cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of different doses of sufentanil on endotracheal intubation conditions after sevoflurane induction in children

Objective To research the influence of different doses of sufentanil on endotracheal intubation conditions and hemodynamics after sevoflurane induction in children and to explore optimal dose of sufentanil in children for intubation after sevoflurane induction.Methods 100 cases of ASA 1 aged 2 ～ 8 year were randomly enrolled receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation,and were randomly allocated into five groups,including 20 subjects for each group.After inhalation induction with sevoflurane,different doses of sufentanil were given in accordance with specific groups as 0.1 μ g/kg,0.2 μ g/kg,0.3 μ g/kg,0.4 μg/kg,0.5 μ g/kg respectively.Trachea was intubated after general anaesthesia induction.We kept track of blood pressure,heart rate,the grade and index of Narcotrend at the time before sufentanil administration,1 minute before intubation,on intubation,lminute after intubation,3 minutes after,5 minutes after,10minutes after (7 time points in total).Meanwhile,we used Viby-Mogensen endotracheal intubation evaluation method to evaluate endotracheal intubation conditions.Results Successful rate of intubation was 100％ in five groups.Satisfactory rate of intubation conditions were 5％,20％,50％,70％ and 90％ respectively.The increasing sufentanil dose decreased the incidences of the cardiovaseular responses to endotracheal intubation and Narcotrend grade which was significantly greater than D0( P＜0.05 ).Conclusions After inhalation induction with 3％ of sevoflurane,with the sufentanil dose increasing from 0.1μ g/kg to 0.5μg/kg,the quality of intubation conditions improves and decreases the incidences of the cardiovaseular responses and insufficient depth of anesthesia in children.With 3％ sevoflurane induction,intravenous administration of 0.5 μg/kg sufentanil is optimal dose of sufentanil in children for intubation. Key words: Sufentanil; Sevoflurane; Children; Endotracheal intubation; Hemodynamics
Measuring Cities with Software-Defined Sensors

The Chicago Array of Things (AoT) project, funded by the US National Science Foundation, created an experimental, urban-scale measurement capability to support diverse scientific studies. Initially conceived as a traditional sensor network, collaborations with many science communities guided the project to design a system that is remotely programmable to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the devices-at the “edge” of the network-as a means for measuring urban factors that heretofore had only been possible with human observers, such as human behavior including social interaction. The concept of “software-defined sensors” emerged from these design discussions, opening new possibilities, such as stronger privacy protections and autonomous, adaptive measurements triggered by events or conditions. We provide examples of current and planned social and behavioral science investigations uniquely enabled by software-defined sensors as part of the SAGE project, an expanded follow-on effort that includes AoT.
The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns: by Matty Weingast, Boulder, Shambala, 2020, xxii + 137 pp., US$16.95 (paperback), ISBN 978 1 6118 0776 9

Matty Weingast has produced in this slender (almost pocket-sized) volume a very lively set of poems that offer a contemporary version of the voices of early Buddhist nuns. Weingast has taken the mu...
Crushing Animals and Crashing Funerals: The Semiotics of Free Expression

This article addresses judicial choices and semantic errors involved in United States v. Stevens, 130 S.Ct. 1577 (2010) (refusing to read “killing” and “wounding” to include cruelty and thus striking down a federal statute outlawing videos of animal cruelty), and Snyder v. Phelps, 131 S.Ct. 1207 (2011) (finding a First Amendment right to picket military funerals and verbally attack parents of dead soldiers as part of purportedly-public expression). This article maintains that a better understanding of semiotics (the theory of signs) exposes the flaws in both decisions and bolsters the arguments of the lone dissenter in both cases, Justice Alito. Such a better understanding of semiotics involves grasping (a) how expression involves signs, (b) how signs work in general, and (c) the differences between three basic kinds of signs (indexes, icons and symbols). This article maintains that the expression involved in Stevens and in Phelps was a type of indexical or quasi-indexical expression that, for reasons similar to those involved in child pornography cases, should have no First Amendment protection. This article also notes shifting interpretive positions in the Court that cry out for reform. Although Chief Justice Roberts uses a textualist approach in his majority opinion striking down the animal cruelty statute in Stevens, his majority opinion in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 132 S.Ct. 2566 (2012), has no trouble finding a “penalty” a “tax,” upholding the Affordable Care Act, and chastising the dissent for voting to strike down a statute simply because “. . . Congress used the wrong labels.” Id. at 2597. This article attempts to expose such gamesmanship in “textualism” and attempts to lay out a better semiotic path for the Court. It calls for more forthright judicial decision-making in constitutional and statutory interpretation; calls for rejecting mechanical notions of law that conceal judicial choice involved in constitutional and statutory interpretation; and calls for rejecting claims that dictionaries can settle constitutional or statutory interpretation issues without reference to constitutional and statutory goals.
SU-E-T-600: Patient Specific IMRT Verification Using a Phosphor-Screen Based Geometric QA System: A Preliminary Study

