cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure in 28Si(16O, 12C)32S excitation functions

Abstract Oscillatory structure appears in 28 Si( 16 O, 12 C) excitation functions populating the ground state and first excited state of 32 S over a range of center-of-mass bombarding energy from 22.3 MeV to 32.5 MeV. This structure is weaker in magnitude and less regular than that previously reported for 24 Mg( 16 O, 12 C) excitation functions. The structure in the 28 Si → 32 S ground state excitation function does not correlate with entrance or exit channel elastic scattering excitation functions, but it does correlate with some of the structure observed in excitation functions for 28 Si( 16 O, 16 O) 28 Si ∗ (2 + ). At most bombarding energies the 28 Si → 32 S ground state transition shows angular distributions which are dominated by one grazing partial wave (which can be calculated with the sample semiclassical Frahn-Venter model), but in two narrow energy ranges the angular distributions shift abruptly to oscillatory shapes which are not dominated by the grazing partial wave.
Multiuser Limited Feedback for Wireless Multi-Antenna Communication

For a wireless multi-antenna network with a large number of users, the sum capacity scales at most linearly with the number of antennas and double logarithmically the number of users. Achieving this optimal capacity scaling potentially requires feedback of channel state information (CSI) from all users, leading to overflow of the feedback channel. This paper proposes a limited feedback strategy that provides feedback control such that a sum CSI feedback rate constraint is satisfied. It is proved that a wireless multi-antenna network using the proposed limited feedback strategy achieves the optimal capacity scaling for the broadcast channel.
Induced-Universal Graphs for Graphs with Bounded Maximum Degree

For a family \(\mathcal {F}\) of graphs, a graph U is induced-universal for \({\mathcal{F}}\) if every graph in \({\mathcal{F}}\) is an induced subgraph of U. We give a construction for an induced-universal graph for the family of graphs on n vertices with degree at most r, which has \(Cn^{\lfloor (r+1)/2\rfloor}\) vertices and \(Dn^{2\lfloor (r+1)/2\rfloor -1}\) edges, where C and D are constants depending only on r. This construction is nearly optimal when r is even in that such an induced-universal graph must have at least cnr/2 vertices for some c depending only on r.
Environmental epigenomics in human health and disease

The epigenome consists of the DNA methylation marks and histone modifications involved in controlling gene expression. It is accurately reproduced during mitosis and can be inherited transgenerationally. The innate plasticity of the epigenome also enables it to be reprogrammed by nutritional, chemical, and physical factors. Imprinted genes and metastable epialleles represent two classes of genes that are particularly susceptible to environmental factors because their regulation is tightly linked to epigenetic mechanisms. To fully understand the etiology of the most devastating diseases that plague humans, the full complexity of the human epigenome will ultimately need to be characterized. Moreover, the elucidation of the interaction of the environment with the epigenome should allow for the development of novel epigenetic-based diagnostic, prevention, and therapeutic strategies for human diseases. Herein, we introduce the emerging field of environmental epigenomics, discuss the importance of imprinted genes and metastable epialleles as epigenetically labile genomic targets, and endorse the genome-wide identification of the full suite of epigenetically labile targets in both the mouse and human genomes.
Tumor control probability predictions for genetic radiotherapy

Purpose: Genetic radiotherapy, the combination of gene therapy and radiation therapy, for cancer treatment is evolving from laboratory studies to clinical trials. Genetic radiotherapy involves the viral infection of cells that change the sensitivity of transduced cells to radiation. Because there is no patient outcome data for genetic radiotherapy, prospective models are needed to determine the expected benefit of this new modality. Such a prospective model has been developed in this work. Methods and Materials: An existing tumor control probability (TCP) calculation model developed for external beam radiotherapy was modified for genetic radiotherapy. Specifically, the (1) transduced fraction and (2) enhancement factor of the transduced cells were included in the model. Parametric studies of the effects of these two variables on TCP for head-and-neck cancer were performed. Results: Using reasonable transduction fraction and enhancement factor values (0.8 and 1.4, respectively), the model predicts an increase in the TCP for genetic radiotherapy over radiotherapy alone by up to 15% for the same radiotherapy dose. The theoretical limit of TCP increase was calculated to be near 70%, which may occur with improved techniques that increase the transduced fraction or because of a strong bystander effect. To maintain existing TCP, dose reductions from 5 Gy (reasonable values) to >30 Gy (ideal case) are predicted for genetic radiotherapy over radiotherapy alone. Conclusions: Our results indicate that genetic radiotherapy has the potential to significantly improve tumor control over radiotherapy alone. © 2003 Elsevier Inc.
I Learned How to Talk About a Book: Children's Perceptions of Literature Circles Across Grade and Ability Levels

