cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-density lipoprotein subclasses are a potential intermediary between alcohol intake and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease: The Rancho Bernardo Study

We conducted a cross-sectional study of NMR-derived HDL subclasses and alcohol intake among 2171 community-dwelling older adults with a large proportion of daily or near-daily alcohol consumers (44 %). We aimed to assess whether, in addition to increasing total HDL, alcohol may induce a beneficial shift in HDL particle size distribution. Participants were categorised based on reported alcohol intake (g per week) and on frequency (none, < 3 times/week, 3-4 times/week, ≥ 5 times/week). The association between alcohol intake and lipoprotein fractions was examined using sex-specific linear regression models adjusted for age, BMI, diabetes, current smoking, exercise and hormone therapy in women. There was a stepwise gradient with the highest weekly alcohol consumption associated with the highest total HDL size and greatest number of medium and large HDL particles, as well as higher total HDL concentrations (all P < 0.001); total small HDL did not differ. Alcohol-HDL size associations were similar in both sexes and did not differ by use of hormone replacement therapy in women. In conclusion, regular alcohol consumers had a higher number and percentage of large HDL particles than non-drinkers. These results suggest that one way that alcohol may decrease CVD is through potentially favourable changes in lipoprotein subclass composition.
Hydroxyl contents of coals: new data and statistical analyses

Abstract Data previously published for the phenolic hydroxyl content of 35 coals have been supplemented by the study of a further 17 samples. Various statistical analyses have now been made of the relationship of the data for the full set of 52 samples to other properties of the coals. Hydroxyl contents can be expressed either as fractions of total organic matter or of the total organic oxygen in the coals. Data expressed on the first of these bases exhibit a strong dependence on the degree of metamorphism of the coals, while those on the second basis do not. Statistical correlations on either basis show that systematic relations between coal properties differ for different coal provinces of the U.S.A. thus demonstrating that the properties of a coal are dependent to an important extent on the geology and geochemistry of the basin in which it is found.
Operant Ethanol‐Reinforced Behavior in P, NP, HAD, and LAD Rats Bred for High Versus Low Ethanol Preference

These studies examined the reinforcing effects of ethanol in rats selectively bred for high versus low ethanol drinking in a two-bottle choice preference task, namely the Preferring (P), Non-Preferring (NP), High Alcohol Drinking (HAD), and Low Alcohol Drinking (LAD) rats. The results substantiate findings suggesting that genetic factors are significant in determining whether ethanol will come to serve as a reinforcer. P rats exhibited high levels of responding for ethanol compared with the water vehicle, NP and HAD rats exhibited more moderate levels of responding for ethanol, and the behavior of LAD rats suggested that ethanol served only inconsistently as a reinforcer for these rats. Overall, the results suggest the existence of distinct, biologically influenced components of ethanol drinking behavior. Preference appears to measure an inherent facilitative factor allowing animals to initiate ethanol drinking. The operant chamber paradigm appears to measure factors related to whether and to what extent ethanol will serve as a positive reinforcer following conditioned exposure to the drug. Although preferring animals generally find ethanol reinforcing there seems to be little quantitative relationship between degree of preference and whether ethanol will serve as a reinforcer. Lack of preference does not seem to be predictive of lack of reinforcement. Thus, it appears that preference for ethanol and reinforcement from ethanol are somewhat overlapping, but distinct factors that contribute to ethanol drinking. These results suggest the existence of multiple components of behavior mediated by multiple mechanisms that contribute to ethanol drinking.
Quantitative performance evaluation of the EM algorithm applied to radiographic images

In this study, the authors evaluate quantitatively the performance of the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm as a restoration technique for radiographic images. The 'perceived' signal-to-nose ratio (SNR), of simple radiographic patterns processed by the EM algorithm are calculated on the basis of a statistical decision theory model that includes both the observer's visual response function and a noise component internal to the eye-brain system. The relative SNR (ratio of the processed SNR to the original SNR) is calculated and used as a metric to quantitatively compare the effects of the EM algorithm to two popular image enhancement techniques: contrast enhancement (windowing) and unsharp mask filtering.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Infrared and EXAFS Study of Compositional Effects in Nanoscale Colloidal Palladium−Copper Alloys

The reaction between colloidal palladium and cupric acetate in 2-ethoxyethanol leads sequentially to the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(0) at the surface of the palladium particle and dissolution of the deposited copper in the palladium matrix. The reaction was monitored by infrared spectroscopy using carbon monoxide adsorbed on samples of the colloid during the reaction and by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS and EXAFS) on the colloidal metal after completion was reached. The Cu K near-edge X-ray absorption spectrum shows reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(0). After deposition on the palladium surface the copper is zerovalent, and subsequently it migrates into the palladium particle but only to within a few atomic layers of the surface.
On the Theory of Evolution Versus the Concept of Evolution: Three Observations

