cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid Lowering Strategies in Women

Hyperlipidemia is one of the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease in men and women. There is substantial epidemiological data showing the relationship between elevations in total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and coronary heart disease in women. Yet hyperlipidemia is undertreated in women. This may be due to limited data to support intervention for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease, confusion in national guidelines, and inadequate counseling on diet and exercise in clinical practice. Lipid levels should be evaluated in women with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes. These women should be targeted for aggressive lipid lowering with diet, exercise, and medication. Women with multiple risk factors and early family history of coronary heart disease should also be evaluated. Asymptomatic young women with elevated or borderline lipids should be counseled with regard to lifestyle and behavioral interventions such as diet and exercise.
Peripheral Arterial Disease Assessment Wall, Perfusion, and Spectroscopy

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by lower limb arterial obstruction due to atherosclerosis. There are more than 10 million individuals in the United States with this disease, most of whom are elderly.1 In the general population, age-adjusted prevalence is approximately 12%.2 The incidence in those older than 70 years is more than 20%, and the disease is becoming more prevalent with the advancing age of the US population.3 More recent data suggest that in populations at risk, including persons with diabetes or cigarette smokers, the incidence of PAD is nearly 30%.4 Nearly half of these had no evidence of other cardiovascular disease. Presently used diagnostic methods include the ankle-brachial index (ABI),5 duplex ultrasonography,6 venous plethysmography,7 and angiography by x-ray or magnetic resonance (MRA),8 all of which have limitations. The ABI screening is limited in calcified vessels, aortoiliac disease, collateralized disease, and occlusions. Plethysmography cannot provide spatial localization of flow, may underestimate perfusion, and can be sensitive to changes in both body position and temperature.9 Artifacts in MRA that are potential challenges to its diagnostic accuracy include signal loss from in-plane saturation, turbulent flow, and metallic clips and stents.10 X-ray angiography and MRA image only the lumen of the vessel, not the wall, and do not assess end-organ effects of PAD. Diagnostic modalities that will allow study of progression and regression of disease are clearly needed. With its flexibility, spatial resolution, and ability to assess metabolic parameters, combined MR imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy can be ideal for the comprehensive noninvasive assessment of PAD. To assess the burden of atherosclerosis in PAD, one approach would be to measure atherosclerotic plaque volume (APV) and composition using black-blood vessel wall imaging. Knowing plaque burden alone is not enough because it is also important to measure the effects of atherosclerosis on skeletal muscle function. A noninvasive technique capable of measuring tissue perfusion would be of great clinical value because improving blood flow is a major therapeutic goal in patients with PAD. In addition, phosphocreatine recovery after exercise as measured by phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) may be an important parameter in patients with PAD and may be measuring more than just abnormal blood flow.11,12 By relying on both the arterial oxygen supply and the tissues' capacity to use substrate, measurements of PCr regeneration incorporate many of the adaptive and/or maladaptive cellular changes developed in response to a chronic limitation in blood flow.13 Our group has performed a series of studies to validate and assess the potential use of these measures in PAD.14–16
High dose intravenous bleomycin in the treatment of advanced lymphomas.

Abstract Aggressive therapy with high dose intermittent courses of bleomycin ( 25 mg/M 2 daily for five consecutive days) was evaluated in patients with advanced rapidly progressive lymphomas in an attempt to exploit the relative marrow-sparing effects of this drug in patients and to maximize responses early in treatment by reaching a high total dose level over a short time interval. Toxicity was similar to that observed in patients given the lower conventional doses in other studies, but, as could be expected, occurred earlier and at total doses averaging 125–150 mg/M 2 . In spite of the rapid administration of a full therapeutic dose, the response rate in this small group of patients did not seem to be enhanced.
New onset idiosyncratic liver enzyme elevations with biological therapy in inflammatory bowel disease

SummaryBackground Anti-tumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF) agents have been implicated in drug-induced liver injury. There is minimal data on this occurrence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Aim To identify the characteristics of liver enzyme elevations following anti-TNF therapy initiation in IBD. Methods A retrospective cohort of patients initiating anti-TNF therapy were analysed for new onset alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation (≥60 U/L). We collected data on natural history, outcomes and patient characteristics compared with controls with persistent normal liver enzymes. Likelihood of causal association was assessed using the RUCAM score. Results From 1753 patients initiating an anti-TNF (1170 infliximab, 575 adalimumab, 8 certolizumab), 102 (6%) developed new onset ALT elevation. In 54 (53%), this could be linked to an alternate aetiology. Among those with idiopathic ALT elevations, the median time to ALT elevation from anti-TNF initiation was 18 weeks and median peak ALT was 96 U/L. Six underwent liver biopsy, all demonstrating hepatitis with autoimmune features. Compared to controls, cases were on a lower dose of infliximab (5.7 vs. 6.7 mg/kg, P = 0.02) but were otherwise similar in body mass index, sex and age. On follow-up, 34 continued the anti-TNF, 14 stopped therapy and 4 initiated steroids. Most (85%) normalised their LFTs after a median of 17 weeks including 28 (82%) of those who continued anti-TNF therapy. Ten patients were transitioned to a second anti-TNF without recurrence. Conclusions ALT elevations occurred in 6% of IBD patients initiating anti-TNF therapy. Most idiopathic elevations were mild, transient and resolved despite therapy continuation.
Very-low-field MRI of laser polarized xenon-129.

