cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annular pancreas in children: a recent decade's experience.

Purpose: Annular pancreas is a recognized cause of duodenal obstruction in children. The authors sought to characterize the clinical, radiologic, and prognostic findings in this disorder through a 10-year review of all patients with annular pancreas. Methods: A retrospective review of all annular pancreas cases identified between 1993 and 2002 at 2 tertiary pediatric surgical centers was completed. Factors analyzed included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, associated anomalies, radiologic findings, operation performed, postoperative outcomes, and complications. Results: Sixteen patients were identified. Four patients (25%) were premature. Twelve patients (75%) presented during the first week of life and the remainder within the first year. All patients presented with vomiting, which was nonbilious in 15 (94%). Five patients (31 %) had chromosomal anomalies, and 6 (38%) had other major congenital malformations. Eleven patients (69%) presented with partial duodenal obstruction. Operations performed were duodenoduodenostomy in 14 (88%), duodenojejunostomy in 1 (6%), and Ladd’s procedure in 1 (6%). Enteral feedings were started, and full enteral feeding was achieved at an average of 8.4 days and 15.9 days after operation, respectively. All patients survived and were discharged after an average hospitalization of 24.0 days. Conclusions: Patients with annular pancreas have preampullary duodenal obstruction, which is more commonly partial. Duodenoduodenostomy is the appropriate treatment. Prognosis is excellent, despite the frequent association with chromosomal anomalies and major congenital malformations. J Pediatr Surg 39:1654-1657. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
An Epidemiological Model of Transition and Postschool Outcomes

This longitudinal transition study was conducted in collaboration with teachers who interviewed students who graduated from 177 school districts in a Great Lakes state. Special education students were interviewed at exit and 1 year following graduation using a survey based on the National Longitudinal Transition Study. The data were analyzed using logistic regression models that controlled for gender, minority status, and level of disability. The authors developed and tested three regression models: two to predict full-time employment and one to predict college enrollment. Students who graduated from career and technical education and work study programs were more likely to enter full-time employment after graduation, but this relationship was influenced by gender, minority status, and disability. Students who participated in mainstream academics were much more likely to be enrolled in full-time college after graduation, but this relationship was influenced by level of disability.
Beyond "White by Law": Explaining the Gulf in Citizenship Acquisition between Mexican and European Immigrants, 1930

Between 1790 and 1952, naturalization was reserved primarily for “free white persons.” Asian immigrants were deemed non-white and racially ineligible for citizenship by legislation and the courts. European immigrants and, importantly, Mexican immigrants were considered white by law and eligible for naturalization. Yet, few Mexicans acquired US citizenship. By 1930, only 9 percent of Mexican men had naturalized, compared to 60 percent of southern and eastern Europeans and 80 percent of northern and western Europeans. If Mexicans were legally white, why did they rarely acquire citizenship in the early decades of the 20th century? We go beyond analyses focused on formal law or individual-level determinants to underscore the importance of region and non-white social status in influencing naturalization. Using 1930 US Census microfile data, we find that while individual characteristics (e.g., length of residence and literacy) explain some of the gulf in citizenship, the context of reception mattered nearly as much. Even if Mexicans were “white by law,” they were often judged non-white in practice, which significantly decreased their likelihood of naturalizing. Moreover, the more welcoming political and social climate of the Northeast and Midwest, where most European migrants lived, facilitated their acquisition of American citizenship.
With All Deliberate Delay: Kennedy, Johnson, and School Desegregation

The desegregation of southern schools, mandated by the United States Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), presented a dilemma for national politicians of both parties. “If presidents felt they should speak up, or act to enforce court rulings,” a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times wrote in 1969, “they risked offending conservatives, segregationists, and the South. If they wanted to sit tight, they invited the wrath of liberals.” Even presidents who were capable of acting in other areas of civil rights were content to assume a low profile on school desegregation, assign responsibility for this area of policymaking to subordinates, and enforce it only under external pressure, usually from the federal courts.
A thermodynamic theory of broadband networks with application to dynamic routing

We propose a thermodynamic theory for broadband networks relating quantities such as grade of service (GoS), bandwidth assignment, buffer assignment, and bandwidth demand. We propose a scalability postulate for these four quantities. Useful thermodynamic type relationships are then derived. The scalability postulate and thermodynamic type relations are then reexamined via statistical methods using the moment generating function. Large deviations theory is applied, and in the process, notions such as effective bandwidth are defined. We apply this theory to networks which allow dynamic routing of different call types. The probability of rare events expressed in conjunctive forms is characterized using large deviations theory. Based on this theory, a new dynamic routing method called effective bandwidth network routing (EBNR) is proposed. >
Tissue- and Gender-Specific mRNA Expression of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in Mice

