cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An observational study of the management practices and outcomes of patients with new onset atrial fibrillation in non-cardiothoracic surgeries.

Abstract Background and objective Limited data exist on characteristics and management of patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after noncardiothoracic surgeries and on the relationship between symptoms and outcomes. We sought to describe clinical features, in-hospital practices and outcomes in patients with new POAF by the presence or absence of clinical symptoms. Methods Retrospective cohort study of adults with POAF in one tertiary center. Results Among the 99 patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria, median age was 75 years (IQR 64–83) and 57.6% were male. Only thirty percent of patients with POAF were symptomatic. Rate control/conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in ≤ 4 h in 56% of the patients and in 80% was maintained for ≥ 24 h. Anticoagulation was prescribed in 50% of those discharged in AF; the CHADS2-VASc score was not associated with anticoagulation prescribed. One third of patients were readmitted and half of them were in AF. Asymptomatic patients had lower median heart rate than symptomatic patients but no other clinical characteristics, or outcomes were different. Conclusions Most patients with POAF were asymptomatic but their presentation or outcomes were similar with symptomatic patients. One in four discharged patients was prescribed anticoagulation and the CHADS2-VASC score was not associated with this decision. These findings have important implications for practice and future research. There is a need to better delineate the risk associated with transient versus persistent POAF, symptomatic versus asymptomatic POAF, as well as for clinical trials to determine optimal strategies to improve their outcomes.
Multilevel Initialization for Layer-Parallel Deep Neural Network Training

This paper investigates multilevel initialization strategies for training very deep neural networks with a layer-parallel multigrid solver. The scheme is based on the continuous interpretation of the training problem as a problem of optimal control, in which neural networks are represented as discretizations of time-dependent ordinary differential equations. A key goal is to develop a method able to intelligently initialize the network parameters for the very deep networks enabled by scalable layer-parallel training. To do this, we apply a refinement strategy across the time domain, that is equivalent to refining in the layer dimension. The resulting refinements create deep networks, with good initializations for the network parameters coming from the coarser trained networks. We investigate the effectiveness of such multilevel "nested iteration" strategies for network training, showing supporting numerical evidence of reduced run time for equivalent accuracy. In addition, we study whether the initialization strategies provide a regularizing effect on the overall training process and reduce sensitivity to hyperparameters and randomness in initial network parameters.
A characterization of $T_{2g+1,2}$ among alternating knots

Let $K$ be a genus $g$ alternating knot with Alexander polynomial $\Delta_K(T)=\sum_{i=-g}^ga_iT^i$. We show that if $|a_g|=|a_{g-1}|$, then $K$ is the torus knot $T_{2g+1,\pm2}$. This is a special case of the Fox Trapezoidal Conjecture. The proof uses Ozsvath and Szabo's work on alternating knots.
Evolving concepts in ventral hernia repair and physical therapy: prehabilitation, rehabilitation, and analogies to tendon reconstruction

The abdominal wall and musculoskeletal tendons share many anatomic, physiologic, and functional characteristics. This review aims to highlight these similar characteristics and to present a rationale why the treatment principles of successful musculoskeletal tendon reconstruction, including principles of surgical technique and physical therapy, can be used in the treatment of complex abdominal wall reconstruction or ventral hernia repair. The MEDLINE/PubMed database was used to identify published literature relevant to the purpose of this review. There are several anatomical and functional similarities between the linea alba and musculoskeletal tendons. Because of this reason, many of the surgical principles for musculoskeletal tendon repair and ventral hernia repair overlap. Distribution of tension is the main driving principle for both procedures. Suture material and configuration are chosen to maximize tension distribution among the tissue edges, as seen in the standard of care multistrand repairs for musculoskeletal tendons, as well as in the small bites for laparotomy technique described in the STITCH trial. Physical therapy is also one of the mainstays of tendon repair, but surprisingly, is not routine in ventral hernia repair. The evidence surrounding physical therapy prehabilitation and rehabilitation protocols in other disciplines is significant. This review challenges the fact that these protocols are not routinely implemented for ventral hernia repair, and presents the rationale and feasibility for the routine practice of physical therapy in ventral hernia repair.
Exploring narrative pedagogy: Story, teaching, and the development of virtue:

In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to rearticulate its significance. This study contributes to such ventures by drawing upon recent theol...
Scoliosis Is Not Always Idiopathic: A Case of a Boy with Back Pain and Scoliosis

Back pain, as in adults, is common in children and adolescents. Nearly 50% of children experience back pain at one point or another in their lives, and the etiologies are countless. Most of the time, however, back pain is benign and self-limiting in nature. However, with certain “red flag” signs and symptoms such as night pain, fevers, and neurological symptoms, a more ominous source of the back pain is likely.
Pre-service teachers’ peer mentoring experience and its influence on technology proficiency

This mixed methods study investigated the influence of peer mentoring on pre-service teachers’ proficiency with technology use after completion of an educational technology course. To measure profi...
The gray zone of thyroid nodules: Using a nomogram to provide malignancy risk assessment and guide patient management.

