cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disability-Inclusive Diabetes Self-management Telehealth Program: Protocol for a Pilot and Feasibility Study.

Background: Individuals with disabilities and type 2 diabetes require self-management programs that are accessible, sustainable, inclusive, and adaptable. Health coaching has been shown to be an effective approach for improving behavioral changes in self-management. Health coaching combined with telehealth technology has the potential to improve the overall quality of and access to health services. Objective: This protocol outlines the study design for implementing the Artificial Intelligence for Diabetes Management (AI4DM) intervention. The protocol will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the AI4DM telehealth platform for people with disabilities. Methods: The AI4DM study is a 2-arm randomized controlled trial for evaluating the delivery of a 12-month intervention, which will involve telecoaching, diabetes educational content, and technology access, to 90 individuals with diabetes and physical disabilities. The hypothesis is that this pilot project is feasible and acceptable for adults with permanently impaired mobility and type 2 diabetes. We also hypothesize that adults in the AI4DM intervention groups will have significantly better glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin) and psychosocial and psychological measures than the attention control group at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Results: The AI4DM study was approved by the university’s institutional review board, and recruitment and enrollment will begin in October 2021. Conclusions: The AI4DM study will improve our understanding of the feasibility and efficacy of a web-based diabetes self-management program for people with disabilities. The AI4DM intervention has the potential to become a scalable and novel method for successfully managing type 2 diabetes in people with disabilities. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04927377; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04927377
Temperature and nutrient conditions modify the effects of phenological shifts in predator-prey communities

While there is mounting evidence indicating that the relative timing of predator and prey phenologies shapes the outcome of trophic interactions, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how important the environmental context (e.g. abiotic conditions) is for shaping this relationship. Environmental conditions not only frequently drive shifts in phenologies, but they can also affect the very same processes that mediate the effects of phenological shifts on species interactions. Thus, identifying how environmental conditions shape the effects of phenological shifts is key to predict community dynamics across a heterogenous landscape and how they will change with ongoing climate change in the future. Here I tested how environmental conditions shape effects of phenological shifts by experimentally manipulating temperature, nutrient availability, and relative phenologies in two predator-prey freshwater systems (mole salamander- bronze frog vs dragonfly larvae-leopard frog). This allowed me to (1) isolate the effect of phenological shifts and different environmental conditions, (2) determine how they interact, and (3) how consistent these patterns are across different species and environments. I found that delaying prey arrival dramatically increased predation rates, but these effects were contingent on environmental conditions and predator system. While both nutrient addition and warming significantly enhanced the effect of arrival time, their effect was qualitatively different: Nutrient addition enhanced the positive effect of early arrival while warming enhanced the negative effect of arriving late. Predator responses varied qualitatively across predator-prey systems. Only in the system with strong gape-limitation were predators (salamanders) significantly affected by prey arrival time and this effect varied with environmental context. Correlations between predator and prey demographic rates suggest that this was driven by shifts in initial predator-prey size ratios and a positive feedback between size-specific predation rates and predator growth rates. These results highlight the importance of accounting for temporal and spatial correlation of local environmental conditions and gape-limitation in predator-prey systems when predicting the effects of phenological shifts and climate change on predator-prey systems.
Structural analysis using line elements to model members with non-symmetric cross sections

Abstract This study investigated the response of non-symmetric cross sections using line finite element models that were created with conventional elements that assumed a doubly symmetric response and sophisticated elements that included additional non-symmetric behavior. These models were compared to shell element models and experimental results when available. It was found that in many cases the doubly symmetric analyses missed physical responses that the non-symmetric analyses could capture. It was observed that twisting and second-order effects due to twisting played a significant factor in the final response. Furthermore, consideration of non-symmetric behavior was required to calculate some responses accurately.
Local Emergence of Thermal Correlations

Despite important theoretical effort, no generic framework exists yet to understand when and how an isolated quantum system relaxes to a steady state. Regarding the question of how, it has been conjectured that equilibration must occur on a local scale in systems where correlations between distant points can only establish at a finite speed. In this chapter, we provide the first experimental observation of this local equilibration hypothesis.
Cross-Language Retrieval Experiments at CLEF 2002

This paper describes monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual retrieval experiments using CLEF 2002 test collection. The paper presents a technique for incorporating blind relevance feedback into a document ranking formula based on logistic regression analysis. Both blind relevance feedback and decompounding in German or Dutch are shown to be effective in monolingual and bilingual retrieval. The amount of improvement of performance by decompounding varies from one set of topics to another. The simple raw-score merging strategy in multilingual retrieval can be effective if the individual ranked lists of documents, one for each document language, are produced using the same retrieval system under similar conditions. The performance of English to French bilingual retrieval using a large parallel corpus as the translation resource is comparable to that using machine translation systems.
Application of MPI in Displacement Based Multilevel Structural Optimization

