cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Kidney Transplantation on Outcomes among Patients with Hepatitis C

The long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) is not well described. We retrospectively identified 230 HCV-infected patients using enzyme immunoassay and nucleic acid testing obtained during the transplant evaluation. Of 207 patients who had a liver biopsy before transplant, 44 underwent 51 follow-up liver biopsies at approximately 5-year intervals either while on the waitlist for a kidney or after kidney transplantation. Advanced fibrosis was present in 10% of patients biopsied, identifying a population that may warrant consideration for combined liver-kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation does not seem to accelerate liver injury; 77% of kidney recipients who underwent follow-up biopsies showed stable or improved liver histology. There was a higher risk for death during the first 6 months after transplant, but undergoing transplantation conferred a long-term survival advantage over remaining on the waitlist, which was evident by 6 months after transplant (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.62). Furthermore, the risk for death resulting from infection was significantly higher during the first 6 months after transplant (HR, 26.6; 95% CI, 5.01 to 141.3), whereas there was an early (≤6 months) and sustained decrease in the risk for cardiovascular death (HR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.47). In summary, these data suggest the importance of liver biopsy before transplant and show that kidney transplantation confers a long-term survival benefit among HCV-infected patients with ESRD compared with remaining on the waitlist. Nevertheless, the higher incidence of early infection-related deaths after transplant calls for further study to determine the optimal immunosuppressive protocol.
Multiple-filtering process and its application in edge detection

In this paper, a procedure of edge detection for a high dynamic range image with damaged edge information is proposed. This procedure is based on a scheme of multiple filtering processes which does not include any segmentation of the image. Three different filtering processes are designed to generate three gradient maps, in each of which gradients are calculated and modulated by using a specific filter. The enhanced gradients, i.e. those modulated correctly, are identified in each of the three gradient maps by using a selection algorithm. They are taken to generate a complete edge map. This procedure allows varieties of edge gradient enhancements applied in the same image by employing a set of simple filters without segmentation. The effectiveness of the detection process has been confirmed by simulations.
Nocturnal hypoxemia is common in primary pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract Study objective Unsuspected sleep-related respiratory events are common in patients with severe pulmonary disease. Sleep in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) has not been studied (to our knowledge). The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of respiratory disturbances and nocturnal hypoxemia during the sleep of patients with PPH. Setting Tertiary-care referral hospital. Design Retrospective review. Patients Thirteen patients with PPH. Measurements All patients underwent a single-night comprehensive polysomnogram study. Patients who spent > 10% of the total sleep time with oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (Sp o 2 ) at o 2 level at > 90% were classified as nocturnal desaturators. Analysis was performed to determine which clinical variables ( ie , demographics, body mass index, spirometry, diffusion capacity, right heart catheterization pressures, 6-min walk test, arterial blood gas levels, resting and walking Sp o 2 levels, and polysomnogram variables) would predict nocturnal desaturation. Statistical significance was considered when p values were Results Of the 13 patients in the study, 10 (77%) were nocturnal desaturators. All patients had normal apnea indexes, but two had mild elevations of the hypopnea index ( 2 titration during sleep spent > 25% of sleep time with Sp o 2 1 (70.1 ± 9.1% predicted vs 98.1 ± 15.1% predicted, respectively; p = 0.002), resting Pa o 2 (61.8 ± 16.1 vs 90.3 ± 2.3 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.001), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A-a]O 2 ) (40.5 ± 20.5 vs 12.2 ± 7.2 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.048), resting Sp o 2 (91.6 ± 5.4% vs 98.7 ± 2.3%, respectively; p = 0.038), and walking Sp o 2 (83.8 ± 9.3% vs 95.3 ± 1.2%, respectively; p = 0.002). The mean hemoglobin level was higher in the group of nocturnal desaturators than in the group of nondesaturators (10.43 ± 0.31 vs 13.95 ± 0.98 g/dL, respectively; p Conclusion Seventy-seven percent of patients with PPH have significant nocturnal hypoxemia that is unrelated to apneas and hypopneas. Nocturnal desaturation occurs more frequently in patients with higher P(A-a)O 2 values and lower FEV 1 values, resting arterial Pa o 2 and Sp o 2 values, and walking Sp o 2 values .
Organizing for Digitization at Oregon State University: A Case Study and Comparison with ARL Libraries

This article presents a case study of how Oregon State University Libraries (OSUL) organized to accomplish digitization activities. Digitization activities are broken down into six major categories: management, copyright, digital imaging, metadata, hardware/software/web design, and selection. The OSUL departments responsible for tasks within each of these sets of responsibilities are identified. The OSUL experience of incorporating digitization responsibilities within the existing organizational structure is compared with the results of a previously conducted survey of ARL libraries.
Imaging passive seismic data

