cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defying strain in the synthesis of an electroactive bilayer helicene

We report the synthesis of a bilayer chiral nanographene incorporating a [7]helicene scaffold and two perylene-diimide (PDI) subunits. Twofold visible-light-induced oxidative cyclization of a phenanthrene framework selects for the desired PDI-helicene, despite the immense strain that distinguishes this helicene from two other accessible isomers. This strain arises from the extensive intramolecular overlap of the PDI subunits, which precludes racemization, even at elevated temperatures. Relative to a smaller homologue, this PDI-helicene exhibits amplified electronic circular dichroism. It also readily and reversibly accepts four electrons electrochemically. Modifications to the core phenanthrene subunit change the fluorescence and electrochemistry of the PDI-helicene without significantly impacting its electronic circular dichroism or UV-visible absorbance.
Contributions of TolC Orthologs to Francisella tularensis Schu S4 Multidrug Resistance, Modulation of Host Cell Responses, and Virulence.

ABSTRACT Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. Previous studies with the attenuated live vaccine strain (LVS) identified a role for the outer membrane protein TolC in modulation of host cell responses during infection and virulence in the mouse model of tularemia. TolC is an integral part of efflux pumps that export small molecules and type I secretion systems that export a range of bacterial virulence factors. In this study, we analyzed TolC and its two orthologs, FtlC and SilC, present in the fully virulent F. tularensis Schu S4 strain for their contributions to multidrug efflux, suppression of innate immune responses, and virulence. We found that each TolC ortholog participated in multidrug efflux, with overlapping substrate specificities for TolC and FtlC and a distinct substrate profile for SilC. In contrast to their shared roles in drug efflux, only TolC functioned in the modulation of macrophage apoptotic and proinflammatory responses to Schu S4 infection, consistent with a role in virulence factor delivery to host cells. In agreement with previous results with the LVS, the Schu S4 ΔtolC mutant was highly attenuated for virulence in mice by both the intranasal and intradermal routes of infection. Unexpectedly, FtlC was also critical for Schu S4 virulence, but only by the intradermal route. Our data demonstrate a conserved and critical role for TolC in modulation of host immune responses and Francisella virulence and also highlight strain- and route-dependent differences in the pathogenesis of tularemia.
The frequency of oral famotidine administration influences its effect on gastric pH in cats over time.

Background Famotidine is commonly administered to cats. Prolonged famotidine administration results in decreased efficacy in humans, dogs, and cows, but the long-term effects in cats are unknown. Objectives To compare the effect of 2 oral administration frequencies of famotidine, twice daily (Group 1) and twice daily every second day (Group 2), on intragastric pH and serum gastrin concentrations in cats. We hypothesized a diminished effect on intragastric pH would be observed over time in Group 1 but not Group 2. Animals Sixteen healthy cats. Methods Randomized, 2-factor repeated measures crossover design. Cats received 0.5-1.24 mg/kg (median, 0.87 mg/kg) famotidine twice daily or twice daily every second day for 14 consecutive days. Intragastric pH monitoring was used to record intragastric pH on treatment days 1-3 and 11-13. Mean pH and mean percentage time (MPT) intragastric pH was ≥3 and 4 were compared between and within treatment groups by analysis of variance. Results Significant treatment group by time interactions were observed for mean intragastric pH, MPT intragastric pH ≥3 and 4 (P = .009, P = .02, P = .005, respectively). Interaction post hoc tests identified significant decreases in mean intragastric pH (P = .001), MPT ≥3 (P = .001), and MPT ≥4 (P = .001) on day 13 compared to day 1 in Group 1 but not in Group 2. Conclusions and clinical importance Oral famotidine administration results in a diminished effect on intragastric pH in healthy cats when given twice daily every day.
Just relationships: A third way communication ethic

This essay explores and expands themes presented initially in Just Relationships, Part One, Imagining Just Relationships: Perspectives. I begin by situating the idea of justice within the assertion...
Understanding Failure to Rescue After Esophagectomy in the United States.

Background Data on failure to rescue (FTR) after esophagectomy are sparse. We sought to better understand the patient factors associated with FTR and to assess whether FTR is associated with hospital volume. Methods We identified all patients undergoing esophagectomy between 2010 and 2014 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Nationwide Readmission Database. We defined FTR as mortality after a major complication. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify patient factors and hospital–volume associations with FTR. Results Of 26,820 patients undergoing an esophagectomy, 7130 (26.6%) experienced a major complication. Of those, 1321 did not survive the index hospitalization (FTR rate, 18.5%). Risk factors for FTR included increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.06; P Conclusions One in 5 esophagectomy patients suffering a complication at low-volume hospitals do not survive to discharge. Several patient factors are associated with death after a major complication. Strategies to improve the recognition and management of complications in at-risk patients may be essential to improve outcomes at low-volume hospitals.
Modeling Preference Reversals in Context Effects over Time

