cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-thymic maturation: young T cells assert their individuality

T cell maturation was once thought to occur entirely within the thymus. Now, evidence is mounting that the youngest peripheral T cells in both mice and humans comprise a distinct population from their more mature, yet still naive, counterparts. These cells, termed recent thymic emigrants (RTEs), undergo a process of post-thymic maturation that can be monitored at the levels of cell phenotype and immune function. Understanding this final maturation step in the process of generating useful and safe T cells is of clinical relevance, given that RTEs are over-represented in neonates and in adults recovering from lymphopenia. Post-thymic maturation may function to ensure T cell fitness and self tolerance.
Desensitization of kitten atria to chronotropic, inotropic and adenylyl cyclase stimulating effects of (-)isoprenaline

Desensitization of kitten atria with 30 μM (-)isoprenaline resulted in a 6-fold and 15-fold increase in the EC50's of (-)isoprenaline for its positive chronotropic effects (sinus pacemakers) and positive inotropic effects (left atria), respectively, but only in a 2-fold increase of the EC50 of (-)isoprenaline for adenylyl cyclase stimulation in membrane particles from atria. However, maximum cyclase stimulation by (-)isoprenaline was decreased to 1/2 in membranes from (-)isoprenaline-treated atria, whereas maximum increases in rate of sinus pacemakers and force of left atria were unchanged and reduced by 15%, respectively. The high affinity β-adrenoceptor blocker (-)bupranolol antagonized the adenylyl cyclase stimulation by (-)isoprenaline to similar extent in membranes from (-)isoprenaline and untreated atria, suggesting that the apparent affinity of β-adrenoceptors for ligands is unchanged by desensitization. The evidence is compatible with the concept that desensitization is associated with decreased availability of receptors and with the view that near maximal positive chronotropic effects of catecholamines may be caused by only threshold increases in membrane adenylyl cyclase activity.
A two-stage approach for improving the perceptual quality of separated speech

Binary time-frequency masking and model-based nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) are two common approaches to speech separation. However, binary masking often suffers from poor perceptual quality, while NMF typically requires pretrained models for both speech and noise and frequently does not perform well. In this paper we examine whether a single or two-stage approach should be used for performing separation. We propose a two-stage algorithm that uses a soft mask in the first stage for separation, and NMF in the second stage for improving perceptual quality where only a speech model needs to be trained. We show that the proposed two-stage approach achieves higher objective perceptual quality and intelligibility compared to related single-stage methods.
Frequency-independent background internal friction in heterogeneous solids

A source of elastic wave internal friction is proposed for complex, randomly heterogeneous solids. It arises from the dissipation of long‐range thermal currents due to temperature waves excited by dilatational strain fluctuations between extended elastically dissimilar regions in a solid containing multiple heterogeneities. Dissipation of thermal currents driven by temperature waves across grain boundaries is a part of conventional theory in the high‐frequency limit where only individual anisotropies immediately adjacent to each other are considered, and the range of the waves is small compared to a grain size. It is argued that such dissipation will also become important toward low frequency if a random distribution of elastic heterogeneity exists on a scale exceeding both the thermal skin depth and the grain size. In this event, nearly adiabatic temperature differences arise, in response to an incident elastic wave, between contiguous regions the size of the skin depth due to the difference in average e...
Chebyshev–Grüss type inequalities on RN over spherical shells and balls

Abstract We present new Chebyshev–Gruss type inequalities on R N over spherical shells and balls by extending some basic univariate results of Pachpatte.
New techniques for magnetic moment measurements of short-lived excited states

Abstract The hyperfine interactions between fast ions moving through a magnetized medium and their electronic environment lead to very large magnetic fields at the nucleus. These fields have been exploited in the measurement of magnetic moments of very short-lived excited nuclear states. The present understanding of the origin and dynamic behavior of these fields is reviewed. The techniques used for the determination of magnetic moments are described and examples displaying the scope and limitations of the technique are presented. Strong directional hyperfine interactions are also manifested as fast ions exit into vacuum from foils tilted with respect to the beam. These phenomena have also been applied successfully to the measurement of nuclear magnetic moments and are briefly discussed.
The importance of pH and citrate concentration on the in vitro and in vivo behavior of Radiogallium

Abstract The influence of pH and citrate concentration on radio labeled gallium citrate has been investigated in vitro and in vivo as an aid to understanding the behavior of this radiopharmaceutical. Using paper chromatography, we have shown that a competition for gallium exists between hydroxyl and citrate ions in solution such that effective chelation occurs only at low pH or high citrate concentration. The influence of preparation pH has been investigated in tumour-bearing rats; the biodistribution of 67 Ga was found to be virtually unaffected by pH in the range of 6–10. The influence of citrate on dog serum-protein binding has been studied using gel filtration and equilibrium dialysis; our results show that a competition for gallium exists in serum environments between serum proteins and citrate such that an increase in citrate concentration will result in dissocation of gallium bound to protein. The results of this study indicate that gallium citrate is unstable in vivo and that gallium exists in serum environments largely bound to serum proteins.
Origin of the Right Pulmonary Artery from the Ascending Aorta

