cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Complications of Drug-Induced Seizures

The purpose of this study is to determine clinical factors associated with complications of drug-induced seizures. This prospective observational study was conducted at an American Association of Poison Control Centers-certified regional poison control center (PCC) over a 1-year period. All consecutive cases reported to a PCC involving seizures were forwarded to investigators, who obtained standardized information including the specific drug or medication exposure, dose, reason for exposure, vital signs, laboratory data, treatment, and outcome. Patients were monitored by daily telephone follow-up until death or discharge. Subjects were excluded if the seizure was deemed to be unrelated to exposure. Odds ratios were used to analyze variables for associations with admission to the hospital for >72 h, endotracheal intubation, status epilepticus, anoxic brain injury, or death. One hundred twenty-one cases met inclusion criteria. Sixty-three (52%) were male, and the mean age was 30 (SD14) years. Common exposures included: antidepressants (33%), stimulants (15%), and anticholinergics (10%). One hundred and three (85%) of the exposures were intentional, of which 74 were suicide attempts and 16 were drug abuse or misuse. Forty-nine (40%) patients required endotracheal intubation, 12(10%) had status epilepticus, 50(41%) were hospitalized for more than 72 h, and one patient died. Median hospital stay was 3 days. Variables significantly associated with complications included stimulant exposure (odds ratios, OR = 11 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.9–52]), suicide attempt (OR = 2.2 [95% CI 1.02–4.7]), initial hypotension (OR = 11.2 [95% CI 1.4–89.3]), admission glucose >130 mg/dL (OR = 5.4 [95% CI 1.6–18.1]), and admission HCO3 < 20 mEq/L (OR = 4.0 [95% CI 1.4–11.3]). Significant clinical factors associated with complications of drug-related seizures include stimulant exposure, suicide attempt, initial hypotension, and admission acidosis or hyperglycemia.
The Impulse Characteristics of Electrical Insulation Operating at Cryogenic Temperatures

This paper reports the transient voltage breakdown characteristics of electrical insulation operating at cryogenic temperatures. Nomex®e, Tyvek® and polypropylene film/cellulose paper laminate (PPLP) specimens impregnated with liquid nitrogen (LN2) and containing cavities of known dimensions were subjected to either 1.2/50 or 250/2500 ps impulses of increasing amplitude until breakdown. The effect of repeated impulses of constant amplitude, hydrostatic pressure, cavity location, and polarity reversal were also investigated. Of the three materials examined, PPLP exhibited the highest impulse strength, but also showed deterioration with repeated impulses above 150 kV/mm.
Present-day kinematics of the Rivera Plate and implications for tectonics in southwestern Mexico

A model for the present-day motion of the Rivera plate relative to the North America, Cocos, and Pacific plates is derived using new data from the Pacific-Rivera rise and Rivera transform fault, together with new estimates of Pacific-Rivera motions. The results are combined with the closure-consistent NUVEL-1 global plate motion model of DeMets et al. (1990) to examine present-day deformation in southwestern Mexico. The analysis addresses several questions raised in previous studies of the Rivera plate. Namely, do plate motion data from the northern East Pacific rise require a distinct Rivera plate? Do plate kinematic data require the subduction of the Rivera plate along the seismically quiescent Acapulco trench? If so, what does the predicted subduction rate imply about the earthquake recurrence interval in the Jalisco region of southwestern Mexico?
Sphene and zircon in the Highland Range volcanic sequence (Miocene, southern Nevada, USA): elemental partitioning, phase relations, and influence on evolution of silicic magma

Sphene is prominent in Miocene plutonic rocks ranging from diorite to granite in southern Nevada, USA, but it is restricted to rhyolites in coeval volcanic sequences. In the Highland Range volcanic sequence, sphene appears as a phenocryst only in the most evolved rocks (72–77 mass% SiO2; matrix glass 77–78 mass% SiO2). Zr-in-sphene temperatures of crystallization are mostly restricted to 715 and 755°C, in contrast to zircon (710–920°C, Ti-in-zircon thermometry). Sphene rim/glass Kds for rare earth elements are extremely high (La 120, Sm 1200, Gd 1300, Lu 240). Rare earth elements, especially the middle REE (MREE), decrease from centers to rims of sphene phenocrysts along with Zr, demonstrating the effect of progressive sphene fractionation. Whole rocks and glasses have MREE-depleted, U-shaped REE patterns as a consequence of sphene fractionation. Within the co-genetic, sphene-rich Searchlight pluton, only evolved leucogranites show comparable MREE depletion. These results indicate that sphene saturation in intruded and extruded magmas occurred only in highly evolved melts: abundant sphene in less silicic plutonic rocks represents a late-stage ‘bloom’ in fractionated interstitial melt.
Life cycle assessment of the Spanish cement industry: implementation of environmental-friendly solutions

