cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Team Usability Testing: Are two Heads Better than One?:

The purpose of the study was to compare a team usability testing paradigm with that of the typical single user paradigm in terms of the quantity and quality of the user's verbalization (i.e. thinking out-loud) and performance. The study employed a three group design in which the type of usability paradigm (Single, Observer, Team) was manipulated. Users first learned to use an off-the-shelf database management package by means of a short tutorial and then engaged in six structured tasks. While engaging in the tasks, the users either thought-out-loud alone (Single condition), in the presence of an observer (Observer condition), or as participants of a team working on the tasks together (Team condition). Results indicated that there were no significant differences among the three conditions in terms of performance nor any extensive differences in their subjective evaluation of the software. However, users in the Team condition spent more total time verbalizing than those in the Single or Observer condition. ...
On L∞ convergence of Neumann series approximation in missing data problems

Abstract The inverse of the nonparametric information operator is key for finding doubly robust estimators and the semiparametric efficient estimator in missing data problems. It is known that no closed-form expression for the inverse of the nonparametric information operator exists when missing data form nonmonotone patterns. The Neumann series is usually used for approximating the inverse. However, the Neumann series approximation is only known to converge in L 2 norm, which is not sufficient for establishing statistical properties of the estimators yielded from the approximation. In this work, we show that L ∞ convergence of the Neumann series approximations to the inverse of the nonparametric information operator and to the efficient scores in missing data problems can be obtained under very simple conditions. This paves the way to a study of the asymptotic properties of the doubly robust estimators and the locally semiparametric efficient estimator in those difficult situations.
Local allograft irradiation as an adjunct for treating severe resistant rejection after liver transplantation in adults

Acute rejection after liver transplantation occurs in one-third of all recipients and can be managed with conventional rejection therapy in the majority of cases. In rare instances, patients with severe acute rejection may be refractory to or have contraindications for conventional therapies. This case series evaluates the role of local allograft irradiation (LAI) as an adjunct for patients with rejection that is refractory to or contraindicated for conventional therapies. Additionally, the literature on the use of radiation therapy for reversing rejection in solid organ transplantation is reviewed. Five patients underwent 9 LAI treatments: 2 had refractory rejection, and 1 each had a malignancy, a concurrent life-threatening infection, and serum sickness with antibody therapy. Conventional rejection therapies included steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and antithymocyte globulin. LAI consisted of 3 cycles of 1.5 Gy directed toward the liver allograft. Two of the 5 patients remained alive with excellent graft function. Six of the 9 treatments were successful in rescuing the liver allograft (reversing the rejection episode). Treatment success was associated with lower pretreatment serum bilirubin levels and higher pretreatment alanine aminotransferase levels. Compared with patients with immunosuppression-responsive severe acute rejection, those requiring LAI trended toward a later onset of first rejection. In conclusion, local irradiation of liver allografts can be a useful adjunct in patients for whom conventional options have been exhausted or cannot be used. The ability of LAI to reverse allograft dysfunction and promote patient survival appears to be greatest before the onset of severe cholestatic injury. Liver Transpl 21:47-56, 2015. © 2014 AASLD.
Mesospheric ionization and O2(1Δg) depletion

Abstract Observations of O 2 ( 1 Δ g ) emission during solar proton events reveal large depletions below 80 and near 90 km. The lower altitude depletions are believed to be due to odd hydrogen production and associated depletion of ozone, but the mechanism producing the depletion near 90 km has not yet been established. In this paper, it is proposed that an exothermic charge exchange reaction between O2+ and O 2 ( 1 Δ g ) is likely to be responsible for these high altitude depletions. In particular, it is shown that the vertical structure of the observed change in airglow emission is consistent with this mechanism.
A New Ordering Scheme for the Hermite Bicubic Collocation Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter explains a new ordering scheme for the Hermite bicubic collocation equations. A Hermite cubic is a C1 piecewise cubic polynomial and a Hermite bicubic is the tensor product of Hermite cubics in x and in y. The unknowns and equations of the collocation equation are usually numbered so as to give a coefficient matrix of the linear system which is somewhat bi-diagonal. The chapter presents the pattern of nonzero elements with n = 3 and a Poisson problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The pattern illustrated in the chapter is not the expected somewhat tridiagonal pattern of nonzeros and, potentially more serious, any of the standard iteration methods cannot be used on the equations because of the large number of zero elements on the diagonal. Thus, it leads to search for a new ordering that has nonzeros on the diagonals and which is more natural. Such an ordering is called collorder.
Rosalind K. Marshall, Mary Queen of Scots: Truth or Lies

Rosalind K. Marshall. Mary Queen of Scots: Truth or Lies . Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press, 2010. Pp. 128. ISBN 978-07-1520-936-3. £9.99.
Chloridonitros­yl[meso-5,10,15,20-tetra­kis­(p-tol­yl)porphyrinato-κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′]osmium(II) tetra­hydro­furan tetra­solvate