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze phase II biotransformation reactions in which lipophilic substrates are conjugated with glucuronic acid to increase water solubility and enhance excretion. Currently, little information regarding tissue- or gender-specific expression of mouse UGTs is available. Mice are increasingly popular models in biomedical research, and therefore, thorough characterization of murine drug metabolism is desired. The purpose of the present study was to determine both tissue- and gender-specific UGT gene expression profiles in mice. RNA from 14 tissues was isolated from male and female C57BL/6 mice and UGT expression was determined by the branched DNA signal amplification assay. UGTs highly expressed in mouse liver include Ugt1a1, Ugt1a5, Ugt1a6, Ugt1a9, Ugt2a3, Ugt2b1, Ugt2b5/37/38, Ugt2b34, Ugt2b35, and Ugt2b36. Several isoforms were expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including Ugt1a6, Ugt1a7c, Ugt2a3, Ugt2b34, and Ugt2b35. In kidney, Ugt1a2, Ugt1a7c, Ugt2b5/37/38, Ugt2b35, and Ugt3a1/2 were expressed. UGT expression was also observed in other tissues: lung (Ugt1a6), brain (Ugt2b35), testis and ovary (Ugt1a6 and Ugt2b35), and nasal epithelia (Ugt2a1/2). Male-predominant expression was observed for Ugt2b1 in liver, Ugt2b5/37/38 in kidney, and Ugt1a6 in lung. Female-predominant expression was observed for Ugt1a1 and Ugt1a5 in liver, Ugt1a2 in kidney, Ugt2b35 in brain, and Ugt2a1/2 in nasal epithelia. UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was highly expressed in liver, kidney, and GI tract, whereas UDP-glucose dehydrogenase was highly expressed in the GI tract. In conclusion, marked differences in tissue- and gender-specific expression patterns of UGTs exist in mice, potentially influencing drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
Development of catalysts for the hydroamination of olefins

Studies on the development of palladium, nickel, and rhodium catalysts for the hydroamination of dienes and vinylarenes are described. Enantioselective catalysts based on palladium have been developed for the addition of arylamines to dienes and for Markovnikov addition of arylamines to vinylarenes. In addition, nickel catalysts for the addition of aliphatic amines to dienes have been developed and rhodium catalysts for the first transition metal-catalyzed aminations of vinylarenes that generate terminal amines as the major prod- uct are described. Mechanistic data on the hydroamination of vinylarenes with palladium and rhodium is also provided.
Practical force-motion models for sliding manipulation

The goal of this article is to develop practical descriptions of the relationship between forces and motions in sliding manipu lation. We begin by reviewing the limit surface, a concept from the mechanics of sliding bodies that uses kinematic analysis to find the force and moment required to produce any given sliding motion. Next we provide experimental results showing that the limit surface only approximates the actual force-motion relationship. Then we look at other approximations that can be used to provide a simplified model useful in control, planning, and simulation of manipulation. These approximations include square pyramids, cones, ellipsoids, and ellipsoids with facets removed. Different approximations may be most appropriate, depending on the required computational speed and accuracy and the need to produce conservative results.
Medicinal plants used in Northern Peru for reproductive problems and female health

Infections of the reproductive tract, complications after childbirth, and reproductive problems continue to be a major health challenge worldwide. An impressive number of plant species is traditionally used to remedy such afflictions, and some have been investigated for their efficacy with positive results. A total of 105 plant species belonging to 91 genera and 62 families were documented and identified as herbal remedies for reproductive problems in Northern Peru. Most species used were Asteraceae (9.52%), followed by Lamiaceae and Fabaceae (8.57% and 6.67%). The most important families are clearly represented very similarly to their overall importance in the local pharmacopoeia. The majority of herbal preparations for reproductive afflictions were prepared from the leaves of plants (22.72%), the whole plant (21.97%), and stems (21.21%), while other plant parts were used less frequently. More than 60% of the cases fresh plant material was used to prepare remedies. Over 70% of the remedies were applied orally, while the remaining ones were applied topically. Many remedies were prepared as mixtures of multiple ingredients. Little scientific evidence exists to prove the efficacy of the species employed as reproductive disorder remedies in Northern Peru. Only 34% of the plants found or their congeners have been studied at all for their medicinal properties. The information gained on frequently used traditional remedies might give some leads for future targets for further analysis in order to develop new drugs.
Three-dimensional volumetric assessment of abnormally low attenuation of the lung from routine helical CT: inspiratory and expiratory quantification.

