cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Entre China y Estados Unidos: Los dilemas estratégicos de Japón

The transformation of the Asian order is the main cause of the turn in Japan’s foreign policy since the end of the first decade of the 21st century. Under the leadership of Shinzo Abe, the Japanese government has shaped a proactive diplomacy, aimed at acquiring a strategic autonomy that allows it to maximize its options vis-a-vis the ongoing shift in the regional balance of power. The rapid rise of China and the erosion of the leadership of its main ally, the United States, place the country before new horizons that demand a readjustment of relations with both great powers.
Clinical chemistry of the gastrointestinal disorders

Abstract For the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, biochemical testing is specifically guided by the patient’s clinical presentation. This chapter is intended to compile and summarize GI disorders as well as associated biochemical tests. Further, the overall utility of laboratory testing in the evaluation of GI pathologies will be discussed herein. Notably, when describing GI tract (GIT) disorders, specimen type is not limited to blood, but includes tissue, urine, stool, and breath. This chapter will cover the structure and function of the GIT, followed by a discussion of relevant disorders and the role of the clinical laboratory in the workup of GI pathologies. Specific disease states described in this chapter include gastritis, malabsorption, C. difficile infections, and GI bleeding.
Expert Opinion Regarding Appropriately Timing Dermatological Surgeries in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarctions.

Background There is limited data on the risk of perioperative myocardial infarctions (MIs) in patients with a recent MI who undergo dermatologic surgeries. Objective Present the recommendations of dermatologic surgeons and cardiologists to determine the safety of dermatologic surgeries after a recent MI. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to Mohs surgeons and cardiologists to infer the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) inherent to dermatologic surgery and determine timing of dermatologic surgery in patients with a recent MI. Results One hundred twenty Mohs surgeons and 30 cardiologists were surveyed. Ninety-seven percent of cardiologists and 87% of Mohs surgeons deemed cutaneous excisions and Mohs micrographic surgery as low-risk procedures with less than one-percent chance of MACE. Seventy-seven percent of cardiologists and 46% of Mohs surgeons stated dermatologic surgery should either not be delayed or be delayed up to 1 month after an MI. Responses between cardiologists and Mohs surgeons did not significantly differ. Conclusion A preponderance of surveyed experts believe that most dermatologic surgeries may be safely performed in patients with a history of an MI within 1 month. The decision to implement urgent dermatologic surgery in patients with a recent MI should account for all clinically significant factors.
Interconnecting Parkinson's disease: the use of computed tomography and microelectrode recording in DBS surgery

Abstract A significant degree of heterogeneity exists in the way that deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is performed. Here we describe our technique of “targeted” microelectrode recording (MER) using intraoperative imaging to confirm the stereotactic position of the microelectrode after neurophysiologic information is recorded. This technique has provided invaluable information in situations where a discordance between radiographic target and optimal neurophysiologic target exist. Despite our perceived value of MER, “asleep” DBS techniques using general anesthesia without MER reliant upon direct, image-based targeting have also been shown to be effective in terms of lead accuracy and short-term outcomes. While we believe that our technique of “targeted” MER is effective, we also believe that DBS surgery should still be performed in a manner that the surgeon and center are most comfortable with, thus providing the patient with the best possible outcome. As technology and techniques evolve, so may the reliance on MER to guide lead placement; nonetheless, the target remains electrophysiological in movement disorders surgery.
Optical Model Reduction and Robust Feedback Control for Aerodynamics

Abstract : In this project, methods of model reduction that integrate feedback active flow control with applications to nonlinear convection and turbulent flows governed by Navier-Stokes equations are developed. A new methodology which extracts boundary conditions in reduced order proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and finite difference models is developed. A new model reduction method based on empirical data and balanced truncation was developed and applied to nonlinear Galerkin models. Based on this method a new empirical Hankel norm model reduction algorithm is proposed. These methods are applied to a prototype nonlinear convective problem governed by the two-dimensional (2D) Burgers' equation. The reduced models are used in the design of robust boundary controllers that achieve tracking, and implemented on the full order Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models.
Prosthetic Heart Valve

