cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Scheduling of Large Digital Computer Systems Using Adaptive Control and Clustering Techniques

This research is directed toward the development of a scheduling algorithm for large digital computer systems. To meet this goal methods of adaptive control and pattern recognition are applied. As jobs are received by the computer, a pattern recognition scheme is applied to the job in an attempt to classify its characteristics, such as a CPU-bound job, an I/O job, a large memory job, etc. Simultaneously, another subsystem, using a linear programming model, evaluates the overall system performance, and from this information an optimized (or desired) job stream is determined. When the processor requests a new job, it is chosen from the various classifications in an attempt to meet the optimal (or desired) job stream. After the jobs are completely processed, their characteristics are compared to the projected classification produced by the pattern discriminant function. The results are then returned to the discriminant function to update the decision mechanism, a minimum-distance discriminant function. From a systems point of view, this results in an adaptive or self-organizing control system. The overall effect is a dynamic scheduling algorithm. Simulation studies indicated that the scheduler was able to adapt to changing work loads, and it improved the turnaround times significantly. These simulation studies were based on a multiprocessor-uniprogram environment.
Equilibrium domain configuration of KDP-type ferroelectrics

Abstract The equilibrium domain configuration of single-axis ferroelectrics is discussed. The expression for the electrostatic energy of a plate-like crystal with polarization axis along the small dimension is generalized to apply to an arbitrary pattern of domains in the transverse direction. The gross features of the structure of crystals such as KDP which have two types of domain wall are considered. The effect of the electrostatic interaction on the thickness of domain walls is discussed for a common form of the elastic energy.
Studies on the action mechanism of benzoylurea insecticides to inhibit the process of chitin synthesis in insects: A review on the status of research activities in the past, the present and the future prospects

In this review an effort was made to summarize the up to date information on the knowledge on the action mechanism of diflubenzuron (DFB), a prototype chemical for the benzoylurea type insecticides, with respect to its molecular mechanism to inhibit insect chitin synthesis. The key problem in pinpointing the action site of this insecticide has been the lack of in vitro demonstration of its action to inhibit insect chitin synthesis under cell free conditions. This problem was solved when an approach using a intracellular vesicle preparation from the cuticle of newly molted Periplaneta americana was developed. Using this approach it has become possible to identify that DFB indeed inhibits the process of incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine into insect chitin. Recently there has been a breakthrough in this field, when a sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) was identified in Drosophila melanogaster. This information was instrumental in establishing that insect SUR in the above intracellular vesicular preparation from P. americana as well as Blattella germanica is likely the actual target site of DFB to cause inhibition of chitin synthesis. The role of SUR in this case has been determined, by using glibenclamide, a typical SUR specific inhibitor as an aid, to be helping the exocytotic movement of these vesicles as is the case of other members of the group of ABC-transporters to which insect SUR belongs. In this case both DFB and glibenclamide have been shown to cause the depolarization of the vesicle membrane through inhibition of the K+ channel, which leads to their inhibition of chitin synthesis.
Temperature dependence of the yield points in iron

Abstract Between 300° and 90°K the elastic limit arid the anelastic limit were measured in polycrystalline irons with 0.0014 and 0.012 per cent interstitial impurities using a high sensitivity extensometer. The elastic limit was independent of temperature but depended on purity. The anelastic limit depended on temperature and impurity content, but the decrease in temperature dependence with decreasing amount of impurity indicated that an ultra-pure iron should show no temperature dependence of the anelastic limit as measured with a high sensitivity extensometer. These results do not support the existence of a temperature dependent Peierls-Nabarro force in iron. The large temperature dependence ordinarily associated with the macroscopic measurements of the yield point was shown to be associated with the rate of work hardening in the microstrain region i.e. between our anelastic limit and the macroscopic yield point. The rate of work hardening in the microstrain region increases markedly with decreasing temperature. It was concluded that thermally activated cross-slip would determine the temperature dependence of the macroscopic yield point if impurities could be completely eliminated.
Sodium insertion in carboxylate based materials and their application in 3.6 V full sodium cells

The sodium battery has the potential to be the next generation rechargeable system which utilizes cheaper and more abundant sodium material but affords nearly the same power as lithium batteries. One of the key barriers for the sodium battery is the lack of stable anode materials which can insert sodium ions reversibly at relatively low potential. This contribution reports the sodium insertion in a series of organic carboxylate based materials: (C8H4Na2O4), (C8H6O4), (C8H5NaO4), (C8Na2F4O4), (C10H2Na4O8), (C14H4O6) and (C14H4Na4O8) at low voltage (below 0.6 V vs. Na/Na+). These organic anode materials can insert reversibly up to 2 Na per molecule with good cycleability. The Na insertion mechanism was proposed and 3.6 V full sodium batteries were made and cycled reversibly at room temperature and at 55 °C.
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: contemporary comparison with open surgery.

