cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lay Advisor Interventions in Rural Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Context Age-adjusted death rates for heart disease are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Lay advisors could potentially facilitate improvement in cardiovascular health outcomes. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate lay advisor intervention effects on cardiovascular health metrics in rural populations. Evidence acquisition Searches of databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus from 1975 through October 2017 retrieved 323 citations, of which 272 abstracts were reviewed. Two authors independently abstracted data from eligible studies. Analysis was conducted in March 2018. Evidence synthesis Of 21 articles included in the systematic review, eight were RCTs and 13 were pre- and post-intervention studies. Of the RCTs, three took place in the U.S. Only two studies had low risk of bias. Using a random effects model, meta-analysis of six RCTs (1,641 participants) showed that lay advisor interventions in rural residents were associated with improvement in HbA1c of 0.4% (95% CI=0.13, 0.66, p=0.004, I2=60.65%). From four RCTs (873 participants), lay advisor interventions significantly improved BMI with pooled effect of 2.18 (95% CI=1.13, 3.24, p Conclusions Lay advisor interventions had significant positive effects on glycemic control and BMI for rural residents; however, further rigorous studies are needed in U.S. rural populations, and elements of effective lay advisor interventions require further investigation.
TCT-756 Incidence of Patient Prosthesis Mismatch Following Native and Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Based on Indexed Aortic Valve Area Compared to Energy Loss Index

Severe patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is defined as an indexed aortic valve area (AVAi) <0.65 cm2/m2. Its effect on clinical outcomes may be unfavorable following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, its incidence may be exaggerated when using AVAi, especially following valve-
Micelle Heterogeneity from the 2D Kinetics of Solute Rotation

The chemical and physical properties of microstructured materials vary with position. The photophysics of solute molecules can measure these local properties, but they often show multiple rates (rate dispersion), which complicates the interpretation. In the case of micelles, rate dispersion in a solute’s anisotropy decay has been assigned to either local anisotropy or heterogeneity in the local viscosity. To resolve this conflict, the rotation of PM597 molecules in SDS micelles has been measured by polarized MUPPETS (multiple population-period transient spectroscopy). This 2D technique shows that heterogeneity is strong and that local anisotropy is minimal. The results suggest that on a subnanosecond time scale, the solute sees only one strong fluctuation of the micelle structure. The anisotropic, average structure emerges on longer time scales.
Indecomposable Ideals of Finitary Incidence Algebras

Abstract R.D. Sorkin showed in [8] how to recover a finite poset ( P , ≤ ) by algebraic means from its incidence algebra I ( P ) . We generalize this result to finitary incidence algebras F I ( P ) and arbitrary posets ( P , ≤ ) .
Pervasive additive and non-additive effects within the HLA region contribute to disease risk in the UK Biobank

Abstract The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region of the genome is one of the most disease-associated regions of the human genome, yet even well-studied alleles in the HLA region have unknown impact on disease. Here, we study the effect of 156 HLA alleles on 677 binary phenotypes for 337,138 individuals in the UK Biobank. We perform single-allele association analysis and subsequent Bayesian Model Averaging for conditional analysis, a) replicating 88 known associations between HLA alleles and cancer and other binary phenotypes, and b) discovering 90 novel associations, including to phenotypes not previously associated with the HLA region (e.g. anemias and acne), and associations to skin and reproductive tract cancers. Finally, we find many non-additive effects, suggesting a more complex landscape of disease modifying effects throughout the region. Our results demonstrate the HLA region’s complexity and richness while underscoring its clinical relevance.
Early prediction of delirium in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit: A pilot study

Abstract Background Pediatric delirium is associated with increased risk of mortality, prolonged time to extubation, and increased length of stay. If the risk of delirium could be identified early, then preventative strategies could be targeted. Objectives To study the performance of an early delirium prediction model in children admitted to a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit using variables extracted from the electronic medical record 24 hours after admission. Methods This was a single center, IRB approved, retrospective study of children between 31 days and 18 years old who were admitted to the cardiac ICU for at least three consecutive days during a 1-year study period (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018). Using fifteen previously defined variables associated with delirium in children, we determined their presence at 24 hours after admission and created a model to predict the risk of delirium anytime during a child's stay. Delirium was considered present if a patient had at least one Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium score of 9 or greater, required an antipsychotic or had an ICD-10 diagnosis of delirium. Repeated measures logistic regression between the preselected variables associated with delirium and the clinical diagnosis of delirium was performed. Variables significant in the unadjusted univariate analyses were entered into a multivariable model for adjustment. Results A total of 97 patients (113 admits) were included. The presence of four covariates at 24 hours following admit (serum albumin below 3 g/dl, blood transfusion, dexmedetomidine, and mechanical ventilation) were identified as significant predictors of delirium. The model demonstrated good discriminative ability with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.74. Conclusion Early prediction of delirium may be possible, but this model requires additional study and validation in a larger subset of subjects. Identification of patients at high-risk for delirium may facilitate targeted delirium prevention strategies.
Pediatric brain tumors

