cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GEOMETRICALLY EXACT CURVED BEAM ELEMENTS INCORPORATING FINITE STRAINS AND FINITE ROTATIONS

This paper deals with the formulation and implementation of the curved beam elements based on the geometrically exact curved/twisted beam theory assuming that the beam cross-section remains rigid. The summarized beam theory is used for the slender beams or rods. Along with the beam theory, some basic concepts associated with finite rotations and their parametrizations are briefly summarized. In terms of a non-vectorial parametrization of finite rotations under spatial descriptions, a formulation is given for the virtual work equations that leads to the load residual and tangential stiffness operators. Taking the advantage of the simplicity in formulation and clear classical meanings of both rotations and moments, the non-vectorial parametrization is applied to implement a four-noded 3-D curved beam element, in which the compound rotation is represented by the unit quaternion and the incremental rotation is parametrized using the incremental rotation vector. Only static problems are considered. Conventional Lagrangian interpolation functions are adopted to approximate both the reference curve and incremental rotation of the deformed beam. Reduced integration is used to overcome locking problems. The finite element equations are developed for static structural analyses, including deformations, stress resultants/couples, and linearized/nonlinear bifurcation buckling, as well as post-buckling analyses of arches subjected to different types of loads, such as self-weight, snow, and pressure (wind) loads. Several examples are used to test the formulation and its Fortran implementation.
Alkanethiolate-Protected PbS Nanoclusters: Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies

A series of alkanethiolate-passivated PbS nanoparticles were synthesized with varied feed ratios of the starting reactants, lead acetate and alkanethiols, and characterized by using a variety of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Transmission electron microscopic studies revealed that, of all the samples prepared, the particle size mainly fell into the range of 2−4 nm in diameter, with mostly spherical shape and modest dispersity. In addition, the particles were found to be quite stable where the particle size varied only slightly during particle growth. UV−Vis spectroscopy showed an absorption edge at a wavelength between 700 and 800 nm for the larger particles (>3 nm in diameter), while for the smaller particles (2.5 nm in diameter), the absorption edge was found at 560 nm, which was consistent with the size-dependent quantum confinement effect of PbS nanoparticles. Photoluminescence studies were carried out by measuring the excitation and emission spectra of the PbS nanoparticles in solution...
Investing in new technologies ߞ a personal perspective

Britain's largest electrical/electronics group has followed a cautious policy in moving into the microelectronics market. The author explains the thinking behind this and explores GEC's current policy with regard to investment and expansion
Cost reduction and outcome improvement in the intensive care unit.

Objective: Decreasing reimbursement provided by third-party payors necessitates reduction of costs for providing critical care services. If academic medical centers are to remain viable, methods must be instituted that allow cost reduction through practice change. Methods: We used short cycle improvement methodology to rapidly achieve these goals. Short cycle improvement methodology involves identifying the areas for improvement, defining a mechanism to evaluate outcome, initiating an improvement plan on a small number of patients, and repeating the cycle with new adjustments based on outcome. Baseline data on areas for improvement was prospectively collected, and protocols to initiate change were developed and tested by short improvement cycles. Outcomes were evaluated, protocols were modified, and another cycle was performed. This methodology was continued until the desired goals had been achieved. To adjust outcomes for severity of illness, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II methodology was used. Using this methodology, we focused on three areas for improvement. Standing orders for laboratory studies, electrocardiograms, and chest x-ray films were eliminated. Protocols were developed for the appropriate use of sedation, analgesics, and neuromuscular blocking agents. Finally, a protocol for weaning from mechanical ventilation was developed to allow respiratory therapists to proceed through the weaning process, which was ordered by a physician. Results: Laboratory tests were reduced by 65% (from 510 to 180 tests per day) with an annual cost savings of $21,593. Chest x-ray reduction of 56% resulted in an annual savings of $3,941. There was a 75% reduction in cost of neuromuscular blocking agents. The use of neuromuscular blocking agents resulted in a 75% reduction in drug costs. Ventilator hours were reduced by 35% from 140 to 90 hours. The average length of overall intensive care unit stay was reduced by 1.5 days (5.0 to 3.5 days). The cost per patient day decreased with an annualized cost savings of 4% per patient day. Unexpected outcomes included a reduction in intensive care unit days from 54 days at baseline to 7 days at the 6-month interval. The infection rates for blood stream infections, urinary tract infections, and nosocomial pneumonia were reduced. Using national nosocomial infection data, these rates represented a reduction from the fiftieth percentile to the twenty-fifth percentile for all measured indicators. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were 19.54 at baseline and increased to 21.2 (p = 0.001) at the 6-month interval. Mortality rates were 16.7% at baseline and were 17.6% (p = 0.89) at the 6-month interval. Conclusion: We concluded that utilization of short cycle improvement methodology provided an ongoing method for reducing costs of critical tare services in our patient population with no change in mortality.
CD44 + CD24 − prostate cells are early cancer progenitor/stem cells that provide a model for patients with poor prognosis

Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that cancer stem cells are responsible for tumour initiation and formation. Using flow cytometry, we isolated a population of CD44+CD24− prostate cells that display stem cell characteristics as well as gene expression patterns that predict overall survival in prostate cancer patients. CD44+CD24− cells form colonies in soft agar and form tumours in NOD/SCID mice when as few as 100 cells are injected. Furthermore, CD44+CD24− cells express genes known to be important in stem cell maintenance, such as BMI-1 and Oct-3/4. Moreover, we can maintain CD44+CD24− prostate stem-like cells as nonadherent spheres in serum-replacement media without substantially shifting gene expression. Addition of serum results in adherence to plastic and shifts gene expression patterns to resemble the differentiated parental cells. Thus, we propose that CD44+CD24− prostate cells are stem-like cells responsible for tumour initiation and we provide a genomic definition of these cells and the differentiated cells they give rise to. Furthermore, gene expression patterns of CD44+CD24− cells have a genomic signature that is predictive of poor patient prognosis. Therefore, CD44+CD24− LNCaP prostate cells offer an attractive model system to both explore the biology important to the maintenance and differentiation of prostate cancer stem cells as well as to develop the therapeutics, as the gene expression pattern in these cells is consistent with poor survival in prostate cancer patients.
Immunochemical properties of ovine interstitial cell-stimulating hormone subunits.

Abstract The immunochemical properties of ovine interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) and its subunits, ICSH-CI and ICSH-CII, have been examined qualitatively and quantitatively by biological inhibition studies, precipitating antibody systems, and complement fixing antibody reactions. It was found that the major antigenic determinants of native ovine ICSH is associated with the CII subunit. The immunological reactions of ICSH-CII are nearly identical to that of the native hormone. The CI subunit is weak immunogenically compared to ICSH and ICSH-CII, and antigenically distinct relative to both. It was also shown that ICSH-CI and ICSH-CII can be recombined with recovery of the structure which is antigenically recognized as native ICSH.
Transcriptome-Based Analysis of the Pantoea stewartii Quorum-Sensing Regulon and Identification of EsaR Direct Targets

Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii is a proteobacterium that causes Stewart's wilt disease in corn plants. The bacteria form a biofilm in the xylem of infected plants and produce capsule that blocks water transport, eventually causing wilt. At low cell densities, the quorum-sensing (QS) regulatory protein EsaR is known to directly repress expression of esaR itself as well as the genes for the capsular synthesis operon transcription regulator, rcsA, and a 2,5-diketogluconate reductase, dkgA. It simultaneously directly activates expression of genes for a putative small RNA, esaS, the glycerol utilization operon, glpFKX, and another transcriptional regulator, lrhA. At high bacterial cell densities, all of this regulation is relieved when EsaR binds an acylated homoserine lactone signal, which is synthesized constitutively over growth. QS-dependent gene expression is critical for the establishment of disease in the plant. However, the identity of the full set of genes controlled by EsaR/QS is unknown. A proteomic approach previously identified around 30 proteins in the QS regulon. In this study, a whole-transcriptome, next-generation sequencing analysis of rRNA-depleted RNA from QS-proficient and -deficient P. stewartii strains was performed to identify additional targets of EsaR. EsaR-dependent transcriptional regulation of a subset of differentially expressed genes was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that EsaR directly bound 10 newly identified target promoters. Overall, the QS regulon of P. stewartii orchestrates three major physiological responses: capsule and cell envelope biosynthesis, surface motility and adhesion, and stress response.
Current practice patterns in the urologic surveillance and management of patients with spinal cord injury.

