cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a scoring system to estimate mortality in abdominal aortic aneurysms management

IntroductionThis study aimed to define risk factors associated with inpatient mortality in patients undergoing elective repair for unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and utilize these factors to create a scoring system to estimate risk of mortality.MethodsA retrospective analysis was completed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2011. Patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were identified using ICD-9 codes. Demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, insurance status, and mortality were recorded. Statistically significant variables were identified using a multivariate analysis, and a discriminant analysis was used to identify factors predictive of inpatient mortality.ResultsOver a 14-year period, 28,448 patients underwent elective repair of an unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Independent variables associated with inpatient mortality included: age >60, female gender, congestive heart failure, peripheral artery disease, renal failure, malnutrition, and hyperc...
Predictors of quit attempts and abstinence among smokers not currently interested in quitting.

Introduction: Rates of quitting smoking remain stagnant, and thus it is becoming increasingly important to identify determinants of successful quitting behavior. The primary purpose of the current study was to examine predictors of quit attempts and 7-day point prevalence abstinence in a large nationally based sample. The study population consisted exclusively of smokers with minimal interest in quitting in the immediate future, for whom the need to identify facilitating factors of cessation is highly significant.
Approaches to mr angiography

Abstract One of the most revolutionary recent imaging advances is the use of magnetic resonance to study and produce morphologic representations of flowing blood vessels known as MR angiography. The ability to produce an image of even moderate spatial resolution of the three dimensional course of blood vessels with MR could have significant advantages over conventional invasive angiography which requires ionizing radiation and contrast material injection. By definition, MR angiography does not require the addition of any intravascular contrast agents and the images are produced entirely by the effect of the radio frequency pulses and magnetic field gradients on the spinning protons. Several researchers are already producing relatively high resolution MR angiograms using a variety of techniques. Essentially all techniques of MR angiography use variations of three steps to produce the image: (1) a projection image, (2) suppression of background static material, and (3) production of a flow sensitive image. This report will survey some of the more commonly used approaches to MR angiography that are currently under investigation.
Estimation of the molecular weight of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase sub-units.

Abstract The molecular weights of the subunits of spinach ribulose diphosphate carboxylase have been estimated as 55, 800 and 12, 000 by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. It is suggested that the native enzyme has 8 heavy catalytic subunits and 8–10 light structural or regulatory subunits.
Response to Abraham

More than 4000 patients have been evaluated in randomized controlled trials of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). These studies have demonstrated that CRT with or without an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) consistently improves quality of life, functional status, exercise capacity, and cardiac structure and function and reduces morbidity and mortality in heart failure patients with ventricular dyssynchrony. The magnitude of benefit seen with CRT is comparable to or exceeds that seen with evidence-based drug therapies for heart failure but occurs in patients who are already receiving such medications. Thus, CRT has been added to the list of evidence-based therapies that make heart failure patients feel better and live longer (the Table). Consequently, a strong ethical mandate exists for the use of CRT in heart failure. This mandate is reflected in our current practice guidelines for the management of chronic heart failure, which state that all eligible patients should receive CRT unless contraindicated.1,2 End of debate! CRT should be a routine part of any evidence-based treatment regimen for heart failure. View this table: Major Benefits of Evidence-Based Heart Failure Therapies Of course, things are never quite so simple, so let us take a look at the evidence supporting this clinical mandate for CRT and address patient selection, some of the limitations of CRT, and some of the unanswered questions about the use of CRT in heart failure. None of this discussion will lessen the role of CRT in the treatment of heart failure; rather, it will guide the selection of appropriate patients and speculate on the future application of CRT to an even broader group of heart failure patients. Response by Greenberg and Mehra p 2698 Approximately one third of patients with systolic heart failure exhibit ventricular dyssynchrony, defined as a QRS duration >120 ms on the surface ECG.3,4 Ventricular dyssynchrony produces suboptimal ventricular …
Changing Failure Patterns in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy and Implications for Future Research

Objective: Review the University of Iowa experience with intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: From January 2000 to July 2004, 66 patients with oropharyngeal cancer were treated with IMRT, 62 with definitive IMRT and 4 postoperative IMRT. Three target volumes (CTV1, CTV2, and CTV3) were defined. The prescribed doses to CTV1, CTV2, and CTV3 were 70 to 74 Gy, 60 Gy, and 54 Gy, respectively, for definitive IMRT, and 60 to 66 Gy, 60 Gy, and 54 Gy, respectively, for postoperative IMRT. Results: Median follow-up was 27.3 months and all living patients had a follow-up of at least 11.5 months. The 3-year estimate of locoregional progression free survival was 98.8%. However, there is a high incidence of distant metastasis with a 3-year estimate of distant metastasis-free survival of 80.4%. In addition, there is a high incidence of second primary tumor. The 3-year overall survival and 3-year disease-free survival were 78.1% and 64.4%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated with 1 death resulting from treatment toxicity. Conclusions: IMRT offers an excellent locoregional control for oropharyngeal cancer patients. Failure patterns have changed with an increased portion of patients who failed distantly, either with metastasis or second primary tumor. Therefore, survival for these patients is still poor. Future research should focus on identifying patients at high risk of distant diseases and developing effective systemic treatment and prevention for distant diseases.
Postural Differences in Cardiac Dynamics during Quiet and Active Sleep in Low Birth Weight Infants † 74

