cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of physician skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Thirty-five physicians at various levels of postgraduate training in internal medicine were evaluated for performance skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to standards of the American Heart Association. They were given instruction in only the cognitive knowledge related to CPR through lectures and a demonstration of the technique, without supervised manikin practice. Only 22% (8) of the physicians tested were able to adequately compress and ventilate the manikin in a simulated cardiac arrest. Although physicians are proficient in the use of drugs during resuscitative efforts, it is also imperative that they be able to perform basic CPR.
The general membrane equilibrium equation: Its simple derivation and some of its biological implications

On the basis of thermodynamic considerations, expressions for the relation between thei-th andj-th ions and solvent separated into subsystems by a semi-permeable membrane are derived. From this basic equation expressions for the transfer of solvent attending solute changes are developed. The application of these expressions to biological systems involving solvent transfer, as in cellular growth, chloride shift in the red blood cell, imbibition of water into cells is discussed.
Methionine and Derivatives: Exploring Chirality at Sulfur

Chiral molecules, both small and large, play important roles in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related biosciences. The central position of carbon atoms in determining chirality has received considerable attention. Less well known is the fact that chirality is also possible for sulfur atoms in certain compounds. This article introduces the role of sulfur chirality in metabolic reactions by considering methionine derivatives with chiral sulfur atoms, S-adenosylmethionine and its decarboxylated product, methionine S-oxide, and methionine sulfoximine.
Bounds on Elastic and Inelastic Form Factors of the Nucleon and the Pion

In this paper we derive bounds on the nucleon form factor, the anomalous magnetic moment of nucleons, and the pion form factor. By using sidewise dispersion relations and the Schwarz inequality, we are able to bound the elastic nucleon form factors ${F}_{1}({q}^{2})$ and ${F}_{2}({q}^{2})$ by integrals over the structure functions for inelastic electron-nucleon scattering, ${W}_{1,2}({q}^{2},\ensuremath{\nu})$. At ${q}^{2}=0$, we then use unitarity to bound the anomalous magnetic moment by an integral over the nucleon propagator spectral function. Finally, by dispersing in ${q}^{2}$, the photon virtual mass, we are able to bound the pion form factor ${F}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}({q}^{2})$ by an integral over the total electron-positron annihilation cross section.
Flow and heat transfer in curved wall jets on circular surfaces

Abstract Consideration is given to curved wall jets (i.e. flow along a wall which is curved in the streamwise direction) and, in particular, to flow along either a convex or a concave circular surface. The laminar flow and heat-transfer characteristics are investigated by making use of the method of inner and outer expansions. The Navier-Stokes and energy equations are expanded in series, with 1 √ Re as the expansion parameter. The first-order equations are identical to the conventional boundary-layer equations, whereas the second-order equations are corrections for curvature and displacement effects. The latter equations were solved by a difference-differential method, with Pr = 0·72 for the energy equation. The second-order correction increases the wall shear, the extent of the increase being greater for flow over a concave surface than for flow over a convex surface. On the other hand, the second-order correction either increases or decreases the Nusselt number, depending on whether the surface is convex or concave. The Coanda effect, whereby an induced transverse pressure difference inhibits flow separation, was demonstrated by the analysis.
Transforming growth factor-β receptors and binding proteoglycans

Summary Transforming growth factors-beta (TGFs- β ) are representative of a superfamily whose members were first identified as regulators of morphogenesis and differentiation, and subsequently found to be structurally related. Other members of the family include the activins and inhibins, BMPs, MIS, the DPP-C gene product and Vg-1. When assayed by affinity-labelling techniques, TGFs- β bind to three distinct cell surface proteins which are present on most cells. These proteins are all of relatively low abundance but bind TGFs- β with affinities consistent with the biological potency of the factors. The Type I and Type II binding proteins are glycoproteins with estimated molecular weights of 53 and 73×10 3 M r , respectively. They both bind TGF- β 1 significantly better than TGF- β 2. The Type I receptor has been identified as the receptor which mediates many of the responses of TGFs- β , based on somatic cell genetic studies of epithelial cell mutants unresponsive to TGFs- β . Betaglycan is the third binding protein present on many, but not all, cell types and is a large proteoglycan (∼280×10 3 M r ) with 100–120×10 3 M r , core proteins. A soluble form of this molecule is present in conditioned media of many cell lines and may be derived from the cell surface-associated molecule by cleavage of a small membrane anchor. Betaglycan binds TGF- β 1 and TGF- β 2 with similar affinity and this binding is to the core proteins, not the glycosaminoglycan side chains. This molecule may have a function in the localization and delivery or the clearance of activated TGFs- β . The molecular basis of TGF- β signalling is still largely unknown, but it is possible that one or more of these cell surface molecules signals via a novel mechanism, as the TGFs- β are biologically quite distinct from other factors that act via well-characterized signalling systems.
Monte Carlo Simulations of Explosive Cyclogenesis

