cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and functional assessment of the brain in European Americans with mild-to-moderate kidney disease: Diabetes Heart Study-MIND

BACKGROUND Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with altered cerebral structure and function. Relationships between mild-to-moderate CKD and brain morphology and cognitive performance were evaluated in European Americans (EAs). METHODS A total of 478 EAs with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >45 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) < 300 mg/g, most with type 2 diabetes (T2D), were included. Measures of total intracranial volume (TICV), cerebrospinal fluid volume, total white matter volume (TWMV), total gray matter volume (TGMV), total white matter lesion volume (TWMLV), hippocampal white matter volume (HWMV) and hippocampal gray matter volume (HGMV) were obtained with magnetic resonance imaging. Cognitive testing included memory (Rey Auditory Visual Learning Test), global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination) and executive function (Stroop Task, Semantic Fluency, Digit Symbol Substitution Test). Associations with CKD were assessed using log-transformed eGFR and UACR, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, diabetes duration, cardiovascular disease and education. RESULTS Participants were 55.2% female, 78.2% had T2D; mean ± SD age 67.6 ± 9.0 years, T2D duration 16.4 ± 6.5 years, eGFR 92.0 ± 22.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and UACR 23.8 ± 39.6 mg/g. In adjusted models, eGFR was negatively associated with TICV only in participants with T2D [parameter estimate (β): -72.2, P = 0.002]. In non-diabetic participants, inverse relationships were observed between eGFR and HGMV (β: -1.0, P = 0.03) and UACR and normalized TWMLV (β: -0.2, P = 0.03). Kidney function and albuminuria did not correlate with cognitive testing. CONCLUSIONS In EAs with mild CKD enriched for T2D, brain structure and cognitive performance were generally not impacted. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine when cerebral structural changes and cognitive dysfunction develop with progressive CKD in EAs.
Eco-labeling seafood: Addressing impacts to vulnerable seafloor species, communities, habitats and ecosystems in data-poor regions

Certification and eco-labeling schemes for the ecological sustainability of seafood have increased in recent years due, in large part, to consumer demand. While most attention has been focused on the population status and trends of target and bycatch species, the conservation of vulnerable species, communities, habitats and ecosystems (VSCHEs) has not consistently been addressed in an adequate manner, especially in data-poor systems. Unfortunately knowledge of VSCHE distribution patterns is inadequate, and even the leading fishery certification agencies only broadly address impacts to VSCHEs. Little guidance has been given to third party certifiers for gathering and evaluating appropriate information for assessing VSCHEs, and there is no explicitly precautionary method of assessing their vulnerability in an information poor environment. These shortcomings led to significant differences in how the impacts of fisheries on VSCHEs have been evaluated from one assessment to another, potentially resulting in a certified fishery when existing information suggests there are significant impacts. This study develops an explicit approach for data mining and evaluation for the eco-labeling certification process; proposes a precautionary method for assessing vulnerability of VSCHEs based on exposure, sensitivity and resilience and provides an example of how these can be integrated into existing fishery certification frameworks. This overall approach is also amenable for use by governmental agencies to advance conservation of VSCHEs within ecosystem-based management frameworks. & 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
English-language computer-based system for storage and retrieval of pathological diagnoses.

Absfraci. Retrieval of information is essential for pathology departments, but it should not be such a burden to staff members that retrieval is discouraged. The computer system presented in this paper requires a minimum amount of time and effort yet provides excellent retrieval information. Diagnoses (in English) are punched into Hollerith cards. Misspelled words and inappropriate diagnoses are detected by comparing these cards with a glossary of acceptable terms using a computer program (CARD-CHECK). Another program, PATH-RECORD, produces an alphabetical listing of all diagnoses, accompanied by case numbers subdivided by species. Accurate retrieval of data is essential for pathology departments. Most systems (including marginal punch cards, Termatex l, and computer sorting) devised to facilitate retrieval require coding of the input information. In those systems, retrieval is easy, but decoding can be difficult. A better approach to this problem combines the speed and efficiency of the computer with natural language (words) in lieu of unfamiliar codes. Handling data in this fashion requires no additional time or cost in coding, greatly decreases error loss and increases detection, and makes information readily available without the additional time and cost of decoding. PAPLANUS et al. [I, 21 have used this method for storage and retrieval of pathological diagnoses. This paper describes a computer-based retrieval system that is an expansion of their approach to fulfil additional areas of information storage and retrieval, and that also solves the problem of finding and correcting keypunch errors.
Near Fatal Hyperkalemia from a Dangerous Treatment for Colic

