cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-FF-I-44: Management of Patient Radiation Dose in Interventional Fluoroscopy

Purpose: Some complex interventional procedures require significant amounts of radiation for their completion. In 2006 JCAHO added a 15Gy single field fluoroscopic skin dose to the list of sentinel events. An active radiation management program contributes to optimization of the patient's benefit/risk ratio. Method and Materials: Periodic equipment quality testing and calibration. Patient radiation history to determine the quantity and location of previous significant radiation events Appropriate patient consent Operator and staff dose management during the procedure Documentation and clinical follow‐up when significant doses of radiation are used Continuing clinical follow‐up when deterministic injuries are suspected or observed Results: Our program was implemented in June 2005. Significant issues include acquisition of the patient's radiation history, active management of dose rate by operators during procedures, and complete documentation at the end of each procedure. Post procedural patient discussions and integrating radiation follow‐up into our standard 30 day post‐intervention telephone call were easy. The initial trigger level for immediate justification of significant radiation usage and patent follow up was 3 Gy cumulative dose at the IEC interventional reference point. In January 2006 and after consultation with the institutional radiation safety committee, the trigger was raised to 5 Gy (corresponding to a peak skin dose in the range 2 –3 Gy for most procedures). Special rules apply to patients with unusual or multiple procedures. Conclusion: The world‐wide occurrence of a major deterministic injury is estimated to be one or two orders of magnitude less frequent than death from an interventional procedure. Simple technical improvements such as better dose displays, low‐dose‐rate defaults, and automated data collection would be helpful. With these, operators and monitoring nurses can more easily maintain a level of dose awareness during a procedure appropriate to an ongoing benefit/risk analysis.
Youth Violence in Context: The Roles of Sex, Race, and Community in Offending

Youth violence garners considerable attention in the media as well as in public policy debates. In spite of this interest and attention to youth violence, stereotypes fueled by misperceptions about...
Behavioral Traits and Airport Type Affecting Mammal Incidents with U.S. Civil Aircraft

Wildlife incidents with aircraft cost the United States (U.S.) civil aviation industry (US$1.4 billion in estimated damages and loss of revenue from 1990 to 2009. Although terrestrial mammals represented only 2.3 % of wildlife incidents, damage to aircraft occurred in 59 % of mammal incidents. We examined mammal incidents (excluding bats) at all airports in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Wildlife Strike Database from 1990 to 2010 to characterize these incidents by airport type: Part-139 certified (certificated) and general aviation (GA). We also calculated relative hazard scores for species most frequently involved in incidents. We found certifi- cated airports had more than twice as many incidents as GA airports. Incidents were most frequent in October (n = 215 of 1,764 total) at certificated airports and November (n = 111 of 741 total) at GA airports. Most (63.2 %) incidents at all airports (n = 1,523) occurred at night but the greatest incident rate occurred at dusk (177.3 incidents/hr). More incidents with damage (n = 1,594) occurred at GA airports (38.6 %) than certificated airports (19.0 %). Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) incidents incurred greatest (92.4 %) damage costs (n = 326; US$51.8 million) overall and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) was the most hazardous species. Overall, rela- tive hazard score increased with increasing log body mass. Frequency of incidents was influenced by species relative seasonal abundance and behavior. We recommend airport wildlife officials evaluate the risks mammal species pose to aircraft based on the hazard information we provide and consider prioritizing management strategies that emphasize reducing their occurrence on airport property.
Embracing customer service in libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of customer service and outline the practices and conditions required to provide excellent customer service in libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The concept of service being at the core of the library profession and the role of libraries to lifelong learning are reiterated to emphasize the importance of quality customer service in libraries. The three‐dimension approach to service management is introduced with practical advice on how this approach is applied to libraries. A customer service self‐assessment is provided for libraries to evaluate how well they serve their customers and identify potential areas for improvement in regards to customer service.Findings – The paper presents ways to establish an effective customer service plan in libraries and provides examples and models for better customer service initiatives.Research limitations/implications – The paper shows that while the three dimensions of the “Service Triangle” and the imp...
Preferential response of thyroid glycosyltransferases to changes in thyrotropin stimulation.

