cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Home- vs. Laboratory-Based Management Of OSA: An Economic Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that impairs quality of life and health. Diagnosis and treatment of OSA is cost-effective; however, the economics of various management strategies remain to be defined. Home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) provide an alternative to laboratory based polysomnography (PSG) and are less expensive than PSG on a per test basis; however, when utilized within a framework that has been demonstrated to provide comparable clinical outcomes, home testing pathways incur additional costs to compensate for failed studies and lower diagnostic accuracy. A cost-minimization analysis from a randomized controlled trial showed that the cost advantage of a home management pathway narrowed significantly when these additional costs are considered. Further, when the actual costs of providing HSAT rather than what is reimbursed by insurance were considered, the cost advantage was further attenuated. A comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), favored a lab over a home approach based on modeling that projected that the costs of erroneous diagnosis over a long time span for the home approach outweighed lower test costs. Studies have identified the following factors that influence cost-effectiveness of home-based management: cost of untreated OSA, prevalence of OSA, performance characteristics of the selected test, time horizon, and whether backup PSG is used for failed HSAT. More clinical studies are needed to provide the inputs for more robust CEA regarding this issue.
Molecular characterization of ROSIT, a renal osmotic stress-induced Na(+)-Cl(-)-organic solute cotransporter

A gene family encoding many Na(+)- and Cl(-)-dependent organic solute cotransporters has recently been recognized. Among the cotransporters that have been characterized are those for neurotransmitters, amino acids, and organic osmolytes. Using polymerase chain reaction and mRNA derived from renal cortex, we isolated a new member of this gene family, ROSIT, a renal osmotic stress-induced transporter. The cDNA is 2,354 bp long with an open reading frame of 1,845 bp. The 615 deduced amino sequence shows ROSIT to be most clearly related to two orphan cDNAs of this family isolated from brain. Northern analysis showed the mRNA is normally expressed in renal cortex but not in brain, heart, colon, liver, stomach, or skeletal muscle. Moreover, hypernatremic rats displayed a marked increase in mRNA levels in renal cortex, renal outer medulla, and perhaps intestine. Heterologous expression of the cRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes failed to reveal the function of this gene product when analyzed with isotope fluxes or electrophysiological measurements using a wide variety of organic solutes. Although its function remains unknown, ROSIT is likely to be involved in kidney reclamation of an organic osmolyte or osmolyte precursor required for adaptation to hypertonic stress.
Distribution of serum concentrations reported for macroenzyme aspartate aminotransferase (macro-AST)

Background The presence of macroenzyme (M) is often the explanation of an isolated elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Where M is identified, it is reasonable for the clinician to ask where an individual patient's result fits in with known concentrations of M. In this context, we conducted a survey of literature to examine the distribution of reported serum concentrations of macro-AST. We also analyzed the distribution data to examine whether elevations were consistent with simple alteration of circulatory half-life (t1/2) of M relative to normal AST.
Abstract 227: A Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Assay for the Semi-quantitative Screening of 34 Cardiovascular Medications in Human Serum

Background Cardiovascular medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs; there is need for an objective method to distinguish patients with ineffective regimens from those with medication non-adherence. Methods We developed a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for semi-quantitative drug detection of 34 commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs using 100μl of serum. Drug classes include: anticoagulants, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, statins, vasodilators, digoxin, fenofibrate, and niacin. Analytical accuracy and precision were evaluated by repeating the assay on spiked samples at low, medium and high concentrations. In 294 clinical samples collected from hospitalized patients, statistical sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were computed by comparing the detection or lack thereof against documented drug administration. Results For the 34 cardiovascular drugs, the assay was sensitive (>0.90) for all except captopril (0.25), isosorbide (0.81), and niacin (0.89). The assay was specific for all drugs, with a minimum specificity of 0.94 (aspirin). Conclusions To our knowledge, this method is the first high-throughput,semi-quantitative LC-MS method for simultaneous analysis of 34 commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs across multiple classes that has been validated in serum obtained from patients during supervised medication administration. This assay provides a simple tool to determine adherence.
The impact of decompression with instrumentation on local failure following spine stereotactic radiosurgery

