cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changing antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsies: are we putting our patients at risk?

Study Type – Harm/Safety (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether changing antibiotic prophylaxis from quinolone to penicillin antibiotics has affected infectious complication rates in those men undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSgpb). PATIENTS AND METHODS This interventional study was designed to determine whether changing antibiotic prophylaxis had any bearing on developing serious infectious complications after taking TRUSgpb. As a secondary aim, we also investigated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) rates in the same groups of men undergoing TRUSgpb. Men historically received ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally 1 h before their procedure followed by a 3-day course of 500 mg given twice daily (group A). Due to increasing local patterns of antimicrobial resistance to quinolones and concerns regarding potential antibiotic induced C. difficile infection, antibiotic prophylaxis was changed to a penicillin-based regimen comprising of co-amoxiclav 625 mg given orally 1 h before TRUSgpb followed by a three times daily course for 3 days (group B). Excluded from the study were those men given an alternative antibiotic prophylaxis than those given within the two distinct groups due to reasons of previous hypersensitivity reactions and/or clinical decision by the attending Urologist. Comparisons were made between the groups using two-tailed Fisher’s exact tests. RESULTS In all, 119 and 110 men were identified in groups A and B, respectively. Two men in group A (1.68%) developed sepsis after TRUSgpb requiring hospital admission and intravenous antibiotic treatment. The sepsis rate in group B was significantly higher than that of group A (eight of 110, 7.27%; P= 0.036). Escherichia coli was the only organism isolated from our cohort of patients. There were no incidences of C. difficile infections in either antibiotic prophylaxis groups. CONCLUSION Ciprofloxacin appears to provide superior prophylaxis than co-amoxiclav in men undergoing TRUSgpb and was not associated with an increased risk of quinolone induced C. difficile infections. Changing antibiotic prophylaxis from a quinolone-based regime may therefore be putting our patients at an increased risk of serious infectious complications after TRUSgpb.
Techno-economic assessment of low-temperature carbon dioxide electrolysis

Low-temperature CO2 electrolysis represents a potential enabling process in the production of renewable chemicals and fuels, notably carbon monoxide, formic acid, ethylene and ethanol. Because this technology has progressed rapidly in recent years, a systematic techno-economic assessment has become necessary to evaluate its feasibility as a CO2 utilization approach. Here this work provides a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of four major products and prioritizes the technological development with systematic guidelines to facilitate the market deployment of low-temperature CO2 electrolysis. First, we survey state-of-the-art electrolyser performance and parameterize figures of merit. The analysis shows that production costs of carbon monoxide and formic acid (C1 products) are approaching US$0.44 and 0.59 kg–1, respectively, competitive with conventional processes. In comparison, the production of ethylene and ethanol (C2 products) is not immediately feasible due to their substantially higher costs of US$2.50 and 2.06 kg–1, respectively. We then provide a detailed roadmap to making C2 product production economically viable: an improvement in energetic efficiency to ~50% and a reduction in electricity price to US$0.01 kWh–1. We also propose industrially relevant benchmarks: 5-year stability of electrolyser components and the single-pass conversion of 30 and 15% for C1 and C2 products, respectively. Finally we discuss the economic aspects of two potential strategies to address electrolyte neutralization utilizing either an anion exchange membrane or bipolar membrane. Low-temperature CO2 electrolysis is a promising process for producing renewable chemicals and fuels. This work provides a systematic techno-economic assessment of four major products, prioritizing technological development, and proposes guidelines to facilitate market adoption.
Retrospective clinical evaluation of a decision-support software for adaptive radiotherapy of Head & Neck cancer patients

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical need for automated decision-support platforms for Adaptive Radiotherapy Therapy (ART) of Head & Neck cancer (HNC) patients. Methods: We tested RTapp (SegAna), a new decision-support software for ART, to investigate 22 HNC patients data retrospectively. For each fraction, RTapp estimated the daily and cumulative doses received by targets and OARs from daily 3D imaging in real-time. RTapp also included a prediction algorithm that analyzed dosimetric parameters (DP) trends against dosimetric endpoints (DE) to trigger adaptation up to 4 fractions ahead. Warning (V95 DE10. The differences between predicted and calculated PTV V95 and parotids Dmean was up to 7.6% (mean: -2.9+/-4.6 %) and 5 Gy (mean: 0.2+/-1.6 Gy), respectively. The most accurate predictions were obtained closest to Fx. For parotids, Fx ranged between fractions 1 to 23, the lack of specific trend demonstrated the need to verify treatment adaptation for every fraction. Conclusion: Integrated in an ART clinical workflow, RTapp can predict whether specific treatment would require adaptation up to 4 fractions ahead of time.
Inevitable Randomness in Discrete Mathematics