Purpose: Raven QA (JPLC, MD) is a unified and comprehensive quality assurance system for QA of TG-142, which use a phosphor screen, a mirror system and a camera. It is to test if this device can be used for IMRT QA dosimetry. Methods: A lung IMRT case is used deliver dose to Raven QA. Accuracy of dose distribution of 5cm slab phantom using Eclipse planning system (Varian) has been confirmed both from a Monte Carlo Simulation and from a MapCheck (SunNuclear) measurement. Geometric distortion and variation of spatial dose response are corrected after background subtraction. A pin-hole grid plate is designed and used to determine the light scatter in the Raven QA box and the spatial dose response. Optic scatter model was not applied in this preliminary study. Dose is normalized to the response of the 10×10 field and the TMR of 5cm depth was considered. Results: Time to setup the device for IMRT QA takes less than 5 minutes as other commercially available devices. It shows excellent dose linearity and dose rate independent, less than 1 %. Background signal, however, changes for different field sizes. It is believed to be due to inaccurate correction of optic scatter. Absolute gammamore » (5%, 5mm) passing rate was higher than 95%. Conclusion: This study proves that the Raven QA can be used for a patient specific IMRT verification. Part of this study is supported by the Maryland Industrial Partnership Grant.« less
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Current Concepts in Local Management

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a very aggressive form of breast carcinoma marked by rapid disease progression and early distant dissemination. Despite this fact, nearly 70% of patients diagnosed with (IBC) will have localized disease at presentation. As survival for patients with IBC has improved with the addition and routine use of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, local management has emerged as a critical component of the curative management of these patients. Over the last two decades, local control rates for patients with IBC have dramatically improved. Utilization of a combined-modality approach employing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy with accelerated hyperfractionated radiation to 66 Gy has transformed what was once a disease with local control rates less than 50% to one with local control rates on the order of 70%-80%. In patients whose disease responds to chemotherapy, the 5-year local control rates are even higher. These improvements in local control have translated into improvements in survival. In this paper, we review many of the exciting advances in locoregional management of IBC. We analyze the relevant literature pertaining to those local treatment options, review treatment techniques, and provide evidence-based treatment recommendations fro practicing oncologists.
Novel methods for pathogen control in livestock pre-harvest: an update.

Abstract: Pathogenic bacteria are found asymptomatically in food animals, which often results in pathogen entry into the food chain. Processing plants reduce pathogen contamination with intervention strategies, yet foodborne illnesses still occur at an unacceptable frequency. Strategies are needed against pathogenic bacteria before they can enter processing facilities and the food chain. Reducing farm levels of zoonotic pathogens will enhance human health and food safety. Several pre-slaughter intervention strategies are under investigation: (1) direct anti-pathogen strategies, (2) competitive enhancement strategies and (3) animal management strategies. These include methods such as: vaccination against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics and competitive exclusion, using viruses to reduce pathogen populations, chemical methods and dietary changes.
The effects of surface area to solution volume on waste glass leaching

Silicon solubility limitations appear to control the rate of corrosion of a complex simulated nuclear waste glass at relatively high values of the glass surface area to solution volume ratio (SA/V). Undersaturated glass components such as sodium and boron were affected by SA/V in a manner similar to silicon. Under relatively low SA/V conditions, glass corrosion was unaffected by changes in the SA/V ratio. Congruent dissolution was never observed, in contrast to previous results for simple and certain complex silicate glasses. Increases in the SA/V value may be a viable method for performing accelerated leach resistance testing of nuclear waste forms.
Abstract 14269: The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Predicting Sudden and Non-Sudden Cardiac Death in Ischemic Heart Disease