OBJECTIVESpine stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a safe and effective treatment for spinal metastases. However, it is unknown whether this highly conformal radiation technique is suitable at instrumented sites given the potential for microscopic disease seeding. The authors hypothesized that spinal decompression with instrumentation is not associated with increased local failure (LF) following SRS.METHODSA 2:1 propensity-matched retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing SRS for spinal metastasis was conducted. Patients with less than 1 month of radiographic follow-up were excluded. Each SRS treatment with spinal decompression and instrumentation was propensity matched to 2 controls without decompression or instrumentation on the basis of demographic, disease-related, dosimetric, and treatment-site characteristics. Standardized differences were used to assess for balance between matched cohorts.The primary outcome was the 12-month cumulative incidence of LF, with death as a competing risk. Lesions...
Heat transfer, mass transport and horticultural commodity water loss during hypobaric storage

Abstract Freedom red roses stored in a hypobaric warehouse at 11.1 mmHg, 2 °C, lost 6.78% of their water in 35 days. Respiratory heat only evaporated enough water from the flowers to cause a 2.5% weight loss. The low storage pressure promoted capillary water condensation in the non-waxed cardboard boxes used for flower distribution, increasing the cardboard’s weight by 20%. Radiation and convection transferred the heat of capillary water condensation from the cardboard to the roses, and evaporative cooling caused the extra water loss moving heat from the roses to the chamber air. A weight increase due to capillary water condensation did not occur in cardboard boxes at atmospheric pressure, 85–90% RH, or in waterproof plastic boxes at 11.1 mmHg, 99.8% RH. Horticultural commodities lose more water during controlled atmosphere (CA) or normal atmosphere storage (NA) than during hypobaric storage (LP) in waterproof boxes because more respiratory heat is produced in CA and NA. Non waxed cardboard boxes should not be used for hypobaric storage.
Statistics Education in the United States: Statistical Reasoning and the Statistical Process

Two important components of statistical literacy are statistical reasoning and the statistical process. This chapter summarises a study that analysed 41 mathematics state standards documents as they existed in 2006 to surmise the extent to which learning these components is expected of students in the United States. Most prominent among the findings were the overrepresentation of isolated statistical procedures and the corresponding scarcity of expectations addressing statistical reasoning and the statistical process.
Proceedings of the 2012 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data

We are delighted to welcome you to SIGMOD 2012, the 2012 edition of the ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data, in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the Southwest of the United States. Scottsdale is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and offers stunning desert vistas and a breathtaking setting for the conference. At the same time, Scottsdale is adjacent to Phoenix, one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the United States. SIGMOD 2012 hosts an exciting technical program, with two keynote talks, by Pat Hanrahan (Stanford University and Tableau Software) and Amin Vahdat (University of California, San Diego and Google); a plenary session with "Perspectives on Big Data," by Donald Kossmann (ETHZ), Kristen LeFevre (Google Research and University of Michigan), Sam Madden (MIT), and Anand Rajaraman (@WalmartLabs); 48 research paper presentations; six tutorials; 30 demonstrations; and 18 industrial presentations. In addition to having full 30-minute presentation slots, research papers are included in one of two Research Plenary Poster Sessions. One of these sessions is jointly for PODS and SIGMOD research papers, to deepen the ties between the two conferences. Another new plenary poster session, for papers from the 11 workshops co-located with SIGMOD 2012, is an effort to strengthen the link and synergy between the workshops and the conference. SIGMOD 2012 includes several technical and social events designed specifically for student attendees. The SIGMOD/PODS 2012 Ph.D. Symposium, the Database Mentoring Workshop, the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition, and the New Researcher Symposium are all established components of the SIGMOD program and are all part of SIGMOD 2012. The conference also hosts a session dedicated to highlighting the finalists of the SIGMOD Programming Contest. (This year's task is to implement a multidimensional, high-throughput, in-memory indexing system.) In addition, the conference includes a new Information Session on Careers in Industry, aimed at bringing student attendees together with our Gold, Platinum, and Diamond sponsors, as well as "vis-a-vis" meetings aimed at helping Ph.D. students meet internationally recognized researchers in their research areas, to exchange ideas and receive guidance in a relaxed social setting.
Group II intron inhibits conjugative relaxase expression in bacteria by mRNA targeting.