The title compound, [OsCl(NO)(C48H36N4)]·4C4H8O, is a six-coordinate osmium(II) porphyrin complex with nitrosyl (NO) and chloride (Cl) ligands trans to each other in an octa­hedral geometry. The metal complex lies on a fourfold rotation axis that passes through the Os, N, O and Cl atoms. The NO and Cl ligands are disordered in an 0.511 (12):0.486 (12) ratio.
Current and future treatment options for cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus has a range of dermatologic manifestations that may significantly impact quality of life. Clinicians and investigators need to be aware of current and emerging treatment options for these patients. With the number of new targeted biological therapies coming to the market for inflammatory disorders there will be more treatment options in the near future.Areas covered: This article reviews published reports searched using the PubMed database with the terms cutaneous lupus and treatment.Expert opinion: Local therapies such as topical steroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors are helpful for mild or localized disease. Antimalarials remain the first-line systemic treatment for cutaneous lupus. For patients who do not respond to antimalarials, there are a number of potential treatments including thalidomide and other immunosuppressants. Emerging therapies including rituximab, lenalidomide and ustekinumab hold potential for the treatment of cutaneous lupus but more s...
Diagenetic alteration of Badenian sulphate deposits in the Carpathian Foredeep Basin, Southern Poland: processes and their succession

The facies variation of the Badenian sulphate deposits in the Polish Carpathian Foredeep Basin reflects distinct depositional and diagenetic environments. In these environments the primary sulphate (mainly gypsum) was deposited and then underwent different pathways of diagenetic evolution, recognized on the basis of sedimentological, petrographic and geochemical studies. Diagenetic sulphate facies (anhydrite and secondary gypsum) formed in successive stages: syndepositional (the depositional stage), early diagenetic (at the surface and during shallow burial) and late diagenetic (during deeper burial and exhumation). Most anhydrite deposits show sedimentological and petrographic features characteristic of a diagenetic facies formed by replacement (anhydritization) of the precursor gypsum deposits. Four basic genetic models of anhydrite have been proposed: (1) syndepositional interstitial anhydrite growth de novo, (2) syndepositional anhydritization (via nodule formation and pseudomorphous replacement), (3) early diagenetic anhydritization (displacive anhydrite growth), and (4) late diagenetic anhydritization (replacive anhydrite growth). The succession of diagenetic processes and their paragenetic relationships within the Badenian sulphate deposits display a complex diagenetic evolution. Many controlling factors, such as a palaeogeographic setting, tectonic activity, geostructural constraints and physico-chemical changes of the pore fluids, related to sedimentary and diagenetic environments, have been involved in the sulphate diagenesis. The results may be applied to other ancient evaporite basins including the marginal gypsum deposits and anhydrite in the more buried, basinward part.
Men and Women Read News Differently: The Effects of Story Structure on the Cognitive Processing of Text

This study explored how the structure of written news affects men and women differently in terms of cognition. In a 2 (Structure) × 2 (Story) × 2 (Sex) mixed design, participants read two inverted pyramid and two chronological news stories, each on a different topic. Dependent measures included secondary task reaction times (STRTs), cued recall, recognition accuracy, and text comprehension. Women had slower reaction times than men across stories, but a significant interaction showed their use of cognitive resources was less affected by variations in story structure. These results are discussed in the context of a comprehensibility interpretation of the STRT measure. The findings suggest that the common use of the inverted pyramid structure, which has been criticized as difficult to comprehend, may not explain the decrease in female news readers.
The thermal response of a metal slab to a class of radially dependent heat inputs

The temperature fields are deduced for an infinite metal slab of finite thickness produced by a heat flux input which depends on the radial coordinate. The formal solution is obtained by means of transform techniques.
Methenamine-Silver-Stained Corneal Scrapings in Keratomycosis

A shortened version of Grocott's methenamine-silver technique for use in staining corneal scrapings was superior to current methods for the diagnosis of mycotic keratitis.
Lipid droplets in the adrenal cortex of the rat. Preservation after tannic acid—paraformaldehyde—glutaraldehyde fixation and extraction during staining

Abstract Adrenocortical tissue from the rat was fixed in glutaraldehyde—paraformaldehyde—tannic acid with or without potassium pyroantimonate. An electron opacity was observed in lipid droplets from unstained sections of tissue with or without antimonate in the fixative and is most likely attributable to inclusion of tannic acid in the fixative. The opacity was largely removed after staining with uranyl acetate in absolute methanol followed by lead citrate. Removal of the opacity is attributable to staining in lead citrate, not uranyl acetate, because highly basic solution without lead also removes the density. An electron-opaque rim is present at the interface of lipid droplet and cytoplasm, although no distinct membranous structure is observable. The rim may correspond to myelin-like structures seen sometimes in lipid droplets from adrenocortical cells fixed by routine procedures employing pre-fixation with glutaraldehyde and post-fixation with osmium tetroxide. Results of this study point to the conclusion that ultrathin sections should be examined unstained in the validation of a new regime for processing tissues in electron microscopy.
Capsaicin-evoked release of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide from the spinal cord is mediated by nitric oxide but not by cyclic GMP

