cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices

No. 410 Risk factors for major complications during percutaneous microwave ablation of hepatic tumors E. Dayan, J. Song, E. Kim, R.S. Patel, S.F. Nowakowski, R. A. Lookstein, A.M. Fischman; Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY Purpose: To identify risk factors for development of major complications using percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of liver tumors. Materials and Methods: Over a 28 month period, 147 patients with unresectable liver tumors (39 women, 108 men; mean age 67) underwent 164 percutaneous CT guided MWA procedures using the Certus 140 2.45GHz gas cooled probe (Neuwave Medical, Madison, WI). A retrospective analysis was performed to review tumor characteristics as well as technical and clinical outcomes. Follow-up consisted of a clinic visit and CT or MRI at 1 month and every 3-4 months thereafter. Chi- square analysis and two sample t-test were performed to identify whether any tumor or patient related variables were associated with development of major complications. Results: A total of 164 tumors were treated (median size 1.8 cm; 0.6-8.2). Tumor size included: o3cm 142/164 (87%), 3- 5cm -20/164 (12%), 45cm 2/164 (1%). Tumor pathology included: 148/164 (90%) hepatocellular carcinoma and 16/164 (10%) liver metastases. Mortality was 0% at 30 and 90 days. Median length of hospital stay was 1 day (range 0-17 days). The most common major complication was pneumothorax requiring chest tube in 7/147 (5%) patients.The second most common major complication was post procedure pulmonary edema requiring intubation in 3/147 (2%) patients. Tumor size, Child- Pugh score, number of ablation sessions, prior hepatic resection and transarterial chemoembolization were not associated with a higher rate of major complications (p40.05). However, a trend is noted of patients who developed one major complication were more likely to develop additional major complications. Conclusion: Percutaneous MWA is a safe method to treat unresectable liver tumors with a low rate of major JVIR ’ Posters and Exhibits S179 P oters nd Exibits
Development of distinct control networks through segregation and integration

Human attentional control is unrivaled. We recently proposed that adults depend on distinct frontoparietal and cinguloopercular networks for adaptive online task control versus more stable set control, respectively. During development, both experience-dependent evoked activity and spontaneous waves of synchronized cortical activity are thought to support the formation and maintenance of neural networks. Such mechanisms may encourage tighter “integration” of some regions into networks over time while “segregating” other sets of regions into separate networks. Here we use resting state functional connectivity MRI, which measures correlations in spontaneous blood oxygenation level-dependent signal fluctuations between brain regions to compare previously identified control networks between children and adults. We find that development of the proposed adult control networks involves both segregation (i.e., decreased short-range connections) and integration (i.e., increased long-range connections) of the brain regions that comprise them. Delay/disruption in the developmental processes of segregation and integration may play a role in disorders of control, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Tourette's syndrome.
The Relationship between Large Airway Inflammation and Airway Metaplasia

To assess the role of acute inflammatory cells in large airways in the pathogenesis of metaplasia, we performed BAL (divided into aliquots) and mucosal biopsies on asbestos workers. They had evidence of asbestos-related lung injury. We found that acute inflammatory cells were significantly increased in the first aliquot. Ex-smokers had a greater percentage of PMN compared with nonsmokers and current smokers. The subjects were subgrouped with respect to biopsy-detected metaplasia. There was no difference between these groups for percentage or total number of PMN in the first aliquot. However, subjects with metaplasia had significant reduction in FEV1/FVC compared with those without. We conclude that there are significant differences in cells between the first and subsequent aliquots. Although inflammatory stimuli may be important in the pathogenesis of metaplasia, PMN present in the first aliquot could not be related to the severity of the metaplastic changes in these workers.
The Telematics Advanced Program: A Noble Idea Bites the Dust

Abstract: The Telematics Advanced Program (TAP), a virtual curriculum proposed by an industry/government/university group, failed to materialize for a complex set of reasons, including the insistence of many state and provincial universities that Internet-based education should be embraced only as a cash cow to provide additional funds for traditional campus-based teaching. Companies fed into this perception by increasingly favouring technical training over advanced education as their stable monopoly-based environment shifted to uncertain circumstances and cutthroat competition. These factors produced personnel and goal confusion within the sponsoring group and hampered its ability to acquire funding. Lack of advanced technological infrastructure also prevented realization of the TAP vision of small, interactive virtual seminars. Resume: Le Telematics Advanced Program (TAP), un curriculum virtuel propose par un regroupement industriel/gouvernemental/universitaire, n'a pas pu devenir realite pour un ensemble complexe de raisons, y compris l'insistance de la part de plusieurs universites etatiques et provinciales que l'enseignement a l'Internet n'est utile que comme source de revenus supplementaires pour l'enseignement traditionnel en salle de cours. Des compagnies encouragerent cette perception en favorisant de plus en plus la formation technique au detriment des etudes avancees, la consequence de circonstances incertaines et de concurrence acharree remplacant un environnement stable et monopoliste. Ces facteurs jeterent la confusion au sein du groupe parraineur tant au niveau du personnel que de ses buts et diminua la capacite du groupe a obtenir des fonds. L'absence d'une infrastructure technologique avancee empecha aussi la realisation de la vision TAP de petits a eminaires virtuels et interactifs.
Parallel recognition and parsing on the hypercube

