cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overcoming Inertia: Why It’s Time to End the War in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan has become America’s longest war not because U.S. security interests necessitate it, nor because the battlefield realities are insurmountable, but because of inertia. Policymakers have shied away from hard truths, fallen victim to specious cognitive biases, and allowed the mission to continue without clear intentions or realistic objectives. Although the American people are substantially insulated from the sacrifices incurred by this distant war, the reality is that the United States can’t win against the Taliban at a remotely acceptable cost. Almost two decades in, the insurgency is as strong as ever, and the U.S.-backed Kabul regime is weak and mired in corruption. And while official assessments of the conflict have long acknowledged it as a stalemate, top military leaders have consistently misled the public and advised elected civilians to devote greater resources to achieve victory. In refusing to end the war, policymakers have succumbed to the sunk cost fallacy, believing that redoubling efforts would make good on spent resources and ensure that costs already borne were not expended in vain. They also have entertained the spurious notion that withdrawing from a lost war would harm America’s credibility. But the most pervasive myth that has prevented policymakers from ending the war is that a victorious Taliban would provide a haven for transnational terrorist groups to launch attacks against the United States. Not only does this exaggerate the terrorism threat, but it ignores the Taliban’s evident disinterest in once again making Afghanistan a home base for international jihadists. There has been progress on negotiations, and a full political settlement built around a cease-fire and a withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan is within reach — but only if policymakers are willing to make significant concessions to the Taliban and to dispense with erroneous rationales for continuing the fight.
Rhetoric and Reality: Augustine and Pope Francis on Preaching Christ and the Poor:

In an age when rhetoric about alleviating conditions of poverty is rightly suspect, this study offers a reassessment of the power of non-modern, christological rhetoric through parallel examples of...
Doesn't Everybody Want to Be Healthy?

Recently, I was talking with someone and picked up on a common judgment that I often hear that implies that adopting healthy behaviors is simple; therefore, when someone is not engaging in a healthy lifestyle, there must be a lack of desire to be healthy. She stated that people with diabetes “just don’t want to be healthy—push away from the table and get some exercise!” I internally winced and engaged this young woman, sharing with her that I start with some basic assumptions that help me to avoid judgment. She was listening as I stated, “I believe everybody wants to be healthy.” She rolled her eyes and I could tell I was on the verge of losing her. I persevered. “We may not necessarily do what leads to health, but we aren’t trying to be unhealthy,” I said. She reflexively nodded. In …
2671 Lefort Colpocleisis

Video Objective To present the technical considerations and pearls to performing a LeFort Colpocleisis. Setting Patient is a 76 year old female with history of a vaginal bulge for the past 6 months and a failed pessary trial. She also reports urge-predominant mixed urinary incontinence with worsening stress urinary incontinence with reduction of the pelvic organ prolapse. She is not sexually active and does not plan on any future sexual activity. She does not have any abnormal pap smears and denies postmenopausal bleeding. Her past medical history is significant for multiple comorbid conditions including cardiac issues with a pacemaker, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes. Her past surgical history is complicated by aortic valve replacement (porcine valve), tubal ligation and a left total knee replacement. On exam she has a Stage IV uterine, anterior and posterior compartment prolapse with positive occult stress urinary incontinence. Urodynamic studies reveal stress urinary incontinence, no detrusor overactivity and an elevated post void residual (125 ml after 241 ml void). She was counseled regarding management options including conservative options (observation or repeat pessary trial), restorative procedures (vaginal vault suspension or sacrocolpopexy), or an obliterative procedure such as a LeFort Colpocleisis. Interventions The patient opted for a LeFort Colpocleisis. She underwent a Dilation and curettage, a LeFort colpocleisis, Posterior colpoperineorrhaphy, Cystoscopy and a Midurethral Sling Placement. Conclusion The technical considerations for performing a LeFort Colpocleisis include ruling out malignancy prior to surgery, adequate lateral channels for uterine drainage, the use of lidocaine with epinephrine, closure in multiple layers with excellent hemostasis and an aggressive posterior colpoperineorrhaphy.
A phase II clinical trial of lenalidomide intensification in patients with serologic/asymptomatic progression of multiple myeloma while on lenalidomide maintenance: a tri-state transplant consortium study

The standard first line therapy for patients with multiple myeloma includes three phases: An initial induction therapy followed by consolidation with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (...
LCAart: Communicating industrial ecology at a human scale