Background: Depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (i.e., LVEF ≤ 35%) remains the only clinically used tool to predict sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). However, this approach has been found insufficient to identify all patients at greater risk of SCA. Alternatively, altered sympathetic and vagal control mechanisms are known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of SCA, and evidence suggests that heart rate variability (HRV) strongly correlates with such modulation mechanisms. The analysis of HRV can, therefore, predict SCA independently from LVEF, allowing for the targeting of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Methods: Subjects were recruited from the Prediction of ARrhythmic Events with Positron Emission Tomography (PAREPET) study. Twenty-four hour Holter ECG recordings were obtained at the start of study, and follow up of subjects’ condition was conducted by phone at 3-month intervals. Patients with persistent pacing, atrial fibrillation, or low-fidelity recordings were excluded. Eight measures of time (e.g., SDNN and RMSSD), frequency (e.g., power, very low, low, high, and low/high ratio), and non-linear (e.g., approximate entropy) trends in HRV were automatically analyzed. Endpoints were evaluated by an adjudication committee. ICD discharges due to ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (i.e., > 240 beats/min) were considered equivalent to SCA. Other non-arrhythmic cardiovascular deaths were classified as cardiac non-sudden death (C/NS). Results: The sample was mainly composed of older men (n = 127, age 67 ± 12, 92% male, LVEF 28 ± 9%). After a median follow up of 4 years, there were 22 (i.e., 17%) SCA cases and 18 (i.e., 14%) C/NS cases. In univariate analyses, the low frequency power component of HRV, a marker of myocardial sympathetic denervation, could differentiate cases from survivors. In multivariate cox regression, reduced low frequency power (i.e., < 26%) was a significant predictor of SCA (HR = 6.3 [95% CI 1.5-26.3]) and C/NS (HR = 4.9 [95% CI 1.2-19.9]) independent of age, sex, and LVEF. Conclusions: Frequency analysis of HRV can identify not only patients at greater risk for SCA for optimal targeting of early ICD therapy, but also those at greater risk for C/NS death for more aggressive medical therapy.
Planting stock type and seasonality of simulated browsing affect regeneration establishment of Quercus rubra

Animal herbivory is a major limiting factor to successful oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration. Although bare-root seedlings are the most commonly used nursery stock type for oak plantings in the easter...
Enzymatic oxalate determination in urine.

A method depending upon the use of oxalic decarboxylase is described for the determination of oxalic acid in urine. The urinary oxalate excretion of 25 healthy persons measured by this procedure is found to average 20.5 mg. (COOH)2/24 hr. In 70 patients with calculus disease the oxalate titer of the urine was within the normal range.
Awareness and Beliefs Regarding Intimate Partner Violence Among First-Year Dental Students

Intimate partner violence (IPV) may affect one to four million individuals per year in the United States, with women accounting for the majority of both reported and unreported cases. Dental professionals are in a unique position to identify many types of IPV because injuries to the head and neck may be indicators or predictors of IPV abuse. Fewer than half of dental programs surveyed have reported having IPV-specific curricula, and most dental students surveyed have reported having little experience or training to recognize IPV. Based on this information, this pilot study sought to assess the awareness and beliefs regarding IPV among first-year dental students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Using a voluntary survey, followed by a one-hour educational seminar facilitated by an experienced IPV/domestic violence advocate, a post-seminar survey was administered to assess changes in student perceptions and beliefs and to determine the magnitude and direction of any changes. The survey had an 81.25 percent response rate (65/80). The results demonstrated that more than two-thirds of the students had no previous IPV-specific education. In addition, approximately half of these students began the educational session reporting they did not believe IPV was a health care issue, although the overwhelming majority had decided it was when surveyed after the seminar. Moreover, their perceptions and beliefs about the responsibilities of the dental professional, as well as knowledge about resources and available support services, were significantly changed. These results suggest that targeted, information-specific seminars may be sufficient to provide dental students with an understanding of the key issues regarding IPV. With this knowledge, they can better provide specific information about resources and referrals for services to their patients who have experienced IPV. Recommendations based on these findings are being used to develop and refine IPV-specific curricula at this institution, which may be of significant value to other dental schools with plans to develop and integrate this material into their programs.
Non-invasive Techniques for Bone Mass Measurement

Bone mass is a function of bone size and volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) and is a key determinant of bone strength. As recognition of the importance of bone accrual during childhood has increased, so has the demand for non-invasive methods to assess bone mass. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely available technique for the assessment of bone mass. In 2007, the International Society of Clinical Densitometry conducted a Pediatric Position Development Conference to address skeletal health assessment in children and adolescents. The guidelines recommended DXA scans as part of a comprehensive skeletal health assessment in patients at increased risk of fracture. Although there is increasing evidence that DXA measures are associated with fractures in children, DXA has important limitations. These include difficulties in interpretation in children with poor growth and delayed maturation, limited ability to distinguish between cortical and trabecular bone, and differences in hardware and software that compromise the generalizability of reference data. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has the advantage that is provides three-dimensional discrete measures of BMD and geometry. Recent years have seen a marked increase in QCT studies to define sex-, race- and age-specific increases in trabecular and cortical BMD and dimensions in healthy children, and to characterize disease effects on trabecular and cortical bone. QCT applications are limited by a lack of standardized measurement sites and protocols. Additional available methods include radiogrammetry, radiographic absorptiometry, and bone ultrasound. This chapter reviews the methods, strengths and limitations of each of these techniques, and highlights examples of applications in children.
Comparison of the stress direction on the TMJ in patients with class I, II, and III skeletal relationships.

