cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk of hypertension in cancer patients treated with sorafenib: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, has been reported to be associated with hypertension (HTN). However, the risk of severe HTN with sorafenib treatment has not been well described. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis of high-grade HTN in cancer patients treated with sorafenib. Medline databases and the American Society of Clinical Oncology online database of meeting abstracts were searched up to August 2012 for relevant clinical trials. Eligible studies included phase II and III trials of sorafenib in patients with any type of cancer describing events of HTN according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. The summary incidence, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The incidence of sorafenib-associated high-grade (grade 3-4) HTN was 6.0% (95% CI 4.7-7.3) in a total of 4722 patients from 55 trials of sorafenib as a single agent. Sorafenib-treated patients (4878 subjects from 13 randomized trials) had a significantly higher risk of high-grade HTN (RR 3.20 (95% CI 2.19-4.68)). Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly higher RR of high-grade HTN in patients receiving sorafenib as a single agent compared with patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy or immunotherapy (P=0.0076). The incidence of high-grade HTN associated with sorafenib was significantly higher in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) than those with non-RCC cancer (P<0.0001) as well as patients treated with sorafenib for a longer duration than those treated for a shorter duration (P=0.003). The use of sorafenib is associated with a significantly higher risk of high-grade HTN compared with control.
Comparisons of three radiographic views in assessing for scapholunate instability

Background Multiple wrist x-ray images have been described to assess for scapholunate (SL) instability. Some views may be redundant. The purpose of this study was to compare three plain x-ray views in identifying a traumatic diastasis of the SL interval.
Measured performance for proposed depolarizer for the ocean radiometer for carbon assessment

The Ocean Radiometer for Carbon Assessment (ORCA) is a new design concept for the next generation ocean biology and biogeochemistry satellite sensor. The wavelength range will be from the near UV, through the visible and to the Short Wave infrared. The challenge in this design is to remove the polarization effects from the optical performance of this hyper spectral observing instrument. In order to remove any polarization sensitivity during observation, the design calls for a front-end depolarizer that consists of two wedged birefringent magnesium fluoride crystals. Here we discuss the polarimetry measurements performed on this polarization scrambler, the depolarizer design and compare these results with model calculations.
Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis: inflammatory mimic of pancreatic carcinoma.

Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LP) is a rare cause of benign mass lesions of the pancreas that can resemble adenocarcinoma. This study evaluates and classifies a series of patients with LP. Patients with benign pancreatic disease were identified from a prospective pancreatic database, and these cases were reviewed to identify patients with LP. Patients were subdivided into two groups: (1) classic LP, which included those patients who had all four of the characteristic histologic features of LP, including lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the pancreas, interstitial fibrosis, periductal inflammation, and peri-phlebitis; and (2) intermediate LP, which included patients with at least two of these histologic findings. Patient demographics, pathologic and clinical features, and outcome were analyzed. From 1985 to 2001, a total of 1287 pancreatic resections were performed at our institution, of which 159 were for benign disease. Of these, 31 had pathologic features consistent with LP, and all of these patients had a presumed preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Most of these patients presented with jaundice (n = 21) or abdominal pain (n = 7). In 29 of 31 patients, curative resection was possible. Of these, 28% (8/29) developed recurrence after resection: seven with jaundice and one with recurrent pancreatitis (median time to recurrence, 11 months; median follow up, 38 months). All patients with recurrent jaundice appeared to have biliary strictures at the time of direct cholangiography and no patient had malignancy. A review of the pathology reports identified 19 patients with classic LP and 12 patients with intermediate LP, and there was no difference between these two groups. LP is a rare cause of pancreatitis that is difficult to differentiate from carcinoma preoperatively. Patients with classic and intermediate LP appear to demonstrate a similar clinical behavior. Nearly one third of patients have a progressive course after resection, with 25% developing recurrent jaundice; thus close follow-up is mandatory for all patients.
Physicochemical and sensory characteristic changes in fortified peanut spreads after 3 months of storage at different temperatures.

Three amino acid-balanced, vitamin- and mineral-fortified peanut spreads were stored at 4, 23, and 40 °C for 3 months. These were 69.6% peanut/19% soybean−40.5% fat, 61.9% peanut/19% soybean−44.5% fat, and 74.1% peanut/14% nonfat dry milk (NFDM)−40% fat. The peanut spreads were fortified with vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, and iron to provide 33.3% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for children. Water-soluble vitamins were quite stable in deaerated peanut spreads. The antioxidant activity of phytochemicals in soybean prevented vitamin A degradation in soy-containing spreads, whereas the NFDM spread lost 70% of the initial content. Instron analysis detected major changes in texture when peanut spreads were stored at 40 °C, suggesting that the polymorphic form of lipid transformed and the proper crystallization of stabilizer was destroyed. Panelists did not detect the texture changes in peanut spreads stored at different temperatures. At 40 °C, the primary deteriorative ...
An Ecological Examination of Older Remarried Couples

