cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subnormal head circumference in very low birth weight children: neonatal correlates and school-age consequences.

Background: Subnormal head circumference (HC) has been associated with poor neurologic and developmental outcomes. Aim: To examine the correlates and consequences of subnormal HC in a cohort of school-age, very low birth weight (VLBW, b1500 g) children. Study design and outcome measures: We examined developmental outcomes at a mean age of 6.8 years in a cohort of 128 VLBW children born from 1982—1986 and 58 normal birth weight controls. The VLBW cohort included a regional sample of b750 g birth weight children and matched children with 750—1499 g birth weight. Outcomes included an IQ equivalent, neuropsychological skills, academic achievement, adaptive behavior, and attention problems. HC was defined along a continuum and as subnormal vs. normal. Linear and logistic regressions were employed to determine the effects of HC on the outcomes after controlling for confounding variables. Results: Thirty one VLBW children (24%) had subnormal HC vs. none of the controls. The VLBW children with subnormal HC differed significantly from the normal HC group in birth weight (748 g vs. 977 g, pb.001), SGA status (52% vs. 27%, pb.05), high neonatal risk (57% vs. 29%, pb.05), and neurosensory impairment (23% vs. 8%, pb.05). Even after taking these risk factors into account, subnormal HC was associated with poorer IQ equivalent, perceptual motor skills, academic achievement, and adaptive behavior. Results were similar after excluding the children with neurosensory impairment.
Cross-linguistic perception in infancy: early effects of linguistic experience.

The possibility that early linguistic experience affects infant speech perception was investigated in a cross-linguistic study with naturally produced speech stimuli. Using the Visually Reinforced Infant Speech Discrimination paradigm, three contrasts were presented to Spanish-and English-learning infants 6–8 months of age. Both groups of infants showed statistically significant discrimination of two contrasts, English and Czech. Only the Spanish-learning infants provided evidence of discrimination of the Spanish contrast. The groups discriminated the English contrast at similarly high levels, but the Spanish-learning infants showed significantly higher performance than the English on both the Spanish and the Czech contrast. The results indicate that early experience does affect early discrimination, and further (since the stimuli were natural) that the effect may be of practical consequence in language learning.
The impact of biological preferences on parental investments in children and step-children

A remarriage typically involves significant changes in a family’s financial circumstance, and these changes, combined with the relative bargaining relationship between spouses, likely affect the well-being of the children who are part of the family. In this paper, I use the separate-spheres model, a theoretical model that explains the determinants of bargaining power in marriage, to analyze how a remarried couple’s bargaining relationship affects their child investment in stepfamilies. Based on this theoretical model, I build and estimate an empirical model that investigates the determinants of parental investment. As evidence of parental preference for biological children over stepchildren, I find that an increased wage rate of a biological mother significantly improves her child investment when her husband is a stepfather of the child, while there is no such effect for mothers living with the biological father of the child.
Relationships between Neuropsychological Test Performance and Event‐Related Potentials in Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Samples

Are event-related potentials and nonconcurrently measured neuropsychological test performance correlated? Sober male and female middle-aged alcoholics and peer controls were administered an "oddball" event-related potential (ERP) task and several hours later, a battery of neuropsychological (NP) tests. Alcoholics performed significantly poorer than controls on NP tests. Male alcoholics had significantly altered ERP responses (N1, NdA, and P3 amplitudes) but female alcoholics did not differ on any ERP variables from controls. A number of significant correlations between ERP and NP measures were present. The most consistent findings were positive correlations between perceptual-motor (PM) tests and the P3 amplitude at Pz in both male and female alcoholics and in male alcoholics, a negative correlation between PM tests and P3 latency at Pz, findings similar to those seen in Parkinson patients. Significant correlations were most numerous in family history positive alcoholics. The results lead to two conclusions: first, Grant's postulation that sober alcoholics may manifest an intermediate duration organic mental disorder is supported; second, given the lack of ERP differences in the females, ERP measures should not be considered as being causally related to NP performance.
Equalization of nonlinear time-varying channels using type-2 fuzzy adaptive filters

Presents a kind of adaptive filter: type-2 fuzzy adaptive filter (FAF); one that is realized using an unnormalized type-2 Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy logic system (FLS). We apply this filter to equalization of a nonlinear time-varying channel and demonstrate that it can implement the Bayesian equalizer for such a channel, has a simple structure, and provides fast inference. A clustering method is used to adaptively design the parameters of the FAF. Two structures are used for the equalizer: transversal equalizer (TE) and decision feedback equalizer (DFE). A decision tree structure is used to implement the decision feedback equalizer, in which each leaf of the tree is a type-2 FAF. This DFE vastly reduces computational complexity as compared to a TE. Simulation results show that equalizers based on type-2 FAFs perform much better than nearest neighbor classifiers (NNC) or equalizers based on type-1 FAFs.
Functional similarities between computer worms and biological pathogens

