cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCAL INTRAMAMMARY INFECTIONS IN COWS AND HEIFERS DURING THE NONLACTATING AND PERIPARTURIENT PERIODS

Summary Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are isolated frequently from unbred and primigravid heifers and from lactating and nonlactating dairy cows. The importance of CNS intramammary infections that occur during the nonlactating period has not been adequately delineated. Mammary secretions from udders infected with CNS during early lactation and the nonlactating period have increased somatic cell counts, CNS have been isolated in mammary secretions from cows with clinical mastitis, and a few studies have indicated that CNS infected mammary glands produced significantly less milk during lactation than uninfected mammary glands. In addition, mammary glands of postpuberal heifers infected with CNS were not as well developed as uninfected mammary glands. Consequently, CNS intramammary infections in heifers and cows during the nonlactating period could impair mammary gland growth and development and ultimately influence mammary function during lactation resulting in decreased lactational performance. Some CNS IMI detected in heifers and multiparous cows at calving do not persist into early lactation. Postmilking teat disinfection with an effective germicide and antibiotic therapy during the nonlactating period markedly reduces the prevalence of CNS in dairy herds. Methods of controlling CNS infections in primigravid heifers based on prepartum intramammary antibiotic therapy have been developed, and results have shown that prepartum antibiotic therapy is very effective against CNS and other mastitis pathogens as well. Additional research is required to determine the influence of CNS infections that occur during the nonlactating period on milk yield in the subsequent lactation.
Strong Parent-of-Origin Effects in the Association of KCNQ1 Variants With Type 2 Diabetes in American Indians

Parent-of-origin effects were observed in an Icelandic population for several genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes, including those in KLF14 (rs4731702), MOB2 (rs2334499), and KCNQ1 (rs2237892, rs231362). We analyzed parent-of-origin effects for these variants, along with two others in KCNQ1 identified in previous genome-wide association studies (rs2237895, rs2299620), in 7,351 Pima Indians from 4,549 nuclear families; 34% of participants had diabetes. In a subset of 287 normoglycemic individuals, acute insulin secretion was measured by an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) parent-of-origin effects were seen for association with type 2 diabetes for all variants. The strongest effect was seen at rs2299620 in KCNQ1; the C allele was associated with increased diabetes when maternally derived (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; P = 4.1 × 10(-12)), but not when paternally derived (OR, 0.93; P = 0.47; P = 9.9 × 10(-6) for difference in maternal and paternal effects). A maternally derived C allele also was associated with a 28% decrease in insulin secretion (P = 0.002). This study confirms parent-of-origin effects in the association with type 2 diabetes for variants in KLF14, MOB2, and KCNQ1. In Pima Indians, the effect of maternally derived KCNQ1 variants appears to be mediated through decreased insulin secretion and is particularly strong, accounting for 4% of the variance in liability to diabetes.
Nursing Clinical Instructor Needs Assessment

Introduction: To date there is limited research related to the perceived learning needs of adjunct clinical nursing instructors and the development of an effective clinical instructor certificate program. The purpose of this study is to identify the perceived learning needs of clinical instructors teaching in a variety of clinical settings. Methods: A qualitative survey is designed and administered to 230 adjunct clinical instructors at a small urban college in the Northeast using an Internet-based survey. The central aim of the survey is to identify the level of support for a formal orientation program and the "Nurse of the Future Core Competencies" that are of most value. Results: 80% of respondents reported that a structured orientation program would be of value. Legal and ethical issues, reflective practice and informatics were identified as priority topics to be incorporated into the program. The study also identified concerns related to aging clinical nursing faculty and the institutional support necessary to foster the development of clinical nursing instructors. Conclusion: As critical stakeholders in the development of nursing students, this study supports the need for a structured orientation program in order to improve nursing clinical education and retain qualified nursing clinical faculty members. The information gained from this study could serve as a basis for a future structured orientation program that may result in a successful model of well-prepared clinical faculty.
A comparison of markers for estimating magnitude of rumen digestion.

1. Two experiments were carried out with sheep and cattle receiving high-concentrate rations to estimate the amount of digestion taking place in the rumino-reticulum and omasum. Two techniques were used for the collection of samples of abomasal contents. In the experiment with sheep, animals were slaughtered at different times after feeding and samples of digesta were collected. In the experiment with cattle, samples were collected through an abomasal fistula at 2 h intervals throughout the entire 24 h. Chromic oxide powder was incorporated into the ration.2. Digestion of DM in the rumen estimated by the chromic oxide ratio ranged from 36 to –7%. Estimates based on the lignin ratio ranged from 57 to 68%. Estimates based on lignin as the marker were more consistent within experiments.3. Starch digestion in the rumen based on the chromic oxide ratio ranged from 56 to 92% while estimates based on the lignin ratio ranged from 89 to 96%. The amount of starch digested, according to chromic oxide ratios, was up to 500 g more than estimated organic matter digested in sheep, and up to 2 kg more than organic matter digested in cattle, both impossible results. Estimates based on lignin were always less than estimated dry-matter digestion.4. In view of the untenable results obtained by using chromic oxide powder mixed in the ration as an indigestible marker, while lignin in the same samples always yielded credible results, it appears that chromic oxide is not always a suitable marker for estimating rumen digestion from abomasal samples.
Fast computation for saddle-node bifurcation points of general nonlinear system with decoupled parameters

