cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects on immunity of multiple leukapheresis using a rapidly excreted analog of hydroxyethyl starch

Immunologic studies were performed immediately before and after leukapheresis in five subjects undergoing four granulocyte donations (separated by 3- to 4-week intervals) using continuous-flow centrifugation leukapheresis with a rapidly excreted investigational analog of hydroxyethyl starch. Postleukapheresis donor blood lymphocyte counts and serum immunoglobulin levels decreased transiently, but significantly, during each procedure when compared with preleukapheresis values due simply to plasma volume expansion (acute effects of dilution). Possible long-term effects of repeated procedures were investigated by comparing preleukapheresis values before the first and fourth procedures. Total lymphocyte, total T-lymphocyte, and T4-lymphocyte counts, as well as serum immunoglobulin values and anti-A and B titers measured before the fourth procedure remained unchanged when compared with values obtained before beginning the series of procedures. In contrast, the B-lymphocyte count was decreased, the T8-lymphocyte count was increased, and the T4:T8 ratio was decreased due to the increase in the T8-lymphocyte count. Although statistically significant (p less than 0.05), all changes were slight, and clinically significant effects on donor humoral immunity could not be detected. The mechanisms involved, however, may be of biologic and therapeutic interest.
Eliminating the artificial effect of sample mass on avian fecal hormone metabolite concentration.

Abstract Avian endocrinology is a productive field that could benefit from increased application of non-invasive techniques. Although assay protocols vary, most studies that measure hormone metabolites in avian feces struggle with an artificial effect of sample mass on steroid metabolite concentration. Hormone metabolite concentrations measured in small samples are consistently higher than concentrations in larger samples, and this appears to be due to multiple methodological problems. We systematically tested several causal hypotheses for the mass effect. Based on results from these tests, we modified and validated our assay protocol to effectively eliminate the mass effect. Future studies should implement the following procedures when measuring hormone metabolites from small fecal samples (particularly of birds and reptiles): (1) remove urates from the fecal sample as completely as possible; (2) lyophilize the sample prior to extraction; (3) maximize accuracy of small mass measurements; (4) increase the volume of ethanol in the extraction to 15 ml per 0.05–0.1 g of dried feces; and (5) eliminate ethanol from all samples prior to radioimmunoassay by drying down extract solutions and rehydrating in buffer. By applying these precautions we successfully eliminated the mass effect from fecal samples ranging in mass from 0.001 to 0.1 g using a radioimmunoassay commonly employed for studies of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites. These corrections also resulted in a more than 3-fold increase in effect size in glucocorticoid concentrations from a controlled test of the effects of 1 h motorcycle exposure on northern spotted owls. These methods have important implications not only for avian studies, but for any study measuring hormone metabolites from small fecal samples.
The impact of community-based sexually transmitted infection screening results on sexual risk behaviors of African American adolescents

Abstract Purpose To examine the effect of a community-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening program on sexual risk behavior among African American adolescents. We hypothesized that adolescents testing positive for an STI and receiving post-test counseling would reduce risky sexual practices, whereas STI-negative adolescents would show little or no change in protective sexual behavior after screening. Methods From August 2006 to January 2008, we recruited 636 sexually active African American adolescents (age, 14–17) from community-based organizations in two mid-sized U.S. cities with high STI prevalence. Participants were screened for three STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis) and completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview. Youth who tested positive for an STI (6.6%) received treatment and counseling. Youth testing negative received no further intervention. Approximately 85% of participants completed 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Generalized estimating equations determined the effects of STI screening on adolescents' number of sexual partners and occurrence of unprotected sex. Results Adolescents who tested positive for an STI reduced their number of vaginal and oral sex partners and the probability of unprotected sex. STI-negative adolescents demonstrated no change for numbers of partners or unprotected sex. Conclusions Community-based STI screening can help to reduce sexual risk behavior in youth who test positive for STIs. Alternative approaches will be needed to reduce risk behavior in youth who test negative but who are nevertheless at risk for acquiring an STI.
A mechanistic model for the prediction of ductile erosion

Abstract Mechanisms operative in dust erosion of ductile materials were determined with the aid of scanning electron microscope studies. Dimensional analysis was employed in the development of a mathematical model for predicting the erosion of ductile materials. The basis of the model was an identified erosion mechanism (target melting) and the model was verified in an erosion testing program. The target materials in the testing program were three stainless steels, two aluminum alloys, a beryllium copper alloy and a titanium alloy. The erosive agents were three dusts with hard angular particles and one dust with spherical particles. Maximum particle velocities were 130 or 250 ms −1 .
Contemporary surgical management for ileosigmoid fistulas in Crohn's disease.

