cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying opportunities for PharmD curricular reform by surveying oncology pharmacists about career preparedness and exposure.

Abstract Introduction The primary objective of the study was to assess factors that predict pursuit of an oncology post-graduate year 2 (PGY-2) residency. Additional objectives included identifying the role of and exploring opportunities for PharmD curricula to increase student interest in the oncology field. Methods An anonymous 15-minute survey was developed and administered to oncology pharmacists and residents. Study participants were included if they were actively practicing as clinical pharmacists in an oncology setting in the US, maintained an active pharmacist license, and >18 years of age. Responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. All results are reported in aggregate, with the exception of quotes obtained from open-ended responses. Results Eighty participants were included in analyses. After controlling for variance due to age, sex, race, years of practice, the number of oncology advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) correlated with pursuit of a PGY-2 residency in oncology (p = 0.047). Additionally, participants' perceived level of preparedness from didactic oncology training predicted pursuit of an oncology PGY-2 residency (p = 0.002). Emerging themes in pursuing oncology from open-ended items revealed that inclusion of supportive care in the didactic curriculum and having a family member or friend diagnosed with cancer were important factors. Additionally, participants' responses regarding PharmD curricula included recommendations to inform didactic and experiential education. Conclusions The results support the need for reevaluation of oncology education in PharmD curricula. Further studies could explore specific aspects of didactic curriculum that impact the level of student preparedness, and which elements encourage a student pharmacist to seek further training in the oncology field.
A risk scoring system for African-American (AA) patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with first-line abiraterone (ABA) or enzalutamide (ENZ).

51Background: AA pts represented < 3% of the COU-AA-302 and PREVAIL trial cohorts that led to the approval of ABA and ENZ in the 1st line treatment of mCRPC. We characterized the clinical outcomes ...
Enhanced photoluminescence properties and increased long-term stability of zero-dimensional cesium lead bromide nanocrystals via gas-phase alumina oxide encapsulation (Conference Presentation)

Cs-based perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) possess alluring optoelectronic properties through compositional and structural versatility, tunable bandgap, high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) and facile chemical synthesis. However, PL properties of solid-state samples suffer from environmental and operational degradation. Here we report alumina (AlOx) encapsulation of 0D Cs4PbBr6 nanocrystal thin films and individual nanoparticles using a modified atomic layer deposition (ALD) method with concurrent exposure of both Al and water precursors in the gas flow. We observed stronger PL intensity, increased PL lifetimes and much improved long-term stability at both film and single PNC level. These findings provide roadmap for ALD utilization to create solid-state perovskite devices.
Expansion and scale-up of HIV care and treatment services in four countries over ten years.

Background Scale-up and expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV) have been a global priority for more than 15 years. Methods We describe PLHIV at enrollment in care and ART initiation in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania from 2005–2014 and report on enrollment location, CD4 count and loss to follow-up (LTF), death, and combined attrition (LTF and death) pre- and post-ART initiation over time. Pre-ART outcomes were estimated using competing risk and post-ART using Kaplan-Meier estimators; LTF defined as no visit within six months pre-ART and 12 months after ART start. Results From 2005–2014, 884,328 PLHIV enrolled in care at 350 health facilities, median age was 32.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 26.0–42.0), and majority were female (66.5%). The proportion of PLHIV enrolled at primary and rural facilities increased from 12.9% and 15.3% in 2005–2006 to 43.5% and 41.7% in 2013–2014 (p<0.0001). Median CD4+ cell count at enrollment increased from 171 cell/mm3 in 2005–2006 (IQR 71–339) to 289 cell/mm3 in 2013–2014 (IQR 133–485) (p<0.0001). A total of 460,758 (57.4%) PLHIV initiated treatment. Cumulative risk of LTF for PLHIV prior to ART initiation 12 months after enrollment was 33.5% (95%CI 33.36–33.58) and 21.98% (95%CI 21.9–22.1) after ART initiation. Pregnant women and the youngest PLHIV group had the highest attrition after ART initiation, at 24 months 40.8% (95%CI 40.1–41.6) of pregnant women and 47.4% (95%CI 46.4–48.4) of PLHIV 15–19 years were not retained. Attrition at 12 months after enrollment among PLHIV regardless of ART status was 38.5% (95%CI 38.4–38.6). Conclusion Over 10 years of HIV scale-up in four sub-Saharan African countries, close to a million PLHIV were enrolled in care increasingly at rural and primary facilities with increasing CD4 count. Loss to follow-up from HIV care remains alarmingly high, particularly among pregnant women and younger PLHIV.
Agent Based Modeling for Flood Inundation Mapping and Rerouting