Proteins, the molecular workhorses of the cell, are encoded by genes within the DNA. A given gene is often formed of several portions of coding DNA, the exons, which are separated by sections of non-coding DNA called introns. When it is expressed, the entire gene, including the introns, is ‘copied’ into a molecule of pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA). Enzymes then remove the introns and stitch the exons together to produce a mature messenger RNA (mRNA) that can serve as a template to create a protein. However, a particular type of intron, known as a group II intron, can remove or ‘splice’ itself out of a pre-mRNA without the help of additional enzymes. Once this is done, these introns can also insert themselves into DNA. Scientists think that group II introns originated in bacteria, yet only about a quarter of bacterial genomes sequenced so far contain this particular kind of intron. When these introns are present, their numbers are low, and most of the time they are restricted to genes that are not required for survival. It is not well understood why group II introns are so few and far between, and why they are often not associated with essential genes in bacteria. Qu et al. looked into a gene that contains a group II intron in the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, and discovered that the expression of this gene was dramatically low. This decrease was due to interactions between the group II intron and the exons within the mRNA. Once group II introns were spliced out, they could target their mRNAs and reopen the junction where the exons had been stitched together. These mRNAs were therefore lost, and the cell made less of the protein that the gene encoded. The findings by Qu et al. can help to explain why group II introns are so scarce, how they are excluded from essential genes, and also how cells could use these sequences. In particular, group II introns could have evolved to form the spliceosome, a complex structure that processes introns in higher organisms. Finally, group II introns could be used in the laboratory to artificially silence genes of interest.
Outcome of Pregnancy in Patients with Unexplained Elevated or Low Levels of Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein

Data relating to the outcome of pregnancy were gathered prospectively on patients with elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) or with unusually low MSAFP levels unexplained by ultrasonography or amniocentesis. Patients with unexplained MSAFP elevations (2.5 or more multiples of the median, amniotic fluid AFP normal) exhibited a significantly increased incidence of fetal loss, low birth weight, neonatal death, and fetal congenital anomalies compared with controls with normal MSAFP. Twenty-one of 338 women with unexplained MSAFP elevations delivered a fetus or infant with at least one congenital anomaly. The twenty-one cases included six with hydrocephalus (five aqueductal stenosis and one neuroectodermal tumor with secondary obstruction) and one with the Dandy-Walker malformation. Patients with unexplained low levels of MSAFP (less than or equal to 0.25 MOM) had a significantly greater risk of fetal loss than controls, but there was no increase in the incidence of low birth weight, neonatal deaths or congenital anomalies.
Strengthening of an Fe−Ni−V−C alloy by cyclic phase transformation

The martensitic strength of an Fe-22 Ni-1 V-0.3 C alloy exposed to direct and reverse martensitic transformation between −196° and 610°C was increased by as much as 35,000 psi from the strength in the uncycled condition. This increase was nearly double the strength increase produced in a martensitic Fe-25 Ni-0.3 C alloy after cycling. Substantial ductility increases accompanied the strengthening. A calibration curve of yield strength vs pct uncycled martensite allowed martensitic strength comparisons to be made in spite of variations in the amount of retained austenite. Transmission electron microscopy showed that fine carbide particles on the order of 100 A in diam formed during heating in the martensite to austenite portion of a transformation cycle on the Fe−Ni−V−C alloy. The particles were identified as VC from extraction replicas. The strengthening produced by cycling was analyzed by summing calculated strength increases due to substructural changes and fine particle dispersion and the calculated decreases due to the reduced solid solution strengthening that accompanies the formation of carbides.
Suspect, Detect, and Refer: A Slogan in Health Diagnosis for Physical Educators

(1938). Suspect, Detect, and Refer. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 9, No. 8, pp. 472-474.
Are the faithful becoming less fruitful? The decline of conservative protestant fertility and the growing importance of religious practice and belief in childbearing in the US.

Abstract Studies of religion and fertility argue that American childbearing has become less predicated on religious tradition and more on religious commitment and belief. Yet studies have not documented this transition over time or considered whether the growing importance of religious commitment and belief in childbearing applies across Christian traditions equally. Using data from the 1972–2016 General Social Surveys, we analyze childbearing trends across time and birth cohort focusing on the independent and interrelated effects of religious tradition, religious practice, and theological fundamentalism. We also utilize zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to better account for the increasing number of Americans who forego childbearing. Conservative Protestant affiliation is associated with faster than average declines in fertility, while monthly church attendance and biblical literalism are associated with slower than average declines in fertility, ceteris paribus. Examining moderating relationships, monthly worship attendance slightly increases the childbearing of mainline Protestants and Catholics over time, while conservative Protestant childbearing declines regardless of attendance. Unless offset by switching, our findings portend future population declines for conservative Protestants, notably, ones that are not attenuated by greater religious commitment.
The Basilicata region (Southern Italy): a natural and ‘human-built’ open-air laboratory for manifold studies. Research trends over the last 24 years (1994–2017)

The Basilicata region (Southern Italy) is characterized by a peculiar environmental as well as biological, geological, and cultural heritage features that are evident in national and regional parks...
Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection.

