cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ranolazine for the Treatment of Chronic Angina and Potential Use in Other Cardiovascular Conditions

Chronic angina, a condition that impairs quality of life and is associated with decreased life expectancy, affects &6.4 million Americans.1 Current therapies that reduce angina frequency and nitrate consumption and increase the threshold at which demand-induced myocardial ischemic symptoms become evident include drugs (nitrates, β-blockers, calcium antagonists), exercise conditioning, enhanced external counterpulsation, and coronary revascularization.1–3 Several new investigational drugs are being tested for the treatment of chronic angina.4–9 This review will focus on sustained-release ranolazine, a drug that reduces angina symptoms, with a mechanism of action different from that of currently available pharmacological therapies.8–29 Ranolazine was approved on January 27, 2006, in the United States for use in patients with chronic angina who continue to be symptomatic on β-blockers, calcium antagonists, or nitrates. Ranolazine ([(+) N -(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4(2-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-propyl)-1-piperazine acetamide dihydrochloride]) is an active piperazine derivative that was patented in 1986 and is available in an oral and intravenous form (Figure 1). The immediate-release ranolazine (not in current use) had an average terminal elimination half-life ranging from 1.4 to 1.9 hours and a 10-fold peak/trough difference with dosing of 240 to 400 mg 3 times per day.19 Early studies with immediate-release ranolazine provided evidence of antiischemic/antianginal properties in patients with chronic angina without clinically significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure and are reviewed elsewhere.20–24 Unless otherwise stated, the remainder of this review refers to sustained-release ranolazine. Figure 1. Chemical structure and metabolism of ranolazine. Reprinted with permission from J Clin Pharmacol . 2005;45:422–433.17 Ranolazine (Ranexa; CV Therapeutics Inc, Palo Alto, Calif) is manufactured in a sustained-release form that has a prolonged absorption phase with maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) typically seen 4 to 6 hours after administration. The average terminal elimination half-life is &7 hours after multiple dosing to steady state, and the …
A stein manifold topologically but not holomorphically equivalent to a domain in Cn

One of the most profound results in classical function theory is the general uniformization theorem of Koebe: A Riemann surface which is topologically equivalent to a domain in the complex plane C is holomorphically equivalent to a domain in C. Of course, all such Riemann surfaces are noncompact. Since the higher-dimensional analogue of a noncompact Riemann surface is a Stein manifold, the question naturally arises as to whether a result parallel to Koebe's is valid for Stein manifolds, i.e., if M is an n-dimensional Stein manifold topologically or differentiably equivalent to a domain in C ", is M holomorphically equivalent to a domain in C"? This question is raised explicitly by Bets [ 1 ], but it had certainly arisen before that paper appeared. In this paper we construct an example to show that the answer to this question is negative. Let us denote by Z "7 the complex seven sphere, i.e., the closed 7-dimensional submanifold of C 8 given by
Unique toxic lesions induced by chemical carcinogens in rodents: Indications of a short-term bioassay for carcinogenesis testing of environmental chemicals

Many chemical carcinogens induce toxic nonneoplastic lesions relatively quickly (hours to weeks) in rodent tissues frequently the site of subsequent neoplasms, many months later. Although many of these toxic lesions are nonspecific, several unique lesions are induced almost entirely be carcinogens. Most commonly they are seen in rodent liver, kidney, thyroid and urinary bladder. If these lesions are induced in vivo by a chemical under safety testing, they may be predictive for future cancer development.
Al-to-oxide and Ti-to-organic linkages in biogenic sediment: relationships to paleo-export production and bulk Al/Ti

Abstract To increase our understanding of the mechanisms that control the distribution of Al and Ti within marine sediment, we performed sequential extractions targeting the chemical signatures of the loosely bound, exchangeable, carbonate, oxide, organic, opal, and residual fraction of sediment from a carbonate-dominated regime (equatorial Pacific) and from a mixed opal–terrigenous regime (West Antarctic Peninsula). We observe a systematic partitioning of Al and Ti between sediment phases that is related to bulk Al/Ti. We show that, where we can quantify an Alexcess component, the dissolved Al is preferentially affiliated with the oxide fraction, resulting in Al/Ti molar ratios of 500–3000. This is interpreted as the result of surface complexation in the water column of dissolved Al onto oxyhydroxides. We also observe a previously undetected Tiexcess with as much as 80% of the total Ti in the organic fraction, which is most likely a function of metal-organic colloidal removal from the water column. In samples where the excess metals are obscured by the detrital load, the Al and Ti are almost exclusively found in the residual phase. This argues for the paired removal of Al (preferentially by the oxide component) and Ti (preferentially by the organic component) from the water column by settling particulate matter. This research builds upon earlier work that shows changes in the bulk ratio of Al to Ti in carbonate sediment from the central-equatorial Pacific that coincide with changes in the sedimentary bulk accumulation rate (BAR). The ratios that are observed are as much as three times higher than typical shale values, and were interpreted as the result of scavenging of dissolved Al onto particles settling in the water column. Because this non-terrigenous Alexcess accounts for up to 50% of the total sedimentary Al inventory and correlates best with BAR, the bulk Al/Ti may be a sensitive tracer of particle flux and, therefore, export production. Because we show that the excess metals are the result of scavenging processes, the bulk Al/Ti may be considered a sensitive proxy for this region.
Minimizing integrals of absolute deviations in linear control systems