Abstract The level of thyrotropin stimulation of rat thyroid was modified to permit a study of the regulation of some of the enzymes of this tissue. This was accomplished by the administration of either propylthiouracil to increase the endogenous thyrotropin levels or thyroxine to suppress production of the trophic hormone. The enzymes measured included two glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of the main secretory protein of the gland (thyroglobulin), two lysosomal enzymes which may contribute to its catabolism, as well as two other enzymes of a more general nature. In the propylthiouracil-treated animals changes in the activities of succinic dehydrogenase, protease, and 5′-nucleotidase corresponded to the increase in the weight of the gland and appeared to be nonspecific in nature; these three enzymes, moreover, showed no changes after thyroxine treatment. The level of the N -acetylglucosaminidase was significantly decreased, per gram of tissue, in both groups of treated animals. The only enzymes which appeared to be specifically affected by the modulation of thyrotropin stimulation were the glycosyltransferases, with both mannosyl- and galactosyltransferases showing an increase in the thyroids of the propylthiouracil-treated animals and a decrease in those treated with thyroxine. This suggests that post-translational steps, such as carbohydration, may play an important role in regulating the turnover of thyroglobulin and therefore influence the overall rate of thyroid hormone formation. The distribution of each of the enzymes between the soluble and particulate fractions of the tissue was also measured and it was noted that the glycosyltransferases, which showed the most marked increase in total activity as a result of thyrotropin stimulation, also showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage present in the particle-bound form.
Renal Artery Aneurysm Exclusion Using a Self‐Expanding Covered Stent with a Procedural Outcome and 6‐Month Angiographic Follow‐up

A 76-year-old woman with prior catastrophic rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm had a renal artery aneurysm discovered during evaluation of her refractory hypertension. The aneurysm was excluded using a coronary polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered investigational (Symbiot) coronary stent in conjunction with coil occlusion of the inferior pole artery to preclude possible back flow into the excluded aneurysm. Six-month angiography demonstrated a patent vessel; her serum creatinine remained stable at 1.3 mg/dL.
Dedicated radiology viewing station for low cost and high performance

ABSTRACT The functional requirements of a radiological viewing station has been determined by feedbacksfrom radiologists. In this project, we incorporated all the functional requirements in a custom designeddisplay station with emphasis on affordablility and display speed. Utilization of the open architecture ofVME and VSB buses led to expandability of display screens, memory sharing, and availability of off-the-shelf frame buffers. 1. INTRODUCTION Of the major components of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System):acquisition, storage, communication and display[11, the display end is the only element which a radiologist interfaces with directly. It is therefore the one area where user preferenceshould heavily influence the design[21. Giventhe nature of the various components, it is also obvious that the display element will outnumber the others in any given PACS system (i.e. one department may have 3 to 4 computed radiogragphy units, two optical disk library, one network trunk, but at least one display stationper section). Therefore, From administration
Electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity in double-walled carbon nanotubes

Using first-principles techniques we study the electronic structure, deformation potentials, and electron-phonon coupling in both single-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes. Calculations were done for metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes in armchair configurations (5,5) and (10,10). Additionally, we study the effect of concentric multiwalled systems by performing calculations on the double-walled tube (5,5)@(10,10). By comparing the properties of the (5,5) and (10,10) tubes both in isolated and in concentric form arrangements, we are able to investigate the effect on electron-phonon coupling of the double-walled and, consequently, multiwalled carbon nanotube arrangement. No significant increase in total electron-phonon coupling is found in the double-walled tube compared to the single-walled carbon nanotubes within the calculations of the isolated tubes under consideration.
Conformational stability of CH3CH2PH2BH3 from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of xenon solutions and r0 structural parameters.

Abstract Variable temperature (−55–−100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm −1 ) of ethylphosphine-borane, CH 3 CH 2 PH 2 BH 3 , and ethylphosphine-borane-d 5 dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 86±8 cm −1 (1.03±0.10 kJ/mol), with the trans conformer the more stable rotamer. Complete vibrational assignments are presented for both conformers, which are consistent with the predicted frequencies obtained from the ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, and depolarization ratios have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) and/or MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with some corresponding results for some similar molecules. The r 0 structural parameters have been obtained from a combination of the previously reported microwave rotational constants and ab initio predicted parameters.
Finite-element grid improvement by minimization of stiffness matrix trace

A new and simple method of finite-element grid improvement is presented. The objective is to improve the accuracy of the analysis. The procedure is based on a minimization of the trace of the stiffness matrix. For a broad class of problems this minimization is seen to be equivalent to minimizing the potential energy. The method is illustrated with the classical tapered bar problem examined earlier by Prager and Masur. Identical results are obtained.
Multi-graphical analysis of dynamic PET

