cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Telehealth cognitive behavior therapy for co-occurring insomnia and depression symptoms in older adults.

Clinically significant insomnia is found in 10% of the population and prevalence accelerates with advancing age (Ohayon, 2002). The prevalence of depression ranges from 3%-13%, with rates of dysthymia likely being higher still (Bruce et al., 2002). As occurs with insomnia, the prevalence of depression also increases in late-life (Solhaug, Romuld, Romild, & Stordal, 2012). Importantly, insomnia and depression frequently co-occur (Riemann, 2007). Insomnia and depression share several intersection points: (a) insomnia is a high risk factor for subsequent depression (Perlis et al., 2006); (b) treating either one prompts partial improvement in the other (Lichstein, Wilson, & Johnson, 2000; Manber et al., 2008); (c) disturbed sleep moderates depression treatment (Dew et al., 1997); and (d) residual subjective poor sleep beckons depression relapse (Buysse et al., 1996). These disorders are intimately connected and are risk factors for adverse outcomes including mental/physical health comorbidities, decreased health-related quality of life, and impairment in cognitive functioning (Riemann, 2007; Schubert et al., 2002; Taylor, Lichstein, & Durrence, 2003). As such, there is increased need to find efficacious treatments for coexisting insomnia and depression. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is the most thoroughly investigated psychological treatment for both insomnia and depressive symptoms experienced by older adults (Morin et al., 2006; Scogin, Welsh, Hanson, Stump, & Coates, 2005). Combinations of pharmacotherapy and CBT for co-occurring insomnia/depression have proven more effective than unitary treatments for either (Fava et al., 2006; Manber et al., 2008). This is the first study to provide joint CBT for both insomnia and depression. Telehealth refers to the delivery of health services by use of telecommunication and information technology (Rees & Haythornthwaite, 2004). Telehealth (i.e., telephone therapy) has been found to be effective in treating adults with insomnia (Espie et al., 2007) and depression (Mohr, Hart, & Marmar, 2006) with similar outcomes to face-to-face therapy (Ruskin et al., 2004). Videoconferencing represents one type of telehealth intervention that involves real time interactions supported by cameras and video monitors between provider and patient who are separated by distance and has been used to deliver health services to patients with a wide range of health problems (Hilty, Marks, Urness, Yellowlees, & Nesbitt, 2004). The use of telehealth may be particularly useful in rural settings, where healthcare access is limited (Griffiths, Blignault, & Yellowlees, 2006; Hilty et al., 2004). There are many studies on CBT for insomnia and CBT for depression. However, nearly all of these are efficacy trials, leaving unanswered questions of how well these treatments work in primary care settings, especially those in rural, medically underserved locales. The current study hopes to address these unanswered questions by using telehealth in rural primary care settings to target co-occurring insomnia and depression in older adults.
Action Potential Morphology Influences Intracellular Calcium Handling Stability and the Occurrence of Alternans

Instability in the intracellular Ca2+ handling system leading to Ca2+ alternans is hypothesized to be an underlying cause of electrical alternans. The highly coupled nature of membrane voltage and Ca2+ regulation suggests that there should be reciprocal effects of membrane voltage on the stability of the Ca2+ handling system. We investigated such effects using a mathematical model of the cardiac intracellular Ca2+ handling system. We found that the morphology of the action potential has a significant effect on the stability of the Ca2+ handling system at any given pacing rate, with small changes in action potential morphology resulting in a transition from stable nonalternating Ca2+ transients to stable alternating Ca2+ transients. This bifurcation occurs as the alternans eigenvalue of the system changes from absolute value 1. These results suggest that the stability of the intracellular Ca2+ handling system and the occurrence of Ca2+ alternans are not dictated solely by the Ca2+ handling system itself, but are also modulated to a significant degree by membrane voltage (through its influence on sarcolemmal Ca2+ currents) and, therefore, by all ionic currents that affect membrane voltage.
Biogenic hydrocarbon emissions and landcover/climate change in a subtropical savanna

