cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prasugrel vs Ticagrelor for DAPT in Patients with ACS Undergoing PCI: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Introduction Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with a P2Y12 inhibitor added to aspirin is considered the standard of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous intervention (PCI). Prasugrel and ticagrelor are commonly used P2Y12 inhibitors, and a few head-to-head randomized control trials (RCTs) have been performed. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of these RCTs to compare the efficacy and adverse effects between these two agents when used in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library for RCTs comparing prasugrel to ticagrelor in ACS. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, major bleeding, and all bleeding event. Estimates were calculated as random effects risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Six trials with 6807 patients were included. There were no significant difference of MACE (RR 0.93; 95% CI [0.72–1.20]; p = 0.59; I2 = 26%), all-cause mortality (RR 0.92; 95% CI [0.73–1.17]; p = 0.51; I2 = 0%), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.99; 95% CI [0.75–1.31]; p = 0.96; I2 = 0%), MI (RR 0.87; 95% CI [0.60–1.27]; p = 0.48; I2 = 27%), stent thrombosis (RR 0.64; 95% CI [0.39–1.04]; p = 0.07; I2 = 0%), major bleeding (RR 0.94; 95% CI [0.70–1.26]; p = 0.68; I2 = 6%), and all bleeding event (RR 0.92; 95% CI [0.77–1.09]; p = 0.32; I2 = 0%) for prasugrel compared with ticagrelor. Conclusion There are no significant difference of MACE, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, MI, stent thrombosis, and bleeding between prasugrel and ticagrelor when added to aspirin among patients with ACS undergoing PCI.
Regional variations of jaw bone characteristics in an ovariectomized rat model.

Abstract Postmenopausal osteoporosis causes severe loss of bone quantity and quality in limb bone but has a lesser effect on jaw bone. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine whether ovariectomy (OVX) and mastication alter the regional variation of jaw bone characteristics. Sprague-Dawley female rats (6 months) were given a bilateral OVX or a sham operation (SHAM) (n = 10 for each group). After 2 months post-OVX, the hemi-mandible from each rat was dissected. A micro-computed tomography based mean, standard deviation (SD), the lower and upper 5th percentile (Low5 and High5) values of tissue mineral density (TMD) histograms were assessed for whole bone (WB), alveolar bone (AB), cortical bone (CB), and trabecular bone (TB) regions. Morphology of TB and periodontal ligament (PDL) was also obtained. Layers of AB were segmented up to 400 μm from the PDL. Mechanical properties at the tissue level were measured by nanoindentation at the same site by a single loading-unloading cycle of indentation in hydration. The AB and TB regions had significantly lower TMD Mean, Low5, and High5 but higher SD than the CB region for both sham and OVX groups (p 0.06). Estrogen deficiency induced by OVX did not deteriorate bone characteristics including mineral density, morphology, and nanoindentation parameters in rat mandibles. Masticatory loading had an effect on the TMD parameters at the limited region of AB. These results provide insight into why osteoporosis-associated jaw bone fractures are extremely rare.
Quantitatively Predicting Impact of Structural Flexibility on Molecular Diffusion in Small Pore Metal-Organic Frameworks – A Molecular Dynamics Study of Hypothetical ZIF-8 Polymorphs

Structural flexibility plays a critical role in the diffusivities of molecules in small pore metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study the diffus...
Scale up mHealth HIV interventions: site and public health perspectives and lessons learned from P3

A number of mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been shown to be effective and highly acceptable tools for improving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and care for youth. Scale-up of efficacious technology-based interventions is challenging and best practices for scale-up have not been clearly established. Developers of mHealth interventions should have plans in mind for wide scale implementation throughout all stages of development including planning, during trials and during analysis and dissemination. We discuss an approach of focus on researchers, funders and potential implementers including members of the community, public health practitioners and policymakers during initial planning, trials, analysis and dissemination, and planning for scale-up. Development of the P3 (Prepared, Protected, emPowered) mobile application (app), an intervention built to encourage and increase pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women who have sex with men (YTWSM), is discussed in terms of designing for scale-up and lessons learned.
High-order finite element methods for a pressure Poisson equation reformulation of the Navier–Stokes equations with electric boundary conditions

Abstract Pressure Poisson equation (PPE) reformulations of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations (NSE) replace the incompressibility constraint by a Poisson equation for the pressure and a suitable choice of boundary conditions. This yields a time-evolution equation for the velocity field only, with the pressure gradient acting as a nonlocal operator. Thus, numerical methods based on PPE reformulations are representatives of a class of methods that have no principal limitations in achieving high order. In this paper, it is studied to what extent high-order methods for the NSE can be obtained from a specific PPE reformulation with electric boundary conditions (EBC). To that end, implicit–explicit (IMEX) time-stepping is used to decouple the pressure solve from the velocity update, while avoiding a parabolic time-step restriction; and mixed finite elements are used in space, to capture the structure imposed by the EBC. Via numerical examples, it is demonstrated that the methodology can yield at least third order accuracy in space and time.
Direct observation of partial interface slip in micrometre-scale single asperity contacts