Computer worms pose a serious threat to computer and network security. Interestingly, they share many common tactics with biological pathogens with respect to infecting and propagating. In this paper, we study the six most common fatal infectious diseases-measles, malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza and the diarrhoeal diseases-to (1) determine the individual mechanisms and environmental conditions that have contributed to their success, and (2) show the parallels between the mechanisms and behavior of successful biological infections and successful digital infections. Moreover, by identifying the specific areas of similarity and looking at effective preventive and creative measures used against biological pathogens, we draw insights about what steps individual computers and networks can take to protect themselves.
Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Skeletal Dysplasias in Children

This article reviews some of the otolaryngologic manifestations of skeletal dysplasias. Achondroplasia is discussed most comprehensively. Skeletal dysplasias are bone and cartilage disorders that disrupt the development of the long bones, craniofacial skeleton, and vertebral column, with the most notable characteristic being short stature. Children with skeletal dysplasias have various medical problems. These children often develop head and neck manifestations of their disorders. Hearing loss, middle ear disease, and respiratory difficulties are seen in these children. Otolaryngologists must be knowledgeable about these disorders to diagnose, treat, and appropriately refer children with skeletal dysplasias.
Globalization, Human Rights and Critical Race Feminism: Voices from the Margins

South Africa and Australia, albeit markedly different in their demographics, politics, and history, share a colonial past, where race was the fault line throughout the society. Although there were marked differences in the colonial structure and various policies of the colonial administrators, both societies shared certain patriarchal attitudes that cemented during the colonial period and left a particular legacy of violence against black women. In both, the incidence of violence against women was so systemic and so ubiquitous that it has been described as a continuing violation of their human rights. The intersection of colonialism, patriarchy and violence and its consequences for black women informs the main thesis of this paper, namely, critical race feminism and its particular perspective on the issue of violence against women. In other words, this paper addresses the following question: How can critical race feminism contribute to the continuing feminist project of unmasking structures, legal and otherwise, that generate, tolerate and acquiesce in violence against women? Colonialism's rampant racism, patriarchy, and cultures of masculinity left women in a particularly vulnerable position. In excavating the many causes of violence, my paper references not just the colonial experience, but the remnants and effects of both colonial and indigenous culture. In both South Africa and Australia, however, it was the ordinary processes of law and legalism which kept the colonial structures in place and which continue to raise questions about the role of law today. In my paper, the theme, violence against women, will combine the focus of these two societies.
A public firm in a vertically linked price discriminating spatial duopoly

We show that, in a vertically linked duopoly where neither firm can produce all varieties demanded, spatial competition between a public and a private firm induces them to deviate from the socially optimal location. We identify specific conditions under which a change in the degree of privatization induces one firm to move toward, while the other moves away from the socially optimal location. There exists a critical level of privatization above (below) which the public and private firms will come close (drift apart) with a rise in the degree of privatization.
Organic matter and iron oxide nanoparticles: aggregation, interactions, and reactivity

Understanding the fate and transport of engineered and naturally-occurring nanoparticles is vital to predicting their ecological and toxicological impacts. Much of the current literature details the effects of solution conditions, such as pH and ionic strength, on aggregation and reactivity. Such work has drastically improved our ability to predict how nanoparticles could impact chemistry occurring in natural waters. Recently, a focus on how organic matter (OM) impacts chemistry occurring at the solid–liquid interface has emerged. This review focuses on summarizing major findings of how OM affects iron oxide nanoparticle reactivity, with particular focus on the underlying processes. First, we review work focused on the chemical reactivity of iron oxide nanoparticles in aqueous environments. Second, the current state of knowledge regarding the adsorption of OM onto mineral surfaces and its effects on nanoparticle aggregation and ion adsorption is presented. Third, how OM impacts chemical and solid-state transformations, oxidative/reductive reactivity, and photocatalytic activity of iron oxide nanoparticles is reviewed. Finally, we provide our vision of future research directions, with particular focus on improving our ability to predict the fate, transport, and chemical behavior of nanoparticles in complex, environmental systems.
Screening marine fungi for plasmids and characterization of a linear mitochondrial plasmid in a Lulworthia sp.