This Forum piece describes a collaborative project between engineering and architecture to visualize some of the most influential results from industrial ecology using human‐scale, photorealistic images that are quantitatively accurate. Our goal was to apply visualization theories and practices from art and architecture to address a major communication problem in our field: though inspirational in concept, in practice much industrial ecology research is difficult to comprehend for the average person. Models are large and complex, metrics are esoteric, and results are often reported on a scale that is devoid of personal meaning. Our strategy was to place hidden flows and embodied emissions in plain sight, creating images that show the environmental implications of consumption as absurd insertions into scenes of daily life, at a scale that is relatable and personally meaningful. We also compare with and discuss other artistic efforts around the world in the oeuvre of “Consumption Art,” providing historical context. Industrial ecology envisions a world where production systems can incorporate social and environmental implications in real‐time, where policy is informed by our best understanding of trade‐offs and inequities, and where the public has an appreciation for what actions are meaningful, all with the goals of improving quality of life for all while safeguarding the environment and human health. Effective communication of our research is vital to build consensus for policy and action toward this vision, and one under‐appreciated aspect of communication in our field is the sympathetic power of Art.
Seed and Soil: Psychological Affordances in Contexts Help to Explain Where Wise Interventions Succeed or Fail.

Psychologically “wise” interventions can cause lasting improvement in key aspects of people’s lives, but where will they work, and where will they not work? We consider the psychological affordance...
Chronic and Acute Coastal Flood Risks to Assets and Communities in Southeast Florida

AbstractChronic and acute coastal flood risks in Miami-Dade County are assessed over the range of sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios for the coming decades. The HAZUS-MH coastal flood hazard modeling a...
Design and rationale for a randomized trial of a theory- and technology- enhanced physical activity intervention for Latinas: The Seamos Activas II study.

Abstract Introduction Latina women report disproportionately high rates of physical inactivity and related chronic health conditions. Physical activity (PA) efforts to date have shown modest success in this at-risk population; thus, more effective interventions are necessary to help Latinas reach national PA guidelines and reduce related health disparities. This paper describes the design, rationale, and baseline findings from the Seamos Activas II intervention. Methods/Design The ongoing RCT will test the efficacy of the Seamos Saludables PA print intervention vs. a theory-and technology-enhanced version (Seamos Activas II). The purpose of the study is to increase the percentage of Latinas meeting the national PA guidelines compared to the prior trial, improve biomarkers related to disease, and extend generalizability to a broader and more representative population of Latinas (i.e. Mexican/Mexican-Americans). Intervention refinements included further targeting key constructs of Social Cognitive Theory, and incorporating interactive text message-based self-monitoring strategies. The primary outcome is change in minutes per week of MVPA measured by ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers at 6- and 12-months. Secondary PA outcomes assessed by the 7-Day PA Recall will be used to corroborate findings. Results Participants (N = 199) are Latinas 18–65 years (mean = 43.8) of predominantly Mexican origin (89%). At baseline, objectively measured MVPA was 39.51 min/week (SD = 71.20, median = 10) and self-reported MVPA was 12.47 min/week (SD = 22.54, median = 0).Participants reported generally low self-efficacy and higher cognitive vs. behavioral processes of change. Conclusion Addressing interactivity and accountability through text messaging, and more rigorously targeting theoretical constructs may be key to helping Latinas achieve nationally recommended PA levels and thereby reducing health disparities.
Soggetti nomadi alla ricerca delle Terre promesse (2017) di Milena Agus

Una delle interpreti di maggior successo della Primavera Letteraria Sarda e della narrativa italiana contemporanea al femminile, Milena Agus offre nel suo ultimo romanzo, Terre promesse, un’espress...
Americans’ Economic Rights

America is predominantly a capitalist nation with a safety net for the economically less fortunate, so decisions influencing who gets what, when, how, and why can be critical economic issues in politics and law. Relying on McCloskey’s theory of the three constitutional eras, we show that the Marshall Court relied on economic rights to bolster federal power, the Court from Chief Justice Taney to the Great Depression permitted business rights to flourish as the nation increasingly became industrialized, and Court decisions since the New Deal have emphasized individual civil rights as well as economic rights in a more regulated economy.
The Role of Chloroplast Membrane Lipid Metabolism in Plant Environmental Responses

Plants are nonmotile life forms that are constantly exposed to changing environmental conditions during the course of their life cycle. Fluctuations in environmental conditions can be drastic during both day-night and seasonal cycles, as well as in the long term as the climate changes. Plants are naturally adapted to face these environmental challenges, and it has become increasingly apparent that membranes and their lipid composition are an important component of this adaptive response. Plants can remodel their membranes to change the abundance of different lipid classes, and they can release fatty acids that give rise to signaling compounds in response to environmental cues. Chloroplasts harbor the photosynthetic apparatus of plants embedded into one of the most extensive membrane systems found in nature. In part one of this review, we focus on changes in chloroplast membrane lipid class composition in response to environmental changes, and in part two, we will detail chloroplast lipid-derived signals.
Automated In-Process Inspection System for AFP Machines (2015-01-2608)

In many existing AFP cells manual inspection of composite plies accounts for a large percentage of production time. Next generation AFP cells can require an even greater inspection burden. The industry is rapidly developing technologies to reduce inspection time and to replace manual inspection with automated solutions. Electroimpact is delivering a solution that integrates multiple technologies to combat inspection challenges. The approach integrates laser projectors, cameras, and laser profilometers in a comprehensive user interface that greatly reduces the burden on inspectors and decreases overall run time. This paper discusses the implementation of each technology and the user interface that ties the data together and presents it to the inspector.
Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Lemborexant, a Dual Receptor Orexin Antagonist (DORA), in the Treatment of Adults With Insomnia Disorder.