Abstract Observation of partial interface slip prior to sliding is reported in micrometre-scale single asperity contacts formed of diamond tips and various substrate materials. Using a dual-axis nanoindenter, an increasing oscillating lateral load is applied to contacts indented under constant normal load. Lateral load-displacement curves are extracted, with partial slip signalled by a steady decrease in contact stiffness as the magnitude of oscillation increases, dropping to zero during sliding. Both elastic and plastic contacts are examined, and contact radii from 215 to 485 nm. An interfacial strength τ 0 is measured, which appears independent of radius, tip geometry, and elastic/plastic state of the substrate. This behaviour is observed in both amorphous silica and single crystal quartz contacts and a significant friction anisotropy in sapphire is demonstrated.
Repeatability of 18F-FDG PET radiomic features in pelvic malignancies

272 Introduction: An understanding of test-retest variability is essential for suitable interpretation of radiomic features. The primary aim of this study was to assess the repeatability of radiomic features extracted from 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) images of pelvic malignancies. The impact of spatial resampling and standardized uptake value (SUV) discretization on feature repeatability was also explored. Methods: Eleven female patients with pathology-proven pelvic malignancies were evaluable for this prospective study. Baseline and repeat FDG PET/CT imaging were performed within 7 days, with no oncologic treatment between imaging sessions. The same PET/CT scanner and approximate FDG dose were used for both imaging sessions per the Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) FDG PET profile. Pelvic tumors were segmented to produce whole tumor volumes of interest (VOIWT) and 40% isocontours of the whole tumor VOIs (VOI40). Tumors were segmented using MIM 6.9 and 44 radiomic features were extracted using LIFEx 5.28. Radiomic features were extracted from both VOIs using various extraction parameters. Voxel size was either left as the default scanner size or resampled to 3 mm isotropic voxels. SUV was discretized using 32, 64, or 128 bins, which covered the range of SUV values in the tumor VOI. Lin9s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to assess the repeatability of extracted radiomic features, with a CCC value of at least 0.80 considered to be repeatable. Results: Eleven patients were enrolled and underwent double baseline FDG PET/CT imaging. 41% (18/44) of radiomic features were repeatable (CCC > 0.80), regardless of extraction parameters. Radiomic features extracted from VOI40 showed significantly better repeatability than features extracted from VOIWT (P 0.82), regardless of extraction parameters or segmentation type, as were most gray level co-occurence matrix (GLCM) features (5/6) and neighborhood gray level difference matrix (NGLDM) features (2/3). All gray-level emphasis and gray-level run emphasis features showed poor repeatability (CCC values 0.96) when extracted from ROI40. Conclusions: Certain groups of radiomic features (shape, GLCM, and NGLDM) were consistently repeatable, while other groups (gray level run length matrix and gray level zone length matrix features) were highly variable. Radiomic features extracted from 40% isocontours were more repeatable than features extracted from whole tumor segmentations. Most often, changes in voxel size or SUV discretization parameters resulted in relatively small differences in feature value, though several features were highly sensitive to these changes. Acknowledgment: This project was supported by NIH grant U01 CA140204.
Fluorescent nanosensors for detection of intracellular singlet oxygen during plasma therapy

Monitoring the concentration of singlet oxygen and other free radicals in both intracellular and extracellular environment is of paramount importance, especially during therapy e.g., photo-dynamic, cold-plasma and radiation therapy. Singlet oxygen is one of the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and its intracellular measurement is challenging, particularly due to its short lifetime. Here we present poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid and polyacrylamide-based nanoparticles, with hydrophobic core, containing singlet-oxygen-sensor-green (SOSG), a membrane impermeable fluorescent dye, for measuring singlet oxygen in both aqueous phase and inside mammalian cells. The increase in fluorescence intensity of the dye at ~530 nm is directly proportional to the singlet oxygen concentration. The small size of the nanosensors (50–70nm) enables efficient cellular uptake, thus facilitating intracellular measurement of singlet oxygen using fluorescence microscopy. The polyacryamide nanosensor were used for monitoring intracellular singlet oxygen during plasma therapy, using room temperature helium plasma. Plasma sources produce a range of free radicals and has been utilized for various bio-medical applications, however its interaction with mammalian cells is not well studied. We characterize the changes in intracellular oxidative and toxicity till the cells become necrotic. These nanosensors provides an insight into the fundamental interaction of plasma with cells, thereby aiding in optimizing the therapeutic process.
Startup and Quench Electromagnetic Simulation of a Bitter Plate TF Coil Concept For the Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF)