Background Current diagnostic modalities and surgical treatments for ileosigmoid fistulas (ISF) in Crohn’s disease (CD) are not well characterized.
Effects of gender-related geometrical characteristics of aorta–iliac bifurcation on hemodynamics and macromolecule concentration distribution

Abstract Aorta–iliac bifurcation has been anatomically shown to be asymmetric. Also, statistical data reveal differences in the structural features of average male and female aorta–iliac bifurcation. In the present work, numerical simulations of the macromolecule transport at the aorta–iliac bifurcation are performed. The transport phenomena within the lumen and the arterial wall are coupled. The arterial wall is modeled as a four-layer porous wall, representing endothelium, intima, internal elastic lamina (IEL), and media layers. The layers are all treated as macroscopically homogeneous porous media with uniform morphological properties. The Staverman filtration coefficient is incorporated to account for selective permeability of each porous layer to macromolecules. Different geometrical attributes of the aorta–iliac bifurcation are studied, i.e. asymmetry and gender-dependence. Profiles of macromolecule concentration distributions are obtained for different cases. The results are discussed with regard to the shear stress distribution, which is believed to be one of the key factors in atherogenesis. The present study appears to be the first one to discuss the effects of gender and geometrical characteristics (e.g. asymmetry) on the transport phenomena at the aorta–iliac bifurcation.
Structural basis of allosteric interactions among Ca2+-binding sites in a K+ channel RCK domain

Ligand binding sites within proteins can interact by allosteric mechanisms to modulate binding affinities and control protein function. Here we present crystal structures of the regulator of K+ conductance (RCK) domain from a K+ channel, MthK, which reveal the structural basis of allosteric coupling between two Ca2+ regulatory sites within the domain. Comparison of RCK domain crystal structures in a range of conformations and with different numbers of regulatory Ca2+ ions bound, combined with complementary electrophysiological analysis of channel gating, suggests chemical interactions that are important for modulation of ligand binding and subsequent channel opening.
Optimal Detection and Performance of Distributed Sensor Systems

Global optimization of a distributed sensor detection system withfusion is considered, where the fusion rule and local detectors aresolved to obtain overall optimal performance. This yields coupledequations for the local detectors and the fusion center.The detection performance of the distributed system with fusionis developed. The globally optimal system performance is comparedwith two suboptimal systems. Receiver operating characteristics(ROCs) are computed numerically for the problem of detecting aknown signal embedded in non-Gaussian noise.
Mineralization of bone-like extracellular matrix in the absence of functional osteoblasts

When grown in medium containing ascorbic acid and beta-glycerol phosphate, mouse MC3T3-E1 cells express an osteoblast phenotype and produce a highly mineralized extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to independently examine the role of the collagenous matrix and functional osteoblasts on the mineralization process. Cultures with and without an extensive collagenous matrix were prepared by growing MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence and absence of ascorbic acid. Matrix-rich cultures mineralized at much lower calcium phosphate ion products than nonmatrix cultures. At higher ion products, spontaneous precipitation in the medium and cell layers of nonmatrix cultures were observed. In contrast, mineral in matrix-rich cultures was still exclusively associated with collagen fibrils and not with ectopic sites in the cell layer or medium. To examine the effect of cell viability on matrix mineralization, cells were grown 8 or 16 days in the presence of ascorbic acid, then killed and incubated in a mineralizing medium. Significant mineralization was not observed in the collagenous matrix of 8-day killed cultures or age-matched controls. At 16 days mineral was associated with collagen fibrils at specific foci in the matrix of both viable and killed cultures. This observation is consistent with the concept that collagenous matrices must undergo a maturation process before they can support a mineral induction and growth. It further shows that osteoblast-like cells are not required for mineralization of mature matrices, but are required for matrix maturation.
Stress tensors from effective potentials.

The interpretation of the effective potential as an energy density is critiqued. T/sub ..mu..//sub ..nu../ can be found from the effective potential by a careful treatment of the potential's dependence on the metric. The subtleties involved are discussed using several examples for clarification. We have clarified the physical meaning of the effective potential; in general it should not be interpreted as the energy density of a system.
Analysis of play

Abstract Play has long been considered a useful therapeutic tool when working with children. Even though play is used extensively by psychotherapists of various theoretical persuasions, relatively little is written concerning the nature and therapeutic value of play. In addition, the therapeutic significance of play in psychotherapy with adults is an area that has been neglected and under‐utilized. This paper will address the nature of play and what it is that makes play therapeutic within a conceptual framework derived from psychoanalytic theory, existentialism and phenomenology. In particular, the nature of play and its therapeutic value will be analyzed through three constitutive elements: the paradoxical nature of play, the role of the imagination and the symbolic, and the playful therapist.
Hypercalcitoninemia in pancreatitis--evidence for immunochemical heterogeneity.

