cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relation of Depression, Natural Killer Cell Function, and Infections after Coronary Artery Bypass in Women

Background: After hospital discharge for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), infection is a common cause of morbidity. Although depression has been associated with immune dysfunction, its role in post-CABG infection is unknown.Aims: The purpose of this study was to: 1) compare natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and post-hospitalization infections in depressed and non-depressed women after CABG; and 2) test whether NKCC mediated the relationship between post-discharge depression and infections.Methods: Sixty-seven women recovering from CABG were assessed for depression prior to hospital discharge and followed for six months. Major depression was identified by a structured clinical interview. Infections were identified by patient report using the Modified Health Review and by medical chart audit.Results: Compared to non-depressed women after CABG, women with major depression had reduced NKCC, more all-cause infections, and more self-reported illnesses. Although NKCC did not mediate the relationship...
Revisiting cycloid psychosis: a case of an acute, transient and recurring psychotic disorder.

Abstract We report a case of recurrent psychosis, spanning decades, with full inter-episode recovery and minimal functional impairment. While it is difficult to classify this disorder using DSM IV-TR criteria, Leonhard and others have described a ‘cycloid psychosis’ that correlates well with the phenomenology and course of this case. We believe this may represent a subset within the ICD-10 category of ‘acute and transient psychotic disorders’. While this disorder, of unknown incidence, is not well reported in the U.S., it is worthy of further investigation and clinical attention given its generally favorable prognosis and potentially distinct pathophysiology and treatment.
Sex Chromosome Inactivation: The Importance of Pairing

In mammals, the process of making sperm is marked by inactivation of sex chromosomes. Why and how does this happen? The answer apparently lies in whether a chromosome finds a pairing partner. Similar mechanisms in mold and worms reveal a surprising and recurrent theme throughout evolution.
Determination of statherin N-terminal peptide conformation on hydroxyapatite crystals

Proteins play an important role in inorganic crystal engineering during the development and growth of hard tissues such as bone and teeth. Although many of these proteins have been studied in the liquid state, there is little direct information describing molecular recognition at the protein−crystal interface. Here we have used 13C solid-state NMR (SSNMR) techniques to investigate the conformation of an N-terminal peptide of salivary statherin both free and adsorbed on hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals. The torsion angle φ was determined at three positions along the backbone of the phosphorylated N-terminal 15 amino acid peptide fragment (DpSpSEEKFLRRIGRFG) by measuring distances between the backbone carbonyls carbons in the indicated adjacent amino acids using dipolar recoupling with a windowless sequence (DRAWS). Global secondary structure was determined by measuring the dipolar coupling between the 13C backbone carbonyl and the backbone 15N in the i → i + 4 residues (DpSpSEEKFLRRIGRFG) using rotational ech...
An aeroelastic instability provides a possible basis for the transition from gliding to flapping flight.

The morphology, kinematics and stiffness properties of lifting surfaces play a key role in the aerodynamic performance of vertebrate flight. These surfaces, as a result of their flexible nature, may move both actively, owing to muscle contraction, and passively, in reaction to fluid forces. However, the nature and implications of this fluid–structure interaction are not well understood. Here, we study passive flight (flight with no active wing actuation) and explore a physical mechanism that leads to the emergence of a natural flapping motion. We model a vertebrate wing with a compliant shoulder and the ability to camber with an idealized physical model consisting of a cantilevered flat plate with a hinged trailing flap. We find that at low wind speed the wing is stationary, but at a critical speed the wing spontaneously flaps. The lift coefficient is significantly enhanced once the wing starts to oscillate, although this increase in lift generation is accompanied by an increase in drag. Flow visualization suggests that a strong leading edge vortex attached to the wing during downstroke is the primary mechanism responsible for the enhanced lift. The flapping instability we observe suggests a possible scenario for an evolutionary transition from gliding to powered flapping flight in animals that possess compliant wings capable of passive camber. Although the flapping state is accompanied by a lower lift-to-drag ratio, the increased lifting capability it confers might have enabled increased body mass, improved foraging performance and/or flight at lower speeds, any of which might have been selectively advantageous.
Concise Synthesis of 4-Acylamino Analogues of 2-Aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic Acids (LY354740) from an Acylnitroso Diels−Alder Cycloadduct

Concise total syntheses of 4-acylamino analogues of LY354740 were accomplished employing an N-Boc acylnitroso Diels-Alder cycloadduct as the starting material. The syntheses involved N-O bond cleavage, oxidation, intermolecular cyclopropanation, Bucherer-Bergs reaction, hydrolysis, and regioselective acylation with a temporary copper chelate. The synthesis of an optically active compound was also achieved.
The chamber orifice interaction in the formation of bubbles

