cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accurate estimation of density from the inversion of multicomponent prestack seismic waveform data using a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm

Estimation of density and other elastic parameters is important in characterizing conventional, unconventional and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestrated reservoirs. While it is possible to estimate velocities from the conventional P-wave seismic data, it is difficult to accurately estimate density from such data. Because the converted wave (P-SV) reflections are more sensitive to density compared to the primary (PP) reflections, using both PP and P-SV data in a multicomponent inversion has been shown to accurately estimate density compared to using P-wave data alone. The problem of such multicomponent inversion is, however, nonlinear, requires simultaneous optimization of multiple sets of data and has multiple optimal solutions. Such simultaneous optimization is better handled by a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm in comparison to the classical approach. Applying the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm to multicomponent synthetic seismic data here, we demonstrate that this method can potentially extr...
Adverse effects associated with arginine α-ketoglutarate containing supplements

The athletic performance supplement industry is a multibillion-dollar business and one popular category claims to increase nitric oxide (NO) production. We report three patients presenting to the emergency department with adverse effects. A 33-year-old man presented with palpitations, dizziness, vomiting, and syncope, after the use of NO(2) platinum. His examination and electrocardiogram (ECG) were normal. The dizziness persisted, requiring admission overnight. A 21-year-old man with palpitations and near syncope had used a "nitric oxide" supplement. He was tachycardic to 115 bpm with otherwise normal examination. Laboratory values including methemoglobin, and ECG were unremarkable. He was treated with 1 L of saline with no change in heart rate. He was admitted for observation. A 24-year-old man presented after taking NO-Xplode with palpitations and a headache. His examination, laboratory values, and ECG were normal. He was discharged. The purported active ingredient in these products is arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), which is claimed to increase NO production by supplying the precursor L-arginine. The symptoms could be due to vasodilation from increased levels of NO, though other etiologies cannot be excluded. AAKG containing supplements may be associated with adverse effects requiring hospital admission.
Personalization of Serious Video Games for Self Care in Aging

Designing and evaluating serious video games to improve cognitive performance plays a key role in promoting acceptance and usability of the elderly, while it aims to attenuate the cognitive deterioration during aging on the long run. To this end, this article presents a videogame prototype that is based on personalization to support self-care in aging. The videogame incorporates strategies to encourage the elderly with a more meaningful and well-defined purpose that has been evaluated by the elderly. The results indicates that, in spite of needing further levels adjustment and stronger rewarding, the videogame prototype is likely to facilitate and support elderly behavior for social participation. Conclusions also identify and raise challenging issues for cognitive stimulation.&#61472;
Ultrastructural study of calycine synaptic endings of colossal vestibular fibers in the cristae ampullares of the developing chick.

Abstract Bipolar vestibular ganglion cells give rise to the colossal vestibular fibers in the chicken. These fibers form the largest calycine endings in the cristae ampullares and also the spoon endings in the tangential vestibular nucleus of the medulla oblongata. Because these synaptic endings are two of the largest and most distinctive in the vertebrate nervous system, they are especially suitable for comparisons of the development of synapses and synaptic endings of a specific cell type. An ultrastructural study of the spoon endings and quantitative data on their synapses were available from material of 15-day-old chick embryos, hatchlings, and 3-yr-old chickens. Here we provide similar data on the large calyces. Briefly, large calyces exhibited no ultrastructural changes corresponding to the changes in the spoon endings apparent when they retract from their target cell surfaces around hatching time. However, the concentration of the ribbon synapses at the large calyces decreased around hatching, when the concentration of the chemical synapses at the spoon endings declined. Moreover, the concentration of the ribbon synapses at the large calyces corresponded closely to the concentration of the chemical synapses at the spoor endings at the same age. Thus at the developmental ages studied, there were similar concentrations in the peripheral and central synapses formed at two different synaptic endings, both derived from one cell type and participating in the same neural pathway. These findings raise the issue of how synapses are regulated locally, but also suggest the possibility for central-peripheral interactions to produce correlative changes in parallel.
Eclecticism and Integration in Psychotherapy: Developments and Issues

This article describes the popularity of eclecticism among clinical psychologists and related professional groups over the past 35 years and the more recent growth and development of the Integration movement in psychotherapy. Although these two emphases share a common view or value system of not restricting one's psychotherapy to only one theoretical orientation, they also appear to differ in important ways. Some of these differences are discussed as well as problems in research and training.
Chloracidobacterium thermophilum gen. nov., sp. nov.: an anoxygenic microaerophilic chlorophotoheterotrophic acidobacterium.