Background Thyroid nodules have a low prevalence of malignancy and most proven cancers do not behave aggressively. Thus, risk-stratification of nodules is a critical step to avoid surgical overtreatment. We hypothesized that a risk management system superior to those currently in use could be created to reduce the number of clinically indeterminate nodules (i.e., the "gray zone") by concurrently considering the malignancy risks conferred by clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytologic variables. Methods Thyroidectomy cases were reviewed from three institutions. Their benign versus malignant outcome was used to evaluate the variables for correlation. A binary logistic regression model was trained and, using indeterminate nodules with Bethesda III and IV results, validated. A scoring nomogram was designed to demonstrate the application of the model in clinical practice. Results One hundred thirty thyroidectomies (28% malignant) met inclusion criteria. The final logistic regression model included difficulty in swallowing, hypothyroidism, echogenicity, hypervascularity, margins, calcification, and cytology diagnosis as input parameters. The model was highly successful in determining the outcome (p value: 0.001) with a R2 (Nagelkerke) score of 0.93. The area under the curve as determined by receiver operating characteristics was 0.91. The accuracy of the model on the training dataset was 93% (sensitivity and specificity 92% and 96%, respectively) and, on the validation dataset, 80% (sensitivity and specificity 91% and 67%, respectively). Conclusions We report a model for risk assessment of thyroid nodules that has the potential to significantly reduce indeterminates and surgical overtreatment. We illustrate its application via a straightforward nomogram, which integrates clinical, ultrasonographic, and cytologic data, and can be used to create clear, evidence-based management plans for patients.
A systematic review of theoretical constructs in CDS literature

Studies that examine the adoption of clinical decision support (CDS) by healthcare providers have generally lacked a theoretical underpinning. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model may provide such a theory-based explanation; however, it is unknown if the model can be applied to the CDS literature. Our overall goal was to develop a taxonomy based on UTAUT constructs that could reliably characterize CDS interventions. We used a two-step process: (1) identified randomized controlled trials meeting comparative effectiveness criteria, e.g., evaluating the impact of CDS interventions with and without specific features or implementation strategies; (2) iteratively developed and validated a taxonomy for characterizing differential CDS features or implementation strategies using three raters. Twenty-five studies with 48 comparison arms were identified. We applied three constructs from the UTAUT model and added motivational control to characterize CDS interventions. Inter-rater reliability was as follows for model constructs: performance expectancy (κ = 0.79), effort expectancy (κ = 0.85), social influence (κ = 0.71), and motivational control (κ = 0.87). We found that constructs from the UTAUT model and motivational control can reliably characterize features and associated implementation strategies. Our next step is to examine the quantitative relationships between constructs and CDS adoption.
Melting of Tantalum at Multimegabar Pressures on the Nanosecond Timescale

Tantalum was once thought to be the canonical bcc metal, but is now predicted to transition to the Pnma phase at the high pressures and temperatures expected along the principal Hugoniot. Furthermore, there remains a significant discrepancy between a number of static diamond anvil cell experiments and gas gun experiments in the measured melt temperatures at high pressures. Our in situ x-ray diffraction experiments on shock compressed tantalum show that it does not transition to the Pnma phase or other candidate phases at high pressure. We observe incipient melting at approximately $254\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GPa}$ and complete melting by $317\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GPa}$. These transition pressures from the nanosecond experiments presented here are consistent with what can be inferred from microsecond gas gun sound velocity measurements. Furthermore, the observation of a coexistence region on the Hugoniot implies the lack of significant kinetically controlled deviation from equilibrium behavior. Consequently, we find that kinetics of phase transitions cannot be used to explain the discrepancy between static and dynamic measurements of the tantalum melt curve. Using available high pressure thermodynamic data for tantalum and our measurements of the incipient and complete melting transition pressures, we are able to infer a melting temperature ${8070}_{\ensuremath{-}750}^{+1250}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ at $254\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GPa}$, which is consistent with ambient and a recent static high pressure melt curve measurement.
TU‐AB‐303‐02: A Novel Surrogate to Identify Anatomical Changes During Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Purpose: To develop a novel method to monitor external anatomical changes in head and neck cancer patients in order to help guide adaptive radiotherapy decisions. Methods: The method, developed in MATLAB, reveals internal anatomical changes based on variations observed in external anatomy. Weekly kV-CBCT scans from 11 Head and neck patients were retrospectively analyzed. The pre-processing step first corrects each CBCT for artifacts and removes pixels from the immobilization mask to produce an accurate external contour of the patient’s skin. After registering the CBCTs to the initial planning CT, the external contours from each CBCT (CBCTn) are transferred to the first week — reference — CBCT₁. Contour radii, defined as the distances between an external contour and the central pixel of each CBCT slice, are calculated for each scan at angular increments of 1 degree. The changes in external anatomy are then quantified by the difference in radial distance between the external contours of CBCT1 and CBCTn. The radial difference is finally displayed on a 2D intensity map (angle vs radial distance difference) in order to highlight regions of interests with significant changes. Results: The 2D radial difference maps provided qualitative and quantitative information, such as the location and the magnitude of external contour divergences and the rate at which these deviations occur. With this method, anatomical changes due to tumor volume shrinkage and patient weight loss were clearly identified and could be correlated with the under-dosage of targets or over-dosage of OARs. Conclusion: This novel method provides an efficient tool to visualize 3D external anatomical modification on a single 2D map. It quickly pinpoints the location of differences in anatomy during the course of radiotherapy, which can help determine if a treatment plan needs to be adapted.
Risk Tolerance and its Relation to Important Life Events

