cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficacy and safety of antidiabetic drug regimens added to metformin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a network meta-analysis.

Introduction When first line therapy with metformin is insufficient for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), the optimal adjunctive therapy is unclear. We assessed the efficacy and safety of adjunctive antidiabetic agents in patients with inadequately controlled T2D on metformin alone. Materials and Methods A search of MEDLINE and CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov, regulatory websites was performed. We included randomized controlled trials of 3–12 months duration, evaluating Food and Drug Administration or European Union approved agents (noninsulin and long acting, once daily basal insulins) in patients experiencing inadequate glycemic control with metformin monotherapy (≥1500 mg daily or maximally tolerated dose for ≥4 weeks). Random-effects network meta-analyses were used to compare the weighted mean difference for changes from baseline in HbA1c, body weight (BW) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and the risk of developing hypoglycemia, urinary (UTI) and genital tract infection (GTI). Results Sixty-two trials evaluating 25 agents were included. All agents significantly reduced HbA1c vs. placebo; albeit not to the same extent (range, 0.43% for miglitol to 1.29% for glibenclamide). Glargine, sulfonylureas (SUs) and nateglinide were associated with increased hypoglycemia risk vs. placebo (range, 4.00–11.67). Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs, miglitol and empagliflozin/linagliptin significantly reduced BW (range, 1.15–2.26kg) whereas SUs, thiazolindinediones, glargine and alogliptin/pioglitazone caused weight gain (range, 1.19–2.44kg). SGLT2 inhibitors, empagliflozin/linagliptin, liraglutide and sitagliptin decreased SBP (range, 1.88–5.43mmHg). No therapy increased UTI risk vs. placebo; however, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of GTI (range, 2.16–8.03). Conclusions Adding different AHAs to metformin was associated with varying effects on HbA1c, BW, SBP, hypoglycemia, UTI and GTI which should impact clinician choice when selecting adjunctive therapy.
Gated hybrid Hall effect device on silicon

A Hybrid Hall effect device utilizes the magnetic fringing field at the edge of a ferromagnet to produce Hall effect in the two dimensional electron gas confined in a semiconductor structure underneath the magnet. Addition of an electrostatic gate to this passive device provides an extra handle in the form of the gate bias to modulate the output Hall voltage. We demonstrated that silicon MOSFET which is the building block of CMOS circuits in today's world can be easily converted to a Hybrid Hall device, and the output Hall voltage can be well modulated by the gate bias. Room temperature measurements showed clear detection of switching of magnetization states of the ferromagnet that produces the fringing field. The device has high potential uses as a nonvolatile memory element, and an interface between magnetic quantum cellular automata (MQCA) and CMOS.
Amperometric ATP biosensor based on polymer entrapped enzymes.

Abstract A dual enzyme electrode for the detection of adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) at physiologically relevant pH levels was developed by co-immobilization of the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOD) and hexokinase (HEX) using pH-shift induced deposition of enzyme containing polymer films. Application of a simple electrochemical procedure for the co-immobilization of the enzymes at electrode surfaces exhibits a major improvement of sensitivity, response time, reproducibility, and ease of fabrication of ATP biosensors. Competition between glucose oxidase and hexokinase for the substrate glucose involving ATP as a co-substrate allows the determination of ATP concentrations. Notable control on the immobilization process enables fabrication of micro biosensors with a diameter of 25 μm. The presented concept provides the technological basis for a new generation of fast responding, sensitive, and robust biosensors for the detection of ATP at physiological pH values with a detection limit of 10 nmol l −1 .
Burst radio-frequency excited pulsed hollow-cathode lamp

Transient emission characteristics of a hollow-cathode lamp driven by a pulsed current in combination with a radio-frequency burst signal are described. The radio-frequency field excites electrode vapor that is transiently produced by the initial pulsed current discharge. To evaluate the performance of this radio-frequency injected lamp; peak line intensity, line width and line stability of Cu atomic and ionic emissions are compared to those from de and pulsed current lamps. Results indicate that the radio-frequency lamp is superior to the conventional pulsed lamp in these three factors. However, due to experimental limitations of commercial lamps under applied radio-frequency voltage, the maximum possible intensity enhancement was not achieved. Atomic absorption working curves are also compared to anticipate practical situations. The steep and linear curve obtained using the radio-frequency lamp suggests its important role in practical analysis.
Optimal isolation and response of a linear-quadratic system under random excitation

Abstract Optimal isolation of linear-quadratic systems excited by stationary, random vibrations can be analyzed using the state space method. Since the state vector is not uniquely defined, several optimal control schemes can be considered for a single process. It was shown that when the excitation is a non-white random input, a combined-state space variables vector may provide a better optimal control than using basic state variables. The combined-state method is developed for a single-DOF system excited by random base vibrations, where the input PSD is described as a piecewise-linear curve in a log-log plane. A method for calculating the average response of the optimally controlled system is presented, based on the same input. A numerical example demonstrates the calculation procedures and the advantages of the combined-state control.
Synthesis and characterization of thermoresponsive poly(ethylene glycol)‐based hydrogels and their magnetic nanocomposites

