cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reasons for Failure to Optimize Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction Patients in Clinical Practice

Introduction Although strategies for optimization of pharmacologic therapy in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are carefully scripted by guidelines, data from large HF registries suggests that guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) are underutilized amongst eligible patients in clinical practice. Whether this discrepancy reflects medication intolerance, perceived contraindications, or a quality of care issue remains unclear. Failure to optimize GDMT in patients with HFrEF is frequently related to provider, rather than patient factors. Methods As part of a quality improvement project, we completed a retrospective review of the electronic health record (EHR) for 194 patients with chronic HF and EF ≤ 40% to document eligibility for four distinct categories of GDMT: ACE inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers(ACE-i/ARB), Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNi), beta blockers, and Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRA). Prescription of GDMT and medication dosage in relation to guideline targets were recorded for each category. Reasons for non-prescription of evidence-based therapies and usage of suboptimal doses were abstracted from notes in the medical chart and from telephone review of previous medication trials with the patient. Results For ACE-i/ARB and beta blockers, rates of prescription in eligible patients were 81% and 94% respectively. However, 71% of patients on an ACE-i/ARB and 81% of patients on a beta blocker were prescribed lower than target doses of these medications. By contrast, utilization of other categories of GDMT was lower in eligible patients, with 59% prescribed MRAs and 16% prescribed an ARNi. As summarized in the Figure, in most cases, the reasons for non-prescription or under-dosing of GDMT by treating clinicians were not apparent on detailed review of the EHR and discussion with the patient. Conclusion Despite widespread utilization of ACEi/ARB and beta blockers in HFrEF, optimization of pharmacologic therapy according to guidelines is inconsistent in clinical practice. The reasons for nonprescription and under-dosing of evidence-based therapies are frequently not apparent from detailed chart review, and only rarely related to documented medication intolerance or contraindications. These data suggest a substantial opportunity for quality improvement.
Thermal Performance Assessment of Curtain Walls of Fully Operational Buildings Using Infrared Thermography and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Architecture’s race skyward has brought with it a variety of functional innovations, one such being glass curtain wall systems. During such building’s operating life, failures of insulation systems create areas of reduced resistance to heat transfer, or thermal bridges. These failures enable energy flows that trigger unanticipated temperature changes and increased energy consumption and ultimately, damage the facade structure and cause problems to occupants. Discussion includes design and test method for rapidly identifying thermal bridges in facade systems, with minimum or no-disturbance of occupants. Research focus is set in determining if the damages are just local failures or if they are related to a poor systematic construction assembly. A non-traditional approach is adopted to survey an entire fully operational building using infrared thermography and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The system is comprised of a non-contact infrared camera mounted on and operated from the UAV. It enables the registration of the emissivity of the facade materials and calculation of the thermal radiation and equivalent factors to estimate localized temperatures. The registration process yields thermal imaging results of the actual state whose temperature will be analyzed quantitatively using graphs and compared with the ASHRAE standards, retrieving the perfect state using THERM software. After evaluation of the results a statistical analysis will be performed, to inform the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community about the areas of most common failures for existing structures. It is expected that the results will also identify improvements for construction methods by projecting better and more efficient processes.
Surgical consultation in neonates with congenital syphilis

Abstract Objective The aim was to review the incidence and clinical presentation of neonates with congenital syphilis requiring surgical consultation at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods Between 2014 and 2016, all records incorporating congenital syphilis and syphilis during pregnancy were obtained to establish disease incidence. During this time, neonates with congenital syphilis and a pediatric surgery consultation were reviewed. Demographic data, details of surgical consultation, operations and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results Between 2014 and 2016, cases of maternal syphilis increased from one to five, and congenital syphilis cases ranged from two to ten. In 2016, four (40%) required surgical consultation. Indications for surgical consultation included: (1) obstructive jaundice, (2) abdominal distension with bilious emesis, (3) distension and hematochezia, and (4) possible anorectal malformation. All were diagnosed by rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) and completed a 10-day course of Penicillin G. One neonate with obstructive jaundice underwent surgery to rule out biliary atresia. Three neonates did not require surgical intervention. Conclusion An understanding of congenital syphilis is imperative for pediatric surgeons. Hepatic and gastrointestinal manifestations may mimic surgical diagnoses in neonates.
Where Did All the People Go? The View From the Dean’s Office at 30,000 Feet:

The role of dean in a business school is, by design, more strategic than tactical. And, when the various stakeholders that a dean must interact with are considered, the ability of a dean to have much of an operating knowledge of what is going on in the teaching and learning space of a school is very limited. The problem, however, is that the dean must be an advocate for this critical function of the business school mission. To understand how these two dimensions might be reconciled, this article looks at the drivers of a dean’s perspective and the disengagement these drivers create. The article ends by suggesting ways for a dean to stay connected to this vital function of the school.
Discounting Women’s Applications when Hiring