A 55-year-old invasive/clinical cardiologist worked full time, exercised regularly, and was asymptomatic. Two weeks previously, he had new onset of angina on exertion. Echocardiography/Doppler and cardiac catheterization confirmed the clinical assessment of severe aortic stenosis with a valve area of 0.5 cm2/m2. The aortic valve was tricuspid; left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.60. Coronary arteriography showed no obstructive coronary artery disease. His body-mass index was 23 kg/m2, body surface area 1.7 m2, blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein 70 mg/dL, creatinine clearance 120 mL/min, and hemoglobin A1c 5.0. He had no comorbid conditions, and had never smoked. Several factors have to be taken into consideration in choosing a prosthetic heart valve (PHV; Table 1).1 The choice is between mechanical and biological valves. An important determining factor is weighing the risks of anticoagulant therapy with mechanical valves or structural valve deterioration (SVD) with biological valves. View this table: Table 1. Factors To Be Considered in the Decision for Choice of PHV In 1960, the first clinically implanted PHVs by Harken and by Starr were mechanical valves. The modified Starr-Edwards valve introduced in 1965 did not have SVD, with up to 40 years of follow-up.2 Other PHVs had similar results up to 20 to 30 years of follow-up.1 In patients with aortic stenosis,2 mechanical valves were proven to improve survival, functional class, and left ventricular function, and to reverse clinical heart failure; there were reductions of left ventricular mass and of pulmonary hypertension. All patients with mechanical valves need life-long anticoagulation with warfarin, which is well tolerated by many patients. ### Conclusion For patients <60 years of age requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR), a mechanical valve is recommended. Any mechanical valve that has been approved by the appropriate governing body (Food and Drug Administration in …
The Doctrine of Equivalents and the Third Prong of the German Test: A Comparative Law Perspective

This article examines the recent trend of applying and limiting the doctrine of equivalents (DOE) in U.S. and German courts. The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) established a three-prong test for applying the DOE in Schneidermesser. In Pemetrexd, BGH’s application of the third prong – guidance by the claim – moved German DOE more in line with that of U.S. in preventing patentees from asserting DOE on disclosed but unclaimed variant means. Although prosecution history estoppel (PHE) remains a major difference between German and U.S. DOE, the Federal Circuit’s new approach to applying PHE flexibility results in a merger with the German approach in Formstein — DOE is rejected when the accused embodiment lacks novelty or an inventive step. As a result, both BGH and the Federal Circuit reached the same conclusion in the German and U.S. Pemetrexed cases: Infringement under DOE.
Donor Morbidity Is Equivalent Between Right and Left Hepatectomy For Living Liver Donation: A meta-analysis.

Maximizing liver graft volume benefits the living donor liver recipient. Whether maximizing graft volume negatively impacts living donor recovery and outcomes remains controversial. Patient randomization between right and left hepatectomy has not been possible due to anatomic constraints; however, a number of published, nonrandomized observational studies summarize donor outcomes between 2 anatomic living donor hepatectomies. This meta-analysis compares donor-specific outcomes after right versus left living donor hepatectomy. Systematic searches were performed via PubMed, Cochrane, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies between January 2005 and November 2019. The primary outcomes compared overall morbidity and incidence of severe complications (Clavien-Dindo >III) between right and left hepatectomy in donors after liver donation. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to derive summary risk estimates of outcomes. A total of 33 studies (3 prospective and 30 retrospective cohort) were used to identify 7649 pooled patients (5993 right hepatectomy and 1027 left hepatectomy). Proportion of donors who developed postoperative complications did not significantly differ after right hepatectomy (0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-0.40) and left hepatectomy (0.23; 95% CI, 0.17-0.29; P = 0.19). The overall risk ratio (RR) did not differ between right and left hepatectomy (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.83-1.63; P = 0.36). The relative risk for a donor to develop severe complications showed no differences by hepatectomy side (Incidence rate ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.67-1.40; P = 0.86). There is no evidence that the overall morbidity differs between right and left lobe donors. Publication bias reflects institutional and surgeon variation. A prospective, standardized, multi-institutional study would help quantify the burden of donor complications after liver donation.
Distributed-memory parallel algorithms for sparse times tall-skinny-dense matrix multiplication

Sparse times dense matrix multiplication (SpMM) finds its applications in well-established fields such as computational linear algebra as well as emerging fields such as graph neural networks. In this study, we evaluate the performance of various techniques for performing SpMM as a distributed computation across many nodes by focusing on GPU accelerators. We examine how the actual local computational performance of state-of-the-art SpMM implementations affect computational efficiency as dimensions change when we scale to large numbers of nodes, which proves to be an unexpectedly important bottleneck. We also consider various distribution strategies, including A-Stationary, B-Stationary, and C-Stationary algorithms, 1.5D and 2D algorithms, and RDMA-based and bulk synchronous methods of data transfer. Our results show that the best choice of algorithm and implementation technique depends not only on the cost of communication for particular matrix sizes and dimensions, but also on the performance of local SpMM operations. Our evaluations reveal that with the involvement of GPU accelerators, the best design choices for SpMM differ from the conventional algorithms that are known to perform well for dense matrix-matrix or sparse matrix-sparse matrix multiplies.
Effects of fluorine substitution on substrate conversion by cytochromes P450 17A1 and 21A2

