cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operative mortality and stroke after on-pump vs off-pump surgery in high-risk patients: an analysis of 83 914 coronary bypass operations

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the early outcomes of off-pump and on-pump surgeries in high-risk patient groups. METHODS: The outcomes of 83 914 high-risk patients undergoing off-pump or on-pump isolated coronary bypass surgery identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2010 were compared using propensity analysis. RESULTS: Off-pump surgery was associated with a significant reduction in stroke rates compared with on-pump surgery in propensitymatched patients ≥80 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52–0.93, P= 0.02), those with peripheral vascular disease (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36–0.77, P= 0.001) and those with aortic atherosclerosis (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.13–0.72, P= 0.007). In these high-risk subgroups, off-pump surgery was associated with an absolute risk reduction in stroke rates of 0.5, 0.5 and 1.2%, respectively: the minimum number needed to treat to prevent one stroke is 200 patients. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality or the incidence of postoperative renal failure or respiratory failure between off-pump and on-pump surgeries in these patient subgroups, or in patients with preoperative renal failure, or chronic obstructive airways disease. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery gain a short-term benefit from off-pump approaches due to a small absolute reduction in the risk of postoperative stroke.
Properties of a radial mode CO 2 laser

The properties of a new class of lasers are investigated theoretically and experimentally. In these lasers, the radiation propagates radially within a disk-shaped amplifying medium resulting in high fields and symmetric illumination at the resonator axis. Experiments have been conducted using a pulsed CO 2 TEA configuration.
Cooperative games and vector-valued criteria problems

Quite often in a game there is not a strict conflict of interest among the players and they may agree to cooperate and help one another. In such cases, a solution that is Pareto-optimal is attractive since it has the property that if any other solution is used, at least one player does worse or they all do the same. The same solution concept also applies to minimization problems with several cost criteria rather than a single scalar performance index. Necessary conditions and sufficient conditions are given for Pareto-optimal solutions of static, continuous problems. Several examples are presented to illustrate the theory.
Generalized second law of thermodynamics in black-hole physics

In previous work we introduced the concept of black-hole entropy, which we identified with the surface area of the black hole in question expressed in units of the Planck length squared. We suggested that the appropriate generalization of the second law for a region containing a black hole is that the black-hole entropy plus the common entropy in the black-hole exterior never decreases. Here we establish the validity of this law for the infall of an entropy-bearing system into a much larger and more massive generic stationary black hole. To do this we determine a general lower bound for the increase in black-hole entropy, and an upper bound for the entropy of the system, while allowing for quantum effects at each stage. In passing we show that the generalized second law is a statistical law which becomes over-whelmingly probable in the limit of a macroscopic system. We also consider briefly more general situations. Finally, we give two simple examples of predictions made by the generalized second law for black-hole formation processes.
"My Fifty Shoes Are All Different!" Exploring, Defining, and Characterizing Acquisitive Buying

Why does someone buy the tenth pair of black shoes or the fourteenth white t-shirt? Typically, extreme buying is associated with negative feelings and consequences: issues of self-control, guilt, and financial problems are common among compulsive, impulsive, excessive buying, fixated buying, and hoarding. However, through two studies, the authors describe “acquisitive buyers,” who exhibit an extreme yet controlled acquisition process for items in a chosen product category. In his/her mind, these items are minutely differentiated and enrich the inventory, and there is logical justification that every purchase enhances his/her preparedness for anticipated specific product use occasions. Materialism, positive perfectionism and variety-seeking in a particular product category are some of the characteristics of these buyers. The studies also help distinguish acquisitive buying from other types of extreme buying and mainstream buying. C
Treatment of metastatic breast cancer

N 1985, I PRESENTED my views on adjuvant therapy of breast cancer.’ I believe we may have the potential to “cure” more people with the aggressive use of adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy when tumor bulk has been reduced to a micrometastatic burden. In contrast to my philosophy in the adjuvant situation, my philosophy in the management of metastatic breast cancer in 1990 is very different and highly conservative. To date, we have been unable to break the cure barrier in metastatic breast cancer.* Thus, even the patient with a small subcutaneous recurrence on the chest wall has at least 70% to 80% chance of relapsing and ultimately dying.3 The only recurrent disease situation that is different is the problem of breast relapse in a patient treated primarily with lumpectomy and radiation. In such patients, mastectomy or, in some cases, even relumpectomy can result in long-term disease-free survival and possible cure.4 Aside from that clinical situation, relapse of any sort in breast cancer connotes a dire prognosis. However, even if we cannot cure, long-term survival with remissions and disease exacerbations are possible using conservative treatment strategies and often sequential hormonal manipulations. Although the median survival from first relapse is only 2Y2 years5 approximately 25% of patients are alive for 5 years, and a finite percentage of people live 10 or more years even with metastatic disease. Siegel6 has termed patients who defy the statistics as E-CAPs-+xceptional cancer patients-and nowhere is this more true than in the management of metastatic breast cancer. All medical oncologists care for patients with indolent breast cancer who are alive and doing reasonably well 10, 12, and 14 years later. Thus, metastatic breast cancer is by no means an imme
Riot Control Agents and Chemical Weapons Arms Control in the United States

