cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dexmedetomidine controls junctional ectopic tachycardia during Tetralogy of Fallot repair in an infant

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 -adrenergic agonist approved for short-term sedation and monitored anesthesia care in adults. Although not approved for use in the pediatric population, an increasing number of reports describe its use in pediatric patients during the intraoperative period and in the intensive care unit. Dexmedetomidine can potentially have an adverse impact on the cardiovascular system secondary to its negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects. However, it is these cardiac effects that are currently being explored as a therapeutic option for the treatment of perioperative tachyarrhythmias in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We report the use of dexmedetomidine to treat junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET), which developed following cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot in a 6-week-old infant. Within 15 min of increasing the dexmedetomidine infusion from 0.5 to 3 μg/kg/h, JET converted to normal sinus rhythm. This case report provides additional anecdotal evidence that dexmedetomidine may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of perioperative tachyarrhythmias in pediatric patients with CHD. The specific effects of dexmedetomidine on the cardiac conduction system are reviewed followed by a summary of previous reports describing its use as a therapeutic agent to treat perioperative arrhythmias.
Radiosurgery for cerebellar arteriovenous malformations: does infratentorial location affect outcome?

Objective The cerebellum is an uncommon location for arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with unique angioarchitecture compared to the cerebrum. We evaluate the outcomes of radiosurgery in a cohort of cerebellar AVMs and assess the effect of infratentorial location by comparing them to a matched cohort of supratentorial AVMs. Methods From a prospective AVM radiosurgery database of 1400 patients, we identified 60 cerebellar AVM patients with at least 2 years of radiologic follow-up or obliteration. The median volume and prescription dose were 2.3 mL and 22 Gy, respectively. The median radiologic follow-up was 39 months. The cerebellar AVM patients were matched (3:1) to a cohort of supratentorial, lobar AVM patients based on AVM size and patient age. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with obliteration and favorable outcome. Results Cerebellar and supratentorial AVMs were similar in baseline characteristics except for an increased incidence of ruptured lesions in the cerebellar AVM cohort ( P P = .019), no preradiosurgery embolization ( P P = .034) were independent predictors of obliteration. The annual risk of postradiosurgery hemorrhage in cerebellar AVMs was 1.3%. The rates of symptomatic and permanent radiation-induced changes were 7% and 3%, respectively. Compared with the matched supratentorial AVM cohort, there was no difference in the rates of obliteration, postradiosurgery hemorrhage, or symptomatic radiation-induced changes. Conclusions Radiosurgery is an effective treatment modality for cerebellar AVMs with relatively limited adverse events. Infratentorial location did not affect radiosurgery outcomes.
The role of masculine gender role stress in expressivity and social support network factors.

This study examined the relationship of masculine gender roles stress (MGRS) to nonverbal and verbal expressivity in positive and negative emotional dyadic role-play situations. The relationship between masculine gender role stress and emotion-focused social support was also explored. Male subjects were differentiated by their appraisals of gender-related situations as stressful; they were rated on nonverbal facial expression and global verbal expressivity in positive and negative emotional situations. It was demonstrated that (a) all subjects were less nonverbally and verbally expressive in situations requiring positive emotional expression than in situations requiring negative emotional expression; (b) high MGRS subjects were less nonverbally expressive than low MGRS participants in both types of situations; (c) however, the high MGRS subjects were less verbally expressive than the lows only under emotionally positive conditions; and (d) while high MGRS subjects did not have smaller social support networks than the lows, they reported less satisfaction with their social support systems. Results were discussed in terms of gender roles and stress-buffering implications.
Learning Electricity with NIELS: Thinking with Electrons and Thinking in Levels

Electricity is regarded as one of the most challenging topics for students of all ages. Several researchers have suggested that naive misconceptions about electricity stem from a deep incommensurability (Slotta and Chi 2006; Chi 2005) or incompatibility (Chi et al. 1994) between naive and expert knowledge structures. In this paper we argue that adopting an emergent levels-based perspective as proposed by Wilensky and Resnick (1999), allows us to reconceive commonly noted misconceptions in electricity as behavioral evidences of “slippage between levels,” i.e., these misconceptions appear when otherwise productive knowledge elements are sometimes activated inappropriately due to certain macro-level phenomenological cues only. We then introduce NIELS (NetLogo Investigations In Electromagnetism), a curriculum of emergent multi-agent-based computational models. NIELS models represent phenomena such as electric current and resistance as emergent from simple, body-syntonic interactions between electrons and other charges in a circuit. We discuss results from a pilot implementation of NIELS in an undergraduate physics course, that highlight the ability of an emergent levels-based approach to provide students with a deep, expert-like understanding of the relevant phenomena by bootstrapping, rather than discarding their existing repertoire of intuitive knowledge.
Chemical-Mechanical Polishing of Polymer Films: Comparison of Benzocyclobutene(BCB) and Parylene-N Films by XPS and AFM

