cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges in Understanding Diabetic Embryopathy

Perhaps one of the most devastating diabetes complications is diabetic embryopathy, in which the offspring of a mother with diabetes predating pregnancy develops congenital malformations. These malformations can affect multiple organ systems, including the brain and spinal cord, the heart and major vessel, the kidneys, the gut, and skeletal structures (1,2) and result in pre- or postnatal mortality or disability. As malformations are induced during the earliest stages of organogenesis, coinciding with the first recognition of pregnancy (3), it is important to institute rigorous glycemic control before the onset of pregnancy. Nevertheless, recent studies (4,5) have shown that even in planned pregnancies with optimal prepregnancy care, the incidence of malformations in diabetic pregnancies is still at least twice that in nondiabetic pregnancies. As malformations occur in the offspring of women with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (or offspring of women who are obese at the beginning of pregnancy and may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes) (2,6–8), and recent evidence indicates that the incidence of diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, predating pregnancy is rapidly increasing (9), the burden of this diabetes complication is likely to increase in coming years unless efforts to prevent diabetic embryopathy are improved. However, unlike other diabetes complications, in which the development of pharmacologic interventions offer the hope of treatment or prevention, prevention of …
New fluorescent probes for visual proteins. Part II. 5-(Oxo)penta-2,4-dienyl-p-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate.

A new dual-fluorescent compound, 5-(oxo)penta-2,4-dienyl-p-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate (1), a derivative of dimethylaminobenzoic acid, has been synthesised and studied photophysically. This compound continues the series of potential fluorescent probes for visual and proton-pumping opsin proteins. The photophysical behaviour of this molecule, including charge-transfer interaction in the ground state and dual-fluorescence emission, is similar to that of the previously studied analogue cis-3-(oxo)propenyl-p-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate (cis-2). The presence of several theoretically calculated conformers of compound 2 was suggested to be responsible for the observed strongly red-shifted absorption and excitation wavelength dependence. These photophysical anomalies were also observed for molecule 1, though the models put forward to explain them in the cases of 1 and 2 are rather different. Based on theoretical calculations and experimental results, we propose that some of the stable conformers might be connected with either a charge-transfer complex or mesomeric interactions in the ground state. Upon changing the electronic nature of the oxo-pentadienyl acceptor moiety, e.g. protonation, chemical or biochemical reaction, the charge-transfer absorption disappears, which leads to a dramatic increase in the fluorescence quantum yield.
Impact of Prophylactic Postoperative β-Blockade on Post-Cardiothoracic Surgery Length of Stay and Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of hospital length of stay (LOS), overall mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for a balloon pump. A meta-analysis of 2 previous trials showed a nonsignificant reduction in LOS with postoperative β-blockers but only encompassed 1200 patients, with few valve surgery patients, and neither study used a hospital within the US.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of postoperative β-blockers on LOS and AF. Secondary endpoints of overall mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) were also evaluated between groups.METHODSThis was a prospective cohort evaluation of all patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery at our institution between October 1999 and October 2003. Patients receiving prophylactic postoperative β-blockers were matched (1:1) with patients not receiving prophylaxis for age >70 years, valvular surgery, history of AF, gender, and use of preoperative digoxin...
Homework Practices of English and Non-English-Speaking Parents.

This study compared the homework practices of English-speaking and non-English–speaking parents. Using a national data set of 7,992 students across ages and ethnicities, the frequency and type of h...
Correlations in end-to-end network metrics: Impact on large scale network monitoring

With the ever growing size of the Internet and increasing popularity of the overlay and peer-to-peer networks, scalable end-to-end (e2e) network monitoring is essential for better network management and application performance. For large scale networks, an e2e monitoring infrastructure should minimize the measurement cost while ensuring that the network is still monitored at fine enough time-scales required for each application flow. We explore the relationships between different e2e network metrics with the aim of leveraging such relationships for reducing monitoring costs while maintaining measurement accuracy. We analyze long range network measurements from PlanetLab, where we collected e2e network data (route, number of hops, capacity bandwidth and available bandwidth) for about two years on several thousand paths. We also present a few schemes to leverage the metric correlations and reduce the monitoring cost. Our preliminary results indicate that in some cases, we can reduce the monitoring costs by 75% while maintaining the accuracy at about 88%.
Therapeutic Approaches to Neonatal Jaundice: An International Survey