Abstract Biogenic non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions strongly influence the chemical composition of the troposphere. Thus, variations in emissions of these compounds are expected to cause changes in concentrations of important atmospheric trace gases. Here, we assess the relative magnitude of potential changes in NMHC (e.g., isoprene and monoterpene) emissions using field flux measurements from a subtropical savanna parkland/thorn woodland site in conjunction with model predictions of climate and landcover change. NMHC emissions of about 40 plant species were characterized. Grasses, as a group, had low emission rates. Several common woody species had high emission rates. However, there was little evidence of emissions being consistently related to woody plant taxonomy, growthform or functional groups. Above-canopy measurements were used to validate modeled isoprene flux predictions of about 2 mg C m−2 h−1 for savanna parkland/thorn woodland and ca. 0.7 mg C m−2 h−1 for the regional landscape, which is a mixture of savanna parkland/thorn woodland and cropland. Linkage of the biogenic emissions model with a plant succession model indicated that landcover change since the early 1800s has elicited a 3-fold increase in total NMHC emissions. This increase reflected changes in vegetation species composition (from domination by grasses which were typically ‘low emitters’, to shrubs and trees, many of which were ‘high emitters’) and increases in foliar density. Field measurements on two common shrub species indicated that isoprene emission increased exponentially with increases in leaf temperature from 20 to 40° C and were not suppressed by drought stress. Accordingly, our model predicted that projected increases in ambient temperature (3 to 6°C) emissions could produce a 2-fold increase in biogenic NMHC emissions. Cloud cover, precipitation, relative humidity, and winds also exerted some control over NMHC emissions, but their influence was highly variable and difficult to estimate. Although our results are specific to southern Texas USA, they indicate the magnitude of change in NMHC emissions that could occur at other locations when climate and vegetation composition are altered.
Radiographic and histopathologic observations after combined EGFR inhibition and hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas.

Purpose To describe the radiographic and histopathologic changes after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. Methods and Materials A total of 15 patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas were treated on a prospective Phase I trial combining SRS and gefitinib. The SRS dose was escalated from 18 to 36 Gy in three fractions. The planning target volume was the T 1 -weighted contrast-enhancing (T 1 C) lesion plus 2 mm. Gefitinib was given at 250 mg daily. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed to characterize the volumetric changes in the T 1 C and T 2 abnormalities after treatment. Two patients underwent resection for suspected recurrence. Results The median pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging T 1 C and T 2 volume was 40.9 and 184.1 cm 3 , respectively. The median post-SRS percentage of increases in the T 1 C volume at 1, 2–4, and 5–7 months was 8.9%, 41.3%, and 99.6%, respectively. The median percentage increase in the T 2 volume likewise showed a trend upward after SRS, from 18.0% at 1 month to 37.8% at 5–7 months. For the 2 patients who underwent resection after SRS for an increasing T 1 C volume, the histopathologic analysis revealed therapy-induced vascular injury and necrosis. One patient with an asymptomatic increase in the T 1 C volume after SRS was treated conservatively. After a peak T 1 C volume increase at 9 months, the T 1 C volume had declined to 50% of the maximal volume at 15 months. The patients with the most dramatic increase in T 1 C volume experienced the longest overall survival. Conclusion Patients experienced a notable increase in magnetic resonance imaging T 1 C and T 2 volumes after the combination of SRS and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition. The tissue changes were consistent with a potent treatment effect.
The stereochemistry of sodium dithionite reductions of cyclic ketones

Abstract The stereochemistry of reduction of several substituted cyclohexanones, norcamphor, and camphor by sodium dithionite (sodium hydrosulfite, Na 2 S 2 O 4 ) in aqueous DMF solution has been studied. The cyclohexanones yield mainly equatorial alcohols while the bicyclic ketones give mainly endo alcohols.
Enteric Virus Survival during Household Laundering and Impact of Disinfection with Sodium Hypochlorite

This study was conducted to determine whether enteric viruses (adenovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A virus) added to cotton cloth swatches survive the wash cycle, the rinse cycle, and a 28-min permanent press drying cycle as commonly practiced in households in the United States. Detergent with and without bleach (sodium hypochlorite) was added to washing machines containing sterile and virus-inoculated 58-cm2 swatches, 3.2 kg of cotton T-shirts and underwear, and a soiled pillowcase designed to simulate the conditions (pH, organic load, etc.) encountered in soiled laundry. The most important factors for the reduction of virus in laundry were passage through the drying cycle and the addition of sodium hypochlorite. Washing with detergent alone was not found to be effective for the removal or inactivation of enteric viruses, as significant concentrations of virus were found on the swatches (reductions of 92 to 99%). It was also demonstrated that viruses are readily transferred from contaminated cloths to uncontaminated clothes. The use of sodium hypochlorite reduced the number of infectious viruses on the swatches after washing and drying by at least 99.99%. Laundering practices in common use in the United States do not eliminate enteric and respiratory viruses from clothes. The use of bleach can further reduce the numbers of enteric viruses in laundry.
Empirical Awakening: The New Science on Mutual Help and Implications for Cost Containment Under Health Care Reform

Over the past 75 years, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has grown from 2 members to over 2 million members. AA and similar organizations (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous [NA]) are among the most commonly sought sources of help for substance-related problems in the United States. It is only relatively recently, however, that the scientific community has conducted rigorous studies on the clinical utility and health care cost-offset potential of mutual-help groups and developed and tested professional treatments to facilitate their use. As a result of this research, AA as an organization has experienced an "empirical awakening," evolving from its peripheral status as a "nuisance variable" and perceived obstacle to progress to playing a more central role in a scientifically informed recovery oriented system of care. Also, professionally delivered interventions designed to facilitate the use of AA and NA ("Twelve-Step Facilitation" [TSF]) are now "empirically supported treatments" as defined by US federal agencies and the American Psychological Association. Under the auspices of health care reform, a rational societal response to the prodigious health and social burden posed by alcohol and other drug misuse should encompass the implementation of empirically based strategies (e.g., TSF) in order to maximize the use of ubiquitous mutual-help recovery resources.
Effects of elevated CO2 on growth and carbon/nutrient balance in the deciduous woody shrub Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume (Lauraceae).

