cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial of probiotics for Clostridium difficile infection in adults (PICO)

Background Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections, responsible for >450000 infections annually in the USA. Probiotics provide a promising, well-tolerated adjunct therapy to standard C. difficile infection (CDI) treatment regimens, but there is a paucity of data regarding their effectiveness for the treatment of an initial CDI. Objectives We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of 33 participants from February 2013 to February 2015 to determine the feasibility and health outcomes of adjunct probiotic use in patients with an initial mild to moderate CDI. Methods The intervention was a 28 day, once-daily course of a four-strain oral probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 and B. lactis Bl-04. The control placebo was identical in taste and appearance. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov: trial registration number = NCT01680874. Results Probiotic adjunct therapy was associated with a significant improvement in diarrhoea outcomes. The primary duration of diarrhoea outcome (0.0 versus 1.0 days; P = 0.039) and two exploratory outcomes, total diarrhoea days (3.5 versus 12.0 days; P = 0.005) and rate of diarrhoea (0.1 versus 0.3 days of diarrhoea/stool diary days submitted; P = 0.009), all decreased in participants with probiotic use compared with placebo. There was no significant difference in the rate of CDI recurrence or functional improvement over time between treatment groups. Conclusions Probiotics are a promising adjunct therapy for treatment of an initial CDI and should be further explored in a larger randomized controlled trial.
Presence of obesity is associated with lower mortality in elderly patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Presence of obesity is associated with lower mortality in elderly patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Gene duplications drive the evolution of complex traits and regulation

Gene duplications have been shown to promote evolvability in biology and in computational systems. We use digital evolution to explore why; that is, what characteristics of gene duplications increa...
Relationships That Matter

Relationships are the reason these low-income students made it to an elite college. Their parents encouraged them, or seeing how their parents lived motivated them to want to attend college. At school they had teachers who took an interest in them. Even if their teachers did not know how to get them into an elite college, the encouragement proved instrumental in getting them to think about going to college. Ironically, these same relationships, and relationships with siblings and peers, change once students attend an elite college. There are unforeseen rewards and consequences to these changes in personal connections. This chapter highlights how low-income students feel grateful to but separate from the very people who inspired them to attend college.
A mathematical model of recurrent spreading depolarizations

A detailed biophysical model for a neuron/astrocyte network is developed in order to explore mechanisms responsible for the initiation and propagation of recurrent cortical spreading depolarizations. The model incorporates biophysical processes not considered in the earlier models. This includes a model for the Na+-glutamate transporter, which allows for a detailed description of reverse glutamate uptake. In particular, we consider the specific roles of elevated extracellular glutamate and K+ in the initiation, propagation and recurrence of spreading depolarizations.
Elevating the biogeosciences within environmental research networks

Abstract. Collaborations between biologists and geologists are key to understanding and projecting how landscapes function and change over time. Such collaborations are stimulated by on-going scientific developments, advances in instrumentation and technology, and the growing recognition that environmental problems necessitate interdisciplinary investigation. Here, we show how the biogeosciences are well placed to answer more completely the core questions that motivate the world's invaluable environmental research networks: specifically, the venerable Long Term Ecological Research networks (LTERs), the newer surveillance facilities of the Earth Observatory Networks (EONs including the USA's NEON), and the geosciences' interdisciplinary network of Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs). Because LTER and EON programs have been supported largely by ecological and biological communities and CZOs largely by the geological community, we assert that a concerted biogeoscience approach across these invaluable networks can benefit both their scientific productivity and usefulness to the wider public.
Incommensurability In Mathematics

In this paper, as part of an argument for the of revolutions in mathematics, I argue that there in incommensurability in Mathematics. After Devising A Framework Sensitive To Meaning Change And To Changes In The Extension Of Mathematical Predicates, I Consider Two Case Studies That Illustrate Different Ways In Which Incommensurability Emerge In Mathematical Practice. The Most Detailed Case Involves Nonstandard Analysis, And The Existence Of Different Notions Of The Continuum. But I Also Examine How Incommensurability Found Its Way Into Set Theory. I Conclude By Examining Some Consequences That Incommensurability Has To Mathematical Practice.
Nirenberg, Marshall Warren

This article recides the very short time period during which Dr. Marshal Nirenberg broke the genetic code. He achieved this by innovative in vitro biochemical assays. The first defined the nucleic acid content of the codon. The second precisely defined the content and sequence of four nucleic acid bases to define the code for 20 amino acids and four punctuation (start and stop) in a matrix of 64 codons. This genetic code was found to be the universal code of life.
BACTERIA AND MICROBIAL DISTRIBUTION IN ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS

Acridine orange direct counts (AODC) are a useful tool for assessing bacterial numbers in fine-grained marsh and estuarine sediments. The number of bacteria in marshes ranges from 1–20 × 10 9 cells/cm 3 in surface sediments and decreases to 1–3 × 10 9 cells/cm 3 at a depth of 20 cm. Most cells are associated with sediment particles and there is a strong correlation of bacterial number with sediment organic carbon content. The average cell volume of sediment bacteria is about 0.2 μm 3 (range 2.0 μm 3 ). Estimated bacterial biomass in the upper 20 cm of marsh sediments is in the range of 10–20 g carbon/m 2 . Total microbial biomass as estimated from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurement is in the range of 13–32 g carbon/m 2 to a depth of 20 cm. Benthic algal biomass (estimated from chlorophyll a) is extremely variable in marsh sediments, but constitutes the major microbial biomass component in surface sediments (0–1 cm). Fungi, protozoans, and meiofauna are also important in surface sediments. Microbial biomass and diversity decrease with depth and, below the surface few centimeters, bacteria comprise the dominant proportion of the total microbial community.
F0 cues for the discourse functions of "hã" in hindi.

Affirmative particles are often employed in conversational speech to convey more than their literal semantic meaning. The discourse information conveyed by such particles can have consequences in both Speech Understanding and Speech Production for a Spoken Dialogue System. This paper analyses the different discourse functions of the affirmative particle ha (“yes”) in Hindi and in explores the role of fundamental frequency (f0) as a cue to disambiguating these functions.
English Listeners' Perception of Polish Alveopalatal and Retroflex Voiceless Sibilants: A Pilot Study

Abstact: This paper describes results from a series of brief pilot experiments exploring the perception of Polish alveopalatal and retroflex voiceless sibilants by native speakers of English. The goal of these experiments was to examine the suitability of a two-dimensional stimulus set for use in a series of training experiments. The stimulus set, consisting of CV syllables varying from alveopalatal to retroflex in two dimensions, fricative noise and vocalic cues, was created by modifying naturally produced tokens. Generally, English listeners were sensitive to distinctions in the stimuli on limited basis. Specifically, and unlike a native speaker of Polish, English listeners rely solely on vocalic dimension to categorize the stimuli and ignore fricative variation. However, with brief training, attention to that dimension was possible, with minor improvement.
When Did Lawyers for Children Stop Reading Goldstein, Freud and Solnit? Lessons from the Twentieth Century on Best Interests and the Role of the Child Advocate

Between 1973 and 1986, Joseph Goldstein, Anna Freud, and Albert Solnit published three influential but controversial books on the best interests of the child that had an enormous impact on state decisions to intervene in family life and direct the placement of children. During the same period, children in child welfare proceedings were increasingly represented by lawyers or guardians ad litem whose advocacy included understanding and interpreting the meaning of best interests. This article begins by tracing a conversation of sorts that occurs between the authors and other scholars and practitioners as their ideas begin to influence decision-making in child protective and custody proceedings. It then turns to the central issue of how the books provide important lessons to child advocates about the indeterminacy of a best interest standard, the centrality of family integrity, and the need for all professionals working with children to define their decision-making roles clearly but narrowly. The article concludes that if these books had been written today, Goldstein, Freud and Solnit would embrace a child-directed role for lawyers as the sole practice paradigm which fully engages the child advocate in the right practices they proscribe: distinguishing between personal values and professional knowledge; remaining true to their assigned role as counsel within strict legal boundaries; and resisting taking on the roles of other professionals in the case. These right practices, in turn, limit the indeterminacy of the best interest standard by limiting the freedom of the lawyer to decide what is best.
Propofol Anesthesia Precludes LFP-Based Functional Mapping of Pallidum during DBS Implantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS There are reports that microelectrode recording (MER) can be performed under certain anesthetized conditions for functional confirmation of the optimal deep brain stimulation (DBS) target. However, it is generally accepted that anesthesia affects MER. Due to a potential role of local field potentials (LFPs) in DBS functional mapping, we characterized the effect of propofol on globus pallidus interna (GPi) and externa (GPe) LFPs in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. METHODS We collected LFPs in 12 awake and anesthetized PD patients undergoing DBS implantation. Spectral power of β (13-35 Hz) and high-frequency oscillations (HFOs: 200-300 Hz) was compared across the pallidum. RESULTS Propofol suppressed GPi power by > 20 Hz while increasing power at lower frequencies. A similar power shift was observed in GPe; however, power in the high β range (20-35 Hz) increased with propofol. Before anesthesia both β and HFO activity were significantly greater at the GPi (χ2 = 20.63 and χ2 = 48.81, p < 0.0001). However, during anesthesia, we found no significant difference across the pallidum (χ2 = 0.47, p = 0.79, and χ2 = 4.11, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION GPi and GPe are distinguishable using LFP spectral profiles in the awake condition. Propofol obliterates this spectral differentiation. Therefore, LFP spectra cannot be relied upon in the propofol-anesthetized state for functional mapping during DBS implantation.
Modular and Processable Fluoropolymers Prepared viaa Safe, Mild, Iodo–Ene Polymerization

