cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degradative properties and cytocompatibility of a mixed-mode hydrogel containing oligo[poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate] and poly(ethylene glycol)dithiol.

Abstract Our laboratory is currently exploring synthetic oligo(poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate) (OPF)-based biomaterials as a means to deliver fibroblasts to promote regeneration of central/partial defects in tendons and ligaments. In order to further modulate the swelling and degradative characteristics of OPF-based hydrogels, OPF crosslinking via a radically initiated, mixed-mode reaction involving poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-diacrylate and PEG-dithiol was investigated. Results demonstrate that mixed-mode hydrogels containing OPF can be formed and that the presence of 20 wt.% PEG-dithiol increases swelling and decreases degradation time vs. 10 wt.% PEG-dithiol and non-thiol-containing hydrogels (20% thiol fold swelling 28.7 ± 0.8; 10% thiol fold swelling 11.6 ± 1.4; non-thiol 8.7 ± 0.2; 20% thiol-containing hydrogels degrade within 15 days in vitro ). After encapsulation, tendon/ligament fibroblasts remained largely viable over 8 days of static culture. While the presence of PEG-dithiol did not significantly affect cellularity or collagen production within the constructs over this time period, image analysis revealed that the 20% PEG-dithiol gels did appear to promote cell clustering, with greater values for aggregate area observed by day 8. These experiments suggest that mixed-mode OPF-based hydrogels may provide an interesting alternative as a cell carrier for engineering a variety of soft orthopedic tissues, particularly for applications when it is important to encourage cell–cell contact.
Teaching computer graphics with spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are a great way to introduce computer graphics concepts to computer science students. Through direct manipulation of numbers, students develop a more concrete understanding of the data they compute from the formulas they derive and use. This paper presents some experiences using spreadsheets for in-class demonstrations and homework assignments.
The DOE/NREL Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle Program - An Overview

This paper summarizes the Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NG-NGV) Program that is led by the U.S. Department Of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OHVT) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The goal of this program is to develop and implement one Class 3-6 compressed natural gas (CNG) prototype vehicle and one Class 7-8 liquefied natural gas (LNG) prototype vehicle in the 2004 to 2007 timeframe. OHVT intends for these vehicles to have 0.5 g/bhp-hr or lower emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by 2004 and 0.2 g/bhp-hr or lower NOx by 2007. These vehicles will also have particulate matter (PM) emissions of 0.01 g/bhp-hr or lower by 2004. In addition to ambitious emissions goals, these vehicles will target life-cycle economics that are compatible with their conventionally fueled counterparts.
Anionic polymerization of vinylmesitylene

Anionic polymerization of vinylmesitylene was investigated in THF (counterion Na+) at temperatures ranging from +25° to −70°C. The homopropagation is slow (kp ∼ 11./mole-sec. at 25°C.), indicating the basically low reactivity of the monomer. Studies of conductivity and the retardation of the polymerization by the addition of Na+BPh4− demonstrate that free ions and ion pairs participate in the process. At 25°C. the kp of the free ion appears to be about 1000 times greater than that of ion pair. The outstanding feature of the polymerization is the proton transfer from the monomer to living end, producing an inert ion (or its isomer) which does not propagate. This reaction leads to retardation of the polymerization. Its contribution decreases on lowering the temperature, and the effect of Na+BPh4− indicates that the free ion, and not the ion-pair, acts as a base in the proton transfer.
Explicit memory performance in infants of diabetic mothers at 1 year of age

The aim of the present research was to investigate the impact of abnormal fetal environment on explicit memory performance. Based on animal models, it was hypothesized that infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) experience perturbations in memory performance due to exposure to multiple neurologic risk factors including: chronic hypoxia, hyperglycemia/reactive hypoglycemia, and iron deficiency. Memory performance, as measured by the elicited/deferred imitation paradigm, was compared between 13 IDMs (seven females, six males; mean age 365 days, SD 11) and 16 typically developing children (seven females, nine males; mean age 379 days, SD 9). The IDM group was characterized by shorter gestational age (mean 38w, SD 2), greater standardized birthweight scores (mean 3797g, SD 947), and lower iron stores (mean ferritin concentration 87μg/L, SD 68) in comparison with the control group (mean gestational age: 40w, SD 1; mean birthweight: 3639g, SD 348; mean newborn ferritin concentration 140μg/L, SD 46). After statistically controlling for both gestational age and global cognitive abilities, IDMs demonstrated a deficit in the ability to recall multi-step event sequences after a delay was imposed. These findings highlight the importance of the prenatal environment on subsequent mnemonic behavior and suggest a connection between metabolic abnormalities during the prenatal period, development of memory, circuitry, and behavioral mnemonic performance.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Treatment of Adrenal Metastases

