cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical staging in early ovarian carcinoma: Garcia-Soto et al

See related article, page 242 The American Cancer Society predicted that nearly 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer would occur in the United States during 2011. In comparison, it was expected that 232,620 cases of breast cancer, 221,130 cases of lung cancer, and 101,340 cases of colon cancer would be diagnosed. Thus, ovarian cancer constitutes a minority of the malignancies occurring in our country. Most cases are advanced upon discovery and require extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy; the outcome is often fatal. However, in approximately 25% of cases, we are lucky enough to diagnose ovarian cancer in an early stage when the prognosis is much better. At that point, it is the surgeon’s task to determine the extent of microscopic disease so that appropriate adjuvant treatment can be recommended. Surgical staging for ovarian cancers has not changed over many years. When the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) last revised its recommendations for the staging of gynecologic cancers in 2009, it did not alter the procedure for staging of ovarian cancer. Aside from removal of the ovaries, staging typically includes hysterectomy, peritoneal biopsies, pelvic washings, diaphragm assessment, and pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy. While this may sound like a straightforward algorithm, there are ambiguous areas; explicit guidance on the extent of node dissection, particularly the degree to which periaortic node dissection should be performed; the ideal number of nodes that should be obtained; and random biopsies is lacking. In addition, the suspicious adhesion has yet to be clearly described. Thus, surgeons have much room for individual interpretation.
METABOLIC ABNORMALITIES AND GRADE OF ENCEPHALOPATHY IN ACUTE HEPATIC FAILURE

Acute hepatic failure is associated with many biochemical abnormalities in plasma and brain. Changes that correlate well with the degree of behavioral impairment may be important factors in the development of encephalopathy. We measured the concentrations of intermediary metabolites, ammonia, and amino acids in brain and plasma and the rate of whole-brain glucose utilization in rats with an acutely devascularized liver. In all rats an estimate of the grade of encephalopathy (reflected by behavioral impairment) was made. Rats underwent portacaval shunting and hepatic artery ligation (or sham operation) and were kept normoglycemic and normothermic thereafter. We sampled blood and whole brain (by near-instantaneous freeze-blowing) 2, 4, or 6 h later. There were no alterations in levels of high-energy phosphate metabolites in the brain or in metabolites associated with the glycolytic pathway and Krebs cycle, except lactate and pyruvate. Brain glucose use was decreased similarly at all times after surgery. Levels of ammonia and many amino acids were increased in brain and plasma; brain aspartate, glutamate, and arginine levels were decreased. The increases in content of plasma ammonia and brain glutamine, proline, alanine, and aromatic amino acids and the decreases in brain aspartate and glutamate were most strongly correlated with behavioral impairment.
Particle clustering: An instability of rapid granular flows

Abstract Numerical simulations of rapid granular flows in large periodic domains have demonstrated the existence of an “inelastic microstructure” characterized by agglomerations of particles into clusters. In the present work the phenomenon of particle clustering is considered to be a manifestation of hydrodynamic instability of the equations governing the dynamics of rapid granular flows. A linear stability analysis of the simple shear flow of smooth, slightly inelastic disks is carried out utilizing the governing equations formulated by the kinetic theory. The results indicate that the rapid granular shear flows are unstable with respect to disturbances of large wavelengths for any value of the restitution coefficient. The results also demonstrate that this instability will not be exposed in numerical simulations within small periodic domains, because the range of possible disturbance wavelengths is limited by the size of the periodic domain.
Poster: HiLight: hiding bits in pixel translucency changes

We present HiLight, a new form of screen-camera communication without the need of any coded images (e.g. barcodes) for off-the-shelf smart devices. HiLight hides information underlying any images shown on a LED or an OLED screen, so that camera-equipped smart devices can fetch the information by turning their cameras to the screen. HiLight achieves this by leveraging the orthogonal transparency (alpha) channel, a well-known concept in computer graphics, to embed bits into pixel translucency changes without the need of modifying pixel color values. We demonstrated HiLight's feasibility using smartphones. By offering an unobtrusive, flexible, and lightweight communication channel between screens and cameras, HiLight opens up opportunities for new HCI and context-aware applications to emerge, e.g. smart glass communicates with screens for additional personalized information to realize augmented reality.
Clinical decision-making in the management of cervical spine derangement: a case study survey using a patient vignette

AbstractBackground:Neck pain is one of the most common, potentially disabling, and costly musculoskeletal conditions seen in outpatient physical therapy (PT). Clinical decision-making involves referral or the selection of intervention based on the results of the PT examination. Despite evidence that suggests that treatment based classification is most efficacious, it is hypothesized that examination and intervention may be heavily influenced by post-graduate training experiences.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to analyze which tests, measures, and interventions are most commonly selected by physical therapists (PTs) holding a credential from the McKenzie Institute and those holding the McKenzie credential plus the credential of Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT). Their responses were based on a simulated case vignette involving a patient with a presentation of cervical spine disk derangement.Methods:A survey administered through Survey Monkey was sent to ...
Hyperspectral Outlier Detector Based on Conditional Distributions

