cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of hematologic growth factors for anemia occurring during hepatitis C combination therapy.

In hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who develop anemia during combination therapy, erythropoietic growth factors maintain higher drug treatment levels compared to ribavirin dose reduction, which may lead to an increase in treatment response rates. This study estimated the cost-effectiveness of growth factor therapy in maintaining anemic HCV-infected patients on target drug levels during combination therapy. A decision analysis using a Markov model was developed with 7 health states: Sustained viral response, chronic HCV, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and death. Data sources included population-based studies of growth factor therapy, previously published estimates of costs and natural history of hepatitis C, and recent prospective studies. Our reference case was a 45-year-old Caucasian man with HCV infection (genotype 1, 2, or 3) who developed anemia while undergoing combination therapy with ribavirin and pegylated interferon. We compared growth factor injections (darbepoetin alpha or epoetin alpha) during combination therapy with standard ribavirin dose reduction. Compared to a ribavirin dose reduction strategy, the cost of darbepoetin per additional quality-adjusted life-year was $34,793 for genotype 1 and $33,832 for genotypes 2 or 3 versus $60,600 and $64,311 for epoetin. For all genotypes, the results were sensitive to changes in the cure rates of HCV therapy, the utility of chronic HCV, the costs of growth factors, and the age at which therapy is begun. In conclusion, use of erythropoietic growth factors, specifically darbepoetin, for patients with anemia occurring during HCV combination therapy appears to be cost-effective for genotypes 1, 2, or 3. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:1598–1606.)
A Physical Mechanism for the Asymmetry in Top-Down and Bottom-Up Diffusion.

Abstract Recent large-eddy simulations of the vertical diffusion of a passive, conservative scalar through the convective boundary layer (CBL) show strikingly different eddy diffusivity profiles in the “top-down” and “bottom-up” cases. These results indicate that for a given turbulent velocity field and associated scalar flux, the mean change in scalar mixing ratio across the CBL is several times larger if the flux originates at the top of the boundary layer (i.e., in top-down diffusion) rather than at the bottom. The large-eddy simulation (LES) data show that this asymmetry is due to a breakdown of the eddy-diffusion concept. A simple updraft-downdraft model of the CBL reveals a physical mechanism that could cause this unexpected behavior. The large, positive skewness of the convectively driven vertical velocity gives an appreciably higher probability of downdrafts than updrafts; this excess probability of downdrafts, interacting with the time changes of the mean mixing ratio caused by the nonstationarit...
Successful treatment of cervical myelopathy with minimal morbidity by circumferential decompression and fusion

Circumferential cervical decompression and fusion (CCDF) is an important technique for treating patients with severe cervical myelopathy. While circumferential cervical decompression and fusion may provide improved spinal cord decompression and stability compared to unilateral techniques, it is commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing CCDF at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) between January 2003 and December 2004. We identified 53 patients and reviewed their medical records to determine the effectiveness of CCDF for improving myelopathy, pain, and neurological function. Degree of fusion, functional anatomic alignment, and stability were also assessed. Operative morbidity and mortality were measured. The most common causes of cervical myelopathy, instability, or deformity were degenerative disease (57%) and traumatic injury (34%). Approximately one-fifth of patients had a prior fusion performed elsewhere and presented with fusion failure or adjacent-level degeneration. Postoperatively, all patients had stable (22.6%) or improved (77.4%) Nurick grades. The average preoperative and postoperative Nurick grades were 2.1 ± 1.9 and 0.4 ± 0.9, respectively. Pain improved in 85% of patients. All patients had radiographic evidence of fusion at last follow-up. The most common complication was transient dysphagia. Our average clinical follow-up was 27.5 ± 9.5 months. We present an extensive series of patients and demonstrate that cervical myelopathy can successfully be treated with CCDF with minimal operative morbidity. CCDF may provide more extensive decompression of the spinal cord and may be more structurally stable. Concerns regarding operation-associated morbidity should not strongly influence whether CCDF is performed.
Australia Telescope Compact Array Survey of Candidate Ultracompact and Buried H II Regions in the Magellanic Clouds

We present a systematic survey for ultracompact (UC) H II regions in the Magellanic Clouds. Understanding the physics of massive star formation (MSF) is a critical astrophysical problem. The study of MSF began in our Galaxy with surveys of UC H II regions, but before now this has not been done for other galaxies. We selected candidates on the basis of their Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) colors and imaged them at 3 and 6 cm with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Nearly all of the observed regions contain compact radio sources consistent with thermal emission. Many of the sources are related to optically visible H II regions, and often the radio emission traces the youngest and densest part of the H II region. The luminosity function and number distribution of Lyman continuum fluxes of the compact radio sources are consistent with standard stellar and cluster initial mass functions. This type of systematic assessment of IRAS diagnostics is important for interpreting Spitzer Space Telescope data, which will probe similar physical scales in nearby galaxies as IRAS did in the Magellanic Clouds.
With blood in the joint - what happens next? Could activation of a pro-inflammatory signalling axis leading to iRhom2/TNFα-convertase-dependent release of TNFα contribute to haemophilic arthropathy?