Postural Differences in Cardiac Dynamics during Quiet and Active Sleep in Low Birth Weight Infants † 74
Analysis of and numerical schemes for a mouse population model in Hantavirus epidemics

This paper considers a non-linear system of ordinary differential equations, which arises in the study of hantavirus epidemics. The system has the property that the total population obeys the logistic equation. For this system, we use linearization and the dynamical properties of the logistic equation to analyze the dynamics of the subpopulation system. In view of the usual numerical instabilities associated with standard finite difference methods used for simulating such systems, we construct non-standard finite difference (NSFD) schemes, which preserve the dynamic properties of the system, and may therefore be used for its simulation.
Development of an innovative process evaluation approach for the Families Improving Together (FIT) for weight loss trial in African American adolescents.

Abstract This study demonstrates how a multi-theoretical, multilevel process evaluation was used to assess implementation of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for weight loss intervention. FIT is a randomized controlled trial evaluating a culturally tailored, motivational plus family-based program on weight loss in African American adolescents and their parents. Social Cognitive, Self Determination, Family Systems theories and cultural tailoring principles guided the conceptualization of essential elements across individual/family, facilitator, and group levels. Data collection included an observational rating tool, attendance records, and a validated psychosocial measure. Results Attendance records (0 = absent, 1 = present, criteria = ≥70%) indicated that 71.5% of families attended each session. The survey (1 = false, 6 = true, criteria = ≥4.5) indicated that participants perceived a positive group climate (M = 5.16, SD = 0.69). A trained evaluator reported that facilitator dose delivered (0 = no, 1 = yes, criteria = ≥75%) was high (99.6%), and fidelity (1 = none to 4 = all, criteria = ≥3) was adequate at facilitator (M = 3.63, SD = 0.41) and group levels (M = 3.35, SD = 0.49). Five cultural topics were raised by participants related to eating (n = 3) and physical activity (n = 2) behaviors and were integrated as part of the final curriculum. Discussion Results identify areas for program improvement related to delivery of multi-theoretical and cultural tailoring elements. Findings may inform future strategies for implementing effective weight loss programs for ethnic minority families.
Aldol-histidine, a new trifunctional collagen crosslink

Abstract A new trifunctional crosslink, 2,10-diamino-5-hydroxymethyl-6-(N-1-histidyl)-undecandioic acid, termed aldol-histidine, was isolated from borohydride reduced cow skin insoluble collagen. The compound was characterized by pmr spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of several volatile derivatives. The crosslink may be derived from Michael addition of a histidine residue to the known aldol crosslink, 2,10-diamino-5-formyl-5-undecandioic acid. This is the first example of a histidine containing crosslink found in structural protein.
OA16.02. Longitudinal collection of patient-related outcomes in integrative medicine clinics: a pilot study from the BraveNet Practice Based Research Network

Purpose To understand the impact of integrative medicine (IM) therapies on patients receiving care at BraveNet practice-based research network (PBRN) via longitudinal collection of patient-reported outcomes. Previously, the BraveNet PBRN conducted a cross-sectional study including over 4,000 patients receiving clinical care at the 9 IM clinics, which comprise the Bravewell Clinical Network and BraveNet PBRN. This effort provided important information about patients receiving care at these IM clinics as well as the type of medical condition and IM treatments patients were receiving.
Unit test virtualization with VMVM

Testing large software packages can become very time intensive. To address this problem, researchers have investigated techniques such as Test Suite Minimization. Test Suite Minimization reduces the number of tests in a suite by removing tests that appear redundant, at the risk of a reduction in fault-finding ability since it can be difficult to identify which tests are truly redundant. We take a completely different approach to solving the same problem of long running test suites by instead reducing the time needed to execute each test, an approach that we call Unit Test Virtualization. With Unit Test Virtualization, we reduce the overhead of isolating each unit test with a lightweight virtualization container. We describe the empirical analysis that grounds our approach and provide an implementation of Unit Test Virtualization targeting Java applications. We evaluated our implementation, VMVM, using 20 real-world Java applications and found that it reduces test suite execution time by up to 97% (on average, 62%) when compared to traditional unit test execution. We also compared VMVM to a well known Test Suite Minimization technique, finding the reduction provided by VMVM to be four times greater, while still executing every test with no loss of fault-finding ability.
The Development of Maybe: The evolution of social roles into narrative roles

The concept of role, necessary for both symbolic play and narrative, emerges out of early social interactions.
Three-jet process in virtual photon-photon annihilation.

