cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of gun violence restraining order laws in the U.S. and firearm suicide among older adults: a longitudinal state-level analysis, 2012-2016.

Older adults complete suicide at a disproportionately higher rate compared to the general population, with firearms the most common means of suicide. State gun laws may be a policy remedy. Less is known about Gun Violence Restricting Order (GVRO) laws, which allow for removal of firearms from people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, and their effects on suicide rates among older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of state firearm laws with the incidence of firearm, non-firearm-related, and total suicide among older adults, with a focus on GVRO laws. This is a longitudinal study of US states using data from 2012 to 2016. The outcome variables were firearm, non-firearm and total suicide rates among older adults. Predictor variables were [1] total number of gun laws to assess for impact of overall firearm legislation at the state level, and [2] GVRO laws. The total number of firearm laws, as well as GVRO laws, were negatively associated with firearm-related suicide rate among older adults ages 55–64 and > 65 years-old (p < 0.001). There was a small but significant positive association of total number of firearm laws to non-firearm-related suicide rates and a negative association with total suicide rate. GVRO laws were not significantly associated with non-firearm-related suicide and were negatively associated with total suicide rate. Stricter firearm legislation, as well as GVRO laws, are protective against firearm-relate suicides among older adults.
Abstract TP40: Time From Stroke Onset to Reperfusion is Associated With Worse Functional Outcomes in Patients With Rapidly Progressing Infarcts

Introduction: Recent trials have demonstrated the benefit of endovascular therapy (EVT) beyond 6 hours of symptom onset. However, the importance of time to reperfusion (TTR) in the extended time wi...
On the number of tests needed for the pooled testing halving scheme

Abstract We develop recursions for computing the mean and variance of the number of pooled tests needed by the halving scheme to determine the disease positive members of a population. It is assumed that each population member is independently positive with probability p , that the individual blood samples can be pooled to test whether or not at least one member of that pooled group is positive, and that a positive tested group is then split in half and the process continued.
Fiscal Success During COVID-19 Says Believe the Good News

Too much blood in terms of unemployment and sweat in terms of intellectual effort has been spent on trying to determine the amount of fiscal space that economies have — our policy focus instead should be on what to do with the fiscal space that almost all advanced economies (and a surprising number of emerging market economies) actually have.
Deoxyhypusine synthase promotes a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype.

Summary The metabolic inflammation (meta-inflammation) of obesity is characterized by proinflammatory macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue. Catalysis by deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) modifies the translation factor eIF5A to generate a hypusine (Hyp) residue. Hypusinated eIF5A (eIF5AHyp) controls the translation of mRNAs involved in inflammation, but its role in meta-inflammation has not been elucidated. Levels of eIF5AHyp were found to be increased in adipose tissue macrophages from obese mice and in murine macrophages activated to a proinflammatory M1-like state. Global proteomics and transcriptomics revealed that DHPS deficiency in macrophages altered the abundance of proteins involved in NF-κB signaling, likely through translational control of their respective mRNAs. DHPS deficiency in myeloid cells of obese mice suppressed M1 macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue and improved glucose tolerance. These findings indicate that DHPS promotes the post-transcriptional regulation of a subset of mRNAs governing inflammation and chemotaxis in macrophages and contributes to a proinflammatory M1-like phenotype.
Measurement of water by oven evaporation using a novel oven design. 1. Water in water-saturated 1-octanol, coal, cement, and refined oils.

Using an automated oven evaporation technique combined with the coulometric Karl Fischer method, the mass fraction of water has been measured in cement, coal, and refined oil samples. The accuracy of this method was established by using SRM 2890, water-saturated 1-octanol that was added to white oil. The samples were analyzed for total reactive Karl Fischer reagent (KFR) material, for interfering materials, and for material that does not react with the aldehyde–ketone KFR. All of the samples yielded volatile material that reacted with the standard KFR. None of the samples contained significant masses of material that reacted with iodine. The cement and coal SRMs contained no material that reacted with methanol and very little material that did not volatilize at 107°C. The refined oils contained some material that was volatile at 107°C and some at 160°C. However, none of this material reacted with the aldehyde–ketone reagent. These results show that the material in the solid samples is water and that the material in the refined oils is a material other than water which reacts with methanol to form water.
Anita J. Turner--Early Black Female Physical Educator.

