cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mercury binding on activated carbon

Density functional theory has been employed for the modeling of activated carbon (AC) using a fused-benzene ring cluster approach. Oxygen functional groups have been investigated for their promotion of effective elemental mercury binding on AC surface sites. Lactone and carbonyl functional groups yield the highest mercury binding energies. Further, the addition of halogen atoms has been considered to the modeled surface, and has been found to increase the AC's mercury adsorption capacity. The mercury binding energies increase with the addition of the following halogen atoms, F {gt} Cl {gt} Br {gt} I, with the fluorine addition being the most promising halogen for increasing mercury adsorption.
Queueing analysis and delay mitigation in IEEE 802.11 random access MAC based wireless networks

We present an analytic model for evaluating the queueing delays at nodes in an IEEE 802.11 MAC based wireless network. The model can account for arbitrary arrival patterns, packet size distributions and number of nodes. Our model gives closed form expressions for obtaining the delay and queue length characteristics. We model each node as a discrete time G/G/1 queue and derive the service time distribution while accounting for a number of factors including the channel access delay due to the shared medium, impact of packet collisions, the resulting backoffs as well as the packet size distribution. The model is also extended for ongoing proposals under consideration for 802.11e wherein a number of packets may be transmitted in a burst once the channel is accessed. Our analytical results are verified through extensive simulations. The results of our model can also be used for providing probabilistic quality of service guarantees and determining the number of nodes that can be accommodated while satisfying a given delay constraint.
The Impact of Domestic Violence in the Workplace

omestic violence is a serious epidemic.For years, victims of domestic violencehave had to deal with the stigmatization thatoften accompanies this form of abuse. Assuch, victims often work to hide the problemthat for years has been considered a privateissue in the home. Society, however, hascome to recognize that this behavior is reallymore of a public epidemic than a privateone.
Vorticity and quantum interference in ultra-small SOI MOSFETs

As scaling and performance needs of industry has continued, silicon-on-insulator technology appears to be a viable option. However, the small sizes of these structures require a quantum treatment for the transport. In this paper, we present results from a full three-dimensional (3-D) quantum simulation and describe the effects of quantum interference and vorticity arising from the discrete nature of the dopant atoms. In wide (/spl sim/18 nm) channel devices, as the electrons travel from the source to the drain of the device, vortices in their motion form, based on the 3-D positions of the dopant atoms in the device. For a narrow-channel device (/spl sim/8 nm), the quantum interference effects are exacerbated, as seen in the output currents. The vorticity of the electron density is not suppressed at low drain biases. However, at higher drain biases, the vortices are washed out due to increased interaction with the channel dopants and increased carrier energy.
Effects of artificial night lighting on endangered ocelots (Leopardus paradalis) and nocturnal prey along the United States-Mexico border: A literature review and hypotheses of potential impacts

Artificial night lighting is one of the least studied outcomes of urbanization. While the effects of night lighting on mammals and their habitats seem obvious, they remain difficult to quantify. By reviewing laboratory and field studies conducted on mammals since 1943, this paper summarizes the most salient effects of artificial night lighting on activity patterns and behavior. These studies assist us in generating hypotheses regarding the effects of lights, erected across the militarized U.S.-Mexico border, on the endangered Ocelot and its nocturnal prey. We predict that activity patterns for Ocelots and their nocturnal prey would be altered under artificial night lighting conditions. Specifically, evening activity levels would either be reduced or redirected towards areas with dense vegetation. In addition, Ocelot foraging success would likely be altered as a result of turning night into day. Recommendations are made for Ocelot recovery and future research on surrogate species.
Frederick Novy and the 1901 San Francisco Plague Commission Investigation

The 1900 San Francisco plague is a significant event in which citizens, physicians, and public health officials denied a diagnosis of plague on economic, political, and social grounds. To resolve the controversy, Surgeon General Walter Wyman appointed an independent federal commission of university-based experts to investigate whether plague was present. I use the activities of Frederick Novy, the commission bacteriologist and professor at the University of Michigan, to explore one circumstance in which bacteriology attempted to redefine traditional conceptions of disease during the early germ era. Novy showed plague was present in the city but without its characteristic clinical features and devastating epidemiological pattern. Physicians who understood plague by its classic features, however, contested Novy's scientific evidence. His bacteriologic redefinition had no special authority to prevail over opposing conceptions about plague; it was accepted and acted upon once it served the overall interest of the city--to avert a trade embargo.
Statistics making the optimum estimate linear

It is shown that for counts scattered about a true signal value in accord with the Poisson probability distribution, the optimum linear signal estimate is identical to the optimum nonlinear estimate if the signal has a gamma probability density.
The efficacy of digital fluoroscopic image capture in the evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux in children.

Background In accordance with ALARA, minimizing radiation exposure associated with voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG) is of critical importance. Advances in fluoroscopic technology might help achieve this goal.
Environmental, genetic and social factors affecting the expression of estrus in beef cows.

