cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Radionuclide Imaging in Epilepsy, Part 1: Sporadic Temporal and Extratemporal Lobe Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common yet diverse neurologic disorders, affecting almost 1%-2% of the population. Presently, radionuclide imaging such as PET and SPECT is not used in the primary diagnosis or evaluation of recent-onset epilepsy. However, it can play a unique and important role in certain specific situations, such as in noninvasive presurgical localization of epileptogenic brain regions in intractable-seizure patients being considered for epilepsy surgery. Radionuclide imaging can be particularly useful if MR imaging is either negative for lesions or shows several lesions of which only 1 or 2 are suspected to be epileptogenic and if electroencephalogram changes are equivocal or discordant with the structural imaging. Similarly, PET and SPECT can also be useful for evaluating the functional integrity of the rest of the brain and may provide useful information on the possible pathogenesis of the neurocognitive and behavioral abnormalities frequently observed in these patients.
Bayes estimation of reliability under a random environment governed by a Dirichlet prior

The reliability function of a component whose lifetime is exponentially distributed with a known parameter lambda >0 is R(t mod lambda )=exp (- lambda t). If an environmental effect multiplies the parameter by a positive factor eta , then the reliability function becomes R(t mod eta , lambda )=exp(- eta lambda t). The authors assume that eta itself is random, and its uncertainty is described by a Dirichlet process prior D( alpha ) with parameter alpha =MG/sub 0/, where M>O represents an intensity of assurance in the prior guess, G/sub 0/, of the (unknown) distribution of eta . Under squared error loss, the Bayes estimator of R(t mod eta , lambda ) is derived both for the no-sample problem and for a sample of size n. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the effects of n, M, G/sub 0/ on the estimator are studied. These examples show that: (a) large values of n lead to estimates where the data outweigh the prior, and (b) large values of M increase the contribution of the prior to the estimates. These simulation results support intuitive ideas about the effect of environment and lifetime parameters on reliability. >
The Isoperimetric Inequality via Approximation Theory and Free Boundary Problems

In this survey paper, we examine the isoperimetric inequality from an analytic point of view. We use as a point of departure the concept of analytic content in approximation theory: this approach reveals ties to overde-termined boundary problems and hydrodynamics. In particular, we look at problems connected to determining the shape of an electrified droplet or equivalently, that of an air bubble in fluid flow. We also discuss the connection with the Schwarz function and quadrature domains. Finally, we survey some known generalizations to higher dimensions and list many open problems that remain. This paper is an expanded version of the plenary talk given by the second author at the fifth CMFT Conference in Joensuu, Finland, in June 2005.
Computational Analysis of Randomness in Structural Mechanics

Computational Analysis of Randomness in Structural Mechanics by Christian Bucher, CRC Press, Leiden, The Netherlands, 2009, 231 pp., US$102.95, ISBN 978-0415403542 This high-quality book captures i...
Grasses and browsers reinforce landscape heterogeneity by excluding trees from ecosystem hotspots

Spatial heterogeneity in woody cover affects biodiversity and ecosystem function, and may be particularly influential in savanna ecosystems. Browsing and interactions with herbaceous plants can create and maintain heterogeneity in woody cover, but the relative importance of these drivers remains unclear, especially when considered across multiple edaphic contexts. In African savannas, abandoned temporary livestock corrals (bomas) develop into long-term, nutrient-rich ecosystem hotspots with unique vegetation. In central Kenya, abandoned corral sites persist for decades as treeless ‘glades’ in a wooded matrix. Though glades are treeless, areas between adjacent glades have higher tree densities than the background savanna or areas near isolated glades. The mechanisms maintaining these distinctive woody cover patterns remain unclear. We asked whether browsing or interactions with herbaceous plants help to maintain landscape heterogeneity by differentially impacting young trees in different locations. We planted the mono-dominant tree species (Acacia drepanolobium) in four locations: inside glades, far from glades, at edges of isolated glades and at edges between adjacent glades. Within each location, we assessed the separate and combined effects of herbivore exclusion (caging) and herbaceous plant removal (clearing) on tree survival and growth. Both caging and clearing improved tree survival and growth inside glades. When herbaceous plants were removed, trees inside glades grew more than trees in other locations, suggesting that glade soils were favorable for tree growth. Different types of glade edges (isolated vs. non-isolated) did not have significantly different impacts on tree performance. This represents one of the first field-based experiments testing the separate and interactive effects of browsing, grass competition and edaphic context on savanna tree performance. Our findings suggest that, by excluding trees from otherwise favorable sites, both herbaceous plants and herbivores help to maintain functionally important landscape heterogeneity in African savannas.
Evidence-based practice and clinical social work