Abstract The impact of initial condition uncertainty on short-range (0–48 h) simulations of explosive surface cyclogenesis is examined within the context of a perfect model environment. Eleven Monte Carlo simulations are performed on 10 cases of rapid oceanic cyclogenesis that occurred in a long-term, perpetual January integration of a global spectral model. The perturbations used to represent the initial condition error have a magnitude and spatial decomposition that closely matches estimates of global analysis error. Large variability characterizes the error growth rates, both among the individual Monte Carlo simulations and among the case-average values. Some individual simulations display error growth doubling times as fast as approximately 12 h during the 24-h period of most rapid intensification, while others exhibit virtually no error growth. The variability is also reflected in the wide 90% confidence bounds for many surface weather elements such as the cyclone position and central pressure. Howev...
Impact evaluation of service programs: three flexible designs.

Flexibility in evaluative research does not necessitate the abandonment of randomly constructed comparison groups. 3 designs (cohort control no preference and intensive or minimal program) are reviewed which provide at least the option of randomization while maintaining great flexibility. The strengths and weaknesses of each are discussed. It is noted that as evaluation research is undertaken to supply information to aid decision making the clarity of the information is of great importance. Randomly selected comparison groups enhance the interpretability of findings. The 3 designs presented provide flexibility in the use of comparison groups recognizing and making trade-offs necessitated by political or logistical factors. In almost all cases program administrators will find evidence of program effectiveness useful.
Enhanced ultraviolet sensitivity of zinc oxide nanoparticle photoconductors by surface passivation

Abstract Zinc oxide nanoparticles were created by a top-down wet-chemical etching process and then coated with polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA), exhibiting sizes ranging from 10 to 120 nm with an average size approximately 80 nm. The PVA layer provides surface passivation of zinc oxide nanoparticles. As a result of PVA coating, enhancement in ultraviolet emission and suppression of parasitic green emission is observed. Photoconductors fabricated using the PVA coated zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibited a ratio of ultraviolet photo-generated current to dark current as high as 4.5 × 104, 5 times better than that of the devices fabricated using uncoated ZnO nanoparticles.
Changes in mixing ratio and isotopic composition of CO2 in urban air from the Los Angeles basin, California, between 1972 and 2003

Atmospheric CO2 mixing ratios and C and O isotopic compositions are reported for the Los Angeles basin in southern California, a region renowned for its air pollution. Air samples collected midday on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California, contained ∼30 ppm more CO2 in 1998–2003 than in 1972–1973 (averaging 397 ppm in 1998–2003 and 366 ppm in 1972–1973) compared to a 47 ppm change in background air CO2, yet the ranges of the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions remained essentially constant. Because the 1998–2003 data show a significant progression through time, analysis was done on data from 2002 to 2003 complete calendar years (CO2 mixing ratios increased 41 ppm between 1972 and 1973 and 2002–2003). Both 1972–1973 and 2002–2003 data sets display significant correlation between δ 13C and 1/[CO2] with local CO2 source end-member δ 13C values of −30.9 ± 0.5‰ for 1972–1973 and −29.9 ± 0.2‰ for 2002–2003 (1σ errors). Mass balance calculations explain that this apparently coincidental similarity reflects a change in the relative proportion of natural gas and petroleum products burned in the region combined with a change in the origin, and thus isotopic composition, of the petroleum burned. The δ 13C of the average CO2 inventory in Pasadena can be explained by local addition to background air of 38 ± 4 ppm CO2 in 1972–1973 and 29 ± 3 ppm in 2002–2003 from anthropogenic sources, in seeming contradiction to the known increase in CO2 emissions between these two time periods.
Recent advances in the preparation of latexes

The industrial production of latexes has grown from the first poly(butadiene-co-styrene) produced in the U.S. for synthetic rubber and the first poly(vinyl acetate) produced in Germany for adhesives to many different polymer families produced for a wide variety of applications. Both conventional (oil-in-water) and inverse (water-in-oil) emulsion polymerization comprise the emulsification of an immiscible monomer in a continuous medium, followed by polymerization with a free radical initiator, to give a colloidal sol of submicroscopic polymer particles smaller by an order of magnitude than the original emulsion droplets. Both processes give “emulsion polymerization kinetics,” i.e., a proportionality of both polymerization rate and number-average degree of polymerization to the number of particles, instead of the inverse relationship between these two parameters observed for mass, solution, and suspension polymerization. The emulsion polymerization process can be divided into particle nucleation and particle growth stages, and it can be carried out using batch, semi-continuous, or continuous processes. Seeded emulsion polymerization can be used to obviate the particle nucleation stage in all three processes. The mechanisms proposed for initiation of emulsion polymerization can be divided into four categories, according to the locus of particle initiation: 1) monomer-swollen emulsifier micelles; 2) adsorbed emulsifier layer; 3) aqueous phase: 4) monomer emulsion droplets. Three generations of latex development are defined, according to the emulsifiers used: 1) conventional emulsifiers; 2) functional monomers; 3) polymeric emulsifiers. The formation of coagulum (polymer recovered from the latex in a form other than stable latex) during emulsion polymerization is attributed to two causes: 1) a failure of the colloidal stability of the latex; 2) polymerization by a different mechanism, e.g., mass (monomer layer), surface (walls, roof, agitator shaft), vapor (atmosphere). The failure of the colloidal stability is attributed to diffusion-controlled, agitation-induced, or surface flocculation of the particles, according to the agitation rate (flow Reynolds numbers) and the power consumption (high Reynolds numbers).
Photoradiation Therapy Of Obstructing Endobronchial Lung Cancer

