cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete uterine septum with cervical duplication, longitudinal vaginal septum and duplication of a renal collecting system. A case report

BACKGROUND: The incidence of congenital uterine anomalies in the general population is estimated at 0.001-10%. Mullerian defects are associated with an increased incidence of urinary anomalies, an increased risk of infertility, early pregnancy loss, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor and malpresentation. CASE: A 34-year-old, infertile woman with a presumed diagnosis of uterine didelphys and a longitudinal vaginal septum was noted to have a thin, communicating membrane separating the uterine horns on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A communication between these two horns was noted on hysterosalpingography (HSG). The diagnosis of complete uterine septum was therefore established. Uterine leiomyomata and a complete duplication of the right renal collecting system were also noted. CONCLUSION: Cases of complete uterine and vaginal septum can be easily confused with uterine didelphys. Management of these two mullerian anomalies is different, with surgical correction usually needed in cases of complete uterine septum. The use of pelvic ultrasound, MRI and HSG aided in correctly diagnosing this unusual form of mullerian anomaly.
Consistent Estimation of Early and Frequent Change Points

We address two types of processes with change points that often arise in practical situations. These are processes withearly change pointsand processes withfrequent change points.Early change points may occur after very few observations and may be followed by additional change points or more complicated patterns. Frequent change points separate different homogeneous phases of the observed process with the possibility of very short phases.
Small Drop on a Substrate Under Constant External Pressure

A distinction is made between thermodynamic equilibrium of a drop left on its own as opposed to the stability of a drop when external pressure (supersaturation) is applied. It is emphasized that in the latter case Gibbs criterion for thermodynamic equilibrium is inapplicable.
Using Microfluidics and Imaging SAMDI-MS To Characterize Reaction Kinetics.

Microfluidic platforms have enabled the simplification of biochemical assays with a significant reduction in the use of reagents, yet the current methods available for analyzing reaction products can limit applications of these approaches. This paper demonstrates a simple microfluidic device that incorporates a functionalized self-assembled monolayer to measure the rate constant for a chemical reaction. The device mixes the reactants and allows them to selectively immobilize to the monolayer at the base of a microfluidic channel in a time-dependent manner as they flow down the channel. Imaging self-assembled monolayers for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (iSAMDI-MS) is used to acquire a quantitative image representing the time-resolved progress of the reaction as it flowed through the channel. Knowledge of the surface immobilization chemistry and the fluid front characteristics allows for the determination of the chemical reaction rate constant. This approach widens the appli...
Nondestructive evaluation of steel-concrete composite structure using high-frequency ultrasonic guided wave.

Abstract Steel-concrete modular construction is increasingly used in nuclear structure construction. Conventional nondestructive testing methods are not able to detect internal concrete defects because the thick concrete wall is covered by steel plates. An ultrasonic guided method is proposed to detect honeycombs and voids around cross tie bars by using the tie bar as the waveguide. Guided wave dispersion curves are analyzed for the two-layer system (tie bar embedded in concrete). The high order longitudinal mode L(0,8) is selected as the working mode due to its lowest attenuation. Ultrasonic attenuations were measured on naked bars and bars embedded in concrete. Material damping coefficients of the steel bar were calibrated on the naked bar. Three tie bars with different bonding conditions in concrete (solid, with honeycomb and void) were tested at early age, 7 days and 110 days. The experimental results demonstrate that ultrasonic guided wave attenuation can be used to identify internal defect and evaluate the tie bar/concrete bonding condition at both early and late ages.
Structure and function of the medial amygdala

Abstract The medial amygdala (MA) is a complex amygdaloid structure that is both part of the “extended amygdala” and a key node in the social behavior network. It is superficial to basolateral and basomedial amygdala and lateral to the optic tract and is composed of several subnuclei with differing structure, development, and function. In many vertebrates, MA is strongly linked to defensive and social chemosensory function because of its extensive interconnections with main and accessory olfactory systems. MA also contains subnuclei that are highly steroid-sensitive and connect to other similarly sensitive structures, including the basal forebrain and hypothalamic nuclei regulating steroid-dependent social behaviors. Functionally, MA is consistently implicated in control of social and defensive/stress-related behaviors as well as the regulation of concomitant physiological responses. Thus, MA appears to integrate both internal state and external emotionally charged cues in order to coordinate adaptive responses within social and emotional contexts.
Avoiding Mechanical Ventilation Using NeuRX Diaphragmatic Pacing in Pediatric Paraplegic Patients: A Case Series

Introduction: Pediatric patients with respiratory failure often suffer from a variety of pathologies, including spinal cord injuries, congenital disease, or central hypoventilation syndrome. Often, the lungs, diaphragm, and phrenic nerve are physiologically functional. Previous studies within the adult population have demonstrated successful diaphragm pacing. However, in the pediatric population it is still investigational. Diaphragmatic pacing offers several benefits, including significant improvements in quality of life through the effects of increased mobility, decreased psychosocial implications, and a more physiologic method of breathing when compared to mechanical ventilation. There may also be …
Post-college changes in the association between drinking motives and drinking-related problems.

