cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of medical images under topological constraints

Major advances in the field of medical imaging over the past two decades have provided physicians with powerful, non-invasive techniques to probe the structure, function, and pathology of the human body. This increasingly vast and detailed amount of information constitutes a great challenge for the medical imaging community, and requires significant innovations in all aspect of image processing. To achieve accurate and topologically-correct delineations of anatomical structures from medical images is a critical step for many clinical and research applications. In this thesis, we extend the theoretical tools applicable to the segmentation of images under topological control, apply these new concepts to broaden the class of segmentation methodologies, and develop generally applicable and well-founded algorithms to achieve accurate segmentations of medical images under topological constraints. First, we introduce a digital concept that offers more flexibility in controlling the topology of digital segmentations. Second, we design a level set framework that offers a subtle control over the topology of the level set components. Our method constitutes a trade-off between traditional level sets and topology-preserving level sets. Third, we develop an algorithm for the retrospective topology correction of 3D digital segmentations. Our method is nested in the theory of Bayesian parameter estimation, and integrates statistical information into the topology correction process. In addition, no assumption is made on the topology of the initial input images. Finally, we propose a genetic algorithm to accurately correct the spherical topology of cortical surfaces. Unlike existing approaches, our method is able to generate several potential topological corrections and to select the maximum-a-posteriori retessellation in a Bayesian framework. Our approach integrates statistical, geometrical, and shape information into the correction process, providing optimal solutions relatively to the MRI intensity profile and the expected curvature. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Indexing Uncertainty: The Case of Turn-Final Or

Using conversation analysis and interactional linguistics as the methodology and drawing from naturally occurring American English interaction, this article investigates the practice of ending polar questions with or as in Does that bring up jealousy for you or. This practice is generally considered to be ungrammatical, yet occurs regularly in spoken interaction. This article argues that turn-final or functions as an epistemic downgrade by (a) making possible an unproblematic disconfirmation next, (b) gesturing toward an unverbalized alternative, and (c) being oriented to as a question format that requires an elaboration. By investigating the sequential environment and the interactional work or accomplishes, this study advances our understanding not only of how speakers encode linguistically and use socially turn-final or but also of how linguistic units are adapted for interaction. My work contributes to several major areas of conversation analytic research, mainly grammar in interaction and epistemics. ...
Effects of smoking on neuropathic pain in two people with spinal cord injury.

Background/Objective: To describe an apparent relationship between smoking and the neuropathic painexperience in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).Method: Case Reports.Participants/Methods: Two ...
Survivable virtual infrastructure mapping with shared protection in transport software defined networks (T-SDNs)

We propose the first algorithm to embed virtual infrastructures with shared protection over T-SDNs. The algorithm optimizes network utilization by provisioning at least 20% more virtual infrastructures over physical substrates compared to the baseline algorithm.
Fluoroalkylethyl silane coating as a moisture barrier for dental ceramics.

The performance of dental ceramics is reduced in wet environments due to stress-corrosion limiting restoration lifetime. As analysis suggests that fracture is typically initiated from the internal surface, placement of a thin coating before a restoration is cemented to place may prevent fracture if it acts as a moisture barrier. Of coatings we tested, a fluoroalkylethyl silane (du Pont MPD-7680) showed promise. This study aimed to test a range of concentrations on glass and to determine any strength improvement on dental ceramics. Glass slides (n = 8-9) were indented (29-N load) stored 24 h, etched, coated with 100, 50, and 25% fluorosilane in isopropyl alcohol, and air-cured for 24 h. The slides were fractured on a biaxial fixture in water at 0.5 mm/min and maximum stresses calculated. Uncoated controls were tested in water and liquid N2 to determine the inert strength without stress-corrosion. Results showed increasing mean strength from uncoated (53.6 MPa) to 100% (68.0 MPa) which compared to the 80.4 MPa inert strength. ANOVA showed P < .05. Subsequently the experiment was repeated on discs of three dental ceramics (n = 7-10): feldspathic (Ceramco), glass-ceramic (Dicor MGC), high-leucite (Optec) with the 100% solution only. Mean strength was significantly (P < .01) enhanced in the feldspathic (56.2 MPa, untreated, 70.7 MPa, treated) but not the high-leucite (83.1, 83.0) or the glass-ceramic (283.9, 271.4). Fluoroalkylethyl silane coating reduced stress-corrosion in glass and feldspathic porcelain. It may be a practical approach to reducing fracture of ceramic restorations.
Tropical Showers in an Axisymmetric Cloud Model

Abstract Tropical showers from warm cumulus-type clouds were studied numerically in an axisymmetric cloud model. Drop sizes were classified into 61 groups and condensation (evaporation), collection and breakup processes were introduced. The distinctive character of such shower—heavy, short-lived and localized nature, without any strong wind speed change near the ground—was simulated successfully. Because of the weak inflow, raindrop size distribution is primarily determined by the vertical trajectory of drops. The calculated raindrop size distribution agrees relatively well with the Marshall-Palmer size distribution curve. A one-dimensional cylindrical cloud model (Asai-Kasahara) is also compared with the present symmetric cloud model, and it was found that both rainfall and the life cycle for deep clouds were difficult to stimulate by a simple one-dimensional model. It was also found that the disturbance area due to the cumulus-type cloud is more localized than in the stratocumulus-type cloud.
Comments of the supercooling field for superconductors with K values near 0.4