Purpose To investigate the dosimetry and outcomes of patients undergoing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for metastases to the adrenal glands. Methods and Materials At the University of Rochester, patients have been undergoing SBRT for limited metastases since 2001. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who had undergone SBRT for adrenal metastases from various primary sites, including lung ( n = 20), liver ( n = 3), breast ( n = 3), melanoma ( n = 1), pancreas ( n = 1), head and neck ( n = 1), and unknown primary ( n = 1). Results Of the 30 patients, 14 with five or fewer metastatic lesions (including adrenal) underwent SBRT, with the intent of controlling all known sites of metastatic disease, and 16 underwent SBRT for palliation or prophylactic palliation of bulky adrenal metastases. The prescribed dose ranged from 16 Gy in 4 fractions to 50 Gy in 10 fractions. The median dose was 40 Gy. Of the 30 patients, 24 had >3 months of follow-up with serial computed tomography. Of these 24 patients, 1 achieved a complete response, 15 achieved a partial response, 4 had stable disease, and 4 developed progressive disease. No patient developed symptomatic progression of their adrenal metastases. The 1-year survival, local control, and distant control rate was 44%, 55%, and 13%, respectively. No patient developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 2 or greater toxicity. Conclusion SBRT for adrenal metastases is well tolerated. Most patients developed widespread metastases shortly after treatment. Local control was poor, although this was a patient population selected for adverse risk factors, such as bulky disease. Additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy of SBRT for oligometastatic adrenal metastases, given the propensity of these patients to develop further disease progression.
Surface Charge Imaging in Semiconductor Wafers by Surface Photovoltage (SPV)

We present fast, wafer-scale imaging of the surface charge achieved via non-contact measurement of the surface potential barrier by surface photovoltage (SPV) under high excitation levels. The approach is capable of resolving surface charge differences as small as 108 q/cm2. Fundamentals of surface charge imaging are discussed, and the method is compared with standard SPV contamination mapping. Examples include problems relevant to silicon IC fabrication and surface charge maps of GaAs and InP.
Circadian Clock-Controlled Regulation of cGMP-Protein Kinase G in the Nocturnal Domain

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian clock exhibits a recurrent series of dynamic cellular states, characterized by the ability of exogenous signals to activate defined kinases that alter clock time. To explore potential relationships between kinase activation by exogenous signals and endogenous control mechanisms, we examined clock-controlled protein kinase G (PKG) regulation in the mammalian SCN. Signaling via the cGMP‐PKG pathway is required for light- or glutamate (GLU)-induced phase advance in late night. Spontaneous cGMP‐PKG activation occurred at the end of subjective night in free-running SCN in vitro. Phasing of the SCN rhythm in vitro was delayed by 3 hr after treatment with guanylyl cyclase (GC) inhibitors, PKG inhibition, or antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) specific for PKG, but not PKA inhibitor or mismatched ODN. This sensitivity to GC‐PKG inhibition was limited to the same 2 hr time window demarcated by clock-controlled activation of cGMP‐PKG. Inhibition of the cGMP‐PKG pathway at this time caused delays in the phasing of four endogenous rhythms: wheel-running activity, neuronal activity, cGMP, and Per1. Timing of the cGMP‐PKGnecessary window in both rat and mouse depended on clock phase, established by the antecedent light/dark cycle rather than solar time. Because behavioral, neurophysiological, biochemical, and molecular rhythms showed the same temporal sensitivities and qualitative responses, we predict that clock-regulated GC‐ cGMP‐PKG activation may provide a necessary cue as to clock state at the end of the nocturnal domain. Because sensitivity to phase advance by light‐GLU-activated GC‐ cGMP‐PKG occurs in juxtaposition, these signals may induce a premature shift to this PKG-necessary clock state.
Robust algorithm to locate heart beats from multiple physiological waveforms

Alarm fatigue is a major issue in patient monitoring that could be reduced by merging physiological information from multiple sensors, minimizing the impact of a single sensor failing. We developed a heart beat detection algorithm that utilizes multi-modal physiological waveforms (e.g. ECG, blood pressure, stroke volume, photoplethysmogram and electroencephalogram). The 100 record training set from the Physionet challenge 2014 was used for development. The algorithm was evaluated at three testing phases during the 2014 challenge consisting of 100 (phase I), 200 (phase II) and 300 (phase III) hidden records, respectively. A true positive was declared if a beat was detected within 150 ms of a reference annotation. The algorithm had a sensitivity of >99.9%, Positive Predictive Value of 99.7%, and an overall score (average of sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value) of 99.8% when applied to the training set. The best overall performance on the test sets were: 88.9%, 76.3% and 84.4% for phases I, II and III, respectively. We developed a robust heart beat detector that fuses annotations from multiple individual detectors. The algorithm improves the training results compared to ECG detections alone, and performs well on the test sets. Data fusion approaches like this one can improve patient monitoring and reduce false alarms.
Toward a global understanding of nuclear energy and radioactive waste management

Within the past two decades important questions have emerged relative to the increased use of nuclear energy world‐wide and to the need to store high‐level radioactive waste from nuclear energy plants. Because students in today's classrooms will become future decision makers and caretakers of both nuclear power plants and radioactive waste repositories, they will be faced with these questions. This paper considers the value of nuclear energy and radioactive waste management (RWM) as topics for science classrooms.
STUDIES ON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION BY PNEUMOCOCCUS : VIII. NATURE OF THE OXIDATION-REDUCTION SYSTEMS IN STERILE PNEUMOCOCCUS EXTRACTS.