Fluoropolymers have infiltrated society as coatings and insulators. However, low processability, few opportunities for polymer functionalization, and explosive monomers hampering academic investigation of these materials have precluded the extension of the unique properties of perfluorocarbons to the cutting edge of material science. Here, we present semifluorinated iodo–ene polymers as a scaffold to overcome fluoropolymer limitations. A sodium dithionate initiated polymerization of perfluorodiiodides and dienes allows for high-molecular-weight polymers (>100 kDa) to be prepared in the presence of oxygen and water with up to 59 wt % fluorine content. These conditions are sufficiently mild to enable the polymerization of functional dienes, leading to biodegradable fluoropolymers. The iodo–ene polymerization results in the addition of polarizable iodine atoms, which improve polymer processability; yet, these atoms can be removed after processing for enhanced stability. Displacement of the iodine atoms with ...
A comprehensive protocol for multiplatform metabolomics analysis in patient-derived skin fibroblasts.

Patient-derived skin fibroblasts offer a unique translational model to study molecular mechanisms of multiple human diseases. Metabolomics profiling allows to track changes in a broad range of metabolites and interconnected metabolic pathways that could inform on molecular mechanisms involved in disease development and progression, and on the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Therefore, it is important to establish standardized protocols for metabolomics analysis in human skin fibroblasts for rigorous and reliable metabolic assessment. We aimed to develop an optimized protocol for concurrent measure of the concentration of amino acids, acylcarnitines, and components of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in human skin fibroblasts using gas (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). The suitability of four different methods of cell harvesting on the recovery of amino acids, acylcarnitines, and TCA cycle metabolites was established using GC/MS and LC/MS analytical platforms. For each method, metabolite stability was determined after 48 h, 2 weeks and 1 month of storage at − 80 °C. Harvesting cells in 80% methanol solution allowed the best recovery and preservation of metabolites. Storage of samples in 80% methanol up to 1 month at − 80 °C did not significantly impact metabolite concentrations. We developed a robust workflow for metabolomics analysis in human skin fibroblasts suitable for a high-throughput multiplatform analysis. This method allows a direct side-by-side comparison of metabolic changes in samples collected at different time that could be used for studies in large patient cohorts.
Pilot Randomized Trial of a Recovery Navigator Program for Survivors of Critical Illness With Problematic Alcohol Use.

Many survivors of critical illness have problematic alcohol use, associated with risk of death and hospital readmission. We tested the feasibility, acceptability, treatment fidelity, and potential efficacy of a customized alcohol intervention for patients in ICUs. The intervention was delivered by a Recovery Navigator using principles of motivational interviewing and shared decision-making. Design Pilot randomized trial. Setting Two urban ICUs in Denver, CO. Patients Patients with problematic alcohol use were enrolled prior to hospital discharge. Interventions Patients were randomly assigned to usual care, single-session motivational interviewing and shared decision-making, or multisession motivational interviewing and shared decision-making. Measurements and Main Results We assessed feasibility via enrollment and attrition, acceptability via patient satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8), fidelity via observation and questionnaires, and potential efficacy via group means and CIs on measures of alcohol use, psychiatric symptoms, cognition, and other alcohol-related problems. Over 18 months, we offered the study to 111 patients, enrolled 47, and randomized 36; refusals were mainly due to stigma or patients' desire to handle problems on their own. Groups were similar at baseline, and 67% of patients met criteria for alcohol use disorder. Average patient satisfaction was high (mean = 28/32) regardless of group assignment. Sessions were delivered with 98% adherence to motivational interviewing principles and excellent motivational interviewing spirit; patients perceived the intervention to be more autonomy supportive than usual care. Group means after 6 months suggested that patients receiving the intervention might improve on measures such as alcohol use, psychiatric symptoms, legal problems, and days of paid work; however, they did not receive more substance use treatment. All results were nonsignificant due to small sample size. Conclusions A Recovery Navigator intervention was feasible and acceptable for delivering high-fidelity brief interventions to ICU patients. Changes in alcohol-related problems with motivational interviewing and shared decision-making were nonsignificant but clinically meaningful in size. A full-scale randomized trial of motivational interviewing and shared decision-making is warranted.
Myopia in Reportability of Ethical Concerns in Healthcare Ethics Consultation

In their novel qualitative study of patients’ and family members’ ethical concerns relating to the experience of clinical care, Hae Lin Cho et al. (2020) expose a largely unacknowledged narrowness ...
Adolescent and Parent Knowledge, Attitude, and Habits Regarding E-Cigarette

Background: 27.5% of American high school students had tried e-cigarettes in the last 30 days in 2019, an increase from 1.5% in 2011. Originally marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes and a cigarette cessation aid, recent literature has uncovered adverse outcomes including e-cigarette associated lung injury and increase in cigarette initiation following e-cigarette use in adolescents. Although many adolescents are using e-cigarettes, the majority are unaware of the high nicotine content, addictive quality, or long-term health effects. …
A Review of the Year in Family Law: Increased Mobility Creates Conflicts