A novel anoxygenic photoheterotrophic member of the phylum Acidobacteria , Chloracidobacterium thermophilum strain B sp. nov., was isolated from a cyanobacterial enrichment culture derived from microbial mats associated with Octopus Spring, Yellowstone National Park, WY. C. thermophilum sp. nov. was a Gram-stain-negative rod (diameter, approximately 0.8–1.0 µm; variable length, approximately 2.5 µm), which formed greenish-brown liquid suspension cultures. It was a moderately thermophilic microaerophile and grew in a defined medium at 51 °C (Topt; range 44 to 58 °C) and in the pH range 5.5 to 9.5 (pHopt = ~7.0). The DNA G+C content was 61.3 mol%, and phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA sequence, showed that C. thermophilum sp. nov. belongs to subdivision 4 ( Acidobacteriaceae ) of the Acidobacteria . C. thermophilum sp. nov. was unable to synthesize branched-chain amino acids, l-lysine, and vitamin B12, which were required for growth. Although the organism lacked genes/enzymes for autotrophic carbon fixation, bicarbonate was required. Growth was stimulated by other amino acids and 2-oxoglutarate. Cells produced chlorosomes containing a diverse mixture of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c derivatives, and additionally, synthesized BChl a P, Chl a PD, and Zn-BChl a′P, which occurred in type-1 homodimeric reaction centres. The carotenoids included echinenone, canthaxanthin, lycopene, γ-carotene and β-carotene. C. thermophilum sp. nov. produced iso-diabolic acid as its major fatty acid and synthesized three hopanoids (diploptene, bacteriohopanetetrol and bacteriohopanetetrol cyclitol ether). Based upon its phenotypic and genotypic properties, the name Chloracidobacterium thermophilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for this isolate; the type strain is C. thermophilum strain BT (ATCC BAA-2647 = JCM 30199).
Evolution of transverse flow and effective temperatures in the parton phase from a multiphase transport model

I study the space-time evolution of transverse flow and effective temperatures in the dense parton phase with the string melting version of a multiphase transport model. Parameters of the model are first constrained to reproduce the bulk data on the rapidity density, ${p}_{T}$ spectrum, and elliptic flow at low ${p}_{T}$ for central and midcentral Au + Au collisions at $200A$ GeV and Pb + Pb collisions at $2760A$ GeV. I then calculate the transverse flow and effective temperatures in volume cells within mid-spacetime-rapidity $|\ensuremath{\eta}|l1/2$. I find that the effective temperatures extracted from different variables, which are all evaluated in the rest frame of a volume cell, can be very different; this indicates that the parton system in the model is not in full chemical or thermal equilibrium locally, even after averaging over many events. In particular, the effective temperatures extracted from the parton energy density or number density are often quite different from those extracted from the parton mean ${p}_{T}$ or mean energy. For these collisions in general, effective temperatures extracted from the parton energy density or number density are higher than those extracted from the parton mean ${p}_{T}$ in the inner part of the overlap volume, while the opposite occurs in the outer part of the overlap volume. I argue that this indicates that the dense parton matter in the inner part of the overlap volume is overpopulated; I also find that all cells with energy density above 1 ${\text{GeV/fm}}^{3}$ are overpopulated after a couple of fm/$c$.
Priority toxic pollutants in human urine: Their occurrence and analysis

Abstract This survey reviews and discusses the occurrence of priority pesticides and industrial chemicals in human urine. An overview of some recent analytical methodology for determination of selected toxic pollutants and their metabolites as they are found in human urine is also presented.
Role of the Pacific-North American (PNA) pattern in the 2007 Arctic sea ice decline

[1] The extreme loss of sea ice over the western Arctic during the boreal summer of 2007 (July–August–September) was accompanied by a very unusual atmospheric circulation pattern. Here we show that the anomalous circulation was linked to a leading climate mode of the Northern Hemisphere, the Pacific-North American (PNA) pattern. The PNA index was three standard deviations above the 1950–2007 mean, and its primary signal in the atmospheric circulation is a strong anomalous anticyclone that was collocated with the location of the greatest Arctic sea ice decline. Therefore, the record-strength PNA along with recent climate trends in the Arctic help to explain the sudden and extreme sea ice melt during the summer of 2007. While the observed PNA was unique, the large decline in sea ice may be further evidence of increased vulnerability to natural atmospheric variability due to a changing climate system.
Websites for second language research

This review article summarizes the content of existing websites devoted to second language research (SLA) and indicates areas that need to be improved. Resources relevant to varieties of work that take place under the heading of ‘second language research’ are surveyed and evaluated based on their utility for the researcher. Websites that are essentially pedagogical in nature or that address the needs of second language teachers rather than researchers have been excluded. The sites reviewed fall under the categories ‘Institutional or professional sites’, ‘Sites maintained by individuals’, ‘On-line journals’ and ‘Sites for occasional visitation’. The conclusion of this review is that the most informative sites for SLA research are created by private individuals, and that professional or organizational sites generally have less to offer the serious researcher.
Observation of nuclear acoustic resonance in lead

