cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The complications of trauma and their associated costs in a level I trauma center

Objectives: To estimate the expected costs for acute trauma care, to quantify the costs associated with the development of complications in injury victims, and to determine the deficit incurred by patients in whom complications develop. Design: A retrospective, cohort design. Setting: A referral trauma center. Patients: A total of 12 088 patients admitted to a single regional trauma center during a period of 5 years. Interventions: This is an observational study, and no interventions specific to this study are included in the design. Main Outcome Measures: (1) The expected costs for injury victims based on readily available clinical data. (2) The costs associated with the most important complications of trauma. (3) The effect of complications on inadequate reimbursement for trauma care. Results: The expected costs were estimated using a linear model incorporating demographic variables and measures of injury severity. The expected costs averaged $14 567, and the observed costs averaged $15 032. Six complications were important predictors of cost. These included adult respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney failure, sepsis, pneumonia, decubitus ulceration, and wound infections. For 1201 individuals with these complications, the predicted costs averaged $23 266 and the observed costs averaged $47 457. The mean excess costs for a single complication ranged from $6669 to $18 052. Multiple complications led to greater increases in excess cost, averaging $110 007 for the 62 patients with 3 or more complications. Costs exceeded reimbursement to a much greater degree in those in whom any of the 6 complications developed. Conclusion: Expected hospital costs can be estimated using admission clinical data. Each of 6 complications was associated with enormous increases in costs, indicating their importance as a cause of avoidable expenditures in injury victims and identifying situations in which reimbursement may not be adequate. Arch Surg. 1997;132:920-924
Alteration of vitamin D metabolism in Mexican-Americans.

Studies were performed to investigate vitamin D metabolism in Mexican-Americans. Groups of 15 whites and 16 Mexican-Americans ranging in age from 18 to 41 years were evaluated. All of them were within 25% of their ideal body weight. Each of them was admitted to the Clinical Research Center of the University of Texas Health Science Center and placed on a daily diet estimated to contain 400 mg calcium and 900 mg phosphate. It was found that whereas serum vitamin D (1.8 ± 0.5 versus 7.6 ± 1.3 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (9 ± 1 versus 17 ± 2 ng/ml, P < 0.01) were significantly lower and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (37 ± 2 versus 28 ± 2 pg/ml, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the Mexican-Americans than in the whites, serum calcium (9.1 ± 0.1 versus 9.2 ± 0.1 mg/dl), magnesium (1.84 ± 0.07 versus 1.80 ± 0.07 mEq/liter), and Gla protein (19 ± 3 versus 21 ± 2 ng/ml) were not different in the two groups. Urinary calcium (144 ± 14 versus 124 ± 16 mg/day), phosphate (672 ± 51 versus 683 ± 44 mg/ day), sodium (110 Ω 8 versus 99 ± 9 mEq/day), potassium (43 ± 4 versus 49 ± 3 mEq/day), and magnesium (7.3 ± 0.7 versus 7.7 ± 0.5 mEq/day) and creatinine clearance (173 ± 14 versus 154 ± 7 liters/day) were not different in the two groups. Serum immunoreactive PTH (390 ± 25 versus 299 ± 21 pg/ml, P < 0.02) was significantly higher in the Mexican-Americans than in the whites and urinary cyclic AMP (2.64 Ω 0.27 versus 2.59 ± 0.39 nM/dl GF) was not different in the two groups. The results indicate that Mexican-Americans are depleted of vitamin D and, as a result, have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and compensatory increases in serum immunoreactive PTH and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The depletion of vitamin D in Mexican-Americans is attributed to increased skin pigment
Nerve interactions and regenerative processes occurring in newt limbs fused end-to-end

Abstract Peripheral nerve interactions and regenerative phenomena were studied in newt forelimbs fused end to end. After simple fusion, one or two spikelike structures regenerated at the plane of fusion in 88% of the cases. When one of the limbs was denervated at the time of fusion, no regeneration occurred from the plane of fusion. If the limbs were fused and one was amputated at the shoulder more than 10 days after fusion, regeneration from the amputation surface did not occur. When the limbs were reamputated 30 days later, regeneration of left limbs from the proximodistally reversed right limb stumps followed. If one of the limbs was denervated at the time of fusion, and amputation was subsequently carried out through the formerly denervated limb, regeneration always took place after the first amputation. On the basis of these results it is postulated that when regenerating nerves of opposite proximodistal polarity meet head-on, the majority of fibers, at least, do not grow into territories occupied by the other nerve. These results have also demonstrated that full limb regeneration can occur at a greater distance from the midline than the end of a normal limb. These experiments also provide a technique for artificially elongating peripheral nerves.
Potential C and N mineralization and microbial biomass from intact and increasingly disturbed soils of varying texture

