cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring active volcanoes and mitigating volcanic hazards: the case for including simple approaches

Abstract Simple approaches to problems brought about eruptions and their ensuing hazardous effects should be advocated and used by volcanologists while awaiting more sophisticated remedies. The expedients we advocate have all or many of the following attributes: only locally available materials are required; no extensive training of operators or installation is necessary; they are affordable and do not require foreign aid or exports; they are often labor intensive and are sustainable without outside assistance. Where appropriate, the involvement of local residents is advocated. Examples of simple expedients which can be used in forecasting or mitigating the effects of crises emphasize the relative ease and the less elaborate requirements with which simple approaches can be activated. Emphasis is on visual observations often by untrained observers, simple meteorogical measurements, observations of water level in lakes, temperature and chemistry of springs and fumaroles, new springs and collapse areas and observations of volcanic plumes. Simple methods are suggested which can be applied to mitigating damage from mudflows, nuees ardentes, tephra falls and gas discharge. A review in hindsight at Ruiz includes the use of both chemical indicators and simple mudflow alarms. Simple expedients are sufficiently effective that any expert volcanologist called to aid in a crisis must include them in the package of advice offered. Simple approaches are a critical and logical complement to highly technical solutions to hazardous situations.
Synthesis of side chain specifically deuterated (-)-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinols

(−)-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinols specifically deuterated at the n-pentyl side chain were prepared using the corresponding resorcinols as key intermediates. To obtain the deuterated resorcinols we developed conditions under which no deuterium scrambling or loss was observed. The methodology allows for the preparative scale synthesis of deuterated resorcinols and corresponding (−)-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinols. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantum-entangled photon interferometry

A two-color quantum-entangled photon source is used to produce fourth-order interference. Because the period of the interference is produced by the frequency difference of the entangled photons, problems associated with counting fringes can be avoided. This also permits measurements at a virtual wavelength, which can prevent problems associated with transmission or absorption when such a longer wavelength may be needed. The interference wavelength can be varied with a geometry change in the beam path without any change in the source wavelength. The entangled photons are produced using an argon ion laser at 351 nanometers and a type I BBO crystal. The interference is detected in coincidence using four photomultiplier tubes.
Covariant functional Schrödinger formalism and application to the Hawking effect

Abstract We develop a manifestly, generally coordinate-covariant functional Schrodinger formalism. We study the usual problem of Hawking radiation in the Rindler coordinate system. The Hawking effect appears as a shift in the width of the ground-state wave functional relative to a true vacuum state in the low-momentum components. It can be a coherent rather than a thermal effect depending upon the choice of boundary conditions. We analyse the general d + 1 massive solution and discuss its strange features. For example, the d + 1particle number distribution is thermal but not isotropic due to a peculiar energy-momentum dispersion relation. We address a number of other conceptual issues.
Inductive techniques for formal verification of systolic array designs in DSP applications

It is shown how several inductive techniques can be utilized to provide fast and efficient proofs to the correctness of systolic designs in digital signal processing (DSP) applications. These techniques exploit the repeatability, regularity, and locality nature of systolic arrays and algorithms in DSP to produce fast proofs independent of the array size. How inductive techniques can be applied to different array topologies suitable for DSP is also shown, and the structure of the verifier developed to automate induction using logic programming is illustrated. >
Ion nitriding behavior of several low alloy steels

Abstract The ion nitriding behavior of several low alloy steels, U.S. Steel T1 type A, AISI 4140, AISI 6150 and Nitralloy 135M, has been examined under varying process conditions using microhardness-depth correlations, friction and wear measurements, optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The process variables included time (2–48 h) and temperature (400-300 °C). All four steels exhibited a diffusion layer case growth rate which was dependent on the square root of the exposure time. The highest nitrided hardnesses and lowest case depths were observed in the Nitralloy 135M steel while the lowest hardnesses and highest case depths were seen in the T1 steel. In general the behaviors of the T1, AISI 4140 and AISI 6150 steels were similar. The white layer thickness was independent of the material and increased with increasing treatment time. Both the case depth and the white layer thickness were found to increase strongly with temperature while the hardness decreased. Observations made by optical microscopy showed that only slight differences arise in the bulk structure during nitriding. The results of the electron microscope investigation show that nitriding produces platelet or disc precipitates approximately 5–20 nm across on {001} matrix planes. These platelets show a striated morphology which is thought to be the result of strain within the matrix. Electron microscopy has also shown tempering to continue in the core region during nitriding. The wear resistance of the steels was observed to increase by factors ranging from 3.7 to 8.5 after nitriding. The coefficient of friction was seen to increase in the nitrided samples, apparently because of the constraints of the test.
Why Is Sexual Harassment Wrong

