cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating Image-Based Research Datasets into an Existing Digital Repository Infrastructure

In 2011, the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries partnered with researchers in the university's academic departments to describe and provide access to items not traditionally included in the UNT Libraries’ systems. Including more than 1,400 items apiece, the two projects are considered active datasets by their respective users. Each collection provided new challenges in harmonizing partner, metadata, and end-user requirements. This article discusses the projects, workflow for defining requirements, and final implementation in the UNT Digital Library. These collections serve as a model for integrating other research projects easily and inexpensively into a repository infrastructure.
Invasive aspergillosis presenting as pericarditis and cardiac tamponade.

A 38-year-old leukemic patient developed pericarditis and cardiac tamponade due to Aspergillus niger one month after undergoing bone marrow transplantation. She failed to improve even though amphotericin B and rifampin therapy had been initiated before infection was evident. Her unique case illustrates both the unusual presentations of invasive aspergillosis and the difficulty of diagnosing and treating this increasingly common disease
Using network-based text analysis to analyze trends in Microsoft's security innovations

As the use of networked computers and digital data increase, so have the reports of data compromise and malicious cyber-attacks. Increased use and reliance on technologies complicate the process of providing information security. This expanding complexity in supplying data security requirements coupled with the increased recognition of the value of information, have led to the need to quickly advance the information security area. In this paper, we examine the maturation of the information security area by analyzing the innovation activity of one of the largest and most ubiquitous information technology companies, Microsoft. We conduct a textual analysis of their patent application activity in the information security domain since the early 2000's using a novel text analysis approach based on concepts from social network analysis and algorithmic classification. We map our analysis to focal areas in information security and examine it against Microsoft's own history, in order to determine the depth and breadth of Microsoft's innovations. Our analysis shows the relevance of using a network-based text analysis. Specifically, we find that Microsoft has increasingly emphasized topics that fall into the identity and access management area. We also show that Microsoft's innovations in information security showed tremendous growth after their Trustworthy Computing Initiative was announced. In addition, we are able to determine areas of focus that correspond to Microsoft's major vulnerabilities. These findings indicate that while Microsoft is still actively, albeit not always successfully, fighting vulnerabilities in their products, they are quite vigorously and broadly innovating in the information security area.
Hurdles for Genomic Data Usage Management

Our genome determines our appearance, gender, diseases, reaction to drugs, and much more. It not only contains information about us but also about our relatives, past generations, and future generations. This creates many policy and technology challenges to protect privacy and manage usage of genomic data. In this paper, we identify various features of genomic data that make its usage management very challenging and different from other types of data. We also describe some ideas about potential solutions and propose some recommendations for the usage of genomic data.
Children vulnerable to psychopathology: the Stony Brook high-risk project.

The study of children at risk for the development of schizophrenia is a promising research strategy for increasing our understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia. This paper describes the methods and procedures of such an investigation. Three groups of children are being followed: those who have a schizophrenic parent, those who have a depressive parent, and those whose parents have no psychiatric history. There are three major foci of our assessment procedures. First, the patient, spouse, and family environment are examined. Second, the children are assessed in school from the vantage point of both peers and teachers. Finally, the children are tested with several laboratory measures of cognitive processes, attention, emotional responsivity, and social interaction.
High Pressure Optical Studies of GaSb-AlSb Multiple Quantum Wells

The pressure coefficients (α) of the excitonic transitions arising from the conduction (CB) to the heavy (HH) and light (LH) hole sub-bands of a GaSb-AlSb multiple quantum well structure (MQW) grown on a GaAs substrate are determined. Photoreflectance (PR) and Photoluminescence (PL) studies are employed at cryogenic temperatures. The α for the ground sub-band transition is ∼10% smaller than that for bulk GaSb. This effect is explained by in-plane deformation of the MQW arising from the substrate under external pressure. On the other hand, the α get progressively smaller for the higher sub-band transitions due to quantum confinement The PL intensity drops dramatically as the direct Γ CB crosses the L CB at ∼10kBars but the PR intensity persists until the X CB crosses each sub-band energy.
Physics-Based Gridding for Electrical Package Analysis Codes

This paper describes techniques and advances for mesh generation and refinement for the analysis of electrical package structures. After a brief review of meshing techniques, a physically based justification is provided for the basic elements of gridding required to accurately represent the following physical issues: edge-effects, projection gridding for signal return currents, conductor proximity, skin-effect, frequency effects, and dielectrics. These individual gridding components are then incorporated into a comprehensive, global algorithm. Many other meshing issues are addressed, including constraints associated with the underlying electromagnetic calculation kernel, removal of superfluous grid lines, assuring symmetric results for symmetric structures, and consistency related to causality and nonphysical effects. A number of 2D and 3D examples are taken from various codes developed by the author and novel techniques are given for effectively gridding 2D structures having even extreme geometric aspect ratios.
Effect of biogenic amines on the endocrine axis and esterase activity of hamster testes.

