cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mixed filter algorithm for sympathetic arousal tracking from skin conductance and heart rate measurements in Pavlovian fear conditioning

Pathological fear and anxiety disorders can have debilitating impacts on individual patients and society. The neural circuitry underlying fear learning and extinction has been known to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders. Pavlovian conditioning, where a subject learns an association between a biologically-relevant stimulus and a neutral cue, has been instrumental in guiding the development of therapies for treating anxiety disorders. To date, a number of physiological signal responses such as skin conductance, heart rate, electroencephalography and cerebral blood flow have been analyzed in Pavlovian fear conditioning experiments. However, physiological markers are often examined separately to gain insight into the neural processes underlying fear acquisition. We propose a method to track a single brain-related sympathetic arousal state from physiological signal features during fear conditioning. We develop a state-space formulation that probabilistically relates features from skin conductance and heart rate to the unobserved sympathetic arousal state. We use an expectation-maximization framework for state estimation and model parameter recovery. State estimation is performed via Bayesian filtering. We evaluate our model on simulated and experimental data acquired in a trace fear conditioning experiment. Results on simulated data show the ability of our proposed method to estimate an unobserved arousal state and recover model parameters. Results on experimental data are consistent with skin conductance measurements and provide good fits to heartbeats modeled as a binary point process. The ability to track arousal from skin conductance and heart rate within a state-space model is an important precursor to the development of wearable monitors that could aid in patient care. Anxiety and trauma-related disorders are often accompanied by a heightened sympathetic tone and the methods described herein could find clinical applications in remote monitoring for therapeutic purposes.
CHAPTER 3-2 – PROTONS BONDED TO NON-CYCLIC sp3 CARBON ATOMS

Publisher Summary The chemical shifts of protons bonded to noncyclic sp3 carbon atoms are expected to be less dependent on long-range effects than those of protons in compounds of fixed configuration, because any long-range influences tend to be attenuated by averaging through rapid conformational changes. This chapter discusses Shoolery's effective shielding and the influence of the principal functional groups on the chemical shifts of protons bonded to the α-carbon atom. The chapter discusses the influence of further removed structures only where systematic studies are available and illustrates the chemical shifts of methyl, methylene, and methine groups together. The chapter also discusses the chemical shifts of all protons in methane, ethane, and propane and describes the effect of multiple substitution at the α-carbon atom. The chemical shifts of both methyl and methylene groups fall within very narrow ranges in the absence of β-substituents.
Abiotic Drivers of a Deep Cyanobacteria Layer in a Stratified and Eutrophic Lake

Harmful algal blooms (HABs), in particular those consisting of the cyanobacteria \textit{Microcystis}, are becoming increasingly more common across the globe. Despite the growing body of evidence t...
Trends in Insurance Coverage for Complementary Health Care Services

Introduction: Complementary health care professionals deliver a substantial component of clinical services in the United States, but insurance coverage for many such services may be inadequate. The...
Nursing Home Social Workers Perceptions of Preparedness and Coping for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Social work has a long history of responding to the needs of vulnerable populations during times of crisis and disaster. Social workers are working at the front lines responding to the current COVID-19 pandemic in a variety of health care practice settings, including nursing homes, however it is unclear how social workers perceive their preparedness during this time. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional survey to nursing home social workers via social media on feelings of preparedness for COVID-19, what has been most professionally helpful for social workers during these times in their role in COVID-19, as well as demographic questions. Demographic data were analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data were analyzed using the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) technique. RESULTS: Data are based on a sample of 63 (N=63) nursing home social workers. Findings revealed that while some social workers felt prepared for the coronavirus, many respondents stated that they were unprepared to meet the demands and challenges they were facing. Moreover, participants shared that professional support was critically important to get through COVID-19. DISCUSSION: These findings are important, as social workers are tasked with ensuring each resident attains their highest level of psychosocial well-being, which can be achieved only when nursing home staff are supported. Findings from the present study suggest that additional support for nursing home staff ought to include peer mentoring and mutual support. Additionally, improved leadership across health care settings is worth assessing.
Surface Plasmonic Resonance: The Underlying Fano Resonance Mechanism for the Attenuated Total Internal Reflection (ATIR)

We demonstrate with both theoretical formulism and experimental verification a new Fano resonance based mechanism for surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) in the attenuated total internal reflection (ATIR) configurations. Based on the characteristic asymmetric response profile of the reflectance under SPR ATIR, we propose that the nature of the SPR ATIR is that of a Fano resonance, which involves the interference between two pathways, one continuous in nature and the other discrete in nature. We further note that the discrete nature of the pathway in SPR ATIR response is related to the excitations of the surface plasmons (SPs) and its corresponding surface plasmonic polaritons (SPPs), while the continuous pathway is that of the normal Fresnel total internal reflection in nature. The proposed Fano resonance mechanism for SPR ATIR is in sharp contrast to the current understanding and interpretations of the SPR phenomena, which are based on the multipath interference where all pathways are Fresnel reflections in nature. The proposed Fano resonance model explains the asymmetric SPR responses naturally and provides new insights to the nature of the underlying SPP as well as the SPR excitations.
Stress detection using deep neural networks.

