cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Cocaine-Induced Vasoconstriction of Left and Right Coronary Arterial Systems

Abstract In patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, we measured left and right coronary arterial dimensions before and 15 minutes after intranasal saline (n = 8) or cocaine (n = 8). In response to cocaine, left and right coronary arterial areas declined by 11 ± 6% and 12 ± 11%, respectively; thus, intranasal cocaine induces a similar magnitude of vasoconstriction of the left and right coronary arteries.
Racial and ethnic disparity in pretrial criminal processing

This study uses data on the processing of felony defendants in large urban courts to analyze racial and ethnic disparities in pretrial processing. There are three major findings. First, racial disparity is most notable during the decision to deny bail and for defendants charged with violent crimes. Second, ethnic disparity is most notable during the decision to grant a non‐financial release and for defendants charged with drug crimes. Third, when there is disparity in the treatment of Black and Latino defendants with similar legal characteristics, Latinos always receive the less beneficial decisions. These findings are consistent with the theoretical perspective offered, which suggests that stereotypes influence criminal processing when their specific content is made salient by either the concerns relevant to a particular processing decision or the crime type of a defendant’s primary charge.
Periodic systems: a sequence algebra approach to realisation, parameterisation and topology

A characterisation of discrete time linear periodic systems is presented, based on a general framework using cyclic projection operators on sequences. Two known liftings of periodic systems to a time invariant one, the monodromy and the cyclic representation, are readily derived in this framework. This approach also leads to the definition of the operational transfer function for such systems, and more generally, the operational transfer inclusion. It is shown that the cyclic realisation allows the multiplexing of individual realisations of a periodic system. These descriptions are useful in the realisation problem and the search for canonical forms. Parameterisations for the class of reachable systems are recalled, and their geometric and topological features are illustrated.
Monitoring Food Web Changes in Tide-Restored Salt Marshes: A Carbon Stable Isotope Approach

Primary producer (angiosperms, macroalgae, submerged aquatic vegetation), suspended particulate matter, andFundulus heteroclitus isotope values (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) were examined to assess their use as indicators for changes in food web support functions in tidally-restored salt marshes. Study sites, located throughout the southern New England region (USA), ranged fromSpartina alterniflora-dominated reference marshes, marshes under various regimes and histories of tide restoration, and a severely tide-restrictedPhragmites australis marsh.Fundulus δ13C values were greater for fish from referenceSpartina marshes than for fish from adjacent tide-restricted or tide-restored marshes where higher percent cover of C3 plants, lower water column salinities, and more negative dissolved inorganic δ13C values were observed. The difference inFundulus δ13C values between a tide-restrictedPhragmites marsh and an adjacent referenceSpartina marsh was great compared to the difference between marshes at various stages of tide restoration and their respective reference marshes, suggesting that food web support functions are restored as the degree of tidal restriction is lessened. While a multiple isotopic approach can provide valuable information for determining specific food sources to consumers, this study demonstrates that monitoringFundulus δ13C values alone may be useful to evaluate the trajectory of ecological change for marshes undergoing tidal restoration.
Acquisition of a runway motor learning task is impaired by a beta adrenergic antagonist in F344 rats.

Abstract Performance of rats on a motor learning paradigm that has been demonstrated to be dependent upon cerebellar norepinephrine (NE) was studied in male F344 rats treated with an α 1 antagonist (prazosin), an α 2 antagonist (yohimbine) or a β noradrenergic antagonist (propranolol). The ability of propranolol-treated rats (10 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to daily testing) to acquire proficiency on the novel motor task was impaired while prazosin-treated rats' (0.5 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to daily testing) and yohimbine-treated rats' (1 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to daily testing) rates of acquisition of the novel motor task were not different from controls. In an attempt to distinguish between alterations in motor coordination and motor learning, additional tests of psychomotor performance were assessed for all groups of rats. These examinations included a walking test on 2.5 and 5 cm rods and speed of running on the motor task. The data indicate that drug-treated rats show no difference from controls on the above parameters. Some differences, however, were observed between propranolol and controls in the time spent in the goal box. Overall, the data are consistent with our hypothesis that the β noradrenergic receptor is involved in the ability to acquire novel motor tasks.
Role of hippurate in acidosis induced adaptation in renal gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Abstract Metabolic acidosis results in an adaptation in renal γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and a doubling of hippurate excretion. The greater rate of γ-glutamohydroxamate, γ-GHA, formation from L-glutamine, but not from glutathione, by acidotic kidney homogenates suggest an increased γ-glutamyl-enzyme complex formation and a preference for glutamine as the γ-glutamyl donor in acidosis. Hippurate added in vitro to cortical homogenates or microsomes mimics the affect of acidosis upon γ-GHA formation from glutamine. Acid extracts of urine stimulated ammonia formation from glutamine using cortical microsomes in agreement with the measured hippurate levels. Administering an exogenous hippurate load to fasting nonacidotic rats doubled ammonia excretion and the rate of γ-GHA formation by cortical homogenates. These results are consistent with the acidosis induced adaptation in renal γ-GT governed by hippurate.
Analysis of the transport coefficients for simple dense fluid: Application of the modified Enskog theory