Structured Abstract Authors – Ueki K, Nakagawa K, Takatsuka S, Yamamoto E, Laskin DM Objective – To assess the relationship between skeletal morphology and stress direction on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by a two-dimensional rigid body spring model (RBSM). Design – Lateral cephalograms were analyzed and the information was processed with a fortran analysis program. Setting and Sample Population – The subjects were 149 patients (54 men and 95 women, mean age 21.8 ± 5.9 years) from Kanazawa University Hospital and the School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University. Of the 149 cases, 48 were skeletal class I, 54 were class II, and 47 were class III. The patients had no TMJ symptoms or abnormalities. Outcome Measure – The force vector on the condyle, its direction (Ph angle), the degree of the vector (Ph) and the displacement vector (u, v), and the rotational angle (θ) of the mandibular body were calculated by RBSM. Results – The direction of the force vector (Ph angle) on the condyle was 24.83°± 4.67° in the class II group, 21.04°± 5.59° in the class I group, and 19.58 ± 7.57° in the class III group. The Ph angle of the class II group was significantly larger than those of the class I and III groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions – This study suggests that differences in skeletal patterns induce differences in stress distribution on the TMJ; the morphology of the TMJ was also associated with stress direction and distribution on the condyle.
The status of the sauropterygian reptilePartanosaurus zitteli Skuphos from the Middle Triassic of the Austrian Alps, with comments onMicroleptosaurus schlössen Skuphos

Partanosaurus zitteliSkuphos 1893 from the Ladinian (Partnachschichten) of the northern Alps (Vorarlberg, Austria) is identified as a junior synonym ofSimosaurus gaillardotiMeyer 1832. Its occurrence in the Germanic Basin (Upper Muschelkalk) predates its appearance in the Alpine Triassic, and suggests faunal interchange between these two faunal provinces during Middle and Upper Ladinian times.Microleptosaurus schlossenSkuphos 1893 is represented by very incomplete material only and must be treated as a nomen dubium.
Response to Open Peer Commentaries on “Transferring Morality to Human–Nonhuman Chimeras”

I am grateful to the authors who commented on my article (Piotrowska 2014) for their careful examination of my argument. They have presented a variety of stimulating ideas and suggestions, with whi...
Distributed control of air traffic

Performance measures for the evaluation of advanced Air Traffic Control concepts are developed and applied to a number of proposed systems. Distributed control has the potential for reducing cost, increasing capacity and reducing risk relative to centralized systems. The concept requires that traffic information be available in the cockpit.
The relative effects of maturation, time period, and appointing president on district judges' policy choices: A cohort analysis

Using cohort analysis, this study addresses this primary question: What are the relative effects of appointing president, maturation, and time period on U.S. trial judges' voting behavior on civil rights and civil liberties cases? Specifically, we measure the relative impact of these variables on the liberalism of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon appointees to the federal district courts. The data for the study are 4,553 opinions issued by these three presidents between 1969 and 1976 that were published in theFederal Supplement. In part, the study reveals that the effects of appointing-president cohorts are much stronger than the influence of maturation or time period. We also found that the Kennedy and Nixon cohorts have remained relatively stable over time and unaffected by maturation effects. The Johnson cohort, on the other hand, has become increasingly more liberal across time, particularly since the advent of the Burger Court.
Effect of Pulping Conditions and Black Liquor Composition on Newtonian Viscosity of High Solids Kraft Black Liquors

The influence of black liquor composition and solids concentrations on the Newtonian viscosity of slash pine black liquors over wide ranges of temperature (up to 140 °C) and solids concentrations (between 50% and 83% solids) has been studied. It was found that the zero shear rate viscosity of high solids black liquors depends strongly on the cooking conditions and/or black liquor composition. Not only is high solids viscosity affected by lignin molecular weight and lignin concentration in the liquor but other organic and inorganic constituents of black liquor also make a significant contribution to viscosity. The dependency of zero shear rate viscosity on solids concentrations, and temperature is defined. The Newtonian viscosities vary over a wide range depending on temperature, solids concentrations and solids composition. The results indicate that, at fixed levels of effective alkali and sulfidity, the zero shear rate viscosities can be described as a function of both lignin concentration and lignin mol...
Development of an Apparatus to Investigate Friction Characteristics of Constant-Velocity Joints

Constant-velocity (CV) joints have become standard design and an integral part of modern vehicles, primarily due to their superiority in terms of CV torque transfer. Despite widespread usage of constant velocity joints there are certain aspects of their friction, wear, and contact characteristics that are not well understood. In this article, the need to directly measure CV joint internal contact and friction forces is addressed by designing and constructing an instrumented advanced CV joint friction apparatus using actual tripod-type joint assemblies. The apparatus is capable of measuring key performance parameters such as friction and wear under different realistic operating conditions of oscillatory speeds and CV joint articulation angles. The apparatus incorporates a custom-installed triaxial force sensor inside of the CV joint to measure in situ internal CV joint forces (including friction). The CV joint apparatus is under full computer control and is communicating with all measurement components via...
PARALLEL SOURCING AND SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE IN THE JAPANESE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Japanese auto makers are reported to enjoy high supplier performance through long-term relationships, specific investments, and sole sourcing. Quality management consultants in the U.S. have been strongly advocating adoption of these practices. But economic and management theorists would predict that the combination of a high level of relationship-specific investments and sole sourcing will lead to problems with supplier performance. In fact the Japanese auto makers use a hybrid form of organization we term parallel sourcing. We present a transaction costs model that shows how parallel sourcing provides incentives for supplier performance associated with multiple sourcing while preserving claimed benefits of sole sourcing.
The Influence of Life Stage on Father-Son Work Relationships in Family Companies