Abstract Introduction The optimal outcome of radical prostatectomy is to cure cancer with the least impact on quality of life. The aim of this paper is to review the existent literature and attempt to compare the results of the retropubic (RRP) with the laparoscopic (LRP) approach. Methodology Extensive Medline literature search for terms “radical retropubic prostatectomy” and “laparoscopic radical prostatectomy” from 1980 to 2006 to compare cancer control, functional outcomes and morbidity for both groups. Only full length English language articles including 100 or more patients were considered. Results The 5-year biochemical recurrence rates range from 70–92% for the RRP vs. 82–91% for the LRP. The global positive surgical margin rates are 12–20% for the RRP and 17–30% for the LRP. The continence rate for the RRP varies from 70–93%; the LRP varies from 82–95% for 12 months. Considering potency 12 months after surgery, the rates are 17–75% for the RRP vs. 52–78% for the LRP. The blood loss for the RRP ranges from 818 to 1,500 ml and 220 to 1,100 for the LRP. Conclusions The concurrent literature lacks randomized trials comparing the different surgical techniques. No definitive conclusions can be drawn.
SIMULATION, FABRICATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 3-D ALUMINA PHOTONIC BANDGAP STRUCTURES

Three-dimensional photonic bandgap PBG structures using alumina as the high-permittiity material were designed and then () fabricated by using the fused deposition of multimaterials FDMM process. The finite-element and real-time electromagnetic modeling of the fabricated structure resulted in a 3-D photonic bandgap in the 1624 GHz range, which agreed with experimental measurements. 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 305307, 2001.
HLA-DRB1 molecules and antigenic experience shape the repertoire of CD4 T cells

Abstract Forces influencing the composition of the mature TCR repertoire have been well studied in the mouse. In particular, the contribution of MHC molecules in negative and positive selection events of T lymphocytes has been established. To understand whether the allelic polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 molecules can shape the human TCR repertoire, we compared the usage of TCR Vβ segments in two cohorts of unrelated individuals who were selected for the expression of HLA-DRB1 alleles. To investigate the potential role of antigenic experience in shaping the TCR repertoire, we compared the usage of Vβ gene elements in CD45RO − CD4 + (naive) T cells versus CD45RO + CD4 + (memory) T cells. A correlation between Vβ gene segment usage and HLA-DRB1 alleles could be demonstrated for the repertoire of the naive CD4 + T cells, suggesting a shaping force of the HLDRB1 allele on the peripheral TCR repertoire. While the HLA-DRB1 imposed profile in Vβ distribution was maintained in CD45RO + CD4 + T cells, it was less pronounced, indicating that antigenic experience modulates the functional TCR repertoire.
Laser damage growth in fused silica with simultaneous 351nm and 1053nm irradiation

Laser-induced growth of optical damage often determines the useful lifetime of an optic in a high power laser system. We have extended our previous work on growth of laser damage in fused silica with simultaneous 351 nm and 1053 nm laser irradiation by measuring the threshold for growth with various ratios of 351 nm and 1053 nm fluence. Previously we reported that when growth occurs, the growth rate is determined by the total fluence. We now find that the threshold for growth is dependent on both the magnitude of the 351 nm fluence as well as the ratio of the 351 nm fluence to the 1053 nm fluence. Furthermore, the data suggests that under certain conditions the 1053 nm fluence does not contribute to the growth.
Spectrum of light scattered coherently or incoherently by a collection of atoms.

We discuss the spectrum of light scattered by N atomic dipoles. We present examples illustrating the nature of contributions proportional to N and ${\mathit{N}}^{2}$ in ``coherent'' and ``incoherent'' forward and side scattering. We use a detector-based formalism that differs in some respects from the formalism of Sundaram and Milonni [Phys. Rev. A 41, 6571 (1990)].
Ataques De Nervios In Relation to Anxiety Sensitivity Among Island Puerto Ricans

This study investigated the symptom profile of ataques de nervios (ADN) among Puerto Rican volunteers from the community who self-identified as having experienced at least one ataque. As expected, the most commonly reported ataques-specific symptoms were crying, anger, nervousness, and becoming hysterical. Comparing the responses of those with ADN to those with no history of ADN but who reported elevated anxiety sensitivity (AS) indicated that both groups were comparable on measures of depression, state and trait anxiety, and associated panic symptoms. As expected, both groups scored significantly higher on all measures than did participants with no history of ADN and low AS with the exception of the measure of state anxiety. It is unclear, however, whether the overlap in symptom severity between those with ADN and those with elevated anxiety sensitivity indicates that ADN and AS are the same or distinct conditions.
Cognitive status and ambulation in geriatric rehabilitation: Walking without thinking? ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Ruchinskas RA, Singer HK, Repetz NK. Cognitive status and ambulation in geriatric rehabilitation: walking without thinking? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:1224-8. Objective: To assess the relation between cognitive and ambulatory abilities in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. Study Design: Survey study of geriatric cohorts. Setting: Inpatient university hospital rehabilitation unit. Patients: One hundred fifty urban geriatric rehabilitation patients with orthopedic, neurologic, or medical diagnoses. Main Outcome Measures: Functional Independence Measure™ (FIM), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination. Results: Both cognitive measures predicted admission and discharge total FIM scores, continence status, and activities of daily living (ADL) scores. Neither measure could predict admission or discharge FIM ambulation scores better than demographic variables. Conclusion: While cognitive status affects the overall rehabilitation course and ultimate functional status of the geriatric patient, it does not predict walking or stair climbing ability. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Demonstration of slide projection as an alternative to imaginal stimulus presentation in systematic desensitization therapy.