Clinical trials of photoradiation therapy (PRT) have been carried out in 32 patients with lung cancer, 10 of which are reported here. The aim is the palliative treatment and control of cancer lesions obstructing an airway, whether in the trachea or in a large bronchus leading to a lung or to a lobe of a lung. The objective or patient benefit is the opening up of the lumen of the airway to improve ventilation to relieve shortness of breath, and to prevent the retention of secretions containing bacteria, that cause lung infections. Immediate results (one to several weeks) were uniformly good. Air passageways were opened up as revealed by subsequent bronchoscopy, after clearing away tumor debris. Short-term (several months) observations were limited in number but indicate potentially good results. Future research is directed toward better criteria for patient selection improved patient evaluation that will reveal potential cardiac and pulmonary complications, and the devising of more suitable laser light delivery techniques.
Union mergers and the integration of union governing structures

Union mergers may require varying degrees of integration of union governing structures. Union amalgamations can range from complete fusions of the unions at all levels, to moderate integration, to the establishment of federated structures. Union absorptions, the alternative merger type, can entail complete and immediate absorptions, the formation of semi-autonomous divisions, and absorption through affiliation. The paper presents an examination of post-merger governing structures and a review of the factors associated with different degrees of integration.
Primary invasive vaginal cancer in the setting of the Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome.

Abstract Background. The Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome occurs in 1 in 4000 to 5000 female births. Primary vaginal cancer constitutes less than 2% of all malignancies of the female genital tract. A report of the first case of the unlikely occurrence of both of these developments in the same patient is presented. Case. A 34-year-old nulligravid Philippine woman with a history of Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome presented with a 5-month history of bleeding from a blind vaginal pouch. Vaginal biopsy identified a moderately differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Exploratory laparotomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic and iliac lymph node samplings, and excision of a mullerian remnant were performed with no evidence of disease. A FIGO Stage I vaginal cancer was assigned and pelvic irradiation was given. Disease recurred 4 months later and the patient underwent total pelvic exenteration. More than 1 year since the exenteration procedure, she is without evidence of disease. Conclusion. This is the first reported case of a primary vaginal cancer in a patient with Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser syndrome. It is a reminder that routine gynecologic examinations are still warranted as these patients are at risk for malignant changes in residual mullerian tissues.
STRUCTURES OF HEAD-GROUP AND TAIL-GROUP MONOLAYERS IN A LANGMUIR-BLODGETT FILM

We have studied monolayer and multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead stearate using x-ray diffraction and reflectivity. We show that it is possible to distinguish the scattering due to the head groups from that due to the alkane chains. The second and subsequent alkane monolayers are distorted hexagonal (the first monolayer is known to be hexagonal); successive monolayers are shifted laterally by one-fourth of an in-plane lattice spacing, and the chains tilt by \ensuremath{\sim}8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} towards a nearest neighbor. The lead ion monolayers are also distorted hexagonal; successive monolayers are shifted laterally by a half lattice spacing. From rod scan intensities, we have determined the relative positions of the lead and alkane chain lattices.
Phorbol Ester‐ and Retinoic Acid‐Induced Regulation of the Protein Kinase C Substrate MARCKS in Immortalized Hippocampal Cells

: The expression of MARCKS, a major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate, was examined in the immortalized hippocampal cell line HN33, following differentiation using phorbol esters or retinoic acid. In cells exposed to phorbol esters, MARCKS protein levels were reduced through an apparent PKC-dependent mechanism. Exposure to 1 µM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 10 min resulted in a rapid loss of PKC activity in the soluble fraction with a concurrent increase in membrane-associated PKC activity. PKC activity was reduced to 90%) by 12 h with no evidence for any alteration in PKC activity. Reduced levels of MARCKS protein were also observed in the soluble fraction of retinoic acid-exposed cells, but to a significantly lesser extent. Addition of the PKC inhibitor GF109203X blocked the down-regulation of MARCKS protein in PMA-treated cultures but not in retinoic acid-treated cells. These findings suggest that the down-regulation of MARCKS may play an important role in both phorbol ester- and retinoic acid-induced differentiation in cells of neuronal origin.
Emerging Role of Fibrocytes in the Pathogenesis of Thyroid Eye Disease