Here we address three misconceptions stated by Rice et al. in their observations of our article Paz-y-Mino and Espinosa (Evo Edu Outreach 2:655–675, 2009), published in this journal. The five authors titled their note “The Theory of Evolution is Not an Explanation for the Origin of Life.” First, we argue that it is fallacious to believe that because the formulation of the theory of evolution, as conceived in the 1800s, did not include an explanation for the origin of life, nor of the universe, the concept of evolution would not allow us to hypothesize the possible beginnings of life and its connections to the cosmos. Not only Stanley Miller’s experiments of 1953 led scientists to envision a continuum from the inorganic world to the origin and diversification of life, but also Darwin’s own writings of 1871. Second, to dismiss the notion of Rice et al. that evolution does not provide explanations concerning the universe or the cosmos, we identify compelling scientific discussions on the topics: Zaikowski et al. (Evo Edu Outreach 1:65–73, 2008), Krauss (Evo Edu Outreach 3:193–197, 2010), Pereto et al. (Orig Life Evol Biosph 39:395–406, 2009) and Follmann and Brownson (Naturwissenschaften 96:1265–1292, 2009). Third, although we acknowledge that the term Darwinism may not be inclusive of all new discoveries in evolution, and also that creationists and Intelligent Designers hijack the term to portray evolution as ideology, we demonstrate that there is no statistical evidence suggesting that the word Darwinism interferes with public acceptance of evolution, nor does the inclusion of the origin of life or the universe within the concept of evolution. We examine the epistemological and empirical distinction between the theory of evolution and the concept of evolution and conclude that, although the distinction is important, it should not compromise scientific logic.
Third-ventricular neurocysticercosis: hydraulic maneuvers facilitating endoscopic resection

Neurocysticercosis, an infection of the central nervous system with the larval cysts of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. The disease is a major global cause of acquired epilepsy and may also manifest as intracranial hypertension due to mass effect from large cysts or to cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction by intraventricular cysts or inflammation of the subarachnoid space. While the condition is endemic in several regions of the world and has been appreciated as a public health problem in such regions for several decades, its emergence in the USA in areas far from the Mexican border is a more recent phenomenon. We present a case of surgically corrected acute hydrocephalus in a recent Haitian emigrant child due to a third ventricular neurocysticercal cyst complex. We describe the endoscope-assisted en bloc removal of the complex, together with hydraulic maneuvers facilitating the removal of the intact cyst. Simple hydraulic maneuvers can facilitate the endoscopic en bloc removal of third ventricular neurocysticercal cysts.
Ohmic heating of solid-liquid mixtures : A comparison of mathematical models under worst-case heating conditions

A critical issue in the modeling of ohmic heating of solid-liquid mixtures is the understanding of worst-case scenarios, and in particular, the reliability of mathematical models under such conditions. This study involves examination of two alternative published formulations, one involving the use of circuit theory and a well-mixed fluid assumption, against another formulation, involving the solution to Laplace's equation, but without convective effects. As expected, the models (and an analytical solution) yield identical results under situations where solid and fluid electrical conductivity are equal. However, when the solid is of lower electrical conductivity than the fluid, the Circuit Analogy, Mixed Fluid (CAMF) approach is shown to be more conservative than the Laplace Equation, No Convection (LENC) approach. This prediction is borne out by experimental studies, which confirm that the worst-case scenario in ohmic heating is not necessarily associated with a stationary fluid situation. Under the less likely conditions where the solid is more conductive than the fluid, the LENC approach is more conservative than the CAMF approach. Models are also compared with respect to other features, such as practicality of use, and computational cost.
A novel strategy for the solid-phase synthesis of cyclic lipodepsipeptides

A rapid and efficient Fmoc solid-phase synthesis of cyclic lipodepsipeptide analogue 1 to antibiotic fusaricidin A is described. Our synthetic approach includes resin attachment of the first amino acid via side chain, successful use of combination of four quasi-orthogonal removable protecting groups, stepwise solid-phase synthesis of linear peptide analogue, lipid tail attachment followed by depsipeptide bond formation and on-resin head-to-tail cyclization. Undesired O→N acyl shift, which may occur during Fmoc removal, was successfully avoided by the incorporation of the lipid tail into the linear peptide precursor prior to on-resin depsipeptide bond formation and the ring closure.
On improving the deformation and display modules of surgery simulation systems

Surgery simulation is playing an increasingly important role in medical training, surgery planning and telemedicine. Since the effectiveness of simulation training is directly related to the realism of the simulator, engineers are constantly applying new techniques to improve all aspects of the visualization, interaction and haptic components. In this paper, we present two improvements we have made to the surgery simulator, namely enhancing the deformation module based on a heterogeneous deformation algorithm and improving the visualization module, using a non-photorealistic rendering module and a commercially available stereoscopic visualization kit. The resulting simulator can provide surgery trainees with a more immersive and realistic training environment, while maintaining a high simulation frame rate.
Synthesis and characterization of 4-[(per/polyfluoro)phenyloxy]-4′-vinylbiphenyls and their polymers