The quality of benzocyclobutene (BCB) and Parylene-N (PA-N) films after chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is influenced by 3 factors: slurry composition, quality of the as-deposited film or post-deposition treated film, and polishing time. The quality of the films has been investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is shown that the higher the quality of the as-deposited film (or post-deposition treated film), the higher the quality of the polished film. The polishing time has little effect on the surface characteristics of high quality PA-N films, however it has an effect on BCB film. This is attributed to the structure and thermal-stability and higher chemical resistance of PA-N. The RMS surface roughness measured by AFM, for as-deposited PA-N is 90A. The roughness after CMP processes is greater than 200A. The roughness for as-spin-coated and polished BCB film is 5A, and 20A, respectively. The morphology of the PA-N film, either as-deposited or polished, is not as good as the BCB film. A slurry which is good for BCB polishing is not good for PA-N polishing, and vice versa. These results indicate that the nature of the polymer film, including its chemical structure as well as the quality of the as-deposited/post-deposition treated film, plays an important role in polymer CMP.
Reaction rates of natural orpiment oxidation at 25 to 40°C and pH 6.8 to 8.2 and comparison with amorphous As2S3 oxidation

Abstract The oxidation rate of natural orpiment from Carlin-type deposits was measured at 25 to 40°C in a mixed flow reactor as a function of pH (6.8 to 8.2) and dissolved oxygen concentration (6.4 to 17.4 ppm) with a starting ionic strength of 0.01 M NaCl. All experiments ran for approximately 30 h, where steady-state conditions were reached after 20 h at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. The stoichiometric ratio of As/S was observed once steady state was reached. The rate law of orpiment oxidation is as follows: R=10 −11.77(±0.36) [ DO] 0.36(±0.09) [H + ] −0.47(±0.05) , where R signifies the rate of orpiment destruction (mol m−2 s−1), [DO] is the concentration of dissolved oxygen (M), and [H+] is the concentration of proton (M). The activation energy for the orpiment oxidation by dissolved oxygen at a temperature range of 25 to 40°C is 59.1 kJ/mol. Oxidation reactions of orpiment show incomplete oxidation of arsenic and sulfide in solution. At a pH range of 6.8 to 8.2, As(III) exists as H3AsO3 and As(V) is present as HAsO42− and H2AsO4−. Sulfite, sulfate, and thiosulfate are present as small fractions of total sulfur. The possible major sulfur species are intermediate oxidation state species. The oxidation rate of natural orpiment oxidation is slightly lower by a factor of 0.002 to 0.560 than that of As2S3(am) at the considered pH 7 to 10 and DO concentrations of 1 to 10 ppm. The dependence factors on pH for natural orpiment oxidation are lower by a factor of 0.37 compared with As2S3(am). However, the calculated activation energy is much larger for natural orpiment than As2S3(am) by a factor of 3.5. As(III) and As(V) are the major products for both As2S3(am) and natural orpiment oxidation along with intermediate sulfur species. The rate of orpiment oxidation increases with pH and results in an increase in the release of As. In mining-impacted environments with alkaline waters, as may be found in carbonate-hosted ore deposits, the natural attenuation of As oxyanions by sorption to oxide/hydroxide mineral surfaces is minimized because of a negative surface charge at a higher pH range. Thus, As concentrations may increase in mining-impacted waters at higher pH values (>8).
Salmon, Songs, and Blankets: Creativity on the Northwest Coast

The First Nations groups in British Columbia (and nearby Native American groups in Alaska) recognized the ownership of songs and dances, and transferred them as items of value; they did so in a social system rather than a legal one.
Nearly flag-transitive affine planes

Spreads of orthogonal vector spaces are used to construct many translation planes of even order qm, for odd m > 1, having a collineation with a (qm – 1)-cycle on the line at infinity and on each of two affine lines.
Chromosomes walk the line.

During cell division, replicated DNA condenses into chromosomes that conspicuously align at the equator of the microtubule-based spindle. This alignment is important for accurate chromosome segregation to daughter cells and startling new data show that chromosomes cooperate with one another to achieve this alignment.
Transverse sinus dural fistula: Combined surgical and endovascular approach: A case report