Current distributions during startup and quench of very large reactor relevant coil systems will vary significantly from the smaller prototype magnets. A reactor scale simulation is needed. In this study, the FNSF magnet from the 2017 study is used as an example of a full sized reactor. The intent of the study is to investigate use of HTS conductors in the FNSF and how sizing and performance might be affected. A pancake or Bitter magnet like winding pattern is investigated to allow inductive and resistive redistribution of currents. A portion of the winding pack retains some resistivity to aid in redistribution of current during a transient or quench. Resistive materials can be used to support energy absorption for stability or to provide partial current dump capability during a quench, however, the primary quench mitigation mechanism is inductive redistribution of currents around the quench zone. In this implementation, the Bitter plate is both structural – similar to radial plates in ITER and electrical, intended, to limit current concentration during ramp-up. Use of localized resistors and parallel current paths are used to encourage more uniform startup currents. The analysis is a transient electromagnetic simulation using ANSYS. It is a cyclic symmetry modeling of an individual plate and is limited by the assumption that a local quench is repeated by the cyclic symmetry. This is a concession to the model size. Results are discussed in the context of performance needed for the FNSF.
Lower Extremity Arterial Disease as a Predictor of Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiovascular Events.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and its clinical and pathophysiologic implications on ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. Patients and Methods We identified all adult patients in the Mayo Clinic Health System without a previous diagnosis of AF undergoing ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing for any indication from January 1, 1996, to June 30, 2018. Retrospective extraction of ABI data and baseline echocardiographic data was performed. The primary outcome of interest was incident AF. The secondary outcomes of interest were incident ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. Results A total of 33,734 patients were included in the study. After adjusting for demographic and comorbidity variables, compared with patients who had normal ABI (1.0 to 1.39), there was an increased risk of incident AF in patients with low ABI ( Conclusion In this large cohort of ambulatory patients undergoing ABI measurement, patients with PAD were at increased risk for incident AF, ischemic stroke, and mortality. In these high-risk patients with abnormal ABI, particularly severe PAD and cardiac structural abnormalities, routine monitoring for AF and management of cardiovascular risk factors may be warranted.
ATLAS toward the High Luminosity era: challenges on electronic systems

To maximize the physics reach, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) plans to increase its instantaneous luminosity to 7.5×1034 cm–2s–1 and deliver 3 – 4 ab–1 of data at a center-of-mass energy of 14 TeV. To profit from this high-luminosity LHC operation with a pile-up up to 200 inelastic collisions per bunch crossing, performance of the ATLAS detector needs to be maintained and in many systems, improved. The upgraded detector will have an unprecedented output data rate of up to 200 TB/s. Real-time processing of this large data volume in a short time period is extremely challenging. New sets of both front-end and back-end electronics are required for all sub-detectors. The large number of detector channels, huge volumes of input and output data, short time available to process and transmit data, harsh radiation environment, and the need of low power consumption all impose great challenges on the designs of electronic systems.
Machine Learning Driven Studies of Performance Degradation in a-Si:H/c-Si Heterojunction Solar Cells

a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction solar cells hold the efficiency world record around 27%, yet their market penetration is delayed. One concern is the migration of passivating hydrogen away from the interface, that some suspect may speed up the degradation of their performance. Mitigating the performance degradation necessitates the understanding of the structural evolution of a-Si:H/c-Si structures, with a focus on hydrogen migration. To this end, we have developed the SolDeg structural simulation platform that is capable of capturing extremely slow degradation processes. SolDeg integrates molecular dynamics methods that optimize the Si structure with femtosecond time steps, with the nudged elastic band method that captures the defect generation on time scales extending to gigaseconds. The molecular dynamics layer of SolDeg requires a high quality Si-H interatomic potential. While classical parametric interatomic potentials have been used extensively, the recent development of machine-learning driven interatomic potentials ignited the ambition of achieving DFT-level accuracy with classical molecular dynamics simulations. In this paper we report the development of the first machine-learning driven Gaussian Approximation Potential (GAP) to describe Si-H interactions. This potential will be used in the SolDeg platform to determine the performance degradation of a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction solar cells.
Characterization of Internal Particle Structures by Dynamic Light Scattering

Available dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods determine only the size and surface charge of the particles since information is obtained from an analysis of the motion arising from thermal noise or electrophoretic force. We propose a new method combining DLS with dielectric single particle spectroscopy [GIMSA et. al. 1995]. This method exploits the fact that also ac-fields of the radio frequency range may induce particle motion. In such fields the particle’s polarization is a function of field frequency. Depending on the external field properties translation (dielectrophoresis) or rotation (electrorotation) may be induced. In electrorotation the dielectric properties of particles subject to a rotating electric field may be obtained from the frequency spectrum of individual particle rotation. Given a known geometry, dielectric constants and conductances of the particle’s substructures can be obtained from the electrorotation spectrum.
A Basic Course in Measure and Probability: Theory for Applications

