cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of standard versus low dose heparin on access-related complications after coronary angiography through radial access: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Background Transradial access (TRA) is preferred for coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary intervention due to reduced access-related complications, and mortality especially for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction. Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is a known complication of TRA, and precludes its use as a future access site, conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting or for hemodialysis fistula placement. Although a standard dose (SD) heparin of 5000 Units is used during TRA, the risks of RAO and hematoma compared to lower dose (LD) remain unclear. To compare the risks of RAO and hematoma using SD vs. LD heparin after CA through TRA, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL for RCTs since inception through 06/30/2017 and used random effects model for analysis. The outcomes analyzed were RAO, hematoma formation and radial artery compression time (RACT). Results We identified a total of 6 RCTs with a total of 2239 patients. SD heparin resulted in a trend toward a lower risk of RAO [4.2% vs. 10.7%; risk ratio (RR): 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16–1.0; P = 0.05], a trend toward increased risk of hematoma [2.2% vs. 1.1%; 1.83 (0.91–3.66); P = 0.09], and a longer duration of RACT [mean difference: 9.64 min (4.01–15.28); P = 0.0008] compared to LD. Conclusions The current meta-analysis showed a trend towards reduction in the risk of RAO with the use of standard dose heparin. Larger randomized trials should explore the appropriate dosing of heparin to prevent radial artery occlusion.
What Can Hilbert Spaces Tell Us About Bounded Functions in the Bidisk

We discuss various theorems about bounded analytic functions on the bidisk that were proved using operator theory.
Carter-like Constant of Motion in Newtonian Gravity is the Vinti Integral

We compare the Vinti integral of the classic celestial mechanics with a conserved Carter-like integral of motion for an axially-symmetric body in the Newtonian theory that has been recently found by Clifford Will. We demonstrate that the integrals are identical. It sheds new light on the Newtonian limit of the Kerr geometry.
Assessment of blood-retinal barrier integrity.

The blood-retina1 barrier consists of two components which are comprised of the retinal vascular endothelium and the retinal pigment epithelium, respectively. Its functional integrity can be recognized by tight junctions between these cells with a paucity of endocytic vesicles within them and the presence of the molecules that regulate the ionic and metabolic gradients that constitute the barrier. The banier is compromised in severa1 disease processes and by a variety of agents, but in most cases the location and mechanism for barrier failure is not understood. Perfusion with a variety of radiolabeled tracer molecules, vitreous fluorophotometry, or magnetic resonance imaging can be used to quantitate blood-retina1 barrier leakage. Fluorescein angiography or magnetic resonance imaging can localize sites of leakage in vivo with limited resolution. Evans blue dye can be used to visualize blood-retina1 barrier failure in gross pathological specimens and immunohistochemical labeling of serum proteins such as albumin or fibrinogen can be used to localize sites of blood-retina1 barrier breakdown by light microscopy. Tracers such as horseradish peroxidase, microperoxidase, or lanthanum, or the immunocytochemical demonstration of albumin can be used to reveal bloodretinal barrier breakdown at the ultrastructural leve1 and provide insights into the mechanisms involved. This review discusses the advantages and lirnitations of each of these methods to aid in selection of the appropriate techniques to derive the desired information.
Health Claims and Dietary Recommendations for Nonalcoholic Beverages

Beverages play a major role in determining nutritional health. Indeed, water represents as much as 60 % of the body weight in a lean person but only 45 % in the obese. Water from a tap or bottle remains the most popular beverage on the planet. Determining the nutritional consequences of a beverage is complicated by the myriad of additional contents mixed in with our water. Nonalcoholic beverages include coffee, tea, milk, juices, soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, drinks for weight management, and of course water. Beverages provide about one-fifth of our daily energy intake, with the greatest intake occurring in 19- to 39-year olds [1]. These beverages may contain sugars, fats, minerals, and vitamins from natural or supplemental origin; these substances can alter the taste and nutritional consequences of beverages. Alcohol is another potential ingredient in beverages which can have dramatic health consequences. Alcoholic beverages were covered in the previous chapter.
Final State Effects in Quantum Fluids

The extraction of momentum distributions from high energy scattering experiments depends on the validity of the impulse approximation (IA), which has been extensively discussed in the workshop overview [1].
Apoptotic β-cells induce macrophage reprogramming under diabetic conditions

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs when insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells fail to secrete sufficient insulin to compensate for insulin resistance. As T2DM progresses, apoptotic β-cells need to be removed by macrophages through efferocytosis that is anti-inflammatory by nature. Paradoxically, infiltrating macrophages are a main source of inflammatory cytokines that leads to T2DM. It is unclear how apoptotic β-cells impact macrophage function. We show under diabetic conditions, phagocytosis of apoptotic β-cells causes lysosomal permeabilization and generates reactive oxygen species that lead to inflammasome activation and cytokine secretion in macrophages. Efferocytosis-induced lipid accumulation transforms islet macrophages into foam cell–like outside the context of atherosclerosis. Our study suggests that whereas macrophages normally play a protective anti-inflammatory role, the increasing demand of clearing apoptotic cells may trigger them to undergo proinflammatory reprogramming as T2DM progresses. This shift in the balance between opposing macrophage inflammatory responses could contribute to chronic inflammation involved in metabolic diseases. Our study highlights the importance of preserving macrophage lysosomal function as a therapeutic intervention for diabetes progression.
MEV: Visual Analytics for Medication Error Detection.

