cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiologic effects of chronic amiodarone therapy in patients with ventricular arrhythmias

Detailed electrophysiologic studies were performed in nine patients with chronic refractory ventricular arrhythmias before and after 7 to 20 weeks (mean 11 weeks) of amiodarone therapy. The amiodarone dose at the time of the repeat study ranged from 400 to 800 mg/day. The drug reduced the sinus rate (p < 0.001) and prolonged the sinoatrial conduction time (p < 0.05) with some prolongation of the corrected sinus node recovery time. Intra-atrial conduction was slightly prolonged both in sinus rhythm and during atrial pacing. Anterograde conduction through the AV node was significantly prolonged both in sinus rhythm (p = 0.001) and during atrial pacing (p < 0.005), and Wenckebach AV block was seen at significantly lower atrial pacing rates after the drug (p < 0.005). The HV interval was prolonged both in sinus rhythm (p < 0.05) and during atrial pacing (p = 0.001), and so was the QRS width during atrial pacing (p < 0.05) and the QT interval in sinus rhythm (p < 0.005) and during atrial pacing (p < 0.005). Significant prolongation of the refractory periods in the atrium, AV node, and ventricular muscle were also seen following the drug. We concluded that the significant electrophysiologic effects of this drug throughout the heart during chronic oral use attest to its clinical effectiveness in patients with atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. With due care and despite its effects on the HV interval and QRS width, it can be used in patients with intraventricular conduction defects complicating severe organic heart disease.
Variation of lipid, protein and carbohydrate in over-wintered boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis boheman

Abstract 1. 1. The neutral lipids decreased from 90 to 95% in maie and female boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, from May through July in the field. Neutral lipids were consistently higher (30–50%) in males than in females. 2. 2. The wet weight and dry weight decreased 50 and 32%, respectively, from May through July. 3. 3. The concentration of fatty acids in the polar lipids declined from 50μg/mg dry wt in May to 10μg/mg in the middle of June. 4. 4. Protein and carbohydrate declined from 68 to 73% in the boll weevil from May through July.
Using Smudge Cells on Routine Blood Smears to Predict Clinical Outcome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Universally Available Prognostic Test

Recently developed prognostic tests in early Rai and Binet stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) require considerable technologic expertise and are not available worldwide. Smudge cells are CLL cells ruptured during smear preparation. We hypothesized that smudge cell formation is inversely correlated with expression of vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein and prognostic marker, and that the percentage of smudge cells would predict prognosis in CLL. We reviewed the blood smears of 75 patients with previously untreated early- and intermediate-stage CLL (Rai stage 0-II) who were seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between September 1989 and December 2000. A total of 200 lymphocytes and smudge cells were counted on each slide and the results expressed as a percentage of the total lymphocytes (intact and smudged). The median percentage of smudge cells was 27% (range, 4%-72%). The percentage of smudge cells inversely correlated with vimentin expression ( r =-0.57; P =.007). The median percentage of smudge cells was higher in patients with the mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain gene than in those with the unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (31% vs 13%; P =.02). Patients with less than 30% smudge cells had a median time from diagnosis to initial treatment of 72.7 months, whereas the median time from diagnosis to initial treatment in patients with 30% or more smudge cells was not reached ( P =.001). The percentage of smudge cells as a continuous variable correlated with overall survival ( P =.04). The estimation of smudge cells on a blood smear could be a universally available prognostic test in early-stage CLL.
What Do Producers Want? On the Origins of Societal Policy Preferences

In most studies of foreign economic policy, scholars derive the policy preferences of societal actors by using economic theories to determine the returns from various government actions. These poli...
Third-order nonlinear optical properties of finite bridged polymers

Abstract The third-order microscopic hyperpolarizability γ is calculated for finite bridged polymers of from A-B-A-B-… using simple model Hamiltonians. Generally, the eve-and odd-numbered chains show markedly different behavior, with the addition or subtraction of one chain unit resulting in a predicted change in |γ| by a factor of up to a few orders of magnitude. The corresponding contribution to the electrochromic effect was found to be a sharply increasing function of the chain length. |γ| also is predicted to be significantly enhanced when the coupled A and B electronic state are off-resonant and when the total number of electrons is odd. When the total number of electrons is even, |γ| may be maximized by adjustment of the A-B energy gap.
Are bilingual advantages dependent upon specific tasks or specific bilingual experiences

Paap and Greenberg concluded that there is no coherent evidence for bilingual advantages in executive processing. More optimistic researchers believe that the advantages may be restricted to certain types of bilinguals. Recent large-scale and lifespan investigations that tested highly fluent bilinguals from communities where the same two languages are spoken by most residents reported no bilingual advantages in any age group or in any of the tasks used to measure executive functioning. The present study takes a complementary approach by examining a sample that is quite homogeneous in terms of current life experiences, but heterogeneous in terms of its exposure to second languages. The composite database of 168 bilinguals and 216 monolinguals is used to explore for differences based on: (1) the age of acquiring a second language (L2), (2) the relative proficiency of an L2 and (3) the number of languages used. Across 12 different measures of executive function, derived from 4 different nonverbal tasks, ther...
An analysis framework for applying virtual environment technology to manufacturing tasks

