cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactive sulfur species: kinetics and mechanism of the equilibrium between cysteine sulfenyl thiocyanate and cysteine thiosulfinate ester in acidic aqueous solution.

The kinetics and mechanism of the hydrolysis of cysteine sulfenyl thiocyanate (CySSCN) to give cysteine thiosulfinate ester (CyS(O)SCy) have been investigated between pH 0 and 4. The reaction is reversible. The hydrolysis of CySSCN is second-order in [CySSCN] and inverse first-order in [H+] and [SCN-]. The following mechanism is proposed for the hydrolysis of CySSCN (where the charge depends upon the pH): CySSCN0/+ + H2O ⇌ CySOH0/+ + SCN- + H+, CySOH0/+ + CySSCN0/+ → CyS(O)SCy0/+/2+ + SCN- + H+; k1 = 3.36 ± 0.01 × 10-3 s-1, K1k2 = 0.13 ± 0.05 Ms-1 (which yields k2/k-1 = 39 M). The observed rate law rules out alternative mechanisms for 1 ≤ pH ≤ 4, including the condensation of two molecules of cysteine sulfenic acid (CySOH) to give CyS(O)SCy. The equilibrium can be approached from the opposite direction. The reaction of CyS(O)SCy with SCN- to give CySSCN is first-order in [CyS(O)SCy], [SCN-], and [H+] (for [H+] > 0.4 M). The following mechanism is proposed: CyS(O)SCy2+ + H+ ⇌ CyS(OH)SCy3+, Ka; CyS(OH)SCy...
Experimental enterogenous cyanosis and anaemia.

Summary Rats with jejunal pouches develop an anaemia which js partially haemo-lytic in nature and accompanied by small amounts of methaemoglobm (MHb) and sulphaemoglobin (SHb). These pigments increase upon sterile incubation of the blood. The presence of these abnormal pigments indicates that oxidativc damage has occurred. Most of the abnormalities improve on feeding neomycin. Rats with blind pouches are more sensitive than normal rats to the oxidant effects of phenacetin on RBCs. RBCs incubated in urine from rats with pouches developed more MHb than RBCs incubated in urine from normal rats. We conclude that bacterial overgrowth in the intestine, by means yet undetermined, can cause oxidative damage to RBCs and that this effect can be produced by constituents of the urine of rats with pouches. This toxic effect of bacterial overgrowth may condition RBCs to oxidant: drug damage.
A black-white comparison of the quality of stage-specific colon cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have attributed racial disparities in cancer incidence and mortality to variances in socioeconomic status and health insurance coverage. However, an Institute of Medicine report found that blacks received lower quality care than whites after controlling for health insurance, income, and disease severity. METHODS: To examine the effects of race on colorectal cancer outcomes within a single setting, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the cancer registry, billing, and medical records of 365 university hospital patients (175 blacks and 190 whites) diagnosed with stage II-IV colon cancer between 2000 and 2005. Racial differences in the quality (effectiveness and timeliness) of stage-specific colon cancer treatment (colectomy and chemotherapy) were examined after adjusting for socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, sex, age, and marital status. RESULTS: Blacks and whites had similar sociodemographic characteristics, tumor stage and site, quality of care, and health outcomes. Age and diagnostic stage were predictors of quality of care and mortality. Although few patients (5.8%) were uninsured, they were more likely to present at advanced stages (61.9% at stage IV) and die (76.2%) than privately insured and publicly insured patients (p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: In a population without racial differences in socioeconomic status or insurance coverage, patients receive the same quality of care, regardless of racial distinction, and have similar health outcomes. Age, diagnostic stage, and health insurance coverage remained independently associated with mortality. Future studies of disparities in colon cancer treatment should examine sociocultural barriers to accessing appropriate care in various healthcare settings. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Societal-level Risk Factors Associated with Pediatric Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

ObjectiveTo determine if the current body of evidence describes specific threshold values of concern for modifiable societal-level risk factors for pediatric hearing loss, with the overarching goal of providing actionable guidance for the prevention and screening of audiological deficits in children.Data SourcesThree related systematic reviews were performed. Computerized PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library searches were performed from inception through October 2013 and were supplemented with manual searches.Review MethodsInclusion/exclusion criteria were designed to determine specific threshold values of societal-level risk factors on hearing loss in the pediatric population. Searches and data extraction were performed by independent reviewers.ResultsThere were 20 criterion-meeting studies with 29,128 participants. Infants less than 2 standard deviations below standardized weight, length, or body mass index were at increased risk. Specific nutritional deficiencies related to iodine and thiamine may also...
Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and cortisol, and urinary free cortisol excretion in breast cancer.