Potential C and N mineralization and soil microbial biomass C were determined following disturbance (i.e. drying and sieving) pretreatments in five soils varying in texture (30‐350 mg clay g ˇ1 soil) from the southern Piedmont USA. Soil disturbance by drying (i.e. rewetting following drying at 558C for 72 h) of intact soil cores resulted in a flush of C mineralization (70% to 2.5-fold greater) during 0‐3 d of incubation, but was not significantly diAerent during 3‐10 and 10‐24 d periods compared with field-moist-intact soil cores. Soil disturbance by sieving resulted in greater C mineralization earlier than later in the incubation and led to significant immobilization of N of surface soil where respiration was highest. Increasing soil disturbance through smaller sieve openings resulted in a 10‐60% greater flush of C mineralization that may have been due to disruption of macroaggregates, which protected soil organic C. With a conditioning period of 10 d following rewetting of dried soil, soil microbial biomass C was unaAected by drying or extent of sieving. Soil texture (i.e. clay content) did not interact with disturbance eAects. Immobilization of N was predominant in surface soils (0‐40 mm) of this bermudagrass pasture, where mineralizable C was very high. Carbon mineralization during 0‐3 d was highly related (r 2 =0.9620.04) to C mineralization during 0‐24 d, basal soil respiration and soil microbial biomass C, although increasing soil disturbance (i.e. drying and extent of sieving) altered these relationships in a predictable manner. I conclude that dried and coarsely sieved soil compares favorably to field-moist-intact soil cores for estimating soil microbial biomass and potential activity in landscapes scoured by various degrees of erosion. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Evaluating Air Quality Benefits of Freeway High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes in Southern California

In the past decade, a variety of questions have been raised concerning the effectiveness of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. In Southern California, recent evaluation studies on HOV lanes confirm the effectiveness of HOV lanes in several ways. However, little research has been performed to evaluate the air quality benefits of HOV lanes. This paper describes a study that examines operational differences in traffic dynamics between HOV lanes and mixed-flow (MF) lanes and evaluates their impacts on vehicle emissions. Four general HOV lane scenarios were identified: underutilized, neutral, well utilized, and overutilized. Extensive driving trajectories in both lane types for each scenario were collected. Their speed profile and joint speed-acceleration frequency distribution were analyzed and compared. Vehicle emissions and fuel consumption were then estimated with a state-of-the-art modal emissions model. The results show that HOV lanes produce lower emission rates per vehicle per mile in most cases, except when they are underutilized. When normalized by average vehicle occupancy, HOV lanes produce much lower emission rates per the same amount of travel demand, on the order of 10% to 70%. In almost every case, HOV lanes produce less emissions mass on a per-lane basis than MF lanes. Southern California freeway lane performance matrices show that on a typical weekday during the summer of 2005, HOV lanes operated mostly under Scenarios 1 and 2 during peak periods. Overall, they were well utilized about 14% to 17% of the time. According to the emissions estimates, the HOV lanes are considered effective in reducing vehicle emissions.
Social Influences on the Development of Cardiovascular Risk during Childhood and Adolescence

It has been estimated that more than half of today’s youths are predestined to cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality (Frank, Webber, & Berenson, 1982). Because cardiovascular diseases are usually considered adult maladies, some readers may ask why risk factors should be a cause for concern during childhood and adolescence. Autopsy studies of youths provide a compelling answer to this question: Although signs of disease are rarely obvious before midlife, atherosclerosis begins in infancy, with fatty streaks evident by age 3 and fibrous plaques appearing during adolescence (Cresanta et al., 1986). Behavioral indicators further underscore the importance of childhood and adolescence to CVD risk, given evidence of a gradual and consistent decline in health behaviors from the early primary to high school years (Leventhal, Prohaska, & Hirschman, 1985). As Berenson (1986) asserts, “Maximum potential for prevention occurs in early life, especially for high-risk individuals” (p. 21). In the following paragraphs, we consider four fundamental indications for a focus on CV risk in youth: risk factor tracking or continuity, the clustering of health risk indicators and behaviors, the preferability of prevention to intervention, and natural developmental windows or sensitive periods.
Sectional prosthesis for total maxillectomy patients: A clinical report