Over 70% of Americans regularly experience stress. Chronic stress results in cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes, and thus is deeply detrimental to physiological health and psychological wellbeing. Developing robust methods for the rapid and accurate detection of human stress is of paramount importance. Prior research has shown that analyzing physiological signals is a reliable predictor of stress. Such signals are collected from sensors that are attached to the human body. Researchers have attempted to detect stress by using traditional machine learning methods to analyze physiological signals. Results, ranging between 50 and 90% accuracy, have been mixed. A limitation of traditional machine learning algorithms is the requirement for hand-crafted features. Accuracy decreases if features are misidentified. To address this deficiency, we developed two deep neural networks: a 1-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network and a multilayer perceptron neural network. Deep neural networks do not require hand-crafted features but instead extract features from raw data through the layers of the neural networks. The deep neural networks analyzed physiological data collected from chest-worn and wrist-worn sensors to perform two tasks. We tailored each neural network to analyze data from either the chest-worn (1D convolutional neural network) or wrist-worn (multilayer perceptron neural network) sensors. The first task was binary classification for stress detection, in which the networks differentiated between stressed and non-stressed states. The second task was 3-class classification for emotion classification, in which the networks differentiated between baseline, stressed, and amused states. The networks were trained and tested on publicly available data collected in previous studies. The deep convolutional neural network achieved 99.80% and 99.55% accuracy rates for binary and 3-class classification, respectively. The deep multilayer perceptron neural network achieved 99.65% and 98.38% accuracy rates for binary and 3-class classification, respectively. The networks’ performance exhibited a significant improvement over past methods that analyzed physiological signals for both binary stress detection and 3-class emotion classification. We demonstrated the potential of deep neural networks for developing robust, continuous, and noninvasive methods for stress detection and emotion classification, with the end goal of improving the quality of life.
Interfacial magnetism in a fused superatomic cluster [Co6Se8(PEt3)5]2

An isolated Co6Se8(PEt3)6 cluster is non-magnetic; however, we find that a magnetic unit can be formed by fusing two Co6Se8(PEt3)5 superatoms into a [Co6Se8(PEt3)5]2 dimer. Theoretical studies indicate that the dumbbell-shaped [Co6Se8(PEt3)5]2 dimer has a spin moment of 2μB, and the spin density is primarily localized at the interfacial Co-sites where two clusters are fused into a dimer. The dimer has a low ionization energy of 4.17 eV, allowing the dimer to donate charge to C70 during the formation of a cluster assembled material, as seen in recent experiments by Nuckolls and co-workers. The donation of charge causes the dimer's magnetic moment to drop from 2μB to 1μB. We hypothesize that adding electrons to the dimer, such as doping impurities to the crystal lattice, may enhance the magnetic moment by neutralizing the charged cluster. This reveals a strategy for stabilizing magnetic moments in ligated cluster assemblies.
Altering small and medium alcohol selectivity in the wax ester synthase

The bifunctional wax ester synthase/acyl-coenzyme A:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT or wax ester synthase) catalyzes the terminal reaction in the bacterial wax ester biosynthetic pathway, utilizing a range of alcohols and fatty acyl-CoAs to synthesize the corresponding wax ester. The wild-type wax ester synthase Maqu_0168 from Marinobacter aquaeolei VT8 exhibits a preference for longer fatty alcohols, while applications with smaller alcohols would yield products with desired biotechnological properties. Small and medium chain length alcohol substrates are much poorer substrates for the native enzyme, which may hinder broad application of the wax ester synthase in many proposed biosynthetic schemes. Developing approaches to improve enzyme activity toward specific smaller alcohol substrates first requires a clear understanding of which amino acids of the primary sequences of these enzymes contribute to substrate specificity in the native enzyme. In this report, we surveyed a range of potential residues and identified the leucine at position 356 and methionine at position 405 in Maqu_0168 as residues that affected selectivity toward small, branched, and aromatic alcohols when substituted with different amino acids. This analysis provides evidence of residues that line the binding site for wax ester synthase, which will aid rational approaches to improve this enzyme with specific substrates.
Development of a new, faster process for the fabrication of ceramic fiber-reinforced ceramic composites by chemical vapor infiltration

A new, faster process was developed for the fabrication of ceramic fiber-reinforced, ceramic-matrix composites by chemical vapor infiltration. Process and equipment improvements led to the fabrication of preforms with a higher fiber content, and infiltration improvements led to reduced infiltration run times and increased infiltrated densities. These improvements have produced composites with not only higher flexural strengths but also high strain values.
The quality and cost of inferences concerning the effects of nuclear power plants on the environment

