cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Alfuzosin and Tamsulosin on Sperm Parameters in Healthy Men: Results of a Short‐Term, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Crossover Study

Ejaculation disorders are associated with tamsulosin treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To assess whether tamsulosin has any effect on semen, sperm parameters were evaluated in healthy men receiving tamsulosin, alfuzosin, and placebo. Forty-eight healthy men received 5 days of tamsulosin 0.8 mg once daily (QD), alfuzosin 10 mg QD, and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, 3-way crossover study with a 10-14-day washout period between treatments. The changes (x +/- SE) from baseline in semen sperm concentration, semen sperm count, semen viscosity, semen fructose, sperm motility, and sperm morphology on day 5 of treatment were assessed. The change from baseline in semen sperm concentration was 3.1 +/- 8.3 million/mL with tamsulosin, 15.0 +/- 6.5 million/mL with alfuzosin, and 24.4 +/- 6.5 million/mL with placebo. The total sperm count in semen decreased from baseline with tamsulosin (-54.6 +/- 24.0 million) but not with placebo (81.5 +/- 18.8 million) or alfuzosin (46.2 +/- 19.0 million). The percentage of men with normal semen viscosity was lower with tamsulosin (65%) than with placebo (98%) or alfuzosin (92%). The change from baseline in semen fructose was comparable for all treatments. The percentage of motile sperm decreased 13.8% from baseline to day 5 of treatment with tamsulosin compared with decreases of 2.3% with placebo and 0.4% with alfuzosin. The percentage of abnormal sperm increased marginally with tamsulosin (0.6%) but not with placebo (-2.8%) or alfuzosin (-3.9%). The most common adverse events were dizziness (alfuzosin 11%, tamsulosin 14%, placebo 0%) and orthostatic hypotension (alfuzosin 25%, tamsulosin 11%, placebo 5%). The results suggest that tamsulosin has a negative effect on sperm in healthy men. Studies on the effects of alpha(1)-adrenergic blockers on sperm in men with BPH are warranted.
"Galatea bifrons": étude structurale d'un poème de Victor Hugo

Etude de "Elle etait dechaussee..." (16 avr. 1853) centree sur la langue elle-meme et plus particulierement sur la fonction poetique qui lui est propre (Jakobson) permettant de degager, a l'interieur du systeme que constitue le poeme, un certain nombre de relations (equivalences, parallelismes, oppositions) entre les elements significatifs qu'il contient et de determiner dans quelle mesure ces relations sont productrices de sens.
Design of an IGBT based electronic circuit breaker

Electronic circuit breakers (ECB) are in their nascent stage. Because they are little more complex and cost more than other circuit breakers, only a few companies are manufacturing electronic circuit breakers. Most of the electronic circuit breakers are utilized in high voltage to protect the high voltage system. The objectives of this project are to focus on low voltage system protections and committing to reduce response time. The main operating component in our design is IGBT, which has far more advantages compared to other similar devices.
Comparison of extraction buffers for the detection of fumonisin B1 in corn by immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography.

The Associatian of Official Analytical Chemists approved method for quantification of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in corn meal or corn-based food products includes extraction into methanol (MeOH)/water (3:1, v/v). Disposal of the extraction medium can pose safety and environmental problems. To secure a rapid and inexpensive screen for FB1 contamination, a sensitive competitive ELISA using a rabbit polyclonal antibody was developed. This assay was used in a comparative study measuring the extraction efficiency of FB1 in aqueous or organic solvent buffers using 16 field corn samples. An aqueous phosphate buffer was found to be suitable for extracting FB1, thus eliminating the need for organic solvents. HPLC and ELISA determinations compared well in fortified samples at known concentrations between 1 and 50 μg/mL of extract. Overestimation at levels >50 μg/mL were common. The characteristics and application of the ELISA for screening purposes are discussed. Keywords: Fumonisins; ELISA; immunoassay; HPLC; extraction b...
Sketches for size of join estimation

Sketching techniques provide approximate answers to aggregate queries both for data-streaming and distributed computation. Small space summaries that have linearity properties are required for both types of applications. The prevalent method for analyzing sketches uses moment analysis and distribution-independent bounds based on moments. This method produces clean, easy to interpret, theoretical bounds that are especially useful for deriving asymptotic results. However, the theoretical bounds obscure fine details of the behavior of various sketches and they are mostly not indicative of which type of sketches should be used in practice. Moreover, no significant empirical comparison between various sketching techniques has been published, which makes the choice even harder. In this article we take a close look at the sketching techniques proposed in the literature from a statistical point of view with the goal of determining properties that indicate the actual behavior and producing tighter confidence bounds. Interestingly, the statistical analysis reveals that two of the techniques, Fast-AGMS and Count-Min, provide results that are in some cases orders of magnitude better than the corresponding theoretical predictions. We conduct an extensive empirical study that compares the different sketching techniques in order to corroborate the statistical analysis with the conclusions we draw from it. The study indicates the expected performance of various sketches, which is crucial if the techniques are to be used by practitioners. The overall conclusion of the study is that Fast-AGMS sketches are, for the full spectrum of problems, either the best, or close to the best, sketching technique. We apply the insights obtained from the statistical study and the experimental results to design effective algorithms for sketching interval data. We show how the two basic methods for sketching interval data, DMAP and fast range-summation, can be improved significantly with respect to the update time without a significant loss in accuracy. The gain in update time can be as large as two orders of magnitude, thus making the improved methods practical. The empirical study suggests that DMAP is preferable when update time is the critical requirement and fast range-summation is desirable for better accuracy.
Urine cytology of nonurothelial malignancies—a 10-year experience in a large multihospital healthcare system