Abstract 4-Trimethylsilyloxy-4′-vinylbiphenyl was treated with perfluorobenzene, substituted polyfluorobenzenes, and perfluoronaphthalene to give 4-[(per/polyfluoro)phenyloxy]-4′-vinylbiphenyls in the presence of catalytic amounts of CsF. The new monomers that resulted were characterized by mass spectra, 1H and 19F NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The new polymers obtained by polymerizing the monomers using AIBN-initiated free radical polymerization were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), 1H and 19F NMR and IR spectroscopies. The polymers were obtained as white powders and were soluble in all common organic solvents. They are thermally very stable and have high glass transition temperatures, Tg, i.e. >100°C. Copolymerization of one of the monomers, 4-pentafluorophenyloxy-4′-vinylbiphenyl, 3, with different molar ratios of methylacrylate gave copolymers that have low glass transition temperatures compared with the homopolymer of the monomer, 3, along with very high thermal decomposition temperatures, e.g. incorporation of even a small amount (2.1%) of 3 into the methylacrylate copolymer gave rise to a 50% char yield at 410°C and a glass transition temperature of 28°C.
Beyond use statistics: Recall, precision, and relevance in the assessment and management of academic libraries

Although use statistics are often used in the assessment of library collections and services, they are of limited value in evaluating the library’s effectiveness as an information system. This essay highlights three concepts from the information retrieval literature—recall, precision, and relevance—and describes a standard of relevance that accounts for the learning goals of the academic community as well as the performance goals of students. It also demonstrates how the academic mission of the university can be incorporated into the assessment and management of the library as an information retrieval system. The discussion concludes with guidelines for the assessment of recall and precision as well as suggestions for the integration of these concepts into library collection development, cataloging/access, reference, and instruction.
B-type natriuretic peptide predicts future cardiac events in patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea

Abstract Study Objective: B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. We have recently demonstrated that BNP can differentiate congestive heart failure (CHF) from other causes of dyspnea in patients presenting to the emergency department. In this study, we assess whether BNP levels drawn in patients presenting with dyspnea to the ED were a predictor of future cardiac events. Methods: In 325 patients presenting with dyspnea to the ED, BNP levels were determined. Patients were then followed up for 6 months to determine the following end points: death (cardiac and noncardiac), hospital admissions (cardiac), and repeat ED visits for CHF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, relative risks (RRs), and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to assess the ability of BNP levels to predict future cardiac events. Results: The area under the ROC curve using BNP to detect a CHF end point—a CHF death, hospital admission, or repeat ED visit—was 0.870 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.826 to 0.915). A BNP value of 480 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 68%, specificity of 88%, and an accuracy of 85% for predicting a subsequent CHF end point. The area under the ROC curve using BNP to detect death from CHF was 0.881 (95% CI 0.807 to 0.954) and for any cardiac death was 0.877 (95% CI 0.822 to 0.933). BNP was not associated with death from noncardiac causes. Using Kaplan-Meier plots for all CHF events, rising BNP levels were associated with a progressively worse prognosis. Patients with BNP levels more than 480 pg/mL had a 51% 6-month cumulative probability of a CHF event. Alternatively, patients with BNP levels less than 230 pg/mL had an excellent prognosis with only 2.5% incidence of CHF end points. The RR of 6-month CHF death in patients with BNP levels more than 230 pg/mL was 24.1. The RR of 6-month noncardiac death with BNP levels more than 230 pg/mL was 1.1. BNP levels were also predictive of CHF events in subsets of patients with positive CHF histories and ED diagnoses. Conclusion: In this study population, BNP levels measured in patients presenting with dyspnea to the ED are highly predictive of cardiac events over the next 6 months. [Harrison A, Morrison LK, Krishnaswamy P, Kazanegra R, Clopton P, Dao Q, Hlavin P, Maisel AS. B-Type natriuretic peptide predicts future cardiac events in patients presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea. Ann Emerg Med. February 2002;39:131-138.]
Relations between prolonged hypothyroidism and electroneuro-physiological events in trout, Salmo gairdnerii. Effects of replacement dosages of thyroxine

Abstract A total of sixty 2.5-year-old rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdnerii ) were used. About half of them had been radiothyroidectomized by I 131 injections that began when the animals weighed 2–3 g, and continued for 6 months. Accordingly, they were without thyroids for more than two years, and fed a low iodine diet. Heart rate was 26% lower in thyroidectomized than in control trout. It was increased in both groups by low dosages of thyroxine, but decreased by a higher dose. Thyroidectomized trout had a differentiated (from normal) pattern of spontaneous EEG from the olfactory bulb, they had a higher stimulus threshold for evoking an electrical response in the olfactory bulb, and the magnitude of the response at any particular stimulus strength was inferior to the control. Thyroxine lowered the threshold in thyroidectomized trout and increased the size of the electrical response. Most of the these measured parameters of nervous function varied biphasically with thyroxine dose. That is, they were stimulated at lower doses, but beyond a certain dose most often they were progressively inhibited. Measuring the evoked olfactory response in these animals after section of the olfactory tract or of the midbrain-diencephalon connection showed that a complex series of inhibitory or stimulatory (depending on thyroid state) regulatory influences move centrifugally from the hindbrain and from the forebrain to modify the olfactory response.
Thermal contact resistance across pressed metal contacts in a vacuum environment