(1974). Anita J. Turner—Early Black Female Physical Educator. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 71-72.
Performance of the GPS package on Landsat-5

The Landsat-5 spacecraft, launched in March 1984, carries an experimental Global Positioning System Package (GPSPAC) as did Landsat-4 in 1982. The primary objective of this experiment was to characterize and improve the performance of GPSPAC as an onboard navigation tool. In order to validate the accuracy of GPSPAC orbit solutions, definitive Landsat-5 ephemerides, derived from ground based tracking data, were generated and compared with GPSPAC estimates. This paper presents the results of such analysis as well as a summary of GPSPAC operation on Landsat-5. A description of the Landsat-5 spacecraft, GPSPAC and its navigation algorithms are also included.
Some Effects of Finite Sample Size and Persistence on Meteorological Statistics. Part I: Autocorrelations

Abstract Time series of meteorological variables typically exhibit a pronounced annual cycle and persistence and samples are of finite size. This paper analyses the impact of these complicating features on certain statistics computed from the time series. The presence of an annual cycle means that statistics are nonstationary unless computed from multiyear samples of limited duration. Persistence leads to lack of independence of observations. Large amplitude weather (high frequency) events induce natural variability at low frequencies, known as climatic noise, that is enhanced by the presence of persistence. This natural variability should be, taken into account when estimating population statistics from a finite sample, but generally this has not been done in meteorology. A number of studies in meteorology have computed statistics from daily data by 1) removing the annual cycle; 2) computing second moment statistics over each individual season; and 3) averaging the second moment statistics over all years...
Fluorescein angiographic findings in ocular siderosis

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of siderosis from a retained intraocular iron foreign body manifesting localized retinal capillary nonperfusion documented by fluorescein angiography. METHODS: Case Report. In a 35-year-old man with decreased vision in the left eye, studies included fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, visual field testing, and electrophysiology. Surgical foreign body extraction and histopathologic examination were performed. RESULTS: Preoperatively, in the left eye, humphrey visual fields and electrophysiology testing revealed marked depression. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated nasal capillary nonperfusion with occlusion of the second- and third-order arterioles extending along a gradient from the foreign body. Microscopic examination of the lens capsule confirmed the diagnosis of siderosis secondary to a retained iron foreign body. CONCLUSION: Extensive capillary nonperfusion may be associated with a retained iron intraocular foreign body, as documented by fluorescein angiography.
Effects of Delay of Reinforcement with Reduction of Confinement in the Goal-Box and Elimination of Handling Immediately following Runway Traversal

24 male rats were randomly assigned into one of three groups. The first group was immediately reinforced with food pellets upon entering a wide goal-box area after running down a straight alley. The second group was reinforced with food pellets 10 sec. after they placed their noses above the goal cup. A third group was reinforced 30 sec. after they placed their noses above the goal cup. All animals were given a total of 72 trials (four trials per day). The results indicated that rats given immediate reinforcement ran faster than those with a 10-sec. delay which were faster than those with a 30-sec. delay. These findings suggest that the results of the previous studies were due to delay of reinforcement effects and not confinement in the goal-box or handling following a run.
Effect of stress on matched-mode gyroscope frequencies

This paper reports on the simulation and measurement of stress effects on matched-mode gyroscope resonance frequencies using two different stress application setups. First generation stress application setup that requires turning bolts to induce stress is used with a package-level vacuum system that doesn't require any special packaging equipment. The second generation stress application setup that requires applying load from the center is implemented with a custom made vacuum chamber. It has been shown that stress may increase or decrease the resonance frequencies depending on its effects on the gyroscope anchors. The effect of die orientation on the stress vs. frequency shift is also investigated.
Investigation of an alleged mechanism of finger injury in an automobile crash

This investigation centers on the case of an adult male whose finger was allegedly amputated by the steering wheel of his car during a crash. The subject claimed to have been driving with his left index finger inserted through a hole in the spoke of his steering wheel and was subsequently involved in an offset frontal collision with a tree. The finger was found to be cleanly severed at the mid-shaft of the proximal phalanx after the crash. This injury was alleged to have been caused by inertial loading from the rotation of the steering wheel during the crash. To determine whether this injury mechanism was plausible, three laboratory tests representing distinct loading scenarios were carried out with postmortem human surrogates loaded dynamically by the subject's steering wheel. It was found that the inertial loads generated in this loading scenario are insufficient to amputate the finger. Additionally, artificially constraining the finger to force an amputation to occur revealed that a separation at the proximal interphalangeal joint occurs rather than a bony fracture of the proximal phalanx. Based on these biomechanical tests, it can be concluded that the subject's injury did not occur during the automobile crash in question. Furthermore, it can be shown that the injury was self-inflicted to fraudulently claim on an insurance policy.
Elective laparoscopy for herald symptoms of mesenteric/internal hernia after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract Background Mesenteric internal hernia (MIH) is the most common cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Because MIH is a potentially life-threatening complication, we hypothesized that elective repair of MIH before developing acute SBO could decrease morbidity in this population. Methods The records of 702 consecutive patients undergoing primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from January 2002 and August 2007 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the incidence and etiology of SBO. During the last 9 months of the study, we offered elective laparoscopy to any patient who presented to us with symptoms of intermittent SBO. Results Of the 702 patients, 27 (3.8%) developed acute SBO. Of these 27 patients, 15 (55%) had obstruction related to an MIH. Nearly all patients had a typical history of intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating before developing acute SBO. Elective laparoscopy was offered to 11 patients with symptoms of intermittent SBO. Two patients who refused subsequently underwent operations for acute SBO. MIH was found at elective laparoscopic exploration in all cases. Of the 9 patients undergoing elective surgery, 3 (33%) had small bowel volvulus. Conclusion SBO due to MIH after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is typically preceded by symptoms of intermittent obstruction. Patients who have these herald symptoms should promptly be offered elective laparoscopic exploration. Elective repair of MIH can be performed safely and expeditiously.
Adaptive Classification Procedures

