cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimal-window time-frequency distributions

This paper outlines means of using special sets of orthonormally related windows to realize Cohen's class of time-frequency distributions (TFDs). This is accomplished by decomposing the kernel of the distribution in terms of the set of analysis windows to obtain short time Fourier transforms (STFTs). The STFTs obtained using these analysis windows are used to form spectrograms which are then linearly combined with proper weights to form the desired TFD. A set of orthogonal analysis windows which also have the scaling property proves to be very effective, requiring only 1 + log2(N - 1) distinct windows for an overall analysis of N + 1 points, where N equals 2n, with n a positive integer. Application of this theory offers very fast computation of TFDs, since very few analysis windows needed and fast, recursive STFT algorithms can be used. Additionally, it is shown that a minimal set of specially derived orthonormal windows can represent most TFDs, including Reduced Interference Distributions (RIDs) with only three distinct windows plus an impulse window. Finally, the Minimal Window RID (MW-RID) which achieves RID properties with only one distinct window and an impulse window is presented.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The prosthodontist's role in head and neck cancer and Introduction - Oncologic dentistry

A comprehensive oral and dental screening should be part of the pre-treatment workup of patients with cancer, especially those who have head and neck tumors. This screening needs to be performed by a Prosthodontist who is familiar with the pathologic process of disease and the type of treatment being rendered; and who comprehends the morbidities associated with eradicating malignancy. Oftentimes, this is a specially trained prosthodontist. According to WHO statistics, individuals living in the Indian subcontinent have the highest prevalence of oral and upper aero-digestive tract malignancies. The afflicted may develop oral complications of cancer treatment, especially from systemic chemotherapy and head and neck radiation therapy. The trend toward people maintaining their teeth longer, coupled with the rising age of the population, suggest that dentists may frequently be treating patients with cancer and should be informed about the aspects of oncologic care that will affect oral health. Unfortunately however, when the cancer curricula of dental schools was investigated, it was found that deficits in "oncologic dentistry" education included failure to provide practical clinical oncology experience in diagnosis, the decision-making process, referral procedures, management of oral complications of cancer therapy, maxillofacial rehabilitation; and psychosocial training in oncology. This article is intended as a primer for prosthodontists, most of whom undoubtedly will need to deal with cancer patients. It is suggested that the prosthodontic curriculum in India include all aspects of "oncologic dentistry."
A generalized Benford's law for JPEG coefficients and its applications in image forensics

In this paper, a novel statistical model based on Benford's law for the probability distributions of the first digits of the block-DCT and quantized JPEG coefficients is presented. A parametric logarithmic law, i.e., the generalized Benford's law, is formulated. Furthermore, some potential applications of this model in image forensics are discussed in this paper, which include the detection of JPEG compression for images in bitmap format, the estimation of JPEG compression Qfactor for JPEG compressed bitmap image, and the detection of double compressed JPEG image. The results of our extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed statistical model.
Monte Carlo simulation of MBE growth on vicinal surfaces

Abstract We report a Monte Carlo study of thin film growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on vicinal surfaces. A solid-on-solid model is used on L × L substrate sizes, with periodic boundary conditions. Both deposition and diffusion occur simultaneously, with only simple interactions between nearest neighbor sites allowed. The interfacial width is measured to characterize the roughness of the growing film, and pictures of the surface structure are generated to provide visual information. For a fixed growth condition, the dynamics is studied for several different terrace sizes, and tilt of the surface. By measuring the effective growth exponent β (for growth up to moderate times), we find that going from large to small terrace sizes the interfacial width has a crossover from logarithmic to an apparent power law behavior. Additionally, the enhancement of surface roughness is suppressed as the terrace size is reduced.
Management, Racial Discrimination and Apprentice Training Programs

This article explores how employers, unions and governmental agencies in the United States are likely to be faced with civil rights issues in their own places of employment more sharply and sooner ...
Model of crop:weed competition applied to maize:Abutilon theophrasti interactions. I. Model description and evaluation

A complex set of interactions among crops, weeds and their environment determines the impact of weed interference on crop productivity. These interactions can be simulated with dynamic crop:weed competition models, such as ALMANAC. In this study, ALMANAC was modified to simulate maize:Abutilon theophrasti competition. In the modified ALMANAC model, daily increases in leaf area index (LAI), height and rooting depth are attenuated on the basis of accumulated above-ground biomass and by environmental stress. Also, a simple, flexible method is adopted to partition radiation in a mixed canopy. A maize:A. theophrasti competition study conducted near Aurora, NY, in which a range of weed densities (0-16 plants m -2 ) were established in a maize crop, was used to evaluate the model. The modified ALMANAC proved to be a useful tool for segregating the maize response to competition in 1991 (simulated loss of 35% at the highest weed density) from those in 1992-94 (simulated losses not greater than 16%). Based on these findings, the modified ALMANAC model is judged to be capable of distinguishing between environmental conditions that facilitate large yield losses and those that allow maize to outcompete A. theophrasti.
The positivist philosophy in Mexican education, 1867-1873.