Helicity amplitudes for the process ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\mathrm{*}}$${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\mathrm{*}}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}qq\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}g are presented in O(\ensuremath{\surd}${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ ) for each combination of gauge-boson polarizations and fermion chiralities. These formulas are then used to compute the average total transverse momentum perpendicular to the transverse thrust axis to O(${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$).
Estimating VAR models under non-stationarity and cointegration: alternative approaches for forecasting cattle prices

Multivariate VAR models estimated with non-stationary data raise difficult econometric questions because differencing to achieve stationary can introduced distortions into multivariate models. Three approaches have been suggested for estimating such models:(1) Vector error correction (VEC) models difference the data to achieve stationary and use an error correction term to replace the long-run information lost through differencing; (2) VAR models can be estimated with raw data in levels if the non-stationary data is also cointegrated because recent theoretical work proves that estimation with such data will yield consistent parameter estimates; (3) Bayesian parameter estimates are not affected by non-stationarity, although some analysts argue that Bayesian analysis is not appropriate for data that is also cointegrated. A multivariate cattle price model provides a good framework for comparing these approaches because the major variables are both non-stationary and cointegrated, and because the model's opti...
A proposed link between debris accumulation, guanosine 3', 5' cyclic monophosphate changes and photoreceptor cell degeneration in retina of RCS rats.

Abstract The content of cyclic-AMP and cyclic-GMP, the activity of cyclic-GMP phosphodiesterase (PDE), and the influence of RCS debris upon the kinetics of cyclic-GMP-PDE were measured in developing retina of control and RCS rats. Additionally, the distribution of cyclic-GMP within the retina was determined in microdissected layers of control and RCS retina. The content of cyclic-GMP in RCS retina increases like that of the control for the first 10–15 days, and then it becomes stable at a level which is below that of the control. The activity of cyclic-GMP-PDE changes during development, following a pattern similar to that of the cyclic-GMP concent. Experiments in which control and RCS homogenates were mixed and assayed for PDE activity show that RCS debris is capable of modifying the kinetic characteristics of cyclic-GMP-PDE both from the control and the RCS retina. The temporal order in which abnormalities occur in the developing RCS retina suggest that a link exists between the accumulation of debris, the induced abnormality in cyclic-GMP metabolism, and the cause of photoreceptor degeneration in the RCS retina.
THE EFFECT OF NITRATE AND ORGANIC MATTER UPON MOBILITY OF SELENIUM IN GROUNDWATER AND IN A WATER TREATMENT PROCESS

Kesterson Reservoir in Merced County, California was formerly used as a storage and evaporation facility for Se-contaminated agricultural drain water. Very little Se entered the shallow aquifer below the ponds with percolating pond water. With few localized exceptions, most of the Se was removed from the water and retained in the first decimeter of soil, which was rich in decaying organic matter. Where it was present in groundwater, Se was nearly always associated with nitrate. Nitrate induces mildly oxidizing conditions (Eh ≈ 350 mV) and inhibits microbial fixation of Se. In the absence of nitrate, relatively reducing conditions prevail in the groundwater (Eh ≈ -50 mV), and Se is quickly removed. Selenate follows oxygen and nitrate in the order that soil microbes utilize electron acceptors. The process of Se removal from water by soil was reproduced in the laboratory, and the effect of nitrate was confirmed. This natural process might be applied to water treatment for Se removal. The deep water ecosystem at Kesterson Reservoir was highly productive. Vegetation growing in water treatment ponds should supply enough organic matter to maintain anaerobic conditions in the sediment. This process, including algae culture, was operated in an outdoor 79 cm column for 100 days. At percolation rates of 15 and 30 m yr−1 Se removal averaged 94%, with an additional 2% converted to volatile compounds.
201 THE RELATIONSHIP OF AMNIOTIC FLUID DEHYDROISOANDROSTERONE SULFATE (DS) AND CORTISOL (F) CONCENTRATIONS WITH LECITHIN TO SPHINGOMYELIN (L/S) RATIOS DURING HUMAN CESTATION

