cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient and technique survival on peritoneal dialysis in the United States: evaluation in large incident cohorts.

Patient and technique survival on peritoneal dialysis in the United States: Evaluation in large incident cohorts. Secular trends in dialysis require a frequent re-examination of outcomes in patients on renal replacement modalities. We examined three large cohorts of patients initiating peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 1999, 2000, and 2001 (total of >30,000 patients) to ascertain trends in patient outcomes, technique success, and predictors of both parameters of interest. Trends toward improved patient survival, higher technique success, and increasing use of cycler-based therapy, with more recent calendar years were noted. Age and diabetes were clear predictors of patient survival, but did not appear to influence technique success. Technique success was higher in patients on automated PD (APD) than in patients on continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), but this difference was mostly concentrated in the first year on therapy. Patients starting PD after a failed allograft had excellent survival. We conclude that the current state of PD in the United States is characterized by improving patient outcomes, higher technique success, and a predominance of use of cycler-based therapy. Several opportunities for improving technique success amenable to practice interventions have been identified. The high success of PD in patients with failed allograft suggests that it is beneficial to utilize this modality more frequently in this patient group than current practice.
Multi-Task Learning for Spatio-Temporal Event Forecasting

Spatial event forecasting from social media is an important problem but encounters critical challenges, such as dynamic patterns of features (keywords) and geographic heterogeneity (e.g., spatial correlations, imbalanced samples, and different populations in different locations). Most existing approaches (e.g., LASSO regression, dynamic query expansion, and burst detection) are designed to address some of these challenges, but not all of them. This paper proposes a novel multi-task learning framework which aims to concurrently address all the challenges. Specifically, given a collection of locations (e.g., cities), we propose to build forecasting models for all locations simultaneously by extracting and utilizing appropriate shared information that effectively increases the sample size for each location, thus improving the forecasting performance. We combine both static features derived from a predefined vocabulary by domain experts and dynamic features generated from dynamic query expansion in a multi-task feature learning framework; we investigate different strategies to balance homogeneity and diversity between static and dynamic terms. Efficient algorithms based on Iterative Group Hard Thresholding are developed to achieve efficient and effective model training and prediction. Extensive experimental evaluations on Twitter data from four different countries in Latin America demonstrated the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
William A. Hammond, the dynamograph, and bogus neurologic testimony in old New York

April 25, 1870, court of General Sessions, New York City, Doctor William A. Hammond, neurologist and former Surgeon General of the United States Army, testified at the trial of his patient Daniel McFarland. McFarland had fatally wounded famous journalist Albert Richardson in November of 1869. Dr. Hammond said McFarland suffered from temporary insanity due to cerebral congestion from over use of the brain. Hammond told the jury he had, "devoted the last five years of his professional life exclusively to the study of the mind", and opined that the evidence of cerebral congestion was profound: McFarland's head was hot, and his carotid throbbed. The proof came from the test with the dynamograph machine: McFarland could not keep a pencil still to trace a straight line in the center of a moving piece of paper. The dynamograph, Dr. Hammond assured the jury, measured the power of a man over his will and thus provided "full and decided evidence" there can be no doubt that McFarland "could not control his will". What were the motivations behind the testimony of this famous expert witness? Did bogus neurologic testimony exist in old New York over a century before our time?
Gravity Study of the Exeter Pluton, Southeastern New Hampshire

The Exeter diorite pluton of southeastern New Hampshire is a small mesozonal batholith emplaced into asymmetrically folded Silurian metasedimentary rocks. The body produces a positive Bouguer gravity anomaly in excess of 16 mgals. The gravity maximum is located northwest of the northeast-trending axis of the pluton and the Exeter anticline, indicating that the mass concentration is offset in the same direction. Using a density contrast of 0.15 gm/cm 3 , two- and three-dimensional gravity models show a range in body thickness from 1 to 3 km and a roughly tabular subsurface shape. The shape and mass distribution are consistent with the enclosing structure. The three-dimensional geometry of the Exeter pluton suggests emplacement during or after the Middle Devonian Acadian deformation of central New England.
The Retinal Specific Protein RGS-r Competes with the γ Subunit of cGMP Phosphodiesterase for the α Subunit of Transducin and Facilitates Signal Termination