In quantitative dynamic PET studies, graphical analysis methods including the Gjedde-Patlak plot, the Logan plot, and the relative equilibrium-based graphical plot (RE plot) (Zhou Y., Ye W., Brasic J.R., Crabb A.H., Hilton J., Wong D.F. 2009b. A consistent and efficient graphical analysis method to improve the quantification of reversible tracer binding in radioligand receptor dynamic PET studies. Neuroimage 44(3):661-670) are based on the theory of a compartmental model with assumptions on tissue tracer kinetics. If those assumptions are violated, then the resulting estimates may be biased. In this study, a multi-graphical analysis method was developed to characterize the non-relative equilibrium effects on the estimates of total distribution volume (DV(T)) from the RE plot. A novel bi-graphical analysis method using the RE plot with the Gjedde-Patlak plot (RE-GP plots) was proposed to estimate DV(T) for the quantification of reversible tracer kinetics that may not be at relative equilibrium states during PET study period. The RE-GP plots and the Logan plot were evaluated by 19 [(11)C]WIN35,428 and 10 [(11)C]MDL100,907 normal human dynamic PET studies with brain tissue tracer kinetics measured at both region of interest (ROI) and pixel levels. A 2-tissue compartment model (2TCM) was used to fit ROI time activity curves (TACs). By applying multi-graphical plots to the 2TCM fitted ROI TACs which were considered as the noise-free tracer kinetics, the estimates of DV(T) from the RE-GP plots, the Logan plot, and the 2TCM fitting were equal to each other. For the measured ROI TACs, there was no significant difference between the estimates of the DV(T) from the RE-GP plots and those from 2TCM fitting (p=0.77), but the estimates of the DV(T) from the Logan plot were significantly (p<0.001) lower, 2.3% on average, than those from 2TCM fitting. There was a highly linear correlation between the ROI DV(T) from the parametric images (Y) and those from the ROI kinetics (X) by using the RE-GP plots (Y=1.01X+0.23, R(2)=0.99). For the Logan plot, the ROI estimates from the parametric images were 13% to 83% lower than those from ROI kinetics. The computational time for generating parametric images was reduced by 69% on average by the RE-GP plots in contrast to the Logan plot. In conclusion, the bi-graphical analysis method using the RE-GP plots was a reliable, robust and computationally efficient kinetic modeling approach to improve the quantification of dynamic PET.
Microfabricated phononic crystal devices and applications

Phononic crystals are the acoustic wave analogue of photonic crystals. Here a periodic array of scattering inclusions located in a homogeneous host material forbids certain ranges of acoustic frequencies from existence within the crystal, thus creating what are known as acoustic bandgaps. The majority of previously reported phononic crystal devices have been constructed by hand, assembling scattering inclusions in a viscoelastic medium, predominantly air, water or epoxy, resulting in large structures limited to frequencies below 1 MHz. Recently, phononic crystals and devices have been scaled to VHF (30–300 MHz) frequencies and beyond by utilizing microfabrication and micromachining technologies. This paper reviews recent developments in the area of micro-phononic crystals including design techniques, material considerations, microfabrication processes, characterization methods and reported device structures. Micro-phononic crystal devices realized in low-loss solid materials are emphasized along with their potential application in radio frequency communications and acoustic imaging for medical ultrasound and nondestructive testing. The reported advances in batch micro-phononic crystal fabrication and simplified testing promise not only the deployment of phononic crystals in a number of commercial applications but also greater experimentation on a wide variety of phononic crystal structures.
Food intake and ingredient profile affect viscosity of ileal digesta of dogs

Two experiments were conducted to determine dietary factors affecting digesta viscosity. In experiment 1, six ileal-cannulated dogs were either full (607.1 kJ/BW0.67) or restricted (303.5 kJ/BW0.67) fed. In experiment 2, four dog foods were surveyed for effects on digesta viscosity based on protein source [animal protein (AP) or plant protein (PP)] or dietary fibre source [soluble dietary fibre (SDF) or insoluble dietary fibre (IDF)]. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher (p<0.05) when dogs were full (11.4 g/kg) compared with restricted fed (5.98 g/kg). Ileal digesta viscosity tended to be higher (p=0.07) for full fed [10,251 centipoise (cP)] compared with restricted-fed dogs (6677 cP). Ileal digesta viscosities were 6561, 11,074, 13,830 and 15,967 cP for dogs consuming IDF, SDF, AP and PP treatments respectively. Ileal DM concentrations were 11.4%, 13.6%, 14.8% and 14.8% for SDF, IDF, AP and PP treatments respectively. DM digestibility coefficients were lowest (71.2%) for the PP treatment and highest (88.7%) for the IDF treatment. Organic matter digestibilities followed a similar pattern. Ileal digesta viscosity of dogs appears to increase with increased diet intake, and increased ileal DM concentration. More digestible diets result in less ileal DM and lower viscosity constants.
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features presenting as ground-glass opacities on CT.

