cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demented versus non-demented very old inpatients: the same comorbidities but poorer functional and nutritional status

BACKGROUND: demented patients have been reported to be healthier than other old people of the same age. OBJECTIVES: to assess comorbid conditions, functional and nutritional status in medically ill hospitalised patients with normal cognition or affected by dementia of various causes and severities, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN AND SETTING: a prospective study was carried out, between January and December 2004, in the Rehabilitation and Geriatric Hospital (HOGER). METHODS: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scores were assessed as a function of the status of the patient two weeks before admission to hospital. On admission, cognitive status was assessed by a systematic battery of neuropsychological tests, comorbid conditions were assessed with the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and body mass index (BMI) and functional independence measure (FIM) were determined. BMI and FIM were also determined on discharge. RESULTS: we studied 349 patients (mean age 85.2 +/- 6.7; 76% women): 161 (46.1%) cognitively normal, 37 (10.6%) with MCI and 151 (43.3%) demented (61 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 62 mixed dementia (MD) and 17 vascular dementia (VaD)). ADL, IADL, FIM and MNA scores on admission decreased with cognitive status, regardless of the type of dementia. Functionality at discharge remained significantly lower in demented patients than in other patients. CCI was high and similar in all three groups (mean 4.6 +/- 2.7). Patients with VaD had poorer health than other demented patients, with a higher average comorbidity score, more frequent hypertension, stroke and hyperlipidaemia. Comorbidity did not increase with severity levels of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: in this cohort of very old inpatients, demented patients, non-demented patients and patients with MCI had similar levels of comorbidity, but demented patients had a poorer functional and nutritional status.
Restoration of images with nonstationary mean and autocorrelation

Methods are investigated for the restoration of images degraded by both blur and noise. The objective is to develop estimation strategies to deal with images that exhibit spatially varying statistics. The restoration starts with transforming the image with nonstationary statistics into an image that exhibits stationary characteristics. This transformation can be viewed as a prewhitening filter that normalizes the local mean and local variance of the image, creating a stationary, or near stationary, field. Then the ideal image is estimated from the transformed image on the basis of the linear minimum-mean-square-error criterion. The process removes image blur and noise and at the same time inverts the effects of the transformation. >
Minimum entropy filtering for improving nonstationary sonar signal classification

The passive sonar classification problem can be decomposed into two stages: (l) recovering the source time signature of a transient event from a set of received signals by accounting for environmental distortion effects, and (2) applying a pattern recognition algorithm to the estimated source signature for final classification. The minimum entropy method is studied with regard to its performance in removing multipath distortion from passive transients, to improve the performance of classifiers. It was found that the method often works well if the kurtosis of the associated multipath Green's function is high enough, and that signal stationarity is not required. We also found that, while there are usually a few filter lengths at which the best solutions are obtained with conventional convergence criteria, good solutions exist across a much broader range of filter lengths if the iterations are not allowed to proceed to convergence. That is, kurtosis needs to be increased, but not maximized. In many cases, two or three iterations is sufficient.
Initial proton pump inhibitor characteristics associated with long-term prescriptions in US veterans diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Objectives The objectives were to (1) determine initial proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions in US veterans diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD); (2) assess initial PPI prescription factors associated with long-term PPI prescriptions at the national level; (3) determine healthcare use in patients with short- and long-term PPI prescriptions. Methods US veterans aged 18–90 years with a clinical outpatient diagnosis of GERD from 2003 to 2007 were eligible for the study. Analyses assessed differences in prescribing patterns and healthcare use by PPI prescription duration (short term (<6 months) versus long term (≥6 months to 2 years)). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the initial prescription factors associated with long-term PPI prescriptions adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. Key findings A majority of patients with GERD and initial PPI prescriptions (n = 177 394) were classified as having long-term PPI prescriptions (77.5%). A minority of patients received initial high daily dose prescriptions, and this differed slightly between short (18.3%) and long (16.2%) prescriptions (P < 0.0001). More patients received ≥90-day initial supply of medication in those patients classified with long-term prescriptions (71.4% versus 58.7%, P < 0.0001). Patients who provided a ≥90-day total supply of the initial prescription were more likely to be dispensed PPIs long term (odds ratio 1.71; 95% CI, 1.67 to 1.76) when adjusted for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients with long-term PPI prescriptions had more overall healthcare encounters, predominantly of primary care origin. Conclusions The quantity of initial PPI prescriptions provided to Veterans does not reflect the guideline recommendations for GERD management and could affect long-term use of these pervasive medications.
Parental Preference for Short- Versus Long-Course Corticosteroid Therapy in Children With Asthma Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department