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone.
Os ambientes educativos na creche e sua influência no desenvolvimento da criança

O presente estudo procura compreender de que forma a organizacao do espaco o torna de fato um ambiente educativo na educacao infantil, especialmente na etapa da creche. Para tanto, utilizou-se o metodo de investigacao bibliografica, que ajudou a compreender o processo de maturacao, desenvolvimento e aprendizagem da crianca a partir da organizacao do espaco educativo da creche. Discute-se nele a ideia de que o espaco educacional da creche, quando colocado em uma relacao de dialogo com tudo o que compoe o fazer pedagogico da creche, e fundamental para a maturacao, a aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento da crianca. O estudo conclui que este espaco, aliado a dinâmica pedagogica, pode levar a experiencias significativas ou frustrantes nessa fase da vida, uma vez que e neste periodo e muito importante no desenvolvimento da personalidade da crianca.
Nonlinear analysis of a piezoelectric energy harvester in body undulatory caudal fin aquatic unmanned vehicles

Abstract Body caudal fin (BCF) locomotion aquatic unmanned vehicles (AUVs) are making critical transitions to full autonomous systems but have challenge in endurance. Therefore, engineering solutions need to be found to maximize the mission capability of these systems. The body actuation of these AUVs offers a platform for a piezoelectric energy harvester to scavenge electrical energy from the mechanical motion. The motion of the animals which these AUVs are inspiring from can be represented in a spatio-temporal function with different envelope constraints to represent an Anguilliform, Subcarangiform, Carangiform, and Thunniform motion. A better approximation of the strain is accounted for by considering the higher-order nonlinear terms due to the large deformation of these systems. Gibbs function is utilized to better approximate the nonlinear constitutive relations of the piezoelectric material. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate how the nonlinear strain and nonlinear piezoelectric material properties affects the performance of the BCF energy harvesters under each motion for various length and placement conditions. The results show that considering the higher-order strain is needed due to the underestimation of the harvested power when linear assumptions are employed for these types of undulatory motion. It is shown that assuming that load resistance, R opt ≈ 1 / C p ω , over-approximates the resistance for the nonlinear piezoelectric material model. This analysis shows the importance of including the nonlinearities due to the piezoelectric material and large deformations in order to accurately estimate the levels of the harvested power and its optimal configuration.
Energy storage sizing for grid compatibility of intermittent renewable resources: A California case study

Abstract High levels of intermittent renewable sources will lead to large swings in demand for other generation resources, increasing the risk of overgeneration. Rooftop solar installations exacerbate the potential issues as well. Energy storage systems can mitigate these problems but need to be properly sized to reach network wide goals. This paper presents a method to estimate the necessary energy capacity and power for storage systems to align intermittent resources with network ramp-rate limitations. Case studies for the California Independent System Operator in 2017 and projecting to the renewable portfolio standard target of 60% in 2030 are presented. The effect of curtailment on storage requirements is also analyzed. Lastly, the impact of behind-the-meter solar installations in the Los Angeles area is estimated. These analyses show that significant amounts of storage and some curtailment will be necessary to reach the RPS targets given current network ramping limits unless other dispatchable renewable resources are deployed. This is the first step to develop grid-level planning tools by estimating storage needs with consideration of the demand, renewable generation characteristics, and curtailment levels.
Life-Threatening and Non-Life-Threatening Complications Associated With Coughing: A Scoping Review

Background This is an update of the section on complications that are associated with coughing in the 2006 CHEST cough guidelines that addresses two aims: (1) to systematically identify and thematically categorize the diverse complications of cough by providing a guide for future studies and (2) to identify gaps in the literature for future research. Research Question What are the potential complications that are associated with the act of coughing that have been reported in infants, children, adolescents, and adults? Study Design and Methods A scoping review was performed with the use of PubMed and SCOPUS databases that were searched from their beginning until September 6, 2019. Results Two hundred forty-seven publications met our inclusion criteria. To these, we added 38 articles from the 2006 complications paper that were not identified in the literature search plus the paper itself for a final total of 286 publications that formed the basis of this review. Since 2006, three new categories of complications have been reported: ear, nose and throat; disease transmission; and laboratory testing. Multiple additional complications that fall outside of these three categories have also been identified and included in the following categories: cardiovascular, constitutional symptoms, dermatologic, GI, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, neurologic, ophthalmologic, psychosocial/quality of life, and respiratory. Not previously highlighted is that some of the complications led to serious morbidity that included death, especially in patients with comorbid conditions, and potentially resulted in harm to others when cough resulted in a motor vehicle accident. Interpretation Our work identified a large number of cough complications that we thematically categorized primarily by organ system so that future studies of each system or each complication can be conducted. The gap in the literature that future studies should address is to identify the frequency of the complications and the strength of their association with cough. Only then will one be able to describe the findings in a manner that allows specific recommendations for avoiding these complications. In the meantime, patients with cough should be evaluated and treated according to evidence-based guidelines to mitigate or prevent the myriad of potential complications that are associated with coughing.
High-Dimensional Time Series Feature Extraction for Low-Cost Machine Olfaction