Abstract We describe a homebuilt MRI system for imaging laser-polarized xenon-129 at a very low holding field of 2.2 mT. A unique feature of this system was the use of Maxwell coils oriented at so-called “magic angles” to generate the transverse magnetic field gradients, which provided a simple alternative to Golay coils. We used this system to image a laser-polarized xenon-129 phantom with both a conventional gradient-echo and a fully phase-encoded pulse sequence. In other contexts, a fully phase-encoded acquisition, also known as single-point or constant-time imaging, has been used to enable distortion-free imaging of short- T 2 ∗ species. Here we used this technique to overcome imperfections associated with our homebuilt MRI system while also taking full advantage of the long T 2 ∗ available at very low field. Our results demonstrate that xenon-129 image quality can be dramatically improved at low field by combining a fully phase-encoded k-space acquisition with auxiliary measurements of system imperfections including B 0 field drift and gradient infidelity.
Advances in DMD-based UV application reliability below 320nm

Texas Instrument's spatial light modulator chip, the DMD (digital micromirror device, the central chip in all DLP based systems) has been used in multiple maskless lithography applications for the past 5-7 years. Typically these applications have been focused on PCB lithography. Applications using illumination below 320nm have not been feasible due to shortened lifetime of the device at shorter wavelengths. Recent advances in DMD processing have made significant improvements in the operational lifetime of the DMD. This paper will cover the background of UV-A DMD maskless lithography and demonstrate the increased lifetime at 311nm and 266nm with the new processes.
Synthesis of arabinosyl-ATP by photophosphorylation.

Abstract A simple procedure for high yield synthesis of 9- -arabinofuranosyl triphosphate (ara-ATP) by photophosphorylation, using crude spinach chloroplasts, is reported here. Ara-AMP was synthesized from Ara-A, using cyanoethyl phosphate as phosphorylating agent, and was isolated by column chromatography. Ara-AMP was phosphorylated to ara-ATP and was separated on a Donex column.
Exploration of a hybrid feature selection algorithm

In the Knowledge Discovery Process, classification algorithms are often used to help create models with training data that can be used to predict the classes of untested data instances. While there are several factors involved with classification algorithms that can influence classification results, such as the node splitting measures used in making decision trees, feature selection is often used as a pre-classification step when using large data sets to help eliminate irrelevant or redundant attributes in order to increase computational efficiency and possibly to increase classification accuracy. One important factor common to both feature selection as well as to classification using decision trees is attribute discretization, which is the process of dividing attribute values into a smaller number of discrete values. In this paper, we will present and explore a new hybrid approach, ChiBlur, which involves the use of concepts from both the blurring and χ 2-based approaches to feature selection, as well as concepts from multi-objective optimization. We will compare this new algorithm with algorithms based on the blurring and χ 2-based approaches.
Pentode Ignitrons for Electronic Power Converters

The name ``pentode ignitron'' has been applied to a high-voltage tube used for rectification and inversion in electronic converters. It is a sealed steel tube having an anode, three grids, and a mercury-pool cathode. The tube is of the gas-filled type with control characteristics similar to those of the thyratron. An ignitor establishes a cathode spot each cycle on the mercury pool. The cathode spot is stabilized at low anode currents by the use of an auxiliary holding anode. The functions of the three grids are somewhat similar to those in the pentode vacuum tube, but the manner of use is quite different. The first grid, or one nearest the anode, is used as an intermediate anode to divide potential gradients across the tube during nonconducting periods. The second, or center grid, is used to control the starting of the conduction period and the third, or outer grid, as a shield to permit rapid deionization of the space between the control and shield grids. The introduction of multiple grids in ignitron tubes provides certain characteristics which are essential to inverter operation. It is the purpose of this paper to describe some of these characteristics, and the design and construction of the pentode ignitron tube. These tubes are the ones installed in the power converter described in the companion papers.1,6-8
Modeling Nuclear Blebs in a Nucleoskeleton of Independent Filament Networks

