cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A theory of aneurysm sounds.

Abstract Narrow-band sounds are known to be associated with some intracranial aneurysms. Previously proposed theories for the mechanism of aneurysm sounds do not satisfactorily explain the small spectral widths of the sounds. A simple theory is proposed here which gives quantitatively correct predictions of the spectral widths and which also explains other salient features of aneurysm sounds. The physical features of the aneurysm are described in terms of lumped mechanical elements, and the interaction between the aneurysm vibration and the blood flow is recognized as having the characteristic features of a nonlinear feedback system. The resulting model, with the application of the method of describing function analysis commonly used in nonlinear control theory, yields predictions of steady oscillation frequencies and predictions of the ranges of arterial flow velocities for which substantial oscillations can be excited. An analysis of radiation losses associated with peristaltic waves indicates that aneurysms, in the absence of any nonlinearity, behave as low-quality factor resonators with resonator quality factors on the order of 1–10, much lower than those that would be inferred from the observed spectral widths of aneurysm sounds. Aneurysm sounds are predicted by the present nonlinear theory to have center frequencies on the order of 400 Hz and bandwidths corresponding to quality factors on the order of 40, in good agreement with in vivo observations. It is concluded that linear resonance theories are incapable of fully describing aneurysm sounds. Instead, narrow-band aneurysm sounds are a result of a self-excited nonlinear oscillation that involves the disturbed arterial flow, the flow into and out of the aneurysm, and the expansion and contraction of the aneurysm volume. The finite magnitude of the spectral peaks arises because of the time variation of the arterial flow during the cycle associated with the heartbeat.
Holographic microscopy in space and time

Two schemes for digital holographic microscopy are explored. The goal is to revisit the issues that have hindered holographic microscopy since its earlier days, and find ways to overcome these difficulties. The first scheme discussed is a full-field holographic method that takes advantages of the properties of charge-coupled-device detectors, namely their high spatial as well as temporal bandwidths. The second scheme is based ona scanning holographic technique, and is shown to offer a wide range of possibilities such as enhanced transverse resolution, extended depth of focus, or axial sectioning. Both schemes are described, and some of their attributes and relative merits are discussed.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
New extruded multi-cell aluminum profile for maximum crash energy absorption and weight efficiency

New types of trigger and multi-cell profiles with four square elements at the corner are developed. In terms of the crash energy absorption and weight efficiency, the new multi-cell structure shows dramatic improvements over the conventional square box column. The optimization process with the target of maximizing the specific energy absorption has been successfully carried out, and the example of design process is provided. In the optimization process, the problem of stable progressive folding is also addressed. The analytical solution for calculating the mean crushing force of new multi-cell profiles is derived showing good agreement with the numerical results. Finally, the advantage of the new design over the conventional single or multi-cell profiles is discussed.
Large sample distribution of the sample total in a generalized rejective sampling scheme

The weak convergence of a sample sum, in a generalized rejective sampling from a finite population, to a Poisson and Normal distribution is discussed. The generalization consists in assuming that the elements of the population are random variables, rather than fixed values.
Dye-sensitized solar cells based on spray-coated carbon nanofiber/TiO2 nanoparticle composite counter electrodes

Electrospun carbon nanofiber (ECN)/TiO2 nanoparticle composite counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were successfully prepared by spray-coating an ECN/TiO2 (1 : 1 by weight) mixture on a fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)-glass substrate. TiO2 particles (Degussa P25) were used to bind carbon nanofibers and adhere them to the FTO-glass substrate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the spray-coated ECN/TiO2 composite CEs have lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) and higher interfacial capacitance (Q) than those of Pt CEs. Cyclic voltammograms (CV) further indicated that ECN/TiO2 composite CEs have a faster tri-iodide reduction rate than those of Pt CEs. DSSCs fabricated using ECN/TiO2 CEs showed a power conversion efficiency (η) of 7.25% under 100 mW cm−2 light intensity, which is comparable to that of thermally deposited Pt based DSSCs (η = 7.57%). Moreover, ECN/TiO2 composite CE based DSSCs demonstrated almost equal power conversion efficiency to that of Pt based cells by adding only 8 wt% Pt, which unveiled a cost-effective alternative of costly Pt CEs in DSSCs.
Clinical prediction of violence as a conditional judgment

Previous research on the prediction of violence in mentally ill individuals has focused primarily on determinations about the appropriateness of institutional confinement. The assessment and management of violent, mentally ill individuals in the community, however, requires clinicians to take a more detailed look at the factors that might precipitate or inhibit violence in the community. This paper examines a model of conditional prediction, in which clinicians provide assessments of the factors that they expect to be associated with violence in particular patients. These types of predictions were elicited from clinicians for a sample of 712 patients seen in an urban psychiatric emergency room. These patients were then followed in the community for 6 months, using both interviews and official records. Results showed that clinicians were generally accurate about the seriousness and location of the violence, but overestimated the role of medication compliance and drug use in the violent incidents.
Nonconformal Domain Decomposition Methods for Solving Large Multiscale Electromagnetic Scattering Problems

