Trajectory computational techniques emphasizing existence, uniqueness, and construction of solutions to boundary problems for ordinary differential equations Final report

Trajectory computational techniques emphasizing existence, uniqueness, and construction of solutions to boundary problems for ordinary differential equation

Variations in the spatial distribution of 11 Micron radiation from omicron Ceti

The spatial distribution of 11 micron radiation from omicron Ceti was observed at various phases of its light cycle using a stellar interferometer. Changes were seen which can be attributed to variation in the strength of thermal emission from circumstellar dust relative to the stellar continuum at 11 microns. These changes are shown to be correlated with the changes in luminosity of micron Ceti in such a way that dust grain emission at 11 microns was increased more than the continuum during the period of maximum luminosity. The degree of the change in dust grain emission implies that the maximum dust temperature is in the range of 500 K to 700 K during minimum stellar luminosity

Temperature dependence of surface reconstructions of Au on Pd(110)

Surface reconstructions of Au film on Pd(110) substrate are studied using a local Einstein approximation to quasiharmonic theory with the Sutton-Chen interatomic potential. Temperature dependent surface free energies for different coverages and surface structures are calculated. Experimentally observed transformations from $(1\times1)$ to $(1 \times 2)$ and $(1 \times 3)$ structures can be explained in the framework of this model. Also conditions for Stranski-Krastanov growth mode are found to comply with experiments. The domain of validity of the model neglecting mixing entropy is analyzed.Comment: 7 pages, REVTeX two-column format, 3 postscript figures available on request from [email protected] To appear in Phys. Rev. Letter

Spatial heterodyne interferometry of VY Canis Major's, alpha Orionis, alpha Scorpii, and R leonis at 11 microns

Using the technique of heterodyne interferometry, measurements were made of the spatial distribution of 11 micron radiation from four late type stars. The circumstellar shells surrounding VY Canis Majoris, alpha Orionis, and alpha Scorpii were resolved, whereas that of R Leonis was only partially resolved at a fringe spacing of 0.4 sec

The Association Between Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors and Colorectal Cancer in a National Cohort of Patients

INTRODUCTION: To examine the association between phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor use and incidence of colorectal cancer among patients with erectile dysfunction treated in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure was conducted, with data spanning January 2001-December 2016. Patients were followed up from index until (i) the first diagnosis of colorectal cancer, (ii) death, or (iii) the end of study period. Statistical analyses evaluated demographics and baseline characteristics between cohorts (PDE-5 exposed or not) and the effect of additional dosages of each specific PDE-5 inhibitor using adjusted multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A total of 221,538 patients met the study inclusion criteria, 192,691 patients in the PDE-5 cohort and 29,227 patients in the never use PDE-5 cohort. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model results revealed that the those who had any exposure to a PDE-5 inhibitor have an 18% lower hazard of colorectal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.816, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.754-0.882). For each additional 100-mg dosage of sildenafil and 10-mg dosage of tadalafil, the hazard of colorectal cancer is reduced by 2.4% (adjusted HR = 0.976, 95% CI = 0.973-0.979) and 1.7% (adjusted HR = 0.983, 95% CI = 0.972-0.996), respectively. DISCUSSION: PDE-5 inhibitor usage in patients with erectile dysfunction is associated with a lower hazard of colorectal cancer compared with patients not exposed to PDE-5 inhibitors

Odds of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Receiving Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors: A National Cohort Study Within the Department of Veterans Affairs

Preclinical and clinical data of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors have demonstrated discordant data regarding acute kidney injury (AKI). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between DPP‐4 use and AKI. This cohort study utilized data from the Department of Veterans Affairs evaluating patients diagnosed with type 2 (T2) diabetes with a DPP‐4 inhibitor and compared with nondiabetic and diabetic patients. The primary end point is the development of AKI, and statistical analyses were performed to examine the association. DPP‐4 use is associated with a lower odds of AKI compared with diabetics (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32–0.48) and nondiabetics (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.52–0.79). DPP‐4 use in patients with T2 diabetes mellitus is associated with lower odds of AKI within 120 days compared with nondiabetic and diabetic controls when adjusting for study covariates