An outlier detection algorithm for hyperspectral imaging based on likelihood ratio test is presented in this article. The null hypothesis tests if a test pixel is from the conditional distribution of the pixel given the background subspace and the alternative hypothesis tests if a test pixel is from the conditional distribution of the pixel given the target subspace. Using principal components for the complementary subspaces, a practical outlier detector is developed and is compared to conventional outlier detectors using a VNIR hyperspectral imagery.
Atom-probe fim investigation of surface segregation in Ni-Cu, stainless steel 410 and Pt-Au alloys

Abstract An absolute composition depth profile of a Ni-5%Cu alloy was obtained with a single atomic layer spacial resolution. The first layer Cu concentration is found to be 54.1 ± 4.7% on the (111) plane at 550 ± 50°C. The near surface layers are slightly depleted with Cu, and the Cu concentration returns to bulk value in about 5 atomic layers. A comparison with existing quasichemical theories of surface segregation is made. It is found that the regular solution model without surface relaxation does not give a close fit to our data. Although the ideal solution model gives a very good fit for the first layer Cu concentration, it does not account for the observed slight Cu depletion in the near surface layers. When surface relaxation of bond en thalpy is taken into consideration, a Cu depletion in the second atomic layer is predicted for an ideal solution model. Similarly a Cu depletion in the near surface layers is predicted for a regular solution model. For the ideal solution's case, a relaxation parameter δ = 0.022 gives the best fit while for the regular solution model, a δ = 0.17 gives the best fit. A comparison with results obtained from other macroscopic surface techniques on the same system are also made. The segregation of Cr in stainless steel 410 was also discussed. A binary regular solution model was found to fit the data better than an ideal solution model. However, it is also pointed out that a ternary alloy solution model is needed for a more accurate comparison. A preliminary study on Pt-5%Au indicates that Au segregates to the first atomic layer on the (111) plane.
A cane reduces loss of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy: results from a challenging unipedal balance test.

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that use of a cane in the nondominant hand during challenging balance tasks would significantly decrease loss of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy while transferring from bipedal to unipedal stance on an unsteady surface. Design: Nonrandomized control study. Setting: Tertiary-care institution. Participants Eight consecutive patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) and eight age- and gender-matched controls (C) with a mean (SD) age of 65 (8.2) years. Methods: Subjects were asked to transfer their weight onto their right foot, despite a rapid ±2° or ±4° frontal plane tilt of the support surface at 70% of weight transfer, and balance unipedally for at least 3 seconds. The efficacy of their weight transfer was evaluated over 112 consecutive randomized and blocked trials by calculating loss of blanace as failure rates (%FR) with and without visual feedback, and with and without use of a cane in the nondominant (left) hand. Results were analyzed using a 2×2×2×2×2 repeated-measures analysis of variance (rm-ANOVA) and post hoc t tests. Results: The rm-ANOVA showed that the FR of the PN subjects (47.6% [18.1%]) was significantly higher than C (29.2% [15.2%], p = .036). Removing visual feedback, simulting the dark of night, increased the FR fourfold ( p = .000). Use of a cane in the contralateral nondominant hand significantly reduced the FR ( p = .000), particularly in the PN group (cane × disease interaction: p = .055). Post hoc t tests showed that with or without visual feedback, the cane reduced the FR of the PN group fourfold and enabled them to perform more reliably than matched controls not using a cane ( p = .011). An inversion perturbation resulted in a higher FR than an aversion perturbation ( p = .007). The PN group employed larger mean peak cane forces (21.9% BW) than C (13.6% BW) in restoring their balance ( p = .000). Conclusion: Use of a cane by PN patients significantly reduced their risk of losing balance on unstable surfaces, especially under low-light conditions.
Venus planetary lightning rate as deduced from VLF bursts

Statistical studies of the VLF bursts detected in the nightside ionosphere of Venus show that the bursts fall into two classes. The first consists of signals detected when vertical propagation within the whistler-mode resonance cone is allowed. The second consists of signals whose burst rate decreases rapidly as a function of increasing altitude, with a scale height of about 20 km. These non-whistler-mode signals also display a strong dependence on local time, with the burst rates being largest in the post-dusk local time sector. Since these signals are not propagating we assume that they correspond to a 'near-field' or prompt response to a lightning stroke. As such we can use these signals to estimate the planetary lightning rate, and we find that the rate at Venus is comparable to or greater than the terrestrial planetary rate of 100 flashes/sec.
Haptic comparison of size (relative magnitude) in blind and sighted people