Recent data support a role for nitric oxide (NO) in pain processing at the level of the spinal cord, possibly via regulation of neuropeptide release. The goal of this study was to determine whether capsaicin, which selectively activates primary afferent neurons and evokes neuropeptide release, acts in an NO-dependent manner. Our results indicate that capsaicin (1 microM)-evoked release of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide (iCGRP) is significantly reduced in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (10-400 nM; F(3,45)=68.38; P<0.001) and, the selective nNOS inhibitor, 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole (170-680 nM; F(5,48)=56.2; P<0. 01). D-NAME (200 nM) had no effect on capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release. Hemoglobin (an extracellular scavenger of NO; 3 mg/ml) significantly reduced the effect of capsaicin on the release of iCGRP (F(1,8)=9.12; P<0.05). The NOS substrate, L-arginine, effectively reversed the inhibitory effect of 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole on capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release. To determine whether the NO-mediated release was NMDA-driven, we superfused spinal cord slices with competitive and non-competitive NMDA antagonists in the presence and absence of capsaicin. MK-801 (0. 1-10 microM; F(4,33)=8.49; P<0.0001) and AP-5 (0.01-10 microM; F(4, 38)=3.34; P<0.05) reduced capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release. CNQX, an AMPA/kainate antagonist (10 nM-10 microM), significantly decreased capsaicin-evoked release of iCGRP (F(6,42)=8.76; P<0.01) in a dose-dependent fashion. Additionally, our results demonstrate that while capsaicin-evoked release is significantly reduced in the presence of LY-83583 (10 microM; F(2,18)=3.46; P<0.01; a cyclic GMP lowering agent), there is no effect of ODQ (a potent and selective inhibitor of guanylate cyclase). Moreover, the application of a cell permeable analog of cyclic GMP (8-bromo-cGMP; 0.01-1000 microM) is without effect on both basal and evoked iCGRP release. Finally, we observed no colocalization of immunoreactive neuronal NOS (nNOS) with CGRP in the dorsal horn. In summary, these data indicate that capsaicin evokes the release of iCGRP, in part, via the production of NO which enters the extracellular space prior to having an effect. Moreover, iCGRP and nNOS are produced in distinct populations of neurons within the dorsal horn. We conclude that capsaicin-evoked release involves the activation of the NMDA receptor but is also modified by the activation of AMPA or kainate receptors. Finally, these data suggest that while capsaicin-evoked iCGRP release is modified by NO, this release does not require the activation of guanylate cyclase and subsequent production of cyclic GMP.
Direct transfer functions and path blocking in a discrete mechanical system

In this work some issues concerning the prediction capabilities of the global transfer direct transfer (GTDT) method when blocking transmission paths in a mechanical system are addressed. The formalism of the GTDT approach, which requires no force determination, is first applied to a discrete system made of a combination of springs, dampers and masses. Then, a path blocking analysis is carried out for the cases of setting the displacement of any mass to zero and of removing some system elements. Differences with the more standard force transmission path analysis (TPA) are outlined.
Automatic road identification and labeling in Landsat 4 TM images

Abstract A conceptually parallel road detection method in Landsat 4 TM images is proposed. The goal is to detect roads at three different levels: major roads, local roads, and minor roads. This road network information is used for the evaluation of detected potential oil/gas pads, since these pads seldom occur on major roads but are often located at the end of minor access roads. The proposed method is composed of two phases: low-level road detection and high-level road labeling. Experimental results from several images show that the proposed method can detect roads reasonably well in the low-level phase and is useful in pad evaluation. Future research includes combining multi-band information in road detection and determining thresholds in a more systematic way.
THE EFFECT OF INCIDENT TURBULENCE ON THE SURFACE PRESSURES OF SURFACE-MOUNTED PRISMS

Abstract This paper is devoted to the experimental study of the mean and fluctuating pressure distributions on the side and base surfaces of a series of surface-mounted rectangular prisms immersed in deep turbulent boundary layers. Mean, r.m.s. and negative peak pressure coefficients based on the dynamic pressure of the mean flow at prism height were acquired over these surfaces. The experiments utilized a set of prisms of different geometry whose height was generally larger than their plan dimensions. Results were only analysed for those azimuth angles for which the incident flow is parallel to the side faces of each prism. The experiments were conducted to evaluate not only the effect of prism geometry but also that of the turbulence properties of the incident boundary layer flow. Particular attention was paid to the influence of the streamwise turbulence intensity and turbulence scale including the integral scale as well as the content of the small-scale turbulence. In spite of appreciable geometric and aerodynamic differences between 2-D cylinders in grid-generated turbulent flows and 3-D surface-mounted prisms in turbulent boundary layer flows, certain similarities related to the pressure distribution on the sides and base surfaces of both geometries are illustrated. These resemblances are manifested in particular when the separated shear layers which originate from the upstream corners of the cylinders and prisms remain separated and do not reattach to the side faces. Experimental evidence presented in this paper demonstrates that the modified small-scale spectral density parameters as proposed by Melbourne is a suitable quantity to define the content of the small-scale turbulence. The wavelength of the velocity fluctuations associated with the Melbourne (S) parameter was chosen to be approximately equivalent to the thickness of the separated shear layers. These fluctuations are best suited to modify these layers and their vortex characteristics, and consequently control the pressure distribution in the separation zone. The experimental observations confirm this axiom, as mean and fluctuating pressure coefficients on the side surface near the trailing edge and on the base surface of the prisms correlate quite well with theS-parameter and poorly with the integral scale.
High magnetic field effects on human deoxygenated hemoglobin light absorption