SummaryPinealectomy reverses the loss of testis and seminal vesicle weights of blinded hamsters. Treatment with moderate doses of serotonin and melatonin does not cause further decrease in reproductive organ weights, or appreciably affect adrenal and pituitary gland weights of blinded hamsters. The seminiferous tubules of blinded hamsters exhibit primarily spermatogonia containing lipid aggregations and numerous lysosomal bodies. Blinded hamsters have significantly higher levels of testicular esterase activity than do control, pinealectomized, and blinded and pinealectomized hamsters. This suggests that the higher esterase activity results from greater lysosomal activity.
Spectral anomalies in the 11 and 12 μm region from the Mariner Mars 7 Infrared Spectrometer

Two hundred-forty infrared spectra acquired by the 1969 Mariner Mars 7 Infrared Spectrometer (IRS), spanning the wavelength region 1.8-14.4 micron (5550-690/cm), have recently been recovered and calibrated in both wavelength and intensity. An examination of these IRS spectra has revealed absorptions at 11.25 and 12.5 micron that have not previously been reported for Mars. A search of the literature and spectral data bases shows that materials that exhibit a doublet at 11.25 and 12.5 micron are rare. In this paper we examine potential causes for these features and include a detailed discussion of carbonates, goethite, CO2 ice, and water ice. CO2 ice and water ice measured in transmission do not exhibit bands that match those recorded at 11.25 and 12.5 micron for Mars, which indicates that CO2 or water ice clouds are not the source of these features. Since these bands show no clear correlation with atmospheric path length, they are most likely caused by a surface material. In the IRS database they appear to be exceptionally intense in the western part of the Hellas basin. Goethite exhibits bands that are a good spectral match, but confirming whether goethite causes the features will require additional studies of the 20-50 micron region. These studies will require laboratory measurements of weathering coatings and an examination of spectra recorded of Mars by the 1971 Mariner Mars Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS; 5-50 micron 2000200/cm) and the 1996 Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES; 6-50 micron 1667-200/cm).
Comparison of 125I-SCH 23982 and [3H]SCH 23390 as ligands for the D-1 dopamine receptor

: 125I-SCH 23982, an antagonist with high affinity and selectivity for the D-l subtype of dopamine receptors, has recently been synthesized. Densities of D-l receptors in rat brain obtained from autoradiographic studies using this iodinated ligand are 5- to 10-fold less than densities reported with tritiated analogues such as [3H]SCH 23390. A direct comparison of these two ligands using striatal ho-mogenates confirmed this discrepancy. One explanation for this difference is that 125I-SCH 23982 labels a subset of the sites labeled by [3H]SCH 23390. However, the distributions of sites labeled by the ligands in autoradiograms of horizontal sections of rat brain were virtually identical. Furthermore, 127I-SCH 23982 displaced 100% of the specifically bound [3H]SCH 23390 in striatal homogenates with a Hill coefficient of approximately 1. These results are not consistent with the existence of a subset of receptors recognized by 125I-SCH 23982 and suggest that both ligands label the same population of receptors. An alternative explanation for the discrepancy in 5max values is that an unlabeled inhibitor is present in commercial preparations of 125I-SCH 23982. When all of the solvent (including any volatile inhibitors) was removed from commercial preparations of 125I-SCH 23982 prior to use in radioligand binding experiments, the discrepancy in Bmax values was eliminated.
Commentary on the Special Issue: The Maturing of Self-Esteem Research with Early Adolescents

The degree to which the eight contributions to the special issue clarify four concerns raised by DuBois and Hirsch is assessed. It is concluded that the contributions make moderate inroads in the areas of (a) delineating the importance of considering selfesteem to be multidimensional, (b) investigating bidirectional relations of self-esteem to other constructs, (c) linking self-esteem to other contributors to development, and (d) investigating negative as well as positive relations of self-esteem to adjustment. In addition, issues concerning the definition and measurement of self-esteem and the importance of research conducted with special populations to fill voids in knowledge are discussed.
Body disturbance and sexual elaboration factors in figure drawings of schizophrenic patients.

Summary The figure drawings of 59 recently hospitalized psychiatric patients were scored for specific features and on global ratings of sophistication and artistic skill. Factor analysis suggested two scales, one of Body Disturbance (BD) features; the second contained features of Sexual Elaboration (SE). The scales were correlated with measures theoretically related to body image disturbance and to other measures of psychopathology. BD correlated highly with artistic skill and with sophistication, but not with other measures. The SE scale correlated with Rorschach Penetration scores but not with other body image related variables. SE also correlated with measures of pathological thinking. The results suggested the SE scale assesses pathological thinking, but is not specific to disturbances of body image.
The potential functions of primary microRNAs in target recognition and repression.