In this paper, we present our efforts in combating a challenging large multiscale electromagnetic scattering problem, viz. a plane-wave scattering from a mockup partially coated composite jet aircraft at X-band. We first summarize the application of the newly developed integral equation domain decomposition method (IE-DDM) to compute the plane-wave scattering from the jet aircraft, however with neither dielectrics nor lossy thin coatings. We proceed to compute the scattering from the aircraft with dielectrics and lossy thin coatings by employing two additional computational electromagnetics (CEM) techniques: a generalized combined field integral equation (G-CFIE) method to calculate electromagnetics (EM) scatterings from penetrable dielectric targets, and a hybrid finite elements and boundary elements method tailored specifically to address perfect electric conductor (PEC) targets partially coated with lossy thin materials.
Effectiveness of weed management methods in establishment of switchgrass and a native species mixture for biofuels in Wisconsin.

Abstract Establishment of native grassland species can be impaired by weed populations, presenting considerable economic risk for growers of perennial bioenergy crops. We established switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in southwestern Wisconsin using four weed management strategies, and established a mixture of diverse grassland species to evaluate productivity of diverse mixtures relative to monocultures. Weed management for switchgrass included pre-emergent glyphosate (1.12 kg ae/ha; GLY), pre-emergent glyphosate (1.12 kg ae/ha) + post-emergent 2,4-D (1.06 kg ae/ha; GLY + 2,4-D), pre-emergent glyphosate (0.14 kg ae/ha) and imazapic (0.07 kg ae/ha; S-IMAZ + GLY), and oats planted as a companion crop + pre-emergent glyphosate (1.12 kg ae/ha; GLY + OATS). The diverse species mixture was established with pre-emergent glyphosate (0.14 kg ae/ha) and imazapic (0.07 kg ae/ha; D-IMAZ + GLY). We estimated plant species composition in 2008 and 2009, and biomass yield in autumn of each year. Imazapic decreased grass weed abundance and 2,4-D decreased broadleaf weed abundance in switchgrass in 2008, whereas there were no differences in weed abundances in 2009. Abundance of grass weeds was negatively correlated with biomass yield, and S-IMAZ + GLY produced greater yield in 2009 (7.31 ± 0.75 Mg ha−1) than GLY and GLY + OATS. Of the four switchgrass establishment treatments we tested, only S-IMAZ + GLY yielded significantly greater biomass than the diverse species mixture. Total costs of establishment were greatest for D-IMAZ + GLY and equivalent among the four switchgrass treatments. These results contribute to current understanding of the agronomic potential and economic risks of native grassland species for bioenergy crops in the first two years of establishment.
Track Mobility in Secondary School

Tracking, a pervasive organizational practice in American secondary schools, creates instructional groups that are homogeneous with respect to student ability. It is a highly controversial practice frequently criticized because it locks students into a particular track level for an entire school year or longer. This study examines several theoretical ideas about the basis of track selection and about track mobility patterns. Relying on longitudinal data from over 2,000 students, the research examines the frequency of track mobility and the direction of change in track assignments over students' four year high school careers. The data show evidence of considerably more mobility than is typically assumed. Thefindings relate mobility to student and school characteristics and to the curriculum. The results demonstrate how track mobility can provide differential learning opportunities to pupils, particularly females and low-income students. Tracking, or the grouping of students by ability for instruction, occurs in most American secondary schools in both English and mathematics. A typical track structure in English consists of four levels: advanced, honors, regular, and basic. The track structure in mathematics tends to be similar, but may include a fifth level, often designated as very basic. Larger high schools may have a more elaborate hierarchy of track levels, while smaller schools may collapse some track categories. The practice of tracking students for instruction is highly controversial. Advocates of tracking argue that the practice facilitates student learning by enabling teachers to gear their lessons to their students' ability levels. Critics claim that tracking disadvantages low-track students because the quality of instruction in the low tracks is inferior to that provided at higher level tracks and because it damages students' self esteem. Moreover, critics claim that track
Cambrian transgression and radiation linked to an Iapetus-Pacific oceanic connection?