Abstract Since 1950 we have known that bubbles forming at orifices interact with the gas in the chamber below the orifice. This paper (1) presents a mechanistic model of that interaction based on a simple material balance, and a consideration of the pressure-time history of a forming bubble; (2) shows the model's experimental confirmation over a wide range of variables; (3) shows a theoretical lower chamber-volume limit to the applicability of this model and confirms it experimentally; (4) shows an approximate upper chamber-volume limit to the applicability of the model, and shows that this limit is experimentally confirmed, at least approximately; and (5) shows that the observed pressure-time behavior in the chamber is in accord with the above-described model and its limits.
Multilevel diversity coding with secrecy constraints

We consider the problem of communicating multiple sources to a receiver amidst an eavesdropper. The source encoder encodes the sources and sends it through the available L channels to the receiver. The eavesdropper has access to a subset of m channels (m ≪ L). There are totally L − m sources to be communicated to the receiver with the stipulation that the receiver needs to be able to reconstruct sources {1; 2 … k}, by accessing any subset of (m + k) channels (1 ≤ k ≤ L − m). We obtain the coding rate region for the case when L = 3, m = 1 and show that separate and secure encoding of sources is optimal for this problem. For the case of arbitrary m, L we derive a lower bound on the sum rate and the result implies a separation scheme to achieve this lower bound.
Advanced statistics: Missing data in clinical research - Part 1:An introduction and conceptual framework

Missing data are commonly encountered in clinical research. Unfortunately, they are often neglected or not properly handled during analytic procedures, and this may substantially bias the results of the study, reduce study power, and lead to invalid conclusions. In this two-part series, the authors will introduce key concepts regarding missing data in clinical research, provide a conceptual framework for how to approach missing data in this setting, describe typical mechanisms and patterns of censoring of data and their relationships to specific methods of handling incomplete data, and describe in detail several simple and more complex methods of handling such data. In part 1, the authors will describe relatively simple approaches to handling missing data, including complete-case analysis, available-case analysis, and several forms of single imputation, including mean imputation, regression imputation, hot and cold deck imputation, last observation carried forward, and worst case analysis. In part 2, the authors will describe in detail multiple imputation, a more sophisticated and valid method for handling missing data.
Some aspects of transient cooling of a radiating rectangular medium

The emission from a gray radiating medium is analyzed for transient cooling in surroundings at a low temperature. The medium is rectangular with no variations in the direction normal to the cross section. The integral equation for the transient temperature distribution is solved numerically using a two-dimensional Gaussian integration subroutine. The emissive ability for a rectangle at uniform temperature is compared with that for transient cooling where the temperature distribution of the region has reached a fully developed shape, as shown by a separation of variables solution. The two solutions provide the upper and lower bounds for the emittance of a rectangle during transient cooling. The emittances for various aspect ratios are presented as a function of the mean length of the rectangle and are compared with results for a plane layer and a cylinder.
The Last Six Months of Life for Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

To characterize the experiences of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) during their last 6 months of life.
NMR applied to zeolite synthesis

Abstract Zeolites are synthesized from highly alkaline aluminosilicate gels. The structure of the gel and the connectivity of the Si and Al atoms in both the solid and liquid portions of the gel can be probed by NMR. Results are presented showing the applications of 29Si MAS NMR to study the transformations occurring during the synthesis of NaY zeolite and the purely siliceous form of ZSM-5, known as silicalite. Structure directing tetrapropylammonium (TPA+) cations are required for the synthesis of silicalite. It is demonstrated that 1H-29Si and 1H-13C CP MAS NMR provide information about the relationship of the TPA+ cations to the siliceous portions of the synthesis gel and about the conformation of the propyl groups of the cation. The use of liquid-line 29Si and 27Al NMR to identify the composition and structure of silicate and aluminosilicate species in TPA silicate and aluminosilicate solutions is illustrated as well.
Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9: a proximal biomarker for cardiac remodeling and a distal biomarker for inflammation

Adverse cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) remains a significant cause of congestive heart failure. Additional and novel strategies that improve our ability to predict, diagnose, or treat remodeling are needed. Numerous groups have explored single and multiple biomarker strategies to identify diagnostic prognosticators of remodeling progression, which will improve our ability to promptly and accurately identify high-risk individuals. The identification of better clinical indicators should further lead to more effective prediction and timely treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) is one potential biomarker for cardiac remodeling, as demonstrated by both animal models and clinical studies. In animal MI models, MMP-9 expression significantly increases and is linked with inflammation, diabetic microvascular complications, extracellular matrix degradation and synthesis, and cardiac dysfunction. Clinical studies have also established a relationship between MMP-9 and post-MI remodeling and mortality, making MMP-9 a viable candidate to add to the multiple biomarker list. By definition, a proximal biomarker shows a close relationship with its target disease, whereas a distal biomarker exhibits non-targeted disease modifying outcomes. In this review, we explore the ability of MMP-9 to serve as a proximal biomarker for cardiac remodeling and a distal biomarker for inflammation. We summarize the current molecular basis and clinical platform that allow us to include MMP-9 as a biomarker in both categories.
Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Tolerance to Heat