Abstract The effect of high static magnetic field on human deoxyhemoglobin spectrophotometric characteristics is studied. Five samples of partially deoxygenated hemoglobin in aqueous solution were tested. Magnetic field was applied in steps of 2 T (tesla), from 0 to 18 T. Spectral analysis showed a higher light absorption at wavelengths of 546 nm and at 581 nm. The applied magnetic field did not alter the wavelengths at which the absorption peaks occurred. On the other hand, the light absorption was found to increase with the applied magnetic field strength up to 14 T.
Use of topical lidocaine in the treatment of muscle tension dysphonia

This investigation explored the potential usefulness of topical lidocaine in the treatment of muscle tension dysphonia. Three patients with this disorder, who were previously unresponsive to standard voice therapy, were treated with lidocaine. In each case, the outcome was prompt, clinically significant, and sustained. Persistently high-pitched and shrill vocal quality was converted to near normal voice patterns within 15 minutes after transcricothyroid membrane lidocaine injection. We suggest that this temporary and simple laryngeal and tracheal anesthetic technique may have helped to break the perverse cycle of hyperactive glottal and supraglottal muscle contractions evident in each of these patients during phonation efforts. We discuss the possible sensorimotor mechanism of action of this therapeutic technique.
Resection of malignant bone tumors of the pelvic girdle without extremity amputation.

• Fifty-three patients with malignant tumors of the pelvis ossea were evaluated for location of tumor, extent of resection, postoperative function, local recurrence, and survival. Three tumors were unresectable, 17 required a wide local excision, 27 required resection of the hemipelvis without extremity amputation (internal hemipelvectomy), and six required a classical hemipelvectomy with amputation. The incidence of local recurrence was 11.8% for wide local excision, 7.4% for internal hemipelvectomy, and 33% for classical hemipelvectomy. Survival following wide local excision or internal hemipelvectomy was 58% and 41%, respectively, at five years compared with 17% for patients undergoing classical hemipelvectomy. Patients who underwent wide local excision had good to excellent functional results. Patients requiring internal hemipelvectomy initially required ambulatory supports, but many can now ambulate independently, with a neurologically intact extremity, despite a noticeably abnormal gait. ( Arch Surg 1988;123:1121-1124)
Concurrent diagnosis of Crohn's disease and colorectal carcinoma in a young man with abdominal pain

The lead time between diagnosis of Crohn's disease and presentation with a Crohn's related malignancy is generally twenty years from diagnosis. This case outlines that of a young man who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and was subsequently discovered to have a malignant stricture complicating underlying Crohn's disease that was previously quiescent and undiagnosed. It demonstrates that a new diagnosis of Crohn's disease does not rule out previously quiescent underlying disease and therefore risk of colrectal carcinoma.
ROLE OF DELTA CARDIAC TROPONIN I TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TYPE I NSTEMI AND TYPE II MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Numerous pathologies aside from ACS are associated with an increased cardiac troponin (cTn). We hypothesized that delta cTn would be useful for improving diagnostic accuracy and distinguishing outcomes of spontaneous MI (type 1) versus MI secondary to supply/demand imbalance (type 2). We
Effects of age, race, gender, blood pressure, and estrogen on arterial compliance.

Abstract Background Although a variety of factors have been shown to influence vascular compliance in humans, few studies have been large enough to adequately assess the effects of age, race, gender, blood pressure (BP), and estrogen therapy. Methods As part of a long-term follow-up study, 272 subjects, 50% women, 26% African American, 71% currently hypertensive, ranging in age from 33 to 80 years were studied with noninvasive measures of vascular compliance by pulse wave analysis. Results A significant age-related decrease in large and small vessel compliance and increase in vascular resistance and impedance was seen in all hypertensive subjects and in normotensive women. The slope of the relationship was significantly steeper for women than for men. No effect of estrogen or race could be observed. In hypertensive subjects, pulse pressure exerted an effect similar to that of age. Conclusions Studies of vascular compliance must consider a variety of demographic and physiologic factors including age, gender, and BP. Race and estrogen administration do not appear to contribute to the variables independent of the factors identified.
Losing by Expanding: Corralling the Runaway Object

Third-generation activity theory (3GAT) has become a popular theoretical and methodological framework for writing studies, particularly in technical communication. 3GAT involves identifying an obje...
A Comparison of Heuristics for Assigning Individual Employees to Labor Tour Schedules