An empirical approach for improving the applicability of a virtual environment (VE) technology to manufacturing tasks is presented and discussed by considering the technological and economical perspectives. The three-step analysis framework, which consists of evaluating overall feasibility, assessing potential benefits, and conducting cost/benefits analysis, was developed to support researchers in choosing an appropriate VE method and in designing a cost-effective VE application. The usefulness and limitation of the framework were reviewed with a case study in which VE technology was used to improve the performance of dimensional inspection tasks as a means of providing the initial validation of the analysis framework. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mortality rates and prognostic variables in children with adult respiratory distress syndrome.

In a retrospective chart review of cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome in our pediatric intensive care unit from 1987 to 1990, we attempted to identify the physiologic variables predictive of death. We identified 44 children with adult respiratory distress syndrome; the mortality rate was 75%. We found significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors in intrapulmonary venous admixture (Qsp/Qt), mean airway pressure (Paw), alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (P(A-a)o 2 ), oxygenation index, and peak inspirator pressure; Qsp/Qt>0.5, Paw>23 cm H 2 O, and P(A-a)o 2 >470 mm Hg were 93%, 90%, and 81% predictive of death, respectively, in this study population. Sensitivity and specificity were enhanced when we linked multiple predictors, but this linkage was seldom successful because few patients had more than one positive predictor. We propose to use the individual predictors that we have identified as randomization criteria in a future trial of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Strain memory of 2D and 3D rigid inclusion populations in viscous flows — What is clast SPO telling us?

Abstract We model the development of shape preferred orientation (SPO) of a large population of two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) rigid clasts suspended in a linear viscous matrix deformed by superposed steady and continuously non-steady plane strain flows to investigate the sensitivity of clasts to changing boundary conditions during a single or superposed deformation events. Resultant clast SPOs are compared to one developed by an identical initial population that experienced a steady flow history of constant kinematic vorticity and reached an identical finite strain state, allowing examination of SPO sensitivity to deformation path. Rotation paths of individual triaxial inclusions are complex, even for steady plane strain flow histories. It has been suggested that the 3D nature of the system renders predictions based on 2D models inadequate for applied clast-based kinematic vorticity gauges. We demonstrate that for a large population of clasts, simplification to a 2D model does provide a good approximation to the SPO predicted by full 3D analysis for steady and non-steady plane strain deformation paths. Predictions of shape fabric development from 2D models are not only qualitatively similar to the more complex 3D analysis, but they display the same limitations of techniques based on clast SPO commonly used as a quantitative kinematic vorticity gauge. Our model results from steady, superposed, and non-steady flow histories with a significant pure shearing component at a wide range of finite strain resemble predictions for an identical initial population that experienced a single steady simple shearing deformation. We conclude that individual 2D and 3D clasts respond instantaneously to changes in boundary conditions, however, in aggregate, the SPO of a population of rigid inclusions does not reflect the late-stage kinematics of deformation, nor is it an indicator of the unique ‘mean’ kinematic vorticity experienced by a deformed rock volume.
Oncogenes of human tumor cells

Abstract The gene transfer technique of Graham and van der Eb has been used recently to reveal the existence of potent oncogenic sequences in the DNAs of a variety of human tumor cell lines. The initial characterization of these genes has yielded unexpected results, including the presence of specific oncogenes associated with different tissues in the body.
Malignant lymphoma of the mandible and maxillary region.

Abstract In a study of malignant tumors of the maxilla and the mandible, forty-seven were found to have the histopathologic criteria necessary for the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. The majority of these tumors involved the maxillary region. There is commonly a prolonged delay in arriving at the correct diagnosis. In spite of this delay, an appreciable number of patients were saved by appropriate therapy. This study indicates that, although it is important to recognize that a given tumor is a malignant lymphoma, further classification into the various types of malignant lymphoma is of small practical significance.
Experimental measurement and numerical simulation of an impinging jet with application to thunderstorm microburst winds

Wind profiles and characteristics in a thunderstorm downburst are significantly different from that of regular boundary layer winds. This paper deals with the experimental and numerical simulation of a type of thunderstorm wind, namely the microburst, to study the outflow velocity characteristics. The microburst is simulated as a round jet, impinging onto a flat plate. A generic empirical equation for radial velocity profile is developed based on the experimental data, using hotwire, pressure rakes and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The experimental results are used to validate CFD simulations and to find the applicability of different turbulence models for this kind of flow. Favorable agreement between numerical and experimental studies indicates that CFD can be used for this kind of complex flow.
Advanced gate technologies for state-of-the-art f T in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