Abstract Nuclear acoustic resonance signals have been observed in lead at low temperature. Because the nucleus of lead has no electric quadrupole moment, the only coupling is via the magnetic dipole moment. The signal intensity, lineshape, and temperature dependence are in agreement with the theory of Buttet if an effective value of ωcτ/ql is chosen to be 0.81.
Identity disclosure and the creation of social capital

In this paper, we describe the identity policy decisions for a community network outside of Boston, Massachusetts. To promote trust and accountability, a member's online identity is their real-world identity; there is no anonymity. We conclude, based on analysis of the online interaction that this identity policy: bridged and enriched online and face-to-face interactions, promoted accountability in support of local commerce, and fostered a social norm of polite conversation.
Attitudes toward Children's Rights: Nurturance or Self-Determination?

This article describes the development of a classification schema consisting of two conceptual orientations toward the rights of children (nurturance and self-determination) which cut across five different content areas. An attitudinal scale based on this schema was administered to 381 individuals representing both sexes and four different groups: high school students, undergraduate education majors, other undergraduates, and adults. High school students held significantly more positive attitudes toward the extension of self-determination rights and significantly less positive attitudes toward the extension of nurturant rights to children than any other group. In addition, differences by sex were obtained toward extending nurturant rights, with females holding significantly more positive attitudes than males. Overall, respondents evidenced more positive attitudes toward the extension of nurturant than of self-determination rights.
Glucocorticoid effects on incorporation of lipid and protein precursors into rat thymus cell fractions

Abstract Previous studies have established that exposure to glucocorticoids causes inhibition of glucose transport into rat thymocytes within 20 min, followed by inhibition of amino acid and uridine incorporation after about 1h, and ultimately cell death by 8–12 h. In the present study, isolated rat thymocytes were exposed to pulses of [14C]-acetate, [35S]-methionine, and [32P]-orthophosphoric acid following incubations in the presence of 0–1 μM dexamethasone. The cells broken by hypotonic shock in 1.5 mM MgCl were then fractionated into cytosol, nuclear, membrane and other fractions using density gradient and differential centrifugation. Lipids were extracted from the fractions with chloroform-methanol and separated into lipid classes by thin layer chromatography. Proteins were separated by isoelectric focusing followed by SDS gradient gel electrophoresis. In the presence of 1 μM dexamethasone, [14C]-acetate incorporation into lipid is inhibited 6% after 20 min, 30% after 40 min, and remains at 30% for up to 3 h, a time course similar to that for inhibition of glucose transport. The inhibition of acetate incorporation may be glucose dependent since there is no effect after 45 min without glucose. In magnitude, the inhibition is greater in the nuclear than in the other cell fractions, and varied among lipid classes. The rapidity, magnitude and other characteristics of the glucocorticoid effect on acetate incorporation suggest this may reflect a physiologically important inhibitory effect on lipid synthesis with long-term consequences for membrane structure and function. Preliminary results suggest glucocorticoids also produce changes in methionine incorporation and phosphorylation of proteins in the cytosol fraction. The exact nature of the protein changes remains to be elucidated.
Potential Productivity of an Alpine Lake as Indicated by Removal and Reintroduction of Fish

Abstract Invertebrate population changes were traced during 1966–1968 in Emmaline Lake, Colorado, after removal in 1964 of a population of stunted brook trout. Species composition of the zooplankton changed greatly after fish removal; in the absence of fish predation, large species were dominant. Populations of mud dwelling midges increased after fish removal; in the absence of fish predation, population regulation appeared to occur through density-dependent larval mortality. Insect emergence over rocky areas was highest in the second summer after fish removal, following increases in periphyton production. In 1968, the lake was restocked with yearling cutthroat trout that fed primarily on midge pupae and Daphnia middendorffiana, and doubled in weight during the first summer in the lake. Growth efficiency of the trout was estimated to be 10–30%. Less than half of the daily ration was present in trout stomachs at any time, as judged from observed growth rate and potential growth efficiency. A computer simul...
Abstract 1534: Laminin binding integrin functions in human bone metastatic cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Laminin binding integrins are major determinants of cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis. In human prostate cancer, both A6B1 and A3B1 laminin-binding integrins are expressed on tumor cell surfaces as observed in either prostatectomy or needle biopsy specimens. In human breast cancer, the A6 integrin is expressed in both primary tumors and in metastatic lesions. Integrin A6B1 is post-translationally modified on the tumor cell surface by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), producing a structural variant, A6pB1. While the A6pB1 form is devoid of the ligand binding domain, A3B1 is fully functional and not subject to cleavage. In this study, we observed the continued expression of the A6B1 integrin on tumor cell surfaces within human bone metastatic lesions as well as in human tumor xenografts growing within bone. The cleavage function of the A6 integrin was found to be constitutively expressed on nine different cancer cell lines derived from breast, prostate, lung, pancreatic tumors. Interestingly, five different normal cell types expressing the adhesion active A6B1 integrin did not have the constitutive cleavage function. However, the cleavage function in normal cells was inducible by the exogenous addition of uPA. Selection of successive bone resident cancer cells selects for constitutive cleavage of A6 integrin and increasing expression of A3B1 integrin. Taken together, these data suggest that the cleavage function is constitutively activated in cancer specimens and opens the possibility cleavage mediated release from laminin binding may be coordinated with A3 dependent adhesion. (Supported in part by CA23752 and the TACMASS core service of the Arizona Cancer Center). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1534. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1534
Precipitation in a nickel-beryllium alloy