Abstract The viscosity (η) and thermal-conductivity (λ) coefficients for argon, oxygen, and p-hydrogen have been calculated from the modified Enskog theory (i.e., the hard-sphere Enskog theory adapted to include experimental PVT data) and compared with experiment over a wide range of experimental conditions. Specifically, experimental data and theoretical predictions for the first density corrections, η1 and λ1, were examined and the temperature and density dependences of the experimental and theoretical transport coefficients in the liquid were studied. A brief comparison of the modified Enskog theory with some other theories is included. Overall, the modified Enskog theory, with the exception of the critical region for the thermal conductivity, is found to give reasonable agreement with experiment (to within about 10–15%) for densities generally not exceeding twice the critical density. Qualitatively the theory does not distinguish between the viscosity and thermal conductivity in the liquid. This is discussed by comparing the experimental and theoretical derivatives ( ∂Δη ∂T ) Q and ( ∂Δλ ∂T ) Q , where Δη and Δλ are excess functions. The qualitative features of the theory are discussed in some detail leading to a method by which the predictive capability of the theory can be improved.
“Like a Bird in a Cage” Vietnamese Women Survivors Talk About Domestic Violence

In recent years, a growing literature has emerged that explores the role of culture in domestic violence for ethnic minority populations, including immigrants and refugees. This article presents qualitative data collected from Vietnamese refugee women through a research project in partnership with the Refugee Women's Alliance in Seattle, Washington. Through the women's stories, their own self-awareness of domestic violence as Vietnamese women residing in the United States is available for reflection and review. Issues of acculturation, changing gender roles, examples of strength, and cultural persistence constitute the thematic structure within which these women articulate their needs for creating and sustaining a life free of abuse for themselves and their children.
The relationship between NOAA-AVHRR NDVI and ecoregions in Utah

Abstract A comparison was made between 3 years of NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and an Environmental Protection Agency derived ecoregion map of Utah. NOAA-AVHRR NDVI data representing 61 2-week periods were extracted from the USGS “Conterminous U.S. AVHRR Biweekly Composites” CDs for 1990–1992. An ecoregion map of Utah was extracted from the 1: 7,500,00 “Ecoregions of the United States” database compiled by Omernik (1987). Mean and variance statistics for each 2-week period were compared between ecoregions. With the exception of two Omernik ecoregions, the Colorado Plateau and Northern Basin and Range, yearly mean NDVI values were significantly different. The Colorado Plateau and Northern Basin and Range were significantly different during the latter part of summer and early fall. NDVI variation was found to be a function of interacting climatic, topographic, and latitudinal zonation that influence vegetation growth. These factors also influence ecoregion boundary delineation. Results suggest that ecoregions may be characterized based on phenological variation of vegetation components using NDVI distribution maps as surrogates for vegetation production.
Digitized service contents for process & equipment engineering

▪ Objective • Provide knowledge with compatibility for cooperative engineering effort in network environment ▪ knowledge structure • Match to PQCM — (1) process gas introduction — (2) process gas pressure generation • Effectiveness of digitized knowledge — direct engineering service contents deployment — versatile knowledge for FMEA, FDC, SPC ▪ Method of digital knowledge creation • Statistically delineated capability behavior using production data ▪ Findings • Process condition generation capabilities have higher stability than those required for the process outcome point of view▪ What is suggested • Digitized knowledge and service contents can be exported, imported or bought • More freedom in engineering service contents utilization
Xanthichthys greenei, a new species of triggerfish ( Balistidae) from the Line Islands

Xanthichthys greenei sp. n. is described from six specimens, 97-154 mm standard length (SL) collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems (90-100 m) at Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Line Islands, part of the Republic of Kiribati in the Central Pacific. Of the six species of Xanthichthys, it is most similar to the Atlantic Xanthichthys ringens and the Indo-West Pacific Xanthichthys lineopunctatus, sharing with these species the character of three pigmented cheek grooves. It is distinctive in its low body scale row count (33-35, other Xanthichthys species with 39 or more), small size (maximum SL 154 mm, other species over 225 mm), and color pattern of scattered dark spots sub-dorsally and no other spots or lines on body.
Spark-Chamber Experiment on Cosmic Gamma Rays

Abstract : The intensity and distribution of high-energy cosmic gamma rays and their importance in astrophysics are discussed. Experimental techniques for obtaining data are explained.
Release of atriopeptin in the rat by vasoconstrictors or water immersion correlates with changes in right atrial pressure