Summary One of the main complications of haemophilia A is haemophilic arthropathy (HA), a debilitating disease with a significant negative impact on motility and quality of life. Despite major advances in the treatment of haemophilia A, many patients still suffer from HA. We wish to develop new treatments for HA, but must first better understand its causes. Our laboratory studies molecular scissors that release the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from cells. TNFα is considered the ‘fire alarm’ of the body – it helps to fight infections, but can also cause diseases such as inflammatory arthritis. We know that the molecular scissors, called TNFα convertase (TACE), and its newly discovered regulator termed iRhom2 can be rapidly activated by small amounts of cytokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory mediators present in the blood. We hypothesize that the rapid activation of TACE could help explain one of the unsolved mysteries regarding the development of HA, which is how even small amounts of blood can provoke a persistent inflammatory response. We propose that once blood enters the joint, iRhom2 and TACE are activated to release TNFα and that this could promote the development of HA in a similar manner to that in which it promotes rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We are currently using immune cells stimulated with blood degradation products, and mouse models of HA, to test this hypothesis. If successful, our study could provide the rationale for testing anti-TNF antibodies, which are already used to treat RA, for the treatment of HA. In addition, they might uncover iRhom2 and TACE as attractive new candidate targets for the treatment of HA.
EFFICACY OF ANTIBIOTIC IMPREGNATION OF INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESES IN DECREASING INFECTION IN ORIGINAL IMPLANTS

ABSTRACTPurpose: We compared infection rates in original inflatable penile prostheses implants between prostheses impregnated with InhibiZone (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota), an antibiotic surface treatment, and prostheses without antibiotic treatment.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient information forms filed with the manufacturer following original implantation in the United States to implant AMS 700 series penile prostheses (American Medical Systems) between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2003. We compared results in 4,205 men, including 2,261 with a mean age of 60.71 years who received prostheses with InhibiZone, a surface treatment combining rifampin and minocycline hydrochloride, and a control group of 1,944 with a mean age of 61.04 years who received untreated prostheses. Followup in the treatment and control groups was 0 to 11.5 months (mean 5 and 8, respectively). In the treatment group only implants in which all components were treated were included.Results: T...
A randomized, prospective analysis of five sperm preparation techniques before intrauterine insemination of husband sperm.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate pregnancy rates (PRs) in women undergoing artificial insemination with sperm alternately prepared by one of five techniques: sperm washing, Percoll gradient centrifugation, swim-up, swim-down, or refrigeration/heparin treatment. Design: Each treatment group alternated in a different order through the five sperm preparations. Pregnancy rates were compared for each sperm preparation. Setting: Two infertility centers, one located in an academic institution and the other a regional hospital. Patient(s): Three hundred sixty-three women undergoing 898 artificial inseminations with husband semen with a progressive motile sperm count of > 20 million sperm per mL were randomly placed in the five treatment groups. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy rates. Result(s): The overall ongoing PR per insemination was 9.7% (87/898), including 6.12% for natural cycles ( n = 196), 12.8% for clomiphene citrate-stimulated cycles ( n = 101), and 10.3% for gonadotropin-stimulated cycles ( n = 601). The highest ongoing PRs for sperm preparations followed the swim-up technique (13.2%, 26/197) and the Percoll gradient centrifugation technique (12.7%, 26/204). Conclusion(s): These data suggest that the swim-up and Percoll gradient preparations result in higher PRs than the wash, swim-down, and refrigeration/heparin techniques.
Factors affecting respiration in dry pond bottom soils

Abstract The potential influence of drying, liming, tilling, bacterial augmentation, and nitrogen fertilization on respiration of pond bottom soil exposed to air between crops was evaluated in laboratory studies using soil respiration chambers. The optimum soil moisture concentration for respiration was 12–20%, and further drying decreased soil respiration. Soil respiration was greatest at pH 7.5–8.0, and both calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate were effective in enhancing respiration of acidic soil. Pulverization of soil to eliminate the hard surface crust formed on drying accelerated respiration, thus tilling of pond bottom soils would be expected to increase respiration. Nitrogen fertilization showed some benefit to soil respiration, but there was no value in bacterial augmentation. These laboratory findings provide background information useful to pond studies on bottom soil treatments.
Correlation of defense gene induction defects with powdery mildew susceptibility in Arabidopsis enhanced disease susceptibility mutants.