The purpose of the present study was to investigate students' perceptions of their experiences with literature circles across elementary grades. A stratified random sample of 24 diverse students in grades one, three, four, and five were individually interviewed to obtain perceptions of their attitudes toward literature circles and their perceptions of what they learned. Data analysis was conducted primarily using Hyperresearch™ qualitative software for Windows using the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Findings included: (a) students described literature circles as the most enjoyable part of language arts, (b) students believed that writing before and after literature circles enhanced the discussion, and (c) participants perceived that students used (and observed others using) responses to literature and comprehension strategies.
Molecular plasmonics for nanoscale spectroscopy

Surface- and tip-enhanced Raman and LSPR spectroscopies have developed over the past 15 years as unique tools for uncovering the properties of single particles and single molecules that are unobservable in ensemble measurements. Measurements of individual events provide insight into the distribution of molecular properties that are averaged over in ensemble experiments. Raman and LSPR spectroscopy can provide detailed information on the identity of molecular species and changes in the local environment, respectively. In this review a detailed discussion is presented on single-molecule and single-particle Raman and LSPR spectroscopy focusing on the major developments in the fields and applications of the techniques.
Ocular Surface Influences on Corneal Topography

The shape of a cornea, as measured by corneal topography, can be influenced by a variety of factors. Direct and obvious influences on corneal shape include corneal pathology, corneal surgery, and contact lenses. With the modern and widespread use of computerized videokeratoscopy, subtle topographic changes from other external and systemic influences can now be detailed. The purpose of this review is to examine ocular surface influences and indirect surgical, pathological, and pharmacological factors that affect the corneal shape and acquired topographic maps. The clinical consequences of altered corneal topography will be highlighted throughout.
Synthetic Wheel Prismatic Joint Biped With Torso

The design of a new biped robot is proposed in this paper. Based on the concept of a self-propelled wheel, the design offers to provide impact-free motion during walking. The biped robot is composed of a torso and two legs. Each leg has arc-shaped feet that are constrained to move in a manner that essentially allows the robot to roll continuously during walking. The role of the torso is to generate forward and backward motion. The equations of motion of the robot are generated using Lagrange’s equations and constraints are imposed on the motion to generate a walking gait. In the experimental hardware, the constraints are imposed by designing and implementing closed-loop torque control of the actuators. The robot successfully walked down a hallway and data collected from the robot verified the efficacy of the controllers.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Developmental anatomy of the heart: a tale of mice and man

Because of the increasing availability of tools for genetic manipulation, the mouse has become the most popular animal model for studying normal and abnormal cardiac development. However, despite t...
Mutation Analysis of Magento for Evaluating Threat Model-Based Security Testing

Security testing is a major means for assuring software security and many security testing techniques have been developed in the past. Benchmarks, however, are in great demands for empirically evaluating the vulnerability detection capabilities of these techniques. To develop such a benchmark, this paper presents an approach to security mutation analysis of Magento, a fully-fledged open source e-commerce web application for evaluating automated security testing techniques. We create security mutants by injecting vulnerabilities in a systematic way. Specifically, we consider the causes of vulnerabilities according to OWASP's top 10 web application security risks, the application's business logic, as well as various consequences of vulnerabilities (i.e., STRIDE attacks). We have created 63 mutants and applied them successfully to the evaluation of two security testing techniques that use threat trees and threat nets as threat models for test generation. Our experiments show that these testing methods can kill most of the mutants but cannot detect the vulnerabilities that are not captured by the threat models.
The Strength-Based Counseling Model A Paradigm Shift in Psychology

Sometimes, it is difficult for a profession to move forward because its members interpret emerging conceptual models from the perspective of old frameworks. Each of the five reactants in this issue of The Counseling Psychologist interpreted the strength-based counseling model within their own self-adopted framework—Adlerian psychology, role strain theory, optimal development, self-efficacy, or wellness. Only one reactant had the courage to say that although counseling psychology has historically “talked the talk” about building strengths in individuals, it has steadily embraced the medical model. If counseling psychology is to go forward, we will need honest appraisals of what goals we have and have not accomplished. Strength-based counseling represents a paradigm shift in psychology from the deficit medical model to one that stresses clients’ strengths. The model will hopefully encourage the profession to act on its espoused commitment to strength development for individuals across the life span.
Measurement of low impedance on chip power supply loop

A new method of measuring the high frequency self-impedance and transfer impedance of a microprocessor's power supply loop is proposed. The method is based on measurement of the on-chip voltage in response to a predetermined stimulus. Two methods of the stimulus current generation are presented: running a set of computer instructions and toggling clock frequency while the system is in reset.
Prevalence and impact of depression in cystic fibrosis.