In this paper, I argue that philosophy departments at state universities may discount women’s applications. My argument rests on two premises: if the balance of merit-based reasons supports discounting one group relative to a second, then a state institution may discount the first group’s application and the balance of merit-based reasons supports philosophy departments at state universities discounting women’s applications relative to men’s applications. The latter premise was supported by three assumptions. First, if discounting the applications of one group relative to a second is supported by at merit-based reasons and not opposed by an equally strong merit-based reasons, then discounting that group’s applications is supported by a balance of merit-based reasons. Second, discounting the application of women relative to men is supported by a merit-based reason or reasons. Third, discounting the application of women relative to men is not opposed by an equally strong merit-based reason or reasons.
Stress-Corrosion Crack Growth in Surface-Cracked Panels of High-Strength Steels

Stress-corrosion crack growth in 17-4PH and 4340 steels in 3.5 percent sodium chloride solution was examined over a wide range of K I s c c /σ y s values by electrochemically coupling the 17-4PH steel to aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and open circuit and by testing the 4340 steel at three strength levels in open circuit. It was demonstrated that the parameter, K I s c c , determined from small cantilever bend specimens can be used to predict the flaw size/stress level combinations required for the onset of crack growth in large surface-cracked tensile panels. For this purpose the stress-intensity values for the surface-cracked panels were calculated from the basic surface-flaw equation. The microfracture processes in the stress-corrosion cracking included intergranular, cleavage, and microvoid coalescence, the proportion of intergranular became greater with increase in negative electrochemical potential.
Antithrombin Population Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Patients.

Objectives Describe the pharmacokinetics of antithrombin in pediatric patients undergoing ventricular assist device therapy and provide dosing recommendations for antithrombin in this population. Design A retrospective population pharmacokinetic study was designed. Setting Large tertiary care children's hospital Subject inclusion criteria consisted of less than 19 years old. Patients Subjects less than 19 years old undergoing therapy with a HeartWare ventricular assist device (HeartWare, Framingham, MA) or Berlin EXCOR ventricular assist device (Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany), who received a dose of antithrombin with a postdose antithrombin activity level from January 1, 2011, to June 30, 2017. Interventions Population pharmacokinetic analysis and simulation using NONMEM v.7.4 (Icon, PLC, Dublin, Ireland). Measurements and main results A total of 41 patients met study criteria (median age, 5.8 years [interquartile range, 1.6-9.9 yr]), and 53.7% underwent therapy with the pulsatile Berlin EXCOR pediatric ventricular assist device (Berlin Heart GmbH, Berlin, Germany). All patients received unfractionated heparin continuous infusion at a mean ± SD dose of 29 ± 14 U/kg/hr. A total of 181 antithrombin doses (44.1 ± 24.6 U/kg/dose) were included, and baseline antithrombin activity levels were 77 ± 12 U/dL. Antithrombin activity levels were drawn a median 19.9 hours (interquartile range, 8.8-41.6 hr) after antithrombin dose. A one-compartment proportional error model best fit the data, with allometric scaling of fat-free mass providing a better model fit than actual body weight. Unfractionated heparin and baseline antithrombin were identified as significant covariates. A 50 U/kg dose of antithrombin had a simulated half-life 13.2 ± 6.6 hours. Conclusions Antithrombin should be dosed on fat-free mass in pediatric ventricular assist device patients. Unfractionated heparin dose and baseline antithrombin activity level should be considered when dosing antithrombin in pediatric ventricular assist device patients.
Dynamics of Dispersed-Nesting Black Brant on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