We examined the effects of elevated CO2 on growth and carbon/nutrient balance in a natural population of the deciduous temperate zone shrub Lindera benzoin. Our data concern whole plant, leaf, and stem growth for the first two seasons of a long-term field experiment in which CO2 levels were manipulated in situ. In addition to growth parameters, we evaluated changes in leaf and stem chemistry, including total nitrogen, nonstructural carbohydrates, and total phenolics. Over the course of this study, L. benzoin appeared to respond to elevated CO2 primarily by physiological and biochemical changes, with only a slight enhancement in aboveground growth (ramet height). Positive effects on aboveground growth were primarily evident in young (nonreproductive) ramets. Our results suggest that nitrogen limitation may have constrained plants to allocate carbohydrates produced in response to elevated CO2 primarily to storage and belowground growth, and perhaps to increased secondary chemical production, rather than to increased stem and leaf growth. We discuss our results in terms of changes in carbon/nutrient balance induced by elevated CO2, and provide predictions for future changes in this system based upon constraints imposed by intrinsic and extrinsic factors and their potential effects on the reallocation of stored reserves.
Bifurcated stent-graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm

The purpose of this study was to examine bifurcated stent-graft implantation for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Fifty-seven patients were treated and followed with serial computed tomography scans for up to 3 years. Patients were allocated to three groups (first 20, second 20, last 17) according to when the repair was performed. Successful treatment is defined as exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation, based on contrast computed tomography. Success rates in the three groups were 55%, 70% and 100%. Perigraft leak (endoleak) was present on initial assessment in 4/20, 2/20 and 1/17. Two of these aneurysms ruptured early in the postoperative period. Thereafter, leaks were sought and treated aggressively. Kinking and thrombosis occurred in six of the first 20 patients, but did not occur in any of the last 37 patients, in whom the graft limbs were routinely stent-supported throughout. Infrarenal implantation in very a short neck (< 10 mm), or a thrombus-lined neck was associated with proximal stent migration. In conclusion, changes in patient selection and technique have led to a steady rise in the short-term success rate of the stent-grafted implantation.
Trifunctional inhibition of COX-2 by extracts of Lonicera japonica: Direct inhibition, transcriptional and post-transcriptional down regulation

The anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous extracts from Lonicera japonica (LJ) flower, an anti-inflammatory treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, were tested by radioimmunoassay of cyclooxygenase isoenzyme-generated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis as well as by Western and Northern blot analysis of COX-2 protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Boiled LJ aqueous extracts directly inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 activity, while non-boiled extracts stimulated COX-1. Boiled LJ extracts also inhibited expression of IL-1beta-induced COX-2 protein expression and suppressed its mRNA induction by IL-1beta in A549 cells. Suppression of COX-2 mRNA induction required a significantly higher dose of aqueous extract than did suppression of protein expression, indicating that compounds in the extract act translationally or post-translationally at lower doses and transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally at higher doses. Direct inhibition of COX isoenzymes as well as down-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein may represent the mechanism by which this ancient herbal treatment decreases inflammation.
In vitro demonstration of serological cross-reactivity between Ichthyphthirius multifiliis foquet and Tetrahymena pyriformis lwoff

Abstract The antigenic relation between Tetrahymena pyriformis (Ehrenberg, 1830) Lwoff 1947 and Icthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet 1876 was investigated using various in vitro immunologic tests. Tomites of I. multifiliis exposed to dilutions of rabbit anti-tetrahymena serum were immobilized in 24 hours. Tetrahymena in this test system were agglutinated at low dilutions and immobilized at higher dilutions. Using an indirect fluorescent antibody test, both organisms showed fluorescence when treated with either rabbit anti-tetrahymena serum or rabbit anti-tomite serum. In heterologous crosses, titers of 1:1024 were obtaibed using the passive hemagglutination test. These results indicate that an antigenic relationship does exist between these two organisms, cross-reacting antigens appear to be localized on the cilia.
TRANSVERSE IMPACT IONIZATION IN SEMICONDUCTORS

Abstract : The electron distribution function in the presence of crossed electric and magnetic fields is calculated, for a n-type semiconductor with isotropic electron scattering by acoustical and optical phonons. The results are applied to a semiconductor rod, subject to a longitudinally applied electric field and a transverse magnetic field. It is found, in agreement with measurements by M. Toda and M. Glicksman, that the ionization rate can increase with increasing magnetic field, due to the generated Hall electric field. The effect is closely related to a magnetic trapping of electrons in the low energy, high mobility region. (Author)
Psoralen UVA therapy for linear and generalized morphea.