The weight optimization of trusses using Displacement based Multilevel Structural Optimization (DMSO)1-4 is investigated. In this approach, the optimization task is subdivided into a single system and multiple sub-systems level optimizations. The approach is considered to be efficient for large structures, since parallel computing can be utilized in the different optimization levels. A 240-element truss was tested for efficiency improvement in DMSO on both, a network of SUN workstations using the MPICH implementation of the Message Passing Interface (MPI) and on a faster Beowulf cluster using the LAM implementation of MPI. Parallel processing was applied to the sub-systems level, where the derivative verification feature of the optimizer NPSOL was first used in the optimizations. Even with parallelization, this resulted in large runtimes. Then, the optimizations were repeated without derivative verification, and the results were compared. They were consistent and showed no need for derivative verification, giving a large increase in efficiency in the DMSO algorithm. They also showed that very little improvement in performance was obtained by parallelization once the derivative verification feature in NPSOL was turned off.
What Do We Know About Charophyte (Streptophyta) Life Cycles

The charophyte algae are the closest living relatives of land plants. Their life cycles are usually characterized as haploid with zygotic meiosis. This conclusion, however, is based on a small number of observations and on theoretical assumptions about what kinds of life cycle are possible. Little is known about the life cycles of most charophytes, but unusual phenomena have been reported in comparatively well-studied taxa: Spirogyra and Sirogonium are reported to produce diploid gametes with synapsis of homologous chromosomes before fusion of gametic nuclei; Closterium ehrenbergii is reported to undergo chromosome reduction both before and after syngamy; and zygotes of Coleochaete scutata are reported to replicate their DNA to high levels before a series of reduction divisions. All of these phenomena require confirmation, as does the conventional account.
Inter-relation of Maximum Pulse Rate During Moderate Exercise, Recovery Pulse Rate, and Post-Exercise Blood Lactate

(1953). Inter-relation of Maximum Pulse Rate During Moderate Exercise, Recovery Pulse Rate, and Post-Exercise Blood Lactate. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 453-458.
RGB-D mapping: Using Kinect-style depth cameras for dense 3D modeling of indoor environments

RGB-D cameras (such as the Microsoft Kinect) are novel sensing systems that capture RGB images along with per-pixel depth information. In this paper we investigate how such cameras can be used for building dense 3D maps of indoor environments. Such maps have applications in robot navigation, manipulation, semantic mapping, and telepresence. We present RGB-D Mapping, a full 3D mapping system that utilizes a novel joint optimization algorithm combining visual features and shape-based alignment. Visual and depth information are also combined for view-based loop-closure detection, followed by pose optimization to achieve globally consistent maps. We evaluate RGB-D Mapping on two large indoor environments, and show that it effectively combines the visual and shape information available from RGB-D cameras.
Initial characterization of the complement activating compounds in extracts of smokeless tobacco.

Abstract Aqueous extracts of smokeless tobacco (ST) have been shown to be potent activators of complement. However, the mechanisms by which smokeless tobacco activates complement are not well understood. This study was undertaken to identify the complement activating compounds in ST extracts. The approximate molecular size of the activating agent(s) in smokeless tobacco was determined by dialyzing aqueous extracts of loose leaf chewing tobacco (1S1), dry snuff (1S2), and moist snuff (1S3). Following dialysis (total dilution effect of 1:10 9 ), using a membrane with a molecular weight retention limit of 12-14 kDa, all extracts retained full capacity to activate serum complement as determined by a hemolytic assay. Fractionation of the extracts by gel filtration chromatography revealed that the complement activating agents in ST were high molecular weight compounds that eluted between 400 kDa and the void volume (1500 kDa) of a Sephacryl S300 column. The high molecular weight complement-activating peak was isolated and found to be a more potent complement activator than the unfractionated extract. The chemical nature of the complement activating compounds was determined by subjecting the extracts to boiling for 30 min, an organic extraction with chloroform/methanol 2:1, or treatment with a DNAse/RNAse enzyme cocktail. None of these treatments destroyed the capacity of ST extracts to activate complement, suggesting that the activating agents may be carbohydrate-like. Finally, an extraction protocol designed to remove polyphenols significantly diminished the complement activating capacity of the ST extracts. These results clearly demonstrate that the complement activating substances in smokeless tobacco extracts may be large (>400 kDa) polyphenol-containing compounds (i.e. tannins). Identification of this agent(s) will be important for distinguishing the mechanism of smokeless tobacco-induced complement activation.
scFv-based “grababody” as a general strategy to improve recruitment of immune effector cells to antibody-targeted tumors