Abstract The possibility of having a superconducting surface sheet in a supercooled type I material is discussed in terms of the Ginzburg-Landau theory.
Hereditary breast cancer: pathobiology, clinical translation, and potential for targeted cancer therapeutics

BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancers have distinct biological features as evidenced by histopathologic, immunohistochemical, gene expression profiling, and array-comparative genomic hybridization data. BRCA1 breast cancers may have a worse prognosis but may, however be amenable to treatment such as chemotherapy for small high-grade, lymph node negative breast cancers. Paradoxically, tamoxifen may provide effective adjuvant and chemopreventive therapy despite the predominantly negative estrogen receptor status of BRCA1 breast cancers. The distinctive biology of BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancers bodes well for the development of targeted cancer therapies. Cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 loss of function are deficient in DNA double strand break repair and are sensitized to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, causing the persistence of DNA lesions which are usually repaired by homologous recombination and ultimately leading to apoptosis. The potentially high efficacy and low toxicity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors presents an opportunity for targeted cancer therapeutics for BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation carriers. Genotype-tailored chemoprevention may be feasible which could theoretically eliminate single cells that have sustained a second hit, before cancer progression takes place. If targeted cancer therapies emerge, it will become crucially important to identify BRCA carriers at the time of diagnosis for optimal therapy and to identify unaffected carriers for chemoprevention. If so, then to the extent that barriers in the recognition and referral of patients to genetic counseling cannot be surmounted, pathological and genomic methods to identify a BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer profile will gain increasing clinical importance.
Asymptomatic conditional probabilities for first-order logic

Motivated by problems that arise in computing degrees of belief, we consider the problem of computing asymptotic conditional probabilities for first-order formulas. That is, given first-order formulas φ and θ, we consider the number of structures with domain {1,…,N} that satisfy θ, and compute the fraction of them in which φ is true. We then consider what happens to this probability of first-order formulas, except that now we are considering asymptotic conditional probabilities. Although work has been done on special cases of asymptotic conditional probabilities, no general theory has been developed. This is probably due in part to the fact that it has been known that, if there is a binary predicate symbol in the vocabulary, asymptotic conditional probabilities do not always exist. We show that in this general case, almost all the questions one might want to ask (such as deciding whether the asymptotic probability exists) are highly undecidable. On the other hand, we show that the situation with unary predicates only is much better. If the vocabulary consists only of unary predicate and constant symbols, it is decidable whether the limit exists, and if it does, there is an effective algorithm for computing it. The complexity depends on two parameters: whether there is a fixed finite vocabulary or an infinite one, and whether there is a bound on the depth of quantifier nesting.
Poetic Line Structure in Qoheleth 3:1

In this note we argue for understanding Qoh 3:1 as verse (the opening to the poem that follows in 3:2-8) and consider possible lineation options, proposing in the process a new way of under-standing its structure as a couplet. With only limited and erratic early manuscript evidence for lineation and no explicit, contemporary comment on this topic, the line structure of biblical Hebrew poems will always be in need of (re)construction. The exercise undertaken here exemplifies the kind of (re)constructive endeavor we believe necessary for thinking seriously about line structure in biblical verse.
Status And Future Of Holographic Nondestructive Evaluation

An evaluative review of the literature of holographic NDE is summarized. Articles and reports are tabulated and categorized according to flaw type and techniques of object loading during holographic inspection. Technical and industrial status of the technique is evaluated and desirable research and development to enhance the future usefulness of holographic NDE are described.
Infections Controlling exit site infections: Does it decrease the incidence of catheter‐related bacteremia in children on hemodialysis?

