cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Irreducible powerful ray pattern matrices

A ray pattern is a matrix each of whose entries is either 0 or a ray in the complex plane originating from 0 (but not including 0). A ray pattern is a natural generalization of the concept of a sign pattern, whose entries are from the set {+, −, 0}. Powers of sign patterns and ray patterns, especially patterns whose powers are periodic, have been studied in several recent papers. A ray pattern A is said to be powerful if Ak is unambiguously defined for all positive integers k. Irreducible powerful ray patterns have been characterized recently. In this paper, reducible powerful ray patterns are investigated. In particular, for a powerful ray pattern in Frobenius normal form, it is shown that the existence of a nonzero entry in an off diagonal block implies that the corresponding irreducible components are related in a certain way. Further, the structure of each of the off diagonal blocks is characterized.
A model of teaching-learning transactions in generalist-specialist consultations.

Introduction: A new paradigm in continuing medical education is characterized by emphasis on physicians' learning in practice. Consistent with this paradigm, our study examined a subset of clinical practice—generalist-specialist consultations—from an educational perspective. Methods: We applied the grounded-theory method with semistructured interviews. Ten primary care physicians and 9 internal medicine subspecialists were interviewed regarding their approaches to learning and teaching during generalist-specialist consultations. Results: Based on 48 formal and informal consultations reported by physicians, we developed a theory of teaching-learning transactions in generalist-specialist consultations. Discussion: As a teaching-learning transaction, the mutual learning process in generalist-specialist consultations involves 3 components: needs assessment, dialogue, and sufficiency. Providers of continuing medical education may use the proposed theoretical framework to help clinicians and health care organizations analyze and enhance educationally valuable interactions at the interface of primary and secondary care.
Quality of life and survival after transmyocardial laser revascularization with the holmium: YAG laser

Abstract Background The purpose of the this investigation was to assess postoperative survival and quality of life with transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) in high-risk patients. Methods During a 24-month period, 81 consecutive patients underwent either sole therapy TMR (n = 34) or TMR with coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 47) using a holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (YAG) laser. Outcomes were assessed in three high-risk groups, including patients with left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤ 0.40) (n = 37), unstable angina (n = 30), and congestive heart failure (n = 33). Disease-specific quality of life was assessed using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire in 58 late survivors and compared with an age-matched cohort undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting only (no TMR) (n = 20). Results Overall mortality was 6% ± 3% (±70% confidence limit) and appeared higher with left ventricular dysfunction (11% ± 5% vs 2% ± 2%), but the difference did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.17; power=0.16). There was also no statistical difference with unstable angina (10% ± 6% vs 4% ± 3%; p > 0.53) or congestive failure (9% ± 5% vs 4% ± 3%; p > 0.66). However, survival at 18 months was significantly lower with left ventricular dysfunction (62% ± 9% vs 90% ± 5%; p p p p Conclusions Transmyocardial laser revascularization can be performed in high-risk patients, but survival is significantly impaired in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and congestive failure, and quality of life is diminished without some degree of direct revascularization.
Collusion properties of values

Two players may enter the game with a prior proxy or association agreement in order to strengthen their positions. There exist weighted majority voting games where a proxy agreement weakens the two players' collective power: the sum of their Shapley values with the agreement is less than without the agreement. This phenomenon cannot happen in non-trivial one man-one vote majority voting games. However, an association agreement weakens the two players' collective power in one man-one vote majority voting games with a sufficiently high quorum. In contrast, the sum of the two players' Banzhaf values turns out to be always immune against manipulation via a proxy or association agreement. Each of these neutrality properties can be used as part of an axiomatic characterization of the Banzhaf value.
Unsteady transonic flows past airfoils using the Euler equations

An explicit finite difference solver for the Euler equations was developed and used to calculate the flow past two of the AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations, an NACA 64A010 and an NLR 7301. The algorithm employed uses a modified four step Runge-Kutta time stepping scheme, boundary conditions determined from the time-dependent theory of characteristics and an unsteady automatic grid generation procedure. In general, the calculated results are in good agreement with available experiment. Moreover, they demonstrate the importance of using the Euler equations for super-critical airfoils and in situations where the transonic small disturbance theory results in poor agreement with experiment.
Calculations of intracapillary oxygen tension distributions in muscle