1. The systems responsible for oxidation and reduction in the pneumococcus cell have been shown to consist of two components, the nature of which has been discussed. 2. The oxidizing and reducing power of active extracts of pneumococci is inactivated by exposure to air. This loss in activity is due to an inactivation of the thermolabile cellular component consequent on secondary reactions analogous to those which under similar conditions destroy the hemotoxin and enzymes in pneumococcus extracts.
Long-Lasting Functional Disabilities in Middle-Aged Rats with Small Cerebral Infarcts

Recommendations from experts and recently established guidelines on how to improve the face and predictive validity of animal models of stroke have stressed the importance of using older animals and long-term behavioral-functional endpoints rather than relying almost exclusively on acute measures of infarct volume in young animals. The objective of the present study was to determine whether we could produce occlusions in older rats with an acceptable mortality rate and then detect reliable, long-lasting functional deficits. A reversible intraluminar suture middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) procedure was used to produce small infarcts in middle-aged rats. This resulted in an acceptable mortality rate, and robust disabilities were detected in functional assays, although the degree of total tissue loss measured 90 d after MCAO was quite modest. Infarcted animals were functionally impaired relative to sham control animals even 90 d after the occlusions, and when animals were subgrouped based on amount of tissue loss, MCAO animals with only 4% tissue loss exhibited enduring neurological-behavioral impairments relative to sham-operated controls, and the functional impairments in the group with the largest infarcts (20% tissue loss) were more severe than the functional impairments in the rats with 4% tissue loss. These results suggest that this model, using reversible MCAO to produce small infarcts and long-lasting functional-behavioral deficits in older rats, may represent an advance in the relatively higher-throughput modeling of stroke and its recovery in rodents and may be useful in the development and characterization of future stroke therapies.
The Impact of Trade Wind Strength on Precipitation over the Windward Side of the Island of Hawaii

Abstract The effects of trade wind strength and the diurnal heating cycle on the production of summer trade wind rainfall on the windward side of the island of Hawaii are examined from the data collected from the Hawaiian Rainband Project (HaRP) during 11 July–24 August 1990 and from National Weather Service Hydronet and National Climatic Data Center rain gauge data during 11 July–24 August for the years 1997–2000. For strong trades, the daily rainfall totals on the windward lowlands west of Hilo are higher with a nocturnal maximum there due to the convergence of the katabatic flow and the incoming decelerating trade wind flow, and orographic lifting aloft. The maximum rainfall axis shifts farther inland when trades are stronger. Except in the late afternoon hours, rainfall amounts on the windward side are higher when trades are stronger. For weak trades (≤5 m s−1), the rainfall distributions have a pronounced late afternoon maximum on the windward slopes due to the development of anabatic winds. The noct...
The Innate Immune System of the Perinatal Lung and Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

The response of the preterm and newborn lung to airborne pathogens, particles, and other insults is initially dependent on innate immune responses since adaptive responses may not fully mature and require weeks for sufficient responses to antigenic stimuli. Foreign material and microbial agents trigger soluble, cell surface, and cytoplasmic receptors that activate signaling cascades that invoke release of surfactant proteins, defensins, interferons, lactoferrin, oxidative products, and other innate immune substances that have antimicrobial activity, which can also influence adaptive responses. For viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the pulmonary innate immune responses has an essential role in defense as there are no fully effective vaccines or therapies for RSV infections of humans and reinfections are common. Understanding the innate immune response by the preterm and newborn lung may lead to preventive strategies and more effective therapeutic regimens.
Een implementatiestrategie voor het verzekeringsgeneeskundig protocol Depressieve stoornis: een procesevaluatie