Applications for blind users often involve the mapping of information such as size (magnitude) from one sensory domain (vision) onto another (sound or touch). For example, visual perception of length can be estimated directly by touch, or encoded to pitch or even vibration. Applications for blind users will benefit from fundamental research into human perception of computer-generated substitutions for vision. In this paper we present the results of a haptics-only experiment with the PHANToM that measures human performance (time and accuracy) judging relative magnitude with computer generated haptic properties. Magnitude was represented by either physical length (displacement), or vibration varied by frequency or amplitude. Eleven blind and eleven blindfolded sighted individuals participated. Displacement tasks were 50% slower than vibration conditions for all participants. Accuracy for displacement and vibration varied by amplitude was equivalent. Vibration varied by frequency was significantly less accurate, although we are cautious about the reliability of those results. Blind participants took 50% longer with equivalent accuracy to sighted participants. Sightedness had no effect on performance regarding the type of display. No other interaction effects were found. These results suggest that vibration varied by amplitude provides a faster and equally accurate display of magnitude compared with the traditional displacement approach. Secondly, the same coding benefits equally well visually disabled and sighted individuals.
Beyond Fear Emotional Memory Mechanisms in the Human Brain

Neurobiological accounts of emotional memory have been derived largely from animal models investigating the encoding and retention of memories for events that signal threat. This literature has implicated the amygdala, a structure in the brain's temporal lobe, in the learning and consolidation of fear memories. Its role in fear conditioning has been confirmed, but the human amygdala also interacts with cortical regions to mediate other aspects of emotional memory. These include the encoding and consolidation of pleasant and unpleasant arousing events into long-term memory, the narrowing of focus on central emotional information, the retrieval of prior emotional events and contexts, and the subjective experience of recollection and emotional intensity during retrieval. Along with other mechanisms that do not involve the amygdala, these functions ensure that significant life events leave a lasting impression in memory.
Multibody Molecular Dynamics I: Theoretical Development

This is the first paper in a series of two papers on using multibody dynamics algorithms and methods for coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. This paper presents the underlying framework for multi-scale modelling of biomolecules and polymers. In this framework, the system to be simulated is sub-structured into a hierarchy of multi-resolution models that are simulated using efficient multibody dynamics algorithms. The algorithms work in a unified framework, enabling efficient multi-scale (or multi-resolution) simulations. A discussion of the hierarchy of models with different resolutions along with the salient features of the appropriate multibody dynamics algorithms used for simulating them is presented. The unified scheme and the qualitative advantages of the method are discussed. Important implementation details such as boundary conditions, temporal integration schemes, interaction force field calculations and solvent models are also presented. In the next paper applications and results are discussed.
Responses of soil microorganisms to resource availability in urban, desert soils

Terrestrial desert ecosystems are strongly structured by the distribution of plants, which concentrate resources and create islands of fertility relative to interplant spaces. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition resulting from urbanization has the potential to change those spatial patterns via resource inputs, resulting in more homogeneous soil resource availability. We sampled soils at 12 desert remnant sites around Phoenix, Arizona along a model-predicted gradient in N deposition to determine the degree to which deposition has altered spatial patterns in soil resource availability and microbial activity. Soil microbial biomass and abundance were not influenced by atmospheric N deposition. Instead, plant islands remained strong organizers of soil microbial processes. These islands of fertility exhibited elevated pools of resources, microbial abundance, and activity relative to interspaces. In both plant islands and interspaces, soil moisture and soil N concentrations predicted microbial biomass and abundance. Following experimental wetting, carbon dioxide (CO2) flux from soil of interspaces was positively correlated with N deposition, whereas in plant islands, soil CO2 flux was positively correlated with soil moisture content and soil organic matter. Soil CO2 flux in both patch types showed rapid and short-lived responses to precipitation, demonstrating the brief time scales during which soil biota may process deposited materials. Although we observed patterns consistent with N limitation of microbes in interspaces, we conclude that atmospheric N deposition likely accumulates in soils because microbes are primarily limited by water and secondarily by carbon or nitrogen. Soil microbial uptake of atmospherically deposited N likely occurs only during sparse and infrequent rainfall.
Ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy imaging of nanoshock planar propagation

Variations of the velocity and pressure of repetitive 4 GPa laser-driven shock fronts in a polymer thin film are studied using spatially resolved ultrafast coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) measurements of shock compression of an anthracene optical gauge. Even though the radial profile of the laser pulse that generates the shock is a Gaussian that falls off steeply at the edges, optical saturation effects in the shock generation layer flatten out the shock front. Detailed measurements show the shock pressure, as indicated by the blueshift of an anthracene vibrational transition, and the shock velocity, as indicated by the arrival time at the anthracene gauge layer, remain constant within better than 5% over the central region probed by CARS, over a run distance of at least $11 \mu$ m.
Submicron friction mechanics at ambient and cryogenic temperatures

