cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Putative biases in estimating mortality attributable to obesity in the US population.

A recent analysis concluded that there were fewer excess deaths attributable to obesity in the US population than previously believed. This analysis may not have fully corrected for two putative biases, the regression-dilution and the reverse-causation biases. It is not presently known whether correcting for these biases would increase estimates of excess deaths attributable to obesity. All-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) for different body mass index (BMI) categories were calculated and adjusted for confounding factors, using data from the prospective Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. The analysis was based on 12 457 individuals aged 51–70 years and 606 all-cause deaths during a 5.3-year follow-up. The HRs were corrected for the regression-dilution and reverse-causation biases, and compared with data from a previously published study to evaluate the effects of correcting for these putative biases on estimates of excess deaths attributable to obesity in the US population. The uncorrected all-cause mortality HR for obesity (BMI⩾30) was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.01–1.58), using the 21–25 kg/m2 as ideal-weight category. Correcting for regression dilution increased the HR to 1.46 (95% CI=1.17–1.83). Correcting for both putative biases increased it further to 2.70 (95% CI=1.31–5.57). Such increases in HRs are consonant with increases of several hundred percent in estimates of deaths attributable to obesity in the US. Correcting for putative biases yielded increases in all-cause mortality HRs for obesity that correspond to substantial increases in estimates of excess deaths attributable to obesity in the US population.
Winner Determination Algorithms for Combinatorial Auctions with Sub-cardinality Constraints

We examine the winner determination problem for combinatorial auctions with sub-cardinality constraints (WDP-SC). In this type of auction, bidders submit bids for packages of items of interest together with a specific number of items they want. All items in a package are equally acceptable, but each bidder wants only the specified number of items in their package and not necessarily all. This type of auction is particularly relevant in cases where bidders are interested in items in close proximity to one another and view items as largely substitutable. We show that WDP-SC is NP-hard. We then develop an integer programming (IP) formulation and two approximation algorithms for solving WDP-SC: one based on simulated annealing (SA) and one based on the Metaheuristic for Randomized Priority Search (Meta-RaPS). We assess the performance of these three methods through computational tests performed on sets of large benchmark problems (ranging from 1000 to 10,000 bids) generated from four different distributions: two developed specifically to simulate proximity concerns, and two others previously used in the literature. IP produced the best solutions for 1000-bid problems, but in many cases SA and Meta-RaPS produced better solutions than IP on larger problems. Both IP and Meta-RaPS appear to be robust solution methods for this problem and consistently produced high-quality solutions across all problem sizes and distributions.
Beyond CP violation: hadronic physics at BaBar

I report on recent studies of hadronic physics performed by the BaBar Collaboration. Emphasis is given to the measurement of the properties of newly discovered charmed hadrons and to the searches for light and heavy pentaquarks.
Pharmacological mechanisms of 5-HT3 and tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonism to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing consequences of cytotoxic chemotherapies. Nausea and vomiting can be acute (0-24h) or delayed (24-72 h) after chemotherapy administration. The introduction of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists in the 90s was a major advance in the prevention of acute emesis. These receptor antagonists exhibited similar control on acute emesis but had no effect on delayed emesis. These findings led to the hypothesis that serotonin plays a central role in the mechanism of acute emesis but a lesser role in the pathogenesis of delayed emesis. In contrast, delayed emesis has been largely associated with the activation of neurokinin 1 (NK(1)) receptors by substance P. However, in 2003, a new 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist was introduced into the market; unlike first generation 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists, palonosetron was found to be effective in preventing both acute and delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Recent mechanistic studies have shown that palonosetron, in contrast to first generation receptor antagonists, exhibits allosteric binding to the 5-HT(3) receptor, positive cooperativity, persistent inhibition of receptor function after the drug is removed and triggers 5-HT(3) receptor internalization. Further, in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that palonosetron can inhibit substance P-mediated responses, presumably through its unique interactions with the 5-HT(3) receptor. It appears that the crossroads of acute and delayed emeses include interactions among the 5-HT(3) and NK(1) receptor neurotransmitter pathways and that inhibitions of these interactions lend the possibility of improved treatment that encompasses both acute and delayed emeses.
Similarities and differences in mechanisms of cardiotoxins, melittin and other myotoxins.