To detect harmful medication errors and inform regulatory actions, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration uses the FAERS spontaneous reporting system to collect medication error reports. Drug safety analysts, however, review the submitted report narratives one by one to pinpoint critical medication errors. Based on a formative study of the review process requirements, we design an interactive visual analytics prototype called Medication Error Visual analytics (MEV), to facilitate the medication error review process. MEV visualizes distributions of the reports over multiple data attributes such as products, types of error, etc., to guide analysts towards most concerning medication errors. MEV supports interactive filtering on key data attributes that aim to help analysts hone in on the set of evidential reports. A multi-layer treemap visualizes the count and severity of the errors conveyed in the underlying reports, while the interaction between these layers aid in the analysis of the corresponding data attributes and their relationships. The results of a user study conducted with analysts at the FDA suggests that participants are able to perform the essential screening and review tasks more quickly with MEV and perceive tasks as being easier with MEV than with their existing tool set. Post-study qualitative interviews illustrates analysts’ interest in the use of visual analytics for FAERS reports analysis operations, opportunities for improving the capabilities of MEV, and new directions for analyzing critical spontaneous reports at scale.
Expat: Expectation-based Policy Analysis and Enforcement for Appified Smart-Home Platforms

This paper focuses on developing a security mechanism geared towards appified smart-home platforms. Such platforms often expose programming interfaces for developing automation apps that mechanize different tasks among smart sensors and actuators (e.g., automatically turning on the AC when the room temperature is above 80 F). Due to the lack of effective access control mechanisms, these automation apps can not only have unrestricted access to the user's sensitive information (e.g., the user is not at home) but also violate user expectations by performing undesired actions. As users often obtain these apps from unvetted sources, a malicious app can wreak havoc on a smart-home system by either violating the user's security and privacy, or creating safety hazards (e.g., turning on the oven when no one is at home). To mitigate such threats, we propose Expat which ensures that user expectations are never violated by the installed automation apps at runtime. To achieve this goal, Expat provides a platform-agnostic, formal specification language UEI for capturing user expectations of the installed automation apps' behavior. For effective authoring of these expectations (as policies) in UEI, Expat also allows a user to check the desired properties (e.g., consistency, entailment) of them; which due to their formal semantics can be easily discharged by an SMT solver. Expat then enforces UEI policies in situ with an inline reference monitor which can be realized using the same app programming interface exposed by the underlying platform. We instantiate Expat for one of the representative platforms, OpenHAB, and demonstrate it can effectively mitigate a wide array of threats by enforcing user expectations while incurring only modest performance overhead.
TDP-43 a protein central to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is destabilized by Tankyrase-1/2

In >95% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and ∼45% of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), the RNA/DNA-binding protein TDP-43 is cleared from the nucleus and abnormally accumulates in the cytoplasm of affected brain cells. Although the cellular triggers of disease pathology remain enigmatic, mounting evidence implicates the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) in TDP-43 neurotoxicity. Here we show that inhibition of the PARP enzymes Tankyrase 1 and Tankyrase 2 (referred to as Tnks-1/2) protect primary rodent neurons from TDP-43-associated neurotoxicity. We demonstrate that Tnks-1/2 interacts with TDP-43 via a newly defined Tankyrase-binding domain. Upon investigating the functional effect, we find that interaction with Tnks-1/2 inhibits the ubiquitination and proteasomal turnover of TDP-43, leading to its stabilization. We further show that proteasomal turnover of TDP-43 occurs preferentially in the nucleus; our data indicate that Tnks-1/2 stabilizes TDP-43 by promoting cytoplasmic accumulation, which sequesters the protein from nuclear proteasome degradation. Thus, Tnks-1/2 activity modulates TDP-43 and is a potential therapeutic target in diseases associated with TDP-43, such as ALS and FTD.
Survey of Respiratory Therapy Alumni: Research-Related Competencies and Skills