Vasopressin, its 1-deamino analog (dAVP), angiotensin II, and phenylephrine, administered intravenously, increased plasma atriopeptin immunoreactivity in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. A continuous one hour infusion of either dAVP or phenylephrine caused a sustained elevation in: a) systemic blood pressure; b) right atrial pressure; c) left ventricular end diastolic pressure; and d) plasma atriopeptin immunoreactivity. While continuous infusion of angiotensin II also produced a sustained elevation in left ventricular end diastolic pressure, the changes in right atrial pressure and plasma atriopeptin were only transient. These data suggest that plasma atriopeptin most closely correlates with right atrial pressure. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that the release of atriopeptin directly correlated with changes in right atrial pressure in anesthetized, water-immersed rats.
The need for end-of-life care training in nephrology: national survey results of nephrology fellows

Because of the high mortality rate of end-stage renal disease, nephrologists care for many dying patients. However, the education of nephrology fellows in palliative care has not been assessed. We surveyed second-year nephrology fellows to assess the quantity and quality of teaching they received in palliative medicine and also asked about their preparedness to manage patients at the end of life. A 63% survey response rate yielded 173 surveys for evaluation. Nearly all fellows (99%) agreed that physicians have a responsibility to help patients at the end of life; half thought it was very important to learn how to care for dying patients. On a 10-point scale in which 0 is no teaching and 10 is a lot of teaching, fellows reported significantly less teaching in end-of-life care (mean score, 3.8 +/- 2.6) than in managing a patient with distal renal tubular acidosis (mean score, 6.3 +/- 2.5) or on hemodialysis therapy (mean score, 8.9 +/- 1.5; all P < 0.0001). Specific palliative care content areas were taught infrequently; only 22% of fellows were taught how to tell a patient he or she is dying. Fellows who had contact with a palliative care specialist reported more education on end-of-life issues and believed they were better prepared to provide such care. Fellows' palliative care experiences during fellowship frequently occurred without attending nephrologist supervision; 32% of fellows had conducted 2 or fewer family meetings, and 26% of all family meetings occurred without an attending nephrologist. Fellows believed they were best prepared to manage a patient on hemodialysis therapy (mean score, 8.9 +/- 1) and least prepared to manage a patient at the end of life (mean score, 6.1 +/- 2; P < 0.0001). Our results show that most nephrology fellows believe they should learn how to care for dying patients, but most fellowship programs do not offer this training. Our study therefore suggests that training in palliative care be incorporated into fellowship program curricula.
Clinical indicators of dehydration severity in elderly patients

Abstract Study Objective: To determine which of the signs and symptoms of dehydration obtainable from patient history and physical examination in the emergency department are most useful in assessing the severity of dehydration in elderly patients. Design: Prospective, correlational study. Setting: Two university teaching hospitals. Patients: Fifty-five patients aged 60 or older presenting to the emergency department with suspected dehydration were studied. Measurements and Main Results: In the emergency department, patients were evaluated by a standardized history and physical examination that included assessment of 38 signs and symptoms commonly attributed to dehydration. The relationships between the presence and intensity of these putative dehydration indicators and an independent rating of dehydration severity based on a comprehensive review of the medical record were evaluated. Also evaluated were the relationships between these dehydration indicators and patient age. Indicators that correlated best with dehydration severity but were unrelated to patient age included: tongue dryness ( P P P P P P P
Detection of an antisquamous antibody in multiple keratoacanthoma

Abstract A case of multiple keratoacanthoma involving the skin and mucous membranes is reported. An antisquamous antibody was detected in the patient's serum which bound to a membrane antigen on squamous tumor cell lines COLO-16 and SCaBER. The approximate molecular weight of the antigen is 68,000. The antibody appears to be of the IgG class. It is possible that antibodies such as these may be directed toward neoplastic tissue and could play an important role in spontaneous tumor regression seen in patients with multiple keratoacanthoma.
Three-dimensional electron spin resonance imaging

Abstract Three-dimensional electron spin resonance images have been obtained by reconstruction from projections, permitting unambiguous determinations of the distribution of unpaired electrons in several complex objects. Examples of applications to several objects are presented.
Intracellular melanization in the mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Diptera: Culicidae) against the filarial nematodes, Brugia spp. (Nematoda: Filarioidea).

Intracellular melanization responses to developing larvae of Brugia species (B. malayi (Buckley), B. pahangi (Buckley and Edeson), and B. patei (Buckley, Nelson, and Heisch)) in the thoracic muscle fibers of eight strains of Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say were first observed 48 to 72 h after an infective blood meal. Three to 4 d later, large numbers of melanized first-stage larvae were found within the thoracic muscle fibers. These intracellular responses were in addition to the extracellular responses to microfilariae and microfilarial sheaths of B. pahangi in the abdominal hemocoel of An. quadrimaculatus described in literature. Simultaneously, normal development of larvae of the three Brugia species also was observed in all eight strains of An. quadrimaculatus. Comparisons of melanized first stage larvae and normally developing larvae of the three Brugia species in the thoracic muscle fibers of the eight strains of An. quadrimaculatus showed that there were distinct variations in numbers of melanized and developing larvae and percentage of females with melanized and developing larvae in different strains. Numbers of melanized first-stage larvae reflected the extent of refractoriness of An. quadrimaculatus strains. Fully melanized larvae showed no abnormalities in parasite organelles, indicating that refractoriness is due to an enhanced ability of the host to recognize the living parasite. Further comparison among the strains suggested that the mutants, Yellow Larvae and Vero Beach Colony were significantly more susceptible, and Red Stripe was the most refractory to all three Brugia species. Thus, the gene(s) controlling susceptibility and refractoriness to all three Brugia species probably occurs on the same autosomal chromosome as the mutations in these strains. The significance of intracellular melanization of filarial larvae is discussed with reference to the melanization responses to different parasites in other mosquitoes.
Distribution and appearance of alfalfa mosaic virus in infected plant cells