A very fast method for computing the saddle-node bifurcation point of general nonlinear systems with decoupled parameters is developed in this paper. The speed of the developed method is achieved through two factors. One factor is a new set of characteristic equations for the saddle-node bifurcation point which is of dimension n+1, instead of 2n+1, which is traditionally required in n-dimensional decoupled parameter-dependent nonlinear equations. The other factor is a new effective scheme for estimating the location of a desired saddle-node bifurcation point and its associated bifurcation value. The estimated location and value provide a good initial guess for computing the desired saddle-node bifurcation points. The proposed solution method has been applied to a set of 416-dimensional decoupled parameter-dependent nonlinear equations to illustrate its effectiveness and accuracy.
Wolbachia-induced incompatibility precedes other hybrid incompatibilities in Nasonia.

Wolbachia are cytoplasmically inherited bacteria that cause a number of reproductive alterations in insects, including cytoplasmic incompatibility1,2, an incompatibility between sperm and egg that results in loss of sperm chromosomes following fertilization. Wolbachia are estimated to infect 15–20% of all insect species3, and also are common in arachnids, isopods and nematodes3,4. Therefore, Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility could be an important factor promoting rapid speciation in invertebrates5, although this contention is controversial6,7. Here we show that high levels of bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility between two closely related species of insects (the parasitic wasps Nasonia giraulti and Nasonia longicornis) preceded the evolution of other postmating reproductive barriers. The presence of Wolbachia severely reduces the frequency of hybrid offspring in interspecies crosses. However, antibiotic curing of the insects results in production of hybrids. Furthermore, F1 and F2 hybrids are completely viable and fertile, indicating the absence of F1 and F2 hybrid breakdown. Partial interspecific sexual isolation occurs, yet it is asymmetric and incomplete. Our results indicate that Wolbachia-induced reproductive isolation occurred in the early stages of speciation in this system, before the evolution of other postmating isolating mechanisms (for example, hybrid inviability and hybrid sterility).
Carbon storage, timber production, and biodiversity: comparing ecosystem services with multi-criteria decision analysis

Increasingly, land managers seek ways to manage forests for multiple ecosystem services and functions, yet considerable challenges exist in comparing disparate services and balancing trade-offs among them. We applied multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and forest simulation models to simultaneously consider three objectives: (1) storing carbon, (2) producing timber and wood products, and (3) sustaining biodiversity. We used the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) applied to 42 northern hardwood sites to simulate forest development over 100 years and to estimate carbon storage and timber production. We estimated biodiversity implications with occupancy models for 51 terrestrial bird species that were linked to FVS outputs. We simulated four alternative management prescriptions that spanned a range of harvesting intensities and forest structure retention. We found that silvicultural approaches emphasizing less frequent harvesting and greater structural retention could be expected to achieve the greatest net carbon storage but also produce less timber. More intensive prescriptions would enhance biodiversity because positive responses of early successional species exceeded negative responses of late successional species within the heavily forested study area. The combinations of weights assigned to objectives had a large influence on which prescriptions were scored as optimal. Overall, we found that a diversity of silvicultural approaches is likely to be preferable to any single approach, emphasizing the need for landscape-scale management to provide a full range of ecosystem goods and services. Our analytical framework that combined MCDA with forest simulation modeling was a powerful tool in understanding trade-offs among management objectives and how they can be simultaneously accommodated.
Varicella zoster infection in the immunocompromised child.

purpose. To describe varicella zoster virus infection in the immunocompromised child and provide guidelines to decrease the risk of infection and complications for these children. population. Children infected with varicella zoster virus, particularly those with a compromised immune system. conclusions. Varicella zoster virus infection can have serious consequences for children with malignancies and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, as well as children on chronic steroid therapy. practice implications. The advanced practice nurse often is responsible for identifying those children at increased risk for VZV infection and its complications and for planning and implementing interventions to decrease the risks to the immunocompromised child.
Lossy distributed source coding using graphs

In this letter, lossy distributed source coding using graphs is considered. This corresponds to the source coding part of the graph-based framework for transmission of analog correlated sources over the multiple-access channel (MAC). Consequently, it is shown that a pair of analog correlated sources can be reliably represented into a bipartite graph by allowing certain amount of distortion. An achievable rate-distortion region for this problem is also provided. Therefore, it can be concluded that, for transmission of any (both discrete and continuous) set of correlated sources over MACs, graphs can be used as discrete interface between source coding and channel coding modules.
Localization of the Genetic Determinants of Meiosis Suppression in Daphnia pulex

