cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects on vessel measurement accuracy and subsequent occlusion after calcium channel blocker infusion during treatment of cerebral aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device.

Introduction/PurposeTo achieve aneurysm occlusion, flow diverters (FDs) must be accurately sized to maximize coverage over the neck and induce thrombosis. Catheterization for diagnostic angiography can cause vasospasm that may affect vessel measurements. This study evaluates impacts of intra-arterial infusion of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) on angiographic measurements in patients treated with FDs to determine effects on final diameter of the FD and subsequent occlusion.Materials and methodsPre-treatment measurements were recorded for diameter of the distal and proximal landing zones and maximum and minimum diameters between these segments. Post-treatment measurements of the stent following deployment were recorded at these locations. When CCB was infused, post-infusion pre-treatment measurements were recorded. Rates of occlusion were noted for all patients. T-tests were performed to assess for differences in pre- and post-treatment measurements and rates of occlusion between groups with and without CC...
Microbially mediated barite dissolution in anoxic brines

Abstract Fluids injected into shale formations during hydraulic fracturing of black shale return with extraordinarily high total-dissolved-solids (TDS) and high concentrations of barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). Barite, BaSO 4 , has been implicated as a possible source of Ba as well as a problematic mineral scale that forms on internal well surfaces, often in close association with radiobarite, (Ba,Ra)SO 4 . The dissolution of barite by abiotic processes is well quantified. However, the identification of microbial communities in flowback and produced water necessitates the need to understand barite dissolution in the presence of bacteria. Therefore, we evaluated the rates and mechanisms of abiotic and microbially-mediated barite dissolution under anoxic and hypersaline conditions in the laboratory. Barite dissolution experiments were conducted with bacterial enrichment cultures established from produced water from Marcellus Shale wells located in northcentral Pennsylvania. These cultures were dominated by anaerobic halophilic bacteria from the genus Halanaerobium . Dissolved Ba was determined by ICP-OES and barite surfaces were investigated by SEM and AFM. Our results reveal that: 1) higher amounts of barium (up to ∼5 × ) are released from barite in the presence of Halanaerobium cultures compared to brine controls after 30 days of reaction, 2) etch pits that develop on the barite (001) surface in the presence of Halanaerobium exhibit a morphology that is distinct from those that form during control experiments without bacteria, 3) etch pits that develop in the presence of Halanaerobium exhibit a morphology that is similar to the morphology of etch pits formed in the presence of strong organic chelators, EDTA and DTPA, and 4) experiments using dialysis membranes to separate barite from bacteria suggest that direct contact between the two is not required in order to promote dissolution. These results suggest that Halanaerobium increase the rate of barite dissolution in anoxic and high ionic strength solutions. Additionally, the increase in rate occurs without direct microbe-mineral contact suggesting that metabolites secreted by the bacteria may be responsible for promotion of dissolution. The findings of this study have implications for understanding barium cycling in marine/hypersaline environments, release of barium (and associated radium) from waste solids generated from energy and mining industries, as well as potential for developing new anti-scaling chemicals.
Chapter 15 – Biotin

Biotin was discovered in the search for the nutritional factor that prevents against egg white injury in experimental animals; the binding of biotin to avidin, an egg white protein, results in biotin deficiency. Biotin is widely distributed in foods; milk, egg yolk, and vegetables, particularly lentils and soybeans, are the greatest contributors to human nutrition. Biotin is water soluble; it is absorbed through both passive and facilitated diffusion following cleavage from proteins. Biotin serves as an essential cofactor for carboxylases, as a regulator of gene metabolism, and as a substrate for the posttranslational modification of proteins. Biotin-dependent carboxylases function in fatty acid metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism. Biotin deficiency is rare in humans; it has been reported only in patients supported by total parenteral nutrition without biotin supplementation, in infants consuming milk with insufficient biotin, in those with congenital biotinidase deficiency, and in adults eating large quantities of egg whites. Symptoms include dermatitis, ketolactic acidosis, and conjunctivitis.
IMPROVEMENT IN CHOLESTEROL EFFLUX CAPACITY IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENT IN VASCULAR INFLAMMATION BY 18- FDG PET CT IN PSORIASIS

Background: Psoriasis (PSO), a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased CV risk, provides a human model to study atherogenesis. While PSO is associated with increased vascular inflammation (VI), and impaired cholesterol efflux (CEC), the longitudinal impact of change in CEC on VI is
Timeliness to treatment in patients with lung cancer at UVA Cancer Center.