A case of aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery has been presented. A venous cineangiocardiogram demonstrated filling of the left side of the heart from the right atrium with subsequent opacification of the aorta and the anomalous right pulmonary artery without initial opacification of the right ventricle and main plus left pulmonary artery. At necropsy there was a fibrous band connecting the main pulmonary artery with the anomalous vessel. The embryologic implications suggest that this case represents atresia of the proximal portion of the right sixth aortic arch.
Genetic transformation. I. Cellular incorporation of DNA accompanying transformation in Pneumococcus.

The incorporation of 32P-labeled DNA by pneumococcal cells undergoing genetic transformation has been studied. While acceptibility for incorporation is not limited to genetically active DNA nor to pneumococcal DNA, neither RNA nor severely degraded DNA are significantly incorporated. The frequency of transformation among cells presented with genetically active pneumococcal DNA is directly proportional to the amount of DNA incorporated. This proportionality holds upon variation of any of a number of experimental conditions, including temperature and duration of exposure, concentration of DNA, and presence of inhibiting DNA. The quantitative relationships indicate that only a fraction of the incorporated DNA may be functional in the usual sense; about 2–10 times the normal cellular content of DNA is incorporated per transformation to streptomycin resistance. They also suggest that the DNA is first bound in a temporary, perhaps superficial state, from which either expulsion or permanent incorporation proceeds. Slight previous degradation by DNase reduces incorporation and genetic activity at different rates, the latter much more rapidly.
Effect of halothane on hypoxic toxicity and glutathione status in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Background In hypoxic rats, halothane causes hepatotoxicity at oxygen levels that would cause minimal hepatotoxicity in the absence of halothane. Using a model that excludes systemic and extrahepatic effects of halothane, the authors tested the hypothesis that halothane hepatotoxicity in the wholerat model is caused by a direct hepatotoxic effect of halothane, which is mediated by halothane-derived free radicals. Methods Rat hepatocyte monolayer cultures were exposed to defined gas phases for 2 h. Three experimental variables were present or absent: hypoxia (1% O2), halothane (2%), and cytochrome P-450 induction (by phenobarbital). Two experimental outcomes were measured: aspartate aminotransferase release, a measure of cell death, and reduced glutathione, an endogenous free radical scavenger whose levels are decreased by physiologically significant free radical injury. Results As anticipated, hypoxia increased cell death. Cytochrome P-450 induction by itself increased cell death during hypoxia. However, halothane had no effect on cell death during hypoxia, with or without cytochrome P-450 induction. Halothane had no toxic effect, even when glutathione was depleted before the onset of hypoxia. Glutathione was decreased moderately by hypocia alone. Neither halothane nor cytochrome P-450 induction had any effect on glutathione levels. Conclusions Halothane was not toxic, and it did not generate a physiologically significant free radical insult during hypoxia in the isolated rat hepatocyte under the experinmental conditions used in testing.
Tridimensional Regression for Comparing and Mapping 3D Anatomical Structures

Shape analysis is useful for a wide variety of disciplines and has many applications. There are many approaches to shape analysis, one of which focuses on the analysis of shapes that are represented by the coordinates of predefined landmarks on the object. This paper discusses Tridimensional Regression, a technique that can be used for mapping images and shapes that are represented by sets of three-dimensional landmark coordinates, for comparing and mapping 3D anatomical structures. The degree of similarity between shapes can be quantified using the tridimensional coefficient of determination (R2). An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique to correctly match the image of a face with another image of the same face. These results were compared to the R2 values obtained when only two dimensions are used and show that using three dimensions increases the ability to correctly match and discriminate between faces.
Effect of Clinically Relevant Culture Conditions on Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Chlamydia trachomatis

Infection of polarized human endometrial-gland epithelial cells obtained at hysterectomy with Chlamydia Trachomatis serovar E may provide a relevant in vitro model for studies of pharmacokinetics in genital chlamydial infections. The minimal bactericidal concentration of azithromycin against C. Trachomatis was lower in this model than in studies with nonpolarized cells (0.125 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively). Polarized cells also internalized more azithromycin over 24 hours. The results indicate that the eradication of chlamydial infections may be difficult to prove by antigen detection methods: the persistence of chlamydial envelope material within the intracellular vacuoles of azithromycin-treated cells may lead to a false-positive diagnosis of persisting chlamydial infection
The clearance in vivo and metabolism of ecdysone and 3-dehydroecdysone in tissues of the crabCancer antennarius

