cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complication Rates Using CASPER Dual-Layer Stents for Carotid Artery Stenting in Acute Stroke : A 3-Year Single Center Experience.

The number of acute and early stent occlusions after emergency stenting of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with tandem lesions is unclear and only mentioned in a small number of publications, ranging from 0–20%. A recent article by Yilmaz et al. reported a high rate of acute in-stent occlusions of 45% within 72 h after deployment of CASPER dual layer stents. All patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with a CASPER stent between August 2014 and April 2018 were retrospectively evaluated for occlusion rates, periinterventional medication and early complications. A total of 66 patients, 45 with tandem pathologies and 21 with proximal ICA stenosis only were enrolled. Thrombotic complications occurred in 16 out of 66 patients (24%) and hemorrhagic complications in 8/66 (12%) and 15 of the 16 thrombotic complications and 7/8 symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) occurred in patients with tandem lesions and accessory intracranial thrombectomy. Of the patients with sICH five were treated in a prolonged or unknown time window. In patients with intraprocedural thrombotic complications ultrasound imaging showed patent stents in 13 of the 14 patients The CASPER stent system showed a high technical success rate in patients with acute stroke. The number of patients with sICH was not higher than the numbers reported in the published literature despite the early use of Gp IIb/IIIA inhibitors, whereas the number of thrombotic complications was smaller than that reported in recent studies. The majority of sICH occurred in patients treated because of tandem lesions in an unknown or prolonged time window.
Novel and Necessary Applications of Plasma and Terahertz Technology in Electric Power System

It was foreseeable that human societies would be connected by data links and power grids with more and more novel fusion technologies been utilized. The study of plasma and Terahertz could be traced back to the discovery of electric power. Our teamwork focused on application of plasma/terahertz technology into electric power systems. For each of the five segments of electric power system, i.e. power generation, power transformation, power transmission, power distribution, and power consumption with storage. At least one plasma/terahertz application was demonstrated with more possible applications introduced. For each application in each of the five segments, a basic application model, an advanced application model and a full application sketch were given, publishable application examples and general evaluation model were also included. Several application rules were concluded, methods to cross barriers between plasma/terahertz and electric power systems were summarized and suggestion about decreasing the cost of technology fusion trial were suggested.
On Almost Lyapunov Functions for Systems with Inputs

In this work an almost Lyapunov function theorem from our recent work is generalized to systems with inputs. It is shown that if for any inputs and initial conditions, the time that solutions of the system can stay in a "bad" region where the Lyapunov function does not decrease fast enough has a sufficiently small upper bound, then the system is globally exponentially stable uniformly with respect to the inputs. In our analysis, the almost Lyapunov function is directly expressed as a function of time along arbitrary solution and the upper bound of the ratio of this function at the time the solution trajectory leaves and enters the "bad" region is found to be less than 1. Consequently all solutions are shown to converge to the origin asymptotically with some careful justification. It is also concluded that a system with inputs is exponentially input-to-state stable if its auxiliary system satisfies all the hypotheses in our main theorem. The result is then applied on an example adopted and modified from our previous work and it shows an improvement in the sense that stability can still be verified even when there is stronger perturbation to the example’s stable dynamics.
Interaction between time, ASPECTS, and clinical mismatch

Background Imaging-based patient selection for neurothrombectomy is reliant on the identification of irreversibly damaged brain tissue (core) and salvageable tissue (penumbra). The DAWN trial used the clinical-core mismatch (CCM) paradigm (clinical deficit out of proportion to infarct volume). We aim to determine the prevalence of CCM in large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes and study the impact of time and the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) on the likelihood of mismatch. Methods We performed a retrospective observational analysis of internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery M1 occlusions with available advanced imaging (relative cerebral blood flow/MRI). We used automated software for infarct volume analysis and ASPECTS determination. The prevalence of CCM and the impact of time and ASPECTS were analyzed. Result One hundred and eighty-five LVO strokes were included. Mean age was 71±15 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 (range 12–21). Mean ischemic core volume was 50±69 mL. Within 0–24 hours, CCM was present in 53% and ranged from 63% in 0–3 hours to 25% at 21–24 hours (p=0.03). Prevalence of mismatch reduced 1.6% for every 1 hour increase in time to imaging. CCM prevalence by ASPECTS groups was: ASPECTS 9–10: 77%, ASPECTS 6–8: 65%, ASPECTS 0–5: 13% (p Conclusions CCM is present in 57% and 50% of LVO strokes in the 0–6 and 6–24 hour window, respectively. The prevalence of mismatch declines with increasing time (1.6%/hour) and decreasing ASPECTS (6.4%/point). Among ASPECTS groups the prevalence of mismatch does not decline over time. These data support the use of an ASPECTS-based paradigm for late window patient selection.
Discrimination of Isointense Bitter Stimuli in a Beer Model System