BACKGROUND The treatment of a large dural sinus fistula can be very difficult and complicated. The very extensive and complex nature of these malformations may require a combination therapy in the form of surgery and multistaged embolization. The transverse sinus fistula in our patient was fed by multiple large high-flow feeders and was draining retrograde into the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and the cortical veins. The SSS did not fill in the late venous phase of the carotid angiogram, suggesting increased venous pressure. METHODS A case of transverse sinus dural fistula is described that was managed by a combination of surgery and embolization. The complex nature of this malformation encouraged us to adopt a combination of multistaged embolization and surgery for the management and clinical control. The patient underwent embolization of multiple feeders from the branches of the external carotid artery. After this procedure, the patient underwent endovascular occlusion of the transverse sinus via the SSS. Throughout the endovascular treatment, the patient had concomitant intracranial pressure monitoring and SSS pressure monitoring, along with transcranial cerebral oximetry (TCCO). Despite this aggressive endovascular intervention, the fistula could not be completely closed. The patient then underwent surgical excision of the transverse sinus along with duraplasty and cranioplasty. RESULTS The patient had a good recovery and posttreatment angiogram revealed normal antegrade flow in the SSS with no evidence of the fistula. The combined surgical and endovascular techniques are described and their use in clinical practice is discussed. CONCLUSIONS The complexity of certain large dural sinus fistulae should not be underestimated. They may require a prolonged multistaged treatment for their total obliteration. Also, despite the large size and complexity of the disease, complete cure can be achieved.
A method for studying the properties of intracellular and liberated xanthine oxidase.

Abstract A radioisotopic method is described which permits quantitation of the catalytic activities and kinetic properties of intracellular and extracellular xanthine oxidases. No intracellular activator or inhibitor of xanthine oxidase is present. Differences exist in the energies of activation for the intracellular and liberated spleen xanthine oxidases. Passive diffusion of xanthine into the intact cell is not rate-limiting.
On the relationship between pairwise fluctuations and thermodynamic derivatives

General expressions are derived for the pairwise fluctuations of thermodynamic properties in multicomponent systems, in terms of thermodynamic derivatives. The expressions are valid for an open system close to thermodynamic equilibrium in contact with an energy and mass reservoir. The system is defined by an arbitrary extensive constraint. Fluctuations involving the entropy S, the volume V, and the number of molecules Ni of each component, as well as their conjugate variables, are expressed as second‐order derivatives of the energy U and Legendre‐transformed functions. Fluctuations involving U itself are obtained in the entropy representation of the fundamental equation.
Procoagulant Activity of Human Mononuclear Leukocytes: Dissociation of the Effect of Mitogens on Procoagulant Activity and Mitogen-Stimulated Lymphocyte Proliferation

Procoagulant Activity of Human Mononuclear Leukocytes: Dissociation of the Effect of Mitogens on Procoagulant Activity and Mitogen-Stimulated Lymphocyte Proliferation
Reliable and secure teleprotection schemes - direct implementation in main protection

The paper discusses a new technique which permits end to end channel schemes to be configured, without the need to purchase costly discrete carrier equipment. The relays connect directly to MODEM or multiplexed links, via an EIA RS232 interface on the rear of each relay in the scheme. The new feature allows high performance permissive and blocking unit protection to be configured. Intertripping is supported too, with channel health monitoring and cyclic redundancy checks (CRC) on the received data for maximum message security.
Induction of the nuclear factor HIF-1α in acetaminophen toxicity: Evidence for oxidative stress

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) controls the transcription of genes involved in angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, glycolysis, and cell survival. HIF-1alpha levels are a critical determinant of HIF activity. The induction of HIF-1alpha was examined in the livers of mice treated with a toxic dose of APAP (300 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h. HIF-1alpha was induced at 1-12 h and induction occurred prior to the onset of toxicity. Pre-treatment of mice with N-acetylcysteine (1200 mg/kg i.p.) prevented toxicity and HIF-1alpha induction. In further studies, hepatocyte suspensions were incubated with APAP (1 mM) in the presence of an oxygen atmosphere. HIF-1alpha was induced at 1 h, prior to the onset of toxicity. Inclusion of cyclosporine A (10 microM), an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition, oxidative stress, and toxicity, prevented the induction of HIF-1alpha. Thus, HIF-1alpha is induced before APAP toxicity and can occur under non-hypoxic conditions. The data suggest a role for oxidative stress in the induction of HIF-1alpha in APAP toxicity.
Microbial and chemical factors influencing methane production in laboratory incubations of low-rank subsurface coals