The complexity of airborne odors offers interesting challenges and opportunities for chemical detection and identification. Biological olfactory systems have evolved to extract information from spatiotemporally complex odor plumes, but many engineered electronic noses use only coarse time features while neglecting valuable transient fluctuations. In this paper, we use the TruffleBot , our low-cost e-nose platform, to dynamically ‘sniff’ odors while collecting multidimensional chemical, pressure and temperature time series. By extracting high-dimensional time series features (TSF) from a diverse set of relatively low-bandwidth sensor signals, we can identify subtle differences in odor concentration and composition. We use this approach to perform a variety of classification experiments, including the discrimination of three similar beers at >98% accuracy. Additionally, we demonstrate that time series features can be aggregated and applied to improve concentration estimation of ethanol by a factor of three, to the limit of our experimental calibration error.
Optogenetic inhibition of the colon epithelium reduces hypersensitivity in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

ABSTRACT Visceral pain is a prevalent symptom of inflammatory bowel disease that can be difficult to treat. Pain and hypersensitivity are mediated by extrinsic primary afferent neurons (ExPANs) that innervate the colon. Recent studies indicate that the colon epithelium contributes to initiating ExPAN firing and nociceptive responses. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the epithelium contributes to inflammation-induced hypersensitivity. A key prediction of this hypothesis is that inhibition of the epithelium would attenuate nociceptive signaling and inflammatory hypersensitivity. To test this hypothesis, the inhibitory yellow light-activated protein archaerhodopsin was targeted to the intestinal epithelium (villin-Arch) or the ExPANs (TRPV1-Arch) that innervate the colon. Visceral sensitivity was assessed by measuring the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD), with and without yellow light illumination of the colon lumen. Inhibition of the colon epithelium in healthy villin-Arch mice significantly diminished the CRD-induced VMR. Direct inhibition of ExPANs during CRD using TRPV1-Arch mice showed that ExPAN and epithelial inhibition were similarly effective in reducing the VMR to CRD. We then investigated the effect of epithelial and ExPAN inhibition in the dextran sulfate sodium model of inflammatory bowel disease. Inhibition of the colon epithelium significantly decreased dextran sulfate sodium-induced hypersensitivity and was comparable with the inhibition of ExPANs. Together, these results reveal the potential of targeting the colon epithelium for the treatment of pain.
Associations of Vasopressor Requirements With Echocardiographic Parameters After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background:Post-arrest hypotension is common after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and many patients resuscitated after OHCA will require vasopressors. We sought to determine the associations...
Alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco polysubstance use: A latent profile analysis of age of onset.

Background Despite understanding the long-term risks associated with early substance use, less is known about the specific patterns of the age of onset (AO) across multiple substances and whether these patterns of early exposure are linked to substance use later in young adulthood. Consequently, the present study sought to (1) identify distinct classes regarding AO for alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco and (2) compare these classes on patterns of individual and simultaneous alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use, other substance use, and mental health symptoms. Methods Participants were 510 emerging adults (Mage = 21.35; 88.6% men) who reported past-year use of alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. Results Latent profile analysis was used to identify classes based on three indicators: AO for alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. Results revealed that four classes best fit the data: Earliest AO for Alcohol (19.8%); Latest AO for Substances (6.5%); Late AO for Substances (67.8%); Earliest AO for Cannabis and Tobacco (5.9%). Classes varied on current patterns of individual substance use, co-use of substances, other illicit drug use, and mental health symptomology. The Latest AO of Substances class reported the lowest alcohol use, cannabis use, other illicit drug use, and mental health symptomology than the other classes. The Earliest AO for Alcohol and the Late AO of Substances reported a lower frequency of tobacco compared to the other classes. The Late AO of Substance class reported the highest past-year frequency of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use. Conclusions The current study contributed to the larger polysubstance literature by identifying profiles that may signify risky patterns of use. Findings may help guide prevention and intervention work with adolescents and young adults.
Monte Carlo Automatic Integration with Dynamic Parallelism in CUDA