Twenty-one marine filamentous fungi, in? cluding 18 isolates capable of growth on hexadecane, were screened for plasmids. Twenty of the isolates screened did not have plasmids, indicating that nei? ther the ability to grow on hydrocarbons nor the lack of this ability can be correlated with the presence of plasmids. One organism, Lulworthia sp. 046, that grows on hydrocarbons, contained a plasmid approx? imately 14kb in size. The plasmid, designated pQB, is linear, as shown by the results of both UV-nicking experiments and digestion with exonuclease III and lambda exonuclease. The plasmid was present in DNA extracted from mitochondria, and it banded with mitochondrial DNA when nuclear and mito?
The Ecology of Technology and Nanomotors

Ecosystems are characterized by particular scaling laws describing, for example, the relationship between animal abundance and species body weight. It is hypothesized that technological systems follow similar scaling laws, where the abundance of a type of machine correlates with its size. Human progress continuously expands the range of accessible machine sizes, creating a technology trend toward vast numbers of microscopic machines. Current research related to nanomotors, such as the report by Kumar et al. in this issue of ACS Nano describing advances in controlling biomolecular motors, lays the scientific foundation for this trend.
Excimer Laser Annealing of Amorphous Silicon Films

Low temperature processing is necessary for the fabrication of thin-film transistors for electronics-on-glass applications, including active matrix flat-panel displays. One method to achieve this involves the use of pulsed excimer-laser annealing of an Amorphous silicon layer on top of an SiO2 layer. The intense UV laser is absorbed in the Amorphous silicon region, Maintaining a low average temperature. The thickness of the underlying SiO2 layer affects the solidification velocity and hence the grain size of the annealed layer. Previous work has concluded that the resultant grain size is small (<100 nm) and further work is needed in finding ways of increasing grain size. This paper describes how grain size is affected by varying the thickness of the SiO2 layer. Correlations will be discussed.between the solidification velocities and grain size as affected by the varying thickness of the SiO2 layer. The paper includes a comparison between experimental and theoretical results, using equations based on energy balance considerations.
Pharmacist statements about physician are privileged

Abstract Pharmacists are responsible for providing advice to patients about prescribed medications. In meeting this responsibility, pharmacists might provide information to a patient about the prescriber of a medication. This information might not be flattering. It is understandable that a prescriber could become upset upon learning that a pharmacist has made critical comments about the prescriber. In a recent case from a federal court in Florida, a judge ruled that pharmacists have a qualified privilege to speak critically about a prescriber with a patient and that this privilege is a defense to a lawsuit alleging slander.
Lung Disease, Oxidative Stress, and Oxygen Requirements in Preterm Infants.

Background:The role of oxidative stress remains unclear in the multifactorial pathophysiologic mechanism of lung disease in preterm infants.Aims:The aim of this study was to examine the associations among chronic lung disease (CLD), oxidative stress, and oxygen requirements in preterm infants.Design:Prospective, longitudinal, and correlational design.Subjects:Preterm infants born at <32 weeks’ gestation (N = 31), median gestation of 29.0 weeks (range 24.9–31.7).Measurements:The diagnosis of CLD was obtained from the medical record. Oxidative stress was measured using 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the cord blood at birth and urine on Days 1 and 7. Oxygen requirements were measured using fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) recorded in the first hour after birth/admission and the average FIO2 during the first 12 hr and 7 days after birth. Descriptive statistics are presented. Comparison analyses were performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Fisher’s exact tests.Results:Infants with CLD (n = 12) had lower gest...
Identifying Possible Impediments to Fair Housing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Using Less-than-perfect Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Data

*Originally printed in Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology 2001 29(2). Studies that utilize Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data reveal more problems than they resolve. HMDA data include limited variables used by lenders. Even when supplemented with additional information, researchers question their results by hypothesizing additional variables that might account for race. Criteria of adequacy for utilizing HMDA data are proposed that are adequate to the planning task of identifying the effects of impediments to fair housing. While HMDA data provide questionable evidence for discrimination, they provide adequate evidence to determine if a minority population experiences impediments to fair housing. A methodology is derived from a literature review.
Study on the Control System of Parameters for NC Winding Machine

The structure of the control system of parameter for NC winding machine by computer of industrial control was introduced.Based on module design philosophy,a set of control software was developed by LabWindows/CVI as the developing platform.This system has high control precision,and high flexibility and opening.
Thrombin receptor peptide-mediated leukocyte rolling in rat mesenteric venules: roles of P-selectin and sialyl Lewis X

Neutrophil adhesion to monolayers of cultured endothelial cells is enhanced, via a P-selectin-mediated mechanism, by a 14-amino acid peptide fragment (TRP-14) of the thrombin receptor. The objective of this study was to determine whether TRP-14 promotes P-selectin-mediated sialyl Lewis X-dependent leukocyte rolling in postcapillary venules. Superfusion of the rat mesentery with TRP-14 for 30 min resulted in the recruitment of rolling leukocytes and a concomitant reduction in leukocyte rolling velocity. Analogues of TRP-14 were largely ineffective in promoting leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Treatment with either a monoclonal antibody directed against rat P-selectin or soluble sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide (the carbohydrate ligand to P-selectin found on leukocytes) significantly attenuated the TRP-14-induced recruitment of rolling leukocytes. However, no effect was observed with a nonbinding antibody or a control fucose-deficient oligosaccharide. These results indicate that TRP-14 elicits the recruitment of rolling leukocytes in postcapillary venules via a P-selectin-dependent mechanism. The results also support the view that sialyl Lewis X participates in P-selectin-mediated leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.
Educator language ideologies and a top-down dual language program