Abstract An explicitly computable, necessary, and sufficient condition for the existence of an adaptive classification procedure is obtained. By definition, an adaptive procedure, which classifies a sample as coming from one of alternative distributions known only up to a finite-valued nuisance parameter, is required to have the same asymptotic behavior of error probability for these families as asymptotically optimal rules for each of the families. We investigate the conditions under which the overall maximum likelihood procedure is adaptive and derive a rule that is adaptive if any procedure is. We study the consistency of these procedures. Several exponential-family examples illustrate their form, and a small-sample study of error probabilities is performed.
Linkage between Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus Resistance and Endosperm Color in Maize

The data indicated that most of the resistant lines have additional genes for resistance to MDMV that are not linked to the Y 1 gene. However, crossovers between the gene for resistance to MDMV and the Y 1 gene and/or gene penetrance could have an effect on what conclusions can be made
THEORY OF GRAIN BOUNDARY DIFFUSION

The previously proposed dependence of the structure of grain boundaries upon the angle of disorientation of the two grains is used as a basis of a quantitative consideration of diffusion along grain boundaries and in particular of the apparent activation energies. At small angles in the dislocation range the diffusion is controlled by volume diffusion mechanism. At high angles near 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} the model of a uniform grain boundary is applicable. In the intermediate range an array of rod-like areas of distorted lattice leads to low or even negative apparent activation energies. The theory is in good agreement with experiment.
Rheology of omphacite at high temperature and pressure and significance of its lattice preferred orientations

Abstract We have investigated the rheology of hot-pressed polycrystalline omphacite (Di 58 Jd 42 , space group C2/c ) at strain rates of 10 − 4 –10 − 5 /s, temperatures of 1300–1500 K and a pressure of 3 GPa, using a 5 GPa Griggs-type deformation apparatus. The rheological constitutive equation of omphacite is determined with a stress exponent of 3.5 ± 0.2 and an activation energy of 310 ± 50 kJ/mol. Our study shows that: (1) the creep strength of omphacite falls between those of diopside and jadeite; (2) experimental omphacite microfabrics are indistinguishable from natural ones: S-type fabric and its mesoscopic foliation develop under conditions of axially symmetric shortening, whereas L-type fabric and its mesoscopic lineation develop under conditions of general strain, with L parallel to the greatest elongation; (3) as in naturally deformed omphacite, the deformation substructure is characterized by the dominant slip systems {110}1/2〈110〉, {110}[001] and (100)[001]. We conclude that both S- and L-type omphacite fabrics are produced by these slip systems; fabric differences arise solely from variation of the geometry and orientation of the finite strain ellipsoid. We also confirm the previous suggestion that Na-bearing pyroxenes are significantly weaker than Na-free pyroxenes.
The impact of exercise and diet restriction on daily energy expenditure

In addition to the direct energy cost of physical activity, exercise may influence resting energy expenditure in 3 ways: (a) a prolonged increase in postexercise metabolic rate from an acute exercise challenge; (b) a chronic increase in resting metabolic rate associated with exercise training; and (c) a possible increase in energy expenditure during nonexercising time. It seems apparent that the greater the exercise perturbation, the greater the magnitude of the increase in postexercise metabolic rate. An exercise prescription for the general population that consists of exercise of low (less than 50% VO2max) or moderate intensity (50 to 75% VO2max) does not appear to produce a prolonged elevation of postexercise metabolic rate that would influence body-weight. Inconsistent results have been found with respect to the effects of exercise training and the trained state on resting metabolic rate. Whereas some investigators have found a higher resting metabolic rate in trained than untrained individuals and in individuals after an exercise training programme, other investigators have found no chronic exercise effect on resting metabolic rate. Differences in experimental design, genetic variation and alterations in energy balance may contribute to the discrepant findings among investigators. A relatively unexplored area concerns the influence of exercise training on energy expenditure during nonexercising time. It is presently unclear whether exercise training increases or decreases the energy expenditure associated with spontaneous or nonpurposeful physical activity which includes fidgeting, muscular activity, etc. The doubly labelled water technique represents a methodological advance in this area and permits the determination of total daily energy expenditure. Concomitant with the determination of the other components of daily energy expenditure (resting metabolic rate and thermic effect of a meal), it will now be possible to examine the adaptive changes in energy expenditure during nonexercising time. A plethora of studies have examined the combined effects of diet and exercise on body composition and resting metabolic rate. The hypothesis is that combining diet and exercise will accelerate fat loss, preserve fat-free weight and prevent or decelerate the decline in resting metabolic rate more effectively than with diet restriction alone. The optimal combination of diet and exercise, however, remains elusive. It appears that the combination of a large quantity of aerobic exercise with a very low calorie diet resulting in substantial loss of bodyweight may actually accelerate the decline in resting metabolic rate. These findings may cause us to re-examine the quantity of exercise and diet needed to achieve optimal fat loss and preservation of resting metabolic rate.
Effect of hydrocortisone and corticotropin on glucose-induced insulin and proinsulin secretion in man.