Abstract Lignite and subbituminous coals were investigated for their ability to support microbial methane production in laboratory incubations. Results show that naturally-occurring microorganisms associated with the coals produced substantial quantities of methane, although the factors influencing this process were variable among different samples tested. Methanogenic microbes in two coals from the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA, produced 140.5–374.6 mL CH 4 /kg ((4.5–12.0 standard cubic feet (scf)/ton) in response to an amendment of H 2 /CO 2 . The addition of high concentrations (5–10 mM) of acetate did not support substantive methane production under the laboratory conditions. However, acetate accumulated in control incubations where methanogenesis was inhibited, indicating that acetate was produced and consumed during the course of methane production. Acetogenesis from H 2 /CO 2 was evident in these incubations and may serve as a competing metabolic mode influencing the cumulative amount of methane produced in coal. Two low-rank (lignite A) coals from Fort Yukon, Alaska, USA, demonstrated a comparable level of methane production (131.1–284.0 mL CH4/kg (4.2–9.1 scf/ton)) in the presence of an inorganic nutrient amendment, indicating that the source of energy and organic carbon was derived from the coal. The concentration of chloroform-extractable organic matter varied by almost three orders of magnitude among all the coals tested, and appeared to be related to methane production potential. These results indicate that substrate availability within the coal matrix and competition between different groups of microorganisms are two factors that may exert a profound influence on methanogenesis in subsurface coal beds.
Mature results from a randomized Phase II trial of cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil and radiotherapy with or without tirapazamine in patients with resectable Stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND The objective of this article was to report the results from a randomized trial that evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of adding tirapazamine (TPZ) to chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). METHODS Sixty-two patients with lymph node-positive, resectable, TNM Stage IV HNSCC were randomized to receive either 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy (TPZ, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]) followed by simultaneous chemoradiotherapy (TPZ, cisplatin, and 5-FU) or to receive the same regimen without TPZ. Patients who did not achieve a complete response at 50 Grays underwent surgical treatment. Stratification factors for randomization included tumor site, TNM stage, and median tumor oxygen tension. The primary endpoint was complete lymph node response. RESULTS The addition of TPZ resulted in increased hematologic toxicity. There was 1 treatment-related death from induction chemotherapy. The complete clinical and pathologic response rate in the lymph nodes was 90% and 74% for the standard treatment arm and the TPZ arm, respectively (P = .08) and 89% and 90% at the primary site in the respective treatment arms (P = .71). The 5-year overall survival rate was 59%, the cause-specific survival rate was 68%, the rate of freedom from recurrence was 69%, and the locoregional control rate was 77% for the entire group. There was no difference with regard to any of the outcome parameters between the 2 treatement arms. The significant long-term toxicity rate also was found to be similar between the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS The addition of TPZ increased hematologic toxicity but did not improve outcomes in patients with resectable, Stage IV HNSCC using the protocol administered this small randomized study. The combination of induction and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy resulted in excellent survival in these patients. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Let’s talk about sexting, baby: Computer-mediated sexual behaviors among young adults.

Abstract Although much media attention has been directed towards sexting (transmission of sexual material via phone or internet), little empirical work exists on the topic. Moreover, the few studies that do exist have been inconsistent in their definition of sexting and measures of sexting behavior, which makes comparisons between these studies difficult. In this study, we provide a granular, descriptive analysis of sexting behavior within a cohort of young adults, focusing on the content of sex messages, the medium used to transmit these messages, and the relationship context in which these transmissions occur. We found that sexting was fairly common across all types of romantic relationships (committed, casual sex, and cheating), text messaging was the primary medium used to send sex pictures and videos, and the prevalence, motivations, and risks associated with sexting varied by relationship context. Considering the complexity and diversity of sexting practices within this cohort, we suggest that those studying sexting and implementing initiatives with young adults use more detailed (rather than general) definitions and questions of sexting behavior, and that they delineate between these different types of content, transmission media, and relationship contexts.
Compliance With Ocular Therapy

Patient noncompliance with the physician's prescribed therapeutic regimen can present serious obstacles both to individual patient care and to the obtaining of information necessary for controlled drug trials. Unfortunately, the physician often is unable to determine whether and to what extent a patient is not complying with therapy. This article reviews the problem of patient noncompliance with particular emphasis on how and why noncompliance occurs, and methods of predicting, detecting and coping with the defaulting patient.
Concordance and discordance of drug responses in atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia.

Whether the results of some drug studies could be used to predict the results of other drug studies was examined during serial electrophysiologic drug testing in patients with sustained atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. The drugs studied were intravenous propranolol, 0.1 mg/kg; intravenous ouabain, 0.01 mg/kg; the combination of propranolol plus ouabain; intravenous procainamide, 0.75 to 1.5 g; oral quinidine, 1.2 to 2.4 g/day; and oral disopyramide, 0.8 to 1.6 g/day. Response was inability to induce sustained tachycardia after administration of a drug. Responses due to increased anterograde limb refractoriness. Six of 10 patients with response to propranolol plus ouabain versus 0 of 9 patients without response to this combination had response to propranolol alone (p Responses due to increased retrograde limb refractoriness. Eight of 9 patients with response to procainamide versus 2 of 17 patients without response to this drug had response to quinidine (p Anterograde limb versus retrograde limb. There was not a significant relation between response to propranolol plus ouabain and response to any class I drug. In conclusion, there are relations between drug responses during electrophysiologic studies in patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. Thus, it should be possible to simplify these studies.
Microwave spectrum, dipole moment, and internal barrier of 2-fluoropropene☆

Abstract A large number of rotational transitions from the ground vibrational state of 2-fluoropropene are reported. The dipole moment was calculated from Stark splittings to be 1.60 ± 0.02 debye. Many of the transitions occur as doublets because of tunnelling of the methyl group through the potential barrier to internal rotation. Assuming the barrier shape to be exactly represented by the first term in its Fourier expansion, V(α)= 1 2 V 3 (1−cos 3α) + 1 2 V 6 (1−cos 6α) + ⋯, the barrier height is calculated from the doublet splittings to be V3 = 2440 ± 16 cal/mole. Many rotational transitions originating from the first-excited torsional state are also reported. Analysis of excited state doublet splitting yields a V3 barrier height of 2432 ± 11 cal/mole. By comparing results for the two torsional states the V6 term is roughly estimated to be no greater than about 2% of V3.
Fluctuation-based technique for beamforming and auto detection