We have measured L/S ratios, together with the concentrations of F and DS of 414 amniotic fluid specimens obtained from 13 to 44 weeks gestation. We found that the L/S ratios begin to increase after 33 weeks gestation, from mean values of 0.7 ± 0.2 (± SE) at 33 weeks to 1.8 ± 0.3 at 34 weeks and 3.5 ± 0.7 at 35 weeks. There are no significant differences in concentrations of amniotic fluid F from 31-32 weeks up to 35 weeks. F concentrations rise thereafter from 51 ± 6.3 ng/ml at 35 weeks to 63 ± 4.5 ng/ml at 36 weeks and 67.5 ± 6.3 ng/ml at 37 weeks. DS concentrations in amniotic fluid rise slowly from 31-32 weeks (80 ± 13 ng/ml) to the 35th week 110 ± 7.8 ng/ml) and this rise continues to term. While others have shown that the L/S ratios in amniotic fluid correlate well with fetal lung maturation, this does not appear to be the case with cortisol, since cortisol concentrations increase following the increases of L/S ratios. However, DS concentrations in amniotic fluid do begin to increase before the rise in the L/S ratio, likely reflecting increased availability of fetal placental estrogen precursor. Augmented estrogen production could serve a role in increasing fetal lung surfactant synthesis, perhaps by leading to increased fetal pituitary prolactin secretion.
Fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) eggs

Abstract In this report we describe the steps used for the production of Nile tilapia by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). To assure a constant and reliable source of eggs for ICSI we used a method where female Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, spawned when held individually in 80-l tanks (a single-breeding system). This allowed collection of eggs every 28 ± 9 days (mean ± S.D.) from 26 spawning events by 7 females that spawned two or more times. It was common to obtain more than 1000 eggs from a single stripping. The second step in this project involved the extension of egg viability to assure sufficient time for the ICSI procedure. This was accomplished by placing the eggs in Hanks' balanced salt solution after stripping, which extended the period of fertility for at least 3 h after collection. The third step was to minimize chromosomal damage after ICSI by localization of the metaphase plate within eggs. The maternal chromosomes were found to be ∼43 μm from the micropyle (injection site) at the moment of fertilization. The final step was to apply these methods to evaluate the ICSI procedure for tilapia. From a total of 113 Nile tilapia eggs injected with fresh sperm, 7 (5%) were fertilized, 5 (4%) developed abnormally to neurula and 1 (1%) developed normally and reached adulthood. These results demonstrated for the first time that the ICSI procedures here described allow fertilization and subsequent development of Nile tilapia eggs into normal larvae, hatching and beyond. This provides opportunities for the study of basic processes involved in fertilization and zygotic development and expands the utility and range of sperm storage methods such as cryopreservation or freeze-drying.
Premature Pubarche in Children with Pompe Disease

Pompe disease (PD), or glycogen storage disease type II, results from deficiency of acid α-glucosidase. Patients with infantile-onset PD die by early childhood if untreated. Patient survival has improved with enzyme replacement therapy. We report a case series of 8 patients with infantile-onset PD on enzyme replacement therapy with premature pubarche.
An analysis of gravity-driven flow in a conical filter

We construct a mathematical model for the time-dependent flow of a simple liquid through a conical porous filter, driven solely by hydrostatic pressure. The model is relevant to the conical paper filter used in chemistry laboratories as a separation device and also to the common drip coffee maker. Employing a variety of simplifying assumptions, we find closed form, albeit approximate, expressions for the time-varying liquid level in the cone, the final positional distribution of solute, such as the coffee grounds, on the filter, and the average residence time of the liquid in the cone. This last quantity could be associated with the strength of the coffee brew. Perhaps surprisingly, we find that the residence time is independent of both the volume of liquid used and also the rate of pouring, provided the latter is sufficiently slow.
The silicon content of nuclear and cytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies causing polyhedrosis in Lepidoptera

Abstract Quantitative analyses revealed that intact nuclear and cytoplasmic polyhedra from Lepidoptera contain from 0.1–0.3% silicon. Evidence was also obtained which indicates that initial dissolution of the polyhedral matrix and consequent release of the viral rods is not caused by the insect's enzyme system but is effected solely by the nonenzymatic alkaline agents in the gut. The importance of the latter finding with respect to the role of silicon as a component of the polyhedron is discussed.
Autonomous Real-Time Monitoring of Hydrological Environments

A robust system for monitoring the flow of water through soil would serve as an important facilitator to hydrological research. Of particular interest is accurate monitoring of watersheds, which will aid the discovery and understanding of potential hazards such as mudslides and groundwater contamination. Our project is targeted at meeting this need with a robust autonomous sensor network. Through existing wireless communication means, this sensor network can easily be deployed by unskilled labor to monitor the effects of moisture in a wide range of soil environments.
Correlations between Rainfall and Sea Surface Temperature during GATE

Abstract Lead and lag correlation coefficients are obtained between sea surface temperature and rainfall in the B-scale region during GATE. Significant negative correlation is found for 1-day lag and positive correlation for 1-day lead of sea surface temperature, implying negative feedback with a response delay of about 1 day. Mechanisms that may contribute to the correlations are discussed.
Conflict and Cooperation: Comparative Research on the East European Migratory Experience, 1880s–1930s

