cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redefined duplex ultrasonographic criteria for diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate duplex ultrasongraphic criteria for the determination of 50 % or more and 70% or more stenosis of the diameter of the internal carotid artery based on conventional angiography in order to align ultrasongraphic diagnostic categories with current clinical management schemes. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 1, 1995, and June 30,1999, 915 patients underwent both carotid duplex ultrasonography and cerebral angiography within 30 days at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Of these patients, 294 were excluded from this study because of occlusion of one or both of the internal carotid arteries or atypical Dow characteristics. In the remaining 621 patients (61 % male, 39% female; mean age, 67.7 years [range, 14-88 years]), 1218 vessels were available for correlation. Several Doppler ultrasongraphic velocity variables were compared with the angiographic findings by use of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The primary end point was verification of optimal ultrasongraphic criteria to diagnose 70% or more internal carotid artery stenosis. The secondary end point was establishment of threshold values to detect stenosis of 500/0 or more. RESULTS At angiography, 382 patients had internal carotid arteries with 70% or more stenosis. Peak systolic and end diastolic velocities of the internal carotid artery and internal carotid artery:common carotid artery peak systolic velocity ratios were measured. For an internal carotid artery stenosis of 70% or more, a peak systolic velocity of 230 cm/s or more resulted in a sensitivity of 86.4%, a specificity of 90.1%, a positive predictive value of 82.7%, a negative predictive value of 92.3%, and an accuracy of 88.8% An end diastolic velocity of 70 cm/s or more and an internal carotid artery:common carotid artery ratio of 3.2 or more yielded similar values. For an internal carotid artery stenosis of 50% or more, a peak systolic velocity of 130 cm/s or more resulted in a sensitivity of 92.1%, a specificity of 89.50/0, a positive predictive value of 90.3%, a negative predictive value of 91.3%, and an overall accuracy of 90.8%. An internal carotid artery:common carotid artery ratio of 1.6 or more yielded similar values. CONCLUSION In our ultrasonography laboratory, a carotid artery stenosis of 70% or more (for which carotid endarterectomy is typically recommended in symptomatic patients) is diagnosed reliably with the following duplex ultrasongraphic criteria: a peak systolic velocity of 230 cms or more, an end diastolic velocity of 70 cm/s or more, or an internal carotid artery:common carotid artery ratio of 3.2 or more.
From measurements to metrics: PCA-based indicators of cyber anomaly

We present a framework of the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to automatically obtain meaningful metrics from intrusion detection measurements. In particular, we report the progress made in applying PCA to analyze the behavioral measurements of malware and provide some preliminary results in selecting dominant attributes from an arbitrary number of malware attributes. The results will be useful in formulating an optimal detection threshold in the principal component space, which can both validate and augment existing malware classifiers.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Confounding of the Relation between Homocysteine and Peripheral Arterial Disease by Lead, Cadmium, and Renal Function

Homocysteine levels are associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in observational studies. Lead and cadmium are risk factors for PAD that affect thiol metabolism, and they may partly explain the association of homocysteine with PAD. To evaluate the roles of lead and cadmium exposure in confounding the association between homocysteine and PAD, the authors performed a cross-sectional study among 4,447 persons aged > or = 40 years who participated in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial blood pressure index less than 0.90 in at least one leg. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, the odds ratio for PAD in the highest quintile of homocysteine compared with the lowest was 1.92 (p(trend) = 0.004). Adjusting for blood lead and cadmium levels reduced this odds ratio to 1.37 (p(trend) = 0.13), and further adjusting for estimated glomerular filtration rate and smoking reduced it to 0.89 (p(trend) = 0.87). Adjustment for other risk factors did not affect this association. In the general population, the association of homocysteine level with PAD can be completely explained by confounding due to smoking, increased blood lead and cadmium levels, and impaired renal function. The association of lead and cadmium with PAD risk deserves further investigation.
Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms with a series of C6–C10 cycloalkanes and cycloketones at 297 ± 2 K

Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms with cycloheptane, cyclooctane, cyclodecane, cyclohexanone, cycloheptanone, cyclooctanone, and cyclodecanone have been measured at 297 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using a relative rate method. n-Butane, with a rate constant of 2.05 × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, was used as the reference compound, and the rate constants obtained (in units of 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) were cycloheptane, 4.22 ± 0.15; cyclooctane, 4.57 ± 0.15; cyclodecane, 5.13 ± 0.15; cyclohexanone, 1.79 ± 0.06; cycloheptanone, 2.46 ± 0.07; cyclooctanone, 2.97 ± 0.09; and cyclodecanone, 3.65 ± 0.15, where the indicated errors are two least-squares standard deviations and do not include uncertainties in the rate constant for the reference compound n-butane. Room temperature rate constants for the C5–C10 cycloketones indicate that the CH2 groups adjacent to the carbonyl group are almost totally deactivated toward H-atom abstraction by Cl atoms, and this also applies to acyclic ketones. A previous structure–reactivity relationship for Cl + alkanes has been extended to include acyclic and cyclic ketones. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 52–58, 2013
The Sources of Growth in Federal Spending