Imaging passive seismic data is the process of synthesizing the wealth of subsurface information available from reflection seismic experiments by recording ambient sound using an array of geophones distributed at the surface. Crosscorrelating the traces of such a passive experiment can synthesize data that are identical to actively collected reflection seismic data. With a correlation-based imaging condition, wave-equation shot-profile depth migration can use raw transmission wavefields as input for producing a subsurface image. Migration is even more important for passively acquired data than for active data because with passive data, the source wavefields are likely to be weak compared with background and instrument noise — a condition that leads to a low signal-to-noise ratio. Fourier analysis of correlating long field records shows that aliasing of the wavefields from distinct shots is unavoidable. Although this reduces the order of computations for correlation by the length of the original trace, the...
Cognitive simplification processes in strategic decision‐making

Strategic decision-making can be viewed as a special kind of decision-making under uncertainty. Such decision-making involves the activities of goal formulation, problem identification, alternatives generation, and evaluation/selection. Researchers in cognitive psychology and behavioural decision theory have identified a number of cognitive simplification processes which may affect the way decision-makers perform these tasks. Within this paper, the research on these processes is summarized and their possible effects on strategic decision-making are discussed. Implications for future research in this area are also drawn.
Efficacy of Short-Course Antibiotic Regimens for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Meta-analysis

PURPOSE: There is little consensus on the most appropriate duration of antibiotic treatment for communityacquired pneumonia. The goal of this study is to systematically review randomized controlled trials comparing short-course and extended-course antibiotic regimens for community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL, and reviewed reference lists from 1980 through June 2006. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials that compared short-course (7 days or less) versus extended-course (7 days) antibiotic monotherapy for communityacquired pneumonia in adults. The primary outcome measure was failure to achieve clinical improvement. RESULTS: We found 15 randomized controlled trials matching our inclusion and exclusion criteria comprising 2796 total subjects. Short-course regimens primarily studied the use of azithromycin (n10), but trials examining beta-lactams (n2), fluoroquinolones (n2), and ketolides (n1) were found as well. Of the extended-course regimens, 3 studies utilized the same antibiotic, whereas 9 involved an antibiotic of the same class. Overall, there was no difference in the risk of clinical failure between the short-course and extended-course regimens (0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.02). In addition, there were no differences in the risk of mortality (0.81, 95% CI, 0.46-1.43) or bacteriologic eradication (1.11, 95% CI, 0.76-1.62). In subgroup analyses, there was a trend toward favorable clinical efficacy for the short-course regimens in all antibiotic classes (range of relative risk, 0.88-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: The available studies suggest that adults with mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia can be safely and effectively treated with an antibiotic regimen of 7 days or less. Reduction in patient exposure to antibiotics may limit the increasing rates of antimicrobial drug resistance, decrease cost,
Dynamics of isolated convective regions in the ocean

Abstract An initially resting ocean of stratification N is considered, subject to buoyancy loss at its surface of magnitude B0 over a circular region of radius r, at a latitude where the Coriolis parameter is f. Initially the buoyancy loss gives rise to upright convection as an ensemble of plumes penetrates the stratified ocean creating a vertically mixed layer. However, as deepening proceeds, horizontal density gradients at the edge of the forcing region support a geostrophic rim current, which develops growing meanders through baroclinic instability. Eventually finite-amplitude baroclinic eddies sweep stratified water into the convective region at the surface and transport convected water outward and away below, setting up a steady state in which lateral buoyancy flux offsets buoyancy loss at the surface. In this final state quasi-horizontal baroclinic eddy transfer dominates upright “plume” convection. By using “parcel theory” to consider the energy transformations taking place, it is shown that the de...
Morpho-acoustic characterization of natural seepage features near the Macondo Wellhead (ECOGIG site OC26, Gulf of Mexico)

ABSTRACT OC26 (R/V Oceanus Site 26) is one of three primary sites selected for study by the Ecosystem Impact of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf (ECOGIG) consortium to determine the impacts of natural seepage versus large pulse inputs of hydrocarbons into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and to chart the long-term effects and mechanisms of ecosystem recovery from the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. OC26 is located on the western slope of the Gloria Dome, about five kilometers south-east of the Macondo wellhead. In 2011, the site was visited by the NOAA research vessel Okeanos Explorer. During this cruise, several natural oil/gas plumes originating from the seabed were identified. In order to establish precise locations for these naturally occurring sources of hydrocarbons and to inform biogeochemical and biological studies of the water-column, the seafloor, and the shallow subseafloor in the wake of the Deep Water Horizon spill, we conducted several Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) surveys. The surveys were designed to include swath bathymetry, chirp sub-bottom profiles, and seafloor still photos to augment the Okeanos Explorer and the 2012 ECOGIG Falkor multibeam bathymetric and water column data. These AUV high resolution datasets were collected to provide in-depth geophysical analyses of seafloor morphology and to link, where possible, morphological features to the subsurface structure and plumbing system at this site where natural seepage possibly intersects hydrocarbon inputs from the spill. The site exhibits many morphological seafloor features: depressions, elongated erosional structures, dome-shaped mud volcanoes/mounds, fault traces, and round pockmarks. Seabed photos show the presence of gas hydrate outcrops and benthic communities in the vicinity of maximum seafloor backscatter intensities and many of the morphological features. Subsurface profiles show gas-related anomalies (blanking and acoustic wipeout) where pockmarks, mud volcanoes/mounds and depressions are located. In addition to the discovery of novel seafloor features, these studies provide definitive links between seafloor seeps and particular morphologies and communities, contributing to the fundamental understanding of seeps in the deep sea.
A 1.5-V 14-bit 100-MS/s self-calibrated DAC

