cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient perceptions regarding local reactions from allergen immunotherapy injections.

Background Although most allergists agree that local reactions to immunotherapy are not predictive of future systemic reactions, the 2 main reasons for dose adjustments are the concern that local reactions cause discomfort that may lead to patient noncompliance and the concern that local reactions are predictive of future local reactions. Objectives To determine patient perceptions regarding local reactions from immunotherapy. Methods A survey on allergen immunotherapy was provided to patients. Participants were asked about the presence of local reactions, the size of their local reactions, and how bothersome these local reactions were. Patients were also asked if they had considered stopping immunotherapy because of these local reactions. Results All 249 patients undergoing immunotherapy completed the survey. Seventy-one percent of the patients reported that they had experienced a local reaction during allergen immunotherapy. Of those patients who reported local reactions, 84.7% reported local reactions smaller than the palm of the hand and 81.9% deemed local reactions not to be bothersome at all or only slightly bothersome. Of those who experienced local reactions, 96.0% stated they would not stop immunotherapy because of these local reactions. Conclusions Although most patients reported local reactions, these local reactions were usually small and not very bothersome. Most patients would not stop allergen immunotherapy because of local reactions.
Pramlintide in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background: Amylin is a 37-amino acid peptide 1026 neurohormone that is cosecreted with insulin from the pancreatic β cells in response to meals. It lowers serum glucose by decreasing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and decreasing food intake. Pramlintide, a synthetic amylin analogue, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use with mealtime insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes and patients with type 2 diabetes who are using mealtime insulin only or the combination of insulin and metformin and/or a sulfonylurea. Objective: This article reviews the available literature102 on pramlintide with respect to its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, safety and tolerability, dosing, contraindications, and drug interactions. Methods: MEDLINE (1966–April 2005), Iowa Drug 1026 Information Service (1966-April 2005), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2005) were searched for clinical trials and therapeutic reviews published in the English language. The search terms were pramlintide and amylin . The bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed for additional references. All relevant studies were included in the review. Results: Six studies, ranging in duration from 4 to 1026 52 weeks, examined the effect of administering pramlintide with premeal insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes. In these trials, pramlintide 120 to 270 μg/d reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) by 0.1 % to 0.67%, 1-hour postprandial glucose (PPG) by 4.4 to 7 mmol/L, and 2-hour PPG by 3.6 to 4.8 mmol/L. Five studies, also ranging from 4 to 52 weeks' duration, examined the effect of administering premeal pramlintide in patients with type 2 diabetes. In these trials, pramlintide 90 to 450 μg/d reduced HbA 1c by 0.3% to 0.62%, 1-hour PPG by 4.8 mmol/L, and 2-hour PPG by 3.4 mmol/L. The principal adverse events reported in clinical trials were nausea and hypoglycemia. The incidence of hypoglycemia in the first 4 weeks of therapy was 2 to 4 times greater with pramlintide compared with placebo; thus, the manufacturer recommends reducing the dose of premeal insulin by 50% when starting pramlintide. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended when initiating pramlintide therapy. Conclusions: Use of pramlintide in addition to insulin1026 in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes was associated with modest reductions in HbA 1c . The primary adverse effects of pramlintide therapy were nausea and hypoglycemia.
Quasiperiodic behavior in beam-driven strong Langmuir turbulence

The evolution of unmagnetized beam‐driven strong Langmuir turbulence is studied in two dimensions by numerically integrating the Zakharov equations for systems pumped by monochromatic and broadband negative‐damping drivers with nonzero central wavenumber. Long‐time statistically steady states are reached for which the dependence of the evolution on the driver wavenumber, growth rate, and bandwidth is examined in detail. For monochromatic drivers, a quasiperiodic cycle is found to develop if the driver wavenumber is sufficiently large. In this cycle, energy from the driven mode undergoes a sequence of weak‐turbulence backscatter decays, which transfer energy to an approximately isotropic long‐wavelength condensate. During this phase, beam‐aligned chains of propagating beat waves develop and perpendicular density waves are also excited. Subsequently, nucleation of waves in density cavities causes a series of wave collapses (involving coherent wave–wave interactions) to occur, during which short‐wavelength damping reduces the system energy in discrete steps. Finally, the cycle restarts. The characteristic frequency of the quasiperiodic cycle and the average system energy are both approximately proportional to the growth rate. Broadening of the driver in wavenumber tends to degrade the system‐wide coherence of the cycle, but its main features appear to survive on the scale of the coherence length of the driver.
Case 2: Fatigue and Abnormal Behavior in a 17-Year-Old Boy