Abstract A virus isolated from Capsicum annuum L. was identified by host range, electron microscopy, and serology to be alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). This isolate of AMV contained at least four components, Ta, Tb, M, and B with lengths 25, 40, 55, and 64 mμ, respectively. When subjected to high speed centrifugation, components Tb and M formed small crystalline arrays in the virus pellets. Similar crystalline AMV structures were found in some mesophyl cells of Capsicum , in sharply delimited epidermal areas of Vigna , but not in Nicotiana , where abundant uncrystallized virus was observed in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Measurements of AMV in the different hosts were compared with measurements of partially purified AMV. Components Tb and M were the only two components that could be recognized with certainty in the different hosts. We argue that the crystalline appearance of AMV in Capsicum and Vigna is a result of the loss of compartmentalization of certain basic proteins and some divalent cations that cause crystallization of AMV in vitro . The virus infection is responsible for a host reaction (necrosis) that results in loss of compartmentalization of these compounds. In Havana 38 tobacco, no necrosis occurred and no aggregation was observed. No change in component composition of the AMV population was detected after two passages through each of the three hosts.
A perturbation of a periodic Hamiltonian system

In this paper we examine a Hamiltonian system with a “superquadratic” term, that is, of the form −u′′+ u = f(t)V (u), where V (u) behaves like a power greater than 2 of u. We look for solutions homoclinic to zero, or just “homoclinic,” that is, solutions u with |u′(t)| + |u(t)| → 0 as |t| → ∞. Such solutions can be difficult to find, due to the lack of compactness of the domain and the subsequent failure of the PalaisSmale condition in variational formulations of the problem (see [1] for an example of such a problem with no homoclinic solutions). The existence of such solutions depends delicately on f and V . It is known that they exist when f is periodic. We will examine a system in which f is a perturbation of a periodic function. Assuming reasonably weak conditions on the periodic problem, we show that the perturbed problem has a solution if the perturbation is small enough. The conditions required of the periodic problem can be verified for some specific examples. We employ variational, mountain-pass techniques. The result almost extends to an analogous elliptic partial differential equation, but subtle differences in the topology of R and Rn (n ≥ 2) prevent a complete extension. Nevertheless, we find that for a large class of nearly-autonomous elliptic PDE, there exists a nonzero solution decaying at infinity. Consider the following system containing a periodic term:
Cross-national Differences in Computer-Use Ethics: A Nine-country Study

This study examines computer-use ethics among nine countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, United States, Great Britain, Australia, Sweden, Wales, and the Netherlands). Based on Paradice [1990], an instrument was developed containing three scales focusing on ethical attitudes toward software license infringement, use of virus programs, and misuse of corporate computing resources. Analysis indicates that there are significant differences in ethical values among nationalities for each of these scales.
Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies: Analysis of 979 Cases

Background To my knowledge, no large series of multiple cranial neuropathies is available. Objectives To examine the seats and causes of multiple cranial neuropathies in a large group of inpatients. Design Personal case series. Setting Wards of a large municipal hospital and affiliated rehabilitation hospital. Patients A consecutive series of 979 unselected inpatients with simultaneous or serial involvement of 2 or more different cranial nerves. Results Cranial nerves VI (565 cases), VII (466 cases), V (353 cases), and III (339 cases) were most commonly affected. The locations and causes were diverse, with cavernous sinus (252 cases), brainstem (217 cases), and individual nerves (182 cases) being the most frequent sites, and tumor (305 cases), vascular disease (128 cases), trauma (128 cases), infection (102 cases), and the Guillain-Barre and Fisher syndromes (91 cases total) being the most frequent causes. Recurrent cranial neuropathy was uncommon (43 cases, 106 episodes, 136 nerves), with diabetes mellitus (14 cases), self-limited unknown causes (14 cases), and idiopathic cavernous sinusitis (10 cases) being the usual causes. Conclusion While the locations and causes of multiple cranial neuropathy are highly diverse, the fact that tumor composes more than one quarter of cases places a premium on prompt diagnosis.
The Contribution of Smoking to Black-White Differences in U.S. Mortality