Genetic, social and environmental factors affecting behavioral estrus were evaluated in Angus (n = 10), Brahman (n = 10) and Senepol (n = 10) cows during a PGF2alpha synchronized estrus and subsequent spontaneous estrus. Cows were equally stratified by breed to two groups of 15. Both groups were pre-synchronized with a modified two-injection PGF2alpha protocol. At the start of the experiment, cows were treated with 25 mg PGF2alpha followed by a second and third administration of 12.5 mg PGF2alpha, 11 and 12 days later to induce synchronized estrus. The subsequent estrus was designated as spontaneous estrus. Behavioral estrus data including the onset and end of estrus, estrous duration and the total number of mounts received for the synchronized and spontaneous estruses were collected using HeatWatch". Interval from the third PGF2alpha, treatment to the onset of a HeatWatch" estrus occurred earlier (P 0.10) on the duration and total number of mounts received during synchronized and spontaneous estruses. In conclusion, type of estrus (synchronized or spontaneous), THI, social dominance and breed exerted significant effects on characteristics associated with behavioral estrus in beef cattle in subtropical environments.
Simplified protein purification using engineered self-cleaving affinity tags

The biological revolution, spurred on by the completion of the human genome project, will increase the demand for inexpensive and reliable methods for protein expression and purification. Over the past 20 years, several technologies have been developed where target proteins or expression systems are manipulated at the genetic level to increase productivity. The use of genetically-fused affinity tags has been particularly successful, and this technique has become ubiquitous in research. However, the high cost of this approach, along with some regulatory issues, have prevented it from becoming more widely adopted at large scale. Recently, self-cleaving protein elements have been developed that can effectively make affinity tags self-cleaving, allowing the release of the product directly from the affinity column under extremely mild conditions. The low cost of this approach, combined with the power of an affinity separation, promise to make this an exciting new purification technology for future research and manufacturing applications.
Supporting learning in context: extending learner-centered design to the development of handheld educational software

The emerging family of mobile devices presents new opportunities to design handheld tools that can support students within the context of their learning activities. In this paper we discuss the challenges of building handheld educational software and describe the design of Pocket PiCoMap, a learner-centered tool that supports concept mapping activities on handheld computers. By combining available research on the design of small interfaces with existing guidelines for developing learner-centered desktop software, we describe some of the design considerations and tradeoffs of developing learner-centered handheld software. We present initial design guidelines for balancing these constraints, describe their application to the development of Pocket PiCoMap, and discuss ongoing classroom tests of this software.
Changes in mortality and morbidities among infants born at less than 25 weeks during the post-surfactant era.

Objectives: To compare mortality and death or major morbidity (DOMM) among infants Study design and patients: Comparative cohort study of very low birthweight (501–1500 g) infants Results: Mortality was higher for group I (63.1% v 56.7%; p = 0.0006). Antenatal steroids (ANS) and antenatal antibiotics (AABX), surfactant (p Conclusion: Survival to discharge was more likely during the more recent period because of group differences in ANS, AABX, and surfactant. However, this treatment shift may reflect an overall more aggressive management approach. More consistent application of treatment has led to improving survival of
Arrangements of Hyperplanes

There are many fields which are similar in spirit and related in the methods used and results obtained to the combinatorial theory of polytopes. The present chapter is devoted to one such field: to questions dealing with arrangements of (or partitions by) hyperplanes.
Deriving Spatially Distributed Precipitation Data Using the Artificial Neural Network and Multilinear Regression Models

Precipitation is the primary driver for hydrologic modeling. Because hydrologic models often require long-term, spatially dis- tributed precipitation data sets for calibration and validation, a novel approach was developed to generate spatially distributed precipitation data using an artificial neural network (ANN) for the periods when Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) data are either unavailable or the quality of the NEXRAD data is not good. The multilinear regression (MLR) technique was also evaluated for completeness. The study's focus was the Saugahatchee Creek watershed in southeast Alabama. In the study area, thewet seasons are dominated by frontal precipitations, whereas the dry seasons primarily contain patchy, convective thunderstorms. The basic approach was to train and validate the ANN and MLR models using recent NEXRAD and rain gauge precipitations, and then use the trained model with the rain gauge precipitation data to generate past, spatially distributed precipitation estimates at the NEXRAD grid locations. For the testing period, the ANN-simulated wet season precipitations in all the NEXRAD grids had a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency greater than or equal to 0.72 and a mass balance error less than or equal to 14%. The same model performance parameters were 0.65 and 17%, respectively, for the dry season. The MLR model did not perform as well as the ANN model. For the MLR model, the wet season mass balance error ranged from 13-48%, whereas the dry season mass balance error ranged from 0.1-36% on the testing data set. An uncalibrated soil and water assessment tool model was used to assess the improvements in stream flow simulations with the ANN-simulated spatially distributed precipitation data. The stream flow simulations using ANN-generated, spatially distributed precipitations were closer to the observed stream flows relative to stream flows generated using the rain gauge precipitations. Overall, the results suggest that the method developed in this study can be used to generate past, spatially distributed precipitations at NEXRAD grid locations. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000617. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Precipitation; Neural networks; Hydraulic models; Hydrologic data. Author keywords: Precipitation; Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD); Artificial neural network; Multilinear regression; Hydrologic modeling; Soil and watershed assessment tool (SWAT).
Sudden death prevention with implantable devices