Cytochromes P450 17A1 (CYP7A1) and 21A2 (CYP21A2) catalyze key reactions in the production of steroid hormones, including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. With the ultimate goal of designing probes that are selectively metabolized to each of these steroid types, fluorinated derivatives of the endogenous substrates, pregnenolone and progesterone, were prepared to study the effects on CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 activity. In the functional assays, the hydroxylase reactions catalysed by each of these enzymes were blocked when fluorine was introduced at the site of metabolism (positions 17 and 21 of the steroid core, respectively). CYP17A1, furthermore, performed the 17,20-lyase reaction on substrates with a fluorine installed at the 21-position. Importantly, none of the substitutions examined herein prevented compound entry into the active sites of either CYP17A1 or CYP21A2 as demonstrated by spectral binding assays. Taken together, the results suggest that fluorine might be used to redirect the metabolic pathways of pregnenolone and progesterone to specific types of steroids.
Flanking sequences regulate the toxicity, non-ATG translation, and aggregation of RNA with tandem CAG Repeats

Nucleotide repeat-expansions cause several neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington9s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. The expanded repeat-containing RNA transcribed from the affected loci agglomerate in the nucleus as pathogenic foci. Here we demonstrate that depending on their surrounding sequence context, RNAs with expanded CAG repeats can also undergo nuclear export and aggregate in the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic aggregation of repeat-containing RNA coincides with several disease hallmarks, including repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation, mislocalization of RNA binding proteins, and cell toxicity. Interestingly, the repeat-containing RNA co-aggregate with RAN translation products. Inhibition of RAN translation prevents cytoplasmic RNA aggregation and also alleviates cell toxicity. Our findings provide a cogent explanation for aberrant cytoplasmic localization of RNA binding proteins and implicate cis-acting flanking sequences in mediating RAN translation and disease.
Microbial dark carbon fixation fueled by nitrate enrichment

Abstract Anthropogenic nitrate amendment to coastal marine sediments can increase rates of heterotrophic mineralization and autotrophic dark carbon fixation (DCF). DCF may be favored in sediments where organic matter is biologically unavailable, leading to a microbial community supported by chemoautotrophy. Niche partitioning among DCF communities and adaptations for nitrate metabolism in coastal marine sediments remain poorly characterized, especially within salt marshes. We used genome-resolved metagenomics, phylogenetics, and comparative genomics to characterize the potential niche space, phylogenetic relationships, and adaptations important to microbial communities within nitrate enriched sediment. We found that nitrate enrichment of sediment from discrete depths between 0-25 cm supported both heterotrophs and chemoautotrophs that use sulfur oxidizing denitrification to drive the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) or reductive TCA (rTCA) DCF pathways. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that the nitrate enriched community represented a small fraction of the phylogenetic diversity contained in coastal marine environmental genomes, while pangenomics revealed close evolutionary and functional relationships with DCF microbes in other oligotrophic environments. These results indicate that DCF can support coastal marine microbial communities and should be carefully considered when estimating the impact of nitrate on carbon cycling in these critical habitats. Importance Salt marshes store carbon at one of the fastest rates of any blue carbon system and buffer coastal marine waters from eutrophication. Dark carbon fixation (DCF) conducted by microbes within the sediment can influence the carbon storage capacity, but little is known about the ecology or genomic potential of these organisms. Our study identifies a potential niche space for several functionally distinct groups of chemoautotrophs which primarily use sulfur oxidizing denitrification to fuel DCF under high nitrate concentrations. These findings fill an important gap in our understanding of microbial contributions to carbon storage within salt marsh sediments and how this critical blue carbon system responds to anthropogenic nitrate enrichment.
Long-Term Quality of Life and Audiometric Outcomes Following Noninvasive Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Acoustic Neuromas.