Temperature-responsive hydrogels are one of the most widely studied types of stimuli-responsive hydrogel systems. Their ability to transition between their swollen and collapsed states makes them attractive for controlled drug delivery, microfluidic devices, and biosensor applications. Recent work has shown that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) methacrylate polymers are temperature-responsive and exhibit a wide range of lower critical solution temperatures based on the length of ethylene glycol units in the macromer chain. The addition of iron oxide nanoparticles into the hydrogel matrix can provide the ability to remotely heat the gels upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). In this work, diethylene glycol (n = 2) methyl ether methacrylate and PEG (n = 4.5) methyl ether methacrylate copolymers were polymerized into hydrogels with 5 mol % PEG 600 (n = 13.6) dimethacrylate as the crosslinker along with 5 wt % iron oxide nanoparticles. Volumetric swelling studies were completed from 22 to 80 °C and confirmed the temperature-responsive nature of the hydrogel systems. The ability of the gels to collapse in response to rapid temperature changes when exposed to an AMF was demonstrated showing their potential use in biomedical applications such as controlled drug delivery and hyperthermia therapy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3229–3235, 2010
Defining the incidence of serious complications experienced by oocyte donors: A review of 1000 cases

A review of 1000 aspirations of oocyte donors was performed. Only witnessed events necessitating hospitalization or emergent intervention were considered significant. Seven (0.7% incidence) cases were noted, including severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (n = 3), adverse reaction to intravenous anesthesia (n = 2), intra-abdominal bleeding after aspiration (n = 1), and bladder atony with hematuria after aspiration (n = 1).
Elastic strain gradients and x-ray line broadening effects as a function of temperature in aluminum thin films on silicon

Grazing incidence x-ray scattering (GIXS) with a synchrotron source was used to measure elastic strain gradients as a function of temperature in aluminum and aluminum alloy thin films of different thicknesses on silicon. The stresses in the films are induced as a result of the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between film and substrate. Disregarding minor deviations at the surface, it is shown that there are no gross strain gradients in these films in the range of temperatures (between room temperature and 400 °C) considered. Significant x-ray line broadening effects were observed, suggesting an accumulation of dislocations on cooling the films and their annealing out as the films were being reheated. The variation of the dislocation density during thermal cycling compares well in nature with that of the concurrent variation in film stress, indicating that large strain hardening effects contribute toward the film flow stress.
Galaxy Alignments in the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster Revisited

?????A search for preferential galaxy alignments in the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster (PPS) is made using the Minnesota Automated Plate Scanner Pisces-Perseus Survey (MAPS-PP). The MAPS-PP is a catalog of ~1400 galaxies with a (roughly) isophotal diameter greater than 30'' constructed from digitized scans of the blue and red plates of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey covering the PPS. This is the largest sample of galaxies applied to a search of galaxy alignments in this supercluster, and it has been used in combination with previously published redshifts to construct the deepest PPS galaxy luminosity function to date. While previous studies have relied extensively on catalogs with visually estimated parameters for both sample selection and determination of galaxy orientation, the MAPS-PP uses selection criteria and measurements that are entirely machine and computer based. Therefore, it is not susceptible to some of the biases, such as the diameter inclination effect, known to exist in some other galaxy catalogs. The presence of anisotropic galaxy distributions is determined by use of the Kuiper statistic, a robust alternative to the ?2 statistic more traditionally used in these studies. Three statistically significant anisotropic distributions are observed. The reddest galaxies are observed to be oriented preferentially perpendicular to the local large-scale structure. The bluest galaxies near the supercluster plane are observed to have an anisotropic position angle distribution. Finally, a weak trend for the median position angle of color-selected galaxy subsamples to twist with increasing distance from the PPS plane is observed. These position angle distribution anisotropies are weak and are not consistent with any single primordial or modern-era galaxy alignment mechanism, although a mixture of such mechanisms is not ruled out.
Multifunction display upgrades for the KC-135, P-3, and MH-60 aircraft

The Air Force KC-135, Navy P-3, and Army MH-60 aircraft are in the process of upgrading their electromechanical instruments with active matrix liquid crystal multifunction displays. These multifunction display products provide improved reliability and also provide added functionality to present multiple instruments, weather radar, and system status information. The flexibility of these systems also provides backup for flight critical instruments. This paper will present display performance aspects including luminance, chromaticity, contrast, display formats, the results of bench testing, and flight testing.
COMPARATIVE ADVERTISING'S DILEMMA: HOW TO ATTACK THE COMPETITION WITHOUT ALIENATING HIS CUSTOMER

