cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOME EFFECTS OF TACTILE AND AUDITORY ALTERATIONS ON SPEECH OUTPUT.

This investigation studied the effects on articulation, duration, average peak level, and fundamental frequency of speech demonstrated by normal subjects when oral region tactile and/or auditory se...
Soft-exactness of tree-level gluon and graviton MHV amplitudes

We discuss and present derivations of the must succinct forms for tree-level MHV gluon and MHV graviton scattering amplitudes, through appending soft-factors to lower-point MHV scattering amplitudes. For gluons, we see that the canonical spinor-helicity variables are sufficient to absorb all of the gauge redundancy needed to define transverse gluon polarization vectors. Correspondingly, the tree level gluon MHV scattering amplitudes can be cleanly and efficintly written in terms of spinor-helicity variables–and are described by the famous Parke-Taylor amplitude. However, the canonical spinor-helicity variables do not automatically enforce momentum conservation, and thus are not sufficiently redundant to absorb all of the differomorphism invariance that must be built into the graviton soft-factors. Nonetheless, appending graviton soft-factors to lower-point graviton MHV amplitudes yields the simplest known form for MHV graviton amplitudes. We briefly discuss new variables, better suited to describe perturbative scattering amplitudes in quantum gravity.
Anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapy associated autoimmune hypophysitis: serious immune related adverse events across a spectrum of cancer subtypes

Anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) therapies represent a novel approach to cancer treatment via disruption of immune tolerance to antigens located on tumor cells. Disruption of immune tolerance, however, may occur at a cost. A host of immune related adverse events (IRAEs) are associated with anti-CTLA-4 therapy. Autoimmune hypophysitis has been reported in up to 17% of patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma treated with this therapy. Familiarity with the spectrum of IRAEs connected to these therapies is paramount for endocrinologists, oncologists and those involved in the care of these subjects. We review here key aspects of diagnosis and treatment of anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapy resultant IRAEs. We describe the first two cases of hypopituitarism in prostate cancer subjects undergoing experimental therapy with ipilimumab. The clinical evidence strongly suggests that the prostate cancer subjects developed autoimmune hypophysitis as a consequence of anti-CTLA-4 treatment. High dose glucocorticoid treatment resulted in markedly improved symptoms, and resolution of focal symptoms and diabetes insipidus. One subject recovered pituitary-thyroid axis function after 9 months; however, both continue to require GC replacement. These cases highlight the importance of early screening and treatment for hypopituitarism in all subjects undergoing treatment with anti-CTLA-4 therapy to prevent a potentially fatal outcome from secondary adrenal insufficiency, a readily treatable disease. We recommend mandatory long term follow-up to monitor the development of other hormonal deficits.
The ijk forms of factorization methods I. Vector computers

This paper gives a detailed exposition of the 'ijk forms' of LU and Choleski factorization. Several aspects of these different organizations are discussed and their properties on vector computers are compared. Extensions of the ijk formalism to other algorithms is also given.
A proposed model for electron conduction in DNA based upon pairwise anion π stacking: electron affinities and ionization potentials of the hydrogen bonded base pairs

Abstract The values of the electron affinities (EAs) and ionization potentials (IPs) of the Watson–Crick hydrogen-bonded base pairs were calculated using the AM1-multiconfiguration configuration interaction (AM1-MCCI) method. This procedure was previously used to verify the electron affinities of the monomers determined from half wave reduction potentials. The electron affinities of the DNA base pairs differ by only 180 meV (4 kcal/mol). This makes rapid electron transport in DNA thermodynamically feasible in biological systems. During anion formation, calculations show geometry changes which affect the noncovalent hydrogen bonds and π stacking interactions. A model for rapid electron transfer through the π-system inherent in the base pairs is postulated. This mechanism is based upon the separation of the system into two distinct portions: a tunneling down the backbone and a pairwise donor–acceptor process through the π-way.
Changes in uric acid during acute infusion of MPP+, 6-OHDA, and FeCl3. A microdialysis study in the substantia nigra of the guinea pig.

Extracellular uric acid levels were measured in the substantia nigra of guinea pigs via microdialysis/liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCED) during infusion (60 min) ofN-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or iron (III) chloride (FeCl3). Striatal and substantia nigra (SN) tissues were analyzed for uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA) 3 h postinfusion. MPP+ infusion resulted in an increase in extracellular UA of 222±6%. The ipsilateral/contralateral ratio of nigral UA tissue levels was significantly increased over vehicle controls. Infusion of 6-OHDA produced an increase of 362±44% in extracellular UA. No significant changes were seen in UA tissue levels in either the striatum or the SN. Infusion of FeCl3 produced a significant decrease in extracellular nigral UA levels to 21.5±0.7% of preinfusion levels. The ipsilateral/contralateral ratio of nigral UA tissue levels increased by 38%, whereas the striatal ratio value decreased to 62% of the vehicle control levels. No changes in DA tissue levels were observed in any of the brain regions in the experimental groups. These results indicate that infusion of neurotoxins known to affect dopaminergic cells generates an acute change in UA levels within the nigrostriatal system of guinea pigs.
Toroidally alternating knots and links

