cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rivoglitazone: a new thiazolidinedione for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the thiazolidinedione rivoglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist, to determine its potential role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966-February 2013) was conducted for English-language studies in humans, using the terms rivoglitazone and CS011. Abstracts presented at the American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meetings from 2007 to 2012 were also evaluated for relevant data.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Articles pertinent to the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of rivoglitazone were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESIS:Rivoglitazone has been shown, through small clinical studies, to decrease hemoglobin A1c (A1C) by 0.11-1.1% when compared with placebo and may provide greater A1C reduction than pioglitazone. Rivoglitazone reduces hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia by...
Methylphenidate's effects on paired‐associate learning and event‐related potentials of young adults

The effects of methylphenidate (0.3 mg/kg) on young adults paired-associate learning (PAL) of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pairs and concomitant event-related potentials were assessed. The stimulant elevated mood and heart rate but did not affect PAL performance. For the first CVC, there were amplitude increases with learning for P3b at Pz, P2 at midline sites, and for a negative slow wave at Cz. For the second CVC, P3b and positive slow wave amplitude declined with learning. Increases in P3b amplitude to the first CVC were attributed to increments in stimulus meaningfulness. Decreases in P3b amplitude to the second CVC were interpreted as resulting from fewer disconfirmed expectations of feedback. The negative slow wave following the first CVC was viewed as a contingent negative variation. Methylphenidate increased parietal P3b amplitude for CVC 2, averaged over learning phases.
Constrictor responses of the rat basilar artery during diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus produces abnormalities of the endothelium and impairs endothelium-dependent dilatation of large and small cerebral blood vessels. However, the effect of diabetes mellitus on cerebral vasoconstriction and the modulatory influence of nitric oxide on cerebral vasoconstriction is unclear. Thus, the first goal of this study was to examine the effect of diabetes mellitus on constrictor responses of the basilar artery in vivo. Our second goal was to examine a potential role for nitric oxide in modulating constrictor responses of the basilar artery. A craniotomy was performed over the ventral medulla to expose the basilar artery. The diameter of the basilar artery was measured using intravital microscopy in nondiabetic and diabetic (3-4 months after injection of streptozotocin; 50-60 mg/kg i.p.) rats in response to angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, endothelin-1, and the thromboxane analogue, U-46619. Topical application of angiotensin II (10 and 100 nM) produced only minimal changes in diameter of the basilar artery which were similar in nondiabetic and diabetic rats (p>0.05). Arginine vasopressin (0.1 and 1.0 nM), endothelin-1 (10 and 50 nM), and U-46619 (10 and 100 nM) produced marked dose-related constriction of the basilar artery which also was similar in nondiabetic and diabetic rats (p>0.05). Next, we examine whether the synthesis/release of nitric oxide played a role in constriction of the basilar artery in response to the agonists. We found that L-NMMA (1.0 microM) did not alter constrictor responses of the basilar artery in nondiabetic and diabetic rats. Thus, responses of the basilar artery to important vasoactive agonists are not altered by diabetes mellitus. In addition, it does not appear that the synthesis/release of nitric oxide modulates constrictor responses of the basilar artery to angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, endothelin-1 and U-46619. We suggest that preservation of vasoconstrictor responses, coupled with impaired vasodilator responses, may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus.
Unconditionally secure dynamic conference key distribution

We present a non-interactive conference key distribution protocol in which all n users receive initial secrets from a trusted server. When a subset of the n users want to communicate privately, each of the users involved can without interaction compute the common key. We prove that the length of the initial secrets we use, are optimal.
Last Chance to Know? Using Literature to Explore the Biogeography and Invasion Biology of the Death Cap Mushroom Amanita phalloides (Vaill. ex Fr. :Fr.) Link

The biogeography of fungi is poorly understood and a species in a novel location may be an introduction or an endemic newly identified within its native range. Using the literature of Amanita phalloides as a case study, we aim to illustrate both the limited utility of the historical record in establishing ectomycorrhizal (EM) species as introduced or invasive, and the difficulty of using modern records to establish a current biogeography. Amanita phalloides, the death cap mushroom, is deadly. It is a notorious fungus with a rich literature. Historical records can be used to explore the species’ distribution in North America, where the earliest publication on A. phalloides dates to 1834, and four different authors identified it as growing in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Maryland before 1910. In contrast, by midcentury field guides listed A. phalloides as rare on the West Coast and absent from the East Coast. In modern literature A. phalloides is described as a recently introduced and currently invasive species. The contradictions raise two questions: First, is A. phalloides an exotic to North America, and second, can early records be used to delineate the native distribution of any other less infamous EM fungus? We argue that confusion on the introduced status and biogeography of A. phalloides, and perhaps other fungi, is the direct result of shifting species concepts. When publications include an explicit species concept they can be used to establish A. phalloides as an introduction, for example on the East Coast of North America and in Australia. When species concepts are vague the literature is not useful and cannot be used to determine A. phalloides as an introduction, for example on the West Coast of North America or in Asia. Abbreviation: EM – ectomycorrhizal
HuR binds a cyclic nucleotide-dependent, stabilizing domain in the 3' untranslated region of Na(+)/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) mRNA.