Abstract Childhood brain tumors are the most common type of pediatric solid tumors. Treatment of these tumors is multimodal including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Tremendous advancement in surgical procedures, systemic agents, and radiotherapy techniques has led to improvement of control and survival outcomes, although at the expense of associated morbidity. Therefore, reduction of long-term treatment-related side effects while maintaining efficacy is an ongoing goal of management of pediatric brain tumors.
Identifying Risks for Attrition in First-Year Nursing Students at a Southeastern State Technical College

Never has nursing student retention been as critical as it is today. The ongoing nursing shortage demands an increase in the number of bedside nurses. Combine this with declining institutional funding and decreasing population numbers means that nursing student retention has become a recent focus. Nursing students are typically non-traditional students and so are stressed by different variables than their traditional counterparts. This quantitative retrospective study explored the data gathered previously from students who either exited the program or those who failed a nursing exam. The study used the Bean and Metzner’s (1985) Student Attrition Model which identified variables that affect non-traditional students and their persistence. These students were required to meet with an instructor at this southeastern state technical college and data are gathered that details the number of hours worked, days missed or absent, and the number of days worked prior to an exam. A correlation and regression analysis was used to analyze the study data. Some statistical links were noted between the identified variables, this project also highlights the lack of definitive work to guide educators at this institution in their efforts to better understand student attrition and persistence. Further research is recommended to continue to delve into this area of much needed change to answer the call of the nursing shortage and to assist nursing students in maximizing their full potential each and every time.
Intraoperative Methadone Use in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of intraoperative methadone to standard of care opioids such as fentanyl and morphine on pain scores, opioid consumption, and adverse effects in adults undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS The literature was reviewed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, followed by a manual search using reference lists of the identified articles. Search terms included a combination of intraoperative methadone, methadone, and cardiac surgery. Our review includes four studies published between 2011 and 2020. Quality assessment of the studies was performed. RESULTS The initial search identified 715 articles with 461 duplicates removed, and 236 eliminated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eighteen articles underwent full-text review. Four studies evaluating a total of 435 patients with various cardiothoracic procedures were included in this review. We found that intraoperative methadone decreases acute postoperative pain and reduces postoperative opioid consumption in the first 24 postoperative hours in patients who received 0.1-0.3 mg/kg intraoperative methadone in comparison to morphine and fentanyl. No difference was found in adverse effects between the groups. Quality assessment of the studies showed a low risk of bias in three of the randomized controlled trials and a high risk of bias in the retrospective review because of the baseline confounding bias in the study design. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative methadone use reduces acute postoperative pain and lowers opioid consumption in comparison to morphine and fentanyl. Initial results suggest that methadone may be an equivalent opioid to be administered during cardiothoracic procedures to reduce acute post-surgical pain, though further research is warranted.
Mechanisms for Power Laws

Power law distributions are ubiquitous statistical features of natural systems and are found in many different scientific disciplines. Indeed, many natural phenomena have power law size distributions reading, in the notation of Chap. 4, $$P(x) \propto \frac{1}{{{x^1} + \mu }}$$ (14.1) up to some large limiting cut-off [463, 7, 607]. In expression (14.1), P(x)dx is the probability to observe the variable in the range between x and x + dx. Power laws seem to also describe a large ensemble of social and economic statistics [553, 828, 461, 233, 792, 469, 470, 29].
INTERGENIC RECOMBINATION, DNA REPLICATION AND SYNAPTONEMAL COMPLEX FORMATION IN THE DROSOPHILA OOCYTE

The transition from microbial systems to the higher eukaryotes introduces a different order of time and physical dimensions. For recombination studies the change confers both advantages and disadvantages. The increased complexity of the organism imposes difficulties in isolating meiocytes free of somatic cells and other germ cells for the kinds of molecular approaches that have been used so successfully in prokaryotes, but the increased complexity also entails a temporal extension and compartmentalization of meiotic events which, for some studies, simplifies their dissection and examination.
Polyamine-like actions of peptides derived from conantokin-G, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist

Conantokins-T and -G are highly conserved polypeptides derived from Conus venoms. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist properties of these compounds have been attributed to a potent noncompetitive inhibition of polyamine responses. Substitution of the highly conserved gamma-carboxyglutamate residues as well as modification of the N and C termini of conantokin-G abolished the inhibition of polyamine responses at the NMDA receptor complex. However, several of these modified polypeptides closely mimicked the neurochemical profile of polyamines at the NMDA receptor complex. One of these derivatives, Tyr0-conantokin-G, was found to be the most potent compound exhibiting polyamine-like actions at the NMDA receptor complex described to date, approximately 7-fold more potent than spermine. Circular dichroism studies demonstrate a significant alpha-helical content in conantokin-G (27% in aqueous medium). However, this alpha-helicity is not sufficient for the NMDA antagonist action of the parent peptide and is neither necessary nor sufficient for the polyamine-like behavior of several conantokin-G analogs. The modified conantokin-G derivatives described in this report should be useful probes for examining the role of both polyamines and the polyamine recognition site in the operation of the NMDA receptor complex.
Food for a Volcanic Diet