ObjectiveTo provide an overview of the efficacy and safety of lemborexant in the treatment of insomnia disorder by assessing the currently available literature.Data SourcesA literature search of Pu...
The importance of incorporating risk into human-automation trust

A key psychological component of interactions in both human-human and human-automation relationships is trust. Although trust has repeatedly been conceptualized as having a component of risk, the r...
The KCNQ/M-current modulates arterial baroreceptor function at the sensory terminal in rats.

The ion channels responsible for the pattern and frequency of discharge in arterial baroreceptor terminals are, with few exceptions, unknown. In this study we examined the contribution of KCNQ potassium channels that underlie the M-current to the function of the arterial baroreceptors. Labelled aortic baroreceptor neurons, immunohistochemistry and an isolated aortic arch preparation were used to demonstrate the presence and function of KCNQ2, KCNQ3 and KCNQ5 channels in aortic baroreceptors. An activator (retigabine) and an inhibitor (XE991) of the M-current were used to establish a role for these channels in setting the resting membrane potential and in regulating the response to ramp increases in arterial pressure. Retigabine raised the threshold for activation of arterial baroreceptors and shifted the pressure–response curve to higher aortic pressures. XE991, on the other hand, produced an increase in excitability as shown by an increase in discharge at elevated pressures as compared to control. We propose that KCNQ2, KCNQ3 and KCNQ5 channels provide a hyperpolarizing influence to offset the previously described depolarizing influence of the HCN channels in baroreceptor neurons and their terminals.
Causal Analysis and Inductive Learning

PUPS learning mechanisms center around the representation of causal relationships between objects or events. These learning mechanisms involve (1) a set of principles for inducing causal relationships in absence of a domain theory; (2) a set of analogical mechanisms for extrapolating the causal analysis of one situation in order to predict or problem solve in another situation; and (3) compilation procedures for turning these extrapolations into general production rules. These learning mechanisms are illustrated with respect to a detailed example from the algebra tutor where they do a good job of reproducing the instructionless learning we observe of students.
Family of projected descent methods for optimization problems with simple bounds

This paper presents a family of projected descent direction algorithms with inexact line search for solving large-scale minimization problems subject to simple bounds on the decision variables. The global convergence of algorithms in this family is ensured by conditions on the descent directions and line search. Whenever a sequence constructed by an algorithm in this family enters a sufficiently small neighborhood of a local minimizer ○ satisfying standard second-order sufficiency conditions, it gets trapped and converges to this local minimizer. Furthermore, in this case, the active constraint set at ○ is identified in a finite number of iterations. This fact is used to ensure that the rate of convergence to a local minimizer, satisfying standard second-order sufficiency conditions, depends only on the behavior of the algorithm in the unconstrained subspace. As a particular example, we present projected versions of the modified Polak–Ribiere conjugate gradient method and the limited-memory BFGS quasi-Newton method that retain the convergence properties associated with those algorithms applied to unconstrained problems.
Advanced Gasoline Engine Turbocharging Technology for Fuel Economy Improvements

Data on several hundred family sedan production vehicles over a ten-year period are analyzed to compare turbocharged with non-turbocharged engines. It is shown that for the same power turbocharging enables gasoline engine downsizing by about 30%, improves fuel economy by 8-10% while improving torque and acceleration performance. Data with experimental turbocharged, downsized gasoline engines also shows that in the same vehicle, for the same power and performance, downsized turbocharged engines can give about 18% improvement in fuel economy. The paper discusses these data and analyzes the benefits of engine downsizing and turbocharging and the possible mechanisms of these effects. It is shown that the same basic small engine can be turbocharged using a wide range of turbocharger matching to cover a power range normally covered by 4-5 engine families of progressively increasing displacement. Thus additional benefits can be obtained by rationalizing the engine product lines. Advanced turbocharging technology for gasoline engines is discussed including cold start emissions (catalyst light-off), high temperature materials, variable geometry mechanisms and electrically assisted turbocharging. It is shown that these technologies combined with an appropriate control logic can yield great benefits in driveability while at the same time giving all the fuel economy, weight and packaging benefits of engine downsizing.
Risk Behavior and Family Role Transitions During the Twenties

Family role transitions (marriage and parenthood) were examined in relation to risk behavior (risky driving, substance use, and risky sexual behavior) among 140 people aged 21–28. Being married and having had one or more children tended to be inversely related to reported participation in risk behavior. These relationships appeared to be mediated in part by sensation seeking and religiosity: sensation seeking and religiosity were found to be related to a variety of types of risk behavior, and people who were relatively low in sensation seeking and relatively high in religiosity were more likely to be married and have children. Different types of risk behavior were moderately to highly correlated, suggesting an interrelated syndrome of risk behavior in the twenties. Prevalence rates of risk behavior were consistent with previous studies showing most types of risk behavior to be highly prevalent in the twenties.
The relationship between mismatched base pairs and the thermal stability of DNA duplexes. I. Effects of depurination and chain scission.

