cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Not Call 911

See related article, pages 1501–1507. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15 million people experience a stroke each year, of which one third die and one third are permanently disabled. It was not until the mid-nineties that the advent of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) offered a treatment option. One of the most important factors limiting the use of tPA is the 3-hour window of administration (up to 4.5 hours in select cases) recommended to prevent hemorrhagic complications. Because of the importance of seeking immediate medical care for tPA to be a treatment option, public health campaigns, such …
New lower bounds for oblivious routing in undirected graphs

Oblivious routing algorithms for general undirected networks were introduced by Racke, and this work has led to many subsequent improvements and applications. Racke showed that there is an oblivious routing algorithm with polylogarithmic competitive ratio (with respect to edge congestion) for any undirected graph. However, there are directed networks for which the competitive ratio is in Ω(√n).To cope with this inherent hardness in general directed networks, the concept of oblivious routing with demands chosen randomly from a known demand distribution was introduced recently. Under this new model, O(log2n)-competitiveness with high probability is possible in general directed graphs.However, it remained an open problem whether or not the competitive ratio, under this new model, could also be significantly improved in undirected graphs. In this paper, we rule out this possibility by providing a lower bound of Ω(log n/log log n) for the multicommodity case and Ω(√logn) for the single-sink case for oblivious routing in a random demand model.We also introduce a natural candidate model for evaluating the throughput of an oblivious routing scheme which subsumes all suggested models for the throughput of oblivious routing considered so far. In this general model, we first prove a lower bound Ω(log n/log log n) for the competitive ratio of any oblivious routing scheme. Interestingly, the graphs that we consider for the lower bound in this case are expanders, for which we also obtain a lower bound Ω(log n/log log n) on the competitive ratio of congestion based oblivious routing with adversarial demands.
Health at the Margins of Migration: Culture-Centered Co-Constructions Among Bangladeshi Immigrants

Increasingly, health scholars have been paying attention to the health experiences of immigrant communities, particularly in the backdrop of the increasing global flows of goods, services, and people across borders. In spite of the increasing public health emphasis on health outcomes of immigrants within the United States, immigrant communities are often constructed as monoliths and the voices of immigrant communities are traditionally absent from mainstream health policy and program discourses. The health experiences of immigrants, their access to resources, and the health trajectories through the life course followed by them and their descendants influence the deep-seated patterns of ethnic health disparities documented in the United States. It is against this backdrop then that the co-constructions of experiences of health among immigrants offer an entry point for understanding the intersections of migration and health, particularly as these intersections offer guidance for the development of culturall...
Soot oxidation and agglomeration modeling in a microgravity diffusion flame

The global evolution of a microgravity diffusion flame is detailed. Gas species evolution is computed using a reduced finite rate chemical mechanism. Soot evolution is computed using various combinations of existing soot mechanisms. Radiative transfer is coupled to the soot and gas phase chemistry processes using a P1 spherical harmonics radiation model. The soot agglomeration model was examined to note the dependence of soot growth and oxidation processes on soot surface area predictions. For limiting cases where agglomeration was excluded from the soot evolution model, soot primary particle sizes and number concentrations were calculated, and the number of primary particles per aggregate was inferred. These computations are compared with experimental results for microgravity and nonbuoyant flame conditions.
Identification of linear time-invariant systems based on initial condition responses

Forced responses are commonly used for system identification, but only initial condition responses may be available when a system has no controllable inputs or forced responses cannot be practically measured. It is therefore meaningful to analyse whether initial condition responses can be used to estimate the system matrix. In this work, the identifiability of the nth order (n > 1) linear time-invariant systems from initial condition responses is analysed. Systems with only one measurable state (OMS systems) and those with n measurable states (NMS systems) are considered. Analysis indicates that one initial condition response is not sufficient to uniquely determine the system matrix of an OMS system and n initial condition responses are necessary. The identifiability of an OMS system with data from n independent initial condition responses is equivalent to that of an NMS system with only one initial condition response. Explicit formulations and a non-iterative algorithm are developed for both OMS and NMS ...
Detection and quantitation of trace levels of low molecular weight halocarbons (LMHs) associated with commercial sodium humate

Examination of vapor above commercial sodium humate and above 10wt% aqueous humate solution by gas chromatography (GC) revealed the presence of chloroform and trichloroethylene. Further examination of the aqueous humate by the purge and trap procedure confirmed the association of chloroform and trichloroethylene with the humate. GC/mass spectrometry analyses of methylene chloride extract of the humate established the association of LMHs with the humate. Improved headspace capillary GC technique showed that the humate contained not only chloroform, trichloroethylene but several other LMHs in the range 190 to 4000ng·kg‐1.
Reconstitution and phosphorylation of chloride channels from airway epithelium membranes