Recruitment of immune cells to tumor cells targeted by a therapeutic antibody can heighten the antitumor efficacy of the antibody. For example, p185her2/neu-targeting antibodies not only downregulate the p185her2/neu kinase (ERBB2) but also trigger complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) through the antibody Fc region. Here we describe a generalized strategy to improve immune cell recruitment to targeted cancer cells, using a modified scFv antibody we call a "grababody" that binds the target protein and endogenous immunoglobulins. The model system we used to illustrate the utility of this platform recognizes p185her2/neu and includes an IgG binding domain. The recombinant scFv grababody that was created recruited circulating human IgGs and attracted immune cells carrying Fc receptors to tumor cells that expressed p185her2/neu. The presence of the IgG binding domain significantly enhanced CDC and ADCC activity and improved anti-tumor activity in vivo. Our results illustrate a novel general approach to improve antibody-like proteins for therapeutic applications.
Contemporary Management of Biliary Tract Infections

Biliary tract infections are a worldwide problem, with a large financial burden on health care. Biliary infections can result from multiple causes, but the most common culprit is cholelithiasis. In the past decade, our knowledge of the mechanism of disease, microbiology of infections, and management options has grown enormously. Although at times perplexing, it is important to understand this information to allow for efficient, quality, and cost-effective health care.
ADRENOCORTICAL CARCINOMA IN CHILDREN: Review and Recent Innovations

Adrenocortical carcinoma in childhood is a rare potentially fatal disease. Despite its often dramatic presentation, there typically has been a distressingly long delay between the onset of symptoms and the time of diagnosis. This delay undoubtedly has contributed to the historically poor prognosis in these children by permitting the disease to reach an advanced stage before treatment is started. It is imperative that the physician recognizes the endocrine manifestations of these tumors early and has a high index of suspicion. Although biochemical and histologic evaluations are helpful, they often cannot differentiate benign lesions from malignant neoplasms and should not unduly delay intervention. Aggressive complete surgical resection continues to be the mainstay of treatment and is the best prognosticator of overall survival. The role of adjuvant therapy and chemotherapy continues to evolve. Molecular studies have increased understanding of cancer biology and may provide possible novel therapeutic approaches in the future. It is hoped that increased familiarity with this unusual tumor will result in earlier detection, prompt intervention, and improved survival for children with adrenocortical carcinoma.
Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) study of the excited state proton transfer in hypoxanthine

Theoretical investigations on the ground- and excited-state proton transfer in the isolated and monohydrated forms of hypoxanthine have been performed. Ground- and transition-state geometries were optimized at the Hartree–Fock (HF)/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels. The geometries of tautomers including the transition states were also optimized in the lowest singlet ππ* excited state at the CIS/6-311++G(d,p) level. The time-dependent density function theory augmented with B3LYP functional (TD-B3LYP) and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set were used to compute vertical transition energies using the B3LYP geometries. The TD-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations were also performed using the CIS/6-311++G(d,p) geometries to predict the adiabatic transition energies of tautomers and the excited-state proton transfer barrier heights. The effect of aqueous environments was considered using the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The harmonic vibrational frequency calculations were performed to ascertain the nature of potential energy surfaces. It was found that proton transfer is characterized by a high barrier height both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. The explicit inclusion of a water molecule in the proton transfer path reduces the barrier height drastically. The excited-state barrier height was found to be increased as compared with that in the ground state. The transition states corresponding to the proton transfer from the keto to the enol form for the monohydrated forms were found to have a zwitterionic structure. The zwitterionic nature of the hydrated transition-state structure is increased in the excited state. The transition-state geometries are more easily expressed in the form of H3O+…HX− for the monohydrated complex of the molecule. The excited-state geometries, including that of transition states, were found to be largely nonplanar. The nonplanar fragment was localized mostly in the six-membered ring. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Variations in contractile properties of rabbit single muscle fibres in relation to troponin T isoforms and myosin light chains.