Abstract Natural disasters like earthquakes and floods can have a serious impact on road networks, which are critical to supply chain infrastructure and to provide connectivity. These extreme events can result in isolating people in the affected area from hospitals and emergency response. This paper presents an agent-based model for understanding flood propagation and developing inundation mapping. The results from the mapping are used to identify the roads prone to floods based on elevation data and flood simulation. A simulation environment was set up in SUMO, and the costs associated with the traffic disruption are evaluated. This paper discusses the integration of various techniques for a comprehensive flood prediction and rerouting system.
Treatment sequences after discontinuing a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A comparison of cycling versus swapping strategies

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sequences of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and non-TNFi used by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients whose initial TNFi therapy has failed, and to evaluate effectiveness and costs. METHODS Using the Truven Health MarketScan Research database, we analyzed claims of commercially insured adult patients with RA who switched to their second biologic or targeted disease-modifying antirheumatic drug between January 2008 and December 2015. Our primary outcome was the frequency of treatment sequences. Our secondary outcomes were the time to therapy discontinuation, drug adherence, and drug and other health care costs. RESULTS Among 10,442 RA patients identified, 36.5% swapped to a non-TNFi drug, most commonly abatacept (54.2%). The remaining 63.5% cycled to a second TNFi, most commonly adalimumab (41.2%). For subsequent switches of therapy, non-TNFi were more common. Patients who swapped to a non-TNFi were significantly older and had more comorbidities than those who cycled to a TNFi (P < 0.001). Survival analysis showed a longer time to discontinuation for non-TNFi than for TNFi (median 605 days compared with 489 days; P < 0.001) when used after initial TNFi discontinuation, but no difference in subsequent switches of therapy. Although non-TNFi were less expensive for adherent patients, cycling to a TNFi was associated with lower costs overall. CONCLUSION Even though patients are more likely to cycle to a second TNFi than swap to a non-TNFi, those who swap to a non-TNFi are more likely to persist with the therapy. However, cycling to a TNFi is the less costly strategy.
Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain, Chronic PTSD, and Comorbidities: Reflections on a Case Study Documented over Ten Years

Chronic pain and chronic PTSD are often comorbid sequelae in patients who have experienced life-threatening experiences such as combat, assaults, or motor vehicle accidents, presenting lifelong challenges for patients and for medical management in all settings. This article briefly reviews four models for exploring the interrelationships of chronic pain and chronic PTSD. The article presents a longitudinal case study, documented over 10 years, of a patient with chronic back pain, and delayed-onset chronic PTSD related to sexual trauma experienced as a young adult. Data from the case study are examined for evidence in support of the chronic pain/chronic PTSD models. There is evidence to support all four models, with considerable evidence supporting the Mutual Maintenance Model (Sharp & Harvey, in Clinical Psychology Review 21(6): 857-77, 2001). Data show significant recovery over time from both conditions with improvements in function, work, and relationships, in response to Psychodynamic Therapy (PDT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and hypnotic interventions, physical therapy, and pilates-based exercise. Notably, both chronic conditions were addressed simultaneously, with providers working collaboratively and sharing information through the patient. Emphasis is on non-pharmaceutical rehabilitative trauma-informed and patient-centered approaches to care.
Cost Savings Associated With Palliative Care Among Older Adults With Advanced Cancer.

Background:There is inconsistent evidence that palliative care intervention decreases total healthcare expenditure at end-of-life for oncology patients. This inconsistent evidence may result from s...
The Impact of Organizational Structure on Internal and External Integration: An empirical, cross-regional assessment

We examine the effects of organizational structure on cross-functional integration, supplier integration, and customer integration and assess whether such effects vary by geographical region. Specifically, we investigate the impact of centralization, formalization, and complexity on both internal (cross-functional) and external (supplier, customer) integration. Relationships are examined across Western and East Asian environments using data collected from 238 manufacturing plants in eight countries. We find that structural features have differing impacts on cross-functional, supplier, and customer integration, and these effects vary across geographical regions.
Cultural Diversity of Romantic Love Experience

This theoretical article presents the review of modern cross-cultural research on love. Despite the cross-cultural universality of love, its specific interpretation differs from culture to culture. This review of cross-cultural findings depicts the diversity of romantic love experience across cultures.
Century-scale smart infrastructure

On average, wireless electronics devices are replaced every 50 months. On average, a bridge is replaced every 50 years. As we begin to imagine integrating electronics and intelligence into the built environment, we need to to begin to think about electronic devices and systems on infrastructure timelines. This is not to say that every individual electronic device can, will, or should last for decades, but much like the ship of Theseus, the system that defines emerging Smart Cities will have a lifetime reaching into the century-scale. In this paper, we contemplate what the devices, gateways, network architectures, and their management might look like for a system designed to operate for decades. The result is a mixture of actionable insights for today and research questions for tomorrow, which culminates in the commencement of a 50-year experiment designed to see how long energy-harvesting sensors, without the implicit lifetime of batteries, can remain viable without human attention or intervention.
Transcranial photoacoustic characterization of neurovascular physiology during early-stage photothrombotic stroke in neonatal piglets in vivo

