cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A micromechanics approach to the study of hydrogen transport and embrittlement

Abstract The mechanisms of hydrogen related fracture are briefly outlined. Previous investigations on the physics and treatment of the hydrogen transport processes are reviewed. A hydrogen diffusion model based on the interaction of hydrogen induced strain in the lattice with local material elastoplasticity is presented. Finite element studies were carried out to analyze the hydrogen distribution in the neighborhood of a blunting crack tip under small scale yielding conditions and in the neighborhood of a rounded notch in a four-point bend specimen. The calculated hydrogen concentration profiles and experimental observations of embrittlement in high strength steels are used to make evaluative statements on the occurrence of the first microcracking event.
Treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with high-dose daily oral cholecalciferol (2000–4000 IU vitamin D 3 )

Treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with high-dose daily oral cholecalciferol (2000–4000 IU vitamin D 3 )
High Ability/Learning Disabled Students: How Are They Different?

The purpose of the research was to investigate what characteristics distinguish High Ability/LD students from learning disabled students with average cognitive ability and from high ability student...
Mitochondrial uncoupling and lifespan

The quest to understand why we age has given rise to numerous lines of investigation that have gradually converged to include metabolic control by mitochondrial activity as a major player. That is, the ideal balance between nutrient uptake, its transduction into usable energy, and the mitigation of damaging byproducts can be regulated by mitochondrial respiration and output (ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and heat). Mitochondrial inefficiency through proton leak, which uncouples substrate oxidation from ADP phosphorylation, can comprise as much as 30% of the basal metabolic rate. This uncoupling is hypothesized to protect cells from conditions that favor ROS production. Uncoupling can also occur through pharmacological induction of proton leak and activity of the uncoupling proteins. Mitochondrial uncoupling is implicated in lifespan extension through its effects on metabolic rate and ROS production. However, evidence to date does not suggest a consistent role for uncoupling in lifespan. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent work examining how mitochondrial uncoupling impacts lifespan.
Pharmacological evidence for a functional role of the prejunctional alpha-adrenoreceptor in noradrenergic neurotransmission in the conscious rat

The functional role of the prejunctional alpha-adrenoreceptor was studied in normal, adrenalectomized and desmethylimipramine pretreated conscious rats. Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists with differing in vitro selectivities for the prejunctional alpha-adrenoreceptor were administered, and their effects on arterial blood pressure, heart rate and plasma noradrenaline concentration determined. Following prazosin, an alpha-receptor antagonist with selectivity for the postjunctional alpha-adrenoreceptor, plasma noradrenaline concentration increased to a level slightly above that attributable merely to reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system by the direct-acting vasodilator, hydralazine. In contrast, administration of equipotent hypotensive doses of phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine, alpha-receptor antagonists which block both pre- and postjunctional alpha-adrenoreceptors, resulted in marked and sustained increases in plasma noradrenaline concentration. The increases in heart rate following these agents were proportional to the changes in noradrenaline. Yohimbine, an alpha-receptor antagonist with selectivity for the prejunctional alpha-adrenoreceptor, resulted in a modest and transient reduction in arterial blood pressure but a sustained increase in heart rate and a three-fold increase in plasma noradrenaline concentration. In addition, dose-response studies revealed that for a given reduction in arterial pressure, prazosin caused a lesser increment in plasma noradrenaline concentration and heart rate, than phentolamine. Studies in adrenalectomized rats and rats pretreated with desmethylimipramine excluded a direct effect on the adrenal medulla and blockade of the neuronal uptake process, respectively, as the mechanism for the observed increments in plasma noradrenaline concentration. As the spectrum of changes in plasma noradrenaline concentration and heart rate is consistent with the in vitro selectivities of these agents to block the prejunctional alpha-receptor, these findings provide evidence for a functional role of this receptor in noradrenergic neurotransmission in the rat.
Impact of a bedside procedure service on general medicine inpatients: A firm-based trial

BACKGROUND Procedure services may improve the training of bedside procedures. However, little is known about how procedure services may affect the demand for and success of procedures performed on general medicine inpatients. OBJECTIVE Determine whether a procedure service affects the number and success of 4 bedside procedures (paracentesis, thoracentesis, lumbar puncture, and central venous catheterization) attempted on general medicine inpatients. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Large public teaching hospital. PATIENTS Nineteen hundred and forty-one consecutive admissions to the general medicine service. INTERVENTION A bedside procedure service was offered to physicians from 1 of 3 firms for 4 weeks. This service then crossed over to physicians from the other 2 firms for another 4 weeks. MEASUREMENTS Data on all procedure attempts were collected daily from physicians. We examined whether the number of attempts and the proportion of successful attempts differed based on whether firms were offered the beside procedure service. RESULTS The number of procedure attempts was 48% higher in firms offered the service (90 versus 61 per 1000 admissions; RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.06–2.10; P = .030). More than 85% of the observed increase was a result of procedures with therapeutic indications. There were no differences between firms in the proportions of successful attempts or major complications. CONCLUSIONS The availability of a procedure service may increase the overall demand for bedside procedures. Further studies should refine the indications for and anticipated benefits from these commonly performed invasive procedures. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:143–149. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
“All that is spoke is marred:” Language and consciousness in Othello