Smoking has significantly impacted American mortality and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. No previous study has systematically examined the contribution of smoking-attributable deaths to mortality trends among blacks or to black-white mortality differences at older ages over time in the United States. In this article, we employ multiple methods and data sources to provide a comprehensive assessment of this contribution. We find that smoking has contributed to the black-white gap in life expectancy at age 50 for males, accounting for 20 % to 48 % of the gap between 1980 and 2005, but not for females. The fraction of deaths attributable to smoking at ages above 50 is greater for black males than for white males; and among men, current smoking status explains about 20 % of the black excess relative risk in all-cause mortality at ages above 50 without adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics. These findings advance our understanding of the contribution of smoking to contemporary mortality trends and differences and reinforce the need for interventions that better address the needs of all groups.
Fault Detection in Nuclear Systems Using Sliding Mode Observers

AbstractThe use of sliding mode observers as a model-based method is proposed for robust fault detection and isolation in linear and nonlinear nuclear systems. A sliding mode output observer and a sliding mode state observer are designed and applied to a U-tube steam generator model, a coupled nonlinear reactor model, and a pressurizer model to detect additive and multiplicative faults in the presence of uncertainties and measurement noise. Numerical results for both steady-state and transient responses of the example systems are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
THE OH ROTATIONAL POPULATION AND PHOTODISSOCIATION OF H2O IN DG Tauri

We analyze the OH rotational emission in the Spitzer Space Telescope mid-infrared spectrum of the T Tauri star DG Tau. OH is observed in emission from upper level energies of 1900 K to 28,000 K. The rotational diagram cannot be fit with any single combination of temperature and column density and has slopes that correspond to excitation temperatures ranging from 200 K to 6000 K. The relative Λ-doublet population within each rotational level is not equal, showing that the OH population is not in thermal equilibrium. The symmetric Λ-doublet state is preferred in all rotational states, with an average of 0.5 for the population ratio of the anti-symmetric to symmetric state. We show that the population distribution of the high rotational lines and the Λ-doublet ratio are consistent with the formation of OH following the photo-dissociation of H{sub 2}O by FUV photons in the second absorption band of water (∼1150-1400 A), which includes Lyα. Other processes, OH formation from either photo-dissociation of water in the first absorption band (1450-1900 A) or the reaction O({sup 1} D) + H{sub 2}, or collisional excitation, cannot explain the observed emission in the high rotational states but could potentially contribute to the population ofmore » lower rotational levels. These results demonstrate that the photodissociation of water is active in DG Tau and support the idea that the hot rotational OH emission commonly observed in Classical T Tauri stars is due to the dissociation of H{sub 2}O by FUV radiation.« less
Relations of Bouguer Gravity Anomalies to Geological Structure in the New River District of Virginia

Over 500 gravity observations were made at 2- to 3-km intervals along accessible roads in the New River District of Virginia, within an area defined by lat 37°009N., and 37°309N., and long 80°159W. and 81° 009W. The Bouguer anomalies of the data can be related to variation in crustal thickness, and folding and faulting in the Appalachian Valley. A quadratic polynomial surface fitted to Bouguer anomaly data by a least squares process reveals a broad anomaly trending north-northeasterly across the area. This anomaly correlates well with the gravity field associated with variation in crustal thickness determined from a seismic survey of the Middle Atlantic states. Residual gravity anomalies obtained from differences between the Bouguer anomalies and the quadratic polynomial surface indicate an east-northeasterly trending feature which parallels the regional strike of the Appalachian geological structure. This residual gravity anomaly of approximately 8 mgal can be explained by a structural model based upon attitudes of sedimentary units measured at the surface and density values measured from outcrop specimens. This interpretation suggests that the Blacksburg syncline consists of approximately 7 km of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. There is no indication in the gravity data of any major decollement. Numerous local residual anomalies 2 to 3 mgal in amplitude are observed over the Pulaski and Saltville thrust faults. These anomalies may be associated with the extensive breccia zones exposed in the near surface material and with the variation in the thick-nesses of thrust plates.
Primary Sjogren's syndrome: current and prospective therapies.

Objective To summarize data on existing and experimental therapies for primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS), referring both to sicca syndrome and to other systemic disease manifestations. Methods Relevant English and non-English articles acquired through Medline were reviewed. Results pSS usually has a benign clinical course, centered on sicca features and general musculoskeletal manifestations, and is managed symptomatically. However, a subset of patients develops more severe extraglandular disease that warrants close monitoring and aggressive treatment. For dry eyes and mouth, nonpharmacologic measures to preserve secretions, and tear and saliva substitutes, offer some symptomatic relief. Muscarinic agonists and topical cyclosporine yield well-documented improvement in ocular sicca features. Although traditional antirheumatic drugs are used empirically for polyarthritis and other Sjogren’s symptoms, their efficacy in pSS overall and as disease-modifying agents is limited. For the potential severe, nonexocrine manifestations complicating pSS, standard high-dose immunosuppression is used. Among the biologic agents already examined in pSS, those targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α failed to demonstrate significant benefit. Nonetheless, rituximab and other B-cell-depleting therapies appear promising. Conclusions Treatment of pSS patients with severe extraglandular disease should differ from that of patients with predominantly sicca features and/or general muscoloskeletal manifestations. pSS treatment is mainly symptomatic, primarily directed against sicca complaints. The traditional anti-rheumatic agents show limited efficacy in the systemic process and use of systemic TNF-α inhibitors has been very disappointing. B cell depleting treatments and other newer biologic therapies appear more promising.
Finding black holes in numerical spacetimes.

