cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ischemic stroke as a complication of cannabis use: a systematic review (5411)

Objective: In systematic review, we aimed to describe the prevalence, characteristics and outcome of ischemic strokes in patients with history of marijuana use. Background: As marijuana is increasingly viewed by the public as safe and harmless, there is a notable rise in the prevalence of marijuana use and associated complications. Marijuana contains the vasoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has been shown to independently increase the risk of ischemic stroke. The prevalence and outcome of ischemic strokes due to marijuana use is poor reported. Design/Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed and 8 other databases, through April 2019, for randomized clinical trials and observational studies reporting ischemic stroke as a complication of marijuana. Results: Of 3,164 records screened, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were published between 2011 and 2018 (median 2015) and included 6 cohort (5 retrospective and 1 prospective), 3 cross-sectional, 2 case-series and 1 case-control studies. These encompassed 4,437,335 patients, of which 405,099 (9%) used marijuana. Among marijuana users, 251,297 (62%) were male and the median age was 41 years (range 23–47). Ischemic stroke developed in 12,130 patients (3% of marijuana users), of which 3,030 patients (25%) used other vasoactive substances. Among patients with ischemic stroke and marijuana use, the most commonly reported stroke risk factors were hypertension (22%), smoking (19%), hyperlipidemia (12%), heart failure (8%) and diabetes (7%). The median overall mortality of patients with ischemic stroke was 12.5 % (range 2.7–17). There was limited data on the neurological outcome and recovery after ischemic stroke in marijuana users. Conclusions: Data describing the prevalence and outcome of ischemic stroke in marijuana users remain limited. Our findings highlight a dire need for further research that focus on the various effects of marijuana use on cerebrovascular complications and methods to mitigate negative outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Migdady has nothing to disclose. Dr. Swetlik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hasan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Price has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cho has nothing to disclose.
Improving MHC Class I antigen processing predictions using representation learning and cleavage site-specific kernels

In this work, we propose a new deep learning model, MHCcrank, to predict the probability that a peptide will be processed for presentation within the MHC Class I pathway. We find that the performance of our model is significantly higher than two previously published baseline methods: MHCflurry and netMHCpan. Gains in performance result from the utilization of cleavage site-specific kernels and learned representations for amino acids. By visualizing the site-specific amino acid enrichment among top-ranked peptides, we find MHCrank9s top-ranked peptides are enriched at biologically relevant positions with amino acids that are consistent with previous work. Furthermore, the cosine similarity matrix derived from MHCrank9s learned embeddings for amino acids correlate highly with physiochemical properties that have been experimentally shown to be important in determining a peptide9s favorability to be processed. Altogether, the results reported in this work indicate that the proposed MHCrank demonstrates strong performance compared to existing methods and could have vast applicability to aid drug and vaccine development.
Overview of Density Functional Theory and Methods

Condensed matter physics and materials science are concerned fundamentally with understanding and exploiting the properties of systems of interacting electrons and atomic nuclei. This has been well known since the development of quantum mechanics. With this comes the recognition that, at least in principal, almost all properties of materials can be addressed given suitable computational tools for solving this particular problem in quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, the electrons and nuclei that compose materials comprise a strongly interacting many body system, and this makes the direct solution of Schrodinger’s equation an extremely impractical proposition. Rather, as was stated concisely by Dirac (1929), progress depends on the development of sufficiently accurate, but tractable, approximate techniques.
THE MEASUREMENT OF IMPACT FORCES UNDER DYNAMIC CRUSH USING A DROP TOWER TEST FACILITY

The design of structural components requires a knowledge of their crush characteristics, particularly the load-carrying capacity during dynamic crash. Although many attempts have been made to develop analytical techniques or methods for predicting these characteristics, experimental tests are still needed to provide data for real structures for either development or validation. This report describes an experimental method for determining the force-deflection characteristics during dynamic crush of square steel columns using a drop tower test facility. The custom-designed load cells were used for the measurements of the impact and the reaction forces at both ends of specimens, which were subjected to a 30 mph impact. Instrumentation for data acquisition and detailed data reduction for analysis are also presented. Dynamic force-deflection data are then verified through energy computations of the total kinetic energy of the system and the resulting energy absorbed by the specimens, which are calculated from measured impact forces and dynamic deflection.
Investigating cloud radar sensitivity to optically thin cirrus using collocated Raman lidar observations

