cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood pressure, plasma volume, and catecholamine levels during enalapril therapy in blacks with hypertension

The effect of enalapril, an antihypertensive inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, on plasma catecholamine levels and plasma volume (PV) has not been well established. In a randomized, double-blind study, 29 subjects (28 blacks and one white) received one of the following dosing regimens: hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), 25 mg twice a day (group 1; n = 12); enalapril, 10 mg twice a day (group 2; n = 12); or enalapril, 10 mg twice a day, with HCTZ, 25 mg twice a day (group 3; n = 5). Dosages were doubled after 4 wk if diastolic blood pressure was ≥90 mm Hg. After 8 wk of therapy, supine blood pressure decreased by 24.1/16.0 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic) in group 1, by 10.8/4.0 mm Hg in group 2, and by 48.0/27.8 mm Hg in group 3. Mean values of supine plasma levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine did not change with therapy. PV fell 7.9% in group 1, 1.3% in group 2, and 5.0% in group 3. There were no correlations between changes in PV and blood pressure, but a decrease in PV correlated with an increase in plasma norepinephrine levels in the group treated with HCTZ alone (r = −0.65) and in all 29 subjects combined (r = −0.45). Enalapril alone was not very effective in lowering blood pressure in these subjects, but the combination of enalapril with HCTZ was very effective. There was no evidence of a direct effect of enalapril on the sympathetic nervous system or on PV. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1984) 36, 731–737; doi:10.1038/clpt.1984.250
A transformational perspective into the core of an abstract class loader for the SSP

The SSP is a hardware implementation of a subset of the JVM for use in high-consequence embedded applications. In this context, a majority of the activities belonging to class loading, as it is defined in the specification of the JVM, can be performed statically. Static class loading has the net result of dramatically simplifying the design of the SSP, as well as increasing its performance. Because of the high consequence nature of its applications, strong evidence must be provided that all aspects of the SSP have been implemented correctly. This includes the class loader. This article explores the possibility of formally verifying a class loader for the SSP implemented in the strategic programming language TL. Specifically, an implementation of the core activities of an abstract class loader is presented and its verification in ACL2 is considered.
Repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations with long-term epidermal growth factor

Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation is a common problem worldwide. Recent reports have shown epidermal growth factor (EGF) to stimulate healing in approximately 80% of chronic TM perforations in chinchillas when applied in three doses over 1 week. The objective of this controlled study is to evaluate the efficacy of long-term EGF in the closure of TM perforations. Chronic chinchilla TM perforations were treated with EGF for up to 6 weeks. One hundred percent (17 of 17) of treatment group perforations completely healed. However, two new findings with this long dosing scheme were reperforation on long-term follow-up and three TMs with cholesteatomas. It is likely that reperforation was due to a progressive thinning seen with prolonged EGF application. Long-term EGF use is not recommended for the treatment of TM perforations because of possible wound healing impairment and possible cholesteatoma induction.
Effects of 2,2-Dichloropropionic, Trichloroacetic, and 2,3-Dichloroisobutyric Acids on Synthesis of Anthocyanin in Flowers of Salvia splendens cultivar America

GOWING and Lange1 recently reported that a number of herbicides (chloroalkycarboxylic acids) caused changes in colour in a wide variety of flowers. The changes reported were the disappearance of purple and red and the appearance of orange and yellow. These observations suggest that the synthesis of the carotenoid pigments may not have been affected whereas the synthesis of the anthocyanin pigments could have been inhibited. Described herein are the effects of 2,2-dichloropropionic acid (‘Dalapon’), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and 2,3-dichloroisobutyric acid (DCIB) on the synthesis of the anthocyanins in the flowers of Salvia splendens cultivar America.
Swine flu spans the great divide

Responses to the threatened pandemic shows how comprehensively science has been integrated into wider society
Design of Axial-mode Helical Antennas for Doppler-based continuous non-contact vital signs monitoring sensors

An Axial-Mode Helical Antenna (AMHA) design for applications in Doppler-based continuous non-contact vital signs (NCVS) monitoring sensor systems is presented. Two methodologies of on-reflector impedance matching are presented as a solution to the helical antennas' non-50Ω input impedance issue. The antennas are evaluated on their performance of VSWR, impedance, radiation pattern directivity, size and gain. A size reduction design process is given for custom sizing the helical antenna, and the resulting structures are compared versus a patch antenna at 2.4GHz that is often used in NCVS systems. Our test data indicates that an AMHA can significantly increase accuracy of NCVS systems by increasing the system's Signal-to-Noise-and-Interference Ratio (SNIR).
Simulation of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations

Discrete particle simulation techniques developed for problems in plasma physics have been adapted to investigate one-dimensional dissipative structures. The results of the model are found to be consistent with bifurcation analysis of nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations. Two distinct type of behavior are observed corresponding to a localized steady-state solution and a time-dependent solution.
The generalized sinusoidal frequency modulated waveform for high duty cycle active sonar

High Duty Cycle Active Sonar (HDCAS) continuously transmits waveforms and processes target echoes to revisit the target scene more frequently than conventional pulsed active sonar. The main challenge in HDCAS waveform design is simultaneously maintaining a large bandwidth and a high revisit rate. This research proposes a new diverse pulse train for HDCAS that is composed of Generalized Sinusoidal Frequency Modulated (GSFM) waveforms. Since each GSFM waveform in the pulse train is nearly orthogonal to the others, each pulse can be processed separately providing the high target revisit rates necessary for HDCAS while also attaining large instantaneous bandwidth.
Rising regional powers meet the global leader: A strategic analysis of influence competition

Emerging regional powers, such as Brazil and India, are reshaping world politics. We conduct a game-theoretic analysis to examine how growing regional powers compete for influence against a global power, such as the United States, in different circumstances. If the global power regards dominant positions in different regions as strategic substitutes (complements), a stronger regional power in region A increases (decreases) the global power’s efforts to dominate in region B. For example, if Iran grows stronger, the United States should increase its efforts to secure energy resources in Central Asia as substitutes for Middle Eastern oil. Conversely, suppose the United States fails to create support for stringent intellectual property rights protection in Latin America because Brazil opposes new rules. In this case, we expect the United States to have fewer incentives to create support in other regions because intellectual property rights rules are most valuable when they constitute a complementary global st...
Influence of exercise and perivascular adipose tissue on coronary artery vasomotor function in a familial hypercholesterolemic porcine atherosclerosis model

Our lab has shown that left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) perivascular adipose tissue (PAT) blunts endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced maximal contractions in normal pigs on low- and high-fat diets. Oth...
Production of antibodies to human pituitary growth hormone in the rat.

The rat has been shown to be capable of forming antibodies to human growth hormone. Hypophysectomy apparently has no determining influence on the type of antibody formed.
SU‐GG‐T‐105: Dosimetric Analysis of Matching Photon and Electron Fields for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers

Purpose: To evaluate the current method of treatingcancers of the head and neck at our institution. The method consists of using anterior off‐cord photon fields to treat the site of the primary tumor, matched with an overlapping posterior electron field. Methods and Materials: Nine patient specific treatment plans, along with their electron cone cutouts, were applied to a 15cm solid water phantom and recalculated to deliver the prescription dose. Each plan consisted of laterally opposed 6MV photon field's incident on the anterior portion of the neck, treating 180 or 200cGy prescribed to the isocenter, and a matching field of 9MeV electrons treating 180 or 200cGy to the 90% isodose line. EDR2 film was placed at depths of 2.0cm, 2.2cm, and 2.5cm from the phantom's left surface. A 6MV photoncalibration curve was generated and applied to the films. The plan is delivered with a 3mm overlap of the photon and electron fields. The dose was evaluated using three profiles evenly distributed through the junction. Each profile was normalized to the uniform portion of the photon field, and the maximum dose and the length of tissue receiving 125% of the prescription dose were measured. Results: The average maximum dose was found to be 148 ± 6% of the prescribed dose at 2.0cm depth and slightly less at other depths. Tissue irradiated to 125% dose ranged from 0mm to 31mm, with an average of 11 ± 6mm. Three plans had profiles exceeding 150%, with an average of 3 ± 1 mm receiving this high dose. Conclusion: At our institution we intentionally overlap photon and electron fields by 3mm at the match‐line to ensure there are no cold regions. The maximum dose can exceed 150% of the prescribed dose, with nearly the length of the match‐line experiencing dose exceeding the prescription.
Principal Axis Analysis of Dental Attrition Data

The principal axis method is an age independent analysis method for dental attrition data which avoids many problems associated with earlier methods of analysis, correlation and regression. A principal axis equation is determined from the scatter of M1 on X and M2 on Y, and the slope of the equation can be used to indicate rate of wear. High slopes indicate rapid rates of wear. Because rate of wear rather than degree of wear is the parameter of interest, the procedure is age independent. Confidence regions can be calculated to test the distinctness of the slopes. Dental data from three Amerind skeletal samples, Indian Knoll, Hardin Site and Campbell Site, are used to illustrate the technique. Because least squares fits such as the principal axis solution are strongly influenced by the magnitude of variance in the data, two different methods of ordinal data collection are used in this test: Molnar's 1–8 and Scott's 4–40 scales. The Scott scoring system provides more satisfactory results when used in the principal axis analysis technique because of smaller confidence regions. The testing of the technique on other samples is urged.
Changes in tobacco smoking following treatment for cocaine dependence