Background Urine cytology is the most frequently utilized test to detect urothelial cancer. Secondary bladder neoplasms need to be recognized as this impacts patient management. We report our experience on nonurothelial malignancies (NUM) detected in urine cytology over a 10-year period. Methods A 10-year retrospective search for patients with biopsy-proven NUM to the urothelial tract yielded 25 urine samples from 14 patients. Two cytopathologists blinded to the original cytology diagnosis reviewed the cytology and histology slides. The incidence, cytomorphologic features, diagnostic accuracy, factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy, and clinical impact of the cytology result were studied. Results The incidence of NUM was <1%. The male:female ratio was 1.3. An abnormality was detected in 60% of the cases; however, in only 4% of the cases, a primary site was identified accurately. Of the false negatives, 96% was deemed as sampling errors and 4% was interpretational. Patient management was not impacted in any of the false-negative cases due to concurrent or past tissue diagnosis. Conclusion Colon cancer was the most frequent secondary tumor. Sampling error attributed to the false-negative results. Necrosis and dirty background was often associated with metastatic lesions from colon. Obtaining history of a primary tumor elsewhere was a key factor in diagnosis of a metastatic lesion. Hematopoietic malignancies remain to be a diagnostic challenge. Cytospin preparations were superior for evaluating nuclear detail and background material as opposed to monolayer (Thinprep) technology. Diagnostic accuracy was improved by obtaining immunohistochemistry. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:22–28. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Global land use intensity and the endangerment status of mammal species

Aim Human land use activities are creating a biodiversity crisis. However, it is not clear how species respond to different intensities of land use at a global scale. We used spatial analyses to determine the relationships between human settlements, croplands, rangelands and forests of varying intensities and the endangerment status of mammal species across the globe. In doing so, we sought to assess the role of different land use and land management strategies in global biodiversity conservation. Location Global. Methods A GIS database with distribution ranges for 4734 Red-Listed and non-threatened terrestrial mammal species was obtained from the IUCN and combined with the global anthropogenic biomes dataset, which uses population density class (dense, residential, populated and remote) as a proxy for land use intensity. Ordered logistic regression was used to predict the effect of each land use intensity class on the probability of having a more endangered IUCN status for all mammal species together and for species within major mammal groups separately. Results The probability of having a more endangered status generally increased for mammal species as the proportion of urban settlements, mosaic and cropped ‘villages’, and residential and populated croplands within their distribution ranges increased. In contrast, endangerment probability of mammals decreased with proportion of irrigated, pastoral and rainfed ‘villages’, remote croplands and all rangeland classes. Endangerment probability also decreased with proportion of wildlands and remote forests, but increased with proportion of populated forests for several mammal groups. Main conclusions Urbanization and high-intensity crop production pose a significant threat to mammals worldwide. In contrast, rangelands, low-intensity croplands and certain low-intensity human settlements may in fact help maintain mammal diversity at global scales. While the area of wild habitat available to species is also highly important for biodiversity conservation, forested lands that are disturbed or over utilized by humans do not benefit and may even endanger species.
Use of simulation to enhance learning in a pediatric elective.

Objectives. To assess the impact on learning of adding a pediatric human patient simulation to a pharmacy course. Design. Pharmacy students enrolled in a pediatric elective participated in 1 inpatient and 1 outpatient scenario using a pediatric patient simulator. Immediately following each case, reflective debriefing occurred. Assessment. Forty-two students participated in the simulation activity over 2 academic years. A pretest and posttest study design was used, with average scores 4.1 ± 1.2 out of 9 on pretest and average 7.0 ± 1.5 out of 9 on posttest (p < 0.0001). Ninety-five percent (40/42) of students' scores improved. Students felt the learning experiences were positive and realistic. Conclusions. Pharmacy students' knowledge and application skills improved through use of pediatric simulation exercises.
X‐ray photoelectron and FTIR spectroscopic investigation of cement doped with barium nitrate

Abstract The chemical environment of barium in Portland cement which is doped with barium nitrate was investigated using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The barium doped cement showed tremendous increases in carbonate content over the undoped cement. An XPS sulfate signal was observed in the cement doped with 20% w/w Ba(NO3)2 but not in the 0 and 10% w/w doped cement. FTIR and XPS results lead us to believe that the barium exists as both BaSO4 and BaCO3 in the cement matrix.
Universal service and targeted support in a competitive telecommunications environment

This paper considers universal service in an environment of converged service and broadband. To this end, it is crucial to distinguish carefully between the availability of the service and the use of the service. Universal service program objectives must be clearly stated, and programs must be targeted carefully in recognition of the increasing difficulty of raising funds in a competitive environment to support universal service. Finally, the paper explores how inaccurate data may result in misleading international comparisons.
The fate of organic sources of carbon in moss-rich tundra soil microbial communities: a laboratory experimental study.

