cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The South Carolina Statewide Perinatal Information System

Clearly, the statewide system is fully integrated into the management of the neonates who constitute the majority of the high risk babies in South Carolina. Development of the system has resulted in statewide practice standards and a management and outcome reporting system. The data base and reports form an essential element in our resident and student training programs. A mechanism has been established that will permit the evaluation of quality of care and identification of areas needing improvement. This should result in improved patient management.Of major importance is the simple data form which reflects, for the most part, clinical outcome. A more complex system would have made the development of a statewide system for South Carolina most difficult. In addition, the information system is not stagnant or constrained to just those areas so far developed. It is in a constant state of revision in order to respond to the needs of the hospitals and the expectations of the programs that support the Informat...
MEDICIÓN DEL COMERCIO INTRAINDUSTRIAL NO MAQUILADOR DE MÉXICO

E l proposito de este articulo es la medicion de los indices bilaterales de comercio intraindustrial de la industria manufacturera no maquiladora de Mexico en el marco del Tratado de Libre Comercio de America del Norte (TLCAN) para periodo 1994-2006. En este trabajo se sostiene la pertinencia de aislar el contenido del componente maquilador de los flujos de comercio exterior, ya que este corresponde a un intercambio de bienes en diversas etapas de produccion, mientras que el comercio intraindustrial se analiza y cuantifica como el comercio de bienes que pertenecen a una misma etapa productiva. Asimismo, se estiman los indices de comercio intraindustrial marginales y se verifica si el TLCAN ha sido util para fomentar un comercio de doble via. En ese entendido, se ofrece una medicion ajustada de los indices considerando ademas la diferenciacion respecto de su naturaleza horizontal y vertical. Se comprueba que el comercio bilateral mexicano ha sido basicamente vertical y se ha concentrado en un reducido numero de sectores industriales. Todo ello cuestiona los efectos positivos esperados de un entorno de integracion comercial.
Feature matching from SAR Arctic data using neural networks

Matching sea ice features consists of recognizing the same features of ice in two different images. Feature matching can be used as a tool in different applications, like ice motion tracking, assisting in feature classification, and determining temporal changes of ice features. The authors describe how they use neural networks to compare different features and decide how likely they are to be the same. A backpropagation neural network was trained to determine how closely different features match, considering possible deformations. The input to the network is the contour of each feature. Different input patterns were studied, and a pixel grid representation of the features contour is shown to yield better results than a chain code representation. A database containing ice features from different images was used as an implementation tool for extracting the desired data. The efficiency of using such a database for extracting data from sea ice features is shown and some details are given about its implementation. The effectiveness of the neural network in matching features in different images over time is demonstrated and its applications on tracking ice motion and assisting on features classification is explained. >
OEIS complex associated with chromosome 1p36 deletion: A case report and review

OEIS complex (Omphalocele, Exstrophy of the cloaca, Imperforate anus, and Spine abnormalities) is a rare defect with estimated incidence of 1 in 200,000 live births. Most cases are sporadic, with no obvious cause. However, it has been rarely reported in patients with family members having similar malformations or with chromosomal anomalies. In addition, OEIS complex has been observed in association with environmental exposures, twinning, and in vitro fertilization. Monosomy 1p36 is the most common terminal deletion syndrome, with a prevalence of 1 in 5,000 newborns. It is characterized by specific facial features, developmental delay, and heart, skeletal, genitourinary, and neurological defects. We describe an infant with OEIS complex and 1p36 deletion who had features of both disorders, including omphalocele, cloacal exstrophy, imperforate anus, sacral multiple segmentation, renal malposition and malrotation, genital anomalies, diastasis of the symphysis pubis, microbrachycephaly, large anterior fontanel, cardiac septal defects, rib fusion, a limb deformity, developmental delay, and typical facial features. Chromosomal microarray analysis detected a 2.4 Mb terminal deletion of chromosome 1p. This is the first reported case with OEIS complex in association with a chromosome 1p36 deletion.
Sex, Color, and Rites of Passage In Ethnographic Research

The process of ethnographic research is a rite de passage series of transitions into deeper levels of experience and knowledge. Arnold van Gennep's familiar typology of preliminal rites of separation, liminal rites of transition, and postliminal rites of incorporation, permits detection of a more latent pattern structuring the experiences to which ethnographic researchers may be routinely subjected. During ethnographic research we must learn to recognize the subtle, invariant patterning of the seemingly random transition experiences sometimes offered us—or risk remaining liminal strangers. This paper describes the impact of color and sex on the liminal stage of transition during ethnographic research by illustrating the varying degrees of entry permitted me into a male carpentry and boat building host group in the British West Indies, and a female school teacher host group in the midwestern United States. Van Gennep's typology, while potentially quite useful, does not acknowledge that, during ethnographic...
Are Sexual and Emotional Infidelity Equally Upsetting to Men and Women? Making Sense of Forced-Choice Responses