Abstract Objectives To determine current trends in management and surveillance of the spinal cord injury (SCI) population among specialized urologists who routinely work and provide care to patients with SCI. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal urologic surveillance and management protocol of the urinary tract in SCI patients. Methods A mailed questionnaire was sent to the 269 American members of the Society for Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU). The type of investigation used in the assessment and follow-up of upper and lower urinary tract function in SCI patients and their optimal frequency and management modalities were the topics of inquiry. Results One hundred sixty of the 269 urologists responded for a response rate of 60%. Most physicians (85%) favor a yearly renal ultrasound for routine surveillance of the upper tracts, whereas more than half (65%) routinely use videourodynamic studies for evaluation of the lower urinary tract. The combination of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) plus anticholinergic agents is the favored modality for management of hyperreflexic bladder, whereas CIC alone is preferred for the areflexic bladder. Conclusions This study confirms that most urologists working with SCI patients follow principles reported in published data regarding the need for evaluation, surveillance, and management of the urinary tract. However, there is a lack of consensus in the specific methods used for surveillance of the urinary system. The present results emphasize the need for clear guidelines in this area.
Evaluation of a psychological treatment for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two related gastrointestinal-tract diseases, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD). This study, a randomized controlled trial, compared the effectiveness of a multi-component behavioral treatment package (n = 11), which included IBD education, progressive muscle relaxation, thermal biofeedback, and training in use of cognitive coping strategies, to the effectiveness of symptom-monitoring (n = 10) as a control condition; 8 controls subsequently completed treatment. At posttreatment, the treatment group showed mean reductions on 5 symptoms, while the symptom monitoring controls showed mean reductions on all 8 symptoms. On a measure of Total Symptomatic change, the controls showed more improvement than the treated group; the treated controls at posttreatment, showed increases on all 8 symptoms. However, treated subjects perceived themselves as coping better with IBD, as feeling less IBD-related stress, and as experiencing less depression and anxiety. It is hypothesized that inherent differences may have existed between CD and UC subjects which could have led to the differences seen in treatment responses.
Improving outcomes in hip fracture patients: using QA tools in a skilled nursing facility physical therapy clinic

This article focuses on hip fractures and their treatment. The common problem of hip fractures is examined demographically and in terms of its impact on healthcare costs. The use of quality assessment and improvement techniques in SNF-based physical therapy clinics is proposed as a tool to improve treatment outcomes.
A newly recognized neuroectodermal syndrome of familial alopecia, anosmia, deafness, and hypogonadism

We describe a large, three generation kindred in which 16 individuals were affected with alopecia, hyposmia or anosmia, conductive deafness associated with protruding ears, microtia, and/or atresia of the external auditory canal, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to LH/FSH deficiency, and a greater than normal tendency to dental caries. Variable manifestations include mild facial asymmetry, mental retardation, congenital heart defect, and cleft palate. This seems to be a previously undescribed pleiotropic autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity. The manifestations can be explained on the basis of involvement of the ectoderm and neuroectoderm of the first and second branchial arches, of Rathke's pouch, and of the diencephalon.
Viewing the Morea: land and people in the late medieval Peloponnese

Reviewing a collection of papers is never easy; in this case it may be impossible to do justice to the breadth and depth of the collection so beautifully presented in this large volume, whose size ...
Solution of a linear system using a neural network based on iterative techniques

ABSTRACT similar to Successive Over Relaxation (SOR). The network is trained to find the appropriate relaxation parameter. A derivation of the algorithm and its relation to the SOR algorithm is given. The performance of the standard SOR and Jacobi methods are compared with the neural network for two sample problems. 1. INTRODUCTION A simple neural network with no hidden units and no nonlinearities (i.e. the identity function for its activation function) performs a vector-matrix multiplication. For the problem of solving a linear system, Ax=b (1)Iterative solutions of this system can be visualized as recurrent networks consisting of two levels. Theiterative algorithm). The second level corresponds to the calculation of the vector-matrix product which equals the given right hand side, b, when the solution process has converged. The standard Jacobi method can be expressed in terms of a neural network architecture easily. However, without the use ofany adjustable parameters, neural networks provide a parallel solution technique.The most common iterative solution technique for linear systems that utilizes a parameter whichmake a neural network architecture for this algorithm quite cumbersome. We have, therefore, developed
New mediaprocessor and its image computing library

High-performance mediaprocessors that aim at high-level language programming without sacrificing much would be very desirable in many applications including medical imaging. Media Accelerated Processor (MAP) 1000 that is jointly being developed by Hitachi, Ltd. and Equator Technologies, Inc. is one of such next-generation mediaprocessors. We present the two main issues in programming these mediaprocessors, i.e., using C intrinsics (hinting to the compiler a desired assembly language instruction in a C program so that the compiler tries to use the hinted instruction in the compiled code) and data flow control, which still requires a high degree of expertise in the detailed architectural features including many low-level instructions, handling input/output data transfers, and in-depth understanding of the algorithm. To ease the programming burden and allow flexible and efficient deployment of the MAP-based target systems, we have developed the MAP University of Washington Image Computing Library (UWICL) for the MAP1000. Currently, it consists of 105 functions. The UWICL functions effectively decouple the data flow control and data processing in a flexible two-layered software structure, where the upper layer is responsible for the data transfer between on-chip cache and off-chip memory by utilizing the on-chip DMA controller in a double-buffering scheme and the lower layer performs the data processing. This hierarchy allows the flexibility to use the UWICL modules depending on how the application is implemented and/or the level of user's experience in programming the MAP 1000 mediaprocessor.
Stereotypes and the female politician: A case study of Senator Barbara Mikulski