[1] The sensitivity of the millimeter cloud radar (MMCR) to optically thin single-layer cirrus at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site is investigated using collocated Raman lidar observations. The sensitivity is characterized in terms of cloud optical depth (OD) and infrared (IR) radiative flux using over three years of coincident Raman lidar and MMCR observations. For cases when the Raman lidar is not fully attenuated (OD < 2.0) the MMCR detects approximately 70% of the total cloud OD with the majority of missed cloud OD occurring near cloud top. If only MMCR observations are used for computing cloudy top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) IR flux, the missed cloud OD results in TOA flux biases from 0 to over 100 W/m2; however, the most frequently occurring bias is approximately 16 W/m2. This result highlights the importance of combining Raman lidar, or other sensitive cloud lidars that are able to measure cloud extinction directly, with the MMCR in order to accurately characterize the cloud radiative forcing for thin cirrus cases.
Reputation Risk: A Corporate Governance Perspective

Despite the recent surge in research on the topic, corporate reputation remains a highly disjointed field of study. Existing literature is primarily management-focused and there is still very little debate among scholars on the oversight functions of the board of directors in protecting and enhancing the shareholder value inherent in this corporate asset.To fill this gap, with this paper The Conference Board issued a set of recommendations on the role of corporate boards in reputation risk management oversight. The paper intends to increase the awareness of reputation risk as a corporate governance matter and offer guidance on how directors can approach their fiduciary responsibilities in this area. Corporate governance is the system of checks and balances instituted by the board of directors to ensure that an organization is suited to meet its business objectives, not the interests of insiders. Since corporate reputation is the perception of the firm by a variety of stakeholders, board members should consider having an organizational program in place to oversee any material event that may affect stakeholder relations so as to ensure that such events do not compromise the company's ability to achieve its long-term goals.The paper is based on recommendations formulated by delegates to The Conference Board's Corporate/Investor Summit on reputation risk governance, held in March 2007 in Washington, DC in conjunction with the Council of Institutional Investors annual meeting. Summit delegates included academics as well as representatives from major corporations, institutional investors and professional organizations. In the paper, the discussion of these recommendations is supplemented by references to a number of practical cases of corporate reputation failures and reputation risk management (including cases involving: Johnson & Johnson; Nike, Inc.; Sony Corp.; Mattel Inc.; BP plc; and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.).
The Future of Elementary Particle Physics

We live in interesting times. We have a theory, at last, of strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions. Many new accelerators are ahuilding to test our theory.
Maintenance Manpower Modeling: A Tool for Human Systems Integration Practitioners to Estimate Manpower, Personnel, and Training Requirements

This chapter discusses the maintenance manpower modeling capability in the Improved Performance Research Integration Tool (IMPRINT) that supports the Army’s unit of action. IMPRINT has been developed by the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) in order to support the Army’s need to consider soldiers’ capabilities during the early phases of the weapon system acquisition process. The purpose of IMPRINT modeling is to consider soldiers’ performance as one element of the total system readiness equation. IMPRINT has been available since the mid 1990s, but the newest version includes significant advances.
Notch signaling maintains T cell memories

Notch signaling regulates developmental processes. A new study in mice shows that Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and survival of memory CD4+ T lymphocytes through a mechanism involving glucose uptake, and it suggests that Notch signaling can be modulated to treat autoimmune conditions.
Effect of substrate orientation on terahertz optical transmission through VO_2 thin films and application to functional antireflection coatings

We report studies of the terahertz (THz) transmission through vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films grown on c-, m-, and r-plane sapphire substrates. Our results revealed THz amplitude modulation as large as 84% for VO2 films grown on r-plane sapphire substrates upon crossing the metal–insulator phase transition temperature. Complex optical conductivity and refractive indices were determined for all investigated samples in the metallic state. Results are consistent with electrical resistivity measurements and described based on the Drude model. The real and imaginary parts of the optical conductivity and refractive index are obtained, and associations with variations in the grain morphology and crystal quality are described. We show that VO2 thin films can be used as tunable broadband THz frequency antireflecting coatings.
Global environmental politics: Lessons from Montreal

When 24 nations and the European Community signed the Montreal Protocol in September, 1987, it was widely praised for its reflection of unprecedented foresight in mandating preventive action on a global scale. Such praise may have been premature in light of more recent revelations that: (1) the rates of ozone depletion appear to be accelerating; and (2) the depletion seems to be spreading into the summer months over the north temperate zone of latitudes. Although there is still controversy over what the effects of such depletion ultimately will be, most nations of the world, including all of the advanced industrialized countries, agree that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) must be phased out of all production and use, and they are taking steps to do that before the turn of the century. Two distinctly different conclusions are thus possible regarding the outcome of the negotiations. As the first successfully negotiated multilateral agreement to address a global environmental problem, the Protocol is seen by many to be a triumph of environmental awareness and international cooperation. To other observers, however, the struggle for domestic commercial interests and national political debates that led to delays in action may already be causing serious and irreversible damage that couldmore » have been avoided. In short, the negotiation process worked, but it took to long for nations to agree that it was necessary and to begin the process.« less
The epidemiology of gallbladder disease: Observations in the Framingham study

