cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHILD VISITATION INTERFERENCE IN DIVORCE

Divorce related child visitation interference is a national problem, affecting six million children. Such interference may be acute or may represent chronic disorders, such as Parental Alienation Syndrome and Divorce Related Malicious Mother Syndrome. In certain cases, visitation interference is accompanied by vicious behaviors toward the noncustodial parent, including violence and violations of law. The present paper describes the problem of child visitation interference, associated clinical syndromes, and attributes of the legal system that perpetuate the problem. Absence of scientific research devalues psychological input to the courtroom. It is hoped that the present paper will contribute to the development of a body of scientific literature in this area. In recent years, the divorce rate has been similar to the rate of new marriages. Approximately one million divorces occur each year in the United States alone. The children involved in marital dissolution are commonly acknowledged as a vulnerable group (Hetherington & Arasteh, 1988). As parents often fight over custody and visitation, the demands placed on these children increase significantly. To aid in the decision regarding custody and visitation, each state has developed guidelines for legal proceedings. Generally, these guidelines reflect the best interest of the child principle (Keane, 1990). It is assumed that frequent visitation with the noncustodial parent is an important right to both parent and offspring (Hodges, 1991). The overwhelming majority of custodial parents are female. Unfortunately, the desire for ongoing and liberal visitation between child and nonresidential parent has frequently not kept pace with actual practices. The Children's Rights Council (1994) estimates that six million children in the United States have their visitation interfered with by the custodial parents. Two surveys support the range of this problem. Arditti (1992) reports that approximately 50% of divorced fathers relate that their ex-wife has interfered with visitation with their offspring. Similarly, approximately 40% of custodial mothers admit denying their ex-husband visitation in order to punish him (Kressel, 1985). In some cases, visitation interference has been associated with malicious unlawful acts against the father of such children (Turkat, in press). On rare occasions, a parent may actually kidnap the child. The problem of child visitation interference has yet to be adequately addressed in the national media. Relatedly, there is an absence of research on the nature of child visitation interference, its etiology, or treatment. The purpose of the present paper is to raise awareness of the child visitation interference problem among psychologists. The first part of this article will describe some of the common types of child visitation interference situations that exist. The second part of the manuscript will discuss associated difficulties in handling this problem in the legal system.
Comparison of potential electric propulsion systems for orbit transfer

Electric propulsion concepts are compared on the basis of trip time for the low earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) mission. Resistojet, arcjet, magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD), pulsed inductive, and ion engine thruster concepts are included. The optimum (minimum trip time) value of specific impulse is found to be dependent upon the specific mission and system being considered. As expected, the devices which can deliver good efficiency at low specific impulses promise the fastest trip times. The solution for trip time and propellant mass for the constant power, continuous low acceleration orbit transfer problem (one way and round trip) is presented in nomograph form. The influences of mission Delta V, thruster efficiency, specific impulse, power, power and propulsion system mass, and payload mass are clearly illustrated.
The basis and architecture for the reduction of tones in a sigma-delta DAC

A basis and architecture for a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) technique that allows a significant, if not complete, reduction of the in-band tones found in single-bit sigma-delta modulators, while easing the component matching requirements compared to conventional multibit architectures, is presented. The architecture uses a combination of coarse and fine quantization levels, which resolves the input data at a rate that is sufficient to keep tones, caused by DC inputs, from occurring in the signal bandwidth. Although a DAC is discussed, it is noted that an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has similar characteristics. Observations and additional comments relating to the time domain point of view of a sigma-delta converter are offered. >
Thermoelectric, thermionic and thermophotovoltaic energy conversion

Key characteristics of thermoelectric, ballistic thermionic and quasi diffusive thermionic energy converters are compared. First, the main assumptions used to derive the linear Boltzmann transport equations for electrons are examined and the possibility that a higher order transport coefficient may become relevant is discussed. In the linear transport regime, there is a fundamental trade off between high Seebeck coefficient and high electrical conductivity for bulk materials and for many multilayer structures due to the interplay between electronic density-of-states (DOS) and electron group velocity and also due to the shape of DOS versus energy curve deep inside a band. While low dimensional structures alter the density-of-states, a similar trade off still exists. If large barrier heights and high doping concentrations could be achieved solid-state thermionic energy converters would be able to alleviate this trade off, thereby achieving a very high thermoelectric power factor. For this to occur, the electron transverse momentum perpendicular to heterostructure barriers must not be conserved. This can be achieved with non-planar structures or with embedded nanostructures. Finally, a comparison between thermoelectric/thermionic devices and thermophotovoltaic energy converters shows a difference in the average energy of the emitted hot carriers due to the difference between electronic and photonic density-of-states in the reservoirs. The use of both electrons and photons from a hot reservoir or the engineering of the reservoir density-of-states may provide additional means to achieve higher efficiency in energy conversion devices and to approach the limit given by the entropy generation more easily.
The Transport of Low Frequency Turbulence