The evidence-based practice (EBP) movement in mental health is beginning to influence the discipline of clinical social work (CSW). Given that clinical social workers are now the largest discipline (in terms of numbers of practitioners) providing mental health services in North America, to the extent that EBP can affect the daily services of these clinicians, the care of patients and their outcomes can potentially be markedly improved. By way of some background, a clinical social worker in the US is an individual who has earned a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from a programme accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (see www.cswe.org), has obtained several years of appropriately supervised clinical experience post-MSW, has passed a standardised licensure examination administered by the state one practices in, and has received a license to practise. The practice of CSW is now legally regulated in all 50 states and several Canadian provinces, and the multiple choice examinations developed by the autonomous Association of Social Work Boards (see www.aswb.org) are the standard method (with just a couple of exceptions) adopted by the states and provinces for determining that a candidate for licensure has the minimal necessary competencies to practice safely. Other criteria required for licensure include satisfactory letters of recommendation, passing a criminal background check, and earning a certain number of approved continuing education units biannually (usually around 30). The scope of practice of CSW is quite broad, and overlaps considerably with the fields of psychiatry, professional psychology, psychiatric nursing, and marriage and family therapy. Within North America, most licensure laws include language permitting the private practice of CSW and note that social work intervention includes psychotherapy, behaviour therapy, supportive counselling, marital and family treatment, and substance abuse counselling. Many states' scope of practice laws explicitly permit CSWs to diagnose mental disorders …
Optimal Testing Parameters for Blood Cultures

The effects of volume of blood, number of consecutive cultures, and incubation time on pathogen recovery were evaluated for 37,568 blood cultures tested with the automated BACTEC 9240 instrument (Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Instrument Systems) at a tertiary care center over the period of 12 June 1996 through 12 October 1997. When the results for this study were compared with previous data published for manual broth-based blood culture systems and patient samples obtained in the 1970s and 1980s, the following were found: (1) the percentage increase in pathogen recovery per milliliter of blood is less, (2) more consecutive blood culture sets over a 24-h period are required to detect bloodstream pathogens, and (3) a shorter duration of incubation is required to diagnose bloodstream infections. Guidelines developed in the 1970s and 1980s for processing and culturing blood may require revision.
Military Service Records: Searching for the Truth

In conducting Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations, one of the most significant sources of evidence supporting a veteran’s claim for service connection are found in the veteran’s service medical records and service personnel records. Although specific numbers are unknown, a majority of mental health providers who conduct C&P examinations are not veterans and have limited knowledge and understanding of the records they are being asked to review. In cases of an initial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) examination, the Federal Register requires C&P examiners to determine if the veteran’s claim is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran’s service. This article reviews specific data within personnel records to help verify those elements. Additionally, perhaps one of the most difficult types of evaluations faced by any C&P examiner is a PTSD claim for personal assault (e.g., military sexual trauma). This article reviews the types of information within the records to help identify specific “Markers” associated with personal trauma.
Depression and Service Utilization in Elderly Primary Care Patients

The authors analyzed the relationship between a provider's diagnosis of depression and health services utilization among all elderly patients (N = 3,481) seen in a primary care practice over 12 months. Of patients with a diagnosis of depression, 29.7% were given an antidepressant. Depressed patients had increased outpatient resource utilization, including frequency of appointments, number of laboratory tests, X-rays and scans, and consultations. This association remained significant after controlling for comorbidity. On average, patients who were depressed had two more appointments per year. No difference in total cost of hospitalization was observed between the two groups. This study also demonstrated a higher incidence of nonspecific medical complaints in depressed vs. non-depressed elderly primary care patients, and all such nonspecific symptoms were associated with increased total ambulatory costs, tests and consultations. The somatic presentation of depression may contribute to the increased services utilization.
Gel‐permeation chromatography: A procedure that corrects for imperfect resolution

Gel-permeation chromatography is an excellent tool for obtaining polymer fractionation data. Inasmuch as chromatograms are functions of instrument operating conditions, an interpretation procedure must be employed to yield correct molecular distributions of macromolecular materials. A procedure is described that corrects for imperfect resolution. Extensive experimental testing of polymeric materials with kinetically known molecular distributions demonstrates its validity in regions where poor resolution is experienced. Applications will allow one to utilize equipment with inherently poor resolution or to operate instruments with high resolution in regions of poor resolution (e.g., rapid analysis).
Interspecimen Comparison of the Refractive Index of Fused Silica

The index of refraction of optical quality fused silica (SiO2) was determined for 60 wavelengths from 0.21 to 3.71 μ at 20°C. The dispersion equation n2-1=0.6961663λ2λ2-(0.0684043)2+0.4079426λ2λ2-(0.1162414)2+0.8974794λ2λ2-(9.896161)2.where λ is expressed in microns was found to yield an absolute residual of 10.5×10−6. The variation in index between 12 specimens was determined. Dispersive properties of the material and thermal coefficient of index are graphically presented. A comparison with previous NBS index data is discussed.
Privatizing Urban Services Through Homeowners Associations: The Potential and Practice in Phoenix