Differentiation-dependent expression of the Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) is accompanied by a large, cAMP-dependent increase in stability of its mRNA. Stabilization is mediated by protein binding to a critical uridine-rich element (URE) in its 3′ untranslated region. In the present study, we demonstrate that HuR, an RNA binding protein of the embryonic lethal abnormal vision family, binds the SGLT1 URE. HuR binding was increased after elevation of intracellular cAMP levels and was dependent on protein phosphorylation. This interaction was prevented by a substitution mutation previously shown to block cAMP-dependent reporter message stabilization. These results implicate HuR as a key mediator of cAMP-dependent SGLT1 mRNA stabilization.
“He does not understand our customs”: Narrating orality and empire in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

This article delineates different strains of Achebe’s narrative technique in Things Fall Apart, arguing that earlier critics have failed to account fully for two fundamental principles in Achebe’s narrative: the myriad phrases that are repeated throughout the first part of the work; and the formative shift, the poetic volta, that takes place between parts one and two of the novel. Drawing on Achebe’s assertion that “anyone seeking an insight into [the Igbo] world must seek it along their own way”, the article shows that in the novel’s final section, the European colonizers have neglected to engage with African culture, and that this leads to a palpable failure. Achebe deprivileges and mocks the colonizing perspective that can only make sense of African customs in terms of the European conflation of print and the public spheres. The conclusion uses Wolfgang Huchbruck’s term “textual otherness” to argue against critics who maintain that the shift from communal to urban life, from oral to print culture, mean...
Joint Power and Quantization Optimization for Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks

Consider a scenario where a subset of sensors has been selected for target tracking in an energy-constrained wireless sensor network. They communicate their quantized state measurements over noisy Rayleigh fading channels to a fusion center, where centralized estimation of target state is performed. In this context, we consider the problem of determining optimum quantization bits and transmission power per bit for all sensors such that both resource utilization and overall estimation error at the fusion center are minimized. Unlike prior efforts, we incorporate the operating state (characterized by the amount of residual battery power) of the sensors in the optimization framework. Analytical solutions for optimum power and number of quantization bits are derived and validated with numerical examples through simulations. We study the effect of channel quality, local measurement noise, and operating states of the sensors on their optimum choice for quantization bits and transmit power per bit.
Increased vulnerability of the brain norepinephrine system of females to corticotropin-releasing factor overexpression

Increased vulnerability of the brain norepinephrine system of females to corticotropin-releasing factor overexpression
Lysine-pipecolic acid metabolic relationships in microbes and mammals.

Introduction 435 Pipecolic Acid in Higher Plants 436 Pipecolic Acid as a Lysine Metabolite in Animals 436 Lysine Degradation via Saccharopine 437 L-Pipecolic Acid Synthesis from L-, D-, and DL-Lysine ...... .... ......... .... ... 439 Familial Hyperlysinemia 441 Pipecolatemia in Hyperlysinemia and in Zellweger Syndrome 442 L-Pipecolic Acid Oxidation: Microbes and Mammals 443 Concluding Remarks 445
Low Temperature Isothermal Pyrolysis of Cellulose

By providing continuous weight measurement, thermogravimetry, even for isothermal experiments, offers a major advantage over the classical methods of determining weight-change curves in complex pyrolysis reactions. Thus, even minor weight changes, readily detectable on a continuous record, furnish clues concerning the reaction sequences and indicate conditions under which confirmatory experiments may be undertaken. Unfortunately, such perturbations are frequently ignored, being considered part of the “experimental error” which they often represent in the traditional experiments. This paper illustrates the utility of looking at the minor weight deviations, too large to be random experimental error, in a 1,000-hour isothermal pyrolysis experiment on high purity cellulose paper at 226°C. Resolution of the curve into the minimum number of consecutive and competing reactions required to fit within instrumental accuracy yields previously unrecognized characteristics of the pyrolysis behavior, applicable at other temperatures as well.
Pineal Tumors: Fractionated Radiation Therapy Perspective

Approximately 18,400 primary brain tumors were diagnosed in the United States during 2004, and, of these, approximately 12,690 resulted in death [1]. Pineal tumors make up only 0.4% to 1% of all brain tumors [2].
Parametric Modeling Investigation for Radially Staged Low-Emission Combustion