Abstract The longitudinal observations for ten years on 5209 men and women aged 30–62 in Framingham, Massachusetts, have been used for a prospective investigation of the epidemiology of gallbladder disease. ‘Definite’ gallbladder disease was diagnosed in 427 persons on the evidence of pathology reports, surgery, X-ray and hospital admissions and 116 were ‘doubtful’, having only the diagnosis suggested by a physician without further verification. The overall incidence of gallbladder disease was about twice as high in women as in men, and it increased with age in both sexes without any evidence of an excess in the forties. Gallbladder disease was not related to ‘fairness’ as measured by national origin. Increase in weight and number of pregnancies were each associated with increased incidence. Despite the presence of cholesterol in many gallstones and the elevation of serum cholesterol often noted with obesity and during pregnancy, no relationship was demonstrated between serum cholesterol level and gallbladder disease. Hemoglobin level was also not related in the population studied. Women with lower systolic blood pressures showed a somewhat reduced risk of gallbladder disease, but the possibility that a mutual relationship to weight could explain this has not been excluded. Slight negative correlations were noted between the disease incidence and height, and alcohol and cigarette consumption. These were small and in general not statistically significant. Dietary fat, protein and cholesterol intake, level of physical activity, age at menopause, marital status and precinct of residence were not related to gallbladder disease. Nor was an excess incidence noted in persons whose spouses had gallbladder disease. Persons entering the study with gallbladder disease showed no excess mortality. It is not yet clear whether such persons develop coronary heart disease at an excess rate. Potent environmental factors influencing the rate of development of gallbladder disease have yet to be identified. On the basis of present evidence, it would appear that more attention should be devoted to the anatomy and pathological physiology of the biliary tract in seeking a better understanding of the pathogenesis of gallbladder disease.
Simple reaction time as a function of alertness and prior mental activity.

Simple reaction time to light onset was measured before and after 20-min. periods of differing mental activity. Ss either “rested” during this period, sorted 9-digit printed figures into numerical ...
Proximity based weighting of test cases to improve spectrum based fault localization

Spectrum based fault localization techniques such as Tarantula and Ochiai calculate the suspiciousness score of a program statement using the number of failing and passing test cases that execute the statement. These techniques implicitly assume that all test cases are equally important. However, research on test case generation and selection techniques has shown that using certain test cases can lead to more effective fault localization than others. In this paper, we present an approach to improve the effectiveness of spectrum based fault localization by incorporating the relative importance of different test cases in the calculation of suspiciousness scores.
Being Female and Less Deviant: The Direct and Indirect Effects of Gender on Alcohol Abuse and Tobacco Smoking

We explored the deviance gender gap in relation to alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking with a national sample of adults. Sex role theory inspired the hypotheses that much of the influence of gender on deviance is conveyed through the relationship of gender to social bonds and to the experience of physical violence in childhood. Our results indicated that being female was positively associated with belief and attachment bonds that inhibited alcohol abuse and smoking and negatively associated with the experience of physical violence as a child, which promoted alcohol abuse and smoking.
Eikonalization with ρ meson exchange

Abstract The t -channel discontibuity of the part of the hadron hadron scattering amplitude due to exchange of an arbitrary number of ρ mesons is calculated in the resonance approximation. The answers has an eikonal form with several simple features.
A modification of the Harper–McGinty microdrive for use in chronically prepared rabbits

We describe a modification of the Harper-McGinty microdrive for use with extracellular, microwire recording in conscious, chronically prepared rabbits. Improvements over existing designs are in ease of assembly and mechanical stability. The microdrive is easily fabricated with hand tools and readily available parts. In addition, assembly of the microdrive utilizes epoxy, avoiding the difficult task of soldering stainless steel parts. Finally, the microdrive is mounted directly to the skull enhancing mechanical stability and eliminating the need to allow space for screw travel. Importantly, this microdrive has proven to be durable as well as functional in our preparation.
A simple method for measuring solid-liquid contact angles

Abstract A simple apparatus and technique are described for measuring contact angles formed by liquid drops on solid surfaces. The procedure is a modification of one described 25 years ago by Langmuir and Schaeffer. It is based on observation of the angle at which light from a point source is reflected from a liquid drop surface at its contact point with a solid. The technique gives results the same, within experimental error, as those obtained by other investigators who used the usual “drop profile” method. The apparatus has the advantages of ease of construction and operation, ruggedness, and low cost coupled with high precision and accuracy.
Changes in dielectric constant as a measure of frying oil deterioration

