cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Left Ventricular Structure and Function following Renal Artery Revascularization

Background Renovascular disease is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, both of which are associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events. However, the effects of renal artery revascularization on cardiac morphology and function are poorly understood and largely based upon retrospective studies. In order to characterize changes in ventricular function and morphology following renal artery revascularization, we identified a cohort of patients with baseline preoperative echocardiograms and studied them with repeat echocardiography at 6–12 months postrevascularization. Methods Adult patients undergoing preoperative echocardiography and renal revascularization after March 2006 were identified from an operative registry and recruited to return for repeat echocardiography, blood pressure measurement, and collection of interval clinical and medication history 6–12 months following renal revascularization. Repeat echocardiograms were performed and interpreted according to American Society of Echocardiography recommendations for clinical trials of heart failure and other published guidelines. Systolic function was assessed as ejection fraction (EF), calculated using the modified Simpson's method. Diastolic function was categorized as normal, mild dysfunction, moderate dysfunction, or severe dysfunction based on published guidelines. Significance of longitudinal changes in continuous echocardiogram measures was assessed using paired t-tests, while longitudinal changes in categorical measures were assessed using McNemar's test. Results Twenty patients were recruited for postoperative echocardiography at a mean of 7.7 months following renal artery revascularization. Baseline systolic function was relatively preserved; mean EF was 61.3 ± 8.5%, and only 2/20 patients (10%) had an EF Conclusion Interval decreases in left ventricular mass were observed following renal artery revascularization, while diastolic function was largely unchanged. Regression of LVH has been associated with reduced mortality and cardiovascular morbidity, and further investigation is required to understand the long-term effects of renal revascularization on survival and ventricular function. Assessment of cardiac function in the setting of symptomatic renal artery stenosis should include evaluation for diastolic dysfunction, which may represent the predominant form of target organ damage in patients with this diagnosis.
Bulge testing of single- and dual-layer thin films

The bulge testing technique determines the mechanical properties of solid thin films by measuring the deformation that forms in response to the application of a controlled differential pressure to a thin film window. By comparing the pressure-displacement relation with a mechanical model, the elastic modulus and residual stress in the film can be measured. While the bulge testing technique can be quite effective, the technique is not routinely used because of difficulties that often arise with using this technique. The difficulties include specimen preparation and mounting, automated bulge height measurement and the correlation of bulge deformation with the mechanical properties of the thin film. This paper describes developments in the bulge testing technique that alleviate many of these difficulties, as well as presenting results from the testing of single and dual layer thin films. Single film tests were conducted on samples of B-doped-Si, SiC, and diamond-like carbon. A total of 135 windows with three different window aspect ratios and two different thicknesses were investigated. In a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of extending the technique to the testing of multilayer films, the mechanics of a dual layer system were measured. The dual layer system was an Al layer on top of B-doped-Si. The results from the single film test were that the elastic moduli of the B-doped-Si were close to nominal bulk values and the diamond-like carbon was about half that of diamond. The SiC elastic moduli measurements were inconclusive because of the large prestress. Elastic moduli measurements from nanoindentation were about 50% higher. It should be noted that neither the variation of the aspect ratio nor the variation of the film thickness led to different results. The measured prestresses agreed quite well with wafer curvature measurement. The dual-layer measurements yielded values for the elastic modulus of thin film Al that were within 5% of the nominal bulk values.
Duodenal Stricture in a Foal

History A 3-month-old Thoroughbred filly was evaluated for colic, bruxism, ptyalism, hypersalivation, and depression. The filly had a history of hospitalization for enteritis. The initial visit to the hospital was 3 weeks earlier, and the clinical signs resolved with medical management, including fluids and muzzling. The most recent hospitalization was 5 days before this visit, and treatment was instituted as for the initial visit. The filly had been dewormed every 30 days and had not yet received her first set of vaccinations.
A Novel Approach to Designing Highly Efficient and Commercially Viable Biofuel Cells

A biofuel cell is an electrochemical device in which the energy stored in a fuel, such as ethanol, is converted to electrical energy by the means of the catalytic activity of enzymes. Biofuel cells have traditionally suffered from low power densities and short lifetimes due to the fragility of the enzyme catalyst. Utilizing a novel quaternary ammonium salt treated Nafion membrane for enzyme immobilization in a biofuel cell results in increases in power densities and enzyme lifetimes to commercially viable levels. Additionally, this method provides sufficient protection to develop a membrane electrode assembly style (MEA) biofuel cell, an important step for commercialization. Previously, it has not been possible to create a MEA-style biofuel cell due to the denaturing of the enzyme that would occur at the high temperatures experienced during the heat pressing step of fabrication. Quaternary ammonium salt treated Nafion membranes provide sufficient protection for the enzyme to retain activity after exposure to temperatures of 140°C. Thus, a MEA-style biofuel cell can be created. Preliminary results yield biofuel cell MEAs with power densities ranging from 0.15 to 1.49 mW/cm2 and open circuit potentials of 0.360 to 0.599 V.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Molecular phylogeny of siboglinid annelids (a.k.a. pogonophorans) : a review