Although ∼1 in 10,000 animal species is capable of parthenogenetic reproduction, the evolutionary causes and consequences of such transitions remain uncertain. The microcrustacean Daphnia pulex provides a potentially powerful tool for investigating these issues because lineages that are obligately asexual in terms of female function can nevertheless transmit meiosis-suppressing genes to sexual populations via haploid sperm produced by environmentally induced males. The application of association mapping to a wide geographic collection of D. pulex clones suggests that sex-limited meiosis suppression in D. pulex has spread westward from a northeastern glacial refugium, conveyed by a dominant epistatic interaction among the products of at least four unlinked loci, with one entire chromosome being inherited through males in a nearly nonrecombining fashion. With the enormous set of genomic tools now available for D. pulex, these results set the stage for the determination of the functional underpinnings of the conversion of meiosis to a mitotic-like mode of inheritance.
WEAVER--A MUTANT GENE THAT AFFECTS THE BASAL GANGLIA

Soon after evidence for a mesotelencephalic dopamine-containing pathway finally became unassailable, the dual nature of this projection was recognized (Anden et al. 1966; Ungerstedt, 1971). The two divisions of the path described by these investigators are: (1) the nigrostriatal system, which originates mainly in the dopamine-containing neurons of the substantia nigra’s pars compacta (cell group A9 of Dahlstrom and Fuxe, 1964) and innervates most of the caudoputamen, and (2) the mesolimbic system, which originates mainly in the dopamine-containing cells of the ventral tegmental area (cell groups A10 of Dahlstrom and Fuxe, 1964) and innervates the nucleus accumbens, most of the olfactory tubercle and the ventral part of the caudoputamen (Ungerstedt, 1971; Bjorklund and Lindvall, 1984; Fallon and Moore, 1978; Beckstead et al., 1979). The nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways are also separable on the basis of their other neural affiliations. The nigrostriatal system with its target the dorsal caudoputamen are associated with sensorimotor systems whereas the mesolimbic system and the ventral striatum are associated with limbic regions, a relationship clearly embedded in the name given to this pathway (Kelley et al., 1982; Heimer and Wilson, 1975; Graybiel and Ragsdale, 1979).
Alternative healing in nurse-midwifery practice.

Abstract This Clinical Practice Exchange focuses on alternative healing in nurse-midwifery practice. It features interviews with six certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) who practice complementary therapies (CTs). The healing modalities they use include homeopathy, Healing Touch, hypnosis, herbal healing, mindfulness meditation, and water healing. The CNMs discuss their training to practice CTs, how they use alternative healing with clients, and how they integrate this with midwifery practice. The interviews are followed by an Alternative Healing Directory composed of 37 CNMs who responded to a Call, which appeared several times in Quickening and JNM . Each midwife’s listing includes contact information, CTs practiced, and special interests in networking with other CNMs about alternative healing. The JNM hopes that this Directory will be a catalyst for networking and communication that will move forward the discussion, practice, and research of alternative healing within the midwifery community.
Satisfying Assignments of Random Boolean Constraint Satisfaction Problems: Clusters and Overlaps.

The distribution of overlaps of solutions of a random constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) is an indicator of the overall geometry of its solution space. For random k-SAT, nonrigorous methods from Statistical Physics support the validity of the one step replica symmetry breaking approach. Some of these predictions were rigorously conf irmed in (Met al. 2005a) (Mezard et al. 2005b). There it is proved that the overlap distribution of random k-SAT, k ≥ 9, has discontinuous support. Furthermore, Achlioptas and Ricci-Tersenghi (Achlioptas and Ricci-Tersenghi 2006) proved that, for random k-SAT, k ≥ 8, and constraint densities close enough to the phase transition: - there exists an exponential number of clusters of satisfying assignments. - the distance between satisfying assignments in different clusters is linear. We aim to understand the structural properties of random CSP that lead to solution clustering. To this end, we prove two results on the cluster structure of solutions for binary CSP under the random model from (Molloy 2002):
Diuretic Enhanced Duplex Doppler Sonography in 33 Children Presenting with Hydronephrosis: A Study of Test Sensitivity, Specificity and Precision

AbstractPurpose: We assessed the value of diuretic enhanced Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of pediatric renal obstruction as well as its reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity.Materials and Methods: We studied 33 children (68 kidneys) by standard diagnostic techniques and diuretic Doppler sonography. A total of 20 obstructed kidneys was compared to 48 without obstruction and we performed surgery on 13. An average of 2.3 resistive index measurements were made per test and 436 total resistive index values were assessed by Student's t distribution and chi-square analysis before and after surgical repair. The assessor was blinded to the clinical diagnosis.Results: The obstructed mean resistive index before (0.71) and after (0.74) furosemide administration differed significantly from the nonobstructed mean resistive index (0.65, p less than 0.02). Postoperative mean resistive index (0.68) was not affected by the diuretic and did not differ from the mean resistive index of nonobstructed kidneys. Resi...
Fast PDA synchronization using characteristic polynomial interpolation