Characterizing the resistances to O2 transport from the erythrocyte to the mitochondrion is important to understanding potential transport limitations. A mathematical model is developed to accurately determine the eAects of erythrocyte spacing (hematocrit), velocity, and capillary radius on the mass transfer coeAcient. Parameters of the hamster cheek pouch retractor muscle are used in the calculations, since significant amounts of experimental physiological data and mathematical modeling are available for this muscle. Capillary hematocrit was found to have a large eAect on the PO2 distribution and the intracapillary mass transfer coeAcient per unit capillary area, kcap, increased by a factor of 3.7 from the lowest (Ha 0:25) to the highest (Ha 0:55) capillary hematocrits considered. Erythrocyte velocity had a relatively minor eAect, with only a 2.7% increase in the mass transfer coeAcient as the velocity was increased from 5 to 25 times the observed velocity in resting muscle. The capillary radius is varied by up to two standard deviations of the experimental measurements, resulting in variations in kcap that are <15% at the reference case. The magnitude of these changes increases with hematocrit. An equation to approximate the dependence of the mass transfer coeAcient on hematocrit is developed for use in simulations of O2 transport from a capillary network. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
High frequency scattering by a smooth coated convex cylinder simulated with higher order impedance boundary conditions

The authors present a rigorous uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) solution of the diffraction by a coated convex cylinder simulated with generalized impedance boundary conditions (GIBC). In addition, a uniform asymptotic solution is obtained which remains valid when the observation point is in the close vicinity of the cylinder. An important aspect of this work is the use of second-order GIBCs which are characterized by the inclusion of second-order field derivatives in their definition. Because of this, they are less local, leading to an improved simulation (with respect to the standard impedance boundary conditions) of the coating. The improved accuracy of the GIBC simulation is demonstrated, and it is shown how the presented UTD solution can be extended to treat multilayered coated cylinders. >
Parameter optimization for octave-spanning optical frequency comb generation in whispering-gallery mode resonators

Using modal expansion model, we investigate the various physical mechanisms that are critical for optical frequency combs generated with whispering gallery mode resonators. In particular, we show how the pump power, Kerr nonlinearity and dispersion profile interact, and eventually lead to an optical frequency comb that may span over one octave in optimal conditions.
Investigation of finite‐pulse radiofrequency‐driven recoupling methods for measurement of intercarbonyl distances in polycrystalline and membrane‐associated HIV fusion peptide samples

Two finite-pulse radiofrequency-driven recoupling (RFDR) methods were compared and applied to the measurement of 3‐6 ˚ A 13 CO‐ 13 CO distances in polycrystalline and membrane-associated HIV fusion peptide (HFP) samples. The RFDR methods were based on p pulses and were relatively straightforward to implement and insensitive to pulse imperfections. The two tested methods were: (i) constant-time doublequantum buildup with finite pulses (fpCTDQBU) for which the pulse sequence maintained a constant transverse relaxation period while allowing a variable period of dipolar dephasing; and (ii) constant-time finite-pulse rf-driven recoupling (fpRFDR-CT) for which the duration of transverse relaxation increased with increasing dephasing period. The fpRFDR-CT method yielded higher signal-to-noise and an accurate determination of a ∼5 ˚ A intercarbonyl distance was made in a crystalline peptide which had T2 ≈ 55 ms. In some contrast, the HFP samples had T2 ≈ 15 ms and the fpRFDR-CT data were dominated by transverse relaxation. Examination of the fpCTDQBU sequence showed: (i) the most rapid signal buildup was obtained with application of one 13 C p pulse per rotor period rather than one 13 C p pulse per multiple rotor periods and (ii) the data were insensitive to ∼15 ppm transmitter offset and to ∼5° variation of p pulse nutation angle. For HFP samples which were 13 CO labeled at a single residue, analyses of the fpCTDQBU data were interpreted with a model of mixed parallel and antiparallel b-strand arrangements in the N-terminal region of HFP and loss of parallel b-sheet structure in the C-terminal region of HFP. Copyright  2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Operational Calibration of an Airborne Infrared Spectrometer over Geologically Significant Terrains

A three-instrument infrared spectral emittance experiment, comprising a rapid-scan spectrometer (6.7-13.3 ?m), radiometer (10.375-12.1 ?m), and boresight camera, has been flight tested over selected geological terrain in central and southern California and Nevada. Preand post-flight calibrations of the infrared spectrometer were performed both by using polished samples of "standard" rocks (quartz diorite and gabbro) as well as the more familiar blackbody radiance standards. From these latter spectra the instrument transfer function (A??) was derived. In-flight calibrations of wavelength were achieved by the rapid insertion and removal of a polystyrene film in the optical train of the spectrometer, as polystyrene is a material whose transmission spectrum is constant and well known. By flying over a body of water (?6.7-13.3?m = 0.98) and recording the radiance spectrum of that target one can determine the transmission spectrum of the atmospheric path between the aircraft and the water (at least to a first approximation) as both the spectral emittance of lake water and the optical transfer functions of the instrument are known or can be calculated. So far, flights have been made only at low altitudes (2000 ft above the lake), with the lake surface at 2000 ft (near Pisgah Crater, S. Calif.) or 6000 ft (Mono Lake, E. Calif.) above sea level. The lake should be in the area to be studied geologically.
Estimation with missing data: beyond double robustness