The transport of particles experiencing collisions with either other particles or with magnetic turbulence has been considered in the previous chapters. It is possible to utilize related techniques to investigate the transport of fields as well.
Postoperative Opiate Analgesia Requirements of Smokers and Nonsmokers

BACKGROUND:Smoking cigarettes and other forms of nicotine administration appear to blunt the perception of pain. Abrupt discontinuation of nicotine in nicotine-dependent patients appears to increase the perception of pain. The clinical importance of nicotine's effect on pain perception is not fully understood.OBJECTIVE:To determine whether smokers who abruptly discontinue smoking as a result of being hospitalized for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) require more postoperative opiate analgesics than nonsmokers.METHODS:A retrospective review of patients who underwent a CABG was performed. Smokers (n = 20) were compared with nonsmokers (n = 69) with regard to opiate analgesic use during the first 48 hours postoperatively. The use of nonopiate sedatives was also compared between the groups.RESULTS:When normalized for weight and body mass index, smokers required 23% and 33%, respectively, more opiate analgesics than did nonsmokers (p = 0.027 and 0.023, respectively). The percentage of patients who received ...
The Politics of a Praying Nation: The Presidential Prayer Team and Christian Right Sexual Morality

Many contemporary Christian conservative projects provide a context for and invitation to believers to engage in intercessory prayer or to serve as "prayer warriors" for causes and public policies that organizations and institutions advocate. One of these is the Presidential Prayer Team, a project that encourages prayer for the president and for public officials. Because the Presidential Prayer Team is a delivery system for Christian conservative political commitments and goals, analyzing it provides information about the variety of quotidian ways in which Christian conservative political values and goals are rhetorically packaged and delivered to followers and those who are likely converts to the conservative theology and politics of the Christian right. In this article I focus on the ways in which the Presidential Prayer Team engages in priming with regard to issues of sexual morality, and particularly political issues related to LGBTQ rights and issues.
Glucose Response Curve and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Latino Adolescents

OBJECTIVE In adults, the shape of the glucose response during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) prospectively and independently predicts type 2 diabetes. However, no reports have described the utility of this indicator in younger populations. The purpose of this study was to compare type 2 diabetes risk factors in Latino adolescents characterized by either a monophasic or biphasic glucose response during an OGTT. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 156 nondiabetic Latino adolescents completed a 2-h OGTT. Monophasic and biphasic groups were compared for the following type 2 diabetes risk factors: fasting and 2-h glucose, HbA1c, glucose area under the curve (AUC), insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), insulin secretion (insulinogenic index), and β-cell function as measured by the disposition index (insulin sensitivity × insulin secretion). RESULTS Of the participants, 107 youth were categorized as monophasic and 49 were biphasic. Compared with the monophasic group, participants with a biphasic response exhibited lower HbA1c (5.4 ± 0.3 vs. 5.6 ± 0.3%, P < 0.01) and lower glucose AUC (14,205 ± 2,382 vs. 16,230 ± 2,537 mg ⋅ dL−1 ⋅ h−1, P < 0.001) with higher insulin sensitivity (5.4 ± 3.2 vs. 4.6 ± 3.4, P ≤ 0.05), higher insulin secretion (2.1 ± 1.3 vs. 1.8 ± 1.3, P = 0.05), and better β-cell function (10.3 ± 7.8 vs. 6.0 ± 3.6, P < 0.001). Differences persisted after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the glycemic response to an OGTT may differentiate risk for type 2 diabetes in youth. This response may be an early marker of type 2 diabetes risk among high-risk youth.
Ghrelin mimics fasting to enhance human hedonic, orbitofrontal cortex, and hippocampal responses to food.

Background: Ghrelin, which is a stomach-derived hormone, increases with fasting and energy restriction and may influence eating behaviors through brain hedonic reward-cognitive systems. Therefore, changes in plasma ghrelin might mediate counter-regulatory responses to a negative energy balance through changes in food hedonics. Objective: We investigated whether ghrelin administration (exogenous hyperghrelinemia) mimics effects of fasting (endogenous hyperghrelinemia) on the hedonic response and activation of brain-reward systems to food. Design: In a crossover design, 22 healthy, nonobese adults (17 men) underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) food-picture evaluation task after a 16-h overnight fast (Fasted-Saline) or after eating breakfast 95 min before scanning (730 kcal, 14% protein, 31% fat, and 55% carbohydrate) and receiving a saline (Fed-Saline) or acyl ghrelin (Fed-Ghrelin) subcutaneous injection before scanning. One male subject was excluded from the fMRI analysis because of excess head motion, which left 21 subjects with brain-activation data. Results: Compared with the Fed-Saline visit, both ghrelin administration to fed subjects (Fed-Ghrelin) and fasting (Fasted-Saline) significantly increased the appeal of high-energy foods and associated orbitofrontal cortex activation. Both fasting and ghrelin administration also increased hippocampus activation to high-energy- and low-energy-food pictures. These similar effects of endogenous and exogenous hyperghrelinemia were not explicable by consistent changes in glucose, insulin, peptide YY, and glucagon-like peptide-1. Neither ghrelin administration nor fasting had any significant effect on nucleus accumbens, caudate, anterior insula, or amygdala activation during the food-evaluation task or on auditory, motor, or visual cortex activation during a control task. Conclusions: Ghrelin administration and fasting have similar acute stimulatory effects on hedonic responses and the activation of corticolimbic reward-cognitive systems during food evaluations. Similar effects of recurrent or chronic hyperghrelinemia on an anticipatory food reward may contribute to the negative impact of skipping breakfast on dietary habits and body weight and the long-term failure of energy restriction for weight loss.
Prevention of T2DM in women with a previous history of GDM

