Arthroscopic Bankart repair, open Bankart repair, and the Latarjet procedure are common treatments for anterior shoulder instability; however, little is known of costs by patient- and su...
Density functional theory and thermodynamics analysis of MAl12 Keggin substitution reactions: Insights into ion incorporation and experimental confirmation

Polyaluminum cations, such as the MAl12 Keggin, undergo atomic substitutions at the heteroatom site (M), where nanoclusters with M = Al3+, Ga3+, and Ge4+ have been experimentally studied. The identity of the heteroatom M has been shown to influence the structural and electronic properties of the nanocluster and the kinetics of ligand exchange reactions. To date, only three e-analogs have been identified, and there is a need for a predictive model to guide experiment to the discovery of new MAl12 species. Here, we present a density functional theory (DFT) and thermodynamics approach to predicting favorable heteroatom substitution reactions, alongside structural analyses on hypothetical e-MAl12 nanocluster models. We delineate trends in energetics and geometry based on heteroatom cation properties, finding that Al3+–O bond lengths are related to heteroatom cation size, charge, and speciation. Our analyses also enable us to identify potentially isolable new e-MAl12 species, such as FeAl127+. Based upon these results, we evaluated the Al3+/Zn2+/Cr3+ system and determined that substitution of Cr3+ is unfavorable in the heteroatom site but is preferred for Zn2+, in agreement with the experimental structures. Complimentary experimental studies resulted in the isolation of Cr3+-substituted δ-Keggin species where Cr3+ substitution occurs only in the octahedral positions. The isolated structures Na[AlO4Al9.6Cr2.4(OH)24(H2O)12](2,6-NDS)4(H2O)22 (δ-CrnAl13-n-1) and Na[AlO4Al9.5Cr2.5(OH)24(H2O)12](2,7-NDS)4(H2O)18.5 (δ-CrnAl13-n-2) are the first pieces of evidence of mixed Al3+/Cr3+ Keggin-type nanoclusters that prefer substitution at the octahedral sites. The δ-CrnAl13-n-2 structure also exhibits a unique placement of the bound Na+ cation, which may indicate that Cr3+ substitution can alter the surface reactivity of Keggin-type species.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women

In rodents, obesity and aging impair nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis, which contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) availability is a rate-limiting factor in mammalian NAD+ biosynthesis. We conducted a 10-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to evaluate the effect of NMN supplementation on metabolic function in postmenopausal women with prediabetes who were overweight or obese. Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, assessed by using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and skeletal muscle insulin signaling [phosphorylation of protein kinase AKT and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)] increased after NMN supplementation but did not change after placebo treatment. NMN supplementation up-regulated the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and other genes related to muscle remodeling. These results demonstrate that NMN increases muscle insulin sensitivity, insulin signaling, and remodeling in women with prediabetes who are overweight or obese (clinicaltrial.gov NCT 03151239).
A Storm Is Brewing: How Federal Ambivalence Regarding Below-Cost Pricing Turns a Blind Eye Towards Monopoly Risk in the Beer Market

Large beer manufacturers, known colloquially as “Big Beer,” have been steadily losing market share to small, independent craft breweries. Big Beer wants its market share back, and in some cases will go to great lengths to try to defend its dominance—even anticompetitive conduct. Below-cost pricing is one avenue that presents a risk to independent craft breweries. This article examines how Big Beer can manipulate the beer market in its favor by engaging in predatory pricing. Further, this article proposes a solution that could be implemented on a nation-wide scale to curtail Big Beer’s anticompetitive activities with respect to pricing.
Using Conventional and Molecular Epidemiological Analyses to Target Tuberculosis Control Interventions in a Low Incidence Area

To consolidate the gains made in controlling tuberculosis in industrialized countries in the past five years, we must analyse carefully the epidemiology of the disease and the effectiveness of various control interventions. In San Francisco we have performed conventional and molecular epidemiological analyses that have shown that there are in essence two parallel epidemiological patterns, one in the foreign-born population and the second among US-born persons, with little interaction between them. Most tuberculosis in the foreign-born population is a result of endogenous reactivation of latent infection, whereas recent infection with rapid progression to illness is a more frequent course in US-born cases. Among the US-born cases specific risk factors--homelessness, HIV infection, drug abuse--are highly prevalent. Although there has been a progressive reduction in the number of cases and in the proportion resulting from recent infection in San Francisco in the past five years, there continues to be a high proportion of cases that result from recent infection among US-born persons. These findings suggest that existing control interventions should be tailored to specific target groups and that new interventions are needed to provide for increased efficacy.
THE URBAN BIAS IN RESEARCH ON CIVIL WARS

Entre la ciudad y el campo hay mas distencia que entre los mas distintos climas. Miguel de Unamuno BENJAMIN A. VALENTINO'S Final Solutions: Mass Killing and Genocide in the 20th Century is an impor...
Protein adsorption on low temperature isotropic carbon. III. Isotherms, competitivity, desorption and exchange of human albumin and fibrinogen.