Siboglinid, or pogonophoran, annelids are tubicolous worms that rely on chemoautotrophic endosymbionts for nutrition. Three clades within the siboglinids are recognized: Frenulata, Vestimentifera, and Monilifera. As a group, these worms have received considerable attention from molecular phylogenetists. Most studies have focused either on the evolutionary origins of the group or on the relationships within vestimentiferans, which live at hydrocarbon seeps and hydrothermal vents. Here I review the literature to date on siboglinid molecular phylogeny and summarize the clade’s evolution. The vestimentiferans have been well studied, especially in the eastern Pacific. The seep taxon Lamellibrachia is basal in the clade with vent species being more derived. Recent studies of seeps are finding new species and suggest that habitat depth can be correlated with species boundaries. In contrast to the vestimentiferans, frenulate evolution has been poorly studied. Despite their greater apparent diversity, frenulate specimens have not been sampled so extensively, and thus little is known about their evolution. Sclerolinum, also referred to as Monilifera, is a recognized genus of siboglinids that forms the sister group to Vestimentifera. Like the frenulates, little is known about the history of this group. Our present understanding of siboglinid phylogeny has, in large part, been dictated by insufficient sampling effort.
Rapid kinetics of lysis in human natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity: Some implications

Abstract The entire lytic process of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity against sensitive target cells can occur rapidly, within minutes. This was demonstrated by 51 chromium release and in single-cell assays. At the cellular level, most of the target cell lysis occurred within 15–30 min after binding to effector cells. The enriched natural killer cell subpopulation of lymphocytes obtained by Percoll density gradient centrifugation (containing >70% large granular lymphocytes (LGL)) was the most rapidly lytic population by 51 chromium release. However, in the single-cell assay, the rate of lysis of bound target cells was quite similar for the LGL-enriched effector subpopulation and the higher density subpopulation of effector cells recognized previously. Both the light and dense effector cells contained similar numbers of target binding cells. Therefore, that the light subpopulation effected lysis more rapidly and to a greater extent than the dense subpopulation suggested that the low-density effector cells probably recycled more rapidly than those of higher density. This was corroborated by the finding that when conjugates were formed at 29 °C for the single-cell assay, a significant number of dead unconjugated targets could be observed only on the slides made with the LGL-enriched effector cells but not on those made with dense effector cell. Lysis continued to increase in the chromium-release assay probably because of recycling, recruitment, and/or heterogeneity of the effector cells, and/or because of heterogeneity or delayed death of the target cells.
The argon release mechanisms of hornblende in vacuo

Abstract Widespread use of 40 Ar 39 Ar incremental heating of hornblende as a geochronometer has prompted a detailed investigation of the mechanisms of Ar release from this mineral in vacuo in order to accurately interpret the isotopic data. A combination of high-temperature, in situ, in vacuo X-ray diffraction, and 40 Ar 39 Ar isothermal and step-heating runs was conducted on three hornblende samples with distinct compositions. A comparison of Ar retentivity in hornblende with chemical composition suggests that Mg-rich samples will lose Ar in vacuo at higher temperatures than Fe-rich samples; this may indirectly be a result of the smaller ionic radius of Mg2+ in comparison to Fe2+, as well as internal stress caused by Fe2+ oxidation. The oxidation of Fe2+ as a result of dehydrogenation appears to play an important role in controlling the release of Ar from the crystal structure by retarding structural decomposition of the mineral, and may also explain the one- vs. two-pulse nature characterizing the release of Ar from various hornblendes. Isothermal 40 Ar 39 Ar runs at different temperatures indicate that: (a) at temperatures at or above the structural decomposition of the hornblendes, Ar is not released via a volume diffusion- or reaction-controlled mechanism; and (b) D/a2-values from the low-temperature isothermal runs decrease exponentially with time, yielding estimated diffusivities that do not differ greatly from those obtained from hydrothermal experiments. This decrease in diffusivity with time also cannot be explained by either volume-diffusion or chemical-reaction processes, but might be explained by the presence of a diffusion mechanism much faster than volume diffusion, termed short-circuit (SC) diffusion. Very rough estimates of SC diffusion parameters for Ar yield a pre-exponential coefficient D0 ≈ 5.55·10−3 cm2 s−1 and activation energy E ≈ 45.0 kcal mol−1. More importantly, these results demonstrate that, in general, the incremental heating of hornblende in 40 Ar 39 Ar experiments will not necessarily reflect the true Ar distribution within the sample, because structural change and decomposition initiated by Fe oxidation and dehydroxylation will tend to homogenize any spatial gradients that originally exist in the mineral. For thermochronological studies, this means that plateau dates inferred from 40 Ar 39 Ar hornblende age spectra may not accurately reflect the time at which the mineral passed through its Ar closure temperature.
Brave black worlds: black superheroes as science fiction ciphers