Life-threatening hyperkalemia is usually the result of renal or adrenal disorders although on some occasions it is an iatrogenic mishap. An alternate etiology of hyperkalemia is an unusual dietary regimen followed by the patient which may or may not be known to his physician. The present case occurred when the parents of a newborn infant followed the advice given for treatment of colic in the popular nutrition book, Let9s Have Healthy Children.1 CASE REPORT This 27-day-old boy weighed 4.36 kg at birth, born to a healthy white gravida 2, para 0, abortus 1 by cesarean section for face presentation.
Evidence from ophiolites, blueschists, and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes that the modern episode of subduction tectonics began in Neoproterozoic time

Earth is the only known planet with subduction zones and plate tectonics, and this fact demonstrates that special conditions are required for this mode of planetary heat loss. Sinking of cold, dense lithosphere in subduction zones is the principal plate-driving force, so plate tectonics could not have begun until Earth cooled sufficiently to allow lithosphere to collapse into the underlying asthenosphere. Direct geologic evidence for when the modern episode of subduction tectonics began focuses on the first appearance of ophiolitic graveyards, blueschist facies metamorphic rocks, and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terranes. Ophiolites manifest two modes of lithospheric motion expected from subduction tectonics: seafloor spreading and obduction. High-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic blueschists and ultrahigh-pressure terranes indicate subduction and exhumation of oceanic and continental crust, respectively. These lines of evidence indicate that the modern style of subduction tectonics began in Neoproterozoic time. This revolution in the functioning of the solid Earth may have driven wild fluctuations in Earth’s climate, described under the ‘‘snowball Earth’’ hypothesis. These conclusions may be controversial, but suggest fruitful avenues for research in geodynamics and paleoclimate.
A Novel Joint between Dissimilar Materials Inspired by the Mechanics of Trees

An integrated experimental and numerical investigation was conducted for removing the free-edge stress concentrations in dissimilar material joints. A convex interface/joint design, inspired by the shape and mechanics of trees, allows for least stress concentrations at bi-material corners for most engineering material combinations. In-situ photoelasticity experiments on convex polycarbonate-aluminum joints showed that the free-edge stress concentration was successfully removed. As a result, the new design not only improves the static load transfer capacity of dissimilar material joints, but also yields more reasonable interfacial tensile strength evaluation. For convex polycarbonate-aluminum and PMMA-aluminum joint specimens, the ultimate tensile load increased up to 81% while the total material volume reduced by at least 15% over that of traditional butt-joint specimens with severe free-edge stress concentrations.
Benylin® Cough Syrup (Parke-Davis)

Diphenhydramine HCl is a potent antihistaminic agent that also possesses an antitussive action.
The Problem of Evil: The Privation Defense and Meaningful Belief

The Problem of Evil can be introduced by observing that all Judeo-Christian religions hold that God is omnipotent and good, and by making the further observation that there is evil in the world. The proponent of the Problem will hold that all three of these propositions cannot be held in conjunction, for “either God cannot abolish evil or he will not; if he cannot then he is not all powerful; if he will not then he is not all-good.” 1 If the religious believer plays along, she will deny one of the initial observations, and though this will offer a solution to the Problem of Evil, it will also open up a whole new can of worms for her theology. There is another avenue of defense, however, on which one attempts to show that a contradiction does not fall out in accepting all three propositions, by explaining how their conjunction could turn out to be true. This is the more theologically appealing route, and the one Herbert McCabe embarks on in his paper “On Evil and Omnipotence.” I believe that his defense—the Privation defense— can be viewed as successful, but that it also comes at a cost. I will argue that McCabe’s argument relies on a construal of the concept of good as it is applied to God (as in “God is good”) that puts the essential meaning of the concept beyond our epistemic grasp. Thus, while such a move pushes God’s goodness beyond the reach of the Problem of Evil, it also seems to push it beyond beliefs that we can reasonably hold. Before assessing McCabe’s argument, it will be useful to briefly lay out some of the intellectual foundation on which the argument stands. Given McCabe’s philosophical allegiance as a Thomist scholar, a particular notion of Aquinas’s thought is quite crucial. Aquinas observes that “we cannot name God except from creatures,” prompting us to ask how we apply “creature-names” to God. 2 He claims that when we talk about God, we do not use concepts univocally (e.g. “That apple is red” and “That truck is red”) or equivocally (e.g. “After I fished on the bank of the river, I went to the bank to deposit my check”). For example, to refer to God’s and man’s wisdom univocally would fail to distinguish the perfection of God’s wisdom, while to use the term equivocally would say nothing at all about God, since there would be no correspondence between our “creature-name” and the meaning of wisdom when applied to God. To resolve this problem, Aquinas introduces the analogy as a middle ground between the univocal and the equivocal. The analogy is a proportion, where the concepts our “creature-names” reflect, such as “wise” and “good,” “preexist (in God) in a most excellent way.” 3 Crucially, there is at least some
National-local linkages in Ghana

In this essay political linkage is viewed as a dual process of structural relationships between a national capital, Accra, and its constituent localities. Structural relationships are seen as institutionalized roles and organizations through which demands and supports are transmitted between Accra and Ghana's local units.
Effectiveness of Seat Belts - Analysis of Real World Accidents of Volkswagen Vehicles