Perinatal ischemic stroke is estimated to occur in 1/2300-1/5000 live births, but early differential diagnosis from global hypoxia-ischemia is often difficult. In this study, we tested the ability of a hand-held transcranial photoacoustic (PA) imaging to non-invasively detect a focal photothrombotic stroke (PTS) within 2 hours of stroke onset in a gyrencephalic piglet brain. 17 stroke lesions of approximately 1-cm2 area were introduced randomly in anterior or posterior cortex via the light/dye PTS technique in anesthetized neonatal piglets (n = 11). The contralateral non-ischemic region served as control tissue for discrimination contrast for the PA hemoglobin metrics: HbO2 saturation, total hemoglobin (tHb), and individual quantities of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2 and HbR). The PA-derived tissue HbO2 saturation at 2 hours yielded a significant separation between control and affected regions-of-interest (p < 0.0001), which were well matched with 24-hr post-stroke cerebral infarction confirmed in the triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-stained image. The quantity of HbO2 also displayed a significant contrast (p = 0.021), whereas tHb and HbR did not. The analysis on receiver operating characteristic curves and multivariate data analysis also agreed with the results above. This study shows that a hand-held transcranial PA neuroimaging can detect a regional thrombotic stroke in cerebral cortex of a neonatal piglet. In particular, we conclude that the HbO2 saturation metric can be used alone to identify regional stroke lesions. The lack of change in tHb may be related to arbitrary hand-held imaging configuration and/or entrapment of red blood cells within the thrombotic stroke.
High Q-Factor Graphene-Based Inductor CMOS LC Voltage Controlled Oscillator for PLL Applications

This work examines the design of high Q-factor inductor for LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) in TSMC 0.18μm n-well CMOS process technology and 1.5 V supply voltage. The planar structure of graphene and its sufficient relation time make it easier to pattern graphene into helical structures without additional contacts at each corner. The inductor is modelled with the widely accepted π-mudel and the results show that graphene inductor achieves a high Q-factor with reduced parasitics and losses when compared with Cu wire inductor. Following this, we employed the inductor in the design of 2 GHz LC VCO. From the Cadence/Spectre simulations, we obtained that the tuning range of voltage-controlled oscillator is 1.62 GHz to 3.93 GHz and the phase noise measured is -124.8 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. In addition, the VCO has a figure of merit (FoM) of206.4 dBc/Hz and consumes 3.66 mW power.
Structural Causes of Chorea

Chorea developing from structural causes is comparatively rare, though these cases have a variety of possible etiologies. Vascular lesions represent the most frequent cause, with the vast majority of clinical symptoms remitting spontaneously with time. Post-traumatic chorea can present acutely or with significant delay from the time of initial injury, with the most effective treatment being evacuation of local hematomas, if present. Chorea from cerebral palsy is often life-long, debilitating, and refractory to medical treatments, often necessitating Deep Brain Stimulation for symptom control. Infectious causes can vary widely in presentation based on the underlying disease state, with resolution usually dependent on effective treatment of the pathogen. Finally, chorea from brain tumors and other similar masses are quite uncommon, but can often be effectively managed with treatment of the underlying tumor. Regardless of the etiology, treatment with dopamine antagonists, benzodiazepines, or anti-spasticity medications can provide symptomatic benefit.
Axiomatics and the Development of Creative Talent

Publisher Summary Axiomatic methods are largely used as tools for research. The use of these methods is considered as one of the most outstanding and surprising phenomena in the evolution of modern mathematics. It is interesting to consider the manner in which Moore used the axiom system for plane analysis situs to discover and develop creative talent. Axiomatic methods can also serve as the basis for most useful teaching device. In context to Moore's method, some considerations generally measure the basic to its success. They include selection of students capable of coping with the type of material to be studied, control of the size of the group participating, injection of the proper amount of intuitive material, as an aid in the construction of proofs, insistence on rigorous proof, in accordance with the ideal type of axiomatic development, and encouragement of a good-natured competition.
Symplectic structures, their Bäcklund transformations and hereditary symmetries

Abstract It is shown that compatible symplectic structures lead in a natural way to hereditary symmetries. (We recall that a hereditary symmetry is an operator-valued function which immediately yields a hierarchy of evolution equations, each having infinitely many commuting symmetries all generated by this hereditary symmetry. Furthermore this hereditary symmetry usually describes completely the soliton structure and the conservation laws of these equations). This result then provide us with a method for constructing hereditary symmetries and hence exactly solvable evolution equations. In addition we show how symplectic structures transform under Backlund transformations. This leads to a method for generating a whole class of symplectic structures from a given one. Several examples and applications are given illustrating the above results. Also the connection of our results with those of Gelfand and Dikii, and of Magri is briefly pointed out.
A Study of Inflammatory/Necrosis Biomarkers in the Fracture of the Femur Treated with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation

Pertrochanteric fractures are common injuries in adults and source of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Different surgical techniques were recommended for their treatment but undoubtedly they add an additional inflammatory trauma along the fracture itself. Many attempts to quantify the degree of approach-related trauma are carried out through measurements of systemic inflammatory parameters. In this study we prospectively analyzed laboratory data of 20 patients over eighty with pertrochanteric fracture of the femur treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). This is an excellent device for osteosynthesis because it can be easily and quickly inserted by a mini-incision providing stable fixation and early full mobilization. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma creatin kinase (CK) were evaluated 1 hour preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. Our results show that PFNA did not induce significant increments in serum levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6; CRP was elevated preoperatively in correlation with waiting time for surgery; CRP and CK showed a significant increment in the first postoperatory day; CK increment was correlated with surgical time length. We conclude that, for the markers we analyzed, PFNA shows a low biomechanical-inflammatory profile that represents an advantage over other techniques.
Pulsed radio frequency interference effects on data communications via satellite transponder

Power-limited communication links may be susceptible to significant degradation if intentional or unintentional pulsed high level radio frequency interference (RFI) is present. Pulsed RFI is, in fact, of current interest to NASA in studies relating to its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The present paper examines the impact of pulsed RFI on the error probability performance of a power-limited satellite communication link: the assumed modulation scheme is PN coded binary PSK. The composite effects of thermal noise, pulsed CW and pulsed Gaussian noise are analyzed, where RFI arrivals are assumed to follow Poisson statistics. Under the assumption that the satellite repeater is ideal and that integrate and dump filtering is employed at the ground receiver, an exact error probability expression and associated approximations are derived. Computed results are generated using an arbitrarily specified RFI model.
Useful Meteorological Parameters for Predicting Signal Behavior

Progress in planetary boundary layer modeling and measurement techniques suggests that variables describing meteorological processes rather than atmospheric structure ought to be emphasized for analysis of EM signal propagation. Meteorological analysis of atmospheric structure related to the interpretation of EM signals has traditionally been performed using parameters such as the thermodynamic variables temperature, pressure and humidity. In particular, the optical refractive index, n, and radio refractivity, N, space and time-varient fields have been related to mean vertical gradients, turbulent fluctuations at a point or in a small volume and changes with respect to time (typically over periods of hours) of the “mean” values. Definition of the “structure constants” used to describe root-mean-square turbulent fluctuations of a parameter depends upon assumptions regarding the fundamental nature of turbulence. Furthermore, n and N as dependent variables depend in a complicated fashion on meteorological condition dependent combinations of their respective independent variables.
Diver-operated versus remote-controlled chambers used in underwater tracer experiments

1. Two chambers, one diver-operated and the other remote-controlled, were developed for in situ feeding experiments. 2. Both chambers have been used effectively in numerous experiments with vertically migrating copepods fed65Zn-labeled microzooplankton. 3. Laboratory results demonstrated no significant difference in recovered radioactivity due to differences in material or design of the two chambers. 4. Diver-operated chambers are initially much less expensive and are generally more adaptable to changes in experimental design. 5. Remote-operated chambers require less personnel and are necessary when determining effects of depth within the entire range common for vertically migrating zooplankton.
Recurrence and survival predictive value of phenotypic expression of Bcl-2 varies with tumor stage of colorectal adenocarcinoma

Although decreased or lack of expression of Bcl-2 has been correlated with advanced tumor stage and shortened patient survival in colorectal cancer (CRC), its value in predicting the recurrence has not been well explored. Therefore, we assessed the usefulness of phenotypic expression of Bcl-2 in non-Hispanic Caucasian patients with CRCs in identifying risk of recurrence. Archival tissues of 92 Stage II and 66 Stage III primary CRCs were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2. None of these patients received either pre- or post-surgical adjuvant therapies. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods were used to estimate the rates of recurrence and survival according to Bcl-2 expression. Decreased expression of Bcl-2 was associated with an increased rate of recurrence in patients with Stage II CRCs (5-year log-rank test P = 0.0015; Hazard Ratio (HR) = 3.90, 95%C.I.:1.55-9.77) but not with Stage III CRCs (5-year log-rank test P = 0.6058; HR = 1.07, 95%C.I.:0.47-2.45) after adjusting for other demographic and clinicopathological features. Furthermore, decreased expression of Bcl-2 was an indicator of short survival in patients with Stage II CRCs but not with Stage III CRCs. Thus, decreased or lack of Bcl-2 expression in primary CRCs may serve as a molecular biomarker of high risk of recurrence for Caucasian patients with Stage II CRCs. These findings might be useful in identifying biologically aggressive phenotypes of Stage II CRCs, and may aid the oncologist in designing maximally appropriate therapeutic regimens.
Promoting Resilience in Deaf Adolescents