The labor tour scheduling literature has focused on the development of schedules, and with a few exceptions, employees were assumed to have identical cost and productivity. Even the few exceptions in the literature that solved tour problems considered employees within a work group to have identical cost and productivity. In this paper we evaluated heuristics for assigning individual employees – who differed in cost and productivity – to labor tour schedules. Our results showed that considering productivity levels when assigning individuals to tours increased profitability. We found that a simple managerial heuristic of assigning individuals in descending order of their productivity to cost ratio was both fast and effective over a broad range of service environmental scenarios.
Modeling metallic island coalescence stress via adhesive contact between surfaces

Tensile stress generation associated with island coalescence is almost universally observed in thin films that grow via the Volmer-Weber mode. The commonly accepted mechanism for the origin of this tensile stress is a process driven by the reduction in surface energy at the expense of the strain energy associated with the deformation of coalescing islands during grain boundary formation. In the present work, we have performed molecular statics calculations using an embedded atom interatomic potential to obtain a functional form of the interfacial energy vs distance between two closely spaced free surfaces. The sum of interfacial energy plus strain energy provides a measure of the total system energy as a function of island separation. Depending on the initial separation between islands, we find that in cases where coalescence is thermodynamically favored, gap closure can occur either spontaneously or be kinetically limited due to an energetic barrier. Atomistic simulations of island coalescence using conjugate gradient energy minimization calculations agree well with the predicted stress as a function of island size from our model of spontaneous coalescence. Molecular dynamics simulations of island coalescence demonstrate that only modest barriers to coalescence can be overcome at room temperature. A comparison with thermally activated coalescence results at room temperature reveals that existing coalescence models significantly overestimate the magnitude of the stress resulting from island coalescence.
Use of Glycol Chitosan Modified by 5β-cholanic Acid Nanoparticles for the Sustained Release of Proteins during Murine Embryonic Limb Skeletogenesis

Murine embryonic limb cultures have invaluable roles in studying skeletogenesis. Substance delivery is an underdeveloped area in developmental biology that has primarily relied on Affi-Gel-Blue-agarose-beads. However, the lack of information about the efficiency of agarose-bead loading and release and difficulties for a single-bead implantation represent significant limitations. We optimized the use of glycol chitosan-5beta-cholanic acid conjugates (HGC) as a novel protein delivery system in mouse embryonic limbs. To this purpose, we loaded HGC either with recombinant Noggin, or bovine serum albumin (BSA). The size, morphology and stability of the protein-loaded-HGC were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic-light-scattering. HGC-BSA and HGC-Noggin loading efficiencies were 80-90%. Time-course study revealed that Noggin and BSA were 80-90% released after 48 h. We developed several techniques to implant protein-loaded-HGC into murine embryonic joints from embryonic age E13.5 to E15.5, including a micro-injection system dispensing nanoliters. HGC did not interfere with skeletogenesis. Using CBR-3BA staining, we detected HGC nanoparticles within implanted tissues. Furthermore, a sustained release of BSA and Noggin was demonstrated in HGC-BSA and HGC-Noggin injected regions. HGC-released Noggin was biologically active in blocking the BMP signaling in in vitro mesenchyme limb micromasses as well as in ex-vivo limb cultures. Results reveal that HGC is a valuable protein-delivery system in developmental biology.
Efficacy and safety of olmesartan/amlodipine/HCTZ in hypertensives not at goal with mono, dual or triple drug therapy: results of the champion study

We assessed the efficacy and safety of once daily olmesartan medoxomil/ amlodipine besylate/HCTZ 40/10/25mg in patients with hypertension not at goal with mono, dual or triple drug therapy in a phase 4, single-center, prospective, open-label, blinded-endpoint study. Adults with stage 1 or 2 hypertension entered a 2-9 day screening period, followed by a 4-6 week open label treatment with OM/AM/HCTZ fixed dose combination. Safety and tolerability were assessed by recording treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), monitoring vital signs and clinical laboratory parameters, and performing ECGs and physical examinations. Efficacy assessments included change from baseline in trough sDBP and sSBP and percentage of patients who achieved BP goal. A total of 13 out of 40 patients were 60 years of age (64% men and 36% women). TEAEs were experienced by 86% of patients and were mostly mild or moderate in severity. The most common TEAEs, were sinusitis (7.5%), swelling of both ankles (5.0%), tiredness (5.0%) swelling of both lower legs (2.5%) and worsening swelling of both feet (2.5%). There were no dizziness, syncope or serious AEs experienced and no deaths occurred. Mean baseline office SBP/DBP of patients aged 60 years was 140/86 mmHg and mean baseline ABPM SBP/DBP of patients aged 60 years was 134/ 75mmHg. After 24 hours of treatment with triple drug therapy mean office SBP/DBP was 129/79 mmHg (a SBP reduction of 11.2mmHg and a DBP reduction of 7.8mmHg) and mean ABPM SBP/DBP of patients aged 60 years was 129/73mmHg (an ambulatory SBP reduction of 5.1mmHg and an ambulatory DBP reduction of 2.3mmHg), after 1 week of treatment, mean office SBP/DBP was 122/77 mmHg (a SBP reduction of 18.2mmHg and a DBP reduction of 9.4mmHg) and mean ABPM SBP/ DBP of patients aged 60 years was 120/69mmHg (an ambulatory SBP reduction of 13.6mmHg and an ambulatory DBP reduction of 6.0mmHg), after 2 weeks of treatment, mean office SBP/DBP was 121/ 76 mmHg (a SBP reduction of 18.7mmHg and a DBP reduction of 10.2mmHg) and mean ABPM SBP/DBP of patients aged 60 years was 118/67mmHg (an ambulatory SBP reduction of 15.3mmHg and an ambulatory DBP reduction of 7.8mmHg), and after 4 weeks of treatment, mean office SBP/DBP was 119/76 mmHg (a SBP reduction of 21.6mmHg and a DBP reduction of 10.7mmHg) and mean ABPM SBP/DBP of patients aged 60 years was 116/67mmHg (an ambulatory SBP reduction of 17.2mmHg and an ambulatory DBP reduction of 8.2mmHg). In conclusion triple drug therapy resulted in lower achieved SBP reduction (<140 mmHg) in patients over 60 and was well tolerated and without adverse effects of health or quality of life. As per JNC 8 recommendations the triple drug treatment would not need to be adjusted in these patients.
Investigation of a new stony meteorite from Mauritania with some additional data on its find site: Aouelloul crater