Summary We investigated the relative importance of specific Arabidopsis thaliana genes in conferring resistance to bacterial versus fungal pathogens. We first developed a pathosystem involving the infection of Arabidopsis accession Columbia with a virulent isolate of the obligate biotrophic fungal pathogen Erysiphe orontii. E. orontii elicited the accumulation of mRNAs corresponding to the defenserelated genes PR1, BGL2 (PR2), PR5 and GST1, but did not elicit production of the phytoalexin camalexin or the accumulation of defensin (PDF1.2) or thionin (THI2.1) mRNAs. We tested a set of 15 previously isolated Arabidopsis phytoalexin deficient (pad), non-expresser of PR (npr) and enhanced disease susceptibility (eds) mutants that are more susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae for their susceptibility to E. orontii. Four of these mutants (pad4‐1, npr1‐1, eds5‐1 and a double npr1‐1 eds5‐1 mutant) as well as Arabidopsis lines carrying a nahG transgene exhibited enhanced susceptibility to E. orontii and reduced levels of PR gene expression. Comparison of the PR gene induction patterns in response to E. orontii in the various mutants and in the nahG transgenics suggests the existence of NPR1-independent salicylatedependent and NPR1-independent salicylate-independent defense gene activation pathways. Eleven other eds and pad mutants did not show measurable enhanced susceptibility to E. orontii, suggesting that these mutants are defective in factors that are not important for the limitation of E. orontii growth.
Potentiation of Mossy Fiber EPSCs in the Cerebellar Nuclei by NMDA Receptor Activation followed by Postinhibitory Rebound Current

Behavioral and computational studies predict that synaptic plasticity of excitatory mossy fiber inputs to cerebellar nuclear neurons is required for associative learning, but standard tetanization protocols fail to potentiate nuclear cell EPSCs in mouse cerebellar slices. Nuclear neurons fire action potentials spontaneously unless strongly inhibited by Purkinje neurons, raising the possibility that plasticity-triggering signals in these cells differ from those at classical Hebbian synapses. Based on predictions of neuronal activity during delay eyelid conditioning, we developed quasi-physiological induction protocols consisting of high-frequency mossy fiber stimulation and postsynaptic hyperpolarization. Robust, NMDA receptor-dependent potentiation of nuclear cell EPSCs occurred with protocols including a 150-250 ms hyperpolarization in which mossy fiber stimulation preceded a postinhibitory rebound depolarization. Mossy fiber stimulation potentiated EPSCs even when postsynaptic spiking was prevented by voltage-clamp, as long as rebound current was evoked. These data suggest that Purkinje cell inhibition guides the strengthening of excitatory synapses in the cerebellar nuclei.
Translational Research to Develop a Human PBPK Models Tool Kit—Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Toxicity and exposure evaluations remain the two of the key components of human health assessment. While improvement in exposure assessment relies on a better understanding of human behavior patterns, toxicity assessment still relies to a great extent on animal toxicity testing and human epidemiological studies. Recent advances in computer modeling of the dose-response relationship and distribution of xenobiotics in humans to important target tissues have advanced our abilities to assess toxicity. In particular, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are among the tools than can enhance toxicity assessment accuracy. Many PBPK models are available to the health assessor, but most are so difficult to use that health assessors rarely use them. To encourage their use these models need to have transparent and user-friendly formats. To this end the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is using translational research to increase PBPK model accessibility, understandability, and use in the site-specific health assessment arena. The agency has initiated development of a human PBPK tool-kit for certain high priority pollutants. The tool kit comprises a series of suitable models. The models are recoded in a single computer simulation language and evaluated for use by health assessors. While not necessarily being state-of-the-art code for each chemical, the models will be sufficiently accurate to use for screening purposes. This article presents a generic, seven-compartment PBPK model for six priority volatile organic compounds (VOCs): benzene (BEN), carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), dichloromethane (DCM), perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). Limited comparisons of the generic and original model predictions to published kinetic data were conducted. A goodness of fit was determined by calculating the means of the sum of the squared differences (MSSDs) for simulation vs. experimental kinetic data using the generic and original models. Using simplified solvent exposure assumptions for oral ingestion and inhalation, steady-state blood concentrations of each solvent were simulated for exposures equivalent to the ATSDR Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs). The predicted blood levels were then compared to those reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). With the notable exception of BEN, simulations of combined oral and inhalation MRLs using our generic VOC model yielded blood concentrations well above those reported for the 95th percentile blood concentrations for the U.S. populations, suggesting no health concerns. When the PBPK tool kit is fully developed, risk assessors will have a readily accessible tool for evaluating human exposure to a variety of environmental pollutants.
Children's religious knowledge: implications for understanding satanic ritual abuse allegations

