cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular rational sparse multivariate polynomial interpolation

The problem of interpolating multivariate polynomials whose coefficient domain is the rational numbers is considered. The effect of intermediate number growth on a speeded Ben-Or and Tiwari algorithm is studied.Then the newly developed modular algorithm is presented. The computing times for the speeded Ben-Or and Tiwari and the modular algorithm are compared, and it is shown that the modular algorithm is markedly superior.
Histopathologic and electrophysiologic correlations in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia

Abstract Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with a high incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias, which carry a significant risk of sudden death. 1 In contrast to patients with coronary artery disease, in whom ventricular tachycardia arises as a result of reentrant circuits that form during the healing of an infarct, 2–4 the histologic substrate for ventricular arrhythmias in dilated cardiomyopathy has not been identified. Using various semiquantitative scoring methods, several groups have attempted to correlate histopathology with hemodynamic data as well as prognosis in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. 5–8 Myocarditis has been reported in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and unexplained ventricular arrhythmias. 9 However, a possible correlation between the inducibility of sustained ventricular tachycardia during electrophysiologic study and histopathology has not been systematically examined. A preliminary report from Stanford University suggested that a semiquantitative histologic score may be useful in predicting response to β blockers in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. 10 To determine if an identifiable histologic correlate for inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia exists in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy presenting with sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia, we analyzed histologic and electrophysiologic data from 25 such patients using the same scoring system.
Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed lodination of arachidonic acid: Formation of macrolides

In the presence of iodide and hydrogen peroxide, lactoperoxidase catalyzed the conversion of arachidonic acid into several iodinated products; the major one was previously identified as an iodo-delta-lactone. Two minor and less polar products have now been characterized as 15-iodo-14-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, omega-lactone and 14-iodo-15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, omega-lactone, on the basis of 125I incorporation, mass spectrometry, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical modifications.
β-Blockers: The New Standard of Therapy for Mild Heart Failure

Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe beta-blockers to patients with mild heart failure, especially when standard therapy (diuretics and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, with or without digitalis glycosides) seems to be effective at relieving symptoms. However, current first-line medications for heart failure either ignore or incompletely inhibit adrenergic activation, one of the primary contributors to progressive left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Thus, even effective standard "triple" therapy does not safeguard the patient against further catastrophic deterioration of cardiac performance. Clinical trials have shown that the use of beta-blockers in addition to standard therapy improves left ventricular function, reduces hospitalizations, and-in the cases of bisoprolol, long-acting metoprolol, and carvedilol-improves survival in patients with chronic heart failure. In addition, carvedilol has been found to significantly slow disease progression even in mildly symptomatic patients. Though achieving beta-blockade in patients with heart failure requires extra effort by the clinician (appropriate patient selection, optimization of background therapy, initiating drug treatment at low doses, and titrating slowly with careful vigilance for early signs of clinical instability), the cost is small compared with the consequence of postponing adrenergic intervention. The educational objective of this article is to provide the primary care physician with a review of the current understanding of the pathophysiological characteristics underlying chronic systolic heart failure, the clinical benefits of administering beta-blockers during the early stages of heart failure, and the practical considerations of initiating therapy.
Embodied Encounter Through Imagination and the Arts: Toward a (Barthian) Theology and Praxis of Pastoral Care and Counseling for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Pastoral care always involves an encounter between persons. The mode of operation is often vernacular; through prayer, the reading of scripture, the sharing of sacrament and the provision of counse...
Parental environmental effects and cyclical dynamics in plant populations.

Parental environmental effects have been widely reported in plants, but these effects are often weak relative to direct effects of current environmental conditions. Few studies have asked when consideration of such effects is necessary to understand long-term plant population dynamics. In this article, I show that inclusion of effects of parental density on offspring mass fundamentally changes population dynamics models by making recruitment a function of popula- tion size in two previous generations (Nt11 5 f( Nt, Nt21)), rather than one (Nt11 5 f( Nt)). Models without parental density effects predict either stable population dynamics or sharp crashes from high to low population size (flip bifurcations). When parental effects are at least one-third the size of direct density effects, gradual cycles from high to low population size (Hopf bifurcations) are possible. In this study, I measured effects of parental and offspring density on offspring qual- ity in an annual plant, Cardamine pensylvanica,by manipulating plant density independently in parent and offspring generations and by comparing the effects of parent and offspring density on offspring performance. Parental density effects were detectable but were noticeably weaker than offspring density effects. Nonetheless, the parental effect was large enough to change popu- lation dynamics predictions. Thus, parental effects may be an important component of the numer- ical dynamics of plant populations. Numerous studies have shown that a plant's environment can affect not only the traits of that plant but the traits of its offspring (reviewed in Roach and Wulff 1987). Variation in parental environmental conditions has been shown to affect aspects of offspring performance across wide ranges of experimental ma- nipulations (nutrient availability, water availability, temperature, light quality, and plant density) and plant taxa. However, these ''parental environmental ef- fects'' are almost always substantially smaller than direct effects of current envi- ronment on individual performance. If our goal is to explain ecological and evo- lutionary processes efficiently, we need to understand when these effects are experimental nuisances or statistically detectable curiosities, and when parental effects would substantially change our understanding of population dynamics and evolution. A handful of studies have explicitly addressed this question in an evolutionary context (Kirkpatrick and Lande 1989; Platenkamp and Shaw 1993),
On dichotomy and well conditioning in Kronecker product two-point boundary value problems

