cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NONLINEAR STABILITY THEOREM FOR HIGH-INTENSITY CHARGED PARTICLE BEAMS

Global conservation constraints based on the nonlinear Vlasov-Maxwell equations are used to derive a three-dimensional kinetic stability theorem for an intense non-neutral ion beam (or charge bunch) propagating with average axial velocity ${v}_{b}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{const}$. It is shown that a sufficient condition for linear and nonlinear stability for perturbations with arbitrary polarization is that the equilibrium distribution be a monotonically decreasing function of the single-particle energy ${H}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ in the beam frame, i.e., $\ensuremath{\partial}{f}_{\mathrm{eq}}({H}^{\ensuremath{'}})/\ensuremath{\partial}{H}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\le}0$.
Fetal tissues from various strains of induced mice metabolize benzo(a)pyrene to mutagenic metabolites.

Since metabolic activation is known to mediate mutagenic and carcinogenic actions of certain chemicals, it is possible that embryopathic effects might also result from formation of reactive metabolites in fetal tissue. We evaluated this possibility by examining the activation of BaP 3 by fetal mouse liver homogenates ( + NADPH) to a mutagen(s) active in the “Salmonella-microsome” assay. Three inbred mouse strains known to have high (B6), intermediate (C3H) and low (D2) inducibility of AHH and one random bred strain (CD1) were tested on gestational day 17, four days after an enzymeinducing dose of polychlorinated biphenyls. BaP induced TA1538 revertants in the presence of fetal liver homogenates from all strains with the order of activity being CD1 > B6 > C3H > D2. Although the number of revertants per mg fetal liver protein was only 5–10% of that found with maternal liver, it was linearly related to induced AHH activity measured by the fluorescence procedure. In contrast, the mutagenizing activity of placenta and whole fetus (minus liver) was lower than fetal liver and did not correlate with induced AHH activity. Activating potency did not correlate with either EH activity or the ratio of AHH/EH in maternal liver, fetal liver or placenta. These results support the postulated mechanism for embryopathic effects of chemicals that undergo metabolic activation to reactive metabolites and provide an explanation for genetically determined variation in response.
A multi-echelon inventory system with supplier selection and order allocation under stochastic demand

Abstract This paper investigates an integrated supplier selection and inventory control problems in supply chain management by developing a mathematical model for a multi-echelon system. In particular, a buyer firm that consists of one warehouse and N identical retailers procures a type of product from a group of potential suppliers, which may have different prices, ordering costs, lead times and have restriction on minimum and maximum total order size, to satisfy stochastic demand. A continuous review system that implements the order quantity, reorder point ( Q , R ) inventory policy is considered in the proposed model. The objective is to select suppliers and to determine the optimal inventory policy that coordinates stock levels between each echelon of the systems while properly allocating orders among selected suppliers to maximize the expected profit. The model is solved by decomposing the mixed integer nonlinear programming model into two sub-models. Numerical experiments are conducted to evaluate the model and some managerial insights are obtained with sensitivity analysis.
10.5% efficient polymer and amorphous silicon hybrid tandem photovoltaic cell

Ultrathin film photovoltaic cells are a promising energy device, but suffer from low power conversion efficiency. Here, the authors construct a double-junction tandem cell using a hydrogenated amorphous silicon and a polymer as the front and back cell, respectively, which achieves 10.5% efficiency.
Revictimization and information processing in women survivors of childhood sexual abuse

This study examined the effect of sexual revictimization on information processing of trauma-related stimuli in a sample of child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fifty-one treatment-seeking women participated in this study. Participants completed the Sexual Experiences Survey regarding sexual revictimization in the last 6 months and performed a modified emotional Stroop task in which they named the colors of neutral words (e.g., apple), general threat words (e.g., malignant and death), and sexual/victimization words (e.g., penis and abuser). As predicted, the revictimized participants (n = 16) took significantly longer to color-name sexual/victimization words than did the nonrevictimized participants. These results suggest that revictimization serves to prime preexisting "trauma" memory networks, thereby amplifying the impact of childhood sexual trauma on selective attention toward trauma-related stimuli.
Evaluation of a patient-reported continuity of care model for older adults