This article examines the issue of riot control agents as it relates to the subject of chemical weapons arms control at the international level and, more specifically, implications for the United States. The article examines how the issue of riot control agents has complicated efforts for the United States to enter into and ratify chemical weapons-related arms control agreements. The article provides an overview of chemical weapons, examines the relevant arms control agreements, explores why and how riot control agents influence debates over the merits of these treaties, and explains why riot control agents remain a contentious issue in chemical weapons arms control and foreign policy in the United States. This article is available in Journal of Strategic Security: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jss/vol5/iss4/6 Journal of Strategic Security Volume 5 Issue 4 2012, pp. 1-18 DOI: 10.5038/1944-0472.5.4.1 Journal of Strategic Security (c) 2012 ISSN: 1944-0464 eISSN: 1944-0472 1 Riot Control Agents and Chemical Weapons Arms Control in the United States Sean P. Giovanello Elon University, North Carolina
Differential expression of specific FGF ligand and receptor isoforms during angiogenesis associated with prostate cancer progression.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to elucidate how changes in temporal and spatial expression patterns of individual components of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling axis correlate with prostate cancer-associated angiogenesis to contribute to the progression of this disease. METHODS The temporal and spatial expression patterns of specific FGF ligands and receptors were characterized by immunoblot, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analyses in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. RESULTS We detected expression of high molecular weight isoform of FGF-2 in PIN lesions and detected both high and low molecular weight isoforms of FGF-2 in advanced tumors. Expression of the mRNA encoding the FGFR1iiib isoform was found to be specifically and differentially expressed in tumor vasculature in TRAMP but was not detected in prostate-associated vasculature in nontransgenic mice. Expression of the FGFR2iiic isoform was observed to be elevated in the epithelial component of PIN lesions in TRAMP mice. CONCLUSION By using the TRAMP model, the expression of FGFR1iiib in intraductal vasculature and expression of FGF-2 protein were found to be concomitant with the emergence of PIN. These observations implicate specific changes in the FGF axis with the initiation and progression of prostate cancer and underscore the utility of animal models to identify specific molecular changes in early disease. Prostate 54: 8–16, 2003. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Coparenting, parenting, and early emotional development.

Children's inhibition at age three is affected not only by their early temperament (at age one) and the quality of the parenting they experienced during their toddler years but also by the extent to which their mothers and fathers supported or undermined each other's parenting.
Parallel programming: achieving portability through abstraction

An introduction to the Unity syntax and logic is given. The idea of abstract programs is outlined. Examples are used to illustrate the usefulness of abstract programs. These are: sorting an array and summing an array. >
Cygnus dose symmetry

The Cygnus Dual Beam Radiographic Facility consists of two identical radiographic sources each with a dose rating of 4 Rad at 1 m, and a 1 mm diameter spot size. The development of the rod pinch diode was responsible for the ability to meet these criteria. The rod pinch diode in the Cygnus machines use a 0.75 mm diameter tungsten tapered anode rod extended through a 9 mm diameter cathode aperture. When properly configured, the electron beam born off the aperture edge can self-insulate and pinch onto the tip of the rod creating an intense, small x-ray source. The Cygnus sources are utilized as the primary diagnostic on experiments which are single-shot, high value events. In such an application there is an emphasis on reliability and reproducibility. The azimuthal quality and reproducibility of the Cygnus sources will be analyzed using lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters. Photogrammetry will be used to quantify the precision of the rod pinch diode build (i.e. the centeredness of the anode rod). One goal of these tests will be investigation of the relationship of dose symmetry to anode rod position (i.e. the correlation of off-center dose to an off-center anode rod).
Automating Judicial Document Drafting: A Discourse-Based Approach

Document drafting is a central judicial problem-solving activity. Development of automated systems to assist judicial document drafting has been impeded by the absence of an explicit model of (1) the connection between the document drafter’s goals and the text intended to achieve those goals, and (2) the rhetorical constraints expressing the stylistic and discourse conventions of the document’s genre. This paper proposes a model in which the drafter’s goals and the stylistic and discourse conventions are represented in a discourse structure consisting of a tree of illocutionary and rhetorical operators with document text as leaves. A document grammar based on the discourse structures of a representative set of documents can be used to synthesize a wide range of additional documents from sets of case facts. The applicability of this model to a representative class of judicial orders — jurisdictional show-cause orders — is demonstrated by illustrating (1) the analysis of show-cause orders in terms of discourse structures, (2) the derivation of a document grammar from discourse structures of two typical show-cause orders, and (3) the synthesis of a new show-cause order from the document grammar.
Toward a New Model of the Hindu Pantheon: A Report on Twenty-Some Years of Feminist Reflection