Correlations between altered nuclear shape and disease are empirically observed, but the causes of nuclear dysmorphisms are poorly understood. The nucleoskeleton, which provides the majority of the mechanical stability of the nucleus, is composed primarily of intermediate filaments of lamin proteins. The nucleoskeleton forms a mostly-planar network between the inner nuclear membrane and chromatin. It is unclear if blebs and larger scale changes in nuclear morphology are consequences of reorganization of the nucleoskeleton alone or of other cellular processes. To test this, we computationally recapitulate the lamina network using a mechanical network model created as a network of Hookean springs. A- and B-type lamin filaments were distributed over a spherical surface into distinct networks linked to one another by lamin-associated proteins. Iterative force-based adjustment of the network structure, together with a stochastically modified Bell model of bond breakage and formation, simulates nucleoskeleton reorganization with blebs. The rate of bleb retraction into the nucleus depends on both initial size of the bleb and number of networks being deformed. Our results show that induced blebs are more stable when only one filament component is deformed or when the networks have no interconnections. Also, the kinetics of retraction is influenced by the composition of the bleb. These results match with our experiments and others.
Ultraviolet-B radiation co-opts defense signaling pathways

Plants in the field exposed to ambient solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280-320 nm) often show an increased resistance to herbivorous insects compared with control plants grown under filters that exclude the UV-B component of solar radiation. This corresponds with a significant overlap in gene expression between the UV-B and the wounding/herbivory response. Furthermore, wound-responsive signaling components such as mitogen-activated protein kinases are activated by UV-B. A mechanistic explanation for these overlaps might be that UV-B co-opts cell surface receptors for defense signals such as systemin and oligosaccharide elicitors in a ligand-independent manner.
PS3-44: Can Health Insurance Improve Employee Health Outcome and Reduce Cost? An Evaluation of Geisinger’s Value-Based Insurance Design

Background/Aims Employers have recently seen rapid increases in their cost of providing health insurance benefits for their employees, partly because the traditional health insurance benefit design does not reflect the value of healthcare consumed. Value-based insurance design (VBID) seeks to address this problem by incorporating value as well as cost in each beneficiary’s healthcare decisions. Since 2007, Geisinger Health System (GHS) has implemented its own version of VBID called MyHealth Rewards for its employee population. Key components of the program included zero-copay prescription drugs for patients with certain chronic conditions and a health management program designed to enhance employee self-management. In this study, we examine whether MyHealth Rewards has led to improvements in employee health outcomes in terms of reduced incidence of stroke and MI and also whether it has lowered the cost of care.
Priority setting: lessons from Oregon

The state of Oregon has developed a unique method to set priorities for health services. The method is based on a cost-utility formula but also incorporates public attitudes and values. Using an explicit process, the Oregon Health Services Commission has completed the ranking of 714 condition-treatment pairs. The background, methods, and criticisms of the Oregon approach highlight key questions for managers and physicians in other health services when they allocate limited resources.
A solid-state incandescent device for single-chip white-light emission

Single-chip, white-light emitting devices made of sub 10 nm thick metal oxide dielectric films have been investigated for optical properties, operation principles, and reliability. Key elements for the light emission, lifetime, and efficiency are discussed.
Class Capacities and Labor Internationalism: The Case of the CIO-CCL Unions

This article counterposes a class analysis to the more conventional Weberian frameworks that have been used to interpret past and current attempts at working class internationalism. It uses the U.S.-Canadian case to show that working class nationalism has not universally displaced cross-border class solidarity and that, even when it has, that displacement process is better understood as a dimension of class conflict than as a geo-cultural phenomenon. The article shows that different fractions of the working class have greater propensities toward internationalism than others. The article is a caveat on the spirit of enthusiasm that reformists have shown for the recent secessions of Canadian unions from the AFL-CIO.
Black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation in a term pregnancy.

Description of a black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) envenomation in a term pregnancy.Case report conducted at an Air Force tertiary care hospital of a 27-year-old primigravida at 38 1/7 weeks pregnancy.Latrodectus mactans antivenin can be given to treat symptoms of black widow envenomation.Black widow envenomations can cause symptoms associated with acute intra-abdominal processes. In pregnancy, envenomations can result in symptoms and signs similar to those seen in preeclampsia (abdominal pain, headache, hypertension, and proteinuria). Latrodectism should be considered in patients complaining of these symptoms in association with a spider bite. If latrodectism is considered to be the underlying origin for these symptoms, appropriate treatment should be administered. In cases of pregnancy, treatment should include L. mactans antivenin if believed to be clinically indicated. There is no current evidence that this antivenin is contraindicated in pregnancy. (Curr Surg 57:346-348)
Bird on the Wire Freeing the Father Within Me

This narrative is a work of memory and mourning. In the aftermath of my father’s sudden death in 1988, I had resigned myself to living without the closure of a healing conversation that could break...
NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION FOR SUPERCONDUCTORS

Using the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov factorization of the density matrix and the Born–Oppenheimer approximation we show that the motion of a superconducting condensate satisfies a Schrodinger equation at zero temperature. The Galilean invariance of the equation is explicitly manifested. This equation gives a unified description of the condensate dynamics, such as Josephson effects, vortex dynamics and the Bogoliubov–Anderson mode.
Rennet Curd from Milk Plus Soy Protein Mixtures

