cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Arrhythmia Detection with ZIO® XT Patch in Pediatric Patients: A Comparison of Devices.

Ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring devices can be used for 24–72 h to detect arrhythmias. A new device, the ZIO® XT Patch has cardiac monitoring capabilities that can be utilized for up to 14 days. The purpose of this study is to describe duration of ZIO use by age, and to compare its time to arrhythmia detection with the Holter monitor in a pediatric population. A single-center, retrospective review of patients < 18 years of age who underwent clinical investigation with ZIO from October 2014 to February 2016 was performed. An age-matched cohort was utilized to compare ZIO to Holter monitor results. Demographic and diagnostic data, time to first arrhythmia, and arrhythmia burden were analyzed. A total of 406 ZIO were prescribed; median age 12.7 years and 50% male subjects. Median duration of ZIO monitoring significantly increased with age (p < 0.001). 499 Holter monitors were prescribed on a statistically different age group. Arrhythmia detection rates were similar between groups, 10% (n = 42) by ZIO and 9% (n = 45) by Holter (p = NS). The majority of arrhythmias (57%) detected by ZIO were after 24 h (p < 0.0001). All arrhythmias detected by Holter monitor occurred within 24 h (p < 0.0001), mean duration of wear was 24.1 h, range 0.5–48 h. The ZIO® XT Patch may be considered as an ambulatory ECG monitor to diagnose arrhythmia in pediatric patients of all ages. Increasing patient age resulted in increasing duration of ZIO monitoring. Majority of arrhythmias detected with ZIO were identified after 24 h, which would have been missed by other short-term monitors.
Treating quarks within neutron stars

Neutron star interiors provide the opportunity to probe properties of cold dense matter in the QCD phase diagram. Utilizing models of dense matter in accord with nuclear systematics at nuclear densities, we investigate the compatibility of deconfined quark cores with current observational constraints on the maximum mass and tidal deformability of neutron stars. We explore various methods of implementing the hadron-to-quark phase transition, specifically, first-order transitions with sharp (Maxwell construction) and soft (Gibbs construction) interfaces, and smooth crossover transitions. We find that within the models we apply, hadronic matter has to be stiff for a first-order phase transition and soft for a crossover transition. In both scenarios and for the equations of state we employed, quarks appear at the center of premerger neutron stars in the mass range $\ensuremath{\approx}1.0--1.6\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{M}}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$, with a squared speed of sound ${c}_{\mathrm{QM}}^{2}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.4$ characteristic of strong repulsive interactions required to support the recently discovered neutron star masses $\ensuremath{\ge}2\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{M}}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$. We also identify equations of state and phase transition scenarios that are consistent with the bounds placed on tidal deformations of neutron stars in the recent binary merger event GW170817. We emphasize that distinguishing hybrid stars with quark cores from normal hadronic stars is very difficult from the knowledge of masses and radii alone, unless drastic sharp transitions induce distinctive disconnected hybrid branches in the mass-radius relation.
Automated Procedure for Creating Flight-by-Flight Spectra

This paper presents a functional description of a versatile computer program developed to provide rapid response to spectrum generation requirements. The program, when supplied with flight profiles and the distribution ofthose profiles during the aircraft lifetime, will create a randomly sequenced flight-by-flight spectrum in terms of load factors, loads, or stress at a specific structural location. The heart of the program is a data base containing the frequency definition of load factor occurrences representing the gust and maneuver load cycles for various flight segments. This paper discusses the establishment of the data base from data published in MIL-A-87221 and the FALSTAFF reports, from analytically derived load factor data and from flight load records from specific aircraft. The various forms of load factor data acceptable to the program, namely, exceedance curves, range/mean tables, and the FALSTAFF methodology, are discussed as to advantages and disadvantages. The program will accept multiple flight profiles each with multiple flight segments defined by segment title, segment time, and selected significant flight parameters such as gross weight, Mach number, altitude, and aircraft geometry. For each profile, the procedure creates a series of individual flight load factor spectra each of which differs from all others in load sequence and magnitude while maintaining the sequence of the flight segments. The spectra include the infrequent high loads randomly selected from within the statistics of the data base. Load-factor spectra to stress spectra conversion is briefly discussed in terms of the program capability. The output spectrum is a series of flights representing a defined period of usage with the flights representing the various profiles randomly sequenced within the supplied distribution statistics. The spectrum form is suitable for direct input to fatigue or crack growth programs or can be output to tape for submittal to a fatigue testing machine.
Human Frequency Following Responses to Vocoded Speech: Amplitude Modulation Versus Amplitude Plus Frequency Modulation.