Purpose of reviewNumerous studies have demonstrated that patients with chronic illnesses are at an increased risk for depression, with serious direct and indirect consequences for health outcomes. The few studies examining rates of depression in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or parent caregiver
Optimal medium access and admission controls of multimedia traffic over TD-CDMA systems

For 3G mobile radio systems, the combined time and code division multiple access (TD-CDMA) is well suited for wireless local area networks. An optimized-capacity medium access control (OC-MAC) protocol is proposed to maximize transport capacity by supporting per-slot bit error rate (BER) and traffic rate scheduling while satisfying multimedia quality-of-service (QoS). An interference-based prioritized call admission control (IP-CAC) is proposed to maintain QoS under the effect of mobile handoffs by supporting adaptive admission priorities for handoffs and new calls of multiple traffic classes.
Animating corrosion and erosion

In this paper, we present a simple method for animating natural phenomena such as erosion, sedimentation, and acidic corrosion. We discretize the appropriate physical or chemical equations using finite differences, and we use the results to modify the shape of a solid body. We remove mass from an object by treating its surface as a level set and advecting it inward, and we deposit the chemical and physical byproducts into simulated fluid. Similarly, our technique deposits sediment onto a surface by advecting the level set outward. Our idea can be used for off-line high quality animations as well as interactive applications such as games, and we demonstrate both in this paper.
The symbiotic mites of some Appalachian Xystodesmidae (Diplopoda : Polydesmida) and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the mite Stylochyrus rarior (Berlese) (Acari : Mesostigmata : Ologamasidae)

Millipedes of the family Xystodesmidae (Polydesmida) are often host to several symbiotic mite species, but very little work has been done to identify these acarines or to understand their relationship to the millipedes. In an attempt to better understand these associations, mites found on xystodesmid millipedes, a group for which a species phylogeny has been proposed, were collected in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Mites in the genera Stylochyrus Canestrini & Canestrini, 1882 (Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) and Schwiebea Oudemans, 1916 (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) were prevalent among millipedes in the genera Apheloria Chamberlin, 1921, Appalachioria Marek & Bond, 2006, Boraria Chamberlin, 1943, Brachoria Chamberlin, 1939, Dixioria Chamberlin, 1947, Nannaria Chamberlin, 1918, Pleuroloma Rafinesque, 1820, Prionogonus Shelley, 1982, Rudiloria Causey, 1955 and Sigmoria Chamberlin, 1939. Of the mite taxa collected, the species Stylochyrus rarior (Berlese, 1916) was found on the greatest number of sampled millipede taxa. To enhance future coevolutionary studies of xystodesmid millipedes and their mite symbionts, the complete mitochondrial genome of S. rarior associated with the millipede genus Apheloria (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) was sequenced. The genome is 14 899 nucleotides in length, has all the typical genes of an arthropod mitochondrion, differs in gene arrangement from that of the ancestral arthropod, and has a gene order that is unique among mites and ticks. The major difference in S. rarior is the placement of the protein-coding gene nad1, which is positioned between the rRNA gene 12S and the protein-coding gene nad2 (tRNA genes and non-coding regions excluded). There are also two non-coding control regions within this mitochondrial genome.
Genetic Architecture of Complex Human Traits: What Have We Learned from Genome-Wide Association Studies?

Genome-wide association studies have identified thousands of genetic variants associated with various complex human traits and diseases. These results opened a window to the genetic architecture of complex human traits. The fact that the identified variants usually confer small effects and explain only a small fraction of heritability has led the discussion of where to find the ‘missing heritability.’ Two competitive models have been proposed: the ‘infinitesimal model’ suggests large number of variants of small effects and the ‘rare variant model’ suggests multiple large-effect rare variants. Recent empirical studies and theoretical analyses suggest that the infinitesimal model might dominate the true genetic architecture of most complex traits. Large-effect rare variants may exist and might be functionally important but contribute little to heritability.
Therapeutic Conversations with Seriously Ill People and Their Families

Seriously ill people and those they love encounter health care professionals regularly. Published studies, representing how seriously ill people prefer to be communicated with suggest they would like open, honest and thoughtful communication. Additionally, these studies emphasize that seriously ill people prefer to talk about their illness when they are ready. Medical professionals are often on the frontline of communication with these people. There is a paucity of education on communicating with seriously ill people in professional education spanning many health care professions.Our workshop will empower participants in all capacities to better communicate with seriously ill people. We will teach not how to communicate information but rather how to have a therapeutic interaction that is consistent with what we know to be true about what seriously ill people value in their communication with their health care team.We will use patient narratives both oral and video, role play and reflection to convey an easy to implement framework to therapeutic communication.Session attendees will be able to1. Understand foundational communication desires of seriously ill people and their families.2. Describe a framework to approach difficult conversations with a therapeutic intention.3. Implement practical approaches to enhance their communication with seriously ill patients and families they encounter daily.
Amidoximes as ligand functionalities for braided polymeric materials for the recovery of uranium from seawater