A criterion function involving time integral of absolute deviations is considered. There are three critical regions in the time behavior of the desired function, r(t), and optimal policies are derived and discussed depending on the behavior of r(t) with respect to these three regions. An algorithm of shifting the origin to appropriate points in the time axis and restarting the process is provided, by which optimal control policies can be constructed successively in the forward direction of time.
Establishing College-Based Recovery Communities: Opportunities and Challenges Encountered

Persons aged 18–25 have among the highest rates of alcohol and illicit drug abuse and dependence in the nation (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008), creating significant challenges to American colleges and universities. In response, these institutions have poured and will continue to pour millions of dollars into student health and service programs aimed at combating what has been labeled by some as an substance abuse epidemic (Wechsler & Weuthrich, 2002).
Myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fiber disease (MERRF) is associated with a mitochondrial DNA tRNALys mutation

Abstract An A to G transition mutation at nucleotide pair 8344 in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been identified as the cause of MERRF. The mutation alters the TψC loop of the tRNA Lys gene and creates a CviJI restriction site, providing a simple molecular diagnostic test for the disease. This mutation was present in three independent MERRF pedigrees and absent in 75 controls, altered a conserved nucleotide, and was heteroplasmic. All MERRF patients and their less-affected maternal relatives had between 2% and 27% wild-type mtDNAs and showed an age-related association between genotype and phenotype. This suggests that a small percentage of normal mtDNAs has a large protective effect on phenotype. This mutation provides molecular confirmation that some forms of epilepsy are the result of deficiencies in mitochondrial energy production.
CD40 Ligand Is Not Essential for Induction of Type 1 Cytokine Responses or Protective Immunity after Primary or Secondary Infection With Histoplasma capsulatum

The induction of type 1 immune responses (interleukin [IL]-12, interferon [IFN]-γ) has been shown to be important in mediating protection against many intracellular infections including Histoplasma capsulatum. Costimulatory molecules such as CD40 ligand (CD40L) have been shown to be a central regulator of type 1 responses in vivo. To study the role of CD40L in mediating protection against infection with H. capsulatum, CD40L-deficient (CD40L−/−) and CD40L+/+ mice were infected with H. capsulatum and assessed for various parameters. After a lethal challenge of H. capsulatum, CD40L−/− mice were not substantially different from CD40L+/+ mice in terms of mortality, fungal burden, or production of IFN-γ, IL-12, nitric oxide, or tumor necrosis factor α. Moreover, CD40L−/− mice treated with anti–IFN-γ or anti–IL-12 at the time of infection had accelerated mortality, providing further evidence that IL-12 and IFN-γ are produced in vivo in the absence of CD40L. In addition, CD40L−/− mice infected with a sublethal dose of H. capsulatum survived infection, whereas all mice infected with the same dose and treated with anti–IFN-γ had accelerated mortality, demonstrating that IFN-γ but not CD40L was essential for primary immunity to H. capsulatum infection. Interestingly, depletion of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells resulted in accelerated mortality in CD40L−/− mice, suggesting a critical role for these cells in response to infection. Finally, CD40L−/− mice initially infected with a sublethal dose of H. capsulatum were protected from secondary infection with a lethal dose of H. capsulatum, demonstrating that CD40L is not required for the maintenance of memory immunity.
Toward a Transactional Model of Parent-Adolescent Relationship Quality and Adolescent Psychological Adjustment

The present study includes externalizing problems, internalizing problems, mother-adolescent relationship quality, and father-adolescent relationship quality in the same structural equation model and tests the longitudinal reciprocal association among all four variables over a 1-year period. A transactional model in which adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems are negatively related to the quality of adolescents' relationships with their parents and relationship quality is related to internalizing and externalizing problems is hypothesized. Moderation by gender, ethnicity, and parental marital status is also investigated. The sample consists of 246 boys and 253 girls from the sixth and seventh grades of a large public middle school. The study's final model suggests a longitudinal, reciprocal association between the quality of adolescents' relationships with their mothers and internalizing problems. Results suggest longitudinal unidirectional effects from externalizing problems to the qualit...
The future of professional hypnosis: comment on Kirsch, Mazzoni, and Montgomery.

