cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supervision in Liaison and Consultation Psychiatry

This paper reports special problems and techniques of teaching liaison and consultation psychiatry to psychiatric residents. It has become apparent that traditional methods of resident training are inadequate, and that specialized techniques of supervision are required to help the resident deal with the unique aspects of the liaison and consultation environment. Specific recommendations are made and discussed.
Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor SAHA on Effector and FOXP3+Regulatory T Cells in Rhesus Macaques

Abstract Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), is clinically approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Although the exact underlying mechanisms are unknown, HDACi arrests the cell cycle in rapidly proliferating tumor cells and promote their apoptosis. HDACi were also recently shown to enhance the production and suppressive functions of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in rodents, leading us to begin to investigate the actions of HDACi on rhesus monkey T cells for the sake of potential preclinical applications. In this study, we show that SAHA inhibits polyclonal activation and proliferation of rhesus T cells and that the antiproliferative effects are due to inhibition of T-effector (Teff) cells and enhancement of Treg cells. Cryopreserved rhesus macaque splenocytes were CFSE labeled, stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 and cultured for 5 days in the presence of varying concentrations of SAHA. Samples were then costained to evaluate CD4 and CD8 expression. Concentrations of SAHA (10 and 5 μmol/L) were toxic to splenocytes. Proliferation was inhibited by 57% in CD4 cells and 47% in CD8 cells when unseparated splenocytes were cultured with 3 μmol/L SAHA. Effector cells alone showed decreased inhibition to proliferation when cultured with 3 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L SAHA when compared to Teff plus Treg cells. Our data suggest that SAHA can be used as part of an immunosuppressive protocol to enhance graft survival by limiting Teff cell proliferation as well as increasing Treg cells, thereby promoting tolerance.
Microencapsulation by interfacial polycondensation

A water immiscible liquid is encapsulated in a thin skin of an insoluble copolymer by dissolving a difunctional acid chloride in said liquid and spraying the solution in fine droplets into a dilute aqueous solution of excess glycol or diamine. The polymer, which is not hygroscopic, forms as an insoluble film on the periphery of each drop. The microcapsules may be separated from the aqueous phase and dried without coalescing. Dyes, pigments, stabilizers, and other materials may be incorporated within the capsules.
Toxoplasma gondii: the model apicomplexan

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which is a significant human and veterinary pathogen. Other members of the phylum Apicomplexa are also important pathogens including Plasmodium species (i.e. malaria), Eimeria species, Neospora, Babesia, Theileria and Cryptosporidium. Unlike most of these organisms, T. gondii is readily amenable to genetic manipulation in the laboratory. Cell biology studies are more readily performed in T. gondii due to the high efficiency of transient and stable transfection, the availability of many cell markers, and the relative ease with which the parasite can be studied using advanced microscopic techniques. Thus, for many experimental questions, T. gondii remains the best model system to study the biology of the Apicomplexa. Our understanding of the mechanisms of drug resistance, the biology of the apicoplast, and the process of host cell invasion has been advanced by studies in T. gondii. Heterologous expression of apicomplexan proteins in T. gondii has frequently facilitated further characterisation of proteins that could not be easily studied. Recent studies of Apicomplexa have been complemented by genome sequencing projects that have facilitated discovery of surprising differences in cell biology and metabolism between Apicomplexa. While results in T. gondii will not always be applicable to other Apicomplexa, T. gondii remains an important model system for understanding the biology of apicomplexan parasites.
Development of β‐amino acid transport in the kidney

This study focuses on the maturation of the renal beta-amino acid transport system and uses dietary manipulation as a probe. The epithelial surface of the renal proximal tubule is responsible for the conservation of ions and organic solutes including beta-amino acids. This beta-amino acid transport system is stimulated during periods of reduced dietary intake and permits increased excretion following dietary excess. We have examined transport of the sulfur-containing beta-amino acid, taurine, as a measure of this renal adaptive response to fluctuations in dietary sulfur amino acid intake and as a substrate for the beta-amino acid transport system. A precession of taurine uptake values by brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from nursing rats from youngest to oldest was evident. However, these membranes demonstrate the full renal adaptive response to altered sulfur amino acid intake after the first week of life. This adaptive response is expressed at the brush border surface by transport changes in both directions ("up regulation" and "down regulation"), through changes in the initial rate (15 sec) of Na+-taurine cotransport. No alterations in the lipid microenvironment of the membrane, as detected by altered membrane fluidity, were uncovered. Although vesicles from 7-day-old pups demonstrate adaptation and accumulate taurine to a limited extent, the accumulation of Na+, which energizes uptake, may be altered, thereby preventing full expression of the adaptive response and of transport capacity at this age.
Relative rates of germylene and silylene insertions into alkylgermanes in competition with digermane and disilane

