cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A genetic study of x-ray sensitive mutants in yeast.

Abstract A set of 64 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that confer sensitivity to X-ray inactivation were analyzed genetically to determine the number of genetic loci involved. The mode of interaction of various combinations of mutants was also determined. A minimum of 17 genes, when mutant, increase X-ray sensitivity of yeast, primarily by eliminating the resistance of budding haploid cells and by removing the shoulder on the survival curves of diploid cells. Eight mutant loci affect principally X-ray sensitivity while the remaining genes also control sensitivity to ultraviolet. Some of the genes when homozygous block sporulation or result in partial or complete sterility. Examination of the survival responses of multiple-mutant strains indicated a minimum of two pathways in the repair of X-ray damage. A number of the mutants have been mapped and these were found to be dispersed over the genome.
Delayed Density Dependence and the Stability of Interacting Populations and Subpopulations

Abstract Theoretical investigations of the dynamics of populations with discrete generations have traditionally been based on simple models of the formNt+1=f[Nt]. However, recent studies of the dynamics of natural populations indicate that density-dependent population regulation probably takes place over many generations (Nt+1=f[Nt,Nt−1, …]). In this paper, I explore the stability properties of interacting populations and contrast the predictions of discrete-generation models of population growth which do and do not include delayed density dependence. Relative to non-delayed models, inclusion of delayed density dependence changes the shape of population cycles (flip vs Hopf bifurcations) and decreases the range of parameters which predict stable equilibria. I also explore extensions of these models that include interspecific competition and coupling of spatially isolated patches. In both cases, delayed density dependence significantly changes the way in which demographic parameters scale to overall dynamics. For example, when delayed density dependence does not differ between two species, the asymptotic stability of both species is determined by a weighted average of the population growth rates of the two species. However, when species differ in time delay, some pairs of species that would both exhibit cyclical or chaotic dynamics in isolation can stably coexist. Analogous conclusions hold for the effects of deterministic spatial environmental variation among coupled patches. This implies that inclusion of delayed density dependence in investigations of population dynamics can dramatically change the inferences we draw from mathematical models and that further investigations of the effects of deterministic differences in demographic parameters and of delayed density dependence are warranted.
Adequacy of Prenatal Care of Urban High School Students

Inadequate prenatal care is especially noted among low-income adolescent African American women. These young women often must also deal with single parenthood and living in an urban setting. The authors explored the relationships of the age of the babys father mothers education parity living arrangement and functional areas of support to the adequacy of prenatal care in a sample of pregnant students from 19 urban public high schools in midwest America. Findings are based upon responses to a prenatal questionnaire provided by a convenience sample of 244 African-American unmarried pregnant students over the period 1986-89. The Resource Size scale was tested on the students to yield an alpha coefficient for internal consistency of 0.86 while additional data were obtained from the states live birth certificate tape. Analysis indicates that the age of the babys father was significantly associated with the adequacy of prenatal care. Since 65.5% of the babies fathers are aged 14-19 and most likely in school the authors point out the potential for community and school health nurses to encourage them to become involved in caring for the pregnant students.
Effect of Retinopathy of Prematurity on Scotopic Spatial Summation

PURPOSE To evaluate scotopic retinal organization in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) through a study of spatial summation. METHODS Thresholds for a range of stimulus diameters (0.4°-10°) were measured using a two alternative, spatial, forced choice psychophysical procedure. The critical diameter (DCRIT) for complete summation was estimated in subjects with a history of severe ROP (N = 7) and mild ROP (N = 17). Subjects who were born preterm and never had ROP (N = 16) and term-born subjects (N = 7) were also tested. The subjects ranged in age from 9 to 17 (median 13.5) years. RESULTS Critical diameter for complete spatial summation was significantly larger in ROP subjects than in subjects who never had ROP and in term-born control subjects. Critical diameter varied significantly with severity of ROP. CONCLUSIONS The larger DCRIT values in ROP are consistent with altered organization of the post receptor retina. This may offer the ROP retina a strategy for achieving noise reduction and good dark-adapted visual sensitivity.
The relationship between slickenside surfaces in fine-grained quartz and the seismic cycle