Etude de l'efficacite des ceintures de securite a partir de l'analyse des accidents survenus sur les vehicules de marque Volkswagen dans la zone du grand Hanovre depuis 1973
Glocal control for natural oscillations

When controlling a mechanical system to achieve a periodic trajectory, its resonances, or natural oscillations, may be exploited for increased efficiency. This chapter considers a class of mechanical systems with collocated actuators and sensors and develops a 'glocal' control theory for natural entrainment. More specifically, we propose a control design method for achieving a global property a prescribed mode of natural oscillations - via local actions of distributed control units without direct communications to each other.
3D optical interconnect distributed crossbar switching architecture

We present the design and implementation of a scalable 3D Optical Interconnect Distributed Crossbar Switching (3DOCS) architecture with small footprint (<70cm2) and high bandwidth (256Gbps). The motivation of 3DOCS, particularly for SMP systems, is discussed.
Cyclic acetals of ketoses : Part III. Re-investigation of the synthesis of the isomeric DI-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranoses

Condensation of d-fructose with acetone in the presence of sulfuric acid gave first 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose. This compound isomerizes, at a rate dependent on the concentration of the acid, to 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose. Careful selection of reaction conditions permits the synthesis of either isomer in satisfactory yield. In acetone containing 5% of sulfuric acid, either compound is converted into an equilibrium mixture (3:47) of 1,2:4,5- and 2,3:4,5-diacetal within 5 min at room temperature, but, when anhydrous zinc chloride is used as the catalyst, the 1,2:4,5-diacetal does not rearrange to the 2,3:4,5-diacetal.
Alteration of the Circadian Network after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

RESULTS: Sixty patients (83 procedures) were included in the study. Fifty-seven patients (95.0%) underwent previous craniotomy, craniectomy, or other trans-galeal procedure. Of the total 60 patients, 35 patients received preoperative radiation. Sixteen patients received bevacizumab prior to their index case, while 12 received bevacizumab postoperatively. Ten patients (16.7%) required additional plastic surgical intervention for wound complications after their index plastic surgery procedure. Plastic surgery was consulted prophylactically in 34 patients (38 procedures). When plastic surgery was consulted prophylactically, 4 patients (11.8%) required further wound revision. None of the 14 patients who underwent prophylactic plastic surgery closure for previous scalp incision, preoperative bevacizumab, and radiation administration required re-intervention.
The Politics of Racial Disparity Reform: Racial Inequality and Criminal Justice Policymaking in the States

Racial inequalities in criminal justice are pressing problems for policymakers. Prior literature suggests elected officials promulgate punitive, racially disparate criminal justice policies due to partisanship and racial fears, but scholarship has yet to explain how and why elected officials address racial problems in criminal processing. This article introduces the framework of racial disparity reform policymaking. A racial disparity reform is a policy that seeks to reduce distinctions in criminal justice institutions’ treatment of racial groups. Elected officials pursue these policies due to ideological beliefs in civil rights ideals and political interests in appearing to solve social problems. Using an original database of policy enactments, this article first presents the distribution and types of reform measures adopted by elected officials in all 50 states between 1998 and 2011. It then examines social and political explanations for when state legislatures and executives adopt racial disparity reforms. Policy enactment is predicted by worsening problems of racial disproportion in criminal processing, Democratic control of elected branches, and the absence of judicial efforts to improve racial fairness within a state’s criminal justice system. Similar dynamics encourage the development of different measures types within policies. Such ideological and problem-solving explanations for racial disparity reform show a potential for elected officials to forge more racially just criminal justice practices.
Research of Live Working on 750 kV Double Circuit AC Transmission Line

In order to determine the safety distance,complex gap and working mode etc.for live working on 750 kV double circuit AC transmission line,based on the practice of Lanzhoudong-Pingliang-Qianxian project,the discharge characteristic curves of different working point were gotten through simulation test,and the induced voltage and earth wire current of dead line were gotten through simulation calculation.Based on the results of test and calculation,the safety distance of equal potential and earth potential,and complex gap of entering equal potential on 750 kV double circuit AC transmission line at different altitudes were determined,including the altitudes of 0～1000 m,1000～2000 m and 2000～2800 m.Meanwhile,the working mode of live working on dead line was also proposed,which could be chosen from equal potential working mode and earth potential working mode by the grounding situation of dead line.The research results can provide a technical support for live working on 750 kV double circuit AC transmission line.
Detection of the Rice Stripe Disease Resistance Gene Stvb-i by Molecular Marker

