cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of donor-recipient cytomegalovirus serology on adult liver transplantation: a single center experience.

Introduction We investigated the outcomes of adult liver transplants, according to their donor-recipient cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology. Materials and methods We included in the study all adult primary liver transplants, from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005. Follow-up was until December 31, 2007. According to the donor-recipient CMV serology, patients were divided into positive-negative (PN), positive-positive, negative-negative, and negative-positive groups, and all received CMV prophylaxis for 4 months posttransplantation. Hepatitis C patients received conventional immunosuppression, whereas all other patients received either conventional treatment or alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) induction. Results We studied 438 adult liver transplants. Comparisons were made between high-risk group patients (PN) versus all others: 5-year patient survival was 74.31% vs. 78.8%, (P=NS) and graft survival 63.87% vs. 74.77%, (P=0.042). Five-year freedom from rejection was 42.84% vs. 51.95% (P=0.036). CMV infection (n=3) or disease (n=27) was observed in 30 patients (PN [n=23], positive-positive [n=6], and negative-positive [n=1]). Incidence of CMV infection was 9.8% overall and 34.84% and 2.5%, respectively, for the PN group versus all others (P=0.0000). Patients who received Campath-1H induction did not have an increased incidence of CMV infections compared with those who received conventional immunosuppression. Conclusions In our center, in adult liver transplantation, CMV donor-recipient PN serology is associated with rejection, graft survival, and CMV infection but is not correlated with patient survival, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) occurrence, or viral hepatitis recurrence. The introduction of more potent induction immunosuppression did not accentuate these negative outcomes.
Simplex Factor Models for Multivariate Unordered Categorical Data

Gaussian latent factor models are routinely used for modeling of dependence in continuous, binary, and ordered categorical data. For unordered categorical variables, Gaussian latent factor models lead to challenging computation and complex modeling structures. As an alternative, we propose a novel class of simplex factor models. In the single-factor case, the model treats the different categorical outcomes as independent with unknown marginals. The model can characterize flexible dependence structures parsimoniously with few factors, and as factors are added, any multivariate categorical data distribution can be accurately approximated. Using a Bayesian approach for computation and inferences, a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is proposed that scales well with increasing dimension, with the number of factors treated as unknown. We develop an efficient proposal for updating the base probability vector in hierarchical Dirichlet models. Theoretical properties are described, and we evaluate the approach through simulation examples. Applications are described for modeling dependence in nucleotide sequences and prediction from high-dimensional categorical features.
Hypersensitivity to purified brain proteins in healthy individuals

DURING the course of our research in multiple sclerosis it was observed that apparently healthy laboratory personnel who had been artificially and accidentally exposed to brain tissue showed patterns of hypersensitivity inconsistent with our basic control group. We determined at that time to study them further as a separate group. Twelve people have been identified and studied. We subsequently categorised the types of exposure into three classes as shown in Table 1.
Native People and Planning for Marine Protected Areas: How “Stakeholder” Processes Fail to Address Conflicts in Complex, Real-World Environments

Serious declines in fisheries around the world and marked deterioration in the overall health of marine ecosystems have been attracting great concern among scientists, environmentalists, and fishermen for more than a decade. Many marine ecologists and fisheries biologists have embraced marine protected areas (MPAs) as an appropriate policy prescription. Consistent with nearly all current environmental planning initiatives, collaborative “stakeholder” processes are the preferred method of designating and implementing MPAs. There are several problems with the way this model is conceptualized and operationalized, particularly as it pertains to aboriginal people: (1) proponents of MPAs and other marine conservation initiatives often focus on aggregate costs/benefits, without regard to distributive inequalities; (2) the prevailing assumption that all relevant “stakeholders” can be jointly incorporated into a collaborative process is misleading, given that there are significant differences in legal rights and o...
Residential Location By Occupational Status

Based on existing theory and limited empirical findings, it is hypothesised that groups of similar occupational status will have similar residential patterns; and, as the status level widens, location of residence will become increasingly dissimilar. To measure residential status differentiation, locational indices and correlation techniques are employed. Using Pittsburgh data, the study finds little relationship between the relative concentration of an occupational group's residence and distance from the central business district. Nevertheless, the study corroborates the generalisations of other researchers that the most segregated occupations are those at the highest and lowest ends of the socio-economic scale. Furthermore, occupations that are most alike in residential location are also similar in socio-economic rank; those with the greatest locational differences represent the extremes of status levels.
Measuring Costs and Outcomes of Tele-Intervention When Serving Families of Children who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