Abstract Rennet coagulated curds were made from mixtures of 80% raw milk and 20% soy protein solutions. Unfractionated soy protein solution and 11S soy protein-rich fraction were tested; rennet curd containing the latter had a higher yield of solids and harder texture. Effects of 0, 10, 20, and 40mM added calcium chloride on textures of rennet curd were measured by the firmness and moisture content of curds. Added 40mM calcium chloride decreased firmness of curd and increased moisture content. The soy proteins in 11S soy protein-rich fraction were co-coagulated with milk proteins by rennet from the milk/soy protein solution mixture. Soy proteins in the fraction added to milk precipitated in higher proportion than those of the skim milk added to the control milk. The casein curd microstructures were loosened by soy protein, and this caused excessive losses of milk fat. Soy protein also increased the water holding capacity of rennet curd. Heat denaturation of soy proteins of the 11S soy protein-rich fraction increased the proportion of soy proteins incorporated in curd but also increased the loss of fat and the water holding capacity of the coagulum.
Surface reactions of trimethylgallium on MOVPE-grown GaN(0001)

Abstract The reaction of trimethylgallium (TMGa) on MOVPE-grown GaN(0001) was studied using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Dissociation of adsorbed TMGa to form monomethylgallium (MMGa) and/or dimethylgallium (DMGa) and surface methyl groups occurred at temperatures above 250 K. Chemisorbed MMGa/DMGa either desorbed between 250 and 450 K or underwent further dissociation forming adsorbed methyl groups and Ga atoms. For low coverages, surface methyl groups desorbed near 600 K producing gaseous methyl radicals. At higher coverages, a fraction of the methyl groups underwent dehydrogenation, resulting in the production of methane at 590 K and the deposition of carbon atoms.
Large-deflection and large-amplitude free vibrations of laminated composite-material plates

Abstract Finite-element analysis of the large-deflection theory (in von Karman's sense), including transverse shear, governing moderately thick, laminated anisotropic composite plates is presented. Linear and quadratic rectangular elements with five degrees of freedom (three displacements, and two shear rotations) per node are employed to analyze rectangular plates subjected to various loadings and edge conditions. Numerical results for bending deflections, stresses, and natural frequencies are presented showing the parametric effects of plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, orientation of layers, and anisotropy. The finite-element solutions are found to be in excellent agreement with the exact closed-form solutions in the linear analysis. In the nonlinear analysis, the finite-element solutions are in fair agreement with the perturbation solution. The load-deflection curve in the shear deformable theory does not deviate much from the linear theory, when compared to the load-deflection curve in the von Karman theory.
Division of labor during brood production in stingless bees with special reference to individual participation

The focus of this paper is the process for brood production known as the Provisioning and Oviposition Process (POP), and particularly the individual behavior observed in the facultatively polygy- nous stingless bee Melipona bicolor. Following individually marked bees revealed that ovarian development is correlated with individual behavior differences. While most of the eggs laid by workers are consumed by the queen (trophic eggs), workers contribute significantly in male production with reproductive eggs, illustrating the reproductive conflict at the individual level. From an evolutionary outlook, "benefactor" behaviors may evolve if workers conserve the "hope" of reproduction. This indicates that an important function of trophic eggs is to keep the ovaries active. It is also possible that ovary development represents an internal factor promoting division of labor: reproductive workers are specialized or elite bees with low response thresholds and high activity levels that restrain the participation of other workers. stingless bees / division of labor / POP / Melipona bicolor / reproductive competition / Apidae
On Two Variable Jordan Block (II)

On the Hardy space over the bidisk H2(D2), the Toeplitz operators $$T_{{z_{1} }}$$ and $$T_{{z_{2} }} $$ are unilateral shifts of infinite multiplicity. A closed subspace M is called a submodule if it is invariant for both $$T_{{z_{1} }} $$ and $$T_{{z_{2} }} $$ . The two variable Jordan block (S1, S2) is the compression of the pair $$T_{{z_{1} }}, T_{{z_{2} }}$$ to the quotient H2(D2) ⊖M. This paper defines and studies its defect operators. A number of examples are given, and the Hilbert-Schmidtness is proved with good generality. Applications include an extension of a Douglas-Foias uniqueness theorem to general domains, and a study of the essential Taylor spectrum of the pair (S1, S2). The paper also estabishes a clean numerical estimate for the commutator [S1*, S2] by some spectral data of S1 or S2. The newly-discovered core operator plays a key role in this study.
Maternal and Transplacental Effects of Cocaine

Pregnancy is a dynamic process, and maternal as well as fetal risks from cocaine use in pregnancy may differ as pregnancy progresses. Three areas of biology offer opportunities for reevaluating cocaine's effects in pregnancy: (1) Maternal cardiovascular and neurologic responses to cocaine hydrochloride are enhanced when compared with responses in nonpregnant subjects to the same dose per kilogram or to metabolites of crack cocaine. (2) During first trimester placental implantation, oxygen availability to the fetus may normally be limited. Cocaine-induced uterine artery vasoconstriction may lead to reperfusion and oxygen toxicity to the fetus from released reactive oxygen species. (3) Cocaine transport in the first and early second trimester may, in part, be across the placental chorion-amnion. Lacking a skin barrier, the fetus at mid-pregnancy may come in direct contact with high concentrations of cocaine in amniotic fluid, a reservoir that clears cocaine slowly, thereby prolonging exposure during critical periods of fetal neurotransmitter formation. Exploring these three areas of biology may offer new approaches to understanding the ultimate impact of prenatal cocaine exposure on maternal and fetal biology.
Awareness and Concern about Large-Scale Livestock and Poultry: Results from a Statewide Survey of Ohioans*

