cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subacute penile numbness after brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract Purpose Penile numbness is a rare complication of permanent prostate brachytherapy, and optimal clinical management remains unclear. We present such a case and discuss pathophysiology and clinical management strategies. Methods and Materials A 68-year-old male presented with a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 6.9 ng/mL, Gleason score of 7 (3 + 4), and clinical T1c adenocarcinoma of the prostate. After a permanent prostate brachytherapy implant with 125I monotherapy to a dose of 145 Gy, the patient developed complete penile numbness postoperatively on the third day. Results The patient experienced complete restoration of penile sensation and function by postoperative day 9 with conservative management. Conclusions Subacute penile shaft numbness after brachytherapy is rare and is caused by dorsal penile nerve compression. Over the course of a week, the restoration of penile sensation is likely to occur with conservative management.
Effect of spatial smoothing on physiological noise in high-resolution fMRI

Abstract Physiological noise dominates the SNR of the fMRI time-course at commonly used spatial resolutions at field strengths of 3 T and above. Operating in this physiological noise dominated regime limits some benefits of high field acquisition since increases in image SNR produce only modest increases in time-course SNR. Although previous studies have shown that the physiological noise dominance can be mitigated by using higher spatial resolutions, not all functional studies require voxel sizes smaller than the thickness of the human cortex. In this study, we examine the effect of acquiring high spatial resolution, thermal noise dominated time-courses and spatially smoothing the images to lower resolutions, which would otherwise be physiological noise dominated. At high field strengths, where physiological noise is most problematic, this strategy lowered the overall time-course variance compared to direct acquisition at commonly used spatial resolution. At 7 T for example, 5 × 5 × 3 mm 3 resolution images derived from smoothing 1.5 × 1.5 × 3 mm 3 data improved time-course SNR by a factor of 1.89 compared to a time-series acquired at 5 × 5 × 3 mm 3 . Presumably, this effect was derived from the reduced physiological-to-thermal noise ratio in the high spatial resolution data followed by a smoothing operation that improves SNR without adding physiological noise. Our findings demonstrate that in contrast to conventional SNR penalties associated with spatially smoothing Fourier data, the time-course SNR of smoothed high-resolution data can be improved compared to direct acquisition at the desired resolution.
Comparison of Viscous Damping in Unsaturated Soils, Compression and Shear

Geophysical down-hole surveys can be used to measure the small strain dynamic properties of soils by the effects these properties have on wave propagation. The relevant effects include amplitude decay (corrected for beam divergence) and velocity dispersion. In this paper, down-hole data collected during the GeoInstitute's Denver 2000 field day are presented and analyzed as a Kelvin-Voigt solid. Findings for these unsaturated soils include viscous damping and stiffness which differ significantly for shear and compressional waves. A strong viscous damping is observed in compression, but weak damping is presented in shear. Lumped parameter constitutive models are discussed which mathematically represent the soil dynamics. It appears that, in the case of unsaturated soils, the relatively low level of viscous damping in shear may be explained by the low mass of the air in the pores. That is, it is difficult for inertial decoupling to occur between the soil frame and the pore fluid when the pore fluid (air) is of such low density. Thus, a pore fluid in coupled motion with the frame can not produce significant viscous drag. On the other hand, large viscous damping is observed for compressional waves. This larger damping may be due to the larger relative motions between air and frame which can be forced by compression of the frame matrix. These observations may be relevant in areas such as the design of driven piles and the estimation of potential for damages from vibrations due to construction.
Resting leptin responses to acute and chronic resistance training in type 2 diabetic men and women

Resting leptin responses to acute and chronic resistance training in type 2 diabetic men and women
Simulation and analysis of the dynamics of binary near-Earth Asteroid (66391) 1999 KW4

Near-Earth Asteroid (66391) 1999 KW4 was the subject of the recently published first extensive radar imaging, shape and mutual orbit modeling, and physical and dynamical characterization of a binary asteroid. In this paper we present in detail our numerical simulation of KW4 behind that work. Our propagations of the system with some variation in estimated parameters cover the set of KW4's possible current dynamical states consistent with the body models and other information obtained directly from the observations. We also apply our implementation of this simulation capability to address some of the dynamical mechanisms by which KW4 may be moved into the more energetically excited of those possible current states, particularly solar gravity interaction. Through comparison of the results with certain features of the observation data, we conclude that the actual KW4 system is not in the most energetically relaxed configuration but must be moderately excited. The system occupies a generalized Cassini state 2 which is different from that considered in most previously published treatments of Cassini states in that it involves co-precession of the primary's spin frame and the mutual orbit rather than co-precession of a satellite's spin frame and that satellite's orbit about the primary. We present a simple analytical theory describing the system's dynamics, which should be applicable to any other binary systems, of which KW4 is representative, in which a massive, roughly oblate primary is spinning rapidly relative to the rate of its mutual orbit with an on-average synchronous, elongated secondary. We examine separately both the effect of the larger binary component's oblateness, and the effect of the smaller component's roughly triaxial ellipsoid shape. The simple analytical formulae obtained agree with full-detail numerical simulation results, and can be used for remote estimation of binary mass properties from observed system motion.
Cortical Thickness and Folding Deficits in Conduct-Disordered Adolescents