The most common complication of tunneled-cuffed hemodialysis catheters is catheter-related bacteremia (CRB), which contributes to patient morbidity and loss of vascular access. Gram positive microorganisms are the most common etiologic agents; coagulase negative staphylococcus and corynebacterium species are the two most prevalent strains in our center. These are the common inhabitants of skin flora, suggesting that infection of catheters occur through the exit site. The Biopatch is a chlorhexidine impregnated dressing designed to keep the exit site from colonization with skin flora. This may decrease the incidence of CRB due to organisms from the skin. Objective: To investigate whether the application of the biopatch at the exit site has any effect on the incidence and the etiology of CRB. Methods: Chart review of 63 pediatric chronic hemodialysis patients who were dialysed between January 1999 and December 2003 was performed. The mean age at start of hemodialysis was 13.9 ± 4.6 years. The pre-Biopatch era started in January 1999 till the end of June 2001, and the Biopatch era started in July 2001 to December 2003. Biopatch was applied at the beginning of every dialysis week after Betadine cleansing of the exit site, which was then covered with a transparent dressing. In the pre-Biopatch era, the exit site was cleansed with Betadine at every dialysis session and then covered with a transparent dressing. Results: The use of the Biopatch at the exit site caused a significant decrease in the exit site infections. However, contrary to what was expected, there was no decrease in the incidence of CRB. Pre-Biopatch Era Biopatch Era p value Gram positive infections % 76% 76% NS Gram negative infections % 10% 14% NS Polymicrobial infections % 14% 10% NS Total number of infections 108 (19 patients) 143 (29 patients) NS Exit site infections-number 20 (9 patients) 5 (3 patients) p < 0.05 Conclusion: The use of the Biopatch decreases exit site infections. However, it fails to decrease the incidence of CRB. It has no effect on the etiologic agent of the bacterial infection.
Use of sinemet in locked-in syndrome: A report of two cases

Locked-in syndrome describes a neurological condition usually associated with infarction of the ventral pons. Such patients are diagnosed with quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and mutism. The patient is alert but communication is severely limited and usually is accomplished by blinking or using vertical eye movements. The rehabilitative management of locked-in syndrome has consisted of preventative and supportive measures. In this study we report two cases of locked-in syndrome which were treated successfully with Sinemet (DuPont Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE). Even though the exact neuropharmacological mechanism is unclear, the dramatic improvement in these cases, as well as in one other published case report, dictates that use of Sinemet should be considered in the management of locked-in syndrome.
Study of helical buckling of pipes in horizontal wells

De nouvelles analyses du flambage helicoidal et sinusoidal ont ete realisees pour des tubes (tiges de forage, colonne de production) situes dans des puits horizontaux, en tenant compte du developpement ulterieur de la trainee par frottement. Les etudes theoriques et experimentales realisees montrent notamment que le flambage helicoidal ne se developpe que pour des charges axiales environ 1,8 fois superieures a celles necessaires a l'amorcage du flambage sinusoidal (1,3 dans la litterature actuelle)
Monotonicity of the cd-index for polytopes

We prove that the cd-index of a convex polytope satisfies a strong monotonicity property with respect to the cd-indices of any face and its link. As a consequence, we prove for d-dimensional polytopes a conjecture of Stanley that the cd-index is minimized on the d-dimensional simplex. Moreover, we prove the upper bound theorem for the cd-index, namely that the cd-index of any d-dimensional polytope with n vertices is at most that of C(n,d), the d-dimensional cyclic polytope with n vertices.
Asian Americans’ Reports of Their Health Care Experiences

Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups, with an estimated 12 million living in the United States. Despite this rapid growth, they remain one of the most under-studied groups, with relatively few studies of their health status and service use compared to other minority groups.
Water filtration using plant xylem.

Effective point-of-use devices for providing safe drinking water are urgently needed to reduce the global burden of waterborne disease. Here we show that plant xylem from the sapwood of coniferous trees – a readily available, inexpensive, biodegradable, and disposable material – can remove bacteria from water by simple pressure-driven filtration. Approximately 3 cm3 of sapwood can filter water at the rate of several liters per day, sufficient to meet the clean drinking water needs of one person. The results demonstrate the potential of plant xylem to address the need for pathogen-free drinking water in developing countries and resource-limited settings.
Trading Halts and Price Discovery

Trading halts have their proponents and opponents. Recent literature has examined the benefits of halts, if any, by studying the consequences of halts on order flow and price volatility. This study complements existing literature by examining the consequences of trading halts on price discovery. Our results indicate that stock price adjustments surrounding trading halts are conditioned on the underlying event that caused the halt. The weighted price contributions of all subsamples are concentrated in the halt period and some subsamples show significant price contribution in the pre-halt period as well. We find minimal evidence of price discovery continuing after the halt is removed. In addition, cross-sectional analysis shows that price discovery in the pre-halt and halt periods are more pronounced for larger firms and for firms with specific news events.
Noninvasive continuous or intermittent blood pressure and heart rate patient monitoring in the ED.

Abstract Objective Continuous invasive blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitoring in the emergency department (ED) is valuable in managing critically ill patients. Novel noninvasive finger cuff technology allows this same uninterrupted monitoring for almost any individual. This exploratory study compares ED noninvasive continuous to intermittent measurements of these variables. Methods A variety of acutely ill ED patients (n = 40) with broad ranges of BP and HR underwent simultaneous monitoring using interval standard automated ED devices and continuous finger cuff technology (Nexfin; Bmeye, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) over a period of 2 hours. At baseline and at 15-minute intervals, simultaneous measurements for BP and HR were recorded and compared. Results There were 25 men and 15 women enrolled with a mean age of 62.2 years (SD, 12.6). Eighteen had acute dyspnea, 11 with probable stroke syndrome, 3 with suspected sepsis, and 8 with a systolic BP greater than 180 or less than 100 mm Hg. Blood pressure and HR values (n = 344) simultaneously measured by automated ED equipment and the Nexfin finger cuff device were compared. The Pearson correlation coefficients were high, and the Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the 2 determinations. Conclusion Continuous BP and HR monitoring measured by the Nexfin finger cuff device in this trial showed reasonable agreement when compared with the intermittent values obtained by automated ED equipment. However, theoretically, noninvasive and continuous monitoring of the BP and HR might better reflect underlying hemodynamics than these same measurements obtained intermittently and, thus, could be important in patient management. More study is needed to determine the optimal method of monitoring these parameters.
The pathogenic and progressive features of chronic human hippocampal epilepsy