Effects of glucose-carbon supplementation on soil respiration and bacterial and protist biomass were investigated in laboratory studies of three soil samples from Alaskan tundra: spring tussock sample 1 (thin surface moss), spring tussock sample 2 (thick surface moss), and a summer tundra open field sample. Addition of 1% (w/v) glucose solution produced an immediate, pronounced two to three fold increase in respiration above basal rate, which declined over 4 h to baseline levels. Less than 1% (w/w) of glucose-C supplement was respired during the respiratory spike, relative to the 89 μg/g added. A more substantial amount of the glucose-C became incorporated in microbial biomass. The total difference in microbial carbon (μg/g) between the experimental treatments and controls without glucose after 1 wk was as follows: spring sample 1 (8), spring sample 2 (31), and summer sample (70). The percent (w/w) of glucose-C incorporated was: spring sample 1 (5%), spring sample 2 (17%), and summer sample (39%), most attributed to biomass of bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates. Although respiratory response to pulsed glucose-C was minimal, the overall mean basal rate after 1 wk ranged between 4 and 6 nmol/min/g soil, indicating a significant assimilation and respiration of constituent soil organic carbon.
Treatment of castration-induced menopausal symptoms with low dose diethylstilbestrol in men with advanced prostate cancer

Menopausal symptoms manifesting as hot flashes and sweats occur in up to 75 percent of patients following either orchiectomy or treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist for prostate cancer. As many as one third of these patients will experience symptoms severe enough to seek palliation. We treated 12 such patients with low dose diethylstilbestrol (1/3 mg daily). Nine patients demonstrated both objective and subjective improvement in their menopausal symptoms. Five patients experienced toxicity including new onset of gynecomastia or breast soreness although no patient discontinued treatment on this basis. No cardiovascular complications were noted. We conclude that low dose diethylstilbestrol is an inexpensive, effective means of controlling troublesome postorchiectomy menopausal symptoms in carefully selected patients.
Irradiation creep and swelling of annealed Type 304L stainless steel at ~ 390°C and high neutron fluence☆

Abstract The irradiation-induced creep and swelling of annealed AISI 304L in EBR-II at ~390°C have been investigated to exposures of ~ 80 dpa and compared with the behavior of AISI 316 and PCA stainless steels. While swelling depends on stress, displacement rate, composition and cold-work level, the creep rate directly depends only on the stress level and the instantaneous swelling rate. The creep-swelling coupling coefficient of austenitic alloys at ~ 400°C does not appear to be very sensitive to composition or cold work level.
Plasticizer effect on oxygen permeability of β-lactoglobulin films.

Plasticizer effect on oxygen permeability (OP) of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) films was studied. Propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (Gly), sorbitol (Sor), sucrose (Suc), and polyethylene glycol at MW 200 and 400 (PEG 200 and PEG 400, respectively) were studied due to their differences in composition, shape, and size. Suc-plasticized β-Lg films gave the best oxygen barrier (OP < 0.05 cm3·μm/m2·day·kPa). Gly- and PG-plasticized films had similar OP values, and both had higher OP than Sor-plasticized films. PEG 200- and PEG 400-plasticized films were the poorest oxygen barriers. Empirical equations including plasticizer efficiencies for OP were employed to elucidate the relationships between OP of plasticized β-Lg films and plasticizer type and content. Plasticizer efficiency ratios between mechanical and OP properties of β-Lg films show the relative efficiency of plasticizers in modifying mechanical and OP properties. A large ratio is desirable. Keywords: β-Lactoglobulin; edible films; plasticizer; oxygen permeability
Isolation and characterization of an α-tubulin gene from Leishmania enriettii

Abstract An α-tubulin gene of Leishmania enriettii has been identified in genomic Southern blots by hybridization with a heterologous α-tubulin gene from Drosophila melanogaster . A clone containing this gene has been isolated from a plasmid library of size-selected L. enriettii DNA. It was identified by hybridization with the D. melanogaster tubulin gene. The cloned DNA fragment was characterized by restriction analysis and partial DNA sequence analysis. The cloned DNA fragment is 2 kb in length, bounded by Pst I sites, and appears to contain the entire coding region of the α-tubulin gene.
Feasibility of xylose fermentation by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae overexpressing endogenous aldose reductase (GRE3), xylitol dehydrogenase (XYL2), and xylulokinase (XYL3) from Scheffersomyces stipitis