Major RNA products of a microRNA (miRNA) gene—the long primary transcript (pri-miRNA), the ∼70-nucleotide (nt) precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA), and the ∼21-nt mature miRNA—all contain the same sequence required for target gene recognition. Thus, it is intrinsically difficult to discern the contribution of individual RNA species or to rule out a function of miRNA precursor species in target repression. Here, we describe a novel approach to dissect the functional contribution of pri-miRNA without compromising important cellular pathways. We show that pri-let-7 has a direct function in target repression in the absence of properly processed mature let-7. Moreover, we show that loop nucleotides provide regulatory controls of the activity of pri-let-7 by modulating interactions between pri-let-7 and target RNAs in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we show that human let-7a-3 pri-miRNA can directly interact with target mRNAs. These findings illustrate that the regulatory information encoded in structured pri-miRNAs may be translated into function through direct interactions with target mRNAs.
Sex and Gender Differences in Tactics of Influence

Sex and gender differences for 16 tactics of influence were investigated among 292 men and 231 women in higher-level positions. Sex differences indicated that men are more likely to manipulate situ...
An investigation of the dynamic behaviour of the pulsed arc and its plasma in a single-anode mercury-pool valve

The dynamic behaviour of the pulsed arc and its plasma in an experimental single-anode mercury-pool valve with anchored cathode spot was systematically investigated with the valve in periodic operation at mains frequency with steady resistance loads, and with superimposed short-duration anode-current pulses. The principal tentative conclusions were found to be as follows: (a) A change of instantaneous value of anode current alters quantitatively the structure of the plasma column of the valve from what it would be if the valve were carrying a direct current of the same magnitude. The magnitude of the plasma changing effect is related to the rate of change of anode current in such a manner that both electron as well as ion density exhibit individually a hysteresis effect, causing the anode voltage to be higher than its steady-state value when the current increases, and lower when it decreases. (b) Shortly after the start of commutation and as the anode current falls there is first a rise of electron density before it starts to decay. This may perhaps be caused by ionization resulting from collisions of pairs of metastable excited atoms. (c) A disturbance of the plasma column by a transient increase of anode current is followed by a period of restoration during which anode voltage, plasma space voltage and electron temperature are temporarily reduced, whereas electron and ion densities are temporarily increased. The intensity of optical radiation from the plasma during some period following the disturbance bears no direct relationship to the electron and ion densities during that time.
One-day-old Female Infant Presents With Mediastinal Mass on Chest Radiograph

One-day-old female infant presents with a posterior mediastinal mass on chest radiograph. ### Prenatal History ### Birth History and Presentation The infant was delivered from vertex presentation by spontaneous vaginal delivery at a weight of 1.5 kg. Infant had poor tone and respiratory effort, received positive pressure ventilation with Neopuff set at 5, and scores on the Apgar scale were 6 at 1 minute and 7 at 5 minutes. Upon admission to the NICU a chest radiograph was ordered …
Impaired oxygen on-kinetics in persons with human immunodeficiency virus are not due to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract Cade WT, Fantry LE, Nabar SR, Shaw DK, Keyser RE. Impaired oxygen on-kinetics in persons with human immunodeficiency virus are not due to highly active antiretroviral therapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1831–8. Objective To determine the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on oxygen on-kinetics in HIV-positive persons. Design Quasi-experimental cross-sectional. Setting Infectious disease clinic and exercise laboratory. Participants Referred participants (N=39) included 13 HIV-positive participants taking HAART, 13 HIV-positive participants not taking HAART, and 13 noninfected controls. Interventions Participants performed 1 submaximal exercise treadmill test below the ventilatory threshold, 1 above the ventilatory threshold, and 1 maximal treadmill exercise test to exhaustion. Main outcome measures Change in oxygen consumption (ΔVo 2 ) and oxidative response index (ΔVo 2 /mean response time). Results ΔVo 2 was significantly lower in both HIV-positive participants taking (946.5±68.1mL) and not taking (871.6±119.6mL) HAART than in controls (1265.3±99.8mL) during submaximal exercise above the ventilatory threshold. The oxidative response index was also significantly lower ( P Conclusion: Oxygen on-kinetics during submaximal exercise above the ventilatory threshold was impaired in HIV-positive participants compared with a control group, and it appeared that the attenuated oxygen on-kinetic response was primarily caused by HIV infection rather than HAART.
A Contextual Framework for Enhancing an Undergraduate Thermo-Propulsion Sequence

