cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of AMICAR on hemorrhagic complications of ECMO: a ten-year review.

Abstract Purpose: Preliminary studies have shown aminocaproic acid (AMICAR), an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, reduced the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage and significant surgical site bleeding in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The purpose of this analysis is to determine if these benefits remain when AMICAR is used in a large population. Methods: ECMO patients from a single pediatric institution, with routine use of AMICAR for "high-risk" patients, were evaluated retrospectively from 1991 to 2001. Data including diagnosis, duration of support, significant complications, and survival were recorded. These variables were compared with those of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), an international ECMO registry, using a χ 2 test. P less than .05 was deemed significant. Results: ECMO was used 431 times during the 10-year study period. A total of 298 patients received AMICAR, most frequently for surgical procedures. The survival rate was not statistically different in the study group when compared with the ELSO Registry ( P = .06). The rate of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage was not significantly different between the 2 groups ( P = .133); however, the rate of surgical site bleeding was significantly reduced in the study population ( P = .005). Decrease in surgical site bleeding was particularly evident in cardiac patients ( P Conclusions: In this large experience, use of AMICAR for high-risk patients on ECMO did not appear to alter the rate of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, but did significantly reduce the incidence of surgical site bleeding. AMICAR remains a valuable tool for the prevention of hemorrhage in patients undergoing operation prior to or while on ECMO.
The interior transmission spectrum in one dimension

This paper seeks conditions on acoustic profiles c(x) and b(x) which imply the existence of intervals free of transmission eigenvalues. The existence of intervals free of transmission eigenvalues has important implications in the question of unique recovery of the acoustic profile for inverse acoustic scattering theory using the linear sampling method and for the inverse source problem in thermoacoustic tomography. We examine the interior transmission spectrum relative to two acoustic profiles on the unit interval. This research includes the case when the difference of the two acoustic profiles changes sign and is, to the author's knowledge, the only work to date on the interior transmission spectrum allowing this behavior. It is shown that for a large class of acoustic profiles the transmission spectrum is asymptotically sparse. The spectrum exhibits three distinct types of behavior dependent on the relation of the two acoustic profiles. Numerical examples of each type of behavior are given which show how the transmission eigenvalues are distributed depending on the relation between c(x) and b(x). Our method of study is to reduce the interior transmission problem on [0, 1] to a problem of finding roots of a determinant of fundamental solutions to a Sturm–Liouville problem. The asymptotic expansion of solutions of the Sturm–Liouville problem then allows us to analyze properties of the transmission spectrum for large values of the wavenumber.
Modified Glenn connection for acutely ischemic right ventricular failure reverses secondary left ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract Background: Right heart failure after cardiopulmonary bypass can result in severe hemodynamic compromise with high mortality, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. After ischemia-induced right ventricular failure, alterations in the interventricular septal position decrease left ventricular compliance and limit filling but may also distort left ventricular geometry and compromise contractility and relaxation. This study investigated the effect of acute isolated right ventricular ischemia on biventricular performance and interaction and the response of subsequent right ventricular unloading by use of a modified Glenn shunt. Methods: In 8 pigs isolated right ventricular ischemic failure was induced by means of selective coronary ligation. A modified Glenn circuit was then established by a superior vena cava–pulmonary artery connection. Ventricular performance was determined by conductance catheter–derived right ventricular pressure-volume loops and left ventricular pressure-segment length loops. Hemodynamic data at baseline, after right ventricular ischemia, and after institution of the Glenn circuit were obtained during inflow occlusion, and the load-independent contractile indices were derived. Results: Right ventricular free-wall ischemia resulted in acute right ventricular dilation (118 ± 81 mL vs 169 ± 70 mL, P =.0008) and impairment of left ventricular contractility indicated by the reduced end-systolic pressure-volume relation slope (50.0 ± 19 mm Hg/mm vs 18.9 ± 8 mm Hg/mm, P =.002) and preload recruitable stroke work index slope (69.6 ± 26 erg · cm –3 · 10 3 vs 39.7 ± 13 erg · cm –3 · 10 3 , P =.003). In addition, left ventricular relaxation (τ) was significantly prolonged (33.3 ± 10 ms vs 53.0 ± 16 ms, P =.012). Right ventricular unloading with the Glenn shunt reduced right ventricular dilation and significantly improved left ventricular contraction, end-systolic pressure-volume relation slope (18.9 ± 8 mm Hg/mm vs 35.8 ± 18 mm Hg/mm, P =.002), preload recruitable stroke work index slope (39.7 ± 26 erg · cm –3 · 10 3 vs 63.0 ± 22 erg · cm –3 · 10 3 , P =.003), and diastolic performance (τ 53.0 ± 16 ms vs 43.5 ± 13 ms, P =.001). Conclusions: Right ventricular ischemia-induced dilation resulted in acute impairment of left ventricular contractility and relaxation. A modified Glenn shunt attenuated the left ventricular dysfunction by limiting right ventricular dilation and restoring left ventricular cavity geometry. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:80-91
Computational and mathematical organization theory: perspective and directions

