cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of patients with acute pulmonary embolism stratified according to their presenting syndromes.

Purpose The purpose of this investigation is to determine the characteristics of the history, physical examination, chest radiograph, and ECG, and the ventilation/perfusion ( V ˙ / Q ˙ ) lung scan probability in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) stratified according to their presenting syndrome. Background In considering a possible diagnosis of acute PE, it is helpful to consider the patient in terms of the presenting syndrome (pulmonary infarction, isolated dyspnea, or circulatory collapse). In assessing the possibility of acute PE, it would be more useful to know the detailed characteristics of the particular syndrome rather than the clinical characteristics of all patients with PE. Methods Patients described in this investigation participated in the national collaborative trial of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED). All had PE diagnosed by pulmonary angiography. None had prior cardiopulmonary disease. All examinations and laboratory tests were obtained within 24 h of the pulmonary angiogram and most were within 12 h of the pulmonary angiogram. Results Among patients with the pulmonary infarction syndrome, 14 of 119 (12%) had neither dyspnea nor tachypnea. Some patients with circulatory collapse did not have dyspnea, tachypnea, or pleuritic pain. A normal ECG was more prevalent among patients with pulmonary infarction syndrome, 45 of 97 (46%), than among patients with isolated dyspnea syndrome, 2 of 21 (10%) (p 2 >80 mm Hg was also more prevalent in patients with the pulmonary infarction syndrome, 27 of 99 (27%), than in patients with the isolated dyspnea syndrome, 2 of 19 (11%). A high-probability V/Q lung scan was less prevalent among the pulmonary infarction group, 38 of 119 (32%), than the isolated dyspnea group, 20 of 31 (65%) (p Conclusion Many of the findings in the various syndromes of PE can be understood in terms of the severity of PE as it increases from mild with the pulmonary infarction syndrome to moderate with the isolated dyspnea syndrome to severe with circulatory collapse. The prevalence of various clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with the syndrome of pulmonary infarction, isolated dyspnea, or circulatory collapse may give clues to the diagnosis or suggest characteristics that may reduce the likelihood of inadvertently discarding the diagnosis of PE.
Conformational studies of cyclopropylcarbonyl fluoride from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of xenon solutions

Abstract Variable temperature (−60 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm −1 ) of cyclopropylcarbonyl fluoride, c -C 3 H 5 CFO, dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. Utilizing four well separated pairs of skeletal bending modes due to the cis and trans conformers, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 97 ± 11 cm −1 (277 ± 31 cal/mol) with the cis conformer (oxygen atom cis to the three-membered ring) the more stable rotamer. From this ΔH value, along with assigned torsional transitions of 89.6 and 65.0 cm −1 for the trans and cis conformers, respectively, the potential function governing the conformational interchange has been calculated. The cis to trans and trans to cis barriers have been determined to be 2100 ± 200 and 2000 ± 200 cm −1 , respectively. Utilizing the new infrared data from the xenon solution, Raman data for the liquid, and ab initio predictions from MP2/6–31G ∗ calculations several reassignments of the fundamentals have been made. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6–311G ∗∗ and MP2/6–31 + + G ∗∗ from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With the two largest basis sets the cis conformer is predicted to be the more stable conformer consistent with the experimental results. However, in the liquid and solid states the trans conformer is the more stable form. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.
Examining the Effect of Emotional Dissonance on Work Stress and Satisfaction With Supervisors Among Correctional Staff

Studies of job satisfaction of correctional staff members have shown relatively low levels of job satisfaction. Important in these studies is the link between work stress and job satisfaction. However, to date, researchers have neglected consideration of the role that emotional dissonance may play in the job satisfaction of correctional staff members. Drawing on data from 211 staff members in two Kentucky prisons, the present research examines the role of emotional dissonance and perceived work stress on correctional staff members’ job satisfaction. Structural equation modeling shows that emotional dissonance is an antecedent of work stress, which in turn affects satisfaction with supervisors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Forty-two years of succession following strip clearcutting in a northern hardwoods forest in northwestern Massachusetts

Abstract We investigated the effects of strip width, slope position, and soil scarification in a split–split plot design on the regeneration of northern hardwoods in northwestern Massachusetts. Whole plots of 20 and 40 m in width were cut in 1954 in a second growth forest dominated by Betula papyrifera . Slope position and soil scarification were the split and split–split plot treatments, respectively. We measured height for all tree species present in randomly located 4 m 2 plots beginning in 1955 and at irregular intervals over the following 42-year period. We measured all trees in the cut strips in 1996. Prunus pensylvanica was the dominant species initially, but had nearly disappeared from the cut strips by 1996. Soil scarification significantly increased initial establishment of B. papyrifera , but density and basal area of this species did not differ by soil treatment in 1996. Tree composition in cut strips was weakly correlated with soil moisture, soil scarification, and initial tree density immediately following cutting, but high spatial variation in species composition and low replication made it difficult to detect any significant correlations among the distribution and abundance of different species and selected environmental variables. The canopy of the cut strips is even-aged; establishment of most canopy trees occurred within 5 years following cutting. A comparison of successional trends in adjacent uncut strips with the trends in the cut strips indicates that cutting has altered the sequence of successional changes in forest composition increasing the abundance of some species that were of low importance prior to cutting. In 1996, Acer rubrum and A. saccharum are replacing B. papyrifera in the canopy of the uncut strips. The canopy of the cut strips consists of a diverse and spatially varying mixture of intermediate hardwoods including Quercus rubra , Fraxinus americana , Betula lenta , Acer rubrum , B. papyrifera , and an understory of late successional hardwoods.
Optimizing CT angiography in patients with Fontan physiology: single-center experience of dual-site power injection