ABSTRACTDual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs are framed to reflect pluralist discourses (de Jong, E. [2013]. “Policy Discourses and U.S. Language in Education Policies.” Peabody Journal of Education 88 (1): 98–111) and affiliated language ideologies. The continued expansion of DLBE programs not surprisingly brings to light the diverse and ever-changing landscape of educator language ideologies. This survey-based study used inferential statistics and qualitative thematic analysis to explore the language ideologies of a random sample of administrators and teachers involved in a district-wide, top-down implementation of a DLBE program in a large urban school district. The following three research questions guided our investigation: (1)What are prevalent educator language ideologies in DLBE schools? (2) How and to what extent do these language ideologies vary by: participation in the DLBE, level of teaching experience, educator's home language, and degree of DLBE training? (3) How do educators pe...
A guide to information sources on psychoactive drug therapies.

Helping professionals frequently need technical information on drug treatment therapies. The basic literature in the field is described and guidelines are offered to the best use of reference books...
A schematic model for the allosteric activation of tyrosine hydroxylase

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity is stimulated in vitro by a variety of seemingly unrelated compounds. These compounds include: 1) anions and polyanions such as heparin, polyglutamic acid and melanin (Kuczenski and Mandell, 1972; Katz et al., 1976; Nagatsu et al., 1978); 2) phospholipids (Lloyd and Kaufman, 1974; Raese et al., 1976; Lloyd, 1979); 3) ATP, Mg++ and cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase (Harris et al., 1974; Lovenberg et al., 1975); and 4) limited proteolysis (Kuczenski, 1973). The activation exhibited by these modulators is suprisingly similar, suggesting that a common mechanism might be involved (Katz et al., 1976; Weiner et al., 1978). For example, phospholipid activation and exposure to phosphorylating conditions result in a form of tyrosine hydroxylase that has a decreased Km for pterin cofactor with no change in the Vmax. Under conditions of maximal activation, the pH optimum of the enzyme is shifted from 6.2 to 6.4–6.8 (Lloyd and Kaufman, 1975; Weiner et al., 1978). The similarity of the kinetic changes may be explained by the ability of these agents to cause the tyrosine hydroxylase molecule to assume a common conformation.
Heterogeneous silicon mesostructures for lipid-supported bioelectric interfaces

Silicon-based materials have widespread application as biophysical tools and biomedical devices. Here we introduce a biocompatible and degradable mesostructured form of silicon with multi-scale structural and chemical heterogeneities. The material was synthesized using mesoporous silica as a template through a chemical vapour deposition process. It has an amorphous atomic structure, an ordered nanowire-based framework and random submicrometre voids, and shows an average Young's modulus that is 2-3 orders of magnitude smaller than that of single-crystalline silicon. In addition, we used the heterogeneous silicon mesostructures to design a lipid-bilayer-supported bioelectric interface that is remotely controlled and temporally transient, and that permits non-genetic and subcellular optical modulation of the electrophysiology dynamics in single dorsal root ganglia neurons. Our findings suggest that the biomimetic expansion of silicon into heterogeneous and deformable forms can open up opportunities in extracellular biomaterial or bioelectric systems.
Building a healthy body after cancer: Results of a focus group with young adult survivors to inform an intervention for exercise after treatment.

164Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors have distinctive and often unmet needs, may lead long lives after treatment, and are a population for whom targeted health supports are limited. Exercise in particular has become increasingly recognized as a vital part of cancer survivors’ health needs, yet, little is known about what interventions would be most appropriate for this population. This ongoing study reports early data on barriers and facilitators to exercise in AYA lymphoma survivors. Methods: We conducted a focus group with five young adult lymphoma survivors. Participants completed questionnaires to assess quality of life, exercise habits, and knowledge about evidence for exercise after cancer treatment. Charts were abstracted for demographic and treatment-related details. The focus group was audio recorded and transcribed. Data is being analyzed thematically to generate applied findings and identify areas for action. Results: Participants were 24-35 years old, 60% male, and ...
A Conceptual Model for Hypogene Speleogenesis in Grand Canyon, Arizona