Computational and mathematical organization theory is an interdisciplinary scientific area whose research members focus on developing and testing organizational theory using formal models. The community shares a theoretical view of organizations as collections of processes and intelligent adaptive agents that are task oriented, socially situated, technologically bound, and continuously changing. Behavior within the organization is seen to affect and be affected by the organization's, position in the external environment. The community also shares a methodological orientation toward the use of formal models for developing and testing theory. These models are both computational (e.g., simulation, emulation, expert systems, computer-assisted numerical analysis) and mathematical (e.g., formal logic, matrix algebra, network analysis, discrete and continuous equations). Much of the research in this area falls into four areas: organizational design, organizational learning, organizations and information technology, and organizational evolution and change. Historically, much of the work in this area has been focused on the issue how should organizations be designed. The work in this subarea is cumulative and tied to other subfields within organization theory more generally. The second most developed area is organizational learning. This research, however, is more tied to the work in psychology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence than to general organization theory. Currently there is increased activity in the subareas of organizations and information technology and organizational evolution and change. Advances in these areas may be made possible by combining network analysis techniques with an information processing approach to organizations. Formal approaches are particularly valuable to all of these areas given the complex adaptive nature of the organizational agents and the complex dynamic nature of the environment faced by these agents and the organizations.
Assessment of Marijuana Use and Psychosocial Behaviors at Two Historically Black Universities

Research exploring marijuana use patterns in students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)is relatively sparse. This study sought to empirically assess three constructs (resilient, invulnerable, and vulnerable)as they relate to marijuana use and to assess the role of spirituality and social support as potential buffering mechanisms. Participants in this study were 1,013 African American undergraduate students from two HBCUs in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Participants completed a 95-item survey assessing demographic and behavioral patterns of college students. The findings provide preliminary support for quantitative distinctions between marijuana risk categories based on the selected risk and protective factors. In particular, respondents who continue to use marijuana (vulnerables)were less spiritual compared to those who either halted use (resilients) or those who never used marijuana at all (invulnerables). Implications are discussed in terms of theory-building and p...
South Carolina Entomology—A Historical Glimpse

Any treatment of the history of entomology in South Carolina must follow closely the pursuits and accomplishments of those associated with entomology at Clemson University (formerly Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical College. University status was granted in 1962). Entomology in South Carolina was conceived, nurtured, and led to fruition by those entomologists associated with Clemson University.
A thermodynamic approach to the rheology of highly interactive filler-polymer mixtures : Part I - Theory

The rheological behavior of highly interactive filler-polymer mixtures is simulated utilizing a double network created by the entangled polymer matrix and the adsorbed polymer. Both networks are represented by a nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive equation. The dependence of rheological properties on filler concentration is taken into account through the bridging density resulting from polymer-filler interactions and a hydrodynamic reinforcement. The relative contribution of both networks is computed through the energy balance consistent with the thermodynamics of the polymer-filler chemical interactions and fluid mechanics. This self-consistent approach allows one to calculate the strain dependence of dynamic properties under oscillatory flow and shear rate dependence of stresses under steady simple shear flow and upon start up and cessation of shear flow.
Relationship Abuse and Victims' Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Associations with Child Behavior Problems

This study examined associations among male-to-female physical and psychological relationship aggression, female partners’ PTSD symptoms, and behavior problems among the children (n = 62) of men enrolled in a treatment program for relationship abuse perpetration. Psychological aggression was a stronger predictor of child behavior problems than physical assault. Restrictive engulfment and hostile withdrawal behaviors evidenced the strongest bivariate associations with child behavior problems, and were the strongest predictors of this outcome when considering four distinct forms of psychological aggression together. Victim PTSD symptoms largely mediated the effects of psychological aggression on child behavior. Findings suggest that male-to-female psychological aggression and victim PTSD symptoms play an important role in understanding behavior problems among children living with male relationship abuse perpetrators.
A report of nine newborns with congenital brain tumors.