This paper describes various techniques employed in a novel approach to instruction and assessment of an undergraduate sequence in thermo-propulsion at the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy. Integrated motivational contexts aid development of foundations in thermodynamics, compressible gas dynamics, and propulsion while reinforcing engineering problem solving skills. Students are first oriented to the context of new material. Subsequent lessons fortify the context, giving students the opportunity to collaborate on team design projects and interact with industry and government guest speakers. Real-world, practical examples and homework further motivate and help students grasp key concepts. Tests are administered in both oral and written formats with open-ended, scenario-based questions to assess student understanding of fundamentals. Grading procedures focus on analytical methods as opposed to numerical results. Specific performance criteria validate the achievement of course educational outcomes. Student course critique scores and written comments further support the assertion that a contextual framework is highly effective in teaching fundamental thermo-propulsion concepts.
Multiple sclerosis, Guillain–Barré syndrome and myelin basic protein-specific cellular antibody

MULTIPLE sclerosis (MS) and the Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) are demyelinating diseases of improven aetiology and pathogenesis, in which infectious and immunological factors have been suggested to have a role1–3. The notion that sensitisation to basic proteins from myelin might be involved has arisen from certain similarities between these human diseases and the autoimmune demyelinating diseases of animals, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and experimental allergic neuritis (EAN)4. EAE is caused by sensitisation to the encephalitogenic basic protein from central myelin (CNS-BP) and EAN by sensitisation to peripheral myelin. One of the two basic proteins of peripheral myelin, P2 protein5, is considered a likely candidate for the neuritogenic factor6. To help determine whether sensitisation to myelin basic proteins is involved in the pathogenesis of MS and GBS, we have used horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labelled myelin basic proteins7,8 to seek evidence of an antibody of this specificity in nervous system plasma cells in these diseases. Our negative findings do not support a pathogenetic role for myelin basic proteins in MS or GBS.
A Role for WDR5 in Integrating Threonine 11 Phosphorylation to Lysine 4 Methylation on Histone H3 during Androgen Signaling and in Prostate Cancer

Upon androgen stimulation, PKN1-mediated histone H3 threonine 11 phosphorylation (H3T11P) promotes AR target gene activation. However, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Here, we show that WDR5, a subunit of the SET1/MLL complex, interacts with H3T11P, and this interaction facilitates the recruitment of the MLL1 complex and subsequent H3K4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3). Using ChIP-seq, we find that androgen stimulation results in a 6-fold increase in the number of H3T11P-marked regions and induces WDR5 colocalization to one third of H3T11P-enriched promoters, thus establishing a genome-wide relationship between H3T11P and recruitment of WDR5. Accordingly, PKN1 knockdown or chemical inhibition severely blocks WDR5 chromatin association and H3K4me3 on AR target genes. Finally, WDR5 is critical in prostate cancer cell proliferation and is hyperexpressed in human prostate cancers. Together, these results identify WDR5 as a critical epigenomic integrator of histone phosphorylation and methylation and as a major driver of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell proliferation.
MicroJoinery: concept, definition, and application to microsystem development

Abstract A new hybrid technology for fabricating, interconnecting, and assembling microdevices is introduced. This new technology is predicated on the creation of dimensionally scaled manufacturing and assembly techniques and has been coined ‘MicroJoinery’ as a descriptive designation. MicroJoinery, along with its collected ‘toolbox’ of associated microfabrication techniques, allows for the facile realization of a widely divergent collection of microsystem components including: fluidic microvalves, microfluidic interconnects, microreaction chambers, xyz positioning microstages, fiber-optic switches, etc. Additionally, MicroJoinery provides a new paradigm for design and practical assembly of microsystems. This paper explores the applications of MicroJoinery by presenting several examples of microdevices and microsystems tractable through MicroJoinery.
Epilepsy surgery in a case of encephalitis: use of 11C-PK11195 positron emission tomography.

The positron emission tomography radiotracer 11 C-PK11195 selectively binds to the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors expressed in activated microglia and can, therefore, detect areas of neuroinflammation. 11 C-PK11195 positron emission tomography was used in determining the surgical treatment of a 5-year-old boy with intractable epilepsy due to encephalitis of unknown etiology. After 4 months of treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit for altered consciousness and refractory seizures despite multiple anticonvulsants, including continuous midazolam infusion, 11 C-PK11195 positron emission tomography revealed an area of increased uptake in the left temporal-occipital cortex. Because the majority of his seizures at this stage of his illness emanated from the same region, the patient underwent left temporal-occipital cortical resection guided by intraoperative electrocorticography. The surgery resulted in significant recovery, and he could be discharged from the hospital. Focal areas of neuroinflammation may play an important role in seizure pathogenesis in a subset of patients with refractory seizures associated with encephalitis. In such cases, 11 C-PK11195 positron emission tomography may highlight the region of maximal inflammation for palliative surgical treatment.
Microwave instability beyond threshold

Stability of the steady-state bunch distribution described by the Haissinski solution [J. Haissinski, Nuovo Cimento {bold 18B}, 72 (1973)] is studied above the threshold of microwave instability. It is shown that instability may lead to a new self-consistent state corresponding to particles trapped in a separatrix of an unstable mode. The free energies of the two solutions are compared. The relaxation oscillations between the new and Haissinski solutions are possible and may be related to the sawtooth instability observed recently in the experiments [P. Krejcik {ital et} {ital al}., (unpublished)]. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
A unified theory for some effects of hydrogen source, alloying¦elements, and potential on crack growth in martensitic AISI 4340 steel