Abstract The formation constants of the UO22+ cation with the amidoximate ligands bzam (benzamidoxime) and acetam (acetamidoxime) are reported. These are of interest in light of their proposed use as the functional groups of extractants for uranium in seawater. The formation constants of bzam with UO22+ were measured by monitoring the absorbance of the π → π∗ transitions in the UV spectrum of the bzam ligand in the presence of 1:1 UO22+ as a function of pH. This yielded log K1 = 12.4 for UO22+ with bzam, and log K = 6.9 for the equilibrium UO2(bzam)+ + OH− = UO2(bzam)OH at 25 °C and ionic strength zero. The bzam complexes were also studied monitoring the fluorescence of the UO22+ system. Analysis of the intense fluorescence that occurs in 5 × 10−6 M UO22+ solutions between pH 5 and 9 suggested that this was due to the [(UO2)3O(OH)3]+ trimer. Monomeric species such as UO22+ and [UO2(OH)4]2−, and dimers such as [(UO2)(OH)2]2+, fluoresce only weakly. Titration of such solutions with bzam supported the above log K values measured by absorbance, and with higher bzam concentrations yielded log β2 = 22.3. The acetam ligand does not have any absorbance, so that complex-formation was monitored by fluorescence only. Formation constants measured by fluorescence may differ from those measured by other techniques such as absorbance. The agreement obtained between log K values measured by absorbance and fluorescence for the bzam complex of UO22+ supported the log K values measured for the acetam complexes by florescence alone were reliable: log K1 = 13.6, log β2 = 23.7, and log K UO2(acetam)+ + OH− = UO2(acetam)OH = 6.8. The high log K values found for the bzam and acetam complexes of UO22+ were analyzed using DFT calculations. These log K values are related to the ability of polymer-based extractants bearing bzam or acetam type functional groups to extract UO22+ at a concentration of 1.3 × 10−8 M and in the competing 0.0025 M CO32− present in the oceans.
Equalization attacks against OFDM: analysis and countermeasures

This paper introduces, investigates, and proposes power-efficient equalization jamming attacks against the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM and possible countermeasures. Signals known a priori, called pilot tones, are employed in the conventional OFDM-based systems to estimate the channel response and perform equalization. Attacks against these pilot tones can hamper equalization and degrade target's performance. This paper begins with noise-based pilot tone jamming and moves onto pilot nulling attack. The paper embraces two mitigation strategies of randomizing the pilot tones. The paper presents mathematical model of effective noise per symbol and simulation results for OFDM systems with conventional and randomized pilot-tones under such attacks. The paper concludes that the noise-based pilot tone attacks are power efficient than conventional attacks, and the pilot nulling is capable of doing the most damage, but in the expense of additional channel state information. The paper also claims that the mitigation strategies offer a remedy, but works relatively poorly when no jammer is present. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of Pipeline Flex is associated with reduced fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and technical failure compared with the first-generation Pipeline embolization device

Background Flow diversion with the Pipeline embolization device is a well-established method of intracranial aneurysm treatment. However, deployment of the first-generation device (Pipeline Classic) can be technically challenging. The Pipeline Flex contains the same flow-diverting stent with a modified delivery system. Objective To compare procedural outcomes between the first-generation device (Pipeline Classic) and the Pipeline Flex. Methods Thirty-eight of the first 40 consecutive patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline Flex and 58 of the most recent 60 consecutive patients who underwent treatment with the Pipeline Classic at our institution were evaluated. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, technical procedural details, and early outcomes were analyzed. Results The two groups were comparable for age, gender, and location of target aneurysms. Use of Pipeline Flex decreased procedure time by 44.2 min (p≤0.001) and fluoroscopy time by 22.0 min (p=0.001) compared with the Pipeline Classic. Similarly, radiation exposure was less in the Flex group with a mean difference of 3473.5 Gy cm 2 (p=0.002), while contrast usage was decreased with a mean difference of 22.3 mL (p=0.007). These differences remained significant in multivariate regression analysis. Finally, the rate of device deployment failure was lower in the Flex group (7.1%) than in the Classic group (23.9%) (p=0.034). Conclusions Use of Pipeline Flex significantly reduces the total procedure and fluoroscopy time, contrast usage, patient radiation exposure, and proportion of recaptured devices in comparison with the Pipeline Classic, probably owing to an enhanced delivery system that allows for more reliable and controlled deployment.
Sensitivity to visual Gaussian noise patterns as determined by binary and rating procedures.