The relative rates of GeH2 insertions into the GeH bonds on a per bond basis were found to be in the order: (CH3)3GeH > (CH3)2GeH2 > Ge2H6 > CH3GeH3. These results were determined from competitive reactions of GeH2 with Ge2H6 and alkylgermanes. The relative rates of SiH2 insertions into Si2H6 versus (CH3)2 GeH2 and (CH3)3GeH were also obtained. These relative rates and those previously reported were examined for a correlation with the bond energy of the bond undergoing insertion and with the negative charge of the hydrogen in the bond undergoing insertion. The correlation with bond energies was successful for germanes or silanes considered separatively but not for SiH2 insertions into CH3SiH3, CH3GeH3 and CH3PH2. The correlation with the negative charge on the hydrogen was unsuccessful only where steric factors could be important.
Quasi-Linear Viscoelastic Theory is Insufficient to Comprehensively Describe the Time-Dependent Behavior of Human Cervical Spine Ligaments

Stress relaxation experiments were conducted on cervical spine ligaments at multiple strain magnitudes to determine the validity and applicability of the quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) theory to model their dynamic behavior. The results indicate that the shape of the stress relaxation curve is dependent upon the magnitude of the applied strain. Thus, a more general, nonlinear formulation is required to model these ligaments within the physiological strain range.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
SYNONYMY OF APHIS HERACLELLA DAVIS 1919 WITH APHIS HELIANTHI MONELL 1879 (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Aphis heraclella Davis is synonymized with A . helianthi Monell. This is concluded from the following evidence: (1) the apparent lack of any morphological distinction between these taxa, (2) the phenology of host plant occupation in the field, and (3) host transfer studies.
Passivity-based position consensus of multiple mechanical integrators with communication delay

We present a consensus framework for multiple variable-rate heterogeneous mechanical integrators (i.e. multidimensional integrators with mass, damping and spring matrices) on undirected graph with constant, yet, non-uniform communication delay. By connecting multiple mechanical integrators via (discrete-time) spring connections over delayed links with some damping injection, our proposed framework not only achieves position consensus, but also enforces closed-loop discrete-time passivity. Moreover, it allows arbitrary control gains regardless of integration steps, if there is no delay. Simulation result is also given to support the theory.
The structure of water around the compressibility minimum

Here we present diffraction data that yield the oxygen-oxygen pair distribution function, gOO(r) over the range 254.2–365.9 K. The running O-O coordination number, which represents the integral of the pair distribution function as a function of radial distance, is found to exhibit an isosbestic point at 3.30(5) A. The probability of finding an oxygen atom surrounding another oxygen at this distance is therefore shown to be independent of temperature and corresponds to an O-O coordination number of 4.3(2). Moreover, the experimental data also show a continuous transition associated with the second peak position in gOO(r) concomitant with the compressibility minimum at 319 K.
Gene Expression Ratio Test Distinguishes Normal Lung from Lung Tumors in Solid Tissue and FNA Biopsies

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Prognosis and survival are dependent on cell type, early detection, and surgical treatment. Hence, optimal screening strategies and new therapies are urgently required. Although surveillance with low-dose computed tomography can reduce lung cancer mortality by 20%, the number of false-positive detections is significant. Tissue diagnosis aids in the identification of benign nodules, reducing the number of false positive detections. To determine whether molecular testing of fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) can reduce false-positive detections, we developed a gene expression–based test that distinguishes normal from cancerous lung tissues. The test first was applied to published microarray data, showing overall sensitivity and specificity values of 95% (95% CI, 90%–98%) and 100% (95% CI, 40%–100%), respectively. Subsequently, it was validated on 30 solid and ex vivo FNA lung cancer tumor samples and matched normal lung specimens using real-time PCR. The validation test was 93% (95% CI, 78%–99%) sensitive and 100% (95% CI, 88%–100%) specific for the detection of tumor versus normal lung on solid samples, whereas FNA specimens yielded a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI, 72%–99%) and a specificity of 94% (95% CI, 70%–100%). This study supports the hypothesis that the gene-ratio approach reliably distinguishes normal lung from cancerous tissues in FNA samples and can be optimized to diagnose benign nodules.
Sputter-Deposited Thin Films Of Linbo 3 And LiTaO 3 For The Ion Conducting Layer Of Smart Windows

Some of the materials properties required for successful use in electrochromic windows are reviewed. The preparation of thin films of lithium niobate and lithium tantalate by rf sputtering is described. The films are shown to be amorphous to X-rays, and transparent to visible and NIR radiation. The sputtering process on substrates of tungsten trioxide leads to the formation of the lithium tungsten bronze. Estimates of the electronic resistivity and conuctivity are given as 1012Ω-cm and 10-7(Ω-cm)-1.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Approximate frequency counts over data streams

Research in data stream algorithms has blossomed since late 90s. The talk will trace the history of the Approximate Frequency Counts paper, how it was conceptualized and how it influenced data stream research. The talk will also touch upon a recent development: analysis of personal data streams for improving our quality of lives.
Guest Editorial: Model-based Medical Image Processing and Analysis

This PDF file contains the editorial “Guest Editorial: Model-based Medical Image Processing and Analysis” for JEI Vol. 12 Issue 01
SU-E-T-639: Dosimetric Evaluation of VMAT for the Treatment of NSCLC with SBRT.

