cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of suicide and depression in psoriasis and management of suicide warnings in patients treated with psoriasis drugs

Patients with psoriasis are thought to be at increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality predominantly as a result of the psychosocial impact of this disease. Studies have shown that the pro-inflammatory cytokines that are elevated in psoriasis and targeted by biologics have also been identified in patients with depression. It is therefore thought that anti-cytokine therapies may improve patients’ quality of life not only by reducing their disease burden but also by modulating the inflammatory pathways implicated in depression. While depression is mentioned in the package inserts of brodalumab and apremilast, only brodalumab has a black box warning requiring discussion of suicidality prior to prescribing the drug. In clinical trials, the majority of patients receiving brodalumab experience a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. The package insert for brodalumab points out that no causal association has been established between brodalumab and suicide, and the FDA-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program for brodalumab takes only minutes to complete. Brodalumab and apremilast may therefore be considered for patients in whom depression is caused by psoriasis, provided that patients and their providers have a mutual understanding of the risks and benefits of these therapies and the REMS program is followed.
A phase 1 and randomized, placebo‐controlled phase 2 trial of bevacizumab plus dasatinib in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: Alliance/North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0872

Background Src signaling is markedly upregulated in patients with invasive glioblastoma (GBM) after the administration of bevacizumab. The Src family kinase inhibitor dasatinib has been found to effectively block bevacizumab-induced glioma invasion in preclinical models, which led to the hypothesis that combining bevacizumab with dasatinib could increase bevacizumab efficacy in patients with recurrent GBM. Methods After the completion of the phase 1 component, the phase 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00892177) randomized patients with recurrent GBM 2:1 to receive 100 mg of oral dasatinib twice daily (arm A) or placebo (arm B) on days 1 to 14 of each 14-day cycle combined with 10 mg/kg of intravenous bevacizumab on day 1 of each 14-day cycle. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6). Results In the 121 evaluable patients, the PFS6 rate was numerically, but not statistically, higher in arm A versus arm B (28.9% [95% CI, 19.5%-40.0%] vs 18.4% [95% CI, 7.7%-34.4%]; P = .22). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the median overall survival noted between the treatment arms (7.3 months and 7.7 months, respectively; P = .93). The objective response rate was 15.7% in arm A and 26.3% in arm B (P = .52), but with a significantly longer duration in patients treated on arm A (16.3 months vs 2 months). The incidence of grade ≥3 toxicity was comparable between treatment arms, with hematologic toxicities occurring more frequently in arm A versus arm B (15.7% vs 7.9%) (adverse events were assessed as per the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). Correlative tissue analysis demonstrated an association between pSRC/LYN signaling in patient tumors and outcome. Conclusions Despite upregulation of Src signaling in patients with GBM, the combination of bevacizumab with dasatinib did not appear to significantly improve the outcomes of patients with recurrent GBM compared with bevacizumab alone.
Impacts of streaked shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) on tree seedling regeneration in a warm-temperate evergreen forest on Kanmurijima Island, Japan

The ground vegetation of an evergreen broad-leaved Persea thunbergii-dominated forest on Kanmurijima Island has been heavily damaged by a ground-burrowing seabird, the streaked shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas). To clarify the effects of seabird trampling and burrowing on the recruitment of tree seedlings, 22 paired quadrats, protected and unprotected against seabirds, were laid out under various degrees of canopy coverage, ranging from heavy- to light-shade. Protection from seabird activities resulted in an increase in species richness of tree seedlings. Seabird activities had a significant effect on tree seedling diversity, while canopy coverage was shown to be important for herbaceous species diversity. Though seedling emergence of Persea thunbergii, the evergreen canopy dominant, was not affected by seabird activities and canopy coverage, that of Mallotus japonicus, a deciduous pioneer tree, was negatively affected by the both factors. Seabird activities and evergreen heavy-shade canopy negatively affected seedling survivorship of both species. Low survivorship in seedlings of the canopy species may doom the present-day warm-temperate evergreen forest of Persea thunbergii on the island. Mechanical impacts of trampling and burrowing and the resulting soil erosion may play an important role in forest regeneration and dynamics.
A Plenitude of Commensurate Phases in Simple Models

Various bulk physical systems exhibit a number of distinct complex commensurate modulated phases : particularly notable is the magnetic material CeSb, which exhibits over a dozen such phases1. One of the simplest models capable of displaying analogous behavior is the axial next-nearest neighbor Ising model or ANNNI model. In d dimensions the model consists of (d-1)-dimensional layers of Ising spins (si = ± 1) with nearest neighbor ferromagnetic couplings, JO > 0, within layers but competing ferromagnetic, J1, and anti-ferromagnetic, J2 = - kJ1 , antiphase character (two layers ′up′, two ′down′ periodically) for k > 1/2, which matches the zero field ground state of CeSb; but infinitely degenerate for k = 1/2. The high-temperature paramagnetic phase terminates2 in a ferromagnetic critical line for k k L with a critical wave-vector qc(k), increasingly monotonically from zero at k = k L. Thus [k = k L, T = TC (k L)] is a Lifshitz point which, in fact, matches that found in MnP surprisingly closely3. At intermediate temperatures Monte Carlo work4 is informative but the technique proves incapable of resolving definitely the fine features of the phase diagram.
The effect of methyl and methoxy substituents on dianilines for a thermosetting polyimide system