Abstract Objective: As bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is noninvasive but, in its later stages, has a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features (ACB), early identification and differentiation is important for therapeutic and prognostic purposes. We wanted to identify features of BAC, which differentiated it from ACB when both presented as ground-glass opacities (GGOs) on CT. Materials and methods: We reviewed all pathologic specimens of patients who were diagnosed with BAC and ACB in the lung from 1991 to 1999 in our institution and whose malignancy presented as a GGO on CT. This yielded 29 patients, 15 with BAC and 14 with ACB with GGOs on CT. Both univariate frequency table and multivariate logistic regression approaches were used to analyze the CT characteristics of these GGOs (location, GGO pattern, size, shape, margin, presence and type of air bronchogram and pseudocavitation). Results: BAC most frequently had a "GGO halo" around a solid opacity, often was a GGO "mixed with consolidation" with the smallest BACs being "pure GGO." Air bronchograms were frequently present in the largest GGOs. Pseudocavitations were rare. ACB, on the other hand, most frequently presented as a GGO "mixed with consolidation," less frequently with a "GGO halo" and rarely with "superimposed lymphangitis." The air bronchograms, frequently present, were usually tortuous and ectatic. Pseudocavitation was present in about one-third of the cases. The most useful CT features of GGO in separating those due to BAC from those due to ACB were pure (uniform) ground-glass attenuation and absence of lymphangitis. Conclusion: The CT features of BAC and ACB presenting as GGO reflect the histologic descriptions of these carcinomas.
The comparison of application of TAN and Markov

The TAN classifiers based on bayes network are often used in classifying. This paper use TAN classifiers based on bayes network, Markov network and Neural Networks to classify the data of consumers' information and the reduplicated data separately, and compare the results. And found there are some advantages in efficiency and precision to use TAN classifiers in classifying of a great deal of data.
A pachycephalosaurid dinosaur from Madagascar and a Laurasia-Gondwanaland connection in the Cretaceous

THE discovery of a pachycephalosaurid dinosaur in the Upper Cretaceous of Madagascar is reported here. This finding casts new light on the existence of a land connection (or several such connections) between Laurasia and Gondwanaland sometime in the Lower or Mid-Cretaceous. Hitherto this family of dome-headed ornithischians had only been known from the Northern Hemisphere: from the Lower Cretaceous of England1 and the Upper Cretaceous of North America2 and East Asia3.
Myositis ossificans: Medial pterygoid muscle— A case report

Abstract A 50-year-old male patient developed myositis ossificans of the medial pterygoid muscle following excison of an impacted mandibular third molar. This probably resulted from trauma and implantation of periosteum. The patient was finally managed by excision of the calcified mass, coronoidectomy, insertion of silastic and physiotherapy as a second surgical procedure.
Image analysis of curved gradient-index rods

A method of ray tracing through curved gradient-index imaging rods is developed. A study of the imaging ability of a radial gradient-index relay rod, with end-to-end imaging of an object in the meridional plane, bent along some simple curves is performed. The study includes an analysis of changes in the first order of properties and the transverse aberrations in the image plane. Approximations of the first-, second-, and third-order transverse aberration coefficients are made.
Porosity of porcine small‐intestinal submucosa for use as a vascular graft

The porosity of a vascular graft material has been suggested as a major factor affecting the rate and degree of neovascularization of newly implanted grafts, with higher porosites generally associated with better performance. The objective of this study was to determine the water porosity of a new vascular graft material, small-intestinal submucosa (SIS), and to compare the values to those reported for other common vascular graft materials. In addition, the porosity of SIS was investigated with respect to applied pressure and applied uniaxial tension. Both rectangular, flat specimens and tubular specimens of SIS were subjected to static water pressure, and water was collected as it passed through the SIS material. SIS has a typical porosity of 0.52 mL/min · cm−2 at an applied pressure of 120 mm Hg. Although porosity appeared to be unaffected by uniaxial tension, it increased in proportion to applied pressure at a rate of 4.8 × 10−3 mL/min · cm−2/mm Hg. Theselow porosity values and the past success of SIS as a vascular graft material suggest that high-porosity materials are not required for implant succes. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Large time behaviour of some $N$-body systems

In this work we prove completeness forN-body systems that evolve asymptotically into eitherN free particles or a two cluster system with one of the clusters being a single particle. For the three body case our results imply completeness for a very general system with potentials decaying like |x|−1−e at ∞.
‘Leopard spot’ retinopathy in Warburg syndrome

A female infant with brain and muscle abnormalities characteristic of Warburg syndrome had an atypical retinal dysplasia which appeared clinically as a ‘leopard spot’ retinopathy. The retinal histology is described in detail and is remarkable for periodic thinning of the inner nuclear layers and for isolated rosettes in the periphery. We believe ‘leopard spot’ retinopathy is yet another ocular manifestation of the Warburg syndrome.
Assessing Message Display Formats of Portable Variable Message Signs

A study on the message display formats of portable variable message signs (VMSs) is presented. Through a series of laboratory driving simulation experiments, the influences of the interaction between display format and number of message lines and driving lanes were investigated. In the simulation, digitally created VMS stimuli were inserted into a driver's-view driving video, and the video was projected onto a screen in front of a stationary vehicle. Eighteen subjects from three age groups with balanced gender participated in the experiments. Each subject, sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle, was required to make proper responses signaling comprehension of the VMS stimuli. Subjects' responses and accuracy were recorded in a database. On the basis of the statistical analysis of the collected data, it was found that discretely displayed messages took less response time than sequentially displayed messages. Single-line messages were better than multiple-line messages. Motorists could better view port...
Diabetes mellitus in the Chinese hamster. II. The evolution of renal glomerulopathy.