Mechanism interface mechanics play an important role in the static and dynamic dimensional stability of deployable optical instruments. Friction mechanics in deployment mechanisms has been found to be a source of kinematic indeterminacy allowing elastic energy to be stored throughout the structure. At submicron scales, microslip mechanics allow this behavior to persist well below the classical Coulomb friction limit. This paper presents the design of a cryogenic tribometer for measuring this behavior in candidate mechanism interfaces in both room temperature and cryogenic environments. Room temperature results are presented and compared to a proposed generalized microslip model form. This model form is intended to allow the parametric characterization of microslip behavior caused by smooth nonconforming contact as well as roughness-induced microslip. Spherical ball-on-flat interface geometries were used with two unlubricated material combinations: 440C stainless steel ball on a 440C stainless steel flat and a silicon nitride ball on a 440C stainless steel flat. Consistent parameters were identified for the generalized microslip model from steady cyclic shear responses for both of these interface cases. While these parameters exhibited a measurable sensitivity to normal preload levels, the model form appears to provide the necessary level of robustness. Non-ideal transient shear phenomena including rate dependence were also observed but should play only a secondary role in future modeling efforts.
Analytical modeling of rocking elements

The use of elements connected through compression at their contact surfaces, without tensile capacity, which allow rocking in their transverse direction, was attempted in the construction of bridge piers, masonry walls and frame structures. Columns or bridge piers can be designed to rock or overturn with minimal lateral resistance. However, as shown in this paper, due to the effects of stresses at the contact surfaces, including cracking, yielding and crushing, the lateral resistance varies substantially before rocking and before the columns overturn. Moreover, when the elements are confined between rigid surfaces, or when pre-stressing forces are applied to the connections, the lateral resistance varies substantially. Current models discretized using micro-models, or finite elements, are computationally inefficient for large structural systems, such as bridges or buildings. This paper attempts to model the strength and stiffness variation before rocking, using a macroscopic approach. The stiffness and flexibility formulations developed using virtual work concepts include flexural and shear effects, and can be implemented in many off-the-shelf analytical platforms. The analytical formulations are compared in this paper to the results of multi-purpose finite element models (FEM) for squat and slender columns.
Molecular imprinting within hydrogels II: Progress and analysis of the field

In the past decade, there has been an exponential increase in the number of papers describing molecular imprinting in hydrogels, a technique which creates memory for template molecules within a flexible macromolecular structure. Macromolecular memory or structural plasticity of polymer chains is a superior description of weakly crosslinked imprinted networks since significant flexibility can occur within the polymer chains. The focus of this article is to review and highlight work in the field describing the imprinting strategy within hydrogels and associated challenges, characterization methods of imprinted gels, current and potential translational applications, and future strategies and directions. This paper also describes ways to improve binding parameter efficacy and presents significant areas of opportunity to further describe, characterize, and understand imprinted gels. An analysis of the literature indicates that imprinting in hydrogels leads to significant improvements in template affinity, capacity, and selectivity over non-templated hydrogels for a number of templates such as ions, small and moderate molecular weight molecules, proteins, viruses, DNA, and cells. However, the influence of imprinting on the transport of template is much more complex, with little attention of most studies to structural analysis or discussion of the gel porosity/tortuosity in the control of template transport. Responsive, intelligent imprinted hydrogels are also highlighted that exhibit reversibly modulated template binding and transport. It is clear that this field has transitioned from infancy and is leading to breakthroughs in a number of areas such as controlled and modulated drug delivery, diagnostic sensors, and separation. For example in drug delivery, imprinting can lead to delayed transport and provides further control of therapeutic transport through the macromolecular structure as well as optimizes the number of therapeutic molecules to polymer chains.
Local-density-derived semiempirical pseudopotentials