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively assess abnormally low attenuation of the lung by use of three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions from routine helical CT and to assess their correlation with pulmonary function tests.Helical CT was performed in 100 patients in full inspiration. Examination was also performed in full expiration in 53 of these patients. Three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions were performed for total lung volumes at inspiration and at expiration, with a threshold of -896 H on inspiratory CT and -790 H on expiratory CT, to quantify emphysematous change. Correlation was made with pulmonary function tests in 79 patients.CT volumetric assessments of abnormally low attenuation of the lung at inspiration and expiration had a high correlation (r2 = .84, p < or = .0001). In comparison with pulmonary function tests, both inspiratory low attenuation of the lung and expiratory low attenuation of the lung correlated well with the logarithm of the ratio of the forced expir...
Impact of family history on choosing risk-reducing surgery among BRCA mutation carriers.

Objective Despite substantial survival benefits of risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) among BRCA mutation carriers, only a minority elect to undergo these procedures. This study investigates factors that might influence decision making regarding prophylactic surgeries among women with BRCA mutations. Study Design Unaffected BRCA mutation carriers who were counseled at our center and either underwent prophylactic surgery or participated in a high-risk surveillance program at our institution from 1998 through 2010 were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed and data collected included age, family history, parity, mutation type, history of breast biopsy or cosmetic surgery, and uptake of prophylactic surgeries. Results Among 136 unaffected women with BRCA mutations, uptake of RRM was 42% and uptake of RRBSO was 52%. Family history of first- and second-degree relatives being deceased from breast cancer was predictive of uptake of RRM and of RRBSO (odds ratio [OR], 11.0; P = .005; and OR, 15.8; P = .023, respectively), and history of a mother lost to pelvic cancer was predictive of uptake of RRBSO (OR, 7.9; P = .001). Parity also predicted both RRM and RRBSO uptake (OR, 4.2; P = .001; and OR, 5.4; P = .003, respectively). Age at the time of genetic testing and history of breast biopsy or cosmetic surgery were not predictive of RRM uptake. Conclusion Perceptions of cancer risk are heavily influenced by particular features of an individual's family history and may be motivators in preventive surgery more than actual cancer risk estimations themselves. Awareness of subtle factors beyond the statistical risk for cancers is relevant when counseling at-risk women.
Use of termites, Reticulitermes virginicus , as a springboard in the invasive success of a predatory ant, Pachycondyla (= Brachyponera ) chinensis

Invasive ant species have general diet and nest requirements, which facilitate their establishment in novel habitats and their dominance over many native ants. The Asian needle ant, Pachycondyla chinensis, native throughout Australasia was introduced to the southeastern US where it has become established in woodland habitats, nests in close proximity to and consumes subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae). P. chinensis do not occur in habitats lacking Rhinotermitidae. We suggest that subterranean termites are critical for P. chinensis success in new habitats. We demonstrate that P. chinensis is a general termite feeder, retrieving Reticulitermes virginicus five times more often than other potential prey near P. chinensis colonies. Odors produced by R. virginicus workers, as well as other potential prey, attract P. chinensis. Furthermore, P. chinensis occupy R. virginicus nests in the lab and field and display behaviors that facilitate capture of R. virginicus workers and soldiers. Termites are an abundant, high quality, renewable food supply, in many ways similar to the hemipteran honeydew exploited by most other invasive ant species. We conclude that the behavior of P. chinensis in the presence of termites increases their competitive abilities in natural areas where they have been introduced.
Centrally administered bombesin affects gastrointestinal transit and colonic bead expulsion through supraspinal mechanisms.

Effects of bombesin on gastrointestinal transit and colonic bead expulsion (CBE) were studied in male, ICR mice. Mice received graded doses of bombesin or saline by either the i.c.v., intrathecal (i.t.) or i.p. routes; morphine was studied as the reference compound. Both compounds slowed gastrointestinal transit in a dose-dependent manner by these routes. Intracerebroventricular bombesin was 13.5 and 3406 times more potent than the i.t. and i.p. peptide, respectively. Intracerebroventricular or i.t. bombesin or morphine also produced dose-related inhibition of CBE. Intracerebroventricular bombesin was 1.54 times more potent than i.t. bombesin, whereas i.p. bombesin at doses 11,000 times greater (10 micrograms/kg; 25-g mouse) had no effect on CBE. Gastrointestinal transit and CBE were also studied in spinally transected (second thoracic vertebra) mice in which brain-spinal cord communication (neural and cerebrospinal fluid) had been interrupted. Cord transection eliminated the inhibition of gastrointestinal transit by i.t., but not i.c.v., bombesin. In contrast, morphine was effective by either route in normal or spinally transected mice. The CBE effects of i.t., but not i.c.v., bombesin were eliminated by spinal transection, whereas morphine was still effective by either the i.c.v. or i.t. route. These results suggest that 1) centrally administered bombesin acts at a central site to produce inhibition of gastrointestinal transit and CBE, 2) morphine inhibits gastrointestinal transit and CBE at both spinal or supraspinal sites, independent of an intact brain-cord axis and 3) i.t., but not i.c.v., bombesin requires communication between these two central sites. Intrathecal bombesin requires activation of supraspinal sites to produce its gut effects.
rbcL Phylogeny and Character Evolution in Polygonaceae