Mathematics has been called the science of order. The subject is remarkably good for generalizing specific cases to create abstract theories. However, mathematics has little to say when faced with highly complex systems, where disorder reigns. This disorder can be found in pure mathematical arenas, such as the distribution of primes, the 3n 1 conjecture, and class field theory. The purpose of this book is to provide examples - and rigorous proofs - of the complexity law: discrete systems are either simple or they exhibit advanced pseudorandomness; a priori probabilities often exist even when there is no intrinsic symmetry. Part of the difficulty in achieving this purpose is in trying to clarify these vague statements. The examples turn out to be fascinating instances of deep or mysterious results in number theory and combinatorics. This book considers randomness and complexity. The traditional approach to complexity - computational complexity theory - is to study very general complexity classes, such as P, NP and PSPACE. What Beck does is very different: he studies interesting concrete systems, which can give new insights into the mystery of complexity. The book is divided into three parts. Part A is mostly an essay on the big picture. Part B is partly new results and partly a survey of real game theory. Part C contains new results about graph games, supporting the main conjecture. To make it accessible to a wide audience, the book is mostly self-contained.
Effect of Controlled Running on Serum Cholesterol of Young Adult Males of Varying Morphological Constitutions

Abstract This study sought to investigate the role of body configuration as a possible determining factor in the influence of physical activity on serum cholesterol concentrations. The subjects were 130 young adult males who were first measured for morphological configuration according to the procedures described by Behnke and were assigned classifications of obese, muscular, or slim. Subjects within each classification were subsequently assigned randomly to a control or an experimental group to create six subject groups. The experimental factor was ten weeks of controlled running on a motor-driven treadmill. Serum cholesterol, body weight, and dietary habits were evaluated. When the results were treated by the analysis of variance statistical procedure for six subject groups with repeated measures, the program of vigorous running over a period of ten weeks was found to have produced a significant reduction in serum cholesterol concentrations in the obese active subjects which was independent of weight an...
A Regularized LMS Algorithm for Narrowband Interference Rejection in Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Communications

A regularized LMS technique is presented that uses a modified optimality criterion which enhances the detection capabilities of direct sequence spread spectrum systems. The rejection filter is updated based upon an additional regularization input which limits the self-noise of the filter, especially at moderate signal-to-interference power ratios. The regularization is controlled by a single scalar parameter, that can be varied to produce the optimal Wiener filter weights or the decision-feedback filter weights. An advantage of the regularized filter is that the weight error surface is quadratic, leading to well behaved convergence properties for adaptive implementations. Simulation results are presented which compare the regularized filter to the optimal Wiener filter and the decision-feedback filter.
Efficiently Computing phi-Nodes On-The-Fly (Extended Abstract)

Recently, Static Single Assignment Form and Sparse Evaluation Graphs have been advanced for the efficient solution of program optimization problems. Each method is provided with an initial set of flow graph nodes that inherently affect a problem's solution. Other relevant nodes are those where potentially disparate solutions must combine. Previously, these so-called φ-nodes were found by computing the iterated dominance frontiers of the initial set of nodes, a process that could take worst case quadratic time with respect to the input flow graph. In this paper we present an almost-linear algorithm for determining exactly the same set of φ-nodes.
On Forward-Looking Exchange Rates and Commodity Prices

This paper ties together recent literature on the forecastability of commodity prices and exchange rates using insights from the study of leveraged financial institutions. I exhibit evidence that the Chen, Rogoff and Rossi (2008) quarterly predictability of commodity returns by changes in exchange rates may be driven by fluctuations in financial intermediary risk appetite, which forecast both commodity returns and exchange rates.
Live sampling in improvised musical performance: three approaches and a discussion of aesthetics

Three original software programs utilizing improvisation and live sampling are presented here, along with a discussion of aesthetic issues raised by each. They are entitled Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Musiker, Motet, and Gamepad Sampler. These programs vary in the degree of required interaction and in the kind of user control. They are each studies in imitative counterpoint through live sampling, with an approach seeking elegance before solutions. Because of the improvisational nature of these works, there is no standard musical score. Instead the complete Max/MSP source code and a sound recording of performances making use of these programs in varied situations are included. A discussion of issues raised by these works includes aesthetics, ontology, performance, and the role of the composer. Non-interactive indeterminate compositions are ontologically thin, because some composerly agency is required of the performer. An interactive work can be ontologically substantial if it makes distinct and significant contributions to performance, even though it may not make sound on its own. Although reproducibility reduces ontology and eliminates aura, live sampling within a performance can deepen the ontology of the performance by recontextualizing previous events, reframing the original event as the first reference to an abstract musical idea that lies outside the musical performance. Reproducibility also diminishes the aura or stage presence in live performance with computers. Complex feedback systems can be used to create computation instruments: musical instruments whose unique structure resonates in ways not explicit in their programs. As the human condition and the situation of the composer change, definitions of the composer and performer must be revised. Composition is shifting away from the creation of static artifacts toward the design of dynamic systems.
Relational knowledge with predictive state representations

Most work on Predictive Representations of State (PSRs) has focused on learning and planning in unstructured domains (for example, those represented by flat POMDPs). This paper extends PSRs to represent relational knowledge about domains, so that they can use policies that generalize across different tasks, capture knowledge that ignores irrelevant attributes of objects, and represent policies in a way that is independent of the size of the state space. Using a blocks world domain, we show how generalized predictions about the future can compactly capture relations between objects, which in turn can be used to naturally specify relational-style options and policies. Because our representation is expressed solely in terms of actions and observations, it has extensive semantics which are statistics about observable quantities.
Major challenges to engineering education for sustainable development: What has to change to make it creative, effective, and acceptable to the established disciplines?

