cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Critical Assessment of Opioid Treatment Adherence Using Urine Drug Testing in Chronic Pain Management

AbstractObjective: To determine the current status of performing urine drug tests (UDTs) for monitoring chronic pain therapy, with an emphasis on their use in opioid treatment and the need for improved physician education about UDTs. Results: Although opioids are commonly used in the treatment of chronic pain, their use is associated with an increased risk for drug abuse, addiction, diversion, and overdose in chronic pain patients. Thus, adherence with opioid therapy is central to optimal chronic pain management. Patient observation (ie, early refills, pill counts, etc.) is the least effective method of assessing opioid medication adherence. Urine drug tests, such as point-of-care (POC) tests and laboratory urine tests (LUTs) employing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, have recently been used. Point-of-care immunoassays are commonly used to assess treatment adherence, especially in primary care. However, POC ...
Stable isotopes and electrical conductivity as keys to understanding water pathways and storage in South Cascade Glacier, Washington, USA

Measurements of electrical conductivity (EC) and deuterium isotopes in glacier run-off provide the basis for the application of simple mixing models that separate hydrographs into four constitutive components: subglacial, englacial, melt and rainfall-derived waters. Volumes of these components are determined from the models in two adjacent drainage basins within the glacier. Peak arrival times of both EC and isotopes during discharge events on short-term time-scales (days to weeks) differ in each terminus stream by as much as a factor of 5. Englacial water storage determined from the model varied greatly (98%) between neighboring basins within the glacier. Estimates of basal water volumes expressed as a layer thickness at the bed of the glacier differed by 50% (5 and 10mm each). Other results suggest that a greater percentage of water is stored at the glacier bed during rainfall events, and exceeds the storage capacity found within the seasonal snow and englacial zones combined.
Treatment of backache with spinal injections of local anesthetics, spinal and systemic steroids. A review

Low back pain and sciatica have been treated with peridural local anesthetics for over 80 years and with epidural and subarachnoid steroid injections for a quarter of a century. This review surveyed the literature concerning the evolution, pathophysiology, complications and results of this type of therapy. The volume injected and the method used vary with different physicians and no standard has been established. Good results from this treatment which vary from 20 to 95% decrease on long-term follow up. Statistical significance is absent if compared with other forms of therapy. It is the authors' opinion that the rationale for the use of spinal local analgesics or steroids or intramuscular steroids has not been scientifically proven. Complications with the use of subarachnoid steroids are sufficiently serious that this form of therapy should be condemned. In this age of accountability it is imperative that therapies with questionable benefits should be critically evaluated.
Statin therapy in heart failure: Prognostic effects and potential mechanisms

The use of statins as therapy for heart failure remains controversial. Nevertheless, many of the pleiotropic effects of statins are potentially applicable in heart failure. Although early statin trials excluded patients with heart failure because of concerns that lowering serum cholesterol could worsen an already poor prognosis, statin treatment has not been shown to have adverse effects on either cardiovascular events or mortality, and recent experimental and clinical studies have shown promise of benefit. Two large, ongoing trials should provide definitive evidence of the value of statin therapy for patients with heart failure. Pending those results, it is reasonable to follow current National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines in this high-risk population.
Cell cycle alterations induced by isothermal 27 MHz radio-frequency radiation exposure

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that 27 MHz continuous-wave radio-frequency radiation can alter the mammalian cell cycle in the absence of radiation-induced heating. Relative effects of r.f. radiation on specific phases of the cell cycle were determined by exposing synchronized Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in G0/G1-, S- or G2/M-phase. The dose-rate dependence of r.f. radiation-induced direct cell-cycle alterations was investigated by exposing CHO cells for 2 h to 5 or 25 W kg−1 under isothermal conditions in vitro. Cell cycle alterations were determined by flow cytofluorometric DNA determinations conducted over a period of 4 days after exposure. The DNA distributions of r.f.- or sham-exposed CHO cell samples were compared qualitatively by direct comparison of overlaid and difference distribution. A quantitative measure of the magnitude of the r.f.-induced CHO cell-cycle alterations was obtained by summation of the absolute value of the difference in the number of cells in all regions of the DNA distribution. The precision of the cytoflorometric assay was determined by comparison of DNA distributions of replicate CHO cell samples. The r.f. exposure induced time- and dose-rate-dependent cell cycle alterations. Maximum responses occurred 3 days after exposure at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 25 W kg−1. Comparison of temporal responses of cells exposed to 5 W kg−1 vs. 25 W kg−1 indicated an interaction of r.f. exposure intensity with cell cycle phase. In contrast to r.f.-radiation-induced alterations in the cycles of CHO cells exposed during G0/G1- or S-phase, there were minimal effects on G2/M-phase CHO cells at either SAR, indicating lessened sensitivity of this cell cycle phase. Whereas G0/G1- or S-phase cells exposed to either SAR approached baseline levels of alteration by 4 days after exposure, there was a statistically significant increased alteration in cells exposed at 25 W kg−1 relative to cells exposed at 5 W kg−1. This indicated an r.f.-dose-rate-dependent effect on the duration of cell cycle alterations.
Effects of Pulmonary Hypertension of the Tracheobronchial Tree