This case study of Senator Barbara Mikulski (D‐MD) documents the successful negotiation of a complex set of general and local stereotypes/expectations arising primarily from gender. By recognizing and addressing these stereotypes/expectations as rhetorical constructs, Mikulski has facilitated women's increased participation in the political arena. This essay pays particular attention to the rhetorical strategies that functioned to broaden the lens through which women in politics are viewed by challenging the femininity/competence double bind. The stereotypes/expectations examined include orientation toward family (female‐identified), availability (female‐identified), and aggression (male‐identified). Mikulski used a variety of rhetorical strategies ranging from recasting to humor, and her efforts can productively inform the campaigns of other women seeking elective office.
Introduction: Matter Unbound

Orchestrated moments of destruction, cycles of appearance and vanishing, and other material losses recur across time and societies and scales of human action in ways that are pervasive, deeply soci...
Patients With Late-Adult-Onset Ulcerative Colitis Have Better Outcomes Than Those With Early Onset Disease

Background & Aims The influence of age on the presentation, clinical course, and therapeutic response of patients with adult-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) is understudied. Given potential age-related differences in risk factors and immune function, we sought to determine if disease behavior or clinical outcomes differed between patients diagnosed with UC in later versus earlier stages of adulthood. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 295 patients with UC seen at a tertiary care center from 2001 to 2008. Adult subjects newly diagnosed with UC between the ages of 18 and 30 years were defined as early onset, those newly diagnosed at age 50 or older were defined as late onset. The 2 groups were analyzed for differences in medication use and clinical end points, including disease extent, severity at the time of diagnosis, and steroid-free clinical remission at 1 year after disease onset. Results Disease extent and symptom severity were similar between groups at the time of diagnosis. One year after diagnosis, more patients in the late-onset group achieved steroid-free clinical remission (64% vs 49%; P = .01). Among those who required systemic steroid therapy, more late-onset patients achieved steroid-free remission by 1 year (50% vs 32%; P = .01). Former smoking status was a more common risk factor in the late-onset cohort (P Conclusions Patients with early and late-adult-onset UC have similar initial clinical presentations, but differ in disease risk factors. Late-onset patients have better responses to therapy 1 year after diagnosis.
Innovative Returns to Tradition: Using Core Teachings as the Foundation for Innovative Accommodation

This article argues that religious groups sustain organizational vitality by preserving core teachings and promoting adaptive innovations. The core teachings guard the sacred beliefs and practices held as timeless, and the innovations adapt these teachings to new cultures and contexts-with the most successful innovations building on the core. Using organizational theory and previous research, I explain how core teachings sustain vitality and I uncover the organizational mechanisms stimulating and blocking innovations. Historical examples are used to illustrate how denominations struggle to preserve the continuity of distinctive core teachings and promote adaptive innovations. Finally, I discuss the implications this thesis holds for the study of American religion, both past and present.
Soil water deficit effects on semi-determinate and indeterminate soybean growth and yield

Abstract An indeterminate soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv Amsoy) and a semi-determinate soybean (cv. Elf) were grown under field conditions to investigate growth and yield responses to different irrigation regimes. Four irrigation regimes were imposed with all plots beginning the season with the soil profile at field capacity. Leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis responded to changes in available soil water but there was no difference between the two cultivars. Leaf net photosynthesis declined rapidly when stomatal conductance declined below 0.4 cm s −1 and declined linearly with decreasing leaf water potential. Leaf growth rate decreased with decreasing leaf water potential in both cultivars. The semi-determinate cultivar retained more pods on the plant compared to the indeterminate in all irrigation treatments. Pods/plant and seeds/pod were the yield components affected most by water stress. Water use efficiency was linearly related to harvest index and was improved by reducing irrigations during the vegetative stage because of the large soil evaporation component. Semi-determinate soybeans responded more favorably to water stress imposed during the reproductive stage because of the lack of competing sinks for photosynthate and would be more desirable in water-limited environments.
FBxW7 as a predictor of outcomes in ovarian cancer

RESULTS: Sixty-five hysterectomy specimens were examined for depth of thermal spread. There was no difference in mean depth of thermal spread at the anterior (1.11 mm vs 1.05 mm; p1⁄40.6) or posterior margin (1.04 mm vs 0.91 mm; p1⁄40.2) between standard energy and V mode , respectively. There was no difference in incidence of vaginal cuff dehiscence (p1⁄40.31), with one dehiscence in the standard group. Rate of vaginal cuff granulation tissue, dehiscence or infection was 24% overall, with no difference between groups.
Late Ottoman Damascus: Investments in Public Space and the Emergence of Popular Sovereignty