Incorporation of smoking cessation into cocaine treatment programs remains a challenge. A major concern is that cocaine abusers may tend to substitute one drug for the other. If this is true, successful treatment of cocaine abuse should lead to an increase in tobacco smoking. We compared tobacco smoking at admission, end of treatment and 9-month follow up for 168 crack cocaine dependent patients entering a 12-week outpatient treatment program for substance abuse. Smoking cessation was not a part of treatment. As expected cocaine patients improved with treatment and showed significant reduction in scores on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). There were no significant changes in number of cigarettes smoked per day or scores on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine dependence (FTND) from baseline to end of treatment or follow-up. Also, there were no differences in the proportions of nonsmokers and smokers who changed their smoking habits over the treatment and follow up period. At follow up subjects who were abstinent as well as those using cocaine showed no changes in tobacco smoking. There is no evidence that reduction in crack cocaine smoking following treatment is accompanied by an increase in tobacco smoking. It appears that concerns over tobacco being substituted for cocaine may be unfounded in this population.
Present‐day springtime high‐latitude surface albedo as a predictor of simulated climate sensitivity

[1] Simulations by the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) and 15 other climate models suggest that climate sensitivity is linked to continental middle to high latitude present-day springtime albedo. We compare 1 x CO 2 and 2 x CO 2 CAM simulations against similar simulations with snow cover fraction purposely increased. Greater snow cover fraction leads to higher albedo and lower temperatures at 1 x CO 2 but has less influence at 2 x CO 2 when little snow remains due to global warming. This makes the simulation with higher albedo at 1 x CO 2 more sensitive to increased CO 2 , in agreement with past work. We show that the wide variation in simulated snow-albedo feedbacks and climate sensitivities among 15 other models correlates well with variations in the continental middle to high latitude present-day springtime albedo, in agreement with our CAM results. The development of more accurate snow and albedo parameterizations should improve model estimates of climate sensitivity.
Ice surfaces: macroscopic effects of microscopic structure

The balance between ice and water controls the habitability of an important fraction of the globe and influences the majority of the world9population. The freezing of water to form ice is one of the most common phase transformations in the natural environment. However, a complete understanding of its microscopics and their influence on macroscopic phenomena still eludes us. As this millennium comes to a close, we are beginning to understand how the microscopic interfacial structure of ice controls pattern formation during ice–crystal growth, the evolution of the polycrystalline fabrics of the great ice sheets, the dynamics of ground freezing, ozone destruction, and the mechanism of charge transfer that drives thunderstorm electrification. This paper describes our evolving understanding, its implications for the basic principles of melting and freezing, and their environmental consequences.
Service to Induction Motors

A brief discussion of the effect of applied voltage on induction motor performance and of induction motor starting on system voltage is presented. Charts which facilitate rapid approximation of voltage dip due to across-the-line starting of induction motors are included. For cases where the charts may not be applicable, a systematized method of calculating the voltage dip is presented.
The red‐ox status of a penicillin‐binding protein is an on/off switch for spore peptidoglycan synthesis in Bacillus subtilis

Summary Thiol-disulphide oxidoreductases catalyse the formation or breakage of disulphide bonds to control the red-ox status of a variety of proteins. Their activity is compartmentalized, as exemplified by the distinct roles these enzymes play in the cytoplasm and periplasm of Gram-negative bacteria. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, an article from Lars Hederstedt and collaborators at Lund University sheds light on another member of this superfamily of proteins, the thioredoxin-like protein StoA from Bacillus subtilis. Interestingly, StoA function is required in yet another subcellular compartment: the intermembrane space that separates forespores from mother cells in endospore-forming bacteria. Specifically, this study demonstrates that the high-molecular-weight penicillin-binding protein SpoVD, which contains two exposed cysteine residues and whose extracellular domain is located in the intermembrane space, is a substrate of StoA. As formation of a disulphide bond most likely inactivates SpoVD activity, the converse breakage of that bond in a process catalysed by StoA appears to be the trigger that initiates peptidoglycan synthesis in sporulating cells.
Differences in motivations and weight loss behaviors in young adults and older adults in the National Weight Control Registry.