Abstract The effect of depurination and chain scission on the thermal stability of DNA · DNA duplexes was studied. Escherichia coli DNA was subjected to limited depurination followed by alkaline hydrolysis at the points of purine loss. These modified single-strands were annealed alone or in the presence of excess unmodified DNA. The thermal stability of the annealed duplexes was measured in three ways to permit estimation of the effect of the changes on the stability of the DNA double strands. The reduction in thermal stability is linearly related to the percentage of lesions and the slope of this relationship is approximately the same for depurination and for chain scission.
Control and Operation Cost Optimization of the Hiss Cryogenic System

The Heavy Ion Spectrometer System (HISS) relies upon superconducting coils of cryostable design to provide a particle bending field of 3 tesla. A previous paper described1 the cryogenic facility including helium refrigeration and gas management. This paper discusses a control strategy which has allowed full time unattended operation and significanta operating cost reductions. Liquid nitrogen consumption at the magnet has been reduced 65% by using the sensible heat available in the nitrogen exhaust gas. Operating the heat intercept on the coil supports at temperatures above 80K increases the heat load on the 4K system — this particular system required an additional 10% compressor power input to compensate. The result is a net savings on the overall operating cost. Electrical costs have been reducedb by negotiating off peak interruptible power. Frequent manual transfers between power transformers have been trouble free. 10,000 operating hours have been logged to date.
Media Representation of Human Trafficking in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada

This study examines whether the media have represented a broad range of ideas in their coverage of human trafficking. Theories of media framing and media coverage of foreign policy suggest that viewpoints on trafficking will have been voiced mostly by official and other establishment sources. A content analysis of the coverage of human trafficking in six quality newspapers in the United States, Great Britain and Canada between 2000 and 2005 shows that only a limited range of viewpoints have been presented. The coverage mostly has conceptualized human trafficking in terms of sex trafficking, relied on official sources, presented the view that criminal activity has been the primary cause for trafficking, and that the main way to combat trafficking is to build on current policy. While the coverage has served to legitimize the views and decisions of established policymakers, it also has marginalized alternative viewpoints and criticism of government policy. For the most part, the coverage varied little across countries.
REGIMES OF SHARING

This paper explores the values, characteristics, and conditions of interoperability provided by Open Application Programming Interfaces (Open APIs) used by Facebook to identify underlying tensions that may challenge the sustainability of the Web as an open, secure, and liberating communication space. Interoperability between major online social network services holds great potential for linking a broad range of platforms, spaces, and people together in exciting new ways. Open APIs support interoperability by providing the tools to share data used to develop popular and useful Web applications, achieve seamless integration of social media services, and give rise to mutually beneficial third-party developer ecosystems that build on top of social media platforms. Yet, while Open APIs provide new ways of sharing and participating, they also provide a means for companies like Facebook to achieve market dominance, as well as undermine privacy, data security, contextual integrity, user autonomy and freedom. This...
Biotransformation, Elimination and Bile Acid Metabolism

The liver detoxifies and excretes both exogenous xenobiotics, such as drugs and environmental toxins, and endogenous substances, including ammonia and bilirubin. Efficient processing and elimination of these substances prevent cellular injury, including CNS toxicity in the case of ammonia and bilirubin. Hepatic synthesis, secretion and re-uptake of bile acids is an exquisitely regulated process that allows modulation of cholesterol metabolism and efficient absorption of the products of fat digestion, as well as compensatory trafficking of bile acids out of the hepatocyte in the face of bile acid retention as occurs in cholestasis. Nuclear receptor transcription factors tightly regulate these processes and offer potential therapeutic targets for new approaches to treatment of a variety of diseases. This chapter reviews these important functions of the liver, underscoring another aspect of its central role in human physiology.
Solutes at the liquid:liquid phase boundary—Solubility and solvent conformational response alter interfacial microsolvation