Aviation gas-turbine combustion demands high efficiency, wide operability, and minimal trace gas emissions. Performance critical design parameters include injector geometry, combustor layout, fuel–air mixing, and engine cycle conditions. The present investigation explores these factors and their impact on a radially staged low-emission aviation combustor sized for a next-generation 24,000-lbf-thrust engine. By coupling multifidelity computational tools, a design exploration was performed using a parameterized annular combustor sector at projected 100% takeoff power conditions. Design objectives included nitrogen oxide emission indices and overall combustor pressure loss. From the design space, an optimal configuration was selected and simulated at 7.1, 30, and 85% part-power operation, corresponding to landing–takeoff cycle idle, approach, and climb segments. All results were obtained by solution of the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. Species concentrations were solved directly usi...
Plenary lecture 1: human-centered computational modeling for trustworthy cloud communications

With the support of the Internet cloud, people are using online apps for every form of transaction, presenting new ways to communicate and collaborate. Security in this scenario becomes all important, but physical communication becomes unavailable in the virtual world, and identifying potentially deceptive behavior becomes even more difficult. In fact, there are subtle but noticeable differences in communicative intent and dynamic relationship metrics relating to people's virtual interactions that can be observed, logged, collected, and triangulated over time and space. We can infer intention, and identify communicative signals that may explain behavioral change under various circumstances. Dr. Ho's research is to construct a model that will duplicate the computational thinking behavior essential to understanding human social interactions in cyberspace - with the ability to discern behavioral anomalies in human communication. This model will be useful for purposes of guarding against deception in identity theft and insider threat scenarios going beyond the physical context. This has become a serious socio-technical problem because the geographically dispersed "virtual organization" is fast becoming the norm in global business circles. This approach breaks new ground in using social psychological theories to create a computational framework for discerning anomalies in humans' social and virtual interactions at both an individual and group level. The resulting cognitive model will attempt to detect and analyze human disposition, e.g., trustworthiness, cooperativeness, competency, and compatibility, etc. Dr. Ho studies to model its capabilities on the way humans make such judgments, ultimately creating an automated human-like sensor to discern identity and disposition. With a rich dataset collected, focused on the communicative intent, this work will be a significant extension of current research in linguistic forensics and NLP to identify - from text and behavioral patterns - social intent that is not explicitly stated.
Regulation by phosphorylation of purified epithelial Na+ channels in planar lipid bilayers

To determine the mechanism by which vasopressin increases apical membrane Na+ entry, we evaluated whether or not this hormone could recruit Na+ channels from a subapical membrane pool using specific polyclonal antibodies raised against high amiloride affinity bovine renal papillary Na+ channels. We also studied the effect of protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation on single-channel activity of highly purified Na+ channels incorporated into planar lipid bilayer membranes. PKA induced a significant increase in open-channel probability (Po) with no change in single-channel conductance. As shown previously and reconfirmed in the present work, PKA catalyzed the phosphorylation of a single subunit of this Na+ channel protein, namely, a 300-kDa polypeptide. On the other hand, protein kinase C, in combination with diacylglycerol, Ca2+, and phosphatidylserine, phosphorylated both the 130- and 55-kDa subunits of this purified Na+ channel, with a concomitant decrease in Po of both untreated and previously PKA-treated channels. We also found, in expression studies conducted in confluent monolayers of amphibian renal A6 cells, that vasopressin did not induce the apical insertion of new channel proteins. These observations support the hypothesis that vasopressin increases the apical Na+ permeability by activating Na+ channels already resident in the apical membrane by a direct phosphorylation mechanism rather than by cytoplasmic recruitment of latent Na+ channels.
Detecting and Localizing Internationalization Presentation Failures in Web Applications

Web applications can be easily made available to an international audience by leveraging frameworks and tools for automatic translation and localization. However, these automated changes can distort the appearance of web applications since it is challenging for developers to design their websites to accommodate the expansion and contraction of text after it is translated to another language. Existing web testing techniques do not support developers in checking for these types of problems and manually checking every page in every language can be a labor intensive and error prone task. To address this problem, we introduce an automated technique for detecting when a web page's appearance has been distorted due to internationalization efforts and identifying the HTML elements or text responsible for the observed problem. In evaluation, our approach was able to detect internationalization problems in a set of 54 web applications with high precision and recall and was able to accurately identify the underlying elements in the web pages that led to the observed problem.
Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Pineal Parenchymal Tumors: A 25 Year Single-Institution Experience