4,4′-Methylenedianiline (MDA) is widely used in high-temperature polyimide resins, including polymerization of monomer reactants-15. The toxicity of MDA significantly limits the manufacturability u...
Pediatric Research and Scholarship Committee: Single Institution Initiative to Enhance Scholarly Activity of Pediatric Residents.

Abstract Objective We sought to improve scholarly activity of pediatric residents by providing residents with support and guidance from a committee of faculty and staff members dedicated to advancing research within the program while requiring minimal additional funding or resources. Approach Established in 2012, the Pediatric Research and Scholarship Committee (PRSC) ascertained research interests of pediatric residents and matched residents with scholarly activity mentors based on mutual interests and goals. We measured change in scholarly activity of residents after the development of the PRSC by reviewing resident presentations at national/regional meetings and manuscripts published pre- and post-PRSC. Outcomes The average number of conference presentations at regional/national meetings per resident ratio increased from 0.13 over the 2 years prior to the PRSC to an average of 0.34 over the 2 years post-PRSC, with the overall increase sustained over the seven years post-PRSC (0.13 pre-PRSC vs 0.48 post-PRSC, P Discussion Implementation of a research committee comprised of dedicated faculty can play a vital role in stimulating and sustaining productivity in resident research and scholarly activity. Our model can be adopted by other residency programs seeking to advance resident scholarly activities.
Bioactivity of recombinant hFSH glycosylation variants in primary cultures of porcine granulosa cells

Previous studies have reported hypo-glycosylated FSH and fully-glycosylated FSH to be naturally occurring in humans, and these glycoforms exist in changing ratios over a woman's lifespan. The precise cellular and molecular effects of recombinant human FSH (hFSH) glycoforms, FSH21 and FSH24, have not been documented in primary granulosa cells. Herein, biological responses to FSH21 and FSH24 were compared in primary porcine granulosa cells. Hypo-glycosylated hFSH21 was significantly more effective than fully-glycosylated hFSH24 at stimulating cAMP accumulation and protein kinase A (PKA) activity, leading to the higher phosphorylation of CREB and β-Catenin. Compared to fully-glycosylated hFSH24, hypo-glycosylated hFSH21 also induced greater levels of transcripts for HSD3B, STAR and INHA, and higher progesterone production. Our results demonstrate that hypo-glycosylated hFSH21 exerts more robust activation of intracellular signals associated with steroidogenesis than fully-glycosylated hFSH24 in primary porcine granulosa cells, and furthers our understanding of the differing bioactivities of FSH glycoforms in the ovary.
Review on the fate of antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance genes, and other micropollutants in manure during enhanced anaerobic digestion and composting.

Abstract While manure has been used as nutrient-rich fertilizer for centuries, anaerobic digestion (AD) of manure has only been recognized recently as a promising renewable energy source for producing methane-rich biogas. Various forms of AD have been evaluated for the removal of manure contaminants, such as antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), hormones, and pesticides that pose risks to human health and the environment. Increasing demand for cleaner energy prompts examination of the fate of manure contaminants in conventional and advanced AD techniques. This review reveals that removal of contaminants differs based on type (e.g. antimicrobials vs hormones) or class (e.g. tetracyclines vs sulfonamides) of chemicals being treated. Increasingly, pre-treatment techniques are incorporated into AD systems to enhance biogas production and degrade manure contaminants. For instance, activated carbon with microwave pretreatment removed 87-95% of ARGs. Advanced anaerobic digestion and solid-state anaerobic digestion reduced various ARGs associated with sulfonamides, macrolides, and tetracyclines. Further, total hormone reduction improved using high-temperature pretreatment prior to mesophilic AD. Finally, several studies revealed partial removal of antimicrobials and ARGs during managed composting. Although AD can independently decrease manure contaminants prior to use as fertilizer, augmenting AD with composting and other physical treatment processes can further enhance their removal.
Polymer-induced polymorphism in a Zn-based metal organic framework

Several MOF polymorphs exhibit enhanced properties compared to their previously known structures, motivating the development of polymorphic control methods. Here, we study polymorphism in the ZIF-8/ZIF-L system as a function of metal : ligand ratio during synthesis and show a significant shift in the phase transition point towards ZIF-8 with addition of dilute polyethylene oxide during synthesis. Computational results suggest a simple pathway for controlling MOF polymorphism where the choice of polymer can be guided via first-principles simulations.
Policy and Environmental Predictors of Park Visits During the First Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Getting Out While Staying in