Abstract Objectives: The goals of the present study were to examine the extent of children's religious, especially satanic, knowledge and to understand the influence of children's age, religious training, family, and media exposure on that knowledge. Methods: Using a structured interview, 48 3- to 16-year-old children were questioned about their knowledge of: (a) religion and religious worship; (b) religion-related symbols and pictures; and (c) movies, music, and television shows with religious and horror themes. Results: Although few children evinced direct knowledge of ritual abuse, many revealed general knowledge of satanism and satanic worship. With age, children's religious knowledge increased and became more sophisticated. Increased exposure to nonsatanic horror media was associated with more nonreligious knowledge that could be considered precursory to satanic knowledge, and increased exposure to satanic media was associated with more knowledge related to satanism. Conclusions: Our results suggest that children do not generally possess sufficient knowledge of satanic ritual abuse to make up false allegations on their own. However, many children have knowledge of satanism as well as nonreligious knowledge of violence, death, and illegal activities. It is possible that such knowledge could prompt an investigation of satanic ritual abuse or possibly serve as a starting point from which an allegation is erected.
Adaptive convergence of linearly constrained beamformers based on the sample covariance matrix

A statistical analysis of the adaptive convergence behavior of linearly constrained beamformers is given, assuming the sample covariance estimator is used to estimate the covariance matrix. The sensor data are assumed to be Gaussian distributed and independent from data vector to data vector. The output power and mean-squared error in the absence of the desired signal are shown to be multiples of chi-squared random variables. The presence of the desired signal results in an excess mean-squared error that is beta distributed and depends only on the signal power, number of data vectors, and number of adaptive degrees of freedom. The expected value of the excess mean-squared error resulting from the signal presence is directly proportional to the signal power and number of adaptive degrees of freedom, but is inversely proportional to the number of data vectors. >
Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment Predicts Real-World Outcomes of Critical Thinking

Summary Although educators and employers agree that it is important to assess the critical thinking skills of students and prospective employees, few assessments have been externally validated with real-world outcomes of critical thinking. The Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment (HCTA) is a reliable measure of critical thinking skills and has been validated with multiple populations and measures of academic success. This study explored whether scores on the HCTA predicted real-world outcomes in a wide range of domains, such as education, health, law, finance, and interpersonal relationships. Community adults (n = 50), state university students (n = 48), and community college students (n = 35) in the USA completed the HCTA and a behavioral inventory of life events. Overall, those with higher critical thinking scores reported fewer negative life events than those with lower critical thinking scores, r (131) = −.38, p < .001. Implications for education are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peak accelerations from the 1992 Landers and big bear, California, earthquakes

Peak ground accelerations (PGA) at 181 sites for the Landers MW 7.3 earthquake and at 85 sites for the Big Bear MW 6.2 aftershock are compared to the Joyner and Boore (1988) (JB) attenuation relationships and examined for spatial variations. This study finds the following five results. First, at the 95% confidence level, the mean of PGA values for both earthquakes is significantly higher than the JB median by a factor near 2. Second, for distances greater than 70 km, the observations from the Landers earthquake indicate that attenuation of ground motion with distance is less than that predicted by geometric spreading and by JB. Third, the northward propagation of the Landers rupture significantly reduces PGA values recorded at strong-motion stations south of the epicenter. Fourth, stations in the Los Angeles basin and the Coachella Valley recorded higher PGA values than expected during both events. Finally, site geology, using the site classification scheme of JB, generally does not have a statistically significant effect on PGA, except in the distance range from 60 to 100 km for the Landers earthquake. The observed difference between soil- and rock-site PGA's between 60 and 100 km for the Landers data set may be a combination of higher values of PGA recorded at soil sites in basins, an S -wave radiation maximum in the San Bernardino area, and directivity effects.
Body mass, age, and reproductive influences on liver mass of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Previous research into the liver has mainly examined liver function and liver response to energy restriction. There have been few investigations into how liver mass is coupled to body mass, body condition, age, and reproductive events like lactation. Therefore, we examined the scaling relationship between body mass and liver mass and the influences of age, sex, body condition (back fat), and lactation on liver mass to gain insight into liver-mass variation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)). Deer from two sites in Texas (89 males, 70 females) were sampled; one site was sampled before the mating season (premating) and the other site was sampled during the mating season. There was an allometric relationship between body mass and liver mass (scalars 0.59-0.80) at both sites. Also, sex and age were predictors of liver mass at one site, whereas lactation was influential at the other location. Controlling for body mass, males had heavier livers than females during the mating but not the premating season and age was positively related to liver mass. Our findings indicate that sex and lactation status were coupled to liver masses, but the effect of these two factors differed between premating and mating seasons. It appears that animals in situations where metabolic demands might be higher than current nutrient intake, such as mature males during the rut or lactating females, have heavier liver masses when body mass is controlled.
ARDS IN THE POSTOPERATIVE CANCER PATIENT