Abstract Well polished or reflective fault surfaces, with or without linear striae indicating the sliding direction, are commonly referred to as slickensides. This study examines the development of slickensides which are now exposed along the surface trace of a large, seismically active normal fault zone in Dixie Valley, Nevada, U.S.A. Geologic and mineralogic constraints indicate the slickenside surfaces formed at depths of less than 2 km and temperatures less than 270°C. The slickenside surface material is composed of greater than 98% quartz, with less than 2% kaolinite and iron oxide. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations reveal that the slickenside surface material has an extremely fine yet variable grain size (0.01–1 μm), and an unusual, nonequilibrium texture characterized by irregular grain boundaries and low dislocation density. Angular fragments in the cataclasite to either side of the slickensides provide clear evidence of cataclasis. Crystallographic preferred orientation in the slickenside surface material indicates that non-brittle, continuous deformation occurred within 0.1–10 mm of the fault surfaces in many areas. Non-brittle, continuous deformation must have alternated with cataclasis, because some fragments in the cataclasite have strong preferred orientations. We suggest that in the Dixie Valley slickensides, continuous deformation and the development of crystallographic preferred orientations occurred at relatively low strain rates during the interseismic period, while cataclasis occurred at higher strain rates associated with seismic events. The wide range of strain rates occurring within a fault zone during the earthquake cycle may be an essential element in the formation of fine-grained, glassy slickensides, both at Dixie Valley, Nevada, and many other areas.
On an infinite series of Abel occurring in the theory of interpolation

The purpose of this paper is to show that for a certain class of functions f which are analytic in the complex plane possibly minus (−∞, −1], the Abel series ! is convergent for all β>0. Its sum is an entire function of exponential type and can be evaluated in terms of f. Furthermore, it is shown that the Abel series of f for small β>0 approximates f uniformly in half-planes of the form Re(z) ⩾ − 1 + δ, δ>0. At the end of the paper some special cases are discussed.
Two Approaches to Treating Unilateral Neglect After Right Hemisphere Stroke: A Preliminary Investigation

Purpose: This preliminary study assessed the efficacy of two treatment methods for persistent unilateral or hemispatial neglect following right hemisphere stroke. Method: Two patients received an intervention focusing on the underlying impairment of attention during visual scanning. Two other participants received an intervention that provided repetitive practice during a functional task of oral reading. Standardized tests of attention and neglect were administered before and after treatment. Performance on a functional task assessing generalization of treatment was probed at every session. Results: Results indicate no clear conclusions regarding the efficacy of either approach. Factors contributing to these equivocal findings are addressed.
Glutamate, microdialysis, and cerebral ischemia: lost in translation?

Elevation of the extracellular concentrations of glutamate and aspartate in rat hippocampus during transient cerebral ischemia monitored by intracerebral microdialysis. By Helene Benveniste, Jorgen Drejer, Arne Schousboe, Nils H. Diemer. J Neurochem 1984; 43:1369-74. Reprinted with permission of Blackwell Publishing. Rats were implanted with 0.3-mm-diameter dialysis tubing through the hippocampus and subsequently perfused with Ringer's solution at a flow rate of 2 ml/min. Samples of the perfusate representing the extracellular fluid were collected over 5-min periods and subsequently analyzed for contents of the amino acids glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, taurine, alanine, and serine. Samples were collected before, during, and after a 10-min period of transient complete cerebral ischemia. The extracellular contents of glutamate and aspartate were increased, respectively, eight- and threefold during the ischemic period; the taurine concentration also was increased 2.6-fold. During the same period the extracellular content of glutamine was significantly decreased (to 68% of the control value), whereas the concentrations of alanine and serine did not change significantly during the ischemic period. The concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were too low to be measured reliably. It is suggested that the large increase in the content of extracellular glutamate and aspartate in the hippocampus induced by the ischemia may be one of the causal factors in the damage to certain neurons observed after ischemia.
Hydrogen as a GC/MS carrier and buffer gas for use in forensic laboratories

A custom set of ion volumes was manufactured in order to investigate the gain and byproducts using hydrogen as a buffer gas following electron ionization in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer as compared with helium. Analyses of illicit drugs such as cocaine, codeine, and oxycodone, and explosives such as TNT, RDX, and HMTD with ion volume exit orifices of 1mm, 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm were performed using GC/MS. Strong similarities between hydrogen and helium spectra of illicit drugs and explosives provide evidence that hydrogen can be used effectively as a buffer gas in an ion trap mass spectrometer.
Reactions of coordinated molecules. XXVII. Cyclic voltammetry of several transition metal metalla-acetylacetonate complexes