Forced-choice measures that assess reactions to imagined sexual and emotional infidelity are ubiquitous in studies testing the Jealousy as a Specific Innate Module (JSIM) model. One potential problem with such measures is that they fail to identify respondents who find both forms of infidelity equally upsetting. To examine this issue, an experiment was conducted in which two groups of participants imagined a romantic infidelity after which participants in the first group used a traditional forced-choice measure to indicate whether they found sexual or emotional infidelity more upsetting. Participants in the second group instead used a modified forced-choice measure that allowed them also to indicate whether they found both forms of infidelity equally upsetting. Consistent with previous research, those given the traditional forced-choice measure tended to respond in a manner that supported the JSIM model. However, the majority of participants given the modified measure indicated that both forms of infidelity were equally upsetting.
Nonlinear Baroclinic Adjustment and Wavenumber Selection in a Simple Case

Abstract The process of baroclinic equilibration in the atmosphere is investigated using a high-resolution two-layer quasigeostrophic model in a β-plane channel. One simple channel geometry is investigated for which only two zonal waves are initially unstable, with the shorter being linearly more unstable but nonlinearly less effective. It is discovered that the mechanism of nonlinear baroclinic adjustment, formerly proposed by Cehelsky and Tung, including a nonlinear wavenumber selection process, can explain the equilibration at all levels of forcing for this case. At small forcings the most unstable wave dominates the heat flux, consistent with the quasi-linear equilibration of Stone’s simple baroclinic adjustment. At high forcings the longer, less unstable wave dominates, and the equilibration involves both quasi-linear dynamics by this dominant wave and nonlinear transfer from the shorter to the longer wave. For intermediate forcings there is a transition between the low and high regimes; no single wa...
Perinatal Thyroid Dysfunction: Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid diseases affect up to 10% of women, but most respond well to treatment. During pregnancy, however, normal metabolic changes may obscure pathology, and improper management may harm the fetus. Tests for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, and free triiodothyronine are essential. Generally, high TSH values suggest primary hypothyroidism, while suppressed levels indicate hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is commonly manifested by goiter, ophthalmopathy, proximal muscle weakness, tachycardia, and weight loss or inability to gain weight. Among women, the most common etiology of thyroid disease is thyroid autoimmunity (Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis); affected women are at an increased risk of postpartum thyroid dysfunction. Women who have Graves' disease diagnosed during pregnancy typically have a history of hyperthyroidism symptoms antedating conception, and occasionally thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins may be elevated enough to induce fetal hyperthyroidism. Women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically are euthyroid but may be hypothyroid with diffuse goiter; diagnosis is confirmed by elevated levels of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies or antimicrosomal antibodies. Other forms of thyroid dysfunction include benign or malignant nodules and hyperemesis gravidarum. Hypothyroidism typically is treated with levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidism is treated with antithyroid drugs. The goal is to avoid overdosage of medication, which could cause goiter and/or hypothyroidism in the fetus.
MEASURING AN ERUPTIVE PROMINENCE AT LARGE DISTANCES FROM THE SUN. II. APPROACHING 1 AU

The physical properties of eruptive prominences are unknown at large distances from the Sun. They are rarely, if ever, measured by in situ spacecraft and until recently our ability to measure them beyond the fields of view of solar imagers has been severely limited. The data quality of heliospheric imaging has reached a point where some quantitative measurements of prominences are now possible. I present the first such measurements of a bright prominence continually out to distances of around 1 AU from the Sun. This work follows on from the preparatory work presented in an accompanying paper, which showed that that the brightness of a prominence can be safely assumed to arise entirely from Thomson scattering in the STEREO/HI fields of view. Measurements of distance, speed, and mass are provided along with those from its accompanying coronal mass ejection (CME) to demonstrate their geometric, kinematic, and mass relationships. I find that the prominence travels with a slower speed than that of the CME, but its location relative to the CME structure does not conform to the expected location for basic geometric expansion. Further, the mass of the prominence was found to decrease by around an order of magnitude while that of the CME increased by an order of magnitude across the same distance.
Genre Independent Subgroup Detection in Online Discussion Threads: A Study of Implicit Attitude using Textual Latent Semantics

We describe an unsupervised approach to the problem of automatically detecting subgroups of people holding similar opinions in a discussion thread. An intuitive way of identifying this is to detect the attitudes of discussants towards each other or named entities or topics mentioned in the discussion. Sentiment tags play an important role in this detection, but we also note another dimension to the detection of people’s attitudes in a discussion: if two persons share the same opinion, they tend to use similar language content. We consider the latter to be an implicit attitude. In this paper, we investigate the impact of implicit and explicit attitude in two genres of social media discussion data, more formal wikipedia discussions and a debate discussion forum that is much more informal. Experimental results strongly suggest that implicit attitude is an important complement for explicit attitudes (expressed via sentiment) and it can improve the sub-group detection performance independent of genre.
Synthesis and thermodynamic study of transition metal ion (Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) exchanged zeolites A and Y