Recently in our laboratory we have demonstrated increased immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) levels in 4 patients with acute pancreatitis and hypocalcemia1. The present study consists of 17 additional patients in whom serial determinations for (iCT) were performed. Furthermore, with the use of 2 different antisera directed against human calcitonin we present evidence for immunochemical heterogeneity of this hormone in acute pancreatitis.
The Cyborg's Dilemma: Progressive Embodiment in Virtual Environments

StudyW Academ Excellen Award Collab-U CMC Play E-Commerce Symposium Net Law InfoSpaces Usenet NetStudy VEs
Optoperforation of single, intact Arabidopsis cells for uptake of extracellular dye-conjugated dextran

A plant science research goal is to manipulate single cells in an intact organism in order to study their interactions with neighboring cells. Based on a technique previously demonstrated in isolated plant cells, mammalian cells and cyanobacteria, Arabidopsis epidermal cells were optoperforated to allow for uptake of external cascade blue-labeled dextrans. Adverse organelle responses were determined to be minimal and dye retention was demonstrated for at least 72 hours. This technique overcomes the physical challenges presented by the plant cell wall and demonstrates the feasibility of in situ optoperforation.
Adaptive tuning of an extended phenotype: honeybees seasonally shift their honey storage to optimize male production

Organisms face the challenge of optimally allocating limited resources among investments that promote survival, growth or reproduction. In species whose members build complex nests, this resource allocation problem also applies to the building and use of the nest structure, a critical part of an individual's extended phenotype. Honeybee colonies face an acute problem of properly allocating one nest resource in particular, large cells of drone comb built for rearing drones, between reproduction (rearing drones) and survival (storing honey). Here the trade-off is inescapable, because a drone cell cannot be used simultaneously for drone production and honey storage. We predicted that the workers in a honeybee colony would solve this problem by preferentially using drone comb for producing drones when their mating opportunities are good (spring and early summer) and for honey storage when the drones' mating opportunities are poor (late summer and autumn). To test our prediction, we experimentally tested how drone comb and worker comb were used for honey storage from April to September. In spring and early summer, workers preferentially removed honey from drone comb, making it available for producing drones. In late summer and autumn, workers did not preferentially remove honey from drone comb. This study shows that a honeybee colony is able to fine-tune its extended phenotype by adaptively allocating a key nest resource, its drone comb, between survival and reproduction.
Applications And Trends In Laser-Induced Chemistry

The use of tunable lasers for isotope separation and selective photochemical reactions is a field or rapidly growing research. Many economic and scientific benefits of this research can be identified. A number of basic methods of laser isotope separation have been successful. Examples of each are compared and the laser requirements discussed. The advantages of using lasers to enrich various isotopes or to separate the elements using photochemistry are described. The uses of lasers and specific laser wavelengths are outlined.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Thermal ablation vs surgery for localized kidney cancer: A surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database analysis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate contemporary national practice pattern trends in the use of thermal ablation (radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation) in the management of stage I renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and the factors that lead to using thermal ablation (TA) vs partial (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) in the United States. METHODS Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, we identified subjects with T1-N0M0 RCC treated with either PN, RN, or TA between 2004 and 2007. Proportions, trends, and multivariable logistic regression models tested the predictors of the use of TA. RESULTS In total, 15,145 patients underwent a procedure for an RCC that was organ-confined and 7 cm. Of these, 578 underwent TA, 4402 underwent PN, and 10,165 underwent RN. On unadjusted analyses, patients who received TA were more likely to be older, single, have smaller tumor size, be diagnosed in more recent years, and have more unspecified histologic subtype and tumor grade. In multivariable adjusted analyses, single status (P .02), male gender (P .01), increasing age (P .01), year of diagnosis (P .01), and smaller tumor size (P .01) were strong independent predictors of TA use compared with surgery (PN or RN). Further adjusted analyses showed no statistical difference in cancer-specific or overall survival between TA vs PN or RN. CONCLUSIONS TA use for stage I RCC increased over a relatively short period and was performed more commonly in patients of older age and with smaller tumor size. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the comparative effectiveness of TA vs surgery. UROLOGY 78: 93‐98, 2011. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Factors Affecting the Behavior of Drive-Up Bank Users.