In this paper, the lower-than-expected frequency performance observed in many AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) has been attributed to a significant drop of the intrinsic small-signal transconductance (g m ) with respect to the intrinsic DC g m . To reduce this g m -collapse and improve high frequency performance, we have developed a new technology based on a combination of vertical gate-recess, oxygen plasma treatment, and lateral gate-etch which has allowed us to fabricate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with a record current-gain cutoff frequency (f T ) of 225 GHz for a gate length (L g ) of 55 nm, and 162 GHz for an L g of 110 nm.
Bimolecular (Black) Lipid Membranes: Study of Lipid-Protein Interactions

An experimental method has been devised for the study of the inter-action of bimolecular (black) lipid membrane and protein in which 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid is used as a fluorescent probe. The presence of phospho-lipid in the membrane is necessary for the enhanced fluorescence.
Interfacial bonding strengths of paired composite systems

B efore deciding whether to entirely remove and replace a defective restoration or to attempt repair of a defect, the dentist must consider a number of factors. Complete removal and replacement will result in a uniformly cohesive restoration. However, the potential trauma of total re-treatment may be unwarranted. Problems associated with an original cavity preparation close to the pulp or with the management of previously placed retentive pins can occur. Additive repair would be less costly and traumatic but gives rise to concerns about bond strength at the site of repair and the long-term clinical acceptability of the repaired restoration. Numerous in vitro studies have examined the bond strength between matured composite resin and freshly added material.ls5 Even though such bond strengths averaged half or less than those of unrepaired specimens, all of the studies appear to lend support to the concept of additive repair as a viable clinical technique. The purposes of the present study were to (1) measure the interfacial bond strengths of various combinations of a conventional composite resin (Adaptic, Johnson & Johnson, Dental Products Div., East Windsor, N. J.) and a microfilled composite resin (Silar, 3M Co., Dental Products Div., St. Paul, Minn.) and (2) to determine the effects of adherent surface preparation on the flexural bond strengths of the various combinations.
The Time Course of Lipid Biosynthesis in Pig Epidermis

Abstract In order to examine the time course of lipid metabolism in the epidermis, pairs of sites on each of two pigs were given seven intradermal injections of 10μCi of [1- 14 c]-acetate at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h before the animals were killed. A second time course was obtained with two other pigs at 1 h and 3.5, 7, 10.5, 14, 17.5, and 21 d after labeling. The epidermis over each injection site was recovered, and the lipids were extracted and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and by autoradiography. Virtually all of the radioactivity in aliphatic chains was found first in phospholipids and was then transferred to glucosylceramides, and then into ceramides, between 1 and 7 d after labeling. Labeling of free fatty acids showed a similar time course. Most of the radioactivity acquired by acylglucosylceramide was transferred to hydroxyceramid, bound to the corneocyte envelope, between 2 and 10 d after labeling. The hydroxyacid and sphingosine moieties of the hydroxyceramide had equal specific activity. The results indicate that the aliphatic lipids of the stratum corneum are sy hesized de novo in the epidermis via phospholipids. Cholesterol, however, was synthesized directly from acetate wit! n hours of labeling, and its esters acquired label 3 to 7 d ' er.
Organizational and strategic predictors of manufacturing technology implementation success: an exploratory study

Abstract In this study, we empirically investigate how organizational and strategic variables are related to success in technology implementation. Organizational culture, operations strategy, and the outcomes associated with manufacturing technology implementation are assessed from data collected from a sample of manufacturing plants across a wide range of industries. We then analyze the relationships between these variables using multiple regression analysis. Our findings indicate that both culture and strategy variables are significantly related to technology implementation, but the relationships are dissimilar for different types of implementation outcomes.
Nitric oxide counteracts the hyperoxia-induced proliferation and proinflammatory responses of mouse astrocytes.

Abstract Preclinical studies in the premature baboon evaluating the efficacy and potential toxicity of inhaled nitric oxide indicated a significant effect on astrocyte area density, suggesting phenotypic and functional changes in astrocytes upon exposure to nitric oxide. However, the effects of nitric oxide and oxygen, the two major therapeutic gases utilized in neonatal intensive care, on astrocyte morphology and function remain vastly unknown. Herein, we report that exposure of mouse neonatal cortical astrocytes to hyperoxia results in a proinflammatory phenotype and increase in proliferation without significant changes in cellular morphology or levels of intermediate filament proteins. The proinflammatory phenotype was evident by a significant increase in cellular levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and a concomitant increase in prostaglandin E2 secretion, a decline in the intracellular and secreted levels of apolipoprotein E, and a significant increase in the intracellular levels of clusterin. This proinflammatory phenotype was not evident upon simultaneous exposure to hyperoxia and nitric oxide. These results suggest that exposure to nitric oxide in the setting of hyperoxia confers unrecognized beneficial effects by suppressing astrocytic inflammation.
Cannabinoid receptor 2 mediates the retention of immature B cells in bone marrow sinusoids