Pulmonary hypertension associated with cardiac disease may effect distortions and compressions of the tracheobronchial tree. Certain changes result from pulmonary arterial hypertension alone. When elevation of left atrial pressure also is present, additional deformities occur. In children, the compressive effects of hypertensive pulmonary vessels may cause significant pulmonary complications.
The abnormal psychology of investment performance

Abstract We examine a range of mental health characteristics (e.g. depression, paranoia, and schizophrenia) in subjects engaged in simulated investment trading, showing that certain abnormal personality characteristics have a statistically significant association with the degree of investment diversification, the return achieved, the degree of risk undertaken, and the resultant risk-adjusted performance. These financially educated individuals are more paranoid and psychopathically deviant than the average person, with high scores on these characteristics associated with greater risk-taking. Finally, male and female investors possess different mental health strengths and weaknesses in relation to their financial performance.
Images of African Traditional Religions and Christianity in Joe Turner's Come and Gone and the Piano Lesson:

Throughout August Wilson's plays, characters are struggling with and wrestling over their ideas of religion and God. Wilson sets up a dichotomy between the role of Christianity and the African traditional religion (ATR) in two of his plays. Acceptance of one religion resolves the conflict, and Wilson illustrates these two polarized religions by creating images that reflect the tenets of ATR and Christianity. Joe Turner's Come and Gone includes a story of a Shiny Man, rituals, ghosts, a juba, and a self-inflicted cutting, all of which relate to the tenets of ATR, whereas characters of the Shiny Man and Martha represent Christianity. In The Piano Lesson, the ghost of Sutter represents ATR, whereas Avery represents Christianity. In each of these plays, the characters are forced to choose between ATR and Christianity, and Wilson subtly guides his characters to choose ATR and overcome. Wilson's plays are a contemporary commentary on the role of religion in the lives of American Blacks.
Isotopic evidence for temporal variation in proportion of seasonal precipitation since the last glacial time in the inland Pacific Northwest of the USA

Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns determine the quantity and seasonality of precipitation, the major source of water in most terrestrial ecosystems. Oxygen isotope (δ18O) dynamics of the present-day hydrologic system in the Palouse region of the northwestern U.S.A. indicate a seasonal correlation between the δ18O values of precipitation and temperature, but no seasonal trends of δ18O records in soil water and shallow groundwater. Their isotope values are close to those of winter precipitation because the Palouse receives ∼ 75% of its precipitation during winter. Palouse Loess deposits contain late Pleistocene pedogenic carbonate having ca. 2 to 3‰ higher δ18O values and up to 5‰ higher carbon isotope (δ13C) values than Holocene and modern carbonates. The late Pleistocene δ18O values are best explained by a decrease in isotopically light winter precipitation relative to the modern winter-dominated infiltration. The δ13C values are attributed to a proportional increase of atmospheric CO2 in soil CO2 due to a decrease in soil respiration rate and 13C discrimination in plants under much drier paleoclimate conditions than today. The regional climate difference was likely related to anticyclonic circulation over the Pleistocene Laurentide and Ice Sheet.
A parameter sensitivity methodology in the context of HIV delay equation models

A sensitivity methodology for nonlinear delay systems arising in one class of cellular HIV infection models is presented. Theoretical foundations for a typical sensitivity investigation and illustrative computations are given.
OPO-based narrow-band single-photon source for efficient coupling to quantum memories

Narrow-band single photons represent an important resource for quantum memories due to their efficient interaction with atomic resonances. In this paper, we report on the generation of photons with 3 MHz linewidth by cavity-enhanced parametric down-conversion and demonstrate direct proof of their single-photon character by detection of heralding idler photons. Compared to a Poissonian source, a suppression of higher-order photon numbers by nearly two orders of magnitude could be achieved. Moreover, the brightness of our source exceeds previous realizations by more than a factor of 100.
Nuclear spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation in hcp D2

Abstract Results of recovery from saturation of the spin systems I = 1 and I = 2 in hcp D 2 below 5 °K are described and briefly discussed in terms of the intrinsic relaxation times to the lattice, and the cross-relaxation between the spin systems.
Galectin-3 Protects Keratinocytes from UVB-Induced Apoptosis by Enhancing AKT Activation and Suppressing ERK Activation

Keratinocytes undergo apoptosis in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. Galectin-3 is a member of a family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins expressed abundantly in keratinocytes and other epithelial cells. Here, we have studied the regulatory role of galectin-3 in keratinocyte apoptosis by using cells from gene-targeted galectin-3 null (gal3−/−) mice. We showed that galectin-3 mRNA was transiently upregulated in ultraviolet-B (UVB)-irradiated wild-type keratinocytes. We found that gal3−/− keratinocytes were significantly more sensitive to apoptosis induced by UVB as well as various other stimuli, both in vitro and in vivo, than wild-type cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that increased apoptosis in gal3−/− keratinocytes was attributable to higher extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and lower AKT activation after UVB irradiation. We conclude that endogenous galectin-3 is an anti-apoptotic molecule in keratinocytes functioning by suppressing ERK activation and enhancing AKT activation and may play a role in the development of apoptosis-related skin diseases.
Radiation therapy of early (stages I and II-A) seminoma of testis after initial orchiectomy.

