cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbamazepine in bipolar disorder with pain: reviewing treatment guidelines.

Objective: To determine if any monotherapy drug treatment has robust efficacy to treat comorbid bipolar disorder and chronic pain. Data Sources: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) treatment guidelines for bipolar mood disorder and the 2012 Cochrane database for pain disorders. Study Selection: We relied on the treatment guides to determine if the drugs that are APA guideline–supported to treat bipolar disorder have supporting data from the Cochrane database for chronic pain. Data Synthesis: No single drug was mentioned by either guideline to treat this comorbidity. However, carbamazepine was the only drug that has guideline-supported robust efficacy in the management of each condition separately. Conclusions: Carbamazepine was found to have strong preclinical data for the treatment of comorbid bipolar mood disorder and chronic pain disorders. While requiring more studies in this population, we propose that this treatment modality may benefit patients.
Eliminating co-location radio interference with photonic-enhanced spectrum management in cognitive radio networks

Co-location of RF emitters (communications plus jammer) is a problem in tactical operations where the goal within a tactical platform is to maintain blue force communications and deny (jam) red force communications or, indeed, any red force use of spectrum. Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) on the DARPA neXt generation (xG) communications program [1] has a goal to sense and share spectrum for more efficient use. A port and test of this DSA capability from a commercial radio to a tactical radio showed significant improvement in tactical communications in a jamming environment.
Focal protein synthesis inhibition in a model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Cerebral hypoxia-ischemia was produced in 1-week-old rats by exposing them to 8% O2-92% N2 commencing 4 to 6 h after unilateral carotid artery ligation. Protein synthesis rates were measured in cerebral cortex, caudate-putamen, thalamus, and lateral septal nuclei during 2 h of hypoxia and at three times (15 min, 10 h, and 18 h) after a 3.5-h hypoxic exposure. Protein synthesis was inhibited in the ipsilateral but not contralateral forebrain during the brief hypoxic exposure, and in both hemispheres during early recovery after a 3.5 h exposure, which was sufficient to produce brain injury in the ipsilateral hemisphere. At 10 h after hypoxia, protein synthesis rates in the contralateral forebrain had recovered to control values, but in vulnerable structures of the ipsilateral forebrain, recovery of protein synthesis was transient and incomplete (cerebral cortex) or remained at the low values found immediately after hypoxia (caudate-putamen). The early development of abnormal patterns of protein synthesis in vulnerable brain regions during hypoxia and its persistence in some rats during recovery when irreversible cell injury becomes manifest suggests a possible role for abnormal protein metabolism in the evolution of irreversible brain cell damage.
Influence of Lateral Association on Forced Unfolding of Antiparallel Spectrin Heterodimers

Abstract Protein extensibility appears to be based broadly on conformational changes that can in principle be modulated by protein-protein interactions. Spectrin family proteins, with their extensible three-helix folds, enable evaluation of dimerization effects at the single molecule level by atomic force microscopy. Although some spectrin family members function physiologically only as homodimers (e.g. α-actinin) or are strictly monomers (e.g. dystrophin), α- and β-spectrins are stable as monomeric forms but occur physiologically as α,β-heterodimers bound laterally lengthwise. For short constructs of α- and β-spectrin, either as monomers or as α,β-dimers, sawtooth patterns in atomic force microscopy-forced extension show that unfolding stochastically extends repeats ∼4–5-fold greater in length than native conformations. For both dimers and monomers, distributions of unfolding lengths appear bimodal; major unfolding peaks reflect single repeats, and minor unfolding peaks at twice the length reflect tandem repeats. Cooperative unfolding thus propagates through helical linkers between serial repeats (1, 2). With lateral heterodimers, however, the force distribution is broad and shifted to higher forces. The associated chains in a dimer can stay together and unfold simultaneously in addition to unfolding independently. Weak lateral interactions do not inhibit unfolding, but strong lateral interactions facilitate simultaneous unfolding analogous to serial repeat coupling within spectrin family proteins.
Participation of lymphoid cells in the withdrawal syndrome of opiate dependent rats.

Abstract Treatment of rats with 500 Rads whole-body ionizing irradiation prior to chronic administration of morphine reduced the severity of the naloxone induced withdrawal signs. In contrast, adoptive transfer of 2–6 × 10 8 lymphoid cells to irradiated rats prior to chronic morphine treatment completely restored the ability to manifest the withdrawal signs precipitated by naloxone. These observations offer the possibility that the immune system participates in opiate addiction.
Gender Differences in Parent-Child Communication about Sexuality: An Exploratory Study

Gender differences in factual, sociosexual, and moral discussions about sexuality were examined using questionnaire data gatheredfrom 84 mother-father-child triads andfrom focus groups of questionn...
Real-time angular scatter imaging system