Congenital brain tumors are devastating problems that usually result in the death of the child with a high level of permanent disability in survivors. Most of these children are very large and presentation with macrocephaly is the rule leading to the need for many of these babies to be delivered by caesarian section. For the purpose of communication, it is essential that we use words precisely and that a word means the same thing to all readers. While the classification that the authors suggest is understandable and reasonable, there seems to be an acceptance of the diagnosis of “congenital tumors” to relate to diagnosis in utero or in the first 28 days of life. Is there a compelling reason to change that definition? There is reason to believe that many of the tumors that are found early in life were indeed “congenital,” including most primitive neuroectodermal tumors. The use of the term, though, must mean that the tumor is diagnosed in the perinatal period. This diagnosis carries with it a large number of issues regarding management and the ethics of the treatment of babies diagnosed at this very fragile stage of development. Should any treatment be offered to these babies? In this series, four of the nine patients survived, of which, three are said to have normal development. One of these patients had a posterior fossa capillary hemangioma, which, it might be argued, is not a tumor at all. The surviving patient with an astrocytic tumor and the patient with a capillary hemangioma were managed without adjunctive chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We were not told whether adjunctive chemotherapy was utilized in the patients with intracranial and orbital teratomas who survived with good outcomes. These babies are a great challenge, and in the very young the outcome may not be obvious. We have treated four infants with huge supratentorial malignant astrocytic tumors with staged resection followed by chemotherapy, with longterm survival in three of the patients. It is clear that there is a significant cognitive cost of the treatment of the effect of the tumor. To develop a significant algorithm for the diagnosis and management of these rare and devastating tumors, a great deal of energy would be needed to produce a registry of tumors in the very young. The fact that there were four survivors and that three of these had good developmental outcomes would make it truly valuable to have such a registry, not so much for epidemiology, which would be very difficult, but to find some information to define hopeful cases at the onset. This would be an excellent project for the education committee of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosugery, with the help of the editorial board of Child’s Nervous System. Childs Nerv Syst (2006) 22:1433 DOI 10.1007/s00381-006-0116-5
Challenges of integration of high-κ dielectric with III-V materials (Invited Paper)

This paper gives a brief overview of some of the challenges and approaches of integration of high dielectric constant ([email protected]) dielectrics with compound semiconductor materials for future high performance low power logic applications. Reviewed themes include interface passivation layer, atomic layer deposition self-cleaning effects and characterization of dielectric/III-V interfaces.
The Price is Wrong: Causes and Consequences of Ethical Restraint of Trade

Critics of commodification object to sales but not gifts of some goods, such as human blood or human organs, on grounds that such trade wrongly coerces, morally corrupts, and crowds out altruism. This essay takes issues with each of these claims. It disputes Micheal Sandels claim that voluntary exchange coerces, arguing that he confuses what is unfair with what is unfree. It argues, where trade does create moral costs, that these costs should be weighed against the moral costs of trade bans, such as the loss of human life, and the harms endemic to illegal markets. The essay also quarrels with Richard Titmusss The Gift Relationship, arguing that compensation for blood need not crowd out blood donation, that compensation does not preclude a charitable impulse, and that some important gift relationship (e.g., philanthropy) posses elements of altruism and exchange.Ceux qui critiquent la marchandisation sont contre la vente mais pas contre le don de certains biens comme le sang ou les organes humains parce quun tel commerce exercerait une contrainte, corromprait morallement, et ne laisserait pas de place a laltruisme. Ce papier traite de chacune de ces affirmations. Il consteste laffirmation de Micheal Sandel selon laquelle lechange volontaire exerce une contrainte, en suggerant quil confond ce qui injuste avec ce qui nest pas libre. Si le commerce entraine des couts moraux, cet essai suggere que ces couts devraient etre compares avec les couts moraux associes aux interdictions de commerce tels que la perte de la vie humaine et ceux associes aux maux endemiques des marches illegaux. Il critique aussi louvrage de Richard Titmuss, The Gift Relationship en suggerant que les compensations monetaires en echange dun don de sang nevincent pas necessairement le don de sang, quelles nempechent pas les impulsions charitables, et que dimportants actes de don (ex: philantropie) comportent des elements daltruisme et dechange.
Vehicle classification for civilian and non-civilian applications: A survey

The ability to classify a vehicle is of extreme importance for both civilian and non-civilian applications. For non-civilian applications the state-of-the-art leaves much to be desired, as hierarchal and real-time classification have yet to be truly investigated. This paper provides a survey of the current state-of-the-art in vehicle classification and provides recommendations for future research areas to advance the current capabilities.
Trapping cells on a stretchable microwell array for single–cell analysis

There is a need for a technology that can be incorporated into routine laboratory procedures to obtain a continuous, quantitative, fluorescence-based measurement of the dynamic behaviors of numerous individual living cells in parallel, while allowing other manipulations, such as staining, rinsing, and even retrieval of targeted cells. Here, we report a simple, low-cost microarray platform that can trap cells for dynamic single-cell analysis of mammalian cells. The elasticity of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was utilized to trap tens of thousands of cells on an array. The PDMS microwell array was stretched by a tube through which cells were loaded on the array. Cells were trapped on the array by removal of the tube and relaxation of the PDMS. Once that was accomplished, the cells remained trapped on the array without continuous application of an external force and permitted subsequent manipulations, such as staining, rinsing, imaging, and even isolation of targeted cells. We demonstrate the utility of this platform by multicolor analysis of trapped cells and monitoring in individual cells real-time calcium flux after exposure to the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Additionally, a proof of concept for target cell isolation was demonstrated by using a microneedle to locally deform the PDMS membrane in order to retrieve a particular cell from the array.
Role of spinal afferents and calcitonin gene-related peptide in the postoperative gastric ileus in anesthetized rats