Abstract With initial orchiectomy and radiation therapy, the prognosis of the patients withearly (Stages I and II-A) testicular seminoma is nearing almost 100 percent. Thirty-two patients with Stage I and 13 patients with Stage II-A seminoma of the testis were treated with initial orchiectomy. This was followed by estimation biochemical markers and radiologic investigations. All the patients with Stage I disease received radiotherapy to the ipsilateral pelvic and para-aortic nodes. The patients with Stage II-A disease also received radiation therapy to the supra-diaphragmatic regions. The disease free survival in both groups of patients was found to be 100 percent.
Comparing Different Definitions of Chronic Conditions in a National Data Set

Objectives.—To compare the application of 4 different definitions of chronic conditions and disabilities in children using a large national database. Methods.—The study used data on children 0–17 years of age from the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Core Interview and Disability Supplement. We selected items to create algorithms that operationalized 4 extant definitions and compared the proportions of children identified by each. For each definition we conducted bivariate and logistic regression analyses of age and sociodemographic and health-related characteristics potentially related to presence of disability. We then compared the results across definitions to determine if they were equally likely to identify children across a full range of sociodemographic variables, ages, and health-related characteristics. We also examined the level of agreement among definitions and determined the degree to which they identified the same or different children. Results.—Using a single data set, the 4 operational definitions identified somewhat different proportions of children as having chronic conditions or disability overall (the range was 13.7%–17%). However, the ways in which the definitions identified children along a spectrum of variables did not differ substantially across the definitions. The percent agreement in identification between any two individual definitions was ≥95%. In general, a higher proportion of children were identified among males, whites, those in older age groups, and among those whose parents had lower levels of education and those who were living below the poverty level. Although the same set of variables identified children with conditions who fit all 4 definitions compared with children who met the criteria for 1 to 3 definitions, higher rather than lower parent education was associated with agreement across all definitions. Conclusions.—Little has been known about the comparability of different definitions for identifying children with chronic conditions, special health care needs, and disability. Our findings suggest substantial overlap in the numbers and characteristics of the children that several different conceptual definitions identify. It remains unclear whether subgroups with higher or lower proportions of children with chronic disorders represent a substantive finding or whether they result from methodological problems shared by the ways in which the definitions are operationalized.
Understanding internet video viewing behavior in the wild

Over the past few years video viewership over the Internet has risen dramatically and market predictions suggest that video will account for more than 50% of the traffic over the Internet in the next few years. Unfortunately, there has been signs that the Content Delivery Network (CDN) infrastructure is being stressed with the increasing video viewership load. Our goal in this paper is to provide a first step towards a principled understanding of how the content delivery infrastructure must be designed and provisioned to handle the increasing workload by analyzing video viewing behaviors and patterns in the wild. We analyze various viewing behaviors using a dataset consisting of over 30 million video sessions spanning two months of viewership from two large Internet video providers. In these preliminary results, we observe viewing patterns that have significant impact on the design of the video delivery infrastructure.
The Dynamics of Secession

This paper presents an analysis of secession based on rational choice premises. From these premises, secession is seen to be the outcome of a series of collective decisions made by regional leaders and populations, and by the leaders and populations of host states. This emphasis on collective decisions serves to differentiate secession from another process that leads to the formation of political units — the fragmentation of host states The analysis explains why secession has been such a rare outcome in modern history and suggests that it will continue to be rare in the foreseeable future.
Near-IR imaging of cracks in teeth

Dental enamel is highly transparent at near-IR wavelengths and several studies have shown that these wavelengths are well suited for optical transillumination for the detection and imaging of tooth decay. We hypothesize that these wavelengths are also well suited for imaging cracks in teeth. Extracted teeth with suspected cracks were imaged at several wavelengths in the near-IR from 1300-1700-nm. Extracted teeth were also examined with optical coherence tomography to confirm the existence of suspected cracks. Several teeth of volunteers were also imaged in vivo at 1300-nm to demonstrate clinical potential. In addition we induced cracks in teeth using a carbon dioxide laser and imaged crack formation and propagation in real time using near-IR transillumination. Cracks were clearly visible using near-IR imaging at 1300-nm in both in vitro and in vivo images. Cracks and fractures also interfered with light propagation in the tooth aiding in crack identification and assessment of depth and severity.
A simple plausible path from QCD to successful prediction of e+e− → hadronization data