1. Dina Sztein, MD, MPH 2. Carol Vidal, MD, MPH 3. Amy Lowe, MD 4. Sarah Edwards, DO 1. Department of Psychiatry and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. A 17-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with nausea and abdominal pain of 1-day duration. He has had 3 episodes of emesis, along with intermittent epigastric abdominal pain, fever, and a sore throat. Two weeks ago, he began to have decreased energy. In addition, his parents report decreased appetite and oral intake for more than a year. The patient was diagnosed as having nephrotic syndrome at age 3 years. He subsequently had several flairs of proteinuria treated successfully with prednisone. At age 5 years, he began daily treatment with immunosuppressants and prednisone as needed for flairs; however, he had not received any corticosteroids for 18 months before the current hospitalization. At age 14 years, he presented with a similar episode of weakness, nausea, and abdominal pain, was diagnosed as having adrenal insufficiency by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, and discharged with a 4-day prednisone taper. After the corticosteroid taper, on subsequent testing he was found to have normal adrenal function. After this hospitalization, his grades began to decline, and he developed psychiatric symptoms. He was anxious, avoided food for fear of poisoning, thought he had “special powers,” and believed he was “The One.” He was referred by his nephrologist to a psychiatrist for a diagnosis of schizophrenia, which was supported by a comprehensive psychological evaluation. On examination in the emergency department, his blood pressure is 100/55 mm Hg with a pulse of 120 beats per minute. His weight has decreased from the 90th percentile to the 49th percentile during the last 6 months. He does not appear to be in acute distress, and his physical examination …
Prednisolone Attenuates Improvement of Cardiac and Skeletal Contractile Function and Histopathology by Lisinopril and Spironolactone in the mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited disease that causes striated muscle weakness. Recently, we showed therapeutic effects of the combination of lisinopril (L), an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and spironolactone (S), an aldosterone antagonist, in mice lacking dystrophin and haploinsufficient for utrophin (utrn+/−;mdx, het mice); both cardiac and skeletal muscle function and histology were improved when these mice were treated early with LS. It was unknown to what extent LS treatment is effective in the most commonly used DMD murine model, the mdx mouse. In addition, current standard-of-care treatment for DMD is limited to corticosteroids. Therefore, potentially useful alternative or additive drugs need to be both compared directly to corticosteroids and tested in presence of corticosteroids. We evaluated the effectiveness of this LS combination in the mdx mouse model both compared with corticosteroid treatment (prednisolone, P) or in combination (LSP). We tested the additional combinatorial treatment containing the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan (T), which is widely used to halt and treat the developing cardiac dysfunction in DMD patients as an alternative to an ACE inhibitor. Peak myocardial strain rate, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, showed a negative impact of P, whereas in both diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle contractile function was not significantly impaired by P. Histologically, P generally increased cardiac damage, estimated by percentage area infiltrated by IgG as well as by collagen staining. In general, groups that only differed in the presence or absence of P (i.e. mdx vs. P, LS vs. LSP, and TS vs. TSP) demonstrated a significant detrimental impact of P on many assessed parameters, with the most profound impact on cardiac pathology.
OLIGOCLONAL IgG IN RABBITS WITH EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS: Non-Reactivity of the Bands with Sensitizing Neural Antigens

Oligoclonal IgG bands have recently been reported to occur in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of rabbits with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). To examine the specificity of these bands, a) individual bands eluted from rabbit CSF and sera were tested by radioimmunoassay (RIA) for anti-MBP activity and b) rabbit sera were absorbed with the neuroantigens used for sensitization. RIA of eluates from sequential agar gel slices of the entire IgG region of serum or CSF from MBP sensitized rabbits showed that anti-MBP activity occurred throughout the IgG region and did not localize to specific band-containing fractions. Furthermore, there was no change in banding patterns following absorption of EAE rabbit sera with washed brain homogenates, soluble MBP or MBP conjugated to Sepharose beads. Therefore, our results indicate that the oligoclonal IgG response in EAE is not preferentially directed against the sensitizing neuroantigen, and we raise the possibility of nonspecific B cell activation.
AC-measured shifts inT c of high temperature superconductors: The effect of interlayer structure

The apparentT c of some high temperature superconductors such as BiSrCaCuO and TlBaCaCuO measured by low (10–20,000 Hz) a.c. inductance techniques is shifted downward by up to 30K in the presence of modest (400 Oe) d.c. magnetic fields. Dc magnetization (SQUID) measurements of the same samples show no such shifts in the same magnetic fields. Other materials like YBaCuO and TlPbSrCaCuO do not show such shifts ofT c in a.c. inductance measurements in d.c. magnetic fields. While BiSrCaCuO and TlBaCaCuO are known to exhibit flux creep/flux flow phenomena resulting in low irreversibility line behaviour as measured by both a.c. and SQUID techniques, the aboveT c shift is apparently a new phenomenon. Materials exhibiting this property contain two or more layers of metal ions between the CuO conductance layers (2212, 2223 structure). Materials with only one metal ion layer between the CuO layers (123, 1223 structure) do not show the apparentT c shift, suggesting that the phenomenon is a result of the properties of magnetically-isolated CuO layers. Implications of the latter will be discussed.
Modular metazoans: gonochoric, hermaphroditic, or both at once?

