cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Captured-frame matching schemes for scalable input-queued packet switches

Single-stage input-queued (IQ) switches are attractive for implementation of high performance routers because they require no speedup in the used memory. It has been shown that IQ switches can provide 100% throughput under admissible traffic when using maximum-weight matching schemes or iterative maximal-weight matching schemes with a speedup of two or more. These different approaches require either high computation complexity or high memory costs that can make them infeasible. Therefore, there is a need for low-complexity and fast matching schemes that provide high throughput under several admissible traffic patterns, including those with nonuniform distributions, without recurring to speedup nor multiple iterations. In this paper, we introduce the concept of captured frame and apply it to matching schemes. As a result, we propose two weightless matching schemes, one based on round-robin selection, called uFORM, and the other based on random selection, called uFPIM. We analyze the throughput improvement achieved by uFPIM, and show that these matching schemes provide high throughput under a variety of admissible traffic patterns, including those with nonuniform distributions, when using a single iteration and no speedup. Furthermore, we study the scalability of the captured-frame concept in matching schemes for memory-space-memory multiple-stage Clos-network switches, and show the achieved high switching performance and low implementation complexity.
Inhibition of differentiation by leukemia inhibitory factor distinguishes two induction pathways in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells.

Abstract The ability of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to block differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells under a variety of induction conditions was determined. LIF inhibits differentiation under several conditions which lead to endodermal and mesodermal cell lineages including skeletal and cardiac muscle. In contrast, LIF does not block differentiation when cells are induced under conditions which lead to neuro-ecto-dermal cell types including neurons and astroglial cells. These studies demonstrate that P19 EC cell differentiation can be divided into LIF sensitive and insensitive pathways which correlate with differentiation of endo-dermal/mesodermal and neuro-ectodermal cell types, respectively. The effect of LIF on mRNA levels for several genes which have previously been implicated in mediating differentiation in P19 EC cells was determined. LIF has no effect on the mRNA levels for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α, RAR β, RAR γ, jun A, jun D, c-fos, or fra-1. In contrast LIF stimulates jun B mRNA expression by a factor of four to six under all induction conditions.
Mycologic Disorders of the Skin

Cutaneous tissue can become infected when fungal organisms contaminate or colonize the epidermal surface or hair follicles. The skin can be a portal of entry for fungal infection when the epithelial barrier is breached or it can be a site for disseminated, systemic fungal disease. The two most common cutaneous fungal infections in small animals are dermatophytosis and Malassezia dermatitis. Dermatophytosis is a superficial cutaneous infection with one or more of the fungal species in the keratinophilic genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, or Epidermophyton. Malassezia pachydermatis is a nonlipid dependent fungal species that is a normal commensal inhabitant of the skin and external ear canal in dogs and cats. Malassezia pachydermatis is the most common cause of Malassezia dermatitis. The diagnosis and treatment of these cutaneous fungal infections will be discussed.
Genes Regulated by Mating, Sperm, or Seminal Proteins in Mated Female Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract In Drosophila melanogaster , sperm and accessory gland proteins ("Acps," a major component of seminal fluid) transferred by males during mating trigger many physiological and behavioral changes in females (reviewed in [1–5]). Determining the genetic changes triggered in females by male-derived molecules and cells is a crucial first step in understanding female responses to mating and the female's role in postcopulatory processes such as sperm competition, cryptic female choice, and sexually antagonistic coevolution. We used oligonucleotide microarrays to compare gene expression in D. melanogaster females that were either virgin, mated to normal males, mated to males lacking sperm, or mated to males lacking both sperm and Acps. Expression of up to 1783 genes changed as a result of mating, most less than 2-fold. Of these, 549 genes were regulated by the receipt of sperm and 160 as a result of Acps that females received from their mates. The remaining genes whose expression levels changed were modulated by nonsperm/non-Acp aspects of mating. The mating-dependent genes that we have identified contribute to many biological processes including metabolism, immune defense, and protein modification.
What Should It Mean to Have a Liberal Education in the 21st Century