To design useful experimental models of epilepsy, it is necessary to clearly understand the known clinical-pathologic features of the disease process. Studies of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients have identified several distinctive clinical and pathophysiologic characteristics and many of these can be analyzed in experimental models. For example, patients with typical MTLE have medical histories that often contain an initial precipitating injury (IPI), are likely to have hippocampal sclerosis in the surgical specimen, and have better seizure outcomes than patients with typical idiopathic temporal seizures (i.e. cryptogenic). Hippocampal from children as young as age 1 year with IPI histories also demonstrate neuron damage similar to adults with hippocampal sclerosis. Compared to IPI patients without seizures (i.e. trauma, hypoxia, etc.), IPI cases with severe seizures showed younger ages at the IPI, shorter latent periods, and longer durations of habitual MTLE. Hippocampal damage is often bilateral, however, the epileptogenic side shows hippocampal sclerosis and the opposite side usually shows only mild neuron losses. Moreover, MTLE patients show declines in hippocampal neuron densities with very long histories of habitual seizures (15 to 20 years), however, the additional neuron loss adds to the template of hippocampal sclerosis and occurs in limited subfields (granule cells, CA1 and prosubiculum). Hippocampal axon and synaptic reorganization is another pathologic feature of MTLE, and involves granule cell mossy fibers and axons immunoreactive for neuropeptide upsilon, somatostatin, and glutamate decarboxylase (which synthesizes GABA). Finally, MTLE patients with hippocampal sclerosis show increased granule cell mRNA levels for brain derived neurotropic factor, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3 that correlate with mossy fiber sprouting or with declines in Ammon's horn neuron densities. Taken together, our data support the following concepts: (1) The pathogenesis of MTLE is associated with IPI histories that probably injure the hippocampus at some time prior to habitual seizure onsets, (2) most of the damage seems to occur with the IPI, (3) there can be additional neuron loss associated with long histories, (4) another pathologic feature of MTLE is axon reorganization of surviving fascia dentata and hippocampal neurons, and (5) reorganized axon circuits probably contribute to seizure or propagation.
Getting By or Getting In? Grappling With Access and Affect in Qualitative Research Projects Involving Vulnerable Human Subjects:

This article sketches out a terrain for the concept “access” to expand beyond its more familiar iterations in the discourses surrounding qualitative projects. In parts, there are opacious accounts of the author’s qualitative project’s inception and varied intellectual and personal inspirations and struggles. In other sections, a splintered narrative account of pursuits of and everyday encounters with access come into the fray. The article meanders through the search for access to a protected population and through more philosophic ruminations on “access” as a concept—one that suggests that deep learning becomes possible in conditions of anxiety and disconcertion.
Quantitative analysis of the transcondylar approach to the foramen magnum.

Objective Condylar resection with suboccipital craniotomy increases foramen magnum exposure, but guidelines for when this is necessary are not defined. Cadaveric and computed tomography evaluations were completed to guide decision-making regarding the use and extent of condylar resection. Methods Quantitative analysis of foramen magnum surgical exposures was performed on 32 skulls (64 sides) and 6 cadaveric dissections (12 sides). Computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed on cadaveric heads before and after condylar resections. Digitized images of dry skulls and CT images of cadaver heads were quantitatively analyzed. Predissection CT measurements of cadaveric heads guided extent of condylar resections, and resection accuracy was assessed with postdissection CT scans. Results Skull measurements (means in parentheses) included the foramen magnum area (7.8 cm(2)), length (3.6 cm), width (3.1 cm), anteroposterior condylar length (2.3 cm), and axial condylar length (2.5 cm). Mean widths of potential surgical exposures for skulls were obtained for A) suboccipital craniotomy (2.3 cm), B) with 25% (2.6 cm), and C) 50% condylar resection (3.0 cm). Mean angles of exposure were as follows: A, 38.4 degrees; B, 49.1 degrees; and C, 54.3 degrees. CT scans of cadaveric heads before and after dissections yielded measurements of exposure equivalent to measurements found on the dry skulls. Conclusion On average, lateral exposure increases by 3 mm (13%) and 7 mm (30%) for 25 and 50% condylar resection, respectively, compared with suboccipital craniotomy alone. Angles of exposure increase by 10.7 degrees (28%) and 15.9 degrees (41%). Measurements of CT images can be used preoperatively to help analyze the need for condylar resection and intraoperatively to guide the extent of condylar resection.
Mineralogy of a refractory inclusion in the Allende (C3V) meteorite