Chemical analyses of lava can now reveal the nature of the rocks deep in the Earth that melted and rose to generate specific volcanoes.
Palmitic and Stearic Acids Similarly Affect Plasma Lipoprotein Metabolism in Cynomolgus Monkeys Fed Diets with Adequate Levels of Linoleic Acid

This study was designed to evaluate whether the exchange of specific saturated fatty acids [SFA; palmitic acid (16:0) for stearic acid (18:0)] would differentially affect plasma lipids and lipoproteins, when diets contained the currently recommended levels of total SFA, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Ten male cynomolgus monkeys were fed one of two purified diets (using a cross-over design) enriched either in 16:0 (palmitic acid diet) or 18:0 (stearic acid diet). Both diets provided 30% of energy as fat (SFA/monounsaturated fatty acid/PUFA: 1/1/1). The palmitic acid and stearic acid diets were based on palm oil or cocoa butter (59% and 50% of the total fat, respectively). By adding different amounts of sunflower, safflower and olive oils, an effective exchange of 16:0 for 18:0 of approximately 5% of energy was achieved with all other fatty acids being held constant. Monkeys were rotated through two 10-wk feeding periods, during which time plasma lipids and in vivo lipoprotein metabolism (following the simultaneous injection of (131)I-LDL and (125)I- HDL were evaluated). Plasma triacyglycerol (0.40 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.03 mmol/L), plasma total cholesterol (3.59 +/- 0.18 vs. 3.39 +/- 0.23 mmol/L), HDL cholesterol (1.60 +/- 0.16 vs 1.53 +/- 0.16 mmol/L) and non-HDL cholesterol (2.02 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.86 +/- 0.23 mmol/L) concentrations did not differ when monkeys consumed the palmitic acid and stearic acid diets, respectively. Plasma lipoprotein compositional analyses revealed a higher cholesteryl ester content in the VLDL fraction isolated after consumption of the stearic acid diet (P < 0.10), as well as a larger VLDL particle diameter (16.3 +/- 1.7 nm vs. 13.8 +/- 3.6 nm; P < 0.05). Kinetic analyses revealed no significant differences in LDL or HDL transport parameters. These data suggest that when incorporated into diets following current guidelines, containing adequate PUFA, an exchange of 16:0 for 18:0, representing approximately 11 g/(d.10.46 mJ) [ approximately 11 g/(d.2500 kcal)] does not affect the plasma lipid profile and has minor effects on lipoprotein composition. Whether a similar effect would occur in humans under comparable dietary conditions remains to be established.
Simulations of thermodynamics and kinetics on rough energy landscapes with milestoning

We investigated by computational means the kinetics and stationary behavior of stochastic dynamics on an ensemble of rough two-dimensional energy landscapes. There are no obvious separations of temporal scales in these systems, which constitute a simple model for the behavior of glasses and some biomaterials. Even though there are significant computational challenges present in these systems due to the large number of metastable states, the Milestoning method is able to compute their kinetic and thermodynamic properties exactly. We observe two clearly distinguished regimes in the overall kinetics: one in which diffusive behavior dominates and another that follows an Arrhenius law (despite the absence of a dominant barrier). We compare our results with those obtained with an exactly-solvable one-dimensional model, and with the results from the rough one-dimensional energy model introduced by Zwanzig. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eliminating the Ouija/sup (R)/ board: automatic thresholds and probabilistic I/sub DDQ/ diagnosis

I/sub DDQ/ diagnosis is an important part of the Failure Analysis toy box, but it often requires substantial guesswork and intuition, especially when trying to divine the proper pass-fail threshold for the correct diagnostic result. This paper describes clustering and probability assignment algorithms designed to eliminate this guesswork by automatically determining diagnostic pass-fail thresholds, while using probabilistic techniques to allow for reasonable noise and error. We report the result of using these techniques on some of the failing chips from the Sematech experiment. The system describe first identifies appropriate thresholds and then pinpoints the correct diagnosis without requiring manual intervention and without requiring that the observed I/sub DDQ/ behavior perfectly matches the predicted I/sub DDQ/ behavior. The paper also discusses the use of information produced by inductive fault analysis and specialized fault simulation as part of the diagnosis process.
The failure of hard materials in cyclic compression: Theory, experiments and applications