APL is characterized histologically by delicate, thin-walled, vascular spaces lined by endothelium in the papillary dermis. The vascular spaces form channels that run horizontally and have a "dissection of collagen" appearance. There is no cellular atypia. In some cases the lesion extends to the mid and reticular dermis and even to the subcutis, and the vascular spaces in the deep tissue are smaller and have irregular appearance. 5 Immunohistochemical studies have given inconsistent results. Wilson Jones et al. 5 found that the lesional endothelial cells were UEA-1 positive and factor VIII-related antigen negative. Rosso, Gianelli, and Carnevali 9 found that factor VIII-related antigen was positive, whereas UEA1 was inconsistently reactive in the endothelial cells. Tadaki et al. 4 reported that in their case endothelial cells did not stain with either factor VIII-related antigen or UEA-1. Zhu et al. 6 found type IV collagen and desmin surrounding the vascular channels, suggesting that APL is a hamartoma that contains blood and lymphatic vessels as well as smooth muscle.
The influence of γ-γ′ eutectic on the mechanical properties of conventionally cast MAR-M247

Abstract The influence of γ-γ′ eutectic on the yield strength and ductility of conventionally cast MAR-M 247 was examined. The amount of the γ-γ′ eutectic present at the interdendritic-grain boundary regions was varied by heat treatment below and above the γ′ solvus temperature. The room temperature yield strength increased and the ductility decreased as the amount of γ-γ′ eutectic was reduced. These results are attributed to the fact that the γ-γ′ eutectic possesses a lower strength and greater ductility than the dendrite cores do. As a consequence, the ductile γ-γ′ eutectic hinderes crack propagation and causes a changes in the fracture morphology as the amount of γ-γ′ eutectic is reduced.
The influence of ferrous and ferric iron on the Mn+2 partitioning ratio and ESR signal of synthetic dolomite

In order to obtain a tractable model with which to evaluate the relationships between the presence of iron, the Mn+2 partitioning ratio of dolomite (Mn PR = [(Mn)Mg-site(Mn)Ca-site]), and its Mn+2 ESR signal, dolomite was synthesized in hydrothermal bombs with Fe+2 or Fe+3 in 50 ppm or 1250 ppm amounts in starter material with 11 and 12Mg+2Ca+2 ratios. The ESR spectra generated from both Fe+2 and Fe+3 enriched dolomite are Type 1, i.e., similar to non-iron synthetic dolomites. Thus, the peak broadening in Type 2 ESR signals is not due to iron. We now suspect that the peak broadening is due to the presence of manganese in excess of 800 ppm. Large amounts of either or both iron and manganese can cause the background slope observed in some Mn+2 ESR spectra from dolomite. The synthetic dolomite containing Fe+2 had Mn PR's ranging from 5 to 24, whereas in Fe+3 samples they ranged from 5 to 14. Both Fe+2 and Fe+3 enriched synthetic dolomites prepared in two to three day runs had low Mn PR's and high calcium content, whereas samples prepared for three to ten days had similar Mn PR's but were near stoichiometric. Fe+2 samples plotted closer to the Group B field than Fe+3 data but not as close as samples prepared at 250°C without iron.
REMOTE SPECTRAL SENSING OF TEMPERATURE PROFILES IN FLAMES

Abstract Knowledge of the temperature profile of the gases produced by the combustion of fossil fuels with air is a desirable step in the thermal protection systems. These gases are generally associated with high temperatures and steep temperature gradients. The measurement of temperature profiles of combustion products are often hard to make using thermocouples and other immersed pyrometers because such probes may have to be immersed in inaccessible and possibly destructive media. Determination of gas temperature profiles from multi-frequency radiative measurements seems an attractive alternative. This could be accomplished by radiative heat transfer probing and the application of the principle of inversion, where inversion is the process of inferring the internal parameters of a system of outside measurements, without the interruption of the combustion system itself. This paper discusses the development of models to retrieve the temperature distribution in a flame system by remote spectral sensing. Mixe...
Disease Management Programs in the Geriatric Setting

As people live longer, chronic illness care will consume an ever-larger part of a nation’s financial resources. With the ‘baby-boomer’ generation reaching retirement age beginning in 2011, there will be an increased demand for chronic services/care in the population aged 65 years and older. Innovative approaches to quality care must be sought, while understanding the financial costs associated with the delivery of such care to the geriatric population. Elderly persons utilize more physical resources and it is important to identify early those beneficiaries who would benefit medically from intervention.
Potential Relief From Extreme Urban Air Pollution

