cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a TOF-PET detector design that achieves ≤ 100 ps coincidence time resolution

Positron emission tomography (PET) detectors for clinical systems employ scintillation crystal element that are typically $\ge 20$ mm length and 3–5 mm in width optically coupled on their narrow end to a photosensor. The aspect ratio of this traditional crystal element configuration yields low light collection efficiency of scintillation photons and significant, interaction depth-dependent scintillation light transit time jitter from the 511 keV photon interaction position to the exit interface of the crystal. Alternatively, coupling the photosensor on the long side of the crystal elements results in near-complete light collection efficiency and low scintillation photon transit time jitter. In this new scintillation light readout configuration, the achievable coincidence time resolution (CTR) with 3x3x20 mm $^{\mathbf {3\, }}$ LGSO:Ce(0.025 mol%) crystals coupled to a row of SensLJ SiPMs, multiplexed to a single timing channel, is $102 \pm 2$ ps FWHM using simple leading edge time pickoff. This is in contrast to a CTR of $137 \pm 2$ ps FWHM that is achieved when the same crystals are coupled to a single 3x3 mm $^{\mathbf {2\, }}$ SiPM in the standard ”end coupled” configuration. In this work, we present an experimental investigation into the achievable timing performance using this side readout configuration. Altogether, the side readout configuration offers an immediate solution for 100 ps clinical PET detectors and mitigates factors affecting ongoing efforts to achieve sub-100 ps FWHM CTR.
What is new in electronic-cigarettes research?

Purpose of reviewElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other vaping devices have seen extraordinary growth in use in the past 10 years, and companies are accelerating their development of new products and marketing efforts. In turn, researchers have increased their efforts to determine how e-ciga
Elevated myonuclear density during skeletal muscle hypertrophy in response to training is reversed during detraining

Myonuclei gained during exercise-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy may be long-lasting and could facilitate future muscle adaptability after deconditioning, a concept colloquially termed “muscle ...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Epicardial Adipose Tissue

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a measurable risk factor and marker of visceral adipose tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard technique to measure the adipose tissue, also because it does not require ionizing radiations. Dedicated cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocols have been developed to assess EAT volume. CMR provides a precise and noninvasive assessment of both EAT thickness and volume. As EAT is not equally distributed through the heart and when abundant may fill in folding spaces, steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences of CMR should be used to more accurately measure the different and deeper EAT locations. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is the gold standard technique to measure myocardial triglyceride content that is independently correlated with ultrasound measured EAT thickness.
Longitudinal evaluation of alanine aminotransferase after treatment for childhood cancer. A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

e22525Background: Many childhood cancer survivors have been exposed to hepatotoxic agents. We assessed longitudinal hepatic injury, using alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, and associated fa...
Prototyping Yarrowia lipolytica for industrial production of hyperthermophilic enzymes- a case of β-glucosidase (CelB) from Pyrococcus furiosus

Abstract Hyperthermozymes have recently gained significant recognition as prospective industrial biocatalysts. However, the necessity to ease their large scale synthesis in a cost-effective manner often challenges the viability of industrial bioprocesses. In the present study, Yarrowia lipolytica, because of its high secretion capacity and robust growth, was assessed for its efficacy to express and secrete one of the widely used hyperthermozyme, CelB (β-glucosidase) of Pyrococcus furiosus. Preliminary expression studies using preproLIP2 and preXPR2 as signal peptides indicated that preproLIP2 was more efficient in targeting CelB outside the cell with enzyme yields of 0.42 ± 0.016 U/mL. To further improve the extracellular CelB yields, the preproLIP2-CelB expression cassette was integrated in one, two or three copies at different genomic loci of Y. lipolytica. Though variances in CelB expression were observed across the integration sites, its constitutive expression did not hamper the cell fitness. Also, with increasing CelB copy number linear increase in expression was observed reaching the highest enzyme yields of ∼5 U/mL for Po1f_LP3 strain, 12 fold higher than the base strain (Po1g_LP). Interestingly, comparable enzyme yields were achieved when rich YPD medium for cultivating Y. lipolytica was replaced with a low-cost SPD medium. Such high titres observed in shake-flask cultivation demonstrates the potential of Y. lipolytica for fermentative production of hyperthermozymes.
Systematic review of lung shunt fraction quantification comparing SPECT/CT and planar scintigraphy for yttrium 90 radioembolization planning