Abstract In this paper a summary is presented of recent developments in the understanding of mode I crack growth at room temperature in hard materials subject to uniaxial cyclic compressive stresses. Experimental observations of fatigue crack growth in cemented carbides, single-phase ceramics, transforming ceramics, ceramic composites and concrete are briefly reviewed. A detailed discussion of the “driving force” for the growth of a stable crack in a direction macroscopicaly normal to the far-field compression axis is presented. The “universal features” of cyclic compression fracture in a wide range of brittle and ductile solids are described. Some important applications of the compression fatigue phenomenon to the fracture toughness testing of brittle materials are high-lighted. The overall framework for a general theory of fatigue failure under far-field cyclic compression is developed.
Validation of ICNIRP estimates of toxicity thresholds for NIR (785 nm) light in the retinas of pigmented rabbits.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) established eye-safe exposure limits for laser light based on estimates of the 50% exposure dose (ED50) for retinal damage in animals. The ED50 has not been determined for continuous-wave near-infrared (NIR) light, as may be used in instruments for spectroscopic analysis of the eye. The purpose of this study is to determine the ED50 of 785-nm light delivered by a Raman spectroscopy instrument on the retinas of pigmented rabbits, and to compare that ED50 to the ICNIRP estimates. Light of varying power was focused into the anterior chambers of rabbits for 4, 20, or 300 s. Estimates of spot size on the retina were determined by modifying the schematic rabbit eye with actual axial length and refractive error measurements. Masked examiners determined retinal burns from fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms made immediately after exposure and again 48-72 h later. Thirty-five of 86 exposed eyes had retinal burns. In 12 of these the burn was not visible until 48-72 h. In 6 the burn was visible on color photographs, but not on fluorescein angiography. The ED50 retinal power density from probit analysis was 14,513 mW cm - 2 , 10,369 mW cm - 2 , and 5,237 mW cm - 2 for 4-s, 20-s, and 300-s exposures, respectively. Thus, the ED50 for retinal burns from 785-nm light is approximately 7 and 7.5 times the ICNIRP permitted limits for 4- and 20-s exposures, and 5.6 times the limit for 300-s exposures. This is consistent with the ICNIRP intention to set power limits several times less than ED50.
The evaluation of continuing education in the health professions. Report on a state‐of‐the‐art conference

“Although there is consensus that physicians and all members of the health professions must be life-long learners and that the main purpose of continuing education (CE) is to improve patient care, there is considerable dispute about the value of formal continuing education as it exists today. The controversy is complicated by the paucity of data to substitute the many claims for and against traditional continuing medical education (CME)” (1).
Traditional Politics and Regime Change in Brazil

List of tables and figures Preface Glossary of abbreviations and Portuguese terms 1. Introduction: traditional politics, new authoritarianism 2. Oligarchical power and traditional politics in Minas Gerais 3. The modern political economy of traditional politics 4. Bureaucratic authoritarianism and the state elite 5. Back to patronage: state clientelism in Minas Gerais 6. Authoritarian politics and traditional elites 7. The traditional political elite and the transition to democracy 8. Continuity in change: Brazilian authoritarianism and democratization in comparative perspective Appendix: the Minas elite References Index.
Cyclone development in the South Pacific convergence zone during FGGE, 10-17 January 1979

An analysis is presented of the life cycles of three different South Pacific cyclones. Emphasis is given to two of the cyclones which propagate south-eastward along the western edge of the South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ) and reach middle latitudes before decaying. The analysis is based on imagery from the GOES-West Satellite and on data from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (EMWF). A comparison between estimates of the mean sea level pressure in the vicinity of the cyclones taken at observation stations and from ECMWF predictions shows good agreement when the cyclone disturbances are above grid-scale. The propagation characteristics of the cyclones are discussed in detail.
Does the Honey Bee "Risk Cup" Runneth Over? Estimating Aggregate Exposures for Assessing Pesticide Risks to Honey Bees in Agroecosystems.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are uniquely vulnerable to nontarget pesticide impacts because, as ubiquitous managed pollinators, they are deliberately transported into areas where crops are grown with pesticides. Moreover, attributes making them excellent managed pollinators, including large long-lived colonies and complex behavior, also make them challenging subjects for toxicity bioassays. For over 150 years, improvements in formulation and delivery of pesticides, increasing their environmental and temporal presence, have had unintended consequences for honey bees. Since 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency has used “aggregate risk”—exposure risks to all possible sources—to set tolerances; once a “risk cup” is filled, no new pesticide or use can be approved unless risks are reduced elsewhere. The EPA now recommends a modeling approach for aggregating all exposure risks for bees, with differential lifestage sensitivity and exposure probabilities. Thus, the honey bee is the first insect with its own “r...
Assessment and Contrast of the Effects of Information and Communication Technology

This article compares the effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on labor productivity growth and human quality of life in industrialized countries. A mathematical evaluation method based on the concept of Pareto-optimal organization is proposed for this study. This method is easy to apply and uses a linear programming model. The weights for various measurements are determined by objective method and are standard. The method is illustrated with real data from 23 developed countries worldwide.
Magnitude scaling of displacement and velocity of tactile stimuli applied to the human hand.