ABSTRACT The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is an important citrus pest because it vectors bacteria responsible for a serious citrus disease known as huanglongbing (also called citrus greening disease). We conducted research on Asian citrus psyllid heat tolerance, with special emphasis on identifying heat treatments lethal to adult Asian citrus psyllid. Working with an Asian citrus psyllid colony maintained at 27°C, we assessed survival of adult Asian citrus psyllid exposed to temperatures of 43–60°C for various durations in a laboratory oven. We found under our experimental conditions that adult Asian citrus psyllid cannot survive at 50°C for more than ≈10 min and that death occurred faster at higher temperatures; males tended to be more heat-tolerant than females; young adults were less tolerant of high temperatures than older adults; adult Asian citrus psyllids predisposed to warmer temperatures were more heat-tolerant than those predisposed to cooler temperature...
Changes in body weight after treatment of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.

Objective: Surprisingly few studies have examined weight change in hypothyroid patients after initiation of levothyroxine (LT4) therapy. Our study aimed to investigate weight change after initiation of LT4 treatment for primary hypothyroidism.Methods: Using electronic medical records from Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, we performed a retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2003, and February 1, 2011. Adults ≥18 years of age with newly diagnosed primary hypothyroidism with an initial thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level ≥10 mIU/L were identified. Patients with postsurgical hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, and a history of radioactive iodine or head/neck irradiation, congestive heart failure, anorexia nervosa, end-stage renal disease, cirrhosis, pregnancy, or use of prescription weight-loss medications were excluded. TSH and weight at diagnosis and up to 24 months after LT4 initiation were collected. Weight change was assessed at the first posttreatment serum TSH level <5 mIU/L.Result...
DirCast: A practical and efficient Wi-Fi multicast system

IP multicast applications such as live lecture broadcasts are being increasingly used in enterprise and campus networks. In many cases, end hosts access these multicast streams using Wi-Fi networks. However, multicast over Wi-Fi suffers from several well-known problems such as low data rate, high losses and unfairness vis-a-vis other contending unicast transmissions. In this paper we present DirCast, a system to solve many of these problems. DirCast requires no changes to the 802.11 MAC protocol or the wireless access points. Software changes are required on clients only if they wish to participate in multicast sessions. The aim of DirCast system is to minimize the airtime consumed by the multicast traffic, while simultaneously improving client experience. To meet these goals, the DirCast converts multicast packets to unicast packets targeted to certain selected clients; other clients receive these packets by listening in promiscuous mode. The target clients are carefully selected to minimize loss rate experienced by the non-targeted clients. If necessary, clients are forced to change the AP they are associated with. In addition, DirCast uses proactive adaptive FEC to further reduce the loss rate and implements a novel virtual multicast interface in order to be compatible with the security needs of the enterprise. We demonstrate the effectiveness of DirCast using extensive experiments in a Wi-Fi prototype implementation and through large-scale simulations.
The influence of inadequate antimicrobial treatment of bloodstream infections on patient outcomes in the ICU setting

Study objective: To evaluate the relationship between the adequacy of antimicrobial treatment for bloodstream infections and clinical outcomes among patients requiring ICU admission. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: A medical ICU (19 beds) and a surgical ICU (18 beds) from a university-affiliated urban teaching hospital. Patients: Between July 1997 and July 1999, 492 patients were prospectively evaluated. Intervention: Prospective patient surveillance and data collection. Results: One hundred forty-seven patients (29.9%) received inadequate antimicrobial treatment for their bloodstream infections. The hospital mortality rate of patients with a bloodstream infection receiving inadequate antimicrobial treatment (61.9%) was statistically greater than the hospital mortality rate of patients with a bloodstream infection who received adequate antimicrobial treatment (28.4%; relative risk, 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77 to 2.69; p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment as an independent determinant of hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.86; 95% CI, 5.09 to 9.24; p < 0.001). The most commonly identified bloodstream pathogens and their associated rates of inadequate antimicrobial treatment included vancomycin-resistant enterococci (n 5 17; 100%), Candida species (n 5 41; 95.1%), oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n 5 46; 32.6%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n 5 96; 21.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n 5 22; 10.0%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the rates of inadequate antimicrobial treatment for individual microorganisms and their associated rates of hospital mortality (Spearman correlation coefficient 5 0.8287; p 5 0.006). Multiple logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that a bloodstream infection attributed to Candida species (AOR, 51.86; 95% CI, 24.57 to 109.49; p < 0.001), prior administration of antibiotics during the same hospitalization (AOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.74; p 5 0.008), decreasing serum albumin concentrations (1-g/dL decrements) (AOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.56; p 5 0.014), and increasing central catheter duration (1-day increments) (AOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.04; p 5 0.008) were independently associated with the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment. Conclusions: The administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment to critically ill patients with bloodstream infections is associated with a greater hospital mortality compared with adequate antimicrobial treatment of bloodstream infections. These data suggest that clinical efforts should be aimed at reducing the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment to hospitalized patients with bloodstream infections, especially individuals infected with antibioticresistant bacteria and Candida species. (CHEST 2000; 118:146 ‐155)
All-optical silicon modulators based on carrier injection by two-photon absorption