Yttrium 90-labeled intra-arterial liver therapy is an effective treatment for patients with unresectable primary or metastatic liver malignancy. Optimal radioisotope dose calculation is dependent upon lung shunt fraction (LSF) which is typically estimated by planar scintigraphy. The goal of this systematic review was to compare LSF using 2D planar scintigraphy and 3D SPECT/CT. A secondary outcome was to assess the impact on lung dosimetry. PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science database were searched for studies in English language related to lung shunt fraction quantification utilizing technetium 99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT, published between January 2010 and November 2020. The review was conducted using the PRISMA statement and QUADAS-2 criteria. A total of 8 studies (one prospective, 4 retrospective studies and 3 abstracts from national conferences) with a sample size of 552 were included in this review. There were 456 patients (82.6%) with hepatocellular carcinoma and 95 patients (17.4%) with hepatic metastasis. A wider range of LSF percentages was noted in planar scintigraphy methodology (range 1.2–33.3%) when compared to SPECT/CT (range 0.4–21.7%). The median LSF percentages were 6.7 and 2.9% using planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT, respectively. The current clinical assessment of LSF is substantially overestimated by 2D planar scintigraphy when compared to 3D SPECT/CT. However, unclearness of blinding between the index test and reference standard was an area of quality concern. Hence, further randomized or prospective studies are needed to strengthen the role of SPECT/CT in lung shunt fraction estimation.
Many-Objective Maritime Path Planning for Dynamic and Uncertain Environments

Weather-impacted asset routing is a complex problem, involving nonlinear, non-convex costs due to spatiotemporally varying uncertainty of weather parameters over a finite time horizon. To this end, we have augmented a previously published tool for multiobjective planning and asset routing, termed TMPLAR, with a new approximate dynamic programming-based Pareto optimization (NAPO) algorithm. TMPLAR is a mixed-initiative tool to solve the asset routing problem in dynamic and uncertain environments. It is built upon multi-objective dynamic programming algorithms to route assets in a timely fashion, while considering objectives, such as fuel efficiency, voyage time, distance, and adherence to real world constraints (asset vehicle limits, navigator-specified deadlines, etc.). The asset routing problem is exacerbated by the need to address multiple conflicting objectives, spatial and temporal uncertainty associated with the weather and multiple constraints on asset operation. The NAPO algorithm optimizes weather-based objectives in a reasonable amount of time, optimizing arrival and departure times at waypoints, asset speed and bearing. The key algorithmic contribution is a fast approximate method for substantially containing the computational complexity by generating the Pareto-front of the multi-objective shortest path problem for networks with stochastic non-convex edge costs, utilizing approximate dynamic programming and clustering techniques. The proposed algorithm is validated and we compare its performance with the new approach to multi-objective A* (NAMOA*).
Capstone Engineering Design: Project Process and Reviews (Student Engineering Design Workbook)

Abstract Capstone Design: Project Process and Reviews (Student Engineering Design Workbook) provides a brief overview of the design process as well as templates, tools, and student design notes. Th...
Oxidation of wüstite rich iron oxide nanoparticles via post-synthesis annealing

Abstract When forming magnetic nanoparticles, the decomposition of organo-metallic precursors causes a reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) which leads to the formation of an antiferromagnetic rock salt phase of FeO. The antiferromagnetic phase reduces the nanoparticle magnetization, so a new method of oxidation was developed that can convert FeO rich particles to Fe3O4 particles. Iron oxide nanoparticles with different sizes were synthesized to validate the oxidation method. We demonstrate that iron oxide nanoparticles can be oxidized by post synthesis annealing without addition of oxidizing agents. The oxidized particles were measured with XRD, VSM and AC calorimetry to show the effective oxidation by comparing to the as prepared sample. The resulting 20 nm oxidized particles have a saturation magnetization of 72 Am2/kg at 300 K and a specific absorption rate of 181 W/g under a 212 kHz, 33 mT AC field.
A practical approach to selecting a colorectal cancer screening test.

ABSTRACT Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but timely, effective, and adherent screening can reduce the number of cases. Screening tests continue to evolve, creating opportunities and challenges. Medical societies offer varying guidelines about optimal screening tests and when to begin screening. This article reviews available and emerging colorectal cancer screening tests and discusses how to educate patients, advise them in selecting an appropriate test, and promote increased participation in colorectal cancer screening.
Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

A number of detailed and comprehensive review articles tackle atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from different perspectives such as clinical, electrophysiological, and therapeutic considerations;1–3 the mechanism and components of the reentrant circuit,1,4–6 and techniques of ablative therapy.7,8 The objective of this communication is to highlight the most recent developments.
Kleene Algebra with Products and Iteration Theories

We develop a typed equational system that subsumes both iteration theories and typed Kleene algebra in a common framework. Our approach is based on cartesian categories endowed with commutative strong monads to handle nondeterminism.
A Statewide Drug Court Needs Assessment