Aim To identify adult patients with single-ventricle congenital heart disease and Fontan procedure palliation who have been misdiagnosed with or incompletely evaluated for pulmonary embolism. Additionally, this study was designed to demonstrate that simultaneous, dual-injection of contrast medium into an upper and lower extremity vein is superior to single-injection protocols for CT angiography (CTA) of the chest in this population. Materials and methods Patients included in the study were retrospectively selected from the Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) database. Search criteria included history of Fontan palliation and available chest CT examination. Patients were evaluated for (1) type of congenital heart disease and prior operations;(2) indication for initial CT evaluation;(3) route of contrast medium administration for the initial CT examination and resulting diagnosis;(4) whether or not anticoagulation therapy was initiated; and (5) final diagnosis and treatment plan. Results The query of the ACHD database resulted in 28 individuals or patients with Fontan palliation (superior and inferior venae cavae anastomosed to the pulmonary arteries). Of these, 19 patients with Fontan physiology underwent CTA of the pulmonary circulation, and 17 had suboptimal imaging studies. Unfortunately, seven of these 17 patients (41%) were started on anticoagulation therapy due to a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism that was later excluded. Conclusion Patients with single-ventricle/Fontan physiology are at risk of thromboembolic disease. Therefore, studies evaluating their complex anatomy must be performed with the optimal imaging protocol to ensure diagnostic accuracy, which is best achieved with dual-injection of an upper and lower extremity central vein.
Direct measurement of strain behavior of compression loaded plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia

Abstract Direct measurement of the stress–strain behavior of stand-alone plasma-sprayed 7 wt.% Y 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 (YSZ) coatings was made at room temperature. YSZ coatings were evaluated in the as-sprayed condition, and after heat-treatments for 10, 50, and 100 h at 1200 °C using both monotonic and two different cyclic uniaxial compression loading profiles. Heat-treatments were used to change the primarily mechanically interlocked system of lamella to a chemical interlocked system. Monotonic loading of the coatings indicated three different moduli. The first modulus was lower (~ 10 GPa) than observed typically in a plasma sprayed coating. The relatively easy deformation associated with the low modulus was attributed to minor sample crushing near its ends. The second modulus observed was ~ 24 GPa and is due to closure of cracks oriented perpendicular to the stress and lamella sliding and compaction. The third modulus measured ranged from 40 to 48 GPa and represents the elasticity of the material after the easy crack closure and lamella sliding events have occurred. In repeated cyclic loading to a compressive stress of 60 MPa, the coatings were observed to demonstrate large amounts of non-recoverable strain during the first several load/unload cycles, presumably due to permanent sliding and compaction of lamella. Permanent strain tended to a minimum amount after ~ 20 load/unload cycles. Increased cyclic loading from 20 to 320 MPa in 20 MPa increments revealed significant anelastic behavior as evidenced by stress–strain hysteresis loops, particularly in the as-sprayed coating. The elastic moduli of the coatings upon reloading were observed to increase after each subsequent 20 MPa increase in stress applied to the coating to values as high as ~ 80 GPa. This was attributed to an increase in the volume fraction of coating sustaining the load. The amount of non-recoverable strain was highest in the heat-treated coatings indicating a loss of strain tolerance of YSZ coatings during simulated service conditions.
6 MERCAPTOPURINE (6MP) REDUCES FORMYL-METHIONYL-LEUCYL-PHENYLALANINE (fMLP) INDUCED MACROMOLECULAR UPTAKE IN RAT ILEUM