The geologically abrupt appearance in the fossil record of almost all animal phyla is referred to as the Cambrian radiation or “explosion” of life on Earth. Also known as “Darwin’s dilemma,” because it seemingly posed a major problem for his theory of gradual evolution, it coincided with the initiation of the first of the two principal global marine transgressions of the Phanerozoic. Although now seen as more protracted, it is still one of the most striking and critical events in the history of the biosphere. Almost all paleogeographic reconstructions for the early Cambrian feature a previously isolated Laurentia, the core of ancestral North America. Yet geological evidence from five continents, integrated here for the first time, indicates that the present-day “southern cone” of Laurentia was still attached to the newly amalgamated supercontinent of Gondwanaland into Cambrian times. Laurentia was then isolated by the development of a major deep oceanic connection between the opening Iapetus Ocean basin and the already well-developed paleo-Pacific. As the marine transgression advanced, major changes in ocean chemistry occurred, upwelling generated phosphorite deposits, and the number of fossilized metazoan phyla “exploded” with morphologic disparity between Laurentia and Gondwanaland already established. The development of this deep oceanic gateway, and of an ocean floor–consuming and arc-generating subduction zone along virtually the entire margin of Gondwanaland shortly thereafter, need to be taken into account in consideration of the global environmental and biotic changes associated with the Neoproterozoic-Phanerozoic transition.
Chemical Studies on Tobacco Smoke. XXXIII. N'-Nitrosonornicotine in Tobacco: Analysis of Possible Contributing Factors and Biologic Implications

A chemical analytic method to determine N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and N' -nitrosoanabasine (NAB) in tobacco was developed. NNN was found in the unburned tobacco of commercial products at concentrations betweeen 0.3 and 88.6 mug/g. The highest levels were observed in highly fermented snuff (29.1 mug/g) and fine-cut chewing tobacco (88.6 mug/g). NAB was not detected (smaller than 0.5 ng/g) in any tobacco examined. Two new tobacco components, N' -carbomethoxynornicotine and N' -carbomethoxyanabasine,were found. Possible origins of NNN in tobacco were discussed, especially in relation to concentrations of nitrite, nitate, and alkaloids, and in relation to pH and curing. Biologic implications, including the possible function of NNN (the first organic carcinogen isolated from unburned tobacco) as a causative factor in cancer of the oral cavity in tobacco chewers and betel quid chewers, were also discussed.
On the absolute global convergence of fliess operators driven by L 2 -Itô processes

Fliess operators have been an object of study in connection with nonlinear systems acting on deterministic inputs since the early 1970's. They describe a broad class of nonlinear input-output maps using a type of functional series expansion. But in most applications, a system's inputs have noise components. It has been shown that the notion of a Fliess operator can be generalized to admit a class of L 2 -Ito stochastic input processes, and that they converge conditionally over an arbitrarily large but finite interval of time. The purpose of this paper is to prove the more difficult proposition that Fliess operators driven by L 2 -Ito stochastic processes converge absolutely under the same conditions.
MEASUREMENT OF CAPACITY UTILIZATION FOR REVENUE‐MAXIMIZING FIRMS*

A dual measure of capacity utilization is developed for multiproduct, revenue-maximizing firms. Under the assumption of revenue maximization, the sensitivity of CU to a change in an individual product price is shown to be directly related to the product-specific scale elasticity. The results are given a simple graphical interpretation.
Constitutive Modeling for Geologic Materials: Significance and Directions

The subject of constitutive models for engineering and geologic materials is extensive in scope. The objectives of this paper are to present comments on the significance and importance of constitutive models for prediction of behavior of geotechnical structures, to provide brief reviews of available constitutive models used for soft soils, and to review the unified disturbed state concept (DSC) that can be used as an improved model for soft soils. Although a number of models have been proposed and used for characterizing the real behavior of soft soils, it is not possible to develop a model that can account for every aspect and factor that influences the behavior of materials. It is promising that the pursuit is continuing and there will be available models with increased improvements. Unified and generalized models, such as the DSC, are a step in this pursuit.
Tensile Properties of Friction Stir Welded and Friction Stir Welded-Superplastically Formed Ti-6Al-4V Butt Joints

Abstract A University and Industry collaborative research project was undertaken to evaluate the performance of as friction stir welded (FSW) and friction stir welded-superplastically formed Ti–6Al–4V alloy sheets. The purpose of this particular effort was to evaluate the tensile properties of friction stir welded and superplastically formed friction stir welded Ti–6Al–4V. Welds were produced out of both standard grain and fine grained titanium and tested in the as welded, stress relieved (SR) and superplastically formed (SPF) conditions. The preliminary results of the FSW and post FSW–SPF joint were found to be close to that of as received titanium with respect to strength, but elongations were decreased.
A Quantitative Comparison of the Similarity between Genes and Geography in Worldwide Human Populations

Multivariate statistical techniques such as principal components analysis (PCA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) have been widely used to summarize the structure of human genetic variation, often in easily visualized two-dimensional maps. Many recent studies have reported similarity between geographic maps of population locations and MDS or PCA maps of genetic variation inferred from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, this similarity has been evident primarily in a qualitative sense; and, because different multivariate techniques and marker sets have been used in different studies, it has not been possible to formally compare genetic variation datasets in terms of their levels of similarity with geography. In this study, using genome-wide SNP data from 128 populations worldwide, we perform a systematic analysis to quantitatively evaluate the similarity of genes and geography in different geographic regions. For each of a series of regions, we apply a Procrustes analysis approach to find an optimal transformation that maximizes the similarity between PCA maps of genetic variation and geographic maps of population locations. We consider examples in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, East Asia, and Central/South Asia, as well as in a worldwide sample, finding that significant similarity between genes and geography exists in general at different geographic levels. The similarity is highest in our examples for Asia and, once highly distinctive populations have been removed, Sub-Saharan Africa. Our results provide a quantitative assessment of the geographic structure of human genetic variation worldwide, supporting the view that geography plays a strong role in giving rise to human population structure.
Optimistic parallelism benefits from data partitioning