Abstract In this paper we consider the adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen on low temperature isotropic carbon (LTIC). A subsequent paper considers the adsorption of other plasma proteins [Feng L, Andrade JD, Colloids and Surfaces (in press)]. Carbon fragments and silica plates were used as adsorbents. Adsorption was carried out by incubating the adsorbents in solutions of 125 l-labelled and unlabelled proteins (single component system), or with buffer-diluted human plasma (multicomponent system). Adsorbed proteins then underwent displacement by buffer, by single protein solutions or by dilute plasma. Results show that the LTIC substrate adsorbs a large amount of proteins before saturation, which may be due to multilayer adsorption. LTIC also irreversibly holds adsorbed proteins against the exchange agents used; little adsorbed proteins can be displaced, even after a very short adsorption time. There is no preferential adsorption for either albumin or fibrinogen on LTIC from their binary solutions, suggesting that both proteins have high affinities for the surface. Such strong interactions between LTIC and proteins are not attributed to electrostatic interactions. On the other hand, protein adsorption on the silica surface is selective and reversible, with a much higher affinity for fibrinogen than albumin and an even higher affinity for some other plasma proteins. The electrostatic interaction is thought to be the major force responsible for silica protein binding. The paper also discusses the effect of sequential protein addition to a solution on the surface concentration and suppression of adsorption of both proteins in the presence of other plasma proteins. A very important conclusion is that the LTIC surface is very active towards protein adsorption.
Prevention of Preeclampsia: Is it Still a Disappointment?

Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal mortality worldwide, with many preventive strategies tested. In this review we intend to provide a synthesis of available studies of these strategies that have been tested, including systematic reviews. We will not be performing systematic review of the studies here. Of these strategies tested only low dose acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and calcium can be considered helpful for prevention at this time. A recent meta-analysis showed a benefit of low dose ASA for both high (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.85) and moderate risk groups (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.95). Therefore, low dose ASA in high risk groups may be useful, with a possible smaller benefit in moderate to low risk women. Another meta-analysis looking at calcium shows benefit for both high and low risk groups with an overall reduction in the risk of preeclampsia (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.69). As a result, prenatal supplementation of calcium may be beneficial for the prevention of preeclampsia. However, vitamins C and E, zinc, fish oil, and magnesium supplementation have been discounted as potential preventive strategies. Nitric oxide, folic acid, and antithrombotics have not been well studied and there is insufficient data for reliable conclusions to be made. Areas of ongoing research that appear promising in the prevention of preeclampsia include modifiable metabolic factors, angiogenic proteins, angiotensin receptor antibodies, and syncytiotrophoblast microparticles. Strategies targeting these areas may provide opportunities for therapeutic interventions.
Transverse-field μSR and magnetic disorder in UCu4Ni

Abstract We have carried out transverse-field ( H = 1.5 T ) μ SR experiments in UCu 4 Ni for temperatures from 300 down to 2.2 K. The muon-decay asymmetry can be fit to a stretched exponential relaxation function: G ( t ) ∝ e - ( Λ t ) K . The exponent K ∼ 2 for T > 100 K , but drops continuously below this temperature (being ∼ 1 for T ∼ 20 K and reaching ∼ 0.6 near 2 K). The characteristic relaxation rate Λ grows six-fold in the experimental temperature range (from ∼ 0.2 for T ∼ 300 K to ∼ 1.2 μ s - 1 for T ∼ 2 K ). Independently of theoretical models, the behavior of these parameters is consistent with strong magnetic disorder. Although the magnetic susceptibility of UCu 4 Ni is considerably lower than that of UCu 4 Pd , the amount of magnetic disorder in both systems is comparable. We discuss the data within the context of the Kondo disorder model.
Beyond silicon: Alternative photovoltaic technologies

