cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smooth closed surfaces with discrete triangular interpolants

Discrete interpolants which involve cross boundary derivatives in an attempt to form C^1 surfaces have the following major problem: Requiring C^1 joins between patches makes sense only if the patch domains are adjacent in the domain space. This makes it impossible to form C^1 closed surfaces, or indeed any surface which contains more connections than can be achieved in the domain. This paper develops a method of forming smooth closed (or otherwise complexly connected) surfaces from a discrete triangular interpolant by relaxing the C^1 property of an interpolant to 'Visually C^1''. The only constraint on the scheme is that the data to be interpolated define a unique tangent plane at each vertex where several triangles meet. Then each patch can be calculated independently of its neighbors, using only data defined at its vertices, and the domain for each triangular patch can be chosen without regarding the connectivity of the patch with others. This last feature could be of great interest to a designer of a surface since one can choose the domain of each patch to be an equilateral triangle, and give it no further thought.
Experimental studies of psychophysiological factors in sudden cardiac death.

. Earlier research in the field of sudden cardiac death is reviewed. Such studies were largely oriented towards the provocation of myocardial injury and asystole in normal animals. However, such investigations constitute an inadequate model to describe the clinical appearance of sudden death, where underlying coronary disease is often present and the precipitating event is usually ventricular fibrillation rather than asystole. This report describes a series of studies designed to investigate the processes underlying cardiac vulnerability and the influence upon it of various psychological stresses. It is concluded that the primary mediator of ventricular vulnerability is the sympathetic nervous system. The efferent vagus appears to exert some protective influence against arrhythmias due to adrenergic stimulation. An appropriate clinical strategy for the treatment of malignant arrhythmias would therefore involve attempts to decrease cardiac sympathetic drive whilst at the same time enhancing vagal tone. Treatments are described which aim to bring this situation about by the use of clonidine, morphine sulphate, 1–tryptophan and tyrosine. The use of neurochemical agents in this context appears promising.
The 11B quadrupole interaction and nonbridging oxygens in crystalline borates

Abstract Data on the 11B quadrupole interaction in trigonal B03 units with one and two nonbridging oxygens are presented. A discussion of these data and of NMR data for other borates leads to the conclusion that, although 11B quadrupole coupling data can be used to distinguish among B04 units, symmetric B03 units, and asymmetric B03 units, these data do not constitute a reliable means of determining the details of structural variations within each type of unit.
Development of surface-based assays for transmembrane proteins: selective immobilization of functional CCR5, a G protein-coupled receptor.

Abstract A general method to develop surface-based assays for transmembrane (TM) receptor function(s) without the need to isolate, purify, and reconstitute the proteins is presented. Based on the formation of an active surface that selectively immobilizes membrane vesicles, the method is illustrated using the chemokine receptor CCR5, a member of the largest family of cell surface eukaryotic TM proteins, the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The method begins with a protein-resistant surface containing a low percentage (1–5%) of surface-bound biotin on gold as the initial template. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) data show specific immobilization of functional CCR5 after the initial template is activated by immobilization of rho 1D4 antibody, an anti-rhodopsin monoclonal antibody specific for the carboxyl terminal nine amino acids on bovine rhodopsin that had been engineered into the carboxyl terminus of CCR5, and exposure to vesicles obtained from mammalian cells transfected with a synthetic human CCR5 gene. Activation of the initial template is effected by sequential immobilization of avidin, which binds to the biotin in the initial template, a biotinylated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G (Bt-IgG), which binds to the avidin binding sites distal to the surface and the F c portion of the rho 1D4 antibody through its F ab region(s) and finally rho 1D4. This approach establishes a broad outline for the development and application of various assays for CCR5 functions. SPR data also showed that vesicle immobilization could be achieved through an integrin–integrin antibody interaction after activation of the initial template with a goat anti-human integrin β1 antibody. These results suggest that the generic nature of the initial platform and flexibility of the subsequent surface activation for specific immobilization of membrane vesicles can be applied to the development of assays for other GPCRs or TM receptors for which antibodies are available or can be engineered to contain a particular antibody epitope.
Sample preparation techniques

Evidentiary false positives are caused by passive exposure to drugs in the environment rather than by active use of drugs. The avoidance of such positives is essential for both hair and urine analysis. Hair analysis enjoys the advantage over urinalysis in having a number of approaches for making this distinction. These include: methylene blue staining of the hair specimen for selecting the appropriate wash solvent; application of hair digestion techniques for the complete release of chemically unaltered analytes; the determination of three diagnostic ratios from wash and digestion data; the measurement of metabolite:drug ratios; the use of cut-off levels setting the limits for passive endogenous drug exposure; reproducibility of results (including segmental analysis) with a newly collected hair specimen; and the reporting of results as either negative, positive, or contaminated. Our sample preparation procedures have been effectively applied to the analyses of nearly 200,000 specimens, i.e. to approximately one million drug analyses for cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, phencyclidine or marijuana. On the basis of this experience we conclude that hair analysis is a safe and effective method for workplace drug testing.
All Along the Watchtower: Acculturation Fear, Anti-Latino Affect, and Immigration