The sharp upsurge in federal spending during the twelve years of the Reagan and Bush administrations is attributable largely—but not entirely—to the growth of outlays for entitlements. But while Reagan succeeded in cutting domestic discretionary spending by almost 10 percent, under Bush it rose by close to 18 percent. This article attempts to account for those differences and concludes by suggesting ways to slow the growth of total federal spending.
Endothelin-1 induces an increase in total protein synthesis and expression of the smooth muscle α-actin gene in vascular smooth muscle cells

The growth response of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to chronic hypertension includes vascular hypertrophy. We have shown previously that angiotensin II positively regulates the expression of the human vascular smooth muscle (SM) alpha-actin gene. To further expand our understanding of vasoactive peptide-induced vascular hypertrophy, we studied endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulation of total protein synthesis and cytoskeletal gene expression in VSMCs. In a concentration-dependent manner ET-1 increased [3H] leucine incorporation by VSMCs (122.4 +/- 5.5%, mean +/- SEM, n = 5). ET-1 (0.1 microM) induced expression of SM alpha-actin mRNA as detected by Northern blot analysis. Also, ET-1 in a concentration-dependent manner (0.1 nM-0.1 microM) induced expression of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene driven by 896 bp of the human SM alpha-actin promoter when transiently transfected into rat aortic VSMCs by the calcium phosphate method (141.2 +/- 9.8%, mean +/- SEM, n = 10). These data suggest that part of ET-1-induced increase in protein synthesis is achieved through transcriptional regulation of the SM alpha-actin gene via activation of cis-acting element(s) in the promoter. Such findings help elucidate the role of ET-1 in regulation of vascular growth.
Evaluation of a new kit for magnesium measurement in biological fluids

A colorimetric kit for serum magnesium determinations has recently been marketed by E. M. Diagnostics (Darmstadt, West Germany). The accuracy and precision of the kit method have been evaluated by comparison with Atomic Absorption and Titan Yellow methods. Despite interferences caused by lipemia, bilirubinemia and hemolysis, the kit offers a fast, specific semi-micro method for serum or urine magnesium determinations at a greater precision than is obtainable by the Titan Yellow method.
Markets of Multitudes: How Biotechnologies are Standardising and Differentiating Corn and Soybeans

Using the case of corn and soybean production, this article examines the development of a market of multitudes in agrifood systems. With the introduction of genetically modified varieties, corn and soy production have undergone significant standardisation. However, the market for non-genetically modified corn and soybeans has simultaneously proliferated. Thus, there are now multiple market streams for corn and soy that, we argue, has given rise to a new organisational model, namely supply chain management. Using data collected from a survey, interviews and web analyses we examine how supply chain management is being implemented in non-genetically modified corn and soybean production. Specifically, we examine the use of identity preservation programmes, standards, audits and testing, and the benefits and limitations of such an organisational model for different actors. In concluding, we argue that the shift towards a market of multitudes is creating opportunities for producers and consumers but also poses a number of ethical challenges.
Haptic Simulation of Elbow Joint Spasticity

Spasticity is a human motor system disorder in which reflexive muscle activity becomes unregulated, causing unwanted contractions that can interfere with voluntary movement. We present a simulator that replicates spastic arm dynamics for clinical training of physical therapists and neurologists. Accurate clinical assessment of spasticity is critical in the determination of patient treatment, although physical evidence of spasticity is often confused with that of related neuromuscular disorders. By repeatably simulating different levels of spastic severity, we hope to improve clinician training for rating spasticity and consequently decrease the variability of ratings between raters and within raters. Our haptic device, designed to replicate the spastic elbow of a child, uses a brake actuator and high-resolution optical encoder. Two competing spasticity models from the literature are implemented. Preliminary experiments indicate that the decreased stretch reflex threshold model is more realistic than the increased stiffness model. The simulator improves on training with patients, since spastic severity can be readily adjusted under controlled and repeatable conditions.
Youth Violence— Crime or Self-Help? Marginalized Urban Males' Perspectives on the Limited Efficacy of the Criminal Justice System to Stop Youth Violence