This article seeks to find more adequate models of Hindu “polytheism” than the stereotypical “Vishnu, Shiva, Devi” model, which is faulted both for the ways in which it deals with gender and with number regarding the kaleidoscope of Hindu portraits of the personified divine. Regarding number, it is essential not to prioritize oneness over plurality, which monotheistic commentators are prone to do. Regarding gender, it is essential not to prioritize male deities over female deities because, while familiar to Western commentators, such bias is simply not accurate for Hindu polytheism. A suggested solution is a model of the divine in which all deities embody both aspects of the “moksha/dharma” tension so common in Hinduism, and all deities are portrayed as males, as females, and also as couples.
Alachlor and metolachlor transformation pattern in corn and soil

Abstract Experiments were conducted in a growth chamber to study alachlor and metolachlor metabolism in soil and corn and to determine if alachlor and metolachlor and their metabolites are exuded from corn roots to the growth medium. Alachlor was more readily absorbed by corn than was metolachlor. The absorption of alachlor and metolachlor was 72 and 55%, respectively, 10 d after seedling emergence (DAE). Alachlor and metolachlor were rapidly metabolized in corn, although metabolism rates were higher with metolachlor than with alachlor. Ten similar alachlor metabolites were detected in roots and shoots. In addition, two metabolites were detected only in the shoots, and one metabolite was detected only in the roots. Metolachlor metabolism in corn produced fewer metabolites than did alachlor metabolism. At 5 DAE, 10 and 9 metabolites were detected in shoots and roots, respectively. The metabolism of alachlor and metolachlor in soil showed patterns similar to the metabolism in corn but produced fewer metabol...
Trp-cage: folding free energy landscape in explicit water.

Trp-cage is a 20-residue miniprotein, which is believed to be the fastest folder known so far. In this study, the folding free energy landscape of Trp-cage has been explored in explicit solvent by using an OPLSAA force field with periodic boundary condition. A highly parallel replica exchange molecular dynamics method is used for the conformation space sampling, with the help of a recently developed efficient molecular dynamics algorithm P3ME/RESPA (particle–particle particle–mesh Ewald/reference system propagator algorithm). A two-step folding mechanism is proposed that involves an intermediate state where two correctly formed partial hydrophobic cores are separated by an essential salt-bridge between residues Asp-9 and Arg-16 near the center of the peptide. This metastable intermediate state provides an explanation for the superfast folding process. The free energy landscape is found to be rugged at low temperatures, and then becomes smooth and funnel-like above 340 K. The lowest free energy structure at 300 K is only 1.50 A Cα-RMSD (Cα-rms deviation) from the NMR structures. The simulated nuclear Overhauser effect pair distances are in excellent agreement with the raw NMR data. The temperature dependence of the Trp-cage population, however, is found to be significantly different from experiment, with a much higher melting transition temperature above 400 K (experimental 315 K), indicating that the current force fields, parameterized at room temperature, need to be improved to correctly predict the temperature dependence.
Global functional connectivity abnormalities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Background Previous studies, including those employing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), have revealed significant disturbances in the white matter of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Both macrostructural and microstructural abnormalities have been observed across levels of FASD severity. Emerging evidence suggests that these white matter abnormalities are associated with functional deficits. This study used resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) to evaluate the status of network functional connectivity in children with FASD compared with control subjects. Methods Participants included 24 children with FASD, ages 10 to 17, and 31 matched controls. Neurocognitive tests were administered including Wechsler Intelligence Scales, California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning. High-resolution anatomical MRI data and 6-minute resting-state fMRI data were collected. The resting-state fMRI data were subjected to a graph theory analysis, and 4 global measures of cortical network connectivity were computed: characteristic path length, mean clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and global efficiency. Results Results revealed significantly altered network connectivity in those with FASD. The characteristic path length was 3.1% higher (p = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.47), and global efficiency was 1.9% lower (p = 0.04, d = 0.63) in children with FASD compared with controls, suggesting decreased network capacity that may have implications for integrative cognitive functioning. Global efficiency was significantly positively correlated with cortical thickness in frontal (r = 0.38, p = 0.005), temporal (r = 0.28, p = 0.043), and parietal (r = 0.36, p = 0.008) regions. No relationship between facial dysmorphology and functional connectivity was observed. Exploratory correlations suggested that global efficiency and characteristic path length are associated with capacity for immediate verbal memory on the CVLT (r = 0.41, p = 0.05 and r = 0.41, p = 0.01, respectively) among those with FASD. Conclusions Resting-state functional connectivity measures provide new insight into the integrity of brain networks in clinical populations such as FASD. Results demonstrate that children with FASD have alterations in core components of network function and that these aspects of brain integrity are related to measures of structure and cognitive functioning.
The Diminished Resistance to Medicalization in Psychiatry: Psychoanalysis Meets the Medical Model of Mental Illness