We study panel data on three birth-year cohorts to understand the changes in risk tolerance across different age groups. Interval regression models on cross-sectional data for each birth cohort are constructed to investigate how time-invariant factors and macroeconomic events such as September 11, 2001, might influence individuals' risk tolerance. Well-established maximum likelihood estimation procedure is followed to obtain a parametric distribution of logarithm of relative risk tolerance that is potentially subject to noise, and to assess how this distribution shifts with time. Finally, we conduct interval regressions on first difference models to capture the reasons for change in the risk tolerance in each cohort. The main differences in the results as compared to previous studies are that risk tolerance does decrease with age, but there is much more within-subject heterogeneity among younger individuals, and that income lowers risk tolerance among younger Americans, whereas wealth increases risk tolerance among older Americans. The risk tolerance of the oldest cohort is negatively affected by late-life marriage and widowhood, whereas risk tolerance increases with greater wealth, and somewhat due to retirement. An increase in family size through marriage and more children lowers the risk tolerance of the youngest cohort, whereas unemployment has a positive association with tolerance.
Amino terminal glutamate residues confer spermine sensitivity and affect voltage gating and channel conductance of rat connexin40 gap junctions.

Connexin40 (Cx40) contains a specific binding site for spermine (affinity ∼100 μm) whereas connexin43 (Cx43) is unaffected by identical concentrations of intracellular spermine. Replacement of two unique glutamate residues, E9 and E13, from the cytoplasmic amino terminal domain of Cx40 with the corresponding lysine residues from Cx43 eliminated the block by 2 mm spermine, reduced the transjunctional voltage (Vj) gating sensitivity, and reduced the unitary conductance of this Cx40E9,13K gap junction channel protein. The single point mutations, Cx40E9K and Cx40E13K, predominantly affected the residual conductance state (Gmin) and Vj gating properties, respectively. Heterotypic pairing of Cx40E9,13K with wild-type Cx40 in murine neuro2A (N2A) cells produced a strongly rectifying gap junction reminiscent of the inward rectification properties of the Kir (e.g. Kir2.x) family of potassium channels. The reciprocal Cx43K9,13E mutant protein exhibited reduced Vj sensitivity, but displayed much less rectification in heterotypic pairings with wtCx43, negligible changes in the unitary channel conductance, and remained insensitive to spermine block. These data indicate that the connexin40 amino terminus may form a critical cytoplasmic pore-forming domain that serves as the receptor for Vj-dependent closure and block by intracellular polyamines. Functional reciprocity between Cx40 and Cx43 gap junctions involves other amino acid residues in addition to the E or K 9 and 13 loci located on the amino terminal domain of these two connexins.
CMOS Mixed-Signal Circuit Design

The power of mixed-signal circuit designs, and perhaps the reason they are replacing analog-only designs in the implementation of analog interfaces, comes from the marriage of analog circuits with digital signal processing. This book builds on the fundamental material in the author's previous book, CMOS: Circuit Design, Layout, and Simulation, to provide a solid textbook and reference for mixed-signal circuit design. The coverage is both practical and in-depth, integrating experimental, theoretical, and simulation examples to drive home the why and the how of doing mixed-signal circuit design. Some of the highlights of this book include: (1) A practical/theoretical approach to mixed-signal circuit design with an emphasis on oversampling techniques; (2) An accessible and useful alternative to hard-to-digest technical papers without losing technical depth; (3) Coverage of delta-sigma data converters, custom analog and digital filter design, design with submicron CMOS processes, and practical at-the-bench deadbug prototyping techniques; (4) Hundreds of worked examples and questions covering all areas of mixed-signal circuit design.
Colorimetric determination of furfural and its precursors with azulene : Application to air pollution