A novel real-time angular scatter imaging system has been developed for improved tissue contrast between neighboring tissue layers in diagnostic ultrasound images. The system uses one phased array transducer in transmit, and a second, separate phased array transducer in receive. In order to form a line of an image, the transmit transducer sends into the body a steered pulse which is tracked dynamically from the side by the receive transducer. The final display format is a B-mode sector originating from the transmit transducer. Real-time angular scatter images of phantom targets are given. It is shown that for a small aperture spacing of 12 mm, the angular scatter system compares favorably to a backscatter system in terms of resolution, dynamic range, and signal strength. At transmit angles greater than 25 degrees , this unique system outperforms the backscatter system, possessing better resolution and greater signal strength. >
Experiences and Challenges in Industrialized Countries: Control of Iron Deficiency in Industrialized Countries

This paper provides a synopsis of the experience in combating iron deficiency in industrialized countries and identifies the reasons for the considerable success and future challenges. Significant progress has been made over the last century in reducing and even eliminating iron deficiency in many industrialized countries. Current estimates are that the prevalence of iron deficiency has declined to <20% in many of these countries, even among women and young children, compared with 30 to 70% in many developing countries. The reasons for this success cannot be attributed solely to a single approach but rather to a range of factors that have occurred over time as a result of both economic development and the implementation of specific policies. Several factors have contributed to improving both iron intakes and reducing iron losses; these include fortification, supplementation, dietary diversification and public health measures. For example, the decline in anemia in infants can be attributed to the introduction of iron-fortified formula and complementary foods in the 1960s to 1970s. Similarly, the enrichment and fortification of cereals with iron that began during World War II in North America and Europe is a result of effective public-private partnerships. Despite these successes, iron deficiency remains a public health concern in industrialized countries for selected subgroups such as women of reproductive age with excess menstrual losses and pregnant women who cannot meet increased requirements from the diet alone. Constant vigilance and innovative approaches for screening and combating this problem are thus still required even in developed countries.
A Comparison of Social Service Selection Techniques

This paper compares social service selection techniques and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of several approaches. We support our analysis with recent social service studies as well as exploring studies of commercial usage such as eBay, Amazon, etc. The three traditional areas of social service selection – reputation, recommender, and referral – will be the areas compared in detail. Service selection techniques often return a single value representing the rank of a service. Users of the service, however, may not always have identical needs and may be interested in ratings based on multiple categories. We feel this is an important aspect when comparing social service selection techniques. To address this, our investigation will also include examining the issues of adding Quality of Service (QoS) factors with social service selection.
Four New Species of Ophiomegistus (Acari: Paramegistidae) from Skinks (Lacertilia: Scincidae) in Papua New Guinea, a New Record Of Ophiomegistus Keithi, and a Key to the Species

Ophiomegistus samuelsuni, Ophiomegistus kaii, Ophiomegistus radovskyi and Ophiomegistus armouri are described from skinks collected in Papua New Guinea. A new host and locality record is given for Ophiomegistus keithi . A key to the species of Ophiomegistus is given.
Families, informal supports, and Alzheimer's disease: Current research and future agendas.

With the aging of most Western populations, there is growing research attention to the social and behavioral aspects of age-related chronic diseases and disabilities. Research is just beginning to focus on how families and other social supports affect and are affected by Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. This article reviews the current state of knowledge in this area and suggests a future research agenda.
Hyperion: Rotation, Shape, and Geology from Voyager Images

Voyager 2 images have been used to measure the instantaneous rotation state of Hyperion during the period of the spacecraft's 1981 flyby of Saturn, to define the satellite's shape, and to map geological features. For the 38 hr of image coverage at resolutions better than 17 km/pixel, control point calculations yield a rotation rate of 72°/day, with a pole direction of RA = 226 ± 4°, Dec = 35 ± 4°. Rotation was essentially about the long axis of Hyperion. A shape model with 5° × 5° spacing is developed using stereo, limb, and terminator data. About 95% of the surface of Hyperion is constrained within 20 km by the control point and lower resolution images. An ellipsoidal fit to this model gives principal axes (radii) of 164, 130, and 107 km. The shape model has a mean radius of 133 ± 8 km; the model moments of inertia (I/MR2) are A = 0.32 ± 0.02, B = 0.46 ± 0.02, and C = 0.52 ± 0.02. G. J. Black et al . (1995, Icarus) have used the shape model and the instantaneous rotation state to calculate the expected rotation of Hyperion throughout the Voyager 2 encounter. They predict significant changes in the rotation pole orientation, but only minor changes in rotation rate during the 18 days of low-resolution, disk-resolved imaging of Hyperion. We compare the Voyager-observed lightcurve of Hyperion to lightcurves predicted from the dynamical model. During this 18-day period the dynamical model matches the observed lightcurve very well; the best lightcurve fit is for a rotation rate of 72 + 3 - 4°/day (identical to the control point solution) at the time of the first of the high-resolution images. Much of the Hyperion lightcurve amplitude derives from wobble rather than from the spin. The good agreement of the dynamical model with observed behavior suggests that Hyperion's moments of inertia are well modeled by the shape and that it has no substantial internal density contrasts. The overall shape of Hyperion is typical for icy objects smaller than 200 km mean radius. Small icy satellites appear to have less structural control of their shapes than do rocky satellites and asteroids. A 300-km-long arcuate scarp and a more subdued, nearly parallel scarp suggest spallation of several kilometers of material from nearly 1/4 the area of the satellite due to the formation of a 140-km-diameter crater.
Hydrological excitations of polar motion, 1993–2002