Abstract We find a remarkably simple path emerging which begins with QCD and ends with rather accurate predictions of detailed hadronic production data (flavors, distributions, correlations) in electron-positron interactions, the cleanest situation in which to study such hadronization phenomena. This path involves relatively few significant parameters and many plausible physical ideas. The predictions are especially clean (only two ‘natural’ parameters and no ‘ad hoc’ ones) and accurate for the production of various flavored light-quark mesons, the most fundamental and elementary tests of colorfield behavior. This appears to improve our understanding of the physics of the meson formation process and forms a foundation for further development of other more complex areas (e.g., baryon production, PT effects) which we currently predict adequately, but where we must employ a small number of ‘ad hoc’ parameters. The physics of our approach resembles that of a relativistic string and, in fact, historically is a spin-off from the very successful Lund modeling. However, our model's conceptual basis represents a paradigm shift away from emphasizing intermediate stages in an event and toward an emphasis on the total transition from the e+e− initial state to the entire set of final state hadrons. The model's central feature is a simple Event Weight Function incorporating a QCD-motivated space-time area law which, on the one hand, leads with very few assumptions to predictions agreeing remarkably well with e+e− → hadronization data, and, on the other hand, can also be plausibly related to strong-coupling soft QCD and can form a ‘target’ for non-perturbative calculational approaches. Our approach avoids most of the parameters employed by traditional relativistic string models.
ROTATIONALLY RESOLVED PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY OF THE VANADIUM DIMER

Results of calculations of the rotationally resolved photoelectron spectra of the V_2^+ ground state obtained by two-color excitation via the A ^3Π_u ← X^3 Σ_g^- system are reported and compared with recent pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy measurements of these spectra. Agreement between the measured and calculated spectra is very encouraging. Both illustrate that the spin-orbit interaction plays an important role in photoionization of the A ^3Π_u state of V_2 leading to the X^4Σ_g^− state of V_2^+. Striking differences are seen in the ion rotational distributions for ionization via the A ^3Π_(1u) and A ^3Π_(2u spin-orbit components.
Validation of a short aggression inventory for law enforcement

This study cross-validates a short aggression inventory using a sample of 250 law enforcement professionals. The instrument under investigation is the 12-question modified version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Scale (Buss & Perry, 1992). Statistical and external validation methods were used to ascertain the appropriateness of this scale's use with law enforcement professionals. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that both the firstorder, four-factor model, {ie12-1}, GFI=.94, NFI=.84, NNFI=.88, and CFI=.91, and the second-order model with a single, global Aggression “super” factor, {ie12-2}, GFI=.94, NFI=.84, NNFI=.89, and CFI=.91, provided a reasonable goodness-of-fit to the data. Subscales of this instrument correlated meaningfully with departmental measures of citizen complaints for physical and verbal aggression by officers, as well as the number of shooting incidents in which the officers were involved. The need for a short measure of aggression is discussed and applications in law enforcement are offered.
Wyoming Physicians Are Significant Providers of Safety Net Care

net providers. Results: From a 50% response rate, 61% made less than the national mean family physician income ($130,000), and women are less likely than men to make this mean income, even when controlling for hours worked (OR, 0.09; CI, 0.009, 0.862). Close to two thirds claimed bad debt of over $10,000, and 29.3% noted forgiven debt of over $10,000. Physicians with less income than the prior year were more likely to decrease their charity care. Conclusions: Wyoming family and general practice physicians provide significant amounts of informal safety net care, which is threatened by income loss. Thoughtful public policy is needed to ensure that vulnerable rural Americans have access to care that is not tied to the financial well being of their health care providers. (J Am Board Fam Pract 2005;18:470‐7.)
Longitudinal Shifts in the Drivers of Satisfaction with Product Quality: The Role of Attribute Resolvability

Abstract Research on customer equity has reemphasized the value of understanding the factors that influence satisfaction and quality. Although research has shown that many factors influence perceptions of satisfaction and quality, it has failed to consider the potential for asymmetric effects that shift over time and are based on the attributes used to form such perceptions. Using automobile ownership experiences during the manufacturer warranty period, the authors show that as consumers approach the end of their product’s warranty period, satisfaction with attributes that can be remedied (“resolvable” attributes) declines at a greater rate, yet its effect on satisfaction with product quality intensifies. In contrast, satisfaction with attributes that cannot be remedied (“irresolvable” attributes) declines at a lesser rate, and its effect on satisfaction with product quality weakens over time. The authors also discuss implications for research and customer relationship management programs.
Prolonged Single-Agent Versus Combination Chemotherapy in Indolent Follicular Lymphomas: A Study of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B