Objective The object of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of postoperative gastric ileus in an experimental model of abdominal surgery in anesthetized rats. Summary Background Data Sensory neurons partly mediate postoperative gastric ileus. Among other neuropeptides, sensory neurons contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and release CGRP in response to noxious stimulation. Because CGRP inhibits gastric motility, it was hypothesized that abdominal surgery stimulates sensory neurons, which then releases CGRP, thereby inhibiting gastric motility. Methods Postoperative ileus was induced by abdominal surgery. Gastric corpus motility was measured by an intragastric catheter. CGRP action was blocked by CGRP immunoneutralization or by a CGRP receptor antagonist. Spinal sensory neurons were ablated by application of a sensory neurotoxin (capsaicin) to the celiac and superior mesenteric ganglia. Results Abdominal surgery decreased gastric corpus motility in the first 5 minutes after abdominal surgery by 59 ± 5% and by 24 ± 4% during the 1st postoperative hour. Capsaicin pretreatment of the celiac and superior mesenteric ganglia, CGRP immunoneutralization, or CGRP receptor antagonism reversed the postoperative decrease in gastric corpus motility during the 1st postoperative hour by 50%, 100%, and 59%, respectively. Conclusions These data indicate that spinal sensory neurons and CGRP partly mediate postoperative gastric ileus. CGRP may be released from spinal sensory neuron terminals in the celiac and superior mesenteric ganglia as part of an extraspinal intestinogastric inhibitory reflex activated by abdominal surgery.
Role played self-disclosure as a function of liking and knowing ☆

Abstract Subjects identified persons from their own lives whom they liked and knew to varying degrees. At a later session, subjects role-played a self-disclosing conversation with each identified person. Verbal behavior was recorded and analyzed with respect to the personalness of disclosure. Analysis of variance results for both self-report and observational measures show significant effects for liking and knowing on personal, but not impersonal, self-disclosure. The pattern of results over all dependent measures indicates that liking has a more specific effect on personal disclosure than does knowing, but that liking and knowing do not differ in relative control over impersonal disclosure. A correlational analysis involving subjects' perceptions of the experimental situation and the dependent disclosure measures supported this interpretation.
Production of Glucose by the Liver during Hyperglycæmia

THE effect of hyperglycaemia on hepatic glucose output has been studied employing an isotope dilution technique. Glucose labelled with carbon-14, of the same specific activity as the blood glucose, was injected in amounts sufficient to produce hyperglycaemia. The selection of the appropriate specific activity for this glucose ‘load’ was made easier by a procedure in which an infusion of labelled glucose (in ‘weightless’ amount) was continued throughout the experiment. During such an experiment the blood glucose specific activity remains relatively constant so long as the flow of unlabelled glucose from the liver continues at a uniform rate. On the other hand, the specific activity of the blood glucose rises if the flow of unlabelled glucose from the liver stops or decreases1. The present technique avoids the misleading values for plasma glucose specific activity which might result from slow mixing of injected unlabelled glucose with a labelled body glucose pool1.
Correlation of Sensory Evaluation and Instrumental Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Edible Oils

Soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, and corn oil were exposed to light for various periods of time to obtain a wide range of flavor qualities. The flavor qualities of these oils were evaluated by sensory analysis and instrumental gas chromatographic analysis. The results of the correlation coefficients (r) of flavor scores between the sensory evaluation and the instrumental analysis for soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, and corn oil were 0.99, 0.98, and 0.95, respectively. Therefore, the instrumental analysis can be used to determine the flavor qualities of different oils.
Tracer studies on the biosynthesis of cholesterol from C2 precursors in active bullfrog sciatic nerve.

Abstract The levels of assayable total cholesterol in sheathed and desheathed preparations of bullfrog sciatic nerve have been found to be unaffected by incubation with high concentrations of unlabeled acetylcholine ion. However, incubation with tracer amounts of choline or acetate ions labeled with C14 results in incorporation of isotope into cholesterol, with rather complicated kinetics over a total interval of 22 hr. and without increasing total endogenous cholesterol levels of the tissue. These data have been interpreted in terms of possible processes leading to the synthesis of cholesterol in this conducting tissue.
Class and Classism in Family Therapy Praxis: A Feminist, Neo-Marxist Approach

The field of family therapy has experienced tremendously positive influences by critical theoreticians, expanding the praxis to include multicultural perspectives as well as reflecting upon how race, sex, and other identities influence both clients and practitioners. However, we have found there to be a significant lack of similar interest in how social class and classism influence family therapy. This is particularly distressing, as we argue, because of the overwhelming influence one's social class and experience with classism has on his/her sense of self, his/her past and present experiences with his/her communities, and his/her individual and family well-being. Further, unchecked classist ideologies can negatively impact families via the practitioner. As we contend, through utilizing a feminist, neo-Marxist ontology to critically reflect how class and classism affect families and family practitioners, a good sense rhetoric and ideology can be created to inspire deep systemic change.
Taxonomic uniformitarianism: The problem with shoot/root ratios of peats