Objectives The most commonly employed speech processing strategies in cochlear implants (CIs) only extract and encode amplitude modulation (AM) in a limited number of frequency channels. proposed a novel speech processing strategy that encodes both frequency modulation (FM) and AM to improve CI performance. Using behavioral tests, they reported better speech, speaker, and tone recognition with this novel strategy than with the AM-alone strategy. Here, we used the scalp-recorded human frequency following responses (FFRs) to examine the differences in the neural representation of vocoded speech sounds with AM alone and AM + FM as the spectral and temporal cues were varied. Specifically, we were interested in determining whether the addition of FM to AM improved the neural representation of envelope periodicity (FFRENV) and temporal fine structure (FFRTFS), as reflected in the temporal pattern of the phase-locked neural activity generating the FFR. Design FFRs were recorded from 13 normal-hearing, adult listeners in response to the original unprocessed stimulus (a synthetic diphthong /au/ with a 110-Hz fundamental frequency or F0 and a 250-msec duration) and the 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-channel sine vocoded versions of /au/ with AM alone and AM + FM. Temporal waveforms, autocorrelation analyses, fast Fourier Transform, and stimulus-response spectral correlations were used to analyze both the strength and fidelity of the neural representation of envelope periodicity (F0) and TFS (formant structure). Results The periodicity strength in the FFRENV decreased more for the AM stimuli than for the relatively resilient AM + FM stimuli as the number of channels was increased. Regardless of the number of channels, a clear spectral peak of FFRENV was consistently observed at the stimulus F0 for all the AM + FM stimuli but not for the AM stimuli. Neural representation as revealed by the spectral correlation of FFRTFS was better for the AM + FM stimuli when compared to the AM stimuli. Neural representation of the time-varying formant-related harmonics as revealed by the spectral correlation was also better for the AM + FM stimuli as compared to the AM stimuli. Conclusions These results are consistent with previously reported behavioral results and suggest that the AM + FM processing strategy elicited brainstem neural activity that better preserved periodicity, temporal fine structure, and time-varying spectral information than the AM processing strategy. The relatively more robust neural representation of AM + FM stimuli observed here likely contributes to the superior performance on speech, speaker, and tone recognition with the AM + FM processing strategy. Taken together, these results suggest that neural information preserved in the FFR may be used to evaluate signal processing strategies considered for CIs.
Parallel transmission to reduce absorbed power around deep brain stimulation devices in MRI: Impact of number and arrangement of transmit channels.

PURPOSE To assess the mean and variance performance of parallel transmission (pTx) coils for reduction of the absorbed power around electrodes (APAE) in patients implanted with deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. METHODS We simulated 4 pTx coils (8 and 16 channels, head and body coils) and a birdcage body coil. We characterized the RF safety risk using the APAE, which is the integral of the deposited power (in Watts) in a small cylindrical volume of brain tissue surrounding the electrode tips. We assessed the APAE mean and variance by simulation of 5 realistic DBS patient models that include the full DBS implant length, extracranial loops, and implanted pulse generator. RESULTS PTx coils with 8 (16) channels were able to reduce the APAE by >18× (>169×) compared to the birdcage coil in average for all patient models, at no cost in term of flip angle uniformity or global specific absorption rate (SAR). Moreover, local pTx coils performed significantly better than body arrays. CONCLUSION PTx is a possible solution to the problem of RF heating of DBS patients when performing MRI, but the large interpatient variability of the APAE indicates that patient-specific safety monitoring may be needed.
Lethal leverage: false confessions, false pleas, and wrongful homicide convictions in death-eligible cases

Substantial attention to wrongful convictions has been developing since the 1990s. This research examines known cases of exonerations and factors that contribute to known wrongful convictions. The ...
Sarcoid Ventricular Tachycardia

Cardiac sarcoidosis patients with ventricular tachycardia often demonstrate a patchy mixture of fibrotic and inflammatory changes within the ventricles. The myocardial involvement is heterogeneous, and multimodality imaging is useful to clarify the relative distribution of inflammatory disease as these patients may respond to immunosuppressive therapy. RV involvement is common in sarcoid patients and can mimic ARVC in selected cases.
An improved symmetry-based approach to reciprocal space path selection in band structure calculations

Band structures for electrons, phonons, and other quasiparticles are often an important aspect of describing the physical properties of periodic solids. Most commonly, energy bands are computed along a one-dimensional path of high-symmetry points and line segments in reciprocal space (the “k-path”), which are assumed to pass through important features of the dispersion landscape. However, existing methods for choosing this path rely on tabulated lists of high-symmetry points and line segments in the first Brillouin zone, determined using different symmetry criteria and unit cell conventions. Here we present a new “on-the-fly” symmetry-based approach to obtaining paths in reciprocal space that attempts to address the previous limitations of these conventions. Given a unit cell of a magnetic or nonmagnetic periodic solid, the site symmetry groups of points and line segments in the irreducible Brillouin zone are obtained from the total space group. The elements in these groups are used alongside general and maximally inclusive high-symmetry criteria to choose segments for the final k-path. A smooth path connecting each segment is obtained using graph theory. This new framework not only allows for increased flexibility and user convenience but also identifies notable overlooked features in certain electronic band structures. In addition, a more intelligent and efficient method for analyzing magnetic materials is also enabled through proper accommodation of magnetic symmetry.
Precise astronomical flux calibration and its impact on studying the nature of the dark energy