Precipitation was studied in a nickel 1.89 wt% beryllium alloy over the temperature range 400 to 750° C. Below 650° C, the precipitation sequence is analogous to that in the widely studied Cu-Be system: $$\alpha (supersaturated solid solution) \to \alpha + GP zones \to \alpha + \gamma '_{NiBe} \to \alpha + \gamma _{NiBe} $$ where the equilibrium γ NiBe phase is formed by a discontinuous reaction consuming the intermediate γ∼' NiBe. The morphology of the discontinuous γ NiBe was too irregular to assign a habit plane. Numerous orientation relations were observed between the α Ni and the discontinuous γ NiBe. The kinetics of the reaction were found to follow a linear growth with time. The activation energy of 58±3 kcal mol−1 is less than bulk diffusion of nickel but greater than grain boundary self diffusion. Above 650° C, the discontinuous reaction front is arrested before completion because the equilibrium γ NiBe forms by continuous coarsening of the γ′ NiBe phase. The continuous γ NiBe has a habit plane of {113}α. Three closely related orientations were observed at constant ageing parameters for the equilibrium continuous phase. Each has been separately proposed in the literature as a unique relation for the copper-beryllium system. For nickel-beryllium either all three are uniquely present or the accuracy of selected area diffraction technique is such that the small differences in orientation cannot be distinguished.
Total antioxidant capacity intake and colorectal cancer risk in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

Objective To examine the association between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) intake and colorectal cancer incidence.
A Class of Quantizers With DC-Free Quantization Noise and Optimal Immunity to Nonlinearity-Induced Spurious Tones

Fractional- N phase-locked loops (PLLs) typically use noise-shaping coarse quantizers to control their instantaneous output frequency. The resulting quantization noise and its running sum inevitably get distorted by non-ideal analog components within the PLL, which induces undesirable spurious tones in the PLL's output signal. A recently proposed quantizer, called a successive requantizer, has been shown to mitigate this problem. Its quantization noise and the running sum of its quantization noise can be subjected to up to fifth-order and third-order nonlinear distortion, respectively, without inducing spurious tones. This paper extends the previously published successive requantizer results to enable the design of successive requantizers whose quantization noise running sum sequences attain such immunity to nonlinearity-induced spurious tones up to arbitrarily high orders of distortion. The extended results are used to design example successive requantizers whose quantization noise and quantization noise running sum sequences have optimally reduced susceptibility to nonlinearity-induced spurious tones.
Quasi-phase matching of high-harmonics and attosecond pulses in modulated waveguides

We describe theoretically a new technique for quasi-phase-matched generation of high harmonics and attosecond pulses in a gas medium, in a high ionization limit. A corrugated hollow-core fiber modulates the intensity of the fundamental pulse along the direction of propagation, resulting in a periodic modulation of the harmonic emission at wavelengths close to the cutoff. This leads to an increase of the harmonic yield of up to three orders of magnitude. At the same time the highest harmonics merge in a broad band that corresponds to a single attosecond pulse, using 15-fs driving pulses.
Crowding out, deficits, and interest rates: Comment

Cebula's investigation, along with the work of the other participants in this controversy, is grounded in the IS-LM framework. This comment utilizes the same framework to demonstrate that the amount of crowding out may be inversely related to the size of the interest rate change. Therefore, Cebula's claim that his evidence establishes a 'transmission mechanism' for crowding out is unfounded. Indeed, full crowding out in a simple IS-LM world is possible with or without increases in the interest rate. At the other end of the spectrum, zero crowding out can occur with or without increases in the interest rate. A similar indeterminacy applies to partial crowding out scenarios. The statistical significance of the relationship between deficits and the interest rate is irrelevant as far as the issue of a transmission mechanism for crowding out is concerned. The appropriateness of Cebula's econometric procedures is not the issue. Our contention is that it does not make any difference what the procedures show. Thus, our comment applies with equal force to Cebula's antagonists those who argue that a transmission mechanism does not exist because their empirical work shows no relationship between budgetary deficits and the interest rate.
Response of soybean sudden death syndrome to tillage and cultivar

Sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, is a season-long root disease of soybean (Glycine max) with foliar symptoms beginning in late vegetative and early reproductive stages of plant growth. The disease has been reported in most soybean-growing regions of the United States of America and the world. Previous research found that SDS was less severe in areas that were subsoiled when compared with those with no-till. The objectives of the current study were to determine (i) if cost-effective tillage practices, i.e., chisel plowing and disk tillage, can be efficient in reducing SDS and (ii) if cultivars with a range of SDS resistance or susceptibility respond differently in SDS expression across various tillage practices. In the fall of 2000 and 2001, plots were established in a field with a history of severe SDS and with a soil type consisting of an Armiesburg silty clay loam. The experiment was organized in a split-plot design with four replications. Main plots were tillage (...
Kinetics of the superconducting transition.

We study the time evolution of a superconductor, following a quench from the normal state, in two dimensions. For a type-I superconductor, quenched into a region where the normal state is metastable, the normal-superconductor phase boundary exhibits a dynamical instability similar to, but not identical with, that observed in solidification. In the case of a quench into the Meissner phase of a type-II superconductor, the average vortex spacing d as a function of time t is found to exhibit a crossover from d\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{t}}^{1/2}$ to d\ensuremath{\sim}lnt, the crossover time being an increasing function of the Ginzubrg-Landau parameter \ensuremath{\kappa}.
Is the Classical Bukhvostov-Lipatov Model Integrable? A Painlevé Analysis

Abstract In this work we apply the Weiss, Tabor and Carnevale integrability criterion (Painleve analysis) to the classical version of the two dimensional Bukhvostov-Lipatov model. We are led to the conclusion that the model is not integrable classically, except at a trivial point where the theory can be described in terms of two uncoupled sine-Gordon models.
Toward a Model of Memory Enhancement in Schizophrenia: Glucose Administration and Hippocampal Function

Recognition of the need to treat cognitive deficits in schizophrenia is compelling and well established, with empirical findings and conceptual arguments related to cognitive enhancement appearing regularly in the literature. Cognitive enhancement itself, however, remains at an early stage. Biological approaches have centered on the development of antipsychotic medications that also improve cognition, but the results have so far remained modest. As a way to facilitate the development of cognitive enhancers in schizophrenia, this article focuses on adjunctive pharmacological approaches to antipsychotic medications and highlights the need for systematic explorations of relevant brain mechanisms. While numerous conceptual criteria might be employed to guide the search, we will focus on 4 points that are especially likely to be useful and which have not yet been considered together. First, the discussion will focus on deficits in a particular cognitive domain, verbal declarative memory. Second, we will review the current status of preclinical and clinical efforts to improve declarative memory using antipsychotic medications, which is the main, existing mode of treatment. Third, we will examine an example of an adjunctive intervention—glucose administration—that improves memory in animals and humans, modulates function in brain regions related to verbal declarative memory, and is highly amenable to translational research. Finally, a heuristic model will be outlined to explore how the intervention maps on to the underlying neurobiology of schizophrenia. More generally, the discussion underlines the promise of cognitive improvement in schizophrenia and the need to approach the issue in a programmatic manner.
Stress recovery and error estimation for shell structures

The C1-continuous stress fields obtained from finite element analyses are in general lower- order accurate than are the corresponding displacement fields. Much effort has focussed on increasing their accuracy and/or their continuity, both for improved stress prediction and especially error estimation. A previous project developed a penalized, discrete least squares variational procedure that increases the accuracy and continuity of the stress field. The variational problem is solved by a post-processing, 'finite-element-type' analysis to recover a smooth, more accurate, C1-continuous stress field given the 'raw' finite element stresses. This analysis has been named the SEA/PDLS. The recovered stress field can be used in a posteriori error estimators, such as the Zienkiewicz-Zhu error estimator or equilibrium error estimators. The procedure was well-developed for the two-dimensional (plane) case involving low-order finite elements. It has been demonstrated that, if optimal finite element stresses are used for the post-processing, the recovered stress field is globally superconvergent. Extension of this work to three dimensional solids is straightforward. Attachment: Stress recovery and error estimation for shell structure (abstract only). A 4-node, shear-deformable flat shell element developed via explicit Kirchhoff constraints (abstract only). A novel four-node quadrilateral smoothing element for stress enhancement and error estimation (abstract only).
Cosmic Complementarity: H0 and Ωm from Combining Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments and Redshift Surveys