CD34+ fibrocytes are monocyte lineage progenitor cells derived from bone marrow. They have been implicated in several examples of experimental tissue injury and remodeling. In this chapter, I attempt to present the current evidence that these fibrocytes might play an important pathogenic role in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). TAO, an autoimmune process closely related to Graves’ disease, is a process where the orbital tissues become inflamed, expand, and accumulate hyaluronan. The active phase of the disease culminates in extensive tissue remodeling and fibrosis. My colleagues and I have reported recently that circulating fibrocytes appear to infiltrate the orbit in TAO and express several proteins previously thought to be expressed only in the thyroid gland. We hypothesize that the promiscuous expression of these thyroid proteins by fibrocytes might underlie the localized immune reactivity in TAO. I suggest further that this new insight, if correct, might constitute the basis for antigen-specific therapy development for this vexing clinical condition.
Robust fractal characterization of 1D and 2D signals

Fractal characterization of signals is well suited in analysis of some time series data and in classification of natural shapes and textures. A maximum likelihood estimator is used to measure the parameter H which is directly related to the fractal dimension. The robustness of the estimator and the performance of the method are demonstrated on datasets generated using a variety of techniques. Finally the characterization is used in segmentation of composite images of natural textures.
Comparison of a unified analysis approach for family and unrelated samples with the transmission-disequilibrium test to study associations of hypertension in the Framingham Heart Study

Population stratification is one of the major causes of spurious associations in association studies. A unified association approach based on principal-component analysis can overcome the effect of population stratification, as well as make use of both family and unrelated samples combined to increase power (family-case-control, or FamCC). In this study, we compared FamCC and the transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) using data on hypertension, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in the Framingham Heart Study. Our study indicated FamCC has reasonable type I error for both the unrelated sample and the family sample for all three traits. For these three traits, we found results from FamCC were inconsistent with those from the TDT. We discuss the reasons for this inconsistency. After correcting for multiple tests, we did not detect any significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms by either FamCC or the TDT.
Mediterranean fruit fly (Dipt., Tephritidae) suppression in persimmon through bait sprays in adjacent coffee plantings*

Oriental persimmon, Diospyros kaki L., in Upper Kula on the island of Maui (Hawaii) is attacked by the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Recent suppression trials using mass trapping with a synthetic food-based bait, initiated in alternate host crops before the start of persimmon season, had shown promise as a means of reducing C. capitata population levels. However, this did not adequately suppress C. capitata population where there were adjacent plantings of coffee, Coffea arabica L., a favoured alternate host, which bears fruits before and during the persimmon season. To improve C. capitata population suppression, we applied a spinosad-based bait spray to coffee plants, starting before persimmon fruits became susceptible to oviposition by the Mediterranean fruit fly. The bait spray suppressed the C. capitata population and led to reduced infestation of both coffee cherries and persimmon fruits. Percentage parasitization of C. capitata in coffee cherries by established biological control agents, primarily Fopius arisanus (Sonan), was not significantly different in unsprayed vs. sprayed plots even after 11 weekly sprays. These results suggest that mass trapping, combined with spinosad-based bait sprays, are control components that are compatible with biological control and can be combined in an integrated pest management system for C. capitata.
CHALLENGES FOR ECONOMETRIC MODEL SELECTION

Standard econometric model selection methods are based on four conceptual errors: parametric vision, the assumption of a true data generating process, evaluation based on fit, and ignoring the impact of model uncertainty on inference. Instead, econometric model selection methods should be based on a semiparametric vision, models should be viewed as approximations, models should be evaluated based on their purpose, and model uncertainty should be incorporated into inference methods. These problems have been examined individually but not jointly, and my view is that future research into econometric model selection should attempt to address all four issues.
AN ADAPTIVE FILTERING ALGORITHM TO COMPENSATE FOR FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT IMAGE INTERFERENCE IN PRACTICAL WIRELESS RECEIVERS

Frequency-dependent image interference is an inevitable impairment in wideband quadrature receivers. To suppress this interference, this paper presents a non-data-aided adaptive compensation algori...
a Crude Method of Loop-Shaping Adaptive Structures Through Optimum Spatial Compensator Design