Airway epithelial chloride secretion is controlled by the apical-membrane chloride permeability. Purified apical-membrane vesicles from bovine tracheal epithelium have now been shown to contain functional chloride channels by using the planar-bilayer technique. Three types of chloride channels were observed; a voltage-dependent, calcium-independent, 71-picoSiemen (in 150 mM NaCl) channel accounted for more than 80 percent of the vesicular chloride conductance and was under strict control of phosphorylation. The channel underwent a fast rundown in less than 2 to 3 minutes of recording, and reactivation required in situ exposure to a phosphorylating "cocktail" containing the catalytic subunit of the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase. Mean open time and open probability were increased after phosphorylation, whereas slope conductance remained unchanged. Thus, metabolic control of tracheal chloride single channels can now be studied in vitro.
Cherenkov luminescence imaging in transparent media and the imaging of thin or shallow sources.

Abstract. In this work, we demonstrated the possibility of high spatial resolution Cherenkov luminescence im-aging (CLI) for objects in transparent media. We also demonstrated the possibility of the CLI of thin opaqueobjects using optical transducers. Results demonstrate that submillimeter resolution CLI is achievable forbeta-emitting radionuclides,including 76 Brthatemitspositronsof veryhighenergy.Theimagingof beta-emittersthrough scintillation detectors exhibits lower resolution when compared to CLI of the same sources. The appli-cation of optical transducers for the CLI was demonstrated using plants labeled with 11 CO 2 and phantomscontaining beta-emitters. © 2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) [DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.3.036011] Keywords: Cherenkov luminescence imaging; nuclear imaging.Paper 140835R received Dec. 15, 2014; accepted for publication Feb. 25, 2015; published online Mar. 19, 2015. 1 Introduction Cherenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) has recently becomea standard tool for biological studies that use beta-labeled bio-markers.
Bench-scale electrochemical system for generation of CO and syn-gas

A flow cell based, bench-scale electrochemical system for generation of synthesis-gas (syn-gas) is reported. Sensitivity to operating conditions such as CO2 flow, current density, and elevated temperature are described. By increasing the temperature of the cell the kinetic overpotential for the reduction of CO2 was lowered with the cathode voltage at 70 mA cm−2 decreased by 0.32 V and the overall cell voltage dropping by 1.57 V. This equates to an 18% increase in cell efficiency. By closely monitoring the products it was found that at room temperature and 70 °C the primary products are CO and H2. By controlling the current density and the flow of CO2 it was possible to control the H2:CO product ratio between 1:4 and 9:1. The reproducibility of performing experiments at elevated temperature and the ability to generate syn-gas for extended periods of time is also discussed.
Nebivolol, but not metoprolol, lowers blood pressure in nitric oxide-sensitive human hypertension.

Nebivolol, unlike other selective β 1 -receptor blockers, induces vasodilation attributable to increased NO bioavailability. The relative contribution of this mechanism to the blood pressure (BP)–lowering effects of nebivolol is unclear because it is normally masked by baroreflex buffering. Autonomic failure provides a unique model of hypertension devoid of autonomic modulation but sensitive to the hypotensive effects of NO potentiation. We tested the hypothesis that nebivolol would decrease BP in these patients through a mechanism independent of β-blockade. We randomized 20 autonomic failure patients with supine hypertension (14 men; 69±2 years) to receive a single oral dose of placebo, nebivolol 5 mg, metoprolol 50 mg (negative control), and sildenafil 25 mg (positive control) on separate nights in a double-blind, crossover study. Supine BP was monitored every 2 hours from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am. Compared with placebo, sildenafil and nebivolol decreased systolic BP during the night ( P P =0.036, by mixed-effects model, maximal systolic BP reduction 8-hour postdrug of −20±6 and −24±9 mm Hg, respectively), whereas metoprolol had no effect. In a subanalysis, we divided patients into sildenafil responders (BP fall >20 mm Hg at 4:00 am) and nonresponders. Nebivolol significantly lowered systolic BP in sildenafil responders (−44±13 mm Hg) but not in nonresponders (1±11 mm Hg). Despite lowering nighttime BP, nebivolol did not worsen morning orthostatic tolerance compared with placebo. In conclusion, nebivolol effectively lowered supine hypertension in autonomic failure, independent of β 1 -blockade. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that NO potentiation contributes significantly to the antihypertensive effect of nebivolol.
Using Peer Observation and Feedback to Reduce Principals′ Isolation