THERE have been various generalizations of the class of alternating links in S3, specifically alternative, pseudo-alternating, homogeneous, adequate, augmented alternating and almost alternating links. These generalizations originated out of attempts to extend results known for alternating links to broader classes of links. In this paper, we extend the class of alternating links to a new set, which we call toroidally alternating links. This set of links will be particularly broad, containing within it the set of alternating links, the set of almost alternating links, the subset of augmented alternating links with a single augmenting component, and a sub-class of the set of arborescent links, including all Montesinos links. Surprisingly, if the tables of prime knots through eleven crossings and prime nonsplittable links through ten crossings appearing in [6] are examined, all but three of the knots and two of the links can be shown to be toroidally alternating. Let T be a torus embedded in an orientable 3-manifold M. Let L be a link in M that can be isotoped into a neighborhood T x I of T. Suppose that if T x I is retracted onto T, L projects to a connected 4-valent graph on T such that if one keeps track of the crossings, they alternate between over and under as the components of the link are traversed, when viewed from one side of T. In addition, assume that every nontrivial curve on T intersects the projection of L onto T. Then L is said to be toroidally alternating with respect to T. In the case of a manifold with a genus one Heegaard splitting, there is a unique torus up to isotopy that splits the manifold into two solid tori. (See [3].) Hence, we can define a toroidally alternating link in these manifolds to be a link that is toroidally alternating with respect to this particular torus. We will prove that a toroidally alternating knot in S3 contains no closed incompressible meridianally incompressible surfaces in its complement. In particular, this will mean that a prime nontrivial toroidally alternating knot in S3 is either a torus knot or it is hyperbolic. This generalizes a result that was proved for alternating links in [ 1 l] and almost alternating knots in [2]. In fact, we will prove that this is also the case when S3 is replaced by a lens space L(p, q) where p is odd. In the case p is even, toroidally alternating knots can have incompressible meridianally incompressible surfaces in their complement. However, we will show that if K is a nontrivial prime non-torus toroidally alternating knot in L(p, q), then L(p, q) K is hyperbolic, except for the lens spaces homeomorphic to L(2, 1) and L(4k, 2k l), where hyperbolicity will depend on the particular choice of a toroidally alternating knot. We will
Self-Consistent potential induced breathing model calculations for longitudinal modes in MgO

The self-consistent potential-induced breathing model is applied to calculate vibrational modes in MgO using the frozen phonon method. The model gives the frequency difference between longitudinal and transverse optic modes expected for a non-polarizable ion system, which removes a deficiency in the earlier non-self-consistent potential-induced breathing model. For large amplitudes the longitudinal optic mode energy is lowered from its harmonic value by charge transfer.
NUTRITIONAL MAINTENANCE OF THE ORAL FRACTURE PATIENT.

Abstract A method of feeding patients with facial and jaw fractures treated by intermaxillary wiring or fixation has been presented. The method is not new, but it is one that is well tolerated and that replaces the older method of allowing the patient to choose those liquids and semisolids that he could manipulate and tolerate with intermaxillary fixation. A liquid food dict that contained all the essential vitamins and minerals in addition to protein, carbohydrate, and fat was chosen. The diet was tolerated by all patients, and there was no evidence of vitamin or protein deficiency during the treatment period in any patient. Diarrhea and gastrointestinal changes were minimal. The use of liquid food diets is being studied clinically for other special groups, including edentulous patients prior to placement of prosthetic appliances, patients undergoing periodontal surgery, and those under early orthodontic treatment.
Determination of ammonium in a buddingtonite sample by ion-chromatography

Abstract An ion-chromatographic method for the direct determination of ammonium, potassium, and sodium in geologic materials is described. Samples are decomposed with a mixture of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids in a sealed polycarbonate bottle heated in a microwave oven. The ion-chromatograph separates the cations and determines them by conductivity measurement. The ammonium concentrations thus determined have been verified by use of an ammonia-specific electrode. A total of 32 analyses of ammonium salts by both techniques showed an average error of −4%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6%. The ammonium concentrations found in a buddingtonite sample had an RSD of 2.2% and their mean agreed with that obtained by the Kjeldahl method. By use of the prescribed dilution of the sample, detection limits of 0.1% can be achieved for all three cations.
USE OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS IN NONCOMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE SYSTEMS

When performed correctly, performance appraisals are a valuable management tool in the development of employees. The purposes of this study were to determine the degree that evaluations are being given to foodservice employees, how they are being presented and why managers give performance appraisals. A questionnaire was mailed to foodservice directors in three types of noncommercial foodservice operations: public schools (n = 214), long-term care (LTC) facilities (n = 231), and hospitals (n = 107). Frequency of appraisal was different among the three types of facilities (p < .001). Only 53% of the school respondents reported that their foodservice employees receive an evaluation at least once a year compared to 90% and 96% of LTC and hospital foodservice employees, respectively. Both written and oral evaluations were conducted significantly more often in hospitals and LTC facilities than in schools (95%, 83% and 53%, respectively). The office was the most frequently used location for conducting evaluations. All of the respondents from hospitals, and the majority of those from LTC facilities (95%) and schools (57%), reported using evaluation forms for performance appraisals of foodservice employees. Respondents stated that their primary reason for conducting appraisals was to analyze strengths and weaknesses, in order to assist the employee in improving performance. Foodservice managers may want to examine their performance appraisal process to maximize its effectiveness.
Putative receptor for the cytoplasmic inactivation gate in the Shaker K+ channel.