The rapidly evolving CUDA environment is well suited for numerical integration of high dimensional integrals, in particular by Monte Carlo or quasi-Monte Carlo methods. With some care, near peak performance can be obtained on important applications. A basis for efficient numerical integration using using CUDA kernels on NVIDIA GPUs is presented, showing several ways to use CUDA features, provide automatic error control and prevention or detection of roundoff errors. This framework allows easy extension to multiple GPUs, clusters and clouds for addressing problems that were impractical to attack in the past, and is the basis for an update to the ParInt numerical integration package.
Static and dynamic properties of biodegradable poly(antioxidant β-amino ester) networks based on incorporation of curcumin multiacrylate

Abstract Poly(antioxidant β-amino esters) (PAβAE) are a recently-developed class of biodegradable polymeric hydrogels that have shown promise in their ability to control cellular response by reducing oxidative stress and thereby improving biocompatibility. The degradation and resulting antioxidant properties of these biomaterials are closely related to the composition and architecture of the networks established during polymerization. Therefore, in order to efficiently design PAβAE for specific biomedical applications, it is important to understand the impact of synthesis conditions on the thermomechanical properties of the resulting polymer networks. In this work, we examine a series of hydrogel networks formed by polymerization of a commercial diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG400DA), and a primary diamine, 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (TTD), in combination with acrylate-functionalized curcumin. Swelling response of these hydrogels in acetonitrile (ACN) and aqueous degradation at 37 °C were evaluated as a function of composition. Network structure and thermomechanical response properties were examined using dynamic mechanical analysis and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. An increase in curcumin content led to an overall increase in the glass transition temperature and the corresponding network degradation time.
The Havers-Halberg oscillation regulates primate tissue and organ masses across the life-history continuum

Long period biological timing, as deduced from a primate enamel formation rhythm termed the repeat interval (RI), varies predictably with body size and primate life-history characteristics. RI is a manifestation of a fundamental metabolic rhythm termed the Havers–Halberg oscillation (HHO). Because body size is highly associated with RI (and the HHO), we assume that RI should also have relationships with primate tissue and organ masses that likely covary with body size. We evaluate body mass and constituent tissue and organ masses, as well as basal metabolic rate (BMR), for twelve primate taxa. Regressing RI against tissue, organ, and body masses, as well as BMR, we find the relationships to be significant. Partial correlations controlling for the effects of either body mass or fat-free body mass suggest that the significant associations that tissue and organ masses have with each other are likely related to their dependence on body size in general. Body mass and most tissue masses approximate 1/4 scaling. However, brain mass has a singularly high slope in relation to RI. The relatively slow growth of other tissue and organ masses with increasing RI may provide ‘payment’ for the high mass specific metabolic rate of the brain. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 649–656.
A Review of: Public Forgetting: The Rhetoric and Politics of Beginning Again, by Bradford Vivian: State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press. x + 212 pp. $60.00 (hardcover), $25.95 (paper).

Sometimes we desire to forget. Although we often assert a hunger for the grounding and securing structures of memory, some memories are extraordinarily painful and deeply destructive. These memorie...
Solid-State Power Amplifiers

In this chapter we will examine the basic operation of some common power amplifier circuits. Recall that the capacitively-coupled, class A amplifiers covered in the last chapter have a maximum theoretical efficiency of 25%. This means that if you were to design a perfect class A amplifier that delivered 10 W to a load, the amplifier itself would dissipate 30 W. Nearly all of this power would be dissipated by the output transistor(s), which would require a large heat sink. Recall also that most of the discrete transistor amplifiers examined in Chap. 3 were common emitter (CE) amplifiers. The output resistance of the CE tends to be high – typically thousands to tens of thousands of ohms. This makes the CE amplifier unsuited for driving a low resistance load, like a loudspeaker which will typically have a resistance of 8 Ω or less.
The molecular basis for the development of neural maps

Neural development leads to the establishment of precise connectivity in the nervous system. By contrasting the information capacities of cortical connectivity and the genome, we suggest that simplifying rules are necessary in order to create cortical connections from the limited set of instructions contained in the genome. One of these rules may be employed by the visual system, where connections are formed on the basis of the interplay of molecular gradients and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. We show how a simple model that accounts for such interplay can create both neural topographic maps and more complex patterns of ocular dominance, that is, the segregated binary mixture of projections from two eyes converging in the same visual area. With regard to the ocular dominance patterns, we show that pattern orientation may be instructed by the direction of the gradients of molecular labels. We also show that the periodicity of ocular dominance patterns may result from the interplay of the effects of molecular gradients and correlated neural activity. Overall, we propose that simple mechanisms can account for the formation of apparently complex features of neuronal connections.
Semianalytical formulation on the scattering of proximity equilibration cell closed ring photonic band gap structures