In order to apply the molecular marker ST10 to marker-assisted breeding,which complete linkages with the rice stripe disease gene Stvb-i,47 rice materials were scanned with it.And the resistance to rice strip in the field was also investigated at the same time.The results showed that 5 parent materials and 7 middle materials in breeding had the specific bands of ST10 in PCR amplification and were high resistant to rice strip disease in the field.However,it was found that 4 high resistant varieties had no specific band,maybe there is new resistant gene in these varieties.
University of Wisconsin versus histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate for tissue preservation in live-donor liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES University of Wisconsin solution has twice the cold hepatic preservation time as does Euro-Collins solution. Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate has a lower potassium content than does University of Wisconsin solution and is used more frequently. To date, however, studies comparing University of Wisconsin and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate in live-donor liver transplantation are lacking. We therefore sought to examine the hepatic function of live-donor liver transplantation allografts preserved in University of Wisconsin solution as compared with those preserved in histidine-tryptophan- ketoglutarate solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 2003 and August 2004, 33 live-donor liver transplantations were performed at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. University of Wisconsin solution was used for the first 9 allografts, and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate was used for the subsequent 24 allografts. Daily total bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase, amino alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and international normalized ratio levels were measured for the first 8 postoperative days. Peak values were compared between the groups. RESULTS There was no primary graft nonfunction in either group. Two patients in the histidine-tryptophan- ketoglutarate group developed hepatic artery thromboses and underwent a retransplantation. Mean peak aspartate amino transferase and amino alanine transferase levels were higher in patients in the histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate group (aspartate amino transferase, 661+/-801 U/L; amino alanine transferase, 696+/-964 U/L) than they were in patients in the University of Wisconsin group (aspartate amino transferase, 439+/-415 U/L; amino alanine transferase, 464+/-376 U/L); however, this difference was not significant. Mean total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and international normalized ratios were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS University of Wisconsin and histidine-tryptophan- ketoglutarate solutions are both effective in preserving live-donor liver allografts. In the current study, patients in the histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate group had higher peak aspartate amino transferase and amino alanine transferase levels initially, but these became almost identical by postoperative day 8.
NEW TRENDS IN METAL FORMING

ABSTRACT The field of metal forming together with technology in general went in recent years, through many breakthroughs, both in basic understanding and in application. In this manuscript, selected, but not all, areas of impressive progress will be covered. First the state of the art in manufacturing will be described, then the analysis, and experimentation that contributed to practical developments will be forwarded. Beyond the state of the art, some venture into prospects is undertaken. Progress in automation is typified by the description of an automated forging press. Hot, cold and warm forming are compared, covering forming at room temperature and up to forging from the melt. Hard and soft tooling are presented. Also, methods for replacing brute force with finesse are typified by rotary forming. The study of metal forming through physical and mathematical modeling is followed. Small scale modeling, wax modeling and the different analytical procedures like equilibrium, slip line, upper bound and the finite element methods are evaluated.
Stress rupture resistance

Principles underlying the design of metallic systems for stress rupture resistance are outlined by considering the specific case studies of cobalt- and nickel-base superalloys. Ways in which superalloys can be designed for high stress rupture resistance are discussed. In describing the alloying procedures, the strengthening mechanisms involved and methods of avoiding phases detrimental to stress rupture resistance are identified. New processing techniques such as controlled solidification, prealloyed powder processing, and autoclave heat treatments are described as further means of achieving increased stress rupture resistance in superalloy and other systems.
Alternate Perspectives on the Anglosphere: South Africa, India and Ireland

Rereading imperial history and theories of identity primarily from the perspective of South Africa challenges assumptions about sovereignty and power that inform shifting notions of an Anglophone or "Anglosphere" community. I demarcate three phases. The first part of the paper looks at the British Empire in the crucial decade between the Anglo-Boer War and WW1, when Britain discovered the limits of its naval-based defense and its self-governing colonies started to assert themselves. Then the interwar period witnessed extensive debates over greater Dominion autonomy, both within the nascent British Commonwealth and among the members of the newly-formed League of Nations. The results – including Irish independence but also India's abiding subordination – defined the edges of an Anglophone community that fused race and democracy. The third part of the paper looks at the shifting boundaries within this Anglosphere in the aftermath of WW2, when Britain and the Commonwealth wrestled with new population mobility and the challenges of multiculturalism. Apartheid certainly played a key role in South Africa becoming an outlier by 1960, but its abiding similarities with the Dominions challenge the putatively natural pairing of Australia and Canada that continues into the 21st century. The result is a bifurcated former empire: an alliance of formerly white democracies on the one hand and a community of post-colonial democracies that embrace non-discrimination and development on the other. The "core" states of the Anglosphere belong to both. Overall, Commonwealth history challenges static or unitary views of identity and reverses key causal arrows in the security community literature. **** Thanks for your interest in this paper. I have removed it, however, because the final version is now available in published format. **** Audie Klotz, "The Imperial Self: a perspective on Anglo-America from South Africa, India, and Ireland," in Anglo-America and Its Discontents: Civilizational identities beyond West and East, ed. Peter J. Katzenstein, pp. 81-104 (Routledge, 2012)
A Skyline Plugin for Pathway-Centric Data Browsing