The authors examine the relationship between the life cycles of fathers and sons who work together, concluding that the quality of the work relationship varies as a function of their respective life stages. The intersection of their individual developmental paths can have positive or negative effects on the nature of the work relationship, on the resolution of such problem issues as succession, and on productivity.
Demonstration of compact high-Q silicon microring resonators suspended in air

We demonstrate compact silicon microring resonators suspended in air with ultra-high optical quality, achieving an intrinsic quality factor of 9.2t105 in the telecom band for the resonator with a radius of 9 mm.
The estimation of residential property values around transit station sites in Washington, D.C.

The author examines in this study the relationship between public investment in METRO and property values in several neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., in order to determine if public investment in heavy rail transit systems increases residential property values. In order to examine this relationship, a hedonic price equation which included a dummy independent variable was estimated. Analysis of the data revealed a significant direct relationship between the opening of METRO and residential property values. Therefore, it can be concluded that public investment in METRO caused property values to increase around station site areas.
FRICTIONAL BEHAVIOR AND SURFACE FAILURE OF DENTAL FELDSPATHIC PORCELAIN

Abstract Wear and frictional behavior of dental feldspathic porcelain was investigated in air and in water with a single-pass sliding technique. As-glazed, gold-coated and chromium-coated porcelains were tested. Friction of the as-glazed porcelain was higher in water and surface damage was more extensive than in air. Gold-coating reduced the friction but had no apparent effect on the mode of surface failure in these environments. Chromium-coating did not reduce the friction at higher loads but did reduce the extent of surface damage when compared with the as-glazed material.
Routine use of precontrast and delayed acquisitions in abdominal CT: time for change

Objective With major efforts being made to reduce radiation exposure in CT, one area of practice that requires additional improvement is limiting the number of acquisitions for body CT imaging. This review article defines best MDCT practice in terms of tailored abdominal CT protocols, designed to maximize lesion detection while limiting radiation exposure.
Surgical Management of Gastro–Gastric Fistula After Divided Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Background Gastro–gastric fistula (GGF) formation is uncommon after divided laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) for morbid obesity. Optimal surgical management remains controversial.
The sintering characteristics of BeO

Abstract The effect of various parameters on the sintering characteristics of beryllium oxide is described. The presence of water vapor in the sintering atmosphere has been found to retard the donsification of beryllium oxide compacts. The sinterability can be improved if the compacts are predried at 900 ° C in air and sintered in a dry atmosphere. The effect of water vapor on the sintering rate is largely eliminated if 1 4 mole per cent MgO is added to the BeO compact. Beryllium oxide powder calcined at 1250° C instead of 900° C has a slower sintering rate but appears to be capable of achieving similar ultimate densities at longer sintering times or higher temperatures. The presence of 1 4 mole per cent of AlO 1.5 , CrO 1.5 , MgO, and NiO, increases the ultimate density of BeO compacts relative to compacts without additive. MgO and Al 2 O 3 are particularly effective at increasing the density.
Right-censored, grouped life test data analysis assuming a two-parameter Weibull distribution function

Abstract This paper considers the maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) for the shape and scale parameters of a Weibull distribution in a life test situation, where the life test is examined periodically and the items that have failed since the previous readout are counted. The Newton-Raphson method was used to approximate the solution of the two simultaneous, nonlinear, maximum-likelihood normal equations. A computer program was written to solve these equations. Since the method converges given a good set of starting values within the circle of convergence, the following results are presented. (1) Failures at each readout interval and the survivors out of a total sample placed on life test. (2) Readout times. (3) Shape parameter approximate MLE. (4) Scale parameter approximate MLE. (5) Cumulation density, reliability, and hazard functions evaluated at each readout.
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Diabetes: Use of Aspirin for Primary Prevention

Diabetics are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and are considered a coronary heart disease risk equivalent. The utility of aspirin in primary prevention of ASCVD in diabetic patients has been widely studied and is still debated. Overall, the current evidence suggests a modest benefit for reduction in ASCVD events with the greatest benefit among those with higher baseline risk, but at the cost of increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Diabetic patients at higher risk (with 10-year ASCVD risk >10 %) are generally recommended for aspirin therapy if bleeding risk is felt to be low. A patient-provider discussion is recommended before prescribing aspirin therapy. Novel markers such as coronary artery calcium scores and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein may help refine ASCVD risk prediction and guide utility for aspirin therapy. This article will review the literature for the most up-to-date studies evaluating aspirin therapy for primary prevention of ASCVD in patients with diabetes.
Enantioselective, NHC-catalyzed bicyclo-beta-lactam formation via direct annulations of enals and unsaturated N-sulfonyl ketimines.