Abstract The method of absolute judgment was used by 5 human observers to scale tactile stimulus velocity at each of two final displacement depths and to scale displacement depth at each of two onset velocities. Velocity scaling tended to be more reliable at greater displacement depths (800 vs 200 μm), and displacement scaling more reliable at faster velocities (100 μm/ms vs 1 μm/ms). Absolute judgments of displacement depth were affected by displacement velocity, but absolute judgments of velocity were unaffected by final displacement depth.
Comparison of endocardial electromechanical mapping with radionuclide perfusion imaging to assess myocardial viability and severity of myocardial ischemia in angina pectoris.

The assessment of left ventricular electromechanical activity using a novel, nonfluoroscopic 3-dimensional mapping system demonstrates considerable differences in electrical and mechanical activities within regions of myocardial infarction or ischemia. We sought to determine whether these changes correlate with indexes of myocardial perfusion, viability, or ischemia. A 12-segment comparative analysis was performed in 61 patients (45 men, 61 ± 12 years old) with class III to IV angina, having reversible and/or fixed myocardial perfusion defects on single-photon emission computed tomographic perfusion imaging. A dual-isotope protocol was used, consisting of rest and 4-hour redistribution thallium images followed by adenosine technetium-99m sestamibi imaging. Average rest endocardial unipolar voltage (UpV) and local shortening (LS) mapping values were compared with visually derived perfusion scores. There was gradual and proportional reduction in regional UpV and LS in relation to thallium-201 uptake score at rest (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively) and redistribution studies (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.003, respectively). UpV ≥7.4 mV and LS ≥5.0% had a sensitivity of 78% and 65%, respectively, with a specificity of 68% and 67% for detecting viable myocardium. UpV values of 12.3 and 5.4 mV had 90% specificity and sensitivity, respectively, to predict viable tissue. UpV, but not LS, values differentiated between normal segments and those with adenosine-induced severe perfusion defects (11.8 ± 5.3 vs 8.8 ± 4.1 mV, p = 0.005). Catheter-based left ventricular assessment of electromechanical activity correlates with the degree of single-photon emission computed tomographic perfusion abnormality and can identify myocardial viability with a greater accuracy than myocardial ischemia.
Theories and controversies

Evolution. By Mark Ridley. Blackwell Scientific: 1993. Pp. 670. £39.50,$39.95 (hbk), £19.50 (pbk).
Residues Y179 and H101 of a hydrophobic patch of factor VII are involved in activation by factor Xa

We studied factor Xa activation of human factor VII in hopes of identifying factor VII residues, not adjacent to the cleavage site, involved in this interaction. We made eight factor VIIs with single mutations (N100A, H101A, D102Q, L144A, R147A, Y179A, D186A, and F256A) and two factor VIIs with multiple mutations [MM3 (L144A/R147A/D186A) and MM4 (N100A/H101A/Y179A/F256A)]. Residues in MM3 have previously been identified as affecting factor X activation, and the residues of MM4 are located at a hydrophobic patch of factor VII on the opposite side of the catalytic domain from those in MM3. Only H101A, Y179A, and MM4 were activated significantly more slowly than the wild type. Results of our kinetic analyses showed that the catalytic efficiency of factor Xa for activation of factor VII was 176- and 234-fold higher than that for H101A andY179A, respectively. All the mutants with measurable activity had affinities for tissue factor similar to those of the wild type. The activated hydrophobic patch residues, except N100A, which is adjacent to one of the catalytic residues, had normal activities toward both a small peptide substrate and factor X. The rest of the activated mutants (except D102Q with no activity) had reduced activities toward the small substrate (except R147A) and factor X. We conclude that factor VII activation by factor Xa and factor VIIa's catalytic interaction with factor X involve different regions in the catalytic domain, and residues H101 and Y179, part of an aromatic hydrophobic patch, are specifically involved in factor Xa activation of factor VII.
The Effect of Photodynamic Therapy in Root Canal Disinfection: A Systematic Review