Background: Optimal outcomes for children who are deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) depend on access to high quality, specialized early intervention services. Tele-intervention – the delivery of early intervention services via telehealth technology - has the potential to meet this need in a cost-effective manner.Method: Twenty-seven families of infants and toddlers with varying degrees of hearing loss participated in a randomized study, receiving their services primarily through TI or via traditional in-person home visits. Pre- and post-test measures of child outcomes, family and provider statisfaction, and costs were collected.Results: The TI group scored statistically significantly higher on the expressive language measure than the in-person group (p =.03). A measure of home visit quality revealed that the TI group scored statistically significantly better on the Parent Engagement subscale of the Home Visit Rating Scales-Adapted & Extended (HOVRS-A+; Roggman, et al., 2012). Cost savings associate with providing services via TI increased as the intensity of service delivery increased. Although most providers and families were positive about TI, there was great variability in their perceptions.Conclusions: Tele-intervention is a promising cost-effective method for delivering high quality early intervention services to families of children who are DHH.
The Relationship Between Standing Waves, Pressure Pulse Propagation, and Critical Flow Rate in Two-Phase Mixtures

A two-fluid model is presented that can be used to predict the celerity andattenuation of small-amplitude harmonic disturbances in bubbly two-phases flow.This frequency-dependent relationship is then used to predict the propagationof small-amplitude pressure perturbations through the use of Fourierdecomposition techniques. Predictions of both standing waves and propagatingpressure perturbations agree well with existing data. The low andhigh-frequency limits of the celerities predicted by the model are examinedand their relationship to critical flow rate is demonstrated. Somelimitations of the interfacial pressure model employed in conventional criticalflow analysis are exposed and the implications to the prediction of criticalflow rate are discussed.
Self-Assembly of Reverse Micelles in Water/Surfactant/Carbon Dioxide Systems by Molecular Simulation

One of the primary reasons that supercritical carbon dioxide has thus far failed to achieve its full potential as an environmentally benign alternative to conventional industrial solvents is that few surfactants are known at present for use in CO2. As an initial step toward developing the molecular-level understanding needed to design new surfactants, we report the first molecular simulations of the self-assembly of dichain surfactants in supercritical carbon dioxide into stable, spherical aggregates. These aggregates exhibit the expected characteristics of reverse micelles with aqueous cores, consistent with earlier experimental findings, demonstrating the potential of molecular simulation for modeling such complex systems.
The Legible Lesbian: Crimes of Passion in Nicaragua

This article considers a precedent-setting murder case in Nicaragua that rendered a conviction based upon the victim's ‘sexual option’ and status as a ‘lesbian.’ A significant achievement for advocates in Nicaragua, the case was also a victory for sexual and human rights proponents globally. This article queries how the sexualization of culture can be viewed through the spectacle of Aura Rosa's life, death and symbolic resurrection. Analyzing the discourses and practices of Nicaraguan activists, international rights campaigns, the state, and local media, I argue that the post-mortem process of re-figuring the victim as a ‘lesbian’ is imaginable only within a discursive field saturated with human rights paradigms including those of sexual rights. Central to these practices are notions of vulnerable bodies, ascriptions to particular models of modernity and an emerging ‘epistemology of the hate crime.’
What Spirit(s), Which Public(s)? The Pneumatologies of Global Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity

Abstract Modern Pentecostalism, named after the Day of Pentecost event in Acts 2, has come to be associated with a theology of the Spirit. Yet whether contemporary pentecostal theology has a coherent understanding of the Spirit, or whether the plurality of pentecostal and charismatic Christianities presume a diversity of pneumatologies instead, are open questions. This article suggests how the many tongues of the Spirit poured out on all flesh on the Day of Pentecost can be said to anticipate the multiplicity of theologies of the Spirit in the present global renewal landscape. Yet it is also precisely herein that historic and contemporary Pentecostalisms and their interfaces with the public square provide opportunities and present challenges for the ongoing discussion of the doctrine of the Spirit in particular and for the public theological task in general.
Characteristic shifts in oxide cathode tubes

HIGH VACUUM TUBES are being employed increasingly today in applications which require great stability of performance. Whether the application be an electronic instrument, a computer, or a control device, shifts with time in the characteristic curves of the component tubes are very troublesome. This article presents an analysis and experimental results which are intended to help clarify the reasons for such shifts in characteristics.
The Role of Preoperative and Intraoperative Imaging in Guiding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Optimal intraprocedural imaging is central to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Familiarity with commonly used modalities is necessary. Real-time, intraprocedural imaging is provided by fluoroscopy and echocardiography to ensure proper valve position and deployment, and to assess for postdeployment complications. By providing anatomic information to real-time fluoroscopy, fusion imaging has the potential to positively affect TAVR. As newer generation valves are introduced and as TAVR is potentially offered to lower risk patient populations, it will be important to ensure that improvements in intraprocedural imaging lead to better outcomes.
Time to Reperfusion: The Critical Modulator in Thrombolysis and Primary Angioplasty.