Abstract The purpose of this project was to conduct a statewide needs assessment in order to determine the counties in the State of Kentucky in which a Drug Court program is needed and feasible. The assessment was conducted in two phases. Phase I focused on secondary data collection and analysis by county to identify counties to target in Phase II. Phase II focused on the feasibility of, and community readiness of, implementing a Drug Court program in the counties identified as being most in need of a Drug Court program. Results of Phase I indicated that of 107 counties included in the study (out of 120 counties in Kentucky) 12 were identified for further assessment. Results of Phase II indicated that, of the 12 counties identified for further assessment, four counties were ready to move toward an implementation of a Drug Court program by applying for a planning grant. Four counties were close to being ready to apply for a planning grant, but needed further information about Drug Court programs. Two count...
Parallel linear space algorithm for large-scale sequence alignment

Aligning long DNA sequences is a fundamental and common task in molecular biology. Though dynamic programming algorithms have been developed to solve this problem, the space and time required by these algorithms are still a challenge. In this paper we present the Parallel Linear Space Alignment (PLSA) algorithm to compute the long sequence alignment to meet this challenge. Using this algorithm, the local start points and grid cache partition the whole sequence alignment problem into several smaller independent subproblems. A novel dynamic load balancing approach then efficiently solves these subproblems in parallel, which provides more parallelism in the trace-back phase. Furthermore, PLSA helps to find k near-optimal non-intersecting alignments. Our experiments show that this proposed algorithm scales well with the increasing number of processors, and it exhibits almost linear speedup for large-scale sequences.
Transformation of Lymphocytes in Gonorrhea Before and After Therapy

Patients were studied for lymphocyte transformation responses to a variety of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens and to a Neisseria catarrhalis sonicate. Cells from infected patients manifested significant uptake of tritiated thymidine in response to one or more gonococcal antigens. In some cases, deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis was so marked in lymphocytes not challenged by antigens in vitro that added blastogenesis was either obscured or inhibited. At five weeks posttherapy, lymphocytes were relatively nonreactive to gonococcal antigenic stimulation. Blastogenesis in response to N. catarrhalis was also seen for a few gonorrhea patients and normal controls. Cross-antigenicity of catarrhalis organisms and gonococci was indicated by the disappearance of reactivity to catarrhalis sonicate by the lymphocytes of almost all convalescent gonorrhea patients.
Hearing aid efficiency in a competing speech situation.

Discrimination for monosyllabic words heard against competing sentences was measured at the same sensation level during unaided and aided listening using four types of subject: normal hearers, cond...
Cost analysis of endovascular versus open repair in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Objective For descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), it is generally considered that thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs) reduce operative morbidity and mortality compared with open surgical repair. However, long-term differences in survival of patients have not been demonstrated, and an increased need for aortic reintervention has been observed. Many assume that TEVAR becomes less cost-effective through time because of higher rates of reintervention and surveillance imaging. This study investigated midterm outcomes and hospital costs of TEVAR compared with open TAA repair. Methods This was a retrospective, single-institution review of elective TAA repairs between 2005 and 2012. Patient demographics, operative outcomes, reintervention rates, and hospital costs were assessed. The literature was also reviewed to determine commonly observed complication and reintervention rates for TEVAR and open repair. Monte Carlo simulation was used to model and to forecast hospital costs for TEVAR and open TAA repair up to 3 years after intervention. Results Our cohort consisted of 131 TEVARs and 27 open repairs. TEVAR patients were significantly older (67.2 vs 58.7 years old; P = .02) and trended toward a more severe comorbidity profile. Operative mortality for TEVAR and open repair was 5.3% and 3.7%, respectively ( P = 1.0). There was a trend toward more complications in the TEVAR group, although not statistically significant (all P > .05). In-hospital costs were significantly greater in the TEVAR group ($52,008 vs $37,172; P = .001). However, cost modeling by use of reported complication and reintervention rates from the literature overlaid with our cost data produced a higher cost for the open group in-hospital ($55,109 vs $48,006) and at 3 years ($58,426 vs $52,825). Interestingly, TEVAR hospital costs, not reintervention rates, were the most significant driver of cost in the TEVAR group. Conclusions Our institutional data showed a trend toward lower mortality and complication rates with open TAA repair, with significantly lower costs within this cohort compared with TEVAR. These findings were likely, at least in part, to be due to the milder comorbidity profile of these patients. In contrast, cost modeling by Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated lower costs with TEVAR compared with open repair at all time points up to 3 years after intervention. Our institutional data show that with appropriate selection of patients, open repair can be performed safely with low complication rates comparable to those of TEVAR. The cost model argues that despite the costs associated with more frequent surveillance imaging and reinterventions, TEVAR remains the more cost-effective option even years after TAA repair.
Derivation of an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for Methylene Chloride Based on Acute CNS Effects and Relative Potency Analysis