Measurements of the luminosity of Type Ia supernovae versus redshift provided the original evidence for the accelerating expansion of the Universe and the existence of dark energy. Despite substantial improvements in survey methodology, systematic uncertainty in flux calibration dominates the error budget for this technique, exceeding both statistics and other systematic uncertainties. Consequently, any further collection of Type Ia supernova data will fail to refine the constraints on the nature of dark energy unless we also improve the state of the art in astronomical flux calibration to the order of 1%. We describe how these systematic errors arise from calibration of instrumental sensitivity, atmospheric transmission and Galactic extinction, and discuss ongoing efforts to meet the 1% precision challenge using white dwarf stars as celestial standards, exquisitely calibrated detectors as fundamental metrologic standards, and real-time atmospheric monitoring.
Prevalence of Self-reported Cognitive Impairment Among Arab American Immigrants in the United States.

Background and objectives Studies evaluating self-reported cognitive impairment among Arab American immigrants have not been conducted. Our objective was 2-fold: (a) to estimate and compare the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of self-reported cognitive impairment between Arab American immigrants and U.S.- and immigrant non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asians and (b) to examine associations between race, ethnicity, nativity status, and cognitive impairment among Arab American immigrants and non-Hispanic Whites (U.S.- and foreign-born) after controlling for explanatory factors. Research design and methods We used 18 years (2000-2017) of National Health Interview Survey data (n = 228 985; ages ≥ 45 years). Weighted percentages, prevalence estimates, and multivariable logistic regression models were calculated. Results The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of self-reported cognitive impairment was significantly higher among Arab American immigrants (9.7%) compared to U.S.-born and non-Hispanic White immigrants (~7.4%). Discussion and implications This is the first study to indicate that ethnic disparities in self-reported cognitive impairment may extend to Arab American immigrants. Additional studies need to be conducted to better understand the prevalence of cognitive impairment.
Estimation of Total Cardiac Output Using Non-Invasive Parameters in HeartMate 3 Patients

Purpose In patients on left ventricle assist device (LVAD) support, total cardiac output (CO) results from the summation of LVAD flow and native flow through the aortic valve. Our study aims to: 1) quantify discrepancies between LVAD flow and total CO, and 2) test a novel approach to estimate total CO using non-invasive parameters in patients implanted with a HeartMate 3 (HM3), a centrifugal pump that features intrinsic pulse technology to prevent stasis within the pump. Methods Patients implanted with a HM3 between 11/2014 and 12/2017 were retrospectively studied. CO by thermodilution (TD) was measured in triplicate and the average was used for subsequent analyses. A total of 17 concurrently acquired variables were considered as potential predictors of CO: age, gender, weight, BMI, BSA, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, LVEF, LVEDd, SBP, DBP, MAP, HR, LVAD flow, speed, PI and power. A multiple linear regression model was fit with the above predictor variables and CO by TD as the dependent variable to derive the HM3 CO Formula. To assess validity of the HM3 CO Formula against CO by TD, Pearson's correlation coefficients (r), mean absolute difference (MAD) and mean observed difference (MOD) were calculated. Results 69 HM3 patients (age 60±11y, 84% male, ischemic 43%, BMI 29±5.4 kg/m2) were studied. LVAD flow had good correlation but poor agreement with total CO by TD (r= 0.455, p Conclusion In HM3 patients, LVAD flow does not provide good estimate of total CO. The HM3 CO Formula offers an alternative method to estimate total CO using non-invasive parameters. Validation studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
Prevalence of Genital Human Papillomavirus by Age and Race/Ethnicity Among Males.