SUMMARY We propose an estimator that is more robust than doubly robust estimators, based on weighting completecasesusingweightsotherthaninverseprobabilitywhenestimatingthepopulationmean of a response variable subject to ignorable missingness. We allow multiple models for both the propensity score and the outcome regression. Our estimator is consistent if any of the multiple models is correctly specified. Such multiple robustness against model misspecification is a significant improvement over double robustness, which allows only one propensity score model and one outcome regression model. Our estimator attains the semiparametric efficiency bound when one propensity score model and one outcome regression model are correctly specified, without requiring knowledge of which models are correct.
Nanoparticle Electroluminescence: Controlling Emission Color Through Forster Resonance Energy Transfer in Hybrid Particles

Electroluminescent (EL) polymers are attractive for developing all-organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) due to the potential advantages that polymeric systems may offer in the large-scale manufacturing of electronics. Nonetheless, many of these EL n-conjugated polymers are inherently insoluble in the solvents employed in the intended solution-based manufacturing processes. One such polymer is poly(2,5-dioctyl-1,4- phenylenevinylene) (POPPV), where the inherent lack of solubility of POPPV in organic solvents has frustrated its widespread application in devices and no OLEDs have been presented that exploit its electroluminescence characteristics. In this effort, a unique strategy is presented for the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles composed of POPPV, a green emitter (λ em = 505 nm) and poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO), a blue emitter (λ em = 417 nm). The aqueous-based nanoparticle dispersion composed of these hybrid particles is stable to aggregate and can be employed in the construction of OLEDs. The color characteristics of the electroluminescence for the devices can be tuned by exploiting the Forster resonance energy transfer between the polymers within a particle, while suppressing energy transfer between the particles. These aqueous-based nanoparticle dispersions are amenable to being printed into devices through high-throughput manufacturing techniques, for example, roll-to-roll printing.
Resonance and Radicalism: Feminist Framing in the Abortion Debates of the United States and Germany1

Cultural resonance and movement success are not the same, and not all movement speakers seek success in terms resonant with institutionalized discourses—some instead choose to be radical. Quantitative comparison of German and U.S. newspapers in the period 1970–94 shows how differences in discursive opportunity affect both the strategic use of frames in the feminist repertoire about legal abortion and their long‐term success. In Germany, speakers emphasizing women's victimization and natural connection to the fetus become accepted as representing a realistic feminist position, thus mainstream, while those who would destigmatize abortion become marginalized. In the United States, the reverse is the case. Qualitative analysis of activist arguments then shows how this adaptation to opportunity by mainstream feminist speakers affects those who continue to voice “radical” concerns.
SOCIAL CLASS AND GENDER: An Empirical Evaluation of Occupational Stratification

The purpose of this article is to investigate how sex segregation, social class, and gender are analytically related to occupational stratification. Recent discussions of women and men in the labor force revolve around whether a sex-segregated model in which sex of the worker affects placement, a pure social class model using classical criteria, or a gendered social class model in which social organizational processes of a gendered social class structure affect positioning in the stratification system. This article addresses the influence that social class and gender have on stratification in the labor market. Data from the 1972-82 General Social Survey on 371 occupations, representing 7,541 male and female workers, are used to formulate a social class scheme based on all workers' characteristics. In comparing the models, the analyses show that an integrated gendered social class perspective is consistent with the empirical differentiation found among women and men in the labor force.
Reactive Multilayer Foils for Silicon Wafer Bonding

In this study silicon wafers were bonded using Al/Ni reactive multilayer foils as local heat sources for melting solder layers. Exothermic reactions in Al/Ni reactive multilayer foils were investigated by XRD and DSC. XRD measurements showed that dominant product after exothermic reaction was ordered B2 AlNi compound. The heat of reaction was calculated to be -57.9 KJ/mol by DSC. With Al/Ni reactive multilayer foil, localized heating can be achieved during bonding process. Both experimental measurements and numerical simulation showed that the heat exposure to the wafers was highly limited and localized. Moreover, leakage test showed that this bonding approach possessed a good hermeticity.
2 Matters of Belief: Middle-Range Theory, Religion, and the “State”

In early large-scale polities religion played a critical role in giving conceptual form to new rules that trump social and economic principles of kinship and egalitarian reciprocity in order to justify the existence of privileged elites. How does one both do theoretical justice to the insidiousness of a religion used in service to the state and do justice to conviction in local knowledge and the efficaciousness of belief therein? These are important matters for middle-range theory in the archaeology of religion. This contribution focuses on the latter half of the conundrum understood from contemporary ethnographic work by the author in the central highlands of Madagascar. It then examines the crafting of state religion during the unification and expansion of the Merina state under the reign of Andrianampoinimerina (1787–1810).
Re-examining fire severity relations in pre-management era mixed conifer forests: inferences from landscape patterns of forest structure