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been engineered for producing ethanol from xylose, the second most abundant sugar in cellulosic biomass hydrolyzates. Heterologous expressions of xylose reductase (XYL1) and xylitol dehydrogenase (XYL2), or of xylose isomerase (xylA), either case of which being accompanied by overexpression of xylulokinase (XKS1 or XYL3), are known as the prevalent strategies for metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae to ferment xylose. In this study, we propose an alternative strategy that employs overexpression of GRE3 coding for endogenous aldose reductase instead of XYL1 to construct efficient xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae. Replacement of XYL1 with GRE3 has been regarded as an undesirable approach because NADPH-specific aldose reductase (GRE3) would aggravate redox balance with xylitol dehydrogenase (XYL2) using NAD(+) exclusively. Here, we demonstrate that engineered S. cerevisiae overexpressing GRE3, XYL2, and XYL3 can ferment xylose as well as a mixture of glucose and xylose with higher ethanol yields (0.29-0.41 g g(-1) sugars) and productivities (0.13-0.85 g L(-1) h(-1)) than those (0.23-0.39 g g(-1) sugars, 0.10-0.74 g L(-1) h(-1)) of an isogenic strain overexpressing XYL1, XYL2, and XYL3 under oxygen-limited conditions. We found that xylose fermentation efficiency of a strain overexpressing GRE3 was dramatically increased by high expression levels of XYL2. Our results suggest that optimized expression levels of GRE3, XYL2, and XYL3 could overcome redox imbalance during xylose fermentation by engineered S. cerevisiae under oxygen-limited conditions.
A High-Pressure, High-Resolution NMR Probe for Experiments at 500 MHz

A novel high-pressure, high-resolution NMR probe is described which operates at a frequency of 500 MHz. The design features an alternative RF coil (8 mm sample tube) for high frequency, sensitivity, probe power, and resolution (< 3.0 x 10(-9)). The probe is capable of pressures to at least 5 kbar over a temperature range of -30 to 80 degreesC, and has a double-tuned 1H/2H circuit which can tune at 1H frequencies of either 300 or 500 MHz. The sensitivity of the 300-MHz circuit is over twice that of previous 10-mm high-pressure NMR probe designs, while at 500 MHz the sensitivity is nearly five times that of previous 300-MHz pressure probes. Potential biochemical applications are demonstrated by 2D NOESY spectra of a Troponin C mutant.
Agricultural injuries among older Kentucky farmers: The farm family health and hazard surveillance study

This population-based study reports the cumulative incidence of agricultural injuries during a 1-year period in a sample of 998 farmers aged 55 years and older living in Kentucky. A total of 98 farm-related injuries were reported among 88 older farmers for a crude injury rate of 9.03 injured farmers per 100 farmers (95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.03–11.03) over a 1-year period. The leading external causes of farm injury were falls (24.9%), machinery (22.5%), wood-cutting (14.6%), and animal-related events (14.3%). Farmers working on farms with beef cattle (alone) (odds ratio = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.02–3.55) or farms with beef cattle and tobacco (odds ratio = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.00–4.59) had a statistically significant increased risk for a farm-related injury. Farmers reporting a prior injury that limited their ability to farm were at increased risk for a farm-related injury. Approaches to using farm injury surveillance data for injury control programs in the state are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:341–353, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phase-conjugated fluorescence.

Fluorescent emission by an atom near a phase conjugator (PC) based on four-wave mixing is studied from first principles. The Maxwell-Heisenberg equations are solved for the radiation field, and with an asymptotic expansion an expression is derived for the field in the far zone. The total emitted power that can be measured by a detector in this region is evaluated, and it is found that this power acquires three distinct contributions. First, there are photons that are emitted by the atom directly towards the detector, and without any interaction with the medium. Second, there are photons that first travel towards the surface of the PC, and they have a certain probability of being reflected in the specular direction and towards the detector. The third kind of radiation consists of phase-conjugated photons, which are emitted independently of the previous ones. It is shown that the first two processes are a result of simple atomic spontaneous decay, but that the emission of a phase-conjugated fluorescent photon involves a three-photon process. The latter process has a probability proportional to the population of the atomic ground state. It is pointed out that an atom in its ground state polarizes the nonlinear medium of the PC, which subsequently can emit spontaneously two photons. An absorption-emission-absorption process by the atom then produces a fluorescent photon, together with a spontaneous excitation of the atom.
Contradirectional two-wave mixing in bulk and multimode fibers of iron doped lithium niobate