(1982). “All that is spoke is marred:” Language and consciousness in Othello. Women's Studies: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 157-176.
Social Behavior, Reproductive Strategies, and Population Genetic Structure of Lagothrix poeppigii

For species of primates in which females emigrate, we would expect males within groups to be related to one another. Kin selection theory suggests that these males should associate preferentially with one another, be more affiliative and cooperative with one another than females are, and compete less overtly with one another over reproductive opportunities than males in female philopatric taxa do. Precisely these patterns of social behavior characterize well-studied populations of 2 of the 3 atelin primate genera: spider monkeys (Ateles) and muriquis (Brachyteles). For the third atelin genus, Lagothrix, patterns of intragroup social behavior have been less well-documented. We studied the social and reproductive behavior of lowland woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii) in Ecuador during a one-year observational study and subsequently used molecular techniques to investigate population genetic structure and dispersal patterns for this taxon. Among adult male woolly monkeys, both affiliative and agonistic interactions were rare, and males were seldom in close proximity to one another. Relationships among male woolly monkeys are best characterized as tolerant, especially in the context of mating wherein direct competition among males was minimal despite the fact that females mated with multiple males. Relationships among females were likewise generally tolerant but nonaffiliative, though females often directed harassment towards copulating pairs. Affiliative interactions that did occur among woolly monkeys tended to be directed either between the sexes—primarily from female to male—or from younger towards older males, and the proximity partners of females tended to be members of the opposite sex. These results suggest that bonds between the sexes may be more important than same-sex social relationships and that direct female-female competition is an important feature of woolly monkey reproductive biology. Our genetic results indicate that, as in other atelins, dispersal by females is common, but some male dispersal likely occurs as well. In some but not all groups we studied, nonjuvenile males within social groups were more closely related to one another on average than females were, which is consistent with greater male than female philopatry. However, differences in these patterns among our study groups may reflect local variation in dispersal behavior.
Diffusional interaction between closely spaced dual microelectrodes

Abstract Electrode assemblies with a pair of independent carbon fiber microelectrodes (diameter = 10 μm) were constructed with gap distances from
Induction of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor by mycobacterial proteins: the monocyte western blot

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis involves mononuclear phagocytic cells as hosts to intracellular parasites, accessory cells in the induction of the immune response, effector cells for mycobacterial killing, and targets of cytotoxic lymphocytes. When stimulated by whole mycobacteria or various mycobacterial preparations, monocytes and macrophages produce the cytokines interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor, which possess multiple functions, including immune induction, and may be responsible for the fever and cachexia prominent in tuberculosis. To identify mycobacterial proteins that may directly activate production of these cytokines, culture filtrate of M. tuberculosis that had been subjected to gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose paper was used to stimulate monocyte production of cytokines. Fractions representing molecular weights of 46,000 and 20,000 consistently induced both interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor. The magnitude of the monocyte responses to these fractions was similar to that to intact mycobacteria or optimal concentrations of lipopolysaccharide. This stimulatory effect was not due to contamination with either bacterial lipopolysaccharide or mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan, as it was abolished by digestion with Streptomyces griseus protease but was unaffected by ammonium sulfate precipitation, preincubation with polymyxin B, or depletion of lipoarabinomannan by immunoaffinity chromatography. Proteins identified by this system may have considerable potential as immunogens, as the capacity to directly stimulate mononuclear phagocyte production of cytokines is an essential property of adjuvants.
Expanded indications for laser-assisted balloon angioplasty in peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract Successful recanalization of isolated femoropopliteal occlusions by laser-assisted balloon angioplasty has been widely reported. However, the utility of this approach in other sites remains undetermined. The potential of laser-assisted balloon angioplasty in the treatment of a broad spectrum of lower extremity atherosclerosis was explored. Seventy-seven limbs in 69 patients were treated with laser-assisted balloon angioplasty by means of a percutaneous approach. Technical success was achieved in 62/77 (81%), with 52/77 (68%) open at discharge. At a mean of 8.6 months' follow-up, cumulative patency was 50% at 6 months and 42% at 9 months. In 10 cases initial guide wire placement was not possible; primary laser probe passage was technically successful in six, with two open at latest follow-up. Eleven patients underwent laser therapy without balloon angioplasty of distal sites with technical success in eight; at most recent follow-up five were open at the site of sole laser therapy. Complications were frequent. Bleeding requiring transfusion occurred in six, with three patients requiring emergency surgery; worsened ischemia necessitating urgent arterial bypass grafting developed in five patients. In this series laser angioplasty carried significant complications and a high failure rate. Widespread application of this procedure should await further clinical investigation. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:146-55.)
ACP Journal Club. CABG and PCI did not differ clinically for angina relief in severe CAD.