Purpose: The array of options for the initial management of follicular small cleaved lymphoma (FSCL) and follicular mixed lymphoma (FML) ranges from little or no therapy to the use of intensive combinations of drugs. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) compared two contrasting approaches: a single agent, and combination chemotherapy capable of curing diffuse aggressive lymphomas. Patients and Methods: A total of 228 patients with stage III or IV FSCL or FML were randomized to cyclophosphamide or the combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (CHOP-B). Treatment was continued in responders for 2 years beyond maximal response. The primary end point was survival in the most common subtype, FSCL. Results: Ninety-one percent of all patients responded; complete responses were seen in 66% of those treated with cyclophosphamide and in 60% treated with CHOP-B (P = .36). At 10 years with either cyclophosphamide or CHOP-B, respectively, overall time to failure (25% failu...
Simvastatin suppresses LPS-induced MMP-1 expression in U937 mononuclear cells by inhibiting protein isoprenylation-mediated ERK activation.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) plays a crucial role in periodontal disease and is up-regulated by oral Gram-negative, pathogen-derived LPS. In this study, we reported that simvastatin, a 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, effectively inhibited LPS-stimulated MMP-1 as well as MMP-8 and MMP-9 expression by U937 mononuclear cells. Our studies showed that the geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor inhibited LPS-stimulated MMP-1 expression, and addition of isoprenoid intermediate geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) reduced the inhibitory effect of simvastatin on LPS-stimulated MMP-1 expression. We also demonstrated that simvastatin inhibited the activation of Ras and Rac, and the inhibition was abolished by addition of GGPP. The above results indicate that protein isoprenylation is involved in the regulation of MMP-1 expression by LPS and simvastatin. Moreover, we showed that simvastatin inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear AP-1, but not NF-κB activity, and the inhibition was reversed by addition of GGPP. Simvastatin also inhibited LPS-stimulated ERK but not p38 MAPK and JNK. Finally, we showed that the inhibition of LPS-stimulated ERK activation by simvastatin was reversed by GGPP. Taken together, this study showed that simvastatin suppresses LPS-induced MMP-1 expression in U937 mononuclear cells by targeting protein isoprenylation-mediated ERK activation.
Review of “River Training and Sediment Management with Submerged Vanes” by A. Jacob Odgaard

Channel stabilization and restoration efforts have increased dramatically across the nation during recent decades with over $1B spent on these endeavors every year since 1990 Bernhardt et al. 2005 . It is estimated however, that at least 50% of these projects fail O’Neil and Fitch 1992 and others may not perform to original expectations. This is due to the complex physical processes governing interaction of turbulence in the water column with sediments in the stream and bank. Consequently, stream restoration today is more of an art than a science and relies heavily on an analog method that emphasizes a prescribed design approach rather than the application of physically based hydraulic engineering principles to attain performance-based criteria Slate et al. 2007 . The use of in-stream, low-flow structures as channel stabilization measures has become a preferred solution of federal, state, and local governmental agencies Johnson et al. 2002 . These measures have gained acceptance because of their potential to enhance aquatic habitat while directing flow away from the banks and dissipating flow energy Kauffman et al. 1997 . Despite their potential for success, these structures suffer from a lack of proven engineering design criteria, which if available, would certainly reduce the risk of failure, increase cost-effectiveness and expand their use. Odgaard attempts to end this uncertainty for one such structure in his recent publication, River Training and Sediment Management with Submerged Vanes. The author recognizes that while there are several existing publications demonstrating the viability of submerged vanes, readily available design guidelines are still lacking. The book is divided into six chapters. In the first chapter some background information about the vanes, together with possible problems that they can be used to mitigate, is provided. It is pointed out that though the idea was originally proposed in 1947 by Potapov and Pyshkin, systematic laboratory research and development efforts toward the improvement of vane design to render it a more effective flow and sediment control measure didn’t start until about 35 years later Odgaard and Kennedy 1983 . Soon after that field testing followed. The theory and development of submerged vanes is discussed in the second chapter in the context of bank erosion and bed scour prevention, water intake sediment protection, and shoaling prevention. Results from labo-
Epithelial healing and ocular discomfort after photorefractive keratectomy in children

Abstract Objective To document the rate of healing of the corneal epithelial defect created by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the degree of discomfort experienced by children treated with PRK. Setting Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA. Methods Ten patients between 3 and 10 years of age were treated with PRK for severe anisometropia. All had anisometropic amblyopia refractory to conventional therapy with glasses or contact lenses and occlusion therapy. The size of the corneal epithelial defect was documented daily until the defect healed completely. Postoperative discomfort was documented daily using a pain-assessment scale until the epithelial defect healed completely. Results Two children were treated with PRK for hyperopic anisometropia; the rest were treated for myopic anisometropia. Cumulatively, the corneal epithelium had healed completely by day 3 in 6 patients (60%), by day 4 in 9 patients (90%), and by day 5 in all patients. The mean healing time was 3.5 days. Patients experienced mild discomfort on the day of surgery and on the first postoperative day. They had minimal pain on day 2. After day 2, no patient reported pain or other discomfort. Conclusion The corneal epithelial defect created by PRK healed promptly and was associated with minimal postoperative discomfort in children treated with the protocol described.
An Empirical Algorithm for Estimating Agricultural and Riparian Evapotranspiration Using MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index and Ground Measurements of ET. I. Description of Method