Purpose/Objective(s): Pituitary tumors are relatively uncommon. Primary goals of treatment include normalization of hormonal level and improving visual or neurological symptoms. Surgery, medical treatment, irradiation, or combination of these modalities is used to achieve these goals. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the clinical outcome of pituitary adenoma treated with fractionated external beam radiation therapy. Materials/Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of pituitary adenoma treated at our center between 2006 and 2014. A total of 88 patients with biopsy-proven adenomas were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 38 years (18e79 years) and 49 patients (56%) were males. Majority of tumors were marcoadenoma (87%). Presenting symptoms were mainly hormonal disturbance in 43 patients (49%), visual defects in 29 patients (33%) and headache in 21 patients (23%). Prolactinomas were the most common secretory adenoma in 22 patients (51%), followed by growth hormone secreting adenomas in 15 patients (35%) and ACTH-secreting tumors in 5 patients (12%), while one patient had TSH-secreting adenoma. The cohort follow up time reached 87 months (mean; 32 months). The primary endpoints are clinical and biochemical control. Results: Thirteen patients lost to follow up, therefore 75 patients were included in the final analysis. Surgery was the primary treatment modality in 70 patients (93%).While medical treatment was used for inoperable or hormonal secreting adenoma in 30 patients (40%). Fractionated radiation therapy was delivered to 28 patients (37%), indications for radiation were symptomatic, incompletely resected tumors (16 patients) or persistent hypersecretion (12 patients). For secretory tumors the median radiation dose was 52Gy (50-54Gy), and lower dose was delivered for non-secretory adenoma; mean 50Gy (45-52Gy). For patients received radiation therapy, the tumor control rate is 75% for non-functioning adenomas, and 69% for functioning adenomas. Conclusion: Pituitary adenoma is a slow growing benign tumor; however devastating effect can result from neurological deficits or hormonal imbalance. Our results reveal that functioning adenomas carry worse prognosis. Fractionated radiation therapy, as an adjunct to surgery and medical treatment, offers good clinical and biochemical control for pituitary adenoma. More aggressive multimodal approach and incorporation of new radiation technique may help to achieve better clinical outcome. Author Disclosure: R.A. Abu-Hijlih: None. Y. Ismael: None. H. Ghatasheh: None. A. Fawzi: None. A. Alsharbaji: None. M. Elyan: None. B. Al-Haj: None. A. Almousa: None.
Alliances as a Necessary Condition of Multiparty Wars

The scientific study of war has largely ignored necessary conditions for war onset. Conflict scholars have previously identified alliances as a mechanism that brings about the initial expansion of war but have not examined whether it is a prerequisite for large wars. We argue that wars diffuse into multiparty wars only in the presence of alliances. In other words, in the absence of any alliance ties, war would not include more than two parties. We put forth a theoretical rationale for this relationship and conduct a series of tests on both dyadic and multiparty wars between 1816 and 2007. These tests provide support for our hypothesis, suggesting that alliances are a virtual necessary condition for multiparty wars: the larger the war, the more likely alliances are a necessary condition.
State minimization of pseudo non-deterministic FSMs

This paper is concerned with the problem of optimizing a system of interacting finite state machines (FSMs). It has been shown previously by the authors that the complete set of sequential behaviors that can be implemented at a particular component of the system can be computed and represented by a single non-deterministic FSM, called the E-machine. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding an optimum behavior for the component, which is given by minimizing the E-machine, where the cost function is the number of states required for representing a behavior. We first present a theoretical analysis, in which we show the E-machine has a special property called pseudo nondeterminism, and this property can be effectively used for solving the problem. We then propose a heuristic method. The algorithm has been implemented, and initial experiments are given. >
Refugees and Citizens on the Margins: Sufferings Recognized, Sufferings Denied

This chapter considers the suffering of citizens in refugee-hosting nations where extreme inequality and structural violence creates entrenched local misery. What hope might policy makers and human rights advocates have in striving for the protection of refugees and migrants in highly volatile and violent contexts of reception? Drawing from the experience of refugees and migrants in South Africa, this paper excavates the denied suffering of poor Black South African citizens which inevitably shapes their relationship with refugees who arrive at their shores in search of a safe haven. The analysis grapples with the contradictions found in South Africa’s position as a major refugee-hosting nation and its own reality of having a large segment of its Black populations mired in much injustice, violence, exclusion, and apathy. The aim is ultimately to link the intertwined nature of the sufferings for both these groups and to argue for interventions that are more holistic to alleviate both groups’ sufferings. Linking the fate of newcomers and citizens and the violence both groups confront exposes the inadequacy that emerges when justice for refugees is sought with little effort to also intervene and change the dehumanizing conditions that local populations confront in their daily lives.
Outcomes of high, t(11;14), and standard cytogenetic risk multiple myeloma following early high dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (SCT).