Abstract Two procedures in which azulene is used as the reagent for the determination of furfurals and furfurals and their carbohydrate precursors are described. Alipliatic aldcliydes, alcohols, and 2-deoxy sugars and their derivatives gave weak to negative reactions. The methods have been applied to the estimation of furfurals and furfuralprecursor carbohydrates in effluent from a coffee-roasting industrial plant.
Factors associated with age at pyeloplasty in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Our objectives were to: (1) delineate factors associated with surgery at <1 year and (2) determine if early intervention was associated with increased risk of readmission. We conducted a retrospective review of children age 0–18 years with a diagnosis of UPJ obstruction who underwent pyeloplasty from 1/1/1999 to 9/1/2009 using the PHIS database. Data collected included patient factors (race, gender, insurance type, APR-DRG severity of illness) and hospital factors (annual case volume, census region, academic status). Outcomes assessed were: age at surgery and hospital readmission within 1 year of surgery. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and Cox PH for multivariate analyses. 4499 children met study criteria. Minority race (OR 1.55), male gender (OR 1.49), public insurance (OR 1.37), high severity of illness (OR 3.60), Southern region (OR 1.44), and low hospital volume (OR 1.37) were significant predictors of early surgery (p < 0.05). Only early surgery (HR 2.42; 95 % CI 1.67–3.49 2.42) was associated with increased risk of readmission. In children with UPJ obstruction, age at surgery is associated with patient demographic and hospital factors. Early surgery is associated with higher rates of readmission, suggesting that variations in age at surgery may be associated with significant differences in outcomes.
Three mysteries of Gaussian elimination

If numerical analysts understand anything, surely it must be Gaussian elimination. This is the oldest and truest of numerical algorithms. To be precise, I am speaking of Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting, the universal method for solving a dense, unstructured n X n linear system of equations Ax = b on a serial computer. This algorithm has been so successful that to many of us, Gaussian elimination and Ax = b are more or less synonymous. The chapter headings in the book by Golub and Van Loan [3] are typical -- along with "Orthogonalization and Least Squares Methods," "The Symetric Eigenvalue Problem," and the rest, one finds "Gaussian Elimination," not "Linear Systems of Equations."
Comparing State and International Protections of Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights:

Globalization has created the space for indigenous peoples to seek rights in new and creative ways. This article introduces the relational concept between indigenous peoples and others. Then it defines human rights and identifies three generations of human rights as expressed in doctrine and the protections they provide. After discussing the application of human rights to indigenous peoples, the author examines human rights in two cases: the Native Hawaiian sovereignty movement and the Zapatistas (Maya) movement. In each case she seeks to discover which structure—either the state or international system—offers greater openings for the rights that the indigenous groups seek. To discover the range of rights apportioned to indigenous peoples, the author also looks at several state constitutions in the Americas. The findings suggest that the rights of indigenous peoples are better protected by international doctrine.
Spectrophotometric quantitation of anchorage-dependent cell numbers using the bicinchoninic acid protein assay reagent

Abstract A rapid and convenient method is described for the determination of the actual and relative number of adherent cells in tissue culture. The cell lines human melanoma C32, ATCC CRL 1585, mouse melanoma B16-F10, and pig epithelial LLC-PK1, suspended in Dulbecco's minimum essential medium containing no serum, were allowed to adhere to fibronectin adsorbed to wells of a 96-well microtiter plate. Nonadherent cells were removed by aspiration, wells were washed, and adherent cells were solubilized with 200 μl of the bicinchoninic acid (4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-biquinoline) protein assay reagent. Plates were heated to 60°C for 30 min and absorbances read at 562 nm using a microtiter plate reader. A linear correlation was observed between the number of adherent cells in the range 2–8 × 105/ml cells added and the protein content of the adherent cells as measured by the BCA protein reagent. The assay procedure gave absorbance values in the range of 0.100 to 1.30 making the method highly sensitive and reproducible. Blank wells containing only coupled protein and no cells gave little or no absorbance. Cell adhesion was fibronectin specific since little or no cell attachment was observed when microtiter plates were coupled with bovine serum albumin. Similar results were obtained with other cell types such as platelets. These results indicate that measurement of total cellular protein using the BCA protein reagent can be a rapid and sensitive assay for the detection and quantitation of adherent cells.
Free choice of signaled vs unsignaled scrambled electric shock with rats