We show that the detection of acoustic oscillations in both upcoming cosmic microwave background (CMB) satellite experiments and large-redshift surveys can yield 5% determinations of H -->0 and ? -->m, an order-of-magnitude improvement over CMB data alone. CMB anisotropies provide the sound horizon at recombination as a standard ruler. For reasonable baryon fractions, this scale is imprinted on the galaxy power spectrum as a series of spectral features. Measuring these features in redshift space determines the Hubble constant, which in turn yields ? -->m once combined with CMB data. Since the oscillations in both power spectra are frozen-in at recombination, this test is insensitive to low-redshift cosmology.
A Matrosov theorem for strong global recurrence

A theorem on nested Matrosov functions is presented for time-varying stochastic, set-valued discrete-time systems satisfying mild regularity conditions. It establishes sufficient conditions for uniform strong global recurrence of an open, bounded set. In general Matrosov functions are required to satisfy less rigid requirements than typical Lyapunov functions that satisfy a strict decrease condition along trajectories.
Ceftaroline Fosamil: A Novel Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin with Activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Objective:To review the pharmacology, microbiology, chemistry, in vitro activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, dosage, and administration of ceftaroline fosamil (Teflaro, Forest Laboratories, Inc.), a novel parenteral broad-spectrum cephalosporin approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 29, 2010, for the treatment of adults with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).Data Sources:A search of MEDLINE (1966-July 2011) using the search terms ceftaroline fosamil, ceftaroline, TAK-599, PPI-0903, PPI-0903M, and T-91825 was performed. Supplementary sources included program abstracts from the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy American Society of Microbiology, European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America from 2005 to 2010, as well as information available from the manufacturer's Web site.Study Selection Ano D...
Examining the Role of Free Product-Augmenting Online Services in Pricing and Customer Retention Strategies

As products on the Web are continually enhanced through "free" Web-based services that add to the product purchase experience, it is important to understand how these free services may affect pricing and customer retention strategies of an online vendor. This paper argues that product competition on the Web is not for generic products but, rather, for expected and augmented product bundles. Our findings point out that even in the absence of price premiums, variance in the ability to offer online services can affect pricing strategies and possibly contribute to online price dispersion. We then go on to suggest that online services affect a vendor's customer retention strategy as they influence the design of the augmented product. We characterize an online vendor's selection of augmenting services as a knapsack problem, and recommend that the online vendor should not only periodically reevaluate the set of services offered to satisfy the expected product requirements, but also assess the customer retention ability of his augmented product. A service does not contribute to customer retention when it has either lost its value to the customer or become required as a part of the expected product. Our solution recommends that a vendor should include new services based on the cost-to-value ratio of each service so as to remain above the loyalty threshold of a consumer. The results from our model partially explain the variety in product offerings of many online vendors, whose competency in providing Web-based services allows them to vary the generic product.
Spot volatility estimation for high-frequency data ∗

The availability of high-frequency intraday data allows us to accurately estimate stock volatility. This paper employs a bivariate diffusion to model the price and volatility of an asset and investigates kernel type estimators of spot volatility based on high-frequency return data. We establish both pointwise and global asymptotic distributions for the estimators.
Impulsive responding on the peak-interval procedure.

Abstract The pattern of responding on a peak-interval timing task allows one to make inferences regarding the sources of variation that contribute to interval timing behavior. Non-temporal factors such as impulsivity may impact the validity of these inferences. Rats were trained on a 15 s peak-interval procedure (PI) or a mixed 15 s behaviorally dependent variable-interval, 15 s peak-interval procedure (bdVIPI) for an extended number of sessions. Extended training on the PI revealed a bi-modal distribution in the times at which subjects started responding for temporally predictable reinforcement, suggesting that multiple processes contribute to the behavioral pattern obtained in this procedure. Training on the bdVIPI eliminated the early mode of this bi-modal distribution, thereby decreasing the variation in start times. These results suggest that alternative response options can modulate the influence of impulsivity in timing tasks.
Small-angle neutron scattering from typical synthetic and biopolymer solutions

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to investigate the solution properties of four model polymers, two poly-amino acids (poly(lysine) and poly (proline)), and two water-soluble synthetic polymers (poly (acrylic acid) and poly(ethylene oxide)). In each case, one of the two polymers is charged, while the other is neutral. SANS measurements were made in the semi-dilute con- centration regime in two different solvents (d-water and d- ethylene glycol). The scattering signals were decomposed into low-Q clustering and high-Q solvation contributions. The temperature dependence of the scattering parameters was determined for poly(lysine) and poly(ethylene oxide) solutions over the temperature range of 13 to 82 °C. Analysis of the SANS spectra revealed that with increasing temper- ature, the solvation intensity increased in both solvents, while the clustering intensity increased in d-water and decreased in d-ethylene glycol. Significant differences were observed between the SANS spectra of charged and neutral polymer solutions. However, biopolymers and synthetic polymers exhibited qualitatively similar behavior.
Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer Patients Who Have Prolonged Survival Exhibit an Increased Risk of Cholangitis

