cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes and sleep disorders

Insomnia is frequently co-morbid with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); the effect of insomnia or co-morbid insomnia and OSA (OSA + I) on associated metabolic outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. This study in adults with T2D compared metabolic outcomes among persons with OSA, insomnia, or OSA + I. This study analyzed baseline data from the Diabetes Sleep Treatment Trial of persons recruited for symptoms of OSA or poor sleep quality. Home sleep studies determined OSA presence and severity. Insomnia was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index. Height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and blood for laboratory values were obtained. Multivariate general linear models were used to examine the impact of the type of sleep disorder and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and sleep risk factors on metabolic outcomes. Participants (N = 253) were middle-aged (56.3 ± 10.5 years), white (60.5%), obese (mean BMI of 35.3 ± 7.1 kg/m2), and male (51.4%) with poor glucose control (mean HbA1c of 8.0 ± 1.8%). Most participants had OSA + I (42.7%) or insomnia only (41.0%). HbA1c and BMI differed among the sleep disorder groups. In addition, in the adjusted models, having insomnia only, compared to OSA only, was associated on average with higher HbA1c levels (b = 1.08 ± 0.40, p < 0.007) and lower BMI (b = − 7.03 ± 1.43, p < 0.001). Findings suggest that insomnia frequently co-exists with OSA, is independently associated with metabolic outcomes in adults with T2D, and should be considered in investigations of the effects of OSA in persons with T2D. Diabetes-Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Trial (NCT01901055), https: Clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01901055; Registration date: July 17, 2013.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide in Learning and Memory.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that regulates neuronal physiology and transcription through Gs/Gq-coupled receptors. Its actions within hypothalamic, limbic, and mnemonic systems underlie its roles in stress regulation, affective processing, neuroprotection, and cognition. Recently, elevated PACAP levels and genetic disruption of PAC1 receptor signaling in humans has been linked to maladaptive threat learning and pathological stress and fear in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PACAP is positioned to integrate stress and memory in PTSD for which memory of the traumatic experience is central to the disorder. However, PACAP’s role in memory has received comparatively less attention than its role in stress. In this review, we consider the evidence for PACAP-PAC1 receptor signaling in learning and plasticity, discuss emerging data on sex differences in PACAP signaling, and raise key questions for further study towards elucidating the contribution of PACAP to adaptive and maladaptive fear learning.
Consideration of Cell Proliferation and Adduct Formation as Parameters Affecting Risk Outcome

For the most part, the quantitative aspects of risk assessment for carcinogens currently involve using standard animal bioassay data and making assumptions about dose-response such as linearity at low-dosage levels and no threshold for the effect. These procedures are not considered to predict actual risk but to reflect an upper bound on risk. The true, but indeterminate, risk could be as high as this upper bound value and as low as zero. As we learn more about mechanisms of carcinogenesis, we anticipate that more biological information will lead to refinement of predicted dose-response curves and, hence, predicted risk. Two types of biological information currently being explored for their value in this regard are cell proliferation and covalent adduct formation with cellular macromolecules. Both of these types of data have the potential to allow reliable characterization of the dose-response curve to lower doses than is possible with bioassay data alone. This may allow in certain cases for the predictions of the upper bound risk to be closer to the actuarial risk at the low exposure levels usually encountered. Much work and careful interpretation need to be done before these approaches become routinely viable. However, the time has come to take seriously the potential that this kind of biological information can have on quantitative risk assessment.
Lymphocyte Variation in Peripheral Blood of Mice with Low Level Gamma Irradiation

ABSTRACT Series of studies were conducted to explore the effects of gamma irradiation to peripheral blood of male Swiss albino mice. Radioprotection was evaluated by the ability of Liv 52 to reduce the lethality produced by cobalt-60 gamma radiation. Mice were treated by oral gavage once daily for seven consecutive days with Liv 52 (500 mg/kg body weight) prior to radiation.Male Swiss albino mice were exposed to 1 and 3 Gy of whole-body gamma irradiation in the presence (experimental) and absence (control) of a herbomineral formulation of Liv.52. Quantitative variations in the number of total leukocytes count (TLC), lymphocytes and neutrophils were scored in peripheral blood at various time intervals between on the day of exposure to 28 days. At 1Gy dose, depression in TLC was noticed till day 1, whereas in higher doses until day 5 with a sharpness in first 24 hrs. Prior administration of Liv.52 significantly prevented the depletion of leukocytes count and initiated recovery towards normal at 28 days in experimental animal. The behaviour of neutrophils was reciprocal as they showed rise till day 1 followed by gradual decline up to day 5 in control (without liv 52) as well as in experimental group with both the irradiation doses. It is noted that liv 52 decreases the direct cell killing against gamma radiation may be due to by increasing the cellular glutathione (GSH) level [16] and restores early recovery of lymphocyte in drug treated animal. Key words: Differential leukocytes count, Mice, Liv.52, Gamma Rays, Radioprotection.
Detection and Recognition of Simple Spatial Forms