Increased ileal permeability may play a role in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). fMLP, a common bacterial peptide, initiates inflammation and increased permeability in the rat ileum via neutrophil activation and chemotaxis. We investigated the effect of 6MP often used to treat CD, upon fMLP-induced changes in ileal macromolecular uptake. METHODS: Using in situ ileal perfusion, permeability to 0.5%. horseradish peroxidase (HRP), ± simultaneous luminal perfusion of 10 −5M fMLP, was measured by blood levels over 90 min, in each of 3 groups of male rats: Group I = daily 48 mg 6MP m−2 for 14 days; Group II = vehicle-injected, pair fed controls; Group III = ad libitum controls. RESULTS: In the absence of fMLP, HRP uptake was low in all Groups (90 min blood HRP <37 ± 5 units)(mean ± SE). With fMLP, HRP uptake was markedly elevated over basal in rats not receiving CMP: Group II = 210 ± 12; Group III = 263 ± 24 units, (p<0.01). Conversely, 6MP treatment (Group I) ameliorated the fMLP response (106 ± 8 units, p<0.01). 6MP therapy decreased the circulating neutrophil count, but did not alter mucosal myeloperoxidase, a neutrophil marker. CONCLUSION: 6MP therapy decreases macromolecular uptake induced by fMLP. SPECULATION: In CD, CMP may be therapeutic through diminished neutrophil inflammatory response and reduced antigen uptake.
Indoleacetic acid inhibition of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase preparation from suspension cultures of WR-132 tobacco

Abstract The effect of indoleacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, tryptophan, scopoletin, scopolin, and related compounds on the activity of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase preparation from tobacco tissue WR-132 grown in suspension culture has been investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, IAA and its probable plant precursor trytophan, were found to inhibit the enzyme strongly. Scopoletin showed slightly lesser inhibition. The synthetic auxin, 2,4-D, produced little effect on the enzyme except at the higher concentration used. Scopolin, kinetin, gibberellic acid, and β-indole-3-propionic acid showed no effect. The concentration of β-mercaptoethanol used in each assay was found to affect the values obtained for the percentage inhibition of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by IAA. The possible physiological significance of these inhibitions is discussed.
Frictional behavior of granite at low and high sliding velocities

To study how the velocity dependence of steady state friction of granite varies as a function of sliding rate, we slid initially bare surfaces of Westerly granite at rates of from 0.001 µm/s (32 mm/yr) to over 3 mm/s, accumulating 376 mm of total displacement; the normal stress was 50 MPa. We find that the velocity dependence, measured by a-b, changes from negative (velocity weakening) at 32 µm/s. Modeling of experimental data using a simple constitutive law shows that the magnitude of a, the direct dependence of friction on velocity, remains nearly constant at all rates up to at least 100 µm/s. The increase in a-b with velocity is due to a reduction in the magnitude of b. Our results are consistent with the view that a measures the deformation rate sensitivity of the fault zone material and that b measures the amount of change of some fault zone property.
Failure of Schizophrenia Patients to Overcome Salient Distractors During Working Memory Encoding

Background Prior demonstrations of impaired attentional control in schizophrenia focused on conditions in which top-down control is needed to overcome prepotent response tendencies. Attentional control over stimulus processing has received little investigation. Here, we test whether attentional control is impaired during working memory encoding when salient distractors compete with less salient task-relevant stimuli. Methods Patients with schizophrenia ( n = 28) and healthy control subjects ( n = 25) performed a visuospatial working memory paradigm in which half of the to-be-encoded stimuli flickered to increase their salience. After a 2-second delay, stimuli reappeared and participants had to decide whether or not a probed item had shifted location. Results In the unbiased condition where flickering and nonflickering stimuli were equally likely to be probed, both groups displayed a trend toward better memory for the flickering items. In the flicker-bias condition in which the flickering stimuli were likely to be probed, both groups displayed a robust selection advantage for the flickering items. However, in the nonflicker-bias condition in which the nonflickering stimuli were likely to be probed, only healthy control subjects showed selection of the nonflickering items. Patients displayed a trend toward preferential memory for the flickering items, as in the unbiased condition. Conclusions Both groups were able to select salient over nonsalient stimuli, but patients with schizophrenia were unable to select nonsalient over salient stimuli, consistent with impairment in the effortful control of attention. These findings demonstrate the generality of top-down control failure in schizophrenia in the face of bottom-up competition from salient stimuli as with prepotent response tendencies.
Progesterone receptors in the oviduct of a viviparous snake (Nerodia): Correlations with ovarian function and plasma steroid levels

Abstract The physiological significance of progesterone during gestation in viviparous reptiles is not understood, although there is strong evidence for luteal synthesis and secretion of this steroid. In a previous study we characterized an oviduct progesterone receptor in the viviparous snake, Nerodia , and in this study we describe changes in receptor during the reproductive cycle. Correlation of the amount of receptor with changes in plasma estradiol 17β and progesterone and the effect of injected hormones suggest that the receptor may be regulated by these steroids as in mammals. Thus, the basis exists for target organ responses to progesterone and provides additional evidence for the potential role of progesterone in the early hormonal adaptations in the evolution of viviparity.
Notion of cost and quality in telecommunication networks: an abstract approach