SUMMARY Changes in continental water storage obtained from an advanced land data assimilation system (LDAS) are employed to compute hydrological excitations of polar motion for the 10-yr period of 1993‐2002. The results are compared with observed excitations of polar motion and contributions from the atmosphere and ocean, and with results from previous studies. There is remarkably good agreement between LDAS-derived results and remaining observed excitations, i.e. after atmospheric and oceanic effects are removed from the observations. LDAS-predicted hydrological excitations play a major role in closing the excitation budget for prograde and retrograde annual wobble, especially for the prograde component, and show considerably better agreement with observations than previous results. LDAS-predicted results show significantly larger interannual variability and also agree well with observed excitations not accounted for by the atmosphere and ocean. As demonstrated in this study, LDAS shows major improvement in modelling large-scale change in land water storage at both seasonal and interannual timescales. 1I N T R O DUCTION Under the conservation of angular momentum, any change in the Earth’s inertia tensor due to redistribution of mass will cause changes in the Earth’s rotation. Variations of atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) or oceanic angular momentum (OAM) will also change the Earth’s rotation via exchange of angular momentum between the solid Earth and its geophysical fluid envelope. At interannual or shorter timescales, redistribution of air and water mass and movement within the Earth system, including the atmosphere, ocean and hydrosphere (plus snow/ice sheet), are primary driving forces behind changes in the Earth’s rotation, while redistribution of mass within the core and mantle plays a more important role at decadal or longer timescales.
Lifelong patterns of forager behaviour in a tropical swarm-founding wasp : effects of specialization and activity level on longevity

Abstract The relationships between foraging tenure and specialization on materials, and foraging tenure and foraging activity were measured for marked, known-age workers of the social wasp Polybia occidentalis . The purpose of the study was to assess differences in cost to foragers, in terms of risk of mortality, associated with material specializations and activity level, and determine whether ontogenetic changes in forager behaviour reflect these differences in cost, such that more risky patterns of behaviour are postponed until later in adult life. Polybia occidentalis workers terminated foraging at an average of 5·9 days after their first trip, independent of their age at first foraging, suggesting that this task entailed a high risk of mortality. Lifetime foraging activity was calculated as foraging rate (mean number of trips per hour), foraging effort (mean number of time-weighted trips per hour), and as the proportion of observation days that an individual was active during her foraging tenure. Foraging tenure was not related to foraging rate or effort, but had a strong negative relationship with the proportion of observation days during which an individual foraged. By the latter measure, risk of mortality increased with foraging activity. The length of foraging tenure was negatively correlated with the proportion of foraging effort devoted to food materials (nectar and insect prey), supporting the hypothesis that gathering food was riskier than gathering nest materials (water and wood pulp). Foragers that switched between food and nest materials exhibited no tendency to specialize on nest materials first and therefore foraging for riskier materials was not always performed later in adult life. These results are discussed in terms of possible factors regulating task performances at the individual level in social insects.
Immunoradiometric Assay for Serum Thyroglobulin: Semiquantitative Measurement of Thyroglobulin in Antithyroglobulin-Positive Sera*

All RIAs for human serum thyroglobulin (Tg) described hitherto are based on the same principle; namely, competitive binding between cold and labeled antigen, followed by separation of bound from free antigen by precipitation of the former by a second antibody. These RIAs for Tg are accurate only when applied to sera free of detectable anti-Tg because the presence of the latter can result in either falsely elevated or falsely depressed values. This report describes a solid phase, sandwich-type, immunoradiometric assay (IRA) for serum Tg. Tg in the sample or standard is first bound to plastic cups coated with rabbit anti-Tg and then measured by the binding of rabbit [125I]anti-Tg. The sensitivity of this assay (detection limit, 2.5 ng Tg/ml serum) and its reproducibility, as indicated by intraassay coefficients of variation(CV20 ng, 11.3%; CV115 ng, 4.1%; CV310 ng, 7.0%) and interassay coefficeients of variation (CV20 ng, 14.0%; CV115 ng, 7.2%; CV310 ng, 7.1%)are comparable to or better than those previousl...
The fundamental role of pirouettes in Caenorhabditis elegans chemotaxis.