Large-area current source arrays are widely used in current-steering digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to statistically maintain a required level of matching accuracy between the current sources. This not only results in large die size but also in significant degradation of dynamic range for high-frequency signals. To overcome technology barriers, relax requirements on the layout, and reduce DAC sensitivities to process, temperature, and aging, calibration is emerging as a viable solution for the next-generation high-performance DACs. In this paper, a new foreground calibration technique suitable for very-low-voltage environments is presented which effectively compensates for current source mismatch, and achieves high linearity with small die size and low power consumption. Settling and dynamic performance are also improved due to a dramatic reduction of parasitic effects. To demonstrate this technique, a 14-bit DAC prototype was implemented in a 0.13-/spl mu/m digital CMOS process. This is the first CMOS DAC reported that operates with a single 1.5-V power supply and achieves 14-bit linearity with less than 0.1 mm/sup 2/ of active area. At 100 MS/s, the spurious free dynamic range is 82 dB (62 dB) for signals of 0.9 MHz (42 MHz) and the power consumption is only 16.7 mW.
Risk Stratification for Serious Arrhythmic Events in Post-Infarction Patients

In spite of recent improvement in overall cardiovascular mortality, posthospital mortality remains high in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Approximately one third of late deaths in survivors of AMI are sudden and unexpected, and the risk of sudden death persists for years after the AMI [1, 2]. Prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), which in the majority of cases is due to malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT, defined as hypotensive ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation), remains a formidable clinical challenge in survivors of AMI. Management strategy of this major health care problem has centered over the years on two closely related aspects: (1) how to identify those at risk of SCD, and (2) what the best management modalities are — pharmacotherapy or the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Following recent publications of the results of several multicenter studies, pharmacotherapy — mainly antiarrhythmic drugs — has not proven so far to be an effective management modality for those at risk of SCD. This cleared the way for more widespread use of the ICD as the sole or main management modality. Primarily because of the high cost of the ICD, and the invasive nature of this therapeutic modality, the prophylactic use of the device for primary prevention of SCD did not gain momentum until recently. This aspect of management strategy for SCD is still in the clinical research domain, with several primary ICD prevention trials currently underway. However, this trend has highlighted the urgent need for more powerful risk stratification algorithms for SCD in this population.
Exploring Links between Women's Business Ownership and Empowerment among Maasai Women in Tanzania

Despite increasing interest and effort to support womens empowerment globally women remain a severely disadvantaged group in nearly every country throughout the globe. In the current study we examine the relationship between womens participation in financial markets and different indices of empowerment. Questionnaires were administered to three groups of Maasai women (N = 224) living in rural northern Tanzania: women who were members of cooperatively owned business groups women who owned businesses independently via microcredit loans and women who did not own businesses. Group difference tests revealed that cooperative business owners reported higher levels of agency than independent owners and lower levels of partner control and greater involvement in financial decision making than nonbusiness owners. Independent owners reported greater involvement in financial decision making and lower levels of agency than nonowners. Additionally results from structural equation models demonstrated that participation in cooperatives versus independent or nonbusiness ownership was associated with fewer experiences of domestic violence and enhanced psychological well-being via the effects of partner control agency and financial decision making. Policy implications regarding the importance of considering cultural norms and what may be required to facilitate a transformative context for women are discussed.
Full-Scale Testing for Strain-Based Design Pipelines: Lessons Learned and Recommendations

There are generally two reasons for conducting full-scale tests (FSTs) for the measurement of pipe or weld strain capacity, (1) to generate data useful in verifying the accuracy of a strain capacity prediction model, or (2) to test materials being considered for use. The former case involves exploring variables important to the scope of the model, while the latter involves project specific materials and girth weld procedures often combined with upper bound cases of weld misalignment. Because the challenge of strain-based design is relatively new, FSTs should be used for both reasons cited above.This paper provides observations, lessons learned, and recommendations regarding full-scale pipe strain capacity tests. This information has been developed through the conduct, witness, or review of 159 FSTs.One of the most important aspects of full-scale testing is the preparation of welded pipe test specimens. It is imperative that the specimens be fabricated with materials of known properties and that all possible measures be taken to limit variations from the intended specimen design. It has been observed that unexpected results are often due to irregularities in pipe material strength, weld strength, weld toughness, or the presence of unintended weld defects in a specimen designed to contain just man-made defects. Post-test fractography and metallurgical examination are very useful in explaining the performance of a FST; therefore, failure analysis is discussed.© 2014 ASME
A method for assay of Stuart factor.