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) provides unique data on the motivations and behavioral strategies used by individuals who have been successful at long-term weight loss (1–4). Previous studies have demonstrated that those NWCR members whose weight loss was precipitated, or “triggered”, by a medical concern lost more weight upon entry into the Registry and also maintained their weight losses better over time compared with those who reported other types of triggers (5). Additionally, data indicate that the successful weight losers in the NWCR report consuming a low calorie, low fat diet, maintaining high levels of physical activity and self-weighing frequently (1–4). Although findings from the Registry have greatly enhanced our understanding of the general characteristics and behaviors associated with successful long-term weight loss in an adult population, none of these studies have focused specifically on young adults. According to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data, approximately half of young adults <35 years of age are overweight or obese (6). Further, this age group is at greater risk for weight gain than older adults, and overweight young adults are at the highest risk for additional weight gain (7–9). Despite the prevalence of obesity in the young adult population, this age group is less likely to enroll in standard behavioral weight loss programs than older adults; they are also less likely to be retained over time and on average lose less weight in these programs than older adults (10). Thus, recently there has been a call to develop weight control programs specifically targeting young adults (11). A better understanding of the motivations and behaviors of young adults who are successful at long-term weight loss compared to that of older adults may help to inform the development of effective weight control approaches for this high-risk age group.
Effect of sulfones on complement deposition in dermatitis herpetiformis and on complement-mediated guinea-pig reactions.

The role of complement and the mechanism of sulfone action in dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) have not yet been established; prior studies have presented conflicting data regarding the effect of sulfones on complement activation and deposition. Thirty-eight DH patients were studied. Twenty-four of 25 perilesional skin biopsies and 50 of 67 normal-appearing skin biopsies showed the third component of complement (C3) deposited in areas corresponding to those of IgA deposition. Nine of 10 patients with bound C3 in normal-appearing and perilesional skin during periods of active disease continued to have C3 in normal-appearing skin when treatment with sulfones kept them completely free of lesions for 2 to 8 weeks. When either Hartley-strain or C4-deficient guinea pigs were given up to 150 mg/kg sulfoxone (a water-soluble sulfone) intraperitoneally for 8 days before elicitation of active Arthus, reverse passive Arthus reactions, or Forssman shock, there was no difference in time course, character, or intensity of reactions when compared to saline-treated control animals. We were therefore unable to demonstrate any effect of sulfones on complement deposition in DH skin or on complement activation in classical or alternate complement pathway-mediated guinea-pig reactions.
Intracardiac amputation of a plastic catheter during left heart catheterization

Abstract A case of accidental intracardiac amputation of a plastic catheter during left heart catheterization is reported. Operation as well as mitral commissurotomy with removal of the catheter was followed by uneventful recovery of the patient. The case is reported as a reminder of the possibility of its occurrence and the serious consequences. With proper smoothing of the heel of the bevel of the needle tip such a mishap should be preventable.
Boceprevir: A Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

Background: Boceprevir is a protease inhibitor indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin for treatment-naive patients and those who previously failed to improve with interferon and ribavirin treatment. Objective: This article provides an overview of the mechanism of action, pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of
Infrared Cloaking, Stealth, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Infrared signature management (IRSM) has been a primary aeronautical concern for over 50 years. Most strategies and technologies are limited by the second law of thermodynamics. In this article, IRSM is considered in light of theoretical developments over the last 15 years that have put the absolute status of the second law into doubt and that might open the door to a new class of broadband IR stealth and cloaking techniques. Following a brief overview of IRSM and its current thermodynamic limitations, theoretical and experimental challenges to the second law are reviewed. One proposal is treated in detail: a high power density, solid-state power source to convert thermal energy into electrical or chemical energy. Next, second-law based infrared signature management (SL-IRSM) strategies are considered for two representative military scenarios: an underground installation and a SL-based jet engine. It is found that SL-IRSM could be technologically disruptive across the full spectrum of IRSM modalities, including camouflage, surveillance, night vision, target acquisition, tracking, and homing.
Martingales without tears

This pedagogical paper presents a casual introduction to martingales, or fair gambling processes. Our objective is to describe the concept of a martingale and its application to common statistical tests used in the analysis of survival data, but without the mathematical rigor required for formal proofs. We use heuristic arguements to demonstrate that the logrank statistic evaluated over followup time is a fair gambling process, and introduce some mathematical notation and terminology along the way. We then employ the counting process approach to show that the logrank statistic computed over followup time can be expressed as the difference of two martingale transforms, and thus is a martingale. These ideas are first introduced in the context of a discrete time process, and are then generalized to a continuous time process. With slight modifications, the same idea extends from the logrank to other weighted Mantel-Haenszel statistics computed over time.
Reconstruction of Wassel type IV thumb duplication.