Although many advertisers are reluctant to use Comparative Advertising, it is obviously increasing in popularity. One difficulty with comparative advertising is that the intended buyers may perceive it as threatening their self‐image because they view the comparison as an attack on their presently preferred brand. The purpose in writing this paper is to recognize and discuss this potential problem and to show how comparative advertisements may be structured to support the customers' previous decisions while inducing them to switch.
Multi-year persistence of oil mousse on high energy beaches distant from the Exxon Valdez spill origin

Abstract For at least 5 yr after the Exxon Valdez spill, relatively unweathered oil mousse has persisted on the exposed rocky shores of Shelikof Strait 500 km from Prince William Sound, Alaska. Previously it was thought that oil would be rapidly removed from such geomorphic settings by wave action. Oil mousse persists at sites in Katmai National Park and Preserve (NP&P) where it was stranded high in the intertidal zone under a lag of large boulders. These boulders armor the beach, preventing waves from disturbing the substrate and its included oil. Weathering of this strandf, ed mousse has been slight — mousse sampled in 1989, 1992 and 1994 show negligible changes in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons compared to 11-day old Exxon Valdez crude. The preservation of this oil is due to its transport as mousse boli whose interiors largely escape weathering, followed by its sheltering in the interstices of boulder-armored beaches. The transport of mousse may allow for the long distance dispersal of less weathered, and hence still toxic oil. Our findings suggest that the low ecological sensitivity ratings previously applied to exposed, rocky shorelines need to be modified. The biological threat posed by oil stranded on the Katmai NP&P coast probably is slight because of its small amount and sequestered state. However, it still possesses the ability to be chemically toxic and could be released through disturbance of the armoring boulders by unusually high wave events.
A critical review of interventions for the primary prevention of perpetration of partner violence

There is growing consensus that preventing partner violence requires interventions that begin before partner violence begins. In recent years, a number of evaluations of primary prevention programs targeting partner violence have been published. This article presents a systematic review of recent interventions for primary prevention of partner violence. A total of 11 programs met inclusion criteria for the review. All 11 studies used some combination of feminist theory and social learning theory as a basis for the intervention. All targeted middle- or high-school aged students, and all but one were set in a school setting and were universal interventions (i.e., were not targeted to an at risk group). Interventions tended to be brief, with only two using interventions totaling more than 5 h in duration. Although a majority of studies were randomized trials, study quality was generally poor due to relatively short follow-up periods, high attrition rates, and poor measurement. Of the four studies that measured behavior, two found a positive intervention impact. Those two studies had the most comprehensive interventions, using both individual-level curricula and other community-based interventions. Both also employed rigorous designs. Conclusions about the overall efficacy of dating violence interventions are premature, but such programs are promising. We discuss recommendations regarding the content and evaluation of dating violence prevention programs.
Potential fields caused by point sources in regions with apertures and foreign inclusions

A semi-analytic approach is developed for obtaining potential fields generated by point sources in regions embedded with foreign inclusions and containing holes of various shape. This study promotes an extension of the range of effective implementation of the Green's function version of the boundary integral equation method in mechanics of contemporary materials. Equivalents of Green's functions are obtained to boundary-contact value problems posed for Laplace equation on piecewise homogeneous multiply connected regions. Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary conditions can be imposed on the outer boundary of the region and on contours of the apertures, while the ideal contact conditions are assumed on the interfacial contours. Source points could be located either outside or inside the inclusion. A Green's function modification of the method of functional equations is applied. A number of illustrative examples included to show the potential of the approach.
Varicocele Repair in Patients With Nonobstructive Azoospermia: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: Multiple small case series have reported sperm in the ejaculate and spontaneous pregnancies in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia after varicocele repair. We hypothesized that men with favorable testicular histopathology on testis biopsy such as maturation arrest or hypospermatogenesis would have a higher probability of success than those with more ablative pathology, eg Sertoli-cell-only.Materials and Methods: A review of the literature on varicocele repair in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia was performed and 11 publications from the previous 20 years were evaluated. Histopathological data were presented in 8 publications, and were categorized as Sertoli-cell-only, maturation arrest and hypospermatogenesis. Maturation arrest was further differentiated by 4 publications. Early maturation arrest was defined as maturation ending at the secondary spermatocyte and late maturation arrest was defined as maturation ending at the spermatid without spermatozoa present. Success after repair ...
Finite Element Analysis of a Steady‐State Rotating Tire Subjected to Point Load or Ground Contact

