cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular-vascular interaction in congestive heart failure. Importance of low-frequency impedance.

BACKGROUND Vasodilator agents are widely used in congestive heart failure. These agents may have important effects on the pulsatile aspects of right ventricular hydraulic load. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifteen patients with severe congestive heart failure were studied during cardiac catheterization by use of high-fidelity pressure transducers and a catheter-mounted flow velocity probe. Three graded doses of nitroprusside were infused as pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and flow were continuously recorded. From Fourier transforms of signal-averaged waves, PA impedance, hydraulic power, and wave reflection indices were derived. At the highest dose of nitroprusside (66 +/- 41 micrograms/min), cardiac output was significantly improved, whereas PA mean and wedge pressure, resistance, impedance at the first harmonic, characteristic impedance, and wave reflection amplitude were all reduced. At the dose (32 +/- 20 micrograms/min) at which cardiac output first showed improvement, only PA mean pressure and first-harmonic impedance were significantly reduced. Hydraulic power cost per unit of forward flow was also lowered at this dose, despite lack of significant change in pulmonary vascular resistance. At the lowest dose of nitroprusside (11 +/- 4 micrograms/min), six patients experienced a decrease in stroke volume, whereas the other nine were either unchanged (n = 1) or showed an increase (n = 8). Multiple regression revealed that only the change in first-harmonic impedance correlated with this effect, increasing when stroke volume decreased and decreasing when stroke volume increased (P = .02). The change in first-harmonic impedance at this dose appeared to be caused by alterations in the amplitude of PA wave reflections. At higher doses, changes in mean PA pressure (but not in pulmonary vascular resistance) correlated with changes in stroke volume. CONCLUSIONS Nitroprusside vasodilation at low doses alters PA hemodynamics in congestive heart failure primarily through changes in low-frequency impedance. In some patients, this effect is associated with decreased stroke output. At higher doses, favorable alterations in resistance, low- and high-frequency impedance, and wave reflections all contribute to increased forward flow and decreased power requirement per unit forward flow. These findings show that ventricular-vascular interaction is importantly affected by pulmonary vasodilation and that appreciation of pulsatile properties is required to understand the effects of pulmonary vasodilation on cardiac output.
Computer Simulations Of The Role Of Surface Reconstruction, Stoichiometry And Strain In Molecular Beam Epitaxical Growth And Defect Formation

The influence of the lattice mismatch strain on the growth mode and formation of defects is examined via computer simulations. Striking differences in the growth mode are suggested for compressive versus tensile strain in the overlayer. It is proposed and shown that the genesis of misfit induced defects is laid in the initial stages of growth at the coalescence boundaries of kinetically controlled clusters exceeding a critical size needed for epitaxical registry.
Stress tolerance in some Chacoan dolichoderine ants: implications for community organization and distribution☆

Abstract Stress-tolerance strategies in ants have been little studied in the context of ant communities. To examine this relationship, the behaviour and activity patterns of several dolichoderine ants, Forelius nigriventris Forel and Dorymyrmex exsanguis Forel and allies, with other members of a species-rich, scavenging ant assemblage in two habitats in the Argentine Chaco was studied. Both groups of dolichoderines were more active in the overgrazed-desertified habitat than in the forested habitat. Forelius nigriventris was relatively thermophilic, and D. exsanguis and allies were active over a broad range of environmental conditions and were tolerant of cold conditions. These dolichoderines were subordinate in aggressive interactions with other species at baits, and were abundant at baits only when other species were absent. Competitive interactions may have led to stress tolerance in these ants. Stress tolerance on a local scale may also permit the geographic distribution of these ants (particularly D. exsanguis ) into zones of relatively harsh climate.
Why is it so hard to help central city schools

Many states have implemented educational grant systems designed to provide more aid to school districts that are, by some standard, in greater need. Nevertheless, many if not most central city school systems continue to produce poor educational outcomes, as measured, for example, by test scores and dropout rates. Using data from New York State, this article asks why existing aid formulas fail to provide the assistance that central city school districts need to bring their educational outcomes up to reasonable standards. Two principal explanations are explored: the failure of existing aid programs to recognize the high cost of providing education in central cities and the possibility that aid simply makes central cities less efficient without raising educational outcomes. The article presents aid programs that account for costs, but shows that these revised programs will do little to help central cities without at least one politically unpopular provision, namely a large state budget or a high required local property tax rate. The article also estimates the extent to which increased aid to central cities leads to their less efficient operation, thereby undermining the objective of improved educational outcomes for central city students. The article concludes by listing the steps that a state can take to help central city schools and by discussing the yet unresolved problems that arise in helping these districts.
Motion Correction for Respiratory Gated PET Images