The development of large-scale livestock facilities has become a controversial issue in many regions of the U.S in recent years. In this research, rural-urban differences in familiarity and concern about large-scale livestock facilities among Ohioans is examined as well as the relationship of social distance from agriculture and trust in risk managers to concern about large-scale livestock facilities. Findings from a survey of Ohio residents reveal few differences between rural and urban Ohioans, although country, nonfarm residents were more likely than others to be aware of the issues. Greater trust of farmers was found to be related to lower levels of livestock concern. Environmental concern was strongly related to overall concern about large-scale livestock development, while perceptions of economic benefits of livestock production were associated with lower overall concern. In general, the findings contribute to improved understanding of the increasingly complex relationship between farming and the social setting within which it occurs.
High temperature erosion study of INCO 600 metal

Abstract Gas turbine engines operating in dusty environments are exposed to severe erosion; this is especially so for the compressor and the turbine components. This erosion adversely affects engine performance. Predicting erosion in rotating machinery is a very complex problem. The initial test data from the high temperature material erosion facility at the University of Cincinnati are presented in this paper. The test data were obtained for elevated target temperatures for INCO 600 material which is used for turbomachinery blades.
Adaptive sensing for increased spectrum utilization in dynamic cognitive radio systems

Cognitive radios (CR) are regarded as a viable solution to enabling flexible use of the frequency spectrum in future generations of wireless systems by taking advantage of spectrum holes, that is idle frequency bands not actively used by primary users (PU) for licensed transmissions. The actual utilization of a spectrum hole is determined by its duration (implied by the time interval between two PU transmissions) as well as by the time needed to detect it through a spectrum sensing procedure. In this paper we propose a new method for adapting the duration of the spectrum sensing window that improves the probability of detection of the spectrum holes as well as their actual utilization. The proposed method is illustrated with numerical results obtained from simulations which show that both the spectrum sensing performance (evaluated in terms of the probabilities of detection and false alarm) and the hole utilization are improved when compared to a scheme with fixed sensing window length.
Just-In-Time purchasing: Single or multiple sourcing?

Abstract We consider two Just-In-Time (JIT) purchasing models, one utilizing a few sources, and the other using the more conventional single source. We address the issue of splitting a large order quantity into multiple deliveries, taking account of the increase in the aggregate ordering, transportation, and inspection costs. For multiple sourcing, we formulate and solve a mathematical programming problem to obtain the optimal selection of suppliers and the size of the split orders. For single sourcing, we provide a procedure that yields the optimal number of deliveries.
The lateral organization of components of the membrane skeleton and superoxide generation in the plasma membrane of stimulated human neutrophils

Studies were performed to examine the lateral organization of the NADPH oxidase system in the plasma membrane of human neutrophils. Analysis of the subcellular fractionation of human neutrophils by isopycnic sedimentation of cavitated cell lysates suggested that there may be more than one population of plasma membrane vesicles formed upon cell disruption. One population (30–32% sucrose) contained surface accessible wheat germ agglutinin binding sites, alkaline phosphatase activity, and cytochrome b. Another population (34–36% sucrose) contained membrane-bound flavin and, when the cells were prestimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), NADPH-dependent superoxide generating activity. Approximately 25% of the neutrophil cytochrome b cosedimented with the heavy population, confirming our previous hypothesis (Parkos et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 6541–6547) that only a fraction of the total cellular cytochrome b is involved in superoxide production. The heavy plasma membrane fraction was also enriched in membrane associated actin and fodrin as detected by Western blot analysis. After extraction of the plasma membrane vesicles with detergent cocktails, the majority of superoxide generating activity remained associated with the detergent insoluble pellet. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the pellets were also enriched in actin. Further analysis of these pellets using rate-zonal detergent-containing sucrose density gradients indicated that the superoxide generating complex had an approximate sedimentation coefficient of 80 S, suggesting that the neutrophil superoxide generating system may form a complex on the plasma membrane which is associated with or somehow organized by the membrane skeletal matrix. This organization may be of functional relevance not only to the actual production of superoxide, but also to the targeting of microbicidal oxidants.
Prolateness of the Solar Tachocline Inferred from Latitudinal Force Balance in a Magnetohydrodynamic Shallow-Water Model