Asthma is the most common chronic condition affecting children and a prominent chief complaint in pediatric emergency departments (ED). We aimed to determine parental preference between short- and long-term courses of oral corticosteroids for use in children with mild to moderate asthma presenting to our pediatric ED with acute asthma exacerbations. We surveyed parents of asthmatic children who presented to our pediatric ED from August 2011 to April 2012. Questions characterized each patient's asthma severity, assessed parental preference among systemic steroid and inhaled medication delivery options for acute asthma management, and inquired about compliance, medication costs, and intention to follow up. The majority of our parents prefer the use of 1 to 2 days of steroids to 5 days for acute asthma exacerbations in the ED. Thus, dexamethasone is an attractive alternative to prednisone/prednisolone and should be considered in the management of acute asthma exacerbations in the ED.
Conformational Analysis of Stiff Chiral Polymers with End-Constraints.

We present a Lie-group-theoretic method for the kinematic and dynamic analysis of stiff chiral polymers with end constraints. The first is to determine the minimum energy conformations of stiff polymers with end constraints and the second is to perform normal mode analysis based on the determined minimum energy conformations. In this paper, we use concepts from the theory of Lie groups and principles of variational calculus to model such polymers as inextensible or extensible chiral elastic rods with coupling between stiffnesses. This method is general enough to include any stiffness and chirality parameters in the context of elastic filament models with the quadratic elastic potential energy function. As an application of this formulation, the analysis of DNA conformations is discussed. We demonstrate our method with examples of DNA conformations in which topological properties such as writhe, twist and linking number are calculated from the results of the proposed method. Given these minimum energy conf...
BGMUT: NCBI dbRBC database of allelic variations of genes encoding antigens of blood group systems

Analogous to human leukocyte antigens, blood group antigens are surface markers on the erythrocyte cell membrane whose structures differ among individuals and which can be serologically identified. The Blood Group Antigen Gene Mutation Database (BGMUT) is an online repository of allelic variations in genes that determine the antigens of various human blood group systems. The database is manually curated with allelic information collated from scientific literature and from direct submissions from research laboratories. Currently, the database documents sequence variations of a total of 1251 alleles of all 40 gene loci that together are known to affect antigens of 30 human blood group systems. When available, information on the geographic or ethnic prevalence of an allele is also provided. The BGMUT website also has general information on the human blood group systems and the genes responsible for them. BGMUT is a part of the dbRBC resource of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, USA, and is available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gv/rbc/xslcgi.fcgi?cmd=bgmut. The database should be of use to members of the transfusion medicine community, those interested in studies of genetic variation and related topics such as human migrations, and students as well as members of the general public.
Abstract B18: Non-thermal plasma, tirapazamine, and gap junctions: A novel approach to melanoma therapy through ROS induction

Melanoma cells typically have high levels of superoxide anion which may increase their susceptibility to cell death by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We have used this information to establish a system whereby melanoma cells are saturated with ROS through treatment with non-thermal plasma (NTP). NTP is formed from a mixture of highly charged helium and atmospheric gases to emit a total of 45 molecular species, many of which are ROS. We have recently demonstrated that NTP causes selective apoptotic cell death of melanoma cells as compared to normal skin keratinocytes when plated in co-culture. Since tumors flourish under low oxygen (hypoxic) conditions, we tested the effects of NTP under hypoxia. In order to enhance the effects of NTP, we combined this therapy with the experimental anticancer drug, tirapazamine, which promotes cell toxicity through DNA damage only under hypoxic conditions. The question then remains as to how to increase the target area of melanoma therapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that gap junctions act via the bystander effect to enable the passage of cell-death promoting signals by NTP. We utilized stably transfected 1205Lu metastatic melanoma cells that express three different levels of gap junctions: endogenous low levels, increased levels through expression of connexin 43, or an absence of gap junctions due to expression of a dominant negative mutant connexin 43. We have shown that the cells with the mutant connexin 43 showed increased invasive potential as well as enhanced expression of HIF1α. The combination therapy with NTP and tirapazamine under hypoxic conditions caused a synergistic effect which increased cell death in all cells, yet was most apparent in the 1205Lu cells overexpressing the functional gap junctions. In addition, the target area of the NTP torch was dramatically increased under these conditions. This suggests that the ROS generated by NTP and tirapazamine induced the bystander effect and promoted the spreading of cell death signals well beyond the area of the plasma treatment. These results are indicative a novel future approach to melanoma therapy through selective ROS induction and modification of gap junction phenotype. Citation Format: Shoshanna N. Zucker, Cory Higley, Zethan Koch, Haneesha Goli, Peter Casey, Akeem Francis, Kevin Burke, Jennifer Zirnheld. Non-thermal plasma, tirapazamine, and gap junctions: A novel approach to melanoma therapy through ROS induction. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr B18.
Long-wavelength infrared doping-spike PtSi detector