In 1983, sociologist Donald Black proposed the theory of “Crime as Social Control,” in which he argued that for the socially disadvantaged, crime is commonly moralistic and can be characterized as self-help in the pursuit of justice when legal protection fails. This article uses Black's theory as a framework to assess the role of violence among African American male youth in disadvantaged urban communities in New York City. Using in-depth interview data for 416 young violent male offenders, the authors analyze youths' perspectives on their personal safety; access to legal, governmental, and communal protection from violence; the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and police in addressing crime and violence in their neighborhoods; and the need to rely on self- and group/gang-protection as a means of social control. The implications for self-help theory are discussed.
Histamine levels and cardiovascular responses during splenectomy and splenorenal shunt formation in a patient with systemic mastocytosis

Summary Systemic mastocytosis is a rare disorder characterised by the infiltration of many tissues by abnormal numbers of mast cells. Life-threatening episodes of bronchospasm and hypotension are common in response to a variety of triggers which cause mast cell degranulation. We present the case history of a patient with severe mast cell disease who successfully underwent splenectomy and portocaval anastomosis. Peri-operative therapy was directed towards mast cell stabilisation, and histamine-releasing drugs were avoided. Cardiovascular data, together with blood histamine levels and thrombin times, indicated that mast cell degranulation did not occur. A review of the current literature concerning mast cell disease as it relates to anaesthesia is presented and suggestions for the safe management of such cases are given.
High-content image-based screening of a signal transduction pathway inhibitor small-molecule library against highly pathogenic RNA viruses.

High-content image-based screening was developed as an approach to test a small-molecule library of compounds targeting signal transduction pathways for antiviral activity against multiple highly pathogenic RNA viruses. Of the 2843 compounds screened, 120 compounds exhibited ≥60% antiviral activity. Four compounds (E225-0969, E528-0039, G118-0778, and G544-0735), which were most active against Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and showed broad-spectrum antiviral activity, were selected for further evaluation for their concentration-response profile and cytotoxicity. These compounds did not show any visible cytotoxicity at the highest concentration of compound tested (200 µM). All four of these compounds were more active than ribavirin against several viruses. One compound, E225-0969, had the lowest effective concentration (EC 50 = 1.9-8.92 µM) for all the viruses tested. This compound was 13- and 43-fold more inhibitory against RVFV and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), respectively, than ribavirin. The highest selectivity index (>106.2) was for E225-0969 against CHIKV. Time-of-addition assays suggested that all four lead compounds targeted early steps in the viral life cycle (entry and/or replication) but not virus egress. Overall, this work demonstrates that high-content image analysis can be used to screen chemical libraries for new antivirals against highly pathogenic viruses.
Temperature tuning of 1.3 m vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers

In this study we demonstrate the temperature tuning of a 1.3µm Vertical-Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifier. We achieved 10dB of fiber-to-fiber gain over a tuning range of approximately 8 nm.
Stable isotopes and soil-geomorphology as indicators of Holocene climate change, northern Chihuahuan Desert

Abstract Coeval δ13C shifts recorded in buried soils at both piedmont slope and basin floor sites in the northern Chihuahuan Desert indicate a major shift from C4grasses to C3desert-scrub between 7 and 9 ka. The age assignments are based on stratigraphic correlations to charcoal dates and carbon-14 dates of carbonate. This shift is synchronous with a period of cooling in the North Atlantic that may have triggered a period of drought in the south-western United States. Coinciding with this vegetation change, geomorphic evidence in Rio Grande, piedmont, and basin floor eolian environments indicates a major period of erosion. Subsequent gradual enrichment of pedogenic carbonateδ13 C values in younger deposits suggests that C4grasses rebounded in the late Holocene (approximately 4 ka), which is consistent with other evidence of increased moisture regionally. A period of less severe aridity at approximately 2·2 ka is indicated by erosion and subsequent deposition along the alluvial fans and within the basin, and correlates with depleted pedogenic carbonate δ13C values suggesting a decrease in C4grasses. Isotope and packrat midden records should be used together to infer past environmental conditions at different elevations.
Importance of Coastal Change Variables in Determining Vulnerability to Sea- and Lake-Level Change

Abstract In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey began conducting scientific assessments of coastal vulnerability to potential future sea- and lake-level changes in 22 National Park Service sea- and lakeshore units. Coastal park units chosen for the assessment included a variety of geological and physical settings along the U.S. Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Alaska, Caribbean, and Great Lakes shorelines. This research is motivated by the need to understand and anticipate coastal changes caused by accelerating sea-level rise, as well as lake-level changes caused by climate change, over the next century. The goal of these assessments is to provide information that can be used to make long-term (decade to century) management decisions. Here we analyze the results of coastal vulnerability assessments for several coastal national park units. Index-based assessments quantify the likelihood that physical changes may occur based on analysis of the following variables: tidal range, ice cover, wave height,...
Floral development in Schotia and Cynometra (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: Detarieae)