169Background: The current standard of care for lung cancer patients recommends initiation of treatment within 30 days of diagnosis; however, the effects of delayed treatment on prognosis have not been determined. Furthermore, it is unclear what factors lead to delayed care. Longer treatment delays have been associated with decreased survival outcomes in other cancers, but such associations have not been established for lung cancer. This study analyzed lung cancer patients at UVa Cancer Center to identify the factors associated with delayed treatment and the effect of this delay on overall survival outcomes. Methods: Lung cancer patients diagnosed from 2011 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed using UVA Cancer Registry data. Two outcomes, diagnosis to treatment time interval, and overall survival were modeled. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the variables that affected timely care. Statistical tests were used to determine whether there were significant differences in overall survival between p...
CO2 reduction to acetate in mixtures of ultrasmall (Cu) n ,(Ag) m bimetallic nanoparticles.

Monodispersed mixtures of 6-nm Cu and Ag nanoparticles were prepared by electrochemical reduction on electrochemically polymerized poly-Fe(vbpy)3(PF6)2 film electrodes on glassy carbon. Conversion of the complex to poly-Fe(vbpy)2(CN)2 followed by surface binding of salts of the cations and electrochemical reduction gave a mixture of chemically distinct clusters on the surface, (Cu) m ,(Ag) n |polymer|glassy carbon electrode (GCE), as shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. A (Cu)2,(Ag)3|(80-monolayer-poly-Fe(vbpy)32+|GCE electrode at -1.33 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 0.5 M KHCO3, with 8 ppm added benzotriazole (BTA) at 0 °C, gave acetate with a faradaic efficiency of 21.2%.
Predictive validity and efficiency of ongoing visual-inspection criteria for interpreting functional analyses

Prior research has evaluated the reliability and validity of structured criteria for visually inspecting functional-analysis (FA) results on a post-hoc basis, after completion of the FA (i.e., post-hoc visual inspection [PHVI]; e.g., Hagopian et al., 1997). However, most behavior analysts inspect FAs using ongoing visual inspection (OVI) as the FA is implemented, and the validity of applying structured criteria during OVI remains unknown. In this investigation, we evaluated the predictive validity and efficiency of applying structured criteria on an ongoing basis by comparing the interim interpretations produced through OVI with (a) the final interpretations produced by PHVI, (b) the authors' post-hoc interpretations (PHAI) reported in the research studies, and (c) the consensus interpretations of these two post-hoc analyses. Ongoing visual inspection predicted the results of PHVI and the consensus interpretations with a very high degree of accuracy, and PHAI with a reasonably high degree of accuracy. Furthermore, the PHVI and PHAI results involved 32 FA sessions, on average, whereas the OVI required only 19 FA sessions to accurately identify the function(s) of destructive behavior (i.e., a 41% increase in efficiency). We discuss these findings relative to other methods designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of FAs.
Narrow Passageways: Nurses and Physicians in Conflict and Concert Since 1875

Nursing and medicine are interdependent entities that hold common goals of caring for the sick and curing or preventing illness and share social values of altruism and professional accountability. Still, physicians go about their work of diagnosing and treating disease without giving much thought to nurses; nurses teach patients, clean them, feed them, and support them through illness without paying much attention to physicians. But, as a condition of their practice, nurses and physicians occupy the same space at the bedside of the patient. This shared tenancy may be amicable, tense, or full of outright hostility. Whatever the emotional character of the relationship between nurses and physicians, the relationship itself rests on tradition, beliefs, and laws that stem from ideas of moral responsibility, control, expert knowledge, and correct social order. Any re-examination of the moral and social validity of the role of medicine in contemporary society requires scrutiny of the nurse-physician dyad. It is much easier to understand the issues related to the distribution of work and authority between nursing and medicine when the two disciplines are studied in historical context.
Qualitätsmerkmale, -metriken und -messverfahren für Geschäftsprozessmodelle : Das 3QM-Framework

Die Verfugbarkeit qualitativ hochwertiger Geschaftsprozessmodelle gilt als eine zentrale Voraussetzung fur ein erfolgreiches Prozessmanagement. In der Praxis zeigen Prozessmodelle dennoch eine Vielzahl von Qualitatsdefiziten, darunter sprachliche, inhaltliche und stilistische Mangel. Daruber hinaus finden sich kaum Ansatze, mit denen die Qualitat von Geschaftsprozessmodellen bestimmt werden kann. Im Beitrag wird mit dem 3QM-Framework ein analytischer Ansatz vorgestellt, mit dem sich die Qualitat von Geschaftsprozessmodellen systematisch bestimmen lasst. Das 3QM-Framework leistet hierzu drei Beitrage: es stellt Qualitatsmerkmale, -metriken und -messverfahren zur Quantifizierung des Qualitatsniveaus als Elemente eines theoretisch begrundeten Qualitatsmodells bereit. Die Anwendbarkeit des 3QM-Frameworks wurde im Rahmen von Fallstudien empirisch uberpruft. Die Ergebnisse einer Expertenbefragung bestatigen daruber hinaus seine praktische Relevanz.
Phase II trial of ribociclib and everolimus in p16 low anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC).