The concentrations of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS), androstenedione (A2) and cortisol (C), and the urinary free cortisol (UFC) excretion were measured in 24 women with breast cancer before mastectomy and another 45 approximately 1 month after surgery, and in 49 cases of advanced breast cancer. The results were compared with those from a group of healthy women. Plasma DS was negatively correlated with age, and all 3 breast cancer groups showed significantly reduced levels compared with age-comparable controls. Plasma A2 was also negatively correlated with age; no significant difference was found between the cancer patients and controls. The mean levels of plasma C and UFC in the breast cancer patients were normal, but 7 of the 49 (14%) cases of advanced disease did have elevated UFC excretions.
Localization of de novo sterologenesis in mammalian skin.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the skin is an important site of de novo sterol synthesis and that there is a sex difference in cutaneous sterologenesis with male animals synthesizing more sterols than females. The aim of the present study was to localize the major sites of sterol synthesis within the skin and to determine which of these sites accounted for the sex differences in sterologenesis. In male and female rats whose dermal and epidermal layers are separated by dithiothreitol treatment, the dermis is the major site of skin sterologenesis (males 86% of total, females 82% of total). Moreover, the sex difference in skin sterol synthesis is quantitatively localized primarily within the dermal layer (∼ 2.5-fold greater in the dermis of males). Sterol synthesis is also increased in the epidermis of males. To rule out the possibility that sebaceous gland production accounted for our observations, we treated animals with isotretinoin (13- cis -retinoic acid), a drug that suppresses sebaceous gland sebum production. Sterol synthesis in the skin of both male and female rats is not significantly altered by isotretinoin administration and the sex difference in skin sterologenesis is unaffected. To further localize the sites of sterol synthesis within the skin, studies of hairless mice whose skin was split by DTT were initiated. In hairless mice, DTT separates the epidermis into upper (stratum corneum and granulosum) and lower (basal and spinous cells) strata. The basal layer was separated from the dermis by gentle scraping. As in rats, the dermis is the chief site of sterol synthesis in the skin. In addition, the lower layer of the epidermis (basal and spinous cells) is also a very active site of sterologenesis, accounting for 20% of total skin nonsaponifiable lipid synthesis. The upper epidermis accounted for only a small portion of total skin synthesis. It is highly likely that the bulk of cutaneous sterol synthesis occurs in the pilosebaceous epithelium.
Integrity, Abortion, and the Pro‐Life Perinatologist

In a response to a previous article on the contemporary practice of perinatal medicine by physicians with prolife world views the authors agree that invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures may challenge the integrity of prolife physicians because in most cases the risk of an abnormality is equal to the risk of the loss of a normal pregnancy. However it is the physicians duty to inform the patient about the procedures and the patients right to decide on her care. The authors find no conflict in prolife physicians providing factual information about available antenatal diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options or in prolife physicians simultaneously presenting their own world views to the patient. They believe that prolife perinatologists should not be excluded from patient care because such exclusion would eliminate the proponents of a valid argument and silencing dissenting opinion limits patient autonomy. The disagreement between prolife and prochoice physicians is really over what is justifiable and what requires compromise. For example very few prolife physicians would hesitate to end an ectopic pregnancy and prochoice physicians may express reservations to patients who wish to know the sex of their fetus in order to decide whether or not to have an abortion. The practice of perinatology requires careful clarification of the physicians concepts of maternal and fetal rights and if a physician with prolife convictions is unable to present both viewpoints to a patient then it probably would be better for that physician to enter another specialty.
On the design of optimal structured and sparse feedback gains via sequential convex programming

We consider the problem of finding optimal feedback gains in the presence of structural constraints and/or sparsity-promoting penalty functions. Such problems are known to be difficult due to their lack of convexity. We provide an equivalent reformulation of the optimization problem such that its source of nonconvexity is isolated in one nonconvex matrix inequality of the form Y ≤ X -1 . Furthermore, we preserve the feedback gain as an optimization variable in the reformulated problem. Via linearizations of the nonconvex constraint, we introduce an iterative algorithm that solves a semidefinite program at every stage and for which the nonconvex constraint is satisfied upon convergence. We elaborate on the modular nature of the proposed scheme and show that it can be used in a wide range of network control problems.
A novel configuration for charge-coupled devices

A novel configuration for the c.c.d. is presented which permits rapid matrix multiplication. One suggested application is matrix inversion by the product-form algorithm.
Rapid Sequence Airway (RSA)--a novel approach to prehospital airway management

This article presents a case in which an air medical flight crew encountered a potentially difficult airway when a trauma patient deteriorated in-flight. The crew elected to sedate and paralyze the patient and place a laryngeal mask airway without a prior attempt at direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. The term Rapid Sequence Airway (RSA) is coined for this novel approach. This article describes and supports this concept and provides definitions of alternative and failed airways.
Vanadium and chromium redox behavior in borosilicate nuclear waste glasses