Although Grand Canyon hosts exceptionally well‐formed vadose caves and exemplary paleokarst, it also contains hypogene caves that provide important information on the canyon’s age and evolution. These caves exhibit speleogenetic materials, passage morphologies, and locations near the top of the Mississippian Redwall Limestone that represent major hypogene dissolution phases. Cave origin resulted from CO2 and H2S in solutions that upwelled from depth and mixed with Redwall–Muav aquifer water. Lack of abundant speleogenetic gypsum suggests that CO2 was the primary solutional agent, while upwelling H2S likely played only a minor role. Each phase of hypogene speleogenesis in our model encompasses the following sub‐events, from deep to shallow: (1) dissolution of cave passages 500 ± 250 m below the water table or potentiometric surface, sometimes with Fe‐ and Mn‐oxide by-products; (2) deposition of calcite spar linings (~50–100 m below the water table); (3) deposition of calcite mammillary coatings (1–20 m below the water table); (4) deposition of calcite folia at the water table; and (5) deposition of gypsum rinds a few meters above the water table. Controls on the amount of cave dissolution and speleogenetic by-products probably include regional water table fluctuations during the Miocene and Pliocene, in combination with magmatic/tectonic pulses that pumped CO2 and H2S from below. The complete cycle of Grand Canyon hypogene speleogenesis includes a largely dissolutional phase under confined conditions and a later (mostly by-product) phase taking place under unconfined conditions. The process terminates when the water table descends below the cave.
SMARTPHONE TELEGUIDANCE IN LEARNING TO OBTAIN POINT-OF-CARE CARDIAC ULTRASOUND IMAGES FROM WITHIN THE HOSPITAL: A PILOT STUDY USING NOVICE LEARNERS

Although point-of-care ultrasound devices are developing for a burgeoning population of nontraditional users, few data exist on the educational and diagnostic value of obtaining real-time expert advice at the time of image acquisition. Therefore, we sought to determine whether novice learners can be
Mesoscale Patterns of Rainfall, Cloudiness and Evaporation over the Great Lakes of East Africa

By employing remote sensing techniques, the characteristics of rainfall, cloudiness and evaporation over Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi are studied. There exist diurnal cycles induced by the interaction between lake/land breeze and the lower level southeasterlies over each lake, particularly Lake Victoria. Generally, maximum convection/rainfall is in the night to early morning on the west side of the lake while on the other side of the lake it is in the afternoon to early evening. The mean annual over-lake rainfall is greater than mean annual catchment rainfall by 30% and 20% for Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika, respectively. Lake Victoria is divided into four quadrants based on the fact that convection is stronger in the northern quadrants and that the diurnal cycles in the east and west quadrants are quite different. Convective activity is compared among the four quadrants and the catchment. Temporal and spatial distribution of cloud cover resembles that of convection. Annual mean cloudiness is 0.5, 0.45 and 0.38 for the above three lakes, respectively. For Lake Victoria both the monthly and annual mean cloudiness maps demonstrated a daytime cloudiness minimum and a nighttime cloudiness maximum over the lake. Evaporation is calculated for each lake by energy-budget and combined-Penman methods. Both a fixed cloudiness scenario and a varied cloudiness scenario are used as cloud cover input. Calculated values range from 1537 to 1669 mm/year for Lake Victoria, 1559 to 1721 mm/year for Lake Tanganyika and 1698 to 1901 mm/year for Lake Malawi. In order to investigate the influence of cloudiness, evaporation calculation is also carried out in each quadrant and in each pixel of Lake Victoria. The results show that evaporation rate is highest in the middle of the lake and decreases in both the east and the west directions.
THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE ENERGY MANAGER

ABSTRACT In the 1970's, the role of the energy manager was typified as a fire fighter using crisis management to keep industry going. This was followed in the 1980's by a poor economy, changing legislation, and technology outstripping itself. The result has been a shake-out of energy management programs, particularly at corporate level, and a new direction for energy managers.
Virtues Develop from a Secure Base: Attachment and Resilience as Predictors of Humility, Gratitude, and Forgiveness

Little research has explored the role of attachment in predicting virtues. In the present study, we provide an initial investigation testing the theory that virtues develop from having secure attac...
Ovarian Cancer: Immunological Aspects. Influence on Prognosis and Treatment

The literature on immunological aspects of ovarian cancer is meager, and even more so when it comes to the consideration of the immunological aspects of ovarian neoplasms in relation to prognosis and treatment. Similar limitations of our knowledge regarding immunologic aspects of human cancer apply to most other organs with the possible exception of the colon, thyroid and stomach. These three will be discussed later.
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene mutation in hereditary MPO deficiency

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), present in the azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, is a myeloid enzyme whose synthesis is restricted to promyelocytes. Complete hereditary MPO deficiency affects 1 in 2,000 to 4,000 individuals; however, the genetic cause of this defect is unclear. We have determined the molecular basis of MPO deficiency in one individual (SQ). Granulocytes of SQ had no MPO activity, and had complete absence of mature and precursor MPO protein by Western blotting. Scanning MPO gene structure by Southern blotting detected a novel BgI II fragment in SQ; no other alteration in gross gene structure was detected. We hypothesized that a single base pair mutation formed a new BgI II restriction site, and that this occurred in exon 10 of MPO gene. As predicted, exon 10 from SQ was cleaved by BgI II, but DNA from the normal patients and five other MPO-deficient patients was not cleaved by this enzyme. Direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of exon 10 showed a C to T substitution at codon 569 in exon 10, resulting in arginine (CGG) to tryptophan (TGG) substitution and creating a novel BgI II site. The mutation was homozygous, as shown by both sequencing and Southern blotting, and no other alterations in base sequence were detected. To determine the frequency of this mutation, DNA was collected from 400 normal individuals, and the presence of the mutation was examined by digesting with BgI II after amplifying exon 10 by PCR. No other case with the novel BgI II site was detected, suggesting that this is not a restriction fragment length polymorphism. The rest of the coding region of the MPO gene was sequenced in DNA from SQ, as well as from the five other MPO-deficient individuals and one normal person; no other mutations were found. Our results suggest that a point mutation at codon 569 of MPO gene represents one molecular form of MPO deficiency.
Road Capacity with a Steady Flow Traffic.