I believe the paper by Kirsch, Mazzoni, and Montgomery (this issue) should surprise about 95% of ASCH members (maybe only 93% of SCEH members) because the three facts espoused in their paper speciously seem to be 100% true. To paraphrase from their abstract: 1) nothing that can be produced by hypnotic induction plus suggestion cannot also be produced by suggestion alone; 2) administration of a hypnotic induction does not produce a meaningful increase in response to suggestion relative to suggestion alone; and 3) responsivity to suggestions are highly correlated to responsivity on the same measure when preceded by a hypnotic induction ceremony. In order to persuade that these propositions are true, several objections to them must be addressed. However, just because one’s facts are true does not mean that one’s interpretation of the facts and their interrelationships are also true. The ramifications of the above facts and their interrelationships for the future of professional hypnosis (experimental, clinic...
Towards an “early neural circuit simulator”: A FPGA implementation of processing in the rat whisker system

We have constructed a FPGA-based ldquoearly neural circuit simulatorrdquo to model the first two stages of stimulus encoding and processing in the rat whisker system. Rats use tactile input from their whiskers to extract object features such as size and shape. We use the simulator to examine the plausibility of the hypothesis that neural circuits in the ratpsilas brain compute gradients of radial distance across the whisker array to make predictions about the environment. This prediction could be a component of a feed-forward signal that guides the navigation behavior of the rat. The use of a FPGA is highly suitable for such an application, because the computation involved in this system is a massively parallel problem. For our applications, we determined that a Cyclone II FPGA could simulate up to 14 neurons in parallel in just 265 ns achieving a 386-fold speedup over the software implementation of the same model.
Novel epitaxial growth of barium titanate thin films by electrodeposition

Electrodeposition was used to grow epitaxially BaTiO3 thin films on SrTiO3 single-crystal substrates with La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) conducting buffer layers. The epitaxial films appeared to consist of very small (o10 nm) particles. The film completely covered the substrate when the reaction was performed at temperatures between 60 and 90 °C with LSMO potentials of –0.5 to –1.0 V against a Pt counter-electrode. It appeared that an electrophoretic force, acting on BaTiO3 nuclei within the solution, facilitated the deposition of the film.
Spices and Flavoring Crops: Tubers and Roots

Spices come from various plant parts, both above and below ground. Below the ground, rhizomes, tubers, roots, and underground stems contribute to the color and flavor of foods. This chapter addresses these underground plant parts, and divides them into major and minor crops based upon global usage.
Graphs of brain networks.

Background This commentary discusses the study by Telesford and colleagues in which they use network science to analyze resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) data collected in nonhuman primates. Methods Their findings using a network science approach in nonhuman primates are considered in the context of results from human studies. Results The network science approach to analyzing rsfMRI data from nonhuman primates yields results that are, for the most part, similar to results using alternative analyses methods in human studies. Conclusions Network science to analyze rsfMRI may promote a better understanding of the brain as a complex system.
High-Order Semi-Discrete Central-Upwind Schemes for Multi-Dimensional Hamilton-Jacobi Equations

We present the first fifth-order, semi-discrete central-upwind method for approximating solutions of multi-dimensional Hamilton-Jacobi equations. Unlike most of the commonly used high-order upwind schemes, our scheme is formulated as a Godunov-type scheme. The scheme is based on the fluxes of Kurganov-Tadmor and Kurganov-Noelle-Petrova, and is derived for an arbitrary number of space dimensions. A theorem establishing the monotonicity of these fluxes is provided. The spatial discretization is based on a weighted essentially non-oscillatory reconstruction of the derivative. The accuracy and stability properties of our scheme are demonstrated in a variety of examples. A comparison between our method and other fifth-order schemes for Hamilton-Jacobi equations shows that our method exhibits smaller errors without any increase in the complexity of the computations.
Girls’ Low Self-Esteem How Is It Related to Later Socioeconomic Achievements?

Concerns about girls’ low self-esteem have generated many social programs to enhance their psychological well-being. Yet few studies determine whether the influence of self-esteem is the same for women and men. Using the High School and Beyond, 1980 Sophomore Cohort Study, the author examines the relation between gender, adolescent self-esteem, and three outcomes: Educational status, occupational status, and income attainment. She finds a positive association between gender, self-esteem, and the socio-economic outcomes initially. Taking into account social context and individual-level factors, self-esteem in adolescence is not related to women’s socioeconomic achievements, but it continues to have a positive estimated effect on men’s occupational status and income attainment. However, the influence of self-esteem on men’s achievements is small in practical terms. The author suggests that adolescent girls and boys would be better served by social programs that explain how social structural arrangements con...
Combining information from multiple surveys for assessing health disparities