The number of black brant Branta bernicla nigricans nests within major breeding colonies on the Yukon-Kuskowkim Delta has declined since 1992. It has been hypothesized that these declines are parti...
Racial Disparity in the Prescription of Anticoagulants and Risk of Stroke and Bleeding in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Abstract Background: Oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy is proven to be effective at reducing risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, racial minorities with AF are less likely to be prescribed vitamin K anticoagulants (VKA). There is little information on the racial disparity in the prescription of the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and the associated risks of stroke and bleeding. Methods: We used data from the Northwestern Medicine Enterprise Data Warehouse – a joint initiative across 11 Northwestern Medicine affiliated healthcare centers within metropolitan Chicago, Illinois. Newly diagnosed AF patients between Jan, 2011 and Dec, 2017 with CHA2DS2VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes, stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, female sex) score of 2 or more and no prior history of stroke or major bleeding were eligible. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in the prescription of any OAC and NOACs by race. Racial differences in the associations of NOACs prescription with incident stroke (a composite of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and cerebral embolism) and major bleeding were evaluated using Cox regression. Results: Among 11,575 newly diagnosed AF patients with CHA2DS2VASc score of 2 or more, 48.7% (47.8-49.6) were on any OAC and among those 40.1% (38.8.3-41.4) received any NOACs. After adjusting for age, gender, income, insurance status, and stroke risk factors, the odds of receiving any OAC was .69 (95% CI: .58-.83) in blacks, .74 (.53-1.903) in Hispanics, and .75 (.58-.95) in Asians compared to whites. Among anticoagulated patients, blacks and Hispanics had significantly lower odds of receiving NOACs: .72 (.53-.97) and .53 (.29-.99), respectively. Use of NOACs, as compared to VKAs, was associated with significantly lower risk of stroke [.52(.31-.85)] and bleeding [.72(.54-.95)] in whites but not in non-whites [stroke: .71 (.22-2.31); bleeding .83(.43-1.57)] independent of other risk factors. Conclusions: Racial minorities with AF who are at risk of stroke were less likely to receive any OAC and NOACs specifically compared to whites even after accounting for insurance status, income, and stroke risk factors. Independent of other risk factors, use of NOACs as compared to VKA was associated with significantly lower risk of stroke and bleeding only in whites but not in non-whites.
Abstract 6177: Triple negative breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy: Improvement in survival and local control with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate local control and survival rates of node negative triple negative breast cancer patients (TNBCs) treated with radiotherapy (RT) in our institution. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 67 TNBCs (2007 - 2017) at an academic state institution who underwent lumpectomy and /or mastectomy (surgery) followed by adjuvant irradiation to median total dose of 50 Gy (range 40.5-50.40 Gy). Chemotherapy was administered in a neoadjuvant (31) or adjuvant setting (36). For all 67 TNBCs, local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The significance of survival variables were analyzed using the Cox univariate and multivariate proportional hazards model. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The SPSS 24.0 software was used for data analysis. Results: The baseline characteristics of all 67 TNBCs were measured with median follow up of 58 months (range 10-142 months). Patients were stratified into two groups (neoadjuvant chemotherapy-RT (31) vs. adjuvant chemotherapy-RT (36)). The median rates for LC, DFS and OS were 27 % vs. 68 % (p= 0.001), 27.2% vs. 63.2 % (p= 0.034), and 63.4% vs. 92.5% (0.001) respectively. On Cox multivariate analysis, patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with statistically improved significant LC (p= 0.002) and OS (p=0.005). The variables included were: ethnicity (p=0.251), age (p=0.984), BMI (p=0.032), lump boost (p=0.300), TNM (p=0.162) and tumor grade (p=0.336). Conclusion: Among TNBC patients undergoing RT, adjuvant chemotherapy appears to be better than neoadjuvant chemotherapy in determining the clinical outcomes. Citation Format: Mary R. Nittala, Eswar K. Mundra, Satya Packianathan, Divyang Mehta, Maria L. Smith, William C. Woods, Shawn McKinney, Barbara S. Craft, Srinivasan Vijayakumar. Triple negative breast cancer patients treated with radiation therapy: Improvement in survival and local control with adjuvant chemotherapy compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6177.
Vigabatrin therapy implicates neocortical high frequency oscillations in an animal model of infantile spasms

Abnormal high frequency oscillations (HFOs) in EEG recordings are thought to be reflections of mechanisms responsible for focal seizure generation in the temporal lobe and neocortex. HFOs have also been recorded in patients and animal models of infantile spasms. If HFOs are important contributors to infantile spasms then anticonvulsant drugs that suppress these seizures should decrease the occurrence of HFOs. In experiments reported here, we used long-term video/EEG recordings with digital sampling rates capable of capturing HFOs. We tested the effectiveness of vigabatrin (VGB) in the TTX animal model of infantile spasms. VGB was found to be quite effective in suppressing spasms. In 3 of 5 animals, spasms ceased after a daily two week treatment. In the other 2 rats, spasm frequency dramatically decreased but gradually increased following treatment cessation. In all animals, hypsarrhythmia was abolished by the last treatment day. As VGB suppressed the frequency of spasms, there was a decrease in the intensity of the behavioral spasms and the duration of the ictal EEG event. Analysis showed that there was a burst of high frequency activity at ictal onset, followed by a later burst of HFOs. VGB was found to selectively suppress the late HFOs of ictal complexes. VGB also suppressed abnormal HFOs recorded during the interictal periods. Thus VGB was found to be effective in suppressing both the generation of spasms and hypsarrhythmia in the TTX model. Vigabatrin also appears to preferentially suppress the generation of abnormal HFOs, thus implicating neocortical HFOs in the infantile spasms disease state.
Nonparametric synthetic control using the npsynth command

In this article, I build on the work of Abadie and Gardeazabal (2003, American Economic Review 93: 113–132) and Abadie, Diamond, and Hainmueller (2010, Journal of the American Statistical Associati...
Emerging Diabetic Foot Ulcer Microbiome Analysis using Cutting Edge Technologies.