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a motion correction method for respiratory gated PET and to evaluate its effect on image quantification. The NCAT phantom was used and simulated to have three lung lesions at different locations in the right lung. All lesions had either a source to background ratio of 5:1 or 10:1. Data were binned into 16, 8, 4, and 2 gates in addition to a non-gated data set. Poisson noise was added to the data before being reconstructed with OSEM, 4 iterations and 8 subsets. Using a non-rigid registration algorithm, the gated images were deformed into the peak inhale gate. This resulted in the motion corrected images, which were then summed for analysis. Regions of interest were placed in the lung background, soft tissue, and the center of each lesion. The mean signal, contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and spatial resolution were evaluated as a function of the number of gates, with and without motion correction, lesion size, lesion placement, lesion contrast, and count level. Compared to the non-gated data, mean signal recovery in the gated and motion corrected images increased as the number of gates used increased, lesion placement was lower in the lung, as the lesion size increased, and as lesion contrast decreased. Although the mean value did not change significantly as the number of gates increased from 4 to 16, the standard deviation decreased significantly. This resulted in an increase in CNR recovery particularly with decreased lesion size, lower lesion placement, and decreased intrinsic contrast. The spatial resolution also improved 10-30% in the motion corrected images for the lesions located at the lower and middle of the lung. These results indicated that the motion corrected images have greatly reduced image noise, and at the same time improved signal recovery due to reduced resolution losses. This showed the efficacy of this motion correction algorithm, and resulted in improved image contrast and detectability.
Hematopoietic cytokines. Current use in cancer therapy.

The introduction of hematopoietic cytokines into the clinic has been rapid with three currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration and perhaps a dozen more in clinical trials. Combinations of cytokines have been relatively unexplored in the clinics. Knowledge about the use of cytokines with chemotherapy has grown considerably in the past few years. The literature relating to use of cytokines in support of standard chemotherapy, marrow failure syndromes associated with malignant disease, and dose intensification not requiring progenitor cell replacement has been reviewed. This review does not address the use of cytokines to support bone marrow transplantation and collection of progenitor cells
Using bioenergetics and stable isotopes to assess the trophic role of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in lake littoral zones

Crayfish often dominate freshwater ecosystems and can have strong effects on littoral habitat and biota through foraging. However, there is substantial debate regarding the trophic role of crayfish...
Tree Traversal and Word Order

This article looks at how the two-dimensional organization of a syntactic tree is translated into a one-dimensional string. It proposes a method of linearization that extracts the terminal string by visiting the nodes of a tree systematically in a predetermined order, either preorder, inorder, or postorder traversal. Crucially, it also argues that given a particular formulation of the extraction process, the traversal method chosen by individual languages produces the well-known crosslinguistic variations in word order typology (SVO, SOV, VSO, etc.) without having to resort to remnant movement.
Early loading after single-stage bone-anchored implantation in adults.

Objective. Classically, processor loading after single-stage bone-anchored implantation (BAI) surgery follows a 3-month osseointegration period. The purpose of this study was to examine audiometric...
Vitamin supplementation and other variables affecting serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations in elderly men and women

An elevated serum concentration of the metabolite, homocysteine (Hcys): 1) can indicate folate or vitamin B12 deficiency, 2) is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. The metabolite, methylmalonic acid (MMA), is elevated in deficiency of vitamin B12, but not folate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of self-selected vitamin supplementation and other variables on serum Hcys and MMA concentrations in elderly men and women.Serum concentrations of Hcys, MMA, folate and vitamin B12 were measured for elderly volunteers, age 68-96 years, and compared for those consuming (26 men, 25 women) and not consuming (24 men, 25 women) self-selected vitamin supplements.Compared with the nonsupplemented group, the supplemented group had lower mean serum MMA (208 +/− 162 vs. 241 +/− 98 nmol/L [+/− SD]) and Hcys (9.5 +/− 2.6 vs. 11.2 +/− 2.7 mumol/L); and higher serum vitamin B12 (391 +/− 174 vs 292 +/− 107 pmol/L), and serum folate (46 +/− 15 vs. 24 +/− 10 nmol/L) p < 0.05. Among all 100 subject...
Electrocatalysis: A direct alcohol fuel cell and surface science perspective

Abstract In this report, we discuss some of the advances in surface science and theory that have enabled a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms that govern the electrocatalysis. More specifically, we examine in detail the electrooxidation of C1 and C2 alcohol molecules in both acidic and basic media. A combination of detailed in situ spectroscopic measurements along with density functional theory calculations have helped to establish the mechanisms that control the reaction paths and the influence of acidic and alkaline media. We discuss some of the synergies and differences between electrocatalysis and aqueous phase heterogeneous catalysis. Such analyses begin to establish a common language and framework by which to compare as well as advance both fields.
Effects of the calmodulin inhibitor, trifluoperazine, on membrane potentials and slow action potentials of cultured heart cells