Contradirectional two-beam coupling was achieved using a single laser beam incident on fibers grown from congruent iron doped lithium niobate using the laser heated pedestal growth technique. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a grating has been written in a fiber using a single laser beam and its Fresnel reflection in a 180 degree(s) contradirectional two-beam coupling geometry. Beam-coupling efficiencies were compared as a function of beam spot size for fibers and bulk crystals. At small spot sizes, the fibers outperformed the bulk crystals by reducing the diffraction effect.
Increased endothelial cell density in the paracentral and peripheral regionsof the human cornea

Abstract Purpose To systematically investigate the central, paracentral, and peripheral endothelial cell density (ECD) in normal human corneas. Design Observational case series and experimental study. Methods Noncontact specular microscopy was undertaken to determine the ECD of the central, paracentral (2.7 ± 0.2 mm from center) and peripheral (4.7 ± 0.2 mm from center) regions of the cornea of 48 normal eyes. The ECDs of central and peripheral regions were also determined with contact specular microscopy in 21 normal eyes and a group of 30 Optisol-GS eye bank corneas were evaluated with alizarin red stain. Histologic ECD of 13 Optisol-GS stored corneas were also determined. Results Paracentral and peripheral ECD measured with the noncontact specular microscope were 5.8% ( P P P Conclusions The human cornea has an increased ECD in the paracentral and peripheral regions of cornea compared with the central region. The superior peripheral region of the corneal endothelium has the largest increase in ECD. These data on normal endothelial cell distribution in the human cornea are especially significant as they relate to new surgical techniques and endothelial wound repair.
Advances in Reprogramming-Based Study of Neurologic Disorders

The technology to convert adult human non-neural cells into neural lineages, through induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), somatic cell nuclear transfer, and direct lineage reprogramming or transdifferentiation has progressed tremendously in recent years. Reprogramming-based approaches aimed at manipulating cellular identity have enormous potential for disease modeling, high-throughput drug screening, cell therapy, and personalized medicine. Human iPSC (hiPSC)-based cellular disease models have provided proof of principle evidence of the validity of this system. However, several challenges remain before patient-specific neurons produced by reprogramming can provide reliable insights into disease mechanisms or be efficiently applied to drug discovery and transplantation therapy. This review will first discuss limitations of currently available reprogramming-based methods in faithfully and reproducibly recapitulating disease pathology. Specifically, we will address issues such as culture heterogeneity, interline and inter-individual variability, and limitations of two-dimensional differentiation paradigms. Second, we will assess recent progress and the future prospects of reprogramming-based neurologic disease modeling. This includes three-dimensional disease modeling, advances in reprogramming technology, prescreening of hiPSCs and creating isogenic disease models using gene editing.
Testing the untestable: reliability in the 21st century

As science and technology become increasingly sophisticated, government and industry are relying more and more on science's advanced methods to determine reliability. Unfortunately, political, economic, time, and other constraints imposed by the real world, inhibit the ability of researchers to calculate reliability efficiently and accurately. Because of such constraints, reliability must undergo an evolutionary change. The first step in this evolution is to re-interpret the concept so that it meets the new century's needs. The next step is to quantify reliability using both empirical methods and auxiliary data sources, such as expert knowledge, corporate memory, and mathematical modeling and simulation.
The diel cycle of water vapor in west Greenland

We present a study of the dynamics of small-scale (~100 km) atmospheric circulation in west Greenland which is dominated by interactions of marine and continental air masses. Water vapor concentration and isotopic ratios measured continuously over a 25 day period in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland were used to monitor the convergence of easterly katabatic winds and westerly sea breezes that form a front between the dry, isotopically depleted, glacial air mass and the moist, isotopically enriched, marine air mass. During the latter 16 days of the measurement period, an interval with no large-scale synoptic interference, the inland penetration of the sea breeze controlled the largest day-to-day humidity and vapor isotopic variations. Kangerlussuaq experienced sea breezes in the afternoon on 9 days, consistent with the long-term average of such occurrences on 56% of days in July and August. The inland position of the sea breeze front is controlled by the katabatic wind strength, which is stronger during times of reduced cloud coverage and/or higher-pressure gradient between the coast and the Greenland ice sheet. The position and movement of the front will likely respond to changes in the general atmospheric circulation and regional radiation balance resulting from global warming, which will, in turn, impact the local hydrological cycle and ecosystem processes.
Multiple Pulmonary Nodules in an HIV-Positive Man on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

38-year-old man with AIDS and a prior episode of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) presented with a 2-month history of progressive dyspnea, nonproductive cough, night sweats, and weight loss. Medications included nelfinavir, 750 mg three times daily; stavudine, 40 mg twice daily; didanosine, 200 mg twice daily; and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) prophylaxis once daily. However, according to the pharmacy records, the patient had not been compliant with the TMP/SMX therapy. He denied tuberculosis exposure or recent travel. On physical examination, the patient was afebrile
Construction and evaluation of a novel recombinant T cell epitope-based vaccine against Coccidioidomycosis.