Total maxillectomy is a relatively uncommon surgical procedure. Extensive bilateral maxillectomy defects that involve the maxilla, palate, and sinuses present surgical and prosthodontic rehabilitative challenges. L2 Surgical reconstruction for patients with bilateral maxillectomy defects is often precluded because of large defects to be covered. The intricate and delicate anatomy of the midface and palate makes it difficult to achieve acceptable functional and cosmetic results through surgery. Few articles have reported on flap and graft reconstruction for patients with bilateral maxillectomy defects that were performed for the enhancement of prosthetic prognosis, a,4 and prosthodontic treatment of bilateral total maxillectomy has seldom been reported. 4,5 Patients with bilateral maxillectomy defects experience considerable facial collapse due to extensive maxillary bone loss. Functional debilitation includes inability to swallow and masticate. These patients must use nasogastric feeding until the palate can be closed, either by prosthetic or surgical reconstruction. Other problems associated with total maxillectomies are unintelligible speech and drying and crusting of tissue in the area of the defect. The goals of prosthetic rehabilitation for these patients include separation of oral and nasal cavities to allow adequate deglutition and articulation, possible support of the orbital contents to prevent enophthalmos and diplopia, support of the soft tissue to restore the midfacial contour, and an acceptable esthetic result. Lack of support, retention, and stability are common prosthodontic treatment problems for patients who have had a maxillectomy. Factors that affect the prosthetic prognosis for these patients are the size of'defect, number of remaining teeth, amount of remaining bony structure, quality of existing mucosa, radiation therapy, and patient's own ability to adapt to the prosthesis. For patients who receive a unilateral maxillectomy, saving as many of the remaining teeth as possible could be critically important for successful prosthesis design and function.
A novel temperature-insensitive long-period fiber grating using a boron-codoped-germanosilicate-core fiber

Long-period fiber gratings are promising components as gain equalizers for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, band rejection filters and sensors. It has been reported that these devices have a high temperature sensitivity, typically 0.05 nm//spl deg/C at room temperature. Judkins et al., showed a method to eliminate the temperature sensitivity by optimizing the refractive-index profile of the host fiber. In this paper, we show a novel method to compensate the temperature sensitivity using a boron codoped germanosilicate core fiber as a host fiber.
Calibration and performance of the Energetic X-ray Imaging Telescope Experiment

The final integration and testing of the Energetic X-ray Imaging Telescope Experiment (EXITE) are described. The detector and telescope as finally assembled are described, and problems as well as solutions are detailed. The preflight calibration of the position-sensitive NaI detector revealed unanticipated effects in the energy spectra. In particular, an effect due to surface roughness (lack of firm optical polishing) on the crystal was found and calibrated. The radial variation of gain and resolution in the detector was also measured, and so-called flat fielding methods have been derived to analyze the data. The integration of the EXITE detector and gondola systems is described. Several novel features were developed for the EXITE gondola, most notably a shock absorber system. The performance of the detector and gondola systems was evaluated on the first balloon flight from Australia (May 1988) and a second flight from Ft. Sumner, NM (October 1988). >
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPATIAL SEGREGATION OF LEKS AMONG SIX CO-OCCURRING SPECIES OF MANAKINS (PIPRIDAE) IN EASTERN ECUADOR

Abstract Environmental correlates and geographic spacing of leks were compared for six species of manakins (Pipridae) on two 100-ha study plots in eastern Ecuador. The “hotspot” hypothesis of lek evolution suggests that males should aggregate where females are most likely to be encountered. For ecologically similar species that co-occur at a site, leks are predicted to be clustered in space and, thus, to overlap in macroscale environmental characteristics. The geographic spacing and environmental characteristics of lek sites we observed were inconsistent with the hotspot hypothesis for lek evolution. In general, little geographic overlap occurred among leks, and geographic spacing of leks among heterospecifics more closely fit a regular than a clumped pattern. Further, environmental conditions of leks varied among species with respect to elevation and topography. Leks of some species were more likely to occur on hilltops or ridge tops (e.g., Machaeropterus regulus, Pipra erythrocephala), whereas others ap...
Investigating the impact of large carcass feeding on the behavior of captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) and its perception by zoo visitors

Naturalistic feeding methods, such as the provision of whole carcasses to zoo animals, are potentially controversial because zoo visitors might not approve of them. However, since several species of zoo animals feed from large carcasses in the wild, this food type could benefit their welfare in captivity compared to other less-natural food types. Scavengers in particular almost exclusively live on carcasses in nature; therefore, their welfare in captivity could significantly depend on the opportunity to express behaviors related to carcass feeding. In this study, we assessed the frequency of carcass feeding for vultures in North American zoos and investigated the effect of different food types on the behavior of zoo-housed Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). We also evaluated the opinion of North American zoo visitors about carcass feeding. Our results show that small whole carcasses (rats, rabbits) are part of the diet of vultures in most North American zoos, but large whole carcasses (ungulates) are rarely fed. Our behavioral study indicated that Andean condors appear to be more motivated to feed on more natural food types, which also seem to physically engage the birds more and occupy them longer. Most zoo visitors approved of carcass feeding for captive vultures over a range of prey animals, and the majority would also like to observe the vultures eat. Collectively, our results demonstrate that carcass feeding, particularly with larger prey, potentially enriches both zoo-housed vultures as well as the visitor experience. Zoo Biol. 34:118–129, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Dogged Learning for Robots

Ubiquitous robots need the ability to adapt their behaviour to the changing situations and demands they will encounter during their lifetimes. In particular, non-technical users must be able to modify a robot's behaviour to enable it to perform new, previously unknown tasks. Learning from demonstration is a viable means to transfer a desired control policy onto a robot and mixed-initiative control provides a method for smooth transitioning between learning and acting. We present a learning system (dogged learning) that combines learning from demonstration and mixed initiative control to enable lifelong learning for unknown tasks. We have implemented dogged learning on a Sony Aibo and successfully taught it behaviours such as mimicry and ball seeking
Statistics as a Profession