Recent studies of irregular applications such as finite-element mesh generators and data-clustering codes have shown that these applications have a generalized data parallelism arising from the use of iterative algorithms that perform computations on elements of worklists. In some irregular applications, the computations on different elements are independent. In other applications, there may be complex patterns of dependences between these computations.The Galois system was designed to exploit this kind of irregular data parallelism on multicore processors. Its main features are (i) two kinds of set iterators for expressing worklist-based data parallelism, and (ii) a runtime system that performs optimistic parallelization of these iterators, detecting conflicts and rolling back computations as needed. Detection of conflicts and rolling back iterations requires information from class implementors.In this paper, we introduce mechanisms to improve the execution efficiency of Galois programs: data partitioning, data-centric work assignment, lock coarsening, and over-decomposition. These mechanisms can be used to exploit locality of reference, reduce mis-speculation, and lower synchronization overhead. We also argue that the design of the Galois system permits these mechanisms to be used with relatively little modification to the user code. Finally, we present experimental results that demonstrate the utility of these mechanisms.
Punitiveness and U.S. Elite Support for the 1991 Persian Gulf War

There is a substantial moralistic streak in U.S. elite attitudes about war against states perceived as evil. Among opinion leaders, death penalty supporters were substantially more likely than oppo...
Carotid surgery in octogenarians in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers

The purpose of this study was to define outcomes after carotid surgery in octogenarians in the Veterans Affairs health care system. During fiscal years 1991-1994, 9152 patients in DRG 5 underwent extracranial vascular surgery procedures in Veterans Affairs medical centers. Those ≥80 years of age constituted 2.1% (n = 195) of such patients. In-hospital mortality rates were 1.03% (92/8957) in those <80 versus 3.08% (6/195) in those ≥80 years old (P = 0.018). Of those ≥80, 11.8% (23/195) had an ICD-9-CM-coded complication during hospitalization versus 11.2% of those <80 (1004/8957, NS). Surgical complications of the central nervous system (CNS) were present in 0.51% of octogenarians (1/ 195) and in 0.93% of those younger (83/8957, NS). Myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 1,090 (2/195) of octogenarians and 0.74% (66/8967) of younger patients (NS). Patient Management Category software was used to define illness severity and resource intensity scale (RIS, a measure of resource utilization). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, illness severity, MI, and surgical complications of the CNS were associated with greater likelihood of mortality after extracranial vascular surgery. When the dichotomous variable octogenarian status was substituted for the continuous variable age, in this model, there was no significant association of octogenarian status per se with mortality, though the association of illness severity, MI, and CNS complications with mortality persisted. Illness severity was greater for octogenarians (2.03 ± 1.36) versus those younger (1.84 ± 1.13, P < 0.05). RIS was 2.57 ± 0.57 in octogenarians versus 2.47 ± 0.48 for younger patients (P < 0.015). Length of stay (LOS) was a mean of 3.2 days longer for octogenarians (P < 0.001). The risk of postoperative CNS complications was not higher in octogenarians. Mortality, resource utilization, and length of stay were, however, greater for octogenarians, but so was illness severity. Though mortality rates were greater for octogenarians in DRG 5, illness severity, MI, and postoperative CNS complications had greater impact on mortality after extracranial vascular surgery than octogenarian status per se.
Reliability of Estimates of Serum Inorganic Iodine and Daily Fecal and Urinary Iodine Excretion from Single Casual Specimens

Thorough investigation of iodine metabolism among populations has been hampered by the problems of collection and handling of complete 24-hr urinary and 3–6 day fecal pools. An attempt has been made to develop methods for the estimation of the 24-hr excretion of urinary and fecal iodine and serum inorganic iodine (SII) fromsingle casual specimens of urine, feces and serum. Estimates were calculated in the following manner: 1. Urinary iodine 2. Fecal iodine 3. Serum inorganic iodine (mg/100 ml) ×4. Estimates of SII were also calculated from the iodine concentration in casual saliva specimens, but showed more variability than the iodine/creatinine ratio method. The reliability of these methods was studied by comparing estimated values with observed values determined in 6 hospitalized subjects in the course of a 24-day balance type study. Under these conditions, all the above estimates were found to be reasonably reliable.
Strategies to Support Sustained Breastfeeding of Late Preterm Multiple Birth Infants