With the advent of complex, integrated networks providing a variety of services, the notion of quality becomes an important factor in the design and usage of such networks. An abstract approach toward understanding the notion of cost in the context of providing services with differentiated levels of quality is presented. Several interesting results are presented that challenge the deeply entrenched notion of telescopically varying rates to ‘larger’ users of services. The authors also present a means whereby compensating levels of prices can be set for users of different classes.
Nitrogen Abundances in Carbon-rich Stars That Are Progenitors to Planetary Nebulae

Published data for carbon stars losing more than 10 to the -6th solar mass/yr in the neighborhood of the sun are examined. The stars with higher terminal velocities have significantly higher fluxes of the J = 1-0 emission line of HCN relative to their infrared continuum emission at 60 microns. It is argued that this result is probably a reflection of a higher nitrogen abundance by perhaps a factor of 10 in these outflows. Such a high nitrogen abundance is consistent with the hypothesis that the high terminal velocity carbon stars have more massive main-sequence progenitors than average; these high terminal velocity carbon stars may, themselves, be the progenitors of type I planetary nebulae which display enhanced nitrogen abundances.
The intersection of the powers of the radical in Noetherian P.I. rings

LetR be a ring and J its radical. DefineJ 1=∩Jn, J2=∩J 1 n ,…,… Jk=∩J k−1 n .... It is shown that in a ringR satisfying a polynomial identity and the ascending chain condition on ideals,J k =0 for some appropriatek.
Packaged reconfigurable space-variant optical interconnect using wavelength multiplexed volume holograms

The packaging opto-electronic interconnects has the potential to create compact, highly dense communication networks. We present a packaged space-variant optical interconnect module using wavelength multiplexed volume holographic elements recorded in photorefractive materials. The input/output arrays (4 X 4), an illumination lenslet array, and a set of two wavelength multiplexed off-axis volume holographic lenslet arrays were integrated with a series of several glass substrates to form a free-space optical interconnect. The size of the packaged optical interconnect module was 40 mm X 24 mm X 37 mm. Reconfigurable interconnection was demonstrated on the packaged module by performing the perfect shuffle and butterfly networks, at different wavelengths. Several packaging issues, such as alignment, bonding, energy efficiency, and system scalability were studied.
Sole means navigation through hybrid Loran-C and GPS

A minimum of four GPS range measurements or two Loran-C time differences are normally required for a position solution for en route navigation, area navigation, and nonprecision approaches. This paper describes a new technique that hybridizes GPS and Loran-C used in the pseudorange mode to process efficiently all available navigation information. Emphasis is placed on combined GPS and Loran-C timing, both for the ground/space facilities and the user. The hybrid system has the potential to solve the GPS and Loran-C integrity problems; more range measurements are available than are required for the navigation solution.
Self-similar and stretched-pulse operation of erbium-doped fiber lasers with carbon nanotubes saturable absorber

We report self-similar and stretched -pulse operations in an all-fiber erbium-doped laser using carbon nanotube saturable absorber, for the first time. Pulses as short as 115fs are achieved in the stretched-pulse regime.
Context-Inclusive Approach to Speed-up Function Evaluation for Statistical Queries : An Extended Abstract

Many statistical queries such as maximum likelihood estimation involve finding the best candidate model given a set of candidate models and a quality esti- mation function. This problem is common in impor- tant applications like land-use classification at multi- ple spatial resolutions from remote sensing raster data. Such a problem is computationally challenging due to the significant computation cost to evaluate the qual- ity estimation function for each candidate model. A recently proposed method of multiscale, multigranular classification has high computational overhead of func- tion evaluation for various candidate models indepen- dently before comparison. In contrast, we propose a context-inclusive approach that controls the computa- tional overhead based on the context, i.e. the value of the quality estimation function for the best candidate model so far. Experimental results using land-use clas- sification at multiple spatial resolutions from satellite imagery show that the proposed approach reduces the computational cost significantly while providing com- parable classification accuracy.
Interspecific Differential Expression Analysis of RNA-Seq Data Yields Insight into Life Cycle Variation in Hydractiniid Hydrozoans

Hydrozoans are known for their complex life cycles, which can alternate between an asexually reproducing polyp stage and a sexually reproducing medusa stage. Most hydrozoan species, however, lack a free-living medusa stage and instead display a developmentally truncated form, called a medusoid or sporosac, which generally remains attached to the polyp. Although evolutionary transitions in medusa truncation and loss have been investigated phylogenetically, little is known about the genes involved in the development and loss of this life cycle stage. Here, we present a new workflow for evaluating differential expression (DE) between two species using short read Illumina RNA-seq data. Through interspecific DE analyses between two hydractiniid hydrozoans, Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus and Podocoryna carnea, we identified genes potentially involved in the developmental, functional, and morphological differences between the fully developed medusa of P. carnea and reduced sporosac of H. symbiolongicarpus. A total of 10,909 putative orthologs of H. symbiolongicarpus and P. carnea were identified from de novo assemblies of short read Illumina data. DE analysis revealed 938 of these are differentially expressed between P. carnea developing and adult medusa, when compared with H. symbiolongicarpus sporosacs, the majority of which have not been previously characterized in cnidarians. In addition, several genes with no corresponding ortholog in H. symbiolongicarpus were expressed in developing medusa of P. carnea. Results presented here show interspecific DE analyses of RNA-seq data to be a sensitive and reliable method for identifying genes and gene pathways potentially involved in morphological and life cycle differences between species.
The Beavers‐Timberlawn Model of Family Competence and the Circumplex Model of Family Adaptability and Cohesion: Separate, but Equal?