1. The maximal velocity of shortening (Vmax), tension-pCa relationships and the contractile and regulatory protein composition were determined in single, chemically skinned fibres from adult rabbit plantaris muscles. 2. Three groups of fibres were identified based on their protein compositions. One group had exclusively the slow-type myosin heavy chain (MHC) and myosin light chains (LC) and had low velocities. Another group of fibres had mixtures of fast-type and slow-type MHCs and LCs and had intermediate shortening velocities. The third group of fibres had fast-type myosin heavy and light chains and high velocities. 3. The low-velocity fibres had a mean velocity (+/- S.E.M.) of 0.86 +/- 0.03 muscle lengths/s (ML/s) at 15 degrees C. The remaining fibres formed a continuum with respect to Vmax from 1.37 to 3.94 ML/s. These results indicate that a much greater diversity exists among single fibres from adult mammalian skeletal muscle than previously recognized. The intermediate- and high-velocity fibres formed a continuum (from slow to fast) with respect to the amount of myosin light chain 3 (LC3). That is, Vmax increased with the relative LC3 content in single fibres in the intermediate- and high-velocity groups in a quantitative, statistically significant manner. 4. Three isoforms of fast-type troponin T were identified among the intermediate- and high-velocity fibres. These fibres also contained fast-type troponin C and troponin I. As was the case with the relative LC3 content, these fibres also formed a continuum with respect to the relative proportions of the three isoforms of fast-type troponin T. It appears that different isoforms of troponin T are responsible for a slightly higher Ca2+ sensitivity of tension development in the high-velocity fibres compared to the intermediate fibres. The continuum in troponin T isoform composition paralleled an increase in Vmax among these fibres. 5. The low-velocity fibres had the highest Ca2+ sensitivity of the three groups and had exclusively the slow-type isoforms of the regulatory proteins in the troponin complex. 6. The co-ordinated variations in troponin T and LC3 compositions among the intermediate- and high-velocity fibres are discussed as a possible means for the further differentiation of the contractile properties of the fibres in these two groups, beyond that provided by myosin heavy chain isoforms alone.
Sensitivity of hydrogen bonds of DNA and RNA to hydration, as gauged by 1JNH measurements in ethanol-water mixtures.

Hydrogen-bond lengths of nucleic acids are (1) longer in DNA than in RNA, and (2) sequence dependent. The physicochemical basis for these variations in hydrogen-bond lengths is unknown, however. Here, the notion that hydration plays a significant role in nucleic acid hydrogen-bond lengths is tested. Watson–Crick N1...N3 hydrogen-bond lengths of several DNA and RNA duplexes are gauged using imino 1JNH measurements, and ethanol is used as a cosolvent to lower water activity. We find that 1JNH values of DNA and RNA become less negative with added ethanol, which suggests that mild dehydration reduces hydrogen-bond lengths even as the overall thermal stabilities of these duplexes decrease. The 1JNH of DNA are increased in 8 mol% ethanol to those of RNA in water, which suggests that the greater hydration of DNA plays a significant role in its longer hydrogen bonds. The data also suggest that ethanol-induced dehydration is greater for the more hydrated G:C base pairs and thereby results in greater hydrogen-bond shortening than for the less hydrated A:T/U base pairs of DNA and RNA.
SEASONAL FARM LABOR IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY

ABSTRACT Specialty agriculture has been the mainstay of the agricultural economy of the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The dependence of Valley farmers upon thousands of local, intrastate, and interstate seasonal farm laborers is important in understanding the evolution of this agricultural region. Spanish-surname people have been available for farm labor since the early settlement of the Valley.
THE EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE AND NOR-EPINEPHRINE ON THE ACUTE THYROID RELEASE OF THYROID HORMONES

Cathetcrization of the thyroid vein and measurement of its PBI131 levels have been utilized to study the effect of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine on the release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid in dogs. After intravenous administration of epinephrine to seven dogs and of nor-epinephrine to three dogs, increases in PBI131 levels from 1.5 to 17.1 times the control values were found. These responses occurred within 15 to 95 minutes in all dogs tested. Control experiments in three dogs have shown that during a comparable experimental period of four hours, no significant change in thyroid venous PBI131 concentrations took place. In two dogs given thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) intravenously, increases in thyroid venous PBI131 levels of 18.9 and 7.4 times the control activities were noted. The initial responses occurred within 20 minutes after starting the TSH infusion. In two hypophyscctomized dogs, epinephrine infusion was attended with a rise in thyroid venous PBI(131) comparable to that seen in the ...
Contamination control considerations for the Next-Generation Space Telescope (NGST)