In this article, we consider how the factors driving Anglo attitudes toward immigration changed in the post-9/11 era. We argue that in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the immigration issue became nationalized, framed in a threat context. In this context, acculturation fear and anti-Latino sentiment are strong predictors of restrictionist sentiment; in the pre-9/11 period, these factors have little substantive impact on Anglo attitudes. We theorize that the current climate has helped “activate” social identities, which in turn has deleterious consequences for the Latinos in the United States. Using data from the 2000 and 2004 National Election Studies, we estimate a model of Anglo immigration attitudes. We show indicators of acculturation fear, anti-Latino sentiment, and media exposure significantly relate to Anglo immigration attitudes in the post-9/11 period but not the pre-9/11 period.
Substrate-lens coupled antennas for millimeter and submillimeter waves

Antennas at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths present formidable challenges. One approach is to scale up lower-frequency microwave systems of hollow-metal waveguides and horns. The problem with this is that as the frequency goes up, the waveguides get smaller, and the fabrication becomes difficult and expensive. Another way is to follow the lead of low-frequency integrated circuits and develop monolithic integrated circuits. This is attractive because there is the possibility of integrating thin-film metal antennas, solid-state devices, and low- frequency processing circuits, all on the same chip. Moreover, a large number of devices can be made together simultaneously to form an array or imaging system. This means we should develop antennas that work on the common integrated-circuit substrates: quartz, silicon, and gallium arsenide.
Assimilation of Visible-Band Satellite Data for Mesoscale Forecasting in Cloudy Conditions

Abstract Assimilation of satellite data can enhance the ability of a mesoscale modeling system to produce accurate short-term forecasts of clouds and precipitation, but only if there is a mechanism for the satellite-derived information to propagate coherently from the analysis into the forecast period. In situations where stratiform cloud cover inhibits surface heating, assimilation of visible image data can be beneficial for analyses, but those data present particular challenges for application to numerical forecasts. To address the forecast problem, a method to adjust the humidity field and the radiative parameterization of a model was developed such that satellite retrievals of cloud properties have an impact that extends well into the forecast. The adjustment directs the model’s cloud diagnosis and radiation algorithms to produce results that agree with satellite retrievals valid at the forecast initiation time. Experiments showed a high level of fidelity between a short-term forecast made with this m...
Effect of dead space on gain and noise of double-carrier-multiplication avalanche photodiodes

The effect of dead space on the statistics of the gain in a double-carrier-multiplication avalanche photodiode (APD) is determined using a recurrence method. The dead space is the minimum distance that a newly generated carrier must travel in order to acquire sufficient energy to become capable of causing an impact ionization. Recurrence equations are derived for the first moment, the second moment, and the probability distribution function of two random variables that are related, in a deterministic way, to the random gain of the APD. These equations are solved numerically to produce the mean gain and the excess noise factor. The presence of dead space reduces both the mean gain and the excess noise factor of the device. This may have a beneficial effect on the performance of the detector when used in optical receivers with photon noise and circuit noise. >
Using modern graphics architectures for general-purpose computing: a framework and analysis

Recently, graphics hardware architectures have begun to emphasize versatility, offering rich new ways to programmatically reconfigure the graphics pipeline. In this paper, we explore whether current graphics architectures can be applied to problems where general-purpose vector processors might traditionally be used. We develop a programming framework and apply it to a variety of problems, including matrix multiplication and 3-SAT. Comparing the speed of our graphics card implementations to standard CPU implementations, we demonstrate startling performance improvements in many cases, as well as room for improvement in others. We analyze the bottlenecks and propose minor extensions to current graphics architectures which would improve their effectiveness for solving general-purpose problems. Based on our results and current trends in microarchitecture, we believe that efficient use of graphics hardware will become increasingly important to high-performance computing on commodity hardware.
Hysteretic models for sliding bearings with varying frictional force

