cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Age and Dosing of Volatile Anesthetics in 2 Academic Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The inverse relationship between age and dose requirement for potent volatile anesthetics is well established, but the question of whether anesthetic providers consider this relationship in practice remains unanswered. We sought to determine whether there is an association between patient age and the mean dose of volatile anesthetic delivered during maintenance of anesthesia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients receiving a single potent volatile anesthetic at 2 academic hospitals using data recorded in an anesthesia information management system. Multivariate linear models were constructed at each hospital to examine the relationship between age and mean minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) fraction delivered during the maintenance of anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 7878 cases at the 2 hospitals were included for analysis. For patients aged 65 years, the magnitude of the inverse association between age and MAC fraction was higher (3.8% decrease per decade; 95% confidence interval, 2.9–4.7). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age is associated with decreased absolute doses of potent volatile anesthetics, an association that seems to strengthen as patients enter the geriatric age range. The observed decreases in absolute anesthetic dose were less than those predicted by previous research and therefore represent an overall increase in “age-adjusted dose” as patients grow older.
Disinfection of Contaminated Produce with Conventional Washing and Sanitizing Technology

Publisher Summary Freshly harvested produce may contain localized, heavy loads of microbial contaminants, including plant and human pathogens, often associated with soil, decay, and mechanical injury. Washing such produce can transfer microbial contaminants to the wash water and thence to other, uncontaminated raw material as well as the conveying, packing, and processing equipment. Addition of a sanitizing agent to the wash water can greatly reduce the population of planktonic bacterial cells and thus lower the risk of cross-contamination. Such reductions can improve product safety and shelf life, thereby enabling growers and packers to ship their products nationwide or to overseas markets. This chapter examines the efficacy of produce disinfection treatments that are based on washing and sanitizing technology. It reviews the characteristics of conventional and novel washing and sanitizing agents used in produce packing and fresh-cut processing. Following this, it describes the characteristics of commercial equipment used for washing and disinfecting produce and discusses the disinfection treatments suitable for food service and consumer use. Furthermore, it highlights the regulatory restrictions regarding sanitizing agents. It also examines the efficacy of such disinfection treatments in reducing pathogen levels on commodities that have a history of association with outbreaks of foodborne illness such as leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and apples. Finally, it presents some recommendations regarding washing and sanitizing mentioned in the Food and Drug Administration's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables.
P159 High-resolution HLA-typing can confirm diagnosis of graft versus host disease after orthotopic liver-transplantation

Introduction Acute GVHD after orthotopic liver-transplantation (OLT) is reported to occur in ∼ 0.1% to 2% of recipients, and due to passenger lymphocytes relocating into the recipient. The diagnosis of GVHD is made on clinical and laboratory parameters. GVHD from OLT does not affect the liver, but may be apparent as skin rash, GI symptoms, and suppression of bone marrow hematopoiesis. Diarrhea and a decrease in the platelet counts may be construed as due to CMV infection. A skin rash may be inferred as an eruption due to medications or viral exanthema, and a skin biopsy may be interpreted by the pathologist as possible viral exanthema, drug eruption, or GVHD. Thus, a definitive diagnosis may be delayed. Case report Patient: 62 yo male with end-stage liver disease secondary to Hep C, without previous therapy for the Hep C. Donor: 25 yo male. Both were CMV+ and EBV+. There were no major peri-transplant complications. ∼ 4 weeks post-OLT, the patient was admitted with fever, cough, throat discomfort, and rash; and treated for suspected infection with broad-spectrum antimicrobials. ∼ 5 weeks post-OLT, pan-cytopenia had become apparent, and a skin biopsy was suspicious for GVHD. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy revealed, extreme pancytopenia with necrosis. DNA was extracted and high-resolution (HR) HLA-typing was performed, by rSSO using OneLambda® reagents. Fusion® software was used to interpret the results. The individual pre-OLT patient and donor types were compared at the serologic equivalent and HR HLA-type, without clear indication of risk for GVHD. HR typing results from the patient’s bone marrow post-OLT indicated the presence of all four alleles, and along with the clinical features, confirmed the diagnosis of GVHD. Patient relatives were typed, and a NMDP search was initiated, but the patient succumbed before HSCT could be arranged. Conclusions DNA-Mixing studies performed in our laboratory have demonstrated that ∼ 1% contaminating DNA may interfere with typing for DRB3/4/5, ∼ 2% for DRB1, ∼ 10% for DQA1/DQB1, ∼ 20% for DPA1/DPB1, ∼ 5% for C, ∼ 10% for B, and ∼ 15% for A. Thus, 20–80% contaminating DNA seems to be required to demonstrate the presence of all four alleles, which may help confirm the diagnosis of GVHD, but as little as 1–2% could be indicative of donor cell presence.
A custom VLSI chip for MWPC readout