Abstract The ratio of shoot to root debris is readily measured in both ancient and modern peats. Several ecological causes of shoot-poor peats have been suggested, but these are based on comparisons between taxonomically dissimilar peat-forming swamps. Here we evaluate the ecological significance of shoot/root ratios in taxonomically similar, yet ecologically variable communities: mangrove swamps. Our preliminary data indicate that all mangrove peats are shoot-poor regardless of environment of deposition. The shoot-poor nature of mangrove peats may be the result of some factor which is universally present in mangrove swamps and does not vary with local environment. We discuss the possibility that the growth habit of mangroves species themselves may account for the scarcity of aerial debris in mangrove peats. For example, mangrove species tend to have a larger portion of their living biomass as roots when compared to non-mangrove tree species. Further, mangrove species tend to form root mats which would serve to exclude aerial debris from sub-surface layers until aerobic degradation is complete. Neutral pH, which occurred in both the freshwater and saline mangrove localities studied, may also contribute to the production of shoot-poor peats. Since freshwater, shoot-rich peats do occur, we conclude that processes of peat formation vary. Universal statements correlating environments of deposition to peat characteristics should be applied with caution.
Joining the Two Domains of a Group I Ribozyme to Form the Catalytic Core

Self-splicing group I introns, like other large catalytic RNAs, contain structural domains. Although the crystal structure of one of these domains has been determined by x-ray analysis, its connection to the other major domain that contains the guanosine-binding site has not been known. Site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis of RNA splicing were used to identify a base triple in the conserved core of both a cyanobacterial (Anabaena) and a eukaryotic (Tetrahymena) group I intron. This long-range interaction connects a sequence adjacent to the guanosine-binding site with the domain implicated in coordinating the 5' splice site helix, and it thereby contributes to formation of the active site. The resulting five-strand junction, in which a short helix forms base triples with three separate strands in the Tetrahymena intron, reveals exceptionally dense packing of RNA.
Selective Trafficking of KNOTTED1 Homeodomain Protein and Its mRNA Through Plasmodesmata

Plasmodesmata are intercellular organelles in plants that establish cytoplasmic continuity between neighboring cells. Microinjection studies showed that plasmodesmata facilitate the cell-to-cell transport of a plant-encoded transcription factor, KNOTTED1 (KN1). KN1 can also mediate the selective plasmodesmal trafficking of kn1 sense RNA. The emerging picture of plant development suggests that cell fate is determined at least in part by supracellular controls responding to cellular position as well as lineage. One of the mechanisms that enables the necessary intercellular communication appears to involve transfer of informational molecules (proteins and RNA) through plasmodesmata.
Dietary Induction of Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica in the rat: Roles of Parathyroid Hormone and Calcitonin

It is well known that hyperparathyroidism in man may result in skeletal and renal lesions, although they are not invariable consequences (1). Experimental secondary hyperparathyroidism has been produced in a variety of species by feeding diets with low Ca/P ratios, i.e., either low calcium (6) or high phosphate levels in the diet (7, 8). Bone lesions varied from mild osteoporosis to severe osteitis fibrosa cystica depending on the experimental conditions. The stimulus for increased parathyroid secretion is the level of serum calcium (12) which is directly related to the logarithm of the dietary Ca/P ratio (13). The serum level of calcium is also influenced by other dietary factors, e.g. vitamin D and hormones. Thus, although the level of circulating parathyroid hormone may be the prime etiologic factor in producing bone lesions, its action may be modified by dietary means (3).
Reovirus-induced Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase

Abstract A virus-induced ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase activity was found in L cells infected with type 3 reovirus. Most of the enzyme is associated with the “large particle” fraction of the infected cells. The enzyme first appeared at 3 to 5 hr after infection and increased in amount until 7 to 9 hr. All four ribonucleoside triphosphates are incorporated in vitro into an acid-insoluble form by the enzyme. The major part of the product formed in vitro is a double-stranded RNA indistinguishable from viral RNA by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Approximately 40% of the product is a single-stranded RNA of relatively small molecular weight. More than 95% of the nucleotides incorporated into double-stranded RNA by the enzyme are bound in internal 3′-5′-phosphodiester linkages extending back from both 3′- and 5′-termini of the RNA strands.
Route Aware Predictive Congestion Control Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Congestion in wireless sensor networks (WSN) may lead to packet losses or delayed delivery of important information rendering the WSN-based monitoring or control system useless. In this paper a routing-aware predictive congestion control (RPCC) yet decentralized scheme for WSN is presented that uses a combination of a hop by hop congestion control mechanism to maintain desired level of buffer occupancy, and a dynamic routing scheme that works in concert with the congestion control mechanism to forward the packets through less congested nodes. The proposed adaptive approach restricts the incoming traffic thus preventing buffer overflow while maintaining the rate through an adaptive back-off interval selection scheme. In addition, the optimal routing scheme diverts traffic from congested nodes through alternative paths in order to balance the load in the network, alleviating congestion. This load balancing of the routes will even out the congestion level throughout the network thus increasing throughput and reducing end to end delay. Closed-loop stability of the proposed hop-by-hop congestion control is demonstrated by using the Lyapunov-based approach. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme results in reduced end-to-end delays.
Early studies on DNA-based immunizations for measles virus