ABSTRACT The analysis of variance is the most common statistical procedure applied to nuclear power plant monitoring data at the present time. Under the assumption that it is appropriate, minimum detectable difference is defined and its relationship with the power of the statistical test is computed. The relationship between station number, replicate number, variance, and minimum detectable difference with power = 0.90 and α = 0.10 for phytoplankton, zooplankton, smelt, and alewives at the Zion Nuclear Power Plant are given.
Challenges and Applications for Self-Assembled DNA Nanostructures

DNA self-assembly is a methodology for the construction of molecular scale structures. In this method, artificially synthesized single stranded DNA self-assemble into DNA crossover molecules (tiles). These DNA tiles have sticky ends that preferentially match the sticky ends of certain other DNA tiles, facilitating the further assembly into tiling lattices. We discuss key theoretical and practical challenges of DNA self-assembly, as well as numerous potential applications. The self-assembly of large 2D lattices consisting of up to thousands of tiles have been recently demonstrated, and 3D DNA lattices may soon be feasible to construct. We describe various novel DNA tiles with properties that facilitate self-assembly and their visualization by imaging devices such as atomic force microscope. We discuss bounds on the speed and error rates of the various types of self-assembly reactions, as well as methods that may minimize errors in self-assembly. We briefly discuss the ongoing development of attachment chemistry from DNA lattices to various types of molecules, and consider application of DNA lattices (assuming the development of such appropriate attachment chemistry from DNA lattices to these objects) as a substrate for: (a) layout of molecular electronic circuit components, (b) surface chemistry, for example ultra compact annealing arrays, (c) molecular robotics; for manipulation of molecules using molecular motor devices. DNA self-assembly can, using only a small number of component tiles, provide arbitrarily complex assemblies. It can be used to execute computation, using tiles that specify individual steps of the computation. In this emerging new methodology for computation: -input is provided by sets of single stranded DNA that serve as nucleation sites for assemblies, and -output can be made by the ligation of reporter strands of DNA that run though the resulting assembly, and then released by denaturing. DNA self-assembly can be used to execute massively parallel computations at the molecular scale, with concurrent assemblies that may execute computations independently. Due to the very compact form of DNA molecules, the degree of parallelism (due to distinct tiling assemblies) may be up to 1015 to possibly 1018. We describe various DNA tiling assemblies that execute various basic computational tasks, such as sequences of arithmetic and logical computations executed in massively parallel fashion. We also consider extensions of these computational methods to 3D DNA tiling lattices and to assemblies that hold state.
Renal clearances of estriol conjugates in normal human pregnancy at term

Abstract In late human pregnancy more than 90 per cent of the total estriol (E 3 ) in body fluids consists of four conjugates, estriol-3-sulfate (E 3 -3S), estriol-16-glucosiduronate (E 3 -16G), estriol-3-glucuronide (E 3 -3G), and estriol-3-sulfate-16-glucosiduronate (E 3 -3S-16G). Since the relative amounts of E 3 in blood and urine would be determined by the kidney, the renal clearance of each conjugate was determined and compared with inulin and p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) clearance, as measures of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the effective renal plasma flow. Five women were studied in the lateral decubitus position with inulin and PAH infusion. Samples of blood and urine were collected at 40 minute intervals and analyzed. The method for E 3 conjugates involved separation of the four conjugates on Sephadex LH-20, enzyme hydrolysis, and radioimmunoassay. Renal clearances for E 3 -3S and E 3 -3S-16G were below inulin. E 3 -3G approximated inulin; E 3 -16G exceeded inulin and approached PAH. In plasma E 3 -3S-16G represented 48.4 ± 7.2 per cent; in urine E 3 -16G represented 69.5 ± 7.3 per cent of total E 3 . Thus, different conjugates predominate in blood and urine.
Effect of retroviral proteinase inhibitors on Mason-Pfizer monkey virus maturation and transmembrane glycoprotein cleavage.

Abstract Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) is the prototype type D retrovirus which preassembles immature intracytoplasmic type A particles within the infected cell cytoplasm. Intracytoplasmic type A particles are composed of uncleaved polyprotein precursors which upon release are cleaved by the viral proteinase to their constituent mature proteins. This results in a morphological change in the virion described as maturation. We have investigated the role of the viral proteinase in virus maturation and infectivity by inhibiting the function of the enzyme through mutagenesis of the proteinase gene and by using peptide inhibitors originally designed to block human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proteinase activity. Mutation of the active-site aspartic acid, Asp-26, to asparagine abrogated the activity of the M-PMV proteinase but did not affect the assembly of noninfectious, immature virus particles. In mutant virions, the transmembrane glycoprotein (TM) of M-PMV, initially synthesized as a cell-associated gp22, is not cleaved to gp20, as is observed with wild-type virions. This demonstrates that the viral proteinase is responsible for this cleavage event. Hydroxyethylene isostere human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proteinase inhibitors were shown to block M-PMV proteinase cleavage of the TM glycoprotein and Gag-containing precursors in a dose-dependent manner. The TM cleavage event was more sensitive than cleavage of the Gag precursors to inhibition. The infectivity of treated particles was reduced significantly, but experiments showed that inhibition of precursor and TM cleavage may be at least partially reversible. These results demonstrate that the M-PMV aspartyl proteinase is activated in released virions and that the hydroxyethylene isostere proteinase inhibitors used in this study exhibit a broad spectrum of antiretroviral activity.
BLOOD GROUPS AND ABORTIONS.