For some time, ecologists have known that spatial patterns of forest structure reflected disturbance and recovery history, disturbance severity and underlying influences of environmental gradients. In spite of this awareness, historical forest structure has been little used to expand knowledge of historical fire severity. Here, we used forest structure to predict pre-management era fire severity across three biogeoclimatic zones in eastern Washington State, USA, that contained extensive mixed conifer forests. We randomly selected 10% of the subwatersheds in each zone, delineated patch boundaries, and photo-interpreted the vegetation attributes of every patch in each subwatershed using the oldest available stereo-aerial photography. We statistically reconstructed the vegetation of any patch showing evidence of early selective harvesting, and then classified them as to their most recent fire severity. Classification used published percent canopy mortality definitions and a dichotomized procedure that considered the overstory and understory canopy cover and size class attributes of a patch, and the fire tolerance of its cover type. Mixed severity fires were most prevalent, regardless of forest type. The structure of mixed conifer patches, in particular, was formed by a mix of disturbance severities. In moist mixed conifer, stand replacement effects were more widespread in patches than surface fire effects, while in dry mixed conifer, surface fire effects were more widespread by nearly 2:1. However, evidence for low severity fires as the primary influence, or of abundant old park-like patches, was lacking in both the dry and moist mixed conifer forests. The relatively low abundance of old, park-like or similar forest patches, high abundance of young and intermediate-aged patches, and widespread evidence of partial stand and stand-replacing fire suggested that variable fire severity and non-equilibrium patch dynamics were primarily at work.
Continuation Call Options and the Sensitivity of Returns to Gains

Complementing prior literature that examines determinants of the sensitivity of returns to losses, we provide evidence that the sensitivity of returns to gains increases with firms’ real continuation call options, i.e., their discretionary ability to continue operations, to make new investments, and to raise capital when financing deficits arise. To ensure that our findings are incremental to those reported in prior literature, we estimate the sensitivity of returns to losses and gains using spline regressions for sequential partitions of the sample based on proxies for general optionality, liquidation likelihood, investment in real continuation call options, and financing of those investments. We find that the investment and financing of real continuation call options partitions primarily explain the sensitivity of returns to gains and that, despite their subordinated position in this sequence, these partitions have more explanatory power over the returns-earnings relation than do the general optionality and liquidation likelihood partitions. We conduct analyses that validate our measures of the sensitivity of returns to gains as capturing firms’ real continuation call options. Collectively, our results enhance our understanding of how optionality influences the returns-earnings relation.
Tratamiento antitrombótico en pacientes con fibrilación auricular: estudio descriptivo en Atención Primaria

Background: atrial fibrillation is the mostfrecuent chronic arrithmia in population and it consequences, derived from embolism, may be serious. Actually, to assess the antithrombotic therapy it is advisable in patients with high risk for ictus. Objective: to review the antithrombotic therapy of patients with atrial fibrillation in the context of Primary Health Care attention, and evaluate the adaptation of such therapy compared with actual guidelines. Design, material and method: cross sectional study. Centro de Salud Alcantarilla-Sangonera in Murcia (Spain), an urban centre of ambulatory care, which cares are provided to around 20.000 habitants. All patients with atrial fibrillation registered at data base OMI-AP were included. Results: 124 patients with atrial fibrillation were studied, 66.9% were women and 33.1% men, the mean age was 69. 77 years. At least 50% were older than seventy. The atrial fibrillation was chronic in 95 (76%) patients. Most of them has no structural cardiac disease (63. 7%). It is rare to find patients without risk factors for ictus (16.1%), and most (77.4%) have a high risk. Seventy-nine per cent are undergoing a antithrombotic therapy (50.8% oral anticoagulants and 28.2% antiplatelet therapy). We found the therapy was suitable in 70.2% of patients. Likelihood of a suitable therapy was higher in men, in younger than 75 years, in patients treated with oral anticoagulants, and with those who are not treated in relation to treated with antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions: most of patients with atrial fibrillation, valvular or non-valvular, undergo an antithrombotic therapy, mainly oral anticoagulants, and we found therapy as suitable in most of the cases.
A clinicopathological study of human liver allograft recipients harboring preformed IgG lymphocytotoxic antibodies.