Abstract X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to characterize vanadium (V) and chromium (Cr) environments in low activity nuclear waste (LAW) glasses synthesized under a variety of redox conditions. V2O5 was added to the melt to improve sulfur incorporation from the waste; however, at sufficiently high concentrations, V increased melt foaming, which lowered melt processing rates. Foaming may be reduced by varying the redox conditions of the melt, while small amounts of Cr are added to reduce melter refractory corrosion. Three parent glasses were studied, where CO–CO2 mixtures were bubbled through the corresponding melt for increasing time intervals so that a series of redox-adjusted-glasses was synthesized from each parent glass. XAS data indicated that V and Cr behaviors are significantly different in these glasses with respect to the cumulative gas bubbling times: V4+/Vtotal ranges from 8 to 35%, while Cr3+/Crtotal can range from 15 to 100% and even to population distributions including Cr2+. As Na-content decreased, V, and especially, Cr became more reduced, when comparing equivalent glasses within a series. The Na-poor glass series show possible redox coupling between V and Cr, where V4+ populations increase after initial bubbling, but as bubbling time increases, V4+ populations drop to near the level of the parent glass, while Cr becomes more reduced to the point of having increasing Cr2+ populations.
The Membrane Anchor Influences Ligand Binding Two-dimensional Kinetic Rates and Three-dimensional Affinity of FcγRIII (CD16)

Kinetic rates and affinity are essential determinants for biological processes that involve receptor-ligand binding. By using a micropipette method, we measured the kinetics of human Fcgamma receptor III (CD16) interacting with IgG when the two molecules were bound to apposing cellular membranes. CD16 is one of only four eukaryotic receptors known to exist natively in both the transmembrane (TM, CD16a) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI, CD16b) isoforms. The biological significance of this anchor isoform coexistence is not clear. Here we showed that the anchor influenced kinetic rates; compared with CD16a-TM, CD16a-GPI bound faster and with higher affinities to human and rabbit IgGs but slower and with lower affinity to murine IgG2a. The same differential affinity patterns were observed using soluble IgG ligands. A monoclonal antibody bound CD16a-GPI with higher affinity than CD16a-TM, whereas another monoclonal antibody reacted strongly with CD16a-TM but weakly with CD16a-GPI. No major differential glycosylation between the two CD16a isoforms was detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. We suggest a conformational difference as the mechanism underlying the observed anchor effect, as it cannot be explained by the differing diffusivity, flexibility, orientation, height, distribution, or clustering of the two molecules on the cell membrane. These data demonstrate that a covalent modification of an Ig superfamily receptor at the carboxyl terminus of the ectodomain can have an impact on ligand binding kinetics.
Search for weak transitions in the decay of 108mAg

Abstract The decay of 108 m Ag (T 1 2 > 5 y ) has been studied with large-volume (60 cm3) Ge(Li) detectors to search for weak transitions in this decay. The 108mAg sources were prepared from neutron capture on natural silver in the early 1950's and 1960's. In addition to the well-known 723.0, 614.4, 434.0 keV (100%) triple cascade in 108Pd, only the (0.15±0.01 %) 633 keV transition in 108Cd was observed from the decay of 108Ag via the isomeric decay of 108mAg. Evidence for a very weak (0.005 %) 836.5 keV transition was found. Upper limits were placed on the intensity of any other transitions in this decay. The isomeric branching is (7.7±0.8) %.
Vascular and neural dysfunction in Zucker diabetic fatty rats: a difficult condition to reverse.

Aim: We had previously demonstrated that vascular and neural dysfunction in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats is progressive. In this study, we sought to determine whether monotherapy of ZDF rats can reverse the vascular and nerve defects. Methods: ZDF rats at 16 weeks of age were treated for 12 weeks with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril, the antioxidant α-lipoic acid, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone. Vasodilation of epineurial arterioles was measured by videomicroscopy. Endoneurial blood flow (EBF) was measured by hydrogen clearance, and nerve conduction velocity was measured following electrical stimulation of motor or sensory nerves. Results: Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) (70 and 77% of control, respectively), EBF (64% of control), and vascular relaxation in response to acetylcholine (50% of control) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; 73% of control) are impaired in ZDF rats at 28 weeks of age compared with lean littermate controls. Treatment with enalapril and α-lipoic acid attenuated the decrease in MNCV and SNCV. Enalapril, α-lipoic acid and rosiglitazone treatment of ZDF rats were partially effective in improving endothelium-dependent vascular dysfunction as measured by vascular relaxation in response to acetylcholine. The same drugs also attenuated the decrease in EBF. However, impairment in vascular relaxation in response to CGRP was improved with only α-lipoic acid or rosuvastatin treatment. The increase in superoxide and nitrotyrosine levels in vascular tissue was attenuated by all treatments. Conclusions: The efficacy of monotherapy treatment of ZDF rats using different classes of drugs for vascular and neural dysfunction once complications have developed did not achieve expected levels. This could be because of the complex aetiology of vascular and neural disease in type 2 diabetes.
Hemispheric Aerosol Vertical Profiles: Anthropogenic Impacts on Optical Depth and Cloud Nuclei