Motivated by recent helioseismic observations concerning solar tachocline shape and thickness and by the theoretical development of MHD shallow-water equations for the tachocline, we compute the prolateness of the tachocline using an MHD shallow-water model, in which the shape and thickness are determined from the latitudinal force balance equation. We show that a strong toroidal magnetic field stored at or below the overshoot part of the tachocline leads to a pileup of fluid at high latitude, owing to the poleward magnetic curvature stress which has to be balanced by an equatorward latitudinal hydrostatic pressure gradient. For toroidal fields of solar amplitude (~100 kG), results for differentially rotating and uniformly rotating tachoclines are almost the same. In contrast, the unmagnetized differentially rotating tachocline would always be weakly oblate. We propose that a strong toroidal field in the overshoot part of the tachocline should tend to suppress the overshooting, thereby increasing the magnetic storage capacity of the layer since the stratification there should become more subadiabatic. We illustrate the effect of this process on the shape and thickness of the layer by assuming its effective gravity is a function of field strength. If toroidal fields are concentrated in relatively narrow bands which migrate toward the equator with the advance of the sunspot cycle, then they should be accompanied by a "thickness front" advancing at the same rate. Applying our model to the prolateness estimate of Charbonneau et al. yields toroidal fields of 60-150 kG in the overshoot layer, consistent with other considerations. Their prolateness in the radiative part of the tachocline would require ~600 kG fields to be present.
Spin mass of an electron liquid.

We show that in order to calculate correctly the spin current carried by a quasiparticle in an electron liquid one must use an effective ``spin mass'' ${m}_{s}$ that is larger than both the band mass ${m}_{b}$, which determines the charge current, and the quasiparticle effective mass ${m}^{*}$, which determines the heat capacity. We present two independent estimates of the spin mass enhancement, ${m}_{s}/{m}_{b}$, in two- and three-dimensional electron liquids, based on (i) previously calculated values of the Landau parameters and (ii) a recent theory of the dynamical local field factor in the spin channel. Both methods yield a significant spin mass enhancement, which is larger in two dimensions than in three.
Quasi-least squares fitting

Quasi-least squares (QLS) is a computational method for estimation of the correlation parameters in the framework of generalized estimating equations (GEE) [Liang and Zeger. Biometrika 1986, 73:13–22]. QLS is a complementary approach to GEE, that might be considered if convergence is an issue, or if the implementation of a plausible model for the correlations is not straightforward for GEE. Software for QLS is available in SAS, Stata, MATLAB, and R. In addition, a comprehensive review of the approach [Shults and Hilbe. Quasi-Least Squares Regression. Boca Raton, FL: Chapman & Hall/CRC; 2014] was recently published in the highly regarded Chapman & Hall/CRC Statistical Monograph & Applied Probability Monograph Series. WIREs Comput Stat 2015, 7:194–204. doi: 10.1002/wics.1349 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. Conflict of interest: The author has declared no conflicts of interest for this article.
Nitric-oxide Synthase-2 Linkage to Focal Adhesion Kinase in Neutrophils Influences Enzyme Activity and β2 Integrin Function

This investigation was to elucidate the basis for augmentation of nitric-oxide synthesis in neutrophils exposed to hyperbaric oxygen. Hyperoxia increases synthesis of reactive species leading to S-nitrosylation of β-actin, which causes temporary inhibition of β2 integrin adherence. Impaired β2 integrin function and actin S-nitrosylation do not occur in neutrophils from mice lacking type-2 nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) or when incubated with 1400W, an iNOS inhibitor. Similarly, effects of hyperoxia were abrogated in cells depleted of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by treatment with small inhibitory RNA and those exposed to a specific FAK inhibitor concurrent with hyperoxia. Nitric oxide production doubles within 10 min exposure to hyperoxia but declines to approximately half-maximum production over an additional 10 min. Elevated nitric oxide production did not occur after FAK depletion or inhibition, or when filamentous actin formation was inhibited by cytochalasin D. Intracellular content of iNOS triples over the course of a 45-min exposure to hyperoxia and iNOS dimers increase in a commensurate fashion. Confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that co-localization/linkage of FAK, iNOS, and filamentous actin increased within 15 min exposure to hyperoxia but then decreased below the control level. Using isolated enzymes in ex vivo preparations an association between iNOS and filamentous actin mediated by FAK could be demonstrated and complex formation was impeded when actin was S-nitrosylated. We conclude that iNOS activity is increased by an FAK-mediated association with actin filaments but peak nitric oxide production is transient due to actin S-nitrosylation during exposure to hyperoxia. Background: Reactive nitrogen species increase by an unclear mechanism with exposure to hyperbaric oxygen, which inhibits neutrophil β2 integrin adherence. Results: Nitric-oxide synthase-2 activity increases when held in proximity to short filamentous actin by focal adhesion kinase. Conclusion: Protein associations are transient because of actin S-nitrosylation. Significance: Nitric-oxide synthase regulation in neutrophils depends on cytoskeletal protein associations.
Crosslinking of styrene–butadiene rubber with 1,2-bis(benzocyclobutenyl)ethane

1,2-Bis(benzocyclobutenyl)ethane (BBCB) was used as a thermally activated crosslinking agent in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), both in the raw and carbon black-filled materials. Diels-Alder crosslinking reactions occurred to a significant degree, despite the lack of substituents of opposing electronic effects. The reaction is free of toxic crosslinking promoters and evolved by-products. Various physical properties such as ultimate elongation, tensile strength, and modulus were measured and compared to those properties of a sulfur-cured sample of SBR. Linear relationships were found between the amount of BBCB present and the modulus of the materials, as well as the amount of BBCB and solvent uptake in swell tests
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2: A Promising Vascular-Specific Marker for Screening Cardiovascular Risk?