Abstract A radial automobile tire undergoing steady‐state rotation is analyzed by a finite element method. A special formulation is used which allows the finite element equations to be solved as a quasi‐static problem using static analysis solution procedures, rather than as a dynamic problem requiring solution in the time domain. This is accomplished through a transformation of variable that changes time derivatives, present through inertia, to spatial derivatives. Solution time for the analysis is thereby shortened. The tire is modeled first as a two‐dimensional ring on an elastic foundation, then in its full three‐dimensional geometry. Rotational speeds are those at which resonance occurs so that the dynamics can be easily visualized and the response easily verified. The models are subjected to point load excitation or ground contact. Point load is used to predict resonance responses of the undamped tire. Results agreed well with experimental measurements. The effect of inertia components and damping o...
A Woman With a Rare Cause of Hemoperitoneum

Question: A 73-year-old Asian-American woman with a history of hypertension, non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea presented to the emergency department with acute-onset epigastric pain associated with nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, and lightheadedness. The pain was severe, sharp, and nonradiating, with minimal response to intravenous (IV) morphine. She denied fevers, changes in appetite, hematemesis, hematochezia, melena, diarrhea, or constipation. There was no history of trauma. She did not smoke or drink alcohol. On examination, the patient was in obvious distress from pain; her blood pressure was 151/58, pulse 83, and there was diffuse abdominal tenderness but no distention, rebound, or guarding. Labs were notable for negative serial troponins, normal white count, hemoglobin, and prothrombin time/International Normalized Ratio, elevated transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase, 284; alanine aminotransferase, 313), elevated alkaline phosphatase (102), a total bilirubin of 1.2 (0.2 direct), and normal amylase and lipase levels. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast (Figure A) revealed a 3 9 6 cm irregular, hyperdense mass in the right anterior pararenal space inseparable from the descending portion of the duodenum. The pancreas was normal in size, contour, and density; no solid or cystic pancreatic masses were seen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed no evidence of lumenal disease. What is the etiology of this patient’s condition? Look on page 505 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors in Hematopoietic Malignancies

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis by acting as a potent inducer of vascular permeability as well as serving as a specific endothelial cell mitogen. The importance of angiogenic factors such as VEGF, although clearly established in solid tumors, has not been fully elucidated in human hematopoietic neoplasms. We examined the expression of mRNA and protein for VEGF in 12 human hematopoietic tumor cell lines, representing multiple lineages and diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Our results revealed that VEGF message was expressed in these cells and that the corresponding protein was secreted into the extracellular environment. Five of the 12 cell lines were also found to express the Flt-1 receptor for VEGF at a moderate to strong level, suggesting an autocrine pathway. When human vascular endothelial cells were exposed to recombinant human VEGF, there was an increase in the mRNA for several hematopoietic growth factors including macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 6. Plasma cells in the bone marrow from patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma were found to express VEGF, whereas both the Flt-1 and KDR high affinity VEGF receptors were observed to be markedly elevated in the normal bone marrow myeloid and monocytic cells surrounding the tumor. These data raise the possibility that VEGF may play a role in the growth of hematopoietic neoplasms such as multiple myeloma through either a paracrine or an autocrine mechanism.
Cooperative systems of neural networks and fuzzy logic and its applications

Several types of systems that involve both neural networks and fuzzy systems are introduced. These cooperative systems combine advantages of both technologies. Research in this field is surveyed and categorized into seven types. One example of actual R&D for cooperative systems is introduced. Several consumer applications that use both neural networks and fuzzy logic are introduced. They are not prototypes but commercial products that were actually put on the market. >
Outage capacity and partial secrecy for energy efficient physical layer security in Gaussian fading channels

The partial secrecy outage capacity for fading channels in wireless networks is investigated from an information theoretic perspective. An application layer characterization of physical layer secrecy is introduced to quantify the partial secrecy that can be achieved on a wireless transmission. Energy-secrecy tradeoffs are investigated based on outage capacity analysis and using our proposed partial secrecy metric. The outage probability is calculated under a long-term power constraint.
Genetic Evidence for a Noncanonical Function of Seryl-tRNA Synthetase in Vascular Development

In a recent genetic screen, we identified mutations in genes important for vascular development and maintenance in zebrafish (Jin et al. Dev Biol. 2007;307:29-42). Mutations [corrected] at the adrasteia (adr) locus cause a pronounced dilatation of the aortic arch vessels as well as aberrant patterning of the hindbrain capillaries and, to a lesser extent, intersomitic vessels. This dilatation of the aortic arch vessels does not appear to be caused by increased cell proliferation but is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) signaling. By positional cloning, we isolated seryl-tRNA synthetase (sars) as the gene affected by the adr mutations. Small interfering RNA knockdown experiments in human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures indicate that SARS also regulates endothelial sprouting. These analyses of zebrafish and human endothelial cells reveal a new noncanonical function of Sars in endothelial development.
Nitric oxide modulates microglial activation.