Abstract The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) methylene chloride Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 25 ppm is quantitatively derived from mouse tumor results observed in a high-exposure National Toxicology Program bioassay. Because this approach depends on controversial interspecies and low-dose extrapolations, the PEL itself has stimulated heated debate. Here, an alternative safety assessment for methylene chloride is presented. It is based on an acute human lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) of 200 ppm for subtle central nervous system (CNS) depression. Steep, parallel exposure–response curves for anesthetic and subanesthetic CNS effects associated with compounds mechanistically and structurally related to methylene chloride are shown to support a safety factor of two to account for interindividual variability in response. LOAEL/no-observed-adverse-effect ratios for subtle CNS effects associated with structurally related solvents are shown to support a safety factor range of two to four to account for uncertainty in identifying a subthreshold exposure level. Anesthetic relative potencies and anesthetic/subanesthetic effect level ratios are shown to be constant for the compounds evaluated, demonstrating that subanesthetic relative potencies are also constant. Relative potencies among similarly derived occupational exposure limits (OELs) for solvents structurally related to methylene chloride are therefore used to validate the derived methylene chloride OEL range of 25–50 ppm. Because this safety assessment is based on human (rather than rodent) data and empirical (rather than theoretical) exposure–response relationships and is supported by relative potency analysis, it is a defensible alternative to the OSHA risk assessment and should positively contribute to the debate regarding the appropriate basis and value for a methylene chloride PEL.
Voluntary risk management committee formation: Determinants and short-term outcomes

Abstract This paper examines the determinants and consequences of voluntary formation of risk management committees (RMCs) among financial institutions. The primary research question we address is whether RMC formation has a substantive effect on short-term risk outcomes and performance. Specifically, we determine whether RMCs are related to a short-term change in risk outcomes, a short-term change in hedging and trading derivative structures, and a short-term increase in profitability. We use a sample of financial institutions that voluntarily form a RMC in any year from 1994 through 2008 and a control sample of financial institutions that do not form a RMC during the sample period. The results provide evidence to suggest that financial institutions with international banking activity, higher leverage, a larger and more independent board, a Big N auditor, merger and acquisition activity, and lower financial reporting quality are more likely to form a RMC. Overall, our tests of risk outcomes and profitability do not provide consistent evidence of RMC formation being a substantive practice that results in operational and performance improvements. In contrast, our results are more consistent with RMCs fulfilling symbolic roles as an implication of institutional theory which focuses primarily on the perception of responsible risk management actions. Further, results are consistent with RMCs being used as a governance mechanism to help maintain and substantiate legitimacy over risk activities.
Divergent Genetic Selection for Incidence of Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Broilers at Seven Weeks of Age

Abstract Selection for a high (H) or low (L) incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) at 7 wk of age was practiced for four generations in broiler breeders using low intensity x-ray imaging (Lixiscope) for TD diagnosis. As a result, broiler lines with H or L incidence of TD at 7 wk of age were developed keeping a randomly selected control (C) broiler line. A total of 4,232 chicks were hatched representing 172 sires and 612 dams over four generations for the H, L, and C lines. The TD scores at 7 wk were collected on 4,056 broilers. Incidence of TD at 4 and 7 wk of age were studied in the C, H, and L lines of broilers. Direct response to selection in the H and L lines were estimated per generation and per weighted cumulative selection differential (WCSD). Total WCSD deviation from the C line for incidence of TD at 7 wk of age was 1.496 and −.42 units for the H and the L lines, respectively. The response per generation for incidence of TD at 7 wk of age for the H line was .153 ± .028 units. The realized heritability for the H line for incidence of TD at 7 wk of age was .437 ± .065. The incidence of TD was not significantly decreased in the L line at 7 wk of age.
Multiband sensor system design trade-offs and their effects on remote sensing and exploitation

This paper describes a study in progress. Its objective is to investigate the effects of spectral and spatial resolution, spectral coverage, signal-to-noise (SNR), and terrestrial background environments on hyperspectral exploitation performance and to determine their tradeoffs. The trade space and the methodologies used to perform nonliteral exploitation functions such as anomaly/target detection, material identification, and abundance estimation are described. Of the three exploitation functions, only summary anomaly/target detection results are presented in this paper. They are presented as a function of 4 spatial resolutions, 4 spectral resolutions, 2 spectral regions, 2 SNR levels, and 2 backgrounds. Anomaly/target detection performance comparison is made in terms of detection success rate when the false alarm rate is held constant for all image cubes. Within the study's trade space,results so far indicate that spatial resolution is the most important parameter for anomaly/target detection, followed by SNR and spectral resolution. Subsequent work on the effects of the same sensor design parameters on material identification is near completion and results will be documented in the very near future.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Plasma growth hormone and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in carcinoma of the bronchus.