Abstract The rhena-acetylacetonate complexes,[ cis (OC) 4 Re(CH 3 CO) 2 ] n M, where M is Fe and Cr when n is 3 and Cu when n is 2, and the corresponding acetylacetonate (acac) complexes are examined by cyclic voltammetry as methylene chloride solutions using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as the supporting electrolyte. Redox potentials of the central coordinating metal ions for the metalla- and the analogous non-metalla-acetylacetonate complexes are determined. The iron complexes exhibit quasi-reversible redox reactions at the iron atom, and the reduction potential for the rhena-acetylacetonate iron complex is 0.63 volts more positive than that of Fe(acac) 3 . A similar trend is observed for the Cr and Cu complexes, although these complexes exhibit considerable irreversibility. The more positive reduction potentials for the heteronuclear complexes reflects the higher electronegativity of the rhena-acetylacetonate ligands. The redox reactions and the assignments of unexpected anodic peaks are discussed, also
JAK2 V617F mutational frequency in essential thrombocythemia associated with splanchnic or cerebral vein thrombosis.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are closely related. The JAK2 V617F mutation is a hall-mark of MPN but is present also in a relevant percentage of patients with SVT and without an overt chronic MPN. To investigate in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) the impact of this mutation on the risk of thrombosis in unusual sites (splanchnic or cerebral veins), we carried out a retrospective cohort study including 224 patients. One hundred forty-two patients (63%) had the mutation, and 68 had suffered either arterial thromboses (n = 39), venous thromboses in a common site (n = 12), or in the eye (n = 1), SVT (n = 13), or cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT; n = 3). All patients with SVT or CVT were <60 years of age: in this age range, the relative risk associated with the mutation, and adjusted for inherited thrombophilia was 1.88 (95%CI 1.32-2.69) for SVT, and 2.26 (95%CI 1.76-2.91) for CVT. No increase in the risk of a venous thrombosis in common sites was found in patients with the mutation. In conclusion, in ET the risk of venous thrombosis associated with the JAK2 V617F mutation preferentially targets splanchnic or cerebral veins in young patients.
Designing heterogeneous sensor networks for estimating and predicting path travel time dynamics: An information-theoretic modeling approach

With a particular emphasis on the end-to-end travel time prediction problem, this paper proposes an information-theoretic sensor location model that aims to minimize total travel time uncertainties from a set of point, point-to-point and probe sensors in a traffic network. Based on a Kalman filtering structure, the proposed measurement and uncertainty quantification models explicitly take into account several important sources of errors in the travel time estimation/prediction process, such as the uncertainty associated with prior travel time estimates, measurement errors and sampling errors. By considering only critical paths and limited time intervals, this paper selects a path travel time uncertainty criterion to construct a joint sensor location and travel time estimation/prediction framework with a unified modeling of both recurring and non-recurring traffic conditions. An analytical determinant maximization model and heuristic beam-search algorithm are used to find an effective lower bound and solve the combinatorial sensor selection problem. A number of illustrative examples and one case study are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Laser-powered sub-mm untethered microrobots

The paper discusses the promises and challenges of using laser as a source of energy and means of control for untethered microdevices. Achieving the desired device operation with available controls in the laser signal is a challenge that requires redesign of current microactuators and invention of new ones. In addition, for multiple target spots on a device, the laser beam can be multiplexed or separate lasers can be used simultaneously. Shaping of the control signal based on such variables of the laser as output power, pulse width, and beam spot is a combined effort of accordingly designing the microdevice and selecting the device materials. The paper presents a parametric design evaluation of two versions of stick-and-slip microrobots actuated by commonly used thermal actuators. A detailed parametric analysis with varying actuator geometries predicts that actuation at speeds comparable with electrostatically and electromagnetically actuated microrobots is also possible with laser power. Initial experiments on regular chevron actuators show that pulsed laser can be effectively used to drive microdevices.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The Precision Hand Polishing of BBO and LBO

AbstractA hand polishing method for generating stain-free surfaces for BBO and LBO having surface figures of 110th wave or better, parallelisms of less than 1 arc s and surface roughness of 10 A RMS or less is described.Barium metaborate (BaB2O4, BBO) and lithium triborate (LiB3O5, LBO) are nonlinear crystals characterized by a wide transparency range, small birefringence, a moderate nonlinear optical coefficient, and a high optical damage threshold.1–3 The realization of these properties depends, to a great extent, on the ability to fabricate quality surfaces for these crystals. The focus of this note is the precise hand polishing of these crystals.
What you see is what you code: a radically dynamic algorithm visualization development model for novice learners

Pedagogical algorithm visualization systems produce graphical representations that aim to assist learners in understanding the dynamic behavior of computer algorithms. In order to foster active learning, educators have explored algorithm visualization systems that empower learners to construct their own visualizations of algorithms under study. Notably, these systems support a similar development model in which coding the algorithm is temporally distinct from viewing and interacting with the resulting visualization. To explore the benefits of narrowing the gap between coding an algorithm and viewing its visualization, we have implemented "What You See Is What You Code", a novel, "radically dynamic" development model to facilitate learner-constructed algorithm visualizations. In this model, the line of algorithm code currently being edited is reevaluated on every edit, leading to the dynamic update of an accompanying visualization of the algorithm. Analysis of usability studies involving introductory computer science students suggests that the immediacy of the model's feedback can help novices to quickly identify and correct programming errors, and ultimately to understand their code's execution.
Hereditary Determinants of Human Hypertension Strategies in the Setting of Genetic Complexity