The Y-organs of Cancer antennarius secrete the hormones ecdysone (E) and much greater amounts of 3-dehydroecdysone (3DE), but the dominant derivative in the circulation is 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The uptake and clearance of E, 3DE, and metabolites were compared in selected tissues in vivo, and the capacity of each to generate 20E was assessed in vitro. [3H]-labeled E or 3DE, injected into intermolt crabs, rapidly cleared from hemolymph, while being taken up and then rapidly cleared from tissues (muscle, heart, epidermis, ovary) within 1 h. Labeled 20E from E or 3DE appeared in all tissues in the first hour, cleared to varying degrees from tissues, and then reaccumulated over 24 h. Among these tissues, ovary accumulated the most labeled 20E. Generally by 24 h more labeled 20E accumulated from 3DE than from E. Excising the eyestalks (inducing premolt) did not affect the outcomes except that deeyestalking caused much greater concentrations of 3DE than E to appear in all tissues initially. Tissue extracellular volumes ([14C]inulin spaces) were not altered by deeyestalking, except transiently in epidermis, and otherwise did not account for the observed ecdysteroid dynamics. A parallel study with eyestalk neural tissue from crabs receiving [3H]3DE showed extraordinary accumulation of 3DE and labeled metabolites. The normalized tissue/hemolymph ratio was 72 at 8 h, compared with 0.6–2.6 for other tissues. The apparent extracellular volume of eyes was high (80%) but did not account for the high ecdysteroid accumulation. Tissues were incubated 18 h with [3H]3DE. Activities representing 3β-reductase and 20-hydroxylase generally were present, evidenced by finding labeled E and 20E. Tissue blanks, hemolymph, and muscle were devoid of activity, hepatopancreas and epidermis were intermediate, ovary, testis, and hindgut were high, and eyestalk tissue was highest in activities. Low amounts of labeled high-polar material were usually present, and a labeled derivative tentatively identified as 3-dehydro-20-hydroxyecdysone (3D20E) also appeared in ovary, hepatopancreas, hindgut, and eyes, indicating some direct conversion of 3DE to 3D20E. In composite, these data indicate that 3DE secreted by Y-organs is converted to E, thence to 20E by several tissues, accounting for the preponderance of 20E in crustacean hemolymph. The findings support the hypotheses that 20E is the definitive molting hormone (receptor ligand) and that an ecdysteroid feedback mechanism controls release of the molt-inhibiting hormone from the eyestalks. J. Exp. Zool. 279:609–619, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimate of the quark-gluon coupling strength from baryon masses

The magnetic and color-magnetic spin-spin interactions are used to relate the fine-structure constant $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ to the corresponding strong-interaction constant ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ in terms of measured baryon masses and the nucleon-quark effective mass obtained from nucleon magnetic moments. An expression for the effective mass difference between the $d$ and $u$ quark is also obtained. The method gives ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}=0.65$ and $d\ensuremath{-}u=2.8$ MeV.
Composition, nutritional, and functional properties, and quality criteria of soy protein concentrates and soy protein isolates

The available commercial soy protein concentrates and soy protein isolates afford the food processor concentrated sources of protein with some interesting and varied functional properties. Each class of products is mild to bland in flavor and light in color. The concentrates contain at least 70% protein and the isolates 90%. The nutritional quality of the proteins is fair to good and can be excellent either by supplementation with 1.5% methionine or by appropriate blending with other sources of proteins. The concentrates provide the food manufacturer with products where a high protein content for unit of volume or wt is needed. The isolates are available for uses where the functional properties reside solely in the protein and the nonprotein components may interfere. The adaptability of the proteins to modification by controlled processing conditions has made it possible for the manufacturers to produce a diversity of products that should be of interest to practically all food formulators.
A volcano in North Carolina? A closer look at a tall tale

The legacy of the 1811-1812 New Madrid, Central United States, earthquakes is one of tremendous enigma. We are left with just enough contemporary information to provide a measure of constraint on the isoseismal contours and therefore magnitudes of the three principal events (Nuttli, 1973; Street, 1982; Johnston, 1996; Hough et al., 2000), yet given the sparse population density and limited documentation of effects, our interpretations will always be plagued by a significant degree of uncertainty. Although the magnitudes of the three principal New Madrid main shocks will likely never be established with precision, all contemporary analyses (see above references) obtain magnitudes upward of 7 for all three events—large enough to produce perceptible ground motions as far away as the Atlantic seaboard. One enduring and interesting bit of folklore concerning the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 involves the tale of a volcanic eruption in North Carolina at the time of the first main shock on 16 December 1811. The site of this supposed volcano was approximately 750 km east of the main shock and 40 km northwest of Asheville, North Carolina, at an area known in the early 1800's as “the springs” or “the warm springs” (Figure 1). I will henceforth refer to the location by the name of the town that exists there now: Hot Springs. The tale has merited a brief mention in some modern treatises on the New Madrid sequence. For example, Penick (1981) mentions the 1812 letter by Asheville, North Carolina resident John Clarke Edwards that described the supposed eruption. Penick (1981) goes on to note that the letter was quickly discredited as a hoax. However, there turns out to be more to this particular tale than has yet been told. The primary purpose of this note is to provide a more thorough account …
Chapter 4.2 Sympatho-adrenal activity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation

Abstract: The secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex is considered an essential adaptive component of the response to stress. Although adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) regulates adrenal steroidogenesis, the dissociation between changes in plasma ACTH and glucocorticoids under nonstress and stress conditions has prompted the search for alternative non-ACTH mechanisms. The innervation of the adrenal cortex and the intermingling of adrenal cortical and medullary cells form the anatomical substrate for regulation of adrenocortical secretion by neural elements. In vitro studies demonstrate the effectiveness of a variety of neurotransmitters to affect adrenal steroidogenesis. In vivo experiments show that adrenal denervation alters glucocorticoid secretion under nonstress and stress conditions. Further investigations are required to reveal the full extent of neural control of adrenal steroidogenesis and to delineate the mechanisms that underlie it. Nonetheless, the collective results suggest that the brain can control glucocorticoid production by at least two complimentary mechanisms, by stimulation of the neuroendocrine hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and through direct activation of adrenal neural elements.
Optimal risk adjustment with adverse selection and spatial competition.

Abstract Paying insurers risk-adjusted prices for covering different individuals can correct selection incentives and induce the market to provide optimal insurance policies. To calculate the optimal risk-adjusted prices we need to know (a) what the optimal policies are; (b) how much they cost; and (c) how competitive the market is. We examine these issues in a model with spatial heterogeneity and adverse selection. Market equilibrium is characterized, and delivery of the socially optimal insurance policies is possible, as long as providers are paid risk-adjusted fees for each individual they serve. When the payment can be made on the basis of an individual's risk, it should be sufficient to cover the expected cost of the socially optimal policy for that person, plus a mark-up. If payments can be made only on the basis of a partially informative signal, the optimal risk-based payments should be adjusted according to a simple linear transformation, identified by Glazer and McGuire [Glazer, J., McGuire, T., 2000. Optimal risk adjustment of health insurance premiums: an application to managed care. American Economic Review 90 (4), 1055–1071].
A dynamic output feedback controller with compensation for sensor quantization

A technique to minimize measurement quantization effects in feedback controllers is presented. The approach treats quantization as a measurement error that can be reduced by a modified state estimator that the author presented in an earlier work. The resulting control method lakes the form of a dynamic output feedback controller in which the state estimator is modified to compensate for measurement quantization. The new result addresses a practical problem in industrial electronics, where many modern electronic sensors produce quantized outputs (e. incremental encoder), or are sampled with finite quantization in digital control applications (e.g. N-bit analog-to-digital converter). The earlier method for state estimation compensation worked only for asymptotically stable plants, but in the design example presented here the combination of feedback control and compensated state estimation appears to be effective for "weakly" unstable plants.
Optimized X and Ku band GaAs MMIC varactor tuned FET oscillators

The modeling techniques used to understand and predict the phenomena of frequency hops and holes in X-band and Ku band monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) are described. The use of nonlinear circuit analysis has led to circuit improvements, including a novel lateral varactor structure compatible with FET devices and uniform ion-implanted material, realizing better Q. Devices were fabricated and tested, confirming the validity of the modeling and design approaches. Monolithic X-band and Ku-band VCOs realized continuous tuning over 5.9-12.6 GHz and 10.6-20.4 GHz, respectively; continuous tuning was retained over the temperature range -55 to +90 degrees C. >
Detection of Uterine MMG Contractions Using a Multiple Change Point Estimator and the K-Means Cluster Algorithm

We propose a single channel two-stage time-segment discriminator of uterine magnetomyogram (MMG) contractions during pregnancy. We assume that the preprocessed signals are piecewise stationary having distribution in a common family with a fixed number of parameters. Therefore, at the first stage, we propose a model-based segmentation procedure, which detects multiple change-points in the parameters of a piecewise constant time-varying autoregressive model using a robust formulation of the Schwarz information criterion (SIC) and a binary search approach. In particular, we propose a test statistic that depends on the SIC, derive its asymptotic distribution, and obtain closed-form optimal detection thresholds in the sense of the Neyman-Pearson criterion; therefore, we control the probability of false alarm and maximize the probability of change-point detection in each stage of the binary search algorithm. We compute and evaluate the relative energy variation [root mean squares (RMS)] and the dominant frequency component [first order zero crossing (FOZC)] in discriminating between time segments with and without contractions. The former consistently detects a time segment with contractions. Thus, at the second stage, we apply a nonsupervised K-means cluster algorithm to classify the detected time segments using the RMS values. We apply our detection algorithm to real MMG records obtained from ten patients admitted to the hospital for contractions with gestational ages between 31 and 40 weeks. We evaluate the performance of our detection algorithm in computing the detection and false alarm rate, respectively, using as a reference the patients' feedback. We also analyze the fusion of the decision signals from all the sensors as in the parallel distributed detection approach.
four-jointed is required for intermediate growth in the proximal-distal axis in Drosophila