. Three cases of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome) with co-existing carcinoma of the bronchus are reported. Estimations of plasma growth hormone including the variations during hypo- and hyperglycemia were undertaken pre- and postoperatively. In one case the fasting plasma growth hormone concentration was elevated, presenting characteristics suggestive of autonomous secretion. The clinical picture of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy to some extent mimics that of acromegaly, but the evidence that hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is the result of increased production of growth hormone is not found to be convincing. It is concluded that cells from malignant lung tumors might be able to synthesize and secrete growth hormone or growth-hormone-like substances.
Seaming and joining methods

Abstract Seams constitute one of the most critical components in geotextile structures. The method by which a seam is formed affects the performance of the seam assembly and consequently the overall structural performance. The formation of seams by sewing, welding and bonding is reviewed in this paper with respect to very soft soil stabilization.
Jacques Roubaud and the Ethics of Artifice

Jacques Roubaud’s multivolume prose cycle ‘ Le grand incendie de Londres ’ (1989–) has variously been termed a novel, a self-portrait, an autobiography, and a work of autofiction . Several factors contribute to this generic uncertainty: a long-standing suspicion, shared by critics and writers, of autobiography; Roubaud’s status as a member of the Oulipo, a group associated with formal artifice rather than referential writing; and Roubaud’s own equivocating or cryptic statements about ‘ Le grand incendie de Londres ’. Nevertheless, to label this complex work a fiction is to obscure its deep concern with the relationship between form and authenticity. This article argues that Roubaud’s explicitly stated principle of truth-telling ( veridicite ) generates a complex and paradoxical strategy, based on a form of sincerity that foregrounds itself as artifice and constraint. Framed in mathematical, philosophical and rhetorical terms, Roubaud’s theoretical pronouncements do not necessarily amount to a coherent conception of truth. However, they successfully provide the basis for a new type of autobiographical contract and for the creation of original narrative forms. Rhetorical artifice and Oulipian constraints provide the conditions for Roubaud’s investigation of memory and his ethical engagement with the reader.
Developmental biology informs cancer: The emerging role of the hedgehog signaling pathway in upper gastrointestinal cancers

The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays many roles in invertebrate and vertebrate development. For example, specific inhibition of sonic Hh expression is critical during early stages of pancreas organogenesis, but an active Hh pathway appears to be required for maintenance of adult endocrine functions. Mutational inactivation of the Hh pathway has been demonstrated in human malignancies of the skin, cerebellum, and skeletal muscle. Now, two papers implicate aberrant Hh signaling in human upper gastrointestinal cancers including those developing from the esophagus, stomach, biliary tract, and pancreas.
Inhibition of pontine omnipauser neurons in the cat by 5-hydroxytryptophan.

Abstract We assessed ocular motor nerve discharges and omnipause neuronal activity in six adult alert cats before and after intravenous infusion of the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). In all animals, 5-HTP inhibited omnipause neuron activity synchronously with a disappearance of high-frequency bursts of the ocular motor nerves associated with vestibular-induced fast components. This effect was rapidly reversed by the serotonin blocker, methysergide. Our findings are most consistent with an indirect effect of 5-HTP on omnipause neurons.
A simple model for heave-induced dynamic tension in catenary moorings

An empirical model for the dynamic tension due to vertical motions at the top of a catenary mooring is presented. The model is applicable for forcing at ocean wave frequencies (as opposed to slow drift frequencies). The model calculates the standard deviation of the tension as the sum of an inertial term proportional to heave acceleration and a drag term proportional to quadratic heave velocity. Using numerical simulations, the model is shown to capture coupling between inertia and damping effects. The proportionality parameters of the model are expressed as effective mass and drag constants times a linear function of the mean tension at the top of the mooring. Formulae are derived for calculating these constants in terms of the hydrodynamic and material properties of the mooring. Comparison of model results to measurements from an instrumented oceanographic mooring and simulations of a lazy wave riser under ranges of conditions yield maximum errors of 8 and 11% and root mean square errors of 2 and 3%, respectively. The greatest errors occur in situations where there is high mean tension and large dynamic forcing and when horizontal motion produces significant tension effects.
Effectiveness of non-adjuvanted pandemic influenza a vaccines for preventing pandemic influenza acute respiratory illness visits in 4 U.S. communities