Transition metal cations (Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) containing zeolites A and Y were synthesized by ion exchange and their thermochemistry was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and high temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The enthalpies of formation from oxides for Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn zeolites A range from 14.0 ± 1.3 to 67.6 ± 5.5 kJ mol−1 and those for Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn zeolites Y range from 8.0 ± 2.0 to 32.6 ± 1.8 kJ mol−1. All these zeolites are thus metastable with respect to oxide components and to other dense phases. The formation enthalpies of Mn and Zn exchanged zeolites A and Y are less endothermic than those of corresponding Co and Cu exchanged A and Y. These energetics are consistent with metal oxygen bond lengths and related to crystal field effects of transition metal ions. Similar thermodynamic trends have been seen in transition metal containing spinel, olivine and pyroxene materials. The enthalpies of exchange of transition metals in zeolites A and Y with sodium in aqueous solution are calculated and suggest that these zeolites could be reasonably effective sorbents for heavy metal waste.
The Fertilization-Reaction in Echinarachnius Parma. VIII. Fertilization in Dilute sea-Water

The writer has shown,2 by means of experiments made in 1920 at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass., that a given dilution of sea-water with tap water which leaves the uninseminated egg of Echinarachnius parma intact is rapidly injurious to the inseminated egg during its process of membrane separation. After membrane separation the egg is likewise resistant to the action of the dilute sea-water. Certain experiments were also made during the same season to learn if it is possible to procure fertilization and development in diluted sea-water to which the inseminated egg during membrane separation is susceptible. These experiments were repeated during May and June of the I92I season at the laboratory with essentially the same results. In experiments made to discover if in a given dilution of seawater, which is injurious to the inseminated egg of Echinarachnius during the period of membrane separation, it is possible to fertilize the egg, it was soon apparent that cleavage and normal gastrulation are not possible in a dilution which permits membrane separation. Thus during the period June 21 to June 28, I92I, inclusive, eggs from twenty-four females were inseminated in normal sea-water and in sea-water of varying dilutions. In all cases due precautions were taken as to the bulk of eggs, quantity of solution, and density of the sperm suspensions used in order that as far as possible conditions be made uniform. The results obtained with 95 per cent. sea-watef (95 parts sea-water plus 5 parts tap water) and the dilutions ranging from this to 80 per cent. sea-water (80 parts sea-water plus 20 parts tap water) may be
All-optical digital 4 × 2 encoder based on 2D photonic crystal ring resonators

The photonic crystals draw significant attention to build all-optical logic devices and are considered one of the solutions for the opto-electronic bottleneck via speed and size. The paper presents a novel optical 4 × 2 encoder based on 2D square lattice photonic crystals of silicon rods. The main realization of optical encoder is based on the photonic crystal ring resonator NOR gates. The proposed structure has four logic input ports, two output ports, and two bias input port. The photonic crystal structure has a square lattice of silicon rods with a refractive index of 3.39 in air. The structure has lattice constant ‘a’ equal to 630 nm and bandgap range from 0.32 to 044. The total size of the proposed 4 × 2 encoder is equal to 35 μm × 35 μm. The simulation results using the dimensional finite difference time domain and Plane Wave Expansion methods confirm the operation and the feasibility of the proposed optical encoder for ultrafast optical digital circuits.
Magnetic nanoclusters exhibiting protein-activated near-infrared fluorescence.

Composite nanoclusters with chemical, magnetic, and biofunctionality offer broad opportunities for targeted cellular imaging. A key challenge is to load a high degree of targeting, imaging, and therapeutic functionality onto stable metal-oxide nanoparticles. Here we report a route for producing magnetic nanoclusters (MNCs) with alkyne surface functionality that can be utilized as multimodal imaging probes. We form MNCs composed of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and poly(acrylic acid-co-propargyl acrylate) by the co-precipitation of iron salts in the presence of copolymer stabilizers. The MNCs were surface-modified with near-infrared (NIR) emitting fluorophore used in photodynamic therapy, an azide-modified indocyanine green. The fluorophores engaged and complexed with bovine serum albumin, forming an extended coverage of serum proteins on the MNCs. These proteins isolated indocyanine green fluorophores from the aqueous environment and induced an effective “turn-on” of NIR emission.
The Feasibility of a Semiconductor-Laser Glucose-Detection System for Insulin-Pump Therapy

A potentially implantable semiconductor-laser-based sensor is demonstrated to be feasible for glucose detection at concentrations found in the human blood. In the system, the monochromatic, linearly polarized light from a diode laser is directed into an external cavity with a second diode laser at the far end. The cavity is filled with a glucose solution of varying physiological concentrations. The interference of the rotated, polarized light from the first diode laser with that of the second laser is monitored by a photodiode, forming an optoelectronic pair with the first diode laser. A variation in glucose concentration of 0.1 to 0.3 g/dl results in a 5% variation in the photodiode current. This variation is sufficient to provide feedback to an insulin pump.
An androgenic basis for the sexual difference in L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis in rats.