Jaundice is one of the most common clinical phenomena in the neonatal period and a frequent indication for treatment with phototherapy, exchange transfusion, or drugs. The present study documents the variability in approaches to the treatment of this condition. A mail questionnaire was sent to neonatal units worldwide. One hundred and eight answers (49% response rate) were received from Europe (n=72), North America (n=28), Africa (n=7), and Asia (n=1). The neonatal intensive care units represented by the respondents had 31 ±18 beds [mean ±SD], and 638 ±519 admissions per year. All units offered phototherapy, 106/ 108 performed exchange transfusions, while 44/ 108 used some form of drug therapy. There was considerable variability among the units in their approaches to the jaundiced neonate. This applied to all aspects of care, including type of phototherapy lights used, practical implementation of phototherapy, use of fluid supplementation, and use of prophylactic phototherapy. The majority used written pr...
P-T Path for Ultrahigh-Pressure Garnet Ultramafic Rocks of the Cuaba Gneiss, Rio San Juan Complex, Dominican Republic

Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) rocks in the Cuaba Gneiss include Grt ultramafic rocks, mafic eclogite, and partially retrograded equivalents. The Grt ultramafic rocks (Spl-bearing Grt peridotite, Splbearing Grt clinopyroxenite, Crn-Spl-bearing Grt clinopyroxenite) are of igneous origin, with magmatic conditions of P > 3.5 GPa, T > 1550°C. The magmatic history took place in the asthenosphere. New chemical analyses of minerals give the following subsolidus conditions: Grt peridotite, 3.0-4.2 GPa, 838-867°C; Grt clinopyroxenite (Grt + Cpx + Spl + Crn), 2.75 GPa, 807°C. The ultramafic rocks are associated with partially retrograded eclogite, interpreted as deep-subducted oceanic crust. New chemical analyses of minerals in the eclogite give conditions that relate to the retrograde decomposition of Grt + Omp + Qtz to Grt + Pl + Di + Qtz, 1.8 GPa, 730°C. The P-T path for the Grt ultramafic rocks is modeled in three parts: (1) slow, isobaric (> 4 GPa) cooling in the mantle, >1550°C down to ∼850°C; (2) relatively rapid,...
Massively parallel computing and the mid-course tracking problem

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) mid-course tracking problem is a very computationally intensive prob­ lem that must be solved in real time. It is generally believed that a real-time solution is only possible through massively parallel computing. This paper discusses the implementation of the TRC code, a mid-course tracking code, on a 1024 processor nCUBFlten computer. A brief discussion of the modeling approach used in the TRC is provided together with a discussion of how the TRC was restructured to make it run efficiently in parallel. The performance of the parallel version of the TRC over a wide range of problem sizes is discussed and results obtained on a Cray X-MP single processor are compared to the nCUBE/ten results. These results demonstrate the applicability o/massively parallel MIMD computing to the SDI mid-course tracking problem.
Lifetime and 12-month use of psychiatric services among U.S. Army National Guard soldiers in Ohio.

Objective:The individual and economic burden of psychiatric illnesses is substantial. Although treatment of psychiatric disorders mitigates the burden of illness, over half of military personnel with disorders do not receive mental health care. However, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between psychiatric disorder categories and treatment-seeking behavior in representative military populations. This study aimed to document, by psychiatric disorder category, the annualized rate of Guard members who obtained psychiatric services and the factors associated with service utilization.Methods:Face-to-face clinical assessments were conducted between 2008 and 2012 to assess lifetime and current psychiatric disorders and recent psychiatric service use among 528 Ohio Army National Guard soldiers.Results:An annualized rate of 31% of persons per year accessed psychiatric services between 2010 and 2012. Persons with substance use disorders had the lowest annualized rate of service use, and thes...
Heat transfer augmentation in nanofluids via nanofins

Theoretical results derived in this article are combined with experimental data to conclude that, while there is no improvement in the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids beyond the Maxwell's effective medium theory (J.C. Maxwell, Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, 1891), there is substantial heat transfer augmentation via nanofins. The latter are formed as attachments on the hot wire surface by yet an unknown mechanism, which could be related to electrophoresis, but there is no conclusive evidence yet to prove this proposed mechanism.
Activation of silent synapses by rapid activity-dependent synaptic recruitment of AMPA receptors.

Many recent studies have shown that excitatory synapses can contain NMDA receptor responses in the absence of functional AMPA receptors and are therefore postsynaptically silent at resting membrane potentials. The activation of silent synapses via the rapid acquisition of AMPA receptor responses may be important in synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. Our recent immunocytochemical studies that used cultured hippocampal neurons have provided evidence for “morphological silent synapses” that physically contain NMDA receptors but no AMPA receptors. Here we show that the activation of NMDA receptors by spontaneous synaptic activity results in the rapid recruitment of AMPA receptors into these morphological silent synapses within minutes. In parallel, we find a significant increase in the frequency of AMPA receptor-mediated miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). NMDA receptor activation also results in a mobilization of calcium/calmodulin (CaM) kinase II to synapses and an increase in the phosphorylation of surface AMPA receptors on the major CaM kinase II phosphorylation site. These results demonstrate that AMPA receptors can be modified and recruited rapidly to silent synapses via the activation of NMDA receptors by spontaneous synaptic activity.
The Structure of Cranidial Shape Variation in Three Early Ptychoparioid Trilobite Species from the Dyeran–Delamaran (Traditional “Lower–Middle” Cambrian) Boundary Interval of Nevada, U.S.A.