Scholars and professionals committed to fostering sustainable development have urged a re‐examination of the curriculum and restructuring of research in engineering‐focused institutions of higher learning. This article will address the following themes and questions: How can multi‐ and trans‐disciplinary teaching and research coexist in a meaningful way in today's university structures? Does education relevant to sustainable development require its own protected incubating environment to survive, or will it otherwise be gobbled up and marginalized by attempting to instil it throughout the traditional curriculum? What roles can national and EU governments have in accelerating the needed changes? How can it be made safe for courageous students to take educational paths different from traditional tracks, even if technical options exist to do so? What can one learn from comparative analysis of universities in different nations and environments?
On the properties of discourse: A translation of tractatus de proprietatibus sermonum (author anonymous)

Publication de la traduction anglaise du «Traite des propriete du discours» d'un auteur anonyme du debut du XIII e siecle, probablement d'origine allemande. L'A. se propose d'etudier les proprietes et les fonctions du discours a travers l'analyse des notions de copule, signification, appellation et supposition appliquees au discours non-complexe (les mots), aux universaux combinatoires et aux propositions relatives, en fonction du temps du verbe
Rectal mass caused by Treponema pallidum: confirmation by immunofluorescent staining.

Abstract A 37-yr-old homosexual man presented with mild anorectal symptoms, a diffuse maculopapular rash, constitutional symptoms, and a reactive serologic test for syphilis. Sigmoidoscopy revealed a 2 × 2-cm indurated rectal mass 5 cm above the anal verge. Darkfield examination of rectal exudate revealed motile treponemes and rectal biopsy of the mass showed diffuse infiltration of plasma cells and lymphocytes. Large numbers of spirochetes were present on silver stain of the rectal biopsy specimen and these were shown to be Treponema pallidum by indirect immunofluorescence. The rectal mass and symptoms resolved following penicillin therapy. This case and a review of previously reported cases of anorectal syphilis emphasize the significance of these often neglected and misdiagnosed lesions of syphilis.
Adequacy of hand-grip dynamometry for characterizing upper limb strength after stroke

This study examined the adequacy of hand-grip dynamometry for characterizing upper limb strength after stroke. It involved the secondary analysis of data from 26 patients (age = 71.1 ± 11.7 yr) hospitalized for acute stroke. Primary data were bilateral measurements of grip strength obtained with a Jamar dynamometer and elbow flexion and shoulder abduction strength obtained with a MicroFET 2 dynamometer. Adequacy was characterized by the relationship between grip, elbow flexion, and shoulder abduction strengths. Correlations between measurements from the same limb were high and significant (p < 0.05) on both the weak (r = 0.753-0.937) and strong (r = 0.735-0.876) sides. Factor analysis distinguished two strength components: weak side (loadings = 0.910-0.982) and strong side (loadings = 0.912-0.965). Cronbach's alphas were 0.840 and.844 for the weak and strong sides, respectively. Although any of the dynamometrically measured actions are adequate for characterizing strength of either side after stroke, simplicity of hand-grip dynamometry upholds its utilization.
Implications of Peak Oil for Industrialized Societies.

The world passed the halfway point of oil supply in 2005. World demand for oil likely will severely outstrip supply in 2008, leading to increasingly higher oil prices. Consequences are likely to include increasing gasoline prices, rapidly increasing inflation, and subsequently a series of increasingly severe recessions followed by a worldwide economic depression. Consequences may include, particularly in industrialized countries such as the United States, massive unemployment, economic collapse, and chaos.
Random walks: Follow the money

The tracking of the circulation of dollar bills around the United States, to map human travel patterns, has at last uncovered a physical example of a particular style of random walk.
Total synthesis of (-)-rhazinilam: Asymmetric C-H bond activation via the use of a chiral auxiliary