TPS6098Background: ATC is a rare thyroid cancer with a highly aggressive clinical course. Median OS is 3-4 months and 90% of patients die within 1 year of the diagnosis. There are no effective trea...
Predicting survival in older patients treated for cervical spine fractures: development of a clinical survival score.

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT Emerging literature has identified the importance of pretreatment health and functional status as influential in the prognostication of survival. A comprehensive, accessible, predictive model for survival following cervical spine fracture has yet to be developed. PURPOSE To develop an accessible and intuitive predictive model for survival in individuals aged 50 and older treated for cervical spine fractures. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of records from two tertiary care centers (2009–2016). PATIENT SAMPLE Patients age 50 and older who received operative or nonoperative management for cervical fractures. OUTCOME MEASURES One-year mortality was the primary outcome with 3-month and 2-year mortality considered secondarily. METHODS Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with mortality. The magnitude and precision of the relationship with 1-year mortality for statistically significant variables determined weighting in the scoring system subsequently developed. Score performance was tested through multivariable regression and bootstrap simulation. In a sensitivity test, the performance of the score developed for 1-year mortality was assessed using figures for the 3-month and 2-year time-points. RESULTS We included 1,758 patients. Mortality rates were 12% at 3 months, 17% at 1 year, and 21% at 2 years. Following multivariable testing age, injury severity score and Glasgow coma scale demonstrated the strongest predictive values for a base score, followed by serum albumin and ambulatory status. The resultant composite score ranged from 0 (base score≤4, albumin≤3.5 g/dL, and dependent/nonambulator at presentation) to a maximum of 4 (base score≥5, albumin>3.5 g/dL, and independent ambulator at presentation). Following multivariable analysis, when compared to patients with a score of 4, significantly increased odds of 1-year mortality were appreciated for those with scores of 3 (odds ratio [OR] 7.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.77, 14.32), 2 (OR 8.43; 95% CI 4.66, 15.25), 1 (OR 17.47; 95% CI 9.81, 31.11), and 0 (OR 26.58; 95% CI 13.87, 50.92). Score performance was unchanged in bootstrap testing and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a useful prognostic utility capable of informing survival in individuals age 50 and older, following cervical spine fractures. The score can be applied to adjust patient expectations, anticipate outcomes, and as an adjunct to decision-making in the postinjury period.
UltraMicroscope II – A User Guide

The LaVision BioTec UltraMicroscope II is a light-sheet microscope ideally suited for imaging of large, fixed, cleared, fluorescent samples, with cellular resolution. This guide describes the basic principles of this system’s operation, the main configurations available, how to minimize risks when using it, tips for sample preparation and mounting and an extensive discussion of how to optimize imaging parameters. It also provides advice for how to handle data transfers from the microscope, as well as how to configure a workstation for data visualization and basic analysis. Finally, it provides standard operating procedures that can be used with this system in other labs or core facilities. This guide aims to provide a baseline of practical information and recommended workflows for new users of this system.
Stress Relaxation in Highly Oriented Melts of Entangled Polymers

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study relaxation of entangled polymer melts deformed far from equilibrium by uniaxial extensional flow. Melts are elongated to a Hencky strain of 6 at Rou...
Correlation of long-duration exposure and accelerated testing of protected silver mirrors

The stability of two types of protected silver mirrors was studied by long-term exposure in a clean-room laboratory and mixed-flowing-gas (MFG) accelerated environmental test with two different gas concentrations. The two types of mirrors behaved very differently when exposed to the clean-room air for six years. The mirrors subjected to a reduced Battelle Class II MFG test protocol for 10 days exhibited similar corrosion mechanisms to those exposed to the clean-room air. With further testing of silver mirrors in both field exposures and MFG test conditions, it is feasible that the MFG-accelerated test method can be developed to quantitatively assess the durability of protected silver mirrors in ambient applications.
Poincaré and Sobolev inequalities in the Monge-Ampère quasi-metric structure

Abstract We establish a number of Poincare and Sobolev inequalities in the Monge-Ampere quasi-metric structure that are either new or significant improvements upon known ones. As applications we derive a host of new weighted Poincare and Sobolev inequalities.
Vaginal birth after cesarean: Does accuracy of predicted success change from prenatal intake to admission?