The effects of hydrogen on crack growth in martensitic AISI 4340 steel are shown to be fundamentally the same whether the hydrogen is supplied as molecular gas, through stress corrosion, or by electrolytic charging. At a given yield strength differences observed in the values of threshold stress intensity for crack growth are proposed to be linked to the degree of dissociation of the hydrogen near the crack tip, and hence to the concentration of hydrogen developed in the critical crack-tip region. Over a range of yield strength values, an upper bound of threshold stress intensity is developed in molecular hydrogen gas and a lower bound on exposure to atomic hydrogen from cathodic charging during or prior to testing. The open circuitK Iscc values of the steel fall always within the upper and lower bounds, but the values ofK Iscc may be moved to the lower bound by coupling to magnesium (cathodic charging) or to the upper bound by coupling to copper (anodic polarization). Variations in the concentration of carbon or manganese in the steel at a fixed yield strength produce effects on the value ofK Iscc similar to the effects produced by cathodic or anodic polarization. With the lower concentrations of carbon or manganese the steel acts as if it were coupled to copper and at the higher concentrations as if coupled to magnesium. Carbon and manganese are therefore proposed to shift the positions of local anodes and cathodes and so influence the proportions of molecular and atomic hydrogen which reach the critical crack-tip region. The proposal is supported by data which show that only cathodic polarization affects the threshold stress intensity of the lowest carbon and manganese steelsK Iscc is lowered) whereas only anodic polarization affects the higher carbon or manganese steels(K Iscc is raised).
A versatile television X-ray detector and image processing system

Abstract A high resolution, software configurable TV area detector has been developed for use in a wide range of applications including synchrotron radiation research. The X-ray sensitivity extends from 100 eV to 30 keV and rates between 10 0 and 10 12 events/s can be measured. Active areas from 4 to 80 mm diameter or square can be selected and easily changed. The image acquisition, processing, and integration are under software control and can be optimized for each experiment.
Gas-Particle Partitioning of PCBs and PAHs in the Chicago Urban and Adjacent Coastal Atmosphere: States of Equilibrium

Simultaneous air samples were taken in Chicago and over southern Lake Michigan as part of the AEOLOS Project (Atmospheric Exchange Over Lakes and Oceans). Gas and particle phase concentrations of p...
Smoking and body image concerns in adolescent girls

Objective Use of cigarettes has increased dramatically among adolescent females. Because young women use smoking as a weight control strategy, increased drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction may be associated with smoking. This study examined the relationship between smoking and body image concerns among adolescent females with and without eating disorders. Methods Incidence of smoking and Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) scores were compared among 411 nonclinical females and 82 eating disorder females with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa aged 11 to 18. Results Of the three groups, anorectic-restrictors were the least likely and bulimics the most likely to smoke. After covarying age, both eating disorder and nonclinical smokers had significantly greater psychopathology on Drive for Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Interoceptive Awareness than nonsmokers. Discussion Despite high levels of body image disturbance, anorectic-restrictors did not use smoking as a weight control strategy. Body image concerns were more prevalent in smokers than in nonsmokers. © 1998 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 24: 429–434, 1998.
Paramagnetic Resonance of Fe 3+ in Yttrium Aluminum, Lutetium Aluminum, and Lutetium Gallium Garnets

The spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been determined for the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ ion when present as substitutional impurity in the series of isomorphous diamagnetic garnets. Most of the parameters vary rather slowly from host to host. It is shown that the dependence of the cubic field splitting in the octahedral sites on lattice parameters as obtained from the present results is consistent with the dependence of the same parameters on hydrostatic pressure for substitutional ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ in MgO. The fourth-order axial-field parameter $F$ does show appreciable variation among the various hosts; this is discussed in terms of the extrapolation to yttrium iron garnet, and the calculation of the crystal-field-induced magnetic anisotropy in the latter.
Methionine-induced homocysteinemia impairs endothelial function in hypertensives: the role of asymmetrical dimethylarginine and antioxidant vitamins.