Originating from the authors' own graduate course at the University of North Carolina, this material has been thoroughly tried and tested over many years, making the book perfect for a two-term course or for self-study. It provides a concise introduction that covers all of the measure theory and probability most useful for statisticians, including Lebesgue integration, limit theorems in probability, martingales, and some theory of stochastic processes. Readers can test their understanding of the material through the 300 exercises provided. The book is especially useful for graduate students in statistics and related fields of application (biostatistics, econometrics, finance, meteorology, machine learning, and so on) who want to shore up their mathematical foundation. The authors establish common ground for students of varied interests which will serve as a firm 'take-off point' for them as they specialize in areas that exploit mathematical machinery.
Peer relations in the transition to adolescence.

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with two social and emotional competencies—friendship quality and self-regulation. Children's perceptions of the quality of their close friendships are direct measure of an affective peer relationship. Self-regulation as perceived by others may be considered an indirect measure of peer relations. In order to regulate behavior children must engage with others without withdrawing or aggressing. They must interact with peers by modulating emotional responsiveness and acting competently and effectively in emotionally evocative contexts. Self-regulation and affective relationships with adults also are not independent. In general, children who experienced positive, trusting relationships with care giving adults as infants and toddlers are better able to both engage in self-regulation and construct positive relationships with peers. Therefore, it is expected that children who had more trusting early relationships with adults to be better able to self-regulate as adolescents and to have a history of supportive friendships. As well, children who are better able to regulate their attention and emotions are better liked by their peers. Thus, behavioral and emotional self-regulation are embedded within affective relationships with care giving adults and peers.
The effect of different couplings on mitigating failure cascades in interdependent networks

Many real-world (cyber-)physical infrastructure systems are multi-layered, consisting of multiple inter-dependent networks/layers. Due to this interdependency, the failure cascade can be catastrophic in a inter-dependent, multi-layered system, and even lead to the break-down of the entire system. The 2003 blackout of the Italian power grid is reportedly the result of a cascading failure due to the inter-dependency of the power grid and the communication network that it relies on. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework for studying cascading failures in an inter-dependent, multi-layer system, where we consider the effects of cascading failures both within and across different layers. The goal of the study is to investigate how different couplings (i.e., inter-dependencies) between network elements across layers affect the cascading failure dynamics. Through experiments using the proposed framework, we show that under the one-to-one coupling, how nodes from two inter-dependent networks are coupled together play a crucial role in the final size of the resulting failure cascades: coupling corresponding nodes from two networks with equal importance (i.e., “highto-high” coupling) result in smaller failure cascades than other forms of inter-dependence coupling such as “random” or “lowto-high” coupling. Our results shed lights on potential strategies for mitigating cascading failures in inter-dependent networks.
Unexpected post-partum hypertension

Abstract 1. 1. “Unexpected post-partum hypertension,” coined term, is an idiopathic syndrome, relatively unstudied, and found by us only in the colored race. 2. 2. The findings in 51 cases are summarized in this report. 3. 3. Most of the patients are multiparas. 4. 4. Practically all of the patients were observed during the prenatal period for an adequate time period to allow for evaluation of the post-partum blood pressure. 5. 5. The duration of the post-partum rise is about six to seventeen weeks. It is self-limited. 6. 6. The maximum pressure while usually observed six weeks' post partum may be as late as 16 weeks post partum. 7. 7. The average normal colored patient shows a slightly higher post-partum pressure than does the average normal white patient. The average normal colored patient shows a lower prenatal pressure than does the colored patient who develops ”unexpected post-partum hypertension.” 8. 8. The syndrome may or may not be present at subsequent pregnancies and if so, may be more or less severe than the previous occurrence. 9. 9. No relationship of this syndrome to post-partum heart failure (idiopathic) has been apparent. 10. 10. No etiologic factor is evident; there is some suggestion that it is purely functional.
Second order ambient intelligence

This text attempts to describe an imagined future of ambient intelligence. It assumes that one day most of the current issues within ambient intelligence will be solved and that a second order ambient intelligence will be formulated, one with new research agendas. It describes several topics and ideas that might be part of this agenda and surmises on the prerequisites for this change.
The origin of spicule-forming cells in a ‘primitive’ sea urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides) which appears to lack primary mesenchyme cells