Voor het verzekeringsgeneeskundig protocol Depressieve stoornis hebben wij een implementatiestrategie ontwikkeld en die uitgevoerd in een nascholingscursus voor verzekeringsartsen. Deze implementatiestrategie bestond uit een training, waarin de verzekeringsartsen leerden het protocol Depressieve stoornis toe te passen. In deze studie wordt de implementatiestrategie geevalueerd op basis van de meningen van de deelnemende verzekeringsartsen. Direct na de training en na een periode van drie maanden werden de verzekeringsartsen naar hun ervaringen gevraagd met behulp van vragenlijsten. Slechts 5% van de benaderde verzekeringsartsen deed mee. De respons op de vragenlijsten was 98%. De implementatiestrategie werd door de verzekeringsartsen gewaardeerd met een 7,7 op een schaal van 0-10. Van de deelnemende verzekeringsartsen verwachtte 81% een verbetering te kunnen realiseren in hun arbeidsongeschiktheidsbeoordelingen van clienten met een depressie. Na drie maanden bleef de tevredenheid van de verzekeringsartsen met de implementatiestrategie onveranderd. Het veranderen van werkroutines en de tijd die benodigd is voor het kunnen toepassen van het protocol Depressieve stoornis, werd door sommige verzekeringsartsen als een barriere in de implementatie van het protocol beschouwd.
Dual-offset antennas with a spherical main reflector for small earth stations

The design of dual-reflector antennas with a spherical main reflector for small earth stations is considered. An analysis of the field polarization throughout the system shows that it is possible to adjust the reflectors to obtain very low cross-polarization. The use of an elliptical main reflector projection is explored in order to enhance efficiency and lower side-lobe levels. >
THERMAL PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR RAILROAD TANK CARS

As a result of a series of serious railroad accidents involving certain uninsulated pressure tank cars transporting hazardous materials, the specifications for railroad tank cars were amended in the interest of safety. Specification 112 and 114 tank cars used to transport flammable gases such as propane, butane, and vinyl chloride are required to have both thermal and tank head protection. Newly built cars must be so equipped starting on January 1, 1978, and existing cars must be retrofitted before December 31, 1981.
Update in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Spontaneous, nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is defined as bleeding within the brain parenchyma. Intracranial hemorrhage includes bleeding within the cranial vault and encompasses ICH, subdural hematoma, epidural bleeds, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This review will focus only on ICH. This stroke subtype accounts for about 10% of all strokes. The hematoma locations are deep or ganglionic, lobar, cerebellar, and brain stem in descending order of frequency. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs twice as common as SAH and is equally as deadly. Risk factors for ICH include hypertension, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, advanced age, antithrombotic therapy and history of cerebrovascular disease. The clinical presentation is “stroke like” with sudden onset of focal neurological deficits. Noncontrast head computerized tomography (CT) scan is the standard diagnostic tool. However, newer neuroimaging techniques have improved the diagnostic yield in terms of underlying pathophysiology and may aid in prognosis. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a neurological emergency. Medical care begins with stabilization of airway, breathing function, and circulation (ABCs), followed by specific measures aimed to decrease secondary neurological damage and to prevent both medical and neurological complications. Reversal of coagulopathy when present is of the essence. Blood pressure management can be key and continues as an area of debate and ongoing research. Surgical evacuation of ICH is of unproven benefit though a subset of well-selected patients may have improved outcomes. Ventriculostomy and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring are interventions also used in this patient population. To date, hemostatic medications and neuroprotectants have failed to result in clinical improvement. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended, with participation of vascular neurology, vascular neurosurgery, critical care, and rehabilitation medicine as the main players.
Multiple, targeted deficiencies in selectins reveal a predominant role for P-selectin in leukocyte recruitment

We extend our previous analyses of mice deficient in selectins by describing the generation and comparative phenotype of mice lacking one, two, or three selectins after sequential ablation of the murine genes encoding P-, E-, and L-selectins. All mice deficient in selectins are viable and fertile as homozygotes. However, mice missing both P- and E-selectins (PE−/−), and mice missing all three selectins (ELP−/−) develop mucocutaneous infections that eventually lead to death. Mice deficient in multiple selectins display varying degrees of leukocytosis, resulting in part from alterations in leukocyte rolling and recruitment. PE−/− mice, ELP−/− mice, and mice missing both P- and L-selectins (PL−/−) show drastic reductions in leukocyte rolling and in extravasation of neutrophils in thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. In a separate inflammatory model (ragweed-induced peritoneal eosinophilia), we demonstrate P-selectin to be both necessary and sufficient for the recruitment of eosinophils. The phenotype of mice missing both E- and L-selectins (EL−/−) is less severe than those seen in the other double knockouts. Comparisons among the double knockouts suggest that P-selectin normally cooperates with both E- and L-selectins. Our results indicate a preeminent role for P-selectin in regulating leukocyte behavior in mice. Data from the ELP−/− mice indicate, however, that all three selectins are important to leukocyte homeostasis and efficient neutrophil recruitment.
Enhancements of a tongue-operated robotic rehabilitation system