BACKGROUND Genital and oral cancers are often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types that can be prevented through HPV vaccination. Since HPV is sexually transmitted, knowledge of penile prevalence of vaccine-type HPV among US males can help predict potential disparities in these cancers. This study examines penile HPV prevalence by age and race/ethnicity among males. METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of publicly available data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Using data from penile swab samples collected from males between 2013 and 2016, the prevalence of 4vHPV and 9vHPV vaccine types was examined across age groups and by race/ethnicity. Logistic regression models adjusting for demographics, sexual behavior, and circumcision were examined to determine whether associations remained after accounting for confounders. RESULTS Among 2548 males evaluated, HPV infection prevalence differed by race/ethnicity, with Black males exhibiting a higher prevalence of HPV. Examination of 4vHPV type prevalence by age group showed that 18-26-year-old males had a lower prevalence than older age groups. After controlling for confounders, 4vHPV prevalence was only significantly elevated among 27-34-year-old males, those who were single, and males with ≥3 lifetime sex partners. In adjusted models, 9vHPV type prevalence remained elevated among Black males compared with White males. CONCLUSIONS Variations in 9vHPV type prevalence between Black and White individuals indicate future disparities in HPV-related genital cancers may continue in the United States during the next decade. Revaccinating certain populations with the 9vHPV vaccine may be appropriate to help mitigate this.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis Polyangiitis (EGPA) Masquerading as a Mycotic Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta: Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction. Aortic involvement leading to aortitis in eosinophilic granulomatosis polyangiitis (EGPA) is infrequent, and only 2 cases have been reported so far in the literature. Even more so, aortic aneurysm, secondary to EGPA, has never been reported and remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Case Presentation. We present a 63-year-old Caucasian male patient with a prior diagnosis of EGPA presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and loose stools to the emergency department. Physical examination showed periumbilical tenderness. He had no peripheral eosinophilia but had high C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. CT abdomen revealed a mycotic aneurysm involving the infrarenal abdominal aorta. The patient declined surgical repair initially and was treated with IV antibiotics only. Unfortunately, 24 hours later, the aneurysm ruptured, leading to emergent axillofemoral bypass surgery. Surgical biopsy showed aortitis, periaortitis, and active necrotizing vasculitis. Conclusion. Abdominal aneurysms should be considered a complication of EGPA, and earlier immunosuppressive therapy should be considered to prevent further complications.
A C2 muscle cell variant defective in transport of the acetylcholine receptor to the cell surface

Abstract We have previously reported the isolation of variants of the C2 mouse muscle cell line that express reduced amounts of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on their surface (Black, R. A., and Hall, Z. W. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 124-128). One of the variants, T-, makes an approximately normal amount of the AChR but accumulates most of it in an intracellular pool. This pool is stable and does not serve as precursor for surface AChR. Surface levels of insulin receptor and transferrin receptor are normal in T- cells, and a normal proportion of total hemagglutinin is expressed on the surface after infection of the T- variant with influenza virus. Pulse-chase experiments and kinetic analysis show: 1) that T- cells synthesize a normal amount of the alpha subunit but degrade it much more slowly than do wild-type cells; and 2) that newly synthesized alpha subunit is assembled into the AChR at a normal rate. A small fraction of the assembled AChR in T- cells is transported to the surface with normal kinetics, but most of it remains in an internal pool. This variant may provide an important tool for investigation of the factors that regulate AChR assembly and transport to the surface membrane.
Vacuum systems laboratory development

The implementation of new associate degree programs in semiconductor manufacturing at community colleges across the country has created a critical need for vacuum technology courses and supporting laboratories. Unfortunately few resources have been available to support technology-level courses in vacuum systems. This paper describes the results of a two-year project to develop a vacuum technology course, implement a vacuum systems laboratory, and provide faculty enhancement activities.
U-Si and U-Si-Ai Dispersion Fuel Alloy Development for Research and Test Reactors

As part of the National Reduced Enrichment Research and Test Reactor Program, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is engaged in a fuel alloy development project. The reduction of the 235U enrichment ...
Fragments of alkaline phosphatase from nonsense mutants. I. Isolation and characterization of fragments from amber and ochre mutants.

Small amino-terminal fragments of the alkaline phosphatase molecule have been isolated from two amber and two ochre phosphatase nonsense mutants of Escherichia coli. Fingerprint analyses of the tryptic peptides of the fragments indicate that the structural relationships of the fragments to each other, and to the complete phosphatase molecule, are consistent with the relative genetic map positions of the mutants. These results confirm that the nonsense triplets UAG and UAA can cause premature chain-termination of protein synthesis. The yield of fragment protein from two of the mutants, one amber and one ochre, which are closely linked on the genetic map and which produce fragments of almost equal size, was compared. The ochre mutant produced about twice as much fragment protein as the amber mutant, suggesting that UAA is a more effective chain-terminating signal than UAG. A surprising result from these studies is that a nonsense mutant, containing a single nonsense mutation, can produce more than one species of phosphatase fragment. Multiple fragments were obtained from all of the mutants analyzed; three mutants each produced two separable fragments, and the fourth mutant produced three fragments. The fragments produced by one mutant are very similar to each other in size, chromatographic behavior and peptide composition. Individual fingerprints of two separated fragments from the same mutant revealed a difference in one tryptic peptide, which appeared at a slightly different position in each fingerprint. The chemical basis for this minor difference between multiple species of fragment derived from the same mutant is not known.
Prion Protein Amyloid: Separation of Scrapie Infectivity from PrP Polymers