The behavior of 537 male and female users of windows at a drive-up bank was investigated by observing: (a) length of time spent approaching teller window, (b) whether machine or personal contact was chosen, (c) length of time spent at the window, and (d) characteristics of individuals in the vehicles. The results indicate that male drivers with same sex passengers had significantly (p < .05) faster approach lane time and window times than other groups. The drivers also tended not to use window lanes that were too far removed from the teller. The results are considered in terms of interpersonal contact of the driver with both the teller and passengers.
Formation of cartilage‐like spheroids by micromass cultures of murine C3H10T1/2 cells upon treatment with transforming growth factor‐β1

Formation of cartilage during both embryonic development and repair processes involves the differentiation of multipotential mesenchymal cells. The mouse cell line, C3H10T1/2, has been shown to be multipotential and capable of differentiating into various phenotypes normally derived from embryonic mesoderm, including myocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. In this study, we have analyzed the induction of chondrogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1, human recombinant form). Treatment of high-density micromass cultures of C3H10T1/2 cells with TGF-β1 resulted in the formation of a three dimensional spheroid structure, which exhibited cartilage-like histology. Extracellular matrix components characteristic of cartilage, type II collagen and cartilage link protein, were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. TGF-β1 treatment increased collagen synthesis, and immunoblot analysis showed the presence of type II collagen in TGF-β1-treated micromass cultures, but not in TGF-β1-treated monolayer cultures nor in untreated cultures. An increase in radioactive sulfate uptake relative to DNA synthesis was also seen in TGF-β1-treated micromass cultures forming spheroids, indicating the increased synthesis of sulfated proteoglycans. These observations indicated that the spheroids formed are of a cartilaginous nature, and that multipotential C3H10T1/2 cells, which do not spontaneously enter the chondrogenic pathway, can be induced to undergo cellular differentiation towards chondrogenesis in vitro through culture in a favorable environment.
Coupling aware timing optimization and antenna avoidance in layer assignment

The sustained progress of VLSI technology has altered the landscape of routing which is a major physical design stage. For timing driven routings, traditional approaches which consider only wire self capacitance become inadequate since the wire delay is affected more by coupling capacitance in ultra-deep submicron designs. Furthermore, the technology scaling dramatically increases the likelihood of the antenna problem in manufacturing and requests corresponding considerations in the routing stage. In this paper, we propose techniques that can be applied to handle the coupling aware timing and the antenna problem simultaneously during layer assignment which is an important step between global routing and detailed routing. An improved probabilistic coupling capacitance model is suggested for coupling aware timing optimization without performing track assignment. The antenna avoidance problem is modeled as a tree partitioning problem with a linear time optimal algorithm solution. This algorithm is customized to guide antenna avoidance in layer assignment. A linear time optimal jumper insertion algorithm is also derived. Experimental results on benchmark circuits show that the proposed techniques can lead to an average of 270ps timing slack improvement validated by track assignment, 76% antenna violation reduction and 99% via violation reduction.
Ibāḍism: History, Doctrines, and Recent Scholarship

Ibāḍism is the only surviving sect of Khārijism and thus represents the third main branch of Islam, after Sunnism and Shīʻism. Ibāḍīs, who number less than 1% of the world's Muslims, are found mainly in the Sultanate of Oman, in the Mzāb and Wārgla (Ouargla) regions of southeastern Algeria, in the Nafūsa mountain region of northwestern Libya, and on the island of Jirba (Djerba), Tunisia. The traditional narrative of Ibāḍism's origins dates it to ‘Abd Allāh ibn Ibāḍ's split from the radical Khārijism of Nāfi‘ ibn al-Azraq in 64/684 CE. Ibāḍīs say that Jābir ibn Zayd (d. 93/711 CE) organized the sect in Baṣra, but recent scholarship questions much of this traditional narrative. This article discusses recent scholarship on Ibāḍism's historical development, summarizes its distinctive teachings in theology and jurisprudence, and offers a brief analysis of the relationship of Ibāḍism to the Bū Saʻīdī sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar.
Hybrid element method for unbounded electromagnetic problems in hyperthermia

Finite element and boundary element methods are described for predicting high-frequency electromagnetic heating of tissue as a cancer therapy. For the class of clinical problems of interest, the patient is electrically inhomogeneous and best discretized by finite elements, but the unbounded nature of practical source configurations calls for a boundary element approach. A hybrid is introduced which couples the two methods and is superior in algebraic requirements to either method alone. The formulation is three-dimensional and allows exact satisfaction of the electromagnetic jump conditions at interfaces separating distinct tissue types. Test cases show its validity for transverse magnetic and electric situations with known solutions. Examples of clinical applications are shown.
Spectral Characteristics of Male Nuptial Coloration in Darters (Etheostoma)

