cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of the Suicide Status Form-II to investigate correlates of suicide risk factors in psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents.

Background Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States for youth 12–17 years or age. Acute psychiatric hospitalization represents a clear worst point clinically and acute suicide risk is the most common reason for psychiatric admission. We sought to determine factors associated with differences in individual suicide risk assessment for children and adolescents during acute psychiatric admission.
Audience visualization influences disclosures in online social networks

One of the major concerns about online social networks (OSNs) is privacy. We introduce visualization and numeric audience information as potential interface solutions to the problem of privacy behaviors that are misaligned with privacy preferences. Findings from a large experiment with participants of all ages and from a broad range of backgrounds suggest that for both current and potential users, augmenting an interface with a visualization or numeric display of the audience helps people disclose in a way that is more in line with their own preferences. We conclude by proposing that audience visualization and quantification tools have the potential to assist users in achieving their privacy goals while using OSNs and have the potential to enhance privacy in other information systems as well.
Dynamics of evanescent field-coupled fiber lasers: two cores solution

We extend a model of the evanescent field-coupled multi-core Yb-doped fiber laser to include fluctuations of the level populations with the goa lof determining the stability properties of collective modes. The nonlinear differential equations for light intensity, the phases of the electric fields, and the occupation number of the upper laser level of each core are integrated numerically, while, for two cores the relaxation rates, oscillation frequencies, and stability criteria are determined analytically from the set of linearized equations. For example, for two identical lasers we find the in-phase super mode to be unstable in the range 0 1, and we describe how switching can be performed. Besides evanescent-field coupled lasers the analysis may be applicable to other coupling mechanisms, such as external cavities, although with some caution.
Evidence for two sites in the lac promoter region.

Abstract An analysis of promoter mutants of the lac † operon indicates that there are two distinct sites in the promoter. One of these is a site which normally promotes a low level (2%) of lac transcription, possibly by RNA polymerase holoenzyme alone. The second site, defined by the promoter mutations analyzed so far, is a site through which CAP protein and 3′5′-cyclic AMP stimulate lac transcription. We propose that the function of the CAP/cyclic AMP complex is to bind to a site in the promoter, thus stimulating the initiation by RNA polymerase at the normally weak initiation site.
Structures of α-Oxocarboxylic Acids

The structures of α-oxocarboxylic acids are discussed in the October 2010 column of JCE Featured Molecules. The molecules added to the JCE Featured Molecules collection this month include one member of each enantiomeric pair of the oxidized ascorbic acid, as well as gas-phase and solution-phase structures of pyruvic acid and its conjugate base and hydrated pyruvic acid and its conjugate base. Also added to the collection are ascorbic acid and glycine zwitterion.
Gender-related differences in recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury in mice

Gender-related differences in recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury in mice
Chinese tallow nut protein. I. Isolation, amino acid, and vitamin analysis

The protein of the Chinese tallow nut is quite easily isolated by employing rather mild conditions. On the basis of amino acid values presented, both the protein and flour should be suitable as a protein feed. The relatively low lysine and methionine content however would limit the usefulness of the protein as a supplement to cereal grains. The relatively high thiamin content of the protein, in addition to the presence of smaller amounts of the other B vitamins determined, suggests the possible use of this material in the enrichment of flour for the baking industry. The industrial possibilities in addition to the food value of the protein are yet to be determined.
Heat transfer and friction behaviors in rectangular channels with varying number of ribbed walls

Abstract An experimental study of surface heat transfer and friction characteristics of a fully developed turbulent air flow in a square channel with transverse ribs on one, two, three, and four walls is reported. Tests were performed for Reynolds numbers ranging from 10,000 to 80,000. The pitch-to-rib height ratio, P / e , was kept at 8 and rib-height-to-channel hydraulic diameter ratio, e / D h was kept at 0.0625. The channel length-to-hydraulic diameter ratio, L / D h , was 20. The heat transfer coefficient and friction factor results were enhanced with the increase in the number of ribbed walls. The friction roughness function, R ( e + ), was almost constant over the entire range of tests performed and was within comparable limits of the previously published data. The heat transfer roughness function, G ( e + ), increased with roughness Reynolds number and compared well with previous work in this area. Both correlations could be used to predict the friction factor and heat transfer coefficient in a rectangular channel with varying number of ribbed walls. The results of this investigation could be used in various applications of turbulent internal channel flows involving different number of rib roughened walls.
A Multicast Routing Algorithm Reducing Congestion

A new multicast routing algorithm reducing congestion is presented in this article. The algorithm uses efficient routing by transmitting multicast packets across fewer links in the network. In addition, the algorithm balances the use of network nodes and links by reducing packet duplication in the nodes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Interest-Based Per-Community P2P Hierarchical Structure for Short Video Sharing in the YouTube Social Network