In spite of the large number of intelligent, energetic people engaged in the study of vision, it often seems that we advance our understanding of this process at an excruciatingly slow pace. Why is this so? I believe that it is the fault of our models. We have been seduced by the simplicity of explanation available in the physical sciences, and try to describe the vast complexity of vision with models that would not do justice to a sphere rolling down an inclined plane.
Multi-Resolution Stochastic 3D Shape Models for Image Segmentation

3D Shape modeling has been a very prominent part of Computer Vision over the past decade. Several shape modeling techniques have been proposed in literature, some are local (distributed parameter) while others are global (lumped parameter) in terms of the parameters required to describe the shape. Hybrid models that combine both ends of this parameter spectrum have been in vogue only recently. However, they do not allow a smooth transition between the two extremes of this parameter spectrum.
Coherent States in Modern Physics

In the preceding work [1] a number of algebraic techniques have been used to construct and label the symmetrized states describing an ensemble of N identical two-level atoms. Under certain physically attainable circumstances, such states evolve into “coherent atomic states” under a classical driving field. The properties of the atomic coherent states were stated and compared with the properties of the field coherent states. The atomic and field coherent states were found to be related by a group contraction process.
Around the web in six weeks: Documenting a large-scale crawl

Exponential growth of the web continues to present challenges to the design and scalability of web crawlers. Our previous work on a high-performance platform called IRLbot [28] led to the development of new algorithms for realtime URL manipulation, domain ranking, and budgeting, which were tested in a 6.3B-page crawl. Since very little is known about the crawl itself, our goal in this paper is to undertake an extensive measurement study of the collected dataset and document its crawl dynamics. We also propose a framework for modeling the scaling rate of various data structures as crawl size goes to infinity and offer a methodology for comparing crawl coverage to that of commercial search engines.
Minimal supersymmetric standard model string vacua from flux compactifications

We construct the first $D=4$ Minkowski string theory vacua of flux compactification which are (i) chiral, (ii) free of NSNS and RR tadpoles, and (iii) $\mathcal{N}=1$ or $\mathcal{N}=0$ supersymmetric. In the latter case SUSY is softly broken by the fluxes, with soft terms being generated in the gauge and chiral sectors of the theory. In addition, the low energy spectrum of the theory is MSSM-like with three generations of chiral matter, the dilaton/complex structure moduli are stabilized and the supergravity background involves a warped metric.
An efficient FPGA design of RNS core function extractor

The core function provides an efficient way to solve difficult residue number system (RNS) operations. The critical core may cause ambiguity during core function extraction. In this paper, an efficient FPGA design of core function extractor is presented which can form the basis for solving the difficult RNS operations.
Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG): The Mayo Clinic experience of 20 years from 1994 through 2014

Background Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by the development of PG-type lesions within surgical sites. Objective We sought to characterize postoperative PG as a distinct subtype of PG for earlier recognition and prevention of improper therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with nonperistomal postoperative PG at Mayo Clinic from 1994 to 2014.x Results Eighteen patients had postoperative PG with an average age of 58 years. Fifteen (83%) were female. Among patients with postoperative PG, 4 (22%) had an associated systemic disease traditionally associated with PG. Sites of postoperative PG included 7 breast (38%), 7 abdomen (38%), 1 back, 1 shoulder, 1 ankle, and 1 scrotum, witxxh breast reconstruction being the most common surgery. The average time to symptoms was 11 days. No patients had a fever. Eight (44%) had documented anemia and 5 (27%) had leukocytosis. Antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids were initiated in 10 (56%) and 14 (83%), respectively. Debridement was done in 11 (61%) patients. Limitations Small sample size and retrospective study are limitations. Conclusion Postoperative PG is a rare surgical complication with predilection for the breast and abdomen of females and has less association with systemic disease than idiopathic PG. Early recognition may prevent unnecessary debridements and morbidity.
Hydrocarbon condensation in horizontal smooth tubes: Part II – Heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop modeling