This 16-channel application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is designed for reading out multi-wire proportional chambers (MWPC's) or other similar large linear detector arrays. The data consist of a time-stamp and channel address for each hit, shipped out sequentially on a data bus. A prototype circuit, fabricated in the HP 1.2 /spl mu/m, double metal, one polysilicon process performs at a system clock of 33.3 MHz. The power supply voltage has been kept at 3 V for lower crosstalk. The logic design, layout considerations and performance characteristics are presented. >
Chemistry and Photochemistry of Bare Metal Cluster Ions in the Gas Phase

The last few years have seen cluster research develop into one of the most intensely studied areas of chemistry and physics. Theoretical and experimental techniques have been applied to study the formation, properties, and structures of clusters. Much of the interest has been due to the possibility of bridging the gap between the gas and condensed phases with clusters. In addition, clusters are of importance because of their role in astrophysics and homogeneous catalysis and their possible use in the future development of microelectronics.
Bacterial virulence phenotypes of Escherichia coli and host susceptibility determine risk for urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains. In contrast to many enteric E. coli pathogroups, no genetic signature has been identified for UPEC strains. We conducted a high-resolution comparative genomic study using E. coli isolates collected from the urine of women suffering from frequent recurrent UTIs. These isolates were genetically diverse and varied in their urovirulence, that is, their ability to infect the bladder in a mouse model of cystitis. We found no set of genes, including previously defined putative urovirulence factors (PUFs), that were predictive of urovirulence. In addition, in some patients, the E. coli strain causing a recurrent UTI had fewer PUFs than the supplanted strain. In competitive experimental infections in mice, the supplanting strain was more efficient at colonizing the mouse bladder than the supplanted strain. Despite the lack of a clear genomic signature for urovirulence, comparative transcriptomic and phenotypic analyses revealed that the expression of key conserved functions during culture, such as motility and metabolism, could be used to predict subsequent colonization of the mouse bladder. Together, our findings suggest that UTI risk and outcome may be determined by complex interactions between host susceptibility and the urovirulence potential of diverse bacterial strains.
Protein signatures of molecular pathways in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): comparison of glycoproteomics and global proteomics

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. More than half of NSCLC patients have clinical presentations with locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. The large-scale genomic analysis of NSCLC has demonstrated that molecular alterations are substantially different between adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). However, a comprehensive analysis of proteins and glycoproteins in different subtypes of NSCLC using advanced proteomic approaches has not yet been conducted. We applied mass spectrometry (MS) technology featuring proteomics and glycoproteomics to analyze six primary lung SqCCs and eleven ADCs, and we compared the expression level of proteins and glycoproteins in tumors using quantitative proteomics. Glycoproteins were analyzed by enrichment using a chemoenzymatic method, solid-phase extraction of glycopeptides, and quantified by iTRAQ-LC–MS/MS. Protein quantitation was further annotated via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Over 6000 global proteins and 480 glycoproteins were quantitatively identified in both SqCC and ADC. ADC proteins (8337) consisted of enzymes (22.11%), kinases (5.11%), transcription factors (6.85%), transporters (6.79%), and peptidases (3.30%). SqCC proteins (6967) had a very similar distribution. The identified glycoproteins, in order of relative abundance, included membrane (42%) and extracellular matrix (>33%) glycoproteins. Oncogene-coded proteins (82) increased 1.5-fold among 1047 oncogenes identified in ADC, while 124 proteins from SqCC were up-regulated in tumor tissues among a total of 827 proteins. We identified 680 and 563 tumor suppressor genes from ADC and SqCC, respectively. Our systematic analysis of proteins and glycoproteins demonstrates changes of protein and glycoprotein relative abundance in SqCC (TP53, U2AF1, and RXR) and in ADC (SMARCA4, NOTCH1, PTEN, and MST1). Among them, eleven glycoproteins were upregulated in both ADC and SqCC. Two glycoproteins (ELANE and IGFBP3) were only increased in SqCC, and six glycoproteins (ACAN, LAMC2, THBS1, LTBP1, PSAP and COL1A2) were increased in ADC. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that several crucial pathways were activated in SqCC and ADC tumor tissues.
Image-based hierarchical analysis and design of tissue engineering scaffolds