The antitumor agent (−)-rhazinilam was synthesized in three major steps, namely the pyrrole synthesis, selective C−H bond activation, and direct macrolactam formation. The key step involved asymmetric C−H bond functionalization (dehydrogenation) of the diethyl group segment in intermediate 6. This was achieved by the attachment of chiral platinum complexes to the proximal nitrogen atom. A high degree of selectivity (60−75% ee) was achieved via the use of oxazolinyl ketone chiral auxiliaries.
Acute Postoperative Respiratory Failure Caused by Chlamydia Pneumoniae and Diagnosed by Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Most Chlamydia pneumoniae infections are mild, but 10% develop into pneumonia. C. pneumoniae has been observed in hospital in intubated patients undergoing major surgery or admitted with severe trauma. A patient with squamous cell carcinoma in whom severe pneumonia developed postpneumonectomy and who required mechanical ventilation is presented. The patient was initially treated for nosocomial bacterial pneumonia with the broad spectrum antibiotics ceftazidime, amikacin, and vancomycin. The patient underwent a bronchoalveolar lavage, from which C. pneumoniae was grown. Generally, these patients are a high-risk mortality group. Only after substituting the above antibiotics with doxycycline, to which C. pneumoniae was sensitive, did the pneumonia respond. Whether this was a nosocomial or a community-acquired pneumonia is uncertain.
let the evidence fit the crime: evidence, law, and “sociological truth” among the Dou Donggo

Among the Dou Donggo (Eastern Sumbawa, Indonesia), evidentiary proceedings are not used as legal discovery procedures to find out “what happened.” In some cases conclusive, publicly known evidence is not sought or is ignored; in other cases evidence widely known to be false is admitted without dispute. Among the Dou Donggo, the truth represented by evidence is revealed to be a sociological, rather than a phenomenal, truth, and adjudication is concerned with a carefully engineered accommodation of both the interests of the community and the rights of individuals. The “dualistic epistemology” by which this is accomplished has important implications for the way in which norms, rules, and the moral order of society are structured in legal proceedings, [legal processes, dispute settlement, evidence, norms, customary law, Indonesia]
Spinal Anesthesia Does Not Impact Prostate Cancer Recurrence in a Cohort of Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy: An Observational Study

Background and Objectives Prior studies suggest a possible association between the use of neuraxial-general anesthesia and a decrease in prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. We examine the correlation of a spinal anesthesia–only technique on prostate cancer recurrence. Methods Charts from consecutive radical prostatectomy patients of 3 experienced urologists from January 1999 to December 2005 were reviewed. In addition to the usual clinical and pathologic predictors of disease recurrence, patient records were queried for the type of anesthesia (general vs spinal) performed. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the statistical significance of predictors of biochemical recurrence. Results A total of 1964 patients—1166 and 798 receiving spinal with sedation or general anesthesia, respectively—had complete preoperative and follow-up data. In univariate proportional hazards analysis, the use of general anesthesia was associated with a trend toward an increased risk of biochemical recurrence when compared with the use of spinal anesthesia (hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.66; P = 0.053). In multivariable analysis, the effect size (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–1.42; P = 0.458) was diminished by clinical and pathologic variables. Conclusions This was a retrospective study of patients with prostate cancer who have undergone radical prostatectomy during a time period when the practice of anesthesia for prostatectomy at our institution was transitioned from spinal to general anesthesia. In our study, when controlling for other predictors of advanced prostate cancer, the type of anesthetic given during prostatectomy had no effect on the risk of biochemical recurrence.
Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma with Intragroup Power Dynamics

The Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma with Intragroup Power Dynamics (IPD^2) is a new game paradigm for studying human behavior in conflict situations. IPD^2 adds the concept of intragroup power to an intergroup version of the standard Repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma game. We conducted a laboratory study in which individual human participants played the game against computer strategies of various complexities. The results show that participants tend to cooperate more when they have greater power status within their groups. IPD^2 yields increasing levels of mutual cooperation and decreasing levels of mutual defection, in contrast to a variant of Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma without intragroup power dynamics where mutual cooperation and mutual defection are equally likely. We developed a cognitive model of human decision making in this game inspired by the Instance-Based Learning Theory (IBLT) and implemented within the ACT-R cognitive architecture. This model was run in place of a human participant using the same paradigm as the human study. The results from the model show a pattern of behavior similar to that of human data. We conclude with a discussion of the ways in which the IPD^2 paradigm can be applied to studying human behavior in conflict situations. In particular, we present the current study as a possible contribution to corroborating the conjecture that democracy reduces the risk of wars.
The effect of phloretin on red cell nonelectrolyte permeability.

The effect of phloretin on permeability of small nonelectrolytes into human red cells was shown to be bimodal for hydrophilic molecules and nonbimodal for lipophilic molecules. At low phloretin concentrations ( 0.1mm) the permeability of hydrophilic molecules was decreased, whereas lipophilic molecule permeability continued to be increased. These results suggest that the mechanism for phloretin acting on red cell nonelectrolyte pathways is different for hydrophilic molecules, as compared to lipophilic permeant molecules. The pH of the red cell buffer suspension also influenced the effect of phloretin on nonelectrolyte permeability and the keto or un-ionized form of phloretin (present at low pH), which is known to have a greater affinity for the membrane, had a larger effect on hydrophilic nonelectrolyte permeability than the ionized form of phloretin.
Theory of 3-phase bridge magnetic amplifier: II ¿ The time constant