The past few years have seen an explosion in the popularity of online short-video sharing in You Tube. As the number of users continued to grow, the bandwidth required to maintain acceptable quality of service (QoS) has greatly increased. Peer-to-peer (P2P) architectures have shown promise in reducing the bandwidth costs, however, the previous works build one P2P overlay for each video, which provides limited availability of video providers and produces high overlay maintenance overhead. To handle these problems, in this work, we novelly leverage the existing social network in You Tube, where a user subscribes to another user's channel to track all his uploaded videos. The subscribers of a channel tend to watch the channel's videos and common-interest nodes tend to watch the same videos. Also, the popularity of videos in one channel varies greatly. We study real trace data to confirm these properties. Based on these properties, we propose Social Tube that builds the subscribers of one channel into a P2P overlay and also clusters common-interest nodes in a higher level. It also incorporates a prefetching algorithm that prefetches higher-popularity videos. Extensive trace-driven simulation results and Planet Lab real world experimental results verify the effectiveness of Social Tube at reducing server load and overlay maintenance overhead and at improving QoS for users.
Isentropic Pressure of Magnetically Ordered bcc Solid 3He Near the Triple Point

We have studied the thermodynamics of magnetically ordered bcc solid 3 He near the triple point, where the high-field phase (HFP), low-field phase (LFP), and paramagnetic phase (PP) coexist, by using isochoric pressure measurements along isentropes. The experiment gives the first unambiguous proof that the transition from the paramagnetic phase to the high-field phase is first order. It also shows that Δv h /Δvl < Δs h /Δs l at the triple point, where Δv h,l is the molar-volume difference between the HFP (LFP) and the PP, and Δs h,l the corresponding molar entropy difference.
Pointwise Green's Function Bounds for Multidimensional Scalar Viscous Shock Fronts

We determine detailed pointwise bounds for the Green's function of the linearized operator about a multidimensional scalar viscous shock front. These extend the pointwise semigroup methods introduced by Howard and Zumbrun in the one-dimensional case to multidimensions, sharpening Lp estimates obtained by Goodman and Miller using a weighted norm approach. Moreover, our results apply to shocks of arbitrary strength, as previous results did not. As described in a companion paper, the bounds we obtain are sufficient to give a straightforward treatment of the nonlinear Lp-asymptotic behavior of the front under small perturbation. The analysis of the multidimensional case involves several new features not found in the one-dimensional case, concerned with the geometry of propagating signals.
Modifiers of Sugar Transport Under the Influence of Muscular Contraction

SummaryIsolated, perfused rat diaphragm has been studied with respect to changes in the rate of uptake of D-xylose. L-arabinose and 3-O-methyl-glucose as influenced by insulin and repetitive muscular contraction in the presence or absence of two inhibitors with differing modes of action, in order to elucidate the question of whether one or more than one mechanism exists for accelerating sugar transport. Evidence from phlorizin and maleimide inhibition of transport of the above three sugars indicates that muscular contraction and insulin accelerate sugar transport by different mechanisms.The authors thank Dr. M. B. Visscher for his helpful assistance in the preparation of this paper. Crystalline glucagon-free insulin used in these experiments was obtained as a gift from Dr. W. R. Kirtley of Eli Lilly Company, Indianapolis, IN.
Normal left ventricular emptying in coronary artery disease at rest: analysis by radiographic and equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography.

Abstract The volume ejected early in systole has been proposed as an indicator of abnormal left ventricular function that is present at rest in patients with coronary artery disease with a normal ejection fraction and normal wall motion. The volume ejected in systole was examined by calculating the percent change in ventricular volume using both computer-assisted analysis of biplane radiographic ventriculograms at 60 frames/s and equilibrium gated radionuclide ventriculograms. Ventricular emptying was examined with radiographic ventriculography in 33 normal patients and 23 patients with coronary artery disease and normal ejection fraction. Eight normal subjects and six patients with coronary artery disease had both radiographic ventriculography and equilibrium gated radionuclide ventriculography. In all patients, there was excellent correlation between the radiographic and radionuclide ventricular emptying curves ( r = 0.971). There were no differences in the ventricular emptying curves of normal subjects and patients with coronary artery disease whether volumes were measured by radiographic or equilibrium gated radionuclide ventriculography. It is concluded that the resting ventricular emptying curves are identical in normal subjects and patients with coronary artery disease who have a normal ejection fraction and normal wall motion.
Review of Virginia Page Fortna. 2008. Does peacekeeping work ? (Princeton: Princeton University Press)