A soybean oil, a hydrogenated vegetable frying shortening and an animal-vegetable shortening were heated at 190 C for 8 hours each day for 4 days with and without the frying of potatoes. Samples were taken periodically and analyzed for various changes normally used to measure frying oil deterioration. The changes in the dielectric constant were determined with a patented instrument called the Food Oil Sensor. This instrument is standardized with 3. sample of the fresh oil, and it then measures the change in the electric capacitance of the heated oil samples. The dielectric constant of all three shortenings increased linearly with heating time. The greatest change occurred in the soybean oil sample and the smallest change in the hydrogenated vegetable shortening. For each shortening the increase was somewhat greater during frying than during heating without frying. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between instrument readings and increase in the total polar materials, the color, the peroxide values, the diene content, and the free fatty acids and the decrease in the iodine values.
Reading in Two Languages: How Attitudes toward Home Language and Beliefs About Reading Affect the Behaviors of "Underprepared" L2 College Readers.

This study explores the relationship between L1 and L2 reading strategy use and affective factors, including readers' views of their home language and their beliefs about reading. The study participants were four L2 college readers of Spanish and English, all from an immigrant background and all considered academically underprepared for college. Data were collected through think-aloud protocols, open-ended interviews, self-assessment inventories, and reading comprehension measures in Spanish and English. Qualitative data analyses showed that readers' attitudes toward their home language influenced reading behavior. Specifically, in contrast to the two readers who viewed their L1 as a problem, the readers who viewed their L1 as a resource chose to purposefully translate mentally into their home language when reading in the L2, regardless of their level of L2 reading proficiency or length of English study. Qualitative data analysis also showed that, at least to some extent, the readers' beliefs about reading influenced reading behavior, which was multistrategic and flexible for the two readers who viewed reading as a process of meaning construction and logocentric for the two who viewed reading as a word-centered process. These findings call for further research examining the connections between learners' beliefs about reading and their reading processes.
Examining Immediate and Maintenance Effects of a Reading Intervention Package on Generalization Materials: Individual Verses Group Implementation

Fluency has been identified as an important outcome of effective reading instruction, and intervention packages utilizing the method of repeated readings have been shown to improve oral reading fluency. In order to improve the efficiency of these intervention packages, more research is needed on the effectiveness of small group reading interventions. An alternating treatments design was used to compare the effects of two versions of an intervention package that included repeated readings on generalization and maintenance of oral reading rate for 6 second grade students. Both intervention packages included listening passage preview, repeated readings, error correction, and contingent reward. The intervention packages differed only in whether intervention components were provided to students individually or in groups of three. Gains in oral reading rate were observed across conditions, with individual and small group interventions resulting in comparable gains for most participants. Individual differences in performance and implications for reading instruction are discussed.
TU‐E‐ValA‐01: IMRT of the Central Nervous System

Intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) for the central nervous system(CNS) is being used more frequently in radiationoncology clinics. There are two general situations that the treatment of CNS disease may benefit from the use of IMRT compared to conventional, three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy: 1) when multiple critical structures confined within the intracranial vault are to be avoided, one may desire an optimal dose distribution that allows for the dose to these structures to be minimized, and 2) since high‐grade gliomas tend to recur locally, IMRT should allow for dose escalation proportional to the corresponding heterogeneous cell populations. Based on the anatomic location of the treatment volumes, one can visualize examples where IMRT could be of benefit. Patients with a concave or irregularly‐shaped target in a frontal lobe may require IMRT in order to spare the adjacent globe and any uninvolved optic apparatus. In patients with well‐lateralized tumors involving the brain parenchyma, complete sparing of the contralateral hemisphere is desirable. Patients with infiltrative gliomas traditionally have large margins placed around the treatment volumes, and these may often encompass uninvolved critical normal structures. For such cases, IMRT may allow for non‐uniform reduction of the treatment volume around these normal structures. The primary goal of this presentation is to provide a practical overview of IMRT for the CNS. Though much attention has been given to the inverse planning and quality assurance aspects of IMRT, one should have an adequate understanding of the entire process; from proper patient selection to positioning/immobilization and continuing through treatment. A discussion of the steps of the CNSIMRT process will include: patient selection, immobilization, recommended imaging acquisitions, structure delineation, planning strategies/parameters, dose objectives, plan evaluation, QA, and potential delivery issues. Guidelines and practical examples for each component of this process will be presented. To gain further familiarization of CNSIMRT, one should review the corresponding technological and clinical outcome literature. Comparisons to conventional radiotherapy methods will be examined in terms of technique, dosimetry and clinical outcome. Finally, current research and future directions of CNSIMRT will be introduced such as the novel use of sophisticated imaging techniques for improved structure definition, patient positioning and dose modulation. Educational Objectives: 1. To understand the general practice of CNSIMRT from patient selection through actual treatment. 2. To become familiar with specific details pertaining to the CNSIMRT process through several illustrative examples. 3. To be introduced to some of the research and future directions of CNSIMRT. Research supported, in part, by Varian Medical Systems.
Finite-element models of the human head.