The object of this paper is to derive the time constant of a 3-phase bridge connected magnetic amplifier from its static control characteristic. The bridge connection is the most widely used 3-phase connection because of its high degree of utilization for rectifiers and magnetic components; it was therefore chosen for this study.
Antiplatelet drug 'resistance'. Part 1: mechanisms and clinical measurements

Antiplatelet drug therapy has become one of the cornerstones of treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease. Large clinical trials have shown that antiplatelet medications have important clinical benefits and prevent adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Recurrent adverse cardiovascular events still occur in a substantial proportion of patients on standard dual antiplatelet therapy, however, which has been attributed to nonresponsiveness to this treatment. Both pharmacological and pharmacokinetic mechanisms are involved in variability in responsiveness to antiplatelet agents, and include drug bioavailability, medication noncompliance, drug-drug interactions, cytochrome P450 activity, and genetic polymorphisms. Numerous observational studies have consistently shown an association between antiplatelet drug nonresponsiveness and adverse clinical outcomes. However, these studies are limited by varying antiplatelet drug dosing regimens, heterogeneous laboratory assessments for ex vivo platelet function, and wide interindividual variation in platelet responses. Only within the last 2 years have randomized clinical trials indicated that increased dosing with antiplatelet drugs could reduce adverse clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, large clinical trials with standardized laboratory methods and well-defined protocols are needed that will definitively determine the association between antiplatelet drug nonresponsiveness and clinical events, and establish therapeutic strategies to overcome blunted antiplatelet effects.
The Dielectric Discharge as an Efficient Generator of Active Nitrogen for Chemiluminescence and Analysis

A predominantly blue "active nitrogen" afterglow was generated in pure flowing nitrogen or in air by using a dielectric discharge at pressures from 1 to 20 Torr. The afterglow contains triplet state molecules and vibrationally excited ground state molecules. These species are produced directly by electron impact without the formation and recombination of nitrogen atoms. The most intense emission is the N2 second positive band system. The N2 first positive and N2+ first negative systems are also observed. The spectral and electrical properties of this discharge are discussed in order to establish guidelines for the analytical use of the afterglow for chemiluminescence reactions. The metastatic nitrogen efficiently transfers its energy to atomic and molecular species which are introduced into the gas phase and these excited species emit characteristic radiation. The effects of electrothermal atomization of Zn and the introduction of gaseous species (e.g., NO) on the afterglow are described.
Modulation of methylphenidate effects on wheel running and acoustic startle by acute food deprivation in commercially and selectively bred rats.

Abstract Behavioral effects of the same dose of the same drug can vary in degree and direction between and within individuals. The present study examines behavioral base rates, feeding status, and dispositional differences as sources of inter- and intra-individual heterogeneity in drug response. Modulation of the effects of methylphenidate (MPD) on wheel running and acoustic startle by food deprivation was examined in three experiments. Freely fed or food deprived Harlan Sprague–Dawley rats (running study) or rats selectively bred for low (LoS) and high (HiS) saccharin intake (running and startle studies) were given MPD (10 mg/kg) or saline before testing. Overall drug effects and predictors of drug response were assessed. MPD increased running and startle amplitude and disrupted prepulse inhibition; systematic variation among rats of these effects and their modulation by food deprivation was observed. Deprivation-induced running predicted MPD's effect in Harlan SD and LoS rats. Observation of this relationship among commercial rats suggests that acute deprivation sensitivity has utility as a noninvasive marker for drug responses. Its observation in rats selected on a taste phenotype with known correlates points to fruitful avenues of research on stimulant drugs' mechanisms, especially in dopaminergic pathways, and may be relevant to their clinical usage.
Temperature dependence of the equilibrium form of ice

Abstract Individual crystals are grown under controlled conditions at temperatures between −0.6 and −20°C at rates as low as 10 −4 g/year and supersaturations as low as 6.5×10 −7 . The transition between the kinetic growth form and the equilibrium form is clearly distinguished at temperatures between −2 and −10°C where the equilibrium form is a well-rounded plate with an aspect ratio of about 2.5. At temperatures below −11°C the equilibrium form is a hexagonal prism of about the same aspect ratio. This transition coincides with the rapid increase in surface roughening on the prism faces at temperatures above −10°C. The equilibrium form is a fully rounded particle just below 0°C although we had expected the fully rounded particle to prevail down to at least −5°C. Furthermore, there are unresolved differences between these experimental results and observations of crystals from the seasonal snow cover where particles are fully rounded at slow growth rates and low temperatures.
Reading Patrick Shannon on Reading Instruction: Reflections on Politics and Education

Book reviewed in this article: Reading Poverty. By Patrick Shannon. 1998. Text, Lies, and Videotape: Stories About Life, Literacy, and Learning. By Patrick Shannon. 1995. The Struggle to Continue: Progressive Reading Instruction in the United States. By Patrick Shannon. 1990. Broken Promises: Reading Instruction in Twentieth-Century America. By Patrick Shannon. 1989.
Senior Gambling: Risk or Reward?