Tissue engineering scaffolds must be able to replicate complex anatomic defects, provide temporary mechanical function, and provide biofactor (cells, genes, and/or proteins) delivery from a porous microstructure. Fulfilling these requirements necessitates a computational design approach that can predict microstructure influence on effective properties as well as integrate this microstructure within complex 3D anatomic defects. We present an image-based hierarchical homogenization approach for designing porous microstructured tissue engineering scaffolds. This method utilizes image databases for computational models at two scales of structure: (i) the anatomic global scale and (ii) the microstructural scale. Microstructural models can be analyzed using homogenization theory to estimate effective elastic and permeability coefficients. Furthermore, the image-based homogenization method is used in a topology optimization approach to predict de novo microstructures that attain desired elastic and permeability properties. Finally, the designed microstructure database is integrated with image database representations of an anatomic defect to create the final tissue engineering scaffold design that may be built using solid free-form fabrication (SFF) techniques.
Relevance of Health Behavior Research

This chapter integrates major points and findings presented in Volume IV. Although its contents reflect primarily the contributions to this volume rather than the larger body of scholarship about the relevance of health behavior research, the contents are nonetheless congruent with such knowledge. The nature of this volume precludes using the same matrix organizing structure underlying the integrations in Volumes I through III. It proved unwieldy to coordinate categories of health behaviors with personal, social, and institutional systems as levels of analysis for these applications.
DISTANCES AND VOLUMINA FOR GRAPHS

It has long been realized that connected graphs have some sort of geometric structure, in that there is a natural distance function (or metric), namely, the shortest-path distance function. In fact, there are several other natural yet intrinsic distance functions, including: the resistance distance, correspondent “square-rooted” distance functions, and a so‐called “quasi‐Euclidean” distance function. Some of these distance functions are introduced here, and some are noted not only to satisfy the usual triangle inequality but also other relations such as the “tetrahedron inequality”. Granted some (intrinsic) distance function, there are different consequent graph-invariants. Here attention is directed to a sequence of graph invariants which may be interpreted as: the sum of a power of the distances between pairs of vertices of G, the sum of a power of the “areas” between triples of vertices of G, the sum of a power of the “volumes” between quartets of vertices of G, etc. The Cayley–Menger formula for n-volumes in Euclidean space is taken as the defining relation for so-called “n-volumina” in terms of graph distances, and several theorems are here established for the volumina-sum invariants (when the mentioned power is 2).
Perceived Discrimination and Binge Eating Disorder; Gender Difference in African Americans

Environmental stressors, such as perceived discrimination (PD), are linked to Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The current study investigated the association between PD and BED among African Americans, and the variation in such an association based on gender. Data of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2001–2003, with a nationally-representative sample of African American adults, were used (n = 3516). The independent variable in the study was PD. The dependent variable was BED, measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Socio-demographics (age, education, employment, and marital status) were covariates, and gender was the moderator variable. Survey logistic regressions with and without gender × PD interaction terms were used for data analysis. In the pooled sample, PD was associated with higher odds of BED, net of socio-demographic factors. Models also showed a significant gender × PD interaction term suggesting a stronger association between PD and BED for women, compared to men. Gender specific models showed an association between PD and BED among female, but not male, African Americans. Although a link may exist between PD and BED among African Americans, the magnitude of this association depends on gender, with a stronger association among females than males. This finding is in line with the literature that has shown gender-specific consequences of environmental stress for African Americans.
The Structure of Spacetime Theories

Having examined the general features of Cartesian space and motion, and Newton’s famous criticism of this theory, we can now proceed to the analysis of the underlying theoretical, or structural, components of the theory of space and time presupposed in Newton’s argument. This investigation will not only determine the extent of the deficiencies, if any, in Descartes’ system, but it will also outline the necessary structural or theoretical remedies necessary to cure the Cartesian theory of its presumed deficiencies
A probabilistic analysis of the strength of the split and triangle closures

In this paper we consider the relaxation of the corner polyhedron introduced by Andersen et al., which we denote by RCP. We study the relative strength of the split and triangle cuts of RCP's. Basu et al. showed examples where the split closure can be arbitrarily worse than the triangle closure under a 'worst-cost' type of measure. However, despite experiments carried out by several authors, the usefulness of triangle cuts in practice has fallen short of its theoretical strength. In order to understand this issue, we consider two types of measures between the closures: the 'worst-cost' one mentioned above, where we look at the weakest direction of the split closure, and the 'average-cost' measure which takes an average over all directions. Moreover, we consider a natural model for generating random RCP's. Our first result is that, under the worst-cost measure, a random RCP has a weak split closure with reasonable probability. This shows that the bad examples given by Basu et al. are not pathological cases. However, when we consider the average-cost measure, with high probability both split and triangle closures obtain a very good approximation of the RCP. The above result holds even if we replace split cuts by the simple split or Gomory cuts. This gives an indication that split/Gomory cuts are indeed as useful as triangle cuts.
Models of the Small World