Remarriage is a growing phenomenon in society. Remarriage and stepfamily dynamics are well documented in early midlife, but such dynamics have yet to be fully recognized or understood with respect to older adults. This is important, given that couples entering remarriage during their later adult years (60+) are likely to face challenges that are unique to their stage of life. As such, this article examines contextual variables as related to later-life remarriage through the lens of the human ecological theory. Clinical implications and future directions are provided.
The Nonconscious Influence of Religious Symbols in Motivated Performance Situations

Anthropological, sociological, and psychological theories suggest that religious symbols should influence motivational processes during performance of goal-relevant tasks. In two experiments, positive and negative religious (Christian) symbols were presented outside of participants' conscious awareness. These symbols influenced cardiovascular responses consistent with challenge and threat states during a subsequent speech task, particularly when the speech topic concerned participants' mortality, and only for Christian participants; similar images lacking Christian meaning were not influential. Results suggested that these effects were due to the learned meaning of the symbols and point to the importance of religion as a coping resource.
Similarities and differences in group and family therapy

Abstract The author examines contextual and process similarities and differences in group and family therapy, with emphasis on Yalom's group therapy and structural, strategic, and symbolic-experiential family therapy
Investigations of the pathogenesis of acquired pendular nystagmus

We investigated the pathogenesis of acquired pendular nystagmus (APN) in six patients, three of whom had multiple sclerosis. First, we tested the hypothesis that the oscillations of APN are due to a delay in visual feedback secondary, for example, to demyelination of the optic nerves. We manipulated the latency to onset of visually guided eye movements using an electronic technique that induces sinusoidal oscillations in normal subjects. This manipulation did not change the characteristics of the APN, but did superimpose lower-frequency oscillations similar to those induced in normal subjects. These results are consistent with current models for smooth (non-saccadic) eye movements, which predict that prolongation of visual feedback could not account for the high-frequency oscillations that often characterize APN. Secondly, we attempted to determine whether an increase in the gain of the visually-enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), produced by viewing a near target, was accompanied by a commensurate increase in the amplitude of APN. Increases in horizontal or vertical VOR gain during near viewing occurred in four patients, but only two of them showed a parallel increase in APN amplitude. On the other hand, APN amplitude decreased during viewing of the near target in the two patients who showed no change in VOR gain. Taken together, these data suggest that neither delayed visual feedback nor a disorder of central vestibular mechanisms is primarily responsible for APN. More likely, these ocular oscillations are produced by abnormalities of internal feedback circuits, such as the reciprocal connections between brainstem nuclei and cerebellum.
Predicting pain among children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. Children and adolescents with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) often report pain as a major symptom that affects their daily activities. Little is known about the factors that contribute to pain, however. Demographic, disease status, and social-psychologic variables were used to predict pain of JRA. Methods. Participants were 37 girls and 23 boys who were 7 to 17 years old. Measures included the Hopelessness Scale for Children, the Sadness Scale from the Differential Emotions Scale—IV, and the Social Support Questionnaire-Revised. A pain visual analogue scale served as the criterion measure. Results. Reported pain was modestly correlated with disease duration and age. A hierarchical regression indicated that the predictor variables accounted for a modest amount of variance in pain scores. Conclusions. The results suggest that the factors contributing to pain in children with JRA are different from those in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research is needed to identify the psychologic and socioenvironmental variables that influence pain among children with JRA.
Plumes: Response of time migration to lateral velocity variation

We analyze how time migration mispositions events in the presence of lateral velocity variation by examining the impulse response of depth modeling followed by time migration. By examining this impulse response, we lay the groundwork for the development of a remedial migration operator that links time and depth migration. A simple theory by Black and Brzostowski predicted that the response of zero‐offset time migration to a point diffractor in a v(x, z) medium would be a distinctive, cusp‐shaped curve called a plume. We have constructed these plumes by migrating synthetic data using several time‐migration methods. We have also computed the shape of the plumes by two geometrical construction methods. These two geometrical methods compare well and explain the observed migration results. The plume response is strongly influenced by migration velocity. We have studied this dependency by migrating synthetic data with different velocities. The observed velocity dependence is confirmed by geometrical constructio...
Investigation of the heparin-thrombin interaction by dynamic force spectroscopy.