INACTIVATION of ion channels is important in the control of membrane excitability. For example, delayed-rectifier K+ channels, which regulate action potential repolarization, are inactivated only slowly, whereas A-type K+ channels, which affect action potential duration and firing frequency, have both fast and slow inactivation1. Fast inactivation of Na+ and K+ channels may result from the blocking of the permeation pathway by a positively charged cytoplasmic gate2 such as the one encoded by the first 20 amino acids of the Shaker B (ShB) K+ channel3, 4. We report here that mutation of five highly conserved residues between the proposed membrane-spanning segments S4 and S5 (also termed H4)5 of ShB affects the stability of the inactivated state and alters channel conductance. One such mutation stabilizes the inactivated state of ShB as well as the inactivated state induced in the delayed-rectifier type K+ channel drkl (ref. 6) by the cytoplasmic application of the ShB N-terminal peptide. The S4–S5 loop, therefore, probably forms part of a receptor for the inactivation gate and lies near the channel's permeation pathway.
Theory of the Thermal Conductivity of Superconductors

A theory of the thermal conductivity of superconductors is presented, based on the theory of superconductivity due to Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer. The excited states of the system are treated as quasi-particles, allowing a Boltzmann equation to be set up. The electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity when the dominant scatterers are impurities has been calculated exactly. The result is very close to that of the Heisenberg-Koppe theory which is in fair agreement with experiment. The variational principle of Wilson has been used to find the electronic conductivity when the dominant scatterers are lattice waves. It is concluded that the theory fails to predict the sharp drop in the ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{es}}}{{\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{\mathrm{en}}}$ as the temperature is lowered below ${T}_{c}$, a feature which is characteristic of the experimental results. The effect of the electrons on the lattice conductivity has also been calculated. The theoretical values may be too large.
Mortality of Eastern Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Exposed to Four Soils Treated with Termiticides

Termite survivorship was affected by soil type and termiticide tested in constant-exposure bioassay. Four soil types were tested at the same percentage soil moisture (15% wt:wt). Soil pH values were between 5.4 and 5.5 with organic matter contents ranging from <0.07 to 3.75%. Soils tested included a sand, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and sandy clay. Six termiticide formulations were tested including chlorpyrifos (Dursban TC), fenvalerate (Tribute), cypermethrin (Prevail FT, Demon 2 EC), and permethrin (Dragnet FT, Torpedo). Estimated lethal concentrations for all termiticides were at least 7 times lower in sand compared with sandy loam or sandy clay loam soils. However, soil type alone could not be used to predict termite mortality with the termiticides tested.
Structure and viscosity of interpenetrating polyelectrolyte chains

We estimate the persistence length L over which a charged polymer is a rigid rod, as influenced by other polymers. Using energy balance arguments, we find that L is much smaller than the electrostatic persistence length Le. Without added salt, L is of the order of the distance Λ between chains. With added salt, L is a heretofore unrecognized length scale: Λ L Le. From this L we postulate the dependence of viscosity on polymer concentration, ionic strength and molecular weight. The concentration dependence accounts for hitherto unexplained empirical laws.
Towards an Evidence-based Taxonomy of Nonpharmacologic Treatments for ADHD

We have created an evidence-based guide for clinicians to the relative utility of nonpharmacologic treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article uses the term evidence-based in the sense applied by the Oxford Center for Evidenced-Based Medicine to help readers understand the degree to which nonpharmacologic treatments are supported by the scientific literature. This article also reviews the magnitude of the treatment effect expressed as the standardized mean difference effect size (also known as Cohen D). It then describes a meta-algorithm to describe how to integrate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for ADHD.
Diagnostic accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy in the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Brain Bank