In vertebrate photoreceptor cells, transducin mediates signaling between rhodopsin and cGMP phosphodiesterase by transiently binding its gamma subunit (PDEgamma). For the termination of signaling GTP hydrolysis by the transducin alpha subunit (TDalpha) GTPase is required. This reaction can be accelerated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), e.g. PDEgamma. Recently we identified a second retinal GAP that interacts with TDalpha, RGS-r. Here we compare the GAP function of RGS-r and PDEgamma. Both proteins stimulated single turnover GTPase of TDalpha; however, RGS-r was more effective than PDEgamma. When added together, PDEgamma competitively inhibited the RGS-r-stimulated GTPase. In addition, the interaction of TDalpha in its GTP-bound form (TDalphaGTPgammaS), the transition state (TDalphaGDP*AMF) and the GDP-bound form (TDalphaGDP) with RGS-r and PDE, respectively, was measured by surface plasmon resonance. PDEgamma displayed highest affinity for TDalphaGTPgammaS, weaker affinity for TDalphaGDP*AMF, and weakest affinity for TDalphaGDP. RGS-r exhibited only a comparable high affinity for TDalphaGDP*AMF. We conclude that the observed competition between RGS-r and PDEgamma for TDalpha occurs when the hydrolysis of GTP is initiated. By competing with PDEgamma and removing it from TDalpha as well as increasing Pi release, RGS-r apparently facilitates signal termination and TDalpha recycling.
Tying It Together: Two Comprehensive Projects for Adult Development and Aging Courses.

In this article, we outline 2 projects that highlight the multidimensionality of aging processes for adult development and aging courses. These projects tie together biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of aging by creatively integrating and applying course materials to real-world situations. In the first project, students design an age-appropriate retirement community using buildings on the local college campus. In the other, students present products they design to remedy specific age-related problems.
Automated Sequential Sampler for Collection of Highly Volatile Atmospheric Contaminants

Rapid and accurate measurement of atmospheric concentrations of highly volatile organic compounds is important in obtaining reliable information for the assessment of environmental pollution or the volatilization mechanisms of the chemicals. Nonmechanized sample collection requires intensive labor and effort, and may cause large random or systematic errors. An automated solenoid switching system was developed to assist in obtaining precise environmental concentrations of highly volatile organic compounds. The design, construction, and operation are described in the paper for potential application in similar studies. Using this sampling system, two experiments were conducted to determine atmospheric volatilization flux density of three highly volatile and reactive organic compounds (methyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene, and propargyl bromide). The automated solenoid switching system significantly reduced the requirements for labor and time. Results from the two experiments indicate that reliable sample collection was achieved. The automated sampling system was also relatively inexpensive and can be easily modified to accommodate a variety of sources, sampling intervals, and multiple number of solenoid valves.
Genetic dissection of the signals that induce synaptic reorganization.

Synaptic reorganization of mossy fibers following kainic acid (KA) administration has been reported to contribute to the formation of recurrent excitatory circuits, resulting in an epileptogenic state. It is unclear, however, whether KA-induced mossy fiber sprouting results from neuronal cell loss or the seizure activity that KA induces. We have recently demonstrated that certain strains of mice are resistant to excitotoxic cell death, yet exhibit seizure activity similar to what has been observed in rodents susceptible to KA. The present study takes advantage of these strain differences to explore the roles of seizure activity vs cell loss in triggering mossy fiber sprouting. In order to understand the relationships between gene induction, cell death, and the sprouting response, we assessed the regulation of two molecules associated with the sprouting response, c-fos and GAP-43, in mice resistant (C57BL/6) and susceptible (FVB/N) to KA-induced cell death. Following administration of KA, increases in c-fos immunoreactivity were observed in both strains, although prolonged induction of c-fos was present only in the hippocampal neurons of FVB/N mice. Mossy fiber sprouting following KA administration was also only observed in FVB/N mice, while induction of GAP-43, a marker associated with mossy fiber sprouting, was not observed in either strain. These results indicate that: (i) KA-induced seizure activity alone is insufficient to induce mossy fiber sprouting; (ii) mossy fiber sprouting may be due to the loss of hilar neurons following kainate administration; and (iii) induction of GAP-43 is not a necessary component of the sprouting response that occurs following KA in mice.
Multifocus holographic 3D image fusion using independent component analysis

We use independent component analysis technique to fuse reconstructed holographic images at different longitudinal depths from the image sensor. We experiment using phase-shifting digital holography.
Optic Nerve Enlargement in Krabbe Disease: A Pathophysiologic and Clinical Perspective

Krabbe disease is an infantile-onset progressive leukodystrophy. The classic presentation includes excessive irritability, muscle hypertonicity, developmental delay, failure to thrive, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, and optic nerve atrophy. The authors report a rare case of optic nerve enlargement early in infantile Krabbe disease. Their case demonstrates proximal prechiasmatic enlargement of the nerves. They discuss the pathophysiological and clinical correlation of optic nerve enlargement in Krabbe disease and in other disorders. Although Krabbe disease does not feature in initial differential of optic nerve enlargement in children, its inclusion and early identification facilitate a timely diagnosis of this rapidly progressive fatal disease.
Adenylate cyclase in the insect Leucophaea maderae: Biochemical properties of the enzyme from hindgut tissue