Trained Os made judgments as to the presence of a signal plus noise pattern adjacent to a noise pattern with binary and 4-category rating response procedures. Two mean differences between stimulus distributions, 2 criterion levels, and 2 response procedures were factorially combined to produce 8 experimental conditions. Individual protocols of all Os in rating sessions and of 2 Os in most binary sessions resulted in straight line z-coordinate receiver operating functions. A receiver operating function expresses the probability of a hit as a function of the probability of a false alarm. As predicted by the theory of signal detection, neither response procedures nor criterion manipulations affected de, but de was sensitive to the magnitude of the mean difference between the signal and signal plus noise distributions. However, Os were not influenced by pay-off conditions to adopt low criteria in binary sessions even though criterion shifts were produced in rating sessions. Finally, the obtained slope for the...
Studies of criteria for classification of arterial hypertension

Abstract Capillary counts on the forearm were made on normal persons and on patients with various diseases, especially hypertension. The initial counts were compared with counts made during histamine dilatation; the latter were thought to indicate the total number of capillaries present. It was found that average counts on normal persons showed that 50 per cent of the total number of capillaries were open initially, and, if areas of adequate size were counted, at least one area would show no more than 62 per cent open initially. In certain pathologic vascular states, the initial counts approached or equalled the total counts. After persons with a local or systemic cause for initial dilatation were excluded, the capillary mobility of the remainder was graded as follows: (1) 50 per cent, or less, of total capillaries open initially, high capillary mobility; (2) 51 to 89 per cent of capillaries open initially, moderate capillary mobility; (3) 90 to 100 per cent of capillaries open initially, diminished capillary mobility. Although most of the persons with hypertension fell into the first, or normal, group, approximately 40 per cent were found to belong in the groups in which there was diminished or moderate capillary mobility. None of the normal controls fell into the group in which mobility was diminished, and, if adequate areas were counted, four-fifths of them showed high capillary mobility.
Classwide Intervention Using Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies

This chapter provides a description of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), a scientific, research-based classwide intervention that can be used as part of core instruction provided in multi-tiered models of prevention and intervention. Specifically, the extent to which Reading PALS (a) addresses critical academic skills that align with core academic standards, (b) provides opportunities to differentiate instruction, (c) is supported by evidence of efficacy for diverse learners, (d) includes supports for teachers to implement PALS with fidelity, and (e) can be adapted to meet specific classroom and student needs is described. Implications for research and practice within a response to intervention (RTI) framework are discussed.
20 ORAL AND NASAL ENTERAL TUBE PLACEMENT ERRORS.

Objective To discuss three cases with complications of oral/nasal feeding tube placement in pediatric patients with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation and review literature on complication rates and placement techniques. Design Case report and review of the literature. Patients A 14-year-old male with respiratory distress following a near drowning, a 10-year-old male with recurrent acute lymphocytic leukemia and Pneumocystis carnii pneumonia, and a 16-year-old female with complex congenital heart disease and respiratory failure. Interventions Placement of oral or nasal feeding tube. Results Three cases of feeding tube placement errors occurred in our combined medical surgical, 19-bed, tertiary care hospital, pediatric critical care unit within the past year. All three resulted in placement of the feeding tube in the respiratory tree despite the presence of cuffed endotracheal tubes. All three patients had subsequent worsening of their respiratory status. One patient developed a pneumothorax, one patient developed pulmonary hemorrhage, and the other had an increased oxygen requirement. Conclusions Patients are at risk for misplacement of oral or nasal feeding tubes even when intubated with a cuffed endotracheal tube, which was previously felt to be a protective factor. Errors in the placement of feeding tubes may cause serious morbidity and mortality. Checking placement of feeding tubes with methods described in the literature may not be sufficient, and radiographic confirmation of placement is needed.
Formation conditions and explorative directions of jurassic shale gas in Fuling Sichuan Basin

In order to understand the shale gas exploration potential of Fuling area in Sichuan Basin,the formation conditions were analyzed such as sedimentary facies distribution,organic matter content and type,maturity,porosity,gas content,preservation conditions and so on.By comparison with the major gas shale of America,it can be concluded that Dongyuemiao member is developed in favorable shallow lake to fairly deep lake reservoir zones with great thickness of mudstone and shale,good hydrocarbon source conditions,better reservoir conditions,high gas content and low interlayer content(mudstone thickness 80%),moderate burial depth(2 500 ~ 3 100 m).So it is the most favorable shale gas exploration strata of lacustrine facies in the area recently and further enhanced exploration of the formation is suggested.
Inpatient Treatment for the Dually Diagnosed

We will describe a format for the treatment of combined psychiatric and addictive disorders on inpatient units that employs a combination of professional psychiatric and peer-led techniques. The mental health professional approach based on the medical model is needed to address general psychiatric disorders, and the peer-led approach is valuable in treating addictive disorders, as well as acute psychiatric disorders. Two specific programs will be presented using this model, an acute psychiatric inpatient unit and a halfway house.
Heat Capacity Measurements of 3He-4He Mixture Films