The number of photovoltaic (PV) installations worldwide has recently seen tremendous growth owing to the rapid decline in the consumer cost of solar. These devices benefit from the maturity of the silicon industry as a whole, with world record devices reaching approximately 26% efficiency [1], close to the theoretical maximum for that type of device. Alternative device technologies, including concentrated systems and thin film systems, may be able to improve on the efficiency and/or costs of the current Si devices. At this time, both of these alternatives are in use, and comprise a small portion of installations worldwide. However, both technologies face challenges including increasing cell efficiencies, decreasing production costs and optimizing materials. Research and development is focused on addressing these challenges within both concentrated and thin film PV. Addressing these challenges will allow both of these technologies to compete fully with commercial PV.
Working with structured methods-a case study

A summary is presented of the experience gained from undertaking a complete software project using structured methods and computer-aided software engineering tools. The classical structured methods were used in building the authors' version of the method, which was used as the basis of a software quality assurance plan. An explanation is presented detailing how the authors implemented the methods, how they worked, and which procedures and standards were used. The authors list the pros and cons of the method and the main problems encountered during usage. They suggest some changes to the method and some practical, managerial conclusions and improvements that they want to include in their next project. An assessment is also made of the contribution of the methods to the meeting of the quality and the schedule objectives for the software product. >
Factors That Motivate Business Faculty to Conduct Research: An Expectancy Theory Analysis

In this study, the authors used expectancy theory to examine key factors that motivate business faculty to conduct research. The survey results, from 320 faculty members at 10 business schools, showed that faculty members who assign higher importance ratings to both the extrinsic and the intrinsic rewards of research exhibit higher research productivity. Study findings suggest that: (a) untenured faculty members are motivated by extrinsic rewards; (b) tenured faculty members are motivated by intrinsic rewards; (c) research productivity is positively correlated with tenure status and the percentage of work time allocated to research activities and negatively correlated with years in academic employment; (d) there is no relationship between research productivity and academic discipline; and (e) there is no relationship between research productivity and gender.
Brand Name Logo Recognition of Fast Food and Healthy Food among Children

The fast food industry has been increasingly criticized for creating brand loyalty in young consumers. Food marketers are well versed in reaching children and youth given the importance of brand loyalty on future food purchasing behavior. In addition, food marketers are increasingly targeting the Hispanic population given their growing spending power. The fast food industry is among the leaders in reaching youth and ethnic minorities through their marketing efforts. The primary objective of this study was to determine if young children recognized fast food restaurant logos at a higher rate than other food brands. Methods Children (n = 155; 53% male; 87% Hispanic) ages 4-8 years were recruited from elementary schools and asked to match 10 logo cards to products depicted on a game board. Parents completed a survey assessing demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with a healthy lifestyle in the home. Results Older children and children who were overweight were significantly more likely to recognize fast food restaurant logos than other food logos. Moreover, parents' psychosocial and socio-demographic characteristics were associated with the type of food logo recognized by the children. Conclusions Children's high recognition of fast food restaurant logos may reflect greater exposure to fast food advertisements. Families' socio-demographic characteristics play a role in children's recognition of food logos.
Particle deposition in the pulmonary region of the human lung: Multiple breath aerosol transport and deposition

Abstract Comprehensive knowledge of aerosol deposition in the lung during multiple breathing cycles is essential to understanding the long term adverse effects of environmental particulate pollution as well as various therapeutic strategies for aerosolized drug delivery. In this work, a simple semi-empirical model for whole lung aerosol bolus dispersion and deposition developed in an accompanying study [Park, S.S. and Wexler, A.S., 2007. Particle deposition in the pulmonary region of the human lung: A semi-empirical model of single breath transport and deposition. Journal of Aerosol Science 38(2), 228–245] was used to estimate regional particulate dosimetry during multiple breaths. To further validate the transport and deposition model of Park and Wexler [2007. Particle deposition in the pulmonary region of the human lung: A semi-empirical model of single breath transport and deposition. Journal of Aerosol Science 38(2), 228–245], the washin and washout experiments of Davies and coworkers were simulated; predictions compared well to observations. Typical models of pulmonary particle deposition simulated transport to these distal airways by a flow-through approximation where particle-laden air is assumed to flow into the airways and out the alveoli, but resting tidal volumes do not transport particles to the distal pulmonary airways in a single breath. By simulating tidal transport and deposition over a series of breath, we find that the concentration of retained particles as a function of lung depth increases with each tidal cycle and these particles penetrate deeper with succeeding breaths. The retained particle concentration increases more slowly with each breath, so that after the 8th breath, the concentration distribution within the lung attains a steady state. Comparison with observed data and previous model predictions is made in terms of total and generational deposition fractions at steady state. After accounting for the retained fractions, the total predicted deposition fraction was similar to the experimental data while other previous model predictions underestimated it. Predicted deposition fraction per generation showed similar patterns to other model simulations yet higher deposition fractions in the more proximal pulmonary regions. This is a result of the enhanced alveolar deposition in the first half of the acinar generations due to alveoli expansion and contraction.
Modeling of growth and remodeling in soft biological tissues with multiple constituents

