cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward Understanding of Metastability in Cellular Networks: Emergence and Implications for Performance

We investigate the metastable behavior in a model of a cellular network with multiple service classes. While the Markov model provides an accurate "microscopic" model of the network behavior, the dimension of this model grows exponentially with the number of cells precluding solution of the corresponding Kolmogorov equations. Dimension of the mean-field approximation model grows only linearly with the number of cells making this approximation computationally tractable. Through numerical analysis we show that the equilibrium manifold of the mean-field model develops "folds" under increasing network load which give rise to multiple stable equilibria. These multiple equilibria can be interpreted as describing network's metastable states. By comparing simulation data with numerical computations we show that mean-field approximation can be used to predict equilibrium states of a realistic network. We construct a sample phase diagram showing distribution of metastable regions in the user load plane, derive a formula for the likelihood of successful service completion for metastable states and discuss performance characteristics of the network.
Cardiology Nurse Practitioners: Who Are We? The Development of the Role at The Mount Sinai Hospital

Background. The role of the acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) evolved as a response to a reduction in the health care workforce and the increased acuity of illness in hospitalized patients. Objective. This article reviews the purpose of the ACNP role at a university medical center in the specialty area of cardiology. An overview of role development as well as expansion of the role in the division of cardiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where there are currently more than 200 NPs now employed, is discussed. The responsibilities of the Cardiology Telemetry NP service are reviewed, including discussion of physician satisfaction with the collaborative clinical decision-making process. Conclusion. The role of the cardiology NP has evolved as a result of a focused effort at expanding the care provided by NPs to patients in cardiology. Clinical Implications. Strategies used by this service may be used in other departments to promote the development of the ACNP role, including garnering adm...
A dominant negative mutant of Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin (VacA) inhibits VacA-induced cell vacuolation

Most Helicobacter pyloristrains secrete a toxin (VacA) that causes structural and functional alterations in epithelial cells and is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal diseases. The amino acid sequence, ultrastructural morphology, and cellular effects of VacA are unrelated to those of any other known bacterial protein toxin, and the VacA mechanism of action remains poorly understood. To analyze the functional role of a unique strongly hydrophobic region near the VacA amino terminus, we constructed an H. pylori strain that produced a mutant VacA protein (VacA-(Δ6–27)) in which this hydrophobic segment was deleted. VacA-(Δ6–27) was secreted by H. pylori, oligomerized properly, and formed two-dimensional lipid-bound crystals with structural features that were indistinguishable from those of wild-type VacA. However, VacA-(Δ6–27) formed ion-conductive channels in planar lipid bilayers significantly more slowly than did wild-type VacA, and the mutant channels were less anion-selective. Mixtures of wild-type VacA and VacA-(Δ6–27) formed membrane channels with properties intermediate between those formed by either isolated species. VacA-(Δ6–27) did not exhibit any detectable defects in binding or uptake by HeLa cells, but this mutant toxin failed to induce cell vacuolation. Moreover, when an equimolar mixture of purified VacA-(Δ6–27) and purified wild-type VacA were added simultaneously to HeLa cells, the mutant toxin exhibited a dominant negative effect, completely inhibiting the vacuolating activity of wild-type VacA. A dominant negative effect also was observed when HeLa cells were co-transfected with plasmids encoding wild-type and mutant toxins. We propose a model in which the dominant negative effects of VacA-(Δ6–27) result from protein-protein interactions between the mutant and wild-type VacA proteins, thereby resulting in the formation of mixed oligomers with defective functional activity.
Noninfectious Causes of Cloudy Peritoneal Dialysate

The appearance of cloudy dialysate fluid in combination with the clinical manifestations of peritonitis usually heralds infectious peritonitis. Diagnosis is readily established in most cases by routine culture of the turbid dialysate. However, an occasional patient presents with culture-negative, cloudy dialysate. After ruling out atypical infectious etiologies, a diverse set of aseptic causes remains in the differential diagnosis. Herein we review these causes and suggest an organizational scheme, based on identifying the cellular or noncellular constituent producing the dialysate turbidity, to facilitate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Prolactin receptor expression in monolayer cultures of rabbit mammary epithelial cells: pre- and postpartum [125I]-prolactin binding activity.