Clinical and animal studies of coccidioidomycosis have demonstrated that activated CD4+ T lymphocytes are essential for protection against this fungal respiratory disease. We previously reported a vaccine against Coccidioides infection which contained three recombinant CD4+ T cell-reactive proteins and induced a robust, protective immune response in mice. Due to the anticipated high cost of production and clinical assessment of this multivalent vaccine, we generated a single protein which contained immunodominant T cell epitopes of the three polypeptides. Epitopes were initially identified by computational prediction of their ability to bind promiscuously to human major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules. Cellular immunoassays confirmed the immunogenicity of the synthesized epitope peptides, while in vitro binding assays revealed a range of peptide affinity for MHC II. A DNA construct was synthesized for bacterial expression of a recombinant protein vaccine which contained five epitopes with the highest affinity for human MHC II, each fused with leader and spacer peptides proposed to optimize epitope processing and presentation to T cell receptors. Recall assays of immune T lymphocytes obtained from human MHC II-expressing HLA-DR4 transgenic mice confirmed that 4 of the 5 epitope peptides were processed. Mice immunized with the epitope-based vaccine admixed with a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant or loaded into yeast glucan particles and then challenged intranasally with Coccidioides showed early lung infiltration of activated T helper-1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17 cells, elevated gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-17 production, significant reduction of fungal burden, and prolongation of survival compared to nonvaccinated mice. This is the first report of an epitope-based vaccine against coccidioidomycosis.
Mast cell involvement in interstitial cystitis: a review of human and experimental evidence

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a heterogeneous syndrome of unknown etiology. Altered bladder glycosaminoglycans lining and bladder mastocytosis have been documented in IC. The objective of this article is to critically examine the published data on bladder mastocytosis in clinical, experimental, and animal studies, with particular emphasis on morphologic evidence of mast cell increase and activation. The literature on bladder mastocytosis and mast cell activation in IC is critically reviewed with particular reference to staining methodology, tryptase immunoreactivity, and electron microscopy. Data from humans and animal models of IC are included. Mastocytosis in IC is best documented by tryptase immunocytochemical staining. Standard surgical stains such as Giemsa and toluidine blue routinely underestimate the degree of mastocytosis. Mast cells are 6- to 8-fold higher in the detrusor compared with controls in "classic IC," and 2- to 3-fold higher in "nonulcerative" IC. Detrusor mastocytosis occurs in both classic and nonulcer IC. Mucosal mast cell increase is present in nonulcerative IC. Mast cell activation without typical exocytosis occurs in the mucosa and submucosa. Activation of mast cells, irrespective of bladder location or degree of mastocytosis, is significant. Mast cell-derived vasoactive and proinflammatory molecules may contribute to the pathogenesis of IC.
QSTRIPS-a charge simulation program to enhance EM instruction

A description is given of a charge simulation computer routine, QSTRIPS, written by the authors to enhance elementary electromagnetics instruction by providing a readily available graphics-oriented capability to permit students to learn by self-discovery. QSTRIPS gives students the freedom to model, solve, and produce parameter and graphical data for two-dimensional personalized electromagnetic structures of their own specification, structures that are not usually amenable to normal analytical solution methods. QSTRIPS models two-dimensional electrostatic systems by long narrow strips of flat-topped charge pulses placed contiguously around the surface of the system's structures. Strips of known charge and unknown voltage and of known voltage and unknown charge as well as strips defining dielectric and permanently polarized structures can be specified for the same system. A matrix equation is set up and solved for any unknown charges on these strips. Several examples including the hot cap trough problem are considered. >
Mold filling and curing analysis in liquid composite molding

Non-isothermal mold filing and curing experiments of liquid composite molding were carried out in this work. To compare the experimental results with a previously developed numerical simulation model, measurements of volumetric heat transfer coefficient between the resin and the fiber, and characterization of resin kinetics and rheological changes were also conducted. Combined with the previously measured fiber perform permeability, the numerical model provided a good prediction of temperature profiles during molding for a polyurethane/glass fiber composite.
A meta-analysis of the effect of juvenile delinquency interventions on academic outcomes

Abstract This meta-analysis examined the effects of juvenile delinquency interventions on academic outcomes. After retrieving over 250 reports, 15 reports met inclusion criteria and provided 134 effect sizes (92 unadjusted and 42 adjusted) based on 20 separate samples in a variety of settings, including school, community, and juvenile justice settings. Heterogeneity of the samples, generally weak research designs, and the absence of control conditions in many recovered reports was a limitation in the existing research. Overall, there were limited positive effects of juvenile delinquency interventions on academic outcomes. The lack of theory-driven or empirically supported academic interventions was notable. Studies with the weakest designs produced the largest effects on academic achievement, and school attendance outcomes were enhanced only for older adolescents. The implications of findings for future research and policy are discussed.
Cone-Constrained Principal Component Analysis