This study tries to find out the hotspots of the Spanish cement sector in 2010 by the life cycle assessment (LCA) and evaluates some improvement scenarios where best available technologies and substitution measures are taken into consideration. The document presents an environmental LCA of the cement production using the 2011 International Reference Life Cycle Data System method recommended by the European Commission. Attending to the clinker production by stage, fossil fuel combustion is the most important source in terms of impacts. Besides, limestone’s calcination is crucial attending to the climate change. Electricity consumption is also relevant both in human toxicity with cancer effects and freshwater eutrophication (FE). Accordingly, solutions deployed lead to reductions in different impact categories. Fossil fuel substitution scenario achieves to reduce 33 and 37 % photochemical ozone formation and acidification (A), while material substitution scenario leads to reduce 10–13 % each impact category. On the other hand, fossil fuel substitution scenario entails an increase of 10 % in FE. Considering the ideal case of applying all these improvements together, reductions go from 15 % in FE to 49 % in A, respectively. To face the problems derived from fossil fuel combustion, a fuel shift is needed to reach less contaminant options such as biomass and bio-waste. Material substitution is another good solution for the industry, but it requires a change in the demand and further research to ensure the properties of cement. Authors recommend taking into consideration the collateral increase of the FE due to the phosphates increase coming from the alternative fuels combustion.
Tissue-specific Mechanisms for CCN2/CTGF Persistence in Fibrotic Gingiva INTERACTIONS BETWEEN cAMP AND MAPK SIGNALING PATHWAYS, AND PROSTAGLANDIN E2-EP3 RECEPTOR MEDIATED ACTIVATION OF THE c-JUN N-TERMINAL KINASE

Prostaglandin E2 blocks transforming growth factor TGF β1-induced CCN2/CTGF expression in lung and kidney fibroblasts. PGE2 levels are high in gingival tissues yet CCN2/CTGF expression is elevated in fibrotic gingival overgrowth. Gingival fibroblast expression of CCN2/CTGF in the presence of PGE2 led us to compare the regulation of CCN2/CTGF expression in fibroblasts cultured from different tissues. Data demonstrate that the TGFβ1-induced expression of CCN2/CTGF in human lung and renal mesangial cells is inhibited by 10 nm PGE2, whereas human gingival fibroblasts are resistant. Ten nm PGE2 increases cAMP accumulation in lung but not gingival fibroblasts, which require 1 μm PGE2 to elevate cAMP. Micromolar PGE2 only slightly reduces the TGFβ1-stimulated CCN2/CTGF levels in gingival cells. EP2 prostaglandin receptor activation with butaprost blocks the TGFβ1-stimulated expression of CCN2/CTGF expression in lung, but not gingival, fibroblasts. In lung fibroblasts, inhibition of the TGFβ1-stimulated CCN2/CTGF by PGE2, butaprost, or forskolin is due to p38, ERK, and JNK MAP kinase inhibition that is cAMP-dependent. Inhibition of any two MAPKs completely blocks CCN2/CTGF expression stimulated by TGFβ1. These data mimic the inhibitory effects of 10 nm PGE2 and forskolin that were dependent on PKA activity. In gingival fibroblasts, the sole MAPK mediating the TGFβ1-stimulated CCN2/CTGF expression is JNK. Whereas forskolin reduces TGFβ1-stimulated expression of CCN2/CTGF by 35% and JNK activation in gingival fibroblasts, micromolar PGE2-stimulated JNK in gingival fibroblasts and opposes the inhibitory effects of cAMP on CCN2/CTGF expression. Stimulation of the EP3 receptor with sulprostone results in a robust increase in JNK activation in these cells. Taken together, data identify two mechanisms by which TGFβ1-stimulated CCN2/CTGF levels in human gingival fibroblasts resist down-regulation by PGE2: (i) cAMP cross-talk with MAPK pathways is limited in gingival fibroblasts; (ii) PGE2 activation of the EP3 prostanoid receptor stimulates the activation of JNK.
Consistency of attentional control as an important cognitive trait: A latent variable analysis

Abstract The present study examined the extent to which consistency in attention control is an important individual difference characteristic related to other cognitive abilities. Experiment 1 demonstrated that intra-individual variability (IIV) on attention control tasks and lexical decision tasks were separate factors with IIV in the attention control factor relating to working memory capacity, fluid intelligence, and long-term memory. Experiment 2 replicated these results and further demonstrated that IIV in attention control predicted everyday cognitive failures (in particular everyday attentional failures). Experiment 3 demonstrated that IIV in attention control was related to subjective reports of mind-wandering but not external distraction, suggesting that fluctuations in attention control are linked to an individual's propensity to mind-wander. Finally, Experiment 3 demonstrated that individual differences in attention control and IIV in attention control are largely the same. These results suggest that the ability to consistently allocate attention control is an important cognitive trait.
Childhood autism: a circuit syndrome?