Abstract It is argued that surface inversion formation can be avoided if the thermal power of a city is greater than the radiational heat loss of its streets and structures. The condition for inversion avoidance is derived and compared to a Projection of the nighttime heat output of U. S. cities. Results indicate that several cities presently satisfy the avoidance condition in the winter months and that New York City will satisfy the condition year-round by the turn of the century. An improvement in urban air quality will accompany the decline in inversion frequency.
Distributed fault diagnosis in a class of interconnected nonlinear uncertain systems

In this article, a distributed fault detection and isolation (FDI) method is developed for a class of interconnected nonlinear uncertain systems. In the distributed FDI architecture, a FDI component is designed for each subsystem in the interconnected system. For each subsystem, its corresponding local FDI component is designed by utilising local measurements and certain communicated information from neighbouring FDI components associated with subsystems that are directly interconnected to the particular subsystem under consideration. Under certain assumptions, adaptive thresholds for distributed FDI in each subsystem are derived, ensuring robustness with respect to interactions among subsystems and system modelling uncertainty. Moreover, the fault detectability and isolability conditions are rigorously investigated, characterising the class of faults in each subsystem that are detectable and isolable by the proposed distributed FDI method. Additionally, the stability and learning capability of the local ...
Effects of practice and the separation of test targets on foveal and peripheral stereoacuity

The improvement in stereoacuity of two inexperienced, normal subjects was compared at foveal and at 2.5 degrees and 5 degrees peripheral target locations as a function of practice. Outlines of two squares differing only in binocular disparity were used as test stimuli and estimates of stereoacuity were obtained by application of the method of constant stimuli with feedback. The peripheral thresholds of both subjects improved 60-80% over the course of the first 3000-4000 responses at each stimulus location. Foveal improvement followed an identical time-course with a 73% improvement in one subject and only 23% in the other. This difference was reflected in the peripheral/foveal threshold ratios of the two subjects and underlines the necessity of ensuring the stability of thresholds. Stereoacuity measurements were also obtained using several different square separations at the fovea and at 2.5 degrees, 5 degrees and 10 degrees peripheral locations along the horizontal and vertical retinal meridians of two other normal subjects. Practice-stabilized disparity thresholds using optimal target separations revealed a steeper deterioration between the fovea and 2.5-5 degrees eccentricities than did measurements of the same subjects' minimum angles of resolution (MAR). The decrease of optimal stereoacuity at the more peripheral test locations was more gradual than has been previously reported but was not clearly related to that of the MAR.
Local selected IP Traffic Offload Reducing traffic congestion within the mobile core network

Selected Internet Protocol (IP) Traffic Offload (SIPTO) is a feature defined in the 3GPP standards. In this paper we propose a Converged Gateway (CGW) which enables the SIPTO functionality to be performed locally, before data reaches the edge of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network. This feature relieves the EPC from high-bandwidth flows that could otherwise cause significant congestion. This local SIPTO functionality within the CGW identifies the IP Flow type, applies a local user policy rule (optionally provisioned from the mobile core network), and then executes the offloading.
A computational study of the formation of a boron–oxygen–carbon linkage. The reaction of monohydroxy borane with methanol

Abstract Boronic acids are well known to form covalent linkages with compounds containing 1,2- or 1,3-diol moieties to form cyclic boronic esters. This unique ability of the boronic acid functional group has led to its use as the recognition entity in carbohydrate sensors. In the present computational study we discuss the formation of a prototypical boron–oxygen–carbon linkage by investigating the dehydration reaction: monohydroxy borane+methanol → borane methyl ether+water; density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G** computational level is employed. Several alternative mechanisms for this reaction are considered and the influence of aprotic solvents and base catalysts are also discussed.
Applications of program synthesis to end-user programming and intelligent tutoring systems

Computing devices have become widely available to billions of end users, yet a handful of experts have the needed expertise to program these devices. Automated program synthesis has the potential to revolutionize this landscape, when targeted for the right set of problems and when allowing the right interaction model. The first part of this talk discusses techniques for programming using examples and natural language. These techniques have been applied to various end-user programming domains including data manipulation and smartphone scripting. The second part of this talk presents surprising applications of program synthesis technology to automating various repetitive tasks in Education including problem, solution, and feedback generation for various subject domains such as math and programming. These results advance the state-of-the-art in intelligent tutoring, and can play a significant role in enabling personalized and interactive education in both standard classrooms and MOOCs.
CO2 storage and enhanced coalbed methane recovery: Reservoir characterization and fluid flow simulations of the Big George coal, Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA

Abstract Coalbeds are an attractive geological environment for storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) because CO2 is retained in the coal as an adsorbed phase and the cost of injection can be offset by enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) production. This paper presents the findings of a CO2 storage feasibility study on coalbeds in the Wyodak-Anderson coal zone of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA, using reservoir characterization and fluid flow simulations. A 3D numerical model of the Big George coal was constructed using geostatistical techniques, with values of cleat and matrix permeability and porosity constrained through history-matching of production data from coalbed methane (CBM) wells in the field area. Following history-matching, several ECBM and CO2 storage scenarios were investigated: shrinkage and swelling of the coal was either allowed or disallowed, a horizontal hydraulic fracture was either placed at the injection well or removed from the model, the number of model layers was varied between 1 and 24, and the permeability and porosity fields were constructed to be either homogeneous or heterogeneous in accordance with geostatistical models of regional variability. All simulations assumed that the injected gas was 100% CO2 and that the coalbed was overlain by an impermeable caprock. Depending on the scenario, the simulations predicted that after 13 years of CO2 injection, the cumulative methane production would be enhanced by a factor of 1.5–5. Including coal matrix shrinkage and swelling in the model predicted swelling near the injection well, which resulted in a slight reduction (10%) in injection rate. However, including a horizontal hydraulic fracture in the model at the base of the injection well helped mitigate the negative effect of swelling on injection rate. It was also found that six model layers were needed to have sufficient resolution in the vertical direction to account for the buoyancy effects between the gas and resident water, and that capturing the heterogeneous nature of the coal permeability and porosity fields predicted lower estimates of the storage capacity of the Wyodak-Anderson coal zone. After noting that gravity and buoyancy were the major driving forces behind gas flow within the Big George coal, several leakage scenarios were also investigated, in an effort to better understand the interplay between diffusion and flow properties on the transport and storage of CO2. The modeling predicted that the upward migration of gas due to the buoyancy effect was faster than the diffusion of CO2 and therefore the gas rapidly rose to the top of the coalbed and migrated into overlying strata when an impermeable caprock was not included in the model.
Late esophageal toxicity after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of esophageal toxicity after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Methods. The records of 211 patients treated by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer were reviewed to identify those with dysphagia lasting more than 90 days after therapy. Late toxicity criteria established by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group were used to score the symptoms. Results. The incidence of grade 3+ esophageal toxicity at 3 and 6 months was 30% and 19%, respectively. The rate of gastrotomy-tube dependence at 3 and 6 months was 20% and 11%, respectively. Hypopharyngeal and unknown primary site (p = .01, for both), T4 disease (p = .01), and the use of concurrent chemotherapy (p = .001) were associated with grade 3+ esophageal toxicity and stricture formation. Conclusion. A significant proportion of patients exhibit symptoms of esophageal toxicity after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Therefore, preventive strategies need further investigation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
All-Speed Time-Accurate Underwater Projectile Calculations Using a Preconditioning Algorithm

An algorithm based on the combination of time-derivative preconditioning strategies with low-diffusion upwinding methods is developed and applied to multiphase, compressible flows characteristic of underwater projectile motion. Multiphase compressible flows are assumed to be in kinematic and thermodynamic equilibrium and are modeled using a homogeneous mixture formulation. Compressibility effects in liquid-phase water are modeled using a temperature-adjusted Tait equation, and gaseous phases (water vapor and air) are treated as an ideal gas. The algorithm is applied to subsonic and supersonic projectiles in water general multiphase shock tubes, and a high-speed water entry problem. Low-speed solutions are presented and compared to experimental results for validation. Solutions for high-subsonic and transonic projectile flows are compared to experimental imaging results and theoretical results. Results are also presented for several multiphase shock tube calculations. Finally, calculations are presented for a high-speed axisymmetric supercavitating projectile during the important water entry phase of flight.
Clinical and demographic predictors of late-stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND Despite increasingly widespread use of the Papanicolaou smear, almost half of all women with invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed at a late stage (regional or distant). Little is known about factors associated with late-stage diagnosis of cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of age, race, education level, income level, smoking, marital status, health insurance type, comorbidity, and residence in an urban or rural setting to late stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer. METHODS Incident cases of invasive cervical cancer occurring in 1994 in Florida were identified from the state tumor registry (N = 852). Cases were linked with state discharge abstracts and the 1990 US census. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between predictor variables (age, race or ethnicity, marital status, smoking status, education level, income level, insurance type, comorbidity, and urban vs rural residence) and the odds of late-stage diagnosis. RESULTS Age, marital status, and insurance type were associated with late-stage diagnosis. Each additional year of age was associated with a 3% increased odds of late-stage diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.05; P<.001). Being unmarried was associated with a 63% increased odds of late-stage diagnosis (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.18-2.25; P=.003). Being uninsured was associated with a 60% increased odds of late-stage diagnosis (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.07-2.38; P=.02). Having commercial health maintenance organization insurance was associated with a 46% decreased odds of late-stage disease (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.96; P=.04). Race, education level, income level, smoking status, comorbidity, and urban residence were not associated with stage at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Women with cervical cancer who are elderly, unmarried, and uninsured are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage. These women should be targeted for cervical cancer education and screening programs.
Active relearning for robust supervised classification of pulmonary emphysema