For a growing number of older adults, a day outing to a local casino has become one of the more enjoyable and accessible opportunities for socialization and entertainment. Unfortunately, for some older adults this growing pastime increases their risk for developing a gambling problem or, worse yet, a gambling addiction. The consequences of problematic gambling behaviors for individuals living on a fixed income require greater attention by social work researchers, practitioners, and providers of senior services. The development and implementation of a Gambling Education Workshop for older adults attending senior centers in a large metropolitan area, along with qualitative interviews with a sample of workshop participants, are reported in this article. Among the findings from this project are the needs for greater awareness of the risk factors associated with problematic gambling, as well as greater awareness among older adults about the consequences associated with gambling.
Black Studies Scholarship and Its Coverage in Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science

This study analyzes the coverage of black studies journals as compared to women's studies journals in Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and ArticleFirst. This study also examines black studies bibliographies and directories to identify journals that are suitable for inclusion in Journal Citation Reports and consequently Web of Science and evaluates seven black studies journals using the Thomson Reuters journal selection process.
De Novo Design of Bioactive Protein-Resembling Nanospheres via Dendrimer-Templated Peptide Amphiphile Assembly

Self-assembling peptide amphiphiles (PAs) have been extensively used in the development of novel biomaterials. Because of their propensity to form cylindrical micelles, their use is limited in applications where small spherical micelles are desired. Here we present a platform method for controlling the self-assembly of biofunctional PAs into spherical 50 nm particles using dendrimers as shape-directing scaffolds. This templating approach results in biocompatible, stable protein-like assemblies displaying peptides with native secondary structure and biofunctionality.
Targeting of the Arabidopsis homomeric acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase to plastids of rapeseeds.

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) occurs in at least two forms in rapeseed (Brassica napus): a homomeric (HO) and presumably cytosolic isozyme and a heteromeric, plastidial isozyme. We investigated whether the HO-ACCase of Arabidopsis can be targeted to plastids of B. napus seeds. A chloroplast transit peptide and the napin promoter were fused to the Arabidopsis ACC1 gene and transformed into B. napus, with the following results. (a) The small subunit transit peptide was sufficient to provide import of this very large protein into developing seed plastids. (b) HO-ACCase in isolated plastids was found to be biotinylated at a level comparable to extraplastidial HO-ACCase. (c) In vitro assays of HO-ACCase in isolated plastids from developing seeds indicate that it occurs as an enzymatically active form in the plastidial compartment. (d) ACCase activity in mature B. napus seeds is normally very low; however, plants expressing the SSU/ACC1 gene had 10- to 20-fold higher ACCase activity in mature seeds, suggesting that plastid localization prevents the turnover of HO-ACCase. (e) ACCase over-expression altered seed fatty acid composition, with the largest effect being an increase in oleic acid. (f) The total oil content of seeds was increased approximately 5% by the expression of HO-ACCase in plastids.
Sirtuins: Guardians of Mammalian Healthspan

The first link between sirtuins and longevity was made 15 years ago in yeast. These initial studies sparked efforts by many laboratories working in diverse model organisms to elucidate the relations between sirtuins, lifespan, and age-associated dysfunction. Here, we discuss the current understanding of how sirtuins relate to aging. We focus primarily on mammalian sirtuins SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT6, the three sirtuins for which the most relevant data are available. Strikingly, a large body of evidence now indicates that these and other mammalian sirtuins suppress a variety of age-related pathologies and promote healthspan. Moreover, increased expression of SIRT1 or SIRT6 extends mouse lifespan. Overall, these data point to important roles for sirtuins in promoting mammalian health, and perhaps in modulating the aging process.
Infrared Filters of Antireflected Si, Ge, InAs, and InSb*

Vacuum-deposited single-, double-, and triple-layer infrared antireflection coatings for Si, Ge, InAs, and InSb have been developed for the 1-μ to 15-μ region. MgF2, didymium fluoride, SiO, ZnS, CeO2, and Si were used for the preparation of the coatings. All of the coatings are hard and durable and can be cleaned and boiled in water for several hours with little or no damage. With these coatings, the transmittance of Si and Ge plates can be increased to a maximum value of nearly 100%, and stays above 90% over a wavelength interval the limits of which are in the ratio of 1.5:1, 2.7:1, and 3:1 for single-, double,- and triple-layer coatings, respectively. InAs and InSb are slightly absorbing, but more than 90% transmittance can be obtained with sufficiently thin antireflected plates. The temperature dependence of absorption in all four of these materials has been measured in the range from 25°C to 250°C.
Adaptive information search: age-dependent interactions between cognitive profiles and strategies