A review is presented of the existing finite-element (FE) models for the biomechanics of human head injury. Finite element analysis can be an important tool in describing the injury biomechanics of the human head. Complex geometric and material properties pose challenges to FE modelling. Various assumptions and simplifications are made in model development that require experimental validation. More recent models incorporate anatomic details with higher precision. The cervical vertebral column and spinal cord are included. Model results have been more qualitative than quantitative owing to the lack of adequate experimental validation. Advances include transient stress distribution in the brain tissue, frequency responses, effects of boundary conditions, pressure release mechanism of the foramen magnum and the spinal cord, verification of rotation and cavitation theories of brain injury, and protective effects of helmets. These theoretical results provide a basic understanding of the internal biomechanical responses of the head under various dynamic loading conditions. Basic experimental research is still needed to determine more accurate material properties and injury tolerance criteria, so that FE models can fully exercise their analytical and predictive power for the study and prevention of human head injury.
1.5.4 Time‐Expanded Decision Networks: A Framework for Designing Evolvable Complex Systems

This paper describes the concept of Time-Expanded Decision Networks (TDN), a new methodology to design and analyze flexibility in large-scale complex systems. This includes a preliminary application of the methodology to the design of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles for NASA's space exploration initiative. Synthesizing concepts from Decision Theory, Real Options Analysis, Network Optimization, and Scenario Planning, TDN provides a holistic framework to quantify the value of system flexibility, analyze development and operational paths, and identify designs which can allow managers and systems engineers to react more easily to exogenous uncertainty. TDN consists of five principle steps, which can be implemented as a software tool: 1. Design a set of potential system configurations 2. Quantify switching costs to create a “static network” that captures the difficulty of switching among these configurations 3. Create a time-expanded decision network by expanding the static network in time, including chance and decision nodes 4. Evaluate minimum cost paths through the network under plausible operating scenarios 5. Modify the set of initial design configurations to exploit high-leverage switches and repeat the process to convergence. Results can inform decisions about how and where to embed flexibility in order to enable system evolution along various development and operational paths.
Using a Distributed Routing Rainfall-Runoff Model

: Urban storm water data from four catchments near Miami, Florida, were collected and compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey and were used for testing the applicability of deterministic modeling for characterizing storm water flows from small land use areas. The four sites were: (1) a 40.8-acre (0.165-km2) single family residential area (2) a 58.3-acre (0.236-km2) highway area (3) a 20.4-acre (0.083-km2) commercial area, and (4) a 14.7-acre (0.059-km2) multifamily residential area. A distributed routing rainfall-runoff model was used to simulate 328 storms at one-minute time intervals. Weighted Standard Error of Estimates (SEE) for storm runoff volume for calibration and verification simulations were 0.072 in. (1.829 mm) and 0.117 in. (2.972 mm), respectively, while the corresponding SEE for peak discharges were 5.761 cfs (0.163 m3/s) and 5.119 cfs (0.145 m3/s), respectively.
Dissonance and the Pill An Interpersonal Simulation

Recent reviews of the dissonance/self-perception controversy conclude by citing evidence of dissonance misattribution as incompatible with self-perception theory. This article subjects that conclusion to an empirical test using Bem's interpersonal simulation method. Results indicate that observers cannot reproduce the attitudes subjects reported in the original misattribution study by Zanna and Cooper. This evidence provides further support for a dissonance anal) sis of attitude-discrepant behavior.
Government participation in physician negotiations in German economic policy as applied to universal health care coverage in the United States

Systems of universal health care coverage in western industrial societies have usually established some form of government participation in negotiations over physician payment as a means of controlling costs. In the Federal Republic of Germany, a mixed private and public body. Concerted Action in Health Care sets a 'target' for physician and 'sickness fund' negotiators. This indirect form of government participation is effective in 'linking' fees with utilization during negotiations, avoiding inflationary trends inherent in fee-for-service systems. This target-setting factor is a necessary complement to negotiation of a 'pool' of money, wage level and technological adjustment factors, as contained in a model of German economic health care policy. These four elements of economic policy are recommended as cost control measures for office-based physician payments under conditions of universal health care coverage in the United States. Indirect government participation through setting 'targets' for negotiations is seen as consistent with established American institutional practices.
Degradation of a VX Analogue: First Organometallic Reagent To Promote Phosphonothioate Hydrolysis Through Selective P−S Bond Scission

We report the first case of a metal complex that degrades a neurotoxin mimic under extremely mild conditions (pH 6.8, room temperature). The metallocene bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(IV) dichl...
A light weight tandem accelerator for neutron radiography