SummaryHypophysectomy or castration of male rats results in a diminution of biosynthetic enzymic activities and tissue concentrations of ascorbic acid to levels characteristic of females. The data support the hypothesis that the sexual difference in tissue concentration of ascorbic acid in intact rats is dependent upon a difference in the rate of hepatic biosynthesis. The sexual difference in hepatic enzymic activities is interpreted to be dependent upon testicular secretion of androgens.
Analysis of coincident L-band radiometer and radar measurements with respect to soil moisture and vegetation conditions

Active and passive microwave remote sensing data offer complementary information on the properties of the observed scene. This study investigates the relationship of L-band radiometer and radar sig...
Bridge to diagnosis: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a child with interstitial lung disease secondary to clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis

Abstract Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM), a subtype of dermatomyositis (DM), is characterized as having the classic cutaneous manifestations of DM but with little or no evidence of myositis. The presence of anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (anti-MDA-5) autoantibodies, in the setting of CADM, is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD). The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with RPILD has been well described in adults, but not in children. Herein we present a 14-year old patient with interstitial lung disease, initially of unknown etiology, whom we supported with ECMO in the acute phase of her illness for nearly two months during which the diagnosis of anti-MDA-5 dermatomyositis was established.
Effects of Jinggangmycin on the growth and development of Rhizoctonia solani Kühn causal agent of rice sheath blight

The effects of Jinggangmycin on the growth and development of Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn causal agent of rice sheath blight,were investigated by using a virulent isolate GD-118 of R.solani as the test isolate.The results showed that the regression equation for Jinggangmycin toxicity to R.solani was: y=3.360 3+1.320 4x,correlation coefficient r=0.962 6,the EC50 for theoretical inhibition of mycelial growth was 70.2 μg/mL,and the EC95 was 6 341.5 μg/mL.In regarding to cultural characteristics and mycelial growth,compared with blank control(without Jinggangmycin),the colonies of Jinggangmycin treatments had relatively obvious characteristics of uneven edges with more dense mycelia and darkened colour in the plate;with the increase of Jinggangmycin concentrations,the dry weight of mycelia decreased,but the mycelial density on colony surface increased and the colour of colony darkened further.In regarding to sclerotial shape and distribution in the plate,the granular and brown sclerotia scattered on the colony surface of blank control,with more in the periphery and a few in the interior relatively;whereas most sclerotia in Jinggangmycin treatments were powdery,light brown,or a part of the sclerotia coalesced together to form blocks,distributed in the periphery of colony with obvious double rings and anomalous concave or convex edges.In addition,with the increase of Jinggangmycin concentrations,the dry weight of sclerotia increased,the emergence of sclerotia were about 24 h earlier than that of blank control.In regarding to the numbers of mycelial cell nuclei,with the increase of Jinggangmycin concentrations,the numbers of cell nuclei and their distribution in the plate increased abnormally.
Parsimony and complexity: Cell fate assignment in the developing Drosophila eye.

ABSTRACTThe specification of the R7 photoreceptor in the Drosophila eye has become a classic model for understanding how cell fates are assigned in developing systems. R7 is derived from a group of cells that also gives rise to the R1/6 photoreceptor class and the non-photoreceptor cone cells. Our studies examine the signals and cellular information that direct each of these cell types. The cell fates are directed by the combined actions of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) and Notch (N) signaling pathways. The RTK pathway acts to remove the transcription factor Tramtrack (Ttk) which represses the photoreceptor fate. If a cell receives an RTK signal sufficient to remove Ttk then the photoreceptor fate is specified; if not, the cone cell fate results. If Ttk is removed from a cell and its N activity is high then it is specified as an R7, but if its N activity is low then it becomes an R1/6 class photoreceptor. Thus, a remarkably simple molecular code underlies the specification of the fates: 1. Ttk degrad...
The impact of the 2007 graduated driver licensing law in Massachusetts on the rate of citations and licensing in teenage drivers.

