cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resolution of Hydronephrosis and Pain to Predict Stone Passage for Patients With Acute Renal Colic.

Abstract Objective To study patients who presented to the Emergency Department with acute renal colic to determine if resolution of hydronephrosis and pain accurately predicts stone passage on follow-up CT. Materials and Methods This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial of patients diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan with a symptomatic ureteral stone Results Four-hundred-three patients were randomized in the original study and patients were included in this analysis if they did not have surgery for stone removal and had a CT scan and information on pain medication at follow-up (N = 220). Hydronephrosis was detected in 181 (82%) on initial CT. At follow-up CT, 43 (20%) participants had a persistent ureteral stone. Of these patients, 36 (84%) had no pain, 26 (60%) did not have hydronephrosis, and 23 (53%) had neither pain nor hydronephrosis. Resolution of hydronephrosis was associated with stone passage (RR 4.6, 95% CI 1.9, 11.0), while resolution of pain was not (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9, 1.4). Conclusion In patients with urinary stone disease, stone passage is associated with resolution of hydronephrosis but not resolution of pain. In patients with persistent ureteral stones, neither pain nor hydronephrosis are consistently present. These findings have important implications on follow-up imaging of patients with urinary stone disease.
Measurement of the primary Lund jet plane density in pp collisions at 13 TeV with ALICE.

Precision measurements of jet substructure are used as a probe of fundamental QCD processes. The primary Lund jet plane density is a two-dimensional visual representation of the radiation off the primary emitter within the jet that can be used to isolate different regions of the QCD phase space. A new measurement of the primary Lund plane density for inclusive charged-particle jets in the transverse momentum range of 20 and 120 GeV/$c$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV with the ALICE detector will be presented. This is the first measurement of the Lund plane density in an intermediate jet $p_{\rm T}$ range where hadronization and underlying event effects play a dominant role. The projections of the Lund plane density onto the splitting scale $k_{\rm T}$ and splitting angle $\Delta{R}$ axis are shown, highlighting the perturbative/non-perturbative and wide/narrow angle regions of the splitting phase space. Through a 3D unfolding procedure, the Lund plane density is corrected for detector effects which allows for quantitative comparisons to MC generators to provide insight into how well generators describe different features of the parton shower and hadronization.
An Examination of Intergenerational Contact Experiences Using 10,338 Journal Entries from 2,414 Young Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES With continued negative depictions of older adults and limitations on positive intergenerational contact, ageism is a significant social issue. Using a rich dataset of journal entries, we examined sentiments, emotions, and optimal intergenerational contact conditions among volunteers in an intergenerational program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS 10,338 journal entries were analyzed from 2,414 young adult volunteers from GlamourGals Foundation, Inc., a U.S. non-profit, which aims to reduce isolation by facilitating intergenerational contact. Applying the PEACE (Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences) theoretical model, each sentence was coded using sentiment analysis, emotional analysis, and supervised learning methods across five optimal intergenerational contact conditions. RESULTS Out of 74,475 sentences, participants reported predominantly positive sentiments (64.2%, 29% neutral, and 6.8% negative) and more positive emotions (e.g., joy) than negative emotions (e.g., disgust). Nearly all participants (98.2%) wrote at least a sentence that included at least one of the five optimal intergenerational contact conditions. Moreover, positive sentiment was present in higher percentages when more instances of optimal contact conditions were reported (54.4% for none, 71.6% for one category, 81.5% for two, 83% for three, 89.2% for four, 98.4% for five). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS The present investigation applied a theoretical model to assess a long-standing community intergenerational program. Contact that provided one-to-one, cooperative, equal status interactions involving personal disclosure that was sanctioned by the program administrators was associated with positive sentiment. Future directions and implications are discussed.
Responsive Make and Play: Youth Making Physically and Digitally Interactive and Wearable Game Controllers

Most research on game making has focused on screen designs leaving aside the potentially rich domain of making game controllers for learning. In this chapter, we illustrate how youth created wearable or e-textile-based controllers with physical and digital feedback by combining tangible and digital construction kits, using Scratch, the MaKey MaKey, the Lilypad Arduino, and ModKit. In an eight-session workshop, 14–15-year-old youth not only programmed their own Scratch games but also created wearable or physically reactive game controllers using sensors to activate a response on the screen, through the physical artifact, or in both interfaces. In the discussion, we address what we learned about tool and workshop design to facilitate and support the introduction of such playful interface design to novice programmers.
Examining perceptions of crime and quality of life by residents living in a drug market intervention neighborhood

Evaluations have shown that the Drug Market Intervention (DMI), when implemented correctly, can effectively reduce open-air drug markets (Kennedy and Wong; Rivers et al). Lacking from the research is a quantitative measurement of the impact of DMIs on residents’ perceptions of crime and safety. The Roanoke, VA, Police Department (RPD) surveyed residents living in a target area before and after the implementation of a DMI to gauge potential fluctuations in feelings of safety, concern for crime, the physical environment and sanitation. The current study conducted secondary data analyses of RPD survey results to further explore these relationships. The authors found statistically significant improvements in residents’ concern for crime, sanitation and the physical environment pre to post DMI. Future research and policy implications are discussed with inclusion of the importance of assessing levels of community informal social control before and after implementing DMI in order to strengthen evaluations of the program.
A comparative analysis of the information content in long and short SAGE libraries

Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is a powerful tool to determine gene expression profiles. Two types of SAGE libraries, ShortSAGE and LongSAGE, are classified based on the length of the SAGE tag (10 vs. 17 basepairs). LongSAGE libraries are thought to be more useful than ShortSAGE libraries, but their information content has not been widely compared. To dissect the differences between these two types of libraries, we utilized four libraries (two LongSAGE and two ShortSAGE libraries) generated from the hippocampus of Alzheimer and control samples. In addition, we generated two additional short SAGE libraries, the truncated long SAGE libraries (tSAGE), from LongSAGE libraries by deleting seven 5' basepairs from each LongSAGE tag. One problem that occurred in the SAGE study is that individual tags may have matched to multiple different genes - due to the short length of a tag. We found that the LongSAGE tag maps up to 15 UniGene clusters, while the ShortSAGE and tSAGE tags map up to 279 UniGene clusters. Both long and short SAGE libraries exhibit a large number of orphan tags (no gene information in UniGene), implying the limitation of the UniGene database. Among 100 orphan LongSAGE tags, the complete sequences (17 basepairs) of nine orphan tags match to 17 genomic sequences; four of the orphan tags match to a single genomic sequence. Our data show the potential to resolve 4-9% of orphan LongSAGE tags. Finally, among 400 tSAGE tags showing significant differential expression between AD and control, 79 tags (19.8%) were derived from multiple non-significant LongSAGE tags, implying the false positive results. Our data show that LongSAGE tags have high specificity in gene mapping compared to ShortSAGE tags. LongSAGE tags show an advantage over ShortSAGE in identifying novel genes by BLAST analysis. Most importantly, the chances of obtaining false positive results are higher for ShortSAGE than LongSAGE libraries due to their specificity in gene mapping. Therefore, it is recommended that the number of corresponding UniGene clusters (gene or ESTs) of a tag for prioritizing the significant results be considered.
SECONDARY STRUCTURES OF NUCLEIC ACIDS IN ORGANIC SOLVENTS. IV. EFFECTS OF ELECTROLYTES.

Abstract Calf-thymus DNA has been isolated from formamide solution in an undenatured form when the concentration of dissolved salts was at least 0.4 M and the temperature was kept below 25°. At lower salt concentrations or higher temperatures, the re-isolated material had properties intermediate between those of native and fully denatured forms. Properties of DNA in 0.4 M salt-formamide indicate that its conformation may be different from that in aqueous buffer even though it can be recovered in native form. The temperature zone of transition of thymus DNA dissolved in formamide solution is considerably broader than that of DNA dissolved in comparable aqueous solution. The ability to isolate thymus DNA from formamide at intermediate stages of denaturation coupled with the broadening of the transition in formamide, suggests that the formamide-salts system may be useful in the fractionation of heterogeneous DNA.
Imperfect fluids and inheritance

Complex fluids, with some variation in their component particles, can separate into more than one phase. New universal equations describe how the properties of these daughter phases depend on the parent phase, an insight that will be applicable to fields as diverse as petroleum refining and toiletries, and the design of paints, coatings and plastics.
Effects of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta(R)) on FDG biodistribution in a rat tumor model

1618 Objectives: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) have been shown to markedly increase FDG accumulation in the bone marrow and spleen. Human data suggests that preferential accumulation of FDG in the bone marrow and spleen after G-CSF could result in decreased bioavailability of FDG to other normal organs and tumor. Because G-CSF is usually administered to oncology patients as an adjunct to chemotherapy, it is difficult to assess the effects of G-CSF alone on FDG biodistribution in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the relatively recently approved long-acting G-CSF, pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®) on FDG uptake in normal organs and tumor in rats. Methods: Rat mammary tumor cells were injected into the subscapular fat pads of 18 healthy, female Lewis rats. Experiments were performed once rats had small palpable tumors. Nine rats received a single subcutaneous (SC) injection of normal saline and 9 received a single dose of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®; Amgen, Inc; 1000 mcg/kg SC). Biodistribution studies were performed 48 hours post-injection of pegfilgrastim or saline. Rats were fasted overnight and injected with 7.4 MBq (200 µCi) 18F-FDG via tail vein. Approximately 1 hour post FDG injection, rats were sacrificed and normal organs, bone marrow, and tumors excised. The percentage of decay-corrected FDG activity per gram of tissue was determined per kilogram of rat weight [(%ID/g) * kg]. Statistical analyses were performed using a t-test. Results: FDG uptake [(%ID/g]*kg] of the pegfilgrastim treated group was significantly increased in the bone marrow compared to the saline group (0.39 ± 0.017 vs. 0.27 ± 0.003, p=0.01) but significantly decreased in the brain (0.43 ± 0.028 vs. 0.57 ± 0.013, p=0.03) and colon (0.26 ± 0.010 vs. 0.40 ± 0.025, p=0.02). There was no significant difference between FDG uptake in tumor in the pegfilgrastim vs. saline groups (0.30 ± 0.007 vs. 0.30 ± 0.004, p=0.45). No other significant differences in FDG biodistribution were observed. Conclusions: In this rat tumor model, pegfilgrastim modestly, but significantly, increased FDG uptake in the bone marrow, reduced brain and colon FDG uptake but had no effect on FDG uptake in the spleen, blood and tumor. This suggests that evaluation of tumor response to therapy in oncology patients by quantitative FDG PET will not be markedly affected by administration of G-CSF agents shortly prior to imaging. The significant decline in brain FDG uptake suggests modest drops in SUV due to G-CSF may occur in some organs. The effects of pegfilgrastim on FDG uptake in the bone marrow in our rat study were not as profound as has previously been reported in rat or human studies. Further evaluation in humans is warranted.
Lattice dynamics of filled skutterudites:La(Fe,Co)4Sb12