Purpose/Objective(s) Though microsurgery remains the most common method for management of acoustic neuromas (ANs), stereotactic radiosurgery continues to be a promising alternative. This study assesses long-term quality of life (QOL) outcomes and changes in hearing acuity in patents who have undergone single fraction Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) for AN. Materials/Methods Prospective QOL outcomes were collected and analyzed to include Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHI), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36) scores. Likewise, audiometric outcomes including speech discrimination (SD) and pure-tone average (PTA) were assessed. These data points were collected prior to and following GKSRS at regular intervals up to 5 years post-treatment. A mixed effects model for repeated measures was employed to assess QOL data for statistical significance. Results A total of 235 patients underwent GKSRS for AN at our institution from January 2007 to January 2017. Of these, 130 patients had available QOL and audiometric follow-up data and were included in this study. Median age was 60 y and median follow-up time was 36 mo. Median tumor size was 1.6 cm (0.1 - 3.6 cm), with median tumor volume of 0.552 cm3 (0.028 - 11.31 cm3), while median cochlear mean dose was 2.4 Gy (0 - 9.7 Gy). Baseline mean (median) HHI, DHI, THI, and SF-36 scores were 31.7 (28), 19.3 (12), 18.2 (12), and 70.0 (73.4) respectively. For each of these QOL metrics, mixed effects analysis indicated no statistically significant decline at any time point out to 5 years post-treatment. Indeed, 87% of patients had baseline SD and PTA scores available; 70% had follow-up SD and PTA available. Of these, 59% had baseline serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson score of I or II). Serviceable hearing was preserved in 71% of patients at 1 month, 79% at 6 months, 79% at 12 months, 62% at 18 months, 67% at 24 months, and 68% at 36 months. Conclusion GKSRS provides long-term maintenance of QOL in the treatment of AN. HHI, DHI, THI, and SF-36 scores showed no significant decline up to 5 years post-radiosurgery. Patients with baseline serviceable hearing exhibited adequate hearing preservation. Author Disclosure J.S. Lee: None. K.C. Lee: Royalty; Regents of the University of Michigan. Patent/License Fees/Copyright; Regents of the University of Michigan. D. Bojrab: None. P.Y. Chen: Stock; Greater Michigan Gamma Knife (GMGK). J. Jacob: None. I.S. Grills: Greater Michigan Gamma Knife.
Public Use and Citizen Outreach at Experimental Forests and Ranges

Experimental Forests and Ranges (EFRs) in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service historically have served as a resource for scientists conducting longitudinal and comparative research on aspects of forestry and range management. In addition to being sites of scientific investigation, EFRs are widely used by people for activities ranging from resource extraction and subsistence harvesting to nature appreciation and recreation. They also are used for education, training, technology transfer, and citizen science. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, conversations with EFR contacts, literature review, and web searches, we explored the variety of ways that humans interact with EFRs. We received data on 68 EFRs in the network and found evidence of human use at every site. In this chapter, we present data on EFR visitor patterns as well as unsanctioned uses. The most frequent visitor activities were “walking, hiking, and running,” hunting, and wildlife viewing. Several EFR sites contain extensive trail networks or are located within or adjacent to public lands with special designations that encourage recreation use. Variations in use existed between rural and urban EFRs. We also found that Forest Service scientists engaged with communities and stakeholders through a wide range of public outreach and education activities. Continued efforts toward stakeholder collaboration may yield future opportunities to expand the science mission at EFRs, involve citizens in data gathering and monitoring, and forge strong ties with nearby communities.
Commentary: case-control studies of screening for colorectal cancer: tailoring the design and analysis to the specific research question.

Many cancers of the colon and rectum develop over a number of years, and (unlike most other forms of malignancy, such as prostate and lung cancers) have an identifiable non-malignant precursor lesion - an adenomatous polyp. For this reason, screening tests that can visualize the colon or detect bleeding produced by a polyp or by localized cancer can identify premalignant and malignant lesions that may be relatively amenable to treatment. Randomized trials of screening sigmoidoscopy conducted in Great Britain, Italy, and the United States1–3 have shown an approximately 50 percent decrease in mortality from distal colorectal cancer. Nonetheless, randomized trials cannot be relied on to answer all questions regarding the efficacy of screening for colorectal cancer. Such studies are often limited in duration, and rarely consider more than one approach to screening method and frequency. Randomized trials of screening generally need to be very large, and the cost associated with a large trial limits their number. If screening histories can be ascertained in retrospect, a case-control study can complement the results from trials. For example, a case-control study that compared members of the Kaiser Permanente health plan who died of distal colorectal cancer during the 1970s and 1980s with other, demographically-similar, Kaiser Permanente enrollees identified a large difference in receipt of screening sigmoidoscopy prior to the onset of symptoms or signs of the cases’ malignancies.4 The relative mortality reduction that was estimated from these data was compatible with results of the randomized trials of screening sigmoidoscopy that did not become available until some 20 years later. Depending on the ways in which case-control studies are designed (and, to some extent, analyzed), a variety of questions related to screening efficacy and frequency can be addressed. The purpose here is to describe these various designs, what they can accomplish, and potential problems that can arise in the analysis and interpretation of the results they generate.
An analytical approach to the problems of phage recombination and reproduction: I. Multiplicity reactivation and the nature of radiation damages