Summary The friction pendulum system is a sliding seismic isolator with self-centering capabilities. Under severe earthquakes, the movement may be excessive enough to cause the pendulum to hit the side rim of the isolator, which is provided to restrain the sliding. The biaxial behavior of a single friction pendulum, in which the slider contacts the restrainer, is developed using a smooth hysteretic model with nonlinear kinematic hardening. This model is extended to simulate the biaxial response of double and triple friction pendulums with multiple sliding surfaces. The model of a triple friction pendulum is based on the interaction between four sliding interfaces, which in turn is dependent upon the force and displacement conditions prevailing at these interfaces. Each of these surfaces are modeled as nonlinear biaxial springs suitable for a single friction pendulum, using the yield surface, based on the principles of the classical theory of plasticity, and amended for varying frictional yield force, due to variation in vertical load and/or velocity-dependent friction coefficient. The participation of the nonlinear springs is governed by stick-slip conditions, dictated by equilibrium and kinematics. The model can simulate the overall force-deformation behavior, track the displacements in individual sliding surfaces, and account for the ultimate condition when the sliders are in contact with their restrainers. The results of this model are verified by comparison to theoretical calculations and to experiments. The model has been implemented in programs IDARC2D and 3D-BASIS, and the analytical results are compared with shake table experimental results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Child Maltreatment and Deliberate Self-Harm: A Negative Binomial Hurdle Model for Explanatory Constructs

Emerging adults demonstrate the highest rates of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and thus represent a population in need of further study. While child maltreatment (CM) history is a risk factor for DSH, the mechanisms behind this relationship are not fully understood. This study tested a model of mechanisms linking CM with DSH (likelihood of engaging in the behavior and frequency among those who self-harm) via negative urgency (tendency to engage in impulsive behaviors under conditions of negative affect), distress tolerance, sense of control, and desire for control in a sample of college students. As hypothesized, CM had a strong positive direct association with both the likelihood and frequency of DSH. CM was positively associated with negative urgency and inversely associated with distress tolerance and sense of control. Negative urgency was positively associated with DSH likelihood and frequency. Distress tolerance was not directly associated with DSH but was indirectly associated with DSH likelihood and frequency via negative urgency. Sense of control was not associated with the likelihood of engaging in DSH; however, among those who endorsed a history of DSH, sense of control was positively associated with DSH frequency. Desire for control was not associated with either CM or DSH. Language: en
Anticipating and preventing infection in patients treated with immunosuppressive medications for dermatologic indications: a dermatologist's checklist

CLINICAL CHALLENGE Infections are an important source of morbidity and mortality in patients treated with immunosuppressive medications for dermatologic indications, such as autoimmune bullous dermatoses, psoriasis, and connective tissue disease. By the very nature of these conditions, the integrity of the mucocutaneous barrier—the body’s primary defense against potential pathogens—is compromised. Moreover, the medications used to treat many of these conditions often further suppress the patient’s immune system. In some patients, systemic immunosuppression may lead to a more complicated course of a routine infection (eg, urosepsis after a lower urinary tract infection). In other patients, latent infectious diseases (eg, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, strongyloidiasis, deep fungal infections, or HIV) may reactivate, leading to adverse patient outcomes.
Does Warmth Moderate Longitudinal Associations between Maternal Spanking and Child Aggression in Early Childhood

This study examines whether maternal warmth moderates the association between maternal use of spanking and increased child aggression between ages 1 and 5. Participants were 3,279 pairs of mothers and their children from a cohort study of urban families from 20 U.S. cities. Maternal spanking was assessed when the child was 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years of age. Maternal warmth and child aggressive behavior were measured at 3 years and 5 years of age. Models controlled for demographic characteristics (measured at the child’s birth), child emotionality (measured at age 1), and maternal psychosocial risk factors (measured when children were 3 years old). Cross-lagged path models examined the within-time and longitudinal associations between spanking and child aggression. Results indicated that maternal spanking at age 1 was associated with higher levels of child aggression at age 3; similarly, maternal spanking at age 3 predicted increases in child aggression by age 5. Maternal warmth when children were 3 years old did not predict changes in child aggression between 3 and 5 years old. Furthermore, maternal warmth did not moderate the association between spanking and increased child aggression over time. Beginning as early as age 1, maternal spanking is predictive of child behavior problems, and maternal warmth does not counteract the negative consequences of the use of spanking.
Depinning and Plasticity of Driven Disordered Lattices

We review in these notes the dynamics of extended condensed matter systems, such as vortex lattices in type-II superconductors and charge density waves in anisotropic metals, driven over quenched disorder. We focus in particular on the case of strong disorder, where topological defects are generated in the driven lattice. In this case the response is plastic and the depinning transition may become discontinuous and hysteretic.
Computerized Analysis of Burst Noise in Thick Film Resistors

A burst noise (popcorn noise) spectral measurement technique based on digital power spectrum estimation is presented. Application of this technique to thick film resistor burst noise is discussed. Several cases of thick film resistor burst noise are presented and analyzed.
Discrepancy between clinical asthma control assessment tools and fractional exhaled nitric oxide.