After forced exposure to both sides of a shuttlebox, 15 rats were given a choice between signaled scrambled electric shock in one half and unsignaled scrambled shock in the other. The interstimulus intervals between tone and shock were 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 sec. Signal offset contingencies were: off 1 sec before shock, off at shock onset, or off at shock offset. The main finding of no preference between signaled and nonsignaled shock supports the view that signaled shock will be preferred only when it is modifiable.
The American Historical Association, Part 2

with Naziism, in part because of the openly acknowledged homosexuality of Ernst Roehm, head of the Nazi Sturmabteilung (SA), and in part because the left saw the masculinist ideology of the right as homoerotic. The contention of both papers that homosexuals were wrong to see the left as their friends when left-wing parties were the only ones consistently to support the removal of legal restrictions on homosexual behavior seems politically shortsighted and anachronistic. All three sessions raised questions concerning the relationship between the values and ideologies of the left and the existence of cultural contradictions that defy the historical leftist analysis of the centrality of class. Particularly in advanced capitalist countries, these cultural contradictions have required and still require more subtle analysis on the part of the left, particularly with regard to struggles over ethnic and gender issues.
Effects of realistic band structures on the interlayer coupling strengths in magnetic multilayers

The interlayer coupling strengths associated with different oscillation periods in Co/Cu/Co sandwiches for different orientations are calculated based on the spin asymmetry of the reflection amplitude at extremal points. A realistic tight-binding model which includes s, ${\mathit{p}}^{3}$, and ${\mathit{d}}^{5}$ orbitals is adopted to calculate the reflection amplitudes. At the interface, all evanescent states are included to meet proper boundary conditions. The spin asymmetry of the reflection amplitude which is the crucial factor for determining the coupling strength is found to depend on the details of the band structures. Unique features are found when there are more than one reflected waves, which do not exist in the single-band model. For certain periods inferred from the spacer Fermi surface, the coupling strengths are found too small to be detected.
A Review of Analytical Methodology for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Coal Tar Products

AbstractDetermination of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content of coal tar products, necessary for product control and regulatory compliance, presents a challenge to the analyst. The number of PAHs that may be present in coal tar, combined with varying definitions of what exactly constitutes a PAH, makes the determination of a definitive total PAH content an elusive goal. A sound analytical approach must first define the analyte(s) to be measured, and appropriate methodology developed to estimate, by the chosen standard, the total PAH content of the product.
Surface representation in three dimensions using the symmetrical axis tranform

The work described here is the result of an attempt to implement a unified representation for the display, storage, model matching, location and analysis of cardiac images. The Symmetrical Axis Tranaform (SAT) has attributes which make it useful for object representation, induding 3-D objects. It is hierarchical, compact, exact and fast. Using these characteristics, object recognition has been done using SAT [6], and means of obtaining surface descriptions for 3-D object8 has been reported [4]. The SAT has been described using morphological operations [5]. This paper describes an extension of the SAT to the representation of arbitrary non-Eudidean surfaces using geodesic operators put forth by Lantejoul and Beucher [2].© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
NESTED INVARIANT 3-TORI EMBEDDED IN A SEA OF CHAOS IN A QUASIPERIODIC FLUID FLOW

Nested invariant 3-tori surrounding a torus braid of elliptic type are found to exist in a model of a fluid flow with quasiperiodic forcing. The Hamiltonian describing the system is given by the superposition of two steady stream functions, one with an elliptic fixed point and the other with a coincident hyperbolic fixed point. The superposition, modulated by two incommensurate frequencies, yields an elliptic torus braid at the location of the fixed point. The system is suspended in a four-dimensional phase space (two space and two phase directions). To analyze this system we define two three-dimensional, global, Poincare sections of the flow. The coherent structures (cross-sections of nested 2 tori) are found each to have a fractal dimensional of two, in each Poincare cross-section. This framework has applications to tidal and other mixing problems of geophysical interest.
Stereospecific Formation of the (R)-γ-Hydroxytrimethylene Interstrand N2-dG:N2-dG Cross-Link Arising from the γ-OH-1,N2-Propano-2′-deoxyguanosine Adduct in the 5′-CpG-3′ DNA Sequence

Acrolein reacts with dG to form hydroxylated 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine (OH-PdG) adducts. Most abundant are the epimeric 3-(2-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-hydroxypyrimido[...
Spike train coherence in macaque parietal cortex during a memory saccade task

Abstract The dynamics of cell-to-cell interactions as measured by the coherence between spike trains can help elucidate local circuitry and phases of operation for networks of neurons. We compute the coherence between pairs of spike trains collected from macaque area LIP during a memory saccade task. Significant coherence is found for frequencies below 50 Hz, and time lags less than ±10 ms . The mean coherence, as examined in both the time and frequency domains for a sliding window, undergoes changes which correspond to behavioral events, but are not necessarily linked to the mean firing rates of the recorded cells. Our results suggest that the maintenance of memory activity is done through a different mechanism than sensory response and saccade generation.
Effective Approximation of Molecular Volume Using Atom-Centered Dielectric Functions in Generalized Born Models

