cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiratory rate is an early predictor of clinical deterioration in children

Objective To assess the value of respiratory rate (RR) as a predictor of clinical deterioration in children, compared with other vital sign measurements. Design A retrospective case-control study, comparing children who deteriorated, requiring admission to critical care with children who did not deteriorate. Methods RR, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) measurements were collected from each patient for a 48-hour duration. The 95th centile was identified for each and 5% to 30% thresholds above the 95th centile were calculated. For each threshold the sensitivity, specificity, odds ratio, positive, and negative predictive value for deterioration was calculated. Results Forty cases (age range 7 weeks-15 years) and 40 control patients matched for age, gender, and hospital location were recruited. In 30/40 patients who deteriorated at least one RR ≥ 30% above the 95th centile for their age was recorded in the 48 hours before deterioration, compared with 10/40 controls, regardless of clinical diagnosis. Only 3/40 children that deteriorated had a HR > 30% greater than the 95th centile, compared with 2/40 controls. An elevated RR was the only vital sign whose odds ratios were significant at each threshold level above the 95th centile. Maximum RR occurred 16.8 hours before deterioration. Conclusion RR is a more accurate predictor of clinical deterioration in children than other vital signs. Greater weighting and importance should be placed on RR, which is often omitted in children due to difficulties with its measurement.
Systems genetic analysis of binge-like eating in a C57BL/6J x DBA/2J-F2 cross

Objective: Binge eating is a heritable quantitative trait associated with eating disorders (ED) and refers to the rapid consumption of a large quantity of energy-dense food that is associated with loss of control, anxiety, and depression. Binge Eating Disorder is the most common ED in adults in the US; however, the genetic basis is unknown. We previously identified robust mouse inbred strain differences between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J in binge-like eating (BLE) of sweetened palatable food (PF) in an intermittent access, conditioned place preference paradigm. Methods: To map the genetic basis of BLE, we phenotyped and genotyped 128 C57BL/6J x DBA/2J-F2 mice. Results: We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 13 influencing progressive changes in body weight across training days (LOD = 5.5; 26-39 cM). We also identified two sex-combined QTLs influencing PF intake on chromosome 5 (LOD = 5.6; 1.5-LOD interval = 21-28 cM) and 6 (LOD = 5.3; 1.5-LOD interval = 50-59 cM). Furthermore, sex-specific analyses revealed that the chromosome 6 locus was driven by males (1.5-LOD interval: 52-59 cM) and identified a female-selective QTL for BLE on chromosome 18 (LOD = 4.1; 1.5-LOD interval: 23-35 cM). Systems genetic analysis of the chromosome 6 locus for BLE using GeneNetwork legacy trait datasets from BXD recombinant inbred strains identified Adipor2 and Plxnd1 as two positional, functional, biological candidate genes. Discussion: We identified genetic loci influencing BLE. Future studies will phenotype BXD recombinant inbred strains to fine map loci and support candidate gene nomination and validation.
Evolution of Systems with Power-Law Memory: Do We Have to Die? (Dedicated to the Memory of Valentin Afraimovich)

Various features of the development of individual living species, including individual humans, are programmed. Is death also programmed, and if yes, how is it implemented and what can be the underlying mechanism providing the inevitability of death? The hypothesis presented in this paper is based on the similarity of the human evolution to that of simple discrete nonlinear fractional (with power-law memory) systems. Caputo fractional/fractional difference logistic map is a simple discrete system with power-/asymptotically power-law memory and quadratic nonlinearity. In the area of parameters where the fixed point is unstable, its evolution starts as the evolution of a system with a stable fixed point, but then this fixed point becomes unstable, suddenly breaks, and turns into a period two point. Considered under various types of random perturbations, the time spans of the evolution as a fixed point before the break (lifespans) obey the Gompertz-Makeham law, which is the observed distribution of the lifespans of live species, including humans. The underlying reasons for modeling the evolution of humans by fractional systems are the observed power law in human memory and the viscoelastic nature of organ tissues of living species. Models with power-law memory may explain the observed decrease at very large ages of the rate of increase of the force of mortality and they imply limited lifespans.
Safety and Efficacy of Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin in End-Stage Renal Disease With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Background The use of warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been implicated with efficacy and safety concerns. Evidence on the role of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this population is limited. Methods Electronic databases were searched and articles comparing the safety and efficacy of warfarin with apixaban or rivaroxaban were identified. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) were computed using a random-effects model. Results A total of eight articles consisting of 30,806 patients; (rivaroxaban 2196, apixaban 2745 and warfarin 25,865) were identified. The pooled HR for major bleeding events favored apixaban over warfarin (0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33–0.84, p = 0.008). Apixaban was similar to warfarin in terms of clinically relevant non-major bleeding (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.64–1.84, p = 0.77) and stroke events (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.85, 1.39, p = 0.99). There was no significant difference in the risk of major bleeding events (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.50–1.81, p = 0.88) and stroke between rivaroxaban (HR 1.39, 95% CI, 0.59–3.29, p = 0.09) and warfarin. The combined results of major bleeding in the apixaban group were not affected by the sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Apixaban may have a lower risk of major bleeding and comparable risk of stroke when compared with warfarin in AF patients with ESRD.
Detection of eye contact with deep neural networks is as accurate as human experts.