Abstract Introduction Effective root canal disinfection is a fundamental component of successful root canal treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a new adjunctive method for additional disinfection of the root canal system with the possibility of improved treatment outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of PDT on bacterial load reduction during root canal disinfection. Methods Two reviewers independently conducted a comprehensive literature search using a combination of medical subject heading terms and key words to identify studies relevant to the Population Intervention Control Outcome question. The selection of articles for inclusion was performed in 2 phases based on predetermined eligibility criteria according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inter-reviewer agreement for each phase was recorded. The effect of PDT on bacterial load reduction during root canal disinfection was evaluated as the primary outcome variable during data extraction. Results The literature search provided 57 titles and abstracts. Three articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this systematic review. The reasons for study exclusion in each phase were recorded. Because of the heterogeneity in clinical indications and PDT protocols among the included studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed. All included studies showed a positive effect of PDT in the reduction of microbial load in root canal treatment ranging from 91.3%–100%. Conclusions Limited clinical information is currently available on the use of PDT in root canal disinfection. If supported by future clinical research, PDT may have efficacy for additional root canal disinfection, especially in the presence of multi–drug-resistant bacteria.
Brookhaven Tandem Facility Radiation Safety System

A system of personnel protection has been developed for the Brookhaven Tandem Accelerator Facility which imposes a minimum of inconvenience upon the experimentalist. The amount of required security (and attendant restriction on personnel) is kept commensurate with the potential radiation exposure and does not seriously interfere with nonhazardous modes of operation. Radiation areas are divided into zones which permit selective access into low-risk areas. Personnel are excluded from radiation areas on a zone-by-zone basis as the radiation intensity rises. A perimeter consisting of zones and additional barriers surrounding the entire radiation area provides secondary protection against unauthorized access regardless of radiation levels. Violation of the perimeter causes the ion beam to be intercepted before it enters the accelerator. Violation of a high-radiation zone causes shutdown of the accelerator.
Tunable X-ray laser from high energy accelerator

Abstract Future high energy accelerators are suggested as a source of tunable laser radiation in the X-ray region of the spectrum. The radiation would result from lasing on the Doppler shifted 2p-1s transition in beams of one-electron atoms.
Towards Understanding Melt Eruption Phenomena During Molten Corium Concrete Interactions

A defense-in-depth feature for advanced light water reactors to cope with beyond design basis accidents is the ability to cool and stabilize ex-vessel core melt debris. Several international experimental programs have investigated core-concrete interactions and debris cooling of ex-vessel core melts. These experimental programs have identified various phenomena which affect melt coolability and may enhance it. One such phenomenon, melt eruptions, occurs when gas from the underlying decomposing concrete entrains melt up through and onto a solidified crust, which separates the molten melt from the cooling water. Previous modeling and experimental work have shown this cooling mechanism can have a large impact on melt coolability. Previous melt eruption models are reviewed and a new synthesis model is proposed. Reviewing past experimental evidence and modeling efforts indicate the geometry of the flow area impacts the amount of melt ejected. To understand the potential flow area available for melt eruptions, past experimental evidence is reviewed, a steady state analysis of flow area is performed and non-steady state considerations are discussed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Random sequences in generalized Cantor sets

This article presents a fast algorithm for generating random points in the finitely and infinitely defined generalized Cantor sets in the unit real interval.
An Overlay Automata Approach to Regular Expression Matching

Regular expression (RegEx) matching, the core operation of intrusion detection and prevention systems, remains a fundamentally challenging problem. A desired RegEx matching scheme should satisfy four requirements: DFA speed, NFA size, automated construction, and scalable construction. Despite lots of work on RegEx matching, no prior scheme satisfies all four of these requirements. In this paper, we approach this holy grail by proposing OverlayCAM, a RegEx matching scheme that satisfies all four requirements. The theoretical underpinning of our scheme is ODFA, a new automata model proposed in this paper that captures both state and transition replication inherent in DFAs. Our RegEx matching solution processes one input character per lookup like a DFA, requires only the space of an NFA, is grounded in sound automata models, is easy to deploy in existing network devices, and comes with scalable and automated construction algorithms.
Proconvulsant effect of papaverine on theophylline-induced seizures in rats.

SUMMARY 1. The effects of papaverine, an adenosine uptake inhibitor, were tested against theophylline-induced seizures. 2. Rats were infused with a constant intravenous infusion of theophylline at 10.3 mg/min immediately following intraperitoneal pretreatment with either papaverine 35 mg/kg or saline vehicle. 3. Papaverine produced a potent proconvulsant effect towards theophylline seizures, reducing the onset time and cumulative dose to seizure and theophylline concentrations in arterial serum, cerebrospinal fluid and brain, respectively, at onset of maximal seizures.
Experimental determination of cohesive failure properties of a photodegradable copolymer