This chapter examines the unique conditions and circumstances that both promote and prevent deaf adolescents from successfully preparing to assume roles and responsibilities of adulthood. As adolescents, their life path has begun to assume a certain trajectory with developmental successes and challenges resulting from circumstances, events, and decisions that occurred much earlier. Therefore, this chapter examines some of the antecedent factors and conditions that can intensify over time and ultimately become important influences on adolescence and early adulthood. This chapter focuses on deaf adolescents born with a hearing loss or who acquired it before age two; these individuals are identified as having congenital (at birth) or prelingual hearing losses. The majority of deaf children with prelingual hearing losses are born to hearing parents who often struggle to communicate clearly with their deaf infants (Zaidman-Zait, J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 12:221–241, 2007; Zaidman-Zait & Young, J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 13:55–59, 2008). Hearing loss prevents the spoken language that surrounds the infant from mapping onto the language centers of the brain (Easterbrooks & Baker, Language learning in children who are deaf and hard of hearing: Multiple pathways, 2002). The evidence for this is significant delays in language development that begin in the deaf child’s infancy and often extend throughout their school years (Friedmann & Szterman, J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 11(1):56–75, 2005; Mayne, Volta Rev 100:1–28, 1998; Moeller, Pediatrics 106:1–9, 2000; Newcomer & Hammill, Test of language development-primary 3, 1977). And despite having normally distributed range of intellectual abilities, the majority of deaf students graduate high school with reading and academic content knowledge 5 or more years below their normally hearing peers (Moores, Educating the deaf: Psychology, principles, and practices, 2001; Traxler, J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 5:337–348, 2000). One of the important markers of potential risk for deaf children is failure to meet age-appropriate milestones, beginning with language.
The Pipestem Burial: An Archaic Interment from Southeastern North Dakota

The Pipestem burial is the oldest known burial site in North Dakota. Radiocarbon assay dates the site at ca. 3500 B.P., a date which falls within the Archaic Period. Geomorphological conditions at the site tend to corroborate the date as do several other factors. Although limited, skeletal metric and non-metric data from the multiple interment compare favorably with other Archaic burials. Erosion at the site badly disturbed the burial context, thereby hampering definitive statements on the mode of burial. Despite this, comparative burial mode data from the region and elsewhere on the Great Plains are discussed.
Lung [18f]fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake and Ventilation–perfusion Mismatch in the Early Stage of Experimental Acute Smoke Inhalation

BACKGROUND Acute lung injury occurs in a third of patients with smoke inhalation injury. Its clinical manifestations usually do not appear until 48-72 h after inhalation. Identifying inflammatory changes that occur in pulmonary parenchyma earlier than that could provide insight into the pathogenesis of smoke-induced acute lung injury. Furthermore, noninvasive measurement of such changes might lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Because glucose is the main source of energy for pulmonary inflammatory cells, the authors hypothesized that its pulmonary metabolism is increased shortly after smoke inhalation, when classic manifestations of acute lung injury are not yet expected. METHODS In five sheep, the authors induced unilateral injury with 48 breaths of cotton smoke while the contralateral lung served as control. The authors used positron emission tomography with: (1) [F]fluorodeoxyglucose to measure metabolic activity of pulmonary inflammatory cells; and (2) [N]nitrogen in saline to measure shunt and ventilation-perfusion distributions separately in the smoke-exposed and control lungs. RESULTS The pulmonary [F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake rate was increased at 4 h after smoke inhalation (mean ± SD: 0.0031 ± 0.0013 vs. 0.0026 ± 0.0010 min; P < 0.05) mainly as a result of increased glucose phosphorylation. At this stage, there was no worsening in lung aeration or shunt. However, there was a shift of perfusion toward units with lower ventilation-to-perfusion ratio (mean ratio ± SD: 0.82 ± 0.10 vs. 1.12 ± 0.02; P < 0.05) and increased heterogeneity of the ventilation-perfusion distribution (mean ± SD: 0.21 ± 0.07 vs. 0.13 ± 0.01; P < 0 .05). CONCLUSION Using noninvasive imaging, the authors demonstrated that increased pulmonary [F]fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and ventilation-perfusion mismatch occur early after smoke inhalation.
Novel approaches in 2 and 3 dimensional confinement structures : processing and properties

Abstract In this paper we review two novel types of quantum structures. The first, aimed at producing during growth quantum wire superlattices relies on the deposition of tilted superlattices. Some of the difficulties associated with the growth of tilted superlattices and the novel serpentine superlattice have been discussed and solutions proposed. The second type of quantum structures aimed at producing zero dimensional confinement structures relies on the formation of an antidot lattice. The transport properties of antidot lattices with various periodicities are presented.
Totally parallel multilevel algorithms