Summary We introduce a classification system for the sexual modes of modular (clonal and colonial) animals which incorporates both spatial and temporal components of modular sexuality. After explaining and illustrating each potential sexual mode, we compare the prevalence patterns of sexual modes among modular animals, unitary animals, and flowering plants. Our conclusions are: (1) There are far more potential colonial modes of sex, and more clonal modes of sex, than there are unitary modes of sex. This is a function of the tri-level and bi-level organization, respectively, of colonial and clonal animals, in contrast to the single level of unitary ones. (2)Only five of ten potential colonial modes of sex have known examples, while only four of six potential clonal modes of sex have known examples. (3) The sexual mode of many modular metazoans is not known, in part because of a previous lack of terms by which to refer to modular sex at all its levels of expression. (4) Comparison of clonal and colonial ani...
Developing terrestrial, multi-taxon indices of biological integrity: An example from coastal sage scrub

We screened 351 species or genera for their response to disturbance in coastal sage scrub (CSS) to develop a 15-metric, 5-taxon Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). We collected data on ants, birds, herpetofauna, small mammals, and plants for two years on 46 sites established across a gradient of disturbance in three reserves. The gradient spanned relatively intact CSS with thick stands of shrubs, to former CSS stands type-converted to exotic grasses. ANOVAs and clustering analyses indicated the IBI could distinguish four levels of disturbance in CSS. General measures of community structure, such as richness, did not show changes across the gradient for most taxa, and responses of taxa across the gradient were varied and rarely correlated. However, turnover in species or genera across the gradient was common across all taxa as shrub-obligate life forms were replaced by those favoring grassy or disturbed habitats. Our data indicate index-based approaches based on data collected across disturbance gradients may outperform more traditional community level metrics when responses to anthropogenic influences are complex and vary across species.
Switching robust control for a nanosatellite launch vehicle

Abstract The attitude control of a launch vehicle is a challenging task due to the dramatically varying vehicle dynamics along a flight path. The objective of this paper is to design a switching robust control strategy for launch vehicles, applied here to a notional nanosat launch vehicle. In order to control the rocket along a trajectory ascending through the Earth's atmosphere, a set of operating points at different times along the flight path are selected, the corresponding dynamics models of the rocket are obtained via linearization, and a robust H ∞ controller is designed for each operating point using the linear matrix inequality approach. These controllers are applied to the nonlinear plant model via a switching strategy when the rocket flies along the flight path. Both linear and nonlinear simulation results are given to show the performance of the closed-loop system.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty: Does energy dosage predict response?

Background: Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a widely used treatment for open angle glaucoma, producing sustained reductions of intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term relationship between SLT energy dosage and IOP reduction. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed for patients receiving primary SLT therapy, with inclusion of subjects treated with 360° of SLT. Energy settings were collected upon treatment and IOP was collected at baseline up to 36 months. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine whether there was a significant correlation between SLT energy and IOP reduction at all time points. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was performed to determine the differences in IOP reduction ≥20% from baseline among those treated with low ( 105 mJ) energy SLT. Results: A total of 104 eyes (75 patients) were included. The mean total SLT energy was 93.73 mJ (standard deviation (SD) = 21.83 mJ, range: 34.4-122 mJ). A significant positive correlation ( P ≤ 0.05) between the amount of energy delivered and IOP reduction was found at all time points. Log-rank test showed a significant difference in IOP reduction ≥20% from baseline between the three energy groups, with low energy patients experiencing failure at an earlier time ( P = 0.05). Conclusions: Within the range of total energy examined, there is a positive correlation between total energy used and amount of pressure reduction achieved at up to 3 years of follow-up. This may be useful in determining the optimal energy dosage for maximum effect for patients receiving SLT.
Estimation of the Parameters of the Weibull Distribution from Multicensored Samples

Monte Carlo simulations are used to investigate the maximum likelihood estimators for the parameters of the Weibull distribution using multicensored samples. For the case of unequal number of items censored, a single situation is considered. When the same number of items are removed at each test, several different estimators are compared for several values of the parameters.
Reasserting Design Relevance in Cartography: Some Examples