Abstract Multiplicity-reactivation (MR) data from a wide variety of sources are analyzed and discussed. In phage T4, no matter whether Escherichia coli B or K12(λ) bacteria are used as hosts, the number of vulnerable centers appears to be three, as in T2, and the size of the ultraviolet (UV) damages also is found to be about the same as in T2, or an average of about 0.004 “target units”. On the other hand, the percentage of UV hits in vulnerable centers is very different in the two phages, being about twice as great (39%) in T4 as in T2 (20.5%). MR data with T4 phages irradiated intracellularly with X-rays (Harm, 1958) show the following characteristics: (1) only one vulnerable center, which received 22.5% of the radiation damages; (2) an average length of the damages of about 0.002 target units, i.e., half the length of the damages caused by UV. These results suggest that two of the three vulnerable centers were no longer necessary at the moment (right after injection) when X-rays were applied. The shorter length of the damages supports the idea that the length of the damages does not reflect the size of elementary genetic structures (genes or functional genes), but is simply the length of the segments of genetic material harmed or inactivated by the radiation. Two vulnerable centers in T4 may be identified with known genetic structures. The analysis of cross-reactivation (Krieg, 1957) and MR data in K12(λ) bacteria infected with UV-irradiated T4 using a special selective technique (Epstein, 1958) has yielded evidence that the A and B cistrons in the rII region are vulnerable centers at least in K12(λ)-T4 complexes. It is not yet certain whether these same cistrons act as vulnerable centers also in host cells of strain B. Some possible models for phage reproduction and recombination are discussed. A distinction is made between two types of models: (1) partial-replica models based on the assumption that recombination takes place by association of genome sections (partial replicas) arising as a consequence of segmentary reproduction of the various phages present in the bacterium; and (2) classic types of models based on the assumption that recombination occurs by exchange of homologous segments between two complete genomes or linkage structures. It is shown that partial-replica models can easily explain the elimination of damages by MR. On the other hand, the classic types of models cannot explain this phenomenon without an additional assumption implying that the exchange of homologous segments between two genetic structures takes place in a manner which selectively will accumulate into one of the two structures as many as possible of the undamaged sectors of the genome. In the Appendix the mathematical theory for the distribution of damaged areas and undamaged areas in a phage genome has been developed. The theory is applied to an approximate calculation of the minimum stimulation of recombination needed in order to accomplish MR in a bicomplex.
The Perilous Effects of Student Evaluations on Pedagogy

Student evaluations are used for administrative purposes across U.S. colleges and universities. Starting with the hiring a faculty member to promotion and tenure, to annual evaluations and post-tenure evaluations, student evaluations of faculty play a major role, not only at "teaching schools" but also at "research universities." However the validity of this instrument is highly doubtful. Studies indicate that student evaluations of faculty are, at best worthless, and on average, extremely harmful to the pedagogical standards. I suggest that the use of student evaluations of teachers be replaced by recording lectures which may be reviewed by peers. Selected recordings may also be used for instructional purposes of student teachers and new faculty members.
Muslim Student Experiences in the Residence Halls: A Qualitative Analysis

With an increasing Muslim student population on college campuses across the United States it is important to understand the experiences of these students. This study addresses a lack of research about Muslim students on college campuses, specifically in the residence hall environment. Adapting the campus racial climate framework of Hurtado, Milem, Clayton-Pendersen, and Allen (1998), researchers conducted qualitative interviews with Muslim students about their experiences living in a residence hall. Themes from the data include: pre-residence hall experiences, perceptions of the residence hall physical environment, relationships with roommates, and positive reflections on the residence hall experience. Implications for this study explore the significance of expectations between Muslim and non-Muslim roommates prior to arriving to college and suggests practices in the residence halls that promote the inclusion of Muslim students.
Parametric optimization of storage systems

Most storage systems come with large set of parameters to directly or indirectly control a specific set of metrics that may include performance, energy, etc. Often, storage systems are deployed with default configurations, rendering them sub-optimal. Finding optimal configurations is difficult due to the numerous combinations of parameters and parameter sensitivity to workloads and deployed environments. Previous research on parameter optimization was either limited to narrow problems or not widely applicable to storage stack parameter optimization in general. Based on promising early results, we propose using meta-heuristic techniques such as genetic algorithms to efficiently find nearoptimal configurations for storage systems.
A census-based method for estimating adult mortality

Abstract A simple method is presented for converting an age distribution in any closed population into the stationary population corresponding to its current mortality conditions. The conversion only requires a set of age-specific growth rates, which will normally be available from successive censuses. From the stationary population, any life table mortality measure of interest can be computed. The index most robust to normal data errors in developing countries is life expectancy, and the paper focuses on its calculation. The sensitivity of results to various forms of data error is considered, and procedures are proposed for removing errors resulting from differential census coverage completeness and from age misstatement at older ages. Applications of the procedures are made to data from Sweden, India and South Korea. Because of the absence of a radix, estimation of life expectancy usually will begin at the fifth birthday.
Villous adenoma of the duodenum and multiple duodenal polyps. A case report.