The generalized Born (GB) theory is a prime choice for implicit treatment of solvent that provides a favorable balance between efficiency and accuracy for reliable simulation of protein conformational equilibria. In GB, the dielectric boundary is a key physical property that needs to be properly described. While it is widely accepted that the molecular surface (MS) should provide the most physical description, most existing GB models are based on van der Waals (vdW)-like surfaces for computational simplicity and efficiency. A simple and effective approximation to molecular volume is explored here using atom-centered dielectric functions within the context of a generalized Born model with simple switching (GBSW). The new model, termed GBSW/MS2, is as efficient as the original vdW-like-surface-based GBSW model, but is able to reproduce the Born radii calculated from the “exact” Poisson−Boltzmann theory with a correlation of 0.95. More importantly, examination of the potentials of mean force of hydrogen-bond...
Federal Tax Effects on Electric Utility Investment

(1977). Federal Tax Effects on Electric Utility Investment. The Engineering Economist: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 97-118.
Decision Support For Fuzzy, Probabilistic And Control Processes: A Prolog Assistant

Most of the systems encountered by decision makers are dependent on fuzzy variables. In this paper a few of these systems are studied. These systems are called Variable Fuzzy Systems (VFS). The necessary details about operations on fuzzy sub-sets are reviewed. The deductive processes involved in reaching decisions about fuzzy systems are examined. The implementation of these processes in Prolog is discussed. Prolog programs (assistant) used for decision support in some of these variable fuzzy systems is listed.
Wannier functions and interatomic forces in metals

Abstract A method is given for representing the energy of a metal as sums of one, two, three and four body atomic interactions in the Hartree- Fock approximation by the use of Wannier functions. This method puts the energy in a form well suited for cohesive and structural studies. The self-consistent field equations that minimize the Hartree-Fock energy in the Wannier representation were also obtained.
Ion sources for use in ion implantation

Abstract This paper reviews high current ion sources suitable for commercial use. Although the production of high currents of a variety of ions is a vital consideration, this paper focuses on other aspects of ion source performance. The modern ion implanter is a major item of expensive capital equipment, with the ion source being its least reliable component. So, the most critical issues today are reliability and lifetime, as well as safety, flexibility, and ease of service. The Freeman ion source has clearly dominated the field, yet a number of alternative sources have found commercial acceptance, including microwave sources. Factors affecting the ultimate usefulness of various sources in different implantation applications are discussed.
Fundamental study of photoresist dissolution with real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry and interferometry

The use of in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is demonstrated as a technique for studying photoresist dissolution. Experiments carried out using a J.A.Woollam M-2000 ellipsometer and a custom built cell designed for in situ film measurements show that bulk dissolution rate measurements using the SE technique agree with dissolution rate data obtained using multiwavelength interferometry. SE is also demonstrated as a method for measuring thin film dissolution rates, water sorption, and films that swell. An additional focus of this work was the topic of interfacial “gel” layer formation during photoresist dissolution. Ellipsometry and interferometry were used to test several photoresist resins, with an emphasis on phenolic polymers. Single and multiple layer models were used to analyze the data, and were compared to model calculations predicting formation of a gel layer. For the materials studied, interfacial gel layer formation in low molecular weight phenolic polymers was not detected, within the resolution of the experimental techniques (< 15 nm).
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage following gemtuzumab ozogamicin.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) or hemorrhagic alveolitis is a severe, often fatal, pulmonary complication of myeloablative stem cell transplantation (SCT).1 The efficacy of current therapies for DAH remains unproven, although common practice is to treat patients with high-dose, pulsed methylprednisolone.2 The mortality of patients who require intubation and mechanical ventilation for DAH exceeds 80%.3, 4, 5 While primarily a complication of myeloablative SCT in patients with hematologic malignancies, DAH has been described as a rare toxicity of nontransplant therapies. DAH has been observed after use of the antiglycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor monoclonal antibody abciximab (ReoPro),6, 7 but has not been associated with the humanized anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg).
MODELING AGE DIFFERENCES IN COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS: A Review of the Literature