Abstract Although fetal loss has an established relationship to ABO incompatibility, the question has been whether the loss is due to infertility or to abortion. The hypothesis has been presented that the outcome of an incompatible pregnancy is determined by the mother's antibody titer. As a first step in testing this hypothesis, blood groups of aborted tissues were tested. A distribution of blood groups of the aborted tissues different from that of the general population would imply that ABO incompatibility is a factor in abortion. A method has been described whereby tissue ABO antigens can be identified in secretors. Tissue antigens agglutinate the corresponding antibodies from serum of known titer: a fall in titer indicates the blood group of the tissue. Testing of the fetal side of the placenta appears to give the blood group of the fetus. Analysis of results for whites and Negroes showed an unusually large proportion of abortuses having B antigen, supporting the hypothesis that ABO incompatibility is a cause of spontaneous abortion. Analysis of 27 mother-abortus pairs showed a relatively large proportion to be ABO incompatible. Particularly outstanding was the large number of incompatibilities due to antigen B, a finding which may contribute to the concept of balanced polymorphism of blood groups.
Nanocrystalline Ge synthesis by the chemical reduction of hydrothermally grown Si 0.6 Ge 0.4 O 2

Previously, we have reported the use of high pressure oxidation techniques for the growth of compositionally congruent oxides from Si1−xGex. We have now used this technique as part of a two-step process of oxidation at 25 MPa and 475°C followed by reduction in 0.1 MPa (1 atm) H2 at 700-850δC for the synthesis of nanocrystalline Ge precipitates. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show that the proposed method produces a dispersion of fine (<10 nm) precipitates of Ge embedded in an SiO2 matrix. The structure of the oxide prior to reduction with H2 was investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which reveals SiO2, GeO2, SiO, Si-O-H, and Ge-O-H bonding states in the glass. In this paper, we discuss the thermodynamics and kinetics of both the hydrothermal oxidation technique and the proposed Ge nanocrystalline synthesis process.
Lower sternal reinforcement improves the stability of sternal closure.

Abstract Background This study uses a mechanical testing system to evaluate three methods of sternal closure. Methods Twelve sternal replicas composed of a polyurethane foam bone analogue were divided in the midline and reapproximated using three stainless steel wire techniques: six simple wires (6S), six figure-of-eight wires (6F8), or seven simple wires (7S), which included an extra wire at the lower sternum. The closures were subjected to increasing lateral distraction from 0 to 400 Newtons (N) (1 N=0.224 lbs), and motion was measured using transducers stationed across the manubrium, midsternum, and lower sternum. Results With each method of closure, the manubrium was the most stable, the lower sternum the least stable, and the midsternum intermediate between the other two. There were also differences between sternal closure methods, but only at the lower sternum. Less sternal distraction was measured with the 7S than the 6S and 6F8 methods, starting at 100 N (0.20 ± 0.06 mm vs 0.48 ± 0.19 and 0.39 ± 0.10, p = 0.003), and progressively increasing until the study was stopped at 400 N (1.64 ± 0.39 mm vs 4.92 ± 1.73 and 5.1 ± 1.43 mm, p = 0.003). Conclusions These data show that the lower sternum is the site of greatest instability and that reinforcement of this area with an additional wire effectively stabilizes the closure. Figure-of-eight wires are not superior to simple wires.
Neurotoxicity Caused by the Treatment with Platinum Analogues