Prior work suggests humans can differentiate between bitter stimuli in water. Here, we describe three experiments that test whether beer consumers can discriminate between different bitterants in beer. In Experiment 1 (n = 51), stimuli were intensity matched; Experiments 2 and 3 were a difference from control (DFC)/check-all-that-apply (CATA) test (n = 62), and an affective test (n = 81). All used a commercial non-alcoholic beer spiked with Isolone (a hop extract), quinine sulfate dihydrate, and sucrose octaacetate (SOA). In Experiment 1, participants rated intensities on general labeled magnitude scales (gLMS), which were analyzed via ANOVA. In Experiment 2, participants rated how different samples were from a reference of Isolone on a 7-point DFC scale, and endorsed 13 attributes in a CATA task. DFC data were analyzed via ANOVA with Dunnett's test to compare differences relative to a blind reference, and CATA data were analyzed via Cochran's Q test. In Experiment 3, liking was assessed on labeled affective magnitude scales, and samples were also ranked. Liking was analyzed via ANOVA and rankings were analyzed with a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Experiment 1 confirmed that samples were isointense. In Experiment 2, despite being isointense, both quinine (p = 0.04) and SOA (p = 0.03) were different from Isolone, but no significant effects were found for CATA descriptors (all p values > 0.16). In Experiment 3, neither liking (p = 0.16) or ranking (p = 0.49) differed. Collectively, these data confirm that individuals can discriminate perceptually distinct bitter stimuli in beer, as shown previously in water, but these differences cannot be described semantically, and they do not seem to influence hedonic assessments.
“Quantum sensor” assisted magnetic resonance

The development of point-like quantum sensors based on wide bandgap materials, in particular the Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) center in diamond, has thrown up exciting new possibilities for the NMR of materials, molecules, and biological systems through optical means. I will describe how NV center endowed nanodiamonds could usher in a new form of a "deployable" NMR sensor with novel applications to signal enhanced NMR spectroscopy and imaging.
Abstract P054: Duration Of Diabetes, Glucose Excursions, Glycemic Control, And Low Heart Rate Variability: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (aric) Study

Introduction: Individuals with diabetes often have low heart rate variability (HRV)—a marker of autonomic dysfunction. How diabetes duration, glucose excursions, and poor glycemic control relate to...
Elemental abundances and their variations in the upper solar atmosphere

In the standard FIP pattern of element abundances observed in the bulk corona and solar wind, elements with first ionization potential (FIP) below ~ 10 eV are enriched relative to elements with higher FIP /1/. We have surveyed element abundances in a variety of emitting structures on the sun using imaged spectra of the sun in the 200-600 A range from SKYLAB and diagnostic flux ratios of soft X-ray lines between 10 and 20 a. The resulting element abundances show the imprint of the FIP effect, but the characteristics of this pattern are variable and greatly enhanced in some features, and are correlated with the magnetic morphology. The enrichment factor reaches values of 10 to 15 in diffuse features with open magnetic fields. The O/Ne abundance ratio is constant in the SKYLAB sample (in agreement with the standard FIP pattern), but shows variations up to a factor of two in soft X-ray flares. Soft X-ray abundance ratios involving Fe suggest that the photospheric abundance of iron is equal to the meteoritic rather than the spectroscopic ratio.
A New Shape Benchmark for 3D Object Retrieval

Recently, content based 3D shape retrieval has been an active area of research. Benchmarking allows researchers to evaluate the quality of results of different 3D shape retrieval approaches. Here, we propose a new publicly available 3D shape benchmark to advance the state of art in 3D shape retrieval. We provide a review of previous and recent benchmarking efforts and then discuss some of the issues and problems involved in developing a benchmark. A detailed description of the new shape benchmark is provided including some of the salient features of this benchmark. In this benchmark, the 3D models are classified mainly according to visual shape similarity but in contrast to other benchmarks, the geometric structure of each model is modified and normalized, with each class in the benchmark sharing the equal number of models to reduce the possible bias in evaluation results. In the end we evaluate several representative algorithms for 3D shape searching on the new benchmark, and a comparison experiment between different shape benchmarks is also conducted to show the reliability of the new benchmark.
Dirty Debts Sold Dirt Cheap

More than 77 million Americans have a debt in collections. Many of these debts will be sold to debt buyers for pennies, or fractions of pennies, on the dollar. This Article details the perilous path that debts travel as they move through the collection ecosystem. Using a unique dataset of 84 consumer debt purchase and sale agreement, it examines the manner in which debts are sold, oftentimes as simple data on a spreadsheet, devoid of any documentary evidence. It finds that in many contracts, sellers disclaim all warranties about the underlying debts sold or the information transferred. Sellers also sometimes refuse to stand by “the accuracy or completeness of any information provided.” After discussing potential explanations for these issues, the Article suggests that lax regulation and a collective action problem prevents the market from self-correcting. It concludes by recommending that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau declare the collection of consumer debts sold in this way as an unfair or deceptive act or practice.
The Two Sides of De Soto: Property Rights, Land Titling, and Development