Soulevant la question tautologique pourquoi le harcelement sexuel est-il condamnable?, l'A. se propose d'etablir une definition descriptive et neutre du cas, d'une part, et de determiner les principes qui justifient sa condamnation morale, d'autre part. Considerant le harcelement comme un comportement qui porte prejudice au bien-etre d'une certaine population (les femmes), et reconnaissant a contrario des situations d'interaction sexuelle qui ne relevent pas du harcelement, l'A. distingue differentes modalites du phenomene qui s'appuient : 1) sur la coercition (modele de l'echange); 2) sur l'ambiguite du consentement et du non-consentement (modele de l'enfermement); 3) sur l'erosion du respect de soi et de la vie privee (modele de l'annihilation). L'A. en analyse toute la complexite morale et tente de redefinir les conditions d'un rapport normal aux autres
Neighborhood amenities: An economic analysis

Abstract A spatial model of household and firm demand and supply of market goods is developed. Housing and neighborhood amenity markets are explicitly considered in deriving market equilibrium. The equilibrium relationships are empirically investigated, yielding important insights into the functioning of the urban economy. Attention is focused on externalities involved in neighborhood markets and the simultaneous determination of housing and amenity market equilibrium. The effect of neighborhood amenities on household equilibrium is of a major magnitude and effects of “externality” variables on both housing and amenity equilibrium are substantiated. The degree of neighborhood homogeneity and the extent of government programs aimed at neighborhood development are found to have significant impacts on housing and amenity markets.
Superconducting electron-phonon interaction parameter in transition metals☆

Abstract A new empirical correlation has been found between the superconducting interaction parameter and the density of electron states. The correlation allows a fairly accurate estimation of the superconducting Tc from knowledge of the electron density of states and the Debye temperature.
Murine I-A beta chain polymorphism: nucleotide sequences of three allelic I-A beta genes

The polymorphism of immune response genes plays a critical role in determining the immune capabilities of a particular individual. The molecular nature of this polymorphism was studied by examining the structure of the coding portions of three alleles of the I-A beta chain gene, an immune response gene whose protein product constitutes a subunit of the I-A molecule. Comparison of the I-A beta chains encoded by these alleles revealed an amino acid sequence divergence of 5 to 8 percent. The differences were found to be a series of short alterations clustered in the amino terminal half of the polypeptide.
Ecological services to and from rangelands of the United States

Abstract The over 300 million ha of public and private rangelands in the United States are characterized by low and variable precipitation, nutrient-poor soils, and high spatial and temporal variability in plant production. This land type has provided a variety of goods and services, with the provisioning of food and fiber dominating through much of the 20th century. More recently, food production from a rangeland-based livestock industry is often pressured for a variety of reasons, including poor economic returns, increased regulations, an aging rural population, and increasingly diverse interests of land owners. A shift to other provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services is occurring with important implications for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and conservation incentives. There are numerous goods and services possible from rangelands that can supply societal demands such as clean water and a safe food supply. The use of ecologically-based principles of land management remains at the core of the ability of private land owners and public land managers to provide these existing and emerging services. We suggest that expectations need to be based on a thorough understanding of the diverse potentials of these lands and their inherent limits. A critical provisioning service to rangelands will be management practices that either maintain ecological functions or that restore functions to systems that have been substantially degraded over past decades. With proper incentives and economic benefits, rangelands, in the U.S. or globally, can be expected to provide these historical and more unique goods and services in a sustainable fashion, albeit in different proportions than in the past.
Defects in oxide superconductors: The key to synthesis and superconductivity

Abstract The oxide superconductors are doped insulators. The doping, or creation of carriers in a system that would otherwise be insulating, results from the formation of defects. The range of defects formed includes metal-site substitution, metal anti-site defects, metal-site vacancies, oxygen vacancies, interstitial oxygen, and the incorpora-tion of excess oxygen made possible by the modulation of local atom displacements. In some systems, the defect itself is the doping mechanism; in others, defect formation plays a key role during synthesis and, in fact, permits the synthesis of compounds that would otherwise not be attainable. Understanding these defects is the goal of numerous research efforts and is an area where neutron diffraction has contributed unique information.
A flexible class of models for data arising from a thorough QT/QTc study

The standard methods for analyzing data arising from a 'thorough QT/QTc study' are based on multivariate normal models with common variance structure for both drug and placebo. Such modeling assumptions may be violated and when the sample sizes are small, the statistical inference can be sensitive to such stringent assumptions. This article proposes a flexible class of parametric models to address the above-mentioned limitations of the currently used models. A Bayesian methodology is used for data analysis and models are compared using the deviance information criteria. Superior performance of the proposed models over the current models is illustrated through a real dataset obtained from a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) conducted 'thorough QT/QTc study'.
Feature-based registration of histopathology images with different stains: An application for computerized follicular lymphoma prognosis