By incorporating a 1-nm-thick p + doping spike at the PtSi/Si interface, we have successfully demonstrated extended cutoff wavelengths of PtSi Schottky infrared detectors in the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) regime for the first time. The extended cutoff wavelengths resulted from the combined effects of an increased electric field near the silicide/Si interface due to the p + doping spike and the Schottky image force. The p + doping spikes were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 450 degree(s)C using elemental boron as the dopant source, with doping concentrations ranging from 5 X 10 19 to 2 X 10 20 cm -3 . Transmission electron microscopy indicated good crystalline quality of the doping spikes. The cutoff wavelengths were shown to increase with increasing doping concentrations of the p + spikes. Thermionic emission dark current characteristics were observed and photoresponse in the LWIR regime was demonstrated.
Efficient estimation of the lifetime and disease onset distribution

SUMMARY We study efficient nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation of the distribution of onset and lifetime associated with an irreversible disease that is only detectable at sacrifice or death. We show that, if the onset distribution is continuous, then estimation of the lifetime distribution cannot be improved by using current status information on the time till onset. In this case the Kaplan-Meier estimator of the lifetime distribution is asymptotically efficient. The nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator tries to use current status information on the time till onset, but it is asymptotically equivalent to the Kaplan-Meier estimator, and it is outperformed by the latter in simulations. The nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator of the onset distribution is shown to be an iteratively reweighted least squares estimator which can be computed with the weighted pool-adjacent-violators algorithm. We show that it is unnecessary to estimate the weights iteratively since an initial estimate cannot be improved. This insight leads to a simple, explicit estimator which improves on the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator of the onset distribution. The results are verified with simulations, and a data analysis example is provided.
Relaxing the Triangle Inequality in Pattern Matching

Any notion of “closeness” in pattern matching should have the property that if A is close to B, and B is close to C, then A is close to C. Traditionally, this property is attained because of the triangle inequality (d(A, C) ≤ d(A, B) + d(B, C), where d represents a notion of distance). However, the full power of the triangle inequality is not needed for this property to hold. Instead, a “relaxed triangle inequality” suffices, of the form d(A, C) ≤ c(d(A, B) + d(B, C)), where c is a constant that is not too large. In this paper, we show that one of the measures used for distances between shapes in (an experimental version of) IBM‘s QBIC1 (“Query by Image Content”) system (Niblack et al., 1993) satisfies a relaxed triangle inequality, although it does not satisfy the triangle inequality.
Protective Effect of Carbopol on Enzymatic Degradation of a Peptide-Like Substrate I: Effect of Various Concentrations and Grades of Carbopol and Other Reaction Variables on Trypsin Activity

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effect of various concentrations and grades of Carbopol on trypsin-induced degradation of a prototype substrate, Nα-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride (BAEE). Effect of other reaction variables, such as viscosity and ionic strength of the medium on the trypsin activity, was also analyzed simultaneously. Four concentrations and three commercially available grades of Carbopol were used. The effect of Carbopol was expressed in terms of change in the velocity of degradation reaction. A modified trypsin assay was developed and used for analysis. Up to a concentration of 0.35% w/v, Carbopol® 934P showed a concentration-dependent increase in its ability to reduce the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis of BAEE. Similar inhibitory effect was observed with all three grades of Carbopol. The activity of trypsin was unaffected by other reaction variables, suggesting that interaction between the protein and the polymer could be the mechanism responsible for...
Optical digital fragmentation measuring systems – inherent sources of error

Abstract Automated optical imaging systems of measuring fragmentation are increasingly being used in the mining, comminution, and materials handling industries. These methods have been well received in many of the industries involved. Considering that in many of these applications there are no alternative ways of sizing material, having even a rudimentary measurement of size distributions allows evaluations of explosive, blast design, detonator performance, crusher and milling performance, and material degradation due to transport. Optical methods have inherent limitations, which reflect on accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of measurement results. This stems from the fact that there are myriads of variables, which affect the outcome of the measurements. Errors start with the imaging process, which may distort the reality because of the scale of observation, may induce sampling bias, and may simply not return a good representation of the reality. More errors are introduced in the digital processing ...
Anastomotic femoral pseudoaneurysm : an investigation of occult infection as an etiologic factor