Positivism in educational thought in 1867 was the rational expression of a liberating philosophy which had been operating upon the Mexican scene from the turn of the century. Under the aegis of liberalism educational theory had moved slowly forward, but application had lagged far behind. This situation was not an unnatural consequence of the chaotic conditions which obtained after the achievement of independence. Independence had brought political freedom, but the masses, economically and culturally, had gained little. As early as 1823 educators had clamored for popular education, and although public education was given some consideration during succeeding administrations, hopes of realizing changes in education were lost within the maelstrom of social and political intrigues. The control of education was thus left in the hands of individuals, many of whom were not fit to be teachers, or to the Church, whose attention to education was greatly lessened by the growing Church-State question.
An ecological approach to evaluating a system of care program: dollars making sense.

System of care (SOC) models in North America were developed in response to the needs of children with a severe emotional disturbance. Such children experience problems across life spheres including issues at home that put them at risk of abuse and neglect, difficulties at school including special education classification and dropping-out, and involvement with the juvenile courts. SOC evaluations and research suggests that an overreliance of evaluative research efforts on standardized scales and preconceived measurable outcomes have resulted in a loss of other important data. This study's confirmatory and holistic approach to evaluation illuminates important information concerning commonly ignored variables when using traditional evaluation models. The evaluative research study described focuses on three often overlooked behavioral variables in one SOC initiative, KidsNet Georgia, of Rockdale County, GA. These variables are: (a) using cohort analysis over time; (b) costing out services utilized; and (c) fo...
Hepatocellular carcinoma: A concise guide to its status and management

Although common worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma is relatively rare in the United States. However, for unknown reasons, the incidence is rising. Multiple causes exist, but chronic viral hepatitis in the setting of cirrhosis is probably the most common. Despite limitations, AFP measurement and multiple-phase abdominal CT are the most sensitive tests for diagnosis. Surgical resection and liver transplantation are at present the only treatment options that offer potential for long-term survival or cure in limited-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Otherwise, the prognosis is poor, and 1-year survival is rare. Future efforts should focus on improving detection of early-stage disease and improving preventive measures to reduce viral hepatitis infection, transmission, and progression.
Eigenstates and eigenvalues of a current biased Josephson junction

Abstract We obtain the eigenstates and eigenvalues for a Josephson junction biased on the zero voltage, current step. When the diode is biased near maximum current, the state vector consists of only a few definite pair difference states, contrary to intuitive notions based on the tight-binding approximation.
Splaying hyperthin polyelectrolyte multilayers to increase their gas permeability

The concept of splayed, hyperthin polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) is introduced in which a bulky, hydrophilic and charged pendant group is used to increase the gas permeability of a PEM without reducing its permeation selectivity. Proof of principle studies are reported using nm-thick PEMs made from poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) bearing bulky cobaltocenium ions.
War-Related Somatoform Disorder in an Older Adult Veteran:

This case study describes an older adult war veteran who served during World War II (WWII) and later developed disruptive behaviors related to psychosomatic symptoms, dementia, and his war-related fear of dying. While in the service, he developed lifelong gastrointestinal problems and was subsequently diagnosed with undifferentiated somatization disorder (USD). USD is a mental illness characterized by medically unexplained physical symptoms originating from psychological or emotional distress. The geropsychology team who worked with the veteran postulated the association of WWII experiences to his somatic symptoms; however, this veteran never received treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and only a couple of notes in his computerized medical record referenced his wartime experiences. A stepwise approach to care was necessitated to identify a successful, individualized treatment. Phase I of treatment was aimed to reduce attachment anxiety and related behavioral disturbances when the veteran ...
Career Assessment and Transition Through School to Adult Life

Career assessment is the foundation upon which school systems and community agencies should base services to special needs students in order to insure a successful transition through school to community living. The assessment of interests, skills, and needs of handicapped students related to work, home, community, and leisure is critical if public schools and community agencies are to provide services leading to effective community integration. Career assessment should begin at a very young age, be closely connected to functional curriculum, and be an integral part of the comprehensive assessment process for all handicapped students. This article describes a framework that is designed to assist personnel in developing a community-wide, interagency process of career assessment.
Estimating forage quantity and quality using aerial hyperspectral imagery for northern mixed-grass prairie