The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered visitation patterns to parks, with potential effects on human health. Little is known about park use early in the pandemic, how park availability influenced u...
Size effect in fracture of unidirectional composite plates

Fracture of notched, unidirectionally reinforced composite plates with well-bonded ductile matrices is typically preceded by the formation of long, discrete plastic shear zones aligned in the fiber direction. Onset of fracture is associated with a critical tension stress in a certain small process zone ahead of the notch tip; the critical stress is often equal to the tensile strength of the unnotched composite plate. Length of the shear zones can be estimated by plastic limit-analysis, and the local tension stress ahead of the notch found by superposition of the stress caused by remotely applied loads with the stress induced by the shear tractions in the plastic zone, which is shown to be dominated by a logarithmic singularity. In as-fabricated boron-aluminum composites, this fracture mechanism was analyzed and confirmed by numerous experiments (G.J. Dvorak, J. Zarzour and Y. Benveniste, Engineering Fracture Mechanics 42, 501–517, 1992). Since the notch tip field is not described by a stress intensity factor, experimental notched strength data cannot be interpreted in terms of a single material property, such as toughness. An alternative scaling procedure is outlined for prediction of notched strength of wide plates on the basis of data obtained from small size specimens.
How the Department of the Navy translates space support requirements into program plans

The Department of the Navy, as an equal partner in joint military efforts to exploit space-based capabilities for support of its forces at sea and ashore, has developed an effective process for ensuring that its space support reflects the emerging needs of the warfighting Fleet commanders-during routine peacetime operations right through crises into regional wars-as well as the most promising technologies which the nation's combined research and development efforts have to offer. Translating those needs, and using those technologies, in developing effective space systems in a timely and cost efficient manner, is the challenge posed to Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and PEO for Space...a challenge repeatedly met with capabilities which permit the Fleet to fight smarter, quicker, more knowledgeably, and well inside any potential enemy's "decision loop".
Prenatal determination of the sex of the baby.

Abstract 1. 1. Sex prediction from cells present in amniotic fluid was accurately determined in 28 of 30 cases. 2. 2. Failure of predicting sex determination occurred in 2 patients, in one of whom there was a macerated fetus. In the other we believe failure was probably due to a mechanical error in obtaining the specimen. 3. 3. The cytologic criteria and points of technique of the sex determination are summarized.
Money-Multiplier Shocks in a Credit-View Model*

The financial crisis and recession of 2008-2010 have witnessed the biggest reduction in money-supply multipliers in U.S. history. In contrast to what occurred during the Great Depression, the Fed has avoided decreases in monetary aggregates by dramatically increasing the monetary base. A variation of the Bernanke-Blinder credit-view model is shown to reveal that holding the money supply constant following an autonomous fall in the money multiplier is insufficient to prevent aggregate demand from falling. This helps to explain the severity of the 2008-2010 recession despite growing monetary aggregates and expansionary fiscal policy
A novel experiment of rearing burbot larvae in cages

Summary Feeding burbot Lota lota maculosa larvae were released in pens deployed in two ponds of the Kootenai River, Idaho, USA drainage: one pond each in 2008 through 2010. The objectives were to compare results of survival, growth, and the practicality of pen rearing burbot. In 2008 we stocked two pens at low density with 30 burbot larvae each (20 larvae per m3) and collected a total of 47 of the 60 after about 70 days, for an estimated average pen survival of 78%. Average length in August 2008 was 48 mm total length. Yellow perch Perca flavescens were discovered in the pond. The pond was drained in December of 2008 to eradicate the yellow perch. In 2009 a total of 467 feeding burbot larvae were placed between five pens at three densities of about 18, 39, 95 burbot larvae per m3. By September, average TL of burbot was 49 mm. Growth appeared to slow for all stocking densities after the fifth week. Average survival for burbot from initial pen stocking to final recovery was 18%. Best survival was at the two lower densities. In 2010 stocking was moved to a second pond and a total of 484 feeding burbot larvae were placed between five pens at the three densities. In 2010 burbot were supplementally fed. Average survival for the low, moderate, and high density pens was 86, 78, and 20%, respectively. Mean TL at collection in 2010 for the low, moderate and high densities were 37, 37, and 40 mm, respectively. Food availability was believed to be a limiting factor to survival because adding zooplankton appeared to improve survival.
Thermodynamic Interpretation of the Quantum Error Correcting Criterion

Shannon's fundamental coding theorems relate classical information theory to thermodynamics. More recent theoretical work has been successful in relating quantum information theory to thermodynamics. For example, Schumacher proved a quantum version of Shannon's 1948 classical noiseless coding theorem. In this note, we extend the connection between quantum information theory and thermodynamics to include quantum error correction. There is a standard mechanism for describing errors that may occur during the transmission, storage, and manipulation of quantum information. One can formulate a criterion of necessary and sufficient conditions for the errors to be detectable and correctable. We show that this criterion has a thermodynamical interpretation. PACS: 03.67; 05.30; 63.10
Letter of Credit Undertakings and Suretyship Contracts: Did the Fifth Circuit Slip in Express Blower, Inc. v. Earthcare, LLC?