ABSTRACT The total immunoreactive insulin (TIR) and proinsulin-like material (IRP) were studied in response to oral glucose in 12 young (22–30) normal lean volunteers during 4-hr infusion of β1–24 corticotropin or after 3 days of treatment with 80 mg of hydrocortisone. Corticotropin produced no increase in baseline glucose or plasma glucose in response to oral glucose, compared to the control. The baseline or glucoseinduced TIR and IRP were not markedly different in the corticotropin and the control group. Hydrocortisone treatment produced a significant increase in baseline glucose without increase in TIR or IRP. In contrast, glucose-induced TIR and IRP were significantly increased at 60, 90, and 120 min. Increment of glucose, TIR and IRP above the baseline in subjects with cortisol therapy over the control, increased by 176, 165, and 306%, respectively. These studies suggest that: 1) Corticotropin has no significant effect on baseline or glucoseinduced TIR and IRP in man. 2) Cortisol therapy induces hype...
Prediction and Field Verification of Subsurface‐Water Quality Changes During Artificial Recharge, Lubbock, Texas

A structure-imitating numerical model is described that simulates one-dimensional ion movement with chemical reactions. The reactions include nonlinear ion exchange, dissolution, precipitation and ion complex formation and dissociation. The reactions assume equilibrium conditions and the model accounts for hydrodynamic dispersion. A two-step computational approach separates the convective and dispersive transport from the chemical reactions. This procedure allows ease in changing grid size, time step size and permits the simple insertion of alternative chemical reactions as subroutines. Chemical parameters for the model were developed in the laboratory using batch experimental techniques. The model, with these experimental parameters, was used to predict solute concentrations exiting from a laboratory column. A field study was also modeled using these same chemical parameters. Verification of the model's predictive capabilities was extablished by comparison between the numerical results of the model and the values from the field experiment.
Surgical management of ventricular tachycardia in subannular left ventricular aneurysm

Submitral left ventricular aneurysms typically affect young adults of African ancestry. These aneurysms are characterized by heart failure and mitral insufficiency, and occur in the absence of coronary disease. We report a rare case of symptomatic ventricular tachycardia in association with submitral left ventricular aneurysm (and no mitral insufficiency). Ventricular tachycardia was abolished by aneurysm resection and ventricular reconstruction. We suggest surgical management is indicated for ventricular tachycardia associated with this unusual condition, and may be curative.
Delamination and matrix cracking of cross-ply laminates due to a spherical indenter

Abstract An investigation was performed to study delamination growth induced by matrix cracks in cross-ply composites resulting from a spherical indenter. The major focus of the study was to understand fundamentally the damage mechanics in terms of matrix cracking and delamination growth, and interaction between them. A nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model based on an updated Lagrange formulation was developed during the investigation. An augmented Lagrangian method was utilized to model the delamination interface condition. A general contact node search algorithm was proposed which can handle complex contact conditions, such as arbitrary slippage and discontinuous curvature. The indentation resulting from the spherical rigid indenter was also modeled. Fracture mechanics was applied to determine the delamination propagation in three dimensions. The strain energy release rates were calculated by a crack-closure technique. The model was verified analytically and experimentally.
Air Passenger Preferences for Choice of Airport and Ground Access Mode in the New York City Metropolitan Region

In current practice, regional models are limited in their capability to analyze policies involving changes and improvements to airports (and their services) and ground access transportation. Typically, airports are treated only as employment centers or as special generators. Important and distinct features of air passenger travel affecting trip distribution and mode choice are rarely modeled explicitly. This paper presents the development of a joint airport and ground access mode choice model for the New York City metropolitan region based on an extensive survey of airport users. Unlike travel to and from most U.S. cities, air passengers flying to and from the New York region face a nontrivial choice of airports and ground access modes (including premium transit options). A nested logit model was formulated with airport choice at the upper level and ground access mode choice at the second level; however, a multinomial logit model was found to be statistically preferable. Results indicate that air passenge...
X-ray temperature-emission measure modeling of the solar corona

Several problems related to the calculation of an emission measure differential in temperature are resolved using a new calculation technique. The analysis of a flare on 20 April, 1976, is used to evaluate the usefulness of this new approach and to estimate its future value.
Adaptive Multi-metric Routing in Distressed Mobile Sensing Networks