Although continuity of care (CoC) is a cornerstone of many health policies, there is no theoretically driven model of CoC that incorporates the experiences of older adults. We evaluated such a model in data collected for another purpose. We used data on 2,620 Medicare beneficiaries who completed all of the necessary components of the 2004 National Health and Health Services Use Questionnaire (NHHSUQ). The NHHSUQ solicited information on usual primary provider, place of care, and the quality and duration of the patient–provider relationship. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the patient-reported CoC model and examined factorial invariance across sex, race/ethnicity, Medicare plan type, and perceived health status. Our thirteen-item CoC model consisted of longitudinal (care site and provider duration) and interpersonal (instrumental and affective) domains. Although the overall chi-square goodness-of-fit statistic was significant (χ 2 = 1,091.8, df = 57, p < .001), model fit was good based on standard indices (GFI = 0.94, NFI = 0.96, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.08). Cronbach’s alpha for the longitudinal care site (two items) and provider duration (three items) scales was 0.88 and 0.75, respectively, while the instrumental and affective relationship scales (four items each) were 0.88 and 0.87, respectively. Factorial invariance between sexes was observed, with relatively minor variance across race/ethnicity, Medicare plan type, and perceived health. We evaluated a theoretically derived model of CoC in older adults and found that the assessment of CoC should include the patient experience of both the longitudinal and the interpersonal dimensions of CoC.
Adaptation on the Space of Finite Signed Measures

Given an i.i.d. sample from a probability measure P on ℝ, an estimator is constructed that efficiently estimates P in the bounded-Lipschitz metric for weak convergence of probability measures, and, at the same time, estimates the density of P — if it exists (but without assuming it does) — at the best possible rate of convergence in total variation loss (that is, in L1-loss for densities).
Spectrum and energy levels of triply ionized yttrium (Y iv)

The spectrum of Y iv was observed in the region from 300 to 5000 A with the 10.7-m normal-incidence vacuum spectrograph and the 10.7-m Eagle spectrograph in air at the National Bureau of Standards. The light source was a sliding spark discharge. About 560 lines were classified as transitions between 129 energy levels. The observed level system (Kr i isoelectronic sequence) includes nearly all levels of the 4s24p6, 4s24p55s, 6s, 7s, 4d, 5d, 6d, 4f, 5f, 5g, 6g, and 4s4p64d configurations. About 190 lines remain unclassified. All observed configurations have been theoretically interpreted. The energy parameters determined by least-squares fits to the observed levels are compared with Hartree–Fock calculations. The ionization energy as derived from the 4p5ng (n = 5, 6) levels is 488 830 ± 20 cm−1 (60.608 ± 0.002 eV).
Molecular phylogentic analysis of a bacterial community in Sulphur River, Parker Cave, Kentucky

Sulphur River in Parker Cave, Kentucky receives sulfurous water (11‐21 mg sulfide/L) from the Phantom Waterfall and contains a microbial mat composed of white filaments. We extend a previous morphological survey with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the bacteria of the microbial mat. This approach employs DNA sequence comparisons of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes obtained from the mat with those from an extensive database of rRNA sequences. Many of SSU rRNA gene clones obtained from the mat are most similar to rRNA sequences from sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiothrix spp., Thiomicrospira denitrificans,and ‘‘Candidatus Thiobacillus baregensis’’). The Sulphur River SSU rRNA gene clones also show specific affiliations with clones from environmental surveys of bacteria from deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities and subsurface microcosms. Affiliations with sequences from bacteria that are known to have the ability to obtain energy for CO2 fixation from the oxidation of inorganic compounds (chemoautotrophs), in combination with the environmental conditions surrounding the microbial mat, indicate that chemoautotrophic metabolism of bacteria in this mat may contribute to the biomass of Sulphur River. Cave communities, such as the one identified in Sulphur River, provide sites to study such relatively autonomous chemoautotrophic communities that are much more accessible than similar communities associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Subsurface microbiology and the contribution of microbial activity on cave development are also discussed.
Temporal profile of improvement of tardive dystonia after globus pallidus deep brain stimulation

Background Several case reports and small series have indicated that tardive dystonia is responsive to globus pallidus deep brain stimulation. Whether different subtypes or distributions of tardive dystonia are associated with different outcomes remains unknown.
Assessment of the Jason Microwave Radiometer's Measurement of Wet Tropospheric Path Delay Using Comparisons to SSM/I and TMI

The Jason microwave radiometer (JMR) provides a crucial correction due to water vapor in the troposphere, and a much smaller correction due to liquid water, to the travel time of the Jason-1 altimeter radar pulse. An error of any size in the radiometer's measurement of wet path delay translates as an error of equal size in the measurement of sea surface height, the ultimate quantity that the altimetric system should yield. The estimate of globally-averaged sea surface height change associated with climate change, requires that uncertainties in the trends in such a global average be accurate to much better than the signal of 1–2 mm/yr. We first compare the JMR observations to those from the TOPEX/Poseidon radiometer (TMR) over approximately six months, since the intent of Jason is to continue the 10-year time series of precision ocean surface topography initiated by T/P. We then assess the stability of the JMR measurement by comparing its wet path delay to those of other orbiting radiometers over 22 months...
Causative and contributive factors to asthma severity and patterns of medication use in patients seeking specialized asthma care.