Eye contact is among the most primary means of social communication used by humans. Quantification of eye contact is valuable as a part of the analysis of social roles and communication skills, and for clinical screening. Estimating a subject’s looking direction is a challenging task, but eye contact can be effectively captured by a wearable point-of-view camera which provides a unique viewpoint. While moments of eye contact from this viewpoint can be hand-coded, such a process tends to be laborious and subjective. In this work, we develop a deep neural network model to automatically detect eye contact in egocentric video. It is the first to achieve accuracy equivalent to that of human experts. We train a deep convolutional network using a dataset of 4,339,879 annotated images, consisting of 103 subjects with diverse demographic backgrounds. 57 subjects have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The network achieves overall precision of 0.936 and recall of 0.943 on 18 validation subjects, and its performance is on par with 10 trained human coders with a mean precision 0.918 and recall 0.946. Our method will be instrumental in gaze behavior analysis by serving as a scalable, objective, and accessible tool for clinicians and researchers. Eye contact is a key social behavior and its measurement could facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Here the authors show that a deep neural network model can detect eye contact as accurately has human experts.
Thoughts at the Time of an Epidemic

March 7, 2020. I arrive in Deerfield Beach, Florida, for an International Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Computing. Wyndham Hotel’s general manager, Claude Dubois, a handsome Frenchman, and I share a hug. I am a regular here.
Modeling and prediction of driving performance measures based on multi-output convolutional Gaussian process.

Abstract Driving performance measures (DPMs) are important indices for driving and personal safety in vehicle operation. The DPMs are collected under various controlled driving conditions to demonstrate different driving behaviors so that mitigating technology interventions can be studied and designed. However, significant costs are involved in the DPM acquisition, and there are a very limited number of controlled driving condition data. Thus, the modeling and prediction of the DPMs under unobserved driving conditions are critical, and many methods have been developed. However, existing literature in this area suffer a common limitation: The interactions among different DPMs are not fully considered (each DPM is modeled individually), although the existence of such interactions is widely reported. This paper proposes a novel DPM modeling and prediction method, i.e., multi-output convolutional Gaussian process (MCGP), that incorporates the interactions among different DPMs. The method features the modeling flexibility for different DPMs and the interpretable modeling structure for integrating the DPM interactions. The method is compared with three benchmark methods on the DPM data set under four different settings, and the results demonstrate the superiorities of the method. Discussions and interpretations of the results are also provided.
Neonatal hypoglycemia after antenatal late preterm steroids in individuals with diabetes.

Objective To establish whether administration of antenatal late preterm steroids to pregnant people with diabetes resulted in higher risk of neonatal hypoglycemia. Study design This is a retrospective cohort study of individuals with pre-gestational or gestational diabetes admitted between 34 0/7-36 6/7 weeks' gestation before and after introduction of an antenatal late preterm steroids protocol. The primary outcome was any neonatal blood glucose ≤ 60 mg/dL in the first 24 h of life. Results Of 123 mother-neonate pairs, 52.8% (N = 65) delivered during the post-protocol period; 75.4% of those (N = 49) received late preterm steroids. 59.7% (N = 34) of the pre-protocol neonates and 81.5% (N = 53) of the post-protocol neonates had hypoglycemia (p = 0.008). After controlling for gestational age at delivery and mode of delivery, neonates in the post-protocol group had increased odds of hypoglycemia (adjusted odds ratio 2.96, 95% confidence interval 1.29-6.82). Conclusion Neonates born to mothers with diabetes who received late preterm corticosteroids experienced greater odds of hypoglycemia.
Two-Dimensional Buoyant Jets in Stratified Fluid

A two-dimensional buoyant jet discharged into a stratified fluid with no crossflow is considered. Two simple equations are developed which relate the maximum height of rise, Z m , to a stratification parameter and the jet-source flux of either momentum or buoyancy. Length scale analysis provides the form of the equations and determines the conditions when each equation applies. Coefficients, not provided by the length scale analysis, are estimated by integrating the integral equation of momentum from the jet origin to the point of zero memontum. Scale model tests verify the form of the equations for Z m and provide experimental values of the coeeficients.
Biosynthesis of Fatty Acids I. STUDIES WITH ENZYMES OBTAINED FROM LIVER