The molecular mechanisms that govern B cell progenitor localization in bone marrow sinusoids are not understood. Cyster and colleagues demonstrate involvement of cannabinoid receptor 2 in retaining developing B cells in sinusoids.
CMOS-MEMS Filters

Silicon radio integration is currently limited by the ability to achieve high-Q filters on chip with the RF transistors. Furthermore, multi-terminal radio trends are driving the need for widely tunable filters. Progress on high-Q electrically-selectable CMOS-MEMS micromechanical filters and medium-Q widely tunable CMOS-MEMS LC filters is described. These filters are directly integrated from existing layers in foundry CMOS or BiCMOS processes and so may provide a manufacturable solution to future radio needs. Two LC filter topologies are described showing measured insertion loss as low as 5.1 dB and tuning range as high as 28%. The CMOS-MEMS micromechanical filters achieve Q of over 3000 at low pressure. Operation as an electromechanical mixer filter may lead to a compact on-chip solution for spectral power sensing for cognitive radio.
Fipronil effects on estuarine copepod (Amphiascus tenuiremis) development, fertility, and reproduction: A rapid life‐cycle assay in 96‐well microplate format

Fipronil is a novel γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-specific phenylpyrazole insecticide commonly used near estuarine environments for rice production, turf-grass management, and residential insect control. In this study, we evaluated the acute, developmental, and reproductive toxicity of fipronil to the estuarine harpacticoid copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis. Fipronil was highly toxic to A. tenuiremis (adult 96-h median lethal concentration [LC50] = 6.8 μg/L) and was more toxic to male copepods (96-h LC50 = 3.5 μg/L) than to nongravid female copepods (96-h LC50 = 13.0 μg/L). By using a newly developed 96-well microplate-based life-cycle toxicity test, we successfully reared single individuals of A. tenuiremis to adulthood in 200-μl microwells and concurrently assessed developmental and reproductive effects (after paired virginal matings) of environmentally relevant aqueous fipronil concentrations (0.16, 0.22, and 0.42 μg/L measured). Throughout the entire life cycle, copepod survival in all treatments was >90%. However, fipronil at 0.22 μg/L and higher significantly delayed male and female development from stage 1 copepodite to adult by approximately 2 d. More importantly, fipronil significantly halted female egg extrusion by 71% in the 0.22-μg/L fipronil treatment, and nearly eliminated reproduction (94% failure) in the 0.42-μg/L fipronil treatment. A three-generation Leslie matrix-based population growth model of fipronil reproductive and life-cycle impacts predicted a 62% decline in population size of A. tenuiremis relative to controls at only 0.16 μg/L.
Observation of n=2-3 and n=3-4 transitions in Li-like ions of P, S, Cl, and K in plasmas produced by line-focus laser irradiation

Transitions of the type n = 2–3 and n = 3–4 in P xiii, S xiv, Cl xv, and K xvii were observed in the spectra from linear plasmas. The 3d–4f transitions were observed in all four ions and are of potential interest for x-ray lasers. The wavelengths of the transitions were determined with an uncertainty of ±0.010 A, and the observed wavelengths are compared with predicted and calculated values.
On a useful functional representation of control system structure

An alternative functional structure for control systems is proposed. The structure is represented by a three-element block diagram and three functional definitions. It is argued that the three functional elements form a canonical set. The set includes the functions prescription, estimation and control. General overlay of the structure on parallel state and nested-state control systems is discussed. Breakdown of two real nested-state control systems into the proposed functional format is displayed. Application of the process to the mapping of complex control systems R&D efforts is explained with the Mars Rover Sample and Return mission as an example. A previous application of this basic functional structure to Space Station performance requirements organization is discussed. >
The Course of Neurocognition and Social Functioning in Individuals at Ultra High Risk for Psychosis

Objective: This study evaluates longitudinal neuropsychological performance and its association with clinical symptomatology and psychosocial outcome in individuals identified as ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis. Methods: Thirty-five UHR individuals completed neurocognitive, clinical, and social/role functioning assessments at baseline and, on average, 8.3 months later. Results: UHR subjects showed significant cognitive deficits at baseline and 2 distinct profiles of cognitive change over time. On average, 50% demonstrated improvement in social and role functioning over the follow-up period, while the other half showed either stability or decline in functioning. Functional improvement was associated with improved processing speed and visual memory, as well as improvement in clinical symptoms over the follow-up period. In contrast, patients who did not improve functionally showed stable clinical symptoms and cognitive performance over time. Conclusions: Although the degree of neurocognitive deficit at baseline in UHR patients does not predict psychosocial outcome, the course of neurocognitive change over the first 8 months of follow-up does differentiate patients with good and poor functional outcomes.
Finding structurally different medical data