Purpose: To demonstrate the dosimetric potential of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for the treatment of patients with medically inoperable stage I/II non‐small cell lungcancer(NSCLC) with stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT).Methods: Fourteen patients treated with 3D‐CRT with varying tumor locations, tumor sizes and dose fractionation schemes were chosen for study. The target prescription doses were 48 Gy in 4 fractions, 52.5 Gy in 5 fractions, 57.5 Gy in 5 fractions and 60 Gy in 3 fractions for 2, 5, 1 and 6 patients, respectively. VMAT treatment plans with a mix of 2–3 full and/or partial non‐coplanar arcs with 5°–25° separations were retrospectively generated using Eclipse version 10.0. The 3D‐CRT and VMAT plans were then evaluated by comparing their target dose, critical structure dose, high dose spillage, and low dose spillage as defined according to RTOG 0813 and RTOG 0236 protocols. Results: The VMAT treatment plans yielded an average 9.6–33.7% reduction in dose to critical structures and an average 12.0–12.5% increase in conformity compared with the treated 3D‐CRT plans. The D2cm improved with VMAT in 11 of 14 cases. The 3 that worsened were still within the acceptance criteria. Of the 14 3D‐CRT plans, 7 had a D2cm minor deviation, while only one of the 14 VMAT plans had a D2cm minor deviation. The R50% improved in 13 of the 14 VMAT cases. The 1 case that worsened was still within the acceptance criteria of the RTOG protocol. Of the 14 3D‐CRT plans, 7 had an R50% deviation. Only 1 of the 14 VMAT plans had an R50% deviation, but it was still improved compared to the 3D‐CRT plan. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients, no dosimetric compromises resulted from planning SBRTtreatments with VMAT relative to the 3D‐CRT treatment plans actually used in their treatment.
Traffic control and highway networks

Results and future directions are discussed for the problems of traffic signal control on urban street networks, traffic control on freeways and expressways–and the potential of highway automation.
The Effects of Naltrexone on Subjective Response to Methamphetamine in a Clinical Sample: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Laboratory Study

Methamphetamine (MA) use disorder is a serious psychiatric condition for which there are no FDA-approved medications. Naltrexone (NTX) is an opioid receptor antagonist with demonstrated efficacy, albeit moderate, for the treatment of alcoholism and opioid dependence. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that NTX may be useful for the treatment of MA use disorder. To inform treatment development, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled human laboratory study of NTX. Non-treatment-seeking individuals meeting DSM-IV criteria for MA abuse or dependence (n=30) completed two separate 5-day inpatient stays. During each admission, participants completed testing sessions comprised of MA cue-reactivity and intravenous MA administration (30 mg) after receiving oral NTX (50 mg) or placebo for 4 days. This study tested the hypotheses that NTX would (a) attenuate cue-induced MA craving, and (b) reduce subjective responses to MA administration. Results largely supported the study hypotheses such that (a) NTX significantly blunted cue-induced craving for MA and (b) attenuated several of the hedonic subjective effects of MA, including craving, during controlled MA administration and as compared with placebo. NTX decreased overall subjective ratings of 'crave drug,' 'stimulated,' and 'would like drug access,' decreased the the post-MA administration timecourse of 'anxious' and increased ratings of 'bad drug effects,' as compared with placebo. These findings support a potential mechanism of action by showing that NTX reduced cue-induced craving and subjective responses to MA. This is consistent with positive treatment studies of NTX for amphetamine dependence, as well as ongoing clinical trials for MA.
Effect of a Combined Repeated Reading and Question Generation Intervention on Reading Achievement

Research was conducted to ascertain if a combined repeated reading and question generation intervention was effective at improving the reading achievement of fourth through eighth grade students with learning disabilities or who were at risk for reading failure. Students were assigned to a treatment or control group via a stratified random sampling. Instructional components and training were based on best practices reported in the literature. Students receiving intervention significantly improved their reading speed and ability to answer inferential comprehension questions on passages that were reread. Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group also made significant gains in oral reading fluency on independent passages.
A model for lead retardation of cement setting

Abstract Lead and chromium doped cement samples have been examined by XPS. Lead has been fiund to be primarily a surface species, unlike chromium. This allows the extension of a model for lead retardation of the setting of Portland cement.
Communication in ultimatum games

Abstract This paper considers an ultimatum game where responders make a non-binding request. Despite a positive relation between requested and offered amounts, requests reduced offers, increased the rate of rejection and decreased average pay of proposers and responders.
Method for computation of cardiac output in mitral stenosis independent of left ventricular dimensions and kinetic state: Correlation with cardiac catheterization via the fick method