Abstract In August of 1988 when Bob Hogg was President of the ASA he invited me as a vice-president elect to attended my first meeting of the ASA Board of Directors. I have thus been part of the ASA Board's activities for five full years. It has been a period of many changes for the Association: the new constitution, the newly structured Board, many new Sections, several new publications, a membership campaign, the assorted activities of the ASA Center for Statistical Education, and most recently the modification in the ASA dues structure with its “cafeteria plan” allowing members to select their publications. These many changes are indications that the entire statistics profession, represented at this meeting by the ASA, the IMS, and the Biometric Society, is being challenged not only to meet the needs of its membership but also those of society at large. These are exciting times, much like sailing when the wind comes up. And I still have a year and a half ahead on the ASA Board of Directors. I must reme...
Design of a 32-bit microprocessor in an undergraduate VLSI design course

This paper describes the design of a 32-bit microprocessor based on the Simple RISC Computer (SRC) architecture as a class project in an undergraduate introduction to VLSI design class. The design methodology, resources utilized, and results are presented.
58.4: Invited Paper: Solution Assembly of Transistor Arrays Based on Sorted Nanotube Networks for Large-Scale Flexible Electronic Applications

The inability for controlled large-scale assembly of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) represents the biggest obstacle for application of this superior nanoelectronic material. Our aim here is to develop not only a reliable approach to deposit SWNTs uniformly over a large area from solution, but also leads to a SWNT network with tunable reproducible topological and electronic properties. By controlling nanotube network characteristics with substrate surface chemistry, we demonstrate reproducible transistors over large scales from solution, which is key for integration onto disposable and flexible plastic surfaces.
Female smokers show lower pain tolerance in a physical distress task

Numerous studies have established a link between distress tolerance and smoking cessation outcomes. The present study examined whether smoking status affected physical distress tolerance, and considered this question separately for men and women. The sample was comprised of healthy adults, 56 smokers (63% male) and 58 nonsmokers (62% female). The pain stimulus was a cold pressor task. Outcome variables were seconds immersed in cold water when pain was first reported (threshold), and total seconds immersed in cold water (tolerance). Participants verbally reported their pain rating on a 0-100 scale after the task, and then completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. Smokers displayed lower pain tolerance than nonsmokers (p=.045), and women displayed lower pain tolerance than men (p=.017). Female smokers had significantly lower pain tolerance than other groups (p=.001). There were no significant differences in pain threshold or pain perception by smoking status or gender (p>.05). Lower physical distress tolerance could place female smokers at risk for difficulty in quitting smoking. This population needs additional research to better understand their unique pain experience and how physical distress tolerance impacts their smoking cessation outcomes.
The relationship between social support and family homelessness: A comparison study of homeless and housed mothers

The present study investigated the nature of social support in the lives of 50 homeless mothers and 50 housed mothers receiving public assistance. It was hypothesized that mothers who do not have strong social networks and the support they provide, or who are more drained by members of their social networks, are at greater risk of becoming homeless than are mothers with large and strongly supportive social networks. The two samples were compared on (a) the size and composition of their social networks; (b) the nature of the support they received (instrumental, emotional, and/or negative); (c) the degree of contact they had with parents and other family members; and (d) their feelings about, or degree of trust in, social relationships. Contrary to expectation, there were no differences between the housed and homeless respondents on any of the social support variables except one: Only network orientation—the degree to which respondents expressed trust in their social networks—significantly distinguished the two groups. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to other recent investigations of the nature of social support in the lives of homeless mothers. It is suggested that social isolation may be more a consequence than a cause of family homelessness.
Identification of elements in the promoter region of the alpha1(I) procollagen gene involved in its up-regulated expression in systemic sclerosis.