Background: The respiratory therapy (RT) field is at a turning point in academic progression. Competencies valued by RT managers may be more evident among bachelor9s prepared therapists including leadership, evidence-based practice, and research. Evaluation is needed to determine the value and benefit of incorporating research related competencies and skills in RT curriculums. The purpose of this study was to determine the research-related competencies and skills respiratory therapists with a bachelor9s degree have utilized during their career. Methods: IRB approval was obtained for this study. An online survey link was emailed to alumni of The Ohio State University Respiratory Therapy Program from 2006-2017. Participants were asked about current and past job histories and responsibilities and how frequently they utilized, valued, and benefited from the competencies and skills garnered from their research project experience. Results: The response rate was 52%. Of the 107 participants that initiated the survey, 59 met inclusion criteria and completed the survey.94.9%-100% of respondents believed the research project helped them develop competencies and skills including searching and analyzing scientific literature, scientific writing, data management, presentation skills, communication skills, working both independently and with a team, critical thinking, self-motivation, flexibility, resourcefulness, and time management. Some primary research-related competencies are highly valued but used less frequently, with 32.2%-52.5% reporting occasionally or regularly using these in their current role as an RT. Overall, participants rated all competencies and skills gained during the research project experience valuable and beneficial in their career development. Graduates thought incorporating the research project was beneficial because it provided additional marketable and useful skills and prepared them for graduate school. Conclusions: Research-related competencies and skills directly and tangentially developed by engaging in a research project are highly valued and used with varying frequency by RTs in various roles. These results indicate it is worthwhile to dedicate the time and resources required for a research project in an RT curriculum. Educational programs with existing research projects should continue to include the experience in the curriculum, and other programs should consider incorporating a similar experience. Disclosures: None.
Developmental Exposure to Air Pollution, Cigarettes, and Lead: Implications for Brain Aging

Brain development is impaired by maternal exposure to airborne toxins from ambient air pollution, cigarette smoke, and lead. Shared postnatal consequences include gray matter deficits and abnormal ...
Transcriptional Immune Signatures of Alveolar Macrophages and the Impact of the NLRP3 Inflammasome on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Replication

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a contagious viral (PRRSV) disease in pigs characterized by poor reproductive health, increased mortality, and reductions in growth rates. PRRSV is known to implement immuno-antagonistic mechanisms to evade detection and mute host responses to infection. To better understand the cellular immunosignature of PRRSV we have undertaken transcriptome and immunomodulatory studies in PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). We first used genome-wide transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) to elucidate PRRSV-induced changes in the PAM transcriptome in response to infection. We found a number of cellular networks were altered by PRRSV infection, including many associated with innate immunity, such as, the NLRP3 inflammasome. To further explore the role(s) of innate immune networks in PRRSV-infected PAMs, we used an NLRP3-specific inhibitor, MCC950, to identify the potential functionality of the inflammasome during PRRSV replication. We found that PRRSV does quickly induce expression of inflammasome-associated genes in PAMs. Treatment of PAMs with MCC950 suggests NLRP3 inflammasome activation negatively impacts viral replication. Treatment of PAMs with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome activation (via polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) transfection), prior to PRRSV infection resulted in significantly reduced viral RNA levels compared to PAMs treated with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition (MCC950 treatment/poly I:C transfection). This further supports a role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the innate macrophagic anti-PRRSV immune response and suggests that PRRSV is sensitive to the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Taken together, these transcriptome and immunoregulatory data highlight the complex changes PRRSV infection induces in the molecular immune networks of its cellular host.
Teaching Psychiatry Through Literature

The author proposes a simple systematic way to analyze short stories as if they were case histories. Class discussions are organized around five basic questions, stated in the article, and use Erikson’s framework of life stages to translate life experiences into the language of psychic conflict. Fiction writers effectively dramatize psychological and developmental issues in a way that makes them real and memorable to psychiatric residents. Stories may be of particular value in illustrating the process of change and in exploring the topic of prognosis, which are often overlooked in more traditional teaching formats. The author has presented this approach at several recent meetings of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and workshop participants have reported success in its use, which depends on the teacher’s clinical rather than literary skills.
Beyond the Classroom: The MUN Experience in the Russian Far East and its Influence on Satisfaction with Democracy

In the teaching of political ideas, Model United Nations (MUN) simulations in the classroom have been valued as a method to experience the democratic process. But, several studies have also noted that the extent of the experience is limited and often unrealistic, if not a distraction. This paper presents the results from an observational study whereby a MUN program in the Russian Far East served as the quasi-treatment effect. Members of an existing MUN program were surveyed for their political beliefs and attitudes to be compared to two other groups: one group who only attended an informational meeting about MUN and a second randomly selected group with no exposure to MUN. All three were given identical surveys. The initial results demonstrate a profound treatment effect. Unlike the control group who varied greatly in beliefs and attitudes about democracy in Russia, the MUN students seem to be less extreme in opinions and generally more satisfied with democracy in Russia. The salient implication taken from this study is that the ideals of democracy are internalized effectively when its principles are learned, practiced, and then shared from the bottom up.
In their dreams

This article identifies three education service paradigms and explores how each contributes to applied learning. Scenarios constructed by over 700 US teachers are summarized and implications for service paradigm changes are drawn from them. Attention is drawn to a lack of paradigm change leadership on the parts of administrators and teacher colleges.
GRINDABILITY OF TiC-Ni3Al METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