An hydraulic orifice formula offering the possibility of quantifying cardiac output in conditions of mitral stenosis is tested using potentially noninvasive portions of catheterization data from patients evaluated for obstructive mitral valve disease. The equation studied is V = (1/21) R A T2, where V is the cardiac output (mi/min), R is the heart frequency, A is the mitral valve area (cm2), and T is the diastolic filling interval (sec/min). The mitral valve area was determined by the Gorlin formula, and R and T were measured from the pressure tracings recorded at cardiac catheterization. The degree of correspondence between the equation tested and the measured cardiac output as determined by the Fick principle technique is characterized by r = 0.87, SE = 450 mi/min, N = 10. The results suggest that the new formulation may offer a noninvasive method for estimating the cardiac output status of patients with mitral valve disease once mitral valve area is measured either at catheterization or by two-dimensional echocardiography.
Participation and Accommodation in State Assessment: The Role of Individualized Education Programs

The individualized education program (IEP) is both an important process and a document in decision-making concerning students' participation and accommodation in assessment. In this intervention study, training was found to increase the quality and extent of participation and accommodation documentation on the IEP. Correlations between what was documented on the IEP and what happened on the day of testing were highly variable. Although students' IEPs appeared to reflect individualized decisions, political and logistical factors limited the utility of the IEP and interfered with its actual implementation.
Varying Approaches to Readability Measurement

L’article presente et analyse trois mesures de la lisibilite qui ont ete developpees depuis le debut du vingtieme siecle jusqu’a aujourd’hui : les mesures classiques, les mesures a teneur cognitive et les mesures qualitatives basees sur le jugement humain. Les mesures dites classiques sont celles qui sont les plus largement utilisees. Elles tiennent compte de certaines particularites du texte pour mesurer la lisibilite comme la difficulte des mots et la complexite des phrases. Les mesures a teneur cognitive considerent la structure du texte et ses aspects semantiques. Les mesures qualitatives basees sur le jugement humain ont une approche plus heuristique qui considerent l’ensemble des difficultes d’un texte selon une evaluation plus subjective. La presentation de chacune de ces mesures souligne le cadre theorique sous-jacent, les particularites du texte et les aspects mesures, sa fiabilite et sa validite ainsi que les domaines d’application ou elle est utilisee.
A Performance Improvement Prescribing Guideline Reduces Opioid Prescriptions for Emergency Department Dental Pain Patients

Study objective In an effort to reduce prescription opioid abuse originating from our institution, we implement and measure the effect of a prescribing guideline on the rate of emergency department (ED) opioid prescriptions written for patients presenting with dental pain, a complaint previously associated with drug-seeking behavior. Methods After implementing a departmental guideline on controlled substance prescriptions, we performed a structured before-and-after chart review of dental pain patients aged 16 and older. Results Before the guideline, the rate of opioid prescription was 59% (302/515). After implementation, the rate was 42% (65/153). The absolute decrease in rates was 17% (95% confidence interval 7% to 25%). Additionally, in comparing the 12-month period before and after implementation, the dental pain visit rate decreased from 26 to 21 per 1,000 ED visits (95% confidence interval of decrease 2 to 9 visits/1,000). Conclusion A performance improvement program involving a departmental prescribing guideline was associated with a reduction in the rate of opioid prescriptions and visits for ED patients presenting with dental pain.
Message passing expectation-maximization algorithms

Message passing algorithms have had dramatic impacts on important problems in signal processing, learning theory, communication theory, and information theory through their computational efficiency. Expectation-maximization algorithms have had dramatic impacts on problems in estimation and detection theory, but their computational efficiency often limits their applicability. Given a bipartite graphical model for the data, if a set of hidden independent random variables can be associated with the edges, then a resulting expectation-maximization algorithm is message passing on this graph. The algorithms are computationally efficient in the same sense as other message passing algorithms. One example of such algorithms is the standard expectation-maximization algorithm for emission tomography. Another example for a signal in Gaussian noise yields a statistical interpretation to efficient algorithms for sparse linear inverse problems
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Transition Metal Oxides for Secondary Batteries

Pulsed laser deposition has been used to prepare thin films of several complex metal oxides of significance in secondary batteries from a single stoichiometric target with a substrate temperature of 600°C in the presence of 200 mtorr O2. Films of the candidate bifunctional air electrocatalysts, for metal air batteries, Lao.6Cao.4CoO3, Lao.6Sr0.4CoO3, Lao.6Cao.4MnO3 and Lao.6Sro.4MnO3 were prepared on glassy carbon substrates. Glassy carbon was found to either erode during the ablation process (with the cobaltates) or cause film cracking after deposition because of its extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion.. The use of stainless steel substrates yielded 0.3μm-thick dense films of Lao.6Cao.4CoO3 and Lao.6Cao.4MnO3 which were suitable for electrochemical measurements in concentrated alkaline electrolytes. LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2 films were prepared at thickness’ of 0.3μm and 1 5μm The 0.3μm-thick films delivered 176 mC/cm2-μm and 323 mC/cm2-μm for LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2, respectively, in 1M LiClO4/PC.
Effect of vasopressor drugs on circulatory dynamics in shock following myocardial infarction