Study objectives: (1) To assess the prevalence of specific factors considered causative or contributive to asthma in a population of patients seen in a specialized asthma clinic, and to determine whether any of these factors were associated with more severe disease; and (2) to assess the utilization of inhaled steroids by asthma severity in this population and compare it with published guidelines of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Design, setting, and patient population: We conducted a retrospective chart review of new patients seen in a specialized asthma treatment center over a 2.5-year period and recorded the prevalence of 14 causative or contributive factors, the severity of asthma, and the intensity of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids in each patient. Patients were grouped as mild asthma vs moderate/severe asthma and compared by 2 analysis and stepwise logistic regression to determine whether certain factors were associated with more severe asthma. Measurements and results: The average number of factors recorded was 2.9 1.8 in the mild group ( SD) and 3.5 1.6 in the moderate/severe asthma group. This difference was statistically significant (p 0.014). Increasing age, male gender, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic sinusitis were independently associated with more severe asthma. Suboptimal use of inhaled corticosteroids was more common in patients with mild persistent asthma, but suboptimal dosing of inhaled corticosteroids was equally common in mild and moderate/severe asthma. No relationship was found between allergen sensitization combined with exposure to cats, dogs, dust mite, or molds and more severe asthma. Conclusions: This study confirms earlier studies showing that symptomatic GERD and chronic sinusitis are important comorbid conditions in patients with asthma, both being associated with greater asthma severity. This study further shows that the doses of inhaled corticosteroids used for treatment of asthma fall short of NHLBI guidelines in the majority of patients regardless of asthma severity. (CHEST 2003; 124:1781–1788)
PET/CT for Pancreatic Malignancy: Potential and Pitfalls

Pancreatic malignancy carries a poor prognosis and is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although conventional imaging with CT and MR remains the main imaging modality, recent times have seen an increase in the applications of PET/CT in the evaluation of pancreatic malignancy. Newer data are becoming available, highlighting the advantages, limitations, and pitfalls in PET/CT imaging of the pancreas. This article highlights the applications of PET/CT in various stages of management of pancreatic malignancy and compares these with conventional imaging with CT and MR.
Hemodynamic Changes During Discontinuation of Mechanical Ventilation in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients

• BACKGROUND Cardiac dysfunction can prevent successful discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. Critically ill patients may have undetected cardiac disease, and cardiac dysfunction can be produced or exacerbated by underlying pathophysiology. • OBJECTIVE To describe and compare hemodynamic function and cardiac rhythm during baseline mechanical ventilation with function and rhythm during a trial of continuous positive airway pressure in medical intensive care patients. • METHODS A convenience sample of 43 patients (53% men; mean age 51.1 years) who required mechanical ventilation were recruited for this pilot study. Cardiac output, stroke volume, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac rhythm, and plasma catecholamine levels were measured during mechanical ventilation and during a trial of continuous positive airway pressure. • RESULTS One third of the patients had difficulty discontinuing mechanical ventilation. Successful patients had significantly increased cardiac output and stroke volume without changes in heart rate or arterial pressure during the trial of continuous positive airway pressure. Unsuccessful patients had no significant changes in cardiac output, stroke volume, or heart rate but had a significant increase in mean arterial pressure. The 2 groups of patients also had different patterns in ectopy. Concurrently, catecholamine concentrations decreased in the successful patients and significantly increased in the unsuccessful patients during the trial. • CONCLUSIONS Patterns of cardiac function and plasma catecholamine levels differed between patients who did or did not achieve spontaneous ventilation with a trial of continuous positive airway pressure. Cardiac function must be systematically considered before and during the return to spontaneous ventila
Introduction: the Trewartha challenge

2001; Findlay, 2003; Gober and Tyner, 2004). This special issue of Population, Space and Place adds to these reflections, and is born out of a Plenary session of the Population Specialty Group held at the 2003 meeting of the Association of American Geographers in New Orleans to mark the 50 anniversary of Trewartha’s address. The five papers that follow are authored by accomplished population geographers at different points in their careers representing different theoretical and methodological orientations. The papers reflect on the growth and maturing of this subfield over the past 50 years, examine where we are today in the context of Trewartha’s call to population geographers, and identify challenges and promising research agendas as we move into the next 50 years of population geography.
Two algorithms for a reachability problem in one-dimensional space

Two algorithms are proposed to solve a reachability problem among time-dependent obstacles in 1D space. In the first approach, the motion planning problem is reduced to a path existence problem in a directed graph. The algorithm is very simple, with running time O(n/sup 2/), where n is the complexity of obstacles in space-time. The second algorithm uses a sweep-line technique and has running time O(n log/sub 2/ n). Besides, the latter algorithm can be easily modified to compute a collision-free trajectory, if such trajectories exist.
Micromechanics-based elastic model for functionally graded materials with particle interactions