Materials for thermoelectric application should have low lattice thermal conductivities. Here we use a comparison of theoretical calculations and Raman spectroscopy to study the lattice dynamics of a La filled skutterudite and identify the Raman active modes. Polarized Raman spectra from polycrystalline ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.75}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{CoSb}}_{12}$ are presented. First principles calculations of atomic forces generated by small displacements from the ideal skutterudite structure are utilized in a least squares procedure to evaluate the general force constant tensors. These are used to predict the normal mode frequencies and displacement patterns. The relative Raman intensity for each vibration is then estimated using a bond polarizability model. We find that both the centers of gravity of the eight symmetry-allowed Raman peaks and their relative intensities are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. This agreement supports our mode assignments, particularly for those of ${A}_{g}$ symmetry, which exhibit a strong polarization dependence. The ``rattling'' vibrations of interstitial La are expected to be Raman inactive for an ideal fully filled material and are not observed.
Improved ultrasonic B-scans using deconvolution and morphological filters

Resolution of ultrasonic B-scans for NDE is limited by the bandwidth of the transducer and the presence of noise. An improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be obtained, to some extent, by performing ensemble averaging of numerous measurements. This method is impractical and can not eliminate interfering echoes resulting from stationary scatterers. Contrary to averaging, morphological filters, a class of nonlinear filters, are capable of eliminating impulse noise, moderately reducing grain echoes and improving the overall image quality while selectively preserving certain image features. The authors have applied deconvolution and morphological filters in tandem (i.e., deconvolution before or after morphological operations) in order to improve resolution and SNR. In particular, the performance of these algorithms and the design of the deconvolution kernel and structuring element as well as morphological filters are evaluated using experimental results. >
Switching dynamics in ferroelectric-charge hybrid nonvolatile memory

A statistical model is proposed for ferroelectric (FE) polarization switching response during program and retention in FE-charge hybrid nonvolatile memory. During the program pulse, high fields first occur in the FE layer and then transfer to tunnel oxide after FE polarization, which leads to a two-step process: (a) rapid domain switching (∼1ns – 100ns) and (b) electron injection into the floating gate (∼10µs – 1ms). This device can be potentially used as a dual-mode memory with a fast low-retention mode (DRAM), and a slower high-retention mode (Flash).
SU‐E‐T‐678: Monte Carlo Investigation on Dose Perturbations in the Lung Due to Constant Magnetic Fields during MRIgRT

Purpose: Magnetic resonanceimage‐guidedradiotherapy (MR‐IGRT) has emerged as a promising new technology to reduce tumor position uncertainty during photonradiotherapy treatments of lungcancer. MRIGRT improves upon traditional IGRT techniques by providing real‐time intrafraction imaging of tumor motion. However, the use of MRI during beam delivery complicates treatment planning since the magnetic field will perturb the radiationdose distribution especially in fields prescribed in heterogeneous regions of the body such as the lung. In this study we used Monte Carlo methods to investigate the magnetic fieldeffects on dose distributions near interfaces of high‐ and low‐density regions where the influence of magnetic fields will be significant. Methods: The Monte Carlo code EGS4nrc was used for all simulations performed in this study. We investigated dose distributions from both Co‐60 and 6‐MV photon beam energy spectra in simple heterogeneous phantoms. The phantoms consisted of alternating slabs of PMMA and air or lung material with different thicknesses. Homogeneous transverse magnetic fields of varying strengths were applied to the phantom during the simulations. Results: Large perturbations in the dose distributions near PMMA‐air or PMMA‐lung interfaces were recorded when a transverse magnetic field was applied to the phantom, which can be attributed to electron return effect. It was demonstrated that the size of the perturbation at an interface depends not only on the magnetic field strength, but also on the primary photon beam energy spectrum and the length of the air cavity within the phantom. Conclusions: Preliminary results demonstrated that magnetic fields alter the delivered dose distributions near interfaces of high‐ and low‐density regions. Therefore, accurate planning for MR‐IGRT treatments of lungcancer may need to consider magnetic fieldeffects on the dose distribution. Future work will use Monte Carlo methods to investigate dose perturbations due to magnetic fields in 4D patient geometry.
Reduced-intensity conditioning hematopoietic cell transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with SLAM-associated protein deficiency/X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1.