We report heat capacity measurements from our on-going experiments on two-dimensional liquid 3He on superfluid 4He thin films absorbed on Nuclepore. The 3He coverage dependence of the heat capacity for 0.02–0.50 bulk-density layers of 3He with 3.10 bulk-density layers of 4He over the temperature range 40≤T≤200 mK is presented. We find the effective mass of 3He on 3.10 layers of 4He is greater than that on 4.33 layers of 4He, consistent with our previous magnetic susceptibility measurements.
Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease

Thyroid disease in children represents a diverse set of diseases including congenital abnormalities, autoimmune conditions, and malignancy. Benign conditions include thyroglossal duct cysts, ectopic thyroid tissue, goiters, Graves disease, acute suppurative thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s disease, congenital hypothyroidism, and subacute thyroiditis. The management of thyroid nodules is more complex and requires an algorithmic approach to evaluate for malignancy. Treatment of thyroid malignancies is either total or subtotal thyroidectomy with or without central lymph node dissection. With parathyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism is the main anomaly encountered in the pediatric population. Hyperparathyroidism in neonates may be relatively benign and self-limiting (neonatal hyperparathyroidism), but neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism can be life-threatening. In older children, primary hyperparathyroidism can be secondary to adenomas, which are usually sporadic, or hyperplasia, which is typically familial. When managing either thyroid or parathyroid disease, a clinician must evaluate for multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes and be aware of the potential for prophylactic surgeries.
Intensive Hemodialysis, Blood Pressure, and Antihypertensive Medication Use

Hypertension is a cardinal feature of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hypertensive nephropathy is the primary cause of ESRD for nearly 30% of patients, and the prevalence of hypertension is >85% in new patients with ESRD. In contemporary hemodialysis (HD) patients, mean predialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) is nearly 150mmHg, and about 70%, 50%, and 40% use β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, respectively. Predialysis SBP generally exhibits a U-shaped association with mortality risk. Interdialytic ambulatory SBP is more strongly associated with risk. Hypertension is multifactorial; key causes include persistent hypervolemia and elevated peripheral resistance. With 3 HD sessions per week, blood pressure (BP) climbs during the interdialytic interval, in step with interdialytic weight gain, particularly among elderly patients and those with higher dry weight. Elevated peripheral resistance can be attributed to inappropriate activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to higher plasma norepinephrine concentrations. Multiple randomized clinical trials show that intensive HD reduces BP and the need for oral medications indicated for hypertension. In the first 2 months of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network trial, the short daily schedule reduced predialysis SBP by 7.7mmHg, whereas the nocturnal schedule reduced predialysis SBP by 7.3mmHg, both relative to 3 sessions per week. Improvements were sustained after 12 months. Both schedules reduced antihypertensive medication use relative to 3 sessions per week. In FREEDOM (Following Rehabilitation, Economics, and Everyday-Dialysis Outcome Measurements), a prospective cohort study of short daily HD, the mean number of prescribed antihypertensive agents decreased from 1.7 to 1.0 in 1 year, whereas the percentage of patients not prescribed antihypertensive agents increased from 21% to 47%. Nocturnal HD appears to markedly reduce total peripheral resistance and plasma norepinephrine and restore endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In conclusion, intensive HD reduces BP and the need for antihypertensive medications.
Space: the choice is endless

Growing up on the east coast of Florida, I used to look of out my bedroom window and watch as rockets lifted off towards the Moon. I always assumed that one day I would become an engineer and work in the space pro-gramme. Although I fulfilled that dream, what I did not anticipate was that I would later fall in love with physics; leaving engineering to pursue a PhD in statistical mechanics.
Dynamic hazard identification and scenario mapping using Bayesian network

Abstract Hazard identification is of vital importance in risk management. It is the first step of undertaking accident likelihood and associated consequence analysis. The traditional hazard identification techniques suffer from being static. New information or evolving conditions cannot be easily incorporated in already identified hazards. To overcome this, the Bayesian network is used to bring dynamics to the hazard identification step. The present work develops a new methodology to map hazard scenarios into the Bayesian network model, which enables real time hazard identification. The model presents a probability ranking for hazards using given input observations. It helps to identify the most credible hazard scenarios for further analysis. Sensitivity analyses are also conducted to investigate the influence of the input parameters on identified hazards.
Percutaneous therapies for tricuspid regurgitation