Abstract 1. 1. Adenylate cyclase was assayed in homogenates of hindgut tissue from Leucophaea maderae (L.). The enzyme was found in both 10,000 g supernatant and pellet. 2. 2. Adenylate cyclase in the 10,000 g supernatant is inhibited by EGTA. 3. 3. Low concentrations of calcium stimulated the enzyme while high concentrations inhibited activity, indicating a biphasic response of the enzyme to this divalent cation. 4. 4. Several other biochemical properties including pH optimum, temperature optimum, and effects of Mg2+ and Mn2+ are reported.
Comparison of Adsol and CPDA-1 blood preservatives during simulated massive resuscitation after hemorrhage in swine.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a change from the use of blood stored in CPDA-1 to the use of red cells (RBCs) stored in electrolyte mixtures, such as Adsol (AS-1 RBCs). However, because Adsol contains mannitol, as well as increased amounts of glucose relative to CPD and CPDA-1, concerns have been expressed as to possible harmful effects (recipient hyperglycemia, inappropriate osmotic diuresis) that it might induce under conditions of massive RBC transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A hemorrhagic shock animal model was used to evaluate the effects of large-volume infusion of CPDA-1 or Adsol on glucose homeostasis and on urinary output under conditions that were devoid of extensive surgical manipulation. Hemorrhage was induced in 10 female Pitman-Moore mini-pigs to maintain mean arterial blood pressure at 55 mmHg for 90 minutes. After the return of autologous RBCs plus 1 L of 0.9-percent sodium chloride, the animals were given solution equivalent to the solute load in either 20 units of CPDA-1 whole blood (63 mL × 20 = 1260 mL) or 20 units of AS-1 RBCs (100 mL × 20 = 2000 mL) over a period of 90 minutes. Animals were monitored to determine physiologic and blood chemical responses to infusion of the solutions and to determine if there was hyperglycemia or inappropriate diuresis in the Adsol-treated group. RESULTS: Animals that received CPDA-1 developed significant hypocalcemia, arterial hypotension, and elevated blood glucose concentrations; two of five animals died of circulatory collapse. In contrast, glucose metabolism in the Adsol recipients was well-regulated, serum ionized calcium concentration was not significantly altered, and all animals survived. No evidence of inappropriate diuresis was observed. CONCLUSION: Administration of large amounts of Adsol was not associated with hyperglycemia or inappropriate osmotic duiresis in hemorrhaged and resuscitated mini-pigs. These data suggest that fewer physiologic changes may be associated with the massive transfusion of AS-1 RBCs than with that of CPDA-1 whole blood.
ON THE LAWS OF PSYCHOPHYSICS.

Experiments by S. S. Stevens (Stevens, 1957, and Stevens and Galanter, 1957) and his collaborators indicate that the so-called logarithmic Weber-Fechner Law is not realized in most human perceptions. Instead, a power law seems to emerge over a large number of sensory continua. This is important because for a long time the logarithmic law was looked upon as almost the only possible psychophysical law. The logarithmic law appeared desirable intuitively because it made the sensation depend on the relative values of the stimuli and not on their absolute values. This is, of course, useful for evolutionary reasons. Some other reasons are also discussed by Stevens (1961).
Sterilization of the Face Fly, Musca autumnalis, with Apholate and Tepa

Pupae of the face fly, Musca autumnalis DeGeer, were dipped in a solution of apholate, and adults received either apholate or tepa in their diet. Net sterility ranged from 84% to 87% when adults from 3-day-old pupae that were dipped in 4% apholate for 25 min were mated to untreated flies. Complete sexual sterility resulted when adults were fed either 1% apholate for at least 1 day or 0.5% apholate for at least 2 days. Net sterility ranged from 94% to 97% when adults that were fed 1% apholate for 1 day were mated to untreated flies. Complete sexual sterility resulted when adults were red 0.09% tepa for at least 1 day. Complete sexual sterility resulted when females, fed 0.09% tepa for 2 days, were mated to untreated males; only 74% net sterility resulted with the opposite mating.
The Green Golden Rule

We introduce a growth model with environmental assets as a source of utility and an input to consumption and production. In this model we develop the Green Golden Rule, a generalization of the golden rule of neoclassical growth theory. We apply this to the ease where the object it the maximization of long-run or limiting utility rather than long-run consumption.
Proportions of slow myosin heavy chain‐positive fibers in muscle spindles and adjoining extrafusal fascicles, and the positioning of spindles relative to these fascicles