To investigate the behavioral mechanism of chemotaxis inCaenorhabditis elegans, we recorded the instantaneous position, speed, and turning rate of single worms as a function of time during chemotaxis in gradients of the attractants ammonium chloride or biotin. Analysis of turning rate showed that each worm track could be divided into periods of smooth swimming (runs) and periods of frequent turning (pirouettes). The initiation of pirouettes was correlated with the rate of change of concentration (dC/dt) but not with absolute concentration. Pirouettes were most likely to occur when a worm was heading down the gradient (dC/dt 0). Further analysis revealed that the average direction of movement after a pirouette was up the gradient. These observations suggest that chemotaxis is produced by a series of pirouettes that reorient the animal to the gradient. We tested this idea by imposing the correlation between pirouettes and dC/dt on a stochastic point model of worm motion. The model exhibited chemotaxis behavior in a radial gradient and also in a novel planar gradient. Thus, the pirouette model ofC. elegans chemotaxis is sufficient and general.
Muting the Alarm over the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The New York Times versus Haaretz, 2000–06

The prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remain poor, largely because of Israeli rigidity as well as Palestinian policies and internal conflicts. The United States has failed to use its considerable influence with Israel to seek the necessary changes in Israeli policies, instead providing the country with almost unconditional support. The consequences have been disastrous for the Palestinians, for Israeli security and society, and for critical U.S. national interests in the Middle East. Amajor explanation for the failure of U.S. policies is the largely uninformed and uncritical mainstream and even elite media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the United States. In contrast, the debate in Israel is more self-critical, vigorous, and far-ranging, creating at least the possibility of change, even as U.S. policy stagnates. Acomparison of the coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the two most prestigious daily newspapers in the United States and Israel—i...
Radio frequency radiation beam pattern of lightning return strokes: A revisit to theoretical analysis

[1] Return stroke current pulses can propagate at speeds approaching the speed of light c. Such a fast-moving pulse is expected to radiate differently than conventional dipole emitters. In this study, we revisit the theoretical analysis for the high-speed effect on the radiation beam pattern. Instead of starting with specific return stroke models, as has been done before by other investigators, we start the analysis with a general moving current pulse. Through a simple differential transformation between the retarded time and stationary time/space, the so-called F factor (1 − v cos θ/c)−1 can be readily obtained. This factor is found to be fundamental and is explicitly associated with the radiation beam pattern but is not limited only to the lossless transmission line (TL) return stroke model. It is demonstrated that different beam pattern factors could be derived from this fundamental factor under different return stroke model assumptions.
Merkel cell carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study with prognostic implications.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a frequently aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy of the skin that presents in sun-exposed areas on elderly patients. Although originally described over 30 years ago, many aspects of MCC remain to be defined. Of particular importance is the need to identify prognostic factors capable of predicting the biological behavior of these tumors. Knowledge of these factors may help in determining which patients require more aggressive treatment regimens. In this study, we examined 25 cases of MCC with an attempt to identify clinical, histopathological, or immunohistochemical features capable of predicting disease outcome. Methods: Features that we evaluated in each case included age, gender, race, tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, growth pattern, lymphocytic infiltration, mitotic activity, ulceration, necrosis, vascular invasion, and perineural invasion. In addition, we examined neural cell adhesion molecule and cytokeratin-20 expression using immunohistochemical methods. Results: We found that most patients were males (84%) with an average age of 74 years. The tumors were located on the head and neck (68%) and upper extremities (32%). Overall, 64% of the patients developed metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes or distant sites (average follow-up time of 21 months). Local recurrence was also common, occurring in 29% of the patients. The overall 1- and 2-year survival rates were 80 and 53%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed tumors with an average size of 7.2 mm. Common features included invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue, solid growth pattern, tumor necrosis, and vascular and perineural invasion. Findings that had a statistically significant correlation with poor outcome included tumor size ≥5 mm (p = 0.047), invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue (p = 0.005), diffuse growth pattern (p = 0.040), and heavy lymphocytic infiltration (p = 0.017). The remaining findings, including the immunohistochemical results, did not correlate with disease outcome. Using logistic regression models, we show that depth of invasion and degree of lymphocytic infiltration are strong predictors of disease outcome. Conclusions: The current controversies regarding the treatment of early-stage MCC (i.e., localized disease) underscore the importance of identifying clinicopathological features capable of predicting tumor behavior. In this study, we have identified several prognostic features in MCC. Perhaps, these features may prove useful in identifying patients who require more aggressive treatment regimens.
High-performance semi-transparent polymer solar cells possessing tandem structures

In this study we employed tandem device architectures to tune the external appearance and light-conversion properties of polymer solar cells (PSCs) from visibly transparent to semi-transparent, making them more versatile for integrated photovoltaic applications and more efficient under solar illumination. Our best transparent solar cell was a tandem PSC exhibiting an efficiency of 6.4% and a maximum transmission of 51% at 550 nm; in contrast, a semi-transparent tandem PSC having an average transmission of 30% in the visible range exhibited an efficiency greater than 7%.
Path Dependence And Behavorial Lock-In At Work: The Challenge Of Sustaining High Performance Work Systems In The U.S.