The authors present parallel algorithms for recognizing and parsing context-free languages on the hypercube. This algorithm is both time-wise and space-wise optimal with respect to the usual sequential dynamic programming algorithm. Also, the number of nonoverlapping interprocessor data transmissions for the recognition phase is small. It is noted that this is desirable since communication cost in reality is a function of the number of transmissions as well as transmission length. The authors present another recognition algorithm that achieves the same time and space bounds but employs a dynamic loading balancing technique to increase processor utilization. The results of implementing these algorithms on a 64-node NCUBE/7 MIMD hypercube machine are also given. The experimental evidence indicates that, while both recognition algorithms exhibit acceptable speedups, using load balancing results in significantly better performance. The authors obtain parallel algorithms with the same time and space bounds as above for the polygon triangulation problem and the matrix product chain problem. >
A systematic review of music and dyslexia

Abstract Systematic reviews of research provide valuable information for researchers, clinicians, and educators. A single Cochrane Review reports on music and dyslexia; however, the struct inclusion criteria used in the study required randomized controlled trials (RCT) which resulted in no study being able to be included. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and analyze research on music and dyslexia. Through computer-based searches utilizing specific keywords and the ancestry approach, 23 studies met inclusion criteria. Once identified, each study was reviewed according to participants, age, purpose, independent and dependent variables, and results. A table was created to outline the analysis of each study. The majority of the 23 articles in the review included children. A few studies focused on the challenges of studying music, in particular problems with reading notation, that students with dyslexia may experience and most of the other studies explored how music can be used to improve literacy skills, or at least be used as a means to test for neural processing of auditory information, and thus could offer the potential to inform early diagnosis. The findings from this review reveal that music training is considered to function as a remediation tool to improve literacy skills for children with dyslexia, although the specific type of music support to achieve predictable outcomes needs to be further investigated. Some limitations, implications for clinical practice, and suggestions for future research are provided.
The Hageman Factor System: Mechanism of Contact Activation

The role of the components of the Hageman factor system in the pathogenesis of inflammation is poorly understood. In order to examine the potential participation of the system in inflammation, abundant work has been performed in the past several years to delineate the component proteins and examine their mechanisms of interaction. In this paper, we wish to review the state of knowledge of the system, including the latest information available regarding the activation of Hageman factor, and to summarize the inflammatory properties attributed to its members.
Validation of a cyclic plasticity computational method using fatigue full-field deformation measurements

The evolution of crack tip displacement and strain fields during uniaxial, room temperature, low-cycle fatigue experiments of Nickel superalloy compact tension specimens was measured by a digital image correlation approach and was further used to validate a cyclic plasticity model and corresponding deformation calculations made by a finite elements methodology. The experimental results provided data trends for the opening displacements and near crack tip strains as function of cycles. A finite element model was developed to capture test conditions for a measured crack size. The model captures crack tip plasticity by using a constitutive model calibrated against stress-strain measurements performed on a round bar. Similar quantities were extracted from the model predictions to compare with the digital image correlation measurements for model validation purposes. This type of direct comparison demonstrated that the computational model was capable to adequately capture the crack opening displacements at various stages of the specimen's fatigue life, providing in this way a tool for quantitative cyclic plasticity model validation. In addition, this integrated experimental-computational approach provides a framework to accelerate our understanding related to interactions of fatigue test data and models, as well as ways to inform one another.
BET: The Edge on Talent

This case explores the significance of people management in creating a competitive advantage for organizations. Robert L. Johnson's desire not to work for someone else led him to become founder and chief executive officer of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the first African American-owned cable network, in 1980. Under Johnson's leadership, BET became publicly owned in 1991, returned to the private sector seven years later, and in 2001 was sold to Viacom for $3 billion. Amid success, Johnson never lost sight of one of his original goals: to provide people of color the opportunity to be successful business leaders. Debra Lee joined BET in 1986 as the firm continued to accomplish Johnson's vision. Not only was BET black-owned, but also most of the executives, entertainment talent, and employees were African American, and the firm's products were targeted to the African American community. When BET was sold, questions were raised about changes that might occur after a predominantly white-controlled media company took over this predominantly African American firm. Johnson and Lee faced a challenge: What would happen when Johnson left BET? How could Johnson and Lee continue to pursue the original vision and goals for BET and sustain the culture, leadership style, and human-resources approach to managing people once it became a division of Viacom? Was change inevitable? If so, what should they change, and more important, how were they going to get their employees on board? Although BET had made it to the top, would opportunities for people of color be put aside?
Benign cementoblastoma (true cementoma) in a cat