Context effects constitute benchmark behavioral phenomena for theories of choice. Previous research using signal-to-respond paradigms suggests that these phenomena develop differentially over time. Importantly, however, such time pressure manipulations correspond to an externally controlled stopping rule, which may produce different behavior compared to an internally controlled stopping rule. The first goal of this work was to examine context effects as a function of internally controlled response time. Across eight data sets, we find a consistent crossover pattern such that the attraction and compromise effects are associated with slower response times and the similarity effect is associated with faster response times. The second goal is to utilize state-of-the-art methodology (Evans et al. in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 26, 1–33, 2019; Turner and Sederberg in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 21(2), 227–250, 2014) to determine whether four information-accumulation models (MDFT, the LCA, the AAM, and the MLBA) can correctly capture the direction in which preference evolves over time in each context when fit to joint choice and response time data with an internal stopping rule. Whereas the MLBA best fit the means, and MDFT and the AAM partially captured the qualitative patterns, none of the models captured the full spectrum of results. Despite a strong historical trend for empirical work in consumer choice, recent response time modeling has focused on fundamentally different non-consumer tasks. The third goal is to generalize that modeling to the consumer choice domain, providing a bridge to a wide range of prior work. The present work provides new insights into the relationship between choice and response times and sets important constraints for models that seek to account for such behavior.
The Electronic Structure and Bonding of Copper Oxides by CBED and EELS

Cu2O and CuO are of great interest after the discovery of the high Tc superconductors. The superconductivity is believed to be dependent on charge states in CuO2 layers whose structure is similar to that of CuO. These transition-metal compounds are also important because of the different copper coordination numbers and different copper-oxygen distances, therefore these reflect different electron density distributions and bonding mechanisms. The electronic structure of cuprite has been studied extensively both theoretically and experimentally because of its symmetrical crystallographic structure (space group ) while that of CuO (space group C2/c) which has a monoclinic structure has been studied only recently. Previous experimental and theoretical results show that the valence electrons of copper in cuprite form hybrid states which is proposed by Orgel instead of spherical d10 state as in ionic copper.
Sociodemographic, Ecological, and Spatiotemporal Factors Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drug Resistance in Florida: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with resistance to antiretroviral therapy are vulnerable to adverse HIV-related health outcomes and can contribute to transmission of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) when nonvirally suppressed. The degree to which HIVDR contributes to disease burden in Florida-the US state with the highest HIV incidence- is unknown. METHODS We explored sociodemographic, ecological, and spatiotemporal associations of HIVDR. HIV-1 sequences (n = 34 447) collected during 2012-2017 were obtained from the Florida Department of Health. HIVDR was categorized by resistance class, including resistance to nucleoside reverse-transcriptase , nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase , protease , and integrase inhibitors. Multidrug resistance and transmitted drug resistance were also evaluated. Multivariable fixed-effects logistic regression models were fitted to associate individual- and county-level sociodemographic and ecological health indicators with HIVDR. RESULTS The HIVDR prevalence was 19.2% (nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor resistance), 29.7% (nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor resistance), 6.6% (protease inhibitor resistance), 23.5% (transmitted drug resistance), 13.2% (multidrug resistance), and 8.2% (integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance), with significant variation by Florida county. Individuals who were older, black, or acquired HIV through mother-to-child transmission had significantly higher odds of HIVDR. HIVDR was linked to counties with lower socioeconomic status, higher rates of unemployment, and poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that HIVDR prevalence is higher in Florida than aggregate North American estimates with significant geographic and socioecological heterogeneity.
3-D Ultrasound Imaging Using Helicoid Array Transducers

Real-time 3-D intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) can enable faster imaging of surfaces orthogonal to the transducer, such as the pulmonary vein (PV) antra and cardiac valve annuli. However, the requirement for a 2-D grid of individually wired elements makes a traditional matrix array challenging to implement within an intravenous catheter. Helicoid array transducers are linear array transducers twisted about their long axis, allowing imaging of different elevation slices using sub-apertures. In this work, we examined the 3-D imaging characteristics of helicoid array transducers through simulations using Field II software and experimental measurements. We report results for varying transducer parameters, such as twist rate and sub-aperture size. We also discuss design considerations for these imaging parameters as they pertain to volumetric imaging of the heart.
The isomorphism theorem and applications

We recall the definition of vertex associative algebra introduced in [HL2] and [HL3] and prove that for any c ∈ ℂ, the category of geometric vertex operator algebras of central charge c and that of vertex associative algebras of central charge c are isomorphic in this chapter. Combining this isomorphism theorem with the one in Chapter 5, we obtain the isomorphism theorem which says that for any c ∈ ℂ, the category of vertex operator algebras of central charge c and that of vertex associative algebras of central charge c are isomorphic. We also observe that part of the proof of this isomorphism in the present work in fact also proves that any positive energy representation of the Virasoro algebra of central charge c can be integrated to a representation of the partial monoid \(\tilde K{e_{1}}, \ldots ,{e_{n}},e_{i}^{2} = - 1, \) c (1). We assume that the reader knows the definition of analytic associative algebra over a rescalable partial operad (see Appendix C and the references there).
POSITION OF IN-THE-BAG POSTERIOR CHAMBER INTRAOCULAR LENSES RELATIVE TO THE LIMBUS: Applications to Scleral-Sutured Lenses.