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a silicon all-optical modulator based on free-carrier injection by two-photon absorption (TPA) in a highly light-confining structure. In spite of the weak optoelectronic properties of silicon, strong light confinement allows high modulation depths in very compact devices requiring low-energy pump pulses. This analysis is applied to 1-5 mum radius silicon ring resonators with the pump pulse coupled on-chip and including in the model the scattering loss due to sidewall roughness originating from the fabrication process. The calculations show that using this scheme, modulation depths greater than 80% can be achieved, with no more than 3 pJ of pump pulse energy, at speeds on the order of 10 GHz
Using global statistical tests in long-term Parkinson's disease clinical trials

Parkinson's disease (PD) impairments are multidimensional, making it difficult to choose a single primary outcome when evaluating treatments to stop or lessen the long-term decline in PD. We review commonly used multivariate statistical methods for assessing a treatment's global impact, and we highlight the novel Global Statistical Test (GST) methodology. We compare the GST to other multivariate approaches using data from two PD trials. In one trial where the treatment showed consistent improvement on all primary and secondary outcomes, the GST was more powerful than other methods in demonstrating significant improvement. In the trial where treatment induced both improvement and deterioration in key outcomes, the GST failed to demonstrate statistical evidence even though other techniques showed significant improvement. Based on the statistical properties of the GST and its relevance to overall treatment benefit, the GST appears particularly well suited for a disease like PD where disability and impairment reflect dysfunction of diverse brain systems and where both disease and treatment side effects impact quality of life. In future long term trials, use of GST for primary statistical analysis would allow the assessment of clinically relevant outcomes rather than the artificial selection of a single primary outcome.
Simultaneous orthogonal-plane particle image velocimetry measurements in a turbulent boundary layer

© Cambridge University Press. Hambleton, W.T., Hutchins, N., & Marusic, I. (2006). Simultaneous orthogonal-plane particle image velocimetry measurements in a turbulent boundary layer. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 560, 53-64. http://www.jfm.damtp.cam.ac.uk/
Persisting aphasia as the sole manifestation of partial status epilepticus

Objectives: Persisting aphasia presenting as an isolated inability to vocalize is an uncommon presentation of simple partial status epilepticus and only eight such cases have been reported over the past 40 years. Methods: We studied a patient with a 5-year history of recurrent episodes of inability to talk, without any other motor or cognitive impairments. Episodes lasted as long as 24 h, interictal EEGs were normal and she was diagnosed as a conversion disorder. Results: EEG recordings during one of the episodes showed continuous discharges in the right frontal and parasagital areas demonstrating the ictal nature of the deficits. During the episode the patient had no deficits of strength, or in her ability to perform skilled movements to command, imitation or manipulation of objects. Comprehension of complex verbal commands was preserved and she would make attempts to articulate words and correctly answered questions with head nodding or monosyllables, yes or no. She could hum but had no other vocalizations. Conclusions: This is the first case of aphasic status epilepticus secondary to epileptogenic discharges of the right hemisphere. The case is also unique for the isolated involvement of production of language during the seizure.
Trade-offs associated with normalizing constant computational simplifications for estimating spatial statistical models

(1995). Trade-offs associated with normalizing constant computional simplifications for estimating spatial statistical models. Journal of Statistical Computation and Simulation: Vol. 51, No. 2-4, pp. 165-183.
Avalanche models for solar flares (Invited Review)

This paper is a pedagogical introduction to avalanche models of solar flares, including a comprehensive review of recent modeling efforts and directions. This class of flare model is built on a recent paradigm in statistical physics, known as self-organized criticality. The basic idea is that flares are the result of an ‘avalanche’ of small-scale magnetic reconnection events cascading through a highly stressed coronal magnetic structure, driven to a critical state by random photospheric motions of its magnetic footpoints. Such models thus provide a natural and convenient computational framework to examine Parker's hypothesis of coronal heating by nanoflares.
Efficient semi-implicit schemes for stiff systems