A two-point boundary value problem is considered in which the coefficients in the first order linear vector differential equation and the mixed boundary condition equation appear in the form of Kronecker products. The difference between dichotomy and strong dichotomy for Kronecker product BVPs is established, and a result on conditioning is presented.
Sensitivity of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Strain 932 to Selected Anticoccidial Drugs in Broiler Chicks

Abstract The ability of selected anticoccidial drugs to inhibit the colonization of day-old male broiler chicks (Cornish Rocks) by Escherichia coli 0157:H7, strain 932 was examined. Chicks were challenged with 1.8 × 109E. coli 0157:H7 on Day 1, and fed diets supplemented with three selected anticoccidial drugs; monensin, nicarbazin, or robenidine. The cecal and colon fecal contents of the chicks were removed on Day 7, 14, and 21 postinoculation and examined for the concentration of E. coli 0157:H7 per gram of contents. Monensin effectively reduced cecal and colon colonization of the chicks by E. coli 0157:H7. By Day 7, there were significant reductions in the bacterial population of the cecal contents of chicks receiving the monensin-medicated feed, and by Day 21 no E. coli 0157:H7 was recovered from the cecal and colon contents. The bacterial counts in the colon contents of the nicarbazin- and robenidine-medicated and unmedicated chicks were significantly higher than the monensin-treated chicks. Bacterial populations in the colon contents were high only when there were high bacterial concentrations in the cecal contents.
Single Cell Measurement of Dopamine Release with Simultaneous Voltage-clamp and Amperometry

After its release into the synaptic cleft, dopamine exerts its biological properties via its pre- and post-synaptic targets(1). The dopamine signal is terminated by diffusion(2-3), extracellular enzymes(4), and membrane transporters(5). The dopamine transporter, located in the peri-synaptic cleft of dopamine neurons clears the released amines through an inward dopamine flux (uptake). The dopamine transporter can also work in reverse direction to release amines from inside to outside in a process called outward transport or efflux of dopamine(5). More than 20 years ago Sulzer et al. reported the dopamine transporter can operate in two modes of activity: forward (uptake) and reverse (efflux)(5). The neurotransmitter released via efflux through the transporter can move a large amount of dopamine to the extracellular space, and has been shown to play a major regulatory role in extracellular dopamine homeostasis(6). Here we describe how simultaneous patch clamp and amperometry recording can be used to measure released dopamine via the efflux mechanism with millisecond time resolution when the membrane potential is controlled. For this, whole-cell current and oxidative (amperometric) signals are measured simultaneously using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Molecular Devices, with a low-pass Bessel filter set at 1,000 Hz for whole-cell current recording). For amperometry recording a carbon fiber electrode is connected to a second amplifier (Axopatch 200B) and is placed adjacent to the plasma membrane and held at +700 mV. The whole-cell and oxidative (amperometric) currents can be recorded and the current-voltage relationship can be generated using a voltage step protocol. Unlike the usual amperometric calibration, which requires conversion to concentration, the current is reported directly without considering the effective volume(7). Thus, the resulting data represent a lower limit to dopamine efflux because some transmitter is lost to the bulk solution.
Non-EST-based prediction of novel alternatively spliced cassette exons with cell signaling function in Caenorhabditis elegans and human

To better understand the complex role that alternative splicing plays in intracellular signaling, it is important to catalog the numerous splice variants involved in signal transduction. Therefore, we developed PASE (Prediction of Alternative Signaling Exons), a computational tool to identify novel alternative cassette exons that code for kinase phosphorylation or signaling protein-binding sites. We first applied PASE to the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. In this organism, our algorithm had an overall specificity of > or =76.4%, including 33 novel cassette exons that we experimentally verified. We then used PASE to analyze the human genome and made 804 predictions, of which 308 were found as alternative exons in the transcript database. We experimentally tested 384 of the remaining unobserved predictions and discovered 26 novel human exons for a total specificity of > or =41.5% in human. By using a test set of known alternatively spliced signaling exons, we determined that the sensitivity of PASE is approximately 70%. GO term analysis revealed that our exon predictions were found in the introns of known signal transduction genes more often than expected by chance, indicating PASE enriches for splice variants that function in signaling pathways. Overall, PASE was able to uncover 59 novel alternative cassette exons in C. elegans and humans through a genome-wide ab initio prediction method that enriches for exons involved in signaling.
Epidural fentanyl infusion with patient-controlled epidural analgesia for postoperative analgesia in children.