Abstract In this second part, Part II of a two-part study, data reported in Part I for condensation of hydrocarbons over a wide range of conditions are used to develop models for pressure drop and heat transfer coefficients. The pressure drop model accounts for the pressure drop occurring in the vapor and liquid phases, and due to phase interactions. The model provides improved predictions over existing correlations at lower frictional pressure drop conditions, such as in larger tube diameters and at higher saturation pressures. The data from Part I of this study are also used to develop a physically consistent condensation heat transfer model for horizontal smooth tubes. This model incorporates a novel method to account for the heat transfer through the upper liquid film that typically forms in horizontal tubes. The approach models the evolution of the liquid film from purely horizontal (annular) flow to a combination of vertical (falling film) and horizontal (annular) flow. Moreover, the evolution with quality is modeled continuously without resorting to interpolation between flow regimes. In doing so, this model accurately reflects the observations from flow visualization studies, and is a departure from the approach typically followed in existing correlations. Both models are developed using a database containing only hydrocarbon data (propane and pentane), but are shown to also accurately predict synthetic refrigerant behavior. Special attention is paid to developing a model that is equally applicable to all of the operating conditions in the database, thus equal weighting is given to high pressure and low pressure conditions, and all mass fluxes and tube diameters. The models predict the frictional pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient for the propane database with average deviations of 3% and −1%, respectively.
Women of the Kachin Conflict: Trafficking and Militarized Femininity on the Burma-China Border

This article presents findings from field research on the trafficking of women from Kachin State, Burma into China as “forced brides.” Analyzing interviews with trafficking survivors, female soldiers, women’s activists and KIO administrators, I describe the factors that influence trafficking, the mechanism by which it occurs, and argue that by looking at Kachin women’s experiences, we may understand the workings of the conflict more broadly.
The Effect of Disease Prior to an Outbreak on Estimates of Vaccine Efficacy Following the Outbreak

A common source of bias in evaluating vaccine efficacy following a disease outbreak is the presence of persons who had the disease prior to the outbreak. This paper examines the effects of including and excluding pre-outbreak disease cases from the calculation of vaccine efficacy based on the cumulative incidence at the end of an outbreak. Using a five-stage model, the effects of the following factors on the bias of vaccine efficacy estimates are examined: the true protective efficacy of the vaccine, the prevaccination infection rate, differences in vaccine uptake among the previously diseased and nondiseased, differences in pre-outbreak exposure to infection between vaccinees and nonvaccinees, and differences in exposure during the outbreak between vaccinees and nonvaccinees. Numerical calculations of the bias are performed for a hypothetical outbreak of measles in a developing country. Exclusion of pre-outbreak disease cases requires accurate data on disease rates prior to the outbreak, and such data are often unreliable or nonexistent. Inclusion of pre-outbreak cases contributes to the bias of the estimated vaccine efficacy, especially when there is a high prevaccination infection rate and vaccine uptake among the previously diseased is considerably lower than that among the nondiseased. In most practical cases, however, this bias is not very large.
Clear vision through the haze: a practical approach to ground-glass opacity.

Ground-glass opacity (GGO) is a common, nonspecific imaging finding on chest computed tomography that may occur in a variety of pulmonary diseases. GGO may be the result of partial filling of alveolar spaces, thickening of the alveolar walls or septal interstitium, or a combination of partial filling of alveolar spaces and thickening of the alveolar walls and septal interstitium at the histopathologic level. Diseases that commonly manifest on chest computed tomography as GGO include pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Generating an extensive list of possible causes of GGO in radiologic reports would not be helpful to referring physicians. Preferably, a more concise and focused list of differential diagnostic possibilities may be constructed using a systematic approach to further classify GGO based on morphology, distribution, and ancillary imaging findings, such as the presence of cysts, traction bronchiectasis, and air trapping. Correlation with clinical history, such as the chronicity of symptoms, the patient׳s immune status, and preexisting medical conditions is vital. By thorough analysis of imaging patterns and consideration of relevant clinical information, the radiologist can generate a succinct and useful imaging differential diagnosis when confronted with the nonspecific finding of GGO.
An Efficient Synthesis of Poly(aryl ether) Monodendrons and Dendrimers Based on 3,5-Bis(Hydroxymethyl)phenol

A convergent method for synthesis of poly(aryl ether) dendrimers based on 3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol has been developed. An activated and protected A2B monomer (3,5-bis(bromomethyl)phenyl hexadecanesulfonate 1) was prepared in five steps from dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate, and then used in a repetitive two-step sequence for synthesis of monodendrons. In the first step of the sequence, 2 equiv of a phenol-terminated monodendron (Gn-OH) react under mildly basic conditions (K2CO3) with protected monomer 1 to give an alkanesulfonate-terminated monodendron (G(n+1)-hds), one generation larger than the phenolic starting material. In the second step, the alkanesulfonate-protected monodendron is deprotected in strong base (NaOH) to give a new phenol-terminated monodendron (G(n+1)-OH), which is then ready for further coupling to protected monomer 1. Iteration of the coupling and deprotection reactions results in the formation of increasingly large monodendrons. The hexadecanesulfonate group serves a dual purpose...
Selective detachment process in column flotation froth