Abstract The structure of cranidial shape variation in the early ptychoparioid trilobites Crassifimbra walcotti, Crassifimbra? metalaspis (new combination), and Eokochaspis nodosa is explored using landmark-based geometric morphometric techniques, and is found to be generally similar among the species. Allometry is the strongest single source of cranidial shape variation within each species. The species share several trends in their respective patterns of ontogenetic shape change, but differ in the relative magnitude of these shared trends. Species-specific trends are also present. Each species follows a unique trajectory of ontogenetic shape change. The species exhibit subtle but significant differences in mean cranidial shape even at small size (sagittal length 1.75 mm); the magnitude of interspecific differences becomes larger at larger size (sagittal length 4.2 mm). For conspecific cranidia of a given size, the major pattern of covariance among anatomical parts is essentially identical to the pattern ...
Analysis of Ge junctions for GaInP/GaAs/Ge three-junction solar cells†

We study Ge solar cells with epitaxial GaInP windows for application as the third junction of GaInP/GaAs/Ge three-junction solar cells. We demonstrate Ge junctions with open-circuit voltages above 230 mV, fill factors above 65%, and internal quantum efficiencies of ∼90%. By varying separately the base and emitter contributions to the junction dark current, we deduce the factors limiting the performance of this device, and we project the improvement to the device performance that may be obtainable if key limiting factors such as the emitter surface-recombination velocity can be mitigated. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimonopole solutions in the Prasad-Sommerfield limit

A variational search for multimonopole solutions of the Yang-Mills-Higgs equations in the Prasad-Sommerfield limit is performed. An ansatz where two monopoles are superimposed at the origin is shown to lead to a minimal energy differing by less than one percent from the Bogomolny bound, with the discrepancy attributable to the truncation error. Thus strong numerical evidence is obtained for the existence of two-monopole solutions, the symmetry properties of which are discussed.
Connecting physical resonant amplitudes and lattice QCD

Abstract We present a determination of the isovector, P-wave ππ scattering phase shift obtained by extrapolating recent lattice QCD results from the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration using m π = 236 MeV . The finite volume spectra are described using extensions of Luscher's method to determine the infinite volume Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory scattering amplitude. We exploit the pion mass dependence of this effective theory to obtain the scattering amplitude at m π = 140 MeV . The scattering phase shift is found to agree with experiment up to center of mass energies of 1.2 GeV. The analytic continuation of the scattering amplitude to the complex plane yields a ρ-resonance pole at E ρ = [ 755 ( 2 ) ( 1 ) ( 20 02 ) − i 2 129 ( 3 ) ( 1 ) ( 7 1 ) ] MeV . The techniques presented illustrate a possible pathway towards connecting lattice QCD observables of few-body, strongly interacting systems to experimentally accessible quantities.
Thin-film semiconductor perspective of organometal trihalide perovskite materials for high-efficiency solar cells

Organometal trihalide perovskites (OTPs) are arising as a new generation of low-cost active materials for solar cells with efficiency rocketing from 3.5% to over 20% within only five years. From "dye" in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to "hole conductors" and "electron conductors" in mesoscopic heterojunction solar cells, there has been a dramatic conceptual evolution on the function of OTPs in photovoltaic devices. OTPs were originally used as dyes in Gratzel cells, achieving a high efficiency above 15% which, however, did not manifest the excellent charge transport properties of OTPs. An analogy of OTPs to traditional semiconductors. was drawn after the demonstration of highly efficient planar heterojunction structure OTP devices and the observation of their excellent bipolar transport properties with a large diffusion length exceeding 100 nm in CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI(3)) polycrystalline thin films. This review aims to provide the most recent advances in the understanding of the origin of the high OTP device efficiency. Specifically, we will focus on reviewing the progress in understanding (1) the characterization of fantastic optoelectronic property of OTPs, (2) the unusual defect physics that originate the optoelectronic property, (3) morphology control of the perovskite film from fabrication process and film post-treatment, (4) device interface and charge transport layers that dramatically impact device efficiency in the OTP thin-film devices, (5) photocurrent hysteresis, (6) tandem solar cells and (7) stability of the perovskite materials and solar cell devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
VASECTOMY AND PROSTATE CANCER RISK