Essential hypertension is characterized by chronically elevated blood pressure with no specific underlying medical cause. Data on family history of affected individuals coupled with disease concordance rate in twins has established that both genetic and environmental factors determine susceptibility to hypertension. The heritability of hypertension is often cited in the range of ≈30% to 60%, with multiple contributory genes; additionally, ethnic and genetic heterogeneity participate in variable clinical presentation and drug response in hypertension, rendering genetic study of this disease a challenging task. Human population and animal studies have implicated several important etiologic pathways contributing to the clinical presentation of essential hypertension that enable functional candidate gene association studies, in addition to more comprehensive genome wide linkage or association studies. Recent results also suggest a complex genetic architecture for hypertension and its associated risk traits, including evidence for pleiotropy (one gene→multiple traits), epistasis (gene-by-gene interaction), and on occasion molecular heterosis (a more extreme phenotype for heterozygotes than either homozygote class). Here we highlight recent findings on the genetics of hypertension that may lead to new approaches for investigating the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. Although blood pressure displays substantial heritability, typically reported at ≈30% to 60%,1 hypertension is likely to be a heterogeneous phenotype (trait). Applying the concept of “intermediate phenotypes”2,3 might enhance risk assessment for the development of future hypertension and its consequences, thus enabling more timely diagnosis and management of even “prehypertensive” individuals. Such intermediate phenotypes may be influenced earlier and more proximately by the genome than are ultimate disease/clinical traits such as hypertension, and therefore may assist in discovery of hypertension-predisposition loci.2,3 Intermediate traits in physical, physiological/hemodynamic,4 autonomic/sympathetic,5–8 metabolic,9 inflammatory,9 oxidative,5 endothelial,10,11 and renal12 pathways displayed significant heritability, typically exceeding that reported for blood …
Adaptation of CDR and full scale range of ADC-based SerDes receiver

An adaptation strategy of CDR phase and ADC full scale range (FSR) for an ADC-based SerDes receiver is proposed and demonstrated in a 65-nm test chip. With the clock phase adapted by a metric based on the bit-error-rate (BER), the silicon operates over a wider range of channels or link settings compared to a typical Mueller-Muller CDR algorithm. The strategy also adapts the ADC FSR. The optimal setting achieves an equivalent resolution with fewer ADC comparators compared to an ADC that digitizes the entire inp ut signal.
Fast Model Search Control Systems

ABSTRACT The use of fast-time models to implement minimum time control policies is considered for two distinct modes of operation. The first case considered is that in which the fast model operates from current process state, or output, towards desired process state, or input. This forward searching model enables estimates to be made of future process behaviour based upon currently applied control signals. The second case considered is that in which the fast model oporates from current input state towards current process state. This backward searching model is shown to provide, on the average, more accurate estimates of future-process behaviour. For high-order systems in particular the mode will allow reduction of system operational errors when fast model speeds are necessarily limited. The use of future input is discussed as n means of further reducing these errors. Included in the paper are some results obtained from simulation of a simple process using both modes of operation.
Achieving software robustness via large-scale multiagent systems

This paper describes how multiagent systems can be used to achieve robust software, one of the major goals of software engineering. The paper first positions itself within the software engineering domain. It then develops the hypothesis that robust software can be achieved through redundancy, where the redundancy is achieved by agents that have different algorithms but similar responsibilities. The agents are produced by wrapping conventional algorithms with a minimal set of agent capabilities, which we specify. We describe our initial experiments in verifying our hypothesis and present results that show an improvement in robustness due to redundancy. We conclude by speculating on the implications of multiagent-based redundancy for software development.
Property Tax Circuit Breakers Reconsidered: Continuing Issues Surrounding a Popular Program

Abstract. Property tax circuit-breaker programs—provision for tax relief for selected groups of the population believed to be adversely affected by rising state and local taxation on residences—exist in 30 states and the District of Columbia. They are still in controversy. The best available evidence on some of the basic issues being debated is considered in an effort to evaluate their policy implications. The device is found to be desirable and, if the residential property tax were regressive in certain respects, a move in the direction of tax equity. “Current income” is found more useful in determining eligibility; net worth tests would be difficult to apply. Relief for tax burdens above an acceptable share of household income is preferable to one based on a sliding scale formula. However, the tendency dearly is to liberalize benefits. This creates the danger of eroding the tax base.
Promising new advances in head and neck radiotherapy

Efforts to improve the efficacy of treatment for SCCHN have led to the use of multimodality approaches with combinations of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Conventional head and neck radiotherapy, a standard approach for locoregionally advanced disease, is associated with a variety of well-known acute and long-term toxicities. These chronic toxicities (i.e. xerostomia, dysphagia, fibrosis) can impact negatively on patient quality of life. Altered radiation fractionation regimens that incorporate acceleration and/or hyperfractionation can improve locoregional control but also increase acute toxicities for head and neck cancer patients. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has emerged as a promising method for delivering effective radiation dose to head and neck tumour targets while reducing exposure of surrounding healthy tissue. Another method for improving head and neck cancer outcome with conventional radiotherapy is with the concurrent addition of chemotherapy. Indeed, chemoradiotherapy is now a standard treatment approach for locoregionally advanced disease. Molecular targeted agents, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist, cetuximab (Erbitux®), have recently been shown to enhance the effects of radiotherapy, and reports to date suggest that this potentiation occurs without an increase in the characteristic toxicities associated with head and neck radiation.
Federated Querying Architecture with Clinical & Translational Health IT Application