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that can be assessed by circulating biomarkers. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is an enzyme produced in atherosclerotic plaque and is bound to low density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It has a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by promoting vascular inflammation. It is emerging as a vascular-specific marker and predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Increasing evidence from many prospective epidemiologic studies have shown that elevated levels of Lp-PLA(2) are associated with future CVD events. Measurement of Lp-PLA(2) in individuals may provide clinically relevant information about their future risk of CVD events. Pharmacologic therapies and/or risk factor modification could be initiated after identification of individuals at risk for CVD. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiologic evidence, and clinical utility of Lp-PLA(2).
Using whole-genome transcriptional analyses to identify molecular mechanisms of aging

Whole-genome transcriptional analyses of aging organisms and tissues have revealed changes in many genes and biological processes. A comparison of these studies reveals common age-related changes, including the downregulation of metabolic and mitochondrial function, and the upregulation of stress and immune responses. This suggests that much of the aging process might be conserved across species, although tissue- and species-specific changes also occur. These comparisons will help identify the underlying mechanisms of aging.
Knife-edge residual ridges: A clinical report

A, fter tooth extraction, residual alveolar ridges undergo a series of remodeling processes including immediate repair of the wounds and long-term residual ridge resorption (RRR). RRR can occur in all patients at a substantially different rate.’ This unique phenomenon is caused by the continuous activity of localized osteoclasts at the surface of the residual alveolar bone,2x” which results in a morphologic variety of edentulous residual ridges. For example, if bone resorption is emphasized at the crest of the residual alveolar bone, it becomes flattened. When bone resorption is more active at the buccal and/or lingual areas, the residual alveolar bone may become a knife-edge shape. The pathophysiologic mechanism of RRR is not well undrrstood; however, it has been reported that postmenopausal women have a tendency to develop knife-edge residual ridges in the mandible4 and flat residual ridges in the maxilla.:’ The shape of the residual ridge is an important factor in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of removable, fixed, and implant prosthodontic treatments. Sometimes the residual ridge appears well rounded clinically, whereas further examination reveals a knife-edge bony ridge covered by soft tissue. Because evaluation of the three-dimensional morphology of the residual alveolar bone is essential for the placement of dental implant fixtures, a number of sophisticated but expensive diagnostic techniques have been introduced.“-” Once the residual alveolar bone is tliagnosed as knife-edge, the treatment plan may include removal of the thin bone structure for a better adaptation of the implant fixture at the shoulder level. It is also necessary to be prepared with several sizes of implant fixtures because the accurate ridge width cannot be determined before the osteotomy. For the purpose of understanding the morphologic fc,atures of the residual ridge, this clinical report presents the distinct oral appearances associated with knife-edge or flat
Total exposure assessment methodology (team) study: Personal exposures, indoor-outdoor relationships, and breath levels of volatile organic compounds in New Jersey

Abstract A total of 20 toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic organic compounds were measured in the air and drinking water of 355 residents of Bayonne and Elizabeth New Jersey, in the fall of 1981. The participants were selected from over 10,000 residents screened by a probability sampling technique to represent 128,000 persons (over the age of seven) who live in the two neighboring cities. Over one hundred geographic areas throughout the two cities were selected for monitoring. Each participant carried a personal sampler with him during his normal daily activities for two consecutive 12-h periods. (One resident in each of the 108 sampling segments had an identical sampler operating in the backyard for the same two 12-h periods.) All participants also collected two drinking water samples. At the end of the 24-h sampling period, all participants gave a sample of exhaled breath, which was analyzed for the same compounds. All participants also completed a questionnaire on their age, sex, occupations and activities during the sampling period. An extensive quality assurance program was carried out on all sampling/analysis activities. Eleven of the 20 chemicals were prevalent in air and 3 in water. Air was the most important pathway of exposure for 10 compounds, and drinking water was most important for 3 trihalomethanes. Ranges of exposures were extremely large, with differences of 3–4 orders of magnitude common. Median personal exposures were 2–5 times larger than median outdoor concentrations; maximum personal exposures were as much as 100 times corresponding maximum outdoor concentrations. Residence near major point sources had no effect on exposure but many common activities (filling a gas tank, visiting a dry cleaner, smoking) has significant effect on exposures.
Hydrodynamic Modeling of Hurricane Dennis Impact on Estuarine Salinity Variation in Apalachicola Bay