Platinum agents (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) are a class of chemotherapy agents that have a broad spectrum of activity against several solid tumors. Toxicity to the peripheral nervous system is the major dose-limiting toxicity of at least some of the platinum drugs of clinical interest. Among the platinum compounds in clinical use, cisplatin is the most neurotoxic, inducing mainly sensory neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. Carboplatin is generally considered to be less neurotoxic than cisplatin, but it is associated with a higher risk of neurological dysfunction if administered at high dose or in combination with agents considered to be neurotoxic. Oxaliplatin induces two types of peripheral neuropathy, acute and chronic. The incidence of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy is related to various risk factors such as treatment schedule, cumulative dose, and time of infusion. To date, several neuroprotective agents including thiol compounds, vitamin E, various anticonvulsants, calcium-magnesium infusions, and other nonpharmacological strategies have been tested for their ability to prevent platinum-induced neurotoxicity with controversial results. Further studies on the prevention and treatment of neurotoxicity of platinum analogues are warranted.
Bursaphelenchus rufipennis n. sp. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) and redescription of Ektaphelenchus obtusus (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae), associates from nematangia on the hind wings of Dendroctonus rufipennis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Two species of aphelench, Bursaphelenchus rufipennis n. sp. and Ektaphelenchus obtusus, were isolated from the 'nematangia', cocoon-like structures found at the base of the hind wings of Dendroctonus rufipennis. The nematangia contained adult females of E. obtusus and the dauer juveniles of B. rufipennis n. sp. Only B. rufipennis n. sp. could be cultured on Monilinia fructicola on LGPDA (lactic acid-treated, glycerol-supplemented, potato dextrose agar). The new species of Bursaphelenchus is described and figured and some additional morphological characters are ascribed to E. obtusus, E. josephi, E. sandiaensis, E. smaelus (= E. prolobos) and E. terebranus after examination of type and/or voucher specimens. Bursaphelenchus rufipennis n. sp. has an adult body length of ca 500-1000 μm, medium a ratios (ca 25-38 for females and ca 30-40 for males), b ratios of ca 8-13 (female) and 7-11 (male), c ratios of ca 15-22 (female and male), c′ ratios of ca 3-4 (female) and ca 2-3 (male), and is characterised by three incisures in the lateral field, mitten-shaped spicules and a conical female tail that curves ventrally and possesses a variable tail tip. The new species is morphologically closest to B. corneolus, B. curvicaudatus, B. gerberae, B. paracorneolus and B. talonus. Morphological examination of type and/or voucher specimens of five Ektaphelenchus species revealed coarse transverse body annulation and three pairs of male caudal papillae (except for the two species where males are not described). Clear typological differences were observed among these five Ektaphelenchus species in the structure of the lip region, presence/absence of stylet knobs and male spicule morphology. Although these characters have not been consistently documented in the past, they may be diagnostic for species in the genus. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on SSU and D2/D3 LSU sequences revealed that B. rufipennis n. sp. was closest to B. paracorneolus and that E. obtusus was closest to species of Ektaphelenchoides and a Cryptaphelenchus sp.
The Mechanism of the Absorption of Ultrasound in Biological Materials

1) Absorption of sound in solutions of macromolecules has been found to be comparable in magnitude and similar in frequency dependence to that of tissues and blood. The absorption has been shown to arise through a relaxation process. Several experimental observations suggest that the relaxation may be related to the protein-water interactions. 2) The absorption of sound in normal blood, although predominately a molecular process, has in addition a component arising from the relative motion between the cells and the plasma. 3) In certain tissues, the experimental evidence points out again the importance of direct molecular absorption. This may be modified to some extent in inhomogeneous tissues where there is the possibility of selective absorption arising at macroscopic discontinuities.
The B55α Subunit of PP2A Drives a p53-Dependent Metabolic Adaptation to Glutamine Deprivation

Summary Glutamine is an essential nutrient for cancer cell survival and proliferation, yet the signaling pathways that sense glutamine levels remain uncharacterized. Here, we report that the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-associated protein, α4, plays a conserved role in glutamine sensing. α4 promotes assembly of an adaptive PP2A complex containing the B55α regulatory subunit via providing the catalytic subunit upon glutamine deprivation. Moreover, B55α is specifically induced upon glutamine deprivation in a ROS-dependent manner to activate p53 and promote cell survival. B55α activates p53 through direct interaction and dephosphorylation of EDD, a negative regulator of p53. Importantly, the B55α-EDD-p53 pathway is essential for cancer cell survival and tumor growth under low glutamine conditions in vitro and in vivo. This study delineates a previously unidentified signaling pathway that senses glutamine levels as well as provides important evidence that protein phosphatase complexes are actively involved in signal transduction.
The effects of chronic administration of LH-RH agonists and antagonists on the menstrual cycle and endometrium of the rhesus monkey.

Abstract Regularly cycling rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) were used to study the effects of prolonged administration of LH-RH analogs on the menstrual cycle and the endometrium. According to the treatment, animals were divided into: Group 1, vehicle; Group 2, LH-RH agonist (D-Trp 6 LH-RH, 20μg/ day); and Group 3, LH-RH antagonist ([N-Ac-D-Trp 1,3 , D-p-Cl-Phe 2 , D-Arg 6 , D-Ala 10 ]-LH-RH, 200μg/day) for 90 days. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E 2 ) and progesterone (P) were measured every second day until thirty days past the discontinuation of drug administration. Endometrial biopsies were obtained on days 10, 40, 90 and 120 and processed for histologic exam and determination of estrogen (E) and progesterone receptors. Animals of Group 1 presented regular cycles, while those in Groups 2 and 3 remained anovulatory throughout the treatment. Animals of Group 2 presented different degrees of endometrial hyperplasia during treatment and animals of Group 3 showed either resting or atrophic endometrium. Administration of LH-RH agonist produced a marked increase in E and P endometrial receptors and the antagonist produced a decrease in P receptors. In both instances, reversal of the effects on the menstrual cycle and in the endometrium was observed 30 days after discontinuation of drug administration.
Trends in Treatment of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Impact of Endovascular Repair and Implications for Future Care