Objectives: Cost-effectiveness analysts often present cost-effectiveness results by age to help inform decisions about the use of an intervention. Yet it is not known how well studies model the risks and costs associated with age. We reviewed published studies to examine their modeling of age differences. Methods: MEDLINE searches identified all cost-effectiveness analyses published between 1985 and 1997 that included adults 50 years of age and older, were based on data for developed countries, and compared cost-effectiveness ratios for adults of different ages or for initiation of an intervention at different ages; 36 articles met these criteria. They were reviewed to determine the extent to which they incorporated age-specific data. Studies that justified using the same data for all ages were counted as having varied the data element by age. Results: All studies varied life expectancy by age. Most also varied the incidence/prevalence of the target condition and the case fatality rate. Only 36% varied the effectiveness rate of the intervention by age. Costs were usually assumed constant: 42% of studies varied the cost of treating adverse effects and 17% varied the cost of treating the target condition. Whether a data element was varied did not appear to be related to the pattern of cost-effectiveness ratios by age. Conclusions: Many studies have not modeled age differences in sufficient detail to ensure that differences in cost-effectiveness ratios by age are accurate and a sound basis for decisions. As cost-effectiveness analysis becomes more widespread, analysts should strive to incorporate more complete age-specific data.
Lactate dehydrogenase activity and isoenzyme pattern in lungs, erythrocytes, and plasma of ozone‐exposed rats and monkeys

The effect of low levels of ozone exposure (8 hr daily for 7 days) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and isoenzyme pattern was studied in the lungs, plasma, and erythrocytes of rats and monkeys. Exposure to 0.8 or 0.5 ppm ozone resulted in a significant increase in total LDH activvity in the lungs but not in the plasma and erythrocytes of rats. The LDH-5 fraction of the LDH isoenzymes was significantly decreased in terms of percentage distribution in the lungs and plasma of rats exposed to 0.8 ppm ozone, whereas the LDH-4 in the lungs and plasma and LDH-3 in the lungs were increased. At 0.5 ppm ozone, the isoenzyme distribution was not significantly changed in lungs, plasma, or erythrocytes. In monkeys, no significant change in either total LDH activity or isoenzyme pattern was observed in lungs, plasma, or erythrocytes after exposure to 0.8 ppm ozone.
Bounds on Motions of Some Lumped and Continuous Dynamic Systems

Abstract : Lumped and continuous systems subjected to general dynamic loads or perturbations are considered. The motions of these systems are assumed to be described by ordinary or partial differential equations with time-varying forcing terms. Upper bounds on the motions are derived with a Liapunov type of approach. The results are applied to some structural dynamics problems: displacement bounds are determined for elastic columns, plates, and arches, and sufficient conditions for stability of arches against 'snap-through' are obtained. (Author)
Intravascular Ultrasound Evidence of Angiographically Silent Progression in Coronary Atherosclerosis Predicts Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality After Cardiac Transplantation

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether angiographically silent early coronary intimal thickening could predict long-term morbidity and mortality. Background Although intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is widely used to detect early transplant coronary disease, its prognostic significance has not been well defined. Methods The study cohort consisted of 143 patients who underwent early multivessel (2.1 ± 0.7 arteries/patient) IVUS examination 1.0 ± 0.5 month and 12.0 ± 1.0 month after transplantation. The change in intimal thickness was evaluated using paired analysis of 1,069 matched sites. Rapidly progressive vasculopathy was defined as the change in intimal thickness ≥0.5 mm. Patients were followed for a primary end point of all-cause mortality and a secondary composite end point of mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). Angiographic disease, defined as any ≥50% diameter stenosis, was assessed in 126 patients. Results Intravascular ultrasound at one year demonstrated rapid progression in 54 (37%) of 143 patients and new lesions in 67 (47%) of 143 of patients. At a mean clinical follow-up of 5.9 years, more patients with rapidly progressive vasculopathy died, as compared with those without (26% vs. 11%, p = 0.03). Death and MI also occurred more frequently among those with rapid progression than in those without it (51% vs. 16%, p Conclusions Rapidly progressive vasculopathy by IVUS, defined as an increase of ≥0.5 mm in intimal thickness within the first year after transplantation, is a powerful predictor of all-cause mortality, MI, and angiographic abnormalities. Accordingly, such patients may be candidates for more aggressive anti-atherosclerotic and/or immunosuppressive therapy.
A page out of the history of hyperparathyroidism.

MEMBERS of the Association for the Study of Internal Secretions and Guests! Two years ago, when I became president-elect of this association, I knew I would have to give this address this evening. I have worried about it ever since and am still worrying. The occasion seemed to call for something a little different than the presentation of new data. A heavy philosophical treatise, were I capable of producing such, also seemed inappropriate. I finally decided on a short historical note which is of interest not only for the facts discovered but for the means by which they were arrived at. PATHOLOGICAL VERSUS PHYSIOLOGICAL APPROACH What I am about to say should not be taken too literally by any pathologist or physiologist who happens to be present. In a sense, the pathologist and physiologist approach an endocrinological problem from opposite sides. The former starts with the completed picture of the disease, learns to associate such-and-such changes in some endocrine gland with the disease, and finally comes...
Nutritional requirements of wild-type and folate transport-deficient Leishmania donovani for pterins and folates.