We used the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from MODIS to scale evapotranspiration (ETactual) over agricultural and riparian areas along the Lower Colorado River in the southwestern US. Ground measurements of ETactual by alfalfa, saltcedar, cottonwood and arrowweed were expressed as fraction of potential (reference crop) ETo (EToF) then regressed against EVI scaled between bare soil (0) and full vegetation cover (1.0) (EVI*). EVI* values were calculated based on maximum and minimum EVI values from a large set of riparian values in a previous study. A satisfactory relationship was found between crop and riparian plant EToF and EVI*, with an error or uncertainty of about 20% in the mean estimate (mean ETactual = 6.2 mm d−1, RMSE = 1.2 mm d−1). The equation for ETactual was: ETactual = 1.22 × ETo-BC × EVI*, where ETo-BC is the Blaney Criddle formula for ETo. This single algorithm applies to all the vegetation types in the study, and offers an alternative to ETactual estimates that use crop coefficients set by expert opinion, by using an algorithm based on the actual state of the canopy as determined by time-series satellite images.
Letter to the Editor-Errata

Correction of some misprints in author's paper "'On Two-Server Poisson Queues with Two Types of Customers' co-authored with N. B. Slater, Opns. Res.21, 597-603 1973."
Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a chronic, serious disease in children and adolescents. Its diagnosis is straightforward and rarely subtle. The major challenges of this disease for the child, family, and health-care team involve long-term management of medical and metabolic factors as well as psychological and behavioral concerns. While developments in the past 10 to 15 years have made metabolic control technically possible, psychological stresses and behavioral problems often interfere with metabolic goals. There are few, if any, other diseases that require such intensive and extensive self-care skills. Definitions Diabetes generally is classified in two types. Type I, or IDDM, is seen mostly in younger people (children and adolescents). It previously was called juvenile onset or ketosisprone. Insulin deficiency characterizes IDDM, and patients need exogenous insulin for survival. Type II, or non-IDDM (NIDDM), previously called adult or maturity onset, is the type seen most commonly in older people and in obesity and is not discussed in this review. To make a diagnosis of diabetes, a child must have either classic symptoms with a random plasma glucose above 200 mg/dL or specific plasma glucose levels before and after a standard glucose load if asymptomatic. The diagnosis of IDDM usually is clear-cut.
Decentralized data management framework for data grids

A new class of data intensive applications has led to increased demand for cost-efficient resource sharing approaches. Yet, providing efficient access to widely distributed data for large numbers of users poses considerable challenges. Most existing Grid systems are centrally managed, thus hindering their scalable expansion. We introduce a new distributed, adaptive, and scalable middleware that provides transparent access to data in Data Grids. Our approach relies on dynamic techniques that adapt replica creation to continuously changing network connectivity and users' behavior. Results from simulations and deployment of our middleware show that our solution provides better data access performance than static approaches.
Chloride-Dominant Salt Sensitivity in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

We tested the hypothesis that in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP), the Cl- component of dietary NaCl dominantly determines its pressor effect (salt-sensitivity). We telemetrically measured systolic aortic blood pressure (SBP) in SHRSP loaded with: nothing (CTL); NaCl alone (NaCl) (44 mmol/100 grams chow); KCl (KCl) alone (44 mmol); NaCl (44 mmol) combined with KHCO3 (77 mmol) (NaCl/KBC) or with KCl (77 mmol) (NaCl/KCl). Across all groups, from age 10 to 15 or 16 weeks, SBP increased linearly (mm Hg/week) (dp/dt, change in SBP as a function of time): CTL, 5.6; NaCl, 9.5; KCl, 8.8; NaCl/KBC, 9.1; and NaCl/KCl, 14.6. Thus, the value of dp/dt in KCl matched that in NaCl. The value of dp/dt in NaCl/KCl exceeded that in NaCl in direct proportion to the greater Cl- load. Across all groups, only Cl- load bore a direct, highly linear relationship with dp/dt. Strokes occurred only, but always with SBP >250 mm Hg, a value observed almost exclusively in NaCl/KCl. Thus, Cl- dominantly determined the pressor effect induced with dietary NaCl, both with NaCl loaded alone and combined with either KCl or KHCO3, and thereby likely determined the occurrence of stroke with NaCl loading. Over the initial 3-day period of NaCl loading and exacerbating hypertension, external balance of Na+ increased similarly among all groups. However, within 24 hours of initiating NaCl loading, urinary creatinine excretion decreased in direct proportion to dp/dt and urinary Cl- excretion. We conclude that in the SHRSP, the Cl- component of a dietary NaCl dominantly determines salt sensitivity and thereby phenotypic expression. We suggest that Cl- might do so by inducing renal vasoconstriction.
An adaptive type-I hybrid-ARQ technique using the Viterbi decoding algorithm