AbstractLiberal education has long been a fascination for scholars and educators. At one time largely the concern of colleges and universities, over the years it has become central to the discussion of general education in both schools and colleges. Yet it has not been without its critics even from within. In asking what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century, and what contribution a liberal education can make in addressing this question, Carl Bereiter got to the heart of an increasingly urgent debate. It is essentially around Bereiter’s question that this article is constructed. It draws on some of the classic literature in the field as well as more recent scholarship that raises issues concerning the historical idea of a liberal education and points to new directions for the future. In particular, it addresses the need to reconsider the ideal of the educated person as a starting point for justifying curriculum content in liberal education, it examines the claims of practical knowledge to ...
Correlation of Tumor Size and Survival in Patients With Stage IA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between tumor size and survival in patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer; ie, lesions Method Five hundred ten patients with pathologic stage IA (T1N0M0) non-small cell lung cancer were identified from our tumor registry over an 18-year period (from 1981 to 1999). There were 285 men and 225 women, with a mean age of 63 years (range, 31 to 90 years). The Cox proportional model was used to examine the effect on survival. Tumor size was incorporated into the model as a linear effect and as categorical variables. The Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator was used to graphically display the relationship between the tumor size and survival. Results The Cox proportional hazards model did not show a statistically significant relationship between tumor size and survival (p = 0.701) as a linear effect. Tumor size was then categorized into quartiles, and again there was no statistically significant difference in survival between groups (p = 0.597). Tumor size was also categorized into deciles, and there was no statistical relationship between tumor size and survival (p = 0.674). Conclusions This study confirms stratifying patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer in the same TNM classification, given no apparent difference in survival. Unfortunately, these data caution that improved small nodule detection with screening CT may not significantly improve lung cancer mortality. The appropriate prospective randomized trial appears warranted.
Structure Function Analysis of Two-Scale Scalar Ramps. Part II: Ramp Characteristics and Surface Renewal Flux Estimation

Ramp features in the turbulent scalar field are associated with turbulent coherent structures, which dominate energy and mass fluxes in the atmospheric surface layer. Although finer scale ramp-like shapes embedded within larger scale ramp-like shapes can readily be perceived in turbulent scalar traces, their presence has largely been overlooked in the literature. We demonstrate the signature of more than one ramp scale in structure functions of the turbulent scalar field measured from above bare ground and two types of short plant canopies, using structure-function time lags ranging in scale from isotropic to larger than the characteristic coherent structures. Spectral analysis of structure functions was used to characterize different scales of turbulent structures. By expanding structure function analysis to include two ramp scales, we characterized the intermittency, duration, and surface renewal flux contribution of the smallest (i.e., Scale One) and the dominant (i.e., Scale Two) coherent structure scales. The frequencies of the coherent structure scales increase with mean wind shear, implying that both Scale One and Scale Two are shear-driven. The embedded Scale One turbulent structure scale is ineffectual in the surface-layer energy and mass transport process. The new method reported here for obtaining surface renewal-based scalar exchange works well over bare ground and short canopies under unstable conditions, effectively eliminating the α calibration for these conditions and forming the foundation for analysis over taller and more complex surfaces.
On the calculation of climacteric symptoms.

Abstract Survey techniques, which are widely used to estimate the prevalence of climacteric symptoms, are generally unable to distinguish symptoms which relate to physiological changes from those which may be attributable to other factors. New data collection techniques developed in a study of menopause among a group of American Indians are reported here, which permit the evaluation of the cause of the reported symptoms. Two classes of complaints were then calculated: “gross” symptoms and “climacteric” symptoms. It was found that differences between prevalence, as estimated by the two classes of complaints, were smallest for vasomotor symptoms and greatest for psychological complaints, reflecting presumed physiological relationships. Further, climacteric-related symptoms demonstrated a clearer relationship to factors hypothesized by other researchers as affecting the experience of climacteric symptoms. While not feasible for all studies, these techniques demonstrate that more accurate estimates of symptom experience are possible.
Bad Business: The OPM Scandal and the Seduction of the Establishment

The article reviews the book “Bad Business: The OPM Scandal and the Seduction of the Establishment,” by Robert Gandossy.
Clonidine hydrochloride in the treatment of hypertension.

Abstract Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres) combined with a diuretic agent was given to 57 patients for a period of 6 months to 2 years. It was shown to be an effective agent for the long-term treatment of hypertension. It acts by central inhibition of adrenergic vasomotor stimulation; its withdrawal can cause transient sympathoadrenal hyperactivity. Dry mouth, constipation and transitory drowsiness were the most common side effects. They diminished with time, even when the dose was progressively increased. Bradycardia was produced by inhibition of cardiac sympathetic innervation, but no serious dysrhythmias occurred. The drug can be used to advantage as a replacement for guanethidine or methyldopa (Aldomet) but must be given with a diuretic agent. Orthostatic hypotension was rare. Addition of hydralazine or reserpine in conventional dosage decreased blood pressure very moderately. No change was observed when alpha methyldopa was added. On the contrary, administration of Clonidine to a patient exhibiting partial adrenergic blockade with guanethidine augmented the effects of such blockade, causing a further decline in both standing and recumbent blood pressure. This 3 year experience shows that clonidine is safe and free from toxicity. It is effective if patiently administered in increasing dosage until proper control of blood pressure is achieved.
Clinical spectrum of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.