Modern personal digital assistant (PDA) architectures often utilize a wholesale data transfer protocol known as "slow sync" for synchronizing PDAs with personal computers (PCs). This approach is markedly inefficient with respect to bandwidth usage and latency, since the PDA and PC typically share many common records. We propose, analyze, and implement a novel PDA synchronization scheme (CPIsync - characteristic polynomial interpolation-based synchronization) predicated upon recent information-theoretic research. The salient property of this scheme is that its communication complexity depends on the number of differences between the PDA and PC, and is essentially independent of the overall number of records. Moreover, our implementation shows that the computational complexity of CPIsync is practical, and that the overall latency is typically much smaller than that of slow sync. Thus, CPIsync has potential for significantly improving synchronization protocols for PDAs and, more generally, for heterogeneous networks of many machines.
Endothelial Monolayers and Transendothelial Migration Depend on Mechanical Properties of the Substrate

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the microvasculature and constitute a barrier between the vessel lumen and surrounding tissues. ECs inform circulating immune cells of the health and integrity of surrounding tissues, recruiting them in response to pathogens and tissue damage. ECs play an active role in the transmigration of immune cells across the vessel wall. We have discovered important differences in the properties of ECs on soft hydrogel substrates of varying stiffness, in comparison to glass. Primary ECs from several human sources were tested; all formed monolayers normally on soft substrates. EC monolayers formed more mature cell-cell junctions on soft substrates, relative to glass, based on increased recruitment of vinculin and F-actin. EC monolayers supported transendothelial migration (TEM) on soft substrates. Immune cells, including peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and natural killer cells, showed decreasing numbers of paracellular (between-cell) transmigration events with decreasing substrate stiffness, while the number of transcellular (through-cell) events increased for PBLs. Melanoma cancer cells showed increased transmigration with decreased stiffness. Our findings demonstrate that endothelial monolayers respond to the mechanical properties of their surroundings, which can regulate the integrity and function of the monolayer independently from inflammatory signals. Soft hydrogel substrates are a more appropriate and physiological model for tissue environments than hard substrates, with important implications for the experimental analysis of TEM.
Relation between renal function and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial—Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT)

Background Cardiorenal interactions have been shown to affect outcome in heart failure patients but were not related to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Objective The purpose of this study was to test our hypothesis that assessment of markers of prerenal failure may help identify mildly symptomatic HF patients with diminished effective circulating blood volume who will benefit from CRT. Methods The benefit of CRT with a defibrillator (CRT-D) as compared with defibrillator-only therapy in reducing the risk of HF or death was assessed by renal function parameters (including serum creatinine [SCr], blood urea nitrogen [BUN], and the ratio of BUN to SCr [BUN:SCr], dichotomized at median values and into approximate quartiles) among 1,803 patients enrolled in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial—Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Results Multivariate analysis showed that the benefit of CRT-D was inversely related to SCr levels and directly related to BUN levels. Combined assessment of the two renal function parameters showed a significant difference in the benefit of CRT-D between patients with low (≤18 mg/dL, HR=0.85, P = .28) and elevated (>18 mg/dL, HR=0.46, P P -value for interaction=.005). Consistently, the benefit of CRT-D was significantly increased with increasing quartiles of BUN:SCr (Q 1 : HR=1.06 [ P = .79], Q 2 : HR=0.64 [ P = .04], Q 3 : HR=0.47 [ P 4 : HR=0.44 [ P P -value for trend=.005). Conclusions In MADIT-CRT, patients with an elevated ratio of BUN to SCr experienced a significantly greater reduction in the risk of HF or death with CRT-D therapy as compared with patients with a low ratio. These findings suggest an association between prerenal function and response to CRT.
A New Approach to Implementing Project Networks in Spreadsheets

ISeveral approaches have been proposed for implementing project networks in spreadsheets. The approaches suggested to date are overly tedious to implement for problems of realistic size and/or require error-prone manual intervention if precedence relations among activities change or project activities are added or deleted. This paper introduces a new and more efficient approach to implementing project networks in spreadsheets that overcomes the weaknesses found in previous techniques.
Stable-isotope Analysis of Diets of Short-tailed Fruit Bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia)