PURPOSE To characterize the true position of in-the-bag intraocular lenses (IOLs) relative to the limbus using ultrasound biomicroscopy and estimate scleral-sutured IOL positioning. METHODS This prospective single-center study included 70 eyes of 41 patients with in-the-bag posterior chamber IOLs. Four vertical ultrasound biomicroscopy captures were performed in each eye in the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants. Postoperative biometric data were collected. The primary outcome was the vertical distance of the in-the-bag IOL from the sclerocorneal limbus. Secondary outcomes included anterior shift and refractive change of a theoretical scleral-sutured IOL using sclerotomies at 2.5 mm and 3 mm posterior to the limbus. RESULTS A total of 265 ultrasound biomicroscopy images were analyzed, including 64 superior, 69 inferior, 66 nasal, and 66 temporal. The true in-the-bag IOL position measured as distance posterior to the sclerocorneal limbus was 4.23 ± 0.56 mm superiorly, 4.22 ± 0.46 mm inferiorly, 3.95 ± 0.48 mm nasally, and 3.86 ± 0.52 mm temporally. The anterior shift of a theoretical scleral-sutured IOL was 0.60 mm for a 3-mm sclerotomy and 0.93 mm for a 2.5-mm sclerotomy, resulting in a theoretical myopic shift of 0.45 diopter (D) and 0.79 D, respectively, assuming a 15-D IOL. Larger biometric measurements correlated with a more posterior in-the-bag position. CONCLUSION True in-the-bag IOL position was found to be more posterior than estimates of scleral-sutured IOLs. Additional corrections in scleral-sutured IOL calculations may improve refractive outcomes.
A 20-year review of surgical training case logs: Is general surgery still general?

Abstract Background Surgical training has undergone many facets of restructuring over the most recent decades, with critiques of the quality and variability of training as well as the competency of recent graduates. This study examines the changes in surgical training in operative volume and breadth in the past 2 decades. Methods The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Case Log Statistics Reports from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. Case logs were grouped into defined case categories and group levels of postgraduate training. Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regressions were performed. Results General surgery residents are graduating with 10.7% more cases, owing to increases in mostly junior year cases (P Conclusion Evaluation of trends, despite residents graduating with higher case volume than the minimum required, shows that the breadth and variety of cases has narrowed significantly in the past 20 years, providing a case for general surgery training restructuring.
Against alief

This essay attempts to clarify the nature and structure of aliefs. First I distinguish between a robust notion of aliefs and a deflated one. A robust notion of aliefs would introduce aliefs into our psychological ontology as a hitherto undiscovered kind, whereas a deflated notion of aliefs would identify aliefs as a set of pre-existing psychological states. I then propose the following dilemma: one the one hand, if aliefs have propositional content, then it is unclear exactly how aliefs differ from psychological states we already countenance, in which case there is no robust notion of aliefs; on the other, if aliefs just contain associative content, then they cannot do the explanatory work set out for them, in which case there is no reason to posit aliefs at all. Thus, it appears that we have little reason to posit the novel category of robust aliefs.
Graphical network and topology estimation for autoregressive models using Gibbs sampling

Abstract In this paper, we propose novel strategies based on Gibbs sampling for the estimation of the coefficients and topology of a graphical network represented by a first-order vector autoregressive model. As the topology and the coefficients are closely related, obtaining their Markov chains together is a nontrivial task. When incorporating both in a Gibbs-based sampler, the topology samples at each iteration are decisive factors in how information for the corresponding coefficient samples is propagated. We propose new Gibbs-based samplers that differ in the sampling strategies and scanning order used for their operation. We ran a series of experiments on simulated data to analyze and compare the samplers’ performances with dimension of data, data size, and choice of prior. The best performing sampler was also applied to real data related to a financial network. Converged Markov chains of coefficient and topology elements of the network attest to the method’s validity, and plots illustrating posterior distributions of the predicted data against the observed data indicate promising inference for real data applications.
The Gut Microbiome and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) arise from a convergence of genetic risk, environmental factors, and gut microbiota, where each is necessary but not sufficient to cause disease. Emerging evidence...
Developing regulatory programs for the control of acid precipitation