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Manual histological grading of FL is subject to remarkable inter- and intra-reader variations. A promising approach to grading is the development of a computer-assisted system that improves consistency and precision. Correlating information from adjacent slides with different stain types requires establishing spatial correspondences between the digitized section pair through a precise non-rigid image registration. However, the dissimilar appearances of the different stain types challenges existing registration methods. This study proposes a method for the automatic non-rigid registration of histological section images with different stain types. This method is based on matching high level features that are representative of small anatomical structures. This choice of feature provides a rich matching environment, but also results in a high mismatch probability. Matching confidence is increased by establishing local groups of coherent features through geometric reasoning. The proposed method is validated on a set of FL images representing different disease stages. Statistical analysis demonstrates that given a proper feature set the accuracy of automatic registration is comparable to manual registration.
Relational and overt aggression in urban India: Associations with peer relations and best friends’ aggression

This study explored the associations between relational and overt aggression and social status, and tested whether the peer correlates of aggression vary as a function of best friends’ aggression during early adolescence in urban India. One hundred and ninety-four young adolescents from primarily middle-to-upper-class families in Surat, India participated. Analyses revealed unique associations between both forms of aggression and perceived popularity, and between relational aggression and social preference. The consideration of best friend aggression (and in one case, gender) explained some variability in the associations between both forms of aggression and the peer correlates, suggesting that the consideration of best friends’ aggression, particularly in complex and changing non-Western societies such as India, may lead to new insight into why not all aggressive adolescents are disliked and popular.
Performance analysis of multistage interconnection network configurations and operations

A performance evaluation using both analytical and simulation models, of circuit-switching multistage interconnection networks in aspects of configurations and operations is presented. Two configurations of the networks, single and dual, are evaluated. Network operations considered include conflict resolution strategies and communication strategies. Two different conflict resolution strategies, drop and hold, are analyzed. New analyses using Markov chains, are given, and are verified by simulation results. In the single-network configuration, it is shown that the drop strategy is better than the hold strategy for randomly distributed traffic. In the dual network configuration, five different communication strategies are investigated, and the optimum performance level is shown to be dependent on the length of the data transfer time. >
The connection between early life wheezing and subsequent asthma: The viral march

Several new lines of evidence suggest that alterations in immune responses which predispose to bronchial obstruction during acute respiratory infection, especially with rhinoviruses, may explain to a considerable extent the link between early life wheezing and subsequent asthma; above all among those schoolchildren who are prone to having recurrent asthma exacerbations. The nature of these alterations is currently the subject of considerable scrutiny, but cross-sectional studies suggest that deficits in innate immune responses mediated by interferon type I and III are present in lung macrophages and epithelial cells of adult asthmatics. Similarly, long-term follow-up studies suggest that deficits in interferon gamma responses in the first year of life predispose to recurrent episodes of wheezing from the preschool years and into early adolescence. A better understanding of the ‘‘viral march’’ could yield new therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of acute severe airway obstruction during childhood.
The effect of trust in government on rallies ’round the flag:

Previous research has shown that foreign policy crises can cause a ‘rally ’round the flag’ effect, boosting citizens’ approval of their leaders. While scholars agree on the effect’s existence, its ...
Incidence and predictors of renal function decline versus renal disease in a cohort of type 1 diabetes

G.J. Lau, F. Liu, N. Godin, M.L. Brezniceau, I. Chenier, J.G. Filep, J.R. Ingelfinger, S.L. Zhang, J.S.D. Chan 1 CRCHUM (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, Montreal QC, Canada 2 Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Research Centre, Montreal QC, Canada 3 Mass Gen Hosp, Pediatr Nephrol Unit, Boston, USA 4 CRCHUM (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal), Hotel-Dieu Hospital, Montreal QC, Canada
A Value-based Framework for Understanding Managerial Tolerance of Bribery in Latin America.