Rapid achievement of reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy or primary angioplasty has made a dramatic impact on improving the survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Restoring infarct-related artery patency early after the onset of MI minimizes infarct size, reduces the degree of left ventricular dysfunction, and improves survival. Several recent studies have confirmed the benefit of reducing time to treatment with thrombolysis (between the onset of pain to initiation of thrombolysis), and that of more rapid drug reperfusion time with more aggressive thrombolytic regimens (between initiation of thrombolytic therapy and actual achievement of reperfusion). Furthermore, these effects are additive, confirming the benefit of rapid reperfusion. For primary angioplasty, the same relationship has been observed—more rapid treatment appears to be associated with improved outcome. The “door-to-balloon” time is a major determinant of overall time to reperfusion, and as such is a crucial component of the overall strategy. Integrating the experience in trials of thrombolytic therapy and primary angioplasty, a clear relationship exists between higher rates of early reperfusion and lower mortality. Thus, time to reperfusion appears to be the critical modulator in both thrombolysis and primary angioplasty.
Understanding cost growth during operations of planetary missions: An explanation of changes

In the development of project cost estimates for interplanetary missions, considerable focus is generally given to the development of cost estimates for the development of ground, flight, and launch systems, i.e., Phases B, C, and D. Depending on the project team, efforts expended to develop cost estimates for operations (Phase E) may be relatively less rigorous than that devoted to estimates for ground and flight systems development. Furthermore, the project team may be challenged to develop a solid estimate of operations cost in the early stages of mission development, e.g., Concept Study Report or Systems Requirement Review (CSR/SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), as mission specific peculiarities that impact cost may not be well understood. In addition, a methodology generally used to develop Phase E cost is engineering build-up, also known as “grass roots”. Phase E can include cost and schedule risks that are not anticipated at the time of the major milestone reviews prior to launch. If not incorporated into the engineering build-up cost method for Phase E, this may translate into an estimation of the complexity of operations and overall cost estimates that are not mature and at worse, insufficient. As a result, projects may find themselves with thin reserves during cruise and on-orbit operations or project overruns prior to the end of mission.
Geospatial Assessment of Recovery Rates Following a Tornado Disaster

Remote sensing has proven to be instrumental in monitoring land alterations from natural disasters and anthropogenic processes. Additionally, geospatial analyses of tornado disasters have provided damage assessments, whereas hazard research has limited recovery evaluation to economic and migration perspectives. This study examines recovery from the 1999 Moore, OK, tornado disaster across three consecutive years, utilizing medium-resolution imagery and a series of image-processing algorithms. Spectral enhancements including normalized difference vegetation index, soil-adjusted vegetation index, urban index (UI), and two new indices, i.e., ShortWave Radiation Index (SWIRI) and Coupled Vegetative Urban Index (CVUI), were utilized in conjunction with a recovery index and statistical thresholds to assess recovery. Classification accuracy assessments prove that geospatial techniques and medium-resolution imagery can capture the rate of recovery with the most effective results noted with SWIRI using the 1.5 standard deviation threshold. Computed annual and Fujita Scale recovery rates indicate that 1) the most severely damaged areas associated with an F5 rating were the slowest to recover whereas the lesser damaged areas (F1-F3) were the quickest to rebuild and 2) complete recovery was never attained, even three years after the event, regardless of the F-scale damage zones. Recovery appears to be a significant and direct function of the level of damage sustained. With these results, decision makers and other policyholders could implement more resilient approaches in reconstructing the more severely damaged areas.
Anatomy of efferent hepatic nerves

The role of neural elements in regulating blood flow through the hepatic sinusoids, solute exchange, and parenchymal function is incompletely understood. This is due in part to limited investigation in only a few species whose hepatic innervation may differ significantly from humans. For example, most experimental studies have used rats and mice having livers with little or no intralobular innervation. In contrast, most other mammals, including humans, have aminergic and peptidergic nerves extending from perivascular plexus in the portal space into the lobule, where they course in Disse's space in close relationship to stellate cells (fat storing cells of Ito) and hepatic parenchymal cells. While these fibers extend throughout the lobule, they predominate in the periportal region. Cholinergic innervation, however, appears to be restricted to structures in the portal space and immediately adjacent hepatic parenchymal cells. Neuropeptides have been colocalized with neurotransmitters in both adrenergic and cholinergic nerves. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been colocalized in aminergic nerves supplying all segments of the hepatic-portal venous and the hepatic arterial and biliary systems. Nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P and somatostatin follow a similar distribution. Intralobular distribution of all of these nerve fibers is species-dependent and similar to that reported for aminergic fibers. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are reported to coexist in cholinergic and sensory afferent nerves innervating portal veins and hepatic arteries and their branches, but not the other vascular segments or the bile ducts. Nitrergic nerves immunoreactive for neuronal nitric oxide (nNOS) are located in the portal tract where nNOS colocalizes with both NPY- and CGRP-containing fibers. In summary, the liver is innervated by aminergic, cholinergic, peptidergic, and nitrergic nerves. While innervation of structures in the portal tract is relatively similar between species, the extent and distribution of intralobular innervation are highly variable as well as species-dependent and may be inversely related to the density of gap junctions between contiguous hepatic parenchymal cells.
Russian adolescent drug use and comparisons to United States adolescents