Objective To identify regulatory elements in the promoter region of the α1(I) procollagen gene (COL1A1) involved in the transcriptional activation of this gene in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to identify the transcription factors interacting with these regulatory elements. Methods Dermal fibroblasts from 6 patients with diffuse SSc of recent onset and from 6 healthy individuals were studied. The transcriptional regulation of COL1A1 was examined by transient transfections with deletion constructs containing portions of the COL1A1 promoter. The DNA binding activity of nuclear proteins recognizing the regulatory regions in the COL1A1 promoter was examined by gel mobility shift assays. A procedure was established to allow the quantitative determination of the amount of DNA binding proteins interacting with the COL1A1 promoter, employing DNA binding protein and DNA titration experiments analyzed by gel mobility shift assays. Results Maximal chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity was observed with a -174-bp to +42-bp COL1A1 promoter construct in both normal and SSc cells; however, the activity driven by this construct was 70-260% higher in SSc fibroblasts. Most of the transcriptional activity of the COL1A1 promoter was contained in a minimal promoter region encompassing -174 bp to -84 bp. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays performed within oligonucleotides corresponding to the regions spanning -129/-107 bp and -104/-78 bp of the COL1A1 promoter revealed marked increases in the intensities of DNA-protein complexes formed with both oligonucleotides in nuclear extracts prepared from each of the SSc cell lines in comparison with normal fibroblasts. Competition experiments showed that each of these regions contained elements recognized by Sp1 and nuclear factor 1 (NF-1) binding proteins. A quantitative determination of DNA binding activity recognizing the Sp1 binding element within the -129/-107-bp region showed that it was 23.6 nM in SSc fibroblasts compared with 6.9 nM in normal fibroblasts. Conclusion The results demonstrate that a short region in the proximal promoter of COL1A1 containing 2 tandem NF-1/Sp1 elements displays up-regulated transcriptional activity in SSc fibroblasts, and that SSc fibroblasts contain 3.4-fold greater DNA binding activity recognizing these elements than normal cells.
Epe1 recruits BET family bromodomain protein Bdf2 to establish heterochromatin boundaries

Heterochromatin spreading leads to the silencing of genes within its path, and boundary elements have evolved to constrain such spreading. In fission yeast, heterochromatin at centromeres I and III is flanked by inverted repeats termed IRCs, which are required for proper boundary functions. However, the mechanisms by which IRCs prevent heterochromatin spreading are unknown. Here, we identified Bdf2, which is homologous to the mammalian bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family double bromodomain proteins involved in diverse types of cancers, as a factor required for proper boundary function at IRCs. Bdf2 is enriched at IRCs through its interaction with the boundary protein Epe1. The bromodomains of Bdf2 recognize acetylated histone H4 tails and antagonize Sir2-mediated deacetylation of histone H4K16. Furthermore, abolishing H4K16 acetylation (H4K16ac) with an H4K16R mutation promotes heterochromatin spreading, and mimicking H4K16ac by an H4K16Q mutation blocks heterochromatin spreading at IRCs. Our results thus illustrate a mechanism of establishing chromosome boundaries at specific sites through the recruitment of a factor that protects euchromatic histone modifications. They also reveal a previously unappreciated function of H4K16ac in cooperation with H3K9 methylation to regulate heterochromatin spreading.
MicroRNA-7 Regulates the mTOR Pathway and Proliferation in Adult Pancreatic β-Cells

Elucidating the mechanism underlying the poor proliferative capacity of adult pancreatic β-cells is critical to regenerative therapeutic approaches for diabetes. Here, we show that the microRNA (miR)-7/7ab family member miR-7a is enriched in mouse adult pancreatic islets compared with miR-7b. Remarkably, miR-7a targets five components of the mTOR signaling pathway. Further, inhibition of miR-7a activates mTOR signaling and promotes adult β-cell replication in mouse primary islets, which can be reversed by the treatment with a well-known mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin. These data suggest that miR-7 acts as a brake on adult β-cell proliferation. Most importantly, this miR-7–mTOR proliferation axis is conserved in primary human β-cells, implicating miR-7 as a therapeutic target for diabetes.
Incorporating parallelism and high performance computing into computer science courses

This work describes research, efforts, and outcomes for several Computer Science courses after incorporating XSEDE High Performance Computing (HPC) Resources and recommended and required curriculum additions from the ACM 2013 Computer Science Curricula and IEEE Technical Committee on Parallel Processing Curriculum Guidelines. The work herein describes the courses affected by this work, including Computer Organization (44–345), Operating Systems (44–550), Software Engineering I and II (44–561/2), and Parallel Programming (44–599) — undergraduate and cross-listed courses at Northwest Missouri State University. Guidance for novel content in these courses was drawn from the ACM/IEEE CS 2013 Curricula and from recent research on HPC education. As recommended by the curricula guidelines, topics in parallelism were incorporated into many required Computer Science courses. Therefore, an analysis of contact hours devoted to parallelism in required CS courses at Northwest is also included. Results, based upon student surveys from the Operating Systems (OS) course and course reviews, indicate student interest and success in students having learned key topics in parallelism. Particular emphasis was placed on incorporating parallel computing topics into the OS course.
FURTHER STUDIES CONCERNING THE REPAIR OF ARTICULAR CARTILAGE IN DOG JOINTS

1. Reparative changes in surgical defects of the central non-weight-bearing articular cartilage of the knee joints of puppies have been studied and compared with the reparative changes in similar lesions in the adult dog. 2. These comparative studies indicate that the repair of surgically created articular-cartilage defects in similar areas of the joint is no more rapid or complete in young puppies before closure of the epiphysis than it is in adult dogs. 3. The proliferative activity of cartilage cells is greater in the deeper zones of articular cartilage than it is in the more superficial zones. 4. More active proliferation of cartilage cells was noted in lesions in which crevices existed. This finding indicates that the friction generated by the movement of the patella over the defect may be inhibitory to repair by independent proliferation of cartilage cells. 5. The presence of patellar-groove defects is not a cause of important intra-articular pathology.
The wheezing house