Abstract Sustainable rangeland stewardship calls for synoptic estimates of rangeland biomass quantity (kg dry matter ha− 1) and quality [carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio]. These data are needed to support estimates of rangeland crude protein in forage, either by percent (CPc) or by mass (CPm). Biomass derived from remote sensing data is often compromised by the presence of both photosynthetically active (PV) and non-photosynthetically active (NPV) vegetation. Here, we explicitly quantify PV and NPV biomass using HyMap hyperspectral imagery. Biomass quality, defined as plant C:N ratio, was also estimated using a previously published algorithm. These independent algorithms for forage quantity and quality (both PV and NPV) were evaluated in two northern mixed-grass prairie ecoregions, one in the Northwestern Glaciated Plains (NGGP) and one in the Northwestern Great Plains (NGP). Total biomass (kg ha− 1) and C:N ratios were mapped with 18% and 8% relative error, respectively. Outputs from both models were combined to quantify crude protein (kg ha− 1) on a pasture scale. Results suggest synoptic maps of rangeland vegetation mass (both PV and NPV) and quality may be derived from hyperspectral aerial imagery with greater than 80% accuracy.
Urine haptoglobin levels predict early renal functional decline in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The urinary albumin to creatinine ratio is used as a predictor for the development of nephropathy but it is neither sensitive nor specific. Here we used liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry on urine of eight normoalbuminuric patients with type 2 diabetes from the VA Diabetes Trial to identify candidate markers for loss of renal function. Initial verification of seven markers (agrin, haptoglobin, mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2, LAMP-2, angiotensinogen, NGAL, and uromodulin) in the urine of an additional 30 patients showed that haptoglobin was the best predictor of early renal functional decline. We then measured this in the urine of 204 patients with type 2 diabetes who did not yet have significant kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate stage 2 or better and an albumin to creatinine ratio
Accuracy of Carbapenem Nonsusceptibility for Identification of KPC-Possessing Enterobacteriaceae by Use of the Revised CLSI Breakpoints

Using the updated 2010 CLSI carbapenem breakpoints for the Enterobacteriaceae, nonsusceptibility to ertapenem and imipenem predicted the presence of bla(KPC) poorly, especially among Escherichia coli and Enterobacter species. In regions where KPC-producing bacteria are endemic, testing for nonsusceptibility to meropenem may provide improved accuracy in identifying these isolates.
Broadband continuum generation in GaAs

An ultrabroad infrared continuum can be produced using optical parametric generation (OPG) in quasi-phasematched GaAs. Spectra over an octave wide, spanning 4.5 to 10.7 microns, measured 20 dB down from the peak, have been observed.
Cross-Species Functional Analysis of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Identifies a Critical Role for CLCF1 and IL-6 in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer In Vivo

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) have been reported to support tumor progression by a variety of mechanisms. However, their role in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poorly defined. In addition, the extent to which specific proteins secreted by CAFs contribute directly to tumor growth is unclear. To study the role of CAFs in NSCLCs, a cross-species functional characterization of mouse and human lung CAFs was conducted. CAFs supported the growth of lung cancer cells in vivo by secretion of soluble factors that directly stimulate the growth of tumor cells. Gene expression analysis comparing normal mouse lung fibroblasts and mouse lung CAFs identified multiple genes that correlate with the CAF phenotype. A gene signature of secreted genes upregulated in CAFs was an independent marker of poor survival in patients with NSCLC. This secreted gene signature was upregulated in normal lung fibroblasts after long-term exposure to tumor cells, showing that lung fibroblasts are "educated" by tumor cells to acquire a CAF-like phenotype. Functional studies identified important roles for CLCF1-CNTFR and interleukin (IL)-6-IL-6R signaling in promoting growth of NSCLCs. This study identifies novel soluble factors contributing to the CAF protumorigenic phenotype in NSCLCs and suggests new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies.
do life‐forms evolve or do uses for life? some doubts about Brown's universale hypotheses

Standard hypotheses regarding folk biological life-form evolution are not confirmed by data from Sinama, Sahaptin, and Tzeltal. This is probably because such hypotheses have been developed from highly inadequate data. Empirical determination of the focus, range, and defining features of highly inclusive categories shows that such categories are not universal, as has been claimed. Frequently, such categories class what is useful or useless, and therefore reflect a closer correspondence between biological categories and socioeconomic factors than current theory admits. [cognitive anthropology, ethnobiology, folk classification, language universals, category exemplars]
Locality Aware Networked Join Evaluation

We pose the question: how do we efficiently evaluate a join operator, distributed over a heterogeneous network? Our objective here is to optimize the delay of output tuples. We discuss key challenges involved in the distribution, namely how to partition the join operator, how to place the resulting partitions on the network, and how to route inputs values from sources to our operators. Our model revolves on one simple concept - exploiting locality. We consider data locality in the distributions of input data values, and network locality in the distribution of network distances between sites. We sketch strategies to partition the input data space, and instantiate a structured topology, consisting of operator replicas to whom to route tuples for processing. Finally, we briefly discuss implementation issues that require addressing to enable the networked join proposed here.
Pathology quiz case 1