Abstract Objective We recently demonstrated that the 2007 Massachusetts Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) law decreased the rate of motor vehicle crashes in teenage drivers. To better understand this decrease, we sought to examine the law's impact on the issuance of driving licenses and traffic citations to teenage drivers. Methods Citation and license data were obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Census data were obtained from the Census Data Center. Two study periods were defined: pre-GDL (2002–2006) and post-GDL (2007–2012). Two populations were defined: the study population (aged 16–17) and the control population (aged 25–29). The rates of licenses per population were compared pre- vs. post-GDL for the study group. The numbers of total, state, and local citations per population were compared pre- vs. post-GDL for both populations. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the rates of citations using licenses issued as a denominator. Results While licenses per population obtained by the study group decreased over the entire period, there was no change in the rate of decrease per year pre- vs. post-GDL (2.0% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.6392). In the study population, total, state, and local citations decreased post-GDL (17.8% vs. 8.1%, p Conclusions The 2007 GDL law in Massachusetts was associated with fewer traffic citations without a change in the rate of licenses issued to teenagers. These findings suggest that 2007 GDL may be improving driving habits as opposed to motivating teenagers to delay the issuing of licenses.
The effect of guided reflection on heart failure self-care maintenance and management: A mixed methods study

Abstract Objective Evaluate the effect of structured, guided reflection on patient descriptions of self-care maintenance and management. Background Inadequate HF self-care behaviors are linked to hospitalizations. Symptom monitoring and recognition are precursors to adequate HF self-care. Reflection on actions taken during HF exacerbations may lead to insights and future changes in HF self-care maintenance and management. Methods One-group mixed method pre-test/post-test design. Following cognitive screening, self-care maintenance and management was measured prior to the intervention at a home visit one-week after hospital discharge, and one-month post intervention. Qualitative data consisted of audiotaped individual interviews with participants, field notes and reflective diaries kept by patients. Results The results ( N = 10) demonstrate large effect sizes and increases in self-care maintenance (69.9 vs 79.6, d = 1.04) and management (47.2 vs 63.9, d = 2.53) scores after intervention. Eight themes emerged from the data that reflected the HF participant’s experience of self-care. Reflection evoked emotions around concerns for family and mortality. Participants linked symptoms experienced with contextual factors which facilitated discussion about changing future actions. Conclusions Purposeful reflection may be necessary for the development of self-care. Guided reflection on previous actions that includes contextual considerations may also play a role in enhancing self-care management by allowing the person to more fully understand the illness experience.
The Combined Use of Input Shaping and Nonlinear Vibration Absorbers

Abstract Systems that exhibit flexible dynamics are susceptible to vibration caused by changes in the reference command, as well as, from external disturbances. Feedback control is an obvious choice to deal with these vibrations, but in many cases it is insufficient. Input shaping has proven very beneficial for reducing vibration that is caused by changes in the reference command. However, input shaping does not deal with vibration induced by external disturbances. On the other hand, vibration absorbers are an open-loop method that have long been used to decrease vibration from external sources, particularly sinusoidal disturbances. In this paper, non linear vibration absorbers are designed to reduce vibration from step disturbances. Furthermore, input shaping is combined with the absorbers in order to deal with the vibration induced by the reference command. The usefulness of this combined approach for dealing with both external and reference command disturbances is demonstrated with computer simulations.
Solving Social Problems Through Social Entrepreneurship: Promise or “Just” Promises?

Market mechanisms are increasingly being used to address social problems which were formerly the domain of public and civil society initiatives. Among them, social entrepreneurship – broadly unders...
Geographical Aspects of Mortality and Morbidity Data in Hungary: A GIS Analysis

Within the framework of the National Environmental Health Action Programme of Hungary (NEHAP) (Pinter 1996) a health environmental geographic information system (HEGIS) has been developed in the National Institute of Environmental Health. The aim of this system was to evaluate the association between health and environmental data, in order to track spatial and temporal changes and thus to provide a basis for planning of health risk reduction and intervention programmes (Gordon and Womersley 1997).
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Variation in the Posterior Communicating Collaterals of the Circle of Willis.

Variation in blood flow mediated by the posterior communicating collateral arteries (PComs) contributes to variation in the severity of tissue injury in obstructive disease. Evidence in animals and humans indicates that differences in the extent of PComs, i.e., their anatomic lumen diameter and whether they are present bilaterally, unilaterally, or absent, are a major factor. These differences arise during development since they are present at birth. However, the causal mechanisms are unknown. We used angiography after maximal dilation to examine involvement of genetic, environmental, and stochastic factors. The extent of PComs varied widely among seven genetically diverse strains of mice. Like pial collaterals in the microcirculation, aging and hypertension reduced PCom diameter, while in contrast, obesity, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus had no effect. Naturally occurring intrauterine growth restriction had no effect on extent of PCom or pial collaterals in the adult. The number and diameter of PComs evidenced much larger apparent stochastic-dependent variation than pial collaterals. In addition, both PComs underwent flow-mediated outward remodeling after unilateral permanent MCA occlusion that varied with genetic background and was greater on the ipsilesional side. These findings indicate that variation in the number and diameter of PCom collateral arteries arises from stochastic factors and naturally occurring genetic variants that differ from those that cause variation in pial collateral arterioles. Environmental factors also contribute: aging and hypertension reduce PCom diameter. Our results suggest possible sources of variation of PComs in humans and provide information relevant when studying mouse models of occlusive cerebrovascular disease.
Some Comparative Perspectives on the Ecology and Habitats of Sarcodina

