cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching self-management skills in persons with chronic lower limb swelling and limited mobility: evidence for usability of telerehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of telerehabilitation as a method of teaching self-management for chronic swelling of the lower limbs in persons with limited mobility. An in-home telerehabilitation self-management education protocol for chronic swelling of the lower limbs, termed Telerehabilitation to Empower You to Manage and Prevent Swelling (TR-PUMPS), was implemented using the Versatile and Integrated System for Telerehabilitation (VISYTER) software platform. Participants (n=11) were 36-79 years old, predominately female (72.7%) and diagnosed with a variety of health conditions. Participants’ perceived usability scores of the remote delivery of TR-PUMPS was high with a median score of 6.67 (range 4.90 - 7.00) on a Likert scale: 1= disagree to 7= agree. There was no correlation between participants’ familiarity with information technology and their perception of telerehabilitation usability. These results support telerehabilitation as a viable method for teaching a home-based, self-management
Evaluation of potential effectors of agonal glycolytic rate in developing brain measured in vivo by 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Previously we have shown that hypercarbia produces a larger decrease in agonal glycolytic rate in 1-month-old swine than in newborns. In an effort to understand the mechanism responsible for this difference, we tested the hypothesis that hypercarbia produces age-related changes in the concentration of one or more effectors of phosphofructokinase activity. Specifically, in vivo 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to compare changes in lactate levels, intracellular pH, free magnesium concentration, and content of phosphorylated metabolites for these two age groups at three intervals during the first 1.5 min of complete ischemia in the presence or absence of hypercarbia (PaCO2 = 102-106 mm Hg). Hypercarbia produced the same drop in intracellular brain pH for both age groups, but the decrease in phosphocreatine level and increase in inorganic phosphate content were greater in 1-month-olds compared with newborns. During ischemia there was no difference between the magnitude of change in intracellular pH and levels of phosphocreatine and inorganic phosphate in hypercarbic 1-month-olds versus newborns. Under control conditions, i.e., normocarbia and normoxia, the free Mg2+ concentration was lower and the fraction of magnesium-free ATP was higher for newborns than 1-month-olds. However, there was no change in these variables for either age group during hypercarbia and early during ischemia. Thus, age-related differences in the relative decrease in agonal glycolytic rate during hypercarbia could not be explained by differences in intracellular pH, inorganic phosphate content, or free magnesium concentration. The [ADP]free at control was higher in newborns compared with 1-month-olds, and there was no age-related difference in [AMP]free. These variables did not change for newborns when exposed to hypercarbia, but for 1-month-olds [ADP]free and [AMP]free increased during hypercarbia relative to control values. High-energy phosphate utilization during ischemia for hypercarbic 1-month-olds was reduced by 74% compared with normocarbic 1-month-olds during ischemia, whereas the reduction in energy utilization (14%) was not significant for hypercarbic versus normocarbic newborns during ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Cylindroma (dermal analog tumor) of the breast: A comparison with cylindroma of the skin and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast

We compared 4 breast cylindromas with 50 dermal cylindromas and 8 adenoid cystic breast carcinomas. Except for a modest increase in the number of eccrine ducts and reactive Langerhans cells in dermal cylindromas, breast and dermal cylindromas showed identical histologic and immunohistochemical features. Both were characterized by epithelial islands containing central basaloid cells and peripheral myoepithelial cells surrounded by a thickened, continuous, periodic acid-Schiff-positive basement membrane that was immunoreactive for collagen IV. Clusters of sebaceous cells and a few eccrine ducts are described in breast cylindromas. Cytokeratin 7 labeled predominantly the central basaloid cells, and smooth muscle actin stained peripheral myoepithelial cells in breast and dermal cylindromas. Eccrine ducts were highlighted by epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen. S-100 protein and CD1a showed a variable number of dendritic Langerhans cells. Cylindromas of the breast and skin did not express cytokeratin 20, gross cystic disease fluid protein 15, or estrogen or progesterone receptor. Breast cylindroma might be confused with the solid variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma, especially in needle core biopsy specimens, because they share nodular and trabecular patterns, basaloid cells, myoepithelial cells, eccrine ducts, and hyaline globules of basement membrane material. However, adenoid cystic carcinoma displays an infiltrative growth pattern, cytologic atypia, and mitotic figures and lacks the continuous, thickened basement membrane.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging abnormalities in pediatric patients with surgically-treated intracranial mass lesions.