Diagnostic accuracy has been addressed previously for Parkinson's disease in a brain bank collection, but accuracy of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has not been addressed in a similar setting. Clinical and genetic features of pathologically confirmed cases of PSP were compared with misdiagnosed cases to determine ways to improve diagnostic accuracy. Medical records were reviewed for 180 cases sent to the Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Brain Bank that had standardized neuropathologic evaluations as well as determination of apolipoprotein E and tau genotypes. Of the 180 cases studied, 137 had PSP and 43 had other pathologic diagnoses. Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) accounted for 70% of the misdiagnosed cases. History of tremor, psychosis, dementia, and asymmetric findings were more frequent in misdiagnosed cases. The frequency of H1 tau haplotype (93 vs. 80%) and H1H1 genotype (86 vs. 66%) were significantly greater and APOE epsilon4 carrier state was significantly less (17 vs. 41 %) in PSP compared with misdiagnosed cases. Pathologic evaluation of clinically diagnosed PSP remains important for definitive diagnosis, and CBD, MSA, and DLBD are the disorders most likely to be misdiagnosed as PSP. Tremor, psychosis, early dementia, asymmetric findings, absence of H1 haplotype, and presence of APOE epsilon4 should raise questions about a diagnosis of PSP.
Hybrid Trust Information Exchange for Federated Systems

In federated systems, trust management is critical for information sharing and online collaboration. Security tokens provide a way to convey and exchange trust information for security and privacy protection. Although several communication protocols have mechanisms to exchange security tokens, users may still encounter difficulties when they have to handle security tokens across heterogeneous platforms and security domains. Semantic gaps and incompatibilities are major barriers for trust information exchange in federated trust management. This paper introduces a hybrid approach with intermediary- and query-based mechanisms to resolve semantic gaps and incompatibilities for different types of trust information exchanged by security tokens, and then proposes different exchange models for different types of information. This paper also provides a comprehensive framework to exchange security tokens across security domains with suitable approaches and exchange models. The application of this framework in a healthcare environment provides a new method to interoperate trust information for security- and privacy-critical applications.
Static Frequency Divider with Enhanced Frequency Performance

This paper presents the design and measured results of a novel static frequency divider that operates at a frequency 28% higher than a current-mode logic (CML) divider. The frequency divider was designed and implemented in IBM's 0.5 mum SiGe BiCMOS technology with an fT of 47 GHz. The divider adds an additional delayed clock phase to a conventional CML- based divider. Measured results show operation up to 26 GHz with power dissipation of 59 mW compared to a CML divider that operates up to 20.4 GHz with power dissipation of 54.6 mW.
Persistent formation of angiotensin II despite treatment with maximally recommended doses of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure

JRAAS 2000;1:147-50 Introduction Decreasing activation of the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAAS) is an essential target of the pharmacological treatment of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Several large, randomised, placebo-controlled trials have shown that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition enhances life expectancy and alleviates symptoms in patients with CHF and with acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. The exact mechanisms that mediate the clinical benefits of ACE inhibitors are still poorly understood, although it is generally assumed that the benefits are somehow related to decreased activity of the RAAS and thereby reduced levels of tissue and plasma angiotensin II (Ang II).
Vehicle Rollover Avoidance

This article presented an overview of vehicle rollover testing standard and control development. Government testing procedures are first described. Necessary vehicle state estimation for rollover control is then developed. An energy-based RDI is then investigated. Finally, a control strategy based on state estimation and the RDI is developed and verified in vehicle tests. A 1DOF vehicle model, together with standard inertia sensors for the stability control system, provides state estimation needed for RDI and rollover avoidance control.
Limb Pain Associated with an Undiagnosed Hemoglobinopathy and Pseudononcyesis

Over a 2-month period, a 16-yr-old African-American female presented with recurrent episodes of severe, migratory limb pain. Sickle cell C disease was ultimately diagnosed. She adamantly denied sexual activity but was found to be 28 weeks pregnant. Her limb pain was probably triggered by the metabolic and hemodynamic demands of pregnancy. The case illustrates the importance of thoroughly examining patients with recurrent, unexplained physical complaints.
Rejoinder to Nucci's "morality, religion and public education in pluralist democracies"

Three rebuttals are offered here: my argument applies not only to monotheistic religious students; the relationship between God and the good is far more complex and contested than Nucci claims; and I do not contend that religious students rely entirely on religious dictates in their ethical thinking, but rather that the influences are likely to be a mixture of religion and personal judgement. Nucci's concern about hegemonic imposition of ethical perspectives is certainly valid, but civic respect in a pluralist democracy requires thoughtful engagement with a diversity of ethical thought, however complicated and challenging this may be.
Intersubject Variability of Foveal Cone Photoreceptor Density in Relation to Eye Length

PURPOSE. Adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) under optimized wavefront correction allows for routine imaging of foveal cone photoreceptors. The intersubject variability of foveal cone density was measured and its relation to eye length evaluated. METHODS. AOSLO was used to image 18 healthy eyes with axial lengths from 22.86 to 28.31 mm. Ocular biometry and an eye model were used to estimate the retinal magnification factor. Individual cones in the AOSLO images were labeled, and the locations were used to generate topographic maps representing the spatial distribution of density. Representative retinal (cones/mm 2 ) and angular (cones/deg 2 ) cone densities at specific eccentricities were calculated from these maps. RESULTS. The entire foveal cone mosaic was resolved in four eyes, whereas the cones within 0.03 mm eccentricity remained unresolved in most eyes. The preferred retinal locus deviated significantly (P 0.001) from the point of peak cone density for all except one individual. A significant decrease in retinal density (P 0.05) with increasing axial length was observed at 0.30 mm eccentricity but not closer. Longer, more myopic eyes generally had higher angular density near the foveal center than the shorter eyes, but by 1°, this difference was nullified by retinal expansion, and so angular densities across all eyes were similar. CONCLUSIONS. The AOSLO can resolve the smallest foveal cones in certain eyes. Although myopia causes retinal stretching in the fovea, its effect within the foveola is confounded by factors other than cone density that have high levels of intersubject variability. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51:6858‐6867)
The radical of a jordan algebra.