Case summaryA 10-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was presented for assessment of a gingival mass surrounding the left maxillary third and fourth premolar teeth. The mass was surgically removed by means of a marginal rim excision, and the tissue was submitted for histological assessment. It was identified as a benign cementoblastoma (true cementoma). There was proliferation of mineralized eosinophilic material with multiple irregularly placed lacunae and reversal lines, reminiscent of cementum. The cat recovered uneventfully from the anesthesia, and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence 6 months after surgery.Relevance and novel informationCementoblastomas (true cementomas) in domestic animals are rare, with just a few reports in ruminants, monogastric herbivores and rodents. Cementoblastoma is considered a benign tumor that arises from the tooth root. The slow, expansive and constant growth that characterizes these masses may be accompanied by signs of oral discomfort and dysphagia. Thi...
Fractionally Integrated Data and the Autodistributed Lag Model: Results from a Simulation Study

Two contributions in this issue, Grant and Lebo and Keele, Linn, and Webb, recommend using an ARFIMA model to diagnose the presence of and estimate the degree of fractional integration, then either (i) fractionally differencing the data before analysis or, (ii) for cointegrated variables, estimating a fractional error correction model. But Keele, Linn, and Webb also present evidence that ARFIMA models yield misleading indicators of the presence and degree of fractional integration in a series with fewer than 1000 observations. In a simulation study, I find evidence that the simple autodistributed lag model (ADL) or equivalent error correction model (ECM) can, without first testing or correcting for fractional integration, provide a useful estimate of the immediate and long-run effects of weakly exogenous variables in fractionally integrated (but stationary) data.
Addressing Disturbing and Disturbed Consumer Behavior: Is it Necessary to Change the Way We Conduct Behavioral Science?:

Many of the most important problems faced by society today involve choices people make (e.g., high-fat diets, smoking, drinking and driving). Behavioral scientists in psychology and marketing can contribute to the solution of these problems through altruistic marketing. Altruistic marketing involves: (1) conducting basic behavioral research to expand our understanding of disturbing and disturbed consumer behavior and the ways to correct it and/or (2) applying behavioral research to develop effective treatment interventions and new ways to implement more effectively what is already known (and what will be known) about the maladaptive consumer behavior that contributes to social problems, morbidity, and mortality. Unfortunately, marketing scientists have been encouraged to abandon basic, theoretically guided laboratory paradigms to address important applied questions and social problems. Yet, marketing scientists can make critical contributions to understanding the basic mechanisms underlying consumer behavior, and traditional laboratory research can be an essential part of this enterprise. We reinforce the need for greater focus on maladaptive consumer behavior and its remediation, and we discuss the role of theoretical thinking and traditional laboratory studies in problem-oriented research. We conclude that Kurt Lewin's erudite two-part maxim-there is nothing so practical as a good theory and there is nothing so stimulating of good theory as an important social problem-stands as a luminous beacon for the field of altruistic marketing.
Zonisamide for weight loss in obese adolescents

O is a growing problem in the child and adolescent population, and physicians are increasingly looking for new, safe, and effective interventions. Particularly concerning is the trend of overweight children being increasingly prescribed psychotropic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotics, that can lead to further weight gain. In recent years, pharmacologic treatment for weight has been considered for severe and refractory cases. We present two cases of obese adolescents who achieved weight loss with the addition of zonisamide, an anticonvulsant. The first case is a morbidly obese adolescent male who had remarkable weight loss during 3 months of inpatient hospitalization. The patient initially had a dramatic weight loss from 301 kg to 213.4 kg. This could be attributed to many factors, including the addition of appetite suppressing medications (topiramate and methylphenidate) as well as a structured environment and monitored nutritional intake. However, his weight loss plateaued. The addition of zonisamide correlated with an additional weight loss for a final weight of 202.76 kg, which is an additional 10.64 kg. We present a second case of an obese adolescent who initially presented to an inpatient psychiatric unit with a high-BMI of 37.8 (126.8 kg). He was started on zonisamide and a steady decrease in weight and BMI was noted through four months of outpatient follow-up, with his most recent BMI being 31.7 (106.2 kg). We discuss the potential use of zonisamide for weight loss in obese adolescents, particularly in patients who are prescribed psychotropic medications. We also consider the potential risks and benefits in this patient population. Michael Shapiro, J Obes Weight Loss Ther 2013, 3:7 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-7904.S1.011
Mapping the landscape of metabolic goals of a cell