Expression of specific [125I]-prolactin-binding sites under culture conditions has been investigated for isolated mammary epithelial cells from virgin, pregnant, and lactating rabbits. Primary monolayer cultures were obtained by sequential enzymatic dispersion of mammary tissue followed by 48 hr incubation in a medium selective for epithelial cells. Scatchard analyses of binding data obtained from these cultures indicated a single class of receptor sites, the affinity constant of which (2.5 × 109 M−1) did not vary significantly during mammary development. The number of prolactin receptors, however, expressed by virgin and early pregnant epithelial cells was significantly increased over those from late pregnancy or lactation. Less differentiated cells also respond to growth in pregnant rabbit serum with an increase in specific [125I]-prolactin binding. The diminished receptor expression by cells obtained after 17 days of pregnancy coincides with the attainment of secretory capacity in the animal, and may reflect the influence of the low serum prolactin or high progesterone levels circulating during the last trimester in the rabbit, or be the cultural expression of secretory differentiation.
Treatment-refractory cyclosporine-associated headache: Relief with conversion to FK-506

Headaches occurring as a side effect of cyclosporine or FK-506 therapy [1,2] are often mild and rarely warrant reduction in drug dosage or discontinuation of administration. [3] We report on a patient in whom an excruciating and disabling vascular type of headache developed after orthotopic liver transplantation when cyclosporine therapy began. No pharmaceutical agent provided relief, but replacement of cyclosporine with oral FK-506, as a last resort, resulted in complete alleviation. ### Case report. A 35-year-old woman underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis. She had a history of very infrequent, generalized, nonvascular headaches for most of her adult life that were easily managed with a regular tablet of acetaminophen. Immediately after the patient received …
Micro- and Nanoscale Deformation Measurement of Surface and Internal Planes via Digital Image Correlation

The digital image correlation (DIC) tech- nique is successfully applied across multiple length scales through the generation of a suitable speckle pattern at each size scale. For microscale measure- ments, a random speckle pattern of paint is created with a fine point airbrush. Nanoscale displacement resolution is achieved with a speckle pattern formed by solution deposition of fluorescent silica nanoparticles. When excited, the particles fluoresce and form a speckle pattern that can be imaged with an optical microscope. Displacements are measured on the surface and on an interior plane of transparent polymer samples with the different speckle patterns. Rigid body translation calibrations and uniaxial ten- sion experiments establish a surface displacement resolution of 1 mm over a 5� 6 mm scale field of view for the airbrushed samples and 17 nm over a 100� 100 mm scale field of view for samples with the fluorescent nanoparticle speckle. To demonstrate the capabilities of the method, we characterize the internal deforma- tion fields generated around silica microspheres em- bedded in an elastomer under tensile loading. The DIC technique enables measurement of complex deformation fields with nanoscale precision over relatively large areas, making it of particular relevance to materials that possess multiple length scales.
Ability of 2 pretreatment risk assessment methods to predict prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy: data from CaPSURE.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Two methods widely used to predict the risk of treatment failure after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer are the 3 level D'Amico risk classification and the Kattan nomogram. Although they have been previously validated, to our knowledge they have not been compared in a community based cohort. We tested the 2 instruments in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE) database, a national registry of patients with prostate cancer, to assess their accuracy in a community based cohort. Materials and Methods: Men were invited to join CaPSURE from 33 American urology practices, of which 30 were community based. A total of 1,701 men with localized prostate cancer (T1-3a) were treated with radical prostatectomy between 1989 and 2000. Patients who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy were excluded. Recurrence was defined as 2 or more consecutive prostate specific antigen measurements of 0.2 ng/ml or greater, or a second treatment greater than 6 months after surgery. Freedom from progression (FFP) was based on life table estimates and Kaplan-Meier curves. Risk groups were compared using a Cox proportional hazards model and ANOVA. Results: Based on the D'Amico classification 671 cases (39%) were classified as low risk, 446 (26%) were intermediate risk and 584 (34%) were high risk. Five-year FFP was 78%, 63% and 60% in the low, intermediate and high risk groups (HR 1.00, 1.87 and 2.32 respectively, p Conclusions: Stratifying patients in CaPSURE into low, intermediate and high risk categories for disease as described by D'Amico or applying the Kattan nomogram resulted in statistically significant differences in predicted 5-year FFP. However, there was considerable overlap of outcomes between the intermediate and high risk groups. This analysis suggests that simply estimating disease recurrence by stratifying patients into low, intermediate and high risk groups may not provide sufficient information for predicting outcomes among individuals.
Extended-Interval Dosing of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics in Critically Ill Patients

Although aminoglycosides remain an essential part of therapy of severe gram-negative infections in critically ill patients, the use of extended-interval aminoglycoside dosing (EIAD) in this population is highly controversial. The rationale for EIAD is based on major pharmacodynamic characteristics of the aminoglycosides, which include concentration-dependent bactericidal effects, postantibiotic effect, and adaptive resistance. Alterations in the pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides in the critically ill have been well documented, including changes in both drug distribution and elimination. These pharmacokinetic alterations may prevent critically ill patients from realizing the potential benefits of EIAD by reducing serum concentrations achieved by recommended EIAD regimens and may perhaps place patients at risk of therapeutic failure. Although numerous studies of EIAD have been conducted, there is a lack of data specifically concerning the efficacy and safety of EIAD in the critically ill. The most appropr...
Site-Specific theatre: new perspectives on pedagogy and performance

Throughout the 2014/2015 academic year, the Program in Educational Theatre at New York University has introduced a new-works-development-model designed to support innovative modes of storytelling c...
Joint coverage probability in a simulation study on Continuous-Time Markov Chain parameter estimation.