The prion protein (PrP) undergoes a profound conformational change when the cellular isoform (PrPc) is converted into the scrapie form (PrPSc). Limited proteolysis of PrPSc produces PrP27-30 which readily polymerizes into amyloid. To study the structure of PrP amyloid, we employed organic solvents that perturb protein conformation. 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), which promotes alpha-helix formation, modified the ultrastructure of rod-shaped PrP amyloids, producing flattened ribbons with a more regular substructure. As the concentration of HFIP was increased, the beta-sheet content and proteinase K resistance of PrP27-30 as well as prion infectivity diminished. HFIP reversibly decreased the binding of Congo red dye to the rods, whereas inactivation of prion infectivity was irreversible. In contrast to 10% HFIP, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol (TFIP) did not inactivate prion infectivity but, similarly to HFIP, TFIP did alter the morphology of the rods and abolished Congo red binding. Our studies separate prion infectivity from the amyloid properties of PrP27-30 and underscore the dependence of prion infectivity on PrPSc conformation. Our results also demonstrate that the specific beta-sheet-rich structures required for prion infectivity are different from those needed for amyloid formation.
New directions in Eastern Orthodox History: Guest Editor’s introduction

The study of the history of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the East Slavic world was largely neglected by historians during the twentieth century. An anti-religious ideology drove what scholarshi...
TRANSIENT DRAINAGE WITH NONLINEARITY AND CAPILLARITY

A nonlinear partial differential equation is developed that includes the effects of capillary storage and flow above the water table. An approximate analytic solution is derived. The water table response at the midpoint between drains affected by capillary storage, flow above the water table, and the nonlinearity due to decreasing flow depth is predicted by one relatively simple expression. Indices to the degree of importance of each of these three effects effects are devined. Appropriate simplified forms of the solution can be selected based on the value of the indices. The method is applicable to a wide range of conditions including drains placed at any elevation relative to the impervious substratum and for shallow as well as deep water tables. The method removes three important restrictions necessarily imposed on the classical linear drainage equations but retains their familiar and desirable features. The equations are sufficiently simple to permit computations with a calculator and should be useful in routine design calculations.
The Old Problem of Induction and the New Reflective Equilibrium

In 1955, Goodman set out to ‘dissolve’ the problem of induction, that is, to argue that the old problem of induction is a mere pseudo-problem not worthy of serious philosophical attention. This dissolution, which has enjoyed tremendous acceptance, essentially involved an application of what has since been called the method of reflective equilibrium. Largely in connection with naturalism in epistemology, the reflective equilibrium method has lately been the subject of considerable attention (Goldman and Pust 1998, Graham and Horgan 1998, Jackson 1998, Kornblith 1998/2002). I will argue that, under naturalistic views of the reflective equilibrium method, it cannot provide a basis for a dissolution of the problem of induction. This is because naturalized reflective equilibrium is – in a way to be explained – itself an inductive method, and thus renders Goodman's dissolution viciously circular. This paper, then, examines how the old problem of induction crept back in while nobody was looking.
Pulmonary microvascular responses to protamine and histamine. Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass

Total cardiopulmonary bypass with associated reduced pulmonary blood flow causes significant alterations of endothelium-dependent pulmonary microvascular responses after resumption of normal perfusion. To determine if this change in pulmonary vascular reactivity may influence the responses of pulmonary arterioles to protamine and histamine, we examined isolated pulmonary microvessels after cardiopulmonary bypass. Sheep were heparinized, cannulated, and placed on either total bypass without ventilation or partial bypass (70% of baseline pulmonary arterial flow) with continued ventilation. After 90 minutes, sheep were separated from cardiopulmonary bypass and the lungs were perfused normally for 60 minutes. Vessels from noninstrumented sheep were used as controls. Peripheral pulmonary arterioles (90 to 190 microns) were cannulated, pressurized (20 mm Hg) in a no-flow state, and examined with video microscopy. After precontraction of vessels with the thromboxane A2 analog U46619 by 18% to 25% of the baseline diameter, vasoactive agents were applied. Protamine sulfate, histamine, heparin, and the protamine-heparin complex caused significant dose-dependent relaxations of control pulmonary microvessels. These relaxation responses were substantially reduced or converted to contractile responses in endothelium-denuded vessels, which suggests that these relaxations are mediated through endothelium-dependent mechanisms. After partial bypass, responses to protamine and histamine were slightly reduced compared with the respective responses of control vessels, whereas the relaxation to protamine-heparin complex was not significantly altered. After total bypass, relaxation responses to protamine and protamine-heparin complex were markedly reduced, whereas histamine induced contraction of pulmonary microvessels. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not affected by partial cardiopulmonary bypass and was slightly reduced after total bypass. A reduced direct vascular relaxation response to protamine and increased contractile response to histamine (or other humoral substances released during the systemic administration of protamine sulfate) may contribute to the elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance during infusion of protamine after cardiopulmonary bypass.
Calcific aortic stenosis: a disease ready for prime time.