Abstract A micromechanics-based elastic model is developed for two-phase functionally graded materials with locally pair-wise interactions between particles. While the effective material properties change gradually along the gradation direction, there exist two microstructurally distinct zones: particle–matrix zone and transition zone. In the particle–matrix zone, pair-wise interactions between particles are employed using a modified Green's function method. By integrating the interactions from all other particles over the representative volume element, the homogenized elastic fields are obtained. The effective stiffness distribution over the gradation direction is further derived. In the transition zone, a transition function is constructed to make the homogenized elastic fields continuous and differentiable in the gradation direction. The model prediction is compared with other models and experimental data to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method.
Resuscitation Preferences in Community Patients With Heart Failure

Background—Little is known about the resuscitation preferences of patients with heart failure, how they may change over the course of the disease, and their association with mortality. Methods and Results—We enrolled consecutive Southeastern Minnesota residents with heart failure from October 2007 through September 2011 into a longitudinal study. Information on resuscitation preferences (Full Code or do-not-resuscitate [DNR]) was obtained from medical records through April 1, 2013. Of 608 patients enrolled, 237 died during follow-up. At enrollment, most patients (73.4%) were Full Code, whereas at death, most (78.5%) were DNR. The independent predictors of DNR status at enrollment were advanced age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous malignancy, and decreased mobility. Patients who were DNR were at increased risk of death (unadjusted hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.48–2.73; P<0.001), but this risk did not persist after adjusting for age, comorbidity, and self-perceived general h...
GaAs MESFET logic with 4-GHz clock rate

Monolithic digital ICs with GaAs MESFETs have been built and operated at clock frequencies up to 4.5 GHz. The fabrication process uses selenium-implanted n-channels and a two-level Cr-Pt-Au metallization with 1-/spl mu/m linewidth and 1-/spl mu/m alignment tolerances. NOR gates with 86-ps propagation delay and 40-mW power consumption have been realized. Binary frequency dividers have been designed with master-slave flip-flops operating from dc up to an average maximum frequency of 4 GHz. In addition, more complex circuits have been integrated on single chips. A general-purpose octal counter with input gating and output buffering and an 8-bit multiplexer/serial data generator exhibit stable and reliable operation.
Do Chinese parents with HIV tell their children the truth? A qualitative preliminary study of parental HIV disclosure in China.

Background With the extended lifespan of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to the advent of antiretroviral therapy the disclosure of HIV serostatus to their uninfected children is becoming more critical. However limited data are available regarding parental HIV disclosure to children in China. We explore patterns of parental HIV disclosure and the reasons for disclosure or non-disclosure to children. Methods A preliminary study was conducted using open-ended questions in Guangxi China in 2011 with 39 parents living with HIV. Results A majority of participants (77%) had not disclosed their HIV serostatus to their children. Participants who voluntarily disclosed tended to be older and were more likely to disclose to their adult children. Among parents who disclosed reasons included a need for emotional and financial support as well as feelings of obligation to their children. Among non-disclosing parents primary reasons included concerns that children were too young to understand fear of being stigmatized and fear of increased psychological burden to children. Conclusions Few parents with HIV disclosed their HIV status to their children. These data indicate the need for future research to explore disclosure issues in relation to childrens age and the implementation of developmentally appropriate interventions and support systems for parents and children affected by HIV in China.
Photoactivity of isopoly molybdates and tungstates: a comparison

Abstract Characteristics of transient species generated by 266 or 355 nm ultraviolet irradiation of Mo 6 O 19 2− , Mo 7 O 24 6− , Mo 8 O 26 4− , W 6 O 19 2− and W 7 O 24 6− isopoly anions are compared. Th transients, assigned as species having a reduced metal centre and an oxygen radical ligand, are capable of oxidizing organic substrates by electron or hydrogen transfer. The analogous molybdates and tungstates show similar photochemical behaviour.
Compact directional v.h.f. antennas

The prototype of a compact directional antenna for geophysical diagnostics from a borehole has been constructed and tested. The prototype consists of a wire monopole antenna placed next to a ferrite cylinder which loads the antenna thereby changing its characteristics. At its resonant frequency of 230 MHz, the ferrite-loaded antenna has an input resistance of 19 ?, and is physically shorter by a factor of 2.57 when compared to an unloaded monopole resonant at 230 MHz. The antenna radiation pattern is directional with a front/back ratio of 8.5 dB, and a?3 dB beamwidth of 146° at 249.6 MHz.
Text-Image Topic Discovery for Web News Data