Isolation is a word typically used to describe the role of the school principal. Although many in‐service training programmes for administrators strive to improve their leadership and management skills, few are aimed at reducing their isolation. However, Peer‐Assisted Leadership (PAL), a programme where principals shadow and interview peer partners, is intended to reduce isolation while improving observation and interview skills, building collegiality among peers and expanding leadership skills. An in‐depth description of PAL is provided, focusing on the researchbased origin of the programme, the training activities and the effects of the programme on participants. Principals who have participated in PAL remark that the programme validates many of their actions and attitudes, stimulates self‐reflective behaviour and creates an opportunity to try new ideas in a safe and non‐threatening environment. In addition, they report that their PAL experience continues to influence their actions and attitudes after t...
Detection of left ventricular failure in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Fourteen patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome were admitted to the medical intensive care unit and received bedside heart catheterization with the use of a balloon-tipped, flow directed catheter. Four of the 14 (29 percent) were found to have left ventricular failure (LVF), defined as a pulmonary artery wedge pressure greater than 12 mm Hg. Analysis of the standard clinical and laboratory data demonstrated no criteria which could differentiate those patients with LVF from those without. Three of the four patients identified as having LVF responded to therapy directed toward LVF with substantial clinical improvement.
Integration formulas for the wave equation in n space dimensions

We consider the wave equation in n space dimensions (∂2u∂t2) − (∂2u∂x12) − … − (∂2u∂xn2) = F(x1,…,xn,t) We derive formulas to approximate u at a point (x01,…,x0n,t0) assuming u(x1,…,xn, 0) = f(x1,…,xn) and ut(x1,…,xn, 0) = g(x1,…,xn) are given. The formulas are exact when f, g, and F are arbitrary polynomials of degree ⩽d, for various integers d, and are approximations to integrals which represent the solution.
TESTS OF THE BLACK‐SCHOLES AND CONSTANT ELASTICITY OF VARIANCE CURRENCY CALL OPTION VALUATION MODELS

An adaptation of the Cox-Ross/Emanuel-MacBeth call option valuation model for constant elasticity of variance diffusion processes is tested here against an adaptation of the Black-Scholes call option valuation model for the pricing of call currency options. Synchronized transactions data supplied by the Philadelphia Exchange are used. A maximum likelihood estimation procedure indicates a significant association between currency return variances and exchange rate levels. The constant elasticity of variance model exhibits significantly superior pricing accuracy for predictive intervals of three or fewer trading days.
Amplification By Optical Composites

Optical amplification is demonstrated in composite materials consisting of nanocrystals of Cr:forsterite or Cr:diopside embedded in a host polymer with a matching refractive index.
Levitated Drop Microreactors for Biochemical Kinetics

Ultrasonically-levitated drops have been widely studied for materials processing and for sample preparation for chemical analysis. We report on the development of such drops for study of kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and other chemical processes. We review how to simply and reliably levitate drops, discuss why such drops are desirable for studying biochemical reactions, especially those generating or consuming free radicals, and report progress towards routine kinetics measurements in microliter drops.
Organ Allocation in Lung Transplant

Since the first successful single-lung transplant in 1983 and double-lung transplant in 1986, thousands of patients have benefited from the procedures. Until 1995, allocation of donor lungs was based purely on time on the waiting list. In 1995, a 90-day credit was given to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, while still maintaining allocation based on waiting list time. In 2005, the lung allocation score (LAS) was implemented, dramatically changing the way lungs are allocated. This article will explore the reasons for the creation of the LAS, the design of the score, early experience with transplant results under the new system, and further changes that may be made to the system of lung allocation. As surgical techniques and medical management evolve, so to will the management of potential donors and the allocation of their organs, with the aim of benefiting patients needing lung transplantation in the United Sates.
Incidence of new cardiovascular events in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease seen in a vascular surgery clinic

BACKGROUND To investigate the incidence of death and of new cardiovascular events at long-term follow-up of patients with and without PAD seen in a vascular surgery clinic. MATERIAL/METHODS We investigated the incidence of death, new stroke/transient ischemic attack, new myocardial infarction, new coronary revascularization, new carotid endarterectomy, new peripheral arterial disease (PAD) revascularization, or at least one of the above outcomes at long-term follow-up of patients with and without PAD followed in a vascular surgery clinic. RESULTS At least one of the above outcomes occurred in 259 of 414 patients (63%) with PAD at 33-month follow-up and in 21 of 89 patients (24%) without PAD at 48-month follow-up (p<0.0001). Death occurred in 112 of 414 patients (27%) with PAD and in 10 of 89 patients (11%) without PAD (p=0.002). Stepwise Cox regression analysis for the time to at least one of the 6 outcomes showed that significant independent risk factors were men (hazard ratio =1.394; 95% CI, 1.072-1.813; p=0.013), estimated glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio =0.992; 95% CI, 0.987-0.997; p=0.003), and PAD (hazard ratio =3.520; 95% CI, 2.196-5.641; p<0.0001). Stepwise Cox regression analysis for the time to death showed that significant independent risk factors were age (hazard ratio =1.024; 95% CI, 1.000-1.049; p=0.048), estimated glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio =0.985; 95% CI, 0.974-0.996; p=0.007), and PAD (hazard ratio =2.157; 95% CI, 1.118-4.160; p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS Patients with PAD have a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular outcomes, especially death, new PAD revascularization, and new carotid endarterectomy, than patients without PAD followed in a vascular surgery clinic.
The use of biomarkers in surveillance, medical screening, and intervention