The U.S. Clean Air Act provides mechanisms by which the public welfare may be protected from ‘any known or anticipated adverse effects associated with the presence of (an) air pollutant in the ambient air’. The history of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to establish and defend a secondary ambient air quality standard for S oxides is reviewed. The role of acid rain in producing ‘welfare effects’ is described. Emphasis is given to the fact that a wide range of effects not simply limited to forest vegetation must be considered when designing pollution control programs. The possible effects of ignoring acid rain in developing control strategies to meet health related standards for S oxides, N oxides and particulates are mentioned. Researchers need to be aware of the kinds of information which are needed by regulatory agencies before a regulatory program can be designed for alleviating the threat. Concern and speculation are not adequate. Accurate dose-response information and cumulative damage estimates are needed to quantify the effects of acid rain. Of vital importance are: (1) discovery of pollutant concentrations, mechanisms, and atmospheric conditions which lead to harmful effects: and (2) identification of major sources of the pollutant. The effect such information could have on techniques for meeting groundlevel air-quality standards such as tall stacks and Intermittant Control Systems (ICS) is discussed. The desirability of an integrated research effort in this area to answer these needs is stressed. EPA efforts in this regard are mentioned.
Complementary DNA sequence of a human cytoplasmic actin: Interspecies Divergence of 3′ non-coding regions

We have isolated and sequenced a cloned complementary DNA insert complementary to the messenger RNA of a cytoplasmic actin expressed in human epidermal cells. This provides the first cytoplasmic actin complementary DNA sequence for a vertebrate organism. The actin amino acid sequence predicted from this complementary DNA is identical to that of a bovine cytoplasmic actin and shows 98 and 85% homology with a Dictyostelium and a yeast actin, respectively. The complementary DNA sequence indicates that the 3' end of the mRNA contains an unusually long (greater than 400 nucleotides) 3' non-translated region. A comparison of this 3' non-coding region with those of recently determined actin complementary DNA sequences from other species reveals little or no homology among these sequences. Thus, these results indicate that although the actin amino acid sequences are extremely conserved, the non-coding regions of the mRNAs diverge rapidly.
Social Support and Recovery From Myocardial Infarction

The ability to identify patients with special psychosocia1 needs is necessary to effectively target cardiac rehabilitation. Recent evidence suggests that social relationships and social support may influence recovery from a myocardial infarction (MI). A panel study is used to explore the predictive value of assessing social support in MI recovery and to examine its relative contribution to multiple recovery outcomes when compared to illness severity, pre-illness stressful life events, and personal sense of control. Analysis of data collected through structured interviews during acute hospitalization (N = 114) and again 6 months later (N = 75) and one year later (N = 60) finds statistically significant associations between measures of support and psychological, functional, and physical outcomes. Multiple regression analysis indicates that the relative contribution of support to outcome variance is less than that of the patient's sense of personal control. Methodological and clinical implications of the stu...
Α-d-Galactose-bearing glycoproteins on the surface of stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages

Two glycoproteins were isolated from lysates of thioglycollate-stimulated, murine peritoneal macrophages by affinity chromatography on immobilized Griffonia simplicifolia I lectin and by preparative SDS/PAGE. The glycoproteins were readily labeled on the surface of intact macrophages with 3H and 125I. The labeled glycoproteins migrated as broad bands of molecular mass 92-109 kDa and 115-125 kDa. The mobility of the glycoproteins decreased only slightly after reduction with dithiothreitol, indicating the absence of intersubunit disulfide bridges. The 92-kDa and 115-kDa glycoproteins had pI 5.2-5.4 and pI less than or equal to 4, respectively. Digestion of both glycoproteins with alpha-galactosidase released 23% of their 3H content and abolished their ability to bind to the G. simplicifolia I lectin, showing that they contain terminal alpha-D-galactosyl groups. After reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, each glycoprotein fraction was sensitive to N-glycanase; the 115-kDa glycoproteins produced a smear with the front at approximately 67 kDa, whereas the 92-kDa glycoprotein gave two bands of 61 kDa and 75 kDa. Unreduced glycoproteins were insensitive to N-glycanase, suggesting the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds. Although each glycoprotein fraction was sensitive to endoglycosidase H, this enzyme produced only slight changes in molecular mass when compared with N-glycanase. From these results as well as from the specificity of the enzymes involved, it is concluded that each glycoprotein fraction contains complex-type oligosaccharides and a small amount of high-mannose and/or hybrid-type oligosaccharides. While each glycoprotein fraction was bound to Datura stramonium lectin, they failed to react with anti-[i-(Den)] serum and their digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase did not cause a band shift in SDS/PAGE. Taken together, these results suggest the presence of N-acetyllactosamine units which are not arrayed in linear form but occur as single units, bound either to C2 and C6, or to C2 and C4, or both, of outer mannosyl residues on complex-type oligosaccharides. The glycoprotein(s) fraction precipitated with anti-[I (Step)] serum, suggesting the presence of branched lactosaminoglycans. Digestion of both glycoprotein fractions with a mixture of sialidase and O-glycanase did not alter their mobility in SDS/PAGE, suggesting a lack or low content of O-linked trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides. Each glycoprotein fraction was bound specifically to Sambucus nigra and Maackia amurensis immobilized lectins, indicating the presence of sialic acid linked alpha 2,6 to subterminal D-galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues, and alpha 2,3 to N-acetyllactosamine residues, respectively.
Bayesian Estimation of Boundary Conditions with Application to Deep Tunneling