There is limited drug use data on Russian youth since the dissolution of the USSR. This study provides descriptive and comparative data for establishing initial baseline levels of Russian adolescent drug use. A convenience sample of 150 Russian adolescents (mean age = 15.4 years) was surveyed at a suburban Moscow secondary school during the fall of 1992. The findings showed that tobacco and alcohol were the most commonly used drugs, and that there were gender differences in their use. More Russian girls had used alcohol than Russian boys, while more boys had used tobacco and at an earlier average age than the girls. Tobacco and alcohol use between the Russian sample and United States samples was generally similar. Differences were attributed to age variations in the Russian and US samples.
Possible Late Potentials in 4 Dogs with Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

Signal-averaged electrocardiograms (SAEKGs) were performed on 4 dogs with sustained ventricular tachycardia. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of SAEKGs were consistent with the presence of late potentials. Two of the 4 dogs subsequently died suddenly, and ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were observed in 1 dog. High-frequency QRS durations (75-90 milliseconds), duration of low amplitude (less than 40 microV) signals during the terminal QRS complex (LAS40) (28-40 milliseconds), root mean square voltages of the terminal 40 milliseconds of the QRS complex (RMS40) (124-6.5 microV), and root mean square voltages of the terminal 30 milliseconds of the QRS complex (RMS30) (13-2.1 microV) differed from results obtained in 68 of 70 control dogs. Echocardiographic data suggested dilated cardiomyopathy in 2 dogs and the cause of the arrhythmia in 2 dogs was not determined. The SAEKG may be a useful adjunct in identifying a subset of dogs with ventricular tachyarrhythmias that are at high risk for sustained ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracies of the technique remain to be determined.
Autoradiographic detection of dna polymerase containing nuclei in sarcoma 180 ascites cells.

A technique has been developed allowing the autoradiographic detection of incorporation of 3H-thymidine-5′-triphosphate (3H-TTP) into nuclear DNA of smears of Sarcoma-180 (S-180) mouse ascites tumors under the direction of the cell's own nuclear DNA polymerase. Dried smears are dipped into an agar solution, which strips cytoplasm from the nuclei, and are then air dried and incubated with a buffered mixture containing four nucleotide triphosphates (one labeled), Mg++, and Ficoll, with the cell's own DNA acting as primer. The incorporation of 3H-TTP into the nuclei, like the cell free DNA polymerase assay, is largely dependent on the presence of all four nucleotide triphosphates and Mg++ and produces a product which is DNase sensitive and RNase resistant. DNA polymerase activity, as studied in a cell free assay, decreases with tumor age. This correlates well with a decreasing 3H-TTP labeling index in autoradiographs of aging tumors. The 3H-TTP labeling index has also been shown to exceed but parallel the in vivo3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) pulse labeling index for all tumor ages examined. In at least some cell systems DNA polymerase seems characteristic of cells in cycle. The autoradiographic detection of nuclei containing the enzyme offers a new tool for the study of tumor cytokinetics.
Analysis of the motion of rat head in impact acceleration injury tests

The kinematics of two head injury models with impact acceleration that produced severe and mild diffuse axonal injury in rats were investigated. The animals were instrumented with two triaxial accelerometers and the vertical motion was also recorded with high speed digital photography. The maximum linear and angular velocities in the severe injury model (7.2 m/s and 100 rad/s) were 4.0 and 3.3 times higher than the mild injury model showing that both linear and angular components of the motion may contribute to the severity of diffuse axonal injury. The results of this study can be used to develop an injury criterion for mild to severe diffuse axonal injury.
Makespan Minimization on Multiple Machines Subject to Machine Unavailability and Total Completion Time Constraints

In this paper, we study the preemptive bi-criteria scheduling problems on m parallel machines with machine unavailable intervals. The goal is to minimize the makespan subject to the constraint that the total completion time is minimized. We study the model where each machine can have multiple unavailable intervals, but at any time, there is at most one machine unavailable. We show that there is an optimal polynomial time algorithm for this model.
Genetic algorithms based optimization of artificial neural network architecture for buildings’ indoor discomfort and energy consumption prediction

Growing concerns about energy consumption reduction and comfort improvement inside buildings make it more and more necessary to be able to predict with fine precision building’s heating loads and indoor discomfort. This article proposes a method based on genetic algorithms (GAs) to optimize the architecture, training parameters and inputs of an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN is doomed to predict energy consumption and indoor discomfort in future work on the development of an on-line method for control setting optimization. Simple and advanced controllers were used in this study: ON-OFF, PID and fuzzy controllers. Validation of the optimized ANN showed good prediction accuracy, as regression coefficients R 2 for consumption and discomfort were respectively greater than 0.77 and 0.84 for the three tested controllers. Various prediction “distances” and ANN training data quantities were tested. Conclusion is that prediction at a 2-hour “distance” and a 3-day quantity of data are the best tested optimization conditions.
A model for placental oxygen exchange