Source Citation Cohen DJ, Van Hout B, Serruys PW, et al. Quality of life after PCI with drug-eluting stents or coronary-artery bypass surgery. N Engl J Med. 2011;364:1016-26. 21410370
Personality change and gait dysfunction.

Awoman in her 50swas referred to a neurologist for a history of gait, balance, personality, and judgment changes over 4 years. Her family noted that her first symptoms appearedat age55,with subtle gait dysfunction and thenevident imbalance. By age57, there wasconcernoverprogressivewithdrawal fromsocial interchange,personality changes, and impairment of judgment. By age 59, she was experiencing bouts of inappropriate out-ofcontext laughter and tears, inattention, daytime fatigue, and frank memory impairment. She developed visuoperceptive changes and difficulties using the television remote control device. She developed obsessive checking behaviors. She started having swallowing difficultiesbutnonethelesshadunexpectedweightgain.Shedevelopedprogressivelyworse motoric problems,with stiffness, abnormal posturing, a left toepointing upward, and falls. Her medical history was significant only for restless legs syndrome, hypertension, hyperlipidemia,myopia, and adeviatednasal septum.Her family history revealed that her father was alive and well at approximately age 90 years, and her mother had died at approximately age 80 yearswith a history of neuropsychiatric disease and gait change. Therewas no history of tobacco, excess alcohol, or recreational drug use. General examination findings were noncontributory. Neurological examination revealed abnormal mental status, with full orientation and good registration, concentration, digit span, and language function but with poor calculations and constructions (Figure 1A) and decreased short-term memory. Nonetheless, her Mini-Mental State Examination score was 28 of 30. Cranial nerve examination revealed some decreased upgaze and mild facial masking. Motor examination revealed rigidity and dystonic posturing in the left arm and leg, imbalance on gait, decreased arm swing, and retropulsion but no significant tremor. Sensory examination findings were normal. Reflex examination showed mild left hyperreflexia with an upgoing left toe. Blood and urine laboratory study results were within normal limits. Cerebrospinal fluid was unremarkable except for biomarkers that showed a mid-range β-amyloid 42 level of 530 pg/mL and normal total tau and phosphotau levels of 182 and 25 pg/mL, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was reported as unremarkable (Figure 1B). Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the brain revealed right frontotemporoparietal hypometabolism with some sensorimotor sparing (Figure 1C), which was neither typical nor atypical of Alzheimer disease. Electroencephalography showed left frontotemporal sharp waves and slowing. She had continued progressive decline in cognition and motor function and died almost mute and bedridden in her early 60s after a 9-year course of illness. A B
Relative excitations of the 237 Pu shape isomers

The excitation energy of the 1120-nsec spontaneous-fission isomer of $^{237}\mathrm{Pu}$ has been shown to be 0.30 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.15 MeV above that of the 82-nsec isomer. The half-life of the longer-lived isomer may therefore be determined by its radiation width rather than by its direct fission width.
Long-term relationships between ecological stability and biodiversity in Phanerozoic reefs

High biodiversity has been shown to enhance ecological stability on small spatial scales and over intervals of weeks to decades. It remains unclear, however, whether this diversity-stability relationship can be scaled up to regional scales, or to longer timescales. Without empirical validation at larger scales, the implications of the diversity-stability relationship for both ecology and long-term conservation strategies cannot readily be resolved. Here I show that in biogenic reefs, ecological stability is related to taxonomic diversity on million-year timescales. The higher the mean reef diversity in a particular time interval, the smaller the change in skeletal density, style of reef building and biotic reef types in the subsequent time interval. Because the relationships apply to a wide spectrum of disturbance regimes and reef types, these results support the hypothesis that species richness itself promotes ecological stability. Carbonate production by reefs, while closely correlated with reef diversity without temporal lag, is not stabilized by reef diversity over these long timescales. This suggests that ecological stability and productivity may be decoupled in natural ecosystems.
OSO-7 observations of solar x-rays in the energy range 10–100 keV