J. E. Fletcher, M. Hubert, S. J. Wieland, Q.-H. Gong and M.-S. Jiang. Similarities and differences in mechanisms of cardiotoxins, melittin and other myotoxins. Toxicon 34, 1301-1311, 1996.-Myonecrosis induced in vivo by cardiotoxin, melittin, and Asp49 and Lys49 phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) myotoxins involves rapid lysis of the sarcolemma, myofibril clumping, and hypercontraction of sarcomeres. In contrast, skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotamine and myotoxin a is much slower, consisting of mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum swelling, myofibril degeneration, and lack of sarcolemma or transverse tubule damage. The mechanisms contributing to the myonecrosis induced by these peptides were evaluated. Two cardiotoxins and two Lys49 PLA 2 myotoxins lysed primary cultures of human skeletal muscle within 24 hr at a concentration of 0.25 μM, while melittin, crotamine, and myotoxin a, and an Asp49 PLA 2 myotoxin were non-cytolytic at concentrations up to 5.0 μM, suggesting that cytolysis is not a good measure of myotoxicity. Crotamine and the Lys49 PLA 2 myotoxin altered Ca 2+ ion flux in human heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum by opening the ryanodine receptor. Whole-cell patch-clamp studies demonstrated that administrating crotamine intracellularly increased Na + currents. Free fatty acids, liberated by activation of tissue phospholipase C or by the PLA 2 activity of the myotoxins, were monitored for crotamine, myotoxin a and a Lys49 PLA 2 myotoxin in cell cultures in which the lipids had been radiolabeled. Only the Lys49 myotoxin produced significant amounts of fatty acid in cell cultures, supporting a potential role for fatty acid production only in the mechanism of sarcolemma-destroying myotoxins. These findings, coupled with those in the literature, support a hypothesis in which the myotoxins and/or products of lipase activity (e.g. fatty acids) are acting at a site existing on both the Na + channel and a protein involved in Ca 2+ release and probably serving a modulatory function for ion regulation. Based on the similarities in mechanisms between the toxins and fatty acids, the most likely site would be a fatty acid binding site on the protein (either similar to that on fatty acid binding proteins, or an acylated cysteine residue) or in the membrane.
From Romance to Collateral Damage: Media Treatment of Civilians in Wartime and What it Means for How America Wages War

This article analyzes how Hollywood films shape Americans' understanding of the impact of war on civilians. Movies have created a narrative, rooted in a distorted view of WWII, which continues to shape discourse about the use of military force. In films, rape and prostitution were portrayed only rarely, and then in the most coded and romanticized ways. Films were completely silent on civilian casualties from strategic bombing. Vietnam War movies began to portray atrocities by Americans, but this trend was reversed by Saving Private Ryan, which erased any ambiguity about the ability of America to wage a “good war.”
Analysis of secondary cytoreduction for recurrent ovarian cancer by robotics, laparoscopy and laparotomy

Abstract Objective Analysis of perioperative outcomes and survival of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreduction by robotics, laparoscopy, or laparotomy. Methods Retrospective analysis of 52 selected patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreduction by laparoscopy (9), laparotomy (33) or robotics (10) between January 2006 and December 2010. Comparison was made by a total of 21 factors including age, BMI, number of previous surgeries, tumor type and grade, number of procedures, and 15 types of procedures performed at secondary cytoreduction. Results For all patients, the mean operating time was 213.8min, mean blood loss 657.4ml; and mean hospital stay 7.5days. Complete debulking was achieved in 75% of patients. Postoperative complications were noted in 36.5% of patients. Overall and progression-free survival at 3-years were 58.8% and 34.1%, respectively. Laparoscopy and robotics had reduced blood loss and hospital stay, while no differences were observed among the three groups for operating time, complications, complete debulking, and survival. Conclusion Selected patients with recurrent ovarian cancer benefit from a laparoscopic or robotic secondary cytoreduction without compromising survival. Robotics and laparoscopy provide similar perioperative outcomes, and reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stay as compared to laparotomy. Laparotomy seems preferable for patients with widespread peritoneal implants, multiple sites of recurrence, and/or extensive adhesions.
Effect of phenylhydrazine on the rabbit appendix and spleen.

Abstract Phenylhydrazine hydrochloride USP produced histologic changes in the lymphatic tissue of the appendix and spleen of the white New Zealand laboratory rabbit (Oryctolagus domesticus). The drug had been administered intraperitoneally every other day for 12 weeks. Paraffin sections of appendix and spleen were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and with Giemsa. In addition, appendix sections were subjected to a gramtype tissue stain to demonstrate the presence of bacteria. There was a decrease in the size of the appendiceal lymph nodules, which was caused by a depletion of small lymphocytes. A striking decrease occurred in the number of gram-positive bacilli (Bacillus, Cohn group) that normally inhabit the appendiceal intranodular area. In the spleen, increased numbers of small lymphocytes appeared in the red pulp. These lymphocytes were adjacent to phagocytically active reticuloendothelial cells that were filled with hemosiderin. Large amounts of intra- and extracellular hemosiderin reflected the chronic hemolytic anemia in the treated rabbits. Developmental stages of extramedullary erythropoiesis and megakaryocytogenesis were present in the sinusoidal and intrasinusoidal spaces.
A Controlled Study of Mercury Levels in Hair Samples of Children with Autism as Compared to Their Typically Developing Siblings.