The “modern” era of the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias with device-based therapy may have begun in 1899, when Prevost and Battelli noted, almost as an afterthought, that direct current shock could terminate ventricular fibrillation (VF) in dogs.1 Three decades later, pioneering work in the field of defibrillation concluded that the passage of electrical current across the heart can both initiate and terminate VF.2,3 Still, little attention was paid to this phenomenon, as evidenced by Paul Dudley White’s Heart Disease , which devoted less than half a page to VF and characterized the arrhythmia as “a condition of little importance so far as we know now.”4 In 1947, the thoracic surgeon Claude Beck saved the first human life by the successful use of cardiac defibrillation in a 14-year-old boy who developed VF during a thoracic surgical procedure and went on to achieve a full recovery.5 These early accomplishments provided the foundation for the landmark work of Mirowski and Mower that ultimately led to the development of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and its introduction in humans in 1980.6 Pacing may prevent sudden cardiac death due to bradyarrhythmias and in certain circumstances such as torsade de pointes associated with congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) and pause-dependent ventricular tachycardia (VT). Although no controlled studies exist, retrospective analyses suggest that recurrent torsade de pointes in patients with LQTS may be prevented by continuous pacing.7 Early clinical data on small numbers of patients suggested that the combination of β-adrenergic blockade plus continuous pacing reduced the number of syncopal events and the anticipated rate of sudden death in high-risk LQTS patients.8 The beneficial effects of pacing may be limited to patients with LQT2 and LQT3, in which the transmural dispersion of repolarization worsens steeply during bradycardia.9 Genotype-phenotype correlation confirms that …
Gamma Radiation as a Probe of Chromatin Structure: Damage to and Repair of Active Chromatin in the Metaphase Chromosome

Cobalt-60 2lt. slash radiation has been employed as a means of preferentially damaging actively transcribing chromatin within interphase and metaphase Chinese hamster V79-379 lung fibroblasts. The single-strand size distribution and break frequency of bulk /sup 3/H-labeled DNA have been compared to those same parameters for active sequences. The results show that (a) sequences active during interphase are more sensitive than inactive sequences to single-strand formation by ..gamma.. radiation even when the chromatin is condensed in metaphase, (b) repair of strand breaks in the bulk DNA is slower in metaphase than in interphase cells, but (c) during metaphase, repair is faster in active sequences than in the bulk DNA. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that chromatin structure can be probed within intact cells by a method which circumvents isolation of nuclei or chromatin and the use of exogenous nucleases.
Model of access control policy for civil agencies

Proposes a general model for access control policy for civil agencies. Different types of sensitive, but unclassified information and the special operational requirements for civil agencies are described. A wide number of systems were reviewed and hundreds of access control requirements were identified. Nevertheless, it was found that the access control rules fell into six general categories of 16 rules. A model for an access control policy is defined that is comprised of entities such as subjects and objects and a set of rules. Then, the model is applied to a sample of IRS security requirements in order to show how the model could be used to express requirements for a real application. >
Adaptive Erasure Resilient Coding in Distributed Storage

A challenge of peer-to-peer (P2P) storage is to build reliable data storage from inherently unreliable P2P network, and to do so efficiently. In this paper, we investigate the use of adaptive erasure resilient code (ERC) which changes ERC fragment size according to the size of the file distributed. We show that the adaptive ERC may greatly improve the efficiency and reliability of P2P storage. A number of design policies and strategies for the P2P storage application are also investigated.
An interactive object based multimedia system for IP networks

In this paper, we present the design of a flexible framework for an IP-based network that will support an interactive multimedia (MM) system. The system will enable end users to: 1) author their own MM presentations; 2) control the delivery of the presentation; and 3) interact with the content (media objects) to make changes to the presentation in real time. To facilitate the design of the system we have introduced the concept of a meta object and have defined three levels of user interactivity: presentation level interactivity; session level interactivity; and local level interactivity.
Surgical correction of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with ARVD/C

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is a genetically determined cardiomyopathy characterized by fibrofatty replacement of predominantly, right ventricular (RV) myocardium.1 Morphologic changes frequently occur at the inferior-subtricuspid and mid RV outflow (RVOT), and may involve the antero-apical region in severe cases (triangle of dysplasia).2 As disease progresses, global RV dilation and RV dysfunction may occur. RV structural changes may also lead to development of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR), often in the absence of pressure overload from the pulmonary vasculature (e.g. pulmonary hypertension or left heart failure). Therefore, TR in the context of ARVD/C may represent a unique phenotype of patients with functional TR. Because RV volume overload from significant TR may in turn worsen RV function, surgical correction of TR could have therapeutic benefit. Both significant TR and RV dysfunction have been independently associated with worse prognosis in ARVD/C.3-4 In order to better understand the potential role of surgery in these patients, we reviewed our ARVD/C database to identify patients who underwent surgical correction of TR.
Capillary electrophoresis--a new clinical tool.