We present a software architecture that federates data from multiple heterogeneous health informatics data sources owned by multiple organizations. The architecture builds upon state-of-the-art open-source Java and XML frameworks in innovative ways. It consists of (a) federated query engine, which manages federated queries and result set aggregation via a patient identification service; and (b) data source facades, which translate the physical data models into a common model on-the-fly and handle large result set streaming. System modules are connected via reusable Apache Camel integration routes and deployed to an OSGi enterprise service bus. We present an application of our architecture that allows users to construct queries via the i2b2 web front-end, and federates patient data from the University of Utah Enterprise Data Warehouse and the Utah Population database. Our system can be easily adopted, extended and integrated with existing SOA Healthcare and HL7 frameworks such as i2b2 and caGrid.
Effect of Various Exposure Times to Hyperthermia and Hypothermia on Spontaneous Contractions of the Adult Rabbit Isolated Testicular Capsule

Spontaneous contractions of the adult rabbit isolated testicular capsule were found to be influenced by moderate hyperthermic and hypothermic temperature changes. An increase in organ bath temperature from a normal scrotal temperature of 37#{176}C to 42#{176}C for an exposure period greater than 15 mm resulted in irreversible changes in spontaneous contractions of the testicular capsule. However, complete recovery of spontaneous contractions, of the testicular capsule, which had been inhibited by an exposure of 40#{176}C for 120 mm, occurred when the tissue was returned to 37#{176}C. In contrast, decreases in organ bath temperatures from 37#{176}C to 32#{176}C for up to 120 mm produced a progressive increase in amplitude of contractions. Corresponding exposures of the isolated testicular capsule for the same time periods at 16#{176}C resulted in complete but reversible cessation of spontaneous contractions.
Implicit Runge-Kutta Methods for the Discretization of Time Domain Integral Equations

Implicit Runge-Kutta based schemes are proposed for solving the time domain integral equations of electromagnetic theory. The proposed technique maps a Laplace-domain equation to a Ƶ-domain equation using the Butcher tableau of the implicit Runge-Kutta scheme. A discrete time domain system is recovered by computing the inverse Ƶ-transform numerically. The resulting technique is capable of third- or fifth-order accuracy in time, and is stable independent of time step. Numerical results illustrate the accuracy and stability of the technique.
Inotropic effect of carotid occlusion in intact anesthetized dog. Effects of dextran infusion and subsequent carotid occlusion on ventricular function.

The effects of dextran infusion and subsequent bilateral carotid occlusion on left and right ventricular function were studied in 10 chloraloseurethane-anesthetized intact dogs. Volumes of both ventricles were measured by the thermodilution method during the control period, 10 min. after infusion of isotonic 6% dextran (40ml./Kg.), and after carotid occlusion. Dextran infusion increased cardiac output, stroke volume, and ventricular end-diastolic pressures (EDP) and volumes. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) was greater than that on the right both before and after infusion. Bilateral carotid occlusion increased heart rate further, but a slight decrease in stroke volume resulted in no significant increase from infusion values in cardiac output. Left ventricular systolic pressure increased after occlusion, reflecting the increase in total systemic resistance; no significant change occurred in left or right ventricular end-diastolic or end-systolic volume. Right ventricular EDP decreased significantly and although left ventricular EDP also decreased the change was not significant. Plots of stroke work against left ventricular EDV after carotid occlusion lay significantly (P<0.005) above the regression line (r=0.75, P<0.01) for control and infusion points. Derived force-velocity relationships, expressed in terms of normalized mean circumferential shortening rate and peak ventricular force, showed an upward shift after carotid occlusion. We interpret these data as evidence of an increased inotropic effect of the myocardium following carotid occlusion.
Effect of alloxan on isolated liver of the bull frog.