Chicken leg muscles were examined to calculate the percentages of slow myosin heavy chain (MHC)-positive fibers in spindles and in adjacent extrafusal fascicles, and to clarify how the encapsulated portions of muscle spindles are positioned relative to these fascicles. Unlike mammals, in chicken leg muscles slow-twitch MHC and slow-tonic MHC are expressed in intrafusal fibers and in extrafusal fibers, suggesting a close developmental connection between the two fiber populations. In 8-week-old muscles the proportions of slow MHC-positive extrafusal fibers that ringed muscle spindles ranged from 0–100%. In contrast, proportions of slow MHC-positive intrafusal fibers in spindles ranged from 0–57%. Similar proportions in fiber type composition between intrafusal fibers and surrounding extrafusal fibers were apparent at embryonic days 15 and 16, demonstrating early divergence of extrafusal and intrafusal fibers. Muscle spindles were rarely located within single fascicles. Instead, they were commonly placed where several fascicles converged. The frequent extrafascicular location of spindles suggests migration of intrafusal myoblasts from developing clusters of extrafusal fibers toward the interstitium, perhaps along a neurotrophic gradient established by sensory axons that are advancing in the connective tissue matrix that separates adjoining fascicles. J. Morphol. 242:157–165, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Young's modulus reconstruction for elasticity imaging of deep venous thrombosis: animal studies

Recently, it was suggested that ultrasound elasticity imaging can be used to age deep vein thrombosis (DVT) since blood clot hardness changes with fibrin content. The main components of ultrasound elasticity imaging are deformation of the object, speckle or internal boundary tracking and evaluation of tissue motion, measurement of strain tensor components, and reconstruction of the spatial distribution of elastic modulus using strain images. In this paper, we investigate a technique for Young's modulus reconstruction to quantify ultrasound elasticity imaging of DVT. In-vivo strain imaging experiments were performed using Sprague-Dawley rats with surgically induced clots in the inferior vena cavas (IVC). In this model, the clot matures from acute to chronic in less than 10 days. Therefore, nearly every 24 hours the strain imaging experiments were performed to reveal temporal transformation of the clot. The measured displacement and strain images were then converted into maps of elasticity using model-based elasticity reconstruction where the blood clot within an occluded vein was approximated as a layered elastic cylinder surrounded by incompressible tissue. Results of this study demonstrate that Young's modulus gradually increases with clot maturity and can be used to differentiate clots providing a desperately needed clinical tool of DVT staging.
Propulsion of microboats using isopropyl alcohol as a propellant

In this work, we explored the possibility to develop a microboat for potentially transporting desired targets in microfluidic systems. We studied its design, fabrication, actuation and motions. In three types of tests conducted on water surfaces of different heights in a 30-cm-long channel, the microboat had a speed in the order of 0.1 m s−1, and propulsive forces ranged from 159 to 250 µN. It took 1–2 s for the microboat to go through the channel, and resistance coefficients varied from 0.144 to 0.324. Also, when the resistance coefficient was 0.324, the microboat was still able to travel a distance of 91.4 cm within 5.33 s in a 94.5-cm-long channel.
EVALUATING CASH FLOW SYSTEMS UNDER GROWTH

This paper considers a potential extension and refinement of the type of cash flow analysis of cash management systems commonly found in financial management texts. The timing effect of a cash management system has three distinct components—overlap, acceleration, and residual. However, only the overlap component is explicitly quantified by the standard evaluation procedure. Conditions are specified under which quantification of an additional component (acceleration) can significantly improve the accuracy of the estimates.
Reducing Charcoal Abundance in Archaeological Pollen Samples

Abstract In the field of archaeological palynology, charcoal and ash debris in sediments have been among the palynologists' worst enemies. Too often important pollen information is found in the soils of sites near fire hearths where the members of ancient cultures would gather to eat and conduct social activities, and in winter sleep near the fire. For decades archaeological palynologists have searched for ways to remove the thousands of tiny flecks of charcoal and ash in these samples so the fossil pollen can be observed. Until now, no technique has proven adequate for successful charcoal removal without the loss of pollen. We have not completely solved this problem, but we have developed an extraction method that significantly reduces the amount of included charcoal and ash in archaeological sediments. We tested this new extraction procedure on charcoal-laden archaeological sediments from a pueblo site in Arizona. The result demonstrates the advantage of using this new pollen extraction procedure for ce...
Influence of male sex on disease phenotype in familial rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To examine sex differences in clinical, demographic, and genetic characteristics among a large cohort of patients with familial rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We studied 1,004 affected members of 467 Caucasian multicase RA families recruited from the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium. Standardized information about demographic and clinical characteristics was collected from all patients. Affected individuals also underwent radiography of the hands and were genotyped for markers in the HLA region. Sex differences were assessed using contingency table analysis (for categorical variables) and Student's t-tests for (continuous variables), and by multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis. Results Male patients had a significantly later onset of RA, were more likely to be seropositive for RF, and had significantly higher titers of anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies compared with female patients, even after adjustment for covariates in multivariate analyses. Male patients were also significantly more likely to have a history of smoking and to be HLA–DRB1 shared epitope (SE) positive. Interestingly, female patients with an affected male sibling had significantly higher titers of anti-CCP antibodies and were more likely to be SE positive compared with female patients without affected male siblings. Multivariate analyses indicated that the presence of the SE did not fully explain the increased anti-CCP antibody titers observed in these families. Conclusion Sex has an important influence on the disease phenotype in RA, including the age at disease onset and autoantibody production. Furthermore, families with affected male members are characterized by higher titers of autoantibodies, particularly anti-CCP antibodies. Our results indicate that these findings are not fully explained by differences in exposure to tobacco smoke, presence of the HLA–DRB1 SE, or other HLA region genetic variation. Thus, other genetic or nongenetic factors also contribute to sex differences in the RA phenotype.
PKa of cytosine on the third strand of triplex DNA: Preliminary Poisson–Boltzmann calculations