We formally propose a new application problem: unsupervised text-image topic discovery. The application problem is important because almost all news articles have one picture associated. Unlike traditional topic modeling which considers text alone, the new task aims to discover heterogeneous topics from web news of multiple data types. The heterogeneous topic discovery is challenging because different media data types have different characteristics and structures, and a systematic solution that can integrate information propagation and mutual enhancement between data of different types in a principle way is not easy to obtain, especially when no supervision information is available. We propose to tackle the problem by a regularized nonnegative constrained l 2,1-norm minimization framework. We also present a new iterative algorithm to solve the optimization problem. To objectively evaluate the proposed method, we collect two real world text-image web news datasets. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the new approach.
Agency, Scarcity, and Mortality

It is often argued, most recently by Samuel Scheffler, that we should reconcile with our mortality as constitutive of our existence: as essential to its temporal structure, to the nature of deliberation, and to our basic motivations and values. Against this reconciliatory strategy, I argue that there is a kind of immortal existence that is coherently conceivable and potentially desirable. First, I argue against the claim that our existence has a temporal structure with a trajectory that necessarily culminates in an ending. This claim is based on two false assumptions: that a life as a whole calls for narrative structure, and that narratives necessarily require closure as temporal endings. Second, I reject the proposal that temporal finitude is constitutive of the basic elements of diachronic agency, including the nature of deliberation and of our values. I argue that only finitude as scarcity of opportunities is constitutive of these elements. Additionally, scarcity might be present in an endless existence. Therefore, it is not incoherent to conceive of a recognizable and potentially desirable immortality that grounds the core features of diachronic agency. Thus, against the reconciliatory strategy, I conclude that we might never fully reconcile with mortality. Although we might embrace our inescapable mortality as essential to a fuller range of features of our existence, we can still justifiably regret our missing on an immortal existence.
Dietary High Cholesterol and Trace Metals in the Drinking Water Increase Levels of ABCA1 in the Rabbit Hippocampus and Temporal Cortex

Background Cholesterol-fed rabbits have been documented to show increased amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits in the brain that can be exacerbated by the quality of drinking water especially if rabbits drink tap water or distilled water containing copper. One mechanism of cholesterol and Aβ clearance may be through the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1).
Lignin-derived oxygenate reforming on a bimetallic surface: The reaction of benzaldehyde on Zn/Pt(111)

Abstract Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) were used to characterize the adsorption and reaction of benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) on hydrogen-covered Pt(111) and Zn-modified Pt(111) surfaces. Benzaldehyde was found to interact with Pt(111) via both the phenyl ring and carbonyl of the aldehyde group. This bonding configuration facilitates unselective decomposition of the benzaldehyde to produce CO, H2, and small hydrocarbon fragments at relatively low temperatures. On the other hand, benzaldehyde was found to bond to Zn-decorated Pt(111) surface exclusively via the carbonyl group in an η2(C, O) configuration, with the phenyl ring tilted away from the surface. This configuration weakens C O bond in the carbonyl facilitating its cleavage and helps prevent hydrogenation of the phenyl ring.
Utility of lymphoscintigraphy in directing surgical therapy for melanomas of the head, neck, and upper thorax

Lymphoscintigraphy with technetium99m antimony sulfur colloid or technetium99m human serum albumin helped direct the surgical management of 24 patients who had melanomas of the head, neck, and upper thorax. Eighteen (75%) patients had documented lymphatic flow to other than a single adjacent predictable lymph nodal group. Nineteen patients underwent lymphadenectomy. Availability of the scan altered surgical management in nine patients (47%) who required resection of nodes in addition to resection of adjacent nodes. The discovery of metastatic disease in one patient was clearly attributable to lymphoscintigraphy. This demonstrates the unpredictable lymphatic anatomy of this region and suggests that preoperative lymphoscintigraphy may be useful in directing the surgical management of cutaneous melanomas in which lymph node dissection is planned.
Effect of penicillin, growth phase, ultraviolet light, and ultrasonic vibrations on the ability of Proteus mirabilis to form L type colonies.

The literature on L forms of Proteus contains data derived from many cultural conditions and with different amounts of penicillin. It is difficult to evaluate conflicting reports unless the effect of environmental factors on the ability to form L type colonies can be put on a quantitative basis. This was done with the effect of media (Medill and O'Kane, 1954), and in the present paper attempts are reported to quantitate the effects of various other environmental factors. It is hoped that these data will help to elucidate the mechanism of L type colony formation.
Recommended Protocol for Round Robin Studies in Additive Manufacturing

One way to improve confidence and encourage proliferation of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and parts is by generating more high quality data describing the performance of AM processes and parts. Many in the AM community see round robin studies as a way to generate large data sets while distributing the cost among the participants, thereby reducing the cost to individual users. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has conducted and participated in several of these AM round robin studies. While the results of these studies are interesting and informative, many of the lessons learned in conducting these studies concern the logistics and methods of the study and unique issues presented by AM. Existing standards for conducting interlaboratory studies of measurement methods, along with NIST's experience, form the basis for recommended protocols for conducting AM round robin studies. The role of round robin studies in AM qualification, some of the limitations of round robin studies, and the potential benefit of less formal collaborative experiments where multiple factors, AM machine being only one, are varied simultaneously are also discussed.
Factors influencing the metabolism and distribution of corticosterone-1,2-3H in the rat.