Background Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is characterized by neuroimaging findings of reversible vasogenic subcortical edema without infarction. The clinical syndrome of RPLS typically involves headache, encephalopathy, visual symptoms, and seizures. Objective To retrospectively identify patients with RPLS with a characteristic clinical presentation and neuroimaging abnormalities and documented improvement on repeated neuroimaging. Design Retrospective. Setting Mayo Clinic. Patients Thirty-six patients with RPLS. Main Outcome Measures Associated comorbid medical conditions, presenting clinical symptoms, duration of clinical symptoms, diagnostic test results (magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and lumbar puncture), and time to clinical and neuroimaging recovery. Results We identified 38 episodes of RPLS in 36 patients (20 females and 16 males) with a mean age of 44.7 years. Comorbid conditions included hypertension (53%), renal disease (45%), dialysis dependency (21%), malignancy (32%), and transplantation (24%). Presenting symptoms included clinical seizures (87%), encephalopathy (92%), visual symptoms (39%), and headache (53%). Mean peak systolic blood pressure at presentation was 187 mm Hg. Clinical symptoms resolved after a mean of 5.3 days. Atypical neuroimaging features included significant frontal involvement in 22 episodes (58%), gray matter lesions in 16 (42%), unilateral lesions in 2 (5%), hemorrhage in 2 (5%), recurrent RPLS in 2 (5%), confluent lesions in 2 (5%), and foci of permanent injury in 10 (26%). Twenty-two episodes (58%) had brainstem/cerebellar involvement on neuroimaging. Conclusions This is the largest clinical series to date of RPLS with confirmed neuroimaging improvement. Clinical recovery occurred in most patients within days. The condition was rarely isolated to the parieto-occipital white matter, and atypical neuroimaging features were frequent.
A computer-driven undergraduate laboratory curriculum and related support logistics

A psychology department in a teaching university solved problems in the existing undergraduate laboratory courses by setting up a computer laboratory and developing its own software. The logistical support that allowed a small department to offer many laboratory experiences came in part from an undergraduate apprenticeship program, which is described.
Characterization of rat kidney proximal tubule brush border membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase.

Isolated rat kidney proximal tubule brush border membrane vesicles exhibit an increase in diacylglycerol levels (20- to 30-fold) and a concomitant decrease in phosphatidylinositol when incubated with [3H]arachidonate-labeled lipids, Ca2+, and deoxycholate. Levels of free arachidonate, triglyceride, and noninositol phospholipids are not altered. These results suggest phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase activity is associated with rat proximal tubule brush border membrane. Presence of both deoxycholate and certain divalent cations was necessary to demonstrate enzyme activity. Optimum pH ranged from 7.0 to 8.5. Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+ stimulated diglyceride production while Ba2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, and K+ were ineffective. HgCl2 inhibited Ca2+-stimulated phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase. Mg2+ and deoxycholate-dependent enzyme activity was shown to be phosphatidylinositol specific. Sodium lauryl sulfate, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and Triton X-100 did not activate phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase in the presence of Ca2+. In combination with deoxycholate, diglyceride formation was not affected by sodium lauryl sulfate, partially inhibited by Triton X-100, and completely abolished by tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Diglyceride kinase activity was not found associated with brush border membrane phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase. ATP (1–5 mm) inhibited Ca2+- or Mg2+-stimulated, deoxycholate-dependent phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis by chelating the required divalent cation.
Sensory Irritation Evoked by Plastic Decomposition Products

Polystyrene sheets and foams and polycarbonate sheets were used. A known amount was placed in a combustion chamber of 12 liters in volume and combustion (candle type downward burning) was initiated by ignition with a Bunsen gas burner. The airflow through the combustion chamber was maintained at 17 liters/min and air was enriched with oxygen (30% O2) for the polycarbonate. The air exhausted from the combustion chamber was diluted and directed to a glass exposure chamber. (2.3 liters volume) to which was attached ifour tubes each containing one mouse with the head of the animal protruding in the exposure chamber. Characteristic decreases in respiratory rate were used as an index of sensory irritation of the upper respiratory tract and monitored during and following exposure to the combustion products. A dose-response relationship was obtained with all three materials and indicated that the combustion products of polystyrene films were the most irritating. When a known sensory irritant was incorporated into...
Shoot regeneration from petunia leaf discs as a function of explant size, configuration and benzyladenine exposure