An empirical examination of the association between instruments measuring the Beavers-Timberlawn Model of family competence and the Circumplex Model of adaptability and cohesion is presented. Even when triangulated measures were utilized to control for the divergent methods of data collection traditionally employed to operationalize these models of family health, family competence as measured by the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scales was either minimally (mothers) or not associated at all (fathers and children) with balanced and thereby optimal dimensions of adaptability and cohesion as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales. Methodological and substantive explanations for the surprising lack of association between measures of these two prominent family assessment models are explored and short- and long-range implications for the growth and practice of family therapy are discussed.
The Role of Board of Directors in CEO Succession: Theory and Evidence

In this paper, I develop a search-matching model which predicts that new CEOs who are better matches to the ﬁrms will stay longer, perform better, and require less initial compensation. Using comprehensive EXECUCOMP dataset merged with unique data on CEO succession plans, I ﬁnd signiﬁcant beneﬁts to ﬁrms that adopt a CEO succession plan: insider successors in such ﬁrms have 1) 30% lower hazard rate of early turnover, 2) 10% higher productivity of effort, and 3) $1,000,000 less initial compensation. I also ﬁnd that more independent boards (measured by the percentage of outside directors) and boards with larger social networks (measured by the average outside directorships of each director) pick CEOs with higher match qualities. All the ﬁndings suggest that the time boards spend on screening candidates and the size of boards’ social network play a role in CEO succession. My results also provide support and policy implications for a legal notice from SEC, dated October 27th 2009, which signaled increased concern about CEO succession planning among corporate boards and for the ﬁrst time allows shareholders to request more disclosure from companies’ CEO succession plans.
Determination of the cation‐chelating potential of C‐methylthiolated β‐lactams and their sulfones by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The chelation potential of highly lipophilic C-dimethylthiolated monocyclic β-lactams was examined using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The metal salts NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, ZnCl2, Cu(NO3)2, CdSO4, MnCl2, and Mg(NO3)2 were used for the analysis. The K+ adducts of the compounds studied were more responsive in ESI analysis, compared to their Na+ adducts, regardless of the oxidation state of the sulfur (in the methylthio or the sulfone groups) and the type of the group adjacent to the lactam carbonyl. Opening of the β-lactam ring, leading to formation of a chargeable N-atom, had little to no effect on the K+ adduct formation. Interactions of the methylthio group with the divalent zinc ion were also observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron Transfer Kinetics of Aquated Fe + 3 / + 2, Eu + 3 / + 2, and V + 3 / + 2 at Carbon Electrodes Inner Sphere Catalysis by Surface Oxides

The electron‐transfer kinetics for three aquated metal ions with low self‐exchange rates were examined on well‐characterized carbon surfaces. All three ions exhibited slow kinetics on clean fractured glassy carbon (GC) and on the basal plane of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The reactions appeared to be outer sphere and had rates approximately consistent with those predicted from the self‐exchange rates. Electrochemical oxidation of either GC or HOPG greatly increased the electron‐transfer rate constant to values significantly greater than predicted for outer‐sphere reactions. The increase was greatest for and was eliminated if the surface was silanized. Surface oxides provide sites for inner‐sphere catalysis of the aquated ions at carbon, perhaps involving a surface oxide structure similar to the common ligand acetoacetonate.
Autonomic Dysfunction in Short-term Experimental Diabetes

Previous data showed that diabetes induced by streptozotocin for 5 days causes changes in arterial pressure control and baroreflex regulation of heart rate in male Wistar rats. The impairment of baroreflex may be related to autonomic neuropathy as described by several investigators. The aim of this study was to identify autonomic changes in short-term experimental diabetes in rats (induced for 5 days with streptozotocin 65 mg IP). Intra-arterial blood pressure signals were obtained from 6 control group and 7 diabetic group rats and processed in a data acquisition system (CODAS, 1 kHz). Both vagal and sympathetic function were assessed through intravenous injections of methylatropine and propranolol. Streptozotocin induced hyperglycemia (18.9 +/- 1.8 versus 5.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/L) and reductions in mean arterial pressure (102 +/- 2 versus 117 +/- 3 mm Hg) and resting heart rate (298 +/- 14 versus 332 +/- 2 beats per minute). Sodium and potassium levels were not different between groups. The intrinsic heart rate was reduced in the diabetic group (302 +/- 10 versus 398 +/- 6 beats per minute). This group also exhibited depressed vagal and sympathetic tone (50% and 22%, respectively), reduction of vagal effect (42%), and no change in sympathetic effect. In conclusion, early autonomic dysfunction in short-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes seems to be related to changes in arterial pressure and baroreflex control.
Predictors of medication adherence using a multidimensional adherence model in patients with heart failure.