While concepts and theories about design underpin the work of the professional cartographer, it is unrealistic for most map-makers to be cognisant of the plethora of techniques available to support excellence in design. In the second part of our paper to reassert the relevance of design in cartography, we present the results of a survey of cartographic experts drawn from the academic and professional world. The survey asked participants to present their top ten most expertly designed maps from throughout history. Here, we share the most frequently cited maps that emerged from that survey and describe why they exhibit design excellence. By showing map-makers a range of high-quality cartographic work, we aim to provide exemplars that demonstrate how design affects a map and expertly marries form with function. The techniques on display are well executed and create products that are both well suited to their purpose and have an aesthetic quality that invites people to take notice. They are all, in their own ...
Induced superconducting state and two-gap structure: Application to cuprate superconductors and conventional multilayers.

An induced superconducting state caused by charge transfer between intrinsically superconducting (\ensuremath{\alpha}) and intrinsically normal (\ensuremath{\beta}) subsystems is studied. A most interesting case is a layered system with some layers being normal. An analysis of the general Hamiltonian describing the phenomenon allows us to evaluate ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ and the spectrum, which displays a two-gap structure. A superconducting state can be induced through different charge transfer channels (intrinsic proximity effect; inelastic two-band channel). A very important contribution comes from the ``mixed'' channel. Systems with various strengths of the coupling are described. The presence of magnetic impurities leads to an induced gapless superconductivity. This model is applied to high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ cuprates (in particular, to Y-Ba-Cu-O), as well as to conventional systems. The spectroscopy of Y-Ba-Cu-O appears to be very sensitive to the oxygen content whereas ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ changes relatively slowly. The model is directly related to such phenomena as residual microwave losses, zero-bias anomalies, the ``plateau'' effect, etc.
Landscape development intensity index

The condition of landscapes and the ecological communities within them is strongly related to levels of human activity. Human-dominated land uses and especially the intensity of the uses can affect adjacent ecological communities through direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts.Using land use data and a development-intensity measure derived from energy use per unit area, an index of Landscape Development Intensity (LDI) can be calculated for watersheds of varying sizes to estimate the potential impacts from human-dominated activities that are experienced by ecological systems within those watersheds. The intended use of the LDI is as an index of the human disturbance gradient (the level of human induced impacts on the biological, chemical, and physical processes of surrounding lands or waters). The LDI can be used at the scale of river, stream, or lake watersheds or at the smaller scale of individual isolated wetland watersheds. Based on land uses and land cover, the LDI can be applied using available GIS land use/land cover data, aerial photographs, or field surveys.A description of data needs and methods for calculating an LDI index and several applications of the index as a land use based ranking scheme of the human disturbance gradient for watersheds are given.
Comparison of stability and control characteristics of two twin-lift helicopter configurations

The stability and control characteristics of two twin-lift helicopter configurations are analyzed in this paper. In order to address the issue of configuration selection from a handling qualities viewpoint, their open-and closed-loop characteristics are compared. The two twin-lift configurations considered are the twin-lift with spreader bar and twin-lift without spreader bar. The nonlinear models describing the dynamics of these two configurations in the lateral/vertical plane are derived. The open-loop characteristics of the two systems are compared by linearizing the nonlinear models about a symmetric hovering equilibrium condition. The closed-loop characteristics of the two systems are compared using nonlinear controllers based on feedback linearization schemes. The performance of the resulting closed-loop systems in carrying out a typical twin-lift mission is evaluated through nonlinear simulation. Also, the effects of helicopter performance degradation and measurement errors on the overall system performance are discussed.
The Chromosomal Signal for Sex Determination in Caenorhabditis Elegans

In Caenorhabditis elegans, sex is determined by the number of X chromosomes which, in turn, determines the expression of the X-linked gene xol-1. Recent work has shown that xol-1 expression is controlled by least two distinct regulatory mechanisms, one transcriptional and another post-transcriptional. The transcriptional regulator is a repressor acting in XX embryos; although the specific gene has not been identified, the chromosome region has been defined. A previously defined regulator of xol-1, known as fox-1, maps to a different region of the X chromosome and works post-transcriptionally, consistent with the identification of the fox-1 gene product as a putative RNA binding protein.
Is Institutional Change in Forms of American Local Government Functional, Isomorphic, or Path Dependent?