We ahve constructed a numerical code that finds black hole event horizons in an axisymmetric rotating spacetime. The spacetime is specified numerically by giving metric coefficients on a spatial grid for a series of time slices. The code solves the geodesic equation for light rays emitted from a suitable sample of points in the evolving spacetime. The algorithm for finding the event horizon employs the apparent horizon, which can form much later than the event horizon, to distinguish between light rays that escape to infinity and light rays that are captured. Simple geometries can be diagnosed on a workstation; more complicated cases are computationally intensive. However, the code is easily parallelized and has been efficiently run on the IBM SP-1 parallel machine. We have illustrated the use of the event horizon code on two cases. One is the head-on collision of two black holes that form from the collapse of collisionless matter, coalescing to a single Schwarzschild black hole. The other is the collapse of a rotating toroid to form a Kerr black hole. In this case the horizon initially appears with a toroidal topology. This is the first known example of this phenomenon.
The Femoral Route for Cardiac Catheterization of Infants and Children

A review of consecutive cardiac catheterizations in infants and children revealed an overall incidence of 64 percent (298 of 463) spontaneous entrance into the left side of the heart when the femoral route was used compared to 6 percent (14 of 241) from the arm. Patency of the foramen ovale was responsible for a significant proportion of the success of left atrial catheterization in the femoral group. The incidence of left atrial entry in the presence of an atrial septal defect was 100 percent (135 of 135) and 32 percent (11 of 34) in the femoral and antecubital groups, respectively. The degree of success leads to the recommendation that the femoral route should be used initially in all patients in the pediatric age group who require cardiac catheterization.
Crafting edge profiles in the aerospace industry: an occupational biomechanics evaluation

Describes a biomechanical assessment pertaining to the manual workmanship associated with the construct of airfoil edge geometry for Pratt & Whitney's Hollow Fan Blade. The results based on observation reveal that through the redesign of handheld scraping tools, the implementation of composite shell burring guns and the reduction of operator frequency, musculoskeletal pain would be dramatically reduced. Empirical methods of evaluation with respect to kinematics and kinetics are discussed and proposed for further analysis.
Prevalence of Complications and Response to Different Treatments of Hypertension in African Americans and White Americans in the U.S.

The aim of this review is to compare the prevalence of complications and response to different treatment for hypertension in African and European Americans. African Americans when compared to European Americans respond less favorably to beta-blockers (BB's) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI's). Nevertheless the observed response of African Americans to ACEI's and BB's is significant and these agents are very effective in this subgroup. African American race is not a clinically significant predictor of poor response to any class of antihypertensive therapy and there is little justification to use racial profiling as a criterion for choice of medication. Evidence to restrict or defer usage of BB's and ACEI's in African Americans is lacking.The mortality from hypertensive heart disease, stroke, and the incidence of hypertensive renal disease is higher in African Americans which leads some investigators to postulate that hypertension in African Americans is intrinsically different from whites...
Workload characteristics for iris matching algorithm: A case study

With the rapidly expanded biometric data collected by various sectors of government and industry for identification and verification purposes, how to manage and process such Big Data draws great concern. Even though modern processors are equipped with more cores and memory capacity, it still requires careful design in order to utilize the hardware resource effectively and the power consumption efficiently. This research addresses this issue by investigating the workload characteristics of biometric application. Taking Daugman's iris matching algorithm, which has been proven to be the most reliable iris matching method, as a case study, we conduct performance profiling and binary instrumentation on the benchmark to capture its execution behavior. The results show that data loading and memory access incurs great performance overhead and motivates us to move the biometrics computation to highperformance architecture.
The COXIB Experience: A Look in the Rearview Mirror

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used prescription and nonprescription drugs in the world. The discovery of cyclooxygenase (COX) as the target of NSAIDs, the subsequent identification of two isoforms of COX (COX-1 and COX-2), and studies of their regulation and sites of expression led to the hypothesis that COX-2 is the molecular target for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of NSAIDs. A corollary was that COX-2-selective inhibitors (COXIBs) would retain the desirable effects of NSAIDs without some of their liabilities (e.g., gastrointestinal toxicity, which was ascribed to COX-1 inhibition). The first marketed COXIBs exhibited reduced gastrointestinal side effects relative to traditional NSAIDs and were enormous commercial successes. However, clinical trials testing the hypothesis that COXIBs prevent recurrence of premalignant colon polyps uncovered adverse cardiovascular effects that are mechanism based. This review provides an overview of the discovery, development, and difficulties of the COXIBs, a perspective on what has been learned, and speculation on the way forward.
Ambient Air Pollution and Asthma Exacerbations in Children: An Eight-City Analysis