The energetics of formation of a triple-helical structure in homopurine–homopyrimidine mixtures has been modeled using Poisson–Boltzmann calculations. Oligomers with the sequence d(TC)n and d(AG)n form hydrogen-bonded triple-helical structures of the form d(TC)n⋅d(AG)n⋅d(TC+)n. The third base, a pyrimidine in this case, forms Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonds with the purine, requiring that the cytosine residues of the third strand protonate at N3. The pKa of cytosine, 4.3 in the isolated solvated molecule, is raised by the strong electrostatic field in the triple helix. We have done calculations of the effective pKa of this cytosine and compared the results with experimental studies of triple-helix formation as a function of pH. This provides a test of various models of the dielectric constant for triplex DNA and its local environment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 70: 1177–1184, 1998
A multiscale projection method for the analysis of carbon nanotubes

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to develop a multiscale method for the analysis of carbon nanotube systems. The multiscale coupled governing equations are first derived based on a multiscale partition, which consists of a coarse scale component represented by meshfree approximation, and a fine scale component to be resolved from molecular dynamics. It is noted that the coarse scale representation is present in the entire domain of the problem, and coexists with the fine scale representation in the enriched region. Using the projection properties of the partition, the decoupled non-linear set of equations are obtained and solved iteratively using Newton's method. In this multiscale analysis, a virtual atom cluster (VAC) model is also proposed in the coarse scale treatment. This model does not involve a stress update scheme employing the Cauchy–Born hypothesis, which has been widely used in the crystal elasticity theory. Finally, to approximate a curved surface at the nanoscale, meshfree approximations are introduced to interpolate a single layer of atoms. Unlike traditional shell or continuum elements, the geometric constraint is only imposed in two dimensions. The high order continuity property of the meshfree shape functions guarantees an accurate description of the geometry and thus the energy of the atomic bond. The accuracy and efficiency of the method are illustrated in the post-buckling analysis of carbon nanotube structures. To our knowledge, this is the first multiscale post-buckling analysis presented for such a nanoscale system.
High Winds of Neptune: A Possible Mechanism

Neptune receives only 1/900th of the earth's solar energy, but has wind speeds of nearly 600 meters per second. How the near-supersonic winds can be maintained has been a puzzle. A plausible mechanism, based on principles of angular momentum and energy conservation in conjunction with deep convection, leads to a regime of uniform angular momentum at low latitudes. In this model, the rapid retrograde winds observed are a manifestation of deep convection, and the high efficiency of the planet's heat engine is intrinsic from the room allowed at low latitudes for reversible processes, the high temperatures at which heat is added to the atmosphere, and the low temperatures at which heat is extracted.
Relational object maps for mobile robots

Mobile robot map building is the task of generating a model of an environment from sensor data. Most existing approaches to mobile robot mapping either build topological representations or generate accurate, metric maps of an environment. In this paper we introduce relational object maps, a novel approach to building metric maps that represent individual objects such as doors or walls. We show how to extend relational Markov networks in order to reason about a hierarchy of objects and the spatial relationships between them. Markov chain Monte Carlo is used for efficient inference and to learn the parameters of the model. We show that the spatial constraints modeled by our mapping technique yield drastic improvements for labeling line segments extracted from laser range-finders.
Experimental Infection of North American Birds with the New York 1999 Strain of West Nile Virus

To evaluate transmission dynamics, we exposed 25 bird species to West Nile virus (WNV) by infectious mosquito bite. We monitored viremia titers, clinical outcome, WNV shedding (cloacal and oral), seroconversion, virus persistence in organs, and susceptibility to oral and contact transmission. Passeriform and charadriiform birds were more reservoir competent (a derivation of viremia data) than other species tested. The five most competent species were passerines: Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Death occurred in eight species. Cloacal shedding of WNV was observed in 17 of 24 species, and oral shedding in 12 of 14 species. We observed contact transmission among four species and oral in five species. Persistent WNV infections were found in tissues of 16 surviving birds. Our observations shed light on transmission ecology of WNV and will benefit surveillance and control programs.
Adverse effects associated with ethanol catheter lock solutions: a systematic review