The calcareous larval skeleton of euechinoid sea urchins is synthesized by primary mesenchyme cells which ingress prior to gastrulation. In embryos of the cidaroid sea urchin Eucidaris tribuloides, no mesenchyme cells ingress before gastrulation, yet larvae later contain skeletons. This apparent paradox is resolved by immunochemical, cell lineage and morphological evidence showing that spicule-forming cells of Eucidaris are homologous to primary mesenchyme cells of euechinoids. In particular, these two cell types share expression of two cell lineage-specific gene products, are derived from the same cellular precursors, the micromeres, and undergo a similar migratory phase prior to skeletogenesis. Despite these similarities, there are far fewer spicule-forming cells in Eucidaris than in typical euechinoids and they assume a different pattern during spiculogenesis. The homology between Eucidaris spicule-forming cells and euechinoid primary mesenchyme cells indicates that a heterochrony in the time of spicule-forming cell ingression has occurred since the divergence of their respective lineages.
Traveling slippery patches produce thickness‐scale folds in ice sheets

Large, complex stratigraphic folds that rise as high as 60% of the local ice thickness have been observed in ice sheets on Antarctica and Greenland. Here we show that ice deformation caused by heterogeneous and time-variable basal sliding can produce the observed structures. We do this using a thermomechanical ice sheet model in which sliding occurs when the base approaches the melting point and slippery patches develop. These slippery patches emerge and travel downstream because of a feedback between ice deformation, vertical flow, and temperature. Our model produces the largest overturned structures, comparable to observations, when the patches move at about the ice column velocity. We conclude that the history of basal slip conditions is recorded in the ice sheet strata. These basal conditions appear to be dynamic and heterogeneous even in the slow-flowing interior regions of large ice sheets.
Some Two-Stage K-Sample Tests

Abstract Two-stage analogs of Cochran's Q test, Friedman's test, Page's test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test are presented. The authors show that the null-limiting joint distributions of the two-stage test statistics for Cochran's Q test, Friedman's test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test are all the same kind of bivariate chi-squared distribution. The null-limiting joint distribution of the two-stage test statistics for Page's test is shown to be bivariate normal. A table of critical values for α = .05 and .01 is presented. Some simulated power comparisons of the single-sample and two-stage Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests are also presented.
Chemical Reactor Dynamics: Stability of Steady States

The equations describing the dynamics and steady states of a tubular reactor are studied in the region where an arbitrary number of steady-state solutions exist. The stability of these solutions is examined and their persistence for increases in the parameter values is determined. The physical implications of these solutions are examined.
The surface and atmosphere of Pluto

A new spectrum of Pluto in the region 1.4 to 1.9 microns provides confirmation of the presence of solid methane on the planet's surface. Considerations of the vapor pressure of methane gas above the solid indicate the presence of a tenuous atmosphere of this gas, the surface partial pressure of which is variable from perihelion to aphelion. The implication of a high surface albedo, the newly derived mass of Pluto, and inferences as to the range of plausible bulk mean densities indicate that the radius of Pluto should lie in the range 1200 to 1800 km.
In vitro evidence for the dual function of Alg2 and Alg11: essential mannosyltransferases in N-linked glycoprotein biosynthesis.

The biosynthesis of asparagine-linked glycoproteins utilizes a dolichylpyrophosphate-linked glycosyl donor (Dol-PP-GlcNAc2Man9Glc3), which is assembled by the series of membrane-bound glycosyltransferases that comprise the dolichol pathway. This biosynthetic pathway is highly conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. While complementary genetic and bioinformatic approaches have enabled identification of most of the dolichol pathway enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the roles of two of the mannosyltransferases in the pathway, Alg2 and Alg11, have remained ambiguous because these enzymes appear to catalyze only two of the remaining four unannotated transformations. To address this issue, a biochemical approach was taken using recombinant Alg2 and Alg11 from S. cerevisiae and defined dolichylpyrophosphate-linked substrates. A cell-membrane fraction isolated from Escherichia coli overexpressing thioredoxin-tagged Alg2 was used to demonstrate that this enzyme actually carries out an α1,3-mannosylation, fol...
Demonstration of Direct Bioanalysis of Drugs in Plasma Using Nanoelectrospray Infusion from a Silicon Chip Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Quantitative bioanalysis by direct nanoelectrospray infusion coupled to tandem mass spectrometry has been achieved using an automated liquid sampler integrated with an array of microfabricated electrospray nozzles allowing rapid, serial sample introduction (1 min/sample). Standard curves prepared in human plasma for verapamil (r2 = 0.999) and its metabolite norverapamil (r2 = 0.998) were linear over a range of 2.5−500 ng/mL. Based on the observed precision and accuracy, a lower limit of quantitation of 5 ng/mL was assigned for both analytes. Sample preparation consisted of protein precipitation with an organic solvent containing the structural analogue gallopamil as an internal standard. Protein precipitation was selected both to maximize throughput and to test the robustness of direct nanoelectrospray infusion. Aliquots of supernatant (10 μL) were transferred to the back plane of the chip using disposable, conductive pipet tips for direct infusion at a flow rate of 300 nL/min. Electrospray ionization occ...
Increased incidence of diagnosed depressive illness in hypogonadal older men.