The selectivity in flotation columns involving the separation of particles of varying degrees of floatability is based on differential flotation rates in the collection zone, reflux action between the froth and collection zones, and differential detachment rates in the froth zone. Using well-known theoretical models describing the separation process and experimental data, froth zone and overall flotation recovery values were quantified for particles in an anthracite coal that have a wide range of floatability potential. For highly floatable particles, froth recovery had a very minimal impact on overall recovery while the recovery of weakly floatable material was decreased substantially by reductions in froth recovery values. In addition, under carrying-capacity limiting conditions, selectivity was enhanced by the preferential detachment of the weakly floatable material. Based on this concept, highly floatable material was added directly into the froth zone when treating the anthracite coal. The enriched froth phase reduced the product ash content of the anthracite product by five absolute percentage points while maintaining a constant recovery value.
Spac-Ttme-Correlations for Cation Motion in Alkali Silicates

The motion of structural components in alkali silicates has been studied using molecular dynamic simulations. The relevant time correlation functions have been recorded over periods of up to 0.5 nanoseconds. The van Hove correlation functions reveal that alkali cation diffusion occurs by hopping between rather well defined sites, even at temperatures far above the melting point. The accessibility of such sites is controlled by the relaxation of the surrounding network, and constitutes the mechanism of coupling between the motion of network and modifier elements. The intermediate scattering functions exhibit a stretched exponential behavior, with a wavevector dependent stretching exponent. This is the result of a distribution of residence times at individual cation sites. When the diffusion process is examined on a coarser scale, at which Brownian motion is applicable, this distribution remains undetected. As an alternative to the Kohlrausch function, several mechanistic approaches for describing the relaxation behavior of these structures are discussed.
Using surface envelopes for discrimination of molecular models

Shape information about macromolecules is increasingly available but is difficult to use in modeling efforts. We demonstrate that shape information alone can often distinguish structural models of biological macromolecules. By using a data structure called a surface envelope (SE) to represent the shape of the molecule, we propose a method that generates a fitness score for the shape of a particular molecular model. This score correlates well with root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of the model to the known test structures and can be used to filter models in decoy sets. The scoring method requires both alignment of the model to the SE in three-dimensional space and assessment of the degree to which atoms in the model fill the SE. Alignment combines a hybrid algorithm using principal components and a previously published iterated closest point algorithm. We test our method against models generated from random atom perturbation from crystal structures, published decoy sets used in structure prediction, and models created from the trajectories of atoms in molecular modeling runs. We also test our alignment algorithm against experimental electron microscopic data from rice dwarf virus. The alignment performance is reliable, and we show a high correlation between model RMSD and score function. This correlation is stronger for molecular models with greater oblong character (as measured by the ratio of largest to smallest principal component).
Nitrogen compound distributions in hydrotreated shale oil products from commercial-scale refining

Abstract The distributions of nitrogen compounds in crude and hydrotreated shale oil products have been determined. About 11600 m3 (73000 bbl) of Paraho retorted shale oil were hydrotreated by The Standard Oil Company of Ohio at their Toledo refinery. A hydrotreated whole product, a jet fuel, a diesel fuel, and a residuum were produced and individually separated into compound-type fractions by adsorption chromatography. The nitrogen compound types in these fractions were characterized by i.r. spectroscopy, differential potentiometric titration, and high-resolution m.s. The distributions of nitrogen compound types and nitrogen base types in the hydrotreated products are compared with those in the Paraho retorted shale oil feedstock used in the hydroprocessing. The nitrogen compound types that were readily hydrodenitrogenated during commercial-scale refining are similar to nitrogen compound types removed during one-pass, bench-scale hydroprocessing.
Wound care of spider and snake envenomations

Venomous bites and stings are numerous but severe local tissue damage is uncommon. Venoms may be simple substances or complex mixtures of many poorly characterized components whose interactions are still not fully understood. The best studied example of a dermonecrotic venom is that produced by the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa). Rattlesnake envenomation also causes significant wound injuries. Many spider and snake envenomation management modalities are controversial and the evidence is mounting against the use of a number of these treatments.
Immunologic studies in patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis treated by combined penicillin heparin method.

Abstract A case of induced sensitivity to the drug heparin is reported. Reagins were demonstrated to heparin, beef serum, and to beef lung which is the source of heparin.
Engineering the use of green plants to reduce produced water disposal volume.