Radiologists are adept at recognizing the appearance of lung parenchymal abnormalities in CT scans. However, the inconsistent differential diagnosis, due to subjective aggregation, mandates supervised classification. Towards optimizing Emphysema classification, we introduce a physician-in-the-loop feedback approach in order to minimize uncertainty in the selected training samples. Using multi-view inductive learning with the training samples, an ensemble of Support Vector Machine (SVM) models, each based on a specific pair-wise dissimilarity metric, was constructed in less than six seconds. In the active relearning phase, the ensemble-expert label conflicts were resolved by an expert. This just-in-time feedback with unoptimized SVMs yielded 15% increase in classification accuracy and 25% reduction in the number of support vectors. The generality of relearning was assessed in the optimized parameter space of six different classifiers across seven dissimilarity metrics. The resultant average accuracy improved to 21%. The co-operative feedback method proposed here could enhance both diagnostic and staging throughput efficiency in chest radiology practice.
Three-dimensional magnetic focusing of particles and cells in ferrofluid flow through a straight microchannel

Focusing particles and cells into a tight stream is often required in order for continuous flow detection, counting and sorting. So far a variety of particle focusing methods have been developed in microfluidic devices, among which magnetic focusing is still relatively new. We?develop in this work an approach to embedding symmetrically two repulsive permanent magnets about a straight rectangular microchannel in a PDMS-based microfluidic device. The closest distance between the magnets is limited only by the sizes of the embedded and holder magnets involved in the fabrication process. The developed device is used to implement and investigate the three-dimensional magnetic focusing of polystyrene particles in ferrofluid microflow with both the top- and side-view visualizations. The effects of flow speed and particle size on the particle focusing effectiveness are studied. The developed device is also applied to magnetically focus yeast cells in ferrofluid, which proves to be biocompatible as verified by a cell viability test. In addition, an analytical model is developed and found to be able to predict the experimentally observed particle and cell focusing behaviors with reasonable agreement.
Elucidation of a low spin cobalt(II) system in a distorted tetrahedral geometry.

We have prepared a series of divalent cobalt(II) complexes supported by the [PhBP3] ligand ([PhBP3] = [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]-) to probe certain structural and electronic phenomena that arise from this strong field, anionic tris(phosphine) donor ligand. The solid-state structure of the complex [PhBP3]CoI (1), accompanied by SQUID, EPR, and optical data, indicates that it is a pseudotetrahedral cobalt(II) species with a doublet ground statethe first of its type. To our knowledge, all previous examples of 4-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes with doublet ground states have adopted square planar structure types. Complex 1 provided a useful precursor to the corresponding bromide and chloride complexes, {[PhBP3]Co(μ-Br)}2, (2), and {[PhBP3]Co(μ-Cl)}2, (3). These complexes were similarly characterized and shown to be dimeric in the solid-state. In solution, however, the monomeric low spin form of 2 and 3 dominates at 25 °C. There is spectroscopic evidence for a temperature-dependent monomer/dimer equilibrium in solution f...
Dynamic (re)organization of the podocyte actin cytoskeleton in the nephrotic syndrome.

The visceral glomerular epithelial cell, also known as the podocyte, plays an important role in the maintenance of renal glomerular function. This cell type is highly specialized and its foot processes together with the interposed slit diaphragm (SD) form the final barrier to urinary protein loss. Effacement of foot processes is associated with the development of proteinuria and—if not reversed in a certain time—with permanent deterioration of the glomerular filter. To maintain an intact glomerular filter barrier, podocyte-podocyte interactions and podocyte interactions with the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) are essential. Recent years have highlighted podocyte functions by unraveling the molecular composition of the SD, but have also clarified the important role of the podocyte actin cytoskeleton, and the podocyte-GBM interaction in the development of foot process (FP) effacement. This review provides an update of podocyte functions with respect to novel podocyte-specific proteins and also focuses on the dynamic interaction between the actin cytoskeleton of podocytes, their cell surface receptors and the GBM.
Impact of exchange rate uncertainty on commodity trade between US and Sweden

Previous studies that investigated the effects of exchange rate uncertainty on the trade flows of Sweden employed aggregate trade data either between Sweden and the rest of the world or at bilateral level between Sweden and her major trading partners. In this article, we disaggregate the trade data and employ the import and export data from 87 industries that trade between Sweden and the US. We find that exchange rate volatility has significant short-run effects on the trade flows between the two countries in almost two-third of the industries. However, the short-run effects are translated into the long-run effects in one-third of the cases. Furthermore, the real depreciation of krona against the dollar was found to have favourable effects on the overall trade balance between the two countries.
Stress metabolite production in potato tubers infected by Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium avenaceum and Phoma exigua