Abstract In this paper we define a Jacobson radical for Jordan algebras analogous to that for associative algebras and show that it enjoys many of the properties of the associative radical. We then relate the corresponding notion of “semisimplicity” to the previously defined notion of “nondegeneracy” (Jacobson, N., these Proceedings, 55, 243-251 (1966)).
Contraindication for Use of Serratia marcescens as Tracer Organisms in Research

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUACONTRAINDICATIONES CONTRA LE USO DE SERRATIA MARCESCENS COMO ORGANISMO-TRACIATOR IN LE RECERCA.-Es presentate un breve historia del organismo e del derivation de su nomine. Certe altere designationes ha essite usate, sed le autor se refere al Manual de Bacteriologia Determinative de Bergey. Un revista del litteratura medical e bacteriologic provide le base pro le demonstration del pathogenicitate potential de iste organismo que esseva generalmente considerate como non-pathogenic. Su resistentia contra pharmacos del familia sulfa e contra le majoritate del antibioticos servi additionalmente a render questionabile su utilisation in recercas a aerosol, como ha essite e es ancora le caso.
Processing of Subharmonic Signals from Ultrasound Contrast Agents to Determine Ambient Pressures

Subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) is a technique that utilizes the subharmonic emissions, occurring at half the insonation frequency, from ultrasound contrast agents to estimate ambient pressures. The purpose of this work was to compare the performance of different processing techniques for the raw radiofrequency (rf) data acquired for SHAPE. A closed loop flow system was implemented circulating reconstituted Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway; 0.2 ml for 750 ml diluent) and the beam-formed unprocessed rf data were obtained from a 4 mm diameter lumen of a Doppler flow phantom (ATS Laboratories, Inc., Bridgeport, CT) using a SonixRP scanner (Ultrasonix, Richmond, BC, Canada). The transmit frequency and incident acoustic pressures were set to 2.5 MHz and 0.22 MPa, respectively, in order to elicit Sonazoid subharmonic emissions that are ambient-pressure sensitive. The time-varying ambient pressures within the flow phantom were recorded by a Millar pressure catheter. Four techniques for extracting the subharmonic amplitude from the rf data were tested along with two noise filtering techniques to process this data. Five filter orders were tested for the noise removing filters. The performance was evaluated based on the least root-mean-square errors reported after linear least-square regression analyses of the subharmonic data and the pressure catheter data and compared using a repeated ANOVA. When the subharmonic amplitudes were extracted as the mean value within a 0.2 MHz bandwidth about 1.25 MHz and when the resulting temporally-varying subharmonic signal was median filtered with an order of 500, the filtered subharmonic signal significantly predicted the ambient pressures (r2 = 0.90; p < 0.001) with the least error. The resulting root mean square and mean absolute errors were 8.16 +/- 0.26 mmHg and 6.70 +/- 0.17 mmHg, respectively. Thus, median processing the subharmonic data extracted as the mean value within a 0.2 MHz bandwidth about the theoretical subharmonic frequency turned out to be the best technique to process acoustic data for SHAPE. The implementation of this technique on ultrasound scanners may permit real-time SHAPE applications.
Personalised physician learning intervention to improve hypertension and lipid control: randomised trial comparing two methods of physician profiling

Purpose To assess the impact of personalised physician learning (PPL) interventions using simulated learning cases on control of hypertension and dyslipidaemia in primary care settings. Methods A total of 132 primary care physicians, 4568 eligible patients with uncontrolled hypertension, and 15 392 eligible patients with uncontrolled dyslipidaemia were cluster-randomised to one of three conditions: (a) no intervention, (b) PPL-electronic medical record (EMR) intervention in which 12 PPL cases were assigned to each physician based on observed patterns of care in the EMR in the previous year, or (c) PPL-ASSESS intervention in which 12 PPL cases were assigned to each physician based on their performance on four standardised assessment cases. General and generalised linear mixed models were used to account for clustering and to model differences in patient outcomes in the study arms. Results Among patients with uncontrolled hypertension at baseline, 49.1%, 46.6% and 47.3% (p=0.43) achieved blood pressure (BP) targets at follow-up. Among patients with uncontrolled dyslipidaemia at baseline, 37.5%, 37.3% and 38.1% (p=0.72) achieved low density lipoprotein cholesterol targets at follow-up in PPL-EMR, PPL-ASSESS and the control group, respectively. Although systolic (BP) (p<0.001) and lipid (p<0.001) values significantly improved during the study, the group-by-time interaction term showed no differential change in systolic BP values (p=0.51) or lipid values (p=0.61) among the three study arms. No difference in intervention effect was noted when comparing the PPL-EMR with the PPL-ASSESS intervention (p=0.47). Conclusions The two PPL interventions tested in this study did not lead to improved control of hypertension or dyslipidaemia in primary care clinics during a mean 14-month follow-up period. This null result may have been due in part to substantial overall improvement in BP and lipid control at the study sites during the study. Trial registration number NCT00903071.
Distinct brain transcriptome profiles in C9orf72-associated and sporadic ALS