Transferable screened atomic pseudopotentials were developed 30 years ago in the context of the empirical pseudopotential method (EPM) by adjusting the potential to reproduce observed bulk electronic energies. While extremely useful, such potentials were not constrained to reproduce wave functions and related quantities, nor was there a systematic way to assure transferability to different crystal structures and coordination numbers. Yet, there is a significant contemporary demand for accurate screened pseudopotentials in the context of electronic structure theory of nanostructures, where local-density-approximation (LDA) approaches are both too costly and insufficiently accurate, while effective-mass band approaches are inapplicable when the structures are too small. We can now improve upon the traditional EPM by a two-step process: {ital First}, we invert a set of self-consistently determined screened LDA potentials for a range of bulk crystal structures and unit cell volumes, thus determining spherically symmetric and structurally averaged atomic potentials (SLDA). These potentials reproduce the LDA band structure to better than 0.1 eV, over a range of crystal structures and cell volumes. {ital Second}, we adjust the SLDA to reproduce {ital observed} excitation energies. We find that the adjustment represents a reasonably small perturbation over the SLDA potential, so that the ensuing fitted potentialmore » still reproduces a {gt}99.9% overlap with the original LDA pseudowave functions despite the excitation energies being distinctly non-LDA. We apply the method to Si and CdSe in a range of crystal structures, finding excellent agreement with the {ital experimentally} {ital determined} band energies, optical spectra {epsilon}{sub 2}({ital E}), static dielectric constants, deformation potentials, and, at the same time, {ital LDA{minus}quality} wave functions.« less
Thermochemistry of Silicon−Hydrogen Compounds Generalized from Quantum Chemical Calculations

Particulate contamination formed by homogeneous clustering reactions of silicon hydrides within silicon chemical vapor deposition processes is an important source of yield loss during semiconductor processing. On the other hand, intentional synthesis of silicon nanoparticles may be of great interest because of the unique optical and electronic properties of nanostructured silicon. Kinetic modeling can play an important role in developing a fundamental understanding of the particle clustering chemistry, and knowledge of the thermochemistry and reactivity of these silicon hydrides is necessary if a mechanistic kinetic model is to be constructed. Experimental measurements of thermochemical properties are usually expensive and difficult, and it is desirable to use computational quantum chemistry as an alternative. In this work, several theoretical methods were used to calculate thermochemical properties of silicon hydrides. Among the methods used, Gaussian-3 theory (G3) using the geometries from B3LYP density...
Molecular Properties of Post-Mortem Muscle. 3. Electron Microscopy of Myofibrils

SUMMARY— A study was made of the fine structure of myofibril suspensions prepared from seven heifers immediately after death and after various times post-mortem. Studies on myofibrils sampled immediately after death showed that sucrose isolation gave the best structural preservation as indicated by maintenance of Z-line structure. Although the appearance of resting muscle was maintained in both sucrose and KCI preparations, several myofibrils from the KCI-treated preparations showed stretched sarcomeres. Glycerol-treated myofibrils usually had shorter sarcomere lengths than myofibrils prepared with the other two solvents. Although fibrillar preservation seemed adequate when glycerol was used, Z-line structure was seldom well-preserved with glycerol. Myofibrils from muscle sampled 24 hr post-mortem at 2°C were supercontracted with thick filaments pushed against or through the Z-line, and no trace of l-bands remained. Myofibrils from muscle sampled 24 hr post-mortem at 16°C were contracted, but to a much lesser extent than 2°C-24 hr myofibrils. Storage at 2°C for 312 hr after death resulted in myofibrils that were contracted and that were structurally in a much poorer state of preservation than their 16°C counterparts. The 16°C-312 hr myofibrils were slightly contracted as indicated by the absence of H-zones and the presence of prominent, although narrowed, I-bands. All observations showed that shortening accompanying rigor mortis caused changes in banding patterns similar, and probably identical, to those predicted by Huxley's sliding filament model for contracting muscle.
Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in the Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Era

Background— Since the advent of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), technological advances, adjunctive pharmacotherapy, and increasing operator experience have contributed to lowering the occurrence of major complications. However, emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) for failed PCI is still associated with important morbidity and mortality, even in the era of coronary stenting. We sought to determine the prevalence, indications, predictors, and complications of emergency CABG after PCI in the past decade. Methods and Results— We reviewed 18 593 PCIs performed from 1992 through 2000. There was a need for emergency CABG in 113 (0.61%) cases. The major indications were extensive dissection (n=61, 54%), perforation/tamponade (n=23, 20%), and recurrent acute closure (n=23, 20%). Prevalence of emergency CABG decreased from 1.5% of PCIs in 1992 to 0.14% in 2000 (P<0.001). Independent predictors of the need for emergency CABG included the worst ACC/AHA scoring of the intervened lesion (P<0.001...
Dipyridamole-Thallium Imaging: The Lazy Man's Stress Test

Dipyridamole-thallium imaging is a relatively safe and accurate method to evaluate myocardial perfusion and "stress." It is independent of patient motivation, exercise capacity and antianginal medications. Overall it detects coronary artery disease as well as exercise thallium and has already shown utility in prognostic determinations. The continued use of this test on a wide scale appears warranted and additional large scale experience needs to be critically evaluated.
Pharmacology and Aging

