cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Bretylium Tosylate for the Treatment of Premature Ventricular Contractions

In a controlled setting bretylium tosylate was evaluated for efficacy, toxicity, onset, and duration of action in eight patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC). Four patients received a single im dose of bretylium, 4 mg/kg, with before and after control days; the other four patients received bretylium, 2 and 4 mg/kg, on different days with before and between control days. PVC were quantified from stored continuous ECG tape recordings by an automated arrhythmia-detection system. Five patients had 50% or more reduction of PVC frequency with bretylium 4 mg/kg, and one with 2 mg/kg. Bretylium 4 mg/kg but not 2 mg/kg reduced mean PVC frequency by half beginning at the sixth hour and continuing for 12 hours. Hypotension began within 1 hour. Maximum fall in mean supine blood pressure was 17/6 mm Hg with 2 mg/kg, and 25/12 mm Hg with 4 mg/kg. Plasma bretylium concentration was maximum at about 1 hour with a mean elimination half-life of 10 hours. A controlled quantitative method for evalua...
Angular-dependent embedded atom method potential for atomistic simulations of metal-covalent systems

A computationally efficient interatomic potential is developed for the description of interatomic interactions in multicomponent systems composed of metals, Si and Ge. The potential is based on reformulation of the embedded atom method (EAM) potential for metals and Stillinger-Weber (SW) potential commonly used for Si and Ge in a compatible functional form. The potential incorporates a description of the angular dependence of interatomic interactions into the framework of the EAM potential and, therefore, is dubbed angular-dependent EAM (A-EAM) potential. The A-EAM potential retains the properties of the pure components predicted by the original EAM and SW potentials, thus limiting the scope of potential parameterization to only the cross interactions among the components. The ability of the potential to provide an adequate description of binary systems with mixed type of bonding is illustrated for Au-Si/Ge system, with the parameters for Au-Si and Au-Ge interactions determined based on the results of density-functional theory calculations performed for several representative bulk structures and small clusters. To test the performance of the A-EAM potential at finite temperatures, the values of the enthalpy of mixing of liquid Au-Si and Au-Ge alloys, as well as the equilibrium lines on the Au-Si phase diagram are evaluated and compared with experimental data. The calculation of the phase diagram is based on the values of the excess chemical potential difference between Au and Si, evaluated in a series of semi-grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations performed for different temperatures and alloy compositions. The potential is shown to provide an adequate semiquantitative description of the thermodynamic properties of the alloy at different temperatures and in the whole range of compositions, thus showing a considerable promise for large-scale atomistic simulations of metal-Si/Ge systems.
Neutral lipids in cercariae, encysted metacercariae, and rediae of Zygocotyle lunata.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography was used to analyze the neutral lipids in the rediae, cercariae, and encysted metacercariae of the paramphistomid trematode Zygocotyle lunata. Visual observations of the chromatograms showed that the most abundant lipid fractions were free sterols and free fatty acids in all larval stages and triacylglycerols in the metacercariae and rediae. The weight of free sterols (x ± SE) was 120 ± 20 ng/cercaria, 56 ± 3.8 ng/redia, and 5.9 ± 1.5 ng/encysted metacercaria; the weight of triacylglycerols was 13 ± 0.88 ng/encysted metacercaria, 6.3 ± 0.063 ng/redia, and was not detectable in the cercaria; the weight of free fatty acids was 160 ± 17 ng/cercaria, 76 ± 9.1 ng/redia, and 4.2 ± 0.46 ng/encysted metacercaria. Oil red O staining of whole larvae showed the presence of neutral lipids in the rediae but not in the cercariae or encysted metacercariae. A dramatic reduction was seen in the quantity of free sterols and free fatty acids in the encysted metacercariae as compar...
Progress Toward the Determination of Correct Classification Rates in Fire Debris Analysis II: Utilizing Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA)

A multistep classification scheme was used to detect and classify ignitable liquid residues in fire debris into the classes defined by the ASTM E1618-10 standard method. The total ion spectra (TIS) of the samples were classified by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) with cross-validation and tested on fire debris. For detection of ignitable liquid residue, the true-positive rate was 94.2% for cross-validation and 79.1% for fire debris, with false-positive rates of 5.1% and 8.9%, respectively. Evaluation of SIMCA classifications for fire debris relative to a reviewer's examination led to an increase in the true-positive rate to 95.1%; however, the false-positive rate also increased to 15.0%. The correct classification rates for assigning ignitable liquid residues into ASTM E1618-10 classes were generally in the range of 80-90%, with the exception of gasoline samples, which were incorrectly classified as aromatic solvents following evaporative weathering in fire debris.
The Importance of Economic Criteria To Agency Administrators