A wide range of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, including 3-alkyl derivatives, undergo N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulations with N-sulfonyl ketimines under mild conditions to provide bicyc...
Characterization of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes by an automated system

Nanofiltration membranes have been characterized by computer controlled permeation experiments to provide certified results. This method records a real-time history of operating conditions and allows the incorporation of variations in the calculations of derived parameters. The effects of temperature and physical properties of feed on permeation have been evaluated and incorporated in models describing fluid flow trough membranes. As the influence of initial experimental conditions in nanofiltration is very significant, a method based on system mass-transfer coefficient is proposed in order to verify the accuracy of the results. Des membranes de nanofiltration ont ete caracterisees par des experiences de permeation contrǒlees par ordinateur pour donner des resultats certifies. Cette methode enregistre l'histoire en temps reel des conditions de fonctionnement et permet l'introduction de variations dans les calculs des parametres etablis. Les effets de la temperature et des proprietes physiques de l'alimentation sur la permeation ont ete evalues et introduits dans des modeles decrivant l'ecoulement du fluide dans des membranes. L'influence des conditions experimentales initiales en nanofiltration etant evidente, on propose une methode qui s'appuie sur le coefficient de transfert de matiere du systeme afin de verifier la precision des resultats.
Dating Violence Victimization, Relationship Satisfaction, Mental Health Problems, and Acceptability of Violence: A Comparison of Men and Women

Two of the most common reported consequences of dating violence are its impact on the victim’s satisfaction with their romantic relationship and its impact on the victim’s mental health. Recent research suggests that the strength of these relationships may be moderated by the degree to which the dating violence is acceptable to the victim. However, studies of these relationships have been limited to samples of women. The purpose of the present research was to examine the relationships among dating violence victimization, relationship satisfaction, mental health problems, and acceptability of violence for a sample that includes not only female victims, but also male victims. Using a sample of 155 male and 417 female college students, hierarchical regression analyses found that dating violence victimization is associated with relationship satisfaction and mental health problems for both men and women. For men, acceptability of violence moderated the relationship between dating violence victimization and the mental health problems of depression, anxiety, and somatization. For women, acceptability of violence moderated the relationship between dating violence victimization and relationship satisfaction only.
THE DIMIGOD'S DILEMMA∗

ABSTRACT In a quite literal sense, science has become the dominant religion of the late twentieth century, effectively displacing the traditional faiths of the supernatural. Yet, despite the rapidity and near-totality of its triumph, the reign of the Church of Science may be quite brief because of basic defects in its theology (methods and philosophy) and many practical shortcomings when its tenets and findings are applied to biophysical reality and the social world of human beings. If we are to cope with our rapidly escalating social and environmental problems, brought on in part by the misapplication of the discoveries of the natural sciences, we have no alternative but to resort to the social sciences. In that direction, the current prospects are cloudy at best because of major flaws in the social structure of contemporary social science and its slavish emulation of the natural science model in theory and practice. A truly radical rethinking of the premises underlying science in general and of social s...
Leukotriene B4 enhances adherence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to dermal microvascular endothelial cells in vitro

Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to endothelial cells (ECs) is a crucial step in the diapedesis of inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation. We have demonstrated that leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a metabolite of the arachidonic acid cascade, and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP) significantly enhance the binding of human PMNs to selected populations of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) in vitro. MECs were isolated from the vascular-rich portion of foreskins of newborns. MECs were grown in Iscove's modified Dulbecco's media with 2% prepartum serum and 8% newborn calf serum on 1% gelatin-coated plastic dishes. PMNs isolated from five human donors were added to the culture dishes for varying time intervals (usually 30 min) in the presence and absence of the chemotactic stimuli LTB4 and FMLP. Addition of PMNs to MECs in the absence of chemotactic stimuli results in "baseline" binding to the MEC monolayer. About one in every 150 ECs binds more than five PMNs. These selected ECs are randomly distributed throughout the monolayer. LTB4 from 10(-10) to 10(-7) M increases the number of MECs which selectively bind PMNs by 260% at 10(-7) M. FMLP also increases adherence in qualitatively and quantitatively similar fashion. These data support a role for LTB4 in the mediation of adherence of neutrophils to dermal MECs. In contrast to other endothelial cells from the large blood vessels, such as from umbilical veins or calf thoracic aortae, PMNs bind only to selected MECs in culture, even when stimulated with LTB4 or FMLP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
AI research at CMU: a brief summary