The effect of explant size, configuration, and duration of benzyladenine exposure on shoot organogenesis in Petunia x hybrida ‘Ultra Salmon’ leaf discs was determined. Leaf discs of 13, 10, 8, 5, and 3 mm diameter, and 10 mm with a 5 o4 3 mm hole and 13 mm with an 8 or 5 mm hole were tested. The smallest size and configuration for maximum shoot production and consistency of regeneration was a 10 mm whole disc. This was followed by the 8, 10 with a 3 mm hole, 5, 10 with a 5 mm hole and 3 mm disc respectively. Of all configurations tested, the 13 mm disc and the 13 mm disc with a 5 mm hole produced the most shoots. Exposure of leaf discs to benzyladenine-containing medium for 4 days or less resulted in no shoots being formed. Exposure for 10 days or more induced shoot regeneration on all discs tested. A delay of more than 2 days after excision, before plating on benzyladenine-containing medium, decreased shoot regeneration significantly. The explant configurations tested showed that: the area to cut edge ratio was a good predictor of shoot number for either of the two configurations when considered separately; and there are factors other than area to cut edge ratio involved in relating shoot production to explant configuration and size.
A Note on “Political Kidnapping: A New Risk in International Business”

In a recent article, Richard E. Peterson presents the results of a study on political kidnapping see Interfaces, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 1978, pp. 46--53. My concern is twofold; First, I disagree with the quality of modeling and analysis. Secondly, I am beginning to worry about this attempt to capitalize on the image of being “scientific” in front of a qualitatively oriented audience politicians who cannot challenge the scientific validity of the analysis. If one needs an example for an OR/MS course to demonstrate how a problem should not be attacked, he may not be able to find a better one.
A loculate stromatic conidiomatal isolate of Glomerella cingulata

An isolate of Glomerella cingulata (anamorph Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) which formed loculate stromatic conidiomata was recovered from a single ascospore line from soybeans (Glycine max). The loculate stromatic conidomata were formed on the surface of potatodextrose agar and subepidermally in apple fruits. The loculi were without ostioles and broke open presumably from pressure exerted by developing conidia. Conidiogenesis and conidial morphology are similar to ascospore lines of three other acervular anamorphs of G. cingulata.
Sensitivity of the CSR self-interaction to the local longitudinal charge concentration of an electron bunch

Recent measurements of the coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) effect carried out at CERN and at Jefferson Lab indicate that the observed emittance growth and energy modulation due to the orbit-curvature-induced bunch self-interaction are sometimes bigger than the results predicted from previous analyses and simulations based on a Gaussian longitudinal charge distribution. In this paper, by performing a model study, we show both analytically and numerically that when the longitudinal bunch charge distribution involves concentration of charges in a small fraction of the bunch length, enhancement of the CSR self-interaction beyond the Gaussian prediction may occur.
Buyer's remorse or missed opportunity? Differential regrets for material and experiential purchases.

Previous research has established that experiential purchases tend to yield greater enduring satisfaction than material purchases. The present work suggests that this difference in satisfaction is paralleled by a tendency for material and experiential purchases to differ in the types of regrets they elicit. In 5 studies, we find that people’s material purchase decisions are more likely to generate regrets of action (buyer’s remorse) and their experiential purchase decisions are more likely to lead to regrets of inaction (missed opportunities). These results were not attributable to differences in the desirability of or satisfaction provided by the two purchase types. Demonstrating the robustness of this effect, we found that focusing participants on the material versus experiential properties of the very same purchase was enough to shift its dominant type of regret. This pattern of regret is driven by the tendency for experiences to be seen as more singular—less interchangeable—than material purchases; interchangeable goods tend to yield regrets of action, whereas singular goods tend to yield regrets of inaction.
Key Connections: The U.S. Department of Energy?s Microgrid Initiative

This article provides an overview of ongoing microgrid activities being undertaken by OE and its Smart Grid R&D Program. In addition, it discusses the process OE has undertaken to engage microgrid stakeholders to jointly identify the remaining areas in which there are R&D gaps and develop a plan to address those gaps.
Positivity of Szegö's rational function

We consider the problem of deciding whether a given rational function has a power series expansion with all its coefficients positive. Introducing an elementary transformation that preserves such positivity we are able to provide an elementary proof for the positivity of Szego's function1(1-x)(1-y)+(1-y)(1-z)+(1-z)(1-x) which has been at the historical root of this subject starting with Szego. We then demonstrate how to apply the transformation to prove a 4-dimensional generalization of the above function, and close with discussing the set of parameters (a,b) such that11-(x+y+z)+a(xy+yz+zx)+bxyz has positive coefficients.
Planning—Satisfaction and productivity

Abstract The areas of worker satisfaction and productivity have been of continual importance to managers of all types of organizations. Unfortunately, the analysis of these topics have usually been done in a segmented manner. This article attempts to develop a total conceptual scheme for planning to increase worker satisfaction and employee productivity. Both internal work and external environmental components are included in the models which examine social psychological, physical, and environmental components of the worker's life in a total system's approach.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants revisited: Do their practice patterns differ in ambulatory care?***