Without a doubt, superheroes have played a significant role in presenting idealised projections of ourselves as physically powerful, amazing and fantastic versions of ourselves. Superhero comics also invite readers to imagine a world where advanced science, UFOs, aliens, space exploration, time travel and high-tech gadgets are common occurrences. Accordingly, the genre draws significantly from the science fiction (SF) idiom, making what is drawn and written across a multitude of superhero comics extremely significant as an expression of SF and American culture. Often overlooked, however, in the intersection between superheroes and SF is the place black racial representation occupies in the genre. This article examines how black superheroes, ensconced in a SF motif, function not only as counter-hegemonic symbolic expressions of black racial pride and racial progress but possibly even as transformational Afrofuturistic metaphors for imagining race and black racial identity in new and provocative ways.
SELF‐CONTROL FAILURE IN CATHOLICISM, ISLAM, AND COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

. Our human condition is often defined in terms of human fallibility; we are human specifically because we fail to live up to our own expectations. This paper explores various conceptions of one form of human fallibility: self-control failure. Self-control failure is examined through two conceptualizations, with each conceptualization observed through a corresponding theological and psychological lens: first, as the result of a divided, conflicted humanity, as understood by the Catholic Doctrine of Original Sin and psychological Dual-Process Theories of Cognition; and second, as the result of limited goal perception, as understood by Islamic conceptions of human memory and psychological Construal Level Theory. A concluding discussion considers two broader implications of the preceding analysis: first, that an appropriate understanding of human fallibility can help us to mitigate its effects, and second, that a conversation regarding overlapping concepts across academic disciplines and religious traditions can enrich understanding of said concepts.
Suburbanization and the "Malling of America" A Time-Series Approach

The suburbanization of jobs and people in America has been well-documented and studied by those with an interest in urban affairs. In this article, the locational interrelationships between various activities over time are investigated using temporal data for several urban areas. The results confirm earlier studies which suggest that "jobs follow people," not vice versa, and also indicate that large retail firms have been a driving force in the suburbanization process. This latter conclusion has important policy implications in urban areas where the development of suburban malls has been challenged by central city interests.
Nucleotide sugar transporters of the Golgi apparatus

Glycosylation, sulfation and phosphorylation of proteins, proteoglycans and lipids occur in the lumen of the Golgi apparatus. The nucleotide substrates of these reactions must be first transported from the cytosol into the Golgi lumen by specific transporters. The topology and structure of these hydrophobic, multi-transmembrane-spanning proteins are beginning to be understood.
Life-Span Developmental Psychology: Midlife and Later Years in Western and Non-Western Societies

This chapter discusses the basis on which studies have been done on the later years of life in Western and non-Western cultures. It suggests that because Westerners value independence, most research on aging in Western societies has focused on how to help the individual maintain his or her functional independence throughout the life-span. NonWesterners, on the other hand, value interdependence. Therefore, most research on aging has focused on the availability of social support in later life. But with Westernization influences in non-Western societies, there should be a shift in research efforts in order to accommodate a new understanding of aging and human development that includes the promotion of functional independence in later life. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This article is available in Online Readings in Psychology and Culture: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol6/iss2/2
Density estimation based on line transect samples

Abstract This article considers a new method of line transect density estimation wherein sampling is terminated as soon as either a fixed length L 0 of the transect is transersed or a fixed number N 0 ofjects are sighted. The case N 0 →∞ corresponds to the method currently in use.
Representations of the Nordic Seas overflows and their large scale climate impact in coupled models

Abstract The sensitivity of large scale ocean circulation and climate to overflow representation is studied using coupled climate models, motivated by the differences between two models differing only in their ocean components: CM2G (which uses an isopycnal–coordinate ocean model) and CM2M (which uses a z-coordinate ocean model). Analysis of the control simulations of the two models shows that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the North Atlantic climate have some differences, which may be related to the representation of overflow processes. Firstly, in CM2G, as in the real world, overflows have two branches flowing out of the Nordic Seas, to the east and west of Iceland, respectively, while only the western branch is present in CM2M. This difference in overflow location results in different horizontal circulation in the North Atlantic. Secondly, the diapycnal mixing in the overflow downstream region is much larger in CM2M than in CM2G, which affects the entrainment and product water properties. Two sensitivity experiments are conducted in CM2G to isolate the effect of these two model differences: in the first experiment, the outlet of the eastern branch of the overflow is blocked, and the North Atlantic horizontal circulation is modified due to the absence of the eastern branch of the overflow, although the AMOC has little change; in the second experiment, the diapycnal mixing downstream of the overflow is enhanced, resulting in changes in the structure and magnitude of the AMOC.
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans and Its Differential Diagnosis