Parameter dependency within data sets in simulation studies is common, especially in models such as continuous-time Markov chains (CTMCs). Additionally, the literature lacks a comprehensive examination of estimation performance for the likelihood-based general multi-state CTMC. Among studies attempting to assess the estimation, none have accounted for dependency among parameter estimates. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to develop a multivariate approach for assessing accuracy and precision for simulation studies (2) to add to the literature a comprehensive examination of the estimation of a general 3-state CTMC model. Simulation studies are conducted to analyze longitudinal data with a trinomial outcome using a CTMC with and without covariates. Measures of performance including bias, component-wise coverage probabilities, and joint coverage probabilities are calculated. An application is presented using Alzheimer's disease caregiver stress levels. Comparisons of joint and component-wise para...
Abstract WP227: Magnetic Resonance Measurement Of Static Global And Regional Cerebral Autoregulation

Background: Reliable methods used to test static cerebral autoregulation are time-consuming and/or invasive. Objectives: To evaluate if noninvasive magnetic resonance measured oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and oxygen metabolic index (OMI=CBF×OEF) can consistently detect expected physiological changes in humans under normal and 10-15% lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods: Static cerebral autoregulation was determined by measuring changes in CBF using a pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) approach and Oxygen Extraction Fraction (OEF) using MRI T2‘-weighted asymmetric spin echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences, in response to 10-15% reductions in MAP in stroke-free controls induced by using IV Nicardipine. Images were acquired in 3T MR scanner (Trio, Siemens Medical Systems Inc). Autoregulation was measured globally and regionally in the anterior (ACA), the middle (MCA) and the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territories of the brain manually defined using autopsy based model. Autoregulatory Index (AI) was computed (AI = %CBF change/% MAP change) supplemented by CBF associated OEF changes. Baseline regional CBF and OEF, AI, CBF and OEF changes to 10-15% lowering of MAP Results: Nineteen normal volunteers (mean age 30, 95% male, 50% white, 40% black, 10% others) were consented to the protocol approved by the institutional review board. MAP lowering was successfully achieved in all subjects (Mean ± standard deviation of MAP lowering of 12.5 ± 5.6 mm Hg). At a global level this resulted in no significant change between pre-MAP lowering CBF (56.0 ± 8.5 ml/100g/min) and post-MAP lowering CBF (55.9± 8.8 ml/100g/min). This translated to a AI of 0 ± 1.2. The CBF results corroborated with no significant change in OEF and OMI. Baseline regional CBF was higher in the MCA territory (66.1 ± 7.6 ml/100g/min) compared with the ACA territory (52.8 ± 8.6ml/100g/min, p Conclusions: Global and regional static cerebral autoregulation can be measured using MR measurement of CBF, OEF and OMI, before and after 10-15% reductions in MAP in healthy volunteers.
Collaboration Signatures Reveal Scientific Impact

Collaboration is an integral element of the scientific process that often leads to findings with significant impact. While extensive efforts have been devoted to quantifying and predicting research impact, the question of how collaborative behavior influences scientific impact remains unaddressed. In this work, we study the interplay between scientists' collaboration signatures and their scientific impact. As the basis of our study, we employ an ArnetMiner dataset with more than 1.7 million authors and 2 million papers spanning over 60 years. We formally define a scientist's collaboration signature as the distribution of collaboration strengths with each collaborator in his or her academic ego network, which is quantified by four measures: sociability, dependence, diversity, and self-collaboration. We then demonstrate that the collaboration signature allows us to effectively distinguish between researchers with dissimilar levels of scientific impact. We also discover that, even from the early stages of one's researcher career, a scientist's collaboration signature can help to reveal his or her future scientific impact. Finally, we find that as a representative group of outstanding computer scientists, Turing Award winners collectively produce distinctive collaboration signatures throughout the entirety of their careers. Our conclusions on the relationship between collaboration signatures and scientific impact give rise to important implications for researchers who wish to expand their scientific impact and more effectively stand on the shoulders of "collaborators.".
Somatostatin-like Immunoreactivity in the Retinae of Adult and Embryonic Chickens