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide (NO) has important physiological regulatory roles, i.e, vasodilation, neurotransmitter release, etc. Little is known about the processes in neural tissues, which stabilize microglia. This study attempts to answer this question by demonstrating a role for basal NO in maintaining microglia juxtaposed to neurons. MATERIAL/METHODS Mytilus edulis (a marine bivalve), were used to examine microglia egress from excised pedal ganglia microscopically. Nitric oxide is measured in excised pedal ganglia amperometrically in real-time. RESULTS Pedal ganglia exhibit basal NO release (1 nM range). Inhibition of basal NO release by L-NAME results in greater numbers of microglia in the incubation medium. This process appears to involve two phases of egress. The first involves a slow egress of microglia, whereas the second, occurring 18 hours later, involves a more rapid release of these cells. Low levels of the NO donor SNAP (1 nM) does not interrupt microglial egress, whereas in the presence of L-NAME it does. Exposing the ganglia to high NO levels for a short period of time inhibits their egress. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous ganglionic NO release maintains/stabilizes microglia juxtaposed to neurons. Excised ganglia at the various observation periods reveals a transition of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to inducible NOS derived NO. It also appears that the microglia in some unknown manner become insensitive to iNOS derived NO since they exhibit enhanced migration during this last phase of the ganglionic NO response. Taken together, NO is involved with regulating microglial activation.
Parallel N log N N-body algorithms and applications to astrophysics

A parallel version of the Barnes-Hut N-body algorithm is described. The algorithm first assembles a tree data structure which represents the distribution of bodies at all length scales. A domain decomposition is used to assign regions of space and hence bodies to processors. An adaptive load balancing technique is used to insure that processors are assigned equal amounts of work. A tree is built in each processor, and after log/sub 2/ N/sub proc/ exchanges of data, each processor has a restricted version of the tree which is sufficient for force calculations on bodies which lie within its spatial domain. A speedup of over 380 was obtained on a 512-processor Ncube system. Overhead is primarily due to redundant calculation and processor waiting, i.e., the time spent idle waiting for another processor to provide necessary data. >
Utility of a single serum testosterone measurement to determine response to topical testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the utility of single serum testosterone measurement in patients receiving transdermal testosterone therapy.Research design and methods:Data were from an open-label, 120 day, multi-center titration trial in androgen-deficient men receiving an initial daily dose of 60 mg testosterone (testosterone topical solution 2%) applied to axillae (30 mg/axilla). Average concentration (Cavg) of serum testosterone (TT) was determined on days 15, 60, and 120; doses were adjusted to maintain normal Cavg (300–1050 ng/dL [10.4–36.4 nmol/L]). Accuracy of single serum TT measurements (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours post-dose) was assessed in patients with Cavg TT within and below (<300 ng/dL [<10.4 nmol/L]) the normal range.Clinical trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov – NCT00702650.Main outcome measure:Serum testosterone levels.Results:In patients with normal Cavg (n = 85), 79% to 92% had serum testosterone levels within normal range 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours post-dose; significant effects...
The p55 TNF receptor mediates TNF inhibition of osteoblast differentiation independently of apoptosis

After menopause, increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulates bone resorption while inhibiting differentiation of new bone-forming osteoblasts (OB). TNF receptors, p55 and p75, signal simil...
Factors Affecting Competitive Dominance of Rainbow Trout over Brook Trout in Southern Appalachian Streams: Implications of an Individual-Based Model

Abstract We used an individual-based model to examine possible explanations for the dominance of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss over brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in southern Appalachian streams. Model simulations were used to quantify the effects on interspecific competition of (1) competitive advantage for feeding sites by rainbow trout, (2) latitudinal differences in stream temperatures, flows, and daylight, (3) year-class failures, (4) lower fecundity of brook trout, and (5) reductions in spawning habitat. The model tracks the daily spawning, growth, and survival of individuals of both species throughout their lifetime in a series of connected stream habitat units (pools, runs, or riffles). Average densities of each species based on 100-year simulations were compared for several levels of each of the five factors and for sympatric and allopatric conditions. Based on model results and empirical information, we conclude that more frequent year-class failures and the lower fecundity of brook trout...
Geometries of Exceptional Lie Groups. Metasymplectic Geometries

There are two locally non-isomorphic simple real Lie groups G 2: a compact group with character δ = −14 (the Dynkin diagram is given in Fig. 1.3) and a split group with character δ = 2 (the Satake diagram is given in Fig. 1.9).
Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography During Noncardiac Surgery