We estimated the effectiveness of four monovalent pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccines (three unadjuvanted inactivated, one live attenuated) available in the U.S. during the pandemic. Patients with acute respiratory illness presenting to inpatient and outpatient facilities affiliated with four collaborating institutions were prospectively recruited, consented, and tested for influenza. Analyses were restricted to October 2009 through April 2010, when pandemic vaccine was available. Patients testing positive for pandemic influenza by real-time RT-PCR were cases; those testing negative were controls. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated in logistic regression models adjusted for study community, patient age, timing of illness, insurance status, enrollment site, and presence of high-risk medical conditions. Pandemic virus was detected in 1,011 (15%) of 6,757 enrolled patients. Fifteen (1%) of 1,011 influenza positive cases and 1,042 (18%) of 5,746 test-negative controls had record-verified pandemic vaccination >14 days prior to illness onset. Adjusted effectiveness (95% confidence interval) for pandemic vaccines combined was 56% (23%, 75%). Adjusted effectiveness for inactivated vaccines alone (79% of total) was 62% (25%, 81%) overall and 32% (−92%, 76%), 89% (15%, 99%), and −6% (−231%, 66%) in those aged 0.5 to 9, 10 to 49, and 50+ years, respectively. Effectiveness for the live attenuated vaccine in those aged 2 to 49 years was only demonstrated if vaccination >7 rather than >14 days prior to illness onset was considered (61%∶ 12%, 82%). Inactivated non-adjuvanted pandemic vaccines offered significant protection against confirmed pandemic influenza-associated medical care visits in young adults.
Contact with the Nomic: A Challenge for Deniers of Humean Supervenience about Laws of Nature Part II: The Epistemological Argument for Humean Supervenience

In Part I, we presented and motivated a new formulation of Humean Supervenience about Laws of Nature (HS). Here in Part II, we present an epistemological argument in defense of HS, thus formulated. Our contention is that one can combine a modest realism about laws of nature with a proper recognition of the importance of empirical testability in the epistemology of science only if one accepts HS.
The effect of oxygen fugacity on the solubility of carbon-oxygen fluids in basaltic melt

The solubility of CO2-CO fluids in a midocean ridge basalt have been measured at 1200 C, 500-1500 bar, and oxygen fugacities between NNO and NNO-4. In agreement with results of previous studies, the results reported here imply that, at least at low pressures, CO2 dissolves in basaltic melt only in the form of carbonate groups. The dissolution reaction is heterogeneous, with CO2 molecules in the fluid reacting directly with reactive oxygens in the melt to produce CO3(2-). CO, on the other hand, is insoluble, dissolving neither as carbon, molecular CO, nor CO3(2-). It is shown that, for a given pressure and temperature, the concentration of dissolved carbon-bearing species in basaltic melt in equilibrium with a carbon-oxygen fluid is proportional to the mole fraction of CO2 in the fluid, which is a function of fO2. At low pressures CO2 solubility is a linear function of CO2 fugacity at constant temperatures.
The Urinary Response to an Oral Oxalate Load in Recurrent Calcium Stone Formers

ABSTRACTPurpose: Dietary oxalate may contribute up to 50% to 80% of the oxalate excreted in urine. We studied the urinary response to an oral oxalate load in male and female idiopathic recurrent calcium oxalate stone formers with and without mild hyperoxaluria to evaluate the potential pathophysiological significance of dietary oxalate.Materials and Methods: A total of 60 recurrent calcium stone formers underwent an oral oxalate load test. Urine samples were obtained after an overnight fast. Each patient then received an oral oxalate load (5 mM. sodium oxalate dissolved in 250 ml. distilled water) and 3, 2-hour urine samples were obtained 2, 4 and 6 hours after the oxalate load. We compared the response to the oxalate load in patients with and without mild hyperoxaluria, and in male and female patients without hyperoxaluria.Results: The peak urinary response occurred 4 hours after the oral oxalate load in all patients. Those with mild hyperoxaluria had a mean fasting urinary oxalate-to-creatinine ratio ± ...
Eigenmodes of the coupled two-dimensional Wigner-crystal—liquid-surface system and instability of a charged liquid surface

The coupled phonon---surface-wave modes of a two-dimensional Wigner crystal resting on the surface of a liquid are studied. It is shown that, in experimentally accessible situations, the threshold for the formation of the macroscopic "dimple crystal" predicted by Gor'kov and Chernikova is negligibly influenced by the presence of the Wigner crystal, and that the coupled phonon---short-wavelength-surface waves studied recently by Fisher, Halperin, and Platzman, are negligibly influenced by the soft mode which leads to the "dimple crystal".
Use of stable isotopic selenium as a tracer to follow incorporation of selenium into selenoproteins.

Stable isotopes of selenium (Se) have been used in human studies to measure Se absorption, retention and excretion. The purpose of this study was to examine whether stable Se could also be used to follow the incorporation of Se into selenoproteins and whether selenoproteins are labeled with stable isotopes the same way they are with radioactive Se. Rats fed either a Se-deficient or a high-Se diet were injected with either a radioactive ({sup 75}Se) or a stable isotope of Se ({sup 77}Se), and the liver cytosol was chromatographed on Sephadex G-200. Compared with {sup 75}Se, a greater percentage of {sup 77}Se was incorporated into cytosol, but the distribution and the effect of dietary Se was similar for both isotopes. New Zealand long-eared rabbits were also injected with either {sup 77}Se or {sup 75}Se, and the plasma was chromatographed. More of the {sup 75}Se was incorporated into the plasma, but again the patterns of incorporation were similar for both isotopes. Plasma from a male subject who ingested 60 {mu}g of {sup 77}Se was chromatographed, and the stable Se was detected in column fractions and showed a distribution similar to that observed for rabbit plasma. Finally, a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) methodmore » was developed that allowed loading of sufficient protein to analyze for {sup 77}Se in individual protein fractions. The distribution of {sup 77}Se and {sup 75}Se in rabbit plasma was similar. Human plasma was electrophoresed by a similar method and peaks of 56 and 23 kDa were detected. These data show that stable isotopes of Se can be used for selenoprotein production in the same way as radioactive isotopes. They also show that, when physiological amounts of stable Se are ingested by humans, the isotope can be detected in blood-borne proteins separated by column chromatography and PAGE. 28 refs., 5 figs.« less
Surface outgrowths on laser-deposited YBa2Cu3O7 thin films