The Zerga meteorite, a small stony meteorite found at Aouelloul crater, is a fragment of a larger mass with a pre-atmospheric radius between 20 and 125 cm. The meteorite is a typical amphoterite, with monomict brecchia which has undergone at least one recrystallization episode. The terrestrial age of the meteorite is roughly an order of magnitude smaller than the K-Ar gas-retention age (about 3.1 million years) of the glassy impactite found at the crater, which is close to the age of the nearby Tenoumer crater (about 2.5 million years). The similar ages of the two craters, together with their alignment with the Temimichat Ghallaman crater, suggest a simultaneous triple impact following the disruption of a large meteorite moving on a very shallow earth trajectory. The unusually shallow original depths inferred for two of the craters may be explained by low impact angles.
Surface-Initiated Titanium-Mediated Coordination Polymerization from Catalyst-Functionalized Single and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Single (SWNTs) and multiwalled (MWNTs) carbon nanotubes were functionalized with a titanium alkoxide catalyst through a Diels−Alder cycloaddition reaction. The catalyst-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used for the surface initiated titanium-mediated coordination polymerizations of l-lactide (l-LA), ϵ-caprolactone (ϵ-CL) and n-hexyl isocyanate (HIC) employing the “grafting from” technique. 1H NMR, IR and Raman spectra showed that the precursor catalyst was successfully synthesized and covalently attached on the CNTs surface. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the grafted poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) content could be controlled with time. The final polymer-grafted CNTs were readily dissolved in organic solvents as compared to the insoluble pristine and catalyst-functionalized CNTs. The presence of thick layers of polymers around the CNTs was observed through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) proved that the glass transition (Tg) and melting (Tm...
The same-object problem for polyhedral solids

The problem of deciding if two representations describe the same object arises in many applications in solid modeling. Using constructive solid geometry, the best known algorithm for the problem requires time O ( n 4 ), where n bounds the number of surface/surface intersections of the symmetric set-difference of the two solids. By using a new canonical boundary representation for polyhedral solids, the same-object problem is solved for many different boundary representations in time O ( F log F + D log D + V ) and space O ( F + D ), where F , D , and V are the numbers of faces, directed edges, and vertices, respectively, in the two boundary representations. In addition, the problem of converting from a boundary representation to the canonical boundary representation is shown to have an( F log F ) lower bound.
Balloon angioplasty of postoperative aortic recoarctation

Abstract Balloon angioplasty for postoperative recoarctation of the aorta provides adequate relief of obstruction with minimal morbidity and mortality rates. Current results justify the preference of balloon angioplasty over surgery in most children and adolescents. To be certain that it is the treatment of choice, additional analysis of long-term data is needed. However, in small infants, the consequences of aortic aneurysms from angioplasty remain unclear, and these patients must have thorough long-term follow-up, including chest x-rays, echocardiograms, and angiography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Sino-Capitalism: China's Reemergence and the International Political Economy