For more than one decade, time series similarity search has been given a great deal of attention by data mining researchers. As a result, many time series representations and distance measures have been proposed. However, most existing work on time series similarity search focuses on finding shape-based similarity. While some of the existing approaches work well for short time series data, they typically fail to produce satisfactory results when the sequence is long. For long sequences, it is more appropriate to consider the similarity based on the higher-level structures. This is particularly true for medical time series, as they often are not perfectly aligned. In this work, we present a histogram-based representation for time series data, similar to the “bag of words” approach that is widely accepted by the text mining and information retrieval communities. We show that our approach outperforms the existing methods in clustering and classification on medical time series obtained from PhysioBank.
A miniaturized MMIC analog phase shifter using two quarter-wave-length transmission lines

This paper describes a miniaturized monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC) analog phase shifter using two quarter-wave-length transmission lines. A conventional analog phase shifter employs an analog phase-shifter topology using a 3-dB 90/spl deg/ branch-line hybrid requiring four quarter-wave-length transmission lines. Thus, in the first stage of our study, we present a new analog phase-shifter topology using only two quarter-wave-length transmission lines. The phase shifter here has only one-half as many transmission tines as a conventional analog phase shifter using a 3-dB 90/spl deg/ branch-line hybrid, and the circuit can be miniaturized to less than one-fourth as compared to the conventional analog phase shifter. Furthermore, we show that the operating frequency range of the phase shifter is very wide and can obtain large phase variation with small capacitance variation. Next, an experimental Ku-band MMIC analog phase shifter is presented. A phase shift of more than 180/spl deg/ and an insertion loss of 3.6/spl plusmn/1.1 dB are obtained at the frequency range from 12 to 14 GHz. The chip size of the experimental MMIC phase shifter is less than 3.0 mm/sup 2/.
Computational morphodynamics of plants: integrating development over space and time

The emerging field of computational morphodynamics aims to understand the changes that occur in space and time during development by combining three technical strategies: live imaging to observe development as it happens; image processing and analysis to extract quantitative information; and computational modelling to express and test time-dependent hypotheses. The strength of the field comes from the iterative and combined use of these techniques, which has provided important insights into plant development.
Sequence stratigraphy and relative sea-level history of the Middle and Upper Ordovician of the Nashville Dome, Tennessee

ABSTRACT Eleven depositional sequences are present in the Middle and Upper Ordovician of the Nashville Dome. All but one lack lowstand systems tracts, and many display evidence of subaerial exposure such as paleokarst or regional erosional truncation at their sequence boundaries, which are combined with transgressive surfaces. Features formed during the transgression, such as hardgrounds, are more prominent at most sequence boundaries than are those features related to subaerial exposure. All sequences have maximum flooding zones with aggradational stacking rather than discrete maximum flooding surfaces. Condensation features are much more common at transgressive surfaces than within the maximum flooding zone. The expression of these parasequences and sequences changes with the onset of the Taconic orogeny. Although parasequences from equivalent depositional environments can be recognized before and after the onset of the orogeny, their facies composition changes completely. Sequences following the orogeny display fewer paleokarst features, more pyritized and iron-stained hardgrounds at flooding surfaces and transgressive surfaces, and more phosphatic lags and mineralization at transgressive surfaces than those preceding the orogeny. A relative sea-level curve for the Nashville Dome has a long-term (> 5 m.y.) component presumably dominated by subsidence and a short-term (1-3 m.y.) component consisting of 10-50 m fluctuations that is primarily the result of eustasy.
Abdominal Pain in a Postpartum Patient

Abstract Background Acute abdominal pain is a very common presenting complaint in the Emergency Department (ED). Making the correct diagnosis may be very complicated and difficult. It is even more difficult and complicated in the postpartum period, because other less common but important diagnoses must be considered. One of these potentially life-threatening diagnoses for which patients should be evaluated is uterine rupture. Objectives To discuss uncommon, but important, causes of abdominal pain that may occur in the postpartum period. To learn the clinical presentation, risk factors, evaluation, and management of uterine rupture in the postpartum patient. Case Report We present the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented to the ED with 2 days of abdominal pain and fever. The patient had had a caesarian section (C-section) 2 weeks before this admission. This was her fourth C-section. On examination, she had right lower quadrant tenderness. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen with contrast was obtained and it revealed uterine perforation with an adjacent abscess. The patient received intravenous fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics. A laparotomy was performed that confirmed the diagnosis of uterine perforation. The patient subsequently did very well. Conclusions Uterine perforation should be considered in any postpartum patient that presents with acute abdominal pain, especially if there are risk factors, such as previous C-sections. Appropriate evaluation, consultations, and management should be done expeditiously to avoid increased morbidity and mortality.
Estrogen and Different Aspects of Vascular Disease in Women and Men