Background: Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a subcategory of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus limited to the male genitalia and is associated with destructive inflammation, phimosis, urethral stenosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The medical literature was searched from 1983-1998 using key words balanitis, lichen, and sclerosis using the MEDLINE system. Results and Conclusions: Balanitis xerotica obliterans can be distinguished from other genital dermatoses with similar characteristics through patient history, clinical findings, and laboratory evaluation.. Tzanck smear and cutaneous biopsy, along with a rapid protein reagin test, will provide a definitive diagnosis. Treatment with high-dose topical corticosteroids relieves symptoms, and therapy focuses on prevention of disease progression
Preparing early childhood educators and paraprofessionals to work with mainstreamed handicapped children

With the full implementation of public law 94‐142 and a corollary mandate to integrate children with handicaps into the educational mainstream, new demands continue to be made on early childhood educators. The purpose of the present article is to aid school system personnel, service agencies and program trainers to meet the mandate by describing a successful training model for early childhood educators and paraprofessionals that are unprepared to work with mainstreamed handicapped children. The present article is organized into nine parts. The first five sections describe the program, its goals and objectives, training modules used, training activities, and on‐site visitation to program participants. Sections six and seven describe the evaluation of program participants and evaluation of the training by program participants. The final two sections include a discussion and some recommendations for future training efforts in regard to early childhood educators and paraprofessionals.
Investigation of spin-orbit effects in the excitation of noble gases by spin-polarized electrons

We have measured the integrated Stokes parameters of the light emitted following the impact excitation by polarized electrons of the ${\mathit{np}}^{5}$ (n+1)p[5/2${]}_{3}$ states in Ne (n=2), Ar (n=3), Kr (n=4), Xe (n=5), and the ${\mathit{np}}^{5}$ (n+1)p[5/2${]}_{2}$ state in Kr. The near-threshold linear-polarization fractions ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{1}$ were consistent with zero for all of the J=3 states measured, providing no evidence of Mott scattering. For J=2 excitation, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{1}$ shows the clear influence of the intermediately coupled nature of the state. At threshold, the measured circular polarization ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{2}$ and linear polarization ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\eta}}}_{3}$ for the J=3 states agree well with the LS-coupled threshold predictions. These results provide the basis for optical measurements of electron polarization.
Giant hyperfine field at the antimony site in the Heusler-alloy Pd2MnSb

Abstract The magnetic hyperfine field at 121 Sb in Pd 2 MnSb has the anomalously large value (at 100 K) of ±579 ±5 kG. In the closely related compound PdMnSb we find ±302 ±5 kG, similar to other ferromagnetic intermetallics containing Mn and Sb.
TeV GAMMA RAYS: OBSERVATIONS VERSUS EXPECTATIONS & THEORY

The scope of this paper is to discuss two important questions relevant for TeV γ-ray astronomy; the pursuit to reveal the origin of cosmic rays in our galaxy, and the opacity of the universe in γ-rays. The origin of cosmic rays stipulated the field of TeV astronomy in the first place, and led to the development of the atmospheric Cherenkov technique; significant progress has been made in the last decade through the detection of several supernova remnants, the primary suspects for harboring the acceleration sites of cosmic rays. TeV γ-rays propagate mostly unhindered through the galactic plane, making them excellent probes of processes in SNRs and other galactic sources. Key results related to the SNR origin of cosmic rays are discussed. TeV γ-ray spectra from extragalactic sources experience significant absorption when traversing cosmological distances. The opacity of the universe to γ-rays above 10 GeV progressively increases with energy and redshift; the reason lies in their pair production with ambient soft photons from the extragalactic background light (EBL). While this limits the γ-ray horizon, it offers the opportunity to gain information about cosmology, i.e. the EBL intensity, physical conditions in intergalactic space, and potentially new interaction processes. Results and implications pertaining to the EBL are given.
“To Forgive is to be Sane and Realistic”: Contributions of REBT to the Psychology of Forgiving

Over the last 20 years, literature on the psychology of forgiving has burgeoned. Despite this, forgiveness literature from the rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) perspective has been rare. This is unfortunate, given the elegance of the REBT model and that Ellis touched favorably upon forgiving as far back as 1961. The REBT model is dialogued with the works of Enright and Fitzgibbons (Helping clients forgive. American Psychological Association, Washington, 2000; Forgiveness therapy. American Psychological Association, Washington, 2015) with reference to others. Among recommendations are: (1) using and researching REBT regarding forgiveness; (2) focusing on unforgiveness-reduction when clients cannot contemplate forgiving; (3) recognizing an “Acceptance continuum” of healthy responses from “non-forgiving” to “forgiving”; (4) considering use of REBT with combined unforgiveness and trauma, as well as exploring parallels between the two phenomena; (5) giving primacy to “Unconditional Self Acceptance (followed by Unconditional Life and Other Acceptance); and (6) complementing forgiveness outcomes studies with phenomenological research. The author concurs with Ellis and Harper (A guide to rational living. Wilshire Book Co., Hollywood, 1973/1961) that: “To err is human; to forgive is to be sane and realistic” (p. 111).
Impact of strong localization of the incident power density on the nano-amplifier characteristics of active coated nano-particles