A villous adenoma of the proximal duodenum, a rare lesion in this situation, was recognized endoscopically and successfully resected.
Hybrid natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES) sleeve gastrectomy: a feasibility study using an animal model

Background The indications for natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES) are yet to be determined. Morbidly obese patients may be one population that would benefit from this approach due to the elimination of wound complications and possibly a faster recovery. As a bariatric restrictive procedure, sleeve gastrectomy could be one indication for NOTES. To test the feasibility of this procedure with a NOTES approach, a pig model was used.
Hyperglycemia and Arterial Stiffness: the Atherosclerosis Risk in the Communities Study

Abstract Objectives Hyperglycemia has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although numerous studies have demonstrated that hyperglycemia is associated with the atherosis component of atherosclerosis, limited studies have addressed the independent role of hyperglycemia in the pathophysiology of sclerotic vascular disease. We hypothesized that hyperglycemia, as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), would be independently associated two common indices of arterial stiffness (pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM)). Methods We examined the cross-sectional association between HbA1c and arterial stiffness using B-mode ultrasound examination of the carotid artery in 9050 participants from the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models to characterize the association between HbA1c and increased Ep and YEM. Results Higher values of HbA1c were associated in a graded fashion with increased arterial stiffness ( P -trend Conclusion Elevated HbA1c is associated with measures of increased arterial stiffness, even after accounting for arterial wall thickness. This is consistent with the hypothesis that hyperglycemia contributes to arterial stiffness beyond its effects on atherosis and suggests that hyperglycemia is associated with altered material within the arterial wall.
Serum albumin concentration and heart failure risk: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study

Background How serum albumin levels are associated with risk for heart failure (HF) in the elderly is unclear. Methods We evaluated 2,907 participants without HF (age 73.6 ± 2.9 years, 48.0% male, 58.7% white) from the community-based Health ABC Study. The association between baseline albumin and incident HF was assessed with standard and competing risks proportional hazards models controlling for HF predictors, inflammatory markers, and incident coronary events. Results During a median follow-up of 9.4 years, 342 (11.8%) participants developed HF. Albumin was a time-dependent predictor of HF, with significance retained for up to 6 years (baseline hazard ratio [HR] per −1 g/L 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.22, P P = .001). This association persisted in models controlling for HF predictors, inflammatory markers, and incident coronary events (baseline HR per −1 g/L 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.22, P = .001; annual rate of HR decline 1.8%, 95% CI 0.5%-3.0%, P = .008) and when mortality was accounted for in adjusted competing risks models (baseline HR per −1 g/L 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.21, P = .001; annual rate of HR decline 1.9%, 95% CI 0.7%-3.1%, P = .002). The association of albumin with HF risk was similar in men (HR per −1 g/L 1.13, 95% CI 1.05-1.23, P = .002) and women (HR per −1 g/L 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.22, P = .005) and in whites and blacks (HR per −1 g/L 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22, P Conclusions Low serum albumin levels are associated with increased risk for HF in the elderly in a time-dependent manner independent of inflammation and incident coronary events.
Light-Activated Regulation of Cofilin Dynamics Using a Photocaged Hydrogen Peroxide Generator

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can exert diverse signaling and stress responses within living systems depending on its spatial and temporal dynamics. Here we report a new small-molecule probe for producing H2O2 on demand upon photoactivation and its application for optical regulation of cofilin-actin rod formation in living cells. This chemical method offers many potential opportunities for dissecting biological roles for H2O2 as well as remote control of cell behavior via H2O2-mediated pathways.
C-Band Backscatter Measurements of Winter Sea-Ice in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

During the 1992 Winter Weddell Gyre Study, a C-band scatterometer was used from the German ice-breaker R/V Polarstern to obtain detailed shipborne measurement scans of Antarctic sea-ice. The frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar operated at 4-3 GHz and acquired like- (VV) and cross polarization (HV) data at a variety of incidence angles (10-75 deg). Calibrated backscatter data were recorded for several ice types as the icebreaker crossed the Weddell Sea and detailed measurements were made of corresponding snow and sea-ice characteristics at each measurement site, together with meteorological information, radiation budget and oceanographic data. The primary scattering contributions under cold winter conditions arise from the air/snow and snow/ice interfaces. Observations indicate so e similarities with Arctic sea-ice scattering signatures, although the main difference is generally lower mean backscattering coefficients in the Weddell Sea. This is due to the younger mean ice age and thickness, and correspondingly higher mean salinities. In particular, smooth white ice found in 1992 in divergent areas within the Weddell Gyre ice pack was generally extremely smooth and undeformed. Comparisons of field scatterometer data with calibrated 20-26 deg incidence ERS-1 radar image data show close correspondence, and indicate that rough Antarctic first-year and older second-year ice forms do not produce as distinctively different scattering signatures as observed in the Arctic. Thick deformed first-year and second-year ice on the other hand are clearly discriminated from younger undeformed ice. thereby allowing successful separation of thick and thin ice. Time-series data also indicate that C-band is sensitive to changes in snow and ice conditions resulting from atmospheric and oceanographic forcing and the local heat flux environment. Variations of several dB in 45 deg incidence backscatter occur in response to a combination of thermally-regulated parameters including sea-ice brine volume, snow and ice complex dielectric properties, and snow physical properties.
Clinical impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with thick (>4 mm) melanomas.