Abstract Freshwater fishes exhibit a high diversity of colors and color patterns. In particular, fishes of the genus Etheostoma have colors perceived by humans as red, orange, yellow, green, and blue in a variety of combinations. We used reflectance spectrophotometry to evaluate color diversity quantitatively among four species of Etheostoma: E. baileyi, E. coosae, E. zonale, and E. zonistium. Three spectral types were identified, corresponding to colors perceived by humans as ‘blue’ or ‘green,’ ‘red’ or ‘orange,’ and ‘yellow.’ Species differences in the peak wavelengths of the ‘blue’ and ‘green’ spectra were observed, and these complex spectra also differed in reflectance in the long-wavelength portion of the spectrum. Species also differed in the midpoint reflectance of ‘red’ and ‘orange’ spectra. By presenting preliminary descriptions of spectral properties of breeding males, we provide a framework for further investigations into the evolution of breeding coloration and visual ecology in darters.
The best training depends on the receiver architecture

We consider a block fading frequency selective multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The channel input is a training vector superimposed on a linearly precoded vector of Gaussian symbols. This form of precoding is referred to as affine precoding. We derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) under two circumstances: the random parameter vector to be estimated contains (i) only fading channel coefficients, (ii) unknown data symbols as well as the channel coefficients. While case (i) corresponds to the decoding schemes in which the channel is estimated first and the channel measurement is utilized to recover the data symbols, case (ii) corresponds to methods in which channel and symbol estimation is performed jointly. The interesting outcome of our investigation is that minimizing trace of the channel CRB for cases (i) and (ii) under a total transmit power constraint leads to different affine precoder design guidelines.
Nucleation Enhancement and Growth Of Diamond Films Using An Enclosed Combustion Flame

This research investigates the growth of diamond thin films using an enclosed oxyacetylene torch. Using statistical experimental design, we have systematically explored the parameter space to construct maps of nucleation density, film quality, and growth rate as functions of growth conditions. The deposition process is divided into nucleation enhancement and growth, and each step is optimized separately. In the study of the nucleation enhancement, we vary R = O 2 /C 2 H 2 , substrate-flame distance (z), and pretreatment time and determine the nucleation density and nucleation uniformity using electron microscopy. For the growth study, the variables are R, z, and substrate temperature, and we employ two different Raman scattering measurements to assess film quality. In one case, we determine a quality ratio β = diamond peak/(diamond peak + nondiamond peak); the second indicator is the luminescence determined from the baseline of the spectrum. In the growth study, the best film quality is comparable to the best films grown in an atmospheric flame in which R is cycled. We also find that the growth rate is a factor of 10 less than in the atmospheric flame.
The Still Face: A History of a Shared Experimental Paradigm

When faced by a suddenly unresponsive social partner, young infants typically react by sobering and gazing away. This still-face reaction has intrigued researchers for several decades. In this article, we present a history of the still-face paradigm in which we locate early observations of the still-face effect, describe the formalization of a procedure that reliably produces it, and discuss how this procedure has been used to investigate a broad range of questions about early social and emotional development. In addition, we reflect on the heuristic value of shared experimental paradigms.
Maximum directivity of a series-fed microstrip array antenna for wireless application

An omnidirectional colinear microstrip array antenna is modeled as a ladder network. A formula is derived for the maximum directivity of a series-fed colinear antenna with an infinite number of ladder sections. It is shown that the maximum directivity is asymptotically limited and depends upon the product of the series impedance and shunt admittance of the equivalent ladder network. The result is verified by simulation and experiment.
Atypical immature metaplasia (AIM) of the cervix : Is it related to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) ?

Atypical immature metaplasia (AIM) is a poorly characterized cervical lesion with uncertain biological and clinical significance. AIM shares some, but not all, morphological features of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). SILs are characterized by human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity and increased cellular proliferation, but these features have not been fully evaluated in AIM. Genomic DNA was extracted from 27 microdissected cervical biopsy specimens diagnosed as AIM. HPV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using two different sets of L1 gene consensus primers. HPV types were identified by sequence analysis of PCR products and comparison with published HPV sequences. The cell proliferation index was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 (MIB-1) antigen and expressed as the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells. Comparison groups included normal cervix (n = 10) and low-grade (LSILs, n = 19) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs, n = 11). Intermediate- or high-risk HPV DNA was detected in 67% (18 of 27) of AIM cases. Low-risk HPV DNA was not detected in any of the specimens. The Ki-67 index in AIM (mean, 33.0 +/- 20.3; median, 29) was comparable to that of LSILs (mean, 21.4 +/- 4.6; median, 21) and was significantly higher than that of normal cervix (mean, 11.0 +/- 2.1; median, 11) (P< .01) and lower than that of HSILs (mean, 60.4 +/- 13.2; median, 60) (P < .01). Of the cases with available follow-up, HPV-positive AIMs were significantly more likely to have a concurrent or subsequent diagnosis of typical HSIL (12 of 15, 80%) than HPV-negative AIMs (one of six, 45%) (P = .014). The wide range of Ki-67 indices and variable HPV status in AIM suggest that AIM represents a heterogeneous group of lesions including bona fide HSILs (high-risk HPV-positive, high Ki-67 index), antecedents (precursors?) of HSILs (high-risk HPV-positive, low to moderate Ki-67 index), and benign reactive conditions (HPV-negative, variable Ki-67 index). HPV testing may be useful in the assessment of atypical epithelial proliferations of the cervix for which a diagnosis of AIM is considered.
An investigation of pulsed high power microwave surface flashover initiation in atmospheric conditions