Background Studies of pediatric conduct disorder (CD) have described frontal and temporal lobe structural abnormalities that parallel findings in antisocial adults. The purpose of this study was to examine previously unexplored cortical thickness and folding as markers for brain abnormalities in "pure CD"–diagnosed adolescents. On the basis of current frontotemporal theories, we hypothesized that CD youth would have thinner cortex or less cortical folding in temporal and frontal lobes than control subjects. Methods We obtained T1-weighted brain structure images from 24 control and 19 CD participants aged 12 to 18 years, matched by gender and age. We measured group differences in cortical thickness and local gyrification index (regional cortical folding measure) using surface-based morphometry with clusterwise correction for multiple comparisons. Results The CD participants, compared with control subjects, showed both reduced cortical thickness and folding. Thinner cortex was located primarily in posterior brain regions, including left superior temporal and parietal lobes, temporoparietal junction and paracentral lobule, right superior temporal and parietal lobes, temporoparietal junction, and precuneus. Folding deficits were located mainly in anterior brain regions and included left insula, ventro- and dorsomedial prefrontal, anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices, temporal lobe, right superior frontal and parietal lobes, and paracentral lobule. Conclusions Our findings generally agree with previous CD volumetric studies but here show the unique contributions of cortical thickness and folding to gray matter reductions in pure CD in different brain regions.
Interpretation of the Vibrational Spectra of Small Ring Systems: Matrix Isolation and Condensed Phase Studies of Perfluorocyclobutanone

Although the equilibrium structure of four-membered ring systems can be understood in terms of a balance between the ring-strain and torsional forces, the resulting conformation of fluorinated derivatives of cyclobutane is more difficult to quantify. For example, the introduction of a CF2 group in cyclobutane reduces the barrier to planarity from 503 cm−1 (c-C4H8) to 241 cm−1 (c-C4H6F2). Since a similar reduction in barrier heights has also been reported for trimethylene oxide and 3,3-difluoroxetane, efforts have been initiated to understand these changes by considering variations in the torsional forces for fluorine-containing cyclic and open chain molecules. To complement our work in this area, the present vibrational study of Perfluorocyclobutanone (c-C4F6O) was undertaken in order to determine the skeletal structure of this molecule.
External and internal control of fixed-ratio responding as assessed by stimulus compounding

In Phases 1 through 3 light or tone was correlated with the initial or terminal portions of fixed-ratio schedules in order to examine the control exerted by external and internal stimuli. Control was assessed by means of stimulus compounding: The stimuli correlated with the initial and terminal portions were combined during the initial and terminal portions of the schedule. Control was also assessed by removing the external stimuli entirely. In Phase 4 light or tone was correlated with the entire fixed ratio and a variable-duration time-out occurred after each ratio. Control was also assessed by combining light and tone. The results of the four phases generally suggested weak external control and much stronger internal control of fixed-ratio responding.
Bayesian Analysis via Gibbs Sampling of Susceptibility to Intramammary Infection in Holstein Cattle

Abstract A Bayesian analysis was undertaken to assess the susceptibility of Holsteins to mastitis from 120 to 305 d in milk. Data included 595 lactations from 267 cows. The response variable was presence or absence of intramammary infection; explanatory variables were period and season of calving, somatic cell score, and cow. The logistic model adopted had period and season of calving and the regression on somatic cell score with vague prior distributions, and cow effects had a normal prior with unknown variance σ u 2 , which, in turn, had a gamma prior. Implementation was by Gibbs sampling. Posterior densities of location parameters were unimodal and symmetric. The probability of intramammary infection of a sample cow was skewed. The posterior distribution of σ u 2 was skewed also. Gibbs samples of σ u 2 had high lag correlations, which gave an effective sample ranging between 47 and 117 from a chain of size 3000. There were differences between estimates of σ u 2 found using Gibbs sampling and those obtained using approximations. The low information content arising from the small size of the data and the binary nature of the response are reasons for such differences. A sensitivity analysis revealed influences of hyperparameters of the prior distribution of σ u 2 on inferences about this parameter.
Characteristics of Neutral and Deleterious Protein-Coding Variation among Individuals and Populations