Genes capable of translating positional information into regulated growth lie at the heart of morphogenesis, yet few genes with this function have been identified. Mutants in the Drosophila four-jointed (fj) gene show reduced growth and altered differentiation only within restricted sectors of the proximal-distal (PD) axis in the leg and wing, thus fj is a candidate for a gene with this coordination function. Consistent with a position-sensitive role, we show that fj is expressed in a regional pattern in the developing leg, wing, eye and optic lobe. The fj gene encodes a novel type II membrane glycoprotein. When the cDNA is translated in an in vitro translation system in the presence of exogenous microsomal membranes, the intralumenal portion of some of the molecules is cleaved, yielding a secreted C-terminal fragment. We propose that fj encodes a secreted signal that functions as a positive regulator of regional growth and differentiation along the PD axis of the imaginal discs.
FairTorrent: bringing fairness to peer-to-peer systems

Peer-to-Peer file-sharing applications suffer from a fundamental problem of unfairness. Free-riders cause slower download times for others by contributing little or no upload bandwidth while consuming much download bandwidth. Previous attempts to address this fair bandwidth allocation problem suffer from slow peer discovery, inaccurate predictions of neighboring peers' bandwidth allocations, underutilization of bandwidth, and complex parameter tuning. We present FairTorrent, a new deficit-based distributed algorithm that accurately rewards peers in accordance with their contribution. A FairTorrent peer simply uploads the next data block to a peer to whom it owes the most data as measured by a deficit counter. FairTorrent is resilient to exploitation by free-riders and strategic peers, is simple to implement, requires no bandwidth over-allocation, no prediction of peers' rates, no centralized control, and no parameter tuning. We implemented FairTorrent in a BitTorrent client without modifications to the BitTorrent protocol, and evaluated its performance against other widely-used BitTorrent clients. Our results show that FairTorrent provides up to two orders of magnitude better fairness, up to five times better download times for contributing peers, and 60% to 100% better performance on average in live BitTorrent swarms.
An Analysis Model for Domestic Hot Water Distribution Systems

ABSTRACT A thermal model was developed to estimate the energy losses from prototypical domestic hot water (DHW) distribution systems for homes. The developed model, using the TRNSYS simulation software, allows researchers and designers to better evaluate the performance of hot water distribution systems in homes. Modeling results were compared with past experimental study results and showed good agreement. The model was also compared with existing domestic hot water distribution system modeling software HWSIM for verification. The developed model has several capabilities that are not available in HWSIM, including the ability to integrate any new or existing types of water heater systems, the ability to handle several simultaneous draws to different end uses, and homeowner’s hot water usethe ability to handle unique annual draw profiles instead of weekly draw profiles. It also allows for draw profiles and ambient conditions to be considered using any time resolution. STo demonstrate the abilities of this new model, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed using a benchmark domestic hot water distribution system. ran it for several cases [1]. However, this model The effects of adding insulation to the domestic hot water distribution system of homes with a gas water heater and a solar water heater between were also examined.
Blind multiuser detection: from MOE to subspace methods

The minimum output energy (MOE) multiuser receiver has been shown to approach the minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) receiver at high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, performance degradation is incurred by noise induced channel estimation error. In this paper, we propose a Power of R (POR) technique to significantly improve the performance of the MOE receiver. It is shown that the new receiver asymptotically converges to the MMSE receiver without performance penalty. The convergence is established either under high SNR, with large exponent raised in the power of the covariance matrix, or with sufficiently large number of data samples. Connection between our POR method and a widely studied subspace method is investigated from the respective optimization criteria. Asymptotic equivalence between these two methods is also established. Extensive simulations based on finite data samples show that the proposed method significantly outperforms the subspace method in systems with medium to heavy loading, severe multipath distortion, or smaller processing gain. Moreover, adaptive implementation of the proposed method exhibits very robust performance in a dynamic loading environment.
Stability and Structural Transition of Gold Nanowires under Their Own Surface Stresses

First-principle, tight binding, and semi-empirical embedded atom calculations are used to investigate a tetragonal phase transformation in gold nanowires. As wire diameter is decreased, tight binding and modified embedded atom simulations predict a surface-stress-induced phase transformation from a face-centered-cubic (fcc) nanowire into a body-centered-tetragonal (bct) nanowire. In bulk gold, all theoretical approaches predict a local energy minimum at the bct phase, but tight binding and first principle calculations predict elastic instability of the bulk bct phase. The predicted existence of the stable bct phase in the nanowires is thus attributed to constraint from surface stresses. The results demonstrate that surface stresses are theoretically capable of inducing phase transformation and subsequent phase stability in nanometer scale metallic wires under appropriate conditions.
Author Reply: Comment on Reisenzein & Stephan:

This reply is a comment on the brief discussion of my article in Reisenzein and Stephan’s (2014) concluding article.
Phonics? Phonetics? Phonemics? A reply to Mazurkiewicz

(1976). Phonics? Phonetics? Phonemics? A reply to Mazurkiewicz. Reading World: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 9-13.
Cost analysis of a managed care decentralized outpatient pharmacy anticoagulation service.

trial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 2.3 million people in the United States and is an independent risk factor for the development of stroke. The incidence of AF increases with age, with an incidence of 9% in patients older than 80 years. 1 The median age of patients with a diagnosis of AF is 75 years. 2 The overall rate of ischemic stroke in those not treated with antithrombotic therapy averages approximately 5% per year, 3 with an incidence of 23.5% in patients older than 80 years in the Framingham Heart Study. 4 To prevent initial and recurring ischemic stroke, many high- risk patients with AF are maintained on an oral anticoagulant such as sodium warfarin. 3,5 This medication has a narrow ther- apeutic-toxic index with high interindividual variability requir- ing frequent international normalized ratio (INR) laboratory testing to determine the patient's clotting time. For most patients with nonvalvular AF, a goal INR is in the range of 2 to 3. Insufficient doses (INR 18 years) who were maintained on chronic warfarin therapy with a diagnosis of AF (diagnosis code 427.31) and continuously enrolled during calendar year 2000. The cost analysis included the personnel cost of clinical pharmacy specialists, direct and indirect cost of laboratory tests for international normalized ratios (INR), and anticoagulant (warfarin plus bridge therapy with a low molecular weight heparin) drug cost and dispensing fee. The percentage of INR values within or near target was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the service. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients on chronic warfarin therapy for AF were identified for cost analysis. The demographics for these patients included the following: 71% were male, with 32% of the patients over the age of 75 years, and 60% had 1 or more identifiable risk factors for stroke. Utilizing established criteria, 80.4% of the sample was considered to be at high risk for ischemic stroke. A majority of the patients (94.8%) had nonvalvular disease, with an INR goal in the range of 2 to 3 in 91.8% of the cases. The PPPM cost for the OPAS monitoring service was $51.25, distributed as $13.78 (27%) in personnel costs for monitoring pharma- cists, $18.38 (36%) for lab tests, and $19.09 (37%) for anticoagulant drug costs. These costs did not significantly differ among patient groups with various risks for ischemic stroke. For nonvalvular AF patients, the percentage of INR values within each individual patient's specific INR goal range was 60.4%; the percent- age within or near goal was 74.6%. CONCLUSION: The average PPPM cost for pharmacist and laboratory monitoring as well as anticoagulant medication for CY 2000 was estimated to be $51.25. The annual costs were comparable among AF patients with different risks for ischemic stroke. The percentage of INR values within the individual patient's stated target goal was 60.4%. Effective monitoring to maintain patients within their target INR goal is relatively inexpensive compared with the cost of compli- cations such as ischemic stroke or intracranial bleeding.
Measuring IV Curves and Subcell Photocurrents in the Presence of Luminescent Coupling

High quality, direct-bandgap solar cells emit significant luminescence at their band-edge when forced to operate in forward bias, thereby creating a possible source of photocurrent in lower bandgap junctions of a multijunction cell. We study the effects of luminescent coupling on the measurement of the subcell photocurrents for a series-connected III–V multijunction solar cell. We describe a technique that uses a set of LEDs and a Xenon-lamp white-light source to accurately determine the subcell photocurrents under a reference spectrum, taking the luminescent coupling current into account. The technique quantifies the luminescent coupling efficiencies and compensates for any spectral overlap between the LEDs and the other junctions. Since quantum efficiency curves are used in the adjustment of the simulator spectrum, we also show how to correct those curves to remove the effects of luminescent coupling.
Increasing task difficulty facilitates the cerebral compensatory response to total sleep deprivation