Abstract Homeowners associations (HOAs) are private nonprofit corporations that regulate, “tax,” and provide urban services to growing numbers of U.S. residents. As such, HOAs may affect cities' public service delivery. Interviews with department heads in Phoenix, Arizona reveal how enclaves of private services influence the city's planning and provision of public services. The findings suggest that HOAs do not substitute private for public services in Phoenix. Instead, qualitative differences in the services themselves (particularly concerning their purpose and scale) and in the legal powers of their providers create a more nuanced pattern of public-private service delivery.
Analysis of Local Electrogram Characteristics Correlated with Successful Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Accessory Atrioventricular Pathways

UNLABELLED Due to the limited myocardial lesions produced by radiofrequency current, the ablation of accessory pathways (AP) requires precise localization of such connections. The purpose of this study was to ascertain which characteristic(s) of the local bipolar electrogram, recorded from the ablation and adjacent electrode immediately prior to the application of radiofrequency current, correlated with precision in localization adequate to permit AP ablation. Signal analysis was performed for 326 sets of electrograms preceding the attempted ablation of 107 APs in 100 consecutive patients. For 80 antegrade APs, the following variables were evaluated: (1) the presence or absence of an AP potential; (2) the local atrial-AP interval; (3) the local atrioventricular (AV) interval; and (4) the relationship between the onset of local ventricular depolarization and onset of delta wave of the surface electrocardiogram. For the 27 concealed APs, the following characteristics were evaluated: (1) the presence or absence of an AP potential; and (2) the local VA interval during reciprocating tachycardia or ventricular pacing. RESULTS Antegrade APs: By statistical analysis, the best correlate of successful ablation of an antegrade AP was a local AV interval less than or equal to 40 msec (positive predictive value = 94%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 81%-100%). Local AV intervals less than or equal to 50 msec preceded 88% of successful AP ablations, compared to only 8% of failed radiofrequency current applications. The positive predictive value of the other variables were: presence of an AP potential: 35% (95% CI = 27%-40%); local atrial-AP intervals less than or equal to 40 msec: 54% (95% CI = 43%-66%); and local ventricular depolarization preceding onset of the delta wave 43% (95% CI = 34%-52%). For concealed APs, the positive predictive value of a VA interval less than 60 msec was 71% (95% CI = 48%-88%); the positive predictive value for the presence of an AP potential was 58% (95% CI = 32%-81%). CONCLUSIONS No single electrogram characteristic had a positive predictive value and a sensitivity greater than 90% for AP localization adequate for radiofrequency current ablation. For antegrade APs, the best correlate of adequate localization was a local AV interval less than or equal to 40 msec; as a corollary, radiofrequency current applications at sites where the local AV was greater than 60 msec, were unlikely to be effective. Objective criteria for the localization of concealed APs were less certain. Electrogram analysis, as a guide to AP localization and ablation, requires careful analysis of multiple variables, with analysis of the local AV interval a salient objective factor.
Commentary---Discussion of “Website Morphing”

Website morphing seems to be a useful technique, with applications beyond matching cognitive style.
Lifestyle Behaviors in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Overweight and Obese Women: A Preliminary Study

Background Few studies have examined dietary data or objective measures of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior among metabolically healthy overweight/obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese (MUO). Thus, the purpose is to determine whether PA, sedentary behavior and/or diet differ between MHO and MUO in a sample of young women.
Archival Brinkmanship: Downsizing, Outsourcing, and the Records of Corporate America

Mergers, restructurings, and consolidations have always been part of American business. There has never been a time since the rise of the modern corporation when companies have not bought other companies, restructured their operations, entered new businesses, and consolidated, sold, or spun off operations. In addition to these realities, the terms downsizing and outsourcing—and all that they portend for employees—have become bywords as business—and not only business—seeks to wring more productivity from the workforce. These trends have inevitably affected corporate records. Archives and records management units have been closed and records destroyed or transferred to warehouses, while the rate of establishment and growth of in-house corporate archives has diminished greatly. If one believes that the records of business are an integral part of American history, and that the place of corporations in that history needs to be documented and accessible, then the fate of those business records and the archives ...
Heat Treatment of Nanocrystalline Al2O3-Zr02