The coexistence of multiple species of short-tailed fruit bats (Phyllostomidae: Carollia) is common throughout the range of the genus. Previous studies of fecal and stomach contents have documented differences in dietary breadth and in habitat use as mechanisms by which these species may partition dietary niches. By comparing values of d 15 N and d 13 C across species of Carollia from 17 sites in Central and South America, we show that co-occurring Carollia frequently differ in dietary breadth, foraging habitats, and level of insectivory. Values of d 15 N, which tended to be enriched in C. castanea, depleted in C. perspicillata, and intermediate in C. brevicauda and C. sowelli, indicate trophic stratification. Values of d 13 C followed the opposite trend, tending to be enriched in C. perspicillata and depleted in C. castanea, suggesting interspecific differences in breadth of the foraging area. Isotopic comparisons among Carollia, other bat species, and potential food items at 5 of our sites illustrate that populations of Carollia tend to be trophically intermediate between strictly phytophagous and strictly insectivorous organisms, and, contrary to the paucity of insect remains found in fecal samples, indicate that the consumption of insects by Carollia is more common and potentially more important than previously was thought.
An Agenda for Children for the 113th Congress: Recommendations From the Pediatric Academic Societies

The 113th Congress of the United States begins in January 2013. With each new Congress, there are many changes, not only in the faces of the newly elected, but also in the membership of committees and the staff serving the members. As agendas for the session are set, there is a resurgence of conflicting priorities. In the past, when these conflicts were resolved, children were rarely at the top of the list. Given the numerous pressing national issues, both domestic and foreign, the same trend will likely occur.
Investigations of NiO‐CuO Solid Solutions Using Transmission Electron Microscopy: I, Tweed Microstructure

Compositions in the apparent one-phase rock salt solid solution region of the system (NixCu1–x)O have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Diffraction and imaging experiments were conducted on compositions ranging from ×= 0.65 up to ×= 0.95. All the samples showed strong “tweed” contrast characterized by striations parallel to the traces of (110) planes. Diffraction patterns also exhibited diffuse streaking associated with the tweed effect. It is proposed that the tweed microstructure is due to strain contrast resulting from strain centers associated with the formation of a tetragonally distorted phase. The observation of this complex microstructure supports previous thermodynamic predictions of nonideal behavior in this system.
Transportation problems with aggregated destinations when demands are uncertain

Transportation problems with uncertain demands are useful applied models themselves, and also they represent in a formal way the problem of estimating demands for use in deterministic models. We consider the effects of using a small, aggregate model of this type in place of a larger, more detailed one. Formulation of the aggregate objective function turns out to depend on how one chooses to use (disaggregate) the solution; several alternative methods are examined. Bounds are derived on the error induced by the approximation, thus facilitating comparison of alternative aggregations. We also consider the problem of estimating demands for an aggregate-level deterministic problem. In a specific sense, it is often not the case (as one might expect) that such aggregate demands are easier to estimate than the detailed demands. This is because aggregation and centralization are not the same thing.
Total Absorptance of Carbon Dioxide in the Infrared

Total absorptance ∫ A(ν)dν has been determined as a function of absorber concentration w and equivalent pressure Pe for the major infrared absorption bands of carbon dioxide with centers at 3716, 3609, 2350, 1064, and 961 cm−1. The results in the 875–495 cm−1 region are expressed in terms of mean spectral absorptance A¯(ν1−ν2)=∫ν2ν1A(ν)dν/(ν1−ν2) for five separate subregions. The effects of temperature variations on absorption in some regions are discussed. Estimates of band intensity ∫ k(ν)dν are given for each band and are compared with the results of others.
Modeling of grain boundary structures and properties in intermetallic compounds

This paper reports that one of the main reasons for studies of grain boundaries in metallic materials is the intergranular brittleness. This has been a long standing problem in structural steels and other disordered alloys and it is now well established that this phenomenon is associated with segregation of certain embrittling elements to grain boundaries. Thus in pure metals and in disordered alloys grain boundaries are not intrinsically susceptible to brittle fracture. On the other hand, intermetallic compounds often fracture in an intergranular manner even when there is no appreciable segregation of impurities to the grain boundaries. The most prominent example is Ni{sub 3}Al, which crystallizes in the face-centered-cubic based L1{sub 2} structure. This material is fully ductile in the single crystal form although exhibiting an anomalous temperature dependence of the yield stress, but brittle in the polycrystalline form. The intergranular fracture occurs in this material without any appreciable segregation of impurities to the grain boundaries and, therefore, the grain boundary brittleness appears to be an intrinsic property of this compound. However, a number of ordered alloys with the same crystal structure, for example Cu{sub 3}Au, are ductile as polycrystals. Hence, the first outstanding question is what is the physicalmore » reason for the intrinsic brittleness of grain boundaries in the materials like Ni{sub 3}Al.« less
The Yearbook Photo and Graduation Speech: Intersections of Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Race.