Abstract X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 1 (XLP1) is a rare immune deficiency caused by mutations in SH2D1A. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is often performed because of the morbidity and mortality associated with XLP1. There is limited experience using reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens for these patients. Here we report our 8-year single-center experience. Sixteen consecutive patients diagnosed with XLP1 underwent allogeneic HCT between 2006 and 2013 after a RIC regimen consisting of alemtuzumab, fludarabine, and melphalan. Patient phenotypes included hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) after Epstein-Barr virus (n = 5) or human herpesvirus 6 (n = 1), macrophage activation syndrome (n = 1), interstitial pneumonitis and encephalitis (n = 1), B cell lymphoma (n = 8), and hypogammaglobulinemia (n = 2). One patient was asymptomatic. Fourteen of 16 patients received 8/8 HLA-matched unrelated or related bone marrow grafts, whereas 2 patients received mismatched unrelated grafts. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of methylprednisolone and cyclosporine in all but 1 patient, who additionally received methotrexate. All patients had hematopoietic recovery. There were no cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease or pulmonary hemorrhage. One patient (6%) developed acute GVHD and later also developed chronic GVHD (6%). Five patients (31%) developed mixed chimerism. Only 1 patient with mixed chimerism (6%) experienced a decline of donor chimerism to less than 50% but returned to full donor chimerism after infusion of donor lymphocytes and a CD34+ selected stem cell boost. Infectious complications were frequent, particularly viral reactivation. One-year survival estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 80%, with long-term survival estimated at 71%. Survival was similar for patients with or without a history of HLH (86% versus 75%, respectively, P = .70). There were no occurrences of lymphoma or HLH after HCT. RIC HCT with alemtuzumab, fludarabine, and melphalan is an effective treatment for patients with XLP1, offering good survival rates regardless of prior disease manifestations, including HLH.
A 3-D constitutive model for shape memory alloys incorporating pseudoelasticity and detwinning of self-accommodated martensite

Abstract A 3-D constitutive model for polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMAs), based on a modified phase transformation diagram, is presented. The model takes into account both direct conversion of austenite into detwinned martensite as well as the detwinning of self-accommodated martensite. This model is suitable for performing numerical simulations on SMA materials undergoing complex thermomechanical loading paths in stress–temperature space. The model is based on thermodynamic potentials and utilizes three internal variables to predict the phase transformation and detwinning of martensite in polycrystalline SMAs. Complementing the theoretical developments, experimental data are presented showing that the phase transformation temperatures for the self-accommodated martensite to austenite and detwinned martensite to austenite transformations are different. Determination of some of the SMA material parameters from such experimental data is also discussed. The paper concludes with several numerical examples of boundary value problems with complex thermomechanical loading paths which demonstrate the capabilities of the model.
Exploiting special structure in a primal-dual path-following algorithm

A primal-dual path-following algorithm that applies directly to a linear program of the form, min{ctxźAx = b, Hx źu, x ź 0,x ź źn}, is presented. This algorithm explicitly handles upper bounds, generalized upper bounds, variable upper bounds, and block diagonal structure. We also show how the structure of time-staged problems and network flow problems can be exploited, especially on a parallel computer. Finally, using our algorithm, we obtain a complexity bound of O( $$\sqrt n $$ ds2 log(nk)) fortransportation problems withs origins,d destinations (s
Mass transfer study of chlorine dioxide gas through polymeric packaging materials

The mass transfer profile (permeability, diffusion, and solubility coefficients) of chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a strong oxidizing agent that is used in food and pharmaceutical packaging, was determined through various common polymeric packaging materials. A con- tinuous system for measuring permeation of ClO2, using an electrochemical detector, was developed. It was observed that biaxially-oriented poly(propylene), poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly(lactic acid), nylon, and a multilayer structure of ethylene vinyl acetate and ethyl- ene vinyl alcohol were better barriers for gaseous ClO2, as compared to polyethylene, poly(vinyl chloride), and polystyrene. The activation energies of permeation for ClO2 through poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) were determined to be 51.05 � 4.35 and 129.03 � 2.82 kJ/mol, respectively. V
Similar result of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for women and men with postmyocaedial infarction ischemia