Abstract Background Medication adherence in heart failure (HF) is a crucial but poorly understood phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to explore factors contributing to medication adherence in patients with HF by using the World Health Organization's multidimensional adherence model. Methods and Results Patients (N = 134) with HF (70% were male, aged 61 ± 12 years, 61% with New York Heart Association III/IV) were studied to determine the predictors of medication adherence derived from the multidimensional adherence model. Medication adherence was measured objectively using the medication event monitoring system for 3 months. Three indicators of adherence were assessed by the medication event monitoring system: 1) dose-count, the percentage of prescribed doses taken; 2) dose-days, the percentage of days the correct number of doses were taken; and 3) dose-time, the percentage of doses that were taken on schedule. Barriers to medication adherence, ethnicity, and perceived social support predicted dose-count ( P P P = .005). Conclusion A number of modifiable factors predicted medication adherence in patients with HF, providing specific targets for intervention.
Optimal Online Path Planning for Approach and Landing Guidance

A method for solving finite-horizon optimal control of nonlinea r systems has been developed in this paper and used for an online path planning problem. The new controller synthesis is motivated by the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique that was developed for solving regulator and tracking problems. However, finite-time problems need to meet specified boundary conditions for the associated Riccati equations. A closed form solution, called the Finite-SDRE, is obtained for the time-varying Riccati equations by using certain approximations. The application in this paper is the closed loop guidance of a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) during its approach and landing (A&L) phase in such a way to land the RLV at a fixed downrange with the least possible vertical velocity and flight path angle. Simulation studies show that the controller provides an excellent performance in terms of meeting the objectives and is quite robust to initial conditions.
Learning and Knowledge Depreciation in Professional Services

Organizational knowledge is a critical source of competitive advantage for professional service firms. Learning from experience and sustaining past knowledge are critical to the success of such knowledge-driven firms. We use learning curve theory to evaluate learning and depreciation in professional services. Our results, based on seven years of project data collected from an architectural engineering (A/E) firm, show that (a) professional services exhibit learning curves, (b) there is virtually no depreciation of knowledge and, (c) the rate of learning accelerates with experience.
Cytomegalovirus Contributes to Glioblastoma in the Context of Tumor Suppressor Mutations

To study the controversial role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in glioblastoma, we assessed the effects of murine CMV (MCMV) perinatal infection in a GFAP-cre; Nf1(loxP/+); Trp53(-/+) genetic mouse model of glioma (Mut3 mice). Early on after infection, MCMV antigen was predominantly localized in CD45+ lymphocytes in the brain with active viral replication and local areas of inflammation, but, by 7 weeks, there was a generalized loss of MCMV in brain, confirmed by bioluminescent imaging. MCMV-infected Mut3 mice exhibited a shorter survival time from their gliomas than control Mut3 mice perinatally infected with mock or with a different neurotropic virus. Animal survival was also significantly shortened when orthotopic gliomas were implanted in mice perinatally infected with MCMV versus controls. MCMV infection increased phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels in neural stem cells (NSC) harvested from Mut3 mice subventricular zone, and, in vivo, there was increased p-STAT3 in NSCs in MCMV-infected compared with control mice. Of relevance, human CMV (HCMV) also increased p-STAT3 and proliferation of patient-derived glioblastoma neurospheres, whereas a STAT3 inhibitor reversed this effect in vitro and in vivo. These findings thus associate CMV infection to a STAT3-dependent modulatory role in glioma formation/progression in the context of tumor suppressor mutations in mice and possibly in humans.
Beyond Magical Thinking: Doing the Real Work of Diversifying Our Institutions.

U.S. Supreme Court opinions have left some doors open for institutions to build the kinds of diverse student populations that are known to enrich the learning of all students. But simply inviting d...
Double Resonance and Energy Transfer in Sulfur Hexafluoride

Since the discovery of multiple infrared photon dissociation of SF6 and other molecules, by AMBARTZUMYAN [1] and other investigators [2], a great deal of effort has gone into an attempt to understand the mechanism of this process. Theoretical models have been proposed by BLOEMBERGEN [3], LARSEN [4], and others [5]. A principal question in these models is, how the absorption proceeds up through the vibrational manifold--that is, the time-and frequency-dependent distribution of dipole strength in laser-pumped SF6 or other molecules. Another question of interest is the effect of collisional redistribution of vibrational energy on the dissociation process. Although it seems clear that the process occurs most efficiently under collision-free conditions, knowledge of the effect of relaxations would be helpful in scaling potentially useful multiphoton laser-induced reactions to higher pressures.
Topological Properties of Channel Networks