This paper argues that program evaluation research should be broadened to deal systematically with the economics of resource use at the level of the individual social service delivery agency. This contention is predicated on the assumption that agency administrators must operate within limited budgets and, thus, cannot make rational choices in developing service priorities without information on service costs. The argument is strengthened by the recognition that input use can be established by the same methods used to measure service delivery. An example is presented to illustrate the problems faced by an agency administrator who attempts to establish the optimal service mix m the face of a limited agency budget. The example is then generalized for more complex service delivery requirements.
Magnetic field perturbation of the doublet states in Cr(III) complexes with quadratic and cubic symmetries. A study on the role of levels having 2T1g parentage

Abstract The transient absorption spectra of the lowest lying doublet states in Cr(en) 3+ 3 , Cr(CN) 3− 6 and t -Cr([14]aneN 4 )(CN) 4 + have been determined using flash photolysis. These absorptions and those in the literature for other Cr(III) complexes have been rationalized in terms of transitions to appropriate 1f energy levels. The effect of a magnetic field on the phosphorescence spectra and on the kinetics of the excited state decay has been investigated for fields between 0 and 9 T in various media. Field-induced changes in the phosphorescence spectra and in the rates of emission have been associated with corresponding modifications in the populations of Zeeman sublevels and in their intrinsic rate constants. The results are in accordance with a strong coupling of the magnetic field to sublevels with 2 T c 1g {t 3 2g } parentage.
Next generation device for recording daylong hand-arm vibration and grip force waveforms

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (A) can potentially cause severe upper extremity impairment and is a significant occupational health risk in many industrial settings. To better understand vibration exposure in a field environment, a next-generation device for daylong data capture of vibration and grip force waveforms was developed. The new device consists of a signal conditioning board for sensor configuration and a PDA device to store waveforms to high capacity flash memory. System performance was compared with previous field vibration exposure instrumentation during a representative carpentry task. Results demonstrate the ability of the new device to generate similar data to previous instrumentation as well as new frequency content information for specific exposures that was not previously available for field measurements. The ability to apply more advanced signal processing techniques to long duration field data will aid in developing more accurate exposure-response models for hand-arm vibration disorders.
Mechanisms for chelator stimulation of microbial Fe(III)-oxide reduction

Abstract The mechanisms by which nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) stimulated Fe(III) reduction in sediments from a petroleum-contaminated aquifer were investigated in order to gain insight into how added Fe(III) chelators stimulate the activity of hydrocarbon-degrading, Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in these sediments, and how naturally occurring Fe(III) chelators might promote Fe(III) reduction in aquatic sediments. NTA solubilized Fe(III) from the aquifer sediments. NTA stimulation of microbial WHO reduction did not appear to be the result of making calcium, magnesium, potassium, or trace metals more available to the microorganisms. Stimulation of WHO reduction could not be attributed to NTA serving as a source of carbon or fixed nitrogen for Fe(III)-reducing bacteria as NTA was not degraded in the sediments. Studies with the Fe(III)-reducing microorganism, Geobacter metallireducens, and pure Fe(III)-oxide forms, demonstrated that NTA stimulated the reduction of a variety of Fe(III) forms, including highly crystalline Fe(III)-oxides such as goethite and hematite. The results suggest that NTA solubilization of insoluble Fe(III)-oxide is an important mechanism for the stimulation of Fe(III) reduction by NTA in aquifer sediments.
Daily physical activity and alcohol use across the adult lifespan.

Objective: In contrast to proposals that physical activity (PA) can be a substitute for alcohol use, people who engage in greater overall PA generally consume more alcohol on average than less-active peers. Acknowledging that both PA and alcohol use vary considerably from day-to-day, this study evaluated whether established associations reflect daily behavioral coupling within-person, are an artifact of procedures that aggregate behavior over time, or both. Methods: A life span sample of 150 adults (aged 19–89 years) completed three 21-day measurement bursts of a daily diary study. At the end of each day, they reported on their PA and alcohol consumption. Data were analyzed in a negative binomial multilevel regression. Results: As expected, both behaviors exhibited limited between-person variation. After controlling for age, gender, and seasonal and social calendar influences, daily deviations in PA were significantly associated with daily total alcohol use. Once the within-person process linking PA and alcohol use was controlled, usual PA and total alcohol use were not associated. Conclusions: The established between-person association linking PA and alcohol use reflects the aggregation of a daily process that unfolds within-people over time. Further work is needed to identify mediators of this daily association and to evaluate causality, as well as to investigate these relations in high-risk samples.
Following insects around: tools and techniques of eighteenth-century natural history.