In this paper we present a methodology to measure the material traction-separation relation for a poly(ethylene carbon monoxide) copolymer, ECO. This material exhibits a ductile-to-brittle transition when subjected to ultraviolet irradiation and undergoes a change of failure mechanism, from shear yielding to crazing, in the process. Single edge notched tension specimens of ECO irradiated for 50 h were used to generate slow-speed stable crack growth, predominantly from material crazing. Full-field measurements of the in-plane deformation around the growing crack tip were performed using the optical technique of digital image correlation. A multicamera setup was used in which simultaneous measurement of both the far-field displacement and that directly surrounding the craze was performed. The far-field results were used to obtain a value of the energy release rate supplied to the crack tip region. The near-tip results were used to extract a material traction-separation law in the regime of steady-state crack growth. A softening traction-separation relation was measured. The area under the traction-separation curve was then compared with the simultaneous far-field measurements and the agreement was very good (within 6.5%) validating the experimental methodology used.
Hydrogeology and geochemistry of the Ogallala aquifer, Southern High Plains

The Ogallala aquifer, which underlies the Southern High Plains, consists of saturated sediments of the Ogallala Formation (Neogene) that are deposited mainly as a set of humid-type alluvial fans derived from the Rocky Mountains. The Ogallala aquifer, the main source of water for the High Plains of Texas and New Mexico, has been severely depleted by extensive pumpage. The hydrology and geochemistry of the aquifer are controlled by the surface topography of the underlying formations and by the thickness and permeability of the alluvial-fan deposits. Axes of three major alluvial fans trend from northwest to southeast; the fans have increased thickness and permeability compared with interfan areas. Flow lines follow the orientation of the alluvial fans. Along these major axes, the saturated section is thick and the chemical composition is relatively constant (CaHCO3 to mixed-cationHCO3 water, depleted in δ18O, δD and tritium). External effects on the chemical composition are less pronounced. The aquifer is thinner and less permeable in areas between major fan axes and along the Caprock Escarpment. In these areas, groundwater can discharge from aquifers in the Cretaceous, Triassic and Permian formations into the Ogallala Formation. Cross-formational movement of water and low permeabilities in the Ogallala Formation result in varying hydrochemical facies and in isotopic compositions that differ from those of the major depositional areas. Areas where upward cross-formational flow occurs are evident by the presence of permeable contacts between the Ogallala and the underlying formations, water-level head differences and chemical and isotopic similarities. Secondary factors that locally affect the chemical composition of Ogallala Formation groundwater include contamination from evaporating saline lakes, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers and oil field brines. Impact of chemicals and brines may increase in the future because much of these contaminants may still be moving through the unsaturated zone toward the water table.
Postmastectomy radiation for N2/N3 breast cancer: factors associated with low compliance rate.

Background The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) for women with N2/N3 breast cancer. We examined the compliance rate of PMRT using the National Cancer Data Base and determined what factors are associated with low compliance rate with PMRT. Study Design The National Cancer Data Base, comprising 2,720,368 breast cancer cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2011, was evaluated. From this database, 56,990 women with N2/N3 diseases were evaluated. Statistics used include chi-square test, 2-sample t -test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and multivariate analysis. Results Mean age of the patients was 58 years and median follow-up was 61 months. The majority of patients were from a comprehensive community cancer programs (59%), were Caucasian (81%), had health insurance (96%), resided in urban communities (98%), and had no comorbidities (83%). Approximately 82% received chemotherapy, but only 65% had PMRT. Factors associated with PMRT are tumor grade (p = 0.03), regional lymph node surgery (p = 0.03), readmission within 30 days of surgical discharge (p = 0.03), receipt of chemotherapy (p Conclusions One third of patients with N2/N3 disease did not receive PMRT. Socioeconomic variables were not contributory factors. Noncompliance with PMRT is related to lack of receipt of chemotherapy, nonreadmission, or death within 30 days after surgery.
High and low strength nonsynchronized shocks given during canine ventricular tachycardia.

Cardioversion shocks given during ventricular tachycardia may cause ventricular fibrillation or acceleration of ventricular tachycardia, or arrest the tachycardia. A recently proposed theory may explain why the former two phenomena may occur. Briefly, this theory states that potential gradient shock fields of a critical strength delivered to tissue with a critical degree of refractoriness will cause circulating wave fronts of ventricular activation (“rotors”) manifest as ventricular arrhythmia. We tested this theory by delivering nonsynchronized shocks 50% higher than defibrillation threshold or 50% lower than defibrillation threshold during 275 episodes of ventricular tachycardia in eight dogs with 5-to 7-day-old myocardial infarcts. Shocks stronger than the defibrillation threshold are likely to create shock fields in the ventricles everywhere stronger than this critical value, and therefore would not generate rotors. Shocks less strong than the defibrillation threshold may create shock fields within the ventricles that include the critical value, and therefore cause rotors if given when critically refractory tissue is present. Nonsynchronized shocks were used to increase the likelihood of encountering tissue with a critical degree of refractoriness. Ventricular fibrillation or acceleration of ventricular tachycardia occurred following 83 of 138 (60%) low strength shocks and following 20 of 137 (14.6%) high strength shocks. The pooled odds ratio for induction of ventricular fibrillation or accelerated ventricular tachycardia after low strength shocks as compared to high strength shocks was 8.9. Conclusion: when given during ventricular tachycardia, low strength shocks are much more likely to cause ventricular fibrillation or accelerated ventricular tachycardia than are high strength shocks (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that shock synchronization may be critical to the success of low shock strength cardioversion techniques.
The effect of senescence, handling, sprouting and chemical sprout suppression upon the respiratory quotient of stored potato tubers