This essay examines Hernando De Soto’s work on property rights, which can be viewed as providing two separate testable hypotheses: 1) secure property rights are positively correlated with access to credit and capital formation, which leads to economic development, and 2) land titling programs provides the means to secure property rights. In particular, Williamson argues that Hypothesis 1 is supported by both theoretical and empirical arguments, while Hypothesis 2 lacks empirical evidence.
Fatal disseminated infection caused by Myceliophthora thermophila, a new agent of mycosis: case history and laboratory characteristics.

We report a case of human infection caused by the hyphomycete Myceliophthora thermophila. A 7-year-old male with neurofibromatosis (type 1) was diagnosed in 1987 with acute myeloblastic leukemia associated with the chromosomal abnormality monosomy 7. The patient experienced multiple serious infections over a three-year period before expiring in 1990 while in the end stage of leukemia. Autopsy findings included fungal vegetations of the left atrium, ascending aorta, and pulmonary arteries and fungal invasion of both lungs. Cultures yielded M. thermophila. We believe that this is the first reported fatality caused by M. thermophila. Images
Subcutaneous Internal-External Fixation for Pelvic Fracture Fixation: A Novel Approach for Open Fracture Fixation

Pelvic fractures account for 1.5% to 3% of all fractures1,2. A majority of these fractures are from low-energy mechanisms, such as a fall from standing height in elderly, osteoporotic patients. In younger patients, pelvic fractures are often the result of high-energy trauma. Of all pelvic fractures, 0.1% to 4% are open fractures1-5. Up to 72% of these represent a Gustilo-Anderson Type-III fracture caused by the large amount of force needed to penetrate the soft-tissue envelope around the pelvis6. Open fractures of the pelvic ring have been described as occurring in one of three zones: zone I, which encompasses the perineum; zone II, which encompasses the medial thigh or groin; or zone III, which encompasses the posterolateral buttock2. Open fractures associated with perineal injuries are associated with a higher mortality given the extent of injury and risk for infection. Closed fractures have a substantially lower mortality rate of 10.5%, compared with a mortality rate of up to 50% with open fractures3. The higher rate of mortality is caused by hemorrhage, associated injuries, and sepsis2,4. We present a patient with an anteroposterior compression type-II (APC-II) pelvic fracture with substantial gluteal/perineal wounds, who was treated with an anterior subcutaneous external fixator facilitating prone positioning during multiple surgical debridements. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he provided consent. A twenty-seven-year-old man was injured in overseas combat by an improvised explosive device. He sustained ruptured tympanic membranes; a traumatic right knee disarticulation and left transfemoral amputation; an open zone I, APC-II pelvic fracture; an open coccygeal fracture; a complex gluteal/perineal wound; and scrotal injuries. Prior to arrival at our facility, he underwent debridement of the wounds with an …
An internet-based expert system for teaching introductory data structures

The Internet has made it possible for students to have access to materials at any time, from any location, presented in numerous forms including static text, animation and interactive learning tools. Expert systems provide an excellent alternative to private tutoring. The implementation of an expert system embedded into a web page is presented. Web pages providing additional information are also included. Through this combination of formats, instructors can use their own expertise to create interactive tutorials which students can access over the Internet. The result is the presentation of an internet-based expert system for teaching introductory data structures.
Minimization of Refrigeration Power for Large Cryogenic Systems

Some cryogenic systems, such as superconducting magnetic energy storage and superconducting generators, require load-bearing supports to transfer forces to a room temperature (warm) structure. It is necessary to minimize the refrigeration power required to overcome heat leaks through the supports in order to improve system efficiency.
Multiple path-valued conditional Yeh-Wiener integrals

In this paper we establish various results involving parallel linevalued conditional Yeh-Wiener integrals of the type E(F(x) lx(sj, ) = m ( ), j = 1,... Irn) where 0 < si < < sn. We then develop a formula for converting these multiple path-valued conditional Yeh-Wiener integrals into ordinary Yeh-Wiener integrals. Next, conditional Yeh-Wiener integrals for functionals F of the form F(x) = exp { j f (s, t, x(s, t)) dt ds } are evaluated by solving an appropriate Wiener integral equation. Finally, a Cameron-Martin translation theorem is obtained for these multiple pathvalued conditional Yeh-Wiener integrals.
The distribution of realized stock return volatility

Abstract We examine “realized” daily equity return volatilities and correlations obtained from high-frequency intraday transaction prices on individual stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. We find that the unconditional distributions of realized variances and covariances are highly right-skewed, while the realized logarithmic standard deviations and correlations are approximately Gaussian, as are the distributions of the returns scaled by realized standard deviations. Realized volatilities and correlations show strong temporal dependence and appear to be well described by long-memory processes. Finally, there is strong evidence that realized volatilities and correlations move together in a manner broadly consistent with latent factor structure.
3-Oxocyclo-butane-carboxylic acid: hydrogen bonding in a small-ring γ-keto acid.