Abstract The use of epidural fentanyl infusion with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) is becoming popular for postoperative analgesia in adults. Its use has not been reported in the pediatric population. We report our initial experience with this technique in pediatric patients. The charts of all children who received epidural fentanyl infusions for postoperative analgesia between June 1991 and February 1992, were reviewed. Thirty-one patients, ages 6 to 17 years (mean ± SD, 13.2 ± 2.7) received epidural fentanyl infusion with PCEA for 36 operative procedures. Epidural catheters were either inserted in the lumbar (n = 14) or thoracic (n = 22) epidural space at a level based on the surgery. A fentanyl bolus of 1.38 ± 0.43 μg/kg was delivered via epidural catheter just prior to the conclusion of surgery. A continuous infusion of fentanyl (0.56 ± 0.18 μg/kg/h) with a PCEA bolus (0.53 ± 0.17 μg/kg) available every 15 minutes was initiated in the recovery room and was utilized for 8 to 110 hours (59 ± 27 hours). Pain and sedation were assessed by verbal descriptive scales, and side effects were noted. Alterations in dosing regimen were made for inadequate analgesia or side effects. Analgesia was assessed as excellent or good in 78% of the patients, 91% in the thoracic catheter group and 57% in the lumbar catheter group (P
Constraints on the design of sustainable systems of agricultural production

Abstract In this paper I review the evolution of the sustainability concept. This is followed by a description of three “classical” systems of sustainable agriculture. None of these systems were or are capable of generating growth of output consistent with modern rates of growth in demand. I then turn to three unresolved analytical issues that continue to divide the conventional resource economics and the sustainable development communities. In a closing section I argue sustainable growth in agricultural production should be viewed as a research agenda rather than as a package of practices that is available to producers whether in developed or developing countries.
Cartilage and subchondral bone thickness distribution with MR imaging

Rationale and Objectives. The authors mapped articular cartilage (AC) and subchondral bone (SB) thicknesses in human acetabula in vitro by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and validated AC measurements by using light microscopy. Materials and Methods. Left and right acetabula from a deceased patient who had undergone left hemiarthroplasty were imaged with fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (repetition time = 55 msec, echo time = 15 msec, flip angle = 50°, matrix = 256 × 256, field of view = 8 cm). AC and SB thickness maps were generated from image data by using analytic geometry, which enabled correction for thickness overestimation due to oblique sectioning. Cartilage bone plugs were extracted from the acetabula, and light microscopy was used to validate the thickness measurements obtained with MR imaging. Results. Standard errors between thickness measurements obtained with MR imaging and light microscopy were 0.37 and 0.33 mm for the left and right AC, respectively, which is consistent with the voxel resolution of the MR imaging sequence (0.31 × 0.31 × 0.8 mm). SB thickness of the cartilage plugs could not be reliably measured with light microscopy and, therefore, could not be validated. Contour maps showed that SB thickness gradients were rapid and focal compared with the rather smooth gradients in AC thickness; however, thicker AC was accompanied by thicker SB for left ( r 2 = .261, P = .0001) and right ( r 2 = .308, P = .0001) acetabula. Average thickness differences between left and right acetabular AC and SB were 0.13 mm ( P = .015) and 0.11 mm ( P = .026), respectively. Although it was the operated hip that had thicker articular tissues, the differences were within the pixel resolution ( Conclusion. AC and SB thickness distribution can be accurately determined by combining noninvasive MR imaging and analytic geometry, which may also provide a means for quantitative, longitudinal assessment of focal AC defects.
Functional Activity of a Transformed Thymic Epithelial Cell Line

In an attempt to obtain pure populations of nonlymphoid thymic cells, monolayers of thymic cells enriched for low-density cells were transformed with SV40. This paper describes the characteristics of the initial cell lines which resulted from this approach. These cell lines appeared to be of epithelial origin by morphologic criteria (extensive surface microvilli and pronounced intercellular tight functions) and by biochemical analysis, since they possessed mouse keratin proteins. They did not possess I-region-associated antigens on their surface, markers that have been detected on normal thymic epithelium. Functionally, these transformed cell lines secreted a factor capable of inducing thymocytes to mature to functional cytotoxic effector cells directed against allogeneic stimulators. This factor did not appear to be interleukin 1, interleukin 2, or colony-stimulating factor; did not result in thymocyte proliferation; and did not affect peripheral T cells. The cell lines described in this report should prove useful in delineating the steps by which immature T cells acquire their immunocompetence in the thymus.
Prostate-specific antigen decline after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist withdrawal in androgen-independent prostate cancer