Four totally parallel algorithms for the solution of a sparse linear system have common characteristics which become quite apparent when they are implemented on a highly parallel hypercube such as the CM2. These four algorithms are Parallel Superconvergent Multigrid (PSMG) of Frederickson and McBryan, Robust Multigrid (RMG) of Hackbusch, the FFT based Spectral Algorithm, and Parallel Cyclic Reduction. In fact, all four can be formulated as particular cases of the same totally parallel multilevel algorithm, which are referred to as TPMA. In certain cases the spectral radius of TPMA is zero, and it is recognized to be a direct algorithm. In many other cases the spectral radius, although not zero, is small enough that a single iteration per timestep keeps the local error within the required tolerance.
A New Approach for Treatment of Gastro-Gastric Fistula after Gastric Bypass

We report a novel technique for gastro-gastric fistula (GGF) repair. A 44-year-old woman was found to have a fistula between her gastric pouch and bypassed stomach 18 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity. She underwent an attempted open surgical repair, which was complicated by postoperative abdominal sepsis. An upper gastrointestinal series, abdominal CT scan and upper endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of failed surgery with recurrent GGF. Under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, two ports were inserted percutaneously into the stomach. The fistula was closed with a percutaneous, transgastric, totally extraperitoneal approach. She remains well 7 months after this intervention. This procedure appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for closure of GGF after RYGBP. This is the first description of an intragastric, percutaneous closure of a GGF after RYGBP in the medical literature. Further experience with this technique is needed to define the selection criteria, limitations, advantages, and disadvantages.
An Energy-Efficient ECG Processor in 45-nm CMOS Using Statistical Error Compensation

A subthreshold ECG processor in 45-nm IBM SOI CMOS is designed to operate at the minimum energy operating point (MEOP). Statistical error compensation (SEC) is employed to further reduce energy (Emin) at the MEOP. SEC is shown to reduce Emin by 28% compared with the conventional (error-free) case while maintaining acceptable beat-detection performance. SEC enables the supply voltage to be scaled to 15% below its critical value at MEOP, while compensating for a 58% precorrection error rate pe. These results represent an improvement of 19× in beat-detection performance and 600× in pe over conventional (error-free) systems. The prototype IC consumes 14.5 fJ/cycle/1k-gate and exhibits 4.7× better energy efficiency than the state of the art while tolerating 16× more voltage variations.
Interleukin-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Its Inhibition by IL-1Ra and Anakinra

Objective:To review the biology of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as the biology of its natural inhibitor, IL receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and the clinical efficacy and safety of the recombinant form, anakinra.Data Sources:A MEDLINE search (1966–January 2007) of English-language articles was conducted using the key words anakinra, arthritis, clinical trial, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and Kineret.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Over 79 research articles and literature reviews were used to compile a discussion of the biology of IL-1 and IL-1Ra. Ten of these articles were selected to discuss the clinical safety and efficacy of anakinra.Data Synthesis:In RA, IL-1 primarily acts locally to mediate erosion of cartilage and bone. IL-1Ra serves to modulate its activity through competitive inhibition of cellular receptors. Administration of anakinra to animals with experimental arthritis reduced inflammation and joint damage. In clinical trials, anakinra...
Phosphate partition and transport in the Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cell

Abstract 1. 1. The distribution of phosphorus between inorganic and organic compartments of the Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cell was studied as a function of extracellular phosphate concentration. 2. 2. The fluxes of inorganic phosphate across the cell membrane, at constant cell phosphate content, were also measured under comparable experimental conditions. 3. 3. The cellular inorganic phosphate pool showed limited expansion while organic phosphorus components remained constant. 4. 4. The flux of inorganic phosphate increased with increasing extracellular phosphate. 5. 5. The unidirectional influx coefficient decreased, while the efflux coefficient increased in response to increasing extracellular phosphate. 6. 6. These results are interpreted as evidence for mediated transport of phosphate across the membrane of the Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cell.
Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Functionalized 2,3-Spirostane Isomers

Invasive fungal infections are a major complication for individuals with compromised immune systems. One of the most significant challenges in the treatment of invasive fungal infections is the increased resistance of many organisms to widely used antifungals, making the development of novel antifungal agents essential. Many naturally occurring products have been found to be effective antimicrobial agents. In particular, saponins with spirostane glycosidic moieties—isolated from plant or marine species—have been shown to possess a range of antimicrobial properties. In this report, we outline a novel approach to the synthesis of a number of functionalized spirostane molecules that can be further used as building blocks for novel spirostane-linked glycosides and present results from the in vitro screenings of the antifungal potential of each derivative against four fungal species, including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, and the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.
Directed Random Dot Product Graphs

In this paper we consider three models for random graphs that utilize the inner product as their fundamental object. We analyze the behavior of these models with respect to clustering, the small world property, and degree distribution. These models are motivated by the random dot product graphs developed by Kraetzl, Nickel, and Scheinerman. We extend their results to fully parameterize the conditions under which clustering occurs, characterize the diameter of graphs generated by these models, and describe the behavior of the degree distribution.
Spectrally dependent radiative transfer in a heat conducting medium