The authors investigated the relation between ambient concentrations of five of the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria pollutants and asthma exacerbations (daily symptoms and use of rescue inhalers) among 990 children in eight North American cities during the 22-month prerandomization phase (November 1993–September 1995) of the Childhood Asthma Management Program. Short-term effects of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter less than 10 lm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide, and warm-season ozone were examined in both one-pollutant and two-pollutant models, using lags of up to 2 days. Lags in carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide were positively associated with both measures of asthma exacerbation, and the 3-day moving sum of sulfur dioxide levels was marginally related to asthma symptoms. PM10 and ozone were unrelated to exacerbations. The strongest effects tended to be seen with 2-day lags, where a 1-parts-per-million change in carbon monoxide and a 20-parts-per-billion change in nitrogen dioxide were associated with symptom odds ratios of 1.08 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.15) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.15), respectively, and with rate ratios for rescue inhaler use of 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10) and 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.09), respectively. The authors believe that the observed carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide associations can probably be attributed to mobile-source emissions, though more research is required. air pollution; asthma; carbon monoxide; nitrogen dioxide; ozone; pediatrics; sulfur dioxide
A Dialectical Approach to Formulating and Testing Social Science Theories: Assumptional Analysis

It is argued that the necessary step in the formulation of “good” theories and their subsequent testing and refinement is uncovering the relevant underlying assumptions that different scientists make concerning the nature of human behavior, social environments, and the interactions between these. Since assumptions are, by definition, implicit, unconscious, or even obscure, an explicit process is needed to examine this hidden domain. This paper presents such a process and illustrates how this dialectical approach can be utilized to facilitate advances in social science research.
A novel phase aberration correction technique based on local target motion

Inhomogeneity in acoustic velocity in tissue can introduce phase errors to diagnostic ultrasonic imaging systems and therefore degrade image quality. A novel technique for phase correction, based on on the mean difference of specific brightness, that employs echoes from moving targets as a quality factor is described. The authors present the fundamental statistics of the mean-speckle-brightness-based quality factors, which are concerned only with diffuse stationary targets, and the mean difference of speckle-brightness-based quality factors. A comparison of the two types of quality factors is also included. The results show that the difference-based quality factors are viable for phase corrections when a moving target is present in the field of view. A theoretical consideration indicates that the signal-to-noise ratio of the difference-based factors is worse than that of the mean-speckle-brightness-based factors with or without the presence of system noise. >
Contribution of the extracellular matrix to the viscoelastic behavior of the urinary bladder wall.

We previously reported that when the stress relaxation response of urinary bladder wall (UBW) tissue was analyzed using a single continuous reduced relaxation func- tion (RRF), we observed non-uniformly distributed, time- dependent residuals (Ann Biomed Eng 32(10):1409-1419, 2004). We concluded that the single relaxation spectrum was inadequate and that a new viscoelastic model for bladder wall was necessary. In the present study, we report a new approach composed of independent RRFs for smooth mus- cle and the extracellular matrix components (ECM), con- nected through a stress-dependent recruitment function. In order to determine the RRF for the ECM component, biax- ial stress relaxation experiments were first performed on decellularized extracellular matrix network of the bladder obtained from normal and spinal cord injured rats. While it was assumed that smooth muscle followed a single spectrum RRF, modeling the UBW ECM required a dual-Gaussian spectrum. Experimental results revealed that the ECM stress relaxation response was insensitive to the initial stress level. Thus, the average ECM RRF parameters were determined by fitting the average stress relaxation data. The resulting stress relaxation behavior of whole bladder tissue was mod- eled by combining the ECM RRF with the RRF for the smooth muscle component using an exponential recruitment function representing the recruitment of collagen fibers at higher stress levels. In summary, the present study demon- strated, for the first time, that stress relaxation response of bladder tissue can be better modeled when divided into the contributions of the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle components. This modeling approach is suitable for predic- tion of mechanical behaviors of the urinary bladder and other organs that exhibit rapid tissue remodeling (i.e., smooth mus- cle hypertrophy and altered ECM synthesis) under various pathological conditions.
Factors Associated with Breast MRI Use: A Population-Based Analysis

Introduction Although controversial, the use of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widespread. We sought to determine factors that influenced its use in a population-based sample.
Single-Molecule Lysozyme Dynamics Monitored by an Electronic Circuit