The production of high power microwaves (HPM) in a vacuum environment for the purpose of radiating into atmosphere requires the use of a dielectric interface to separate the vacuum and atmospheric sides of the radiating structure. For high power to pressure ratios the interface will exhibit surface flashover on the atmospheric side, thus limiting the transmission of microwave power. An experimental setup that utilizes a magnetron operating at 2.85 GHz to produce a 4.5 MW, 3μs pulse propagating in the TE10 mode along with an atmospheric test chamber enables investigating HPM surface flashover phenomena in the presence of various atmospheric conditions. One of the principle parameters measured is the delay time between application of the microwave pulse (50 ns rise time) and the sharp drop in transmitted power due to the flashover plasma formation. Several methods of delay time reduction have been employed to gain a better understanding of the source of breakdown initiatory electrons. For an environment composed of air at, for instance, 155 torr a delay time of 600 ns is observed. Illuminating the dielectric surface with continuous UV radiation reduces the average delay to about 380 ns. An even more distinct reduction in delay time was observed when electric field enhancement was introduced to the window surface via vapor deposition of sub-mm metallic points on the dielectric. These metallic points have proven to reduce the delay time to ~150 ns while increasing the global effective electric field by a factor of ~1.5. This presentation will include an overview of a variety of methods for investigating flashover initiation, including UV radiation and the application of an external DC electric field, as well as the introduction of field enhancing metallic points on the dielectric surface. An analysis of flashover behavior at atmospheric pressures (60-155 torr) in air, argon, and nitrogen will also be given along with an estimation of field enhancement factors for various geometries.
Clinical guidelines in using hypnosis in uncovering memories of sexual abuse: a master class commentary

Abstract “Joan” wanted to recover these apparently forgotten memories in the belief she could better control brief dissociative episodes occurring during her normal and loving sexual relations with her husband. She had previously spent years in intense psychoanalytic psychotherapy and yet had a persistent frightening sense of an inner emptiness that was interfering with her life. She felt such uncovering of past memories might free her to express appropriate anger and assertiveness in her professional work. She initially stated that she wanted to keep whatever was uncovered in the ofice as part of her therapy, unless she became convinced that true abuse had occurred. If so, she wanted him to pay and stated she would never talk to him again.
Calcium Homeostasis and Ionic Mechanisms in Pulmonary Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are key cellular mediators of many chronic interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, drug-induced interstitial lung disease, and interstitial lung disease in connective tissue disease. A great deal of effort has been expended to understand the signaling mechanisms underlying the various cellular functions of fibroblasts. Recently, it has been shown that Ca(2+) oscillations play a central role in the regulation of gene expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms whereby cytosolic [Ca(2+)] are regulated and [Ca(2+)] oscillations transduced are both poorly understood. In this review, we present the general concepts of [Ca(2+)] homeostasis, of ionic mechanisms responsible for various Ca(2+) fluxes, and of regulation of gene expression by [Ca(2+)]. In each case, we then also summarize the original findings that pertain specifically to pulmonary fibroblasts. From these data, we propose an overall signaling cascade by which excitation of the fibroblasts triggers pulsatile release of internally sequestered Ca(2+), which, in turn, activates membrane conductances, including voltage-dependent Ca(2+) influx pathways. Collectively, these events produce recurring Ca(2+) oscillations, the frequency of which is transduced by Ca(2+)-dependent transcription factors, which, in turn, orchestrate a variety of cellular events, including proliferation, synthesis/secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, autoactivation (production of transforming growth factor-β), and transformation into myofibroblasts. That unifying hypothesis, in turn, allows us to highlight several specific cellular targets and therapeutic intervention strategies aimed at controlling unwanted pulmonary fibrosis. The relationships between Ca(2+) signaling events and the unfolded protein response and apoptosis are also explored.
Methamphetamine-related stroke: four cases