In this paper, I use data from 20 in-depth interviews with psychoanalytically trained psychiatrists (who prescribe medications and practice talk therapy) about their experiences navigating treatment in a profession dominated by the medical model. Psychiatrists’ descriptions of their field and their patients’ troubles support the central claims in sociology about the medicalization of psychiatry. Since the 1980s, the extent to which psychiatric troubles are medicalized has increased dramatically and in new ways. Pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and consumers drive the current era in medicalization. Psychiatric training is also highly influential on practitioners’ propensities to think and act medically. Qualitative data are crucial for understanding the extent to which medicalization influences practitioners and the degree to which they foster the use of medical interventions. Very few researchers have examined the medicalization of psychiatry from the perspective of psychiatrists, especially ...
New approaches for designing microstrip filters utilizing mixed dielectrics

A strategy is developed for designing capacitively loaded microstrip filters on low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrates with inclusions or superstrate layers of higher permittivity dielectrics. Finite-difference time-domain simulations of the field distribution at resonant frequencies are used to determine the optimal locations and size of capacitive loads. It is demonstrated that strategic capacitive load placement enables altering the center and attenuation pole frequencies, the shape and width of the passband, and input impedance of the filter by modification of selected resonant modes. Capacitive loading with higher permittivity dielectrics is shown to be very efficient in decreasing dimensions of microstrip filters with low-permittivity substrates. The designs of novel compact resonators and filters have been developed and the prototypes fabricated by using LTCC technology. The results of prototype measurements agree with the simulation results, which validates the proposed approach
A Rapid Cycle Method for Gross Leak Testing with the Helium Leak Detector

A new noncontaminating dry gas, quantitative test method has been developed that permits gross leak measurements on hermetic packages. It provides rapid testing with a helium leak detector over the leak size range of less than 1 x 10-5to more than I atm-cm3/s with a test gas of ~1 percent helium. The present limitation on dry gas procedures results from the rapid depletion of the test gas from the package interior which prevents detection of the larger leaks. The rapid cycle method attacks this limitation by employing either a rapid transfer of the test package or a rapid gas cycling technique for extending the upper range of the helium leak detector procedure. Theoretical relationships have been derived based on viscous flow to correlate the leak detector reading to leak size. Experimental apparatus is described, and test results are given for a test time of about g s, a measurement precision of 15-35 percent, and a correlation coefficient between theory and test of better than 0.99. The rapid transfer mode of operation can be implemented readily with any helium leak detector equipped for fast pump-down and high helium flow rate.
Precedent Citation at the WTO - Shifting the Empirical Focus to Panelists

Scholars of judicial decision making have long theorized and studied how personal characteristics are related to judicial outcomes in the domestic sphere. But few such studies have been done in the international legal environment, where scholars largely neglect the person of the judge as a relevant dimension for understanding decision making and judicial outcomes. We turn our attention to the WTO dispute settlement system and its rules on precedent usage. Since the WTO’s oﬃcial rules on precedent usage is ambiguous — and thus fail to provide determinative guidance — we show that personal characteristics may matter greatly in how individual panelists approach precedents usage in panel decisions.Applying both parametric and non-parametric methods, we ﬁnd that panel chairs who are lawyers cite precedents with less frequency than chairs who are not lawyers. By contrast, we ﬁnd insufficient evidence to support that chairs from common law countries cite precedent at rates diﬀering from those of chairs from non-common law countries. Overall, our ﬁndings suggest that the background of those appointed to the panels plays an important role in the creation and ﬂexibility of WTO rulemaking through the use of precedent.
Rethinking agriculture and rural development in Kosovo

In terms of percentage of households or population, Kosovo is one of the most rural and agrarian areas in Europe. Not unexpectedly, considerable stress is given to advancement through rural development and promotion of agriculture, including protective or, at least, ‘level playing field’approaches tocustoms.In this paper,it is argued that this view is wrong. The potential of Kosovo’s agriculture is severely limited and both the large majority of its people, as well as its most important agricultural industries, benefit from low or no barrier polices.Moreover, whileover half of Kosovo’s households are categorized as rural and have some agricultural production, the very large majority of these are in close proximity to large urban centers, derive the bulk of their incomes away from home, and produce food solely for own consumption. Though masked by poverty, these households are, in reality, suburban with large gardens and development efforts should be viewed in this light.
Applications of Kakutani’s Theorem and its Extensions

We now show how the ability to find approximate fixed points of upper semi-continuous mappings enables one to solve a wide range of important problems, without the limitations of Chapter II. Again we point out that constructing an appropriate mapping is relatively straightforward. Indeed, for any given problem it is easier than constructing a continuous function, since u.s.c. mappings can be patched together so easily.
Abstract 579: Lack of Interleukin-19 Exacerbates Experimental Atherosclerosis