Study Objectives: To test the role of task difficulty in the cerebral compensatory response after total sleep deprivation (TSD). Design: Subjects performed a modified version of Baddeley's logical reasoning task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging twice: once after normal sleep and once following 35 hours of TSD. The task was modified to parametrically manipulate task difficulty. Setting: Inpatient General Clinical Research Center and outpatient functional magnetic resonance imaging center. Patients or Participants: 16 young adults (7 women; mean age, 27.6 ± 6.1 years; education, 15.4 ± 1.8 years) were included in the final analyses. Interventions: None Measurements and Results: Behaviorally, subjects performed the same after TSD as while well rested. Neuroimaging data revealed a linear increase in cerebral response with a linear increase in task demands in several brain regions after normal sleep. Even stronger linear responses were found after TSD in several brain regions, including bilateral inferior parietal lobes, bilateral temporal cortex, and left inferior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: Task difficulty facilitates the cerebral compensatory response observed following TSD. Compensation manifests as both new regions that did not show significant responses to task demands in the well-rested condition, as well as stronger responses within regions typically underlying task performance. The possible significance of these 2 types of responses should be explored further, as should the importance of the parietal lobes for cognitive performance after TSD. Citation: Drummond SPA; Brown GG; Salamat JS; Gillin JC. Increasing task difficulty facilitates the cerebral compensatory response to total sleep deprivation.
English and Latin Lexical Innovations in Reginald Pecock’s Corpus

This article examines the Middle English and Latin word formations of Bishop Reginald Pecock (d. 1459). In particular, it addresses the false assumption that Pecock was intentionally writing in an English that was primarily Germanic in etymology. The article concludes that Pecock’s lexical innovations were primarily Latinate, that he was unlikely to be concerned with the “purity” of his word formation, and that it was highly unlikely that he was trying to eschew Latinate vocabulary. These conclusions were ascertained through a comprehensive assessment of Pecock’s vocabulary which shows that Pecock created 715 new words out of a total estimated vocabulary of 7273 words. To put it another way, roughly 10 % of Pecock’s vocabulary was composed of neologisms of his own making. Finally, it demonstrates that the lexical practices that Pecock puts to work in his English word formations are also at work in his Latin word formations.
Case Concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo: The ICJ Finds Uganda Acted Unlawfully and Orders Reparations

On December 19, 2005, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its final judgment in the Case Concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda). The Court held that the armed activities of Uganda in the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) between August 1998 and June 2003 violated the international prohibition against aggressive use of force as well as international human rights and international humanitarian law. The Court ruled in favor of Uganda on its counter-claim that the DRC violated obligations owed to Uganda under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Court ordered Uganda to pay reparations to the DRC.
Far-Field Acoustic Measurements of Dual Impinging Scale Model Jets

This paper describes an experimental study of dual scale-model jets impinging on a ground plane. The two jets consist of a front jet issuing from a contoured converging nozzle and a rear jet issuing from a converging-diverging nozzle with the design Mach number of 1.3. The dual impinging jets are individually operated at various jet Mach numbers during the experiments. The fundamental characteristics of the flow field produced by the dual impinging jets on the ground plane are investigated by Schlieren and chalk flow visualizations and steady pressure surveys on a lift plate and ground plane. A far-field microphone array (composed of 23 microphones) is used to quantify the far-field acoustics at various locations relative to the dual impinging jets with different distances between the nozzle exit to the ground plane. The purpose of studying dual supersonic impinging jets is to have an overall understanding of the corresponding flow field and acoustic field for the development of a short take off and vertical landing aircraft.
Rapid Access to Mental Health Professionals With Experience in Treating Cancer-Related Distress: The American Psychosocial Oncology Referral Helpline

The new quality standard for cancer care established in 2008 by the Institute of Medicine requires that the psychosocial domain be integrated into routine cancer care. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has incorporated this standard in its accreditation requirements for 1500 cancer centers in the country, to be fully implemented by 2015. Oncology offices and clinics are developing procedures for quickly identifying distressed patients and referring them to appropriate mental health professionals. The American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS), the Association of Oncology Social Work, and the Oncology Nursing Society are currently drafting recommendations to assist clinics in complying with accreditation requirements. A critical component of this new quality standard is assuring that those who need mental health services are referred to the appropriate resource. A large disconnect exists in most communities between oncology and mental health professionals because they treat very different patient populations. Therefore, oncology staff may have difficulty identifying mental health professionals for patients in need of psychological help. This step can be simplified by use of the APOS Helpline. This article discusses the unique role of the APOS Referral Helpline in the context of this new era of psychosocial care for patients with cancer.
Nonossifying fibromas of the distal tibia: possible etiologic relationship to the interosseous membrane

Abstract Purpose Nonossifying fibromas (NOFs) present in a characteristic pattern in the distal tibia. Their predilection to this region and etiology remain imprecisely defined. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients between January 2003 and March 2014 for distal tibial NOFs. We then reviewed radiographs (XRs), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for specific lesion characteristics. Results We identified 48 distal tibia NOFs in 47 patients (31 male, 16 female; mean age 12.3 years, range 6.9–17.8). This was the second most common location in our population (30 % of NOFs), behind the distal femur (42 %). Thirty-four lesions had CT and nine had MRI. Thirty-one percent were diagnosed by pathologic fracture. Ninety-six percent of lesions were located characteristically in the distal lateral tibia by plain radiograph, in direct communication with the distal extent of the interosseous membrane on 33 of the 34 (97 %) lesions with CT available for review and all ni...
Photophysics and Photochemistry of the Solvated Electron in Higher Alcohols and Excited State Inertial Dynamics of the Hydrated Electron