A spherical 220-micrometer diameter, spinel-hibonite-perovskite inclusion from the Allende C3V meteorite contains a central hibonite cluster with an angular coundary. This central hibonite is enclosed within spinel that is zoned from Mg-rich at the hibonite boundary to more Fe-rich at the inclusion boundary. This spinel zone includes lath-shaped hibonites usually subradial to the central hibonites. Two textural types of perovskites are present as exsolution from the central hibonite and as equidimensional grains within both the central hibonite and spinel. These second perovskites have exsolution lamellae of Al2O3. Within the central hibonite and adjacent to some equidimensional perovskites, a fine porous phase interpreted as alteration has a composition of nearly pure Al2O3 with minor amounts of Na and Si. This is possibly either an intergrowth of corundum and nepheline or a modified Al2O3, Beta-alumina.
α-Fetoprotein as a marker for hepatic regeneration in the dog☆

Abstract A radioimmunoassay for human α-fetoprotein (AFP) was utilized to quantitate AFP following partial liver resection in the dog. Nine dogs were studied; seven underwent 70% hepatectomy and two received sham operations. Serum AFP, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), total bilirubin, and galactose elimination capacity (GEC), a quantitative index of hepatic function, were measured preoperatively and at regular intervals postoperatively. Following 70% hepatectomy, AFP was first noted to be increased from the preoperative level (94 ± 7 SEM ng AFP activity/ml) on the fourth postoperative day (556 ± 75; P P P > 0.5). These changes in AFP concentration parallel, in a slightly delayed fashion, hepatic proliferative activity as measured by DNA synthesis following hepatic resection in the dog. No alteration in AFP concentration was seen in the control animals. Elevations in SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase were observed in all dogs following liver resection from Day 2 through 26. In contrast to AFP, changes in the serum concentrations of these enzymes were highly variable in both magnitude and duration. GEC was not significantly altered following liver resection in any dog. The results indicate that AFP is superior to liver enzymes and GEC as a marker for hepatic regeneration in the dog.
Infinite Nc QCD at finite temperature: Is there an ultimate temperature?

Abstract We argue that the large N c limit of QCD possesses a phase transition at finite temperature. Its Existence prevents the use of asymptotic freedom to calculate the asymptotic mass level density of glueballs and mesons in infinite N c QCD.
Using role playing to increase residents' awareness of medical student mistreatment.

ABSTRACT The teacher—learner relationship is subject to both internal and external influences that may lead to mistreatment and harassment of the student. The student who is mistreated may mistreat students when he or she becomes a teacher. The author describes an experiential program for residents at Brown Medical School from 1999 to 2002 in which residents, through role playing, helped produce teaching videotapes on medical student mistreatment. Fourteen residents had participated in the program to date. They reported that they had benefited from an increased awareness of the effects of student mistreatment and had learned how to handle mistreatment more effectively. They also reported increased sensitivity to others and improved self-awareness, qualities that they planned to incorporate into their professional identities and that should help them avoid mistreatment of students and residents later in their careers. Because preventing mistreatment from being transmitted to the next generation is an important way to increase medical professionalism, the author recommends that role-playing exercises dealing with mistreatment be a part of all residency education.
Breast cancer detection in an institution. Is mammography detrimental

The poor results of the National Breast Screening Study of Canada regarding the screening of women aged 40-49 have been interpreted to suggest that mammography might be detrimental. Our comparison of women who had mammography and had their cancers detected by mammography with women who did not have mammography and had palpable cancers suggest that this is not the case. There is no detrimental effect; rather, the use of mammography results in an improvement in survival. The poor results of the National Breast Screening Study likely are due to the unbalanced allocation of women with advanced cancers to the screened group, the poor quality of the mammography in the trial, and an insufficient sample size
The effects of the Chinese Communist land reform on women and their families

Abstract This paper examines the Chinese Communist land reform, 1946–1952. This redistribution of land was accomplished using feminist mobilization techniques. The use of such techniques was a shift from Second World War mobilization which emphasized peasant qua peasant concerns. During the land reform period women's concerns were aired: maltreatment of women, underfeeding women and unhappy marriages. Bringing these into the open Communist cadres caused consciousness raising and went on to organize women to gain women's rights as well as to redistribute land.
CHILDHOOD ABUSE AS A FACTOR IN ATTRITION FROM DRUG REHABILITATION

The following factors were examined as possible influences of clients' attrition from inpatient and outpatient drug-rehabilitation programs: depression (Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression test), attributional style (Attributional Style Questionnaire), primary drug of choice, family incidence of substance abuse, and history of childhood physical abuse. A step-wise regression analysis indicated that a history of childhood abuse was a statistically reliable predictor of program noncompletion for 92 substance abusers who entered a drug-rehabilitation program.
Influence of insulation on stability of interface shape and position in the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger technique