Genome-scale flux balance models of metabolism provide testable predictions of all metabolic rates in an organism, by assuming that the cell is optimizing a metabolic goal known as the objective function. We introduce an efficient inverse flux balance analysis (invFBA) approach, based on linear programming duality, to characterize the space of possible objective functions compatible with measured fluxes. After testing our algorithm on simulated E. coli data and time-dependent S. oneidensis fluxes inferred from gene expression, we apply our inverse approach to flux measurements in long-term evolved E. coli strains, revealing objective functions that provide insight into metabolic adaptation trajectories.
Zintl Phases with d-Metal

This chapter provides an overview of the progress in the synthesis and characterization of Zintl phases with d-metals. It outlines the progress from a few compounds such as Ca 14 MnBi 11 to the number of present-day examples. It presents the field and provides examples of a number of applications of these compounds including the most recent work on thermoelectric applications.
Risk factors for robotic gynecologic procedures requiring conversion to other surgical procedures.

Abstract Objective To determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, conversion from robotic gynecologic procedures to other procedure types. Methods A retrospective cohort study included data from women who underwent any robotic gynecologic procedures between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 at a tertiary care referral center in the USA. Demographic data, perioperative data, and surgeon experience (monthly case volume) data were retrieved; potential risk factors were compared between robotic procedures that were converted to other procedures and those completed as robotic procedures. Results There were 942 robotic procedures during the study period. Conversion from robotic to any other type of procedure was recorded for 47 (5.0%, 95% confidence interval 3.8–6.6) procedures and robotic-to-open-surgery conversion occurred in 16 (1.7%, 95% confidence interval 1.0–2.7) procedures. Conversion from robotic surgery to another approach was associated with higher body mass index (P Conclusion The overall incidence of conversion from robotic surgery to laparotomy was low. Higher body mass index, previous laparotomy, history of asthma, using a single-port approach, and surgeon case volume were associated with the risk of conversion.
Sustainable innovation to cope with climate change and market variability in the Bolivian Highlands

ABSTRACTThis study explores how sustainable innovation and the collaborative learning process can contribute to resilience in the Bolivian Highlands, as a response to shocks caused by climate change and market variability. Specifically, we focus on the collective, localized, and embedded efforts of three rural communities. The communities under study participated in a mixed top down-bottom up collaborative learning system, which relied on indigenous knowledge, local institutions, and inclusive participation to promote innovation and inclusive development. We used a transaction cost approach based on semi-structured interviews of various stakeholders, and community observation to measure the benefits and costs of participating in the collaborative initiative. The main findings show a strong effect in (1) the reinforcement of a collaborative system as a means to promote grounded and inclusive innovation and (2) the reduction of transaction costs in production and commercialization for the participant produc...
The Fiscal Politics of Rebellious Grievance in the Arab World: Egypt and Jordan in Comparative Perspective

In the aftermath of the 2011 protests, narrow economic arguments for revolt have proliferated. This essay broadens the debate by arguing that states’ latent fiscal weakness is an important source o...
Automated Test Generation and Mutation Testing for Alloy

We present two novel approaches for automated testing of models written in Alloy – a well-known declarative, first-order language that is supported by a fully automatic SAT-based analysis engine. The first approach introduces automated test generation for Alloy and is embodied by three techniques that create test suites in the traditional spirit of black-box, white-box, and mutation-based testing. The second approach introduces mutation testing for Alloy and defines how to create mutants of Alloy models, compute mutation testing results, and check for equivalent mutants using SAT. The two approaches build on the theoretical foundation defined previously by our AUnit framework, which introduced the idea of unit testing for Alloy in the spirit of unit testing for imperative languages. While test generation and mutation testing are heavily studied problems with many solutions in the context of imperative languages, the key novelty of our work is to introduce and address these problems for the declarative programming paradigm, specifically for the Alloy language. Experimental results using several Alloy subjects, including those with real faults, demonstrate the efficacy of our framework.
Atomically dispersed supported metal catalysts: perspectives and suggestions for future research