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships within Polygonaceae, with an emphasis on Polygonum and segregate genera (e.g., Emex, Persicaria, Polygonella), are investigated using sequence data from the chloroplast gene rbcL. The results show the currently recognized subfamilies are likely not monophyletic. Polygonum as currently recognized is paraphyletic. Three strongly supported clades of Polygonum s.l. were found. Contained within these three clades of Polygonum s.l. are representatives of Atraphaxis, Bistorta, Koenigia and Persicaria. Other strongly supported clades found are Coccoloba, Eriogonum, Fagopyrum, Rumex and Triplaris. Patterns of character evolution were studied by mapping characters onto the phylogeny. A woody habit likely evolved multiple times within the family (in Atraphaxis, Koenigia, Muehlenbeckia, Polygonella and in the ancestor to the Eriogonum–Brunnichia clade). Quincuncial aestivation likely evolved early in the history of the family with four subsequent losses in the Rumex–Oxyria clade, M...
Heterogeneous ageing of skeletal muscle microvascular function

The distribution of blood flow to skeletal muscle during exercise is altered with advancing age. Changes in arteriolar function that are muscle specific underlie age-induced changes in blood flow distribution. With advancing age, functional adaptations that occur in resistance arterioles from oxidative muscles differ from those that occur in glycolytic muscles. Age-related adaptations of morphology, as well as changes in both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle signalling, differ in muscle of diverse fibre type. Age-induced endothelial dysfunction has been reported in most skeletal muscle arterioles; however, unique alterations in signalling contribute to the dysfunction in arterioles from oxidative muscles as compared with those from glycolytic muscles. In resistance arterioles from oxidative muscle, loss of nitric oxide signalling contributes significantly to endothelial dysfunction, whereas in resistance arterioles from glycolytic muscle, alterations in both nitric oxide and prostanoid signalling underlie endothelial dysfunction. Similarly, adaptations of the vascular smooth muscle that occur with advancing age are heterogeneous between arterioles from oxidative and glycolytic muscles. In both oxidative and glycolytic muscle, late-life exercise training reverses age-related microvascular dysfunction, and exercise training appears to be particularly effective in reversing endothelial dysfunction. Patterns of microvascular ageing that develop among muscles of diverse fibre type and function may be attributable to changing patterns of physical activity with ageing. Importantly, aerobic exercise training, initiated even at an advanced age, restores muscle blood flow distribution patterns and vascular function in old animals to those seen in their young counterparts.
Experimental Study of Oil-Water Flow Patterns in a Large Diameter Flow Loop—The Effect on Water Wetting and Corrosion

Carbon steel pipelines are commonly used in transporting hydrocarbon products. In offshore oilfields, the produced crude oil generally contains water flowing concurrently in the flowlines. The presence of water can lead to internal corrosion problems when free water is in contact with the pipe wall surface. Hence, it is pertinent to study how the distribution of water under different oil-water flow conditions could affect the surface wetting on the steel pipe, i.e., whether the wall surface is wetted by water or oil phase. In this experimental work, a large scale 0.1 m (4 in) internal diameter inclinable flow loop was used to study the two phase oil-water flow in horizontal and vertical positions. Paraffinic light model oil (40°API) and 1 wt% NaCl aqueous solutions were utilized as the test fluids. Two measurement techniques, flush mounted conductivity pins and high-speed camera, were used for surface wetting determination and flow patterns visualization, respectively. The wetting data were classified bas...
Utility of clinical suspicion and endoscopic re-examination for detection of esophagogastric perforation after pneumatic dilation for achalasia.

Background and study aims: Esophagrams are often obtained routinely after pneumatic balloon dilation for achalasia, even in asymptomatic patients, as there is a risk of postprocedure esophagogastric perforation, which is a potentially life-threatening complication. The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of a clinical suspicion of perforation and endoscopic re-examination after pneumatic dilation for achalasia can detect esophagogastric perforation, and thereby preclude the need for routine esophagrams in all patients. Patients and methods: All patients who underwent pneumatic dilation between January 2002 and June 2012 at our single tertiary referral center were identified retrospectively. Procedures were categorized into two groups: Group 1 underwent routine esophagograms after pneumatic dilation, and Group 2 underwent esophagograms only if there was a clinical suspicion of perforation. The detection rate of esophageal perforation after pneumatic dilation was compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 119 achalasia dilation procedures were performed in 70 patients. Group 1 included 49/119 procedures (41.2 %), all of which were followed by routine esophagograms. Group 2 included 70/119 procedures (58.8 %), 12 of which were followed by esophagograms based on a clinical suspicion of perforation. No esophageal perforations were found in Group 1, whereas three were found in Group 2. No perforations occurred in the 58 procedures that were not followed by esophagograms. The overall rate of perforation was 3/119 (2.5 %). Conclusions: Esophagrams obtained routinely after pneumatic dilation for achalasia did not reveal unsuspected esophagogastric perforations. No esophageal perforations were missed after procedures that were not followed by esophagograms. Obtaining an esophagram only in cases of clinical suspicion of perforation and endoscopic evaluation may be an alternative to routine esophagograms in patients undergoing pneumatic dilation for achalasia.
Critical Issues in the Development of a Lifting Standard