This paper examines the movement of the materials, ideas and practices that went into the construction of natural-historical observations in Paris and the French provinces – in particular, observations of insects. The paired notions of circulation and locality expose the complex dynamic at play in the production of knowledge about these mundane creatures. I show how the movement of things and people problematizes the notion of a single ‘centre of calculation’, even where a dominant figure like Reaumur was managing collections and producing authoritative texts. Reaumur was indeed managing the flow of observations, letters and specimens from his privileged vantage point in Paris, but he was not the only one doing the processing, and the objects and knowledge flowed in all directions. The paper uses correspondence among eighteenth-century naturalists of various sorts to get at the dynamics of circulation, tracing the movements of insects, bits of text or narrative, drawings, letters, questions, apparatus, books and people. My title refers to the activities of naturalists, who had to follow insects around in order to observe them, and to my own activity in following the insects in their movement through letters, conversations, specimen jars, drawings and texts. My research depends on the accumulation of details about experimental and observational practice, culled from the masses of letters that moved continually around Europe, much as the science of insects depended on the accumulation of details about insects – their physiology, habits, metamorphosis and place in the human economy and the economy of nature.
Recording of dynamic antenna radiation patterns

A concept is presented for recording antenna radiation patterns as functions of two parameters simultaneously. An implementation of the technique results in a significant savings in the measurement time required to document antenna performance as a function of the particular pair of parameters of interest. Application of the concept to beam scanning and frequency scanning antennas is discussed.
Decision making in revision sinus surgery

Success in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) occurs in 85 to 95% of patients. Approximately 5 to 15% of patients fail and require revision sinus surgery. Some of the same problems that cause failure for primary ESS could also be a problem for revision surgery. Nasal polyps, extensive disease, and previous surgery are problematic cases. Underlying problems such as cilial abnormalities, immunodeficiency, and cystic fibrosis need to be taken into consideration in surgical planning. The most common symptoms noted in the patient with failure are headache and symptoms of recurrent infection. The most common anatomic problems related to failed surgery are a retained or intact uncinate process and a lateralized or destabilized middle turbinate. Pathophysiology noted on objective evaluation includes anterior and posterior ethmoid disease; frontal recess obstruction or stenosis; an obstructed, blocked, or closed antrostomy; recirculation phenomenon; recurrent or persistent fungal disease; and sphenoid obstruction or closure. Surgical decision making designed to treat these problems is carefully planned and targeted with surgical alternatives ready as back-up. Stereotaxic computerized ESS is very helpful in finding disease and identifying the orbit and skull base. These points of interest are reviewed in an effort to give an overview of what is required for appropriate decision making in ESS.
On the resonance of a pliant tube as a mechanism for valveless pumping

Valveless pumping can be achieved through the periodic compression of a pliant tube asymmetrically from its interfaces to different tubing or reservoirs. A mismatch of characteristic impedance between the flow channels is necessary for creating wave reflection sites. Previous experimental studies of the behaviour of such a pump were continued in order to demonstrate the wave mechanics necessary for the build-up of pressure and net flow. Specific measurements of the transient and resonant properties were used to relate the bulk responses to the pump mechanics. Ultrasound imaging through the tube wall allowed visualization of the wall motion concurrently with pressure and flow measurements. For analysis, a one-dimensional wave model was constructed which predicted many of the characteristics exhibited by the experiments.
PUTTING A PRICE ON COGNITION

In this essay I shall consider a certain methodological claim gaining currency in connectionist quarters: The claim that variables are costly to implement in PDP systems and hence are not likely to be as important in cognitive processing as orthodox theories of cognition assume.
Crystal Structure of the YgfZ Protein from Escherichia coli Suggests a Folate-Dependent Regulatory Role in One-Carbon Metabolism

The ygfZ gene product of Escherichia coli represents a large protein family conserved in bacteria to eukaryotes. The members of this family are uncharacterized proteins with marginal sequence similarity to the T-protein (aminomethyltransferase) of the glycine cleavage system. To assist with the functional assignment of the YgfZ family, the crystal structure of the E. coli protein was determined by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction. The protein molecule has a three-domain architecture with a central hydrophobic channel. The structure is very similar to that of bacterial dimethylglycine oxidase, an enzyme of the glycine betaine pathway and a homolog of the T-protein. Based on structural superposition, a folate-binding site was identified in the central channel of YgfZ, and the ability of YgfZ to bind folate derivatives was confirmed experimentally. However, in contrast to dimethylglycine oxidase and T-protein, the YgfZ family lacks amino acid conservation at the folate site, which implies that YgfZ is not an aminomethyltransferase but is likely a folate-dependent regulatory protein involved in one-carbon metabolism.
Does Inclusion in a Smaller S&P Index Create Value?