Abstract Background The interaction between heparin and thrombin is a vital step in the blood (anti)coagulation process. Unraveling the molecular basis of the interactions is therefore extremely important in understanding the mechanisms of this complex biological process. Methods In this study, we use a combination of an efficient thiolation chemistry of heparin, a self-assembled monolayer-based single molecule platform, and a dynamic force spectroscopy to provide new insights into the heparin–thrombin interaction from an energy viewpoint at the molecular scale. Results Well-separated single molecules of heparin covalently attached to mixed self-assembled monolayers are demonstrated, whereby interaction forces with thrombin can be measured via atomic force microscopy-based spectroscopy. Further these interactions are studied at different loading rates and salt concentrations to directly obtain kinetic parameters. Conclusions An increase in the loading rate shows a higher interaction force between the heparin and thrombin, which can be directly linked to the kinetic dissociation rate constant (koff). The stability of the heparin/thrombin complex decreased with increasing NaCl concentration such that the off-rate was found to be driven primarily by non-ionic forces. General significance These results contribute to understanding the role of specific and nonspecific forces that drive heparin–thrombin interactions under applied force or flow conditions.
The effect of atropine sulphate on men exposed to warm environments.

1. The process of acclimatization to hot dry (110° F., 36 per cent R.H.) and warm moist (90° F., 81 per cent R.H.) environments have been studied using 40 male volunteers, and the effects of I.M. injection of 2 mg. atropine sulphate on the 5th and 10th days of exposure assessed. 2. In both environments acclimatization consisted of a readjustment of cardiovascular balance, an increase in sweat loss (hot and dry only), a decrease in sweat chloride content and an increase in blood volume. 3. Atropine increased circulatory embarrassment by raising the pulse rate and by general vasodilation, and added to the climatic stress by limitation of sweating. In an unacclimatized or partially acclimatized individual in a hot dry environment, circulatory failure and cerebral irritation would be likely to produce casualties before failure of the heat-controlling mechanism could develop. 4. Subjective and individual effects of both heat and atropine are discussed.
Optical Properties of β′-AuZn by Wavelength-Modulated Derivative Spectroscopy

Derivative spectra of the optical properties of β′-AuZn are obtained using wavelength-modulated spectroscopy between 1.5 and 5.1 eV. Assignments are made for the interband transition at the M point of the Brillouin zone which fix the transition energies with an accuracy previously unattained. Es werden Ableitungsspektren der optischen Eigenschaften von β′-AuZn mittels wellenlangenmodulierter Spektroskopie zwischen 1,5 und 5,1 eV erhalten. Fur den Interbandubergang am M-Punkt der Erillouin-Zone werden Zuordnungen gemacht, welche die Ubergangsenergien mit einer bisher unerreichten Genauigkeit festlegen.
Numerical Characterization and Optimization of the Microfluidics for Nanowire Biosensors

The present study aims to enhance the analyte transport to the surface of nanowires (NWs) through optimizing the sensing configuration and the flow patterns inside the microfluidic channel, and hence to reduce the response time of NW biosensors. Specifically, numerical simulations were carried out to quantitatively investigate the effects of the fundamental surface reaction, convection, and diffusion processes on the sensing performance. Although speeding up all these processes will reduce the sensing response time, enhancing the diffusional transport was found to be most effective. Moreover, the response time of NW biosensors is inversely proportional to the local concentration of the analyte in the vicinity of the NWs, which suggests that the sensing response time can be significantly reduced by replenishing the local analyte rapidly. Therefore, the following three optimization strategies were proposed and their effects on the time response of NWs were characterized systematically: device substrate pass...
Do the Poor Pay More? An Empirical Investigation of PriceDispersion in Food Retailing

On the question of whether prices are higher in poor, urban neighborhoods, the prior research is decidedly mixed. This paper revisits the question by analyzing unpublished price-level data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for construction of the Consumer Price Index. Using this large, statistically representative sample of stores in poor and affluent neighborhoods, I first estimate if a price difference exists. I then empirically test the major arguments in support of disparate prices such as differences in quality, operating and consumer search costs. I also explore the relationship between pricing strategies and the racial and ethnic composition of poor neighborhoods. I find that market prices are up to 6 percent less in poor neighborhoods after controlling for a variety of covariates. In addition, I find that poor, predominantly white and Hispanic neighborhoods experience significant discounts, while market prices in poor, predominantly black neighborhoods are comparable to those in affluent white areas.
A Latent Heat Retrieval and Its Effects on the Intensity and Structure Change of Hurricane Guillermo (1997). Part II: Numerical Simulations

AbstractIn Part I of this study, a new algorithm for retrieving the latent heat field in tropical cyclones from airborne Doppler radar was presented and fields from rapidly intensifying Hurricane Guillermo (1997) were shown. In Part II, the usefulness and relative accuracy of the retrievals is assessed by inserting the heating into realistic numerical simulations at 2-km resolution and comparing the generated wind structure to the radar analyses of Guillermo. Results show that using the latent heat retrievals as forcing produces very low intensity and structure errors (in terms of tangential wind speed errors and explained wind variance) and significantly improves simulations relative to a predictive run that is highly calibrated to the latent heat retrievals by using an ensemble Kalman filter procedure to estimate values of key model parameters.Releasing all the heating/cooling in the latent heat retrieval results in a simulation with a large positive bias in Guillermo’s intensity that motivates the need...
A Parent–Child Interactional Model of Social Anxiety Disorder in Youth