Building on mechanistic information, much of molecular epidemiologic research has focused on validating biomarkers, that is, assessing their ability to accurately indicate exposure, effect, disease, or susceptibility. To be of use in surveillance, medical screening, or interventions, biomarkers must already be validated so that they can be used as outcomes or indicators that can serve a particular function. In surveillance, biomarkers can be used as indicators of hazard, exposure, disease, and population risk. However, to obtain rates for these measures, the population at risk will need to be assessed. In medical screening, biomarkers can serve as early indicators of disease in asymptomatic people. This allows for the identification of those who should receive diagnostic confirmation and early treatment. In intervention (which includes risk assessment and communication, risk management, and various prevention efforts), biomarkers can be used to assess the effectiveness of a prevention or control strategy as well as help determine whether the appropriate individuals are assigned to the correct intervention category. Biomarkers can be used to provide group and individual risk assessments that can be the basis for marshalling resources. Critical for using biomarkers in surveillance, medical screening, and intervention is the justification that the biomarkers can provide information not otherwise accessible by a less expensive and easier-to-obtain source of information, such as medical records, surveys, or vital statistics. The ability to use validated biomarkers in surveillance, medical screening, and intervention will depend on the extent to which a strategy for evidence-based procedures for biomarker knowledge transfer can be developed and implemented. This will require the interaction of researchers and decision-makers to collaborate on public health and medical issues.
Mortuary practices: Their social, philosophical-religious, circumstantial, and physical determinants

Recent, mainstream, American mortuary archaeology, in its paradigmatic outlook, middle-range theory, analytic methodology, and case studies, has emphasized social organization as the primary factor that determines mortuary practices. Broader anthropological and social science traditions have recognized philosophical-religious beliefs as additional, important determinants. The historical roots of mortuary archaeology's focus on the social, and the consequence of this on theory development, is reviewed. Then, through a Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) cross-cultural survey, the kinds of philosophical-religious, social organizational, circumstantial, and physical factors that affect specific kinds of mortuary practices, and the relative importance of these factors, are documented. The data are also used to test basic premises that mortuary archaeologists routinely use today to reconstruct social organization. A balanced, more holistic, and multidisciplinary approach, which considers many kinds of causes beyond social ones, is found necessary to interpret mortuary remains and to reconstruct the past from them.
Fluorine-18-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography imaging with magnetic resonance and computed tomographic correlation in the evaluation of bone and soft-tissue sarcomas: a pictorial essay.

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has a growing role as an imaging modality to be used in conjunction with magnetic resonance and computed tomographic imaging in the detection, staging, and management of many sarcomas and carcinomas. Since PET is a relatively new modality and the incidence of sarcomas is low, it has not yet been approved for use in all bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. The purpose of this article is to pictorially evaluate soft-tissue and bone sarcomas, including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, synovial sarcoma, osteosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, and myxofibrosarcoma. This pictorial essay illustrates and describes these tumors in various stages of disease progression vis-a-vis fluorine-18-deoxyglucose–PET imaging with computed tomographic and magnetic resonance correlation. Various stages of disease progression will be discussed including initial diagnosis, treatment response, and metastatic involvement.
Embodied cognition and linguistic comprehension

Abstract Traditionally, the language faculty was supposed to be a device that maps linguistic inputs to semantic or conceptual representations. These representations themselves were supposed to be distinct from the representations manipulated by the hearer’s perceptual and motor systems. Recently this view of language has been challenged by advocates of embodied cognition. Drawing on empirical studies of linguistic comprehension, they have proposed that the language faculty reuses the very representations and processes deployed in perceiving and acting. I review some of the evidence and arguments in favor of the embodied view of language comprehension, and argue that none of it is conclusive. Moreover, the embodied view itself blurs two important distinctions: first, the distinction between linguistic comprehension and its typical consequences; and second, the distinction between representational content and vehicles. Given that these distinctions are well-motivated, we have good reason to reject the embodied view of linguistic understanding.
The Role of HRD in Crisis Situations: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina:

Investor fraud, scandals, terrorist acts, and natural disasters are typical unexpected crises organizations can face today. As a consequence, knowledge management and change management have become central themes in organizations.Although the field of Human Resource Development (HRD) has not focused extensively on crisis intervention, recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina have started grasping the attention of HRD scholars and practitioners who recognize the role organizational development can play. This article examines knowledge sharing in crisis situations. Specifically, it analyses a 2006 report from the U.S. government on the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina by identifying its key themes, scenario facts, and lessons learned. It then makes suggestions on how organizations can improve knowledge-sharing practices in crisis situations, such as the development of integrative planning between agencies and the establishment of robust systems to capture, manage, and disseminate l...
New Procedure for Selecting Chemical Treatments for Unpaved Roads