Sfate Cniversity of Netu Yozk at S~ony BzooR Stt7nmary.-This case study demonstrated the use of slide projection as an alternative to imaginal stimulus presentation in the systematic desensitization treatment of two clients with an incapacitating fear of receiving injections. The outcome was quite successful in both cases. Prior to treaunent, neither dieat could be encouraged to rake a test injection. Following treatment, both clients completed a test injection procedure and reported a substantial reduction in anxiety. The outcome was not successful with two sim~lar cl~ents who received only relaxation training. Several informal observations suggest that slide projection has certain advantages over the imaginal procedure and could be more effective in certain cases. In recent years considerable data, both clinical and experimental, have been accumulated in support of Wolpe's technique of systematic desensicization for the treatment of "neurotic" anxiety (see Paul, in press a, b). Along with the reports of its effectiveness with partici~lar anxiety problems, the technique has also been hailed for its widespread clinical utility, which is based upon an ingenious use of the client's imagination to represent a wide range of possible anxiety-provoking stimuli during the desensitization process ( Wolpe & Lazarus, 1966). While the reported success rates for desensitization in imagination are indeed highly impressive, there is a certain percentage of clients who show inadequacies in imagery of one kind or another which render them unsuitable for this form of treatment [about 1096, according to Wolpe and Lazarus ( 1966)l. Wolpe and Lazarus report that special training procedures occasionally overcome the difficulties, permitting the use of imaginal desensitization but that ~~sually such efforts fail and therapeutic change must then depend upon the use of real stimuli or in vivo desensitization. However, the practical problems involved with the use of real stimuli are what prompted the development of the imaginal procedure initially. Rather than turning to the use of real stimuli or in vivo desensitization, a more feasible desensitization technique for many of these clients might be one involving visual presentation of anxiety-hierarchy items by means of slide projection. If such a technique proves to be feasible and effective, a large number of standard hierarchies for common object and situational fears and phobias might be prepared on slides to be used with clients who have imagery problems. In addition, such slides ma)- also be useful for the development of automated and group desensitization procedures (cf. Migler & Wolpe, 1967), since slide pro'Now with the Ministry of Education in Israel.
Restaurant Servers Influence Tipping Behavior

12 waiters and waitresses from a small Midwestern town and 16 waiters and waitresses from a large urban area participated in an experiment to assess whether larger tips were given when they stood erect or squatted when taking orders. Using an A-B-A-B research design, waiters and waitresses alternately stood and squatted for a 4-wk. period while taking orders at lunch and dinner. The research was conducted in moderately priced, family-style restaurants. Analysis indicated that significantly higher tips were given (a) at dinner than lunch, (b) in the urban area, (c) to female servers, and (d) when the server squatted.
Effects of Chlorpromazine and Trinitrophenol on the Membrane Motor of Outer Hair Cells

The motile activity of outer hair cells' cell body is associated with large nonlinear capacitance due to a membrane motor that couples electric displacement with changes in the membrane area, analogous to piezoelectricity. This motor is based on prestin, a member of the SLC26 family of anion transporters and utilizes the electric energy available at the plasma membrane associated with the sensory function of these cells. To understand detailed mechanism of this motile activity, we examined the effect of amphipathic ions, cationic chlorpromazine and anionic trinitrophenol, which are thought to change the curvature of the membrane in opposite directions. We found that both chemicals reduced cell length at the holding potential of -75 mV and induced positive shifts in the cells' voltage dependence. The shift observed was approximately 10 mV for 500 microM trinitrophenol and 20 mV for 100 microM cationic chlorpromazine. Length reduction at the holding potential and voltage shifts of the motile activity were well correlated. The voltage shifts of nonlinear capacitance were not diminished by eliminating the cells' turgor pressure or by digesting the cortical cytoskeleton. These observations suggest that the membrane motor undergoes conformational transitions that involve changes not only in membrane area but also in bending stiffness.
A novel technique for indexing video surveillance data