Abstract Evidence suggests that drinking cope (DTC) motivation becomes a greater risk factor for drinking-related problems as individuals progress through young adulthood. To test this, we examined how the effect of DTC motivation on a variety of drinking-related problems, controlling for drinking level, changed as individuals made the transition from college life to post-college life. We also included social, enhancement and conformity motives in our models to examine how their unique effects on drinking-related problems change across this developmental period. College students (N = 939) reported their drinking motives, drinking level, and drinking-related problems during college and again approximately five years later (post-college). Results showed that DTC motivation became a stronger positive predictor for drinking-related interpersonal problems, but none of the other problem types. Conformity motivation became a stronger positive predictor for five out of the six problem types examined and some evidence indicated that social motives become more protective post-college, showing unique negative associations with certain problems. Our findings highlight the need to better understand how the effects of drinking motives on distinct types of drinking-related problems might change as individuals advance through early adulthood.
Hyperion: Far-UV cross dispersion spectroscope design

Hyperion is a far-UV mission that investigates the birth clouds of stars using a 40 cm aperture telescope feeding an imaging long-slit spectrometer. The science requirements of the mission dictate that the spectrometer covers 140.5- 164.5 nm spectral range with resolution greater than 30,000. We employ smart and efficient design to create a longslit, cross dispersed, echelle spectrometer that utilizes a two-mirror freeform imaging optics. Echelle spectra for n = - 19, -18, and -17 over a 10 arcmin × 2.5 arcsec (length × width) FFOV are imaged onto the focal plane. We simulate the optical performance and the expected spectral efficiency.
Nitrate and ammonium uptake and solution pH changes for Al-tolerant and Al-sensitive sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes grown with and without aluminium

Plant tolerance to Al toxicity has been associated with differential nitrate and ammonium uptake and solution pH changes. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes with tolerance (SC283) and sensitivity (ICA-Nataima) to Al toxicity were grown with different nitrate/ammonium ratios (39:1, 9:1, and 3:1) at 0 and 300 μM Al to determine genotypic differences in nitrate and ammonium uptake, changes in nutrient solution pH, and relationships of these traits to Al toxicity tolerance in the genotypes. ICA-Nataima had greater reductions in nitrate and ammonium uptake than SC283 when plants were grown with Al, but SC283 had higher nitrate and ICA-Nataima had higher ammonium uptake when plants were grown without Al. Differences in nitrate and ammonium uptake were associated with changes in solution pH; pH decreased as long as ammonium was in solution and increased when ammonium was depleted from solution. Greater changes in solution pH occurred when plants were grown with 39:1 compared to 9:1 and 3:1 nitrate/ammonium ratios. Solution pH values were lower when plants were grown with than without Al. The genotypes maintained their relative differences in Al toxicity tolerance when plants were grown separately or together in the same container with Al and with different nitrate/ammonium ratios.
Method to Reduce Aerosolized Contaminant Concentration Exposure to Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic when Temporary Isolation Systems Are Required

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the healthcare system. It has led to the use of temporary isolation systems and less-then-optimum patient placement configurations because of inadequate number of isolation rooms, both of which can compromise provider safety. Three key elements require special attention to reduce the maximum and average aerosolized contaminant concentration exposure to a healthcare worker in any isolation system: flow rate; air changes per hour; and patient placement. This is important because concentration exposures of aerosolized contaminants to healthcare workers in hospitals using temporary isolation systems can reach levels 21-30 times greater than a properly engineered negative pressure isolation room. A working knowledge of these three elements can help create a safer environment for healthcare workers when isolation rooms are not available.
The death of a child in the emergency department.

Abstract The death of a child in the emergency department (ED) is often overwhelming to the child's community, including the health care providers involved in that child's care. Sudden death, especially of a child, induces a strong emotional response in health care providers and in the families involved. Advanced preparation by emergency staff is vital to appropriately care for the patient, the grieving family, and the ED staff. The American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics have jointly adopted a policy statement entitled "Death of a Child in the Emergency Department Joint Statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians." The purpose of this article is to provide the emergency physician with information related to the management of children and their families who die in the ED. The following important issues will be discussed: a family and team-centered approach when a child dies, support for families and communities, communication within the child's medical home, identification of resources for use when a child dies, and critical incident stress management.
Facile synthesis of a mesoporous TiO2 film templated by a block copolymer for photocatalytic applications