The effects of an inhibitor of calmodulin, trifluoperazine (TFP), were determined on the electrical activity of cultured cell reaggregates derived from chick embryonic hearts (15-day-old). The cells exhibited naturally occuring slowly rising action potentials (APs) having a maximum rate of rise (+Vmax) of less than 35 V/s. After superfusion with 100 μM TFP, the maximal diastolic potential (MDP) decreased, within 30 min, from −66.0 to −55.5 mV. The frequency of discharge decreased, and there was also a decrease in AP amplitude and in +Vmax (from 10.0 to 4.9 V/s). By 90 min, all spontaneous activity had stopped, and the resting potential was about −10 mV. Input resistance increased, consistent with a decrease in K+ conductance. Hyperpolarization by current pulses did not allow the production of APs upon electrical stimulation, suggesting that the TFP blocks slow inward current (Isi). No recovery occurred upon washout (up to 48 h). Higher concentrations of TFP (200–500 μM), or injection of the inhibitor intracellularly be means of phosphatidylcholine liposomes, accelerated the time course of the blockade (e.g. within 15 min). In fresh (non-cultured) chick ventricle with fast-rising APs, TFP (400 μM) caused excitation-contraction uncoupling within 10 min, presumably by blocking the slow Ca2+ channels; the fast APs were depressed (+Vmax) within 45 min, before any depolarization occurred. The cells became completely depolarized (Em ⋍ −4 mV) by 195 min; hyperpolarization by current pulses did not allow the production of APs, suggesting that the fast Na+ channels were blocked. Hence, the calmodulin inhibitor, TFP, blocks the slow action potentials and causes excitation-contraction uncoupling of myocardial cells. This suggests that calmodulin plays an important role in regulating the Ca2+ slow inward current and contraction in heart cells. The blockade of the fast APs and the depolarization that occurred later in time suggests a second role played by calmodulin in heart muscle, namely, the control of metabolic activities that affect membrane excitability.
Improved Emulsifying Properties of β-Barrel Domain Peptides Obtained by Membrane-Fractionation of a Limited Tryptic Hydrolysate of β-Lactoglobulin

Fragments of the β-barrel domain of β-lactoglobulin were obtained by membrane fractionation of a limited proteolysate prepared with an immobilized trypsin bioreactor. Analysis of this fraction by size-exclusion chromatography under physiological conditions indicated that the fraction contained a predominant peptide (50%) with a size of 8400 Da and several other peptides with sizes ranging from 2000 to 30 700 Da. Analysis of reductively denatured peptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol indicated the presence of a major peptide with a size of 6400 Da, suggesting that a small peptide was linked to the 8400-Da peptide by a disulfide bond. Comparison of the surface and emulsifying properties of the peptide fraction with those of intact β-lactoglobulin indicated that the domain peptides have a lower surface hydrophobicity and a slightly higher surface and interfacial tension. Furthermore, the emulsifying activity index for the domain peptides wa...
The effect of heparin on dermal ischaemia after burning

Abstract Heparin has been said to improve microvascular perfusion in the burn wound. Using 75°C, 10 s, 5 per cent body surface area guinea-pig scald burns, histology was studied and the amount of dermal perfusion was measured periodically after burning. Microcirculatory dermal perfusion was evaluated after indian ink injection. Untreated control animals were compared with animals treated with topical heparin, animals treated with systemic heparin and animals treated with both topical and systemic heparin. Immediately and up to 2 h post burn there was vascular filling to 85 percent thickness of the dermis in all animals. By 8 h, the dermal perfusion had fallen to 40 per cent dermal thickness and at 24 h no dermal perfusion occurred. At 24 h only the subdermal vessels contained indian ink. The animals' wounds which were allowed to heal showed no regeneration of dermal appendages, grossly or microscopically. In this model, heparin failed to prevent progressive dermal ischaemia or to allow regeneration of dermal appendages.
Purification and properties of L-asparaginase from Serratia marcescens.

Abstract Serratia marcescens asparaginase ( l -asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) has been purified 680-fold to apparent homogeneity as judged by sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, disc electrophoresis and immunodiffusion. The molecular weight by equilibrium sedimentation was found to be approx. 147 000. The results of sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis indicate that the enzyme is composed of four subunits of approximately identical molecular weight, and determination of N-terminal amino acids by dansylation suggests that these are present as two nonidentical pairs. The amino acid composition has been determined.
Cleanliness of Disposable vs Nondisposable Electrocardiography Lead Wires in Children

BACKGROUND Mediastinitis costs hospitals thousands of dollars a year and increases the incidence of patient morbidity and mortality. No studies have been done to evaluate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) counts on disposable and nondisposable electrocardiography (ECG) lead wires in pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE To compare the cleanliness of disposable and nondisposable ECG lead wires in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgery patients by measuring the quantity of ATP (in relative luminescence units [RLUs]). ATP levels correlate with microbial cell counts and are used by institutions to assess hospital equipment and cleanliness. METHODS A prospective, randomized trial was initiated with approval from the institutional review board. Verbal consent was obtained from the parents/guardians for each patient. Trained nurses performed ATP swabs on the right and left upper ECG cables on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. RESULTS This study enrolled 51 patients. The disposable ECG lead wire ATP count on postoperative day 1 (median, 157 RLUs) was significantly lower (P < .001) than the count for nondisposable ATP lead wires (median, 610 RLUs). On postoperative day 2, the ATP count for the disposable ECG lead wires (median, 200 RLUs) was also lower (P = .06) than the count for the nondisposable ECG lead wires (median, 453 RLUs). CONCLUSION Results of this study support the use of disposable ECG lead wires in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgery patients for at least the first 48 hours as a direct strategy to reduce the ATP counts on ECG lead wires.
Identification of wetlands in the Southern Appalachian Region and the certification of wetland delineators