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is synthesized by the methylation of arginine as part of the methionine/homocysteine cycle. However, the mechanisms regulating ADMA synthesis in hypertension are unclear. METHODS We investigated the role of ADMA and antioxidants in endothelial dysfunction during methionine-induced homocysteinemia in hypertensives. Thirty-nine hypertensives and forty-nine normotensive controls underwent methionine loading (100 mg methionine/kg BW), after being randomized to receive vitamin C (2 g) and E (800 IU) or placebo. Endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) was evaluated by plethysmography (baseline and 4-h post-methionine loading (4-h PML)). RESULTS Hypertensives had higher homocysteine at baseline (P < 0.001) and 4-h PML (P < 0.05), whereas methionine increased homocysteine in all groups. EDD was decreased in both vitamins and placebo groups in controls (P < 0.01 for both) and vitamins- and placebo-treated hypertensives (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In controls, ADMA was increased in both vitamin- and placebo groups (P < 0.01 for both) at 4-h PML. Hypertensives had higher ADMA at baseline (P < 0.01 vs. normotensive) and remained unchanged at 4-h PML (P = NS in placebo and vitamins treated). CONCLUSIONS ADMA is elevated in hypertensives but remains unchanged after methionine loading, suggesting that ADMA plays an important role in endothelial dysfunction in hypertensives, but it is not responsible for homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction in these patients.
Warfarin–Antibiotic Interactions in Older Adults of an Outpatient Anticoagulation Clinic

Background Several classes of drugs, such as antibiotics, may interact with warfarin to cause an increase in wafarins anticoagulant activity and the clinical relevance of warfarin–antibiotic interactions in older adults is not clear. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, on the international normalized ratio (INR) in patients ≥65 years on stable warfarin therapy. The secondary objective was to compare the effect of warfarin–antibiotic interactions on outcomes of overanticoagulation. Methods Data for this retrospective cohort study were collected through a medical record review of patients in an outpatient anticoagulation clinic of a Veterans Affairs medical center. Patients aged ≥65 years on stable warfarin therapy and with at least 1 prescription of an oral antibiotic of interest during the period from January 1, 2003 to March 1, 2011 were included. A mixed-effects repeated-measures ANOVA model was used to determine the effect of antibiotics on the mean change in patients' INR. The Fisher exact test was used to determine the association between the antibiotics and secondary outcomes of overanticoagulation, using cephalexin as the control. Statistical significance was defined as a P value <0.05. Results A total of 205 patients had 364 prescriptions for warfarin and antibiotics concomitantly, and there was a significant interaction between antibiotic and time (F15, 358 = 1.9; P = 0.0221). Antibiotics with a significant increase in INR were amoxicillin (P = 0.0019), azithromycin (P < 0.0001), ciprofloxacin (P = 0.002), levofloxacin (P < 0.0001) and moxifloxacin (P < 0.0001). There was a significant association between type of antibiotic and secondary outcomes of overanticoagulation. Conclusions In older patients on stable warfarin therapy, antibiotics may lead to an increase in INR. However, this may not result in clinically significant outcomes of bleeding or hospitalization, suggesting that antibiotics may be prescribed for older adults taking warfarin as long as their INR is being routinely monitored.
A Simple Method for Determining Elastic-Modulus–to-Hardness Ratios using Knoop Indentation Measurements

A simple indentation technique for measuring the hardness-to-modulus ratio of elastic/plastic materials was developed. The method, which is based on measurement of the elastic recovery of the in-surface dimensions of a Knoop indentation, allows ready evaluation of the hardness-to-modulus ratio to an accuracy better than 10%.
Effectiveness Is the Key to Cost-Effectiveness

Health care spending has risen faster than the rest of the United States economy for the past several decades, and is now swamping federal and state government budgets. The rising cost of health care has important consequences: either spending on other programs (eg, education, public safety, and infrastructure) must be reduced, or taxes must rise, or the budget deficit must grow larger.1 In light of these facts, physicians, whose decisions determine the bulk of health expenditures, need to become better stewards of healthcare resources. Physicians are particularly able to determine which treatments are effective and to identify which patients benefit most from those treatments. With health care dollars scarce, physicians are in the best position to see that they are spent wisely. Article see p 820 Cost-effectiveness analysis is one tool physicians can use to assess the value provided by a treatment strategy. Despite its technical complexities, the basic principles of cost-effectiveness analysis are conceptually simple. One key principle is that cost-effectiveness is comparative, not absolute: the therapy of interest should be compared with the next best alternative therapy. One can assess the cost-effectiveness of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or the cost-effectiveness of CABG compared with medical therapy, but not of the cost-effectiveness of CABG in isolation. Another important principle is that treatments that cost more money may still be quite valuable if they are highly effective. Effectiveness is measured by the ultimate goals of treatment: …
Regional specific groundwater arsenic levels and neuropsychological functioning: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the link between geographic information system (GIS)-estimated regional specific groundwater levels and neuropsychological functioning in a sample of individuals with and without cognitive impairment. Methods: This cross-sectional study design analyzed data from 1390 participants (733 Alzheimer’s disease, 127 Mild Cognitive Impairment, and 530 with normal cognition) enrolled in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium. GISs analyses were used to estimate regional specific groundwater arsenic concentrations using the Environmental Systems Research Institute and arsenic concentrations from the Texas Water Development Board. Results: In the full cohort, regional specific arsenic concentrations were positively associated with language abilities (p = 0.008), but associated with poorer verbal memory, immediate (p = 0.008), and delayed (p < 0.001), as well as poorer visual memory, immediate (p = 0.02), and delayed (p < 0.001). The findings varied by d...
Wide-band VHF scattering from a trihedral reflector situated above a lossy dispersive halfspace