When explicit time discretization schemes are applied to stiff reaction-diffusion equations, the stability constraint on the time step depends on two terms: the diffusion and the reaction. The part of the stability constraint due to diffusion can be totally removed if the linear diffusions are treated exactly using integration factor (IF) or exponential time differencing (ETD) methods. For systems with severely stiff reactions, those methods are not efficient because the reaction terms in IF or ETD are still approximated with explicit schemes. In this paper, we introduce a new class of semi-implicit schemes, which treats the linear diffusions exactly and explicitly, and the nonlinear reactions implicitly. A distinctive feature of the scheme is the decoupling between the exact evaluation of the diffusion terms and implicit treatment of the nonlinear reaction terms. As a result, the size of the nonlinear system arising from the implicit treatment of the reactions is independent of the number of spatial grid points; it only depends on the number of original equations, unlike the case in which standard implicit temporal schemes are directly applied to the reaction-diffusion system. The stability region for this class of methods is much larger than existing methods using an explicit treatment of reaction terms. In particular, the one with second order accuracy is unconditionally linearly stable with respect to both diffusion and reaction. Direct numerical simulations on test equations, as well as morphogen systems from developmental biology, show the new semi-implicit schemes are efficient, robust and accurate.
A feminist critique of solution-focused therapy

Abstract Applying the feminist critique to solution-focused therapy highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this model from a feminist perspective. Although solution-focused therapy and feminist approaches share an emphasis on competence and strengths, solution-focused therapy tends to overlook gender and power differences. In general, the model falls prey to what R. T. Hare-Mustin (1987) referred to as beta-prejudice-neglecting differences.
An adiabatic electron fluid particle-in-cell method for simulating ion-driven parametric instabilities

Summary form only given, as follows. A hybrid particle-in-cell method is presented in which the electrons are modeled as an adiabatic fluid with an arbitrary ratio of specific heats /spl gamma/. The electromagnetic field model is based on a temporal WKB approximation which results in a Schrodinger equation for the field envelope. The method is a new tool for simulating ion-driven parametric instabilities which often exist in laser-produced plasmas. The method is general, and does not depend on the number of spatial dimensions. The method will model the plasma behavior correctly even in situations where the electron Debye shielding is not negligible . (For the current inertial confinement fusion regime of interest, k/spl lambda//sub De/=O(1), i.e., the Debye shielding effect is significant.) Test simulations of ion Landau damping and of stimulated Brillouin scattering in both one and two dimensions are performed, and the results are in excellent agreement with linear Vlasov theory.
Effects of a proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole) and food on the bioavailability of enzastaurin administered as single oral doses to healthy subjects

14076 Background: Enzastaurin (ENZ) targets the PKCβ and PI3K/AKT pathways to induce tumor cell apoptosis, reduce proliferation, and suppress tumor-induced angiogenesis. In vitro studies show ENZ s...
Ocean Convective Available Potential Energy. Part II: Energetics of Thermobaric Convection and Thermobaric Cabbeling

The energetics of thermobaricity- and cabbeling-powered deep convection occurring in oceans with cold freshwater overlying warm salty water are investigated here. These quasi-two-layer profiles are widely observed in wintertime polar oceans. The key diagnostic is the ocean convective available potential energy (OCAPE), a concept introduced in a companion piece to this paper (Part I). For an isolated ocean column, OCAPE arises from thermobaricity and is the maximum potential energy (PE) that can be converted into kinetic energy (KE) under adiabatic vertical parcel rearrangements. This study explores the KE budget of convection using two-dimensional numerical simulations and analytical estimates. The authors find that OCAPE is a principal source for KE. However, the complete conversion of OCAPE to KE is inhibited by diabatic processes. Further, this study finds that diabatic processes produce three other distinct contributions to the KE budget: (i) a sink of KE due to the reduction of stratification by vertical mixing, which raises water column’s center of mass and thus acts to convert KE to PE; (ii) a source of KE due to cabbeling-induced shrinking of the water column’s volume when water masses with different temperatures are mixed, which lowers the water column’s center of mass and thus acts to convert PE into KE; and (iii) a reduced production of KE due to diabatic energy conversion of the KE convertible part of the PE to the KE inconvertible part of the PE. Under some simplifying assumptions, the authors also propose a theory to estimate the maximum depth of convection from an energetic perspective. This study provides a potential basis for improving the convection parameterization in ocean models.
Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

