cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of vasoreactivity using videodensitometry coronary angiography.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that the dysfunction of vasomotor tone (VT) is closely linked to the development of atherosclerosis and it is considered important in the very early stages of atherogenesis. Currently, the evaluation of VT relies on lumen changes in response to vasoactive stimuli using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) based on geometric edge detection (ED). However, using ED for measuring lumen diameters is inherently associated with large uncertainties. Videodensitometry (VD) methods have important advantages over ED for QCA. The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability of VD and ED techniques in determining the effect of nitroglycerin (NTG) on cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume changes in a swine animal model for evaluating coronary vasoreactivity. Methods and results: Coronary angiography was performed on four anesthetized swine. CSA and volume were measured in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery using VD before and after intracoronary injection of 0.3 mg of NTG. CSA was also calculated using standard QCA based on ED. The average CSA changes in the proximal, middle and distal branches measured using VD were 23.83% (±10.76%), 30.78% (±18.39%), and 27.34% (±36.53%), respectively. Similarly, the average CSA changes in the proximal, middle, and distal branches measured using ED were 15.02% (±36.38%), 22.02% (±26.12), and 38.00% (±48.31%), respectively. The average lumen volume change measured using VD was 29.79% (±14.79%). In order to evaluate the relative reliability of the techniques, the significance of deviation (SOD) was calculated, which is the ratio of the change after NTG and the measurement error. The average SOD for CSA for all the branches based on VD and ED were 1.86 and 0.69, respectively. The SOD for volume measurement was 2.78. Conclusions: Lumen changes measured by VD showed substantial improvement in reliability when compared to the ED. Moreover, VD can be used to measure substantially smaller changes in lumen dimension in response to vasoactive stimuli than the standard QCA based on ED. Finally, VD allows the measurement of arterial volume, which is not possible with ED.
The influence of alkali and alkaline earth metals on char and volatile aromatics from fast pyrolysis of lignin

Abstract The effect of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEM) on fast pyrolysis of polysaccharides has been well documented. This paper examines the effect of AAEM on fast pyrolysis of lignin, which has not been as thoroughly investigated. Acetates of several metals were infused into organosolv cornstover lignin at a concentration of 1.0 mmol AAEM cation per gram lignin followed by pyrolysis at 300–800 °C. One of the most notable effects was an increase in the yield of char with alkali metals producing more char than alkaline earth metals. Char yield was correlated to the electropositivity of the infused metal cations. Alkali metals increased the overall yield of volatile aromatic compounds while alkaline earth metals had the opposite effect. The infusion of AAEMs into lignin led to an increase in methanol and a decrease in alkenyl side chains on the aromatic products. Methanol is hypothesized to result from cleavage of β-carbons from the 3‐hydroxyprop-1-enyl side chains of lignin linkages while the alkenyl side chains are hypothesized to result from cleavage of γ-carbons. Therefore, alkali metals appear to catalyze cleavage of linkages in the lignin structure.
User Studies of Principled Model Finder Output

Model-finders such as SAT-solvers are attractive for producing concrete models, either as sample instances or as counterexamples when properties fail. However, the generated model is arbitrary. To address this, several research efforts have proposed principled forms of output from model-finders. These include minimal and maximal models, unsat cores, and proof-based provenance of facts.
Protocolized Laboratory Screening for the Medical Clearance of Psychiatric Patients in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review.

Objective Emergency department (ED) patients with psychiatric chief complaints undergo medical screening to rule out underlying or comorbid medical illnesses prior to transfer to a psychiatric facility. This systematic review attempts to determine the clinical utility of protocolized laboratory screening for the streamlined medical clearance of ED psychiatric patients by determining the clinical significance of individual laboratory results. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using the search terms "emergency department, psychiatry, diagnostic tests, laboratories, studies, testing, screening, and clearance" up to June 2017 for studies on adult psychiatric patients. This systematic review follows the recommendations of Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) statement. The quality of each study was rated according to the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Results Four independent reviewers identified 2,847 publications. We extracted data from three studies (n = 629 patients). Included studies defined an abnormal test result as any laboratory result that falls out of the normal range. A laboratory test result was deemed as "clinically significant" only when patient disposition or treatment plan was changed because of that test result. Across the three studies the prevalence of clinically significant results were low (0.0%-0.4%). Conclusions The prevalence of clinically significant laboratory test results were low, suggesting that according to the available literature, routine laboratory testing does not significantly change patient disposition. Due to the paucity of available research on this subject, we could not determine the clinical utility of protocolized laboratory screening tests for medical clearance of psychiatric patients in the ED. Future research on the utility of routine laboratory testing is important in a move toward shared decision making and patient-centered health care.
Human aldehyde reductase promoter allows simultaneous expression of two genes in opposite directions