This work continues the development of methods for optimum spatial compensator design of adaptive structures and is based upon the use of a computationally efficient estimate of the Hankel singular values of the open-loop controllability and observability Gramians to form the design metric. Results demonstrate that when a range of transducer sizes is considered in the candidate set, the proper spatial compensator design metric is the product of a coupling cost and a de-coupling cost. This leads to designs that provide a balance between coupling to modes that are important for control and de-coupling from modes not important for control. As demonstrated on a simply supported plate structure, the optimum design resulting from the application of the approach detailed herein significantly limits coupling to all modes except those present in the performance metric. The method provides the ability to crudely loop-shape the adaptive structure, as demonstrated through modification of both the actuator-to-sensor frequency response function and the system loop gain. It is concluded that emphasis should be placed on designing spatial compensators in order to facilitate the design of controllers for adaptive structures.
Droplet microfluidics for high-throughput biological assays

Droplet microfluidics offers significant advantages for performing high-throughput screens and sensitive assays. Droplets allow sample volumes to be significantly reduced, leading to concomitant reductions in cost. Manipulation and measurement at kilohertz speeds enable up to 108 samples to be screened in one day. Compartmentalization in droplets increases assay sensitivity by increasing the effective concentration of rare species and decreasing the time required to reach detection thresholds. Droplet microfluidics combines these powerful features to enable currently inaccessible high-throughput screening applications, including single-cell and single-molecule assays.
Chronic radiographic lung changes in children with vertically transmitted HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE. We prospectively studied children with and without maternally transmitted HIV-1 infection born to mothers infected with HIV-1 to determine the incidence of chronic radiographic lung changes (CRC) and to correlate these changes with clinical assessments.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Between 1990 and 1997, we scored 3050 chest radiographs using a standardized form. Group I children (n = 201) were HIV-1—infected at enrollment. Group II children (n = 512) were enrolled prenatally or before 28 days postpartum and subsequently subdivided into group IIa (n = 86), children identified as HIV-1-infected; and group IIb (n = 426), those who were HIV-1—uninfected. CRC were defined as parenchymal consolidations or nodular disease lasting 3 months or more or increased bronchovascular markings or reticular densities lasting 6 months or more. Morbidity was assessed by CD4 counts, viral load, the presence of low oxygen saturation, wheezing, tachypnea, crackles, and clubbing.RESULTS. The cumulative incidence of chronic r...
Contextual control of operant behavior: evidence for hierarchical associations in instrumental learning

Recent research has suggested that operant responses can be weakened when they are tested in new contexts. The present experiment was therefore designed to test whether animals can learn a context–(R–O) relation. Rats were given training sessions in context A, in which one response (R1; lever pressing or chain pulling) produced one outcome (O1) and another response (R2; chain pulling or lever pressing) produced another outcome (O2) on variable interval reinforcement schedules. These sessions were intermixed with training in context B, where R1 now produced O2 and R2 produced O1. Given the arrangement, it was possible for the animal to learn two distinct R–O associations in each specific context. To test for them, rats were then given aversion conditioning with O2 by pairing its presentation with lithium-chloride-induced illness. Following the aversion conditioning, the rats were given an extinction test with both R1 and R2 available in each context. During testing, rats showed a selective suppression in each context of the response that had been paired with the reinforcer subsequently associated with illness. Rats could not have performed this way without knowledge of the R–O associations in effect in each specific context, lending support to the hypothesis that rats learn context–(R–O) associations. However, despite a complete aversion to O2, responding was not completely suppressed, leaving the possibility open that rats form context–R associations in addition to context–(R–O) associations.
IS BEING “SPIRITUAL” ENOUGH WITHOUT BEING RELIGIOUS? A STUDY OF VIOLENT AND PROPERTY CRIMES AMONG EMERGING ADULTS†