This article provides a brief review of pertinent cases in family law between September 2001 and September 2002. Whether families were impacted directly by the tragedy of September 11th, the nation as a whole suffered a psychic trauma. The tragic events reaffirmed the importance of family and family ties. This year's cases reveal continuing struggles over who can marry, who can adopt, and who can challenge paternity. Same-sex couples seek to legitimate their relationships with each other and with children through adoption and marriage laws. As families become more diverse and more mobile, custody disputes arise between same-sex partners, grandparents, stepparents, and others who have stood in loco parentis. Chart 1: Alimony/Spousal Support Factors Chart 2: Custody Criteria Chart 3: Child Support Guidelines Chart 4: Grounds for Divorce and Residency Requirements Chart 5: Property Division Chart 6: Third-Party Visitation Chart 7: Appointment Laws in Adoption, Guardianship, Unmarried Parent and Divorce Cases.
Inferior Gluteal Vessels

The inferior gluteal vessels are commonly used in reconstructive microsurgery as donor vessels of various flaps for reconstruction of lumbosacral, gluteal, and perineal defects and in breast reconstruction for the congenital or acquired absent breast. The majority of lumbosacral, gluteal, and perineal defects requiring soft tissue coverage are readily managed with regional muscle, myocutaneous, or fasciocutaneous flaps. Despite various options, microsurgical flaps are required in a number of patients with defects of the pelvis. This chapter highlights the important anatomical considerations, surgical dissection, and applications of the inferior gluteal vessels as recipient vessels for microsurgical reconstruction of defects in the gluteal, lumbosacral, and perineal areas.
Simple complete Boolean algebras

IfV=L, and κ is an uncountable regular non weakly compact cardinal, then there exists a simple complete Boolean algebra of cardinality κ.
Establishment of a Clinically Relevant Ex Vivo Mock Cataract Surgery Model for Investigating Epithelial Wound Repair in a Native Microenvironment.

The major impediment to understanding how an epithelial tissue executes wound repair is the limited availability of models in which it is possible to follow and manipulate the wound response ex vivo in an environment that closely mimics that of epithelial tissue injury in vivo. This issue was addressed by creating a clinically relevant epithelial ex vivo injury-repair model based on cataract surgery. In this culture model, the response of the lens epithelium to wounding can be followed live in the cells’ native microenvironment, and the molecular mediators of wound repair easily manipulated during the repair process. To prepare the cultures, lenses are removed from the eye and a small incision is made in the anterior of the lens from which the inner mass of lens fiber cells is removed. This procedure creates a circular wound on the posterior lens capsule, the thick basement membrane that surrounds the lens. This wound area where the fiber cells were attached is located just adjacent to a continuous monolayer of lens epithelial cells that remains linked to the lens capsule during the surgical procedure. The wounded epithelium, the cell type from which fiber cells are derived during development, responds to the injury of fiber cell removal by moving collectively across the wound area, led by a population of vimentin-rich repair cells whose mesenchymal progenitors are endogenous to the lens1. These properties are typical of a normal epithelial wound healing response. In this model, as in vivo, wound repair is dependent on signals supplied by the endogenous environment that is uniquely maintained in this ex vivo culture system, providing an ideal opportunity for discovery of the mechanisms that regulate repair of an epithelium following wounding.
Ammonia Excretion Rates of Oceanic Copepods and Implications for Estimates of Primary Production in the Sargasso Sea

AbstractAmmonia excretion rates of oceanic copepods were measured on three cruises to the Sargasso Sea in August-September 1980, August-September 1981, and March-April 1982. Twenty experiments were conducted using ten species representing genera abundant in the tropical/subtropical Northwest Atlantic: Calanus, Clausocalanus, Undinula, Microsetella, Macrosetella, Oncaea, Farranula, Candada, and Pleuromamma. Remineralization rates of separate species were calculated by linear regression of time series (6–12 h) of net NH4 release, after correction for uptake in control bottles. Changes in chlorophyll a in the total and <10 μm size fractions indicated that these excretion rates are representative of feeding animals. Excretion rates were significantly related to body dry weight, with small copepods releasing more NH4 for their size than large species. The small harpacticoid and cyclopoid copepods excreted NH4 at rates equivalent to their entire body nitrogen every three days. The size frequency distribution of...
Methylprednisolone treatment in acute myocardial infarction. Effect on regional and global myocardial function.