Dual-Direction Tool Coordinated expression of two transgenes, such as equal production of antibody heavy and light chains, has proved a tricky problem. One solution involves a bicistronic message w...
Analysis and Predictive Modeling of Asthma Phenotypes

Molecular classification using robust biochemical measurements provides a level of diagnostic precision that is unattainable using indirect phenotypic measurements. Multidimensional measurements of proteins, genes, or metabolites (analytes) can identify subtle differences in the pathophysiology of patients with asthma in a way that is not otherwise possible using physiological or clinical assessments. We overview a method for relating biochemical analyte measurements to generate predictive models of discrete (categorical) clinical outcomes, a process referred to as “supervised classification.” We consider problems inherent in wide (small n and large p) high-dimensional data, including the curse of dimensionality, collinearity and lack of information content. We suggest methods for reducing the data to the most informative features. We describe different approaches for phenotypic modeling, using logistic regression, classification and regression trees, random forest and nonparametric regression spline modeling. We provide guidance on post hoc model evaluation and methods to evaluate model performance using ROC curves and generalized additive models. The application of validated predictive models for outcome prediction will significantly impact the clinical management of asthma.
Mechanochemistry and organic synthesis: from mystical to practical

Perhaps due in no small part to its historical mystique, mechanochemistry has been shrowded in relative obscurity for quite some time. The successes of mechanochemistry in organic synthesis have often been curtailed by a fundamentally limited mechanistic understanding. Lately, however, the community has made great strides towards understanding the fundamentals, as well as large steps forward regarding industrially significant scale-up via twin-screw extrusion. A variety of recent work has traded in some of mechanochemistry's mystique for simple, straight-forward chemical guidelines. This exchange eases the concerns of a would-be practitioner of mechanochemistry, interested in having another tool in their lab. Simultaneously, pressures on institutions and researchers regarding lab safety, environmental awareness, productivity, and so on, continue to make mechanochemistry particularly attractive. The demand has never been higher for a methodology addressing these pressures, and at the same time the barriers to adopting mechanochemistry have never been lower. That being said, there still remains some mystique guarding the “rules” of mechanochemistry. For those interested in solving these fundamental questions, there remain plenty of high-value targets, and several of these will feature throughout this review.
Optomechanical Quantum Thermometry

We demonstrate quantum-backaction-noise-calibrated Brownian motion thermometry as a metrological application of quantum optomechanics. We present recent work as well as on-going efforts to enhance the bandwidth, sensitivity, and range of these devices.
The cells and conductance mediating cholinergic neurotransmission in the murine proximal stomach.

KEY POINTS Enteric neurotransmission is essential for gastrointestinal (GI) motility, although the cells and conductances responsible for post-junctional responses are controversial. The calcium-activated chloride conductance (CaCC), anoctamin-1 (Ano1), was expressed by intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) in proximal stomach and not resolved in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Cholinergic nerve fibres were closely apposed to ICC-IM. Conductances activated by cholinergic stimulation in isolated ICC-IM and SMCs were determined. A CaCC was activated by carbachol in ICC-IM and a non-selective cation conductance in SMCs. Responses to cholinergic nerve stimulation were studied. Excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) and mechanical responses were evoked in wild-type mice but absent or greatly reduced with knockout/down of Ano1. Drugs that block Ano1 inhibited the conductance activated by carbachol in ICC-IM and EJPs and mechanical responses in tissues. The data of the present study suggest that electrical and mechanical responses to cholinergic nerve stimulation are mediated by Ano1 expressed in ICC-IM and not SMCs. ABSTRACT Enteric motor neurotransmission is essential for normal gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Controversy exists regarding the cells and ionic conductance(s) that mediate post-junctional neuroeffector responses to motor neurotransmitters. Isolated intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from murine fundus muscles were used to determine the conductances activated by carbachol (CCh) in each cell type. The calcium-activated chloride conductance (CaCC), anoctamin-1 (Ano1) is expressed by ICC-IM but not resolved in SMCs, and CCh activated a Cl- conductance in ICC-IM and a non-selective cation conductance in SMCs. We also studied responses to nerve stimulation using electrical-field stimulation (EFS) of intact fundus muscles from wild-type and Ano1 knockout mice. EFS activated excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) in wild-type mice, although EJPs were absent in mice with congenital deactivation of Ano1 and greatly reduced in animals in which the CaCC-Ano1 was knocked down using Cre/loxP technology. Contractions to cholinergic nerve stimulation were also greatly reduced in Ano1 knockouts. SMCs cells also have receptors and ion channels activated by muscarinic agonists. Blocking acetylcholine esterase with neostigmine revealed a slow depolarization that developed after EJPs in wild-type mice. This depolarization was still apparent in mice with genetic deactivation of Ano1. Pharmacological blockers of Ano1 also inhibited EJPs and contractile responses to muscarinic stimulation in fundus muscles. The data of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that ACh released from motor nerves binds muscarinic receptors on ICC-IM with preference and activates Ano1. If metabolism of acetylcholine is inhibited, ACh overflows and binds to extrajunctional receptors on SMCs, eliciting a slower depolarization response.
Child and maternal attachment predict school-aged children's psychobiological convergence.