Amphetamine use in certain parts of the United States has risen dramatically. Methamphetamine, the most-common illicitly abused type of amphetamine, can be inhaled, injected intravenously, or smoked. It is a potent sympathomimetic that may lead to vascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke. Because of the demographics of drug use, these potentially devastating events usually occur in relatively young patients. The pathophysiology of stroke related to amphetamine use is multifactorial. Elevation in blood pressure, vasculitis, or other vascular toxicity are postulated as major mechanisms. Four cases of stroke associated with the use of methamphetamine, all occurring in patients ranging in age from 29-45 years, are described. Methamphetamine use appears to be a risk factor for the development of stroke. The rise in methamphetamine use will undoubtedly result in increased Emergency Department admissions with clinical presentations very similar to those of cocaine intoxication.
Treatment choice affects inpatient adverse events and mortality in older aged inpatients with an isolated fracture of the proximal humerus.

Background This study tests the null hypothesis that, among patients aged 65 and older admitted to a United States hospital with an isolated fracture of the proximal humerus (no other injuries or fractures), there are no differences between operative (fixation or arthroplasty) and nonoperative treatments with respect to inpatient adverse events, inpatient mortality, and discharge to a long-term care facility rates accounting for comorbidities. Methods Using a large national database representing an estimated 132,005 patients aged 65 and older admitted to a US hospital with an isolated proximal humerus fracture between 2003 and 2007. Sixty-one percent did not have surgery, 22% were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 17% were treated with arthroplasty. Results The risk of an in hospital adverse event was 21% overall and was 4.4 times greater with arthroplasty and 2.7 times greater with ORIF compared to nonoperative treatment. The risk of in hospital death was 1.8% overall and was 2.8 times greater with ORIF compared to nonoperative treatment. Patients treated operatively were less likely to be discharged to a long-term facility compared to patients treated nonoperatively. Conclusion In spite of a tendency to treat the most infirm patients (those that are not discharged to home) nonoperatively, operative treatment (open reduction and internal fixation in particular) is an independent risk factor for inpatient adverse events and mortality in older-aged patients admitted to the hospital with an isolated fracture of the proximal humerus and should perhaps be offered more judiciously.
Evaluation of echogenicity, vascularity index and tissue thickness of localized scleroderma ultrasound images Using MATLAB

Ultrasound has shown a great potential for serving as an outcome measure for localized scleroderma. High spatial resolution of ultrasound will aid to evaluate Echogenicity, Vascularity index and tissue thickness of localized scleroderma. Echogenicity is higher when the ultrasound waves reflected are lesser in value from any particular body organ. Vascularity index can be defined as the differences in the color pixels of blood vessels in localized scleroderma image and control image.
Calculation of iii–v ternary phase diagrams: In-Ga-As and In-As-Sb

Abstract It has been demonstrated that certain thermodynamic properties of III–V systems can be described using the quasi-chemical equilibrium treatment of a lattice model for the liquid and solid solutions where each atom interacts with only its nearest neighbor atoms. The calculated activity of In in In-Sb solutions, activity of As in Ga-As solutions, and liquidus curves in the In-Sb, Ga-As and In-As systems all agree well with available experimental data. The quasi-chemical equilibrium approach has been used as the basis for a calculation of the phase diagram for a general ternary system A, B. C containing the binary compounds AC and BC which are stoichiometric and completely miscible. The parameters needed for the calculation are the melting temperature and entropy of fusion for both AC and BC and the interaction parameters, Ω a − c , Ω b − c , Ω a − b , Ω ac − bc , which are constants representing the interaction energies in each of the binary systems. The calculation was carried out numerically for two ternary systems In-Ga-As and In-As-Sb. The excellent agreement between calculated and experimental results indicates that the quasi-chemical equilibrium model is valid for the description of the liquid and solid solutions involving elements from groups III and V of the periodic table.
Male parentage in dependent‐lineage populations of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus

We investigated the extent to which workers reproduce in a dependent-lineage population of the monogynous harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus. Dependent-lineage populations contain two interbreeding, yet genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages, each associated with specific alleles at nuclear loci. Workers develop from matings between lineages, and queens develop from matings within lineages, so queens must mate with males of both lineages to produce daughter queens and workers. Males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid. Worker production of males could lead to male-mediated gene flow between the lineages if worker-produced males were reproductively capable. This could result in the loss of the dependent-lineage system, because its persistence depends on the maintenance of allelic differences between the lineages. To investigate the extent of worker reproduction in P. barbatus, we genotyped 19–20 males and workers from seven colonies, at seven microsatellite loci, and 1239 additional males at two microsatellite loci. Our methods were powerful enough to detect worker reproduction if workers produced more than 0.39% of males in the population. We detected no worker-produced males; all males appeared to be produced by queens. Thus, worker reproduction is sufficiently infrequent to have little impact on the dependent-lineage system. These results are consistent with predictions based on inclusive fitness theory because the effective queen mating frequency calculated from worker genotypes was 4.26, which is sufficiently high for workers to police those that attempt to reproduce.
The slider-pinning problem