Despite advances in public health practice and medical technology, the disparities in health among the various racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups remain a concern which has prompted the Department of Human and Health Services to designate the elimination of disparities in health as an overarching goal of Healthy People 2010. To assess the progress towards this goal, suitable measures are needed at the population level that can be tracked over time; Statistical inferential procedures have to be developed for these population level measures; and the data sources have to be identified to allow for such inferences to be conducted. Popular data sources for health disparities research are large surveys such the National Health and Interview Survey (NHIS) or the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The self-report disease status collected in these surveys may be inaccurate and the errors may be correlated with variables used in defining the groups. This article uses the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 99-00 to assess the extent of error in the self-report disease status; uses a Bayesian framework develop corrections for the self-report disease status in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 99-00; and compares inferences about various measures of health disparities, with and without correcting for measurement error. The methodology is illustrated using the disease outcome hypertension, a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Risk, Recidivism, and (Re)habilitation Another Look at Project Greenlight

Project Greenlight (GL) was an innovative and intensive prison-based intervention delivered to inmates during the 8-week period immediately prior to their release from prison. Using a relatively ri...
Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Despite the original report of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 1935 by Stein and Leventhal that defined a specific disorder with characteristic features, total acceptance of the condition was not uniform. 25 Questions remained regarding the existence of this disorder in light of inconsistent findings among patients. 23 Today, it is well accepted that PCOS does indeed exist. Although a consensus toward a definition was established in 1992, 29 the discovery of new potential pathophysiologic mechanisms may underlie a broadening clinical expression and correspondingly modify diagnostic criteria.
Cost of depression: current assessment and future directions.

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 17 million Americans each year and resulting in a significant economic burden, estimated at $43–$53 billion in 1990. The cost burden of depression extends beyond the direct cost of treatment, to include the costs of lost productivity, both while at work and days absent from work, as well as lost earnings due to increased mortality and the impacts experienced by a patient’s caregivers. This range of costs is discussed, in the context of the prevalence and impacts of depression and detailing the cost components of depression. We highlight that existing estimates of the cost of depression are underestimates and we conclude with areas for future research.
Becoming a Supervisor: Doctoral Student Perceptions of the Training Experience.

Thirteen doctoral students, 7 Caucasians and 6 Hispanics, participated over 3 semesters of practicum/internship in a qualitative research project exploring the experience of becoming supervisors. A follow-up study with 5 different doctoral students confirmed and refined findings 1½ years later. The research team of 2 female faculty members and 1 male research assistant (the authors) identified 6 themes emerging from individual and group interviews with supervisors-in-training regarding the process of becoming a supervisor: (a) learning, (b) supervisee growth, (c) individual uniqueness, (d) reflection, (e) connections, and (f) putting it all together.
A Fourier-Based Method for the Distribution of Breaking Crests from Video Observations

Abstract A Fourier-based method is presented to process video observations of water waves and calculate the speed distribution of breaking crest lengths. The method has increased efficiency and robust statistics compared with conventional algorithms that assemble distributions from tracking individual crests in the time domain. The method is tested using field observations (video images of whitecaps) of fetch-limited breaking waves during case studies with low (6.7 m s−1), moderate (8.5 m s−1), and high (12.6 m s−1) wind speeds. The method gives distributions consistent with conventional algorithms, including breaking rates that are consistent with direct observations. Results are applied to obtain remote estimates of the energy dissipation associated with wave breaking.
Neural information processing using network-in-a-field

This paper presents a new model for neurocomputation which is a synaptic network functioning in a self-organizing diffusion neurotransmission field. The field models diffusion of neuroactive substances in extracellular space and the extraneuronal communication pathways supported by networks of glial cells such as astrocytes. This model promises to capture more organizational principles of the brain than current neural network models since the brain is essentially a synaptically coupled network of neurons functioning in a field of diffusive neuroactive substances.
Using Crystal Ball

This note offers a brief introduction to the key steps in the use of the Crystal Ball software system.
Marriage, Method, and the Supreme Court

Marriage is in the air at One First Street, N.E. Within the next few Terms, the Supreme Court seems likely to face head-on the question whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. Last Term, the Court faced a trilogy of cases skirting the edges of the question. In Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Court overturned a district court’s decision to allow closed circuit televising of the trial challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage. In Doe v. Reed, the Court rejected a challenge to Washington State’s Public Records Act by opponents of Washington’s domestic-partnership law who wanted to keep private their signatures on a referendum petition. And in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, the Court upheld a public law school’s refusal to fund a student group that restricted its membership to individuals who agreed that sexual intimacy was permissible – and that they would engage in it – only within a “marriage between a man and a woman.” Each time, the Court was sharply, indeed angrily, divided. None of these cases tells us directly how the Justices will resolve the marriage question bearing down upon them, although each offers some hints. But both before and after that question reaches the Court, it will shape, with a sort of gravitational pull, the development of constitutional law more broadly. Just as questions of racial justice provided a lens during the Warren and Burger Courts for viewing issues ranging from constitutional criminal procedure to the state action doctrine to the scope of libel law under the First Amendment, the Court’s confrontation with claims involving sexual orientation serves as a lens through which to view a variety of constitutional law issues – for example, television in the courtroom; standing doctrine; tthe distinction between facial and as-applied challenges; the scope of rationality review and of “exacting scrutiny”; the continuing vitality of antidiscrimination law and the relationship among status, conduct, and belief; and adherence to originalism as an interpretive method in the face of rapid social and technological change. Hollingsworth, Doe, and Christian Legal Society are not only cases about gay rights and how to reconcile the competing claims of supporters and opponents of marriage equality. They are also cases about technology. The rights to communicate about political issues, to associate with like-minded people, and to retain one’s privacy touch core constitutional values. The internet has transformed the nature of information, simultaneously enhancing and threatening these values and posing new problems for constitutional interpretation. Ironically, the interaction of rapid social and technological change meant that in all three cases the group invoking claims of constitutional protection was not gay people, but defenders of traditional sexual mores.
El cultivo de la palma aceitera en Costa Rica en el contexto del TLC con los Estados unidos de Norteamérica