73-YEAR-OLD woman was evaluated for 4 months of pain in the left temporomandibular joint region. The pain was dull and aching and was referred to her ear and temporal scalp area. She denied any history of trauma to this region. The pain was not exacerbated by chewing. She also denied any history of dry mouth or dry eyes. Her medical history was otherwise unremarkable. On physical examination, the oral cavity and both ears were normal, and the oropharynx was symmetrical. Normal salivary flow was observed from the Stenson ducts. There were no masses palpated in the parotid glands or the neck. Facial nerve function was symmetrical. No scalp lesions were present. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the neck and face revealed a well-circumscribed mass in the deep lobe of the left parotid gland. The mass was cone shaped, with its narrowest point laterally. It was isointense on T1-weighted images with respect to brain, hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and enhanced with gadolinium (Figure 1). The patient underwent a left total parotidectomy, with the intent of preserving the facial nerve. At the time of surgery, a well-circumscribed, tan, fleshy mass was identified immediately deep to, and adherent to, the upper division of the facial nerve. A small biopsy specimen was sent for frozen section, which showed multiple spindle cells, few mitoses, and no evidence of malignancy. With the use of the operating microscope, the mass was then dissected free from the facial nerve, with preservation of all branches except a small buccal branch (Figure 2 [the left parotid tumor (T) can be seen in the deep lobe under the upper division (UD) of the facial nerve, which has been retracted with white vessel loops. MB indicates marginal mandibular branch; CB, cervical branch; and BB, buccal branch]). Postoperatively, the patient had a grade IV-V (HouseBrackmann scale) weakness in the upper distribution of the left facial nerve, which had improved to normal symmetrical motion on follow-up examination. No other deficits were visible. Histologic examination of the specimen, which is shown in Figure3, demonstrated a tumor (T) arising from an adjacent nerve branch (N) and surrounded by a capsule (C). The tumor contained both hypercellular and hypocellular regions showing spindled nuclei with tapered ends, some wavy and undulating, with long, bipolar cytoplasmic extensions with indistinct borders (Figure4). No mitotic figures were identified. Immunohistochemical stains were strongly positive for anti–S100 protein (Figure 4, inset). What is your diagnosis?
Design and implementation of liquid droplet based motion sensing

This paper reports a liquid droplet based motion sensing system with advantages of simple fabrication, superior biocompatibility and binary signals. The sensor consists of a dielectric substrate and an array of microelectrodes patterned by surface micromachining techniques. In this sensing system, an ionic droplet behaves as the proof mass which responses to external applied acceleration. A lumped parameter model is built to compare the frequency response of such sensor with conventional solid proof mass accelerometers. Electrical signals detected by microelectrodes array are used to determine the applied acceleration based on droplet dynamics. Characterization of a prototype illustrates a good match between the predicted accelerations and the actual values.
Tricyclic antidepressant overdose.

Q a a r. Pooja Agrawal: Today’s case is that of a 64-year-old oman who was brought in to the Emergency Department y Emergency Medical Services after an apparent suiide attempt. The patient was upset that her husband was till communicating with his ex-wife, who lived in their uilding. After being involved in a verbal altercation ith this woman, the patient stated that she wanted to ie, and subsequently ingested a handful of pills. After uestioning, it was determined that she had taken over 40 ills of 50 mg nortriptylene 2 h before presenting to the mergency Department. She denied ingesting anything lse. She was, at this point, asymptomatic. The past medical history was significant for depresion, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and mild chronic bstructive pulmonary disease. She had no personal hisory of syncope or coronary disease. The family history as non-contributory; there was no history of sudden nexplained death. Medications included aspirin, chloriazepoxide, hydrochlorthiazide, lisinopril, metformin, someprazole, nortriptyline, tramadol, and simvastatin. here were no recent fevers, illnesses, or trauma. Vital signs were: temperature 36.4°C (97.5°F), heart ate 95 beats/min, blood pressure 160/72 mm Hg, respiatory rate 16 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 95% on oom air. Initially, the patient appeared agitated and onfused, and subsequently became more somnolent ith shallow breathing. Physical examination revealed o evidence of head injury. Pupils were equal, round, and eactive to light. The neck was supple without meningeal igns. Heart sounds were rapid and regular with no urmurs, rubs, or gallops. The lungs were clear bilaterally o auscultation. The abdomen was soft, with no distenion, tenderness, or guarding. Extremities were warm and ry without rash or swelling. There were no track marks. a
Designing for all users: including the odd users

The field of HCI has played an important role in broadening the spectrum of users of computational artifacts. However, users with extreme preferences are mostly ignored by the designers and researchers because they do not constitute a large portion of the market and the users lack generalizable characteristics. In order to further discuss these concerns, this paper introduces a case about the extreme users and the challenges they face. The paper ends with discussing future directions and challenges in designing for all users in the field of HCI.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.