American cities are born, change, and, sometimes, disappear. What are the sources of institutional change? One conception of institutional change focuses on the functional process of social institutions. The other emphasizes the nonfunctional processes such as institutional isomorphism and path dependence. In this paper, we explore under what circumstances American cities change their form of government. The authors suggest seven hypotheses based upon functional and nonfunctional explanations, and test these hypotheses using the probit model with a decennial panel data set spanning 350 American cities from 1940 to 2000. Particularly, in order to test the hypothesis concerning institutional isomorphism, we measure the distance between cities using GIS techniques. Not surprisingly, all three explanations get empirical support from the study.
Constituting face in conversation: Face, facework, and interactional achievement

Abstract Face Constituting Theory addresses the question “How do participants achieve face in everyday talk?” explaining face and facework as achieved by participants engaged in face-to-face communication in situated relationships. Outlining the theory involves first sketching the Conjoint Co-constituting Model of Communication as a conceptualization of the achieving of meaning and action in interaction, and second conceptualizing face as a relational phenomenon at both culture-general and culture-specific levels. Using these conceptualizations, Face Constituting Theory explains face as participants’ interpretings of relational connectedness and separateness, conjointly co-constituted in talk/conduct-in-interaction. Face Constituting Theory adds to this explanation a new conceptualization of how of face interpretings are evaluated as threatening to, in stasis, or supportive of relationships, drawing into a single explanation the full range of observations on facework from outright face threat, through face maintenance, to outright face support. Consistent with ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, Face Constituting Theory is framed from the participant's perspective, and applying the theory in examining the achievement of face in an instance of everyday interaction both illustrates the application of the new theory in research, and indicates how it is distinct from the approaches existing theories employ in studying face and facework.
Finding distal regulatory elements in the human genome

Transcriptional regulation of human genes depends not only on promoters and nearby cis-regulatory elements, but also on distal regulatory elements such as enhancers, insulators, locus control regions, and silencing elements, which are often located far away from the genes they control. Our knowledge of human distal regulatory elements is very limited, but the last several years have seen rapid progress in the development of strategies to identify these long-range regulatory sequences throughout the human genome. Here, we review these advances, focusing on two important classes of distal regulatory sequences — enhancers and insulators.
Midazolam, a new more potent benzodiazepine, compared with diazepam: a randomized, double-blind study of preendoscopic sedatives

Midazolam is a new imidazobenzodiazepine. It is more potent and has a shorter duration of action than diazepam. Forty patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the first time were randomized to receive either diazepam or midazolam as the preendoscopic sedative agent. Both the patient and the endoscopist were blinded regarding the treatment group. Vital signs were monitored before, during, and after induction. Questionnaires were used to assess patient recall of the procedure, as well as endoscopist and patient satisfaction. Recovery from sedation was assessed using the Treiger test (i.e., connecting a series of sequential points with a line). Twenty-four hours and 1 to 2 weeks later, follow-up was obtained on all patients to evaluate for any delayed adverse effects. When compared to diazepam, midazolam was more potent and decreased induction time by more than 2.5 min (p less than 0.001). Recovery time and endoscopist and patient satisfaction were similar (p greater than 0.1), but patient recall was significantly less in the midazolam group (p less than 0.01). Fewer adverse reactions (e.g., thrombophlebitis) were noted with midazolam; however, the magnitude of the difference was not statistically significant. Hemodynamic parameters were also similar. It is concluded that midazolam is a safe, effective, and promptly acting sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Compared to diazepam it was significantly more potent, faster acting, and associated with greater amnesia.
Polymer-Supported Azidoproazaphosphatrane: A Recyclable Catalyst for the Room-Temperature Transformation of Triglycerides to Biodiesel

A promising route for the quantitative transesterification of soybean oil (SBO) with methanol to biodiesel (FAMES) at room temperature is described using the Merrifield resin-supported catalyst resin−N3P(MeNCH2CH2)3N. This catalyst was recycled 11 times, although its activity decreased with time. Factors possibly responsible for catalyst deactivation are presented. Interestingly, the polymer-supported catalyst was twice as active as the homogeneous analogue PhCH2N3P(MeNCH2CH2)3N in this reaction. The SBO/methanol ratio in our protocol was 1:33, and the biodiesel obtained from our protocol met the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-874 standard for sulfated ash.
On the dependence of adatom interactions on strain

It is argued that the elastic interaction between adatoms on a substrate generally depends on applied strain. Based on this premise, a continuum-level point-defect model of adatoms with strain-dependent properties is developed. It is then used to demonstrate that applied strain might provide enough control over adatom interactions to self-assemble certain nanostructures. By studying the long-range pair interaction between adatoms, it is found that strain can cause adatom pairs to align themselves in particular directions and modulate their interaction between repulsion and attraction.
Macromolecular crystallography on the millisecond to nanosecond time domain