Abstract The education and regulation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants would suggest unique role differentiations and practice functions between the professions. This study explored to what extent their practice patterns in primary care actually differ. It was hypothesized that the primary care services provided by nurse practitioners would tend to be women and family health services, health prevention and promotion oriented, provided to minority and socioeconomic disadvantaged patients, and less dependent on physician supervision. In contrast, the services provided by physician assistants would more likely be medical/surgical oriented; diagnostic, procedural, and technical in nature; likely to be in rural areas; and more dependent on physician supervision. The study used patient data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Although some differences emerged, the argument is not compelling to suggest strong, unique, practice differences across all ambulatory care settings between the two types of nonphysician providers. It is the specific type of ambulatory setting that influences the practice pattern for both provider groups. If practice patterns are less distinctive than previously believed, more opportunities for interdisciplinary education need to be explored, and health policies that promote a discipline-specific primary care workforce may need to be reexamined. J Prof Nurs 18:36-46, 2002. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company
Exploitation of target shadows in synthetic aperture radar imagery for automatic target recognition

The utility of target shadows for automatic target recognition (ATR) in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is investigated. Although target shadow, when available, is not a powerful target discriminating feature, it can effectively increase the overall accuracy of the target classification when it is combined with other target discriminating features such as peaks, edges, and corners. A second and more important utility of target shadow is that it can be used to identify the target pose. Identification of the target pose before the recognition process reduces the number of reference images used for comparison/matching, i.e., the training sets, by at least fifty percent. Since implementation and the computation complexity of the pose detection algorithm is relatively simple, the proposed two-step process, i.e., pose detection followed matching, considerably reduces the complexity of the overall ATR system.
Racial disparities in breast cancer survival: an analysis by age and stage

Background. Black women often present with advanced-stage breast cancer compared with White women, which may result in the observed higher mor- tality among Black women. Age-related factors (e.g., comorbidity) also affect mortality. Whether racial dis- parities in mortality are evident within age and/or stage groups has not been reported, and risk factors for greater mortality among Black women are not well defined. Methods. Using the 1988-2003 Surveillance, Epide- miology, and End Results Program data, we conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study to com- pare overall and stage-specific breast-cancer mortal- ity between Black and White women within each age (<40, 40-49, 50-64, and 65) and stage (stage 0-IV and unstaged) group at diagnosis. Cox regression models calculated unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), the latter con- trolling for potential confounders of the relationship between race and survival. Results. In the 1988-2003 Surveillance, Epidemiol- ogy, and End Results data, 20,424 Black and 204,506 White women were diagnosed with first primary breast cancer. In unadjusted models, Black women were more likely than White women to die from breast cancer (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.83-1.96) and from all causes (HR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.48-1.55) during follow-up. In mod- els stratified by age and stage, Black women were at increased risk of breast-cancer-specific mortality within each stage group among women <65 y. Conclusion. Racial disparities in breast-cancer- specific mortality were predominantly observed within each stage at diagnosis among women <65 y old. This
Guess What Came To American Politics?—: Contemporary Black Conservatism

During the mid-1980s and continuing into the early 1990s, scholars and journalists observed a new political trend within the African American community. It involved African American men and women from all regions of the United States and individuals who were products of state universities and Ivy League colleges, as well as those who were self-educated. The message that these individuals have espoused is one of equal opportunity, self-reliance, and individual initiative, and a message that encouraged community-based approaches to problem solving, a message that endorsed less government intervention, strengthening the Black family, and abolishing the welfare state. Black conservatives are men and women who have been viewed with suspicion by more than a few African Americans and have been chastised by many White liberals. They have been referred to as racial traitors and right wing racists. Some Black conservatives have also been accused of self-hatred, of egoism, of being disrespectful toward the poor, of being "house niggers," and of being willing to sell out an entire race for the sake of their own gratification (Jones, 1991, p. 19). Film director Spike Lee referred to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a "handkerchief head, a chicken and biscuit-eating Uncle Tom" (Thornton, 1991).
Interactions of antioxidants isolated from tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) fruits