An iterative procedure is proposed to determine the far-field state of stress that exists in a rock mass with non-linear behavior around a tunnel. Absolute displacements of the tunnel wall obtained by means of geodetic measurements are used to identify the boundary stress conditions. Previous information is accounted for, so that boundary conditions can be updated at the various stages of a project, as soon as new information becomes available. The application to the 2-D plane strain synthetic model of a tunnel in a yielding rock mass shows the fast convergence of the procedure and the need to use absolute displacements (rather than relative displacements) in order for the identification problem to be well-posed.
The Role of Different Solvers in Planning and Scheduling Integration

This paper attempts to analyze the issue of planning and scheduling integration from the point of view of information sharing. This concept is the basic bridging factor between the two realms of problem solving. In fact, the exchange of each solver’s point of view on the problem to be solved allows for a synergetic effort in the process of searching the space of states. In this work, we show how different solving strategies cooperate in this process by varying the degree of integration of the combined procedure. In particular, the analysis exposes the advantage of propagating sets of partial plans rather than reasoning on sequential state space representations. Also, we show how this is beneficial both to a component-based approach (in which information sharing occurs only once) and to more interleaved forms of integration.
Surface Irrigation Systems

In surface irrigation, water is conveyed to the point of infiltration directly on the soil surface. Thus, the soil surface may be considered as the conveyance channel boundary. Surface irrigation channels vary widely in shape, size, and hydraulic characteristics.
The phylogeny of Anophelinae revisited: inferences about the origin and classification of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae)

000–000. The evolution of anopheline mosquitoes (Culicidae: Anophelinae) has been the subject of speculation and study for decades, but a comprehensive phylogeny of these insects is far from complete. The results of phylogenetic studies based on morphological and molecular data sets are conspicuously ambiguous. Here, we revisit the phylogenetic relationships of anopheline mosquitoes using state-of-the-art software and cladistic methods to analyse the data set of Harbach & Kitching (2005). We present a refined interpretation of relationships based on analyses of a revised data set that includes an additional species. Implied weighting analyses were conducted with TNT with the concavity constant K ranging from 1 to 33. We determined the optimal K value by summing the GC supports for each MPC and selected the tree with the highest support, K = 30, as the preferred cladogram. We then collapsed the branches with GC support < 1 to obtain the ‘best’ topography of relationships. Genus Chagasia is the basalmost taxon of Anophelinae, and genus Anopheles is recovered as monophyletic but only if Anopheles implexus is excluded and genus Bironella is subordinated within it. The Afrotropical An. implexus is recovered as the sister to all other anophelines, and Christya Theobald, stat. nov., is elevated from synonymy with Anopheles Meigen as a subgenus to accommodate it. The other anophelines comprise two large clades. The first includes the reciprocally monophyletic subgenera Kerteszia + Nyssorhynchus; the second consists of subgenus Cellia as the sister to a heterogeneous clade that includes genus Bironella and subgenera Anopheles, Baimaia, Lophopodomyia and Stethomyia of genus Anopheles. The sister relationship of Cellia and the heterogeneous clade is lost when the branches with GC <1 are collapsed. The monophyly and non-monophyly of the informal subordinate taxa of subgenera Nyssorhynchus, Cellia and Anopheles, and also evolutionary scenarios, are discussed in relation to previous studies.
Focus On a STEM, Based In Place, Watershed Curriculum: A Confluence of Stormwater, Humans, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills

i Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv List of Tables viii List of Figures ix Glossary x List of Abbreviations xiii Chapter I: Introduction 1 Chapter II: Review of Literature 10 Chapter III: Methods 27 Chapter IV: Results 50 Chapter V: Discussion 69 Chapter VI: Conclusion 88 References 98 Appendix A: The Owl Lake Watershed & Engineering Design Unit (OLWEDU) Pre/Posttest (PPT) 103 Appendix B: Constructed Knowledge Questionnaire (CKQ) portion 109 Appendix C: Environmental Attitude Survey (EAS) portion 112 Appendix D: Interview script of questions for the OLWEDU 113 Appendix E: Next Generation Science Standards used in OLWEDU 116 Appendix F: Data Analysis Table of Instruments and Variables 117 vii Appendix G: Excel Quick Analysis snapshot 123 Appendix H: Human Subject Protocol and Consent Forms 124
Direction-of-arrival estimation by subspace rotation methods - ESPRIT

Results of simulations comparing the performance of ESPRIT (Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Techniques) and the MUSIC (MUltiple Signal Classification) algorithm are presented. ESPRIT exploits an underlying rotational invariance among signal subspaces induced by an array of sensors with a translational invariance structure. In contrast, the MUSIC algorithm uses intersections between the array manifold and the signal subspace to estimate the directions. ESPRIT is shown to have performance advantages over MUSIC in certain scenarios apart from its previously reported implementational advantages.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: current theory, treatment, and the use of B6.