SummaryThe modification of Owren and Aas'test for proconvertin by substitution of viper venom-cephalin mixture for tissue thromboplastin is described as a method of assay for Stuart factor.
Research on Quality Control of Press Mounting for Connecting Rod Small End Hole Bushing

Research on quality control of press mounting for connecting rod small end hole bushing,analyses the principle and process of bushing press out、press in small end hole.The article point out that it is necessary to establish a testing method adapted to bench production in order to confirm "out pressure"—the key control variable,and to execute the effective control mode for press mounting process.Taking for practical example and the evaluating conclusion this article presents the reliable method to assure quality of press mounting.
Gate driver design for 1.7kV SiC MOSFET module with Rogowski current sensor for shortcircuit protection

This paper shows a gate driver design for 1.7 kV SiC MOSFET module as well a Rogowski-coil based current sensor for effective shortcircuit protection. The design begins with the power architecture selection for better common-mode noise immunity as the driver is subjected to high dv/dt due to the very high switching speed of the SiC MOSFET modules. The selection of the most appropriate gate driver IC is made to ensure the best performance and full functionalities of the driver, followed by the circuitry designs of paralleled external current booster, Soft Turn-Off, and Miller Clamp. In addition to desaturation, a high bandwidth PCB-based Rogowski current sensor is proposed to serve as a more effective method for the shortcircuit protection for the high-cost SiC MOSFET modules.
SU-G-201-03: Automation of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Quality Assurance: Development of a Radioluminescent Detection System for Simultaneous Detection of Activity, Timing, and Positioning

Purpose: Accuracy of positioning, timing and activity is of critical importance for High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy delivery. Respective measurements via film autoradiography, stop-watches and well chambers can be cumbersome, crude or lack dynamic source evaluation capabilities. To address such limitations, a single device radioluminescent detection system enabling automated real-time quantification of activity, position and timing accuracy is presented and experimentally evaluated. Methods: A radioluminescent sheet was fabricated by mixing Gd?O?S:Tb with PDMS and incorporated into a 3D printed device where it was fixated below a CMOS digital camera. An Ir-192 HDR source (VS2000, VariSource iX) with an effective active length of 5 mm was introduced using a 17-gauge stainless steel needle below the sheet. Pixel intensity values for determining activity were taken from an ROI centered on the source location. A calibration curve relating intensity values to activity was generated and used to evaluate automated activity determination with data gathered over 6 weeks. Positioning measurements were performed by integrating images for an entire delivery and fitting peaks to the resulting profile. Timing measurements were performed by evaluating source location and timestamps from individual images. Results: Average predicted activity error over 6 weeks was .35 ± .5%. The distance between four dwell positions was determined by the automated system to be 1.99 ± .02 cm. The result from autoradiography was 2.00 ± .03 cm. The system achieved a time resolution of 10 msec and determined the dwell time to be 1.01 sec ± .02 sec. Conclusion: The system was able to successfully perform automated detection of activity, positioning and timing concurrently under a single setup. Relative to radiochromic and radiographic film-based autoradiography, which can only provide a static evaluation positioning, optical detection of temporary radiation induced luminescence enables dynamic detection of position enabling automated quantification of timing with millisecond accuracy.
Chapter 3 – UNSTEADY-STATE LUMPED SYSTEMS

The study of stoichiometry and unit operations concerns with the application of steady-state macroscopic balances to chemical process problems. When considering small sub-systems of chemical plants, the number of describing relations is small and the development of a computational strategy is easy. The relations can be solved directly by partitioning the equations. As equation sets become coupled, the probability that an equation set can be partitioned decreases. When an equation set cannot be partitioned, an iterative scheme devised. This chapter discusses numerical methods for simultaneously solving sets of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations. It presents the mathematical notion of a matrix as a linear transformation as well as the computer techniques. It presents a number of methods for the solution of a single non-linear equation and sets of non-linear equations. It discusses the use of scientific software library routines. It presents algorithms for structuring sets of algebraic equations into simple computational strategies.
Dynamic changes in death cues modulate risks and rewards of corpse management in a social insect