In this paper, one of the most common disorders of childhood and adolescence, social anxiety disorder (SAD), is examined to illustrate the complex and delicate interplay between parent and child factors that can result in normal development gone awry. Our parent–child model of SAD posits a host of variables that converge to occasion the onset and maintenance of this disorder. Specifically, five risk factors—temperamental characteristics of the child, parental anxiety, attachment processes in the parent–child dyad, information processing biases, and parenting practices—will be highlighted. While it is acknowledged that other factors including genetic influences and peer relationships may also be important, they are simply not the focus of this paper. Within these constraints, the implications of our parent–child interaction model for prevention, treatment, research, and practice will be explored.
Single Myosin Lever Arm Orientation in a Muscle Fiber Detected with Photoactivatable GFP

Myosin 2 is the molecular motor in muscle. It binds actin and executes a power stroke by rotating its lever arm through an angle of ∼70° to translate actin against resistive force. Myosin 2 has evolved to function optimally under crowded conditions where rates and equilibria of macromolecular reactions undergo major shifts relative to those measured in dilute solution. Hence, an important research objective is to detect in situ the lever arm orientation. Single-molecule measurements are preferred because they clarify ambiguities that are unavoidable with ensemble measurements; however, detecting single molecules in the condensed tissue medium where the myosin concentration exceeds 100 μM is challenging. A myosin light chain (MLC) tagged with photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (PAGFP) was constructed. The recombinant MLC physically and functionally replaced native MLC on the myosin lever arm in a permeabilized skeletal muscle fiber. Probe illumination volume was minimized using total internal refle...
Inhibition of the sleep-related peak in physiologic human growth hormone release by somatostatin.

ABSTRACT The synthetic linear tetradecapeptide, somatostatin, (125–250 μg bolus followed by constant infusion of 9–10 μg/min) was given over the first 90 min of sleep on 2 nights to each of 4 normal young men and on one night to an acromegalic patient. Complete inhibition of the sleep-related physiologic peak in nychthemeral hGH release was seen during infusion on all 8 nights in normal subjects and a 50% reduction was seen in the acromegalic. This occurred without alteration in sleep in the first cycle. Thus, potent SRIF activity in re physiologic and pathologic hGH release was exhibited by somatostatin.
Is intraoperative echocardiography a useful monitor in the operating room

Few cardiac surgeons or anesthesiologists would argue with the view that intraoperative echocardiography, both transesophageal and epicardial, has become an important diagnostic tool. Specific diagnostic applications primarily involve valve reconstruction and replacement, as well as complex congenital heart disease repairs. Routine echocardiographic monitoring in cardiac operations is, however, controversial. Three specific modalities may benefit from this technology. Aortic root scanning before cannulation/proximal coronary anastomoses using surface echocardiography is one. Areas with significant atherosclerosis can be identified and manipulation avoided. Another is quantification of global left-ventricular function using transesophageal echocardiography. This method may have specific relevance to patients requiring mechanical circulatory assistance. Using echocardiography to monitor ischemic regional wall-motion abnormalities and using the findings to predict an unfavorable outcome is a third suggested use for perioperative monitoring in cardiac surgery.
Influencing the approach to the localization threshold

Abstract We argue that the Thouless criterion for localization is universal. Because the Thouless number δ is the ratio of the width and spacing of the modes of the sample, it can be adjusted by changing the macroscopic characteristics of the sample, such as the transverse dimensions, the reflectivity at the boundaries and the character of internal microstructure resonances. We find the dependence of the correlation parameter δ-1 and hence of the proximity to the localization threshold upon these characteristics. These results are illustrated by microwave and optical experiments.
Posttherapy pathologic stage predicts survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma receiving preoperative chemoradiation

BACKGROUND In patients with locoregional carcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction who underwent preoperative chemoradiation, it is unclear whether survival was better predicted by pretherapy clinical stage or by posttherapy pathologic stage. METHODS The authors studied 235 consecutive patients with pretherapy clinical Stage II, III, or IVA (according to American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria) carcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction who were treated with chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy. Posttherapy cancer status was classified using pathologic stage and semiquantitative assessment of residual carcinoma. Clinicopathologic features, residual carcinoma status, and pretherapy and posttherapy stage were compared with disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS Posttherapy pathologic stage was Stage 0 in 29% of patients, Stage I in 11% of patients, Stage II in 34% of patients, Stage III in 20% of patients, and Stage IV in 6% of patients. Cancer downstaging occurred in 56% of patients. In univariate analysis, disease-free and overall survival were predicted by posttherapy pathologic stage (both with P < 0.001), margin status (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively), extent of residual carcinoma (both with P < 0.001), and downstaging (both with P = 0.001), but not by age, gender, type of cancer, pretherapy clinical stage, or preoperative regimen. However, in multivariate analysis, disease-free and overall survival were independently predicted by posttherapy pathologic stage (both with P = 0.02). Extent of residual carcinoma was a marginally significant predictor of overall survival (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Posttherapy pathologic stage was the best available predictor of outcome for patients with locoregional carcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction who underwent chemoradiation therapy followed by esophagectomy. The findings in the current study supported the concept of downstaging by preoperative therapy. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Evidence for a lack of distinct rubrospinal somatotopy in the North American opossum and for collateral innervation of the cervical and lumbar enlargements by single rubral neurons.