Coupled thermal radiation and heat conduction has been examined in a medium with a spectrally dependent mass absorption coefficient. This contrasts with prior studies in which semi-empirical total absorption correlations, having no connection with spectral characteristics, have been employed. Two spectral distribution functions were considered; the exponential and the uniform or gray. The former is a realistic model for molecular gases having both theoretical and empirical justification, while the latter is frequently employed despite its artificiality. The formulation is obtained in terms of exact expressions for the one-dimensional radiative transmission and absorption functions; other formulations of similar problems have approximated the angular integrations by the substitute kernel method. Results have been obtained for a wide range of parameters, considerably extending available results. Exponential and gray band results differ considerably in both a qualitative and a quantitative sense.
Hippocampal expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR1) subunit splice variant mRNA is altered by developmental exposure to Pb2+

Abstract N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors (NMDAR) play an important role in synaptic plasticity and brain development. We have previously shown that NR1-pan mRNA is significantly increased in the hippocampus of rats chronically exposed to low levels of lead (Pb 2+ ) during development [T.R. Guilarte, J.L. McGlothan, Hippocampal NMDA receptor mRNA undergoes subunit specific changes during developmental lead exposure, Brain Res., 790 (1998) 98–107]. It is not known whether this Pb 2+ -induced increase in NR1-pan mRNA is associated with changes in specific splice isoforms. To study this effect, we used in situ hybridization of oligonucleotides to probe for the NR1-a, NR1-b, NR1-1, NR1-2, and NR1-4 isoforms which are most abundantly expressed in the rat hippocampus. Developmental exposure to increasing levels of Pb 2+ resulted in significant increases in NR1-a mRNA throughout the pyramidal and granule cell layers of the rat hippocampus at postnatal day 14 (PN14). NR1-b mRNA was increased in the pyramidal cell layer of Pb 2+ -exposed rats at PN21. Splicing of the C-terminus cassettes was also regulated by developmental exposure to Pb 2+ . NR1-2 mRNA was increased in CA4 pyramidal cells and in dentate granule cells of PN21 Pb 2+ -exposed rats. Notably, expression of NR1-4 mRNA in CA3 pyramidal cells was increased in Pb 2+ -exposed rats at PN14 and decreased at PN21. No significant Pb 2+ effect was measured for NR1-1 mRNA expression. These data indicate that alternative splicing of the NR1 gene shows selective anatomical and temporal regulation by Pb 2+ in the developing rat hippocampus. This study provides further support to the hypothesis that NMDARs are important targets for Pb 2+ -induced neurotoxicity.
TOXICOLOGICAL MONITORING OF AN OIL-IMPACTED ESTUARINE MARSHLAND

ABSTRACT Toxicological monitoring was conducted on an estuarine marshland in the Houston Ship Channel following a local oil spill. Acute toxicity of petroleum-contaminated sediments, as determined by the Microtox Bioassay, was used to monitor intrinsic recovery of the impacted marsh. Sediment toxicity was determined by performing the Microtox 100% test on elutriates from wet sediment samples collected over a 7-month period following the spill. Toxic responses were examined for spatial and temporal relationships and were compared to various parameters of interest, including total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), total extractable materials (commonly referred to as oil and grease [O&G]), and GC/MS-quantified total saturates and aromatics. Toxicity was randomly distributed within the study site and decreased with time. Acute toxicity was correlated with TPH measurements and moderately correlated with GC/MS-quantified saturate concentrations. However, toxicity levels were not correlated with O&G or GC/MS aromatic...
Acriflavine violet red bile agar for the isolation and enumeration ofKlebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract Acriflavine violet red bile agar, developed by Fung and Niemeic (1977, Health Lab. Sci. 14 , 273–278), was retested and refined. The results indicated that 0·01% acriflavine in VRB agar is most suitable for enumeration of Klebsiella pneumoniae from cultures as well as from food and livestock beddings (straw, sand and sawdust). Other organisms are either inhibited or can be distinguished easily from the typical K. pneumoniae colonies, which are large, mucous, and golden- or dull-yellow. With pure cultures, 45·2–98·9% recovery of K. pneumoniae was observed. From artificially contaminated meat, the recovery rate averaged 81%. Accuracy in identifying suspected K. pneumoniae colonies on AVRB plates, as confirmed by API-20E biochemical tests, was 85%. Of three types of food samples (raw milk, mastitis milk and raw hamburger meat) examined, none were positive for K. pneumoniae . The most important advantage of this selective medium over other, proposed, selective Klebsiella media is simplicity.
Heterogeneity and the implied dynamics of regional growth rates: Was the nonmetropolitan turnaround an artifact of aggregation?