Context Endoscopically placed metal stents, which are patent for 4-9 months, have been the favored decompressive strategy for biliary obstruction due to inoperable pancreatic cancer in order to minimize interventions. However, in the past decade chemotherapeutic options have improved survival . This raises the question of whether metal stents will continue to be the optimal method of decompression. Objective We performed a study to determine the outcome of patients with non-operatively managed pancreatic adenocarcinoma with regards to the development of cholangitis. Design We reviewed all ERCP performed for malignant distal biliary obstruction in between December 1999 and December 2005 at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Patients Only patients who received chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included. Patients who underwent surgical biliary diversion procedures were excluded. Primary outcome measurement The primary outcome was the development of cholangitis requiring hospitalization. Results Among 200 patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction who underwent endoscopic biliary decompression procedures, 54 met study criterion. Metal stents were employed in 90.7% of these cases. The median survival of this population was 12.7 months (range: 2.6-34.6 months). Only 3 of 26 patients (11.5%) surviving one year or less developed cholangitis compared to 13 of 28 (46.5%) who survived more than one year. Thus patients surviving greater than one year had a five fold increase in the odds of developing cholangitis (odds ratio: 4.92; P=0.017). Conclusions This cohort of inoperable pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy survived longer than the expected patent period of metal stents employed for biliary decompression. The occurrence of cholangitis requiring hospitalization does increase markedly among long term survivors. Image: Number of patients who survived.
Cannabis use during a voluntary quit attempt: an analysis from ecological momentary assessment.

Background There is little research that has sought to identify factors related to quit success and failure among cannabis users. The current study examined affective, cognitive, and situational factors related to cannabis use among current cannabis users undergoing a voluntary, self-guided quit attempt.
A decision model for evaluation of flexible manufacturing systems in the presence of both cardinal and ordinal factors

This paper presents a model for evaluating alternative Flexible Manufacturing Systems by considering both quantitative and qualitative factors. The evaluation process utilizes a recently proposed Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, which incorporates both ordinal and cardinal measures, in conjunction with new extensions in DEA. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in two important ways. First, it provides a new model based on pair-wise comparisons of specific alternatives, which significantly improves the discriminatory power of DEA. The second major contribution is to detail the model's utility in its application for evaluating strategic manufacturing technologies, specifically Flexible Manufacturing Systems. The consideration of both tangible and intangible factors, which is a primary goal in strategic evaluation of systems, is achieved in this methodology. The model is illustrated through an application on a previously reported data set. The analysis of results provide useful insights that...
Vortex Rossby Waves and Hurricane Intensification in a Barotropic Model

Abstract In this study the balanced evolution of small but finite as well as large-amplitude asymmetries in a rapidly rotating hurricane-like vortex is investigated. In particular, the wave kinematics and wave–mean flow interaction of vortex Rossby waves in a barotropic nonlinear asymmetric balance (AB) model are examined. By diagnosing the evolution of different asymmetric initial potential vorticity (PV) disturbances and their effect on the symmetric vortex, recent linear and quasi-linear predictions are verified and the proposed AB model is shown to be a viable balance model for azimuthal wavenumbers >1. For disturbance amplitudes that are 40% of the basic-state PV at the radius of maximum wind, a discrete normal mode propagating cyclonically around the vortex is excited as a by-product of the process by which energy is transferred from the asymmetries into the basic state (axisymmetrization). In addition we are able to show that even a strong disturbance axisymmetrizes in a circular flow and is able t...
Vertical motion, diabatic heating, and rainfall characteristics in north Australia convective systems