The title ketocarboxylic acid, C5H6O3, is the smallest carboxy­cyclanone to have its crystal structure determined. It adopts a chiral conformation, by rotation of its carboxyl O atoms away from the plane of skeletal symmetry that passes through the carboxyl carbon and both atoms of the ketone carbonyl. The four-membered ring is non-planar, with a shallow fold of 14.3 (1)° along a line connecting the two α-carbons of the ketone group. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by centrosymmetric hydrogen-bond pairing of ordered carboxylic acid groups [O⋯O = 2.6392 (12) A and O—H⋯O = 175.74 (15)°], yielding two different sets of dimers, related by by a 21 screw axis in c, in the cell. A C—H⋯O interaction is also present.
Identification of the Cleavage Site Recognized by the Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus Protease

The noncapsid protein expressed from ORF-206 of turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) is autocatalytically processed by a papain-like protease, producing N-terminal 150-kDa and C-terminal 70-kDa proteins. By introducing two methionine residues near the N-terminus of the 70-kDa protein, we have obtained N-terminal amino acid sequence of that protein produced from [35S]methionine-labeled in vitro translations. The introduction of methionine residues was demonstrated to not interfere with viral replication or proteolysis, as assayed by inoculating mutant RNA transcripts onto whole plants and protoplasts, as well as by translating the RNAs in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. This has allowed us to determine that the TYMV protease cleaves between alanine1259 and threonine1260 of the precursor protein p206, yielding proteins of calculated Mr 140,618 and 66,037, which will be referred to henceforth as p141 and p66, respectively. The sequence context around the cleavage site is LNGA/TP.
An extension of Milnor's \̄gm-invariants

We study embeddings in a certain fixed, nontrivial homotopy class of one copy of the circle S1 in any closed, aspherical, orientable, irreducible 3-dimensional Seifert fibered 3-manifold, M, and extract a collection of numerical concordance invariants from certain quotients of the fundamental group of the complement of the knot. (The property of the fundamental group of the target 3-manifold that is needed to produce these invariants is precisely the one that guarantees that the manifold is a Seifert fibered space, by the recently proved Seifert fibered space theorem.) These extensions of Milnor's \gm-invariants detect “self-linking” phenomena that are nonsimply connected analogues to the “higher order” linking phenomena detected by the classical \gm-invariants. In particular, they are obstructions to an embedding being concordant to a characteristic embedding. Examples of knots that realize some of these invariants are constructed for M = T3, and a realization theorem is proved for any M, using a generic, ordinary Seifert fiber as the model of a “trivial” embedding.
VirtualizeMe: interactive model reconstruction from stereo video streams

Tele-Immersion depends on face-to-face, viewpoint corrected, stereoscopic, virtual environments, allowing users to naturally interact with each other and the digital environment surrounding them, via realistic avatars. This paper presents an extraction, modeling and communication methodology for the creation of the needed avatars, based on a scalable focused disparity map (FDM) approach. The FDM enables variable distance reconstruction of dynamic target objects despite restrictions in disparity range. Combined with a pixel-based disparity cost interpolation, a sub-pixel disparity refinement is achieved, providing a high depth-resolution and smooth reconstruction of the target objects. This technique approaches real-time characteristics, extracting avatar models and communicating them to remote render nodes at 15 frames per second.
On generalized commutators and nil commutator ideals

Using the nota t ion of Drazin in [1], we define for elements x , y in a ring R, eo(x ,y ) = x, e l (x ,y ) = [x,y] = x y yx , and ek(x,y) = [ekl (x ,y) ,y] for k = 2, 3 . . . . , and we consider the following condit ions on a ring R regarding these generalized commutators : (C) Given x , y in R there exist k = k(x ,y ) and n = n(x ,y) such that ek(x ,y n) = O. Let k be a positive integer. (Ck) Given x , y in R there exist m = m(x ,y ) and n = n(x ,y ) such that ek(x",y" ) = O. In [1], [2] and [6] various special cases of (C) are shown to imply that R has nil commuta to r ideal, for example if k(x, y) and n(x, y) depend only on x, and more recently it was shown in [7] that the same conclusion follows from (Ck) when k = 2 and' re(x, y) is bounded. Of course the best result so far is the case k = l which was solved by Herstein in [3]. However the general si tuation is as yet unresolved. In this paper we show that these condit ions are related, namely by the following
The Subarctic and Northern Subtropical Fronts in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean in Spring