Abstract The thermal contact conductance has been measured as a function of contact pressure across ten pairs of surfaces in a vacuum environment. A modified version of the Greenwood and Williamson elastic contact model has been used to predict the contact conductance as a function of contact pressure for each pair of specimens. The measured and predicted values have been presented and compared. The predicted values are generally within about 25% of the measured values for isotropically rough surfaces, and within about 50% of strongly anisotropic surfaces. Thus, the theory presented herein constitutes a viable tool for the heat transfer analyst. The theory is relatively easy to implement and the results are reasonably accurate.
Hyperglucagonemia and altered responsiveness of hepatic adenylate cyclase-adenosine 3′,3′-monophosphate system to hormonal stimulation during chronic ingestion of dl-ethionine

Basal activity and hormonal responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate system were examined in premalignant liver from rats chronically fed the hepatic carcinogen DL-ethionine, and these data were correlated with endogenous levels of plasma glucagon. By 2 weeks basal hepatic cyclic AMP levels, determined in tissues quick-frozen in situ, were 2-fold higher in rats ingesting ethionine than in the pair-fed control. Enhanced tissue cyclic AM content was associated with an increase in the adenylate cyclase activity of whole homogenates of fresh liver from rats fed ethionine (68 +/- 5 pmol cyclic AMP/10 min per mg protein) compared to control (48 +/- 4). Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios were also significantly higher (control, 0.38 +/- 0.04; ethionine 0.55 +/- 0.05) and the percent glycogen synthetase activity in the glucose 6-phosphate-independent form was markedly reduced (control, 52 +/- 7%; ethionine, 15 +/- 1.5%) in the livers of ethionine-fed rats compared to the controls, suggesting that the high total hepatic cyclic AMP which accompanied ethionine ingestion was bilogically effective. These changes persisted throughout the 38 weeks of drug ingestion. Immunoreactive glucagon levels, determined in portal venous plasma, were 8-fold higher than control after 2 weeks of the ethionine diet (control, 185 +/- 24 pg/ml; ethionine, 1532 +/- 195). Analogous to the changes in hepatic parameters, plasma glucagon levels remained elevated during the entire period of drug ingestion until the development of hepatomas. The hepatic cyclic AMP response to a maximal stimulatory dose of injected glucagon was blunted in vivo in ethionine-fed rats (control, 14 -fold increase over basal, to 8.63 +/- 1.1 pmol/mg wet weight; ethionine, 4.6-fold rise over basal, to 5.42 +/- 0.9). Reduced cyclic AMP responses to both maximal and submaximal glucagon stimulation were also evident in vitro in hepatic slices prepared from rats fed the drug, and the reduction was specific to glucagon. Absolute or relative hepatic cyclic AMP responses to maximally effective concentrations of protaglandin E1 or isoproterenol in hepatic slices from ethionine-fed rats were greater than or equal to those observed in control slices. Parallel alterations in hormonal responsiveness were observed in adenylate cyclase activity of whole homogenates of these livers, implying that the changes in cyclic AMP accumulation following hormone stimulation were related to an alteration in cyclic AMP generation in the premalignant tissue. In view of the recognized hepatic actions of glucagon and the desensitization of adenylate cyclase which can occur during sustained stimulation of the liver with this hormone, the endogenous hyperglucagonemia that accompanies ethionine ingestion could play a role in the pathogenesis of both the basal alterations in hepatic cyclic AMP metabolism and the reduced responsiveness to glucagon observed in liver from rats fed this carcinogen.
Physics of saturation of collisionless tearing mode as a function of guide field

[1] The tearing instability has been the subject of much study in space and laboratory plasmas and is thought to play a role as an onset mechanism for reconnection at the magnetotail and at the magnetopause. However, the nonlinear evolution is not completely understood. Here we employ a combination of theory and full particle simulations, including one for realistic mass ratio, to address the saturation of a single, linearly unstable tearing mode as a function of guide field. For the parameter regime considered, we find no agreement with any of the previous theories of tearing mode saturation. There are marked differences in the electron behavior and the associated saturation mechanism in the antiparallel (zero guide field) and finite guide field cases. Electrons become nongyrotropic and also develop temperature anisotropies in the antiparallel case, whereas they remain isotropic in the presence of a guide field. In the antiparallel limit there are two competing saturation mechanisms. One is due to preferential parallel heating of electrons which leads to a saturation amplitude of ws ∼ 2.9 ρe, where ρe is the electron gyroradius in the asymptotic magnetic field and ws is the half-width of the magnetic island. The other saturation mechanism is electron trapping in the magnetic island which leads to a saturation amplitude comparable to the singular layer thickness (ΔNS). Electron parallel heating is usually the dominant saturation mechanism. However, in the presence of sufficiently fast electron pitch angle scattering, caused either by current-aligned Weibel instability or turbulence, the second saturation mechanism due to trapping becomes dominant. In the presence of a guide field, the only saturation mechanism is electron trapping which leads to a saturation amplitude of ws ∼ 1.8 ρeG in the strong guide field and ws ∼ (2ρeGΔNS)1/2 in the intermediate regime. Here ρeG is the electron gyroradius in the guide field. The predicted saturation amplitudes for all cases, including the antiparallel regime, are much smaller than the thickness of the magnetopause current layer. Thus a single tearing mode saturates at too small of an amplitude to be of relevance to reconnection in the magnetosphere.
High-level synthesis of error detecting cores through low-cost modulo-3 shadow datapaths