It is shown that the Viterbi decoding algorithm can be modified for use in a type-I hybrid-ARQ (automatic-repeat-request) scheme. Through proper definition, the partial path metrics can be made directly proportional to the error content in a received sequence. Retransmission requests are generated whenever all partial path metrics exceed a fixed threshold before decoding is completed. The threshold may be varied to balance reliability with retransmission frequency. The implementation of this scheme increases reliability performance by several orders of magnitude at the expense of minimal modification to the basic Viterbi decoder and, in some cases, a negligible decrease in throughput. >
DCPE co-training: Co-training based on diversity of class probability estimation

Co-training is a semi-supervised learning technique used to recover the unlabeled data based on two base learners. The normal co-training approaches use the most confidently recovered unlabeled data to augment the training data. In this paper, we investigate the co-training approaches with a focus on the diversity issue and propose the diversity of class probability estimation (DCPE) co-training approach. The key idea of the DCPE co-training method is to use DCPE between two base learners to choose the recovered unlabeled data. The results are compared with classic co-training, tri-training and self training methods. Our experimental study based on the UCI benchmark data sets shows that the DCPE co-training is robust and efficient in the classification.
Learning a Compositional Semantic Parser using an Existing Syntactic Parser

We present a new approach to learning a semantic parser (a system that maps natural language sentences into logical form). Unlike previous methods, it exploits an existing syntactic parser to produce disambiguated parse trees that drive the compositional semantic interpretation. The resulting system produces improved results on standard corpora on natural language interfaces for database querying and simulated robot control.
Prefrontal and limbic resting state brain network functional connectivity differs between nicotine-dependent smokers and non-smoking controls

Abstract Background Brain dysfunction in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal striatum (DS) contributes to habitual drug use. These regions are constituents of brain networks thought to be involved in drug addiction. To investigate whether networks containing these regions differ between nicotine dependent female smokers and age-matched female non-smokers, we employed functional MRI (fMRI) at rest. Methods Data were processed with independent component analysis (ICA) to identify resting state networks (RSNs). We identified a subcortical limbic network and three discrete PFC networks: a medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) network and right and left lateralized fronto-parietal networks common to all subjects. We then compared these RSNs between smokers and non-smokers using a dual regression approach. Results Smokers had greater coupling versus non-smokers between left fronto-parietal and mPFC networks. Smokers with the greatest mPFC–left fronto-parietal coupling had the most DS smoking cue reactivity as measured during an fMRI smoking cue reactivity paradigm. This may be important because the DS plays a critical role in maintaining drug-cue associations. Furthermore, subcortical limbic network amplitude was greater in smokers. Conclusions Our results suggest that prefrontal brain networks are more strongly coupled in smokers, which could facilitate drug-cue responding. Our data also are the first to document greater reward-related network fMRI amplitude in smokers. Our findings suggest that resting state PFC network interactions and limbic network amplitude can differentiate nicotine-dependent smokers from controls, and may serve as biomarkers for nicotine dependence severity and treatment efficacy.
The association between blood pressure and mortality in patients with heart failure.

Background The association between low blood pressure and prognosis in the general population has been controversial, with some reports suggesting an increased mortality for patients with the lowest blood pressures. Whereas many standard heart failure therapies decrease blood pressure, the relationship between mortality and blood pressure in patients with heart failure has not been previously evaluated. Methods We used the Digitalis Investigation Group trial database to evaluate retrospectively the relationship among systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and survival among 5747 patients with New York Heart Association class II or III heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify covariates predictive of long-term mortality. Results The adjusted all-cause mortality rate during the entire study period for patients in the lowest SBP group ( P P P = .009). The relationship between DBP and mortality was significant ( P Conclusions In patients with systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.45) and New York Heart Association classes II and III symptoms, lower SBPs and DBPs were associated with greater mortality.
Internal friction due to domain-wall motion in martensitically transformed A15 compounds

Une instabilite de reseau dans les materiaux A15 conduit dans certains cas a une transformation martensitique cubique a quadratique a basse temperature. Le materiau transforme s'oriente en lamelles avec des axes c alignes alternativement le long des directions produisant des parois de domaines entre les lamelles. Un aspect du frottement interne au-dessous de T m est attribue au mouvement des parois de domaines induit par contrainte. Cas de V 2 Zr, Nb 3 Sn, V 3 Ga
Review Essay: “Mind of God”—Not: Google Books for Urban Historians

This essay looks at Google's rapidly expanding project to digitize millions of books at a number of major libraries and evaluates this research tool for urban historians.
Expanding Roles for SREBP in Metabolism

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) transcription factors regulate cellular lipogenesis and lipid homeostasis. Recent studies reveal expanding roles for SREBPs with the description of new regulatory mechanisms, the identification of unexpected transcriptional targets, and the discovery of functions for SREBPs in type II diabetes, cancer, immunity, neuroprotection, and autophagy.
In vivo release of eosinophil chemoattractant activity in human allergic skin reactions.