Background Antimicrobial lock therapy has been widely utilized internationally for the prevention and management of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections. One of the agents commonly utilized for lock therapy is ethanol. However, a systematic review of adverse events associated with ethanol locks has not been published. Methods PubMed was searched to collect articles published from May 2003 through March 2014. The bibliographies of relevant articles were also reviewed. Results In vitro studies of the mechanical properties of catheters after ethanol immersion have revealed changes predominantly in polyurethane catheters and to a lesser extent in silicone and Carbothane catheters. An elution of polymers from polyurethane and Carbothane catheters has been observed at the ethanol concentrations used in ethanol lock therapy. Ethanol above a concentration of 28% leads to plasma protein precipitation. Ethanol locks were associated with catheter occlusion in 11 studies and independently increased the risk of thrombosis compared with heparin lock in a randomized trial. Six studies noted abnormalities in catheter integrity, including one case leading to catheter embolization. Of note, five of these studies involved silicone catheters. Ethanol lock use was associated with systemic side effects in 10 studies and possible side effects in one additional study. Four studies noted liver function test abnormalities, predominantly transaminase elevation, related to ethanol lock use. However, a prospective study did not find any difference in the risk of doubling the transaminase level above the normal range during use of ethanol locks compared with not using an ethanol lock. Conclusions The use of ethanol locks has been associated with structural changes in catheters, as well as the elution of molecules from the catheter polymers. Clinical studies have revealed systemic toxicity, increased catheter occlusion and breaches in catheter integrity.
Endocrine correlates of hibernation-independent gonadal recrudescence and the limited late-winter breeding season in woodchucks, Marmota monax.

Woodchucks (Marmota monax) normally experience gonadal recrudescence towards the end of a 4–5 month hibernation, emerge in late winter, immediately breed in a short 3-week breeding season, and have regressed gonads before the next hibernation. Our studies of wild and captive animals show that fertile females give birth to single litters after a 32-day gestation and their breeding season is terminated by a reactivation of the corpora lutea of pregnancy for 1–3 months immediately postpartum. In nonbred females the breeding season is likewise terminated by spontaneous luteinization of the ovaries for 1–3 months shortly after the vernal equinox. Testes regress and testosterone declines during and after the breeding season. Circannual reproductive cycles persist in the absence of hibernation and are shortened to 9–10 months after 3–5 years of a 12L:12D photoperiod. Unique aspects of this species that merit endocrine investigation include annual descent/retraction of testes, transient luteolysis at parturition, superactivatior of postpartum corpora lutea, regulation of the pituitary-gonadal axis by an annual endogenous metabolic cycle entrained to the annual change in photoperiod, and the hormonal basis of hibernation.
Murder Rates in New Orleans, La, 2004–2006

Murder rates for New Orleans, La, during 2005 and 2006 were calculated with the best available population trajectories for these 2 atypical years. These calculations showed that the murder rate increased substantially during this period compared with 2004. The increase in 2005 from 2004 was 14%. The best estimate of the increase in the murder rate in 2006 compared with 2004 was 69%; the large increase in 2006 began during the second quarter of that year.
UV pump-THz probe study of mechanisms limiting luminescence from nanoscale compositionally inhomogeneous AlGaN

We present ultraviolet pump-terahertz probe and photoconductive decay measurements on nanoscale compositionally inhomogeneous AlGaN. Results compared to photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements indicate luminescence from the material is limited by hole trapping.
Remeshing Schemes for semi-regular tilings

Most frequently used subdivision schemes such as Catmull-Clark create regular regions after several applications. This paper shows that all semi-regular regions can be created by subdivision schemes and each semi-regular region type can be created with one application of a particular subdivision scheme to a particular regular region. Using this property of subdivision schemes it is easy to cover any given surface with semi-regular tiles by applying one semi-regularity creating subdivision after several applications of a regularity creating subdivision.
Two remarks on Cournot equilibria

Abstract We describe two simple results in the theory of Cournot equilibria. The first has to do with the effect of taxation in a Cournot industry and the second describes under what conditions a Cournot equilibrium will implicity maximize an objective function. These results are probably known, but are not well known, and they seem useful enough to be worth spelling out.
A Framework for Programming Robust Context-Aware Applications

In this paper, we present a forward recovery model for programming robust context-aware applications. The mechanisms devised as part of this model fall into two categories: asynchronous event handling and synchronous exception handling. These mechanisms enable designing recovery actions to handle different kinds of failure conditions arising in context-aware applications. These include service discovery failures, service binding failures, exceptions raised by a service, and context invalidations. This model is integrated in the high-level programming framework that we have designed for building context-aware collaborative (CSCW) applications. In this paper, we demonstrate the capabilities of this model for programming various kinds of recovery patterns in context-aware applications.
Rehabilitation of the Geriatric Surgical Patient: Predicting Needs and Optimizing Outcomes