Abstract Autism is a developmental disability characterized by severe, pervasive deficits in social interaction, communication and range of interests and activities. The neurobiologic basis of autism is well accepted, although the specific etiology is unknown. It has been theorized that autism may result from a combination of predisposing genes and environmental factors. While autism has a known association with environmental factors such as rubella and valproic acid exposure in utero, other proposed environmental mechanisms such as mercury toxicity or other heavy metal exposure have minimal research support. Despite this fact, interventions including oral and topical chelation therapy are being used to treat autism following evaluation of hair, blood, or urine samples for heavy metal toxicity. In this study, hair samples were obtained from 15 children with autism between the ages of 2 and 6 years and 16 controls in the same age range who are the siblings of the subjects. The hair samples were obtained according to lab. specifications and submitted in a blind fashion to Doctor's Data Lab. for measurement of mercury levels. Data from the two groups were then compared using T -test. No significant differences were found between mercury levels for the two groups. This study raises questions about the theory that mercury toxicity causes autism and points to the difficulty in quantifying chronic mercury exposure through currently available laboratory measures.
Treatment of Congenital Pulmonic Stenosis in Two Dogs by Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon valvuloplasty was performed on two dogs with pulmonic valve stenosis. Immediately following balloon valvuloplasty, peak right ventricular systolic pressure declined from 92 to 44 mm Hg in the first dog and from 108 to 46 mm Hg in the second dog. The peak systolic pressure gradient across the pulmonic valve declined from 60 to 12 mm Hg in the first dog and from 84 to 22 mm Hg in the second dog. Hemodynamic improvement was sustained in both dogs at the time of recatheterization 3 months later. Both dogs tolerated the procedure well and there were no serious complications. It was concluded that balloon valvuloplasty offers an alternative to surgery for the treatment of valvular pulmonic stenosis in dogs. The exact indications for and limitations of balloon valvuloplasty must await the results of additional and more long-term studies.
The Context of Infant Attachment in Family Child Care

Abstract An exploratory study of attachment security with family child care providers was conducted with 41 toddlers (age 12–19 months). Temporal stability of caregiver–child attachment security was assessed using the Attachment Q-Set, observing each dyad on two occasions, 1 to 2 weeks apart. Contextual correlates of child care provider attachment were also examined, including infant and family background characteristics, infant–provider interactive involvement, quality of the parent–provider relationship, provider characteristics and working conditions, and aspects of child care quality. Attachment Q-Set security and infant–provider interactive involvement were found to be stable over time. Correlations and path analyses revealed that significant direct predictors of attachment security were the level of infant–provider interactive involvement, family socioeconomic status, and overall child care quality. Significant indirect predictors of attachment security (mediated through infant–provider interactive involvement) were child care group size, number of months with the provider, and age at entry into child care.
Efficient coding of eyewitness narratives: A comparison of syntactic unit and word count procedures

Researchers rely on two types of coding systems to evaluate eyewitness narratives. Features-of-events checklists offer coding simplicity but are impractical when target events are complex. Units-of-information (UOI) systems score all information reported, regardless of event complexity, but are difficult to implement. To test whether simpler systems would alter conclusions about memory performance, transcripts from children (3-8 years of age) who participated in an eyewitness study, originally coded using a UOI system called syntactic units (SU), were recorded using two word count procedures. Correlations between SU, modified word count, and raw word count values were high, and the proportion of information that was inaccurate was comparable across systems. Considering their high interrater reliability, procedural simplicity, and convergence with SU coding, word count procedures are efficient alternatives to UOI coding.
Risk of stroke from sleep apnea in men and women

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, and research on the effects of sleep apnea is important to gain insight into how sleep affects health. Untreated OSA has been associated with important health consequences, such as an increased risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Previous studies have shown that OSA also represents a risk factor for stroke. The relationship between OSA and stroke is particularly relevant, as stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. The reviewed article presents new data from the Sleep Heart Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study, which shows an association between incident stroke and untreated OSA of varying severity for men and possibly more severe OSA for women. The study is discussed in the context of the current state of knowledge about OSA, in particular its health consequences, and the general limitations in conducting research with OSA patients.
Diurnal absorption in the D-region