It is believed that almost any pair of people in the world can be connected to one another by a short chain of intermediate acquaintances, of typical length about six. This phenomenon, colloquially referred to as the “six degrees of separation,” has been the subject of considerable recent interest within the physics community. This paper provides a short review of the topic.
Introduction and Expression of Foreign DNA Sequences in Mammalian Cells

Publisher Summary Mammalian genetics, especially human genetic analysis, is greatly facilitated by the development of parasexual systems, which permit introduction of genetic material from one cell into another. Pre-eminent among these is somatic cell hybridization. This method continues to be extremely useful in a number of endeavors including gene mapping, production of monoclonal antibodies, and study of gene expression, among others. This system does not, however, permit introduction of defined gene sequences into mammalian cells. The advent and development of recombinant DNA methods make it possible to isolate fragments of DNA carrying one or more genes. A structural analysis of these sequences is possible by the use of restriction endonucleases and nucleic acid sequencing. The role of different sequences in expression and regulation can be deduced by introducing defined segments of DNA into mammalian cells where they would be able to utilize the transcriptional and translational machinery of the cells. Such studies are facilitated through DNA transfer systems. There are a large number of methods to accomplish DNA transfer. Each method has special advantages and disadvantages making it suitable for specific purposes under specific circumstances. Whatever may be the method of delivering the DNA to the cells, it is expected that the same fate awaits them in the cell. Thus, careful examination of the DNA introduced by any of the methods should provide general information applicable to all systems. This chapter discusses the salient features of the methods, fate of the DNA in the cell, and the parameters that seem to affect gene expression.
How long do seeds of the invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima remain viable?

Abstract The non-native invasive tree, Ailanthus altissima is an increasing threat to the diversity and health of temperate forests. Female trees are prolific producers of wind-dispersed seeds. It is not known if Ailanthus seeds remain viable in natural growing conditions beyond two years. We collected Ailanthus seeds from eleven sources in fall 2010 and incubated outdoors in either mixed oak leaf litter or mineral soil (10 cm depth) for five years to assess seed viability. Each May sets of seeds were retrieved, counted and sown in a greenhouse to measure germination. Initially germination rates averaged 87%, however in year 5 (2016), germination rates of seeds incubated outdoors in oak leaf litter, fell to 1.9%, while those incubated in mineral soil averaged 75%. Germination rates of soil-incubated seeds ranged from 48 to 95% among the eleven seed sources after five years. These findings demonstrate that the common practice to eliminate Ailanthus seed sources two years prior to a timber harvest is insufficient to deplete its seed bank. We propose that managers remove seed sources at minimum of six years in advance of a scheduled timber harvest. Ideally, it would be most advantageous to incorporate removal of females Ailanthus as a routine management practice.
Harnessing Uncertainty in Vulnerability Market

Zero-day vulnerabilities pose significant threats in computer and network security, and have attracted attentions in recent years not only to malicious attackers but government and law enforcement users who need to control (e.g., for forensics purpose) the computer systems which otherwise are inaccessible through traditional channels. Based on the observation that vulnerabilities are acquired and traded in a different way than commodities, we study and propose a vulnerability market model by taking into consideration cheating and uncertainty in the market. The paper illustrates the interactions between the vulnerability sellers and buyers in a game theoretic framework. By modeling the economic aspects of the vulnerability market with a focus on information asymmetry and distinctive incentives of malicious and defensive buyers, we propose active and strategic market participation by defenders to obtain vulnerability information from the marketplace in a cost-effective way. Rather than killing the market, defenders can take advantage of the incomplete information feature of the vulnerability market to improve cyber-security. To further maximize the uncertainty, defenders may also play in the supply side of the vulnerability market to provide low or no value vulnerabilities to dilute the market.
Against ‘Aging’ – How to Talk about Growing Older:

Language shapes thought, and ageist language invisibly spreads ageist thinking. Observing that embodiment theory has largely neglected to theorize age (a universal intersection), the author expands...
DEGLUTITION SYNCOPE IN A PATIENT WITH GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Deglutition syncope is a rare type of syncope in which a patient has syncope after swallowing. It is considered to be a form of neurally mediated syncope in which it is caused by vagal hyper-stimulation. A 70-year-old male with a history of hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease presented
19.1 Computationally Enabled Total Energy Minimization Under Performance Requirements for a Voltage-Regulated 0.38-to-0.58V Microprocessor in 65nm CMOS