The metabolism and distribution of intravenously administered tracer doses of corticosterone-1,2- 3 H are not affected by elevated plasma levels of endogenous corticosterone due to cold stress. Pretreatment with methylcholanthrene increased the plasma half-life of the labeled steroid, reflecting a decreased rate of metabolic destruction, but had no effect on the apparent volume of distribution. Pretreatment with phenylbutazone caused an increased volume of distribution with no change in the plasma half-life.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND CLINICAL UTILITY OF SYMPTOM SCORES

Urinary symptom severity can be documented objectively among men with BPH using validated instruments such as the AUA Symptom Index. The AUA Index was developed to discriminate among BPH patients who are more or less bothered by their condition, and to measure change in symptom levels over time or with treatment. The AUA Index is reliable and valid for these purposes and can be useful in both clinical practice and research. The role of symptom measurement in general and the AUA Index in particular in the diagnosis of BPH is unclear and may be limited. Additional research is needed to maximize the utility of symptom measurement in urology.
Transient behavior of granular materials with symmetric conditions for tumbler shapes and fill fractions

The purpose of this research is to continue to find the mechanism behind transient granular behavior. The granular motion in circular tumblers can be described as steady-state, since there is no feature to disrupt the consistency of the top free-surface flowing layer. In polygon tumblers however, the available space for the free surface is perpetually changing, which creates unsteady flow behaviors. The effect of tumbler size and speed were studied previously in a triangular tumbler whereas this follow-up research investigates the effect of both the tumbler shape and fill fraction. For the experiment, various amounts of zirconium silicate beads generate a fluctuating flowing layer inside quasi-2D rotating tumblers of triangle and square shapes. Symmetric fill fractions generate the same flowing layer dimensions but results indicate the rate of increasing or decreasing space at the free surface affects the dynamics of the angle of repose. The balance between the potential and kinetic energy causes the flowing layer and angles of repose to appear as an optimized functional form of a catenary, which is much more apparent in the triangular tumbler with upstream and downstream dimensions changing out of phase compared to the square tumbler where the parallel sides act in-phase with one another.
Applications of Advertising Photography

Advertising photography describes the type of professional photography focusing on the creation of photographs to be used to publicly introduce, praise, or otherwise promote the sale of a product or services. Before the photomechanical reproduction process was invented, photographs had to be converted to line drawings by an artist to be reproduced in newspapers and other publications. This restricted their direct use in advertising since the viewing of the original photograph was limited to a small number of people. Even after the invention of practical color films for photography, reproducing color photographs using the photomechanical processes for mass distribution was complex. Th us, the demand for advertising photographs increased as the processes for reproducing the photographs in print improved and the cost of mass distribution decreased. Today, it is impossible to escape the bombardment of photographic reproductions used for advertising in newspapers, magazines, fliers, catalogs, posters, billboards, and Internet promotions.
In simulation modelling, there are multiple ways to effectively screen for colorectal cancer

Commentary on: Knudsen AB, Zauber AG, Rutter CM, et al. Estimation of Benefits, Burden, and Harms of Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies: Modeling Study for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA 2016;315(23):2595–609.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Of the available colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests, only flexible sigmoidoscopy and faecal occult blood tests have been evaluated with randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Colonoscopy and faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are commonly used for CRC screening, but RCT evidence will not be available for at least a decade. For its 2016 CRC screening recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) to analyse 8 screening tests, in 204 screening strategies in a hypothetical cohort of US 40-year-olds, using 3 different models. Each model simulated the adenoma–carcinoma sequence with … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.volume%253D315%26rft.spage%253D2595%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2016.6828%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F27305518%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2016.6828&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=27305518&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F22%2F2%2F59.atom
Neuroactive Steroids and the GABA A Receptor

This chapter is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 3, pp. 1561–1580, © 2009, Elsevier Inc.
NMR-based Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics in systems biochemistry