Whole-genome and exome data sets continue to be produced at a frenetic pace, resulting in massively large catalogs of human genomic variation. However, a clear picture of the characteristics and patterns of neutral and deleterious variation within and between populations has yet to emerge, given that recent large-scale sequencing studies have often emphasized different aspects of the data and sometimes appear to have conflicting conclusions. Here, we comprehensively studied characteristics of protein-coding variation in high-coverage exome sequence data from 6,515 European American (EA) and African American (AA) individuals. We developed an unbiased approach to identify putatively deleterious variants and investigated patterns of neutral and deleterious single-nucleotide variants and alleles between individuals and populations. We show that there are substantial differences in the composition of genotypes between EA and AA populations and that small but statistically significant differences exist in the average number of deleterious alleles carried by EA and AA individuals. Furthermore, we performed extensive simulations to delineate the temporal dynamics of deleterious alleles for a broad range of demographic models and use these data to inform the interpretation of empirical patterns of deleterious variation. Finally, we illustrate that the effects of demographic perturbations, such as bottlenecks and expansions, often manifest in opposing patterns of neutral and deleterious variation depending on whether the focus is on populations or individuals. Our results clarify seemingly disparate empirical characteristics of protein-coding variation and provide substantial insights into how natural selection and demographic history have patterned neutral and deleterious variation within and between populations.
Geology of Principal Australia Coals and Coal Basins: A Review: ABSTRACT

Bituminous or subbituminous coals are known from nearly all parts of Australia. Those of greatest economic importance today are found in the Permian and Triassic Bowen and Galilee basins of Queensland and the Sydney-Bowen basin of New South Wales, with some coalfields of lesser significance in the Clarence-Moreton basin in Queensland and New South Wales. The lesser known fields also include the Permian Collie coalfield and Perth (Permian-Cretaceous) and Canning (Permian-Triassic) basins of Western Australia; the Bonaparte basin (Permian), mostly offshore in the Darwin area of Northern Territory and Western Australia; the shallow Permian coals of the large Arckaringa basin, and the smaller Triassic-Jurassic Leigh Creek basin in South Australia; the Early Cretaceous of the ippsland basin, Victoria; and the Permian and Triassic coals of the Tasmania basin, particularly the Fingal area. Structural, sedimentary, and paleobiologic features of the coal-bearing strata and regional trends of various coal characteristics of some of the principal economic or geologically interesting basins and coals are reviewed and illustrated. These include the Hail Creek syncline, Goonyella, Peak Downs, German Creek, Blackwater, Baralaba, Tolmeis and Moura Mines of the Bowen basin of Queensland and the unique Blair Athol mine at the far western edge of Bowen basin. In New South Wales these include the Hunter Valley area Singleton Coal Measures represented by the Foyebrook-Liddell Seam and Ravensworth mines; the Newcastle area; the Ulan Seam of the Goulburn Valley area; the weste n shelf area and Sydney-Wollongong region represented by the Illawarra (Permian) Coal Measures which are overlain by the thick Triassic Narrabean Series, Hawksbury Sandstone, and Wianamatta Group. A paleobiologic analysis of the thick brown coal sequences in the Yallourn, Latrobe Valley, and Bacchus Marsh areas of Victoria, and the significance of tectonics in the development of these great coal swamps will be reviewed. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1454------------
Contrast M-Mode Power Doppler Ultrasound in the Detection of Right-to-Left Shunts: Utility of Submandibular Internal Carotid Artery Recording

Cardiac right-to-left shunts (RLSs) can be detected by echocardiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). In patients without adequate transtemporal bone windows, results may be obtained by insonating extracranial arteries; however, the sensitivity and practicality of this approach is unknown. In 34 patients evaluated with echocardiography for RLSs, 73 studies were performed with unilateral, simultaneous contrast TCD (cTCD) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and submandibular power M-mode Doppler (PMD) ultrasound of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ecICA). The number of microbubble (MB) signals and their times of first appearance were determined. RLS volume was graded on 6 levels (I = trace, II = small, III = medium, IVa = large, IVb = shower, IVc = curtain) and compared between MCA and ecICA recordings. In 2 of 24 cTCD studies in 15 patients without evidence of RLSs on single-gated MCA monitoring, low-volume RLSs (grades I and II) were detected via ecICA insonation; in both, MB signatures were tracked in the ecICA, passing into the ipsilateral ACA. In 40 of 49 studies (26 patients) in which RLSs were demonstrated with single-gated MCA monitoring, more MBs were detected in the ecICA than the MCA, with either single-gated or M-mode images, with increases of 76.9% and 66.1%, respectively (P = .027). Compared to single-gated studies, M-mode technology detected nonsignificant increases in MB number in both the MCA and the ecICA (by 20.2% and 14.0%, respectively). Contrast PMD with cervical ICA recording is at least as sensitive and specific as the traditional MCA method in detecting RLSs; furthermore, this method seems to be more sensitive for low-volume RLSs (grades I-III) because of air MB decay (9.2%) and entry into the ipsilateral ACA (34.2%). This is in concordance with the increase of detected RLS grades observed in 32.7% of patients with echocardiography-documented RLSs. The authors therefore suggest the incorporation of ecICA PMD not only in patients with poor ultrasonic bone windows but also in every patient being evaluated for suspected RLSs.
Effect of the Molecular Size of Analytes on Polydiacetylene Chromism