The Cox-maze procedure for the restoration of normal sinus rhythm, initially developed by Dr. James Cox, underwent several iterations over the years. The main concept consists of creating a series of transmural lesions in the right and left atria that disrupt re-entrant circuits responsible for propagating the abnormal atrial fibrillation rhythm. The left atrial appendage is excluded as a component of the Maze procedure. For the first three iterations of the Cox- maze procedure, these lesions were performed using a surgical cut-and-sew approach that ensured transmurality. The Cox-Maze IV is the most currently accepted iteration. It achieves the same lesion set of the Cox- maze III but uses alternative energy sources to create the transmural lesions, potentially in a minimally invasive approach on the beating heart. High-frequency ultrasound, microwave, and laser energy have all been used with varying success in the past. Today, bipolar radiofrequency heat or cryotherapy cooling are the most accepted sources for creating linear lesions with consistent safety and transmurality. The robust and reliable nature of these energy delivery methods has yielded a success rate reaching 90% freedom from atrial fibrillation at 12 months. Such approaches offer a significant long-term advantage over catheter-based ablation, especially in patients having longstanding, persistent atrial fibrillation with characteristics such as dilated left atrial dimensions, poor ejection fraction, and failed catheter ablation. Based on these improved results, there currently is significant interest in developing a hybrid ablation strategy that incorporates the superior transmural robust lesions of surgical ablation, the reliable stroke prevention potential of epicardial left atrial appendage exclusion, and sophisticated mapping and confirmatory catheter-based ablation technology. Such a minimally invasive hybrid strategy for ablation may lead to the development of multidisciplinary "Afib teams" to obtain optimal long-term sinus rhythm control. This article provides an overview of current surgical strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation and addresses the two main goals in its management.
Resurrecting the Nullenergihuset in Denmark

The concept of a Zero Energy House is a desirable fundamental goal in housing technology. Creative engineers and architects have for years dreamt of and built comfortable modern houses with technological sophistication that harvested all local energy to create a comfortable, tropical savannah environment indoors with only the natural sunlight available onsite and any other sources of energy from natural income energy. A first proof of concept house at “high ” latitude, the “Nullenergihuset”, (Danish for zero energy house) built in 1974, is such a house, and deserves continued and expanded awareness and publicity about what it offers and its lessons. This paper seeks to achieve that publicity and awareness through pointing out the valuable example this house offers a world which badly needs just such an example of housing technology.
Hair Cell Modelling to Explore the Physiological Basis of Tuning in the Lower Vertebrate Ear

I developed a model of an isolated acoustic sensory hair cell, including membrane dynamics, to explore the role of hair cell resonance in the tuning processes of lower vertebrates and to ascertain if the frequency response of a single hair cell could adequately explain the tuning observed in primary afferents from intact end-organs of the bullfrog. Driving the modelled hair cell with small-signal sinusoidal force, I observed the transfer relationship between bundle stimulation and membrane potential. The observed transfer relation was of low dynamic order and was not consistent with the transfer relations typically seen in bullfrog auditory afferents. Hence I suspect the tuning involves interactions between several hair cells, perhaps facilitated by mechanical linkages.
An evaluation of the impact of "helicopter ride therapy" for in-patient Vietnam veterans with war-related PTSD.

An evaluation study is reported about an unprecedented in vivo activity: Huey helicopter rides in the inpatient treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder among Vietnam veterans. A pre- and post-ride attitude survey (N = 45) and clinical observations revealed a series of salient outcomes, including the provocation of pre-existing traumatic memories and pre-flight concerns, profound in-flight reactions, post-flight triggering of intrusive, painful memories, the enhancement of peer group bonding and remembrance of positive war associations, and the desensitization to helicopters and other military stimuli. Theoretical and clinical implications are elaborated. Language: en
Verifying the Security Characteristics of a Secure Physical Access Control Protocol

Physical access control protocols provide a structured method of controlling the behavior of physical devices which in many cases are not only remotely located with respect to the accessing entity, but require the exchange of messages over one or more untrusted networks, such as the internet. Therefore, if it is necessary to prevent unauthorized access to the controlled physical devices, it is essential that the physical access control protocol exhibit certain verifiable security properties. We studied the Universal Physical Access Control System (UPACS) and used the formal protocol verification tool Proverif to verify that it possesses several key security properties. We also conducted a security analysis of the protocol and verified that it was resilient or otherwise invulnerable to several known forms of security attack, including Attacks on User Privacy and Anonymity, Session Key Security Attacks, Password Guessing Attacks, De-Synchronization Attacks, Replay Attacks, Eavesdropping Attacks, Denial-of-S...
When is “Everyone's Doing It” A Moral Justification?