Catalysts consisting of metal atoms that are atomically dispersed on supports are gaining wide attention because of the rapidly developing understanding of their structures and functions and the discovery of new, stable catalysts with new properties. Our goals in this essay are to summarize the classes of these catalysts, to state key questions about them, to point out crucial methods for their characterization, and to suggest directions for future research. Most of the catalysts in this class incorporate supports that are inorganic materials such as metal oxides and zeolites, and the list of supports has recently been expanded to include small assemblies of metal atoms within molecular metal clusters, as well as the surfaces of bulk metals, including single crystals and supported nanoparticles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy have recently provided numerous images of isolated metal atoms on support surfaces, and complementary spectroscopic results have provided evidence of the metal oxidation states (usually positive, unless the support is a metal), metal–support bonding, and the ligands present on the metal. Catalysts in this class have been found to have activity for numerous reactions, including hydrogenations, oxidations, and the water gas shift. Some offer exciting new catalyst selectivities associated with the isolation of the metal centers within controllable environments. Some atomically dispersed supported metal catalysts, exemplified by those supported on zeolites, have nearly uniform arrays of metal sites that are considered to be nearly ideal catalytic sites, and these are excellently suited to investigation by theory, such as density functional theory, to fill in gaps left by experiment, to predict new properties, and to help guide future research.
Abstract 3290: Timing Of Recanalization After Intravenous Thrombolysis Determines The Functional Outcomes In Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator (IV-TPA) is the only approved therapeutic agent for arterial recanalization in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Wide variations in rates and timing of neurological recovery are observed in thrombolyzed patients. Although, recanalization of acutely occluded intracranial artery remains the major aim IV-TPA, timing and impact of this phenomenon on functional outcomes has not been evaluated properly. We evaluated the relationship between the arterial patency and timing of recanalization with functional outcomes at 3-months in AIS. Methods: Data for consecutive AIS patients treated with IV-TPA within 4.5 hours of symptom-onset during 2007-2010 were prospectively entered in the thrombolysis registry maintained at our tertiary care center. Data were collected for demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, stroke subtypes and blood pressure before IV-TPA bolus. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were obtained before IV-TPA, at 2-hours and at 24-hours. Patients were continuously monitored with 2-MHz pulsed wave diagnostic transcranial Doppler (TCD) for 2-hours after IV-TPA bolus for early recanalization (ER). ER was assessed using the Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia grading TCD system. Arterial patency was assessed on day 2 in patients who underwent CT angiography or magnetic resonance angiography, labeled as delayed recanalization (DR). Absence of recanalization on early TCD or imaging on day 2 was called persistent arterial occlusion (PAO). Favorable functional outcomes at 3 months were determined by modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-1. Results: Of the 2238 AIS patients admitted during the study period, 240 (11%) received IV-TPA within 4.5-hours of symptom-onset. Median age was 65yrs (range 19-92), 63% males, median NIHSS 17points (range 3-35) and median onset-to-treatment time 149 minutes. Overall, 122 (50.8%) patients achieved favorable functional outcome at 3-months. Information about ER, DR and PAO was available for 160 patients- ER in 55(34.4%), DR in 44(27.5%) and PAO in 61(38.1%) patients. Timing of recanalization was associated with favorable outcome (ER 72.7%, DR 63.6% and PAO 31.1%; p Conclusions: Timing of arterial recanalization induced by IV-TPA in acute ischemic stroke is a strong predictor of favorable outcome at 3-months.
Comparing the performance of Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET switches in modular multilevel converters for medium voltage PMSM speed control

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) are shown to have a great potential in the area of medium voltage and high power drive applications. However, the foremost concern in such kind of applications is their reliability and controllability, which have not been thoroughly explored yet. This work primarily verifies the feasibility of MMC in a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) torque and speed control. MMCs with Si IGBT switches experience performance degradation when they are used in extreme environments, like higher switching frequency, higher blocking voltage and temperature over 200°C. To overcome these shortcomings, a MATLAB/Simulink based model has been designed where SiC MOSFETs replace the conventional Si IGBTs in MMC, and their performances are compared. The physics-based model of the Si IGBT and the SiC MOSFET are used in MATLAB/Simulink in which the parameters are extracted from manufacturer datasheets. The study suggests that the MMC with SiC MOSFETs outperform almost all of the cases due to their superior physical properties compare to Si counterparts.
Comparing daily temperature averaging methods: the role of surface and atmosphere variables in determining spatial and seasonal variability

The two main methods for determining the average daily near-surface air temperature, twice-daily averaging (i.e., [Tmax+Tmin]/2) and hourly averaging (i.e., the average of 24 hourly temperature measurements), typically show differences associated with the asymmetry of the daily temperature curve. To quantify the relative influence of several land surface and atmosphere variables on the two temperature averaging methods, we correlate data for 215 weather stations across the Contiguous United States (CONUS) for the period 1981–2010 with the differences between the two temperature-averaging methods. The variables are land use-land cover (LULC) type, soil moisture, snow cover, cloud cover, atmospheric moisture (i.e., specific humidity, dew point temperature), and precipitation. Multiple linear regression models explain the spatial and monthly variations in the difference between the two temperature-averaging methods. We find statistically significant correlations between both the land surface and atmosphere variables studied with the difference between temperature-averaging methods, especially for the extreme (i.e., summer, winter) seasons (adjusted R2 > 0.50). Models considering stations with certain LULC types, particularly forest and developed land, have adjusted R2 values > 0.70, indicating that both surface and atmosphere variables control the daily temperature curve and its asymmetry. This study improves our understanding of the role of surface and near-surface conditions in modifying thermal climates of the CONUS for a wide range of environments, and their likely importance as anthropogenic forcings—notably LULC changes and greenhouse gas emissions—continues.
Thinning, tree-growth, and resistance to multi-year drought in a mixed-conifer forest of northern California