A detailed understanding of solvent structure and dynamics at liquid:liquid interfaces is a necessary precursor for control and manipulation of these phase boundaries. Experimentally, amphiphilic solutes are often used to alter transport properties across water:organic interfaces; however, a fundamental model for the mechanism of this action has not been determined. This work compares the solvation profiles of ampiphilic solutes that traverse the phase boundary in binary water:n-hexane, and the individual microsolvation processes for interfacial water and hexane molecules therein. Microsolvation is defined as the rare event where one solvent molecule temporarily penetrates the co-solvent phases and is fully solvated therein. The solutes tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), hydrogen di-butyl phosphate, and di-hydrogen mono-butyl phosphate have been examined as they exhibit a systematic increase in aqueous solubility and selectively partition to the interfacial region at the infinite dilution limit. The relationship between adopted configurations of the solute, orientation of the solvent, and the ability of the solute to enhance microsolvation, specifically the ability of n-hexane to penetrate the aqueous phase, is demonstrated within a 20 A radius of TBP.
THE GROWTH AND MORPHOLOGY OF THE SILICOFLAGELLATE DICTYOCHA FIBULA EHRENBERG IN CULTURE1,2

SUMMARY Dictyocha fibula was cultured in an enriched seawater medium from collections taken at Edmonds, Washington. The optimum temperature for growth is 10 C at salinity 24% and 160 ft-c illumination in Provasoli enriched seawater at the concentration of 7.5 ml/liter seawater. Average generation time is 49 hr. In addition to swimming cells with skeletons, swimming cells without skeletons and nonswimming coenocytes were observed in clonal cultures at 15 C.
Both systolic and diastolic dysfunction characterize nonischemic inhibition of myocardial energy metabolism: an experimental strain rate echocardiographic study.

Background Ischemia is primarily a metabolic event. However, regional functional changes can be affected by structural alterations. We developed an experimental model of sole myocardial energy metabolism inhibition and characterized the resulting regional dysfunction. Methods In 12 pigs, we regionally inhibited creatine kinase (CK) and, consequently, myocyte high-energy phosphate transfer by intracoronary administration of iodoacetamide. Myocardial biopsies for CK activity and structural analyses and strain rate (SR) echocardiography scans were obtained at baseline and 60 minutes after iodoacetamide administration. Plasma levels of the CK isoenzyme MB and troponin I were assessed to determine possible myocardial damage. Results CK activity in the iodoacetamide-perfused myocardium decreased to 0.5% of the original value and was accompanied by a reduction in peak systolic SR ( P P P Conclusions Regional inhibition of myocyte energetics leads to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction by SR echocardiography, but the presence of a residual phosphotransfer protects microstructural integrity.
Ethylene and α-Farnesene Metabolism in Green and Red Skin of Three Apple Cultivars in Response to 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) Treatment

Relationships among alpha-farnesene synthesis and oxidation, ethylene production and perception, antioxidative enzyme activities, and superficial scald development in fruit of three commercial apple cultivars were investigated at the biochemical and gene transcriptional levels. Scald-susceptible Cortland and Law Rome and scald-resistant Idared apples were untreated or treated with the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and stored for up to 25 weeks at 0.5 degrees C. Separate blushed (red) and unblushed (green) peel tissue samples were taken at harvest and after 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, 20, and 25 weeks of storage. Large increases in peel tissue concentrations of alpha-farnesene and its conjugated trienol (CTol) oxidation products occurred in untreated Cortland and Law Rome and were about 4-9-fold greater than those in Idared. In both Cortland and Law Rome, accumulation of CTols in green peel was nearly twice that in red peel. 1-MCP treatment delayed and attenuated alpha-farnesene and CTol accumulation in each cultivar. Activities of peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) were lower in red peel than in green peel, with the exception of CAT in Law Rome, whereas no effects of 1-MCP on enzyme activities were detected except for Cortland. In control fruit, internal ethylene concentrations (IECs) increased during the first 4-6 weeks to reach highest levels in Cortland, intermediate levels in Law Rome, and low levels in Idared. In 1-MCP-treated fruit, IECs increased gradually to modest levels by 25 weeks in Cortland and Law Rome but were almost nil in Idared. Expression patterns of the alpha-farnesene synthase gene MdAFS1, the ethylene receptor gene MdERS1, and the ethylene biosynthetic genes MdACS1 and MdACO1 were generally in accord with the patterns of alpha-farnesene and ethylene production. In particular, MdAFS1 and MdACS1 showed similar patterns of expression in each cultivar. Among the controls, transcript levels increased more rapidly in Cortland and Law Rome than in Idared during the first few weeks of storage. In 1-MCP-treated fruit, transcript abundance in Cortland and Law Rome rose to untreated control levels after 10-15 weeks but remained low in Idared. Scald symptoms were restricted to unblushed skin, and the incidence in controls after 25 weeks was nearly 100% in Cortland and Law Rome compared with 1% in Idared. 1-MCP treatment reduced scald incidence to 14, 3, and 0% in Cortland, Law Rome, and Idared, respectively. Overall, the results support the proposed role of CTols in scald induction and indicate that alpha-farnesene synthesis is tightly regulated by ethylene. However, gene transcription alone does not account for the big differences in ethylene and alpha-farnesene production in Cortland, Law Rome, and Idared apples.
Screening and Brief Intervention for Tobacco Use by Student Health Providers on College Campuses