Purpose To present the current state of the science of pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, including the use of pyridoxine (B6). Data Sources Selected research articles, texts, websites, per-sonal communications with experts, and the authors’ own clinical experience. Conclusions Much is yet to be learned about carpal tunnel syndrome. While the basic treatment of NSAIDs and nighttime splints seems universally accepted, much controversy remains. The use of vitamin B6 as a treatment is one such controversy requiring further investigation. Implications for Practice Current treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome should include NSAIDs, nighttime splinting, ergonomic workstation review, and vitamin B6 200mg per day.
Friendly drug-dealers and terrifying puppies: affective primacy can attenuate the N400 effect in emotional discourse contexts.

Words that are semantically congruous with their preceding discourse context are easier to process than words that are semantically incongruous with their context. This facilitation of semantic processing is reflected by an attenuation of the N400 event-related potential (ERP). We asked whether this was true of emotional words in emotional contexts where discourse congruity was conferred through emotional valence. ERPs were measured as 24 participants read two-sentence scenarios with critical words that varied by emotion (pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral) and congruity (congruous or incongruous). Semantic predictability, constraint, and plausibility were comparable across the neutral and emotional scenarios. As expected, the N400 was smaller to neutral words that were semantically congruous (vs. incongruous) with their neutral discourse context. No such N400 congruity effect was observed on emotional words following emotional discourse contexts. Rather, the amplitude of the N400 was small to all emotional words (pleasant and unpleasant), regardless of whether their emotional valence was congruous with the valence of their emotional discourse context. However, consistent with previous studies, the emotional words produced a larger late positivity than did the neutral words. These data suggest that comprehenders bypassed deep semantic processing of valence-incongruous emotional words within the N400 time window, moving rapidly on to evaluate the words’ motivational significance.
Atomic physics with the Texas A&M ECR ion source

Abstract An electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) ion source has been constructed to provide highly charged ions for injection into the K500 superconducting cyclotron. The source is also available approximately 30% of the time for use in experiments independent of the cyclotron. An atomic physics beamline has been constructed for this purpose and is now operational. A variety of experiments pertaining to neutralization processes, laser spectroscopy and charge exchange are currently in progress.
Numerical simulation of crystallization in high density polyethylene extrudates

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of solidification of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in a parallelepiped shaped extrudate is accomplished using a cell model for spherulite growth on a microscopic level under quiescent conditions and coupled with an enthalpy based heat transfer equation on the macroscopic level. The parallelepiped is cooled from the melting point of HDPE by a stream of air blown across it. When the thickness of the extrudate is of the order of microns, the distribution of the degree of crystallinity and temperature is uniform, and the lumped system formulation to model crystallization and heat flow is applicable. But significant variations inside the extrudate are observed when the thicknesses are of the order of millimeters and centimeters. The non-dimensional Deborah and Biot numbers are shown to be important in the applicability of the formulation. The effects of air speed and ambient temperature on the crystallization process are also studied. It is observed that both (1) an increase in the air speed and (2) a decrease in the ambient temperature increase the rate of crystallization in the parallelepiped. The former has much greater effect than the latter in changing the average convective heat transfer coefficient. As a result, increasing the air speed results in much larger spherulites compared to reducing the ambient temperature. Decrease of temperatures in the extrudate during the either cooling processes is observed to be non-monotonic owing to the release of the latent heat during crystallization. Introducing a constant temperature (melting point of HDPE) at a cross section of the extrudate changes the distribution of relative crystallinity and temperature in the extrudate significantly: the temperature gradient becomes much higher along the extrudate axis, and the material near the cross section never solidifies. Also, the extrudate behaves more like a fin as the variations in the thickness direction become insignificant.
The alternative Asian And Pacific Islander racial classification: Is it a valid variable in pregnancy outcome? † 1197

Objective: To examine the validity of an alternative Asian and Pacific Islander racial classification by comparing pregnancy outcomes among Asian and Pacific Islander (PI) subgroups.
The feasible solution algorithm for least trimmed squares regression