Understanding the effect of anthropogenic combustion upon aerosol optical depth (AOD), clouds, and their radiative forcing requires regionally representative aerosol profiles. In this work, we examine more than 1000 vertical profiles from 11 major airborne campaigns in the Pacific hemisphere and confirm that regional enhancements in aerosol light scattering, mass, and number are associated with carbon monoxide from combustion and can exceed values in unperturbed regions by more than one order of magnitude. Related regional increases in a proxy for cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and AOD imply that direct and indirect aerosol radiative effects are coupled issues linked globally to aged combustion. These profiles constrain the influence of combustion on regional AOD and CCN suitable for challenging climate model performance and informing satellite retrievals.
Synthesis of reliable networks - a survey

In contrast to the usual probabilistic model for network reliability, one can use a deterministic model which is called network vulnerability. Many different vulnerability criteria and the related synthesis results are reviewed. These synthesis problems are all graph external questions. Certain reliability synthesis problems can be converted to a vulnerability question. Several open problems and conjectures are presented.
Interpreting patient-reported outcome results: US FDA guidance and emerging methods

In recent years, the US FDA has become more critical of instruments used to measure patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials. To facilitate decisions related to the approval of drugs, labels and promotional claims based on PROs, the FDA created the Study Endpoints and Label Development (SEALD) group. SEALD has developed a PRO guidance related to the use of PRO measures used to support drug approvals and label claims, including recommendations for establishing thresholds for meaningful change at the individual level (i.e., defining a responder). This article examines in detail the FDA-recommended methodology for defining a responder and analyzing responder-based PRO measure results. We also present other responder analysis approaches for consideration in furthering the precision and interpretation of this methodology.
Modelling and operating characteristics of direct drive wind farm connecting to power grid

The electromechanical transient model of direct-drive wind farm is built through the reasonable simplification of electromagnetic transient model and its engineering application is realized through power system analysis software package (PSASP) user-defined (UD) model widely used in china. The transient characteristics of direct-drive wind farm connecting to power grid are acquired by combining theory with example analysis especially low voltage ride through (LVRT). Simulative result shows that the voltage of bus which wind farm access and frequency of power system is effect by the wind farm; Characteristic of LVRT can improve the level of frequency stability of power system. Reactive power compensation device and conventional power supplies who have frequency modulation ability must be installed, which can reduce influence on power grid.
Social network document ranking

In search engines, ranking algorithms measure the importance and relevance of documents mainly based on the contents and relationships between documents. User attributes are usually not considered in ranking. This user-neutral approach, however, may not meet the diverse interests of users, who may demand different documents even with the same queries. To satisfy this need for more personalized ranking, we propose a ranking framework. Social Network Document Rank (SNDocRank), that considers both document contents and the relationship between a searched and document owners in a social network. This method combined the traditional tf-idf ranking for document contents with out Multi-level Actor Similarity (MAS) algorithm to measure to what extent document owners and the searcher are structurally similar in a social network. We implemented our ranking method in simulated video social network based on data extracted from YouTube and tested its effectiveness on video search. The results show that compared with the traditional ranking method like tf-idfs the SNDocRank algorithm returns more relevant documents. More specifically, a searcher can get significantly better results be being in a larger social network, having more friends, and being associated with larger local communities in a social network.
Maximizing productivity improvements using short cycle time manufacturing (SCM) concepts in a semiconductor manufacturing line

Short cycle time manufacturing (SCM) has been developed to help understand and measure the components of line performance and of capacity loss. Central to SCM are the concepts that each line/toolset can be described by a curve relating normalized cycle time (X-factor) to throughput and that the position of this curve is determined by the capacity loss components. Productivity improvements are accomplished by reducing capacity loss components, resulting in a shift of this curve. This new curve can be used either to achieve more output or to lower cycle times. Line performance components are measured through the use of X-factor Contribution (XFC), which determines the contribution of each toolset to the overall line performance. Capacity loss components are measured through Cac-tus, which is an analysis tool that measures all the capacity loss components for each toolset in the line. This paper describes a further development of SCM that combines the results of the line performance components from X-factor contribution and capacity components from Cac-tus, and then compares them to their planned values. Each toolset in the manufacturing line is rank ordered by its X-factor contribution delta to plan. In this way, those toolsets whose actual X-factor performance is significantly different from plan are identified. Then, each toolset has a Cac-tus determined set of capacity components (e.g. tool availability, operator availability, etc.) that are also compared to plan, component by component. The importance of this step is that different organizations are responsible for fixing different kinds of problems. For example, engineering clearly owns fixing tool availability problems whereas manufacturing clearly owns fixing operational losses associated with staffing levels or work methods. The result of this analysis is an ordered list of toolsets contributing to line performance, clearly identified capacity components that are driving this performance loss, and the appropriate owners between engineering and manufacturing assigned to fix these problems. The result is a very efficient and focused system that maximizes productivity improvements by ensuring the right people work on the right problems.
HUDDL: The Hydrographic Universal Data Description Language