Successful time-resolved x-ray crystallography depends on the rapid, uniform, non-damaging initiation of a structural reaction in a single crystal of excellent diffraction quality; on the ability to monitor the course of the reaction by the change in x-ray structure amplitudes in real time; and on the analysis of the changes in electron density in terms of time-independent structures of reactants, intermediates, and products. The process is greatly aided if there is an independent measure of the reaction coordinate afforded by, for example, the optical density of the crustal; and may be hindered by artifacts, some of which are thermal in origin, which degrade the x-ray diffraction patterns. Recent results which utilize multiple bunches emitted by a synchrotron source on the millisecond time domain, or a single bunch on the sub-nanosecond time domain, will be presented for several protein crystals in which the structural reaction can be initiated by light.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Myth: Optics is fast, electronics is slow

New integrated circuit approaches to pulse generation and sampling are approaching 1-ps performance, and subpicosecond performance is expected in the near future. These circuits have promising applications in electronic and optoelectronic systems.
Attenuation of Seismic Waves by Grain Boundary Relaxation

Abstract Experimental observations of the attenuation of elastic waves in polycrystalline ceramics and rocks reveal an attenuation mechanism, called grain boundary relaxation, which is likely to be predominant cause of seismic attenuation in the earth's mantle. For this mechanism, the internal friction (the reciprocal of the “intrinsic Q” of the material) depends strongly upon frequency and is in good agreement with Walsh's theory of attenuation (J. Geophys. Res., 74, 4333, 1969) in partially melted rock. When Walsh's theory is extended to provide a model of the anelasticity of the earth, using the experimental values of physical parameters reported here, the results are in excellent agreement with seismic observations.
Ingestion affected by the oral environment: the role of gustatory adaptation on taste reactivity in the rat.

Abstract Three experiments were performed to determine (1) the time course of changes in ingestive behavior associated with oral infusion of taste substances, and (2) the possible role of changes in the tonic chorda tympani response in the behavioral effect of oral infusion. Experiments 1 and 2 examined 2 different procedures with a variety of sapid solutions to detect alterations in ingestion following oral adaptation. Decrements in Na-saccharin licking were found over a 2-hr period of continuous Na-saccharin stimulation suggesting that gustatory adaptation in the rat extends over a considerable time period and that the effect of the infusion was to alter the incentive motivation properties of the sapid substance. Experiment 3 sought an altered tonic responsivity of the chorda tympani nerve which might correlate with the decrement in ingestion seen in Experiment 2. No evidence of a neural decrement over a 2-hr time was found and it was concluded that central processes were probably involved in the behavioral adaptation found in the second experiment.
Improved physical modeling of submicron MOSFETs based on parameter extraction using 2-D simulation

Hot electron effects for n-channel submicron MOSFET devices have been analyzed on the basis of accurate physical models. The PISCES-Monte Carlo scheme is implemented to calculate impact ionization coefficients and predict accurately the generation of electron-hole pairs. The coupling scheme also provides important physical parameters and constants for developing substrate and gate current models as well as an improved mobility model, especially for high drain and gate bias conditions. The analytical models for impact ionization, thermionic emission and mobility are incorporated into the PISCES program and give accurate predictions compared with experimental results. These models predict the peak and saturated transconductance curves for the high drain voltage of LDD MOSFET devices. >
Renewable energy from the ocean

Growing concern over the threat of global climate change has led to an increased interest in research and development of renewable energy technologies.The ocean provides a vast source of potential energy resources, and as renewable energy technology develops, investment in ocean energy is likely to grow.Research in ocean thermal energy conversion, wave energy, tidal energy, and offshore wind energy has led to promising technologies and in some cases, commercial deployment.These sources have the potential to help alleviate the global climate change threat, but the ocean environment should be protected while these technologies are developed.Renewable energy sources from the ocean may be exploited without harming the marine environment if projects are sited and scaled appropriately and environmental guidelines are followed. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.All rights reserved.
Colonization by Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) on three distinct leaf substrates in an Appalachian mountain stream

Patterns of leaf colonization by Chironomidae were compared on three leaf substrates differing in rate of processing and palatability for detritivores. Each leaf species was colonized by a similar number of taxa, with Orthocladiinae and Tanytarsini comprising the dominant groups. However, the chironomid assemblage, categorized by functional feeding groups, differed greatly between the three leaf types. Black cherry leaves supported a much higher proportion of shred­ ders (e.g. Brillia flavifrons) than either red maple or American beech packs. In contrast, beech and maple leaf packs were colonized by distinctly higher proportions of gathering-col lectors (e.g. Corynoneura spp., Parametriocnemus sp., Stilocladius spp., Constempellina spp., Micropsectra spp.). Overall, the cherry packs supported a significantly higher shredder and gathering-collector biomass per g leaf pack than either the maple or beech leaves. We conclude that (1) shredders were preferentially associated with cherry leaf packs due to its higher palatability compared to the maple and beech leaves, and (2) similar colonization patterns exhibited by gathering-col lectors on all three leaf species were the result of a supply of similar-quali ty fine detritus.
Percutaneous coronary intervention, comorbidities, and mortality among emergency department-admitted ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients in Florida.