In the half century from 1860 to the First World War, the city of Damascus was transformed physically and conceptually from an Ottoman provincial center defined by its Islamic heritage to an arena ...
A cover-based competitive location model

In this paper we propose a new approach to estimating market share captured by competing facilities. The approach is based on cover location models. Each competing facility has a ‘sphere of influence’ determined by its attractiveness level. More attractive facilities have a larger radius of the sphere of influence. The buying power of a customer within the sphere of influence of several facilities is equally divided among the competing facilities. The buying power of a customer within the sphere of influence of no facility is lost. Assuming the presence of competition in the area, the objective is to add a number of new facilities to a chain of existing facilities in such a way that the increase of market share captured by the chain is maximized. The model is formulated and analysed. Optimal and heuristic solution algorithms are designed. Computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Why expert performance is special and cannot be extrapolated from studies of performance in the general population: A response to criticisms.

Abstract Many misunderstandings about the expert-performance approach can be attributed to its unique methodology and theoretical concepts. This approach was established with case studies of the acquisition of expert memory with detailed experimental analysis of the mediating mechanisms. In contrast the traditional individual difference approach starts with the assumption of underlying general latent factors of cognitive ability and personality that correlate with performance across levels of acquired skill. My review rejects the assumption that data on large samples of beginners can be extrapolated to samples of elite and expert performers. Once we can agree on the criteria for reproducible objective expert performance and acceptable methodologies for collecting valid data. I believe that scientists will recognize the need for expert-performance approach to the study of expert performance, especially at the very highest levels of achievement.
Microbial biomass and activity in canopy organic matter and the forest floor of a tropical cloud forest

Abstract In some tropical forests, organic matter derived from epiphytic plants accumulates as mats on tree branches. Microbial characteristics relating to the cycling of C and N were studied in this canopy organic matter (COM) and in the forest floor of a tropical montane forest in Costa Rica. COM was found to have high microbiat activity which was. in general, similar to the forest floor H (FF-H) horizon. The concentration of microbial biomass C was 2650, 2670 and 1950 μg g−1 soil in COM, FF-H and FF-Al, respectively. Biomass N, laboratory CO2 evolution and laboratory N mineralization were also higher or similar for COM relative to the forest floor. In contrast to the H and Al horizons of the forest floor, nitrification was not detectable or only very low in COM during laboratory and field incubations. The potential for denitrification, as evidenced by the decline in added NO−1 relative to NH+4 during laboratory incubation, was higher in the forest floor than in the canopy. Microbial respiration and biomass in COM and the forest floor responded more to C (as glucose) than N (as NH4NO1) amendments. Microbial immobilization of added N appeared to be higher in the forest floor than in COM, although the microbial population in all materials readily immobilized inorganic N in the presence of glucose. The total pool of COM in this forest is estimated to be between 1000 and 2000 kg ha−1. From this, a preliminary estimate of 0.7 kg ha− of N immobilized in microbial tissue can be calculated. Because of their high biomass and activity, microorganisms in the canopy could be important in regulating N availability in this forest.
Perspective projection camera model for zoom lenses

To effectively use automated zoom lenses for machine vision we need camera models that are valid over continuous ranges of lens settings. While camera calibration has been the subject of much research in machine vision and photogrammetry, for the most part the resulting models and calibration techniques have been for cameras with fixed parameter lenses where the lens' imaging process is static. For cameras with automated lenses the image formation process is a dynamic function of the lens control parameters. The complex nature of the relationships between the control parameters and the imaging process plus the need to calibrate them over a continuum of lens settings makes both the modeling and the calibration of cameras with automated zoom lenses fundamentally more difficult than that of cameras with fixed parameter lenses. In this paper we illustrate some of the problems involved with the modeling and calibration of cameras with variable parameter lenses. We then show how an iterative, empirical approach to modeling and calibration can produce a dynamic camera model of perspective projection that holds calibration across a continuous range of zoom.
The presence of two species of DNA in some halobacteria.

DNA isolated from Halobacterium salinarium , an organism which requires 25% NaCl for growth, shows two bands in a CsCl density gradient at positions corresponding to 58% and 67% GC content. The lower density band contains about 20% of the total DNA. Both bands are native DNA, and do not arise from any simple form of mixed culture or obvious parasite. Episomes or prophage cannot be ruled out. Another salt bacterium, H. cutirubrum , also shows two components in its DNA at densities similar to those of H. salinarium but the second component represents less of the total and shows only as a shoulder on the main peak. DNA preparations from four other species of bacteria capable of growth in media of relatively high salt content exhibited single bands in CsCl, at densities corresponding to 55% to 64% GC content.
Thermomechanical Glass Transition of Extruded Cereal Melts