8583 Background: Current cytogenetic risk stratification in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) is not derived from recent patients (pts) treated with novel agents. High dose melphalan and SCT is a preferred management strategy for transplant eligible NDMM pts following novel agent induction. We investigated outcomes of high cytogenetic risk (HR), t(11;14), and standard cytogenetic risk (SR) NDMM treated with early SCT. Methods: Following Mayo Clinic IRB approval and in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, all pts treated at Mayo Clinic Rochester with SCT for NDMM between 2003 and 2012 were identified (n = 941). We excluded pts without FISH cytogenetics from diagnosis (dx) and those who did not undergo SCT within 12 months of dx. HR was defined as a composite of mSMART high and intermediate risk abnormalities including del(17p), t(4;14), t(14;20) or t(14;16). Response and progression were defined per IMWG criteria. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated from ...
Predicting surface temperature variation in urban settings using real-time weather forecasts

Abstract Densely populated cities experience adverse effects of Urban Heat Island (UHI) including higher numbers of emergency hospital admissions and heat related illnesses. Studying UHI effects and temperature variations has become even more important as global temperatures continue to rise. To better understand UHIs within New York City, an exploratory study was done using a field campaign to measure high resolution spatial and temporal temperature variations within Manhattan's urban setting. These time correlated temperature measurements along with weather model data of temperature and relative humidity were used to predict temperature variability using weather forecasts. The amplitude of spatial variations was most dependent on temperature (r = 0.400) and low level lapse rate (r = − 0.258) while temporal variations were most dependent on temperature (r = 0.398), low level lapse rates (r = − 0.361), and mid-level lapse rate (r = − 0.320). Regression of weather variables can be used to predict the amplitude of spatial and temporal variation in temperature within a city for each day. This study directs attention towards high resolution near-surface air temperature analysis and offers a new look at surface thermal properties. The application of the resulting data and modeling is most suitable for forecasting microscale variability in urban settings.
Utility of Ultrasound Guidance for Central Venous Access in Children.

Background Placement of a central venous catheter (CVC) in a pediatric patient is an important skill for pediatric emergency medicine physicians but can be challenging and time consuming. Ultrasound (US) guidance has been shown to improve success of central line placement in adult patients. Objectives This article aims to review the literature and evaluate the benefit of US guidance in the placement of CVCs, specifically in pediatric emergency department patients, and to review the procedure. Results Four meta-analyses of US-guided CVC placement in adult patients concluded that US guidance reduces placement failure, decreases complications, and decreases the need for multiple attempts. Two studies in the emergency department setting support these conclusions. Pediatric-specific data related to US-guided CVC placement include data suggesting a benefit with US guidance, as well as data indicating no difference in outcome measures when US guidance is used compared with the landmark technique. Conclusions The evidence surrounding US-guided CVC insertion supports its use in adult patients. Pediatric-specific literature is sparse and includes mixed results. As more pediatric emergency physicians adopt the use of point-of-care US, we expect an increase in data supporting its use for CVC placement in pediatric emergency department patients.
Conclusion: Memory Beyond History

This chapter considers whether historical fact alone is powerful enough to contend with the cultural power of memory activism. Much of the work of memory activists concerns truth-telling and bringing historical information to the forefront of public consciousness. However, as the response to Gross’s Neighbors and to the Smolensk crash demonstrate, the symbolic power mobilized by memory activism can undermine the aims and ethics of historical inquiry and the dissemination of historical knowledge. In this context, memory activists are crucial to keeping open pathways for questioning and working with the past in ways that address the emotional investment people may have in certain versions of national identity. Memory activism is a powerful partner to historical work in sustaining civil society.
Landau-Zener transition in a two-level system coupled to a single highly excited oscillator

Two-level system strongly coupled to a single resonator mode (harmonic oscillator) is a paradigmatic model in many subfields of physics. We study theoretically the Landau-Zener transition in this model. Analytical solution for the transition probability is possible when the oscillator is highly excited, i.e., at high temperatures. Then the relative change of the excitation level of the oscillator in the course of the transition is small. The physical picture of the transition in the presence of coupling to the oscillator becomes transparent in the limiting cases of slow and fast oscillator. A slow oscillator effectively renormalizes the drive velocity. As a result, the transition probability either increases or decreases depending on the oscillator phase. The net effect is, however, the suppression of the transition probability. On the contrary, a fast oscillator renormalizes the matrix element of the transition rather than the drive velocity. This renormalization makes the transition probability a nonmonotonic function of the coupling amplitude.
Evaluation of Female Urinary Incontinence