Objective: To investigate the use and impact of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during noncardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: A university teaching hospital. Participants and Interventions: The medical records and the videotapes of 123 intraoperative TEE examinations were reviewed. Measurements and Main Results: TEE was used for non-consultative indications in 68 patients and in consultation in 55 patients. Information that would not have been detected intraoperatively by other means included intracardiac defects, valvular and aortic pathology, the presence or absence of ventricular dysfunction or intracardiac thrombi, and embolization during surgery. Findings during the initial TEE examination and the TEF evaluation of intraoperative events resulted in a major impact on patient management in 15% of patients. The majority of patients in whom TEE had any impact (the sum of major, minor, and limited impact groups) were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4. Patients in whom TEE had any impact were significantly older than patients in whom TEE had no impact (66.5 ± 13.4 years v 58.1 ± 16.2 years; p < 0.05). No patient experienced a complication related to intraoperative TEE. Conclusion: It appears that TEE in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is efficacious in rapidly disclosing new findings and information during periods of hemodynamic instability. It may have a significant impact on intraoperative patient management and may be beneficial in patients older than 66 years of age.
Analytic reconstruction for improved spatial resolution with the RatCAP PET tomograph

The RatCAP is a miniaturized, high resolution PET scanner worn by the subject on its head for conscious rat brain imaging. Image reconstruction by Filtered Back Projection (FBP) is complicated by a number of factors including, but not limited to gaps between detectors, the size of the field of view relative to the size of the scanner and the depth of the interaction in the detector crystal. Spatial resolution in PET is also degraded by random coincidences, photon scatter and intrinsic detector inefficiencies. Novel techniques to optimize spatial resolution that take advantage of our highly accurate Monte Carlo scanner model have been described in this paper. Initial results show an FWHM resolution of <1.6 mm at the center. Transaxial and radial resolution FWHM values will be reported for a point source placed at different radial distances from the center of the field of view (FOV).
Age-dependent changes in TDP-43 levels in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease are linked to Aβ oligomers accumulation.

Background Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is the pathological protein found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin positive inclusions and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In diseased tissue, TDP-43 translocates from its physiological nuclear location into the cytoplasm, where it accumulates. Additionally, C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 accumulate in affected brain regions and are sufficient to cause TDP-43 mislocalization and cytoplasmic accumulation in vitro. TDP-43 also accumulates in 30% of Alzheimer disease (AD) cases, a finding that has been highly reproducible. The role of TDP-43 in AD and its relation with Aβ and tau pathology, the two neuropathological hallmarks of AD, remains to be elucidated.
Protease Activity of Urokinase and Tumor Progression in a Syngeneic Mammary Cancer Model

Background: We and others have previously shown that plasminogen activators generate endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors and induce antiangiogenic activity. Here we assessed the effects of plasminogen activator overexpression on tumor progression in a syngeneic mammary cancer model. Methods: Genes encoding murine tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase (uPA), and vector controls were stably transfected into 4T1 murine mammary cancer cells, and cell proliferation in vitro was analyzed. Cells were also implanted into female BALB/c mice (n = 12 per group), and tumor growth, lung metastases, and survival were compared. Tumor cell proliferation and microvessel formation were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to proliferating cell nuclear antigen and CD31, respectively. 4T1 cells transfected with proteolytically inactive uPA mutants (A and B) were assayed for proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by using the same syngeneic model (eight to 10 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: In vitro growth of uPA- and tPA-overexpressing and control 4T1 cells was similar. In vivo, however, inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis were inhibited in the mice carrying tPA- and uPA-overexpressing tumors, compared with controls (tumor weight at day 34: control, mean = 1760 mg, 95% confi dence interval [CI] = 1434 to 2087 mg; tPA, mean = 921, 95% CI = 624 to 1217 mg; P <.001; uPA, mean = 395 mg, 95% CI = 161 to 629 mg; P <.001; number of lung metastases at day 34: control, mean = 117, 95% CI = 74 to 159; tPA, mean = 33, 95% CI = 13 to 52; uPA, mean = 15, 95% CI = 4 to 25; P <.001). Median survival was 42 (95% CI = 36 to 44), 55 (95% CI = 48 to 61), and 73 (95% CI = 51 to 86) days in the control, tPA, and uPA groups, respectively ( P <.001). uPAand tPA-expressing tumors had reduced angiogenesis and cell proliferation compared with controls. Tumors overexpressing uPA mutants grew faster than tumors expressing wild-type uPA (tumor volume at day 30: wild-type uPA, mean = 203, 95% CI = 121 to 285 mm 3 ; control, mean = 534, 95% CI = 460 to 608 mm 3 ; P <.001; mutant A, mean = 600, 95% CI = 520 to 679 mm 3 ; P <.001; and mutant B, mean = 435, 95% CI = 358.9 to 511 mm 3 ; P = .005). Conclusions: In this mouse model, uPA expression delayed tumor progression and had antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects that may be mediated by uPA’s protease activity. These re sults challenge the current dogma of proteases being exclusively tumor promoting and provide further rationale for exploring plasminogen activators as antitumor agents. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2006;98:756 – 64]
Optimal control in singularly perturbed systems: the integral manifold approach

With the integral manifold approach, the authors prove the unique existence of a lower order optimal problem whose optimal control and optimal trajectory are the same as that of a singularly perturbed linear-quadratic optimal problem for some initial conditions. A second-order example is used to illustrate the idea. >
Concentration of solutes in the renal inner medulla: interstitial hyaluronan as a mechano-osmotic transducer.