Problems of optimization in natural science, technology, economics, and management are of great interest. Students also usually find them intriguing. However, the selection of such problems in introductory undegraduate physics textbooks is very limited and should be broadened. To that end, a model of traffic flow optimization, simple enough for undegraduate students to analyze, is presented. Calculations of the main optimal parameters of cars' flow on a one-lane freeway, based on this model, are compared with experimental data.
Strain effects on collagen proteolysis in heart valve tissues

Collagen is at the heart of any and all questions concerning semilunar valvular leaflet composition, structure, and function. Whether during development, physiological homeostasis, or pathological degeneration, it is the structural-mechanical state of the heart valve leaflet collagen network that ultimately confers valvular function, and the difference between health and disease. In the current study, the effects of physiologically relevant strain states on collagen catabolism are investigated in porcine aortic and pulmonary valve leaflets. Application of bacterial collagenase to the tissues which acts to simulate collagen degradation by endogenous matrix metalloproteinases, biaxial stress relaxation, and histology are all used to serve as measures of functional and compositional collagen catabolism. Current stress-relaxation results are used in conjunction with previous equibiaxial testing to confirm that a mechanism exists to prevent collagen catabolism when stretched at physiologically relevant strain states. Collectively, these in vitro results indicate that biaxial strain states are capable of impacting the susceptibility of valvular collagens to catabolism, and that at physiological strain states, a protective mechanism exists to effectively block collagen catabolism. The results of the study will be broadly applicable to clarify the roles of tissue microarchitecture and load transmission in a variety of other developmental, homeostatic, or pathogenic tissue processes such as tumor growth, embryogenesis, thrombi formation, and atherogenesis.
Minimally invasive esophagectomy-standard of care.

Minimally invasive resections for oncologic intent have been increasing over time and are being embraced by surgeons and patients. For esophagectomies, data from the National Cancer Database in the United States show an increasing adoption of the technique over time with 26.9% of esophagectomies performed using a minimally invasive approach in 2012 (1) compared to 55.9% in 2015 (2).
POSTPARTUM STERILE PERITONITIS AND SHOCK: REPORT OF A CASE.

A case of sterile exudative peritonitis beginning 20 hr. postpartum is presented. The sudden onset and rapid progression to hypovolemic shock simulated an anaphylactoid reaction, but no sensitizing agent was apparent. It is assumed that this was an isolated hypersensitivity reaction of the peritoneum, triggered by the postpartum fall in circulating corticosteroids.
Could complementary health approaches improve the symptom experience and outcomes of critically ill adults? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of various complementary health approaches (CHAs) in treating symptoms experienced by critically ill adults. Methods The review was completed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Education Resources Information Center, Medline, PsychInfo) were searched for studies published from 1997–2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in English with terms ICU/critical care, music, Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, aromatherapy, essential oil, reflexology, chronotherapy, or light therapy were eligible for inclusion. Studies conducted outside the ICU, involving multiple CHAs, or enrolling pediatric patients were excluded. Data were extracted and assessed independently by two authors and reviewed by two additional authors. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess study quality. Results Thirty-two RCTs were included involving 2,987 critically ill adults. CHAs evaluated included music (n = 19), nature based sounds (NBSs) (n = 4), aromatherapy (n = 3), light therapy (n = 2), massage (n = 2), and reflexology (n = 2). Half of all studies had a high risk of bias for randomization but had low or unclear biases for other categories. No study-related adverse events or safety-related concerns were reported. There were statistically significant improvements in pain (music, NBSs), anxiety (music, NBSs, aromatherapy, massage, reflexology), agitation (NBSs, reflexology), sleep (music, aromatherapy, reflexology), level of arousal (music, massage), and duration of mechanical ventilation (music, reflexology). Conclusions Evidence suggests CHAs may reduce the symptom burden of critically ill adults.
Technical assessment of a mobile CT scanner for image-guided brachytherapy