This study finds overall increases in equity value surrounding addition to the S&P SmallCap and MidCap indexes from 1996 to 2003 and investigates sources of the value gains. Following addition, there are significant increases in proxy variables for stock liquidity and investor recognition, and changes in these variables are impounded into the permanent component of announcement share price revisions. We also find that changes in capital investment intensity are increasing in changes in stock liquidity, consistent with a reduction in the cost of capital following index addition.
Flexibility of eukaryotic Okazaki fragment maturation through regulated strand displacement synthesis

Okazaki fragment maturation to produce continuous lagging strands in eukaryotic cells requires precise coordination of strand displacement synthesis by DNA polymerase ; (Pol ;) with 5·-flap cutting by FEN1RAD27 endonuclease. Excessive strand displacement is normally prevented by the 3·-exonuclease activity of Pol ;. This core maturation machinery can be assisted by Dna2 nuclease/helicase that processes long flaps. Our genetic studies show that deletion of the POL32 (third subunit of Pol ;) or PIF1 helicase genes can suppress lethality or growth defects of rad27Δ pol3-D520V mutants (defective for FEN1RAD27 and the 3·-exonuclease of Pol ;) that produce long flaps and of dna2Δ mutants that are defective in cutting long flaps. On the contrary, pol32Δ or pif1Δ caused lethality of rad27Δ exo1Δ double mutants, suggesting that Pol32 and Pif1 are required to generate longer flaps that can be processed by Dna2 in the absence of the short flap processing activities of FEN1RAD27 and Exo1. The genetic analysis reveals a remarkable flexibility of the Okazaki maturation machinery and is in accord with our biochemical analysis. In vitro, the generation of short flaps by Pol ; is not affected by the presence of Pol32; however, longer flaps only accumulate when Pol32 is present. The presence of FEN1RAD27 during strand displacement synthesis curtails displacement in favor of flap cutting, thus suggesting an active hand-off mechanism from Pol ; to FEN1RAD27. Finally, RNA-DNA hybrids are more readily displaced by Pol ; than DNA hybrids, thereby favoring degradation of initiator RNA during Okazaki maturation.
Attachment organization and treatment use for adults with serious psychopathological disorders

Individual differences in attachment organization among adults with serious psychopathological disorders were related to strategies of treatment use. Forty young adults with serious psychopathological disorders were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1984), and their clinicians completed ratings of treatment use. Attachment organization was assessed using the Attachment Q-set (Kobak, 1989), yielding ratings of security/anxiety and avoidance/preoccupation. In preliminary analyses, diagnosis was found to be related to security, with greater security associated with affective rather than thought disorders. Gender was related to avoidance/preoccupation, with males having stronger avoidant tendencies than females. The effects of diagnosis and gender were partialled out of subsequent analyses. As predicted, greater security was associated with more compliance with treatment, as rated by clinicians. Stronger avoidant tendencies were associated with greater rejection of treatment providers, less self-disclosure, and poorer use of treatment. These findings suggest that attachment organization may be an important determinant of how individuals with serious psychopathological disorders approach attachment figures.
Steady-hand teleoperation with virtual fixtures

We present a method for implementing "steady-hand control" on teleoperators where the master device is of the impedance type. Typical steady-hand systems are admittance controlled cooperative robots that can implement very high damping. Such systems are ideal for implementing guidance virtual fixtures, which are constraints in software that assist a user in moving a tool along preferred paths. Our steady-hand teleoperation method implements a type of admittance control law on an impedance-type master but require no force sensor. Combined with guidance virtual fixtures, the system results in a slave device that is precisely constrained to preferred paths. Experimental results demonstrate the desirable behavior of the system. This research is applicable to impedance-type telemanipulation systems, particularly those used in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery.
Ceftaroline: A Novel Cephalosporin with Activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Ceftaroline (PPI 0903, formerly TAK-599), the active metabolite of a N-phosphono prodrug, ceftaroline fosamil, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. This antimicrobial agent binds to penicillin binding proteins (PBP) inhibiting cell wall synthesis and has a high affinity for PBP2a, which is associated with methicillin resistance. Ceftaroline is consistently active against multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate, linezolid-resistant, and daptomycin-nonsusceptible strains. It possesses variable activity against Enterobacteriaceae and good activity against oral anaerobes. The drug is usually administrated intravenously at 600 mg every 12 h. Ceftaroline has low protein binding and is excreted by the kidneys and thus requires dose adjustments in individuals with renal failure. Clinical trials have demonstrated noninferiority when compared with vancomycin in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and noninferiority when compared with ceftriaxone in the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Ceftaroline demonstrated a safety profile similar to that of comparator drugs in clinical trials.
Feasibility Studies of Encapsulated Particles With Heat Absorbing Medium at 800–1300°C for Concentrating Solar Power Technology

The feasibility of using liquid Al or B2O3 encapsulated in SiC particles was studied by using thermodynamic analysis and fluid-solid analysis at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1300°C. Alloy melts of the Al-Si and Fe-Al-Si systems were considered for absorbing and desorbing energy for a high temperature energy storage (TES) unit incorporated in a concentrating solar power scheme. Boria was also evaluated instead of metallic melts and compared with the traditional NaNO3-KNO3 molten salt as a TES medium. In addition to determining the enthalpies for sensible heat and phase transformations, the phase equilibrium was determined for possible reactions at the liquid Al/SiC and B2O3/SiC interfaces by calculating their thermodynamic stability. The transport of encapsulated SiC particles within a fluid and their effect on the thermal conductivity is discussed toward the efficacy of the thermal energy storage.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Immunocytoadherence During Experimental Histoplasmosis