Professor Dolan discusses the commercial policies disserved by the characterization of letters of credit contained in a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the abundant authority that contradicts the Fifth Circuit’s view.
Compact differences of composition operators

Abstract A characterization of compact difference is given for composition operators acting on the standard weighted Bergman spaces and necessary conditions are given on a larger scale of weighted Dirichlet spaces. Conditions are given under which a composition operator can be written as a finite sum of composition operators modulo the compacts. The additive structure of the space of composition operators modulo the compact operators is investigated further and a sufficient condition is given to insure that two composition operators lie in the same component.
Validity of the log-linear profile relationship over a rough terrain during stable conditions

The applicability of the log-linear profile relationship over rough terrain to a height of 126 m is investigated. Simultaneous hourly averaged mean wind and temperature profiles measured at the Brookhaven meteorological tower during stable conditions are used in the analysis. The tower was surrounded by fairly homogeneous vegetation to a height of about 8 m. The results indicate that the log-linear profile relationship is valid at least for a height of 126 m for stabilities with Richardson numbers less than the critical value of 0.25. The mean value of α in $${{\partial u} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\partial u} {\partial z}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\partial z}} = \left( {{{u_ * } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{u_ * } k}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} k}} \right)\left( {1 + \alpha \left( {{z \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {z L}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} L}} \right)} \right)$$ is found to be about 5.2 for these stabilities. The log-linear profile relation is found to be applicable for profiles observed beyond the critical stability; but the height of validity seems to decrease to about 100 m and the mean value of α is about 1.6.
Nonverbal communication and the first amendment: The rhetoric of the streets revisited

Developments of the last fifteen years in the relationship of free speech theory to nonverbal communication lead to the conclusion that many purely symbolic, emotive and victimless modes of nonverbal expression have won a firm place under the umbrella of First Amendment protection but that some nonverbal forms of communication, such as flag and draft card burnings, economic boycotts, and coercive persuasion generally, are still viewed as raising troublesome First Amendment questions.
Steps Toward 8M Honeycomb Mirrors VIII: Design And Demonstration Of A System Of Thermal Control

Directed jets of ambient temperature air are proposed for the maintenance of low internal temperature gradients and conformity with ambient temperatures in honeycomb-structure borosilicate glass telescope mirrors. The use of greater airflow on thicker sections, to match cooling rates, and the cooling or heating of the internal, back, and edge surfaces of the mirror at the same rate established by convection on the front surface, have been tested on a full scale glass thermal model of a single honeycomb cell from an 8-m diameter mirror. The internal thermal gradient (less than 0.1 C) and ambient-temperature-change lag (less than 0.24 C) ensure minimum image degradation.
Discrimination Between Erythrocytes of Different Inbred Lines of Chickens by Absorbed Polyvalent Antisera

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE development of blood typing techniques has provided a means of minimizing pedigree errors within partially inbred lines of chickens where antigenic variation among individuals is reduced. At least 10 erythrocyte antigen determining loci are known to exist and multiple alleles are present at several of these (see Gilmour, 1962; and Briles, 1962). Among the several difficulties encountered in blood typing of chickens the problem of cross-reactions is of major importance. Reagents produced with single antigen specificity in one population may cross-react with antigens controlled by other alleles at the same locus in other populations (see Briles, 1960, for a discussion and an example). It appears highly unlikely, therefore, that standard reagents, each identifying a specific allele, are likely to be produced by present techniques for use in detecting pedigree errors in the population at large. Despite the difficulties indicated above, modified techniques have been developed by Hort and …
Soluble microbial products (SMP) formation kinetics by biofilms

Abstract Soluble microbial products (SMP) formation kinetics were investigated by employing a laboratory-scale biofilm reactor and naturally-grown oligotrophs. The experimental results indicated that the majority of effluent soluble organic carbon(SOC) was SMP, while only a small fraction of the effluent SOC was the residual original substrate. Utilization-associated products (UAP), which were produced directly from substrate metabolism, were more important than biomass-associated products (BAP), which were produced by basic metabolism. The SMP contained mainly high-molecular-weight organic compounds, although the organic carbon source to a biofilm reactor was a low-molecular-weight compound. The steady-state concentrations of the effluent SMP and SOC were directly proportional to the influent substrate concentrations in this study. An extended steady-state biofilm model was developed by incorporating into the steady-state biofilm model an SMP formation model based on two types of SMP (i.e. UAP and BAP). The model described successfully the experimental substrate utilization, SMP formation, and the removal of total soluble organic matter (SOC).
Micro-optical arrays by laser densification of gel-silica matrices