TiC-Ni 3 Al metal matrix composites with 40-60 vol% hard phase concentration have been developed as candidate materials for diesel fuel injector plungers. They possess good mechanical properties and similar thermal expansion rate to the steels used for the injector bores. Previous studies have confirmed their high scuffing resistance in fuel-lubricated environment. However, machining of these composites has been quite challenging, especially when high material removal rate (MRR) or precision surface finish are required, due to their relatively high toughness and non-uniform distribution of hard phases in the microstructure. This paper presents a grindability study on TiC(50 vol%)-Ni 3 Al using different diamond grinding wheels at a variety of grinding conditions. Alumina and silicon nitride were used as baseline materials for comparison. The maximum material removal rate (constrained by machine power) of this composite material was slightly higher for conventional grinding than for creep feed grinding, while much lower compared to alumina in either case. While comparable average surface finish was generated by creep feed and conventional grinding, more severe surface damage was observed for creep feed grinding. The lower abrasive concentration wheel generated lower tangential force and consumed less power, but produced a rougher surface. Lower wheel speed may increase grinding efficiency but would sacrifice the surface finish. A worn-out wheel generally consumes much more grinding power while produces smoother surfaces.
Private Versus Public Debt: Evidence from Firms that Replace Bank Loans with Junk Bonds

We study firms that reduced private debt by repaying bank loans with proceeds from junk bonds. The debt contracts differ dramatically, and the contractual restrictions in bank debt are tighter. Sample firms are profitable, but experience operating earnings declines just prior to the junk bond issues. The earnings declines further tighten restrictions in bank debt, and the firms have limited borrowing capacity under their existing bank revolvers. Our tests indicate that bank debt paydowns enabled the firms to maintain their ability to grow rapidly. Alternative explanations for the paydowns, such as managers' desire to avoid bank monitoring, have little support.
Where Are My Genes? Genomic Considerations on Darwin’s Doubt

In his book Darwin’s Doubt (Meyer 2013), Discovery Institute philosopher of science and “intelligent design” proponent Stephen C Meyer makes some very unorthodox claims about animal origins. Evolutionary developmental biologists have shown over two decades of work that regardless of how animals look, most of them use a common “toolkit” of genes for their development. Furthermore, a respectable body of evidence shows that changes in animal body plans and body parts are driven by changes in gene regulation (Carroll 2000).
Anatomy of the Credit Score

Abstract This paper addresses the question of what determines a poor credit score. We compare estimated credit scores with measures of impulsivity, time preference, risk attitude, and trustworthiness, in an effort to determine the preferences that underlie credit behavior. Data is collected using an incentivized decision-making lab experiment, together with financial and psychological surveys. Credit scores are estimated using an online FICO credit score estimator based on survey data supplied by the participants. Preferences are assessed using a survey measure of impulsivity, with experimental measures of time and risk preferences, as well as trustworthiness. Controlling for income differences, we find that the credit score is correlated with measures of impulsivity, time preference, and trustworthiness.
Can Decision Analysis Help Us Decide Whether Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Anomalies Is Worth It

: Decision analysis is a widely used tool to improve clinical decision making when randomized controlled trials are infeasible, underpowered, or lack generalizability. We performed an exploratory decision analysis of routine second trimester ultrasound to detect fetal anomalies, focusing on the assumptions that would have the greatest impact. Six outcome categories were considered: (1) abnormal ultrasound, anomalous child, (2) abnormal ultrasound, elective abortion of anomalous fetus, (3) abnormal ultrasound, healthy child, (4) abnormal ultrasound, elective abortion of healthy fetus, (5) normal ultrasound, healthy child, and (6) normal ultrasound, anomalous child. Live birth and fetal death rates for nine sonographically detectable anomalies were obtained from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound were estimated through meta-analysis of recent series. Plausible ranges for the probabilities of cesarean delivery and elective abortion, by anomaly, were determined through review of the literature. Standard gamble, willingness-to-pay, and human capital estimates of utility were rescaled for comparability. We found that routine ultrasound appears to be the preferred strategy for most women. This choice is sensitive primarily to the specificity of ultrasound and women's willingness-to-pay for the reassurance of a normal ultrasound.
Gigantic Enhancement in Sensitivity Using Schottky Contacted Nanowire Nanosensor

A new single nanowire based nanosensor is demonstrated for illustrating its ultrahigh sensitivity for gas sensing. The device is composed of a single ZnO nanowire mounted on Pt electrodes with one end in Ohmic contact and the other end in Schottky contact. The Schottky contact functions as a "gate" that controls the current flowing through the entire system. By tuning the Schottky barrier height through the responsive variation of the surface chemisorbed gases and the amplification role played by the nanowire to Schottky barrier effect, an ultrahigh sensitivity of 32 000% was achieved using the Schottky contacted device operated in reverse bias mode at 275 °C for detection of 400 ppm CO, which is 4 orders of magnitude higher than that obtained using an Ohmic contact device under the same conditions. In addition, the response time and reset time have been shortened by a factor of 7. The methodology and principle illustrated in the paper present a new sensing mechanism that can be readily and extensively applied to other gas sensing systems.
Internalization of the opioid growth factor, [Met5]-enkephalin, is dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis for downregulation of cell proliferation