Very-high-frequency wind-profiler data are used to study the vertical draught structure within 13 tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) near Darwin, Australia during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 wet seasons. These studies are supported by single-Doppler radar, soundings, and surface rainfall data to correlate radar reflectivity, thermal buoyancy, and surface rainfall patterns with vertical air-motion structures. Because of Darwin's unique location at the southern tip of the Maritime Continent, vertical draughts in both the monsoon (maritime) and monsoon break (continental) convective regimes can be observed. The break-regime MCSs (six in total) were all squall lines, characterized by a leading line of convection with heavy precipitation and trailing stratiform rainfall containing a characteristic radar bright band. These MCSs exhibited a pronounced life-cycle pattern and were all sampled by the profiler in the mature to dissipating stages. In contrast, the monsoon systems (seven in total) were composed of regions of stratiform cloud with embedded convective bands which moved on-shore in the monsoonal flow. Results from the Darwin rain-gauge network indicated that the majority of the total rainfall in each MCS (break and monsoon) was associated with the convective portion of the system. The break-regime MCSs were all characterized by a low-level (4 km) updraught peak associated with convective cells on the leading edge of each squall line, trailed by deeper convective updraughts in the middle and upper troposphere. For the monsoon cases, the lower-troposphere convective updraughts were typically less than those in the squall lines, yet were stronger in the upper troposphere. The low-level differences in the convective updraughts were consistent with the smaller virtual-temperature excess in the monsoon soundings, as well as the larger vertical radar-reflectivity gradients observed in monsoon convection. Consistent with the differences in vertical air-motion patterns, diabatic heating and moistening profiles for the monsoon MCSs were characterized by a higher-level heating and drying peak compared with the break MCSs. The results have important implications for cumulus parametrizations in numerical models since the large-scale circulation is sensitive to the vertical distribution of diabatic heating in tropical MCSs.
mTOR Regulation and Therapeutic Rejuvenation of Aging Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Age-related declines in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function may contribute to anemia, poor response to vaccination, and tumorigenesis. Here, we show that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is increased in HSCs from old mice compared to those from young mice. mTOR activation through conditional deletion of Tsc1 in the HSCs of young mice mimicked the phenotype of HSCs from aged mice in various ways. These included increased abundance of the messenger RNA encoding the CDK inhibitors p16(Ink4a), p19(Arf), and p21(Cip1); a relative decrease in lymphopoiesis; and impaired capacity to reconstitute the hematopoietic system. In old mice, rapamycin increased life span, restored the self-renewal and hematopoiesis of HSCs, and enabled effective vaccination against a lethal challenge with influenza virus. Together, our data implicate mTOR signaling in HSC aging and show the potential of mTOR inhibitors for restoring hematopoiesis in the elderly.
NICU discharge planning and beyond: recommendations for parent psychosocial support

Parents will interact with a multitude of teams from various disciplines during their child's admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Recognition of the emotional stressors experienced by these parents is a first step in working to provide the crucial support and parenting skills needed for bonding and caring for their infant from admission through discharge and beyond. Family-centered care involves time-sensitive two-way communication between parents and the multidisciplinary team members who coordinate care transition by providing emotional, educational, medical and home visitor support for these families. To do this well, a thoughtful exchange of information between team members and parents is essential to identify psychosocial stress and ameliorate family concerns. Parents will need emotional and educational support and follow-up resources. Establishing individualized, flexible but realistic, pre- and post-discharge plans with parents is needed to start their healthy transition to home and community.
Humidity Gradient Profiles from Wind Profiling Radars Using the NOAA/ETL Advanced Signal Processing System (SPS)

Abstract An algorithm to compute the magnitude of humidity gradient profiles from the measurements of the zeroth, first, and second moments of wind profiling radar (WPR) Doppler spectra was developed and tested. The algorithm extends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Environmental Technology Laboratory (ETL) Advanced Signal Processing System (SPS), which provides quality control of radar data in the spectral domain for wind profile retrievals, to include the retrieval of humidity gradient profiles. The algorithm uses a recently developed approximate formula for correcting Doppler spectral widths for the spatial and temporal filtering effects. Data collected by a 3-beam 915-MHz WPR onboard the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown (RHB) and a 5-beam 449-MHz WPR developed at the ETL were used in this study. The two datasets cover vastly different atmospheric conditions, with the 915-MHz shipborne system probing the tropical ocean atmosphere and the 449-MHz WPR probing continental win...
5-CT or DOI augments TRH analog-induced gastric acid secretion at the dorsal vagal complex

Serotonin (5-HT) interacts with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) at the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) to augment TRH-induced stimulation of gastric acid secretion. To investigate the 5-HT receptor ...
Nausea, Vomiting, and Left Groin Mass

A 65-year-old obese woman presents to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting for the past day. The frequency of vomiting has increased despite the fact that she has not eaten for the past 12 hours. For the last few months, she has noticed a painful “lump” in her left groin that would protrude upon straining (i.e., coughing, bowel movements) but would quickly disappear after lying down. She says that the lump appeared a few days ago and has not gone away even after lying down. She has had no bowel movement and no flatus per rectum for the past 24 hours. On examination, the patient has a low-grade fever (100.2 °F), blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, and heart rate of 120/min. She appears ill and uncomfortable with dry mucous membranes. Lung sounds are clear bilaterally. Her abdomen is mildly distended. Bowel sounds are high pitched with tinkles and rushes. Her abdomen is non-tender to palpation, but there is a 2 × 2 cm mass in the left groin, inferior to the inguinal ligament that is very painful to palpation. The overlying skin is slightly erythematous. The bulge is just medial to her femoral pulse extending towards her thigh compartment. Laboratory studies are significant for white blood count of 14.7 × 103 (normal 4.1−10.9 × 103/μL)