Abstract Objective: This study assessed college students’ reports of tobacco screening and brief intervention by student health center providers. Participants: Participants were 3,800 students from 8 universities in North Carolina. Methods: Web-based survey of a stratified random sample of undergraduates. Results: Fifty-three percent reported ever visiting their student health center. Of those, 62% reported being screened for tobacco use. Logistic regression revealed screening was higher among females and smokers, compared to nonsmokers. Among students who were screened and who reported tobacco use, 50% reported being advised to quit or reduce use. Brief intervention was more likely among current daily smokers compared to current nondaily smokers, as well as at schools with higher smoking rates. Screening and brief intervention were more likely at schools with lower clinic caseloads. Conclusions: Results highlight the need to encourage college health providers to screen every patient at every visit and to...
Current management of middle cerebral artery aneurysms: surgical results with a "clip first" policy.

Background One response to randomized trials like the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial has been to adopt a "coil first" policy, whereby all aneurysms be considered for coiling, reserving surgery for unfavorable aneurysms or failed attempts. Surgical results with middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms have been excellent, raising debate about the respective roles of surgical and endovascular therapy. Objective To review our experience with MCA aneurysms managed with microsurgery as the treatment of first choice. Methods Five hundred forty-three patients with 631 MCA aneurysms were managed with a "clip first" policy, with 115 patients (21.2%) referred from the Neurointerventional Radiology service and none referred from the Neurosurgical service for endovascular management. Results Two hundred eighty-two patients (51.9%) had ruptured aneurysms and 261 (48.1%) had unruptured aneurysms. MCA aneurysms were treated with clipping (88.6%), thrombectomy/clip reconstruction (6.2%), and bypass/aneurysm occlusion (3.3%). Complete aneurysm obliteration was achieved with 620 MCA aneurysms (98.3%); 89.7% of patients were improved or unchanged after therapy, with a mortality rate of 5.3% and a permanent morbidity rate of 4.6%. Good outcomes were observed in 92.0% of patients with unruptured and 70.2% with ruptured aneurysms. Worse outcomes were associated with rupture (P = .04), poor grade (P = .001), giant size (P = .03), and hemicraniectomy (P Conclusion At present, surgery should remain the treatment of choice for MCA aneurysms. Surgical morbidity was low, and poor outcomes were due to an inclusive policy that aggressively managed poor-grade patients and complex aneurysms. This experience sets a benchmark that endovascular results should match before considering endovascular therapy an alternative for MCA aneurysms.
Characteristics of long-duration precipitation events across the United States

[1] Previous studies have indicated that extreme precipitation intensity is increasing over time, and has been attributed to anthropogenic warming. Generally these studies have limited analyses to data from daily rainfall totals. We extend those studies by examining characteristics associated with storms of varying duration. We find that significant differences exist in the character of long-duration storms (those of twenty consecutive hours or more) from 1948 to 2004. Specifically we find that, although long-duration storms are becoming wetter, (a) they are occurring less frequently and, consequently, comprising a progressively smaller proportion of the total storm number, and (b) they are contributing a smaller proportion of the total rainfall. Geographically, these storms are more likely to influence the Gulf States (particularly in autumn) and the central west coastal area of northern California. Fundamentally, this study suggests that evaluating precipitation over daily time frames may not capture the full complexities in extreme rainfall events.
Recent Advances in Modern Static Devolatilization

The present paper deals with state-of-the-art static devolatilization technology for polymer melts. Recent results obtained by CFD-studies as well as by experimental testing at pilot scale are presented for the devolatilization of technical thermoplasts like polystyrene, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polycarbonate. It is shown that with the correct design of preheater and devolatilization chamber, volatiles like monomers and solvents can be efficiently removed from the polymer melt, both from the economical and technological point of view. As design criteria for the preheater, maldistribution and heat transfer efficiency are explained in detail.
Multi-objective design of energy storage in distribution systems based on modified particle swarm optimization

The objectives of the movement toward the smart grid include making the power systems more reliable and economically efficient. The rapid development of the large scale energy storage technology, such as sodium sulfur batteries, makes it an excellent candidate in achieving the goals of the smart grid. This paper proposed a modified multi-objective particle swarm optimization approach to solve the energy storage design problem in distribution systems. A Pareto front is provided by the proposed approach for decision makers to determine the desired tradeoff between multiple objectives. Within the energy storage design variables, not only the conventionally considered energy storage capacity and power rate are included, but also the energy storage operation strategy. Three energy storage operation strategies are presented and their impacts on reliability and economy are illustrated. A case study is performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Insights based on the case study results are discussed.
Single-molecule-magnet behavior and spin changes affected by crystal packing effects.