Patients suffering from traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries may benefit from neuroplasticity guided and reinforced by motor learning feedback through reorganization of the neural pathways in intact parts of the brain and spinal cord. An enhanced version of a tongue-operated robotic rehabilitation system is presented for accelerating the rate of improvement in the upper extremity motor functions for patients with severe hemiparesis following stroke. A new rehabilitation robot, called Hand Mentor ProTM (HM), was utilized by reading its pressure and joint angle sensors, combined with control commands from the Tongue Drive System (TDS) to enable both isometric and isotonic target-tracking tasks in a coordinated tongue-hand rehabilitation paradigm. Preliminary results in 3 healthy subjects who performed a sinusoidal target tracking task demonstrated the TDS-HM system functionality in hand-operated isometric, hand-operated isotonic, tongue-operated isotonic discrete control and tongue-operated isotonic proportional control modes with average normalized root-mean-square errors of 0.058±0.023, 0.043±0.011, 0.184±0.087, and 0.148±0.075, respectively.
Synthesis and Characterization of T12Ba2CaCu2O8 and T12Ba2Ca2Cu3O10

Single-phase samples of T12Ba2CaCu2O8 and T12Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 have been prepared using a reliable and simple synthetic method. Samples were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and four probe resistivity methods. The TcR=0 values for T12Ba2CaCu2O8 ranged from 100 to 105K, whereas those for T12Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 ranged from 96 to 107K. The relationship between the superconducting properties and the various preparation conditions are discussed.
Domestic Violence and Partner Notification: Implications for Treatment and Counseling of Women with HIV

Current public health policy encourages partner notification to protect those at risk of HIV infection. Provider experiences with partner notification, domestic violence, and women with HIV compel a reassessment of this strategy. In a survey of 136 health care providers in Baltimore, substantial numbers reported knowledge of their HIV-infected patients' experiences with domestic violence before and after partner notification. Providers believed that fear of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and abandonment are important reasons why many female patients resist partner notification. Provider opposition to partner notification was strong in cases where female patients faced a risk of domestic violence. The realization that HIV-infected women fear and experience domestic violence has broad implications for health care practice. The authors recommend changes in provider practices to insure that the risk of domestic violence is identified and addressed, and that partner notification strategies do not threaten the safety of HIV-infected women. They also highlight areas for further research on the connections among partner notification, domestic violence, and women with HIV. Language: en
Cancer-Related Infertility and Young Women: Strategies for Discussing Fertility Preservation

A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event and since cancer treatment can impair future fertility capacity, cancer can also change a patient’s parenting plans and family goals. There has been increased attention to the issue of cancer-related fertility impairment in recent years [1, 2], including the establishment of best practice guidelines from ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) [3], ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) [4], and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) [5], as well as advocacy groups aimed at both patients and doctors to educate on the issue of fertility preservation (including Fertile Hope and the Oncofertility Consortium). There has even been increased coverage in entertainment and popular media on post-cancer parenthood, including notable high-profile cases such as Lance Armstrong. Despite these strides, there is continued concern that cancer patients are not always informed about potential impairment or available fertility preservation options that can help to safeguard their future fertility. Earlier studies in the growing field of oncofertility have indicated that many patients, particularly adolescent and pediatric patients [6], do not recall discussing fertility or fertility preservation options prior to beginning chemotherapy and/or radiation [1]. As a result, researchers are examining the barriers to the exchange of fertility-related discussions between patients and doctors (particularly oncologists) prior to potentially damaging cancer treatment (see [1] for review).
Market analysis of medicines for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia in sample hospitals of Shanghai

Objective: To analyze the utilization of drugs for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in Shanghai. Methods: The data of drug utilization from 54 sample hospitals was adopted and relevant materials were referred to. Based on structure and variety of medicines used and competition of different varieties of drugs, the market situation of drugs for BPH in 2003,2004 and the first half of 2005 was omni-directionally analyzed. Results: From 2003 to the first half of 2005, the market situation showed following main characteristics: (1) Western medicines held the major market share, herbal medicines acted as complement, and Chinese patent medicines had no advantage at all. (2) There was no big change in competition pattern, and the whole medicine market was dominated by medicines produced by joint venture enterprises: Proscar, Harnal and Prostat. Conclusion; Shanghai is a BPH medicine market with enormous development potentiality.
Simulation analysis of permanent magnet motor in high voltage disconnecting switch under different structure and winding parameters

The permanent magnet motor is presented and employed in GIS disconnecting switch in order to reduce the VFTO in operation and enhance the operating performance in motion, which it can achieve the opening and closing operation, have a good quicker response ability and control performance for the disconnecting switch. The mathematical model of motor is developed, which the dynamic behavior is carried out by using the transient finite element method. The speed characteristics of motor are computed considering the different structure and winding parameters of driving motor such as the operating voltage, length to diameter ratio, length of air-gap, thickness of permanent magnet, pole arc coefficient and turns and line width ratio. The results indicate that permanent magnet motor have an excellent performance which can give a sufficient speed to meet the requirements of disconnecting switch. It can provide a base for shorten the design cycle and reduce the performance testing cost of permanent magnet motor which applied in GIS disconnecting switch.
Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Use on Neonatal Respiratory Support Patterns and Length of Stay