Abstract The effects of methylprednisolone treatment on acute myocardial ischemia were studied in nine closed chest dogs. After 1 hour of proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, an intravenous bolus injection (50 mg/kg body weight) of methylprednisolone was administered and its effects studied during an additional 2 hours of occlusion. After 2 hours of treatment the following significant mean alterations from levels after 1 hour of occlusion were noted: an increase of 16.7 percent in heart rate and decreases of 23 percent in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, 32 percent in stroke volume, 14 percent in cardiac output and 37 percent in stroke work. Peak systolic pressure, maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt), left ventricular end-diastolic volume, systemic vascular resistance and coronary sinus blood flow changed less than 10 percent. Ejection fraction and regional cardiac wall motion were not improved. Metabolic dysfunction of the coronary-occluded myocardium, revealed by regional lactate as well as potassium derangements, persisted throughout the 2 hour treatment period. Comparison of these results with equivalent data from an untreated series of nine dogs with 3 hours of occlusion demonstrated no improvement in the treated series. Methylprednisolone failed to restore regional cardiac metabolic and mechanical function, and treatment was associated with a further rise in S-T segment elevations. Administration of methylprednisolone after 1 hour of proximal left anterior descending coronary occlusion apparently does not reverse cardiac dysfunction in the first 2 hours of treatment.
Pitfalls and Sources of Error of Color Duplex Sonography in Screening for Renovascular Hypertension

Background and Aims: To discuss sources of error and pitfalls of color duplex sonography (CDUS) in screening for renovascular hypertension (RVH). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with positive CDUS in patients with suspected RVH from May 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009. Manifestations of RVH on CDUS were analyzed. The results of main renal artery stenosis on CDUS were confirmed with that of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS in screening for RVH were identified. RVH was classified into three groups: 1) main renal artery stenosis (RAS); 2) intrarenal artery stenosis; and 3) intrarenal arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Results: Two cases of false positive and two cases of false negative main RAS on CDUS were corrected by MRA or DSA. Three cases with intrarenal artery stenosis and four cases with intrarenal AVF were not visualized at the initial CDUS but detected on repeat studies. Peak systolic velocity > 2 m/s at the stenotic artery was the most sensitive parameter for detecting RAS in either main renal artery or intrarenal artery. Acceleration time > 0.07 m/s in the intrarenal artery was seen in only 10 cases (10 /20, 50%) with hemodynamically significant main RAS (>60% arterial lumen reduction). Conclusions: Some pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS can be corrected and minimized with proper scanning and interpretation. Intrarenal RAS and AVF should be investigated with optimized Doppler settings. CDUS, with its advantages outweighing its limitations, should be considered a first line study in screening for RVH by experienced ultrasound professionals.
Towards mutation analysis of Android apps

Android applications (apps) have the highest number of releases, purchases, and downloads among mobile apps. However, quality is a known problem, and hence there is significant research interest in better methods for testing Android apps. We identify three reasons to extend mutation testing to Android apps. First, current testing approaches for Android apps use simple coverage criteria such as statement coverage; extending mutation coverage to Android apps promises more sophisticated testing. Second, testing researchers inventing other test methods for Android apps need to evaluate the quality of their test selection strategies, which mutation excels at. Finally, some approaches to test generation for Android apps, specifically combinatorial testing approaches, generate very large numbers of tests. This is particularly problematic because running Android tests is slow. For these reasons, this paper proposes an innovative mutation analysis approach specific for Android apps. We define mutation operators specific to the characteristics of Android apps, such as the extensive use of XML files to specify behavior. We have implemented a prototype tool for generating, installing, and executing mutants on Android systems. We report preliminary results that show that mutation testing is feasible for Android apps, and we identify challenges that need to be addressed for mutation analysis to be effective.
Exploring the Limits of Specific Personal Jurisdiction

During the nearly two decades since the Supreme Court recognized a bifurcated doctrine of personal jurisdiction, it has made little progress in defining the characteristics that distinguish general and specific jurisdiction. One of the issues that has repeatedly evaded the Court’s attention is the scope of specific jurisdiction. While we know that the scope of general jurisdiction extends to any suit brought against a defendant, and specific jurisdiction is limited to “suits” that arise out of the defendant’s contacts with the forum, the precise contours of specific jurisdiction remain unclear. In recognition of this theoretical deficiency, this article examines a particular category of cases - those involving jurisdictionally insufficient counts that arise out of the same factual event as jurisdictionally sufficient counts brought against the same defendant - to illuminate the theoretical question surrounding the scope of specific jurisdiction.The article concludes that in most instances there will be no constitutional or statutory impediment to the federal court’s exercise of pendent personal jurisdiction regarding jurisdictionally insufficient counts that arise out of the same constitutional case as a jurisdictionally sufficient anchor count, whether the basis for jurisdiction over the anchor count is a nationwide service of process statute or a state long-arm statute. Finding constitutional support for the exercise of pendent personal jurisdiction pursuant to the Due Process Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, the article suggests that there is no constitutional limitation that would require federal or state courts to define specific jurisdiction narrowly according to particular legal theories supporting recovery. Rather, the Due Process Clauses in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments support a broad interpretation of specific jurisdiction that would allow a federal or state court to adjudicate the entire constitutional case brought against a defendant.
Continuous blood glucose monitoring: a review and preview