Endotoxin inhalation has been linked to asthma and wheezing, but most studies investigating the link were performed either in children or a relatively small sample of adults. Now, Thorne et al . conduct a study in a large nationally representative sample of children and adults to determine the relationship between endotoxin exposure, asthma outcomes, and sensitization statuses for 15 allergens using the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. The investigators hypothesized that the relation between house dust endotoxin and the prevalence of asthma and wheezing could differ with environmental exposures and sensitization to specific allergens. They found that higher endotoxin exposure was associated with wheezing and asthma during exercise in the 12 months prior to doctor or emergency room visits and use of prescription medications for wheezing. Predictors of high household endotoxin exposure identified in this study included poverty, age, pet keeping, cockroach infestation, indoor smoking, carpeting, and the age of the home. This study is the first to assess the impact of endotoxin exposure on wheezing and asthma outcomes for a population that includes a significant number of adult participants. A previous study conducted by these same investigators from 1998 to 1999 that investigated the impact of endotoxins exposure using information from the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH) found higher levels of endotoxin in the house dust from beds and bedroom floors compared with the levels noted in this study based on NHANES data. Although this difference might suggest that there has been a decrease in household endotoxin levels over time, the data more likely result from the fact that the NSLAH data was obtained using a smaller sample that was less representative of the U.S. population. A limitation of this study is the fact that wheezing and asthma were documented on the basis of self-reporting from participants without verification. In addition, given the cross-sectional study design, the investigators cannot prove that endotoxin exposure and the respiratory outcomes observed are causally linked. P. S. Thorne et al ., Endotoxin exposure: Predictors and prevalence of associated asthma outcomes in the U.S. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 10.1164/rccm.201502-0251OC (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201502-0251OC#.Vd5UW2-FNjo
Injuries from construction falls. Functional limitations and return to work.

Finding a measure that distinguishes well between the severity levels of less serious injuries such as those found in occupational settings has been problematic. In this study of 255 construction workers who sustained nonfatal falls at work, two measures of injury severity were used--the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the disability index of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), a functional limitation measure. The HAQ scores were more normally distributed than the ISS and provided useful information about the degree to which workers were disabled from falls during their first week of recovery. The mean HAQ score was 1.46 (SD = 0.75) on a scale of 0 to 3, with higher numbers representing more limited functioning. With regard to individual tasks, participants reported having the most difficulty performing heavy chores (mean = 1.89; SD = 1.02), dressing themselves (mean = 1.54; SD = 1.05), and bending to pick up clothing from the floor (mean = 1.40; SD = 1.02). The HAQ scores were significantly and moderately correlated with days lost from work (r = .52; p Language: en
Life cycle water use of coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants with and without carbon capture and storage

Abstract This study conducts a hybrid life cycle analysis to estimate and characterize the water use of coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants with and without carbon capture and storage (CCS), including quantification of variability and uncertainty in the life cycle water use. The addition of CCS would remarkably increase the plant and life cycle water use, depending on the CO2 capture level. The life cycle water use also varies with fuel type and cooling technology. Among multiple supply stages for electricity generation, the power plant operation dominates the life cycle water use for both types of power plants. The probabilistic simulation results show that the plant operation is the stage contributing the most to the uncertainty of life cycle water use for a pulverized coal-fired power plant, whereas the hydraulic fracturing is the dominant stage of uncertainty for a shale-gas-fired combined cycle power plant.
(S)-(Z)-Methyl 2-[2,3-bis-(benzyl-oxy-carbon-yl)guanidino]-4-methyl-penta-no-ate.

The title mol­ecule, C24H29N3O6, has a nearly planar ten-atom C3N3O4 core, on account of both N—H groups forming six-membered-ring intra­molecular hydrogen bonds to carbamate carbonyl O atoms. The absolute configuration was determined from resonant scattering of light atoms in Mo Kα radiation, agreeing with the configuration of starting materials.
Weibull Estimation on Use Life Distribution in Experimental Spear-Point Data

ABSTRACTArchaeologists routinely give meaning to the size and composition of stone tool assemblages in terms of activity and cultural affinity, but these assemblage properties also are affected by use life or longevity. All else being equal, longer use reduces discard rate and therefore assemblage size; use life difference between classes affects composition separately from their notes of use. Use life is important to assemblage Interpretation. It can be expressed both as a mean value across specimens in a class and also as a distribution of actual use-life value among them, which affects the assemblage formation independently of the mean. Thus we need to know both mean and distribution of stone tool use lives. The Weibull model estimates both quantities, and its governing theory distinguishes between distributions produced by accident or chance and by cumulative attrition. Experimental data from the replication and use of stone-tipped projectiles yiled mean use lives of about 3–4 firings, but distributio...
Indirect Matrix Converters as Generator–Grid Interfaces for Wind Energy Systems