Abstract Background The role of sentinel lymph node status (SLNS) in thick melanoma is evolving. The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of SLNS in thick melanoma. Methods A retrospective analysis of 120 prospectively collected clinically node-negative thick melanomas over 5 years was performed. Patient (age/sex) and tumor (thickness, ulceration, SLNS, mitoses, metastases, and recurrence) features were collected. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard model. Results Factors predictive of positive SLN included male sex, ulceration, and high mitoses. Factors associated with positive SLN had higher local–regional recurrence and metastases than negative SLN. SLNS and tumor thickness impacted 5-year disease–free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Positive SLN, ulceration, age, and mitoses were independent predictors of DFS/OS. Conclusions Nonulcerated/lower mitoses thick melanomas had lower positive SLN rates. Positive SLN develop recurrence and metastases and have worse OS/DFS. SLNS is an important prognosticator for OS/DFS. Sentinel lymph node biopsy delineates prognostic groups in thick melanomas and can impact management.
Impact of an invasive exotic species on stream nitrogen levels in southern Illinois.

Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is an invasive, exotic shrub that has become naturalized in the eastern United States. Autumn-olive fixes nitrogen (N) via a symbiotic relationship with the actinomycete Frankia. At the plot scale, the presence of autumn-olive has been related to elevated soil water nitrate-N (NO 3 ― -N) concentrations. This study examined the relationship between autumn-olive cover in a watershed and stream water quality. Stream water nitrate-N (NO 3 ― -N) and ammonium-N (NH 4 + -N) concentrations were measured in 12 first order ephemeral streams draining watersheds with mixed forest cover and a range of 0-35% autumn-olive cover. Percent autumn-olive cover was positively correlated with mean stream NO 3 ― -N concentrations, but was not correlated with mean stream NH 4 + -N concentrations. While other studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between native N-fixers and stream NO 3 ― -N, this is the first study to document a relationship for an invasive, exotic N-fixing species. Results suggest that this exotic species can be an additional source of NO 3 ― in local and regional water bodies and demonstrates an additional negative ecosystem consequence of invasion beyond losses in biodiversity.
Development of remote memory loss in patients with huntington's disease

Patients recently diagnosed with Huntington's Disease (RHD) were compared to three tests of remote memory to advanced Huntington's Disease patients and to control subjects. The RHD patients demonstrated a remote memory impairment that was particularly evident when no cues were given to aid recall. Thus, early in the disease process, HD patients not only are impaired in the acquisition of new materials but have difficulty recalling remote events. It was also significant that, like the advanced patients, the deficits of the RHD patients extended over many decades, with approximately equivalent losses for each decade interval. This suggests that one form of retrograde amnesia consists of an extensive ungrade loss of remote memories.
Counterpropagation neural networks in decomposition based optimal design

Abstract The present paper explores a decomposition based approach in the optimal design of large-scale structural systems. The use of formal optimization methods in such systems is complicated by the presence of a large number of design variables and constraints. Decomposition reduces the large scale system into a sequence of smaller, more tractable subsystems, each with a smaller set of design variables and constraints. The decomposed subsystems, however, are not totally decoupled and design changes in one subsystem may have a profound influence on changes in other subsystems. The present work examines the effectiveness of counterpropagation (CP) neural networks as a tool to account for this coupling. This capability derives from a pattern completion capacity in such networks. The proposed approach is implemented for a class of structural design problems where the decomposed subsystems exhibit hierarchy, i.e. there is a distinct chain of command in the nature of couplings between the subsystems. Numerical results compare well with solutions obtained through the use of a traditional optimization implementation with no problem decomposition.
Developing an instrument to measure the influence of knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes on milk consumption patterns in older participants of a community wellness group: a pilot study.