The most populous project at CMU is the speech recognition project headed by Professor Raj Reddy and Lee Erman. The current achievement is a voice-chess system incorporating several knowledge sources working in a hypothesize-and-test mode and interacting smoothly as a set of cooperating independent processes. This Hearsay system is reasonably successful in recognizing connected speech in the limited chess context, even though the chess-move grammar includes about five million possible utterances. It relies on a chess semantic specialist, the Tech program, on a grammar specialist, and on basic acoustic routines. Presently, re-analysis and reorganization of that effort is being undertaken, by Lee Erman, Victor Lesser, and Richard Fennell, with views towards implementation on the CMU C.mmp (multi-mini-processor) system. Bruce Lowerre and Richard Smith are analyzing the performance of Hearsay for multiple speakers on several other tasks: a Doctor task, voice news retrieval, and a desk calculator.
Internal magnetic gradient fields in glass bead packs from numerical simulations and constant time diffusion spin echo measurements.

Abstract Internal magnetic field gradients in water saturated glass bead packs were studied by numerical simulations and a constant time spin echo (CTSE) experiment. The CTSE is comprised of two spin echo refocusing periods where each of the two evolution periods, τ 1 and τ 2 , is varied so that the total evolution, 2(τ 1 + τ 2 ), is held constant. The experiment is similar to that introduced by Norwood and Quilter and allows the effects of dephasing due to diffusion in a magnetic field gradient to be separated from other relaxation mechanisms. In our experiments, the magnetic susceptibility difference between the pore fluid and glass beads creates the internal field gradient. CTSE measurements were performed at 7 T (300 MHz 1 H) for water saturated in 50 μm diameter glass bead pack. We find that the internal gradients in the center of the pore bodies, where free diffusion applies, is in the range of 10 to 100 G/cm. This fluid volume accounts for ≤ 10% of the total pore volume. From direct numerical simulations of the internal magnetic field based on a first principles calculation, we find that the major fraction, >90%, of the pore volume has internal gradients of order 500 to 5,000 G/cm. Signals from water in these large gradients is not observed in our CTSE measurements.
Corporeal selfhood, self-interpretation, and narrative selfhood

Ever since Freud pioneered the “talking cure”, psychologists of various stripes have explored how autobiographical narrative bears on self-understanding and psychic well-being. Recently, philosophers have taken up the question of whether autobiographical narrative plays an essential or important role in the constitution of agentic selves. However, embodiment has received little attention from philosophers who defend some version of the narrative self. Catriona Mackenzie is an important exception to this pattern of neglect, and this paper explores Mackenzie's work on embodiment and self-narrative with the aim of better understanding the adequacy of autobiographical narrative as an account of the agentic self. I argue that Mackenzie's narrative account of embodied subjectivity and agency is incomplete, for it over-estimates the reach of narrative and underestimates the cognitive and agentic powers of the lived body.
Corruption among narcotic officers: A study of innocence and integrity

This study focuses on the influencing components producing corruption among narcotic law enforcement officers, and it is the second article of a three part series among 255 officers. It was postulated that income and stress among of narcotic officers gives rise to corruption. Although, corruption was defined as police brutality, personal use of contraband, and abuse of due process rights, the data was insufficient to support the hypothesis. It was revealed, however, that corruption did exist among narcotic officers, but its causal factors were related to an officer’s lack of experience, innocence, and integrity. Recommendations are that narcotic officers be selected based on their experiences especially military service. Further research should be conducted examining the link between military training and quality narcotic law enforcement service.
Endothelial NOS-deficient Mice reveal dual roles for nitric oxide during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of T cells into the central nervous system (CNS) after compromise of the blood-brain barrier. A model used to mimic the disease in mice is experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this report, we examine the clinical and histopathological course of EAE in eNOS-deficient (eNOS-/-) mice to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) derived from this enzyme in the disease progression. We find that eNOS-/- mice exhibit a delayed onset of EAE that correlates with delayed BBB breakdown, thus suggesting that NO production by eNOS underlies the T cell infiltration into the CNS. However, the eNOS-/- mice also eventually exhibit more severe EAE and delayed recovery, indicating that NO undertakes dual roles in MS/EAE, one proinflammatory that triggers disease onset, and the other neuroprotective that promotes recovery from disease exacerbation events.
Entropy and volume