Abstract The stress metabolites rishitin, phytuberin, desacetylphytuberin and solavetivone were found in eight different cultivars of potato tuber inoculated with Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium avenaceum and Phoma exigua var. foveata . Concentrations of up to 83 μg rishitin, 409 μg phytuberin, 545 μg desacetylphytuberin and 333 μg solavetivone/g dry weight of infected tissue were found, although not all compounds were detectable in each interaction. Extracts from infected tissue were treated with diazomethane prior to mini-column chromatography which removed interfering apolar compounds including fatty acid methyl esters. Eluates were subjected to analytical gas chromatography on a 10% OV210 column which enabled simultaneous measurement of all four compounds due to a greatly improved resolution compared to the published gas chromatographic procedure for potato stress metabolites. Anhydro-β-rotunol and lubimin, if present in the extracts, could also be quantitatively measured.
intravascular ultrasound in coronary atherosclerosis: A new approach to clinical assessment

Intravascular ultrasound evaluation of the coronary arteries by means of a selective coronary catheter attached to an ultrasound unit has afforded precise depiction of coronary lumen diameter and area at the level of the catheter tip. The arterial wall at this level can be evaluated for lipid, fibrous tissue, calcification, wall dissections, and intraluminal thrombi. The technique has the advantage over coronary angioscopy and angiography in that it does not require infusions or injections to allow visualization, and it has the ability to depict the inside of the arterial wall. The current disadvantages include the inability to visualize the vessel segments distal to the catheter tip. Three-dimensional reconstruction techniques allow depiction of the segment of the artery traversed by the catheter tip. The use of Doppler ultrasound imaging provides information on coronary flow velocities through coronary obstructions. Intravascular ultrasound images may provide information that complements the coronary arteriogram and may have an impact on patient care and clinical investigation strategies.
Albumin Treatment Reduces Neurological Deficit and Protects Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity After Acute Intracortical Hematoma in the Rat

Background and Purpose— Acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common and severe form of stroke. To date, medical management of ICH has had scant impact on morbidity and mortality. Because albumin therapy is markedly neuroprotective in preclinical models of ischemic stroke, and because ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke share several common injury mechanisms, we hypothesized that albumin therapy might also benefit ICH. Methods— Acute intracortical hematoma was produced in anesthetized, normothermic rats by the single stereotaxic injection of 50 μL of autologous, nonheparinized whole blood over 5 minutes. Separate animal groups were treated either with 25% human albumin, 1.25 g/kg, or with intravenous saline vehicle at 60 minutes after ICH. Neurobehavior was quantified sequentially over the next 2 to 7 days. Damage to the blood–brain barrier was assessed at 2 days after ICH by fluorometric measurement of Evans blue extravasation in dissected brain regions. Results— High-grade neurological deficits were pre...
Modulation of decay kinetics and frequency of GABAA receptor-mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal neurons.

Inhibitory postsynaptic currents mediated by spontaneous activation of GABAA receptors were studied using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in granule cells of the adult rat (postnatal day 60+) dentate gyrus in 400-microns-thick coronal half-brain slices maintained at 34-35 degrees C. The average amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents remained constant during a given recording period (i.e. no rundown was noted). The spontaneous currents had an average conductance between 200-400 pS, were mediated by Cl- flux through GABAA receptor/channels since they reversed at the Cl- equilibrium potential and were blocked by bicuculline or picrotoxin. Their mono-exponential decay time-constants (range: 4.2-7.2 ms) were prolonged by midazolam and pentobarbital in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of midazolam was reversed by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (RO 15-1788) which, by itself, had no effect on the decay time-constant. The decay time-constant was also dependent on membrane voltage and on temperature. A 132-mV change in membrane potential produced an e-fold prolongation of the decay while the Q10 (between 22-37 degrees C) of the decay rate was 2.1. Within a given neuron, the frequency of spontaneous GABAergic events was remarkably constant over long time-periods, though the mean frequency among different cells showed large variability. Spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents also persisted under experimental conditions such as the presence of extracellular tetrodotoxin (1 microM), Cd2+ (200 microM) or lowered extracellular Ca2+/elevated Mg2+, which effectively abolished all stimulus-evoked GABAergic neurotransmission. The frequency of tetrodotoxin-resistant miniature events was increased by elevating extracellular K+ concentration and was diminished by the GABAB receptor agonist (-)baclofen only at a dose (50 microM) which was an order of magnitude larger than that required to depress stimulus-evoked responses. These findings are consistent with different mechanisms being responsible for the spontaneous and stimulus-evoked release of GABA from interneuron terminals and also identify pre- and postsynaptic modulatory factors of the endogenous, action-potential-independent, GABAergic neurotransmission as being important determinants of the excitability level of mammalian CNS neurons.