A technique is presented for generating a modified cross- spectral density matrix (CSDM) that is sensitive to fluctuations in the frequency bin amplitudes and phases of sinusoidal signals (plus noise) and noise. The beamformed output of such a fluctuation-based CSDM provides signal-to- noise ratio (SNR) gains in excess of those achieved using a conventional CSDM. The additional gains are inversely proportional to the beamformed ratio of the signal bin fluctuations to the noise bin fluctuations. An unalerted auto-detection capability is another advantage of this new technique.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transplantation of GABA-producing cells for seizure control in models of temporal lobe epilepsy

A high percentage of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are refractory to conventional pharmacotherapy. The progressive neurodegenerative processes associated with a lifetime of uncontrolled seizures mandate the development of alternative approaches to treat this disease. Transplantation of inhibitory cells has been suggested as a potential therapeutic strategy to achieve seizure suppression in humans with intractable TLE. Preclinical investigations over 20 years have demonstrated that multiple cell types from several sources can produce anticonvulsant, and antiepileptogenic, effects in animal models of TLE. Transplanting GABA-producing cells, in particular, has been shown to reduce seizures in several well-established models. This review addresses experimentation using different sources of transplantable GABAergic cells. highlighting progress with fetal tissue, neural cell lines, and stem cells. Regardless of the source of the GABAergic cells used in seizure studies, common challenges have emerged. Several variables influence the anticonvulsant potential of GABA-producing cells. For example, tissue availability, graft survival, immunogenicity, tumorigenicity, and varying levels of cell migration, differentiation, and integration into functional circuits and the microenvironment provided by sclerotic tissue all contribute to the efficacy of transplanted cells. The challenge of understanding how all of these variables work in concert, in a disease process that has no well-established etiology, suggests that there is still much basic research to be done before rational cell-based therapies can be developed for TLE.
Male pseudohermaphroditism – asymmetrical gonadal dysganesis

A child with ambiguous genitalia at birth was studied over 17 years. Both a penis with hypospadias and a vagina was shown to be present. Laparotomy at the age of one year showed an uterus - on the right side no gonad, but a hypoplastic fallopian tube could be seen - on the left side a gonad, shown to be infantile testis and a normal fallopian tube. The sex of rearing changed during time: girl/boy/girl. At the age of 14 hormonal study showed a very raised FSH and LH, in spite of the presence of a testis producing testosterone causing progressive virilisation. The left testis was removed, it showed Sertoli cells and a few germinative cells in the tubules and Leydig cell hyperplasia. A biopsy from the place of the ovary on the right side showed ovarian stroma, no primordial follicles. This sort of hermaphroditism with a dysgenetic testis and a “streak gonad” is called mixed gonadal dysgenesis or asymmetrical gonadal dysgenesis. Chromosome analysis showed a mosaic of 71% 46 XY and 29% 45 XO (blood) cells. Further analysis on the patient and the parents made a structurally abnormal Y-chromosome, a chimera and mosaicism due to simple non-disjunction improbable. It is concluded, that this case of asymmetrical gonadal dysgenesis must be due to anaphase lag. The course and the sex of rearing is discussed.
International Diversification for U.K. Investors: How Much is Enough?

Orthodox finance theory tells us that the market portfolio is efficient. In the absence of unique views, the investor does best to hold the market portfolio. In recent years, however, U.K. investors have seen their local market outperform a diversified world portfolio, with about the same degree of risk. This has been possible because the risk-reducing effects of diversification have been more than offset by the relatively low risk of the U.K. market itself. The author identifies and backtests an investment strategy that enables investors to outperform the world portfolio by systematically buying a considerably less-diversified portfolio. A minimum-variance portfolio - which effectively assumes that expected returns to all markets are equal - would have outperformed the world portfolio from the GBP perspective.
The Comparability of the WISC, WISC-R, and WPPSI.

Administered the WISC, WISC-R, and WPPSI in a counterbalanced design to 72 randomly selected elementary school children in order to determine their comparability by testing the equality of (a) means; (b) variances; (c) reliability coefficients; and (d) validity coefficients based on scaled scores and IQs. Results indicated that the verbal IQs were comparable, but the performance and full scale IQs were not. Among the subtests, only Comprehension, Arithmetic, Picture Completion, and Mazes satisfied all of the criteria of parallelism. Possible sources of apparent discrepancies were discussed because some subtests that judgmentally seemed comparable turned out to be not so, while some others that impressionistically were different from each other emerged as comparable subtests.
Electroinsertion of xeno proteins in red blood cell membranes yields a long lived protein carrier in circulation.