This article draws on path dependency literature and recent extensions to frame the evolution of high performance work systems (HPWS) in the U.S. and to reflect on the implications for firms and policy. The article briefly discusses institutional and social influences in the U.S. context that may be “locking in” managerial behavior that can prevent HPWS from diffusing or that renders HPWS vulnerable over time. In the face of this, in the short run firms may need to insulate the organization from institutional pressures and behavior that can erode new work systems. The article concludes by noting corporate governance models that elevate employee voice and security may be more compatible with HPWS for the long term.
Criticisms of Psychoanalysis by Jung, Adler, and Sullivan

The main objective of this chapter is to consider representative challenges brought to Freudian psychoanalysis from within the movement itself. We do so in the context of their general implications for the schoolage population. In order to obtain a proper perspective, a secondary objective is to describe briefly the behavioristic criticisms of psychoanalysis.
Public-key cryptosystem design based on factoring and discrete logarithms

Most existing cryptosystem designs incorporate just one cryptographic assumption, such as factoring or discrete logarithms. These assumptions appear secure today; but, it is pos- sible that efficient algorithms will be developed in the future lo break one or more of these assump- tions. It is very unlikely that multiple crypto- graphic assumptions would simultaneously become easy to solve. Enhancing security is the major objective for cryptosystems based on multi- ple assumptions. K.S. McCurley proposed the first key distribution system based on two dissimilar assumptions, both of which appear to be hard. In his design, the sizes of the security parameters for these two assumptions are quite different. The modulus to satisfy the proper security requirement for one assumption is too large for the other assumption. The side effects are (1) the public key size is larger than the original Dime-Hellman key distribution scheme; and (2) more computation time is required. In the paper, the authors pro- pose a cryptographic system design based on the two popular assumptions: factoring and discrete logarithms. Breaking this system is computa- tionally infeasible because it requires (1) solving the Dime-Hellman discrete logarithm problem in a subgroup of Z;, where p = 2p' x q' + 1 and p', q' are two large primes, and (2) factoring (p - 1)/2 into two large primes, p' and q'. Thus, in the pro- posed system, it is possible to choose the same size of security parameter for these two assumptions and, therefore, to maintain the efficiency of the implementation.
The two-machine flowshop scheduling problem with total tardiness

Abstract This paper considers the criterion of minimizing total job tardiness in the two-machine flowshop system. The conditions that determine which of a pair of adjacent jobs in a sequence should precede the other to minimize total job tardiness are derived. A branch-and-bound solution procedure to reach an optimal solution to the problem is developed. A simple and computationally efficient heuristic is also presented. Moreover, an illustrative example together with the computational characteristics of the algorithm and the heuristic is provided.
Organic chemical differentiation within fossil plant cell walls detected with X-ray spectromicroscopy

Organic matter preserved in cell walls of permineralized plant fossils was analyzed by using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy at energies near the 1s absorption edge of carbon. Microchemical analyses were performed directly on cellulose acetate peels of the fossils, preserving information on the anatomical distribution of organic materials. Individual tracheid walls in both Eocene and Early Devonian fossils exhibit spatially distinct chemical zoning inherited from original wall biopolymers and cell-wall microstructure. Molecular analysis of submicrometer domains using carbon X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy documents the differential distribution of hydroxylated aromatic and alcohol (and/or ether) carbon in the inner and outer regions of tracheid walls. This zonation reflects the deposition of lignin and structural polysaccharides in Devonian plants, indicating biochemical and developmental pathways similar to those of living tracheophytes.
Low-frequency wireless communications System-infrared laboratory experiments

A communications systems course laboratory component using an infrared (IR) communication system has been developed as part of the wireless education initiative at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT), Terre Haute, IN. Students build the system up over several laboratory periods from distinct subsystems, each of which illustrates specific communications concepts. The multiweek laboratory project has the features of being easy to implement on breadboards owing to the low modulation frequency and of being highly motivational to students because of their interest in building a "working system" with a familiar application. The course, the curricular context, and the laboratory experiments are described, along with student survey data on the perceived effectiveness of the laboratories. The students and instructors have found this laboratory project to be very effective in reinforcing classroom concepts, motivating students, and enhancing debugging skills.
Survival of Neonatal White-Tailed Deer in an Exurban Population