Metabolism is the basic activity of live cells, and monitoring the metabolic state provides a dynamic picture of the cells or tissues, and how they respond to external changes, for in disease or treatment with drugs. NMR is an extremely versatile analytical tool that can be applied to a wide range of biochemical problems. Despite its modest sensitivity its versatility make it an ideal tool for analyzing biochemical dynamics both in vitro and in vivo, especially when coupled with its isotope editing capabilities, from which isotope distributions can be readily determined. These are critical for any analyses of flux in live organisms. This review focuses on the utility of NMR spectroscopy in metabolomics, with an emphasis on NMR applications in stable isotope-enriched tracer research for elucidating biochemical pathways and networks with examples from nucleotide biochemistry. The knowledge gained from this area of research provides a ready link to genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic information to achieve systems biochemical understanding of living cells and organisms.
From Safe Spaces to Resilient Places: A Role for Interfaith Cooperation in Contentious Times

AbstractThis article builds on theories of safe and brave spaces to demonstrate how to transform higher education institutions to be better able to incorporate multivalent forms of diversity. In particular, the article suggests leveraging the civic-oriented methodology of interfaith cooperation (Patel & Meyer, 2011) in order to encourage people to have positive encounters with others from different identities, while focusing on common action. The article expands the notion of individual resilience to introduce the concept of resilient places, where safety and bravery are supported by a broad, civic commitment to positive outcomes in the face of traumatic encounters.
Trends in summer bottom-water temperatures on the northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf from 1985 to 2015

We quantified trends in the 1985 to 2015 summer bottom-water temperature on the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) continental shelf for data collected at 88 stations with depths ranging from 3 to 63 m. The analysis was supplemented with monthly data collected from 1963 to 1965 in the same area. The seasonal summer peak in average bottom-water temperature varied concurrently with air temperature, but with a 2- to 5-month lag. The summer bottom-water temperature declined gradually with depth from 30 oC at stations closest to the shore, to 20 oC at the offshore edge of the study area, and increased an average 0.051 oC y-1 between1963 and 2015. The bottom-water warming in summer for all stations was 1.9 times faster compared to the rise in local summer air temperatures, and 6.4 times faster than the concurrent increase in annual global ocean sea surface temperatures. The annual rise in average summer bottom-water temperatures on the subtropical nGOM continental shelf is comparable to the few published temperature trend estimates from colder environments. These recent changes in the heat storage on the nGOM continental shelf will affect oxygen and carbon cycling, spatial distribution of fish and shrimp, and overall species diversity.
Skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass is linked to lipid and metabolic profile in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Changes in metabolism and body composition after spinal cord injury (SCI) predispose individuals to obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A link between lean mass and skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass has been reported but it is unknown how skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass and activity impact metabolic health. This study examined the relationship between skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass, activity and metabolic profile in individuals with chronic SCI. Twenty-two men with motor complete SCI participated in the study. Citrate synthase (CS) and complex III (CIII) activity was measured in vastus lateralis biopsies. Metabolic profile was assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance test, basal metabolic rate (BMR), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and blood lipid profile. Skeletal muscle CS activity was negatively related to the cholesterol:high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and triglycerides (r = −0.60, p = 0.009; r = −0.64, p = 0.004, respectively). CS activity was positively related to insulin sensitivity and BMR (r = 0.67, p = 0.006; r = 0.64, p = 0.005, respectively). Similar relationships were found for CIII and metabolic profile, but not CIII normalized to CS. Many of the relationships between CS and metabolism remained significant when age, level of injury, or time since injury were accounted for. They also remained significant when CS activity was normalized to total lean mass. These results suggest that an increase in skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass is associated with improved metabolic health independent of age, level of injury, or time since injury in individuals with chronic SCI. This highlights the importance of maintaining and improving mitochondrial health in individuals with SCI.
Bleomycin Can Cleave an Oncogenic Noncoding RNA.

Non-coding RNAs are pervasive in cells and contribute to diseases such as cancer. A question in biomedical research is if non-coding RNAs are targets of medicines. Bleomycin is a natural product that cleaves DNA, however, it is known to cleave RNA in vitro. Herein, an in-depth analysis of the RNA cleavage preferences of bleomycin A5 is presented. Bleomycin A5 prefers to cleave RNAs with stretches of AU base pairs. Based on these preferences and a bioinformatic analysis, the microRNA10b hairpin precursor was identified as a potential substrate for bleomycin A5. Both in vitro and in cell experiments demonstrate cleavage. Importantly, chemical cleavage by bleomycin A5 in the microRNA-10b hairpin precursors occurs near the Drosha and Dicer enzymatic processing sites and leads to destruction of the microRNA. Apparently, oncogenic non-coding RNAs can be considered targets of cancer medicines and may elicit their pharmacological effects by targeting non-coding RNA.
Mobile Decision Support Tool for Emergency Departments and Mass Casualty Incidents (EDIT): Initial Study