Switched-inductor and quasi-Z-source indirect matrix converters are proposed as generator-grid interface for wind energy systems. Voltage levels of gearless ac generators typical for such systems are low. Thus, power electronic interfaces linking the generator with the grid must provide significant voltage boost. Switched-inductor Z-source network employs a brief shoot-through state to boost the voltage of inverters. The quasi-Z-source network offers other advantages, such as lower component ratings, reduced source stress and switch count, and simpler control strategies. The generator-grid interfaces described in this paper are based on the ultrasparse matrix topology characterized by the minimum number of semiconductor switches. The boosting networks are located between the front-end rectifier and back-end inverter. A space vector modulation technique has been developed to achieve high boosting flexibility and minimum switching losses in the converter. The fast Fourier transform analysis for the input/output currents of the converters with respect to the boost factor is carried out. The simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed topologies and control strategies in providing high boosting capability, while the input/output current quality is maintained within an acceptable range.
The role of stem cells in limb regeneration

Limb regeneration is a complex yet fascinating process observed to some extent in many animal species, though seen in its entirety in urodele amphibians. Accomplished by formation of a morphologically uniform intermediate, the blastema, scientists have long attempted to define the cellular constituents that enable regrowth of a functional appendage. Today, we know that the blastema consists of a variety of multipotent progenitor cells originating from a variety of tissues, and which contribute to limb tissue regeneration in a lineage-restricted manner. By continuing to dissect the role of stem cells in limb regeneration, we can hope to one day modulate the human response to limb amputation and facilitate regrowth of a working replacement.
Some Important Collections of Catholic Missionary Journals in North America

Readers may be interested to know that there are several little-known depositories of African-related Catholic missionary journals in the United States and Canada. Since these materials were not usually disseminated very widely when published, they are almost never to be found in academic and research libraries, nor, therefore, in the standard locating tools like Union List of Serials and its supplements. Because of this an effort is now being made to find at least one location in North America for each of the more than four hundred relevant journals. Likely possibilities include provincial and mother houses, teaching seminaries, monasteries, and provincial archives, as well as the libraries of institutions of higher learning affiliated with particular missionary orders. Although this project is very far from complete (and almost certainly will never attain the rather quixotic goal mentioned above) some early returns are in and several important collections have been identified. This note discusses the most useful of these, which relate to the White Fathers, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Scheutists, and the Verona Fathers. African historians need no introduction to the value of the published White Father materials. The White Fathers served throughout most of Africa and they published more than any other order on the peoples among whom they served. Many of their writings have been used by Africanists, but it remains true that the correspondence, reports, and articles which appeared in their own numerous journals have not been extensively consulted, no doubt because these journals are not widely available.
Bibliographer's Manual: A New Life, a New Process

Abstract While there was a time when bibliographer's manuals were somewhat common, little has been said about them in over a decade. Not only was writing such a manuala problem, but also distribution and maintenance were major deterrents. The author reports on how, after many attempts, the University Libraries at the University of Colorado in Boulder filled a need for such a manual in a way that bypassed committees, meetings, printings, and opposing factions. By using one person to write and the technology that we alluse every day, a Bibliographer's Manual was produced and is now in use by the Libraries' personnel.
An improved modified Shellman-Morfitt roots search algorithm for modal equation of radio wave propagation

Roots search of modal equation is a fundamental problem on radio wave propagation in ducting environment using waveguide mode method.When searching all of the roots in a given rectangular area in complex plane,the Shellman-Morfitt algorithm may give wrong results.An improved algorithm is presented in this paper,which is based on an advanced roots searching strategy.Compared with the original algorithm,the modified one markedly improves the correctness and accuracy of output roots.
Impact of Reimbursement Cuts on the Sustainability and Accessibility of Dopamine Transporter Imaging.

Abstract Purpose Dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography imaging utilizing iodine-123 ioflupane is accurate for differentiation of Parkinson disease from essential tremor. This study evaluates how reimbursement for I-123 ioflupane imaging changed between 2011 (year of FDA approval) and 2014 (year after loss of pass-through status for hospital-based outpatient imaging from CMS). Methods I-123 ioflupane reimbursement data for our institution's hospital-based imaging were compared between two periods: (1) July 2011 to October 2012, and (2) 2014. For each time period separately and in combination, averages and ranges of reimbursement for private insurance and CMS were analyzed and compared. A model to ensure recouping of radiopharmaceutical costs was developed. Results Review yielded 247 studies from July 2011 to October 2012 and 94 studies from 2014. Average reimbursement per study fell from $2,469 (US dollars) in 2011 to 2012 to $1,657 in 2014. CMS reduced average reimbursement by $1,148 in 2014 because of loss of radiopharmaceutical pass-through status. Average reimbursements from CMS versus private payors markedly differed in 2011 to 2012 at $2,266 versus $2,861, respectively, and in 2014 at $1,118 versus $3,470, respectively. Between 2011 to 2012 and 2014, the CMS percentage increased from 54% to 78%. Assuming that I-123 ioflupane cost $2,000, our model based on 2014 data predicts a practice with greater than 60% CMS patients would no longer recover radiopharmaceutical costs. Conclusions Reimbursement levels, payor mix, scanner location, and radiopharmaceutical costs are all critical, variable factors for modeling the financial viability of I-123 ioflupane imaging and, by extrapolation, future radiopharmaceuticals.
The rapid activation and deactivation of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase and protein kinase following electroconvulsive shock