Optical microlens arrays are important in many optical systems. A new method for producing arrays of negative lenses, geodesic lenses, and planar GRIN lenses is described. The lenses and arrays are produced using CO 2 laser densification of near fully densified gel-silica (Type VI) matrices. Critical processing conditions include initial density of the matrix, laser power, laser pulse width, focal length of the laser beam, and ambient atmosphere. The gradient refractive index (GRIN) region formed on the surface of the gel-silica matrix is capable of focusing an optical ray in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the surface. FTIR specular reflectance microscopy with a spot size of 0.1 mm and resolution of 0.5 cm -1 at normal incidence is used to characterize laser densified spots with diameter of 1.50 mm. The wavenumber of the Si-O stretching mode is shifted toward a higher frequency from the periphery to the center of the densified spot. The increase in frequency of the structural molecular vibrations gives rise to the GRIN optics. A refractive index gradient of 0.09 to the microlens is achieved with a 300 micrometers diameter full density region. Focal lengths of the GRIN planar microlens on the gel-silica matrix range from 1.7' to 5.0'. Comparison of the materials, fabrication methods, and properties of different types of optical microlenses are summarized.
Formation of multiple fire whirls

Multiple fire whirls were formed from a controlled propane gas line fire placed between two parallel moving screens which impart a controlled shear to the ambient air. It was found that the line fire, breaks up into approximately equally spaced fire whirls after the attainment of certain critical conditions. Employing instability theory, a critical dimensionless parameter was obtained for the determination of the point of fire whirl formation, and governing dimensionless parameters were obtained to enable the spacing data of established whirls to be presented in a universal plot. By employing the whirl spacing data, a correlation was obtained for the variation in whirl height. The analysis yielded: o 1. The vorticity required for fire whirl development increases with buoyancy. 2. The characteristic spacing of the fire whirls increases with vorticity but decreases with increased buoyancy. 3. The behavior of the visible whirl height depended upon the vortex strength of and the fuel available to an individuel whirl: A) Small fuel supply: Whirl height is determined by the effectiveness of the fuel-air mixing, which is governed by the whirl vortex strength. The whirl height then increases with available vorticity, but decreases with increased fuel supply due to reduced circulation associated with a reduction in the characteristic spacing. B) Large fuel supply: The whirl height is governed by the quantity of fuel available to it. The whirl height, then, increases with both increased vorticity and with increased fuel supply.
Dietary fish oil and cytokine and eicosanoid production during human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Background Dietary fish oil (FO) has been shown to modulate the immune system. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of FO supplementation on the production of dienoic eicosanoids and cytokines in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods This was a randomized, prospective, double-blind study that included homosexual males with HIV infection. Patients were asked to consume voluntarily five food bars daily containing FO (n = 10) or safflower oil (SO) (n = 9) for 6 weeks. At baseline and week 6, plasma was obtained to measure incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids. At baseline, week 3, and week 6, measurements were made of changes in dienoic eicosanoids and cytokines from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or spontaneously releasing cells. Results In the FO group but not the SO group, there was increased incorporation of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into the phospholipids of the fatty acids of the plasma. In the FO group, there was a significant decrease (p = .01) in 6-keto prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha released from PBMC. There was a significant increase (p = .01) in interleukin (IL)-6 released from the PBMC in the FO group between baseline and week 3 and between week 3 and week 6. At week 6, there was significantly more IL-6 (p = .01) released from the PBMC in the FO group compared with the SO group. There was no change in CD4 cell counts by analysis of variance. Conclusions The FO-containing food bars were well tolerated and allowed incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids to occur. Despite evidence of significant metabolic effects on eicosanoid and cytokine production, widespread clinical use of FO for HIV-infected patients is not warranted without further study, particularly given the trend toward a decline in CD4 cell numbers at this dose and with this type of fish oil.
Structural insights into yeast septin organization from polarized fluorescence microscopy

Septins are polymerizing GTPases that function in cortical organization and cell division. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae they localize at the isthmus between the mother and the daughter cells, where they undergo a transition from a non-dynamic hourglass-shaped assembly to two separate rings, at the onset of cytokinesis. Septins form filaments as pure protein and in vivo, but the filament organization within the hourglass and ring structures is controversial. Here, we use polarized fluorescence microscopy of orientationally constrained green fluorescent protein to determine septin filament organization and dynamics in living yeast. We found that the hourglass is made of filaments aligned along the yeast bud neck. During the transition from hourglass to rings the filaments rotate through 90 degrees in the membrane plane and become circumferential. These data resolve a long-standing controversy in the field and provide strong evidence that septins have a mechanical function in cell division.
Do abnormal liver function tests predict inpatient imaging yield? An evaluation of clinical decision making.