Purpose The imaging performance and dose of a mobile CT scanner (Brainlab Airo®, Munich, Germany) is evaluated, with particular consideration to assessment of technique protocols for image-guided brachytherapy. Method Dose measurements were performed using a 100-mm-length pencil chamber at the center and periphery of 16- and 32-cm-diameter CTDI phantoms. Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy and linearity were assessed using materials of specified electron density (Gammex RMI, Madison, WI), and image uniformity, noise, and noise-power spectrum (NPS) were evaluated in a 20-cm-diameter water phantom as well as an American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation phantom (Model 464, Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL). Spatial resolution (modulation transfer function, MTF) was assessed with an edge-spread phantom and visually assessed with respect to line-pair patterns in the ACR phantom and in structures of interest in anthropomorphic phantoms. Images were also obtained on a diagnostic CT scanner (Big Bore CT simulator, Philips, Amsterdam, Netherlands) for qualitative and quantitative comparison. The manufacturer's metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm was assessed in an anthropomorphic body phantom containing surgical instrumentation. Performance in application to brachytherapy was assessed with a set of anthropomorphic brachytherapy phantoms - for example, a vaginal cylinder and interstitial ring and tandem. Result Nominal dose for helical and axial modes, respectively, was 56.4 and 78.9 mGy for the head protocol and 17.8 and 24.9 mGy for the body protocol. A high degree of HU accuracy and linearity was observed for both axial and helical scan modes. Image nonuniformity (e.g., cupping artifact) in the transverse (x,y) plane was less than 5 HU, but stitching artifacts (~5 HU) in the longitudinal (z) direction were observed in axial scan mode. Helical and axial modes demonstrated comparable spatial resolution of ~5 lp/cm, with the MTF reduced to 10% at ~0.38 mm-1 . Contrast-to-noise ratio was suitable to soft-tissue visualization (e.g., fat and muscle), but windmill artifacts were observed in helical mode in relation to high-frequency bone and metal. The MAR algorithm provided modest improvement to image quality. Overall, image quality appeared suitable to relevant clinical tasks in intracavitary and interstitial (e.g., gynecological) brachytherapy, including visualization of soft-tissue structures in proximity to the applicators. Conclusion The technical assessment highlighted key characteristics of dose and imaging performance pertinent to incorporation of the mobile CT scanner in clinical procedures, helping to inform clinical deployment and technique protocol selection in brachytherapy. For this and other possible applications, the work helps to identify protocols that could reduce radiation dose and/or improve image quality. The work also identified areas for future improvement, including reduction of stitching, windmill, and metal artifacts.
Eocene carbonate accumulation in the north-central Pacific Ocean: new insights from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1209, Shatsky Rise

Abstract Major climate transitions and perturbations in global carbon cycle are known to have occurred during the Eocene, between 56 and 34 million years ago (Ma). A series of carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) mark variations in the global carbon cycle and changes in climate through early Eocene. Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) ca. 56 Ma is the most pronounced and well documented of these events expressed as a clay rich layer in many deep-sea sections, resulting from widespread carbonate dissolution on the seafloor, which is in turn related to shoaling of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) and lysocline. Other CIEs of early Eocene had similar response. However, response of these geologically ‘instantaneous’ hyperthermals differ from long-term warmth (multi-million-year time scale) of the Early Eocene Climate Optimum (EECO) in terms of sea-floor carbonate accumulation. Following the termination of EECO, earth's climate transitioned into long-term cooling. Pronounced fluctuations in CCD of equatorial Pacific are known to have occurred during middle-late Eocene as well, whose global extent and origin are still unresolved. Most proxy records either span the interval of early Eocene or document particular climatic events in Eocene, which significantly limits visualizing the long-term Eocene climate change and response of open marine carbonate preservation. The present study documents change in carbonate dissolution and carbonate mass accumulation rate through the entire Eocene (56–34 Ma) at ODP Site 1209 on Shatsky Rise, north-central Pacific and ties it to a stable carbon and oxygen isotope record. Our study determines the correlation between deep-sea carbonate dissolution and carbon cycling process during the dynamic climate regime of Eocene. A strong correlation between magnitude of CIEs and intensity of dissolution for early Eocene hyperthermal events appears to significantly weaken for multiple dissolution events in middle-late Eocene, thereby indicating fundamental difference in their causal mechanism.
Subjective and Objective Quality Assessment of High Frame Rate Videos

High frame rate (HFR) videos are becoming increasingly common with the tremendous popularity of live, high-action streaming content such as sports. Although HFR contents are generally of very high quality, high bandwidth requirements make them challenging to deliver efficiently, while simultaneously maintaining their quality. To optimize trade-offs between bandwidth requirements and video quality, in terms of frame rate adaptation, it is imperative to understand the intricate relationship between frame rate and perceptual video quality. Towards advancing progression in this direction we designed a new subjective resource, called the LIVE-YouTube-HFR (LIVE-YT-HFR) dataset, which is comprised of 480 videos having 6 different frame rates, obtained from 16 diverse contents. In order to understand the combined effects of compression and frame rate adjustment, we also processed videos at 5 compression levels at each frame rate. To obtain subjective labels on the videos, we conducted a human study yielding 19,000 human quality ratings obtained from a pool of 85 human subjects. We also conducted a holistic evaluation of existing state-of-the-art Full and No-Reference video quality algorithms, and statistically benchmarked their performance on the new database. The LIVE-YT-HFR database has been made available online for public use and evaluation purposes, with hopes that it will help advance research in this exciting video technology direction. It may be obtained at https://live.ece.utexas.edu/research/LIVE_YT_HFR/LIVE_YT_HFR/index.html .
The Effect of Maternal Antibodies on Clinical Response to Infection with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Fawns