Twenty‐six adult patients with preformed IgG donor lymphocytotoxic antibodies received primary liver allografts under FK 506 immunosuppression. The effect of the crossmatch‐positive state on early graft function and on the immunopathological and histopathological findings was compared with that of 52 crossmatch‐negative control recipients. The presensitized (crossmatch‐positive) patients had prolongation of early graft dysfunction, underwent more clinically indicated biopsies and had a higher incidence of cellular rejection, both overall (p < 0.05) and within 10 days of transplantation (p < 0.01). They also had a higher incidence of graft failure in the first 180 days (p < 0.01). Hyperacute rejection with necrotizing or neutrophilic arteritis was not seen in the crossmatchpositive grafts. However, histological findings associated with presensitization included platelet margination in central veins and sinusoids in biopsy specimens 60 to 90 min after graft revascularization. Later biopsy specimens had neutrophilic portal venulitis followed by cholangiolar proliferation, acute cholangiolitis and centrilobular hepatocyte swelling that mimicked preservation injury, endothelial activation of arteries with medial changes and relapsing episodes of acute cellular rejection. These clinicopathological observations suggest that lymphocytotoxic antibodies can have a deleterious effect on liver allograft function and survival, even if they do not precipitate immediate or hyperacute rejection. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;16:671–681.) Copyright © 1992 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
Prenatal diagnosis and management of congenital lobar emphysema.

Abstract Background: Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare anomaly of lung development that usually presents in the neonatal period with respiratory distress and pulmonary lobar hyperinflation. The routine use of prenatal ultrasonography has resulted in the early identification and serial evaluation of congenital lung lesions. CLE can be distinguished from other congenital lung lesions on ultrasonography by the differences in echogenicity and reflectivity. Methods: Two cases of CLE diagnosed at midgestation by ultrasonography and ultrafast fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with serial sonographic documentation of their prenatal course were reviewed. Results: The CLE lesions decreased in size over the course of the pregnancy, similar to that seen with other congenital lung lesions such as cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration. However, these neonates with CLE showed marked air-trapping and respiratory distress requiring lobectomy in the early neonatal period. Conclusions: These cases provide insight into the prenatal course of CLE and underscore the need for continued postnatal evaluation of fetuses even those in whom the lesions appear to have resolved in utero. These patients should have ready access to postnatal surgical intervention. J Pediatr Surg 35:792-795. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
A cholinergic feedback circuit to regulate striatal population uncertainty and optimize reinforcement learning

One of the keys to successful learning is being able to adjust behavior on the basis of experience. In simple terms, it pays to repeat behaviors with positive outcomes and avoid those with negative outcomes. A group of brain regions known collectively as the basal ganglia supports this process by guiding behavior based on trial and error. However, circumstances can and do change: a behavior that routinely produces a positive outcome now will not necessarily always do so in the future. The outcome of a given behavior can also vary from time to time purely by chance: even the most appropriate action can sometimes lead to a negative outcome but should be repeated again. Exactly how the basal ganglia take into account this uncertainty over behavioral outcomes to appropriately guide learning is unclear. Franklin and Frank have now come up with a possible explanation by building on an existing computational model of the basal ganglia. Whereas the old model assumes that the rate of learning given an unexpected outcome always remains constant, in the new model learning occurs more quickly when the outcome of a behavior is uncertain. This makes intuitive sense, in that rapid learning is especially useful during the initial stages of learning a new task or following a sudden change in circumstances. The new model proposes that a group of cells called tonically active interneurons (TANs), which release the chemical acetylcholine, enable the basal ganglia to take account of uncertainty. TANs are found in a basal ganglia structure called the striatum and have a characteristic firing pattern during important outcomes, consisting of a burst of activity followed by a pause lasting several hundred milliseconds. The model suggests that when the outcome of a behavior is uncertain, the length of this pause is increased. This boosts the activity of another group of neurons in the striatum, known as spiny neurons, and this in turn increases the rate of learning. Franklin and Frank found that by varying the length of the TAN pause, the basal ganglia can adjust learning rates based on the degree of uncertainty over behavioral outcomes. Comparisons show that the TAN computational model optimizes the accuracy and flexibility of learning across different environments, while also accounting for findings which show that TAN lesions induce insensitivity to changes in decision outcomes. The next step is to test some of the new predictions about uncertainty experimentally.
Interventions to Increase Retention in Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review

Objective:Several systematic reviews have evaluated interventions that aim to increase mental health service initiation and engagement as well as adherence to pharmacological treatment. No reviews have focused on evaluating these interventions’ effects on retention in mental health services, however, which was the goal of this systematic review.Methods:PubMed, PsycINFO, and Social Services Abstracts were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. All studies published prior to March 29, 2015, that compared two or more groups on any measure of retention in mental health services were included. Methodological quality was assessed for each included study. An effect size was calculated for each outcome, although a meta-analysis was not conducted because of heterogeneity across interventions. To facilitate narrative analysis, interventions were categorized by targets—the types of predictors of or barriers to mental health service use that the intervention aimed to address.Results:Eleven studies met ...
An Embedded 65 nm CMOS Remote Temperature Sensor With Digital Beta Correction and Series Resistance Cancellation Achieving an Inaccuracy of 0.4 $^{\circ}$ C (3 $\sigma$ ) From $-$ 40 $^{\circ}$ C to 130 $^{\circ}$ C