Worry is often assessed with the 16-item Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer, Miller, Metzger, & Borkovec, 1990. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28, 487-495), but the factor structure of the PSWQ is not well articulated. Three factor analyses of the PSWQ have been conducted, with two (Brown, Antony, & Barlow, 1992. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30, 33-37; van Rijsoort, Emmelkamp, & Vervaeke, 1999) retaining a unifactorial solution and one (Stober, 1995) retaining a two-factor solution. We sought to determine the relative strengths of these solutions. Seven hundred eighty-eight undergraduates completed the PSWQ and measures of depression and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the two-factor solution provided a better fit to the data. There was also evidence for a higher order worry factor. Multiple regression analyses revealed that factor 1 (Worry Engagement) explained the majority of the variance in the symptom measures. The higher order worry factor also accounted for variance in some measures. Compared to the PSWQ total score, Worry Engagement demonstrated slightly higher internal consistency and significantly stronger correlations with most measures of depression and anxiety. Factor 2 (Absence of Worry) demonstrated moderate negative correlations with Worry Engagement and the PSWQ Total Score but only modest correlations with depression and anxiety.
Suicide risk assessment: what is the standard of care?

It is said that there are two kinds of psychiatrists: those who have had patients commit suicide and those who will. Suicides of patients are the most frequent source of malpractice claims against psychiatrists. An examination of the parameters of what constitutes acceptable suicide risk assessment finds marked disagreement among respected clinicians, academics, and researchers who testify as experts in suicide cases. Studies of suicide in adults indicate that more than 90 percent of individuals who commit suicide are mentally ill. 1 More than 30,000 people die by suicide each year. Many of these individuals will have seen a physician or a mental health professional the day of or a few days before committing suicide. In 1999, the Surgeon General’s “Call to Action to Prevent Suicide” emphasized that identification of “suicide risk and protective factors and their interactions form the
Graduate Medical Education: The Policy Debate

The cost of providing graduate medical education to the approximately 100,000 medical residents in the United States is approximately $18 billion. The government, primarily through the Medicare program, funds almost two thirds of the cost. Unfortunately, the federal government lacks a coherent policy with respect to what objectives it wants to achieve for this expenditure. This article traces (a) the evolution of graduate medical education funding; (b) current proposals to reform the funding mechanism; (c) how the Medicare program currently funds graduate medical education; (d) how funds are allocated to specific institutions; and (e) specific policy objectives that academic medical centers should be held accountable for achieving in return for receiving public funds.
A study of CDPD forward channel performance with coherent and differential detection

The media access control (MAC)-layer performance of the cellular digital packet data (CDPD) forward channel is studied and a new technique to improve the performance is proposed. The study is based on a computer simulation model wherein a CDPD base station continuously transmits a sequence of packets to a CDPD mobile station. We consider a Rayleigh fading channel and demonstrate how the performance metrics are affected by the channel characteristics. At the reception stage, we consider both coherent and differential reception. We argue that the throughput at the MAC layer is affected not only by the error performance of the physical layer, but also by several design characteristics of the MAC layer, including the block length and the alignment between blocks and packets. We illustrate the block error rate, packet error rate, and throughput performance by simulation results, and we show how the receiver may discard data, which is correctly received but nevertheless useless. Our main conclusion is that the CDPD forward-channel performance could be significantly improved should the identified deficiencies are eliminated. For this purpose, we propose a new automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocol that operates in the MAC layer to correct the erroneous blocks by means of retransmissions, and we study its performance. In addition, we discuss an adaptive scheme that maximizes the forward-channel performance by automatically enabling and disabling the ARQ protocol according to the channel conditions.
Stippling complete dentures with a nonconcentric bur.