Abstract Among the various important characteristics of biological tissues is their ability to grow and remodel. It is well-known that one of the primary triggers behind the growth and remodeling process is changes in the mechanical environment, for instance changes in stress, strain, etc. These mechanisms of mechanotransduction are the driving force behind many changes in structure and function including growth and remodeling. The purpose of this article is to formulate better constitutive equations for the stress in tissues with multiple constituents undergoing growth and remodeling. This is a very complex problem and is of tremendous importance. Here, we do the modeling from a mechanics point of view, utilizing the theory of natural configurations coupled with population dynamics to accurately model the production and removal of the different constituents that comprise the tissue. This is accomplished by deriving a generalized McKendrick equation for growth and remodeling and has the advantage of directly including the age distribution of constituents into the model. The population distribution function is then used to determine the stress in the tissue.
Laser photolysis of C2H2 and CF3C2H at 193 nm: Production of C2(d3Πg and CH(A2Δ) and their quenching by Xe

Abstract The 193 nm laser photodissociation of CH2H2 and CF3C2H has been studied. With the laser beam focused, C2(d3Πg) and CH(A2Δ) radicals were formed by multiphoton processes in both C2H2 and CF3C2H; however, the one-photon process forming C2H is still predominant in CF3C2H photolysis. The production of C2(d3Πg) and CH(A2Δ) emissions is prompt,and the emission intensities show similar (less than quadratic) dependence on laser power whether the radicals are produced from C2H2 or CF3C2H. In addition, the vibrational distribution of the Swan system is nearly the same in CF3C2H as in C2H2. The results indicate that the overall photolytic processes are similar in two molecules. Both the C2(d3Πg) and CH(A2Δ) emissions are quenched by Xe with rate constants of 4.8×10−11 and 1.8×10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively.
COMBINATORIAL APPROACH FOR MULTIPLE-DESTINATION USER OPTIMAL DYNAMIC TRAFFIC ASSIGNMENT

An algorithm that can be used to solve the user optimal dynamic traffic assignment problem for multiple destinations is proposed. The algorithm uses the cell transmission model, which can account for traffic realities, such as dynamic queuing and spillover. The approach selects a destination for equilibration, fixes the paths of the vehicles assigned to the other destinations, and finds an optimal dynamic traffic assignment for the destination of interest via an extension to a previously introduced combinatorial algorithm. The spatial path set obtained for this destination is then fixed, and another destination is relaxed. The process is repeated iteratively among the destinations. The approach is guaranteed to find the user optimal solution for a single destination given any number of other fixed-path vehicles, but the approach is a heuristic for finding the multiple-destination user optimal path set. The algorithm is implemented and computationally tested for an example network, and solution properties ...
Treatment of recurrent colonic pseudo-obstruction by endoscopic placement of a fenestrated overtube. Report of a case.

The case of a 73-year-old man who developed acute colonic pseudoobstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) following chemotherapy for lymphoma is reported. Cecal dilatation resolved after a single colonoscopic decompression. Following his next course of chemotherapy, colonic dilatation again developed. The recurrence was treated successfully by introducing a fenestrated colonoscopic overtube transanally for continous decompression. The literature concerning acute, colonic pseudo-obstruction is reviewed. The colonoscopic overtube is a convenient and effective treatment for recurrent colonic distention
Laser Probes of Conformational Isomerization in Flexible Molecules and Complexes