The most common thumb duplication is a Wassel type IV with duplication of the proximal and distal phalanges. The term “split-thumb” seems more appropriate as neither element is as robust as a normal thumb. The split parts may share bony elements, tendons, ligaments, joints, neurovascular structures,
Strong and regulated promoters in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120

The strengths of several promoters were assessed in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 by fusing them to luxAB, encoding bacterial luciferase. Two promoters, Ptac and PpsbA, with sequences nearly identical to consensus Escherichia coliσ70 promoters, gave as high or higher expression than the strong Anabaena promoter, Prbc. Pnpt, the natural promoter driving expression of the kanamycin-resistance determinant from Tn5, was poorly expressed in Anabaena. The Lac repressor partially repressed expression from Ptac, permitting regulated expression in Anabaena after induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside to a level 4–5-fold higher than without inducer.
Effects of Hypocaloric Diet and Exercise Training on Inflammation and Adipocyte Lipolysis in Obese Postmenopausal Women

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a hypocaloric diet with and without exercise training is effective in reducing plasma C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNFalpha, and their soluble receptors (sIL-6R, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2), and whether changes in these inflammatory markers are related to changes in regional lipolysis in obese (body mass index, 32.78 +/- 4.73) postmenopausal women (diet alone, n = 17; diet plus exercise, n = 17). All inflammatory markers were measured by an ELISA method. In vitro lipolysis was evaluated by measuring glycerol release using a one-step enzymatic fluorometric technique. Six months of diet and diet plus exercise decreased total and abdominal fat to a similar degree. Diet plus exercise, but not diet alone, decreased plasma levels of C-reactive protein, IL-6, sIL-6R, and sTNFR1 and increased basal and postreceptor stimulated lipolysis in both abdominal and gluteal regions. Changes in abdominal stimulated lipolysis correlated significantly with changes in plasma IL-6 (r = -0.39) and TNFR1 (r = -047). Thus, diet plus exercise training, but not diet alone, is effective in reducing chronic inflammation in obese postmenopausal women. In addition, modification of chronic inflammation is associated with changes in local adipose tissue metabolism in response to diet and exercise.
Boron Content and Profiles in Large Laboratory Diamonds

Neutron activation and plastic particle track detectors have been used to obtain boron content and boron segregation patterns in laboratory diamonds, with silicon wafers doped with boron as reference standards. Boron concentrations between 3 and 270 atomic p.p.m. have been observed.
Feather Meal in Chick Nutrition

Abstract THE vast extension of the broiler industry in recent years has resulted in an annual production of 60,000 tons or more of feathers. A large percentage of these feathers has been used for fertilizing purposes. As feathers contain 82 percent protein they have been considered a possible source of protein for poultry feeds. A director’s report by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station (1926) showed that hydrolyzed feathers improved egg production in one year but not in the second year. The researchers concluded that the expense of hydrolyzing chicken feathers was too great to warrant further nutritional studies of feathers in commercial poultry feeds. Draper (1944) reported favorable results of sodium sulfide-treated feathers in a basal cereal diet with chicks and rats. Feather protein was found by Routh (1942) to be deficient in tryptophane, methionine, lysine and histidine. Wilder (1953) reported that a combination of 3 percent feather meal, 3 percent …
Femoral vein valve repair under direct vision without venotomy: a modified technique with use of angioscopy.

From the Section of Vascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester. Presented at the Third Annual Meeting of The American Venous Forum, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Feb. 21-22, 1991. Reprint requests: Peter Gloviczki, MD, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St., SW, Rochester, MN 55905. 24/l/32971 technique involved a longitudinal venotomy in the femoral vein and placement of sutures to shorten the vein cusps under direct vision. Variations of open valve repair have been reported by others.2-3 More recently, Kistner introduced a closed technique of external suture repair of an incompetent valve.4 The major advantage of this technique is the avoidance of venotomy and the associated physical handling of the vein wall, both of which may bc thrombogenic. The potential disadvantage is the lack of visual control as
Malate and Fumarate Extend Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Malate, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolite, increased lifespan and thermotolerance in the nematode C. elegans. Malate can be synthesized from fumarate by the enzyme fumarase and further oxidized to oxaloacetate by malate dehydrogenase with the accompanying reduction of NAD. Addition of fumarate also extended lifespan, but succinate addition did not, although all three intermediates activated nuclear translocation of the cytoprotective DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor and protected from paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The glyoxylate shunt, an anabolic pathway linked to lifespan extension in C. elegans, reversibly converts isocitrate and acetyl-CoA to succinate, malate, and CoA. The increased longevity provided by malate addition did not occur in fumarase (fum-1), glyoxylate shunt (gei-7), succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein (sdha-2), or soluble fumarate reductase F48E8.3 RNAi knockdown worms. Therefore, to increase lifespan, malate must be first converted to fumarate, then fumarate must be reduced to succinate by soluble fumarate reductase and the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex II. Reduction of fumarate to succinate is coupled with the oxidation of FADH2 to FAD. Lifespan extension induced by malate depended upon the longevity regulators DAF-16 and SIR-2.1. Malate supplementation did not extend the lifespan of long-lived eat-2 mutant worms, a model of dietary restriction. Malate and fumarate addition increased oxygen consumption, but decreased ATP levels and mitochondrial membrane potential suggesting a mild uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Malate also increased NADPH, NAD, and the NAD/NADH ratio. Fumarate reduction, glyoxylate shunt activity, and mild mitochondrial uncoupling likely contribute to the lifespan extension induced by malate and fumarate by increasing the amount of oxidized NAD and FAD cofactors.
Methylene-blue-associated encephalopathy.

