cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate response to indirect anthropogenic sulfate forcing

A general circulation model (GCM) has been used to conduct sensitivity tests of the climatic influence imparted by a cloud albedo change hypothesized to result from anthropogenic increases in atmospheric sulfur. The global distribution of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols is computed with a simplified 3-D transport model. The NCAR CCM1 has been run with a cloud albedo perturbation that is a function of the distribution of anthropogenic sulfur particles. We report climate statistics from the last 20 years of 30 year GCM control and experiment runs. The climate response is strongest in the northern hemisphere winter, with cooling over the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans on the order of 2–6°C. The 500 mb geopotential height field shows a significant deepening over the Canadian provinces, enhancing the northerly flow over the North American and North Atlantic regions during boreal winter. The equilibrium climate does not, however, cool over central Europe in northern hemisphere winter, despite this region being one of the most heavily impacted areas in the world by sulfate aerosol. The anthropogenic sulfate ‘indirect’ forcing elicits a highly non-linear climate response that can be explained through changes in the hemispheric wave train. These results may assist in explaining the long-standing climate change issue of what causes the cooling over the North Atlantic and North Pacific over the last decades, a feature that is not explained by increases in greenhouse gases alone.
Pneumococcal empyema and complicated pneumonias: global trends in incidence, prevalence, and serotype epidemiology

This review evaluates the serotype epidemiology of complicated pneumococcal pneumonia (CPP) during the period 1990–2012. PubMed and EMBASE were searched using the terms “empyema”, “complicated pneumonia”, “pleural infection”, “necrotizing pneumonia”, “pleural effusion”, “parapneumonic effusion”, “pneumatocele”, or “lung abscess”; “pneumococcal” or “Streptococcus pneumoniae”; and “serotype” for studies on the epidemiology of complicated pneumonias published from January 1, 1990 to October 1, 2013. Studies with data on incidence and serotypes were included; reviews, case reports, and conference abstracts were excluded. Of 152 papers, 84 fitted the inclusion criteria. A few pneumococcal serotypes were predominant causes of CPP, particularly serotypes 1, 19A, 3, 14, and 7F. CPP was a more common manifestation of pneumococcal disease among older (>2 years old) than younger children. The data support increases in both reported incidence rates and proportions of CPP in children and adults during the period 1990–2012; specific increases varied by geographic region. The proportions of serotype 3 and, particularly in Asia, serotype 19A CPP have increased, whereas most studies show declines in serotype 14. Serotype 1 has been a predominant cause of CPP since 1990, while antibiotic resistance was infrequent among serotype 1 isolates. The reported incidence and proportions of CPP among pneumonia cases steadily increased from 1990 to 2012. Several factors might account for these increases, including enhanced disease detection due to a higher index of suspicion, more sophisticated diagnostic assays, and changes in the prevalence of serotypes with capacity to invade the pleural space that were not targeted by the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).
Social networking site or social surveillance site? Understanding the use of interpersonal electronic surveillance in romantic relationships

Social network sites (SNSs) are commonly used to maintain existing relationships and form connections with new contacts. Recently, concerns of have been expressed over the way these Web-based technologies are used. Estimates suggest that people are increasingly using SNSs for engaging in the surveillance of others. Given the relatively high rates of prevalence, it can be argued that SNSs have been reinvented into a tool for interpersonal surveillance along with their social networking capabilities. This article expands on the concept of interpersonal electronic surveillance and applies it in the specific context of romantic partners' use of SNSs. The relationships between surveillance over SNSs and demographic, relational, and Internet use and efficacy variables are studied. The findings reveal that interpersonal surveillance over SNSs is influenced by age, the time individuals spend on their partners' profiles, the integration of SNSs into daily routines, and Internet self-efficacy.
Disclosure Disconnects: Antecedents and Consequences of Disclosing Invisible Stigmas across Life Domains

This article broadens our perspective of stigma by examining the process of disclosing an invisible stigmatized identity in work and nonwork domains. I present a model that examines the effects of individual and environmental factors on disclosure decisions across life domains. Individuals may disclose their stigma to varying degrees across life domains, and this inconsistency leads to disclosure disconnects. I examine psychological states and outcomes associated with disclosure disconnects and offer directions for future research.
Mammalian RNA polymerases I and II: Independent diurnal variations in activity

Abstract Diurnal variations in the activities of nucleolar (I) and non-nucleolar (II) DNA-dependent RNA polymerases of rat liver were observed. Both polymerase I and II displayed diphasic shifts in activity levels. However, the patterns of the individual shifts were not synchronous. Polymerase I activity was highest between 0100–1100 hours and lowest between 1700–2000 hours while polymerase II peaks between 2400 and 0500 hours with a low point at 1000 hours. The daily fluctuations and the dissimilar patterns of polymerase I and II activity may be of such significance as to require reevaluation and redesign of studies dealing with regulation of enzyme activity.
Coarsening effects on the formation of microporous membranes produced via thermally induced phase separation of polystyrene-cyclohexanol solutions