Strategies to support sustained breastfeeding in late preterm multiple birth infants include developing a family-centered feeding plan in collaboration with the medical team, assessing and supporting breastfeeding sessions, promoting lactogenesis with pumping or manual expression, and activating a support system for families.
Growth Factors Can Influence Cell Growth and Survival through Effects on Glucose Metabolism

Cells from multicellular organisms are dependent upon exogenous signals for survival, growth, and proliferation. The relationship among these three processes was examined using an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line. No fixed dose of IL-3 determined the threshold below which cells underwent apoptosis. Instead, increasing growth factor concentrations resulted in progressive shortening of the G(1) phase of the cell cycle and more rapid proliferative expansion. Increased growth factor concentrations also resulted in proportional increases in glycolytic rates. Paradoxically, cells growing in high concentrations of growth factor had an increased susceptibility to cell death upon growth factor withdrawal. This susceptibility correlated with the magnitude of the change in the glycolytic rate following growth factor withdrawal. To investigate whether changes in the availability of glycolytic products influence mitochondrion-initiated apoptosis, we artificially limited glycolysis by manipulating the glucose levels in the medium. Like growth factor withdrawal, glucose limitation resulted in Bax translocation, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c redistribution to the cytosol. In contrast, increasing cell autonomous glucose uptake by overexpression of Glut1 significantly delayed apoptosis following growth factor withdrawal. These data suggest that a primary function of growth factors is to regulate glucose uptake and metabolism and thus maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and enable anabolic pathways required for cell growth. Consistent with this hypothesis, expression of the three genes involved in glucose uptake and glycolytic commitment, those for Glut1, hexokinase 2, and phosphofructokinase 1, was found to rapidly decline to nearly undetectable levels following growth factor withdrawal.
The Effect of Coagulopathies on Perioperative Complications and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Treated With Posterior Lumbar Fusions.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective database review. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare complication rates following one to two-level lumbar spine surgery in patients with primary hypercoagulable states and coagulopathies. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Both hypercoagulable states and coagulopathies are not uncommon conditions that have the potential to significantly alter perioperative patient management. However, there are few studies that document the added risk of medical complications following spine surgery in these patient populations. METHODS The PearlDiver database (2005-2012) was utilized to determine perioperative complication rates in patients with primary hypercoagulable states and coagulopathies who underwent primary one to two-level posterolateral lumbar spine fusion. Control cohorts without specific hematologic disorders were matched by demographics and comorbidities. Ninety-day complication rates were determined, along with revision rates at one and two years. When considering complication rate comparisons between matched cohorts, P < 0.005 was considered significant. RESULTS In total, 746 patients with coagulopathies and 2753 patients with primary hypercoagulable states were selected. Matched control cohorts contained 74,879 and 54,007 patients, respectively. Hypercoagulable patients had significantly increased rates of medical complications [odds ratio (OR) 1.4], infections (OR 1.6), and venous thromboembolisms (OR 9.0) during the three months following spine surgery and same-day transfusions (OR 1.2) when compared with matched controls (P < 0.001). Patients with von Willebrand disease or hemophilia had increased rates of three-month infections (OR 2.3) and transfusion (OR 2.0) when compared with a matched control group (P < 0.005). One- and two-year revisions rates were not significantly higher for either pathologic cohort when compared to matched controls. CONCLUSION Both primary hypercoagulable states and coagulopathies increase infection and transfusion rates following one to two-level lumbar spine surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Prediction of Pupation in Toxorhynchites brevipalpis (Diptera: Culicidae)

Changes in pattern of the thoracic pigmentation in 4th-stage Toxorhynchites brevipalpis Theobald larvae are proposed as a reliable indicator for estimating of the age of 4th-stage larvae and the time of pupation. This method can be a useful tool in age segregation of field collected Toxorhynchites brevipalpis larvae as well as for segregation of larvae for uniform pupation in mass rearing of these predacious larvae for biological control purposes.
New Projection Methods for Two-Phase Minimum and Maximum Length Scale Control in Topology Optimization

Projection-based algorithms for continuum topology optimization have received considerable attention in recent years due to their ability to control minimum length scale in a computationally efficient manner. This not only provides a means for imposing manufacturing length scale constraints, but also circumvents numerical instabilities of solution mesh dependence and checkerboard patterns. This research aims at embedding the minimum and maximum length scale requirement into the projection methodology used for material distribution approaches to topology optimization. The proposed algorithms for two-phase minimum and solid maximum length scale requirements are demonstrated on benchmark minimum compliance problems and are shown to satisfy the length scale constraints imposed.
Biomaterials: A Summary of Research and Training and Some Identifiable Goals

Research and training in the important and rapidly developing field of biomaterials was the subject of a conference held in Chicago on April 5 and 6, 1968. The meeting was arranged in four sessions: Materials in Medicine; Biological Materials; Panel Discussion on Interaction between Government, Industry and Universities in the field of Biomaterials Research and Training; and Training in Biomaterials. A group of 25 scientists representing both the engineering and biological sciences attended.
Interaction of human tumor cells with human platelets and the coagulation system.