Background There are 2 prediction nomograms for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The first is based on variables that are available at the first prenatal visit, and the second includes variables at the time of admission. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of prediction scores that are calculated by the intake and admission prediction nomograms in a modern cohort of racially and ethnically diverse women. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the data for women with at least 1 previous cesarean delivery who attempted a trial of labor from 2007–2016 at a tertiary medical center. Participants were stratified into 3 probability-of-success groups: low ( 65%). The primary outcome was the difference between the intake- and admission-predicted success scores in the 3 groups. Secondary outcomes were characteristics that were associated with successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery . Results Of the 614 women included in the analysis, 444 (72.3%) had a successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery . Predicted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rate ranged from 14.4–96.2%. Patients were stratified into 3 groups by intake predicted success rates: low ( 65%; n=457). The change in predicted success rates was compared between the intake and admission nomograms. Women in the low and moderate groups improved their prediction score by approximately 7–8% when variables at the time of admission were included. As a result, more than one-half of these women (172/307; 56%) shifted to a higher predicted success group. The admission nomogram, as compared with the intake nomogram, more accurately predicted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success in all groups. Analysis of admission variables showed that cervical dilation >2 cm compared with a closed cervix was the strongest predictor of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (relative risk, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.89). Conclusion The admission prediction nomogram was more accurate and showed higher predicted success compared with the intake nomogram for the same cohort. Because prediction scores may improve at the time of admission, additional counseling on the risks and benefits of trial of labor may be helpful at that time.
The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and context in regulating fear learning and extinction

An organism's ability to learn about and respond to stimuli in its environment is crucial for survival, which can involve learning simple associations such as learning what stimuli predict danger. However, individuals must also be able to use contextual information to adapt to changing environmental demands. While the circuitry that supports fear conditioning has been extensively studied, the circuitry that allows individuals to regulate fear under different circumstance is less well understood. A view of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) function has emerged wherein the prelimbic region of the vmPFC supports fear expression, while the infralimbic region supports fear inhibition. However, despite a rich literature exploring the role of these regions in appetitive learning and memory suggesting a more nuanced function, there has been little integration of this literature with studies of the vmPFC in fear learning. In this review, we argue that the function of the vmPFC in fear learning is not restricted to fear inhibition versus expression per se. Instead, the vmPFC uses contextual information to guide behavior, particularly in situations of ambiguity or conflict.
Chapter 10 – Polycythemia

Publisher Summary A venous hematocrit reading of more than 65% or a venous hemoglobin concentration in excess of 22.0 g/dl any time during the first week of life should be considered evidence of polycythemia. Capillary blood samples should not be relied on for the diagnosis of polycythemia because they are significantly higher than venous hemoglobin or venous hematocrit and vary with the temperature of the extremity from where the sample is taken. Hematocrit values determined on a microcentrifuge include a small amount of trapped plasma and have a higher value than hematocrit values determined from automated analyzers. The term polycythemia, particularly as it pertains to the newborn and children, should be more accurately termed erythrocytosis because it generally refers to conditions in which only erythrocytes are increased in number and volume usually as an appropriate response to various causes of hypoxia, the presence of high-oxygen-affinity hemoglobins (reduced P50 in whole blood) or increased production of erythropoietin or other circulating erythropoietic stimulating factors. True polycythemia, on the other hand, is due to congenital erythropoietin receptor or acquired mutations that make erythroid progenitor cells exquisitely sensitive to circulating cytokines resulting in intrinsically hyperactive erythropoiesis. Symptoms are a consequence of the increase in blood viscosity. Hematocrit up to 65% has a linear correlation with viscosity and beyond 65% has an exponential relationship. Some of the symptoms may result from the underlying cause such as intrauterine hypoxia, maternal diabetes or placental insufficiency.
Study on The Operation of Integrated Energy Microgrid with Water Source Heat Pump

In this paper, the carbon emission and operation cost of the integrated energy micro grid system are taken as the optimization goal of the system, and the problem of individual user heating in some areas is solved. Considering the use of various new energy sources in the system, on the premise of satisfying the user's electric load and heat load, the optimal scheduling model of integrated energy micro grid system including photovoltaic, gas unit, water source heat pump, electric energy storage device and power grid interaction is established. By using new clean energy water source heat pump in the system, the energy in groundwater and other water sources is fully utilized to improve heating Efficiency, reduce the cost of use, use the improved wolf swarm algorithm to optimize the solution. Through calculation and verification, the results of optimal scheduling can meet the demand of electric heating load, coordinate the operation of each group of energy equipment, give full play to the advantages of various equipment, reduce the operation cost and carbon emissions, and have the value of promotion.
CSF dynamics as a predictor of cognitive progression.