Although prior research has had a tendency to confirm a negative association between religiousness and crime, criminologists have been slow to incorporate new concepts and emergent issues from the scientific study of religion into their own research. The self-identity phrase "spiritual but not religious" is one of them, which has been increasingly used by individuals who claim to be "spiritual" but disassociate themselves from organized religion. This study first examines differences in crime between "spiritual-but-not-religious" individuals and their "religious-and-spiritual," "religious-but-not-spiritual," and "neither-religious-nor-spiritual" peers in emerging adulthood. Specifically, we hypothesize that the spiritual-but-not-religious young adults are more prone to crime than their "religious" counterparts, while expecting them to be different from the "neither" group without specifying whether they are more or less crime prone. Second, the expected group differences in crime are hypothesized to be explained by the microcriminological theories of self-control, social bonding, and general strain. Latent-variable structural equation models were estimated separately for violent and property crimes using the third wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The overall results tend to provide a partial support for the hypotheses. Implications for criminology and future research are discussed. Language: en
Lactulose vs Polyethylene Glycol 3350-Electrolyte Solution for Treatment of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy The HELP Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common cause of hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis. Pharmacologic treatment for acute (overt) HE has remained the same for decades. Objective To compare polyethylene glycol 3350–electrolyte solution (PEG) and lactulose treatments in patients with cirrhosis admitted to the hospital for HE. We hypothesized that rapid catharsis of the gut using PEG may resolve HE more effectively than lactulose. Design, Setting, and Participants The HELP (Hepatic Encephalopathy: Lactulose vs Polyethylene Glycol 3350-Electrolyte Solution) study is a randomized clinical trial in an academic tertiary hospital of 50 patients with cirrhosis (of 186 screened) admitted for HE. Interventions Participants were block randomized to receive treatment with PEG, 4-L dose (n = 25), or standard-of-care lactulose (n = 25) during hospitalization. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was an improvement of 1 or more in HE grade at 24 hours, determined using the hepatic encephalopathy scoring algorithm (HESA), ranging from 0 (normal clinical and neuropsychological assessments) to 4 (coma). Secondary outcomes included time to HE resolution and overall length of stay. Results A total of 25 patients were randomized to each treatment arm. Baseline clinical features at admission were similar in the groups. Thirteen of 25 patients in the standard therapy arm (52%) had an improvement of 1 or more in HESA score, thus meeting the primary outcome measure, compared with 21 of 23 evaluated patients receiving PEG (91%) ( P P = .002). The median time for HE resolution was 2 days for standard therapy and 1 day for PEG ( P = .01). Adverse events were uncommon, and none was definitely study related. Conclusions and Relevance PEG led to more rapid HE resolution than standard therapy, suggesting that PEG may be superior to standard lactulose therapy in patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for acute HE. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01283152
Post Deposition Ultraviolet Treatment of Silicon Nitride Dielectric: Modeling and Experiment

The use of high stress silicon nitride has been shown to improve transistor performance by increasing carrier mobility in the channel. Post-deposition ultraviolet (UV) treatment is one of the methods used to enhance the tensile stress of deposited PECVD silicon nitride films at low temperature. The increase in tensile stress is achieved by formation of strained Si-N bonds via breaking N-H and Si-H bonds in excited states and hydrogen removal from the film. The time-dependent DFT was applied to silicon nitride clusters, SixNyHz , for modeling the effect of electronic excitations caused by UV treatment on bond strengths. According to the model employed in the paper, the H abstraction from N-H is noticeably alleviated by UV cure. No such effect was found for the H abstraction from Si-H. The Si-N bonds are only marginally weakened in excited states. Experimentally, the Si-H and N-H content in the nitride film was monitored using transmission FT-IR. The N-H content decreases with increasing cure time only at a slightly higher rate than that of Si-H. This contradiction with DFT results suggests the existence of additional reactions taking place in the nitride film during UV cure. Possible reactions were suggested and modeled.
Relaxation of Subarachnoid HemorrhageInduced Spasm of Rabbit Basilar Artery by the K+ Channel Activator Cromakalim

Background and Purpose Cerebral vasospasm resulting from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is refractory to most vasodilators. However, despite evidence that a mechanism underlying the vasospasm may be smooth muscle cell membrane depolarization resulting from decreased K+ conductance, the ability of K+ channel activators to relax the spasm has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether K+ channel activation selectively relaxes SAH-induced vasospasm. Methods Three days after SAH in the rabbit, relaxation of the basilar artery in response to the K+ channel activator cromakalim as well as to staurosporine (protein kinase C antagonist), forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator), and sodium nitroprusside (guanylate cyclase activator) was measured in situ with the use of a cranial window. Relaxation in response to these agents was also investigated in control vessels contracted with serotonin. Membrane potential of the smooth muscle cells of the basilar artery f...
Rapid Determination of Lignin Content via Direct Dissolution and 1H NMR Analysis of Plant Cell Walls

Increasing societal demand for environmental and economic sustainability is placing a renewed focus on the agro-forest industry. This industry plays an essential role in the development of renewable energy and biofuels, especially in light of growing concerns related to energy security and climate change. The economical transformation of differing sources of biomass into biofuels has become a global research theme, directed at displacing nonrenewable petroluem-based resources to reduce long-term carbon dioxide emissions. Although most current bioethanol and biodiesel plants represent first-generation biorefineries, utilizing readily processable bioresources such as sucrose, starches and plant oils, the efficient utilization of all components of biomass to maximize sustainable, economic development is of extreme significance. Among the different biomass sources, the use of lignocellulosics for biofuel production has shown two obvious potential advantages: higher net energy gain and lower production costs. However, the use of lignocellulosics to produce liquid biofuel as a viable alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels suffers from intrinsic recalcitrance of biomass, owing to the complicated structure of the plant cell walls, which, by their nature, are resistant to breakdown. Thus, a better understanding of plant cell wall structure and its composite materials (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin; see Figure 1) has emerged as a crucial research focus. As the “natural glue” for plant cell walls, lignin is the second-most-abundant natural polymer, after cellulose, and is produced by enzyme-mediated radical coupling of the three monolignols (see Figure 1D). Although lignin can provide a renewable source of phenolic polymers, a high lignin content has proved to be a major obstacle not only in processing of plant biomass to biofuels, but in other processes such as chemical pulping and forage digestibility also. Therefore, lignin has emerged as one of the leading research fields in bio-
MR_predictor: a simulation engine for Mendelian Randomization studies