The attached sarcodines, living on terrestrial or aquatic surfaces, are especially favorable subjects for the study of ecological niches. The organisms are sufficiently restricted in their movement, and the environmental surfaces are adequately stable to permit periodic observations of the same group of organisms and their response to changes in the environment. Planktonic organisms, carried by currents, are less easily periodically examined due to their constantly changing location. Moreover, the possibility of mixing with other groups of planktonic organisms due to changes in current and turbulence effects must be taken into account when analyzing niches. The concept of niche is widely used by ecologists, but not always with the same meaning. We will use niche to mean the biological response and accommodation of an organism to the range of environmental and biotic factors that determine its distribution within an ecosystem. In broader perspective, the niche of an organism includes its biological activity (eg, diversity of prey, efficiency of food assimilation, tolerance to variations in temperature, salinity, pH, and E h ) in response to environmental constraints and potentials that determine the geographical range and success of an organism in space and time. In practical terms, one can seldom assess all potential parameters that define a species’ niche. Typically, several key factors are identified (as for example, temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen abundance, and available carbon for nourishment) and their range for a species is determined.
Clinical pharmacokinetics of gabapentin

Pharmacokinetic properties are important to consider in evaluating the usefulness of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Gabapentin is a new, water-soluble, antiepileptic agent with properties of an amino acid. This drug is rapidly absorbed and exhibits dose-dependent bioavailability as a result of a saturable transport mechanism. Plasma concentrations are essentially proportional to dosages up to 1,800 mg daily, which is the highest dosage used in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Gabapentin is not protein-bound. A high volume of distribution indicates greater concentration in tissue than in plasma. It is not metabolized and does not induce hepatic enzymes or inhibit metabolism of other antiepileptic drugs. As a result, metabolism-related factors do not necessitate dosage alterations of gabapentin and concomitant AEDs after prolonged therapy. The drug is excreted unchanged in urine; plasma clearance is linearly related to creatinine clearance; and dosage is readily adjusted based on renal function. The elimination half-life is approximately 5 to 9 hours. Consequently, three divided doses are usually required per day, but steady state is rapidly achieved. No significant interactions between gabapentin and standard antiepileptic drugs or oral contraceptives have been observed. These and other pharmacokinetic properties make gabapentin unique among available AEDs.
Designing Anisotropic, Inhomogeneous Metamaterial Devices Through Optimization

A method for designing multi-input, multi-output metamaterial devices is presented. The devices are 2-D anisotropic, inhomogeneous media. The design technique consists of a custom finite-element method solver coupled to a constrained, nonlinear minimization algorithm. The design method has advantages over existing metamaterial design methods such as transformation optics, in that material constraints can be imposed and multi-input, multi-output functionality allowed. Transformation optics devices only achieve multi-input, multi-output functionality through geometrical symmetry. The gradient-based optimization method employed in the metamaterial design process is fast given that an analytic expression for the gradient of the cost function can be written. The proposed technique is demonstrated through the design of two beamforming devices. A commercial full-wave solver is used to validate the design approach. The constitutive parameters of these 2-D designs can be implemented using printed-circuit board metamaterials, such as tensor transmission-line metamaterials.
A Medication Synchronization Program and Blood Pressure Levels in a Community Pharmacy: Protocol.