Abstract The subarctic and subtropical frontal zones of the eastern North Pacific Ocean were surveyed in June for five consecutive years starting in 1972. These surveys from the basis for a description of the complex frontal distributions and their year-to-year differences. The fronts appear as surface outcroppings of haloclines: the subarctic halocline where salinity increases with depth and the subtropical halocline where the opposite prevails. Between the fronts lies a transition zone where strong vertical gradients of salinity are generally absent. An examination of the northern boundary of subtropical waters in this new dataset reveals the presence of two major fronts in the subtropical frontal zone. In addition to the front commonly identified as the subtropical front (18°C and 34.8‰) is a northern subtropical front that forms the northern boundary of the subtropical halocline in the eastern North Pacific. It falls some 2° to 3° of latitude north of the subtropical front and is the same front observ...
Effect of bismuth breast shielding on radiation dose and image quality in coronary CT angiography.

Background Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is associated with high radiation dose to the female breasts. Bismuth breast shielding offers the potential to significantly reduce dose to the breasts and nearby organs, but the magnitude of this reduction and its impact on image quality and radiation dose have not been evaluated.
Phenomenal Consciousness and the Allocentric-Egocentric Interface

I propose and defend the Allocentric-Egocentric Interface Theory of Consciousness. Mental processes form a hierarchy of mental representations with maximally egocentric (self-centered) representations at the bottom and maximally allocentric (other-centered) representations at the top. Phenomenally conscious states are states that are relatively intermediate in this hierarchy. More specifically, conscious states are hybrid states that involve the reciprocal interaction between relatively allocentric and relatively egocentric representations. Thus a conscious state is composed of a pair of representations interacting at the Allocentric-Egocentric Interface. What a person is conscious of is determined by what the contributing allocentric and egocentric representations are representations of. The phenomenal character of conscious states is identical to the representational content of the reciprocally interacting egocentric and allocentric
Diabetics without prior cardiovascular disease have diffuse interstitial fibrosis by CMR independent of clinical risk factors

Background As a precursor to overt heart failure, diabetics experience a unique alteration in myocardial architecture marked by diffuse interstitial fibrosis. We hypothesized that the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (MECVF) could be used to detect myocardial matrix remodeling and its relationship to ventricular structure and function in diabetics without cardiovascular disease. Methods Diabetics without any history of MI (by clinical grounds or by evidence of subendocardial LGE) or heart failure underwent 3T CMR imaging and assessment of MECVF and assessment of biochemical parameters of insulin sensitivity. 10 volunteers without diabetes, hypertension, or clinical cardiac disease were used for comparison. Cine SSFP, LGE imaging, and myocardial T1 quantitation using a modified Look-Locker sequence were performed. For measurement of MECVF, segmental myocardial T1 was measured once pre-Gd and at least 3 times over 3-20 minutes post-Gd (gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.15 mmol/kg). Regression of myocardial R1 (=1/T1) on R1 in the blood pool was used to determine the Gd partition coefficient, which when multiplied by (1-hematocrit/ 100), gave MECVF. Left atrial volume index (LAVI) and emptying function, as well as LV and RV volumes and function, were determined by standard techniques. Results 55 recruited patients were predominantly male (62%), with an average age of 54±8 years, systolic blood pressure 126±14 mmHg, body mass index (BMI) 32.4±4 kg/ m2, fasting glucose 108±25 mg/dl, and triglycerides 128 ±69 mg/dl. CMR LVEF averaged 60±5%, LV mass index 45±11 g/m2, LVEDV index 68±14 ml/m2, LAVI 35±9 ml/ m2 (assessed in 38 patients; all values in normal range). MECVF in diabetics was 0.36±0.05 (as compared to normal controls 0.29±0.04, P = .0004 by unpaired ttest). MECVF correlated with LAVI (r =0.34; p = 0.04), but not with LV mass index, fasting glucose or insulin levels, insulin sensitivity, triglycerides, LVEF, age, BMI, LA function or systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Well-controlled diabetics with normal ventricular structure, function, and no prior cardiac disease have diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis by CMR. Diffuse fibrosis is associated with LAVI, a marker of diastolic function, but not with other markers of clinical or cardio-metabolic risk. Diffuse myocardial damage occurs early in the course of diabetic cardiomyopathy independent of hypertension and obesity, and may be a potential target for early intervention in at-risk diabetic patients with subclinical myocardial disease.
Bank bailouts: lessons to learn when patience is a virtue