An embedded remote junction temperature sensor (RTS) with an inaccuracy of $0.4^{\circ}$ C $(3\sigma)$ for temperature range from $-$ 40 $^{\circ}$ C to 130 $^{\circ}$ C is presented. Using a digital beta compensation technique, series resistance cancellation and global offset and noise coupling cancellation, the sensor is capable of handling a variety of remote BJTs which are either directly mounted on a PCB or embedded in SoCs. It can accommodate a series resistance of more than 500 $\Omega$ and beta values down to around 1.5. The RTS has been integrated with a microcontroller core implemented in a 65 nm digital CMOS process. It shares an external reference voltage source with other data converters on the SoC. Measured results from a set of 16 samples and four BJTs are presented.
E-037 large aneurysms at the basilar apex cause progressive basilar artery deformation and aneurysm tilt compared to small aneurysms

Background An observation of increasing basilar artery curvature and progressive tilting of the aneurysms in large aneurysms (Figure 1) formed the basis of performing this retrospective evaluation of basilar apex aneurysms. Such progressive aneurysm tilting in large aneurysms can cause angiographic and symptomatic mass effect on the adjacent brain stem. Methods An IRB-approved retrospective analysis of treated basilar apex aneurysms treated with endovascular approach was performed. The radius of curvature of the basilar artery was measured along its center line. The deformation of the basilar artery and aneurysm tilt was calculated as the difference in the radius of curvature (Figure 2) and the aneurysm angle on the initial compared to the follow up angiograms. The aneurysms were dichotomized into Results A total of 63 basilar apex aneurysms met the inclusion criteria. There were 16 aneurysms in the ≥10 mm group and 47 in the Conclusion Large aneurysm (≥10 mm) can cause significant deformation of the basilar artery curvature and progressive aneurysm tilt compared to smaller aneurysms. Potential causes for this phenomenon may include mass effect from the coils or the flow dynamics and pulsatility associated with large aneurysms. Whether intrasaccular or intraluminal flow diversion will mitigate this phenomenon remains to be seen. Disclosures A. Rai: 2; C; Stryker Neurovascular, Codman Neuro. S. Boo: None. J. Carpenter: None.
Study of Bagnisiopsis Species on the Melastomaceae

This is a group of interesting fungi occurring on living leaves of various genera and species of the Melastomaceae in tropical America. In the revision of the genus by Petrak (5) species parasitizing this family are placed in the section Eu-bagnisiopsis, and this paper is confined to a study of that section. Many published descriptions are to be found rather widely scattered throughout the literature. It has been the purpose of this investigation to bring these together with a key and descriptions. Several names have been reduced to synonymy, and one new description added. Most of the specimens studied have been collections of Drs. C. E. Chardon, A. S. Muller, R. A. Toro, and Prof. H. H. Whetzel, gathered in many mycological explorations in Central and South America and the West Indies. In addition to these the writers have been most fortunate in being able to see those in the Theissen herbarium at Harvard University. The writers wish to acknowledge their appreciation for the loan of specimens to Dr. D. H. Linder, Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University, Dr. F. J. Seaver, New York Botanical Garden, Mr. J. A. Stevenson, U. S. D. A. Mycological Collections, Prof. H. H. Whetzel, Cornell University, and to Dr. C. E. Chardon for specimens from his private herbarium.
Hydrogen Segregation To Interfaces

In order to achieve a better understanding of hydrogen segregation to interfaces, a combination of techniques is being used in which hydrogen is deliberately introduced into planar interfaces between thin films, then the segregation measured using highenergy ion-beam profiling techniques. Results are given for heterophase interfaces produced by epitaxial deposition on silicon: The AI/Si (111) and CoSi2/Si (001) interfaces. A preliminary study of Au tilt boundaries in thin-film bicrystals shows the presence of a large amount of hydrogen, ~1016 atoms/cm2, in the boundary after plasma hydrogenation, but also the presence of C impurity (~ 1.6 × 1015 atoms/cm2 ) and Ag. We conclude that some of the hydrogen in the boundary may have been chemically bound to the carbon.
Peer support enhanced social support in adolescent females during weight loss.