Floral development was compared among several relatively unspecialized taxa in caesalpinioid tribe Detarieae: Cynometra webberi, an undescribed species of Cynometra, and three species of Schotia. These share a relatively unspecialized caesalpinioid flower type with no loss of organs, but some organ suppression. They also share the following characters: relatively small bracteoles in early stages, a circular floral apex, helical sepal initiation, and a nonmedian abaxial position of the first sepal initiated. Floral symmetry is radial. Order of initiation is helical among sepals in all. Order of petal initiation varies: helical in Schotia afra, unidirectional in Schotia brachypetala and S. latifolia, and simultaneous in Cynometra. Stamens are initiated unidirectionally in all except in the outer stamen whorl of Schotia afra, which is helical. Overlap of time of initiation between whorls occurs in S. brachypetala, S. latifolia, and Cynometra. The carpel initiates concurrently with the petals or directly thereafter in all. A tetramerous calyx results from fusion of the two upper (adaxial) sepal primordia. The carpel initiates ovules before marginal closure in both genera. Organ suppression includes one or two petals in Schotia and sometimes one in Cynometra.
Ultrasound attenuation in solid CD4

Abstract We have measured the attenuation of 4 and 12 MHz longitudinal and transverse sound in solid CD 4 between 4 and 77 K. Absolute values for absorption at 77 K were determined from the variation in output amplitude as the length of the solid was reduced. As temperature is varied, the excess attenuation over a constant background undergoes maxima in the vicinity of the phase transitions at 22.1 and 27.0 K. The peak around the upper transition, which involves orientational ordering but not structural change, does not obey all the criteria of a single-relaxation model, but that model produces useful information on the hindering of molecular reorientation near the transition temperature, consistent with inferences drawn from thermal expansion measurements. Neither a relaxation model nor a critical-exponent model fits the attenuation data for the lower transition, in which both orientational and structural changes are now known to occur.
Neurotransmitter transport: Models in flux

The switch model of channel gating is supported by numerous experiments including the direct observation of large ionic currents flowing through single ion …
Frequency interleaving as a codesign scheduling paradigm

Frequency interleaving is introduced as a means of conceptualizing and co-scheduling hardware and software behaviors so that software models with conceptually unbounded state and execution time are resolved with hardware resources. The novel mechanisms that result in frequency interleaving are a shared memory foundation for all system modeling (from gates to software intensive subsystems) and dc-coupled, but interrelated time- and state-interleaved scheduling domains. The result for system modeling is greater accommodation of software as a configuration paradigm that loads system resources, a greater accommodation of shared memory modeling, and a greater representation of software schedulers as a system architectural abstraction. The results for system co-simulation are a lessening of the dependence on discrete event simulation as a means of merging physical and non-physical models of computation, and a lessening of the need to partition a system as computation and communication too early in the design. We include an example demonstrating its implementation.
Measuring, monitoring, and maintaining memories in a partially observable mind

Visual memory holds in mind details of objects, textures, faces, and scenes. After initial expo- sure to an image, however, visual memories rapidly degrade because they are transferred from iconic memory, a high-capacity sensory buffer, to working memory, a low-capacity maintenance system. How does visual memory maintenance work? This dissertation builds the argument that the maintenance of short-term visual memories is analogous to the act of breathing: it is a dynamic process with a default behavior that explains much of its usual workings, but which can be observed, overridden, and controlled. Chapter 1 shows how the act of trying to remember more information causes people to forget faster and to remember less (“load-dependent forgetting” and “overreaching”). It then shows how the paradigm of evolution can be applied to the problem of maintenance, with memories competing over a limited memory-supporting commodity, explaining these effects. Chapter 2 presents experiments on metamemory, the ability of people to observe and make decisions about their own memories. The experiments isolate a component of metamemory that monitors a memory’s quality as it degrades over time. Chapter 3 connects memory to metamemory, drawing on work from reinforcement learning and decision theory to liken the problem of memory maintenance to that of an agent who sequentially decides what to prioritize in a partially observable mind.
Vorinostat for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) is the first US FDA-approved histone deacetylase inhibitor for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). In two Phase II trials, vorinostat was safe and effective at an oral dose of 400 mg/day, with an overall response rate of 24–30% in refractory advanced CTCL patients, including large-cell transformed mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. Most patients with CTCL also experience significant itching relief with vorinostat therapy. Moreover, a recent follow-up study reported long-term safety and clinical benefits of vorinostat in heavily pretreated patients with CTCL, regardless of previous treatment failures. The most frequent side effects of vorinostat include gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue and thrombocytopenia. These side effects are dose-related and reversible upon cessation of therapy. Translational studies have shown that vorinostat has in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activities against CTCL, includ...
Decision-making quality of younger and older adults in familiar and unfamiliar domains