Abstract Cereal melts were produced via extrusion cooking using a twin-screw extruder at in-barrel moisture contents ranging from 25 to 42% (wb). Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was performed to determine the plasticizing effect of water on the glass transition (Tg) for melts obtained from degermed corn meal, oat flour, pregelatinized corn starch and pregelatinized waxy maize. For degermed corn meal, Tgwas found to decrease with increasing water contents up to about 30% (wb). Above 30% moisture content, Tgwas found to be essentially constant and approximately equal to 270K. Thus, Wg′ was estimated to be 30% moisture content. For samples of moisture content less than Wg′, loss tangent vs. temperature plots in the glass transition region were observed to be broader and of smaller amplitude than those above Wg. Glass transitions ranged from 270 to 321K for sample moisture contents ranging from 36·3 to 22·2% (wb), respectively. For an oat flour, Tgvalues ranging from 270 to 303K were observed for moisture contents of 39·2 to 26·1% (wb), respectively. Melts formed from pregelatinized corn starch and pregelatinized waxy maize had glass transitions similar to corn meal at a similar moisture content of 27%. The significance of these results, in terms of extrusion cooking of cereals, is discussed in this work.
Pit Bull Panic

A partir de leur experience dans un asile pour animaux du New Jersey (Etats-Unis), les AA. examinent la representation negative des pit-bulls dans les medias. Ils proposent une theorie sur l'origine de cette representation. Ils discutent ensuite les resultats d'une etude portant essentiellement sur trois points : la perception des pit-bulls par les gens ; les attitudes envers la legislation qui restreint la possession des pit-bulls ; les variables qui affectent ces perceptions et attitudes. Ils presentent de nombreux elements qui discreditent la demonisation des pit-bulls par les medias, mettant en evidence un bias mediatique sur ce sujet. Ils proposent egalement une theorie innovante du bias mediatique qui n'est pas basee sur l'orientation politique des journalistes. Par ailleurs, ils examinent si les medias des actualites influencent effectivement les attitudes des personnes qu'ils sont censes informer. Dans l'ensemble, la perception des pitt-bulls par le public semble plus mesuree que l'etat de panique au pitt-bull que diffuse la presse ne pourrait le laisser penser.
Repair of a Cicatricial Epicanthal Fold by a Double Z‐Plasty (Spaeth)

A postoperative cicatricial epicanthal fold was repaired by the double Z-plasty technique of Spaeth. The operative procedure is reviewed by text, photographs, and a diagram.
Methods for analysing county‐level mortality rates

The identification of counties burdened by exceptionally high rates of mortality is a fundamental step in the development of state-based intervention and prevention strategies. However, the estimation of rates from small geographic areas presents special problems, especially for rare events. This paper compares the use of crude and age-standardized rates to the use of Poisson regression models and empirical Bayes models for analysing county-level mortality rates. The results demonstrate both practical and heuristic advantages of the empirical Bayes models. Age-standardized rates adjust for differences in age structure among counties but are vulnerable to extreme variability in county age-specific rates. In our example — an analysis of diabetes mortality rates — Poisson regression did not improve the variability of estimated county-level rates. Adjusted empirical Bayes estimates dramatically shrink the observed rates while preserving some separation of the counties with extreme rates. Also, empirical Bayes estimates of rates for counties with no observed deaths are shrunk close to the prior mean.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) reduces the rate of thrombosis in the rat tuck model for microvenous anastomosis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of clopidogrel on the rate of thrombosis in a rat model for venous microvascular failure.Study Design and SettingForty rats were treated with clopidogrel or saline control via gastric gavage in a randomized, blinded fashion. After allowing for absorption and activation, each femoral vein was isolated and a venous “tuck” procedure was performed. The bleeding time and vessel patency were subsequently evaluated.ResultsThe rate of vessel thrombosis was decreased in the clopidogrel-treated group compared to controls (7.9% vs 31.4%, P < 0.025). The bleeding time was longer in the clopidogrel-treated group compared to controls (250 ± 100 seconds vs 173 ± 59 seconds, P < 0.015).ConclusionClopidogrel decreased the rate of thrombosis in the rat model for venous microvascular failure.SignificanceThe use of clopidogrel may reduce the rate of venous thrombosis after free tissue transfer and may be indicated in select patients.
Hydralazine therapy in severe chronic heart failure: Inability of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction measurement to predict the hemodynamic response

Simultaneous hemodynamic and radionuclide angiographic assessment was made at rest and during exercise in nine patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure to determine the value of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction measurement in predicting the hemodynamic response to short-term treatment with oral hydralazine. Hydralazine, 50 to 100 mg orally every 6 hours, produced significant increases in cardiac index and stroke volume index at rest and during exercise (p It is concluded that: 1) hydralazine exerts beneficial effects on cardiac index, stroke volume index, left ventricular stroke work index and systemic vascular resistance both at rest and during exercise; 2) hydralazine therapy is associated with improvement in the radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction both at rest and during exercise; but 3) the radionuclide ejection fraction response to hydralazine does not correlate with and cannot be used to predict the hemodynamic response to hydralazine in patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure.
A spinar model of Cygnus A.