Mimicking gingival contours, gingival texture, and soft tissue topography contributes to the natural appearance of removable prostheses. Common methods for enhancing soft tissue esthetics include festooning and stippling of the anterior acrylic resin flange. Festooning involves the carving of denture base material to simulate the contours of the soft tissues being replaced by the denture.1 Stippling mimics the texture of keratinized soft tissue. Dry, healthy mucosal tissues have an orange peel appearance on the facial aspect and interproximal areas. Stippling of the anterior denture flange enhances the natural effect of soft tissue by creating uneven reflection of light on the acrylic resin. With a trial denture, stippling is usually accomplished by tapping a brush wheel or stiff tooth-brush on the wax flange. If stippling is not accomplished in the laboratory prior to processing of the denture, a simple technique can be used to create the desired soft tissue effect on the anterior denture flange. Bend the tip of a No. 6 round carbide bur to an angle of approximately 15 degrees (Fig. 1). Mount the bur on a laboratory lathe on low speed. The bent tip will rotate in a nonconcentric manner, resulting in irregular cuts to the acrylic resin surface. Hold the denture with both hands with the surface to be stippled facing upward, toward the bur. Move the denture in a circular motion, allowing the nonconcentric bur to create cuts in appropriate areas on the acrylic resin. Stippling should be accomplished on the acrylic Resident, Advanced Education in General Dentistry. Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director, Advanced Education in General Dentistry. J Prosthet Dent 2002;88:109-10.
Conjugated equine estrogens alone, but not in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate, inhibit aortic connective tissue remodeling after plasma lipid lowering in female monkeys

The objective of this study was to determine the arterial responses to plasma lipid lowering alone or in combination with (1) estrogen replacement therapy or (2) hormone replacement therapy in surgically postmenopausal female monkeys with preexisting atherosclerosis. Eighty-eight female cynomolgus macaques were ovariectomized, fed an atherogenic diet for 24 months, and then assigned by randomized stratification into 4 groups. One group (baseline, n=20) was necropsied at the end of the atherogenic diet period; the remaining 3 groups were fed a plasma lipid-lowering diet (regression) for 30 months. These regression groups were control (diet only), CEE (receiving conjugated equine estrogens alone), and CEE+MPA (receiving CEE and continuous medroxyprogesterone acetate). A previous report described coronary artery functional and histological results; the present report describes biochemical and histological results from the abdominal aorta. Aortic plaque size was not different between groups, similar to previous findings in the coronary arteries. Aortic cholesterol content (milligrams per gram lipid-free dry weight) was lower in the regression groups compared with baseline, both for free cholesterol (mean, control=19.1, CEE=15.7, CEE+MPA=14.4, and baseline=32.7; P<0.001) and for esterified cholesterol (mean, control=18.9, CEE=15.4, CEE+MPA=14.2, and baseline=58.7; P<0.001). This cholesterol efflux could lead to increased plaque stability without changing the physical size of the lesion. Alterations in aortic connective tissue composition were observed in the regression groups. When expressed as a percentage of the lipid-free tissue weight, the aortic elastin content of the control (mean=14.9) and the CEE+MPA (mean=14.0) groups was lower than that of the baseline group (mean=19.0), which was not different from that of the CEE group (mean=15.8). Aortic collagen content, as estimated by hydroxyproline content per milligram of lipid-free tissue, was higher in the control group (mean=67.4) and the CEE+MPA group (mean=66.1) than in the baseline group (mean=56.2; P<0.05). Collagen content of the CEE group (mean=58.9) was not different from that of the baseline group. When the regression groups were considered separately, the aortic collagen content of the CEE group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05) and tended to be lower than that of the CEE+MPA group (P=0.10), suggesting that CEE therapy (but not CEE+MPA) inhibits potentially detrimental connective tissue alterations that accompany lesion regression. These results have implications for combinations of lipid-lowering and hormone replacement therapies in relation to vascular remodeling and abdominal aortic aneurysm development.
Continuous trip count profiling for loop optimization in two-phase dynamic binary translators

Most dynamic binary translators use a two-phase approach to identify and optimize frequently executed code dynamically. In the profiling phase, blocks of code are interpreted or translated without optimization to collect execution frequency information for the blocks. In the optimization phase, frequently executed blocks are grouped into regions and advanced optimizations are applied on them. This approach implicitly assumes that the initial execution of each block is representative of the block throughout its lifetime. In particular, loop optimizations may use the block frequency information to determine loop trip counts to guide their optimizations. If the trip count information is incorrect, however, a loop may be improperly optimized, and program performance suffers. In this paper we show that the initial profile is inadequate at predicting loop trip count information for several integer programs. We propose and evaluate efficient algorithms to continuously profile for trip count. Our results show that accurate trip count information may be obtained with very low overhead (about 0.5%). This enables advanced loop optimizations in dynamic binary translators.
Growing evidence for a weighty problem