Abstract A light weight, compact 1.4 MV tandem accelerator is being constructed as part of a transportable neutron radiography system. A maximum current of 400 μA of 2.8 MeV deuterons on the beryllium target is expected to produce a primary neutron source of 8 × 10 11 ns −1 . The accelerator system uses multiple belts, a surface plasma negative deuterium ion source, a differentially recirculated terminal stripper, an aluminum pressure vessel, and isolated belt columns. A compact neutron moderator-collimator design is discussed. The radiography system is being designed for the inspection of aircraft. The elements of the system which must be positioned for the radiography (accelerator, moderator, collimator, and real-time imaging system) will have a mass of less than 1150 kg.
Effect of water content on transparency, swelling, lidocaine diffusion in p-HEMA gels

Abstract The dependencies of transparency, swelling and lidocaine diffusion on the water content in the polymerizing mixture are investigated for p-HEMA gels. The water fraction in the polymerizing mixture (WCIPM) is varied from 20 to 60%. The results show that p-HEMA gels with WCIPM less than 50% stay transparent, while those with larger WCIPM lose transparency to an extent that is proportional to the water content in excess of 50%. Also the gels with WCIPM > 50% are transparent above a wavelength of about 1000 nm, which suggests that these gels contain roughly pores that are a few microns in size. The gels with excess water also show a porous morphology in SEM studies. The gels with WCIPM less than 50% show almost identical microstructure and similar swelling and drying behavior. The partition coefficient of lidocaine partition coefficient in p-HEMA gels depends strongly on the aqueous drug concentration, which suggests binding of the lidocaine molecules on the gel. The binding of the drug to the p-HEMA matrix can be described by Langmuir isotherm and a diffusion model that includes binding of the drug to the polymer accurately models the drug uptake dynamics. The results of the model show that the diffusivity of the drug in the gels is independent of the water content for WCIPM
Relationship between thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin in Graves' hyperthyroidism

Background and Aim: In Graves’ hyperthyroidism, suppression of serum TSH after restoration of normal serum T4 and T3 with treatment has been attributed to binding of TSH-receptor antibodies to TSH receptors in the pituitary. Accordingly, the relationship between TSH and serum thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) was examined during follow-up of patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism. Subjects and Methods: 23 patients with Graves’ hyperthyroidism were identified who met the inclusion criteria of at least 24 months follow-up after initiation of methimazole and availability of concurrent measurements of serum TSH and TSI. Results: TSI disappeared in 12 patients (Group A) and persisted in 11 patients (Group B). Initial T4 was not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, TSI was significantly lower in Group A than Group B [median (interquartile range) 179 (152–212)% vs 255 (208–369)%, p=0.0009]. In Group A, TSH normalized during treatment, and this anteceded disappearance of TSI by a significant time interval [median (interquartile range) 6 (3–8) months vs 15 (11–20) months, p=0.005]. In Group B, TSI persisted in all patients during follow-up ranging from 24 to 73 months. No correlation was found to exist between serum TSH and TSI, and for Group B TSI at final follow-up was not significantly different from the initial value [median (interquartile range) 255 (208–369)% vs 236 (160–310)%, p=0.4]. Conclusions: These findings do not support the suggestion that TSI has a direct suppressive effect on TSH secretion.
Training and education in religion/spirituality within APA-accredited clinical psychology programs.

Future and current psychologists may find themselves baffled when confronted with the diversity of religious and spiritual backgrounds of their clients. Few psychologists have received professional training with regard toreligion and spirituality, despite the public's overwhelming interest. Currently, the topic of religion/spirituality is being covered to some degree in most accredited clinical programs. However, a distinct minority of these programs approach this education and training in a systematic fashion, whereas other programs report no educational or training opportunities in this area. Several recommendations are made for training programs, which are encouraged to increase their sensitivity to this topic, provide more opportunities for student growth in this area, and incorporate religious and spiritual issues into course work.
Analysis of Asymmetrically Coupled Guided Wave Deep Grating Structure Using Method of Lines

In this work, the method of lines numerical technique is applied to analyze an asymmetrically coupled guided wave deep grating structure (ACGS), formed by directly coupling two asymmetric guided wave deep grating structures. The effect of grating period on the modal response of the ACGS is analyzed in general. Also, the effect of coupling the two asymmetric guided wave deep grating structures with a microcavity, on the modal response of the whole structure is investigated in general.
Long-term impact of dissolved O2 on the activity of anaerobic granules