Recent worldwide events have renewed interest in the use of video surveillance as a tool for private security, law enforcement and military applications. After appropriate feature extraction has taken place, most video surveillance problems are reduced to the problem of efficiently and robustly matching motion streams. Since all natural motion typically has some variability in the time axis, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), a technique that aligns the motion streams before calculating their similarity, is typically used. However, DTW can only address the problem of local scaling. As we demonstrate in this work, uniform scaling may be just as important for meaningful automatic analysis of video surveillance data streams. In this work, we demonstrate a novel technique to index of similarity search under uniform scaling. As we will demonstrate, our technique is simple and intuitive, and can achieve a speedup of 2 to 3 orders of magnitude under realistic settings.
An Efficient O(N) Algorithm for Computer Simulation of Rigid Body Molecular Dynamics

Molecular dynamics is effective for a nano-scale phenomenon analysis. There are two major computational costs associated with computer simulation of atomistic molecular dynamics. They are calculation of the interaction forces and formation/solution of equations of motion. In this paper, an O(N) (order N) procedure is presented for calculation of the interaction forces and formation/solution of equations of motion. For computational costs associated with potentials or interaction forces, an internal coordinate method is used. Use of the internal coordinate method makes application of multi-rigid body molecular dynamics to an atomistic molecular system become possible. The algorithm based on the method makes the calculation considerably more practical for large-scale problems encountered in molecular dynamics such as conformation dynamics of polymers. For computational costs associated with formation/solution of equations of motion, Kane method and the internal coordinate method are used for recursive formation and solution of equations of motion of an atomistic molecular system. However, in computer simulation of atomistic molecular dynamics, the inclusion of lightly excited all degrees of freedom of an atom, such as inter-atomic oscillations and rotation about double bonds with high frequencies, introduces limitations to the simulation. The high frequencies of these degrees of freedom force the use of very small integration step sizes, which severely limit the time scales for the atomic molecular simulation over long periods of time. To improve this, holonomic constraints such as strictly constant bond lengths and bond angles are introduced to freeze these high frequency degrees of freedom since they have insignificant effect on long time scale processes in conformational dynamics. In this way, the procedure developed in multibody dynamics can be utilized to achieve higher computing efficiency and an O(N) computational performance can be realized for formation/solution of equations of motion.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Achieving optimal CRCW PRAM fault-tolerance

It is possible to combine efficiency and fault-tolerance in many PRAM algorithms in the presence of arbitrary dynamic fail-stop processor errors. Here we describe a technique for efficient and fault-tolerant simulations of {\em arbitrary} PRAM algorithms. Given a $P$-processor PRAM algorithm, we simulate it efficiently and fault-tolerantly by a $P ^ prime$-processor CRCW PRAM algorithm, for $P ^ prime ~ \leq ~ P$. The simulation is optimal for $P ^ prime ~ \leq ~ P / \log ^ 2 P $.
Concurrent Neurocysticercosis and Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective We discuss the case of a 24-year-old male with severe racemose neurocysticercosis.
Neonatal Gene Therapy With a Gamma Retroviral Vector in Mucopolysaccharidosis VI Cats

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI is due to a deficiency in the activity of N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (4S), also known as arylsulfatase B. Previously, retroviral vector (RV)-mediated neonatal gene therapy reduced the clinical manifestations of MPS I and MPS VII in mice and dogs. However, sulfatases require post-translational modification by sulfatase-modifying factors. MPS VI cats were injected intravenously (i.v.) with a gamma RV-expressing feline 4S, resulting in 5 ± 3 copies of RV per 100 cells in liver. Liver and serum 4S activity were 1,450 ± 1,720 U/mg (26-fold normal) and 107 ± 60 U/ml (13-fold normal), respectively, and were directly proportional to the liver 4S protein levels for individual cats. This study suggests that sulfatase-modifying factor (SUMF) activity in liver was sufficient to result in active enzyme despite overexpression of 4S. RV-treated MPS VI cats achieved higher body weights and longer appendicular skeleton lengths, had reduced articular cartilage erosion, and reduced aortic valve thickening and aortic dilatation compared with untreated MPS VI cats, although cervical vertebral bone lengths were not improved. This demonstrates that therapeutic expression of a functional sulfatase protein can be achieved with neonatal gene therapy using a gamma RV, but some aspects of bone disease remain difficult to treat.
Autoimmune hepatitis and pregnancy: a rheumatologist's dilemma.