Summary1. The technic for perfusion of the liver of the bull frog is described. 2. Alloxan inhibits the spontaneous glycogenolysis of the perfused liver. 3. Adrenalin glycogenolysis is inhibited by alloxan if given previously or simultaneously. 4. The significance of these findings for the alloxan-induced blood sugar fluctuations is discussed.
Analysis of Main Death Causes of Urban Residents in Nanning City during 2005—2008

[Objective] To analyze the constitution of causes of death and of urban residents in Nanning City during 2005-2008,and provide scientific evidence for developing targeted control measures.[Methods]The study was based on death surveillance data in Nanning city from 2005 to 2008. The causes of deaths were classified according to ICD-10.[Results]The crude death rate was 2.32‰,2.6‰,2.61‰,3.05‰ from 2005-2008 respectively,the morality of male was higher than that of female. The top 5 of constitution of causes of death were malignant neoplasms,heart disease,cerebrovascular disease,respiratory system disease,injury and poisoning. The average years of life lost was mostly caused by injury and poisoning.[Conclusion]Effective health education should be adopted according to different chronic non-communicable diseases to improve the quality of life and reduce deaths
Analyzing policy iteration in optimal control

Policy iteration, as an adaptive/approximate dynamic programming-based approach for optimal control is investigated. The context is optimal control of discrete-time nonlinear dynamics with undiscounted cost functions. Convergence of the learning iterations and uniqueness of the solution to the corresponding Bellman equation are established, leading to the optimality of the limit function, i.e., the learning results. Moreover, given the faster convergence of the learning under policy iteration compared with value iteration-based learning algorithms, some theoretical results are developed which prove that starting with a similar initial guess, policy iteration will not converge slower than value iteration. Finally, some numerical analyses are presented to demonstrate the results in practice.
Reflections on Reflections

calls it "a glorious document of the sovereign power of genius";2 and few would disagree with this evaluation of its composition. However, the interest evoked by this painting is not primarily caused by its formal qualities, but rather by the realistically presented content which "impresses the beholder with a kind of mystery and makes him inclined to suspect a hidden significance in all and every object."3 The modern spectator without information about the iconographical meaning of the single details will, in fact, admire at first the painting for its careful realism. The furtrimmed coat of the bridegroom, the little dog at the feet of the couple, the fruit on the window sill, the red drapery of the nuptial bed, the colored rug, and the artful ornaments of the chandelier-all these
A Case of Acute Pericarditis Following Intravenous Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets

ABSTRACTA 37-year-old male presented with sharp, severe chest pain following seven days of intravenous injection of crushed morphine tablets. The chest pain was positional and pleuritic in nature and resolved with leaning forward. Work-up was notable for an ECG with inferior and anterolateral PR depressions as well as a CT chest with diffuse centrilobular nodules. Per radiology, the CT findings along with the patient’s history were concerning for pulmonary granulomatosis from deposition of talc or some other foreign body. Cardiology was consulted and diagnosed the patient with acute pericarditis, given his typical symptoms and ECG changes. On review of the literature, pulmonary granulomatosis following intravenous injection of foreign bodies is well documented. There are numerous studies documenting foreign body deposition and granulomatosis in organs other than the lungs on post-mortem analyses of individuals with a history of IV injection of crushed tablets. We are suggesting that intravenous injection ...
Repeated measures of inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies

Background Preeclampsia is a prevalent and enigmatic disease, in part characterized by poor remodeling of the spiral arteries. However, preeclampsia does not always clinically present when remodeling has failed to occur. Hypotheses surrounding the "second hit" that is necessary for the clinical presentation of the disease focus on maternal inflammation and oxidative stress. Yet, the studies to date that have investigated these factors have used cross-sectional study designs or small study populations. Objective In the present study, we sought to explore longitudinal trajectories, beginning early in gestation, of a panel of inflammation and oxidative stress markers in women who went on to have preeclamptic or normotensive pregnancies. Study Design We examined 441 subjects from the ongoing LIFECODES prospective birth cohort, which included 50 mothers who experienced preeclampsia and 391 mothers with normotensive pregnancies. Participants provided urine and plasma samples at 4 time points during gestation (median, 10, 18, 26, and 35 weeks) that were analyzed for a panel of oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Oxidative stress biomarkers included 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. Inflammation biomarkers included C-reactive protein, the cytokines interleukin-1β, -6, and -10, and tumor necrosis factor-α. We created Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios based on time of preeclampsia diagnosis in association with biomarker concentrations at each of the 4 study visits. Results In adjusted models, hazard ratios of preeclampsia were significantly ( P P Conclusions This study provides the most robust data to date on repeated measures of inflammation and oxidative stress in preeclamptic compared with normotensive pregnancies. Within these groups, inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers show different patterns across gestation, beginning as early as 10 weeks. The start of the second trimester appears to be a particularly important time point for the measurement of these biomarkers. Although biomarkers alone do not appear to be useful in the prediction of preeclampsia, these data are useful in understanding the maternal inflammatory profile in pregnancy before the development of the disease and may be used to further develop an understanding of potentially preventative measures.
Histologic Evaluation of Acellular Dermal Matrix Allografts in Humans