Abstract Immunocytoadherence was investigated as a method of detecting active histoplasmosis in two groups of infected New Zealand white rabbits. Yeast-phase Histoplasma capsulatum was given intravenously to one group and intratracheally to the other. There was a striking correlation between the clinical condition of the animals and the number of rosettes seen. This number increased as the infection progressed and decreased as it regressed. The immunocytoadherence technique might be of value in detecting active histoplasmosis, and investigation in humans is warranted.
A retrospective pilot study examining the use of Acthar gel in sarcoidosis patients.

Abstract Introduction Acthar was reported as effective for the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis in the 1950s. Use of drug waned due to cost and toxicity compared to prednisone. Recent interest has reemerged as an alternative to high dose oral glucocorticoids. Methods Chart review was performed on all advanced sarcoidosis patients seen at two centers who received at least one dose of Acthar gel therapy with at least six months of posttreatment follow up. In all cases prior sarcoidosis therapy and indications for use along with clinical outcome were noted. All patients initially received 80 IU intramuscular or subcutaneous administration twice a week. Results A total of 47 patients were treated with Acthar gel therapy during the study period, and 18 (37%) discontinued drug within six months due to cost (four patients), death (two patients), or drug toxicity (eleven patients), or noncompliance (1 patient). Of the remaining 29 patients, eleven experienced objective improvement in one or more affected organs. All but two patients noted disease improvement or oral glucocorticoid reduction. Twenty-one patients were treated for more than six months (Median 274 days). Nineteen patients were on prednisone at time of starting Acthar gel: seventeen had their prednisone dosage reduced by more than fifty percent and one patient discontinued cyclophosphamide therapy. Conclusion In this group of advanced sarcoidosis patients, Acthar gel treatment for at least three months was associated with objective improvement in a third of patients. A third of patients were unable to take at least a three months of treatment.
Volatility matrix inference in high-frequency finance with regularization and efficient computations

Volatility analysis plays a major role in finance and economics. It is the key input for many financial topics including risk management, option and derivative pricing. One pressing computational hurdle in high frequency financial statistics is the tremendous amount of data and the optimization procedures that require computing power beyond the currently available desktop systems. In this article, we focus on the statistical inference problem on large volatility matrix using high-frequency financial data, and propose a regularization approach to achieve lower prediction errors. We also applied a hybrid parallelization solution to carry out efficient computations for high dimensional statistical methods via intra-day high-frequency data. A variety of hardware and software based HPC techniques, including parallel R, Intel Math Kernel Library, and automatic offloading to Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor are applied to speed up the statistical computations. Our numerical studies are based on high-frequency price data on stocks traded in New York Stock Exchange in 2013. The analysis results show that the constructed estimator using regularization approach generally achieves higher prediction power while enjoying faster convergence rate. We demonstrate significant performance improvement on statistical inference for high-frequency financial data by combining both software and hardware parallelism.
School Social Workers as Response to Intervention Change Champions