Psychobiological convergence-the alignment of task-related changes in children's self-reported and physiological indices of reactivity-has recently emerged as a powerful correlate of children's attachment representations, but has not been explored for its association with children's self-reported attachment, with parents' attachment, or with respect to cardiovascular reactivity. The present study found that, within a diverse community sample of mothers and school-aged children (N = 104, Mage = 10.31), the positive link between cardiovascular (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) and subjective reactivity to a stressor was only significant among children with high levels of security and children of mothers with low levels of attachment avoidance and anxiety. The convergence of children's subjective and physiological experience is discussed as a key developmental competence that may lay the groundwork for effective coping.
Dynamic Materials in Electrodynamics of Moving Dielectrics

The theory of DM receives a tensor form in this chapter. An ideal embodiment for it is found to be the Maxwell-Minkowski electrodynamics of moving bodies. Among other things, it rigorously explains the classification of DM into activated and kinetic introduced before in Chapter 1 Also, the DM, as spatial-temporal entities, receive the sense of conceptually relativistic formations, though they certainly do not necessarily require relativistic material velocities. Laminates, this time activated and kinetic, are given further investigation, particularly, from the viewpoint of the energy transformation and performance.
Hashing, searching, sketching

The Information Age has enabled the search for information in ways never imagined before. The simplest search function may be an exact search where the input query is expected to exactly match the search object. But some search criteria are fuzzy---for instance image search, news search, and similar document search---making the search problem much harder. One common approach is to convert such a search object into a mathematical representation such as a point (vector) in a high dimensional space. The search for a similar object then becomes a nearest neighbor search in a high dimensional space. Hashing is a simple and effective method for exact search that uses a random hash function to map items into buckets, often viewed as throwing balls into bins. A variant of hashing called locality-sensitive hashing that tends to map similar objects to the same hash bucket, can be used to perform nearest neighbor search. A related notion is sketching that is used to transform a large complex object into a small sketch---often a tiny bitmap---so that similarity between the sketches can be used to estimate the similarity between the original objects. In this thesis we study algorithms for different kinds of search using hashing and sketching, and some fundamental limits of what can be realized using some of these approaches. For exact search, we will see how variants of balls-and-bins processes can be used to derive space efficient methods for maintaining hash tables. For similarity search, we will see a variant of locality-sensitive hashing that uses linear space and how the underlying ideas can be used in the kd-tree data structure for improved performance. We will also probe the fundamental limits of some of these approaches by showing lower bounds on their performance.
Cybersecurity for Android Applications: Permissions in Android 5 and 6

ABSTRACTAndroid 5 informs users of all permissions requested when downloading an app and gives users an all-or-nothing acceptance decision to make for the permissions. In contrast, Android 6 informs users of each permission upon first use of the downloaded app. We conducted an online study with participants recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk to compare the relative usability of the two permissions interfaces. Each interface condition contained a simulation of the Google Play Store and instructed participants to role-play the task of downloading an app. Afterward, each participant was questioned about which permissions were seen and the functions of those permissions. The Android 5 interface showed better performance with informing users as to which permissions access their device, whereas the Android 6 interface fared better with presenting the functions of the permissions. Also, the Android 6 interface was found to be more intuitive to use than that of Android 5. Although a pilot study showed that ...
Activity and selectivity of a \({\text{Pd/}}\gamma {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}\) catalytic membrane in the partial hydrogenation reactions of acetylene and 1,3-butadiene

A $${\text{Pd/}}\gamma {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$$ membrane supported on a macroporous $$\alpha {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$$ tube was prepared by sol–gel processing and used in the partial hydrogenation of acetylene and 1,3-butadiene. The average pore diameter of the $${\text{Pd/}}\gamma {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$$ membrane was 3.6 nm. The gases were separated by Knudsen diffusion. The activity and selectivity of the $${\text{Pd/}}\gamma {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$$ membrane was compared to that of $${\text{Pd/}}\gamma {\text{ - Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$$ catalysts used in a conventional packed bed reactor. The highest selectivity to the partially hydrogenated products occurred when the reactant was premixed with H2 and was passed through the membrane wall.
Investigation on power optimization principles for series-configured resonant coupled wireless power transfer systems