The NASA Space Science Program, in its ongoing mission to study the universe, has begun planning for a telescope that will carry on the Hubble Space Telescope's exploration. This telescope, the 'Next Generation Space Telescope' (NGST), will be 6-8 meters in diameter, will be radiatively cooled to 30-60 Kelvin in order to enable extremely deep exposures at near infrared wavelengths, and will operate for a lifetime of 5-10 years. The requirement will be to measure wavelengths from 1-5 microns, with a goal to measure wavelengths from 0.6-30 microns. As such, NGST will present a new contamination control challenge. The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) performed one of three preliminary feasibility studies for the NGST, presenting a telescope with an 8 meter, deployable primary mirror and a deployable secondary mirror. The telescope would be radiatively cooled, with the optical telescope assembly (OTA) and the science instrument module (SIM) isolated from the warmer spacecraft support module (SSM). The OTA and the SIM would also be shielded from sunlight with an enormous, inflatable sun-shield. The GSFC telescope was designed for launch on an Atlas HAS, which would require launching the telescope in a stowed configuration, with the SSM, antennae, sun-shield, primary mirror 'petals', and secondary mirror deployed once on-orbit. The launch configuration and deployment scenario of an exposed telescope measuring near infrared and cooled to 30-60 K are the factors presenting contamination hazards to the NGST mission. Preliminary science requirements established are: less than 20% reflectance decrease on optical surfaces over the wavelength range, and less than 0.3% obscuration of optical surfaces. In order to meet these requirements, NGST must be built and launched with careful attention to contamination control. Initial contamination control design options include strict selecting of materials and baking out of hardware down to the component level, minimizing or eliminating exposure of the OTA to sunlight or earth albedo during deployment and early on-orbit operations, cleaning of the primary and secondary mirrors at the launch site, cleaning of the launch vehicle fairing, locating thrusters and vents on the warm side of the sun shield only, and the possibility of including a deployable cover if that is shown to be necessary.
INTERPRETATION OF COMPARATIVE GROWTHS OF FUNGAL COLONIES GROWING ON DIFFERENT SOLID SUBSTRATA.

A survey of the available literature in the fields of plant physiology, mycology, and plant pathology clearly indicate that there is a controversy regarding the most accurate method of interpreting the growth extent of a fungous mat on solid nutrient media. Accuracy is particularly important when comparisons are being made of the effects of media with and without various concentrations of growth promoting and growth inhibiting substances. A like controversy has occurred as to the best method to be applied in an effort to interpret accurately the growth curve for a specific mat over a period of several consecutive days. Two distinct viewpoints have been apparent. The one group holds that in the measurement of colony growth a comparison of the radii is a better criterion of actual growth rate, while the others maintain the ratio of the respective areas is the better. Seldom has a worker seen the desirability of including both types of calculations and of drawing conclusions which would be of significance regardless of the method employed. In presenting a third method of calculation, it is not the purpose of this paper to magnify this controversy, but rather to present the various techniques and the arguments for and against each. The various methods and their interrelationships can be derived from figure 1. Figure 1-K represents the control mat and figure 1-T the test mat. In the determination of the growth curves for a given fungous mat, figure 1-T would represent a later stage of growth for the mat of figure 1-K. The various methods which may be applied to the problem concerned are given in outline form below. All letters included refer to the same letters in figure 1.
Metabolic considerations in pyrethroid design

1. Synthetic pyrethroids, based on the naturally-occurring insecticidal components of pyrethrum extract, emerged in the 1970s as the fourth major chemical class of synthetic insecticides. They are widely used today in the control of agriculture and household pests and disease vectors.2. Early efforts in the design of synthetic analogues focused on the need to identify novel structural moieties that preserved or enhanced intrinsic insecticidal activity while eliminating known sites of metabolic and photolytic attack in the natural compounds. Subsequent efforts focused on achieving high levels of insecticidal activity while minimizing costs of synthesis and retaining desirable levels of selective toxicity.3. The synthetic compounds obtained in these efforts constitute a group of insecticides having unprecedented biological activity against target species with low acute toxicity to mammals.4. The evolutionary development of the pyrethroids illustrates how knowledge of metabolic fate can contribute to the des...
Detection algorithm implementation and measured results for a real-time, through-wall radar system using a TDM MIMO antenna array

Locating moving targets inside of buildings would greatly improve the situational awareness of the urban war fighter. A real-time, through-wall radar system was developed that plots the location (in down range and cross range) of moving targets at the video frame rate of 10.8 Hz behind an opaque wall. This is achieved by coupling an ultrawideband (UWB) S-band frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, which uses a spatial frequency analog range gate, with a time division multiplexed (TDM) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array. Real-time imagery or detections are plotted on the radar screen, providing the war fighter with an immediate picture of the situation behind an unknown wall.
Finite Element Geometry Creation Using Three-Dimensional Laser Profilometry

Obtaining a complete view of a general 3D object has been of increasing importance in topographical measurements. This is particularly useful in 3D solid modeling, robotic 3D vision, quality control, numerically controlled machining, dimensional measurement and control for sheet metal forming, and other industrial applications. In this paper we use a phase-measuring technique initially developed for conventional interferometry to create a digitized map of a formed sheet metal surface. The resulting mesh data are converted into nodes and elements and imported into a finite element package for structural analysis via a translator. The procedure yields significant time savings in the part geometry modeling task for objects with complex surfaces which need a finite element analysis. Necessary theoretical review is provided for those with laser profilometry backgrounds and no prior FEA experience as well as FEA analysts without prior laser profilometry background. The paper aims at developing an awareness of combining these two existing technologies to advance product engineering analysis.
Substrate specificity of age-related changes in the inducibility of hepatic microsomal monooxygenases in middle-aged rats.