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a high risk of progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Risk factors are similar for GDM and T2DM and include, among others, obesity, family history, and ethnic background. GDM is also associated with the metabolic syndrome. Women with impaired glucose tolerance or "prediabetes" postpartum have the highest risk of progression. In women with impaired glucose tolerance, lifestyle modification or pharmacologic therapy may prevent or delay the onset of T2DM.
A theoretical analysis of the capacitance of muscle fibers using a distributed model of the tubular system.

A model is developed to predict the changes in total capacitance (i.e. total charge stored divided by surface membrane potential) of the tubular system of muscle fibers. The tubular system is represented as a punctated disc and the area of membrane across which current flows is represented as a punctated annulus, the capacitance of the muscle fiber being proportional to this area. The area can be determined from a distributed model of the tubular system, in which the only resistance to radial current flow is presumed to be in the lumen of the tubules. Calculations are made of the variation of capacitance expected as the conductivity of the bathing solution is varied. These calculations include the effects of fixed charge in the tubular lumen and the effects of changes in the shape and volume of the tubular system in solutions of low conductivity. The calculated results fail to fit comparable experimental data, although they do qualitatively account for the known variation of the radial spread of contraction with conductivity of the bathing medium. It is pointed out that the existence of a significant "access resistance" at the mouth of the tubules might explain the discrepancy between theory and experiment.
Simultaneous two-wavelength transmission quantitative phase microscopy with a color camera

Transmission-geometry quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) has been developed for three-dimensional measurement and characterization of a wide variety of transparent samples, such as transparent optical elements (e.g., microlens arrays) [1], optical fibers [2], and living cells [3,4]. This interferometric measurement of optical path delays (OPDs) provides quantitative contrast arising from both the physical height of the sample and its refractive index changes. While QPM provides diffractionlimited lateral resolution and nanometer-scale axial resolution of OPDs, the axial range over which the phase can be unambiguously determined is limited to 2π, which corresponds to one full wavelength of the illumination light. To solve the 2π ambiguities in the acquired phase profiles and determine the correct relative OPDs across a field of view, two-dimensional unwrapping algorithms are typically employed. Classic unwrapping algorithms are based on gradient minimization, which adds multiples of 2π at specific points in the phase map [5]. While these algorithms can accurately recover a smooth and slowly varying phase map, they frequently fail to accurately reconstruct objects containing a phase difference greater than π between adjacent image pixels. An alternative approach to overcoming the limitations of phase unwrapping is the use of multiple illumination wavelengths. By processing the phase profiles obtained from different wavelengths, it becomes possible to synthesize a single phase profile that is unambiguous over the range of the “beat” wavelength [6,7], which is larger than the unambiguous range that results from using a single wavelength independently. Because this approach is based on an analytical solution and not an iterative numerical method, two-wavelength phase unwrapping is particularly useful when classic unwrapping algorithms fail to correctly unwrap across sharp phase discontinuities.
Bayesian methods for simulation

This tutorial describes some ways that Bayesian methods address problems that arise during simulation studies. This includes quantifying uncertainty about input distributions and parameters, sensitivity analysis, and the selection of the best of several simulated alternatives. Focus is on illustrating the main ideas and their relevance to practical problems. Numerous citations for both introductory and more advanced material provide a launching pad into the Bayesian literature.
Effects of Disruption of Structure and Motion on Perceptions of Social Causality

Subjects viewed and wrote free response descriptions of one of four short video displays. These displays consisted of either the classic Heider and Simmel animated film or one of three versions of the film that had been altered with a digital special effects generator In these altered versions, either (a) dynamic aspects of the original film were disrupted but structural properties preserved, (b) structural aspects of the film were disrupted but dynamic properties preserve or (c) both structural and dynamic properties of the film were disrupted. Analyses of subjects' descriptions provided evidence that perceivers' strong inclinations to describe the original display in anthropomorphic terms are largely based on the patterns of motion that characterize the film.
Genetic variants in multidrug and toxic compound extrusion-1, hMATE1, alter transport function.