Abstract The effects of coarsening on microstructure formation in highly viscous polystyrene-cyclohexanol solutions and membranes made from them were studied by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Using thermally induced phase separation and a freeze-drying technique, it was demonstrated that the polymer membrane microstructure can be tailored by controlling the quench route and coarsening time. For systems undergoing phase separation by spinodal decomposition, resulting in a well-interconnected, microporous structure with nearly uniform pore sizes, it was found that extending the phase separation time prior to freezing and solvent removal can result in a significant increase in pore or cell size which is highly dependent on both quench depth and coarsening time. The coarsening rate of the cell size can be expressed as a power law in time. For relatively deep quenches, the initial growth-rate exponent has a value of 1 3 in agreement with classical theories for coarsening by Ostwald ripening or coalescence, while for shallow quenches smaller exponents were observed, in agreement with studies involving isopycnic polystyrene-diethyl malonate systems. At longer coarsening times, a crossover to a much faster growth rate was observed yielding an exponent of 1.0, consistent with the expectations for the hydrodynamic flow mechanism of coarsening. Novel, complex microporous membrane structures with pore sizes of two characteristic length scales were also produced in this system using a two-step temperature jump process.
Xenopus pronephros development—past, present, and future

Kidney development is a multi-step process where undifferentiated mesenchyme is converted into a highly complex organ through several inductive events. The general principles regulating these events have been under intense investigation and despite extensive progress, many open questions remain. While the metanephric kidneys of mouse and rat have served as the primary model, other organisms also significantly contribute to the field. In particular, the more primitive pronephric kidney has emerged as an alternative model due to its simplicity and experimental accessibility. Many aspects of nephron development such as the patterning along its proximo-distal axis are evolutionarily conserved and are therefore directly applicable to higher vertebrates. This review will focus on the current understanding of pronephros development in Xenopus. It summarizes how signaling, transcriptional regulation, as well as post-transcriptional mechanisms contribute to the differentiation of renal epithelial cells. The data show that even in the simple pronephros the mechanisms regulating kidney organogenesis are highly complex. It also illustrates that a multifaceted analysis embracing modern genome-wide approaches combined with single gene analysis will be required to fully understand all the intricacies.
Transport and surface conductivity in ZnO

Control of the electrical properties of ZnO is difficult to achieve. Doping is affected by the presence of a n-type background. Magnetotransport measurements can extract detailed information on donors and acceptors, but characterization is complicated by effects such as the surface conductivity. This conducting layer can be activated by ambient illumination or by heating in the absence of oxygen. There are considerable differences in the behavior of the various polar and nonpolar crystal faces. This paper provides an overview of the properties of ZnO surface conductivity, as well as the methods which have been implemented to account for it while interpreting carrier transport measurements.
Activity coefficients of 1-1 electrolytes in heavy water (2H2O)

Abstract Activity coefficients of NaCl, KCl, Li, Na and K acetates, and Li, Na and K hydroxides have been measured relative to ZnSO4 in H2O and 2H2O (D2O) by an isopiestic method.
Geospatial and regression tree analysis to map groundwater depth for manual well drilling suitability in the Zinder region of Niger

Summary Manual and low-tech well drilling techniques have potential to assist in reaching the United Nations’ millennium development goal for water in sub-Saharan Africa. This study used publicly available geospatial data in a regression tree analysis to predict groundwater depth in the Zinder region of Niger to identify suitable areas for manual well drilling. Regression trees were developed and tested on a database for 3681 wells in the Zinder region. A tree with 17 terminal leaves provided a range of ground water depth estimates that were appropriate for manual drilling, though much of the tree’s complexity was associated with depths that were beyond manual methods. A natural log transformation of groundwater depth was tested to see if rescaling dataset variance would result in finer distinctions for regions of shallow groundwater. The RMSE for a log-transformed tree with only 10 terminal leaves was almost half that of the untransformed 17 leaf tree for groundwater depths less than 10 m. This analysis indicated important groundwater relationships for commonly available maps of geology, soils, elevation, and enhanced vegetation index from the MODIS satellite imaging system.
Developing a Teachable Point of View.