Interleukin-19 (IL-19) is a Th2 interleukin and a member of an IL-10 subfamily. Previous studies from our laboratory suggest an anti-inflammatory role for IL-19 outside the immune system, and for the vasculature in particular. Significantly more IL-19 is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque from symptomatic rather than asymptomatic patients. However, addition of rIL-19 to LDLR-/- mice could significantly reduce atherosclerosis, suggesting that IL-19 expression is a compensatory, counter-regulatory mechanism. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that absence of IL-19 results in increased atherosclerosis, and to characterize potential mechanisms for these effects. LDLR-/- mice were crossed with IL-19-/- mice, and homozygous double knock outs (DKO) were fed a high fat atherogenic diet for 14 weeks and compared with LDLR-/- mice. En face oil red O staining demonstrated that loss of IL-19 significantly exacerbated development of plaque in the aortic arch (13.41%+/-1.04 vs 21.13) +/-1.18, P...
III. Ontogeny and function of γδ T cells in the intestine

γδ T cells are located in the paracellular space between epithelial cells. In the human colon and small intestine, 5–40% of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are γδ T cells, and in mice an even greater proportion of IEL are γδ T cells. The γδ T cell receptor repertoire in the human intestine undergoes marked changes in V region gene usage and junctional diversity during development from fetus to newborn to adult, suggesting that γδ T cells may mediate qualitatively or quantitatively different functions at various stages of development. γδ IEL have been shown to produce cytokines and growth factors and to influence epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as the mucosal development of immunoglobulin A B cells. γδ IEL also manifest cytolytic activity. However, the ligands recognized by intestinal γδ T cells and the role they play in intestinal immune responses, in immune defense to enteric pathogens, and in the pathogenesis of intestinal disease are thus far largely unknown.
Spirals and Conchospirals in the Flight of Insects

Khristo Boyadzhiev (k-boyadzhiev@onu.edu) received his MS in mathematics and his Ph.D. in functional analysis under the direction of Yaroslav Tagamlitski at the university of Sofia, Bulgaria (1978). His main interests are in operator theory and classical analysis, but he also enjoys art, history and the Internet. A member of the mathematics department at Ohio Northem University since 1990, he coordinates the calculus program and the department seminar.
The Effects of Velocity and Pressure Vibration on Erosion—Corrosion of Mild Steel in Water

Abstract The effects of velocity and pressure vibration on erosion—corrosion behavior of a mild steel (SS41) in tap water were studied with an impingement jet flow apparatus and a water bath. Obtained results were as follows: (1) The mass loss of the steel increased with the velocity in the range of 0 to 0.5 m/s, and decreased with the velocity above 0.5 m/s. The mass loss ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 m/s became as small as that at 0 m/s. (2) The mass loss occurring in the flow was proportional to the area of damaged surface, which consisted of pits. (3) The oxidation number of the iron oxide of the corrosion products was smaller in the flow field than in the static field. (4) The mass loss was larger in a vibrating pressure field than in a static field, and the damage pattern was nonuniform compared with that in the static field.
Glycerine Treated Nanofibrillated Cellulose Composites

Glycerine treated nanofibrillated cellulose GNFC was prepared by mixing aqueous nanofibrillated cellulose NFC suspensions with glycerine. Styrene maleic anhydride SMA copolymer composites with different loadings of GNFC were prepared by melt compounding followed by injection molding. The incorporation of GNFC increased tensile and flexural modulus of elasticity of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that as GNFC loading increased, the thermal stability of the composites decreased marginally. The incorporation of GNFC into the SMA copolymer matrix resulted in higher elastic modulus G′ and shear viscosities than the neat SMA copolymer, especially at low frequencies. The orientation of rigid GNFC particles in the composites induced a strong shear thinning behavior with an increase in GNFC loading. The decrease in the slope of elastic modulus with increasing GNFC loading suggested that the microstructural changes of the polymer matrix can be attributed to the incorporation of GNFC. Scanning electron microscopy SEM images of fracture surfaces show areas of GNFC agglomerates in the SMA matrix.
Application progress in MTBE desulfurization technology

Methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE),as an important additive of vehicle gasoline,is significant for deep desulfurization. Two types of desulfurization technology application progress were reviewed,i.e., pro-synthetic and post-synthetic desulfurization. The post-synthetic desulfurization was discussed,with the emphasis on the extraction distillation desulfurization,oxidation desulfurization and adsorption desulfurization. Compared with pro-synthetic desulfurization, post-synthetic desulfurization has the advantages of simple technology,low cost and deep desulfurization of different sulfides. The effects of sulfides source and sulfide species in MTBE on desulfurization efficiency were analyzed. It was pointed out that post-synthetic desulfurization was of the most promising one. Based on the sulfide species in MTBE,effective and low-cost post-synthetic desulfurization can be conducted.
Human monoclonal antibodies: achievement and potential.