Five Mn3Zn2 heterometallic complexes have been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Spin ground states up to S = 6 have been observed for these complexes and are shown to depend on the cocrystallizing cation and on the terminal ligand. Large axial zero-field interactions (D = −1.16 K) are the result of near-parallel alignment of the MnIII Jahn−Teller axes. High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance, single-crystal magnetization hysteresis, and alternating current susceptibility measurements are presented to characterize [NEt4]3[Mn3Zn2(salox)3O(N3)6X2] [X− = Cl− (1), Br− (2)] and [AsPh4]3[Mn3Zn2(salox)3O(N3)6Cl2] (3) and reveal that 1 and 2 are single-molecule magnets (Ueff = 44 K), while 3 is not.
Reversible diodes for moving quanta

Nanoscale engineering can now take advantage of a new ratchet device: it acts as a diode for superconducting vortices, but its directionality can be controlled and repeatedly reversed to become an effective 'two-way street'.
Budesonide in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: the first year of experience in clinical practice.

Background: Delayed release budesonide was approved by the FDA for the treatment of mildly to moderately active Crohn's disease involving the ileum and ascending colon. Controlled trials have demonstrated that budesonide is effective in inducing remission and for maintenance of remission, with less frequent steroid side effects than conventional steroids. We sought to determine the benefit of this medication in clinical practice and to identify any non-FDA-approved uses that may warrant further study. Methods: Patients in whom oral budesonide was prescribed between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2002, were identified and medical records were reviewed. Patients were categorized by indication for therapy: ileocolonic Crohn's disease (group 1), Crohn's disease elsewhere (group 2), and other conditions (group 3). Results: A total of 225 patients were identified (108 in group 1, 62 in group 2, and 55 in group 3). Group 3 included patients with microscopic colitis (n = 28), pouchitis (n = 13), ulcerative colitis (n = 12), and celiac disease (n = 2). A favorable outcome occurred in 61% of group 1 patients but only 24% of patients in group 2. In group 3, only microscopic colitis patients and pouchitis patients experienced response rates >50% (77% and 60%, respectively). Conclusion: Budesonide is effective in a majority of patients with ileocolonic Crohn's disease and microscopic colitis, which is consistent with results reported from clinical trials. A majority of patients with pouchitis also benefit from budesonide therapy, but prospective controlled trials are necessary to clarify the benefit in this group.
Food security: its components and challenges

Food security relates directly to nutrition and health. Typically food security is thought of as being related to availability and access of foodstuffs. Yet, the threat to food security also lies with urbanisation, income disparity, overpopulation, ecosystem degradation, animal health, and food wholesomeness. Food wholesomeness is also an important aspect of nutrition. Wholesomeness is monitored via food safety and food defence programmes, making them critical components of a food security programme as well. This article discusses these interrelations and concepts for future scientific and humanitarian development programmes.
Delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity to Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Abstract The delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction to human erythrocyte-derived Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen was studied in 40 patients with pancreatic disease and in 158 control subjects and its sensitivity and specificity were compared with the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) blood levels. The skin reaction to T was positive in 22 of 25 patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (sensitivity, 88%). In these patients, the CEA levels were elevated above 3.5 ng/ml in 12 of 23 (52%). The skin test to T antigen was negative in 11 of 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis (specificity, 92%), but CEA levels were normal in only five of nine with pancreatitis (56%). Two of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma and one of those with pancreatitis were anergic to mumps and dermatophytin antigens and had thus an invalid skin test. The positive response rate to T antigen was significantly greater (P
On optimal algorithms for solving bi-valued game trees

Let each leaf in a bi-valued game tree have the same probability PO of being labeled a WIN. Define a search algorithm D for a bi-valued game tree T to be directed if D consists of searching T by adhering to a predetermined ordering of the leaves of T, an ordering which is independent both of PO and of the assignment of WINs and LOSSes to the leaves of T. The following theorems are established for an arbitrary bi-valued game tree T: (i) An optimal search algorithm for T has a piecewise polynomial cost function V(T) in PO and V(T) is the infimum of the set of all cost functions VA (T) where A ranges over the set of all directed search algorithms. (ii) T has an optimal search algorithm which is directed if and only if it has an optimal search algorithm with a cost function which is a polynomial in PO. (iii) If T has leaves at both even and odd depths from the root, then no optimal algorithm for searching T is directed.
Feline chronic kidney disease is associated with shortened telomeres and increased cellular senescence