Since many of the attempts to introduce a universal hydrographic data format have failed or have been only partially successful, a different approach is proposed. Our solution is the Hydrographic Universal Data Description Language (HUDDL), a descriptive XML-based language that permits the creation of a standardized description of (past, present, and future) data formats, and allows for applications like HUDDLER, a compiler that automatically creates drivers for data access and manipulation. HUDDL also represents a powerful solution for archiving data along with their structural description, as well as for cataloguing existing format specifications and their version control. HUDDL is intended to be an open, community-led initiative to simplify the issues involved in hydrographic data access.
Genetic Complementation of the Obligate Marine Actinobacterium Salinispora tropica with the Large Mechanosensitive Channel Gene mscL Rescues Cells from Osmotic Downshock

Marine actinomycetes in the genus Salinispora fail to grow when seawater is replaced with deionized (DI) water in complex growth media. While bioinformatic analyses have led to the identification of a number of candidate marine adaptation genes, there is currently no experimental evidence to support the genetic basis for the osmotic requirements associated with this taxon. One hypothesis is that the lineage-specific loss of mscL is responsible for the failure of strains to grow in media prepared with DI water. The mscL gene encodes a conserved transmembrane protein that reduces turgor pressure under conditions of acute osmotic downshock. In the present study, the mscL gene from a Micromonospora strain capable of growth on media prepared with DI water was transformed into S. tropica strain CNB-440. The single-copy, chromosomal genetic complementation yielded a recombinant Salinispora mscL+ strain that demonstrated an increased capacity to survive osmotic downshock. The enhanced survival of the S. tropica transformant provides experimental evidence that the loss of mscL is associated with the failure of Salinispora spp. to grow in low-osmotic-strength media.
A depolarization-stimulated, bafilomycin-inhibitable H+ pump in hippocampal astrocytes.

Relatively little is known about the mechanisms of pHi regulation in mammalian glial cells. We analyzed pHi regulation in rat hippocampal astrocytes in vitro using the pH-sensitive dye BCECF. All experiments were carried out in CO2/HCO3-free solutions. Recovery from NH+4-induced acid loads was strongly dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+ and was inhibited by amiloride and its more specific analog EIPA, indicating the presence of Na+-H+ exchange in these cells. Removing bath Na+ or adding amiloride caused resting pHi to shift in the acid direction. Even in the absence of bath Na+ or presence of Na+/H+ inhibitors, however, these astrocytes continued to show significant recovery from acid loads. The mechanism of this amiloride-insensitive and Na+-independent pHi recovery process was sought and appeared to be a proton pump. In the absence of Na+, recovery from an acid load was completely blocked by the highly specific blocker of vacuolar-type (v-type) H+ ATPase, bafilomycin A1 (BA1). In normal Na+containing solutions, exposure to BA1 caused a small acid shift in baseline pHi and slowed recovery rate from NH+4-induced acid loads by about 32%. The rate of Na+-independent pHi recovery was increased by depolarization with 50 mM [K+] solution, and this effect was rapidly reversible and blocked by BA1. These results indicate that, in CO2/HCO−3-free solution, pHi regulation in hippocampal astrocytes was mediated by Na+−-H+ exchange and by a BA1-inhibitable proton pump. Because the proton pump's activity was influenced by membrane potential, this acid exporting mechanism could contribute to the depolarization-induced alkalinization that is seen in astrocytes. Although v-type H+−ATPase had been previously isolated from the brain, this is the first report indicating that it has a role in regulating pHi in brain cells. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
If Everyone Had Voted, Would Bubba and Dubya Have Won?

Adapting and refining the approach used in earlier work on Senate elections, we simulate the impact of universal turnout on each presidential election from 1992 to 2004 and find little evidence that increased turnout would systematically transform partisan competition or policy outcomes. A state-level analysis of exit polls and the Current Population Survey reveals considerable variability in the gap separating voters and nonvoters. In most cases, nonvoters are just slightly more Democratic than voters. However, a handful of states, such as Texas, consistently feature a large “partisan differential,” in which nonvoters come disproportionately from demographic groups that are more Democratic than voters. We find that universal turnout may well have tipped an extremely close election—such as that of 2000 or even 2004—into the Democratic column. But the partisan differential is generally small enough that universal turnout would only change the outcome of an already close contest rather than leading to a wholesale transformation of competitive dynamics.
Asthma Educational Seminar Targeting Medicaid Providers