Only 48.6% of University Council For Educational Administration (UCEA) institutions which focus on social justice in principal preparation programs address sexual orientation, this case describes how the completion of an equity audit for an educational leadership course compelled Principal Olson to reflect on his identity as a social justice leader. The racial identity development of Principal Olson led him to understand his own Whiteness and privilege and how his actions not only marginalized students of color but also students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ). The day before graduation, Principal Olson listened as the class president rehearsed her speech where she told the audience she is transgender. This is not a debate of whether the speech should be given, but the issue is how Principal Olson will respond when questioned.
A Nonrandomized Evaluation of a Brief Nurtured Heart Approach Parent Training Program

Parent training programs are increasingly being offered to the general public with little formal evaluation of their effects. One such program, the Nurtured Heart Approach to parenting (NHA; Glasser and Easley in Transforming the difficult child: The Nurtured Heart Approach, Vaughan Printing, Nashville, 2008), contains elements with strong theoretical and empirical support, but NHA as a whole remains to be empirically evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to provide an initial test of the effectiveness of NHA through a quasi-experiment in a community sample. The present study uses data from 41 five-week NHA parent training courses offered to the general public in a Midwestern U.S. city. Participation in programming occurred through self-selection. An information-only comparison group was recruited from the same community using convenience sampling. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were completed by trained parents and comparison parents. Program parents reported gains in well-being, while comparison parents remained relatively stable in well-being scores. Parents trained in NHA increased in providing positive attention to their children and decreased in yelling, scolding, and responding with negativity; comparison group parents demonstrated no changes with regard to these practices. At both baseline and follow-up, parents in the comparison group perceived more strengths in their children than did program parents, but at follow-up the difference had narrowed by half of a standard deviation, indicating progress in changing parent perceptions of children. Though the present study is limited by weaknesses in study design, the evidence is compelling enough to suggest further investigation and implementation of NHA with parents.
Diiodoindium(III) Cation, InI2+, a Potent Yneophile. Generation and Application to Cationic Cyclization by Selective π-Activation of C≡C

The removal of the iodide ion from indium triiodide by means of reactive Ag(I) salts leads to the formation of the highly reactive ligandless cation InI2+, which is unusual in having two vacant low-lying p-orbitals. This bivalent Lewis acidity leads to an especially high affinity for the two orthogonal π-bonds of carbon–carbon triple bonds. Consequently, the double-coordinating InI2+ is an especially effective reagent for the selective activation of C≡C and the catalytic initiation of cationic cyclization processes. A number of such reactions are described to demonstrate synthetic utility.
Photometric Selection of a Luminous Red Galaxy Catalog with $z\geq0.55$

We present the development of a photometrically selected Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) catalog at redshift $z\geq 0.55$. LRG candidates are selected using infrared/optical color-color cuts, optimized using ROC curve analysis, with optical data from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and infrared data from "unWISE" forced photometry derived from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). The catalog contains 16,191,145 objects, selected over the full SDSS DR10 footprint. The redshift distribution of the resulting catalogs is estimated using spectroscopic redshifts from the DEEP2 Galaxy Redshift Survey and photometric redshifts from COSMOS. Restframe $U-B$ colors from DEEP2 are used to estimate LRG selection efficiency. In DEEP2, the resulting catalog has average redshift $z=0.65$, with standard deviation $\sigma = 2.0$, and average restframe $U-B=1.0$, with $\sigma=0.27$. In COSMOS, the resulting catalog has average redshift $z=0.60$, with standard deviation $\sigma = 1.8$. We allow for 35% contamination from bluer galaxies, however we anticipate these to be massive galaxies in our targeted redshift range that will be equally cosmologically useful. Only an estimated 6% of selected objects are bluer sources with redshift $z<0.55$. Stellar contamination is estimated to be 1.8%.
Accelerated molecular dynamics simulations for characterizing plastic deformation in crystalline materials with cracks

Abstract Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are often used for comprehending evolving deformation mechanisms in materials at the atomic scale and also for assessing continuum-scale material properties. A major limitation of conventional MD simulations is that very small MD time-scale ( ∼ fs ), restrict the achievable strain-rates to be much higher ( ∼ 10 7 or higher) than experimentally observed rates, needed for continuum scale modeling, e.g. using crystal plasticity finite element methods. A strain-boost hyperdynamics method based accelerated MD tool is adopted and developed to overcome these limitations. This method biases the atomic system to make it evolve at much faster time-scales and achieve strain-rates that are at least three order of magnitude smaller than the lowest strain-rate achievable in MD. The hyperdynamics algorithm is implemented in a parallel version of LAMMPS, and validated with conventional MD. It is then used to predict evolution of plastic state variables at lower strain-rates for a Nickel single crystal with an embedded atomistic crack. It is shown that at lower strain-rates, not only the evolution of plastic variables are different, but for some configurations there is a shift in the plastic deformation mechanism from twin dominated to dislocation dominated.
New technique targeting the C5 nerve root proximal to the traditional interscalene sonoanatomical approach is analgesic for outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Abstract Study objective Regional anesthesia and analgesia for shoulder surgery is most commonly performed via interscalene nerve block. We developed an ultrasound-guided technique that specifically targets the C5 nerve root proximal to the traditional interscalene block and assessed its efficacy for shoulder analgesia. Design Prospective case series. Setting Vanderbilt Bone and Joint Surgery Center. Patients Patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy at an ambulatory surgery center. Interventions Thirty-five outpatient shoulder arthroscopy patients underwent an analgesic nerve block using a new technique where ultrasound visualization of the C5 nerve root served as the primary target at a level proximal to the traditional interscalene approach. The block was performed with 15mL of 0.5% plain ropivicaine. Measurements Post anesthesia care unit pain scores, opioid consumption, hand strength, and duration of block were recorded. Cadaver dissection after injection with methylene blue confirmed that the primary target under ultrasound visualization was the C5 nerve root. Main results Pain scores revealed 97% patients had 0/10 pain at arrival to PACU, with 91% having a pain score of 3/10 or less at discharge from PACU. Medical Research Council (MRC) hand strength mean (SD) score was 4.17 (0.92) on a scale of 1–5. The mean (SD) duration of the block was 13.9 (3.5) hours. Conclusions A new technique for ultrasound-guided blockade at the level of the C5 nerve root proximal to the level of the traditional interscalene block is efficacious for shoulder post-operative pain control.
Yellow Fever in Angola and Beyond — The Problem of Vaccine Supply and Demand