Estimating a vector from noisy quadratic observations is a task that arises naturally in many contexts, from dimensionality reduction, to synchronization and phase retrieval problems. It is often the case that additional information is available about the unknown vector (for instance, sparsity, sign or magnitude of its entries). Many authors propose non-convex quadratic optimization problems that aim at exploiting optimally this information. However, solving these problems is typically NP-hard. We consider a simple model for noisy quadratic observation of an unknown vector v0. The unknown vector is constrained to belong to a cone C ∋ v0. While optimal estimation appears to be intractable for the general problems in this class, we provide evidence that it is tractable when C is a convex cone with an efficient projection. This is surprising, since the corresponding optimization problem is non-convex and -from a worst case perspective- often NP hard. We characterize the resulting minimax risk in terms of the statistical dimension of the cone δ(C). This quantity is already known to control the risk of estimation from gaussian observations and random linear measurements. It is rather surprising that the same quantity plays a role in the estimation risk from quadratic measurements.
Signatures of the Rayleigh-plateau instability revealed by imposing synthetic perturbations on nanometer-sized liquid metals on substrates.

Fluid jets destabilize into droplets according to the well known Rayleigh Plateau (RP) instability. The applicability of the RP model to a nanoscale liquid metal supported on a substrate (a so called rivulet) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as it has important implications for nanoscale materials assembly. Stochastic fluctuations were found to affect rivulet stability and dynamics when compared with microscopic predictions of rivulet break up; here a broad and delayed distribution of break up times was observed. Yet, hallmark characteristics of the RP theory were observed; (1) a critical wavelength demarcating stability, (2) stable and unstable growth modes and (3) neck formation induced by axial pressure gradients. Notably, MD simulations implementing synthetic perturbations, yielded significantly reduced dispersion in the final nanodroplet spacing and clearly revealed the underlying physics driving rivulet break up.
Towards a more physical approach to gate modeling for timing, noise, and power

Timing, noise, and power analysis have historically relied on high level, black-box, non-physical logic library models. Moreover, these models were of a look-up type, i.e. pre- characterized for practically all the possible environments in which they would be eventually used. The evolution of the VLSI technology towards nanometer sized features made this characterization methodology impractical. Increasingly, the space of all possible environments grew too rich to be fully covered during characterization. In the past decade, the so-called effective capacitance was introduced to provide some analysis capability to gate models, i.e., the ability to evaluate in the presence of RC loads, although characterized with capacitive loads only. In current and future VLSI technologies, such simple extensions no longer provide the required accuracy. Increasingly, models of logic gates must retain elements of the electrical behavior of the circuit in order to provide accurate timing, noise, and power information. This poses a new challenge on the analysis algorithms, now required to handle an enhanced level of detail in modeling without significantly degrading the overall efficiency of the application.
Effects of electron and neutron irradiation on the electrical properties of Si on MgO·Al2O3 spinel

Abstract The effects of electron and neutron irradiation on the electrical conductivity and Hall coefficient of n-type heteroepitaxial (Epi) Si/spinel have been measured and compared to those for bulk vacuum-floating-zone (VFZ) silicon. A smaller degradation rate is observed for conductivity in Epi than in VFZ Si under irradiation. This effect is primarily due to a smaller mobility in Epi compared to VFZ Si, rather than to a lower defect production rate in Epi Si. Epi and VFZ Si exhibit similar carrier removal rates under irradiation, similar relative effects of electron and neutron damage, and similar annealing characteristics below 200°C which include the temperature for vacancy-phosphorus defect annealing. These similarities imply that a major fraction of the irradiation-induced defects are the same in irradiated Epi and VFZ Si at room temperature, even though extensive disorder in the “as grown” Epi Si drastically affects the pre-irradiation mobility. Thus, the inherent initial disorder in heteroepitaxial Si films does not necessarily increase radiation tolerance.
Visual impairment and eye care among Alaska Native people.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of visual impairment, eye disease and eye care in the Alaska Native (AN) population, by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study of 3,793 AN adults aged 18–94 years enrolled in the Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) Study from March 2004–March 2006. Data on self-reported visual impairment, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and previous dilated eye examinations were collected using audio computer-assisted self-administered questionnaires. Results: The unadjusted prevalence of self-reported visual impairment was 8.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.9–9.7), cataract 5.9% (95% CI: 5.2–6.7), glaucoma 2.5% (95% CI: 2.0–3.0) and diabetic eye disease 1.3% (95% CI: 0.9–1.7). In all cases, age-sex adjusted prevalence estimates for the AN population were greater than available estimates for the general U.S. population. Prevalence of visual impairment and each eye disease increased with age (P < 0.01). Additional fact...
Accurate Boundary Element Solutions for Highly Convective Unsteady Heat Flows

Several recently developed boundary element formulations for time-dependent convective heat diffusion appear to provide very efficient computational tools for transient linear heat flows. More importantly, these new approaches hold much promise for the numerical solution of related nonlinear problems, e.g., Navier-Stokes flows. However, the robustness of these methods has not been examined, particularly for high Peclet number regimes. Here, we focus on these regimes for two-dimensional problems and develop the necessary temporal and spatial integration strategies. The algorithm takes advantage of the nature of the time-dependent convective kernels, and combines analytic integration over the singular portion of the time interval with numerical integration over the remaining nonsingular portion. Furthermore, the character of the kernels lets us define an influence domain and then localize the surface and volume integrations only within this domain
Socket Sclerosis—An Obstacle for Orthodontic Space Closure?