ABSTRACT Huang, W.; Hagen, S., and Bacopoulos, P., 2014. Hydrodynamic modeling of Hurricane Dennis impact on estuarine salinity variation in Apalachicola Bay. Hurricane Dennis made landfall in Florida on 10 July 2005 and caused a storm surge of 2.4 m in Apalachicola. Field observations of salinity, winds, and river inflows are available at a few stations in the bay during the hurricane event. Presented in this paper is a numerical modeling study that investigates the effects of Hurricane Dennis on estuarine mixing and transport. A previously calibrated three-dimensional (3D) estuarine hydrodynamic model was further validated by the field observations of salinity and water levels during the hurricane event. A large-scale storm-surge model was used to provide storm-surge hydrographs at the five estuarine boundaries for the 3D estuarine model. This model integration proved successful with the results indicating that the model predictions of storm-surge hydrographs and salinity match well with observations. M...
Geomorphic evidence for Holocene glacial advances and sea level fluctuations on eastern Vestfirðir, northwest Iceland

New geomorphic and chronological data of Holocene advances of the Drangajokull Ice Cap, located on eastern Vestfirðir, northwest Iceland, are presented. At least two glacial advances and two transgressions during the Holocene are interpreted from moraines and raised beach deposits, respectively. Geomorphic evidence is concentrated in the three valleys adjacent to the modern outlet glaciers of the Drangajokull Ice Cap: Kaldalonsjokull, Leirufjarðarjokull, and Reykjarfjarðarjokull. The valley surrounding Kaldalonsjokull contains a vegetated Holocene moraine with a minimum radiocarbon age of ∼2600 cal. yr BP, which provides geomorphic evidence for Neoglacial activity on eastern Vestfirðir. The second extensive Holocene glacial advance on eastern Vestfirðir occurred during the Little Ice Age, and moraines associated with this advance are present in all three outlet glacier valleys. The Neoglacial advance is the most extensive ice advance on eastern Vestfirðir. Raised beaches parallel to the coastlines of Isafjarðardjup and Jokulfirðir, at an elevation of approximately 5 m a.s.l., suggest a minor transgression at ∼3000 cal. yr BP based on radiocarbon ages of shells. A minor transgression of 0.3–0.5 m a.s.l. is associated with the timing of the Little Ice Age advance. Correlation of geomorphic events with sediment proxy records facilitates distinguishing local perturbations from regional North Atlantic climate signals. This study supports regional interpretations of climatic instability during the Holocene.
Query processing in deductive databases with incomplete information

We study here automated deduction in databases in the presence of various types of inference rules of the form of Horn Clauses with Skolem functions. These inference rules are typical for databases with incomplete information. We demonstrate a number of results related to processing of conjunctive queries for different types of database intensions. In particular, we show that when a database intension is built from possibly cyclic inclusion dependencies and view definitions any conjunctive query can be translated to the an equivalent form which can be evaluated directly over the database extension (disregarding inference rules). We also demonstrate that the complexity of query processing significantly grows when we mix incomplete information with recursive rules. In particular, we demonstrate here that even the power of least fixpoint extension of first order logic may be not sufficient to process queries in the presence of incomplete data and recursive rules. The same is demonstrated in case disjunctive information is allowed in the database.
Adenosine A2a receptors in the nucleus accumbens mediate locomotor depression

Abstract The effects on locomotor activity (LA) of selective agonists for adenosine receptor subtypes were examined in mice following bilateral injections into the nucleus accumbens (ACB). The ACB is not only richly innervated by dopaminergic (DA) terminals but also exhibits the highest densities of adenosine A 2a receptors in the brain. CGS 21680 (2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine), a potent and highly selective adenosine A 2a receptor agonist, elicited pronounced, dose-related reductions in LA (ID 50 dosage = 0.0031 nmol/mouse). NECA (5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine), a mixed adenosine receptor agonist which exhibits high selectivity and potency at striatal A 2a receptors, similarly elicited dose-related reductions in LA (ID 50 dosage = 0.0023 nmol/mouse). In contrast, intra-ACB injections of CFA (N 6 -cyclopentyladenosine), a highly selective agonist for adenosine A 1 receptors, did not exert any significant effects on LA, even at 2.0 nmol/mouse, a dosage at which both CGS 21680 and NECA depressed LA by almost 90% compared to vehicle controls. Further, the pronounced locomotor depression elicited by intra-ACB injections of both CGS 21680 and NECA, at approximately the ID 65 dosage, was significantly antagonized by IP pretreatment with DMPX, (3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine), an adenosine receptor antagonist with selectivity for A 2 receptors in the striatum, at a dosage (0.15 mmol/mouse) which alone had no significant effect on LA. These observations provide support for the notion that adenosine may selectively modulate DA-mediated mesolimbic behavioral circuits via agonist actions at a population of A 2a receptors densely concentrated in the ventral striatum.