According to the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, wetlands are identified by the presence of field indicators of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology. In the southern Appalachian region, situations that present problems for wetland delineators include (1) wetlands developed on recently deposited alluvial soils that may show little evidence of hydric conditions, (2) areas occupied by FAC-dominated plant communities, (3) wetlands affected by past or present drainage practices, (4) man-induced wetlands that may lack certain wetland field indicators, and (5) hydric soil units that are too small or narrow to be delineated separately on soil survey map sheets. In March 1993, under direction of Section 307(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990, the Corps of Engineers initiated a Wetland Delineator Certification Program. A 1-year demonstration program has recently ended in Maryland, Florida, and Washington, with nationwide implementation scheduled for later in 1994. This voluntary program is designed to increase the quality of wetland delineations submitted with Section 404 permit applications, and reduce processing time by reducing the need for extensive field verification of wetland boundaries.
New Hardware Realizations of Nonrecursive Digital Filters

Analysis of the bit-level operations involved in the convolution realizing a nonrecursive digital filter leads to hardware designs of digital filters based on the operation of counting.
ATP-dependent DNA aggregation is a novel function of rat serum albumin

An ATP-dependent DNA aggregating activity was purified from rat liver by DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose, and novobiocin-Sepharose column chromatography. The protein aggregated superhelical, relaxed, single-, or double-stranded DNA in a divalent cation- and ATP-dependent reaction. The DNA aggregating activity was detected by retardation of a DNA-protein complex at the origin on a 1% agarose gel. The protein appeared to exist in solution as a monomer of molecular weight 66,000, and had no DNA polymerase, topoisomerase, recombinase, or ligase activity. The DNA aggregating activity was inhibited by 10 mM nalidixic acid or 1 mM novobiocin but not by 20 mM N-ethylmaleimide or camptothecin. Adenylyl(beta,gamma-methylene)-diphosphonate, adenylyl-imidodiphosphate, or adenosine-5'-O(3-thiotriphosphate) did not substitute for ATP whereas CTP, dTTP, or the ATP analog adenylyl(alpha,beta-methylene)-diphosphonate could replace ATP. The aggregated DNA was only partially dissociated by restriction endonuclease digestion but was completely dissociated by deproteinization with SDS, proteinase K, or chloroform/octanol extraction. On the basis of the molecular weight, thermostability, antigenic property, and amino acid sequence homology in the first 12 positions, we conclude that the rat liver protein is serum albumin and that the ATP-dependent DNA aggregation is a novel function of rat serum albumin.
Curvature continuous spline surfaces over irregular meshes

Abstract Concepts and techniques for the construction of smooth surfaces over irregular meshes are developed and made concrete by defining curvature continuous splines based on 3-sided patches. These splines extend the B-spline paradigm for the construction of parametric piecewise polynomial surfaces to control meshes with nonquadrilateral cells and more or fewer than four cells meeting at a point. Mesh points serve as control points and are locally averaged to obtain a Bernstein-Bezier representation which in turn defines surface points as averages.
Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor enhances inhibition of DNA replication in mouse cells exposed to x-rays

Previous studies from our laboratory provided evidence for the operation of signal transduction pathways involving ras, myc, and staurosporine-sensitive protein kinases in the regulation of DNA replication in irradiated cells. Because ras and myc are also involved in the signal transduction elicited in response to ligand activation of growth factor receptors, we wondered whether growth factor receptors are upstream elements in the regulation of DNA replication in irradiated cells. Here, we report on the role of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) in the regulation of DNA replication in irradiated cells. We compare radiation-induced inhibition of DNA replication in BALB/c 3T3 cells with that in P6 cells. P6 cells are derived from BALB/c 3T3 cells by transfection with a vector expressing IGF-IR, leading to 30-fold overexpression. We observe a significantly stronger inhibition of DNA replication after irradiation in P6 as compared with BALB/c 3T3 cells at all doses examined. Sedimentation in alkaline sucrose gradients shows that the increased inhibition in P6 cells is due to an increased inhibition of replicon initiation, the main controlling event in DNA replication. Staurosporine at 20 nM reduces radiation-induced inhibition of DNA replication in BALB/c 3T3 cells, but has only a small effect in P6 cells. Caffeine at a concentration of 1 mM, on the other hand, removes over 60% of the inhibition in both cell lines. The results implicate IGF-IR in the regulation of DNA replication in irradiated cells, but also suggest differences between cells of different origins in the proteins involved in the regulating signal transduction pathway.
Hyperkalemia, Bradycardia, and Cardiac Arrest during Percutaneous Declotting of an Arteriovenous Graft