El mercado mundial de aceites y grasas es complejo, ya que son productos sustituibles entre si. Costa Rica participa de este mercado por medio del aceite de palma, el cual ocupa un lugar importante en las exportaciones nacionales. Su cultivo se concentra en el Pacifico Central y en el Pacifico Sur, que son regiones economicamente deprimidas, por lo que la palma adquiere relevancia como una de las pocas actividades rentables en la zona. La produccion palmera se encuentra concentrada en un porcentaje importante en manos de una transnacional, en menor medida en un sector cooperativo y en algunos pocos productores independientes. El sector cooperativo cuenta con su propia procesadora y esta adquiriendo otra planta mas. En el contexto del TLC la produccion aceitera se ve amenazada, pues si el tratado se aprueba en su version actual, se vera obligado a competir con el aceite de soya norteamericano. A diferencia de otros cultivos cuya produccion se encuentra atomizada a lo largo del territorio, diluyendo asi los efectos en sectores mas amplios, la palma se concentra en una region. Se desarticularia tambien un sector cooperativo en despegue, que hasta el momento ha sido exitoso.
On the complete integrability of completely integrable systems

The question of complete integrability of evolution equations associated ton×n first order isospectral operators is investigated using the inverse scattering method. It is shown that forn>2, e.g. for the three-wave interaction, additional (nonlinear) pointwise flows are necessary for the assertion of complete integrability. Their existence is demonstrated by constructing action-angle variables. This construction depends on the analysis of a natural 2-form and symplectic foliation for the groupsGL(n) andSU(n).
Thermal Protection System (TPS) Optimization

The Air Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory conducts research in a broad range of technical disciplines to support emerging and next generation capabilities. One major focus area is Operationally Responsive Spacelift (ORS) and the technologies required to enable effective and affordable space access vehicles. As part of our planning and program decision-making, technology assessments and trades are often desired. These assessments provide quantifiable measures to support and guide the planning decisions. A recent in-house technology assessment was done to provide technical rationale that aids in the planning and resource allocation related to near-term and far-term ORS technologies. This paper will describe the Thermal Protection System (TPS) technology assessments that were made as part of this in-house effort. The desire was to make comparable assessments of numerous TPS concepts against a baseline shuttle-like acreage, windward tile. These concepts exist in various stages of maturity, each with its own set of distinct advantages and disadvantages. The results of this technology trade are documented in this paper.
Two New Tribes of Rhyparochrominae: A Re-evaluation of the Lethaeini (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

The rhyparochromine tribe Lethaeini of earlier workers is divided into 3 tribes: the Targaremini, new tribe, the Antillocorini, new tribe, and the Lethaeini Stal, using details of the bucculae, the abdominal spiracles and trichobothria, the parameres, and the nymphal Y-suture. The Targaremini, restricted to the Austral-Asian Region and Japan, seem most closely related to the Drymini and are not close to the other 2 tribes discussed. The Lethaeini and Antillocorini are more widely distributed and are more closely related to one another, the Lethaeini having many specialized characters and the Antillocorini more generalized characters.
6. Cummings’ What If a Much of a Which of a Wind

(1973). 6. Cummings’ What If a Much of a Which of a Wind. The Explicator: Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 12-16.
System innovation of interaction mechanisms of science and technology in urban and rural

"Industry nurturing agriculture and cities support rural areas" is directions and requirements to address urban-rural dual economic structure at this stage.The technology interaction of urban and rural is elementery to achieve rural economic and social development.The paper introduced the background of the technology services to the rural,and summed up the present urban and rural services,technology dissemination,lack of interaction mechanisms,the formal system lags behind,imperfect rural science and technology service system,and so on.Finaly,the paper presented recommendations of institutional innovation,technological innovation incentives,agricultural science and technology services organization model of innovation,the external environment of innovation and technology services,urban and rural science and technology management system,etc.
Fabrication of SnO2 Asymmetric Membranes for High Performance Lithium Battery Anode.