The pH chromism of polydiacetylenes (PDAs) is examined with respect to the molecular size and acidity of acid analytes, along with the alkyl spacer length of primary-amine-functionalized diacetylene (DA) lipids. pH turns out to be an important parameter to charge amine headgroups of PDA but a change in pH does not necessarily result in a PDA color change. The molecular size of acid analytes is identified as another factor that can produce a configurational change in PDA amine headgroups, followed by perturbation of the ene–yne conjugated backbone. In addition, the length of a flexible alkyl spacer between the amine headgroup and the amide group of the diacetylene lipids is found to strongly affect the degree of PDA chromatic transition. The longer alkyl spacer shows a smaller chromatic transition from blue to red phase. The alkyl spacer seems to provide a certain degree of freedom to the amine headgroup, thus decreasing the transfer of headgroup steric effects to the PDA backbone. These correlations found for PDA chromism are applied to the development of a system that colorimetrically detects diethyl phosphate (DEP), a degraded nerve agent simulant. PDA liposomes show a selective chromatic transition upon binding with DEP compared to other acid analytes.
The role of nationality-specific characteristics on the settlement patterns of late nineteenth century immigrants☆

Abstract An extensive empirical literature has considered the settlement patterns in the United States of late 19th century European migrants. Migrants of different nationalities have been found to have displayed similar reactions to destination characteristics. Nevertheless, quantitative differences across the various nationalities' reactions have been found. This paper contends that these differences can be partially traced to the differences in the characteristics of the migrants themselves. These differences are categorized as (a) those dealing with the ability of the migrants to obtain reliable information, (b) those resulting from the occupational background of the migrant, and (c) those reflecting the motivation underlying the migration to America. A model of migrant settlement incorporating these factors is presented and estimated. The empirical results support the belief that the characteristics of the migrants partially account for the observed differences in observed behavior across the migrant nationalities.
Emissions from various biodiesel sources compared to a range of diesel fuels in DPF equipped diesel engines

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of various sources of petroleum-based and bio-based diesel fuels on regulated emissions and fuel economy in diesel particulate filter (DPF) equipped diesel engines. Two model year 2008 diesel engines were tested with nine fuels including a certification ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), local ULSD, high aromatic ULSD, low aromatic ULSD, and twenty percent blends of biodiesel derived from algae, camelina, soy, tallow, and yellow grease. Regulated emissions were measured over the heavy duty diesel transient test cycle. Measurements were also made of DPF-out particle size distribution and total particle count from a 13-mode steady state test using a fast mobility particle sizer. Test engines were a 2008 Cummins ISB and a 2008 International Maxx Force 10, both equipped with actively regenerated DPFs. Fuel consumption was roughly 2% greater over the transient test cycle for the B20 blends versus certification ULSD in both engines, consistent with the slightly lower energy content of biodiesel. Unlike studies conducted on older model engines, these engines equipped with diesel oxidation catalysts and DPFs showed small or no measurable fuel effect on the tailpipe emissions of total hydrocarbons (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM). No differences in particle size distribution or total particle count were seen in a comparison of certification ULSD and B20 soy, with the exception of engine idling conditions where B20 produced a small reduction in the number of nucleation mode particles. In the Cummins engine, B20 prepared from algae, camelina, soy, and tallow resulted in an approximately 2.5% increase in nitrogen oxides (NOx ) compared to the base fuel. The International engine demonstrated a higher degree of variability for NOx emissions, and fuel effects could not be resolved (p > 0.05). The group of petroleum diesel test fuels produced a range of NOx emissions very similar to that caused by blending of biodiesel. Test cycles where an active regeneration of the DPF occurred resulted in a nearly threefold increase in NOx emissions and a 15% increase in fuel consumption. The full quantification of DPF regeneration events further complicates the accurate calculation of fuel impacts on emissions and fuel consumption.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Cognition in patients with newly diagnosed brain metastasis: profiles and implications