Geriatric surgical and trauma patients often require institutionalization following acute hospitalization, generally related to frailty. The potential need for rehabilitation can be assessed using various tools. Once the likelihood of rehabilitation needs is established, early involvement of the rehabilitation team is warranted. Rehabilitation interventions can be initiated during acute hospitalization, and even in the intensive care unit. The rehabilitation team addresses a tremendous spectrum of issues, and targeted interventions are carried out by various team members. There are many gaps in current knowledge of the benefits of rehabilitation interventions. Understanding common standardized assessment tools is important to assess the literature and advance the field.
A game theory approach to multi-agent team cooperation

The main goal of this work is to design a team of agents that can accomplish consensus over a common value for the agents' output in a cooperative manner. First, a semi-decentralized optimal control strategy introduced recently by the authors is utilized which is based on minimization of individual costs using local information. Cooperative game theory is then used to ensure team cooperation by considering a combination of individual costs as a team cost function. Minimization of this cost function results in a set of Pareto-efficient solutions. The choice of Nash-bargaining solution among the set of Pareto-efficient solutions guarantees the minimum individual cost. The Nash-bargaining solution is obtained by maximizing the product of the difference between the costs achieved through the optimal control strategy and the one obtained through the Pareto-efficient solution. The latter solution results in a lower cost for each agent at the expense of requiring full information set. To avoid this drawback additional constraints are added to the structure of the controller by using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) formulation of the minimization problem. Consequently, although the controller is designed to minimize a unique team cost function, it only uses the available information set for each agent.
Shear wave birefringence in wedge-shaped anisotropic regions

SUMMARY A popular method for studies of seismic wave speed anisotropy within the Earth is based on observations of birefringence in subvertically propagating shear waves. A well-recognized shortcoming of the method is that individual birefringence measurements, commonly interpreted as a path-average of anisotropy, do not reveal the potential complexity of anisotropic structure. Consequently, there is a necessary ambiguity in the interpretation of observed birefringence parameters (fast polarization directions and delays between components). In this paper, we explore the influence of observational geometry and the configuration of an anisotropic region on the birefringence parameters. We use full wavefield simulations in 3-D models to access these influences in a subduction zone setting. Our primary findings are that (a) modest wavefield complications associated with the non-planar geometry of a subduction zone can significantly bias the determination of the fast polarization and time delay associated with shear wave birefringence; (b) shear wave splitting associated with flow in the mantle wedge near the trench (e.g. the forearc) is likely to be weak, owing to short path lengths through an anisotropic region and (c) popular splitting estimators are vulnerable to waveform distortions caused by S-wave interaction with the dipping slab interface. We show that simultaneous interpretation of numerous birefringence observations from a variety of propagation directions is a more reliable way to constrain parameters of anisotropy at depth.
METRO DAILY PULLBACK AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS Within and Between Communities

In a study of metro daily pullback, analyses of metro and regional daily newspaper penetration were conducted in 87 Minnesota counties. Readership data for metro and regional daily newspapers and small-town weekly and semiweekly papers were studied in 28 communities. Metro daily newspaper penetration has declined sharply in nonmetropolitan areas, with the sharpest drops occurring in agricultural counties. Although change in circulation of regional daily newspapers is negatively related to change in metro circulation, the “compensation” is only partial, because regional gains do not completely offset metro losses, either in circulation or in the amount of content provided. In outlying communities, education is more strongly associated with reading the metro paper than with reading the local paper, a finding that underscores the differential opportunity for access among higher status groups in the community. Among regional communities with daily papers, the relationship between education and reading the met...
Opportunistic power allocation for fading channels with non-cooperative users and random access

We present a game-theoretical model of a wireless communication system with multiple competing users sharing a multi-access fading channel. With a specified capture rule and a limited amount of energy available, a user opportunistically adjusts its transmission power based on its own channel state to maximize the user's own individual throughput. We derive an explicit form of the Nash equilibrium power allocation strategy. Furthermore, this Nash equilibrium power allocation strategy is unique under certain capture rule. We also quantify the loss of efficiency in throughput due to user's selfish behavior. Moreover, as the number of users in the system increases, the total system throughput obtained by using a Nash equilibrium strategy approaches the maximum attainable throughput.
Rapid and accurate estimation of blood saturation, melanin content, and epidermis thickness from spectral diffuse reflectance

We present a method to determine chromophore concentrations, blood saturation, and epidermal thickness of human skin from diffuse reflectance spectra. Human skin was approximated as a plane-parallel slab of variable thickness supported by a semi-infinite layer corresponding to the epidermis and dermis, respectively. The absorption coefficient was modeled as a function of melanin content for the epidermis and blood content and oxygen saturation for the dermis. The scattering coefficient and refractive index of each layer were found in the literature. Diffuse reflectance spectra between 490 and 620 nm were generated using Monte Carlo simulations for a wide range of melanosome volume fraction, epidermal thickness, blood volume, and oxygen saturation. Then, an inverse method was developed to retrieve these physiologically meaningful parameters from the simulated diffuse reflectance spectra of skin. A previously developed accurate and efficient semiempirical model for diffuse reflectance of two layered media was used instead of time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. All parameters could be estimated with relative root-mean-squared error of less than 5% for (i) melanosome volume fraction ranging from 1% to 8%, (ii) epidermal thickness from 20 to 150 mum, (iii) oxygen saturation from 25% to 100%, (iv) blood volume from 1.2% to 10%, and (v) tissue scattering coefficient typical of human skin in the visible part of the spectrum. A similar approach could be extended to other two-layer absorbing and scattering systems.
Coronary Ostioplasty for Congenital Atresia of the Left Main Coronary Artery Ostium