Somatostatin, a tetradecapeptide that inhibits growth hormone release, has a widespread distribution in the central and peripheral nervous systems and other cell types. In the present investigation, the chicken neural retina was studied for the presence of structures exhibiting somatostatin-like immunoreactivity by utilizing an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Controls for specificity of staining were performed on alternate sections. Several types of distinctly labeled neurons and their processes were evident in sections of adult and late embryonic retinae. Cresyl violet staining showed that these neurons, which were scattered peripherally and more numerous centrally, occupied several strata within the inner nuclear, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layers. Labeled neurites of immunoreactive perikarya coursed within these layers as well, often approaching other immunoreactive cells and fibers. The morphology and position of the somatostatin-containing neurons indicated that these neurons were amacrine, horizontal, or ganglion associational cells. These findings indicate that somatostatin is first detectable in the retina during the late embryonic stages of the chicken.
Effect of Impeded Medial Longitudinal Arch Drop on Vertical Ground Reaction Force and Center of Pressure During Static Loading

Background: Arch supports commonly used to alleviate foot pain can impede the normal drop of medial longitudinal arch (MLA) thereby altering its function. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of using arch supports on vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and center of pressure (COP) during simulated midstance while the foot was statically loaded. Materials and Method: Ten healthy young subjects were recruited. Two dimensional (2D) analysis of the MLA was captured for both barefoot (BF) and arch support conditions before and after loading via a custom made weight loading apparatus. The foot was loaded and positioned to simulate the midstance phase of walking. Two-dimensional reflective markers demarcated the MLA and captured with the loaded foot on a force platform. The impeded MLA drop was compared between the unloaded BF, loaded BF and loaded arch support conditions. The vertical GRF, the anterior-posterior and the medial-lateral COP displacements were also measured in response to the impeded MLA by the arch supports. Results: The arch supports impeded the MLA drop (p 0.05). Conclusion: The impedance of MLA drop by the arch support altered the pattern of the ML COP shift in the rearfoot region. Clinical Relevance: The use of arch supports may not relieve painful foot conditions that are associated with excessive calcaneal eversion indicated by altering COP shifts in localized foot regions.
The Statistic-Based Prediction of Excitation Spectral Parameters in Low Bit-rate Vocoder

In the algorithm of vocoders, the description of excitation signal has a great impact on the quality of synthesized voice. In 600bps and lower bit-rate vocoders, in order to save the encoding bits used for parameters, the excitation spectral parameters are not transmitted, and instead, replaced by 1. In order to improve the quality of synthesized voice, an algorithm of codebook mapping based on the statistics and the correlation between excitation spectral parameters and other parameters, is presented in this paper, using other parameters to predict the excitation spectral parameters to reduce the error and to improve the voice quality. Applied to the SELP 600bps vocoder, the algorithm can reduce the error of excitation spectral parameters by … and improved the .PESQ MOS by xxx.
Feline Cytokine ELISPOT

The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay is a sensitive and relatively simple assay for detecting secreted cellular products such as cytokines and has become an invaluable immunological tool. The ELISPOT has been used extensively in human and murine research but has only recently been used to assess the feline immune system. For researchers studying feline disease or using the cat as a model of human disease, the quantification of cytokine-producing cells by ELISPOT is an invaluable technique for investigations of disease immunopathogenesis and vaccine efficacy. For example, use of the interferon (IFN)-gamma ELISPOT to measure the frequency of antigen-specific T-cells during feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection or after immunization with candidate FIV vaccines is of particular interest. This application of the ELISPOT may serve to expand the utility of FIV as a model for human immunodeficiency virus. Broader applications of the ELISPOT should further our understanding of feline diseases and be useful in the rational development of more efficacious vaccines and therapeutic modalities for the enhancement of feline health. This chapter discusses important parameters of ELISPOT design that will enable researchers to develop and analyze the feline-specific assays within their own laboratory.
Long-term Durability of Infrainguinal Endovascular and Open Revascularization for Disabling Claudication.

Background Infrainguinal revascularization for disabling claudication (DC) is frequently performed, but long-term results are still unknown. In this study, we compared clinical outcomes of infrainguinal endovascular (EV) and open interventions for DC after the failure of medical management. Methods One hundred ninety-four patients with DC (Rutherford category 3) who had open (n = 53) or EV (n = 141) interventions were grouped as open–great saphenous vein (GSV) (n = 21), open-prosthetic (n = 32), EV-Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) A and B (AB) (n = 48), and EV-TASC II C and D (CD) (n = 93). Patency, primary clinical success (PCS; sustained improvement in symptoms without reintervention), and secondary clinical success (SCS; sustained improvement in symptoms with reintervention) rates were compared. Results Mean follow-up was 57 ± 33 months. Five-year primary patency was 58% in open-GSV, 40% in open-prosthetic, 72% in EV-AB, and 38% in EV-CD (P Conclusions Durability of infrainguinal interventions in claudicants depends mainly on anatomic complexity of disease. Good long-term clinical success can be achieved with both open and EV interventions, albeit with high reintervention rates, especially in patients with TASC II C and D disease. A considerable subset of EV patients will eventually require surgical revascularization to maintain clinical benefit. In this study, almost 20% of patients undergoing EV for TASC II C and D disease eventually required surgical bypass.
Simulation Studies of Twist-Stretch Coupling in Nucleic Acids