Background Autism is a disorder that can lead to life-long disability. Currently, the etiology of autism is unknown, and although there are treatments for some of the behavioral abnormalities, there is no cure. Review summary While this article will review the clinical, anatomic, and pathologic features seen in autism, the primary focus will be to present a new and provocative unifying theory regarding the underlying mechanisms causing this disorder. Current research advances, some controversial, will be discussed, and a novel definition of autism as a "circuit syndrome" will be presented. The work elaborated here will tie many of the disparate findings together, based on the idea that autism arises from abnormalities of the cerebellolimbic circuitry. Some of the more alternative theories of autism, such as mercury toxicity, linkage to the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, and the use of secretin will be discussed. Finally, pharmacologic treatment options will be reviewed. Conclusions Autism is not single disorder but represents dysfunction of the cerebellolimbic circuitry that can arise from many different etiologies.
Does the immunocytochemical detection of epithelial cells in bone marrow (micrometastasis) influence the time to biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy

The detection of cytokeratin-positive bone marrow cells has been considered a prognostic factor in numerous malignant tumors. We investigated whether this was also valid for localized prostate cancer. Bone marrow aspirates were taken prior to radical prostatectomy from 169 consecutive patients with pT1/2 pN0 G1–3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The immunocytochemical detection of cytokeratin no. 18 (CK 18)-positive cells using monoclonal antibody CK 2 was interpreted as micrometastasis. Repeat marrow aspirations were performed at 6 months postoperatively and once a year thereafter. The patients were re-examined over a period of at least 10 and a maximum of 72 months (median 32 months). An increase in prostate specific antigen ≥0.5 ng/ml was considered a biochemical “relapse”. One hundred and fifty-four patients had evaluable bone marrow aspirates, of which 74.7% were CK 18-negative and 25.3% positive. The latency period for biochemical relapse was 1481 days (median) in the CK 18-negative group and 1106 days (median) in the CK 18-positive group. This difference was not statistically significant. The CK 18-positive aspirates (n = 39) showed one positive cell in 20 cases, two positive cells in 8 and three or more positive cells in 11 cases. The preoperative number of cells had no statistically significant effect upon the onset of biochemical relapse. Only patients with three or more CK 18-positive cells tended to have a poorer prognosis. One hundred and thirteen patients had evaluable bone marrow aspirates pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative persistence or occurrence of CK 18-positive cells did not affect the outcome of the disease. The detection of CK 18-positive cells in bone marrow does not influence the prognosis of patients with localized prostate cancer within a period of 32 months (median). Solely a subgroup of patients showing a large preoperative number of CK 18-positive cells seems to tend to an unfavorable course of the disease. Thus, further studies are necessary aiming at a more detailed characterization of these cells.
Pretend Play as Twin Earth: A Social-Cognitive Analysis☆

Abstract Pretend play appears to be important to a theory of mind, but exactly how or why has been controversial. One widely entertained hypothesis about why pretense is important to understanding minds is termed the Metarepresentational Model. According to this model, children knowingly consider and manipulate mental representations during pretense. Children appreciate these mental representations as such and later come to apply their understanding of mental representation outside of pretense domains. This article reviews evidence relevant to the metarepresentational model, and it is concluded that the evidence does not support it. Alternative models of the relationship between pretense and theory of mind are reviewed, culminating in a proposed developmental model of the relation. The Twin Earth model proposes specific relations between pretend play and understanding minds, from the ontogenesis of pretense to the later emergence of role play and mental representational understandings of pretense. Central to the proposal is the supposition that pretend play functions for children in much the way that Twin Earth functions for philosophers—by allowing for participation in and reasoning about nonactual situations.
Sliced space-filling designs

We propose an approach to constructing a new type of design, a sliced space-filling design, intended for computer experiments with qualitative and quantitative factors. The approach starts with constructing a Latin hypercube design based on a special orthogonal array for the quantitative factors and then partitions the design into groups corresponding to different level combinations of the qualitative factors. The points in each group have good space-filling properties. Some illustrative examples are given.
Identifying rare variants using a Bayesian regression approach

Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have made it possible to generate large amounts of sequence data with rare variants in a cost-effective way. Statistical methods that test variants individually are underpowered to detect rare variants, so it is desirable to perform association analysis of rare variants by combining the information from all variants. In this study, we use a Bayesian regression method to model all variants simultaneously to identify rare variants in a data set from Genetic Analysis Workshop 17. We studied the association between the quantitative risk traits Q1, Q2, and Q4 and the single-nucleotide polymorphisms and identified several positive single-nucleotide polymorphisms for traits Q1 and Q2. However, the model also generated several apparent false positives and missed many true positives, suggesting that there is room for improvement in this model.
Vicarious nucleophilic substitution: a dramatically shortened synthesis of 2‐amino‐6‐nitrobenzoic acid labelled with carbon‐14

Literature preparations of 2-amino-6-nitrobenzoic acid are usually based on phthalic anhydride. In order to make [benzene-14C(U)]-2-amino-6-nitrobenzoic acid, [benzene-14C(U)]-phthalic anhydride has to be prepared in multiple steps from [14C(U)]-benzene, resulting in an unacceptably lengthy 14-step synthesis. We have been able to develop a completely different method of synthesis, producing [benzene-14C(U)]-2-amino-6-nitrobenzoic acid from [14C(U)]-benzene in just four steps with an overall radiochemical yield of 32%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating bidding strategies for simultaneous auctions