Abstract We have analysed the diurnal variation of cosmic noise at a frequency of 18 Mc/s. From these records we derive the electron density as a function of local time and height in the D -region. We also derive a one-parameter, exponential approximation to the vertical distribution of the ionizable constituent, nitric oxide. The electron density curves fit those derived in different ways by other groups. We predict that the recombination coefficient, within the D -region, is either constant, or increases with height.
Modeling Magneto-Active Elastomer Composites Using the Finite Element Method

Magneto-active elastomers (MAE) are a new branch of smart materials that consist of hard-magnetic particles such as barium ferrite in an elastomer matrix. Under the application of a uniform magnetic field, the MAE material undergoes large deformation as the material bends due to magnetic torques acting on the distribution of hard-magnetic particles. This behavior demonstrates the potential of MAEs to act as remote actuators. MAEs vary from magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) which use soft-magnetic iron particles in place of the hard-magnetic particles and they are driven by magnetic interactions between particles.In this work, MAEs were fabricated using 30% v/v 325 mesh M-type barium ferrite (BaM) particles in Dow Corning HS II silicone elastomers. Prior to curing, the samples were placed in a uniform (∼2 Tesla) magnetic field to align the magnetic particles and produce a magnetization oriented in the direction of the applied magnetic field. The specimens were bonded to a passive poldymethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate to form a two-segment accordion structure where the MAEs with magnetization, M, were placed in opposing orientations a prescribed distance apart. The application of a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the magnetization of the undeformed MAEs would result in a bend (on the PDMS) that is dependent upon the orientation of the magnetic particles and the direction of the applied field. This behavior of the composite structure highlights the ability of the MAE material to perform work.Experimental testing of the MAEs used a two-segment accordion structure with fixed boundary-conditions on both ends of the PDMS substrate and a uniform magnetic field was applied to the structure. The resulting deformation roughly represented either a mountain or valley fold (dependent upon the orientation of the applied field). The resulting axial force was observed and compared to computational simulations which utilized numerical techniques to develop approximate solutions. This procedure was repeated with a prescribed displacement on one of the two fixed boundary conditions to induce bending prior to the application of a uniform magnetic field. Results show a decrease in magnetic work potential with increases in the aforementioned prescribed displacement; results also show an increase in magnetic work potential with increases in the applied magnetic field.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Asymptotic optimal tracking control for an uncertain nonlinear Euler-Lagrange system: A RISE-based closed-loop Stackelberg game approach

Differential game theory is used to develop controllers for an uncertain nonlinear Euler-Lagrange system. A closed-loop Stackelberg strategy based on hierarchical characteristics of the system is employed. A Robust Integral Sign of the Error (RISE) controller is used to partially cancel uncertain nonlinearities in the system first, and the residual system is modeled as an infinite-horizon two-person Stackelberg differential game. Although the game is linear-quadratic (LQ) not all the nonlinearities are lost since the residual system is linear in errors but not in the original states. To alleviate time inconsistency a closed-loop strategy is sought such that the controller assumes the potential perturbation to the system and computes its strategy accordingly. An analytical solution is presented to allow of a real-time controller implementation. A Lyapunov analysis is provided to examine the stability of the developed controller.
Dependency conflict, marital threat, and alcohol consumption in a middle-aged sample.

ABSTRACT The hypothesis that dependency conflict is associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption when dependency needs are threatened or thwarted was tested with a sample of 672 middle-aged, married adults with college-age children. The subjects' current level of alcohol consumption was predicted based on the present level of threat to the marital relationship (assessed by reports from several family members) and on indices of dependency need and inhibition of dependent behavior estimated from sibship size, sibship density, and sibling position. A multiple regression analysis yielded a significant two-way interaction (p < .05) between marital threat and subject sex, and a significant three-way interaction of dependency heed, inhibition of dependent behavior, and marital threat. High marital threat was associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption in men and slightly lower levels of alcohol consumption in women. Additionally, when dependency need was high, alcohol consumption was generally l...
The bioactive agent ergothioneine, a key component of dietary mushrooms, inhibits monocyte binding to endothelial cells characteristic of early cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is strongly associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This effect occurs, in part, because of the plethora of bioactive agents in foods and their subsequent function as antioxidants. Ergothioneine (ERT), a novel antioxidant, is present in edible mushrooms and is not synthesized, but is accumulated, by humans through diet. In this study, we tested whether ERT, a bioactive agent, could interrupt pro-inflammatory induction of adhesion molecule expression associated with atherogenesis. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were incubated with increasing concentrations of ERT (0.01–10.0 mM) overnight (16 hours) followed by incubation with medium alone or with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β (5 ng/mL) for 6 hours to induce expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM-1 or E-selectin). ERT at 0.1–0.3 mM significan...
Three-plane ballistocardiography: the effect of age on the longitudinal, lateral, and dorsoventral ballistocardiograms.