Cognitive impairment is a common symptom in patients with brain metastasis, and significant cognitive dysfunction is prevalent in a majority of patients who are still able to engage in basic self-care activities. In the current study, the neurocognitive performance of 32 patients with brain metastasis and 32 demographically-matched controls was examined using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, with the goal of comprehensively examining the cognitive functioning of newly diagnosed brain metastasis patients. The cognition of all patients was assessed within 1 week of beginning treatment for brain metastasis. Results indicated impairments in verbal memory, attention, executive functioning, and language in relation to healthy controls. Performance in relation to appropriate normative groups was also examined. Overall, cognitive deficits were prevalent and memory was the most common impairment. Given that cognitive dysfunction was present in this cohort of patients with largely minimal functional impairment, these results have implications for patients, caregivers and health care providers treating patients with brain metastasis.
Cohort Study Design: An Underutilized Approach for Advancement of Evidence-Based and Patient-Centered Practice in Athletic Training

Objective: Providing patient-centered care requires consideration of numerous factors when making decisions that will influence a patient's health status. Background: Clinical decisions should be informed by relevant research evidence, but the literature often lacks pertinent information for problems encountered in routine clinical practice. Although a randomized clinical trial provides the best research design to ensure the internal validity of study findings, ethical considerations and the competitive culture of sport often preclude random assignment of patients or participants to a control condition. Clinical Advantages: A cohort study design and Bayesian approach to data analysis can provide valuable evidence to support clinical decisions. Dichotomous classification of both an outcome and 1 or more predictive factors permits quantification of the likelihood of occurrence of a specified outcome. Conclusions: Multifactorial prediction models can reduce uncertainty in clinical decision making and facilit...
Low-dose growth hormone administration mobilizes endothelial progenitor cells in healthy adults.

Abstract Objective Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) mobilize from the bone marrow secondary to a stimulus and home to sites of injury, where they differentiate into endothelial cells and contribute to the repair of damaged vasculature. We hypothesized that growth hormone (GH) administration would increase the number of circulating EPCs in adults and thereby represent a mechanism to enhance vascular health. Design A prospective trial of low-dose GH (0.03 mg/kg/week for 4 weeks followed by 0.06 mg/kg/week for a maximum of four additional weeks) in 10 healthy adults (6 males and 4 females; mean age 37 years, range 26–65). Primary outcomes measured included the number of circulating EPCs as assessed by colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and flow cytometry. Secondary outcomes included plasma measurements of known mediators of EPC mobilization and indices of nitric oxide (NO). Outcomes were measured at baseline and at study completion. Results GH administration increased serum IGF-1 (143 ng/mL [IQR 121–164] to 222 [IQR 194–244]; P = 0.005). The increase in early-outgrowth EPCs (13 CFU per high-power field [IQR 6–24] to 19 [IQR 13–40]; P = 0.005) correlated with the peak IGF-1 after adjustment for the baseline number of early-outgrowth EPCs ( r = 0.719 [95% CI 0.06, 0.93]; P = 0.027). The number of late-outgrowth EPCs as well as CD34+, VEGFR2(KDR)+, and AC133+ cells did not significantly change. Other mediators of EPC mobilization were stable while plasma nitrite trended upwards (1.3 μmol/L [IQR 0–2.5] to 3.7 [IQR 2.2–8.9]; P = 0.052). Conclusions GH administration selectively augments the early-outgrowth EPC population in healthy individuals. These findings both support GH replacement in the setting of GH deficiency to maintain vascular integrity and have implications for the use of GH in future regenerative cell-based therapies. Furthermore, the decrease in EPCs observed with aging may in part be explained by the declining somatotropic axis, and thereby contribute to cardiovascular senescence.
Evil: A challenge to philosophy and theology

Extended Introduction by Graham Ward Preface by Pierre Gisel 1. The experience of evil 2. The levels of discussion and discourse on evil 3. Thinking, acting, feeling.
Putting People at the Center of Climate Change Adaptation Plans: A Vulnerability Approach

The majority of research and writing on climate change and planning focuses on mitigation, reducing emissions and climate change impacts over long time cycles. However, the realization that human settlements will see immediate and near-term impacts, regardless of emissions reductions, has given urgency to questions about how communities will adapt. We are interested in municipal level adaptation plans: “incipient plans” where implementation has either just begun or not even started, and evaluation and rethinking belong to the future. Our intention is to inform this process. We reviewed more than a dozen municipal and regional climate change and adaptation planning processes, and selected six to examine further. Our case selection includes plans from coastal and inland cities, both large and small, and all but one are from counties amongst the most vulnerable in the U.S. We found that while mitigation of green house gases (GHGs), which is important and necessary, was central to all plans, adaptation strategies were not considered to the same extent or left out completely. We argue that an adaptation strategy that uses a vulnerability approach can be the most effective way to assess climate risk because it puts people and communities at the center of the analysis; helps planners and policy makers to design adaptation strategies that will reduce suffering in local areas while making effective use of scarce resources; and enables better coordination among different elements of planning. To be efficient and effective, adaptation plans must be generated at different scales and must downscale climate information to a local level. Most importantly, the first step in adaptation planning must be to understand vulnerability and the full range of variables that contribute to it. We conclude by suggesting that cities must integrate climate action strategies into their long-range Comprehensive Plans to take full advantage of the targeting and coordination possibilities that a vulnerability approach offers.
Gas chromatographic determination of airborne residues of azinphosmethyl and azinphosmethyl-oxon by cool on-column injection