The cross-cultural literature is reviewed and integrated together with attitude theories, thereby outlining a model through which certain values influence the intervening variables that ultimately lead managers to tolerate employee bribery. The case of Latin America is employed to illustrate how regionally dominant cultural values may shape managers’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, which in turn affect tolerance of employee bribery. A series of research propositions and practical recommendations are derived from the model.
Autosomal dominant infantile gastroesophageal reflux disease: exclusion of a 13q14 locus in five well characterized families.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: A genetic locus for pediatric reflux was proposed on chromosome 13q14, but is unconfirmed in independent kindreds. We sought to test this locus in families with multiple affected infants from our database of well characterized infants with reflux. METHODS: We screened the database for families with multiple affected infants. Affected proband phenotype required histological esophagitis; affected sibling/cousin phenotype required a threshold score on a diagnostic questionnaire. Screened families were reduced to five based on pedigree, consent, and phenotypic clarity. Linkage of the phenotype with the four previously reported markers (D13S218, D13S1288, D13S1253, and D13S263) was tested, using an autosomal dominant, 70% penetrance model. Linkage required logarithm-of-odds score ≥3. RESULTS: Of 54 individuals in the five probands’ generation, 21 (39%) were affected based on questionnaire, of whom nearly one half also had histological confirmation of esophagitis. Linkage to the defined region was excluded for the five families by two-point LOD scores (−1.47 at D13S218, −1.32 at D13S1288, −3.43 at D13S1253, and −3.92 at D13S263) and by multipoint (multipoint LOD scores less than −2 between D13S218 and D13S263) linkage analysis. No family demonstrated even suggestive positive linkage ( i.e ., LOD score >1). CONCLUSIONS: In five rigorously phenotyped families with autosomal dominant pattern infantile reflux, we excluded genetic linkage to the region of 13q14 previously identified responsible for an autosomal dominant form of pediatric reflux. These results suggest genetic heterogeneity, possibly related to phenotypic heterogeneity, in familial pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Combined Oral Hydralazine-Nitrate Therapy in Left Ventricular Failure: Hemodynamic Equivalency to Sodium Nitroprusside

Administration of sodium nitroprusside increases the cardiac output and decreases the pulmonary wedge pressure in patients with left ventricular failure. Drugs suitable for long-term oral administration have not been as effective as intravenous therapy with sodium nitroprusside. We compared the hemodynamic effects of combined oral therapy with hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (100 mg of hydralazine plus 10 to 50 mg of chewable isosorbide dinitrate) to the effects of intravenous therapy with sodium nitroprusside in 15 patients with congestive heart failure (class 3 to 4) due to cardiomyopathy. Therapy with sodium nitroprusside reduced the mean arterial pressure by 11.3 mm Hg and the pulmonary wedge pressure by 10.4 mm Hg while increasing the cardiac index by 0.72 L/min/sq m. The combined oral therapy also reduced the mean arterial pressure by 12.0 mm Hg and the pulmonary wedge pressure by 12.0 mm Hg while increasing the cardiac index by 0.81 L/min/sq m in the same patients. All changes were significant (P
A Phase II Trial of 17-Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin in Patients with Hormone-Refractory Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Purpose: 17-Allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) is a benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotic with antiproliferative activity in several mouse xenograft models, including prostate cancer models. A two-stage phase II study was conducted to assess the activity and toxicity profile of 17-AAG administered to patients with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Experimental Design: Patients with at least one prior systemic therapy and a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were eligible. Patients received 17-AAG at a dose of 300 mg/m 2 i.v. weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. The primary objective was to assess the PSA response. Secondary objectives were to determine overall survival, to assess toxicity, and to measure interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and maspin levels and quality of life. Results: Fifteen eligible patients were enrolled. The median age was 68 years and the median PSA was 261 ng/mL. Patients received 17-AAG for a median number of two cycles. Severe adverse events included grade 3 fatigue (four patients), grade 3 lymphopenia (two patients), and grade 3 back pain (two patients). The median PSA progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.4 months). The 6-month overall survival was 71% (95% confidence interval, 52-100%). Conclusions: 17-AAG did not show any activity with regard to PSA response. Due to insufficient PSA response, enrollment was stopped at the end of first stage per study design. The most significant severe toxicity was grade 3 fatigue. Further evaluation of 17-AAG at a dose of 300 mg/m 2 i.v. weekly as a single agent in patients with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer who received at least one prior systemic therapy is not warranted.
SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION FOR FLOWER COLOR IN THE DESERT ANNUAL LINANTHUS PARRYAE: WAS WRIGHT RIGHT?

Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms that contribute to the local genetic differentiation of populations is a major goal of evolutionary biology, and debate continues regarding the relative importance of natural selection and random genetic drift to population differentiation. The desert plant Linanthus parryae has played a prominent role in these debates, with nearly six decades of empirical and theoretical work into the causes of spatial differentiation for flower color. Plants produce either blue or white flowers, and local populations often differ greatly in the frequencies of the two color morphs. Sewall Wright first applied his model of "isolation by distance" to investigate spatial patterns of flower color in Linanthus. He concluded that the distribution of flower color morphs was due to random genetic drift, and that Linanthus provided an example of his shifting balance theory of evolution. Our results from comprehensive field studies do not support this view. We studied an area in which flower color changed abruptly from all-blue to all-white across a shallow ravine. Allozyme markers sampled across these regions showed no evidence of spatial differentiation, reciprocal transplant experiments revealed natural selection favoring the resident morph, and soils and the dominant members of the plant community differed between regions. These results support the hypothesis that local differences in flower color are due to natural selection, not due to genetic drift.
Ionic current rectification at a nanofluidic/microfluidic interface with an asymmetric microfluidic system