The use of urodynamic testing must be selective and based on the particular patient's complaints. In today's cost-conscious health care environment, a diagnosis based on one or two tests is preferable to exposing each patient to the full battery of available tests. For most patients, a cystometrogram and voiding cystourethrogram can confirm a variety of clinical suspicions. A cystometrogram best indicates how the bladder is behaving during filling. The voiding cystourethrogram allows the physician to observe the bladder and urethra during voiding and offers an excellent view of the anatomic relations of the urologic organs in the pelvis. The other important benefit of urodynamics is the objective data made available in hardcopy as a baseline study to be utilized for comparison in the future. The normal sequence of testing is a noninvasive uroflow study to determine the baseline flow rate. The postvoiding residual volume of urine is then determined. A cystometrogram and electromyography can then be done, the latter if there is a suggestion of neurologic disease or if otherwise indicated to determine bladder behavior on filling. Variations that are helpful when a patient fails to have a bladder contraction include having the patient in an upright or seated position during the test. A bethanechol supersensitivity test may be indicated as well. The urethral pressure profile may be done as the catheter is withdrawn and the bladder is already filled. The filled invasive flow rate can then be compared with the free flow rate. Sometimes, one of these rates is abnormal, and there is a question about whether the abnormality is real. The residual urine volume can be determined by subtracting the volume the patient voids from the filling volume. In the end, the key to urodynamic evaluation is the interpretation of the test, which should be made only by the individual actually performing the test. It truly is necessary for the physician to be there in person. Selective use of urodynamics can target an appropriate treatment for most patients. The female patient who complains of incontinence in whom the history suggests detrusor instability may benefit from a trial of cholinolytic therapy if no anatomic defect is present. In this type of patient, a surgical procedure may not be of benefit, whereas the cholinolytic therapy probably will work. This is a good reason for always choosing the appropriate urodynamic tests for evaluating and planning treatment for patients with urinary incontinence.
LACK OF URGENCY TO LOWER LDL-C AND SUBSEQUENT CV RISK AMONG ASCVD PATIENTS IN THE US

The 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines focus on statin intensity instead of LDL-C goals and suggest intensive treatment of elevated LDL-C among ASCVD patients. Duration of exposure to elevated LDL-C has been shown to increase risk of CV events demonstrating an urgency to lower uncontrolled LDL-C. The goal of
Diagnostic accuracy of MDCT in differentiating gallbladder cancer from acute and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Abstract Objective To determine the diagnostic accuracy of multi-detector CT (MDCT) for differentiating gallbladder cancer from acute and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis using previously described imaging features. Methods In this IRB approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective cohort study, contrast-enhanced MDCT of histologically confirmed acute cholecystitis (n = 17), xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (n = 25), and gallbladder cancer (n = 18) were reviewed independently by three abdominal radiologists blinded to outcome. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT for the differentiation of gallbladder cancer from cholecystitis (acute and xanthogranulomatous) using various imaging parameters. Kappa (κ) statistics and two-way mixed-model single-measure intra-class correlation statistics (ICC) were calculated for each imaging feature and the final radiologic diagnosis. Results Inter-rater agreement was moderate to substantial (κ = 0.43–0.70), sensitivity 0.67–0.78, specificity 0.22–0.33 and the positive likelihood ratio was 4.28–8.56 for the differentiation of gallbladder cancer from benign gallbladder pathology. Only three imaging findings: disrupted gallbladder mucosa (κ = 0.68), intraluminal gallstones (κ = 0.66), and gallbladder wall thickness (ICC = 0.63) had substantial inter-rater agreement. The following had slight or no agreement: intramural hypoattenuating nodules (κ = 0.17), transient hepatic attenuation differences (κ = 0.14), gallbladder wall calcification (κ = −0.01), gallbladder wall enhancement (κ = 0.18), and omental or mesenteric invasion (κ = 0.08). In the final multivariate model, the following were significant predictors useful in making or excluding diagnosis of gallbladder cancer: focal gallbladder wall thickening (p = 0.003, OR: 13.09 [95% CI: 2.40–71.48]), pericholecystic “fat stranding” (p = 0.018, OR: 0.10 [95% CI: 0.01–0.66]), and maximum short axis lymph node diameter (p = 0.043, OR: 1.18 [95% CI: 1.00–1.38]). Conclusion MDCT has moderate sensitivity, poor specificity, and moderate-to-substantial inter-rater repeatability for the differentiation of gallbladder cancer from acute and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.
ReRAM-Based Processing-in-Memory Architecture for Recurrent Neural Network Acceleration

We present a recurrent neural network (RNN) accelerator design with resistive random-access memory (ReRAM)-based processing-in-memory (PIM) architecture. Distinguished from prior ReRAM-based convolutional neural network accelerators, we redesign the system to make it suitable for RNN acceleration. We measure the system throughput and energy efficiency with the detailed circuit and device characterization. Reprogrammability is enabled with our design, and an RNN friendly pipeline is employed to increase the system throughput. We observe that on average the proposed system achieves $79{\times}$ improvement of computing efficiency compared with graphics processing unit baseline. Our simulation also indicates that to maintain high accuracy and computing efficiency, the read noise standard deviation should be less than 0.2, the device resistance should be at least 1 $\text{M}{\Omega }$ , and the device writes latency should be minimized.
pp Scattering-Amplitude Measurements and a Possible Direct-Channel Resonance in pp System