In this study, we propose a low-cost approach to error detection for arithmetic orientated data paths by performing lightweight shadow computations in modulo-3 space for each main computation. By leveraging the binding and scheduling flexibility of high-level synthesis, we detect errors through diverse binding and minimize area cost through intelligent checkpoint scheduling and modulo-3 reducer sharing. We evaluated our technique with 12 high-level synthesis benchmarks using FPGA emulated netlist-level error injection. We observe coverages of 99.13% for stuck-at faults, 99.46% for soft errors, and 99.67% for timing errors with a 25.7% area cost and negligible performance impact. Leveraging error detection latencies on the order of 10 cycles (3 orders of magnitude faster than end result check) for soft errors, we also explore a rollback recovery method with an additional area cost of 28.0%, observing a 175x increase in reliability against soft errors.
Predictors of success for drug discontinuation following neonatal seizures

Guidelines for the discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs in neonatal seizures are not well defined. Some studies suggested possible criteria for antiepileptic drug discontinuation but no precise criteria have emerged. We performed a retrospective analysis of 58 infants with neonatal seizures during a 3 year period. Antiepileptic drugs were discontinued when patients were seizure-free for 3 months, had normal electroencephalography initially or at subsequent examination, and had a nonfocal examination. Normal initial electroencephalography was demonstrated to be a reliable predictor for discontinuing antiepileptic drugs successfully in 18 of 22 term infants; normal subsequent electroencephalography was a reliable predictor of successful discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs in 9 of 10 premature infants.
A STUDY OF THE RELIABILITY OF SYNCHRONY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLLEN MOTHER CELLS OF LILIUM LONGIFLORUM AT THE FIRST MEIOTIC PROPHASE

Lilium longiflorum anthers have been used by a number of investigators as a source of supposedly synchronous cells for studying genetic, chromosomal and molecular events of meiotic prophase I. Because of questions raised by the literature as to the reliability of such synchrony, new baseline data were obtained for L. longiflorum ''Croft'' in preparation for experiments requiring homogeneity or synchrony. Homogeneity was found to be reliable at the same level of locules of the same anther and of anthers from the same bud up to the onset of diplotene. Synchrony deteriorates rapidly from diplotene on. Less than half the anthers examined had PMC's at the same stage from apex to base. Hence experiments requiring complete homogeneity within anthers would call for rigorous monitoring of each anther included in the sample. Synchrony between buds of the same length was insufficient to allow bud length to be used as a reliable index of meiotic stage.
A US lesson study network to spread teaching through problem solving

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and initial implementation of a lesson study network in the US intended to support implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Design/methodology/approach – Participant observation and artifact collection document the development of the teaching through problem solving (TTP) network over a 14-month period. Findings – The TTP network draws heavily on Japanese practices (e.g. lesson study) and Japanese materials (e.g. coherent, focussed mathematics curriculum) to support changes envisioned in the US CCSS related to students’ mathematical practices and dispositions. The reasons for choice of these key Japanese features are explicated, and teachers’ initial reactions described. Research limitations/implications – The design shows promise for combining teacher “ownership” with implementation of high-quality approaches designed by others; and allowing instructional innovations developed in Japan to flow into US practice. TTP in mathemat...
Effects of asymmetric division on a stochastic model of the cell division cycle.

Abstract The stochastic model of cell division formulated by Alt and Tyson is generalized to the case of imprecise binary fission. Closed-form expressions are derived for the generation-time distribution, the birth-size and division-size distributions, the β curve, and the correlation coefficient of generation times of sister cells. The theoretical results are compared to observations of cell division statistics in a culture of fission yeast.
Generation of attosecond coherent X-ray radiation through modulation compression

In this paper, we propose a scheme to generate tunable attosecond coherent X-ray radiation for future light source applications. This scheme uses a short-pulse seeding laser, two bunch compressors, and a laser chirper to generate a prebunched, kilo-Ampere current electron beam from an initial 10-Ampere low-current electron beam. Such an electron beam sent into a short undulator generates attosecond coherent soft X-ray radiation. The final X-ray radiation wavelength can be tuned by adjusting the compression factor. It also allows one to control the final radiation pulse length by controlling the seeding laser pulse length or the compression factor. As an illustration, we present an example to generate 1 GW, 200 attosecond, 1 nm coherent X-ray radiation from a 28 A current, 200 nm laser modulated beam.
Study of life-cycle of Schizosaccharomyces octosporus by means of ultra-thin sectioning and electron microscopy.