The nutritional requirements for folates and pterins were assessed for two strains of Leishmania donovani promastigotes, a wild-type (D1700) parental strain and a mutant derivative (MTXA5) which possesses a markedly diminished capacity to transport both [3H]folate and [3H]methotrexate (MTX) [14]. Both L. donovani strains have an absolute growth requirement for an exogenous pterin, since their proliferation could not be sustained in completely defined medium lacking either a pterin or a folate. Supplementation of the growth medium by many of a spectrum of folates and pterins could support growth of the wild-type cell line. Surprisingly, however, the MTXA5 strain could not thrive in folate-deficient medium fortified with any of the pterins that promoted wild-type cell division, including biopterin and neopterin. The relationship between the incapacity of MTXA5 cells to transport folate and methotrexate and their inability to multiply in folate-deficient medium supplemented with pterins was evaluated using genetic approaches. First, an independently generated MTX-resistant mutant, MTXB4, was isolated in 1 mM MTX. The phenotype of the MTXB4 cells was like that of MTXA5 cells since they were unable to transport [3H]MTX and [3H]folate or grow in folate-deficient medium supplemented with pterins. Second, three revertants of the MTXA5 cells were selected for their ability to grow in 1 μM biopterin. All three revertants had regained [3H]folate and [3H]MTX transport capability concomitant with growth sensitivity to methotrexate toxicity. These observations provide genetic evidence that the competence of L. donovani to transport [3H]folate and [3H]MTX and the capability of the organisms to utilize pterins as a nutritional factor are influenced by a common genetic locus.
Autoimmune disorders: nail signs and therapeutic approaches

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is an autoimmune disease that targets small and medium-sized arteries and arterioles in the involved tissues, resulting in a fibrotic vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis. Several prominent nail and periungual changes are apparent in scleroderma. Examination of the nail fold capillaries can reveal the nature and extent of microvascular pathology in patients with collagen vascular disease and Raynaud's phenomenon. Among the complications stemming from Raynaud's phenomenon can be painful ischemic digital ulcers. This can be managed, and potentially prevented, through pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic means. Whereas oral calcium channel blockers remain the most convenient therapy, oral endothelin receptor antagonists and intravenous prostaglandins may be important therapeutic advances for ischemic digital vascular lesions.
The medieval river trade network of Russia revisited

Abstract Medieval trade and communication along the rivers of Russia are considered as a social network. Two measures are presented. An intermediate node occurrence rate (Shimbel's stress index) provides a measure of centrality. The short-path distances to all other places are summed to provide a system-effort measure of accessibility. Both measures show Moscow to have been most central and accessible with aggregate least effort.
Absence of a correlation of androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length and prostate cancer risk in an African-American population

Shorter androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, an earlier age of onset, and more advanced stage of disease. Studies comparing the distribution of CAG repeat lengths within different populations have reported that racial groups with higher prostate cancer incidence also have shorter CAG repeat lengths. We evaluated CAG repeat length in 685 black men in Louisiana, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia who were participating in prostate cancer screening, comparing the 118 who were diagnosed with prostate cancer with 567 who had normal serum prostate-specific antigen levels and no evidence of cancer on digital rectal examination. The median CAG repeat length was 21 among cases and 19 among controls (P = 0.11). Cases were significantly older than controls, with a median age of 68 years compared with 54 years (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, we found no association between prostate cancer risk and CAG repeat length (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98-1.13; P = 0.16). Dividing CAG repeat lengths into septiles and calculating the odds ratio for each revealed no specific repeat-length range with a significantly elevated or depressed risk of prostate cancer, but a trend test showed a significant association between longer CAG repeat lengths and an elevated risk of prostate cancer (P = 0.02). Neither grade nor stage was associated with CAG repeat length. This study confirms earlier reports that black men have shorter CAG repeat lengths than reported white and Asian populations. We did not find an increased risk of prostate cancer among black men with fewer CAG repeats.
Occupational Risks in Dentistry: Comforts and Concerns

Dentistry has been portrayed as a high-risk profession in recent reports. A look at several areas of concern, however, shows that the field is no more hazardous than any other profession—and less than most.
Blind equalization and estimation of FIR communications channels using fractional sampling

We consider the problem of blind estimation and equalization of digital communication finite impulse response (FIR) channels using fractionally spaced samples. Fractionally sampled data are cyclostationary rather than stationary. The problem is cast into a mathematical framework of parameter estimation for a vector stationary process with single input (information sequence) and multiple outputs, by using a time-series representation of a cyclostationary process. The channel parameters are estimated by first estimating various subchannels using the second- and the fourth-order cumulant function of the received data, and then appropriately aligning and scaling them. The estimated channel impulse response is then used to construct a linear equalizer. Two illustrative simulation examples using four- and 16-QAM signals are presented where effect of symbol-timing-phase offset is studied via simulations.