Abstract Least trimmed squares (LTS) is a criterion for analyzing multiple regression data sets in which there may be outliers. The method consists of finding that subset of cases whose deletion from the data set would lead to the regression with the smallest residual sum of squares. It is used as a general-purpose high breakdown method, and also has some inferential motivation in that it gives the maximum likelihood estimator of the regression under a widely-used outlier model. It is also theoretically attractive in that it has standard O( n − 1 2 ) asymptotics. Its practical usefulness has however been limited by the absence of a computationally manageable exact algorithm for performing LTS fits. This paper capitalizes on a necessary condition characterizing the LTS fit to develop a probabilistic ‘feasible solution’ algorithm. This algorithm takes random starting trial solutions and refines each to the local optimum satisfying this necessary condition. Repeating this using different starting sets provides the global optimum with arbitrarily high probability for sufficiently many random starts. Exhaustive enumeration of several standard data sets from the literature verifies the method's good performance. An example of a very large data set shows that the usefulness of the method is not confined to the small samples often used in the robustness and outlier literature.
Evaluation of a "formal" endocrinology curbside consultation service: advice by means of internet, fax, and telephone.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the development, implementation, and assessment of an Internet- and fax-based endocrinology curbside consultation service. Methods An Internet- and fax-based endocrinology consultation service was designed by developing a simple Web site so that requesting physicians could complete a form about the patient. Community and academic-based primary-care physicians were invited to use the service. One month after each consultation, a follow-up questionnaire about the effectiveness and use of the Internet and fax consultation service was sent to each physician who had requested the consultation. Results During the 5-month period in which the service was offered, 67 physicians requested a total of 85 “formal” endocrinology curbside consultations. Of these 85 requests, 46 were by e-mail, 31 by fax, and 8 by telephone. Follow-up questionnaires were returned by 61 of the 67 physicians who used the service. One hundred percent of the physicians found the service to be useful, and about 33% noted formal consultation had been avoided. In approximately 55% of the consultations, physicians indicated that the response caused them to alter the treatment of their patient. Consultation questions encompassed the full spectrum of endocrinology. The issues were approximately equally distributed among test interpretation, medication, and management. Conclusion We successfully designed and implemented an Internet- and fax-based endocrinology curbside consultation service. This form of consultation was used by physicians and brought about change in the management of their patients. (Endocr Pract. 2003;9: 124-127)
Concentration-dependent effects of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability transition and cytochrome c release.

Abstract The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) and associated release of cytochrome c are thought to be important in the apoptotic process. Nitric oxide (NO⋅) has been reported to inhibit apoptosis by acting on a variety of extra-mitochondrial targets. The relationship between cytochromec release and PTP opening, and the effects of NO⋅are not clearly established. Nitric oxide, S-nitrosothiols and peroxynitrite are reported to variously inhibit or promote PTP opening. In this study the effects of NO⋅ on the PTP were characterized by exposing isolated rat liver mitochondria to physiological and pathological rates of NO⋅ released from NONOate NO⋅donors. Nitric oxide reversibly inhibited PTP opening with an IC50 of 11 nm NO⋅/s, which can be readily achieved in vivo by NO⋅ synthases. The mechanism involved mitochondrial membrane depolarization and inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation. At supraphysiological release rates (>2 μm/s) NO⋅ accelerated PTP opening. Substantial cytochrome c release occurred with only a 20% change in mitochondrial swelling, was an early event in the PTP, and was also inhibited by NO⋅. Furthermore, NO⋅ exposure resulted in significantly lower cytochrome c release for the same degree of PTP opening. It is proposed that this pathway represents an additional mechanism underlying the antiapoptotic effects of NO⋅.
Stored packed red blood cell transfusion up-regulates inflammatory gene expression in circulating leukocytes.