OBJECTIVES To describe the development of a peer support intervention and test an enhanced version compared to a standard protocol. METHODS Participants (N = 36 females) were assigned to an Enhanced Peer Support (PS) vs Standard weight loss group for 4 months. The PS component consisted of skills training and practice between sessions using social networking. RESULTS The PS group perceived significantly more peer support and experienced higher levels of social interaction. When meeting frequency decreased, the PS group showed an increase in overall types of support from group members. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that an intervention targeting peer support skills results in greater feelings of peer support.
Spontaneous and Therapeutic-Induced Mechanisms of Functional Recovery After Stroke

With increasing rates of survival throughout the past several years, stroke remains one of the leading causes of adult disability. Following the onset of stroke, spontaneous mechanisms of recovery at the cellular, molecular, and systems levels ensue. The degree of spontaneous recovery is generally incomplete and variable among individuals. Typically, the best recovery outcomes entail the restitution of function in injured but surviving neural matter. An assortment of restorative therapies exists or is under development with the goal of potentiating restitution of function in damaged areas or in nearby ipsilesional regions by fostering neuroplastic changes, which often rely on mechanisms similar to those observed during spontaneous recovery. Advancements in stroke rehabilitation depend on the elucidation of both spontaneous and therapeutic-driven mechanisms of recovery. Further, the implementation of neural biomarkers in research and clinical settings will enable a multimodal approach to probing brain state and predicting the extent of post-stroke functional recovery. This review will discuss spontaneous and therapeutic-induced mechanisms driving post-stroke functional recovery while underscoring several potential restorative therapies and biomarkers.
Prepartum nutrition and solar radiation in beef cattle: II. Residual effects on postpartum milk yield, immunoglobulin, and calf growth.

Residual effects of nutrition and solar radiation during the last two-thirds of gestation on postpartum milk yield, immunoglobulin (1g) G and M in both colostrum and calf serum, and calf growth were determined in beef cattle. Nineteen mature, multiparous crossbred cows (Bos taurus) at d 90 of pregnancy were assigned to either low (LO, 70% NRC total energy intake) or high (HI, 110% NRC total energy intake) nutritional level (sudangrass hay) and to either shade (S) or no shade (NS) treatments in a 2×2 factorial experiment. After parturition, all cows were moved into a large paddock and managed uniformly. Calf weights and calf serum were collected within 1 d postpartum, thereafter at 2-wk intervals for the next 12 wk, and then at 4-wk intervals until weaning. Colostrum samples were taken from the cow and milk yields were determined by the «weigh-suckle-weigh» technique. Neither prepartum nutrition nor environment influenced lactational performance of the dam. Concentrations of IgG were elevated in the colostrum of LO cows (15.3 vs 7.8 g/100 mL, LO vs HI, respectively; P≤.05) but were not affected by shading. The patterns of IgG concentration in the calf serum were not altered by prepartum nutrition or environment; however, the pattern of IgM concentrations was greater (P≤.01) in calves from S cows than in those from NS cows. This difference in IgM profile did not seem to be due to any residual effect from prepartum treatments. Postnatal growth of calves from birth until weaning were similar across all prepartum treatments. Prepartum nutrition and solar radiation had no residual effects on the dam's milk production and the calf's immunoglobulin concentration that might affect calf growth
Cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels mediate sodium absorption by IMCD (mIMCD-K2) cells.

The inner medullary collecting duct cell line, mIMCD-K2, absorbs Na + by an amiloride-sensitive, electrogenic mechanism. The goal of the present study was to characterize the amiloride-sensitive, Na + -conducting channels responsible for electrogenic Na + absorption. To this end, we measured Na + currents in single cells with the patch-clamp technique and Na + currents across monolayers mounted in Ussing-type chambers. In whole cell patch-clamp experiments, amiloride-sensitive, inward Na + currents were mediated by nonselective cation channels. In single-channel patch-clamp experiments, amiloride- and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-sensitive, 20-pS nonselective cation channels (i.e., CNG channels) were identified in the apical membrane. CNG channels were inhibited by amiloride, diltiazem, ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA), and 8-bromo-cGMP and were permeable to Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ . Epithelial Na + channels were never observed in whole cell or single-channel recordings. Na + absorption across confluent monolayers was inhibited with a rank order potency of benzamil > amiloride > phenamil » EIPA > diltiazem. Our data are most consistent with the view that CNG channels mediate electrogenic Na + absorption across mIMCD-K2 cells.
Diethyl pyrocarbonate inhibits rostral ventrolateral medullary H+ sensitivity

Diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), an acylating agent that reacts with imidazole-histidine in vitro, inhibits CO2 sensitivity when applied by pledget to the rostral chemosensitive area on the ventrolateral medullary (VLM) surface in glomectomized, chloralose-urethan-anesthetized cats. In this study similar application of DEPC inhibits the phrenic nerve response to CO2 expressed as a function of VLM [H+] measured by surface pH electrode. Attempts to evaluate direct chemoreceptor stimulation by HCL-soaked surface pledgets proved difficult, but rostral DEPC did inhibit the response to intravenous infusion of HCl. As previously reported, the CO2 and intravenous H+ responses are not a unique function of the VLM [H+]. DEPC had similar inhibitory effects on both the CO2 and the intravenous H+ responses, suggesting that the difference between them may reflect more the orientation or accessibility of the central chemoreceptor than a different mechanism for sensing CO2 vs. H+. DEPC did not alter the phrenic nerve response to hypoxia, indicating that DEPC effects on central chemoreception are not the result of a generalized inhibitory process. The results support the hypothesis that imidazolehistidine is involved at the rostral area with chemoreception of both CO2 and H+.
Developing health technologies for older adults: methodological and ethical considerations