Abstract Gas chromatographic determination of azinphosmethyl and its thermally labile metabolite, azinphosmethyl-oxon, can be achieved with cool on-column injection and element-specific flame photometric detection. This paper presents a method of analysis for airborne residues of azinphosmethyl and azinphosmethyl-oxon in XAD-4 resin extracts using cool on-column injection. Calculated limits of quantitation for the analytical method are 8.1 ng/m3 for azinphosmethyl and 10.2 ng/m3 for azinphosmethyl-oxon. Average percentage recovery and percentage relative standard deviations for 10 replicates were 93±18% for azinphosmethyl and 104±16% for the oxon. This analytical method is rapid, robust and requires a minimum of gas chromatograph injection port maintenance.
Does Treatment Schedule Matter? Once Daily versus Divided Doses of 5-ASAs

Sulfasalazine was the first 5-ASA used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). Because of tolerability issues, it was administered in a three times a day schedule in order to try to minimize side effects. With the development of sulfa-free 5-ASA products, the controlled trials used historical clinical experience and in vitro pharmacokinetic studies to dose their therapies to perhaps be in the most favorable light possible. However, it became clear over the years that outside of the context of a clinical trial, t.i.d. or even q.i.d. dosing led to lower patient satisfaction and overall adherence. Research demonstrated that upwards of 40% of patients were not taking their maintenance 5-ASA, and many patients cited unintentional forgetfulness as the reason. It became clear that simplifying the regimen was paramount for acceptable outcomes. Early pilot data and then controlled trials demonstrated the efficacy and safety of twice daily 5-ASA for active and quiescent UC. Now several large controlled trials demonstrate the non-inferiority and increased patient adherence and satisfaction with once daily dosing. MMX mesalamine was the first 5-ASA to receive US FDA approval in a once daily regimen. Results from the PODIUM and QDIEM trials have demonstrated acceptable effectiveness rates with favorable side effect profiles. Adherence rates remain high in real-world settings when medication is given once daily and data now suggest that once daily may be more effective than more frequently. It thus appears that the majority of patients with UC, whether with active or quiescent disease, can be treated with once daily 5-ASA.
Intermediate-Term Declines in Seismicity at Mt. Wrangell and Mt. Veniaminof Volcanoes, Alaska, following the 3 November 2002 Mw 7.9 Denali Fault Earthquake

The M w 7.9 Denali fault earthquake ruptured segments of the Susitna Glacier, Denali, and Totschunda faults in central Alaska, providing a unique opportunity to look for intermediate-term (weeks to months) responses of active volcanoes to shaking from a large earthquake. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (avo) monitors 24 volcanoes with seismograph networks. We examined one station per volcano. Digitally-filtered data for the period four weeks before to four weeks after the mainshock were plotted at a standard scale. Mt. Wrangell, the closest volcano to the epicenter (247 km), had a background rate of 16 events/day. For the following 30 days, however, its seismicity rate dropped by 50%. Mt. Veniaminof (1400 km from the epicenter) had a rate of 8 seismic events/day, but suffered a drop in seismicity by 80% after the maishock; this may have lasted for 15 days. The seismicity at both volcanoes is dominated by long-period seismic events. With the exception of Martin and Novarupta volcanoes, the other 20 volcanoes showed no changes in seismicity attributable to the Denali fault earthquake. We conclude that the changes in seismicity observed are real, and are related to the Denali fault earthquake. These seismicity drops are in strong contrast to cases of short-term triggered seismicity increases observed at other volcanic systems such as Martin-Novarupta, Mt. Rainier, Yellowstone, Mammoth Mountain, and The Geysers, Coso and Cerro Prieto (Mexico) geothermal fields. This suggests that fundamentally different mechanisms may be acting to modify seismicity at volcanoes.
Grasping the Commercial Institutional Peace