Introduction Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that measures the degree of water diffusion in vivo. DWI abnormalities are frequently observed on immediate postoperative imaging following surgical resection of gliomas in adults. These abnormalities subsequently demonstrate contrast enhancement, which may be confused with lesion recurrence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of these postoperative abnormalities in pediatric patients with intracranial mass lesions.
Influence of the choice of the boundary conditions on the results of the dynamic chromatography model

Abstract An investigation of the influence of the choice of the boundary conditions on the shape of the band profile obtained by simulation of the elution process using the classical model of semi-ideal chromatography is presented. As the boundary condition represents the perturbation created at the column inlet, it influences the response of the column. It is shown that the peak area is conservative only if certain conditions are satisfied. Among other approximations, the Houghton equation does not fulfil these requirements. Contour plots are used to illustrate the band migration process and the properties of these bands in non-linear chromatography.
Biennials that promote an ‘emancipatory politics’

This essay argues that smaller and more innovative art biennials offer a better chance for what postcolonial theory has termed an ‘emancipatory politics’ – one relatively free from Western hegemony, whether of global capitalism or the Euro-American art world. Such biennials typically exercise ‘powers of the weak’ through trickster tactics that allow them a momentary freedom before disintegration or institutionalization. In their experimental approach and unstable leap into the future, they may resemble avant-gardes. By contrast, several mega-exhibitions of 2002–2003 led to debates about biennial merits and goals that have remained inconclusive despite three recent conferences in Gwangju, Karlsruhe and Berlin. ‘In the early days biennials were synonymous with the innovative and experimental nature of contemporary art,’ the Gwangju co-directors recalled; ‘Three decades into the boom of biennials, a systematic evaluation and debate is imperative’. A Gramscian response to such demands explaining why emancipat...
Attributions regarding unmet treatment goals after interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation.

Background: The goal violation effect (GVE), a component of the relapse process model, occurs when patients make internal, stable, global, and uncontrollable rather than external, unstable, specific, and controllable attributions about the causes for unmet goals. GVE consistent attributions lead to guilt and self-blame, reduced self-efficacy, and greater probability that a lapse will lead to a full-blown relapse. Objectives: To determine if chronic pain patients make attributions regarding the causes of unmet goals consistent with the GVE and to determine differences for the GVE and the individual attributions making up the GVE among unmet coping skills, medication, exercise, social, and work goals. Methods: In the last week of an interdisciplinary pain program, patients stated 4 to 6 treatment goals. At 6 months follow-up, 100 patients rated the cause for each of their own unmet goals using 7-point scales assessing whether they made internal, stable, global, and uncontrollable attributions. Together, 165 unmet goals were rated and a GVE was calculated for each unmet goal by adding the 4 individual attributions and dividing by 4. Results: The GVE for each of the 5 goal types was above the midpoint toward model consistent attributions. A multivariate analysis of variance was significant for goal type (P < 0.0001). No significant differences were found among goal types for the GVE, the stable or global attributions. However, work and social goals were found to have lower internal attributions compared with coping, medication, and exercise goals. Work goals were found to have great uncontrollable attributions compared with coping, medication, and exercise whereas coping was found to be lower than social and exercise goals. Discussion: Patients made attributions for unmet treatment goals consistent with the GVE component of the relapse process model. Internal and uncontrollable attributions for causes of unmet goals varied with goal type, which has implications for the design of relapse prevention strategies.
Current Challenges in Prostate Cancer Management and the Rationale behind Targeted Focal Therapy

Among men, prostate cancer has a high prevalence, with relatively lower cancer-specific mortality risk compared to lung and colon cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has increased prostate cancer awareness since its implementation as a screening tool almost 25 years ago, but, due to the largely indolent course of this disease and the unspecific nature of the PSA test, increased incidence has largely been associated with cancers that would not go on to cause death (clinically insignificant), leading to an overdiagnosis challenge and an ensuing overtreatment consequences. The overtreatment problem is exacerbated by the high risk of side effects that current treatment techniques have, putting patients' quality of life at risk with little or no survival benefit. The goals of this paper are to evaluate the rise, prevalence, and impact of the overdiagnosis and ensuing overtreatment problems, as well as highlight potential solutions. In this effort, a review of major epidemiological and screening studies, cancer statistics from the advent of prostate-specific antigen screening to the present, and reports on patient concerns and treatment outcomes was conducted to present the dominant factors that underlie current challenges in prostate cancer treatment and illuminate potential solutions.
Radio-frequency tissue ablation of VX2 tumor nodules in the rabbit lung

Rationale and Objectives. The authors investigated whether small pulmonary malignancies could be treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided, percutaneously placed radio-frequency (RF) electrodes. Methods. Pulmonary tumors were created in 11 New Zealand white rabbits by using CT-guided injection of a VX2 sarcoma cell suspension into the lower portion of the right lung. Tumors were allowed to grow 14–21 days to achieve a diameter of 6–12 mm. Electrodes were placed coaxially into the tumors via insulated 19-gauge Turner needles. Seven tumors were treated with RF for 6 minutes at 90°C. Four tumors served as controls and were not treated. Follow-up CT and histopathologic analysis were performed on days 0–28. Specimens from treated rabbits were examined histopathologically on days 0 and 3 (n = 2 each), and days 1, 5, and 28 (n = 1 each). Results. Immediately following treatment, CT images showed rounded opacities enveloping the tumor. This corresponded histologically to coagulation necrosis of tumor and surrounding alveoli. In all cases, at least 95% of treated tumor nodules were necrotic at histopathologic analysis. Peripheral residual nests of histologically viable tumor were seen in three rabbits (43%). Control rabbits showed growing tumor nodules without necrosis at autopsy (mean survival, 23 days after inoculation). Two RF-treated rabbits (29%) and one control rabbit (25%) had pneumothoraces. Conclusion. Percutaneous RF tissue ablation can be used to successfully treat small parenchymal tumor nodules within the lung in an animal model.
Stable isotopic and geochemical variability within shallow groundwater beneath a hardwood hammock and surface water in an adjoining slough (Everglades National Park, Florida, USA).