Rhetoric" contrasted the stagnant (in his view) field of labor studies with the more theoretically exciting field of women's studies which has been more open to post structuralist social and cultural theory. He called for a new figuration of labor studies that would 1) abandon the notion of production and exchange as a distinct realm of social relations separate from politics and culture; 2) equally abandon the fundamental paradigm of the economy as exclusively material (it is also cultural and symbolic); and 3) move beyond old disciplinary boundaries. Christopher Johnson echoed Sewell's plea in "Economic Change, Class Experience and Consciousness: Some Questions After Reading Habermas." Labor historians, argued Johnson, need to approach societies as life-worlds?through the meanings people give to their activities?and in terms of the structures and systems that give them shape. Subjectivity and intentionality are important elements of the con structed world?at least as important as the structures and systems to which they give meaning. Johnson suggested that Habermas provides a lifeline to rescue labor history from its current doldrums. In fact, current work by U.S. historians in French labor history?especially women's history?has already begun to embody these ideas. Attention to dis courses, to representations, and to the assignment of cultural meanings has already begun to inform the work of social historians as they attempt to expand their understanding of the world of workers and of labor movements. These concerns with theory and interdisciplinarity, however, may be particular to the work of historians on this side of the Atlantic. As Michelle Perrot pointed out in her comments, the debates about the use of post-structuralist social and cultural theory in historical analysis that have occurred here are absent in France, probably because the French have distanced themselves from Marxism and because French
Advances in ultrasound mammography: remote focus arc scanning

A new form of automated scanning has been developed which overcomes geometric and amplitude distortion and physical scanning limitations, associated with simple arc scanning. In simple arc scanning, the transducer rotates about a point located behind the viewed object. This produces a dense concentration of scan lines around the point of rotation, resulting in a V-shaped type of geometric distortion. Remote focus arc scanning, reported in this paper, results in an arc scan which reduces this geometric distortion by substituting an imaginary focal point placed at infinity for a true point source of rotation. This is accomplished by simultaneous simple arc and sector scanning motions. This type of scan is required for ultrasound mammography of large breasts.
Surface and internal cracks in a residually stressed plate

The problem of a surface or an internal crack in a plate which contains residual stresses is examined. The line spring model, which reduces a three-dimensional elasticity problem into a two-dimensional problem in plate theory, is used to model the crack. The Reissner plate theory, which takes into account transverse shear deformations, is used to model the plate. The formulation is based on Fourier Transforms which lead to a pair of singular integral equations that are solved numerically. The line spring method requires the plane strain solution to both the edge and internally cracked strip with crack surface loads representative of tension, bending, and the given residual stress distribution. For general use, plane strain solutions are presented for polynomial loading through the thickness up to the fifth order. Comparisons are made between the results given by the line spring model for the Reissner plate theory and the finite element method.
Evaluation of the limping child

Abstract Limping in children is common and may arise from a spectrum of disorders ranging from normal variations in gait development, through to potentially life threatening systemic disease. In this review we take the reader through the normal development of gait, then discuss normal variants of gait in order to identify pathological gait patterns. We aim to provide a framework for the holistic clinical assessment of the limping child and review in more detail some of the commoner diseases associated with limping. Finally some of the commoner pitfalls to establishing a correct diagnosis are presented along with suggestions that may help to improve the diagnostic yield.
The God of classical theism and the doctrine of the Incarnation

The tradition of classical theism (CT) from Augustine to Aquinas developed a philosophical theology which posited for God a knowledge of the world that Aristotle's first unmoved mover arguably lacked. Yet this timelessly eternal God was still viewed as essentially simple and immutable. In addition, it was considered to be without either contingent attributes or any intrinsic relations to something other than itself. It cannot suffer and eternally knows that it cannot. Is it not then logically impossible for such an unchangeable and impassible deity to achieve an identity with a creaturely condition so that it could be said that God is some one that suffered, died, and sufferingly knew the evils of our world? Must a classical theist not acknowledge that acceptance of the reality of such an ontological empathy requires a leap of faith contra rationeml Must CT not adopt the stance of one of its staunchest proponents, Kierkegaard's Johannes Climacus, and concede that for it the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation constitutes an 'Absolute Paradox' genuinely believed only if its intrinsic absurdity and rational offensiveness are humbly acknowledged?1 Negative responses to these questions are best developed in a logical framework historically associated with CT and one intrinsically capable of explicating the amphibolous character of much theological discourse. Some aspects of this logic, an Aristotelian syllogistic not relying on a twoname theory of the proposition, will be sketched in Section I.2 The task of clarifying, modifying, and defending some of the basic theses of CT by means of this logic can then be undertaken in Section 2. Finally, in Section 3, it can be argued that one widely accepted way of stating the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation is amphibolous. In this respect the 'Absolute Paradox' bears similarities to some of the basic claims of CT itself and to Russell's antinomy. It is true that some of Aquinas' s own formulations of the doctrine of the Incarnation conflict with CT's conclusions about the
Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Devices with Electroluminescence Tunable over the Entire Visible Spectrum