To assess the hypothesis that a history of vasectomy is a risk factor in the etiology of prostate cancer, the authors conducted a case-control study at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY, between 1982 and 1988. From epidemiologic data routinely collected from entering patients, information on vasectomy history and other data were obtained for 614 patients with prostate cancer and 2,588 comparable control subjects with cancer at another site. Age-specific and age-adjusted relative risks were calculated. Increased risk (relative risk = 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.6) was found for reporting vasectomy at any age. Age-adjusted relative risk of 2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.0-4.6) was observed for men who reported vasectomy 13-18 years before diagnosis. A significant trend in the association of years since vasectomy and risk also was observed. Cases and controls were found to be nearly identical with respect to education, income, race, marital history, and number of children. A difference in smoking histories of cases and controls was found not to confound the observed associations. These data may suggest the importance of further epidemiologic and biologic research on vasectomy as a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Post-Storm Water Circulation Patterns in Teshekpuk Lake (Alaska) Derived from Sequential Optical Satellite Images

Water flow speeds and directions in Teshekpuk Lake on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska were derived from remotely sensed optical images captured after a major storm event. A Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus image and a Terra Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer image, acquired about 41 min apart on 15 August 2000, were analysed with an image matching technique based on cross-correlation to find corresponding features in both images. Flow speed and direction were calculated by measuring the horizontal displacement of such features in the two images. The derived water current speed ranged from 0.6 to 9.6 cm/s (mean 3.0 cm/s), during a wind blowing from the SE at an average speed of 4.9 m/s. The fastest currents (>2 standard deviations) fringed the shorelines and flowed in the direction of the wind (toward the NW), likely reflecting the direct influence of the wind conditions at the time of image acquisition. In contrast, a 10 km-wide gyre rotating clockwise developed towards the centre of the lake, likely reflecting the influence of a storm-driven wind veering over a 7 day period prior to the time of image acquisition. This study demonstrates that extensive water velocity fields in a lake can be derived from remotely sensed images using an image matching technique. The different flow patterns would not be readily observable without the synoptic view provided by satellite images, although the accuracy of flow speeds and directions needs further validation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications after Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Objectives:Obstructive sleep apnea has been identified as an important risk factor in perioperative orthopaedic surgery outcomes despite limited evidence in specific domains. Our objective was to determine if patients with obstructive sleep apnea have a higher likelihood of postoperative in-hospital complications, length of stay or increased costs after shoulder arthroplasty.Methods:We utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to analyze 22,988 patients undergoing TSA or hemiarthroplasty between 2006-2008. Of these patients 1,983 (5.9%) had a concomitant diagnosis of OSA. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression modeling was used to compare patients with and without OSA for various outcomes and in hospital complications (pneumonia, DVT, PE, wound complications, hematoma, seroma, anemia).Results:Patients with obstructive sleep apnea did not have overall increased in-hospital mortality and complications including Pulmonary Embolism (odds radio 1.083; p<0.01; and 1.038 respectively) compared to...
Relationship Between Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Density and Incidence of Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits

Field experiments were performed in 1993 and 1994 to establish varying densities of striped Acalymma vittatum (F.) and spotted, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, cucumber beetles in spring-planted cucumber plots, and to determine the incidence of bacterial wilt symptoms in each treatment. These data were used to develop regression models to examine the relationship between beetle density and the severity of bacterial wilt disease. Cucumber beetle numbers peaked during the first 2 wk after colonization of plants, with a rapid decline in numbers thereafter. Bacterial wilt symptoms were first observed 12-14 d after peak numbers of beetles were recorded. Critical point linear regression analyses of both year's data demonstrated a strongly linear and positive relationship between cucumber beetle density and the severity of wilt symptoms. No significant improvement was detected by fitting quadratic models. Beetle numbers recorded two weeks after colonization of plants provided the highest r 2 values when regressed on the percentage of wilted vines (final disease rating). Covariance analysis determined that regression slope values were not significantly different between years; therefore data for both years were pooled and a generalized model was developed. Substituting area under the disease progress curve values for the percentage of wilted vines per plant values resulted in a higher coefficient of determination (P = 0.0001, r2 = 0.73, slope = 70.3, intercept = 92.6), indicating that use of the progress curve, which accounts for disease development over time, provides a better regression fit than does use of a variable that reflects measurement of disease incidence at discrete intervals. The regression analyses also indicated that even low numbers (1 per plant) of beetles during the 1st few weeks after colonization of plants will result in wilt symptoms.
Manganese-silicon interaction and its effect on growth of Sudan grass

Growth of sudan grass was studied for response to Mn concentrations in the culture solutions ranging from deficient to toxic and in the presence and absence of Si. In the absence of Si, the optimum Mn level was 0.25 to 0.50 mg/l. One mg/l Mn was toxic and reduced plant growth. The addition of 5 mg/l Si to the nutrient solutions decreased accumulation of Mn, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the plant tissues, and in fact induced Mn deficiency in those plants receiving 0.5 mg/l Mn or less. One function of Si under these experimental conditions was the amelioration of Mn toxicity as manifested by increased dry matter accumulation by the Mn-toxic plants when Si was added. It is doubtful that Si satisfies the criteria for essentiality in sudan grass, however, and if so, the required Si concentration must be less than 0.025 mg/l.
Population density and fluctuations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in Colorado