This paper reports studies on the interaction between human platelets, the plasma coagulation system, and two human tumor cell lines grown in tissue culture: Melanoma and breast adenocarcinoma. The interaction was monitored through the use of 125I- labelled fibrinogen, which measures both thrombin activity generated by cell-plasma interaction and fibrin/fibrinogen binding to platelets and tumor cells. Each tumor cell line activates both the platelets and the coagulation system simultaneously resulting in the generation of thrombin or thrombin-like activity. The melanoma cells activate the coagulation system through “the extrinsic pathway” with a tissue factor-like effect on factor VII, but the breast tumor seems to activate factor X directly. Both tumor cell lines activate platelets to “make available” a platelet- derived procoagulant material necessary for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. The tumor-derived procoagulant activity and the platelet aggregating potential of cells do not seem to be inter-related, and they are not specific to malignant cells.
Ideology for an Empire in the Prefaces to Cicero's Dialogues

Ideology is a process as well as a product. To extract a set of political principles or mystificatory arguments from a text and call them ‘ideology’ is to overlook the fact that a text is ideological only insofar as it seeks to affect an audience. As J.B. Thompson has written, in a passage cited with approval by Terry Eagleton, ‘to study ideology…is to study the ways in which meaning (or signification) serves to sustain relations of domination.’ The ideology of a text, such as a dialogue of Cicero, cannot therefore be understood except in strategic relationship to a particular context. And the question that allows us to explore that relationship and thereby to begin to reconstruct the ‘relations of domination’ underwritten by the text is cui bono: to whose advantage is this text constructed and situated as it is?
Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Investigations and Response to Immunotherapy in Patients with Autoimmune Encephalopathy: An Observational Study (P6.128)

OBJECTIVE: aim of this study is to report the clinical and immunological characteristics and the response to immunotherapy of patients with probable autoimmune encephalopathy. BACKGROUND: autoimmune encephalopathy represents a complex syndrome with diverse clinical manifestations and therapeutic outcomes. DESIGN/METHODS: all patients with encephalopathy including one or more of the following: seizures, psychiatric disturbances, movement disorders or cognitive dysfunction, admitted to our Institution from January 2012 to September 2015, were enrolled. Patients’ serum and CSF samples were tested for neural-specific autoantibodies by immunohistochemistry on a substrate of mouse brain, kidney and stomach and by immunocytochemistry on live rat hippocampal and cortical neurons. Samples with antibodies with intracellular specificity were analyzed for IgG binding to onconeural antigens by blots. All samples were also tested by cell-based assays for NMDAR-IgG, LGI1-IgG, CASPR2-IgG, AMPAR-IgG, GABA(B)R-IgG, GABA(A)R-IgG, mGluR5-IgG, mGluR1-IgG, DNER-IgG, GlycineR-IgG, IGLON5-IgG and by radioimmunoassay for GAD65-IgG. RESULTS: ninety-six patients (females, 47) were included. The mean age was 44.3 years. Neural-specific IgG were detected in 35/96 patients (36,5[percnt]). Autoantibodies bound to NMDAR, 4 (11[percnt]); GABAaR, 2 (6[percnt]); LGI1, 2 (6[percnt]); LGI1 and CASPR2, 1 (3[percnt]); Hu, in 2 (6[percnt]); GAD65, in 3 (8,5[percnt]); SOX1,1 (3[percnt]), and to unclassified antigens (UNCA), in 19 (54 [percnt]). Associated tumors were found in 6/35 patients (17[percnt]) (thymoma, 3; non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1; breast carcinoma, 1; lung adenocarcinoma, 1). In thirty-six patients who tested negative for neural autoantibodies an autoimmune etiology was excluded because other causes of the encephalopathy were identified. Thirty-three patients with and 21 patients without neural antibodies received immunotherapy. After immunotherapy, 30/33 patients with neural autoantibodies showed clinical improvement compared to 8/21 patients without autoimmune encephalopathy (p=<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: the majority of neural autoantibodies detected in our cohort bound to unclassified antigens. The detection of neural autoantibodies specific for known or unclassified antigens predicts a response to immunotherapy. Disclosure: Dr. Damato has nothing to disclose. Dr. Evoli has received personal compensation for activities with Biomarin as scientific advisory board member. Dr. Iorio has nothing to disclose.
General performance metrics for the LASSO