Introduction: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is a cell-free dermal matrix comprised of a structurally integrated basement membrane complex and extracellular matrix in which collagen bundles and elastic fibers are the main components. There are several commercially available ADM allografts that have different processing methods. This case series reports the histologic presentation of two of the most widely used ADM allografts, referred to as ADM-A and ADM-B, in patients that had specific situations involving reentry.Case Series: Two patients referred to the Louisiana State University Department of Periodontics, New Orleans, Louisiana, with 1- to 3-mm recession of at least two non-contiguous sites needing soft tissue augmentation, were treated with appropriate mucogingival procedures using ADM-A or ADM-B. After ≈6 to 8 months of healing, and due to clinical findings that necessitated further periodontal procedures, small tissue biopsies were obtained and examined microscopically.Conclusions: All samples of A...
Elevated Urinary Leukotriene E4 Levels Are Associated with Hospitalization for Pain in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with an inflammatory state. Luekotrienes are inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid and produced by white blood cells in response to inflammatory stimuli. We tested two hypotheses among children with SCD: 1. Baseline leukotriene levels are elevated in SCD when compared to controls children without SCD, 2. Baseline leukotriene levels are associated with an increased incidence rate of hospitalization for pain. Methods: During routine clinical visits, baseline urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4) levels were measured in children with SCD (cases) and age, and ethnic, matched children without SCD (controls). Medical records of the cases were reviewed to assess the frequency of hospitalization for pain within three years of entering the study. Results: LTE4 levels were obtained in 71 cases and 22 controls. LTE4 levels were higher in the cases compared to controls (median LTE4: 100 vs.57 pg/mg creatinine); P Conclusion: LTE4 levels are elevated in children with SCD when compared to controls without SCD and are associated with an increased rate of hospitalizations for pain.
Parameter Variation for Dynamic System Performance

Abstract The paper promotes the use of special eigenvalue plots for providing a geometric perspective in control analysis and design. It is shown that the proposed eigenvalue plots are related to the classic root sensitivity function, a normalized measure of parameter variation effects on the closed-loop eigenvalues. Following the analytical development, an example demonstrating a position-actuated gantry robot with link compliance is analyzed. The effects of system parameters on the closed-loop performance are investigated using the proposed eigenvalue plots and resulting sensitivity plots.
Ribitol Catabolic Pathway in Klebsiella aerogenes

In Klebsiella aerogenes W70, there is an inducible pathway for the catabolism of ribitol consisting of at least two enzymes, ribitol dehydrogenase (RDH) and d-ribulokinase (DRK). These two enzymes are coordinately controlled and induced in response to d-ribulose, an intermediate of the pathway. Whereas wild-type K. aerogenes W70 are unable to utilize xylitol as a carbon and energy source, mutants constitutive for the ribitol pathway are able to utilize RDH to oxidize the unusual pentitol, xylitol, to d-xylulose. These mutants are able to grow on xylitol, presumably by utilization of the d-xylulose produced. Mutants constitutive for l-fucose isomerase can utilize the isomerase to convert d-arabinose to d-ribulose. In the presence of d-ribulose, RDH and DRK are induced, and such mutants are thus able to phosphorylate the d-ribulose by using the DRK of the ribitol pathway. Derivatives of an l-fucose isomerase-constitutive mutant were plated on d-arabinose, ribitol, and xylitol to select and identify mutations in the ribitol pathway. Using the transducing phage PW52, we were able to demonstrate genetic linkage of the loci involved. Three-point crosses, using constitutive mutants as donors and RDH − , DRK − double mutants as recipients and selecting for DRK + transductants on d-arabinose, resulted in DRK + RDH + -constitutive, DRK + RDH + -inducible, and DRK + RDH − -inducible transductants but no detectable DRK + RDH − constitutive transductants, data consistent with the order rbtC-rbtD-rbtK , where rbtC is a control site and rbtD and rbtK correspond to the sites for the sites for the enzymes RDH and DRK, respectively.
Effect of availability of at-home phototherapy on the use of systemic medications for psoriasis.

Phototherapy is safe, effective, and economical for treatment of psoriasis and selected dermatoses, but in-office phototherapy is often inconvenient1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California (KPNC) extended durable medical equipment coverage of home-based phototherapy to most insured members in 2015. After this enhancement in coverage, most dermatologists in the Permanente Medical Group, exclusively serving KPNC members, prescribed home phototherapy units to willing patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Deformation of the Pacific/North America plate boundary at Queen Charlotte Fault : the possible role of rheology

Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. The definitive version was published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 123 (2018): 4223-4242, doi:10.1002/2017JB014770.
Endovascular Management of Vein of Galen Malformations

Vein of Galen malformations are congenital arteriovenous fistulas involving the fetal midline prosencephalic vein. In neonates, this entity presents as high-output congestive heart failure and is uniformly fatal in this population even with aggressive medical therapy. Endovascular management with staged embolization has become the treatment of choice, to diminish arteriovenous shunting thereby improving cardiac function and allowing definitive therapy at a later age.
A Sustainable Medicine: Lessons from the Old Order Amish