A 66-year-old man with androgen-independent prostate cancer was treated with abarelix, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, for 20 weeks in an experimental protocol. He did not respond to therapy, but his serum prostate-specific antigen level dropped from 15.8 ng/mL to a confirmed 0.8 ng/mL after abarelix was stopped. His prostate-specific antigen level did not return to greater than 15.8 ng/mL for 14 months. This is the first report of a withdrawal response after therapy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, a new class of agents for prostate cancer. Additional observations are needed to determine whether this is an isolated case or a harbinger of a more common phenomenon.
An Improved Parallel Algorithm for Integer GCD

We present a simple parallel algorithm for computing the greatest common divisor (gcd) of twon-bit integers in the Common version of the CRCW model of computation. The run-time of the algorithm in terms of bit operations isO(n/logn), usingn 1+ɛ processors, where ɛ is any positive constant. This improves on the algorithm of Kannan, Miller, and Rudolph, the only sublinear algorithm known previously, both in run time and in number of processors; they requireO(n log logn/logn),n 2 log2 n, respectively, in the same CRCW model. We give an alternative implementation of our algorithm in the CREW model. Its run-time isO(n log logn/logn), usingn 1+ɛ processors. Both implementations can be modified to yield the extended gcd, within the same complexity bounds.
Market reforms and consumption puzzles in China

Abstract China exhibits above average savings and below average consumption as shares of total economic activity when compared with other countries. At the same time, to create more balanced growth at home and rebalance key bilateral trade and capital flow relationships, China's leadership is trying to increase domestic demand. To complement studies that investigate the high rate of savings in China, this study focuses on the variation in consumption as a share of GDP across provinces between 1979 and 2004. Drawing on well-established consumption theories and work done on savings behavior in China, this paper develops an empirical investigation of the variables hypothesized to influence the pattern of consumption across regions. We find that the normal, economic variables have a small explanatory power if significant at all, while the key variables influencing the macro consumption share are structural, and mostly related to government behavior. For example, local government expenditure on health and education is significant and has a relatively large effect on consumption. Consistent with this we also find a positive relationship between consumption shares and the size of the state sector and the share of tax revenue in GDP. We also find some evidence that financial development has a positive effect on consumption shares. Our results suggest that in order for domestic consumption to be increased in the future, new public and private options to replace the declining security and responsibility of the prior state-dominated system will be needed.
Managing Hypochondriasis in Elderly Clients

The present paper provides a diagnostic and treatment overview of geriatric hypochondriasis. It is suggested that our current definition of hypochondriasis may be inadequate in describing the complexity of the disorder and its varied manifestations in the general population and especially in our geriatric population. Attempts by researchers to provide greater diagnostic clarity are reviewed, including the concepts of hypochondriasis as a discrete disorder (primary hypochondriasis) and hypochondriasis as part of a comorbid mix of disorders (secondary hypochondriasis). Diagnostic features of geriatric hypochondriasis are discussed, including comorbidity, prevalence, the relationship of medical illness to hypochondriacal symptomatology, and etiology. Treatment considerations which are reviewed include: the importance of respect for the defenses of the client, the importance of venting and expressions of feeling by the client, the creation of a psychological atmosphere of professional and interpersonal support, and reattribution training. It is suggested that hypochondriasis is a social “communication” and that comorbidity itself may be the key to unlocking the unspoken “messages” of hypochondriacal older adults.
A broadband seismic study of the lowermost mantle beneath Mexico: Constraints on ultralow velocity zone elasticity and density

Broadband seismic stacking is performed for PcP waves sampling the lowermost mantle and core-mantle boundary beneath central Mexico and the western Gulf of Mexico. The data contain evidence of a lOto 20-km-thick ultralow velocity zone on the western edge of the study area, tapering (or vanishing) to the east to less than 5-km thickness over a horizontal distance of ∼200 km. Epicentral distance varies from 20° to 60°, a range over which the amplitude of reflections from the top of the ultralow velocity zone responds strongly to changes in the ratio of shear to compressional velocity reduction (r = δ ln v s /δ In v p ) and to density within the zone. Where the zone is present and thick enough to separate PcP and the precursory reflection, our modeling is consistent with a value of r near 3 and δ ln v p near 10%, assuming only a minor density increase (1 to 2%). The value of r is reduced to 2 for a ∼14% density increase, but δ ln v p remains large (7%). Very low amplitude multiply converted phases are synthetically well reproduced with extreme attenuation within the zone, suggesting the presence of a melt component.
Accuracy of the Earth-Flattening Approximation in the Theory of Microwave Propagation