Abstract The temperature field was calculated inside a vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger growth ampoule with insulation between the heater and the cooler. The isotherms in the insulated region are relatively planar. The sensitivity of the interface shape to system perturbations decreases dramatically with increasing thickness of the insulation, while the temperature gradient is only diminished slightly for high thermal conductivity materials. For a moving ampoule, the temperature field inside the ampoule is more sensitive to the heat transfer coefficient in the cooler than that in the heater.
Nondegenerate optical parametric chirped pulse amplification

Summary form only given. While the ultrashort amplification capabilities of optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) have been demonstrated down to 5 fs, the compression of ultrashort (<100 fs) pulses in thick OPCPA crystals remains largely unexplored. Here, we present the first pulse compression in a highly nondegenerate OPCPA and obtain the shortest pulses produced in OPCPA to date. The design of our OPCPA system is presented. A mode-locked oscillator, which produces 20 fs pulses centered at 820 nm, is used as a seed source. An all-reflective stretcher is used to stretch the seed pulses to 600 ps, with a spectral cut-off width in excess of 100 nm. The OPA consists of two antireflection-coated betabarium borate (BBO) crystals. The reported 60 fs pulses are the shortest pulses reported to date produced in an OPCPA system. A careful compensation of spectral phase in our system should enable 30 fs transform-limited pulses.
Viscometer for Opaque, Sealed Microemulsion Samples

Formulation of surfactant EOR systems usually involves multiple salinity scans of the phase behavior of crude oil, surfactant, and brine systems. Usually, the measurements are made in sealed pipettes for accurate volume measurements without fluid loss. The volumes of oil and water solubilized into the microemulsion phase are observed to determine the optimal salinity and estimate the interfacial tension. Viscous emulsions and surfactant-rich condensed phases are not desirable. However, the only estimate of viscosity from the salinity scans is the movement (or lack of movement) of the interfaces upon tilting of the tube. A falling-sphere viscometer with multiple, ring-shaped, inductive proximity sensors is described. The device uses 0.78 mm, gold-coated, paramagnetic, 440 stainless steel spheres. With this size sphere, it is possible to accurately estimate the viscosity of fluids from 1 to 1,200 cp. The spheres are paramagnetic, so they can be lifted to the top of the tube with a magnet, and meet the constraints of a Reynolds number less than 800 for low viscosity fluids, and a velocity fast enough to be detected for a high viscosity fluid. A data acquisition system control a set of four sensors for signal conditioning and time recording. When the same phase spans the space between a pair of sensors, its viscosity can be estimated directly from the transit time of the sphere. When two or three phases span the space between a pair of sensors, the viscosity of the undetermined phase can be estimated from the transit time across it after correcting for the transit times across the upper and/or lower phases. Thus the viscosity of a middle-phase microemulsion can be estimated even if it spans only a small fraction of the distance between sensors. The system has been used to measure viscosities of lower-, middle-, and upper-phase microemulsions at ambient temperature. Also, apparent viscosities of macroemulsions and of the “colloidal dispersion” layer at the top of a lower-phase microemulsion have been measured.
Metazoan and microbial models of Niemann–Pick Type C disease

Abstract Niemann–Pick Type C (NP-C) disease compellingly provides insight into lipid transport and the association of this process with severe neuronal dysfunction. The two genes that define this syndrome, NPC1 and NPC2, are conserved throughout much of eukaryotic evolution, to the extent that the yeast and mammalian NPC1 genes are functionally interchangeable. We present here an evolutionary perspective of the genes defective in NP-C disease. We will describe how conservation of sequences and their biological roles in a variety of microbial and metazoan model systems may act as roadmaps to understanding this syndrome in humans.
A truncated Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for the calibration of highly parameterized nonlinear models

We propose a modification to the Levenberg-Marquardt minimization algorithm for a more robust and more efficient calibration of highly parameterized, strongly nonlinear models of multiphase flow through porous media. The new method combines the advantages of truncated singular value decomposition with those of the classical Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, thus enabling a more robust solution of underdetermined inverse problems with complex relations between the parameters to be estimated and the observable state variables used for calibration. The truncation limit separating the solution space from the calibration null space is re-evaluated during the iterative calibration process. In between these re-evaluations, fewer forward simulations are required, compared to the standard approach, to calculate the approximate sensitivity matrix. Truncated singular values are used to calculate the Levenberg-Marquardt parameter updates, ensuring that safe small steps along the steepest-descent direction are taken for highly correlated parameters of low sensitivity, whereas efficient quasi-Gauss-Newton steps are taken for independent parameters with high impact. The performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated for a synthetic data set representing infiltration into a partially saturated, heterogeneous soil, where hydrogeological, petrophysical, and geostatistical parameters are estimated based on the joint inversion of hydrological and geophysical data.
Elevated amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolites and interleukin-6 in intra-amniotic infection.