Background Risk of mortality following an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be significantly reduced by prompt percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). National guidelines specify primary PCI as the preferred recommended treatment for STEMI. In this study, we examined same-day PCI as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality, after adjustment for comorbidities, other patient factors, and hospital PCI-volume using unselected surveillance data from Florida. Methods We analyzed hospital discharge data for adults, 18+ years old, with a primary diagnosis of STEMI who were admitted to PCI-capable hospitals through the emergency department during 2001-2005 (n = 43,849). Hierarchical (multilevel) logistic regression models were used for analysis. Results Overall, 4,143 STEMI patients (9.4%) did not survive to hospital discharge. In late 2005, the in-hospital mortality rates were 1.9% for those who received same-day PCI versus 13.0% for those who did not. After adjustment for multiple patient factors, same-day PCI was a significant predictor of in-hospital survival with a strong protective effect (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.31-0.38 P Conclusions Same-day PCI markedly reduced the risk of in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients after multivariate adjustment. Serious comorbidities and complications, older age, and female gender continued to predict elevated risk of mortality after control for treatment status. Our results provide additional evidence in support of national clinical recommendations and aggressive treatment of STEMI.
Continuous hybridoma growth and monoclonal antibody production in hollow fiber reactors–separators

Growth of a hybridoma culture, along with production of monoclonal antibody, was demonstrated over extended periods in polysulfone hollow fiber membrane modules. The molecular weight cutoffs of the membranes were 70,000, 50,000, and 100,000 daltons. The hybridoma cell line, designated 65/26, produced IgG (2b/kappa) directed at mouse thymus cell surface antigen, TL.1. Cell growth occurred in the shell space of the reactor, using supplemented RPMI 1640 (20% fetal bovine serum) supplied from a separate reservoir vessel through the hollow fiber lumen. The reservoir contained 125 mL media, which was changed every 4 days. Concentrations of immunoglobulin were determined by an enzyme immunoassay (using protein A and alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibody conjugate). For the 10K, 50K, and 100K hollow fiber membrane modules, the maximum IgG concentrations detected in the 2.5-mL shell space were 47.5-80, 510, and 740 mug/mL, respectively. In the 125-mL reservoir for the 100K hollow fiber membrane module, the IgG concentration was measured at 260 mug/mL These values compare with an IgG concentration of 1 mug/mL when grown in a standard tissue culture flask and 3.2-7.6 mug/mL when grown in 100 ml media in a spinner flask. In addition, 10K and 50K hollow fiber membrane modules were run in a mode that decreased the fetal bovine serum supplement with time. Differences between these systems suggest that it is possible to obtain high IgG accumulation rates, both during and after the exponential growth phase of the hybridoma population.
Morphine potentiates neurodegenerative effects of HIV-1 Tat through actions at µ-opioid receptor-expressing glia

Individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 who abuse opiates can have a higher incidence of virus-associated neuropathology. Human immunodeficiency virus does not infect neurons, but viral proteins such as transactivator of transcription and glycoprotein 120, originating from infected glia, are neurotoxic. Moreover, functional changes in glial cells that enhance inflammation and reduce trophic support are increasingly implicated in human immunodeficiency virus neuropathology. In previous studies, co-exposure with morphine enhanced transactivator of transcription neurotoxicity towards cultured striatal neurons. Since those cultures contained µ-opioid receptor-expressing astroglia and microglia, and since glia are the principal site of infection in the central nervous system, we hypothesized that morphine synergy might be glially mediated. A 60 hour, repeated measures paradigm and multiple co-culture models were used to investigate the cellular basis for opiate-enhanced human immunodeficiency virus neurotoxicity. Morphine co-exposure significantly enhanced transactivator of transcription-induced neuron death when glia were present. Synergistic effects of morphine on transactivator of transcription neurotoxicity were greatest with neuron-glia contact, but also occurred to a lesser extent with glial conditioned medium. Importantly, synergy was lost if glia, but not neurons, lacked µ-opioid receptors, indicating that opiate interactions with human immunodeficiency virus converge at the level of µ-opioid receptor-expressing glia. Morphine enhanced transactivator of transcription-induced inflammatory effectors released by glia, elevating reactive oxygen species, increasing 3-nitrotyrosine production by microglia, and reducing the ability of glia to buffer glutamate. But neuron survival was reduced even more with glial contact than with exposure to conditioned medium, suggesting that noxious elements associated with cell contact augment the toxicity due to soluble factors. Similar morphine-transactivator of transcription synergy was also observed in studies with the clade C sequence of HIV-1 transactivator of transcription, which did not cause neuron death unless morphine was present. Several paradoxical observations related to opiate effects were noted when µ-opioid receptors were specifically ablated from either glia or neurons. This suggests that µ-opioid receptor loss in isolated cell types can fundamentally distort cell-to-cell signalling, revealing opponent processes that may exist in individual cell types. Our findings show the critical role of glia in orchestrating neurotoxic interactions of morphine and transactivator of transcription, and support the emerging concept that combined exposure to opiates and human immunodeficiency virus drives enhanced pathology within the central nervous system.
A simple genetic incompatibility causes hybrid male sterility in mimulus.