Tethering a single lysozyme molecule to a carbon nanotube field effect transistor (FET) produced a stable, high-bandwidth transducer for protein motion. Electronic monitoring during 10-minute periods extended well beyond the limitations of fluorescence techniques to uncover dynamic disorder within a single molecule and establish lysozyme as a processive enzyme. On average, 100 chemical bonds are processively hydrolyzed, at 15-Hertz rates, before lysozyme returns to its nonproductive, 330-Hertz hinge motion. Statistical analysis differentiated single-step hinge closure from enzyme opening, which requires two steps. Seven independent time scales governing lysozyme’s activity we re observed. The pH dependence of lysozyme activity arises not from changes to its processive kinetics but rather from increasing time spent in either nonproductive rapid motions or an inactive, closed conformation.
The Impact of Positron Emission Tomography on Clinical Decision Making in a University-Based Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Practice*

Introduction Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning has gained increasing application as a diagnostic and staging tool in the evaluation of lung cancer. Although PET scanning has been demonstrated to be a cost-effective adjunct to lung cancer diagnosis, its global impact on clinical decision making has not been assessed Study objectives To evaluate the impact of the systematic use of PET scanning on clinical decision making Design Retrospective study Setting A university-based multidisciplinary lung cancer practice Patients All patients undergoing diagnostic or staging PET scans from December 31, 2000, to December 31, 2002 Interventions None Measurements and results One hundred ninety-eight patients underwent PET for diagnosis (161 patients) or staging (37 patients). PET scan results and clinical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed to determine the frequency with which PET scan findings (1) upstaged patients, (2) downstaged patients, (3) changed the diagnostic workup, (4) altered therapy, (5) resulted in a significant additional diagnosis, and (6) triggered evaluations that ultimately proved fruitless. PET upstaged 32 of 198 patients (16.2%) and downstaged 12 patients (6.1%), facilitating curative resection in 4 patients. Overall, PET scan findings changed the stage in 44 patients (22.2%). PET scan findings changed diagnostic management in 105 of 198 patients (53%), among whom biopsy was deferred in 65 patients (61.9%) and was triggered or guided in 40 patients (38.1%). PET scan findings altered treatment decisions in 38 patients (19.2%), leading to neoadjuvant therapy in 6 patients and resection in 5 patients, and forestalling noncurative thoracotomy in 6 patients. PET scan findings prompted or redirected chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the remainder of the patients. Overall, PET scan findings changed management in 143 patients (72.2%). PET scan findings triggered additional diagnostic testing in 32 patients (16.2%), resulting in no new diagnosis in 16 patients (50%) and a critical change in management in 7 patients (21.9%). PET scan findings were solely responsible for a significant non-lung cancer diagnosis in eight patients (4%) Conclusions Systematically applied PET scanning has a significant impact on patient management, altering diagnostic or therapeutic interventions in 72.2% of patients, changing staging in 22.2% of patients, and identifying serious unsuspected diagnoses in 4.0% of patients, with potentially life-saving consequences in 2.0%
Pelvic inlet and outlet radiographs redefined.

Background: Musculoskeletal plain radiographic imaging protocols are typically predicated on orthogonal views of the bone or joint being evaluated. Pelvic injury has been evaluated with 45° inlet and 45° outlet radiographs. While these views are perpendicular to each other, they may not be in the best plane to evaluate pelvic injury because of variable lumbopelvic anatomy. We hypothesized that inlet and outlet radiographic views optimized to examine the clinically relevant osseous landmarks vary substantially from routine 45° inlet and outlet views. Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive patients without pelvic ring disruption who had undergone routine axial pelvic computed tomography scans were retrospectively identified. The optimal inlet and outlet angles required to profile the clinically relevant pelvic anatomy were quantified for each patient with use of sagittal computed tomography reconstructions. Results: The optimal inlet angle to profile the anterior body of S1 required an average caudal tilt of 21°. The average outlet angle (cephalad tilt) perpendicular to the body of S1 was 63° and perpendicular to S2 was 57°. The optimal angles were the same for male and female patients and for patients with normal and dysmorphic pelves and were independent of patient age. Conclusions: Screening inlet and screening outlet radiographs made at 25° and 60°, respectively, are recommended to provide accurate profiles of the clinically relevant posterior osseous pelvic anatomy.
Le colliculus supérieur - Centre sous-cortical de la sélection visuelle

Notre systeme visuel dispose d’une capacite limitee de traitement de l’information et, pour etre efficace, il doit donc allouer ses ressources en priorite aux elements les plus importants de l’environnement. Les principaux centres nerveux qui controlent ce mecanisme d’allocation, appele attention visuelle, ont ete localises au sein du cortex cerebral. Dans cette revue, nous decrivons l’existence d’un autre centre de controle attentionnel, situe au sein du tronc cerebral, a savoir le colliculus superieur (CS). Celui-ci exercerait son influence sur les processus de selection visuelle en court-circuitant le cortex visuel. La nature exacte des circuits impliques reste inconnue, mais il est probable que la boucle que forme le CS avec les noyaux gris centraux represente un acteur majeur.