The requirement for bicarbonate in the incubation medium for the conversion of octanoic acid to stearic acid by slices of liver tissue was reported some 10 years ago (1). Furthermore, the inclusion of bicarbonate in the homogenizing medium permitted the preparation of a consistently active enzyme system from pigeon liver which catalyzed the conversion of acetate or acetyl coenzyme A to long chain fatty acids (2). The significance of these observations was not fully realized until the complete dependence of fatty acid synthesis on the presence of HCO,-, adenosine 5’-triphosphate, and Mg++ or Mn++ (3, 4), in addition to acetyl coenzyme A, was demonstrated. The requirement for CO% for fatty acid synthesis was also demonstrated in an enzyme system obtained from avocado (5), intact yeast (6)) and cell-free preparations of yeast (7). The finding that HCQwas not incorporated into long chain fatty acids by enzyme systems which require the presence of COZ (3, 4) suggested that acetyl-CoA was first carboxylated to malonyl-CoA. Accordingly, malonyl-CoA was synthesized and was found to be a required precursor for the synthesis of long chain fatty acids in an enzyme system obtained from pigeon liver tissue (8). The enzymatic carboxylation of acetyl-CoA was demonstrated soon thereafter (7, 9, lo), and the participation of this reactant in fatty acid synthesis was fully confirmed (11-13). The original demonstrations of the conversion of malonyl-CoA to long chain fatty acids (8) were performed with crude enzyme preparations obtained from pigeon liver which catalyzed the reduction of acetyl-CoA by TPNH to acetaldehyde. This finding led to the tentative proposal that elongation of the carbon chain of fatty acids might occur by reduction of acyl-CoA derivatives to the respective aldehydes, followed by condensation between the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde with the methylene carbon of malonyl-CoA (8). Experiments with purified enzyme preparations indicate that such a mechanism is probably incorrect. It is the purpose of the present communications to report the results obtained with purified enzyme preparations which afford a clearer insight into the nature and the sequence of reactions that occur in the biosynthesis of long chain fatty acids.
Flow cytometric analysis of autotrophic picoplankton

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the principles of flow cytometry and important methodology and applications. It discusses the analysis of autotrophic picoplankton using a popular benchtop instrument, the FACSCalibur (Becton Dickinson). Flow cytometry is the analysis of light scatter and fluorescence emitted from individual cells as they flow individually though an intensely focused light source at a rate of thousands of cells per second. In the detection system, the light pulse is converted to an electrical signal (voltage) by either a photomultiplier (PMT) or photodiode. Flow cytometry has become an indispensable tool in marine microbial ecology for the identification and enumeration of picoplankton, that is, cells that are
GLYCOLIC ACID OXIDATION BY ESCHERICHIA COLI ADAPTED TO GLYCOLATE

Furuya, Akira (University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago) and James A. Hayashi. Glycolic acid oxidation by Escherichia coli adapted to glycolate. J. Bacteriol. 85:1124-1131. 1963.-A procedure is described for extraction and partial purification of glycolic acid oxidase from Escherichia coli adapted to grow on glycolate as the sole carbon source. Enzyme activity was assayed by oxygen uptake and by reduction of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol. Glyoxylic acid was the product of glycolate oxidation by the enzyme. Enzyme activity, which diminishes rapidly on storage, shows a maximum at pH 6 to 7. We were unable to show any cofactor requirement. Compounds which inhibited glycolate oxidation and their order of inhibitory activity were: p-hydroxymercuribenzoate > sodium azide > iodoacetate and o-phenanthroline > ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Tests of enzyme specificity showed that the following compounds were oxidized, but at different rates: glycolate, d-lactate, l-lactate, dl-alpha-hydroxybutyrate, dl-malate, and dl-glycerate. Citrate, tartrate, and dl-beta-hydroxybutyrate were not oxidized. Potassium cyanide stimulated oxygen uptake when glycolate and lactate were oxidized. Whether the oxidations were due to different oxidases or to a single oxidase with a wide range of specificities was tested by observing the oxidation of glycolate, d-lactate, and l-lactate under various conditions. Ammonium sulfate fractionation of a crude extract did not change the relative ability to oxidize the three acids. However, the three oxidative capacities diminished at different rates during storage at 0 C for 6 days. The partially purified glycolic oxidase preparations were probably mixtures of several different oxidases.
Risk Tolerance Questions to Best Determine Client Portfolio Allocation Preferences

The literature on risk tolerance overwhelmingly justifies the use of questionnaires based on validity and reliability or psychometric testing, but there has been little research examining the relation between questions and actual investor portfolio behavior. This study examines risk tolerance questions based on economic theory, prospect theory, and client self-assessment to determine the extent to which they explain variation in portfolio allocation preference and recent investment changes. We conclude that risk tolerance questions based on loss aversion and self-assessment should be used when determining the portfolio allocation of clients. While questions based on economic theory should theoretically be the best measure of a client’s portfolio allocation preference, the results of this study indicate that these questions are not very useful when both loss aversion and self-assessment questions are included in a risk tolerance questionnaire. Financial planners should begin to reassess the risk tolerance level of their clients around age 60, as there is evidence that risk tolerance declines later in life because of cognitive decline.
Coastal sediment elevation change following anthropogenic mangrove clearing