The opioid growth factor (OGF; [Met5]-enkephalin), a constitutively expressed and tonically active inhibitory peptide, interacts with the OGF receptor (OGFr) to form an endogenous growth-regulating pathway in homeostasis. Amplification of OGF-OGFr interfacing in animal and clinical studies depresses development, neoplasia, angiogenesis, and immunity. Disruption of the OGF-OGFr axis accelerates cell proliferation and has been particularly important in wound repair. To investigate how OGF enters cells, OGF was labeled with 5,6-tetramethylrhodamine OGF (RhoOGF) to study its uptake in live cells. African green monkey kidney cells (COS-7) incubated with RhoOGF exhibited a temperature-dependent course of entry, being internalized at 37°C but not at 4°C. RhoOGF was detected in the cytoplasm 15 min after initial exposure, observed in both cytoplasm and nucleus within 30 min, and remained in the cells for as long as 5 h. A 100-fold excess of OGF or the opioid antagonist naltrexone, but not other opioid ligands (some selective for classic opioid receptors), markedly reduced entry of RhoOGF into cells. RhoOGF was functional because DNA synthesis in cells incubated with RhoOGF (10−5 to 10−8 M) was decreased 24–36%, and was comparable to cells treated with unlabeled OGF (reductions of 26–39%). OGF internalization was dependent on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, with addition of clathrin siRNA diminishing the uptake of RhoOGF and upregulating DNA synthesis. RhoOGF clathrin-mediated endocytosis was unrelated to endosomal or Golgi pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that OGF enters cells by active transport in a saturable manner that requires clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Atomic structure of a thermostable subdomain of HIV-1 gp41.

Infection by HIV-1 involves the fusion of viral and cellular membranes with subsequent transfer of viral genetic material into the cell. The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein that mediates fusion consists of the surface subunit gp120 and the transmembrane subunit gp41. gp120 directs virion attachment to the cell–surface receptors, and gp41 then promotes viral–cell membrane fusion. A soluble, α-helical, trimeric complex within gp41 composed of N-terminal and C-terminal extraviral segments has been proposed to represent the core of the fusion-active conformation of the HIV-1 envelope. A thermostable subdomain denoted N34(L6)C28 can be formed by the N-34 and C-28 peptides connected by a flexible linker in place of the disulfide-bonded loop region. Three-dimensional structure of N34(L6)C28 reveals that three molecules fold into a six-stranded helical bundle. Three N-terminal helices within the bundle form a central, parallel, trimeric coiled coil, whereas three C-terminal helices pack in the reverse direction into three hydrophobic grooves on the surface of the N-terminal trimer. This thermostable subdomain displays the salient features of the core structure of the isolated gp41 subunit and thus provides a possible target for therapeutics designed selectively to block HIV-1 entry.
Ocular immune privilege is circumvented by CD4+ T cells, leading to the rejection of intraocular tumors in an IFN‐γ‐dependent manner

Although intraocular tumors reside in an immune-privileged site, they can circumvent immune privilege and undergo rejection, which typically follows one of two pathways. One pathway involves CD4(+) T cells, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), and the culmination in ischemic necrosis of the tumor and phthisis (atrophy) of the eye. The second pathway is DTH-independent and does not inflict collateral injury to ocular tissues, and the eye is preserved. In this study, we used a well-characterized tumor, Ad5E1, to analyze the role of IFN-gamma in the nonphthisical form of intraocular tumor rejection. The results showed that IFN-gamma induced tumor cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor cell proliferation, and promoted rejection by inhibiting angiogenesis. Microarray analysis revealed that IFN-gamma induced up-regulation of five antiangiogenic genes and down-regulation of four proangiogenic genes in Ad5E1 tumor cells. Although IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice have progressively growing intraocular tumors, IFN-gamma was not needed for the elimination of extraocular tumors, as all IFN-gamma KO mice rejected s.c. tumor inocula. This represents a heretofore unrecognized role for IFN-gamma in circumventing ocular immune privilege and eliminating intraocular tumors. The findings also reveal that some IFN-gamma-independent tumor rejection processes are excluded from the eye and may represent a new facet of ocular immune privilege.
ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SAMPLE MEAN AND TRANSLATION‐INVARIANT STATISTICS FOR MATRIX NORMAL DISTRIBUTIONS

Summary We present an explicit characterization of the joint dependency structure of an n×p matrix normal random matrix such that the p-dimensional sample mean vector is independent of all translation invariant statistics.
Spectral Analysis of Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperature Series on the East Slope of the Colorado Front Range