Data from a 10-month monitoring study during 2007 in the Everglades ecosystem provide insight into the variation of δ18O, δD, and ion chemistry in surface water and shallow groundwater. Surface waters are sensitive to dilution from rainfall and input from external sources. Shallow groundwater, on the other hand, remains geochemically stable during the year. Surface water input from canals derived from draining agricultural areas to the north and east of the Everglades is evident in the ion data. δ18O and δD values in shallow groundwater remain near the mean of−2.4 and−12 ‰, respectively. 18O and D values are enriched in surface water compared with shallow groundwater and fluctuate in sync with those measured in rainfall. The local meteoric water line (LMWL) for precipitation is in close agreement with the global meteoric water line; however, the local evaporation line (LEL) for surface water and shallow groundwater is δ D=5.6 δ18O+1.5, a sign that these waters have experienced evaporation. The intercept o...
A parallel first-order linear recurrence solver

Abstract In this paper we present a parallel procedure for the solution of first-order linear recurrence systems of size N when the number of processors p is small in relation to N. We show that when 1 5 (N − 1) (p + 1) steps on a p processor SIMD machine and at most 5(N − 1 2 )/(p + 3 2 ) steps on a p processor MIMD machine. As a special case, we further show that our approach precisely achieves the lower bound 2 (N − 1) (p + 1) for solving the parallel prefix problem on a p processor machine.
Immunonanoshells for targeted photothermal ablation in medulloblastoma and glioma: an in vitro evaluation using human cell lines.

We are developing a novel approach to specifically target malignant brain tumor cells for photothermal ablation using antibody-tagged, near infrared-absorbing gold-silica nanoshells, referred to as immunonanoshells. Once localized to tumor cells, these nanoshells are extremely efficient at absorbing near-infrared light and can generate sufficient heat to kill cancer cells upon exposure to laser light. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of immunonanoshells in vitro against both medulloblastoma and high-grade glioma cell lines. We used an antibody against HER2 to target gold-silica nanoshells to medulloblastoma cells, since HER2 is frequently overexpressed in medulloblastoma. We show that treatment with HER2-targeted nanoshells, but not non-targeted nanoshells, followed by exposure to laser light, can induce cell death in the HER2-overexpressing medulloblastoma cell line Daoy.2, as well as the parental Daoy cell line, which expresses HER2 at a moderate level, but not in dermal fibroblasts that do not express HER2. In an analogous set of experiments, we conjugated gold-silica nanoshells to an antibody against interleukin-13 receptor-alpha 2 (IL13Rα2), an antigen that is frequently overexpressed in gliomas. We demonstrate that these immunonanoshells are capable of inducing cell death in two high-grade glioma cell lines that express IL13Rα2, U373 and U87, but not in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells that do not express significant levels of IL13Rα2. We believe that the use of antibody-tagged gold-silica nanoshells to selectively target cancer cells presents a promising new strategy for the treatment of central nervous system tumors that will minimize the damage and resulting toxicity to the surrounding normal brain.
Resolution of a chiral alcohol through lipase-catalyzed transesterification of its mixed carbonate by poly(ethylene glycol) in organic media

Abstract A simple approach to the resolution of chiral alcohols through a lipase-catalyzed transesterification of one enantiomer of the corresponding trifluoroethyl carbonate by a low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, is described. The method was demonstrated through resolution of (RS)-sec-phenethyl alcohol. The alcohol was converted to its 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl carbonate, 2, and the (R)-enantiomer was selectively transesterified with PEG in warm diisopropyl ether using porcine pancreas lipase, PPL, as the catalyst. The two carbonate enantiomers were easily separated by cooling and filtering off the solid PEG having the (R)-alcohol covalently attached. Hydrolysis of the unchanged (S)-carbonate was achieved in dilute aqueous base, and the enantiomeric excess of the (S)-alcohol was found to be 80% by NMR in the presence of the chiral shift reagent Eu(hfc)3. Methanolysis of the modified (R)-PEG carbonate yielded (R)-sec-phenethyl alcohol having enantiomeric excess=96% by NMR with Eu(hfc)3.
Reproduction in a population of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) subjected to lethal control