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Chronic tricuspid valve regurgitation is usually associated with left-sided heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. Although severe tricuspid valve regurgitation carries a poor prognosis, isolated surgery is rarely performed due to high in-hospital mortality and an unclear impact on long term survival. The lack of adequate surgical treatment has resulted in a large population of patients with an unmet clinical need.Areas covered: Transcatheter therapies have revolutionized the management of high risk patients with left-sided valvular disease, and have sparked interest in translating minimally invasive therapies to the tricuspid valve. Here we will discuss some of the challenges of percutaneous tricuspid interventions, and review the novel therapies which are in early development.Expert commentary: Transcatheter therapies for the tricuspid valve are in early development, and are not yet appropriate for clinical use. In select non-surgical patients transcatheter devices may ultimately...
Spatial Spillover Effects of Debt Relief from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative

The impacts of various economic and institutional factors transcend the borders of a country and flow over to adjacent countries. Past research has found that there are spatial spillovers in economic growth, development of institutions, governance quality and institutional quality. This paper conducts a study on the direct and indirect effects of debt relief from the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) programs, which are created by the IMF and the World Bank to provide debt relief to qualifying countries. Using the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), this study shows that there are negative spatial spillovers associated with these debt relief programs.
Use of Ground Wheat Straw in Container Nursery Substrates to Overwinter Daylily Divisions2

Wheat (Triticum sp.) straw is being evaluated as a potential component in soilless container mixes either alone or combined with compost to replace a significant portion of the substrate currently supplied by pine bark and peat moss. The objective of this study was to evaluate wheat straw and horse manure compost, locally available resources, as components of container media for establishing and overwintering daylily (Hemerocallis fulva ‘Stella D'Oro’). A standard commercial, sphagnum peat-based substrate was amended with either wheat straw, horse manure compost, or a combination of the two. Stella D'Oro daylily divisions were grown in each substrate mix and overwintered in an unheated structure for eight months. Physical properties of the mixes were determined to be within production standards and media shrinkage was minimal. Daylilies in all substrate combinations were of comparable vigor to the non-amended substrate when growth resumed in the spring.
ATM supports gammaherpesvirus replication by attenuating type I interferon pathway

Ataxia-Telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase participates in multiple networks, including DNA damage response, oxidative stress, and mitophagy. ATM also supports replication of diverse DNA and RNA viruses. Gammaherpesviruses are prevalent cancer-associated viruses that benefit from ATM expression during replication. This proviral role of ATM had been ascribed to its signaling within the DNA damage response network; other functions of ATM have not been considered. In this study increased type I interferon (IFN) responses were observed in ATM deficient gammaherpesvirus-infected macrophages. Using a mouse model that combines ATM and type I IFN receptor deficiencies we show that increased type I IFN response in the absence of ATM fully accounts for the proviral role of ATM during gammaherpesvirus replication. Further, increased type I IFN response rendered ATM deficient macrophages more susceptible to antiviral effects of type II IFN. This study identifies attenuation of type I IFN responses as the primary mechanism underlying proviral function of ATM during gammaherpesvirus infection.
Sometimes Friends but Always Competitors?: Vertical Competition between Private Cities and Counties in Developmental and Redistributive Policies

AbstractsTwo types of competition exist between local governments. Horizontal (or inter-jurisdictional) competition occurs between governments of comparable power, whereas vertical (or intergovernmental) competition develops between governments with distinctive powers. Under this definition, competition between cities is horizontal, while competition between cities and counties is vertical. Although horizontal competition is widely recognized and studied, vertical competition has remained largely unexplored by scholars. This article examines the nature of vertical competition by analyzing the practice of active and passive matching behaviors of cities and counties in developmental and redistributive policies. More specifically, a set of cases in which cities and counties show active or passive matching behavior is presented. Then the developmental and redistributive expenditures of cities are regressed on the developmental and redistributive expenditures of countries and vice versa in a series of simultan...
Diagnosis and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Premature and Term Infants

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) contribute to a significant portion of bacterial infections in neonates and young infants. Criteria for the diagnosis, treatment, and imaging are more established in the 2- to 24-month-old age group. It may not be ideal to apply recommendations from the group older than 2 months to younger patients, because the presentation, risk factors, complications, management, and imaging may not be appropriate for this more vulnerable population. This review provides a summary of the available literature for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a UTI in the neonate or young infant. We review data on imaging to assess for underlying congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. We also provide insight on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, particularly when vesicoureteral reflux is identified.
Job-related stress in a medical center organization: Management/communication issues

This study reports the first in a series of studies investigating job-related stress in a medical center organization. A specific focus concerns the relationship of certain management-communication...
Pertussis: A Reemerging Infection