This is an excellent book which addresses an interesting, important, and understudied issue. Peacekeeping has been used in an increasing number of internal conflicts since the end of the Cold War, but we really know quite little about how effective a strategy of conflict management it is. General media descriptions of peacekeeping often focus on dramatic failures and listening to scholars and policymakers’ general sentiments could suggest that it is an ineffective tool. While there are a large number of studies that examine specific cases of peacekeeping, and one recent systematic study of the role of the United Nations in “building peace” (Doyle and Sambanis 2006), Fortna’s study is the first to systematically examine the effect of peacekeeping. The book’s title sums up Fortna’s main research question, however, there are really three, related, questions. First, where do peacekeepers go? Do peacekeepers pick “easy” cases or go to the conflicts where they are most needed? Second, once they have been deployed, does peacekeeping actually prolong peace? Finally, if peacekeeping is effective, why? What does peacekeeping do that makes peace longer lasting? Fortna addresses each of these questions. A major barrier to evaluating whether peacekeeping “works” is the selection problem—if peacekeepers select cases where they are most likely to be effective and we find some effect of peacekeeping on prolonging peace, it is difficult to determine whether peacekeeping has had an independent effect on the length of peace. To show that peacekeeping works, Fortna needs to first demonstrate that peacekeepers are not just picking easy conflicts. She does this by developing a statistical model to test how various indicators thought to make peace more or less stable affect the duration of peace. She limits her analysis to wars fought between 1945 and 1989 because peacekeeping in civil war was quite rare in this period, so she can capture the effect of these indicators in the absence of peacekeeping. Fortna then tests how these same indicators affect the likelihood of peacekeeping in conflicts after the Cold War. She
Evaluation of Binax NOW, an Assay for the Detection of Pneumococcal Antigen in Urine Samples, Performed among Pediatric Patients

In our evaluation of a new assay for the detection of pneumococcal antigen in urine (Binax NOW; Binax), the test result was no more likely to be positive among 88 children with radiographically confirmed pneumonia than among 198 control subjects; however, it was significantly more likely to be positive among children who were nasopharyngeal carriers of pneumococci. This test is not likely to be useful for distinguishing children with pneumococcal pneumonia from those who are merely colonized.
Developing a Measure of Traffic Congestion: Fuzzy Inference Approach

Many measures have been proposed to represent the status of traffic conditions on arterial roadways in urban areas. The debate about what is the most appropriate measure continues. In a contribution to the debate, another approach was offered. Traditionally, two general approaches exist. One is based on the relationship between supply and demand. The other is a measure relative to the most acceptable status of service quality. The latter measure allows the public to relate to their travel experience. In either case, however, derivation of measures of congestion involves uncertainty because of imprecision of the measurement, the traveler's perception of acceptability, variation in sample data, and the analyst's uncertainty about causal relations. A measure is proposed that is a composite of two traditional measures, travel speed and delay. In recognition of the uncertainty, a fuzzy inference process was proposed. The inputs are travel speed, free-flow speed, and the proportion of very low speed in the tota...
The Effect of Elections on Public Opinion Toward Democracy Evidence From Longitudinal Survey Research in Algeria

Given the importance of developing a democratic culture for the long-term survival of democracy, it is crucial to understand whether and how public support for democracy changes over time in respon...
Reverse short channel effect and channel length dependence of boron penetration in PMOSFETs

The anomalous increase in reverse-short-channel effect of PMOSFETs, in the presence of boron penetration from the gate, is examined here. Based on an extensive simulation and experimental study, we demonstrate that the degree of boron penetration is a function of the channel length and that long channel transistors are more susceptible to boron penetration compared to short channel devices. This leads to the observed decrease in threshold voltage with increasing channel length and hence, an enhanced reverse-short-channel-like behavior in PMOSFETs. Using length scale arguments, we propose that silicon interstitial absorption into the gate oxide is responsible for blocking boron penetration at the edges of the channel as compared to the middle, thus making the short channel length transistors more immune to boron penetration as compared to long channel length ones.
Block of HERG Potassium Channels by the Antihistamine Astemizole and its Metabolites Desmethylastemizole and Norastemizole

Electrophysiologic Effects of Astemizole Metabolites. Introduction: The selective H1-receptor antagonist astemizole (Hismanal) causes acquired long QT syndrome. Astemizole blocks the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current IKr and the human ether-a go-go-related gene (HKRG) K+ channels that underlie it. Astemizole also is rapidly metabolized. The principal metabolite is desmethylastemizole, which retains H1-receptor antagonist properties, has a long elimination time of 9 to 13 days, and its steady-state serum concentration exceeds that of astemizole by more than 30-fold. A second metabolite is norastemizole, which appears in serum in low concentrations following astemizole ingestion and has undergone development as a new antihistamine drug. Our objective in the present work was to study the effects of desmethylastemizole, norastemizole, and astemizole on HERG K+ channels. Methods and Results: HERG channels were expressed in a mammalian (HEK 293) cell line and studied using the patch clamp technique. Desmethylastemizole and astemizole blocked HERG current with similar concentration dependence (half-maximal block of 1.0 and 0.9 nM, respectively) and block was use dependent. Norastemizole also blocked HERG current; however, block was incomplete and required higher drug concentrations (half-maximal block of 27.7 nM). Conclusions: Desmethylastemizole and astemizole cause equipotent block of HERG channels, and these are among the most potent HERG channel antagonists yet studied. Because desmethylastemizole becomes the dominant compound in serum, these findings support the postulate that it becomes the principal cause of long QT syndrome observed in patients following astemizole ingestion. Norastemizole block of HERG channels is weaker; thus, the risk of producing ventricular arrhythmias may be lower. These findings underscore the potential roles of some H1-receptor antagonist metabolites as K+ channel antagonists.
Foster Care Children with Disabilities