Integrated circuits for ultra-low-power applications strive to minimize total system energy, while satisfying performance requirements. The supply voltage ($V_{dd}$) can be set to a Minimum Energy Point (MEP) [1, 2], where leakage and dynamic energy are suitably balanced. However, controlling operating frequency ($f_{c/k}$), while concurrently tracking a MEP sensitive to PVT and switching activity is not possible. Meanwhile, the traditional approach of locking to the minimum required frequency ($f_{targ}$), and adiusting $V_{dd}$to maintain timing slack precludes the possibility of minimum-energy computing. Therefore, there exists a need for a minimum-energy computing architecture that meets performance requirements.
Development of the smartphone and learning inventory: Measuring self-regulated use

Smartphone use in learning environments can be productive or distracting depending upon the type of use. The use is also impacted by the learner’s view and understanding of the smartphone and self-regulated learning skills. Measures are needed to specify uses and learner understandings to address the implications for teaching and learning. This study reports on the development of a multi-factor inventory designed to measure multitasking while studying, avoiding distractions while studying, mindful phone use, and phone knowledge. The inventory was completed by 514 undergraduate students enrolled in a first-year seminar. The results indicate good reliability and a three-factor structure with multitasking and avoiding distraction merging into one factor. The resulting measure can support research to improve self-regulation of smartphone use. Suggestions regarding instructional use are provided.
Economic analysis of screening for subclinical rejection in kidney transplantation using protocol biopsies and noninvasive biomarkers.

Subclinical rejection (SCR) screening in kidney transplantation (KT) using protocol biopsies and noninvasive biomarkers has not been evaluated from an economic perspective. We assessed cost-effectiveness from the health sector perspective of SCR screening in the first year after KT using a Markov model that compared no screening with screening using protocol biopsy or biomarker at 3 months, 12 months, 3 and 12 months, or 3, 6, and 12 months. We used 12% subclinical cellular rejection and 3% subclinical antibody-mediated rejection (SC-ABMR) for the base-case cohort. Results favored 1-time screening at peak SCR incidence rather than repeated screening. Screening 2 or 3 times was favored only with age 60 years. Using biomarker twice or thrice was cost effective only if biomarker cost was <$700. In conclusion, in KT, screening for SCR more than once during the first year is not economically reasonable. Screening with protocol biopsy was favored over biomarkers.
Design principles for dendrite suppression with porous polymer/aqueous solution hybrid electrolyte for Zn metal anodes

Rechargeable zinc–metal batteries have attracted widespread attention recently as a potential substitute for lithium-ion batteries due to their low cost, large volumetric capacity, and capability t...
A counterexample to the simple loop conjecture for PSL(2, ℝ)

In this note, we give an explicit counterexample to the simple loop conjecture for representations of surface groups into PSL.2;R/. Specifically, we use a construction of DeBlois and Kent to show that for any orientable surface with negative Euler characteristic and genus at least 1, there are uncountably many nonconjugate, noninjective homomorphisms of its fundamental group into PSL.2;R/ that kill no simple closed curve (nor any power of a simple closed curve). This result is not new — work of Louder and Calegari for representations of surface groups into SL.2;C/ applies to the PSL.2;R/ case, but our approach here is explicit and elementary.
"It Is Not Easy": Cultural Influences of Sickle Cell Disease Management in Rural, Eastern Sierra Leone.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic genetic disease that causes life-threatening complications and requires robust comprehensive management. Developing comprehensive SCD programs in sub-Saharan ...
Culinary Traditions in the Borderlands of Judah and Edom during the Late Iron Age

Cooking pots and culinary practices can be used as a sensitive proxy for social identities. Through an analysis of culinary traditions in the northeastern Negev—the borderland region between the Ir...
The economic value of changing mortality risk in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic breakdown by cause of death

We develop a framework for quantifying monetary values associated with changes in disease-specific mortality risk in low- and middle-income countries to help quantify trade-offs involved in investing in mortality reduction due to one disease versus another. We monetized the changes in mortality risk for communicable and non-communicable diseases (CD and NCD, respectively) between 2017 and 2030 for low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries (LICs, LMICs, and UMICs, respectively). We modeled three mortality trajectories (“base-case”, “high-performance”, and “low-performance”) using Global Burden of Disease study forecasts and estimated disease-specific mortality risk changes relative to the base-case. We assigned monetary values to changes in mortality risk using value of a statistical life (VSL) methods and conducted multiple sensitivity analyses. In terms of NCDs, the absolute monetary value associated with changing mortality risk was highest for cardiovascular diseases in older age groups. For example, being on the low-performance trajectory relative to the base-case in 2030 was valued at $9100 (95% uncertainty range $6800; $11,400), $28,300 ($24,200; $32,400), and $30,300 ($27,200; $33,300) for females aged 70–74 years in LICs, LMICs, and UMICs, respectively. Changing the mortality rate from the base-case to the high-performance trajectory was associated with high monetary value for CDs as well, especially among younger age groups. Estimates were sensitive to assumptions made in calculating VSL. Our framework provides a priority setting paradigm to best allocate investments toward the health sector and enables intersectoral comparisons of returns on investments from health interventions.
Sample Size Analysis for Machine Learning Clinical Validation Studies