Abstract Occult infection was investigated as an etiologic factor in the formation of femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms associated with prosthetic vascular grafts. Forty-five femoral pseudoaneurysms with no clinical evidence of infection 10 to 173 months after prosthetic graft placement were consecutively studied. The explanted Dacron or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft material was cultured in trypticase soy broth and ultrasonically oscillated to remove adherent bacteria. All patients were treated by excision of the pseudoaneurysm and surrounding perigraft capsule and in situ replacement with an inter-position prosthetic graft. Thirty-two bacterial isolates were recovered from 27 (60%) of the specimens, with coagulase negative staphylococci (Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. warneri, S. hominis, S. capitis) accounting for 24 of the recovered species. No infection of the replacement graft developed in any patient and no recurrent pseudoaneurysms were observed. Bacterial colonization may occur at implantation or during subsequent procedures when the prosthetic graft is exposed. This chronic infection can be diagnosed by means of sensitive culture techniques that dislodge adherent bacteria from the graft surface. On grounds of the observations reported in this study, there appears to be suggestive evidence that an occult infectious process may be one of the factors that play a role in the development of some femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:629-34.)
Subclinical Atherosclerosis Measures for Cardiovascular Prediction in CKD

Whether inclusion of the coronary artery calcium score improves cardiovascular risk prediction in individuals with CKD, a population with unique calcium-phosphate homeostasis, is unknown. Among 6553 participants ages 45-84 years without prior cardiovascular disease in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcium score was assessed for cardiovascular risk prediction beyond the Framingham predictors in those with (n=1284) and without CKD and contrasted with carotid intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index (two other measures of subclinical atherosclerosis). During a median follow-up of 8.4 years, 650 cardiovascular events (coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease) occurred (236 events in subjects with CKD). In Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for Framingham predictors, each subclinical measure was independently associated with cardiovascular outcomes, with larger adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; per 1 SD) for coronary artery calcium score than carotid intima-media thickness or ankle-brachial index in subjects without and with CKD (HR, 1.69; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.45 to 1.97 versus HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.25 and HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.32, respectively). Compared with inclusion of carotid intima-media thickness or ankle-brachial index, inclusion of the coronary artery calcium score led to greater increases in C statistic for predicting cardiovascular disease and net reclassification improvement. Coronary artery calcium score performed best for the prediction of coronary heart disease and heart failure, regardless of CKD status. In conclusion, each measure improved cardiovascular risk prediction in subjects with CKD, with the greatest improvement observed with coronary artery calcium score.
Characterization of the Organic Nitrogen Fraction Determined by the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test

The Illinois soil nitrogen test (ISNT) has shown promise as a predictor of corn (Zea mays L.) response to N fertilization in several field trials, but controversy has arisen regarding whether the test detects a particular class of organic N compounds or a constant fraction of the organic N in agricultural soils (SON). The goal of this study is to elucidate the chemical properties of the ISNT-labile N and its relationship to microbial growth in agricultural soils. In the ISNT, NH 3 generated during alkaline hydrolysis of whole soil samples is separated from the hydrolysate by diffusion and quantified by trapping and acidimetric titration. Analyses of pure organic N compounds confirmed that the ISNT detects the N in some components of microbial biomass, such as the monomeric amino sugars (AS) of bacterial cell walls (95% recovery) and amides (AM, 55% of monomers), but not a amino acids (αAA) or chitin (CTN), a refractory AS polymer. Because the ISNT detects different proportions of these N containing compounds than any other conventional acid hydrolyzable SON fraction, ISNT-N can be considered a fifth fraction that together with the others permits one to distinguish AS of bacterial and fungal origin. Using this approach, the average proportions of SON components observed in 10 manured (and 16 non-manured) agricultural soils from Illinois are 18% (10%) CTN, 11% (5%) bacterial amino sugars (BAS), 10% (17%) AM, 29% (25%) oAA, and 15% (20%) unknown. The reason that the sum of CTN and BAS is 50% greater than the conventional AS N fraction (AS-N) of these soils-18% (9.5%) of SON-is the lack of recovery correction conventionally made to AS-N data. To investigate N fractions in living biomass, we conducted studies of 15 NH 4 + immobilization in two fresh soils. ISNT-N was more rapidly labeled than AS-N, a fact that is indicative of more rapid labeling of bacteria than fungi. Taken together, these findings suggest that the effectiveness of the ISNT for predicting corn N response is due largely to its ability to quantify N in BAS. Because ISNT also detects some AM-N, the BAS-N signal may be obscured in soil N datasets where these components are highly variable.
Automated Ensemble Extraction and Analysis of Acoustic Data Streams

This paper addresses the design and use of distributed pipelines for automated processing of sensor data streams. In particular, we focus on the detection and extraction of meaningful sequences, called ensembles, from acoustic data streamed from natural areas. Our goal is automated detection and identification of various species of birds. Although this target application is relatively specific, the process employed is general and can be extended to other problem domains such as security systems and military reconnaissance.
Antecedents, precursors, and concurrent concepts in the development of social justice attitudes and actions

The authors explore the relationships between social justice attitudes and actions, the social construction of identity, and cognitive development.
The Myomucosal Vertical Z-Plasty in Secondary Cleft Lip Surgery: A Novel Technique for Correction of the Whistle Deformity