The impact of influent dissolved O(2) on the characteristics of anaerobic granular sludge was investigated at various dissolved O(2) concentrations (0.5-8.1 ppm) in 1- and 5-L laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB)-like anaerobic/aerobic coupled reactors with a synthetic wastewater (carbon sources containing 75% sucrose and 25% acetate). The rate of dissolved O(2) supplied to the coupled reactor was as high as 0.40 g O(2)/L(rx).d, and the anaerobic/aerobic coupled reactors maintained excellent methanogenic performances at a COD loading rate of 3 g COD/L(rx).d even after the reactors had been operated with dissolved O(2) for 3 months. The activities of granular sludge on various substrates (glucose, propionate, and hydrogen) were not impaired, and acetate activity was even improved over a short term. However, after 3 months of operation, slight declines on the acetoclastic activities of granules were observed in the coupled reactor receiving the recirculated fluid containing 8.1 ppm dissolved O(2).Methane yield in the anaerobic control reactor and anaerobic/aerobic coupled reactors revealed that a significant aerobic elimination (up to 30%) of substrate occurred in the coupled reactors, as expected. The presence of dissolved O(2) in the recirculated fluid resulted in the development of fluffy biolayers on the granule surface, which imposed a negative impact on the settleability of granular sludge and caused a slightly higher sludge washout. This research shows that the anaerobic/aerobic coupled reactor can be successfully operated under O(2)-limited conditions and is an ideal engineered ecosystem integrating oxic and anaerobic niches. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A CRDS approach to gas phase equilibrium constants: the case of N2O4 ↔ 2NO2 at 283 K

Abstract We report a general technique for determining the gas phase equilibrium constant, K P , of the A ↔ 2C system using cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS). Working at a constant temperature, the absorption of one of the equilibrium species is measured at two different total pressures. K P is determined from the total pressures of the equilibrium mixture and the ratio of the absorptions. Theoretical limits on sensitivity of this technique are described as a function of experimental conditions. We present results from the reaction N 2 O 4 ↔ 2NO 2 measured at T = 283 K. K P measured in this experiment, 21 (±5) Torr, is found to be lower than that recommended by the NASA Panel for Data Evaluation, 32 Torr. [S.P. Sander, A.R. Ravishankara, D.M. Golden, C.E. Kolb, M.J. Kurylo, R.E. Huie, V.L. Orkin, M.J. Molina, G.K. Moortgat, B.J. Finlayson-Pitts, Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for Use in Atmospheric Studies. Evaluation No. 14; Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, 2003].
Chest Pain and a ‘Normal’ Exercise ECG in a 44-Year-Old Runner

A 44-year-old man was evaluated because of new-onset chest pain. The patient reported that 4 days earlier, at a stressful out-of-town business meeting, he had experienced anterior chest pain while sitting. It improved when he lay on his side. The pain was steady for 1 hour, then intermittent for several hours. The patient went the same day to an ambulatory care clinic, where an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest x-ray were said to be normal, and an antacid was prescribed. The chest pain recurred the following day while he was running on a treadmill, but did not return during a 30-minute run the morning I initially examined him.
Fast protocols for local implementation of bipartite nonlocal unitaries

In certain cases the communication time required to deterministically implement a nonlocal bipartite unitary using prior entanglement and local operations and classical communication can be reduced by a factor of two. We introduce two such ``fast'' protocols and illustrate them with various examples. For some simple unitaries, the entanglement resource is used quite efficiently. The problem of exactly which unitaries can be implemented by these two protocols remains unsolved, though there is some evidence that the set of implementable unitaries may expand at the cost of using more entanglement.
Symptomatic and palliative care for stroke survivors.

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Outside the setting of acute management, secondary prevention and stroke rehabilitation, little has been written to address the ongoing symptomatic and palliative needs of these patients and their families. In this literature review, we look beyond secondary prevention with the aim of providing evidence-informed management guidelines for the myriad and often under-recognized symptomatic and palliative care needs of stroke survivors. Some of the most common and disabling post-stroke symptoms that are reviewed here include central post-stroke pain, hemiplegic shoulder pain, painful spasticity, fatigue, incontinence, post-stroke seizures, sexual dysfunction, sleep-disordered breathing, depression and emotionalism. We review the role of caregivers and explore ways to support them and, lastly, remind the reader to be perceptive to the patient’s spiritual needs. The literature is most robust, including controlled trials, for central post-stroke pain and depression. Synthesis and discussion outside these areas are frequently limited to smaller studies, case reports and expert opinion. While some data exists to guide informed decision-making, there is an urgent need to document best practice and identify appropriate clinical standards for the full spectrum of symptoms experienced by stroke survivors. We present the current and established data to aid health care providers in symptomatic and palliative management of stroke survivors.
WE‐A‐BRB‐01: Single and Hypo‐Fractionated Stereotactic Irradiation of Brain & Body Lesions