The claim that “Everyone's doing it” is frequently offered as a reason for engaging in behavior that is widespread but less-than-ideal. This is particularly true in business, where competitors’ conduct often forces hard choices on managers. When is the claim “Everyone's doing it” a morally valid reason for following others’ lead? This discussion proposes and develops five prima facie conditions to identify when the existence of prevalent but otherwise undesirable behavior provides a moral justification for our engaging in such behavior ourselves. The balance of the discussion focuses on testing these conditions by applying them to a series of representative cases in business ethics.
Characterization of spall from observed strong ground motions on Pahute Mesa

Abstract Ground motion velocity and acceleration data recorded within the spall region on over 30 Pahute Mesa explosions have been analyzed for characterization of the spall source. These data provide observations of peak spall velocities and the spatial extent of spall from which estimates of the volume and mass of spalled material were obtained, along with the yield scaling. Spall velocities at ground zero are higher, and the apparent attenuation of velocities is lower for explosions below the water table compared to shots above the water table in tuff or rhyolite. As a result, the lateral and depth extents of spall are larger for shots below the water table, and the estimated spall mass is three times larger than the estimate for explosions above the water table. The lateral and depth extents were found to scale as the quarter root of the yield ( W ) as opposed to the familiar cube-root scaling, and assuming a cylindrically symmetric volume, the mass scales as W 0.77±.05 . At 150 kt, the estimated mass for a shot below the water table is 15 times greater than the first estimates made by Viecelli. While this estimate suggests a much larger spall source than originally believed, not all of the mass is necessarily involved in generating seismic waves recorded in the far field, and the coupling efficiency of spall remains an outstanding, unresolved problem.
V.F Signal Accumulation in Radar Sensitivity Measurement

In this article, the role of V.F signal accumulation in radar systems is analyzed. Details of the digitalized implementation of the signal accumulation are then documented. Furthermore, the signal accumulation technique is applied to evaluate the sensibility of a radar receiver, and it is shown that this technique leads to a robust measurement of the receiver sensitivity.
Landing the right job: it's all in the interview.

"... And What About You?" is a regular column in Advanced Practice Nursing Quarterly featuring multiple facets of personal and career development. This column will provide tools and strategies to support the continual learning that is vital for self-management of one's personal growth and career development.
Parathyroid hormone: a uremic toxin.

A Sundry of clinical, biochemical and radiographic abnormalities occur in patients with advanced renal failure. These are listed in Table 1, and they constitute the uremic syndrome. Their pathogenesis have been attributed to uremic toxins.
Practical approaches to pediatric gastrointestinal radiology

Abstract Radiologic evaluation of the pediatric gastrointestinal tract requires knowledge of the specific problems acutely afflicting the gastrointestinal tract in children and the specialized approaches required for accurate radiologic diagnosis. Efficacious radiologic evaluation and accurate diagnosis are possible only when the radiologist is aware of the presence and significance of clinical findings. The radiologist must take an active role in formulating a presumptive diagnosis and determining the best course of radiologic examination. Careful correlation of clinical and radiologic findings is necessary to assure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
The Impact of Climate Change–Related Imagery and Text on Public Opinion and Behavior Change

This experimental study investigates how imagery and text in news coverage of climate change affect perceptions of issue importance, efficacy, and intentions to conserve energy and engage in climate change-related political behavior. The results reveal that images of solar panels and texts that discuss actions to address climate change increase individuals’ perceptions of efficacy. Perceived efficacy and issue importance each have a positive association with behavior change. In contrast to previous studies, the present investigation finds no evidence that exposure to images of either climate impacts or climate pollution negatively influence perceived efficacy or positively influence perceived issue importance.
How should we define, document, and prevent conflicts of interest in alcohol research?

Babor, T. (2016). How should we define, document, and prevent conflicts of interest in alcohol research?. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 5 (1), 5-7. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v5i1.232 Aims: Conflicts of interest (COIs) in science and medicine have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. This article reviews definitions of COI, as well as measures used to document, prevent, and manage COIs. Findings: The positive association between COIs and the outcomes of research has been documented in a substantial body of research covering a variety of fields, including addiction research. Attempts to address COIs include funding declarations, voluntary bans of receipt of industry funding, and ethical analyses. Conclusions: To protect the scientific integrity of the alcohol field from further influence from commercial and other competing interests, reasonable and consistent reporting procedures are needed at a minimum. Direct funding from major transnational alcohol producers involves major reputational and ethical risks that may require more stringent measures by professional societies, university administrators, and journal editors.
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review

AIM: The present systematic review aims to collect and review existing research related to the use of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as a nutritional treatment for Crohn’s disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four medical databases were examined in order to perform an exhaustive search for studies that used the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as an intervention in a population of individuals with Crohn’s disease. Eight studies with a variety of observational designs met the predetermined inclusion criteria. RESULTS: All 8 studies demonstrated clinical benefits of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as a component of the management of Crohn’s disease. Specific outcomes included symptom improvement (both objective and subjective), improvement in laboratory measures, and initiation or maintenance of remission. However, there were weaknesses in the design of some studies that were considered in the interpretation of results. CONCLUSION: The Specific Carbohydrate Diet shows promise as a nutritional treatment for Crohn’s disease, both in adults and children. However, further research may be needed, with stronger study designs, before clinicians can routinely recommend it.
E-HPC: a library for elastic resource management in HPC environments