Hyperkalemia is a common problem in patients with acute or chronic renal failure as the kidneys are typically responsible for 80 to 90% of daily potassium excretion.1 Those presenting for declotting procedures of dialysis access shunts are at elevated risk of hyperkalemia as they often have recently received incomplete dialysis.2 Noncardiac symptoms of hyperkalemia are usually subtle and may include fatigue, paresthesias, and skeletal muscle weakness.3 However, due to its effects on the cellular membrane resting potential, elevated serum potassium can lead to several cardiac arrhythmias, ranging from benign to ventricular fibrillation and asystole.4 Although not commonly associated with hyperkalemia, dialysis patients with elevated serum potassium may develop bradycardia,5 which as seen in this case can occur during a declotting procedure and is a potentially life-threatening sequela.
An artificial neural network for estimating haplotype frequencies

The problem of estimating haplotype frequencies from population data has been considered by numerous investigators, resulting in a wide variety of possible algorithmic and statistical solutions. We propose a relatively unique approach that employs an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the most likely haplotype frequencies from a sample of population genotype data. Through an innovative ANN design for mapping genotype patterns to diplotypes, we have produced a prototype that demonstrates the feasibility of this approach, with provisional results that correlate well with estimates produced by the expectation maximization algorithm for haplotype frequency estimation. Given the computational demands of estimating haplotype frequencies for 20 or more single-nucleotide polymorphisms, the ANN approach is promising because its design fits well with parallel computing architectures.
An Effector Peptide Family Required for Drosophila Toll-Mediated Immunity

In Drosophila melanogaster, recognition of an invading pathogen activates the Toll or Imd signaling pathway, triggering robust upregulation of innate immune effectors. Although the mechanisms of pathogen recognition and signaling are now well understood, the functions of the immune-induced transcriptome and proteome remain much less well characterized. Through bioinformatic analysis of effector gene sequences, we have defined a family of twelve genes – the Bomanins (Boms) – that are specifically induced by Toll and that encode small, secreted peptides of unknown biochemical activity. Using targeted genome engineering, we have deleted ten of the twelve Bom genes. Remarkably, inactivating these ten genes decreases survival upon microbial infection to the same extent, and with the same specificity, as does eliminating Toll pathway function. Toll signaling, however, appears unaffected. Assaying bacterial load post-infection in wild-type and mutant flies, we provide evidence that the Boms are required for resistance to, rather than tolerance of, infection. In addition, by generating and assaying a deletion of a smaller subset of the Bom genes, we find that there is overlap in Bom activity toward particular pathogens. Together, these studies deepen our understanding of Toll-mediated immunity and provide a new in vivo model for exploration of the innate immune effector repertoire.
The effects of graded doses of C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin on small intestinal transit time in man.

In 6 male subjects without gastrointestinal disease, graded intravenous doses of the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP-CCK) produced graded decreases in small intestinal transit time. Mean transit time decreased from a control value of 130 minutes after 0.15 M NaCl to 81, 65, and 19 minutes after 5, 10, and 20 ng/kg of OP-CCK. Side effects (nausea and abdominal discomfort) were minimal and transient, lasting less than 3 minutes. Small intestinal radiographic appearance remained unchanged after OP-CCK.
Tailoring Work-Life Interventions for Culturally Diverse Caregivers of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

With the increasing incidence of traumatic brain injury among culturally diverse families, there has also been increased attention to the dual demands of employment and caregiving. In this article, we contend that culturally diverse caregivers are an understudied group of workers. We examine literature to assist in conceptualizing the relationship between cultural orientation and caregiving, work-life stress, and organizational responses. Implications for strengthening the cultural responsiveness of work-life initiatives are discussed.
A thirty-minute determination of sedatives in plasma by gas-liquid chromatography.

Abstract Commonly used sedatives in plasma may be detected by a method that takes only 30 min. The method involves a single extraction with methylene chloride and injection into a gas Chromatograph without derivative formation. It permits simultaneous identification and quantitation of several sedatives.
Methamphetamine use by incarcerated women: comorbid mood and anxiety problems.

Objective Methamphetamine’s (MA) impact on psychiatric functioning is not well understood, especially among women. Efforts to understand MA’s impact are complicated by the use of other drugs. The purpose of this study is to untangle the relative contributions of MA versus other drugs on psychiatric symptoms. Method Incarcerated women (N = 100) completed diagnostic interviews and a symptom measure to establish psychiatric status. Findings Nearly all women (83%) had lifetime dependence on ≥1 drugs. The most common drug of dependence was MA (67%), followed by alcohol (32%), cannabis (19%), and cocaine (15%). Over half met lifetime criteria for an affective disorder (53%), and nearly half (46%) met lifetime criteria for an anxiety disorder. Lifetime dependence on MA and a nonstimulant drug was related to current psychiatric symptoms and lifetime mood and anxiety disorder. Lifetime mood and anxiety disorders were generally unrelated to recent MA use. Conclusion Findings highlight the impact of MA use on psychiatric presentation among women. Results suggest that MA impacts psychiatric symptoms independent of lifetime psychiatric diagnoses. Of note was the high incidence of drug dependence and mood and anxiety disorders among this sample of incarcerated women from a rural state. Findings imply important treatment implications for women in prison settings.
Predictability of Effects of a Severe Local Storm in Pennsylvania