OBJECTIVES To review the course, predisposing risk factors, treatment employed, and complications of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) during pregnancy. Maternal and fetal outcomes will be discussed. METHODS We reviewed the literature from February 1966 to January 2004 using MEDLINE and the key words autoimmune hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, lupoid hepatitis, and pregnancy. An additional case of ours was included as she had AIH since childhood with worsening of liver disease during pregnancy. RESULTS Including the present case, 58 pregnant women with AIH were reported in 17 case reports and series. In the 101 pregnancies documented in these cases, there were 47 flare-ups, 5 clinical improvements, 45 stabilizations of the disease during pregnancy, and 4 cases in which the disease course was not reported. Two maternal deaths occurred. A perinatal mortality of 4% and 19 fetal deaths were described. Most women were treated with prednisone alone; however azathioprine was used in a number of patients. CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy course in patients with AIH is unpredictable. AIH exacerbates in some patients and is associated with a high rate of fetal complications including prematurity and death. Low-dose prednisone seems to be the preferred treatment. The use of azathioprine must be individualized and further studies are needed to better define its role and safety during pregnancy in patients with AIH. RELEVANCE A better understanding of the course of pregnancy in patients with AIH should help design appropriate therapeutic schemes to improve pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus.
Finite elements for near-singular systems: Application to bacterial chemotaxis

Abstract Difficulties with error estimation and mesh-placement methods are demonstrated for a chemotaxis boundary-value problem. An improved algorithm is introduced to locate and accurately represent steep concentration fronts over many orders of magnitude. The Taylor collocation method, applied to high-order ODEs, provides lower truncation errors, smaller matrices and less round-off error than the Lagrange collocation method. This is demonstrated for singular-perturbation and chemotaxis boundary-value problems.
Content matters: analysis of a website redesign

Purpose – To examine the redesign of an academic archive and manuscript repository's fourth‐generation website.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the process used by a task force to revamp a website, including determining the goals of the site, its main features, audiences, vendor and software selection, relationship to the parent institution's design guidelines, and user testing results.Findings – Only with the cooperative effort of staff, interested outside parties, and users will web redesigns be worthwhile efforts that translate into sites with depth and meaning.Originality/value – Article provides background information and analysis of a series of website redesigns.
A novel mutation in the 1A domain of keratin 2e in ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens

Ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens (IBS) is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder with clinical features similar to epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK). Both diseases have been linked to the type II keratin cluster on chromosome 12q. Hyperkeratosis and blister formation are relatively mild in IBS compared with EHK, and the lysis of keratinocytes is restricted to the upper spinous and granular layers of the epidermis of IBS patients, whereas in EHK lysis occurs in the lower spinous layer. Recently, mutations in the helix initiation and termination motifs of keratin 2e (K2e) have been described in IBS patients. The majority of the mutations reported to date lie in the 2B region. In this report, we have examined a large kindred in which the disease was originally diagnosed as EHK and mapped to the type II keratin cluster on chromosome 12q. Molecular analysis revealed a novel amino acid substitution at the beginning of the conserved 1A region of the rod domain (I4N) of K2e, resulting from a T to A transversion in codon 188.
Spatial representation of words in the brain implied by studies of a unilateral neglect patient.

Reading and writing require access to stored knowledge about the spelling of words. Presumably, we recognize chair but not chare or chiar as a word of English, and similarly would write 'chair' but not 'chare' or 'chiar', because we access orthographic representations that specify the identity and the order of the graphemes (abstract letter representations) that comprise the spelling of words. Thus, a fundamental problem concerns the content and structure of the hypothesized orthographic representations, and how information about grapheme order is represented and processed. We present evidence from a brain-damaged patient (N.G.) with unilateral neglect that this information is coded spatially. Unilateral neglect is a disorder clinically characterized by the inability to perceive or respond to stimuli presented to the side contralateral to the site of lesion, despite the absence of significant sensory or motor deficits. The patient made reading and spelling errors only on the right half of words, regardless of length. Furthermore, she produced the same pattern of errors in reading and spelling, irrespective of the topographic arrangement of stimuli in reading (horizontal, vertical or mirror-reversed words) and of the type of response in spelling (written, oral or backward oral spelling). This pattern of performance suggests that order information in orthographic representations is coded spatially in a word-centred coordinate system; that is, in a spatially defined coordinate frame whose centre corresponds to the midpoint of a canonical, orientation-invariant representation of the word and not the midpoint of the word stimulus.
Basophilia and high ribonucleic acid content of dividing E. coli cells.

IN a previous communication1, a staining technique was described for demonstrating the wide difference in basophilia of growing and non-growing cells of E. coli. The high basophilia of growing E. coli cells has been attributed by Belosersky2 to the presence of pentose nucleic acid which is not attached to protein. Apart from the work of Belosersky and his collaborators, the nature of the additional ribonucleic acid has received little attention, although it has been known for some years that rapidly growing and dividing cells of bacteria have a substantially higher concentration of ribonucleic acid than resting cells, and there is ample evidence of the heterogeneity of ribonucleic acid in metazoan cells3.
Regulation of calorie intake in rats with rostral zona incerta lesions: Effects of caloric density or palatability of the diet ☆