Studies using axonal transport techniques on the North American opossum show that rubral neurons innervating the cervical cord are not distinctly separated from those which project to lumbar levels. This absence of clear rubrospinal somatotopy contrasts with that described for the placental mammals studied to date. Use of fluorescent markers in double-labelling experiments shows that most rubral neurons in the opossum still innervate either the cervical or lumbar enlargement alone, but that some supply collaterals to both levels.
Detection and Effects on Platelet Function of Anti‐Platelet Antibody in Mule Foals with Experimentally Induced Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia

Horse mares carrying mule foals were immunized during the last trimester of pregnancy with whole acid-citrate-dextrose-antico-agulated donkey blood to experimentally induce neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia occurred in the neonatal mule foals born to immunized horse mares within 24 hours after ingestion of their dams' colostrum. Mule foals born to mares not immunized with donkey blood did not develop thrombocytopenia. These findings suggest that antibodies may have been directed against a donkey platelet antigen present in the mule foals but not present in their dams. The objectives of this study were to determine whether anti-platelet antibody could be detected in mule foals with experimentally induced neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, to identify any platelet proteins recognized by serum antibody in these foals, and to determine if platelet function was altered by sera from these mule foals. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated significantly higher absorption at 1:200 of platelet-bindable immunoglobulin G in serum from thrombocytopenic mule foals, compared with nonthrom-bocytopenic mule foals. Sera from thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic mule foals produced similar binding patterns in western immunoblots with donkey platelet proteins separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Maximal platelet aggregation and relative slope of aggregation in response to collagen were significantly inhibited after incubation with sera from thrombocytopenic mule foals. These results suggest that mule foals with induced alloimmune thrombocytopenia have serum antibodies that bind to platelets and may compete with collagen binding sites to impair platelet aggregation.
An extinction cue reduces spontaneous recovery of a conditioned taste aversion

The effect of an auditory cue presented during extinction on spontaneous recovery of a conditioned taste aversion was investigated in three experiments. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the presence of the cue during extinction did not influence saccharin consumption during that phase, and that an aversion to saccharin in the absence of the cue was stronger at 18 days than at 1 day after extinction, representing spontaneous recovery rather than a renewal effect. Experiment 2 showed that a cue presented during extinction and testing reduced spontaneous recovery. Experiment 3 replicated that effect and showed that it depended on the cue’s correlation with extinction and not on an unconditioned effect; cues that had been presented during or prior to conditioning did not reduce spontaneous recovery when presented during testing. The cue’s potential to reduce spontaneous recovery through conditioned inhibition or configural cue learning is discussed, as is the possibility that the cue retrieves a saccharin extinction memory in a manner consistent with Bouton’s (1993) account of spontaneous recovery.
Neuroglian on hemocyte surfaces is involved in homophilic and heterophilic interactions of the innate immune system of Manduca sexta

Neuroglian, a member of the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules (L1-CAMs), is expressed on surfaces of granular cells and a subset of large plasmatocytes of Manduca sexta that act as foci for hemocyte aggregation during the innate immune response. Neuroglian expressed on surfaces of transfected Sf9 cells induced their homophilic aggregation, with the aggregation being abolished in the presence of recombinant immunoglobulin (Ig) domains of neuroglian. Neuroglian and its Ig domains also can interact with hemocyte-specific integrin (HS integrin) as demonstrated with an enzyme-linked immunoassay and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. Neuroglian double-stranded (ds) RNA not only depresses expression of neuroglian in hemocytes but also depresses the cell-mediated encapsulation response of these hemocytes to foreign surfaces. After injection of a monoclonal antibody (MAb 3B11) into M. sexta larvae that recognizes the Ig domains of neuroglian, the cell-mediated encapsulation response of hemocytes was likewise inhibited. The Ig domains of neuroglian are involved in both homophilic and heterophilic interactions, and subsets of these six different Ig domains may affect different functions of neuroglian.
Differences in rates of glaucoma among Asian Americans and other racial groups, and among various Asian ethnic groups.