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are gender differences in the outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty performed for postmyocardial infarction ischemia. Background. Although women have a higher mortality rate after myocardial infarction than that of men, they are less frequently referred for coronary angioplasty (and coronary artery bypass graft surgery) than are men, possibly because of expectations of a worse procedural outcome. Methods. We analyzed the morbidity and mortality at coronary angioplasty and during a mean follow-up period of 34.4 months for women and 34.2 months for men in 505 consecutive patients (164 women and 341 men) with postmyocardial infarction ischemia between 1981 and 1989. Results. Compared with men, women had similar procedural success rates (89.6% and 91.2%, respectively), need for coronary artery bypass surgery (3.7% and 2.6%) and mortality rates at coronary angioplasty (0.6% and 0.9%). During the follow-up period there were no significant gender differences in the requirement for coronary artery bypass surgery (3.6% and 4%), repeat angioplasty (18.7% and 17.3%), reinfarction (5.8% and 6%) and death (3.6% and 3.7%) or the combined end points of all four events (26.6% and 26.6%). Women had significantly more recurrent angina than did men (54% vs. 42.5%, p Conclusions. The procedural outcome of coronary angioplasty for postmyocardial infarction ischemia is similar in women and men. Long-term follow-up is also similar except that women experience an increased incidence of recurrent angina, an outcome also reported after bypass surgery. Therefore, concerns over the safety of coronary angioplasty in women should not adversely influence decisions concering referral of women for coronary angioplasty after myocardial infarction complicated by ischemia.
1005-79 Serial 1H NMR Spectroscopic Detection of Myocardial Lipid Accumulation Following Brief Coronary Ischemia and Elevation of Serum Lipids in Dogs

We employed a 1H NMR surface coil spectroscopic method to continuously monitor myocardial lipid accumulation following 90-min coronary occlusion and 4 hrs reperiusion in 12 dogs. In the 7 saline-treated control dogs, significant myocardial ischemic damage was noted by both triphenyltetrazolium staining and histologic examination. Slight increases (+ 15.5%) in lipid resonances were also observed during 4-hr reperiusion in the reversibly injured subepicardial ischemic/reperfused myocardium, but not the subendo-cardial infarcted region. Transient elevation of serum lipids in 5 dogs from 18 ± 3 mg/dl to 490 ± 182 mg/dl with a 90-min infusion of Intralipid (1 ml/kg bolus followed by 0.025 ml/kg/min) during reperiusion further increased the lipid resonances in the reversibly injured subepicardium (+61.8%). The subendocardial infarcted tissues were only minimally affected. Discontinuation of Intralipid infusion with return of serum lipids (36 ± 14 mg/dl) did not reverse the myocardial lipid accumulation. Ex vivo determinations of tissue triglyceride content and histochemical (Oil-Red-O) staining confirmed the preferential lipid accumulation in the reversibly injured myocytes. Conclusion Results of the present serial 1H NMR spectroscopic study confirm our earlier findings and further suggest a preferential and temporal accumulation of lipids in the ischemically jeopardized myocardium. Increases in serum lipid levels could exacerbate their accumulation in the ischemic myocardium.
Surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly

Abstract Surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly is indicated for those patients who are in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV and for selected other patients who demonstrate clinical deterioration. Whenever possible, we prefer to perform a valvuloplasty based on available valve leaflet tissue, usually the anterior tricuspid leaflet. Valve repair is preferred to replacement because it avoids the significant problems of valve dysfunction, anticoagulation, and, in children, the need for replacement of the prosthesis because of growth. Repair eliminates right-to-left intracardiac shunting with its attendant risks, improves exercise tolerance, and reduces the incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias. In addition, longevity appears to be increased in those operated patients who are returned to functional class I or II.
Compression of the Superior Mesenteric Artery by the Median Arcuate Ligament: A Cause for Mesenteric Ischemia: A Case Report

Extrinsic compression of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) is an uncommon entity. The authors report a case of compression of the SMA by the MAL in a patient with celiac artery occlusion and intestinal angina. Arteriography and computerized tomography were suggestive of the diagnosis. Division of the fibrous bands of the MAL extending onto the anterior surface of the SMA relieved the arterial compression, with subsequent resolution of the patient's symptoms.
Fine structure of the rectal pads in Grylloblatta compodeiformis (walker) (Orthoptera : Grylloblattidae) with reference to fluid transport

Abstract The rectal pads of the primitive insect Grylloblatta compodeiformis (Orthoptera : Grylloblattidae) were studied using light and electron microscopy. In this species, the rectal epithelium is thickened to form 6 prominent rectal pads, each of which is composed of tall columnar epithelial cells and laterally placed slender junctional cells, but is devoid of secondary cells. The rectal pads are interconnected by simple rectal epithelium, and are lined by a thin cuticular intima. They are surrounded by an extensive connective tissue space, which contains bundles of delicate connective tissue fibers, neurosecretory axons, and tracheae and tracheoles, which do not penetrate into the pads. The epithelial cells exhibit extensive infoldings of the apical plasma membranes that are closely associated with mitochondria. The lateral membranes are also highly folded around large mitochondria that possess longitudinally oriented cristae. These membrane folds form mitochondrial-scalariform junctional complexes and enclose intercellular channels and spaces. The apical cytoplasm of the epithelial cells contains numerous coated vesicles, dense tubular elements, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes, which suggests receptor-mediated endocytosis of macromolecules. The presence of large whorls of rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant free ribosomes in the cytoplasm and nuclei with multiple, well-developed nucleoli indicate that the epithelial cells are actively engaged in protein synthesis. The ultrastructural features were examined in relation to their role in fluid transport in a cold habitat.
Least trimmed squares regression, least median squares regression, and mathematical programming