Molecules with several flexible coordinates have potential energy surfaces with a large number of minima and many transition states separating them. A general experimental protocol is described that is capable of studying conformational isomerization in such circumstances, measuring the product quantum yields following conformation-specific infrared excitation, and measuring energy thresholds for isomerization of specific X --> Y reactant-product isomer pairs following excitation via stimulated emission pumping (SEP). These methods have been applied to a series of molecules of varying size and conformational complexity, including 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA), meta-ethynylstyrene, N-acetyltryptophan methyl amide (NATMA), N-acetyltryptophan amide (NATA), and melatonin. Studies of isomerization in solute-solvent complexes are also described, including a measurement of the barrier to isomerization in the IPA-H2O complex, and a unique isomerization reaction in which a single water molecule is shuttled between H-bonding sites on the trans-formanilide (TFA) molecule.
Co-processing CH4 and oxygenates on Mo/H-ZSM-5: 2. CH4–CO2 and CH4–HCOOH mixtures

Co-processing of formic acid or carbon dioxide with CH4 (FA/CH4 = 0.01-0.03 and CO2/CH4 = 0.01-0.03) on Mo/H-ZSM-5 catalysts at 950 K with the prospect of kinetically coupling dehydrogenation and deoxygenation cycles results instead in a two-zone, staged bed reactor configuration consisting of upstream oxygenate/CH4 reforming and downstream CH4 dehydroaromatization. The addition of an oxygenate co-feed (oxygenate/CH4 = 0.01-0.03) causes oxidation of the active molybdenum carbide catalyst while producing CO and H2 until completely converted. Forward rates of C6H6 synthesis are unaffected by the introduction of an oxygenate co-feed after rigorously accounting for the thermodynamic reversibility caused by the H2 produced in oxygenate reforming reactions and the fraction of the active catalyst deemed unavailable for CH4 DHA. All effects of co-processing oxygenates with CH4 can be construed in terms of an approach to equilibrium.
Nuclear factor 1 family members mediate repression of the BK virus late promoter.

BK virus (BKV) is a member of the polyoma virus family that is ubiquitous in humans. Its 5-kb DNA genome consists of a bidirectional promoter region situated between two temporally regulated coding regions. We mapped the transcription initiation site of the major late promoter (MLP) of the archetype strain BKV(WW) to nt 185. We found that it lies within the sequence TGGN6GCCA, a binding site for members of the nuclear factor 1 (NF1) family of transcription factors. Competition electrophoretic mobility shift and immunoshift assays confirmed that NF1 factors present in nuclear extracts of HeLa and CV-1 cells bind to the BKV-MLP. Because BKV(WW) grew poorly in tissue culture and failed to express detectable levels of RNA in vitro, SV40-BKV chimeric viruses were constructed to investigate the transcriptional function of this NF-1 binding site. These sequence-specific factors repressed transcription in a cell-free system when template copy number was low. This repression could be relieved by the addition in trans of oligonucleotides containing wild-type, but not mutated, NF1-binding site sequences. SV40-BKV chimeric viruses defective in this NF1-binding site overproduced late RNA at early, but not late, times after transfection of CV-1 cells. Finally, transient expression in 293 cells of cDNAs encoding the family members NF1-A4, NF1-C2, and NF1-X2 specifically repressed transcription from the BKV late promoter approximately 3-, 10-, and 10-fold, respectively, in a DNA binding-dependent manner. We conclude that some members of the NF1 family of transcription factors can act as sequence-specific cellular repressors of the BKV-MLP. We propose that titration of these and other cellular repressors by viral genome amplification may be responsible in part for the replication-dependent component of the early-to-late switch in BKV gene expression.
Hierarchical Monte Carlo methods for fractal random fields

Two hierarchical Monte Carlo methods for the generation of self-similar fractal random fields are compared and contrasted. The first technique, successive random addition (SRA), is currently popular in the physics community. Despite the intuitive appeal of SRA, rigorous mathematical reasoning reveals that SRA cannot be consistent with any stationary power-law Gaussian random field for any Hurst exponent; furthermore, there is an inherent ratio of largest to smallest putative scaling constant necessarily exceeding a factor of 2 for a wide range of Hurst exponentsH, with 0.30<H<0.85. Thus, SRA is inconsistent with a stationary power-law fractal random field and would not be useful for problems that do not utilize additional spatial averaging of the velocity field. The second hierarchical method for fractal random fields has recently been introduced by two of the authors and relies on a suitable explicit multiwavelet expansion (MWE) with high-moment cancellation. This method is described briefly, including a demonstration that, unlike SRA, MWE is consistent with a stationary power-law random field over many decades of scaling and has low variance.