Restoring oxygen delivery to ischemic organs after hemorrhagic shock is a fundamental goal of postinjury resuscitation. Currently, crystalloid resuscitation followed by transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) remains the standard of care; however, stored PRBC transfusion is not without adverse consequences. Allogenic blood transfusion for hemorrhagic shock has been linked to increased infection rates,1 and recent clinical studies indicate that the volume and timing of blood transfusion can increase the recipient's risk for developing postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF): specifically, transfusion of greater than 6 units of PRBC in the first 12 hours postinjury has been shown to be an independent risk factor for MOF, irrespective of the severity.2,3 The precise mechanisms in the pathogenesis of MOF remain unclear, and identification of these risk factors suggests that blood transfusion delivers an incremental insult contributing to a dysregulated systemic inflammatory response.4,5 Although it is known that stored red blood cells progressively change in size and shape with age,6 in vitro and clinical studies have offered greater insight into the proinflammatory effects of blood transfusion. Several bioactive substances accumulate with blood storage, including cytokines and proinflammatory lipids.7–9 Others have shown that there are extractable agents found in PRBC that can directly cause increased lung leak.10 Although removing leukocytes from stored PRBCs can reduce cytokine accumulation, proinflammatory lipids remain unfiltered. Furthermore, clinical studies demonstrate that despite leukoreduction, patients continue to experience adverse outcomes associated with transfusion.11–16 Conversely, avoiding PRBCs with the use of acellular hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) to resuscitate severely injured patients is associated with a significantly lower systemic inflammatory response.17 In sum, it would seem that the predominant mechanism for the proinflammatory effect of PRBC transfusion lies in the interplay between the bioactive substances found in stored blood and the body's immune cells. Therefore, we think it is important to better understand how PRBCs affect the recipient's immune system, particularly in trauma where large-volume blood transfusions are common. In this study, we simulate major postinjury transfusion ex vivo and investigate the effect of PRBCs on circulating leukocyte gene expression. We hypothesize that PRBC transfusion induces inflammatory gene expression.
Passive smoking increases experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Objectives. We evaluated the influence of passive smoking on experimental atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Background. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been epidemiologically linked to death from ischemic heart disease in nonsmokers. Methods. New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after 2 weeks of a 0.3% cholesterol diet. Sixteen rabbits were exposed to a high and 16 rabbits to a low dose of ETS; 32 rabbits located in another room served as an unexposed control group. After 10 weeks of ETS exposure, all rabbits were killed, and the percent of aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial surfaces covered by lipid lesions was measured by staining and planimetry. Results. Average air nicotine, carbon monoxide and total pariculate concentrations were 1,040 μg/m3, 60.2 ppm and 32.8 mg/m3for the high dose ETS group, 30 μg/m3, 18.8 ppm and 4.0 mg/m3for the low dose ETS group and <1 μg/m3, 3.1 ppm and 0.13 mg/m3for the control group. The percent atherosclerotic involvement of the aorta and pulmonary artery increassd significantly with ETS exposure (for the aorta, 30 ± 19% [mean ± SD] for the control group, 36 ± 14% for the low dose ETS group and 52 ± 11% for the high dose ETS group, p < 0.001; for the pulmonary artery, 22 ± 15% for the control group, 29 ± 25% for the low dose ETS group, and 45 ± 12% for the high dose ETS group, p < 6.031). Bleeding time was significantly shorter in the two ETS groups than in the control group (86 ± 17 vs. 68 ± 15, 68 ± 18 s, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in serum triglycerides, cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol at the end of the study. Conclusions. Environmental tobacco smoke affects platelet function and increases aortic and palmonary artery atherosclerosis. This increase of atherosclerosis was independent of changes in serum lipids and exhibited a dose-response relation. These results are consistent with data from epidemiologic studies demonstrating that ETS increases the risk of death due to heart disease.
The portrayal of albinism in pop culture: a 360° change from previous ideology.

Cultural references to albinism are as old as recorded history. With the discovery of tyrosinase deficiency in animals in 1904 and the first scientific report on albinism4years later by Sir ArchibaldGarrod to lay the groundwork, albinism became known as a group of genetic disorders that are characterizedbyadefect in theproductionof tyrosinase,which is involved in the production of melanin. However, theway that albinismhasbeenwidely portrayed inpopular culture, such as in film and fiction, has caused an ominous negative aspect tobeassociatedwith thisgeneticdisorder—somuchsothatanew termhasbeencoined—evil albino—whichactsasaplotdevice.Thecommon traits of the evil albino include pale skin, platinumblonde hair, and blue or red eyes. This negative ideology is even present in great works of literature, suchasH.G.Wells’s novelThe InvisibleMan, and in film this came to fruition in the 1960swith the craze in skin tanning and the loss of the ideals associatedwithpale skin.Here is a short list of a few famousalbinos that have appearedon thebig screen: Silas inTheDaVinci Code, the twins in TheMatrix Reloaded, and of course themost hated villain of all for Hogwarts-loving fans, Lord Voldemort. Even when albinism is portrayed in apositive light, suchas in themoviePowder, thecharacter is almostmystical, with the IQ of a genius and the ability to produce electromagnetic charges. Nevertheless, he is kept in a basement, out of sight and out of mind for the world, demonstrating the view that society has regarding albinos. The idea of the evil albinowas not always the norm. Asian societies have long valued extremely fair skin. Old Chinese sayings are a testament to this. One such example roughly translates to “One whiteness can cover 3 kinds of ugliness,” and to this day, Chinese continue to use bleach creams and even sunscreen with whiteners. In Japan, geisha would use paint in their efforts to obtain very fair completions. In Europe, during theMiddleAges and theRenaissance, fair skinwas considered tobeattractiveandwasstrived for. It representedwealthandahigh aristocratic social status. Howhassocietymadesuchadrastic turn?Historically,albinismwould haverepresentedthepinnacleof the fair-skinned idealandamarkofhigh status, and now albinism is vilified as a condition that acts as a prerequisite forevil in someof thebiggestblockbusters in filmsand fiction.The attention on albinism should be directed to awareness of its characteristics—not only as having fair skin, but also its associated health concerns, including thevisual defects, increased risk of skin cancer, and the psychosocial problems that individuals with albinism endure.
A novel fast algorithm for parallel excitation pulse design in MRI

Spatially selective excitations with parallel transmitters have been regarded as a key in solving several high field MRI problems such as inhomogeneity correction and reducing specific absorption rate. However, three-dimensional pulse design in general is very time consuming which may prevent it from real-time applications. In this work, we explore the sparsity in the pulse design system equation. The size of system equation is reduced after a sparse transform and therefore design speed can be significantly increased. Computer simulations in several common scenarios show that the proposed design method can achieve up to an order of magnitude speedup than the conventional design methods while maintaining similar excitation accuracy.