Summary 1.In social insects, the efficiency of exploitation of resources and colony defence are mediated by chemical communication. In colonies dependent on nutritionally limited resources, corpses represent both a food resource and a risk of pathogens. Because this risk versus reward changes with time after death, behavioural plasticity in the response to corpses would be advantageous. How social insects regulate this trade-off remains unknown. 2.We conducted quantitative behavioural bioassay and chemical analysis to study corpse management in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. We hypothesized that R. flavipes responds differently toward corpses with prolonged post-mortem time, and this behavioural plasticity is mediated by the dynamic change in death cues. 3.We show that R. flavipes uses a post-mortem signalling system that depends on an early death cue that stimulates corpse retrieval and cannibalism, and late death cues that stimulate recruitment and burial. A blend of 3-octanone and 3-octanol is released immediately after death, with the alcohol (possibly in conjunction with the ketone) playing a clear role as a death cue. This cue enables the colony to recycle nutrients before decomposition occurs and before risk of pathogens increases. The accumulation of late death cues, decomposition products shared by diverse arthropods, elicits a behavioural switch from cannibalism to burial. 4.The ability to detect and respond to the dead is vital to group-living animals. Our study reveals a behavioural shift in corpse management triggered by the interplay of an early death cue and late death cues, which balances risks and rewards associated with corpses. The post-mortem chemical communication highlights the adaptation of a social insect to its ecological niche. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Planar lens at visible: Metasurface versus refractive optics

We demonstrate planar lenses in the visible range (λ = 405nm, 532nm, and 660nm) with superior performance over a commercially-available objective. Planar lenses have focusing efficiencies as high as 86% with a numerical aperture of 0.8.
Duties to animals: The failure of Kant's moral theory

Etude de l'approche indirecte des devoirs envers les animaux chez Kant. Soulevant la question des applications plausibles de la theorie morale kantienne, l'A. montre que les strategies de A. Wood et C. Korsgaard ne parviennent pas a etablir un lien entre le traitement direct des etres humains et celui des animaux.
Encoding and Decoding of Multi-Channel ICMS in Macaque Somatosensory Cortex

Naturalistic control of brain-machine interfaces will require artificial proprioception, potentially delivered via intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). We have previously shown that multi-channel ICMS can guide a monkey reaching to unseen targets in a planar workspace. Here, we expand on that work, asking how ICMS is decoded into target angle and distance by analyzing the performance of a monkey when ICMS feedback was degraded. From the resulting pattern of errors, we found that the animal's estimate of target direction was consistent with a weighted circular-mean strategy—close to the optimal decoding strategy given the ICMS encoding. These results support our previous finding that animals can learn to use this artificial sensory feedback in an efficient and naturalistic manner.
Insulation end life determination for completed form-wound generators

Tests were conducted to predict remaining electrical insulation life of a polyimide-epoxy insulated 60 kW form-wound homopolar inductor generator following completion of 23,130 hours of turbo-generator endurance tests. The generator stator was sectioned to provide five sections, designated statorettes, and to permit 33 coil dielectric measurements on each section. Thermal aging tests were conducted on each section at select elevated temperatures to establish an Arrhenius life-temperature plot for end-life prediction and product or application use.
Longitudinal Follow-up From Newborn Screening Reveals Deletional Hemoglobin H Disease and Hemoglobin H Constant Spring Disease Are Distinct Thalassemia Syndromes

Abstract Abstract 4260 Background: Alpha thalassemia disorders are rapidly increasing in North America. This has resulted in proposals for universal newborn screening (NBS) for hemoglobin H disease. However, the institution of routine newborn screening and construction of guidelines for early intervention requires longitudinal clinical data before setting national goals. Since 1995, California has performed universal screening for alpha thalassemia disorders. The longitudinal follow up of data from patients with hemoglobin H disorders diagnosed in the asymptomatic period provides essential information needed for formulating public health policy. Methods: Hemoglobin H disorders were diagnosed by high performance liquid chromatography with multiplex GAP-PCR assay to determine deletional hemoglobin H disease (deletion of 3 α globin genes, HbH) and the non-deletional hemoglobin H Constant Spring (α0 thalassemia with Constant Spring mutation, HCS). Longitudinal clinical data for all patients from the Northern California Thalassemia Center were analyzed. Ethnicity, growth data, clinic visits, hospitalizations, complications including splenectomy, transfusion, and iron overload were monitored. Quantitative liver iron concentration was determined by ferritometer. Results: 86 patients predominantly diagnosed through NBS were longitudinally followed. Out of these, 60 (70%) had HbH, 23 (27%) had HCS and 3 (3%) had other forms of hemoglobin H disease. The parental ethnicity in HbH was 79% Asian, 6% Hispanic, and 15% African-American (in one or both parents). All patients with HCS were of Asian ethnicity. Longitudinal data for hemoglobin revealed that anemia was more severe in HCS at all ages (p Clinical severity and complications were markedly worse in HCS in contrast with HbH. Growth was delayed in HCS with mean weight-for-age Z-score -0.91 compared with -0.06 in HbH (p Conclusions: Our data support the utility of a universal NBS program, particularly in areas where αCS mutation is prevalent, since young infants with HCS can develop life-threatening anemia. HCS is a serious disease that needs close follow-up by a specialty thalassemia center to plan for emergency and elective transfusions, measure iron overload, monitor growth failure and evaluate the need for splenectomy. In contrast, HbH is asymptomatic during infancy and childhood; its complications are age-dependent, and monitoring for hemosiderosis and growth failure is more important in older children. In summary, HCS should be recognized as a thalassemia syndrome distinct from HbH with a different screening and treatment approach. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Understanding and learning from the diversification of cannabis supply laws