As professors of management and organizational behavior mature in their teaching, they should begin to develop a teachable point of view. In this article, the author describes several attributes of a teachable point of view. Based on his own teaching experience, the author outlines five criteria for the content of the material taught—the what of teaching—as well as the pedagogical approach to engendering learning—the how of teaching. These criteria are offered as illustrations of what it means to be a full professor.
Science Signaling Podcast: 28 May 2013

This Podcast features an interview with Steven Balk, senior author of a Research Article that appears in the 28 May 2013 issue of Science Signaling. BMX (bone marrow tyrosine kinase gene on chromosome X) is a protein tyrosine kinase that can be activated downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the kinase Src, but not much is known about its substrates. In a study by Chen et al . published this week in Science Signaling , Steven Balk9s group reports that BMX preferentially phosphorylates other tyrosine kinases on primed tyrosines, which are unphosphorylated tyrosine residues that are located next to phosphorylated tyrosine residues. The authors demonstrate that BMX promotes maximal signaling by the receptor tyrosine kinase FAK and the insulin receptor. Several other tyrosine kinase receptors contain such primed tyrosine motifs, implying that BMX may regulate signaling through various signaling pathways.
A Plasmid-Based Reverse Genetics System for Animal Double-Stranded RNA Viruses

Summary Mammalian orthoreoviruses (reoviruses) are highly tractable experimental models for studies of double-stranded (ds) RNA virus replication and pathogenesis. Reoviruses infect respiratory and intestinal epithelium and disseminate systemically in newborn animals. Until now, a strategy to rescue infectious virus from cloned cDNA has not been available for any member of the Reoviridae family of dsRNA viruses. We report the generation of viable reovirus following plasmid transfection of murine L929 (L) cells using a strategy free of helper virus and independent of selection. We used the reovirus reverse genetics system to introduce mutations into viral capsid proteins σ1 and σ3 and to rescue a virus that expresses a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene, thus demonstrating the tractability of this technology. The plasmid-based reverse genetics approach described here can be exploited for studies of reovirus replication and pathogenesis and used to develop reovirus as a vaccine vector.
Ultrathin zirconium silicate film with good thermal stability for alternative gate dielectric application

Zirconium silicate (ZrSixOy) films have been sputtered by comagnetron-reactive sputtering. The composition of ZrSixOy has been controlled by adjusting the sputtering powers of Si and Zr targets to achieve various effective dielectric constants. The sputtered silicate layers showed low equivalent oxide thickness of 14.5 A with a low leakage of 3.3×10−3 A/cm2 at −1.5 V relative to flat band voltage. The silicate films also exhibited good high-temperature stability and smooth interfacial properties on silicon substrate.
Automotive hydrogen storage system using cryo-adsorption on activated carbon

Abstract An integrated model of a sorbent-based cryogenic compressed hydrogen system is used to assess the prospect of meeting the near-term targets of 36 kg-H2/m3 volumetric and 4.5 wt% gravimetric capacity for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. The model includes the thermodynamics of H2 sorption, heat transfer during adsorption and desorption, sorption dynamics, energetics of cryogenic tank cooling, and containment of H2 in geodesically wound carbon fiber tanks. The results from the model show that recoverable hydrogen, rather than excess or absolute adsorption, is a determining measure of whether a sorbent is a good candidate material for on-board storage of H2. A temperature swing is needed to recover >80% of the sorption capacity of the superactivated carbon sorbent at 100 K and 100 bar as the tank is depressurized to 3–8 bar. The storage pressure at which the system needs to operate in order to approach the system capacity targets has been determined and compared with the breakeven pressure above which the storage tank is more compact if H2 is stored only as a cryo-compressed gas. The amount of liquid N2 needed to cool the hydrogen dispensed to the vehicle to 100 K and to remove the heat of adsorption during refueling has been estimated. The electrical energy needed to produce the requisite liquid N2 by air liquefaction is compared with the electrical energy needed to liquefy the same amount of H2 at a central plant. The alternate option of adiabatically refueling the sorbent tank with liquid H2 has been evaluated to determine the relationship between the storage temperature and the sustainable temperature swing. Finally, simulations have been run to estimate the increase in specific surface area and bulk density of medium needed to satisfy the system capacity targets with H2 storage at 100 bar.
Intrinsic reactivity of metal–hydroxide complexes: O–H bond activation and adduct formation in gas-phase reactions of Cp2ZrOH+

Abstract Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to study the gas-phase reactions of three zirconium(IV) hydroxide ions, Cp 2 ZrOH + (Cp = η 5 -cyclopentadienyl), Cp 2 ZrOD + , and Cp 2 Zr 18 OH + . Product distributions were determined for reactions with alcohols, amines, ethers, esters, and amides. Reactions with alcohols lead to O–H bond activation with formation of alkoxide complexes Cp 2 ZrOR + and elimination of water. Equilibrium constants for the reactions were used to determine the relative energetics of Zr–OR bonds, and the affinities of hydroxide and alkoxides toward the zirconium(IV) center in Cp 2 Zr 2+ decrease (OH − > MeO − > EtO − ≈ iso -PrO − ≈ sec -BuO − ≈ tert -BuO − ) in the same order as the proton affinities of RO − . Adducts of the alkoxide complex ion with alcohols are formed at long reaction times. Reaction with acetic acid leads to formation of the carboxylate complex ion Cp 2 ZrO 2 CCH 3 + and elimination of water. Amines, ethers, esters, and amides all form adducts with Cp 2 ZrOH + , but no other reaction pathways, such as hydrolysis, are observed. The unsolvated zirconium(IV) hydroxide species can coordinate substrates and activate O–H bonds, but it does not efficiently cleave esters and amides despite its reactive, bound hydroxide and coordinative unsaturation. The relationship of these results to solution reactions of metal–hydroxides is discussed.
The sonographic features of the peripubertal ovaries