CYTOLOGICAL studies of the yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces have been few and limited primarily to observations by means of light microscopy1–3. Although these studies reveal the nature of some of the general cytological changes which occur during various phases of the life-cycle of these yeasts, detailed studies are lacking. Some of the conflicting views and limited observations of these investigators may be attributed at least in part to the resolution limit of the light microscope. A study of the nature and sequence of the cytological changes which occur during cell division, conjugation, ascosporogenesis, and germination was therefore carried out by means of ultra-thin sectioning and electron microscopy in order to obtain a more detailed and accurate description of the cytological changes which occur. Various cytochemical methods were also employed in order to correlate structures observed in electron micrographs with structures observable with the light microscope. Schizosaccharomyces octosporus, N.R.R.L. Y-854, obtained from Dr. L. J. Wickerham, was selected for study. The techniques used for specimen preparation have been described previously4.
Decreasing number of deaths of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objective To assess mortality rates and demographic characteristics for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in California. Study design We used California death registry files from 1990 to 2004 to compare overall mortality and demographic characteristics between infants with HLHS (n = 856) who received surgical intervention and those who received comfort care. The California discharge database was used to calculate the annual incidence of disease and survival rates for infants with HLHS undergoing surgery between 1995 and 1999. Results The annual number of deaths for infant with HLHS decreased by nearly 50% over the study period, even though the incidence of the disease remained constant during this period. For all deaths, the proportion of infants receiving comfort care decreased significantly over time compared with those infants who underwent surgery. Although the total number of deaths in infants with HLHS who underwent surgical intervention increased, the mortality rate for this cohort decreased. Interstage unexpected mortality and the median age at death both increased in the infants who underwent surgery. Conclusions Over the study period of 1990 to 2004 in California, fewer families chose comfort care for infants diagnosed with HLHS, and the number of deaths for those infants who underwent surgical intervention increased. These changes likely reflect improved treatment outcomes and an increased number of families desiring surgical intervention in higher-risk infants.
On the Convergence of the Pshenichnyi-Pironneau-Polak Minimax Algorithm with an Active Set Strategy

The purpose of this technical note is to present a proof of convergence of the Pshenichnyi-Pironneau-Polak (PPP) minimax algorithm (see Algorithm 2.4.1 in Polak, Optimization: Algorithms and Consistent Approximations, Springer, [1997]), modified to use an active set strategy. This active set strategy was formally derived in Polak (Optimization: Algorithms and Consistent Approximations, Springer, [1997]) from those used in the methods of feasible directions developed by Zoutendijk (Methods of Feasible Directions, Elsevier, [1960]) and Polak (Computational Methods in Optimization: A Unified Approach, Academic, [1971]). The resulting e-Active PPP algorithm was presented as Algorithm 2.4.34, in Polak (Optimization: Algorithms and Consistent Approximations, Springer, [1997]), without any proofs.
23Na chemical shifts and local structure in crystalline, glassy, and molten sodium borates and germanates

A simple correlation between average NaO bond length and 23Na isotropic chemical shift in crystalline germanates and borates has been established, similar to existing correlations for sodium in silicates and carbonates. This empirical trend is discussed in terms of a decreasing paramagnetic contribution to the chemical shift with increasing average bond length. The correlation is then applied to data for sodium borate and germanate glasses and melts from room temperature to 1200 °C, where both structural and compositional effects on the chemical shift are apparent.
Algorithms for early detection of prostate cancer. Current state of the “art”

The common feature among algorithms currently available is that a low level of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) (4 ng/ml or lower) associated with a normal digital rectal examination (DRE) indicates the need for neither a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination nor biopsy, and a high level of serum PSA (higher than 10 ng/ml) indicates the need for a biopsy, regardless of DRE and TRUS findings. The unresolved problem is how to deal with men whose serum PSA levels are intermediately elevated (4.1-10 ng/ml). Whether PSA density, an age-adjusted reference range for PSA, or an age-adjusted reference range for PSA complement the PSA value alone has not been determined, and neither has the role of PSA velocity, which may hold more promise. This paper outlines the authors' recommendation for the early detection of prostate cancer and focuses on the obtainment of a baseline PSA level. Cancer 1995 ; 75 :1860-8.
Weight loss in overweight patients maintained on atypical antipsychotic agents.