The effects of grain size on the phase transformations in nanocrystalline ZrO2-Al2O3 have been experimentally investigated. Compositions from 10 to 50 vol% Al2O3 in ZrO2 were obtained as a hydroxide gel. The powders were then calcined at 600 °C for 17 hours and heat treated at 1100 °C for 24 and 120 hours and at 1200 °C for 2 hours. The phase distribution and grain size were determined using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The initial grain size after calcining was 8-17 nm. It was determined that the critical ZrO2 grain size to avoid the tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation on cooling from 1100 °C was between 17 and 25 nm. Samples containing 50% Al2O3 maintained a grain size below the critical size for all times and temperatures. The 30% Al2O3 samples showed the same behavior in all but one heat treatment. The remainder of the samples showed significant grain growth and at least partial transformation to the monoclinic phase.
The Association between Educational Attainment and Patterns of Emergency Department Utilization among Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Patients with low educational attainment may be at increased risk for unplanned health care utilization. This study aimed to determine what factors are related to emergency department (ED) visits in hopes of guiding treatments and early interventions. At two medical centers in the Mid-Atlantic United States, 258 adults with sickle cell disease aged 19–70 years participated in a retrospective study where we examined whether education level is independently associated with ED visits after accounting for other socioeconomic status (SES) variables, such as pain and disease severity and psychosocial functioning. The data showed that patients without a high school education visited the ED three times as frequently as patients with post secondary education. Controlling for poverty and employment status decreased the effect of education on ED visits by 33.24 %. Further controlling for disease severity and/or psychosocial functioning could not account for the remaining association between education and ED visits, suggesting that education is independently associated with potentially avoidable emergency care. Early interventions addressing disparities in academic performance, especially for those children most at risk, may lead to improved long-term health outcomes in this population.
Mortality of unfed nymphal Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) in field exclosures

Nymphs of the deer tick, Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin, were studied in Westchester County, NY, to determine the seasonal mortality pattern and the potential for unfed nymphs to survive through the active season (May–August). Field-collected nymphal ticks were monitored in field exclosures, which prevented contact with mammals while not restricting habitat choice by ticks. In addition, nymphs were confined in small mesh packages and monitored in the field. In 1989, few (1.3%) ticks placed in exclosures in May–June survived until the end of August. The average mortality rate (proportion of ticks dying per day) in the exclosures was 0.04 ± 0.03 in 1989, 0.048 ± 0.03 in 1990. Ticks placed in mesh packages had 90% mortality after 46 d, 99% after 100 d, and 100% after 300 d. These results indicate that survival through the active season is rare in nymphal I. dammini in Westchester.
Desoxyribosenucleic acid as index of mammary gland growth of mice.

Summary1. Total DNA of the mouse mammary gland is an index of mammary gland development while concentration (μg DNA/mg dry, fat-free tissue) seems to be an index of growth rate. 2. Feeding 1.23 mg diethylstilbestrol/kg mouse food caused most rapid mouse mammary duct development between the second and third weeks. 3. Rate of mammary gland growth is not constant. At the end of a 10-day period, mice injected with lower doses of lobule-alveolar developing substances seemed to be developing at a faster rate, whereas those receiving a higher dose had a greater amount of absolute growth, although the rate of development had passed the peak.
Techniques for Non-Harmonic Wing Flapping for the Control of Micro Air Vehicles

Non-harmonic wing flapping trajectories that have been proposed for vehicle flight control are implemented on a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) wing while flapping at resonance. These bi-harmonic amplitude and bias modulated (BABM) trajectories consist of a fundamental frequency and a second harmonic and can be assembled to create non-zero cycle-averaged wing drag forces that can be used for MAV control. The open-loop drive voltage was preconditioned with discrete harmonic plant compensation to enforce the desired wing trajectory. This preconditioned bi-harmonic wing trajectory was generated by a dSpace system while the wing motion was measured by a laser vibrometer. These trajectories were tested on a 3cm MAV wing driven by a piezo actuator at the resonant frequency of 27 Hz. The wing successfully tracked the BABM trajectory and useful cycleaveraged control forces were measured, paving the way for flapping wing control of MAVs.
Correlation of Structure and Structural Changes with Photovoltaic Quality of a-Si:D,H and a-Ge:D,H Films

Deuteron magnetic resonance (DMR) resolves structures such as tightly bound D, weakly bound D, molecular HD and D2 in microvoids and trapped on nanovoid internal surfaces in plasma-deposited a-Si:DH and a-Ge:D,H. The relative populations of these structures correlate with photovoltaic quality as characterized by photo response function ηµτ in a series of deuterated a-Ge and a-Si films. It is found that photo-illumination produces DMR-detected changes in these populations. The changes, which are reversible upon a 150°C dark anneal, include a quadrupolar doublet from strained-bond configurations and a shift from metastable electronic species. The spin-lattice relaxation of most of the components follows an error-function behavior characteristic of magnetization transport under extreme inhomogeneity.
Gi-1/Gi-2-dependent signaling by single-transmembrane natriuretic peptide clearance receptor