In spite of mechanization and automation in the modern industrial environment, manual lifting continues to be a common activity and is a leading cause of work injuries. This paper discusses some of the major variables that define a lifting task and presents several approaches that might be used to establish guidelines for safe lifting.
Compressed Signal Processing on Nyquist-Sampled Signals

Pattern-recognition algorithms from the domain of machine learning play a prominent role in embedded sensing systems, in order to derive inferences from sensor data. Very often, such systems face severe energy constraints. The focus of this work is to mitigate the computational energy by exploiting a form of compression which preserves a similarity metric widely used for pattern recognition. The form of compression is random projection, and the similarity metric is inner products between source vectors. Given the prominence of random projections within compressive sensing, previous research has explored this idea for application to compressively-sensed signals. In this work, we analyze the error sources faced by such approaches and show that the compressive-sensing setting itself introduces a significant source of feature-computation error ( $\sim$ 30 percent). We show that random projections can be exploited more generally without compressive sensing, enabling significant reduction in computational energy, and avoiding a significant source of error. The approach is referred to as compressed signal processing (CSP) , and it applies to Nyquist-sampled signals. We validate the CSP approach through two case studies. The first focuses on seizure detection using spectral-energy features extracted from electroencephalograms. We show that at a 32 $\times$ compression ratio, the number of multiply-accumulate (MAC) and operand-access operations required is reduced by 21.2 $\times$ , while achieving a sensitivity of 100 percent, latency of 4.33 sec, and false alarm rate of 0.22/hr; this compares to a baseline performance of 100 percent, 4.37 sec, and 0.12/hr, respectively. The second case study focuses on neural prosthesis based on extracting wavelet features from a set of detected spikes. We show that at a 32 $\times$ compression ratio, the number of MAC and operand access computations required is reduced by 3.3 $\times$ , while spike sorting performance can be maintained within an average error of 4.89 percent for spike count, 3.42 percent for coefficient of variance, and 4.90 percent for firing rate; this compares with a baseline average error of 4.00, 2.75, and 4.00 percent for spike count, coefficient of variance, and firing rate, respectively.
Ambient Vibration Testing of a Segmented Mirror Telescope

Vibrations of a segmented mirror telescope degrade image quality, yet their large size makes them prone to acoustic vibrations. In order to quantify the distortion, the magnitude and shape of the vibration must be known. The shape of the vibration can be predicted by finite element models, but a model of the ambient disturbance is needed to calculate to resulting magnitude. Forced excitation is not desirable since large vibrations can damage sensitive components. The practicality of using laser vibrometery with ambient disturbances is shown from vibration tests on a 3 m segmented mirror telescope. The observed vibrations are consistent with finite element results and expected results, despite sequentially sampling individual points over an extended period of time. Use of ambient testing could more accurately predict waveform error to actual disturbances. Ambient testing could also provide a more convenient method for validating .
Circulating markers of endothelial and alveolar epithelial dysfunction are associated with mortality in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) are markers of endothelial and pulmonary epithelial damage with prognostic implications in adult acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but unclear significance in pediatric ARDS (PARDS). This was a prospective, observational study in children with PARDS (2012 Berlin and 2015 PALICC definitions) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Plasma was collected within 48 h of PARDS onset and biomarkers quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In 82 children with PARDS (12 deaths, 15 %), Ang2 and sRAGE were higher in non-survivors than survivors (p < 0.01 for both). Mortality was highest in patients with Ang2 and sRAGE levels both above median values. Ang2 and sRAGE correlated with the number of non-pulmonary organ failures (both p < 0.001). Ang2 was higher in indirect lung injury and in immunocompromised children. In stratified analysis, both Ang2 and sRAGE were associated with mortality only in direct lung injury and in immunocompetent children, with no association evident in indirect lung injury or in immunocompromised children. Ang2 and sRAGE in early PARDS were higher in non-survivors than survivors and strongly correlated with number of non-pulmonary organ failures. When stratified by type of lung injury, Ang2 and sRAGE were associated with mortality only in direct lung injury. Similarly, when stratified by immunocompromised status, Ang2 and sRAGE were associated with mortality only in immunocompetent children. The utility of these biomarkers for prognostication and risk stratification requires investigation.
Lifetime marijuana use and sexually transmitted infection history in a sample of Black college students.