The elderly use more drugs than younger people, and often require multiple drugs, with the potential for drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. It is not known to what extent age per se may predispose to drug interactions. Furthermore, the toxicology of drugs in the elderly has received almost no systematic investigation. For example, are the elderly more susceptible than the young to the hepatotoxic effects of some drugs? Epidemiologic studies using standardized methodology, such as the Defined Daily Dose, are needed to compare drug utilization in both ambulatory and institutionalized elderly between countries and regions. This will provide the basis for the evaluation of the effects of educational programs aimed at promoting rational drug therapy in the elderly. Analysis of the differences on drug use and drug prescribing patterns in various countries may yield insight into the determinants of those patterns and suggest optimal educational approaches. Available evidence indicates that age-related alterations in the physiology of drug distribution, drug elimination, and drug action are the substrata upon which disease-related alterations in drug disposition and drug response are superimposed. Continued efforts to characterize these age-related and disease-related effects are needed. At present, generalizations are difficult because of conflicting data. Greater attention to subject selection, environmental factors, such as smoking and diet, and protocol design is necessary. As much as possible, research protocols should attempt to simulate the actual clinical use of the drug under study. This often means conducting studies at steady state after multiple dosing rather than only after a single dose. A longitudinal study using model compounds would be of great interest to help distinguish the effects of aging per se from those of disease. Wherever possible, pharmacodynamic studies should be combined with studies of pharmacokinetics. Gaps in our knowledge exist for all drug classes. Continued basic research in pharmacology and physiology is required to elucidate the mechanisms for the age differences observed in clinical studies. This research depends on the use of animal and in vitro model systems. Efforts to define the optimal animal or in vitro model(s) for human geriatric pharmacology are obviously important components of this basic research. Although compliance with therapeutic regimens is not necessarily worse in the elderly than in younger age groups, the consequences of errors in self medication may be more severe. Thus, further efforts are needed to develop ways of enhancing the comprehension and compliance of geriatric patients.
The Effect of Tablets Composed of Various Mixtures of Sugar Alcohols and Sugars Upon Plaque pH in Children

Changes in plaque pH were examined following ingestion of tablets composed of sorbitol (S) or xylitol (X) combined with various levels of dextrose (D), fructose (F), or sucrose (U). Pure S and X tablets caused a slight pH rise. The 3:1 ratios of S :D, S :F, X:D, and X:F caused slight lowerings to plaque pH means of 6.3, 6.8, 6.7, and 6.7, respectively, while 3:1 S: U caused the pH to drop to 5.6. All the 1 :1, 1:3 and 0:1 ratios caused large drops in plaque pH.
A 7–21GHz Planar Ultrawideband Modular Array

Introduction Wideband, low-cost, and low-profile modular phased arrays are in high demand for future mutlifunctional systems. Currently, low-profile ultrawideband arrays such as the current sheet array (CSA) [1] or the fragmented aperture array (FSS) [2] use printed layers, but rely on 3D machined feed organizers and external wideband baluns that contribute to cost and limit modularity and scaling to higher frequencies. This paper presents the Planar Ultrawideband Modular Array (PUMA), a fully planar implementation of Wheeler's current sheet [3] requiring no feed organizers or external baluns, that can be fabricated entirely using standard planar microwave circuit processes. This allows for low-cost aperture fabrication, high volume production and frequency scalability. The unique feed arrangement of PUMA allows for a modular egg-crate construction, with direct connection to standard 50Ω interfaces, and low profile (≈ λ/3 at its highest frequency). Predicted dual-polarized infinite array performance has demonstrated a 3:1 bandwidth (7–21GHz) and scanning with VSWR < 2.2 out to θ = 45° in all planes. Measurements of a 16×16×2 array are currently in progress.
Genetic characterization of clinical and environmental Vibrio parahaemolyticus from the Northeast USA reveals emerging resident and non-indigenous pathogen lineages.

Gastric infections caused by the environmentally transmitted pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, have increased over the last two decades, including in many parts of the United States (US). However, until recently, infections linked to shellfish from the cool northeastern US waters were rare. Cases have risen in the Northeast, consistent with changes in local V. parahaemolyticus populations towards greater abundance or a shift in constituent pathogens. We examined 94 clinical isolates from a period of increasing disease in the region and compared them to 200 environmental counterparts to identify resident and non-indigenous lineages and to gain insight into the emergence of pathogenic types. Genotyping and multi-locus sequence analysis of clinical isolates collected from 2010-2013 in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine revealed their polyphyletic nature. Although 80% of the clinical isolates harbored the trh hemolysin either alone or with tdh, and were urease positive, 14% harbored neither hemolysin exposing a limitation for these traits in pathogen detection. Resident sequence type (ST) 631 strains caused seven infections, and show a relatively recent history of recombination with other clinical and environmental lineages present in the region. ST34 and ST674 strains were each linked to a single infection and these strain types were also identified from the environment as isolates harboring hemolysin genes. Forty-three ST36 isolates were identified from the clinical collection, consistent with reports that this strain type caused a rise in regional infections starting in 2012. Whole-genome phylogenies that included three ST36 outbreak isolates traced to at least two local sources demonstrated that the US Atlantic coastal population of this strain type was indeed derived from the Pacific population. This study lays the foundation for understanding dynamics within natural populations associated with emergence and invasion of pathogenic strain types in the region.
One cell, two cell, red cell, blue cell : the persistence of a unicellular stage in multicellular life histories