A resurgence of yellow fever disease in multiple African countries has proved difficult to control. Given that we have a highly effective vaccine that confers lifelong immunity, why is yellow fever still a problem? Much of the answer lies in vaccine supply and demand.
Genetics of the Rh-Hr Locus in Humans

An analysis is attempted to throw more light on the inheritance of rhesus factor in humans and the Fisher-Race and Wiener's concepts are respectively evaluated. It is claimed that the Rh-Hr locus is not comprised of the recombination of C, D, E, c and e genes, much less the help of the auxiliary (d) which merely appears to be a conventional approach derived from an even principle of recombination for a polyhybrid cross. As for Wiener's rare or common mutants of Rh-Hr in humans and the emergence of different agglutinogens like a sort of genetic proliferation, no such parallel of inheritance has yet been found in experimental plants or animals. Probably the scarcity of certain genotypes is due to the rare chance of fertilization or embryonic development due to incompatibility between certain mutants of Rh-Hr genes, similar to ABO-Rh incompatibility.
Quantification of a single score (1+) in the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), a clinical assessment of spasticity

The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is an assessment that is often used by clinicians to grade spasticity in the affected limbs of stroke survivors. The MAS is a function of the angle at which the clinician perceives a resistance to stretch and/or a ‘catch’ during a passive joint rotation. The qualitative nature of the assessment in combination with the low resolution of the scale could result in varied grouping of spastic patients, even for a single score. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a method for the quantification of the MAS, which could provide greater resolution and could eventually guide better informed therapeutic interventions. The MAS assessment at the elbow joint for four stroke survivors with the same clinical MAS score of 1+ was performed by a clinician and quantified using signals from surface electromyography (EMG) and an electrogoniometer. The subjects were tested on both the affected and contralateral upper limbs. The findings from this study show a varied set of signal outputs across four stroke survivors, all graded at 1+. The quantification provides insight as to the mechanisms underlying the passive resistance.
Transferrin Deficiency Leads To Specific and Partially Reversible Iron Overload

Abstract Studies in hpx mice, a model of inherited transferrin deficiency, have demonstrated that transferrin is essential for iron delivery to the erythron and regulation of expression of hepcidin, a hormone that inhibits dietary iron absorption. Here we address two other putative roles for s transferrin. First, we determined if transferrin is essential for metabolism of metals other than iron. Metal content analysis of fractionated mouse sera indicated that iron was the most abundant metal in transferrin-rich fractions. Organ metal content analysis demonstrated severe imbalances for iron and minimal to moderate imbalances for copper, zinc and manganese in hpx tissues. Analysis of metal-dependent gene expression and organ metal content in a mouse model of inherited hepcidin excess suggested that hpx tissue imbalances in copper, zinc and manganese levels were not all physiologic or specific to primary transferrin deficiency. Second, we tested if transferrin modulates the mobilization of tissue iron stores. Transferrin treatment of hpx mice decreased iron levels in most tissues analyzed. Iron mobilization was independent of hepcidin, as iron levels decreased in hpx mice deficient in hemojuvelin, a membrane protein essential for hepcidin expression. Iron mobilization led to decreased ferritin iron and heavy chain levels. The decrease in liver ferritin iron stores did not match the decrease in total liver iron stores, suggesting that iron was mobilized from multiple storage sites. Overall, our analysis suggests that the primary consequences of transferrin deficiency are largely specific to iron and that transferrin can modulate the mobilization of tissue iron stores. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
All-Printed Flexible Microwave Varactors and Phase Shifters Based on a Tunable BST/Polymer