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and marijuana use are more prevalent in African Americans/Blacks (Blacks) than any other ethnicity in the United States. Given the significant health care costs and deleterious health correlates of using marijuana or contracting a STI, it is imperative to examine their association, especially in the vulnerable and underrepresented group of young adult Blacks. Purpose The current study examines the association between lifetime marijuana use on history of STI diagnosis in a sample of Black college students. Results Approximately 81% of the 213 participants were female, with approximately 81% also being 21 years of age or younger. Alcohol (88%) led the prevalence of substances ever used, followed by marijuana (75%), and cigarettes (57%). When including demographic and substance use covariates, lifetime marijuana use (AOR = 2.51; 95% CIs, 1.01, 6.21) and age (AOR = 2.72; 95% CIs, 1.32, 5.64) were associated with history of STI. Conclusion These findings will inform intervention and prevention methods used to reduce STI prevalence and marijuana use among Black young adults. Both epidemiological and biological foundations will be discussed.
Proppant transport study in fractures with intersections

Abstract Slickwater fracturing is a popular stimulation treatment in the unconventional oil and gas industry. It creates thin and long fractures that connect to pre-existing natural fractures and generate complex fracture networks. A large fraction of the fractured area is not usually propped due to the high density of typical proppants (sand) and low viscosity of the fracturing fluid. The goal of this work is to understand and optimize proppant transport in complex fracture networks. In this paper, proppant transport in fracture intersections is studied experimentally (using laboratory size slots) and numerically (using a multiphase dense discrete phase model). The orientation of natural fractures, proppant size and shear rate have been varied and the injected proppant volume is kept constant. Both experiments and simulations show three zones: bottom immobile sand bed zone, middle flowing slurry zone, and top clear fluid zone. The sand injected early forms the bottom of the sand bed; the sand injected later moves downstream and forms the top part of the bed. The entrance eroded region increases as the shear rate (or equivalently the water injection rate) increases. The sand bed length increases as the shear rate increases. The equilibrium sand bed height decreases as the shear rate increases and the sand size decreases. Proppant placement in the bypass slot increases as the shear rate increases and the bypass angle decreases. The numerical model using a dense discrete phase model (DDPM) captures the key features of the sand bed formation and transport.
Macrophage-eosinophil interactions in the inflammatory response to Trichinella spiralis.

Little is understood of the reasons why eosinophils accumulate in vivo, although a tissue reaction to administered antigen has been shown to be a prerequisite for the response. The present experiments aim to understand the significance of the tissue reaction to parasitic larvae in the chain of events leading to eosinophilia. Trichinella spiralis larvae were injected intraperitoneally in rats, and the peritoneal exudate was examined at intervals. Eosinophils were closely associated with macrophages rather than with other cell types or with parasites. A striking collection of eosinophils around individual macrophages was noted 48 hr after injection, and in particular following a second challenge. Use of indirect immunofluorescence techniques showed that these coincided with presence of immunoglobulin on macrophage surfaces. Incubation of peritoneal cells in medium containing 0.25% trypsin reduced macrophage surface immunofluorescence and numbers of rosettes. Rosettes could be constituted in vitro by incubation of normal peritoneal cells in medium containing antigen and antibody. These findings suggest that in the tissue reaction to parasitic larvae a close association exists between eosinophils and macrophages.
Cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of interfacial reactions of TiO2 microspheres embedded in ionic liquids.

Rationale Our goal is to develop protocols for the elucidation of the identity and structure of reaction products embedded in a reaction medium. Results should find significance in a variety of disciplines ranging from the study of biological cells and tissues, to the steps associated with the functionalization of nanoparticles. Methods We utilize cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (cluster-SIMS) to acquire three-dimensional (3D) information about 5–30 µm TiO2 microspheres imbedded into an ionic liquid. The method allows molecular depth profiling with submicron spatial resolution and depth profiling with a resolution of several tens of nanometers. The ionic liquid matrix enshrouds the spheres, allowing them to be introduced into the vacuum environment of the mass spectrometer. Results The results provide 3D chemical information about these microspheres as they are synthesized by interfacial sol-gel reactions. We show that with 40 keV C60+, it is possible to erode through the reaction medium and map the distribution of those embedded TiO2 microspheres. Moreover, we demonstrate that it is possible to monitor surface modification of the particles and, via ion beam drilling, elucidate their internal structure. Conclusions Using cluster-SIMS imaging, we are able to elucidate the identity and structure of reaction products embedded in a reaction medium, a problem of long-standing interest for materials characterization. With this strategy, we have provided a new approach that may be especially useful for the characterization of biological tissue and cells within the vacuum confines of the mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coefficient Jump-Independent Approximation of the Conforming and Nonconforming Finite Element Solutions