DNA-mediated immunizations have been used to raise neutralizing antibodies for measles virus. Single inoculations of plasmids expressing measles hemagglutinin or fusion glycoproteins raised neutralizing antibody in BALB/c mice. Plasmids expressing the hemagglutinin glycoprotein (both normal and secreted) raised neutralizing responses that persisted for 1 year. For both forms of hemagglutinin, the effectiveness of the raised antibody (ratio of neutralizing activity to ELISA activity) was similar. High titers of neutralizing antibody were also raised by inoculation of rabbits with the hemagglutinin and fusion glycoprotein-expressing plasmids.
Behavioral and anatomical correlates of chronic episodic hypoxia during sleep in the rat

The role played by chronic episodic hypoxia (EHYP) in the neurocognitive morbidity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unknown. Sleep recordings, Morris water maze experiments, and immunohistochemistry for NMDA NR1 glutamate receptor, c-fos protein, and apoptosis [nuclear immunoreactivity for single-stranded DNA and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling assay] were conducted in EHYP-exposed Sprague Dawley male rats. Exposures consisted of up to14 d in an environmental chamber in which O(2) concentrations were cycled between 10 and 21% every 90 sec or 30 min during 12 hr of daylight. For the remaining 12 hr, EHYP rats breathed room air, while controls spent 14 d in room air. Although EHYP induced significant disruption of sleep architecture during the initial day of exposure, sleep patterns normalized thereafter. Marked increases in apoptosis occurred in the CA1 hippocampal region (sevenfold) and cortex (Cx; eightfold) after 1-2 d of EHYP but not in CA3 and were followed by decreases toward normoxic levels by 14 d. Double labeling for NMDA NR1 and c-fos revealed marked architectural disorganization in CA1 and Cx with increases in c-fos over time. Rats exposed to EHYP displayed significantly longer escape latencies and swim path lengths to escape a hidden platform during 12 training trials given over 2 d. Differences in the performances of EHYP and control rats, although reduced, persisted after 14 d of recovery. We conclude that EHYP is associated with marked cellular changes over time within neural regions associated with cognitive functions. Furthermore, EHYP impaired performance during acquisition of a cognitive spatial task without affecting sensorimotor function. Such changes may underlie components of the learning and memory impairments found in OSA.
Regulation of Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Release During the Estrous Cycle and Pregnancy in the Rat

Luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion during the rat estrous cycle (Gallo, 1981; Higuchi and Kawakami, 1982; Fox and Smith, 1985) and pregnancy (Gallo et al., 1985) occurs in a pulsatile manner. Moreover, changes in the amplitude and frequency characteristics of this secretion take place with different stages of the 4-day estrous cycle and during different stages of gestation in this species. Plasma levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) also vary from stage to stage in the estrous cycle (Butcher et al., 1974; Kalra and Kalra, 1974b; Smith et al., 1975; Nequin et al., 1979) as well as during the different stages of pregnancy in the rat (Morishige et al., 1973; Taya and Greenwald, 1981; Bridges, 1984). The emphasis in our work is to study the neuroendocrine regulation of pulsatile LH secretion in a physiological context. Therefore, the aim of our experiments has been to first describe the normal changes that occur in LH pulse amplitude and frequency throughout the estrous cycle and pregnancy, and then to define the regulatory negative feedback roles of E2 and/or P during each 24-h interval of the rat estrous cycle, and during specific stages of gestation.
Hearing punk as blues

Punk is an extreme manifestation of the rock project, meaning that it depends on an association of raw and authentic expression with blackness, musically represented by particular approaches to the blues, combined with processes of white appropriation, transformation and obfuscation of those blues resources. Punk's powerful affect largely derives from the tension between punk's blues foundations and strategies that obscure its roots. Punk treatments and transformations of the blues include: (1) moving from multi-part, three-chord harmonic schemes to riffs and one- and two-chord vamps; (2) taking a new approach to vocal performance styles; and (3) retaining certain melodic approaches, such as the use of pentatonic scales and monophonic textures. Punk's complex relationship to the blues, including the history of negation and erasure, continues to be a central part of the punk aesthetic.
Early exposure to allergen : is this the cat's meow, or are we barking up the wrong tree?