A nanofluidic-microfluidic interface is reported that rectifies ionic current using uncoated symmetric nanocapillaries. Previously, ionic current rectification has been achieved by other groups with nanochannels with differential coatings and in nanopores that are conical in shape. This simple device uses nanocapillary membranes (NCMs) with uncoated symmetric channels to connect a microfluidic channel and a larger solution reservoir. The conductivity of the solution in the microchannel appears to be critical in the formation of the low “off” state current and the high “on” state current. It is hypothesized that the “off” state current is low due to the formation of an ion depletion zone in the microchannel while the higher “on” state currents are produced by a zone of enhanced ionic concentration in the microchannel.
Greater initial adaptations to submaximal muscle lengthening than maximal shortening

Hortobagyi, Tibor, Jason Barrier, David Beard, John Braspennincx, Peter Koens, Paul Devita, Line Dempsey, and Jean Lambert.Greater initial adaptations to submaximal muscle lengthening than maximal ...
Hypercalcemic crisis due to vitamin D toxicity.

Patient: 30-year-old female. History of Present Illness: The patient presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of worsening abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. She had a multiyear history of gastrointestinal discomfort, but no formal workup or endoscopy to date. The patient also stated that she had a thyroid disorder, although she had not previously been treated for thyroid disease. She stated that she had been taking multiple vitamin supplements, including vitamins A, B, and D, as well as a calcium-containing zeolite supplement. Physical Examination: Her abdomen was diffusely tender but non-distended, with no masses or hepatosplenomegaly noted. She was afebrile (T=35.5°C) with normal blood pressure (124/78 mm Hg), normal respiratory rate (16/min), and an O2 saturation of 100% on room air. Radiographic Findings: Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) suggested that a “difficult to localize” small bowel obstruction may be present. Principal Laboratory Findings: See [Table 1][1]. Serum electrolyte testing demonstrated low sodium, low potassium, and markedly elevated calcium (Ca2+) of 18.4 mg/dL. Subsequently, ionized Ca2+ was also measured and found to be elevated while parathyroid hormone (PTH) was low. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis were normal with no monoclonal proteins detected. The patient was found to have a markedly elevated 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level of 409 ng/mL measured by DiaSorin immunoassay (reference interval: optimal, 30–80 ng/mL; possible toxicity, >150 ng/mL) and an elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D) level measured by a DiaSorin radioimmunoassay. Further discussion with the patient revealed that she had been taking large quantities of vitamin D for an unknown period of time. * CT : computerized tomography 25(OH)D : 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1,25(OH)2D : 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D LC-MS/MS : liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry NHANES : National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey PTH : parathyroid hormone PTHrP : parathyroid hormone-related peptide [1]: #T1
Automated method for calculation of a load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decay from left ventricular pressure data

Diastolic heart failure (DHF) is present in over 50% of hospitalized heart failure patients, and diastolic dysfunction is known to play a critical pathophysiologic role. Measurement of left-ventricular pressure (LVP) via catheterization is the gold standard for diastolic function (DF) evaluation, but current methods fail to fully capitalize on the complete information content of the pressure contour. We have previously demonstrated that a kinematic model of isovolumic pressure decay (IVPD), which accounts for restoring force (stiffness) and resistance (viscoelasticity/relaxation), provides mechanistic insight into IVPD physiology and provides an accurate fit to the recorded contour. Recently we derived a novel load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decay (LIIIVPD) involving IVPD kinematic model stiffness and resistance parameters. In this work we detail methods and provide guidelines by which LIIIVPD computation may be achieved in real-time from the pressure contour recorded during cardiac catheterization.
Characterization of a three-dimensional SOI integrated-circuit technology