There is increasing interest in the use of chemical treatments to reduce maintenance and gravel replacement on gravel roads. However, the choice of the most appropriate chemical treatment is difficult because of the proprietary nature of many of the available treatments. A new approach to the selection of an appropriate chemical treatment is based on the practitioner's understanding of the roads that require treatment in terms of traffic, climate, geometry, and materials; of the different chemical treatment categories; and of the objective for applying a chemical treatment. From the information collected, the most appropriate chemical treatment categories for a given situation can be selected from a series of charts and ranked by using a simple arithmetical formula. The ability to rank the treatments available differentiates this procedure from previous procedures documented in the literature. The selection can be refined by evaluating expected performance with prediction charts that are based on material...
Advances in Antiplatelet Therapy: Agents in Clinical Development

Antiplatelet agents are the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes and patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The current "gold standard" consists of a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel administered orally shortly before invasive procedures and then continued in the form of maintenance doses. Not all patients respond optimally to standard therapy. Resistance to the antiplatelet activity of both drugs when used either singly or in combination has been observed and may lead to treatment failure, including further atherothrombotic events. Potential limitations associated with the combined use of aspirin and clopidogrel have inspired clinical investigation into several promising new antiplatelet agents as potential additions or alternatives to standard therapy. The candidates include prasugrel, which has a mechanism similar to that of clopidogrel but with superior pharmacokinetics; ticagrelor, a nonthienopyridine that binds reversibly to the platelet P2Y 12 receptor; cangrelor, an intravenously administered analogue of ticagrelor; and various thrombin receptor antagonists.
Single-mode fibre fractional wave devices and polarisation controllers

We describe new single-mode fibre optic devices which are completely equivalent to fractional wave plates of classical optics. They employ a very simple configuration which uses the stress birefringence induced by bending the fibre. Several devices can be combined to control the polarisation inside any single-mode fibre.
Forskolin stabilizes epsilon subunit-containing acetylcholine receptors

Fetal muscle-like acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are composed of alpha, beta, gamma, delta subunits (gamma-AChRs) and have a rapid half life (t1/2), whereas adult muscle-like AChRs are composed of alpha, beta, epsilon, delta subunits (epsilon-AChRs) and have a slow t1/2. Two populations of AChRs, a slowly degrading population and a rapidly degrading population, have been shown to coexist in the postsynaptic membrane after denervation [In: Penn et al. (Eds.), Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders, Vol. 681, NY Acad. Sci., 1993, pp. 155-164]. Treatment of rat myotubes or mouse diaphragm muscle in organ culture with forskolin or cAMP analogues causes and increase in the t1/2 of the slowly degrading population of AChRs with no apparent effect on the rapidly degrading population of AChRs19. In this study, we have investigated the effect of forskolin on the cell surface half-lives of mouse gamma-AChRs, epsilon-AChRs and alpha beta delta complexes stably expressed in mouse fibroblasts. Forskolin had no significant effect on the t1/2 of gamma-AChRs or alpha beta delta complexes. The effect of forskolin on surface AChRs (alpha beta gamma delta) expressed in the C2 muscle cell line was similar to its effect on gamma-AChRs expressed in fibroblasts. In contrast, forskolin stabilized the epsilon-AChRs by approximately 2 fold. We show that the epsilon-subunit is phosphorylated in vivo, phosphorylation of epsilon increases with forskolin treatment, and the forskolin effect is reversible. Although the precise role of epsilon-subunit phosphorylation is yet to be determined, our results support the hypothesis that the slowly degrading population of AChRs consists of epsilon-AChRs and the rapidly degrading population of AChRs consists of gamma-AChRs.
Communication by Design: A Collaborative Project for Student Choreographers and Costume Designers

Communication by Design was a year-long project that was developed to foster an important dialogue between emerging student costume designers and student choreographers. Two university professors, ...
EXACT TRANSIENT VIBRATION OF NONUNIFORM BARS, SHAFTS AND STRINGS GOVERNED BY WAVE EQUATIONS

A new analytical method is developed for transient solutions for bars in longitudinal vibration, shafts in torsional vibration and strings in transverse vibration. These vibrating continua have nonuniform distributions of geometric and material properties, and are governed by second-order partial differential equations (wave equations). Based on a transfer function formulation and a residue formula, the proposed method delivers exact solutions for several types of nonuniform systems subject to external, boundary and initial disturbances. The proposed method does not need system eigenfunctions, and is numerically efficient as it only involves simple operations of two-by-two matrices.
Chronic alcohol intake during adolescence, but not adulthood, promotes persistent deficits in risk-based decision making