Objective Our aim was to determine national trends in treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA), with specific emphasis on open surgical repair (OSR) and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and its impact on mortality and complications. Methods Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2005 to 2009 were queried to identify patients older than 59 years with RAAA. Three groups were studied: nonoperative (NO), EVAR, and OSR. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the relationship between treatment type and patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital type. The impact of EVAR compared with OSR on mortality and overall complications was examined using logistic regression analysis. Results We identified 21,206 patients with RAAA from 2005 to 2009, of which 16,558 (78.1%) underwent operative repair and 21.8% received no operative treatment. In the operative group, 12,761 (77.1%) underwent OSR and 3,796 (22.9%) underwent EVAR. Endovascular aneurysm repair was more common in teaching hospitals (29.1% vs 15.2%, p Conclusions Endovascular aneurysm repair use is increasing for RAAA and is more common in urban teaching hospitals while NO therapy is more common in rural hospitals. Endovascular aneurysm repair is associated with reduced mortality and complications across all age groups. Efforts to reduce mortality from RAAA should concentrate on reducing NO and OSR in patients who are suitable for EVAR.
Differences in human meibum lipid composition with meibomian gland dysfunction using NMR and principal component analysis.

RESULTS. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the CH2/CH3 regions of a set of training NMR spectra of human meibum. PCA discriminated between Mn and Md with an accuracy of 86%. There was a bias toward more accurately predicting normal samples (92%) compared with predicting MGD samples (78%). When the NMR spectra of Md were compared with those of Mn, three statistically significant decreases were observed in the relative amounts of CH3 moieties at 1.26 ppm, the products of lipid oxidation above 7 ppm, and the ACH moieties at 5.2 ppm associated with terpenoids. CONCLUSIONS. Loss of the terpenoids could be deleterious to meibum since they exhibit a plethora of mostly positive biological functions and could account for the lower level of cholesterol esters observed in Md compared with Mn. All three changes could account for the higher degree of lipid order of Md compared with age-matched Mn. In addition to the power of NMR spectroscopy to detect differences in the composition of meibum, it is promising that NMR can be used as a diagnostic tool. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:337‐347) DOI:
Evaluation of cognitive behavioral therapy/motivational enhancement therapy (CBT/MET) in a treatment trial of comorbid MDD/AUD adolescents.

Abstract Objective Behavioral therapies developed specifically for co-occurring disorders remain sparse, and such therapies for comorbid adolescents are particularly rare. This was an evaluation of the long-term (2-year) efficacy of an acute phase trial of manualized cognitive behavioral therapy/motivation enhancement therapy (CBT/MET) vs. naturalistic treatment among adolescents who had signed consent for a treatment study involving the SSRI antidepressant medication fluoxetine and CBT/MET therapy for comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) and an alcohol use disorder (AUD). We hypothesized that improvements in depressive symptoms and alcohol-related symptoms noted among the subjects who had received CBT/MET would exceed that of those in the naturalistic comparison group that had not received CBT/MET therapy. Methods We evaluated levels of depressive symptoms and alcohol-related symptoms at a two-year follow-up evaluation among comorbid MDD/AUD adolescents who had received an acute phase trial of manual-based CBT/MET (in addition to the SSRI medication fluoxetine or placebo) compared to those who had received naturalistic care. Results In repeated measures ANOVA, a significant time by enrollment status difference was noted for both depressive symptoms and alcohol-related symptoms across the two-year time period of this study, with those receiving CBT/MET demonstrating superior outcomes compared to those who had not received protocol CBT/MET therapy. No significant difference was noted between those receiving fluoxetine vs. those receiving placebo on any outcome at any time point. Conclusions These findings suggest long-term efficacy for an acute phase trial of manualized CBT/MET for treating comorbid MDD/AUD adolescents. Large multi-site studies are warranted to further clarify the efficacy of CBT/MET therapy among various adolescent and young adult comorbid populations.
Bilinear pseudodifferential operators with forbidden symbols on Lipschitz and Besov spaces

We show that bilinear pseudodifferential operators with symbols in the forbidden class are bounded on products of Lipschitz and Besov spaces.
Multiple symbiotes in larval black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): Associations of trichomycete fungi with ichthyosporeans, mermithid nematodes, and microsporidia