Physicians inappropriately think of blood glucose as a stable value because technology reduces a continuously varying parameter into a point-in-time measurement. Continuous blood glucose monitoring (CBGM) will force us to change this bad habit. Data management principles are suggested which will be necessary for conceptualizing the new data. The physiology of normal blood glucose fluctuations will be studied for the first time, and the diagnosis of diabetes will be duly defined. Most importantly, closed loop insulin delivery systems will be capable of correcting abnormal glucose metabolism in diabetes. Thus, the development of CBGM will change our concepts of physiology, disease and therapy.
Electronic Structure of Titanium

Augmented-plane-wave (APW) calculations of the electronic structure of titanium have been carried out. The resulting Fermi surface is compared to that predicted by the model of Altmann and Bradley based on cellular calculations and the APW model of Loucks for zirconium.
LAND DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH IN WEST MALAYSIA

ABSTRACT Programs of land development may adversely affect health when human ecology is not adequately included in economic planning. Studying the interaction of a population with the hazards of particular environments offers a way to assess the potential for disease and to identify critical groups and conditions for further research or preventive interference. Health conditions on the land schemes of the Federal Land Development Authority in Malaysia generally have improved as a result of environmental alterations, but there is a wide range of conditions associated with age of settlement and accessibility. Infectious, nutritional, and psychosocial hazards are most characteristic of new and remote settlement schemes. Diseases maintained by individual behavior and hazards such as vehicular accidents characterize developed and accessible schemes.
Action Can Affect Auditory Perception

According to common-coding theory (Hommel, Miisseler, Aschersleben, & Prinz, 2001), actions are coded in terms of their perceptual effects. The related theory of internal models (e.g., Wolpert & Kawato, 1998) assumes that forward models automatically generate predictions of the sensory consequences of actions and compare them with the actual sensory input. Both theories predict not only effects of perception on action, but also effects of action on perception. Influences of action on visual perception have indeed been found (Hamilton, Wolpert, & Frith, 2004; Miall et al., 2006; Schubo, Aschersleben, & Prinz, 2001; Wiihr & Miisseler, 2001). For example, Wohlschlager (2000) required participants to turn a knob or to press keys in a left-to-right (L-R) or right-to-left (R-L) order while observing perceptually bistable rotating visual displays. The direction of the manual action significantly biased the perceived direction of rotation: It made participants see the display differently. Can action also influence auditory perception? We used tone pairs (derived from research on the tritone paradox; see Deutsch, Kuyper, & Fisher, 1987) that were perceptually bistable with regard to the direction of the pitch change between the two tones. Skilled pianists were required to play these tone pairs by depressing keys on a keyboard and to judge whether the pitch went up or down. We predicted that they would hear the pitch more often as rising with an L-R key-press order than with an R-L key-press order.
Highly oriented mesostructured thin films: shear-induced deposition of optically anisotropic coatings of tungsten oxide/surfactant composites

A new method has been demonstrated to synthesize highly oriented mesostructured coatings of tungsten oxide/surfactant composites on amorphous substrates by a shear-flow-induced deposition mechanism. The applied flow field provides convective transport of film precursors and orients the domains of the mesostructure, resulting in its macroscopic alignment. Two-dimensional X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy suggest a hexagonal-close-packed channel structure with periodicity along the c-axis generated by a sequence of tungsten oxide polyanions. The mesostructure has been indexed with a hexagonal unit cell with lattice constants a = b = 46.45 A, c = 12.93 A, α = β = 90°, and γ = 120°. The channels have no preferred rotational orientation about the c-axis and are oriented in the direction of the applied flow field with an order parameter of 0.95. The high degree of orientation renders the films optically anisotropic and results in preferential scattering of lig...
Phase II study of topotecan and paclitaxel for recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical carcinoma

Abstract Objective . This trial investigated the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel and topotecan combination chemotherapy for patients with advanced cervical cancer (ACC). Methods . Patients with recurrent, persistent, or metastatic ACC and an ECOG performance status ≤2 were treated with 175 mg/m 2 paclitaxel on Day 1 and 1 mg/m 2 topotecan on Days 1–5 of a 21-day cycle with G-CSF support and the standard pretreatment regimen for paclitaxel. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results . Fifteen patients were enrolled, and 86 cycles of therapy (median, 5; range, 1–14) were administered. Grade 3/4 toxicities included anemia (47%), leukopenia (27%), neurotoxicity (13%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and diarrhea (13%). Among 13 evaluable patients, 7 (54%) responded (1 complete and 6 partial; 95% confidence interval=29.2%, 76.8%). Three (23%) patients experienced stable disease. Progression-free and overall survival were 3.77 and 8.62 months, respectively. Conclusion . The combination of paclitaxel/topotecan was generally well tolerated and active in the relapsed, recurrent, or metastatic ACC setting, with response rates comparable with those of other current ACC systemic therapies.
Extended Wear Silicone Contact Lenses in Children with Cataracts

Abstract Thirty-two patients, ranging in age from three weeks to 22 years, were fitted with an extended wear 100% silicone lens. The longest period of time a lens remained in the eye without being removed was 120 days. Most lenses were worn an average of six weeks before cleaning was required. No cases of infection or corneal edema were observed that required discontinuing use of the lens.
Flux-periodic resistance oscillations in arrays of superconducting weak links based on InAs-AlSb quantum wells with Nb electrodes.