Abstract Sonograms of 75 peripubertal girls who had no ovarian pathology were reviewed. The examinations were performed for various indications including the evaluation of idiopathic precocious puberty (n = 25) or abdominal pain (n = 15). A progressive increase in uterine length was correlated with an increase in the age of the patients, from a mean uterine length of 3.28 ± 1.3 cm in girls aged 7–8 to 6.98 ±1.0 cm in girls aged 15–16. The corpus to cervix ratio also increased from 1.1 ± 0.4:1 to 1.33 ± 0.2:1. Ovarian size increased as a function of age from 1.91 ± 0.7 cm3 (age 7–8) to 3.52 ± 0.4 cm3 (age 15–16). When the right and left ovaries were compared in size, they were similar, suggesting bilateral even growth. Unilateral ovarian enlargement may indicate adnexal pathology and the need for further evaluation. There was a close correlation between uterine length and ovarian volume, for each individual studied (correlation coefficient 0.833). Ovarian enlargement without a corresponding increase in uterine length may represent neoplastic ovarian growth indicating the need for further evaluation. In 59 patients, multiple ovarian cysts varying in size from 3 to 10 mm were noted, and 41 patients had nine or more separate cysts which did not significantly affect ovarian volume. Physicians should be familiar with the normal appearance of the peripubertal ovaries and should exercise caution before recommending surgical intervention in these patients.
Carbon balance in tussock tundra under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2.

Whole ecosystem CO2 flux under ambient (340 μl/l) and elevated (680 μl/l) CO2 was measured in situ in Eriophorum tussock tundra on the North Slope of Alaska. Elevated CO2 resulted in greater carbon acquisition than control treatments and there was a net loss of CO2 under ambient conditions at this upland tundra site. These measurements indicate a current loss of carbon from upland tundra, possibly the result of recent climatic changes. Elevated CO2 for the duration of one growing season appeared to delay the onset of dormancy and resulted in approximately 10 additional days of positive ecosystem flux. Homeostatic adjustment of ecosystem CO2 flux (sum of species' response) was apparent by the third week of exposure to elevated CO2. Ecosystem dark respiration rates were not significantly higher at elevated CO2 levels. Rapid homeostatic adjustment to elevated CO2 may limit carbon uptake in upland tundra. Abiotic factors were evaluated as predictors of ecosystem CO2 flux. For chambers exposed to ambient and elevated CO2 levels for the duration of the growing season, seasonality (Julian day) was the best predictor of ecosystem CO2 flux at both ambient and elevated CO2 levels. Light (PAR), soil temperature, and air temperature were also predictive of seasonal ecosystem flux, but only at elevated CO2 levels. At any combination of physical conditions, flux of the elevated CO2 treatment was greater than that at ambient. In short-term manipulations of CO2, tundra exposed to elevated CO2 had threefold greater carbon gain, and had one half the ecosystem level, light compensation point when compared to ambient CO2 treatments. Elevated CO2-acclimated tundra had twofold greater carbon gain compared to ambient treatments, but there was no difference in ecosystem level, light compensation point between elevated and ambient CO2 treatments. The predicted future increases in cloudiness could substantially decrease the effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on net ecosystem carbon budget. These analyses suggest little if any long-term stimulation of ecosystem carbon acquisition by increases in atmospheric CO2.
Affective interactions in medical visits: ethnic differences among American Indian older adults.

Objective: Investigate influence of ethnicity on older American Indian patients’ interpretations of providers’ affective behaviors. Method: Using data from 115 older American Indian patients, random effects ordered logit models related patient ratings of providers’ respect, empathy, and rapport first to separate measures of American Indian and White American ethnicity, then to “ethnic discordance,” or difference between providers’ and patients’ cultural characteristics. Results: In models accounting for patients’ ethnicity only, high scores for American Indian ethnicity were linked to reduced evaluations for providers’ respect; high scores on White ethnicity were associated with elevated ratings for empathy and rapport. In models accounting for provider–patient ethnic discordance, high discordance on either ethnicity scale was associated with reduced ratings for the same behaviors. Discussion: Findings support “orthogonal ethnic identity” theory and extend “cultural health capital” theory, suggesting a pa...
ELASTIC SCATTERING OF ANTIPROTONS FROM COMPLEX NUCLEI