Single-transmembrane natriuretic peptide clearance receptor (NPR-C), which is devoid of a cytoplasmic guanylyl cyclase domain, interacts with pertussis toxin (PTx)-sensitive G proteins to activate ...
Phase Transitions, Decomposition Temperatures, Viscosities, and Densities of Phosphonium, Ammonium, and Imidazolium Ionic Liquids with Aprotic Heterocyclic Anions

Ionic liquids (ILs) with aprotic heterocyclic anions (AHAs) have been developed primarily for CO2 capture applications. However, they have also been considered for cofluid CO2/IL vapor compression refrigeration cycles and for various electrochemical applications. In all of these cases, reducing the viscosity of the IL is of primary importance. Therefore, the focus of this work is tuning the cation to produce AHA ILs with both low viscosities and low melting points. Toward this goal we have synthesized 40 AHA ILs paired with phosphonium, ammonium and imidazolium cations, as well as a number of ILs with the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion to use for comparison. The azolide anions investigated were 2-cyanopyrrolide, 4-nitropyrazolide, various substituted imidazolides, 1,2,3-triazolide, and tetrazolide. Melting points, glass transition temperatures, and decomposition temperatures were measured for all ILs. Viscosities and densities were measured from 278.15 to 343.15 K and 283.15 to 353.15 K, respecti...
Dynamic Behavior of Engineered Lattice Materials.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is enabling the fabrication of materials with engineered lattice structures at the micron scale. These mesoscopic structures fall between the length scale associated with the organization of atoms and the scale at which macroscopic structures are constructed. Dynamic compression experiments were performed to study the emergence of behavior owing to the lattice periodicity in AM materials on length scales that approach a single unit cell. For the lattice structures, both bend and stretch dominated, elastic deflection of the structure was observed ahead of the compaction of the lattice, while no elastic deformation was observed to precede the compaction in a stochastic, random structure. The material showed lattice characteristics in the elastic response of the material, while the compaction was consistent with a model for compression of porous media. The experimental observations made on arrays of 4 × 4 × 6 lattice unit cells show excellent agreement with elastic wave velocity calculations for an infinite periodic lattice, as determined by Bloch wave analysis and finite element simulations.
Issues in Social Enterprise and Social Entrepreneurship

Social enterprise and social entrepreneurship are topics of growing interest among academics and practitioners. This paper discusses the background and current configuration of discussions on these...
Protein molecular profiling of archival and frozen fine needle aspirate material in human breast cancer before and after therapy

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 2175 Reverse phase protein microarrays (RPPA) have been applied to tissue sections however; herein we report the novel use of this technology for the analysis of both archival cytology aspirate smears as well as frozen fine need aspirate material obtained from patients with breast carcinoma both before and after treatment. This represents the innovative use of a readily obtainable cellular tissue sample for monitoring kinase driven cell signaling events. The ability to monitor the in vivo state of cell signaling proteins before and after treatment will potentially augment the ability to design individualized therapy regimens and map aberrant phenotypes for diagnoses. Reverse phase protein microarrays were conducted on a set of thirty samples from 10 patients: archival smears and frozen aspirate material before and after receiving treatment with docetaxel and capecitibine followed by doxorubicin and cyclophophosphamide (NCI clinical trial 00C0149). A set of specific, validated antibodies to phosphorylated or cleaved proteins in the c-erbB2 and c-erbB1 signal pathways used to immunostain the RPPA’s included: ErbB2, EGFR Tyr1148, AKT ser473, Bcl2 ser70, p42/44 MAPK, Cleaved Caspases 3 and 9, and STAT3 Tyr705 - all measured concomitantly from a few thousand cells. The immunostaining method utilizes a catalysed signal amplification methodology that has sensitivity in the femtomolar (10-15) range, and a Coefficient of Variation of 10%. The quantity and quality of protein obtained from the frozen fine needle aspirates was superior as compared to the fixed, archival smears. However, there was significant protein available in the archival smears for RPPA analysis. Most notably there were detectable differences in the EGFR mitogenesis pathway specifically EGFR Tyr1148, p42/44 MAPK and STAT3 Tyr705 before and after chemotherapy. Assessing the state of phosphorylation of proteins involved in oncogenic signaling pathways with material obtained from fine needle aspirates could facilitate the future of molecular medicine and the individualized treatment of cancer.
An improved isenthalpic flash algorithm based on maximization of entropy

Abstract An algorithm is proposed for conducting the phase-equilibrium calculation for a given mixture with a specified pressure, enthalpy, and composition. We use a second-order optimization method to maximize entropy, with the individual phase compositions and enthalpies as the independent variables. At any point during the iterative solution procedure, the direction of the iterative step can be checked by ensuring an increase in entropy. During the iterations we allow phases to be split further into sub-phases to tackle the issue of a phase having multiple stable roots for the specified enthalpy. We successfully apply the method to calculate two-phase thermodynamic equilibrium for many hydrocarbon mixtures, some of which are known to have posed issues related to narrow-boiling.
Functional Heterogeneity of Red Cell-Derived Microparticles from Different Sources: Calcium Ionophore Vs. Storage Vs. Extrusion