Tart cherry produces various kinds of polyphenolics in its fruits that include cyanidin derivatives (mostly cyanidin 3-glucosylrutinoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin sophoroside), peonidin 3-glucoside; kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin and their derivatives, as well as the alkaloid, melatonin. The antioxidant capacities of these constituents were analysed using the TEAC antioxidant assay. Kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, and melatonin showed significant antioxidant capacities; of these, kaempferol proved to be the most active. In order to determine how these constituents interact in terms of expression of their antioxidant action, we performed an isobolographic analysis. Using different dose ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) for the selected polyphenol constituents, we found evidence that three types of interactions may occur: synergistic, additive, and negative. The most important and new finding here was that pairs of compounds with the highest antioxidant capacity (e.g., kaempferol and melatonin at a dose ratio of 2:1, respectively, and cyanidin 3-rutinoside and isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside at a dose ratio of 1:4, respectively) showed strong synergistic types of interactions. Additive or negative types of interactions occurred for pairs of compounds that had lower antioxidant capacities. Thus, not all polyphenols in tart cherry fruits are equally effective in alleviating oxidative stress. Those which are most effective are likely to be acting synergistically.
Impact of a venous thromboembolism prophylaxis "smart order set": Improved compliance, fewer events.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects over 700,000 Americans annually. Prophylaxis reduces the risk of VTE by 60% but many patients still do not receive risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis. To improve our institution's VTE prophylaxis performance, we developed mandatory computerized clinical decision support-enabled “smart order sets” that required providers to assess VTE risk factors and contraindications to pharmacologic prophylaxis. Using provider responses, the order set recommends evidence-based risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis. To study the impact of our “smart order set” on prescription of risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis and clinical outcomes, we conducted a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients admitted to the Medicine service during one month immediately prior to (November 2007) and a single month subsequent to (April 2010) order set launch. Data collection included patient demographics, VTE risk factors, and the use and type of VTE prophylaxis. The pre- and post-implementation cohorts contained 1,000 and 942 patients, respectively. After implementation of the “smart order set”, the prescription of risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis increased from 65.6% to 90.1% (P < 0.0001). Orders for any form of VTE prophylaxis increased from 76.4% to 95.6% (P < 0.0001). Radiographically documented symptomatic VTE within 90 days of hospital discharge declined from 2.5% to 0.7% (P = 0.002). Preventable harm was completely eliminated (1.1% to 0%, P = 0.001) with no difference in major bleeding or all-cause mortality. A VTE prophylaxis computerized clinical decision support-enabled “smart order set” improved prescription of risk-appropriate VTE prophylaxis, reduced symptomatic VTE and eliminated preventable harm from VTE without increasing major bleeding. Am. J. Hematol. 88:545–549, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An efficient screening methodology for a priori assessed non-influential factors

The choice of which factors to choose to vary in a simulation to effect a change in the measure of interest is difficult. Many factors are a priori judged not to effect the measure of interest. There is often no subsequent analysis of whether this judgment is valid or not. The proposed methodology outlines a sequence of limited runs to assess the accuracy of the a priori belief of non-influential factors. These runs can either identify if an influential factor(s) has been omitted or confirm a priori beliefs. Executing these sequences of runs before focusing on the suspected influential factors can contribute to subsequent analysis by confirming that suspected non-influential factors do not significantly impact the measure of interest. An example of the methodology using an agent based model is presented.
Drug Resistance and Heterogeneous Long-Term Virologic Responses of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Subjects to Zidovudine and Didanosine Combination Therapy

Plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RNA levels, CD4 lymphocyte changes, and drug resistance were studied in HIV-infected patients with 200-500 CD4 lymphocytes/microL who received zidovudine and didanosine combination therapy for 2 years. Among 35 patients, 10 had sustained and 16 had transient > 10-fold reductions in HIV RNA: 9 did not have 10-fold HIV RNA reductions. Only patients with sustained HIV suppression maintained increased CD4 cell counts for 2 years (370 to 501 cells/microL; P = .006). Patients with transient HIV suppression were more likely to develop drug-resistant HIV strains (12/16 vs. 5/19, P = .01) and reverse transcriptase (RT) mutations (4.5 vs. 2.5/strain; P = .02) than were patients with sustained or no HIV suppression. Zidovudine resistance occurred with RT mutations at codons 41, 67, 70, 215, and 219. Multidrug resistance occurred with mutations at codons 62, 75, 77, 116, and 151. Mutations occurred at codons 60, 68, 118, 210, and 228 in > or = 4 patients each. Heterogeneity exists among individual virologic responses to zidovudine and didanosine combination therapy. HIV resistance mechanisms during combination therapy appear more complex than reported with monotherapy.
Mutant hERG channel traffic jam. Focus on “Pharmacological correction of long QT-linked mutations in KCNH2 (hERG) increases the trafficking of Kv11.1 channels stored in the transitional endoplasmic reticulum”