Evidence suggests that aberrant RNA processing contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Using RNA sequencing, Prudencio et al. assessed the extent of transcriptome defects in C9orf72-associated ALS (c9ALS) and sporadic ALS (sALS) brains. They report extensive defects in expression, alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation that are significantly distinct between individuals with c9ALS and sALS.
Giant Hedge-Hogs: Spikes on Giant Gravitons

Abstract We consider giant gravitons on the maximally supersymmetric plane-wave background of type IIB string theory. Fixing the light-cone gauge, we deduce the low energy effective light-cone Hamiltonian of the three-sphere giant graviton. At first order, this is a U(1) gauge theory on R ×S 3 . We place sources in this effective gauge theory. Although non-vanishing net electric charge configurations are disallowed by Gauss' law, electric dipoles can be formed. From the string theory point of view these dipoles can be understood as open strings piercing the three-sphere, generalizing the usual BIons to the giant gravitons (BIGGons). Our results can be used to give a two-dimensional (worldsheet) description of giant gravitons, similar to Polchinski's description for the usual D-branes, in agreement with the discussions of hep-th/0204196 .
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF HUMAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Although the clinical entity of delirium cordis was well recognized in the mid-nineteenth century, it was not until 1899 that it was linked to the electrophysiologic entity of atrial fibrillation (AF) and not until 1909 that Lewis first described the characteristic electrocardiographic pattern of AF in humans.39 In the decades that followed, many different electrophysiologic mechanisms were hypothesized to be responsible for AF. The rapid firing of a single ectopic focus, the uncoordinated discharge of multiple ectopic foci, various manifestations of reentrant excitation, and combinations thereof were all shown to produce the temporally and spatially varying patterns of atrial activation characteristic of AF. This article reviews the important developments that have led to current understanding of AF, the data that support its mechanistic dependence on various forms of reentrant excitation, and the resultant electrophysiologic and clinical implications of clinicians’ evolving understanding.
Physical Function Among Retirement-Aged African American Men and Women

Prior attempts to identify factors associated with physical function (here, major lower body movements) among African Americans have been constrained by a narrow range of measures, small sample sizes, or both. The 1992 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) contains a substantial over-sample of African Americans (649 men and 957 women self-respondents aged 51 to 61 years), and detailed measures of high-risk behaviors, disease prevalence and severity, impairment, and physical function. We extend the natural history of disease to the natural history of functional status and model sociodemographic characteristics, high-risk behaviors, disease prevalence and severity, and impairments as direct and indirect influences on physical function in this African American sample. This natural history of functional status model fits the data well for both men (ROC = .88) and women (ROC = .83), although there are gender differences. Slightly over one-half of the women report some difficulty in physical function, compared with one-third of the men. Women also have a higher mean body-mass and report a greater prevalence and severity in 6 of 9 chronic diseases and more pain, but are less likely to smoke or abuse alcohol than men. Importantly, many of the factors with the largest direct and indirect associations with difficulty in physical function among these African American men (alcohol abuse, smoking, body mass, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, arthritis, and pain) and women (alcohol abuse, body mass, arthritis, and respiratory illness) are all potentially preventable or manageable.
Does Securitization Increase Risk?: A Theory of Loan Securitization, Reputation, and Credit Screening

How does securitization affect the risk of the loans that are originated for securitization? While the standard view is that the originate-to-distribute (OTD) model weakens the originator's screening incentives and leads to higher risk, theories on reputation suggest that an originator's concern about its ability to return to the market would prevent lax screening. In a model with reputational concerns, OTD model of securitization and pooling of loans, we analyze how loan securitization dilutes reputation-driven incentives to screen. With sufficiently strong reputational concerns there may be an overinvestment in screening even relative to the no-securitization case, so the OTD model does not suffice for securitization to increase risk. However, when multiple loans are pooled together and securitized, reputational incentives to screen become weaker with an increase in the size of the loan pool being securitized. Moreover, there is a mutually reinforcing feedback effect between the originator's screening incentives and the incentives of investors to acquire information about the quality of the loan pool, so investors are also less informed about larger loan pools. For sufficiently large loan pools, securitization reduces idiosyncratic risk but increases systematic risk.
Widespread and Enzyme-independent Nϵ-Acetylation and Nϵ-Succinylation of Proteins in the Chemical Conditions of the Mitochondrial Matrix