The continued range expansion of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in North America is an increasing cause for concern because of the numerous negative impacts that wild pigs have on ecosystem structure and function. Once populations are established, wild pigs have proven to be extremely difficult to control, and close to impossible to eradicate. If effective control and removal techniques are to be developed, we must determine if wild pig populations respond to reductions in density by increasing reproductive output. This study was designed to examine if reproductive parameters of female wild pigs display a density-dependent response following a concentrated removal effort. We compared reproductive parameters and condition of adult sows that were collected between a control area and a treatment area where lethal removal occurred. From August 2004 to May 2006, we focused a concentrated removal effort within the treatment area. Although the population density was more than 65% greater in the control area than the treatment area during the study, we did not detect differences between areas for condition, litter size, ovarian mass, corpus luteum mass, or corpora lutea number. Several years of heavy mast production during the study may have negated any effect on condition and subsequent reproduction between the 2 study areas. These data suggest that reproductive parameters of wild pigs do not exhibit density-dependence during periods when pig populations are in good condition. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Use of technetium-99m in studying thyroid physiology in the mouse: double label experiment with technetium-99m and iodine-125.

Mice were maintained for 72 hr prior to the experiment at 30, 24 or 5 C to induce hypoactive, normal or hyperactive thyroids, respectively. Pertechnetate is concentrated by the thyroid, probably by a transport mechanism similar to that for iodide, but is not bound or metabolized there. Carrier-free 99mT/c in the form of pertechnetate was used to determine thyroid /serum (T/S)3 ratios in the mouse thyroid gland not blocked by goitrogens. These T/S[TcO4-] ratios were similar to T/S[I-] or T/S[TcO4-] ratios determined in goitrogen-blocked mouse thyroids. The T/S ratios of all groups of mice were inversely related to environmental temperature. One group of mice at each temperature receiving no goitrogen was injected with both 99mTcO4- and 125I- 1 hr prior to killing. Radioactivity of each of these radioisotopes was determined in plasma and thyroid glands by γ-ray spectrometry in a well-type scintillation counter. In this double label experiment, 3 thyroidal responses were determined in each animal: 1) an esti...
Complete Set of Dispersion Relations for a Class of Fixed-Source Meson Theories

The structure of the transition matrices for all processes that can occur for a class of fixed-source meson theories is studied. The model consists of a scalar meson field coupled to an extended source in such a way that any finite number of quanta can be emitted or absorbed at a given time (multiple vertices), but that all interactions are restricted to be $S$ wave in nature. The general reaction matrix element for $m$ incident and $n$ emergent particles contains many terms describing sequences of independent processes, which must be removed before one obtains a proper object for studies of a dispersion-theoretic nature. It is shown that the ratio of the residual matrix element to a suitable product of source functions possesses those analytic properties, as a function of the total energy of the system, which permit dispersion relations to be stated. Other than for the elastic scattering amplitude the latter make reference to values of the amplitude in a nonphysical energy region. In conjunction with a suitably generalized unitarity condition, however, the scheme, when viewed as a set of coupled integral equations, can be solved by successive approximations in terms of a number of arbitrary constants, essentially equal to the number of coupling constants in the original Hamiltonian (actually one fewer). Nevertheless, it is pointed out that the scheme does not admit a unique solution, and this is illustrated physically by exhibiting an extended class of Hamiltonians which yield the same dispersion relations, but which, as a class, contain more coupling constants than make their appearance in the dispersion relations. Physically, these are connected with the occurrence of resonance scattering.
Singular perturbation problems with nearly resonant operators

A simple convection-diffusion problem is used as an example for a class of singular perturbation problems for which application of standard singular perturbation procedures could lead to misleading results. The properties of the operator appearing in the problem are identified and a solution technique using eigenfunction concepts is presented.
Testing Specificity and Guidance Hypotheses by Manipulating Relative Frequency of KR Scheduling in Motor Skill Acquisition

This investigation tested predictions of specificity and guidance hypotheses by manipulating relative frequency of knowledge of results scheduling using a shuffleboard task. Participants were assigned to either a 100%-KR, three 50%-KR conditions (Constant, Fade, Reverse), or 00%-KR condition. Based on predictions of the specificity hypothesis, it was expected the 00%-KR condition would perform the best on a no-KR retention test. It was also expected the 100%-KR condition would perform poorly on a no-KR retention test based on predictions of the guidance hypothesis. Analysis for 55 men's and 55 women's retention did not support predictions of the specificity hypothesis and provided partial support for the guidance hypothesis.
They Eat from Their Labor: Work and Social Change in Colonial Bolivia

This study of the growth of an indigenous labour force in Upper Peru opens up areas of research in colonial history. It examines what kind of economic system resulted from the interaction between Spain's commercial exploitation of its colonies and traditional Andean patterns of social organization.
An experimental and modeling study of CO2-selective membranes for IGCC syngas purification