Abstract Coastal mangrove forests along tropical shorelines serve as an important interface between land and sea. They provide a physical buffer protecting the coastline from erosion and act as sediment “traps” catching terrestrial sediment, thus preventing smothering of subtidal coral reefs. Coastal development that removes mangrove habitat may impact adjacent nearshore coral reefs through sedimentation and nutrient loading. We examined differences in sediment elevation change between patches of open-coast intact and anthropogenically cleared red mangroves ( Rhizophora mangle ) on the east side of Turneffe Atoll, Belize, to quantify changes following mangrove clearing. Samples were collected over a 24 month period at five study sites, each containing paired intact (+mangrove) and cleared (-mangrove) plots. Five sediment elevation pins were deployed in each plot: behind areas cleared of mangroves (-mangrove) and behind adjacent intact mangroves (+mangrove). Sediment elevation increased at intact mangrove sites (M = +3.83 mm, SE = 0.95) whereas cleared mangrove areas suffered elevation loss (M = −7.30 mm, SE = 3.38). Mangroves inshore of partial or continuous gaps in the adjacent fringing reefs had higher rates of elevation loss (M = −15.05 mm) than mangroves inshore of continuous fringing reefs (M = −1.90 mm). Our findings provide information on potential effects of mangrove clearing and the role of offshore habitat characteristics on coastal sediment trapping and maintenance of sediment elevation by mangroves. With implications for coastline capacity to adjust to sea level rise, these findings are relevant to management of coastal fringing mangrove forests across the Caribbean.
Maternal Influence on the Sexual Behavior of Teen-Age Daughters

449 girls in Detroit between the ages of 14 and 16 years and their mothers were interviewed. Sampling took into account factors of race and social class. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between the type of maternal involvement in the sexual socialization of daughters and the sexual behaviour of these girls during adolescence. Measures of early and current communication between mother and daughter regarding sexual issues were based on daughters reports. Information regarding the mothers role as a supervisor of the daughters social life was obtained from reports of the mothers. The 2 other major variables were quality of mother-daughter relationship (MDREL) measured by a 9-item summed index reflective of the daughters assessment of the relationship; and the nonmarital sexual history of the mother as an indicator of the mothers role as a modeling agent. The criterion variable was the daughters sexual behavior measured by whether or not she had ever had sexual intercourse (yes or no). 5 background variables (race head of household daughters age relative family income and family religiosity) were also measured. After controlling for background variables mothers presence as a role model was found to be significantly related to the sexual status of the daughter. MDREL was the strongest predictor of sexual experience with a more favorable relationship corresponding to lack of sexual experience. Early and recent sexual communication and mothers supervisory role were not found to be significantly related to the criterion variable. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Social competence in children

Social Competence in Children.- Development of Social Competence in Children.- Assessment of Social Competence in Children.- Social Competence in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.- Social Competence in Children with Learning Disabilities.- Social Competence in Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities.- Social Competence in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.- Social Competence in Mentally Handicapped Children.- Social Competence in Children Who Are Gifted and Talented.- Social Competence in Children with Externalizing Disorders.- Social Competence in Children with Internalizing Disorders.- Social Competence in Children with Acquired and Chronic Disorders.
Management of nodal recurrences of endometrial cancer with IMRT

Abstract Objective Pelvic and paraortic lymph nodal regions are frequent sites of relapse in women with endometrial cancer who have not undergone adjuvant external beam radiation. We investigated outcomes after definitive management of nodal relapses of endometrial cancer with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods Between 2002–2012, 38 patients with endometrial cancer who had no prior external beam radiation were treated definitively using IMRT for regionally confined pelvic or paraortic nodal recurrences. Thirteen (34%) had chemotherapy prior to radiation, and 21 (55%) received concurrent chemotherapy. The nodal basins were typically treated to 45–50Gy, with a boost to the gross tumor to a median total of 64.7Gy (range 59–73Gy). Results The median overall survival from date of recurrence was 46.1months and the 2-year survival was 71%. Patients who received concurrent chemotherapy had a significantly longer median survival (61.9months versus 28.7months, p=0.034). In-field failures were more frequent in patients who received chemotherapy prior to radiation, had a shorter recurrence-free interval, received a lower radiation dose, and had higher tumor grade. Three patients (8%) experienced grade 3–4 late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Conclusions Long-term survival can be achieved in women with nodal recurrences of endometrial cancer. The use of concurrent chemotherapy and dose escalation with IMRT as feasible may improve survival for women with isolated nodal recurrences of endometrial cancer.
Pain in Osteoporosis and Paget’s Disease in the Elderly