OBJECTIVE: Before integrating new machine learning (ML) into clinical practice, algorithms must undergo validation. Validation studies require sample size estimates. Unlike hypothesis testing studies seeking a p-value, the goal of validating predictive models is obtaining estimates of model performance. Our aim was to provide a standardized, data distribution- and model-agnostic approach to sample size calculations for validation studies of predictive ML models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample Size Analysis for Machine Learning (SSAML) was tested in three previously published models: brain age to predict mortality (Cox Proportional Hazard), COVID hospitalization risk prediction (ordinal regression), and seizure risk forecasting (deep learning). The SSAML steps are: 1) Specify performance metrics for model discrimination and calibration. For discrimination, we use area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for classification and Harrell9s C-statistic for survival models. For calibration, we employ calibration slope and calibration-in-the-large. 2) Specify the required precision and accuracy (<=0.5 normalized confidence interval width and +/-5% accuracy). 3) Specify the required coverage probability (95%). 4) For increasing sample sizes, calculate the expected precision and bias that is achievable. 5) Choose the minimum sample size that meets all requirements. RESULTS: Minimum sample sizes were obtained in each dataset using standardized criteria. DISCUSSION: SSAML provides a formal expectation of precision and accuracy at a desired confidence level. CONCLUSION: SSAML is open-source and agnostics to data type and ML model. It can be used for clinical validation studies of ML models.
20-HETE increases renal sympathetic nerve activity via activation of chemically and mechanically sensitive muscle afferents

Arachidonic acid and its metabolites produced via cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase pathways have been reported to contribute to the cardiovascular reflexes evoked by stimulating thin fibre muscle afferents during muscle contraction. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), a primarily metabolized product of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 enzymes, can be accumulated in contracting muscles. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of 20-HETE in modulating the reflex sympathetic responses to activation of chemically and mechanically sensitive muscle afferents. The renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and cardiovascular responses were examined after injections of 20-HETE into the arterial blood supply of the hindlimb muscles of decerebrated rats. This induced a dose-dependent increases in RSNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP). We also tested the hypothesis that 20-HETE would sensitize muscle afferents and, thereby, augment the RSNA and blood pressure response to muscle stretch. The results show that arterial infusion of 20-HETE significantly enhanced the RSNA and MAP responses to muscle stretch. In contrast, N-hydroxy-N′-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)formamidine, a potent inhibitor of 20-HETE production, attenuated the reflex muscle responses. Furthermore, the sensitizing effect of 20-HETE on the muscle reflex was significantly attenuated after blocking COX activity with indomethacin. Our data suggest that 20-HETE plays a role in modulating muscle afferent-mediated sympathetic responses, probably through engagement of a COX-dependent mechanism.
Perceptions of Racial Discrimination by the State in Britain

This paper investigates British residents’ perceptions racial discrimination by local agents of the state. The paper analyzes data from the 2008-2009 Citizenship Survey, which combines a nationally representative sample with an ethnic minority booster sample, allowing for comparisons across groups. The analysis focuses on respondents’ beliefs as to whether they would be treated worse than people of another race by each of three institutions: local housing authorities, schools, and the police. Members of ethnic minority groups, black Britons in particular, are more likely than whites to believe that they would be discriminated against by most institutions, but whites are more likely to believe they would be treated unfairly by local housing authorities. Multinomial logit models indicate that lower socio-economic status is associated with greater expectations of discrimination among whites, but not among minority group members. Among minority groups, immigration status and cultural integration are more strongly related to perceptions of discrimination: with British-born, English-speaking minority group members being more likely to expect to treated unfairly because of their race. For both white and non-white respondents, the personal experience of discrimination and strength of ethnic identity are the factors that are most strongly and consistently associated with greater expectations of racial discrimination by local institutions.
Pressure Waves Induced by Megasonic Agitation in a LIGA Development Tank