Calcific aortic stenosis is the number 1 cause for surgical valve replacement in the United States and Europe. In 2006, surgical valve replacement still remains the number 1 indication for the treatment of this disease process, as defined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for valvular heart disease by Bonow et al.1 This standard of care for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis requiring surgical valve replacement was defined in 1968 by Ross and Braunwald2 as the main therapy for this disease. For years, this disease has been described as a passive process that develops secondary to serum calcium attaching to the valve leaflet surface to cause nodule formation. Therefore, surgical replacement of the valve is the obvious approach toward relieving outflow obstruction in these patients. Until recently, the lack of experimental models in this field has limited our understanding of the disease. Article p 2065 In the middle of the last century, the field of cardiology was in a similar position with our understanding of coronary vascular atherosclerosis. This was summarized in 1942 by Dr James B. Herrick,3 who wrote a short history of cardiology. In the chapter on coronary atherosclerosis, he predicted the future of therapeutic approaches for vascular atherosclerosis. In this textbook, he wrote of heart disease: “This is the story of a bad disease. … The outlook for dread angina it thought to be more favorable than it was first thought … though the cause … has not been discovered, and vascular disease may never be warded off or cured, research may unearth secrets by which premature or old age may be post-poned.” In 2006, we are in a unique position to predict that therapeutic approaches for calcific aortic stenosis will be possible with the emergence of models that recapitulate …
Lorentz violation and short-baseline neutrino experiments

A general discussion is given of signals for broken Lorentz symmetry in short-baseline neutrino experiments. Among the effects that Lorentz violation can introduce are a dependence on energy differing from that of the usual massive-neutrino solution and a dependence on the direction of neutrino propagation. Using the published result of the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector experiment, analysis of the effects of broken Lorentz symmetry yields an estimated nonzero value $(3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}19}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$ for a combination of coefficients for Lorentz violation. This lies in the range expected for effects originating from the Planck scale in an underlying unified theory.
Pathogenesis and characteristics of spontaneously metastasizing mammary carcinomas and the general principle of metastasis

Chemical mammary carcinogenesis in immunologically attennuated W/Fu female rats, subjected to specific and nonspecific immunostimulations, yielded many spontaneously metastasizing adenocarcinomas with varying degrees of glandular differentiation, and growth rates. The pathogenesis of these tumors suggested that while carcinogens transform target cells, the host immune system endows them with metastatic potential. The metastatic pathways were recognizable as hematogenous, lymphogenous, or hematogenous-lymphogenous combined, according to the capacity of the tumor cells to intravasate the lymphatic and/or vascular channel and traverse the pulmonary artery. The same metastatic pattern can be reproduced with cells from any of the organs involved, indicating that it is inherent in all cells within a given tumor, rather than being determined by the organs they colonize. The biological, biochemical and Immunological characteristics of these tumors resemble human breast cancer ihus becoming an effective tool in the formulation of the general principle of metastasis by malignant solid tumors.
Brain elongation of linoleic acid is a negligible source of the arachidonate in brain phospholipids of adult rats

The extent to which the adult brain can derive some of its arachidonic acid (AA) through internalized synthesis from linoleic acid (LA) is uncertain. Thus, we determined for plasma-derived LA in vivo rates for brain incorporation, beta-oxidation, and conversion to AA. Adult male unanesthetized rats, reared on a diet enriched in LA but low in AA, were infused intravenously for 5 min with [1-(14)C]LA. Timed arterial samples were collected until the animals were killed at 5 min and the brain was removed after microwaving. Within plasma lipids, >96% of radioactivity was in the form of unchanged [1-(14)C]LA, but [(14)C]AA was insignificant (<0.2%). Eighty-six percent of brain radioactivity at 5 min was present as beta-oxidation products, whereas the remainder was mainly in 'stable' phospholipid or triglyceride as LA or AA (11 and <1%, respectively). Unesterified unlabeled LA rapidly enters brain from plasma, but its incorporation into brain total phospholipid and triglyceride, in the form of synthesized AA, is <1% of the amount that enters the brain. Thus, in rats fed even a diet containing low amounts of AA, the LA that enters brain is largely beta-oxidized, and is not a major source of AA in brain.
Behavior of focus patterns in low Prandtl number convection.

We present experimental results on the dynamics of concentric roll and textured patterns in a convecting fluid of Prandtl number about 1 and with radius-to-height ratio near 40 and for \ensuremath{\epsilon}==\ensuremath{\Delta}T/\ensuremath{\Delta}${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$-1\ensuremath{\le}0.8. At \ensuremath{\epsilon}=0.21, the concentric-roll state was lost by the pattern center moving to the wall while nucleating new rolls which traveled outward. The textured pattern contained sidewall foci which also emitted traveling waves. The average frequency of the emission increased linearly with \ensuremath{\epsilon}, but then increased rapidly by about 40% at \ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.65 where spiral defects appeared.
Laser-ablation processes (Invited Paper)