Background Asthma is an inflammatory disease, yet clinical tools that evaluate asthma control do not include measures of inflammation. Objective To determine the correlation between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and each of 5 asthma control evaluation tools, namely, the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) goals of therapy, the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter (JTFPP) on attaining optimal asthma control, and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Methods Patients 6 years or older who had asthma were clinically evaluated by an asthma specialist. Patients completed the ACT and ACQ and underwent spirometry and FeNO measurement. The physician was blinded to FeNO results until asthma control assessments were concluded. Correlations between FeNO level and each clinical evaluation tool were calculated. Results One hundred patients 6 to 86 years old were enrolled. No significant association was found between FeNO level and asthma control based on ACQ ( P > .99), ACT ( P = .53), NAEPP ( P = .53), JTFPP ( P = .30), or GINA ( P = .86) criteria. Agreement was high among the NAEPP, the JTFPP, and GINA; moderate between the ACQ and the ACT; and poor to fair between the ACT or the ACQ and the other 3 tools. Conclusions In addition to clinical evaluation, the incorporation of FeNO measurement in evaluating asthma is likely to lead to a more optimal pharmacotherapy, guidance in adjusting the dosage of anti-inflammatory agents, and positive long-term disease outcome.
Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy

The conditions associated with the existence and stability of democratic society have been a leading concern of political philosophy. In this paper the problem is attacked from a sociological and behavioral standpoint, by presenting a number of hypotheses concerning some social requisites for democracy, and by discussing some of the data available to test these hypotheses. In its concern with conditions—values, social institutions, historical events—external to the political system itself which sustain different general types of political systems, the paper moves outside the generally recognized province of political sociology. This growing field has dealt largely with the internal analysis of organizations with political goals, or with the determinants of action within various political institutions, such as parties, government agencies, or the electoral process. It has in the main left to the political philosopher the larger concern with the relations of the total political system to society as a whole.
Preparation of Silicon Nitride from Silica

The nucleation and growth of Si3N4 from a carbon-Si02 mixture in an N2 atmosphere at 1400°C was studied by varying the specific surface area, particle size, and distribution of the Si02and carbon. Si3N4 yield increased and particle size decreased with increasing Si02 and carbon specific surface area. Manner of distribution appeared to have little effect but was difficult to assess. A model was proposed in which heterogeneous nucleation occurs on either the Si02 or C surfaces only in the early stages of the reaction. Growth occurs by the reaction
Amino Acid Substitutions in the Pore Helix of GluR6 Control Inhibition by Membrane Fatty Acids

RNA editing at the Q/R site in the GluR5 and GluR6 subunits of neuronal kainate receptors regulates channel inhibition by lipid-derived modulators including the cis-unsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Kainate receptor channels in which all of the subunits are in the edited (R) form exhibit strong inhibition by these compounds, whereas wild-type receptors that include a glutamine (Q) at the Q/R site in one or more subunits are resistant to inhibition. In the present study, we have performed an arginine scan of residues in the pore loop of the GluR6(Q) subunit. Amino acids within the range from −19 to +7 of the Q/R site of GluR6(Q) were individually mutated to arginine and the mutant cDNAs were expressed as homomeric channels in HEK 293 cells. All but one of the single arginine substitution mutants yielded functional channels. Only weak inhibition, typical of wild-type GluR6(Q) channels, was observed for substitutions +1 to +6 downstream of the Q/R site. However, arginine substitution at several locations upstream of the Q/R site resulted in homomeric channels exhibiting strong inhibition by fatty acids, which is characteristic of homomeric GluR6(R) channels. Based on homology with the pore loop of potassium channels, locations at which R substitution induces susceptibility to fatty acid inhibition face away from the cytoplasm toward the M1 and M3 helices and surrounding lipids.
Emergency department (ED) utilization by HIV-infected ED patients in the United States in 2009 and 2010 - a national estimation.

Objectives The aim of the study was to describe the emergency department (ED) resource utilization patterns of ED visits by patients reported to be HIV-infected in the USA in 2009 and 2010 and to compare them with those of the general ED patient population. Methods We identified demographics, HIV infection status, and ED utilization patterns in 2009 and 2010 from a weighted sample of US ED visits using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative survey. Data on visits by patients aged ≥ 13 years were analysed using procedures for multiple-stage survey data. Results In 2009 and 2010, 1 192 535 visits were documented for HIV-infected patients. The estimated annual ED visit rates were 633 per 1000 known HIV-infected persons and 438 per 1000 non-HIV-infected persons [rate difference 195; 95% confidence interval (CI) 194, 197]. While no difference was recorded in the level of acuity between HIV-infected ED patients and general ED patients, the total number of diagnostic/screening services ordered and medications administered in the ED was significantly higher for visits by HIV-infected patients. HIV-infected patients making ED visits also had a longer duration of stays [mean 5.4 h (95% CI 4.6, 6.2 h) vs. 3.6 h (95% CI 3.5, 3.8 h) for HIV-uninfected patients] and were more likely to be admitted [28% (95% CI 22, 34%) vs. 15% (95% CI 14, 16%), respectively] than their non-HIV-infected counterparts. Conclusions ED visits by HIV-infected individuals occur at rates higher than those of visits by the general population, and consume significantly more ED resources than visits by the general population. These national findings represent baseline prior to full implementation of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
THE LEVEL OF THE CIRCULATING EOSINOPHILS FOLLOWING TRAUMA