OBJECTIVE To compare amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolites and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in patients with and without intra-amniotic infection. METHODS Amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolites, IL-6, Gram stains, glucose, leukocyte counts, leukocyte esterase activity, creatinine, pH, and specific gravity were determined in 14 patients with intra-amniotic infection and 26 patients without intra-amniotic infection. Intra-amniotic infection was defined as the presence of a positive amniotic fluid culture. The nitric oxide metabolites, nitrate and nitrite (NOx), were measured using Greiss reagent after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with aspergillus nitrate reductase. Interleukin-6 was measured by a two-site, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolites and IL-6 concentrations were normalized by amniotic fluid creatinine levels. The Mann-Whitney U test, contingency table method, and Spearman's rank correlation test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS Amniotic fluid NOx and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with intra-amniotic infection than in those without intra-amniotic infection (NOx: median = 2.06 mumol/mg creatinine, range = 0.74-6.81 versus 1.35 mumol/mg creatinine, range = 0.99-1.60, P = .01, IL-6: median = 2.00 micrograms/mg creatinine, range = 0.026-4.07 versus median = 0.04 micrograms/mg creatinine, range = 0.004-3.210, P = .0009, respectively). Patients with intra-amniotic infection had significantly elevated leukocyte counts, leukocyte esterase activity, Gram positive stains, and significantly lower amniotic fluid glucose levels compared with those without intra-amniotic infection. There were no differences in gestational age, maternal age, parity, race, pH, or specific gravity between the two groups. Amniotic fluid NOx was significantly correlated with IL-6 (r = .4, P = .02). Both amniotic fluid NOx and IL-6 were also positively correlated with amniotic fluid leukocyte counts, leukocyte esterase activity and Gram stains, and negatively correlated with glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS Amniotic fluid NOx and IL-6 are significantly elevated and positively correlated during intra-amniotic infection. Both increased amniotic fluid IL-6 and nitric oxide may exert cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on the target cells. We suggest that measurements of amniotic fluid NOx and IL-6 may serve as useful clinical markers in patients with intra-amniotic infection.
Agreement between parents" and teachers" ratings of behavioral/emotional problems of children aged 4–12.

Parents' and teachers' reports of behavioral/emotional problems in 1161 children aged 4-12 from the general population and assessed via the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist were compared. Low to moderate agreement was found, with parents reporting more problems than teachers. Agreement was higher for externalizing problems than for internalizing problems and higher for children receiving special education than for those receiving regular education. Agreement was slightly higher for older than younger children. Sex of the child did not influence parent-teacher agreement. Teachers scored children higher on problems related to peer relations and on problems interfering with academic functioning, whereas parents scored their children higher on problems associated more strongly with externalizing than with internalizing syndromes.
Operator calculations in loop quantum gravity

Abstract In canonical quantum gravity we express various geometrical and physical quantities as non-local operators based on loops. The action of these operators leads to expressions which are evaluated with the aid of a specific loop calculus. The loop calculus is closely related to the recoupling theory of colored knots and links with trivalent vertices. We introduce the basic ingredients of the loop calculus and present few examples.
Insight into deficiencies associated with commonly used zero-thickness interface elements

Abstract Although they are widely used in the finite element analysis of geologic structures, zero-thickness interface elements possess certain fundamental deficiencies. In particular, spurious stress oscillations attributed to inappropriate quadrature schemes, lack of accuracy due to excessively large stiffness parameters, and inaccurate interface stress predictions due to insufficient mesh fineness have been cited in the past. In this paper the performance of two commonly used linear zero-thickness interface elements is examined in detail. Behavioral deficiencies that have not appeared in the literature are identified. Although some of these deficiencies are similar to phenomena previously noted for such elements, in the present case they are attributed to different factors. An improved linear zero-thickness interface element that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies is developed and its predictive capabilities critically assessed.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have shorter survival but superior endovascular outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective This study determined the effect of pulmonary disease on outcomes after endovascular abdominal (EVAR) and endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (eTAAA) repair. Methods A prospective study of high-risk patients undergoing EVAR and eTAAA repair between 1998 and 2009 was used to contrast clinical and endovascular outcomes between patients with (group 1) and without (group 2) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients were classified in accordance with the severity of their pulmonary disease using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Survival, morphologic changes, and complications were assessed using Cox models and life-table analyses. The cause and timing of deaths between the groups was compared. Results Of 905 patients analyzed, 289 (32%) had COPD (group 1) and the remaining patients (group 2) did not have COPD. EVAR was performed in 334 patients (37%), and fenestrated or branched devices were used in the remaining 571 (63%). Group 1 patients were younger (73.5 ± 6.7 vs 75.6 ± 8.2 years), had a better glomerular filtration rate (67.8 ± 25.8 vs 61.0 ± 23.3 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), had higher hematocrits (41.6 ± 5.0 vs 40.5 ± 4.6), and had more extensive aneurysms. Mean follow-up was 39.5 ± 30.9 months. Early (3% vs 3%) and late (2% vs 1%) aneurysm-related deaths were similar between the two groups. Survival in group 1 depended on the severity of disease. Survival in patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification I and II was similar to group 2. Those with classifications III and IV demonstrated lower survival rates. Relevant pulmonary function test variables included a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced expiratory flow in the middle 50%, which were associated with decreased survival. Surrogate endovascular outcome analyses demonstrated that group 1 patients had fewer endoleaks (20% vs 25%; P = .05) and more rapid sac shrinkage rate (1.66 mm/y difference; P Conclusions The perioperative risk of death between COPD patients and non-COPD patients is eliminated when endovascular techniques are used. Long-term survival in COPD patients is most strongly related to the severity of their disease, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced expiratory flow in the middle 50% are reasonable indicators of poor long-term outcomes. Morphologic changes after EVAR and eTAAA repair are more favorable in COPD patients, with a lower endoleak rate and faster sac shrinkage.
Volcanic geology of Tyrrhena Patera, Mars