This paper describe the process and test results after single tier circuit fabrication as well as after three-tier integration, determine impact of 3D vias on ring oscillator performance, and demonstrate functionality of single and multi-tier circuits of varying complexity.
Complexity of the relation between hemoglobin A1C, diabetes mellitus, and progression of coronary narrowing in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) on the progression of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. A retrospective analysis of the Women's Angiographic and Vitamin and Estrogen (WAVE) trial, a multicenter randomized trial on progression of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women, was performed. Baseline and follow-up angiography was performed in 320 women. Minimum luminal diameter and average luminal diameter at baseline and follow-up were measured in 1,735 coronary segments. Measurements and adverse events were grouped on the basis of history of DM and HbA1c. DM was associated with more total cardiac events but with similar rates of death or myocardial infarction. There were greater reductions in minimum luminal diameter and average luminal diameter in segments from patients with known DM (p <0.001) and with a baseline HbA1c ≥6.5% (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively). The greater reductions in minimum luminal diameter and average luminal diameter in the higher HbA1c strata were only in patients with known DM. More new lesions, however, appeared with baseline HbA1c ≥5.7%, irrespective of a history of DM. In conclusion, the relation between DM and the progression of coronary narrowing in postmenopausal women is complex. Clinically apparent DM, not elevated HbA1c alone, appears to promote the progression of established coronary lesions even in HbA1c ranges diagnostic of pre-DM and DM. This raises the possibility that coronary narrowing of existing stenosis in women with DM may be due to negative remodeling, a complex process that might be less dependent on hyperglycemia than new lesion formation.
Special challenges in treatment and self-management of older women with asthma.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, and prevalence is currently at historically high levels. The most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that approximately 13% of adults have ever been told they have asthma, and 8% still have asthma.1 Asthma is marked by significant health disparities, with certain population subgroups exhibiting increased prevalence and worse health outcomes. One such group is older asthmatic women, in whom the highest asthma mortality rate is seen. While the prevalence of asthma in the elderly is no different than the general population, the morbidity and mortality figures are strikingly worse. For example, the death rate among those above 65 is by far the highest, nearly four times higher than the overall average.2 Moreover, physician office visits per 100 persons with asthma are highest in those over 65.3 Although the rate of emergency department visits is no higher than other age groups, hospitalizations are again disproportionately higher among older adults (Figure 1). This suggests that older adults with asthma who visit the emergency room are more likely to require hospitalization, and are more likely to have a fatal asthma event, than other age groups. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Asthma hospitalization rates by detailed age group: United States, average annual rate 2007 – 2009. Data presented as mean +/− SE mean. Vital Health Stat 3(35). 2012.
Sulfation of dopamine and other biogenic amines by human brain phenol sulfotransferase.

: Phenol sulfotransferase was isolated in 100,000g supernatant fractions prepared from postmortem samples of human brain. Since phenol sulfotransferase (PST) has been shown to conjugate the amine neurotransmit-ters in vivo, the abilities of eight different biogenic amines and structurally related compounds to act as substrates for PST were studied. These experiments demonstrate that at a concentration of 20 μM, dopamine (DA) was the best substrate examined and was followed in decreasing order of activity by 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), tyramine, norepinephrine, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol, octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol. At a substrate concentration of 100 /UM the relative order of activity was altered, so that tyramine became the most rapidly conjugated substrate while the activity of DA and 3-MT relative to the other substrates tested was diminished. This change in substrate affinity with differing substrate concentrations can be explained, at least for DA, by the occurrence of apparent substrate inhibition at concentrations above 25 to 30 μM. Using PST isolated in 100,000g supernatant fractions from human brain, the Km value for DA was found to be 5.0 μM, while the Km value for the sulfate-donor 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate was 0.25 μM. The ratio of 3-O- to 4-O-DA-sulfate formed in vitro by human brain PST was found to be about 4: 1. In addition, both the 3-O- and 4-O-esters were found not to be deaminated by human brain mitochondrial MAO. The relative role of PST with respect to MAO and catechol-O-methyltransferase in the degradation of the biogenic amine neurotransmitters in human brain is discussed.
Locomotion in Insects: Patterns Generated by Interacting Oscillators

Intelligence, for the purpose of the present discussion, will be defined as the ability to solve complex problems. In addition, the attribute “intelligent” is taken to indicate something about the speed and sophistication of problem solving. Thus, intelligence is most evident in dealing with problems that are new in the sense that they have not been encountered before in precisely the same form, so the solution requires more than simply repeating a previous set of actions. Brute force methods relying on exhaustive searches of all possible solutions, on the one hand, and applications of a simple rule, on the other hand, are not apt to be considered intelligent, although both may be highly successful in dealing with new problems. Of course, what is new and what rules are considered to be simple depend very much on the standpoint of the observer: intelligence may often mean recognizing that a new problem is simply a variant of previously solved problems. An experienced mathematician may immediately see promising routes to solutions for problems where a novice must resort to trial and error. Important correlates of intelligence are avoiding repetition of unsuccessful actions and, at a higher level, incorporating experience in order to modify and improve competence.
Back From the Brink: The Uses of Targeting the CXCL10:CXCR3 Axis in Type 1 Diabetes