Weight gain and associated medical morbidity offset the reduction of extrapyramidal side effects associated with atypical antipsychotics. Efforts to control weight in antipsychotic-treated patients have yielded limited success. We studied the impact of an intensive 24-week program of diet, exercise, and counseling in 17 chronically psychotic patients (10 women, seven men) who entered at high average body weight (105.0±18.4 kg) and body mass index (BMI) (36.6±4.6 kg/m2). A total of 12 subjects who completed the initial 24 weeks elected to participate in an additional 24-week, less intensive extension phase. By 24 weeks, weight-loss/patient averaged 6.0 kg (5.7%) and BMI decreased to 34.5 (by 5.7%). Blood pressure decreased from 130/83 to 116/74 (11% improvement), pulse fell slightly, and serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations changed nonsignificantly. With less intensive management for another 24 weeks, subjects regained minimal weight (0.43 kg). These findings add to the emerging view that weight gain is a major health problem associated with modern antipsychotic drugs and that labor-intensive weight-control efforts in patients requiring antipsychotic treatment yield clinically promising benefits. Improved treatments without weight-gain risk are needed.
The visually evoked defense reflex of the crayfish: Habituation, facilitation, and the influence of picrotoxin

When stimulated with rapidly approaching targets, the crayfish defense reflex exhibited habituation, spontaneous recovery, dishabituation, and stimulus generalization. The rate of habituation increased with stimulus repetition rate over a narrow range of stimulus rates. At the highest repetition rate examined, 20 min, the rate of habituation diminished. After 150 trials at 20 min, responsiveness to subsequent stimuli at lower repetition rates was enhanced. Dishabituation was elicited with mechanical prods to the dorsal thoracic carapace or a 1-min session of 20\min stimulation. After completion of habituation a 5° shift in the axis of a 10° target resulted in substantial response recovery. Evidence for weak interocular generalization of habituation was also obtained. These results suggest both retinal-dependent and retinal-independent sites of habituation. Picrotoxin (2.4 mg\kg body weight) reversed a previously established response habituation and delayed the onset of rehabituation to repetitive stimuli. The effects of picrotoxin suggest the participation an inhibitory mechanism in defense reflex habituation.
An asynchronous distributed algorithm for solving a linear algebraic equation

A distributed algorithm is described for solving a linear algebraic equation of the form Ax = b where A is a matrix for which the equation has at least one solution. The equation is simultaneously and asynchronously solved by m agents assuming each agent knows only a subset of the rows of the partitioned matrix [A b], the estimates of the equation's solution generated by its neighbors, and nothing more. Each agent recursively updates its estimate of a solution at its own event times by utilizing estimates generated by each of its neighbors which are transmitted with delays. Each agent has its own event time sequence and the event time sequences of different agents are not assumed to be synchronized. Neighbor relations are characterized by a time-dependent directed graph whose vertices correspond to agents and whose arcs depict neighbor relations. It is shown that for any matrix A for which the equation has a solution and any repeatedly jointly strongly connected sequence of neighbor graphs defined on the merged sequence of all agents' event times, the algorithm causes all agents' estimates to converge exponentially fast to the same solution to Ax = b.
Reducts of p -adically closed fields

In this paper, we consider reducts of p-adically closed fields. We introduce a notion of shadows: sets \({M_f = \{(x,y) \in K^2 \mid |y| = |f(x)|\}}\) , where f is a semi-algebraic function. Adding symbols for such sets to a reduct of the ring language, we obtain expansions of the semi-affine language where multiplication is nowhere definable, thus giving a negative answer to a question posed by Marker, Peterzil and Pillay. The second main result of this paper is the fact that in p-adic fields, full multiplication becomes definable if we add a rational function to the semi-affine language.
Sexual Harassment Among Students With Educational Disabilities Perspectives of Special Educators

This study investigated the perceptions of special education teachers about the prevalence and characteristics of sexual harassment among students identified with educational disabilities. Utah special education teachers (250) were randomly selected from the state's database. Fifty-two percent (n = 129) of the surveys were returned. Approximately 92% of respondents reported observing incidents of student-to-student sexual harassment and sexually suggestive behaviors. Although male students were more frequently identified as harassers, similar proportions of males and females were identified as targets of sexual harassment. The most commonly reported behaviors included jokes, rumors of a sexual nature, and name-calling. When special educators observed incidents of sexual harassment, 82% intervened. When confronted, 74% of students immediately stopped their offensive behavior. Suggestions are made to assist special educators in decreasing sexual harassment by accurately identifying behaviors, intervening, a...
Comparison of crossmatch results obtained by ELISA, flow cytometry, and conventional methodologies

The complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity crossmatch (CXM) is the presently accepted standard for detection of donor-reactive alloantibodies in transplant patients. However, the newer flow cytometric (FXM) and ELISA (EXM) crossmatch technologies are increasingly used as substitutes for the CXM. We have compared the sensitivity and reproducibility of FXM vs. EXM and, in general, find them to be quite similar. However, when we compared the agreement of FXM vs. EXM in 112 donor/recipient combinations, we found that they identified different subsets of donor-specific alloantibodies in about 35% of the tests. When compared to the standard CXM method, the EXM correlated much better than did the FXM, yielding a much lower rate of false positive (2.5% vs. 8%) and false negative (7% vs. 18.5%) results. The reduction in time required to obtain a result (3 h) and the cost of materials ($25/test) was identical for the EXM and FXM. We conclude that the ELISA method for crossmatching has advantages over the flow cytometric method as a substitute for the present standard complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity method.
Raf/MEK/ERK can regulate cellular levels of LC3B and SQSTM1/p62 at expression levels