Each year the number of children who enter the foster care system grows because the number of children who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and/or poverty grows. Children with disabilities are a particularly vulnerable subset of this already vulnerable population. What are the implications of conceptual and methodological issues in theories of disability for estimates of children with disabilities in foster care? To what extent do children in the foster care system have disabilities? What are implications of existing health care coverage strategies (Medicaid, managed care, etc.) for the health and well-being of foster care children with disabilities? Conceptual and operational definitions of disability are reviewed. Descriptive statistics based on a secondary analysis of 1998 administrative AFCARS data are used to summarize the extent of disabilities. In addition, existing empirical studies and public policies on national and state health care insurance strategies are analyzed.
Immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of neuropeptides in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus of ground squirrels.

The cytoarchitecture and immunocytochemical distribution of neuropeptides (corticotropin-releasing factor, CRF; neuropeptide Y, NPY; oxytocin, OXY; vasopressin, VP; and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, VIP) were studied in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in male and female ground squirrels of two species (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus and S. richardsonii). Immunoreactive (IR) perikarya were found in sections incubated with VP or VIP antisera. VP-IR cell bodies were seen in the dorsal and medial parts of the nucleus in colchicine-treated animals. IR fibers were distributed thoughout the SCN. In the ventral part of the nucleus, VIP-IR cells were seen in untreated animals and were more pronounced in colchicine-treated animals. VIP-IR fibers and terminals form a dense plexus throughout the nucleus. Furthermore, NPY-IR terminals and fibers with multiple varicosities, but no IR perikarya, were present in the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Within the borders of the SCN, no cell bodies or fibers were stained with CRF or OXY antisera in any animal.
Adaptive order recursive lattice for optical target detection using correlated frames

An adaptive order-recursive least-squares procedure for the detection of an optical target in a heavy clutter environment is introduced. The procedure makes use of the correlated noise (clutter) in the adjacent frames of a scene to suppress the clutter and to detect efficiently the optical target embedded in one of the frames. It does not require much information about the sequence of images, the statistics of the clutter and noise, or the intensity and position of the target. The only requirement is that the background clutter in the two adjacent frames of a scene be partially correlated. The performance of the proposed detection procedure is evaluated using real images with artificially implanted targets. >
Controlling precision stepper motors in flight using (almost) no parts

This concept allows control of high-performance stepper motors with minimal parts count and minimal flight software complexity. Although it uses a small number of common flight-qualified parts and simple control algorithms, it is capable enough to meet demanding system requirements. Its programmable nature makes it trivial to implement changes to control algorithms both during integration & test and in flight. Enhancements such as microstepping, half stepping, back-emf compensation, and jitter reduction can be tailored to the requirements of a large variety of stepper motor based applications including filter wheels, focus mechanisms, antenna tracking subsystems, pointing and mobility. The hardware design (using an H-bridge motor controller IC) was adapted from JPL's MER mission, still operating on Mars. This concept has been fully developed and incorporated into the MCS instrument on MRO, currently operating in Mars orbit. It has been incorporated into the filter wheel mechanism and linear stage (focus) mechanism for the AMT instrument. On MCS/MRO, two of these circuits control the elevation and azimuth of the MCS telescope/radiometer assembly, allowing the instrument to continuously monitor the limb of the Martian atmosphere. Implementation on MCS/MRO resulted in a 4∶1 reduction in the volume and mass required for the motor driver electronics (100∶25 square inches of PCB space), producing a very compact instrument. In fact, all of the electronics for the MCS instrument are packaged within the movable instrument structure. It also saved approximately 3 Watts of power. Most importantly, the design enabled MCS to meet very its stringent maximum allowable torque disturbance requirements. 12
Atherosclerosis imaging prognostically useful or merely more of what we know