A study was made of the maximum ranges and elevations for which the earth-flattening approximation in the theory of microwave propagation is valid. It is found that at a range equal to half the radius of the earth the error introduced by the earth-flattening approximation is only 2 percent, and this independently of the wave-length. The fractional error $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ in the height-gain functions is found to be proportional to the 5/2th power of the elevation, and to the inverse power of the wave-length. Values of $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ for various wave-lengths and elevations are shown in Table I. For wave-lengths of the order of several centimeters the earth-flattening approximation breaks down at elevations greater than a few thousand feet.
Multiple ulcers of the stomach in a newborn infant with staphylococcus septicemia

Summary A case of multiple ulcers of the stomach in an infant dying at the age of five days is reported. These ulcers were regarded as the result of thrombi in the gastric vessels arising from an infection in the umbilical cord.
Novel design for a high-heat-load cryogenic Bragg monochromator crystal

Assuring the survivability and adequate performance of monochromator crystals under the high heat-load conditions present at modern synchrotron light sources, without unduly compromising throughput, is an ongoing challenge in x-ray optics design. Various partial solutions were generated over the last few years but there is still a significant room for improvement. In this paper a new crystal design, allowing for a significant increase of throughput without sacrificing performance, is presented. Utilizing novel geometry the crystal optimizes the utilization of the tried and proven schemes of cryogenic cooling and thin-crystal design, to provide superb heat-load handling capability.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Skeletal imaging effects of pamidronate therapy in osteosarcoma patients

Background After observing metaphyseal changes in pediatric and young adult patients with osteosarcoma who were treated with pamidronate, we initiated a retrospective study to identify bone findings on computed radiography of the chest and extremities, chest CT, extremity MRI, and radionuclide bone scans in this population.
NBQX, an improved non-NMDA antagonist studied in retinal ganglion cells

The quinoxaline derivative, 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo (F) quinoxaline (NBQX), significantly reduced the currents evoked by exogenous application of quisqualate (QQ), kainate (KA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) when applied to ganglion cells, using whole-cell recording in a slice preparation of the tiger salamander retina. A comparison between NBQX and CNQX indicates that NBQX is more effective in blocking AMPA receptors. Also, at up to 10 μM, NBQX has no effect on NMDA-induced currents. Thus at this concentration, NBQX shows no affinity for the glycine binding site of NMDA receptors. For this reason, NBQX is preferred over CNQX for a more effective and selective antagonism toward non-NMDA receptors.
Amino acid substitutions that increase the thermal stability of the λ Cro protein

A mutant Cro protein, which bears the Ile-30 Leu substitution, is thermally unstable and degraded more rapidly than wildtype Cro in vivo. Using an antibody screen, we have isolated five different second site suppressor substitutions that reduce the proteolytic hypersensitivity of this mutant Cro protein. Two of the suppressor substitutions increase the thermal stability of Cro by 12°C to 14°C. These amino acid substitutions affect residues 16 and 26, which are substitutions affect residues 16 and 26, which are substantially exposed to solvent in the crystal structure of wild-type Cro.
Stimulus parameter considerations and individual differences in cutaneous sensitivity to electropulse stimulation.

The two experiments described were concerned with defining the optimal parameter values for an electropulse stimulus and the extent of S differences. In Exp. I, touch and pain threshold variations were established on 12 Ss as a function of pulse number (1, 4, 8) and pulse duration (0.5, 1.0 msec). Significant support was obtained for use of a single pulse of 0.5-msec. duration. In Exp. II, touch and pain thresholds were obtained on 20 Ss coincident with body region and session variation. The abdomen and chest appear to be ideal electrode sites. S differences over time were discussed.
Improved measurements of the erythrocyte geometry.

Abstract A 10–20-fold improvement of resolution of optical microscopic dimensional determination of the red blood cell (RBC) over the current method is demonstrated. Results on cell diameter, maximum and minimum thickness, surface area, volume, index of refraction, as well as the cross-sectional shape of the red cells from one healthy person are reported as functions of the tonicity of the environmental solutions.
Metal-Mediated Peptide Ion Conformations in the Gas Phase

The influence of metal cations and source temperature on the conformations of oxidized insulin chain A (ICA) anions has been investigated in the gas phase by high-resolution ion mobility techniques. Cross sections for non-metalated [ICA-nH]n- (n = 2−6) ions show a distinct Coulomb-driven unfolding transition when four or more protons are removed. Studies of [ICA-6H + M2+]4- ions (where M = Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) show that metal peptide ions favor specific types of conformations that depend upon the binding properties of the metal. Doubly-charged metal ions appear to bind to multiple sites (presumably through interactions with −SO3-, −COO-, and amide groups on various amino acids) and have a pronounced effect on the number and shapes of stable conformations. Generally, [ICA-6H + M2+]4- ions are found to be more compact than their [ICA-4H]4- analogues. Studies of [ICA-5H + Na+]4- ions show that addition of Na+ to the ICA anion has little effect on the peptide structure. The relative stabilities of diffe...
International Students in the U.S.: Social and Psychological Adjustment