The motions of the thorax and of the shins were recorded by a technic which gives approximately the same size waves when a given force is applied to the thorax in each of three planes. Applied to a group of men and women under 30 years of age and another group of normals over 50, the variations in form and size of the ballistocardiographic forces in three planes were recorded. During expiration and as a result of aging, the lateral systolic wave, IJ, increases in size relative to the head-foot IJ. It is concluded that the classic head-foot ballistocardiogram yields inadequate information on the force liberated in systole, particularly in older men.
A language and architecture for efficient blackboard systems

The authors present a low-level language for blackboard systems. They also present efficient blackboard activation and agenda maintenance mechanisms. The reason why RETE-like pattern-matching networks are not appropriate for blackboard systems is explained. Instead, activation demons provide an efficient mechanism for agenda maintenance. The results show a significant speedup in agenda maintenance and execution when using the new mechanism in the BB1 blackboard architecture. >
Selective inhibition of type III secretion activated signaling by the Salmonella effector AvrA.

Salmonella enterica utilizes a type III secretion system (TTSS) encoded in its pathogenicity island 1 to mediate its initial interactions with intestinal epithelial cells, which are characterized by the stimulation of actin cytoskeleton reorganization and a profound reprogramming of gene expression. These responses result from the stimulation of Rho-family GTPases and downstream signaling pathways by specific effector proteins delivered by this TTSS. We show here that AvrA, an effector protein of this TTSS, specifically inhibits the Salmonella-induced activation of the JNK pathway through its interaction with MKK7, although it does not interfere with the bacterial infection-induced NF-κB activation. We also show that AvrA is phosphorylated at evolutionary conserved residues by a TTSS-effector-activated ERK pathway. This interplay between effector proteins delivered by the same TTSS highlights the remarkable complexity of these systems.
Implementation of nasal naloxone across health-care settings: a case report from Ohio

Drug overdose is now the leading cause of injury death in the United States, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 2008 [1]. Naloxone, a short-acting mu opioid receptor antagonist, can reverse an opioid overdose and prevent fatality [2]. Opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) provide education on overdose prevention and some have begun to distribute naloxone. As of June 2010, there were an estimated 188 OOPPs operating in the United States [3]; despite the fact that Ohio has one of the highest overdose fatality rates, there were no OOPPs at that time. The purpose of this study is to: 1) describe overdose prevention education and/or naloxone distribution programs in Ohio across various health-care settings; and 2) identify implementation barriers. A two-page survey was emailed to known Ohio OOPPs and snowball sampling was used to identify other programs. OOPP staff were contacted by phone to confirm their interest in study participation, and 19 of 21 programs completed the survey and are included in this analysis. As of October 2014 these 19 OOPPs were operating in 14 Ohio cities. The primary funding sources were: 1) Ohio Department of Health; 2) Interact for Health (a foundation serving southwest Ohio); and 3) other local public and private agencies. Overall, these programs have distributed 1935 naloxone kits and reported 152 confirmed overdose reversals. There was significant expansion of OOPPs in Ohio after the passage of House Bill 170 in 2014, which removed criminal and civil penalties for clinicians that prescribe naloxone and bystanders that administer naloxone. Identified barriers to OOPPs include: 1) cost in terms of both the provision of naloxone kits and the operational costs associated with prescribing naloxone; 2) stigma of addiction and perceptions of naloxone as a harm reduction strategy that would enable continued drug use; 3) legal/administrative concerns related to possession and distribution of naloxone; and 4) lack of standardized protocols or models that would facilitate operational integration of OOPPs into existing programming. In conclusion, OOPPs have recently expanded significantly in Ohio. Additional research is needed to determine whether this expansion is associated with a decrease in overdose fatalities. Language: en
Characteristics of Deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom Military Personnel Who Seek Mental Health Care

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study reports on the feasibility of using validated mental health screening instruments for deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom military personnel. Methods: For a 3-month period in 2005, all service members (N = 296) who initially presented to the U.S. Military Hospital Kuwait mental health clinic completed an intake questionnaire that gathered demographic information and contained validated instruments to screen for mental disorders and functional impairment. Results: A total of 19% of the sample subjects screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms, 35% for a major depressive disorder, and 11% for severe misuse of alcohol. Significant levels of distress and functional impairment were reported by 58% of the sample. Women represented a disproportionately high percentage of those presenting for care (27%). Conclusions: Screening instruments were well accepted and useful in detecting psychopathological conditions and functional impairment. Female service mem...
Household Types and Social Standing