Light and electron microscopic studies were made of the renal glomeruli of 11 control Chinese hamsters, 4 siblings of diabetic hamsters, and 6 with spontaneous diabetes of varying age of onset, duration, and severity. Aging alone was associated with an increase in mesangial matrix and some degree of capillary dilatation and thickening of the basement membrane. In severe diabetes of early-onset, there was a marked change in mesangial cells, consisting of an increase in vesicles, multivesicular bodies, vacuoles, ghost-like appearance of the cytoplasm, and mitochondrial disorganization. Only in the more advanced stages was there an increase in the mesangial matrix. Initially, the basement membrane was thin, particularly in dilated capillaries. Measurements of the basement membrane in the later stages indicated that there were both thick and thin areas; increased thickness alone was not characteristic. Although similar findings developed progressively with age, mesangial cell alterations, coalescence and cystic dilatation and fusion of capillary loops in the glomeruli of young hamsters were characteristic findings of diabetic glomerulopathy. These findings were characteristic and disproportionately marked in any later stage of the disease. Coalescence of capillaries may have explained the decrease in the number of loops. The foot processes of the epithelial cells were well-preserved in all glomeruli and nodular lesions were not seen. There was no evidence in this series that litter-mates of diabetic animals developed such glomerular lesions in the absence of overt diabetes. An analogy was suggested between the dilatation and coalescence of glomerular capillaries associated with mesangial cell changes and the dilatation of retinal capillaries associated with degeneration of the supporting mural cells in man.
19F-NMR reveals metal and operator-induced allostery in MerR.

Abstract Metalloregulators of the MerR family activate transcription upon metal binding by underwinding the operator-promoter DNA to permit open complex formation by pre-bound RNA polymerase. Historically, MerR's allostery has been monitored only indirectly via nuclease sensitivity or by fluorescent nucleotide probes and was very specific for Hg(II), although purified MerR binds several thiophilic metals. To observe directly MerR's ligand-induced behavior we made 2-fluorotyrosine-substituted MerR and found similar, minor changes in 19F chemical shifts of tyrosine residues in the free protein exposed to Hg(II), Cd(II) or Zn(II). However, DNA binding elicits large chemical shift changes in MerR's tyrosine residues and in DNA-bound MerR Hg(II) provokes changes very distinct from those of Cd(II) or Zn(II). These chemical shift changes and other biophysical and phenotypic properties of wild-type MerR and relevant mutants reveal elements of an allosteric network that enables the coordination state of the metal binding site to direct metal-specific movements in the distant DNA binding site and the DNA-bound state also to affect the metal binding domain.
Configurable, High Throughput, Irregular LDPC Decoder Architecture: Tradeoff Analysis and Implementation

Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes are one of the best error correcting codes that enable the future generations of wireless devices to achieve higher data rates. This paper presents a novel flexible decoder architecture for irregular LDPC codes that supports twelve combinations of code lengths -648, 1296, 1944 bits- and code rates- 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6- based on the IEEE 802.11n standard. All the codes correspond to a block-structured parity check matrix, in which the sub-blocks are either a shifted identity matrix or a zero matrix. A prototype of the LDPC decoder has been implemented and tested on a Xilinx FPGA and has been synthesized for ASIC.
Preclinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism of MNP001, a piperidine analog of 3‐carbamyl compounds

MNP001 is a newly synthesized 3-carbamyl-4-methylpyrrole analog with dual pharmacophores simultaneously to inhibit phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) and to antagonize L-type calcium channels. The physicochemical properties of MNP001, including solubility, pKa, Log P, plasma protein binding and plasma/blood partitioning, were determined to support the pharmacokinetic characterization. The preclinical pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in an in vivo rat model and the metabolic pathways of MNP001 were characterized by incubating the compound in vitro in rat or human microsomes/supersomes cocktails. MNP001 was found to have a low solubility in simulated intestinal fluid but a high solubility in simulated gastric fluid. MNP001 is a highly lipophilic compound with a Log P value greater than 4. MNP001 was highly bound to the plasma protein and had an uneven partition between red blood cells and plasma. MNP001 exhibited a rapid absorption, broad distribution, slow systemic clearance and a low but pharmacologically relevant oral bioavailability in rats. The low oral bioavailability was possibly caused by the low aqueous solubility of MNP001 in the gastrointestinal tract. However, 8 h after oral dosing, the mean plasma level of MNP001 was able to remain about 2-fold greater than the minimum effective concentration. The major metabolite of MNP001 was defined as a tetrahydropyridine product (MNP001-M4) of CYP3A4-mediated phase I oxidation. The possibility that the major metabolite MNP001-M4 may have a comparable antihypertensive efficacy to MNP001 needs to be studied. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the Relative Integrity of Formed Cardiac Linear Lesions by Recording Both Focal Monophasic Action Potentials and Contact Forces: A Technical Brief