One of the most prevalent complications of diabetes mellitus are diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Diabetic foot ulcers represent a complex condition placing individuals at-risk for major lower extremity amputations and are an independent predictor of patient mortality. DFU heal poorly when standard of care therapy is applied. In fact, wound healing occurs only approximately 30% within 12 weeks and only 45% regardless of time when standard of care is utilized. Similarly, diabetic foot infections occur in half of all DFU and conventional microbiologic cultures can take several days to process before a result is known. DFU represent a significant challenge in this regard because DFU often demonstrate polymicrobial growth, become resistant to preferred antibiotic therapy, and do not inform providers about long-term prognosis. In addition, conventional culture yields may be affected by the timing of antibiotic administration and collection of tissue for analysis. This may lead to suboptimal antibiotic administration or debilitating amputations. The microbiome of DFU is a new frontier to better understand the interactions between host organisms and pathogenic ones. Newer molecular techniques are readily available to assist in analyzing the constituency of the microbiome of DFU. These emerging techniques have already been used to study the microbiome of DFU and have clinical implications that may alter standard of care practice in the near future. Here emerging molecular techniques that can provide clinicians with rapid DFU-related-information and help prognosticate outcomes in this vulnerable patient population are presented.
Recurrent structural variations of lncRNA gene CCDC26 in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

We report recurrent somatic structural variations (SVs) involving long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) CCDC26 in 13% of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) patients. We validate our findings using whole genome sequencing data from two independent patient cohorts. CCDC26 SVs cause increased expression of CCDC26 gene in patients. In addition, CCDC26 expression is associated with elevated expression of MYC and proliferation signature. Our findings identify CCDC26 as a novel significantly mutated gene in DIPG and highlight the importance of structural variations in pediatric brain cancer.
Exploratory analysis of air travel demand stimulation in first-time served markets

Abstract This paper presents an exploratory analysis of air travel demand stimulation by non-stop service in first-time served markets (FTMS). Using a data sample of 5,170 records representing service entries in global FTMS from September 2015 to August 2019, we examine demand response to the newly introduced non-stop service and the corresponding market characteristics. Four different variables are considered to represent air travel demand stimulation that can be adopted by practitioners. These variables include Stimulated Passengers, Stimulation Multiplication Factor, Stimulation Rate, and Passengers Stimulated per Non-stop Seat. We estimate a multiple regression model for each of these four dependent variables. The main goal is to understand how the different representations of demand stimulation relate to each other and how their corresponding models explain the different representations of demand stimulation. Results show that there are differences in how these four variables represent demand stimulation and the explanatory power of their corresponding models.
Short-term Debt and Financial Crises: What we can learn from U.S. Treasury Supply

We present a theory in which the key driver of short-term debt issued by the financial sector is the portfolio demand for safe and liquid assets by the non-financial sector. Households’ demand for safe and liquid assets drives a premium on such assets that the financial sector exploits by owning risky and illiquid assets and writing safe and liquid claims against these assets. The central prediction of the theory is that government debt should be a substitute for the net supply of privately issued short-term debt. We verify this prediction with data from 1914 to 2011 by showing the net supply of government debt, predominantly Treasuries, is strongly negatively correlated with the net supply of private short-term debt, defined to be the private supply of short-term safe and liquid debt, net of the financial sector’s holdings of Treasuries (and reserves and currency). A second set of predictions of the model concern the quantity of money (i.e. liquid bank liabilities such as checking accounts). The theory predicts that when government supply is large, banks should hold more of the supply and use it to back issuance of more liquid bank liabilities. We confirm this prediction as well. Moreover, we show that accounting for the impact of Treasury supply on bank money results in a stable estimate for money demand and can help resolve the “missing money" puzzle of the post-1980 period. Finally, the theory predicts that the quantity of short-term debt issued by the financial sector should predict financial crises better than standard measures such as private credit/GDP. We also confirm this prediction.
Probability Density Estimation

For observational data, (1.5) of Example 1.2 defines penalized likelihood density estimation. Of interest are the selection of smoothing parameters, the computation of the estimates, and the asymptotic behavior of the estimates. Variants of (1.5) are also called for to accommodate samples subject to selection bias and samples from conditional distributions.
Laboratory profile of sickle cell disease: A cross-sectional analysis

We have collected steady-state laboratory data for over 2600 patients, age 2 years and over, with sickle cell anemia (HbSS), HbSC disease, and HbS-beta(+)-thalassemia. The packed cell volume (PCV) is lower in males than in females until 17 or 18 years of age in HbSS and ages 13 to 15 in HbSC, but then becomes consistently higher in males. After age 40, the PCV falls in HbSS. The steady-state leukocyte count in HbSS is higher than that in normals, blunting the utility of this measurement in the assessment of infection. In HbSC and HbS-beta(+)-thalassemia, the leukocyte counts are more often within the range of normal. Platelet counts in HbSS are often found to be above normal and show a downward trend with age. There is a progressive rise in creatinine with age. In HbSS, this rise begins at age 14 and may be accounted for by the increased muscle mass that occurs with puberty. The further deterioration of renal function in patients over 20 may be a result of the known adverse effects of sickle cell disease upon the kidney. Our data provide a basis to compare perturbations caused by intercurrent complications and new therapies, as well as to contrast with similar information from other populations of patients with sickle cell disease.
Reactions of uranium carbide in a KClLiCl/Zinc system