Abstract Drought is an important stressor in forest ecosystems that can influence tree vigor and survival. In the U.S., forest managers use two primary management techniques to promote resistance and resilience to drought: prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. Generally applied to reduce fuels and fire hazard, treatments may also reduce competition for resources that may improve tree-growth and reduce mortality during drought. A recent severe and prolonged drought in California provided a natural experiment to investigate tree-growth responses to fuel treatments and climatic stress. We assessed tree-growth from 299 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in treated and untreated stands during severe drought from 2012 to 2015 in the mixed-conifer forests of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WNRA) in northern California. The treatment implemented at WNRA removed 34% of live basal area through mechanical thinning with a subsequent pile burning of residual fuels. Tree-growth was positively associated with crown ratio and negatively associated with competition and a 1-year lag of climate water deficit, an index of drought. Douglas-fir generally had higher annual growth than ponderosa pine, although factors affecting growth were the same for both species. Drought resistance, expressed as the ratio between mean growth during drought and mean growth pre-drought, was higher in treated stands compared to untreated stands during both years of severe drought (2014 and 2015) for ponderosa pine but only one year (2014) for Douglas-fir. Thinning improved drought resistance, but tree size, competition and species influenced this response. On-going thinning treatments focused on fuels and fire hazard reduction are likely to be effective at promoting growth and greater drought resistance in dry mixed-conifer forests. Given the likelihood of future droughts, land managers may choose to implement similar treatments to reduce potential impacts.
Differential Equations: Introduction

Abstract In this chapter we review ordinary differential equations (ODEs) as a tool to model dynamics. We present examples of how to formulate them based on the dynamical system that needs to be modeled, and demonstrate the mathematical techniques one can employ to solve the equation analytically. We show how to solve linear differential equations with and without a forcing term, the so-called inhomogeneous and homogeneous ODEs, respectively. To illustrate the analysis of these equations, ODEs with first-order derivatives (e.g., d c / d t ) and second-order derivatives (e.g., d 2 c / d t 2 ) are used in the examples. Next, we show how higher-order ODEs can be represented as a set of first-order ones, and how this leads to a formalism in matrix/vector notation that can be efficiently analyzed using techniques from linear algebra. To complete the overview of the available tools for solving ODEs, the final part of this chapter briefly refers to application of Laplace and Fourier transforms (see also Chapter 12 ) to solve them.
CD26 in T-cell lymphomas: a potential clinical role?

T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of diseases that differ markedly in terms of their clinical behavior and prognosis. In recently developed classification systems, the sites of initial disease
Understanding the Traumatized Self

When we gather as an intellectual and moral community in connection with our concern about traumatic events and post-traumatic responses, we seek to have good emerge from the bad. Although I feel this is especially true in my work, which involves so many destructive, indeed evil, events, I think it is also true for all of us. The logical aspect of that paradox for us is that, as we pursue our work, we seek the moment when our work is less necessary. We seek and work toward the cessation of destructive events on a massive scale, such as the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, or Hiroshima. As a result, we must keep a watchful eye on perpetrators, even as we pursue our work to help victims and survivors. At the same time, we have to keep a sharp moral and psychological distinction between victimizers and victims. In that regard, I refer to my own study of Vietnam veterans, Home from the War that I subtitled Vietnam Veterans: Neither Victims nor Executioners (Lifton, 1973). This reflects my understanding, as I began to work with Vietnam veterans, that they had been cast into the two roles that Camus warned us never to assume. Those with whom I worked subsequently struggled courageously to extricate themselves from both the roles of executioner and victim. One does not want to be a victim any more than one wants to be a victimizer.
The Never Ending Battle

In every era and area of law one finds a never-ending battle between two groups of legal thinkers: formalists and functionalists. Each is connected to long-standing and honorable traditions in Anglo-American jurisprudence. The formalists tend towards the law side of those traditions-the search for order and certainty-and the functionalists tend towards the equity side-the search for justice and meaning. All can agree that there is a time and a place for each mode of analysis, but the devil is in the details. Thus, the never-ending battle. In a prior article I looked at a particularly interesting example of that battle: a dispute between Judges Posner and Easterbrook over what constituted a taxpayer's return in deciding whether a particular tax should be discharged by bankruptcy. This article focuses on how the never-ending battle plays out in interpreting IRC Section 6020. For 30 years the IRS took a functionalist approach to problem debated by Posner and Easterbrook but has recently shifted into a formalist approach. I argue that the current approach, adopted in Rev. Rul. 2005-59, is an excellent illustration of misplaced formalism, both in analysis and effect. So this article will linger once again in that part of the tax administration forest where grows the tangle of doctrines over what constitutes a "return." Part I starts by putting the issue in its current statutory context. Part II puts the issue into its historical tax administration context. Part III explains the functional approach of Rev. Rul. 74-203. Part IV looks at the formalist foreshadowing of Rev. Rul. 2005-59. I will leave a more detailed analysis of Rev. Rul. 2005-89 to a future paper.
Anomalous Magnetic Properties of Pre-Martensitic Iron-Palladium Alloys