The physical mechanisms associated with ablation of matter by laser irradiation are quite different in different regions of parameter space. The important parameters are the laser wavelength; the laser flux versus time, position, and angle of incidence at the target; and the target properties as well as the properties of the laser-transport medium adjacent to the irradiated target surface. Important target properties include surface contour, laser reflectivity and absorption depth, thermal diffusively, vaporization energy, Gruneisen coefficient, spall strength, ionization energies and plasma opacity versus temperature and density. As the flux increases, the process becomes less dependent on most of these target properties. Depending on the values of these various parameters, at relatively low fluxes targets can be vaporized and these vapors can be transparent to the laser beam. If a transparent liquid or solid transport medium exists in front of the vaporized target material, then a complicated contained- vaporization process takes place and the work done on the target by the vapors can be several orders of magnitude larger than with a gas or vacuum transport medium; the degree of work enhancement can depend strongly on the vapor condensability and condensed matter thermal conductivity. For short-pulselength irradiations of semi-transparent targets with a low- acoustic-impedance-laser-transport medium adjacent to the target, ablation needs to be a vacuum in order for the beam to be able to propagate to the target. For targets in a vacuum exposed to fluxes of this order (and considerably higher) and for long pulselengths, most of the laser energy will be absorbed (before reaching the critical surface) by inverse bremsstrahlung in material blown off from the target; at higher fluxes, the beam will be stopped at the critical surface producing localized absorption along with much higher energy densities and non-thermal equilibrium behavior. When the combination of pulselength, beam diameter, flux and target material are such that the blowoff becomes opaque to the laser and also the blowoff can traverse many beam diameters during the pulselength, then a complicated radiation-hydrodynamic process is involved with strong feedback between blowoff hydrodynamic expansion, laser absorption, radiation transport, and target ablation by plasma reradiation. In this paper the various ablation processes and potential applications are reviewed from the threshold for ablation up to fluxes of about 10 13 W/cm 2 , with emphasis on three particular processes; namely, front-surface spallation, two-dimensional blowoff, and contained vaporization.
Classifier error estimator performance in a Bayesian context

A classical approach to evaluating the accuracy of a classifier error estimator involves fixing the true distribution and averaging performance over the corresponding sampling distribution. We may evaluate marginal and mixed moments of the true and estimated errors, as well consider joint characteristics in terms of RMS or even the complete joint density. Since performance is averaged over the samples, any such analysis must be relative to a classification and error estimation rule pair. However, a new approach to evaluating error estimation accuracy has emerged from a Bayesian framework for classification, where we fix the sample itself and average over all distributions in the Bayesian model. It thus becomes possible to evaluate performance precisely for the designed classifier and obtained error estimate, resulting in a practical sample-conditioned MSE performance measure. In this article, we discuss advantages of the new Bayesian approach and fundamental differences between the classical and Bayesian methodologies.
Effect of rapid solidification and alloying addition on lattice distortion and atomic ordering in L1 0 tial alloys and their ternary alloys

Binary and ternary L10 type titanium alloys were rapidly quenched into thin foils by the hammer-anvil quenching technique. The nominal alloy compositions include Ti1-xAlx and (Ti1-xAlx)100-@#@ yMy, wherex = 0.5 to 0.6; y= 1 to 4; and M is V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Ge. Lattice parameters of Ll0 phases in these alloys were studied by X-ray diffractometer using the foils and their powders. Simultaneously, long-range order parameters of these Ll0 phases in the as-quenched foils and the annealed powders were determined from the superlattice intensity measured by X-ray diffractometer. Rapid quenching suppresses long-range ordering (S) during solidification and, thereby, reduces lattice distortion (c/a) in Ll0 titanium alloys. A small amount of alloying element has a large effect on thec/a ratio. The atomic size effect and probably substitutional site preference play an important role in such ac/a reduction. From the density measurement, it is found that antisite defects are a predominant mode in Al-rich off-stoichiometric TiAl compound alloys. Determined long-range order value is significantly low in as-quenched binary TiAl due to rapid quenching, and the highest ordering occurs at as-quenched Ti45Al55 alloy. The relationship betweenc/a andS in Ll0 Ti45Al55 may be written asc/a = 1 + 0.025 ·S.
Proton NMR study of coordinated imidazoles in low-spin ferric heme complexes. Assignment of single proton histidine resonance in hemoproteins