Consideration is given to the geology of Tyrrhena Patera, a large low-relief volcano in the southern cratered highlands of Mars. The general geology of Tyrrhena Patera is outlined and models for the formation of the volcano are described. Models derived from studies of terrestrial pyroclastic flows are applied to deposits at Tyrrhena Patera, showing that the characteristics of the deposits are consistent with an origin by the emplacement of gravity-driven ash flows generated by hydromagmatic or magmatic explosive eruptions.
Magnetic properties of Ti stabilized Sm (Co, Fe)5 phases directly synthesized by selectively thermalized sputtering

Abstract A phase which contains only Sm, Ti and Fe has been synthesized in film form which exhibits an in the film plane intrinsic coercive force, iHc, of 24 kOe at room temperature. These samples were made by selectively thermalized sputtering as a part of a study of (Sm + Ti)(Fe, Co)5 samples in which the relative amounts of Sm to Ti as well as Fe to Co ratios have been varied. The use of Ti has allowed the synthesis of (Sm + Ti)(Fe, Co)5 films with up to 33 at% Fe replacement for Co. Films of this type have been synthesized which exhibit an in the film plane energy product of 15 MG Oe.
β-Adrenergic receptors: Evidence for negative cooperativity

Abstract The specific binding of [3H] (−)alprenolol to sites in frog erythrocyte membranes provides a tool for directly assessing ligand binding to adenylatecyclase coupled β-adrenergic receptors. Hill Plots of such binding data yield slopes (nH=“Hill Coefficients”) less than 1.0, suggesting that negatively cooperative interactions among the β-adrenergic receptors may occur. The existence of such negative cooperativity was confirmed by a direct kinetic method. The dissociation of receptor bound [3H] (−)alprenolol was studied under two conditions: 1) with dilution of the ligand-receptor complex sufficient to prevent rebinding of the dissociated tracer and 2) with this same dilution in the presence of excess unlabeled (−)alprenolol. If the sites are independent, the dissociation rates must be the same in both cases. However, the presence of (−)alprenolol increases the rate of [3H] (−)alprenolol dissociation, indicating that negatively cooperative interactions among the β-adrenergic receptor binding sites do occur.
Predicting the Effect of Cetane Improvers on Diesel Fuels

A composition-based model is presented that predicts the effect of cetane improver (specifically 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate) on the cetane number of diesel fuels. A total of 206 different diesel fuels were considered in this work containing varying amounts of improver. The fuels were chosen to span a wide range of compositions, from highly paraffinic to highly naphthenic and, in some cases, highly aromatic fuels. Improver concentrations were varied between 0 to 3500 ppm (v/v), which exceeds the usual commercial application range of 500–1000 ppm. Detailed molecular composition of all the fuels was analyzed using a combination of GC-MS and supercritical fluid chromatographic techniques, while cetane number measurements were made using an Ignition Quality Tester (IQT). Molecular composition was correlated to the cetane number (CN) boost using a simple correlative equation, derived from phenomenological considerations. The model predicts CN boost with a standard error of ±0.8 CN, which is within the experimental e...
Extent and duration of the 2003 Cascadia slow earthquake

[1] Inversion of continuous GPS measurements from the Pacific Northwest show the 2003 Cascadia slow earthquake to be among the largest of ten transients recognized here. Twelve stations bracketing slow slip indicate transient slip propagated bi-directionally from initiation in the southern Puget basin, reaching 300 km along-strike over a period of seven weeks. This event produced, for the first time, resolvable vertical subsidence, and horizontal displacement reaching six mm in southern Washington State. Inverted for non-negative thrust slip, a maximum of 3.8 cm of slip is inferred, centered at 28 km depth near the sharp arch in the subducting Juan de Fuca plate. Nearly all slip lies shallower than 38 km. Inverted slip shows a total moment release equal to Mw = 6.6 and a high degree of spatial localization rather than near-uniform slip. This suggests rupture concentrated along asperities holds for slow earthquakes as well as conventional events.