A facile synthesis of a mesoporous TiO2 thin film is reported using poly(styrene-2-vinyl pyridine-ethylene oxide) polymeric micelles as a synthetic template. As the Ti precursor strongly binds with polymeric micelles in solution (before evaporation), controlled conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, are not required for self-assembly of molecularly dissolved polymer and Ti sources. The mesoporous TiO2 films have enhanced photocatalytic activity due to increased surface area and rough surface around the pores. Photocatalytic testing with methylene blue dye showed that the prepared mesoporous thin films were effective in degrading dyes. Degradation of methylene blue dye with nonporous TiO2 yielded a shift in the maximum absorption wavelength, which is proposed to be the result of dimerization of methylene blue molecules during photocatalytic degradation.
Non-Asymptotic Bounds for the $\ell_{\infty}$ Estimator in Linear Regression with Uniform Noise

The Chebyshev or $\ell_{\infty}$ estimator is an unconventional alternative to the ordinary least squares in solving linear regressions. It is defined as the minimizer of the $\ell_{\infty}$ objective function \begin{align*} \hat{\boldsymbol{\beta}} := \arg\min_{\boldsymbol{\beta}} \|\boldsymbol{Y} - \mathbf{X}\boldsymbol{\beta}\|_{\infty}. \end{align*} The asymptotic distribution of the Chebyshev estimator under fixed number of covariates were recently studied (Knight, 2020), yet finite sample guarantees and generalizations to high-dimensional settings remain open. In this paper, we develop non-asymptotic upper bounds on the estimation error $\|\hat{\boldsymbol{\beta}}-\boldsymbol{\beta}^*\|_2$ for a Chebyshev estimator $\hat{\boldsymbol{\beta}}$, in a regression setting with uniformly distributed noise $\varepsilon_i\sim U([-a,a])$ where $a$ is either known or unknown. With relatively mild assumptions on the (random) design matrix $\mathbf{X}$, we can bound the error rate by $\frac{C_p}{n}$ with high probability, for some constant $C_p$ depending on the dimension $p$ and the law of the design. Furthermore, we illustrate that there exist designs for which the Chebyshev estimator is (nearly) minimax optimal. In addition we show that "Chebyshev's LASSO" has advantages over the regular LASSO in high dimensional situations, provided that the noise is uniform. Specifically, we argue that it achieves a much faster rate of estimation under certain assumptions on the growth rate of the sparsity level and the ambient dimension with respect to the sample size.
Constructing Social Psychology: Creative and Critical Aspects

This collection of papers by William J. McGuire reports research on the phenomenal self, revealing how we selectively perceive ourselves and other complex stimuli in terms of distinctive or atypical features, often noticing what is missing rather than what is there. The content, structure, and processing of thought systems surrounding the self and other complex stimuli are shown to function by balancing logical consistency, realistic coping, and hedonic gratification. Attitude change and social influence processes are described, with particular attention given to the personality correlates of persuasability, how beliefs can be immunized against persuasion, how persuasive communications affect beliefs, and how people can be persuaded by Socratic questioning that does not give them new information but rather directs their attention to information they already have. Also reported are findings on language and thought, psychology and history, and techniques of creative thinking in psychology and other fields.
Stochastic Quantization, Reflection Positivity, and Quantum Fields

We investigate stochastic quantization as a mathematical tool for quantum field theory. We test the method for the free scalar field. We find that the usual method of stochastic quantization is incompatible with establishing a Hilbert-space interpretation for transition probabilities in quantum theory. In particular, we prove that for any finite stochastic time, the standard probability measure violates reflection positivity. As a consequence, if one desires to use stochastic quantization in constructive quantum field theory, one needs to find a more robust procedure than the standard one.
Investigation of the PSF-choice method for reduced lipid contamination in prostate MR spectroscopic imaging.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate a previously proposed approach that aims to improve the point spread function (PSF) of MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to avoid corruption by lipid signal arising from neighboring voxels. Retrospective spatial filtering can be used to alter the PSF; however, this either reduces spatial resolution or requires extending the acquisition in k-space at the cost of increased imaging time. Alternatively, the method evaluated here, PSF-choice, can modify the PSF localization to reduce the contamination from adjacent lipids by conforming the signal response more closely to the desired MRSI voxel grid. This is done without increasing scan time or degrading SNR of important metabolites. PSF-choice achieves improvements in spatial localization through modifications to the radiofrequency excitation pulses. An implementation of this method is reported for MRSI of the prostate, where it is demonstrated that, in 13 of 16 pilot prostate MRSI scans, intravoxel spectral contamination from lipid was significantly reduced when using PSF-choice. Phantom studies were also performed that demonstrate, compared with MRSI with standard Fourier phase encoding, out-of-voxel signal contamination of spectra was significantly reduced in MRSI with PSF-choice. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Making the University Admission Decision Making Process Lean