BACKGROUND: Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is thought to be comparable with nasal CPAP. The effect of multimodality mid-level respiratory support use in the neonatal ICU is unknown. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of introducing HFNC on length of respiratory support and stay. METHODS: A chart review was conducted on subjects at 24–32 weeks gestation requiring mid-level support (HFNC/nasal CPAP) 1 y before and after HFNC implementation. The 2 groups were compared for clinical and demographic data using t test or chi-square analysis. Further, multivariate linear and logistic regression was done to determine significant risk factors for outcomes controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Eighty subjects were eligible in the pre-HFNC group, and 83 were eligible in the post-HFNC group. Subjects were similar in their baseline characteristics. In clinical outcomes, the post-HFNC group had higher rates of retinopathy of prematurity ( P = .02) and a trend toward higher bronchopulmonary dysplasia rates ( P = .063). The post-HFNC subjects had longer duration of mid-level support and were older at the time they were weaned to stable low-flow nasal cannula ( P < .05). Although the length of respiratory support and stay and corrected gestational age at discharge were similar, those in the pre-HFNC period were more likely to be receiving full oral feeds and be discharged home versus being transferred to an intermediate care facility ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: HFNC introduction was significantly associated with a longer duration of mid-level respiratory support, decrease in oral feeding at discharge, increased retinopathy of prematurity rates, and higher use of intermediate care facilities, leading us to examine our noninvasive ventilation and weaning strategies.
The insomnia with short sleep duration phenotype: an update on it's importance for health and prevention.

Purpose of reviewIt was first proposed in the late 1990s that objective markers of sleep disturbance could serve as an index of the biological severity of insomnia. In 2013, a heuristic model of two insomnia phenotypes based on objective sleep duration was proposed. Herein, we review the studies con
Head accelerations across collegiate, high school and youth female and male soccer players

I investigated (1) head acceleration during purposeful football heading across age and sex and (2) determinants of head impact severity. Nearly 4% of the world’s population plays football, including over 26 million women. Although there are unrefuted positive health effects of playing football,1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been identified in three football players,2 including British player, Jeffrey Astle, causing concern about the long-term effects of repetitive heading. To prevent or mitigate the effects of repetitive football heading, I believe that we must understand the biomechanics and identify strategies for reducing head impact severity.3 Currently, the little information on the biomechanical response to purposeful heading is limited to collegiate male football players, but these data may not be transferable to women and children, who have lower head mass, decreased neck muscle …
Zolpidem for the Treatment of Neurologic Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Importance Given its selective action on the ω1 subtype of the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor, zolpidem tartrate presents a potential treatment mechanism for other neurologic disorders. Objective To synthesize studies that used zolpidem to treat neurologic disorders. Evidence Review Eligibility criteria included any published English-language article that examined the use of zolpidem for noninsomnia neurologic disorders in humans for all dates up to March 20, 2015. Searched databases included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov. Publication bias was mitigated by searching clinicaltrials.gov for unpublished studies. Two rounds of screening were performed based on title and then abstract, and coding was performed by 2 coders. All methods followed the PRISMA Reporting Guidelines for systematic reviews of the literature. Findings The initial search produced 2314 articles after removing duplicates. After exclusion based on a review of abstracts, 67 articles remained for full manuscript review. Thirty-one studies treated movement disorders, 22 treated disorders of consciousness, and 14 treated other neurologic conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, encephalopathy, and dementia. Study designs included case reports (n = 28), case series (n = 8), single-patient interventional (n = 13), pretest and posttest (n = 9), randomized clinical trials (n = 9), and crossover studies (n = 5). Only 11 studies had more than 10 participants. Effects of zolpidem were wide ranging (eg, improvement on the JFK Coma Recovery Scale–Revised, the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, and the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale) and generally lasted 1 to 4 hours before the participant returned to baseline. Sedation was the most common adverse effect. Conclusions and Relevance Zolpidem has been observed to transiently treat a large variety of neurologic disorders, most often related to movement disorders and disorders of consciousness. Much of what is known comes from case reports and small interventional trials. These findings may represent a new treatment mechanism for these disorders.
Zero-Sum Games in Pollution Control: Ecological Thresholds, Planetary Boundaries, and Policy Choices

Pollution regulation often lands us in what are perceived to be zero-sum games, but these games can differ depending on whether we are seeking to avoid ecological thresholds, such as can occur with nutrient pollution and eutrophication, or whether we are pursuing anthropocentric pollution-control goals. Focusing on the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and climate change, this draft chapter for a forthcoming book by the Environmental Law Collaborative for the Environmental Law Institute discusses how pollution regulation often invokes limits and thresholds, creating regulatory zero-sum games in which "pies" of pollutant loads are divided among the relevant polluters. It also explores the concepts of ecological thresholds and planetary boundaries in this context before exploring climate change both as a zero-sum game in and of itself and as a zero-sum game changer.
Mechanisms of Nickel Carcinogenesis