Alterations in mitochondrial protein acetylation are implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, mitochondrial disorders, and cancer. However, a viable mechanism responsible for the widespread acetylation in mitochondria remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the physiologic pH and acyl-CoA concentrations of the mitochondrial matrix are sufficient to cause dose- and time-dependent, but enzyme-independent acetylation and succinylation of mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial proteins in vitro. These data suggest that protein acylation in mitochondria may be a chemical event facilitated by the alkaline pH and high concentrations of reactive acyl-CoAs present in the mitochondrial matrix. Although these results do not exclude the possibility of enzyme-mediated protein acylation in mitochondria, they demonstrate that such a mechanism may not be required in its unique chemical environment. These findings may have implications for the evolutionary roles that the mitochondria-localized SIRT3 deacetylase and SIRT5 desuccinylase have in the maintenance of metabolic health.
Clinically significant anti-KEL RBC alloantibodies are transferred by breast milk in a murine model

Background and Objectives Fetuses affected by maternal RBC alloantibodies may have prolonged anaemia after birth, leading one to question whether maternal alloantibody transfer may occur outside the placenta. In response to a recent publication describing breast milk transfer of clinically significant amounts of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies from mother to nursing infant, we hypothesized that maternal RBC alloantibodies may also be capable of being transferred in breast milk. Materials and Methods The presence and clinical significance of breast milk alloantibody transfer were tested through a series of pregnancy, fostering and transfusion experiments, using a murine model in which transgenic RBCs express the human KEL glycoprotein. Results Maternal anti-KEL immunoglobulins, induced through transfusion or pregnancy, were detected in the aqueous phase of breast milk. Further, efficient transfer of maternal anti-KEL IgG and IgA to nursing pups was observed in fostering experiments. The breast milk-acquired alloantibodies were clinically significant in wild-type pups in a transfusion setting, binding to ‘incompatible’ KEL RBCs and leading to premature clearance from the circulation. Although breast milk-acquired alloantibodies also bound to the RBCs of transgenic KEL-positive fostered pups, no anaemia resulted. Conclusions Taking these murine data in combination with recently published human data of maternal antiplatelet IgA antibodies in breast milk leading to sequelae in some infants, it is theoretically possible that maternal anti-RBC IgA alloantibodies may also be transferred in human breast milk and may lead to sequelae in some infants under some circumstances.
Anxiety: general vs specific trait in the prediction of snake fear.

2 studies are reported on the relationships between general and specific tests of anxiety and behavioral and self-reported fear responses in the presence of a live snake. Ss were 35 female undergraduates in Study I and 76 in Study II. Measures of general anxiety were not predictive of fear responses, while measures of specific fear of snakes were highly predictive of such responses.
In Situ Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) Spectroscopy to Investigate Kinetics of Chemical Bath Deposition of CdS Thin Films

Techniques that can characterize the early stages of thin film deposition from liquid phase processes can aid greatly in our understanding of mechanistic aspects of chemical bath deposition (CBD). Here we have used localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy to monitor the in situ kinetics of early stage growth of cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films on Ag nanoparticle on quartz substrates. Real-time shift during CdS deposition showed that the LSPR wavelength red-shifted rapidly due to random deposition of CdS on the substrate but saturated at longer times. LSPR modeling showed that these features could be interpreted as an initial deposition of CdS islands followed by preferential deposition onto itself. The CdS also showed significantly enhanced Raman signals up to 170 times due to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from the CdS/Ag NP regions. The ex situ SERS effect supported the LSPR shift, suggesting that these techniques could be used to understand nucleation and growth phenomena from ...
Good or Not Bad: Standards and Ethics in Managing Change.

Newly emerging research in the field of positive organizational scholarship (POS) is beginning to demonstrate why an emphasis on virtuousness, not merely ethics, is necessary for successful organiz...
Considerations about the Error Theory Teaching in the Physical Experiment of College

During physics experiments teaching at the university,analysis and assessment on non-random error and the type B evaluation of uncertainty are the teaching difficulties.Combined with our teaching experience for many years,a few recommendations are given.Furthermore,it is pointed out that we should use expanded uncertainty in the measurement results.
Maternal-fetal glucose metabolism and fetal growth retardation : Is there an association ?

OBJECTIVE : To test the hypothesis that in normotensive pregnancies decreased maternal glucose response leads to relative fetal hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, which result in delayed fetal growth. STUDY DESIGN : We enrolled patients with and without risk factors for growth retardation. Each underwent an oral glucose tolerance test with both glucose and insulin evaluation. Cord blood was obtained for glucose and insulin evaluation. RESULTS : The normotensive pregnancies at risk had lower maternal glucose levels (index, 91 vs. 116 mg/dL ; P <.05), a trend toward lower maternal insulin levels (index, 398 vs. 483 μIU/mL ; P=NS) and normal maternal insulin/glucose ratios. We found no differences, however, in the fetal metabolic parameters (glucose 83 vs. 78 mg/dL, insulin 17 vs. 24 μIU/mL ; P = NS). CONCLUSION : Maternal glucose metabolism is altered in nonhypertensive pregnancies, with a risk of delayed fetal growth ; however, the fetal glucose response may remain normal in the face of fetal growth retardation.
Renal cell carcinoma in patients with prior spinal cord injury.