Abstract Following an initial period of hypophagia, the body weights of rats with zona incerta lesions approached asymptotic levels that were significantly lower than those of controls although daily food intake was not reliably depressed. In spite of persisting deficits in feeding efficiency, the ad libitum food intake of the ZI-lesioned rats (relative to body weight) recovered to preoperative levels and was regulated accurately with respect to the caloric density of the diet. However, rats with ZI lesions were finicky eaters and did not maintain stable calorie intake when given unpalatable diets. The water intake of ZI-lesioned rats remained consistently below that of neurologically intact rats but was normal relative to their own food intake and lowered body weight.
An update on the management of implanted cardiac devices during electrosurgical procedures

To date, the major guidelines for the management of implanted cardiac devices during electrosurgical procedures have come from 1 of several major medical societies.These most recent guidelines are from the ACCF/AHA in 2009, a combined consensus statement from the Heart Rhythm Society and the American Society of Anesthesiologists in 2011, as well as an update from the ASGE in 2007. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the most recent recommendations by society. Further studies are needed so that data can be available for the specialty societies to unify consensus on guidelines on the proper management of patients with implanted cardiac devices.
Retinoic acid decarboxylation and activation of retinoate and other branched long-chain acids in vitro.

Abstract Extensive nonenzymatic decarboxylation of retinoate-(15-14C) was observed using conditions similar to those reported to be optimal for microsomal decarboxylation of retinoate (1) or for mitochondrial decarboxylation of phytanate (2). Pristanate and phytanate were activated at a rate that was less than 10% of the rate of palmitate activation. Activation of farnesoate and retinoate could not be detected when assayed by acyl hydroxamate formation, nor could formation of retinoyl-CoA be detected by pyrophosphate formation or by in vitro incorporation or retinoate into rat liver lipids. It is concluded that mitochondrial metabolism of retinoate is probably minor compared to glucuronide formation and decarboxylation in the microsomes and that little or no retinoyl-CoA formation occurs in rat liver.
An extension of the Mueller scattering matrix to nonlinear light scattering

Abstract We present a new method of analyzing the polarization dependence of nonlinear light scattering (2 in, 1 out), which generalizes the 4×4 Mueller matrix used in linear scattering. We apply it to the case of an isotropic ensemble of anistropic scatterers, obtaining a “super-Mueller matrix” of dimension 4×4×4. Limiting ourselves to coplanar scattering, we show that two subsets of the elements of this matrix have properties closely analogous to properties found in the linear Mueller matrix; namely, (1) sensitvity to the helicity of the scatterer, and (2) sensitivity to imaginary quantities not arising from the complex vector potential of the light; namely, the damping constant, retardative interactions, and an external magnetic field. These elements are all characterized by an odd number of diagonal intensity modulation indices.
A 2 Degree-of-Freedom SOI-MEMS Translation Stage With Closed-Loop Positioning

This paper presents the design, analysis, fabrication, and characterization of a closed-loop XY micropositioning stage. The stage design is based on a 2 degree-of-freedom parallel kinematic mechanism with linear characteristics. Integrated with sensing combs, and fabricated in SOI wafers, the design provides a promising pathway to closed-loop positioning microelectromechanical systems platform with applications in nanomanufacturing and metrology. The XY stage provides a motion range of 20 micrometers in each direction at the driving voltage of 100 V. The resonant frequency of the XY stage under ambient conditions is 600 Hz. The positioning loop is closed using a capacitance-to-voltage conversion IC and a feedback controller is used to control position with an uncertainty characterized by a standard distribution of 5.24 nm and a closed-loop bandwidth of about 30 Hz.
Scattering losses in binary borate glasses

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of three binary borate glasses; namely PbOB 2 O 3 , K 2 OB 2 O 3 and Li 2 OB 2 O 3 as candidates for fabrication of low optical loss and low cost fiber-glass wave-guides. The importance of ultrasonic measurements as the first step in a systematic search for a glass with low optical loss, is discussed. Results of ultrasonic measurements of PbOB 2 O 3 system are then presented. Using these results and the published results for the K 2 OB 2 O 3 and Li 2 OB 2 O 3 systems, estimates of the magnitude of density fluctuations as a function of composition have been made for each system. Comparison with the previously published results on the K 2 OSiO 2 system suggests that out of the three systems chosen, only 50 mole % Li 2 O50 mole % B 2 O 3 glass is a likely candidate for the production of low optical loss glass fibers.
Classification of Trunk Motion for a Backbone Exoskeleton Using Inertial Data and Surface Electromyography

This paper evaluates a multi-sensor, intent recognition approach towards controlling a powered backbone exoskeleton. Inertial sensors emulated from motion capture recordings, and surface electromyogram (sEMG) readings from the back and abdomen, were investigated for efficacy in recognizing flexion and extension motion of the trunk. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based method of pattern classification was used to integrate the two different sensor readings together and identify trunk motion. The classification approach involved multiple classifiers that were generated from different features extracted from the data, which were then combined using a majority voting based classifier fusion scheme. An experimental procedure to record the signals and validate the pattern classification method has been described and results are discussed.
Malignant Transformation of an Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma Presenting as a Rectal Mass