Abstract BACKGROUND. Cell derived microparticles (MP), are small vesicle ( METHODS. For RMP-Stor, samples were taken at intervals up to 42 days of PC stored at 4oC, then centrifuged to recover the RMP released. For RMP-CaI, supernatants of fresh RBC exposed to Ca2+/ionophore (A23187) for 30 min were centrifuged. For RMP-HPE, washed RBC were subjected to high-pressure extrusion, and the resulting RMP were collected by centrifugation and washed. Flow cytometric counts were by CD235a (glycophorin A) and annexinV (AnV) binding. Thromboelastography (TEG) compared equal counts of each sample type, based on CD235a, diluted as needed with particle-free pooled plasma (PFP). RESULTS: (1) Yield per mL of initial packed RBC: The highest yield of RMP was seen in RMP-HPE, as expected since ≈100% of RBC convert to RMP-HPE. This was followed by RMP-CaI, which was about 3x more than RMP-Stor at 42 days. The RMP-Stor increased linearly from day 21 to 42. (2) AnV binding was expressed as ratio AnV+/CD235+, and is a marker of procoagulant phospholipid. This ratio was least in RMP-HPE (0.38) and more than doubled in both RMP-Stor (0.92) and RMP-CaI (1.0). (3) Size of RMP by forward scatter (FS) increased steadily with time in RMP-Stor, from day 21 (0.56 um) to day 42 (0.79 um). These values are somewhat larger than RMP-CaI (0.47 um) or RMP-HPE (0.52 um). The side-scatter signal correlated with the FS values. (4) Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was by far highest in RMP-Stor (56 nM/min, per 106 particles) vs. 4.5 for RMP-CaI, and 1.5 for RMP-HPE. (5) Procoagulant activity: In TEG, the increase in MA (maximum amplitude) by addition of RMP-Stor was 64 mm, but was not increased by RMP-HPE or RMP-CaI. The R-time (lag) showed greatest shortening with RMP-Stor (10.2 min), followed by RMP-CaI (6.7 min), and RMP-HPE (3.6 min) (6)Anti-fibrinolytic activity: In presence of 0.4 ug/mL of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), for the purpose of making fibrinolytic activity more detectable in a short time, all 3 species of RMP effectively inhibit t-PA-mediated fibrinolysis measured by TEG parameters, including MA, Ly30, and TTG (total thrombus formation). The RMP-HPE was most effective followed by RMP-Stor, and RMP-CaI. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION. Results demonstrate clear and distinctive differences in functional and phenotypic properties of the 3 species compared. RMP-Stor and RMP-CaI are lager in size, higher in PS and AChE expression, and higher in procoagulant activity, compared to RMP-HPE. On the other hand, RMP-HPE are higher in number generated per mL packed RBC and exhibit stronger inhibition of tPA-mediated fibrinolysis. It is well known that RMP generated by storage and calcium ionophore are enriched in lipid rafts. In contrast, the RMP-HPE are not enriched in lipid rafts, as reflected in low AChE. We conjecture that the contents of lipid raft on RMP may play an important role in determining the functional properties of RMP. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics

This reading explains the general features and particular virtues of Aristotle’s virtue ethics and the application of the ethic to business.
A Conceptual Model of Wellness Destination Characteristics that Contribute to Psychological Well-Being:

This study considered the characteristics of a stay at a wellness destination that enhance psychological well-being. Self-determination theory (SDT) was used to identify the necessary conditions to...
A multi-objective iterative learning control approach for additive manufacturing applications

Abstract Iterative learning control (ILC) is a method for improving the performance of stable, repetitive systems. Standard ILC is constructed in the temporal domain, with performance improvements achieved through iterative updates to the control signal. Recent ILC research focuses on reformulating temporal ILC into the spatial domain, where 2D convolution accounts for spatial closeness. This work expands spatial ILC to include optimization of multiple performance metrics. Performance objectives are classified into primary, complementary, competing, and domain specific objectives. New robustness and convergence criteria are provided. Simulation results validate flexibility of the spatial framework on a high-fidelity additive manufacturing system model.
Alcohol use disorders in primary care: do gender-specific differences exist?