Abstract On 24 May 1975, an isolated thunderstorm in east-central Pennsylvania produced over 4 inches of rain in 2 h over an Agricultural Research Service instrumented area. The return period for this storm appears to exceed 650 years. Simulation of the precipitation excess from all soils within the storm area using a modification of the Mein and Larson infiltration equation indicated surface runoff from a limited number of soil types—the same soils which exhibited severe erosion plus the alluvial soils of the stream channels. About 17% of the area affected by the storm accounted for nearly all of the measured surface runoff. Post-storm field investigation showed that the principal damage by erosion was restricted to corn fields on two soil groups, both silty clay loams over a fragipan. Soil losses due to sheet and rill erosion were estimated in the field as ranging from 15 to 110 tons acre−1. Soil losses resulting from gully erosion could have been as high as 300 tons acre−1 in some areas. Simulation of ...
A Practical Comparison of Three Robot Learning from Demonstration Algorithm

Research on robot Learning from Demonstration has seen significant growth in recent years, but the field has had only limited evaluation of existing algorithms with respect to algorithm usability by naive users. In this article we present findings from a user study in which we asked non-expert users to use and evaluate three different robot Learning from Demonstration algorithms. The three algorithms selected—Behavior Networks, Interactive Reinforcement Learning, and Confidence Based Autonomy—utilize distinctly different policy learning and demonstration approaches, enabling us to examine a broad spectrum of the field. Participants in the study were asked to teach a simple task to a small humanoid robot in a real world domain. they controlled the robot directly (teleoperation and guidance) instead of providing retroactive feedback for past actions (reward and correction). We present our quantitative findings about: (a) the correlation between the number of user-agent interactions and the performance of the agent and (b) the correlation between agent’s final performance and its perceived accuracy by the participant. Comparatively, the strongest correlation was found in CBA data. We also discuss the possible reasons of our qualitative results. Additionally, we identify common trends and misconceptions that arise when non-experts are asked to use these algorithms, with the aim of informing future Learning from Demonstration approaches. Our results show that users achieved better performance in teaching the task using the CBA algorithm, whereas the Interactive Reinforcement Learning algorithm modeled user behavior most accurately.
Surgical Apgar score predicts perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at a high-volume center.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains a procedure that carries considerable morbidity. Numerous studies have evaluated factors to predict patients at risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether the surgical Apgar score (SAS) predicts perioperative morbidity and mortality. We examined 553 patients undergoing successful PD between January 2000 and December 2010. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien scale, and the SAS (range, 0–10) was determined. The Cochran–Armitage test for trend was used to determine the association between grouped SAS scores (0–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, and 9–10) and each of the outcomes. The average patient age was 64 years, and there was an even distribution of males and females. There were 11 perioperative deaths (2%), 186 grade 2 or higher complications (34%), and 86 major complications (grades 3–5, 16%). Additionally, 61 patients developed pancreatic fistulae (11%). Statistical analysis determined that SAS was a significant predictor of grade 2 or higher complications (p < 0.0001), major morbidity (p = 0.01), and pancreatic fistula (p = 0.04) but not mortality (p = 0.20). We demonstrate that the SAS is a significant predictor of perioperative morbidity for patients undergoing PD. This score should be used to identify patients at higher risk in order to prioritize use of postoperative critical care beds and hospital resources.
Cost-effectiveness of universal serologic screening to prevent nontraumatic hip and vertebral fractures in patients with celiac disease.

Background & Aims Patients with asymptomatic or poorly managed celiac disease can experience bone loss, placing them at risk for hip and vertebral fractures. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of universal serologic screening (USS) vs symptomatic at-risk screening (SAS) strategies for celiac disease because of the risk of nontraumatic hip and vertebral fractures if untreated or undiagnosed. Methods We developed a lifetime Markov model of the screening strategies, each with male or female cohorts of 1000 patients who were 12 years old when screening began. We screened serum samples for levels of immunoglobulin A, compared with tissue transglutaminase and total immunoglobulin A, and findings were confirmed by mucosal biopsy. Transition probabilities and quality of life estimates were obtained from the literature. We used generalizable cost estimates and Medicare reimbursement rates and ran deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results For men, the average lifetime costs were $8532 and $8472 for USS and SAS strategies, respectively, corresponding to average quality-adjusted life year gains of 25.511 and 25.515. Similarly for women, costs were $11,383 and $11,328 for USS and SAS strategies, respectively, corresponding to quality-adjusted life year gains of 25.74 and 25.75. Compared with the current standard of care (SAS), USS produced higher average lifetime costs and lower quality of life for each sex. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that the model was robust to realistic changes in all the variables, making USS cost-ineffective on the basis of these outcomes. Conclusions USS and SAS are similar in lifetime costs and quality of life, although the current SAS strategy was overall more cost-effective in preventing bone loss and fractures among patients with undiagnosed or subclinical disease. On the basis of best available supportive evidence, it is more cost-effective to maintain the standard celiac screening practices, although future robust population-based evidence in other health outcomes could be leveraged to reevaluate current screening guidelines.
Reactive potential for the study of phase-change materials: GeTe