The helical structures of DNA and double stranded RNA and their chiral nature lead to very specific and interesting mechanical properties. One such property is the twist-stretch coupling which, in case of DNA, has been found to be important in biological processes like DNA-protein binding and DNA packaging in viruses. Naively, as suggested by a simple picture of wringing out a cloth, both DNA and RNA should be expected to lengthen when unwound. Recent experiments on single DNA molecules has shown, however, that B-DNA in fact counter-intuitively shortens when twisted over a range around its native structure. This negative twist-stretch coupling of DNA has also been observed in some single molecule DNA simulation studies. A recent experiment on double stranded RNA has revealed that unlike DNA, RNA shortens when unwound, revealing a surprising difference between otherwise chemically similar molecules.In our study, we plan to probe the twist-stretch coupling of both DNA and ds-RNA using atomistic MD simulations. We will use harmonic twist constraints on individual molecules of double stranded B-DNA, A-RNA as well as the left-handed double helix Z-DNA of various nucleotide sequences, and then plot applied twist v/s stretch to get the values of twist-stretch coupling. This combined with a detailed analysis of the resultant atomistic structures will enable us to shed further light into the molecular details of this surprising effect.
A civilized revolution: Aesthetics and political action in Egypt

Acts of aesthetic ordering dominated Egyptian protest and civic activity in 2011, around the time of former president Hosni Mubarak's downfall. They played a central role in motivating collective political action, giving form to a nationalist utopian vision and legitimizing ordinary Egyptians as active agents and upright citizens. Yet they also reproduced exclusionary middle-class aspirations tied up with state projects and related forms of citizenship that center on surveillance, individualism, and consumption. Examining such acts of aesthetic ordering reveals the tensions at the heart of many political movements, especially as people attempt to enact their utopian visions in public space. The precarity of both middle classness and utopian schemes of revolution render aesthetics a key battleground of political action. [activism, social movements, aesthetics, space, middle class, waste, Egypt]
Occupancy Estimation With Wireless Monitoring Devices and Application-Specific Antennas

The rapid proliferation of wireless devices offers new means to infer current conditions surrounding mobile users, their locations, and their actions. This is especially true for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands where communication protocols are often open and information about neighboring devices abounds. This paper examines efficient occupancy estimation based on Wi-Fi metadata, with an emphasis on algorithms attuned to directional antenna technology. Certain Wi-Fi interfaces can be switched into monitoring mode, an operating state where all local packets are observed and recorded. Using a network of such monitoring sensors, it is then possible to estimate the number of active devices within a specific area. The envisioned estimators take as input received signal strength indicators and media access control addresses. By using directional monitoring antennas, one can gain additional and/or more discriminating information about current conditions, thereby yielding enhanced occupancy estimates. This paper introduces novel estimation algorithms and characterizes the performance gains associated with RF-aware sensing devices. Experimental results based on a prototype implementation of this distributed monitoring system provide further supporting evidence for the proposed techniques.
Phenotypic Characterization of Transgenic Wheat Lines Against Fungal Pathogens Puccinia triticina and Fusarium graminearum

Leaf rust (LR) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Puccinia triticina and Fusarium graminearum, respectively, are among the most damaging fungal diseases challenging wheat production worldwide. Genetic resistance in combination with fungicide application has been the most widely employed approach to combat these fungal pathogens. Alternative approaches that could augment current practices are needed for the control of these devastating pathogens. To that end, we have recently shown that the extracellular expression of antifungal defensin MtDEF4.2 from Medicago truncatula confers resistance to LR. Additionally, we show that expression of this defensin also provides Type II resistance to FHB under controlled growth chamber conditions. These findings have practical applications for control of these important fungal diseases in wheat. Here, we provide details on conducting LR and FHB bioassays of transgenic wheat lines in the growth chamber.
Whither the NCAA: Reforming the System

Intercollegiate athletics has long been caught in the ambiguous space between professional and amateur sport. As a hybrid and immensely popular system run by the NCAA, intercollegiate athletics has been critiqued as ethically hypocritical, educationally corrosive, materially exploitative, and economically unsustainable. Economic, political and legal pressure has been building over the last 10 years to reform the system. Such reform will ultimately require a choice between the professional and the amateur models, or a bifurcation whereby a select group of a few dozen schools chooses a professional paradigm while a thousand-plus schools opt for the official NCAA vision of academically centered amateur athletics. After considering the arguments for a market-oriented reform in the direction of professionalism, I argue for an educationally-based reform that is accompanied by a constrained and conditional antitrust exemption for the NCAA or an alternative governing body.
The Uses of History for Life