Purpose – Most recent bank bailouts, from a financial and economic perspective, turn political. This paper seeks to frame ten effective implications/lessons of the most recent bank bailouts of 2007‐2009 in the Western economy model when analyzing actual shareholders' value retrenchment or growth opportunities.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a literature review and a re‐conceptualized framework of event study methodology, secondary data analysis of qualitative and quantitative information.Findings – Recent bank bailouts relate to: global bailout interconnections, economic downturn and liquidity boost, abnormal returns, efficiency recovery, evasion of social costs, new opportunities for M&A, new risk management applications, opportunistic investors and eventually patience. Most important, findings recommend shareholders to grasp opportunities for bargains from bailout banks as well as to harvest their existing investments. At the same time, economic education and control become another importan...
Increased risk of herpes zoster among 108 604 patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Summary Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on certain immunosuppressants have increased herpes zoster (HZ) risk. Aim To determine the risk of HZ in IBD and how antitumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) agents affect this risk. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort and nested case–control study using administrative data from IMS LifeLink® Information Assets-Health Plan Claims Database. In the cohort, we identified IBD patients <age 64 by diagnosis codes; matched to four individuals without IBD. HZ risk was evaluated by incidence rate ratio (IRR) and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models (HR). In the nested case–control analysis, 2659 IBD patients with HZ were each matched to four IBD patients without HZ. We determined associations between medications and HZ using conditional logistic regression. Results The cohort included 50 932 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 56 403 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1269 with unspecified IBD, matched to 434 416 individuals without IBD. The IBD cohort had increased HZ risk compared with non-IBD (IRR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.60–1.76). After adjustment, IBD patients had a higher risk of HZ than non-IBD (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.42–1.57). In the nested case–control multivariate-adjusted analyses, anti-TNF medications (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.48–2.21), corticosteroids (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.51–1.99) and thiopurines (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.61–2.13) were independently associated with HZ. Risk of HZ was highest with combination anti-TNF and thiopurine therapy (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.33–4.65). Conclusions Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for herpes zoster. Use of thiopurines, anti-TNF agents, combination therapy and corticosteroids increases herpes zoster risk.
Ultrastructural observations on life cycle stages of Pneumocystis carinii.

An ultrastructural study of life cycle stages of Pneumocystis carinii in infected rat lungs in situ was undertaken utilizing 8 different modes of fixation. Three of the fixatives employed gave good fixation of cysts and intracystic bodies, but for the trophic forms fixation was only fair. Both the trophic forms and intracystic bodies have nuclear pores. The mitochondria of the organism have cristac that appear lamellar. One of the fixation modes revealed a thin, electron-dense layer on the outer surface of the cell wall, a “fuzzy coat” that had not been described previously. This material appears to mediate tight adhesion of trophic forms with other trophic forms, cysts, and with pneumocytcs of the lung alveolus.
Tolerance to in vitro accumulation of aflatoxins in pecan meal as affected by factors associated with yield (carya illinoensis [wangenh.] K. Koch)

Unautoclaved pecan (Carya illinoensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch) meal from selected trees, 10 each with high or low nut yields, were inoculated with a spore suspension of Aspergillus parasiticus. Significantly greater concentrations of aflatoxins (B2 + B2 + G1 + G2) occurred in substrates from high-yielding trees. The data suggest physiological differences associated with yield resulted in tolerance to accumulation of aflatoxins.
Effect of continuum resonances on hot carrier transport in quantum wells

Abstract In addition to bound states, quantum wells also produce resonant states in the continuum. While bound states have received considerable attention and are now the basis of device applications, the corresponding virtual states have hardly been studied. Here, we specifically investigate the influence of these resonant states on hot electron transport in quantum wells. We find that the matrix elements which determine scattering rates exhibit structure at the resonant energies. This leads to suppression of scattering by polar optical phonons relative to non-polar optical and acoustic phonon scattering. We discuss the effect that these states have on the capture and release of carriers by the quantum well.
Effects of copper on development of the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas rafinesque

Abstract Embryos of the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas Rafinesque, were exposed to total copper concentrations (Cu T ) of 0.6, 61, 113, 204, 338 and 621 μg/l from 5 to 10 h post-fertilization through 2 days post-hatch. A decrease in hatching time was observed with increasing total copper concentration but there was no decrease in embryonic developmental rate. Therefore, embryos hatched at earlier stages of development. Significant ( P ≤ 0.05) declines in percent survival and percent total hatch were observed at 621 μg/l Cu T ) but not at 338 μg/l Cu T or lower concentrations. The percentage of embryos with abnormalities was greater at 338 and 621 μg/l Cu T than at 204 μg/l Cu T and lower concentrations. Individuals exposed to copper during early development were then exposed to the same test concentrations for 28 days post-hatch. Survivors at 113 through 338 μg/l Cu T were at earlier stages of development than were control fish. The percentage of fish surviving decreased with increasing copper concentration over the range 61 through 204 μg/l Cu T . The percentage of fish surviving at 204 μg/l Cu T was not significantly different from that at 338 μg/l Cu T , and there were no survivors at 621 μg/l Cu T . Surviving larvae at all copper concentrations from 61 through 621 μg/l Cu T showed decreased length, weight and coefficient of condition compared to controls. The percentage of larvae with abnormalities increased significantly with increasing copper concentration. The calculated 96-h LC 50 (larval stage) was 250 μg/l Cu T and the 28-day LC 50 (larval stage) was approximately 123 μg/l Cu T .
Distinguishing between the success and precision of recollection