ImportanceTo describe a novel technique for repair of the whistle deformity in secondary cleft lip surgery. ObservationsThree patients who presented with a whistle deformity as a sequela of cleft l...
Assumed enhanced strain and the extended finite element methods: A unification of concepts

Abstract We present strong and weak forms of boundary-value problems for a solid with a cohesive–frictional crack. Two commonly used techniques for enhancing the finite element (FE) interpolation are considered: the assumed enhanced strain (AES) and the extended FE methods. We compare and contrast the FE approximations involved in these techniques. The AES method employs a piecewise constant interpolation of slip that is discontinuous across element boundaries. In contrast, the extended FE method interpolates slip continuously across element boundaries. Through numerical examples, we discuss the implications of these approximations to the calculated overall deformation field in the regime of infinitesimal deformation. With only a Heaviside enrichment, we find the AES method to predict larger slip (i.e., softer response) compared to the extended FE solution. We ascribe the discrepancy to the lack of higher-order crack tip enhancement in the extended FE solution. Finally, we compare the slip predicted by the above FE enhancement techniques to that calculated by classical nonlinear contact mechanics algorithm for the case where the crack traverses the element sides.
Condensed phase laser induced harpoon reactions

Laser induced charge transfer reactions of halogens in rare gas solids and liquids provide a powerful means for the study of condensed phase dynamics. Many-body effects with respect to both electronic and nuclear coordinates, and cooperative interactions with radiation fields, are some of the studied phenomena that are highlighted in this article.
A Low-Power Safety Mode for Variation Tolerant Systems-on-Chip

Process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations are difficult to manage in multi-core SoCs, as each core may have different voltage and reliability requirements. Indeed, common implementations of variation-tolerant techniques (e.g. dynamic voltage and frequency scaling) are ineffective in multi-core SoCs because of the large overheads they incur. In this work, we propose a simple low-power safety-mode system that adjusts each corepsilas frequency independently to compensate for PVT variation at runtime. This module combines an on-chip sensor with a safety-mode lookup table to guarantee SoC functionality. The module is simulated in a four-core SoC framework, and allows the system to operate at a frequency corresponding to the average system temperature instead of the worst-case temperature. In the case presented, a room temperature system is capable of operating at an average frequency that is 2X that of the worst-case temperature requirements. The safety mode module consumes an average power of 0.56 muW and has a 3% area overhead.
Comparison of Helzel and OxyLite systems in the measurements of tumor partial oxygen pressure (pO2).

Abstract Wen, B., Urano, M., Humm, J. L., Seshan, V. E., Li, G. C. and Ling, C. C. Comparison of Helzel and OxyLite Systems in the Measurements of Tumor Partial Oxygen Pressure (pO2). Radiat. Res. 168, 67–75 (2008). It has been demonstrated in both experimental and human malignancies that hypoxic tumor cells are linked with aggressive disease phenotype. One of the methods to identify these cells is by direct physical measurement of tumor pO2. This study compared pO2 values measured with two systems, the Helzel Hypoximeter (successor of the polarographic Eppendorf electrode) and the Oxford-Optronix OxyLite (fiber-optic probe), in R3327-AT and R3327-AT/tkeGFP tumors. Partial oxygen pressure was measured in individual tumors with either system or in the same tumor with both systems. The similarities and discrepancies in pO2 measurements between the two systems were also investigated when tumor-bearing animals were breathing pure oxygen. Our data showed a considerable heterogeneity in pO2 values in each tumor...
Scission of the p53-MDM2 Loop by Ribosomal Proteins

The oncoprotein MDM2 is both the transcriptional target and the predominant antagonist of the tumor suppressor p53. MDM2 inhibits the functions of p53 via a negative feedback loop that can be circumvented by several ribosomal proteins in response to nucleolar or ribosomal stress. Stress conditions in the nucleolus can be triggered by a variety of extracellular and intracellular insults that impair ribosomal biogenesis and function, such as chemicals, nutrient deprivation, DNA damaging agents, or genetic alterations. The past decade has witnessed a tremendous progress in understanding this previously underinvestigated ribosomal stress-MDM2-p53 pathway. Here, we review the recent progress in understanding this unique signaling pathway, discuss its biological and pathological significance, and share with readers our insight into the research in this field.
Mining the mammalian genome for artiodactyl systematics