Abstract Hepatic microsomal monooxygenase induction was investigated in young-adult and middle-aged male Fischer 344 rats. Monooxygenase components and drug metabolism activities were determined in liver microsomes prepared from rats treated with phenobarbital (PB), β-naphthoflavone (BNF) or methyltestosterone (MT) and compared with values from untreated rats. PB and BNF effects on cytochrome P-450 concentration and cytochrome c reductase activity were similar in young-adult and middle-aged animals. However, the extent of cytochrome P-450 induction by MT was less in the older animals. The age-related changes in induction of drug metabolism activities differed with different substrates for the monooxygenase system. In contrast to the inducibility of benzphetamine N-demethylation and aniline hydroxylation, which was dimished in the older rats, the inducibility of nitroanisole O-demethylation was enhanced. The results imply that qualitative changes in the microsomal enzyme system occurred as the animals progresses from young to middle adulthood.
Impact of an aggressive invasive catheterization and revascularization strategy on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock in the global utilization of streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator for occluded coronary arteries (GUSTO-I) trial: An observational study

Background Although retrospective analyses have revealed an association between survival and coronary angiography and angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock, the degree to which bias in the selection of patients to undergo these procedures contributes to this observation remains unclear. Methods and Results We studied 2200 patients in the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO-I) trial with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg for ≥1 hour) who survived ≥1 hour after the onset of shock to determine the influence of an aggressive strategy of early angiography (within 24 hours of shock onset) and coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery, if appropriate, on survival. Revascularization was not protocol mandated but was selected by the attending physicians. Shock was present on admission in 11% and developed after admission in 89% of shoc...
Full-field surface profiling using dynamic projected grids

The dynamic grid projection method for measuring 3-dimensional surface profiles utilizes a rotating grid as the structured light source. This technique has several advantages over other triangulation methods, such as the ability to determine the fringe order (and therefore the range) of each image pixel independently, with no relative motion between the sensor and test object. Because of the high data rate required to sample the signal from a rotating grid, dynamic fringe projection methods have typically been limited to single-point measurements using photodiode sensors. Also, the complex signal analysis algorithms used have limited the resolution and speed of the technique. This paper describes a prototype system developed with a photodiode sensor array imager and simplified digital signal processing algorithms. The use of a photodiode array gives the imaging system sufficient bandwidth to measure significant regions of the surface simultaneously. By extracting only the essential elements of the data from each pixel's output, such as the number of fringes crossed and the crossing with the maximum duration, an accurate surface measurement can be made with a simple search algorithm. The theoretical resolution of the system is limited by the speed of the imaging array, the accuracy of the grid's rotation, and the imaging optics.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exit Criteria in Early Childhood Programs for Handicapped Children.

Information on the existence of written exit criteria, as well as descriptions of existing criteria, was obtained from 178 surveys completed by early childhood education programs for handicapped children across the United States. Approximately half of the programs had formal written exit criteria. The most commonly cited criterion was chronological age. Other factors, such as formal test results, team staffing decisions, and the child's developmental skill level, also played a role. Significant differences appeared between exit criteria listed by programs with formal written exit criteria and those of programs without. The basis for dismissing children from preschool special education programs varies widely across and within states.
Indomethacin inhibits expansion of experimental aortic aneurysms via inhibition of the cox2 isoform of cyclooxygenase

Abstract Purpose: Cyclooxygenase, either the cox1 or cox2 isoform, controls synthesis of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2), which regulates expression of matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9). PGE2 and MMP-9 are elevated in aortic aneurysms. The mechanisms and time course of the inhibition of aneurysm expansion with a nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, were determined in an animal model. Methods: Rats underwent aortic perfusion with saline (n = 40) as controls or with elastase. Elastase-treated animals received no treatment (n = 82) or received indomethacin (n = 73). Aortic diameters were determined at the time of aortic perfusion and when the rats were killed. The aortas were harvested and used for whole organ culture, substrate gel zymography, or histologic analysis. Results: The control group demonstrated little change in aortic diameter. All the elastase-only animals developed aneurysms (maximal aortic diameter, 5.27 ± 2.37 mm on day 14). Indomethacin markedly decreased the rate of aortic expansion (maximum aortic diameter, 3.45 ± 1.11 mm; P Conclusion: Indomethacin attenuates aneurysm growth, and its effects are mediated via inhibition of the cox2 isoform of cyclooxygenase, which decreases PGE2 and MMP-9 synthesis. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:884-93.)
Results from the Maine 1992 foliage penetration experiment