BACKGROUND: Adolescent alcohol use is a major public health concern and is strongly correlated with the development of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. Adolescence is characterized by maturation and remodeling of brain regions implicated in decision making and therefore may be uniquely vulnerable to environmental insults such as alcohol exposure. We have previously demonstrated that voluntary alcohol consumption in adolescence results in maladaptive risk-based decision making in adulthood. However, it is unclear whether this effect on risk-based decision making can be attributed to chronic alcohol use in general or to a selective effect of alcohol use during the adolescent period. METHODS: Ethanol (EtOH) was presented to adolescent (postnatal day [PND] 30 to 49) and adult rats (PND 80 to 99) for 20 days, either 24 hours or 1 h/d, in a gel matrix consisting of distilled water, gelatin, polycose (10%), and EtOH (10%). The 24-hour time course of EtOH intake was measured and compared between adolescent and adult animals. Following 20 days of withdrawal from EtOH, we assessed risk-based decision making with a concurrent instrumental probability-discounting task. Blood EtOH concentrations (BECs) were taken from trunk blood and assessed using the Analox micro-stat GM7 in separate groups of animals at different time points. RESULTS: Unlike animals exposed to EtOH during adolescence, animals exposed to alcohol during adulthood did not display differences in risk preference compared to controls. Adolescent and adult rats displayed similar EtOH intake levels and patterns when given either 24- or 1-hour access per day. In addition, while both groups reached significant BEC levels, we failed to find a difference between adult and adolescent animals. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we show that adolescent, but not adult, EtOH intake leads to a persistent increase in risk preference which cannot be attributed to differences in intake levels or BECs attained. Our findings support previous work implicating adolescence as a time period of heightened susceptibility to the long-term negative effects of alcohol exposure. Language: en
Mitochondrial Fusion Dynamics in Human Skeletal Muscle-Derived Cells

Mitochondria have a fundamental role in both muscle physiology and pathology. Mitochondrial fusion and fission are important for energy metabolism, calcium homeostasis and cell death. However, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dynamics are poorly understood, especially in physiological models such as skeletal muscle. Here we evaluated mitochondrial fusion dynamics in human skeletal muscle cells (HUSMC). Skeletal muscle satellite cells were isolated from human muscle biopsies and were maintained and differentiated in cell culture. Mitochondrial fusion events were evaluated by confocal imaging of cells expressing mitochondria matrix targeted DsRed and matrix targeted or outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) targeted photoactivatable-GFP. When we tagged the mitochondria in ∼20% of total cellular area with photoactivated-GFP, we found those mitochondria undergoing matrix fusion with a frequency of 1.3 ± 0.1 events/min/cell (n=70). Among the fusion events, 40% led to complete fusion and only 10% was followed by separation at the apparent fusion site within 20 to 40 seconds. Both complete and transient fusion events resulted mostly from longitudinal mergers, involving end to end interaction or from mergers of adjacent mitochondria in side to side orientation. Furthermore, we found that OMM and matrix fusion are sequential and separable steps, displaying 5.8 ± 1 seconds gap (n=10). Finally, we evaluated the mitochondrial fusion dynamics in HUSMC derived from both normal and malignant hyperthermia susceptible individuals. At resting state, no significant differences were found in the number of events or in their characteristics. Thus, mitochondrial fusion commonly occurs in HUSMC, and enables mixing of both soluble and integral membrane factors. This process would help to maintain the stability of mitochondrial metabolism. The relatively low frequency of the transient fusion is probably due to the parallel organization of the cytoskeletal tracks for mitochondria and to the limited mitochondrial motility.
Fungal Community Responses to Past and Future Atmospheric CO2 Differ by Soil Type

Soils sequester and release substantial atmospheric carbon, but the contribution of fungal communities to soil carbon balance under rising CO2 is not well understood. Soil properties likely mediate these fungal responses but are rarely explored in CO2 experiments. We studied soil fungal communities in a grassland ecosystem exposed to a preindustrial-to-future CO2 gradient (250 to 500 ppm) in a black clay soil and a sandy loam soil. Sanger sequencing and pyrosequencing of the rRNA gene cluster revealed that fungal community composition and its response to CO2 differed significantly between soils. Fungal species richness and relative abundance of Chytridiomycota (chytrids) increased linearly with CO2 in the black clay (P 0.7), whereas the relative abundance of Glomeromycota (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) increased linearly with elevated CO2 in the sandy loam (P = 0.02, R(2) = 0.63). Across both soils, decomposition rate was positively correlated with chytrid relative abundance (r = 0.57) and, in the black clay soil, fungal species richness. Decomposition rate was more strongly correlated with microbial biomass (r = 0.88) than with fungal variables. Increased labile carbon availability with elevated CO2 may explain the greater fungal species richness and Chytridiomycota abundance in the black clay soil, whereas increased phosphorus limitation may explain the increase in Glomeromycota at elevated CO2 in the sandy loam. Our results demonstrate that soil type plays a key role in soil fungal responses to rising atmospheric CO2.
Correlation between subjective and objective results in nasal surgery.