See related article, pages 477–484 Considerable evidence indicates that sex hormones have an important influence on cardiovascular physiology and pathology.1,2 Recent work suggests that a mechanism based on estrogen receptor-alpha (ESR1) contributes to a range of structural and functional responses that relate to vascular disease. Most of this work focuses on ESR1 activity within the endothelium and yields variable findings due, at least in part, to differences in the vascular bed or species studied, as well as other experimental conditions such as age, estrogen status, degree of preconstriction, etc. But many findings in conduit arteries (eg, more frequent plaque erosion, increased wall stiffness, spasm, etc) and microvessels (eg, reduced coronary flow reserve, hot flashes, etc) implicate smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in gender differences in vascular disease. These cells are directly responsible for extracellular matrix production and assure the integrity of the artery wall. They may be decreased, apoptotic, or dysfunctional in terms of synthesis and repair of extracellular matrix, which is destroyed in vulnerable plaque by macrophages. In this issue of Circulation Research Montague and colleagues3 report that activation of ESR1 decreases human aorta SMC differentiation (Figure). Importantly, they found that SMCs of men, compared with women, had reduced ESR1 expression associated with increased differentiation markers. Their work suggests that ESR1 activation switches SMC to a form that may promote plaque vulnerability. Could different activational states of ESR1 be responsible for shifting the functional characteristics of SMCs toward a phenotype that explains some complexities of gender-related differences in vascular disease? Hypothetical construct based on Montague et al suggests that the activational state …
John Fairbank and the American Understanding of Modern China

Part biography, part intellectual history, this book explores the emergence of 20th-century China as a political force and the rise of US-China relations through the life of one of the most celebrated American intellectual figures of modern time, John King Fairbank. The author reconstructs the central events of Fairbank's life and times, concentrating especially on his role as a scholar and shaper of public opinion and policy. He explores the policy issues and cultural upheavals that accompanied the rise of modern China and US-China relations by examining Fairbank's role in this historic period. He describes the young Fairbank's awakening, during the 1930s, to the realities of Chinese political culture, his advocacy of a liberal response to the Chinese Revolution, his reluctant conversion to the Cold War orthodoxy, his emergence as a belated critic of the Vietnam War, and his self-vindicatory trips to China after the rapprochement of the 1970s. The growth of 20th-century Western knowledge of China, beginning with the writings and activities of a small group of British and American sinologists, developed largely as a result of Fairbank's leadership into a broad and vigorous transnational intellectual community. In rounding out his portrait of Fairbank as scholar-activist and academic entrepreneur, Evans explicates the political and theoretical struggles which have shaped Western understanding of the emergent China.
Local Field Potentials and Spikes in the Human Medial Temporal Lobe are Selective to Image Category

Local field potentials (LFPs) reflect the averaged dendrosomatic activity of synaptic signals of large neuronal populations. In this study, we investigate the selectivity of LFPs and single neuron activity to semantic categories of visual stimuli in the medial temporal lobe of nine neurosurgical patients implanted with intracranial depth electrodes for clinical reasons. Strong selectivity to the category of presented images was found for the amplitude of LFPs in 8% of implanted microelectrodes and for the firing rates of single and multiunits in 14% of microelectrodes. There was little overlap between the LFP- and spike-selective microelectrodes. Separate analysis of the power and phase of LFPs revealed that the mean phase was category-selective around the θ frequency range and that the power of the LFPs was category-selective for high frequencies around the γ rhythm. Of the 36 microelectrodes with amplitude-selective LFPs, 30 were found in the hippocampus. Finally, it was possible to readout information about the category of stimuli presented to the patients with both spikes and LFPs. Combining spiking and LFP activity enhanced the decoding accuracy in comparison with the accuracy obtained with each signal alone, especially for short time intervals.
Some Chicago Aberrations

This article presents my reminiscences of the work in Chicago on the correction or reduction of lens aberrations. Studies began in the early 1960s and extended over a period of almost 40 years, although it was never the primary focus of the work of the laboratory. The account is almost entirely based on my own memory, which is not a very reliable instrument. It is not intended to be a review and is more accurately describable as a personal recollection.
The long-term effect of uranium and pH on the community composition of an artificial consortium.