BACKGROUND: Medicaid-insured children have high risk of asthma but are less likely to receive care in keeping with national guidelines. We targeted providers who care for a large proportion of Medicaid-insured children and presented a 2-session multimedia asthma-education seminar that emphasizes communication and teaching techniques, to enhance providers' asthma-care teaching skills. METHODS: Five Medicaid-approved health maintenance organizations recruited pediatric primary-care providers. Providers were surveyed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to determine if they reported changes in their use of certain asthma-care communication techniques. RESULTS: Fifty-three of 70 participating providers completed the program and initial survey. They reported that 50% (median) of their patients were insured by Medicaid. At baseline, providers reported they were very confident of their asthma knowledge; however, they were less confident in interactions with patients/families regarding asthma self-management skills. Providers reported use of written plans less than half of the time. The response rate was 60% at 6 months and 71% at 1 year. Twenty-eight providers completed all 3 surveys. They reported significantly more frequent use of communication and counseling techniques that involved patient/parent asthma education and self-management skills at the 6-month point, that were partly sustained at 1 year. Reported provision of written asthma plans to patients had increased significantly at 6 months, but that increase was not sustained at the 1-year point. CONCLUSIONS: The seminar significantly enhanced knowledge of specific communication techniques related to asthma-teaching goals and reported use of asthma action plans to enhance self-management skills; however, these practices appear to need frequent reinforcement.
New Mixed Conductors Based on Doped Layered Perovskites

A series of doped Ruddlesden-Popper phases, of general formula Sr 3 Ti 2−x M x O 7−δ (M=Al, Ga, Co), were synthesized and their electrical conductivity characterized as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. For fixed-valent dopants, p-type conductivity predominates at p(O 2 )>10 −5 atm, followed by a p(O 2 )-independent electrolytic regime, and n-type electronic conductivity at very low p(O 2 ). The electrolytic regime exhibits activation energies in the range 1.7-1.8 eV. Doping with transition metals such as Co results in a very significant increase in total conductivity with a p-type conductivity at high p(O 2 ). Furthermore, an apparent ionic regime at intermediate p(O 2 ) is observed, characterized by high conductivity (>10 −2 S/cm at 700 °C) and low activation energy (0.7 eV). This interpretation is consistent with iodometric measurements as interpreted by a defect chemical model. Other measurements are in progress to confirm this conclusion.
Design of communication

There is much discussion and debate about what exactly falls within the bounds of what is termed, "design of communication."
United States drug prohibition and legal highs: How drug testing may lead cannabis users to Spice

Aims: At the time of the study, the synthetic cannabinoid K2/K3, which is sold as ‘Spice’ incense, was legal in many states in the US. Because the US Drug Enforcement Agency has emergency scheduled ‘Spice’, the producers of these synthetic substances have altered their chemical compounds to remain legal and on the market. This study seeks to understand the reasons for use of these substances and the role US drug policy plays in encouraging use.Methods: Employed a mixed-methods approach. We surveyed 374 undergraduate students in a Southern California University and conducted 25 qualitative interviews of users who answered a newspaper or flyer advertisement of the study.Findings: Most of the users in the qualitative sample sought a legal alternative to cannabis (their drug of choice) to avoid positive drug test screenings and criminal sanctions. Many were attending abstinence-only drug treatment programmes, under community corrections, or were seeking a career in the US military. These individuals were rand...
Analysis of phase distributions in the Li 2 O–Nb 2 O 5 –TiO 2 system by piezoresponse imaging

The M-phase solid solutions Li1+x−yNb1−x−3yTix+4yO3) (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.175) in the Li2O–Nb2O5–TiO2 system have promising microwave dielectric properties. However, these compounds can contain small quantities of ferroelectric impurities that affect the polarization response of the material. Due to their low concentration and their chemical similarity to the host material, the impurities cannot be detected by x-ray diffraction or local elemental analysis. Scanning surface potential microscopy and piezoresponse imaging were used to analyze phase compositions in this system. Piezoresponse imaging demonstrated the presence of thin (<200–300 nm) ferroelectric layers on the grain boundaries oriented along the c-axis of the M-phase. Differences between the surface potential and the piezoresponse of ferroelectric multicomponent systems are discussed.
Optimal use of timing resources: a crucial step in test program generation

A modified timing set priority strategy and a lookahead register-replacement algorithm is presented for automatic test program generation. These methodologies are introduced to satisfy the testing requirements in complex VLSI chips, and are made possible by the increasing timing flexibility of modern ATE (automatic test equipment). It is shown that by applying optimization algorithms in allocating timing resources and a published timing set determination algorithm, that testing capability of modern ATE can be greatly extended. Further enhancements to these approaches are contingent on further improvements from ATE manufacturers in the number and flexibility of timing resources. However, the development of test programs will be greatly aided by this enhanced hardware. >
Targeting Asthma in Chicago: Community Stories