The method of moments (MoM) is used to rigorously analyze wide-band VHF scattering from a perfectly conducting trihedral placed above a lossy, dispersive half space. The method of complex images is employed to evaluate the layered-medium Green's function efficiently and is applied here to the half-space problem. Particular attention is placed on the physics that underlie scattering from such targets (as a function of frequency, incidence angle, polarization, and soil type) for cases in which the target is small or of moderate size relative to wavelength (where high-frequency techniques fail). This problem is of interest when conventional trihedrals are employed to calibrate VHF synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems.
Arthroscopic Repair of Combined Labral Lesions

| ABSTRACT The recognition of combined lesions of the glenoid la- brum is increasing. These lesions are associated with in- stability in at least one direction and may be the result of untreated Bankart or reverse Bankart lesions. Although the diagnosis can often be made by physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging, combined lesions can be discovered intraoperatively in patient with suspected anterior or posterior instability. The general approach to the lesions is to repair the labral tears in a systematic fash- ion allowing ease of access to the glenoid. The goal of this article is to present our approach and share some technical steps that may facilitate this repair procedure. Keywords: labral repair, panlabral, triple labral
The Role of Stacking Fault Energy on the Indentation Size Effect of FCC Pure Metals and Alloys

We investigated the effect of stacking fault free energy (SFE), on the magnitude of the indentation size effect (ISE) of several pure FCC metals using nanoindentation. The metals chosen were 99.999% Aluminum, 99.95% Nickel, 99.95% Silver, and 70/30 Copper Zinc (α-brass). Aluminum has a high SFE of about 200 mJ/ m2 , whereas α -brass has a low SFE of less than 10 mJ/ m2 . Nickel and Silver have intermediate SFE of about 128 mJ/ m2 and 22 mJ/m2 respectively. The SFE is an important interfacial characteristic and plays a significant role in the deformation of FCC metals due to its influence on dislocation movement and morphology. The SFE is a measure of the distance between partial dislocations and has a direct impact on the ability of dislocations to cross slip during plastic deformation. The lower the SFE the larger the separation between partial dislocations and thus cross slip and dynamic recovery are inhibited. The SFE impacts pure metals differently from alloys. It was discovered that the characteristic ISE behavior for the pure metals was different when compared to the α-brass which is an alloy. Several additional alloys were chosen for comparison including 7075 Aluminum and 70/30 Nickel Copper.
Telomere length as a risk marker for cardiovascular disease: the next big thing?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and other Western countries, and is expected to become an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortali...
A Pharmacognostical Study of datura discolor bernh

Datura discolor is commonly found in the Colorado desert of Southern California and in parts of Mexico. It is described in several keys to flora of this area, but has never been examined pharmacognostically. The historical background, distribution, and growth habits of this plant are discussed. A taxo-nomic description is included and covers additional features not presented in previous reports. The principal microscopic characteristics are described and compared with other Datura species of this area. Alkaloidal content and composition of a number of samples are reported. Total alkaloids approximate those of the official Datura stramonium , but the mixture contains a much greater proportion of scopolamine.
Stretching of a straight electrically charged viscoelastic jet

A charged polymer jet may be accelerated and stretched by an external electric field, and this process is relevant to electrospinning for making nanofibers. The stretching of an electrified jet is governed by the interplay among electrostatics, fluid mechanics and rheology, and the role of viscoelasticity has not been systematically explored before. This paper presents a slender-body theory for the stretching of a straight charged jet of Giesekus fluid. Results show strain-hardening as the most influential rheological property. It causes the tensile force to rise at the start, which enhances stretching of the jet. Further downstream, however, the higher elongational viscosity tends to suppress jet stretching. In the end, strain-hardening leads to thicker fibers. This confirms the main result of a previous study using empirical rheological models. The behavior of the electrically driven jet forms an interesting contrast to that in conventional fiber spinning.
A max-margin model for efficient simultaneous alignment and folding of RNA sequences

Motivation: The need for accurate and efficient tools for computational RNA structure analysis has become increasingly apparent over the last several years: RNA folding algorithms underlie numerous applications in bioinformatics, ranging from microarray probe selection to de novo non-coding RNA gene prediction. In this work, we present RAF (RNA Alignment and Folding), an efficient algorithm for simultaneous alignment and consensus folding of unaligned RNA sequences. Algorithmically, RAF exploits sparsity in the set of likely pairing and alignment candidates for each nucleotide (as identified by the CONTRAfold or CONTRAlign programs) to achieve an effectively quadratic running time for simultaneous pairwise alignment and folding. RAF's fast sparse dynamic programming, in turn, serves as the inference engine within a discriminative machine learning algorithm for parameter estimation. Results: In cross-validated benchmark tests, RAF achieves accuracies equaling or surpassing the current best approaches for RNA multiple sequence secondary structure prediction. However, RAF requires nearly an order of magnitude less time than other simultaneous folding and alignment methods, thus making it especially appropriate for high-throughput studies. Availability: Source code for RAF is available at: http://contra.stanford.edu/contrafold/ Contact: chuongdo@cs.stanford.edu
Distributed and Collaborative Primary Signal Feature Estimation for Cognitive Radios under Communication Constraints