In Nietzsche's Great Politics, Hugo Drochon provides an invaluable service by drawing our attention to Nietzsche's political philosophy, which he contends has been either neglected or misunderstood...
The impact of the form of the Euler equations for radial flow in cylindrical and spherical coordinates on numerical conservation and accuracy

The radial one-dimensional Euler equations are often rewritten in what is known as the geometric source form. The differential operator is identical to the Cartesian case, but source terms result. Since the theory and numerical methods for the Cartesian case are well-developed, they are often applied without modification to cylindrical and spherical geometries. However, numerical conservation is lost. In this article, AUSM $$^+$$ -up is applied to a numerically conservative (discrete) form of the Euler equations labeled the geometric form, a nearly conservative variation termed the geometric flux form, and the geometric source form. The resulting numerical methods are compared analytically and numerically through three types of test problems: subsonic, smooth, steady-state solutions, Sedov’s similarity solution for point or line-source explosions, and shock tube problems. Numerical conservation is analyzed for all three forms in both spherical and cylindrical coordinates. All three forms result in constant enthalpy for steady flows. The spatial truncation errors have essentially the same order of convergence, but the rate constants are superior for the geometric and geometric flux forms for the steady-state solutions. Only the geometric form produces the correct shock location for Sedov’s solution, and a direct connection between the errors in the shock locations and energy conservation is found. The shock tube problems are evaluated with respect to feature location using an approximation with a very fine discretization as the benchmark. Extensions to second order appropriate for cylindrical and spherical coordinates are also presented and analyzed numerically. Conclusions are drawn, and recommendations are made. A derivation of the steady-state solution is given in the Appendix.
Mesenteric tumour deposits arising from small‐intestine neuroendocrine tumours are frequently associated with fibrosis and IgG4‐expressing plasma cells

Aims Mesenteric tumour deposits frequently occur in small-intestine neuroendocrine tumours. In many instances, these mesenteric tumour deposits are surrounded by a dense fibrotic stroma and have associated lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine whether mesenteric tumour deposits in patients with small-intestine NETs neuroendocrine tumours show histological and immunophenotypic overlap with IgG4-related sclerosing mesenteritis. Methods and results Sixty-six mesenteric tumour deposits from 66 patients with small-intestine neuroendocrine tumours with blocks available for further studies were identified from our archives. Cases were assessed for clinicopathological features and the presence of IgG4-positive and IgG-positive plasma cells by immunohistochemistry. Ratios of IgG4-positive to IgG-positive plasma cells were calculated. Seventeen mesenteric tumour deposits (26%) showed >40 IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field, and the majority of cases (68%) showed at least some staining of IgG4-positive plasma cells. Mesenteric tumour deposits with >20 IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field tended to be larger (25.9 ± 13.0 mm versus 18.6 ± 15.8 mm; P = 0.07), and had more IgG-positive plasma cells (88 ± 24 versus 36 ± 37; P 20 IgG4-positve plasma cells had a ratio of >40%. Conclusions IgG4 expression is frequent in mesenteric tumour deposits from small-intestine neuroendocrine tumours. Undersampling of tumour on biopsies of mesenteric tumour deposits could potentially cause diagnostic confusion with IgG4-related sclerosing mesenteritis.
Development of an in vivo model of human multiple myeloma bone disease

Osteolytic bone destruction and its complications, bone pain, pathologic fractures, and hypercalcemia, are a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma. The bone destruction in multiple myeloma is due to increased osteoclast (OCL) activity and decreased bone formation in areas of bone adjacent to myeloma cells. The mechanisms underlying osteolysis in multiple myeloma in vivo are unclear. We used a human plasma cell leukemia cell line, ARH-77, that has disseminated growth in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and expresses IgG kappa, as a model for human multiple myeloma, SCID mice were irradiated with 400 rads and mice were injected either with 10(6) ARH-77 cells intravenously (ARH-77 mice) or vehicle 24 hours after irradiation. Development of bone disease was assessed by blood ionized calcium levels, x-rays, and histology. All ARH-77, but none of control mice that survived irradiation, developed hind limb paralysis 28 to 35 days after injection and developed hypercalcemia (1.35 to 1.46 mmol/L) a mean of 5 days after becoming paraplegic. Lytic bone lesions were detected using x-rays in all the hypercalcemic mice examined. No lytic lesions or hypercalcemia developed in the controls. Controls or ARH-77 mice, after developing hypercalcemia, were then killed and bone marrow plasma from the long bones were obtained, concentrated, and assayed for bone-resorbing activity. Bone marrow plasma from ARH-77 mice induced significant bone resorption in the fetal rat long bone resorption assay when compared with controls (percentage of total 45Ca released = 35% +/- 4% v 11% +/- 1%). Histologic examination of tissues from the ARH-77 mice showed infiltration of myeloma cells in the liver and spleen and marked infiltration in vertebrae and long bones, with loss of bony trabeculae and increased OCL numbers. Interestingly, cultures of ARH-77 mouse bone marrow for early OCL precursors (colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage [CFU-GM]) showed a threefold increase in CFU-GM from ARH-77 marrow versus controls (185 +/- 32 v 40 +/- 3 per 2 x 10(5) cell plated). Bone-resorbing human and murine cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 alpha or beta, TGF-alpha, lymphotoxin, and TNF alpha were not significantly increased in ARH-77 mouse sera or marrow plasma, compared with control mice, although ARH-77 cells produce IL-6 and lymphotoxin in vitro. Conditioned media from ARH-77 cells induced significant bone resorption in the fetal rat long bone resorption assay when compared with untreated media (percentage of total 45Ca released = 22% +/- 2% v 11% +/- 1%). This effect was not blocked by anti-IL-6 or antilymphotoxin (percentage of total 45Ca released = 19% +/- 1% and 22% +/- 1%, respectively). Thus, we have developed a model of human multiple myeloma bone disease that should be very useful to dissect the pathogenesis of the bone destruction in multiple myeloma.
Virology of the Gastrointestinal Tract