Abstract A simplified model for oxygen exchange in the placenta is presented. The dependence of fetal oxygen uptake on the nondimensional parameters is exhibited.
Technology for design education: a case study

We present results of the first longitudinal study of physical and digital technology hybrids for design education. Through deployment in an introductory HCI class, we have instrumented and analyzed traditional design practices with newer technological components. In particular, we show that hybrid Idea Logs that maintain the flexibility of paper notebooks can successfully implement the fluidity needed between teammates in design projects, and between the digital and physical world. Our preliminary analysis of questionnaires, performance data, and student design notebooks support our hypothesis that this hybrid of technologies may effectively address the needs of this domain, and suggest that basic digital affordances such as export and sharing of design content can improve the educational experience.
A simple remotely-controlled target changer

Abstract With the target changer described, any one of eight target foils can be placed in an accelerator beam by remote control. The simple foil-holding frame facilities inserting different targets into the changer. In addition, the design is compact and easy to construct.
A note on quasi-elastic photon-deuteron scattering

The question of corrections to the impulse approximation of quasi- elastic gamma -d scattering is examined in a certain energy range. The problem of obtaining the correct lowenergy limit is avoided by using simple perturbation theory, which allows a single meson to be exchanged by the nucleons as a correction. The scattering amplitude obtained in this way at low energy approaches a value larger than the Thomson deuteron or proton limit. The differential cross section with averaged polarization is given. With certain assumptions, the angular function is the same as that of the Thomson amplitude. Results from gamma -d scattering at approximately 90 Mev give deviations from the impulse approximation larger than those from the calculations. (D.L.C.)
Estimates of multicarrier CDMA system capacity

As CDMA systems reach capacity, infrastructure providers are extending them by offering multicarrier capability. The capacity of an n-carrier CDMA system should be at least n times the capacity of a single-carrier system. We estimate the additional capacity that can be achieved by using carrier assignment disciplines. We produce the estimates from the CDMA System Static Simulator by preprocessing the simulator inputs and post-processing its outputs. The estimates are of capacities of multicarrier systems using simple carrier assignment disciplines, and of wideband CDMA systems. The latter estimates constitute an upper bound on the capacity of a multicarrier system with any carrier assignment discipline.
Peripheral nerve conduction in fabry disease

Peripheral nerve conduction was studied in 34 members, aged 3 to 54 years, from three separate kindreds with Fabry disease. Nerve conduction velocity was prolonged in one-third (11 of 34) of the study group. Of the 9 control family members with normal plasma alpha-galactosidase levels, 8 had normal velocity. A 6-year-old girl with normal plasma and leukocyte alpha-galactosidase levels and absent corneal deposits had slightly lower than normal nerve conduction velocity. One of the 3 obligate female carriers and 1 of 10 suspected carriers of Fabry disease had prolonged conduction velocity but normal distal latency. On the other hand, 8 of 12 males affected with Fabry disease demonstrated slow nerve conduction velocity while 4 of the 8 had prolonged distal latency. Frequently, only one of the two nerves studied showed abnormalities. These abnormalities were not related to patient age. Interfamilial variations in the abnormalities were present.
Collagen-acetaldehyde adducts in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver diseases

Alcoholic and, to a lesser extent, nonalcoholic patients with liver disease have serum antibodies to acetaldehyde-protein adducts produced in vitro. These antibodies presumably reflect the presence of adducts in the liver, but the protein that triggers this immune response has not been identified. To study this, we measured the reactivity of cytosolic proteins to rabbit IgG developed against a P-450 2E1—acetaldehyde adduct, isolated from alcohol-fed rats, that recognizes acetaldehyde-modified epitopes in proteins. Adducts were determined on Western blots by scanning densitometry of antibody-linked alkaline phosphatase activity in 4 normal livers and in needle biopsy specimens from subjects with liver disease, 17 alcoholic and 14 nonalcoholic. In all livers, except for a normal one, we found a reactive protein of at least 200 kD, similar to the collagen-acetaldehyde adduct we reported to be markedly increased in rats with experimentally induced cirrhosis. The immunostaining intensity in the alcoholic patients with liver disease was eightfold (p<0.01) and that in nonalcoholic patients with liver disease was fourfold, greater (p<0.02) than the weak staining in normal livers; it correlated with the degree of inflammation and serum AST or γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activities. The adduct was reproduced on incubation of normal cytosolic proteins with 2.5 mmol/L acetaldehyde, whereas higher concentrations yielded many additional adducts; the adduct also reacted with IgG antibody to rat collagen type I and disappeared after digestion with collagenase, suggesting that the target protein is a form of collagen. The association of this collagen-acetaldehyde adduct with parameters of liver disease activity suggests that the adduct reflects the liver injury and may even contribute to its development, both in alcoholic and in nonalcoholic subjects. (Hepatology 1994;20:111–118.)
Linear Programming and the Control of Diffusion Processes