Abstract Hemodynamic measurements were made in 15 patients with severe shock due to acute myocardial infarction. The changes produced by infusing either levarterenol or metaraminol were determined in 10 of these patients. The hemodynamic effects of these pressor amines were found to be dependent not only on their known pharmacologie actions but also upon the setting in which they were used. When the cardiac output was initially very low and the peripheral resistance elevated, these drugs increased the former but produced little change in the latter. This response was noted in 5 patients, 4 of whom had moderate to severe metabolic acidosis. When the peripheral resistance was initially normal or low and the cardiac output moderately reduced or normal, levarterenol and metaraminol increased the peripheral resistance significantly but decreased the cardiac output. Vasopressor drugs are of limited value in the treatment of shock due to myocardial infarction. Other therapeutic approaches are needed to correct the abnormalities in many patients with this syndrome.
Interactions between iron-deficiency chlorosis and soybean cyst nematode in Minnesota soybean fields

Experiments were conducted in four commercial fields differing in severity of iron-deficiency chlorosis (IDC), and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) in Waseca and Lamberton, Minnesota to determine the interaction between the IDC and SCN. Each experiment was a randomized complete block with a factorial treatment design including 23 cultivars with or without traits of resistance to SCN, and IDC. The study illustrated the interactive effects of the two defensive traits on the diseases and soybean yields. IDC rating was higher in SCN-susceptible than SCN-resistant soybean, suggesting SCN infection increased IDC. Resistance to IDC apparently increased SCN reproduction due to better soybean plant growth. Yield response to the defensive traits depended on the disease pressures in a field. When both IDC and SCN were present in a field, deploying SCN-resistance was the best solution to the problems. However, SCN-resistance suppressed soybean yields when used in fields without the disease problems. IDC-resistance increased yield of SCN-susceptible cultivars, but it did not result in detectable yield benefit of SCN-resistant cultivars in SCN-infested sites. Effective use of the defensive traits for management of IDC and SCN requires specific knowledge of the disease problems present in a field.
Improved ability to perform strenuous activities after treatment with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination in patients with persistent asthma.

Patients with asthma experience disruptions in usual activities that can impair their quality of life, and in patients whose daily routine involves an active lifestyle, these disruptions can be severe. We assessed the patient-perceived effect of treatment with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination (FSC), compared with fluticasone propionate (FP) or salmeterol (SAL) alone, on activity limitations, particularly strenuous physical activities. The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) was administered in two 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials comparing FSC 100/50 or 250/50 µg twice daily vs. the individual components alone in 686 adults and adolescents with asthma. In one study, patients were stratified by prior treatment [low to medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or SAL], and in the other study, all patients were previously treated with medium to high doses of ICS. Patients prospectively identified five activities they performed regularly and were asked how ...
Reduced Order Kalman Filtering Of Moving Images

This paper presents some preliminary results on the application of the extended Kalman filter to the reduction of noise in moving images. A large savings in the number of computations required is obtained by implementing the filter in the spatial frequency domain. The resulting filter is shown to be composed of fourth order filter segments, in parallel, followed by an FIR filter. In addition to the computational savings, this architecture is well suited to implementation using systolic array technology.
Understanding healing: a conceptual analysis

The practice of the healing arts has been a part of human history since ancient times. Despite the development of related scholarly concepts in nursing such as caring, healing remains an enigma. Using conceptual analysis a clear definition of healing within a Rogerian/Newmanian framework is explicated. Case development assists in the understanding of healing as a concept, and questions arising from this definition provide focus for further scholarly work. A result of this process of concept analysis was the development of a definition of healing which is clear and which fits the theoretical underpinnings of the unitary-transformative paradigm. Healing, as a core variable of interest in the study of health, provides important parameters for study. The definition of healing which arose from the concept analysis is: Healing is an experiential, energy-requiring process in which space is created through a caring relationship in a process of expanding consciousness and results in a sense of wholeness, integration, balance and transformation and which can never be fully known.
Elucidation of So-called Sex-determining Factors

The chromosomal sex-determining mechanism quite obviously depends upon the presence of female-determining factors on one member and of male-determining factors on the other member of the sex chromosome pair. Yet, the exact nature of so-called sex-determining factors remains a riddle. While sex-linked genes are Mendelian genes which behave in a predictable manner, the sex-determining factors are elusive entities which have not permitted close scrutiny.
Optimal dynamic policies for product and process innovation