Despite the epidemiological insights from the Framingham Study1 in the early 1950s and the resulting significant advances in the diagnosis and management of coronary heart disease (CHD), it remains the leading cause of death in the United States. In part, this is because sudden cardiac death is the first presentation of CHD in 50% of men and 64% of women2,3 and, therefore, the only available strategy for reducing mortality in these patients is primary prevention. This is the target population for atherosclerosis imaging, which has been proposed as a strategy for the earlier and more accurate identification of individuals at risk for CHD so that lifesaving preventive strategies can be more optimally targeted in those at risk. Current guidelines for primary prevention recommend initial assessment and risk stratification based on traditional risk factors (eg, the Framingham Risk Score [FRS] in the United States and the Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation in Europe), followed by goal-directed therapy as necessary to modify those risk factors.4 However, these traditional prevention strategies can be inadequate, as cardiovascular events do occur in patients without known risk or in low and intermediate risk groups in whom an aggressive treatment strategy would not be indicated. This is highlighted by a study of 222 young adults (men ≤55 years and women ≤65 years) without known prior CHD, hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction, of whom 70% were in a low-risk category with a 10-year risk of CHD<10% based on their FRS.5 Furthermore, when the 10-year risk of these patients was stratified by number of risk factors and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, three quarters did not meet National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria6 to be identified as at sufficient risk to qualify for cholesterol lowering therapy. Part of the reason why FRS fails to detect risk …
A genetic algorithm approach for model reference adaptive control of ionic polymer metal composites

Electroactive polymers undergo physical deformation to external voltage stimuli. These electrically activated polymers possess extraordinary features making them capable as lightweight sensors and actuators in manifold applications. The characteristics of applied voltage and environmental conditions, especially the moisture content surrounding the polymer, have a combined influence on the dynamical behavior of these polymers. In order to characterize these polymers under varying environmental conditions, this paper discusses the experimental procedure and modeling techniques used to derive a representative model. Ionic polymer metal composite polymers are used for this humidity relative electrodynamical study. Insight on the numerous applications of electroactive polymers as actuators and the built model enabled a controller is designed for a typical tracking problem. The control architecture includes a model reference adaptive scheme along with pole-placement control strategies to achieve the goal of tracking. A genetic algorithm approach is implemented to carryout an optimized control action. Tracking control of ionic polymer metal composites as actuator resembling that of a real-world scenario is simulated and reveals promising results.
The Future Path and Consequences of the U.S. Earnings Gap

Both the growing college/high school earnings gap and the generally slow growth of real earnings have generated frustration with the political system. in the short run the earnings gap is likely to remain at roughly its current level. Over time, however, the increased concentration of low income households in poor school districts could perpetuate and exacerbate inequality.
The Priority and Challenge of High-Power Performance of Low-Platinum Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Substantial progress has been made in reducing proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode platinum loadings from 0.4-0.8 mgPt/cm(2) to about 0.1 mgPt/cm(2). However, at this level of cathode Pt loading, large performance loss is observed at high-current density (>1 A/cm(2)), preventing a reduction in the overall stack cost. This next developmental step is being limited by the presence of a resistance term exhibited at these lower Pt loadings and apparently due to a phenomenon at or near the catalyst surface. This issue can be addressed through the design of catalysts with high and stable Pt dispersion as well as through development and implementation of ionomers designed to interact with Pt in a way that does not constrain oxygen reduction reaction rates. Extrapolating from progress made in past decades, we are optimistic that the concerted efforts of materials and electrode designers can resolve this issue, thus enabling a large step toward fuel cell vehicles that are affordable for the mass market.
Secondary Instability of Stationary Crossflow Vortices on an Inclined Cone at Mach 6

Using temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) to measure global surface heat transfer on a cone at angle of attack in Mach-6 flow, stationary crossflow waves were observed as hot streaks. When the stationary waves grew large and appeared to begin to break down to turbulence in the vicinity of a pressure sensor, a high-frequency disturbance was detected. This disturbance may be evidence of the secondary instability required to break down the stationary crossflow instability to turbulence. The frequency of the instability appeared to be sensitive to the local boundary layer thickness and small changes in azimuthal position. The azimuthally concentrated signature and the apparent dependence on a threshold stationary wave amplitude indicate that this instability may be caused by the secondary instability of the primary stationary crossflow wave.
Optical designs for compressive single shot spectral imaging

Static mask coded aperture spectral imaging enables compact, programmable coding for single shot measurements. We review recent demonstrations of spectral imaging systems in the DISP lab and describes trade-offs in dispersion and coding system design.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF DOBUTAMINE AND EXERCISE ON LEFT VENTRICULAR VOLUMES DURING STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Stress echocardiography is deemed diagnostic with achievement of target heart rate (HR) (> 85% maximum predicted) or double product (DP) for exercise (ESE) and dobutamine (DSE). However both modalities affect the left ventricle (LV) differently. Exercise increases HR physiologically to increase
Mindfulness and Social Work, by Steven F. Hick