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been described in postoperative patients with cancer for more than 2 decades. Although our understanding of this clinicopathologic entity has increased significantly, little therapeutic progress has been achieved, and the mortality remains high. Postoperative ARDS may be caused by cancer directly, by cancer complications, by treatment complications or unrelated diseases. ARDS is characterized by diffuse pulmonary microvascular injury resulting in increased permeability and thus noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Ventilation/perfusion lung studies have demonstrated that the predominant pathogenesis of hypoxemia in ARDS is related to intrapulmonary shunts. Common symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, dry cough, retrosternal discomfort, and moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. In most postoperative patients with cancer, the diagnosis of ARDS is one of exclusion. The mainstay of therapy for this syndrome is management of the underlying disorders causing it. To date, there are no specific pharmacologic interventions of proven value for the treatment of postoperative ARDS. Once the potentially treatable sources have been found and therapy for them started, the main treatment is supportive. The surgical treatment of patients with malignant neoplasms may be complicated by potentially reversible life-threatening insults to one or more organ systems. These insults may be the direct result of the neoplasm or a consequence of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. One of the most common insults found in postoperative patients with cancer is the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The development of single and multiple organ failure after oncologic surgery (i.e., renal failure, respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock) has been recognized for decades. 6 Postoperative patients with cancer represent a unique population group with respect to prognosis and complications. This article describes some of the most recent and controversial issues in the diagnosis and management of ARDS in these patients.
The romantic partner conflict scale: A new scale to measure relationship conflict

In this article, we report on three studies designed to develop the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS). In Study 1, items were developed based on existing research and theory. The factor analysis of these items indicated six factors (totaling 39 items): Compromise, Domination, Submission, Separation, Avoidance, and Interactional Reactivity. In Study 2, Confirmatory Factor Analysis reinforced the six-factor structure. Study 3 demonstrated strong test—retest reliabilities for the factors/ subscales. Moreover, the subscales representing constructive conflict strategies (especially Compromise) were positively related to communication, satisfaction, respect, love, and sexual attitudes. The subscales representing destructive strategies were negatively related to these variables. Additional findings, limitations of the research, and implications for future research and clinical use of the RPCS are presented.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging of lactate in patients with bipolar disorder

Although brain lactate levels are typically low and difficult to measure, a few previous investigators have reported that brain lactate levels are elevated in patients with bipolar disorder. The present study investigated the distribution of lactate in bipolar and healthy brains using 2D proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging on a 4-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system. Ratios of the concentration of lactate to N-acetylaspartate, and of lactate to total creatine, were significantly higher in bipolar than in healthy subjects. Lactate signals were primarily localized to the bipolar subjects' caudate and anterior cingulate cortices, components of the frontal–subcortical circuit, suggesting that affective dysregulation may be related to metabolic abnormalities in this network.
Sovereign Wealth Funds, Banks and Governments in the Global Crisis: Towards a New Governance of Global Finance?*

The governance of finance is replete with challenges as evidenced by the frequent financial crises that have accompanied the growth and development of financial markets. Every crisis can be taken as a symptom of governance failure. The immediate reaction tends to be an attempt to fix the problems that gave rise to the most recent crisis. By definition, such a regulatory approach lags behind actual developments on the financial marketplace, thereby inadvertently sowing the seeds for the next governance failure. A similar lag effect can be observed in current attempts to repair the governance of global finance. This paper argues that reform proposals currently under discussion fail to take into account important changes in the organisation of global financial relations between financial intermediaries, their home governments and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). They challenge the basic principles that inform conventional regulatory regimes: a clear distinction between public vs. private; regulation vs. firm-level governance; and stakeholding vs. supervision. The paper discusses alternative modes of governance that have emerged during the crisis and are complementing for, if not substituting, more conventional forms of governance.
Tail‐base mass from a “horse of a different color”

A 14-year-old bay Thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation of a mass at the base of the tail. The mass had been present for 1 year, and recently had begun to increase in size. Additional masses were found around the eye and shoulder. A fine-needle aspirate of the tail-base mass revealed highly anaplastic round to polyhedral cells containing dark green to black cytoplasmic granules interpreted to be melanin. Histologically, the mass was composed of pleomorphic, poorly pigmented, round to polyhedral cells interpreted to be neoplastic melanocytes. With immunohistochemistry, the cells were positive for vimentin and S-100, but negative for pancytokeratin and Melan-A. The cytologic and histopathologic diagnoses were amelanotic melanoma. The horse was treated with cimetidine, but the tumor continued to progress. In this report, we describe the cytopathologic features of an aggressive amelanotic melanoma in a non-grey horse and emphasize the unique correlation between cytologic and histologic findings.
A radioreceptor assay for propranolol and 4-hydroxypropranolol.