The spatial units of analysis employed in urban and regional research display considerable internal heterogeneity in terms of the social, demographic, and economic variables used to describe them. One implication of this has been overlooked in the literature, namely, that aggregate rates may have an implicit dynamic of change. Differential internal rates modify the composition of the aggregate, changing the relative importance of subareas in determining the aggregate rate. To demonstrate this, methods for decomposing the change in growth rates due to heterogeneity are developed and applied to nonmetropolitan growth rates between 1950 and 1980. Internal heterogeneity was found to be an important, and sometimes even a dominant, component of change. Furthermore, the analysis sheds considerable light on the reasons for the changes in aggregate rates that marked the nonmetropolitan turnaround.
An investigation of Stokes' second problem for non-Newtonian fluids

ABSTRACT Stokes flow produced by an oscillatory motion of a wall is analyzed in the presence of a non-Newtonian fluid. A total of eight non-Newtonian models are considered. A mass balance approach is introduced to solve the governing Equations. The velocity and temperature profiles for these models are obtained and compared to those of Newtonian fluids. For the power law model, correlations for the velocity distribution and the time required to reach the steady periodic flow are developed and discussed. Furthermore, the effects of the dimensionless parameters on the flow are studied. For the temperature distribution, an analytical solution for Newtonian fluid is developed as a comparative source. To simulate the rheological behavior of blood at unsteady state, three non-Newtonian constitutive relationships are used to study the wall shear stress. It is found that in the case of unsteady stokes flow, although the patterns of velocity and wall shear stress is consistent across all models, the magnitude is a...
Load-monitoring and hazard-warning systems for buildings under construction

The construction phase of a building is one in which the structure is rather vulnerable to damage and/or collapse. The potential for human and economic loss, as well as the potential for reduced construction costs, presents an opportunity for developing construction structural load and response monitoring systems that can possibly be effective in reducing the frequency of collapses and/or damage. This paper presents the results of a study in which such systems were developed and applied to slab-style concrete building construction. The shoring systems that are used to support fresh concrete floor slabs are instrumented with strain gage based load cells to measure the loads during construction operations. The loads on the shores have been measured during the construction of three different buildings. This information is being used for construction procedure code development. The next phase of this research is to apply the sensing system so that it can provide an early warning for potential collapses of the partially- built structure. Mechanical models of the structural system indicate that load monitoring of individual shoring members is probably insufficient because the major structural collapses are due to a global instability. It appears that a combination of strategically-placed load, temperature and deflection monitoring instrumentation combined with a real-time analysis of the data may be necessary. The design and use of such systems are discussed.
Discrete Test Structure Device Degradation Analysis and Correlation to NAND Flash Circuit Operation

A methodology is established to correlate shifts of test structure device parameters, due to device degradation or process variation, to circuit operation throughout the product lifetime. To the authors' knowledge, this work is original in that SPICE simulation is used, with degraded device models, to relate a circuit timing metric to the degradation of a discrete device used in the circuit. The correlation is validated with actual circuit measurements. In this study, the NAND Flash high-voltage switch circuit is examined in regards to the effect of degrading the p-channel MOSFET used in the circuit. Under standard operating conditions, the device degrades under high electric fields applied across the gate oxide. The method enables the accurate prediction of product lifetime using test structure measurements.
Fuzzy approach for multi-level programming problems

Abstract Multi-level programming techniques are developed to solve decentralized planning problems with multiple decision makers in a hierarchical organization. These become more important for contemporary decentralized organizations where each unit or department seeks its own interests. Traditional approaches include vertex enumeration and transformation approaches. The former is in search of a compromise vertex based on adjusting the control variable(s) of the higher level and thus is rather inefficient. The latter transfers the lower-level programming problem to be the constraints of the higher level by its Kuhn-Tucker conditions or penalty function; the corresponding auxiliary problem becomes non-linear and the decision information is also implicit. In this study, we use the concepts of tolerance membership functions and multiple objective optimization to develop a fuzzy approach for solving the above problems. The upper-level decision maker defines his or her objective and decisions with possible tolerances which are described by membership functions of fuzzy set theory. This information then constrains the lower-level decision maker's feasible space. A solution search relies on the change of membership functions instead of vertex enumeration and no higher order constraints are generated. Thus, the proposed approach will not increase the complexities of original problems and will usually solve a multilevel programming problem in a single iteration. To demonstrate our concept, we have solved numerical examples and compared their solutions with classical solutions.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia during steroid taper in patients with primary brain tumors

Pneumocystis carinii causes life-threatening pneumonitis (PCP) in immunocompromised individuals. In the non-AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) population, PCP is frequently associated with corticosteroid therapy, and the rodent model uses corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression to provoke PCP. Although patients with intracranial tumors are frequently treated with long courses of corticosteroids, there have been very few descriptions of PCP in this population. We report the diagnosis and treatment of PCP in four patients over a 12-month period with intracranial neoplasms who developed symptoms during corticosteroid taper. Effective prophylaxis against PCP exists and should be considered for patients with intracranial neoplasms receiving long-term steroids.