Abstract As humans continue to move further from the urban epicenter and expand into suburban and exurban areas, problems involving coexistence of wildlife and human populations will become increasingly common. Wildlife biologists will be tasked with reducing wildlife–human conflicts, and their effectiveness will be a function of their understanding of the biology and life-history characteristics of wildlife populations residing in areas with high human density. In this study, we examined causes and timing of deaths of neonatal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in an exurban area of Alabama in 2004 and 2005, estimated survival rates, and determined factors that influenced survival for the initial 8 weeks of life. We found 67% mortality, with the leading causes being predation by coyotes (Canis latrans; 41.7%) and starvation due to abandonment (25%). These results suggest that coyote predation may be a significant source of natural mortality in exurban areas. Contrary to our original expectations,...
The risk of cardiovascular disease in systemic sclerosis: a population-based cohort study

Objectives To evaluate the risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a general population context. Methods We conducted a cohort study using a UK primary care database containing records from 1986 to 2011. SSc diagnoses, outcomes and cardiovascular risk factors were identified from electronic medical records. We conducted two cohort analyses: (1) MI and stroke, and (2) PVD, excluding individuals with prevalent disease at baseline for each analysis. We estimated HRs comparing SSc with age-, sex- and entry time-matched comparison cohorts, adjusting for potential cardiovascular risk factors. Results Among 865 individuals with SSc (85.8% women, mean age 58.7 years), the incidence rates (IRs) of MI and stroke were 4.4 and 4.8 per 1000 person-years (PY), versus 2.5 and 2.5 per 1000 PY in the comparison cohort. The corresponding adjusted HRs were 1.80 (95% CI 1.07 to 3.05) for MI and 2.61 (95% CI 1.54 to 4.44) for stroke. Among 858 individuals with SSc (85.3% female, mean age 58.9 years), the IR of PVD was 7.6 per 1000 PY versus 1.9 per 1000 PY in the comparison cohort, with an adjusted HR of 4.35 (95% CI 2.74 to 6.93). Conclusions These findings provide the first general population-based evidence that SSc is associated with an increased risk of developing MI, stroke and PVD. Further insight into disease mechanisms, as well as how disease subtype, organ involvement and medication use may alter these increased risks, is needed.
Noise reduction for progressive photon mapping

We present an adaptive noise reduction technique for progressive photon mapping, which preserves the consistency of the original algorithm. Although progressive photon mapping converges to the correct result in the limit, the image produced after a finite number of samples can suffer from both bias and noise [Hachisuka et al. 2010]. The bias can be seen as blurry lighting features while the noise can be seen as splotches.
Electrical Characteristics of Germanium $\hbox{n}^{+}/ \hbox{p}$ Junctions Obtained Using Rapid Thermal Annealing of Coimplanted P and Sb

Highly activated n-type dopant is essential for n+ /p germanium diodes which will be in use for source/drain regions in Ge n-MOSFETs as geometry scaling proceeds. Rapid thermal annealing of coimplanted P and Sb in Ge has provided n-type dopant activation beyond 1 × 1020 cm-3. However, there are limited reports on the electrical characteristics of these junctions. This letter has investigated the temperature-dependent diode I-V characteristics and contact resistance of metal-n+ Ge contacts. Well-behaved n+ /p Ge diodes (Ion/Ioff >; 105 and η <; 1.2) and significantly reduced contact resistance (ρc ~ 8 × 10-7 Ω · cm2) have been demonstrated.
Writing Centers: An Annotated Bibliography

Preface Anthologies History Program Descriptions Professional Concerns Writing Center Theory Administration Writing Across the Curriculum Educational Technology Tutoring Theory Tutor Training Tutoring Ethics Research Author Index Subject Index
Heat and Moisture Budgets and Circulation Characteristics of a Frontal Squall Line

Abstract Heat and moisture budgets and mesoscale circulation features for the developing, mature, and dissipating stages of an intense frontal squall line that occurred in the central United States are investigated. The slow propagating behavior of the squall line made the dataset unique since observations covered a large fraction of the squall line life cycle. Budgets have been performed at six different times at intervals of 90 minutes using 1985 OK PRE-STORM rawinsonde data. The squall line was followed by a low-level cold front. The flow pattern normal to the squall line was generally similar to previous squall line studies except that a low-level rear inflow associated with the cold front was superimposed upon expected squall line FTR/RTF (front to rear/rear to front) flows. The midlevel RTF flow was quite weak well behind the squall line during the developing and mature stages and significantly strengthened during the dissipating stage as the stratiform region developed, suggesting that internal pro...
Experimental spinal cord injury: Imaging the acute lesion