Recent work by Han and Van Roy [Han J, Van Roy B (2011) Control of diffusions via linear programming. Infanger G, ed. Stochastic Programming: The State of the Art, in Honor of George B. Dantzig (Springer, New York), 329–354] introduced a linear programming technique to compute good suboptimal solutions to high-dimensional control problems in a diffusion-based setting. Their problem formulation worked with finite horizon problems where the horizon, T, is an exponentially distributed random variable. We extend their approach to finite horizon problems with a fixed horizon T. We also apply these techniques to dynamic portfolio optimization problems and then simulate the resulting policies to obtain lower bounds on the optimal value functions. We also use these policies in conjunction with convex duality methods designed for portfolio optimization problems to construct upper bounds on the optimal value functions. In our numerical experiments we find that the primal and dual bounds are very close, and so we co...
Evidence-Based Assessments in the Ventilator Discontinuation Process

The ventilator discontinuation process is an essential component of overall ventilator management. Undue delay leads to excess stay, iatrogenic lung injury, unnecessary sedation, and even higher mortality. On the other hand, premature withdrawal can lead to muscle fatigue, dangerous gas exchange impairment, loss of airway protection, and also a higher mortality. An evidence-based task force has recommended a daily discontinuation assessment and management process for most ICU patients requiring at least 24 hours of mechanical ventilator support. This process focuses on assessments on the causes for ventilator dependence, assessments for evidence of disease stability/reversal, use of regular spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) as the primary assessment tool for ventilator discontinuation potential, use of separate assessments to evaluate the need for an artificial airway in patients tolerating the SBT, and the use of comfortable, interactive ventilator modes (that do not need to be “weaned”) in between regular SBTs. More recent developments have focused on the utility of computer decision support to guide these processes and the importance of linking sedation reduction protocols to ventilator discontinuation protocols. These guidelines are standing the test of time, and practice patterns are evolving in accordance with them. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement and need for further clinical studies, especially in the patient requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Control of molecular fragmentation using binary phase shaped femtosecond laser pulses

We report on order-of-magnitude control of the relative yield of photofragment ions achieved with binary phase shaped femtosecond laser pulses. We discuss trends observed related to selective enhancement or suppression of fragment ions.
Detection of Courtesy Amount Block on Bank Checks

This paper discusses a technique for locating the courtesy amount block on bank checks. In the analysis and recognition process, connected components in the image are identified first. Then, strings are constructed on the basis of proximity and horizontal alignment of characters. Next, a set of rules and heuristics are applied to these strings to choose the correct one. The chosen string is only accepted if it passes a verification test, which includes an attempt to recognize the currency sign. A deterministic finite automaton system is then used for segmenting the handprinted courtesy amount. Finally, the separated components are passed on to a neural network based recognition system.
TEVAR Rescue of an Embolized Edwards SAPIEN XT Valve Following TAVR.

Purpose: To report a successful method of managing an embolized Edwards SAPIEN XT aortic valve prosthesis using a thoracic endovascular aortic repair rescue. Case Report: An 84-year-old man underwe...
Influence of Trap Colors on Captures of Japanese Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Metal Ellisco Japanese beetle traps, painted 10 different conventional and fluorescent colors, were baited with phenethyl propionate + eugenol + geraniol, 3:7:3, and exposed to Popillia japonica Newman, in competition with standard yellow traps in infested areas in Wooster, Ohio. Traps paintcd with six of these colors—arc yellow, white, signal green, saturn yellow, green, and blue—were similar in attractancy to the standard yellow trap.
Research on determination of phosphoric acid in air of workplace by ion chromatography

Objective To develop a method for measuring the level of phosphoric acid by ion chromatography. Methods The phosphoric acid fume in the air was collected with micropore filter membrane,soaked in ultrapure water for ultrasonic elution. The samples were eluted using 1. 8 mmol / L Na 2 CO 3 and 1. 7 mmol / L NaHCO 3 at flow rate of 1. 0 ml / min,separated by Metrosep A Supp 4-250 anion chromatographic column,and detected by electrical conductivity detector,with peak area for quantitative analysis and retentive time for qualitative analysis. Results There was good linear relationship in the range of 0. 0 mg / L ~ 10. 0 mg / L. The correlation coefficient was 0. 9997. The minimum detection limit was 0. 0051 mg / m3( 75 L air sample). The recovery rate was 98. 3% ~ 102. 7% and the precision( RSD) was 0. 78% ~ 1. 26%. Conclusion This method has met the"National occupational health standards( GBZ / T) Part 4: Determination method of chemicals in the air of workplace". It is suitable for determination of phosphoric acid content in air of workplace.
Calibration of a Doppler Blood Flowmeter for Measurements Independent of Flow Angle, Velocity Profile, and Lumen Shape