Abstract In recent years, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology has gained significant attention for large-scale power generation with carbon capture. In an IGCC power plant, the syngas is typically directed to the gas turbine (for power generation) after CO2 and H2S removal. This work describes the transport properties of the CO2-selective polymeric facilitated transport membranes for syngas purification at different pressures (2–15 bar) and 107 °C. These membranes contain amines as CO2-carriers that are dispersed in a crosslinked polyvinylalcohol (PVA) matrix. Furthermore, a two-stage membrane process is proposed for CO2 removal from syngas in an IGCC plant. A process modeling and cost-sensitivity analysis of the proposed two-stage membrane process was performed. The effects of feed pressure, temperature, membrane permeance, and selectivity on the overall increase in the cost of electricity (COE) were analyzed. An increase in the COE of 14–18% was estimated for 90% CO2 removal and >99% H2 recovery using the two-stage membrane process in an IGCC power plant.
In vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of cerebral glycogen metabolism in animals and humans

Glycogen serves as an important energy reservoir in the human body. Despite the abundance of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles, its concentration in the brain is relatively low, hence its significance has been questioned. A major challenge in studying brain glycogen metabolism has been the lack of availability of non-invasive techniques for quantification of brain glycogen in vivo. Invasive methods for brain glycogen quantification such as post mortem extraction following high energy microwave irradiation are not applicable in the human brain. With the advent of 13C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), it has been possible to measure brain glycogen concentrations and turnover in physiological conditions, as well as under the influence of stressors such as hypoglycemia and visual stimulation. This review presents an overview of the principles of the 13C MRS methodology and its applications in both animals and humans to further our understanding of glycogen metabolism under normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions such as hypoglycemia unawareness.
A HAEMOCYSTIDIUM SPECIES FROM THE EAST AFRICAN GECKO LYGODACTYLUS CAPENSIS GROTEI

Haemocystidium lygodactyli n. sp. parasitizes Lygodactylus capensis grotei (Gekkonidae) in Tanzania. Mature gametocytes in acute phase of infection average 16.3 × 5.7 μm (11–20 × 4–9.5 μm), with LW 93.0 (62–140 μm2) and L/W ratio 2.94 (1.2–3.9). Gametocytes usually lateral, lateropolar, or halteridial in position. There was no significant sexual dimorphism in gametocyte dimensions. Nuclei discrete in both sexes at maturity, with a rounded nucleolus usually present in microgametocytes. In chronic infection, gametocytes were 18.1 × 8.7 μm (8–25 × 5–11 μm), with LW 156.8 μm2 (80–250) and L/W 2.16 (1.1– 3.6). When gametocytes from the chronic infection were compared with the same sex in acute infection, length did not differ, but differences were present between the same sex in each comparison of width, LW, and L/W. Macrogametocytes and microgametocytes in chronic phase were broader, larger, and less elongate and most commonly halteridial. Meronts were found only in endothelium and connective tissue of lung. ...
Line source and site characterizations for defining the sound transmission loss of building facades

Abstract An analytical model is presented for defining the sound transmission loss of building facades exposed to noise from line sources. The model describes the non-diffuse sound field incident upon the facade in terms of both source and site parameters. The effects of facade orientation relative to the line source and the sound propagation with distance are introduced as a single term in the definition of the facade sound transmission loss. This term defines a mean angle of incidence for the exterior sound field that is equivalent to a point source location relative to a point on the facade. Numerical results are presented illustrating the magnitudes of these effects and it is shown that alternative methods for conducting field measurements of building facade sound transmission loss may be related by using this model.
PREVENTION OF RENAL FIBROSIS BY SPIRONOLACTONE IN MICE WITH COMPLETE UNILATERAL URETERAL OBSTRUCTION

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Recent data suggest that aldosterone directly mediates cardiac fibrosis and hypertensive nephrosclerosis. We conducted experiments to determine whether administration of spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, reduced renal fibrosis in an experimental model of obstructive uropathy.Materials and Methods:: Complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was created surgically in 8 to 10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice by placing sutures around the right ureter. Spironolactone (50 mg/kg/daily) or 1% dimethyl sulfoxide vehicle was administered by subcutaneous injection for 1 to 2 weeks, and renal fibrosis was assessed by measuring trichrome staining and type I collagen deposition in the kidney.Results:: UUO lasting 1 week was associated with minimal parenchymal damage and spironolactone had no demonstrable effect. In contrast, administration of the mineralocorticoid antagonist (8 mice) for a 2-week period significantly reduced renal fibrosis in the obstructed kidney, compared to m...
Type-I and type-II interband transitions in CdSe/ZnTe quantum well structures

We have studied the luminescence intensity associated with type-I and type-II interband transitions in several CdSe/ZnTe quantum well structures as a function of CdSe layer thickness. It was found that as the CdSe layers become wider, the intensity of the type-I transition increases, while that of the type-II transition decreases. These results are analyzed in terms of a variational calculation which takes into account the Coulomb interaction between the electrons and holes that participate in the interband transitions.
A Newly Designed Nb-Doped TiO2/Al-Doped ZnO Transparent Conducting Oxide Multilayer for Electrochemical Photoenergy Conversion Devices