Purpose To determine the incidence and prevalence of different glaucoma types among Asian Americans and other races, and evaluate the hazard for glaucoma among different races and Asian ethnicities. Design Retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study. Participants A group of 2 259 061 eye care recipients, aged ≥40, who were enrolled in a US managed-care network in 2001–2007. Methods Incidence and prevalence rates of open-angle glaucoma (OAG), narrow-angle glaucoma (NAG), and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) were calculated and stratified by race and Asian ethnicity. Cox regression was performed to assess the hazard of developing OAG, NAG, and NTG for Asian Americans and other races, and among different Asian ethnicities, with adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Main Outcome Measures Multivariable adjusted hazard of OAG, NAG, and NTG among different races and Asian ethnicities. Results The OAG prevalence rate for Asian Americans, 6.52%, was similar to that of Latinos (6.40%) and higher than that of non-Hispanic whites (5.59%). The NAG and NTG prevalence rates were considerably higher among Asian Americans (3.01% and 0.73%, respectively) relative to other races. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, Asian Americans had a 51% increased hazard of OAG (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.42–1.60]), a 123% increased hazard of NAG (adjusted HR, 2.23; CI, 2.07–2.41), and a 159% increased hazard of NTG (adjusted HR, 2.59; CI, 2.22–3.02) compared with non-Hispanic whites. Vietnamese Americans (adjusted HR, 3.78; CI, 3.19–4.48), Pakistani Americans (adjusted HR, 2.45, CI 1.50–4.01), and Chinese Americans (adjusted HR, 2.31, CI 2.06–2.59) had considerably higher hazards of NAG, whereas Japanese Americans (adjusted HR, 4.37, CI 3.24–5.89) had a substantially higher hazard of NTG, compared with non–Asian Americans. Conclusions Given the rapid rise in the number of Asian Americans in the US population, resources should be devoted to identifying and treating glaucoma in these patients. Eye-care providers should be aware of the increased risk for OAG, NAG, and NTG among Asian Americans relative to other races. Knowing Asian-American patients' ancestral country of origin may permit more precise estimation of their risks for OAG, NAG, and NTG. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Residue-Specific Fluorescent Probes of α-Synuclein: Detection of Early Events at the N- and C-Termini during Fibril Assembly

In the Parkinson’s disease-associated state, α-synuclein undergoes large conformational changes, forming ordered, β-sheet-containing fibrils. To unravel the role of specific residues during the fib...
The Perceived Value of Minoan and Minoanizing Pottery in Egypt

This paper investigates the Egyptian valuation of imported Minoan and locally produced Minoanizing pottery: that is, why Egyptians found this pottery desirable, which Egyptians wanted it, and which were able to acquire it. In order to address these questions, this study first reviews the archaeological contexts of all Minoan and Minoanizing pottery in Egypt, and then compares this archaeological evidence to the textual and iconographic data on Egyptian attitudes towards Minoan goods. The results suggest that while ownership of this pottery may have carried some cultural cachet as a mark of cosmopolitan sensibilities, it was not restricted to the highest officials. Instead, the more widespread availability of Minoan and Minoanizing pottery may have enabled Egyptians from various socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in an internationalizing cultural milieu.
TRANSIENT THERMOGRAPHY OF SEMICONDUCTORS USING THE EVANESCENT MICROWAVE MICROSCOPE

Very high spatial-resolution thermography is of great importance in electronics, biology, and in many other situations where local variations in temperature are needed to study heat dissipation or to monitor metabolism rate, which can be related directly to heat production. Infrared imaging techniques probably are the best way to obtain thermal maps of large structures. However, the spatial resolution of infrared imaging techniques is limited to a few 100 micrometres, and their temperature resolution is usually around 1 degree C. Here we report on a new evanescent microwave method that is capable of mapping temperature distributions with ~ 1-micrometre spatial resolution. The temperature sensitivity of this probe was better than 0.19 V/degree C with a minimum detectable signal of 0.01 degree C and a response time of faster than 1 microsecond.
An experimental investigation on the trailing edge cooling of turbine blades

An experimental study was conducted to quantify the flow characteristics of the wall jets pertinent to trailing edge cooling of turbine blades. A high-resolution stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used to conduct detailed flow field measurements to quantitatively visualize the evolution of the unsteady vortices and turbulent flow structures in the cooling wall jet streams and to quantify the dynamic mixing process between the cooling jet stream and the mainstream flows. The detailed flow field measurements were correlated with the adiabatic cooling effectiveness maps measured by using pressure sensitive paint (PSP) technique to elucidate underlying physics in order to explore/optimize design paradigms for improved cooling effectiveness to protect the critical portions of turbine blades from harsh environments.
Unstructured spectral element methods for simulation of turbulent flows