It is proposed that a gravitationally bound supermassive object is located in the 'core' of each of the Cyg A radio clouds and that these objects are responsible for the prolonged ejection of magnetic plasma which produces the synchrotron radio emission. The objects are considered to be analogous to the massive rotators, or spinars, which have been used to model the central radio and optical activity of quasars. The formation of Cyg A is described in terms of the breakup of such an object in the central optical galaxy, and the physical properties of both the compact and the giant clouds are discussed, including the effects of intergalactic drag. It is shown that the spinars are capable of effectively replenishing the extended radio clouds with relativistic electrons, even if they are embedded within the compact clouds. The spinars are modeled quantitatively, and their possible detection is considered. The requirements of the proposed model are compared with those of several other models for bright double radio galaxies.
CORTICOSTEROIDOGENIC EFFECT OF LONG‐ACTING BETA1–24CORTICOTROPHIN (CIBA 42.915 BA)

Synthetic beta1–24 corticotrophin, synthesized by Kappeler and Schwyzer, has been modified by the manufacturers by adsorbing it onto zinc phosphate. The adrenal cortex action of this preparation has been evaluated in eight non-endocrine patients. A prolonged corticosteroidogenic effect is found as reflected by the increase of plasma corticosteroids (cortisol + corticosterone) and urinary 17-ketogenic steroids. One mg of the modified beta1–24 corticotrophin (Ciba 42.915 Ba) injected i.m. maintained significantly elevated plasma corticosteroids for at least 36 hours.
Continuous glucose monitoring technology for personal use: an educational program that educates and supports the patient.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of an educational program for the initiation of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology for per...
A Fast High Quality Stochastic Digital Signal Generator Based on Chebyshev Map

Chaos theory has been widely used in stochastic signal generator in recent years and the chaos sequence quantification algorithm has great influence on the performance of a generator. In this paper, an improved stochastic multi-bits quantification algorithm based on Chebyshev map was proposed to extend the period and improve the performance of generated sequence under precision restricted condition. The balance and correlation property of the generated sequence were analyzed. The sequence was proved to be a binary Bernoulli stochastic sequence and the distribution of the differences between the amounts of 0 and 1 was analyzed. The side lobes of auto and cross correlation were proved to obey normal distribution (0, 1/N). The simulation results indicate that the algorithm has excellent balance and correlation property.
Antisense Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) Oligodeoxyribonucleotide Delivered During Organ Preservation Inhibits Posttransplant ICAM-1 Expression and Reduces Primary Lung Isograft Failure

Abstract —Transiently increased expression of leukocyte adhesion receptors after lung preservation contributes to early graft demise by recruiting leukocytes, activating complement, and causing microcirculatory stasis. We hypothesized that inhibiting intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression even briefly may significantly improve lung graft function and that the preservation period might provide a unique window to deliver a therapeutic pulse of antisense oligonucleotide ICAM-1 to inhibit ICAM-1 expression after transplantation. Interleukin-1β–treated rat pulmonary endothelial cells given a 20-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide comprising an antisense span targeted to the 3′-untranslated region of rat ICAM-1 demonstrated an oligonucleotide dose–dependent reduction in ICAM-1 expression. Using a cationic liposomal carrier, this same antisense oligonucleotide (but not the sense control) instilled into the pulmonary vasculature at the time of preservation reduced subsequent graft ICAM-1 expression and graft leukostasis and markedly improved oxygenation, pulmonary blood flow, and graft survival. These experiments demonstrate that the preservation period presents a window during which to target an anti–ICAM-1 expression strategy to inhibit early adhesion receptor expression and improve functional outcome after lung transplantation.
Cardiotoxicity and late onset seizures with citalopram overdose

A 31-year-old man ingested 400 mg of citalopram (Celexa) after an argument with his parents and girlfriend 13 h before presentation. Paramedics witnessed the patient having a generalized clonic seizure. The electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed a wide QRS complex, prolongation of the QTc interval, and left bundle branch pattern. He was treated with sodium bicarbonate with resolution of these changes. The patient was continued on a sodium bicarbonate infusion and demonstrated no further EKG abnormalities. Sodium bicarbonate should be considered as a treatment modality in patients with EKG abnormalities of prolongation of QRS or QTc interval after citalopram overdose.
A 13C-NMR study of bicycloconjugation among benzannulated 9-heterobicyclo[4.2.1]Nona-2,4,7-trienes