IT HAS been demonstrated that following the stress of injury, there is at first an increase in the daily excretion of the urinary corticoids anda simultaneous decrease in the urinary excretion of the neutral 17-ketosteroids.Although in severe injury these phenomena have been noted to persist(1) (2) for weeks, more recently it has been found that this period may beonly of a few days' duration. Subsequent to this initial phase, the urinarycorticoids decrease and the urinary neutral 17-ketosteroids increase inquantity, indicating, it is believed, an alteration in body metabolism fromthe anti-anabolic first phase to the anabolic second phase. The administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone results in a decreasein the circulating eosinophils (3). A study was undertaken to learn whetherthe level of the circulating eosinophils might reflect alteration in urinarysteroid excretion. Laragh and Almy (4) meanwhile showed that the numberof circulating eosinophils falls markedly following operative procedures. Method...
Shifts in Pacemaker Dominance within the Sinoatrial Region of Cat and Rabbit Hearts Resulting from Increase of Extracellular Potassium

Simultaneous recording of action potentials from cells in different parts of sinoatrial preparations from cat and rabbit hearts confirms the suggestion by Meek and Eyster that the dominant pacemaker site shifts during treatment with high [K+]. The direction of the shift can be either upward or downward depending upon the location of the original dominant pacemaker site. In the majority of cases, the original dominant site is located in the upper part of the preparation, consequently the shift is from above downward. In environments with high [K+], both true and latent pacemaker cell action potentials show a decrease in both maximal diastolic potential and the slope of the prepotential but these changes seem to be more marked in the true pacemaker cell. It is suggested that the shift of dominant pacemaker site in response to high [K+] is due to the difference in sensitivity to K+ between these two types of pacemaker cells.
Effects of geometry on the proton SEU dependence on the angle of incidence

Monte Carlo simulations of proton-induced spallation reactions show that the shape of the sensitive volume determines the variation of SEU cross section with angle of incidence. As the sensitive volume dimensions become smaller, the cross section variation becomes more pronounced. COSMIC simulation results are shown to be consistent with results from a simulation code by Levinson et al. (1994). The simulation results are somewhat consistent with experimental measurements on surface barrier detectors.
Friends and foes: ideological social networking

Traditional online social network sites use a single monolithic "friends" relationship to link users. However, users may have more in common with strangers, suggesting the use of a "similarity network" to recommend content. This paper examines the usefulness of this distinction in propagating new content. Using both macroscopic and microscopic social dynamics, we present an analysis of Essembly, an ideological social network that semantically distinguishes between friends and ideological allies and nemeses. Although users have greater similarity with their allies than their friends and nemeses, surprisingly, the allies network does not affect voting behavior, despite being as large as the friends network. In contrast, users are influenced differently by their friends and nemeses, indicating that people use these networks for distinct purposes. We suggest resulting design implications for social content aggregation services and recommender systems.
Integrin Function in Breast Carcinoma Progression

The differentiation and function of mammary epithelial cells is dependent upon the combined action of growth factor/hormone receptors and integrin receptors, which act in concert to control the signals required for normal cell function. It is now becoming clear that integrin receptors also contribute to carcinoma cell behavior and that alterations in expression and function during transformation have a large impact on breast carcinoma progression. The focus of this review is to discuss integrin-dependent functions that can be manipulated as targets for the therapeutic intervention of breast cancer. A combination of correlative and mechanistic studies have contributed to the identification of specific integrin receptors, namely alpha2beta1, alpha6beta1, and alpha6beta4, implicated in breast carcinoma progression. Although this field is still emerging and much remains to be learned, potential integrin-dependent signaling targets have been identified.
Effect of insulin, catecholamines and calcium ions on phospholipid metabolism in isolated white fat-cells