A total of 7,806 nucleotide positions derived from one mitochondrial and eight nuclear DNA segments were used to provide a robust phylogeny for members of the order Artiodactyla. Twenty-four artiodactyl and twocetaceanspecieswere included, andthe horse(order Perissodactyla) was used as the outgroup. Limited rate heterogeneity was observed among the nuclear genes. The partition homogeneity tests indicated no coneicting signal among the nuclear gene fragments, so the sequence data were analyzed together and as separate loci. Analyses based on the individual nuclear DNAfragmentsandon34uniqueindelsallproducedphylogenieslargelycongruentwiththetopology from the combined data set. In sharp contrast to the nuclear DNA data, the mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data showed high levels of homoplasy, failed to produce a robust phylogeny, and were remarkably sensitive to taxon sampling. The nuclear DNA data clearly support the paraphyletic nature of the Artiodactyla. Additionally, the family Suidae is diphyletic, and the nonruminating pigs and peccaries (Suiformes) were the most basal cetartiodactyl group. The morphologically derived Ruminantia was always monophyletic; within this group, all taxa with paired bony structures on their skulls clustered together. The nuclear DNA data suggest that the Antilocaprinae account for a unique evolutionary lineage, the Cervidae and Bovidae are sister taxa, and the Girafedae are more primitive. (Artiodactyla; Cetacea; cytochrome b; indels; nuclear DNA; Ruminantia) The order Artiodactyla has a worldwide distribution and at present comprises three morphologically diverse suborders, the Suiformes, Tylopoda, and Ruminantia. Their evolution dates to the Paleocene (»70-80 million years ago; Waddell et al., 1999), the Suiformes (currently including swine and hippopotamus) apparently being the most primitive group in the order, based on fossil (O'Leary and Geisler, 1999) and other morphological characters (nonrumi- nating, two-/three-chambered stomach, re- tained upper incisors and canines, low crowned cusped molars, and absence of hornsorantlers;Nowak,1999).Although the suborder Tylopoda (camel and llama) shares many of these primitive features, the three- chambered digestive system of its members is based on rumination, and their molars are high crowned with crescents (Nowak, 1999). These latter dental features are considered to be synapomorphic, uniting the Tylopoda with the most derived suborder Ruminan- tia (Tragulidae-chevrotain; Antilocapridae- pronghorn; Girafedae-giraffe and okapi; Cervidae-deer, elk, and muntjac; Bovidae- cattle, sheep, and other antelope). Except for the primitive chevrotain (which is charac- terized by a three-chambered stomach, pres- 1
ULTRASONIC AIDED EXTRUSION OF CARBON BLACK-FILLEDSBR COMPOUNDS

Abstract Ultrasonically assisted single screw extrusion of carbon black (CB)-filled styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds up to 60 phr was carried out and its processing characteristics were measured. The effects of ultrasonic amplitude on rheology, extractable amount, vulcanization behavior, mechanical properties, abrasion, electrical resistivity, and morphology were investigated. Increasing ultrasonic amplitude led to a reduction of extractable content with the effect diminishing with increasing CB loading. Treated compounds showed an increase in viscosity at certain amplitudes. Cure curves revealed reduced induction times with increasing amplitude, except at the highest CB content. The maximum torque of the cure curve, crosslink density, and mechanical properties of vulcanizates all showed an increase at certain ultrasonic amplitudes. An increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) and a decrease in tan δ at Tg were observed with increasing amplitude. Ultrasonically treated unfilled and CB-fill...
The Beginnings of Bioethics

This chapter offers a highly personal window into the early years of bioethics. It interweaves a historical account of the evolution of the interdisciplinary approach to bioethics with first-person anecdotes about the research working groups organized by the newly-created Hastings Center. This hybrid approach provides a unique and rich perspective of the changing societal expectations that coincided with, and in part encouraged, the emergence of bioethics as a field. Some of the changes emphasized include (1) the general reaction against the status of science and medicine as unchallengeable, paternalistic, and authoritarian, (2) an acknowledgment of the impact of physicians’ personal values on the practice of medicine, and (3) the shift to thinking of medicine as a commodity. Trends that seem obvious in hindsight were not especially well-defined or obvious at the time. These reflections encourage a healthy degree of skepticism that today’s bioethicists can achieve sufficient detachment from their own cultural, social, and political context and see the field for what it really is.
Cascading quantum light-matter interfaces with minimal interconnection losses

The ability to interface multiple optical quantum devices is a key milestone towards the development of future quantum information processors and networks. One of the requirements for any of their constituent elements will be cascadability, i.e., the ability to drive the input of a device using the output of another one. Here, we report the cascading of quantum light-matter interfaces by storing few-photon level pulses of light in warm vapor followed by the subsequent storage of the retrieved field onto a second ensemble. We demonstrate that by using built-in purification mechanisms in the sequential storage, the final signal-to-background ratio can remain greater than one for weak pulses containing eight input photons on average.
Three-Phonon Zone-Boundary Processes and Melting of Solids