Direct ultrafast measurements of the equilibrated solvated electron in higher alcohols reveal electronic, solvation, and proton transfer dynamics. Inertiai solvation after photoexcitation of the hydrated electron is observed for the first time.
The effect of the APACHE II score and selected clinical variables on survival following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this analysis is to determine the effect of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and other clinical variables on survival following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to identify patient subpopulations with extremely poor survival. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed on 218 consecutive adult inpatients undergoing CPR on the general wards and in the intensive care units of a community hospital between January 1, 1989, and July 1, 1991. The patient's age, sex, prior residence, reason for admission, discharge diagnoses, discharge disposition, APACHE II score, and cardiac ejection fraction by echocardiography were recorded. RESULTS The age, sex, and reason for admission were not significant predictors of survival following CPR. Multiple variable analysis revealed that an increasing APACHE II score (P = .05), a serum creatinine greater than 311 mumol per L (3.5 mg per dL, P = .02), and metastatic cancer (P = .04) were each related to a decreased rate of survival to discharge following CPR. Patient subpopulations with a 0% rate of survival to discharge included those with metastatic cancer (n = 26, P = .02), a serum creatinine greater than 311 mumol per L (3.5 mg per dL) on admission (n = 22, P = .03), and a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease with an APACHE II score greater than 15 on admission (n = 18, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS The APACHE II score is a useful predictor of failure to survive to discharge following CPR. Several groups of patients were identified with negligible rates of survival to discharge. Physicians should use such prediagnostic information to provide patients with informed consent when discussing do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. We suggest that physicians make a special effort to address the DNR status of patients falling to one of the negligible-survival groups identified by this study.
Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is common, with epidemiological studies suggesting it may affect up to 3 % of postmenopausal females. The most common presentation is asymptomatic hypercalcemia. Although surgery is unambiguously recommended for symptomatic PHPT patients, management options for asymptomatic patients can vary between surgery, observation, and follow-up. In cases of asymptomatic PHPT, a thorough evaluation of PHPT-related complications should be performed and patients who do not meet surgical criteria or are unable to proceed with parathyroidectomy should be monitored on an annual basis, since over time, approximately one-third of patients will demonstrate disease progression.
Contributing conditions: A qualitative comparative analysis of teachers’ instructional responses to data

Abstract Despite the press for data-informed decision making, there is still much to learn about when and under what conditions data promote changes in instruction and when they may contribute to other outcomes. The study uses qualitative comparative analysis to examine 245 cases of teachers’ data use in five middle schools from a year-long study in the United States. Analysis points to the important influence that certain types of data, the involvement of a coach or peer group, and the school culture can have on teachers’ instructional responses to data.
The Learning Health-System A New Frontier for Human Factors

The concept of a “Learning Health System” (LHS) is emerging as a new paradigm in healthcare. We present an overview of LHS functions and concepts, then an analysis of the ways in which Human Factor...
The Value of Using GIS and Geospatial Data to Support Organizational Decision Making

For several years GIS has been expanding beyond its niche of analyzing earth science data for earth science purposes. As GIS continues to migrate into business applications and support operational decision-making, GIS will become a standard part of the portfolio of information systems organizations rely on to support and guide operations. There are several ways in which GIS can support a transformation in organizational decision-making. One of these is to inculcate a geospatial ‘mindset’ among managers, analysts, and decision makers so that alternative sources of data are considered and alternative decision making processes are employed. CHAPTER ORGANIZATION This chapter presents a data-centric view of the ways that GIS and geospatial data support organizational decision-making. As such, the chapter is organized to cover the following topics: SECTION TOPICS Introduction • Non-traditional uses of GIS • GISs are descriptive and can be prescriptive • Having geospatial and spatiotemporal mindsets are important • Three themes to carry away Background • GIS fit the general systems model • Three relevant geosciences functions • Spatial and spatiotemporal data and information Issues in Decision-making • Decision models fit general systems models • Decision inputs can include geospatial data • Understanding errors in modeling organizations GIS Support to Decision-making • Age of the spatial economy • Integrating business, geospatial, and remotely sensed data • Incorporating geospatial and spatiotemporal contexts • Data aspects of GIS in decision-making Geospatial Data Issues to Improve Decision-making • Drilling into geospatial data types and uses • Considering evaluation paradigms for geospatial data in GIS Evaluating the Value of Geospatial information in GIS • Considering the value of information • The status quo for evaluating geospatial data • An alternative: Geospatial Information Utility Looking into the Future • Advances in remote sensing add opportunities Summary • Recapping the three themes