The solar X-ray experiment on the satellite OSO-7 has provided extensive observations of hard and soft X-ray bursts. We give a general description of the hard X-ray data here, in parallel with the description of the soft X-ray data already published (Datlowe et al., 1974). The data for this study consist of 123 hard X-ray bursts which occurred between 10 October 1971 and 6 June 1972. We examine the behavior of a typical event in terms of its spectral and flux variations. For the whole data sample, we find that 2/3 of the soft X-ray bursts have detectable hard X-ray emission. We present the distributions of frequency of occurrence of peak flux, spectral index, collisional energy loss, burst duration and the duration at half maximum of the flux profile. No correlation was found between the flux and the spectral slope of an individual data sample, nor was there a correlation between the peak flux and the full width at half maximum of a burst. We have utilized Hα flare identifications to study longitude variations. No statistically significant variation was found in the relative frequency of hard or soft X-ray bursts with longitude. However, the spectral slope does exhibit a center-to-limb variation, with limb spectra tending to be softer. We have compared the growth of energy in the hot flare plasma (soft X-ray source) with the collisional energy deposition (hard X-ray source) for the entire sample. This analysis shows that collision loss within the hot plasma is not the principal source of its heating.
Histologic and hemodynamic effects of endosaccular platinum coils for intracranial aneurysms

Over the past 15 years, endosaccular platinum coil therapy for intracranial aneurysms has evolved from clinical pilot studies of investigational devices to common clinical practice. The mechanism by which these coils reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture-the primary goal of intracranial aneurysm treatment-is the focus of this review. Both histological mechanisms of scar formation and hemodynamic mechanisms of flow diversion may be involved. We will first review aneurysm epidemiology to provide the context and rationale for therapy for patients harboring intracranial aneurysms. Next, we will review the data for and theories of the pathophysiology of aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture, particularly as they relate to endovascular coil therapy. Histological and hemodynamic studies of coiled aneurysms in animals and humans will be reviewed. Finally, we will discuss emerging coil-based therapies, such as bioactive polymer coatings for platinum coils and the adjunctive use of stents.
THz non-destructive evaluation using correlation processing

Terahertz (THz) has been well known for its unique ability to propagate through non-polar packaging material. At the same time, THz wavelengths are small enough to provide meaningful imaging resolution, leading to their large potential in non-destructive evaluation. Correlation processing is a technique that has been shown to detect phase resonances in illicit chemicals, and in this paper, is extended to detect defects in a device with THz reflection data. A small diagonal crack in a solar panel is used to demonstrate this new technique.
Syphilis in pregnancy: a review.

Abstract Syphilis is an indolent systemic spirochetal infection that remains a global health concern. Increased rates of HIV infection and intravenous drug abuse have slowed attempts to eliminate syphilis. Although the incidence of syphilis is currently declining in the United States, it remains an important health concern for women. As women are often affected by syphilis during their reproductive years, the potential risks to offspring are great. Treponema pallidum , the etiologic agent of syphilis, readily traverses the placenta, resulting in fetal infection. Vertical transmission may occur at any gestational age and at any stage of syphilis. Congenital syphilis is a serious infection with profound effects on the fetus/neonate. Clearly, access to prenatal care is an important factor in prevention of this condition. In spite of the plethora of antibiotics presently available in our medical armamentarium, penicillin remains the only safe and effective agent for the treatment of syphilis in pregnancy. Penicillin desensitization is indicated in patients with proven penicillin allergy. Clearly, additional research to improve our prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies is needed as we move into the new millennium, to further reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with syphilis and congenital syphilis.
Design and performance of a stable linear retarder

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a nominally quarter-wave linear retarder for wavelengths near 1.3 µm that is stable within ±0.1° retardance over a range of wavelength, input angle, temperature, and environmental variations. The device consists of two concatenated Fresnel rhombs made from a low stress-optic-coefficient glass that minimizes the residual birefringence from machining and packaging. Device machining, assembly, and antireflection coating tolerances are discussed, and the theoretical performance is compared with measurements. Humidity can modify retardance of the total-internal-reflection surfaces; we discuss packaging that mitigates this effect and provides an estimated 10-year lifetime for the device. Several measurement methods were intercompared to ensure that the device retardance can be measured with an uncertainty less than 0.1°. Similar retarders will be certified by NIST and made available as Standard Reference Materials.
A single-tube screen for Salmonella and Shigella

Salmonella and Shigella species are routinely sought in stool specimens submitted for culture. It is a common practice to screen lactose-negative colonies by using triple sugar iron agar, lysine iron agar, and Christensen urea agar to determine if further identification is necessary. We designed and evaluated a novel combination of media, which are layered in a single tube, for screening isolates suspected to possibly represent Salmonella or Shigella. We tested this media combination with 106 Salmonella, 56 Shigella, and 56 other gram-negative bacilli. All Salmonella and Shigella isolates tested were appropriately characterized as possible Salmonella or Shigella by using an algorithm developed for use with this media combination. Similarly, 53 (95%) of 56 other gram-negative bacilli were appropriately screened as non -Salmonella and non -Shigella isolates. This unique media combination provides the most important biochemical reactions needed to screen for Salmonella and Shigella in a single-tube format, which decreases labor by two thirds (ie, 1 tube is inoculated vs 3).
The finite-dimensional Witsenhausen counterexample