In order to obtain high resolution images of fixed excised rat spinal cords we have developed a technique using a 6-mm bore, two-turn saddle coil, with a usable imaging length of approximately 4 cm. MR imaging is performed on a prototype 31-cm bore, 1.9-T system with a 1.5-mm section thickness and 7.6-mm field of view.
Preparation of chromatin and chromosomes for electron microscopy.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some methods for preparation of chromatin and chromosomes for electron microscopy. Analysis of chromatin structure in situ must be done in sections of cells. Because chromatin fibers are usually closely packed and complexly folded, thin sections of well-fixed cells are not very informative. The situation is somewhat improved by swelling the chromatin in hypotonic fixatives. The fibers are then separated from each other and measurement of fiber thickness is greatly facilitated. In the usual thin sections, it is impossible to get information on the spatial arrangement of chromatin fibers. High-voltage electron microscopes (one million eV) have now become available for biomedical research providing a resolution of 20–50 A with sections up to several micrometers thick. As section thickness increases, longer segments of chromatin fibers are contained in a section and the three-dimensional arrangement becomes more evident, especially in stereoscopic photographs. The practical limit to section thickness is in the overlap of structures that makes analysis difficult. The chapter also presents an overview of hypotonic fixation. Preparation of isolated chromatin suspension for electron microscopy and spreading of chromatin and chromosomes on a hypophase are discussed in the chapter.
Bongs and Blunts: Notes from a Suburban Marijuana Subculture

Bongs and blunts constitute significant elements of marijuana consumption in the United States, especially among youth. The author draws upon ethnographic methods to provide rich descriptions of these practices amongst a network of suburban marijuana users. The author first provides a description of bong use in a suburban home prior to detailing the same youth network engaging in the process of rolling and smoking a blunt in a public environment. Ultimately, the author examines and contrasts these two features of American marijuana consumption.
Low-Income US Women Under-informed of the Specific Health Benefits of Consuming Beans.

Background Bean consumption can reduce chronic disease risk and improve nutrition status. Consumer knowledge of bean health benefits could lead to increased intakes. Low-income women have poorer health and nutrition, but their level of knowledge about bean health benefits is unknown. Beans are a familiar food of reasonable cost in most settings and are cultural staples for Hispanics and other ethnicities. Study objectives were to assess awareness of bean health benefits among low-income women, and to evaluate any differences by acculturation status for Hispanic women in the Southwestern United States.
Angular distribution of integrated hadron fluxes due to 3 GeV protons

Specific activation induced in C, Al, S, In, cadmium-covered In as well as the effects on6Li and7Li thermcluminescent dosimeters were measured as a function of angle with respect to a well-collimated 3 GeV proton beam incident on iron and lead 3.18 cm long cubes. The results were analyzed and fitted with a formula of the forma exp [—bθ] +c with confidence limits greater than 99.9%. The value ofb may be described by a power function of the threshold energy of the detector in question.
Calcium montmorillonite clay in dairy feed reduces aflatoxin concentrations in milk without interfering with milk quality, composition or yield

Abstract This study was designed to determine if a calcium montmorillonite clay (Novasil Plus, NSP), can significantly reduce aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) concentrations in milk without affecting dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, vitamin A, or riboflavin concentrations. The study was designed using 15 lactating dairy cows randomly assigned to one of 5 treatment groups in a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design. The cows were treated with diets containing AFB 1 at 0 or 121 ppb and three different levels of NSP (0.0, 6.0 and 12.1 g/kg) of the diet. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for AFM 1 , milk composition, vitamin A, and riboflavin. In this study, AFM 1 concentrations in milk were significantly reduced by both 6.0 g/kg and 12.1 g/kg NSP treatment levels. The low dose of NSP (6.0 g/kg) resulted in a decrease in the level of AFM 1 in the milk equal to 55%; whereas, the high dose (12.1 g/kg) reduced the level of AFM 1 by 68%; milk composition, vitamin A, and riboflavin concentrations were unaffected by any of the dietary treatments. Additionally, dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were not different among treatments.
Architecture and deposition of cellulin granules in Apodachlya sp.

Cellulin, the unique chitin-glucan granules found in leptomitalean fungi, was investigated by cytochemical, interference contrast, ultraviolet fluorescence and electron microscopy. The concentric ring substructure, routinely observed by light microscopy observations of granules, was found to be present at the ultrastructural level. It was hypothesized that this concentricity was derived from alternating zones in which either chitin or 3-glucan was the predominant, but not necessarily exclusive, component. Electron microscopy demonstrated numerous cytoplasmic vesicles located on the granule perimeters or in close proximity. It was hypothesized that these vesicles deliver cellulin precursors and enzymes to the periphery of developing granules where the accretion of additional polysaccharide material occurs. No definitive observations were made demonstrating the nucleation of the granules.
Not All Glucocorticoid-Induced Obesity is the Same: Differences in Adiposity Among Various Diagnostic Groups of Cushing Syndrome