Abstract Relatively few studies have analytically examined incremental product and process R & D activities after a product is in the marketplace. In this paper, new product demand is modeled as a dynamic function of price and incremental product innovation, while process improvements influence costs. Optimal price, and product and process R & D expenditure patterns are studied analytically and with numerical methods. Results are partially consistent with existing hypotheses in the literature and, at the same time, some new insights are obtained. The main conclusion is that the rates of incremental product and process innovation over the product life cycle are a function of the interdependence between product and process improvements. Importantly, empirical innovation patterns matching each of the derived patterns have been reported by other researchers.
The inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity ratio as a predictor of survival in an emphysematous phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Author(s): French, Aimee; Balfe, David; Mirocha, James M; Falk, Jeremy A; Mosenifar, Zab | Abstract: BackgroundForced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) grades severity of COPD and predicts survival. We hypothesize that the inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity (IC/TLC) ratio, a sensitive measure of static lung hyperinflation, may have a significant association with survival in an emphysematous phenotype of COPD.ObjectivesTo access the association between IC/TLC and survival in an emphysematous phenotype of COPD.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of a large pulmonary function (PF) database with 39,050 entries, from April 1978 to October 2009. Emphysematous COPD was defined as reduced FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), increased TLC, and reduced diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO; beyond 95% confidence intervals [CIs]). We evaluated the association between survival in emphysematous COPD patients and the IC/TLC ratio evaluated both as dichotomous (≤25% vs g25%) and continuous predictors. Five hundred and ninety-six patients had reported death dates.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that IC/TLC ≤25% was a significant predictor of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39, Pl0.0001). Median survivals were respectively 4.3 (95% CI: 3.8-4.9) and 11.9 years (95% CI: 10.3-13.2). Multivariable analysis revealed age (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.14-1.24), female sex (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60-0.83), and IC/TLC ≤25% (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.34-2.13) were related to the risk of death. Univariate analysis showed that continuous IC/TLC was associated with death, with an HR of 1.66 (95% CI: 1.52-1.81) for a 10% decrease in IC/TLC.ConclusionAdjusting for age and sex, IC/TLC ≤25% is related to increased risk of death, and IC/TLC as a continuum, is a significant predictor of mortality in emphysematous COPD patients.
ERYTHROCYTE-REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA.

T ills report is concerned with the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the erythrocytes of patients with megaloblastic anemias. Other investigators have reported that the red cell GSH concentrations are low,’ normal2 or elevated35 in pernicious anemia. The present studies indicate that the level of erythrocyte GSH is increased.
Iceberg Drift Forecast Requirements for Offshore Platforms Utilizing Facility Side-Tracking to Avoid Impacts

A number of solutions have been successfully implemented for producing oil and gas off Canada’s east coast, where impacts by icebergs are a possibility. In future, as operators move further offshore to deeper water and further north where the numbers and sizes of icebergs may increase, new solutions for avoiding impacts will be required to limit ice strengthening requirements and ice related downtime costs. A potential solution is the use of facility side-tracking, where a floating system is designed to move laterally to avoid approaching icebergs. This paper discusses the issues involved including the need for improved short-term iceberg drift forecasting.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
New and Revised Life History of the Florida Hairstreak Eumaeus atala (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) with Notes on its Current Conservation Status

Abstract Southeast Florida is considered part of the Caribbean archipelago and a biodiversity hotspot for conservation priorities, with many endangered species precinctive to the Lower Peninsula. The tropical butterfly Eumaeus atala (Poey) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is currently found in Southeast Florida, the Caribbean, Cayman Islands, and Cuba, but was once considered probably extinct in Southeast Florida, where it has made a significant population increase during the past 30 yr. The State of Florida lists E. atala as imperiled, based on the species' ephemeral and cyclic abundance, isolated extant populations, reduced and highly fragmented habitat, and vulnerability to stochastic weather events. The objective of this captive-rearing intensive study was to fill gaps related to E. atala's overall biology and ecology in order to assist recovery efforts. Life history was studied under controlled environmental conditions to document the life span, reproduction, and development. Longevity proved to be much gre...
More Is Less: Global Warming News Values on Fox Compared to Other U.S. Broadcast News Outlets

Past research supports the notion that Fox News Channel (FNC) is more dismissive of global warming than other news outlets. In addition, FNC covers the issue much more often. A qualitative–quantita...
Inexact Gauss-Newton Method for Singular Equations

A new semi-local convergence analysis of the Gauss-Newton method for solving convex composite optimization problems is presented using the concept of quasi-regularity for an initial point [13, 18, 22, 23, 25].
INVESTIGATIONS ON TRANSMISSABILITY OF MORAXELLA BOVIS BY THE FACE FLY.