To apply Lean strategy/principles anywhere means doing more and more with less and less – less time, space, machinery, materials and human efforts. Although Lean principles are rooted in manufacturing, they apply universally. The challenge for each firm is to translate, tailor and apply them to its own situation. This paper deals with the deep understanding of the functioning of Office of Admissions at Texas A&M University Kingsville, and the usage of Lean concepts, practices and principles to offer some suggestions and recommendations in order to improve the admission decision making process. An effort has been made to completely understand the work of the office (right from receiving of the application packet from a student to the final admission decision made for that student) and make work flows for each category of students applying for admissions. Some recommendations based on lean principles have given to make the admission decision making process lean and reduce the lead time to evaluate and process the admission applications. The Office of Admissions has been viewed as an organization with its product being the final decisions made for students about their admission to the school.
Subtypes, Dimensions, Levels, and Mental States in Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Various conceptualizations of subtypes, levels, and dimensions of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are considered with a particular focus on overt grandiose presentations and covert vulnerable presentations. Evidence supporting this distinction and clinical vignettes to illustrate it are presented as well as their implications for clinical work with NPD patients. The research and clinical evidence points to the conclusion that these broad categorical subtypes are better conceptualized as dimensions on which individual patients vary on relative levels, thus suggesting that grandiose and vulnerable presentations represent two sides of the same coin. A case example and clinical implications are provided and discussed.
Indomethacin increases organ damage and heat stroke mortality in mice (1104.13)

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the progression of organ damage during heat stroke (HS) recovery is unknown. We examined the effect of oral indomethacin (INDO; 5 mg/kg) on core temperature (Tc; ±0.1°, radiotelemetry), organ (kidney, liver) gene expression of IL-6 and lipocalin2 (LCN2; an injury biomarker), and survival of male C57BL/6J mice (23.7±0.5g; 6-9 mice/group) at Tc,Max (42.4°C), 3h and 24h of HS recovery. INDO had no effect on Tc during heat exposure or recovery. INDO caused ~50% increase in HS mortality, which was associated with increased gut hemorrhaging. In HS survivors, kidney IL-6 (4- to 38-fold) and LCN2 (6- to 9-fold) expression was increased throughout recovery and INDO potentiated these responses (5- to 280-fold and 20- to 56-fold, respectively; P<0.05). Liver IL-6 (2-to 4-fold) and LCN2 (14- to 16-fold) expression was lower than the kidney, but these responses were also potentiated by INDO (IL-6: 3-17-fold; LCN2: 20- to 120-fold; P<0.05). Plasma LCN2 was...
Priority effects on the life-history traits of two carrion blow fly (Diptera, Calliphoridae) species

Third instars of the invasive blow fly Chrysomya rufifacies are facultative predators on larvae of the native blow fly Cochliomyia macellaria. 2. The effects of priority arrival time on the survivorship and fitness of C. rufifacies andC. macellaria were investigated in laboratory experiments. 3. Cochliomyia macellaria colonising a resource within 1-2 days after C. rufifacies resulted in a 20-70% reduction in survivorship, pupal weight and fecundity compared with those colonising a resource more than 2 days before or after C. rufifacies .I nv erly , C. rufifacies exhibited a 50% increase in survivorship and fecundity when closely (∼2 days) associated temporally on the resource with C. macellaria and was negatively affected by disparate arrival. 4. These results demonstrate that arrival sequence significantly affects the fitness of both C. rufifacies andC. macellaria. Early colonisation may allow C. macellaria to persist in a community, while there are fitness benefits for C. rufifacies colonising after C. macellaria. 5. The 60% reduction in C. macellaria survivorship when in close temporal association with C. rufifacies may act as an agent of selection for C. macellaria to colonise a resource early and develop quickly to avoid predation on resources colonised by C. rufifacies . 6. Selection for such traits may explain how C. macellaria is able to persist despite intraguild predation by this invasive species. In contrast, the 50% increase in survivorship and fecundity exhibited by C. rufifacies when arriving after C. macellaria may select for C. rufifacies to delay colonisation.
Female sex: a protective role in suspected myocardial ischemia.

Objective Women are felt to have poor outcomes in coronary artery disease, largely on the basis of secondary observations in acute coronary syndrome trials. We sought to examine the neglected topic of sex differences in workup and outcomes in the general population presenting with chest pain. Methods We examined 439 consecutive patients admitted via the emergency department with ongoing chest pain. Cardiac testing was defined as any cardiac catheterization or stress test. Positive testing was defined as a 70% or greater stenosis in an epicardial coronary artery on catheterization, or a positive stress test result. Follow-up was obtained via telephone contact at 4 months following discharge. Results Further cardiac testing was deemed necessary in 68% (164/241) of women and 77% (153/198) of men (P=0.038). Among women undergoing further testing, only 21% (35/164) had positive tests, whereas 41% (62/153) of men had positive tests (P=0.002). At 4 months, women were less likely to have suffered the combined endpoint of subsequent myocardial infarction, revascularization, or death, than men (15 vs. 23%, P=0.027). Events were more likely to occur in patients who had further testing, and especially in those who had positive testing. Conclusions These data suggest that women admitted with chest pain are less likely to have active coronary artery disease, and much less likely to have poor outcomes at 4 months than men. This apparent 'gender protection' effect warrants further study.
Bringing Emerging Technologies to Market: Does Academic Research Promote Commercial Exploration and Exploitation?