Abstract This paper is a thorough theoretical analysis of a two-coil wireless power transfer system (WPTS) configured in series with a focus on power optimization rather than maximizing transmission (link) efficiency. Different definitions of the system efficiency in the pertaining literature are distinguished and clarified. The frequency splitting phenomenon is precisely explained, and furthermore, the analytical solutions are derived based on analysis of the input impedance. The effects of this behavior on the power transfer to a load resistance are discussed. Various aspects of the power optimization problem are explored. In particular, for the case when the system is driven at the resonance frequency, (i) the explicit expression of the optimal coupling factor between the two coils for a given load, and (ii) the optimum power with respect to the load are provided. The impedance matching methods using different circuit topologies are analytically or numerically investigated, revealing that the drive frequency can be arbitrarily chosen and not necessarily equal to the resonance frequency. This provides more options for exciting the system apart from the resonance condition, without compromising the delivered power. A comparison between optimization techniques is given in terms of the coupling factor k, showing that the bi-conjugate matching with Π - networks results in the maximum generated power and the transducer power gain (i.e., defined by the ratio between the received power and the power available from the source), which reaches 80 % at k = 84.4 × 10 - 3 , for example.
Dihydroergotamine Infusion Therapy

Intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE) is a relatively underutilized medication with a plethora of supportive clinical evidence for its use in persons with numerous headache disorders. It has been found to be effective for acute migraines, status migranosus, chronic migraines, medication overuse headaches, and cluster headaches. Given the high prevalence of these conditions and their associations to disability and significant healthcare burdens, DHE may be an appropriate medication for many people with these ailments, if reasonable and clinically appropriate. Not only has it been found to be comparable or superior to many standard of care treatments, but also DHE is relatively well tolerated with generally a generally low prevalence of severe adverse risks. However, DHE is not fully innocuous; it has an adverse effect profile that includes myocardial, cerebral, or peripheral limb ischemic or infarction. Consequently, the appropriate clinical measures must be undertaken to appropriately risk stratify DHE candidates and monitor those receiving the medication.
Experimental investigation of natural gas reactivity using a fuel substitution method

Abstract Fuel substitution tests using reference fuels of methane/hydrogen and methane/propane were performed for the pure test fuels hydrogen, ethane, ethylene, propane, n-butane, n-heptane, and isooctane using HCCI combustion. The reactivity of each test fuel relative to the reference fuels was quantified with a newly defined hydrogen index (HI) and propane index (PI). It was observed that the common hydrocarbon fuels tested show a strong sensitivity of HI and PI to temperature and pressure, and that the reactivity relative to the reference fuels can change substantially at different operating conditions. The fuels that have similar low temperature chemistry (n-butane, n-heptane, and isocotane) exhibited PI that were independent of operating condition. Ethane, ethylene, and hydrogen exhibited PI that were strongly dependent on operating condition, with the relative reactivities increasing with increasing temperature. Fuel substitution tests performed with two multi-component methane number (MN) gas mixtures followed trends similar to those observed for the pure hydrocarbon fuel testing, exhibiting similar relative reactivity trends as for propane relative to the reference fuels for the different operating conditions. A linear energy-based blending rule was used to predict the HI of each fuel mixture from the individual fuel components and seen to match experimental trends; however, predicted HI were lower than experimental HI across all operating conditions. The MN was also used to predict the HI of each fuel mixture and was seen to match experimental results only at low pressure/high temperature conditions but not at high pressure/low temperature conditions.
Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Abstract Soil aggregate (SA) can be formed and stabilized when soil organic matter (SOM) is decomposed in the soil. However, the relationships between the SA dynamics and SOM with different decomposition rates have not been clarified. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the addition of polysaccharides to soil on SA formation and stability. A Japanese tropical soil was incubated for 99 d at 30 °C in a dark environment following the addition of 0.5% (w/w) starch or cellulose. The decomposition rates of the amendments, and SA formation and stability were evaluated by measuring soil respiration rates, and distribution fractions of soil aggregate sizes and mean weight diameter (MWD) of SA, respectively. The cumulative soil respirations with all treatments rapidly increased until Day 12 of the incubation. The initial slope of the cumulative soil respiration in the soil with starch was significantly higher than that in the soil with cellulose. In either soil with starch or cellulose, the fractions of macro-aggregates (>1000 μm in diameter) significantly increased, respectively, compared with control soil. However, the fractions of meso-aggregates (250–1000 μm) and nano-aggregate (
Locating Litter: An Exploratory Multilevel Analysis of the Spatial Patterns of Litter in Philadelphia:

The city of Philadelphia has long been criticized for the amount of litter strewn about its streets. To more fully understand this problem, a recent city initiative, the Clean PHL program, sent out...
Robust logistic regression tree for subgroup identification in healthcare outcome modeling

Outcome data are routinely collected in healthcare practices and used for quality of care assessment and improvement. Logistic regression trees are a popular method for subgroup identification for ...
Comparison of microstructure evolution in Fe2+ or neutron-irradiated T91 at 500°C

Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate dose rate effects on microstructure evolution in ferritic-martensitic alloy T91 following neutron or Fe2+ irradiation to a common dose (3 dpa) and temperature (500°C). Characterization via TEM and APT is also conducted following Fe2+ irradiation to 100 dpa at 500°C. Dislocation loop morphologies are consistent following each irradiation to 3 dpa, with only minor growth observed at 100 dpa. Each irradiation exhibits favorability for a loops over a/2 . Si-Mn-Ni-rich and Cu-rich nanoclusters are more coarsely distributed following Fe2+ irradiation, while the same solutes exhibit strong evidence of segregation to grain boundaries, dislocation loops, and dislocation lines following both irradiations to 3 dpa. However, after 100 dpa, solutes are likely redistributed. While the invariance theory likely explains dislocation loop evolution with variations in dose rate, it is not sufficient to predict temperature shift requirements for solute cluster evolution at 3 dpa.
Practitioners’ Awareness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices within Interprofessional Healthcare Teams in Institutions

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to explore practitioners’ awareness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), broadly, and Music Therapy (MT) activity, specifically, within their healthcare institutions. The goal of this was to better evaluate their level of knowledge and understand their recommending practices of these modalities within their roles as interdisciplinary healthcare team (IDHT) members in those institutions for optimization of patient care decision-making. DESIGN A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional research design was used to measure practitioners’ awareness of CAM and MT in their healthcare institution utilizing a principal investigator-created valid and reliable tool entitled the “Global Complementary/Alternative and Music Therapy Assessment (GCAMTA)." SETTING/LOCATION Data were collected electronically using various social media platforms and from several professional healthcare associations. SUBJECTS A sample of 499 healthcare practitioners participated. RESULTS Solo/group practitioners of small, private practices revealed high awareness (82-94%) of institutional CAM being provided and recommended as opposed to practitioners in larger institutions. Almost half of practitioners (48%) in larger hospital institutions are unaware if CAM is being recommended to patients. Although practitioners have positive or neutral overall impressions of MT, 83% of practitioners do not recommend MT in their current practice. Results of the Chi-Square Analysis were significant; practitioners in smaller, private practices are more aware of their institutional CAM as opposed to practitioners in larger hospital settings (p
Rural patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma experience better prognosis and long-term survival.

Abstract Objectives No studies have attempted to examine the role of geographic location on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) disease progression in the United States (US). The purpose of this study is to analyze rural–urban differences in prognosis and long-term survival in patients with OSCC. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study utilizes the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to examine primary OSCC diagnoses from 1990 to 2015 in the US. The primary predictor variable was patient Rural-Urban Continuum Code (RUCC) (rural vs. urban). The primary outcome variable consisted of overall survival time after initial diagnosis. Additional variables assessed include patient demographics, primary anatomical site of the cancer, histological diagnosis, stage/grade at time of diagnosis, and disease outcome. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and categorical variables were compared. Additional cumulative survival and univariate/multivariate analyses were performed. Results 46,678 cases of OSCC between 1990 and 2015 were identified. The rural subgroup was more likely to present at the time of diagnosis with a lower grade (p Conclusion Living in rural areas is associated with better prognosis and long-term survival in patients with OSCC. Further studies are needed to better elucidate the mechanisms underlying these findings.
Biosynthesis and Assembly of the Outer Membrane Proteins of Escherichia coli

The envelope of Escherichia coli consists of two distinct membranes: the outer membrane and the inner or cytoplasmic membrane.1,2 The cell wall or the peptidoglycan layer is located between the two membranes.2 Both the outer and the cytoplasmic membranes show typical features in electron micrographs of a unit membrane having a thickness of about 75 A and consisting of phospholipids and proteins3 (Fig. 1). The cytoplasmic membrane is known to have many important functions such as energy metabolism, active transport, and synthesis of lipids, peptidoglycan, and lipopolysaccharide. The functions of the outer membrane are still somewhat obscure. So far only one enzyme, a phospholipase, has been suggested to exist in the outer membrane.4 One possible function of the outer membrane is thought to be as a barrier against penetration of certain substances such as antibiotics and macromolecules (see review by Nikaido5). However, many other substances which are required for cell growth should freely pass through the outer membrane, since the active transport systems for these substances are located exclusively in the cytoplasmic membrane.6,7 This suggests the existence of passive diffusion pores in the outer membrane. The lipopolysaccharide, which exists exclusively in the outer membrane, has been shown not to provide hydrophilic diffusion pores.8
Technology Growth in Shipping Industry: An Overview

Being the backbone of the world economy, the shipping industry impacts the lives of many people directly and indirectly. It needs continuous innovation and the adoption of new thought processes to handle the ever-growing demands of materials and goods around the world. It faces several challenges such as compliance with the environmental regulations and laws, changes in the global business models, the complexity of operations and management, risks and hazards to the people and the assets, and the cost of adopting new changes. This study highlights the benefits of greater collaboration with partners, more automation of manual processes, and higher productivity and capacity to handle future loads.
MS Excel VBA

This chapter introduces the concept of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in MS Excel. VBA is a programming language used in MS Excel to create user-defined functions adapting to the specific needs of the user. This chapter introduces Excel VBA and describes the VBA interface in a concise but clear manner. The chapter also explains the concept of macros in Excel, which are user-built functions that can be used repetitively. The discussion includes sub-procedures or command-macros, function procedures or macros, and execution of a VBA sub-procedure using a button. The chapter also explains the creation of an Excel add-in. This is an advanced level chapter and requires special attention to master MS Excel.
Updates on the Role of Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Management of Non-Surgical Chronic Lower Back Pain.