The appearance and prevalence of the face fly, Musca autumnalis DeGeer, is suspected as a contributing factor in the increase of infectious bovine keratitis (pinkeye) in cattle. Preliminary studies were initiated in Massachusetts to determine the potential role of the face fly in the transmission of this disease. The more significant findings are: (a) the bacterium Moraxella bovis (Hauduroy) may remain viable in the environs of the fly up to 3 days; (b) M. bovis was readily recovered from the exudate from infected eyes; (c) M. bovis was readily recovered from wings and legs of face flies up to 3 days after exposure to laboratory cultures; (d) the bacterium apparently is rapidly destroyed in the digestive tract of the face fly; and (e) M. bovis was recovered from laboratory-reared flics exposed to lacrimal exudates on infected cattle in the field. Since the fly is a persistent feeder around eyes of cattle, these findings are further evidence tending to incriminate the face fly as a potential carrier of M. bovis .
Strong site preference of Co 2+ in olivine, Co 1.10 Mg 0.90 SiO 4

The crystal structure and site preference of Co2+ in a synthetic Co1.10Mg0.90SiO4 olivine have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data collected on an automatic diffractometer. The R factor is 0.044 for 612 reflections. The site occupancies are: Ml site: Co 0.730±0.006; Mg 0.270; M2 site: Co 0.370, Mg 0.630. The Gibbs free energy change, ΔG° for the ion-exchange reaction between M1 and M2 sites is −4.06 kcals/mole, assuming ideal mixing at each set of sites. This energy may be called ‘site preference energy’ of Co2+ in olivine. The strong preference of Co2+ for the M1 site can be quantitatively explained by two competing forces: preference of ions larger than Mg2+ for the M2 site and stronger covalent bonding of transition metal ions at the M1 site. For Fe2+, Mg2+, these two effects nearly neutralize each other, explaining the lack of considerable cation-ordering in Fe-Mg olivines.
Reliability-Based Design Using Simulation for Aluminum Elements

Studies of reliability in current practice indicate that reliability based on conventional methods requires a nonlinear transformation to a set of normal distributions, which effectively changes the shape of limit state function. In this paper, the general formulation of safety for aluminum elements and the associated methods of analysis are reviewed. Direct simulation is used to find the probability of failure. It is concluded that direct simulations of safety of aluminum elements of Pr (probability of failure) by failure counting is a good method to achieve acceptable safety factors.© 2007 ASME
Endothelin-1 synthesis, receptors, and signal transduction in alveolar epithelium: Evidence for an autocrine role

In the lung, endothelin-1 (ET-1) is synthesized by several cell types and acts locally to cause vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction, activate alveolar macrophages, and stimulate chloride secretion. We report ET-1 production, binding, and signal transduction by a previously unrecognized site, the alveolar epithelial cell. L2 cells, a cloned rat alveolar epithelial cell line, secreted ET-1 and contained ET-1 mRNA. Exposure of L2 cells to lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, or transforming growth factor-beta stimulated ET-1 release, whereas interferon-gamma or platelet-derived growth factor decreased ET-1 secretion. 125I-ET-1 binding to L2 cells revealed a single binding site with a maximal binding capacity of 22.4 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant of 4.03 nM. 125I-ET-1 binding was completely inhibited by ET receptor A (ETA) blockade and by unlabeled ET-1 >> ET-3 = sarafotoxin 6c, consistent with the presence of ETA. Exogenous ET-1 increased, whereas blockade of endogenous ET-1 decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by L2 cells; exogenous ET-1 also increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production. We conclude that 1) cloned rat alveolar epithelial cells synthesize ET-1; 2) inflammatory mediators modulate ET-1 production; 3) L2 cells express ETA; 4) ET-1 increases PGE2 and cAMP levels in these cells; and 5) BQ-123, an ETA antagonist, decreases their basal PGE2 production. These studies suggest that ET-1 may function as an autocrine factor in alveolar epithelial cells.
Impact of clozapine versus haloperidol on conditional release time and rates of revocation in a forensic psychiatric population

Background: Clozapine remains the cornerstone of treatment for treatment refractory schizophrenia. Clozapine has been shown to improve quality of life and cognitive functioning and to reduce hospital days in psychiatric patients. The impact of clozapine in a forensic population of psychiatric patients has not been studied. Methods: This study is a naturalistic, retrospective database analysis of forensic patients hospitalized at the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center from January 1, 1990 to August 1, 1999 who were treated with clozapine or haloperidol. Patients were either court ordered for hospitalization as having been found not guilty by reason of insanity or as incompetent to proceed to trial. Results: Data from 84 patients (69 male, 15 female) were included in the analysis. The primary Axis I diagnoses were substance abuse (n = 61) and schizophrenia (n = 46). Patients had been treated with haloperidol (n = 78) and clozapine (n = 21), and some had received each agent as monotherapy during their course of treatment (n = 15). Assault (n = 22), armed criminal action (n = 18), and burglary (n = 18) were the primary forensic reasons for admission. Of those eligible to obtain a conditional release, 33% of haloperidol-treated patients and 38% of clozapine-treated patients obtained their conditional release on those medications. Haloperidol-treated patients were more likely to have their conditional release revoked (58.8%) versus those treated with clozapine (0%). Clozapine-treated patients were also more likely to stay on conditional release for longer periods of time. Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores improved in both treatment groups; however, of 15 patients converted from haloperidol to clozapine, 93% (n = 14) saw improvements in GAF scores. Conclusions: Clozapine and haloperidol effectively reduce psychosis and aggression. In our study, clozapine-treated patients were more likely to obtain a conditional release and stayed on conditional release for longer periods of time. Although the need exists to study this patient population more closely from a longitudinal standpoint, one may suspect that these findings represent a potential decrease in healthcare costs for the treatment of forensic psychiatric patients.
Functional development of the brain's face‐processing system