This paper proposes a data dissemination framework to support participatory sensing in a disaster response network formed by mobile, battery-driven devices in case of a large-scale outage or infrastructure failure. Such networks are often unpredictable, heterogeneous, and constrained in terms of energy, bandwidth, and storage. The delivery ratio of the messages highly depends on the routing information used to decide on optimal message forwarding and replication. Various routing metrics are employed in different network environments, ranging from a static connected network to a mobile disconnected environment. In this unpredictable and heterogeneous environment, no single metric results in optimal decisions at all times. We propose a framework that can use several widely used metrics as plug-ins thereby making more intelligent decisions through a dynamic combination of these metrics. Since every routing metric makes specific assumptions about the underlying network, its routing information becomes more accurate when these assumptions hold (e.g. static nodes or certain mobility patterns). Our protocol automatically adapts to a previously unknown network where the appropriate routing assumptions can not be determined beforehand or is different throughout the network. We evaluate the protocol rigorously to illustrate how our combination mechanism provides accurate information from a set of metrics which may disagree. We compare our protocol against widely used sensor network and DTN routing protocols and show that it provides a higher delivery ratio in a wide range of scenarios.
Analysis of the G93E mutant allele of KpsM, the membrane component of an ABC transporter involved in polysialic acid translocation in Escherichia coli K1

KpsM is an integral membrane protein involved in the translocation of the polysialic acid capsule of Escherichia coli K1. The kpsMG93E allele is a point mutation in the first cytoplasmic loop (CI) of KpsM which partially disrupts translocation of the capsule. While producing polymer of wild-type length, strains harboring the G93E allele exhibit a decreased production of capsular polymer and a reduced rate of polymer translocation to the cell surface.
The kinetic study for asymmetric membrane formation via phase-inversion process

The kinetics of membrane formation by phase inversion was studied emphasizing the rate of solvent diffusion from a polymer solution during the phase separation. Diffusional behavior of the solvent can be considered Fickian. Membrane morphologies were shown to be strongly dependent on the rate of solvent diffusion, indicating that mass-transfer rates of solvent and nonsolvent during phase separation are crucial for determining the final membrane structure for the following system: polysulfone (polymer), dimethyl acetamide (solvent), and ethanol (gelation medium). Specific reference to the mechanism of macrovoid formation was explored. Macrovoid formation was found to be proportional to the square root of time, suggesting that it is governed by a diffusion process. In addition, latex particles of coagulated polymer formed by the nucleation and growth of a concentrated polymer phase was observed inside the macrovoids. Such a result implies that the macrovoids grow by a diffusive flow which results from the growth of the polymer lean phase during binodal decomposition. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fermi quantization of non-Abelian gauge theory

The Yang-Mills field coupled to spinors is quantized, using a gauge-invariant Fermi addition to the Lagrangian, by introducing classical fictitious fields. Problems arising in the Fermi method are investigated. Use is made of the Schr\"odinger representation, which may be seen as the differential equivalent of the path-integral method. In this representation the conditions selecting good states are very simple: Good states are gauge-invariant functionals of the spatial Yang-Mills potentials ${{b}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}^{i}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{x}})$. The divergence in the naive scalar product of states is removed by the Faddeev-Popov factorization, and also by the cutoff method. Both methods produce gauge- and Poincar\'e-invariant results. The Faddeev-Popov weight is expressed in a power series, which converges in the whole coupling-constant plane, by seeing this weight as a Fredholm determinant. The consistency problem of the Fermi method is resolved by allowing certain operators to be self-adjoint; it is shown that gauge transformations cannot be implemented unitarily outside the good state space. We investigate the question which operators raise charge multiplets of good states from the vacuum. It is shown that this is done by the Mandelstam-displaced operators $\ensuremath{\psi}$, $\overline{\ensuremath{\psi}}$, $B$, and $\ensuremath{\Pi}$, and also by the potentials ${b}_{\mathrm{g}}$ which represent gauge-equivalence classes of Yang-Mills potentials, if the ${b}_{\mathrm{g}}$ form a linear subspace of the configuration space. In a gauge-invariant theory involving gauge-variant operators, the energy-momentum operators, defined as displacement operators, cannot be gauge-invariant. However, the effect of these operators in $G$ is the same as that of certain gauge-invariant operators, and they can be used as the physical energy-momentum. Double commutators of these operators with the potentials are found to satisfy an identity which has a formal consequence for the mass of states raised from the vacuum by the potentials.
Influence of annealing on tunnelling magnetoresistance of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions

We have shown for the first time that the magnetometry on the free layer of fully perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJ) can be used to optimize the annealing conditions, and, subsequently, the transport properties of these devices. pMTJ stacks with Co/Pd multilayer (ML) synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF)-based pinned layer and thin Co31.5Fe58.5B10 free layer were patterned into devices and then rapid thermally annealed (RTA) in high vacuum at temperatures ranging from 350 to 500 °C. The soaking time at these RTA temperatures ranged from 3 to 12 min. Under annealing condition of 500 °C for 8 min yielded a tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) of 50% at a transport measurement temperature of 300 K and 59% at 4.2 K. Further increase in annealing time to 12 min degraded the TMR at all temperatures tested. Analysis of the minor M–H loops of the free layer of these devices showed a clear transition from partially perpendicular to fully perpendicular to in-plane anisotropy as the annealing time was increased at each temperature. These minor loops correlate strongly with the transport measurements, indicating that the optimization of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the free layer by annealing leads to optimized TMR as well.
Primary myelofibrosis: 2014 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management.