According to a popular quip, fittingly though incorrectly attributed to the great dyspeptic metaphysicist Arthur Schopenhauer, all truth passes through three stages: first, it is ridiculed; second, it is violently opposed; third, it is accepted as self-evident (1). In the iconoclastic world of biomedical research, however, that is so eager to challenge the old and propose novel paradigms, the evolution of truth may at times take a different path, traveling the route to knowledge almost in the opposite direction: first, a discovery is excitedly embraced; second, it is readily confirmed and expanded upon; and third, it is effectively contested and quietly slips into oblivion. That, or so it seemed, was to be the fate of the chemokine CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 as promising therapeutic targets in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Yet in this issue of Diabetes , Lasch et al. (2) pull that concept back from the brink by defining a specific context for effective CXCL10 neutralization, namely, as an adjunct treatment to achieve durable aCD3-induced T1D remission. In the early 2000s, buoyed by a burgeoning interest in the potential contribution of individual chemokine/receptors to diabetes development, two independent groups studying the virus-induced RIP-LCMV-GP model suggested that the CXCL10:CXCR3 axis might constitute a key determinant for T1D pathogenesis (3,4). Transgenic RIP-LCMV-GP mice, in which the rat insulin promoter (RIP) drives expression of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) glycoprotein (GP) specifically in β-cells, are phenotypically normal but readily develop T1D within ∼2 weeks after LCMV infection and the generation of a potent LCMV-GP–specific CD8+T-cell response. Based on mRNA and protein expression screens of murine islets or pancreata obtained from infected RIP-LCMV-GP mice, CXCL10 was identified as a particularly prominent chemokine (3,4), and corresponding in vivo …
Ties That Bind: Evaluation of Collagen I and α-Chitin

Collagen and chitin are two fascinating unique matrix framework molecules that play a key role in the hierarchical development of hard tissue. Of the 28 identified types, collagen I accounts for more 90% of the total collagen found in nature and is the main constituent of bone. Of the three identified types, α-Chitin is the most abundant form found in nature and is the main component in the exoskeletons of crustaceans like crabs. α-chitin is a plentiful natural material, similar to collagen I in composition, structure, and function. Both collagen I and α-chitin have extensive use in the biomedical field. In an effort to obtain processing strategies and microstructure design criteria for the development of new bone substitute materials with novel properties, biomimetics was used to establish relationships between the properties of collagen I and α-chitin. The objective of this study was to compare collagen I and α-chitin to illuminate notable similarities and differences in chemical, physical, structural and functional properties. The more intriguing similarities involve hierarchical structuring, liquid crystal characteristics and self assembly. One of the more conspicuous differences is the biochemistry of collagen I, a protein, and α-chitin, a polysaccharide. Collagen I and α-chitin were studied using electron microscopy, elemental and thermal analysis. Bouligand or a twisting plywood system was observed on both collagen and chitin micrographs. One major difference is that the SEM micrographs of collagen fibers demonstrated a banding pattern while chitin fibers did not. The elemental analysis revealed that chitin’s carbon/nitrogen of 3 was doubled in collagen. Thermal analysis revealed that chitin had two thermal transitions while collagen had three. Both collagen and chitin have a thermal event associated with the evolution of freely bound water. These are among the similarities and differences that will be addressed in this paper.
Interaction between a single water droplet and a laser filament

The analysis of the destruction and reformation of a single laser filament interacting with a single micro-sized water droplet allows a better understanding of filament propagation through atmospheric aerosols.
Spatial distribution of adipose compartments size, shape and orientation in a CT breast image of a mastectomy specimen

Development of efficient clinical breast imaging system has become a major concern in medical imaging today. Recent advancement in 3D imaging has allowed detailed analysis of breast anatomic structures. To assist with preclinical validation of breast imaging systems, high resolution anthropomorphic software phantoms have been introduced [1]. The phantoms developed at the University of Pennsylvania and Delaware State University simulate the breast outline covered by a skin layer, and the breast interior matrix of Cooper's ligaments which define compartments filled with adipose or fibro-glandular (dense) tissue. The simulation algorithms require input parameters such as number of compartments, distribution, and size and shape of adipose compartments. To obtain more realistic phantoms, these simulation parameters should be inferred from clinical images. In this study, we have investigated the distribution and spatial placement of adipose compartments in reconstructed CT images of a mastectomy specimen.
Waveforms for interference testing of emergency responder safety devices

In this paper we describe the process used to create the interference waveform used in radiated interference testing and demonstrate two examples of how such a signal may be used in testing the performance of wireless devices. Our goal is to simulate, in a laboratory environment, typical to worst-case conditions for wireless electronic safety devices used by emergency responders. The methods discussed were developed with repeatability in mind and are general enough to be applicable to a wide variety of interference tests.
Pump-probe spectrometer for measuring x-ray induced strain.

A hard x-ray pump–probe spectrometer using a multi-crystal Bragg reflector is demonstrated at a third generation synchrotron source. This device derives both broadband pump and monochromatic probe pulses directly from a single intense, broadband x-ray pulse centered at 8.767 keV. We present a proof-of-concept experiment which directly measures x-ray induced crystalline lattice strain.
Growth Responses of a Sulfonamide-requiring Mutant Strain of Neurospora.