While the commercial institutional peace research program provides empirical evidence that international institutions, especially preferential trade arrangements, help reduce the incidence of militarized inter-state conflict, it fails to delineate clearly how such institutions matter. Building from the logic that low opportunity costs for fighting, private information, and commitment problems constitute important causes of war, this article explores three interrelated causal mechanisms. First, the state leaders' increased expectations about future commerce create an incentive for these actors to consider peaceful bargains as an alternative to costly war. Second, security coordination under the umbrella of a commercial institution provides fuller information about state military capabilities, thus making inter-state bargaining for dispute resolution more efficient. Third, in bringing together high-level state leaders on a regular basis, commercial institutions may create the trust necessary to overcome commitment problems in inter-state bargaining. I explore how these mechanisms have operated within the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Economic Community of West African States.
Why screen for functional disability in elderly persons

Excerpt Function, the ability to manage daily routines, is a major concern of the elderly patient. Functional assessment, therefore, is an integral part of proper geriatric care. But an older perso...
Inflammation and melanoma growth and metastasis: The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its receptor

An inflammatory tumor microenvironment fosters tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastatic progression. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an inflammatory biolipid produced from membrane glycerophospholipids. Through the activity of its G-protein coupled receptor, PAF triggers a variety of pathological reactions including tumor neo-angiogenesis. Several groups have demonstrated that inhibiting PAF-PAF receptor pathway at the level of a ligand or receptor results in an effective inhibition of experimental tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, our group has recently demonstrated that PAF receptor antagonists can effectively inhibit the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells in nude mice. Furthermore, we showed that PAF stimulated the phosphorylation of CREB and ATF-1 in metastatic melanoma cells, which resulted in overexpression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP. Our data indicate that PAF acts as a promoter of melanoma metastasis in vivo. Since only metastatic melanoma cells overexpress CREB/ATF-1, we propose that these cells are better equipped to respond to PAF within the tumor microenvironment when compared to their non-metastatic counterparts.
A model for ‘reverse innovation’ in health care

‘Reverse innovation,’ a principle well established in the business world, describes the flow of ideas from emerging to more developed economies. There is strong and growing interest in applying this concept to health care, yet there is currently no framework for describing the stages of reverse innovation or identifying opportunities to accelerate the development process. This paper combines the business concept of reverse innovation with diffusion of innovation theory to propose a model for reverse innovation as a way to innovate in health care. Our model includes the following steps: (1) identifying a problem common to lower- and higher-income countries; (2) innovation and spread in the low-income country (LIC); (3) crossover to the higher-income country (HIC); and (4) innovation and spread in the HIC. The crucial populations in this pathway, drawing from diffusion of innovation theory, are LIC innovators, LIC early adopters, and HIC innovators. We illustrate the model with three examples of current reverse innovations. We then propose four sets of specific actions that forward-looking policymakers, entrepreneurs, health system leaders, and researchers may take to accelerate the movement of promising solutions through the reverse innovation pipeline: (1) identify high-priority problems shared by HICs and LICs; (2) create slack for change, especially for LIC innovators, LIC early adopters, and HIC innovators; (3) create spannable social distances between LIC early adopters and HIC innovators; and (4) measure reverse innovation activity globally.
Probabilistic estimation of numbers and costs of future landslides in the San Francisco Bay region

We used historical records of damaging landslides triggered by rainstorms and a newly developed Probabilistic Landslide Assessment Cost Estimation System (PLACES) to estimate the numbers and direct costs of future landslides in the 10-county San Francisco Bay region. Historical records of damaging landslides in the region are incomplete. Therefore, our estimates of numbers and costs of future landslides are minimal estimates. The estimated mean annual number of future damaging landslides for the entire 10-county region is about 65. Santa Cruz County has the highest estimated mean annual number of damaging future landslides (about 18), whereas Napa, San Francisco, and Solano Counties have the lowest estimated mean numbers of damaging landslides (about 1 each). The estimated mean annual cost of future landslides in the entire region is about US $14.80 million (year 2000 $). The estimated mean annual cost is highest for San Mateo County ($3.24 million) and lowest for Solano County ($0.18 million). The annual...
A Policy-Based Accountability Tool for Grid Computing Systems

The dynamic and multi-organizational nature of Grid systems requires effective and efficient accountability systems to scale for accommodating large number of users and resources. The availability of detailed and complete accountability data is crucial for both the Grid administrators and the overall Grid community. In this paper we present a layered architecture for addressing the end-to-end accountability problem. We introduce the concept of accountability agents, entities in charge of collecting accountability data, keeping track of submitted jobs and their users. We present a simple yet effective language to specify the relevant accountability data to be collected and selectively distributed by the accountability agents. Additionally, we design a decentralized and scalable approach to accountability, so to be able to monitor jobs workflow with relatively little intrusion.
Systematic Evaluation of Scaling Methods for Gene Expression Data