Age-related differences in purchasing decisions were examined as a function of age and familiarity. On each trial, participants received purchasing options which varied in quality but ultimately cost the same amount of money. On half the trials, participants made decisions about items familiar to younger adults and on the other half of the trials, participants made decisions about products familiar to older adults. The participants' task was to choose the option that provided the best value for the money. We were particularly interested in participants' performance when inferencing was required to select the optimal option from the two choices. Younger adults outperformed older adults in unfamiliar but not familiar domains. It appeared that both younger and older adults used inferencing and elaborative processing to make the best decision in familiar domains but that only younger adults used inferencing and elaborative processing in unfamiliar domains.
American Toy Company—The Zapper

This case provides a setting for analyzing the effects of various depreciation methods and expenditure capitalization decisions on divisional return on asset (ROA) measures.
Effect of Soot Structure Evolution from Commercial Jet Engine Burning Petroleum Based JP-8 and Synthetic HRJ and FT Fuels

Soot from jet engines is relevant to environmental and health concerns. In this study, JP-8, HRJ (hydro-treated renewable jet), and FT (Fischer–Tropsch) fuels were tested in a CFM56-2C1 engine on a DC-9 aircraft. Comparisons of PM physical structure at length scales spanning aggregate to primary particle to nanostructure, all by TEM, are reported. Petroleum based JP-8 derived soot shows the nanostructure progression from amorphous to graphitic-like as a function of increasing engine power. Soots from the renewable HRJ and FT fuels exhibit significant nanostructure at each power level. Results are interpreted in terms of different soot formation regions with associated variations in temperature and local equivalence ratio. The driver for such differences is the nascent fuel composition, more specifically the different classes of components therein.
Insecticidal Susceptibility of Nysius raphanus, a Pest of Cotton

An outbreak of Nysius raphanus Howard occurred in the San Joaquin Valley of California during the spring of 1959 and 1960. Population build-up occurred on Sisymbrium irio L., Capsella Bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. and Lepidium nitidium Nutt. Migration to cotton occurred in mid-May, with resultant destruction of seedling plants. In field experiments endrin and heptachlor gave satisfactory control while Sevin® (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate) was relatively ineffective. In laboratory experiments using a bioassay vial method of exposure, the approximate micrograms of several toxicants needed to give 50% mortality were: malathion 0.0017, dieldrin 0.3, endrin 1.0, Dipterex® (dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate) 1.6, toxaphene 30, DDT 80, and Sevin 50. Laboratory results with Sevin were erratic and inconclusive.
Investigation on the epidemic focus of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in coastal area of Hainan Province

Objective To investigate the epidemic focus of angiostrongylaisis in coastal areas of Hainan Province and provide the basis for drawing up adequate strategy of control.Methods The investigion was carried out according to the investigation scheme on Angiostrongylus cantonensis formulated by the public health ministry.Results six species of A.cantonensis intermediate host were collected in the field of sampling points.Among them,Achatina fulica and Phlegm bilineatus were infected by A.cantonensis larvas.The infection rate of A.fulica and P.bilineatus were 20.00% and 24.75%,respectively,the average intensities of infection were 7.5 worms /each and 5.09 worms /each.A.fulica which were collected from the place closing to residence or garbage with high infection rate.Conclusion There would be epidemic focus of A.cantonensis in coastal area of Hainan Province.
An epidemiology study of notifiable communicable diseases in Longgang district,Shenzhen city,2005-2009

Objective To understand the occurrence,epidemic and the changes of notifiable communicable diseases and their influencing factors from 2005 to 2009 in Longgang district,Shenzhen city,in order to provide scientific measures for diseases prevention and control.Methods Descriptive method was applied to systematically describe the notifiable communicable diseases in Longgang district,Shenzhen in the last 5 years.Results A total of 53 012 cases,consisting of 29 notifiable communicable diseases,were reported between 2005 and 2009.The annual average incidence rate was 371.97/100 000,and there were 65 death cases,with the annual average mortality rate was 0.46/100 000.The total fatality rate was 0.12%.The order of incidence was infectious diarrhea,HFMD,syphilis,gonorrhea,tuberculosis,AHC and measles.Conclusion There was a tendency of decrease in the number of notifiable communicable diseases.The design of preventive and control strategies should be adjusted according to the patterns of occurrence of the local infectious diseases.
Design and Realization of UAV Fleet Fighting Visual Simulation System

Aimed at the need of display technique of 3D image in the space battlefield,the paper adopted MultiGen Creator and Vega,developed UAV fleet fighting visual simulation system on the SGI graphics workstation,designed the architecture of hardware and software,solved the technique of mass terrain management such as terrain class,terrain LOD(Level of Detail),realized the IO in the real time network and the display of the space battlefield.The result of our research can meet the requirement of space battlefield visual simulation,and increase the immersion in the visual simulation.
Pheromonal and reproductive function of F prostaglandins and their metabolites in teleost fish