Bidding for multiple items or bundles on online auctions raises challenging problems. We assume that an agent has a valuation function that returns its valuation for an arbitrary bundle. In the real world all or most of the items of interest to an agent is not present in a single combinatorial auction. We study the problem of bidding for multiple items in a set of simultaneous auctions, each of which sell only a single unit of a particular item. Hence an agent has to bid in multiple auctions to obtain preferred item bundles. While an optimal bidding strategy is known when bidding in sequential auctions, only suboptimal strategies are available when bidding for items sold in auctions running simultaneously. To decide on an agent's bid for simultaneous auctions, we investigate a multi-dimensional bid improvement strategy, which is optimal given an infinite number of restarts. We provide a comparison of this algorithm with existing ones, both in terms of utilities generated and computation time, along with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies.
Scene analysis using appearance-based models and relational indexing

The analysis of scenes containing multiple 3D objects remains an active research topic in computer vision. Particularly challenging are scenes containing non-polyhedral objects. In general, conventional object models based on junctions and line segments are not suitable for use in this type of recognition. To address this issue, we have developed a representation scheme in which objects are defined by the features that can be reliably extracted from a training set of real images. For a given object the set of such features is called the appearance-based model of the object. We have created a database of appearance-based model of industrial objects containing both flat and curved surfaces, holes, and threads. A matching technique, called relational indexing, has been developed to work with the appearance-based representation of our objects. Each model in the database is described by a relational graph of its appearance-based features and small relational subgraphs of the scene features are wed to index the database and to retrieve appropriate 3D model hypotheses. This paper describes the new models, the matching algorithm, and preliminary results.
All‐atom and coarse‐grained simulations of the forced unfolding pathways of the SNARE complex

The SNARE complex, consisting of three proteins (VAMP2, syntaxin, and SNAP-25), is thought to drive membrane fusion by assembling into a four-helix bundle through a zippering process. In support of the above zippering model, a recent single-molecule optical tweezers experiment by Gao et al. revealed a sequential unzipping of SNARE along VAMP2 in the order of the linker domain → the C-terminal domain → the N-terminal domain. To offer detailed structural insights to this unzipping process, we have performed all-atom and coarse-grained steered molecular dynamics (sMD) simulations of the forced unfolding pathways of SNARE using different models and force fields. Our findings are summarized as follows: First, the sMD simulations based on either an all-atom force field (with an implicit solvent model) or a coarse-grained Go model were unable to capture the forced unfolding pathway of SNARE as observed by Gao et al., which may be attributed to insufficient simulation time and inaccurate force fields. Second, the sMD simulations based on a reparameterized coarse-grained model (i.e., modified elastic network model) were able to predict a sequential unzipping of SNARE in good agreement with the findings by Gao et al. The key to this success is to reparameterize the intrahelix and interhelix nonbonded force constants against the pair-wise residue–residue distance fluctuations collected from all-atom MD simulations of SNARE. Therefore, our finding supports the importance of accurately describing the inherent dynamics/flexibility of SNARE (in the absence of force), in order to correctly simulate its unfolding behaviors under force. This study has established a useful computational framework for future studies of the zippering function of SNARE and its perturbations by point mutations with amino-acid level of details, and more generally the forced unfolding pathways of other helix bundle proteins. Proteins 2014; 82:1376–1386. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calibration of a Prism Spectrometer

A numerical method of interpolation and a program for a Bendix G15D digital computer for the calibration of prism spectrometers is described. The method and program are of general applicability to any prism in any wavelength region for which there are a sufficient number of calibration points to yield the desired precision. The method is applied to a fused-quartz Perkin-Elmer model 99 double-pass spectrometer. A list of absorption peaks and emission lines, in the wavelength range 2300–26 000 A, is given. The precision of the calibration is as good as the resolution and the reproducibility of the drum setting which are about equal for this instrument and this prism in this wavelength range. A theoretical foundation for the McKinney and Friedel relationship is given and its limitations are discussed.
On the Choice Between Uncontrolled and Controlled Charging by Owners of PHEVs

This letter analyzes the decision-making process of owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), when choosing between uncontrolled and controlled charging programs. The minimization of energy cost leads to a set of outcomes determined by electricity and gasoline prices, and impacts the electricity rates of PHEV aggregators.
Management of radiotherapy induced rectourethral fistula.

Purpose: An increasing number of men are being treated with BT or a combination of external beam radiation therapy and BT for localized prostate cancer. Although uncommon, the most severe complication following these procedures is RUF. We reviewed our recent experience with RUF following radiotherapy for prostate cancer to clarify treatment in these patients.Materials and Methods: We recently treated 22 men with RUF following primary radiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate in 21 and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy following radical prostatectomy in 1. Time from the last radiation treatment to fistula presentation was 6 months to 20 years.Results: Four patients underwent proctectomy with permanent fecal and urinary diversion. RUF repair in 5 patients was performed with preservation of fecal or urinary function. Six patients were candidates for reconstruction with preservation of urinary and rectal function, including 5 who underwent proctectomy, staged colo-anal pull-through and BMG repair...
Site preference of early transition metal elements in C15 NbCr2