Abstract Disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid-space hydrocephalus (DESH), characterized by tight high convexity CSF spaces, ventriculomegaly, and enlarged Sylvian fissures, is thought to be an indirect marker of a CSF dynamics disorder. The clinical significance of DESH with regard to cognitive decline in a community setting is not yet well defined. The goal of this work is to determine if DESH is associated with cognitive decline. Participants in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) who met the following criteria were included: age ≥ 65 years, 3T MRI, and diagnosis of cognitively unimpaired or mild cognitive impairment at enrollment as well as at least one follow-up visit with cognitive testing. A support vector machine based method to detect the DESH imaging features on T1-weighted MRI was used to calculate a “DESH score”, with positive scores indicating a more DESH-like imaging pattern. For the participants who were cognitively unimpaired at enrollment, a Cox proportional hazards model was fit with time defined as years from enrollment to first diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, or as years to last known cognitively unimpaired diagnosis for those who did not progress. Linear mixed effects models were fit among all participants to estimate annual change in cognitive z scores for each domain (memory, attention, language, and visuospatial) and a global z score. For all models, covariates included age, sex, education, APOE genotype, cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity volume, and total intracranial volume. The hazard of progression to cognitive impairment was an estimated 12% greater for a DESH score of +1 versus −1 (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.97–1.31, p = 0.11). Global and attention cognition declined 0.015 (95% CI 0.005–0.025) and 0.016 (95% CI 0.005–0.028) z/year more, respectively, for a DESH score of +1 vs −1 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02), with similar, though not statistically significant DESH effects in the other cognitive domains. Imaging features of disordered CSF dynamics are an independent predictor of subsequent cognitive decline in the MCSA, among other well-known factors including age, cortical thickness, and APOE status. Therefore, since DESH contributes to cognitive decline and is present in the general population, identifying individuals with DESH features may be important clinically as well as for selection in clinical trials.
Random Parameter Model of Postdisaster Household Relocation

AbstractHousehold recovery and relocation after a disaster is an exigent and complex decision. This complexity is mainly due to the variety of factors that can influence such a decision. Therefore,...
Awake intubations in the emergency department: A report from the National Emergency Airway Registry.

Abstract Objective To describe awake intubation practices in the emergency department (ED) and report success, complications, devices used, and rescue techniques using multicenter surveillance. Methods We analyzed data from the National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR). Patients with an awake intubation attempt between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 were included. We report univariate descriptive data as proportions with cluster-adjusted 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of 19,071 discrete patient encounters, an awake technique was used on the first attempt in 82 (0.4%) patients. The majority (91%) of first attempts were performed by emergency medicine physicians. Angioedema (32%) and non-angioedema airway obstruction (31%) were the most common indications for an awake intubation attempt. The most common initial device used was a flexible endoscope (78%). Among all awake intubations first-attempt success was achieved in 85% (95% CI [76%–95%]), and peri-intubation complications occurred in 16% (95% CI [9%–26%]). Conclusion Awake intubation in this multicenter cohort of emergency department patients was rare and was performed most often in patients with airway edema or obstruction. Emergency physicians performed the majority of first intubation attempts with high first-attempt success. Further studies are needed to determine optimal emergency airway management in this patient population.
Engaging Disability Studies and Discursive Psychology: Materialisms and Ideologies of Ableism

This chapter offers a response to Chapters 4, 6, and 7 within the volume, highlighting the connections between disability studies and discursive psychology. Specifically, the chapter highlights links to materialist disability studies and critical phenomenology of disability, while also pointing to key ideas raised within each of the three chapters.
Abundance for what

This classic collection of essays by David Riesman discusses the implications of affluence in America. Riesman maintains that the question that should be raised by wealth has shifted over time from how to obtain wealth to how to make use of it. Another key theme concerns issues relevant to higher education, such as academic freedom. Abundance for What? examines the notion that America is not as open a society as it may appear to be; it then shows how social science may be used to explain why this is so. And now in a brilliant, lengthy reevaluation Riesman both clarifies and revises that earlier assessment with unusual luster and candor., The volume begins with a group of essays that describe the impact of the Cold War. After warning against depending on a war economy, Riesman shifts the focus of discussion to a central characteristic of the Cold War epoch: the uses and abuses of abundance in expanding leisure time. Several essays deal with suburbs as the locale of abundance, while others study the place of the automobile in American life. Riesman describes the impact of American abundance on other nations. Among the many other subjects discussed in Abundance for What? are the education of women, generational shifts in attitudes, and a study of the national character., In his major new 100-page introduction, Riesman also relates the experiences that originally inspired him to write these essays. He then talks about the social and historical changes that have occurred since their publication. His synthesis of old Ideas with contemporary ones makes this a compelling volume. Abundance for What? continues to hold a significant place in the social and cultural critiques of contemporary America and will be of interest to historians, psychologists, educators, and urban policymakers alike.
Pathogenesis and new candidate treatments for infantile spasms and early life epileptic encephalopathies: a view from preclinical studies