hMATE1 (human multidrug and toxin compound extrusion-1; encoded by SLC47A1) is thought to have an important function in the renal and hepatic elimination of drugs, endogenous compounds and environmental toxins. The goals of this study were to identify genetic variants of hMATE1 and to determine their effects on hMATE1 transport function. We identified four synonymous and six nonsynonymous, coding region variants in DNA samples from 272 individuals (68 Caucasians, 68 African Americans, 68 Asian Americans and 68 Mexican Americans). The overall prevalence of hMATE1 nonsynonymous variants was relatively low with three singleton variants and three variants having allele frequencies ≥2% in a specific ethnic group. The nonsynonymous hMATE1 variants were constructed and stably transfected into HEK-293 cells. Uptake studies using four known hMATE1 substrates (paraquat, metformin, tetraethylammonium and oxaliplatin) were performed in cells transfected with hMATE1 reference or variants. We found that two singleton variants, G64D and V480M, produced a complete loss of function for all four tested substrates whereas three polymorphic variants (allele frequencies ≥2%), L125F, V338I and C497S, significantly altered the transport function in a substrate-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy studies were consistent with functional studies suggesting that the altered function of the variants was due to altered localization to the plasma membrane. These data suggest that nonsynonymous variants in hMATE1 may alter drug disposition and ultimately affect clinical drug response.
Pericardial involvement at diagnosis in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

Background Because most cases are clinically silent, the incidence, clinical course, and outcome of pericardial involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma are unknown. Methods Records of all patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma treated at our institution between 1991 and 2004 were reviewed. Pericardial involvement was identified by computerized tomography (CT) as focal thickening or nodularity present at the time of diagnosis, and by echocardiography as pericardial effusion. Outcomes measured were incidence of pericardial involvement, relapse-free survival, and overall survival. Results Thirteen of 273 patients (5%) had pericardial involvement. All patients with pericardial involvement had nodular sclerosing tumors versus 183 of 260 patients without pericardial involvement (P = 0.02); 9 (67%) had a bulky mediastinal mass versus 27% (P = 0.002). Two patients required pericardial drainage to drain very large effusions (n = 2). Both patients were symptomatic with either shortness of breath or superior vena cava syndrome. In the 11 cases that did not undergo surgical drainage, the effusion resolved within days after starting chemotherapy. Two patients experienced distant relapse but underwent successful salvage therapy. All 13 patients remain alive and free of disease at a median follow-up of 9.7 years (range, 1.7–12.9 years) with normal cardiac function. Conclusions Pericardial involvement by lymphoma is usually asymptomatic unless accompanied by substantial pericardial effusion. In most cases, pericardial involvement resolves with treatment of the underlying malignancy, but close observation for hemodynamic complications is required. A symptomatic effusion, once treated, does not affect survival. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:666–671. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Blunt tracheobronchial injuries: treatment and outcomes.

Abstract Background . Tracheobronchial injury is a recognized, yet uncommon, result of blunt trauma to the thorax. Often the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, resulting in attempted surgical repair months or even years after the injury. This report is an extensive review of the literature on tracheobronchial ruptures that examines outcomes and their association with the time from injury to diagnosis. Methods . We reviewed all patients with blunt tracheobronchial injuries published in the literature to determine the anatomic location of the injury, mechanism of the injury, time until diagnosis and treatment, and outcome. Only patients with blunt intrathoracic tracheobronchial traumas were included. Results . We identified 265 patients reported between 1873 and 1996. Motor vehicle accidents were the most frequent mechanism of injury (59%). The overall mortality among reported patients has declined from 36% before 1950 to 9% since 1970. The injury occurred within 2 cm of the carina in 76% of patients, and 43% occurred within the first 2 cm of the right main bronchus. The proximity of the injury to the carina had no detectable effect on mortality. Injuries on the right side were treated sooner but were associated with a higher mortality than left-sided injuries. No association was detected between delay in treatment and successful repair of the injury; ninety percent of patients undergoing treatment more than 1 year after injury were repaired successfully. Conclusions . This review of patients with blunt tracheobronchial injuries represents the largest cohort studied to date. These data suggest an ability to repair tracheobronchial injuries successfully many months after they occur. We are also able to assess the mortality associated with the location and side of injury, examine the time from injury until diagnosis and treatment, and evaluate treatment outcome.
Localization of Period 1 mRNA in the ruminant oocyte and investigations of its role in ovarian function