In this study, we examined the role of self-esteem, hope, optimism, coping, acculturative stress, and social support on international students’ depressive symptoms and sociocultural adjustment. Seventy international students completed a self-report online survey. The most notable finding was that the international students used adaptive and maladaptive coping techniques at similar rates. Greater use of coping techniques, higher acculturative stress and less social support were associated with more depressive symptoms and more difficulty with sociocultural adjustment. Lower self-esteem, less hope, and less optimism were associated with more depressive symptoms, but not sociocultural difficulty. Clinical implications and future directions are also discussed.
Maintenance of Atrioventricular Sequence After His‐Bundle Ablation for Paroxysmal Supraventricular Rhythm Disorders: A Unique Use of the Fallback Mode in Dual Chamber Pacemakers

The usual mode of controlling ventricular rate after His-bundle ablation is placement of a ventricular demand rate responsive pacemaker. Atrioventricular synchrony is therefore lost in individuals whose atrial rhythm disturbances are paroxysmal. Thirty-seven His ablations were performed at this institution, since January of 1983, for atrial rhythm disturbances that were not suppressible with medical therapy alone. Of those, ten patients were identified whose atrial rhythm disturbances were intermittent and who would otherwise benefit by having proper atrioventricular sequence during sinus rhythm. These patients underwent placement of a dual chamber pacemaker system having a fallback mode. At a mean follow-up period of 17 +/- 11 months, eight patients continued to maintain proper atrioventricular sequence with ventricular pacing tracking atrial activation during sinus rhythm. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmic attacks were associated with attainment of the programmed upper rate limit at which time the fallback mode was activated and the pacemaker automatically converted to a ventricular demand (VVI) mode. Restoration of normal sinus rhythm was associated with restoration of proper atrioventricular sequence. Two patients have developed chronic atrial fibrillation and their pacemakers continue to function in the fallback mode as VVI devices. In conclusion, intermittent supraventricular tachyarrhythmias which are resistant to drug therapy can be treated with His ablation and dual chamber pacing utilizing special pacemaker features such as the fallback mode.
Air quality in New York City hookah bars

Background Hookahs are increasingly being used in the USA and elsewhere. Despite the popularity of hookah bars, there is a paucity of research assessing the health effects of hookah smoke, and although New York City (NYC) bans indoor tobacco smoking, hookah lounges claim that they only use herbal products without tobacco. This study investigated levels of multiple indices of indoor air pollution in hookah bars in NYC. Methods Air samples were collected in 8 hookah bars in NYC. Along with venue characteristics, real-time measurements of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO), and total gravimetric PM, elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and nicotine were collected in 1-2 hour sessions. Results Overall, levels of indoor air pollution increased with increasing numbers of active hookahs smoked. The mean (SD) real time PM2.5 level was 1179.9 (939.4) µg/m 3 , whereas the filter-based total PM mean was 691.3 (592.6) µg/m 3 . The mean real time BC level was 4.1 (2.3) µg/m 3 , OC was 237.9 (112.3) µg/m 3 , and CO was 32 (16) ppm. Airborne nicotine was present in all studied hookah bars (4.2 (1.5) µg/m 3 ). Conclusions These results demonstrate that despite the ban on smoking tobacco products, at the very least, some NYC hookah bars are serving tobacco-based hookahs, and have elevated concentrations of indoor air pollutants that may present a health threat to visitors and employees. Therefore, there is an urgent need for better air quality monitoring in such establishments and policies to combat this emerging public health threat.
Estimating Incident Population Distribution from Prevalent Data

A prevalent sample consists of individuals who have experienced disease incidence but not failure event at the sampling time. We discuss methods for estimating the distribution function of a random vector defined at baseline for an incident disease population when data are collected by prevalent sampling. Prevalent sampling design is often more focused and economical than incident study design for studying the survival distribution of a diseased population, but prevalent samples are biased by design. Subjects with longer survival time are more likely to be included in a prevalent cohort, and other baseline variables of interests that are correlated with survival time are also subject to sampling bias induced by the prevalent sampling scheme. Without recognition of the bias, applying empirical distribution function to estimate the population distribution of baseline variables can lead to serious bias. In this article, nonparametric and semiparametric methods are developed for distribution estimation of baseline variables using prevalent data.
Effect of exogenous steroids on sterol synthesis in L-cell mouse fibroblasts

A number of steroids have been tested in an L-cell tissue culture system to determine their effects on cellular sterol biosynthesis and cellular growth. Cholesterol, desmo- sterol, lathosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, and cholestanone reduce de novo synthesis and produce only limited toxicity at high concentrations of exogenous sterol. Considerable cellular toxicity is observed when cells are grown in the pres- ence of coprostanol and A4-cholestenone. No marked effect on either cell growth or sterol biosynthesis is produced by cholestanol, @-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ergosterol, cholesteryl oleate, or cholestane.
Detection and Characterization of a New Strain of Citrus Canker Bacteria from Key/Mexican Lime and Alemow in South Florida