The use of therapeutic ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation has become a mainstay in the treatment of this disease, yet often these individuals require multiple procedures. In other words, successful first time treatments are impacted by challenges, including the generation of linear lesions in certain anatomies like the mitral isthmus of the left atrium. Hence, there is a need to find ways to address the presence of unwanted conduction gaps at the time of lesion creation. In this paper, we describe a novel approach to examine conduction gaps, by using a proof of concept device to examine local electrical activation within the cardiac areas of an applied lesion, i.e., to locate gaps in the lesion set. To accomplish this, both epicardial and endocardial linear ablation lines composed of spot lesions with conduction gaps were created in a porcine model. The forces necessary to elicit monophasic action potentials (MAP) were collected from >200 measurements on the epicardium of the right ventricle. Ablations were then performed on the ventricular epicardium and left atrial mitral isthmus endocardially, while recording MAPs. We were able to successfully demonstrate the use of a proof of concept device to identify conduction gaps in linear lesion sets; furthermore, we were able to determine required contact forces to appropriately determine focal electrical changes of the underlying tissues. New catheter designs that incorporate capabilities to record focal MAPs could be employed clinically to better assess a given lesion quality and/or to determine the existence of an undesired conduction gap.
Comparison of distance measures for video copy detection

Content-based copy detection (CBCD) is a complementary approach to watermarking for detecting copies of media. Watermarking relies on the ability to detect from a copy a distinct pattern that was introduced into the original media. CBCD techniques detect copies by measuring distances between content-based signatures extracted from the original and the copy. The critical challenge in content-based copy detection is the design of signatures, which are invariant to the differences in quality across copies of the same media (resolution, compression and digitization effects). Most of the distance measures used in image retrieval have been developed without much consideration to these types of variations between copies. This paper examines the use of several image distance measures in the context of video copy detection and compares their performances.
Development of Magnetic Nanoparticles as Microwave-Specific Catalysts for the Rapid, Low-Temperature Synthesis of Formalin Solutions

A series of heterogeneous catalyst materials possessing good microwave absorption properties were investigated for their activity as oxidation catalysts under microwave irradiation. These catalysts, a series of nanoscale magnetic spinel oxides of the composition MCr2O4 (M = Cu, Co, Fe), were irradiated in aqueous methanol solution (1:1 MeOH:H2O v:v). This resulted in rapid conversion of methanol to formaldehyde, directly generating aqueous formalin solutions. The catalytic reaction occurred under relatively mild conditions (1 atm O2, 60 °C), with irradiation times of 80 min converting 24.5%, 17.7%, and 13.2% of the available methanol to formaldehyde by the Cu, Fe, and Co chromite spinel catalysts, respectively. Importantly, reactions run under identical conditions of concentration, time, and temperature using traditional convective heating yielded dramatically lower amounts of conversions; specifically, 1.0% and 0.21% conversions were observed with Cu and Co spinels, and no observable thermal products wer...
Long-term follow-up and influence of symptom-free interval on restenosis after repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract Since its initial application in 1977, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has grown to be widely used in the treatment of coronary disease. The problem of restenosis has remained significant and many patients need to undergo repeat PTCA. Although numerous factors have been associated with the risk of initial restenosis, 1–4 little is known about restenosis after a second PTCA. We identify factors predisposing patients to a second restenosis and present long-term follow-up information on patients undergoing a second PTCA for restenosis of a previously dilated coronary artery.
CHILDREN IN IMMIGRANT FAMILIES: LOOKING TO AMERICA'S FUTURE

Children in immigrant families account for nearly one-in-four children in the U.S. They are the fastest growing population of children, and they are leading the nation’s racial and ethnic transformation. As a consequence, baby-boomers will depend heavily for economic support during retirement on race-ethnic minorities, many of whom grew up in immigrant families. Because the current circumstances and future prospects of children in immigrant families are important not only to these children themselves, but to all Americans, this report uses data from Census 2000 to portray the lives of children with immigrant parents and highlights policy and program initiatives that will foster the future success of these children. This report begins by discussing the diverse origins and destinations of children in immigrant families. It then highlights substantial evidence that children in immigrant families have deep roots in the U.S. refl ected in their own citizenship, as well as their parents’ citizenship and length of residence in this country, their own and their parents’ English fl uency, and their family commitment to homeownership. Based on a new alternative to the offi cial poverty measure, the report continues by discussing economic challenges confronted by many immigrant families. It also portrays additional immigrant strengths and challenges associated with family composition, parental education and employment, and access for children of immigrants to early education and the later years of schooling. Looking toward fostering a successful future for these children, the report identifi es promising policy and programmatic initiatives for language and literacy training, and for assuring access to education, health, and other essential services, and it identifi es immigrant-related questions that should be asked in all research studies involving children and families.
The Meaning of Launching a Child