We developed a classical potential to model phase-change materials based on the binary chalcogenide alloy of GeTe that are currently exploited for memory applications. Our potential is based on the recently proposed extension of the Tersoff potential plus additional terms to better reproduce the structure of the amorphous and the crystalline phases of GeTe. The parameters defining the potential reported in this work were fitted to reproduce the energies and forces of a database of reference structures obtained via density-functional theory molecular-dynamics simulations. This paper reports on the method used to construct the potential and on its validation against first-principles calculations either available in literature or part of this work. We found that the structural properties of amorphous GeTe were well reproduced. The advantage of the current implementation toward more flexible neural network-based methods is that most of the parameters can be reconnected to physical properties. Moreover, the relatively small number of parameters results in a simple implementation and facilitates the introductions of further interactions among additional species.
Npl3 is an antagonist of mRNA 3′ end formation by RNA polymerase II

Proper 3′ end formation is critical for the production of functional mRNAs. Termination by RNA polymerase II is linked to mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation, but it is less clear whether earlier stages of mRNA production also contribute to transcription termination. We performed a genetic screen to identify mutations that decreased transcriptional readthrough of a defective GAL10 poly(A) terminator. A partial deletion of the GAL10 downstream region leads to transcription through the downstream GAL7 promoter, resulting in the inability of cells to grow on galactose. Mutations in elongation factors Spt4 and Spt6 suppress the readthrough phenotype, presumably by decreasing the amount of polymerase transcribing through the downstream GAL7 promoter. Interestingly, mutations in the mRNA-binding protein Npl3 improve transcription termination. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that Npl3 can antagonize 3′ end formation by competing for RNA binding with polyadenylation/termination factors. These results suggest that elongation rate and mRNA packaging can influence polyadenylation and termination.
SELECTION EFFICIENCY ON BONES AND MEAT YEALD IN PIGS

Trial were conducted at 5 farms, on 5 breeds of pigs in itch farm, in a period from 2000 to 2010. To analyzed data, the MME LS model was used to correct FYS and Breed as fixed effect and Sire as random one. Genetic parameters were estimated from half siblings group. Bones had significantly smaller weight in Pietrain pigs compared to all other breeds. Furthermore, daily and life gains at the Pietrain breed were significantly smaller compared to other breeds. Heritability estimates were significantly different for three breeds, higher for bones, higher for meat yield. The pheneotipic and genetic variations were similar for all traits. Economic effect of selection can be analyzed and expected with a positive trend. Genetic correlation showed expected trend. It is possible to use the effect of indirect selection as well.
Supplier Diversity: A Missing Link in Human Resource Development.

By examining supplier diversity programs and comparing their components with the role of the diversity practitioners, we highlight the important role that diversity practitioners can have in supplier diversity programs. In reviewing the U.S. auto industry and its successful supplier diversity model, our findings suggest that diversity practitioners have a real opportunity to expand their existing roles as strategist, educator, and researcher. We explore the aforementioned and offer conclusions and implications for HRD practice.
Psychopathy, aggression, and emotion processing of violent imagery in women

Abstract Emotion processing is pivotal during development and deficient processing of certain emotions disrupts normal socialization increasing risk for violent behavior later in life. Psychopathy has been linked to both of these phenomena in men; however, the study of such relations has been relatively neglected in women. In the present study, 88 collegiate women completed measures of psychopathy, aggression, and a lexical-decision-task (LDT) assessing the processing of affective words. Participants were primed by viewing images of violence or prosocial behavior immediately before completing the LDT. Psychopathy was unrelated to emotion processing in the positive image condition, however, following exposure to violent imagery, emotional detachment (F1), but not social deviance (F2) predicted decreased processing of sadness words. This deficit mediated the relationship between F1 and proactive aggression. Results suggest that F1 may relate to deficient activation of sadness in response to inciting events and, therefore, may inform the risk of proactive aggression in emotionally detached women.
Mechanism of HIV Pathogenesis: Role of Superantigens in Disease