Sun, X., Stall, R. E., Jones, J. B., Cubero, J., Gottwald, T. R., Graham, J. H., Dixon, W. N., Schubert, T. S., Chaloux, P. H., Stromberg, V. K., Lacy, G. H., and Sutton, B. D. 2004. Detection and characterization of a new strain of citrus canker bacteria from Key/Mexican lime and alemow in South Florida. Plant Dis. 88:1179-1188. In the Wellington and Lake Worth areas of Palm Beach County, FL, citrus canker appeared on Key/Mexican lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) and alemow (C. macrophylla) trees over a period of about 6 to 7 years before detection, but nearby canker-susceptible citrus, such as grapefruit (C. × paradisi) and sweet orange (C. sinensis), were unaffected. Colonies of the causal bacterium, isolated from leaf, stem, and fruit lesions, appeared similar to the Asiatic group of strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac-A) on the nutrient agar plate, but the growth on lima bean agar slants was less mucoid. The bacterium produced erumpent, pustule-like lesions of typical Asiatic citrus canker syndrome after inoculation into Key/Mexican lime, but brownish, flat, and necrotic lesions on the leaves of Duncan grapefruit, Madame Vinous sweet orange, sour orange (C. aurantium), citron (C. medica), Orlando tangelo (C. reticulata × C. × paradisi), and trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata). The bacterium did not react with the Xac-A specific monoclonal antibody A1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and could not be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays using primers selected for Xac-A. DNA reassociation analysis confirmed that the pathogen, designated as Xac-AW, was more closely related to Xac-A and Xac-A * strains than X. axonopodis pv. aurantifolii or the citrus bacterial spot pathogen (X. axonopodis pv. citrumelo). The strain can be easily differentiated from Xac-A and Xac-A * using ELISA, PCR-based tests, fatty acid analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA, and host specificity.
Fission Gas and Bias-Driven Swelling of Nuclear Fuels

The article contains sections titled: Introduction Behavior of Gaseous Fission Products for Normal Reactor Conditions Gaseous Fission Product Behavior Nucleation and Growth of Intragranular Fission Gas Bubbles Intergranular Fission Gas: Grain Faces and Edges Bubble Interlinkage Intra- and Intergranular Bubble Swelling Fuel Element Swelling Solid Fission Product Swelling Fission Gas Swelling at Low Temperature/Low Burnup Fission Gas Swelling at Low Temperature/High Burnup Fission Gas Swelling at High Temperature Fission Gas Release Grain Size Effects on Gas Release Validation of FASTGRASS Model for Fission-Gas Release DART: Dispersion Analysis Research Tool Mechanical Model Mechanical Model with Aluminide Formation DART Calculational Algorithms DART Validation Cavitational Swelling of α-Uranium Zone in U–Pu–Zr Fuel Comparison with Data from U–10Zr and U–19Pu–10Zr Fuel Elements Behavior of Fission Products under Reactor Transient Conditions Prediction of Fuel Ductility under Transient Heating Microcracking Grain Growth/Grain-Boundary Sweeping Mobility of Fission Gas Bubbles under Transient Conditions Fission Gas Release during Transient Conditions Modeling the Behavior of Volatile Fission Products (VFPs) VFP Chemistry VFP Release under Normal Operating Conditions VFP Release during Transient Heating Effect of Fuel Heating Rate on VFP Release Effect of Fuel Burnup on VFP Release Effect of Fuel Irradiation Temperature on VFP Release Effect of Cesium Chemistry on VFP Release Fission Gas Behavior in Amorphous Nuclear Fuels Model of Amorphous Fuel Bubble Growth at the Knee Bubble Growth after the Knee-Point Comparison with Data Example of a Calculated Fuel Property Introduction Viscosity Model for Binary Alloys Undergoing Amorphization Looking Forward Keywords: Fission-product; irradiation; mechanistic models; nuclear fuel; gas bubbles
Improvements in recanalization with modern stroke therapy: a review of prospective ischemic stroke trials during the last two decades