R O u t c r w his article reviews the experience at our institution ith infusion of methylene blue during parathyroidctomy and subsequent development of a rare enephalopathy. Use of methylene blue for localization f parathyroid adenomas is a well-described and timeroved technique. Its use aids identification and can ecrease operative time. Few complications have ever een noted. There are only four case reports within he literature of neurologic sequelae after administraion of methylene blue. Over the past 6 years, we have erformed 132 parathyroidectomies aided by ethylene-blue infusion, with unexplained encephaopathy developing in 5 patients. Interestingly, all the atients in whom encephalopathy developed had conurrent use of medications that altered the metabolism f serotonin. The same proved true for the patients in he four previous case reports, although no association ad been made, as they appeared as isolated cases. In our eries, encephalopathy did not develop in any patient ithout concurrent use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors. his proved significant when analyzed using Fisher’s exct test (two-sided p 0.00002). We believe that use of ethylene blue in patients currently taking drugs that lter the metabolism of serotonin should be reconsidred, as this can cause a profound and potentially lifehreatening encephalopathy. Methylene blue is an interesting compound, used or over 100 years to treat a variety of afflictions. Its roperties as a dye, electron transport agent, antisepic, pressor, photosensitizer, and psychotrope have led o its broad use for many applications. Its most ommon modern medical application is as an antiote for methemoglobinemia. Methylene blue is frequently used in surgical practice or localization of parathyroid adenomas. Its use aids dentification and can decrease operative time. The dye
Handling side-information for data compression radar pulse trains

Previously a method has been proposed for a high-performance compression method designed expressly for compressing intercepted radar pulse trains for the purpose of locating the transmitter. The method relies on gating pulses, putting them into a pulse matrix and then using the singular value decomposition (SVD) to compress the signal data. This paper reformulates the pulse gating method and shows that it requires the solution of an integer linear programming problem and several standard methods are first considered. It is shown that the large number of constraints in the original formulation can be significantly reduced by replacing the constraint set by its convex hull; simple rules for identifying the convex hull are given. However, even with these reductions the execution time for these methods can be prohibitive at very large pulse counts; furthermore, these methods exhibited numerical precision and convergence problems as the number of pulses increased. Therefore, an efficient non-standard method for solving this integer optimization problem is developed by exploiting characteristics of the objective function. This method solves the pulse gating problem with short execution times that grow negligibly with increasing pulse counts.
Processing and thermal properties of highly oriented diamond thin films

Abstract This paper discusses early research surrounding bias-enhanced nucleation (BEN) of diamond, which ultimately led to its development as a heteroepitaxial nucleation process. Substrate effects on bias-enhanced nucleation were observed in these early studies, indicating that carbide formers were effective substrates. Later, epitaxial nucleation on (100) β-SiC, (100) Si, and (111) TiC was demonstrated. The thermal attributes of epitaxially textured films have been more recently evaluated by comparing the in-plane thermal conductivity of highly oriented films to those of randomly fiber-textured films. The thermal properties were determined using Joule heating thermometry and indicated room temperature thermal conductivity values of ∼650 and ∼335 W/m K for the respective films. This two-fold improvement is ascribed to reduced phonon scattering at the low angle grain boundaries characterizing the epitaxially textured films. This is further supported by temperature-dependent measurements, which showed a more pronounced sensitivity to these defects within the random fiber-textured films at low measurement temperatures.
Palatal Sound: a comprehensive model of vocal tract articulation*

Palatal Sound is a model of vocal tract articulation influenced by physiologic and acoustic analysis of the voice. Specifically, the term articulation refers to all movement within the vocal tract that results in open, filter-like sonorities, as well as in turbulent to absolute airflow modification. This model presents a complete mapping of place within the vocal tract that features flexibility across different vocal tract sizes and proportions. The principles behind this comprehensive mapping of acoustic and physical sound production techniques should not be foreign to those persons who create, combine, design, model or research sound. Therefore, this model might suggest avenues of sound exploration regardless of media or application. This text first presents a brief overview of the current trends of oral modification using vowels, followed by an introduction to and acoustic analyses of the comprehensive vocal tract model as applied to open-like sonorities. This model is then expanded through the presentation of other methods of open-like behaviours. Following the discussion of open sonorities, turbulent-like behaviours are discussed by first identifying the use of language-based fricatives and stops. After this (re-)exposition, the comprehensive model is applied to turbulent structures through examples and acoustic analyses. Finally, these turbulent methods are completed by additional, complementary methods of vocal tract turbulence. The intentions of this paper are: (i) to document this model clearly, (ii) to identify differences between speech and song articulatory behaviour and that of this comprehensive model with the aid of selected acoustic analyses, (iii) to suggest that this model renders valuable scientific information about the limits of vocal tract physiology, and (iv) to propose the practical use of this model by composers and performers.
A single-pixel terahertz camera