For targeted proteomics to be broadly adopted in biological laboratories as a routine experimental protocol, wet-bench biologists must be able to approach selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assay design in the same way they approach biological experimental design. Most often, biological hypotheses are envisioned in a set of protein interactions, networks, and pathways. We present a plugin for the popular Skyline tool that presents public mass spectrometry data in a pathway-centric view to assist users in browsing available data and determining how to design quantitative experiments. Selected proteins and their underlying mass spectra are imported to Skyline for further assay design (transition selection). The same plugin can be used for hypothesis-driven data-independent acquisition (DIA) data analysis, again utilizing the pathway view to help narrow down the set of proteins that will be investigated. The plugin is backed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Biodiversity Library, a corpus of 3 million peptides from >100 organisms, and the draft human proteome. Users can upload personal data to the plugin to use the pathway navigation prior to importing their own data into Skyline.
Detecting and treating septic pelvic thrombophlebitis

Although antibiotics have reduced the number of SPT-related postdelivery pelvic venous infections, diagnosing the underlying disease continues to be a challenge.
The Intrinsic Pathway of Coagulation as a Target for Antithrombotic Therapy.

Plasma coagulation in the activated partial thromboplastin time assay is initiated by sequential activation of coagulation factors XII, XI, and IX. While this series of proteolytic reactions is not an accurate model for hemostasis in vivo, there is mounting evidence that factor XI and factor XII contribute to thrombosis, and that inhibiting them can produce an antithrombotic effect with a small effect on hemostasis. This article discusses the contributions of components of the intrinsic pathway to thrombosis in animal models and humans, and results of early clinical trials of drugs targeting factors IX, XI, and XII.
Optical Microbottle Resonators for Sensing

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical microresonators have been shown to be the basis for sensors able to detect minute changes in their environment. This has made them a well-established platform for highly sensitive physical, chemical, and biological sensors. Microbottle resonators (MBR) are a type of WGM optical microresonator. They share characteristics with other, more established, resonator geometries such as cylinders and spheres, while presenting their unique spectral signature and other distinguishing features. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the theory and fabrication of different kinds of MBRs, including hollow ones, and their application to optofluidic sensing.
Induced optimism as mental rehearsal to decrease depressive predictive certainty.

The present study examined whether practice in making optimistic future-event predictions would result in change in the hopelessness-related cognitions that characterize depression. Individuals (N = 170) with low, mild, and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to a condition in which they practiced making optimistic future-event predictions or to a control condition in which they viewed the same stimuli but practiced determining whether a given phrase contained an adjective. Overall, individuals in the induced optimism condition showed increases in optimistic predictions, relative to the control condition, as a result of practice, but only individuals with moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression who practiced making optimistic future-event predictions showed decreases in depressive predictive certainty, relative to the control condition. In addition, they showed gains in efficiency in making optimistic predictions over the practice blocks, as assessed by response time. There was no difference in depressed mood by practice condition. Mental rehearsal might be one way of changing the hopelessness-related cognitions that characterize depression.
Patient characteristics associated with poor inhaler technique among a cohort of patients with COPD.

Abstract Background Inhaled therapies are the cornerstone of pharmacologic management for COPD. Each device requires a unique series of steps to be most effective, making appropriate instruction in inhaler technique a key part of the management of COPD. Objectives Examine characteristics of patients and devices associated with poor technique among patients with COPD. Methods Cross-sectional study of subjects with COPD using at least one of: metered dose inhaler, Advair Diskus, Spiriva Handihaler, identified from the COPD Outcomes-based Network for Clinical Effectiveness and Research Translation (CONCERT) registry. Technique was assessed face-to-face using manufacturer-provided dummy inhalers, with standardized checklists for each device. We used logistic regression to model associations with poor inhaler technique, defined as an error in ≥20% of the steps, as a function of patient characteristics, with educational attainment the primary predictor. Results 688 individuals meet eligibility criteria, 65.5% had poor technique for at least one device. In adjusted analyses, Black race was associated with poor technique (OR 3.25, 95%CI 1.86–5.67) while greater than high school education was associated with decreased odds of poor technique (OR 0.35, 95%CI 0.17–0.70 for trade school/some college, OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.11–0.61 for college or more, p ≤ 0.001 for test of linear trend). The percentage of errors varied between devices, with subjects making proportionally the most errors for MDIs. Conclusions Poor inhaler technique is common among individuals with COPD, varies between devices, and is associated with race and educational attainment. Tailored educational interventions to teach inhaler technique should be part of the process of initiating and monitoring inhaled therapies.
Process and Experience of Creating a Student-Run Step 1 Guidance Program