Abstract The reactions of uranium monocarbide with liquid zinc and in a KClLiClZnCl2/zinc system have been investigated for the temperature range 500–800°C. At temperatures above 725°C there is no noticeable reaction between zinc and UC. At temperatures below 725°C only partial conversion of the carbide to U2Zn17 was observed and a monocarbide residue remained at temperatures down to 500°C. The residue was shown to be an oxygen-stabilized carbide phase, UOxC1−x. The oxycarbide was found to exist in equilibrium with graphite and no evidence was observed for either U2C3 or UC2 as a reaction- or equilibrium product. Equilibrations carried out in a KClLiClZnCl2/zinc system showed that the oxidation of the carbide resulted in the formation of an oxycarbide in equilibrium with UO2. The relative, partial molal free energy of UC at 700°C in this oxycarbide was estimated to be−18.0 kcal/mole.
Platelet factor 4 stimulates thrombomodulin protein C-activating cofactor activity. A structure-function analysis.

Thrombomodulin (TM) is an anionic (pI approximately 4) protein cofactor that promotes thrombin (THR) cleavage of protein C to generate activated protein C (APC), a potent anticoagulant. We find that the cationic platelet alpha-granule protein platelet factor 4 (PF4) stimulates 4-25-fold the cofactor activity of rabbit TM and two differentially glycanated versions of an extracellular domain human TM polypeptide in which the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) is either present (GAG+ TM) or absent (GAG- TM) with an ED50 of 3.3-10 micrograms/ml. No such stimulation occurs in response to beta-thromboglobulin or thrombospondin, or when protein C lacking its gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain is the substrate. Heparin and chondroitin sulfates A and E reverse PF4 stimulation. PF4 minimally affects the Kd for THR but decreases 30-fold (from 8.3 to 0.3 microM) the Km for protein C of APC generation by GAG+ TM. PF4 also strikingly transforms the [Ca2+] dependence profile of rabbit and GAG+ TM to resemble that of GAG- TM. A potential explanation for this is that PF4, like Ca2+, induces heparin-reversible alterations in native (but not Gla-domainless) protein C conformation as assessed by autofluorescence emission analysis. We conclude that PF4 stimulates TM APC generation by interacting electrostatically with both the TM GAG and the protein C Gla domain to enhance markedly the affinity of the THR.TM complex for protein C. By this mechanism, PF4 may play a previously unsuspected role in the physiologic regulation of clotting.
Variation in the Growth of Private Colleges' Endowments Since the Mid-1990s: The Implications for Endowment Support of Current Operations

Focusing on private colleges, which on the whole tend to be more reliant on endowment as a source of revenue than public colleges, this study seeks to address a series of questions related to the possibility that the "rich" have become disproportionately "richer." First, is such a pattern actually present? Second, to the extent that there are differences in endowment growth that are systematically linked to differences in colleges' starting endowment sizes, what underlies these systematic differences? Is it higher investment returns, lower endowment spending rates, or some other factors? Third, to the extent that differences exist in endowment growth across colleges, how are these differences linked to ensuing differences in the growth of operating expenses? The picture that emerges, subject to some subtleties, is that the endowments of the rich have grown disproportionately from 1995 to 2007, and this disproportionate growth is largely confined to the "very rich." Both higher investment returns and lower endowment spending rates play a role in this disproportionate growth. Substantial differences in investment returns are not as prominent in the early years of the twelve-year period as they have been more recently. To an extent, those colleges with higher endowment growth have tended towards higher operating expense growth, the presumption being that the higher expense growth is supported by the endowment growth. However, the higher expense growth has not kept pace with the higher endowment growth.
Review of Marilyn French, Shakespeare's division of experience †

SHAKESPEARE'S DIVISION OF EXPERIENCE by Marilyn French. (Summit Books — Simon and Schuster, 1981). 376pp., $15.95.
Thermo-Physical Properties and Equilibrium Vapor-Composition of Lithium Fluoride-Beryllium Fluoride (2LiF/BeF2) Molten Salt

An assessment of Flibe thermo-physical properties relevant to the prompt x-rays ablation of the liquid wall is presented with emphasis given to the equilibrium vapor composition and vapor pressure....
Microbubble-enhanced ultrasound-modulated fluorescence in a turbid medium

The feasibility of using ultrasound to modulate fluorescence in a turbid medium is still in debate due to the difficulty of detecting the modulated signal. We have demonstrated a system that could detect the weak signals of ultrasound-modulated fluorescence (UMF) by using a broadband lock-in amplifier and microbubbles as enhancement agents. By detecting the microbubble-enhanced UMF signal, a sub-millimeter fluorescent tube submerged in a turbid medium with a depth of 2 cm has been clearly observed with an ultrasonic spatial resolution. The modulation efficiency was significantly improved by using microbubbles, and was found to linearly increase with the drive voltage applied to the ultrasound transducer and the fluorophore concentration within the range adopted in this study. Possible modulation mechanisms are discussed.
Validation, Uncertainty, and Quantitative Reliability at Confidence (QRC)