We describe a single-pixel, pulsed terahertz camera which uses random patterns to enable high-speed image acquisition. Our method requires no raster scanning of objects, nor detection using a focal-plane array.
PARTITIONING OF NITROGEN OVER FIVE GROWING SEASONS IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

Annual spring burning of tallgrass prairie increases plant biomass production despite losses of N and lower net N mineralization. To better understand how burning influences the cycling of N in prairie, '5N was injected to soil as NH4+, and the partitioning between plant and soil N pools was followed over five growing seasons in annually burned and unburned prairie. Applied '5N was rapidly immobilized with <2% and 11% of the '5N remaining in inorganic forms six days after application in burned and unburned prairie, respectively. Seventy-seven percent (burned prairie) and 70% (unburned prairie) of the applied '5N was initially recovered as soil organic N (oN), with a majority accounted for in microbial biomass. Plants contained --20% of the applied N with the largest portion recovered from roots regardless of burning. At the end of the first growing season, only 55% of the applied 15N was recovered from the unburned prairie, while 85% was recovered from burned prairie. The total 'SN content of the plants changed little during the first growing season, but the portion recovered in the rhizomes increased, indicating belowground N storage. Total recovery and distribution of applied N changed little from the end of the first to the end of the second season growing season. Accumulations of 15N within the plants decreased greatly between the second and fifth growing seasons, but N lost from plants was accounted for in oN. Conservation of N by plants and tight cycling of N within the root zone suggest mechanisms by which prairie can be a highly productive ecosystem despite limited N availability. The immobilization of potentially mineralized N within the root zone increased with burning, offsetting the loss of N to fire probably by reducing leaching and denitrification losses.
Trachiectasis with Tracheocele: Report of Case in Which a Tracheocele was Resected

Trachiectasis is characterized by dilatation of the trachea and by multiple small herniations of the membranous portion of the trachea. It has also been called tracheal or bronchial diverticulosls,1 multiple diverticula2 of the trachea, or generalized softening of the tracheobronchial system (tracheomalacia).3 On rare occasions, this condition has been associated with the formation of a tracheocele, which has sometimes been referred to as a tracheal diverticulum, bronchocele, aerocele or air cyst. A tracheocele may be present without associated trachiectasis. Ziegelman4 and Drymalski, Thompson and Sweany5 reviewed the literature concerning tracheal diverticula and presented excellent summaries of the subject. They said that this condition was described and clearly distinguished from goiter as early as the seventeenth century. Most instances of this condition have been found at necropsy. Morlock and Pinchin’ and Nielsen2 reported cases similar to the one which we shall report, In which the diagnosis was established by bronchography. Addington, Rusk and Cohen6 repprted a case of tracheocele in 1944. Their photographs also demonstrated the condition we are calling trachiectasis, but they did not comment on this. Report of Case A male retail sales clerk, 52 years of age, came to the Mayo Clinic on November 3, 1951, complaining of a cough productive of large amounts of purulent sputum. During World War I he had noted the gradual onset of this difficulty, and since that time there had been little change in symptoms. The most troublesome feature had been the frequent sudden paroxysms of coughing which often occurred while he had been helping a customer. At these times, it had been necessary for him to excuse himself in order to expectorate large amounts of purulent sputum. In addition to this, approximately one to four times yearly he had experienced episodes of chills followed by an increase in his temperature to 101 or 102 degrees F., which lasted two or three days. Physical examination did not disclose any abnormality. The otolaryngologist reported no evidence of disease in the accessory nasal sinuses. A roentgenogram of the thorax (Figure 1) was interpreted as showing a peculiar cystic structure adjacent to the left side of the superior portion of the mediastinum. At the time of bronchoscopic examination the trachea was found to be dilated, and an opening approximately 1 cm. in diameter was seen in the left posterolateral wall about 5 cm. below the vocal cords. Bronchograms demonstrated trachlectasis with multiple small diverticula (FIgure 2). At the level of the clavicles on the left there was a large tracheal diverticulum or tracheocele, which measured about 8 cm. in
Précis of The Foundations of Psychoanalysis: A Philosophical Critique..