Abstract An instrument was developed to assess the relationship between knowledge of dairy products and milk consumption in participants of a community wellness program (age = 50 to 89; n = 103). Multiple regression analyses indicated that consumption of lower fat milk was predicted by nutrition knowledge and trying to reduce fat intake (R2 = .19, p < .0001), whereas, frequency of milk intake was predicted by milk consumption during youth, following a weight loss diet, and attitudes related to spoilage, packaging and expense (R2 = .24, p < .0001). Thus, nutrition knowledge about dairy products is a better predictor of the type of milk consumed rather than the frequency of milk consumption.
Deconstructing Wikipedia: Collaborative Content Creation in an Open Process Platform

Abstract Collaboration in Wikipedia articles has widely been touted as a great leap forward and an example of how technology can be leveraged to improve collaborative processes. If we focus on the creation of individual articles, what does that creation process look like? Information was collected from the Revision History Statistics page of thirty Wikipedia featured articles to examine variables such as number of edits, number of editors and total edits by the largest contributors to a given article. This small pilot study suggests that the article creation process may more closely mirror the traditional writer/editor process than it does the “crowd as writer-editor”. It also raises questions about potential changes in how people view the content creation process.
Absorption and fluorescence corrections for X-ray analysis with large-solid-angle detectors : thin films and spheres

Abstract The absorption and fluorescence corrections used in X-ray microanalysis in transmission electron microscopy are normally derived under the assumption that the X-ray detector is at infinite distance from the analyzed sample. These corrections may become inadequate when there is a range of photon directions which will be subtended by the detector as in the case of large-solid-angle detectors. In this article, a model that takes into account the variation in detector acceptance angles in the absorption and fluorescence corrections of thin specimens is developed. This is accomplished by integrating over the solid angle subtended by the X-ray detector, and hence treating the X-ray emergence angle as a variable. The results show that for spheres, both corrections are insensitive to specimen and detector geometry. The thin-film corrections, however, are found to be sensitive to detector geometry especially when both the detector solid angle and the corrections are large. Moreover, when the detector solid angle is large, tilting of the film to minimize the magnitude of the corrections becomes a must and the optimum tilt angle occurs at a minimum in the product of the two corrections. Finally, a general expression for the fluorescence corrections of thin films which accounts for secondary absorption is derived.
Goal-driven software reuse in the IV&V of system of systems

This paper addresses the need to increase the effectiveness and productivity of independent verification and validation (IV & V) of complex system-of-systems software via software reuse. It builds upon our previous work on reusing the system reference model (SRM) artifacts in the IV & V of system-of-systems software and presents a framework for organizing the reusable artifacts according to a common set of business goals. We demonstrate the proposed framework using NASA science missions as examples.
In situ high temperature 27Al NMR study of structure and dynamics in a calcium aluminosilicate glass and melt

Abstract The temperature dependence (25–1400 °C) of 27 Al NMR spectra and spin–lattice relaxation time constants T 1 have been studied for a calcium aluminosilicate (43.1CaO–12.5Al 2 O 3 –44.4SiO 2 ) glass and melt using an in situ high temperature probe, and the glass has been characterized by ambient temperature, high field MAS NMR. The peak positions and the line widths show a consistent behavior as motional averaging of the quadrupolar satellites increases with increasing temperature. The rate of decrease with temperature of T 1 drastically increases near the glass transition temperature T g , which suggests a change in NMR relaxation process from vibrational to translational motions. Above the T 1 minimum (≈1200 °C), NMR correlation times obtained from T 1 are in good agreement with shear relaxation times estimated from viscosity, suggesting that microscopic nuclear spin relaxation is controlled by the same dynamics as macroscopic structural relaxation, and thus that atomic-scale motion is closely related to macroscopic viscous flow.
The surgical residency interview: a candidate-centered, working approach.

Purpose The interview process is a pivotal, differentiating component of the residency match. Our bias is toward a working interview, producing better fulfillment of the needs of both parties, and a more informed match selection for the candidates and program. Methods We describe a “candidate-centered” approach for integrating applicant interviews into our daily work schedule. Applicants are informed upon accepting the interview of the working interview model. Our program offers 33 interview days over a 12-week period. A maximum of 5 applicants are hosted per day. Applicants are assigned to 1 of our general, thoracic, vascular, or plastic surgery teams. The interview day begins with the applicant changing into scrubs, attending a morning conference, and taking part in a program overview by a Chief Resident. Applicants join their host team where 4-8 hours are spent observing the operative team, on rounds and sharing lunch. The faculty and senior residents are responsible for interviewing and evaluating applicants though the Electronic Residency Application Service. Results A total of 13 surgeons are involved in the interview process resulting in broad-based evaluations. Each surgeon interviewed between 3 and 12 applicants. Faculty rate this interview approach highly because it allows them to maintain a rigorous operative schedule while interacting with applicants. Current residents are engaged in welcoming applicants to view the program. Faculty and residents believe cooperating in a real world manner aids their assessment of the applicant. Applicants routinely provide positive feedback, relaying this approach is informative, transparent, and should be the “standard.” Applicants believe they are presented a realistic view of the program. Ultimately, this candidate-centered process may be attributable to our resident cohort who exhibit high satisfaction, excellent resident morale, and very low dropout rate. Conclusions We present a candidate-centered, working interview approach used in the selection of general surgery residents. While it may require more resources than the traditional approach, it harbors advantages for the applicant and the program.