Collaborative algorithms are needed to improve the reliability of spectrum sensing in a network of cognitive radios (CRs). This work studies a consensus based approach to sharing spectral measurements between a multihop network of CRs. Specifically, the impact of link errors are incorporated in determining the convergence behavior of consensus based spectrum sensing. Results show that as the number of message exchanges increases, the convergence time and the deviation of the convergence value increase. Hierarchical consensus, a modification to the original consensus algorithm, is proposed to reduce the number of message exchanges while still obtaining the collaborative gains of shared spectrum sensing.
Distributed algorithms for polygonal approximation of convex contours

We propose algorithms that compute polygon approximations for convex contours. This geometric problem is relevant in interpolation theory, data compression, and has potential applications in robotic sensor networks. The algorithms are based on simple feedback ideas, on limited nearest-neighbor information, and amount to gradient descent laws for appropriate cost functions. The approximations are based on intuitive performance metrics, such as the area of the inner, outer, and "outer minus inner" approximating polygons.
Improved bounds computation for probabilistic /spl mu/

Probabilistic /spl mu/ is a direct extension of the structured singular value /spl mu/ from the worst-case robustness analysis to the probabilistic framework. Its computation involves approximating the level surface of some performance function in the parameter space, which is more complex than the worst-case /spl mu/ computation. In particular, providing a sufficiently tight upper bound in the tail of the distribution is extremely difficult. The approach presented in this paper is a mixture of the linear cut and the branch and bound algorithms. It greatly improves the probabilistic /spl mu/ upper bound on average, which is shown through numerical experiments. The tightness of the bounds can be tested by comparing the hard upper bounds with the soft bounds provided by Monte-Carlo simulations.
Greedy weighted matching for scheduling the input-queued switch

We consider greedy maximal weighted matching based scheduling for input-queued switches. We present simulation results that demonstrate the attractive throughput and delay performance achievable under maximal weighted matching. For the 2times2 input-queued switch we subsequently prove for i.i.d. Bernoulli arrival processes that greedy maximal weighted matching achieves 100% throughput.
Single-Case Intervention Research Design Standards

In an effort to responsibly incorporate evidence based on single-case designs (SCDs) into the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence base, the WWC assembled a panel of individuals with expertise in quantitative methods and SCD methodology to draft SCD standards. In this article, the panel provides an overview of the SCD standards recommended by the panel (henceforth referred to as the Standards) and adopted in Version 1.0 of the WWC’s official pilot standards. The Standards are sequentially applied to research studies that incorporate SCDs. The design standards focus on the methodological soundness of SCDs, whereby reviewers assign the categories of Meets Standards, Meets Standards With Reservations, and Does Not Meet Standards to each study. Evidence criteria focus on the credibility of the reported evidence, whereby the outcome measures that meet the design standards (with or without reservations) are examined by reviewers trained in visual analysis and categorized as demonstrating Strong Evidence, Mod...
War and the Cycle of Relative Power

Relative nation-state capability follows a generalized nonlinear pattern over long periods. Empirical evidence indicates that between 1816–1975 nine major powers have traversed at least a segment of this relative capability cycle of political ascendancy, maturation and decline. Specific changes in a state's relative capability dynamics increase its propensity to initiate extensive war. Whether the extensiveness of a war is defined in terms of duration, intensity or magnitude, major powers are likely to initiate more extensive wars at the critical inflection and turning points on the curve of relative capability where the linear role perceptions held by government and society change pervasively. This analysis involves a new theoretical focus for examining the causes of war, shifting attention from interactions between nations to the consequences of changes in relative power and to the political evolution of the nation-state itself.
Polarization Model and ion specificity: applications

The polarization model predicts that the interaction between nanoparticles depends not only on the surface charge density, but also on the surface dipole density. As the concentration of electrolyte increases, the surface charge density decreases, due to the recombination of ions with surface groups, but the density of surface dipoles increases. At relatively low salt concentrations, the repulsion due to the double layer is dominant and decreases with increasing ionic strength; however, at high electrolyte concentrations, the repulsive force due to surface dipoles becomes dominant and increases with increasing ionic strength. Consequently, there is a minimum in the repulsion between nanoparticles. This mechanism explains the restabilization of some colloids at high ionic strengths [7.1].