In this talk I would like to discuss our results of pp elastic scattering with various spin combinations of polarized beams and polarized targets. Since experimental details have been described in our published articles,1,2,3 I will minimize my discussion.
Modulation of T-Cell Mediated Immunity by Cytomegalovirus

The herpesviruses have coevolved with their vertebrate hosts for over one hundred million years (McGeoch et al. 2000), resulting in a finely tuned equilibrium with the immune system. Consequently, all herpesviruses employ a multitude of strategies to modulate the host immune response, facilitating the establishment of lifelong latency and/or persistence in the face of a robust innate and adaptive immune response. Cytomegalovirus (CMV, a β-herpesvirus) is the largest of the herpesviruses, with a genome of ∼230 kB in size encoding >200 open reading frames (orfs). Approximately ∼60% of the encoded genes are not essential for replication of virus in tissue culture where there is no selective pressure from the host immune system and are predicted to perform immunomodulatory functions and facilitate establishment of latency (Murphy et al. 2003; Brocchieri et al. 2005). CMV directly targets dendritic cells (DC) and exploits the DC’s crucial role in the regulation of innate and adaptive anti-viral immune responses to promote replication and establish latency while preventing host pathology.
Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles Containing Sol-Gel Derived HPC-Silica Film for Ion-Selective Electrode Application

Silver sulfide nanoparticles dispersed in sol-gel derived hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-silica films have been successfully synthesized using H2S gas diffusion method. This is the first attempt to produce silver sulfide nanoparticles using this technique. Ag2S nanoparticles are generated through reaction of H2S gas with AgNO3 precursor dissolved in the HPC-silica matrix. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis reveal nanoparticles size distribution from 2.5 nm to 56 nm for H2S gas exposed sample. The surface chemistry of Ag2S nanoparticles and sol-gel derived HPC-silica matrix is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The negative shifts in the core-level XPS Ag (3d) binding energy of Ag2S nanoparticles are attributed to Ag : S surface atomic ratio exhibited by these nanoparticles with varying processing conditions. Following processing and characterization, suitability of the present method to produce silver sulfide ion-selective electrode is demonstrated by depositing Ag2S nanoparticles on a graphite rod. The high reponse function of the electrode is due to the presence of nanoparticles.
Nutritional Management of Water, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, and Magnesium in Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure

The kidney plays a central role in regulating water and electrolyte balance. It does so by adjusting renal excretion of these molecules in response to changes in intake or output. So, it should come as no surprise that, when the kidney is diseased, electrolyte and water balance can be abnormal. What is surprising is how well the impaired kidney is able to maintain water and electrolyte balance until virtually all kidney function has been lost. In this chapter we discuss water and electrolyte homeostasis and show how it is perturbed by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Also, we provide recommendations for water and electrolyte management in CKD. Chloride is considered together with sodium because, generally, nearly all chloride intake is the result of the intake of salt (sodium chloride, NaCl).
Preliminary Design of sUAS Deployment and Transportation System

This research describes a preliminary design of a multi-rotor sUAS deployment and transportation system. The system is designed to protect multi-copters from debris, sand, dust, and water. The system is expected to enhance safety levels during sUAS operations by allowing a pilot to deploy an aerial system from remote locations; therefore, being at a safe distance from spinning propellers or LiPo batteries. The successful development of this complex deployment and transportation system requires a systems engineering approach, which will integrate knowledge of various engineering disciplines such as systems, aerospace, materials, software, electrical, and transportation engineering.
The effect of body condition on postoperative recovery of dachshunds with intervertebral disc disease treated with postoperative physical rehabilitation.

Objective To determine the impact of obesity on postoperative recovery from thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in dachshunds treated with rehabilitation. Study design Prospective observational trial. Animals Thirty-two dachshunds with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease and pain perception. Methods Dachshunds were entered into the study after unilateral thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Lean muscle and fat contents were measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the beginning and at week 12 of the study. Aggressive rehabilitation was performed 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. Logistic regressions were used to determine the odds ratios between potential risk factors (age, duration of clinical signs, weight, body condition score, percentage body fat, percentage lean muscle mass, and disability index [DI] score at presentation) and return benchmarks of recovery. Results Body condition score, percentage body fat, percentage lean muscle mass, weight, and age did not influence the odds ratio for recovery. An increase in preoperative DI score was associated with increased risk of a slow postoperative recovery (P 7 days until standing, > 30 days until strong ambulation, and failure to return to normal within the study period, respectively. On average, dogs lost weight (2.2 kg) and body fat (2.4%) but gained muscle mass (3.0%) over the study period (P Conclusion Preoperative disability but not body condition was a risk factor for a slow recovery after thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in dachshunds with rehabilitation. Clinical significance A slower recovery is likely with increased preoperative disability, but body condition does not seem to affect the postoperative prognosis of dachshunds treated with rehabilitation.
Nursing student perceptions of pharmacology education and safe medication administration: A qualitative research study