Abstract Electroinsertion, a novel method of implanting xeno-proteins in red blood cell plasma membranes is applied to the insertion of human glycophorin in mouse red blood cells. The procedures yield erythrocytes with approx. 10 4 glycophorin molecules per cell, displaying the patching phenomenon when reated with antiglycophorin monoclonal antibodies. Insertion of FITC-labeled glycophorin and subsequent quenching of FITC fluorescence with anti FITC antibody indicated that 70% of the inserted molecules were ‘correctly’ oriented, displaying the epitopes shown by glycophorin in human red blood cells. Moreover, insertion of FITC glycophorin in the red blood cell membranes yielded, under the fluorescence microscope continuous fluorescence which became patchy after reaction with anti-glycophorin monoclonal antibodies. When injected in mice, biotinylated RBC-Glyc + were shown to have the same life-span as normal mouse red blood cells, i.e. t 1/2 ≈ 12 days. Cytofluorometric assay of human glycophorin inserted in the red blood cell showed the same life-span for the inserted protein as for the red blood cell, with the protein fully ‘functional’, i.e. capable of binding antibodies. Human glycophorin inserted in mouse erythrocyte did not elicit any immune response in mice, whereas the same concentrations of free glycophorin injected i.v. were highly immunogenic.
Surface phonons in Cu/Ni superlattices

The modulation wavelength dependence of the surface‐wave velocity in Cu/Ni superlattices has been investigated using Brillouin scattering. It is the first compositionally modulated system to be studied by this technique and the first for which elastic properties have been determined by both ‘‘macroscopic’’ methods and Brillouin scattering. Contrary to the enhancements previously reported in the biaxial modulus and in the Young’s modulus, the modulus associated with the surface‐wave velocity shows no evidence of anomalous behavior.
Bladder Pheochromocytoma in a 10-Year-Old Girl

Pheochromocytoma of the bladder in children is a rare entity that usually presents with the triad of sustained hypertension, hematuria and post-micturitional syncope. The youngest previously reported patient was 11 years old.' We report on a 10-year-old girl with pheochromocytoma of the bladder. Not only does this case lower the age of inclusion but the clinical presentation highlights the need for a thorough history and high index of suspicion for accurate diagnosis. Pheochromocytomas in children are more often multicentric and extra-adrenal than they are in adults. Only about 2% of pheochromocytomas in children are malignant but most of these are extra-adrenal.2 CASE REPORT A 10-year-old white girl was referred for terminal hematuria 6 weeks in duration. The patient initially denied any significant health problems, although medical history included severe headaches often associated with voiding. hevious evaluation by a neurologist included cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which was normal. The headaches resolved spontaneously and had not recurred in more than 12 months. Physical examination, including heart rate and blood pressure, was normal. Urinalysis revealed red blood cells too numerous to count. Urine culture was negative. Bladder ultrasound showed an intravesical mass (fig. 1). At the time of transurethral biopsy the patient had blood pressure swings (up to 200 mm. Hg systolic) with manipulation of this 3 X 3 cm. vascular tumor located between the ureteral orifices on the trigone. The biopsy was nondiagnostic and showed only hemorrhagic material. Because of our suspicion of a neuroendocrine tumor, fractionated urinary catecholamines and vanillymandelic acid levels (VMA) were obtained. The 24-hour urine study revealed norepinephrine 559 pg. (normal 13 to 65), epinephrine 5.3 pg. (normal 0 to lo), dopamine 1,203 pg. (normal 60 to 460) and VMA 1,767 pg. (normal 20 to 550). Since the patient remained normotensive and a firm histological diagnosis had not been established, a second transurethral biopsy was done using general endotracheal anesthesia with phentolamine successfully to treat short periods of hypertension. This deeper biopsy revealed a vascular mass of questionable histology by routine microscopic examination. Electron microscopy revealed dense membrane bound granules (90 to 400 nm.) in the cytoplasm, and abundant mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.3 Computerized tomography and MRI revealed a calcified mass without obvious multicentricity, although there was concern about possible invasion into the anterior vaginal wall (fig. 2). A chest x-ray was normal. In preparation for removal of the pheochromocytoma the patient was treated with a 10-day course of a blockade and intravenous hydration in the hospital. She had no cardiac
Medienmanagement im Marketing-Mix

Der erste Teil des Buchs beschaftigt sich mit Medienmanagement als Aufgabe im Marketing-Mix eines Unternehmens. Auf Basis des Modells strategischer Unternehmenskommunikation werden zwei grose Handlungsfelder entwickelt – die Marktkommunikation und die Offentlichkeitsarbeit – und diesen Bereichen die vier Kommunikationsinstrumente Werbung , Direktansprache , Public Relations und Societal Relations zugeordnet. Basis des Einsatzes von Instrumenten ist die Festlegung von Zielen in operativer, taktischer und strategischer Ebene, weshalb ich die Erorterung mit einer Beschreibung des Strategiebegriffs beginne. Die vier Kommunikationsinstrumente werden dann im Einzelnen hinsichtlich ihres Leistungsbeitrags fur das Unternehmen und ihrer konkreten Anwendung in der Praxis beschrieben.
A flexible control architecture for extended autonomy of robotic assistants