Although the function of prostaglandins in fish reproduction has not been well studied, it is becoming increasingly clear that prostaglandin F2 alpha or a compound closely resembling it serves three critical roles mediating reproductive activities in teleost fish. First, it appears to play a paracrine role in the ovary stimulating and/or modulating follicular rupture. Second, circulating levels of F prostaglandins rise at the time of ovulation and travel to the brain where they elicit female sexual behavior. Third, recent studies indicate that F prostaglandin is metabolized and released to the water where it functions as a sex pheromone stimulating male sexual behavior. Although these roles have been best characterized in the goldfish, ongoing studies indicate that metabolites of prostaglandin F2 alpha may commonly function as pheromones in many fish. Many questions remain about the identity(ies), origins, and species-specificity of the prostaglandin pheromone.
Electromechanical behavior of single crystals of barium titanate

Mason(1) and Caspari and Merz(2) have made measurements of the electromechanical properties of barium titanate. Working with polycrystalline ceramics Mason(1) observed only a second order electro-strictive effect, since the first order piezoelectric effect was annulled because of the random orientation of crystal axes. Caspari and Merz(2) made static and dynamic electromechanical measurements on single domain crystals. However, their dynamic measurements were performed on small irregularly shaped crystals, which did not allow them to observe fundamental modes of vibration, and an absolute determination of the physical constants was impossible.
Multi-object two-agent coordinated search

In this paper, we discuss stochastic control approaches to sensor control problems for the purposes of locating multiple objects in a compact domain using two agents. Unlike most previous work, we consider measurement models that do not focus measurements on individual object locations, but instead obtain indicators of the presence of objects in a chosen region. By changing the region which they observe, sensing agents collect enough information to locate the objects of interest. Our work extends similar results for the case of one sensing agent and one hidden object to the case of twp sensing agents and multiple objects. We derive an optimal multistage sensing policy for the case of two agents, and provide an explicit construction for determining adaptively the sensing actions for each agent under the assumption that they share the sensed measurements. We discuss extension of the results to multiple agents, and illustrate the performance of our proposed policy in simulation, comparing to alternative policies based on spatial domain partition for each agent.
Acute viral hepatitis

The mainstay of treatment for acute viral hepatitis is supportive care, as most cases are self-limited. General measures in all types of acute viral hepatitis include bedrest if the patient is very symptomatic, a high-calorie diet, avoidance of hepatotoxic medications, and abstinence from alcohol with the anticipation that most patients will recover uneventfully. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary for intravenous rehydration if the patient is unable to maintain adequate oral intake due to nausea and vomiting or if there is any alteration of mental status to suggest evolving fulminant hepatic failure. Acute hepatitis A is a self-limited disease, but can be fulminant. Lamivudine at a dosage of 100 mg/d orally may be beneficial in acute hepatitis B. Interferon-alpha therapy in acute hepatitis C may decrease the risk of developing chronic hepatitis C. Fulminant liver failure due to acute viral hepatitis is uncommon, but orthotopic liver transplantation occasionally may be life saving.
The Power of Exclusion: Congress, Courts, and the Plenary Power

This chapter explores three important themes in constitutional immigration law. First, as creators and executors of U.S. immigration policy, Congress and the President have virtually limitless power over designating who may enter the country, under what terms, and when they must leave. Second, this plenary power over immigration law was created by a complicit U.S. Supreme Court and has never been constitutionally repudiated. The plenary power doctrine thus enjoyed the Court’s imprimatur, guaranteeing considerable political branch latitude even if laws resulted in systemic exclusion based on invidious criteria like race or national origin. Third, notwithstanding this historical deference to the political branches, the Court has provided an occasional yet essential check on legislative and executive overreaching.
Nonlinear Hyperbolic Equations

Here we study nonlinear hyperbolic equations, with emphasis on quasi-linear systems arising from continuum mechanics, describing such physical phenomena as vibrating strings and membranes and the motion of a compressible fluid, such as air.
Osseointegration and the Biology of Peri-implant Hard and Soft Tissues

Restoration of missing teeth in the aesthetic zone with oral implants is a complex combination of surgical and restorative techniques along with medical device designs that optimizes the potential of biology to both rapidly heal and maintain long-term hard and soft tissue health around the implant. Rapid expansion of our knowledge regarding wound healing is allowing this knowledge to be applied to implant designs, enabling a more rapid and predicable use of oral implants in the aesthetic zone. As important as biology is for bone wound healing, the response of the mucosal soft tissue will be the most dominant aspect of the result observed by the patient. Care in planning and execution of the implant procedure is needed along with careful development of a concave transition zone from the head of the implant to the restorative margin for predicable stability of soft tissues. Through a combination of innovative biomedical device designs, clinical diagnosis, careful surgical management, and detailed understanding of the restorative aspects will allow for the provision of optimal patient care in the aesthetic zone.
Relationship of Alcohol Cues to the Drinking Behavior of Alcoholics and Social Drinkers: An Analogue Study