An ultrasonic pulsed Doppler system for unambiguous measurement of blood volume flow is currently under development (1). As show in Figure 1, a two-element transducer array is used to insonify an arbitrary sample plane cutting across the vessel lumen. The sample volume of the smaller transducer (element 2) lies totally within the vessel lumen, while the sample volume of the combined array is designed to approximate uniform insonification over a plane totally encompassing the lumen projection.
An Engineering Approach to Reservoir Evaporation Control

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on an engineering approach to reservoir evaporation control. It was assumed that a process of application approaching the ideal should have the following characteristics: (1) the mechanical application equipment should be simple and its cost for yearly amortization and maintenance should be low, (2) this equipment should be capable of applying the film material continuously, in small amounts and at numerous points, as required to replenish the film as fast as it is drifted to the far shore by the wind; (3) this equipment should be a mechanical system capable of being stopped, started, and regulated at will; (4) the requirement of constantly moving equipment as auxiliaries to the application procedure should be avoided; (5) the film-forming material, when being prepared for application, should be in a convenient, commercial form; (6) the application procedure should be of a nature so that the film-forming material can be kept apart from contact with the reservoir water until such time that it is actually dispersed into a film; (7) the film-forming material should be applied in liquid form for the ease of bulk handling and distribution to the reservoir surface; and (8) the application equipment should not interfere materially with the open expanses of the reservoir, needed for recreational purposes.
Ultra-high efficiency optical modulation (>20 W/A) by interferometric frequency → intensity conversion of gain-levered semiconductor lasers

The quest for an optical transmitter with high modulation efficiency and low intensity noise is motivated, among other things, by the fact that the Noise Figure of an analog optical transmission link—a measure of its fidelity—is proportional to the quotient (intensity noise)/(modulation efficiency). Gain-lever is an effect which utilizes the highly sublinear nature of the quantum well gain characteristic to accomplish very high modulation efficiencies in intensity modulation (IM) and frequency modulation (FM), as well as broad wavelength tunability.1-5
Hormone replacement therapy in the menopause.

The failure of follicular development that characterizes the menopause leads to a marked reduction in serum levels of estradiol and progesterone. As a result, the majority of women develop symptoms, including hot flushes, sleep disturbance, and vaginal dryness. Long-term consequences of ovarian insufficiency include genital atrophy, osteoporosis, and increased rates of myocardial infarction. Estradiol replacement (ERT) has proved effective in treating and preventing these problems. ERT has, however, led to increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. Consequently, treatment regimens now include progestins (HRT) to protect women who have a uterus. Progestins act by down-regulation of estradiol receptor activity, which is an advantage for preventing endometrial hyperstimulation, but a potential disadvantage when beneficial effects of estradiol are opposed. Current menopause health care includes assessment, treatment, and follow-up. Signs and symptoms of estradiol deficiency are evaluated during initial history-taking and physical examination. The MENSI (Menopause Symptom Index) has proved an efficient questionnaire for both initial assessment and monitoring of treatment effects. Vaginal cell maturation index (M.I.) can be helpful in determining need for hormonal treatment and for assessing response to treatment. A "therapeutic range" for ERT can be achieved with the availability of a variety of hormone preparations administered in different ways (oral, transdermal, skin gel, implants, etc.), thus avoiding the problems of both inadequate and excessive hormonal doses. This paper will describe a structured approach to the delivery of health care in the menopause.
Hesse's Steppenwolf as Modern Ethical Fiction

In his article "Hesse's Steppenwolf as Modern Ethical Fiction" Michal Koza discusses the significance of "ethical fiction" in modern literature. Such fiction, according to Kant, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche, are not only milestones of ethical thinking, but more importantly offer a narrative for self-creation as an ethical subject. Harry Haller, the protagonist of Hermann Hesse's Steppenwolf, is a man living on the border of modern subjectivity embodying a cultural and existential crisis. Koza argues that "ethical reading" enables one to see the relation between philosophy and literature that not only enter in a dialogue with each other, but also share their crises, with the crisis of mimesis at the fore. Michal Koza, "Hesse's Steppenwolf as Modern Ethical Fiction" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 17.5 (2015): Special Issue Fiction and Ethics in the Twenty-first Century. Ed. Zhenzhao Nie and Biwu Shang
Abstract 310: Action-Oriented Participatory Intervention and Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure: Findings from the African American Heart Failure (Pilot) Study