Disease overview: Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by stem cell-derived clonal myeloproliferation, abnormal cytokine expression, bone marrow fibrosis, anemia, splenomegaly, extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), constitutional symptoms, cachexia, leukemic progression, and shortened survival. Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based on bone marrow morphology. The presence of JAK2, CALR, or MPL mutation is supportive but not essential for diagnosis; approximately 90% of patients carry one of these mutations and 10% are “triple-negative.” None of these mutations are specific to PMF and are also seen in essential thrombocythemia (ET). Prefibrotic PMF mimics ET in its presentation and the distinction, enabled by careful bone marrow morphological examination, is prognostically relevant. Differential diagnosis also includes chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia.Risk Stratification: The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System-plus (DIPSS-plus) uses eight predictors of inferior survival: age >65 years, hemoglobin 25 × 109/L, circulating blasts ≥1%, constitutional symptoms, red cell transfusion dependency, platelet count <100 × 109/L, and unfavorable karyotype (i.e., complex karyotype or sole or two abnormalities that include +8, −7/7q−, i(17q), inv(3), −5/5q−, 12p−, or 11q23 rearrangement). The presence of 0, 1, “2 or 3,” and ≥4 adverse factors defines low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high-risk disease with median survivals of approximately 15.4, 6.5, 2.9, and 1.3 years, respectively. High risk disease is also defined by CALR−/ASXL1+ mutational status. Risk-Adapted Therapy: Observation alone is adequate for asymptomatic low/intermediate-1 risk disease, especially with CALR+/ASXL1− mutational status. Stem cell transplant is considered for DIPSS-plus high risk disease or any risk disease with CALR−/ASXL1+ mutational status. Investigational drug therapy is reasonable for symptomatic intermediate-1 or intermediate-2 risk disease. Splenectomy is considered for drug-refractory splenomegaly. Involved field radiotherapy is most useful for post-splenectomy hepatomegaly, non-hepatosplenic EMH, PMF-associated pulmonary hypertension, and extremity bone pain. Am. J. Hematol. 89:916–925, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical quality improvement: Measuring and managing quality in rehabilitation medicine

In this paper clinical quality improvement, also referred to as total quality management, is described as a theoretical and methodological framework. Use of this approach is proposed and examined as a paradigm for quality of care measurement and management in rehabilitation medicine. While the field of rehabilitation has a long tradition in the area of outcomes measurement, in particular that of functional status assessment, the larger framework of clinical quality improvement offers a very promising and more complete framework for rehabilitation than those employed in the past. While the framework requires further testing and research, it has been useful in some areas of acute, as well as primary care. This paradigm is consistent with the approaches traditionally taken in measuring the quality of rehabilitation medicine. Recommendations are made for its application in rehabilitation medicine.
Measuring spatial waves of repolarization in canine ventricles using high-resolution epicardial mapping*

Abstract The importance of the role of ventricular repolarization in arrhythmogenesis and defibrillation prompted the exploration of new methods for observing and measuring repolarization. Specifically, the authors' goal was to establish independent procedures for assessing activation-recovery intervals. Canine epicardial electrograms from high-resolution arrays (2-mm spacing, 25 × 21 electrodes) were recorded during pacing from a variety of single or simultaneously paced epicardial locations in canine hearts. For each activation sequence, the activation and repolarization times were measured using timing of intrinsic QRS and T wave deflections (activation-recovery interval method) and timing of the peak magnitude of spatial derivatives (gradient method). Both methods should, theoretically, provide estimates of local activation and repolarization times, which reflect timing of local action potential upstrokes and downstrokes. Scattergrams comparing activation and recovery times for the two methods showed high correlation, slopes close to 1.0, and intercepts near the origin. For most activation sequences, observation of the potential and gradient distributions as dynamic, three-dimensional perspective displays, revealed a well-defined, rapidly propagating repolarization wave, superimposed on a slowly varying, high-amplitude distribution occurring during the T wave. These data suggest that repolarization times measured using temporal or spatial derivatives are consistent with theoretical predictions and reflect timing of local action potential downstrokes. They also suggest potential utility of combining spatial and temporal approaches for improving reliability in the measurements.
Magnetic nanoparticle enhanced surface plasmon resonance sensing and its application for the ultrasensitive detection of magnetic nanoparticle-enriched small molecules.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been frequently used in bioseparation, but their applicability in bioassays is limited due to their extremely small size so that sensitive detection is difficult to achieve using a general technique. Here, we present an amplification technique using MNPs for an enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bioassay. The amplification effect of carboxyl group modified Fe3O4 MNPs of two sizes on SPR spectroscopy is first demonstrated by assembling MNPs on amino group modified SPR gold substrate. To further evaluate the feasibility of the use of Fe3O4 MNPs in enhancing a SPR bioassay, a novel SPR sensor based on an indirect competitive inhibition assay (ICIA) is developed for detecting adenosine by employing Fe3O4 MNP−antiadenosine aptamer conjugates as the amplification reagent. The results confirm that Fe3O4 MNPs can be used as a powerful amplification agent to provide a sensitive approach to detect adenosine by SPR within the range of 10−10 000 nM, which is much superior to t...
EVIDENCE FOR BRANCHING IN THE PHOTOCYCLE OF BACTERIORHODOPSIN AND CONCENTRATION CHANGES OF LATE INTERMEDIATE FORMS