The concept of monoclonal antibodies evoked great excitement when first described, but usefulness has been limited by their murine origin and consequent immunogenicity. Human monoclonal antibodies—which would obviate xenotypic responses—can now be produced. Clinical implications—including use against HIV—are discussed.
An Intussuscepted Ileal Ureter Bladder Nipple

AbstractWe report a case of an intussuscepted bladder nipple following construction of an ileal ureter. The ileal ureter has become a valuable option in reconstructing the urinary system. This complication bears consideration during construction of an ileal ureter and stresses the need for close observation of these patients.
Infrared Remote Sensing with Meteorological Satellites

Remote sensing of the earth and its atmosphere in the infrared spectrum has become a mainstay in environmental monitoring for weather and climate. From the start of occasional rocket-borne camera pictures, to the first global measurements of outgoing longwave infrared radiation, to global day and night visible and infrared picture mosaics, to complementary hourly full earth disk visible and infrared measurements, to full spectral (visible, near infrared, infrared, and microwave) global measurements of the earth surface and atmosphere, it is a history of continuing improvement in environmental remote sensing capabilities. Snapshots and mosaics gave way to seamless global coverage in wavelengths from half microns to hundreds of GHz. This chapter gives a brief history of the evolution of meteorological satellite sensors in polar and geostationary orbit, explores the characteristics of radiative transfer through the atmosphere (with a focus on infrared radiation that is dominated by CO2, H2O, and O3 molecular interactions), notes where high spectral resolution infrared measurements have improved absorption and radiative transfer calculations, and gives some examples of applications with high spectral resolution infrared measurements.
Multiple Myeloma and Other Hematological Malignancies of Bone

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by neoplastic clonal proliferation of plasma cells typically resulting in the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) present in the blood and/or urine. MM is responsible for 1% of malignant diseases, and comprises 10% of all hematologic malignancies, making it the second most common hematologic malignancy in adults, second to only Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The estimated annual incidence of MM is approximately 4 per 100,000 in Caucasians and 8 per 100,000 in African-Americans with a projected 19,900 new cases to be diagnosed in 2007 in the United States and approximately 10,790 deaths due to myeloma to occur [46]. The incidence is lower in the Asian population. The incidence of MM increases with age with median age at diagnosis being 68 years, with a greater incidence of the disease in males as compare to females.
Synthesis, characterization, and structures of ruthenium(II) complexes with multiple solvato ligands

Abstract Ruthenium solvato complexes are excellent starting materials for entry into Ru(II) synthetic chemistry. We report an improved synthesis for [Ru(NCCH3)6][BF4]2 from RuCl3·3H2O, as well as the syntheses of three novel Ru(II) heteroleptic solvato species: [RuCl(NCCH3)4(DMSO)2]+, [Ru(NCCH3)2(DMSO)3]2+, and [Ru(NCCH3)5(DMSO)]2+ (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide). Modifications to the reported synthesis of [Ru(NCCH3)6][BF4]2 improve the yield from 60% to 75% and reduce the reaction time from 13 to 8 h. Similarly, yields of the heteroleptic Ru(II) solvato complexes are 65–79%. Complexes [Ru(NCCH3)6][BF4]2 (1), [RuCl(NCCH3)2(DMSO)3][BF4]1.5[Cl]0.5[Na] (2), [Ru(NCCH3)4(DMSO)2][BF4]2 (3), [Ru(NCCH3)5(DMSO)][NO3]2 (4), and [Ru(NCCH3)5(DMSO)][BF4]2 (5) are fully characterized and their solid-state structures are presented and compared. Complexes 4 and 5 represent the first 5:1 acetonitrile:DMSO ruthenium complexes reported. These solvato complexes will be useful and convenient starting materials to synthesize both homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium(II).
Impact of the minimum wage policy on consumption expenditure and poverty in Egypt

Development has not yet achieved its goals in developing countries due to the increase in poverty rates. In October 2013, the Government of Egypt decided to implement the monthly minimum wage policy to allow citizens attain their needs of different expenditure groups thus reduce poverty. The research estimated the monthly wage that allows poor household individuals attain their daily needs of different expenditure groups after the latest increases in prices, and compared it with the monthly minimum wage to find if it helped them move out of poverty. Findings revealed that such policy shall help move 53% of the study households out of poverty, but the rest are threatened to fall in poverty as prices go higher. The research recommended revisiting the monthly minimum wage periodically to match the rising prices to help improve the economic conditions of vulnerable categories for better health and economic performance to achieve development goals.
Suggesting meaningful variable names for decompiled code: a machine translation approach

Decompiled code lacks meaningful variable names. We used statistical machine translation to suggest variable names that are natural given the context. This technique has previously been successfully applied to obfuscated JavaScript code, but decompiled C code poses unique challenges in constructing an aligned corpus and selecting the best translation from among several candidates.
Al2O3 on WSe2 by ozone based atomic layer deposition: Nucleation and interface study