OBJECTIVE: To describe how alcohol use disorders (AUDs) affect women, focusing on gender-specific implications for primary care physicians (PCPs). DESIGN: An overview of literature from 1966 to 2000 identified by a MEDLINE, PsychINFO and HealthSTAR/Ovid Healthstar database search using key words “women,” “alcohol” and “alcoholism.” MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Although the prevalence of AUDs is greater in men than in women, women with AUDs are more likely to seek help, but less likely to be identified by their physicians. Psychiatric comorbidities (especially depression and eating disorders) are more common in women with AUDs than in men with AUDs. A past history of sexual and/or physical abuse places a woman at increased risk for AUDs. Women have a greater sensitivity to alcohol, have an accelerated progression from alcohol toxicity, and have increased mortality at lower levels of consumption compared to men. Women and men who are light-to-moderate drinkers have lower coronary artery disease mortality than do abstainers or heavy drinkers. Risk of breast cancer is increased in women who drink ≥1 drinks daily. Common barriers to treatment include: fear of abandonment by partner; fear of loss of children; and financial dependency. Brief interventions have been shown to be effective in reduction of alcohol consumption in women with at-risk drinking. It is unclear if women-only treatment programs improve outcomes. CONCLUSION: PCPs should be alert to gender-specific differences for women with AUDs.
Infant-Directed Speech Enhances Attention to Speech in Deaf Infants With Cochlear Implants

Purpose Both theoretical models of infant language acquisition and empirical studies posit important roles for attention to speech in early language development. However, deaf infants with cochlear...
Spiritual Struggles and Interleukin-6: Assessing Potential Benefits and Potential Risks.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between spiritual struggles and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) with a subsample (N = 943) of participants who took part in a nationwide survey. This study, which was completed in 2014, was conducted in the United States. Spiritual struggles refer to difficulties that a person may encounter with his or her faith and include having a troubled relationship with God, encountering difficulties with religious others, and being unable to find a sense of ultimate meaning in life. Based on the notion that spiritual struggles may be associated with personal growth as well physical health problems, it was hypothesized that there is a nonlinear relationship between the two: levels of IL-6 will decline at relatively low levels of spiritual struggles, but levels of IL-6 will increase as spiritual struggles become more severe. The findings support this hypothesis and suggest there is a quadratic relationship between spiritual struggles and IL-6. The clini...
Density and Homogeneous Internal Composition of Primary Brown Carbon Aerosol.

The presence of atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) has been the focus of many recent studies. These particles, predominantly emitted from smoldering biomass burning, absorb light in the near-ultraviolet and short visible wavelengths and offset the radiative cooling effects associated with organic aerosols. Particle density dictates their transport properties and is an important parameter in climate models and aerosol instrumentation algorithms, but our knowledge of this particle property is limited, especially as functions of combustion temperature and fuel type. We measured the effective density (ρeff) and optical properties of primary BrC aerosol emitted from smoldering combustion of Boreal peatlands. Energy transfer into the fuel was controlled by selectively altering the combustion ignition temperature, and we find that the particle ρeff ranged from 0.85 to 1.19 g cm–3 corresponding to ignition temperatures from 180 to 360 °C. BrC particles exhibited spherical morphology and a constant 3.0 mass–mobility e...
Preventing HIV transmission among injecting drug users (IDUs) and from IDUs to noninjecting sexual partners in Sichuan, China.

May you live in interesting times is actually not a Chinese curse. However HIV/AIDS is clearly creating interesting times in China. The initial outbreak of HIV occurred among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Yunan province in 1989. HIV spread along the drug trafficking routes from the Golden Triangle through southern China and northern Vietnam toward export cities on the Pacific. HIV also spread throughout the country and by 2002 there were HIV seropositive IDUs in all 31 provinces and autonomous regions. There was also substantial transmission among plasma donors in Henan province. Initial attempts at controlling HIV in China were hampered by many factors including a weak public health infrastructure differences in development between the eastern and western regions the difficulties in working with the large "floating population" of internal migrants as well as relatively severe stigmatization of the disease. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic however taught a severe and important lesson. Even if only a small percentage of the population is infected infectious diseases can be a threat to economic growth and national security. A new national policy of "Four Frees and One Care" (free treatment free voluntary counseling and testing free prevention of mother to child transmission and free schooling for AIDS orphans and provision of social relief for HIV patients) was announced on World AIDS Day 2003. In the most recent estimates there are 650000 people with HIV in China though the actual numbers may be considerably greater than the estimates. There are also high rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases that facilitate HIV transmission. (excerpt)
Allergic and Immunologic Perspectives of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract. It includes Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and a less common phenotype-indeterminate colitis. It is thought to result from a complex interplay of environmental, microbial, and host factors including genetic factors, although the exact mechanism is not known. Dietary factors have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD and can potentially alter the intestinal microbiota as well as disrupt the immune function in the gut. CD is characterized by transmural inflammation, sometimes associated with granulomatous lesions, and involves the entire gastrointestinal tract but often spares the rectum. UC is characterized by mucosal inflammation typically confined to the colon and rectum. Although IBD is mostly seen in western world, recent data suggests that the incidence and prevalence are increasing worldwide. Enteral nutrition has been shown to be effective in inducing remission in pediatric population with CD; however, there is mixed data in adult population. Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D and zinc deficiency are often noted in IBD patients. Several extraintestinal manifestations are noted in patients with IBD. Some of them parallel with the disease activity and others are independent of the disease course. Assessment of IBD disease activity clinically, radiologically, if indicated, biochemically and endoscopically is important to guide therapy in IBD. To ensure comprehensive care, it is important to assess associated conditions such as nutritional and psychological well-being, as well as age appropriate health maintenance status prior to starting treatment for IBD. Several biologic agents including anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) drugs, anti-integrins, and antibodies to the p40 subunit of IL12/23 are approved for induction and maintenance of remission of IBD. Steroids are also often used for induction. Anti-metabolites and thiopurines are also useful either as monotherapy or in combination regimens. Potential side effects of anti-TNF-α drugs such as serious infections, malignancy, worsening of heart failure, and infusion-related reactions should be considered prior to starting these drugs. Anti-TNF-α drugs with or without immunomodulators (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate) are often used for the induction and maintenance of remission. Treating to target of endoscopic and clinical remission provides the best long-term outcomes. Our knowledge and understanding of IBD has grown significantly. However, there are several unanswered questions on pathogenesis, disease behavior, and drivers of inflammation in various patient subgroups which require further research.
The H1 class of histone and diversity in chromosomal structure.