Early onset and infantile epileptic encephalopathies (EIEEs) are usually associated with medically intractable or difficult to treat epileptic seizures and prominent cognitive, neurodevelopmental and behavioral consequences. EIEEs have numerous etiologies that contribute to the inter- and intra-syndromic phenotypic variability. Etiologies include structural and metabolic or genetic etiologies although a significant percentage is of unknown cause. The need to better understand their pathogenic mechanisms and identify better therapies has driven the development of animal models of EIEEs. Several rodent models of infantile spasms have emerged that recapitulate various aspects of the disease. The acute models manifest epileptic spasms after induction and include the NMDA rat model, the NMDA model with prior prenatal betamethasone or perinatal stress exposure, and the γ-butyrolactone induced spasms in a mouse model of Down syndrome. The chronic models include the tetrodotoxin rat model, the aristaless related homeobox X-linked (Arx) mouse models and the multiple-hit rat model of infantile spasms. We will discuss the main features and findings from these models on target mechanisms and emerging therapies. Genetic models have also provided interesting data on the pathogenesis of Dravet syndrome and proposed new therapies for testing. The genetic associations of many of the EIEEs have also been tested in rodent models as to their pathogenicity. Finally, several models have tested the impact of subclinical epileptiform discharges on brain function. The impact of these advances in animal modeling for therapy development will be discussed.
THE ROLE OF SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND CONFLICT IN PREDICTING CONGREGATIONAL BELONGING

This investigation extends research on religious congregations by examining how a sense of community and congregational conflict predict a sense of belonging to one's religious congregation. Based on a national random sample of 86,863 individuals nested in 424 congregations, we used multilevel logistic regression to test individual, congregational, and cross-level interactive effects. Findings revealed that sense of community dimensions of membership, influence, and emotional connections positively predicted belonging at the individual level, whereas fulfillment of spiritual needs positively predicted belonging at both individual and congregational levels. Conflict also predicted belonging; however, conflict negatively predicted belonging at the individual level and positively predicted belonging at the congregational level. Congregational conflict also moderated two associations between (a) belonging and influence and (b) belonging and emotional connection such that associations were stronger and more positive in the presence of greater conflict. Implications for future research and partnership with religious congregations also are discussed.
Building Simulation Tools for Retrofitting Residential Structures

This article evaluates the energy performance of a single family home using three widely used industry standard simulation packages in the United States—REM Design, Energy Gauge, and Treat. It disc...
A Financial Analysis of the Economic Effects of Having to Reverse Current Account Deficits

This research develops a theoretical model of current account deficits that explains the effects of having to reverse such imbalances. The theory defines precise mathematical relationships which should exist between the balance of payments, exchange rates, interest rates, inflation, income, and investor expectations. The model is consistent with both currency crises and less volatile situations.
Compiler techniques for scalable performance of stream programs on multicore architectures

Given the ubiquity of multicore processors, there is an acute need to enable the development of scalable parallel applications without unduly burdening programmers. Currently, programmers are asked not only to explicitly expose parallelism but also concern themselves with issues of granularity, load-balancing, synchronization, and communication. This thesis demonstrates that when algorithmic parallelism is expressed in the form of a stream program, a compiler can effectively and automatically manage the parallelism. Our compiler assumes responsibility for low-level architectural details, transforming implicit algorithmic parallelism into a mapping that achieves scalable parallel performance for a given multicore target. Stream programming is characterized by regular processing of sequences of data, and it is a natural expression of algorithms in the areas of audio, video, digital signal processing, networking, and encryption. Streaming computation is represented as a graph of independent computation nodes that communicate explicitly over data channels. Our techniques operate on contiguous regions of the stream graph where the input and output rates of the nodes are statically determinable. Within a static region, the compiler first automatically adjusts the granularity and then exploits data, task, and pipeline parallelism in a holistic fashion. We introduce techniques that data-parallelize nodes that operate on overlapping sliding windows of their input, translating serializing state into minimal and parametrized inter-core communication. Finally, for nodes that cannot be data-parallelized due to state, we are the first to apply software-pipelining techniques at a coarse granularity to exploit pipeline parallelism between stateful nodes. Our framework is evaluated in the context of the StreamIt programming language. StreamIt is a high-level stream programming language that has been shown to improve programmer productivity in implementing streaming algorithms. We employ the StreamIt Core benchmark suite of 12 real-world applications to demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques for varying multi-core architectures. For a 16-core distributed memory multicore, we achieve a 14.9x mean speedup. For benchmarks that include sliding-window computation, our sliding-window data-parallelization techniques are required to enable scalable performance for a 16-core SMP multicore (14x mean speedup) and a 64-core distributed shared memory multicore (52x mean speedup). (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Improving Accuracy in Earthwork Volume Estimation for Proposed Forest Roads Using a High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model

Nacrtak Earthwork usually represents the largest cost component in the construction of low-volume forest roads. Accurate estimates of earthwork volume are essential to forecast construction costs and improve the financial control of road construction operations. Traditionally, earthwork volumes are estimated using methods that consider ground data obtained from survey stations along road grade lines. However, these methods may not provide accurate estimates when terrain variations between survey stations are ignored. In this study, we developed a computerized model to accurately estimate earthwork volumes for the proposed forest roads by using a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM). We applied our model to three hypothetical forest road layouts with different ground slopes and terrain ruggedness conditions. We examined the effects of various cross-section spacings on the accuracy of earthwork volume estimation assuming that 1-meter spacing provides the »true« earthwork volume. We also compared our model results with those obtained from the traditional end-area method. The results indicate that as cross-section spacing increases the accuracy of earthwork volume estimation decreases due to lack of the ability to capture terrain variations. We quantified earthwork differences, which increased with terrain ruggedness ranging from 2 to 21%. As expected, short cross-section spacing should be applied to improve accuracy in earthwork volume estimation when roads are planned and located on hilly and rugged terrain.
On the design of a doubly-matched (D-M) diplexer with a common junction