Alloy electrode material like tin dioxide (SnO2) possesses much higher specific capacity as compared to commercial graphite anode in lithium ion battery (783 vs 372 mAh g–1). However, the huge volume change (260%) of SnO2-based anode during the alloying and dealloying process can cause significant electrode pulverization and rapid capacity loss. Herein we report the synthesis of SnO2 asymmetric membranes via a unique combination of phase inversion and sol–gel chemistry to overcome this big challenge. The SnO2 asymmetric membrane electrode demonstrates a specific capacity of 500 mAh g–1 based on the overall electrode mass at a current density of 280 mA g–1 (∼0.5C) with >96% capacity retention after 400 cycles. When the current density is increased from 28 to 560 mA g–1, its overall capacity is only reduced by 36%. Such an outstanding rate and cycling performance is attributed to the existence of networking porous structure in the membrane that can provide high electrical conductivity, multiple diffusion ch...
Non-smooth dissipation functions and yield criteria

In previous applications of irreversible thermodynamics to plastic behavior the dissipation function has been tacitly assumed to be a smooth function of the internal-variable rates, leading to plasticity theories without yielding. It is shown that when the dissipation function is assumed to be homogeneous of degree one in the internal-variable ratesand positive definite (hence necessarily nonsmooth), yield surfaces are a mathematical necessity.
Empiric therapy for the febrile neutropenic patient. Design bias.

Empiric therapy is practical and must be begun promptly; the specific regimen chosen must be based upon local conditions and epidemiology. It must be recalled that subgroups of patients are not necessarily equivalent to the majority, i.e., there are low-risk patients for whom ambulatory and/or oral therapy is appropriate and, conversely, there are high-risk patients who have a potential for a high mortality and who, while perhaps few in number, are of critical importance. Further, many of these patients are very complex, and this leads to a high level of physician concern and insecurity. This physician concern, in turn, leads to a tendency to modify regimens, given that the physician all too often is dealing with inadequate diagnostic information owing to the patient situation. The physician's choice of modification is highly dependent upon knowledge of the regimen the patient is already receiving. There is a need for clear definition of endpoints, and these must be established before the study is initiated. All too many published studies are too small to evaluate the endpoint that has been defined, and many others, although sufficient in size, have all of the problems inherent in studies conducted at multiple sites by multiple individuals with differing degrees of commitment or enthusiasm toward the study at hand. A few implications for study design and evaluation seem evident: it is critical to define endpoints and execute the study accordingly. This means determining the size of the population needed and determining the presence or absence of risk groups. Patients to be excluded e.g., those in whom infection is doubted must be selected on the basis of objective data by an observer blinded to both the outcome and the treatment. Similarly, the classification of response should preferably be done by an observer not influenced by knowledge of the therapy being given. Finally, and similarly, the decision to modify therapy (especially if modification is equivalent to defining failure with the regimen) should not be influenced by knowledge of the therapy being administered.
Transfer and expression of the human multiple drug resistance gene in human CD34+ cells

The human multiple-drug resistance (MDR1) gene has been transferred into human hematopoietic progenitors using retroviral gene transfer. Human bone marrow cells and isolated CD34+ cells isolated from marrow were exposed to growth factors interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, and stem cell factor for 48 hours and then to two changes of MDR retroviral supernatants over the next 24 hours. Progenitor assays in methylcellulose at this time showed that 18% to 70% of BFU-E and 30% to 60% of CFU-GM contain the transferred MDR gene by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Up to 11.2% of the progeny of these cells express increased amounts of MDR glycoprotein on their surface by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. In addition, transduced cells are enriched in high MDR-expressing cells after exposure to taxol as assessed by FACS analysis, and by resistance of BFU-E to taxol (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ). These studies indicate the feasibility of using MDR gene transfer as a means of enriching marrow for MDR-transduced cells. They also provide the basis of a phase 1 clinical protocol in patients with advanced cancers not involving the bone marrow for the use of MDR gene transfer as a means of protecting marrow cells, which normally express low levels of MDR, from the myelosuppressive effects of drugs like taxol.
Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic's Syndrome): an Appraisal.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), previously known as Devic’s syndrome, are a group of inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by severe, immune-mediated demyelination and axonal damage, predominantly targeting optic nerves and the spinal cord typically associated with a disease-specific serum NMO-IgG antibody that selectively binds aquaporin-4 (AQP4). The classic and best-defined features of NMOSD include acute attacks of bilateral or rapidly sequential optic neuritis (leading to visual loss) or transverse myelitis (often causing limb weakness and bladder dysfunction) or both with a typically relapsing course. The diagnosis of NMO/NMOSD requires a consistent history and examination with typical clinical presentations, findings on spinal cord neuroimaging with MRI, cerebrospinal fluid analysis along with determination of AQP4-IgG serum autoantibody status, and exclusion of other disorders. Two major advances in this field has been the development of diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendations. Consensus diagnostic criteria have been established and were recently revised and published in 2015, enhancing the ability to make a diagnosis and appropriately evaluate these disorders. Expert recommendations and uncontrolled trials form the basis of treatment guidelines. All patients with suspected NMOSD should be treated for acute attacks as soon as possible with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone −1 gram daily for three to five consecutive days and in some cases, plasma exchange should be used. It is recommended that every patient with NMOSD be started on an immunosuppressive agent, such as, azathioprine, methotrexate, or mycophenolate and in some cases, rituximab, soon after the acute attack and usually be treated for about 5 years after the attack. These advances have helped improve the prognosis and outcome in these disorders.
552 Mindfulness stress reduction & self harm intervention for recovery coaches & substance using clients