School social workers (SSWs) are known for serving students with social, emotional, and academic needs. Implementing Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is one avenue in which SSWs play an integral role by guiding the development and implementation of student interventions. RTI/MTSS requires substantive and multifaceted system changes that involve more than simply adopting new approaches. This paradigm shift brings change which may not be desired or easily accepted by school systems. However, developing collaborative relationships and using effective leadership strategies throughout the RTI/MTSS transformation can be a pathway to success. A survey of 192 SSWs in Illinois revealed the challenges that SSWs experienced as the process of implementing RTI/MTSS transformed them into change leaders. This revelation was viewed as an opportunity to closely align social and emotional practices with students’ academic achievement.
The role of US organic certifiers in organic hotspot formation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the formation of hotspots of organic operations (geographically close areas that have positively correlated high numbers of organic operations), paying particular attention to the role of the organic certifying agent. We analyze the association of county-level factors related to policy, economics, demographics and organic certifiers with the probability that a county is in a hotspot or coldspot (geographically close areas that have positively correlated low numbers of organic operations) of organic operations. The results suggest that a high presence of government run organic certifying agents, as well as a high presence of private organic certifying agents who provide outreach services, are both positively associated with the probability that a county belongs to a hotspot. Other factors, such as the level of property taxes and the distance of the county from the nearest interstate, are also significantly correlated with the probability that a county is in a hotspot. Understanding factors associated with organic hotspots is important given the surge in momentum in the organic industry and the concerns that demand for organic products may be outpacing domestic supply. In particular, understanding the role that certifiers play in the formation of organic hotspots is important, as certain services provided by certifiers may be indicative of the level of communication between organic operations and their communities. The results of this paper may encourage public institutions that approve and regulate organic certifiers to provide incentives for offering outreach services, and private institutions interested in promoting organic operations to work more closely with certifying agents as a means to boost organic hotspots.
Pretreatment with normobaric and hyperbaric oxygenation worsens cerebral edema and neurologic outcomes in a murine model of surgically induced brain injury.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygenation is a readily available treatment modality, and its ability to improve neurological outcomes in a variety of animal models has been demonstrated. This study was designed to investigate the use of a single pretreatment regimen of either hyperbaric oxygenation or normobaric oxygenation to determine its effects in a murine model of surgically induced brain injury (SBI). Materials and Methods: Hyperbaric oxygen (2.5ATM, 1 h), normobaric oxygen (100% FIO2, 1 h) or room air (21% FIO2, 1 h) was applied on CD-1 mice immediately, or at 1, 2 or 3 h followed by SBI or sham surgical operation. Neurological assessment of the animals was done by a blinded observer at 24 and 72 h using a 21-point modified Garcia scale, wire hanging test, and beam balance test. The brain edema was evaluated using brain water content at 24 and 72 h after SBI. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality rate after treatment compared with the SBI group. The brain water content after SBI was significantly increased in the right (ipsilateral) frontal lobe surrounding the site of surgical resection compared with the sham group. Both hyperbaric and normobaric oxygen treatment significantly increased the brain edema and worsened the neurological outcomes using a 21-point Garcia score compared with the SBI group. The brain edema at 24 h after injury was most pronounced in the group treated with normobaric oxygenation 2 h prior to surgery. These differences disappeared at 72 h after SBI. Conclusion: Immediate pretreatment with either hyperbaric (2.5ATM, 1 h) or normobaric oxygen (100% FIO2, 1 h) increased brain edema and worsened neurological function at 24 h following SBI.
Jazzing up Eclipse with collaborative tools

Collaboration is an integral part of software development, occurring through tools inside and outside the IDE. This paper presents an overview of the Jazz project, which seeks to integrate collaborative capabilities into the Eclipse IDE, enabling small teams of software developers to work together more productively.
Low-Probability Events Leading to Rocket Engine Combustion Instability

A new method is proposed for calculations of rare-event rocket combustion instabilities. Acceleration of the combustion chamber is modeled as a stochastic process of long duration and moderate amplitude. Using a simplified model for the effect of acceleration on the evolution of the first tangential mode of pressure within the chamber, a modified sampling distribution is obtained that yields higher occurrence of the rare event: in this case, growth to instability. Statistics are then calculated for the original distribution of the stochastic process using an importance sampling procedure. Knowledge of the likelihood ratios between the real and modified probability density functions allows a low-cost computation of the probability of the rare event of triggering the combustion instability by low-amplitude acceleration fluctuations. There are two distinct regimes of high and low probabilities of triggering, with a critical acceleration amplitude threshold between them; in the low-probability regime, the pro...
Active Control of persistent disturbance using Reduced Order Model and Residual Mode Filter

Disturbances are an important factor in control design problems because they usually introduce unwanted disruptions in the otherwise orderly behavior of the controlled system. Especially, persistent disturbances in a Large Space Structure (LSS) will drastically effect the operation of that system under stringent operating specifications unless the controller can be designed to counteract such disturbances. The objective of this paper is to reduce the disturbance effect on a structure using disturbance accommodating control (DAC) methodology. Our DAC approach will be developed based on the Reduced Order Model (ROM) and Residual Mode Filter (RMF). The new feature is the creation of a new RMF which will make the system stable while shifting the disturbance location on the structure. The full scheme is described in next page. This methodology will be illustrated with a planar truss simulation and the simulation result is described.
Abstract ADV15: Survivors teaching students: Saving women's lives program.

Since 2002, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has been working to save women9s lives by helping health care practitioners learn to diagnose ovarian cancer earlier through the Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women9s Lives® (STS) Program. The program brings ovarian cancer survivors into the classrooms of medical schools, nursing schools, nurse practitioners and physician assistant programs to inform students about real women9s experiences with the disease. Each woman who presents has a unique story. These women_many diagnosed at an advanced stage_are in a distinct position to help students become more sensitive to the disease9s symptoms and risk factors that, in turn, can result in an earlier diagnosis. The STS program is currently presented in 74 medical schools nationwide, 3 nurse practitioner programs, 12 physician assistant programs, 42 nursing schools and 13 other allied health professional schools across the country. Awareness of symptoms and risk factors is one of the only tools available to women and their physicians which may lead to earlier diagnosis. Evaluation of the Survivors Teaching Students program has revealed that the students who have attended an STS presentation have an increased awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer and when asked about the program after they entered medical practice, the respondents remembered the information they had learned in these presentations and felt it had impacted the ways in which they treated women presenting with these symptoms. Citation Format: Susan L. Leighton. Survivors teaching students: Saving women9s lives program. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr ADV15. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-ADV15
Overexpression of ankyrin1 promotes pancreatic cancer cell growth