We present dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employing a thermally and chemically stable Nb-doped TiO2 (NTO)/Al-doped ZnO (AZO) multilayer transparent conducting oxide (TCO) thin film. The NTO overlayer was found to block oxygen diffusion into AZO during the air-annealing process for the fabrication process of the DSSCs, thereby exhibiting good thermal stability in electrical conductivity of the multilayer TCO. Moreover, the NTO overlayer suppressed the formation of Zn2+-dye aggregates at the surface of the AZO. The DSSC employing this multilayer TCO showed a photon to electron conversion efficiency of 3.8% compared to 1.9% for the cell employing the AZO single layer. The optical transmittance and charge transport properties that were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrate that NTO/AZO is a promising TCO for large scale DSSCs.
Forgiveness in Marriage: Current Status and Future Directions

Interest in forgiveness has exploded in recent years as researchers and clinicians have begun to recognize its value for maintaining emotional well-being, physical health, and healthy intimate relationships. Forgiveness appears to be especially important in the marital relationship. This article offers an overview of forgiveness in mar- riage including a review of major research and clinical efforts in this area. A number of recommendations are offered for practitioners and future research directions are outlined. Marital forgiveness is seen as an exciting area for future exploration and one that is ripe with possibility.
ANTICHOLINERGIC SYNDROME PRECIPITATED BY OPIOID REVERSAL

NaIoxone is an opioid antagonist used for the reversal of life-threatening opioid overdose. Because naloxone is believed to have few side effects, it is often given liberally even in the absence of absolute indications. The relative safety of prehospital naloxone administration has been rep0rted.l We report two patients in whom the prehospital administration of naloxone unmasked anticholinergic poisoning. PREHOSPITAL CARE Patient 1 was a 46-year-old man who called EMS with a chief complaint of shortness of breath and headache. On arrival, paramedics found the patient conscious and alert with no signs of respiratory distress. The patient stated that he and his girlfriend had been injecting heroin approximately 30 minutes prior to calling EMS. He reported feeling "lightheaded" within minutes of injecting the drug, a feeling that was not consistent with his past experiences with heroin. The patient denied chest pain, fever, headache, recent trauma, weakness, or paresthesias prior to the onset of symptoms. He was not taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, and had no known allergies. His social history included past heroin and alcohol abuse, as well as prior cocaine use. His vital signs were heart rate (HR) 110 beats/min, respiratory rate (RR) 22 breaths/min, blood pressure (BP) 150/110 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation 99% on room air. EKG monitor revealed sinus tachycardia without ectopy. The patient's breath sounds were clear and equal in all fields. The skin was pale and clammy
Recent Developments in the Remote Radio Control of Insect Flight

The continuing miniaturization of digital circuits and the development of low power radio systems coupled with continuing studies into the neurophysiology and dynamics of insect flight are enabling a new class of implantable interfaces capable of controlling insects in free flight for extended periods. We provide context for these developments, review the state-of-the-art and discuss future directions in this field.
Investigating wireless web adoption patterns in the U.S.

Wireless Web providers should roll out new services on an evolutionary rather than revolutionary track.
Stormer theory applied to magnetic spacecraft shielding

[1] The existence of a toroidal region from which charged particles are excluded was demonstrated by Stormer (1955) for a dipole magnetic field geometry. Using a standard numerical code to trace the trajectories of particles in a magnetic field, we find excellent agreement with the predicted region for a variety of particle energies and masses. The ability of magnetic fields to shield certain regions from energetic particles, such as galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), has led to the suggestion that certain magnetic field configurations could be used to shield the occupants of a spacecraft from the harmful effects of GCRs during interplanetary space travel. In particular, systems involving a deployed superconducting coil of wire that extends well beyond the dimensions of the spacecraft have been proposed as a viable solution to shielding GCRs. The correct use of the analysis by Stormer (1955) requires that the radius of such a coil be much smaller than the dimension of the region being shielded. Alternatively, it is shown that the energy of the particles shielded from a given region decreases as the radius of a coil with a constant magnetic moment increases. The reality is that large magnetic fields, and thus currents, are necessary to adequately shield GCRs, neither of which are provided by deployed magnetic shields.
Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 machine learning classifiers for glaucoma detection