A counterexample is constructed. It confirms that the error of conforming finite element solution is proportional to the coefficient jump, when solving interface elliptic equations. The Scott-Zhang operator is applied to a nonconforming finite element. It is shown that the nonconforming finite element provides the optimal order approximation in interpolation, in L2-projection, and in solving elliptic differential equation, independent of the coefficient jump in the elliptic differential equation. Numerical tests confirm the theoretical finding.
MoS2 nanolayer coated carbon spheres as an oil additive for enhanced tribological performance

Abstract Submicrometer-sized carbon spheres coated with a MoS2 nanolayer (CS-MoS2) have been synthesized and investigated as a viable oil additive to enhance the tribological properties of conventional oil lubricants in both the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. Submicrometer-sized carbon spheres (CS) are obtained by the rapid ultrasound-assisted polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, and MoS2 is subsequently coated onto the CS particles via controlled heat treatment. The tribological performance of the proposed lubricant mixture was studied using a tribometer under the ball-on-disk and cylinder-on-disk configurations. The hybrid lubricant is comprised of 1 wt % CS-MoS2 particles dispersed in a standard engine oil (SAE 5W30) and demonstrated a significant reduction in friction and wear (15–35%) relative to the pristine reference oil under various disk speeds. Raman spectroscopic investigation of the wear scars following the tribological tests suggest high chemical stability of the CS-MoS2 particles. The enhanced tribological performance of the CS-MoS2 and oil mixture lubricant is attributed to both the spherical carbon particles and the superior lubrication of the MoS2 nanolayer. The combination of these tribological properties demonstrated by the secondary particle could prevent direct contact between sliding surfaces and act as a particulate ball bearing at the nanoscale.
Energy Programs of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act injected approximately $840 billion into the U.S. economy to provide both short-term economic stimulus and longer term technological advancement and infrastructure development. One of the primary recipients of stimulus funds in the United States and elsewhere around the world was the energy sector. This analysis reviews states’ experiences with Recovery Act energy programs, and highlights the perceived challenges and accomplishments that state officials encountered with these programs. Based on semi-structured interviews conducted with state officials involved in Recovery Act implementation, the analysis focuses on the following main themes: compliance difficulties, spending preparedness, degree and quality of federal guidance, timing, efficiency, and perceptions of success and lasting benefits.
Efficiency and performance of a new ternary energy storage model in the electricity market

The goal of this paper is to present the efficiency and performance of a new ternary energy storage model in the competitive electricity market. Using the state-of-the-art mixed-integer progamming technique, the new energy storage model can be explicitly cast as ternary states: (−1) PUMP, (0) OFF, and (1) GEN to represent the physical energy storage constraints and desired operating parameters in the DAM market. In this new model, storage resources will submit to the ISO physical parameters including operating limits, starting and ending storage levels in addition to (price, quantity) pair in today's electricity market construct. By explicitly presenting the physical parameters of these resources into the optimization, the SCUC process can optimally align storage dispatch with system needs over the 24-hour optimization horizon, thus potentially maximizing the utilization of storage resources as well as lowering the societal cost. Case studies were developed based on an actual historic day in the NYISO DAM market to validate the new model.
Review of Image Studies: Theory and Practice

Sunil Manghani271 pagesLondon, UK/New York, NY: Routledge • 2013Softcover $49.95When a man was pushed and fell onto subway tracks in New York City in 2012, just seconds in front of a rumbling subwa...
Jackets Off: The Impact of Laser Fiber Stripping on Power Output and Stone Degradation.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of laser fiber stripping on stone fragmentation and laser fiber power output. Materials and Methods: In a benchtop simulation of laser lithotripsy, 20 Be...
Audition-specific temporal processing deficits associated with language function in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Sensory processing alterations are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurobiologically-based theories of ASD propose that abnormalities in the processing of temporal aspects of sensory input could underlie core symptoms of ASD. For example, rapid auditory temporal processing is critical for speech perception, and language difficulties are central to the social communication deficits defining the disorder. This study assessed visual and auditory temporal processing abilities and tested their relation to core ASD symptoms. 53 children (26 ASD, 27 TD) completed visual and auditory psychophysical gap detection tasks to measure gap detection thresholds (i.e., the minimum interval between sequential stimuli needed for individuals to perceive an interruption between the stimuli) in each domain. Children were also administered standardized language assessments such that the relation between individual differences in auditory gap detection thresholds and degree of language and communication difficulties among children with ASD could be assessed. Children with ASD had substantially higher auditory gap detection thresholds compared to children with TD, and auditory gap detection thresholds were correlated significantly with several measures of language processing in this population. No group differences were observed in the visual temporal processing. Results indicate a domain-specific impairment in rapid auditory temporal processing in ASD that is associated with greater difficulties in language processing. Findings provide qualified support for temporal processing theories of ASD and highlight the need for future research testing the nature, extent, and universality of auditory temporal processing deficits in this population. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1845–1856. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary Sensory symptoms are common in ASD. Temporal processing alterations are often implicated, but understudied. The ability to process rapid sensory information, particularly auditory input, is critical for language functioning. This study tested auditory and visual temporal processing in ASD and controls. Findings suggest that rapid auditory (but not visual) processing is impaired in ASD and related to language functioning. These results could provide mechanistic clues to understanding core symptoms and lead to novel intervention targets.
Pharmacokinetics of Azole Antifungals in Cystic Fibrosis