Context Age-associated hypogonadism (testosterone deficit) occurs in 30% of men after the age of 55; it is associated with decreased muscle mass, bone mineral density, and libido, and with anorexia, fatigue, and irritability. Although some of these symptoms overlap with those of depression, the association between the 2 disorders is unclear. Objective To determine if hypogonadal men have an increased incidence of depressive illness compared with eugonadal men. Design Historical cohort study using computerized medical records, followed by a manual medical record review. Setting Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. Participants Two hundred seventy-eight men 45 years and older, without prior diagnosed depressive illness and with consistently normal or low testosterone levels (total testosterone level ≤200 ng/dL [≤6.94 nmol/L]; or free testosterone level ≤0.9 ng/dL [≤0.03 nmol/L]) at baseline and during a 2-year follow-up period. Main Outcome Measures Incidence of, and time to, a depression diagnosis. Results The 2-year incidence of diagnosed depressive illness was 21.7% in hypogonadal men vs 7.1% in others (χ 2 1 = 6.0, P = .01). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant difference between hypogonadal and eugonadal men in time to diagnosed depression (log-rank test χ 2 1 = 6.9, P = .008). We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the association of hypogonadism and time to depression diagnosis, adjusting for age, race, number of clinic visits, alcohol use disorders, prostate cancer, and overall medical comorbidity. The unadjusted hazard ratio for depression with hypogonadism was 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-9.4) ( P = .01). Controlling for all covariates, hypogonadism remained significantly associated with depression (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-12.0) ( P = .008). Conclusions Hypogonadal men showed an increased incidence of depressive illness and a shorter time to diagnosis of depression. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to clarify the role of testosterone in the treatment of depressive illness in older men.
On the possible influence of surface roughening on ellipsometric data in electrochemical studies

Abstract A model is suggested which shows that, if anodic dissolution is heterogeneous, it may give, in time of minutes, surface irregularities which cause changes of the ellipsometric parameters, Δ and ψ, as large as that caused by passive film formation.
Initial testing of a low pressure permeator for tritium processing

Early tritium processing system operations led to relatively large environmental releases of tritium. This led to the inclusion of large oxidation/ adsorption systems between tritium systems and the facility stack so that tritium would be collected as water. While this has been an improvement, it has resulted in large amounts of tritiated water waste. Also it has been recognized for some time that there are cases where inert gases such as Ar, He and N2 are mixed with small amounts of tritium. If this gas is processed with oxidation/adsorption, the tritium, which is in the useful T2 form, is converted to the useless T2O form. Thus, there is a need for a system, which removes tritium from inert gases with high conversion so that the inert gas is ready for release to the environment, and that recovers tritium as T2. A system, which could meet this requirement, is one based on getters. The hydrogen isotopes are collected as metal hydride and the inert passes through. However, such systems are susceptible to rapid consumption of the metal if air or O2 is present.
Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems: I. Cohesion and Adaptability Dimensions, Family Types, and Clinical Applications

The conceptual clustering of numerous concepts from family therapy and other social science fields reveals two significant dimensions of family behavior, cohesion and adaptability. These two dimensions are placed into a circumplex model that is used to identify 16 types of marital and family systems. The model proposes that a balanced level of both cohesion and adaptability is the most functional to marital and family development. It postulates the need for a balance on the cohesion dimension between too much closeness (which leads to enmeshed systems) and too little closeness (which leads to disengaged systems). There also needs to be a balance on the adaptability dimension between too much change (which leads to chaotic systems) and too little change (which leads to rigid systems). The model was developed as a tool for clinical diagnosis and for specifying treatment goals with couples and families.
Effect of cocaine on the 5-HT3 receptor-mediated ion current inXenopus oocytes

The cloned 5-HT3 receptor from NCB-20 neuroblastoma cells was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In these oocytes, 5-HT, the selective 5-HT3 receptor agonists, 2-methyl-5-HT and m-chlorophenylbiguanide activated an inward current which was sensitive to the specific 5-HT3 receptor antagonist LY278584. Cocaine (0.1 to 10 microM) reversibly inhibited the current activated by 1 microM 5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 value is 0.7 microM and the apparent Hill coefficient is 1.55. This effect of cocaine was not dependent on membrane potential. Cocaine also produced a parallel shift of the 5-HT concentration-response curve to the right and did not reduce the maximal current induced by 5-HT. In the presence of 3 microM cocaine, the EC50 value of 5-HT was increased from 3.08 microM to 6.1 microM. Other local anesthetics such as tricaine and lidocaine also inhibited the current induced by 5-HT. These results suggest that the 5-HT3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes exhibit properties similar to those in sensory neurons and neuroblastoma cells and were blocked by cocaine in a competitive manner.
NASA broad-specification fuels combustion technology program: Status and description

The program presented is a contracted effort to evolve and demonstrate the technology required to utilize broad-specification fuels in current and next generation commercial Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft engines, and to verify this technology in full-scale engine tests in 1983. The program consists of three phases: Combustor Concept Screening, Combustor Optimization Testing, and Engine Verification Testing. The development and screening of the combustion system designs for the CF6-80 engine and the JT9D-7 engine, respectively, in high-pressure sector test rigs are reported.
Instruction and jump-landing kinematics in college-aged female athletes over time.