Aims: To assess performance of classifiers trained on Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 (HRT3) parameters for discriminating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes. Methods: Classifiers were trained using HRT3 parameters from 60 healthy subjects and 140 glaucomatous subjects. The classifiers were trained on all 95 variables and smaller sets created with backward elimination. Seven types of classifiers, including Support Vector Machines with radial basis (SVM-radial), and Recursive Partitioning and Regression Trees (RPART), were trained on the parameters. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated for classifiers, individual parameters and HRT3 glaucoma probability scores (GPS). Classifier AUCs and leave-one-out accuracy were compared with the highest individual parameter and GPS AUCs and accuracies. Results: The highest AUC and accuracy for an individual parameter were 0.848 and 0.79, for vertical cup/disc ratio (vC/D). For GPS, global GPS performed best with AUC 0.829 and accuracy 0.78. SVM-radial with all parameters showed significant improvement over global GPS and vC/D with AUC 0.916 and accuracy 0.85. RPART with all parameters provided significant improvement over global GPS with AUC 0.899 and significant improvement over global GPS and vC/D with accuracy 0.875. Conclusions: Machine learning classifiers of HRT3 data provide significant enhancement over current methods for detection of glaucoma.
Optimism and planning for future care needs among older adults.

Aging is associated with an increase in need for assistance. Preparation for future care (PFC) is related to improved coping ability as well as better mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. We examined the association of optimism with components of PFC among older adults. We also explored race differences in the relationship between optimism and PFC. In Study 1, multiple regression showed that optimism was positively related to concrete planning. In Study 2, optimism was related to gathering information. An exploratory analysis combining the samples yielded a race interaction: For Whites higher optimism, but for Blacks lower optimism was associated with more planning. High optimism may be a barrier to future planning in certain social and cultural contexts.
THE EVOLUTION OF AFRICOLOGY An Afrocentric Appraisal

The scope and purpose of this article is to examine the effectiveness of the discipline of Africology as a holistic academic discipline. Often referred to as Africana studies, African American studies, Afro-American studies, Black studies, and Africology, this exercise of nomenclature can be defined as the study of Africana phenomena from an Afrocentric perspective. While reviewing literature and the current debates in higher education, the author theorized, queried, and critically examined the organizational structure concerning the validity and substantial merit of tenure and promotion, graduation and retention of students, and the advancement of this interdisciplinary matrix of knowledge as an academic agency. Indeed, many detractors have attempted to label and subjugate this academic enterprise in comparison to traditional disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. On the other hand, the emphasis of a hegemonic perspective acknowledges the imposition of external and conflicted cultural perspec...
User profiling using text classification

Computer user behavior over time is abstracted into text documents. Using text classification methods users from a small group are well-distinguished from one another by their behaviors, even using relatively small amounts of data. This technique is particularly appropriate to forensics, but is widely applicable in information assurance.
Identification of Aspergillus Species Using Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions 1 and 2

Aspergillus species are the most frequent cause of invasive mold infections in immunocompromised patients. Although over 180 species are found within the genus, 3 species, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. terreus, account for most cases of invasive aspergillosis (IA), with A. nidulans, A. niger, and A. ustus being rare causes of IA. The ability to distinguish between the various clinically relevant Aspergillus species may have diagnostic value, as certain species are associated with higher mortality and increased virulence and vary in their resistance to antifungal therapy. A method to identify Aspergillus at the species level and differentiate it from other true pathogenic and opportunistic molds was developed using the 18S and 28S rRNA genes for primer binding sites. The contiguous internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, ITS 1-5.8S-ITS 2, from referenced strains and clinical isolates of aspergilli and other fungi were amplified, sequenced, and compared with non-reference strain sequences in GenBank. ITS amplicons from Aspergillus species ranged in size from 565 to 613 bp. Comparison of reference strains and GenBank sequences demonstrated that both ITS 1 and ITS 2 regions were needed for accurate identification of Aspergillus at the species level. Intraspecies variation among clinical isolates and reference strains was minimal. Sixteen other pathogenic molds demonstrated less than 89% similarity with Aspergillus ITS 1 and 2 sequences. A blind study of 11 clinical isolates was performed, and each was correctly identified. Clinical application of this approach may allow for earlier diagnosis and selection of effective antifungal agents for patients with IA.
Eon: a language and runtime system for perpetual systems

Embedded systems can operate perpetually without being connected to a power source by harvesting environmental energy from motion, the sun, wind, or heat differentials. However, programming these perpetual systems is challenging. In response to changing energy levels, programmers can adjust the execution frequency of energy-intensive tasks, or provide higher service levels when energy is plentiful and lower service levels when energy is scarce. However, it is often difficult for programmers to predict the energy consumption resulting from these adjustments. Worse, explicit energy management can tie a program to a particular hardware platform, limiting portability.This paper introduces Eon, a programming language and runtime system designed to support the development of perpetual systems. To our knowledge, Eon is the first energy-aware programming language. Eon is a declarative coordination language that lets programmers compose programs from components written in C or nesC. Paths through the program ("flows") may be annotated with different energy states. Eon's automatic energy management then dynamically adapts these states to current and predicted energy levels. It chooses flows to execute and adjusts their rates of execution, maximizing the quality of service under available energy constraints.We demonstrate the utility and portability of Eon by deploying two perpetual applications on widely different hardware platforms: a GPS-based location tracking sensor deployed on a threatened species of turtle and on automobiles, and a solar-powered camera sensor for remote, ad-hoc deployments. We also evaluate the simplicity and effectiveness of Eon with a user study, in which novice Eon programmers produced more efficient efficient energy-adaptive systems in substantially less time than experienced C programmers.
Phosphorylation regulates human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Rex function