A major challenge in deploying robots into the real world is the design of an architectural framework which can provide extended, natural and effective interactions with people. Within this framework, key issues that need to be solved relate to the robots’ ability to engage in interactions in a natural way, to deal with multiple users, and to be continually perceptive of their surroundings. In this paper we propose a robot control architecture that addresses these issues. Our architecture has three main key features. First, it enables the representation of complex, sequential and hierarchical robot tasks, typically needed for service applications, in a behavior-based framework. Second, it provides the robot with flexibility in dealing with multiple users, such as to accommodate multiple user requests and task interruptions, over extended periods. Third, through its visual detection mechanism, the architecture allows the robot to identify when people are requesting its interaction. We demonstrate our approach on a Pioneer 3DX mobile robot, performing service tasks in a real-world environment.
Rebel Interdependencies and Civil War Outcomes

The article investigates how rebel interdependencies shape civil war outcomes. The author argues that alliances between rebel groups will have serious repercussions on the management of conflict. By examining civil war outcomes between 1946 and 2008, the author shows that the presence of multiple groups, alliances among rebels, the cumulative capabilities of one’s allies as well as the credibility and the durability of alliances shape war outcomes. Rebels have the means to avoid government defeat and continue conflict when the number of rebel groups the government has to confront simultaneously is high or when these groups cooperate against their common enemy. Findings show that while termination by peace agreement is unlikely for allied rebels, specifically for those that have enduring relationships, rebels with access to high levels of ally capabilities along with those who have credible alliance ties are likely to be the victors of war.
Modulatory Effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on Cerebellar Nonsomatic Functions

Clinical and functional imaging studies suggest that the cerebellar vermis is involved in the regulation of a range of nonsomatic functions including cardiovascular control, thirst, feeding behavior, and primal emotions. Cerebello-hypothalamic circuits have been postulated to be a potential neuroanatomical substrate underlying this modulation. We tested this putative relationship between the cerebellar vermis and nonsomatic functions by stimulating the cerebellum noninvasively via neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. In this randomized, counter-balanced, within-subject study, intermittent theta burst stimulation (TBS) was applied on three different days to the vermis and the right and left cerebellar hemispheres of 12 right-handed normal subjects with the aim of modulating activity in the targeted cerebellar structure. TBS-associated changes were investigated via cardiovascular monitoring, a series of emotionally arousing picture stimuli, subjective analog scales for primal emotions, and the Profile of Mood States test. All 36 sessions of cerebellar stimulation were tolerated well without serious adverse events. Cardiovascular monitoring pointed to a mild but significant decrease in heart rate subsequent to vermal stimulation; no changes were detected in systolic or diastolic blood pressure measurements. Subjective ratings detected a significant increase in Thirst and a trend toward increased Appetite following vermal stimulation. These observations are consistent with existing neurophysiological and neuroimaging data indicating a role for the cerebellum in the regulation of visceral responses. In conjunction with the modulatory function of the cerebellum, our results suggest a role for the vermis in somatovisceral integration likely through cerebello-hypothalamic pathways. Further research is warranted to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the cerebellar modulation of nonsomatic functions.
An analysis of the in-plane acceleration sensitivity of contoured quartz resonators stiffened by identical top and bottom quartz cover plates supported by clips

Since it is impossible to construct a perfectly symmetric resonator plus support configuration in practice, a stiffened structure which significantly reduces the linear increase in acceleration sensitivity with fabrication error has been under investigation. The normal acceleration sensitivity of this configuration was treated and a sharp minimum in the linear increase in the normal acceleration sensitivity with fabrication error was found for a particular case. An analysis of the linear increase in the in-plane acceleration sensitivity for the stiffened configuration is performed. Results are presented which show the influence of differences in the properties of the mounting clips and a mispositioning of either a clip or the mode shape for a range of thickness of the cover plates relative to the active plate. >
Annotation: What do we know about sensory dysfunction in autism? A critical review of the empirical evidence