Many studies have demonstrated that academic research plays an important role in the development of emerging technologies. Publishing academic research, research by scientists that is shared with the broader research community via journal publications and conference presentations, plays an important role in the development of emerging technologies. While much is known about the relationship between academic research and invention capability (e.g., patent-generation capability), the link between academic research and commercial products demands further investigation. This paper presents a longitudinal study of the link between firms' academic research activity and commercial exploration and exploitation of emerging technology knowledge. According to our findings, firms with an active program of publishing academic research are more likely to commercially explore (via pioneer products) and exploit (via greater product scope) their emerging technology investment.
PNEUMOPERICARDIOGRAPHY IN THE NORMAL DOG

To define the normal radiographic anatomy of the canine heart and pericardial space as outlined by air, pneumopericardiography was performed in ten normal, anesthetized dogs using a percutaneously introduced pericardial catheter. Room air was injected to produce pneumopericardiums without causing cardiac tamponade, and radiographs were obtained using a vertical beam with the dogs positioned in right lateral (RLAT), left lateral(LLAT), dorsal (VD), and ventral (DV) recumbency. Selective and nonselective angiocardiography was used to confirm the identity of the outlined structures. The RLAT and LLAT positions provided more information than the DV or VD positions. Pericardial air consistently outlined a distinct interventricular sulcus and the recesses around the aorta and pulmonary artery. The right auricle, outlined along the cranial heart border ventral to the ascending aorta in both RLAT and LLAT positions, varied considerably in size. The RLAT position best outlined structures to the left of midline, including the left auricle, interventricular sulcus, outflow region of the right ventricle, and the origin of the pulmonary artery. The LLAT position best demonstrated structures to the right of midline, including the right atrium, proximal part of the cranial and caudal vena cavae, and ascending aorta. The considerable range of normal variation between dogs in this study must be considered in the interpretation of clinical pneumopericardiograms.
Advances in multiattribute utility theory

Several advances in multiattribute expected utility theory have emerged recently. Much of the existing theory deals with independence axioms on whole attributes and the corresponding utility decompositions. This paper reviews three alternate approaches for obtaining representations of multiattribute utility functions: (1) multi-valent preference analysis, (2) approximation methods, and (3) indifference spanning analysis. Unlike some utility decompositions, these approaches require the assessment of only single-attribute functions which makes implementation relatively simple. Only multivalent preference analysis and indifference spanning analysis, however, provide axioms that can be empirically tested to justify a particular utility representation.
Obesity as a Disease

In recent years, obesity and related medical conditions have become leading public health concerns worldwide. Policy measures to combat or prevent obesity have been instated in a number of countries, with varying degrees of success. To stress the importance of obesity as a health issue, many professional health organizations, including the American Medical Association, have defined obesity itself as a disease. While this may be somewhat controversial, the high risk of comorbid conditions in obese individuals, the significant changes from healthy physiology that are present in the obese state, and the need for further public policies to address the public health threat and economic impact of obesity in the population are strong supporting arguments to label obesity as a disease.
The Infinite Organism

AbstractExisting biological systems are finitely based, in the sense that no appeal to infinite sets is required for their description. The subject of actual infinity has been a persistent topic in philosophy since the time of the Greeks, but little attention has been paid to the possibility of infinite organisms outside a theological context. The present paper seeks the terms of description of an infinite organism in the generalization of a model for human nature that was originally provided by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Three examples of possible infinite organisms are derived from this model in conjunction with the mathematics of infinity. The probability of the existence of actual infinite organisms is estimated.
A Simple Positive Definite Advection Scheme with Small Implicit Diffusion

Abstract The development of negative values for positive definite scalars in the solution of the advection equation is an important difficulty in numerical modeling. This paper proposes a new positively definite advection scheme which has a simple form, small implicit diffusion and low computational cost. Comparisons of the present scheme with some other known positive definite schemes are also presented.
Nanostructures of gold coated iron core-shell nanoparticles and the nanobands assembled under magnetic field