visualized using electron microscopy in intestinal contents of both mice and calves with gastroenteritis (6,7) and in rectal swabs obtained from a healthy monkey (8). However, it was not until the discovery of Norwalk virus in the stools of children with epidemic viral gastroenteritis in 1972 (9) and rotavirus in the vomitus of children with severe gastroenteritis in 1973 (10) that specific viral agents were associated with human GI disease. Although other viruses have been associated with GI diseases, the three enteric virus groups established today as the most common causes of severe GI illnesses are rotaviruses, caliciviruses, and astroviruses. Therefore, important features of the structure, replication cycles, pathogenesis, and immunity of each group are highlighted in this chapter. The only obvious prophylactic method that can be reliably used to prevent illness due to these viruses, as with poliovirus over 40 years ago, is vaccination, but no licensed vaccines are in use for any of these GI viruses. However, large phase 3 clinical trials have recently been conducted with two candidate rotavirus vaccines, and it is anticipated that vaccines against this agent may soon be available for routine immunization of infants throughout the world.
Nutrient analysis of Exchange Lists for Meal Planning. I. Variation in nutrient levels

Using available food composition data, individual Exchange Lists within the revised Exchange Lists for Meal Planning were evaluated for calories; protein; fat; calcium; phosphorus; iron; sodium; potassium; vitamin A; thiamin; riboflavin; niacin; ascorbic acid; saturated, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids; cholesterol; and crude fiber. Mean values, standard deviations, and ranges are reported for the above nutrients. Mean values agreed well with those suggested in the booklet for grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fat and for calories for all lists except milk. However, a wide range in values exists for food within each Exchange List.
Robotic radical prostatectomy: present and future.

Los ultimos 10 anos han sido testigos de la evolucion sin precedentes en relacion con la extirpacion quirurgica de la glandula prostatica. La prostatectomia radical laparoscopica rompio el paradigma de la abierta y comenzo a generar gran entusiasmo y expectativas. Sin embargo, pronto surgio la laparoscopia asistida por robot - Cirugia Robotica - para hacer frente a un escollo fundamental de la cirugia laparoscopica de prostata: la reproducibilidad de ejecucion. Hoy en dia, la prostatectomia laparoscopica asistida por robot es el metodo quirurgico mas utilizado para extirpar la glandula prostatica. Las consistentes ventajas de esta tecnica son: una convalecencia mas corta, marcada disminucion de la perdida de sangre y, en manos experimentadas, tiempos quirurgicos medios mas cortos. Es importante destacar,la importancia de los resultados como juez ultimo del exito del procedimiento. Los datos indican la equivalencia a largo plazo de los resultados oncologicos y funcionales, mientras que hay claras ventajas a corto plazo: resultados perioperatorios con el rapido regreso de los pacientes a estado productivo. Dicho esto, el reto para el cirujano robotico sigue siendo: establecer un paradigma que rompe con la tradicion y evite la presentacion de resultados sesgados debido a la tecnologia y al entusiasmo del marketing, sino que adopte un enfoque critico basado en ensayos clinicos prospectivos, controlados y aleatorizados. Si se alcanza este ultimo objetivo, los cirujanos urologicos roboticos ofreceran asesoramiento sobre la base de la evidencia clinica para lograr avances importantes en nuestro campo de la urologia.
Directional changes in information flow between human brain cortical regions after application of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over Broca’s area