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem affecting a large proportion of the population. Osteoporosis can be defined as a loss of bone mass which is larger than that expected in the aging process.
A pelvic drain may be avoided after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We reassessed the role of routine pelvic cavity drainage to prevent complications after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).Materials and Methods: RRP was performed in 116 consecutive patients with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Clinical and pathological information was recorded for each patient. After the prostate was removed and the anastomotic sutures were tied the bladder was filled with saline through the urethral catheter. If there was no significant leakage, a drain was not placed.Results: We did not place a drain in 85 of the 116 patients (73%). There were 3 immediate postoperative complications. In a patient without a drain a urinoma developed that required percutaneous placement of a drain on postoperative day 2. None of the 116 patients had clinical evidence of infection, lymphocele or hematoma. Two patients had hematuria 2 weeks after catheter removal and needed bladder irrigation. Neither patient had a drain. Three patients (drain and no drain in 1 ea...
Seabed measurements of modern corrosion rates on the Florida escarpment

A mooring containing diverse carbonate and anhydrite substrates was exposed to bottom waters for 9 months at the base of the Florida Escarpment to determine the influence of dissolution on the development of this continental margin. Weight loss was measured on all samples. Etching, pitting, and loss of the original framework components were observed on substrates with known characteristics. Extrapolations of modern dissolution rates predict only about 1.6 meters of corrosion per million years. However, more rapid anhydrite dissolution, up to 1 km per million years, would cause exposed anhydrite beds to undercut and destabilize intercalated limestones.
Electronic Structure of Fullerene Tubules

The synthesis of macroscopic amounts of the fullerenes C60 and C70 and the availability of these materials has led to an explosive growth of research efforts in novel all-carbon materials.1,2 Less than two years ago Iijima3 reported the novel synthesis based on the techniques used for fullerene synthesis of substantial quantities of multiple-shell graphitic tubules with diameters of nanometer dimensions. These tubule diameters were more than an order of magnitude smaller than those typically obtained using routine synthetic methods for graphite fibers.4,5 This work has been widely confirmed in the literature, with subsequent work by Ebbesen and Ajayan6 demonstrating the synthesis of bulk quantities of these materials. More recent work has further demonstrated the synthesis of abundant amounts of single-shell graphitic tubules with diameters on the order of one nanometer.7,8 These developments have and will stimulate many additional studies of the mechanical and electronic properties of these novel fibers. Already theoretical studies of the individual hollow concentric graphitic tubules, which comprise these fibers, predict that these nanometer-scale diameter tubules will exhibit conducting properties ranging from metals to moderate bandgap semiconductors depending on their radii and helical structure.9–16 Other theoretical studies have shown that these tubules should have the high strengths and rigidity that their graphitic and tubular structure implies.17,20 The metallic tubules— termed serpentine17—have also been predicted to be stable against a Peierls distortion at and far below room temperature.9 The fullerene tubules show the promise of an array of all-carbon structures that exhibit a broad range of electronic and structural properties, making these materials an important synthetic target for the current decade.
Algal omics: unlocking bioproduct diversity in algae cell factories

Rapid advances in “omic” technologies are helping to unlock the full potential of microalgae as multi-use feedstocks, with utility in an array of industrial biotechnology, biofuel, and biomedical applications. In turn, algae are emerging as highly attractive candidates for development as microbial cell factories. In this review, we examine the wide array of potential algal bioproducts, with a focus upon the role of omic technologies in driving bioproduct discovery and optimization in microalgal systems.
Structure–property relationships of void-free phenolic–epoxy matrix materials

Abstract The structure–property relationships of phenolic–epoxy networks have been investigated by several methods. Network densities have been explored by measuring the moduli in the rubbery regions and these experimental values were compared with those predicted from stoichiometry. The T g s decreased, and toughness increased, as the phenolic Novolac content in the network was increased. Both results could be correlated to the decrease in network densities along this series. Analysis of the cooperativity of the networks suggests a crossover in properties from two competing factors, network density and intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonding). Measured fracture toughness values exceed those of typical untoughened epoxy networks and far exceed existing commercial phenolic networks. In addition, an increase in Novolac content improves the flame retardance rather dramatically. Thus, by controlling the Novolac content to reach an appropriate phenol to epoxy ratio, a void-free system with both favorable mechanical properties and flame retardance can be achieved.
Theories of Nucleosynthesis