A Laman mechanism is a flexible planar bar-and-joint framework with m 2n 3 edges and exactly k = 2n m degrees of freedom. The slider-pinning problem is to eliminate all the degrees of freedom of a Laman mechanism, in an optimal fashion, by individually fixing x or y coordinates of vertices. We describe two easy to implement O(n 2 ) time algorithms.
On the usage patterns of multi-modal communication: Countries and evolution

How do people use phone calls and text messages for their communication needs? Most studies so far study each mode of communication in isolation. Here, we study the interplay of multi-modal communications. We analyze more than a billion call and text records from a Chinese city and San Francisco Area between 2007 and 2011. First, we provide some definitions towards a framework for analyzing multi-modal communications. Then,we study the relationship of the two communication modes and quantify several aspects of correlation and inference. For a communicating pair, we find that the existence of texting during the weekend is the strongest indicator that the pair will communicate at other times with texts or calls. We compare the behavior between China and the U.S. and we find several similarities and differences. For example, we find evidence of an after-lunch siesta among Chinese users. Finally, we study the evolution of the two modes over time. We find that texting has taken over in sheer number of ”events” by flipping the number of calls over that of texts from 2: 1 in 2007 to 1:2 in 2011.
Palliative care and hematologic oncology: The promise of collaboration

Palliative medicine provides active evaluation and treatment of the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and families with serious illnesses, regardless of curability or stage of illness. The hematologic malignancies comprise diverse clinical presentations, evolutions, treatment strategies and clinical and quality of life outcomes with dual potential for rapid clinical decline and ultimate improvement. While recent medical advances have led to cure, remission or long-term disease control for patients with hematologic malignancy, many still portend poor prognoses and all are associated with significant symptom and quality of life burden for patients and families. The gravity of a diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy also weighs heavily on the medical team, who typically develop close and long-term relationships with their patients. Palliative care teams provide an additional layer of support to patients, family caregivers, and the primary medical team through close attention to symptoms and emotional, practical, and spiritual needs. Barriers to routine palliative care co-management in hematologic malignancies include persistent health professional confusion about the role of palliative care and its distinction from hospice; inadequate availability of palliative care provider capacity; and widespread lack of physician training in communicating about achievable goals of care with patients, family caregivers, and colleagues. We herein review the evidence of need for palliative care services in hematologic malignancy patients in the context of a growing body of evidence demonstrating the beneficial outcomes of such care when provided simultaneously with curative or life-prolonging treatment.
Optimization of energy window and evaluation of scatter compensation methods in myocardial perfusion SPECT using the ideal observer with and without model mismatch and an anthropomorphic model observer.

We used the ideal observer (IO) and IO with model mismatch (IO-MM) applied in the projection domain and an anthropomorphic channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) applied to reconstructed images to optimize the acquisition energy window width and to evaluate various scatter compensation methods in the context of a myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) defect detection task. The IO has perfect knowledge of the image formation process and thus reflects the performance with perfect compensation for image-degrading factors. Thus, using the IO to optimize imaging systems could lead to suboptimal parameters compared with those optimized for humans interpreting SPECT images reconstructed with imperfect or no compensation. The IO-MM allows incorporating imperfect system models into the IO optimization process. We found that with near-perfect scatter compensation, the optimal energy window for the IO and CHO was similar; in its absence, the IO-MM gave a better prediction of the optimal energy window for the CHO using different scatter compensation methods. These data suggest that the IO-MM may be useful for projection-domain optimization when MM is significant and that the IO is useful when followed by reconstruction with good models of the image formation process.
Maximizing research and development resources: identifying and testing “load-bearing conditions” for educational technology innovations

Education innovations often have a complicated set of assumptions about the contexts in which they are implemented, which may not be explicit. Education technology innovations in particular may have additional technical and cultural assumptions. As a result, education technology research and development efforts as well as scaling efforts can be slowed or made less efficacious because some of these basic assumptions (called load bearing conditions) about the match and prerequisites for the innovation are not met. The assumptions-based planning model is adapted as a methodology to help identify the load-bearing conditions for innovations. The process and impact of its use with two cases of education technology-oriented research and development efforts is reported. The work demonstrates the potential value of this LBC process for recruiting, selecting, and supporting research sites, for innovation designers to target efforts that strengthen implementation and support of scaling. Recommendations are made for others engaged in partnerships with education providers around developing, implementing and testing new education technology based innovations in more effective ways.