Objectives: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) has significantly increased in recent decades. It disproportionately affects African Americans (AA). However, evidence on how to improve the quality of care among AA patients with HF is scarce. In the study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that an action-oriented participatory intervention approach would significantly improve patients’ adherence to healthcare and outcomes. Methods: A randomized sample of 152 AA patients with HF stages A to D participated in the study. Of them, 73 received standard healthcare, and 79 received standard healthcare plus an action-oriented intervention using HF-focused education instruments. After health assessments (physical and lab tests) and health instrument-based survey at baseline in person at clinical site, participants were followed at 3 and 6 months at their re-visit to hospital or by phone call. Results: Of 152 patients (M: 68, F: 84), the proportions of those with HF stage A, B, C, and D were 26.5%, 19.1%, 22.1% and 10.3% in men, and 52.4%, 21.4%, 21.4% and 4.8% in women, respectively. Of them, 121 completed the first (3 M), and 39 had both the first and second (6 M) follow-up. Significant improved scores of knowledge to HF etiology and self-efficacy were observed at the first follow up, and scores of self-care skills at the second follow-up in both intervention and control groups. As compared to control group, the improvement of knowledge to HF etiology and self-efficacy scores in the intervention group were significantly higher in the first follow-up (p<0.01), and self-care skill scores were in both the first and second follow-ups (p<0.01). Significant improvement in adherence to medication and healthy behaviors were observed in intervention group (p<0.01). There was a tendency of improvement in quality of life at the first and second follow-up in the intervention group although they did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: An action-oriented participatory intervention may offer a new approach to improve knowledge, disease control and outcomes in patients with HF.
Combination Treatment of Essential Thrombocythemia with Hydroxyurea and Anagrelide

Abstract 5177 BACKGROUND: Hydroxyurea and anagrelide are therapeutic options for essential thrombocythemia (ET) with distinct mechanism of actions and side effect profiles. However, therapeutic goals may not be achieveable due to drug intolerance or disease resistance. Here we report our successful clinical experience with combination treatment with hydroxyurea and anagrelide. METHODS: Medical records of six patients who were on the combination treatment for the ET were retrospectively reviewed. All had history of unsuccessful monotherapy with either hydroxyurea or anagrelide. RESULTS: All patients were female with median age of 59.5 years. All were positive for the V617_ jak2 mutation. Two had prior major thromboses (portal vein; ischemic stroke), and one had Raynaud9s disease. Reasons for failure of hydroxyurea monotherapy were leukopenia and/or inadequate platelet reduction, while reasons for anagrelide failure were palpitations and orthostasis. Rather than discontinue the primary drug, doses were lowered to a tolerable level and the second agent was added. These patients have been treated with the combination of hydroxyurea and anagrelide for a mean duration of 4.89+ years. Combination regimen achieved 64% reduction of platelet counts (mean best platelet counts during treatment 328×109/L), while maintaining adequate leukocyte counts (range 3.64–7.88 × 109/L). Relatively low daily doses of hydroxyurea (mean 684mg/day) and anagrelide (1.7mg/day) were required. Adverse events noted during the combination therapy were one case with rectal bleeding and two cases of myelofibrosis. One patient returned to monotherapy due to persistent headache to low-dose anagrelide. No arterial or venous thromboses bleeding events have occurred. CONCLUSION: This is the longest follow-up experience of hydroxyurea and anagrelide combination therapy in ET that has been resistant to monotherapy or where high monotherapy doses could not be tolerated. The low-dose combination regimen was able to achieve clinical and laboratory response in all patients with a low incidence of medication side effects. This strategy is made more attractive by data that hydroxyurea may be more effective in prevent arterial events while anagrelide was found more effective in preventing venous clots, but conclusions on superior efficacy of the combination would require formal study. We recommend that rather than substitute for an agent that has had partial success or is causing dose-related side-effects, the dose can be adjusted and a second agent added. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Bannermanite, a new sodium-potassium vanadate isostructural with beta -Na x V 6 O 15

Occurs as black subhedral to euhedral crystals in the oxide zone of a fumarole at Izalco Volcano, El Salvador. Bannermanite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, with a = 15.413(7), b = 3.615(2), c = 10.066(8) angstrom, beta = 109.29(8) degrees , Z = 2,D(obs) = 3.5+ or -0.2 g/cm 3 , and D(calc) = 3.55 g/cm 3 . The crystal structure of bannermanite has been refined to wR = 0.074. Bannermanite transmits light on thin edges, with a mean index of refraction of 2.2. The mineral has two cleavages, (h0l) and (0kl), and a dark gray-black streak.--Modified journal abstract.
NMR Signal Quenching from Bound Biradical Affinity Reagents in DNP Samples

We characterize the effect of specifically bound biradicals on the NMR spectra of dihydrofolate reductase from E. coli. Dynamic nuclear polarization methods enhance the signal-to-noise of solid state NMR experiments by transferring polarization from unpaired electrons of biradicals to nuclei. There has been recent interest in colocalizing the paramagnetic polarizing agents with the analyte of interest through covalent or noncovalent specific interactions. This experimental approach broadens the scope of dynamic nuclear polarization methods by offering the possibility of selective signal enhancements and the potential to work in a broad range of environments. Paramagnetic compounds can have other effects on the NMR spectroscopy of nearby nuclei, including broadening of nuclear resonances due to the proximity of the paramagnetic agent. Understanding the distance dependence of these interactions is important for the success of the technique. Here we explore paramagnetic signal quenching due to a bound biradi...