UNLABELLED I present MR_predictor, a simulation engine designed to guide the development and interpretation of statistical tests of causality between phenotypes using genetic instruments. MR_predictor provides a framework to model either individual traits or complex scenarios where multiple phenotypes are correlated or dependent on each other. Crucially, MR_predictor can incorporate the effects of multiple biallelic loci (linked or unlinked) contributing genotypic variability to one or more simulated phenotypes. The software has a range of options for sample generation, and output files generated by MR_predictor port into commonly used analysis tools (e.g. PLINK, R), facilitating analyses germane for Mendelian Randomization studies. Benchmarks for speed and power calculations for summary statistic-based Mendelian Randomization analyses are presented and compared with analytical expectation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The simulation engine is implemented in PERL, and the associated scripts can be downloaded from github.com, and online documentation, tutorial and example datasets are available at http://coruscant.itmat.upenn.edu/mr_predictor.
Motion capture data retrieval using an artist’s doll

In this paper, we present a keyframe-based human motion capture data retrieval system which uses a wooden doll as the input device. A user inputs a keyframe by posing an artistpsilas doll with painted joints in front of a stereo camera rig. The system interactively gives real-time feedback on the results of the joint detection and 3D pose reconstruction as the user is positioning and rotating the doll. The robust 3D joint reconstruction is achieved by integrating 3D joint positions from multiple views of the same pose. After the user has finished inputting all the keyframes, the motion sequences are retrieved from the database and ranked based on their similarities to the keyframes. Experiments show that the presented system is simple to use and has high quality of retrieval results.
Delusional infestation: clinical presentation in 147 patients seen at Mayo Clinic.

Background Delusional infestation is the conviction that one's skin is infested with foreign organisms or materials despite contradictory objective evidence. Objective To delineate clinical characteristics of patients presenting with delusional infestation. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients meeting delusional infestation criteria who were seen for diagnosis and treatment in our tertiary care academic medical center (2001–2007). Medical records were reviewed to abstract demographic, historical, and physical findings and treatment. Results Over 7 years, 147 patients presented with delusional infestation; 87% (123/142) for another opinion. Mean age was 57 years; female-to-male ratio was 2.89 to 1; 82 (56%) were married. Mean duration of symptoms was 31 months. Employment data were available for 145 patients: 48 (33%) were self-described as disabled, 16 of whom cited delusions as their disability; 41 (28%) were retired; and 38 (26%) were employed. Reported infestations included multiple materials (45% [64/143]), not limited to insects (79% [113/143]), worms (27% [39/143]), and fibers (20% [29/143]). Most patients presented initially to dermatology or other specialties; only 3 presented to psychiatry. A high proportion (81%) had prior psychiatric conditions. Thirty-eight (26%) of the 147 patients had a shared psychotic disorder. Limitations The retrospective nature of the study and the incompleteness of some data because not all the characteristics that were analyzed were documented for every patient. Conclusion Patients were predominantly female, had a long history of symptoms, and had been seen previously at many medical centers. A large proportion were disabled or retired. Patients reported skin infestation with both animate and inanimate objects.
Friedmann equations from emergence of cosmic space

Padmanabhan [arXiv:1206.4916] argues that the cosmic acceleration can be understood from the perspective that spacetime dynamics is an emergence phenomena. By calculating the difference between the surface degrees of freedom and the bulk degrees of freedom in a region of space, he also arrives at the Friedmann equation in a flat universe. In this paper, by modification of his proposal, we are able to derive the Friedmann equation of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe with any spatial curvature. We also extend the study to higher-dimensional spacetime and derive successfully the Friedmann equations not only in Einstein gravity but also in Gauss-Bonnet and more general Lovelock gravity with any spatial curvature. This is the first derivation of Friedmann equations in these gravity theories in a nonflat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe by using the novel idea proposed by Padmanabhan. Our study indicates that the approach presented here is powerful enough and further supports the viability of Padmanabhan's perspective of emergence gravity.
A Monte Carlo Comparison of Measures of Relative and Absolute Monitoring Accuracy

Researchers studying monitoring accuracy currently use two different indexes to estimate accuracy: relative accuracy and absolute accuracy. The authors compared the distributional properties of two...
Lymphocytic esophagitis mimicking eosinophilic esophagitis