In this paper, we study LTS and LMS regression, two high breakdown regression estimators, from an optimization point of view. We show that LTS regression is a nonlinear optimization problem that can be treated as a concave minimization problem over a polytope. We derive several important properties of the corresponding objective function that can be used to obtain algorithms for the exact solution of LTS regression problems, i.e., to find a global optimum to the problem. Because of today's limited problem-solving capabilities in exact concave minimization, we give an easy-to-implement pivoting algorithm to determine regression parameters corresponding to local optima of the LTS regression problem. For the LMS regression problem, we briefly survey the existing solution methods which are all based on enumeration. We formulate the LMS regression problem as a mixed zero-one linear programming problem which we analyze in depth to obtain theoretical insights required for future algorithmic and computational work.
Mass of the Higgs boson in the standard model with four generations

We study the functional behavior of the quartic scalar coupling in the standard model with four generations. From the assumed boundedness of its ratio to theU(1) gauge coupling and the stability of the Higgs potential under radiative corrections, we derive upper and lower bounds on the Higgs-boson mass as functions of the fourth-generation fermion masses. We also obtain a solution in which the Higgs-boson mass is determined as a function of the other masses of the model.
Observing spontaneous strong CP violation through hyperon helicity correlations

We report on studies of the viability of using hyperon correlations as a probe of spontaneous CP violation which it has been suggested may occur in heavy ion collisions. We discuss the motivation for such a search and use a simple model and statistical analysis to roughly estimate the size of an effect which may be expected to be visible in experiments.
Partial Least Squares for Discrimination in fMRI Data

Multivariate methods for discrimination were used in the comparison of brain activation patterns between groups of cognitively normal women who are at either high or low Alzheimer's disease risk based on family history and apolipoprotein-E4 status. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was preceded by dimension reduction using principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares (PLS) or a new oriented partial least squares (OrPLS) method. The aim was to identify a spatial pattern of functionally connected brain regions that was differentially expressed by the risk groups and yielded optimal classification accuracy. Multivariate dimension reduction is required prior to LDA when the data contain more feature variables than there are observations on individual subjects. Whereas PCA has been commonly used to identify covariance patterns in neuroimaging data, this approach only identifies gross variability and is not capable of distinguishing among-groups from within-groups variability. PLS and OrPLS provide a more focused dimension reduction by incorporating information on class structure and therefore lead to more parsimonious models for discrimination. Performance was evaluated in terms of the cross-validated misclassification rates. The results support the potential of using functional magnetic resonance imaging as an imaging biomarker or diagnostic tool to discriminate individuals with disease or high risk.
Minimal intervention dentistry: part 2. Caries risk assessment in adults

Risk-based, patient-centred decision-making, supported by best available evidence is an essential component for the correct prevention, control and management of dental caries. This article reviews the importance of caries risk assessment in adults as a prerequisite for appropriate caries preventive and treatment intervention decisions. A clinical case will be used to demonstrate how risk assessment can be easily incorporated in everyday clinical practice, using information readily available in the dental-medical history and clinical examination.
Patterns and trends in insulin intensification among patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnoses are skyrocketing, making treatment of this disease an increasing focus of primary care visits. Guidelines recommend insulin intensification over time to achieve HbA1c targets. We conducted a systematic review regarding patterns and trends of insulin intensification and barriers to intensification. Providers across primary and specialty care settings often did not intensify insulin regimens despite patients' clinical status. Even among progressed patients, HbA1c values remained high. The paucity of available studies prevented a comprehensive understanding of patterns and trends in insulin intensification. Such information is needed to assess the quality of pharmacologic care for patients with T2DM.
Cost of Initial Therapy in the Electrophysiological Study Versus ECG Monitoring Trial (ESVEM)

Background Patients randomized to either serial electrophysiological testing (EPS) or serial Holter monitoring (HM) to guide antiarrhythmic therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias had equivalent rates of mortality and arrhythmia recurrence in the ESVEM study. This report analyzes the effects of EPS, HM, and clinical factors on the charges for initial evaluation and management of patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Methods and Results Ten of 14 clinical centers participating in ESVEM provided bills from the initial hospitalization for randomized patients. Predictors of charges (1991 dollars) were analyzed by linear regression after logarithmic transformation. Initial hospital charge data were obtained for 286 patients randomized in ESVEM (88% of patients eligible for this substudy, 59% of all ESVEM patients). Patients with charge data were somewhat more likely to be older, to be female, and to have failed previous antiarrhythmic drug therapy at study entry and were less lik...
Interleukin-1 Beta Induces an Inflammatory Phenotype in Human Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells Through Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta

Background Mechanisms of inflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis. When stimulated, human aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) have been shown to become inflammatory cells. Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β have been found in the leaflets of stenotic aortic valves. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of IL-1β on isolated human AVICs and to determine the intracellular signaling pathway by which the effects are mediated. The results of this study demonstrated that IL-1β induces an inflammatory phenotype in human AVICs. Methods Human AVICs were isolated from normal aortic valves from explanted hearts of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation (n = 4) and grown in culture. When grown to confluence, the cells were treated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL). Cell culture media was analyzed for IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Cell lysates were analyzed for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (immunoblot). Inhibition of nuclear factor-κβ was by Bay 11-7085 (5 μM). Inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase-1/2 was by PD098059 (20 nM). Statistics were by analysis of variance, with p less than 0.05 significant. Results Interluekin-1β induced an inflammatory phenotype in human AVICs. The IL-1β stimulation resulted in significantly increased production of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Inhibition of nuclear factor-κβ prevented these changes, whereas inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase-1/2 had no effect. Conclusions Interleukin-1β induced an inflammatory phenotype in human AVICs, which was prevented by inhibition of nuclear factor-κβ. These data implicate IL-1β in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis.
Sanctioned identities: Legal constructions of modern personhood

Studies of identity politics have often overlooked the role of bourgeois law in eliciting and confirming people's experience of themselves as persons with inherent qualities that they have a right to express. By constituting people as proprietors of their persons and capacities, bourgeois law requires those who come before it to display difference. Yet bourgeois law disclaims its role in producing difference, for by declaring all men equal before the law, in constitutes differences as developed outside its purview. Although the cultural logic of bourgeois law encourages people to imagine themselves as unique persons with rights, people achieve rights only through specific historical struggles.
High Performance Electrolyte Gated Carbon Nanotube Transistors

We have fabricated high performance field-effect transistors made from semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Using chemical vapor deposition to grow the tubes, annealing to improve the contacts, and an electrolyte as a gate, we obtain very high device mobilities and transconductances. These measurements demonstrate that SWNTs are attractive for both electronic applications and for chemical and biological sensing.
Daily topical tacrolimus therapy prevents skin rejection in a rodent hind limb allograft model.

Background Skin is the most immunogenic component of a composite tissue allograft. Topical immunotherapy is an attractive therapeutic modality with which to provide local immunosuppression, with minimal systemic toxicity. The present study was performed to investigate the potential of topical tacrolimus to prolong survival of the skin component of a composite tissue allograft. Methods Wistar Furth-to-Lewis rat orthotopic hind limb transplants were performed. Group I consisted of rats treated with topical tacrolimus; group II, antilymphocyte serum plus 21 days cyclosporine; and group III, antilymphocyte serum plus 21 days of cyclosporine plus topical tacrolimus. In group IV, tacrolimus levels in blood, skin, and muscle were measured in an autograft control group. Results All animals in group I (n = 8) developed grade III clinical rejection by postoperative day 9. In group II (n = 9), the median onset of grade III rejection was postoperative day 40 (range, postoperative days 34 to 44). In group III (n = 6), two animals developed focal grade III rejection on postoperative days 35 and 56. The remaining four animals reached the 100-day endpoint without grade III rejection. In group IV, tacrolimus levels were low or undetectable in blood, whereas skin levels were 100-fold higher than underlying muscle. Conclusions Topical tacrolimus therapy has the potential to prevent skin rejection in a composite tissue allograft. Preoperative depletion of T cells with antilymphocyte serum, along with a short course of systemic immunosuppression, prevents acute rejection, whereas topical tacrolimus inhibits immune cell function in the skin. Concentrations of tacrolimus are substantially higher in skin compared with underlying muscle and peripheral blood. Topical immunotherapy could reduce the morbidity associated with systemic immunosuppression in clinical composite tissue allografts.
Experimental study of the stability of metals associated with iron oxyhydroxides precipitated in acid mine drainage

Iron oxyhydroxide precipitates associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Stearns Coal Zone in southeastern Kentucky were analyzed for their metal (Al, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn) content. The most concentrated metals within these sediments are nickel (27–32×103μmol/kg), manganese (16–29×103μmol/kg), and aluminum (13–22×103μmol/kg) as determined by HCl-HNO3 digestion. Metal concentrations associated with the organic fraction as determined by H2O2 digestion were generally far lower, with the exception of aluminum. "Batch" experiments (at initial pH=2.0) were used to analyze the stability of these metals associated with a contaminated soil. Aluminum was the most mobile of the metals, presumably the result of the formation of aluminum-sulfate aqueous complexes. The solubilization rates for nickel and iron were very similar, suggesting that nickel, unlike the other metals, coprecipitated with iron in these sulfatic oxyhydroxides.
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE OF BURNING RATE OF AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE-HYDROCARBON BINDER SOLID PROPELLANTS