Abstract Background: Socket sclerosis is a rare reaction to tooth extraction resulting in high-density bone in the center of the alveolar process, where, under normal circumstances, cancellous bone is to be expected. Materials and Methods: In an adult orthodontic patient, routine extractions of the mandibular first permanent bicuspids were performed, resulting in socket sclerosis and unsuccessful orthodontic space closure. Orthodontic mini-implants were inserted to augment anchorage and aid in space closure. Results: In the presence of socket sclerosis, conventional orthodontic mechanics failed to close the extraction spaces. However, with absolute anchorage in place, space closure occurred at a nearly normal rate. After treatment, no signs of socket sclerosis were discernible on the periapical radiographs. Conclusion: Socket sclerosis can be an obstacle for orthodontic space closure if traditional mechanics are employed. However, mini-implant–reinforced anchorage can lead to successful space closure, res...
Detached shock problem and related topics

A finite difference method for solving the Cauchy or initial value problem for elliptic partial differential equations as introduced in (1) and further developed in (2) will be the principal topic discussed here. Involved in this discussion, also, will be certain basic notions related to the (analytic) stability of such problems as developed in (2) and (3). Contributions to the theory of hypersonic flow which resulted from application of this numerical method to the inviscid portion of the flow in the nose region of a blunt nosed body (1) (2) (4) and, also, a successful attack on the related boundary layer problem using a modified Crank-Nicolson technique (5) will be described. It will be shown further that the numerical method given in (2) is useful in resolving certain scientific questions in connection with engineering design of Pierce type electron guns.
Successful desensitization to docetaxel after severe hypersensitivity reactions in two patients

Purpose Two cases of successful desensitization to docetaxel after severe hypersensitivity reactions are reported. Summary Two patients with gynecological malignancies (uterine leiomyosarcoma and ovarian adenocarcinoma) experienced severe hypersensitivity reactions with docetaxel, including flushing, numbness, sharp radiating pain, severe nausea and vomiting, apnea, and unresponsiveness. Both patients received ondansetron before docetaxel. One patient received dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and famotidine premedication before docetaxel, as she had previously reacted to paclitaxel. Docetaxel infusions were stopped, and the reactions were treated with diphenhydramine and dexamethasone (one patient also received famotidine). After resolution of symptoms, the docetaxel was not reinitiated due to the nature of the reactions. For the next cycle, both patients received a graded drug challenge or desensitization. Both were pre-medicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and famotidine. The docetaxel was given as infusions of 0.1%, 1%, and 10% of the dose, with each infusion given over one hour. After this, the remainder of the dose was infused over one hour. Both patients tolerated this desensitization well and completed a total of three and four cycles each. The first patient to receive the desensitization did complain of chest pain during the first desensitization, and the infusion rate was decreased to administer the drug over two hours. After she tolerated two cycles of two-hour infusions, the infusion rate was increased to administer each docetaxel infusion over one hour. Conclusion Two patients who had severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel successfully received further docetaxel doses via a desensitization procedure that involved the sequential administration of solutions containing increasing concentrations of the drug.
OS-Sommelier: memory-only operating system fingerprinting in the cloud

Precise fingerprinting of an operating system (OS) is critical to many security and virtual machine (VM) management applications in the cloud, such as VM introspection, penetration testing, guest OS administration (e.g., kernel update), kernel dump analysis, and memory forensics. The existing OS fingerprinting techniques primarily inspect network packets or CPU states, and they all fall short in precision and usability. As the physical memory of a VM is always present in all these applications, in this paper, we present OS-Sommelier, a memory-only approach for precise and efficient cloud guest OS fingerprinting. Given a physical memory dump of a guest OS, the key idea of OS-Sommelier is to compute the kernel code hash for the precise fingerprinting. To achieve this goal, we face two major challenges: (1) how to differentiate the main kernel code from the rest of code and data in the physical memory, and (2) how to normalize the kernel code to deal with practical issues such as address space layout randomization. We have designed and implemented a prototype system to address these challenges. Our experimental results with over 45 OS kernels, including Linux, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD, show that our OS-Sommelier can precisely fingerprint all the tested OSes without any false positives or false negatives, and do so within only 2 seconds on average.
Effect of Seedling Size and Transplant Bed Density on Performance of Eastern Hemlock Planting Stock

After grading two-year-old Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) seedlings by height, performance was examined for one year under various transplant bed densities, and for 2 years in the fi...