Pure metal iron nanoparticles are unstable in the air. By a coating iron on nanoparticle surface with a stable noble metal, these air-stable nanoparticles are protected from the oxidation and retain most of the favorable magnetic properties, which possess the potential application in high density memory device by forming self-assembling nanoarrays. Gold-coated iron core-shell structure nanoparticles (Fe/Au) synthesized using reverse micelles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average nanoparticle size of the core-shell structure is about 8 nm, with about 6 nm diameter core and 1∼2 nm shell. Since the gold shell is not epitaxial growth related to the iron core, the morie pattern can be seen from the overlapping of iron core and gold shell. However, the gold shell lattice can be seen by changing the defocus of TEM. An energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) also shows the nanoparticles are air-stable. The magnetic measurement of the nanoparticles also proved successful synthesis of gold coated iron core-shell structure. The nanoparticles were then assembled under 0.5 T magnetic field and formed parallel nanobands with about 10 μm long. Assembling two dimensional ordered nanoarrays are still under going.
The mineralogy and petrology of the volcanic rocks from the Leucite Hills, Wyoming

Examples of the three volcanic rock types, wyomingite, orendite and madupite from the Leucite Hills have been examined with the electron microprobe. The results show that leucite is non-stoichiometric as predicted byCross (1897), having an excess of potassium and silicon, and that the only feldspar found, a sanidine, contains up to 18 percent of the iron-feldspar molecule. The co-existing phlogopite, diopside and olivine together with the groundmass amphibole are all highly magnesian. Of the varied accessory minerals, priderite (K2Ti8O16) and wadeite (K4Zr2Si6O18) have been identified and analyzed together with ubiquitous apatite and perovskite, both of which contain rare earths in abundance. Comparative mineralogical data has been obtained on a few representative specimens from West Australia and on the jumillite from Spain. The new rock analyses together with the existing data from the Leucite Hills show the rare but characteristic molecular excess of potassium over aluminium; this excess is considered to account for the ahsence of the iron-titanium oxides in the orendites and wyomingites, and of course for the unusual composition and species of the minerals. Exploratory melting experiments show that these potassic lavas have a comparable melting range to magnesian basalts, and a crustal origin is thereby considered precluded. There is no evidence that sialic contamination contributed notably to the composition of the oversaturated orendites and wyomingites, and their relationship by any process of crystal fractionation to the undersaturated madupite is obscure. The generation of madupite could be achieved by crystal fractionation at high pressure of a liquid derived by partial fusion of mantle material.
On the extraction and filtering of signals acquired from rotating machines

Abstract The presentation of time domain signals acquired from rotating machines can be important for diagnostic applications involving signature analysis. Efficient methods are presented for extracting and filtering such periodic signatures. The procedures are based on leakage free data sampling, enabling the design of sluggishless but sharp filters of almost any kind. In conjunction with various windows, a new procedure for the suppression of strong interferences is presented, and simple design formulae for this developed. The subject is thus of importance to anyone acquiring dynamic data from rotating machinery. Experimental examples are given for signals acquired from a combustion engine.
Sustained behavioral recovery from unilateral nigrostriatal damage produced by the controlled release of dopamine from a silicone polymer pellet placed into the denervated striatum.

This study was conducted to determine if the behavioral asymmetry associated with unilateral nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) depletion could be alleviated by placing a small DA-releasing silicone polymer matrix pellet into the denervated striatum of rats. Animals that received DA-releasing pellets showed a 50% reduction in apomorphine-induced rotational behavior, and this effect persisted for the 2-month duration of the experiment. The results suggest that the controlled release of DA from an intrastriatal polymer matrix can produce a long-lasting reduction in some of the symptons associated with DA depletion.
Spectral analysis of digital kymography in normal adult vocal fold vibration.

Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the spectrum of normal adult vocal fold vibration obtained through direct visualization technique using digital kymography (DKG). DKG extracts high-speed kymographic images of each vocal fold sampled at a single or multiple points along the vocal folds. Thus, direct and objective quantification of the cycle-to-cycle movements of the left and right vocal folds were obtained. In this study, DKG spectrum configuration in males and females were examined. Samples were obtained from seven subjects (three males and four females) with no history of voice disorders. Subjects were asked to produce tokens obtained from a standard clinical laryngeal evaluation producing tokens at modal, low, and high frequency and at modal frequency with increased loudness. Results demonstrated that the spectrum of normal adult phonation consisted of a large and robust H 1 (fundamental frequency) and significant attenuation of power in the higher harmonics (H 2 , H 3 ). The spectral peaks were quasiperiodic with no spectral smearing. Analysis of the spectral data revealed variations in the spectrum that were influenced by the frequency of phonation and gender. Subjects demonstrated a range of left-right asymmetry of the spectral peaks (2–26%). This study presents a preliminary database of direct spectral characteristics of normal adult vocal fold vibration over a range of frequencies and intensities. Furthermore, these measures provide data from which similar measures obtained from dysphonic pathologies can be compared.
Ethylene epoxidation over silver and copper–silver bimetallic catalysts: II. Cs and Cl promotion