Perhaps, if like me, you have noticed the proliferation of professional workshops, books, and articles with the term “mindfulness” in the title, you will understand that I was skeptical that this n...
The Permeation of Oxygen into Silicon Nitride without Additives during HIP Treatment with a Glass Capsule

Highly pure Si3N4 powder without additives, sealed with a glass capsule using pure hBN powder as an insulation to be isolated from it, was treated by HIP under the condition that can be sintered and densified up to theoretical value. After HIP treatment, an oxygen content distribution in the inner parts of the glass capsule was analyzed. Oxygen content in sintered Si3N4 was increased, on the other hand in hBN was decreased, as compared with their starting materials. Both the oxygen contents changed remarkably on a boundary between them. A sintered Si3N4 had the least oxygen content in the center. Oxygen content in hBN near Si3N4 was constant, and on the other place in hBN it was correlated by a distance from the surface of Si3N4. Therefore, it was concluded that the permeation of oxygen into Si3N4 from impurities in hBN was dominant, and that supply of oxygen from glass of the capsule was almost negligible.
Nongenetic influences on cystic fibrosis outcomes

Purpose of review Despite dramatic improvements over the last several decades, tremendous variation exists in cystic fibrosis (CF) health outcomes. Genetic explanations for variations in disease progression are a promising source of information regarding disease biology and pathophysiology, but an understanding of nongenetic factors provides more immediate tools for improving disease outcomes. Recent findings The clinical course of CF for any individual with CF is determined by the interaction of genetic endowment (including CFTR and modifier genes), the physical environment (including environmental tobacco smoke, outdoor pollution, and pathogenic microorganisms), the sociodemographic, cultural, and family context (which mediates stress, social support, and disease self-management skills), and variations in delivery and acceptance of healthcare treatments. The evidence linking socioeconomic status (SES) with CF outcomes continues to be strong, and appears to be primarily due to associations with environmental and sociocultural stressors and disease-management behaviors rather than barriers in access to healthcare. Summary Attempts to eliminate detrimental environmental exposures, improve disease self-management skills, and ensure consistently optimal healthcare practices will likely decrease variations in outcomes including SES-related disparities. Low SES is an important marker of adverse exposures and outcomes which are present throughout the CF population.
Notable Networks Elite Recruitment, Organizational Cohesiveness, and Islamist Electoral Success in Turkey

How do Islamists get non-Islamists to vote for them? The existing literature suggests that what drives support for Islamist parties are macro-social transformations, Islamic culture, or Islamist pa...
Leprosy Epidemic Dynamics Analysis in Qingyang City,Gansu Provincer from 1949 to 2013

Objective To study the control effect and development trend of leprosy in qingyang city from 1949 to 2013,and to provide treatment and countermeasures for the effective prevention in the future. Methods According to historical statistics of the city's eight counties leprosy prevention,using Excel 2003 software,with descriptive epidemiological methods. The sex ratio was 3. 9∶ 1. Results Two hundred and twenty-seven cases of leprosy cumulative incidence in qingyang city. The highest annual incidence is found in Zhengning county,1960 incidence was 7. 84 /10 M. The annual minimum was in Zhenyuan county,1957 incidence was 0. 58 /10 M. The highest incidence was of 1. 59 /10 M in 1960. 20 to 39 old age account for 51. 54% of the total number. Conclusion New patients still come out in low incidence,current control strategy has achieved good results. We still need to persist for a long time.
Antithrombotic Medication Use and Misuse Among Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage: A 16-Year, Lebanese, Single-Center Experience.

Objective/Background The use of antithrombotic medication (ATM) frequently is reported in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and is associated with increased mortality. Unfortunately, ATMs sometimes are prescribed and/or used inappropriately. We sought to determine the rate of ATM misprescription/misuse among patients with ICH in a single-center retrospective study. Methods All patients admitted with ATM-related ICH in 1998−2014 were included. Charts were reviewed and demographic, clinical, and radiologic variables were recorded. The type of ATM, dose, and duration of treatment were analyzed critically. The adequacy of ATM prescription/use was assessed in light of the recommendations and guidelines of the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and French National Authority for Health, in effect at the time of admission. Results A total of 106 patients with mean age 68 years were identified. Aspirin (53.8%) was the most commonly used drug, followed by oral anticoagulants (31.1%) and clopidogrel (22.6%). In only 80 patients (75.5%), the use of ATM was in line with contemporary guidelines. In the remaining 26 (24.5%), the use of ATMs was inappropriate, including bad drug combination, wrong dose, poor indication, wrong drug class, and/or incorrect treatment duration. Conclusions In this Lebanese cohort of patients with ICH, the 24.5% rate of ATM misprescription and/or misuse is highly alarming and the origin of this problem is likely multifactorial. Immediate measures should be undertaken, and efforts should be focused on regaining tight control of ATM prescription and fulfillment, ensuring good patient education, and offering more vigilant oversight on physician licensure.
Water Holding Capacity of Proteins