The potential clinical diagnostic utility of capillary electrophoresis in an open-tubular column is established. Separation patterns for serum proteins by conventional agarose gel electrophoresis can be faithfully reproduced by a capillary electrophoresis procedure that provides the complete run data in 8 min. Hemoglobin variants can be separated within 10 min. The capillary electrophoresis separations are performed reliably and reproducibly in an untreated 75 micron (i.d.) x 25 cm fused-silica column. Diluted serum or hemoglobin samples can be loaded on an automated instrument with on-line injection, detection, and quantification, providing a truly "walkaway" electrophoresis system.
Sucralose Destabilization of Protein Structure

Sucralose is a commonly employed artificial sweetener that behaves very differently than its natural disaccharide counterpart, sucrose, in terms of its interaction with biomolecules. The presence of sucralose in solution is found to destabilize the native structure of two model protein systems: the globular protein bovine serum albumin and an enzyme staphylococcal nuclease. The melting temperature of these proteins decreases as a linear function of sucralose concentration. We correlate this destabilization to the increased polarity of the molecule. The strongly polar nature is manifested as a large dielectric friction exerted on the excited-state rotational diffusion of tryptophan using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. Tryptophan exhibits rotational diffusion proportional to the measured bulk viscosity for sucrose solutions over a wide range of concentrations, consistent with a Stokes-Einstein model. For sucralose solutions, however, the diffusion is dependent on the concentration, strongly diverging from the viscosity predictions, and results in heterogeneous rotational diffusion.
Volumetric retinal fluorescence microscopic imaging with extended depth of field

Wavefront-engineered microscope with greatly extended depth of field (EDoF) is designed and demonstrated for volumetric imaging with near-diffraction limited optical performance. A bright field infinity-corrected transmissive/reflective light microscope is built with Kohler illumination. A home-made phase mask is placed in between the objective lens and the tube lens for ease of use. General polynomial function is adopted in the design of the phase plate for robustness and custom merit function is used in Zemax for optimization. The resulting EDoF system achieves an engineered point spread function (PSF) that is much less sensitive to object depth variation than conventional systems and therefore 3D volumetric information can be acquired in a single frame with expanded tolerance of defocus. In Zemax simulation for a setup using 32X objective (NA = 0.6), the EDoF is 20μm whereas a conventional one has a DoF of 1.5μm, indicating a 13 times increase. In experiment, a 20X objective lens with NA = 0.4 was used and the corresponding phase plate was designed and fabricated. Retinal fluorescence images of the EDoF microscope using passive adaptive optical phase element illustrate a DoF around 100μm and it is able to recover the volumetric fluorescence images that are almost identical to in-focus images after post processing. The image obtained from the EDoF microscope is also better in resolution and contrast, and the retinal structure is better defined. Hence, due to its high tolerance of defocus and fine restored image quality, EDoF optical systems have promising potential in consumer portable medical imaging devices where user’s ability to achieve focus is not optimal, and other medical imaging equipment where achieving best focus is not a necessary.
Inheritance and physiological basis for 2,4-D resistance in prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.).

Experiments were conducted to determine the inheritance and physiological basis for resistance to the synthetic auxinic herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D) in a prickly lettuce biotype. Inheritance of 2,4-D resistance in prickly lettuce is governed by a single codominant gene. Absorption and translocation were conducted using 14C-2,4-D applied to 2,4-D-resistant and -susceptible biotypes. At 96 h after treatment (HAT), the resistant biotype absorbed less applied 2,4-D and retained more 2,4-D in the treated portion of the leaf compared to the susceptible biotype. The resistant biotype translocated less applied 2,4-D to leaves above the treated leaf and crown at 96 HAT compared to the susceptible biotype. No difference in the rate of metabolism of 2,4-D was observed between the two biotypes. Resistance to 2,4-D appears to originate from a reduced growth deregulatory and overstimulation response compared to the susceptible biotype, resulting in lower translocation of 2,4-D in the resistant pri...
Sequential effects in cyclic-interval schedules

Pigeons were exposed to two cyclic-interval schedules involving a cycle of 12 1-min fixed intervals followed by either 6 2-min intervals or 2 6-min intervals. Response rate was higher during the longer intervals in both cases. Comparison between these results and data from a previous experiment with a FI 1 FI 3 schedule suggests that three factors underlie responding to these schedules: the duration of the long intervals, the number of successive long intervals in a cycle (run length), and a factor involving the interaction between interval length and the pigeon’s own behavior (“momentum”).
A Mexiletine Intoxication