In the environment, microorganisms are living in diverse communities, which are impacted by the prevailing environmental conditions. Here, we present a study investigating the effect of low pH and elevated uranium concentration on the dynamics of an artificial microbial consortium. The members ( Caulobacter sp. OR37, Asinibacterium sp. OR53, Ralstonia sp. OR214 and Rhodanobacter sp. OR444) were isolated from a uranium contaminated and acidic subsurface sediment. In pure culture, Ralstonia sp. OR214 had the highest growth rate at neutral and low pH and only Caulobacter sp. OR37 and Asinibacterium sp. OR53 grew in the presence uranium. The four strains were mixed in equal ratios, incubated at neutral and low pH and in the presence uranium and transferred to fresh medium once per week for 30 weeks. After 30 weeks, Ralstonia sp. OR214 was dominant at low and neutral pH and Caulobacter sp. OR37 and Asinibacterium sp. OR53 were dominant in the presence of uranium. After 12 weeks, the cultures were also transferred to new conditions to access the response of the consortia to changing conditions. The transfers showed an irreversible effect of uranium, but not of low pH on the consortia. Overall, the strains initially tolerant to the respective conditions persisted over time in high abundances in the consortia.
Scaling Semantic Frame Annotation

Large-scale data resources needed for progress toward natural language understanding are not yet widely available and typically require considerable expense and expertise to create. This paper addresses the problem of developing scalable approaches to annotating semantic frames and explores the viability of crowdsourcing for the task of frame disambiguation. We present a novel supervised crowdsourcing paradigm that incorporates insights from human computation research designed to accommodate the relative complexity of the task, such as exemplars and real-time feedback. We show that non-experts can be trained to perform accurate frame disambiguation, and can even identify errors in gold data used as the training exemplars. Results demonstrate the efficacy of this paradigm for semantic annotation requiring an intermediate level of expertise. 1 The semantic bottleneck Behind every great success in speech and language lies a great corpus—or at least a very large one. Advances in speech recognition, machine translation and syntactic parsing can be traced to the availability of large-scale annotated resources (Wall Street Journal, Europarl and Penn Treebank, respectively) providing crucial supervised input to statistically learned models. Semantically annotated resources have been comparatively harder to come by: representing meaning poses myriad philosophical, theoretical and practical challenges, particularly for general purpose resources that can be applied to diverse domains. If these challenges can be addressed, however, semantic resources hold significant potential for fueling progress beyond shallow syntax and toward deeper language understanding. This paper explores the feasibility of developing scalable methodologies for semantic annotation, inspired by three strands of work. First, frame semantics, and its instantiation in the Berkeley FrameNet project (Fillmore and Baker, 2010), offers a principled approach to representing meaning. FrameNet is a lexicographic resource that captures syntactic and semantic generalizations that go beyond surface form and part of speech, famously including the relationships among words like buy, sell, purchase and price. These rich structural relations provide an attractive foundation for work in deeper natural language understanding and inference, as attested by the breadth of applications at the Workshop in Honor of Chuck Fillmore at ACL 2014 (Petruck and de Melo, 2014). But FrameNet was not designed to support scalable language technologies; indeed, it is perhaps a paradigm example of a hand-curated knowledge resource, one that has required significant expertise, training, time and expense to create and that remains under development. Second, the task of automatic semantic role labeling (ASRL) (Gildea and Jurafsky, 2002) serves as an applied counterpart to the ideas of frame semantics. Recent progress has demonstrated the viability of training automated models using frameannotated data (Das et al., 2013; Das et al., 2010; Johansson and Nugues, 2006). Results based on FrameNet data have been limited by its incomplete
Safety First! Using a Checklist for Intrafacility Transport of Adult Intensive Care Patients

BACKGROUND Adult critical care patients in an academic medical center experienced adverse events during intrafacility transport resulting from lack of preparation. An intervention was needed to help keep patients safe during intrafacility transport. OBJECTIVE To develop a checklist for transport that is easy to use and effective in preparing patients for transport. METHOD A checklist was developed and implemented. Elements of the checklist include preparation of the patient before transport, screening of patients for criteria that may place them at higher risk during transport, and a checklist for the procedural site. RESULTS From May 2011 through July 2014, 2506 transports were conducted. Of these, 97.6% (n = 2445) involved no reported complications. CONCLUSION This tool is suitable for bedside clinicians to use when preparing patients for transport. (Critical Care Nurse. 2015;35[5]:16-26)
The Navel Orangeworm in Northern California

The navel orange worm, Paramyelois transitella (walker), which was first found in California in 1942 has developed into It serious pest of walnuts, The insect is a scavenger, but seriously attacks sound walnuts once the husks crack as maturity, is reached, There are a number of generations each year. The insect has no diapause and passes the winter as a caterpillar. The navel orangeworm carries over from one crop to the other in walnuts on the ground or in the trees. By early summer these breeding sources are all but eliminated. At this period walnuts of the current season's crop infested with the codling moth furnish excellent breeding sites. They fill the developing gap in the food chain. Although less important than the codling moth, walnut blight, Bacterium juglandis Pierce, adds to the problem as do other factors responsible for the production of unsound walnuts. Heat and dryness are unfavorable for optimum development of the navel orange worm. An effective spray program against the pest has not been developed. However, the following practices are useful in holding a potentially destructive population below a serious economic level: Secure excellent control of the codling moth; discourage walnut blight; harvest at the earliest possible date: immediately dry the crop; fumigate crop as soon as dried; keep storage areas dry; practice orchard and plant sanitation.
The skopometer: An instrument for measuring color, cloudiness, and other optical phenomena of liquids.