In the first 20 years of life, the human brain undergoes tremendous growth in size, weight, and synaptic connectedness. Over the same time period, a person achieves remarkable transformations in perception, thought, and behavior. One important area of development is face processing ability, or the ability to quickly and accurately extract extensive information about a person's identity, emotional state, attractiveness, intention, and numerous other types of information that are crucial to everyday social interaction and communication. Associating particular brain changes with specific behavioral and intellectual developments has historically been a serious challenge for researchers. Fortunately, modern neuroimaging is dramatically advancing our ability to make associations between morphological and behavioral developments. In this article, we demonstrate how neuroimaging has revolutionized our understanding of the development of face processing ability to show that this essential perceptual and cognitive skill matures consistently yet slowly over the first two decades of life. In this manner, face processing is a model system of many areas of complex cognitive development. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1423. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1423 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Differential sensitivity of LNCaP and BPH-1 prostate cells to effects of selenium on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and thioredoxin reductase.

B225 Dietary selenium (Se) supplementation has been reported to be associated with a decreased incidence of some human cancers such as prostate cancer. Se has therefore been suggested to be a promising chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer, but the biological effects of Se on normal or malignant prostate cells have not been well established. Thioredoxin reductase (TR) is a seleno-enzyme responsible for maintaining thioredoxin (Trx)in its reduced form. Because Trx is involved in manycellular processes, TR is likely to be an importantregulatory protein for both normal and transformed cells. Trx is overexpressed in a number of human tumors, and experimental studies have shown that Trx contributes to the growth and the transformed phenotype of some human cancer cells. Thus, TR, by reducing Trx, could play a role in regulating the growth of normal and cancer cells. Our objective was to investigate whether Se affects TrxR activity and whether this is associated with alterations in cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated some of the mechanisms by which Se, in the form of sodium selenite, differentially regulates TR activity and affects cell proliferation and apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells and immortalized benign BPH-1 prostate epithelial cells. The concentrations of Se used in the medium (1-10 µM) spans the range of blood levels normally found in humans (1 to 2.5 µM) and in humans taking Se supplements (up to 10 µM) and is in the order of human prostate tissue Se concentrations. Exposure of malignant LNCaP cells to 5 µM sodium selenite for 72 h led to a profound S phase arrest and exposure to 10 µM led to both G1 arrest and S phase arrest and to DNA fragmentation and caspase-mediated cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), two biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis. In contrast, selenite exposure of benign BPH-1 cells to 5 or 10 µM sodium selenite caused only G1 arrest and only caspase-dependent apoptotic DNA fragmentation, but no S phase arrest or caspase-mediated cleavage of PARP. No effects were found on any parameter studied at Se concentrations below 5 µM. These results suggest that LNCaP cells are hypersensitive and BPH-1 cells resistant to the cytostatic and proapoptotic effects of Se. Ten µM sodium selenite, but not 5 µM or less, decreased thioredoxin reductase activity in LNCaP cells, which may be an early toxic effect on these cells. In contrast, in BPH-1 cells Se caused a dose-dependent increase in cellular TR activity over the entire range of concentrations. It is possible that the increased levels of thioredoxin reductase activity found in benign BPH-1 in response to selenium in the high physiological range is associated with the resistance of these cells to the Se effects on cell growth and apoptosis. Our results suggest that Se may exert its effects on human prostate cancer cells through TR which may thus have a role in cancer prevention by Se.
Characterization of Foreign-Born vs. Native-Born Worker Fatalities in Kentucky, 2001–2014

Information on foreign-born worker (FBW) and native-born worker (NBW) fatal injuries is scarce. The Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program analyzed 2001–2014 worker fatality data. The Kentucky FBW fatality rate was double the US FBW and NBW rates, and 50% higher than the Kentucky NBW fatality rate. FBW average age at death was 38 years; NBW age was 47 years. FBW deaths occurred in construction (26%) and services (22%) industries, and transportation [28% (54% due to semi truck crashes)] and construction [26%(48% due to roofing, scaffolding, and ladder-related falls)] occupations; in contrast, NBW deaths occurred in services (22%), and transportation (18%) industries, and transportation (25%) and management (20%) occupations, and were due to exposures to inanimate mechanical forces (38%), and transport accidents (30%). Enhanced FBW cultural competent interventions and policies are needed to prevent FBW occupational injuries, and improve FBW workplace safety and health.