This report is concerned with the mechanisms that govern the pressure depedence of the burning rate of ammonium perchloratehydrocarbon binder solid propellents, with emphasis on propellants with bimodal ammonium perchlorate particle size distributions that tend to exhibit "plateau" and "mesa" burning. The microscopic details of the flame complex, the ingredient decomposition, and the burning surface configuration are considered as three dimensionally coupled, pressure dependent processes. New experimental results are presented concerning these processes and how they depend on pressure. No attempt is made to produce a complete model of plateau burning; however, useful guidance is provided toward that goal.
Advantages of combined fetal and adult porcine islets as donor tissue for transplantation

: The molecular similarity between human and porcine insulin is the primary reason for selecting the pig as a donor for islet xenotransplantation in order to treat type I diabetes. Porcine islets can be prepared from adult, newborn, or fetal pigs. However, each of these islet types possesses advantages and disadvantages due to their anatomical, developmental, and physiological characteristics. We have evaluated both adult and fetal porcine islets for their ability to reverse diabetes using an allograft model. Based on our accumulated data, we recommend transplantation of combined adult and fetal porcine islets as a prospective approach for pig to man islet xenotransplantation. The advantages of combined adult and fetal islet transplantation are as follows: 1) Adult porcine islets can reverse hyperglycemia soon after transplantation; 2) well controlled blood glucose at the critical developmental stage of fetal islets will provide the time and environment necessary to achieve the optimal proliferation, growth and maturation of fetal β cells; 3) after 2 to 3 months, fetal islets will functionally mature and begin to share the insulin-producing load previously carried by adult islets, while new islets will continuously emerge and proliferate from stem cells; and 4) islets from fetal pigs will subsequently play a primary role in controlling hyperglycemia, and provide long-lasting insulin independence.
Parabolic potential theory

In this paper we study solutions of heat equations, stressing the potential theoretic point of view. In particular we are interested in properties which have well-known Laplacian counterparts. Many have worked in this direction; however because of the non-self-adjointness of the heat equation and the time lag, the problems seem difficult. We obtain some surprising counterexamples: there exists a heat potential v f +co in {(x, t): t > 0) such that for every x between 0 and 1, lim SU~~+~+ v(x, t) = +co; there exists a positive solution h of the heat equation in ((x, t): x > 0) given by a continuous measure ,U on x = 0, such that lim infX+,,+ h(x, t) = 0 for every real number t; the graph of a decreasing function t = f(x), 0 < x < 1, can have zero heat capacity. Among the positive results are a ratio Fatou theorem, a result on sets of heat capacity zero, and comparison of sets of parabolic measure zero and length zero. We also indicate some questions left open.
How Are Restrictive Abortion Statutes Associated With Unintended Teen Birth

Abstract Purpose Legislation that restricts abortion access decreases abortion. It is less well understood whether these statutes affect unintended birth. Given recent increases in teen pregnancy and birth, we examined the relationship between legislation that restricts abortion access and unintended births among adolescent women. Methods Using 2000–2005 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data, we examined the relationship between adolescent pregnancy intention and policies affecting abortion access: mandatory waiting periods, parental involvement laws, and Medicaid funding restrictions. Logistic regression controlled for individual characteristics, state-level factors, geographic regions, and time trends. Subgroup analyses were done for racial, ethnic, and insurance groups. Results In our multivariate model, minors in states with mandatory waiting periods were more than two times as likely to report an unintended birth, with even higher risk among blacks, Hispanics, and teens receiving Medicaid. Medicaid funding restrictions were associated with higher rates of unwanted birth among black teens. Parental involvement laws were associated with a trend toward more unwanted births in white minors and fewer in Hispanic minors. Conclusions Mandatory waiting periods are associated with higher rates of unintended birth in teens, and funding restrictions may especially affect black adolescents. Policies limiting access to abortion appear to affect the outcomes of unintended teen pregnancy. Subsequent research should clarify the magnitude of such effects, and lead to policy changes that successfully reduce unintended teen births.
Fatigue characteristics of cast iron

Abstract Fatigue results from cyclic or alternating loading with the fracture developing as a result of crack initiation and growth. For a crack to propagate, it is necessary for the crack to open and for the stresses at the crack tip to exceed the tensile stress of the material. If the tensile stresses at the crack tip are not present or are below a critical value, the crack will not propagate. Cast iron was tested under fatigue loading where the stresses were mainly in the compressive region. The lack of tensile stresses increased the range and combination of loading necessary to induced fatigue failure. A Goodman diagram for design purposes was developed. This diagram can be generated from data obtained from simple tension, compression, and rotating-beam fatigue tests. The results of these tests actually indicate a significantly larger region for safe design recommendations.