Background and aims Prohibitions on producing, distributing and selling cannabis are loosening in various jurisdictions around the world. This paper describes the diversification of cannabis supply laws and discusses the challenges to and opportunities for learning from these changes. Methods We document changes in cannabis supply laws that de jure legalized cannabis production for medical and/or non-medical purposes (excluding industrial hemp) in Australasia, Europe, North America and South America. We also highlight challenges to evaluating these legal changes based on our experiences studying cannabis laws and policies in the United States. Findings As of August 2016, two countries have passed laws to legalize large-scale cannabis production for non-medical purposes at the national (Uruguay) or subnational level (four US states). At least nine other countries legally allow (or will soon allow) cannabis to be supplied for medicinal purposes. Most of the changes in cannabis supply laws have occurred since 2010. The data available in most countries are inadequate for rigorously evaluating the changes in cannabis supply laws. Conclusion The evidence base for assessing changes in cannabis supply laws remains weak. Efforts should focus upon collecting information about quantities consumed and market transactions as well as validating self-report surveys.
Ductility enhancement of autoclaved cellulose fiber reinforced cement boards manufactured using a laboratory method simulating the Hatschek process

Abstract Autoclaved fiber cement (FC) boards manufactured using the Hatschek process are commonly used as building products such as siding and shingles. Despite their advantages, these products may exhibit low ductility and volume instability. A common, yet expensive, method for improving ductility is increasing the fiber content. In this study, a procedure to manufacture FC boards in the laboratory was introduced, and alternative economical methods for increasing the boards’ ductility were investigated. Ductility was measured using a 3-point or 4-point bending tests, while the microstructure of the boards was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that ductility of FC boards was improved by reducing their matrix tensile strength. This was achieved by reducing the density (increasing porosity) of FC boards or by partially replacing Portland cement with fly ash. Fiber mineralization was not found to be the cause of brittleness in the investigated FC boards.
Active microrheology of smectic membranes

Thin fluid membranes embedded in a bulk fluid of different viscosity are of fundamental interest as experimental realizations of quasi-two-dimensional fluids and as models of biological membranes. We have probed the hydrodynamics of thin fluid membranes by active microrheology using small tracer particles to observe the highly anisotropic flow fields generated around a rigid oscillating post inserted into a freely suspended smectic liquid crystal film that is surrounded by air. In general, at distances more than a few Saffman lengths from the meniscus around the post, the measured velocities are larger than the flow computed by modeling a moving disklike inclusion of finite extent by superposing Levine-MacKintosh response functions for pointlike inclusions in a viscous membrane. The observed discrepancy is attributed to additional coupling of the film with the air below the film that is displaced directly by the shaft of the moving post.
Recent Results on Radiative Electron Capture

We have three new results concerning REC since our last publication.1–3 (1) The measured REC cross-sections per K-vacancy scale according to the number of “free” electrons in the target atom at least for the cases of CI projectiles incident on C and Cu. “Free” electrons are those bound target electrons with average velocity ≪ than the projectile velocity. Excellent agreement with the Bethe-Salpeter free-electron theory4 is obtained if it is assumed that each “free” target electron contributes equally to the REC cross-section, and the effective Cl K-shell binding energy needed to compute the cross-section is taken as the measured thin target e.g. 10 µg/cm2 REC centroid energy less the mean kinetic energy of the captured electrons in the projectile reference frame. Our methods of determining the experimental and theoretical REC cross-section per K-vacancy may explain some discrepancies found by Lindskog et al5.
Denial and Defensiveness in the Place of Fact and Reason: Rejoinder to Smith and Lovaas:

The Smith and Lovaas (1997) rebuttal to our article (Gresham & MacMillan, 1997) is defensive, factually inaccurate, and often trivial in its attempts to distract readers from the more important issues of methodological rigor and experimental validity. Smith and Lovaas inaccurately claim that the EIP studies incorporated all six features outlined by the National Institutes of Health for scientifically sound outcome studies and still do not admit to any methodological problems with the lack of random assignment, instrumentation, statistical regression, and use of educational placement as an outcome measure. More important for schools and fair hearing officers, Smith and Lovaas do not adequately address the issues of external validity or generalizability of their findings across sites, subjects, parents, treatment implementers, and to settings in which physical punishment cannot be used. We indicate that the EIP results are indeed promising; however, the evidence presented to date is not as compelling as Smi...
Modelos de diagnóstico cognitivo:: fundamentos, didáctica y aplicaciones en ciencias del comportamiento

CDMs represent a multidimensional choice in psychometrics when observable and latent variables are believed to be categorical.The study presents a thorough revision of the literature about original models, as well as its applications and current developments in psychometric research. Additionally, a revision of statistical software to estimate models and examples of applications in behavioral sciences and health care is also presented. Didactic examples based on simulated data show the capability of models to classify people according to their latent attributes.
Reproducibility of airway luminal size in asthma measured by HRCT

There is a surprising lack of studies examining the reproducibility of high-resolution CT in asthma. The current study examined reproducibility of airway measurements. In stable well-controlled ast...
What Counts as an Apology? Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions in a Hypothetical Organizational Crisis:

Many scholars have studied the role of organizational apologies in crisis communication, but they have defined and operationalized apologies inconsistently. This study uses a grounded theory approach to explore what constitutes an effective organizational apology from the perspective of organizational stakeholders. One hundred participants were asked to imagine being the victims of a data breach at an online retailer and to write the kind of apology they would like to receive from the organization. One hundred more participants were asked to write suggestion lists for how the organization could make its apology effective. These data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Fifteen apology elements were identified and organized along two dimensions: (a) whether the element involved primarily words or behavior and (b) whether the element focused on fixing the problem or rebuilding relationships. Based on the data, these elements must be combined to make an apology effective with stakeholders.
Identification of the People and Critique of the Ideas in Meyer’s Philosophy of Occupation Therapy

ABSTRACTThis article identifies the people Meyer mentions in his article, “Philosophy of Occupation Therapy,” published in Archives of Occupational Therapy (Meyer, 1922c) and critiques the ideas discussed. Because there is no list of references provided within the article itself, the researcher selected the methodology of source criticism to identify the names of individuals appearing in the text—locating each person’s publications and analyzing the publications for influential ideas. Twenty-one names were found and publications were located for 15. Ideas were identified and analyzed. Finally, Meyer’s ideas were compared to current models of practice and a proposed reference list was created.
Atlas Fractures: Diagnosis, Current Treatment Recommendations, and Implications for Elderly Patients.

Fractures of the C1 vertebrae (atlas) are commonly the result of falls and other trauma, which cause hyperextension, or axial compression of the cervical spine. Although historically thought as a benign injury with lower neurological risks, current data suggests that this may not hold true for geria
Transcription of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Promoter in CNS-Derived Cells: Effect of TAT on Expression of Viral and Cellular Genes

Approximately 60% of patients with AIDS have neurologic symptoms, the so-called AIDS-related subacute encephalopathy, and more than 80% are found to have neuropathologic abnormalities at autopsy.1,2 The most common neurologic problems include: toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, primary lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS), and subacute encephalitis or AIDS encephalopathy. 3–8 Histologic analysis of CNS tissues from AIDS patients shows enlargement of oligodendrocytes and formation of multinucleated giant cells.9–17 The detection of HIV DNA in the brain and recovery of infectious virus particles from cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue of patients with AIDS have suggested that HIV-1 may be directly responsible for some of the neurologic deficits found in these patients.18–22 The presence of CD4, the high-affinity receptor for HIV-1 in human brain tissue and in certain glioma cell lines, has been reported.23,24 Furthermore, HIV 1 has been shown to infect glial cells in vitro and has been detected in oligodendrocytes and astroglial cells in vivo. 18, 23, 25–28 Together, these observations indicate that HIV-1 is not only lymphotropic but also neurotropic.However, the exact mechanisms involved in the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 and AIDS dementia complex remain unclear. A simple model would envisage the direct infection of neurons and glia by neurotropic HIV-1 that results in indirect or direct cytotoxicity mediated by cytotoxic T cells. Alternatively, infection of monocytic macrophages with HIV-1 may lead to the release of a diffusible inflammatory component(s) that destroys neighboring neural cells, and/or results in the release of cytokines which are toxic to neural cells. Moreover, other neurotropic viruses, JCV and cytomegalovirus (CMV) may act as cofactors in the pathogenesis of AIDS-related neurologic disorders.
Time-Resolved Resonant Raman Scattering and Hot Luminescence at the 1S Ortho-Exciton in Cu2O