Background: There is a lack of medical literature demonstrating a positive correlation between subjective and objective results in functional nasal surgery. Objective: The author presents his experience measuring nasal function subjectively and objectively before and after functional nasal surgery. Methods: Between March 2011 and June 2012, a total of 119 consecutive patients with nasal obstruction underwent rhinoplasty with a variety of septorhinoplasty techniques. Results were evaluated with a scientifically validated patient questionnaire as well as pre- and postoperative rhinomanometry measurement comparisons. Preoperative and postoperative rhinomanometry measurements were standard protocol, and the rhinomanometry measurements were designed as a prospective study. Results: Ninety of the 119 patients had postoperative rhinomanometry measurements that could be compared with preoperative values, and these patients were included in the study. Statistically significant subjective and objective functional improvements were reported in 98.9% and 95.6% of patients, respectively, while 94.4% of patients had both subjective and objective statistically significant functional improvement. A statistically significant correlation between the subjective and objective improvements was noted. Conclusions: The findings provide statistically significant evidence to support surgical treatment of nasal obstruction. Level of Evidence: 3 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Uterine stem cells

The uterus is essential for reproduction in most mammalian species and is arguably the most naturally plastic organ in terms of tissue remodeling in mammals. Histologically, the uterus is divided into the endometrium and the outer smooth muscle layer called the myometrium. The endometrium harbors epithelial (glandular and luminal) and fibroblast-like stromal cells, and is separated physiologically into the functionalis (inner most region nearest the lumen) and basalis layers. The key morphological changes that the uterus undergoes are in response to cyclical hormonal cues from the ovary and from the implanting embryo during pregnancy. During menses and following parturition, the functionalis layer of the endometrium regresses and is lost in primates and must be replaced. During pregnancy, the wet weight of the uterus increases 10-fold largely due to myometrial smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. We believe that the remodeling of the uterus in response to these stimuli and its return to a basal state requires adult stem (or progenitor) cells that reside in the individual endometrial and myometrial compartments. Furthermore, we suspect that several pathological conditions, such as endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and leiomyomata (i.e., uterine fibroids), can be attributed to dysregulation of these same stem cells, or are derived from committed cells that acquire stem-like features. We will review uterine development and its response to hormonal cycling and pregnancy, uterine neoplasia, and the evidence for a role for uterine stem cells in these settings.
Engineering artificial intelligence

Abstract Current Artificial Intelligence can be used to good effect in engineering systems for emulating some high-level mental functions of humans but is not suitable for coping with many other difficult tasks, especially those involving combined perception and cognition. Neural-net computing on the other hand seems to be better suited to meeting the demands of those types of tasks. These matters are discussed in this paper and it is suggested that the type of Artificial Intelligence appropriate for use in an engineering system will be an evolved one combining the strengths of symbolic processing and neural-net computing.
Liver dysfunction as a predictor of outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure requiring ventricular assist device support: Use of the Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and MELD eXcluding INR (MELD-XI) scoring system

Background Liver dysfunction increases post-surgical morbidity and mortality. The Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) estimates liver function but can be inaccurate in patients receiving oral anti-coagulation. We evaluated the effect of liver dysfunction on outcomes after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation and the dynamic changes in liver dysfunction that occur during VAD support. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 255 patients (147 with pulsatile devices and 108 with continuous-flow devices) who received a long-term VAD between 2000 and 2010. Liver dysfunction was estimated by MELD and MELD-eXcluding INR (MELD-XI), with patients grouped by a score of ≥ 17 or Results MELD and MELD-XI correlated highly ( R ≥ 0.901, p p p = 0.0193). However, if MELD-XI normalized during VAD support, post-transplant survival improved and was similar to that of patients with low MELD-XI scores. Conclusions MELD-XI is a viable alternative for assessing liver dysfunction in heart failure patients on oral anti-coagulation. Liver dysfunction is associated with worse survival. However, if MELD-XI improves during VAD support, post-transplant survival is similar to those without prior liver dysfunction, suggesting an important prognostic role. We also found evidence of a transient cholestatic state after LVAD implantation that deserves further examination.
Achieving resilience in critical infrastructures: A case study for a nuclear power plant cooling loop