This paper represents a summary of our methodology for Verification and Validation and Uncertainty Quantification. A graded scale methodology is presented and related to other concepts in the literature. We describe the critical nature of quantified Verification and Validation with Uncertainty Quantification at specified Confidence levels in evaluating system certification status. Only after Verification and Validation has contributed to Uncertainty Quantification at specified confidence can rational tradeoffs of various scenarios be made. Verification and Validation methods for various scenarios and issues are applied in assessments of Quantified Reliability at Confidence and we summarize briefly how this can lead to a Value Engineering methodology for investment strategy.
Hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis effects on erythropoiesis in renal failure

Abstract Hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis effects on erythropoiesis in renal failure. Parameters of erythropoiesis were studied in patients with endstage renal disease established on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and regular hemodialysis treatment (RDT). Serum erythropoietin was measured by radioimmunoassay, and erythroid progenitor cell (CFU-E) formation was assayed in fetal mouse liver cultures. Serum erythropoietin concentrations in both CAPD (35.3 ± 4.0 mU/ml) and RDT (31.9 ± 1.9 mU/ml) patients were significantly higher (P Effets de l'hemodialyse et de la dialyse peritoneale continue ambulatoire sur l'erythropoiese au cours de l'insuffisance renale. Les parametres de l'erythropoiese ont ete etudies chez des malades avec une nephropathie terminale en dialyse peritoneale continue ambulatoire (CAPD) et en hemodialyse periodique (RDT). L'erythropoietine serique a ete mesuree par dosage radioimmunologique, et la formation de cellules souches erythroides (CFU-E) a ete dosee dans des cultures de foie foetal de souris. Les concentrations d'erythropoietine serique chez les malades en CAPD (35,3 ± 4,0 mU/ml) et en RDT (31,9 ± 1,9 mU/ml) etaient significativement plus elevees (P
Damascene Chemical-Mechanical Polishing Characterization and Modeling for Polysilicon Microelectromechanical Systems Structures

We apply a chip-scale chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) modeling methodology to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication. This methodology uses direct measurements of test wafers to extract and fit a semiempirical model to explain and simulate CMP for surface-machined polysilicon MEMS structures. A MEMS test mask incorporating unique MEMS features including large structures, irregular curves, and multiple test die is presented. Using the new test mask, we extract and evaluate a dual-material CMP model which is applicable to inlaid or damascene MEMS structures. The work validates our modeling methodology, previously developed for integrated circuit applications, and shows that the model can be extended into the arena of MEMS CMP. While the current model is able to capture trends in damascene MEMS CMP, it does not completely explain all of the observed nonuniformities. MEMS-centric design rules and structures motivate the need for further CMP model development and application.
Melathra huyenae Franz, a New Genus and New Species of Entimine Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from Southwestern Hispaniola

Melathra huyenae Franz, new genus and new species, is described to accommodate an enigmatic species of entimine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from southwestern Hispaniola. The new genus is closely related to Apotomoderes Dejean and therefore placed in the tribe Geonemini Gistel, but is distinguished by the following unique suite of features: labial palps 2-segmented; post-epistomal region not depressed; scrobe passing over eye; profemur with a small cuticular tooth; metatibial apex simple; elytral humeri not well-defined; wings reduced; female sternum VIII elliptical; spermatheca with corpus swollen; and aedeagus with groups of setae present in dorsal subapical region, flagellum sclerotized, and with paired anterior, narrowly plicate sclerites. The single constituent species M. huyenae is characterized by a uniformly grey-silver to brown scale coverage which is most conspicuously interrupted by two anteromesally positioned rusty brown spots on the elytra. Melathra huyenae is apparently narrowly endemic to the coastal dry forest habitat of the Jaragua National Park. The host plant associations remain unknown.
Buzz in the axilla: A new physical sign in hemodialysis forearm graft evaluation

Abstract The value of physical signs in predicting flow rates or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hemodialysis graft survival is not well known. Simultaneous physical examination and flow measurements were performed in 67 dialysis patients with PTFE grafts over a period of 1 month. Physical signs included the presence and location of a palpable thrill, location and auscultatory nature of the bruit, and presence or absence of a pulsation. Patients were followed up for 1 year to detect the time to failure defined by angioplasty, clotting, or surgical revision. There was a fair correlation between physical signs and graft flow rates. In a multivariate model, systolic blood pressure, location of the thrill, and patient age were the best predictors of graft flow. During follow-up, there were 68 graft failures (30 grafts, angioplasty alone; 38 grafts, thrombosis followed by interventional or surgical revisions). The median survival of a graft without a thrill in the axilla was 154 days compared with 321 days when a thrill was present (P = 0.05, log-rank test). Dialysis graft physical examination is a useful test to predict graft flows, as well as graft failure. The single best test is the location of the thrill along the venous limb of the graft. Average flow rates for no thrill, thrill but distal to the midarm, and axillary buzz were approximately 500, 750, and 1,000 mL/min, respectively. This single physical sign also correlated with subsequent graft failure and should be incorporated into physical examinations of all dialysis grafts. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Brief motivational feedback improves post-incarceration treatment contact among veterans with substance use disorders