Megasonic agitation is used to improve the uniformity of the LIGA{sup 1} development process. To investigate the acoustic wave fields induced by megasonic agitation, we compute wave fields for a development tank containing a submerged wafer and for a typical trench-like feature on the wafer face. This separate treatment of these two problems is advantageous, because the length scales of the tank and the feature differ by three to four orders of magnitude. A spectral method based on Green's functions is used to construct the acoustic wave field, avoiding the alternative of solving partial differential equations over the entire domain. The total acoustic wave field is obtained by superposing of the primary wave field and the first reflected wave field, which are computed in sequence without any need for iterations. The wafer interference to the wave field is treated directly by a priori recognition of shadow regions in the primary field and a concept of boundary of dependence in the reflected field. Unlike a divergent wave field produced by ultrasonic agitation, results show that the wave field in the tank becomes narrowly focused at megasonic frequencies such that the most effective agitation is confined in a region directly above the more » acoustic source; this numerical expectation has been verified analytically and further confirmed experimentally by Sandia's LIGA Group.{sup [13]} The amplitude of the focused wave pressure is proportional to square root of the wave frequency. The wave pattern in a feature cavity also depends strongly on the orientation of the wafer and the aspect ratio of the cavity. It is concluded that the LIGA development process will be greatly accelerated, if the orientation and the location of the immersed wafer is arranged so that the wafer spends more time in the focused wave field of high frequency agitation. « less
Quasi-conformal transformation electromagnetics enabled flat collimating lenses

This paper demonstrates collimating lenses designed using the quasi-conformal transformation optics technique. The lens can radiate two collimated beams when fed by a simple embedded line source. Thin anti-reflection coatings can be employed to enhance the directive radiation by reducing reflections at the surfaces of the lens. This design only requires spatially-varying dielectric materials with no magnetic properties, facilitating low-loss, broadband operation in both the microwave and optical regimes.
Expression of the c-fos gene and of an fos-related gene is stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor

Complementary DNA clones of genes induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in BALB/c-3T3 cells were isolated; one such clone contains a domain having nucleotide sequence homology with the third exon of c-fos. This nucleotide sequence homology is reflected in the predicted amino acid sequences of the gene products. Under low stringency conditions, the mouse v-fos gene cross-hybridizes with the PDGF-inducible complementary DNA clone. However, the messenger RNA transcripts of mouse c-fos and the new fos-related gene can be distinguished by gel electrophoresis and by S1 nuclease analysis. Expression of the authentic c-fos gene is induced by PDGF and superinduced by the combination of PDGF and cycloheximide.
Multiplex cytokine profiling of initial therapeutic response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Currently available prognostic tools are inadequate to discern the molecular basis of the heterogenic response in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with the current standard of therapy. The expression and biological function of immune mediators have been shown to be critical in all phases of the immune response to HCV infection and likely therefore influence host response. Herein, a biometric multiplex serum cytokine assay was utilized to characterize the immunomodulatory effects of host response in 10 HCV patients. Serum levels of 17 cytokines were compared before and after 1 month of treatment and against controls. Overall serum cytokine levels were significantly higher in patients (P < 0.05) than controls. Additionally, viral titers decreased in all patients after 1 month of therapy, as did overall serum cytokine levels in the cohort (P < 0.05). To assess relationships between changes in cytokine levels and changes in viral titer, the cohort was divided into three statistically distinct subgroups based on changes in viral titers. Specific sets of cytokines decreased in each group: decreases in CCL4, interleukin (IL)-2, CXCL8, and IL-1β correlated with the greatest drops in viral titer, decreases in IL-5, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and CCL4 correlated with moderate drops in viral titer, and only CCL2 correlated with the lowest drops in viral titer. Interestingly, decreases in CCL4 levels correlated with decreases in viral titers in all patients. CCL4 controls leukocyte influx and thus propagates inflammation. In conclusion, these data raise the possibility that characteristic changes in host response modulate the therapeutic response, demonstrating the prognostic power of serum cytokine profiling in chronic HCV.
The fractional quantum Hall effect in a tilted magnetic field

Abstract The activation energy of the 2 3 fractional quantum Hall state has been measured in the presence of tilted magnetic fields. The activation energy is found to increase as the parallel magnetic field increases, and eventually to saturate as the parallel field increases further. The existence of a magnetic field parallel to the two-dimensional (2D) layer results in the squeezing of the 2D well in the z-direction. The experimental results are explained in terms of this change in the confining potential and the resulting effect on the gaps in the excitation spectrum associated with the fractional quantum Hall effect.
STUDIES ON PNEUMOCOCCUS IMMUNITY : I. ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION OF MONKEYS AGAINST PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE I PNEUMONIA WITH PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE I VACCINE.