Measurements are reported on the elastic scattering of antiprotons in nuclear emulsion. The total path length was obtained from the various exposures to the unseparated antiproton beam and from a separated beam exposure. In these experiments, stocks of 600-- mu Ilford G-5 nuclear emulsion have been exposed to anti-protons from the Berkeley Bevatron. For the purpose of the elastic scattering measurement only tracks due to antiprotons identified by means of an annihilation star have been selected. The results of the experiments are tabulated. (A.C.)
Facile synthesis of the cubic mesoporous material MCM-48. Detailed study of accompanying phase transformations

The synthesis of cubic mesoporous material MCM-48 has been simplified and can be accomplished via facile hydrothermal synthesis using convenient commercial reagents. The cubic structure evolves from the initially formed hexagonal MCM-41 and undergoes slow conversion to the lamellar MCM-50 precursor. The system was sampled at 1 hr intervals and the intermediate products characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and adsorption. The results are discussed from the standpoint of possible mechanisms of MCM-48 generation.
Comparison of Self-Reported Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score to Performance Measures in Patients After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Objective To characterize patient outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by (1) examining changes in self-report measures (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]) and performance measures over the first 6 months after TKA, (2) evaluating correlations between changes in KOOS self-report function (activities of daily living [ADL] subscale) and functional performance (6-minute walk [6MW]), and (3) exploring how changes in pain correlate with KOOS ADL and 6MW outcomes. Design Retrospective cohort evaluation. Setting Clinical research laboratory. Patients (or Participants) Thirty-nine patients scheduled for a unilateral, primary TKA for end-stage unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods Patients were evaluated 2 weeks before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Main Outcome Measurements KOOS, 6MW, timed-up-and-go (TUG), and stair climbing tests (SCT), quadriceps strength. Results Three of 5 KOOS subscales significantly improved by 1 month after TKA. All 5 KOOS subscales significantly improved by 3 and 6 months after TKA. In contrast, performance measures (6MW, TUG, SCT, and quadriceps strength) all significantly declined from preoperative values by 1 month after TKA and significantly improved from preoperative values by 3 and 6 months after TKA; yet, improvements from preoperative values were not clinically meaningful. Pearson correlations between changes in the KOOS ADL subscale and 6MW from before surgery were not statistically significant at 1, 3, or 6 months after TKA. In addition, KOOS Pain was strongly correlated with KOOS ADL scores at all times, but KOOS Pain was not correlated with 6MW distance at any time. Conclusions Patient self-report by using the KOOS did not reflect the magnitude of performance deficits present after surgery, especially 1 month after TKA. Self-report KOOS outcomes closely paralleled pain relief after surgery, whereas performance measures were not correlated with pain. These results emphasize the importance of including performance measures when tracking recovery after TKA as opposed to solely relying on self-reported measures.
High Frequency Coherent Acoustic Communications for the Networked Autonomous Littoral Surveillance System

The Networked autonomous littoral surveillance (NetALS) system is a wireless distributed bottom mounted sensor network being developed at DRDC Atlantic. NetALS will consist of a chain of bottom mounted sensor clusters that rely on ultrasonic communications in both synchronous time division and asynchronous frequency division schemes to transfer detection statistics from relativley cheap sensor nodes to more capable cluster heads where data fusion and decision making take place. A channel estimation based decision directed (CE-DD) algorithm for phase coherent demodulation of sensor data packets has been developed. This multi-channel CE-DD receiver relies on a time recursive use of conjugate gradient iterations to support computationally reduced channel estimation and is coupled to a Levin-son recursion for composite channel adaptive equalization. The algorithm was tested on shallow water data with source depth and bandwidth contraints as well as receiver ranges and apertures being consistent with a bottom mounted sensor network. Computational reductions beyond that of Levin-son's O(M 2) for adaptive filter construction lead to a slight performance degradation. Error rates for communication at 2 and 4 bps/Hz are reported at ranges from 300 m to 800 m with receive phone signal to noise ratios between 8 and 22 dB. The effect of limited aperture on the acoustic communication link is demonstrated.
Applications of musculoskeletal sonography

To successfully examine the musculoskeletal system sonographically, one must understand the normal musculoskeletal anatomy and function and be aware of the abnormal processes that affect the musculoskeletal structures. The goal of this review article is to provide a systematic approach to sonographic examination of the musculoskeletal system. The general sonographic appearances of normal and abnormal muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae, and nerves are reviewed. The article then applies this general information to specific clinical applications by reviewing the normal anatomy of and specific pathologic conditions that affect the shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 27:293–318, 1999.
Pharmacotherapy of autonomic failure