Background The lack of adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication occurs in 50% of patients and leads to poor health outcomes and increased medical costs. Consistent use of antihypertensive medications among patients with hypertension is essential to the reduction of short- and long-term cardiovascular complications. Strategies to improve medication adherence include syncing prescription medications in the pharmacy, which allow patients to retrieve chronically prescribed medications in one visit. The adoption of medication synchronization has been shown to improve adherence to medications; however, there is a lack of data showing if the intervention reduces blood pressure and improves long-term health outcomes. Objective This study aims to determine the association between participation in an appointment-based medication synchronization service and blood pressure levels among patients on antihypertensive medications. Methods This longitudinal prospective cohort study will observe changes in blood pressure among individuals in a medication synchronization program and those in a usual care group. Patients on at least two antihypertensive medications and four total medications have been recruited to participate in the study. All participants will be required to have at least a 6-month history of filling prescriptions at the pharmacy prior to enrollment in the study. Based on an estimated standard deviation of 14 mmHg, a sample size of 70 participants provides approximately 80% power with a two-sided .05 significance to detect a difference of 9 mmHg blood pressure between the two cohorts. Results As of the publication of this paper, patients are completing final blood pressure visits at the pharmacy and medication data are being collected from the pharmacy. Once patients complete all blood pressure visits, data analysis will begin. Conclusions This study will link medication synchronization and changes in blood pressure levels among individuals with hypertension. This study will provide preliminary data for a randomized clinical trial that will assess the impact of medication synchronization on blood pressure. International registered report identifier (irrid) DERR1-10.2196/12527.
Determination of microcystins, nodularin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin in water and fish tissue using isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Cyanobacteria can form dense blooms under specific environmental conditions, and some species produce secondary metabolites known as cyanotoxins, which present significant risks to public health and the environment. Identifying toxins produced by cyanobacteria present in surface water and fish is critical to ensuring high quality food and water for consumption, and protectionn of recreational uses. Current analytical screening methods typically focus on one class of cyanotoxins in a single matrix and rarely include saxitoxin. Thus, a cross-class screening method for microcystins, nodularin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin was developed to examine target analytes in environmental water and fish tissue. This was done, due to the broad range of cyanotoxin physicochemical properties, by pairing two extraction and separation techniques to improve isolation and detection. For the first time a zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography column was evaluated to separate anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin, demonstrating greater sensitivity for all three compounds over previous techniques. Further, the method for microcystins, nodularin, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsin were validated using isotopically labeled internal standards, again for the first time, resulting in improved compensation for recovery bias and matrix suppression. Optimized extractions for water and fish tissue can be extended to other congeners in the future. These improved separation and isotope dilution techniques are a launching point for more complex, non-targeted analyses, with preliminary targeted screening.
Application of Pitzer's Equations for Modeling the Aqueous Thermodynamics of Actinide Species in Natural Waters : A Review

A review of the applicability of Pitzer's equations to the aqueous thermodynamics of actinide species in natural waters is presented. This review includes a brief historical perspective on the application of Pitzer's equations to actinides, information on the difficulties and complexities of studying and modeling the different actinide oxidation states, and a discussion of the use of chemical analogs for different actinide oxidation states. included are tables of Pitzer ion-interaction parameters and associated standard state equilibrium constants for each actinide oxidation state. These data allow the modeling of the aqueous thermodynamics of different actinide oxidation states to high ionic strength.
Ketone solvent as a wettability modifier for improved oil recovery from oil-wet porous media

Abstract The main objective of this research is to investigate a novel class of oxygenated solvents that can enhance the oil recovery from oil-wet rocks by multiple mechanisms, such as wettability alteration, oil-viscosity reduction, and oil swelling, in the presence of brine (connate water and/or fracturing water). The compound studied for the first time in this research is 3-pentanone (3p), a symmetric short ketone that can partition into both oil and brine at reservoir conditions. It can act as a solvent by itself, but this paper is focused on the potential mechanisms of oil recovery when an aqueous solution of 1.1 wt% 3p in reservoir brine (3pRB) is in contact with oil and oil-wet rock. Results show that the average contact angle of oil droplets on oil-aged calcite surfaces was rapidly reduced to 26° with 3pRB, in contrast to 123° with RB, without affecting the oil/brine interfacial tension. Spontaneous imbibition results show that the oil recovery factor reached 50.0% with 3pRB and 10.0% with RB at Day 3. The final recovery factor was 51.0% with 3pRB and 12.0% with RB. The subsequent forced imbibition determined the Amott index to water of 0.76 with 3pRB and 0.23 with RB, indicating a clear, positive impact of 3pRB on oil recovery by water imbibition in the cores tested. The main mechanism of oil recovery by 3pRB in this research is the wettability change as demonstrated by the contact-angle experiment.
Electronic Spectroscopy of 2-Phenyl-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole and Its Derivatives: Important Building Blocks of Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Aryl boronate esters, such as 2-phenyl-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole (1), are important components in the formation of a variety of covalent organic frameworks. The addition of substituents on the aromati...
Regional and temporal miRNAs expression profile in a transgenic mouse model of tauopathy: implication for its pathogenesis

Studies have shown that the expression level of different microRNAs (miRNAs) is altered in neurodegenerative disorders including tauopathies, a group of diseases pathologically defined by accumulation of tau protein in neurons and glia cells. However, despite this evidence we still do not know whether miRNA changes precede their onset, thus potentially contributing to the pathogenesis, or are downstream events secondary to tau pathology. In the current paper, we assessed the miRNA expression profile at different age time points and brain regions in a relevant mouse model of human tauopathy, the hTau mice, in relationship with the development of behavioral deficits and tau neuropathology. Compared with age-matched control, four specific miRNAs (miR-132-3p, miIR-146a-5p, miR-22-3p, and miR-455-5p) were found significantly upregulated in 12-month-old hTau mice. Interestingly, three of them (miR-132-3p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-22-3p) were already increased in 6-month-old mice, an age before the development of tau pathologic phenotype. Investigation of their predicted targets highlighted pathways relevant to neuronal survival and synaptic function. Collectively, our findings support the new hypothesis that in tauopathies the change in the expression level of specific miRNAs is an early event and plays a functional role in the pathogenesis of the diseases by impacting several mechanisms involved in the development of the associated neuropathology.
Data-Driven Risk Analysis of Joint Electric Vehicle and Solar Operation in Distribution Networks