The incorporation of [32P]Pi into phosphatidylinositol by rat fat-cells was markedly increased in the presence of adrenaline. Phosphatidic acid labelling was also increased, but to a lesser extent. These effects are due to α1-adrenergic stimulation since they were unaffected by propranolol, blocked by α-blockers in the potency order prazosin«phentolamine<yohimbine and mimicked by methoxamine. The α-adrenergic stimulation of phosphatidylinositol labelling did not require extracellular Ca2+, which supports the hypothesis that an increased turnover of phosphatidylinositol is involved in α-adrenergic activation of Ca2+ entry. Insulin and the ionophore A23187 gave a small increase in 32P labelling of phosphatidylinositol in Ca2+-free medium containing 1mm-EGTA. The increases due to insulin or ionophore A23187 were abolished if 2.5mm-Ca2+ was added to medium containing EGTA. However, the increases in labelling of phosphatidylinositol due to α-adrenergic amines were still evident in medium containing EGTA and Ca2+. Lipolytic agents such as corticotropin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, adrenaline in the presence of phentolamine and isoproterenol decreased [32P]Pi incorporation into phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid. This inhibitory effect may be secondary to accumulation of intracellular unesterified fatty acids, since it was decreased by incubating fewer cells in medium with 6 rather than 3% albumin and was restored by the addition of oleate to the medium. The incorporation of [32P]Pi into phosphatidylcholine was unaffected by lipolytic agents. The data suggest that there is an inhibition of the synthesis of certain phospholipids in the presence of lipolytic agents, which may be secondary to intracellular accumulation of unesterified fatty acids.
Model of transport and chemical kinetics in a solar thermochemical reactor to split carbon dioxide

Abstract Solar thermochemical reactors to carry out the nonstoichiometric reduction and oxidation of cerium dioxide (ceria) to split water and carbon dioxide provide a pathway to store sunlight in a chemical fuel. One of the challenges in the design of these reactors is understanding the complex coupling of heat and mass transfer and redox chemistry. To elucidate this coupling, we present a three-dimensional, transient model of a recently developed prototype solar reactor that implements an isothermal, pressure-swing ceria redox cycle. Radiative transport is modeled by a hybrid Monte Carlo/finite volume approach and paired with the transport and chemical processes within a fixed bed of porous ceria particles. Morphology specific reaction rate coefficients for the gas–solid reactions in ceria are extracted for the first time from global rate measurements in a bench-top reactor at 1773 K. Results demonstrate the interdependent spatial and temporal variations in temperature, species concentration and reaction rates, and provide insight on the effects of optical properties on reactor performance. For a solar input of 4.2 kW, the reactor achieves nearly isothermal cycling at 1791 K with carbon monoxide produced continuously at 3.6×10 −4 mol s −1 . At this temperature, global reaction rates are driven by advective mass transport rates and the intrinsic material thermodynamics. Predicted surface temperatures and fuel production rates compare favorably to measured data.
The Political Economy of Postsocialism

There were two good reasons to expect that developments after socialism, whether in the former Soviet Union or in east central Europe, would follow a roughly similar course. The first was the homogenizing effects of the socialist experience. In contrast to other regions of the world, such as Latin America and southern Europe, where dictatorships had also given way to more liberalized orders, the socialist regimes of eastern Europe and the Soviet Union were remarkably alike in their form and functioning.
Nasal cytology: a marker of clinically silent inflammation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and a predictor of noncompliance with nasal CPAP therapy.

Study objectives Patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) often complain of nasal side effects. We studied patients before and after initiation of nasal CPAP to see how treatment affected nasal function and markers of nasal inflammation. We searched for pretreatment findings that might help to predict noncompliance. Methods Nasal symptom scores, nasal flow by anterior rhinomanometry, mediator levels (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and interleukin-13), and nasal scrapes for cytology were obtained at baseline and monthly for up to 3 months of nasal CPAP therapy. Compliance was assessed from the patient's report and by recording hours of usage for up to 19 months of follow-up. Results Thirty-eight patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea were classified as having no rhinitis (42%), allergic rhinitis (37%), or nonallergic rhinitis (21%). There was no significant difference in compliance in patients with and without rhinitis. Compliant and noncompliant patients showed no significant differences in their baseline nasal symptom scores, nasal flow, and mediator levels. Nasal neutrophil counts before treatment were greater in noncompliant than in compliant patients (p = .004) and greater in those discontinuing because of nasal symptoms than in patients who quit for other reasons (p = .05). There was a positive correlation between neutrophil counts and nasal bacterial scores, both before and after treatment with nasal CPAP. Conclusions Patients with increased neutrophil counts in the nasal scrape before beginning nasal CPAP are at increased risk of discontinuing therapy. They appear to have subclinical nasal inflammation that cannot be identified from clinical assessment, nasal symptom scores or rhinomanometry.
Radium-223 and concomitant therapies: prospects and prudence