Studies have shown that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy is effective in the management of chronic low back pain. It plays a role by minimizing the intensity of chronic pain, improving the quality of life index, reducing the intake of narcotic analgesics, and increasing the functional improvement in the working environment. However, spinal cord stimulation therapy is not universal because of the complications in the procedure itself, the invasive nature of the treatment, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the proper selection of the patients is necessary to get the maximum benefit from the treatment. The study's main objective is to determine the role of spinal cord stimulation in treating non-surgical patients with chronic low back pain. The article will review the mechanism, outcomes, efficacy, predisposing factors in the success and failure of the treatment and indications, contraindications, and selection of patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation therapy. A manual search of the literature was done using databases like Google Scholar and PubMed using the keywords: spinal cord, stimulation, chronic, and low back pain. A total of 37 articles were included in the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Spinal cord stimulation therapy effectively treats refractory lower back pain, considering the technology and mechanism of action. The authors conclude that spinal cord stimulation therapy can be used to manage chronic low back pain, other neuropathic pain, and ischemic pain when other standard treatment methods have failed and the pain persisted for more than six months.
Regulation of mitochondrial matrix pH and adenosine 5'-triphosphatase activity during ischemia in slow heart-rate hearts. Role of Pi/H+ symport.

During ischemia in so-called slow heart-rate hearts, there is a marked inhibition of the mitochondrial ATPase mediated by inhibitor protein binding to the enzyme (Rouslin, W., and Pullman, M. E. (1987) J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 19, 661–668). This ischemia-induced ATPase inhibition is triggered by a drop in mitochondrial matrix pH (Rouslin, W. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3472–3476) which occurs as a result of the cell acidification which develops rapidly during the ischemic process. One effect of the ATPase inhibition is a marked slowing of the net rate of tissue ATP hydrolysis and, thus, a prolongation of cell viability during ischemia. In the present study, we demonstrate that matrix acidification in intact mitochondria from slow heart-rate hearts appears to be mediated by the Pi transporter. Pi/H+ symport appears to be the primary process which mediates matrix acidification and thus ATPase inhibition in intact slow heart-rate heart mitochondria made acidotic in vitro and, presumably, also in mitochondria in situ during the ischemic process. In contrast, intact mitochondria from a so-called fast heart-rate species, which exhibited only a low level of ischemia-induced ATPase inhibition in situ (Rouslin, W. (1987) Am. J. Physiol. 252, H622–H627), failed to exhibit a Pi- and pH-dependent mitochondrial ATPase inhibition mechanism in vitro. The Pi-dependent mitochondrial ATPase inhibition mechanism reported here for slow heart-rate hearts is consistent with a role for Pi as a coordinating signal promoting the conservation of cell ATP during myocardial ischemia.
Clinical trials in triple negative breast cancer.

Abstract Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of the disease against which targeted therapies that significantly improve the prognosis for hormone receptor-positive and HER2-overexpressing breast cancers are ineffective. This article summarizes our current understanding of the biology of TNBC as it relates to the efficacy of standard and investigational therapies. It reviews promising preliminary results that have been achieved with chemotherapeutic agents including the platinum analogs and agents that inhibit DNA repair by targeting poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), while anti-angiogenic therapies and those that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have had more limited success. Agents that target a number of other pathways which appear to influence the biologic aggressiveness of TNBC, including src and PI3K, are in early stage clinical trials. As we learn more about TNBC, and which of its characteristics determine treatment response and resistance, we should become better able to select appropriate therapies for biologically defined patient subgroups, and reduce the clinical burden of this disease.
Relative Sweetness of α- and β-Forms of Selected Sugars

THE mechanism of taste perception has been approached through work on the relationships between chemical properties of taste stimuli and their resultant taste responses. Ferguson and Lawrence1,2 reported that the D-configurations of leucine, iso-leucine, valine, histidine, tryptophan and asparagine were sweet, whereas the L-forms were not. These authors observed that isomaltose (6-α-D-glucopyranosyl-D-glucose) was sweet, but its anomer, gentiobiose (6 - β - D - glucopyranosyl - D - glucose), was bitter. Cameron3,4 found that a freshly prepared solution of 10 per cent α-D-glucose was definitely sweeter than a 16-hr.-old 10 per cent solution. The magnitude of the response (fourteen evaluations) suggested that the fresh solution had a sweetness equal to or more than that of a 10.5 per cent equilibrium solution.
An integrated approach for collection of telephone call records