The clock gene Period 1 (Per1) may be a prolificacy gene, because it localized to the mouse oocyte and Per1-null drosophila shed fewer eggs. Because Per1 mapped to a region of mouse chromosome 11 syntenic to bovine chromosome 19 where a quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ovulation rate existed, we hypothesized that Per1 influenced folliculogenesis and ovulation rate in ruminants. Ovarian cortex was collected at slaughter on days 5, 12, 15, 17, and 20 after estrus for real-time RT-PCR evaluation of Per1 mRNA expression in Dorset (n = 18), Romanov (n = 10), Romanov/Dorset (n = 21), and Composite (n = 22) ewes. Ovarian cortex was also collected from cows selected for increased ovulation rate (n=37) or unselected controls (n = 28) on days 4, 5, and 6 of the estrous cycle for in situ hybridization and real-time RT-PCR. To examine the role of Per1 in early follicular development, ovarian cortex from neonatal calves (n = 5) was cultured for 10 days and Per1 mRNA levels were measured on day 0 and on day 10 of culture. The primers generated a 483bp amplicon with 100% sequence homology to bovine RIGUI-like protein (Per1). In silico mapping of this sequence placed Per1 on bovine chromosome 19; however, it was 20cM from the QTL. Per1 mRNA expression was unaffected by prolificacy, day of the cycle, or pregnancy status in ewes or cows. The riboprobe hybridized to oocytes of bovine preantral and antral follicles. In bovine ovarian cortical cultures on day 0, the tissue contained mostly primordial follicles (5.6+/-0.6 follicles/section); however, after 10 days in culture, the number of primordial follicles per section decreased (0.5 follicles/section) and the number of primary follicles increased as follicles activated (day 0 = 0.5+/- 0.6 versus day 10 = 10.4 +/-0.6 primary follicles/section; P < 0.001). Per1 mRNA did not change over time in culture. We conclude that Per1 mRNA is expressed by ruminant oocytes in preantral and antral follicles; however, its physiological role in mammalian ovarian function remains to be elucidated.
Linguistic labels: conceptual markers or object features?

Linguistic labels affect inductive generalization; however, the mechanism underlying these effects remains unclear. According to one similarity-based model, SINC (similarity, induction, naming, and categorization), early in development labels are features of objects contributing to the overall similarity of compared entities, with early induction being similarity based. If this is the case, then not only identical but also phonologically similar labels may contribute to the overall similarity and thus to induction. These predictions were tested in a series of experiments with 5-year-olds and adults. In Experiments 1–5 participants performed a label extension task, whereas in Experiment 6 they performed a feature induction task. Results indicate that phonological similarity contributes to early induction and support the notion that for young children labels are features of objects.
Static gap erosion of Ag-CdO electrodes

The arc erosion behavior of Ag-CdO electrodes has been investigated by static gap discharge experiments. By recording the breakdown voltage of each discharge, and thus the interelectrode gap distance, the erosion depth was continuously monitored. Based on the experimental data and a simple model, the mechanisms of erosion at different levels of arc energy were identified. When struck by low-energy arcs, the electrode erosion was found to be mainly due to vaporization, but when struck by high-energy arcs the electrode erosion was by melting and ablation. The efficiency of erosion was estimated to be 0.003 to 0.009, which suggests that most of the arc energy is dissipated in the interelectrode atmosphere and by conduction into the electrodes, and that only a small fraction of the arc energy actually causes electrode erosion. >
Diagnostic Accuracy of Right Ventricular Dysfunction Markers in Normotensive Emergency Department Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Study objective We determine the diagnostic accuracy of goal-directed echocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, and computed tomography (CT) in early identification of severe right ventricular dysfunction in normotensive emergency department patients with pulmonary embolism compared with comprehensive echocardiography. Methods This was a prospective observational study of consecutive normotensive patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism. Investigators, blinded to clot burden and biomarkers, performed qualitative goal-directed echocardiography for right ventricular dysfunction: right ventricular enlargement (diameter greater than or equal to that of the left ventricle), severe right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and septal bowing. Brain natriuretic peptide and troponin cutoffs of greater than or equal to 90 pg/mL and greater than or equal to 0.07 ng/mL and CT right ventricular:left ventricular diameter ratio greater than or equal to 1.0 were also compared with comprehensive echocardiography. Results One hundred sixteen normotensive pulmonary embolism patients (111 confirmed by CT, 5 by ventilation-perfusion scan) were enrolled. Twenty-six of 116 patients (22%) had right ventricular dysfunction on comprehensive echocardiography. Goal-directed echocardiography had a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87% to 100%), specificity of 99% (95% CI 94% to 100%), positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of 90.0 (95% CI 16.3 to 499.8), and negative likelihood ratio (-LR) of 0 (95% CI 0 to 0.13). Brain natriuretic peptide had a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI 70% to 98%), specificity of 68% (95% CI 57% to 78%), +LR of 2.8 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.9), and -LR of 0.17 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.43). Troponin had a sensitivity of 62% (95% CI 41% to 80%), specificity of 93% (95% CI 86% to 98%), +LR of 9.2 (95% CI 4.1 to 20.9), and -LR of 0.41 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.62). CT had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 72% to 99%), specificity of 79% (95% CI 69% to 87%), +LR of 4.3 (95% CI 2.8 to 6.7), and -LR of 0.11 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.34). Conclusion Goal-directed echocardiography was highly accurate for early severe right ventricular dysfunction identification and pulmonary embolism risk-stratification. Brain natriuretic peptide was sensitive but less specific, whereas troponin had lower sensitivity but higher specificity. CT had good sensitivity and moderate specificity.
Bile acid synthesis in normal and hypophysectomized rats: a rate study using cholestyramine.