A recent line of work has established accurate predictions of the mean squared-error (MSE) performance of non-smooth convex optimization methods when used to recover structured signals (e.g. sparse, low-rank) from noisy linear (and possibly compressed) observations. Specifically, in a recent paper [15] we precisely characterized the MSE performance of a general class of regularized M-estimators using a framework that is based on Gaussian process methods. Here, we extend the framework to the analysis of a general class of Lipschitz performance metrics, which in addition to the standard MSE, includes the l 1 -reconstruction error, the probability of successfully identifying whether an element belongs to the support of a sparse signal, the empirical distribution of the error, etc. For concreteness, we primarily focus on the problem of sparse recovery under l 1 -regularized least-squares (aka LASSO). We illustrate the validity of the theoretical predictions through numerical simulations and discuss the importance of their precise nature in optimally tuning the involved parameters of the reconstruction method.
Polysomnographic Heart Rate Variability Indices and Atrial Ectopy Associated With Incident Atrial Fibrillation Risk in Older Community-Dwelling Men

Abstract Objectives The authors hypothesized that polysomnogram-based heart rate variability autonomic function biomarkers are associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and these associations are modified by measures of sleep-disordered breathing. Background Autonomic dysfunction contributes to AF. Methods A total of 2,350 participants of a multicenter prospective study (Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men Study) without baseline AF underwent sleep studies with incident adjudicated AF follow-up (8.0 ± 2.6 years). Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze sleep study–electrocardiogram spectral heart rate variability indices (low- and high-frequency power [LF/HF]) and time domain indices (mean of normal to normal beats and short- and long-term variability) and premature atrial contractions and incident AF (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval). Statistical interactions between heart rate variability and sleep-disordered breathing were examined. Models were adjusted for age, race, body mass index, waist circumference, cardiac medications, comorbid diseases, alcohol use, and study site. Results Lower LF/HF and lower LF were associated with higher AF incidence (LF/HF Q1 vs. Q4: 1.46; 1.02 to 2.08; LF Q1 vs. Q4: 1.46; 1.02 to 2.10). Higher short- and long-term variability was associated with an increased risk of AF (p trend = 0.028). The highest premature atrial contractions quartile had a 3-fold increased AF risk (2.99; 1.94 to 4.62) compared with the lowest quartile. A significant interaction of obstructive apnea was observed in the LF-AF relationship (p = 0.045). Conclusions Sleep-related reduced sympathovagal balance (LF/HF) and increased atrial ectopy are independently associated with future AF, a relationship modified by obstructive apnea.
Stabilizing potentials in bound state analytic continuation methods for electronic resonances in polyatomic molecules.

The computation of Siegert energies by analytic continuation of bound state energies has recently been applied to shape resonances in polyatomic molecules by several authors. We critically evaluate a recently proposed analytic continuation method based on low order (type III) Pade approximants as well as an analytic continuation method based on high order (type II) Pade approximants. We compare three classes of stabilizing potentials: Coulomb potentials, Gaussian potentials, and attenuated Coulomb potentials. These methods are applied to a model potential where the correct answer is known exactly and to the Πg2 shape resonance of N2- which has been studied extensively by other methods. Both the choice of stabilizing potential and method of analytic continuation prove to be important to the accuracy of the results. We conclude that an attenuated Coulomb potential is the most effective of the three for bound state analytic continuation methods. With the proper potential, such methods show promise for algorithmic determination of the positions and widths of molecular shape resonances.
Premenopausal Reproductive and Hormonal Characteristics and the Risk for Osteoporosis

Publisher Summary This chapter considers the endogenous and exogenous events that are related directly or indirectly to the capacity to reproduce, for their importance to peak bone mass. In mechanisms of bone loss in lactation, the importance of injectable contraceptive, and the role of hormone variation in association with peak bone mass. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by significant alterations in the maternal hormone environment, notably estrogen and prolactin concentrations. Pregnancy and lactation provide models that can be examined to learn more of the biology associated with the maintenance of bone mass, particularly apart from calcium regulation by the calciotropic hormones. Lactation, in particular, offers the opportunity to understand the dynamics of bone loss as well as bone recovery. In the adult, bone tissue undergoes a continuous remodeling process consisting of periods of bone resorption and formation with maximal bone accretion, thought to occur in the early third decade, followed by relatively stable bone mineral density until the menopause transition. Stochastic models developed by Horsman and Burkinshaw suggested that two-thirds of the risk for fracture is predicted based on premenopausal bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, in premenopausal women, the primary goal is to maximize or maintain bone mineral density.
The Pharmacology of Hallucinogens

When a literary author is gifted in the dual aspects of his work, observing and recording, his descriptions are often more vivid and may be more accurate than more “scientific” depictions. From what follows the next morning in Chapter VII of Huckleberry Finn, when his father awakens smiling, friendly, quite well, and with no recollection whatever of the preceding night, we may reasonably infer that Huck’s father’s case of “horrors” or what might now be termed a “bad trip” was acute alcoholic delirium with a blackout, not delirium tremens. That is supported by the fact that the episode occurred while he was drinking, not during withdrawal from alcohol.
Predicting colorectal cancer recurrence by utilizing multiple-view multiple-learner supervised learning.

635Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. A key therapeutic dilemma in the treatment of CRC is whether patients with stage II and stage III disease require adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection. Attempts to improve identification of patients at increased risk of recurrence have yielded many predictive models based on gene expression data, but none are FDA approved and none are used in standard clinical practice. To improve recurrence prediction, we utilize a machine learning approach to predict recurrence status at 3 years after diagnosis. Methods: A dataset was curated from six publically available microarray datasets, and multiple views were generated to include information from non-tumor tissue gene expression patterns, gene set structure, protein-protein interaction network structure, previously curated molecular signatures, and identified tumor suppressor/driver mutations. These views were used to train a diverse pool of ...
MIF and Pulmonary Disease

As the organ responsible for gas exchange, the lung represents the largest interface between the external and internal environments. Most of the lung’s surface area is a delicate lattice of epithelial-endothelial interfaces that permit the efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. To maintain its integrity, the lung requires a complex network of defenses against external toxins and pathogens. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that serves as a critical regulator of the innate immune response and mediates protection from oxidative stress in the lung. Both pathologic and protective roles for MIF in lung disease have been described. This chapter will focus on the role of MIF in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease.
Stabilization of Nonlinear Systems with Uncontrollable Linearization using Linear Feedback

Abstract This paper considers scalar-input n-dimensional nonlinear systems for which the linearization has a simple uncontrollable zero eigenvalue. The existence of linear stabilizing feedback laws is investigated, using a reduction to the center manifold. The local bifurcation control problem, for an eigenvalue nearly zero is also considered.
Polynema (Polynema) dikobraz sp. nov., a remarkable fairyfly (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from Madagascar

A new Afrotropical species of Polynema Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), Polynema ( Polynema ) dikobraz Triapitsyn sp. nov. , is described and illustrated based on the type series from Madagascar. It is quite remarkable in having unique enlarged spine-like setae on the fore wing disc, not only among the congeneric taxa but also among all the known fairyflies in the world. Together with another, undescribed, similar species of Polynema also from Madagascar, this new taxon is placed in the informal dikobraz species group of its nominate subgenus.
Genetics of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Publisher Summary Congenital adrenal hyperplasia because of steroid 21-hydroxylase (21-OHase) deficiency is one of the most common inborn errors of metabolism. The 21-OHase locus is closely linked to the HLA major histocompatibility complex, and 21-OHase deficiency alleles show characteristic associations with particular HLA antigens and with alleles of HLA-linked serum complement components. Bovine and human cDNA clones have been isolated that encode a cytochrome P-450 enzyme specific for steroid 21-hydroxylation (P-450c2i) in the adrenal cortex; these have been used to demonstrate that a structural gene for P-450c2i is deleted in certain cases of 21-OHase deficiency. There are two 21-OHase (P-450c2i) genes in man, each adjacent to one of the two genes for the fourth component of serum complement (C4A and C4B). Studies of individuals with homozygous deletions of each 21-OHase gene have shown that the 21-OHase B gene is active; however, the 21-OHase A gene is not; DNA sequence analysis has demonstrated that the 21-OHase A gene is a pseudogene. Hybridization analysis of additional patients suggests that several different mutations are associated with 21-OHase deficiency.
Glucose-insulin interactions during cardiopulmonary bypass. Hypothermia versus normothermia.

Since hypothermia is commonly used to lower local and general metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass, we attempted to identify its specific effects on glucose-insulin interactions. A group of nondiabetic patients undergoing hypothermic (28 degrees C) cardiopulmonary bypass with ischemic (cold) cardiac arrest was compared to a similar group operated on under normothermic conditions with potassium cardioplegia. In the absence of exogenous dextrose administration, hypothermia blocked insulin secretion for the duration of the operation. It also inhibited insulin secretion in response to an exogenous dextrose load (e.g., the priming fluid of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit) or a glucagon injection, but this inhibition was lifted by rewarming. Blood glucose levels, which during normothermia were mildly elevated even in the absence of dextrose administration, remained normal during the hypothermic phase of cardiopulmonary bypass. By the end of the rewarming period, however, blood glucose levels had reached the same level as observed under normothermic bypass, a fact suggesting that the cold inhibition of hepatic glucose production had been only temporary. Cold inhibition of hepatic glucose production also explains why glucose clearance after a sudden dextrose load was initially faster at low body temperature than at normal temperature. Glucose-clamp studies indicated that insulin resistance was initiated by anesthesia and surgical trauma, and further accentuated by cardiopulmonary bypass, in association with elevated levels of hormones indicative of surgical stress. Regardless of body temperature changes, the assimilation of glucose by nondiabetic subjects during and immediately after bypass called for the infusion of large doses of insulin. A comparison with diabetic subjects showed that insulin-dependent patients (type I diabetes) required no more insulin during cardiopulmonary bypass than normal subjects, whereas patients with type II diabetes exhibited a marked insulin resistance during the operation and in the immediate postoperative period.