Abstract Copper–silver bimetallic catalysts offer improved selectivity relative to silver in the direct epoxidation of ethylene, as predicted by density functional theory calculations. The performance advantages of bimetallics over silver have been shown previously for unpromoted, monolith-supported catalysts. Here we demonstrate that the higher activity and selectivity of Cu–Ag bimetallic catalysts prepared by sequential impregnation are maintained when conventional promoters, such as cesium and/or chlorine, are used. Selectivities to ethylene oxide obtained for promoted bimetallic catalysts were up to 15 points higher than those obtained for promoted silver catalysts at comparable conversions.
A Meta-Analysis of Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Versus Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using Edwards Valve for Severe Aortic Stenosis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare 1 year mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events between transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transapical (TA) TAVI performed using Edwards valves. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials were searched for studies published from January 2000 through March 2014. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. This meta-analysis included total of 2,978 patients with severe aortic stenosis not eligible for traditional surgical procedures who underwent TF TAVI (n = 1,465) or TA TAVI (n = 1,513). End points were in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year all-cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, major bleeding, and major vascular complications. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were computed, and p values
Sodium and potassium vapor Faraday filters revisited: theory and applications

A complete theory describing the transmission of atomic vapor Faraday filters is developed. The dependence of the filter transmission on atomic density and external magnetic field strength, as well as the frequency dependence of transmission, are explained in physical terms. As examples, applications of the computed results to ongoing research to suppress sky background, thus allowing Na lidar operation under sunlit conditions, and to enable measurement of the density of mesospheric oxygen atoms are briefly discussed.
The Adenosine-Dependent Angiogenic Switch of Macrophages to an M2-Like Phenotype is Independent of Interleukin-4 Receptor Alpha (IL-4Rα) Signaling

Murine macrophages are activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and/or Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists such as bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) to express an inflammatory (M1) phenotype characterized by the expression of nitric oxide synthase-2 (iNOS) and inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-12. In contrast, Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 activate macrophages by inducing the expression of arginase-1 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in an IL-4 receptor-α (IL-4Rα)-dependent manner. Macrophages activated in this way are designated as "alternatively activated" (M2a) macrophages. We have shown previously that adenosine A2A receptor (A(2A)R) agonists act synergistically with TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, and TLR9 agonists to switch macrophages into an "M2-like" phenotype that we have termed "M2d." Adenosine signaling suppresses the TLR-dependent expression of TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ, and several other inflammatory cytokines by macrophages and induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-10. We show here using mice lacking a functional IL-4Rα gene (IL-4Rα(-/-) mice) that this adenosine-mediated switch does not require IL-4Rα-dependent signaling. M2d macrophages express high levels of VEGF, IL-10, and iNOS, low levels of TNF-α and IL-12, and mildly elevated levels of arginase-1. In contrast, M2d macrophages do not express Ym1, Fizz1 (RELM-α), or CD206 at levels greater than those induced by LPS, and dectin-1 expression is suppressed. The use of these markers in vivo to identify "M2" macrophages thus provides an incomplete picture of macrophage functional status and should be viewed with caution.
Instantons in a $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory: a Coulomb dipole gas

We study the decompositionA=A I +A SW of aU(1) lattice gauge field into instanton and spin wave parts. The action also decomposes,A=A I +A SW +R. HereA I is a Coulomb dipole gas,A SW is a zero mass free field, andR is a higher order remainder. We studyA I in detail, ford≧4, in the dilute gas case (which corresponds to the low temperature limit of the gauge field theory). We establish the leading behavior of the free energy:f ∼ ɛ−d aζ. Here ɛ is the lattice spacing,a is a geometrical constant and ζ is an activity defined in terms of a small number of instanton configurations. Our methods suggest the absence of screening in the dilute dipole gas,d≧4, in contrast to Debye screening for the dilute monopole gas.
Long-rod penetration, target resistance, and hypervelocity impact

Abstract Numerical simulations are used to examine long-rod penetration as a function of impact velocity. Similarities and differences between the penetration histories are analyzed, including penetration and tail velocities, penetration depths, crater radii, centerline interfaces pressures, and the extents of plastic flow in the projectile and target. The one-dimensional modified Bernoulli theory is often used to examine long-rod penetration into semi-infinite targets, and integral to the theory is a term that describes the resistance of the target to penetration. It is observed that the target resistance decreases with impact velocity, and it is shown that this is a consequence of both the residual phase of penetration and variations in the size of the plastic zone field.
Role of flow cytometry in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in children.