Abstract Resonant, active coated nano-particles (CNPs) have been advocated as effective nano-amplifiers and nano-lasers. When it is properly designed to be in its super-resonant state, an electrically small active CNP captures significantly more of the incident field energy than its physical size suggests is possible. The corresponding enhancement of its extinction cross section is correlated with the concentration of the local field energy into its gain region. This energy localization can be visualized with the behavior of the flow lines of the Poynting vector field in the neighborhood of the CNP. Strong expulsion of the optical power generated from the interaction of the captured incident field energy with the gain medium creates an intense scattered field. As the interactions between the scattered field and the exciting plane wave increase, optical vortices form in the neighborhood of the active CNP. Gain depletion eventually occurs when the increase in the effective gain sufficiently detunes the resonance. A simple model for the gain enhancement effects observed in active CNPs is proposed that relates the enhanced effective size of the CNP caused by the field localization to the required gain necessary to achieve its super-resonant state. A comparison of the metal-covered, gain core, active CNP studied previously to the experimentally realized gain-impregnated silica-covered metal “SPASER” suggests that the active CNP design would require significantly less gain while offering a much larger enhancement of the incident field. Proposed modifications of both geometries that augment the field localization suggest further reductions in the gain values needed to achieve significant amplification of the output signal.
Resonance Raman Studies of Copper Pheophytinate

Abstract In recent years there has been considerable interest in the spectroscopic properties of chlorophyll molecules. Among the techniques employed is resonance Raman spectroscopy which can provide vibrational spectra with high selectivity, from chlorophyll a present in intact chloroplasts or cells.1 However, detecting resonance Raman scattering from chlorophyll a is hindered when excitation in the red region is used, owing to the strong fluorescence of the molecule near 670 nm. Copper pheophytinate, on the other hand, is largely non-fluorescent and thus lends itself to resonance Raman study in the red region. (The mechanism for fluorescence quenching in copper pheophytinate is believed to involve charge transfer from the porpnyrin ring to the Cu2+ ion upon excitation, although direct experimental evidence is still lacking.) we felt that it would be of interest to carry out a resonance Raman study to copper pheophytinate in the red region and compare the results with what is already known about the reso...
Analysis of loss to prevent oscillations in the slow wave cyclotron amplifier

An analysis of loss applied to the dielectric loaded waveguide slow wave cyclotron amplifier for the purpose of suppressing oscillations due to reflections from input/output couplers is presented. Both graphite type and ferrite type losses are considered. The appropritate waveguide dispersion relation is derived in the absence of an electron beam for each case and solved for the TEol and TE02, modes. An example attenuator design is also given.
Self-punitive behavior: Fear of different alley segments

Abstract According to the Mowrer-Brown hypothesis (Brown, 1969 , Punishment and Aversive Behavior ), conditioned fear is critical to the maintenance of self-punitive behavior. This study investigated the effects of midsegment shock on fear of different alley segments. Sixty male rats were given shock-escape training followed by 15 trials of regular or punished extinction. Animals were then blocked in one of the alley segments and allowed to escape by jumping over a hurdle into a safebox. Hurdle-jump performance indexed the level of fear of each segment. Fear of preshock segment cues was greater than fear of shock segment and postshock segment cues, and fear of first segment cues was greater for punishedextinction subjects than for regular-extinction subjects. The results support a conditioned-fear interpretation of self-punitive behavior.
Reduced Neuritic Outgrowth and Cell Adhesion in Neuronal Cells Transfected with Human α-Synuclein

Abstract Since recent reports have suggested that α-synuclein might play a role in neuronal plasticity, the main objective of this study was to determine the effects of α-synuclein on neuritic outgrowth. We stably transfected either human (h) α- or β-synuclein cDNA in B103 rat neuronal cells. Expression of hα-synuclein resulted in reduced neurite extension and weak adhesion compared to vector-transfected and hβ-synuclein expressing cells. To investigate the potential pathways involved, we studied the effects of reagents known to modulate B103 proliferation and differentiation. Neither phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate nor forskolin or antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, or vitamin E) were able to restore the reduced length of neurites in hα-synuclein-expressing cells. These results suggest that reduced neuritic activity in the hα-synuclein-expressing cells might be due, in part, to alterations in cell adhesion capacity. This might be attributed to α-synuclein affecting a signal transduction pathway distinct from protein kinase C and protein kinase A.
New Technique For Declotting Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) by Recovery Room Nurse