In 1990, the Laboratory began an investigation into biological approaches for the reduction of water produced from oil and gas wells. In the spring of 1995, the Company began an on-site experiment at an oil/gas lease in Oklahoma using one of these approaches. The process, known as phytoremediation, utilizes the ability of certain salt tolerant plants to draw the produced water through their roots, transpire the water from their leaves, and thereby reduce overall water disposal volumes and costs. At the Company experimental site, produced water flows through a trough where green plants (primarily cordgrass) have been planted in pea gravel. The produced water is drawn into the plant through its roots, evapotranspirates and deposits a salt residue on the plant leaves. The plant leaves are then harvested and used by a local rancher as cattle feed. The produced water is tested to assure it contains nothing harmful to cattle. In 1996, the Company set up another trough to compare evaporation rates using plants versus using an open container without plants. Data taken during all four seasons (water flow rate, temperature, pH, and conductivity) have shown that using plants to evapotranspirate produced water is safe, more cost effective than traditionalmore » methods and is environmentally sound.« less
A note on correlated equilibrium

The set of correlated equilibria for a bimatrix game is a closed, bounded, convex set containing the set of Nash equilibria. We show that every extreme point of a maximal Nash set is an extreme point of the above convex set. We also give an example to show that this result is not true in the payoff space, i.e. there are games where no Nash equilibrium payoff is an extreme point of the set of correlated equilibrium payoffs.
Aqueous solution speciation of Fe(III) complexes with dihydroxamate siderophores alcaligin and rhodotorulic acid and synthetic analogues using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Aqueous solutions of Fe3+ complexes of cyclic (alcaligin) and linear (rhodotorulic acid) dihydroxamate siderophores and synthetic linear eight-carbon-chain and two-carbon-chain dihydroxamic acids ([CH3N(OH)CO)]2(CH2)n; H2Ln; n = 2 and 8) were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Information was obtained relevant to the structure and the speciation of various Fe(III)−dihydroxamate complexes present in aqueous solution by (1) comparing different ionization techniques (ESI and FAB), (2) altering the experimental parameters (Fe3+/ligand ratio, pH, cone voltage), (3) using high-stability hexacoordinated Fe(III) siderophore complex mixtures (ferrioxamine B/ferrioxamine E) as a calibrant to quantify intrinsically neutral (H+ clustered or protonated) and intrinsically charged complexes, and (4) using mixed-metal complexes containing Fe3+, Ga3+, and Al3+. These results illustrate that for all dihydroxamic acid ligands investigated multiple tris- and bis-chelated mono- and di-Fe(III) ...
The acute effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine on dopamine release in the awake-behaving rat

Abstract The effects of the recently classified Schedule I amphetamine analog, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ((±)-MDMA) on caudate and nucleus accumbens dopamine release and metabolism were studied by in vivo voltammetry and HPLC with electrochemical detection. Monitored over a 3 h period, the magnitude of increase in dopamine release and the onset of effect were dose-dependent and similar for both brain areas following the 2.5 and 5 mg/kg dose of the drug. However, responses were different for these brain regions using 10 mg/kg of MDMA; the magnitude of increase was greater and the onset of effect more immediate in caudate. Analysis of dopamine and DOPAC tissue content in both caudate and nucleus accumbens verified the voltammetry results. This study provides the first evidence that MDMA induces dopamine release in vivo and that this effect is region, time- and dose-dependent.
A cross-battery, reference variable, confirmatory factor analytic investigation of the CHC taxonomy

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) taxonomy has been used to classify and describe human cognitive abilities. The ability factors derived from the CHC taxonomy are often assumed to be invariant across multiple populations and intelligence batteries, which is an important assumption for research and assessment. In this study, data from five different test batteries that were collected during separate Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (KABC-II; Kaufman & Kaufman, 2004) concurrent validity studies were factor-analyzed jointly. Because the KABC-II was administered to everyone in the validity studies, it was used as a reference battery to link the separate test batteries in a "cross-battery" confirmatory factor analysis. Some findings from this analysis were that CHC-based test classifications based on theory and prior research were straightforward and accurate, a first-order Fluid/Novel Reasoning (Gf) factor was equivalent to a second-order g factor, and sample heterogeneity related to SES and sex influenced factor loadings. It was also shown that a reference variable approach, used in studies that incorporate planned missingness into data collection, may be used successfully to analyze data from several test batteries and studies. One implication from these findings is that CHC theory should continue to serve as a useful guide that can be used for intelligence research, assessment, and test development.
Effect of Circulatory Congestion on the Components of Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity in Morbid Obesity

Objective: Obese patients without clinically apparent heart disease may have a high output state and elevated total and central blood volumes. Central circulatory congestion should result in elevated pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and capillary blood volume (Vc) reflecting pulmonary capillary recruitment; however, the effect on membrane diffusion (Dm) is uncertain. We examined DLCO and its partition into Vc and Dm in 13 severely obese subjects (BMI = 51 ± 14 kg/m2) without manifest cardiopulmonary disease before and after surgically induced weight loss. Research Methods and Procedures: DLCO and its partition into Vc and Dm [referenced to alveolar volume (VA)] as described by Roughton and Forster, total body water by tritiated water, and fat distribution by waist-to-hip ratio were performed. Results: Despite normal DLCO (mean 98 ± 16% predicted), Vc/VA was increased (mean 118 ± 30% predicted), and Dm/VA was reduced (mean 77 ± 34% predicted). Nine of 13 subjects were restudied after weight loss (mean 52 ± 43 kg); Vc/VA decreased to 89 ± 18% predicted (p = 0.01), and Dm/VA increased to 139 ± 30% predicted (p < 0.01). Increasing total body water was associated with both increasing Vc (r = 0.74, p = 0.01) and increasing waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.65, p = 0.02), indicating that circulatory congestion increases with increasing central obesity. Discussion: Severely obese subjects without manifest cardiopulmonary disease may have increased Vc indicating central circulatory congestion and reduced Dm suggesting associated alveolar capillary leak, despite normal DLCO. Reversibility with weight loss is in accord with reversibility of the hemodynamic abnormalities of obesity.
Safety issues in the use of methylphenidate. An American perspective.