Vibrational theories of melting [1,2], which presuppose a critical amplitude of vibration, have enjoyed considerable empirical success. But the critical amplitude determined empirically for a vibrational catastrophe is surprisingly small and a fundamental definition of such a catastrophe is lacking. An hypothesis is advanced herein addressing these issues. Lindemann’s law is obtained from the 3-phonon transition rate without reference to a critical amplitude upon the assumption that zone-boundary (ZB) phonons cease to be valid excitations at the melting point. Corollary to this assumption is the onset of single-particle random movement on the time scale (2ωD)-1 where ωD is the Debye angular frequency. Results obtained for the Lindemann constant and for diffusion constants compare favorably with experiment for alkali metals and halides.
The Shores of Permanence

In continuing the Forsytes through a history, one that is both of England and of himself, and in shaping the continuity with ironic parallels and voices, Galsworthy created his own kind of trilogy in the form of the chronicle. Unlike the trilogies of Bennett or of Joyce Cary, Galsworthy’s does not show a manipulation of the multi-sided form to convey different points of view toward similar experience. Rather, his choice of observing his characters at three different moments in public time allows him to emphasize both the changes and the continuities of social history rather than the different perspectives from which they might be seen. The perspective, for Galsworthy, is always the ironic voice, unified in general tone, shifting sufficiently in time and from one character to another to prevent heroism and stultification, shifting also back and forth between empathy and distance, between assertion and sceptical self-questioning. A somewhat flexible instrument, the ironic voice is that of John Galsworthy, as the continuous story, expanded into history, is his own.
Structural Integrity of a Simple Method to Repair Disrupted Tracheal Tube Pilot Balloon Assemblies.

BACKGROUND An intact pilot balloon assembly is crucial to the proper function of a cuffed tracheal tube. Disruption of the pilot balloon, transection of the inflation line, or valve incompetence results in cuff deflation, which may lead to inadequate ventilation and aspiration of secretions. Such failures typically result in tracheal tube replacement, but this may be a safety risk if a difficult reintubation is anticipated. We recently encountered such a patient who remained intubated postoperatively and in whom the inflation line was transected, causing a large leak. We describe a method to reconstitute the inflation line and report on the structural integrity of the repair. We hypothesized that the repaired assembly would maintain cuff pressure not statistically different from an intact device, but that the inflation line would be weaker. METHODS The distal (tapered) portion of a 22-gauge intravenous (IV) catheter was partially inserted into the severed end of the inflation line. A new pilot balloon was cut from an intact tracheal tube with the tubing attached, the end of which had been dilated using a 22-gauge IV catheter. The new tubing was then guided over the protruding portion of the catheter, creating an internal stent. We measured the drop in cuff pressure after 8 hours in an artificial trachea for repaired and intact tracheal tubes. We tested the integrity of the repaired segments, underwater, to high-pressure inflation. We measured the static tensile strength of the inflation line from intact and repaired tracheal tubes. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error. Differences were assessed using the unpaired, 2-sided Student t test, with P < .05 required to claim statistical significance. RESULTS Eight-hour interval measurements in 10 intact versus 10 repaired tracheal tubes demonstrated no significant difference in pressure drop (mean difference = 0.5 cm H2O; 95% confidence interval, -2.2 to 1.2 cm H2O; P = .54). There was no visible air leak from 10 repaired inflation line segments when the cuff was inflated to 120 mm Hg. The force needed to break the repaired inflation line was lower than for the intact tubing (n = 7 of each; mean difference = -21.9 N; 95% confidence interval, -25.7 to -18.1 N; P < 10). Repairs to tracheal tubes from various manufacturers with inner diameters ranging from 3.0 to 8.0 mm were successful. CONCLUSIONS Repairing a disrupted pilot balloon assembly using an IV catheter as a stent inside the inflation line is an effective temporizing measure in situations where ventilation is impaired and where tracheal tube replacement may present an excessive patient risk.
Theories of Linguists

In this part I shall consider as a sample first theories offered by two linguists, namely, Sir Alan H. Gardiner and H. S. Sorensen and second, I shall mention some syntactic factors which were pointed out by a grammarian, viz., Otto Jesperson and others.
Comparison of gentamicin C1 and (C1a, C2)-levels in patients

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay method has been used to measure gentamicin serum concentrations in patients receiving gentamicin complex. The HPLC method resolves gentamicin C1 from the other two components, C1a and C2; gentamicin C1a and C2 cochromatograph. In the analysis of 46 serum samples collected from 16 patients it was found that the mean ratio (PHR) of the peak height of gentamicin C1 to the height of the peak due to components C1a and C2 was 0.53±0.05; this value agreed well with the PHR's usually found from the HPLC analysis of aqueous solutions of gentamicin complex or of gentamicin dosage forms. In an additional two patients, the HPLC analysis of a sample of the gentamicin dosage form administered, a urine sample, and serum samples, resulted in almost identical PHR's for the respective patients. Finally, similar results were obtained from an experiment in a rabbit. It was concluded that the disposition of all three components of gentamicin complex are the same or very similar.
The evaluation of norethindrone, ethinyl estradiol and a GnRh agonist as chemoprevention of ovarian cancer using a newly developed genetically engineered mouse model of ovarian cancer.