Recollection reflects the retrieval of complex qualitative information about prior events. Recently, Harlow and Donaldson developed a method for separating the probability of recollection success from the precision of the mnemonic information retrieved. In the current study, we ask if these properties are separable on the basis of subjective reports-are participants aware of these two aspects of recollection and can they reliably report on them? Participants studied words paired with a location on a circle outline, and at test recalled the location for a given word as accurately as possible. Additionally, participants provided separate subjective ratings of recollection confidence and recollection precision. The results indicated that participants either recollected the target location with considerable (but variable) precision or retrieved no accurate location information at all. Importantly, recollection confidence reliably predicted whether locations were recollected, while precision ratings instead reflected the precision of the locations retrieved. The results demonstrate the experimental separability of recollection success and precision, and highlight the importance of disentangling these two different aspects of recollection when examining episodic memory.
Evolutionary Origins of Viviparity in the Reptilia. II. Serpentes, Amphisbaenia, and Ichthyosauria

Superimposition of reproductive mode data from the literature over phylogenetic classification systems reveals that viviparity (live-bearing reproduction) has evolved on at least 35 independent occasions among the Serpentes, once in the Amphisbaenia, and once in the Ichthyosauria. Of the ophidian origins of the live-bearing mode, at least fourteen have occurred in the Colubridae, twelve in the Viperidae, three in the Hydrophiidae (used in the sense of Smith et al., 1977), and one in each of the following groups: Boidae, Acrochordidae, Tropidophiidae, Uropeltidae, Typhlopidae, and Elapidae. Previous analysis has distinguished and defined 45 origins of viviparity among the lizards. Here, ten additional saurian origins are recognized on the basis of unpublished and recently published evidence, three in the Iguanidae, two in the Scincidae, and one in each of the following groups: Agamidae, Chamaeleontidae, Anguidae, Xenosauridae, and Anniellidae. As phylogenetic relationships are clarified, further origins seem likely to be detected, particularly in the Colubridae, Hydrophiidae, Scincidae, and Iguanidae. At present, however, at least 92 origins of viviparity can be recognized within the class Reptilia. Reptilian viviparity has arisen on multiple occasions in each of the six major biogeographic regions, with a majority of the origins having occurred in the Old World. Nearly 19% of the extant reptile species are probably live-bearers, including more than 20% of the snakes and over 19% of the lizards. About 71 % of the viviparous species belong to either the Scincidae, Colubridae, Viperidae, or Iguanidae. The discontinuous distribution of the origins of viviparity among the reptilian families supports the hypothesis that selective pressures, preadaptations, and constraints vary at high taxonomic levels.
The impact of advertising on nicotine replacement therapy demand

While much is known about the economic determinants of tobacco use, very little is known about the economic determinants of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use. This paper is the first econometric study to examine the impact of advertising on NRT demand. Pooled cross-sectional time-series scanner-based data for 50 major metropolitan markets in the USA covering the period between the second quarter of 1996 and the second quarter of 2002 are used in the analysis. Fixed-effects modeling is employed to estimate the NRT demand equation. The estimates indicate that increased advertising of Nicoderm CQ transdermal patches and Nicotrol transdermal patches increases per-capita sales of established Nicoderm CQ and Nicotrol products, respectively. However, increased advertising of Nicorette polacrilex (gum) was found not to significantly increase sales of established Nicorette products. Moreover, decreases in the price of NRT and increases in the price of cigarettes were found to increase per-capita sales of NRT products. Given the documented efficacy of NRT, measures to increase peoples' awareness of NRT products through advertising, measures to decrease the price of NRT, and measures to increase the price of cigarettes would be effective means to increase the use of NRT, likely leading to decreased cigarette smoking and reductions in the future public health burden caused by tobacco use.
Physically locating the present: a case of reading physics as a contribution to philosophy

In this paper I argue that reading history of physics as a contribution to history of philosophy is important for contemporary philosophy of physics. My argument centers around a particular case: special relativity versus presentism. By means of resources drawn from reading aspects of Newton's work as contributions to philosophy, I argue that there is in physics an alternative way to approach what we mean by "present" such that (without adding any preferred foliation or anything like that) presentism remains an open empirical question whose refutation requires resources that go beyond those of special relativity. I offer this as an example of one fruitful way in which we pursue integrated HPS.
The Body as the Ground of Religion, Science, and Self