Defects in mucociliary clearance predispose cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to airway colonization and infection by various fungi, especially Aspergillus fumigatus. Although the clinical significance of airway fungal colonization is not clear, several studies have suggested its association with worsening lung function and increased risk of CF exacerbations. Antifungal triazole agents have been used in CF patients with airway fungal colonization or infections with varying results. Limited pharmacokinetic studies to date have demonstrated high inter-subject variability of triazole levels among CF patients. This review discusses the basic principles of pharmacokinetics, the pharmacokinetic changes associated with CF and the effect of CF on the pharmacokinetic principles of azole antifungals. The inconsistent azole serum levels in CF patients may be associated with sub-therapeutic (thus risk of therapeutic failure and/or emergence of azole-resistant fungi) or supratherapeutic exposures (thus potential risk of azole toxicity), suggesting that therapeutic dose monitoring is necessary in CF patients.
Single-Unit Extracellular Recording from the Cerebellum During Eyeblink Conditioning in Head-Fixed Mice

This chapter presents a method for performing in vivo single-unit extracellular recordings and optogenetics during an associative, cerebellum-dependent learning task in head-fixed mice. The method uses a cylindrical treadmill system that reduces stress in the mice by allowing them to walk freely, yet it provides enough stability to maintain single-unit isolation of neurons for tens of minutes to hours. Using this system, we have investigated sensorimotor coding in the cerebellum while mice perform learned skilled movements.
Design and implementation of an intelligent biology vocabulary learning cloud system for college students

Specialized vocabulary presents a big challenge for college students especially when learning professional science curriculums such as biology, chemistry, etc. The traditional rote memorization, which is used by 89% students in China, has its limitation on efficiency and sustainability. This paper shows a new cloud-based cross-platform vocabulary learning system to give a more efficient and intelligent solution for vocabulary learning. The system can be used to search words, learn vocabulary and make a self-test. The search module contains a multifunctional dictionary, which supports speech recognition, can provide a precise, textbook and bilingual interpretation of a biology word. To learn vocabulary, users can add words to an exclusive word book and revise them anytime they want. The self-test function allows users to check their proficiency. Once a mistake appears, the word will be classified as errors and then added to a unique collection. The range of the test can be customized by users among the word book, error collection, the whole dictionary, or randomly mixed. The system greatly facilitates students' learning process and is expected to improve the learning outcome. Also, the compatibility in different systems enables students to learn vocabulary at any time through a smart phone or a computer.
Applications of computing technology-combining tangible skills and theory in CS0

Among the multitude of courses that many college-level Computer Science educators may teach is commonly a computing technology or computing literacy course geared towards non-Computer Science majors. This service course is taken by a student population that is rather diverse in terms of age, prior knowledge about computers, and field of study. It is a challenge to present material in this type of setting that is relevant, interesting, and comprehensible for all students. This paper discuses and describes a course built on the idea of a scenario-based approach; introducing skills that all of these students may need once they enter the workforce. The material is presented not just in terms of skills that they may replicate if needed, but also how all students can take the material and expand on it with respect to their individual careers. The goal of this approach is to tie the different topics traditionally covered in CS0 together in ways that provide the students with tangible results as to how to apply this knowledge immediately for their other courses, as well as to experience how the knowledge will enhance their skills and will help them to advance in their own vocation.
New Class of Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders(SERDs): Expanding the Toolbox of PROTAC Degrons

An effective endocrine therapy for breast cancer is to selectively and effectively degrade the estrogen receptor (ER). Up until now, there have been largely only two molecular scaffolds capable of doing this. In this study, we have developed new classes of scaffolds that possess selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and ER antagonistic properties. These novel SERDs potently inhibit MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation and the expression of ER target genes, and their efficacy is comparable to Fulvestrant. Unlike Fulvestrant, the modular protein-targeted chimera (PROTAC)-type design of these novel SERDs should allow easy diversification into a library of analogs to further fine-tune their pharmacokinetic properties including oral availability. This work also expands the pool of currently available PROTAC-type scaffolds that could be beneficial for targeted degradation of various other therapeutically important proteins.