Improvements in quantum dot light-emitting device (QD-LED) performance are achieved by the choice of organic charge transporting layers, by use of different colloidal QDs for the different parts of the visible spectrum, and by utilizing a recently demonstrated robust QD deposition method. Spectrally narrow electroluminescence of our QD-LEDs is tuned over the entire visible wavelength range from λ = 460 nm (blue) to λ = 650 nm (deep red). By printing close-packed monolayers of different QD types inside an identical QD-LED structure, we demonstrate that different color QD-LEDs with QDs of different chemistry can be fabricated on the same substrate. We discuss mechanisms responsible for efficiency increase for green (4-fold) and orange (30%) QD-LEDs as compared to previous reports and outline challenges associated with achieving high-efficiency blue QD-LEDs.
Multicore Model from Abstract Single Core Inputs

This paper describes a first order multicore model to project a tighter upper bound on performance than previous Amdahl's Law based approaches. The speedup over a known baseline is a function of the core performance, microarchitectural features, application parameters, chip organization, and multicore topology. The model is flexible enough to consider both CPU and GPU like organizations as well as modern topologies from symmetric to aggressive heterogeneous (asymmetric, dynamic, and fused) designs. This extended model incorporates first order effect exposing more bottlenecks than previous applications of Amdahl's Law while remaining simple and flexible enough to be adapted for many applications.
Experimental Models of IgA Nephropathy

Several different experimental animal models of IgA nephropathy contribute to our understanding of the clinical disease. These models collectively indicate that IgA immune complexes can deposit in glomeruli and elicit the characteristics of IgA nephropathy; they also establish the potential for an IgA immune response to generate, in the face of antigen exposure, IgA-containing immune complexes. Defective immunoregulation, mononuclear phagocyte function, and the role of antigen and complement on glomerular function emerge from the animal studies as issues ripe for clinical investigation.
IS RENAL SINUS FAT INVASION THE SAME AS PERINEPHRIC FAT INVASION FOR pT3a RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

ABSTRACTPurpose: Perinephric and renal sinus fat invasion are classified as pT3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) according to the 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer. We investigated the prognostic significance of each of these pathological features using a cohort of pT3a patients.Materials and Methods: Between 1970 and 2002, 205 patients without direct adrenal invasion underwent nephrectomy for pT3a clear cell RCC. The associations of fat invasion with death from RCC were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Results: Of the 162 patients with perinephric fat invasion and 43 patients with renal sinus fat invasion 95 (59%) and 31 (72%), respectively, died of RCC. Patients with renal sinus fat invasion were 63% more likely to die of RCC compared with those with perinephric fat invasion (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.09–2.46, p=0.018). In addition, the risk of death persisted in multivariate analysis after adjusting for regional lymph nodes and distant metastases (RR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26–2.89, p=0.002) ...
Oxygen Transport and Metabolism in the Conscious Lamb: The Effects of Hypoxemia

ABSTRACT. We studied the response of O2 consumption, systemic O2 transport, arterial blood lactate concentration, base deficit, and respiratory exchange ratio (CO2 production/O2 consumption) to graded alveolar hypoxia (fractional concentration of inspired oxygen 0.21, 0.16, 0.12, and 0.08) in seven intact, conscious chronically catheterized lambs at 40 days. To test whether there was an age related difference in the metabolic response to a decline in O2 transport due to hypoxemia, we related the changes in blood lactate and base deficit to the systemic O2 transport and to the fractional change in O2 consumption. Systemic O2 transport and O2 consumption decreased with severe hypoxemia, while lactate concentration and respiratory exchange ratio increased in all age groups. The changes in base deficit were not significant. When the hypoxemia-induced reduction in O2 consumption was <15% of the baseline value (at fractional concentration of inspired oxygen 0.21) there was no elevation in lactate concentration; however, when O2 consumption was reduced by more than 15%, lactate concentration consistently increased by more than 1 mmol/liter. There were no apparent differences amongst the age groups in this response. Therefore, the newborn lamb does show metabolic consequences of a fall in O2 consumption with hypoxemia which is similar to the older sheep, however, there is a “buffer zone” in which O2 consumption may decrease before evidence of tissue hypoxia can be found. The mechanism by which O2 consumption can decrease without accumulation of lactate remains speculative.
Weighing evidence for the Rorschach's validity: a response to Wood et al. (1999).