Abstract The surface morphology of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 thin films formed on (001) oriented LaAlO 3 substrates by pulsed-laser deposition has been examined using both scanning probe microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Under certain deposition conditions a high density of surface outgrowths is observed. These outgrowths have been determined to be primarily YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 grains oriented such that the c -axis of the unit cell is lying parallel to the film/substrate interface plane. The size and number density of these outgrowths do not vary significantly with deposition time, which suggests that they nucleate at the substrate surface at the same time as do the grains oriented with their c -axis perpendicular to the film/substrate interface plane.
On the distinction between psychological and physical stressors.

20 high and 20 low A-Trait Ss were exposed to dental treatment and measures of A-State were obtained before, during, and after treatment. While high scorers had higher absolute levels of A-State anxiety in this stress situation, the amount of increase was not different for the two levels of trait anxiety. The results supported trait-state anxiety theory which predicts that measures of A-State vary with the situational stress and that high- and low-trait anxious Ss do not differ in the amount of change in A-State during physical danger.
Relationship Between Gage Length and Tensile Strength of Metal Matrix Composites Wires

Designers attempting to use graphite-reinforced aluminum or magnesium are faced with the dilemma of deciding what values of tensile strength can be reliably used. This is true since there is a tremendous variation in strength data found in technical literature. This research attempts to explain some of these variations. Samples of each composite were cut and bonded to braided glass sleeves for tensile testing. The data reveals an inverse relationship between specimen length and strength of graphite/ magnesium, but no relationship was found between specimen length and strength of graphite/aluminum.
Social Risk and Social Insurance: Political Demand for Unemployment Insurance

This article analyzes the political support for social insurance, providing micro-foundations of how rational workers demand social protection. Existing studies have focused on the importance of in...
Rationale for early treatment of polycystic kidney disease

In hereditary cystic disorders, renal injury begins with the formation of the first cyst. Renal injury may manifest as large kidneys, abdominal pain, hypertension and hematuria in children and young adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) and ADPKD, cysts form primarily in collecting ducts and expand progressively. Collecting duct cysts that block urine flow have the potential to block urine formation in large numbers of upstream nephrons. In an ARPKD rat congenitally lacking vasopressin, only a few cysts developed until exogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP) was administered. AVP elevates cyclic AMP in vulnerable tubule cells to stimulate mitogenesis and fluid secretion, thereby causing cysts to form and enlarge indefinitely. The administration of an AVP-V2 receptor inhibitor or the consumption of sufficient water to persistently lower plasma AVP levels will ameliorate disease progression. Renal volume measurements provide the most reliable way to forecast long-term outcome in individual children and adult patients with ADPKD. Many drugs that have demonstrated efficacy in small clinical trials, preclinical trials and cell-based studies are in the treatment pipeline. Counseling, regular exercise, limitation of dietary calories, salt, protein and fat, increased fluid intake throughout the day and treatment of hypertension are components of a rational treatment program that can be offered at an early age to those with, or at risk for developing PKD.
Electron-Phonon Interaction and Joule Heating in Nanostructures

The electron-phonon energy dissipation bottleneck is examined in silicon and carbon nanoscale devices. Monte Carlo simulations of Joule heating are used to investigate the spectrum of phonon emission in bulk and strained silicon. The generated phonon distributions are highly non-uniform in energy and momentum, although they can be approximately grouped into one third acoustic (AC) and two thirds optical phonons (OP) at high electric fields. The phonon dissipation is markedly different in strained silicon at low electric fields, where certain relaxation mechanisms are blocked by scattering selection rules. In very short (∼10 nm) silicon devices, electron and phonon transport is quasi-ballistic, and the heat generation domain is much displaced from the active device region, into the contact electrodes. The electron-phonon bottleneck is more severe in carbon nanotubes, where the optical phonon energy is three times higher than in silicon, and the electron-OP interaction is entirely dominant at high fields. Thus, persistent hot optical phonons are easily generated under Joule heating in single-walled carbon nanotubes suspended between two electrodes, in vacuum. This leads to negative differential conductance at high bias, light emission, and eventual breakdown. Conversely, optical and electrical measurements on such nanotubes can be used to gauge their thermal properties. The hot optical phonon effects appear less pronounced in suspended nanotubes immersed in an ambient gas, suggesting that phonons find relaxation pathways with the vibrational modes of the ambient gas molecules. Finally, hot optical phonons are least pronounced for carbon nanotube devices lying on dielectrics, where the OP modes can couple into the vibrational modes of the substrate. Such measurements and modeling suggest very interesting, non-equilibrium coupling between electrons and phonons in solid-state devices at nanometer length and picoseconds time scales.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Effects of the September 11th attacks on urgent and emergent medical evaluations in a Northern California managed care plan