— Flash photolysis transients of bacteriorhodopsin were recorded with a spectrograph -multielement photodiode array combination and the recordings were analyzed to determine the concentrations of bacteriorhodopsin intermediates “M” and “O” relative to the amount of “bR” cycling (pH 7.1,10–40°C). Estimated concentration time courses were simulated with solutions to two kinetic decay models which could account for photocycle temperature dependence. A unidirectional unbranched decay model overpredicts our estimated levels of [O(r)], whereas a model branched at the “M” intermediate describes each of the later intermediate levels well (with no evidence for an independent “N” form). Our results are consistent with “M” decay regulating the level and rates of change of [bR(t)] and (bR(f)]- and also suggest that two temperature-dependent pathways form “bR” from “M”, one directly, and the other indirectly through “O”.
Visualization of Bacterial Genes in Action

The morphology of active structural and putative ribosomal RNA genes was observed by electron microscopy after lysis of fragile Escherichia coli cells. Conclusions drawn are: most of the chromosome is not genetically active at any one instant; translation is completely coupled with transcription; the 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA cistrons occur in tandem, in regions which are widely spaced on the chromosome.
Effects of focal cooling in the ventrolateral medulla on chemoresponsiveness in dogs.

Abstract Studies in cats and dogs have shown that the ventrolateral region of the medulla participates significantly in the shaping of the respiratory rhythm. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral focal cooling (15–20°C) in the ventrolateral medullary region on respiratory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia in dogs. A cryoprobe was used to cool selected locations in the ventrolateral medulla in 9 anesthetized and vagotomized dogs. Diaphragmatic electromyogram (EMG) was measured with implanted electrodes. The animals were ventilated artificially at a constant rate with 100% O 2 and the inspired gas was switched to 7% CO 2 in O 2 or 10% O 2 in N 2 to determine the response to hypercapnia or hypoxia. The sites cooled ranged 4.0–8.0 mm rostral to obex, 3.0–5.5 mm lateral to midline, and within 1.5 mm deep from the ventral surface of the medulla. Unilateral focal cooling in this region significantly decreased the responses of both the amplitude and the rate of rise of diaphragmatic EMG to hypercapnia and hypoxia. These results support the hypothesis that neural structures in the ventrolateral medulla are important in the respiratory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia as well as for the setting of respiratory drive and timing.
The assessment of patient prognosis using an interactive computer program

The use of chronic disease probabilistic models to calculate patient prognosis is presented. The method relies on the calculation of transition probabilities between discrete disease states from a patient data bank. Maximum likelihood estimates are used for each age and unwanted fluctuations are removed by a moving average. An interactive computer program was written and the method applied to the calculation of the probability of stroke and myocardial infarction for male patients on antihypertensive therapy. A clinician could obtain the prognostic information for a patient in less than one minute. Applications in medical student education are also discussed.
Light availability influences root carbohydrates, and potentially vigor, in white oak advance regeneration

Abstract Oaks (Quercus spp.) are experiencing recurring regeneration failures associated with pervasive mid- and under-story strata of shade tolerant species in intact, undisturbed forests. Where oak regeneration occurs, inadequate vertical height and depleted root carbohydrate stores impede the ability of regenerating oaks to respond when light does become available. A variety of silvicultural techniques have been developed to increase the penetration of diffuse light, enhancing the light environment on the forest floor, and thereby increasing the likelihood of regenerating oaks to successfully respond to increased light transmittance. We measured shoot and root characteristics, and root soluble non-structural carbohydrate concentrations of white oak (Q. alba L.) advance regeneration exposed to enhanced light intensities associated with a mid-story removal and a clearcut, and compared white oak regeneration vigor to untreated controls. Root diameter and soluble non-structural carbohydrates increased with increasing light availability. Our data suggest that white oak responds to increases in light transmittance by building below-ground biomass and carbohydrates in the root system prior to an above-ground response. Our study shows that white oak regeneration vigor increases with only modest increases in light. In the absence of other pressures, enhancing the light environment to the forest floor should contribute to successful regeneration of this species.
The effectiveness of different culture media in the isolation of enteric microörganisms