W e developed the Albert Einstein College of Medicine USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 Guidance Program in the fall of 2010. The objectives of the program were twofold: to provide reliable, unbiased advice on Step 1 preparation, and to reduce student anxi- ety surrounding the examination. The program aimed to fill a void for the students by focusing on the process of preparing for the test. It was not intended to teach Step 1 content, but instead to help students study effectively and efficiently. In our opinion, the most significant service medi- cal students required was assistance in developing a per- sonalized program of study for this examination.
Refining fault trees using aviation definitions for consequence severity

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are being considered for civilian tasks that are time consuming and costly for humans, such as package delivery or surveillance. To derive maximum benefit in these applications, UAS will need to be autonomous rather than remotely operated. Safety rules for autonomous, unoccupied vehicles have yet to be defined. As of February 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still requires that a UAS operator maintain line of sight with the UAS [1]. As safety standards for autonomous flight emerge, it is expected that a very large number of UAS will take to the skies.
Abstract 190: Activation of Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Alters High-fat Diet-Induced Lipid Metabolism and Rescues Adipocyte Size Increase in Young Male Mice

Recent studies demonstrated that the genetic deletion of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) decreases adipocyte size and controls obesity, a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Current study was designed to investigate the effect of pharmacological activation of AT2R on adipocyte size. Male C57BL/6 mice (4-weeks old) were pretreated with the AT2R agonist C21 (0.3 mg/kg, daily i.p.) for 4 days. Thereafter the animals were placed on normal chow diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) with concurrent drug treatment for next 10 days. In 10 days, the HFD significantly increased the body weight (ND:22+0.26 g vs HFD:24+0.40 g), epididymal fat pads weight (ND:0.23±0.03 g vs HFD:0.42±0.03 g), epididymal adipocyte size (ND:1407+176 μm2 vs HFD:2358+96 μm2), plasma free fatty acid (FFA) (ND:0.63+0.04 nmol/μL vs HFD:0.84+0.06 nmol/μL) and triglyceride (TG) (ND:0.31+0.01 nmol/μL vs HFD:0.40+0.03 nmol/μL). The pharmacological activation of AT2R rescued the HFD-induced increase in body weight (22+0.39 g), epididymal fat pads weight (0.30±0.02 g), epididymal adipocyte size (1831+95 μm2), plasma FFA (0.56+0.03 nmol/μL) and TG (0.18+0.02 nmol/μL). On one hand, HFD increased the protein expressions (measured by western blot) of the epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) lipogenic regulators namely lipoprotein lipase (LPL) (142%), adipose fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) (199%), fatty acid synthase (FASN) (225%), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (176%). On the other hand, a differential regulation in the protein expressions of the epididymal WAT lipolytic regulators was observed. The HFD caused decrease in the protein expression of epididymal WAT adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) (62%) while increase in hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) (191%) protein expression. C21 treatment altered all the HFD-induced changes in the protein expressions of LPL (83%), FABP4 (79%), FASN (54%), PPAR-γ (49%), ATGL (167%) and HSL (50%). In conclusion, the pharmacological activation of AT2R alters the HFD-induced lipid metabolism (lipogenesis and lipolysis) and rescues adipocyte size increase. This is the first study suggesting that the pharmacological activation of AT2R may serve as therapeutic strategy for controlling adipocyte size and obesity.
Phantom study evaluating effect of lowering CT tube current for attenuation correction in quantitative SPECT

1883 Objectives Reducing the dose from the CT component of SPECT/CT is especially important in applications that require serial imaging such as tumor/organ absorbed dose estimation in radionuclide therapy where quantitative imaging is performed at multiple time point to generate time-activity data. The objective was to determine if CT acquired with very low tube current yields adequate attenuation maps for accurate SPECT quantification in dosimetry applications. Methods Phantom measurements were made on a Siemens Symbia 6-slice SPECT/CT scanner. Multiple I-131 filled spherical ‘tumor’ inserts were placed within a head phantom and a torso phantom that included lung, liver and spine inserts. Tumor volumes ranged from 0.5 to 100 mL. For each phantom, a single SPECT acquisition was followed by five CT scans acquired with 8,12,15,40 and 80 mAs, which were used for attenuation correction (tube voltage was kept at 130 kVp, pitch at 1.0 except for the 8 mAs scan where pitch was 1.5). Five 3D OS-EM SPECT reconstructions corresponding to each CT-based attenuation map were generated. Tumor volumes-of-interest (VOIs) defined on the 80 mAs CT were applied to each of the attenuation corrected SPECT images and total counts were compared. Results Visually, for both phantoms there was no noticeable difference between the SPECT image reconstructed with the attenuation map from the 80 mAs CT and SPECT images reconstructed with attenuation maps from CTs with lower mAs values. Similarly, the CT current did not have much effect on total tumor counts. For all tumors, the difference between VOI counts corresponding to the SPECT reconstruction with the 80 mAs CT and the 12, 15, and 40 mAs CTs was Conclusions Very low dose CT is sufficient for the purpose of attenuation correction in quantitative SPECT. When serial SPECT/CT imaging is used to generate tumor or organ time-activity data, a single CT scan can be performed at higher current for anatomical localization while the CT scans at subsequent time points used only for attenuation correction can be performed at much lower current.
Adhesion of metallic glass and epoxy in composite-metal bonding