Abstract Purpose This research study was performed to elicit student nurses' perceptions of the impact of pharmacology in education on safe medication administration. Objectives The purpose of this study was to describe student perceptions of the relationship between pharmacology education and safe clinical practice. Nurse educators will gain insights into students' perceptions of the significance of pharmacology in baccalaureate curricula. Background A lack of adequate pharmacological knowledge in nursing has been shown to lead to increased medication errors. Safe administration of medication has been identified as a major area for focus in improving health care. Design This study was an analysis of qualitative data collected as part of a larger study. Students provided narrative, open-ended responses describing how pharmacology education impacted safe medication administration. Participants The sample consisted of 28 RN-BSN students and 71 traditional BSN students. Setting The research was conducted at a college in the Northeastern United States. Data was collected from students enrolled in the traditional baccalaureate and nontraditional RN-BSN hybrid programs. Methods In the full study, students completed a brief survey instrument, which included both quantitative and open-ended items. The qualitative data presented in this article was analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results Students described the impact of pharmacology education as either having a positive or negative effect on safe medication administration. The majority of students described a positive effect. Positive responses were characterized into the following themes: Knowing how medications work, Improving the nursing process, and Building a foundation of clinical knowledge. Negative responses were more heavily endorsed by RN-BSN students. The negative responses were substantiated by one theme: Inability to transfer from didactic to clinical practice. Conclusions The findings of this study are significant to education as nursing schools struggle to develop curriculum to prepare students for safe medication practice in today's fast-paced and demanding healthcare environment.
Impact of energy intake and pregnancy status on rate and efficiency of gain and backfat changes of sows postweaning

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate factors related to determining optimal feeding and management programs for increasing net returns from marketing cull sows. A total of 269 multiparous sows averaging 192 kg of body weight were weaned, moved to individual gestation crates, and assigned to one of eight treatment combinations in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement for a 42-d postweaning feeding experiment. Factors included limited (L) (1.8 kg/sow/d) or ad libitum (AL) access to feed during wk 1 postweaning, a corn-soybean meal (corn) or barley-sunflower meal (barley) diet, and pregnant or nonpregnant status. All sows were provided ad libitum access to feed from wk 2 to 6 postweaning. Gain and feed intake (FI) data were collected weekly for each sow and used to calculate gain:feed (G/F). Ultrasonic backfat (BF) data were collected on d 0, 21, and 42 postweaning. Sows on the AL treatment had greater FI (P < 0.05) but similar gain (P = 0.80) for the 42-d postweaning period compared to sows on the L treatment. Most of this response was due to lower sow body weight loss during wk 1 postweaning (P < 0.01) when sows were provided AL (-7.2 kg) vs L (-13.2 kg) access to feed. Sows fed the corn diet had higher gain (P < 0.01), improved G/F (P < 0.01), and increased BF (P < 0.01) over the 42-d feeding period than sows fed barley. The corn diet resulted in less sow BW loss (P < 0.01) during wk 1 (-8.8 kg) than the barley diet (-11.6 kg). Pregnant sows had higher gain, FI, G/ F, and BF (P < 0.01) than nonpregnant sows over the 42-d feeding period. Most of this advantage occurred during wk 4 postweaning when FI and gain of nonpregnant sows was lower (P < 0.01) than for pregnant sows. An economic analysis indicated that, when cull sow prices are relatively high and feed prices are moderate to low, maintaining and managing cull sows for an additional 6 wk postweaning may be economically advantageous compared to 0 or 3 wk. Pregnant sows fed the corn diet produced the greatest economic return. These results suggest that mating sows as they return to estrus postweaning and providing ad libitum access to a corn-soybean meal diet improves growth performance and feed efficiency, and may thereby provide increased returns when marketing cull sows.
Eye movement abnormality suggestive of a spatial working memory deficit is present in parents of autistic probands.

Autistic probands exhibit impaired spatial accuracy and impaired response suppression errors during a delayed oculomotor response task. Family members of autistic probands, and thus the possible familial nature of these deficits, have not been assessed. Eleven parents of autistic probands and 17 adults from unaffected families, ages 25-50 years, completed oculomotor delayed-response tasks. Parents of autistic probands demonstrated poorer spatial accuracy than the comparison group (p = .002), with no significant differences between groups on percentage of premature saccades or latency of remembered saccades. Spatial working memory deficits, as measured by the delayed oculomotor response task, appear to be familial in families with an autistic proband. These deficits deserve further evaluation as a potential endophenotypic marker for genetic risk for autism.