Methylphenidate is the most widely used psychotropic medication in children in the US. It is both well tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and is associated with few serious adverse effects. However, the abuse of methylphenidate for the purpose of experiencing a ‘high’ is hazardous. The use of methylphenidate in combination with other medications increases the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions. Good communication between the physician, patient and family, together with monitoring, increases the likelihood that methylphenidate therapy will be effective and have no adverse consequences.
Utilization of Robust Video Processing Techniques to Aid Efficient Object Detection and Tracking

Abstract In this research, data acquired by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are primarily used to detect and track moving objects which pose a major security threat along the United States southern border. Factors such as camera motion, poor illumination and noise make the detection and tracking of moving objects in surveillance videos a formidable task. The main objective of this research is to provide a less ambiguous image data for object detection and tracking by means of noise reduction, image enhancement, video stabilization, and illumination restoration. The improved data is later utilized to detect and track moving objects in surveillance videos. An optimization based image enhancement scheme was successfully implemented to increase edge information to facilitate object detection. Noise present in the raw video captured by the UAV was efficiently removed using search and match methodology. Undesired motion induced in the video frames was eliminated using block matching technique. Moving objects were detected and tracked by using contour information resulting from the implementation of adaptive background subtraction based detection process. Our simulation results shows the efficiency of these algorithms in processing noisy, un-stabilized raw video sequences which were utilized to detect and track moving objects in the video sequences.
Computer Use and Satisfaction by Great Plains Producers

Agronomists rely increasingly on computers, and more than half of all producers have access to computers. Increasing farm computer ownership has resulted in intensified efforts to transfer new software technologies to producers; however, little is known about how satisfied producers are with computers and the extent to which computers are actually used. We extended our 1996 survey of Great Plains producers to examine producer computer use and satisfaction and discuss potential implications for agricultural software developers. Building on our earlier computer adoption research, we developed ordered logit models for user satisfaction, frequency of computer use, and number of software applications used. Despite using more robust ordered logit models that fit the data well, surprisingly few explanatory variables were significant. Greater computer skill significantly increased user satisfaction and number of software applications used. Greater education also increased user satisfaction and number of software applications used but reduced frequency of computer use. Farming experience showed similar conflicting results as education, i.e., greater number of years farming resulted in significantly increased computer satisfaction but lower frequency of use and number of software applications used. A few other explanatory variables (e.g., farm owner or operator as the primary computer user had a significant positive influence on frequency of use) were important in one of the three ordered logit models, but no consistent relationship between models was found. Generally, greater frequency of use and computer skill increased perceived usefulness of computers by producers. Implications of these results for agricultural software developers are discussed in the paper.
Clinical outcome of immediately loaded maxillary implants: a 2-year retrospective study.

Dental implants have caused a paradigm shift in the treatment of partially and fully edentulous patients. Traditionally, after a tooth was extracted, there was a healing period allowing for soft and hard tissue healing. This was followed by implant placement and a period of load-free osseointegration, ranging from 3 to 6 months, before second-stage surgery and prosthesis placement. 1 This treatment modality, though having highly successful outcomes, leads to long treatment times, multiple surgeries, and uncomfortable removable partial dentures during transition. 2-7 With increasing demands by patients to overcome the esthetic and functional problems related to 2-stage procedures, the concept of immediately loaded implants began to be studied. 8-10 Immediate loading is defined as placing the implants into functional occlusion within a period of 48 to 72 hours after insertion. 2,11,12 The mandible, with better bone in relation
Biomechanics of integrative cartilage repair