A case is presented of a 26-year-old white male with a history of depression and previous suicide attempts. No anatomic cause of death was determined at the autopsy. Comprehensive toxicological analysis of the blood and urine specimens identified mexiletine, a class 1B antiarrhythmic drug. Mexiletine was detected by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Quantitations were as follows: heart blood, 38 mg/L; subclavian blood, 14 mg/L; urine, 370 mg/L; liver, 190 mg/kg; kidney, 170 mg/kg; vitreous humor, 17 mg/L; and bile, 440 mg/L. The medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was mexiletine intoxication and the manner of death was suicide. Language: en
Acute interatrial block is a distinct risk factor for ischemic stroke

The last few decades have given rise to extensive research focused on atrial conduction disorders, identified by ECG, and their clinical relevance. Most notably, the observed associations of interatrial block, supraventricular arrhythmias, and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality have driven further research, and in particular into determining the role of interatrial block as a novel risk factor of stroke. Interatrial blocks are characterized by P-wave duration ≥120 ms with left atrial retrograde activation that signifies a conduction delay between the left and right atria.1 Similar to other types of heart block, interatrial block may be partial (first-degree) or advanced (third-degree).1 Advanced interatrial block (aIAB), also termed Bayes syndrome, indicates atrial fibrosis and abnormal cardiac modeling. Although common in patients with aIAB,1,2 left atrial enlargement is not a necessary component of a diagnostic criteria.
Integrating Early Childhood Behavioral Health into Primary Care: The Pediatrician’s Perspective

Primary care pediatricians build longitudinal partnerships with families starting in the newborn period, which provide them with opportunities to identify infants and young children at risk for behavioral and developmental disorders and to promote healthy social and emotional development. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages collaboration between pediatricians and mental health providers to improve pediatric practice by integrating behavioral health providers into the culture of primary care. The required elements include educating pediatric providers about aspects of child social-emotional development, creating workflows to optimize developmental surveillance and screening, and fostering linkages with community-based resources. Through the lens of the primary care pediatrician, we present our experiences integrating the co-located Healthy Steps Program into two large, urban primary care practices in the Bronx, NY. We highlight challenges confronted and successes achieved as we transformed our practices in partnership with our Healthy Steps colleagues.
Laser Applications for Nonmalignant Conditions of the Larynx

Laryngeal lesions such as papilloma, precancerous dysplasia, and vascular malformations can significantly impact voice production and patients’ quality of life. These nonmalignant conditions of the larynx can disrupt glottic closure patterns and inhibit propagation of the mucosal wave during phonation. Surgical techniques for the management of these lesions have advanced exponentially with further understanding of the importance of preserving the superficial lamina propria (SLP) layer and advances in surgical technology. Laser applications for nonmalignant conditions of the larynx have allowed for lesions such as papilloma and precancerous dysplasia to be optimally treated with maximum preservation of the underlying layered vocal fold microstructure. Photoangiolytic lasers such as the 585 nm pulsed-dye laser (PDL) and 532 nm KTP laser specifically target the microvasculature associated with the growth of these nonmalignant lesions and offer a fiber-based delivery system that allows for office-based surgery using topical anesthesia. In general, the primary advantages of laser surgery for nonmalignant conditions of the larynx are extreme precision, hemostasis, and selectivity for certain tissue “targets” such as blood vessels, without harming surrounding tissue. Also, a 2013 nm diode-pumped thulium laser has been introduced into endoscopic laryngeal surgery for the treatment of certain benign conditions. This laser’s chromophore is water, allowing for properties of hemostatic cutting on a fiber-based delivery system. This chapter will highlight salient principles of angiolytic laser use in the surgical management of vocal fold papilloma, precancerous dysplasia, and microvascular malformations both in the operating room under general anesthesia and in office-based settings with topical anesthesia. Additionally, office-based and microlaryngeal applications of the thulium laser in performing endolaryngeal surgery for benign conditions are reviewed.
Using ROC curves and AUC to evaluate performance of no-reference image fusion metrics

Image fusion has many applications in which a reference image is not always available including image registration, medical imaging, and fusion between visible and infrared imagery. For these no-reference applications, it is important that there are objective and efficient methods for validating fusion performance, as subjective image fusion evaluation is time consuming and non-scalable. There have been multiple no-reference objective metrics created in the past. These include mutual information, spatial frequency, and structural similarity index measure (SSIM). However, it is important to consider justification of a given evaluation metric as appropriate for a given type of image fusion method. We seek to ensure that if a given metric scores one image higher than another, then the image with the higher metric score is subjectively preferred. This pilot study investigates the applications of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) as a method of validation for fusion metrics used for evaluating image fusion methods. The results from the pilot study indicate that ROC curves and AUC provide a discriminating form of validation for image fusion metrics to support image fusion applications evaluation.
Severe Bleeding Complications during Antiepileptic Treatment with Valproic Acid in Children: A Description of Four Cases.