Pika populations in the Colorado Rockies have shown relatively consistent densities and stability over eight years of study. At three different sites, mid-August densities varied from 3.4 to 9.8 pikas/ha, and annual population fluctuations averaged less than 30%. In contrast, many other small mammal populations, including those of Microtus, Mus, Clethrionomys, Apodemus, Lemmus, Lepus and Oryctolagus show much greater variability in population density, and often show mean annual fluctuations from 60 to over 100%. We hypothesize that the relative stability of pika populations of moderate size is a result of their food-based territorialism coupled with parent-offspring and sibling relationships. Territorialism places behavioral limits on population densities whereby juveniles either disperse or remain philopatric depending upon density-related social behaviors.
Mice with missense and nonsense NF1 mutations display divergent phenotypes compared with human neurofibromatosis type I

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder characterized by the occurrence of nerve sheath tumors and considerable clinical heterogeneity. Some translational studies have been limited by the lack of animal models available for assessing patient-specific mutations. In order to test therapeutic approaches that might restore function to the mutated gene or gene product, we developed mice harboring NF1 patient-specific mutations including a nonsense mutation (c.2041C>T; p.Arg681*) and a missense mutation (c.2542G>C; p.Gly848Arg). The latter is associated with the development of multiple plexiform neurofibromas along spinal nerve roots. We demonstrate that the human nonsense NF1(Arg681*) and missense NF1(Gly848Arg) mutations have different effects on neurofibromin expression in the mouse and each recapitulates unique aspects of the NF1 phenotype, depending upon the genetic context when assessed in the homozygous state or when paired with a conditional knockout allele. Whereas the missense Nf1(Gly848Arg) mutation fails to produce an overt phenotype in the mouse, animals homozygous for the nonsense Nf1(Arg681*) mutation are not viable. Mice with one Nf1(Arg681*) allele in combination with a conditional floxed Nf1 allele and the DhhCre transgene (Nf1(4F/Arg681*); DhhCre) display disorganized nonmyelinating axons and neurofibromas along the spinal column, which leads to compression of the spinal cord and paralysis. This model will be valuable for preclinical testing of novel nonsense suppression therapies using drugs to target in-frame point mutations that create premature termination codons in individuals with NF1.
Private Troubles, Master Narratives: Dilemmas of Dementia Care in a Short Story

Mary Gordon's short story, Mrs. Cassidy's Last Year, is about a family trying to cope, not only with Mrs. Cassidy, who has dementia and is physically and verbally abusive, but also with her elderly husband's difficulties caring for her at home. Mr. Cassidy's dilemma, expressed through the dissonance between his private "inner talk" of emotions and desires that he feels are forbidden and shameful, and his insistence to his son and daughter-in-law that his wife is still the woman he married and her care is not too much for him. This article attempts to open up conceptual space on such questions of caregiver perceptions of the personhood (who they are now), and "personness"-the motivations and intentions-of the person with dementia; caregiver and family motivations and feeling states; and the ways that cultural narratives of obligation in family caregiving affect a caregiver's sense of self and moral certitude. In addition, the story helps us to consider the implications of a bifurcation between a caregiver's inner feelings, and what he or she understands to be the way he or she should feel and act publically. The article attempts to illustrate the interplay and tensions between narratives-master narratives from the culture, those from more immediate ideological environments, auto- and biographical stories, memories, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are-and how these come into stark relief in the context of a radically altered intimate relationship.
Study on strengthened layer of workpiece in prestress dry grinding

The prestress dry grinding which combines with prestress grinding and surface strengthening is an innovative approach to substitute conventional grinding process. The residual stress and the thickness of strengthened layer have an important effect on surface performance of workpiece. In order to analyze the effect mechanisms of prestress on residual stress and thickness of strengthened layer, experiment and simulation are carried on for 45 steel. The result of prestress dry grinding experiment shows that the grains in the strengthened layer are refined with increase of prestress. The thickness of strengthened layer tends to decrease first and then increase with increase of prestress. The simulation model of temperature field is created. The effect of temperature field on the thickness of strengthened layer and different grinding parameters especially the prestress on temperature field are analyzed. Then, the relationship between prestress and residual stress on different directions are analyzed. The variation curve of residual stress shows that tensile residual stress can transform to compressive residual stress on the surface of workpiece by controlling the prestress. Besides, compressive residual stress increase first and then decrease with the increase of depth.
Plausibility of Delaying Induction Therapy in Untreated AML.