Wood, Nezworski, Stejskal, Garven, and West (1999) challenged Ganellen's (1996) characterization of the revised Rorschach Depression Index (DEPI; Exner, 1991) as a promising psychometric marker of depression that deserves serious attention by researchers and clinicians. To the contrary, however, a careful examination of existing studies indicates that no compelling empirical evidence exists indicating that Ganellen's conclusions should be modified at the present time, although no firm conclusions about the DEPI can be reached until further evidence accumulates. Furthermore, although Wood et al. (1999) suggested that evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the Rorschach in general is weak, ample evidence exists demonstrating that the Rorschach can be scored reliably (Meyer, 1997), that Rorschach variables in general have respectable levels of criterion-related validity (Bornstein, 1996; Hiller, Rosenthal, Bornstein, Berry, & Brunnel-Neuleib, 1999), and that the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality...
Effects of temperature on remotely sensed mineral absorption features

The present paper provides the results from a series of laboratory experiments which were conducted to investigate the variable spectral behavior of diagnostic Fe(++) crystal field absorptions in common rock-forming minerals as a function of temperature. The general goal of the study is to refine existing techniques of mineralogic and chemical characterization, based on specific optical behavior which has been measured and correlated in a systematic way. It is pointed out that the presented work, taken together with a number of recent studies, provides new information on the manner in which specific features of mafic minerals combine in rocks and soil spectra, taking into account also variations of identification and subsequent interpretation as a function of planetary surface temperature. The obtained results are directly applicable to interpretation of remotely sensed data for many solar system objects, particularly Mars, asteroids, the moon, earth, and Mercury.
Intravenous Diphenylhydantoin Sodium (Dilantin) in Cardiac Arrhythmias

Fifty-four patients received intravenous diphenylhydantoin on 57 occasions for abnormal cardiac rhythm. Nineteen of 23 who had digitalis-induced arrhythmias responded with abolition or marked suppresion of a ventricular ectopic focus, or with conversion of supraventricular arrhythmias to a regular sinus mechanism. Of 28 patients whose arrhythmias were unrelated to digitalis, seven responded favorably; in three patients, the relationship to digitalis was unclear, and one of the responded. Rapidity of action and relative paucity of side-effects, when it is used properly, make DPH an effective antiarrhythmic agent. On the basis of these results, DPH is recommended in the treatment of digitalis-induced arrhythmias. It may also be useful in the of not associated with digitalis intoxication. The role of DPH in the management of other arrhythmias, including those associated with cardiac surgery, catheterization, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest, should continue to be investigated.
Benzyl Alcohol and Transition Metal Chlorides as a Versatile Reaction System for the Nonaqueous and Low-Temperature Synthesis of Crystalline Nano-Objects with Controlled Dimensionality

The reaction of transition metal chlorides with benzyl alcohol leads at low temperatures to oxidic nanostructures with low-dimensional particle shapes such as nearly spherical titania anatase nanoparticles, vanadium oxide nanorods, and tungsten oxide nanoplatelets. The process is simple, allows a scale-up in gram quantities, and leads to highly crystalline materials. Ethanol solutions containing tungsten oxide nanoparticles exhibit blue luminescence upon UV irradiation at room temperature.
Motion capture for realtime control of virtual actors in live, distributed, theatrical performances

In this paper, we explore the use of motion capture for controlling virtual actors in a theatrical performance. We present a general and flexible framework for achieving such control and provide examples of the application of the framework based on our work in virtual theatre over the past five years.
Image enhancement for increased dot‐counting efficiency in FISH

Summary Background: The most commonly used molecular cytogenetic technique is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). It has been widely applied in many areas of diagnosis and research, including pre-natal and post-natal screening of chromosomal aberrations, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, cancer cytogenetics, gene mapping, molecular pathology and developmental molecular biology. The analysis of FISH images consists of detecting fluorescent dots, after which the number of dots per cell can be counted or their relative positions can be measured. A major impediment in the analysis of FISH specimens is signal (dot) quality, which is influenced by the hybridization efficiency and/or the sensitivity of the camera that records the images. Method: In this paper, we present an approach to improve the efficiency of detecting fluorescent signals in FISH images by recovering the radiance map of the camera. This allows us to generate a high-dynamic-range image wherein an extended range of the sample radiance captured by the camera can be visualized at distinct intensity values. The resulting higherorder numeric complexity of the transformed image is adjusted (or simplified) by examining the intensity distribution in each of the three colour channels (red, green and blue), and remapping the intensity values to generate a high-contrast image with a lower-order (compressed) dynamic range. The remapping is based on a criterion that optimizes the detection of the hybridized signals, allowing attenuation of saturated intensity values while amplifying low-intensity signals. Results: A simple dot-counting algorithm is used to automatically process 2000 FISH images. The images are taken for lymphocytes from cultured blood specimens for cytogenetic testing. Images are manually analyzed by an expert to obtain ground truth for dot counts. A quantitative analysis is performed by comparing results of automated dot detection on images before and after enhancement with the developed
A novel synthetic route to 2-halo-3,4-dicyanopyridines