ION CHANNELS ARE MACROMOLECULAR pore-forming structures that regulate the selective distribution of ions across the cell membrane or between intracellular compartments. They are fundamental in several physiological processes including cell volume regulation, neurotransmission, and muscle contraction. Therefore, it is not surprising that disruption of ion channel function by genetic mutation can be associated with cardiovascular disorders. KCNH2, also known as the human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG), encodes the pore-forming subunit of a delayed rectifier voltage-dependent K channel (9). These channels are expressed in numerous cell types, but are most notable for their role in the heart. Normal hERG K channel activity is important for maintaining cardiac electrical activity. The gating properties of hERG K channels makes their contribution ideal for prolonging the duration of the plateau phase (slow activation and rapid inactivation) and for initiating the terminal repolarization phase (rapid recovery from inactivation and slow deactivation) of the action potential. Controlling action potential duration is critical for ensuring sufficient Ca 2 entry to enable cardiac contraction, while the delayed repolarization phase provides some protection against premature contractions (9). Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations can attenuate hERG K channel activity, thus increasing the propensity for the development of life-threatening arrhythmias. For example, LOF mutations in KCNH2 can cause chromosome 7-linked long QT (type 2; LQT2) syndrome, a disorder characterized by abnormal cardiac electrical activity, due to prolongation of the QT interval (2). Although this LOF can be attributed to decreased expression, dominant-negative (DN) effects, or changes in
Long-term control of congestive heart failure with captopril

Abstract The long-term effects of captopril therapy were assessed by sequential hemodynamic studies over a 6 month period in 19 patients with resistant congestive heart failure. Initial improvement during the first week of therapy was noted only in 11 and was marked by significant (p The hemodynamic index that reflected response most consistently was the shortening in pulmonary mean transit time. Simultaneously with clinical improvement there was a reduction in cardiopulmonary volume that reflected a reduction in pulmonary congestion and probably systemic venodilation. Associated with these hemodynamic changes there was an increase in plasma renin activity and a significant reduction in plasma aldosterone, but these changes did not differ significantly between patients who responded markedly and those who responded moderately to converting enzyme inhibition. These results suggest that the response of congestive heart failure to captopril can occur gradually. Improvement was related to peripheral hemodynamic changes which led to a reduction in both total peripheral resistance and cardiopulmonary volume. The reduction in the plasma aldosterone/renin activity ratio was an effective marker of compliance.
Paraeducators in Inclusive Classrooms Their Own Perceptions

The perceptions of paraeducators regarding their roles and responsibilities in supporting students with moderate to severe disabilities in general education classrooms were the focus of this qualitative study. Sixteen paraeducators were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide to determine their understanding of their role, challenges they experienced, training needs, and relationships with other team members. Numerous roles and different types of responsibilities were described, such as teaching, adapting materials, facilitating interactions with peers, and implementing behavioral interventions. Paraeducators also reported a considerable degree of independence in decision making and implementation of programs. Although the critical importance of paraeducators in the support of students with severe disabilities is not in question, the independence while performing their role may not reflect desired practice, given their minimal training and lack of a teaching credential. Implications for the fie...
Erbium-doped zirconia waveguides: transition probabilities

Summary from only given. In this paper lifetimes and quantum efficiencies have been predicted for erbium-doped zirconia glass. These results show that zirconia waveguides should be pumped at 1480 nm for efficient optical amplifiers and lasers.
Fourier domain calculation of terrain effects in marine MT

SUMMARY Magnetotelluric surveys on the seafloor have become an important part of marine geophysics in recent years. The distorting effects of topographic relief on the electromagnetic fields can be far-reaching, but local terrain is also important. Thus, computational techniques that can treat a large area containing fine-scale topography could find widespread application. We describe a new solution to the problem based on a well-established theory of electromagnetic induction in thin sheets. The procedure requires taking the Fourier transform of the integral equations derived by Dawson and Weaver in 1979, and by McKirdy, Weaver and Dawson in 1985. The equations in the transformed electric field are solved iteratively by a new technique. We prove the new iterative procedure is always convergent, whereas the original scheme diverges when the grid spacing of the discretization is small. We also give a means of correcting for distant features that need not be specified in as great detail. Preliminary tests confirm the new process is very efficient and that topographic data sets of several million points will be handled with ease.
Evolutionary approaches for the discovery of functional synthetic small molecules

Directed evolution is a powerful method for the laboratory discovery of nucleic acids and proteins with desired functional properties. A hallmark of this approach is the iter- ative translation, selection, amplification, and diversification of genetic information. The po- tential of evolutionary methods to impact the discovery of synthetic small molecules has re- cently been explored by a variety of laboratories. Four methods encompassing some or all of the hallmarks of evolution are discussed, including dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC), genetic algorithms (GAs), DNA display, and DNA-templated synthesis (DTS). Keyword: DNA-templated synthesis; directed evolution; genetic algorithms; dynamic combi- natorial chemistry; DNA display; nanotechnology; bottom-up synthesis.
The Role of the Striatum in the Mouse in Behavioral Sensitization to Amphetamine