A radioreceptor assay for the measurement or propranolol and 4-hydroxypropranoloel levels in plasma is described. Maximum sensitivity for propranolol was 1.2 +/- 0.15 ng/ml and for 4-hydroxypropranolol 4.2 +/- 0.4 ng/ml. Interassay and intra-assay variations for both were under 10%. Modifications in the radioreceptor assay permitted the measurements of total beta-adrenergic blocking activity and the separate contributions of parent drug and metabolite. When 4-hydroxypropranolol was stabilized, a composite level of total beta-adrenergic blocking activity in plasma was obtained. When the 4-hydroxy metabolite activity in plasma was oxidized, only the stable parent drug was detected. The differences in values between measurements made under these conditions was equivalent to the amount of 4-hydroxypropranolol in the sample. The radioreceptor assay was also used to measure the amount of free propranolol and 4-hydroxypropranolol. Under identical experimental conditions, more 4-hydroxypropranolol than propranolol circulated in the free form. These observations establish the feasibility of adapting the radioreceptor assay for propranolol to the measurement of total beta-adrenergic blocking activity and its components in plasma as well as to the measurement of free drug and metabolite levels.
Reducing Startup Time in Co-Designed Virtual Machines

A Co-Designed Virtual Machine allows designers to implement a processor via a combination of hardware and software. Dynamic binary translation converts code written for a conventional (legacy) ISA into optimized code for an underlying implementation-specific ISA. Because translation is done dynamically, an important consideration in such systems is the startup time for performing the initial translations. Beginning with a previously proposed co-designed VM that implements the x86 ISA, we study runtime binary translation overhead effects. The co-designed x86 virtual machine is based on an adaptive translation system that uses a basic block translator for initial emulation and a superblock translator for hotspot optimization. We analyze and model VM startup performance via simulation. We observe that non-hotspot emulation via basic block translation is the major part of the startup overhead. To reduce startup translation overhead, we follow the co-designed hardware / software philosophy and propose hardware assists to dramatically accelerate basic block translations. By combining hardware assists with balanced translation strategies, the co-designed translation system reduces runtime overhead significantly and demonstrates very competitive startup performance when compared with conventional processors running a set of Windows application benchmarks.
Barge-in implementation method for multi-CPU in-vehicle speech recognition system

The objective is to implement barge-in function for multi-CPU in-vehicle speech recognition system. The barge-in can allow user utterances during the guidance prompt from the system. Barge-in function requires two input audio data. The one is speech signal from microphone. The other is the original guidance prompt data. There are two major problems to implement barge-in. The one is sampling frequency synchronization, because the frequencies are usually different between two input audio data. The other is input timing synchronization, because the timing gap between two input audio data must be within plus or minus 7 ms based on the specification. We have adopted digital hardware converter for sampling frequency conversion. Hardware processing makes much smaller signal input delay than software processing. In addition, digital processing keeps the performance of barge-in compared to analog processing, because it does not cause the quality deterioration. We store the reference data right before audio data input for barge-in module, because the variabilities by the reference data transmission between two CPUs can be removed. Regarding the microphone input data, we reduce the variabilities by synchronizing the microphone input request with the guidance prompt play request. The guidance prompt taken by microphone is passed into barge-in module with the reference data one by one in the smallest unit sequentially to keep real-time processing. The implementation method was validated in terms of the design. The presented design has been implemented and evaluated. Conclusively, it is validated based on the evaluation in terms of the input timing gap between two input audio data into barge-in module and the performance of barge-in function. This study was specified for multi-CPU in-vehicle speech recognition system. The prerequisite is that the full reference data must be on memory to keep real-time processing. Our method is able to solve the two major problems by hardware sampling frequency conversion and the proposed input timing synchronization method. In addition, this method keeps the real-time processing of speech recognition even if we added the barge-in function as the preprocessing of speech recognition. We proposed a barge-in function implementation method for multi-CPU in-vehicle speech recognition system. It solves problems regarding sampling frequency and input timing synchronization of two input audio data to adopt barge-in function. This method does not make any latency performance issues of speech recognition.
On the Canonical Formulation of Electrodynamics and Wave Mechanics