Anomalous magnetic behavior of pre-martensitic Fe–Pd alloys is being reported, characterized by linearly reversible, isotropic magnetization curves along all crystal axes. Magneto-strains accompany...
Exercise and Dobutamine Stress CMR

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is becoming the test of choice for the comprehensive evaluation of cardiac structure and function. Numerous advances in CMR techniques have allowed the rapid acquisition of images required for stress CMR. Combined dobutamine/atropine stress CMR along with first-pass perfusion is a very attractive method for evaluating ischemia given its high diagnostic accuracy and significant prognostic value. Dobutamine stress CMR is particularly superior to other modalities at diagnosing significant obstructive disease and predicting outcome in women. The development of an MRI-compatible treadmill has allowed incorporation of physiologic exercise data into the ischemic evaluation, further providing prognostic information on the patient’s hemodynamic response and functional capacity. Dobutamine and exercise treadmill stress CMR are two feasible and highly accurate modalities which are becoming mainstay in the assessment of coronary artery disease.
Dissipation potentials from elastic collapse.

Generalizing Maxwell's (Maxwell 1867 IV. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 157, 4988 (doi:10.1098/rstl.1867.0004)) classical formula, this paper shows how the dissipation potentials for a dissipative syst...
Obesity is associated with significantly increased risk for diarrhoea after controlling for demographic, dietary and medical factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background Obesity is associated with increased risk for various gastrointestinal and liver diseases. However, the relationship between obesity and abnormal bowel habits is poorly understood. Aim To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and bowel habit, controlling for clinical, demographic and dietary factors, in a representative sample of the United States adult population METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Survey responses were included in this study if respondents completed the bowel health questionnaire (BHQ), were ≥20 years of age, and did not report history of IBD, celiac disease or colon cancer. BMI was divided into the following categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and severely obese. Stepwise logistic regression provided risk ratios of constipation and diarrhoea controlling for confounding factors (dietary, life-style, psychological and medical). Results A total of 5126 respondents completed the BHQ, had BMI data available, and met eligibility criteria. Of these, 70 (1.40%) were underweight, 1350 (26.34%) were normal weight, 1731 (33.77%) were overweight, 1097 (21.40%) were obese and 878 (17.13%) were severely obese. Up to 8.5% of obese and 11.5% of severely obese individuals had chronic diarrhoea, compared to 4.5% of normal weight individuals. Stepwise regression revealed that severe obesity was independently associated with increased risk of diarrhoea. Conclusion Obesity is positively associated with chronic diarrhoea in a nationally representative US adult population after adjusting for several known confounding factors.
Near-GHz scanned-wavelength-modulation spectroscopy for MHz thermometry and H $$_2$$ 2 O measurements in aluminized fireballs of energetic materials

This manuscript presents the development of a two-color laser-absorption-spectroscopy (LAS) sensor capable of providing calibration-free measurements of temperature and H $$_2$$ O at 1 MHz in particle-laden combustion environments. This sensor employs scanned-wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with first-harmonic-normalized second-harmonic detection (scanned-WMS-2f/1f) with two distributed-feedback (DFB) tunable diode lasers (TDLs) emitting near 1392 nm and 1469 nm. The wavelength of each laser was modulated at 35 or 45.5 MHz to frequency multiplex the lasers and, more importantly, enable simultaneous wavelength scanning across the peak of each H $$_2$$ O absorption transition at 1 MHz. This method provides an absolute, in situ wavelength reference which improves measurement accuracy and robustness. Methods to characterize the lasers’ wavelength and intensity modulation at frequencies above 10 MHz are presented. Measurements of temperature and H $$_2$$ O mole fraction within 0.3–2.5% and 2–10%, respectively, of known values were acquired in a static-gas cell at temperatures of 700–1200 K. The sensor was applied to measure the path-integrated temperature and H $$_2$$ O column density in fireballs produced by igniting 0.75 g of grade 3, class B HMX with and without H-5 micro-aluminum powder (20% by mass). Temperature measurements were acquired in the fireballs with a 1– $$\sigma$$ precision of 50 K, 30 K, and 15 K for measurement rates of 1 MHz, 250 kHz, and 25 kHz, respectively. The results are the first to demonstrate that calibration-free measurements of gas properties can be acquired at 1 MHz using WMS-2f/1f.
Pluralism in the Jewish Ethical Tradition.