InAs-AlSb quantum wells contacted with periodic gratings of superconducting Nb electrodes show Josephson-junction characteristics at low temperatures. When a nonzero resistance is reestablished by a weak magnetic field, the resistance shows a strong component periodic in the magnetic field. At fields above \ensuremath{\sim}300 \ensuremath{\mu}T, the oscillation period corresponds to one flux quantum per grating cell; but in wide arrays (\ensuremath{\gtrsim}40 \ensuremath{\mu}m), a frequency doubling takes place at low fields, indicating the formation of a staggered vortex superlattice at twice the lithographic period.
A Case for the Vertical Studio

ISSUE: The “Vertical Studio” system challenges traditional, sequenced design studio organization by allowing students of various developmental and skill levels to interact and compete with one another in a topical, thesis-based studio. While the concept of a vertical studio is not unique to the RISD, this institution's experiences can serve to illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of this institutional system. APPLICATION: Many younger students are as skilled and insightful as their senior counterparts and bring to the studio an enthusiasm and fresh outlook that can be very stimulating and challenging to upperclassmen. RISD experience suggests that the combination of several peer groups in one studio, combined with the elective “choice” of studio, produces much higher student performance and a broader range of experiences than is possible in a traditional structure. GOAL: Self-motivation, independent thinking, and accelerated performance are primary developmental goals for the students. With the freedom to choose areas of study, faculty feel more creative, independent, and professionally connected to their teaching. DESCRIPTION: Several key components underpin the success of the vertical studio system at RISD. First is the belief that design education is not a linear process, but rather is experiential in nature. Second, a foundation level of training that clearly provides students with a mutually comprehensive core of values, skills, and techniques and nurtures motivation and independent thinking must be part of the system. Third, faculty must be willing to deal with students of varying levels of technical confidence in a single studio, and last, a sufficient number of meaningful studio choices that are both broad in topic and flexible in structure must be made available. CONCLUSION: Any system that allows free choice does so at the expense of rigorous control. The vertical studio provides considerable freedom of choice, but with this freedom come some distinct limitations and new responsibilities for both faculty and student.
One of Our Own: Black Female Candidates and The Voters Who Support Them

While the number of African-American elected officials has increased over the last four decades, Blacks remain underrepresented at all levels of government. Even more striking is the relatively small number of Black women who achieve electoral success in the contemporary political arena. For instance, Black women make up less than 3 percent of U.S. Representatives and there are no Black women in the U.S. Senate (CAWP 2005). Why are there so few Black female elected officials? Does race or gender help or hinder the electoral prospects for Black female candidates? These questions remain largely unanswered. While scholars have examined race (Reeves 1997; Sigelman et al. 1995; Terkildsen 1993; Citrin et al. 1990) and gender (Sanbonmatsu 2002; Sapiro and Conover 1997; Zipp and Plutzer 1985; Kahn 1996) as moderating variables that determine a candidate’s electoral success, few have examined the intersection of the two.
Design of layered ridge dielectric waveguide for millimeter and sub-millimeter wave circuits

Design rules for Layered Ridge Dielectric Waveguide (LRDW) are presented for the first time through simple figures and closed form equations. The Effective Dielectric Constant (EDC) method is used to develop the design rules that account for typical circuit specifications such as higher order mode suppression, dispersion, attenuation, and coupling between adjacent transmission lines. Comparisons between the design of LRDW, image guide, and millimeter-wave dielectric ridge guide are made.
Development of an Undergraduate Curriculum in Mechatronics Systems Engineering

This paper will share my experience with readers in developing and implementing a new mechatronics curriculum stem in an existing mechanical engineering program at the undergraduate level. Also included are the strategies in initiating, developing and implementing this curriculum stem.
Critical currents in sputtered PbMo6S8

Critical currents in sputtered Chevrel‐phase lead molybdenum sulphide have been measured at several temperatures as a function of applied magnetic field up to 19 T. We find a critical current density of ∼5×107 A/m2 at 15 T and 1.8 K, and the effective upper critical field was estimated to be 30 T. The pinning force at low fields was found to be dependent on the amount of free lead.
Hibiscus sabdariffa: An ideal yet under-exploited candidate for nutraceutical applications