Recently, we considered a vector version of Witsenhausen's counterexample and used a new lower bound to show that in that limit of infinite vector length, certain quantization-based strategies are provably within a constant factor of the optimal cost for all possible problem parameters. In this paper, finite vector lengths are considered with the vector length being viewed as an additional problem parameter. By applying the “sphere-packing” philosophy, a lower bound to the optimal cost for this finite-length problem is derived that uses appropriate shadows of the infinite-length bounds. We also introduce latticebased quantization strategies for any finite length. Using the new finite-length lower bound, we show that the lattice-based strategies achieve within a constant factor of the optimal cost uniformly over all possible problem parameters, including the vector length. For Witsenhausen's original problem — which corresponds to the scalar case — lattice-based strategies attain within a factor of 8 of the optimal cost. Based on observations in the scalar case and the infinite-dimensional case, we also conjecture what the optimal strategies could be for any finite vector length.
Life history, immune function, and intestinal helminths: Trade-offs among immunoglobulin E, C-reactive protein, and growth in an Amazonian population.

Author(s): Blackwell, Aaron D; Snodgrass, J Josh; Madimenos, Felicia C; Sugiyama, Lawrence S | Abstract: ObjectivesInfection with helminths is associated with shifts in host immunity, including increased production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and reduced inflammation. Given limited energy budgets, these shifts may involve changes in energy allocation toward competing demands. Here we test for potential trade-offs between growth, IgE, and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).MethodsDried blood spots and anthropometrics were collected from 162 Shuar forager-horticulturalists from a village in southeastern Ecuador. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure IgE and CRP. Relationships among IgE, CRP, and anthropometrics were examined in three groups: children aged 2-7 years (n = 63), children aged 8-15 (n = 61), and adults over age 18 (n = 37).ResultsGeometric mean IgE was 1,196 IU ml⁻¹ while geometric mean CRP was 1.33 mg l⁻¹. In children, IgE and CRP were negatively correlated (r = -0.21, P = 0.02, df = 122). Controlling for fat stores and age, IgE was associated with lower stature in children (t = -2.04, P = 0.04, df = 109), and adults (t = -3.29, P l 0.01, df = 33). In children there was a significant interaction between age and CRP, such that in younger children CRP was associated with shorter stature, but in older children was associated with greater stature (t = 2.15, P = 0.04, df = 109).ConclusionsThese results suggest that infection with helminths may have hidden costs associated with immunological changes, and that these costs may ultimately affect growth and other life history parameters.
Radio Continuum Measurements of Mass Loss from Wolf-Rayet Stars

The Wolf-Rayet phenomenon is defined by the striking emission line spectrum which is observed at UV, optical, and IR wavelengths. The usual interpretation is that this characteristic emission-line spectrum results from a stellar wind which has such a high density that even relatively weak lines are formed in the extended envelope formed by the outflow. This model leads to the expectation that the Wolf-Rayet phenomenon is linked to stars which have very high rates of mass loss. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the mass loss rate and the spectral appearance of 0, Of, and WR stars.
Preparing a Project Manual: A Comprehensive Project View

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for a capstone project, Construction Management students are required to prepare a construction project manual. Rather than copying and pasting from existing company manuals, a new experiment was conducted requiring the students to prepare a project manual from scratch, to cover the project in its different development phases; Initiation, Pre-Design, Design, Pre-construction, Construction, Handing over, and Commissioning. Developed procedures had to be selfcontained, including their purpose, scope, definitions, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and any relevant forms or checklists. Additional components included a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM), and a newly coined term TPRC which stands for: Tools, Personnel, References, and Controls. A flowchart was developed for each procedure to graphically represent the flow of its activities, as well as its inputs and outputs. The final deliverable consisted of a multi-phased manual reflecting different project phases. Deliverables were evaluated and judged by a panel of construction professionals from the local industry, representing different project roles on a project team (Client, Financiers, Designer, Construction Manager, General Contractor, Subcontractors, and Users). Further evaluation was conducted one year after graduation, gauging the former students’ perceptions of the project manual and its applicability to their role in the construction industry.
Parallelized Boosting with Map-Reduce

In this paper, we propose two novel algorithms, AdaBoost.PL (Parallel AdaBoost) and LogitBoost.PL (Parallel LogitBoost), that facilitate simultaneous participation of multiple computing nodes to construct a boosted classifier. Our algorithms can induce boosted models whose generalization performance is close to the respective baseline classifier. By exploiting their own parallel architecture both the algorithms gain significant speedup. We used the Map-Reduce framework to implement our algorithms and experimented on a variety of synthetic and real-world data sets to demonstrate the performance in terms of classification accuracy, speedup and scaleup.
Unusual Cause for Pediatric Chest Pain: MDCT Evaluation of Single Coronary Artery