Rationale, aims and objectives Diagnostic abdominal imaging is frequently performed in hospitalized patients to assess the cause of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs). We undertook this study to assess whether the extent and severity of LFTs abnormalities predicted the yield of inpatient imaging. Methods We retrospectively reviewed inpatients’ abdominal imaging studies performed for abnormal LFTs during a 27 month period. Imaging results were matched to LFTs performed during a 5 day collection window surrounding the image request date. Five LFTs were categorized by severity of abnormality and were then collapsed into three classes based on pathophysiology. Results Among 759 imaging studies completed for the indication of abnormal LFTs, 196 (26%) were positive (abnormal and explained the abnormal LFTs). Among the LFT classes, severity of laboratory test abnormality correlated with positive imaging examinations yield only for the transaminases: 18% for the normal–mildly abnormal transaminases compared with 31% for moderately–severely abnormal transaminases. The number of abnormal LFT classes per study correlated only slightly better: 21% of patients with none or one abnormal LFT class had a positive imaging study compared with 35% of patients with all three abnormal LFT classes. Conclusions The yield of inpatient abdominal imaging for abnormal LFTs correlates only weakly with both the severity and the extent of different abnormal LFTs. Further research is needed to define the optimal imaging strategies for evaluating inpatients with suspected hepatobiliary disease.
Rapid thermal stability of refractory metal and silicide contacts on p‐InP

The rapid thermal stability of Ti, Ta, TiSi2, and TaSi2 contacts on p-InP is investigated. The annealing temperature varies in the range 700 to 900°C and the annealing time is 10 s. The TiSi2 and TaSi2 contacts show superior stability compared with the Ti and Ta contacts. The TaSi2 contacts are found more stable than the TiSi2 contacts. A defect model is used to explain the observations.
Effects of adolescent ethanol exposure on event-related oscillations (EROs) in the hippocampus of adult rats.

Abstract Electrophysiological studies have shown that adolescent ethanol (EtOH) exposure can produce long-term changes in hippocampal EEG and ERP activity. Recently, evidence has emerged suggesting that event-related oscillations (EROs) may be good indices of alcoholism risk in humans, however, have not been evaluated for their ability to index the effects of EtOH exposure. The objective of the present study was to characterize EROs generated in hippocampus in adult rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence. Adolescent male Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to EtOH vapor for 12 h/d for 10 days. A time–frequency representation method was used to determine delta, theta, alpha and beta ERO energy and the degree of phase variation in the hippocampus of adult rats exposed to EtOH and age-matched controls. The present results suggest that the decrease in P3 amplitudes, previously observed in adult rats exposed to EtOH during adolescence, is associated with increases in evoked theta ERO energy. These studies suggest that EROs are suitable for characterizing the long-term effects of adolescent EtOH exposure. Further studies are needed to determine the relationship between the mechanisms that regulate these neurophysiological endophenotypes and the consequences of adolescent EtOH exposure.
Discrete Event Simulation: A Review of SimEvents

A new entrant in the field of discrete event simulation systems, SimEvents has several desirable system features. It still has some catching up to do in some areas, but SimEvents is particularly useful for existing Matlab and Simulink users looking to construct complex hybrid systems of discrete/continuous processing.
Distributions and associations of selected trace elements in the lower Kittanning seam, western Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Abstract Trace elements within the Lower Kittanning seam (western Pennsylvania) show significant basinal variations. Many of these variations can be related to differences in the depositional environments of the peat, as inferred by the nature of the overlying shales, in that the distribution of minerals in this seam, particularly that of clay minerals, is controlled by depositional environment. Chromium, Cu, V and Zr show significant increases towards the northwestern and southeastern margins of the basin. These trends can be explained by an association with clay minerals (Cr, V, and, in part, Cu), or with minor amounts of other detrital minerals (Zr). Clay composition of the Lower Kittanning seam reflects proximity to the sediment source and stability of the various clay minerals in the swamp environment. Kaolinite, which increases in concentration towards the basin margins, is primarily authigenic and shows a distribution that reflects the stability of this mineral in the relatively low pH, freshwater areas of the peat swamp. In this seam, illite-mica is predominantly detrital, as inferred by polytype studies, and increases along isolated sections of the basin margins where a greater detrital influx was experienced. Within the Beryllium and Ni also increase towards the basin margins. These elements may have been trapped at the margins of the basin by the organic fraction of the peat or coal. Similarly, Cu may owe its distribution, at least in part, to organic trapping. A decrease in Be content along the southeastern margin of the basin may be due to the increase in coal rank observed in that area. No basin-wide trends were seen for Ba, Mn and Zn and their concentrations are controlled by local mineral occurences. Manganese variations, for example, can be related to local occurrences of siderite.
Transparencia en tres dimensiones

The paper addresses the issue of transparency in public decision making, offering a proposed framework for assessing the goals and benefits, and how transparency is related to other principles, including those of the First Amendment. The text discusses the definition of transparency: the degree of transparency is a function of three variables: the possessor of information, the information that is to be made transparent, and to whom access to information will be given. Then, it addresses the aims of transparency, in particular, its regulatory, democracy enhancing, efficiency promoting, and epistemological goals. The text notes how transparency is conservative, seeking to prevent the worst outcomes even at the occasional cost of foreclosing the best ones.
Merkel cell carcinoma: what makes a difference?