Abstract Power spectral analysis of daily maximum and daily minimum temperature series at four stations on the east slope of the Colorado Front Range reveals the presence of dominant annual oscillations. Cross correlation and cross spectrum indicate that the series at these spatially separated stations are well correlated. The coherences between annual components are especially high and their phase difference is zero.
CULTIVATION OF RICKETTSIA-LIKE MICROORGANISMS FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER TICK, DERMACENTOR ANDERSONI

A systematic study of 74 ticks, the infectivity or non-infectivity of which was determined by biting experiments, inoculation of emulsions, and specific immunity tests, showed the presence in some instances of several types of microorganisms morphologically resembling the inciting microorganism of spotted fever. The most frequently isolated was B. rickettsiformis, n. sp., those less commonly encountered were B. pseudoxerosis, n. sp., and B. equidistans, n. sp. These organisms are non-pathogenic for the guinea pig, rabbit, and Macacus rhesus. In morphological features they resemble the forms found in smears and sections of the ticks, yet their presence had no relation to infectivity. Immunologically they are not related to the spotted fever virus. All three are pleomorphic under cultural conditions, and the question arises whether or not the minute non-pathogenic Rickettsia forms and the somewhat coarser symbionts found in Dermacentor andersoni are morphological variations due to variations in nutrition, oxygen tension, tissue reactions, etc., in the different tissues and cells in which the organisms are embedded. At all events, the differentiation of the non-pathogenic Rickettsia-like organisms from Dermacentroxenus rickettsi is extremely difficult. In definitely infective ticks of the present study intranuclear forms were not constant. A point of special interest is that these non-pathogenic micro-organisms from ticks grow best at room temperature, in this respect resembling culturally certain flagellates inhabiting the alimentary tract of insects. The difficulty of obtaining initial growth on artificial media and the gradual adaptation to less specialized media are other notable characteristics of these organisms. The possibility that B. rickettsiformis is a non-pathogenic phase of the spotted fever organism, comparable with the avirulent flagellate culture forms of Leishmanias, seems remote in view of the negative immunological findings. Hereditary transmission of B. rickettsiformis is clearly indicated by its presence in large numbers in ovaries and egg cells, a characteristic also of the spotted fever organism and of other insect-borne Rickettsiae.
The Effect of Magnesium Concentration on Growth of Chlorella.

A study of chlorophyll synthesis in Chlorella vulgaris (3) revealed striking differences in the growth patterns of this alga when cultured in nutrient solutions containing different amounts of magnesium. The differences in growth patterns were so variable and of such magnitude as to make difficult the finding of a suitable basis of comparison for physiological studies. Since Chlorella species are often the subject of such studies, a more exact knowledge of their growth habits seems desirable. The detailed studies of Chlorella made by Pearsall and Loose (7) and Myers (?) and numerous papers contributed by other workers have done much to advance the understanding of algal growth under various modifications of the culture conditions. This paper limits itself to comparisons of Chlorella growth at different magnesium concentrations. Data on certain aspects of this problem have been previously reported by Saizeva (9) and by van Hille (5).
Investigation of the dosimetric accuracy of the isocenter shifting method in prostate cancer patients with and without hip prostheses

Purpose: The use of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) enables compensation for prostate movement by shifting the treatment isocenter to track the prostate on a daily basis. Although shifting the isocenter can alter the source to skin distances (SSDs) and the effective depth of the target volume, it is commonly assumed that these changes have a negligible dosimetric effect, and therefore, the number of monitor units delivered is usually not adjusted. However, it is unknown whether or not this assumption is valid for patient with hip prostheses, which frequently contain high density materials. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective study to investigate dosimetric effect of the isocenter shifting method for prostate patients with and without hip prostheses. For each patient, copies of the prostate volume were shifted by up to 1.5 cm from the original position to simulate prostate movement in 0.5 cm increments. Subsequently, 12 plans were created for each patient by creating a copy of the original plan for each prostate position with the isocenter shifted to track the position of the shifted prostate. The dose to the prostate was then recalculated for each plan. For patients with hip prostheses, plans were created both with and without lateralmore » beam angles entering through the prostheses. Results: Without isocenter shifting to compensate for prostate motion of 1.5 cm, the dose to the 95% of the prostate (D-95%) changed by an average of 30% and by up to 64%. This was reduced to less than 3% with the isocenter shifting method. It was found that for patients with hip prostheses, this technique worked best for treatment plans that avoided beam angles passing through the prostheses. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the isocenter shifting method can accurately deliver dose to the prostate even in patients with hip prostheses.« less
Changes in soil microbial communities over time resulting from one time application of zinc: a laboratory microcosm study