An integrated approach for the collection of telephone call records at BEZEQ (the Israeli telephone company) exchanges, implemented by IBM, is described. The product provides a controlled network which includes modern digital exchanges and upgraded old analog exchanges. The handling of digital components within analog exchanges and the dedicated project management system are discussed. >
WE‐A‐220‐03: Ultrasound Technology for Prostate Thermal Therapies

The objective of this talk is to provide a contemporary review of ultrasound devices and techniques as applied to delivery of thermal therapy to the prostate. This technology allows focal treatment or direct destruction of tissue for treatment of cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or as an adjunct in the delivery of radiation therapy or chemotherapy, including temperature targeted drug delivery. Two therapeutic regimens are explored ‐ hyperthermia in the 40–45°C range and high temperature (>50°C) at lethal thermal dose exposures for thermal ablation. Commercial and clinical systems in development are reviewed including: transrectal high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems integrated with ultrasoundimage guidance; transurethral and endorectal high‐intensity ultrasound devices under MR guidance and control; interstitial ultrasound for hyperthermia integrated with HDR brachytherapy; and multi‐sectored endorectal applicators for hyperthermia adjunct to external beam radiation therapy with potential for thermal sensitive drug delivery. These image guided ultrasound therapysystems have the promise to deliver selective and precise thermal therapy or larger volume hyperthermia as required for the specified strategy for treatment of prostate disease. Educational objectives include technical concepts and treatment strategies of ultrasound therapy technology applied to treating prostate disease.
Wind-tunnel experiments on dense gas dispersion

Abstract Laboratory simulation of negatively buoyant emissions into the earth's boundary layer is a valuable predictive tool to describe the motions of potentially hazardous chemicals such as propane, butane, chlorine, liquefied natural gas, freon, etc. In this paper are discussed some of the simulation criteria, special instrumentation, and results of wind-tunnel investigations of dense plume behavior. Such wind-tunnel data can be correlated in a manner that yields an empirical prediction of vapor dispersion from full-scale releases; nonetheless, certain facility and gas specific limitations must be recognized when interpreting an experimental program.
Crack extension in filamentary materials

Abstract A simplified discrete theory developed by Hedgepeth[1] is used to generate elastic solutions for stress concentration problems in filamentary materials containing flaws of arbitrary geometry, subjected to remote uniaxial tension. Several special cases: line and finite width cracks oriented normal to or oblique to the loading axis, are studied in detail. It is shown that the discrete and the continuum theories for crack extension differ significantly only for small crack lengths (less than about 30 filament cuts). Experimental crack extension data of several filamentary materials are compared with the theoretical predictions. The data correlate with the discrete theory better than the continuum theory for cracks of small length.
The role of ICAM-1 molecule in the migration of Langerhans cells in the skin and regional lymph node.

ICAM-1 (CD54) plays an important role in the cell-cell interaction and migration of leukocytes. Previous studies have shown that ICAM-1 is involved in inflammatory reactions and that a defect in ICAM-1 gene inhibits allergic contact hypersensitivity. This study indicates that the migration of hapten presenting Langerhans cells into the regional lymph nodes was significantly reduced in ICAM-1-deficient mice compared to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. The reduced number of dendritic cells in regional lymph nodes did not result from abnormal migration of Langerhans cells into the skin of ICAM-1-deficient mice. The concentration and distribution of Langerhans cells in the naive skin of ICAM-1-deficient mice was equal to that of wild-type mice. Following hapten sensitization, Langerhans cell migration out of the skin and recruitment of fresh Langerhans cells back to the epidermis was not affected in ICAM-1-deficient mice. Further experiments demonstrated that ICAM-1 deficiency on lymphatic endothelium rather than on dendritic cells was responsible for the reduced migration of Langerhans cells into draining lymph nodes. This study indicates that ICAM-1 regulates the migration of dendritic cells into regional lymph nodes but not into or out of the skin.
Role of macrophages in the host response to Lewis lung peritoneal carcinomatosis