Introduction In patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), abdominal diseases such as renal carcinoma are often diagnosed and treated late in their course. Methods A population-based retrospective review of SCI patients receiving care for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in all Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical centers was conducted for fiscal years 1988 to 1998. Results Of 96 patients identified, 57 were evaluable and 27 met study criteria. The mean patient age was 59 (range, 41-79 years). The mean time between SCI and treatment for RCC was 25 years (range, 1-51 years). All patients were men; 22/27 (81%) had 1 or more comorbid conditions. RCC was an incidental finding on surveillance imaging studies in 81% (22/27) of the patients. All 27 patients were treated surgically, 74% (20/27) by radical nephrectomy and 26% (7/27) by partial nephrectomy. All tumors were renal cell adenocarcinomas. Pathological staging by the tumor, nodes, and metastasis system was possible in 25; 92% (23/25) of tumors were stage I and 8% (2/25) were stage II. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 56% (15/27), and death occurred in 7% (2/27). Conclusion In SCI patients in the DVA system, diagnosis of RCC is usually the result of an incidental finding on surveillance imaging. Tumors are diagnosed at early stages and partial nephrectomy is often feasible. Many of the postoperative complications are related to the SCI, and may be preventable.
Psychometric testing of two new patient-reported outcome instruments for the evaluation of treatment for hypogonadism.

AIM The aim of this study was to perform psychometric testing and estimate minimal important change (MIC) of two new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments - Sexual Arousal, Interest and Drive Scale (SAID) and Hypogonadism Energy Diary (HED). METHODS New PRO instruments were administered immediately after screening (Time 1, test-retest subset only) and immediately prior to both randomisation (Time 2) and end-point (Time 3) to men participating in a randomised clinical trial comparing the effect of testosterone solution 2% (TS) and placebo on serum total testosterone. Psychometric analyses included reliability, validity and responsiveness. Total scores for both PRO instruments were transformed to a 0-100 scale. RESULTS Study participants (n = 694) were 80% age ≤ 65 years, 79% White, with mean baseline testosterone = 202 ng/dl. Clinicians identified 86% subjects as having low sex drive, 86% with low energy and 76% with both symptoms. Reliability analyses for SAID and HED yielded reliability coefficients > 0.70. SAID scores discriminated between men having low sex drive (n = 553) and those who did not (n = 80) (34.5 vs. 42.8, p < 0.001). HED scores discriminated between men having low energy (n = 541) and those who did not (n = 64) (48.9 vs. 60.2, p < 0.001). In the men randomised to TS (vs. placebo), SAID and HED detected effect sizes of 0.61 (vs. 0.39) and 0.68 (vs. 0.48), respectively. MIC estimates for SAID and HED were approximately 10 and 8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study provided evidence of the reliability, validity and responsiveness of SAID and HED as measures of sex drive and energy, respectively, making them potentially useful for evaluation of hypogonadal treatment.
In vitro testing of antimicrobial agents.

SUMMARY Antimicrobial susceptibility tests provide information that may be helpful in the initial selection of antimicrobials to be used in therapy, may prompt a change in an existing regimen to one including a more active antimicrobial agent, or may allow substitution of one antimicrobial agent with another equally effective but less expensive antimicrobial agent. The clinical value of-bactericidal testing is less clear-cut due, at least in part, to methodologic variations and biological and technical variables. Standardization of methods provides both intralabo'ratory and interlaboratory reproducibility, as well as interpretability of results.
The German Konzentrationslager and the Debates about the Annihilation of the Herero, 1905–1908

As I have discussed since Chapter 1, debates still rage about how best to remember and record the colonial histories of the nation of Namibia, and there are those who contend that at one time German colonizers engaged in an intentional rassenkampf (race war) that almost wiped out large segments of the indigenous Herero, Nama, Damara, and San populations of German South-West Africa.2 Although it may be possible that many more people died in “Weyler’s” Spanish camps, and British negligence may have contributed to the extremely high mortality and morbidity rates in the Boer and African camps, the German camps have sometimes been singled out for attention because their labor camps have been viewed as punitive facilities that kept alive “annihilationist” policies. In other words, other colonial camp systems were deployed to separate colonial rebels from the populations that supported them, but more than a few scholars today argue that the German camps were uniquely problematic in that they were set up to deter the Herero and Nama and break the back of indigenous resistance to colonial rule. Tens of thousands of Africans in German South-West Africa literally worked themselves to death or died from exposure, and some researchers go as far as to call this the “Kaiser’s Holocaust,” because the colonial administrators and their civilian and military superiors in Berlin knew about horrific conditions in the camps.3