An inequality is given relating the topological entropy of a smooth map to growth rates of the volumes of iterates of smooth submanifolds. Applications to the entropy of algebraic maps are given.
Vitamin D resistance in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Previous studies have shown that treatment with ergocalciferol in patients with CKD stage 3 + 4 is not effective with less than 33% of patients achieving a 25-OH vitamin D target of >30 ng/ml. The aim of this study was to test the response to cholecalciferol in CKD. We attempted to replete 25-OH vitamin D to a target level of 40–60 ng/ml using the response to treatment and PTH suppression as an outcome measure. This retrospective cohort study identified patients (Stages 2–5 and Transplant) from 2001–2010 who registered at the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic. Patients received cholecalciferol 10,000 IU capsules weekly as initial therapy. When levels above 40 ng/ml were not achieved, doses were titrated up to a maximum of 50,000 IU weekly. Active vitamin D analogs were also used in some Stage 4–5 CKD patients per practice guidelines. Patients reaching at least one level of 40 ng/mL were designated RESPONDER, and if no level above 40 ng/mL they were designated NON-RESPONDER. Patients were followed for at least 6 months and up to 5 years. 352 patients were included with a mean follow up of 2.4 years. Of the CKD patients, the initial 25-OH vitamin D in the NON-RESPONDER group was lower than the RESPONDER group (18 vs. 23 ng/ml) (p = 0.03). Among all patients, the initial eGFR in the RESPONDER group was significantly higher than the NON-RESPONDER group (36 vs. 30 ml/min/1.73 m2) (p < 0.001). Over time, the eGFR of the RESPONDER group stabilized or increased (p < 0.001). Over time, the eGFR in the NON-RESPONDER group decreased toward a trajectory of ESRD. Proteinuria did not impact the response to 25-OH vitamin D replacement therapy. There were no identifiable variables associated with the response or lack of response to cholecalciferol treatment. CKD patients treated with cholecalciferol experience treatment resistance in raising vitamin D levels to a pre-selected target level. The mechanism of vitamin D resistance remains unknown and is associated with progressive loss of eGFR. Proteinuria modifies but does not account for the vitamin D resistance.
Kinetic energy distributions of ionic fragments produced by subpicosecond multiphoton ionization of N 2

A study of the kinetic energy distributions of ionic fragments produced by subpicosecond irradiation of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ with 248-nm radiation at an intensity of \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{16}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ is reported. These measurements, in comparison to other findings involving molecular excitation with charged particles and soft x rays, reveal several important features of the nonlinear coupling. Four ionic dissociative channels are identified from the data on the multiphoton process. They are ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{2+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$+${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{2+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N+${\mathrm{N}}^{2+}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{3+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$+${\mathrm{N}}^{2+}$, and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{4+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$+${\mathrm{N}}^{3+}$, three of which are charge asymmetric. The data for the energy distributions are found to be in approximate conformance with a simple picture involving ionizing transitions occurring within a time of a few cycles of the ultraviolet wave at an internuclear separation close to that of the ground-state (X $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathit{g}}^{+}$) molecule. The implication follows that a strong nonlinear mode of coupling is present which causes a high rate of energy transfer. A simple hypothesis is presented which unites the ability for rapid energy transfer with the observed tendency to produce charge-asymmetric dissociation.
Programming backgammon using self-teaching neural nets

TD-Gammon is a neural network that is able to teach itself to play backgammon solely by playing against itself and learning from the results. Starting from random initial play, TD-Gammon's self-teaching methodology results in a surprisingly strong program: without lookahead, its positional judgement rivals that of human experts, and when combined with shallow lookahead, it reaches a level of play that surpasses even the best human players. The success of TD-Gammon has also been replicated by several other programmers; at least two other neural net programs also appear to be capable of superhuman play. Previous papers on TD-Gammon have focused on developing a scientific understanding of its reinforcement learning methodology. This paper views machine learning as a tool in a programmer's toolkit, and considers how it can be combined with other programming techniques to achieve and surpass world-class backgammon play. Particular emphasis is placed on programming shallow-depth search algorithms, and on TD-Gammon's doubling algorithm, which is described in print here for the first time. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.
A change in monokine requirements for proliferation during thymocyte maturation: co-stimulating activity of interleukin 6 in the proliferation of LYT2- and L3T4- thymocytes.

Abstract Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) were compared as to their ability to induce the proliferation of distinct thymocyte subpopulations. IL-6 functions as a costimulator in IL-1- or IL-2-induced proliferation of adult double-negative (DN) thymocytes, whereas IL-6 alone failed to induce a significant level of proliferation. However, IL-6 alone induced significant proliferation of mature cortisone-resistant thymocytes, whereas IL-1 did not. Instead, IL-1 functioned as a costimulator in IL-6-induced proliferation of mature thymocytes. Finally, both IL-6 and IL-1 were capable of potentiating IL-2-induced proliferation of fetal DN thymocytes. These data suggest that the monokine requirements in thymocyte activation may vary during thymocyte maturation and that IL-6, when compared to IL-1, has a distinct effect on the proliferation of thymocytes.