Abstract Objectives: To test the efficacy of providing brief motivational feedback to increase post-incarceration substance use disorders (SUD) treatment contact. Design: Randomized clinical trial (feedback vs. control) with a 2-month post-incarceration follow-up. Participants: Veterans (N=73) incarcerated in a county jail system who met SUD diagnostic criteria. Measures: Baseline assessment included the Addiction Severity Index, the Form-90 assessment of recent alcohol use, and a DSM-IV SUD criteria checklist. The primary outcome was Veterans Adminstration (VA) appointments. Secondary outcomes were the Addiction Severity Index-Followup and the Treatment Services Review. Intervention: All participants received baseline assessment. The feedback condition received personalized feedback and encouragement to explore ambivalence about change and treatment in a single interview. Results: Participants receiving feedback were more likely to schedule appointments at a VA addictions clinic within 60 days of their jail release dates (67 vs. 41%; P 50%, limiting power to detect significant differences by self-report. Conclusion: Brief motivational feedback shows promise as a way to link incarcerated individuals to SUD treatment services.
Memory storage in free recall learning as a function of arousal and time with homogeneous and heterogeneous lists

The relation of arousal to retention in free learning was studied in a 3 by 2 design employing 48 undergraduates as Ss, three list conditions (high arousal, low arousal, and mixed list), and two retention intervals (immediate and 3 days). Arousal value of the words was based on earlier studies. Contrary to previous paired-associate studies, no significant interaction between arousal condition and retention interval was obtained, nor was reminiscence detected. However, although no significant differences were found between arousal conditions on immediate retention, significantly greater performance was elicited by high arousal at the 3-day test. The high-arousal material demonstrated greater resistance to forgetting than the low-arousal material. A differential rehearsal interpretation of the data was suggested.
Cyclic polyether-protonated organic amine binding: significance in enzymatic and ion transport processes

The cyclic polyether, 18-crown-6, reacts with protonated amines in methanol to form complexes whose formation constants (log K) decrease in the order NH4+, RNH3+ greater than R2NH2+ greater than R3NH+. In the case of the organic amines, this stability order is identical to the earlier observed permeability sequence for protonated organic amines in glyceryl dioleate bilayers treated with valinomycin, nonactin, or gramicidin, and in bullfrog and rabbit gallbladder membranes. The decrease in log K values in the above series is primarily a result of decreased enthalpy change (deltaH) values, the entropy change (TdeltaS) term being essentially constant for the systems studied.
The expression of calretinin in transfected PC12 cells provides no protection against Ca(2+)-overload or trophic factor deprivation.

Abstract To address the question whether calretinin (CR) may protect cells against Ca 2+ overload or trophic factor deprivation, PC12 cells were transfected with plasmids containing a CR coding region under control of a cytomegalovirus promoter. Nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment induced differentiation, increased transfection efficiency (at least 10-fold) and activated the CR gene (as found by RNase protection method and immunohistochemistry). Exogenous CR expression was identified either in living cells by fluorescence of green fluorescent protein (when the CR coding region was fused to this protein) or in fixed cells by CR immunoreactivity. Undifferentiated and NGF-differentiated populations of transfected cells were incubated in the presence of a Ca 2+ -ionophore or in media deprived of serum or NGF. Expression of exogenous CR in undifferentiated or NGF-treated cells (due to transfection) or endogenous CR (due to gene activation by NGF) did not render PC12 cells more resistant to insults such as Ca 2+ -overload and trophic factor deprivation.
IDENTIFICATION OF THRESHOLD LEVELS FOR WARNER-BRATZLER SHEAR FORCE IN BEEF TOP LOIN STEAKS

Threshold Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values were determined by regression analysis of WBS force values and trained sensory panel overall tenderness ratings of beef top loin steaks from A- and B-maturity carcasses (n = 678). Guidelines for retail and foodservice beef were based on 50 and 68% confidence levels, respectively, for overall tenderness ratings of “slightly tender.” Due to the extreme variation in tenderness that exists in the current U.S. beef population, more stringent confidence levels were not practical. Threshold WBS values for retail and foodservice beef were 4.6 and 3.9 kg, respectively. When these values were tested against the population of beef in the National Consumer Retail Beef Study, the 4.6 kg value was 88.6% accurate at determining whether or not a steak would be rated less than “slightly tender”by consumers.
Malacoplakia of the vagina presenting as a pelvic mass

Malacoplakia is an unusual type of chronic inflammation that rarely involves the female genital tract. A case of malacoplakia involving the vaginal cuff of a patient previously treated by radical hysterectomy for cervical carcinoma is presented.
Antiviral substances in starfish