SummaryTwo sequences are involved in the elimination of tissue sterol via the bile acid pathway: the conversion of the sterols to bile acids, and the elimination of these bile acids from their pool. Since either of these could be rate-limiting, we investigated this point in normal and hypophysectomized rats. Cholestyramine (MK-135) was used to increase the turnover rate of the bile acid pool. Since the bile acid pool sizes did not decrease when faster turnover rates were induced, the rate of bile acid elimination and not the rate of conversion of liver sterols to bile acids was shown to be the rate-limiting sequence in both types of rats. It thus appears that thyroid, adrenal, gonadal or pituitary hormones do not directly influence the rate of conversion of sterols to bile acids in this species.We wish to thank Merck-Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories for a generous gift of chioles-tyramine.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Bosutinib

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative stem cell disorder. Bosutinib is an oral, once-daily SRC/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor with very potent inhibitory activity. Bosutinib is effective against all phases of intolerant or resistant Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML that do not harbor the T315I or V299LABL kinase domain mutations. Peak plasma concentrations of bosutinib occur at 4–6 h following oral administration, and dose-proportional increases in exposure are observed at doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg. Absorption of bosutinib increases with food. Bosutinib is distributed extensively into the tissues. It is highly plasma protein bound (94 %) and is primarily metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A4. Bosutinib is well tolerated overall and has a unique but manageable toxicity profile. This article provides a review of the available clinical pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and drug–drug interaction data on bosutinib in healthy subjects, patients with CML, and special populations.
Autoimmunity in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

Although at one time a perplexing paradox, coexistent autoimmunity and primary immunodeficiency now stand as two sides of the coin of immunologic dysregulation. In most of the monogenic defects that confer a primary B cell, T cell, or combined immunodeficiency, autoimmunity occurs primarily as a consequence of the impairment of one of more critical checkpoints in the development/maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance. Most importantly, all of these immunodeficiency disorders, even those that are monogenic, can be quite heterogeneous with regard to their clinical phenotype whether or not they are complicated by autoimmunity. Therefore, an understanding of the molecular basis for the nexus between autoimmunity and primary immunodeficiency must await the elucidation of the matrix of factors/mechanisms, which alter gene expression in ways that influence the emergence of these respective clinical phenotypes.
Vaginal Approach to Excise a Rare Paraurethral Leiomyoma

Leiomyomas are benign tumors of smooth muscle origin occurring throughout the genitourinary system. While leiomyomas in the uterus are frequently seen, urethral and paraurethral leiomyomas are extremely rare with a hand full of cases in the literature. Typically, periurethral leiomyomas can present with a mass protruding from the urethra originating from the proximal and posterior portion of the urethra. Herein, we present a new case of a paraurethral leiomyoma causing mass effect on the bladder leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with no gross involvement of the urethra.
Toward development of epigenetic drugs for central nervous system disorders: Modulating neuroplasticity via H3K4 methylation

The mammalian brain dynamically activates or silences gene programs in response to environmental input and developmental cues. This neuroplasticity is controlled by signaling pathways that modify the activity, localization, and/or expression of transcriptional-regulatory enzymes in combination with alterations in chromatin structure in the nucleus. Consistent with this key neurobiological role, disruptions in the fine-tuning of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation have emerged as a recurrent theme in studies of the genetics of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, environmental factors have been implicated in the increased risk of heterogeneous, multifactorial, neuropsychiatric disorders via epigenetic mechanisms. Aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene expression thus provides an attractive unifying model for understanding the complex risk architecture of mental illness. Here, we review emerging genetic evidence implicating dysregulation of histone lysine methylation in neuropsychiatric disease and outline advancements in small-molecule probes targeting this chromatin modification. The emerging field of neuroepigenetic research is poised to provide insight into the biochemical basis of genetic risk for diverse neuropsychiatric disorders and to develop the highly selective chemical tools and imaging agents necessary to dissect dynamic transcriptional-regulatory mechanisms in the nervous system. On the basis of these findings, continued advances may lead to the validation of novel, disease-modifying therapeutic targets for a range of disorders with aberrant chromatin-mediated neuroplasticity.
Sustainability and the politics of calculation: technologies of 'safe water,' subject-making, and domination