There are two common ways of describing the topological properties of channel networks; one is to provide an exact description that gives all junctions and sources in sequence, and the other is to specify the Strahler stream numbers. For many purposes, the first method is too detailed and the second too broad. An intermediate method of classification, called “ambilateral,” is proposed. The basic rule of this classification scheme is that two topologically distinct channel networks (TDCN) belong to the same class if one can be converted into the other by reversal of the right-left order at one or more junctions. Calculations based on an idealized model suggest that the ambilateral classification is more closely correlated with geomorphic and hydrologic properties than is the usual stream-number classification. Shreve (1966) has proposed that natural channel networks developed in the absence of geological controls are topologically random. This hypothesis can be tested by various statistical studies of the topological properties of a random sample of natural networks, including (1) distribution of individual TDCN for given N 1 , (2) distribution of ambilateral classes for given N 1 , (3) distribution of N 2 values for given N 1 , (4) distribution of stream numbers in cumulative probability ranks for a given range of N 1 values (a method employed by Shreve), and (5) distribution of the junction points of excess tributaries. Most of the tests listed above require that the sample of networks be selected without regard to order, a condition that is not satisfied by much of the published data. In order to obtain a suitable sample, 86 networks ranging in magnitude from 23 to 1172 were determined from stream systems in the United States. The statistical analyses generally support Shreve9s hypothesis of topological randomness. One exception to this general remark is that the stream-number data for the western United States shows too many large (>4) bifurcation ratios; the discrepancy becomes more pronounced as N 1 increases. Procedures are suggested for using observed deviations from the topologically random model to draw inferences about the presence of geological controls.
Perceptions of speaker's age in natural conversation in Japanese and English

Abstract This paper looks at two sets of complementary experimental data to consider whether listeners can determine the age of a speaker from hearing a voice sample. I conclude that they cannot do this. The responses of experimental subjects, while not random, are so imprecise as to be socially useless. The experiments conducted by the author involved speech samples from natural conversations; parallel studies were done in Japan and the US, using native speakers and situations, and native speakers as experimental subjects in each country. These experiments are compared with laboratory studies done in the US using voice samples which eliminated contextual and linguistic cues. The patterning of subjects' responses was the same in the two formats.
Fabrication of a Cr thin‐film AEM characterization standard

The need for an analytical electron microscope (AEM) characterization standard capable of determining the consistency and relative quality of analytical performance has become increasingly evident as advances in the instrumentation are made. In this paper the fabrication of a Cr thin-film AEM standard by conventional thermal evaporation techniques is described. A 100-nm-thick Cr film on a 20-nm C-support film provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) served as a model against which the present film was evaluated. Improvements over the NIST film in terms of diffraction pattern clarity and simplification of parallel electron energy-loss spectrometry (PEELS) analysis were achieved by removal of the C-support film and the creation of a self-supported Cr (SS-Cr) film. Qualitative grain-size comparisons between the NIST model and the SS-Cr films made by scanning transmission electron microscopy found the SS-Cr films to have a slightly larger grain size. Thickness measurements were verified by X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry, PEELS and field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy. SS-Cr film standard specimens are available for use by the AEM community, by contacting the authors directly.
New Formulations of Dual-Doppler Wind Analysis

Abstract New formulations of three-dimensional dual-Doppler wind analysis are presented. The new formulations are conceptually simple, preserve the radial nature of the wind observations, involve only one analysis step (i.e., all constraints are imposed in one functional), and are in a form in which the well-posed condition can most readily be checked. These techniques minimize functionals that incorporate the anelastic mass conservation equation and the radial wind observations as strong or weak constraints. The minimizations are accomplished by appealing directly to the Euler–Lagrange equations and proceed most naturally in the “coplane” cylindrical polar coordinate system. In one method, the anelastic mass conservation equation is applied as a weak constraint, while the radial wind observations are imposed as strong constraints. This results in an algorithm similar to the Armijo wind analysis but with provision for vertical velocity data specification on both upper and lower boundaries (as in the O’Bri...
The Nexus Between Good Governance and Gender Equality as a Human Right in Africa: A Correlation Statistical Analysis

After discovering that only a small number of works, all of which employ the case study approach, have investigated a possible connection between governance and gender equality as a human right in Africa, and that these studies provide no definitive connection between the two concepts or variables, we decided to fill this gap in the literature. Thus, the hypothesis of this paper is that the greater the good governance, the greater gender equality will be in Africa. Employing the correlation statistical technique to analyze the available data collected for both variables, the results suggest that the hypothesis is tenable. It is suggested, therefore, that the road towards gender equality in Africa depends greatly on the willingness on the part of the public administrators to remain open to women and to acknowledge the virtues of consultation and consensus that include female voices. A modern state will only become and remain democratic if there are strong, inherent systems that make room for all voices. African civil societies, governments, outside donors and international organizations all play a significant role in Africa and must work together towards advancing gender equality across the continent.
Matching Real Fabrics with Micro-Appearance Models