The time dependence of one-phonon and two-phonon Raman modes at the IS yellow ortho-exciton of Cu2O is reported. In both cases it is found that these modes should be more correctly identified as hot luminescence. The data are fitted using a model which has no adjustable parameters.
Considering and Navigating New Relationships during Recovery from Intimate Partner Violence

This is the accepted manuscript version of an article published in the Journal of Counseling and Development.
Abstract #494: Anti-inflammatory effects of the nigella sativa seed extract, thymoquinone, in pancreatic cancer cells

Background: Both hereditary and sporadic forms of chronic pancreatitis are associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Inflammation has been identified as a significant factor in the development of solid tumor malignancies. Thymoquinone (Tq), the major constituent of the Nigella sativa oil extract induces apoptosis and inhibits PDA cell proliferation. Tq also increases p21 WAF1 expression, inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, and induces histone hyperacetylation. HDAC inhibitors have been shown to ameliorate inflammation-associated cancer in several animal models. Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Tq in PDA cells in comparison to a specific HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA). Methods: PDA cells (AsPC-1, HS766T, MiaPaca) were cultured and treated with or without Tq (25-75 \#956;M), with or without pre-treatment of TNF-\#945; (30nM). The effect of Tq on the expression of different proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines was analyzed by real time PCR. Luciferase-labeled promoter studies evaluated the effect of Tq on the transcription of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-\#954;B (NF-\#954;B). The effect of Tq on the endogenous and TNF-\#945;-induced activation and nuclear translocation of NF-\#954;B was examined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Results: Within 6 h, Tq significantly and dose-dependently reduced PDA cell production of TNF-\#945; (p Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 494.
Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support on Community College Campuses: Examining the Factorial Invariance of the Mental Distress Response Scale

ABSTRACTThe number of community college students reporting mental health disorders increased from approximately 40% to 49% between 2014 and 2016. Peer-to-peer mental health support, for example, re...
Value and Cost Effectiveness of Storing Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells for Salvage Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Multiple Myeloma

Introduction Salvage autologous stem cell transplant (sASCT) may be associated with improved survival in multiple myeloma (MM) and is an option for patients with long time to relapse (TTR) after initial Autologous transplant (ASCT1). Due to potential mobilization failure after maintenance therapy (MT), adequate peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) are frequently collected for later sASCT. Objectives Evaluate utilization of stored PBPC in MM. Provide a cost analysis of collecting and storing PBPC for sASCT. Determine utilization of sASCT in those eligible who had a prolonged TTR. Methods We included MM patients who received ASCT1 at our institution between 2009 and 2016. Extra day of collection (EDC) was defined as additional collection of ≥2 × 106 cells/kg PBPC for a second transplant. TTR was calculated as months from ASCT1 to relapse. Eligibility for sASCT was defined as TTR ≥18 months without MT or ≥36 months on MT. Patients who underwent tandem transplant (tASCT) (defined as two transplants within 6 months) were excluded from relapse analysis. Patients with inadequate relapse data defined as death or lost to follow up (LTFU) at ≤36 months prior to relapse, or ≤6 months follow up after relapse were excluded. Costs were obtained from the institution charge master. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the final cost benefit analysis. Results 154 MM patients received ASCT1 from 2009-2016. Median age was 59 years. Median follow up was 151 months. Median TTR was 20 months. 58% were male. Ethnicity was 76% Caucasian and 24% Black. 62% had IgG MM subtype, 23% IgA MM and 15% other. Majority (95%) were European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 or 1. 13% had high risk cytogenetics. 53% received MT. 137(89%) had PBSC stored for sASCT. 3 were used for sASCT and 10 for tASCT. 124 (90.5%) did not use stored cells. 54 (39%) met collection targets for two transplants in single collection while 83 (%) required ≥1 EDC with cumulative 108 EDC. (Figure 1) Cumulative cost savings for plerixafor use, cell collection, processing, analysis and storage was estimated at $2,252,244. (Figure 2). Total 60 doses of plerixafor were used for EDC. (31 patients with 1EDC, 10 with 2EDC and 3 with 3 EDC). 97 patients were studied for relapses. 54 (77.5%) relapsed. 5 deaths and 8 LTFU occurred within ≤6 months of relapse. 42 patients were further analyzed. 25 of them met criteria for sASCT based on TTR and only 2 received sASCT.1 patient with sASCT did not have MT data and was excluded. (Figure 3) Conclusion Only 25% (24/98) patients who underwent ASCT1 were eligible for sASCT. Only 2% (2/98) received sASCT. Collecting and storing PBPC for sASCT is associated with high cost, but overall utilization at our institution is low. Our findings should be compared against practices at other institutions to help develop guidelines for selection of subset of MM where this practice may be of higher value.