Studies of the interactions between two or more species of symbiotic microorganisms in a single host animal have lagged behind those involving interactions between hymenopteran or dipteran parasitoids. We screened the larvae of four species of black flies (Cnephia ornithophilia, Simulium furculatum, Simulium innoxium, and Simulium vandalicum) to determine if the colonization and prevalence of trichomycete fungi were influenced by ichthyosporeans, mermithid nematodes, microsporidia, or other species of trichomycetes. Differences in the layering of the peritrophic matrix of microsporidian-infected larvae, compared with that of uninfected larvae, were associated with greater levels of colonization by the midgut-inhabiting trichomycete Harpella melusinae. Colonization levels of different species of trichomycetes were significantly correlated with one another in only 2 of 11 cases. Aside from the consistent attachment of the trichomycete Simuliomyces microsporus to the ichthyosporean Paramoebidium chattoni, we found little evidence that prevalence and colonization levels of trichomycetes were influenced by other symbiotes, including other trichomycetes. This trend might reflect the physical separation of trichomycetes, which are gut specific, from other symbiotes. In addition, any combinations of symbiotes that were wholly incompatible would not have been observed in our field-collected material.
Pseudospectral methods for solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract Four numerical schemes for solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables are discussed and compared. All use the Chebyshev pseudospectral matrix (CPSM) approach for evaluating spatial derivatives. Two of the methods are new and two are previously reported methods that have been recast in CPSM form in order to compare results. The methods are (1) time-splitting of velocity and pressure (the projection method) with prescribed boundary conditions on the velocity only and satisfaction of the continuity equation at boundaries to close the system (no pressure boundary conditions required), (2) a quasi-velocity potential formulation with either continuity or Neumann boundary conditions, (3) direct solution of velocity and pressure with prescribed boundary conditions on velocity and either Neumann or continuity conditions for the pressure, and (4) the influence matrix technique with prescribed velocity and pressure boundary conditions specified to satisfy continuity. All the methods share one characteristic: a Poisson equation must be solved for either the pressure or quasi-potential field. When applied to the test problem of a thermally driven cavity flow, it was found that the best accuracy was obtained by all methods that employed satisfaction of continuity as the boundary condition for solution of the Poisson equation.
Echinococcosis: historical landmarks and progress in research and control.

Although hydatid cysts were recognised and described in ancient times, in both livestock and humans, it was not until the 17th Century that their biological nature began to be understood. The past ...
Feature space trajectory neural net classifier

A new classifier neural network is described for distortion-invariant multi-class pattern recognition. The input analog neurons are a feature space. All distorted aspect views of one object are described by a trajectory in feature space. Classification of test data involves calculation of the closest feature space trajectory. Pose estimation is achieved by determining the closest line segment on the closest trajectory. Rejection of false class clutter is demonstrated. Comparisons are made to other neural network classifiers, including a radial basis function and a new standard backpropagation neural net. The shapes of the different decision surfaces produced by our feature space trajectory classifier are analyzed. © (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Tidal friction and the early history of the Moon's orbit

The present work investigates the consequences implied by various rheological models of the early earth for the orbital history of the moon subsequent to its formation. Models of the earth that yield small tidal angles, such as low-viscosity models, imply that the moon never orbited in the earth's equatorial plane, thereby ruling out an equatorial origin for the moon. A high-viscosity model is shown to permit the moon to originate in the equatorial plane and still account for the present-day characteristics of the moon's orbit.
Surface modification of surface sol-gel derived titanium oxide films by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and non-specific protein adsorption studies.

Abstract Biological events occurring at the implant–host interface, including protein adsorption are mainly influenced by surface properties of the implant. Titanium alloys, one of the most widely used implants, has shown good biocompatibility primarily through its surface oxide. In this study, a surface sol–gel process based on the surface reaction of metal alkoxides with a hydroxylated surface was used to prepare ultrathin titanium oxide (TiO x ) coatings on silicon wafers. The oxide deposited on the surface was then modified by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of silanes with different functional groups. Interesting surface morphology trends and protein adhesion properties of the modified titanium oxide surfaces were observed as studied by non-specific protein binding of serum albumin. The surface properties were investigated systematically using water contact angle, ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Results showed that the surface sol–gel process predominantly formed homogeneous, but rough and porous titanium oxide layers. The protein adsorption was dependent primarily on the silane chemistry, packing of the alkyl chains (extent of van der Waals interaction), morphology (porosity and roughness), and wettability of the sol–gel oxide. Comparison was made with a thermally evaporated TiO x –Ti/Si-wafer substrate (control). This method further extends the functionalization of surface sol–gel derived TiO x layers for possible titanium alloy bioimplant surface modification.
Improving the informed consent process for research subjects with low literacy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Inadequate health literacy may impair research subjects’ ability to participate adequately in the informed consent (IC) process. Our aim is to evaluate the evidence supporting interventions, to improve comprehension of the IC process in low literacy subjects.
A streamlined family photochemistry module reproduces major nonlinearities in the global tropospheric ozone system