Although the concentrating process in the renal outer medulla is well understood, the concentrating mechanism in the renal inner medulla remains an enigma. The purposes of this review are fourfold....
Privacy Preserving Collaborative Filtering Using Data Obfuscation

Collaborative filtering (CF) systems are being widely used in E-commerce applications to provide recommendations to users regarding products that might be of interest to them. The prediction accuracy of these systems is dependent on the size and accuracy of the data provided by users. However, the lack of sufficient guidelines governing the use and distribution of user data raises concerns over individual privacy. Users often provide the minimal information that is required for accessing these E-commerce services. In this paper, we propose a framework for obfuscating sensitive information in such a way that it protects individual privacy and also preserves the information content required for collaborative filtering. An experimental evaluation of the performance of different CF systems on the obfuscated data proves that the proposed technique for privacy preservation does not impact the accuracy of the predictions. The proposed framework also makes it possible for multiple E-commerce sites to share data in a privacy preserving manner. Problems such as the cold-start scenario faced by new E-commerce vendors, and biased results due to insufficient users, are resolved by using a shared CF server. We describe a centralized CF server model in which a centralized CF server makes recommendations by consolidating the information received from multiple sources.
Controls on new production: the role of iron and physical processes

A coupled nitrogen–iron model is developed from simple mass balance equations to address fundamental controls on new production (NP) and how they relate to nitrate concentrations in high-nitrate-low-chlorophyll environments such as the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. The model demonstrates that a wide range ofrelationships between NP and mixed-layer nitrate is possible due to partial decoupling ofnitrogen and iron cycles in the upper ocean. The shapes and slopes ofthese relationships are determined by the mode ofphysical forcing that introduces the most variability to the iron supply for a set of observations. When variability of upwelling fluxes is dominantly determined by changes in nutricline depth over changes in upwelling velocity, NP is a linear function of mixed-layer nitrate; whereas when variability in upwelling velocity dominates, NP takes on a hyperbolic function of nitrate. Fluctuations in atmospheric iron supply also introduce distinct patterns between NP and mixed-layer nitrate concentrations. Variability in nitrogento-iron ratios in exported organic matter, however, are not likely to drive large changes in NP or nitrate because of expected covariation with N:Fe ratios in upwelled source waters. Within surface waters of the equatorial Pacific, variability in physical forcing exists over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Tropical instability waves, equatorially trapped internal gravity waves and daily fluctuations in zonal winds all predominantly drive short-term variability in upwelling velocities with minor changes to nutricline depth. El Ni * no cycles and Kelvin waves produce longer-term variability in nutricline depth with minimal changes in upwelling velocities. Comparisons ofobserved NP-to-nitrate relationships for individual cruises to the observed modes ofphysical forcing match model predictions quite well, with Zonal Flux and Flupac serving as end-member examples of these processes. These results support those from statistical studies (Aufdenkampe et al., Deep-Sea Research (2002) 2619– 2648, Aufdenkampe et al., Global Biogeochemical Cycles 15 (2002) 101–113), by offering a mechanistic explanation for observations that the relationship between NP and nitrate is more variable between cruises than within cruises. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Design and Evaluation Of a Stochastic Time-Based Arrival Scheduling Simulation System

This paper describes an expansion of modeling capabilities for the Stochastic Terminal Arrival Scheduling Software (STASS), a fast-time simulation system originally created to study terminal area arrival scheduling concepts. This expansion of STASS includes a more general model of scheduling, a massively parallel computational engine, and a data storage system suitable for large trade studies. A description and evaluation of these new capabilities in modeling, data storage, and data processing is facilitated by two case studies. The rst of these case studies, conducted for the Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Los Angeles airports, focuses on fractional airport throughput and meter-x-to-runwa y ratio and shows a correlation between these two quantities. The second case study, conducted for the Los Angeles airport, focuses on the potential scheduling benets of reduced arrival time uncertainty and shows, in particular, that a reduction in runway arrival time uncertainty from 15 seconds to 12 seconds results in a 4.5% increase in airport arrival throughput.
Secretin differentially sensitizes rat pancreatic acini to the effects of supramaximal stimulation with caerulein