While cellular LC3B and SQSTM1 levels serve as key autophagy markers, their regulation by different signaling pathways requires better understanding. Here, we report the mechanisms by which the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway regulates cellular LC3B and SQSTM1 levels. In different cell types, ΔRaf-1:ER- or B-Raf(V600E)-mediated MEK/ERK activation increased LC3B-I, LC3B-II, and SQSTM1/p62 levels, which was accompanied by increased BiP/GRP78 expression. Use of the autophagy inhibitors chloroquine and bafilomycin A1, or RNA interference of ATG7, suggested that these increases in LC3B and SQSTM1 levels were in part attributed to altered autophagic flux. However, intriguingly, these increases were also attributed to their increased expression. Upon Raf/MEK/ERK activation, mRNA levels of LC3B and SQSTM1 were also increased, and subsequent luciferase reporter analyses suggested that SQSTM1 upregulation was mediated at transcription level. Under this condition, transcription of BiP/GRP78 was also increased, which was necessary for Raf/MEK/ERK to regulate LC3B at the protein, but not mRNA, level. This suggests that BiP has a role in regulating autophagy machinery when Raf/MEK/ERK is activated. In conclusion, these results suggest that, under a Raf/MEK/ERK-activated condition, the steady-state cellular levels of LC3B and SQSTM1 can also be determined by their altered expression wherein BiP is utilized as an effector of the signaling.
Effect of phosphogypsum and barite amendments on heavy metals and trace elements chemistry in Mississippi river alluvial sediment

Abstract Reduction of sulfate found in barite (BaSO4), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and phosphogypsum (CaSO4 • xH2O) and the significance of sulfide production in the sequester of selected heavy metals and trace elements were studied. Suspensions of Mississippi River alluvial sediment were equilibrated under controlled redox (‐250 mV) conditions. Sodium sulfate and phosphogypsum additions resulted in a large increase in sulfide levels in the sediment suspensions. Water soluble barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) concentrations decreased significantly when sodium sulfate and phosphogypsum were the sulfate sources. Solubility of heavy metals and trace elements was substantially affected. Barite addition did not significantly affect the concentrations of water soluble sulfate and sulfide formation. This was attributed to the low solubility of barite as compared to the two other sulfate sources.
Long-Term Enterocystoplasty Follow-Up: Metabolic and Neoplastic Concerns

Augmentation enterocystoplasty is indicated for the management of refractory neurogenic or non-neurogenic detrusor overactivity, impaired detrusor compliance, and bladder pain. Enlarging the bladder, utilizing segments of the stomach, small bowel, or colon, has been reliably proven to successfully create a low-pressure reservoir with preserved renal function. Incorporating stomach or bowel into the urinary tract may result in genitourinary stone formation, bladder cancer, long-term metabolic disturbances, or other complications. This review focuses on the incidence and management of augmentation enterocystoplasty complications based on the most recent published literature.
Ommaya reservoir with ventricular catheter placement for chemotherapy with frameless and pinless electromagnetic surgical neuronavigation

Abstract Background Accuracy in Ommaya reservoir catheter placement is critical to chemotherapy infusion. Most frameless image guidance is light emitting diode (LED) based, requiring a direct line of communication between instrument and tracker, limiting freedom of instrument movement within the surgical field. Electromagnetic neuronavigation may overcome this challenge. Objective To compare Ommaya reservoir ventricular catheter placement using electromagnetic neuronavigation to LED-based optical navigation, with emphasis on placement accuracy, operative time and complication rate. Methods Twenty-eight patients who underwent placement of Ommaya reservoirs at our institution between 2010 and 2014 with either electromagnetic (12 patients) or optical neuronavigation (16 patients) were retrospectively reviewed. Results Half of the patients were male. Their mean age was 56 years (range 28–87 years). Accuracy and precision in catheter tip placement at the target site (foramen of Monro) were both higher ( p =0.038 and p =0.043, respectively) with electromagnetic neuronavigation. Unintended placement of the distal catheter contralateral to the target site occurred more frequently with optical navigation, as did superior or inferior positioning by more than 5mm. Mean operative times were shorter ( p =0.027) with electromagnetic neuronavigation (43.2min) than with optical navigation (51.0min). There were three complications (10.7%) – one case each of cytotoxic edema, post-operative wound infection, and urinary tract infection. The rate of complication did not differ between groups. Conclusion In contrast with optical neuronavigation, frameless and pinless electromagnetic image guidance allows the ability to track instrument depth in real-time. It may increase ventricular catheter placement accuracy and precision, and decrease operative times.
The pharmacokinetics of codeine and its metabolites in Blacks with sickle cell disease

Purpose We conducted a prospective, open-label study in 54 adult subjects with sickle cell disease to determine the relationship between morphine concentrations, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 genotype, and clinical outcomes.