Abstract Soil microcosms each consisting of approximately 20 kg soil were set up in the laboratory. Three microcosms were amended with 6000 mg zinc kg−1, a concentration chosen to approximate the quantities of total zinc found at a contaminated field site. Three control microcosms received no zinc amendment. Three pH control microcosms received H2SO4, adequate to result in the same pH decrease as occurred in the zinc amended soil. Mean soluble zinc contents were 4660 mg kg−1 (amended soils), 1.08 mg kg−1 (unamended soils), and 2.10 mg kg−1 (pH adjusted soils). Biological community assessments included culturable bacteria (plate counts), microbial biomass (chloroform fumigation), dehydrogenase activity, proportion of zinc resistant bacteria (plate counts on zinc amended agar), and changes in community structure (BIOLOG and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis). After 15 d of incubation, zinc amendment resulted in an 87% decrease in viable counts and a 47% decrease in microbial biomass. Dehydrogenase activity decreased by 95%, and the proportion of zinc resistant bacteria increased from 0.08% to 0.75%. Microbial community structure alteration resulting from zinc amendment was indicated by shifts in both BIOLOG metabolic profiles and PLFA profiles. Effects of zinc on PLFA profiles included relative decreases in indicator fatty acids for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and actinomycetes. Some adaptation of the microbial communities to the zinc amendment was suggested by the fact that after 420 d incubation there were no significant differences in culturable bacterial populations or microbial biomass of the control and zinc amended systems. However, other microbial properties measured in this study showed that zinc still affected microbial community structure and activity after 420 d. Dehydrogenase activity of the zinc treated communities remained 93% lower than the controls. The percentage of zinc resistant populations was still significantly higher for the zinc treated communities. Similarly, the BIOLOG and PLFA profiles continued to show differences in the structure of the zinc treated and control microbial communities. Effects of zinc on PLFA profiles at day 420 included a relative decrease in an indicator fatty acid for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and a relative increase in an indicator fatty acid for fungi. The comparison of PLFA profiles also showed mixed results for several fatty acid indicators for actinomycetes. The pH control treatment showed similar effects on population size and activity as the zinc treatment, although in most cases there was a much stronger effect with the zinc treatment. In addition, the pH treatment caused changes in BIOLOG and PLFA profiles which were different than the changes seen with zinc treatment.
Shot noise statistics and information theory of sensitivity limits in frequency-modulated continuous-wave ladar

A theoretical analysis and experimental verification of the sensitivity limits of frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) ladar in the limit of a strong local oscillator is presented. The single-photon sensitivity of coherent heterodyne detection in this shot-noise dominated limit is verified to extend to linearly chirped waveforms. An information theoretic analysis is presented to estimate the information efficiency of received photons for the task of locating the range to single and multiple targets. It is found that the optimum receive signal level is proportional to the logarithm of the number of resolvable range locations and the maximum theoretical photon information efficiency for FMCW ranging with coherent fields is log(e)≈1.44 bits per received photon.
Examining Monotonicity and Saliency Using Level-k Reasoning in a Voting Game

This paper presents an experiment that evaluates the effect of financial incentives and complexity in political science voting experiments. To evaluate the effect of complexity we adopt a level-k reasoning model concept. This model by Nagel (1) postulates that players might be of different types, each corresponding to the level of reasoning in which they engage. Furthermore, to postulate the effect of financial incentives on subjects' choice, we used the Quantal Response Equilibrium (QRE) concept. In a QRE, players' decisions are noisy, with the probability of playing a given strategy increasing in its expected payoff. Hence, the choice probability is a function of the magnitude of the financial incentives. Our results show that low complexity promotes the highest degree of level-k strategic reasoning in every payment treatment. Standard financial incentives are enough to induce equilibrium behavior, and the marginal effect of extra incentives on equilibrium behavior seems to be negligible. High complexity, instead, decreases the rate of convergence to equilibrium play. With a sufficiently high complexity, increasing payoff amounts does promote more strategic behavior in a significant manner. Our results show with complex voting games, higher financial incentives are required for the subjects to exert the effort needed to complete the task.
Increased A1C among adult emergency department patients with type 2 diabetes.

Study objective Long-term glycemic control can prevent or delay complications of diabetes. Although diabetes is a common comorbidity in emergency department (ED) patients, the adequacy of long-term control is not known. Our objectives are to determine the frequency of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes among adults presenting to an ED and to identify characteristics associated with poor control. Methods An A1C level was obtained for diabetic patients 18 years and older who presented to the ED for acute medical problems and had blood tests performed for usual medical care. Consecutive patients were screened for a total of 58 24-hour periods during a 10-week period. A1C values were stratified, with less than 7% defined as good control and greater than or equal to 7% poor long-term control. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with poor control. Results Of the 500 patients with type 2 diabetes, 53.4% had inadequate long-term control. An increased ED glucose level was independently associated with an increased A1C level. If the ED glucose level was 126 to 149 mg/dL, the odds ratio (OR) for an increased A1C level relative to a glucose level less than 100 mg/dL was 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95, 5.68); the OR was 6.4 (95% CI 2.9, 14.1) for glucose levels 150 to 199 mg/dL, and for glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, the OR for an increased A1C level was 21.2 (9.1, 49.3). Other factors independently associated with increased A1C level were black race, aged 40 to 59 years, and Medicaid insurance. Conclusion The high frequency of A1C levels more than 7% points to the ED as a potential source for identifying patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
40Ar/39Ar age of plagioclase from Acapulco meteorite and the problem of systematic errors in cosmochronology