In order to investigate the detection of targets which are hidden by foliage, an experiment was designed which utilized a forest region located near Portage, Maine. The experiment was designed to address four issues. First, the properties of the backscatter or clutter which competes with the desired target were investigated. Second, the foliage induced attenuation that is experienced by the radar energy traversing the foliage were measured. Third, the ability of a synthetic aperture radar system to focus on a target obscured by foliage was investigated. Fourth, target signatures of foliage obscured and unobscured targets were measured. The forest region was investigated using two different airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. A UHF wide-band SAR operated by SRI International was used as well as a L-, C-, and X-band SAR installed on a P-3 aircraft operated by the U.S. Navy. The SRI system was used to collect data over 16 square kilometers with repeat passes for verification of system performance. The P-3 system was used to collect over 50 square kilometers of data at three different depression angles with several repeat passes.
Initial evaluation of thyroid nodules by primary care physicians and internal medicine residents.

Objective : The article studied the knowledge and practice patterns of primary care providers and internal medicine residents in their initial evaluation of thyroid nodules and determined whether their practice is in accordance with published guidelines by the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Method : A survey was distributed to primary care physicians (PCPs) and internal medicine residents at a community hospital in Baltimore and a chart review was conducted at the Diabetes and Endocrine Center in the same hospital. Results : A total of 47 physicians (70%) responded to the survey, 16 PCPs and 33 residents. Most responders (96%) will always obtain a TSH, and of these, 21% of PCP and 25% of residents will obtain a TSH without any other laboratory work-up. Fifty percent of the physicians (PCP, 75%; resident, 39%) will always obtain a thyroid ultrasound (p=0.043). Most physicians (97%) will refer for a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of a nodule >1 cm. Sixty-two percent of the physicians will not put a euthyroid patient on levothyroxine suppression therapy. Many physicians (48%) are not aware of the AACE and ATA thyroid nodule guidelines. Most physicians (65%) have not read the guidelines. Of the 113 charts reviewed, TSH was obtained alone in 40% and with other laboratory tests in 74%. Thyroid ultrasound was done in 67%. Only one patient was on levothyroxine for levothyroxine suppression therapy. Discussion : Although many physicians were not aware of the guidelines, and a small number of physicians have read them, many PCP and residents responded in concordance with the guidelines in obtaining TSH, an ultrasound, performing FNA biopsy, and not providing levothyroxine suppressive therapy in euthyroid patients. No differences were found between the responses of PCP and residents except for obtaining an ultrasound. Chart review data also showed that majority of tests ordered for non-toxic thyroid nodule evaluation were in agreement with the guidelines. Limitations include low survey response rate among PCPs and that results are from one community hospital. Conclusion : Our findings from the survey and chart review conclude that majority of primary care physicians were initiating the appropriate work up of thyroid nodules prior to referral to a specialist. Keywords: thyroid nodule evaluation; thyroid nodule; thyroid nodule work-up; thyroid nodule guideline (Published: 1 April 2015) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2015, 5 : 27192 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v5.27192
CIGS PV reliability - Current practices, challenges and approaches

The long term sustainable output power production from any photovoltaic array (PV) array depends on the climate (temperature and humidity) in which PV modules are deployed. The degradation of CIGS PV modules outdoors is complicated by various packaging methods (flexible or rigid), interconnect options (cell to cell interconnects or monolithic integration), the different manufacturing methods used to fabricate films in the CIGS stack and the corresponding material and interfacial properties of the semiconductor layers. There is a need to address the challenges in designing indoor accelerated tests with appropriate stress conditions to replicate the observed failure mode and in identifying the failure mechanisms responsible for the failure. This review paper gives an outline of the current practices, challenges and approaches in identifying the stress factors and degradation mechanisms responsible for the device failure by designing appropriate combinatorial stress tests and test structures for indoor accelerated stress tests and relating the results to outdoor module reliability.
RHIC project overview

An overview of the RHIC Project, the construction and commissioning of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and a set of four detectors at Brookhaven National Laboratory, will be presented as the introduction to this Special Issue of Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
Stabilization and regression of a recurrent desmoid tumor with the antiestrogen toremifene