As developmental biologists come closer to understanding at the molecular and genetic levels how a zygote becomes an adult, it is easy to forget that the very phenomenon that gives them an occupation remains a vexing problem to evolutionary biologists: why do unicellular stages persist in life histories of multicellular organisms? There are two explanatory hypotheses. One is that a unicellular stage purges multicellular organisms of deleterious mutations by exposing offspring that are each uniformly of one genotype to selection. Another is that a one-cell stage reduces conflicts of interest among genetically different replicators within an organism.
Suicide in Later Life: A Review and Recommendations for Prevention

For many reasons related to the demography of aging and to the clinical characteristics of suicidal behavior in later life, older people present special challenges to suicide prevention efforts. This article first reviews the prevalence of suicide among older people in the United States and how it has changed over time. Focusing on completed suicide rather than nonfatal self-destructive acts, it considers the characteristic intent and implementation of suicidal behavior in older people, and reviews existing literature on risk factors. It reviews the evidence for effectiveness of preventive interventions designed to improve recognition and treatment of at-risk elders through the primary care provider’ s (PCP) office and by community outreach to high-risk, isolated older people. Finally, it provides recommendations that concern research, clinical care, education, and public policy priorities for late life suicide prevention. Careful attention to terms and their meaning is essential to an understanding of the literatures on suicide and suicide prevention. In discussing approaches to prevention, I will employ terms endorsed by the Institute of Medicine (1994). Universal preventive interventions are strategies that target the general population. Selective interventions target individuals or sub-groups with higher than average risk of suicide, and indicated preventive interventions target high-risk individuals in more immediate danger.
Operative laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of ectopic pregnancy: a prospective trial*

Study Objective To compare prospectively operative laparoscopy to laparotomy in the management of hemodynamically stable patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP). Design, Patients, Intervention Patients with suspected EP presenting to a university-based residency teaching program were prospectively allocated to laparoscopy (n=26) or laparotomy (n=37) on alternating months for operative management. Results Operative times between laparoscopy and laparotomy did not differ significantly. Laparoscopy-treated patients had a significant reduction in estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, narcotic requirement, time to normal activity, and total hospital cost. There was no statistical difference in intrauterine pregnancy rates or in EP rates. Conclusions In a university-based residency program, operative laparoscopy is a safe alternative for the management of appropriately selected patients with suspected EP.
Nitrogen source preference of Aspergillus sydowii, an infective agent associated with aspergillosis of sea fan corals

We attempt to identify the mechanism by which nitrogen enrichment increases the prevalence of aspergillosis, a disease caused by the terrestrial fungus Aspergillus sydowii, which infects sea fan corals (Gorgonia ventalina) throughout the Caribbean, by looking at the metabolic capabilities of the pathogen to (1) determine whether A. sydowii can catabolize sea fan–derived nitrogen, (2) ascertain fungal preference for different nitrogen sources, and (3) determine whether fungi isolated from diseased sea fans preferentially assimilate sea fan–derived nitrogen. Stable nitrogen isotope experiments demonstrated that A. sydowii is capable of assimilating and prefers sea fan– derived nitrogen (72% of available nitrogen) to nitrate and more readily assimilates nitrogen from coral tissue than gorgonin skeleton. Variation in the proportion of sea fan–derived nitrogen assimilated by different fungal isolates was significant, with those from diseased sea fans showing greater nitrogen assimilation of sea fan tissue. Worldwide, coral reefs are experiencing a period of decline. Wilkinson (2008) estimates that as of 2008, 20% of the world’s coral reefs have been destroyed, and an additional 15% are in critical danger of collapse because of anthropogenic influences. Caribbean reefs have suffered the most; 80% of hard coral cover has been lost in the past three decades (Gardner et al. 2003; Wilkinson 2008). Concurrent with accelerating decline of reefs worldwide, the prevalence of coral disease has increased in the last
Comparison of the PHISICS/RELAP5-3D ring and block model results for phase I of the OECD/NEA MHTGR-350 benchmark

The Parallel and Highly Innovative Simulation for INL Code System (PHISICS) has been under development at Idaho National Laboratory since 2010. It consists of several modules providing improved cou...
Shark conservation and management policy: a review and primer for non‐specialists