Experience suggests that many physicians regard AML as a disease requiring urgent treatment, which should begin within 1–3 days of diagnosis. This practice was lent support by an ECOG trial in pts age above 55, which suggested that a delay of 3–5 days in initiating therapy resulted in a lower CR rate (38% in 235 pts vs. 50% in 113 pts, p=.03, Blood2004; 103: 479–485). The delay was due to logistical factors inherent in a blinded randomization to priming with GM-CSF vs. placebo in the 235 pts; in contrast priming, which ultimately had no effect on CR rate, was not studied in the initial 113 pts. All 348 pts were randomized among 7 days of ara-C plus 3 days of idarubicin, daunorubicin, or mitoxantrone, with CR rate independent of which was given. While the paper noted that risk factors in pts in the delay and the no delay groups were similar, it is unclear whether a regression analysis of pt covariate effects was done or whether risk factors other than cytogenetics, WBC count and age ( 70) were analyzed. The ECOG paper was of particular interest to us because, in the 80% of our pts presenting with WBC 2, (8% > 2), cytogenetics (26% unfavorable, as commonly defined, 2 % favorable), treatment in a HEPA-filtered or laminar air flow room (80%), and as numerical variables, age (median 64 years, minimum 19, 28% > 70), beta 2 microglobulin (b2M, median 2.9), albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, wbc (median 5.2) and days from MDA diagnosis to IA. The independent predictors of CR were age, or alternatively b2M, which was highly correlated with age, and unfavorable cytogenetics, but not days from MDA diagnosis to IA (p = 0.22, with age in the model, p = 0.29, with b2M in the model). Because the ECOG paper dealt only with pts age > 55 we also evaluated the effect on CR rate of interactions between days from MDA diagnosis to IA and either age 55 or age as a numerical variable; these interactions were not significant. Thus our results, unlike the ECOG’s, suggest that delay in initiating induction therapy is unlikely to be harmful. It is plausible that a delay may be useful if it allows knowledge about cytogenetics and FLT3 status to become available. Given that the benefit from standard induction therapy in older pts with unfavorable cytogenetics or FLT3 mutations is not necessarily commensurate with a 20–30% risk of induction mortality, it might be appropriate to give such pts investigational regimens as their initial treatment, whereas such a strategy might be more difficult to justify in pts with normal cytogenetics and no FLT3 aberrations.
Sur la stabilité thermique des étalons analytiques

Resume Les auteurs ont etudie la stabilite thermique de douze substances servant comme etalons en chimie analytique et pour certaines d'entre elles, ils ont enregistre le spectre infrarouge dans la region du sel gemme. Seul, le sel disodiquc de l'EDTA doit etre completement deshydrate pour que l'on puisse faire sa pesee d'une facon sure.
Morin Stain Detects Aluminum-Containing Macrophages in Macrophagic Myofasciitis and Vaccination Granuloma With High Sensitivity and Specificity

Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is an inflammatory condition associated with the intramuscular (i.m.) injection of aluminum adjuvant-containing vaccines. It is clinically characterized by myalgia, weakness, and chronic fatigue and histologically by aggregates of cohesive macrophages with abundant basophilic, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive, diastase-resistant granules that percolate through the peri- and endomysium without eliciting substantial myofiber damage. The definitive diagnosis of MMF requires demonstration of aluminum within these macrophages. We evaluated the Morin stain, a simple, 2-step histochemical stain for aluminum, as a confirmatory diagnostic tool for MMF. Among 2270 muscle biopsies processed at UTSW between 2010 and 2015, a total of 12 MMF cases and 1 subcutaneous vaccination granuloma case were identified (11 pediatric, 2 adults). With the Morin stain, all 13 cases showed strong granular reactivity within the cytoplasm of macrophages but not in myofibers or connective tissue. Three cases of inflammatory myopathy with abundant macrophages (IMAM), 8 cases of granulomatous inflammation and 23 other deltoid muscle biopsies used as controls were all negative. Morin stain could be used in both formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and cryostat sections. Thus, Morin stain detects aluminum with high sensitivity and specificity in human muscle and soft tissue and may improve the diagnostic yield of MMF and vaccination granuloma.
Strategies for Editing Virulent Staphylococcal Phages Using CRISPR-Cas10.

Staphylococci are prevalent skin-dwelling bacteria that are also leading causes of antibiotic-resistant infections. Viruses that infect and lyse these organisms (virulent staphylococcal phages) can be used as alternatives to conventional antibiotics and represent promising tools to eliminate or manipulate specific species in the microbiome. However, since over half their genes have unknown functions, virulent staphylococcal phages carry inherent risk to cause unknown downstream side effects. Further, their swift and destructive reproductive cycle make them intractable by current genetic engineering techniques. CRISPR-Cas10 is an elaborate prokaryotic immune system that employs small RNAs and a multisubunit protein complex to detect and destroy phages and other foreign nucleic acids. Some staphylococci naturally possess CRISPR-Cas10 systems, thus providing an attractive tool already installed in the host chromosome to harness for phage genome engineering. However, the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas10 immunity ag...
Construct Validity of the Societal Outreach Scale (SOS).