Sugar accumulation occurred in senescent tubers at 20°C even in the absence of wilting and particularly if sprout growth was prevented chemically or the sprouts removed. Without sprout growth the considerable sweetening was not accompanied by greatly increased respiration, as occurred in sprouting tubers. Senescent sweetened tubers without sprouts had a variable respiratory quotient, tending on average to be rather high, but this could have resulted from the damage caused by desprouting or chemical suppression. A high (c. 1.3–1.4) respiratory quotient in undamaged sweetened tubers cannot be excluded, however, as it could be masked by the high respiration of the sprouts with a presumed quotient of 1.0. Handling led to variable respiratory quotients, an effect which could last for several weeks.
CT colonography features of sigmoid diverticular disease

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to assess the sigmoid distensibility during CT colonography (CTC) in patients with diverticular disease. Methods Consecutive patients without a history of pelvic radiation or neoplasms underwent 150 CTC. Three radiologists in consensus evaluated axial images for colonic distention, luminal diameters (mm), diverticula, and muscular thickening. Results The minimum colon diameter in patients with muscular thickening was significantly smaller, irrespective of the presence of diverticula ( P =.009). Conclusion Muscular thickening with diverticular disease was associated with significantly less sigmoid colon distension.
How the identification of target acceleration is affected by modes of starting and of ending.

It previously had been found that negatively accelerated visual motion may be identified more accurately than positively accelerated motion. An explanation was advanced in terms of the differential consequences of ‘missing’ the start of the motion. From this it was deduced that the difference in accuracy could be diminished by use of a lead-in motion before the start of the portion to be judged. In the present experiment with twenty-six adult human subjects, the prediction was upheld, as there was virtually equal accuracy with the moving onset for positively and negatively accelerated motion. However, the outcome was clear-cut only when the motion ended with the target remaining stationary rather than disappearing from view. No explanation could be formulated for this interaction.
The spatial distribution of broadband providers in the United States: 1999-2004

Variations in the supply and demand of telecommunications infrastructure in the United States are well documented. However, amidst waning concerns of a broadband digital divide, the geographic aspects of broadband availability continue to be intriguing. While some areas benefit from a robust selection of broadband providers, choices for consumers in other regions are often limited. The purpose of this paper is to explore the spatially unbalanced levels of broadband provision in the USA by providing an abbreviated longitudinal analysis of broadband regions and their development from 1999 to 2004. Broadband core and periphery regions are identified through the use of spatial statistical techniques and a geographic information system. A broadband competition index for ranking metropolitan and micropolitan areas is also introduced.
Transplantation of Genetically Engineered Primary Cells for the Analysis of Gene Function in CNS Development

Abstract Transplantation of genetically engineered primary cells into the CNS allows an analysis of gene function that is often not otherwise possible, such as with germ line mutations that result in embryonic lethality or that have pleiotropic effects. We describe the methods and use of this approach for the analysis of gene function during the development of oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming cells of the CNS. Primary oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are isolated from the neonatal rat brain, expandedin vitrowith mitogens, and genetically altered by the introduction of transgenes. The development and use of an efficient eukaryotic expression vector for optimal DNA-mediated gene transfer in these progenitor cells is detailed. Transplantation of either wild-type or genetically engineered primary cells into normal and myelin-deficient hosts allows an analysis of the effects of gene manipulations on this cell lineagein vivo.The application of these approaches for the analysis of growth factor receptor function during oligodendrocyte development is described.
Quantum chain reaction of tethered diarylcyclopropenones in the solid state and their distance-dependence in solution reveal a Dexter S₂-S₂ energy-transfer mechanism.

When promoted to their second singlet excited state (S2) in benzene, alkyl-linked dimers of diarylcyclopropenone undergo a photodecarbonylation reaction with quantum yields varying from Φ = 0.7 to 1.14. Quantum yields greater than 1.0 in solution rely on an adiabatic reaction along the S2 energy surface where the immediately formed excited-state product transfers energy to the unreacted molecule in the dimer to generate a second excited state. By determination of the quantum yields of decarbonylation for the linked diarylcyclopropenones with linkers of various lengths it was shown that S2 → S2 energy transfer is limited to distances shorter than ca. 6 A. Notably, the quantum chain reaction occurs with similar efficiency for all the linked diarylcyclopropenones dimers in the solid state.