The methylation status of a promoter influences gene expression and aberrant methylation during tumor development has important functional consequences for pancreatic and other cancers. Using methylated CpG island amplification and promoter microarrays, we identified ANK1 as hypomethylated in pancreatic cancers. Expression analysis determined ANK1 as commonly overexpressed in pancreatic cancers relative to normal pancreas. ANK1 was co-expressed with miR-486 in pancreatic cancer cells. Stable knockdown of ANK1 in the pancreatic cancer cell line AsPC1 led to changes in cell morphology, and decreases in colony formation. Stable knockdown of ANK1 also marked reduced the growth of tumors in athymic nude mice. Among patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, those with pancreatic cancers expressing ANK1 had a poorer prognosis than those without ANK1 expression. These findings indicate a role for ANK1 overexpression in mediating pancreatic cancer tumorigenicity.
Leonard Peltier Writes about His Years in a US Prison: My Life Is My Sun Dance as a Literary Text

This article analyzes Leonard Peltier’s book about his years in prison as a literary work from my perspective as a nonindigenous scholar in Argentina who studies the US racial order. It tracks the author’s concept of prison in the book, a concept which Peltier attributes to his worldview as a Lakota. The concept and the worldview are omnipresent in My Life Is My Sun Dance, not only in the ideas but also in the structure, the mixture of genres, the idea of political struggle and its consequences, the relationship depicted between the author-character and the world inside and outside prison, the idea of language and communication, and also the relationship with nature and the need and building of community inside and outside prison. From the title onward, the “Indian Way” is presented as the center of life for Leonard Peltier, a tool to survive in a panoptic prison and to use in writing—another weapon in the fight for freedom, understanding, and survival. The book itself is one way to not disappear from the world, one way to struggle against the invisibility of prisoners in general and Native American prisoners in particular.
Critical care of spinal cord injury

Study design Review article. Objectives To review the pathophysiology and management of the pulmonary and hemodynamic derangements that occur after acute spinal cord injury. Summary of background data Acute spinal cord injury is often associated with alterations in pulmonary and cardiovascular function that require treatment in the intensive care unit. Methods Review of published reports. Results/conclusion Careful attention to the support of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems can reduce the morbidity associated with acute spinal cord injury. Pulmonary function decreases markedly in the immediate postinjury period but improves in the subsequent weeks, allowing most patients with injury levels at C4 and below to be weaned from ventilatory support. Bradycardia and hypotension often accompany acute spinal cord injury, and management strategies are reviewed. The prophylaxis and diagnosis of thromboembolic disease are reviewed.
Are philosophers good intuition predictors

AbstractSome philosophers have criticized experimental philosophy for being superfluous. Jackson (1998) implies that experimental philosophy studies are unnecessary. More recently, Dunaway, Edmunds, and Manley (2013) empirically demonstrate that experimental studies do not deliver surprising results, which is a pro tanto reason for foregoing conducting such studies. This paper gives theoretical and empirical considerations against the superfluity criticism. The questions concerning the surprisingness of experimental philosophy studies have not been properly disambiguated, and their metaphilosophical significance have not been properly assessed. Once the most relevant question is identified, a re-analysis of Dunaway and colleagues’ data actually undermines the superfluity criticism.
Technologies for imaging neural activity in large volumes

Neural circuitry has evolved to form distributed networks that act dynamically across large volumes. Conventional microscopy collects data from individual planes and cannot sample circuitry across large volumes at the temporal resolution relevant to neural circuit function and behaviors. Here we review emerging technologies for rapid volume imaging of neural circuitry. We focus on two critical challenges: the inertia of optical systems, which limits image speed, and aberrations, which restrict the image volume. Optical sampling time must be long enough to ensure high-fidelity measurements, but optimized sampling strategies and point-spread function engineering can facilitate rapid volume imaging of neural activity within this constraint. We also discuss new computational strategies for processing and analyzing volume imaging data of increasing size and complexity. Together, optical and computational advances are providing a broader view of neural circuit dynamics and helping elucidate how brain regions work in concert to support behavior.
Computed Tomography Consensus Clinical Target Volume Contouring for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in Intact Cervical Carcinoma

Author(s): Yashar, CM; Petersen, IA; Bosch, WR; Albuquerque, KV; Beriwal, S; Chino, JP; Erickson, BA; Feddock, J; Gaffney, DK; Iyer, R; Klopp, AH; Kunos, C; Mayadev, JS; Portelance, L; Viswanathan, AN; Wolfson, AH; Jhingran, A; Mell, LK
A Platform Enabling Local Oscillator Frequency Synchronization: Demo Abstract

We introduce an platform architecture and algorithm to frequency synchronize multiple devices. The platform allows clock unification among oscillator, microcontroller, and radio. The platform accesses complex baseband samples from the radio, estimates the carrier frequency offset, and iteratively drives the main local oscillator (LO) frequency difference between two devices to zero.
Frequency of high blood glucose prior to FDG PET.