Background The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has been working toward a vision of increasing professional focus on societal-level health. However, performance of social responsibility and related behaviors by physical therapists remain relatively poorly integrated into practice. Promoting a focus on societal outreach is necessary for all health care professionals to impact the health of their communities. Objective The objective was to document the validity of the 14-item Societal Outreach Scale (SOS) for use with practicing physical therapists. Design This study used a cross-sectional survey. Methods The SOS was transmitted via email to all therapists who were licensed and practicing in 10 states in the United States that were purposefully selected to assure a broad representation. A sample of 2612 usable responses was received. Factor analysis was applied to assess construct validity of the instrument. Results Of alternate models, a 3-factor model best demonstrated goodness of fit with the sample data according to conventional indices (standardized root mean squared residual = .03, comparative fit index .96, root mean square error of approximation = .06). The 3 factors measured by the SOS were labeled Societal-Level Health Advocacy, Community Engagement/Social Integration, and Political Engagement. Internal consistency reliability was 0.7 for all factors. The 3-factor SOS demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. Limitations Though the sample included a broad representation of physical therapists, this was a single cross-sectional study. Additional confirmatory factor analysis, reliability testing, and word refinement of the tool are warranted. Conclusions Given the construct validity and reliability of the 3-factor SOS, it is recommended for use as a validated instrument to measure physical therapists' performance of social responsibility and related behaviors.
Training in Evidence-Based Practices Increases Likelihood to Integrate Different HIV Prevention Services with Substance-Using Clients

ABSTRACTProviders of social and public health services (“providers”) often use HIV prevention strategies with substance-using clients to decrease HIV transmission and infection. This article examines factors that facilitate providers’ use of select HIV-prevention strategies. Sample comprises 379 providers from 36 agencies in New York City. Outcomes: sexual risk assessments; risk reduction counseling; condom demonstration; and referrals to HIV testing. Predictors: training; job satisfaction; staff collaboration. The authors used multilevel logistic regression and linear multilevel models. HIV prevention training was associated with increased performance of each outcome. The odds of conducting several outcomes were higher for providers trained in evidence-based interventions. Staff collaboration and job satisfaction were associated with provision of multiple outcomes. This study shows training and collaboration/satisfaction as significantly influencing providers to use prevention strategies. Providers ought...
Partner notification outcomes after integration of an on-site disease intervention specialist at a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Background Partner notification services (PNS) are highly effective in reducing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We assessed outcomes of PNS before and after integration of an on-site disease intervention specialist (DIS) at a publicly-funded STD clinic. Methods From August 2014 to December 2015, patients testing positive for infectious syphilis or gonorrhea at the Rhode Island STD Clinic were referred to on-site DIS for partner notification. Data on PNS outcomes were reviewed for eight months before integration of DIS at the clinic and compared to eight months after. Results Of the 145 index patients referred for PNS during the study period (n = 58 before DIS integration, n = 87 after), 86% were interviewed. DIS integration resulted in a significantly greater proportion of index patients interviewed overall (92% versus 76%, p<0.01), on the day of diagnosis (85% versus 61%; p<0.01), and in person at the STD clinic (64% versus 11%; p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in number of sexual partners named or treated. Conclusions Integrating DIS at a publicly-funded STD clinic resulted in a greater number of index cases interviewed, a greater number interviewed in person, and a greater number interviewed on the day of diagnosis. Challenges remain in identifying and engaging partners for treatment.
High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of the ν26 band of isoprene

Abstract The high-resolution infrared spectrum of isoprene (C5H8) has been observed in the region of the ν26 band near 992 cm−1 using a quantum cascade laser-based spectrometer. Five prominent Q-branch features were observed and have been assigned to the ν26 band, the ν17 band, and three hot bands of these fundamental transitions. Supporting calculations of the anharmonic transition frequencies and excited state rotational constants were performed at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and were used to help assign and fit the observed features. Approximate excited state rotational constants for the ν26 and ν17 bands have been obtained by fitting the contours of the observed Q-branch features.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL EQUILIBRIA IN LIVER CELL CYTOPLASM

The internal structure of cells has been shown by electron microscopy to consist of many membrane-bounded compartments, see Figures 1 and 2. Some compartments have characteristic size, shape and internal composition, such as the mitochondria (M), microbodies (m) and nucleus (N); while others have irregular shape and are characterized by their limiting membranes, such as the rough- and smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (r.e.r. and s.e.r.). These structures have been measured by applying the techniques of quantitative stereology to electron micrographs of rat liver cells (Loud et al., 1962 and 1965).
An empirical comparison of ID3 and back-propagation

AI and connectionist approaches to learning from examples differ in knowledge-base representation and inductive mechanisms. To explore these differences we experiment with a system from each paradigm: ID3 and back-propagation. We compare the systems on the basis of both prediction accuracy and length of training. The systems show distinct performance differences across a variety of domains. We identify aspects of each system that may account for these performance differences. Finally, we suggest paths for cross-paradigm interaction.
Discretized Modeling of Motionless Printing Based on Retarded Bending Motion and Deposition Control of Electrically Driven Jet

Abstract This study is on developing a simple motionless printing in which polyacrylonitrile and N,N-dimethylformamide solution is electrically driven from a fixed nozzle head in a coagulation medi...
Innervation of the carotid body of the adult rat. A serial ultrathin section analysis.