Abstract Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that may spread via lymphatics and can therefore be staged with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). MCC is radiosensitive and chemosensitive, although the role of adjuvant therapy is still unclear. We examined the impact of different treatments on the outcome of MCC. Methods We performed a retrospective review of state cancer registry data from California, Oregon, and Washington of patients diagnosed with primary skin MCC between 1988 and 2012 (n = 4,038). Data were analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier methods to examine disease-specific survival. Results Patients with positive nodes or no documented nodal evaluation had worse survival compared with node-negative patients. No nodal evaluation had decreased survival compared with lymph node evaluation by SLNB. Completion lymph node dissection conferred improved survival in patients with a positive SLNB. In clinically node-negative patients who had a positive SLNB, radiation and chemotherapy did not affect survival. Conclusions Lymph node evaluation is an important component to MCC treatment. The role of adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy needs further evaluation.
Risk factors for neonatal death in twin gestations in the state of South Carolina.

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study was to describe risk factors for neonatal death among twins born in South Carolina. Study Design: South Carolina publicly accessible live birth and infant death cohort files for live-born twins >500 g were reviewed for the years 1988 through 1993. Infants with lethal anomalies were deleted from the cohort before analysis. Risk factors for neonatal death were determined for the entire cohort and for the birth weight categories of 500 to 999 g, 1000 to 1499 g, 1500 to 2499 g, and ≥2500 g. Statistical comparisons were performed with the Mantel-Haenszel χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of 7833 live-born twins, 263 (3.4%) died during the neonatal period. The mean birth weight was 2357 ± 650 g (range 500-5358 g) at a mean gestational age of 35.7 ± 3.5 weeks. Overall neonatal mortality rates were significantly increased ( P P = .005). Conclusions: Although the overall neonatal mortality rate for twins continues to improve, increased rates are still seen among blacks, teenagers, and women who receive no prenatal care. Twins between 500 and 999 g have significantly reduced neonatal mortality rates when delivered at hospitals with a high obstetric volume. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:757-62.)
Unstable Work, Unstable Income: Implications for Family Well-Being in the Era of Time-Limited Welfare

ABSTRACT Four years into the implementation of the 1996 federal welfare reform legislation, promising to “change welfare as we know it,” a critical question remains unanswered: How are formerly welfare-reliant families faring as they make the transition to work? Drawing on longitudinal, ethnographic data collected under the auspices of Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation's Project on Devolution and Urban Change, we examine changes in women's employment and income, and their families' well-being. This paper provides insights into how stable employment accompanied by increases in family income may improve family well-being. However, few families in the sample had income increases that were significant enough to change their material circumstances substantially. This paper also shows that not all families benefitted from the move to employment–those who had unstable, low wage jobs without much gain in income experienced fewer benefits than those who had stable employment. Sometimes families relying o...
Activation Energies for the Fragmentation of Thiophene Ions by Surface-Induced Dissociation

We have improved our previously described method for extracting activation energies of fragmentation for polyatomic ions from surface-induced dissociation (SID) data [Wainhaus, S. B.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 4001]. Our method analyzes the energy-resolved mass spectra and the kinetic energy distribution spectra of the parent and fragment ions that scatter off the surface. It extracts the activation energies by integrating over the distribution of the initial ion energy and the energy transferred to the surface, taking into account both the average value and the width of these distributions. The new method gave improved activation energies for SiMe3+ → SiMex+ (x = 0−2) fragmentation at a hexanethiolate-covered gold surface. We then used our data analysis method to analyze the activation energies for the fragmentation of thiophene ions at the hexanethiolate-covered gold surface. The activation energies for the formation of C2H2S+, CHS+, and C3H3+ from C4H4S+ were found to be 4.6 ± 0.7, 6.9 ± 0.7,...
Through their eyes: quantitative researchers’ perceptions of qualitative forms of study in sport and exercise psychology

This special issue provides a unique look at contemporary research issues in sport and exercise psychology. Individuals who primarily self-identify as ‘quantitative researchers’ provide their perceptions and insights about the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research in their line of inquiry and situate these perspectives in their own academic histories. A number of recurrent themes emerge that reflect on the recent academic history of sport and exercise psychology and provide considerable insight into the future of both qualitative and qualitative forms of research in this area of study.
Impact of Exercise on Heart Rate Recovery