Previous research has shown that older adults performed worse in web search tasks, and attributed poorer performance to a decline in their cognitive abilities. We conducted a study involving younger and older adults to compare their web search behavior and performance in ill-defined and well-defined information tasks using a health information website. In ill-defined tasks, only a general description about information needs was given, while in well-defined tasks, information needs as well as the specific target information were given. We found that older adults performed worse than younger adults in well-defined tasks, but the reverse was true in ill-defined tasks. Older adults compensated for their lower cognitive abilities by adopting a top-down knowledge-driven strategy to achieve the same level of performance in the ill-defined tasks. Indeed, path models showed that cognitive abilities, health literacy, and knowledge influenced search strategies adopted by older and younger adults. Design implications are also discussed.
Solution of the advection-dispersion equation in two dimensions by a finite-volume Eulerian-Lagrangian localized adjoint method

We extend the finite-volume Eulerian-Lagrangian localized adjoint method (FVELLAM) for solution of the advection-dispersion equation to two dimensions. The method can conserve mass globally and is not limited by restrictions on the size of the grid Peclet or Courant number. Therefore, it is well suited for solution of advection-dominated ground-water solute transport problems. In test problem comparisons with standard finite differences, FVELLAM is able to attain accurate solutions on much coarser space and time grids. On fine grids, the accuracy of the two methods is comparable. A critical aspect of FVELLAM (and all other ELLAMs) is evaluation of the mass storage integral from the preceding time level. In FVELLAM this may be accomplished with either a forward or backtracking approach. The forward tracking approach conserves mass globally and is the preferred approach. The backtracking approach is less computationally intensive, but not globally mass conservative. Boundary terms are systematically represented as integrals in space and time which are evaluated by a common integration scheme in conjunction with forward tracking through time. Unlike the one-dimensional case, local mass conservation cannot be guaranteed, so slight oscillations in concentration can develop, particularly in the vicinity of inflow or outflow boundaries.
Phase‐shift, stimuli‐responsive perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for drug delivery to cancer

This review focuses on phase-shift perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions whose action depends on an ultrasound-triggered phase shift from a liquid to gas state. For drug-loaded perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions, microbubbles are formed under the action of tumor-directed ultrasound and drug is released locally into tumor volume in this process. This review covers in detail mechanisms involved in the droplet-to-bubble transition as well as mechanisms of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery.
SYNTHESIS OF VINYL α-D-GLUCOPYRANOSIDES FROM MIXED ACETAL GLYCOSIDES[1]

Vinyl D-glucopyranosides are useful intermediates in a wide variety of applications in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. They have been utilized as chiral auxiliaries in the inverse-electron-demand...
Monte Carlo study of self-avoiding walks on a critical percolation cluster.

We present the results of Monte Carlo simulation for self-avoiding walks on a percolation cluster for square and simple cubic lattices performed very close to the percolation thresholds and estimate critical exponents \ensuremath{\nu} and \ensuremath{\gamma} defined by the disorder averages of the mean-square radius of gyration and the number of self-avoiding walks, respectively. Our results for \ensuremath{\nu} indicate a behavior rather similar to the self-avoiding walks on fully occupied lattice unlike the large increase in \ensuremath{\nu} reported in the only previous work of this kind by Kremer given for the diamond lattice. Our results for \ensuremath{\gamma} suggest an increase from the full lattice value just at ${p}_{c}$ in three dimensions, while in two dimensions the asymptotic behavior appears to be similar to that of the ordinary self-avoiding walks. We also consider the possible crossover from fractal to Euclidean behavior and discuss the reasons why no crossover scaling is observed for the mean-square radius of gyration in the present calculation.
Nitric oxide inhibits [3H]dopamine uptake.

Abstract Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a generator of nitric oxide (NO), decreased [3H]dopamine uptake into rat striatal synaptosomal preparations in a dose-, time- and temperature-dependent fashion. Reduced hemoglobin, a substance that binds NO, prevented the SNP-induced decrease in uptake. Potassium ferri- and ferrocyanide, compounds similar to SNP that do not produce NO, were without effect on uptake. SNP inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake in synaptosomes from nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle as well but with a lower potency. SNP inhibited [3H]serotonin and [3H]glutamate uptake but had no effect on [3H]norepinephrine uptake. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), another generator of NO, had effects similar to those of SNP. The SNP-induced decrease in [3H]dopamine uptake was due to a Vmax decrease at 100 μM SNP and to both a Vmax and Km change at 300 μM SNP. Depletion of calcium by omission of calcium from buffers and addition of EGTA increased the potency of SNP in inhibiting uptake. There was no change in [3H]WIN 35428 binding to the dopamine transporter with doses of SNP that inhibited uptake. These data indicate that NO can decrease [3H]dopamine transporter function.
Classifying Performance Bottlenecks in Multi-threaded Applications