In this work, the atomic layer deposition process using ozone and trimethylaluminum (TMA) for the deposition of Al2O3 films on WSe2 was investigated. It was found that the ozone-based atomic layer deposition enhanced the nucleation of Al2O3 in comparison to the water/TMA process. In addition, the chemistry at the Al2O3/WSe2 interface and the surface morphology of the Al2O3 films exhibited a dependence on the deposition temperature. A non-covalent functionalizing effect of ozone on WSe2 at low deposition temperatures 30 °C was identified which prevented the formation of pinholes in the Al2O3 films. These findings aim to provide an approach to obtain high-quality gate dielectrics on WSe2 for two-dimensional transistor applications.
Review: Cognitive behavioral techniques reduce blood pressure when compared with no therapy but not when compared with placebo therapy

Source Citation Eisenberg DM, Delbanco TL, Berkey CS, et al. Cognitive behavioral techniques for hypertension: are they effective? Ann Intern Med. 1993 Jun 15;118:964-72.
Advances in Acoustic Noise Tracking for Robust In-Vehicle Speech Systems

Speech systems work reasonably well under homogeneous acoustic environmental conditions but become fragile in practical applications involving real-world environments (e.g., in-car, broadcast news, digital archives, etc.) where the audio stream contains multi-environment characteristics. To date, most approaches dealing with environmental noise in speech systems are based on assumptions concerning the noise, rather than exploring and characterizing the nature of the noise. In this chapter, we present our recent advances in the formulation and development of an in-vehicle environmental sniffing framework previously presented in [1,2,3,4]. The system is comprised of different components to detect, classify and track acoustic environmental conditions. The first goal of the framework is to seek out detailed information about the environmental characteristics instead of just detecting environmental change points. The second goal is to organize this knowledge in an effective manner to allow intelligent decisions to direct subsequent speech processing systems. After presenting our proposed in-vehicle environmental sniffing framework, we consider future directions and present discussion on supervised versus unsupervised noise clustering, and closed-set versus open-set noise classification.
High prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among veterans in the urban midwest.

ABSTRACTAlthough chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality within the Veterans Health care Administration, its prevalence and recognition are not known. We measured airflow limitation and diagnosed COPD at the Cincinnati Veteran's Administration Medical Center. Participants were 326 outpatients who performed spirometry and completed questionnaires. Health care-provider-diagnosis and self-diagnosis of COPD were compared with COPD defined by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.7 (fixed ratio) and (FEV1/FVC)/lower limit of normal (LLN) < 1.0. COPD prevalence was 43% (95% confidence interval: 36.9, 48.1) by fixed ratio and 33% (95% confidence interval: 27.2, 36.8) by LLN. Eighteen percent of the patients had health care-provider-recorded and 23% had self-reported diagnoses of COPD. Positive predictive values for the diagnosis of COPD were 79% and 64% for healthcare providers versus 68% and 62% for patients; negative predi...
Early frailty transition predicts 15-year mortality among nondisabled older Mexican Americans

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effect of early frailty transitions on 15-year mortality risk. Methods Longitudinal data analysis of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly involving 1171 community-dwelling Mexican Americans aged ≥67 years and older. Frailty was determined using the modified frailty phenotype, including unintentional weight loss, weakness, self-reported exhaustion, and slow walking speed. Participants were defined at baseline as nonfrail, prefrail, or frail and divided into nine transition groups, during a 3-year observation period. Results Mean age was 77.0 years (standard deviation [SD] = 5.3) and 59.1% were female. Participants who transitioned from prefrail to frail (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23–2.28), frail to prefrail (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.05–2.28); or who remained frail (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.21–2.44), had significant higher 15-year mortality risk than those who remained nonfrail. Participants transitioning from frail to nonfrail had a similar 15-year mortality risk as those who remained nonfrail (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.53–1.72). Weight loss and slow walking speed were associated with transitions to frailty. Conclusions An early transition from frail to nonfrail in older Mexican Americans was associated with a 4% decrease in mortality compared with those who remained nonfrail, although this difference was not statistically significant. Additional longitudinal research is needed to understand positive transitions in frailty.
Heavy-Ion-Induced Fusion Power

Generation of useful power from nuclear fusion reactions is generally regarded as a realizable goal. There are basically two paths to this end, differing in their fundamental methods of confining the fusion fuel during thermonuclear burn.
Rotary Chair Testing

Rotary chair testing provides an unparalleled clinical assessment of the vestibular system. Modern rotational chairs are capable of providing a variety of exacting rotational stimuli that can effectively identify disorders impacting both peripheral and central vestibular functions. Moreover, vestibular compensation mechanisms can be effectively evaluated, and disease progression or therapeutic processes can be efficiently monitored with rotational testing. Its ability to evaluate both the peripheral and central vestibular response characteristics across a broad frequency range is vital to providing a more comprehensive vestibular phenotype for patients with suspected bilateral vestibular areflexia as well as patients with non-specific dizziness.
Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery with intimal tear