Single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare congenital anomaly in which the entire coronary system arises from a solitary ostium. Anomalies of the coronary arteries are rare conditions that are often asymptomatic. However, if perfusion by the coronary artery is impaired, this anomaly can lead to a life-threatening situation, such as myocardial ischemia or infarction, and sudden cardiac death. 5 We report a case of single coronary artery in a six year old girl who presented with acute chest pain.
Optimal Maintenance Policy and Sale Date of a Machine

A machine is to be bought, used for productive purposes for a length of time, and then sold. It is possible to do preventive maintenance while the machine is being used, if desired, in order to slow down the degradation of the machine's capability. The value of owning the machine is the sum of the discounted value of its production while it is owned plus its discounted value when sold. In this paper a modification of a model due to B. Naslund for the problem is discussed. Using Pontryagin's maximum principle, the problem is treated as one of optimal control with the control variables being the use or nonuse of preventive maintenance and the selection of the sale date. It is shown that the optimal maintenance policy is bang-bang, and methods for finding the optimal sale date are determined. Simply examples show the various kinds of solutions that can be obtained with varying assumptions concerning the actual functions used in the model.
Natural and Anthropogenic Forces Shape the Population Genetics and Recent Evolutionary History of Eastern United States Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians)

ABSTRACT Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians Lamarck) are ecologically important in U.S. Atlantic waters off northeastern states and in the Florida Gulf of Mexico, and have been intensely harvested from both of those regions for decades. However, a detailed study comparing their basic population genetic structures using more than a single type of genetic marker has not been conducted. Through such a study, key phylogeographic, taxonomic, and fisheries issues can be addressed. We used variation in allozyme loci and mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms to evaluate and compare the population genetic structures of bay scallops from those two regions, to propose a new interpretation for the composition of the North Carolina bay scallop population, to resolve the taxonomic quandary of Argopecten irradians taylorae, and to evaluate the apparent and potential genetic effects of the common fishery practice of hatchery-based stock enhancement on the genetic diversity and relatedness of Atlanti...
CONTROL OF WALNUT HUSK FLY IN WALNUTS, 2012

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of reduced risk insecticides for WHF control. The study was conducted in an untreated “Hartley” walnut orchard near Hollister, CA. Twelve treatments were replicated four times in an RCB design. Each replicate was a single tree. The orchard was planted with 7.3 m × 7.3 m spacing. Adult WHF were monitored weekly with two ammonium carbonate UC “Supercharged” yellow apple maggot panel traps from …
Less is More: Comparing the 2015 and 2009 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

Background: The American Thyroid Association (ATA) has recently revised its guidance pertaining to thyroid nodules and follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer. The 2015 guidelines are massive in both scope and scale, with changes in the organizational approach to risk stratification of nodules and cancer, as well as multiple sections covering new material. This review highlights the major structural and organizational changes, focusing attention on the most dramatically changed recommendations, that is, those recommendations that clinicians will find striking because they call for significant divergence from prior clinical practice. Summary: The revised approach to thyroid nodule risk stratification is based on sonographic pattern, with an emphasis on pattern rather than growth in the long-term surveillance of nodules. Accumulating data have also been incorporated into an updated risk stratification scheme for thyroid cancer that increases the size of the low-risk pool, in part because low-volume lymph nod...
Abstract 2551: Identifying hereditary gastric cancer predisposition in the clinical cancer genomics community research network

Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment (GCRA) clinical referral and testing guidelines are limited for individuals and families with gastric cancer. In part, this is due to a lack of knowledge regarding hereditary gastric cancer susceptibility. The Clinical Cancer Genomics Community Research Network registry includes over 15,000 families seen for GCRA at City of Hope and 45 other collaborating sites. The purpose of this research was to identify variants conferring inherited gastric cancer susceptibility for individuals and families in our registry without previously known genetic predisposition. Adult research participants from our IRB-approved registry with a DNA sample and a personal history of gastric cancer were selected. Those with a previously identified genetic predisposition were excluded (n = 8). In families with more than one eligible individual, the individual with earliest onset of disease was selected. All histologies were included (i.e., intestinal and diffuse adenocarcinomas, as well as, gastrointestinal stromal tumors). Of 47 eligible participants, 22 had previously uninformative clinical testing. Germline sequencing was completed using a novel 706 candidate cancer gene panel, which included genes involved in DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and the Fanconi anemia, mTOR, JAK-STAT, and RAS-MAPK pathways; known cancer susceptibility genes; and genes frequently mutated in gastric tumors (data from the Catalog of Somatic Variants in Cancer database). Based on 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology Standards and Guidelines, 18 out of 47 research participants had pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants. Of the 18, 11 had a first- or second-degree relative with gastric cancer. Variants were identified in established cancer susceptibility genes, such as BRCA2, BRIP1, RAD51C, ATM, FLCN, as well as in genes from rare autosomal recessive conditions, such as FANCC. In conclusion, using a 706 gene panel to test a GCRA cohort, we were able to identify potentially pathogenic variants in 38% of participants with gastric cancer, with nearly half of these variants in clinically actionable genes. The variants identified in this study will need to be further evaluated using segregation studies, tumor studies, and in larger cohorts to establish causality. Citation Format: Thomas P. Slavin, Kai Yang, Sharon Sand, Tanya Chavez, Danielle Castillo, Joseph Herzog, Ilana Solomon, Christina Rybak, Mariana Niell-Swiller, Bita Nehoray, Aaron Adamson, Kathleen Blazer, Susan Neuhausen, Jeffrey Weitzel, Clinical Cancer Genomics Community Research Network. Identifying hereditary gastric cancer predisposition in the clinical cancer genomics community research network. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2551.
DNA Flow Cytometry Measurements and Their Clinical Relevance in Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients

There are at least two measurements of tumor aggressiveness that we can obtain using DNA flow cytometry techniques. One is the estimate of ploidy status or DNA content of a patient’s tumor, usually referred to as DNA diploid, if the tumor contains a normal amount of DNA, or DNA aneuploid, if the tumor contains an abnormal amount of DNA (hypo or hyperdiploid). The other prognostic factor is an estimate of a tumor’s proliferative capacity, obtained by measuring the percentage of nuclei in the DNA synthetic phase (S phase) of the cell cycle. The S phase is usually referred to as “high” or “low” (and sometimes intermediate), often based on a mean or median value obtained from a large database.
Epigenetic regulation of genome integrity by a prion-based mechanism

Epigenetic mechanisms mediate diverse gene expression programs in growth and development. Yet whether any can permanently alter the genome is unknown. Here we report a protein-based epigenetic element, a prion, formed by the conserved DNA helicase Mph1/FANCM. [MPH1+] provides resistance to DNA damage, a gain-of-function trait that requires helicase activity and interactions with other DNA repair proteins. Strikingly, the intrinsically disordered regions of Mph1 and human FANCM that are required for prion phenotypes do not resemble known prions. [MPH1+] reduces mitotic mutation rates, but promotes meiotic crossovers, driving phenotypic diversification in wild outcrosses. Remarkably, [MPH1+] is induced by stresses in which the prion is beneficial. Thus, [MPH1+] fuels a quasi-Lamarckian form of inheritance that promotes survival of the current generation and diversification of the next.
Evaluation of fever in the emergency department.

Abstract Background Fever is one of the most common complaints in the emergency department (ED) and is more complex than generally appreciated. The broad differential diagnosis of fever includes numerous infectious and non-infectious etiologies. An essential skill in emergency medicine is recognizing the pitfalls in fever evaluation. Objective of review This review provides an overview of the complaint of fever in the ED to assist the emergency physician with a structured approach to evaluation. Discussion Fever can be due to infectious or non-infectious etiology and results from the body's natural response to a pyrogen. Adjunctive testing including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and procalcitonin has been evaluated in the literature, but these tests do not have the needed sensitivity and specificity to definitively rule in a bacterial cause of fever. Blood cultures should be obtained in septic shock or if the results will change clinical management. Fever may not be always present in true infection, especially in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Oral temperatures suffer from poor sensitivity to diagnose fever, and core temperatures should be utilized if concern for fever is present. Consideration of non-infectious causes of elevated temperature is needed based on the clinical situation. Conclusion Any fever evaluation must rigorously maintain a broad differential to avoid pitfalls that can have patient care consequences. Fever is complex and due to a variety of etiologies. An understanding of the pathophysiology, causes, and assessment is important for emergency physicians.
Merging Opposing Viewpoints: Analysis of the Development of a Statewide Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council in a Traditional Agricultural State

Food policy councils (FPCs) are a useful way for interested groups to work together to create mutually beneficial change within the food system. Often formed through grassroots organizing or commissioned by governmental entities, FPCs have been successful at tackling challenges within food systems by creating forums to address issues whose roots ordinarily are in disparate parts of these systems. Little peer-reviewed research exists, however, examining the formation of state-level FPCs, particularly among states known for their conventional production practices. In this case study, we explored the process of forming a statewide FPC in North Carolina from 2007 to 2009. The objectives were to (a) qualitatively exam­ine the two-year process of forming a statewide FPC in a traditional agriculture state, and (b) iden­tify the factors that led to its formation. To do so, we developed an in-depth interview guide for inter­viewing eight individuals, including government stakeholders, conventional agricultural producers, sustainable agricultural producers, philanthropists, and legal representatives. We used qualitative analy­sis methods to analyze the transcripts, drawing on John Kingdon’s agenda-setting and policy-formation theory to guide analysis. Results indi­cated that four factors drove the formation of the North Carolina state-level FPC: (1) stakeholder involvement, (2) diverse partnerships, (3) stake­holder ability to compromise, and (4) a conducive political setting. While the small sample size pre­vents us from causally interpreting our results and generalizing our findings, this preliminary research may provide insight for other states, especially those with a predominately traditional agriculture system, that are interested in forming state-level FPCs.
Identification and Prioritization of Critical Subject Matter within Mechanical Systems Curriculum in Construction Management Education