There is increasing concern for the conservation of sharks among scientists, environmental conservation advocates, and the interested public, but misunderstanding among policy non-specialists about which conservation and management policies are available, and which might work best for certain situations, persists. Here we present a review of fisheries management and conservation literature relating to sharks. Policies are broadly divided into target-based policies that aim for sustainable fisheries exploitation (e.g. fisheries quotas) and limit-based policies that aim to prevent all fisheries exploitation of entire taxa (e.g. marine reserves). A list of the pros and cons of each policy is included, as is a decision tree to aid in selection of the most appropriate policy. Our goal is that this paper will allow policy non-specialists, including scientists without policy training, environmental activists, and concerned citizens, to make informed decisions when advocating for shark conservation.
Analyticity and Katz’s New Intensionalism: or, If You Sever Sense from Reference, Analyticity is Cheap but Useless

Jerry Katz has observed that much of twentieth century philosophy of language turns on the Fregean thesis that sense determines reference. For example, he suggests that this thesis underwrites the widespread understanding of ‘analyticity’ (what he calls “the standard view”) as (necessary) truth in virtue of meaning alone. In addition, Katz argues that the Fregean thesis is a necessary premise in widely accepted arguments for externalist conclusions about the semantics of natural kind terms and semantic knowledge. But, precisely because it plays a pivotal role in arguments for these widelyheld positions, Katz thinks the Fregean thesis is an error of tremendous import. He argues that rejecting the Fregean thesis not only corrects a misimpression about the relationship between sense and reference shared by almost all semanticists in the post-Fregean tradition, but also clears the way for a novel understanding of ‘analyticity’ not vulnerable to Quinean attacks, and allows for a “rationalist/internalist” conception of reference and semantic knowledge of the kind Putnam and Kripke have convinced many is unattainable. As Katz is at pains to emphasize, these consequences challenge directly some of the most widelyand dearly-held positions in philosophy of language. For these reasons, it seems that quite a lot hangs on the viability of Katz’s proposal. Therefore, the question whether his program can be sustained is of considerable philosophical ∗Forthcoming in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. †Department of Philosophy, Rutgers University, joncohen@ruccs.rutgers.edu 1Moreover, whether Katz’s internalist recasting of ‘analyticity’ is defensible will be of interest to theorists (including not only philosophers but also linguists and psychologists) attempting to explain the analyticity of sentences/thoughts solely in terms of what’s inside the heads of competent speakers/thinkers. Many theories of lexical and conceptual meaning would satisfy this description, including meaning-postulate accounts in the tradition of [Carnap, 1956], (cf., [Partee, 1995], 328), inferential-role accounts (e.g., [Block, 1986], [Harman, 1982], [Rosch, 1978], [Smith and Medin, 1981]), and so-called theory-theory accounts (e.g., [Keil, 1987], [Carey, 1991], [Gopnik, 1988]).
Institutional and Market Pressures on Interorganizational Collaboration and Competition Among Private Human Service Organizations

ABSTRACTWhile private human service organizations face institutional pressures to collaborate, market-based pressures also generate competition, giving rise to complex interorganizational relationships. The current study draws on institutional and resource dependence theories to examine institutional and market-based environmental pressures on the intensity of collaboration and competition among private human service organizations. Using data from the National Survey of Private Child and Family Serving Agencies, we find that the intensity of interorganizational relationships is associated with market-based and mimetic pressures but not with other institutional factors. These findings suggest practical implications for human service leaders focused on managing interorganizational collaboration and competition.
Effects of Occupational Exposure to Noise and Benzene Series on Hearing Loss in Male Workers

[Objective]To analyze the effects on hearing loss of workers exposed to both benzene series and noise,and to provide theoretic basis for developing related national hygienic standard.[Methods]The study recruited 71male workers who were exposed to both low-level benzene series(toluene40mg/m3) and noise(low combined exposure group),96male workers who were exposed to both high-level benzene series(toluene≥40mg/m3) and noise(high combined exposure group),and 153male workers exposed to noise only(noise only group).Personal sampling techniques were used to measure the levels of benzene series and noise exposure at workplaces.Pure-tone audiometry tests at 6 frequencies of 0.5,1,2,3,4,and 6kHz were used to access hearing thresholds.Cumulative noise exposure(CNE) was calculated for stratified analysis.[Results]The prevalence of highfrequency hearing loss in the high combined exposure group(66.67%) was much higher than that in the low combined exposure group(28.17%) and in the noise only group(37.25%).A significant dose-response relationship was observed between CNE and the prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss in each group.The results of logistic regression analysis showed the left shifted and slope elevated dose-response curves for both combined exposure groups were identified comparing to the curve of the noise only group.[Conclusion]The results suggest that benzene series exposure in noisy working places can elevate the prevalence of hearing loss in male workers,mainly inducing high-frequency hearing loss.