Abstract Tropospheric photochemistry is central to terrestrial climate change and pollution effects and so will be modelled on global 3-D grids. The chemistry is also complex, numerically stiff and kinetically nonlinear. A packaged family based integrator has been developed specifically to combat the difficulties associated with computational modelling of atmospheric chemistry on the global scale. The present work describes its ability to reproduce the major nonlinear features of tropospheric kinetics— those relating the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and oxidizing organics to ozone. It is shown that the family modules can duplicate typical changes in ozone production as a function of NOx level while consuming a minimum number of mathematical operations. The tests are first performed in the box model mode for a variety of pristine and pollutant scenarios. Zero-dimensional runs are patterned largely after the nonlinearity investigations of Liu and coworkers. The testing is then extended to column representations for vertical mixing of ozone precursors in convective storms. Here the calculations follow the climatology of ozone production enhancements assembled by Pickering and colleagues. Benchmarking is reported for a mechanism containing full inorganic kinetics as well as decomposition sequences for six nonmethane hydrocarbons. Chemical species in the simulation number 92. The operations count is roughly 10,000 per cell step for time increments of 1 h or more. The coding should thus enable decadal scale runs on massively parallel processors. Scaling experiments indicate full vectorization has been achieved. The chemistry packages are optimized not only for speed but also for convenience. Modularity and routines automating setup of solutions to the kinetic continuity equations are outlined as incidentals.
Management of knowledge intensive systems as supernetworks: Modeling, analysis, computations, and applications

In this paper, we construct the foundation for a new theory for the management of knowledge intensive systems or organizations termed knowledge supernetworks. The framework allows for explicit multicriteria decision-making and determines the optimal flows. We develop the fundamental knowledge supernetwork model with fixed demands and present concrete applications to a news organization, an intelligence agency, and a global financial institution. We then propose model extensions with elastic demands. The formulations of the governing optimality/equilibrium conditions are given as variational inequality problems. Qualitative properties of the solution patterns are provided along with algorithms that exploit the network structure of the problem and enhance the operationalism of the framework. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate both the generality of the knowledge supernetwork concept and theory as well as the computational procedures.
Reactive scattering with absorbing potentials in general coordinate systems

Abstract Two developments are reported. First we show how to formulate time-dependent reactive scattering in general coordinate systems while utilizing small grids. We then present a single general coordinate flux-integral that yields automatically reaction amplitudes with negligible storage costs, in both the wavepacket approach and the absorbing-potential time-independent scattering formalism. The two developments are expected to enhance the power of modern single-arrangement approaches to multi-arrangement scattering.
Selection of Temporal Gates for Bi-Exponential Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

Fluorescence lifetime imaging is a commonly-used molecular imaging technique for preclinical and clinical studies of cells or tissues. Herein, the accuracy of lifetime imaging in the case of a bi-exponential model is investigated based on limited time data points. An in silico investigation shows that estimation accuracy of the model parameters involved (lifetimes and fractional amplitudes) can be maintained while reducing the number of time-gates used to eight. Recommendations of which time gates to use are also made based upon the presented analysis.
Studies on the microsomal acylation of l-glycerol-3-phosphate III. Time course of the reaction☆

Abstract Careful studies of the acylation time course of l -glycerol-3-phosphate with palmityl-CoA by microsomes from rat brain or liver showed that except at high levels of palmityl-CoA, where substrate inhibition occurred, reaction rates were independent of the palmityl-CoA concentration and were nearly constant until most of the palmityl-CoA was consumed. When substrate inhibition by palmityl-CoA existed, the initial reaction rate was less but remained constant until nearly all of the palmityl-CoA was exhausted. As a result of this type of reaction kinetics, plotting the extent of reaction at fixed times as a function of the initial palmityl-CoA concentration showed unusual shapes. At low incubation times a sharp break separated both a linear region where the extent of reaction was proportional to the initial palmitylCoA concentration (the reactions having gone to completion) and a plateau where the extent of reaction was independent of palmityl-CoA (the reactions not reaching completion although proceeding at identical rates). At higher palmityl-CoA levels, the decreased reaction rates caused by substrate inhibition caused the plot to turn downwards. At longer incubation times, the beginning of the plateau was displaced to higher palmityl-CoA concentrations, and, after long enough incubation times, even reactions where substrate inhibition occurred reached completion; thus no plateau existed and the apparent onset of substrate inhibition occurred at a deceptive high level of palmityl-CoA. These unusual kinetics appear to result because palmityl-CoA exists largely in micellar form, while only the free monomeric molecules whose concentration is essentially constant above the critical micelle concentration are active in the enzymatic reaction. When a sufficiently high number of micelles are present, the effect of their detergent properties on the enzyme causes substrate inhibition.