[1] A novel semianalytical methodology is used to analyze a periodic array of printed metallic closed ring elements in a multilayered dielectric structure. This approach is unique in that it is the first methodology capable in modeling structures with resonant implants and interelement dimensions well beyond the effective medium theory. In addition, it yields computational efficiency by 2 orders of magnitude over standard computational methods in computing the scattering parameters for proximity equilibration cell (PEC) closed ring multilayered (electromagnetic band gap and photonic band gap (PBG)) structures. Moreover, it provides physical insight in the implementation of metallic implants for practical applications. This methodology satisfies the Kramers-Kronig relations and causality, and therefore it allows for the development of semianalytical expressions for the composite's wave impedance, index of refraction, as well as the permittivity and permeability parameters accounting for full dispersion. For general artificial multilayered structures (PBG metamaterials) with centrosymmetric scattering matrices, the composite may be replaced by an equivalent homogeneous dispersive magneto-dielectric material and may be used for the design of integrated circuits, filters, and antennas using standard methods. Otherwise, use of the scattering matrix approach to obtain the effective parameters is valid only for semi-infinite structures. The upper band edge is determined by the host material uniquely and the bandwidth is determined by the shunt susceptance for different PEC ring inclusions.
Exploring the Role of x = 7 Species in Brassica Evolution: Hybridization with B. nigra and B. oleracea

The role of the x = 7 species, B. adpressa and Diplotaxis erucoides in Brassica evolution, was investigated by hybridizing them to the cultivated species B. nigra (x = 8) and B. oleracea (x = 9). In general, the hybrids displayed a low frequency of bivalents and unbalanced reductional division during meiosis, resulting in poor fertility. This cytological behavior was also observed in hybrids between the x = 7 species, indicating strong genome divergence of both genomes. Among all the hybrids, those of D. erucoides × B. nigra had the highest level of fertility, permitting the generation of D. erucoides-B. nigra alien addition lines. One of the hybrid plants variegated for yellow-white-red petal color and red pigmentation for other organs. The same enzyme activity zones were found to have multiple bands in all the species including those with x = 7 chromosomes, suggesting possible gene duplications. These multiple banded patterns persisted in pollen leachates and were transmitted to the hybrids. The hybrids reported in this study provide additional information on intergenomic relationships among Brassica and related species of allied genera.
Ontogeny of functional sympathetic innervation to the heart and adrenal medulla in the preweanling rat

Abstract The development of functional sympathetic innervation to the heart and adrenal medulla was examined in Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats during the preweanling period. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia was used to produce a centrally mediated activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity in the heart and the depletion of adrenal epinephrine were used as indices of sympathetically mediated responses in these target organs. First, dose by time response curves were performed in 11–13 day old Sprague-Dawley pups to establish an insulin dose which would simultaneously produce stimulation of cardiac ornithine decarboxylase activity and depletion of adrenal medullary epinephrine at an appropriate time post-injection. This dose of insulin was then administered to pups of different postnatal ages to determine the onset of functional sympathetic innervation to these target organs. Significant increases in heart ornithine decarboxylase activity were seen by two postnatal days of age in both rat strains examined. In contrast, adrenal epinephrine depletions were not found until 8–12 postnatal days of age. These results indicate that functional sympathetic neurotransmission to the heart is present in the first few days after birth, and this precedes the onset of sympathetic control of adrenal epinephrine release, which matures near the end of the first postnatal week in laboratory rats.
Infrasonic observations of bolides on October 4, 1996