Abstract Previous results of pharmacological studies of the mechanisms of amphetamine- and cocaine-induced stereotypy in the mouse suggest the involvement of dopaminergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in the striatum. The present experiments were designed to evaluate pharmacologically the role of these neuroeffector systems in behavioral sensitization. Whether administered systemically or in the striatum, pretreatment with the neurotransmitter antagonists, sulpiride, bicuculline and CPP, blocked both the induction and the expression of behavioral sensitization. Efforts to induce sensitization or evoke expression with intrastriatal microinjections of amphetamine, NMDLA or THIP were not successful. The data indicate that these three neuroeffector systems interact at the level of the striatum to mediate the induction and expression of behavioral sensitization to amphetamine. The results are discussed in light of our previous reports and lead to the conclusion that two groups of drugs that affect sensitization can be defined: [1] antagonists of the dopaminergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems which block the acute effects of amphetamine as well as the induction and expression of sensitization and [2] another group of drugs which antagonize only sensitization-associated phenomena. The mouse data suggest that both the induction and the expression of sensitization involve not only multiple loci but also novel neuroeffector systems.
Performance analysis of coherent equal gain combining over Nakagami-m fading channels

We study the exact average output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and symbol error rate (SER) of M-ary phaseshift-keying (PSK) signals with coherent equal gain combining reception. The analysis assumes independent Nakagami-m (1960) fading paths, which are not necessarily identically distributed. On one hand, we use geometric summations to obtain closed-form expressions for the average output SNR over diversity paths with an exponentially decaying power delay profile. On the other hand, capitalizing on an alternative integral representation of the conditional SER along with Gauss-Hermite quadrature integration, we derive an average SER expression in the form of a single finite-range integral and an integrand composed of tabulated functions. We also present a simpler but approximate approach for the closed-form evaluation of the SER of these signals over independent identically distributed Nakagami-m fading paths.
Analysis of Blocking Probability in Noise and Crosstalk Impaired All-Optical Networks

In all-optical networks with no wavelength converters, signals are switched optically inside the nodes and therefore propagate over hundreds or thousands of kilometers with no electrical regeneration. Over such distances, physical impairments accumulate and can lead to serious signal degradation, resulting in poor quality of transmission (QoT) as measured by signal bit-error rates. The role of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) algorithms is to accommodate incoming calls in optical networks over a route and a wavelength. RWA algorithms block calls if a continuous wavelength from source to destination cannot be found (wavelength blocking), or when the QoT of the call is not acceptable (QoT blocking). In this paper, we present an analytical method to evaluate blocking probability in all-optical networks, accounting for several physical layer impairments: intersymbol interference (ISI), amplifier noise (both are static effects that only depend on the network topology only) and node crosstalk (a dynamic effect that depends on the network status). We successfully validate our model through simulations on large scale networks with realistic physical layer parameters.
Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry-scanning electrochemical microscopy

The use of fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to generate images in scanning electrochemical microscopy is demonstrated. In the FSCV–SECM method a cyclic voltammogram is acquired at each grid point of the scanned area. Thus, each point in the SECM image is a data array rather than a single value. This provides a significant increase in the amount of data collected per scan and provides the ability to make images of multiple analytes per scan. In addition, the use of cyclic voltammetry allows images based on adsorptive as well as diffusional processes. In this paper, we describe the FSCV–SECM experiment and equipment, we show that FSCV–SECM can resolve multiple chemical species in a single scan, and we demonstrate that cathodic-stripping voltammetry can be used to image the concentration profiles of halide ions. � 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Radiology clinical synopsis: a simple solution for obtaining an adequate clinical history for the accurate reporting of imaging studies on patients in intensive care units

Lack of clinical history on radiology requisitions is a universal problem. We describe a simple Web-based system that readily provides radiology-relevant clinical history to the radiologist reading radiographs of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Along with the relevant history, which includes primary and secondary diagnoses, disease progression and complications, the system provides the patient's name, record number and hospital location. This information is immediately available to reporting radiologists. New clinical information is immediately entered on-line by the radiologists as they are reviewing images. After patient discharge, the data are stored and immediately available if the patient is readmitted. The system has been in routine clinical use in our hospital for nearly 2 years.
Incentives to innovate and the sources of innovation: the case of scientific instruments☆

Abstract In this study we explore the relationship between the sources of innovation and incentives to innovate in a sample of 64 innovations related to Auger and Esca, two types of scientific instrument used to analyze the surface chemistry of solid materials. We find that innovations with high scientific importance tend to be developed by instrument users, while innovations having high commercial importance tend to be developed by instrument manufacturers. We also find that the ratio of user and manufacturer innovation affecting a given type of instrument can vary as a function of that instrument type's perceived scientific and commercial importance. Finally, we find that the scientific and commercial importance of innovations developed for Auger and Esca, and the frequency with which these have been developed, have varied significantly over time.