Background—Abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR) has been shown to predict mortality. Although small studies have found that HRR can be improved with cardiac rehabilitation, it is unknown whether an improvement would affect mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether HRR could be improved with cardiac rehabilitation and whether it would be predictive of mortality. Methods and Results—We evaluated 1070 consecutive patients who underwent exercise stress testing before and after completion of a phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program. Heart rate recovery, defined as the difference between heart rate at peak exercise and exactly 1 minute into the recovery period, and mortality were followed up as the primary end points. Of 544 patients with abnormal baseline HRR, 225 (41%) had normal HRR after rehabilitation. Of the entire cohort, 197 patients (18%) died. Among patients with an abnormal HRR at baseline, failure to normalize after rehabilitation predicted a higher mortality (P<0.001). After multivari...
A modulated pulse laser for underwater detection, ranging, imaging, and communications

A new, modulated-pulse, technique is currently being investigated for underwater laser detection, ranging, imag- ing, and communications. This technique represents a unique marriage of pulsed and intensity modulated sources. For detection, ranging, and imaging, the source can be congured to transmit a variety of intensity modulated waveforms, from single-tone to pseudorandom code. The utility of such waveforms in turbid underwater envi- ronments in the presence of backscatter is investigated in this work. The modulated pulse laser may also nd utility in underwater laser communication links. In addition to exibility in modulation format additional variable parameters, such as macro-pulse width and macro-pulse repetition rate, provide a link designer with additional methods of optimizing links based on the bandwidth, power, range, etc. needed for the application. Initial laboratory experiments in simulated ocean waters are presented.
An electron donor system for nitrogenase-dependent acetylene reduction by extracts of soybean nodules.

The catalysis of nitrogen reduction by extracts of nitrogen-fixing organisms requires an ATPgenerating system and a source of electrons (1, 2, 5, 11, 13). The phosplhoroclastic reaction provides botlh ATP anid electrons for the reduction of nitrogen by cell-free extracts of Clostridium1t pasteurianumn (2, 5, 13) and ferredoxin functions as the natural electron carrier from the phlosphoroclastic reaction to nitrogenase ('12). Some evidence has been reported (2) that boro,hydride, hydrogen, NADH or NAiDPH, in presence of ferredoxin, will serve as a reductant for nitrogen fixation by the clostridial system. Cell-free extracts of Azotobacter vinelandiz (1) and bacteroids from soybean nodules (11) also catalvze the reduction of N. to NH, but an exogenous souirce of both reductant and ATP must be furnisihed. Probablv the phvsiological source of reductant and ATP for nitrogen fixation by leguime nodules and azotobacter is the respiratory electron transport chain with its associated oxidative phosphorvlation. All efforts however to coutple nitrogen fixation by cell-free extracts of these organisms to naturally occutrring oxidation-redutction reactions have failed. There are no reports of the identification in azotobacter or legume nodules of a low potential electron carrier analogous to ferredoxin. Using the reduction of acetylene to etlhy-lene as a measure of nitrogenase activity (3, 14), evidence has been obtaiined that NADH genierated by the fl-hydroxybutyrate dehvdrogenase reaction or high concentrations of NADH supplied directly function as a source of electrons for acetvlene redutction by extracts of nodule bacteroids or azotobacter. Activity also is dependent 1110pon an ATP-generating system and a suiitable dye. Cell-free extracts of soybean nodlules were prepared by the nmetho(d of Kochi, Evan,s, and Ruissell (10, 11) with minor changes to improve the nitrogenase activity. Ethyrlene production from acetylene was measuired by a method described by Kelly,
Temperature anisotropies in the terrestrial ionosphere and plasmasphere

Theoretical work in which the solution of closed sets of transport equations has predicted the existence of temperature anisotropies in the terrestrial ionosphere-plasmasphere system is discussed, considering only thermal (less than 1 eV) particle populations. Various models used to predict ion and electron temperature anisotropies, including kinetic, semikinetic, hydromagnetic, and generalized transport models, predict temperature anisotropies in the polar wind, along plasmapause field lines, during the refilling of the outer plasmasphere after depletion by a magnetic storm, and at F region altitudes in regions of rapid plasma convection. However, only some of the theoretical predictions agree with experimental evidence. Other models predict isotropic temperature distributions in regions where observations indicated the presence of temperature anisotropies.
Economics of cloud computing for enterprise IT

Enterprise adoption of cloud computing often requires a significant transformation of existing information technology (IT) systems and processes. To justify such a change, a viable business case must be made based on the economics of transformation such as cost of transformation, return on investment (ROI), and payback period analysis. The expected return from investing in the planned transformation and the estimated time to recoup the investments made determine whether such a transformation is to be undertaken. This paper describes models for determining the economics of transformation by considering the effects on the affected business and the IT processes. Using transformations to a development and test cloud and a desktop cloud as case studies, we develop models to quantify the costs associated with the transformation of traditional enterprise IT computing to one of these target cloud computing models. We discuss key factors that must be considered in determining the economic soundness of any transformation to cloud computing and in performing sensible ROI analysis. We also discuss best practices in developing practical ROI analysis tools for capturing the relevant factors affecting the economics of transformation.