The clinical picture of autonomic failure is characterized by severe and disabling orthostatic hypotension. These disorders can develop as a result of damage of central neural pathways or peripheral autonomic nerves, caused either by a primary autonomic neurodegenerative disorder or secondary to systemic illness. Treatment should be focused on decreasing pre-syncopal symptoms instead of achieving blood pressure goals. Non-pharmacologic strategies such as physical counter-maneuvers, dietary changes (i.e. high salt diet, rapid water drinking or compression garments) are the first line therapy. Affected patients should be screened for co-morbid conditions such as post-prandial hypotension and supine hypertension that can worsen orthostatic hypotension if not treated. If symptoms are not controlled with these conservative measures the next step is to start pharmacological agents; these interventions should be aimed at increasing intravascular volume either by promoting water and salt retention (fludrocortisone) or by increasing red blood cell mass when anemia is present (recombinant erythropoietin). When pressor agents are needed, direct pressor agents (midodrine) or agents that potentiate sympathetic activity (atomoxetine, yohimbine, pyridostigmine) can be used. It is preferable to use short-acting pressor agents that can be taken on as needed basis in preparation for upright activities.
A class of scalable optical interconnection networks through discrete broadcast-select multi-domain WDM

Passive star-coupled optical interconnects with wavelength-division multiplexing hold a strong potential for realizing flexible large-scale multicomputer networks. Virtual point-to-point regular connectivities can be defined and modified in a network with broadcast-select routing via distributed wavelength assignment to the nodes. The system size in this approach is bound by the number of separable wavelength channels. The paper proposes a network class that achieves scalability by grouping the nodes into clusters and employing a separate pair of broadcast and select couplers with each cluster. Interconnecting the clusters according to a regular topology results in a modular architecture with reconfigurable partitions and significantly reduced fiber link density. This approach efficiently combines wavelength-division with direct space interconnection, taking advantage of the properties of each. For the topologies of most significance to parallel computing, the paper studies conflict-free wavelength assignment that maximizes spatial reuse, identifies the valid network partitions, and evaluates the fiber link density and both space and wavelength channel throughput improvement. The results show that cube and shuffle networks take most advantage of the proposed approach in terms of maximizing wavelength reuse. >
Fault-tolerant distributed match-making with weights

Protocols to solve several distributed issues, such as name service, mutual exclusion, and creation of an atomic shared register, require two types of subsets with intersection property. Distributed match-making provides a method of creating the subsets, and the lower bound of the number of messages to solve the issues. This paper discusses the fault-tolerant and weighted case, in which a protocol is fault-tolerant regarding node failures, and in which weights of subsets are different. The paper first provides the lower bound of the number of messages required for a protocol in a general form. Then, it concentrates a symmetric case and shows the lower bound in a simpler form. The paper also provides a method of constructing the two types of subsets, which realize the lower bound. It first shows a method for a fully symmetric case, and extends it for other cases. The extended method is practical. It creates a cyclic communication structure, and is valid for any degree of fault-tolerance and weights.
An Evaluation of Parallel Job Scheduling for ASCI Blue-Pacific

In this paper we analyze the behavior of a gang-scheduling system that we are developing for the ASCI Blue-Pacific machines. Starting with a real workload obtained from job logs of one of the ASCI machines, we generate a statistical model of this workload using Hyper Erlang distributions. We then vary the parameters of those distributions to generate various workloads, representative of different operating points of the machine. Through simulation we obtain performance characteristics for three different scheduling strategies: (i) first-come first-serve, (ii) gang-scheduling, and (iii) backfilling. Our results show that both backfilling and gang-scheduling with moderate multiprogramming levels are much more effective than simple first-come first-serve scheduling. In addition, we show that gang-scheduling can display better performance characteristics than backfilling, particularly for large production jobs.
Ankle and hindfoot fusions: comparison of outcomes in patients with and without diabetes

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are believed to have higher complication rates when undergoing ankle and hindfoot fusions, but data is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative outcomes of major foot and ankle arthrodeses in patients with and without DM. Another goal was to evaluate what effect glycemic control had on the outcomes of patients with diabetes. Methods: A retrospective review of charts from operative years 2005 to 2010 was performed. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients requiring major hindfoot and/or ankle fusion. Exclusion criteria included any patient who did not have at least 6-month followup. Seventy four patients with DM were matched with 74 non-DM patients based on age, gender, and length of surgery. Significance was set at p < 0.05 with associated 95% confidence intervals. Results: The overall complication rate was found to be significantly higher in patients with DM, a history of tobacco use, and peripheral neuropathy. The postoperative i...
Robust adaptive Kalman filters for linear time-varying systems with stochastic parametric uncertainties

We present an adaptive robust Kalman filtering algorithm that addresses estimation problems that arise in linear time-varying systems with stochastic parametric uncertainties. The filter has the one-step predictor-corrector structure and minimizes the mean square estimation error at each step, with the minimization reduced to a convex optimization problem based on linear matrix inequalities. The algorithm is shown to converge when the system is mean square stable and the state-space matrices are time-invariant. A numerical example, consisting of equalizer design for a communication channel, demonstrates that our algorithm offers considerable improvement in performance when compared to standard Kalman filtering techniques.
Comparison of the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Davies score as a predictor of outcomes in PD patients.