The innervation of the carotid body of adult rats was studied by means of serial ultrathin sections. A single branching nerve fiber innervates 12 chief cells through several kinds of terminals (vesicle-containing, mitochondrial sack, and calyx-type) in en-passant and bouton forms. Two types of synaptic contacts between nerve terminals and chief cells are found; type 1 in which chief cells are postsynaptic, and type 2 in which chief cells are presynaptic. Since a single nerve fiber (possibly from the glossopharyngeal nerve) forms both types of synapses with type 2 predominating, the nerve fiber is considered basically sensory or centripetal. In addition to their synaptic connections with sensory nerve fibers, chief cells located in the periphery of this organ are in synaptic relation with dendrites of a few ganglion cells adjacent to these cells. Here the chief cells are presynaptic. A few synaptic contacts between two adjacent chief cells are seen, and so are direct contacts between chief cells and preganglionic efferent nerve fibers terminating on ganglion cells.
Discerning a Progression in Conceptions of Magnitude During Children’s Construction of Number

Psychological studies of early numerical development fill a void in mathematics education research. However, conflations between magnitude awareness and number, and over-attributions of researcher conceptions to children, have led to psychological models that are at odds with findings from mathematics educators on later numerical development. In this chapter, we use the approximate number system as an example of a psychological construct that would benefit the mathematics education community if reframed to account for distinctions between number and magnitude. We provide such a reframing that also accounts for the role of children’s sensorimotor activity in the construction of number.
Freeform surface selection based on parametric fitness function using modal wavefront fitting

We present an analytic methodology to guide the selection of a surface within an optical design to apply freeform optimization. The methodology is discussed in the context of other means currently available, such as human intuition, aberration theory, and other direct surface construction methods. We describe the selection criteria for our proposed method and provide the form of the parametric fitness function used to combine the criterion. Finally, a case study comparing a design optimization procedure guided by the proposed methodology to human intuition is presented based on a real instrument designed for a millimeter-wave astronomy application. The methodology is shown to be effective even in the case of an optical system with a large number of freeform/optical surfaces. The proposed approach provides an objective and scalable solution to guide freeform optical system design by aiding a human’s design intuition.
Optimization of over-summer snow storage at midlatitudes and low elevation

Abstract. Climate change, including warmer winter temperatures, a shortened snowfall season, and more rain-on-snow events, threatens nordic skiing as a sport. In response, over-summer snow storage, attempted primarily using woodchips as a cover material, has been successfully employed as a climate change adaptation strategy by high-elevation and/or high-latitude ski centers in Europe and Canada. Such storage has never been attempted at a site that is both low elevation and midlatitude, and few studies have quantified storage losses repeatedly through the summer. Such data, along with tests of different cover strategies, are prerequisites to optimizing snow storage strategies. Here, we assess the rate at which the volume of two woodchip-covered snow piles (each ∼200 m 3 ), emplaced during spring 2018 in Craftsbury, Vermont (45 ∘ N and 360 m a.s.l.), changed. We used these data to develop an optimized snow storage strategy. In 2019, we tested that strategy on a much larger, 9300 m 3 pile. In 2018, we continually logged air-to-snow temperature gradients under different cover layers including rigid foam, open-cell foam, and woodchips both with and without an underlying insulating blanket and an overlying reflective cover. We also measured ground temperatures to a meter depth adjacent to the snow piles and used a snow tube to measure snow density. During both years, we monitored volume change over the melt season using terrestrial laser scanning every 10–14 d from spring to fall. In 2018, snow volume loss ranged from 0.29 to 2.81 m 3 d −1 , with the highest rates in midsummer and lowest rates in the fall; mean rates of volumetric change were 1.24 and 1.50 m 3 d −1 , 0.55 % to 0.72 % of initial pile volume per day. Snow density did increase over time, but most volume loss was the result of melting. Wet woodchips underlain by an insulating blanket and covered with a reflective sheet were the most effective cover combination for minimizing melt, likely because the aluminized surface reflected incoming short-wave radiation while the wet woodchips provided significant thermal mass, allowing much of the energy absorbed during the day to be lost by long-wave emission at night. The importance of the pile surface-area-to-volume ratio is demonstrated by 4-fold lower rates of volumetric change for the 9300 m 3 pile emplaced in 2019; it lost % of its initial volume per day between April and October, retaining ∼60 % of the initial snow volume over summer. Together, these data demonstrate the feasibility of over-summer snow storage at midlatitudes and low elevations and suggest efficient cover strategies.