A 74-year-old male with a history of dysphagia for 3 years presented with acute food impaction. Endoscopy showed a tight distal stricture with course rings at the middle third of the esophagus. Biopsies taken from the middle third of the esophagus showed marked infiltration of the intraepithelial lymphocytes mainly in a peripapillary distribution. The immunostains showed presence of CD3 and CD5 lymphocytes (T cell markers) in the epithelium. Lymphocytic esophagitis is a histologic phenotype of esophagitis diagnosed by marked esophageal lymphocytosis mostly in a peripapillary distribution with no or only rare intraepithelial granulocytes and presenting similar to eosinophilic esophagitis with dysphagia and esophageal rings.
Organization of Capsid-associated Tegument Components in Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus

Capsid-associated tegument proteins have been identified in alpha- and betaherpesviruses to play an essential role in viral DNA packaging. Whether and how such tegument proteins exist in gammaherpesviruses have been mysteries. Here, we report a 6-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) virion, a member of the oncogenic gammaherpesvirus subfamily. The KSHV virion structure reveals, for the first time, how capsid-associated tegument proteins are organized in a gammaherpesvirus, with five tegument densities capping each penton vertex, a pattern highly similar to that in alphaherpesvirus but completely different from that in betaherpesvirus. Each KSHV tegument density can be divided into three prominent regions: a penton-binding globular region, a helix-bundle stalk region, and a β-sheet-rich triplex-binding region. Fitting of the crystal structure of the truncated HSV-1 UL25 protein (the KSHV ORF19 homolog) and secondary structure analysis of the full-length ORF19 established that ORF19 constitutes the globular region with an N-terminal, 60-amino-acid-long helix extending into the stalk region. Matching secondary structural features resolved in the cryo-EM density with secondary structures predicted by sequence analysis identifies the triplex-binding region to be ORF32, a homolog of alphaherpesvirus UL17. Despite the high level of tegument structural similarities between KSHV and alphaherpesvirus, an ORF19 monomer in KSHV, in contrast to a UL25 dimer in alphaherpesviruses, binds each penton subunit, an observation that correlates with conformational differences in their pentons. This newly discovered organization of triplex-ORF32-ORF19 also resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding the virion location and conformation of alphaherpesvirus UL25 protein. IMPORTANCE Several capsid-associated tegument proteins have been identified in the alpha- and betaherpesvirus subfamilies of the Herpesviridae. These tegument proteins play essential roles in viral propagation and are potential drug targets for curbing herpesvirus infections. However, no such tegument proteins have been identified for gammaherpesviruses, the third herpesvirus subfamily, which contains members causing several human cancers. Here, by high-resolution cryo-EM, we show the three-dimensional structure of the capsid-associated tegument proteins in the prototypical member of gammaherpesviruses, KSHV. The cryo-EM structure reveals that the organization of KSHV capsid-associated tegument proteins is highly similar to that in alphaherpesvirus but completely different from that in betaherpesvirus. Structural analyses further localize ORF19 and ORF32 proteins (the alphaherpesvirus UL25 and UL17 homologs in KSHV, respectively) in the KSHV capsid-associated tegument cryo-EM structure. These findings also resolve a long-standing mystery regarding the location and conformation of alphaherpesvirus UL25 protein inside the virion.
Calculated proton uptake on anaerobic reduction of cytochrome C oxidase: is the reaction electroneutral?

Cytochrome c oxidase is a transmembrane proton pump that builds an electrochemical gradient using chemical energy from the reduction of O2. Ionization states of all residues were calculated with Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE) in seven anaerobic oxidase redox states ranging from fully oxidized to fully reduced. One long-standing problem is how proton uptake is coupled to the reduction of the active site binuclear center (BNC). The BNC has two cofactors: heme a3 and CuB. If the protein needs to maintain electroneutrality, then 2 protons will be bound when the BNC is reduced by 2 electrons in the reductive half of the reaction cycle. The effective pKas of ionizable residues around the BNC are evaluated in Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome c oxidase. At pH 7, only a hydroxide coordinated to CuB shifts its pKa from below 7 to above 7 and so picks up a proton when heme a3 and CuB are reduced. Glu I-286, Tyr I-288, His I-334, and a second hydroxide on heme a3 all have pKas above 7 in all re...
A Case of Downstream Baroclinic Development over Western North America

Abstract Numerical simulations have been made of the initiation of a strong ridge-trough system over western North America and the eastern Pacific (the terminus of the Pacific storm track), with the objective of determining the extent to which downstream development contributed to its growth, and the possible influence of topography on the energetics of the storm. While a control simulation demonstrated considerable skill in reproducing the storm, a “simplified” simulation in which topography, surface that fluxes, and latent heating were removed not only reproduced the primary features of the ridge-trough system—permitting a clearer interpretation of the factors contributing to its growth—but actually generated a stronger system, suggesting that these effects as a whole inhibited storm development. Application of an energy budget that distinguishes between energy generation via baroclinic processes and generation via the convergence of geopotential fluxes revealed that early growth of studies that have sh...