Background: Unusual responses to sensory stimuli are seen in many children with autism. Their presence was highlighted both in early accounts of autism and in more recent first-person descriptions. There is a widespread belief that sensory symptoms characterize autism and differentiate it from other disorders. This paper examines the empirical evidence for this assumption. Method: All controlled experimental laboratory investigations published since 1960 were identified through systematic searches using Medline/PubMed and PsycInfo search engines. A total of 48 empirical papers and 27 theoretical or conceptual papers were reviewed. Results: Sensory symptoms are more frequent and prominent in children with autism than in typically developing children, but there is not good evidence that these symptoms differentiate autism from other developmental disorders. Certain groups, including children with fragile X syndrome and those who are deaf-blind, appear to demonstrate higher rates of sensory symptoms than children with autism. In reviewing the evidence relevant to two theories of sensory dysfunction in autism, over- and under-arousal theory, we find that there is very little support for hyper-arousal and failure of habituation in autism. There is more evidence that children with autism, as a group, are hypo-responsive to sensory stimuli, but there are also multiple failures to replicate findings and studies that demonstrate lack of group differences. Conclusions: The use of different methods, the study of different sensory modalities, and the changing scientific standards across decades complicate interpretation of this body of work. We close with suggestions for future research in this area.
Breaking into the business: experiences of actors with disabilities in the entertainment industry

The pursuit of an acting career is a difficult one for anybody. However, studies have yet to factor how disability affects casting opportunities. This study describes the employment of actors with disabilities, along with the unique barriers they encounter in the audition and casting process. Actors with disabilities from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) were recruited to participate in focus groups and complete a questionnaire. The results indicate having a disability amplifies difficulties in gaining employment, particularly for females. Participants aged 40 years and over were more likely to work in a lead or supporting role compared to those under 40. Participants identified several barriers to employment in the entertainment industry including industry attitudes about working with actors with disabilities; being restricted to disability specific roles; and fears about requesting an accommodation. accommodations. While the majority (85%) of employers indicated their company was physically accessible, there were several other measures of accessibility that required further action. Areas in need of improved accessibility included developing recruiting methods and advertising specifically for people with disabilities; changing the format of job applications; changing the tests or evaluations used in hiring or promoting; changing the company website; and making recruiting/interviewing sites accessible (Dixon, Kruse & Van Horn, 2003). A survey of small business employers identified the top three concerns of hiring people with disabilities as matching skills and job needs; supervision and training; and costs associated with safety and medical insurance. Furthermore, there were concerns about legal liabilities and making work site accommodations (Harrison, 1998).
Continuous Time–Space Sampling of Near-Surface Velocities Using Sound

Abstract A phased-array Doppler sonar (PADS) system is described that uses sound at frequencies near 200 kHz to probe an area several hundred meters on a side with 7–20-m spatial resolution. The area can be sampled every second or less with under 2 cm s–1 rms velocity error per sample. Radial velocity estimates from two or more systems can be combined to produce time series of horizontal velocity vector maps over the irregularly shaped overlapping region. Such extensive and continuous sampling in time and space permits analysis via direct 3D Fourier transformation, for example, producing complete wavenumber–frequency spectra. Free waves, bound harmonics, finite-amplitude effects, Doppler shifting by currents, etc., can be studied. Extended temporal sampling permits investigations into lower-frequency vortical and internal wave modes as well as surface waves, and of the modulation of these by tides. A pair of PADS was deployed as part of SandyDuck, a large collaborative field experiment held in 1997 near D...
Superoxide Radical and Superoxide Dismutases

O2- oxidizes the [4Fe-4S] clusters of dehydratases, such as aconitase, causing-inactivation and release of Fe(II), which may then reduce H2O2 to OH- +OH.. SODs inhibit such HO. production by scavengingO2-, but Cu, ZnSODs, by virtue of a nonspecific peroxidase activity, may peroxidize spin trapping agents and thus give the appearance of catalyzing OH. production from H2O2. There is a glycosylated, tetrameric Cu, ZnSOD in the extracellular space that binds to acidic glycosamino-glycans. It minimizes the reaction of O2- with NO. E. coli, and other gram negative microorganisms, contain a periplasmic Cu, ZnSOD that may serve to protect against extracellular O2-. Mn(III) complexes of multidentate macrocyclic nitrogenous ligands catalyze the dismutation of O2- and are being explored as potential pharmaceutical agents. SOD-null mutants have been prepared to reveal the biological effects of O2-. SodA, sodB E. coli exhibit dioxygen-dependent auxotrophies and enhanced mutagenesis, reflecting O2(-)-sensitive biosynthetic pathways and DNA damage. Yeast, lacking either Cu, ZnSOD or MnSOD, are oxygen intolerant, and the double mutant was hypermutable and defective in sporulation and exhibited requirements for methionine and lysine. A Cu, ZnSOD-null Drosophila exhibited a shortened lifespan.
Research in vehicle information systems at General Motors

An overview is provided of the authors' past and current research on vehicle-borne location and map display systems. Possible future research directions in the broader area of vehicle information systems are also outlined. Current research is directed toward the presentation of information to a driver to help in following a selected route to a desired destination. It is noted that the development of viable new products in the area of vehicle information systems will require thorough understanding of human needs, capabilities, and limitations, as well as mastery of the underlying technology. The basic goal of the current program is to optimize the human-machine interface of a route guidance system by developing effective displays and controls, thereby maximizing utility and ease of use while minimizing potential driver distraction. >