Initial infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in a burst of viremia and an ensuing spread of virus to secondary lymphoid organs, after which a latency period occurs with little or no virus detectable in the circulation. The term latent period has been shown to be a misnomer, because substantial viral replication occurs during this time in lymph nodes, although clinically there appears to be few symptoms of disease. However, a telling indicator of active infection during this period is the initiation of decline in CD4 + T-cell numbers. A number of hypotheses have been postulated for the mechanism(s), as of yet not fully elucidated, by which T cells are depleted. Although quiescent cells can be infected, it has been shown that replication of HIV in CD4 + T cells requires cellular activation. The levels of viremia early in infection indicate that a large number of cells are actively infected, further suggesting that a mechanism must exist by which HIV activates a large pool of cells and ultimately causes their depletion. One possible mechanism for activation would be the presence of an HIV-encoded superantigen. Superantigens are proteins that are polyclonal stimulators of CD4 + T lymphocytes. This occurs as a result of their ability to form a trimolecular complex with MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells and the Vβ-specific region on the T-cell receptor. Thus, superantigen activation of T cells is antigen-nonspecific. The prototype superantigens are the staphylococcal enterotoxins. Putative viral superantigens include a protein from mouse mammary tumor virus and related retroviruses, rabies nucleocapsid, and the Nef protein of HIV. Nef is required for optimal HIV pathogenesis, and this may be due to its superantigen properties, where CD4 cells are transformed to the activated state for virus replication.
Optical Cellular Array Processors

Optical Cellular Array Processors H. John CaulfieldDirectorCenter for Applied OpticsThe University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, Alabama 35899AbstractOptical Cellular Array Processors (OCAPs) are a subject of current interest because they offer the potential of programmable optical computers. By a suitable combination of data formatting, systolic movement of data in an acousto-optic cell, parallel masking, and thresholding; fast OCAPs are readily constructable.IntroductionA Cellular Array Processor (CAP) is shown schematically in Figure 1. Because spatial (2D or 3D) arrays of processing units or cells are used, use of CAPs on images (one cell per pixel) is often contemplated. The simplest program for a CAP is what we call "replacement programming." Let us illustrate the concept with binary "images" in a rec­ tangular array.o Multiple Identical Cells» Local Interconnections9 "Parallel" operationso Replacement Programming (Symbolic Substitution)Figure 1. CELLULAR ARRAY PROCESSORS Let us label the cells as follows:(1,1) (2,1)(1,2) (2,2) (2,N)(M,2) (M,N)Any size or shaped neighborhoods can be defined. Somehow padding: pixels around the edges of images must be defined to allow edge cells to be calculated. A simple neighborhood is the 3:i3 cell. For instance, the "image" of cell (2,2) [call it (2,2)]^] depends on the pat­ tern of 1's and O's in the sub array(1,1) (1,2) (1,3)(2,1) (2,2) (2,3)(3,1) (3,2) (3,3)In a corner marking operation we might want to make (2,2)^ 1 for any of the following patterns:110 Oil110 Oil000 000000 000Oil 110Oil 110
Electrical Characterization of a Double Barrier Direct Tunneling Diode Structure

We report the electrical characterization of a direct tunneling diode structure that incorporates a multilayer dielectric. The dielectric consists of a stack of two thermally grown, ultrathin SiO 2 layers, each ∼3.5 rin thick, separated by a deposited, continuous, undoped, ultrathin nanocrystalline Si layer ∼5.0 nm thick. Electrical measurements of this structure are reported for both n-type and p-type Si substrates. We find that the room temperature transport through this structure is accounted for by describing the intermediate Si layer as a quantum well with a continuum of states, and by otherwise assuming bulk properties for the ultrathin layers, such as the existence of a bandgap in the Si well and the usual Si-SiO 2 interface potential barrier height at all interfaces. This structure is expected to be useful as the active dielectric in nonvolatile memory devices.
Fondaparinux for prevention of venous thromboembolism in high-risk trauma patients: a pilot study.

Background Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality after trauma. Fondaparinux, a synthetic, nonheparin drug, has shown promise in reducing VTE in orthopaedic patients, but has not previously been studied in trauma patients. The goal of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of fondaparinux when incorporated into our VTE prevention protocol. We hypothesized that the occult deep vein thrombosis (DVT) rate in high-risk patients receiving fondaparinux would be Study Design Consented patients were assigned to a treatment group stratified by their VTE risk factors: high-risk, fondaparinux 2.5 mg subcutaneously once daily; very high-risk, both fondaparinux and pneumatic compression. Patients who were not candidates for anticoagulation received pneumatic compression only. All patients underwent surveillance venous ultrasonography imaging of upper and lower extremities on enrollment and weekly thereafter. Serum samples were analyzed for peak and trough drug concentration levels. Results Overall incidence of DVT among the 87 enrolled patients was 4.6%. DVT developed in only 1 of 80 patients who received fondaparinux (1.2%). One patient assigned to fondaparinux had a DVT on initial scan before receiving prophylaxis. DVT developed in two of six patients in pneumatic compression only (33%). There were no episodes of pulmonary embolism, thrombocytopenia, or bleeding attributable to fondaparinux. Serum levels indicated adequate absorption of the drug and an effective dosing regimen. Conclusions Fondaparinux appears to offer protection against VTE in high-risk trauma patients. Its once-daily dosing regimen can improve compliance and reduce cost and eliminate risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.