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes that have important implications for aging. To address the question of whether telomeres contribute to feline chronic kidney disease (CKD), we evaluated kidney, liver, and skin samples from 12 cats with naturally occurring CKD, 12 young normal cats, and 6 old normal cats. Telomere length was assessed using standard telomere fluorescent in situ hybridization (TEL-FISH) combined with immunohistochemistry (TELI-FISH) to identify proximal (PTEC) and distal tubular epithelial cells (DTEC), whereas senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SABG) staining was used to evaluate senescence. Results revealed statistically significant decreases in the average telomere fluorescence intensity (TFI) of PTEC in CKD cats compared with young and geriatric normal cats, and in the DTEC of CKD cats compared with young normal cats. When histograms of individual TFI were compared, statistically significant decreases in the PTEC and DTEC of CKD cats were observed compared with young and geriatric normal cats. Concomitantly, a statistically significant increase in SABG staining was seen in CKD kidney samples compared with young normal cats. CKD cats tended to have increased SABG staining in the kidney compared with normal geriatric cats, but this did not reach statistical significance. No significant telomere shortening in liver or skin from any group was observed. Real-time quantitative telomeric repeat amplification protocol assessment of renal telomerase activity revealed comparable low levels of telomerase activity in all groups. Our results suggest that shortened telomeres and increased senescence in the kidneys of CKD cats may represent novel targets for interventional therapy.
Studies on an Astomatous Ciliate From a Fresh-water Limpet, Ferrissia peninsulae

An astomatous holotrichous ciliate inhabiting the excretory tubule of the freshwater gastropod Ferrissia peninsulae is believed to be conspecific with Dogielella renalis Kay, found originally in the renal organ of an unidentified species of another pulmonate genus, Physa. The organization of the ciliary system and the arrangement of the contractile vacuole pores suggest that it is closely related to members of the hymenostomatous genus Tetrahymena, and that it has evolved from a ciliate of this general type through loss of the cytostome and cytostomal membranelles. Because it is not possible at present to state with certainty that this ciliate is congeneric with D. sphaerii, the genotype of the genus Dogielella Poljanskij, a new genus, Curimostoma, is established for it. Curimostoma is referred provisionally to the family Tetrahymenidae.
Set vertex colorings and joins of graphs

For a nontrivial connected graph G, let c: V (G) → ℕ be a vertex coloring of G where adjacent vertices may be colored the same. For a vertex v of G, the neighborhood color set NC(v) is the set of colors of the neighbors of v. The coloring c is called a set coloring if NC(u) ≠ NC(v) for every pair u, v of adjacent vertices of G. The minimum number of colors required of such a coloring is called the set chromatic number xs(G). A study is made of the set chromatic number of the join G+H of two graphs G and H. Sharp lower and upper bounds are established for xs(G + H) in terms of xs(G), xs(H), and the clique numbers ω(G) and ω(H).
Salvage radiotherapy for biochemical failure of radical prostatectomy: a single-institution experience.

Abstract Objectives To review the efficacy of salvage radiotherapy (RT), to treat elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels for presumed local recurrence of prostatic adenocarcinoma after retropubic prostatectomy, and identify the factors that may predict for successful treatment. Methods Fifty-one patients with hormonally naive pT2-3N0-1M0 prostate cancer were treated with RT for locally persistent or recurrent disease. The patients received a median dose of 65.7 Gy (range 61.2 to 72.3) to the prostate bed. Successfully treated patients had undetectable PSA levels; the endpoint of the study was biochemical failure. Results The median follow-up was 3.8 years; 42 of 51 patients had at least 2 years of follow-up. Twenty-three patients (45%) were biochemically free of disease. The estimated biochemically free of disease rate at 3 and 5 years was 56% and 16%, respectively. Whether the patients were treated for persistently elevated PSA levels or for rising PSA levels from undetectable levels after retropubic prostatectomy, their PSA values were equally likely to drop to undetectable levels (65%). Univariate analysis demonstrated two factors that significantly predicted for successful salvage treatment: the absence of seminal vesicle invasion and the absence of lymphovascular invasion. A pretreatment PSA level less than 0.425 ng/mL trended toward statistical significance ( P = 0.059). Only seminal vesicle invasion maintained significance on multivariate analysis. The RT was well tolerated, and the gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity was largely Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade 1. Conclusions Salvage RT is moderately effective in treating patients with locally persistent or recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma. Seminal vesicle invasion and lymphovascular invasion predicted for unsuccessful treatment.
The most temperature-adapted corals have an Achilles' Heel

Abstract The corals of the Persian/Arabian Gulf are better adapted to temperature fluctuations than elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific. The Gulf is an extreme marine environment displaying the highest known summer water temperatures for any reef area. The small and shallow sea can be considered a good analogue to future conditions for the rest of the world’s oceans under global warming. The fact that corals can persist in such a demanding environment indicates that they have been able to acclimatize and selectively adapt to elevated temperature. The implication being that colonies elsewhere may be able to follow suit. This in turn provides hope that corals may, given sufficient time, similarly adapt to survive even in an impoverished form, under conditions of acidification-driven lowering of CaCO3 saturation state, a further consequence of raised atmospheric CO2. This paper demonstrates, however, that the uniquely adapted corals of the Gulf may, within the next three centuries, be threatened by a chronic habitat shortage brought about by the dissolution of the lithified seabed on which they rely for colonisation. This will occur due to modifications in the chemical composition of the Gulf waters due to climate change.