In 1994, work evaluating the effects of the positional cloning of the murine obese gene was especially striking. 1 Mutation of the gene in mice resulted in profound obesity and type 2 diabetes as part of a syndrome that resembled morbid obesity in human beings (Figure 1). Not surprisingly, murine models of obesity have been used subsequently to help parse the relationship between human obesity and several human diseases. Cancer is no exception. There is unquestionable evidence in support of a dramatic relationship between obesity and cancer. In the United States alone, the amount of obese or overweight individuals has reached 65% of the population. 2 With the prevalence of obesity at epidemic levels, the relationship between cancer and obesity has many implications worldwide. Historically, the relationship between obesity and cancers such as those of the breast, colon, liver, and more have been well documented. 3-7 The rise in the incidence of esophageal cancer mirrors the increase in obesity in the population. How these epidemiologic observations are linked at the molecular level remains unclear and complex. The article in this issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery by Fowler and colleagues 8 attempts to examine the relationship between obesity and EAC further. The importanceinidentifyingtheconnectionbetweenincreasedweight and EAC cannot be stressed enough, especially with the 300%increaseinEACincidencerateoverthepast25years. 9 A strong linear relationship between EAC and increased body mass index, a measurement of obesity, has been identified in the literature. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 140 studies showed a strong association between a 5-unit increase in body mass index and EAC in both men and women. 10 However, until this
Hughes Trainable Text Skimmer: description of the TTS system as used for MUC-3

The objective of the Hughes Trainable Text Skimmer (TTS) Project is to create text skimming software that: (1) can be easily re-configured for new applications, (2) improves its performance with use, and (3) is fast enough to process megabytes of text per day. The TTS-MUC3 system is our first full scale prototype.
Validation of the modified Fresno Test: assessing physical therapists' evidence based practice knowledge and skills

Health care educators need valid and reliable tools to assess evidence based practice (EBP) knowledge and skills. Such instruments have yet to be developed for use among physical therapists. The Fresno Test (FT) has been validated only among general practitioners and occupational therapists and does not assess integration of research evidence with patient perspectives and clinical expertise. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a modified FT to assess EBP knowledge and skills relevant to physical therapist (PT) practice. The FT was modified to include PT-specific content and two new questions to assess integration of patient perspectives and clinical expertise with research evidence. An expert panel reviewed the test for content validity. A cross-sectional cohort representing three training levels (EBP-novice students, EBP-trained students, EBP-expert faculty) completed the test. Two blinded raters, not involved in test development, independently scored each test. Construct validity was assessed through analysis of variance for linear trends among known groups. Inter and intra-rater reliability, internal consistency, item discrimination index, item total correlation, and difficulty were analyzed. Among 108 participants (31 EBP-novice students, 50 EBP-trained students, and 27 EBP-expert faculty), there was a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) difference in total score corresponding to training level. Total score reliability and psychometric properties of items modified for discipline-specific content were excellent [inter-rater (ICC (2,1)] = 0.91); intra-rater (ICC (2,1)] = 0.95, 0.96)]. Cronbach's α was 0.78. Of the two new items, only one had strong psychometric properties. The 13-item modified FT presented here is a valid, reliable assessment of physical therapists' EBP knowledge and skills. One new item assesses integration of patient perspective as part of the EBP model. Educators and researchers may use the 13-item modified FT to evaluate PT EBP curricula and physical therapists' EBP knowledge and skills.
Horizon Profile Checkpoints for Low-Altitude Aircraft

A technique for utilizing on-board sensed horizon profiles and computer stored reference horizon profiles to provide navigation checkpoints for low-altitude aircraft is described. The technique has been analyzed using digitized terrain data and computer simulations to select the best method of horizon profile comparison, to determine horizon data density requirements, and to provide performance comparisons, system error limitations, and tradeoffs. Results of these analyses are shown to support feasibility conclusions and system parameter tradeoffs.
A Computer Aided Procedure for the Selection of Manufacturing Materials

Material selection is a key step in the engineering design process. Engineering systems contain many components and design engineers are constantly faced with decisions regarding the selection of materials for these components. The selection of the best material from two or more competing alternatives depends upon the decisions made by the design engineer. The selection process becomes enormous because of a large number of alternatives and the factors affecting the selection. This paper presents a technique which employs computer as an a important link between the decision process and the necessary calculations to determine the best selection of the manufacturing. material -for designing a component.
Generalized Metrizable Spaces

This is a survey of results on generalized metrizable spaces obtained in the past 10 years.
Editorial: Fast Forward in English Education: Policy into Practice

Welcome to the special issue of the Contemporary Issues in Technology and English Language Arts Teacher Education journal dedicated to work initiated at the June 2009 Conference on English Education (CEE) meeting at Elmhurst College in Chicago. The theme of this conference, our first open-invitational meeting in approximately 10 years, was “Fast Forward in English Education: Policy into Practice.” The conference planning team of Marshall George, Jill Van Antwerp, and me created a dynamic program combining traditional conference speakers, panels, and roundtables with working groups.
Relief of Cure Stress in Prepreg Composites with Engineered Voids: A Solution to Warping in Composite Phenolic Resin/Fiberglass Laminates