Daniel Callahan's concept of a “sustainable medicine” is examined by looking at experiences Old Order Amish communities have had with organ and bone marrow transplantation. The Amish possess many characteristics that might make them embrace limits on the use of expensive, life-prolonging medical treatments: they believe that the good of the individual should be subordinated to the good of the community, they are suspicious of progress as a goal, and they are more comfortable with dying than many other modern Americans. However, the Amish actively pursue these treatments without the benefit of private or government insurance. Although the Amish affective response to sick individuals is worthy of emulating, their commitment to help individuals obtain and pay for transplants has had negative financial and cultural effects on some Amish communities. The Amish experience can thus teach us lessons about how to care for one another when we are sick and dying, but it can also teach us how difficult but important it is to limit some forms of expensive care for the good of our communities.
Regulation of Uridylic Acid Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Cells

Publisher Summary In fungi and the vertebrates there can be a complete separation of the arginine and pyrimidine biosynthetic pathways because each pathway can derive carbamyl phosphate (CAP) from a specific carbamyl-phosphate synthetase (CAPSase). In some organisms like Neurospora the two pathways normally do not share CAP pools, but in other organisms, such as yeast, CAP can flow one “pool” to the other. The plants differ from other eukaryotes in that a single synthetase has so far been observed, with feedback regulatory characteristics typical of the bacterial synthetase , which can serve both pathways. The critical experiments have not been carried out, however, to test whether a second synthetase exists in plants. The other prominent phenomenon in eukaryotes is the appearance of enzyme complexes. In fungi , one such complex for the pyrimidine pathway exists consisting of the first two enzyme activities, namely, CPSase-ATCase (aspartate transcarbamylase). These two enzymes are coded for by a single polar gene. It is not known with certainty whether this gene codes for one or several polypeptide chains, although the studies suggest that more than one type of polypeptide chain is in the complex.
Glutathione deficiency increases organ dysfunction after hemorrhagic shock.

Background Reactive oxygen metabolites contribute to tissue destruction in a wide variety of diseases. Glutathione, a potent endogenous antioxidant, neutralizes the destructive potential of free radicals, but this tripeptide may be depleted during illness. We hypothesized that glutathione deficiency would amplify organ dysfunction after shock in rats. Methods Rats received either diethyl maleate to deplete tissue glutathione or a control solution intraperitoneally. The animals were subsequently bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg for 30 minutes and then fully resuscitated. Sham animals underwent blood pressure monitoring only. Tissue glutathione, liver and renal function tests, organ bacterial content, and mortality rates were determined 4 and 24 hours after shock. Results Normal rats subjected to shock and sham animals had similar laboratory chemistry results, organ culture results, and mortality rates. However, glutathione-depleted animals subjected to shock had elevated liver and renal function tests, increased organ bacteria, and a dramatic increase in mortality rates compared with control shock and sham animals. Conclusions We conclude that glutathione deficiency predisposes animals to organ failure and death after an otherwise nonlethal period of hypotension. Because glutathione deficiency is associated with severe injury and sepsis, treatment strategies that maintain glutathione stores may decrease the incidence of multisystem organ failure.
Contemporary Experimental Aesthetics: Procedures and Findings

Abstract An aesthetic experience with visual art and the resulting perceived ‘beauty’ of it depend on a complex interaction among characteristics of the art object, the observer, and the physical, social, and historical contexts in which the experience takes place. Experimental aesthetics is devoted to the study of forms of behavior that center around observers’ interactions with works of art and other aesthetic phenomena using a variety of research techniques and controlled observation. The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with an overview of the diversity of research techniques and procedures employed in the last decade to understand and explain the underlying processes that contribute to an observer’s aesthetic experiences with a variety of visual art forms, including painting, film, photography, sculpture, cuisine, design products, and dance. The chapter is divided into the following sections to achieve its goal: artworks as stimuli, processes underlying an aesthetic experience with different visual art forms, the contribution of viewer characteristics to his or her experience with art, and the art museum as laboratory.
IBD Serology in Pouch Disorders

Abstract Antibodies to enteric microbial epitopes, commonly referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) serologies, are thought to develop in patients with IBDs because of dysregulated immune activation. Antinuclear cytoplasmic antibody, anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody, and antibodies against bacterial flagellins are the most well-characterized serological markers in IBDs. They can be helpful in the diagnosis and classification of IBDs, and provide important prognostic information regarding disease behavior and response to medical therapy. Given the value of these serological markers in clinical management of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease, their role in predicting and managing long-term medical complications after colectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has been explored. In this chapter, we discuss the existing literature on the role of IBD serology in predicting, diagnosing, and prognosticating pouchitis and de novo Crohn disease of the pouch.