There is little doubt that China's international reemergence represents one of the most significant events in modern history. As China's political economy gains in importance, its interactions with other major political economies will shape global values, institutions, and policies, thereby restructuring the international political economy. Drawing on theories and concepts in comparative capitalism, the author envisages China's reemergence as generating Sino-capitalism—a capitalist system that is already global in reach but one that differs from Anglo-American capitalism in important respects. Sino-capitalism relies more on informal business networks than legal codes and transparent rules. It also assigns the Chinese state a leading role in fostering and guiding capitalist accumulation. Sino-capitalism, ultimately, espouses less trust in free markets and more trust in unitary state rule and social norms of reciprocity, stability, and hierarchy. After conceptualizing Sino-capitalism's domestic political economy, the author uses the case of China's efforts to internationalize its currency, the yuan or renminbi, to systematically illustrate the multifarious manner in which the domestic logic of Sino-capitalism is expressed at the global level. Rather than presenting a deterministic argument concerning the future international role of China, he argues that China's stance and strategy in the international political economy hew quite closely to Sino-capitalism's hybrid compensatory institutional arrangements on the domestic level: state guidance; flexible and entrepreneurial networks; and global integration. Sino-capitalism therefore represents an emerging system of global capitalism centered on China that is producing a dynamic mix of mutual dependence, symbiosis, competition, and friction with the still dominant Anglo-American model of capitalism.
An Implementation Model for a Communication across the Curriculum Program.

In response to the demand for business graduates with good communication skills, many schools are examining ways to enhance and strengthen their com munication programs to ensure students' development of these skills. This paper presents a model for implementing a Communication Across the Cur riculum (CAC) program that is based on an integrated approach to developing students'communication skills. The model is based on the authors'experience as coordinators of the CAC program at their university.
Downscaling GOES Land Surface Temperature for Assessing Heat Wave Health Risks

Recent years have witnessed an emerging concern of the health impact of heat waves. A common approach to investigate heat waves is to resort to the geostationary thermal infrared imagery, such as those from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Meteosat Second Generation. However, coarse spatial resolutions of geostationary images cannot meet the need of assessing and monitoring heat waves in complex urban settings. To address the spatial and temporal variability of heat waves in urban areas, this letter presented a study of analyzing heat wave risk in Los Angeles, USA, by the synergistic use of GOES land surface temperature (LST), auxiliary geospatial, and census data within the framework of Crichton's Risk Triangle (i.e., hazard, exposure, and vulnerability). Principal component analysis and regression analysis were employed to downscale the original GOES LST imagery from 4 to 1 km. The resultant subhourly 1-km LST data was used to characterize and quantify heat hazard. The census population represented the exposure, while existing health, socioeconomic, and physical environmental conditions were used to describe the vulnerabilities. The risk map of heat wave was computed using the weighted indices of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. The map was further overlaid with a zip-code data layer to generate statistics. The derived risk map showed that areas with high risk were identified in the central city, part of western LA County, and the desert area, based on a 10-point scale rank.
Associations of Genetic Variants in ATP-Binding Cassette A1 and Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein and Differences in Lipoprotein Subclasses in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) play important roles in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. The associations of ABCA1 and CETP polymorphisms with lipoprotein subclasses have not been extensively studied. Methods: We genotyped 2 ABCA1 and 5 CETP polymorphisms in 999 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and studied their associations with HDL and LDL subclass particle concentrations, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results: ABCA1 and CETP polymorphisms were associated with different and distinct changes in lipoprotein subclass concentrations. The ABCA1 1051G/A AA genotype, previously found to be associated with cardioprotective effects in this cohort, was associated with a 5.5% higher concentration of small HDL particles ( P = 0.024). The CETP TaqIB B2B2, −2505C/A AA, and −629C/A AA genotypes, previously demonstrated to lack cardioprotective effects, were associated with 15.2%, 15.4%, and 11.7% higher HDL cholesterol concentrations, respectively, and 36.5%, 40.7%, and 25.4% higher large HDL particle concentrations ( P < 0.0001). The minor alleles of the A373P and R451Q polymorphisms were associated with lower large HDL particle concentrations. Conclusions: Our study of the influence of ABCA1 and CETP genetic variants on lipoprotein subclasses demonstrates the importance of interpreting lipoprotein subclasses within the context of the biochemical processes involved in the alterations. In the case of HDL, the study of subclass particle numbers and sizes may not be sufficiently informative. Assays for HDL function may be needed to supplement quantification of HDL cholesterol and HDL particle numbers and sizes.
Quantum Spin Chain, Toeplitz Determinants and the Fisher—Hartwig Conjecture

We consider the one-dimensional quantum spin chain, which is called the XX model (XX0 model or isotropic XY model) in a transverse magnetic field. We are mainly interested in the entropy of a block of Lneighboring spins at zero temperature and of an infinite system. We represent the entropy in terms of a Toeplitz determinant and calculate the asymptotic analytically. We derive the first two terms of the asymptotic decomposition. Interestingly, these two terms of decomposition clearly show a length scale related to the field h.
Adaptive immunity in the host–microbiota dialog

The intestinal tract represents the largest mucosal surface and is a major site of multifaceted interactions between the host mucosal immune system and components of the intestinal microbiota. Host immune responses to the commensal microbiota are tightly controlled and, meanwhile, the microbiota actively shapes intestinal immune responses to itself. Appreciation of these interactions during health and disease may direct therapeutic approaches to a broad range of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in humans. In this review, we will discuss findings on how the intestinal immune system, especially adaptive immune cells, helps accommodate the large number of resident bacteria, and in turn how the microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses to achieve mutualism.
Comparison of in vitro and in situ ultrastructural cryoinjury and cryoprotection of mitochondria