Phenomenological inquiry resulted in a description of midlife mothers' lived experience of launching a child. The purposive sample comprised 14 midlife mothers who had launched a child within 5 months to 3 years of the interview. Data were elicited through interviews and analysis proceeded in a manner suggested by Colaizzi (1978). Criteriafor scholarly rigor were demonstrated. Salient theme clusters included (1) the mother's own launching, (2) maturational imperative, (3) the breaking of the branch, (4) letting go, (5) family ties, and (6) a mother's metamorphosis. Launching spans a prolonged developmental period of mother and child and involves the child's progression through a series of events eventually culminating in his or her adult status. However, events are merely the external markers of launching. Launching is more precisely an internal process achieved through considerable pain, which paradoxically leads to a mother's sense of rebirth.
Prazosin for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence: A Clinical Trial

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an important and timely clinical issue particularly for combat veterans. Few pharmacologic options are available to treat PTSD, particularly among military personnel, and they are not based on rational neurobiology. The evidence for noradrenergic dysregulation in PTSD is strong, and the alpha-adrenergic agonist prazosin is one of the most promising medications to treat sleep disturbances associated with PTSD as well as PTSD symptoms among both veterans and civilians. Evidence also implicates noradrenergic dysregulation in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence (AD); prazosin also may have efficacy in treating this disorder. The use of prazosin represents a rational and compelling approach for the treatment of PTSD and comorbid AD. Given the high rates of comorbid AD in trauma survivors with PTSD, and the enormous impact that these comorbid disorders have on psychosocial function and well-being, finding effective treatments for this population is of high clinical importance. Methods Ninety-six veterans with PTSD and comorbid AD were randomized to receive prazosin (16 mg) or placebo in an outpatient, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial for 13 weeks. Main outcomes included symptoms of PTSD, sleep disturbances, and alcohol use. Results Symptoms of PTSD improved over time, but contrary to the hypothesis, there was no medication effect on PTSD symptoms, or on sleep. Alcohol consumption also decreased over time, but there were no significant differences in outcomes between medication groups. Conclusions Prazosin was not effective in treating PTSD symptoms, improving sleep, or reducing alcohol consumption overall in this dually diagnosed group. This does not support the use of prazosin in an actively drinking population and suggests that the presence of a comorbid condition affects the efficacy of this medication. This study highlights the importance of conducting clinical trials in “real-world” patients, as results may vary based on comorbid conditions.
Statistical Method for Early Detection of Changes in Seismic Rate Associated with Wastewater Injections

It is well documented that wastewater disposal by underground injection can increase seismic activity. However, it is challenging to predict whether and when this effect occurs, as it can manifest itself even many years after the beginning of disposal operations. Continuous instrumental monitoring of the seismic activity is a first step enabling early detection of symptoms of change, updating of site and regional risk assessment, and prompt response. To avoid misdetection, however, seismic records have to be rationally analyzed, properly modeling the statistical features of the earthquake occurrence process. In this study, we develop a statistical approach to detect increments in seismic rate, accounting for model uncertainty (which is particularly acute when the monitoring period is short) and interdependence among events. The approach is composed of two steps: (1) stochastic earthquake declustering identifies mainshocks, and (2) the hypothesis of a constant rate of mainshocks is statistically tested. The method is applied to the analysis of the Oklahoma injection region, demonstrating that it is able to detect an increment in seismic rate before the change is large enough to produce severe consequences. We also investigate the statistical power of the method using synthetic data simulated for a wide range of scenarios. We believe that the method can be employed as a preliminary decision-support tool to identify areas with trends in seismicity that require further investigation and to guide adaptive management and operation of disposal wells.
Synthesis of Barium Titanate by a Basic pH Pechini Process

Barium titanate powders and thin films have been processed by the conventional acid pH Pechini process and a modified basic pH Pechini process. Higher pH of the starting solution resulted in significantly finer grains in the sintered thin films. It is proposed that the microstructure refinement is due to the precipitates, formed only in the basic pH solution and resin.
Science Fiction Collections in ARL Academic Libraries

This study assesses the extent to which ARL academic libraries collect science fiction novels. A core list of 200 novels, published between 1950 and 2000, that have either won science fiction awards or been cited on “best” lists were checked against the holdings of 112 ARL libraries. Findings suggest that science fiction is not extensively collected at most libraries studied. The study also assesses differences in how novels are collected by date and by nationality and gender of author. To support in-depth and serious research in a field of increasing scholarly interest, libraries may need to reconsider their collecting practices.
THE ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF SPECIALIZED CAVE ANIMALS: A BIOCLIMATIC MODEL.