The proton signals for the coordinated axial imidazoles in a series of low-spin ferric bis-imidazole complexes with natural porphyrin derivatives have been located and assigned. The methyl signals of several methyl-substituted imidazoles have also been resolved for the mixed ligand complexes of imidazole and cyanide ion. The imidazole spectra for the bis complexes are essentially the same as those reported earlier for synthetic porphyrins, with the hyperfine shifts exhibiting comparable contributions from the dipolar and contact interactions. The contact contribution reflects spin transfer into a vacant imidazole pi orbital. The spectra of both the mono- and bis-imidazole complex concur in predicting that only the 2-H and 5-CH2 signals of an axial histidine are likely to resonate clearly outside the diamagnetic 0 to --10 ppm from TMS region in hemoproteins. However, both the 2-H and 4-H imidazole peaks are found to be too broad to detect in a hemoprotein. Hence, it is suggested that the pair of non-heme, single-proton resonances in low-spin met-myoglobin cyanides arise from the non-equivalent methylene protons at the 5-position of the histidyl imidazole. Both the resonance positions and relative linewidths in the model compounds are consistent with the data for this pair of protons in myoglobins. The possible interpretations of the average downfield bias of these signals as well as the magnitude of their spacing, are discussed in terms of the conformation of the proximal histidine relative to the heme group.
Free online otolaryngology educational modules: a pilot study.

Importance Otolaryngology residents need concise, easily accessible modules to expand educational opportunities between surgical cases. These modules should be inexpensive to create and improve learning outcomes. Objective The purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether otolaryngology residents at multiple institutions used online video modules to supplement their studying for the Otolaryngology Training Exam, whether the modules had any effect on their Otolaryngology Training Examination Scores, and to obtain survey feedback about the modules. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized trial was conducted in 3 academic departments of otolaryngology in the United States among 37 residents enrolled in 3 otolaryngology residency programs. Interventions Residents were randomized into 2 groups, one with access to the educational modules and the other with no access. Main Outcomes and Measures Otolaryngology training examination scores were obtained from the year prior to the intervention (2012) and the year following module access (2013). Residents with access to the modules were also surveyed to assess use and obtain feedback about the modules. Results Otolaryngology training examination scores improved significantly from 2012 to 2013 among both residents who had access to the modules and those who did not in the sections of head and neck, laryngology, and sleep medicine. However, scores in the sections of pediatric otolaryngology (8% increase,P = .03), otology (7% increase,P = .02), and facial plastic surgery (10% increase,P = .02) improved from 2012 to 2013 only among residents with access to the modules. All respondents rated the videos as very helpful, with a rating of 4 of 5 on a Likert scale. Conclusions and Relevance Online otolaryngology educational modules are an inexpensive way to expand resident learning opportunities. Despite the lack of quantifiable improvement in otolaryngology training examination scores in this study, use of online modules sends a message to otolaryngology residents that their education is a priority; self-study outside the hospital and clinics is necessary and expected; and that instructors are willing to try more nontraditional or progressive forms of education to increase resident knowledge.
Medulloblastomas and related primitive neuroectodermal brain tumors of childhood recapitulate molecular milestones in the maturation of neuroblasts.

We review here recent data that have brought into sharper focus a number of important biological properties of the neoplastic cells in childhood primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system (CNS). Studies of this group of tumors, as exemplified by posterior fossa medulloblastomas (MBs), suggest that neoplastic cells in PNETs partially recapitulate stages in the maturation of normal human neuroblasts. These findings may contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in tumor initiation and progression because oncogenes and antioncogenes appear to exert their effects in a cell type-specific manner that also depends on the maturational state of a given cell. Currently, a large body of data suggests that populations of cells in PNETs (e.g., MBs) exhibit one or more molecular stem cells or partially committed neuron-like precursors from the cell cycle, followed by their terminal differentiation into neurons. This, together with the orchestrated interactions of as yet unidentified oncogenes and antioncogenes in these PNET cells, may represent a cluster of molecular abnormalities that underly the emergence of the highly malignant phenotype that characterizes childhood PNETs.
HDM Modeling as a Tool to Assist Management With Employee Motivation: The Case of Silicon Forest

Abstract:This article gives a brief introduction into the history of human motivation research and discusses a variety of motivational theories. From the numerous theories reviewed, the main motivational elements are assembled into a Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM). A pairwise comparison survey was developed as a tool for managers to use when trying to develop a motivational strategy, i.e., which motivational theory or theories works best for their employees. Finally, as a proof of concept, the questionnaire was tested with 50 professionals in the high tech industry in the Portland area also known as the Silicon Forest.
Engineering and design concepts for quasioptical high‐field electron paramagnetic resonance

In recent years, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been extended to high magnetic fields requiring superconducting magnets, by analogy with similar extensions in NMR some decades earlier. One major difference between high-field EPR and NMR is that the corresponding increase in applied resonant frequency has required a significantly different technology in the case of EPR. In contrast to the waveguide-based systems used in conventional EPR fields, high-field EPR has required quasioptical technology that is more commonly used in radioastronomy and communications. This article presents an overview of quasioptical methods as they have been applied in high-field EPR systems. Two matrix methods for designing and engineering quasioptical circuits are presented, and their application illustrated with practical examples. Methods for evaluating the performance of the magnet and sensitivity of the quasioptics are also surveyed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 22B: 15–36, 2004.