B147 Because there are no effective screening methods for ovarian cancer, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease. Therefore, it is widely accepted that prevention is the key to a reduction in ovarian cancer mortality. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the use of hormonal contraception is protective against ovarian cancer. This protection is thought to be a result of either ovulation suppression or decreased gonadotrophins. There are limited biologic data, however, which support these findings or evaluate a possible mechanism of action. In this study, we examine whether the hormonal components of oral contraceptives and a GnRH agonist could influence ovarian carcinogenesis in a genetically engineered mouse model of ovarian cancer. A mouse model of ovarian carcinoma was recently developed by Dinulescu et al, using recombinant adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase (AdCre) to specifically infect ovarian surface epithelium. Cre-mediated activation of K-ras along with inactivation of Pten results in metastatic endometroid ovarian carcinoma. LSL-K-rasG12D/+PtenloxP/loxP mice were treated with 90-day time release pellets containing placebo (n=13), norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol (n=13), norethindrone alone (n=12) or a GnRH agonist (n=12). Three weeks after beginning treatment ovarian cancer was initiated by injection of adenoviral Cre recombinase into the ovarian bursa. Mice were monitored for 8 weeks and then sacrificed. The majority of the mice in our study (84%) developed ovarian tumors ranging in size from 0.1 to 8 grams. Metastatic nodules to the diaphragm, omentum and small bowel were noted ranging in number from 2 to 25. We found that treatment with the GnRH agonist increased mean tumor volume compared to control (1130 mm3 vs 560 mm3) but the increase did not reach statistical significance (p=0.2). The tumor volume in the combined norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol and the norethindrone alone groups were 444 mm3 and 498 mm3 respectively. There was no difference in mean tumor volume, metastasis or ascites in the mice treated with the various hormonal components as compared to placebo. This study did not confirm the protective effect of hormonal contraception seen in epidemiological studies and even suggests that the GnRH agonist may have resulted in increased tumor burden. Ongoing research aims to determine the molecular changes occurring in the various treatment groups and further explore potential mechanisms of action of the reduced risk of ovarian cancer seen with hormonal contraceptive use.
A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the MyFamilyPlan Online Preconception Health Education Tool.

To evaluate whether exposure to MyFamilyPlan-a web-based preconception health education module-changes the proportion of women discussing reproductive health with providers at well-woman visits.Cluster randomized controlled trial. One hundred thirty participants per arm distributed among 34 clusters (physicians) required to detect a 20% change in the primary outcome.Urban academic medical center (California).Eligible women were 18 to 45 years old, were English speaking, were nonpregnant, were able to access the Internet, and had an upcoming well-woman visit. E-mail and phone recruitment between September 2015 and May 2016; 292 enrollees randomized.Intervention participants completed the MyFamilyPlan module online 7 to 10 days before a scheduled well-woman visit; control participants reviewed standard online preconception health education materials.The primary outcome was self-reported discussion of reproductive health with the physician at the well-woman visit. Self-reported secondary outcomes were folic acid use, contraceptive method initiation/change, and self-efficacy score.Multilevel multivariate logistic regression.After adjusting for covariates and cluster, exposure to MyFamilyPlan was the only variable significantly associated with an increase in the proportion of women discussing reproductive health with providers (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-3.19). Prespecified secondary outcomes were unaffected.MyFamilyPlan exposure was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of women who reported discussing reproductive health with providers and may promote preconception health awareness; more work is needed to affect associated behaviors.
Using Naturalistic Driving Data to Develop a Typology of Speeding Episodes

Speeding-related crashes continue to be a serious problem in the United States. A recently completed NHTSA project, Motivations for Speeding, collected data to address questions about driver speeding behavior. This naturalistic driving study used 1-Hz GPS units to collect data from 88 drivers in Seattle, Washington, to record how fast vehicles traveled on different roadways. The current project further developed this data set to redefine speeding in terms of speeding episodes, which were continuous periods in which drivers exceeded the posted speed limit by at least 10 mph. More than half of all study participants averaged less than one speeding episode per trip taken. Various characteristics of speeding episodes representing aspects such as duration, magnitude, variability, and overall form of speeding were examined. Cluster analyses conducted using these characteristics of speeding episodes identified six types of speeding. These included two types of speeding that occurred around speed-zone transitions...