Stereotactic irradiation has been in clinical use for decades. It was initially performed almost exclusively for brain lesions with Gamma Knife radiosurgery. In the 1990s, it was expanded to the rest of the body. Over the years the emphasis has shifted from benign lesions like AVMs to malignancies such as early‐stage lungcarcinoma in medically inoperable patients. Stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT) now is available at approximately 700 institutions in the United States (American Hospital Association guide 2009). Almost 1500 articles have been published on SBRT, and there are several ongoing prospective randomized trials comparing SBRT with standard radiation therapy. Major considerations in single and hypo‐fractionated radiotherapy are the therapeutic gain and technical challenges for precise imaging, planning, and dose delivery. In this educational session, we will first briefly review the results of recently completed studies for intracranial and extracranial stereotactic irradiation with an emphasis on SBRT; and then discuss the technical aspects in image registration, stereotactic localization, target delineation uncertainties particularly using FDG‐PET for the lungcancer; and finally address the physics QA procedures to ensure optimal planning that differentiate the doses between tumor and normal tissue without detracting of target coverage and to deliver the desired dose under image‐guidance using stereotactic frame or frameless refixation systems. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the therapeutic gain in stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) or hypo‐fractionated SBRT and recognize that the success of SBRT relies on both the dose escalation to the tumor and the margin reduction and tumor shrinkage 2. Discuss the rationale and technical details about how to use fine CT or MRI scans for the delineation of small targets and critical structures, how to eliminate motion or other image artifacts using stereotactic‐type image localization, and how to combine anatomic information from CT or MRI with physiological information from PET or functional MRI for optimal treatment planning 3. Learn the physics QA procedures for plan evaluation with empirical rules on the conformity index, target coverage, and periphery dose gradient, and QA for dose delivery under image‐guided target refixation and patient tracking 4. Develop mock training for SBRT in procedural design and implementation for annual training of the SBRT team to prevent the occurrence of systematic and human errors
Zirconium tungstate/polymer nanocomposites: Challenges and opportunities

Negative thermal expansion (NTE) oxides are interesting materials for use in controlled thermal expansion composites. Cubic ZrW 2 O 8 is one of the most promising candidates due to its strong, isotropic NTE behaviour over a large temperature range. It is easily accessible from a hydrated precursor, ZrW 2 O 7 (OH) 2 · 2H 2 O, which enables control of particle size and morphology during the topotactic conversion to the NTE phase. The preparation of high quality composites poses a number of challenges like compatibility of NTE material and composite matrix, stability of the NTE phase and particle morphology and size, which affect mixing and homogeneity. For ZrW 2 O 8 /polymer composites, surface modification is necessary to enhance interactions between the polymer matrix and the filler particles. In addition, small particle sizes are crucial to avoid settling of filler particles during polymer processing. This review presents results on the optimization of routes to nano-ZrW 2 O 8 , particle modification to achieve compatibility with polymers, preparation of NTE/polyimide composites and potential problems that can interfere with composite formation.
Distortion-free broadband holograms: A novel class of elements utilizing the wavelength-independent geometric phase

We demonstrate a novel class of elements called Far-Field Geometric Phase Holograms (FGPH) capable of producing far-field output images free of chromatic distortion for a broad range of input wavelengths. The FGPH utilizes the geometric phase which applies the same phase profile to any incident wave regardless of wavelength. Thus, the fidelity of an image produced by an FGPH is the same for all wavelengths. However, being a diffractive element, the FGPH is still dispersive in that the size of a generated image depends on the replay wavelength according to the diffraction equation. In this paper, we give theory for the ideal FGPH element, describing its replay characteristics and unique polarization properties. We experimentally realize an FGPH element using photo-aligned liquid crystals patterned with a direct-write system. We characterize the fabricated element and show the theory to be valid. Generally, this new class of polarization sensitive elements can produce broadband undistorted images with high diffraction efficiency.
Development of a microchannel plate based gated x-ray imager for imaging and spectroscopy experiments on z

This paper describes the development of a microchannel plate (MCP)-based gated x-ray imager developed by National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) and Sandia National Laboratories over the past several years. The camera consists of a 40 mm × 40 mm MCP, coated with eight 4 mm wide microstrips. The camera is gated by sending subnanosecond high-voltage pulses across the striplines. We have performed an extensive characterization of the camera, the results of which we present here. The camera has an optical gate profile width (time resolution) as narrow as 150 ps and detector uniformity of better than 30% along the length of a strip, far superior than what has been achieved in previous designs. Reliability and reproducibility of the imager are also greatly enhanced. The spatial resolution is on the order of 40 microns for imaging applications and a dynamic range of between ∼100 and ∼1000. We also present results from a Monte Carlo simulation code developed by NSTec over the last several years. Agreement between the simulation results and the experimental measurements is very good.