The cAMP signaling pathway is implicated in bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias (BAHs), which are often associated with ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome (CS). Although CS is invariably associated with obesity and is frequently associated with PKA signaling defects, we recently reported that its different forms appear to also present with variable weight gain and adiposity. The present study was aimed at characterizing further the phenotypic and molecular differences in periadrenal adipose tissue (PAT) among patients with subtypes of CS, by anthropometric/biochemical analyses and quantification of PKA expression and activity in BAHs in comparison to a non-CS group with aldosterone producing adenomas (APAs). Glucocorticoid levels, serum parameters, and BMI were analyzed among a larger patient cohort including those with different forms of CS, APAs, and Cushing disease. Abdominal CT scans were available for a small subset of patients examined for fat distribution. PAT collected during adrenalectomy was assayed for PKA activity, cAMP, and PKA expression. BMI and BMI z-score were lower in adults with PPNAD with PRKAR1A mutations and in pediatric patients with PPNAD with and without PRKAR1A mutations, respectively. Patients with PPNAD had higher cAMP levels in PAT and different fat distribution. Thus, PKA activity in PAT differed between CS diagnostic groups. Increased cAMP and PKA activity may have contributed to phenotypic differences among subtypes of CS. In agreement with the known roles of cAMP signaling in the regulation of adiposity, patients with PPNAD were less obese than other patients with CS.
LESS OBSTRUCTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, BUT NOT LESS DIFFUSE CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROTIC BURDEN IN WOMEN RELATIVE TO MEN REFERRED FOR CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

Cardiovascular (CV) disease kills more women than men annually, yet coronary artery disease (CAD) is less prevalent in women than men. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is an integrated measure of focal, diffuse and small vessel CAD and myocardial ischemia, and identifies pts at risk for CV death.
Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Quantitative Imaging Characteristics of 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT Allow Prediction of Distant Metastasis

Purpose To identify quantitative imaging biomarkers at fluorine 18 ((18)F) positron emission tomography (PET) for predicting distant metastasis in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods In this institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, the pretreatment (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose PET images in 101 patients treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy from 2005 to 2013 were analyzed. Data for 70 patients who were treated before 2011 were used for discovery purposes, while data from the remaining 31 patients were used for independent validation. Quantitative PET imaging characteristics including statistical, histogram-related, morphologic, and texture features were analyzed, from which 35 nonredundant and robust features were further evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression model coupled with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was used to predict distant metastasis. Whether histologic type provided complementary value to imaging by combining both in a single prognostic model was also assessed. Results The optimal prognostic model included two image features that allowed quantification of intratumor heterogeneity and peak standardized uptake value. In the independent validation cohort, this model showed a concordance index of 0.71, which was higher than those of the maximum standardized uptake value and tumor volume, with concordance indexes of 0.67 and 0.64, respectively. The prognostic model also allowed separation of groups with low and high risk for developing distant metastasis (hazard ratio, 4.8; P = .0498, log-rank test), which compared favorably with maximum standardized uptake value and tumor volume (hazard ratio, 1.5 and 2.0, respectively; P = .73 and 0.54, log-rank test, respectively). When combined with histologic types, the prognostic power was further improved (hazard ratio, 6.9; P = .0289, log-rank test; and concordance index, 0.80). Conclusion PET imaging characteristics associated with distant metastasis that could potentially help practitioners to tailor appropriate therapy for individual patients with early-stage NSCLC were identified. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Mechanistic Investigations into the Behavior of a Labeled Zirconocene Polymerization Catalyst

Kinetics associated with the [(SBI)Zr(CH2SiMe2(C6H4)NMe2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (1a)-catalyzed polymerization of 1-hexene in a mixed toluene-d8/chlorobenzene-d5 solvent at −33 °C were investigated via 1H NMR and compared to the kinetics associated with the (SBI)ZrMe(MeB(C6F5)3) (1c)-catalyzed polymerization of 1-hexene under identical conditions. In the presence of 1-hexene, both catalysts form an identical propagating species, (SBI)Zr(poly-1-hexyl)(MeB(C6F5)3) (1b), but the concentration of 1b during 1a-catalyzed polymerization is only ca. 40% of the anticipated value. Under reaction conditions, 1b reacts reversibly with the model complex p-TMS-C6H4-NMe2 (2) to yield the outer-sphere ion pair tentatively identified as [(SBI)Zr(poly-1-hexyl)(2)][MeB(C6F5)3] (1e), which acts as an essentially dormant site during 1-hexene polymerization. Warming of 1b in the absence of additives generates the well-defined hydridoborate complex (SBI)ZrMe(HB(C6F5)3) (1d), which does not reinitiate in the presence of 1-hexene. β-Hydrid...
MT-Diet: Automated smartphone based diet assessment with infrared images

In this paper, we propose MT-Diet, a smartphone-based automated diet monitoring system that interfaces a thermal camera with a smartphone and identifies types of food consumed at the click of a button. The system uses thermal maps of a food plate to increase accuracy of segmentation and extraction of food parts, and combines thermal and visual images to improve accuracy in the detection of cooked food. Test results on 80 different types of cooked food show that MT-Diet can isolate food parts with an accuracy of 97.5% and determine the type of food with an accuracy of 88.93%, which is a significant improvement (nearly 25%) over the state-of-the-art.