Even after an experimentally prepared gene expression data set has been pre-processed to account for variations in the microarray technology, there may be inconsistencies between the scales of measurements in different conditions. This may happen for reasons such as the accumulation of gene expression data prepared by different laboratories into a single data set. A variety of scaling and transformation methods have been used for addressing these scale inconsistencies in different studies on the analysis of gene expression data sets. However, a quantitative estimation of their relative performance has been lacking. In this paper, we report an extensive evaluation of scaling and transformation methods for their effectiveness with respect to the important problem of protein function prediction. We consider several such commonly used methods for gene expression data, such as z-score scaling, quantile normalization, diff transformation, and two new scaling methods, sigmoid and double sigmoid, that have not been used previously in this domain to the best of our knowledge. We show that the performance of these methods can vary significantly across data sets, but Dsigmoid scaling and z-score transformation generally perform well for the two types of gene expression data, namely temporal and non-temporal, respectively.
Cholinesterase inhibition in meadow voles (Microtus Pennsylvanicus) following field applications of orthene

Brain acetylcholinesterase activity in field-caught meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) was depressed after a field-spray of Orthene® (acephate: acetylphosphoramidothioic acid O,S-dimethyl ester) by as much as 32% in 1982 and 38% in 1983. Short-term recovery was demonstrated and occurred in a time-dependent fashion in 1982. Plasma Cholinesterase levels were more variable but also were depressed. Residues were detected in vegetation samples and in the gastrointestinal tracts of exposed voles. Residues in vegetation were diluted or absent 7 to 8 d following the treatment.
Robust Analysis for Wireless Sensor Networks under Distance Uncertainty

The distance between nodes in a wireless sensor network (WSN) can be determinant in the effectiveness of many applications. However, in many cases the distance values are subject to uncertainty as they might have been indirectly estimated through signal strength or have changed because of node movement. In this paper we propose optimization models that account for this uncertainty in distance for an important design and operating problem in WSNs, yielding solutions that are insensitive to this uncertainty. We consider the problem of minimizing the energy consumed to transmit a given amount of information through a WSN. We formulate this problem with distance uncertainty using the robust optimization methodology and show that solving for the robust solution is just as difficult as solving the deterministic problem. Our computational results show that as the uncertainty increases a robust solution for this problem provides a significant improvement in worst case performance at the expense of a small loss in optimality when compared to the optimal solution of a fixed scenario. We further investigate the performance of the robust solution in practice and its sensitivity of different problem parameters.
Design of ultra-broadband loaded monopoles

The authors develop two approaches for the design of ultra-broadband loaded monopole antennas for spread-spectrum communication. The first of these, designated as the conventional design, utilizes several parallel L-C circuits that are initially placed along the monopole such that the effective electrical length of the antenna remains approximately one-quarter wavelength over the frequency range of interest. This method is based upon a two step procedure: (1) design a loaded antenna that meets the gain requirements; and, (2) devise its matching network to obtain the desired VSWR. The second method uses a genetic algorithm to design both the loaded monopole and the matching network simultaneously in an optimal manner. >
Applying the 3M Model of Personality and Motivation to Adventure Travelers

More than a decade has passed since the Travel Industry Association investigated adventure travel as a promising market. Despite growth in the adventure industry, studies of adventure travelers remain scarce, particularly in the identification of the psychological underpinnings of consumer adventurers. Mowen’s (2000) 3M Model of Motivation and Personality provided an organizing framework to explain the psychological roots of adventure tourism behavior. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to a random sample (N = 1000) of National Geographic Adventure magazine subscribers with a response rate (n = 339) of 34%. Guttman Scaling Procedure was employed to categorize respondents in hard and soft adventure traveler categories as a context for understanding the demographic and travel behavior characteristics. The personality trait interest in cultural experiences was a consistent predictor of adventure travel propensity for hard and soft adventure traveler groups. The traits need for arousal and need for ...
Sister Vascular Anomalies in the Nongravid Uterus: Arteriovenous Malformation Versus Arteriovenous Fistula

Uterine arteriovenous malformation and arteriovenous fistula are rare vascular lesions that have only recently been described in literature. They are two differentials in reproductive-age women wit...
Therapy for diastolic heart failure.

There is little objective to guide the therapy of patients with diastolic heart failure. Beacuse of the similarities of pathophysiology abnormalities in diastolic and systolic heart failure, it is a reasonable inference to suggest that the proven therapy for systolic heart failure may also be of benefit in patients with diastolic heart failure. Treatment of underlying or exacerbating conditions in diastolic heart failure, such as hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemia, diabetes, anemia, obesity and pulmonary disease is an important means of managing diastolic heart failure. Control of systolic blood pressure is effective in improving and preventing the development of diastolic heart failure. Treament of diastolic heart failure is most effective when it is associated with hypertension. Production of systolic arterial pressure acutely reduces pulmonary congestion, ischemia, and chronically may lead to regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients with diastolic heart failure in the absence of hypertension are very difficult to treat.