In this paper we present a spectral element-Fourier algorithm for simulating incompressible turbulent flows in complex geometries using unstructured quadrilateral meshes. To this end, we compare two different interface formulations for extending the conforming spectral element method in order to allow for surgical mesh refinement and still retain spectral accuracy: the Zanolli iterative procedure and variational patching based on auxiliary "mortar" functions. We present an interpretation of the original mortar element method as a patching scheme and develop direct and iterative solution techniques that make the method efficient for simulations of turbulent flows. The properties of the new method are analyzed in detail by studying the eigenspectra of the advection and diffusion operators. We then present numerical results that illustrate the flexibility as well as the exponential convergence of the new algorithm for nonconforming discretizations. We conclude with simulation studies of the turbulent cylinder wake at Re = 1000 (external flow) and turbulent flow over riblets at Re = 3280 (internal flow).
The effects of oxygen diffusion on the surface photooxidation of polystyrene

This paper further illustrates the applicability of multiple internal reflectance infrared spectroscopy to the analysis of near-surface photooxidation. The results are compared with transmission infrared spectra to evaluate compositional gradients resulting from photooxidation and the influence of oxygen diffusion. The sample was a solvent-cast film of atactic, narrow distribution polystyrene, Mw of 100,000, that had been drawn to a ratio of 3.0 at 110°C by solid state coextrusion. Irradiation of these thin films, ∼25μm thickness, was performed on exposure to air at 35°C for periods of up to 6 h using a mercury source emitting at 254 nm. On photooxidation, a board peak appears at 3200–3500 cm−1, attributable to hydroperoxide formation. The most dramatic increase in the infrared spectra is found for a carbonyl band at 1730 cm−1. It appears to result from an aromatic acid group since it is shifted to 1660 cm−1 on immersion of the oxidized polystyrene films in aqueous ammonium hydroxide. It is confirmed that the photooxidation of polystyrene occurs preferentially at the surface and that this reaction rate is greatly reduced in the drawn polystyrene film.
Medieval Memorials: Sights and Sounds Embodied; Feelings, Fragrances and Flavors Re-membered

Medieval Christians wishing to furnish themselves with eternal memorials had many options at their disposal. They sought to be re-membered by individuals and institutions—already during life but especially after death—through occasioning embodied sensations that were perpetuated through donations and endowments. Ideologically they positioned themselves as gift-givers. Reminders, often but not always, channeled through visual representations were actuated in all the senses with the multisensory functioning through synesthetic conduits and in superadditive ways. Donors usurped the time and attention of the needy as well as of those who had claimed to follow lives of relative deprivation and austerity, especially (female) monastics, through complexly orchestrated social and economic interdependencies that included negotiations of accommodation and challenge to sensory hierarchies. Social controls regulating permanent visual display could be circumvented through the use of non-visual and performance m...
Genetics of childhood disorders: II. Genetics and intelligence.

The modern measurement of human intelligence began in England in the latter half of the ItJrh cenrury when Sir Francis Calton, the half-cousin of Charles Darwin, developed a rest from a simplistic theory, People rake in informarion rhrough rheir senses; therefore, the most inrelligenr people must have the best developed senses. Calton developed a test composed of sensory, motor, and reaction-rime tasks, all of which produced reliable, consistent results. Ulrirnarcly, only Ga1£on's emphasis on the generics of intelligence proved sound; around the rum of the 20rh cenrury, his influential rests were shown to be invalid measures of the complex construct. Binet seized the opening and published the firsr "real" intelligence test in 1tJ05. Binet's inrelligence rest, based on "g'' or general inrelligence theory, comprised many brief tasks of memory, judgmenr, and reasoning. He focused on language, rather than the nonverbal abilities emphasized by Calton: introduced the mental age concepr; and revolurionized resring by insisring that one must be willing to accepr measurement error in order to measure complex human inrelligence. Lewis Terman of Stanford University, also a believer in "s-" translared, adapted. and standardized the Binet-Simon scales in the United States. When he published the Stanford-Binet in 1916, it became the undisputed king of intelligence rests and retained that ririe t()r nearly a half-century, A second grear influence on the development of IQ tests in the United Stares was America's enrry into World War 1 in 1917. The necessity of resring large numbers of recruirs quickly hi to the development of group-administered intelligence rests: the Army Alpha (a multiple-choice Binet-like test of language abilirics) and the Army Beta (composed of nonverbal tasks), to assess the mental abilities of immigranrs who spoke English poorly. Ultimately, the individually adminisrered Army Performance Scale Examination was developed for suspected malingerers and for others who could nor be rested validly in a group format. The practical ourcomes of rhis war efforr were many, including the notion that IQ rests were useful for adults (nor jusr children), rhey were valid (data from almost 2 million soldiers were analyzed), and they were conrroversial (thanks to irresponsible misinterpretarions of the data hy some prejudiced wartime researchers that led to cries of racism and inferiority). The link between the practical innovations of Binet, Terman, and wartime psychologisrs and current clinical assessment
School-based HIV/AIDS education is associated with reduced risky sexual behaviors and better grades with gender and race/ethnicity differences