This paper reports an investigation of the clues which are important in making status evaluations. We take the family as the principal unit in the stratification system and thus the unit zvhich is evaluated. Different types of fam-ilies are described by their members' occupations, educations, and ages; and by marital status, number of children, and sex. The social standings of 36,000 hypothetical vignette families are evaluated. These evaluations are regressed on household characteristics to determine which clues are important in the attribution of status. W4'e find that occupation is more important than is education, age, or marital status. A number of characteristics are not important in this regard. Finally, we find that each member contributes differentially to the overall evaluation of the family, the relative contribution of each being partially a function of the type of family being evaluated. Social status is that dimension of social stratification which translates the objective distribution of societal resources into meaningful perceptions of relative desirability. Social status results in differential evaluations of societal units. Since many sociologists agree with such an approach to understanding the structure of society, we have numerous scales and measures of prestige or status which measure societal units in terms of their desir
Systemic Amyloidosis and Ulcerative Colitis

Summary A case of secondary amyloidosis associated with chronic ulcerative colitis is presented with autopsy findings. The amyloid was first demonstrated by renal biopsy 8 years after total colectomy. In the absence of ulcerative disease and extracolonic suppuration, the amyloidosis progressed, leading to death from renal failure. The relationship between ulcerative colitis and amyloidosis has been considered on the basis of the present case and those reported in the literature.
Long-term performance of epoxy coated clay bricks in sulfuric acid

Epoxy-based coatings are used in the rehabilitation and protection against acid attack in industrial and wastewater facilities made of concrete and clay bricks. In this study, the performance of two epoxy-based coatings on sewer grade clay bricks was evaluated using a combination of bonding strength and acid resistant tests over a period of three years. The test results showed that the bonding strength of the epoxy coatings depended on the dry and wet surface conditions of the clay brick at the time of coating. The bonding strength varied from 0.2 MPa to 3 MPa. The coating films effectively reduced the liquid uptake of the coated clay bricks and pinholes influenced the weight gain of the coated clay bricks. There was no direct relationship between bonding strength and acid resistant (weight gain) of the tested coatings. A film model was developed to predict the weight change in coated clay bricks. The mass transfer coefficients of the coatings varied from 0.8×10-12 to 7.8×10-12 m2/s and 1.7×10-12 to 6.6×1...
New vaccine adoption in lower-middle-income countries

OBJECTIVES: Lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) are lagging behind both high-income and low-income countries in new vaccine adoption. Our study involved the following objectives: (1) understand the decision-making processes of LMICs on new vaccine adoption (2) identify the factors influencing LMIC decisions (3) obtain the views of vaccine manufacturers about LMIC markets for new vaccines and (4) make recommendations concerning how to speed up and improve decision making including proposing mechanisms for implementation of the recommendations. METHODS: Collect and analyse qualitative data from participants in decision making in 15 case study countries [12 LMICs and three upper-middle-income countries (UMICs)] and multinational and developing country vaccine manufacturers. FINDINGS: Interviews of actors in decision making indicate that the aspects deemed most important for adoption are: World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations the existence of local epidemiological data and a set of factors comprising affordability cost-effectiveness and overall cost of the new vaccine for the programme. National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) have a key role in advising decision-makers although their resources and capacity vary. Country decision-makers and manufacturers both see advantages in pooled procurement mechanisms for vaccine purchasing. Recommendations for countries and the international community involve assisting with making epidemiological data and vaccine market information accessible to countries building and reinforcing related analysis capacity and assisting with purchasing mechanisms and practices such as pooled procurement.
Modeling Carbonate Microfacies in the Context of High-Frequency Dynamic Relative Sea-Level and Environmental Changes: Discussion

I would like to clear up some misconceptions stated by Spence and Tucker (1999) regarding Steinhauff and Walker (1995) and make some positive comments about the approach they used to document and interpret a Mesozoic carbonate example from France. Spence and Tucker (1999) explain that systems tracts described using standard microfacies (e.g., Wilson 1975; Flugel 1982) fail to take into account gradual changes in the water depths occurring through changes in relative sea level. They cite Steinhauff and Walker (1995) as an example illustrating the shortcomings of using microfacies to correlate a carbonate succession. Misconceptions. —Readers are liable to draw three misleading conclusions after reading Spence and Tucker (1999). (1) Steinhauff and Walker (1995) somehow misused ternary plots in characterizing the rocks that they studied. Spence and Tucker (1999, p. 948) describe how ternary plots "… may unwittingly break down compositional relays into a series of static temporal pin-points … ", implying that meaningful boundaries exist between individual …
Long-baseline acoustic localization of the Seaglider underwater glider