Abstract The site preference of early 3d (Ti, V), 4d (Zr, Mo) and 5d (Hf, Ta, W) transition metal elements in C15 NbCr 2 Laves phase was studied using first-principles calculations. According to the present calculations, at T = 0 K, Zr, Hf and Ta consistently have a preference for the Nb sites in Nb-rich, Cr-rich and stoichiometric NbCr 2 , while the site preference of Ti, V, Mo and W varies strongly with alloy composition. Using a statistical–mechanical Wagner–Schottky model based on the canonical ensemble, the finite temperature site occupancy behavior of those transition metal elements in NbCr 2 was further predicted. It was found that the site preference of Ti, V, Mo and W also depends strongly on temperature. The calculated results compare favorably with the experimental measurements using ALCHEMI and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques.
Potential Effects of Changes in Temperature and Food Resources on Life History Trajectories of Juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract Increasing temperatures and changes in food resources owing to climate change may alter the growth and migratory behavior of organisms. This is particularly important for salmonid species like Oncorhynchus mykiss, where some individuals remain in freshwater to mature (nonanadromous Rainbow Trout) and others migrate to sea (anadromous Steelhead). Whether one strategy is adopted over the other may depend on the individual's growth and size. In this study, we explored (1) how water temperature in Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Methow River, Washington, may increase under four climate scenarios, (2) how these thermal changes may alter the life history trajectory followed by O. mykiss (i.e., when and if to smolt), and (3) how changes in food quality or quantity might interact with increasing temperatures. We combined bioenergetic and state-dependent life history models parameterized for O. mykiss in Beaver Creek to mimic baseline life history trajectories. Based on our simulations, when mean water t...
Diagnosing Intermittent and Persistent Faults using Static Bayesian Networks

Both intermittent and persistent faults may occur in a wide range of systems. We present in this paper the introduction of intermittent fault handling techniques into ProDiagnose, an algorithm that previously only handled persistent faults. We discuss novel algorithmic techniques as well as how our static Bayesian networks help diagnose, in an integrated manner, a range of intermittent and persistent faults. Through experiments with data from the ADAPT electrical power system test bed, generated as part of the Second International Diagnostic Competition (DXC-10), we show that this novel variant of ProDiagnose diagnoses intermittent faults accurately and quickly, while maintaining strong performance on persistent faults.
Optical Properties of InAs/InP Planar Quantum Dot Microcavities

Planar InAs/InP quantum dot microcavities using multi-layer SiO2/Ta2O5 Bragg reflectors have been studied in emission. The spectra exhibit collection optics-limited cavity linewidths of ∼1meV with the occasional ∼200μeV single-dot emission. Measurements as a function of incident power show quantum dot saturation behavior, with transfer of oscillator strength to the wetting layer outside the cavity stop band. Saturation behavior at fixed pump power is also observed as a function of decreasing temperature. Dispersion measurements as a function of emission angle show polarization splitting in qualitative agreement with theory.
Outcomes for children hospitalized with abusive versus noninflicted abdominal trauma.

Background: Abusive abdominal trauma (AAT) is the second leading cause of child abuse mortality. Previous outcome studies have been limited to data from trauma centers. Objectives: The goals of this study were (1) to examine mortality, length of hospitalization, and hospital charges among a national sample of children hospitalized for AAT; and (2) to compare these outcomes with children with noninflicted abdominal trauma. Methods: Hospitalization data for children aged 0 to 9 years were obtained from the 2003 and 2006 Kids' Inpatient Database. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification and external cause of injury codes. Multivariable regression analyses were used to compare outcomes of children with AAT versus those with noninflicted injury. Results: Children with AAT were younger, and more often insured by Medicaid. Among children surviving to discharge, those with AAT had longer hospitalizations (adjusted mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] length of stay: 7.9 (6.6-9.3) vs 6.4 (6.1-6.7) days, P Language: en
Effects of Physiological Levels of Estradiol-17β and Progesterone on Oviduct Edema and Ovum Transport in the Rabbit

The effects of estradiol-1713 (E2) and progesterone (P4) on edema and transport of surrogate ova were investigated in oviducts of intact-mated and steroid-supplemented castrate rabbits during the 72 h period following mating or injection of hCG. A supplemental steroid dose regimen was devised for both E2 and P4 that approximated plasma steroid levels observed in the rabbit following coitus. Transport was monitored by observing the movement of glass beads inserted into the ampulla 10 h after mating or hCG injection. Animals were killed at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, or 72 h postcoitum/hCG. The oviducts were trimmed and divided into three segments: the ampulla, isthmus, and ampullary-isthmic junction regions. Wet and dry tissue weights were recorded, and the degree of edema expressed as percent tissue water. Oviduct segments of animals killed 24, 48, or 72 h postcoitum/hCG were flushed to recover surrogate ova. Tissue water content increased (P<0.01) in all regions of the oviduct by 4 h postcoitum and remained elevated throughout the period of ovum transport. Oviducts of ovariectomized does treated with E2 alone had a similar degree of tissue edema, whereas concurrent treatment with E2 and P4 induced a less pronounced, yet significant (P<0.01), edemic response at 48 h postcoitum. Tissue water content was not significantly altered in oviducts of nontreated castrates or P4 -supplemented does. The patterns of surrogate ovum transport through oviducts of castrate does treated with E2 and P4 were similar to those observed in intact, mated animals. Other treatments hastened or retarded ovum transport. Physiological plasma steroid levels were achieved by injection of steroids into ovariectomized rabbits, and egg transport was affected by such treatment. In addition, our data suggest that oviductal edema, induced by a preovulatory surge of E2, temporarily blocks ovum transport at the ampullary-isthmic junction, isthmus and uterotubal junction.
Methods for Epidemiological Studies of Foodborne Pathogens