The Skopometer was designed for measuring color, cloudiness, and other optical phenomena of liquids without the necessity of using standards for comparison.Color is measured in terms of absorption by determining the extinction coefficient of the liquid with the aid of a monochromatic light filter complimentary to its color.The construction permits measurements of cloudiness by means of several different optical principles. Denser clouds are conveniently measured by determining the height of the column of liquid necessary to extinguish a light image of standardized intensity by means of a target such as a platinized glass disc with a transparent line or design of given dimensions. The target may be used in various ways and illuminated by either incident grazing or transmitted light.Lighter clouds are measured photometrically by matching the light incident for the target with the light reflected or scattered from the particles in suspension. For very small quantities of liquid the standard target is modifie...
Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma-Related Distress: Maternal Betrayal Trauma, Parenting Attitudes, and Behaviors

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to elucidate mechanisms involved in the intergenerational transmission of trauma-related distress. This study investigated whether betrayal trauma (BT; abuse by a person close to the victim) and specific parenting attitudes and behaviors among mothers with child abuse histories predicted internalizing and externalizing symptoms in their children. Mothers and children (ages 7–11) were recruited for a project on parenting and stress (N = 72). Maternal betrayal trauma predicted both internalizing (β = 0.33, p < .01) and externalizing symptoms (β = 0.25, p < .05) even when controlling for mothers’ trauma-related symptoms. Negative attitudes toward limit setting predicted externalizing symptoms (β = −0.33, p < .05). Poorer communication (β = −0.39, p < .05) but higher parenting satisfaction (β = 0.38, p < .01) predicted internalizing symptoms. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing maternal trauma and parenting characteristics as part of interventions with ...
Legal status and organizational attitudes toward use of supportive personnel in pharmacy

The status of supportive personnel in state pharmacy statutes and regulations and the attitudes toward supportive personnel of state pharmacy organizational representatives were studied. The board of pharmacy, pharmacy association, and hospital pharmacists' society of each state and the District of Columbia were surveyed by mail to determine legislative or regulatory control of supportive personnel and the attitudes towards the use of supportive personnel. Overall, 84% of the questionnaires were completed. In 21 states and the District of Columbia, nonpharmacist personnel were not mentioned in pharmacy laws or regulations. In the other 29 states, nonpharmacist personnel were allowed. Laws in 20 of these states specified ratios of technicians-to-pharmacists, usually 1:1. The term "supportive personnel" was most frequently used in these regulations. However, "pharmacy technician" was the term most frequently suggested as most appropriate by the respondents. Requirements for education and certification of supportive personnel are not common at this time. Hospital pharmacists' societies unanimously supported the use of technicians; slightly over half the boards of pharmacy and pharmacy associations did so. There is little uniformity currently in statutes or regulations concerning pharmacy supportive personnel.
Gravity: Newtonian, Post-Newtonian, and General Relativistic

We present a pedagogical introduction to gravitational theory, with the main focus on weak gravitational fields. We begin with a thorough survey of Newtonian gravitational theory. After a brief introduction to general relativity, we develop the post-Minkowskian formulation of the field equations, which is ideally suited to studying weak-field gravity. We then discuss applications of this formulation, including post-Newtonian theory, the parametrized post-Newtonian framework, and gravitational radiation.
The Law and Intensive Care: The Role of the Courts in the Ethical Decision-Making Process

As intensive care decision making has become more complex in light of continuing technologic advances, our legal system has become increasingly involved in defining the legal parameters of the decision-making process. Although the law differs substantially from state to state, certain standards of broad applicability appear to be emerging. The medical community must strive to ensure that it is responsive to the legitimate need of government to set appropriate standards, in order to forestall the imposition of unnecessarily restrictive standards.
Assessment of Expert Interaction with Multivariate Time Series 'Big Data'

'Big data' is a phrase that has gained much traction recently. It has been defined as 'a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate and there are challenges with analysis, searching and visualization' [1]. Many domains struggle with providing experts accurate visualizations of massive data sets so that the experts can understand and make decisions about the data e.g., [2, 3, 4, 5]. Abductive reasoning is the process of forming a conclusion that best explains observed facts and this type of reasoning plays an important role in process and product engineering. Throughout a production lifecycle, engineers will test subsystems for critical functions and use the test results to diagnose and improve production processes. This paper describes a value-driven evaluation study [7] for expert analyst interactions with big data for a complex visual abductive reasoning task. Participants were asked to perform different tasks using a new tool, while eye tracking data of their interactions with the tool was collected. The participants were also asked to give their feedback and assessments regarding the usability of the tool. The results showed that the interactive nature of the new tool allowed the participants to gain new insights into their data sets, and all participants indicated that they would begin using the tool in its current state.