Engineered systems are increasingly equipped with sensing and actuating equipment making the operation ans supervisory task increasingly difficult to handle by means of human interaction alone. In particular, the detection, identification and accommodation of abnormal, potentially harmful, events has been a long-standing challenge. Many scientists in different scientific areas have attacked this problem which has resulted in a plethora of techniques for both Fault Detection and Identification (FDI) and advanced control, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Because of the diverse nature of adopted theory and paradigms and because of a historical separation of FDI specialists and control theoreticians, it remains a challenge to establish automated systems able to handle exceptional events with minimal human intervention. As such, a project has been set up to enable full integration of diverse FDI methods as well as optimal coupling of FDI modules and control modules in the closed-loop supervisory control system. In this contribution, we introduce the basic paradigms of our approach, a strategic plan to achieve this goal as well as some preliminary results.
California emergency department visit rates for medical conditions increased while visit rates for injuries fell, 2005-11

The emergency department (ED) is the source of most hospital admissions; provides care for patients with no other point of access to the health care system; receives advanced care referrals from primary care physicians; and provides surveillance data on injuries, infectious diseases, violence, and adverse drug events. Understanding the changes in the profile of disease in the ED can inform emergency services administration and planning and can provide insight into the public’s health. We analyzed the trends in the diagnoses seen in California EDs from 2005 to 2011, finding that while the ED visit rate for injuries decreased by 0.7 percent, the rate of ED visits for noninjury diagnoses rose 13.4 percent. We also found a rise in symptom-related diagnoses, such as abdominal pain, along with nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal disease, and mental illness. These trends point out the increasing importance of EDs in providing care for complex medical cases, as well as the changing nature of illness in the...
Statistical modelling of polarisation induced fading in interferometric fibre sensors

The probability functions associated with the polarisation parameters of an optical fibre interferometer, and the concomitant polarisation fading problems which arises have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. Good agreement between experimental results and theoretical models are obtained.
Exotic reservations—Low-price guarantees

Abstract The increase in the volume of internet online bookings has had a major impact on distribution channels in the hotel industry. The popularity of such services stems from the consumers’ desire to obtain the lowest rate within their desired market segment. One possible cure is to offer the best rate guarantee. We show that current rate guarantees are essentially worthless to consumers; and demonstrate how a hotel company can structure a best rate guarantee that would provide value to consumers. In addition, we show, using a well-established exotic option pricing formula, how to price this best rate guarantee so that consumers would be willing to pay for the option.
Objective and Quantitative Improvement of Rosacea‐Associated Erythema After Intense Pulsed Light Treatment

Background. Despite the widespread and quite successful use of various lasers and light sources to treat facial erythema, the literature contains little, if any, objective and quantitative improvement. In addition, very few studies specifically address rosacea-associated erythema. Objective. To assess quantitatively the degree of improvement in patients with rosacea after intense pulsed light treatment. The three main parameters that were objectively measured were blood flow, telangiectasia, and erythema. Methods. Four patients with rosacea-associated erythema and telangiectasia were treated five times at 3-week intervals with the Photoderm VL (Lumenis, Needham, MA). The 515-nm filter, a single pulse duration of 3 ms, and various fluences were used. Blood flow was measured by the scanning laser Doppler. Close-up photography ensured reproducibility and enabled quantification of telangiectasia and erythema by subsequent computer image analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 1 month after the last treatment. Results. The scanning laser Doppler demonstrated a 30% decrease in blood flow (P<0.05). A 29% decrease in actual area of the cheek occupied by telangiectasia was noted (P<0.05). A 21% decrease in the intensity of erythema was noted (P<0.05). Conclusion. As demonstrated by truly objective and quantitative means, intense pulsed light is effective for reducing rosacea-associated blood flow, telangiectasia, and erythema.
CORRELATION BETWEEN SELF‐REPORTED RIGIDITY AND RULE‐GOVERNED INSENSITIVITY TO OPERANT CONTINGENCIES

Adults were selected on the basis of their scores on the Scale for Personality Rigidity (Rehfisch, 1958a). Their scores served as a measure of hypothesized rule governance in the natural environment. Experiment 1 studied the effects of accurate versus minimal instructions and high versus low rigidity on performance on a multiple differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 4-s fixed-ratio (FR) 18 schedule. When the schedule was switched to extinction, accurate instructions and high rigidity were associated with greater perseveration in the response pattern subjects developed during the reinforcement phase. In Experiment 2, the effects of rigidity and of accurate versus inaccurate instructions were studied. Initially, all subjects received accurate instructions about an FR schedule. The schedule was then switched to DRL, but only half of the subjects received instructions about the DRL contingency, and the other half received FR instructions as before. Accurate instructions minimized individual differences because both high and low scorers on the rigidity scale earned points in DRL. However, when inaccurate instructions were provided, all high-rigidity subjects followed them although they did not earn points on the schedule, whereas most low-rigidity subjects abandoned them and responded appropriately to DRL. The experiments demonstrate a correlation between performances observed in the human operant laboratory and a paper-and-pencil test of rigidity that purportedly reflects important response styles that differentiate individuals in the natural environment. Implications for applied research and intervention are discussed.