Abstract The question of heterobicycloconjugation among certain newly prepared symmetrically benzannulated 9-heterobicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2.4.7-trienes ( 3 ) was examined by 13C-NMR with results entirely supportive of the simple theoretical operatives developed earlier.
Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Migraine and Tension-Type Headache: How to Choose and When to Use

There are a variety of nonpharmacologic treatments for headache. Educating patients about headache and its management, identifying and managing triggers (via diaries), modifying lifestyles, and understanding the importance of adopting and adhering to interventions (either pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic) are relevant to all persons with headache. In addition, specific nonpharmacologic treatments can be used either alone or in conjunction with ongoing pharmacologic intervention. Strong candidates for nonpharmacologic treatment include individuals with significant headache-related disability, comorbid mood or anxiety disorders, difficulty managing stress or other triggers, medication overuse, and patients who prefer a specific treatment. Behavioral treatments (relaxation, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioral therapy) possess the most evidence for successful headache management. They have a long history of randomized trials showing efficacy and are considered first-line preventive options. Among complementary and alternative treatments, recent positive findings from randomized trials using acupuncture provide evidence of its potential as a first-line intervention. Other complementary and alternative techniques do not have a consistent base of research to recommend them for headache prevention, but they may be used if the patient prefers this approach or when other first-line interventions (nonpharmacologic or pharmacologic) have not provided adequate results. Among “natural” treatments, both butterbur extract and vitamin B2 have shown efficacy in more than one randomized trial and are thus potentially useful first-line preventive interventions.
Management of patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma.

ABSTRACT Objective To define a rational, cost-effective, simple approach to managing most patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who are at low-risk of either cause-specific mortality or tumor recurrence. Methods Taking advantage of the collective experience of a cohort of 2512 patients with PTC who had initial definitive treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, between 1940 and 2000, a 5-step approach to the management of low-risk PTC has been devised. This program is based on appropriate preoperative ultrasound localization of neck disease and potentially curative surgery consisting of near-total or total thyroidectomy, with appropriate neck nodal exploration and resection. Results The emphasis of the present program is on the extent of initial surgery, where optimal care is ascribed to a near-total thyroidectomy with curative intent and appropriate neck nodal resection as predicated by appropriate preoperative ultrasonography evaluation of regional lymph nodes. Radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) is not applicable to patients with PTC who are defined on the day of definitive initial surgery to be at low risk as defined by a metastasis, age, completeness of resection, invasion, and size (MACIS) score of less than 6. Conclusion The outlook for patients with low-risk PTC is very optimistic, with rates at 30 postoperative years of only 1% for cause-specific mortality and less than 15% for tumor recurrence at any site. The long-term results obtained by potentially curative bilateral resection, appropriate regional lymph nodal excision, and selective use of RRA are excellent. Realistically improving these acceptably low rates for cause-specific mortality and tumor recurrence may be difficult. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:521-533)
Comparison of soil carbon dioxide flux measurements by static and portable chambers in various management practices

Portable chamber provides simple, rapid, and inexpensive measurement of soil CO2 flux but its effectiveness and precision compared with the static chamber in various soil and management practices is little known. Soil CO2 flux measured by a portable chamber using infrared analyzer was compared with a static chamber using gas chromatograph in various management practices from May to October 2008 in loam soil (Luvisols) in eastern Montana and in sandy loam soil (Kastanozems) in western North Dakota, USA. Management practices include combinations of tillage, cropping sequence, and N fertilization in loam and irrigation, tillage, crop rotation, and N fertilization in sandy loam. It was hypothesized that the portable chamber would measure CO2 flux similar to that measured by the static chamber, regardless of soil types and management practices. In both soils, CO2 flux peaked during the summer following substantial precipitation and/or irrigation (>15 mm), regardless of treatments and measurement methods. The flux varied with measurement dates more in the portable than in the static chamber. In loam, CO2 flux was 14–87% greater in the portable than in the static chamber from July to mid-August but 15–68% greater in the static than in the portable chamber from late August to October in all management practices. In sandy loam, CO2 flux was 10–229% greater in the portable than in the static chamber at all measurement dates in all treatments. Average CO2 flux across treatments and measurement dates was 9% lower in loam but 84% greater in sandy loam in the portable than in the static chamber. The CO2 fluxes in the portable and static chambers were linearly to exponentially related (R2 = 0.68–0.70, P ≤ 0.01, n = 40–56). Although the trends of CO2 fluxes with treatments and measurement dates were similar in both methods, the flux varied with the methods in various soil types. Measurement of soil CO2 flux by the portable chamber agreed more closely with the static chamber within 0–10 kg C ha−1 d−1 in loam soil under dryland than in sandy loam soil under irrigated and non-irrigated cropping systems.