Background: Chemical exposures pose a significant threat to life. A rapid assessment by first responders and emergency nurses is required to reduce death and disability. Currently, no informatics tools exist to process victims of chemical exposures efficiently. The surge of patients into a hospital emergency department during a mass casualty incident creates additional stress on an already overburdened system, potentially placing patients at risk and challenging staff to process patients for appropriate care and treatment efficacy. Traditional emergency department triage models are oversimplified during highly stressed mass casualty incident scenarios in which there is little margin for error. Emerging mobile technology could alleviate the burden placed on nurses by allowing the freedom to move about the emergency department and stay connected to a decision support system. Objective: This study aims to present and evaluate a new mobile tool for assisting emergency department personnel in patient management and triage during a chemical mass casualty incident. Methods: Over 500 volunteer nurses, students, and first responders were recruited for a study involving a simulated chemical mass casualty incident. During the exercise, a mobile application was used to collect patient data through a kiosk system. Nurses also received tablets where they could review patient information and choose recommendations from a decision support system. Data collected was analyzed on the efficiency of the app to obtain patient data and on nurse agreement with the decision support system. Results: Of the 296 participants, 96.3% (288/296) of the patients completed the kiosk system with an average time of 3 minutes, 22 seconds. Average time to complete the entire triage process was 5 minutes, 34 seconds. Analysis of the data also showed strong agreement among nurses regarding the app’s decision support system. Overall, nurses agreed with the system 91.6% (262/286) of the time when it came to choose an exposure level and 84.3% (241/286) of the time when selecting an action. Conclusions: The app reliably demonstrated the ability to collect patient data through a self-service kiosk system thus reducing the burden on hospital resources. Also, the mobile technology allowed nurses the freedom to triage patients on the go while staying connected to a decision support system in which they felt would give reliable recommendations.
Cytotoxic Effects of Nonionic Iodinated Contrast Agent on Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Abstract Background Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising therapy for degenerative spine conditions. However, cell therapy for painful spine degeneration presently requires use of contrast agents during fluoroscopy-guided injections, and the effects of these agents on MSCs represents a gap in knowledge. Objective To investigate the biological effects of contrast media (CM) that are coinjected with MSCs. Design Prospective observational study. Setting Academic medical center. Participants Patient-derived clinical-grade culture expanded MSCs. Interventions Iohexol (Omnipaque300) was reduced to 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% of the stock solution and incubated with MSCs for 30 minutes, 4 hours, and 48 hours. We also used complete media and 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100% of phosphate-buffered saline as a control group. Main Outcome Measures We examined cytotoxicity of iohexol at different concentrations and exposure duration, as well as the potential for recovery over time. Cell counts, mitochondrial activity, and quantitative real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of related genes were analyzed immediately after exposure (day 0) and after 2 days of exposure (day 2). Results Human MSCs exhibit a time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic response to iodinated CM. A brief, 30-minute exposure did not affect MSCs function and viability. However, extended treatment with iohexol for 4 hours at 50% or higher concentration had a significant impact on both viability and gene expression in MSCs. Conclusions CM (Omnipaque300) is cytotoxic to MSCs in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. Hence, the concentration of CM that accompanies MSC injections should be carefully considered during MSC therapy for disk-degenerative diseases. Level of Evidence To be determined.
Therapeutic Potential of Intermittent Hypoxia: Lessons from Respiratory Motor Plasticity

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is a subject of considerable interest since it has both beneficial and adverse effects. Unfortunately, a lack of consistency in the use of the term “intermittent hypoxia” has led to considerable confusion in the field. In reviewing available literature, the physiological and pathological impact of IH appears to be highly associated with the effective IH “dose.” IH consisting of modest hypoxic episodes (≥9 % inspired O2) and lesser numbers of hypoxia/reoxygenation events per day (≤15 cycles/day) is generally associated with beneficial effects in multiple body systems. In contrast, severe hypoxic episodes (<9 % inspired oxygen) and more frequent hypoxic episodes per day (40–2,400 cycles/day) shift the balance towards morbidity. In accordance, the impact of IH on the neural system controlling breathing is critically dependent on variables including the pattern of hypoxia (intermittent versus sustained), the severity of hypoxia within episodes, and the overall duration of IH exposure (minutes to years). A low IH “dose” (few episodes, moderate hypoxia) elicits serotonin-dependent spinal, respiratory motor plasticity that may be harnessed as a therapeutic approach to improve respiratory function in clinical conditions that impair breathing, such as cervical spinal injury. With a similar protocol but more severe hypoxic episodes, a distinct adenosine-dependent mechanism of spinal respiratory motor plasticity is observed. The cumulative effectives of repeated, low-dose IH (metaplasticity) suggest that repetitive, acute IH may represent a simple, safe, and effective treatment to promote meaningful therapeutic benefit in a range of clinical conditions that compromise respiratory (and nonrespiratory) somatic motor function.