A search was made for in vivo release of factor(s) that may be responsible for prominent eosinophil accumulations in human allergic skin reactions. Using a specially designed skin chamber appended to the base of unroofed skin blisters, we have found at ragweed-challenged sites in sensitive subjects the release of significantly greater histamine (15 +/- 3 ng/ml) than at control sites (3 +/- 0.5 ng/ml). Eosinophil accumulation after 2 hr was also significantly greater on membrane filters appended to ragweed-challenged sites than control sites (55 +/- 15 vs 4 +/- 0.5). Intradermal injection of ultrafiltrates of the chamber fluids from antigen-challenged sites, but not of fluids from control sites, induced prominent eosinophil accumulation (mean = 25/mm2) when injected intradermally in autologous uninvolved skin. Neither ultrafiltered antigen solution nor histamine (employed in concentrations similar to those released in the chambers) evoked such in vivo responses when injected intradermally in the same subjects (mean = less than 1/mm2). The eosinophil responses to injected ultrafiltered chamber fluid from antigen-challenged sites peaked at 30 min, whereas even greater eosinophil responses to unaltered antigen started after 60 min. These findings suggest that in vivo release of a low m.w. factor or factors other than histamine is very likely responsible for at least part of the in vivo eosinophil accumulation in human allergic reaction sites. Additional findings suggest that a significant portion of the time lag between intradermal antigen and dermal eosinophil accumulation is encompassed by local mediator release.
Effects of 5-phenyloxazolidinedione on sodium-potassium-magnesium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity in mouse brain.

—10 μm 5-Phenyloxazolidinedione (PKO) stimulated Na–K–Mg-ATPase activity in mouse brain homogenates by 45%. This activation effect was also observed for trimethadione and dimethadione. Inhibition of Na–K–Mg-ATPase by 0.1 mm ouabain was reduced in the presence of PKO. When PKO (4 mg/kg) was administered to mice intravenously, maximum levels of 2 μg (10 nmol)/g were attained in the brain within 15 min. PKO had an ld50 of 872 mg/kg and an ed50 of 375 mg/kg for protection against metrazol-induced seizures in mice.
Drawing on Popular Culture: Using Tattooing to Introduce Biological Concepts

Collaboration between two biologists and a physicist resulted in the example of tattooing being used as a motivator to support discussion across several scientific fields (cell biology, microbiology, human health, and physics). Although often viewed as self-destructive and rebellious in the Western world, tattooing has a deep and rich history full of meaning, for example as a rite of passage. Our main objective was to use a culturally relevant topic as a way to increase student engagement and learning while linking biological phenomena and physics. We describe this experience and provide a brief background on how the art and history of tattooing can aid in teaching young biologists.
Analysis of the internal control on responsibility accounting perspective

In view of the status of internal control in modern enterprises,the internal control standards and contents,combining theory with graphs,the link between internal control and responsibility accounting is expounded.And a combination analysis is made between responsibility accounting and the five elements of internal control.The results show that under the responsibility accounting perspective,internal control will be more effective to implement,with has great significance to business practices and enriches research on the field.
Brainstem Control of the Gastric Function

The dorsal vagal complex (DVC) is the focal point of an enormous convergence of sensory afferents, descending CNS pathways, and circulating signal molecules. The static performance of the circuits in the brain stem produces timely and critical reflex control over the stomach. However, it is now apparent that the vagal reflex control circuits are not static entities functioning as simple relays between brain and gut. These brain stem circuits achieve exquisite coordination of digestive processes with ongoing and anticipated changes in behavior as a consequence of the diversity of descending CNS input. Additionally, circulating factors can cause rapid changes in brain–gut control through their direct action on brainstem vagal reflex control circuits in the CNS, as well as on the vagal afferents. A multitude of possible modulatory mechanisms exist within these circuits to guarantee speed, precision, and flexibility in the control of digestive processes. An equally large number of pathogenic factors may serve to disrupt normal gastric function through action on these same circuit elements.
Sheet Metal Forming

For the purpose of this chapter, sheet metal forming is briefly defined as the forming of sheet, strip or plate by methods which are not intended to alter the thickness of the metal at any point. The definition eliminates what is usually understood by operations such as hot and cold forming, forging or embossing, etc.These are dealt with elsewhere in this book.
Binomial Trees and Security Pricing Modeling

We introduce a discrete-time model of a risky security’s future price using a binomial tree. By increasing the number of time-steps in the tree, the assumption is that one obtains a more and more accurate model of the random future price of a security. This chapter covers: the general binomial tree model of future security prices, the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein (CRR) tree in the real world and risk-neutral world, the Lindeberg Central Limit Theorem with applications to the continuous-time limit of the CRR tree, and statistical and probability formulas for continuous-time security prices.