ABSTRACTIn order for students graduating with construction-related undergraduate degrees to provide immediate and effective benefit to their employers, program curricula must accurately reflect the needs of the industry. One area of the typical construction management curriculum that receives a varying level of emphasis and consideration amongst accredited programs is Mechanical Systems. Similarly, the wide range of possible topics and concepts relevant to mechanical systems receive varying levels of attention. The purpose of this research was to identify what mechanical system topics and concepts were perceived by industry partners as being most important for graduating construction students to know. Construction industry professionals were surveyed to determine what topics they believed warranted prioritization in mechanical system courses. Results indicate that topics related to Contract Administration (e.g., plan and specification reading, MEP coordination, submittal review, etc.) and How HVAC Systems...
Abstract 19668: Electronic Cigarette Prevalence and Patterns of Use in Adults With a History of Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: Characterizing e-cigarette use patterns is important for guiding tobacco regulatory policy and projecting the future burden of tobacco-related diseases. Although e-cigarette use has been previously characterized in the general population, few studies have examined patterns of use in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), despite the fact that this group represents a highly vulnerable segment of the population. Methods: We examined e-cigarette use in adults aged 18-89 with a history of CVD using data from the 2014 wave of the National Health Interview Survey. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between ever and current e-cigarette use and smoking. In a secondary analysis, we modeled the association between e-cigarette use and a quit attempt over the past year. Results: Former smokers with CVD that quit smoking within the last year showed 1.85 (95% CI: 1.03, 3.33) times the odds of having ever used e-cigarettes when compared to those who reported being someday current smokers. We observed a similar, though less pronounced, increase in odds when looking at current e-cigarette users. Current smokers who attempted to quit smoking within the last year showed significantly increased odds of ever having used e-cigarettes (1.70; 95% CI: 1.25, 2.30) and currently using e-cigarettes (1.97; 95% CI: 1.32, 2.95) when compared to smokers who had not attempted to quit over the last year. Conclusion: Individuals with CVD who recently quit smoking or reported a recent quit attempt were significantly more likely to use e-cigarettes than current smokers and those who did not report a quit attempt. These findings indicate that this population may be using e-cigarettes as an aid to smoking cessation. Characterizing emerging e-cigarette use behaviors in adults with CVD may help to inform outreach activities aimed at this high-risk population and can lead to a better understanding of the evolving burden of tobacco-related illnesses.
Testosterone and Proactive-Reactive Aggression in Youth: the Moderating Role of Harsh Discipline.

This study tests a biosocial model of the link between testosterone and proactive-reactive aggression in youth at varying levels of harsh discipline. Given that proactive aggression is used to gain power and status and the importance of social learning in its formation, we hypothesized that testosterone would be associated with proactive aggression at higher levels of harsh discipline, and that this relationship would be more pronounced in boys than girls. Participants (n = 445; 50% male; M age = 11.92 years; 80% African-American) and their caregivers completed questionnaires including demographics, conflict tactics, and proactive-reactive aggression. Youth also provided a saliva sample for testosterone. Analyses revealed an interaction between testosterone and harsh discipline on proactive aggression in both boys and girls, and an interaction between testosterone and harsh discipline on reactive aggression in boys only. For those experiencing high levels of harsh discipline, testosterone was positively associated with proactive aggression, with the magnitude of the association increasing as harsh discipline increased. For below average levels of harsh discipline, there were protective effects of high testosterone for boy’s reactive aggression and for girl’s proactive aggression. The findings support basic tenets of the biosocial model which suggest that links between testosterone and aggressive behavior are dependent on contextual forces, highlighting the complex relationship between hormones, social context, and aggression. Novel findings include protective effects of high testosterone for those exposed to low levels of harsh discipline. Findings are discussed in light of the context-contingency effect and also within the differential susceptibility framework.
The Mechanics of Lagrange

The most general starting point for the discussion of any mechanical system is the variational principle. It was first proposed as a particularly concise formulation of Newton’s laws of motion, and it turns out to be extremely useful for some simple manipulations such as the transition between different coordinate systems. (Feynman, 1948, 1965), with the inspiration of Dirac (1933, 1935), then found a complete analog for it in quantum mechanics. Indeed, the path integral provides the most direct link between the classical and the quantum regime (cf. Section 13.4).