Objective To report a case of a pelvic desmoid tumor that was treated with the antiestrogen toremifene after a failed attempt at surgical excision. Design Case report. Setting University reproductive endocrine practice. Patient(s) A reproductive-aged woman with a recurrent desmoid tumor. Intervention(s) After surgical excision of a desmoid tumor that presented during childbirth, subsequent recurrence resulted in the use of toremifene for tumor stabilization. Main Outcome Measure(s) Magnetic resonance imaging was used to monitor desmoid tumor size. Result(s) One year after postsurgical recurrence of the desmoid tumor, the patient began treatment with the antiestrogen toremifene. Tumor stabilization and regression with symptomatic relief was observed. Nine years of antiestrogen use revealed no progression in tumor size or patient symptoms. After the patient demonstrated perimenopausal symptoms, toremifene administration was discontinued without a return of symptoms or tumor growth after 3 years. Conclusion(s) Our case demonstrates that toremifene is a safe and effective therapy that can be used for the stabilization and regression of desmoid tumors. An antiestrogen should be considered as adjuvant therapy after surgery and as a first-line treatment with disease recurrence. Discontinuation of antiestrogen therapy was shown to be done safely after the patient started to show signs of decreased endogenous estrogen production.
Entire Solution of a Singular Semilinear Elliptic Problem

Abstract The authors prove that the singular semilinear elliptic equation Δ u + p ( x ) u −γ =0, γ>0, p ( x )≥0, x ∈ R n , n ≥3, has a unique positive C loc 2+α ( R n ) solution that decays to zero near ∞ provided ∫ 0 ∞ t φ( t ) dt t )=max | x |= t p ( x ). Furthermore, they show that this condition on p is nearly optimal.
A nonstandard finite-difference scheme for the Lotka--Volterra system

Most numerical integration schemes for the Lotka-Volterra system have the property that the computed solutions spiral when in fact the actual solutions are periodic corresponding to closed curves. We show that a direct application of the nonstandard methods of Mickens allows the construction of a finite-difference scheme that is dynamically consistent with the differential equations. Numerical results are given to support this result.
A randomized trial of three oral contraceptives: Comparison of bleeding patterns by contraceptive types and steroid levels

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the relationship between bioavailability of contraceptive steroids and bleeding patterns. Study Design: A randomized clinical trial evaluated 192 women on 50 µg of ethinyl estradiol and 1.0 mg of norethindrone (OC1), 35 µg ethinyl estradiol and 1.0 mg of norethindrone (OC2), and 35 wg ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone (OC3) over nine cycles. Results: Intermenstrual bleeding rates were higher for OC3 when compared with OC1 ( p = 0.01). The number of intermenstrual bleeding days was highest for OC3 ( p = 0.001) and higher for OC2 when compared with OC1 ( p p Conclusion: These data suggest that differences in biologic responses associated with pill use cannot be explained solely on the basis of these particular hormone measurements.
Demographic trends and energy consumption in European Union Nations, 1960–2025

Abstract We analyze data for fourteen foundational European Union Nations covering the period 1960–2000 to estimate the effects of demographic and economic factors on energy consumption. We find that population size and age structure have clear effects on energy consumption. Economic development and urbanization also contribute substantially to changes in energy consumption. We use the resultant model to project energy consumption for the year 2025 based on demographic and economic projections to assess the implications of various demographic scenarios. The projections suggest that the expected decline of population growth in Europe will help curtail expansion in energy consumption.
Immunological detection of conformational changes of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor associated with activation

The effect of activation, solid-phase surfaces, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and vitronectin (Vn) on the epitope expression of monoclonal antibody (Mab) to bovine type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) was analysed. The epitope for Mab 12C2 was optimally expressed on PAI-1 in solution (active, free, complexed or cleaved by t-PA) and bound to Vn. Activation of PAI-1 by guanidine hydrochloride increased the apparent PAI-1 antigen concentration in a Mab 12C2-based immunoassay by about 300%, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) decreased the antigen concentration to 44%. Both treatments increased PAI-1 activity to 1300%. Thus, activation by denaturants may lead to differences in specific activity (molar units of urinary type PA inhibitory activity/molar PAI-1 antigen) of about 3000%. These results thus suggest different conformations of SDS vs guanidine-activated PAI-1.
Spontaneous deposition of noble metal films onto hexaboride surfaces

The use of the spontaneous deposition of metals onto surfaces is widespread in industry and research. Here, we report that metal hexaborides (e.g., LaB 6 , YB 6 , EuB 6 ) spontaneously deposit noble metals from solution to form robust layers. We observed spontaneous deposition of noble metals from inorganic salts or acids onto a variety of hexaboride compounds. No pretreatment of the hexaboride is necessary, and noble metal depositions ranging from complete and highly uniform nanometer-scale layers to relatively heavy mirrorlike coatings are easily obtained. We find that the hexaborides both facilitate the formation of and sustain the electrocatalytic activity of nanolayer platinum depositions. To provide such activity and dispersion, the hexaboride supports appear to have unusual promotion and adhesion qualities, possibly due to their low work functions, which are 2-3 eV lower than the noble metals. This variety of unique material and process properties may have benefits in electrocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, electronic devices, and coatings.