The interaction of proteins with water has been expressed interchangeably by using the following terms: water hydration and holding, water retention, water binding, water imbibing, water adsorption, and others. There is controversy regarding the exact meaning of these terms. There is no standardized terminology in protein functionality, for example, bound water is the water which is not freezable at –40 °C. However, bound water is also considered not separable by centrifugation.
Photoactive arrays at high levels of optical excitation: the effects of chromophore geometry and polarisability

At high levels of optical illumination, multichromophore arrays can exhibit a novel form of resonance energy transfer involving the coupling of two excited donor chromophores (A and A') and one neighbouring acceptor chromophore (B) in its electronic ground state. This trichromophore effect is the subject of an investigation into the dependence on the mutual positions and orientations of the participating chromophores. Employing methods similar to those well-known in bimolecular photophysics, comparisons are made between pairwise resonance energy transfer and the novel three-body analogue, with counterparts to the conventional orientation factor identified. By the scrutiny of molecular architectures based on linear configurations (either A-B-A' or A-A'-B), the interplay of the orientation factors is analysed. The relative dominance of cooperative and accretive mechanisms over energy pooling rates is comprehensively analysed, only special cases having been discussed in initial studies. The relative alignments and magnitudes of the donor and acceptor transition moments and polarisabilities are also shown to have a profound effect on achievable pooling efficiency, with reference to particular alignments and intermolecular vectors. The delineation presented should give direction to suitable methods of investigation into the performance and geometric optimisation of such arrays at high levels of illumination.
Abstract 3347: Radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome as a function of age

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA The incidence of cancer increases with age and is generally thought to be an age-related disease. In prior studies we model tumor response to radiation therapy (RT) by studying its effect on normal tissue damage. We showed that RT-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome represents coupled damage to intestine's micovasculature and the parenchymal epithelial cells. In addition, we showed that 15Gy irradiation is a lethal dose 100 for C57Bl6 mice treated with whole body irradiation (WBI) as it induces apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC) and initiates the GI syndrome in the small intestine. Our objective is to determine whether the microvasculature and/or the cycling crypt base columnar cells (CBCs), the small intestine stem cells, in an aging population (29 months mice, approx. 69 years in humans) are more sensitive to radiation effects than in young adults (3 months mice, approx. 20 years old human) with regards to normal tissue toxicity. Radiation-induced premature senescence and apoptosis were evaluated in EC and in CBCs in old mice versus young adult mice. Our results show enhanced endothelial apoptosis in crypts of older mice compared to young adult mice. There was a higher death rate in older versus young adult mice due to radiation-induced GI syndrome (90% vs 40% at 14Gy and 100% vs 60% at 15Gy). Crypt microcolony survival assays showed that 29 months-old mice had a lower number of regenerating crypts in all three doses tested (13Gy, 14Gy, 15Gy). In addition, there was an increase in CBC senescence in older mice compared to young adult mice. Therefore, microvasculature damage and an increase in CBCs apoptosis and senescence are the main events contributing to the enhanced rate of development of the RT-induced GI syndrome in the older mice. Ongoing studies are testing whether there is more senescence in the endothelial cells in older mice than in the mature adults, and if RT enhances senescence in these cells in older vs younger adult mice. These studies will be extended to include animals with various cancer burdens to explore the role of age in the efficacy of radiation treatment. Citation Format: Hongyan Li, Herman Kucharavy, Carla Hajj, Guoqiang Hua, Ryan Glass, Zhaoshi Zeng, Zvi Fuks, Philip B. Paty, Richard Kolesnick, Karen Hubbard, Adriana Haimovitz-Friedman. Radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) syndrome as a function of age. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3347. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3347
Low near infrared spectroscopic somatic oxygen saturation at admission is associated with need for lifesaving interventions among unplanned admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit

To investigate the association between low near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) somatic oxygen saturation ( 2SD for age to be associated with LSIs. ROC curve analysis of the combination of NIRS 2SD for age had an area under the curve of 0.79 with 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity for association with LSI. Compared to the normal NIRS group, the low NIRS group had higher mortality (10.4 vs 0.7%, p = 0.005) and longer median hospital length of stay (2.9 vs 1.6 days, p < 0.0001). Low somatic NIRS oxygen saturation (<70%) in the first 4 h of an unplanned PICU admission is associated with need for higher number of subsequent lifesaving interventions up to 24 h after admission. Noninvasive, continuous, somatic NIRS monitoring may identify children at high risk of medical instability.
Dynamic and Energetic Signatures of Adenine Tracts in a rA-dT RNA-DNA Hybrid and in Homologous RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, and DNA-DNA Double Helices