This paper describes a long-baseline underwater acoustic localization system that was developed to provide three-dimensional position information for the Seaglider underwater vehicle. The accurate inertial position of the glider can be used to estimate performance characteristics and to validate novel motion control and path planning strategies in future experiments. The system consists of three acoustic transponders that are placed at known locations at the surface of the water. An extended Kalman filter with RTS smoothing was used to obtain filtered estimates of the states. The filtering methods have been tested both in simulations and in field experiments.
Blind deconvolution through digital signal processing

This paper addresses the problem of deconvolving two signals when both are unknown. The authors call this problem blind deconvolution. The discussion develops two related solutions which can be applied through digital signal processing in certain practical cases. The case of reverberated and resonated sound forms the center of the development. The specific problem of restoring old acoustic recordings provides an experimental test. The important effects of noise and non-stationary signals lead to the detailed part of the presentation. In addition, the paper presents results for the case of images degraded by some common forms of blur.
Comparison of epinephrine and phenylephrine for resuscitation and neurologic outcome of cardiac arrest in dogs.

A study was done comparing resuscitability and 24-hour neurologic outcome in fibrillating dogs that were treated with either phenylephrine (a primary alpha agonist) or epinephrine. Ventricular fibrillation was induced electrically in 18 dogs. After three minutes, standard CPR was instituted using a mechanical resuscitator. Dogs were given phenylephrine or epinephrine at nine minutes and defibrillation was attempted at 12 minutes. Dogs underwent hemodynamic monitoring and pharmacologic support, if necessary, for an additional 90 minutes. At four, eight, 12, and 24 hours, a standard neurologic examination was performed and deficit scores were assigned by an observer blinded to the drug given. Fourteen of the 18 dogs were resuscitated. There were no statistically significant differences in the epinephrine- or phenylephrine-treated groups with regard to number of animals resuscitated, time and interventions required for resuscitation, initial cardiac rhythm post resuscitation, or occurrence of ventricular fibrillation during resuscitation. No differences were found in arterial, central venous, or myocardial perfusion pressures during CPR. Phenylephrine-treated dogs tended to have higher mean pressures in the critical care period (15 to 30 minutes), although this was not significant. Total neurologic deficit scores were 127.8 ± 83.8 for the phenylephrine-treated group and 129.4 ± 87.4 for the epinephrine group. No significant differences were found in the level of consciousness, cranial nerve function, motor skills, or general behavior scores. We conclude that there is no difference in neurologic or cardiovascular outcome when phenylephrine is compared to epinephrine in a canine model of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The Aortic Flow Pulse as Related to Differential Pressure

The flow pulsations in the dog's descending aorta were recorded with a noncannulating square wave electromagnetic flowmeter and found to be at considerable variance with previously published curves. The validity of the square-wave electromagnetic flows was established by tests of the instrument's adequacy and by comparison with the simultaneously recorded differential pressures. In the genesis of the aortic flow pulse, inertia is dominant and resistance secondary, so that flow is related to the differential pressure pulse mainly through acceleration.
Learning modern design methods in the undergraduate control systems course

Each systems engineering major at the United States Naval Academy completes the linear control systems course sequence, with compensator design as the area of major emphasis in the second course in the sequence. The students learn a great deal about feedback control systems and their application, but they also learn about the design process. They experience first hand the frustrations associated with trial and error design. They learn to plan a project with milestones and deadlines. They learn to justify their results by careful analysis and by preparing formal reports on their work. Traditional analysis techniques learned by the undergraduate involve graphical plots of some mathematical function describing the system's behavior, such as root locus, Bode, and Nyquist plots. >
How to Build a Kidney Stone Prevention Clinic