Summary Cartilage repair is required in a number of orthopaedic conditions and rheumatic diseases. From a macroscopic viewpoint, the complete repair of an articular cartilage defect requires integration of opposing cartilage surfaces or the integration of repair tissue with the surrounding host cartilage. However, integrative cartilage repair does not occur readily or predictably in vivo. Consideration of the ‘integrative cartilage repair process’, at least in the relatively early stages, as the formation of a adhesive suggests several biomechanical approaches for characterizing the properties of the repair tissue. Both strength of materials and fracture mechanics approaches for characterizing adhesives have recently been applied to the study of integrative cartilage repair. Experimental configurations, such as the single-lap adhesive test, have been adapted to determine the strength of the biological repair that occurs between sections of bovine cartilage during explant culture, as well as the strength of adhesive materials that are applied to opposing cartilage surfaces. A variety of fracture mechanics test procedures, such as the (modified) single edge notch, ‘T’ peel, dynamic shear, and trouser tear tests, have been used to assess Mode I, II, and III fracture toughness values of normal articular cartilage and, in some cases, cartilaginous tissue undergoing integrative repair. The relationships between adhesive biomechanical properties and underlying cellular and molecular processes during integrative cartilage repair remain to be elucidated. The determination of such relationships may allow the design of tissue engineering procedures to stimulate integrative cartilage repair.
Uniform edge- c -colorings of the Archimedean tilings

Abstract In the book Tilings and Patterns by B. Grunbaum and G.S. Shephard (p. 108, or Exercise 2.9.2(d)), the problem of classifying the uniform edge- c -colorings of Archimedean tilings of the Euclidean plane is posed. This article provides such a classification.
Requirement for the Carboxyl-terminal Domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Carbamoyl-phosphate Synthetase

The arginine-specific carbamoyl phosphate synthetase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a heterodimeric enzyme, with a 45-kDa CPA1 subunit binding and cleaving glutamine, and a 124-kDa CPA2 subunit accepting the ammonia moiety cleaved from glutamine, binding all of the remaining substrates and carrying out all of the other catalytic events. CPA2 is composed of two apparently duplicated amino acid sequences involved in binding the two ATP molecules needed for carbamoyl phosphate synthesis and a carboxyl-terminal domain which appears to be less tightly folded than the remainder of the protein. Using deletion mutagenesis, we have established that essentially all of the carboxyl-terminal domain of CPA2 is required for catalytic function and that even small truncations lead to significant changes in the CPA2 conformation. In addition, we have demonstrated that the C-terminal region of CPA2 can be expressed as an autonomously folded unit which is stabilized by specific interactions with the remainder of CPA2. We also made the unexpected finding that, even when ammonia is used as the substrate and there is no catalytic role for CPA1, interaction with CPA1 led to an increase in the Vmax of CPA2 in crude extracts.
Concatenated parity and turbo codes

Turbo codes have an error floor that is caused by low-weight error events. Here, it is shown that a concatenated code with a simple rectangular parity-check outer code and a turbo inner code can significantly reduce the error floor. It is also shown that in several situations, the concatenated parity-check and turbo code performs significantly better than a turbo code alone.
Advanced Monte Carlo modeling of prompt fission neutrons for thermal and fast neutron-induced fission reactions on Pu 239

Prompt fission neutrons following the thermal and 0.5 MeV neutron-induced fission reaction of $^{239}\mathrm{Pu}$ are calculated using a Monte Carlo approach to the evaporation of the excited fission fragments. Exclusive data such as the multiplicity distribution $P(\ensuremath{\nu})$, the average multiplicity as a function of fragment mass $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}(A)$, and many others are inferred in addition to the most used average prompt fission neutron spectrum $\ensuremath{\chi}({E}_{\text{in}},{E}_{\text{out}})$, as well as average neutron multiplicity $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}$. Experimental information on these more exclusive data help constrain the Monte Carlo model parameters. The calculated average total neutron multiplicity is ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}}_{c}=2.871$ in very close agreement with the evaluated value ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}}_{e}=2.8725$ present in the ENDF/B-VII.0 library. The neutron multiplicity distribution $P(\ensuremath{\nu})$ is in very good agreement with the evaluation by Holden and Zucker. The calculated average spectrum differs in shape from the ENDF/B-VII.0 spectrum, evaluated with the Madland-Nix model. In particular, we predict more neutrons in the low-energy tail of the spectrum (below about 300 keV) than the Madland-Nix calculations, casting some doubts on how much scission neutrons contribute to the shape of the low-energy tail of the spectrum. The spectrum high-energy tail is very sensitive to the total kinetic energy distribution of the fragments as well as to the total excitation energy sharing at scission. Present experimental uncertainties on measured spectra above 6 MeV are too large to distinguish between various theoretical hypotheses. Finally, comparisons of the Monte Carlo results with experimental data on $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}(A)$ indicate that more neutrons are emitted from the light fragments than the heavy ones, in agreement with previous works.
Feedback Threshold Control Extends Pulse Rate Measurements into the Pileup Region

By using feedback control of the discrimination threshold we have added 4-6 decades to the useful range of otherwise conventional pulse counting systems. The additional range is obtained at the high end by retarding saturation of the output count rate with higher threshold levels. We have implemented the method with low-power microcircuits that provide a 9-decade range (10-5 to 104 R/h) without the need for range or mode switching.
Estimating arrival rate of nonhomogeneous Poisson processes with semidefinite programming