We report the case of a 68-year-old man with right intermittent claudication by adventitial cystic disease. We performed resection of the cyst and affected popliteal artery with interposing an autologous vein graft. Intraoperative findings revealed an intimal tear between the cyst and the compressed artery. His symptoms resolved after surgery, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Although adventitial cystic disease with intimal tear is rare, we consider that conventional surgical intervention remains the favorable treatment option for adventitial cystic disease. .
Towards high-speed autonomous navigation of unknown environments

U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology Collaborative Technology Alliance
Computer Simulations in One Dimension

This chapter presents some example simulations of multiphase flow using the computer model described in detail in Chapter III. Section 4.1 contains a series of oil contamination scenarios. Convergence of the solutions in space and time is explored, as is convergence of the iteration scheme. Mass balance calculations for the computer runs are also examined. Section 4.2 focuses on the movement of trichloroethylene (TCE) in a porous medium. Properties of TCE are introduced along with a detailed discussion of their theoretical and experimental basis. Simulations of TCE infiltration into a water saturated column are then presented.
High-Temperature Analysis of GaN-Based Blue-LEDs for Future Power Electronic Applications

Commercial gallium-nitride-based blue-light-emitting diodes (LEDs), primarily fabricated for lighting applications, are evaluated at high temperatures (up to 700 K) for possible integration as an optocoupler emitter in high-density power electronic modules. The temperature- and injection-current-dependent internal quantum efficiencies (IQEs) and current–voltage characteristics of the blue-LEDs are studied. The IQE is extracted from the measured integrated electroluminescence (EL) intensity at different temperatures using the ABC model. The presented method helps evaluate the optimized injection current density to achieve minimum deviation in LED IQE at a broader range of operating temperatures. As per the ABC model, the LED can operate at 700 K with an IQE of 58.50% when it operates at a current density of 2 A/cm2. The results show that for a temperature range of 77–700 K, the minimum deviation of IQE occurs when the injected current density is between 1 to 10 A/cm2. Normalized external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the device at different temperatures was also extracted using the ABC model.
The Biomechanical Effects of Limited Lateral Retinacular and Capsular Release on Lateral Patellar Translation at Various Flexion Angles in Cadaveric Specimens

Purpose To determine the biomechanical effect of limited lateral retinacular and capsular release on lateral patellar translation as a function of constant force at various knee flexion angles. Methods Six pairs of bilateral cadaveric knee specimens (12 knees) were obtained from a tissue bank, dissected, and potted in a perfect lateral position based on fluoroscopy. A direct lateral force was applied to the patella through an eye screw in the midpoint of the lateral patella, and each knee underwent testing in the intact state and after lateral retinacular and capsular release. All knees were tested at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° of flexion using a custom-machined jig on a materials testing system with a 20-N lateral force applied to the patella. Patellar displacement was recorded and compared for each specimen. Results Lateral displacement was significantly greater at all degrees of flexion for the lateral-release specimens than for an intact lateral retinaculum (P Conclusions Lateral retinacular and capsular release results in significantly increased lateral patellar translation at all flexion angles compared with intact specimens. This finding suggests that the lateral retinaculum may function as a significant restraint to lateral translation even with intact medial soft-tissue restraints. Clinical Relevance Arthroscopic and open limited lateral retinacular releases should be performed with extreme caution when treating lateral patellar instability given the lateral retinaculum's apparent role as a secondary restraint.
Beyond Representation: African American Administrators’ Experiences as Reflections of Workforce Diversity Perspectives

ABSTRACTThe recollections of sixteen African American administrators who were some of the first hired in de/segregated school districts in the North are analyzed in order to understand their work l...
Hydrogen leaks at the same rate as natural gas in typical low-pressure gas infrastructure

Abstract A global interest to increase the use of renewable resources has spurred an interest in hydrogen (H2) gas as an energy carrier. Natural gas (NG) infrastructure has been proposed as a potential storage, transmission and distributions system for renewably produced gaseous H2 fuel. Introducing H2 to the NG system has raised concerns about H2 leakage from the system. In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally examine leakage of H2, NG and H2/NG blends and provide experimental evidence that 100% H2 gas blends leak at the same rate as H2/NG mixtures and 100% NG in typical existing low pressure NG infrastructure on the customer-side of the meter. We also provide results from experiments conducted in a simulated leak environment that suggest gaseous fuel blends of H2/NG mixtures and NG leak at the same rate. Additionally, a review of the classical leak analysis literature resulted in the discovery of similar results, though not mentioned in the literature. We assess the efficacy of a commercial mitigation measure to reduce gaseous fuel leakage from piping system known to leak. Finally, a two-step leakage mechanism theory that involves molecular dynamics and a tortuous leakage path with significant wall interactions is proposed to explain the results that suggest H2 leaks at the same rate as NG in typical low-pressure gas infrastructure.