Those identical, ethical mandates were told to me on two occasions: first, when as a preteen I objected to my father, a dentist, fluoridating the teeth of his young patients, suggesting that he was sacrificing his income (and my future college tuition) by the prevention of caries; second, when as a proto-lithologist, Michael Grasso and I discussed the founding of a kidney stone clinic and I asked Michael if he was worried that I would reduce the number of ureteroscopies and lithotripsies he would perform. Kidney stones are common and preventable, but not commonly prevented. Instead, our experience has been that most patients, despite their interest, have not received any serious recommendations about how to avoid kidney stone recurrence. Stone formers seek advice regarding their disorder, whether that is about the choices for urological intervention or strategies and regimens for prevention. Bringing these two components of kidney stone practice together into a single setting is the goal of a kidney stone clinic. Like any other disorder, expertise among practitioners develops with exposure and repetition. A kidney stone clinic offers these assets to its personnel while offering patients the confidence that develops when expertise is demonstrated. Simply titling one’s office or practice a “kidney stone clinic” may lead to some assurance that the disorder is seen repeatedly there, but developing a real integration of diverse skills and mastery will be even more convincing. This book arises from the partnership that Michael Grasso and I began in 1996 when we first formed a kidney stone clinic. Michael brought his vast experience in endourology and urological intervention for kidney stones to our enterprise. My contribution, as a nephrologist and physiologist, was
Effects of stiffness factor on bus voltage variations in the presence of intermittent distributed generation

Electrical distribution systems are experiencing increased penetration levels of distributed generation thanks to economic incentives and technology cost reductions. Analyzing the effects of distributed generation on planning and operation of distribution system is typically done based on steady-state simulations; output variability of renewable dispersed generation units implies the need for more dynamic evaluation of their effects on the system and for the introduction of mitigating measures. The authors previous work has shown the advantages of select meshed configuration of distribution systems for accommodating higher levels of distributed generation considering steady-state voltage and current limitations. In this paper, after introducing stiffness factor and its relation to Thevenin equivalent impedance, the effects of intermittent photovoltaic systems on bus voltages are investigated. The IEEE 34-node test feeder in its radial and in different meshed configurations is used as test case. Results of the study verify the superior performance of select meshed configuration for accommodating intermittent renewable resources in distribution systems.
Microtubule transport, concentration and alignment in enclosed microfluidic channels.

The kinesin-microtubule system has emerged as a versatile model system for biologically-derived microscale transport. While kinesin motors in cells transport cargo along static microtubule tracks, for in vitro transport applications it is preferable to invert the system and transport cargo-functionalized microtubules along immobilized kinesin motors. However, for efficient cargo transport and to enable this novel transport system to be interfaced with traditional microfluidics, it is important to fabricate enclosed microchannels that are compatible with kinesin motors and microtubules, that enable fluorescence imaging of microtubule movement, and that provide fluidic connections for sample introduction. Here we construct a three-tier hierarchical system of microfluidic channels that links microscale transport channels to macroscopic fluid connections. Shallow microchannels (5 μm wide and 1 μm deep) are etched in a glass substrate and bonded to a cover glass using PMMA as an adhesive, while intermediate channels (∼100 μm wide) serve as reservoirs and connect to 250 μm deep microchannels that hold fine gauge tubing for fluid injection. To demonstrate the utility of this device, we first show the performance of a directional rectifier that redirects 96% of moving microtubules and, because any microtubules that detach rapidly rebind to the motor-coated surface, suffers no microtubule loss over time. Second, we develop an approach, using a headless kinesin construct, to eliminate gradients in motor adsorption and microtubule binding in the enclosed channels, which enables precise control of kinesin density in the microchannels. Finally, we show that a 60 μm diameter circular ring functionalized with motors concentrates and aligns bundles of ∼3000 uniformly oriented microtubules, while suffering negligible ATP depletion. These aligned isopolar microtubules are an important tool for microscale transport applications and can be employed as a model in vitro system for studying kinesin-driven microtubule organization in cells.
Prevention of clindamycin-induced mortality in hamsters by Saccharomyces boulardii.

Abstract Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast used in a number of countries for general and antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal illnesses, was examined for possible application in the prevention of clindamycin-induced mortality in the hamster colitis model. Hamsters were given free access to an aqueous 5% suspension of lyophilized yeast for 3 days before and 10 days after administration of a single oral clindamycin dose of from 0.2 to 0.8 mg/kg. Mortality was recorded in groups of 7 to 20 animals every 24 h for 10 to 30 days. Mean cecal concentrations of S. boulardii were greater than 10(6) CFU/ml throughout the yeast administration period. Yeast treatment significantly decreased cumulative percent mortality by an average of 29%. Death onset was not affected by yeast treatment. Cecitis was present in 86% of moribund animals (N = 95) and was absent in all surviving animals examined (N = 27). Toxigenic Clostridium difficile was isolated from 13 of 14 moribund hamsters examined. No adverse effects of the yeast treatment were observed in animals receiving S. boulardii without clindamycin. The results suggest that S. boulardii warrants further evaluation for the prevention of antibiotic-associated colitis.