In the last two years 307 patients were treated for occluded CVCs in the recovery room of Special Procedures. Of the 307 patients, there were 191 patients with a single lumen catheter (62%), 24 patients with a double lumen catheter (8%), 10 patients with a triple lumen catheter (3%), 66 patients with a single chest port (21%), 5 patients with a double chest port (2%), and 1 patient with a dialysis chest port access system (0.3%). All patients received 2 mg/2 ml dose of rt-PA except the patient with the dialysis port system, who was treated with 3 mg/3 ml of rt-PA. The in catheter dwelling times of the rt-PA were 30 minutes (289 of 307; 94%) and 60 minutes (18 of 307; 4%). A unique technique utilizing the proper placement of the needle, 3-way stopcocks, and creation of negative pressure is described. Out of the 307 patients, 300 (97.7%) had restored patency with free flow of blood of their CVCs.
Giving your knowledge half a chance

One thousand fair causally isolated coins will be independently flipped tomorrow morning and you know this fact. I argue that the probability, conditional on your knowledge, that any coin will land tails is almost 1 if that coin in fact lands tails, and almost 0 if it in fact lands heads. I also show that the coin flips are not probabilistically independent given your knowledge. These results are uncomfortable for those, like Timothy Williamson, who take these probabilities to play a central role in their theorizing.
Self-optimizing Peer-to-Peer Networks with Selfish Processes

Request patterns in peer-to-peer networks are not uniform, and the cost of communication depends on the traffic flows among peers. This paper illustrates how processes in an overlay network can use the information about traffic flow pattern and spontaneously adjust the topology to minimize their communication costs. Four different self-optimization protocols are presented. The selfish protocols allow peers to modify their routing tables to suit their individual needs, and are easy to implement, but the improvements are limited. Compared to this, the altruistic protocols that allow peers to adjust the routing tables based on the needs of other processes, promise a better performance. Since selfish peers may not comply, a penalty mechanism is proposed to discourage selfishness.
Argument for the Need for a Cognitive Theory of Media Literacy

The thesis of this article is that the individual should be regarded as the locus of media literacy—not schools, parents, or the media industries. Furthermore, the article argues that it is not sufficient to educate individuals about the nature of the media and the potential harm of various messages. There is an issue more fundamental than education and that is the building of greater understanding about how the human mind works. Therefore, we need a cognitive theory that will focus on the special characteristics of media exposure and will explain how people filter messages and construct meaning from those messages.
Model selection and multiple research goals: The case of rational addiction

A comparison of rational addiction and time inconsistency models of addiction highlights the complexities of model selection when researchers have goals in addition to empirical fit. Although currently the two models of addiction are underdetermined by data, each offers a different understanding of addiction; moreover, the two models offer starkly different policy implications. When the goals of understanding and policy usefulness are added to the goal of empirical fit, a more complex account of model selection is needed. First, the principle of parsimony loses some of its force when researchers also value understanding and policy usefulness. Second, when economists value understanding as well as pure prediction, a broader justification of the realism of assumptions becomes possible. Third, because radically different policy advice flows from these empirically equivalent models, this literature underscores the difficulty of separating the seemingly positive analysis of consumer behavior from normative ana...
Hybrid Dynamical Models of Human Motion for the Recognition of Human Gaits

We propose a hybrid dynamical model of human motion and develop a classification algorithm for the purpose of analysis and recognition. We assume that some temporal statistics are extracted from the images, and use them to infer a dynamical model that explicitly represents ground contact events. Such events correspond to "switches" between symmetric sets of hidden parameters in an auto-regressive model. We propose novel algorithms to estimate switches and model parameters, and develop a distance between such models that explicitly factors out exogenous inputs that are not unique to an individual or his/her gait. We show that such a distance is more discriminative than the distance between simple linear systems for the task of gait recognition.
Ongoing physiological processes in the cerebral cortex.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has revealed that the human brain undergoes prominent, regional hemodynamic fluctuations when a subject is at rest. These ongoing fluctuations exhibit distinct patterns of spatiotemporal synchronization that have been dubbed “resting state functional connectivity”, and which currently serve as a principal tool to investigate neural networks in the normal and pathological human brain. Despite the wide application of this approach in human neuroscience, the neural mechanisms that give rise to spontaneous fMRI correlations are largely unknown. Here we review results of recent electrophysiological studies in the cerebral cortex of humans and nonhuman primates that link neural activity to ongoing fMRI fluctuations. We begin by describing results obtained with simultaneous fMRI and electrophysiological measurements that allow for the identification of direct neural correlates of resting state functional connectivity. We next highlight experiments that investigate the correlational structure of spontaneous neural signals, including the spatial variation of signal coherence over the cortical surface, across cortical laminae, and between the two hemispheres. In the final section we speculate on the origins and potential consequences of ongoing signals for normal brain function, and point out inherent limitations of the fMRI correlation approach.
Equity Swaps and Equity Investing