This paper critically examines sustainability as an ideology that gives meaning to processes of domination occurring through the operations of treated water systems in Inupiaq villages in Alaska's Northwest. The implementation of neoliberal sustainability policies shapes social relations around water, establishes particular forms of 'expert' knowledge, erases experiences of water insecurity, and renders moot local opposition to charging for water. Throughout, treated 'safe water' is signified as a scarce commodity; its production requiring full cost recovery through practices of calculation that discipline Inupiaq citizens as consumers. This paper provides a case study for understanding some of the processes of domination through which the commodification of water occurs, and how local people who otherwise oppose these processes may nonetheless become drawn into practices of calculation and domination in an attempt to meet state-defined sustainability requirements. Key words: Sustainability, water insecurity, domination, Alaska Natives
CUDA and OpenCL implementations of 3D CT reconstruction for biomedical imaging

Biomedical image reconstruction applications with large datasets can benefit from acceleration. Graphic Processing Units(GPUs) are particularly useful in this context as they can produce high fidelity images rapidly. An image algorithm to reconstruct conebeam computed tomography(CT) using two dimensional projections is implemented using GPUs. The implementation takes slices of the target, weighs the projection data and then filters the weighted data to backproject the data and create the final three dimensional construction. This is implemented on two types of hardware: CPU and a heterogeneous system combining CPU and GPU. The CPU codes in C and MATLAB are compared with the heterogeneous versions written in CUDA-C and OpenCL. The relative performance is tested and evaluated on a mathematical phantom as well as on mouse data.
A generalized bilinear amplitude and frequency approximation for piecewise-linear nonlinear systems with gaps or prestress

Analysis of piecewise-linear nonlinear dynamical systems is critical for a variety of civil, mechanical, and aerospace structures that contain gaps or prestress that are caused by cracks, delamination, joints or interfaces among components. Recently, a technique referred to as bilinear amplitude approximation (BAA) was developed to estimate the response of bilinear systems that have no gap or prestress. The method is based on an idea that the dynamics of a bilinear system can be treated as a combination of linear responses in two time intervals both of which the system behaves as a distinct linear system: (1) the open state and (2) the closed or sliding state. Both geometric and momentum constraints are then applied as compatibility conditions between the states to couple the linear vibrational response for each time interval. In order to estimate the response for more general cases where there are either gaps or prestress in the system, a generalized BAA method is proposed in this paper. The new method requires inclusion of contact stiffness and damping to model contact behavior in the sliding state, and new equilibrium positions for each state to establish proper coordinates. The new method also finds the bilinear frequency of the system, which cannot be computed using the bilinear frequency approximation method previously developed since that method is only accurate for the zero gap and no prestress case. The generalized BAA method is demonstrated on a single degree of freedom system, a three degree of freedom system, and a cracked cantilever beam model for various gap sizes and prestress levels.
Microfinance in India, Indonesia, and the United States: Implications for social work:

This study explores the relevance of microfinance to social work in India, Indonesia, and the United States. Interviews with microfinance practitioners and social work educators and a comparison of...
The cervical spine can be cleared without MRI after blunt trauma:A retrospective review of a single level 1 trauma center experience over 8 years.

Abstract Background The newest CT scanners provide resolution comparable to MRIs leading many to question when and whether cervical spine MRIs are warranted. Methods An 8 year retrospective review identified 241 patients who underwent CT scan and MRI of the cervical spine. The initial clinical examination, cervical spine CT scan, and cervical spine MRI were compared to identify cervical spine injuries that would have been missed had the MRI not been performed. Results The CT scans were normal in 153 patients, and abnormal in 88. Of the 88 abnormal CT scans, the MRIs were abnormal in 65, and normal in the other 23. The indications for MRI in patients with normal CT scans were neck pain, an abnormal neurologic examination, and/or altered mental status. Of the 13 patients with abnormal MRIs, none were pain free with a normal clinical examination. Conclusion In the absence of focal signs of neurologic injury, the cervical spine can be cleared without a clinical exam or MRI if the cervical CT scan does not demonstrate injury or abnormality.
System performance enhancement with thread suspension for simultaneous multi-threading processors

Simultaneous Multi-Threading systems improve performance by allowing multiple independent threads to be executed concurrently with shared key resources. Unfair sharing of resources among multiple t...
Effect of Atrial Peptides on the Adrenal Cortex

earlier studies on the control of aldosterone secretion suggested that an inhibitory system also regulates secretion. In 1958 Mills et al. (22) reported increased aldosterone secretion in dogs during constriction of the inferior vena cava; when the constriction was released, the aldosterone secretion rate fell below the basal level. Resection of the cervical vagi did not affect the increase in secretion but prevented the decrease. In 1959 Anderson et al. (2) reported that stretching of the right atria inhibited aldosterone secretion in the dog. Other studies (11, 16) also supported an inhibitory system of aldosterone production. Through the years this inhibition was thought to be due to an unknown central reflex mechanism.
USE OF FINGERSTICK BLOOD COLLECTION FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD ARSENIC