A review is presented of current theories of nucleosynthesis. The predicted contributions from (1) cosmological nucleosynthesis, (2) super-massive stars, (3) non-violent (quasi-static) stellar evolution, (4) supernova explosions, (5) cosmic ray interactions with the interstellar medium and (6) nova explosions to the observed solar system abundances are summarized. Recent studies of ‘explosive nucleosynthesis’ in supernovae and of the production of lithium, beryllium and boron by the interaction of cosmic rays with interstellar gas are emphasized. Observations of stellar spectra which either impose limitations upon or provide confirmation of various aspects of these theories are noted, as are several critical nuclear experiments. The general picture which emerges is incouraging in that most of the major abundance features appear to be at least qualitatively understood, but significant further research is required.
A numerical study of daily transitions in the convective boundary layer

We examine daily (morning–afternoon) transitions in the atmospheric boundary layer based on large-eddy simulations. Under consideration are the effects of the stratification at the top of the mixed layer and of the wind shear. The results describe the transitory behaviour of temperature and wind velocity, their second moments, the boundary-layer height Z m (defined by the maximum of the potential temperature gradient) and its standard deviation σ m , the mixed-layer height z i (defined by the minimum of the potential temperature flux), entrainment velocity W e, and the entrainment flux H i . The entrainment flux and the entrainment velocity are found to lag slightly in time with respect to the surface temperature flux. The simulations imply that the atmospheric values of velocity variances, measured at various instants during the daytime, and normalized in terms of the actual convective scale w*, are not expected to collapse to a single curve, but to produce a significant scatter of observational points. The measured values of the temperature variance, normalized in terms of the actual convective scale Θ*, are expected to form a single curve in the mixed layer, and to exhibit a considerable scatter in the interfacial layer.
Low Self-Control, Moral Beliefs, and Social Learning Theory in University Students’ Intentions to Pirate Software

Although researchers have examined software piracy using several correlates and theories, it is not clear whether self-control theory and social learning theory have an effect on software piracy that is conditioned by state morals. Using data collected from 318 college students, this study examines the effects that low self-control, differential association, and attitudes have on software piracy and whether morals can condition these effects. The results show that the effects of low self-control, differential association, and attitudes are present in the low moral subsample, but they disappear in the high moral subsample. However, z-tests show that there is no statistically significant difference between these effects in these groups.
Nestmate discrimination in social wasps (Polistes metricus, Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Laboratory-overwintered paper wasp (Polistes metricus) females preferentially associate on new nests with former nestmates (presumably their sisters) rather than with non-nestmates in the absence of cues associated with their natal nests or nest sites. Females isolated from conspecifics and nests for 74–99 days retain the ability to discriminate nestmates from nonnestmates.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been traditionally imaged with computerized tomography (CT), which allows an immediate distinction between ICH and ischemia as the mechanism of an acute stroke. In recent years, the refining of several techniques of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has allowed a more precise characterization of the anatomy of ICH, its associated events (such as surrounding edema), and its time-course. The latter has been facilitated by an understanding of the various biochemical changes that take place in and around the hematoma, and which correlate with the temporal course of the evolution of the ICH. In addition, the measurement of the susceptibility effect by MR imaging has permitted the identification of small asymptomatic microhemorrhages, which are potentially important predictors of ICH recurrence, as well as risk factors for ICH due to anticoagulant and thrombolytic treatment.
Enolization of 3-Pentanone-2,2-d2: Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects and Stereoselectivity

Abstract 3-Pentanone-2,2-d 2 was subjected to enolization by lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), lithium N -isopropyl(trimethylsilyl)amide (LITA), and lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LHMDS). Internal deuterium kinetic isotope effects were measured by 1 H-NMR analysis of the corresponding trimethylsilyl enol ethers after quenching the enolates with chlorotrimethylsilane. The k H / k D values range from 2.3 (LDA) to 5.2 (LITA) to 6.6 (LHMDS), suggesting that the proton transfer is involved in the rate-determining step of kinetic enolization with the transition state changing from reactant-like for LDA to more symmetric for LHMDS. An improved E/Z ratio of 85%:15% at 0°C was observed for the deprotonation of 3-pentanone by LITA, compared to 71%:29% by LDA and 44%:66% by LHMDS.
Unsteady Lift of Thick Airfoils in Turbulent Flow

Measurements of the unsteady lift forces acting on airfoils in turbulent flow were made to determine the effect of thickness on the gust response and validate a previously developed analytical model. A family of NACA 65-series uncambered airfoils with a range of thickness-to-chord ratios were tested in a water tunnel with grid-generated turbulence. Piezoelectric force gages were used to measure the spectral density of the unsteady lift, and the system was calibrated using an impulse force hammer. An accelerometer-based multiple coherence noise removal technique was employed to eliminate background noise contamination from the facility. The experimental results are shown to agree well with an analytical model of the unsteady lift based on turbulence ingestion theory and an incompressible gust response which accounts for airfoil thickness.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Critical Assessment of an Enhanced Traffic Sign Detection Method Using Mobile LiDAR and INS Technologies