Abstract Purpose To determine whether the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, affected the health of persons far from the attacks, we studied rates of urgent and emergency medical evaluations among the 3 million persons enrolled in a managed care plan in Northern California. Methods Using a computerized database of all urgent care and emergency department evaluations, we monitored physician diagnoses made during the 6 weeks before and after September 11, 2001, at 16 hospitals in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program. Actual rates of evaluations and diagnoses were compared with expected rates based on similar periods in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Results There were 4260 fewer urgent and emergent medical evaluations than expected during the 6 weeks beginning September 11, 2001 (−4%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3% to −5%; P P = 0.34), but urgent care visits were reduced (−9%; 95% CI: −8% to −11%; P P P P P = 0.01) were more frequent, during the 6 weeks after the attacks. Total urgent and emergent evaluations were mostly unchanged on September 11; only diagnoses associated with cardiac ischemia were more frequent (+70%; 95% CI: 10% to 163%; P = 0.02). Conclusion Total urgent and emergent medical evaluations in a California managed care plan were reduced during the 6 weeks after the September 11th attacks. These results may help in allocation of resources during national disasters.
Evaluation of a simple lysimeter-design modification to minimize sidewall flow

Abstract A common criticism of many soil lysimeter designs has been the existence of artificial flowpaths along the soil–wall interface. This artificial flow is referred to as sidewall flow. A simple lysimeter-design modification was evaluated that utilizes annular rings to divert sidewall flow near the soil surface into the soil column to minimize the occurrence of sidewall flow along the remainder of the column's length. A chloride-tracer experiment was used to evaluate the effectiveness of annular rings in minimizing sidewall flow in a mesoscale soil lysimeter (0.6 m in diameter and 1.83 m in height). The tracer-experiment data showed that even though sidewall flow may not have been completely eliminated it was reduced to an undetectable level based on chloride distributions and time domain reflectometry measurements. However, a delicate balance exists between minimizing sidewall flow and significantly altering the natural water-flow dynamics when using annular rings. The simple design modification provides a means of using a disturbed column of soil to evaluate models of solute transport, and to study preferential flow and contaminant mobility without concern for spurious data due to artificial flow along the soil–wall interface of the lysimeter.
Preleached Pd-Pt-Ni and binary Pd-Pt electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract Ternary preleached Pd–Pt–Ni and binary Pd–Pt catalysts have been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts in single cell proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), and the data have been compared with those of Pd–Pt–Ni catalyst. All the three catalysts show much improved Pt-mass activity compared to the state-of-the-art Pt catalyst. The preleached catalyst shows surface catalytic activity improvement by a factor of 2 in terms of Pt-mass activity and 3.5 in terms of specific activity compared to commercial Pt. Based on compositional analysis before and after the fuel cell test, the enhanced activity is attributed to an active phase with a Pd-rich core and Pt-rich shell structure. The strain introduced in the outer shell layer by the lattice parameter mismatch between the core and shell could downshift the metal d-band center, reduce the adsorption energy of hydroxyl species, and thus increase the intrinsic activity. The surface morphology and geometric effect induced by compositional and structural changes may also play a role.
Nondispersive membrane solvent back extraction of Phenol

Nondispersive back extraction of phenol from methyl isobutyl ketone into caustic solutions has been studied using microporous polymeric membranes in flat as well as hollow-fiber form. Dispersion-free reactive back extraction was successfully achieved using the correct phase pressure difference. The predictive capabilities of the mathematical models developed for such a system have been investigated. This study indicates that the overall mass transfer can be controlled by boundary layer resistance and/or the membrane transfer resistance, depending on the flow configuration, the nature of the membrane, and the regime of caustic concentration. Individual film transfer coefficients on the shell side and the tube side have been isolated for different hollow-fiber modules. A commercially available 15 cm long module containing hydrophobic microporous hollow fibers has provided very low values of height of transfer unit (HTU) and very high phenol recoveries. The experimentally obtained HTUs of this module have been predicted with significant accuracy.