To evaluate the combination of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in children, we reviewed a total of 71 FNA specimens from pediatric patients with persistent lymphadenopathy. Two cases were deemed inadequate. In the remaining 69 cases, 54 (78%) were diagnosed as benign lesions, 9 (13%) as Hodgkin's lymphoma, 4 (6%) as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or leukemic infiltrate, and 2 as metastatic tumors. Of the 69 cases, 25 cases (38%) were diagnosed based on cytomorphology alone, 30 (43%) by combined cytomorphology and FCI, and 19 (28%) by surgical biopsy. In conclusion, FNA is an easy, safe, and reliable procedure in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in children. In difficult cases, FCI can be used to exclude non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Intervention, Interpersonal Counseling, for Subdysthymic Depression in Medically Ill Elderly

Background Subdysthymic depression occurs in 20-50% of hospitalized elderly and is associated with physical and social disability, delayed recovery, and excess health service use. Despite this, little is known regarding the nature of such depressive symptomatology, or its responsivity to treatment. To address this, a randomized clinical trial assessing the feasibility and efficacy of Interpersonal Counseling (IPC), a short-term psychotherapy, was conducted. Methods Patients 60+ with a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score > 10 not meeting DSM-III-R criteria for major depression or dysthymia were recruited from the acute hospital. Thirty-five individuals were randomized to IPC and 41 to usual care (UC). IPC was delivered following hospital discharge by psychiatric clinical nurse specialists. Interviews were conducted at recruitment and 3, 6, and 12 months later. Primary outcomes were GDS scores, health ratings, and measures of physical and social functioning. Results At 3 months, IPC group members showed greater improvement than UC members on all outcome variables; between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. At 6 months, a statistically significant difference in the rate of improvement in GDS, indicated by scores of 10 or less, was observed for IPC compared to UC members (60.6% vs 35.1%). Multivariate analyses confirmed a positive treatment effect on depressive symptoms. Similar multivariate analyses showed a statistically significant positive treatment effect on self-rated health but not on physical or social functioning. Conclusions IPC appears feasible, acceptable, and effective in short-term depressive symptom reduction and in improvement in self-rated health. Implementation of IPC interventions for subdysthymic hospitalized elderly is recommended.
Differential Effects of a Saturated and a Monounsaturated Fatty Acid on MHC Class I Antigen Presentation

Lipid overload, associated with metabolic disorders, occurs when fatty acids accumulate in non-adipose tissues. Cells of these tissues use major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to present antigen to T cells in order to eliminate pathogens. As obesity is associated with impaired immune responses, we tested the hypothesis that the early stages of lipid overload with saturated fatty acids (SFA) alters MHC class I antigen presentation. Antigen presenting cells (APC) were treated with either the saturated palmitic acid (PA), abundant in the high fat Western diet, or the monounsaturated oleic acid (OA), a component of the Mediterranean diet. PA-treatment lowered APC lysis by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes and inhibited APC ability to stimulate naive T cells. Inhibition of immune responses with PA was due to a significant reduction in MHC class I surface expression, inhibition in the rate of APC–T-cell conjugation, and lowering of plasma membrane F-actin levels. OA-treatment had no effect on antigen presentation and upon exposure with PA, prevented the phenotypic effects of PA. OA-treatment conferred protection against changes in antigen presentation by accumulating fatty acids into triglyceride-rich lipid droplets of APC. Our findings establish for the first time a link between the early stages of lipid overload and antigen presentation and suggest that dietary SFA could impair immunity by affecting MHC I-mediated antigen presentation; this could be prevented, paradoxically, by accumulation of triglycerides rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
Evaluation of the tensile strength of cement-based advanced composite wrapped specimens

Abstract The use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite wrap is increasingly being used for repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures. In recent years, most of the mechanical properties of these materials have been studied; however, data on their tensile characteristics is still lacking. This paper presents tensile strength data for: (1) cement-based composites wrapped with FRP sheets, (2) FRP sheets without resin matrix, and (3) FRP sheets embedded in epoxy resin matrix. The tensile strength values were evaluated by using a simple hydraulic tensile technique that produces a uniform stress distribution throughout the specimen, thus, minimizing eccentricity and gripping effects. The tensile strength is derived from the hydraulic pressure and sample geometry. Three types of fiber-composite sheets, including two carbon and one glass, were applied with a two-part epoxy resin system. The tensile strength of the carbon-fiber-wrapped cement composites were in the range of 78 to 132 MPa. The glass-fiber composites were in the range of 40 to 55 MPa, while the unwrapped cement specimens were under 7 MPa. The results show a significant difference in tensile strength properties with the application of an epoxy–resin system. The tensile strength values are presented by using Weibull statistics. A rule-of-mixtures model is used to predict the tensile strength of the FRP composites. Fractography is used to locate the failure initiating defects and to identify the failure modes associated with the different composite wrap systems.