Abstract Acapulcoites consistently yield some of the oldest 40Ar/39Ar ages reported for any meteorites, all indistinguishable from the age of 4510±22 Ma previously determined for whole-rock samples of Acapulco. These ages are significantly younger, at face value, than the 4557±2 Ma Pb/Pb age reported for phosphates, which dates cooling through ∼550°C. Metallographic evidence for rapid cooling between 650 and 350°C, retention of 129Xe in apatite, and the absence of shock features all suggest that the 40Ar/39Ar ages might be expected to be more consistent with the Pb/Pb age. New 40Ar/39Ar data from plagioclase, determined to be the sole K-rich phase in Acapulco, yield a high-precision isochron age of 4507±18 Ma (2σ) based on currently accepted decay constants and standards but neglecting uncertainties in these quantities. These data allow unambiguous association of the 40Ar/39Ar age with a closure temperature near 300°C and preclude the possibility of artifacts due to 39Ar recoil, low-temperature alteration products, or inherited pre-solar grains. The 40Ar/39Ar plagioclase age recalculated with decay constants believed to be more accurate than those conventionally used is 4554 Ma, weakening the basis of a previously inferred dramatic decrease in cooling rate shortly after closure of the Pb/Pb system in phosphate. Systematic errors in 40Ar/39Ar dating, associated chiefly with 40K decay constants and standards, must be redressed before the method can be applied to high-resolution inference of early Solar System evolution. Similar limitations affect ages based on other long-lived radionuclides such as 147Sm.
Quadratic maximum-entropy serendipity shape functions for arbitrary planar polygons

Abstract In this paper, we present the development of quadratic serendipity shape functions on planar convex and nonconvex polygons. Drawing on the work of Bompadre et al. (2012) [1] and Hormann and Sukumar (2008) [2] , we adopt a relative entropy measure for signed (positive or negative) shape functions, with nodal prior weight functions that have the appropriate zero-set on the boundary of the polygon. We maximize the objective functional subject to the constraints for quadratic completeness proposed by Rand et al. (2013) [3] . Along an edge of a polygon, the approximation is identical to univariate Bernstein polynomials: the choice of the nodal prior weight function ensures that the shape functions satisfy a weak Kronecker-delta property on each edge. The shape functions are well-defined for arbitrary planar polygons without self-intersections. On using a modified numerical integration scheme, we show that the quadratic patch test is passed on polygonal meshes with convex and nonconvex elements. Numerical tests for the Poisson equation on self-similar trapezoidal meshes and quasiuniform polygonal meshes are presented, which reveal the sound accuracy of the method, and optimal rates of convergence in the L 2 norm and the H 1 seminorm are established.
Phase transition and steady-state multiplicity in a trickle-bed reactor

Abstract A pseudo-homogeneous model is developed to describe the wet-to-dry phase transition in a laboratory trickle-bed reactor, observed by Hanika and coworkers in 1976 for cyclohexene hydrogenation. Model predictions of the location of the dryout point, the maximum temperature rise, and a reaction rate hysteresis are compared with observations. The comparison implies that the reaction rate is sensitive to internal wetting of the catalyst and that the hysteresis loop can be attributed to thermal effects. It is hoped that the model will help interpret and scale up laboratory data and serve as a basis for the development of more rigorous models.
Experience with a Simplified, Standardized 4-Hour Gastric-Emptying Protocol

Gastric-emptying studies have no accepted standard methodology or reference values. A simplified standardized protocol with a large reference database has been proposed, with imaging obtained at only 0, 1, 2, and 4 h. The rationale for its 4-h length is data suggesting that delayed emptying is detected with higher sensitivity at 4 h than at 2 h. The purpose of the current investigation was to review our 2-y experience using this protocol, to determine the added value of 4-h imaging, and to determine whether the lag phase can predict delayed emptying. Methods: After ingesting a sandwich made with 99mTc-sulfur colloid egg substitute, 175 patients were imaged immediately, every 10 min for 1 h, and then at 2, 3, and 4 h. Percentage retention was calculated for each interval. Sensitivities, specificities, predictive values, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed for the 1-, 2-, and 3-h intervals on the basis of normal 4-h values. Data were analyzed to determine the added value of the 4-h study. Thresholds were sought that optimized accuracy. ROC analysis was used to determine the predictive value of the lag phase. Results: Gastric emptying was delayed in 20% of patients at 2 h and in 26% at 4 h, a 29% increase in abnormal studies (P