This book critically examines Freud's own detailed arguments for his major explanatory and therapeutic principles, the current neorevisionist versions of psychoanalysis, and the hermeneuticists' reconstruction of Freud's theory and therapy as an alternative to what they claim was a “scientistic” misconstrual of the psychoanalytic enterprise. The clinical case for Freud's cornerstone theory of repression – the claim that psychic conflict plays a causal role in producing neuroses, dreams, and bungled actions – turns out to be ill-founded for two main reasons: (a) Even if clinical data were valid, the method of free association has failed to support the psychoanalytic theory of unconscious motivation; (b) Clinical data tend in any case to be artifacts of the analyst's self-fulfilling expectations, thus losing much of their evidential value. The hypothesis that psychoanalytic treatment is in reality a placebo poses a serious challenge to the assumption that insight is a key causal factor when therapy is successful. This challenge has yet to be met by psychoanalysts. Similar conclusions undermine the neorevisionist versions of psychoanalysis. The most influential hermeneuticists, on the other hand, are shown to have imposed an alien philosophy on psychoanalysis, partly through their reliance on gross misconceptions of the natural sciences. Karl Popper's criticism of the Freudian corpus as empirically untestable has misjudged its evidential weaknesses, which are more subtle. If there exists empirical evidence for the principal psychoanalytic doctrines, it cannot be obtained without well-designed extraclinical studies of a kind that have for the most part yet to be attempted.
MINIMAX REGRET TREATMENT CHOICE WITH INCOMPLETE DATA AND MANY TREATMENTS

This note adds to the recent research project on treatment choice under ambiguity. I generalize the Manski ( Journal of Econometrics , in press ) analysis of minimax regret treatment choice by considering a more general setting and, more importantly, by solving for the treatment rule given finitely many (as opposed to two) treatments. The most interesting finding is that with three or more undominated treatments, the minimax regret treatment rule may assign the same treatment to all subjects; thus, the most salient feature of the two-treatment case does not generalize. I thank Chuck Manski, the co-editor, and especially an anonymous referee for helpful comments. Financial support through the Robert Eisner Memorial Fellowship, Department of Economics, Northwestern University, in addition to a Dissertation Year Fellowship, The Graduate School, Northwestern University, is gratefully acknowledged.
Interferometric studies of rapid rotators

Stellar rotation, like stellar mass and metallicity, is a fundamental property of stars. Rapid rotation distorts the stellar photosphere and affects a star's luminosity, abundances and evolution. It is also linked to stellar wind and mass loss. The distortion of the stellar photosphere due to rapid rotation causes the stellar surface brightness and effective temperature to vary with latitude, leading to a bright pole and a dark equator - a phenomenon known as ‘Gravity Darkening’. Thanks to the development of long baseline optical interferometry in recent years, optical interferometers have resolved the elongation of rapidly rotating stars, and have even imaged a few systems for the first time, directly confirming the gravity darkening effect. In this paper, we review the recent interferometric studies of rapid rotators, particularly the imaging results from CHARA-MIRC. These sub-milliarcsecond resolution observations permit the determination of the inclination, the polar and equatorial radius and temperature, as well as the fractional rotation speed of several rapid rotators with unprecedented precision. The modeling also allows the determination of the true effective temperatures and luminosities of these stars, permitting the investigation of their true locations on the HR diagram. Discrepancies from standard models were also found in some measurements, suggesting the requirement of more sophisticated mechanisms such as non-uniform rotation in the model. These observations have demonstrated that optical interferometry is now sufficiently mature to provide valuable constraints and even model-independent images to shed light on the basic physics of stars.
Software debugging, testing, and verification

In commercial software development organizations, increased complexity of products, shortened development cycles, and higher customer expectations of quality have placed a major responsibility on the areas of software debugging, testing, and verification. As this issue of the IBM Systems Journal illustrates, there are exciting improvements in the underlying technology on all three fronts. However, we observe that due to the informal nature of software development as a whole, the prevalent practices in the industry are still immature, even in areas where improved technology exists. In addition, tools that incorporate the more advanced aspects of this technology are not ready for large-scale commercial use. Hence there is reason to hope for significant improvements in this area over the next several years.
Trends In Health Insurance Enrollment, 2013–15

We examined insurance transitions between September 2013 and February 2015, before and after the Affordable Care Act’s coverage-related provisions took effect in 2014. We found that 22.8 million people gained coverage and that 5.9 million people lost coverage, for a net increase of 16.9 million people with insurance.
Progress in acute myeloid leukemia

Significant progress has been made in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Steady gains in clinical research and a renaissance of genomics in leukemia have led to improved outcomes. The recognition of tremendous heterogeneity in AML has allowed individualized treatments of specific disease entities within the context of patient age, cytogenetics, and mutational analysis. The following is a comprehensive review of the current state of AML therapy and a roadmap of our approach to these distinct disease entities.
Retroperitoneal edema: sonographic mimic of retroperitoneal fluid collection

Background: The sonographic finding of an anechoic retroperitoneal abnormality suggests a fluid collection (e.g., abscess, urinoma, hematoma). Our study was performed to evaluate cases in which this sonographic finding appeared to be a manifestation of systemic edema.