Two sets of formulas and a three-stage computer aided approach are presented for the design of a doubly-matched (D-M) diplexer composed of two channel equalizers connected either in parallel or in series at a common junction. The diplexer provides a good match between a complex generator impedance and two complex channel loads. It is known as the doubly-matched (D-M) diplexer. A design example of a D-M diplexer is given to demonstrate the approach. >
Wheat Plant DNA Methylation Pattern Changes at Chronic Seed γ Irradiation

Alterations of DNA methylation patterns of two wheat sorts Al’batros odesskii and Donetskaya-48 whose seeds were irradiated with a low dose rate (3 × 10−7 Gy/s) for 4 months have been studied. Six restriction endonucleases were used in the experiments. Primary distinction in DNA methylation patterns of the studied sorts has been demonstrated. Chronic irradiation resulted in an increase of the methylation level on the recognion site for GluI and Sou3AI and in a decrease of this index in recognion sites for endonucleases GlaI and HpaII. The alterations of the methylation level in recognition sites for restrictases MboI and MspI were not found. The considerable increase of chromosome aberration level at the same dose of chronic irradiation has been shown. The role of DNA methylation pattern changes in development of irradiation damage and organism protective reactions is discussed.
Radiation‐initiated copolymerization of styrene with unsaturated esters

The kinetics of the γ-ray-initiated, gel-forming copolymerization of styrene with the unsaturated ester containing 1.5 double bonds per molecule of number-average molecular weight of 890 (derived from maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, and propylene glycol) have been studied with initial ester concentrations ranging from 65% to 2.4%. From experimentally determined gel fractions, rates of disappearance of styrene and ester unsaturation (measured up to complete conversion of ester unsaturation), and the degree of polymerization of the growing chains, a model is suggested based on a free radical copolymerization, assuming a single effective propagation and termination rate constant (kp and kt, respectively), and bimolecular chain termination except between a pair of immobile gel radicals. Three ester concentration ranges were considered. At high ester concentrations (≥ 50%), styrene and ester enter the gel at a constant rate (molar ratio of styrene:ester double bond of 2:1), precluding application of conventional copolymer composition theory. The rate at which overall unsaturation, α, disappears, is given by dα/dt = (kp2/kt)M2° where M2° is the initial molar concentration of ester unsaturation. The rate at which styrene, α1, disappears is given by dα1/dt = 2/3(kp2/kt)M2°(M1° + M2°)/M1°. The rate at which styrene is consumed in the dilute esterstyrene solutions (⩽4.6%), where M2° is negligibly small, is given by dα1/dt = kp(k1/2kt)1/2. Polymerization rates of the intermediate ester concentration ranges (10% to 30%) are higher than predicted from the simple model. An empirical rate expression is presented which describes these systems to 40% conversion of styrene: dα1/dt = (kp2/kt)M2° {[(1 + m)(r1 + M)]/(r1 + 2M)}, where M is the ratio of ester unsaturation to styrene in the starting mixture and r1 is the reactivity ratio for styrene, defined in the usual manner. For initial conversions of ester unsaturation (to 10%) dα/dt = (kp2/kt)M2°.
Expressions for certain minors and permanents

Abstract We provide explicit formulas for the minors of I – A and for per( I – A ) where A is a row stochastic matrix.
Out-of-operating room procedures: preprocedure assessment.

Performing an anesthetic in a procedure suite instead of in the operating room can be extremely challenging for the anesthetist. Not only are the procedures performed outside of the operating room becoming increasingly more complex but also patient acuity is increasing. In some cases, the out-of–operating room procedure may be selected as a less risky alternative to an operating room procedure in an extremely high-risk patient. Effective preprocedure evaluation and preparation are critical to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and maximal operational efficiency in these areas.
Prospective assessment of fecundability of female semiconductor workers

To investigate a possible effect of reduced fecundability (probability of conception per menstrual cycle) among women who fabricate silicon wafers, 152 fabrication-room (fab) and 251 nonfab workers were followed for an average of five menstrual cycles. Daily urine samples were analyzed to confirm clinical spontaneous abortions (SABs) and early fetal losses (EFLs). Adjusted fecundability odds ratios (FRs) for fab workers ranged from 0.59 to 0.72 (p = 0.09-0.28 vs. nonfab). For clinical pregnancies only, the adjusted FR ranged from 0.43-0.50 (p = 0.04-0.09 vs. nonfab). This lower fecundability was most pronounced among dopants and thin-film workers [adjusted FR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.27-1.40 for all pregnancies; adjusted FR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05-0.96 for clinical pregnancies] and in workers exposed to ethylene-based glycol ethers (adjusted FR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.11-1.19).
Immunoelectrophoresis of hemolymph of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, during the course of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection☆

Larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, were infected with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus and the protein patterns of the hemolymph followed throughout the course of the disease by immunoelectrophoresis. There was a decrease in the protein concentration of the hemolymph which appeared to be due to the loss of two normal protein components and to a reduction in the concentration of other major normal proteins. Proteins were detected following virus infection which were absent from hemolymph of healthy larvae. These proteins were not serologically related to those present in the virus.
Control of CD4 gene expression: connecting signals to outcomes in T cell development

The control of CD4 gene expression is essential for proper T lymphocyte development. Signals transmitted from the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) during the thymic selection processes are believed to be linked to the regulation of CD4 gene expression during specific stages of T cell development. Thus, a study of the factors that control CD4 gene expression may lead to further insight into the molecular mechanisms that drive thymic selection. In this review, we discuss the work conducted to date to identify and characterize the cis-acting transcriptional control elements in the CD4 locus and the DNA-binding factors that mediate their function. From these studies, it is becoming clear that the molecular mechanisms controlling CD4 gene expression are very complex and differ at each stage of development. Thus, the control of CD4 expression is subject to many different influences as the thymocyte develops.
A Comparison of Hplc and Ternary Complex-Based Assays of Tissue Reduced Folates

Abstract Two different analytical methods were used to estimate reduced folates from the same cultured hepatoma cell preparation. A method based on HPLC separation of reduced folate pools in cells prelabelled with [3H]-folic acid was compared to a method based upon quantitative assessment of bound radioactive ligand by gel filtration after entrapment of one reduced folate, methylenetetrahydrofolate, into a stable ternary complex with thymidylate synthase and [3H]-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate. In this second method additional folate pools were measured following enzymatic conversion to methylenetetrahydrofolate. Results show completely satisfactory agreement between the two methods both in terms of total folate content and in levels of individual folate pools.
Use of main channel and two backwater habitats by larval fishes in the Detroit River

Abstract Recent investigations in the Detroit River have revealed renewed spawning activity by several important fishes, but little is known about their early life history requirements. We surveyed two main channel and two backwater areas in the lower Detroit River weekly from May to July 2007 to assess habitat use by larval fishes. Backwater areas included a soft-sediment embayment (FI) and a hard-sediment area (HIW). Main channel sites were located adjacent to each backwater area. Water temperature, velocity and clarity measurements and zooplankton samples were collected weekly. A macrophyte assessment was conducted in July. Growth and diet of larval yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ), bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ) and round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus ) were used to assess habitat quality. Macrophyte diversity and percent cover were higher and velocity lower at FI than HIW. Although larval fish diversity was highest in the main channel, yellow perch and bluegill larvae only grew beyond the yolk stage at FI, where they preferentially selected copepods, while Daphnia were selected in the main channel. Round goby ate harpacticoid copepods and Daphnia and grew at similar rates in HIW and the main channel. These data indicate that FI was a valuable nursery area for yellow perch and bluegill, whereas HIW was better suited to round goby. We only assessed two backwater areas, thus a complete census of wetland areas in the Detroit River is needed to identify valuable habitats. Restoration of shallow backwater areas is essential for rehabilitating fish populations and should be a priority in the Detroit River.
Nonparametric tests for cause specific hazard rates with censored data for competing risks among several groups

For the competing risk setting where the lifetime data are due to one of several distinct and exclusive causes, comparison of cause-specific hazard rates is of interest to researchers. In this paper we survey existing methods for related tests and provide a new test for a common overall rate for all causes and groups. Tests given in the literature for checking for a common rate for causes and a common rate for the groups are shown to be in the same framework as the proposed test for common overall rate. Asymptotics are shown to follow a common theme for each test. An extensive numerical and graphical investigation and an example are presented to substantiate the proposed methods.
Chronobiologic approach to aquaculture

Abstract Diel and seasonal changes in the environment directly or indirectly control many biological functions. Chronobiology, the study of biological functions in relation to time of day, time of year, lunar phases, and other consistent cues, could have important applications in aquaculture. Physiological conditions that vary seasonally include feeding time, tolerance of fish to stress, the state of gonad development, lipid and water content of muscle tissue, and the dress-out weight of food fish. The quality of cultured fish may vary with the time of day when fish are fed, seined, graded, treated with therapeutic chemicals, injected with hormones, or physically disturbed. Efficiency of production and quality of aquacultural products might be improved if the activities of fish husbandry were timed to coincide with the biological rhythms of fish.