Increasing electric vehicle (EV) charging demand and residential solar photovoltaic (PV) generation greatly alter traditional distribution system operation and have the potential to overload and otherwise threaten the operating life of legacy infrastructure. The rate and location of adoption of these technologies on residential distribution systems introduce operational uncertainties for which traditional utilities may not be prepared. This paper proposes a user-defined, data-driven risk assessment method to quantify the severity and likelihood of transformer and secondary conductor overload conditions posed by high levels of EV charging demand coupled with rooftop solar PV. The stochasticity inherent in the operation of a distribution secondary system is captured by employing data-driven probability distribution functions for residential loading, EV charging, rooftop solar generation and ambient temperature. Samples then are repeatedly drawn from each function as inputs to a Monte-Carlo, multi-period power flow analysis to calculate secondary line currents, total loading and accelerated transformer aging. The proposed approach is utilized to study transformer and secondary conductor overload risk as well as transformer loss-of-life for multiple EV and PV penetration scenarios using historical EV charging profiles and residential Salt Lake City load profile data for a peak summer load day.
G296(P) Outcome of nnon-invasive ventilation (NIV) used in picu patients

Retrospective study Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in a tertiary care hospital. 54 Patient‘s data reviewed between April 2016 to March 2018. Data was collected from Electronic patient record (EPR) and Metavision and reviewed for different variables as below. Results Most of the children who received NIV were between 0 – 1 year of age which make up 53.7% of the all who received NIV. Children between 2–5 years make up 24.1%. Percentage of males and females was 66.7 and 33.3 respectively. 37% of the children’s weight was between 5–10 kg and 25.9% were 2–5 kg.Major diagnosis was bronchiolitis. Other major diagnosis was LRTI both made up 38.9% and 27.8% respectively. Total 21/54 i.e. 38.8% of the patients had different comorbidities like Genetic problems, metabolic problems, Head injury, neuromuscular problems etc. 34/54 (62.9%) patients were stepped down from mechanical ventilation to NIV. 34/54 (62.9%) patients were escalated from High flow nasal cannula to NIV. Nasal mask was used in 46% of cases. Face mask was used in 18.5% of the cases. While using CPAP, 73% of time the fio2% used was less than 50% and only 5.5%-time fio2 was more than 70%. 54% of time the peep used was 8–10 cm of H20 and 43% it was between 5 and 7. When BIPAP was used, EPAP used was 5–6 for 56% and IPAP was used between 18–20 for 63% cases. In 1/3 cases NIV was used for less than 24 hours. In another 1/3rd NIV was used for up to 3 days. Significant improvement in clinical observations (Especially HR & RR) were noted after starting on NIV. In 10% of the cases contraindications were present, a degree of upper airway obstruction and a reduced level of consciousness. Most patients (92.6%) were successfully weaned from NIV. Only 7.4 percent required escalation of support to mechanical ventilation. 1 patient on NIV died as a consequence of a brain tumour. Conclusion(s) NIV use was effective in avoiding invasive mechanical ventilation in a significant number of patients/inpatients admitted in PICU. NIV was successfully used in patients after stepping down from invasive mechanical ventilation. Close monitoring was the key to the success. Apart from skin damage, no other complications were documented.
Enhanced heroin self-administration and distinct dopamine adaptations in female rats.

Increasing evidence suggests that females are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of drugs of abuse, including opioids. Additionally, rates of heroin-related deaths substantially increased in females from 1999 to 2017 [1], underscoring the need to evaluate sex differences in heroin vulnerability. Moreover, the neurobiological substrates underlying sexually dimorphic responding to heroin are not fully defined. Thus, we evaluated male and female Long Evans rats on acquisition, dose-responsiveness, and seeking for heroin self-administration (SA) as well as using a long access model to assess escalation of intake at low and high doses of heroin, 0.025 and 0.1 mg/kg/inf, respectively. We paired this with ex vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in the medial nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and quantification of mu-opioid receptor (MOR) protein in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and NAc. While males and females had similar heroin SA acquisition rates, females displayed increased responding and intake across doses, seeking for heroin, and escalation on long access. However, we found that males and females had similar expression levels of MORs in the VTA and NAc, regardless of heroin exposure. FSCV results revealed that heroin exposure did not change single-pulse elicited dopamine release, but caused an increase in dopamine transporter activity in both males and females compared to their naive counterparts. Phasic-like stimulations elicited robust increases in dopamine release in heroin-exposed females compared to heroin-naive females, with no differences seen in males. Together, our results suggest that differential adaptations of dopamine terminals may underlie the increased heroin SA behaviors seen in females.