Background Nearly half of all children in foster care in the state of Illinois are removed from parents with serious substance abuse problems (Ryan and Huang, 2012). Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), provides health and human services to underserved populations who need treatment for alcohol, drug, and mental health problems and advocates through use of Recovery Coaches for this population in courts, jails, prisons, and child welfare systems. Methods We have developed an eight week training program on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction practices, adapted for Recovery Coaches, who work with substance involved parents seeking to regain custody of their children. The training program will develop stress reduction techniques designed to reduce compassion fatigue, burnout, and also techniques designed to enhance interpersonal awareness among Recovery Coaches to enhance the working alliance and improve client outcomes. Results Presently, the Recovery Coach program have serviced over 4,000 substance abusing parents with trying to regain custody with over 5,000 children. The study includes surveys with 21 Recovery Coaches (11 cases and 10 controls); and 300 clients (10 clients per coach). Analyses have determined the change in baseline and three month post intervention measures of mindfulness, compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary trauma among Recovery Coaches trained in MBSR compared to Recovery Coaches who did not receive the intervention. Thirty-eight percent of the clients completed treatment during this reporting period, 26% are in treatment, 22% are currently not in treatment, and 14% failed treatment or were non-compliant. Conclusions This study contributes to the development of the Recovery Coach Model by examining intricacies of the client-worker engagement process that facilitates positive coach/client outcomes with the goal of preventing self harm activities and domestic violence among families dealing with substance use.
Lenition in Hessian: cluster reduction and ‘subtractive plurals’

Recent work by Golston & Wiese (1996), in the framework of Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky 1993, hereafter OT) has provided an new analysis of a set of unusual plural formations in Hessian German. Hessian, on the surface, appears to exhibit a case of what has been termed ‘subtractive’ plural marking; that is, a word-final segment is deleted in certain cases in the plural form of the noun (Hessian hond,hon ‘dog’, ‘dogs’). Other data from Hessian and related dialects, however, show widespread and regular assimilation of the same obstruent clusters in medial position. For example, /nd/ clusters are realized medially as [n:] or [n] in Hessian words like [finən] ‘to find’ or [unər] ‘under’. The behavior of medial and final /nd/, /ld/, /rg/, /ŋg/ clusters and postvocalic /g/ in various dialects provides evidence of intermediate stages of a development which can be more accurately captured in a synchronic analysis that sees lenition as central to the development of ‘subtractive plurals’. These data lead us to conclude that ‘subtractive plural’ formation is the result of an independent phonological process which operates without regard to morphological category.
Camera localization methods for intelligent room systems using RF techniques

One of the important components of a multi sensor “intelligent” room, which can observe, track and react to its occupants, is a multi camera system. This system involves the development of algorithms that enable a set of cameras to communicate and cooperate with each other effectively so that they can monitor the events happening in the room. To achieve this, the cameras typically must first build a map of their relative locations. In this paper, we discuss a novel RF based technique for estimating distances between cameras. The algorithm proposed for RF can estimate distances with relatively good accuracy even in the presence of random noise.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Periodontitis in United States Non‐Smokers, 2009 to 2012

Background: Epidemiologic studies using half-mouth designs for assessment of periodontal disease prevalence have reported that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of non-smokers is associated with a two- to three-fold increase in the odds of developing periodontitis. In response to the possibility of under-reporting of periodontitis, the Centers for Disease Control updated periodontal examination procedures in 2009 for the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), including full-mouth, six-site periodontal probing, and attachment loss assessment. Aims of this study are to estimate prevalence of periodontitis among United States non-smoking adults exposed to ETS, report the values of the improved methods for estimating disease prevalence, and evaluate the predictive contribution of ETS exposure to periodontitis.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using NHANES data from the 2009 to 2012 examination cycle. To address these aims, oral examination data were used to determin...
INVOLVEMENT OF GABA IN THE ACUTE AND CHRONIC EFFECTS OF MORPHINE:NOCICEPTIVE GABA RELEASE AND RECEPTOR BINDING STUDIES