AbstractTraffic signs are important roadway assets that provide critical guidance, including regulations and safety-related information, to road users. Traffic signs need to be inventoried by transportation agencies. However, the traditional manual methods carried out in the field are dangerous, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. There is a need to develop alternative methods to cost-effectively inventory traffic signs. The research reported in this paper, sponsored by the U.S. DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration Program, is to critically assess an alternative traffic sign inventory method using mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and inertial navigation system (INS), technologies. The contribution of this paper is three-fold, as follows: (1) an alternative traffic sign inventory method is proposed using mobile LiDAR and INS technologies, (2) a key LiDAR parameter calibration procedure (including a sensitivity study of the key parameters) is proposed to achieve a desirable traf...
Design and methods for a pilot randomized clinical trial involving exercise and behavioral activation to treat comorbid type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder

Background The comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression is associated with poor glycemic control. Exercise has been shown to improve mood and glycemic control, but individuals with comorbid T2DM and depression are disproportionately sedentary compared to the general population and report more difficulty with exercise. Behavioral activation, an evidence-based depression psychotherapy, was designed to help people with depression make gradual behavior changes, and may be helpful to build exercise adherence in sedentary populations. This pilot randomized clinical trial will test the feasibility of a group exercise program enhanced with behavioral activation strategies among women with comorbid T2DM and depression.
Transition control using a state-shared model approach

Abstract Transition control is defined in this work as a type of control method that is employed when the plant transitions from one steady state to another as a result of a set point change. Recent approaches have relied on multiple models and centralized or decentralized controller designs to address this issue. This work introduces and develops a transition control framework that consists of multiple fixed and adaptive models within a state-shared non-minimal realization and an H ∞ controller design. The efficacy of this transition control framework is demonstrated on two nonlinear single-input single-output reactors in the face of modeling errors, parameter uncertainties and disturbances.
Measurement of adductory force of individual laryngeal muscles in an in vivo canine model.

In this experiment, the adductory properties of three intrinsic laryngeal muscles (the thyroarytenoid [TA], lateral cricoarytenoid [LCA], and interarytenoid [IA]) were studied and quantified. Using an in vivo canine laryngeal model, a recently developed «tensionometer» was used to measure the adductory force produced by each of these muscles at the vocal process of the arytenoid. Isolated muscle activation was obtained by stimulating selective terminal branches of the anterior division of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Results indicate that the LCA is the strongest adductory muscle, followed by the TA and the IA. Videolaryngoscopy revealed that LCA contraction causes adduction of the vocal fold and vocal process, with the predominant effect on the process
Perfluorooctane sulfonate in fish-eating water birds including bald eagles and albatrosses.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was measured in 161 samples of liver, kidney, blood, or egg yolk from 21 species of fish-eating water birds collected in the United States including albatrosses from Sand Island, Midway Atoll, in the central North Pacific Ocean. Concentrations of PFOS in the blood plasma of bald eagles collected from the midwestern United States ranged from 13 to 2220 ng/mL (mean: 330 ng/mL), except one sample that did not contain quantifiable concentrations of PFOS. Concentrations of PFOS were greater in blood plasma than in whole blood. Among 82 livers from various species of birds from inland or coastal U.S. locations, Brandt's cormorant from San Diego, CA, contained the greatest concentration of PFOS (1780 ng/g, wet wt). PFOS was also found in the sera of albatrosses from the central North Pacific Ocean at concentrations ranging from 3 to 34 ng/mL. Occurrence of PFOS in birds from remote marine locations suggests widespread distribution of PFOS and related fluorochemicals in the envir...
Infrarenal aortic surgery with a 3-day hospital stay: A report on success with a clinical pathway

Abstract Purpose: This paper reports on an experience with a clinical pathway for elective infrarenal aortic surgery (AS) that targeted hospital discharge on postoperative day (POD) 3. The pathway incorporated early feeding, early ambulation, and selective use of the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A review of 50 consecutive hospital discharges after AS (aneurysm repair and aortofemoral bypass grafting) by a single surgeon performed from April 1996 through June 1998 with this clinical pathway is reported. The data collected included morbidity rate, mortality rate, length of stay (LOS), and number of hospital readmissions. Results: The average LOS for all patients was 3.0 days. Only six patients (12%) were admitted to the ICU. Discharge on POD 3 was achieved in 80% of the group (40 of 50), and increasing experience improved compliance, with 92% of the most recent 25 patients (23 of 25) being discharged by POD 3. Eleven of these 25 patients (44%) were discharged on POD 2. No patient was readmitted to the hospital within a 30-day period after discharge. There was no mortality after AS during this period. Conclusion: Factors that limit the discharge of patients recovering from AS include the ability to ambulate independently and to tolerate a diet. Ambulation and feeding on POD 1 were well tolerated by most patients, which shortened the period of hospitalization. Admission to the ICU was infrequently required when a monitored surgical step-down unit was available. Discharge by POD 3 for AS has been proven to be routinely achievable, safe, and well accepted by patients and to reduce the cost of hospitalization. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:787-92.)
The thalassemia syndromes