Supramaximal stimulation of the rat pancreas with CCK, or its analog caerulein, triggers acute pancreatitis and a number of pancreatitis-associated acinar cell changes including intracellular activation of digestive enzyme zymogens and acinar cell injury. It is generally believed that some of these various acinar cell responses to supramaximal secretagogue stimulation are interrelated and interdependent. In a recent report, Lu et al. showed that secretin, by causing generation of cAMP and activation of PKA, sensitizes acinar cells to secretagogue-induced zymogen activation, and, as a result, submaximally stimulating concentrations of caerulein can, in the presence of secretin, trigger intracellular zymogen activation. We found that secretin also sensitizes acinar cells to secretagogue-induced cell injury and to subapical F-actin redistribution but that it did not alter the caerulein concentration dependence of other pancreatitis-associated changes such as the induction of a peak plateau intracellular [Ca(2+)] rise, inhibition of secretion, activation of ERK1/2, and activation of NF-kappaB. The finding that secretin sensitizes acinar cells to both intracellular zymogen activation and cell injury is consistent with the concept that these two early events in pancreatitis are closely interrelated and, possibly, interdependent. On the other hand, the finding that, in the presence of secretin, caerulein can trigger subapical F-actin redistribution without inhibiting secretion challenges the concept that disruption of the subapical F-actin web is causally related to high-dose secretagogue-induced inhibition of secretion in pancreatic acinar cells.
Production, Inventory and Capacity Expansion Scheduling with Integer Variables

The combined production-inventory and capacity expansion problem is modeled as a linear, integer program. The model assumes constant returns to scale in the production function of a firm which must meet, at minimum cost, deterministic demands for a single product over N periods with no backordering. A linear transformation is used to obtain an equivalent form of the model which is then decomposed into fixed cost and variable cost parts. A global optimum is obtained by enumerating on the fixed cost variables and solving transportation sub-problems with the remaining variables. Special demand and cost structures and extensions are discussed, and computational experience presented.
Pursuing pleasure, attaining oblivion: The roles and uses of intoxicants at the Mughal court

PURSUING PLEASURE, ATTAINING OBLIVION: THE ROLES AND USES OF INTOXICANTS AT THE MUGHAL COURT
Tissue Optical Properties Indicate the Progression of Hemorrhagic Shock

Non-invasive measurements of near-infrared absorption and scattering coefficients reveal important physiologic changes in a rabbit hemorrhagic shock model. Optical coefficient changes correlate with changes in hematocrit, venous blood gasses, peripheral vascular resistance, and hemorrhaged blood volume.
The investigation on reference range of serum cystatin C concentration of children in Xi′an area

Objective To investigate the medical reference range of serum cystatin C concentration of children in Xi′an city.Methods By using microparticle enhanced transmitted immunoturbidimetry assay,300 health examination children were detected serum cystatin C concentration,and the test result was statistically analyzed.Results In the 300 health children,the serum cystatin C concentration wasn′t related to gender.The serum cystatin C concentration in the 0-1 years old and the 1-16 years old children was 0.46-1.1 mg/L,0.58-1.94 mg/L(95%CI),respectively.Conclusion The medical reference range of serum cystatin C concentration in Xi′an children was 0.46-1.1 mg/L for 0-1 years old children,0.58-1.94 mg/L for 1-16 years old children.Various laboratory need to establish its own medical reference range.
Aging of Yellow Rice Wine

The aging of yellow rice wine referred to the storage and aging process of newly-produced yellow rice wine in pottery jar.Newly-produced yellow rice wine had coarse taste and unsatisfactory wine aroma.However,aging could advance the esterification between alcohols and acids and make wine taste soft and enjoyable with mellow wine aroma.The best temperature for wine storage was at 5～20 ℃ and the storehouse was required cool,dry,and ventilated with certain humidity,which was helpful for aging conditions of "small oxygen environment".Besides,pottery jar was the best choice for wine storage among all containers.
Survival analysis of 2715 HIV/AIDS after free highly active anti-retroviral therapy(HAART) in Hubei

Objective To identify the survival time and independent risk factors for death in HIV/AIDS treated with HAART.Methods History cards were downloaded from the "AIDS comprehensive prevention and control information management system".Survival rate and trend analysis were conducted by life table method,and the influence factors of survival time was analyzed through Cox regression.Results The overall mortality rate among 2 715 patients was 4.18 per 100 person-year,mortality rate was the highest within the first 6 months at the beginning of the treatment,and remained at this rate within the subsequent 1-4 per 100 person-year.The CD+4 cell count and AIDS related disease symptoms were the strongest mortality risk factors of the overall mortality.Conclusions We found a very high mortality rate in this study,especially during the first 6 months of the treatment.The prognosis was worse in patients with a baseline CD+4 cell count less than 0.05×109/L and with AIDS related disease symptoms.This highlights the special need for the early identification and treatment through improved counselling and testing strategies.