Models of chromatin structure that accurately predict the mechanisms of cell replication, differentiation, and neoplasia must accommodate two seemingly opposing concepts. The first is one of uniformity, which arises from the fact that the structures of DNA itself is conserved in all living creatures. The second is one of diversity, which arises from the fact that genes may be differentially expressed in different tissues. The obvious candidates for imparting both uniform and diverse structural forms to chromatin are chromosomal proteins, and it is not unreasonable to assume that all levels of structure of the chromosome are controlled by the interaction and reversible modification of various chromosomal proteins.
Nurshing theory of the future: situation-specific theories.

This reproduced chapter published in 2011 predicted a future for the development of situation-specific theories. A history of progress in the development of nursing theory driven by more contemporary challenges and opportunities requires careful attention to the sociocultural and political context, as well as advancement in science.
Time Scales of Vocal Learning in Songbirds

Songbirds are excellent animal models for studying developmental vocal learning. This developmental process, as well as pathologies that might be associated with it, can be studied in songbirds under tight experimental control: One can control the when and what of vocal learning, record an entire vocal development, and measure neuronal activity in auditory and vocal brain centers while developmental learning takes place. Here we review recent findings about the time scales of vocal changes, and of patterns in neuronal activity, which are associated with vocal learning. We focus on four time scales of vocal change: The first and longest time scale is of the transition between subsong and plastic song. As in speech development, birdsong emerges from a highly variable vocal babbling called subsong. Subsong is followed by plastic song, with the first emergence of distinct syllable types and structured song syntax, which then gradually becomes more elaborated. This transition might be related to large-scale changes in the contributions of basal ganglia pathways to direct control (driver) of song motor output. The second and shortest time scale of vocal learning is the regulation of exploratory variability, which is controlled at time scales of milliseconds, such that different song elements (corresponding to vocal gestures), even just several milliseconds apart, can be learned independently. The third time scale is of learning combinatorial sequences, which occurs at longer time scales and cannot be explained based on the dynamics of trial-and-error learning alone. Across these time scales, it appears that the strongest vocal changes are not induced by singing but by sleep. This fourth time scale occurs over diurnal/nocturnal intervals, involving “offline” changes in neuronal activity, which are thought to be related to consolidation of trial-and-error learning. Studying mechanisms of developmental learning across such diverse time scales in songbirds might be useful for understanding developmental and acquired speech pathologies in humans.
Microsomal enzymes of sterol biosynthesis.

Publisher Summary Microsomes are prepared by differential centrifugation of broken-cell preparations. The microsomes result from cellular endoplasmic reticulum that has been shown to be the site of cholesterol biosynthesis in mammalian liver cells. The reticulum develops at early stages of fetal life but not all enzymatic, electron carrier, and lipid components are present in microsomes isolated from neonatal livers. Evidence shows that at the time of birth, 80% to 85% of the cholesterol is of fetal and not maternal origin. Thus, the full complement of microsomal enzymes of sterol biosynthesis is present in neonatal liver. Various marker enzymes and pigments have been used to distinguish microsomes from preparations of other particles; similar investigations have shown that microsomal membranes might be distinguished from membranes of other cellular organelles. This chapter focuses on the enzymes of sterol biosynthesis and closely related enzymatic processes.
Who Killed the Inner Circle? The de-cohesion of the American corporate elite, 1997-2010

This paper analyzes the properties of the board interlock network connecting large American corporations between 1997 and 2010. We find that the former stability of the network—in which a handful o...