Until quite recently troglobites (obligatory cavernicoles) were thought to have a peculiar distribution. The vast majority are known from temperate limestone caves, and most of the few found in the tropics are aquatic (Vandel, 1965; Barr, 1968; Mitchell, 1969; Poulson and White, 1969; Peck, 1971, 1974). The extreme paucity of terrestrial troglobites in tropical regions has been a primary consideration in attempts to develop a theory explaining their evolution and distribution. Barr (1968) provided a good historical account of these theories and defended the now generally accepted explanation that the evolution of troglobites results from the extinction or extirpation of surface populations of troglophiles by the changing climates during glaciation and the survival and subsequent adaptation in caves of the relictual populations of these troglophiles. However, recent discoveries are beginning to modify the long-held belief that terrestrial troglobites do not occur in the tropics (Jarrige, 1957; Leleup, 1967, 1968; Vandel, 1968; Mitchell, 1971; Howarth, 1972, 1973; Richardson, 1974; Peck, 1975, 1977; Reddell, 1977). Can a more general theory be found that accounts for both these recent discoveries and the apparent disjunct distribution? In this paper, I present evidence that there are clear bioclimatological and physical principles governing evaporation that largely explain why the true (i.e., nearly stable) cave environment, to which the terrestrial troglobites are adapted, is much rarer in tropical caves than in temperate caves. There are 3 main factors involved: (1) temperature, (2) winter effect, and (3) karst geomorphology. These factors are interrelated and require some understanding of the basic physics of evaporation, the adaptations of terrestrial animals to maintaining their water balance in desiccating environments, and the cave environment.
Phospholipids as Oxygen Carriers

SummaryA buffered suspension of the phospholipid from liver and muscle had little or no oxidizing effect on a sensitive preparation of reduced methylene blue. After exposure to air for 24-48 hours, the phospholipid became soluble in water to a clear solution and had marked oxidizing effect on the reduced methylene blue. pH changes of from 5 to 8 were found not to affect the oxidation.
A 25-year-old man with very high alkaline phosphatase.

He has generalized malaise, a palpably enlarged liver, and an alkaline phosphatase level of 1,307 U/L. What is the cause?
Social Network Model of Political Participation in Japan

The objective of the study is to re-examine the Verba, Nie, and Kim (VNK)'s path-breaking analysis of political participation and political equality, under the inclusion of a social network model in Japan. In particular, the present research investigates how and why we find the extremely low correlations between one's socio-economic resource level (SERL) and political participation in Japan, the evidence unsatisfactorily explained by the VNK analysis. Building on the social network model and employing the first wave of the Asian Barometer survey conducted in 2003, this research presents a more comprehensive model of political participation. The study finds three major kinds of causes for the weak associations between SERL–participation levels in Japan: exogenous factors (i.e., sex, urbanization, and age); equalizing impact of social networks; and weak SERL–psychological involvement linkage. From the viewpoint of the social network model, it is clear that the weak SERL–participation linkage is derived from the equalizing impact of group-based processes, yet uniquely Japanese style of network involvement.
Pattern recognition studies of complex chromatographic data sets

Chromatographic fingerprinting of complex biological samples is an active research area with a large and growing literature. Multivariate statistical and pattern recognition techniques can be effective methods for the analyisis of such complex data. However, the classification of complex samples on the basis of their chromatographic profiles is complicated by two factors: 1) confounding of the desired group information by experimental variables or other systematic variations, and 2) random or chance classification effects with linear discriminants. We will treat several current projects involving these effects and methods for dealing with the effects. Complex chromatographic data sets often contain information dependent on experimental variables as well as information which differentiates between classes. The existence of these types of complicating relationships is an innate part of fingerprint-type data. ADAPT, an interactive computer software system, has the clustering, mapping, and statistical tools necessary to identify and study these effects in realistically large data sets. In one study, pattern recognition analysis of 144 pyrochromatograms (PyGCs) from cultured skin fibroblasts was used to differentiate cystic fibrosis carriers from presumed normal donors. Several experimental variables (donor gender, chromatographic column number, etc.) were involved in relationships that had to be separated from the sought relationships. Notwithstanding these effects, discriminants were developed from the chromatographic peaks that assigned a given PyGC to its respective class (CF carrier vs normal) largely on the basis of the desired pathological difference. In another study, gas chromatographic profiles of cuticular hydrocarbon extracts obtained from 179 fire ants were analyzed using pattern recognition methods to seek relations with social caste and colony. Confounding relationships were studied by logistic regression. The data analysis techniques used in these two example studies will be presented. Previously, Monte Carlo simulation studies were carried out to assess the probability of chance classification for nonparametric and parametric linear discriminants. The level of expected chance classification as a function of the number of observations, the dimensionality, and the class membership distributions were examined. These simulation studies established limits on the approaches that can be taken with real data sets so that chance classifications are improbable.