Background and Aims: In Bangladesh millions of people are exposed to naturally occurring arsenic concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization’s standard of 10 μg/L (Ahmed et al 2006). Rec...
GENDER DISPARITIES IN PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES OF SPORTS-RELATED CONCUSSION PATIENTS:

BackgroundPatient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scales have been utilized to assess symptoms in a variety of medical conditions but have not been previously examined in ...
Teaching in the ICU

The complexity of the intensive care unit (ICU) environment provides ample opportunity for teaching learners. The challenge lies in tailoring different teaching methods to an audience with a varying knowledge base. This chapter aims to address teaching learners throughout their ICU experience. The reader will discover how to set the stage with an orientation, to find teaching moments at and away from the bedside, and to give individual as well as team feedback.
Major Depressive Disorder in Primary Care: Strategies for Identification

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting more than 300 million people of all ages globally, and is now the leading cause of disability. Despite the availability of effective psychological and pharmacologic treatments, depression recognition and treatment rates remain low. Clinicians can improve the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of depression by using a measurement-based care approach. The systematic use of validated screening tools can improve recognition and diagnosis. The US Preventive Services Task force recommends routine screening of depression in adults and adolescents as long as systems are in place for accurate diagnosis, treatment initiation, and appropriate follow-up. Here, tools and diagnostic criteria are described.
Secrets of the Vikings

Neil Price9s latest book, Children of Ash and Elm, brings together multiple themes from previous scholarship and provides a narrative overview of new scholarship—which now spans disciplines from geoscience to saga studies—to provide previously untold stories and insightful perspectives on the Viking people.
Creating a More Inclusive Boston Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail: An Intersectional Approach to Empowering Social Justice And Equality

This article is a form of activist archaeology in taking a feminist intersectional approach to suggest additional information and sites to increase the inclusiveness of Boston’s Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail. First a critical feminist approach is taken to analyze the biases of these trails. Critique of the dominance of elite white heterosexual men in Freedom Trail sites is needed to open the space for more inclusive intersectional information. The inclusion of more information about Native American men and women is suggested for existing sites on the Freedom Trail, and a statue commemorating their settlements in the area. Inclusion of more information about women of various intersectionalities is suggested for existing sites on the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail, as well as some additional women’s sites from the Boston Women’s Heritage Trails and survey of over 120 women’s public institutions in Boston. Inclusion of greater ethnic diversity is suggested with the addition of information from the Irish Heritage Trail and the addition of sites from Jewish heritage trails. Inclusion at existing Freedom Trail sites of information about non-heterosexuals is suggested from Boston’s Equality Trail.
Psychophysiological correlates of anxious apprehension: Trait worry is associated with startle response to threat.

Abstract Worry is a form of repetitive negative thought that is closely associated with anxiety disorders. Worry has been described as anxious apprehension and conceptualized as reflecting heightened anticipation of potentially threatening future events. However, it is unclear whether people who tend to worry show heightened physiological reactivity when anticipating threat, especially if the threat is uncertain. In the current study, community participants (n = 52) completed a threat anticipation task featuring uncertain threat, certain threat, and safety while the startle response to auditory probes was measured. Self-reported tendency to worry was assessed using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and anxiety disorder status was assessed via a clinical interview. A repeated-measures general linear model showed a main effect of threat level on the startle response, as well as a significant three-way interaction among threat level, worry, and anxiety disorder status. Follow-up tests showed that higher worry was associated with blunted startle responses to threat but particularly to uncertain threat among participants with a history of anxiety disorders. Worry did not moderate startle responding in participants without a history of anxiety disorders. These results indicate that psychophysiological correlates of worry depend on clinical status and suggest that trait worry is associated with physiological blunting to threat in individuals with a history of anxiety disorders, particularly when threat is uncertain. Implications for theoretical models of worry are discussed.
On the Computational Complexity of the Secure State-Reconstruction Problem.

In this paper, we discuss the computational complexity of reconstructing the state of a linear system from sensor measurements that have been corrupted by an adversary. The first result establishes that the problem is, in general, NP-hard. We then introduce the notion of eigenvalue observability and show that the state can be reconstructed in polynomial time when each eigenvalue is observable by at least $2s+1$ sensors and at most $s$ sensors are corrupted by an adversary. However, there is a gap between eigenvalue observability and the possibility of reconstructing the state despite attacks - this gap has been characterized in the literature by the notion of sparse observability. To better understand this, we show that when the $\mathbf{A}$ matrix of the linear system has unitary geometric multiplicity, the gap disappears, i.e., eigenvalue observability coincides with sparse observability, and there exists a polynomial time algorithm to reconstruct the state provided the state can be reconstructed.