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and proton exchange are being used to characterize the opening reactions of individual base pairs in the RNA-DNA hybrid 5′-rGCGAUAAAAAGGCC-3′/5′-dGGCCTTTTTATCGC-3′. The hybrid contains a central tract of five rA-dT base pairs. The rates and the equilibrium constant of the opening reaction for each base pair are determined from the dependence of the exchange rates of imino protons on ammonia concentration, at 10 °C. The results are compared to those previously obtained by our laboratory for three homologous duplexes of the same base sequence (except for the appropriate T/U substitution), containing tracts of dA-rU, rA-rU, or dA-dT base pairs. The rA-dT tract is distinguished by an enhanced propensity of the base pairs to exist in the extrahelical state. The opening rates of rA-dT base pairs also exhibit a strong dependence on the location of the base pair in the structure; namely, as one advances into the tract, the opening rates of rA-dT base pairs gradually decreas...
Changes in peak airflow measurement during maximal cough after vocal fold augmentation in patients with glottic insufficiency

Importance Compromised cough effectiveness is correlated with dysphagia and aspiration. Glottic insufficiency likely yields decreased cough strength and effectiveness. Although vocal fold augmentation favorably affects voice and likely improves cough strength, few data exist to support this hypothesis. Objective To assess whether vocal fold augmentation improves peak airflow measurements during maximal-effort cough following augmentation. Setting, Design, Participants This case series study was conducted in a tertiary, academic laryngology clinic. Participants included 14 consecutive individuals with glottic insufficiency due to vocal fold paralysis, which was diagnosed via videostrobolaryngoscopy as a component of routine clinical examination. All participants who chose to proceed with augmentation were considered for the study whether office-based or operative augmentation was planned. Postaugmentation data were collected only at the first follow-up visit, which was targeted for 14 days after augmentation but varied on the basis of participant availability. Data were collected from June 5, 2014, to October 1, 2015. Data analysis took place between October 2, 2015, and March 3, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Peak airflow during maximal volitional cough was quantified before and after vocal fold augmentation. Participants performed maximal coughs, and peak expiratory flow during the maximal cough was captured according to American Thoracic Society guidelines. Results Among the 14 participants (7 men and 7 women), the mean (SD) age was 62 (18) years. Three types of injectable material were used for vocal fold augmentation: carboxymethylcellulose in 5 patients, hyaluronic acid in 5, and calcium hydroxylapatite in 4. Following augmentation, cough strength increased in 11 participants and decreased cough strength was observed in 3. Peak airflow measurements during maximal cough varied from a decrease of 40 L/min to an increase of 150 L/min following augmentation. When preaugmentation and postaugmentation peak airflow measurements were compared, the median improvement was 50 L/min (95% CI, 10-75 L/min; P = .01). Immediate peak airflow measurements during cough collected within 30 minutes of augmentation varied when compared with measurements collected at follow-up (103-380 vs 160-390 L/min). Conclusions and Relevance Peak airflow during maximal cough may improve with vocal fold augmentation. Additional assessment and measurements are needed to further delineate which patients will benefit most regarding their cough from vocal fold augmentation.
Asymmetric Item Characteristic Curves and Item Complexity: Insights from Simulation and Real Data Analyses

While item complexity is often considered as an item feature in test development, it is much less frequently attended to in the psychometric modeling of test items. Prior work suggests that item complexity may manifest through asymmetry in item characteristics curves (ICCs; Samejima in Psychometrika 65:319-335, 2000). In the current paper, we study the potential for asymmetric IRT models to inform empirically about underlying item complexity, and thus the potential value of asymmetric models as tools for item validation. Both simulation and real data studies are presented. Some psychometric consequences of ignoring asymmetry, as well as potential strategies for more effective estimation of asymmetry, are considered in discussion.
Performance Analysis of Distributed Auxiliary Radio Telescopes Under Shared Spectrum Access Paradigm and Cooling Power Constraint

A conflict of the spectrum rights and needs between active wireless communication systems and passive radio astronomy systems (RASs) has become substantially greater due to the phenomenal expansion of wireless communications and increased interest in RAS observation. For sustainable growth and coexistence of cellular wireless communications (CWC) and RAS, a coordinated shared spectrum access paradigm was recently introduced. Embracing such paradigm, this paper proposes a distributed auxiliary radio telescope (DART) system which can geographically and spectrally coexist with CWC while offering additional capability or performance enhancement to RAS. Theoretical performance analysis of the DART system with different quantization resolutions is presented, and approximate closed-form expressions are obtained. Adaptation of cooling power of DART receivers according to the time-varying ambient temperature is also proposed. Furthermore, an analytical expression for the DART system parameters under the shared spectrum access paradigm and cooling power constraint to achieve the same performance as the existing single-dish RAS with a radio quiet zone is developed to provide guidance in the DART system design. The numerical and simulation results illustrate feasibility and potentials of the proposed DART system.