Lewis lung (3LL) peritoneal carcinomatosis elicits a complex host response in the peritoneal compartment. The response was delayed, showing few inflammatory cells through day 6 after lethal challenge with 3LL cells. Responses began in about half the mice on day 7 and had appeared in all mice by day 11. On day 7, some mice still showed no detectable 3LL growth in the peritoneal lavage fluid, and no differences in the peritoneal cell populations as compared with the control group. Other tumor-bearing mice, however, had evidence of 3LL cells and hemorrhagic ascites in the peritoneal compartment, with increased numbers of peritoneal macrophages (PM) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). By day 11, all tumor-bearing mice had 3LL growth and hemorrhagic ascites. On days 7–11, there was a major influx of macrophages with a later influx of PMN between days 11 and 14. Two distinct PM populations were detected on day 7 in mice that showed detectable 3LL peritoneal carcinomatosis: resident PM, which did not express the Mac-2 antigen, and recruited PM, which were Mac-2+. At least some resident PM remained in the peritoneal compartment through day 14. Analysis of the kinetics of the cytotoxic capabilities of PM from tumor-bearing mice showed that by day 7 macrophages were able to kill the B16 melanoma tumor target, but not the 3LL target. The PM, however, were able to be activated further to kill the 3LL target by treatment in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and interferon γ. No inhibition of PM tumoricidal activity could detected in the peritoneal wash of tumor-bearing mice. A lack of activation of PM from 3LL tumor-bearing mice may be involved in progression of peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Slicing the attitude pie: A new approach to attitude measurement

A new approach to attitude measurement is presented that provides a comprehensive index of favorability and salience, the primary attributes relevant to the study of any attitudinal issue. The new technique effectively separates “indifferent” research subjects from those who are “neutral” toward attitudinal issues. Methodological advantages and theoretical applications of the new technique are discussed in relation to research in interpersonal communication, persuasion and attitude change, and mass communication. Reliability and validity of “attitude pie” were tested vis‐a‐vis semantic differential and Likert‐type scales using a variant of the multitrait‐multimethod (MTMM) procedure. A large reliability and validity study involving 10 attitude traits, four methods, and more than 100 subjects at three points in time over a two‐month period was undertaken. Reliability for “positivity” and “salience” of the new technique compared favorably with standard scales. Validity of the new technique was acceptable on...
Reduction of odor and nasal pungency associated with aging.

Abstract —Aging can seriously blunt suprathreshold sensations mediated by the olfactory receptor system and by common chemical receptors. Despite large individual differences, on the average any given stimulus seemed only about half as intense to the elderly (20 subjects, 65–83 yrs) as to the young (20 subjects, 18–25 yrs). The nature of the loss was a constant percentage reduction of perceived magnitude at stimulus levels from weak to strong. The stimuli were iso-amyl butyrate (a nonirritating fruity odor) and CO2 (which is practically odorless but triggers common chemical sensations effectively). The method used was magnitude matching, by which subjects made numerical estimates of the perceived magnitude of various levels of the two chemical stimuli and of the loudness of low-pitched noises. The loudness estimates served to adjust each subject's chemical estimates to help compensate for individual idiosyncrasies in the use of numbers and potential biases associated with age. Common chemical and olfactory losses seem to be unrelated; aging can dull one sense and leave the other acute.
Enhancing photo-induced ultrafast charge transfer across heterojunctions of CdS and laser-sintered TiO2 nanocrystals.

Enhancing the charge transfer process in nanocrystal sensitized solar cells is vital for the improvement of their performance. In this work we show a means of increasing photo-induced ultrafast charge transfer in successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) CdS–TiO2 nanocrystal heterojunctions using pulsed laser sintering of TiO2 nanocrystals. The enhanced charge transfer was attributed to both morphological and phase transformations. At sufficiently high laser fluences, volumetrically larger porous networks of the metal oxide were obtained, thus increasing the density of electron accepting states. Laser sintering also resulted in varying degrees of anatase to rutile phase transformation of the TiO2, producing thermodynamically more favorable conditions for charge transfer by increasing the change in free energy between the CdS donor and TiO2 acceptor states. Finally, we report aspects of apparent hot electron transfer as a result of the SILAR process which allows CdS to be directly adsorbed to the TiO2 surface.
The role of saline formation water in crustal cycling

Most sedimentary basins contain saline pore water. ‘Saline formation waters’ can form during burial diagenesis as the result of normal processes of water/rock interaction involving incongruent halite dissolution, bittern salt destruction, and albitization of detrital plagioclase. The kinds of Na-Ca-Cl saline formation waters typical of sedimentary basins can also result from modification of surficial brines formed by the precipitation of NaCl from evaporated seawater. As the porosity of rocks is reduced during burial, discharge of saline formation waters contributes to crustal chloride cycling, and helps explain riverine chloride loads. During burial, the dissolution of metastable detrital minerals derived from crustal rocks in corrosive, saline water transfers incompatible elements such as Li and B from the igneous crust to the sedimentary crust. Similarly, albitization transfers Ca from the crustal silicate (igneous) mineral reservoir to the crustal carbonate and aqueous (sedimentary) reservoirs. Metamorphism and then melting of albite-enriched rocks accounts for the elevated sodium contents of igneous rocks relative to sedimentary rocks. In this way average sediments have become enriched through time in Ca, Cl, Br, S, Li, and B, and depleted in Na relative to average igneous crust.