Abstract The quest for wholesome nutraceutical sources is all-time high as acute and chronic ailments threaten human health. In this regard, a Malvaceae family member Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) holds plentiful potential. This plant with worldwide distribution is a powerhouse of phytochemicals viz. polyphenolics, especially anthocyanins. The nutritional abundance imparts it antioxidant, hypocholesterolaemic, antiobesity, hypotensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, renoprotective, diuretic and anti-urolithiatic properties. Though this plant has a long history of use across cultures, the recent scientific validations have augmented its status as a nutrition resource. Food industries have started incorporating their calyces into various products. In the near future, the elaboration of more fortified foods is expected. This review is expected to be contributory in its popularization by kindling consumer as well as research interest.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of wheel-shaped [Mn12] and [Fe6] complexes.

The reactions of the ligands N-methyldiethanol amine and N-ethyldiethanol amine (abbreviated H2mdea and H2edea, respectively) with [Mn12O12(O2CCH3)16(H2O)4] yield novel dodecanuclear wheel-shaped products. The capability of the ligands H2mdea and H2edea to support wheel structures in metals other than Mn is demonstrated with the crystal structure of a new hexanuclear ferric wheel.
Depression and heart failure in patients with a new myocardial infarction.

Background Heart failure (HF) is a disabling chronic illness that is increasing in prevalence. Despite advances in its medical treatment, little is known about its psychosocial correlates. This investigation compared the prevalence of depression in patients with and without HF who were hospitalized with myocardial infarction (MI) and also at high psychosocial risk. Methods Baseline data from the 2444 participants in the ENRICHD clinical trial were used. Within 28 days of the MI, all patients were assessed for depression using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria, for HF based upon left ventricular dysfunction or history of HF and for demographic and medical confounders. Results Eight hundred forty-seven patients (34.7%) met the criteria for HF. Major depression was observed in 43% in the HF group compared with 36% in the non-HF group ( P Conclusions These findings suggest that in patients with new MI who are at psychosocial risk, major depression is more prevalent in those who also have HF. Because major depression undermines adherence and lowers quality of life, special efforts to diagnose and treat it in post-MI patients with HF appear warranted.
Theory of the Motion of Electrons Between Co-axial Cylinders Taking into Account the Variation of Mass with Velocity.

Theory of the Motion of Electrons between Coaxial Cylinders, the Electric Field being Radial, the Magnetic Longitudinal.---If in Hull's coaxial cylinder method of measuring $\frac{e}{m}$, large potential differences are used, it is necessary to take account of the variation of mass with velocity. Putting the expressions for transverse and longitudinal mass into the equations of motion and integrating we get: $\frac{{e}_{0}}{{m}_{0}}=\frac{8{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}{c}^{2}{R}^{2}V}{({N}^{2}\ensuremath{-}4{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}{R}^{2}{V}^{2})}$, which depends only on the larger radius $R$, the total magnetic flux $N$, and the total potential drop $V$, and is not affected by space charge. Because the longitudinal mass is involved, this equation provides a method of experimentally verifying the theoretical expression for longitudinal mass.
SV2, a brain synaptic vesicle protein homologous to bacterial transporters

Synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) is a membrane glycoprotein specifically localized to secretory vesicles in neurons and endocrine cells. As a first step toward understanding the function of SV2 in neural secretion, a rat brain complementary DNA (cDNA) that encodes SV2 was isolated and characterized. Analyses of this cDNA predict that SV2 contains 12 transmembrane domains. The NH2-terminal half of the protein shows significant amino acid sequence identity to a family of bacterial proteins that transport sugars, citrate, and drugs. Expression of the SV2 cDNA in COS cells yielded a high level of SV2-like immunoreactivity distributed in a reticular and punctate pattern, which suggests localization to intracellular membranes. Its localization to vesicles, predicted membrane topology, and sequence identity to known transporters suggest that SV2 is a synaptic vesicle-specific transporter.
Intracellular calcium transients in human working myocardium as detected with aequorin.

The calcium transients associated with contraction in human working myocardium were recorded by use of the bioluminescent protein, aequorin, a substance that emits light when it combines with calcium ion (Ca++). Small amounts of aequorin were microinjected into superficial cells of human atrial and ventricular muscle obtained from tissue routinely excised and discarded at the time of cardiac surgery. Light output, an index of intracellular Ca++, and isometric tension development were recorded at 37.5°C at 1 to 5 second intervals of stimulation. Light increases much more quickly than tension and decreases toward basal levels by the time that peak tension is reached. The configuration and time course of the aequorin signal in human myocardium and its responses to inotropic interventions are similar to those recorded in lower mammalian species. The calcium transient appears to be dominated by the release and uptake of Ca++from intracellular stores under all conditions studied. These results indicate that aequorin is a useful tool for studying the effects of drugs and disease states on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in human beings as well as in lower animals.