Abstract Nonperturbative analytical and numerical methods are presented for the solution of the coupled nonlinear Maxwell–Schrodinger system of partial differential equations. These equations have been derived within the Hamiltonian or canonical formalism. The canonical approach to dynamics, which begins with the Maxwell and Schrodinger Lagrangians together with a Lorenz gauge fixing term, yields a set of first order Hamilton equations which form a well-posed initial value problem. That is, their solution is uniquely determined once the initial values for each of the dynamical variables are specified. The equations are closed since the Schrodinger wavefunction is chosen to be the source for the electromagnetic field and the electromagnetic field acts back upon the wavefunction, thus producing new fields. In practice, the Maxwell–Schrodinger Lagrangian is represented in a spatial basis of Gaussian functions. Application of the calculus of variations leads to a set of dynamical equations that, for that choice of basis, represent the coupled first order Maxwell–Schrodinger equations. In the limit of a complete basis these equations are exact and for any finite choice of basis they form an approximate system of dynamical equations that can be integrated in time and made systematically more accurate by enriching the basis. The dynamics of the basis-represented Maxwell–Schrodinger system is numerically investigated for a single spinless hydrogen atom interacting with the electromagnetic field in a cavity.
Prophylactic knee bracing in college football

We report on the number of knee injuries sustained by a major college football team during 2 full years when all players were required to wear laterally placed prophylactic knee braces during all practice sessions and all games. We found that the incidence rates of knee injuries were higher when the braces were worn compared to a similar period when the braces were not worn. There was also an increased number of ACL injuries during the brace period. Several indices characterizing the nature of the injuries were analyzed and were found not to be altered significantly when the prophylactic braces were used. These facts lead us to question the efficacy of prophylactic knee braces in preventing knee injuries in college football. The use of the braces was associated with increased episodes of muscle cramping in the triceps surae muscle group, required the constant attention of coaches and trainers to remind the players to wear the braces and to apply them correctly, and was costly. These findings indicate the need for other carefully controlled clinical and biomechanical studies of these devices before their routine use can be advocated.
The effect of mitomycin C on developing chicken embryos

The mitomycins were isolated from the broth of Streptomyces caespitosus by Hata, Shimada & Ishu (1957). Mitomycin C, one of a series of chemically related substances, has been most frequently used in experimental and clinical studies. It was found to have a marked antibacterial, antiviral and antitumor activity in animals and man. In humans, mitomycin C has been used with varying success in the palliative treatment of osteogenic sarcoma, carcinoma of stomach, chronic myelogenous leukemia, reticulum cell sarcoma and other malignancies (Cancer Chemotherapy. Rep., 1959; Frank & Osterberg, 1960; Evans, 1961). The teratogenic activity of mitomycin C has been only briefly noted (Yamura, 1961; Takaya, 1965). The purpose of these experiments is to study the effects of mitomycin C in chicken embryos after yolk-sac injection during an early period of development. To study the teratogenic activity of drugs in chicken embryos, the optimal times of yolk-sac injection are the 3rd and 4th days of development.
SingleTrial Analysis of EEG for Enabling Cognitive User Interfaces

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Machine Learning: Linear Methods Cognitive User Interface for Error Correction Cognitive User Interface for Image Search Conclusion Acknowledgments References
Myomectomy: Comparison of open and laparoscopic techniques

This article analyzes differences between a myomectomy by way of laparotomy and a laparoscopic approach to myomectomy. Surgical techniques are presented. Comparisons are made based on technical difficulty, complications, postoperative adhesion formation, and subsequent pregnancy and delivery rates.
Combining evidence for access to and benefits from antiretroviral treatment to inform planning.

The era of economic evaluations focusing on antiretroviral treatment (ART) versus a status quo of no treatment for HIV/AIDS is passing. With access to treatment expanding across developing countries there is a growing albeit insufficient amount of research on the benefits to individuals communities companies the workforce and economies. These benefits are broad ranging from impacts on numbers of new HIV infections quality of life individual and social functioning human capital investment labour productivity and micro and macroeconomic performance. Policymakers attending the HIV/AIDS Interventions in Resource-Scarce Settings Conference called for economic analyses that consider the full range of HIV/AIDS intervention inputs and impacts rather than traditional cost-effectiveness ratios alone. (excerpt)
Usability Design Considerations in Providing Computer Support for Health Informatics