BackgroundComorbidity is a strong predictor and confounds many studies of outcomes. Previous studies have shown that the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Davies score predict mortality in p...
Genome-Wide Oligonucleotide Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization for Etiological Diagnosis of Mental Retardation: A Multicenter Experience of 1499 Clinical Cases

To assess the clinical utility of genome-wide oligonucleotide arrays in diagnosis of mental retardation and to address issues relating to interpretation of copy number changes (CNCs), we collected results on a total of 1499 proband patients from five academic diagnostic laboratories where the same 44K array platform has been used. Three of the five laboratories achieved a diagnostic yield of 14% and the other two had a yield of 11 and 7%, respectively. Approximately 80% of the abnormal cases had a single segment deletion or duplication, whereas the remaining 20% had a compound genomic imbalance involving two or more DNA segments. Deletion of 16p11.2 is a common microdeletion syndrome associated with mental retardation. We classified pathogenic CNCs into six groups according to the structural changes. Our data have demonstrated that the 44K platform provides a reasonable resolution for clinical use and a size of 300 kb can be used as a practical cutoff for further investigations of the clinical relevance of a CNC detected with this platform. We have discussed in depth the issues associated with the clinical use of array CGH and provided guidance for interpretation, reporting, and counseling of test results based on our experience.
An automatic electronic contract document signing system in a secure environment

Superimposing electronic signing data on a signed electronic contract usually involves a large number of complex manual steps. These manual steps are tedious and may cause security faults. In this paper, we present an automatic electronic contract document signing system in a secure environment. The system comprises a document and signature profile module, a signing text template module and a signing information superimposed module. The document and signature profile module parses the contract document and signature information. Based on this information, the signing text template module creates a signing text template with empty text fields. The signing information superimposed module carry out a novel electronic document signing method. This novel method consists of four processing steps: inserting signing text data into empty text fields, converting the text template into an image template, adding signing image data onto the image template, and superimposing the signing image template on the contract document to produce a signed electronic contract document. This automation system has found to improve substantially the efficiency, and at the same time eliminate the potential for human errors and security breaches in signing electronic contract documents.
Improvement in forward coronary blood flow by using a reversed saphenous vein with a competent valve.

Abstract Reversed segments of saphenous vein have been the grafts of choice for aortocoronary bypass (ACB). Internal mammary arteries and free radial autografts have recently been shown to have a higher patency rate, but flow is usually lower. Normally forward coronary blood flow ceases and retrograde flow occurs during cardiac systole. Prevention of retrograde flow with a rapidly acting valve proximal to the coronary artery anastomosis should improve forward coronary blood flow. Thirty-nine reversed saphenous veins containing a competent valve were implanted in 32 patients undergoing ACB. After accurate zero flow was determined and a resting state achieved, mean (22 veins) and pulsatile (17 veins) flows were measured distal to the valve with the valve competent and temporarily incompetent. A competent valve in 10 right coronary artery vein grafts increased mean flow by 29.7% (+41 ml/min; p p p p This study suggests that a portion of reversed saphenous vein containing a competent valve provides greater coronary artery blood flow than veins without valves and may be the conduit of choice for coronary artery revascularization.
Donor-recipient gender mismatch in lung transplantation: impact on obliterative bronchiolitis and survival.

Abstract Background Because of the shortage of donor lungs, liberalization of donor selection criteria in terms of age, gas exchange, and smoking history has been proposed. Methods We evaluated a single-institution population of lung transplant recipients ( n = 98) for donor—recipient gender matching. We measured overall survival, time to acute allograft rejection, and time to development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB). Results We found significant improvement in overall survival for gender-mismatched donor and recipient pairs ( p = 0.078) and a significantly shorter OB-free period for male donor and female recipient pairs ( p = 0.017). Conclusion These findings suggest that donor organ allocation based on gender may affect long-term survival and other outcomes after lung transplantation.
Simulated Closing of the NMDA Ligand-Binding Domain