This paper presents all-printed varactors and phase shifters using direct-ink writing methodologies on flexible organic films. The key enabler is a novel ferroelectric nanoink that allows printing high dielectric constant, low loss, and electrostatically tunable dielectrics at extremely low temperatures. The dielectric is made by suspending nanoparticles of barium strontium titanate (BST) in thermoplastic cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) to create a multiphase BST/COC nanocomposite. Unlike conventional ferroelectric ceramics, this ferroelectric dielectric requires no sintering and can be printed on any substrate. After printing, it is cured at temperatures below 200 °C. Careful stoichiometry and particle analysis of BST powders resulted in identifying conditions for achieving electrostatic tunability. A high relative permittivity of ${ \varepsilon _\text{r} = 38}$ and a very low dielectric loss of ${\tan \delta = 0.002}$ at $f= 10$ GHz were measured for the printed sinterless dielectric. The ink allows printing voltage-variable capacitors with a capacitance tunability up to 10% at microwave frequencies. The tunable capacitors were utilized in a left-handed transmission line design to create all-printed tunable phase shifters with up to a maximum phase shift of $\Delta \phi = {97}$ ° and a maximum figure of merit of 29°/dB at $f= 10$ GHz.
An Attitude Controller for Small Scale Rockets

As technology has advanced, electronic components and systems have become smaller and more powerful. A similar trend holds for space systems, and satellites are no exception. As payloads become smaller, so too can the launch vehicles designed to carry them into orbital trajectories. An energy analysis shows that a rocket system with as low as tens of kg of fuel can be sufficient to deliver a 10g payload into orbit given a sufficiently low mass autonomous rocket flight control system. To develop this, the GINA board, a 2g sensor-laden wireless-enabled microprocessor system, was mounted on a custom actuated rocket system and programmed for inertial flight control. Ground and flight tests demonstrated accurate dead reckoning state estimation along with successful open loop actuator control. Further experiments showed the capabilities of the control system at closed loop feedback control. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the feasibility of a sufficiently low mass flight controller, paving the way for a small scale rocket system to deliver a 10g attosatellite into low Earth orbit (LEO).
Applying Cybersecurity Challenges to Medical and Vehicular Cyber Physical Systems

This is a critical time in the design and deployment of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS). Advances in networking, computing, sensing, and control systems have enabled a broad range of new devices and services. Our transportation and medical systems are at the forefront of this advance and rapidly adding cyber components to these existing physical systems. Industry is driven by functional requirements and fast-moving markets and unfortunately security is typically not a driving factor. This can lead to designs were security is an additional feature that will be "bolted on" later. Now is the time to address security. The system designs are evolving rapidly and in most cases design standards are only now beginning to emerge. Many of the devices being deployed today have lifespans measured in decades. The design choices being made today will directly impact next several decades. This talk presents both the challenges and opportunities in building security into the design of these critical systems and will specifically address two emerging challenges. The first challenge considers how we update these devices. Updates involve technical, business, and policy issues. The consequence of an error could be measured in lives lost. The second challenges considers the basic networking approach. These systems may not require traditional networking solutions or traditional security solutions. Content centric networking is an emerging area that is directly applicable to CPS and IoT devices. Content centric networking makes fundamental changes in the core networking concepts, shifting communication from the traditional source/destination model to a new model where forwarding and routing are based on the content sought. In this new model, packets need not even include a source. This talk will argue this model is ideally suited for CPS and IoT environments. A content centric does not just improve the underlying communications system, it fundamentally changes the security and allows designs to move currently intractable security designs to new designs that are both more efficient and more secure.
Abstract WP72: Administration Rates for IV TPA Varies by Type of Stroke Center

Background: Despite advances in endovascular stroke therapy, the use of IV TPA remains the most prevalent acute therapy for ischemic stroke. The earlier that IV thrombolytic therapy is initiated, t...
Not Me, But Reflects Me: Validating a Simple Implicit Measure of Psychological Capital

We propose the recently introduced implicit measure of psychological capital (PsyCap), the Implicit Psychological Capital Questionnaire (I-PCQ; Harms & Luthans, 2012), can provide a needed valid alternative to the self-report Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). We explain the development of the I-PCQ items, assess the structural validity of the instrument, test its vulnerability to response distortion, and assess its capacity to predicting work attitudes and behaviors vis-a-vis the PCQ and Big Five personality facets. We found that the I-PCQ demonstrated acceptable structural validity that was consistent with and added to prior theorizing, was resistant to response distortion, and predicted work outcomes above and beyond the widely used self-report PCQ and Big Five personality traits. We conclude that the I-PCQ represents a valid, easily administered measure of psychological capital that minimizes problems associated with self-reports and is appropriate for use in work settings.
The Impact of Tax and Expenditure Limitations on Municipal Revenue Volatility

Stable revenue flows are paramount for policy makers at all levels of government in order to effectively and efficiently provide goods and services to constituents. This work examines the relations...