Abstract We report the effects of surface preparation on the adhesive strength between a bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloy and carbon fiber reinforced epoxy. The motivation of the study was to explore the potential for BMG alloys to be laminated with carbon fiber (CF) composites in fiber metal laminates (FMLs), structures in which galvanic coupling with the metallic component (aluminum) generally precludes the use of CF composites. Select surface treatment methods were performed on both BMG and aluminum samples, and the surfaces were subsequently compared via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and measurements of water contact angle (WCA) and roughness. Results of characterization experiments indicated that the BMG alloy responded to surface treatments much like aluminum, and that these treatment methods when applied to BMGs promoted adhesion. Lap shear tests were also performed to evaluate the bond quality at composite-metal interfaces. The bond strength at the BMG-composite interface was as strong or stronger than aluminum-composite interfaces, with the exception of samples pre-treated by anodization.
Servicio de Investigación Epidémica (EIS) de EE UU

El Servicio de Investigacion Epidemica (Epidemic Intelligence Service; -EIS-) –programa de dos anos de formacion epidemiologica aplicada de los CDC de los Estados Unidos– celebra su 50o aniversario en 2001. Creado durante la guerra de Corea, solo cinco anos despues de la creacion de los CDC, el estimulo que impulso el desarrollo del EIS fue la ausencia de investigadores de campo adecuadamente formados ante un posible uso intencionado de agentes biologicos contra la poblacion norteamericana. Sin embargo, para Alexander Langmuir, director de epidemiologia del CDC y fundador del EIS, estaba claro que sus alumnos realizarian un amplio abanico de actividades y ayudarian a compensar la falta de epidemiologos en los EE UU con sus conocimientos y su experiencia practica de campo necesarios para investigar y controlar brotes de enfermedades de origen natural.
Insights from in-situ X-ray computed tomography during axial impregnation of unidirectional fiber beds

Abstract In-situ X-ray computed tomography during axial impregnation of unidirectional fiber beds is used to study coupled effects of fluid velocity, fiber movement and preferred flow channeling on permeability. In order to interpret the experimental measurements, a new computational tool for predicting axial permeability of very large 2D arrays of non-uniformly packed fibers is developed. The results show that, when the impregnation velocity is high, full saturation is attained behind the flow front and the fibers rearrange into a less uniform configuration with higher permeability. In contrast, when the velocity is low, fluid flows preferentially in the narrowest channels between fibers, yielding unsaturated permeabilities that are lower than those in the saturated state. These insights combined with a new computational tool will enable improved prediction of permeability, ultimately for use in optimization of composite manufacturing via liquid impregnation.
Impact of receipt of private well arsenic test results on maternal use of contaminated drinking water in a U.S. population

Abstract Exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water has known cancer and non-cancer health effects. However, no prior studies have addressed response to well water testing for arsenic during pregnancy, a time of known heightened risk perception. Using a US pregnancy cohort, we assessed the impact of receiving well water arsenic test results on subsequent use of arsenic-contaminated tap water. Study participants were 24–28 weeks' gestation at study entry and reported living in a residence served by a private, unregulated well. Upon enrollment participants provided a tap water sample which was tested for arsenic using ICP-MS. During pregnancy and every four months after, participants were asked their extent of tap water use for drinking, cooking and mixing infant formula. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of tap water use at one year post-partum in relation to baseline tap water use and arsenic concentration. Compared to those who used tap water 50% of time in their prenatal questionnaire had 8.54 times the odds of using their tap water at 1-year postpartum (95% CI: 5.37, 13.60). After adjusting for frequency of prenatal tap water use, mothers were less likely to use tap water for drinking and cooking (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.60) and for mixing formula (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.86) if the high arsenic concentration (>10 μg/L) was known to them. Our findings suggest that providing well water test results during pregnancy may reduce subsequent maternal use of iAs contaminated tap water for drinking, cooking, and mixing infant formula. Public health implications are discussed.
Optical absorption properties of laser-driven matter