Eine Gruppe von teilweise chemisch charakterisierten Verbindungen, welche die Vermehrung des Influenza-Virus in Huhnembryo-Test verhindern, wurde aus den SeesternenAsterias forbesi, Asterias pectinifera undAcanthaster planci isoliert.
Transient Hepatic Attenuation Differences in Computed Tomography from Extrahepatic Portal Vein Compression

Objective To describe the appearance of transient hepatic attenuation differences (THADs) of extrahepatic origin.
Returning the world to nature: Heidegger’s turn from a transcendental-horizonal projection of world to an indwelling releasement to the open-region

The central issue of Heidegger’s thought is the question of being. More precisely, it is the question of the relation between being and human being, the relation, that is, between Sein and Dasein. This article addresses the so-called turn (Kehre) in Heidegger’s thinking of this relation. In particular, it shows how this turn entails a shift from a transcendental-horizonal projection of world to “an indwelling releasement [instandige Gelassenheit] to the worlding of the world”. Although a wide range of pre- and post-turn texts are referenced, since this shift is explicitly thematized in Heidegger’s Country Path Conversations, these three fictional conversations from 1944/45 take center stage in this study.
Steady-state oscillations in gases

The oscillations induced in a semi-infinite gas excited by the harmonic motion of a boundary are treated according to the linearized single-collision-time kinetic model of Bhatnagar, Gross and Krook in the isothermal approximation. Molecular collisions with the walls are assumed stochastic. The behavior of the system is exhibited as a function of distance from the harmonically oscillating wall. We find sound and plasma oscillations corresponding to pole terms in the Fourier analysis of the particle current density, and additional contributions arising from a cut in the complex wave-number plane. The properties of these solutions are discussed; the behavior of the solutions near the high-density limit are described.
Rate-controlled partial-equilibrium method for treating reacting gas mixtures

A rate-controlled partial-equilibrium method for treating reacting gas mixtures has been developed that is very much simpler than the usual technique of integrating the full set of rate equations. The method is based on the observation that a rate-controlling reaction is equivalent to a “passive constraint” on the gas, so that the corresponding partial-equilibrium state can be calculated by minimizing the appropriate free energy function. An example illustrating the application of the method to the “freezing” of threebody reactions in an internal combustion engine is given.
Targeting TRPV1 as an Alternative Approach to Narcotic Analgesics to Treat Chronic Pain Conditions

In spite of intense research efforts and after the dedicated Decade of Pain Control and Research, there are not many alternatives to opioid-based narcotic analgesics in the therapeutic armamentarium to treat chronic pain conditions. Chronic opioid treatment is associated with sedation, tolerance, dependence, hyperalgesia, respiratory depression, and constipation. Since the affective component is an integral part of pain perception, perhaps it is inevitable that potent analgesics possess the property of impacting pain pathways in the supraspinal structures. The question still remains to be answered is that whether a powerful analgesic can be devoid of narcotic effect and addictive potentials. Local anesthetics are powerful analgesics for acute pain by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels that are involved in generation and propagation of action potentials. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants have proven to be useful in the treatment of certain modalities of pain. In neuropathic pain conditions, the complexity arises because of the notion that neuronal circuitry is altered, as occurs in phantom pain, in that pain is perceived even in the absence of peripheral nociceptive inputs. If the locus of these changes is in the central nervous system, commonly used analgesics may not be very useful. This review focuses on the recent advances in nociceptive transmission and nociceptive transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel as a target for treating chronic pain conditions with its agonists/antagonists.
Models of Civic Responsibility: Korean Americans in Congregations with Different Ethnic Compositions

This article compares different discourses of civic responsibility for Korean American evangelicals in a second-generation Korean congregation and a multiethnic congregation located in the same impoverished ethnic minority community. Those in the second-generation church define civic responsibility through difference from immigrant Koreans. They stress caring for members of their local community and explicitly reject their parents' connection of Christianity to economic mobility. Yet, they find relating to other minorities in their local community difficult because of an implicit belief that the economically impoverished are not hardworking. Korean Americans in the multiethnic church connect Christianity to valuing diversity. A religious individualism that is used to justify diversity also helps Korean Americans stress their commonality with other ethnic minorities and legitimates commitment to community service. These results help researchers rethink how new groups of Americans might influence the relationship of evangelical Christianity to American civic life.
The chemical vapor deposition of TiB2 from diborane

Abstract In this paper we describe an experimental study of the chemical vapor deposition of titanium diboride on graphite using the reaction of TiCl4 with B2H6 in a hydrogen atmosphere in the temperature range 600–900 °C. Dense and adherent coatings were obtained varying in composition from boron rich at 600 °C (TiB3.12) to stoichiometric above 700°C. There was a gradual increase in crystalline size with increasing deposition temperature. Chlorine tended to remain incorporated in the deposit (1.86 at.% at 600 °C decreasing to 0.51% at 900 °C). The coatings were very hard ( HV = 3715 kgf mm −2 ).