A primary goal of the HeartCare research project is to apply human factors design principles to the usability of an information technology implementation for home use by recovering coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. It attempts to provide patients direct access to the information regarding their recovery, support self-monitoring, motivation and home management of their readjustment after surgery. The WebTV commercial product is used as the implementation instrument.The WebTV interface has proposed several questions that are not addressed by traditional user interface guidelines. Screen size, font size and navigation are a few areas that require new design approaches reflecting the limitations of TV displays. Nursing advisory panel interviews will also be conducted in order to estimate the amount to time, knowledge and clinical experience needed to respond to the information flow on the network. We will also be documenting the design process to identify system implementation requirements.
Insect fossil evidence of late glacial and Holocene environments in the Bolson de Mapimi, Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico; comparisons with the paleobotanical record

This paper discusses fossil insect studies from the Bolson de Mapimi region in the southern Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. Fossil packrat middens from three study areas were analyzed, providing paleoenvironmental reconstructions of late Wisconsin to late Holocene age. Paleofloristic analyses of late Wisconsin samples from two of the three areas have been published; the insect results are in good agreement with the paleobotany. The late glacial assemblages comprise a mixture of temperate and desert taxa, in addition to some tropical and subtropical elements. In contrast to faunas from other Chihuahuan Desert regions, only one temperate species was found in the late glacial assemblages. Following a temporal hiatus (12,000-9000 yr BP), most of the late glacial fauna disappears from the records. Desertscrub community beetles dominated the early and midHolocene assemblages. Late Holocene assemblages contained both temperate and desert species. The region was apparently a refugium for desert biota during the late Pleistocene, its southerly latitude dampening the climatic effects of the Wisconsin glaciation, allowing the survival of desert species. A mosaic of temperate and xeric habitats persisted regionally, even during the last 1000 yr, when other parts of the desert experienced extremes of aridity.
Prediction and Prevention of Stress Migration and Electromigration Damage in Passivated Lines

Based on recent theoretical progress we discuss current and potential new remedies for thermal stress and electromigration induced damage and failure in microelectronic interconnects. We present a new idea involving the patterning of alternately adhering and non-adhering interfaces between metal and surroundings, and briefly discuss the potential for predicting failure and/or extrapolating accelerated test results to service conditions and into the so-called ‘six-sigma’ range.
Reaction Constants for Li 7 (p,n)Be 7

Absolute values for the reaction cross section of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}(p,n){\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$ are given for proton energies between 1.86 Mev and 2.5 Mev. Detailed angular distributions and their analyses are presented and the use of the reaction as a variable energy neutron source is discussed.
Cause Analysis and Treatment of Over-critical Vibration Increases for Turbines Newly Put into Operation

5 × 600 MW and one 300 MW steam turbine units,which put into operation just over one year,high pressure rotor relative vibration at critical speed is significantly larger during shutdown than that of startup,the shaft vibration increases with passing time,and it becomes even larger during shutdown and startup than that of turbine trip. The viberation is introduced,cause analysis and countermeasures are discussed. Finally,rotor dynamic balancing test procedure is described by example.
Survey of poisoning due to eating poisonous mushroom in Guangzhou City from 2000 to 2005

Objective To survey mushroom poisoning accidents in Guangzhou from 2000 to 2005.Methods The data con- eerning mushroom poisoning in Guangzhou in recent years were epidemiologieally analyzed with SPSS software.Results Most of mushroom poisoning accidents occurred in March due to eating Amanita exitialis and Chlorophyllum molybdites and workers from out- side of Guangdong Province were the main population suffering from the poisoning.The health knowledge in the workers was enhanced after intervention.Conclusion Propaganda with health knowledge and other interventions be carried out to prevent mushroom poi- soning.
Bhopal: the lingering tragedy

I t was a bolt from the blue. In the early hours of the morning of 3 December 1984 toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked out of the storage tanks of Union Carbide's plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Residents awoke to clouds of suffocating gas and began a desperate flight through the dark streets. No warning alarm was given, and no evacuation plan had been prepared. It was an industrial disaster without parallel in history. Victims arrived at hospitals blind and with breathing problems. Doctors did their best to manage them, but it was an exercise in futility. The causative agent had not been identified, and so treatment was empirical. Only the next morning was the magnitude of the devastation seen. Dead bodies of humans and animals blocked the streets. Leaves had turned black, and an acrid smell lingered in the air. The sheer enormity of loss was heartbreaking. Destruction, under the guise of development, had smoked life out of the town. Twenty years down the line the nightmare continues. A 40 year old woman breathes with difficulty in her …
Translational and clinical perspectives on sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a complex pathophysiologic entity that is associated with significant morbidity causing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The purpose of this review is to describe the anatomy and physiology of the sphincter of Oddi, to understand the pathologic mechanisms thought to be responsible for symptomatology, review recent major studies, explore endoscopic and pharmacologic therapies and their efficacy, and to explore future research avenues.