A mutant strain of Neurospora crassa has appeared in which the antagonistic roles of p-aminobenzoic acid and the sulfonamides have been reversed to a considerable extent. Optimal growth of this strain occurs only in the presence of sulfonamides. Conversely, p-aminobenzoic acid is a potent fungistatic agent for this strain under certain conditions. To say that sulfanilamide has become an essential metabolite and p-aminobenzoic acid an inhibiting analog would be to oversimplify the altered physiology of this mutant strain. It will be shown that, in this strain, both sulfonamides and p-aminobenzoic acid are essential for growth, and that each acts as an inhibiting analog of the other. These interrelations are further complicated by the effect of temperature on the need for sulfonamides, and on the inhibition by p-aminobenzoic acid. The present report deals exclusively with the growth responses of this mutant strain to sulfonamides, to temperature, and to p-aminobenzoic acid. At the present time nothing definite is known of the physiological role of sulfonamides in this strain.
Stochastic Volatility and Asset Pricing Puzzles

This paper builds a real-options, term structure model of the …rm to shed new light on the value premium, …nancial distress, momentum, and credit spread puzzles. The model incorporates stochastic volatility in the …rm productivity process and a negative market price of volatility risk. Since the equity of growth …rms and …nancially distressed …rms have embedded options, such securities hedge against volatility risk in the market and thus command lower volatility risk premia than the equities of value or …nancially healthy …rms. Abnormal risk-adjusted momentum pro…ts are concentrated among low credit-rating …rms for similar reasons. Conversely, since increases in volatility generally reduce the value of debt, corporate debt will tend to command large volatility risk premia, allowing the model to generate higher credit spreads than existing structural models. The paper illustrates that allowing for endogenous default by equityholders is necessary for the model to account for the credit spreads of both investment grade and junk debt. The model is extended to include rare disasters and multiple time scales in volatility dynamics to better account for the expected default frequencies and credit spreads of short maturity debt. Finally, the paper uses a methodology based on asymptotic expansions to solve the model.
Estimating accuracy from unlabeled data: a Bayesian approach

We consider the question of how unlabeled data can be used to estimate the true accuracy of learned classifiers, and the related question of how outputs from several classifiers performing the same task can be combined based on their estimated accuracies. To answer these questions, we first present a simple graphical model that performs well in practice. We then provide two nonparametric extensions to it that improve its performance. Experiments on two real-world data sets produce accuracy estimates within a few percent of the true accuracy, using solely unlabeled data. Our models also outperform existing state-of-the-art solutions in both estimating accuracies, and combining multiple classifier outputs.
A clinical trial of a microcrystalline cellulose topical nasal spray on the acute response to allergen challenge.

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis is a common disorder that leads to a negative impact on quality of life. Multiple options are available for treatment of the symptoms, but preventing the reaction should...
On the expressive power of first-order modal logic with two-dimensional operators

Many authors have noted that there are types of English modal sentences cannot be formalized in the language of basic first-order modal logic. Some widely discussed examples include “There could have been things other than there actually are” and “Everyone who is actually rich could have been poor.” In response to this lack of expressive power, many authors have discussed extensions of first-order modal logic with two-dimensional operators. But claims about the relative expressive power of these extensions are often justified only by example rather than by rigorous proof. In this paper, we provide proofs of many of these claims and present a more complete picture of the expressive landscape for such languages.
Upper airway stimulation therapy: A novel approach to managing obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives Review the role of upper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy in the management of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Data Sources A literature search was performed of PubMed and Medline using the search terms clinical trial; obstructive sleep apnea; upper airway stimulation; hypoglossal stimulation; hypoglossal nerve; Inspire; and ImThera. Review Methods All published clinical trials of currently available devices were reviewed. Unpublished data were excluded. Results UAS therapy results in surgical success (AHI decrease of >50% and overall AHI <= 20) in 66% of implanted subjects. In addition, UAS therapy results in significant improvement in daytime sleepiness, snoring, and sleep-related quality of life. Conclusion UAS therapy is a valid alternative for select patients with moderate to severe OSA who are unsuccessful users of CPAP therapy. Laryngoscope, 126:S5–S8, 2016
Evaluation of an Enrichment-Plating Procedure for the Recovery of Campylobacter jejuni from Turkey Eggs and Meat.

A selective enrichment-plating procedure was tested for the recovery and enumeration of Campylobacter jejuni from turkey eggs and meat. Enrichment was in brucella broth with ferrous sulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium pyruvate and five antimicrobial agents. Plating was on brucella agar supplemented with equine blood and antimicrobial agents. Incubation of tubes and plates was at 42°C in an atmosphere of 5% O2:10% CO2:85% N2. C. jejuni could be recovered from the enrichment broth when calculated initial cell numbers per ml of broth were as low as 0.3 to 3.3.