2-Bromo-3,4-dicyanopyridine 2 was obtained in moderate yield by reacting 1,1,2,2-tetracyano-3-trimethylsiloxycyclobutane 1 with phosphorus tribromide. Similarly, reaction of 1 with chlorinating reagents such as thionyl chloride and oxalyl chloride led to the corresponding 2-chloro-3,4-dicyanopyridine 3 in 40% yield. A reaction mechanism is suggested.
The effects of liquid honey as a partial substitute for sugar on the physical and sensory qualities of a fat‐reduced muffin

This study investigated the effect of liquid honey as a partial substitute for sugar on the baking and keeping qualities of a fat-reduced muffin. In the formulation, the fat-reduced muffin used a hydrocolloid fat replacer, bacterial and fungal amylases and an emulsifier (DATEM). Honey caused a significant (P0.05) increase in crust and crumb colour at all replacement levels; however, the use of honey at the 25% replacement level was favourably increased the crust colour in the fat-reduced formulation. The addition of honey increased moisture content and decreased water activity, but did not decrease firmness or the staling rate, especially after prolonged frozen storage. Sensory results indicated that honey increased cohesiveness and decreased tenderness in the muffin. The added moisture in the fat-reduced muffin did not improve the perceived moistness, as indicated by the results.
Type-2 fuzzy logic systems

We introduce a type-2 fuzzy logic system (FLS), which can handle rule uncertainties. The implementation of this type-2 FLS involves the operations of fuzzification, inference, and output processing. We focus on "output processing," which consists of type reduction and defuzzification. Type-reduction methods are extended versions of type-1 defuzzification methods. Type reduction captures more information about rule uncertainties than does the defuzzified value (a crisp number), however, it is computationally intensive, except for interval type-2 fuzzy sets for which we provide a simple type-reduction computation procedure. We also apply a type-2 FLS to time-varying channel equalization and demonstrate that it provides better performance than a type-1 FLS and nearest neighbor classifier.
Technology mapping algorithms for sequential circuits using look-up table based FPGAS

This paper presents a set of algorithms for mapping sequential circuits onto look-up table based FPGAs and explores how it is possible to reduce the time delay and simplify the final routing results of this mapping. We define several new terms which are used to describe the problem. This work focuses on the mapping of flip-flops and their adjacent combinational parts in sequential circuits using LUT based FPGAs.
Molecular Amplification Assays to Detect Chlamydial Infections in Urine Specimens from High School Female Students and to Monitor the Persistence of Chlamydial DNA after Therapy

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) were compared for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections by testing urine specimens from 408 high school female students. After therapy, sequential urine specimens were tested to determine persistence of chlamydial DNA in urine. Baseline PCR of cervical specimens was positive in 53 (13.0%) students, and PCR and LCR of urine specimens were positive in 63 (15.4%) and 60 (14.7%), respectively. After discrepant analysis, 64 (15.7%) patients could be confirmed as truly infected. Follow-up urine specimens from 33 infected patients demonstrated that at 1-3 days after therapy, PCR and LCR were positive for 40% and 73.3%, respectively. Only at 15 days after therapy did all specimens test negative. Urine tests for Chlamydia organisms should not be used as a test of cure within 3 weeks after treatment. Use of urine assays for screening sexually active adolescents has the potential to significantly improve control of chlamydial infections.
Post-colonization temporal genetic variation of an introduced fly, Rhagoletis completa

Evolutionary biologists have been puzzled by the success of introduced species: despite founder effects that reduce genetic variability, invasive species are still successful at colonizing new environments. It is possible that the evolutionary processes during the post-colonization period may increase the genetic diversity and gene flow among invasive populations over time, facilitating their long-term success. Therefore, genetic diversity and population structure would be expected to show greater temporal variation for successful introduced populations than for native populations. We studied the population genetics of the walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa, which was introduced into California from the Midwestern US in the early 1900s. We used microsatellites and allozymes to genotype current and historic fly populations, providing a rare perspective on temporal variability in population genetic parameters. We found that introduced populations showed greater temporal fluctuations in allele frequencies than native populations. Some introduced populations also showed an increase in genetic diversity over time, indicating multiple introductions had occurred. Population genetic structure decreased in both native and introduced populations over time. Our study demonstrates that introduced species are not at equilibrium and post-colonization processes may be important in ameliorating the loss of genetic diversity associated with biological invasions.