McCarthy et al. (2020) rightly point out many of the ways in which theological traditions can complement secular bioethics and correct for some of its biases. These predispositions include an overl...
The Effect of Ethidium Bromide on the Membrane Glycopeptides in Control and Virus-transformed Cells

Glycopeptides derived from surface and subcellular membranes of control (BHK21/C13) and virus-transformed (C13/B4) baby hamster kidney cells treated or untreated with ethidium bromide were studied. Ethidium bromide was found to mimic virus transformation with regard to the alteration of the glycopeptide patterns observed upon Sephadex G-50 chromatography. Elution profiles of glycopeptides obtained from virus-transformed cells demonstrated the existence of both a normal component (Peak B) and an enrichment of material eluting as a higher molecular weight component (Peak A). Material eluting in the Peak A region is greatly enhanced in both the control and virus-transformed cells after treatment with ethidium bromide. This alteration of the glycopeptide pattern was observed with glycopeptides derived from surface, endoplasmic reticular and mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondrial glycopeptides obtained from ethidium bromide-treated cells also seem to contain an increased amount of material eluting as a component of lower molecular weight than Peak B. This material, designated Peak C, may be located in the intramembrane space of the mitochondrion.
Failure mode of spot welds: interfacial versus pullout

AbstractSpot welds produced via resistance welding have been widely used in the joining of sheet metal for autobodies since the 1950s. Every modern car contains over 2000 spot welds. Failure of the spot weld is therefore an important concern in relation to autobody durability and safety design. Spot welds can fail in two completely distinct modes, namely, nugget pullout failure and interfacial failure. In the present paper, it is first shown that the nugget pullout failure is caused by plastic collapse and the interfacial failure is governed by crack or fracture mechanics. These two failure mechanisms compete with each other and failure of a spot weld occurs when the fracture criterion for one of the mechanisms is satisfied first. Test data from available literature are used to validate the theoretical predictions. Recommendations are made for minimum weld nugget size for a given sheet metal thickness so that nugget pullout failure, the acceptable mode of failure in industry, is ensured.
Mechanism of Action of Guinea Pig Liver Transglutaminase V. THE HYDROLYSIS REACTION

Abstract The transglutaminase-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate is effectively inhibited, in the absence of nucleophilic amine, by another substrate for the enzyme, benzyloxycarbonyl- (Z)-l-glutaminylglycine. Kinetic evaluation of this inhibition, with consideration of the dependence on calcium ion concentration and of previous studies of the amine transfer reaction, indicates that glutamine substrate is reversibly bound to different calcium-activated forms of the enzyme in the presence and in the absence of amine. The Ki value for Z-l-glutaminylglycine as an inhibitor of the esterolysis reaction was estimated to be 1.92 ± 0.5 x 10-3 m at pH 7.0. Examination of the calcium-dependent transglutaminase-catalyzed hydrolysis of Z-l-glutaminylglycine at two pH levels showed that the mechanism of hydrolysis conforms to that suggested by the esterolysis inhibition studies. The calcium ion requirements for hydrolysis were found to be very different from those for the amine transfer reaction. The Ka values of calcium in the hydrolysis reaction, estimated as 0.6 x 10-3 m at pH 7.0 and as 2.5 x 10-3 m at pH 5.4, are significantly lower than the Ka values of calcium reported for the amine transfer reaction and the Kd values derived from calcium-induced conformational changes in the enzyme protein. Agreement of the Km values for Z-l-glutaminylglycine at two pH levels in the hydrolysis reaction (approximately 2 x 10-3 m) with the Ki value for this Z-dipeptide as an inhibitor of esterolysis is consistent with the assumption that the hydrolysis reaction proceeds by an equilibrium mechanism. The effects of glutamine substrate on the rate of reaction between iodoacetamide and an essential sulfhydryl group of calcium-activated transglutaminase were investigated. The second order rate constant for reaction of the inactivator with this essential —SH group was found to be 96 x 103 liters mole-1 min-1, either in the presence or in the absence of hydroxylamine. Studies of the calcium ion requirement for this inactivation indicated that only the form of the enzyme in which metal ion is bound at both metal-binding positions reacts with iodoacetamide under the experimental conditions used. The decrease in reactivity of the essential —SH group resulting from Z-l-glutaminylglycine binding was found to be very different in the absence and in the presence of hydroxylamine. In the absence of amine the rate was decreased to about one-half that observed without substrate, whereas in the presence of amine the essential group appeared to be protected from reaction with iodoacetamide. These manifest differences, which are a function of steric changes induced by substrate binding, are in accord with the kinetic evidence for different mechanisms of substrate binding in the hydrolysis and amine transfer reactions.