Background Coronary ostial atresia is a rare anomaly, most frequently managed with coronary artery bypass grafting. This condition is often misdiagnosed as anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery until the time of surgical intervention, leaving the surgeon little time to contemplate the best operative technique. Methods In this single-center experience, three cases of congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery presenting during childhood were surgically managed with homograft patch ostioplasty. Results Antegrade left coronary artery blood flow was successfully established in all three cases without the use of a bypass graft. Two children survived and are clinically well; the third had visibly necrotic myocardium at the time of surgical ostioplasty and did not survive to hospital discharge. Conclusions Surgical ostioplasty with a homograft patch should be considered as an alternative to bypass grafting for coronary ostial atresia in children.
Limitations in Surrogate Measures of Insulin Resistance

This work was supported in part by Grants R01DK061628, M01RR00043, and 1UL1RR031986 from the National Institutes of Health. Disclosure Summary: The authors have no relevant conflicts to disclose. For article see page 5082 Abbreviations: HOMA-IR, Homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance; oGTT, oral glucose tolerance test; SI, insulin sensitivity.
The significance of the concordance rate for Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in identical twins

We studied prospectively 49 non-diabetic identical twins of recently-diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients for up to 24 years (median 9 years). During this time 15 developed Type 1 diabetes. Actuarial analysis indicates that by 12 years 34% of the twins will have developed Type 1 diabetes and that thereafter only another 2% will do so. Inevitable bias in ascertainment of the twins makes it likely that the true figure is less. We conclude that factors which are not genetically determined must be important in the pathogenesis of the disease. The rates of developing Type 1 diabetes in the co-twins declines sharply in the years after diagnosis of the index twin, which suggests that the initiation of the process leading to Type 1 diabetes occurs within a finite, and not a prolonged, period.
Drawing a Scientist: What We Do and Do Not Know After Fifty Years of Drawings

Since 1957, there has been a growing body of research dealing with the perceptions students have of scientists. Typically, the research studies in this area have utilized students' drawings in efforts to discern what those perceptions are. Emergent from this research has been what one would call a stereotypical perception of scientists, and strong evidence exists that such a stereotypical perception is persistent and pervasive across grade levels, gender, racial groups, and national borders. This manuscript provides a review of the more salient studies done on students' drawings of scientists and the perceptions therein revealed since Mead and Metraux's seminal study in 1957. In addition, the manuscript summarizes what this body of research has and has not revealed thus far, and what seems to lie ahead, including implications for science education.
Zappers and Phantom-Ware at the FTA: Are They Listening Now?

When the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) held a national Compliance and Education Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky (February 25-27, 2001) one of the invited speakers was Kevin Pratt, Manager, Underground Economy, Canadian Customs and Revenue Authority (CCRA). He spoke on Zappers. To the best of anyone's present recollection, this was the first time zappers had been discussed with a large group of state-level US tax compliance professionals. However, most of the information that the CCRA presented to the FTA in 2001 was not its own - it was derivative. Zapper investigations were not an in-house specialty of the CCRA (although they were a matter of considerable concern). Zapper investigations had been the specialty of the Quebec Ministry of Revenue (MRQ), and it was from the MRQ that the CCRA learned about zappers. Until recently, not much has changed in US state-level tax enforcement with respect to Zapper and Phantom-ware investigations. But, the US attitude is just now beginning to change. Zappers were discussed at the October 2007 FTA/MTC Audit and Technology Workshop, at the March 2008 FTA Compliance Workshop, and also at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the FTA. This paper presents the case that zappers, or more generally automated sales suppression devices are a global problem. Zappers are everywhere because they have entered the blood stream of the commercial market-place. They are frequently the element that makes or breaks a deal for a new ECR or POS system. Businesses large and small are regularly offered opportunities to invisibly skim cash receipts with this technology, and many are taking advantage of it. Tax administrations are responding, and the US needs to join in this effort.More specifically, this paper follows the development of a specific type of tax fraud - skimming cash sales. It considers the traditional manual skimming of double tills, and then the three generations of automated sales suppression technology: (1) self-help phantom-ware, (2) factory-installed phantom-ware, and then (3) zappers. The paper then indicates that there are signs in the market-place that we have begun to see a fourth generation of this technology in (4) internationally developed, distributed, and customized zappers.