Micro-appearance models explicitly model the interaction of light with microgeometry at the fiber scale to produce realistic appearance. To effectively match them to real fabrics, we introduce a new appearance matching framework to determine their parameters. Given a micro-appearance model and photographs of the fabric under many different lighting conditions, we optimize for parameters that best match the photographs using a method based on calculating derivatives during rendering. This highly applicable framework, we believe, is a useful research tool because it simplifies development and testing of new models.Using the framework, we systematically compare several types of micro-appearance models. We acquired computed microtomography (micro CT) scans of several fabrics, photographed the fabrics under many viewing/illumination conditions, and matched several appearance models to this data. We compare a new fiber-based light scattering model to the previously used microflake model. We also compare representing cloth microgeometry using volumes derived directly from the micro CT data to using explicit fibers reconstructed from the volumes. From our comparisons, we make the following conclusions: (1) given a fiber-based scattering model, volume- and fiber-based microgeometry representations are capable of very similar quality, and (2) using a fiber-specific scattering model is crucial to good results as it achieves considerably higher accuracy than prior work.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Pancreas in a Patient with BRCA2 Mutation: A Case Report

Abstract Background: Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is an uncommon subtype of pancreatic neoplasm, representing 1–4% of all pancreatic cancers. Given the rarity of this tumor, there is no well-established standard of care regarding treatment. We present the case of a BRCA2-deficient patient who responded tremendously well to a combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin therapy. Case presentation: A 66-year-old Caucasian man presented with a 2-week duration of progressively worsening clay-colored stools, tea-colored urine, and jaundice. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a 4-cm mass at the head of the pancreas. Preoperative carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 was 255 U/mL (normal <37 U/mL). The patient underwent an uncomplicated pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with pathology revealing 11/12 positive lymph nodes, positive resection margins, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and positive disease in two distant perihepatic lymph nodes. The patient received one cycle of ...
An open framework for automated chemical hazard assessment based on GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals: A proof of concept.

GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals is a framework for comparative chemical hazard assessment. It is the first transparent, open and publicly accessible framework of its kind, allowing manufacturers and governmental agencies to make informed decisions about the chemicals and substances used in consumer products and buildings. In the GreenScreen® benchmarking process, chemical hazards are assessed and classified based on 18 hazard endpoints from up to 30 different sources. The result is a simple numerical benchmark score and accompanying assessment report that allows users to flag chemicals of concern and identify safer alternatives. Although the screening process is straightforward, aggregating and sorting hazard data is tedious, time-consuming, and prone to human error. In light of these challenges, the present work demonstrates the usage of automation to cull chemical hazard data from publicly available internet resources, assign metadata, and perform a GreenScreen® hazard assessment using the GreenScreen® "List Translator." The automated technique, written as a module in the Python programming language, generates GreenScreen® List Translation data for over 3000 chemicals in approximately 30 s. Discussion of the potential benefits and limitations of automated techniques is provided. By embedding the library into a web-based graphical user interface, the extensibility of the library is demonstrated. The accompanying source code is made available to the hazard assessment community. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:167-176. © 2016 SETAC.
An improved JPL Mars gravity field and orientation from Mars orbiter and lander tracking data

Abstract The Mars gravity field resolution is mostly determined by the lower altitude Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) tracking data. With nearly four years of additional MRO and Mars Odyssey tracking data since the last JPL released gravity field MRO110C and lander tracking from the MER Opportunity Rover, the gravity field and orientation of Mars have been improved. The new field, MRO120D, extends the maximum spherical harmonic degree slightly to 120, improves the determination of the higher degree coefficients as demonstrated by improved correlation with topography and reduces the uncertainty in the corresponding Mars orientation parameters by up to a factor of two versus previously combined gravity and orientation solutions. The new precession solution is ψ ˙ = − 7608.3 ± 2.1 mas / yr and is consistent with previous results but with a reduced uncertainty by 40%. The Love number solution, k2 = 0.169 ± 0.006, also shows a similar result to previous studies.
Effect of Aerial Sprays on Parasites of the Lodgepole Needle Miner

Helicopter sprays of malathion in 1959 and 1961 to control the lodgepole needle miner, Recurvaria milleri Busck, had relatively little effect on the ratio between the miner and native parasitic insects 2 and 4 years later. There was little change proportionally between host and parasite numbers at different host-density levels. At the same time the species composition remained relatively unchanged Results were similar in both years even though the insecticide dosage in 1959 was twice the amount used in 1961.
REFORMS, MULTINATIONALIZATION, AND PROFITABILITY

Building on Knowledge-Based Theory, I study the relationship between pro-market reforms, firm internationalization strategy, and firm profitability in developing countries. I argue that pro-market ...