Nickel (Ni) is a naturally occurring metal that is widely used in an array of industries such as nickel plating, refinery, welding, as well as in the manufacturing of stainless steel, jewelry, coins, batteries, and medical devices. Despite tremendous economic values, exposure to this carcinogenic metal either through acute dermal contact or chronic inhalation in occupational settings can elicit a wide range of health problems including contact dermatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory tract cancer. Nickel-induced carcinogenesis has long been validated and studied by scientists; however despite extended studies in cell culture, animal, and epidemiology, the precise mechanism of Ni carcinogenesis is still uncertain. This chapter will seek to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanistic roles, genetic and epigenetic alterations, in Ni carcinogenesis, as well as a review of recent advances in the area.
Prediction of Injuries and Fatalities in Aviation Accidents through Machine Learning

This paper concerns application of various machine learning techniques to derive classification models for predicting conditions that increase the likelihood of aviation accidents involving fatalities and serious injuries. Machine learning classification techniques, including Decision Trees, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machines (SVMs), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are applied to datasets derived from original data obtained from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Accident and Incident Records from 1975-2002. The accident data are filtered to focus on FAA Part 91 (General Aviation) accidents involving powered, fixed-wing, manufactured aircraft. The results demonstrate ANNs to yield the most accurate prediction levels for both fatal accidents and accidents involving severe injuries. The results also demonstrate that machine learning approaches may yield insightful information beyond what is available through traditional statistical analysis methodologies.
Prediction of tensile power law creep constants from compression and bend data for ZrB2–20 vol% SiC composites at 1800 °C

Here we consider our four-point flexure and compression creep results obtained under Ar protection at 1800 °C to predict the tensile creep behavior of a ZrB2–20 vol% SiC ultra-high temperature ceramic. Assuming power law creep, and based on four-point bend data, we estimated the uniaxial creep parameters using an analytical method present in the literature. Both predicted and experimental compressive stress exponents were found to be in excellent agreement, 1.85 and 1.76 respectively, while observation of the microstructure suggested a combination of diffusion and grain boundary sliding creep mechanisms in compression. Along with the microstructural evidence associated with the tensile regions of the flexure specimens, the predicted tensile stress exponent of 2.61 exceeds the measured flexural value of 2.2. We assert an increasing role of cavitation to the creep strain in pure tension. This cavitation component adds to the dominant grain boundary sliding mechanism as described below and elsewhere for flexural creep.
Effect of fabrication imperfections on energy loss through mechanical mode coupling in MEMS

We identified the mechanical mode coupling as a major energy loss mechanism limiting the quality factor of MEMS resonators, such as gyroscopes. An analytical model was derived to quantify the effect of fabrication imperfections on the phenomenon of intermode energy exchange. Using both finite element analysis and analytical modeling, the mechanical coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane modes of resonators with fabrication imperfections was studied and the decrement in the quality factor due to mode coupling was predicted. The analysis was used to explain why some low frequency designs are exhibiting a quality factor close to their fundamental TED limit, while others are showing the quality factor with orders of magnitude lower than their TED limit. Our analytical predictions are supported experimentally.
Solution of Dense Linear Systems via Roundoff-Error-Free Factorization Algorithms: Theoretical Connections and Computational Comparisons

Exact solving of systems of linear equations (SLEs) is a fundamental subroutine within number theory, formal verification of mathematical proofs, and exact-precision mathematical programming. Moreover, efficient exact SLE solution methods could be valuable for a growing body of science and engineering applications where current fixed-precision standards have been deemed inadequate. This article contains key derivations relating, and computational tests comparing, two exact direct solution frameworks: roundoff-error-free (REF) LU factorization and rational arithmetic LU factorization. Specifically, both approaches solve the linear system Ax=b by factoring the matrix A into the product of a lower triangular (L) and upper triangular (U) matrix, A=LU. Most significantly, the featured findings reveal that the integer-preserving REF factorization framework solves dense SLEs one order of magnitude faster than the exact rational arithmetic approach while requiring half the memory. Since rational LU is utilized for basic solution validation in exact linear and mixed-integer programming, these results offer preliminary evidence of the potential of the REF factorization framework to be utilized within this specific context. Additionally, this article develops and analyzes an efficient streamlined version of Edmonds’s Q-matrix approach that can be implemented as another basic solution validation approach. Further experiments demonstrate that the REF factorization framework also outperforms this alternative integer-preserving approach in terms of memory requirements and computational effort. General purpose codes to solve dense SLEs exactly via any of the aforementioned methods have been made available to the research and academic communities.
Just relax and you'll get pregnant? Meta-analysis examining women's emotional distress and the outcome of assisted reproductive technology.