An investigation was carried out concerning the usefulness of various culture media in the isolation of enteric pathogens from feces of children and infants with diarrheal disease. The following results were obtained: (1) Among 500 consecutive stool specimens 324 contaned organisms other than B. coli, B. aerogeiies. and intermediates. The following species were encountered: B. typhosus, B. paradysenteriae (Flexner), B. schmitzii, B. castelanii, B. paratyphi B, B. typhi muriurn, B. thompson, B. proteus, B. norgami type I, paracolon bacilli, B. pyocyaneus, B. alcaligenes, and B. coli anaerogenes. (2) Among the culture media used Shigella-Salmonella and desoxycholate-citrate agar proved to he superior to enriching fluid, and enriching fitud superior to Endo and MacConkey agar in the isolation of thec organisms. (3) B. morganii and paracolon bacilli were present in 207 out of 500 specimens. (4) Twenty-six specimens, aside from B. coli, B. aerogenes, and intermediates, contained more than one species of aerobic, non-spore-bearing, gram-negative bacilli. (5) In the presence of B. proteus these organisms are more readily recovered from SS and DC agar than from Endo and MacConkey agar. (6) Isolation of any of these organisms from only one out of five culture media was accomplished in seventy-three instances. Enriching fluid proved to be more valuable than SS and DC agar and these latter better than MacConkey and Endo agar in these cases. (7) It is concluded that no single culture medium allows for the optimal isolation of these organisms and that the simultaneous use of several culture media yields the best results.
Parametric study of no production via quantitative laser-induced fluorescence in high-pressure, swirl-stabilized spray flames

We report the influence of equivalence ratio and air preheat temperature on nitric oxide (NO) concentration in high-pressure heptane spray flames. The burner used was based on the lean direct-injection design and incorporated a pressure-atomized hollow-cone spray nozzle. Helical vanes in the air passage coupled with a divergent exit and preheated air produced a strongly swirling, clean blue flame. NO concentration profiles were measured at 4.27 atm using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) at five axial heights above the burner. The uniformity of NO throughout the central region of the flame demonstrated the well-mixed nature of the recirculation zone. Measurements were taken at the 40 mm centerline height to determine the effects of primary equivalence ratio (φp=1.0 to 0.8) and air preheat temperature (Tair=375 K to 575 K). The results strongly suggest that NO formation occurs in near stoichiometric regions of the flame and is subsequently diluted with excess air. A residence time effect is evident and apparently scales as the mass flow rate of air relative to that for stoichiometric combustion, yielding a φP2 scaling of the NO (ppm). Moreover, moderate increases in preheat temperature produce significant increases in NO (ppm) levels, suggesting thermal NO production.
Patterson Brown on God's Will as the Criterion of Morality

On Patterson Brown's analysis of the logic of Judeo-Christian morality, God's will is the criterion of what is right. The believer simply commits himself to or chooses God's will to the exclusion of all other criteria. Brown does not say that to obey God is a moral duty which always overrides other moral considerations. Nor does he say that God ‘transcends’ human morality either in the sense that he is the perfect exemplar of human standards or that the standard he exhibits and requires meets but also exceeds human standards. Nor does he say that God's will is to be obeyed over against morality per se. Rather, his view is that for the believer God's will is the standard of all moral judgments. For the believer, if and only if God commands something is it right. God ‘transcends’ human morality in the sense that his will need not accord with human standards.
Disposition of [14c]Pinacidil in Humans

Pinacidil [(+/−)-2-cyano-1-(4-pyridyl)-3-(1,2,2-trimethylpropyl)guanidine monohydrate] is a novel, direct-acting vasodilator antihypertensive agent. The cyano 14C-labeled drug is rapidly and completely absorbed after an oral 12.5-mg dose in solution. The blood:plasma concentration ratios (0.8-0.9) indicate transient penetration of radioactivity into blood cells. Blood and plasma tmax (0.5 h) and t1/2 (4 h) of [14C]pinacidil equivalents are similar. Pinacidil (51%), pinacidil N-oxide (28%), and unidentified polar metabolites (21 %) comprise the plasma radioactivity. The plasma t1/2 of pinacidil is 2-3 h, and that of pinacidil N-oxide is 4-5 h. Renal excretion of radioactivity is the major route (80-90% dose) of drug elimination; fecal elimination accounted for 4% of the dose. Renal clearance of the N-oxide is 10 times the renal clearance of the parent drug and exceeds the creatinine clearance. Biotransformation products in 0-24-h urine samples include pinacidil (10%), pinacidil N-oxide (60%), and free and conjugated analogues of pinacidil and metabolites (30%). Stereoselective metabolism is not a major biotransformation pathway of pinacidil or the N-oxide metabolite.