We present a summary of methods based on semidefinite programming for estimating arrival rate of nonhomogeneous Poisson processes from a finite set of observed data. Both one-dimensional time dependent, and multi-dimensional time and location dependent rates are considered. The arrival rate is a nonnegative function of time (or time and location). We also assume that it is a smooth function with continuous derivatives of up to certain order k. We estimate the rate function by one or multi-dimensional splines, with the additional condition that the underlying rate function is nonnegative. This approach results in an optimization problem over nonnegative polynomials, which can be modeled and solved using semidefinite programming. We also describe a method which requires only linear constraints. Numerical results based on e-mail arrival and highway accidents are presented.
The personality variable openness to experience as it relates to homophobia

The present study investigated personality and demographic variables of homophobic and non-homophobic individuals. Variables explored included the personality characteristics Neuroticism, Extroversion, and Openness to Experience. The following demographic variables were also explored: gender role beliefs, gender, and personal contact. Participants included 123 students from a large Western university, enrolled in introductory courses in psychology or sociology. Participants completed a questionnaire packet containing a demographic inquiry and three psychological measures-the NEO Personality Inventory, the Assessment of Attitudes Towards Lesbians and Gay Men, and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Results revealed the variable contact as the most critical predictor of homophobia, followed by gender, and the personality variable Openness to Experience. Furthermore, those who had not had previous contact with a homosexual individual and men were significantly more homophobic. No significant differences were found among gender roles in relation to self-reported indices of homophobia. The results provide attitudinal and behavioral differences that differentiate individuals who are intolerant of homosexuality from those that are more accepting of alternative lifestyles.
When you can't talk to customers: using storyboards and narratives to elicit empathy for users

Although an essential part of customer-centered design is the customers themselves, in some circumstances, talking with them is not always an option. What can designers do in such situations to better understand peoples' physical, cognitive, and emotional needs? In this paper, we discuss our attempts to elicit customers' needs and emotions without talking with them. We discuss how we: 1) used customer surrogates (in the form of direct-experience storyboarding, personas and narratives) to understand customers' frustrating and pleasurable experiences with a national, public library; 2) communicated the customer experience to stakeholders and helped them empathize with customers; and 3) relied on the personas and narratives to develop design recommendations.
Design of ligands for the extraction of PtCl62- into liquid CO2

The current solvent extraction method for refining platinum group metals (PGMs) creates contact between aqueous and organic phases and thus leads to cross-contamination. We have therefore endeavored to employ liquid carbon dioxide as the organic phase in such extractions to eliminate the waste stream deriving from organic contamination of the aqueous phase. Whereas traditional metal-binding ligands dissolve in CO2 at moderate pressures, the resulting complexes [(LH+)2MClx2-] exhibit negligible solubility in CO2 at pressures up to 400 atm. Consequently, we have designed and synthesized a series of highly CO2-soluble analogues to the metal-binding ligands currently used by the PGM-refining industry. We have measured equilibrium efficiency factors for various ligands and ligands bound to platinum. We have found that the structure of the CO2-philic component of the ligand affects the binding constant and hence that fluoroalkyls are better extractants of platinum than fluoroethers. Finally, we have noted that ...
Agriculture, Diffusion and Development: Ripple Effects of the Neolithic Revolution

Are the effects of the Neolithic revolution still impacting on incomes across the world today? I find strong support for this proposition using new, country-specific estimates of the timing of the agricultural transition and provide evidence that the differences are due to how technological diffusion is accounted for. A correction for world migrations since 1500 significantly improves the fit. Transition year also helps to explain income in 1500 itself, and an alternative measure of pre-modern development, state history, has similar ability to predict income in 1500 and 1997.
Electoral choice in 1972: A test of some theorems of the spatial model of electoral competition*

Data about the 1972 U.S. Presidential election are used to test theorems from the spatial model of electoral competition, a theory of social choice expressed through the voting mechanism. Four statistical models are derived from the theorems and tested against the data. All four models are supported in the data, predict voting behavior well, and generally appear to satisfy the requisite conditions. The best fitting model is then examined in more detail. This model continues to meet the theoretical conditions under more exacting inquiry. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of this analysis for social choice and the spatial models and for understanding electoral behavior.
The epidermal nevus syndrome: case report and review.

: A 33-year-old woman had multiple basal cell epitheliomas complicating a large, unilateral nevus sebaceus. Other unilateral epidermal nevi and a contralateral pigmentary nevoid disorder were noted on cutaneous examination. There were signs of skeletal, neurologic, and vascular involvement. This patient illustrates the unpredictable features of the epidermal nevus syndrome and the importance of close follow-up to manage attendant complications.