Context: Instruction can be used to alter the biomechanical movement patterns associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Objective: To determine the effects of instruction through combination (self and expert) feedback or self-feedback on lower extremity kinematics during the box–drop-jump task, running–stop-jump task, and sidestep-cutting maneuver over time in college-aged female athletes. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Forty-three physically active women (age = 21.47 ± 1.55 years, height = 1.65 ± 0.08 m, mass = 63.78 ± 12.00 kg) with no history of ACL or lower extremity injuries or surgery in the 2 months before the study were assigned randomly to 3 groups: self-feedback (SE), combination feedback (CB), or control (CT). Intervention(s): Participants performed a box–drop-jump task for the pretest and then received feedback about their landing mechanics. After the intervention, they performed an immediate posttest of the b...
H2POWER: Development of a methodology to calculate life cycle cost of small and medium-scale hydrogen systems

Abstract At this time, hydrogen-based power plants and large hydrogen production facilities are capital intensive and unable to compete financially against hydrocarbon-based energy production facilities. An option to overcome this problem and foster the introduction of hydrogen technology is to introduce small and medium-scale applications such as residential and community hydrogen refueling units. Such units could potentially be used to generate both electricity and heat for the home, as well as hydrogen fuel for the automobile. Cost modeling for the integration of these three forms of energy presents several methodological challenges. This is particularly true since the technology is still in the development phase and both the financial and the environmental cost must be calculated using mainly secondary sources. In order to address these issues and aid in the design of small and medium-scale hydrogen systems, this study presents a computer model to calculate financial and environmental costs of this technology using different hydrogen pathways. The model can design and compare hydrogen refueling units against hydrocarbon-based technologies, including the “gap” between financial and economic costs. Using the methodology, various penalties and incentives that can foster the introduction of hydrogen-based technologies can be added to the analysis to study their impact on financial cost.
Computerized tomography of Fournier's Gangrene.

A 49-year-old white male presented with fever, leukocytosis, pain, scrotal swelling and hyperemia. Physical examination failed to reveal crepitus. CT clearly showed gas extending anteriorly along the dartos fascia to the scrotum in juxtaposition to the penis (see figure). Prompt surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics controlled the process within 1 week without late sequelae. The mortality rate of Fournier’s gangrene is currently between 7.5% and 40%, whereas it was as high as 88% in older series. 1 Fever, hyperemia, swelling, pain and crepitus of the involved perineum and scrotum are the telltale clinical manifestations. Thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, anemia hypocalcemia and tachycardia are presenting symptoms in two-thirds of patients, and anaerobic bacteria (often polymicrobial) produce gas in the tissues causing crepitus in two-thirds. 2 Pathologically Fournier’s gangrene is a rapidly progressing polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, perianal and genital regions. 3 The accompanying massive edema impedes the vascular supply, and promotes thrombosis and, thus, progression to tissue necrosis. Gas in soft tissue
The Lessons of the Colorado River Compact

Will interstate compacts concluded under the campact clause of the United States Constitution provide the politicla authority needful to control the interests of large regions?
G/sub m/-boosted common-gate LNA and differential colpitts VCO/QVCO in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS

The demand for radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits with reduced power consumption is growing owing to the trend toward system-on-a-chip (SoC) implementations in deep-sub-micron CMOS technologies. The concomitant need for high performance imposes additional challenges for circuit designers. In this paper, a g/sub m/-boosted common-gate low-noise amplifier (CGLNA), differential Colpitts voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO), and a quadrature Colpitts voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) are presented as alternatives to the conventional common-source LNA and cross-coupled VCO/QVCO topologies. Specifically, a g/sub m/-boosted common-gate LNA loosens the link between noise factor (i.e., noise match) and input matching (i.e., power match ); consequently, both noise factor and bias current are simultaneously reduced. A transformer-coupled CGLNA is described. Suggested by the functional and topological similarities between amplifiers and oscillators, differential Colpitts VCO and QVCO circuits are presented that relax the start-up requirements and improve both close-in and far-out phase noise compared to conventional Colpitts configurations. Experimental results from a 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process validate the g/sub m/-boosting design principle.
A wide-band square-waveguide array polarizer

A stepped-septum polarizer has been designed that is capable of at least 26 dB of isolation over a 20 percent frequency band. The three-port device may be used to excite high purity left or right circular, as well as tilted linear polarizations in a phased array of square waveguides.
Rheumatoid hyperviscosity: analysis of a patient with intermediate complexes that block other autoantibodies and a review of the literature.