Subcutaneous administration of muscimol elicited a dose-related increase in analgesic response and enhanced the analgesic response of morphine in non-tolerant mice. Similar treatments in tolerant animals produced a paradoxical response in that a higher dose of muscimol was less effective than the lower doses; low doses enhanced but a high dose inhibited the analgesic response of morphine. Na+-independent 3H-muscimol binding to synaptosomal preparations of whole and discrete regions of brain (striatum, medulla, diencephalon, cerebellum, cortex) obtained from non-tolerant, tolerant and withdrawal mice, revealed a marked regional variation in the density (Bmax) and the affinity (KD) of GABA receptors. The release of 3H-GABA from striatal slices of tolerant or acute morphine treated groups was not different from the control, but was significantly increased in morphine abrupt withdrawal group. These results indicate that GABA receptor distribution and affinity are differentially affected in various brain regions, and provide further support to the contention that GABA may be involved in opiate analgesia, tolerance and dependence.
Participation of C-H Protons in the Dissociation of a Proton Deficient Dipeptide

The dissociation of anionic dipeptides Phe*Gly and GlyPhe*, where Phe* refers to sulfonated phenyl alanine, has been investigated by using ion trap mass spectrometry. The dipeptides undergo collision-induced dissociation (CID) to give the same products, indicating that they rearrange to a common structure before dissociation. The rearrangement does not occur with the dipeptide methyl esters. The structures of the b2 ions were investigated to determine the effect that having a remote, anionic site has on product formation. Comparison with the CID spectra for authentic structures shows that the b2 ion obtained from GlyPhe* has predominantly a diketopiperazine structure. The CID spectra for the Phe*Gly b2 ion and the authentic oxazolone are similar, but differences in intensity suggest a two-component mixture. Isotopic labeling studies are consistent with the formation of two products, with one resulting from loss of a non-mobile proton on the Gly α-carbon. The results are attributed to the formation of an oxazole and oxazolone enol product. Electronic structure calculations predict that the enol structure of the Phe*Gly b2 ion is lower in energy than the keto version due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the sulfonate group.
Parenting Stress in Parents of Infants With Congenital Heart Disease and Parents of Healthy Infants: The First Year of Life.

ABSTRACTWhile we know that the parents of infants with congenital heart disease (CHD), the most prevalent group of congenital anomalies, experience increased parenting stress, the stress levels throughout infancy have yet to be studied. Stress experienced by parents beyond the normative stress of parenting can interfere with parenting processes, and bear adverse family outcomes. This prospective cohort study was conducted to describe and compare parenting stress levels during infancy between parents of infants with complex CHD and parents of healthy infants. The Parenting Stress Index-Long Form was distributed to parents of infants with complex CHD and parents of healthy infants (N = 129). T-tests were used to compare stress between groups at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Parents of infants with complex CHD had higher parenting stress than parents of healthy infants on multiple subscales on the Child and Parent Domains, at 3 months of age. The stress remained higher on the demandingness subscale througho...
Wide-field smartphone fundus photography using trans-pars-planar illumination and miniaturized indirect ophthalmoscopy (Conference Presentation)

It is known that wide-field fundus photography is essential for screening, diagnosis and treatment evaluation of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinopathy of premature (ROP), etc. However, the high equipment cost of existing devices is a limiting factor for clinical deployment of wide-field fundus photography, particularly in rural and underserved areas where both expensive instruments and skilled operators are not available. Low-cost smartphone fundus cameras promise convenient assessment of eye diseases at point-of-care environments, and may also enable affordable telemedicine screening to foster the access to medical cares in rural and underserved areas. However, practical application of existing smartphone fundus cameras is limited by the small field of view (FOV) in single-shot images. We have recently demonstrated the feasibility of trans-pars-planar illumination, i.e., delivering illuminating light through pars plana outside of the pupil. By freeing the whole pupil for image purpose only, the trans-pars-planar illumination provides one unique opportunity to develop snapshot, low-cost, but high-quality wide-field fundus camera. Using all off-the-shelf parts, a smartphone-based prototype fundus camera was constructed to achieve a 152-degree FOV in single-shot images, without the need for pharmacological pupil dilation. Moreover, we have also explored miniaturized indirect ophthalmoscopy to achieve wide-field fundus video photography. A totally wireless smartphone fundus camera was constructed, with a whole weight of 255 g. This device allowed both snapshot fundus photography and continuous video recording.
Coherent Injection of Light into Lossy Micro-Porous Scattering Medium

We demonstrate a possibility of efficient injection of light into scattering lossy medium by coupling to eigenchannels confined to a micro-pore. Evidence of enhanced injection past absorption length is obtained in wave-front shaping experiments.