Next-generation data-intensive scientific workflows need to support streaming and real-time applications with dynamic resource needs on high performance computing (HPC) platforms. The static resource allocation model on current HPC systems that was designed for monolithic MPI applications is insufficient to support the elastic resource needs of current and future workflows. In this paper, we discuss the design, implementation and evaluation of Elastic-HPC (E-HPC), an elastic framework for managing resources for scientific workflows on current HPC systems. E-HPC considers a resource slot for a workflow as an elastic window that might map to different physical resources over the duration of a workflow. Our framework uses checkpoint-restart as the underlying mechanism to migrate workflow execution across the dynamic window of resources. E-HPC provides the foundation necessary to enable dynamic resource allocation of HPC resources that are needed for streaming and real-time workflows. E-HPC has negligible overhead beyond the cost of checkpointing. Additionally, E-HPC results in decreased turnaround time of workflows compared to traditional model of resource allocation for workflows, where resources are allocated per stage of the workflow. Our evaluation shows that E-HPC improves core hour utilization for common workflow resource use patterns and provides an effective framework for elastic expansion of resources for applications with dynamic resource needs.
Orthopedia homeobox is preferentially expressed in typical carcinoids of the lung.

Background Twenty-seven percent of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are associated with distant metastases, and in some patients, the primary site is unknown. Orthopedia homeobox protein (OTP) has been described as a useful marker for lung carcinoids (LCs) and for separating low-grade typical carcinoids (TCs) from intermediate-grade atypical carcinoids (ACs) in resection specimens. This study evaluated OTP, thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and Ki-67 expression in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples of various NETs. Methods A search for NETs diagnosed via FNA with subsequent resection was performed. Cell block sections were stained for OTP, TTF-1, and mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Mib-1). Nuclear expression for OTP and TTF-1 was considered positive. Nuclear Ki-67 staining was reported as a percentage. Results were correlated with the grade and primary site for resection specimens. Results Sixty-three FNA samples of NETs were identified: 14 liver samples, 14 pancreatic samples, 13 lymph node samples, 12 lung samples, 3 retroperitoneum samples, 2 small intestine samples, and 5 other samples. OTP was positive in 12 of 63 NETs (19%) from the following sites: lung (n = 8), liver (lung primary; n = 2), skin (n = 1), and lymph node (lung primary; n = 1). In well-differentiated NETs, only LCs were OTP-positive, whereas TTF-1 was positive in LCs and nonlung NETs (67% vs 7%). Within the LC category, OTP was positive in 100% of the TCs versus 17% of the ACs. Conclusions OTP is specific for LCs because well-differentiated nonlung NETs are negative for OTP. OTP preferentially stains TCs over ACs. In well-differentiated NETs, OTP staining is highly specific for LCs, and in combination with a low Ki-67 index, it suggests a pulmonary TC. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:236-42. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Increased Phenacetin Oxidation upon the L382V Substitution in Cytochrome P450 1A2 is Associated with Altered Substrate Binding Orientation.

Leucine382 of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) plays an important role in binding and O-dealkylation of phenacetin, with the L382V mutation increasing substrate oxidation (Huang and Szklarz, 2010, Drug Metab. Dispos. 38:1039–1045). This was attributed to altered substrate binding orientation, but no direct experimental evidence had been available. Therefore, in the current studies, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) longitudinal (T1) relaxation measurements to investigate phenacetin binding orientations within the active site of CYP1A2 wild type (WT) and mutants. Paramagnetic relaxation time (T1P) for each proton of phenacetin was calculated from the T1 value obtained from the enzymes in ferric and ferrous-CO state in the presence of phenacetin, and used to model the orientation of phenacetin in the active site. All aromatic protons of phenacetin were nearly equidistant from the heme iron (6.34–8.03 A). In contrast, the distance between the proton of the –OCH2– group, which is abstracted during phenacetin oxidation, and the heme iron, was much shorter in the L382V (5.93 A) and L382V/N312L (5.96 A) mutants compared to the N312L mutant (7.84 A) and the wild type enzyme (6.55 A), consistent with modeling results. These studies provide direct evidence for the molecular mechanism underlying increased oxidation of phenacetin upon the L382V mutation.
Eyeblink Classical Conditioning

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by D. Lavond, volume 8, pp. 5214–5217, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.