Although studies indicate school-based HIV/AIDS education programs effectively reduce risky behaviors, only 33 states and the District of Columbia in US mandate HIV/AIDS education. Ideally, school-based HIV/AIDS education should begin before puberty, or at the latest before first sexual intercourse. In 2011, 20% US states had fewer schools teaching HIV/AIDS prevention than during 2008; this is worrisome, especially for more vulnerable minorities. A nationally representative sample of 16 410 US high-school students participating in 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was analyzed. Multiple regression models assessed the association between HIV/AIDS education and risky sexual behaviors, and academic grades. HIV/AIDS education was associated with delayed age at first sexual intercourse, reduced number of sex partners, reduced likelihood to have forced sexual intercourse and better academic grades, for sexually active male students, but not for female students. Both male and female students who had HIV/AIDS education were less likely to inject drugs, drink alcohol or use drugs before last sexual intercourse, and more likely to use condoms. Minority ethnic female students were more likely to have HIV testing. The positive effect of HIV/AIDS education and different gender and race/ethnicity effects support scaling up HIV/AIDS education and further research on the effectiveness of gender-race/ethnicity-specific HIV/AIDS curriculum.
The effect of red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) in dyslipidemia and other disorders

Summary Background Red Yeast Rice (RYR) is a traditional Chinese food that is fermented and obtained after red yeast ( Monascus purpureus ) is grown on rice. RYR contains Monacolin K (Lovastatin) and other active ingredients that are thought to play a role in the management of cholesterol levels. Recently, many clinical trials have focused on the uses of RYR, including for dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fatigue, and memory. Objectives The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of RYR on the management of dyslipidemia. The secondary objective is to review studies that focus on the other uses of RYR. The following search terms were used: red yeast rice, Xuezhikang, Hypocol, Cholestin, Monascus purpureus combined with dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, lipid, cardiovascular, coronary, atherosclerosis, diabetes, sugar, bone, osteoporosis, liver, fatigue, memory, Alzheimer's, dementia. Results Studies reviewed show that RYR significantly lowered LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. Effects on triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were also observed in some studies. Compared with statins, RYR was shown to have an equal efficacy to statins when combined with or without other dietary supplements. RYR also appeared to be superior to placebo in preventing nonfatal myocardial infarction, total coronary heart disease events, and total deaths. On the other hand, information on diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fatigue, and memory are currently limited although in vivo and in vitro studies have shown an effect. Conclusion Results of RYR clinical trials presented here have limitations and RYR's clinical use should be further investigated before using RYR as one of the alternative treatments for dyslipidemia management, despite the fact that the strongest evidence for RYR use is in dyslipidemia versus other clinical conditions.
A study of time-decayed aggregates computation on data streams

Many real world data naturally arrive as rapid paced and virtually unbounded streams. Examples of such streams include network traffic at a router, events observed by a sensor network, accesses to a web server and transactional updates to a large database. Such streaming data need to be monitored online to collect traffic statistics, detect trends and anomalies, tune system performance and help make business decisions. However, because of the large size and rapid pace of the data, as well as the online processing requirement, conventional data processing methods, such as storing the data in a database and issuing offline SQL queries thereafter, are not feasible. Data stream processing is a new diagram of massive data set processing and creates new challenges in the algorithm design and implementation. In this thesis, we consider time-decayed data aggregation for data streams, where the importance or contribution of each data element decays over time, since recent data are usually considered of more importance in applications, and therefore are given heavier weights. We design small space data structures and algorithms for maintaining fundamental aggregates of the streams if it is possible and otherwise show large space lower bounds.We consider the data aggregation over a robust data stream model called asynchronous data stream, motivated by the streaming data transmitted in distributed systems, including computer networks, where the asynchrony in the data transmission is inevitable. In asynchronous data stream, the arrival order of the data elements at the receiver side is not necessarily the same as the order in which the data elements were generated. Asynchronous data stream is a robuster and generalized model of the previous synchronous data stream model. In summary, this thesis presents the following results: • We formalize the model of asynchronous data stream and the notion of timestamp sliding window. We propose the first small space sketch for summarizing the data elements over timestamp sliding windows of multiple geographically distributed asynchronous data streams. The sketch can return accuracy guaranteed estimates for basic aggregates, such as: Sum, Median and Quan-
ESTABLISHING DERIVED REQUESTING SKILLS IN ADULTS WITH SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

This project examined whether a history of reinforced relational responding would result in derived requesting skills in 3 adults with disabilities. Participants were first taught to request preferred items using pictures; they were then taught conditional discriminations between pictures and their dictated names and between dictated names and their corresponding text. Finally, requests for preferred items using corresponding text were evaluated. All 3 participants demonstrated derived requesting skills.