The performance of multi-threaded applications on modern multi-core processors does not necessarily depend on the number of cores. Instead it depends on multiple factors such as thread synchronization, which leads to thread spinning, and limited memory bandwidth for memory bound applications, which causes cores to wait for requested data and negative references in a shared cache or last-level cache. From a designer's perspective it is important to understand performance bottlenecks of a given application in order to design efficient hardware to achieve optimal performance. In this paper, we propose a model to identify scaling bottlenecks of multi-threaded applications which is based on linear regression. We demonstrate the practical usefulness of the model by applying it to benchmark multi-threaded applications.
Effect of a capsular tension ring on intraocular lens decentration and tilting after cataract surgery

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a capsular tension ring (CTR) on the tilting and decentration of intraocular lenses (IOLs) after cataract surgery. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Kyunggyi-do, Korea. Methods: Cataract surgery was performed in both eyes of 20 patients ranging in age from 57 to 75 years. The 40 eyes were divided into 2 groups based on whether a CTR (Lucid Korea) was implanted. Each patient received a CTR in 1 eye only. All IOLs (AcrySof® MA60BM, Alcon) were implanted in the capsular bag after a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis smaller than the IOL optic was created and phacoemulsification performed. The extent of IOL tilting and decentration was measured with the EAS-1000 anterior eye segment analysis system 7, 30, and 60 days after surgery. Results: The extent of IOL decentration was statistically significantly less in eyes with both an IOL and CTR than in those with an IOL only. The mean decentration in the CTR-IOL group was 0.38 mm ± 0.16 (SD) at 7 days, 0.43 ± 0.15 mm at 30 days, and 0.42 ± 0.17 mm at 60 days. The mean values in the IOL-only group were 0.49 ± 0.11 mm, 0.53 ± 0.14 mm, and 0.57 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. The amount of IOL tilting was also significantly less in the CTR-IOL group. The mean tilting in the CTR-IOL group was 2.22 ± 0.46 degrees at 7 days, 2.36 ± 0.50 degrees at 30 days, and 2.47 ± 0.40 degrees at 60 days. The mean values in the IOL-only group were 3.14 ± 0.65 degrees, 2.91 ± 0.67 degrees, and 3.06 ± 0.56 degrees, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that the CTR reduces undesirable postsurgical IOL movement for at least 60 days.
Characteristic disturbance frequency in vertical natural convection flow

Abstract Many experiments, as well as stability analysis, indicate that a vertical natural convection boundary-layer flow sharply filters disturbances for essentially a single frequency (characteristic frequency) as the disturbances are convected downstream. The analysis indicates that the characteristic frequency, B∗ = β∗G∗ 1 2 or B = βG 1 3 downstream, for uniform flux or isothermal flows, respectively, is only a function of Prandtl number. The particular values are calculated from stability planes for numerous Prandtl numbers and for Pr → 0 and for Pr → ∞. The resulting curves of B∗ or B vs Pr number closely correlate the existing experimental results for various fluids for different heating and ambient conditions.
Fine structure of rat adipose tissue.

The fine structure of rat adipose tissue is described after preparation of the tissue by freezing and drying and post-fixation in aqueous OsO4 solution. The significant findings include the presence of a large number of mitochondria and of small, very dense granules which are concentrated in the cytoplasm near the fat vacuole. The mitochondria displayed an internal structure similar in many respects to that described after fixation in aqueous OsO4 solutions, but in a negative image.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of graphite adsorbed metal species and sliding charge‐density wave systems

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been used to study phosphotungstic acid and rhenium carbonyl cluster complexes adsorbed on graphite. For phosphotungstic acid, cluster formation is observed as well as short‐range (4‐A period) and long‐range (110‐A period) hexagonal ordering. Acetone spun films of [Et4N]3[Re7C(CO)21] on graphite exhibit two distinct nongraphitic periodicities. One of these is rowlike and associated with an adsorbed acetone monolayer (4‐A period), and the other, which is hexagonal (10‐A period), represents an array of individual metal cluster molecules. In a separate effort, STM has been used to study the sliding charge‐density wave (CDW) material NbSe3 in its room‐temperature non‐CDW state in order to obtain structural information which can be correlated with low‐temperature, CDW‐state studies. The unit‐cell features and quasi‐one‐dimensional chainlike structure are readily observed.
Transient analysis of thick-walled piping under polynomial thermal loading

Abstract The transient response of a thick-walled pipe subjected to a generalized excitation of temperature on the internal surface was derived using Duhamel’s relationship. Generalization of the temperature excitation was achieved by using a polynomial composed of integral- and half-order terms. In order to avoid the evaluation of recurring functions in the complex domain, Laplace transformation and a 10-term Gaver–Stehfest inversion formula were used to perform part of the necessary integrations. Excellent agreement between the derived relationships and existing analytical and finite-element solutions was seen for a thick-walled cylinder subjected to an asymptotic temperature rise on the exposed surface. As intended, the use of a smoothed polynomial allows the incorporation of empirical date not easily represented by standard functions. Moreover, the resulting relationships are easily programmed and can be used for a wide range of nuclear, piping, and cylindrical vessel applications.