We investigated whether naturally acquired maternal antibodies to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 (EHDV-2) would protect white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns against infection and clinical disease following an EHDV-2 challenge. We compared viremia and clinical response in 27-47-d-old, experimentally infected fawns with and without maternally derived antibodies to EHDV-2. Mild to moderate clinical signs were observed in four seronegative (maternal antibody-negative) fawns, which were viremic from 3 to 14 d postinoculation. Individual peak blood virus titers for seronegative fawns ranged from 104.3 to 106.3 median tissue culture infective doses (TCID50)/mL. In contrast, clinical signs were not observed in seropositive (maternal antibody-positive) fawns and a transient low-level viremia (≤102.4 TCID50/mL) occurred in two of six fawns. Our results indicated that the presence of maternally derived EHDV-2 antibodies in fawns prevents or greatly reduces clinical disease and the level and duration of EHDV-2 viremia.
Penser au-delà du binarisme: Étude des stratégies de reconnaissance et de ré/conciliation des altérités dans « Aux États-Unis d’Afrique » d’Abdourahman Waberi

Dans « Aux Etats-Unis d’Afrique » (2006), Abdourahman Waberi renverse le monde et instaure de nouveaux rapports de force. L’espace geographique alors renomme Etats-Unis d’Afrique, est une fabrique du pouvoir politique, social et culturel qui domine le Nord geographique des depossedes. Dans le recit, la mise en place d’un patrimoine culturel africain suggere en premier lieu le depouillement de ceux associes a d’anciennes puissances coloniales et dans en second lieu, une pratique conjointe de destitution et de restitution du nom. Le Nord de l’envers et les Etats-Unis d’Afrique de l’endroit sont non seulement les vecteurs de rapports de domination mais tracent plus precisement les contours d’un binarisme: le Sud geographique impose l’hegemonie africaine au reste du monde. Au coeur de cet espace mondial redessine, Maya/Malaika (prenom d’adoption), personnage central du recit, est en mouvement; quittant les Etats-Unis d’Afrique en quete de ses origines, elle se met en route vers le Nord, et prend le chemin du re(/de)tour dans les dernieres pages du recit. S’agirait-il la de la subversion du binarisme geographique, d’une distortion d’un modele d’espace frontalier fige par le biais du motif de l’errance ? Ainsi, en quoi peut-on deceler dans l’oeuvre de Waberi plusieurs niveaux de destabilisation de toute proposition binaire, qui atteignent leur culmination avec le motif de l’errance ? Dans quelles mesures, le voyage de Maya tend vers une remise en question des moules identitaires geographiques et culturels, et a quels effets ?
Improving temperature reconstructions from ice-core water-isotope records

Abstract. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios in polar precipitation are widely used as proxies for local temperature. Used in combination, oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios also provide information on sea surface temperature at the oceanic moisture source locations where polar precipitation originates. Temperature reconstructions obtained from ice core records generally rely on linear approximations of the relationships among local temperature, source temperature and water-isotope values. However, there are important nonlinearities that significantly affect such reconstructions, particularly for source-region temperatures. Here, we describe a temperature reconstruction method that accounts for these nonlinearities. We provide new reconstructions of absolute surface temperature, condensation temperature, and source-region evaporation temperature for all long Antarctic ice-core records for which the necessary data are available. We also provide thorough uncertainty estimates on all temperature histories. Our reconstructions constrain the pattern and magnitude of polar amplification in the past and reveal asymmetries in the temperature histories of East and West Antarctica.
Dual Proof Generation for Quantified Boolean Formulas with a BDD-based Solver

Existing proof-generating quantified Boolean formula (QBF) solvers must construct a different type of proof depending on whether the formula is false (refutation) or true (satisfaction). We show that a QBF solver based on ordered binary decision diagrams (BDDs) can emit a single dual proof as it operates, supporting either outcome. This form consists of a sequence of equivalence-preserving clause addition and deletion steps in an extended resolution framework. For a false formula, the proof terminates with the empty clause, indicating conflict. For a true one, it terminates with all clauses deleted, indicating tautology. Both the length of the proof and the time required to check it are proportional to the total number of BDD operations performed. We evaluate our solver using a scalable benchmark based on a two-player tiling game.