Abstract Sodium valproat (VPA) is a commonly used antiepileptic drug in children. It is known to cause a variety of different haematological side effects, including thrombocytopenia, a decrease in plasma fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (VWF)- and factor XIII, impaired platelet aggregation with ADP and Collagen and prolonged PFA-100 closure times. The mechanisms responsible for such a variety of haematological abnormalities are still poorly understood and controversy exists about their clinical relevance and the risk for significant bleeding. We report on 4 children with severe bleeding complications during VPA treatment that had been followed at our institution. A first child with a cerebral malformation and no history of bleeding developed a subdural haematoma during VPA treatment without trauma. Additional studies revealed decreased von Willebrand factor levels that persisted with episodes of severe epistaxis also after VPA was stopped. A second infant suffered from herpes encephalitis with generalised seizures and died from an intracranial bleeding a day after a VPA loading dose was administred. Laboratory studies revealed prolonged PFA100 closure times. A third child with a therapeutic VPA serum-levels developed asymptomatic mild thrombocytopenia (around 100 G/l); unexpectedly in this child a tonsillectomy was complicated with sever diffuse haemorrhage that required red cell transfusion and intensive care treatment. Finally, a forth child who had been on VPA therapy for years causing prolonged PFA100 closure times, developed a large spinal epidural haematoma during epidural anaesthesia three days after urological surgery. This child had received VWF containing factor concentrate preoperatively only. For the bleeding additional VWF containing factor concentrate was given, the catheter was removed and the child recovered completely. Paediatricians, neurologists and anesthesists should be aware of the haemostatic side effects of VPA that can lead to significant bleeding. Before starting VPA therapy, patients should be evaluated for the presence of a congenital bleeding disorder. Preoperatively for any surgical intervention and in case of the occurrence of bleeding symptoms the patients have to be further evaluated for a VPA-induced disorder of the plasmatic haemostasis or an impaired platelet function. Haemostatic side effects of VPA can occur at therapeutic VPA serum levels and are found at any time during the course of VPA treatment. VPA has to be used cautiously in severely ill children and in intensive care patients and the risk of bleeding of any surgical or anesthesiological procedure has to be evaluated. Treatment options for VPA induced haemostatic abnormalities include plasma derived factor concentrates that contain VWF and the use of antifibrinolytic agents. Further studies have to assess the feasibility of standard treatment with the vasopressin analog DDAVP for this group of patients taking into account their high risk for seizures.
Phase I clinical trial of temozolomide and methoxyamine (TRC-102) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

2558 Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent that generates DNA adducts that are repaired by direct DNA and base excision repair mechanisms. Methoxyamine (MX, TRC-102) is a small molecule that potentiates TMZ by binding to apurinic and apyrimidinic sites after removal of N3-methyladenine and N7-methylguanine, inhibiting site recognition of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease. We conducted a phase I trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of intravenous MX when given with oral TMZ. Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors, progression on standard treatment, and no CNS involvement were enrolled. A standard 3+3 design was used to assess TMZ (150-200 mg/m2 orally) and MX (15-150 mg/m2 IV). Dose Levels (DL) 1-3: TMZ day 1, MX day 4 in first 14 day cycle (C), TMZ days 1-5, MX day 1 in subsequent 28 day C; DL 4-7: TMZ days 1-5, MX day 1 of 28 day C. DLT period was 42 days for DL 1-3 and 28 days for DL 4-7. Tumor response assessed per REC...
Optimization of AZO films for integrating optically transparent antennas with photovoltaics

The importance of having an optimal material for fabricating Optically Transparent Antennas (OTAs) is crucial for designing highly efficient antennas that can be integrated with photovoltaics. Transparent Conductor Oxides are promising for OTA fabrication due to their capability of being simultaneously transparent at optical frequencies and conductive within the radio frequency (RF) range. Here in this study, thin aluminum and zinc oxide layers were co-sputtered onto Si and a polycrystalline photovoltaic cell and then annealed between 350 °C and 450 °C for 24 and 48 h in a N2 ambient. The annealing process ensured the formation of Aluminum Zinc Oxide (AZO) with low resistivity ≈10−5 Ω cm and a transparency of 86% between 350 and 750 nm. The material was tested by performing RF characterization and by fabricating and testing two different OTAs. The results of the optimization process and characterization show that the AZO material is feasible for OTA fabrication.
Prolactin inhibits carbachol-dependent secretion by lacrimal acinar cells in vitro.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye, is characterized by decreased lacrimal fluid secretion. Since this disease is more prevalent in females than males, it has generally been assumed that the sex hormones are involved in its etiology. The sex steroids and the sexually dimorphic peptide hormone prolactin have been under investigation. There have been several reports that reveal a negative correlation between high levels of prolactin and lacrimal gland function. Studies with hypophysectomized rats1 and with human subjects suggest that excessive levels of circulating prolactin (PRL) impair lacrimal secretion.2 Prolactin levels are higher in females than males and rise during pregnancy, in accord with decreased lacrimal function (Schechter et al., unpublished data). Prolactin also seems to be closely linked to autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome. Big prolactin, 60kD, is found to be overexpressed in salivary glandular epithelial cells of Sjogren’s syndrome patients,3 and hyperprolactinemia is found in 46% of patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome.4 In addition, both prolactin and prolactin receptors are synthesized in the lacrimal gland,5 and PRL has been detected in human tears,6 suggesting that prolactin plays endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine roles in lacrimal gland function and maintenance of the ocular surface.
Elasto-Mammography: Elastic Property Reconstruction in Breast Tissues