The warp of a phenolic resin/fiberglass honeycomb composite panel is investigated using void and volatile analysis, and a solution to geometric warp is proposed and tested. The surface void content in semicured phenolic polymer composite facesheets was found to be an indicator for the average warp value of a fully cured composite laminate panel. Several potential sources in the resin formulation for producing voids in the phenolic resin/fiberglass composite sheets were investigated. Ultimately, high surface tension and polymer incompatible cosolvents are correlated to the population of voids. It is proposed that these voids act as sites for the relief of internal stresses that develop in the phenolic matrix during the final cure of the part. Void-inducing additives are added at the formulation stage which phase separate from the polymer matrix in partially cured fiberglass/phenolic composite sheets, and upon evaporation, lead to voids that prevent warping in honeycomb composite panels.
The Body and its Able-ness: Articulating In/Eligibility through Rhetorics of Motherhood, Unjust Language, and Questionable Medical Authority

This essay analyzes a controversy involving Amelia (Mia) Rivera, a three-year old girl who was denied a life-saving kidney transplant in January 2012. As reported by Mia's mother, Chrissy, on her blog post, Mia was denied the kidney transplant because of her mental disability. Throughout the public discussion that took place over a few short weeks, we argue Mia's ineligibility was rearticulated through rhetorics of motherhood, unjust body language, and questions about medical authority. we suggest this indicates that descriptions of the body and its able-ness carry more weight in the public's understanding of health issues than does medical authority.
PREOPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INCREASES MORTALITY AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT FOR SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS

Limited data are available on the impact of preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis. We examined preoperative AF in relation to all-cause mortality among 402 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR from Nov, 2008
Microwave Sintering of Ceramics Under High Gas Pressure

During microwave sintering of ceramics, the input microwave power and specimen temperature are limited by the breakdown of the gas in the cavity. The ionization potential of the gas, the temperature, and the specimen shape are all factors that influence the onset of breakdown. Thus, in the sintering of SiC rods in a TE 111 cylindrical cavity at 1 atm argon or nitrogen, breakdown occurred at temperatures less than 1300 C and 1700 C, respectively, which are well below the required sintering temperature. Breakdown can be suppressed by applying either high vacuum or high pressure. Sintering in high vacuum would exacerbate the problems of decomposition and vaporization of ceramics such as Si 3 N 4 and SiC at high temperatures. Pressurization not only suppresses breakdown but inhibits decomposition and vaporization. The TE 111 cylindrical cavity has been adapted for pressurization to 1.38 MPa. The allowable input microwave power and specimen temperature have been markedly increased under high pressure conditions.
Patients with Initial Unprovoked DVT or PE Benefit from Long-Term Low-Dose Aspirin

Aspirin improves long-term cardiovascular and thrombotic outcomes in patients who have had an initial unprovoked episode of VTE. The risk of bleeding was no higher in the aspirin group, perhaps because those at risk of bleeding were “uncovered” during the initial period of anticoagulation.
A new motif for inhibitors of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase.

Abstract The enzyme geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGDPS) is believed to receive the substrate farnesyl diphosphate through one lipophilic channel and release the product geranylgeranyl diphosphate through another. Bisphosphonates with two isoprenoid chains positioned on the α-carbon have proven to be effective inhibitors of this enzyme. Now a new motif has been prepared with one isoprenoid chain on the α-carbon, a second included as a phosphonate ester, and the potential for a third at the α-carbon. The pivaloyloxymethyl prodrugs of several compounds based on this motif have been prepared and the resulting compounds have been tested for their ability to disrupt protein geranylgeranylation and induce cytotoxicity in myeloma cells. The initial biological studies reveal activity consistent with GGDPS inhibition, and demonstrate a structure–function relationship which is dependent on the nature of the alkyl group at the α-carbon.
Comical Satire and the War of the Theatres

At the same time that Jonson was competing with Daniel and Drayton for patronage for his lyric poetry, he was also redirecting his theatrical energies toward the more literate and sophisticated members of the Elizabethan public. In Every Man out of His Humour (1599) and Cynthia’s Revels (1600) he extended the comedy of humours into a distinctive form of ‘comical satire’ orientated toward the taste of the London gallants and wits with whom he increasingly associated. Yet while his poetic skill and classical learning gained him entry into elite social and intellectual circles, his poverty and low status made his position tenuous, and his ridicule of fashionable folly risked offending the very groups from whom he sought patronage. His self-consciousness about his marginal position in society underlies his characterisation of the poet-figures Macilente in Every Man out of His Humour and Crites in Cynthia’s Revels, but these fantasies of social vindication only provoked the theatrical quarrel with John Marston and Thomas Dekker that is now known hyperbolically as ‘The War of the Theatres’. Although this incident is sometimes dismissed impatiently by critics who deny that topical satire has artistic significance, it reveals much about the tensions in the Elizabethan literary system, and it marks an important stage in Jonson’s emergence as a ‘laureate dramatist’.1