Background Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a pathogenic complex deltaretrovirus, which is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. In addition to the structural and enzymatic viral gene products, HTLV-1 encodes the positive regulatory proteins Tax and Rex along with viral accessory proteins. Tax and Rex proteins orchestrate the timely expression of viral genes important in viral replication and cellular transformation. Rex is a nucleolar-localizing shuttling protein that acts post-transcriptionally by binding and facilitating the export of the unspliced and incompletely spliced viral mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. HTLV-1 Rex (Rex-1) is a phosphoprotein and general protein kinase inhibition correlates with reduced function. Therefore, it has been proposed that Rex-1 function may be regulated through site-specific phosphorylation.
Bis(benzylamine) monomers: One-pot preparation and application in dendrimer scaffolds for removing pyrene from aqueous environments

Bisimine and bisamine AB2 monomers have been synthesized from 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid and benzaldehyde derivatives without the need for protective groups or purification. This monomer preparation is universal for various electron-donating and electronwithdrawing benzaldehyde substrates. To demonstrate the versatility of these previously unreported AB2 monomers in the formation of high molecular weight structures, novel first-generation dendrimers and hybrid second-generation dendrimers have been synthesized. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, pyrene was shown to be removed from an aqueous environment upon exposure to thin dendrimer films, with the first-generation dendrimer removing 70% of the pyrene within 30 min and the hybrid second-generation dendrimers removing 38–52%. Inclusion formation constants were calculated to be on the order of 109–1011 M−1 and are comparable to the values of previously reported macromolecules. These results illustrate that size may not influence pyrene removal as effectively as composition.
Compressibility effects on the growth and structure of homogeneous turbulent shear flow

Compressibility effects within decaying isotropic turbulence and homogeneous turbulent shear flow have been studied using direct numerical simulation. The objective of this work is to increase our understanding of compressible turbulence and to aid the development of turbulence models for compressible flows. The numerical simulations of compressible isotropic turbulence show that compressibility effects are highly dependent on the initial conditions. The shear flow simulations, on the other hand, show that measures of compressibility evolve to become independent of their initial values and are parameterized by the root mean square Mach number. The growth rate of the turbulence in compressible homogeneous shear flow is reduced compared to that in the incompressible case. The reduced growth rate is the result of an increase in the dissipation rate and energy transfer to internal energy by the pressure-dilatation correlation. Examination of the structure of compressible homogeneous shear flow reveals the presence of eddy shocklets, which are important for the increased dissipation rate of compressible turbulence.
Wave propagation and dispersion characteristics in an electrically gyrotropic medium

The general dispersion relation for an electrically gyrotropic medium is derived in two different forms. It is shown that there exist two types of waves, type I and type II, in an electrically gyrotropic medium. The resonance and cut off conditions are obtained for the principle waves. Based on the results, the Clemmow-Mually-Allis (CMA) diagram is constructed. The CMA diagram is used to identify the frequency bands for which wave can propagate in each region given on this diagram. The results presented in this paper can be used in development of nonreciprocal devices and in ionospheric applications.
Oncologic emergencies: Pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment

Oncologic emergencies can occur at any time during the course of a malignancy, from the presenting symptom to end-stage disease. Although some of these conditions are related to cancer therapy, they are by no means confined to the period of initial diagnosis and active treatment. In the setting of recurrent malignancy, these events can occur years after the surveillance of a cancer patient has been appropriately transferred from a medical oncologist to a primary care provider. As such, awareness of a patient’s cancer history and its possible complications forms an important part of any clinician’s knowledge base. Prompt identification of and intervention in these emergencies can prolong survival and improve quality of life, even in the setting of terminal illness. This article reviews hypercalcemia, hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, tumor lysis syndrome, cardiac tamponade, superior vena cava syndrome, neutropenic fever, spinal cord compression, increased intracranial pressure, seizures, hyperviscosity syndrome, leukostasis, and airway obstruction in patients with malignancies. Chemotherapeutic emergencies are also addressed. CA Cancer J Clin 2011;61:287-314. V C
Nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia due to a subfrontal cortical dysplasia

The nature and nosology of nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia (NPD) have been controversial. Some authors consider it as a type of parasomnia, akin to night terrors and the official Classification of Sleep Disorder includes NPD within the parasomnias [1]. Others have opined for its epileptic nature, although mainly on circumstantial evidence. The location of the epileptogenic area has been so far unknown. A child with NPD was studied extensively, and in spite of normal scalp EEGs, all of his attacks were shown to originate from his right orbitofrontal cortex. Surgical ablation of an unsuspected cortical dysplastic lesion led to full control.