1999;116;204S-206S Chest Eckenfels Claudia Baier, Evalyn N. Grant, Steven R. Daugherty and Edward J. * The Henry Horner Pediatric Asthma Program http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/116/suppl_2/204S.full.html services can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and ISSN:0012-3692 ) http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( written permission of the copyright holder. this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed without the prior Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights reserved. No part of Copyright1999by the American College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Physicians. It has been published monthly since 1935. is the official journal of the American College of Chest Chest
Silicon-based micromachined packages for high-frequency applications

A novel low-cost packaging approach is presented in this paper, which is appropriate for high-frequency electronic circuits in discrete, as well as integrated, configurations. This approach is based on silicon micromachining and can effectively provide on-wafer and discrete packaging for high-quality high-precision miniature components. The required fabrication techniques are compatible with standard integrated-circuit processing and, for this reason, are low in fabrication costs. As an example, this paper presents the development of a Ka-band package that can shield and electromagnetically isolate monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit components, such as a phase shifter. The performance of this package is compared to that of a ceramic one and demonstrates excellent electrical response in addition to high design versatility.
RELATIVE LUMINANCE OF RETROREFLECTIVE RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS AND PAVEMENT MARKING STRIPES ON SIMULATED RURAL TWO-LANE ROADS

The FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center is undertaking a research program to study the visibility of retroreflective raised pavement markers (RRPMs). The focus of the initial effort is to determine the relative luminance of RRPMs and pavement markings (PMs) needed to produce adequate guidance on rural two-lane roadways at night. A driving simulator was used to test 36 research participants as they drove simulated roadways containing various combinations of RRPMs and PMs. The luminance of the simulated roadway delineation ranged from 0.07 to 4.1 cd/m2. The primary driver performance measure was curve-recognition distance. For the various RRPM and PM luminance conditions, mean curve-recognition distances ranged from 19.0 m (62.3 ft) to 68.4 m (224 ft), with a grand mean of 43.0 m (141 ft). Regression analyses produced predictive equations to estimate the mean curve-recognition distance from the luminance of RRPMs acting alone or of PMs acting alone. Trading ratios were computed for PM luminance wit...
Stack-Based Single-Pass Cache Simulation

Memory systems composed of cache memories are so crucial to high-performance computer architecture design that performance evaluation of cache memories has received phenomenal attention. In 1991, Smith catalogued 487 technical papers and reports that dealt with some aspect of caching [11]. This chapter and the following chapter address the problem of simulating cache-based memory systems, To do this optimally requires measurement of the performance of a large number of cache designs. This process is called memory system prototyping here, since this process uses software to construct a prototype memory system. The performance of the prototype is then tested for a set of benchmarks. This software performance evaluation process must be fast yet accurate. A fast method is important so that memory address traces from long-running benchmarks can be used to explore a large design space of potential prototypes.
Potential Enhancement of Biofuel Production Through Enzymatic Biomass Degradation Activity and Biodiesel Production by Halophilic Microorganisms

There are many economic and negative environmental impacts that need to be solved before biofuels become a viable replacement for some of the fossil fuel demand. One environmental problem is the great amount of water required for the production of biofuels. The use of halophilic/halotolerant algae can greatly reduce the amount of water required for biodiesel production. The use of halophiles and their enzymes for degrading cellulosic biomass might also help reduce the need for high temperatures and pH neutralization of the pretreated biomass before fermentation. Significant amounts of information have been discovered about extremophilic lignocellulolytic systems. Investigations of halophilic lignocellulolytic degradation are at their initial stages. Modern recombinant screening techniques and data mining of genomes have the potential to yield many halophilic lignocellulytic enzymes. Thus, there is great potential for developing biotechnologies with halophilic/halotolerant algae for the production of biodiesel as well as halophilic lignocellulytic enzymes for treating biomass.
Design decision support system toward environmental sustainability in reusable medical equipment

Related to the recent issues on the environmental sustainability, the attention and importance of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) has increased rapidly. As a part of System Redesign Project funded by Veterans Engineering Resource Center (VERC), “Design Evaluation for Reusable Medical Equipment” project has been conducted. This research project aims to develop new RME design assessment and evaluation framework and Design for Reusability (DFR) and Design for Sustainability (DFS) principles. In this paper, we will present a decision support system for RME design evaluation, based on DFR and DFS principles. To illustrate the proposed new framework, GI endoscope is used in this research. In the proposed system, we apply a Rough Set Theory to identify the relationships among design and reprocessing features. Also we use feature selection technique to select the customized features from the design features and reprocessing features to be used for design evaluation.
Technical Feasibility of Prostatic Artery Embolization From a Transradial Approach

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility of performing prostatic artery embolization (PAE) with a transradial approach (TRA). Nineteen consecutive PAEs performed using a TRA were reviewed to determine the technical success of the procedure, which was defined as bilateral embolization. Procedural details, complications, and limitations were recorded. CONCLUSION. Technical success was achieved in all 19 procedures. The associated complications were minor and included two small (< 5 cm) hematomas and one potential case of delayed radial arteritis. PAE performed with a TRA is technically feasible.
New supramolecular structural motif coupling a ruthenium(II) polyazine light absorber to a rhodium(I) center.