Glutamate receptors are one of the most prevalent neuroreceptors in the central nervous system, and glutamate is the main neurotransmitter found in the body. Structurally, glutamate receptors are huge, complex, tetrameric, multi-domain proteins that possess several possible drug-binding sites throughout the different domains.Glutamate receptors can be over stimulated by excess glutamate or excitotoxins, causing neurodegeneration and neuronal damage through excitotoxicity. Due to their role in excitotoxicity, glutamate receptors are thought to be involved in many neurogenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and forms of Parkinson's.The mechanism of activation of glutamate receptors occurs when a glutamate molecule binds to the binding site, located in the center of a ‘clamshell′-like ligand binding domain (LBD). Upon binding, the bottom half of the clamshell closes over the ligand. This closing movement in turn causes the top half of the transmembrane domain to also move outwards, thus opening the channel of the receptor. Once the channel is open, cations are able to flow across the membrane, thus potentiating nerve transmission.One of the major subtypes of glutamate receptors are the AMPA receptors, named for the additional agonists (α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate) that bind to them with high specificity.Using multiple molecular dynamics (MD) sampling techniques we have resolved the detailed closing mechanism of an AMPA receptor clamshell LBD after ligand binding has occurred. A combination of both multiple brute force and nudged elastic band MD methods allowed for the energetic refinement of a pathway observed in unbiased simulations.The closing movement is revealed to be highly asymmetric and possibly stepwise in nature. This closing motion may reveal how the AMPA receptor channel gates upon ligand activation of the receptor, and indicates that there could be intermediate ‘activated’ states.
Use of an agent-based model to understand clinical systems

Health care improvement efforts often focus on changing the behavior of individuals while the interdependencies among individuals are overlooked. The application of complex adaptive systems approach to studying healthcare delivery changes the focus of improvement efforts from the individual to the relationships and interdependencies among individuals in the system. Sensemaking and improvising are social activities that take place in the context of relationships between individuals. We explore the impact of sensemaking and improvising on patient outcomes in healthcare settings. We conducted an in-depth observational study of relationships in inpatient general medicine teams. Data collection focused on examining associations between team relationship behaviors of sensemaking and improvising and patient outcomes. Data analysis revealed that these activities were positively associated with patient outcomes. Based on these observational data and findings, we developed an agent-based model to further explore and clarify the relationships between sensemaking and improvising on physician teams and patient outcomes. Specifically, we used the agent-based model to simulate the impact of variation in physicians' sensemaking and improvisation abilities on patient length of stay, the likelihood of a patient worsening or developing complications, the need for transfer to a higher level of care, and mortality. Our in-depth study indicates that systematic differences in patient outcomes are associated with differences in the capacity of physician teams to effectively make sense and improvise in the dynamic conditions inherent in healthcare systems. The results of our simulation demonstrate that an agent-based modeling approach is feasible and useful for exploring the impact of physician team behaviors on patient outcomes. This finding suggests the need for new tools and approaches to improve sensemaking and improvisation in physician care teams as strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Visual Loss with West Nile Virus Infection: A Wider Spectrum of a “New” Disease

We describe a case of severe visual loss as a result of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Associated headache and fever led to the proper diagnosis and management, but the findings of optic neuritis, retinitis, and uveitis were a surprising and prominent component of the patient’s meningitis syndrome. Physicians diagnosing and treating patients with WNV infection should be alerted to the possibility of ocular and optic nerve involvement, which may leave permanent neuropathic residua. West Nile virus (WNV) has spread quickly throughout the United States since its arrival in New York City in 1999. [1, 2] The virus, which is maintained in an enzootic cycle of mosquitoes and birds, has now affected humans in 42 states [3]. Recent reports suggest that the syndrome can include permanent visual loss and eye pain from retinitis, optic neuritis, and uveitis [4–10]. This report concerns a patient who presented with visual clouding and ocular pain early in the course of WNV meningoencephalitis. Ten days after a weekend of camping in central Ohio, a 55year-old woman with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus presented to her doctor with a fever (temperature, 39.4� C). She complained of severe headache, right eye pain and visual field loss, nausea, chills, night sweats, and intermittent poor balance. She was referred to the emergency department. A head CT was performed, the findings of which were unremarkable, and evaluation of a CSF specimen revealed a WBC count of 265 cells/mL (57% segmented neutrophils, 34% lymphocytes, and 9% unspecified), a glucose level of 106 mg/dL
Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in a patient with psoriatic arthritis

A patient with psoriatic arthritis developed a peripheral neuropathy while taking hydroxychloroquine and naproxen. Although it was initially suspected that hydroxychloroquine was responsible for the neuropathy, subsequent rechallenge with naproxen demonstrated that clinical and electrophysiologic findings were related to routine pharmacologic doses of naproxen.
Manifold learning algorithms for localization in wireless sensor networks

If a dense network of static wireless sensors is deployed to measure a time-varying isotropic random field, then sensor data itself, rather than range measurements using specialized hardware, can be used to estimate a map of sensor locations. Furthermore, distributed and scalable sensor localization algorithms can be derived. We apply the manifold learning algorithms, Isomap, locally linear embedding (LLE), and Hessian LLE (HLLE). The HLLE-based estimator demonstrates the best bias and variance performance, but may not be robust for all random sensor deployments.