Purpose To assess the frequency of blood glucose level higher than 150 mg/dL in non-diabetic patients presenting for FDG PET.
Baldwin’s Organic Selection and the Increasing Awareness of the Evolutionary Importance of Behavioral Shifts

Baldwin’s developmental and evolutionary theories of organic selection were developed in the context of passionate debates about a wide range of broader biological and evolutionary topics, approximately 120 years ago.
Cord Blood Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Levels Correlate With Gestational Age and Birth Weight in Neonates.

Context Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) have increased risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP) is an adipokine that has been implicated in modulation of insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Higher plasma AFABP levels are associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular morbidity in adults. Alterations in AFABP levels during fetal growth have not been characterized. Objective To examine AFABP levels in neonatal cord blood in relation to gestational age and birth weight. Design A cross-sectional study of 361 neonates born at a tertiary academic center. Outcome Measures Plasma AFABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For comparison, venous samples from 26 adults were analyzed. Results AFABP levels were higher in neonates compared with adults (P < 0.01). Preterm infants had higher AFABP levels [48.2 (31.2 to 73.3) ng/mL] compared with full-term infants [35.8 (25.1 to 51.5)] ng/mL, P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between AFABP and gestational age (r = 0.28, P = 0.02). Among full-term infants, AFABP levels in SGA infants were lower [28.6 (24.2 to 37.3) ng/mL], compared with appropriate for gestational age [36.1 (25.5 to 50.4) ng/mL] and large for gestational age infants [45.0 (24.6 to 62.4) ng/mL, P < 0.05]. Conclusions These associations may reflect the higher metabolic activity during fetal development. AFABP may also be involved in fetal growth and the association between SGA status and obesity and metabolic syndrome in later life.
Healthy Snacks: Using Nutrient Profiling to Evaluate the Nutrient-Density of Common Snacks in the United States.

Objective: To quantify and compare the nutrient‐density of commonly consumed snacks using two nutrient‐density measures, Nutrient Rich Foods Indices 9.3 (NRF 9.3) and 15.3 (NRF 15.3). Design: Identify commonly consumed categories of snacks and individual snack foods, calculate NRF 9.3 and 15.3 scores, rank snacks by category and by individual food based on nutrient density, compare and contrast scores generated by the two NRF Indices. Main Outcome Measures: NRF 9.3 and 15.3 scores. Analysis: Averages and standard deviations of nutrient‐density scores for each snack category. Results: Vegetables and coffee/tea received the highest category scores on both indices. Cakes/cookies/pastries and sweets had the lowest category scores. NRF 9.3 scores for individual snacks ranged from –46 (soda) to 524 (coffee). NRF 15.3 scores ranged from –45 (soda) to 736 (coffee). Conclusions and Implications: If added to food labels, NRF scores could help consumers identify more nutritious choices. The differences between NRF 9.3 and 15.3 scores generated for the same foods and the limitations of these indices highlight the need for careful consideration of which nutrient‐density measure to include on food labels as well as consumer education. Nutrient density scoring, or calculating a numeric score for foods based on their nutrient profiles, could be an important metric to include on the front of food packages to help consumers identify more healthful products. This metric could be especially useful for deciding between similar products. However, consumers’ understanding of and likelihood of using nutrient density scores has not yet been evaluated.
Comparing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in pediatric and adult patients.

Purpose of reviewHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has long been thought of primarily as a pediatric disease. However, this syndrome may occur secondary to underlying malignancies, infections, and autoimmune diseases, in adult patients. Here, we seek to highlight similarities and differences
Work-in-progress: testing autonomous cyber-physical systems using fuzzing features from convolutional neural networks

Autonomous cyber-physical systems rely on modern machine learning methods such as deep neural networks to control their interactions with the physical world. Testing of such intelligent cyberphysical systems is a challenge due to the huge state space associated with high-resolution visual sensory inputs. We demonstrate how fuzzing the input using patterns obtained from the convolutional filters of an unrelated convolutional neural network can be used to test computer vision algorithms implemented in intelligent cyber-physical systems. Our method discovers interesting counterexamples to a pedestrian detection algorithm implemented in the popular OpenCV library. Our approach also unearths counterexamples to the correct behavior of an autonomous car similar to NVIDIA’s end-to-end self-driving deep neural net running on the Udacity open-source simulator.