1. The subcutaneous inoculation of monkeys with three large doses of Pneumococcus Type I vaccine confers on them a complete immunity against experimental Pneumococcus Type I pneumonia. 2. The intravenous inoculation of small doses of Pneumococcus Type I vaccine also confers complete immunity against the homologous type of pneumonia. 3. Specific protective bodies may or may not be present in the serum of monkeys vaccinated against Pneumococcus Type I. There appears to be no intimate relation between active immunity against pneumonia and the presence or absence of protective substances in the serum of the vaccinated animal.
Smart grid technologies

The need for power semiconductor devices with high-voltage, high- frequency, and high-temperature operation capability is growing, especially for advanced power conversion and military applications, and hence the size and weight of the power electronic system are reduced. Development of 15-kV SiC IGBTs and their impact on utility applications is discussed.
Perceptions of Medicare Part D enrollees about pharmacists and their role as providers of medication therapy management

abstract Objective To explore the awareness of Medicare Part D enrollees regarding medication therapy management (MTM) and to examine their expectations and perceptions of pharmacists in providing MTM. Methods The Internet-based survey consisted of questions on respondent demographics, prescription-related be- havlor, awareness of MTM, and expectation and perception of pharmacists in usual roles and as MTM providers. Four open- ended questions examined expectations, trust, source of MTM information, and perceived benefit from MTM. Results The sample of 504 Medicare Part D enrollees from California (mean age 72 years) used an average of 4.3 prescriptions per day. Awareness of MTM was low in this cohort (93% unaware). Trust in the pharmacist was centered on dispensing prescriptions. Expectation of pharmacists also revolved around product (>60%). Approximately 70% of respondents did not believe they needed MTM; however, 58% believed pharmacists were good candidates to provide MTM. Willingness to pay for MTM services was also low (31%). Conclusion Medicare Part D enrollees' expectation and perception of pharmacists revolves around the dispensing function. The public, payers, and policy makers need to be educated to recognize and use pharmacists as cost-effective providers of MTM.
DNA and RNA synthesis in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes from normal and lymphosarcomatous cows.

SUMMARY DNA and RNA synthesis was studied in bovine blood mononuclear leucocytes cultured with and without PHA. Two of seven lymphosarcomatous cows showed a higher rate of spontaneous (i.e. without PHA) DNA and RNA synthesis, but one of these two showed no increase in DNA synthesis and a decrease in RNA synthesis in cultures with PHA. These two cows also had a large number of lymphoblasts in their peripheral blood in contrast to the other lymphosarcomatous cows and which did not show significantly different patterns of DNA and RNA synthesis from normal cows in cultures either with or without PHA, although some of the lymphosarcomatous cows had atypical lymphocytes and increased lymphocyte counts. Only in the two cows which had many lymphoblasts and a higher rate of spontaneous DNA and RNA synthesis, were there many dividing cells with abnormal chromosome complements.
Simulation for emergency response: a framework for modeling and simulation for emergency response

A number of modeling and simulation tools have been developed and more are being developed for emergency response applications. The available simulation tools are meant mostly for standalone use. Addressing an emergency incident requires addressing multiple interdependent aspects of the situation. The simulation tools addressing different aspects of an emergency situation need to be integrated to provide the whole picture to planners, trainers, and responders. A framework is required to ensure that modeling and simulation tools can be systematically integrated together to address the overall response. This paper proposes a framework for integration of modeling, simulation, and visualization tools for emergency response. The development and implementation of the proposed framework will significantly improve the nation's capability in the emergency response area.
Treatment-related symptom management in patients with multiple myeloma: a review

Purpose Recent therapeutic advancements have significantly improved overall survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). As a result, the impact of disease- and treatment-related symptoms must be managed effectively to improve patient quality of life, given prolonged survival after diagnosis. This review discusses current MM treatment options, effective symptom management approaches, and practical strategies for supportive care.
Inhibition of Catalase and Lactate Dehydrogenase by Radiation-Protective Thiols and Thiol Derivatives

A series of amino and guanidino thiols and thiol derivatives has shown a parallelism between their radiation-protective abilities in mice and their ability to inhibit the metalloenzyme catalase. Exceptions were found with a dithiocarbamate, which has higher metal-binding strength than the thiols, and a thiosulfate, which has weaker metal-binding ability. Inhibition of two forms of lactate dehydrogenase, where metal binding is unlikely, showed no correlation with radiation protection. This suggests that protection of catalase from radiation damage by agents that complex with the iron constituent constitutes one means of protecting animal cells from radiation-produced peroxides.
The slowly changing voltage of the brain and the electrocorticogram

Abstract 1.1. Simultaneous EEG and slowly changing voltage recorded from the brain with reference to the sciatic nerve, were measured during the inhalation of CO 2 in O 2 , N 2 , and during asphyxia. 2.2. The slowly changing voltage progressively rose during CO 2 administration, with the amount and rate of rise maximal for the highest concentration. The slowly changing voltage fell rapidly at critical levels of anoxia. 3.3. The possibility of a relationship between the slow voltage changes of the brain and the permeability of the surface films of the brain cells was discussed. 4.4. EEG suppression can occur with either an extreme positive or an extreme negative slow voltage change of the brain.