DNA typing methods are powerful tools in molecular epidemiology, surveillance purposes, and phylogenetic studies. This chapter summarizes the most important DNA methods used to type foodborne bacterial pathogens. These methods are summarized as (1) amplification methods, which are based on the amplification of particular DNA segments using polymerase chain reaction assays; (2) amplification and restriction analysis, in which PCR products are restricted using specific restriction enzymes before analysis; (3) restriction analysis of the whole chromosome, which includes only pulsed-field gel electrophoresis; and (4) sequenced-based methods, primarily multilocus sequence typing, which identifies the polymorphisms of specific loci in the genome. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, and the basic analytical methods used to interpret the results generated by these techniques and compare different typing methods, are also reviewed.
How can we build an impactful future for science in conservation? Essential next steps

This paper presents the outcomes of reflection and debate within the ICCROM Forum (2013) which explored how to build an impactful future for science in conservation. It sets out a number of recommendations to support a vibrant heritage science community with an impactful future. Key recommendations include: adopting the term heritage science as this reflects the growing use of the term in domains not exclusively conservation-focussed, positioning ICCROM as a leader in setting a vision for the heritage science community which would grow capacity, and support a high standard of academic research to underpin an impactful future for this growing discipline.
Del tálamo al Túmulo: Clara Jerónima, Vicente Torellas y roque guinart (Don Quijote, II Parte, Caps. 60, 61)

Haciendole ir a D. Quijote por tierras catalanas, Cervantes, ya por su caracteristica preocupacion con la autenticidad historica, debio de considerar oportuno ingeniar un encuentro entre aquel y el bandolero Roque Guinart, protector o amenaza –segun el punto de vista­ de la gente de esa region por aquella epoca. En efecto, en algunos estudios se destaca esta preocupacion de Cervantes como justificativa del notorio episodio, aunque sustentada por un deseo simultaneo de contrastar al dinamico, activo, pragmatico "caballero" Roque Guinart con D.Quijote, quimerico "caballero andante", anacronico, inutil frente a los problemas que surgen durante su encuentro. Descartada como ridicula, absurda, la oferta de D. Quijote de socorrer a Claudia Jeronima, "doncella agraviada'', la impotencia, es decir, la superflua existencia de aquel se haria por completo patente, anunciando asi el inminente fin de sus empresas caballerescas. Esta sugerencia resulta plausible, pero no abarca la implicacion mas significativa de la "inutilidad" de D. Quijote en esta y algunas otras situaciones semejantes.
Probing viral genomic structure: alternative viewpoints and alternative structures for satellite tobacco mosaic virus RNA.

Viral RNA structure prediction is a valuable tool for development of drugs against viral disease. This work discusses different approaches to predicting encapsidated viral RNA and highlights satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV) RNA as a model system with excellent crystallography data. Fundamentally important issues for debate include thermodynamic versus kinetic control of virus assembly and the possible consequences of quasi-species in the primary structure on RNA secondary structure prediction of a single structure or an ensemble of structures. Multiple computational tools and chemical reagents are now available for improved viral RNA structure prediction. Two different predicted structures for encapsidated STMV RNA result from differences in three main areas: a different approach and philosophy to studying encapsidated viral RNA, an emphasis on different RNA motifs, and technical differences in computational methods and chemical reagents. The experiments with traditional chemical probing and SHAPE re...
Variation of Weak Polyelectrolyte Persistence Length through an Electrostatic Contour Length

There is currently no consensus that the classical perspective of electrostatic persistence length (the so-called Odijk–Skolnick–Fixman, or OSF, formulation), derived by equating changes in electrostatic energy with bending rigidity, is applicable to weak polyelectrolytes. Here, with a focus on polyelectrolyte chains of finite length at a single scale, we formulate a simple and general theoretical model featuring the electrostatic persistence length, Pe, through the introduction of an electrostatic contour length, Le, such that the electrostatic energy balance is applicable to highly flexible charged polyelectrolytes (where the intrinsic stiffness, P0 is on the order of Pe). To isolate the effect of ionization, only the salt-free regime is considered. At the upper limit (relatively rigid molecules), the new formulation converges to the classical OSF form, while the lower bound (highly flexible molecules) approaches proportionality to the Debye screening length, κ–1. In general, the electrostatic persisten...
Spatially Resolved Temperature and Water Vapor Concentration Distributions in a Flat Flame Burner by Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Tomography

Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Tomography (TDLAT) is a non-intrusive laser based measurement technique capable of determining two-dimensional spatially resolved distributions of temperature and species concentration in high enthalpy flows. TDLAT combines infrared tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy with tomographic image reconstruction. TDLAT has been used at the University of Virginia’s Aerospace Research Laboratory on a flat flame burner providing spatially resolved water vapor concentration and temperature distributions for equivalence ratios of φ =0 .7 and φ =1 .0. The temperature results from the TDLAT reconstructions are compared to independent temperature measurements of the same burner by thermocouple traverse with favorable results. TDLAT measurements made on the flat flame burner are proof–of–concept for implementation of the system on a scramjet wind tunnel for use in supersonic combustion efficiency calculations.
Food utilization and weight gain in hypophysectomized rat as function of handling.

SummaryHandling in young hypophysectomized rats resulted in significantly increased weight gain despite ingestion of significantly less food. No effect on skeletal growth or percentage of carcass protein and fat was observed. Increased weight gain in the handled hypophysectomized rat is due to greater efficiency of intestinal absorption of food and/or diminished metabolism rather than a direct stimulation of growth or increased food ingestion.
Effects of scopolamine and methscopolamine on acquisition and retention of rat one way shuttle box behavior and total brain acetylcholine

The effects of scopolamine HBr (0.032 to 10.0 mg/kg), methscopolamine Br (1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) and 0.36 mg/kg NaBr on acquisition and retention of one-way avoidance behavior and total brain acetylcholine (ACh) were studied in male albino rats. Compared to equimolar NaBr, scopolamine caused a dose-related impairment in acquisition of avoidance responding while methscopolamine did not. Retention of avoidance behavior in trained rats was also disrupted, but the detrimental effect was smaller and occurred only following large doses of scopolamine. The per cent escape behavior was not decreased by any of the treatments. It increased as avoidance was decreased. Scopolamine caused a dose-related increase in latency and avoidance and escape responding compared to equimolar NaBr. However, scopolamine increased the latency of avoidance at lower doses and to a greater degree than it increased the latency of escape. Escape latencies were significantly increased only at the largest dose (10 mg/kg). These dose-related effects of scopolamine were greater during acquisition than during retention. Small doses (0.032 mg/kg) shortened latency of avoidance during retention. Methscopolamine increased avoidance and escape latencies only at the largest dose (10 mg/kg). Scopolamine produced a dose-related decrease in brain ACh which correlated well with the per cent avoidance in acquisition (r = 0.95) and retention (r = 0.88) trials. It is concluded that a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist with central actions like scopolamine affects selective aspects of avoidance behavior in low doses, and that these changes are highly correlated with brain ACh levels.
SU-F-J-113: Multi-Atlas Based Automatic Organ Segmentation for Lung Radiotherapy Planning

Purpose: Normal organ segmentation is one time-consuming and labor-intensive step for lung radiotherapy treatment planning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a multi-atlas based segmentation approach for automatic organs at risk (OAR) delineation. Methods: Fifteen Lung stereotactic body radiation therapy patients were randomly selected. Planning CT images and OAR contours of the heart - HT, aorta - AO, vena cava - VC, pulmonary trunk - PT, and esophagus – ES were exported and used as reference and atlas sets. For automatic organ delineation for a given target CT, 1) all atlas sets were deformably warped to the target CT, 2) the deformed sets were accumulated and normalized to produce organ probability density (OPD) maps, and 3) the OPD maps were converted to contours via image thresholding. Optimal threshold for each organ was empirically determined by comparing the auto-segmented contours against their respective reference contours. The delineated results were evaluated by measuring contour similarity metrics: DICE, mean distance (MD), and true detection rate (TD), where DICE=(intersection volume/sum of two volumes) and TD = {1.0 - (false positive + false negative)/2.0}. Diffeomorphic Demons algorithm was employed for CT-CT deformable image registrations. Results: Optimal thresholds were determined to be 0.53 for HT, 0.38 for AO, 0.28 for PT, 0.43 for VC, and 0.31 for ES. The mean similarity metrics (DICE[%], MD[mm], TD[%]) were (88, 3.2, 89) for HT, (79, 3.2, 82) for AO, (75, 2.7, 77) for PT, (68, 3.4, 73) for VC, and (51,2.7, 60) for ES. Conclusion: The investigated multi-atlas based approach produced reliable segmentations for the organs with large and relatively clear boundaries (HT and AO). However, the detection of small and narrow organs with diffused boundaries (ES) were challenging. Sophisticated atlas selection and multi-atlas fusion algorithms may further improve the quality of segmentations.
HIV-1 infection in a population-based twin sample.

OBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with perinatal HIV-1 transmission among twins. METHODS We identified twins delivered by a population-based cohort of HIV-infected mothers on New York State Medicaid. Tested algorithms were applied to Medicaid files to identify HIV infection in mothers and twins. The HIV transmission rate 3 years after delivery was assessed from Kaplan-Meier curves. Proportional hazards models with adjustment for twin clustering were used to determine the relative hazard (RH) of transmission. RESULTS In 35 twin pairs, transmission was 20.5%. The risk of transmission was increased significantly for advanced maternal HIV infection (rh = 10.8, 95% confidence interval 2.11, 54.9). We found no association of birth order with twin HIV status. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that maternal stage of disease plays a greater role in vertical HIV transmission than birth order. To prevent maternal-child HIV transmission, reducing maternal viral load is likely to have a greater impact than modifying delivery factors.
I'm just trying to survive: an ethnographic look at mobile notifications and attention management

There is a prevailing sentiment in popular culture that we have become too attached to our phones. Smartphone notifications play a critical role in drawing people's attention to their phones. As user experience researchers on the Android team at Google, we used an ethnographic approach to understand how people experience smartphone notifications. We conducted an ethnographic study of smartphone users in New York City, while engaging members of our product team (including product managers, engineers, and designers) in the data collection and analysis. In this case study, we describe our research methods, what we learned about notifications' role in people's lives, and discuss the impact that our research has had on various product teams at Google.
Maintenance efficacy designs in psychiatry: Randomized discontinuation trials - enriched but not better.

Introduction Although classical randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for proof of drug efficacy, randomized discontinuation trials (RDTs), sometimes called "enriched" trials, are used increasingly, especially in psychiatric maintenance studies. Methods A narrative review of two decades of experience with RDTs. Results RDTs in psychiatric maintenance trials tend to use a dependent variable as a predictor: treatment response. Treatment responders are assessed for treatment response. This tautology in the logic of RDTs renders them invalid, since the predictor and the outcome are the same variable. Although RDTs can be designed to avoid this tautologous state of affairs, like using independent predictors of outcomes, such is not the case with psychiatric maintenance studies Further, purported benefits of RDTs regarding feasibility were found to be questionable. Specifically, RDTs do not enhance statistical power in many settings, and, because of high dropout rates, produce results of questionable validity. Any claimed benefits come with notably reduced generalizability. Conclusions RDTs appear to be scientifically invalid as used in psychiatric maintenance designs. Their purported feasibility benefits are not seen in actual trials for psychotropic drugs. There is warrant for changes in federal policy regarding marketing indications for maintenance efficacy using the RDT design.
Introduction to Candida

Candidiasis is the prototypic opportunistic fungal disease. Candida spp. reside most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract1,2 and vagina, where they are normally held in check by as-yet incompletely defined local factors that include competition with the resident bacterial flora and innate effectors of nonspecific mucosal resistance.3,4 Infrequently, but under a wide variety of clinical circumstances, these normally inconspicuous commensals can multiply on or invade through the mucosal surface to initiate local or systemic disease. Various immunologic and nonimmunologic conditions can predispose to such opportunistic infections.5 Among the former are certain malignancies6–8 and the use of cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy.9,10 Nonimmunologic predisposing factors include diabetes,11 trauma,12 pregnancy,13 antibiotic therapy,7 and hyperalimentation.14 Not infrequently, such predisposing factors occur in combination.
Improving Diagnostic and Therapeutic Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumors

Pediatric brain tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related death during childhood. Unfortunately, the number of primary and metastatic brain tumors is steadily increasing while the mortality rates for many central nervous system (CNS) lesions have remained stagnant. Molecularly defined tumor classes have been added to the most recent 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification System of Central Nervous System Brain Tumors, driving potential new treatments and identifying targets to improve survival for these patients. Focusing on the genetic mutations most commonly seen in the pediatric CNS tumor population provides the ability to better define tumors based on shared molecular characteristics. Consequently, there is the potential for greater efficacy in targeted therapy to treat these identified genetic aberrations. Understanding the growing importance of molecular diagnosis in pediatric CNS tumors is vital to successfully using novel targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.
Identification of Imminent Suicide Risk Among Young Adults using Text Messages

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults but the challenges of preventing suicide are significant because the signs often seem invisible. Research has shown that clinicians are not able to reliably predict when someone is at greatest risk. In this paper, we describe the design, collection, and analysis of text messages from individuals with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors to build a model to identify periods of suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation and non-fatal suicide attempts). By reconstructing the timeline of recent suicidal behaviors through a retrospective clinical interview, this study utilizes a prospective research design to understand if text communications can predict periods of suicidality versus depression. Identifying subtle clues in communication indicating when someone is at heightened risk of a suicide attempt may allow for more effective prevention of suicide.
Biomarkers of Toxicity in Zebrafish

Given that zebrafish have now become an accepted model for toxicological studies in both the human health and ecological communities, this chapter takes stock of the status of biomarkers of toxicity that have been proposed for the zebrafish model. Most of what is discussed here are biomarkers of effect, but the line between biomarkers of effect and exposure is often not well defined. Generally the chapter strives to present examples of many different types of biomarkers for many classes of toxicological “icities,” but the chapter is not a comprehensive survey of all the zebrafish biomarker literature. Rather, it is a critical appraisal of the state of the effort to develop and identify biomarkers of toxicity in zebrafish.