Several recent studies have suggested that exposure to cat and dog allergen in infancy is protective against the subsequent risk of allergic sensitization and asthma. The methodologic problems to be overcome in clinical research addressing these hypotheses are complex. Appreciation of these studies requires an assessment of the design and adequacy of variables measuring exposures, outcomes, and confounders. It includes understanding the role of effect modification. This article discusses some of the epidemiologic issues in interpreting these studies. Review of relevant epidemiology demonstrates that much research remains to be performed before these interesting hypotheses are proved or disproved.
Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Among squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is probably the most radiosensitive and chemosensitive. It also has the highest incidence of distant metastasis. This article reviews the results of randomized trials of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma to date. Induction chemotherapy with bleomycin, epirubicin, and cisplatin was shown to increase disease-free survival but not overall survival in a trial by the International Nasopharyngeal Cancer Study Group. Concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin followed by adjuvant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil infusion significantly decreased local, nodal, and distant failures and increased progression-free and overall survival in the Head and Neck Intergroup Trial. The toxicity of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however, primarily acute toxicity, was significantly greater than that of radiotherapy alone. Further clinical trials using novel drugs, altered fractionation radiotherapy and chemotherapy dose schedules, new radiotherapy techniques, and other treatment modifiers are needed to, further improve the therapeutic ratio.
Closed-form spectral analysis of pulse-width modulation

This paper analyzes a pulse modulation system termed click modulation (CM) and shows that it is equivalent to single-sided pulse-width modulation (PWM) with a modified input signal. This paper then develops a spectral series for PWM with an arbitrary input duty ratio signal. Finally, a distortion equation for uniform-sampled PWM is given as a special case of natural-sampled PWM. The resulting analyses are confirmed through simulation.
Separation and sensitive detection of D‐amino acids in biological matrices

The increase in our understanding of D-amino acid function and distribution in mammals is in many ways a result of the initial development of sensitive enantioselective separation strategies that allow for quantification in real biological samples. This article reviews progress on the development of chiral selective separation and detection of D-amino acids including enzyme-based microbiosensors, GC/MS, HPLC/fluorescence, HPLC/MS-MS, cEKC/fluorescence, and MEKC/fluorescence. Only methods capable of analyzing D-isomers in biological matrices are given here and significant effort is made to highlight approaches that offer speed, resolution, high sensitivity, and versatility.
Intentional Swallowing of Foreign Bodies Is a Recurrent and Costly Problem That Rarely Causes Endoscopy Complications

Background & Aims Guidelines support endoscopic removal of certain gastric foreign bodies (FBs) and all FBs lodged in the esophagus. We studied the poorly understood group of patients who intentionally ingest FBs. Methods Cases of intentional ingestion of FBs (n = 305) were identified, retrospectively, from an electronic endoscopy database and followed. Cases occurred among 33 different patients, who underwent endoscopy from October 1, 2001, to July 31, 2009 (39.0 cases/year); 79% were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Financial cost analysis was performed using hospital billing and cost systems. Results Commonly ingested FBs included pens (23.6%), batteries (9.2%), knives (7.2%), and razor blades (6.9%). Most endoscopic procedures were performed under general anesthesia. FBs were commonly retrieved by snares (58.0%), rat-toothed forceps (14.4%), and nets (11.5%), assisted sometimes by use of overtubes (10.8%), and hoods (4.6%). FB extraction was unsuccessful at the initial endoscopy in only 20 cases; 2 cases eventually required surgical extraction. Minor complications occurred in 11 endoscopies. There were no deaths or perforations. The total estimated costs were $2,018,073 ($1,500,627 in hospital costs, $240,640 in physician fees, and $276,806 for security services). Costs were significantly higher for inpatients. Major payers were Medicare (48%) and Medicaid (31%). Conclusions Intentional FB ingestion occurs among a relatively small number of patients with psychiatric disorders and is costly. Endoscopic retrieval is relatively effective and safe, but often requires general anesthesia. These cases utilize significant hospital and fiscal resources. Attention should be focused on preventing these recurrent and costly episodes.
Network Techniques: Case Studies in the Screening‐Linking‐Planning Conference Method

This article describes a technique for receiving, assessing, planning, linking, and monitoring people in crisis. Called the Screening-Linking-Planning (S-L-P) Conference Method, the technique takes advantage of certain characteristics of people in the heat of crisis that make them particularly amenable to change and allow a care-giver to promote marked positive growth in brief periods of time. The method encourages the social network of the person in crisis to cluster around the person in a supportive way, to make positive expectations, and to provide feedback for identity-repair purposes. The technique has proved effective with persons in acute crisis as well as those who have chosen a career of chronic crisis (i.e., chronic patienthood). A major part of this paper is devoted to case studies describing the application of this technique in a variety of situations.
Preexisting Levels of CD4 T Cells Expressing PD-1 Are Related to Overall Survival in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Ipilimumab