Characterizing and controlling matter driven far from equilibrium represents a major challenge for science and technology. Here, we develop a theory for the optical absorption of electronic materials driven far from equilibrium by resonant and nonresonant lasers. In it, the interaction between matter and the driving light is treated exactly through a Floquet analysis, while the effects of the probing light are captured to first order in perturbation theory. The resulting equations are reminiscent to those for equilibrium absorption but with the Floquet modes playing the role of the pristine eigenstates. The formalism is employed to characterize the optical properties of a model nanoscale semiconductor dressed by nonresonant light of intermediate intensity (nonperturbative, but nonionizing). As shown, nonresonant light can reversibly turn this transparent semiconductor into a broadband absorber and open strong absorption and stimulated emission bands at very low frequencies ($\ensuremath{\sim}\mathrm{meV}$). Further, the absorption spectra of the driven material exhibit periodic features energetically spaced by the photon energy of the driving light that reflect the periodic structure of the Floquet bands. These developments offer a platform to understand and predict the emergent optical properties of materials dressed by the electric field of light, and catalyze the design of laser-driven materials with desired optical properties.
Effects of Shaker Test Set Up on Measured Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes

The shaker set up used for modal testing can have an effect on the measured characteristics obtained. Several test setup configurations are presented to show the effects on the measured response of the system due to single shaker vs. multiple shakers as well as stinger types. For reference, impact testing is also performed to remove any effects from the shaker stinger/setup that might affect the results. Modal assurance criteria between several configurations are presented to illustrate the dramatic differences that can be obtained due to the test set up used.
Microbial Eukaryotes in Hypersaline Anoxic Deep-Sea Basins

The combination of high hydrostatic pressure, absence of light, anoxia, nearly saturated salt concentration and corresponding high density, and a sharp chemocline makes the deep hypersaline anoxic basins in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea some of the most polyextreme habitats on Earth. Once considered anathema to life, deep hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) are now known to host diverse microbial life, including eukaryotes. The haloclines and brines of DHABs with different chemistries appear to host distinct populations of microbiota. The most abundant groups of eukaryotes detected by small subunit ribosomal RNA-based molecular analyses and microscopy to date are members of the alveolates, kinetoplastids, and fungi. While the specific adaptations that allow these taxa to survive under such polyextreme condition are still unknown, many ciliates in halocline water samples have been observed to host bacterial and/or archaeal epibiotic partners. Symbiosis may represent one strategy enabling eukaryotic survival in DHAB environments.
Dispersive Bulk Parameters for Coherent Propagation in Correlated Random Distributions

The wave scattered by a configuration of obstacles in response to an incident wave (with propagation parameter k) can be represented functionally in terms of the waves scattered by the individual obstacles in isolation [1]. For a statistically homogeneous ensemble of configurations, the ensemble averaged wave (the coherent field) specifies a composite medium with bulk parameters depending on the properties of the particles and embedding medium, on the value of k (hence dispersive), and on the statistics of the distribution of particles (their number concentration, pair correlations, etc.) [2].
Sulfides in Sandy Sediments: New Insights on the Reactions Responsible for Sedimentary Pyrite Formation

The formation of sedimentary iron sulfides was studied in sandy sediments of the Laguna Madre, TX, in order to better understand how this process operates in sediments where reactive iron is likely to be limiting for sulfide mineral formation. These sediments usually had reactive iron and total reduced sulfide concentrations one to two orders of magnitude less than in typical shallow water terrigenous muds, but organic-C concentrations typical of fine-grained sediments due to the extensive presence of seagrass beds. This resulted in moderate (0–150 μm) dissolved H2S concentrations with maximum concentrations in the upper (3–:5 cm) root zone. Based on citrate dithionite extractable-Fe the degree of sulfidization was usually 100% or greater. Acid volatile sulfides (AVS) typically comprised roughly 60% of total reduced sulfur and the proportion of AVS generally increased instead of decreasing with depth. The unusual proportion of TRS as AVS and persistence of AVS are attributed to exceptionally slow pyrite formation kinetics. The probable reasons for these slow reaction kinetics are the high (>7.8) pH of the sediments, which favors the slow polysulfide pathway for pyrite formation, high (typically about 2–4 mm) dissolved organic carbon concentrations that inhibit growth of pyrite and the low concentration of reactants which greatly increases the average transport distances necessary for diffusion controlled reactions.
Modeling of a building cooling system

Chilled-water systems are often used to meet the cooling needs of large commercial buildings. These cooling systems consist of various physical elements: pipes filled with water, heat exchanges, pumps and chillers. One cooling system might service several nearby buildings, and there may be multiple chillers which are turned on or off as needed to meet the thermal load of the buildings. The control strategy for such a system involves adjusting the number of chillers, pumps and heat exchanges in operation. A key practical problem is how to adjust the operational state of the cooling system during the day to provide cost-efficient cooling for the buildings. Honeywell builds control devices for buildings cooling systems. On February 14, 1997 Blaise Morton from Honeywell described a model of the systems needed in order to evaluate the cost efficiency of a control strategy. His model included cooling systems in which chilled water may be stored during periods of reduced (off-peak) electric rates and then discharged during high-rate periods to provide additional cost savings. Morton’s model is based on a dynamical system approach, and suggests interesting mathematical problems.