Developing technologies for older adults is a growing area of research. We have designed and evaluated a tablet-based mobile application, seniorHealth, for low-income older adults residing in independent living facilities. Challenges, such as participants' inexperience with technology, made it difficult to apply user-centered design (UCD) philosophy in developing seniorHealth. Participants' difficulties in learning tablet skills raise ethical concerns around creating a technology-based solution the target population. Support groups, community connections and better understanding of older adults psychology may hold solutions to these ethical dilemmas, and should be explored further in defining a roadmap for implementing technology-based solutions for older adults.
Coda: The Great War, and After

A story, oft-repeated during the Great War, ran to the effect that a lady was enraptured with Plutarch’s Lives only so long as she laboured under the impression that they were fiction. Upon being told that the ‘lives’ were real, she refused to read another line.
Differential pulse voltammetry of toxic metal ions at the boron-doped CVD diamond electrode

Boron-doped polycrystalline diamond films were grown over a molybdenum substrate by a microwave plasma CVD process using a methane and hydrogen gas mixture at a pressure of 35 ± 1 Torr. Boron doping of diamond was achieved in situ by using a solid boron source while growing diamond in the CVD processxu. We have observed a negligible background current (Δl) for diamond by differential pulse voltammetry in 0.5 M NaCl, 0.5 M H2SO4, and 0.5 M HNO3 solutions over a wide potential range. Therefore, diamond will certainly have a use as an electrode material in electroanalytical applications to detect trace toxic/nontoxic metal ions such as cadmium, lead, copper, and silver. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to detect and evaluate the presence of lead ions in 0.5 M NaCl and cadmium ions in 0.5 M H2SO4 supporting electrolyte solution using highly conducting boron-doped diamond coated molybdenum electrode material. Furthermore, reverse differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate the presence of copper and silver ions in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.5 M HNO3 solution, respectively. Diamond electrode has been used in this study to detect metallic ions in the solution over a wide potential range that covers + 0.8 V to −0.4 V vs., SHE.
2008 Federal Tax Update

This update explains several developments in the substantive federal income, estate and gift tax laws affecting individual taxpayers and small businesses. It contains summaries of significant cases, rulings, regulations, legislation and other matters from August, 2007, through August, 2008. This update generally does not discuss developments in the areas of qualified plans or the taxation of business entities (except to a very limited extent).
Performance evaluation of color image retrieval

In this paper, we have investigated the capabilities of 4 approaches for image search for a CBIR system. First two approaches are based on comparing the images using color histograms of RGB and HSV spaces, respectively. The other 2 approaches are based on two quantitative image fidelity measurements, Mean Square Error (MSE) and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), which provide a degree of similarity between two images. The precision performances of approaches have been evaluated by using a public image database containing 1000 images. Finally effectiveness of retrieval has been measured for each method.
Optimal Haplotype Assembly via a Branch-and-Bound Algorithm

Haplotype assembly from high-throughput sequencing data is a computationally challenging problem. In fact, most of its formulations, including the most widely used one that relies on optimizing the minimum error correction criterion, are known to be NP-hard. Since finding exact solutions to haplotype assembly problems is difficult, suboptimal heuristics are often used. In this paper, we propose a novel method for optimal haplotype assembly that is based on depth-first branch-and-bound search of the solution space. Drawing on ideas from sphere decoding algorithms in digital communications, we exploit statistical information about errors in sequencing data to constrain the search of the haplotype space and thus efficiently find the optimal solution. Theoretical analysis and extensive simulation studies, as well as benchmarking on 1000 Genomes Project experimental data, demonstrate efficacy of the proposed method.
“Imagine”: Radical Love Abides in Cruel Unforgiving Times

This essay discusses how, in this current historical conjuncture of cruelty, insensitivity, greed and technological obsessiveness, radical love, and listening can abide in education and in the global society. It engages these issues in three sections. First, the essay describes and explicates the current milieu in terms of the adoration of money, the paradox between the lack of community and the virtual communication obsession. It also delves into what can be considered the central political issue of our time, that of voluntary subservience. That is, why current corporate neoliberalism and microfascism continue despite efforts to contest them. Second, the essay discusses notions of hope from a critical autobiographical context and the ways in which hope is necessary for a pedagogy of radical love and listening. Third, the essay discusses education within the current context described and the ways in which radical hope, listening and love in critical pedagogy can abide in education and society despite the tremendous forces working against such education and thinking. The essay claims finally that commitment and abiding with criticality is radical love.