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory tract infection that has increased in incidence in recent years. The initial catarrhal stage presents with nonspecific symptoms of malaise, rhinorrhea, sneezing, lacrimation, and mild cough. During the paroxysmal stage, severe outbreaks of coughing often lead to the classic high-pitched whooping sound patients make when gasping for breath. The paroxysmal stage is followed by the convalescent stage and resolution of symptoms. Complications vary by age, with infants more likely to experience severe complications such as apnea, pneumonia, seizures, or death. In adolescents and adults, complications are the result of chronic cough. The diagnosis depends on clinical signs and laboratory testing. Both culture and polymerase chain reaction testing can be used to confirm the diagnosis; serologic testing is not standardized or routinely recommended. Although antibiotics have not shown clear effectiveness in the treatment of pertussis, they eradicate nasal bacterial carriage and may reduce transmission rates. Macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin are first-line treatments to prevent transmission; trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is an alternative in cases of allergy or intolerance to macrolides. Immunization against pertussis is essential for disease prevention. Current recommendations in the United States consist of administering five doses of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine to children before seven years of age, and administering a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster between 11 and 18 years of age. Recent efforts have focused on the vaccination of adolescents and adults, with new recommendations for a single dose of the Tdap booster if it has not been previously administered.
Rational Choice Explained and Defended

Choice behavior can generally be best modeled using the rational actor model, according to which individuals have a time-, state-, and social context-dependent preference function over outcomes, and beliefs concerning the probability that particular actions lead to particular outcomes. Every argument that I have seen for rejecting the rational actor model I have found to be specious, often disingenuous and reflecting badly on the training of its author.
Learning relational bayesian classifiers from RDF data

The increasing availability of large RDF datasets offers an exciting opportunity to use such data to build predictive models using machine learning algorithms. However, the massive size and distributed nature of RDF data calls for approaches to learning from RDF data in a setting where the data can be accessed only through a query interface, e.g., the SPARQL endpoint of the RDF store. In applications where the data are subject to frequent updates, there is a need for algorithms that allow the predictive model to be incrementally updated in response to changes in the data. Furthermore, in some applications, the attributes that are relevant for specific prediction tasks are not known a priori and hence need to be discovered by the algorithm. We present an approach to learning Relational Bayesian Classifiers (RBCs) from RDF data that addresses such scenarios. Specifically, we show how to build RBCs from RDF data using statistical queries through the SPARQL endpoint of the RDF store. We compare the communication complexity of our algorithm with one that requires direct centralized access to the data and hence has to retrieve the entire RDF dataset from the remote location for processing. We establish the conditions under which the RBC models can be incrementally updated in response to addition or deletion of RDF data. We show how our approach can be extended to the setting where the attributes that are relevant for prediction are not known a priori, by selectively crawling the RDF data for attributes of interest. We provide open source implementation and evaluate the proposed approach on several large RDF datasets.
Sexual Behavior Differentiation

The first concrete demonstration that fetal testicular hormones have permanent influences on reproductive behavior potentials of mammals was provided by a report published in 1959 by Phoenix, Goy, Gerall, and Young. Inspired by several isolated studies appearing in the late 1930s (Dantchakoff, 1938a,b,c), Phoenix et al. showed that the administration of testosterone to pregnant guinea pigs resulted in female offspring that displayed high levels of malelike mounting behaviors when tested in adulthood. Moreover, these females were severely impaired in their ability to perform the typical female sexual pattern. This seminal paper founded an entirely new research area within the field of behavioral endocrinology. Before that time, considerable information was available on the mechanism by which various components of sexual morphology emerged, but virtually nothing was known about the differentiation of behavior into male and female patterns.
Syntheses, characterization, and structural analyses of several f-block isothiocyanatonitrato complexes

Reactions of tetra-n-butylammonium thiocyanate with lanthanide and uranyl nitrates yield complexes of the general type [(Bu)4N]x[M(NCS)y(NO3)z]. Samples of [(Bu)4N]2 [UO2(NCS)3( NO3)] (1), [(Bu)4N]3[Yb(NCS)4(NO3)2] (2), and [(Bu)4N]3[Nd(NCS)4(NO3)2rsqb; (3) were prepared from alcohol solutions. Crystallization of 1 occurs in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a = 17.949(4) A, b = 16.587(3) A, c = 16.763(3) A; β = 99.77(3)°; and Z = 4. The seven-coordinate uranium(VI) ion exhibits a pentagonal bipyramid coordination environment. Crystallization of 2 occurs in the centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Pnnn (No. 48) with a = 12.530(2) A, b = 12.9440(10) A, c = 21.203(2) A; Z = 2. The eight-coordinate ytterbium(III) ion expresses a dodecahedral coordination environment. Crystallization of 3 occurs in the noncentrosymmetric monoclinic space group Cc (No. 9) with a = 16.556(2) A, b = 18.130(2) A, c = 23.984(4) A; Z = 4. The 10-coordinate neodymium(III) ion exhibits a dodecahedral coordination environment. Characterization includes physical property determinations, conoscopic studies, IR spectroscopic identifications, and UV spectral data. Details of the syntheses along with selected bond distances and angles are presented and discussed.