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) can be rapidly activated in the adrenal gland by decapitation stress (Masserano and Weiner, 1979a). The activation of the enzyme involves principally an increase in the affinity of the enzyme for pterin cofactor and appears to be related to the phosphorylation of the enzyme by cyclic AMP dependent-protein kinase (Melligeni et al., 1981). A similar activation of TH can be produced by the single application of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) (Masserano and Weiner, 1979b). In the present study, we have attempted to correlate the in vivo activation by ECS of adrenal medulla TH with in vivo changes in adrenal medulla cyclic AMP levels and protein kinase activity.
Rheumatic musculoskeletal symptoms associated with carcinoma of the prostate gland.

The importance of searching for a malignancy in patients in whom rheumatic symptoms develop for the first time after the age of 60 years is emphasized. Case histories are presented to illustrate the disabling rheumatic symptoms that led the patients to seek medical aid. Treatment with estrogens alleviated the rheumatic symptoms in these patients, all of whom had carcinoma of the prostate gland.
Chapter IV.2 – Tissue Engineering Applied to the Heart

Publisher Summary In the context of the heart, tissue engineering techniques are in the earliest stages of development. The production of a viable cardiac substitute is almost inconceivable at present. However, investigations involving production of cardiac components, such as heart valves, have been encouraging. Continuous progress in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, as well as tissue engineering, may provide unforeseen methods to produce a cardiac organ that will meet the requirements of the human body. In the interim, the development of a xenograft model is very appealing. A transgenic pig model that expresses specific inhibitors of the host immunological response would allow the transplantation not only of the cardiac tissue, but perhaps of the other organs as well. Beyond this model, the understanding of early heart development, which is evolving rapidly, may lead to in vitro methods of cell culture of functional cardiomyocytes and subsequent generation of cardiac tissue and perhaps cardiac valves. Dynamic conditioning of cardiac tissue will likely be critical in producing a functional tissue engineered heart. Current examples of dynamic conditioning are evident in ventricular assist studies, skeletal muscle myoplasty, and intracardiac grafting. In the case of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), the myocardium is sufficiently unloaded to induce a remodeling response within the native ventricle. Long-term implantation of LVADs has been associated with the reduction of ventricular dilatation that is associated with end-stage congestive heart failure. Moreover, a reduction in myocardial injury has been demonstrated histologically with long-term chronic ventricular support. Skeletal muscle myoplasty involves conditioning the latissimus dorsi muscle with a low frequency neurostimulator.
Is Chemical Pyloroplasty Necessary for Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

Background Many centers use botulinum toxin for chemical pyloroplasty in minimally invasive esophagectomies as prophylaxis against delayed gastric emptying. No previous studies have compared botulinum toxin injection with no pyloric intervention for patients treated with a combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach. The authors hypothesized that chemical pyloroplasty does not improve outcomes for these patients.
Crash risk factors for interstate large trucks in North Carolina.

Abstract Introduction : Provide an updated examination of risk factors for large truck involvements in crashes resulting in injury or death. Method s: A matched case–control study was conducted in North Carolina of large trucks operated by interstate carriers. Cases were defined as trucks involved in crashes resulting in fatal or non-fatal injury, and one control truck was matched on the basis of location, weekday, time of day, and truck type. The matched-pair odds ratio provided an estimate of the effect of various driver, vehicle, or carrier factors. Results : Out-of-service (OOS) brake violations tripled the risk of crashing; any OOS vehicle defect increased crash risk by 362%. Higher historical crash rates (fatal, injury, or all crashes) of the carrier were associated with increased risk of crashing. Operating on a short-haul exemption increased crash risk by 383%. Antilock braking systems reduced crash risk by 65%. All of these results were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Other safety technologies also showed estimated benefits, although not statistically significant. Conclusions : With the exception of the finding that short-haul exemption is associated with increased crash risk, results largely bolster what is currently known about large truck crash risk and reinforce current enforcement practices. Results also suggest vehicle safety technologies can be important in lowering crash risk. This means that as safety technology continues to penetrate the fleet, whether from voluntary usage or government mandates, reductions in large truck crashes may be achieved. Practical application : Results imply that increased enforcement and use of crash avoidance technologies can improve the large truck crash problem.