Little work has been done on the information flow in functional brain imaging and none so far in fNIRS. In this work, alterations in the directionality of net information flow induced by a short-duration, low-current (2 min 40 s; 0.5 mA) and a longer-duration, high-current (8 min; 1 mA) anodal tDCS applied over the Broca’s area of the dominant language hemisphere were studied by fNIRS. The tDCS-induced patterns of information flow, quantified by a novel directed phase transfer entropy (dPTE) analysis, were distinct for different hemodynamic frequency bands and were qualitatively similar between low and high-current tDCS. In the endothelial band (0.003–0.02 Hz), the stimulated Broca’s area became the strongest hub of outgoing information flow, whereas in the neurogenic band (0.02–0.04 Hz) the contralateral homologous area became the strongest information outflow source. In the myogenic band (0.04–0.15 Hz), only global patterns were seen, independent of tDCS stimulation that were interpreted as Mayer waves. These findings showcase dPTE analysis in fNIRS as a novel, complementary tool for studying cortical activity reorganization after an intervention.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid-cavitary obstruction and apical aneurysm thrombus after transapical myectomy and aneurysmectomy

A 58-year-old woman with known hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was hospitalised for recurrent, intractable heart failure despite guideline-directed medical therapy. Her HCM phenotype was concentric with mid-cavitary obstruction (MCO) and an associated large apical aneurysm. Her cardiac history
Associations of depression severity with heart rate and heart rate variability in young adults across normative and clinical populations.

Abstract Limitations of current depression treatments may arise from a lack of knowledge about unique psychophysiological processes that contribute to depression across the full range of presentations. This study examined how individual variations in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are related to depressive symptoms across normative and clinical populations in 152 young adults (aged 18–35 years). Moderating effects of sex and antidepressant medication status were considered. Electrocardiogram data were collected during “vanilla” baseline and in response to positive and negative emotional cues. Linear regressions and repeated-measures mixed models were used to assess the relationships between Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores, sex, antidepressant use, and cardiovascular outcomes. Baseline models yielded significant main effects of BDI-II and sex on HR and significant interactions between antidepressant medication status and BDI-II on HRV outcomes. The main effects of BDI-II and sex on HR were no longer significant after controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants who denied current antidepressant use (n = 137) exhibited a negative association and participants who endorsed current antidepressant (n = 15) use exhibited a positive association between BDI-II scores and HRV. Emotional reactivity models were largely non-significant with the exception of a significant main effect of antidepressant medication status on high-frequency HRV reactivity. Results indicated antidepressant medication use may moderate the relationship between depression severity and cardiovascular functioning, but this requires replication given the modest proportion of medicated individuals in this study. Overall, findings suggest cardiovascular processes and cardiorespiratory fitness are linked to depression symptomatology and may be important to consider in depression treatment.
Photo-ablation lithographic technique at 172 nm based upon flat excimer lamps (Conference Presentation)

Photolithographic techniques capable of producing sub-micron scale features typically involve laser or electron beam sources and chemical development of an exposed photoresist. We report here a novel, low cost photolithographic process utilizing flat, efficient lamps emitting at 172 nm. Recently developed 10 cm x 10 cm lamps, for example, produce more than 25 W of average power at 172 nm which enables the precise and fast patterning of most polymers, including those normally employed as e-beam resists and photoresists. Recent experiments demonstrate that PMMA films less than 100 nm in thickness are patterned in less than 20 s through a contact mask with high contrast resolution of 500 nm features. The ultimate resolution limit is expected to be ≤ 300 nm for a contact method. Electroplating technique was further used to deposit 500 nm gold features on a silicon substrate. The reported process does not require a photoresist development step and is performed in nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure which make it fast and affordable for fabrication facilities that have no access to high-tech photolithography equipment. Samples as large as 76 mm (3”) in diameter may be exposed with a single lamp in one step and areas of 1 m2 and above may be processed with tiled arrays of lamps. Patterning of bulk polymers (acrylic sheets, for example) through a photomask and subsequent formation of sub-micron features has also been demonstrated.
Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (ASQ): development and validation

Background The Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (ASQ) is a brief self-report questionnaire which measures frequency and intensity of symptoms and was developed to improve assessment of anxiety symptoms in a clinical setting. We examined the reliability and validity of the ASQ in patients with anxiety disorders and/or depression, non-clinical control subjects and college students. Methods 240 outpatients with generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder or major depressive disorder were administered the ASQ and additional questionnaires measuring depression and anxiety, as were 111 non-clinical control subjects and 487 college students. Factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficients and logistic regression were used to assess reliability and validity. Test–retest reliability of the ASQ was measured using a subset who were re-administered the ASQ after 4 weeks. Results Factor analysis revealed measurement of a single dimension by the ASQ. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were strong. The ASQ total score also significantly distinguished patients with an anxiety disorder from the clinical controls above and beyond the clinician-rated Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Conclusions The ASQ is a valid, reliable and effective self-rated measure of anxiety and may be a useful tool for screening and assessing anxiety symptoms in psychiatric as well as college settings.