Abstract Background. Squamous cell carcinoma arising from malignant degeneration of a mature cystic teratoma is rare with a reported incidence of approximately 1–3%. The most common presenting symptoms are lower abdominal pain and increasing abdominal girth of several months' duration. Approximately 50% of the patients present with FIGO stage I while 35–38% present with stage III diseases. Case. The case described herein represents an unusual presentation and initial diagnostic dilemma of locally aggressive squamous cell carcinoma arising in an ovarian dermoid cyst, with invasion into the distal rectum and anal canal causing rectal bleeding similar to the presentation of anal squamous cell carcinoma. Despite aggressive surgical management with posterior exenteration and optimal tumor debulking followed by 5040-cGy pelvic radiation utilizing 25-MV photons, the patient developed pelvic recurrence at the vaginal cuff 6 weeks after completion of her adjuvant radiotherapy. She subsequently failed cis -platinum single-agent chemotherapy and died 9 months after her initial surgery and diagnosis. Conclusion. Squamous cell carcinoma in the anal canal, diagnosed by colonoscopy or proctoscopy, could be an unusual presentation of that arising from malignant degeneration of an ovarian dermoid cyst. This tumor may behave in a locally aggressive manner and be resistant to pelvic radiation or single-agent chemotherapy of cis -platinum. The current experience of adjuvant treatment after comprehensive staging and cytoreductive surgery reported in the world literature is limited, and the optimal management of the malignancy remains unclear.
Monitoring changes in greater Yellowstone lake water quality following the 1988 wildfires

The fires that burned the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) during the summer of 1988 were the largest ever recorded for the region. Wildfire can have profound indirect effects on associated aquatic ecosystems by increased nutrient loading, sediment, erosion, and runoff. Satellite remote sensing and water quality sampling were used to compare pre- versus post-fire conditions in the GYA's large oliotrophic (high transparency, low productivity) lakes. Inputs of suspended sediment to Jackson Lake appear to have increased. Yellowstone Lake has not shown any discernable shift in water quality. The insights gained separately from the Landsat Thematic and NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) remote sensing systems, along with conventional in-situ sampling, can be combined into a useful water quality monitoring tool.
Faddeev approach to electron capture

Abstract The Faddeev-Watson-Lovelace scattering formalism is applied to the rearrangement problem in three-body collisions. In a second-order approximation, the transition operator is seen to generalize the second Born approximation by replacing each appearance of a two-body potential with a corresponding two-body transition operator, except for the first Born electron-nuclear potential term which remains the same. Application to electron capture in ion-atom collisions for both forward- and large-angle projectile scattering is discussed and the particular role of the internuclear potential in each case considered. Extension is made of results obtained within the second Born approximation, particularly the zero contribution of the internuclear potential at forward angles and the structure of critical-angle scattering. The treatment of initial- and final-state binding effects is also addressed. Differential capture cross sections for proton-hydrogen and proton-helium collisions in the MeV energy range are presented.
Early versus delayed treatment of HIV infection. Zidovudine should be given before symptoms develop.

An understanding of the virology and pathogenesis of HIV infection provides a rationale for initiating early intervention with antiretroviral drugs. Even at the earliest stages of infection when HIV-infected patients are asymptomatic, viral replication is ongoing, particularly in lymphoid tissues. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy can reduce viral replication and delay disease progression. A possible objection to early intervention therapy with zidovudine is the risk of selecting out resistant isolates of HIV, which would be difficult to treat. In practice, zidovudine-resistant isolates occur significantly less frequently in patients with early-stage disease compared with those with late-stage HIV infection, thus supporting the early use of zidovudine; in addition, alternative therapies, active against zidovudine-resistant isolates, are available.
Understanding the anomalous electrophoresis of bent DNA molecules: a reptation model

In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the retardation of DNA molecules containing regions of intrinsic curvature can be explained by a novel reptation model that includes the elastic free energy of the DNA chain. Computer simulations based on this model give results that reproduce the dependence of anomalous mobility on gel concentration, which is quantified by new experimental data on the mobilities of circularly permuted isomers of kinetoplast DNA fragments. Fitting of the data required allowing for the elasticity of the gel.
Managing high-tech product cycles

Executive Overview High-technology companies need an organizational design that enables rapid development and implementation of strategies in an environment of accelerated technological change, short product life cycles, and global competition. Executives should not just react to change but create changes that give a competitive advantage. In a dynamic, high-tech environment, product development needs to be a continuous process in which products move along an assembly line of marketing functions. Criteria for terminating a product's life cycle are established before the product is introduced, to assure that resources are rapidly reallocated to better opportunities. To meet these organizational needs a double-portfolio organizational design is proposed in which the CEO matches a portfolio of strategists to a portfolio of opportunities. While the design may seem radical, it is a logical extension of present theory and practice which include the concepts of the product-life cycle and the product portfolio ma...
Silencing sounds off.