Abstract Objectives: To report a patient whose rheumatoid arthritis presented withhyperviscosity syndrome, analyze this patient's rheumatoid factor, and review the previously reported patients. Methods: Immunofluorescence for antinuclear antibodies, double immunodiffusion,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and size exclusion chromatography were used before and after plasmapheresis to study the patient's rheumatoid hyperviscosity. A systematic Medline search of rheumatic illnesses, hyperviscosity, and polyclonal gammopathy and references in identified papers was used to identify previously reported patients. Results: Similar to several previous patients, this patient's sera contained bothIgG and IgM rheumatoid factor and abundant intermediate complexes. Other autoantibodies, either from the patient or from other patients, were masked by rheumatoid factor or intermediate complexes from the reported patient's sera. Rheumatic hyperviscosity is seen uncommonly, being reported in only 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nine with other rheumatic illnesses. Conclusions: There are two mechanisms by which rheumatoid factor can leadto hyperviscosity, both of which require large amounts of rheumatoid factor. Rheumatoid hyperviscosity must be recognized because this life-threatening syndrome usually can be successfully treated with plasmapheresis acutely and immunosuppressives for long-term control.
Identification of linear discrete time systems using the instrumental variable method

This paper explores the possibility of using the instrumental variable method to estimate the parameters of linear time-invariant discrete-time systems. The existence of optimal estimates is established, methods for their approximate computation are given, and an on-line identification scheme based on recursive computation is proposed. Experimental results are included.
Expression of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter Glut1 in cutaneous neoplasia

Abstract Background: The increased glucose uptake seen in cancer cells correlates with the expression of human erythrocyte glucose transporter (Glut1) protein in certain human malignancies. Objective: Our purpose was to determine Glut1 expression in cutaneous neoplasms. Methods: A polyclonal anti-Glut1 antibody (MYM) and a standard ABC immunoperoxidase technique were used to determine Glut1 expression in invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), SCC in situ, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), melanomas, actinic keratoses (AKs), seborrheic keratoses, common acquired nevi, and scars with regenerative epidermal hyperplasia. Results: All of the cases of SCC in situ, 14 of 15 (93%) of the SCC, and 13 of 15 AKs (87%) showed intense membranous staining for Glut1. Glut1 staining was present in the epidermis of 8 of 15 scars (53%) but was not detected in any BCC, even in areas of focal keratinization and squamous metaplasia. Glut1 reactivity was absent in the melanomas and seborrheic keratoses. Conclusion: Glut1 expression in a cutaneous lesion strongly suggests a proliferative lesion of the squamous cell type. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:575-7.)
Aromatherapy in the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): Sterile Males Exposed to Ginger Root Oil in Prerelease Storage Boxes Display Increased Mating Competitiveness in Field-Cage Trials

Abstract Previous research showed that exposure to ginger root, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, oil increased the mating success of mass-reared, sterile males of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). This work, however, involved the exposure of small groups of males (n = 25) in small containers (volume 400 ml). Several sterile male release programs use plastic adult rearing containers (so-called PARC boxes; hereafter termed storage boxes; 0.48 by 0.60 by 0.33 m) to hold mature pupae and newly emerged adults before release (≈36,000 flies per box). The objective of the current study was to determine whether the application of ginger root oil to individual storage boxes increases the mating competitiveness of sterile C. capitata males. Irradiated pupae were placed in storage boxes 2 d before adult emergence, and in the initial experiment (adult exposure) ginger root oil was applied 5 d later (i.e., 3 d after peak adult emergence) for 24 h at doses of 0.0625, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ml. In ...
Annular beam propagation through turbulence: Wave optics study of intensity and scintillation properties

The analytical theory of the propagation of annular Gaussian beams through turbulence is briefly reviewed in this work. Wave (physical) optics simulations are implemented for various scenario parameters under weak to strong fluctuation conditions. Comparisons of the analytic and simulation beam intensity profiles show remarkable agreement. In weak turbulence, scintillation index results are also consistent. The wave optics simulation allows examination of the scintillation index under strong turbulence conditions, for which the analytic theory is lacking. A performance metric is implemented that incorporates both the on-axis intensity value and scintillation index. We find the performance of annular beams in propagating through weak turbulence can be better than the performance of a comparable classical Gaussian beam. However, the annular beam may not provide significant improvement under strong fluctuation conditions.