The effects of visual alcohol cues on the operant drinking behavior of 20 alcoholics and 20 social drinkers were evaluated. The Ss performed a lever-pressing task to obtain alcohol reinforcement under 2 experimental conditions. During cue conditions Ss viewed a variety of alcohol stimuli (bottles of liquor, pictures of alcoholic beverages) while responding. During no-cue conditions all alcohol stimuli were removed from Ss’ view. Results indicated that alcoholics did not respond differently to alcohol cues. Social drinkers responded significantly more than alcoholics under cue conditions. Implications are discussed in terms of related findings from descriptive operant studies of prolonged drinking in alcoholics.
Does The Market See Through Seasonal Quarterly Earnings Patterns

Evidence such as Das, Shroff, and Zhang (2009) suggests that firms routinely reverse their earnings pattern during their fourth quarter compared to that of last year, possibly leading to earnings management. Motivated by these findings, this study seeks to document whether the market sees through seasonal quarterly earnings patterns and reacts consistent with an earnings management hypothesis. Using an amended Easton and Harris (1991) model, I study whether the earnings variables are more informative based upon the seasonal differencing patterns by incorporating dummy variables, along with their respective interaction terms, to signify the first time the pattern occurs. My results show the market sees the seasonal quarterly earnings pattern; the earning levels and changes in earnings variables are more informative but the (managed) earnings tend to be transitory, not permanent in nature. All other tests performed support these general conclusions.
HIV Infection and Drug Resistance with Unsupervised Use of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Abstract Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently only recommend daily dosing of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an on-demand PrEP dosing strategy that includes doses ...
Decreased Blood Flow in the Testis: Is it Testicular Torsionq

The absence of blood flow in the testis on ultrasound examination is the gold standard for diagnosis of testicular torsion. This imaging finding is seen in the vast majority of patients with testicular torsion, except in patients with partial torsion. Patients with partial testicular torsion may have reversal of arterial diastolic flow on spectral Doppler, decreased amplitude of the spectral Doppler waveform (parvus tardus wave), or monophasic waveforms. However, it is important to consider that not all absence of blood flow or reversal of diastolic flow in testis represents testicular torsion, as other conditions may have a similar appearance, including rare detection of such a pattern in normal asymptomatic patients. Conditions that commonly mimic testicular torsion include incarcerated inguinal hernias and complications following hernia repair,thrombotic phenomena, vasculitis, complicated epididymo-orchitis, asymptomatic variants, and technical limitations of ultrasonography. It is important for a practicing radiologist to be familiar with such cases to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.We present a pictorial essay of cases in which the absence of testicular blood flow on color flow Doppler or abnormal waveforms on spectral Doppler are identified, without the presence of testicular torsion.
Rapid Assessment of Customer Marketplace in Disaster Settings through Machine Learning, Geospatial Information, and Social Media Text Mining: An Abstract

In disasters there is a need to rapidly assess and predict impact area boundaries (for staging emergency relief and product distribution dynamics), delineate and communicate with the affected public (for coordinated disaster assistance such as evacuation, search and rescue, prioritization of manpower and equipment usage, etc.), and provide cost estimation for potential use in government-to-government (G2G) marketing (Golden and Peterson 2018) soliciting relief and assistance funds from federal and/or state authorities. This rapid assessment needs to occur as the disaster unfolds and immediately after the disaster, even while data is scarce and emerging. Marketing communication techniques and modern information technology methods (machine learning, geospatial information, and social media text mining) can help with these tasks.
Concentration of urate by differential diffusion: a hypothesis for initial urate deposition.

For the sake of argument, I’ve decided to build this talk around the base of the great toe. We now accept the idea that acute gouty arthritis has a physical cause: the sodium urate monohydrate crystal. We can logically extend that concept, then, to say that there must be a physical reason or reasons why one joint receives such a disproportionate share of these crystals and of the miseries they inflict. Ideally, that same reason should explain why attacks are provoked by exertion, why they occur in the middle of the night and why gout usually strikes patients in their forties when hyperuricemia may have been present since puberty.
Epidemic situation and control strategy of malaria in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018

OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemic situation of malaria and explore the targeted control strategy in Guangxi from 2011 to 2018. METHODS The malaria surveillance data were collected in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, and a descriptive method was employed to analyze the epidemiological features of the malaria cases. RESULTS A total of 2 944 malaria cases were reported in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, including a case with local infection (0.03%) and 2 943 imported cases (99.97%). There were 2 933 cases (99.63%) positive for Plasmodium confirmed by laboratory testing, including 2 166 cases (73.86%) with P. falciparum malaria, 388 cases (13.23%) with P. ovale malaria, 276 cases (9.41%) with P. vivax malaria, 40 cases (1.36%) with P. malariae malaria and 62 cases (2.11%) with mixed infections, and 11 clinically diagnosed cases (0.37%). The malaria cases were distributed in 91 counties (districts) of 14 cities in Guangxi, with the largest number of cases found in Nanning City (2 515 cases, 85.43%). The malaria cases were originated from 29 countries in Africa (94.67%), 7 countries in Southeast Asia (5.10%), one country in South America (0.07%), 2 countries in South Asia and China (0.10%). In African countries, most malaria cases were from Ghana (1 947 cases, 66.13%), and in Southeast Asian countries, most cases were from Myanmar (75 cases, 2.55%). Most malaria cases were young men, and 2 899 cases (98.13%) were male, while 2 583 cases (87.74%) were at ages of 20 to 49 years. Gold washing and mining was the predominant occupation (2 561 cases, 86.99%), and the malaria cases were reported in each month across the year, with the largest number of cases detected in June (665 cases, 22.59%), while no season-specific distribution was found. There were 1 431 cases (48.61%) reported by disease control and prevention institutions, 1 511 cases (51.30%) reported by medical institutions, and 2 cases (0.07%) reported by inspection and quarantine institutions. During the period from 2011 to 2018, there were 6 deaths of imported malaria cases in Guangxi, and no secondary cases were reported. CONCLUSIONS The epidemic situation of local malaria has been effectively controlled in Guangxi; however, there is a great challenge for the management of overseas imported malaria. Strengthening the monitoring and management of migrant labors is the key to consolidate the achievements of malaria elimination.
Development and Usage of eContour, a Novel, Three-Dimensional, Image-Based Web Site to Facilitate Access to Contouring Guidelines at the Point of Care

PURPOSEVariation in contouring quality by radiation oncologists is common and can have significant clinical consequences. Image-based guidelines can improve contour accuracy but are underused. We s...
Compositional synthesis via a convex parameterization of assume-guarantee contracts

We develop an assume-guarantee framework for control of large scale linear (time-varying) systems from finite-time reach and avoid or infinite-time invariance specifications. The contracts describe the admissible set of states and controls for individual subsystems. A set of contracts compose correctly if mutual assumptions and guarantees match in a way that we formalize. We propose a rich parameterization of contracts such that the set of parameters that compose correctly is convex. Moreover, we design a potential function of parameters that describes the distance of contracts from a correct composition. Thus, the verification and synthesis for the aggregate system are broken to solving small convex programs for individual subsystems, where correctness is ultimately achieved in a compositional way. Illustrative examples demonstrate the scalability of our method.
An individual importance weights model for conjoint analysis

Increasingly, commercial applications of conjoint analysis are beset by the demand to handle larger numbers of attributes, together with the need to reduce the length of the data collection task. The proposed model is designed to estimate individual-level parameters that act as importance weights, applied to group-level part worths. Two versions of the model are described and the first version is illustratively applied to a set of field-level data.
Novel cervical erector spinae plane block: interfascial layers remain important in the spread of anesthetics

To the Editor We thank Dr Ohgoshi[1][1] for their interest in our recent article[2][2] which investigates the spread of erector spinae plane (ESP) injections in cadaveric models. We concur that the location of injection is critical in the efficacy of their intended analgesic effect. To adequately
FDA Approval Summary: Fam-Trastuzumab Deruxtecan-Nxki for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

On December 20, 2019, the FDA granted accelerated approval to fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (DS-8201a, T-DXd, tradename ENHERTU) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting. Approval was based on data from study DS8201-A-U201 (DESTINY-Breast01) with supportive safety data from study DS8201-A-J101. The primary efficacy endpoint in DESTINY-Breast01 was overall response rate (ORR) based on confirmed responses by blinded independent central review (ICR) using RECIST v1.1 in all participants who were assigned to receive the recommended dose of 5.4 mg/kg while secondary endpoints included duration of response (DoR). The confirmed ORR based on ICR in these 184 patients was 60.3% (95% CI: 52.9, 67.4) and the median DoR was 14.8 months (95% CI: 13.8, 16.9). Interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis, was experienced in patients treated with T-DXd and can be severe, life-threatening or fatal. In addition, neutropenia and left ventricular dysfunction were included as Warnings and Precautions in labeling. Other important common adverse reactions were nausea, fatigue, vomiting, alopecia, constipation, decreased appetite, anemia, diarrhea, and thrombocytopenia. Overall, the totality of efficacy and safety data supported the accelerated approval of T-DXd for the intended indication.