Silent chromatin in budding yeast is propagated from one generation to the next, even though ‘silenced’ genes are occasionally expressed.
From Loving the Hero to Despising the Villain: Sports Fans, Facebook, and Social Identity Threats

This research explored how University of Cincinnati football fans used Facebook to manage a social identity threat arising from head football coach Brian Kelly leaving the school to become the head coach at the University of Notre Dame. A thematic analysis of 717 wall postings in the “Get Out of Our City Brian Kelly” Facebook group was conducted. Results revealed that fans responded to this social identity threat in the following ways: (a) rallying, (b) stigmatizing, (c) victimization, (d) intimidation, and (e) degradation. The results suggest that social media sites are prime vehicles for sports fans to collectively manage social identity crises. Social media enables fans to perpetuate messages that elevate group distinctiveness, minimize in-group issues, and derogate out-group members.
Subacute brain injury rehabilitation: an opportunity for medical education and training

Changes in the delivery of health care have resulted in new sites for rehabilitation of patients with severe brain injury BI. Adjustments in the training of resident physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation are likely to ensue. We utilized Likert scales and open-ended questions to survey 1 residents who were assigned over a 2½-year period to a subacute BI rehabilitation unit SRU. 2 Residents were surveyed about their desire to participate in a SRU training site, and the usefulness of such a rotation, and compared the rotation to traditional settings in which patients with similar diagnoses were treated. The results indicated that significant positive changes in residents' attitudes towards this type of training site occurred (p = 0·01). The rotation was felt to be useful (p = 0·008) despite initial misgivings. Positive educational aspects were exposure to the unique problems of patients with severe BI (e.g. spasticity and agitation) and a sense of independence and competence in leadership roles....
Are There Sex Differences in Fiscal Political Preferences

This article examines the relationship between attitudes on potential uses of the budget surplus and sex. Survey results from the Fall of 1999 show relatively weak support overall for using a proje...
Utility of a bilayered banner transposition flap in reconstruction of the lower third of the pinna.

Background. Reconstruction of the entire ear lobule is challenging and complex. We present a case in which a banner transposition flap from the preauricular and mandibular area of the cheek resulted in an excellent cosmetic outcome. Objective. To demonstrate the utility of a bilayered banner transposition flap to reconstruct a full-thickness defect of the inferior one-third of the pinna. Methods. The technique employed in this reconstruction is described and previously reported techniques are reviewed. Results. A symmetrical earlobe with normal tissue consistency was created, as noted at 4 months postoperatively. Conclusion. Utilization of a banner transposition flap should be considered as an excellent method for reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the lower one-third of the ear.
Chemical synthesis of deuterium-labeled and unlabeled very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

First syntheses of a deuterium-labeled very long C34-containing polyunsaturated fatty acid, 34:5n5, and three other unlabeled very long chain C30–32 containing polyunsaturated fatty acids are reported. These syntheses were achieved by coupling chemically modified C22- and C20-containing polyunsaturated fatty acids with carbanions derived from arylalkyl sulfones, followed by sodium amalgam-mediated desulfonylation.
Martensitic transformation in CVD NiAl and (Ni,Pt)Al bond coatings

Abstract The martensitic phase transformation in single-phase β-NiAl and (Ni,Pt)Al coatings was investigated. After isothermal exposure to 1150 °C for 100 h, the β phase in both types of coatings was transformed to a martensite phase during cooling to room temperature. Martensitic transformation was also observed in the (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat with and without a YSZ top layer after thermal cycling at 1150 °C (700 1-h cycles). The transformation took place due to Al depletion in the coating from the formation of the Al2O3 scale and interdiffusion between the coating and superalloy substrate. The effects of the martensitic transformation on coating surface stability (‘rumpling’) via volume changes during the phase transformation are discussed with regard to TBC failure.
Topic-wise, Sentiment-wise, or Otherwise? Identifying the Hidden Dimension for Unsupervised Text Classification

While traditional work on text clustering has largely focused on grouping documents by topic, it is conceivable that a user may want to cluster documents along other dimensions, such as the author's mood, gender, age, or sentiment. Without knowing the user's intention, a clustering algorithm will only group documents along the most prominent dimension, which may not be the one the user desires. To address this problem, we propose a novel way of incorporating user feedback into a clustering algorithm, which allows a user to easily specify the dimension along which she wants the data points to be clustered via inspecting only a small number of words. This distinguishes our method from existing ones, which typically require a large amount of effort on the part of humans in the form of document annotation or interactive construction of the feature space. We demonstrate the viability of our method on several challenging sentiment datasets.