Mammography is the primary method for screening and detecting breast cancers. However, it frequently fails to detect small tumors and is not quite specific in terms of tumor benignity and malignancy. The objective of this paper is to develop a new imaging modality called elastomammography that generates the modulus elastograms based conventional mammographs. A new elastic reconstruction method is described based on elastography and mammography for breast tissues. Elastic distribution can be reconstructed through the measurement of displacement provided by mammographic projection. It is shown that the proposed elasto-mammography provides higher sensitivity and specificity than the conventional mammography on its own for breast cancer diagnosis.
Lightning Ground Stroke Charge Location from Multistation Electrostatic Field Change Measurements

Charge and position determinations are presented for two lightning flashes to ground involving multiple return strokes and continuing currents. The determinations are derived from quantitative measurements of the electrostatic field change produced by the flashes at eight ground stations in the vicinity of the storm. The data analysis is based upon a simple point charge model for the combined leader-return stroke process.
COMPLEMENTATION STUDIES WITH TRANSFORMATION DEFECTIVE MUTANTS OF POLYOMA VIRUS

ABSTRACT Clones of transformed cells have been derived from the NRK line (normal rat kidney) by co-infections with hr-t and ts-a mutants of polyoma virus. Twenty-one such complementation transformed clones studied express the 56K (middle) T and 22K (small) T antigens, the dual products of the hr-t gene. In contrast, the expression of the 100K (large) T antigen is either greatly reduced (4 of 21 clones) or absent (17 of 21 clones). Upon fusion with permissive mouse cells, only four of the 21 clones were virogenic. One of these clones yielded only the ts-a mutant parent, the provider of the intact hr-t function. The overall results fit the view that the hr-t product(s) are required for the maintenance of the transformed phenotype, while the ts-a product is required only during the initial stages of the transformation process.
South Asian Literary Studies, for Better and Worse1

(2017). South Asian Literary Studies, for Better and Worse. South Asian Review: Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 63-67.
Effects of word boxes on improving students’ basic literacy skills: A literature review

Word boxes (also referred to as Elkonin or sound boxes) are used to teach basic literacy skills to children. However, there has not been a review of studies reporting on the effects of word boxes o...
An assessment of attributing public healthcare infrastructure damage in the Donbas five years after Euromaidan: implications for Ukrainian state legitimacy

From the onset of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine in 2014, significant damage has been wrought to the public health infrastructure of the Donbas region. To date however, the full extent of that dam...
Maternal nest quality and its influence on litter survival and weaning performance in commercial rabbits.

Two hundred fifty parturition records on measures of maternal nest quality were collected over four seasons (S) from does (d; n = 108) of Californian (CAL), New Zealand White (NZW), and CAL x NZW breed types (DB). Service sires (s; n = 85) were from four sire lines (SL): CAL, NZW, and control and selected synthetics. Sires were nested within SL and 6-mo breeding cycle (C). Nest quality traits included fur weight (FW), nest structure (NS) and fur placement (FP; scores 1 to 5), and kit placement (KP; scores 1 to 4). Additional doe and litter characters studied over eight parities (P) were gestation length, doe body weight at parturition, litter size and weight at birth and weaning, estimated milk yield, doe feed intake, and neonatal and preweaning survival rates (NSR and PSR). A mixed model was used that included SL, C, SL x C, s/(SL x C), DB, SL x DB, d/(SL x DB), S/C, SL x (S/C), DB x (S/C), P, SL x P, DB x P, (S/C) x P, and residual error. Neither SL, s/(SL x C), nor SL x DB influenced (P > .05) nest traits. Nest quality traits did not have normal distributions. Although residual correlations were moderate to high among nest traits studied (.21 < r < .67), correlations relating nest quality to doe and litter traits were low (r < .21). The CAL had lower (P < .05) nest trait scores than NZW purebred does. The NZW does had higher (P < .05) FW (1.9 g) and FP (.36 units) scores than CAL x NZW does. Season, but not parity, influenced (P < .05) NS and KP. From path analysis, relative to other doe and litter characters, nest traits accounted for 21.2 to 35.3% of total variation (across doe breed types) in NSR. However, nest traits had low determination (< 5%) for PSR and litter weaning weight.
Osseous Healing With Non-Rigid Suture Fixation Offers a Compelling Alternative to Conventional Latarjet Procedure:

Objectives:The Latarjet procedure, both open and arthroscopically, is a popular means to surgically address anterior glenohumeral (GH) joint instability. Though the arthroscopic approach to the Lat...
The Matter We Teach With Matters: Teaching With Theory, Theorizing With (Textbook) Bodies:

We ponder a question inspired by this special issue: What might teaching/learning in the context of more-than-human become? We focus on three textbooks chosen for a qualitative inquiry course and w...
Comparison of injuries of belted occupants among different BMI categories in frontal crashes.

Previous studies have shown that occupants with obesity are at a greater risk of fatality and serious injury than other occupants in motor vehicle crashes. To provide a more complete description of the most frequent injuries and the most frequently injured body regions for occupants with obesity. Sampled cases (n = 13,470) representing ~4.7 million adult occupants involved in frontal crashes (between 2000 and 2015) were selected from the U.S. National Automotive Sampling System—Crashworthiness Data System database. A retrospective cohort study was performed to study the effect of BMI on the risk of injury to different body regions and to identify the most frequent injuries to occupants with different BMIs. Lastly, in-depth crash analysis cases from the U.S. Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) database were studied to elucidate the source of the most common injuries to occupants with obesity. Occupants with obesity experienced a higher risk of upper extremity (4.79 vs 2.92%), lower extremity (8.37 vs 3.23%), and spine (1.53 vs 1.09%) injuries than other occupants. After adjusting for other variables, the risks of spinal, thoracic, and extremities injuries were found to be affected by the BMI class. Seven out of the ten most common injuries sustained by occupants with obesity were lower extremity injuries, and talus fractures were the most common overall. Direct loading through the plantar surface of the foot by the vehicle toe pan was found to be a likely cause of many of those injuries based on CIREN cases. The injuries of occupants with obesity are different than other occupants which can be attributed to their different interaction with the seat belt and vehicle interior. The findings of this study should be considered for designing restraint systems to protect occupants with obesity in car crashes.
Knowledge, society, and history

L'A. tente d'elucider la critique contemporaine des variations culturelles et temporelles de la conception de la connaissance des disciplines telles que l'anthropologie, la sociologie et l'histoire de la science
A Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Predicts Better Sleep Quality in US Women from the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network

Consumption of a Mediterranean diet has been linked to better sleep health in older, European populations. However, whether this dietary pattern is predictive of sleep quality in US women, a group prone to poor sleep, is unknown. This prospective cohort study of 432 US women (20-76 y; 60% racial/ethnic minority) evaluated whether compliance with a Mediterranean diet at baseline predicted sleep quality at 1-y follow-up. Alternate Mediterranean (aMed) diet scores and habitual sleep quality were computed from the validated Block Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Linear regression models evaluated prospective associations of the aMed diet pattern and its components with measures of sleep quality, after adjustment for age, BMI, race/ethnicity, education, and health insurance status. Higher baseline aMed scores were associated with lower PSQI scores (β = -0.30 ± 0.10, p < 0.01), indicative of better sleep quality, higher sleep efficiency (β = 1.20 ± 0.35, p < 0.001), and fewer sleep disturbances (β = -0.30 ± 0.12, p = 0.01) at 1-y. Fruit and vegetable consumption also predicted lower PSQI scores, higher sleep efficiency and fewer sleep disturbances (all p < 0.05). Higher legume intake predicted better sleep efficiency (β = 1.36 ± 0.55, p = 0.01). These findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern should be evaluated as a strategy to promote sleep quality in US women.
Patient experience with a large-scale integrated behavioral health and primary care initiative: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Patient engagement in research can improve a health system's responsiveness to patient need, but patient experience with integrated care is not well understood. This qualitative study explores patient experience and provider perceptions of patient experience with the Behavioral Health Integration and Complex Care Initiative (BHICCI), which is a large-scale system redesign that delivers integrated care to persons with complex needs. Methods: We conducted 8 patient focus groups (n = 54 patients) and n = 32 interviews with BHICCI providers at five community health settings participating in the BHICCI during which patients and providers described how patient experience with care had changed under the initiative. Results: Patient experience and provider perception of patient experience aligned under 2 themes: (a) care coordination is essential for positive patient experience; and (b) the BHICCI strengthened patient provider relationships. Perspectives diverged under theme (c) patient experience with programmatic "growing pains." Discussion: This study highlights the importance of seeking outpatient feedback and incorporating these experiences into the redesign of integrated care systems. Formal mechanisms, such as patient advisory boards, are needed to ensure that health care quality improvement initiatives are patient centered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).