Most patients with relapsed prostate cancer develop metastatic disease and eventually become castration-resistant. Skeletal metastasis is common in castrate resistant prostate cancer and is an independent poor prognostic factor (1). Furthermore, skeletal related events (SRE) such as spinal cord compression, pathologic fractures and requirement for external beam radiation for pain palliation continue to represent a significant cause of morbidity for patients with bone metastasis (2). Over the last decade, significant strides have been made in the development of therapies for patients with castrate resistant metastatic prostate cancer (CRPC).
It’s All in Your Head: A Solution to the Problem of Object Coincidence

It is uncontroversial that artifacts like statues and tables are mind-dependent. What is controversial is whether and how this mind-dependence has implications for the ontology of artifacts. I argue the mind-dependence of artifacts entails that there are no artifacts or artifact joints in the extra-mental world. In support of this claim, I argue that artifacts and artifact joints lack any extra-mental grounding, and so ought not to have a spot in a realist ontology. I conclude that the most plausible story about artifacts is that they are in minds of suitably intelligent creatures, and not the extra-mental world. Artifacts and their joints are merely mental projections onto a world of ‘indifferent materials’. With this established, I show how many cases of object coincidence, the view that more than one material object can be located in the same exact region of space-time, cannot occur.
Auditory Training With Multiple Talkers and Passage-Based Semantic Cohesion

Purpose Current auditory training methods typically result in improvements to speech recognition abilities in quiet, but learner gains may not extend to other domains in speech (e.g., recognition i...
Creativity, Culture, and the Digital Revolution: Implications and Considerations for Education

Although many disciplines within the social sciences have been strongly influenced over the past two decades by sociocultural perspectives, notably education with its emphasis on the learning sciences, research on talent and, more specifically, creativity and entrepreneurship has seen relatively little sociocultural influence. In this chapter, we take one aspect of creative and talent development—the use of technology in educational settings—and explore ways in which digital culture mediates human behavior in new and important ways, as well as how new practices regarding creativity are emerging with and alongside these new technologies.
EZH! The IRE of DLBCL gets an UPR hand.

In this issue of Blood, Bujisic and colleagues identify that the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)-X-box–binding protein 1 spliced (XBP1s) arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) is repressed specifically in germinal center B-cell–like (GCB) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and that recovery of XBP1s expression, either directly or with EZH2 inhibitors, hinders lymphoma growth.1
Abstract 4609: Evidence of Need for a More Comprehensive Approach to Dietary Self-Management for Patients with Heart Failure and Diabetes

Background: Type 2 diabetes (DM) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). Nutritional management is a key strategy in achieving blood glucose control and decreasing the risk of microvascular complications. The ability of patients with HF to nutritionally self-manage multiple comorbidities is unknown. Purpose: To compare nutritional intake of a group of patients with HF and DM with a group without DM. Methods: A total of 174 patients (66 with DM, age 60± 12 yrs, 35% female, 57% NYHA class III/IV) recruited from HF clinics completed detailed 4-day food diaries that were reviewed by a registered dietitian. Nutrition Data System software was used to determine carbohydrate (total and subtype), protein, fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake. Fasting blood glucose was obtained on a subset of 123 patients. Between-group comparisons were made using independent sample t-tests. Results: Patients with DM consumed a lower percentage of calories from carbohydrate (44% vs. 49%, p=.003) and a greater percentage of calories from protein (19% vs. 16%, p 120mg/dl and 40% had a fasting levels > 140mg/dl. Conclusions: Patients with HF and DM primarily limited dietary sugar intake, with only moderate success. Nutritional management of HF has focused on the single nutrient sodium with limited success; these data suggest that teaching for DM may be similarly focused on the single nutrient sugar. This indicates that new, more comprehensive, approaches are needed to help patients meet the challenge of nutritionally managing multiple comorbidities. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA Great Rivers Affiliate (Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania & West Virginia).
As You Eat It: Effects of Prenatal Nutrition on Asthma

Asthma most frequently develops early in life, and increased recognition of the role of lifestyle and environmental factors in asthma susceptibility raises the possibility that dietary exposures during pregnancy may influence the risk of asthma in offspring. This review discusses the latest evidence with regard to the effect of diet during pregnancy on childhood asthma risk, including potential mechanisms, outcomes of randomized clinical trials, and results from observational studies. Vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake during pregnancy are highlighted as areas with large and growing bodies of literature to support a potential role in prenatal modulation of subsequent asthma risk. Several other nutritional interventions are under active investigation, and recommendations regarding dietary modifications during pregnancy will likely need to be personalized based on factors such as maternal smoking and genetic variants. Although nutrition during pregnancy is uniquely challenging to investigate, and definitive recommendations cannot be made without additional high-quality evidence and knowledge regarding long-term effects of interventions, the modifiable nature of the diet and sizeable potential reduction of morbidity supports ongoing research to determine how to optimize nutrition during pregnancy to prevent asthma in offspring.
Aortobifemoral Bypass Graft Distal Limb Large Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report:

Early and late complications of aortic bypass grafting are well known and account for roughly 8% of all aortic bypass graft complication. Duplex ultrasound is the most widely used noninvasive modal...
Functions from R1 to Rn

The line passing through the two distinct points a and b of Rn is the set of all points x of the form $$x = \left( {1 - t} \right)a + tb = a + t\left( {b - a} \right)$$ t real.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Assay of a Central Nervous System (CNS)-Directed Estradiol Chemical Delivery System and Its Application After Intravenous Administration to Rats

A redox-based chemical delivery system for estradiol (E2-CDS) has been shown capable of sustained and brain-selective delivery of estradiol (E2). A re versed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is presented for the analysis of E2-CDS and its oxidized quaternary metabolite (E2-Quat) in biological fluids or tissues. The assay utilizes a precolumn enrichment technique and detects plasma levels down to 10 ng/ml E2-Quat and 20 ng/ml E2-CDS. Sample preparation is rapid and simple. Samples are homogenized with acetonitrile, then centrifuged, and the supernatant is directly injected into the HPLC system. A water delivering pump injects the sample on a precolumn where the drug is concentrated. The mobile phase backflushes the retained compound onto the analytical column. At the same time, another sample can be injected onto a second precolumn. This alternating precolumn sample enrichment technique allows the injection of large volumes, up to 1800 µl. Plasma and tissue samples of rats collected after i.v. administration of a single 15-mg/kg E2-CDS dose were analyzed for E2-CDS and E2-Quat by this procedure. The results show sustained brain levels of E2-Quat and prolonged half-life in brain compared to six peripheral tissues measured. These data support the concept of brain-targeted delivery using redox carrier systems of this type.
Alternative Room Disinfection Modalities – Pros and Cons

The purpose of this Chapter is to review the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of chemical fumigation and germicidal UVC irradiation use in healthcare and other related environments. The primary objective is to identify when the benefits associated with fumigation or irradiation outweigh the risks of human injury or other adverse effects. It is hypothesized that both fumigation and UV irradiation are capable of killing microorganisms; however, it is uncertain whether the benefits in terms of overall hospital patient infection rates outweigh the risks and costs associated with these methods.
Using IDEF0 in Functional Economic Analysis

The use of the IDEF (a system definition methodology) has been mandated by the DOD’s Director of Defense Information for documenting the process and data models of an FEA (Functional Economic Analysis) and for all Business Process Improvement Programs. IDEF stands for ICAM definition language. This methodology derives, in its present form, from the Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) program, where a standard specification methodology was needed for describing manufacturing processes and data; a family of methods has been developed under the ICAM program. Particularly, IDEF0 and IDEF1x are applicable in the conducting FEA study.
NMR Quantification of Hydrogen-Bond-Activating Effects for Organocatalysts including Boronic Acids

The hydrogen-bonding activation for 66 organocatalysts has been quantified using a 31P NMR binding experiment with triethylphosphine oxide (TEPO). Diverse structural classes, including phenols, diols, silanols, carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and phosphoric acids, were examined with a variety of steric and electronic modifications to understand how the structure and secondary effects contribute to hydrogen-bonding ability and catalysis. Hammett plots demonstrate high correlation for the Δδ 31P NMR shift to Hammett parameters, establishing the ability of TEPO binding to predict electronic trends. Upon correlation to catalytic activity in a Friedel–Crafts addition reaction, data demonstrate that 31P NMR shifts correlate to catalytic activity better than pKa values. Boronic acids were investigated, and 31P NMR binding experiments predicted strong hydrogen-bonding ability, for which catalytic activity was confirmed, resulting in the greatest rate enhancement observed in the Friedel–Crafts addition of all org...
Predictive modeling in spine surgery

As the cost of healthcare in the United States increases at an unsustainable rate, health-policy leaders are looking towards innovative ways to maximize value in delivery of care. Incorporating technology, such as artificial intelligence/machine-learning, to assist physicians in decision-making and predicting outcomes, on a real-time basis, is a major topic of discussion. While machine learning is gradually pulling traction in the medical community, it still remains a nascent field in the realm of spine surgery. The current review aims to gather current literature discussing the validity and applicability of machine-learning models in spine surgery.
New Directions of Study in Matching with Constraints

This piece surveys a recent body of studies in “matching with constraints.” It discusses relationship with traditional matching theory and new applications, and concludes with some open questions.