In an equity swap, two parties make a series of payments to each other with at least one set of payments determined by a stock or index return. The other set of payments can be a fixed or floating rate or the return on another stock or index. Equity swaps are used to substitute for a direct transaction in stock. This article explores equity swaps, describing variations, applications, and advantages and disadvantages. It also presents and illustrates formulas for pricing and valuation and provides empirical evidence comparing the performance of equity swaps against comparable strategies involving direct investment in equity.
A channel/switchbox definition algorithm for building-block layout

In this paper we study the problem of routing region definition in the VLSI building-block layout design style. We present an algorithm to decompose the routing area into a set of straight channels and switchboxes such that the number of switchboxes in the decomposition is minimized. Our algorithm is based on a graph-theoretic approach that makes use of an efficient polynomial time optimal algorithm for computing minimum clique covers of triangulated graphs. Experimental results indicate our algorithm performs well. We compared our algorithm with a previously known greedy approach and an exhaustive search optimal algorithm. For all the test problems we considered, our algorithm consistently outperformed the greedy algorithm, and it produced optimal solutions in almost all cases.
Efficient parallelization method for large scale beam dynamics simulations in linear accelerators

Large scale beam dynamics simulations are important to support the design and operations of an accelerator. The beam dynamics code TRACK, originally developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has become a general beam dynamics code for hadron linacs and has found wide applications worldwide. In order to combine the unique features of TRACK with large scale and fast parallel computing we have recently developed parallel version of the code: PTRACK It has been successfully benchmarked on different platforms: BG/L and Jazz at ANL, Iceberg at ARSC and Seaborg at NERSC. Large scale end-to- end simulations of the FNAL proton driver has been performed, where 100 millions particles were tracked. The actual parallel version has the potential of simulating 109 particles on 10 racks with 20,480 processors of BG/L at ANL, which will be available in 2008. This paper focus on efficient parallelization method been used in PTRACK.
Syncope in Childhood

The records of 108 children, ages 2 to 19 years (mean age 11.3 years), who were referred to the pediatric neurology and pediatric cardiology clinics for syncope, were reviewed. Sixty-six cases were identified retrospectively, and 42 prospectively. Syncope was defined as transient and complete loss of consciousness with no etiology determined at the time of presentation. The mean follow-up was 2.0 years. In 27 cases (25%), an etiology for syncope was found, including migraines in 12 cases (11%), seizures in 9 cases (8%), and cardiac arrhythmias in 6 cases (6%). All other cases were classified as vasovagal (neurocardiogenic). The past medical history, family history, clinical features of each syncopal episode, and diagnostic tests of each subject were correlated to final diagnosis. No clinical or historical features reliably distinguished children with vasovagal syncope from those with other etiologies. Children referred for the evaluation of syncope have a significant incidence of serious but treatable disorders, which should be actively sought.
Immunosuppressive Effects of the S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase Inhibitor, 3-Deazaadenosine

AbstractImmunosuppressive effects of 3-deazaadenosine (3-DAA), an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, were tested in vivo in immune assays against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), involving serum titrations for hemagglutinins and hemolysins, cellular cytotoxicity tests and the direct plaque-forming cell assay. At daily doses up to 100 mg/kg, the compound was suppressive when injected before antigen and the effect appeared to be dose-dependent (ED50 = 52.6 ± 4.9 mg/kg). When doses of 25 mg/kg of 3-DAA were given before antigen, co-injections of 250 mg/kg of L-homocysteine (L-HC) potentiated the suppressive effect, although L-HC alone was inactive. Daily administration of 100 mg/kg of 3-DAA or 250 mg/kg of L-HC alone was not suppressive when given after the antigen; however, in combination they were able to induce suppression. The possible biochemical mechanisms of the suppression, particularly those involving the inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation reactions, are discussed.
Diagnosis and Management of Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolus (PE) is estimated to cause 200 000 to 300 000 deaths annually. Many deaths occur in hemodynamically unstable patients and the estimated mortality for inpatients with hemodynamic instability is between 15% and 25%. The diagnosis of PE in the critically ill is often challenging because the presentation is nonspecific. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography appears to be the most useful study for diagnosis of PE in the critically ill. For patients with renal insufficiency and contrast allergy, the ventilation perfusion scan provides an alternative. For patients too unstable to travel, echocardiography (especially transesophageal echocardiography) is another option. A positive result on lower extremity Doppler ultrasound can also aid in the decision to treat. The choice of treatment in PE depends on the estimated risk of poor outcome. The presence of hypotension is the most significant predictor of poor outcome and defines those with massive PE. Normotensive patients with evidence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, as assessed by echocardiography, comprise the sub-massive category and are at intermediate risk of poor outcomes. Clinically, those with sub-massive PE are difficult to distinguish from those with low-risk PE. Cardiac troponin, brain natriuretic peptide, and computed tomographic pulmonary angiography can raise the suspicion that a patient has sub-massive PE, but the echocardiogram remains the primary means of identifying RV dysfunction. The initial therapy for patients with PE is anticoagulation. Use of vasopressors, inotropes, pulmonary artery (PA) vasodilators and mechanical ventilation can stabilize critically ill patients. The recommended definitive treatment for patients with massive PE is thrombolysis (in addition to anticoagulation). In massive PE, thrombolytics reduce the risk of recurrent PE, cause rapid improvement in hemodynamics, and probably reduce mortality compared with anticoagulation alone. For patients with a contraindication to anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapy, surgical embolectomy and catheter-based therapies are options. Thrombolytic therapy in sub-massive PE results in improved pulmonary perfusion, reduced PA pressures, and a less complicated hospital course. No survival benefit has been documented, however. If one is considering the use of thrombolytic therapy in sub-massive PE, the limited documented benefit must be weighed against the increased risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. The role of surgical embolectomy and catheter-based therapies in this population is unclear. Evidence suggests that sub-massive PE is a heterogeneous group with respect to risk. It is possible that those at highest risk may benefit from thrombolysis, but existing studies do not identify subgroups within the sub-massive category. The role of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, catheter-based interventions, and surgical embolectomy in life-threatening PE has yet to be completely defined.
Malocclusion in down syndrome - a review : clinical review

Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic disorder, which results in intellectual impairment, typical craniofacial features and a wide spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities. Characteristic features of midface hypoplasia in Down syndrome include smaller maxilla, presence of 'stair' palate and severe malocclusion. Generally, the most frequent malocclusions stem from variations in vertical and transverse occlusions, identified mainly as Angle's Class III molar relations, anterior open bite, anteroposterior crossbite, and proclination of the anterior teeth. By familiarising themselves with these features, general dental professionals, paediatric dentists and orthodontists can plan a varied combination of treatment modalities to prevent and correct occlusal anomalies.
Learning the Erlang programming language

Erlang is a general purpose programming language of the functional family with support for concurrency and fault tolerance built in. It is dynamically typed, makes extensive use of pattern matching, and allows parallel processes using no locks, no shared memory and no synchronized methods. Erlang programs run on a single core, but can seamlessly use multiple cores, can run over trusted networks and even over the internet. The language encourages the use of a large number of very light-weight processes (controlled by the language and its runtime and not the operating system). It was first implemented in 1986, has been generally available since 1997, and is for industrial applications. Some of the largest applications written in any functional language are written in Erlang. Implementations for Windows and Linux are readily available as is the complete source code [2]. There is good documentation and an excellent book about Erlang [1], and an Erlang user community with conferences on Erlang.
Powers of Licci Ideals

In this paper we are concerned with the question whether or not the powers of a licci ideal I define Cohen-Macaulay (C-M) rings, and if the higher conormal modules I n /I n+1 are C-M. Two ideals I and J in a C-M local ring R are said to be linked if there is a regular sequence α = α1,…,αg such that (α) : I = J and (α) : J = I (we write I ~ J). Two ideals I and J in R are said to be in the same linkage class if there exist I 1 ,…,I n such that I ~ I 1 ~… ~ I n ~ J. Finally I is licci if it is in the linkage class of an ideal generated by a regular sequence. A licci ideal I is known to be strongly Cohen-Macaulay (SCM) [H1] which means that if one chooses any generating set f 1 ,…, f n of I then the Koszul homology modules H i (f 1 ,… f n ;R) are C-M modules. As it turns out one can control the powers of an SCM ideal sufficiently to allow us to prove our main Theorem 2.8.
OnRamp to parallel and distributed computing

Computer Science students must understand parallel and distributed computing (PDC) concepts to be effective computer scientists in the workforce, as reflected in the ACM Curriculum guidelines [1]. Communities of CS educators are creating educational modules, and making parallel compute environments (PCEs) available to educators who are integrating PDC concepts into their existing curriculum. Even with these resources there is a barrier to entry for students to use PCEs, namely the unfamiliar and complex system software ecosystem of modern PCEs. The OnRamp project lowers that barrier to entry for exploring PDC concepts on a variety of PCEs while also providing a path for students to learn how to be productive on the native PCE. OnRamp is designed to be a general purpose web portal for supporting the exploration of PDC concepts that harnesses the existing educational resources created by the CS education community. It coaches students through interactive modules that teach them about PDC concepts and PCEs while allowing them to launch parallel applications from day one. As students become more comfortable with running parallel applications on PCEs, OnRamp transforms into a reference guide as they graduate to using the native PCE.