Abstract Rationale Couples worldwide are seeking treatment for infertility in growing numbers. Both infertility and its treatment are stressful experiences that generate considerable emotional distress. There is speculation that women's distress is associated with poorer likelihood of pregnancy via assisted reproductive technology (ART) and plausible psychobiological mechanisms bolster this association, although prior reviews of existing evidence find little support. A rigorous, comprehensive, and up to date analysis of research on the association of women's distress with ART outcomes is imperative. Objective We systematically searched for and analyzed evidence regarding the association of women's distress before and during treatment with the likelihood of treatment success via ART. Method Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted on prospective studies (k = 20) that compared levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, or perceived stress before or during ART treatment in women who achieved successful pregnancy outcomes versus those who did not (total N = 4308). Results Anxiety, depressive symptoms, or perceived stress pre-treatment, and anxiety or depressive symptoms during treatment, were not associated with less favorable ART outcomes. Prior treatment experience, age, and duration of infertility were not significant moderators of these associations. No eligible studies examined perceived stress during treatment. Conclusion Results cast doubt on the belief that distress impedes the success of infertility treatment, offering hope and optimism to the many women who feel emotionally responsible for the outcome of ART and informing the evidence-based practices of their health-care providers. We also identify specific areas and research methods needed to corroborate and extend study conclusions, including study of factors that elevate or attenuate distress in women undergoing infertility treatment.
Microwave Scattering for the Characterization of a Disc-Shape Void in Dielectric Materials and Composites

Recently published/ experimental research on microwave NDE of an internal defect has followed either one of two approaches, each with its own advantages and drawbacks [1]. In the first (generally referred to as the far-field approach), a broad, microwave beam is launched from an antenna some distance away from the material (typically, a foot or more). The scattered signal sensed by either the same or another antenna is related to some characteristics of the defect. In the second approach, the transmitting antenna is replaced by an open-ended coaxial line or wave guide. The electromagnetic field generated in the “near-field” of this aperture is modified, when a piece of material with an internal defect is placed adjacent to it. As this “near-field” probe is mechanically scanned over the material with a defect, the resulting changes in the admittance, standing wave ratio, or the amplitude and phase of the reflected signal in the waveguide are related to the characteristics of the defect. This paper describes work using the “far-field” approach.
Tendon Tapping Location Detection Through Impact Modeling

Reflex elicitation is a critical diagnostic tool for multiple conditions, both chronic and acute. In addition, a range of novel neuromodulatory rehabilitation techniques seek to use stimulation of the tendon reflexes to aid in synapse strengthening and motor recovery after stroke and spinal chord injury. Tapping of the tendon causes both a contraction of the associated muscle and a sensory response in the brain. Both of these responses are dependent on the stimulus provided. This work seeks to use mechanical modeling of the tendon hammer impact to better characterize the delivery of this stimulus. This work demonstrates the significant variability in both the tapping location and velocity during manual tendon tapping, as well as both data driven and model based approaches to stimulus location classification.
Indium Flux-Growth of Eu2AuGe3: A New Germanide with an AlB2 Superstructure.

Large single crystals of Eu2AuGe3 are prepared in high yield from the elements in liquid indium (1000 °C, 5 h).
The relationships between kinesiophobia and clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction differ by self-reported physical activity engagement.

Objectives To investigate whether relationships between kinesiophobia, lower extremity function, and patient-reported function differ by self-reported physical activity engagement after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Design Cross-sectional. Setting Laboratory. Participants Seventy-seven patients with a primary, unilateral ACLR. Main outcome measures Kinesiophobia (TSK-17) was the primary outcome. Lower extremity function included quadriceps and hamstrings strength, fatigue, and hop performance. Patient-reported function included regional function (IKDC, KOOS subscales) and physical activity engagement (Godin Leisure-Time Exercise). Patients were evaluated together, then stratified by LOW and HIGH physical activity. Correlations and multiple regression analyses identified relationships between kinesiophobia and outcome measures. Results Greater kinesiophobia was associated with lesser hamstrings strength, hop performance, and patient-reported function. Greater hamstrings fatigue and lesser KOOSADL explained greater kinesiophobia in patients reporting LOW physical activity. Lesser triple hop symmetry, crossover hop distance, and IKDC explained greater kinesiophobia in patients reporting HIGH physical activity. Conclusions Greater kinesiophobia associated with worse outcomes after ACLR. Relationships differed by self-reported physical activity engagement. Interventions that improve the ability to perform knee-related activities of daily living may be appropriate to minimize the impact of fear in less active patients, while those targeting hop performance and knee-related sport activities may be better suited for more active patients.