Two new complexes, [(bpy)2Ru(dpp)RhI(COD)](PF6)3 and [(Me2bpy)2Ru(dpp)RhI(COD)](PF6)2(BF4) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Me2bpy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, and COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), representing a new Ru(II),Rh(I) structural motif, have been prepared and characterized by mass spectrometry, 1H NMR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and emission spectroscopy. These two complexes represent a new type of supramolecular complex with a [(TL)2Ru(dpp)]2+ (TL = terminal ligand) light absorber (LA) coupled to a Rh(I) center and are models for Ru(II),Rh(I) intermediates in the photochemical reduction of water using dpp-bridged Ru(II),Rh(III) photocatalysts. Electrochemical study reveals overlapping reversible RuII/III and irreversible RhI/II/III oxidations and a quasi-reversible dpp0/– reduction, demonstrating that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is dpp(π*) based. The COD ligand is sterically bulky, displaying steric repulsions bet...
A case of toxic epidermal necrolysis caused by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare but serious dermatological emergency characterised by diffuse exfoliation of the skin and mucous membranes due to immune mediated destruction of the epidermis which can lead to sepsis and respiratory distress. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a widely used antibiotic which can rarely lead to TEN. Early diagnosis and aggressive medical care is essential for the reduction of high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. We present a case of successfully recovered TEN due to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in a 62 -year-old woman.
Target Cueing in Augmented Reality: A Comparison of Head Mounted with Hand-Held Displays

We conducted a study to examine the effects of target cueing and conformality with a hand-held or head-mounted display to determine their effects on visual search tasks requiring focused and divided attention. Eleven military subjects were asked to detect, identify, and give azimuth information for targets hidden in terrain presented in a simulated far domain environment while performing a monitoring task in the near domain using either a helmet-mounted display or hand-held display. The results showed that the presence of cueing aided the target detection task for expected targets but drew attention away from the presence of unexpected targets in the environment. This effect was mediated by the display used, such that attentional tunneling was reduced when subjects were using the hand-held display.
Quality of Care for White and Hispanic Medicare Advantage Enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Importance Geographic, racial, and ethnic variations in quality of care and outcomes have been well documented among the Medicare population. Few data exist on beneficiaries living in Puerto Rico, three-quarters of whom enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA). Objective To determine the quality of care provided to white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional study of MA enrollees in 2011 was conducted, including white enrollees in the United States (n = 6 289 374), Hispanic enrollees in the United States (n = 795 039), and Hispanic enrollees in Puerto Rico (n = 267 016). The study was conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011; data analysis took place from January 19, 2015, to January 2, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Seventeen performance measures related to diabetes mellitus (including hemoglobin A 1c control, retinal eye examination, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, nephropathy screening, and blood pressure control), cardiovascular disease (including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control, blood pressure control, and use of a β-blocker after myocardial infarction), cancer screening (colorectal and breast), and appropriate medications (including systemic corticosteroids and bronchodilators for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). Results Of the 7.35 million MA enrollees in the United States and Puerto Rico in our study, 1.06 million (14.4%) were Hispanic. Approximately 25.1% of all Hispanic MA enrollees resided in Puerto Rico, which was more than those residing in any state. For 15 of the 17 measures assessed, Hispanic MA enrollees in Puerto Rico received worse care compared with Hispanics in the United States, with absolute differences in performance rates ranging from 2.2 percentage points for blood pressure control in diabetes mellitus ( P = .03) to 31.3 percentage points for use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy ( P Conclusions and Relevance We found modest differences in care between white and Hispanic MA enrollees in the United States but substantially worse care for enrollees in Puerto Rico compared with their US counterparts. Major efforts are needed to improve care delivery on the island to a level equivalent to the United States.
Research on detection method of pesticides residues of organic phosphorus and carbamate in vegetables and fruits

[Objective]To establish a method for rapidly detecting 16 kinds of pesticides residues of organic phosphorus and carbamate in vegetables and fruits[Methods]The detection was conducted by applying gas chromatography with quartz capillary,by using nitrogen-phosphorus detector with high sensitivity and through extracting sample by acetonitrile and acetone.[Results]the linear ranges of organophosphorus pesticides were 5.0-1 000.0 μg/kg,r≥0.999 0.The lowest determination limit was 0.1-0.5 μg/kg,the recoveries were 66.0%-84.0%,and RSD was 4.8%-9.5% [Conclusion]This method can determine organic phosphorus and carbamate pesticides simultaneously in vegetables and fruits.It has the characteristics of high sensitivity,good separating effect,high recovery rate,small variance coefficient and low determination limit.