Abstract The thalassemias are a diverse group of hereditary anemias caused by decreased or absent production of one type of globin chain—most commonly either the α or β globin chain. Thus α-thalassemia is characterized by deficient synthesis of α globin, and β-thalassemia is characterized by reduced or absent production of β globin. The resulting syndromes range from asymptomatic to severe microcytic anemias. Recognition of these disorders is important for the obstetrician to provide appropriate care for patients with a thalassemia syndrome. Genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and newborn screening are all issues of importance in these inherited disorders. This article briefly will review the clinical features of thalassemia while focusing on evaluation and care of the pregnant patient and prenatal diagnosis.
Disc electrophoretic investigation of Coffea arabica and C. canephora: General protein and malate dehydrogenase of mature seeds

Abstract A preliminary disc electrophoretic investigation utilizing malate dehydrogenase and general protein banding patterns obtained from mature seeds revealed detectable differences among Coffea species, varieties and cultivars. Protein differences among seed samples from individual plants of the same variety were also implied. The analyzed protein data were presented as dendrograms and compared with published genetical and taxonomical data.
Peridynamics via finite element analysis

Peridynamics is a recently developed theory of solid mechanics that replaces the partial differential equations of the classical continuum theory with integral equations. Since the integral equations remain valid in the presence of discontinuities such as cracks, the method has the potential to model fracture and damage with great generality and without the complications of mathematical singularities that plague conventional continuum approaches. Although a discretized form of the peridynamic integral equations has been implemented in a meshless code called EMU, the objective of the present paper is to describe how the peridynamic model can also be implemented in a conventional finite element analysis (FEA) code using truss elements. Since FEA is arguably the most widely used tool for structural analysis, this implementation may hasten the verification of peridynamics and significantly broaden the range of problems that the practicing analyst might attempt. Also, the present work demonstrates that different subregions of a model can be solved with either the classical partial differential equations or the peridynamic equations in the same calculation thus combining the efficiency of FEA with the generality of peridynamics. Several example problems show the equivalency of the FEA and the meshless peridynamic approach as well as demonstrate the utility and robustness of the method for problems involving fracture, damage and penetration.
The influence of BMI on perioperative morbidity following abdominal hysterectomy.

Objective The objective of the study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on 30 day perioperative morbidity following abdominal hysterectomy. Study Design The 2006-2010 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data registry was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between BMI and postoperative complications. Results A total of 9917 patients were captured, of which, 2219 were of an ideal BMI, 2765 were overweight, and 4933 were obese. Complications occurred in 11.3% of the procedures, with obese patients experiencing significantly higher rates of morbidity compared with overweight and nonobese patients (13.2%, 9.7%, and 9.0%, respectively; P P P = .032). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) found both overweight and obese patients to be at a significantly higher risk of surgical complications (OR, 1.6 and 3.0, respectively) and wound infections (OR, 1.7 and 3.0, respectively). Overweight patients were also at higher risk for DVTs (OR, 4.6) and obese patients for overall morbidity (OR, 1.4) and wound disruption (OR, 3.6). Conclusion Obese and overweight patients demonstrated an increased risk for periorperative morbidity following abdominal hysterectomies.
Effects on gingivitis of daily rinsing with 1.5% H202

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 groups of adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances to determine whether once daily use of a mouthrinse containing 1.5% H2O2 along with toothbrushing would be better than toothbrushing alone in maintaining their periodontal health. The 2 groups of subjects were selected non-randomly but were matched for age and sex. The control group (N = 34) used toothbrushing and a mint-flavored 0.05% NaF mouthrinse once daily, while the treatment group (N = 25) used toothbrushing and a once daily rinse with a preparation containing 0.05% NaF and 1.5% H2O2 (Orthoflur). 2 calibrated clinical examiners made single-blind clinical assessments of the plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding tendency in 6 standard sites per subject. They also noted any generalized mucosal irritations or staining of the teeth or tongue. Assessments were made before appliances were placed (baseline) and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after appliances were placed. Results indicated that although there were no significant differences at baseline, the Orthoflur group had significantly fewer study sites with gingival indes or bleeding tendency scores greater than 1 than the control group from the 1-month through the 18-month examinations (P less than 0.01), and significantly fewer sites with plaque index greater than 1 and bleeding tendency scores of 2 or more from the 3-month through the 18-month examinations (P less than 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). No generalized mucosal irritations or clinically significant staining of the tongue or teeth were noted in either group during the study.