The human body is both religious subject and scientific object, the manifest locus of both religious gnosis and secular cognition. Embodiment provides the basis for a rich cross-fertilization between cognitive science and comparative religion, but cognitive studies must return to their empiricist scientific roots by reembodying subjectivity, thus spanning the natural bridge between the two fields. Referencing the ritual centrality and cognitive content of the body, I suggest a materialist but nonreductionist construct of the self as a substantial cognitive embodiment that embraces not just perception and cognition, mind and spirit, but the forceful physicality of the moving body. Proprioception of the body's moving mass constitutes a mode of knowing that resonates strongly with the experience of self, not only across religious traditions but also within the physical sciences. By way of illustration, two directions are suggested in which a construct of the self as a substantial cognitive embodiment might lead us: first, a body-based interpretation of the Islamic myth of Adam and Iblis that reveals an internal substantiality as constitutive of the divinely imaged Self, and second, a new, religious direction for human evolutionary theory based on the implications of an embodied intentionality.
Effect of difluoromethylornithine on the antiglioma therapeutic efficacy of intra-arterial BCNU.

✓ In an attempt to improve glioma management, an animal model was developed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intra-arterial 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Furthermore, the model was used to study the antitumor activity of D,L-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a polyamine-biosynthesis inhibitor, used both as a single agent and in combination with intra-arterial BCNU. An N-methylnitrosourea-induced gliosarcoma (T9) was transplanted stereotaxically into the right caudate nucleus of male Fischer 344 rats. Animals receiving a single low-dose (5 mg/kg) intracarotid injection of BCNU 9 days following tumor implantation had a 57% increase in life span compared with untreated control rats (p < 0.001). Intracarotid drug delivery was more effective than systemic (intraperitoneal) administration of the same dose of BCNU. When given as a single agent, DFMO demonstrated dose-dependent effectiveness. As part of a combined regimen, DFMO enhanced the antitumor therapeutic activity of both systemic...
One person: No vote; one vote; two votes: Voting methods, ballot types, and undervote frequency in the 2000 presidential election

Objectives. Political science long ignored the actual mechanics of voting—until the 2000 presidential contest. This research note offers a systematic empirical inquiry into the potential effects of various voting methods and electorate–specific variables on the rate at which citizens register a preference via the act of voting. Methods. Voting methods were analyzed in relation to the rate of undervotes recorded in Georgia’s 159 counties during the 2000 general election using a set of multivariate models. Results. Lever machines and fill in the oval optical scan ballots are associated with lower rates of undervoting. Counties with large numbers of new registrants, lower education levels, and a higher proportion of African–American voters were found to have higher error rates. Conclusions. The results of this study provide strong evidence that voting methods and ballot types, as well as electorate–specific characteristics, are key factors in determining the error rate associated with the process of voting at the county level.
Throwing Patterns Used by Collegiate Baseball Players in Actual Games

Abstract The form of 3,684 throws made by 100 players in 7 collegiate baseball games was examined in relation to position, distance, and active and inactive situations. All throws made from the first pitch to the last out for 94 half innings were videotaped from the stands. The results showed that the interrater reliability of task, environment, and performance measures were all acceptable to excellent (percentage of agreement was at least 80%), indicating that qualitative aspects of throwing can be reliably measured in an actual sport context. Alternatives to the most advanced pattern were observed at least half the time for catchers and infielders at most distances in both active and inactive situations and for pitchers and outfielders only in inactive situations.
Angiopoietin-like 4 based therapeutics for proteinuria and kidney disease

Current drugs used to treat proteinuric disorders of the kidney have been borrowed from other branches of medicine, and are only partially effective. The discovery of a central, mechanistic role played by two different forms of the secreted glycoprotein Angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) in human and experimental glomerular disease has opened new treatment avenues. Localized upregulation of a hyposialylated form (lacks sialic acid residues) of Angptl4 secreted by podocytes induces the cardinal morphological and clinical manifestations of human minimal change disease, and is also being increasingly recognized as a significant contributor towards proteinuria in experimental diabetic nephropathy. Oral treatment with low doses of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc), a naturally occurring precursor of sialic acid, improves sialylation of Angptl4 in vivo, and reduces proteinuria by over 40%. By contrast, a sialylated circulating form of Angptl4, mostly secreted from skeletal muscle, heart and adipose tissue in all major primary glomerular diseases, reduces proteinuria while also causing hypertriglyceridemia. Intravenous administration of recombinant human Angptl4 mutated to avoid hypertriglyceridemia and cleavage has remarkable efficacy in reducing proteinuria by as much as 65% for 2 weeks after a single low dose. Both interventions are mechanistically relevant, utilize naturally occurring pathways, and represent new generation therapeutic agents for chronic kidney disease related to glomerular disorders.