Abstract Ultrastructural manifestation of mitochondrial cryoinjury, in situ , within tubule cells of mouse renal cortex, includes swelling, change to globular shape, precipitation and loss of natrix, loss of dense granules, and irregularity and loss of cristae, which correlated with coincident uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. (Exp. Cell Res. 66 , 378–384 (1971)). This report, concerns parallel-type experiments with isolated mitochondria for comparison of in vitro with in situ cryoinjury and cryoprotection. Mitochondria isolated as globular forms, after the method of Weinbach, were pretreated at 22 °C for 15 min in 0.25 m sucrose with and without 15% (by volume) glycerol or DMSO. Centrifuged preparations from each pretreatment were divided and treated as unfrozen control and as frozenthawed samples. Aliquots were frozen and thawed, in a paste form resembling the dimensions of the tissue slice, at rates considered to induce minimal or maximal damage, by slow freezing (3.8 °C/min), with rapid thawing (8 °C/sec), or rapid freezing (38 °C/sec), with slow thawing (1.5 °C/min), respectively. Samples of each series from three experimental runs were processed for electron microscopy. Results on mitochondrial ultrastructure, primarily based upon alterations in matrix and cristae, and swelling, indicated that: (1) Cryoinjury was greater after rapid freezing with slow thawing than after slow freezing with rapid thawing, with or without cryoprotective agents, as expected; (2) Glycerol and DMSO reduced cryoinjury in both freeze-thaw methods, while inducing some modifications in pretreatment; (3) Direction of ultrastructural cryoinjury and cryoprotection of mitochondrial cristae and matrix in vitro paralleled in situ findings. This appears compatible tentatively with the concept of direct rather than indirect effects of ice formation and dissolution on cellular mitochondria; (4) The degree of cryoinjury appeared greater in isolated mitochondria, which suggests possible intracellular protection and/or induced cryosensitizing injury during isolation procedures. Attributes and limitations of approach and interpretation are discussed.
On the analysis of interacting pushdown systems

Pushdown Systems (PDSs) have become an important paradigm for program analysis. Indeed, recent work has shown a deep connection between inter-procedural dataflow analysis for sequential programs and the model checking problem for PDSs. A natural extension of this framework to the concurrent domain hinges on the, somewhat less studied, problem of model checking Interacting Pushdown Systems. In this paper, we therefore focus on the model checking of Interacting Pushdown Systems synchronizing via the standard primitives - locks, rendezvous and broadcasts, for rich classes of temporal properties - both linear and branching time. We formulate new algorithms for model checking interacting PDSs for important fragments of LTL and the Mu-Calculus. Additionally, we also delineate precisely the decidability boundary for each of the standard synchronization primitives.
Surgical Stapling Devices in Cardiovascular Surgery

Stapling devices useful for cardiovascular applications include vascular clips, the ligation and division stapler, the thoracoabdominal stapling device with vascular load, and the pin-ring device of small vessel anastomosis. This article addresses the application, indication, advantages, and disadvantages of each of these devices.
Introcavity dispersion effect on the properties of the detuned actively AM mode-locked fiber laser

The master equation of the actively mode-locked fiber laser is theoretically derived from the time domain for both of the harmonic and rational harmonic AM mode-locked cases when the RF modulating signal is not exactly tuned to the cavity length. It is shown that the existence of the introcavity dispersion will affect the pulse train properties as a function of the normalized detuning. The properties of the pulse train that depend on detuning are the carrier wavelength, the pulse width, the relative phase lag and the frequency chirp.
EDRF modulates renal hemodynamics during unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rat

EDRF modulates renal hemodynamics during unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rat. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) results in vasoconstriction of the ipsilateral kidney, and vasodilatation of the intact opposite kidney. To investigate the role of endogenous nitric oxide, an endothelial-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), in the regulation of renal hemodynamics during UUO, Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized for study 24 hours after left UUO or sham-operation. Total vascular resistance (TVR) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were measured using radioactive microspheres during control periods and following infusion of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (2.5 mg/kg). Blood pressure and RVR were increased by L-NAME, with a greater increment in the RVR/TVR ratio of the kidney with ipsilateral UUO than in the intact opposite kidney or sham-operated kidneys. Infusion of L-arginine (L-Arg), a substrate for nitric oxide synthase, did not alter the RVR/TVR ratio of either kidney of rats with UUO, but reduced the ratio in sham-operated animals. L-NAME tended to reduce urine flow and urinary sodium and cyclic GMP excretion, whereas L-Arg resulted in a marked diuresis, natriuresis, and increased excretion of cyclic GMP in both operative groups. We conclude that EDRF activity is increased in the kidney with ipsilateral UUO, which serves to counteract renal vasoconstriction. This response is not limited by availability of substrate (L-Arg). Vasodilatation of the intact opposite kidney appears to be mediated by factors other than EDRF.