Introduction A number of recent trials evaluating intra-arterial therapies for acute ischemic stroke have been completed. We present a review of prospective acute ischemic stroke trials reported in a peer-reviewed forum during the last 20 years to provide insight into the general direction of this rapidly evolving field. Methods Prospective trials evaluating acute stroke intra-arterial therapies since 1999 were included, with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rtPA trial published in 1995 as a baseline comparator. Patient presenting factors and outcome data were analyzed based on year of publication and best-fit lines and linear regression analyses were generated. Results Thirteen prospective trials were included. Regression analyses demonstrated no appreciable change in the median NIH Stroke Scale score of subjects at the time of enrollment since 1995 (p=0.44) and no appreciable improvements in good outcome based on a modified Rankin score of 0–2 at 90 days (p=0.66) or mortality at 90 days (p=0.55). A significant increase in time from onset of symptoms to treatment among enrolled patients was noted from 1995 to 2012 (p=0.03). In addition, a significant improvement in recanalization/reperfusion was noted over the last two decades (p=0.02). Conclusions This review of prospective acute ischemic stroke trials since 1999 indicates a substantial improvement in revascularization in the setting of a significant increase in time to therapy onset, but no appreciable change in good functional outcome.
Foreign Language Exposure, Cultural Threat, and Opposition to Immigration

In the present article, we extend the notion of cultural threat posed by immigrants beyond its current conceptualization as symbolic, collective-level threats to American culture and identity. Instead, we argue that routine encounters with non-English-speaking immigrants cause many individuals to feel threatened because of real barriers to interpersonal communication and exchange. We draw upon survey and experimental data to demonstrate that local contact with immigrants who speak little to no English, as well as incidental exposure to the Spanish language, heighten feelings of cultural threat, which increases anti-immigrant sentiment and policy preferences.
Gender Differences in Adolescent and Young Adult Predictors of Later Intimate Partner Violence

The authors examined distal predictors of perpetration and victimization of intimate partner violence (IPV) among 725 young adult men and women using prospective data. Earlier problem drinking and negative affect were common predictors of perpetration for both genders. Lower education predicted female perpetration; parental fighting predicted male perpetration. No common predictors of victimization were found for men and women. Lower education, problem drinking, and childhood parental beating predicted female victimization. None of the models explained a large amount of the variance in IPV. More longitudinal research is needed on gender differences in the explanations for and consequences of IPV.
Blind multiuser detection in W-CDMA systems with large delay spread

A two-stage blind multiuser antenna array detector is proposed for the uplink of a wideband CDMA system subject to large delay spread. It is shown that it is possible to identify the symbols of all users without knowledge of their codes, channels, or directions. The key idea is that low-rank decomposition of the three-dimensional (3-D) received data array can reduce the FIR multiple-input multiple-output (FIR-MIMO) CDMA problem into standard FIR single-input multiple-output (FIR-SIMO) problems.
Finite Delay Response Harmonic Filters

This paper proposes a theory of harmonic filters and their mathematical models, applicable to periodically time varying (PTV) systems perturbed by a large periodic signal. The harmonic filters are based on a series of finite time delay and weighted sum operations, which allow selection or rejection of an input fundamental tone and/or its harmonics in a periodic manner. The harmonic filters are essentially array processors and can be analogous to digital FIR filters. The paper discusses optimum ways of choosing filter coefficients, time delays, and weights for the harmonic rejections and selections, equivalent to lowpass filters and highpass filters, respectively. Mathematical models for effects of hardware mismatches, weight and delay mismatches, on the filtering performance are provided and verified through ADS behavioral statistical simulations. The theory can be applicable to design quasi-sinusoidal mixers for a quality spectral purity, or harmonic carrier modulators and demodulators for high frequency applications .
Successful treatment of calciphylaxis with intravenous sodium thiosulfate

Calciphylaxis is a dreaded complication of renal failure characterized by nodular subcutaneous calcification and painful tissue necrosis often leading to ulceration, secondary infection, and high mortality rates. The case of a woman receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis who had a typical clinical presentation of calciphylaxis confirmed by x-ray and technetium scan findings is described. After nonresponse to conventional therapy, treatment with intravenous sodium thiosulfate 3 times weekly was begun, and she had rapid and dramatic relief of signs and symptoms and improvement of technetium scans. Prolonged treatment was well tolerated without serious side effects and accompanied by continued clinical improvement.
Efficient Value Function Approximation with Unsupervised Hierarchical Categorization for a Reinforcement Learning Agent

We investigate the problem of reinforcement learning (RL) in a challenging object-oriented environment, where the functional diversity of objects is high, and the agent must learn quickly by generalizing its experience to novel situations. We present a novel two-layer architecture, which can achieve efficient learning of value function for such environments. The algorithm is implemented by integrating an unsupervised, hierarchical clustering component into the Soar cognitive architecture. Our system coherently incorporates several principles in machine learning and knowledge representation including: dimension reduction, competitive learning, hierarchical representation and sparse coding. We also explore the types of prior domain knowledge that can be used to regulate learning based on the characteristics of environment. The system is empirically evaluated in an artificial domain consisting of interacting objects with diverse functional properties and multiple functional roles. The results demonstrate that the flexibility of hierarchical representation naturally integrates with our novel value function approximation scheme and together they can significantly improve the speed of RL.