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blockade can induce tumor regression and improved survival in cancer patients. This treatment can enhance adaptive immune responses without an exogenous vaccine, but the immunologic biomarkers associated with improved clinical outcome in cancer patients are not fully established. A phase Ib trial in patients with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer was performed combining ipilimumab with sargramostim (GM-CSF). In addition to evaluating ipilimumab dose, patients were followed clinically for response and overall survival, and for immunomodulation of circulating T cells. PSA declines of ≥50% and radiographic responses were observed at doses of ≥3 mg/kg/dose. Timing of clinical responses could be either immediate or delayed. Durable responses were also observed off treatment. A subset of patients experienced long-term survival with or without objective clinical responses. The relationship between T-cell phenotype in peripheral blood and overall survival was examined retrospectively. We found that the treatment induced an increase in the levels of CD4(+) effector T (Teff) cells, regulatory T cells, PD-1(+) CD4 Teff cells, and PD-1(+) CD8 T cells. However, these increased levels were not associated with overall survival. Instead, low pretreatment baseline levels of PD-1(+) CD4 Teff cells were found to correlate with longer overall survival. Furthermore, baseline levels of PD-1(+) CD4 Teff cells from patients with shorter overall survival were higher than from cancer-free male control subjects. These results suggest that preexisting expression of immunologic checkpoint marker PD-1 on CD4 Teff cells may help identify patients that may benefit from ipilimumab treatment.
Emergency department pericardial drainage for penetrating cardiac wounds is a viable option for stabilization

Abstract Background Penetrating cardiac injuries (PCI) causing tamponade causes subendocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. Pericardial drainage is an important principle, but where drainage should be performed is debated. We hypothesize that drainage in the emergency department (ED) does not delay definitive repair. Methods Over a 16-year period, patients sustaining PCI were reviewed. Results Seventy-eight patients with PCI survived to the operating room (OR), with 39 undergoing ED thoracotomy. An additional 39 patients underwent pericardial drainage, 17 (44%) in the ED and 22 in the OR. Comparing the ED with OR pericardial drainage groups, they had a similar ED systolic pressure (99 ± 25 vs 99 ± 34), heart rate (103 ± 16 vs 85 ± 37), median time to the OR (20 vs 22 min), and mortality (12% vs 23%). Conclusions ED pericardial drainage for PCI did not appear to delay operation and had an acceptably low mortality rate. Pericardial drainage is a viable option for stabilization before definitive surgery when surgical intervention is not immediately available in the hemodynamically marginal patient.
Toward a Relational Theory for Psychiatric Classification

This relational theory is composed of (a) two requirements, verifiability and applicability in laboratory, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention settings, (b) three meta-theoretical assumptions about horizontality, verticality, and settings for intimate relationships (close, committed, inter-dependent, prolonged), (c) two assumptions about distance and ability to love (Axis II, Cluster C personality disorders), control and ability to negotiate (Cluster B), and one correlate about contents and sexual deviations, (d) four major models about: developmental identity-differentiation, styles in intimate relationships, selfhood with four propensities, (selfulness, selfishness, selflessness, no-self) that relate to Axis I syndromes and Cluster A, and priorities, (e) four models applied to distance regulation, the genesis of psychopathology, intimacy, and negotiation, and (f) an overall and a comparative model.
Mortality in an Urban Cohort of HIV-Infected and At-Risk Drug Users in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Background. Mortality trends among drug users in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remain unclear.Methods. We examined mortality rates, causes of death, and predictors of mortality in 398 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—infected and 656 at-risk drug users for the period of 1996–2001. National death index reports were used to confirm deaths, and causes of death were derived from medical records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors associated with mortality.Results. During 1996–2001, mortality rates in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants were 7.3 and 1.5 deaths per 100 person-years, respectively (P < .001). The mean age at the time of death was 43.6 years for HIV-infected subjects and 47.7 years in HIV-uninfected subjects (P < .001). For 398 HIV-infected participants who were observed for 1443 person-years, death rates decreased from 11.4 to 5.4 deaths per 100 person-years over the 6-year period (P = .04). Among all participants, causes of death were as follows: HIV/AIDS, 27% of subjects; substance abuse, 31%; bacterial infection, 25%; other medical illness, 14%; and violence, 3%. Persons who initiated HAART at a CD4 + lymphocyte count of 201–350 cells/mm 3 experienced improved survival, compared with those who initiated it at a CD4 + lymphocyte count of ⩽200 cells/mm 3 (P = .01). In a multivariate Cox model of HIV-infected subjects, factors independently associated with mortality included receipt of HAART (adjusted hazard ratio [HR adj ], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28–0.68) and CD4 + lymphocyte count of ⩽200 cells/mm 3 (HR adj , 4.23; 95% CI, 2.24–7.60). Use of methadone or illicit drugs did not predict mortality.Conclusions. To further reduce mortality among drug users, interventions aimed at improving HAART use are warranted. Preventive health and timely management of treatable conditions, such as bacterial infections, also needs emphasis.