During the evening of October 3, 1996, at least 6 bright fireballs were observed over the western US with reports from California to Louisiana. The event over California produced tremendous sonic boom reports in the Los Angeles area. This event was also detected locally by 31 seismometers which are part of a network of seismic stations operated by the California Institute of Technology. Subsequent investigations of the data from the four infrasound arrays used by LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) and operated for the DOE (Department of Energy) as a part of the CTBT Program (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) Research and Development program showed the presence of an infrasonic signal from the proper direction at the correct time for this bolide from two of the four arrays (Nevada Test Site; NTS and Pinedale, WY; PDL). Both the seismic and infrasound recordings indicated that an explosion occurred in the atmosphere, having its epicenter near Little Lake, CA for possible sources heights from 40--60 km. The infrasonic arrays are each composed of fur elements, i.e., low frequency pressure sensors that are in near-continuous operation. The nominal spacing between elements is 150--200 m depending on the specific site. The basic sensor is a Globe Universal Sciences Model 100C microphone whose amplitude response is flat from 0.1 to 300 Hz. Each sensor is connected to 12 porous hoses which act to reduce wind noise. The signal characteristics, analyzed from 0.1 to 5.0 Hz, includes a total duration of 5 (NTS) to 20 minutes (PDL) for a source directed toward 230--240 degrees from true North. The signal trace velocities ranged from 300--360 m/sec with a signal velocity of 0.30 {+-} 0.03 km/sec, implying a Stratospheric (S Type) ducted path (with a reflection altitude of from 40--60 km). The dominant signal frequency is from 0.20 to 0.80 Hz, with a peak near 0.2 to 0.25 Hz. These highly correlated signals had a maximum amplitude of 1.0 microbars (0.1 Pa) at PDL and 4.0 microbars (0.4 Pa) at NTS. The analysis indicates that the bolide had a probable, maximum source energy in the range from 150--390 tons (TNT equivalent).
Radiation-Hardening Static NMOS Rams

The results of an effort to total-dose radiation harden N-channel static random-access-memories are described. Both an aluminum-gate and a silicon-gate process were hardened to a level greater than 104 rads(Si) on a semiconductor memory vendor's production line. The aluminum-gate RAMs have been found to operate to well above 105 rads(Si) at low dose rates, suggesting their suitability for space applications.
Lung immunology and its contribution to the immunopathogenesis of certain respiratory diseases.

For many years allergic and hypersensitivity mechanisms have been implicated in the cause of asthma, drug-induced lung diseases, and certain occupational inhalant disorders, comprising a limited group of presumably immunologic lung diseases. Except for antigen-specific asthma (extrinsic form), little was known about actual immunopathogenetic pathways involved. Systemic collagen-vascular diseases were known to involve the lungs, but in a secondary way, as part of a multiorgan disease. However, in the past 20 years, this limited perception of immunologic lung diseases has expanded dramatically, coincident with the spectacular development of new techniques to study humoral (antibody) and cellular immunity and inflammatory cells. Now, most lung disorders that affect the conducting airways, air exchange surface, and the architectural supporting structure of the alveoli, known as the interstitium, are perceived to involve immune mechanisms in some way. The designation “immunologic” may lead to some confusion in the description of certain lung diseases because the term immunologic often has a dual meaning. In the broadest sense, if a disease produces some evidence of adaptive immunity in the affected host through formation of specific antibodies, autoantibodies, or cellular responses, it is by definition immunologic. If the methods used to study the patient, whether to establish a diagnosis or as part of research investigation, use immunologic techniques
A first principles study of coupled substitution in galena

Abstract Coupled substitution is an important mechanism responsible for Ag enrichment in galena. Studies show that the concentration of Ag in galena tends to equal the sum of the concentrations of Sb and Bi ( Foord et al., 1988 ). The thermodynamic mixing properties of the binary solid solution: Pb2S2–AgSbS2(gal), Pb2S2–AgBiS2(gal), and Pb2S2–AgAsS2(gal) have been investigated using quantum-mechanical and Monte-Carlo simulations (where gal. indicates phases constrained to the galena structure). Quantum-mechanical methods were used to account for electron transfer between the substituting species. Total energies for different substitution configurations were used in Monte-Carlo calculations to derive the excess enthalpy of mixing (ΔHmix), entropy of mixing (ΔSmix), and free energy of mixing (ΔGmix) at temperatures ranging from 200 °C to 1300 °C. ΔGmix was used to calculate phase diagrams that can be compared with experimental results. Electron transfer between Ag and either Sb, Bi, or As is shown to affect cation ordering in these systems. Quantum-mechanical simulations allow for the visualization of specific orbitals that are predominantly responsible for this electron transfer. Intermediates of the Pb2S2–AgBiS2 solid solution tend to order into alternating Ag-rich and Pb/Bi-rich layers parallel to [111]. Phase diagrams were determined for each solid solution series and an Ag solubility limit of 6.0 mol% of AgSbS2 (at 350 °C) was determined to be in reasonable agreement with experiments showing a value of ~ 5.5 mol% AgSbS2.