Much evidence has shown that postzygotic reproductive isolation (hybrid inviability or sterility) evolves by the accumulation of interlocus incompatibilities between diverging populations. Although in theory only a single pair of incompatible loci is needed to isolate species, empirical work in Drosophila has revealed that hybrid fertility problems often are highly polygenic and complex. In this article we investigate the genetic basis of hybrid sterility between two closely related species of monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus and M. nasutus. In striking contrast to Drosophila systems, we demonstrate that nearly complete hybrid male sterility in Mimulus results from a simple genetic incompatibility between a single pair of heterospecific loci. We have genetically mapped this sterility effect: the M. guttatus allele at the hybrid male sterility 1 (hms1) locus acts dominantly in combination with recessive M. nasutus alleles at the hybrid male sterility 2 (hms2) locus to cause nearly complete hybrid male sterility. In a preliminary screen to find additional small-effect male sterility factors, we identified one additional locus that also contributes to some of the variation in hybrid male fertility. Interestingly, hms1 and hms2 also cause a significant reduction in hybrid female fertility, suggesting that sex-specific hybrid defects might share a common genetic basis. This possibility is supported by our discovery that recombination is reduced dramatically in a cross involving a parent with the hms1–hms2 incompatibility.
Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists—Screening for Referral, ed 4

Goodman CC, Snyder TK. St Louis, MO 63146, Saunders, 2007, paperback, 944 pp, illus, ISBN: 13-978-0-7216-0619-4, $69.95. The fourth edition of Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists is a must-have addition for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Because physical therapists are autonomous practitioners, the need for appropriate differential diagnosis and screening for referral is an essential part of clinical decision making. A cognitive processing-reasoning orientation is used throughout this text. American Physical Therapy Association's standards of competency related to conducting a screening examination has been merged with the screening model/terminology contained within the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice . New to this edition are: a chapter that explains the use of the physical assessment as a baseline-screening tool, additional information on musculoskeletal problems, a chapter on the concept of pain as a screening tool, and a section that explains how regional pain should be approached in screening for particular disorders. There are 3 main sections in this text, with an easy-to-follow format. In general, the content materials …
Rapid synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC) from a simple achiral precursor

Abstract The antiviral nucleoside analogue, 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC) 1 , has been synthesized in nine steps and good overall yield from crotonaldehyde 2 via the chiral epoxy alcohol 4 prepared by a Sharpless epoxidation.
Modeling DNA polymerase μ motions: subtle transitions before chemistry.

To investigate whether an open-to-closed transition before the chemical step and induced-fit mechanism exist in DNA polymerase μ (pol μ), we analyze a series of molecular-dynamics simulations with and without the incoming nucleotide in various forms, including mutant systems, based on pol μ's crystal ternary structure. Our simulations capture no significant large-scale motion in either the DNA or the protein domains of pol μ. However, subtle residue motions can be distinguished, specifically of His329 and Asp330 to assemble in pol μ's active site, and of Gln440 and Glu443 to help accommodate the incoming nucleotide. Mutant simulations capture a DNA frameshift pairing and indicate the importance of Arg444 and Arg447 in stacking with the DNA template, and of Arg448 and Gln440 in helping to stabilize the position of both the DNA template and the incoming nucleotide. Although limited sampling in the molecular-dynamics simulations cannot be ruled out, our studies suggest an absence of a large-scale motion in pol μ. Together with the known crystallization difficulties of capturing the open form of pol μ, our studies also raise the possibility that a well-defined open form may not exist. Moreover, we suggest that residues Arg448 and Gln440 may be crucial for preventing insertion frameshift errors in pol μ.
Geometric model, control & calibration of universal benchtop CT system

A universal benchtop CT system has recently been developed and installed at GE Global Research. The system consists of a source, detector and phantom table that are mounted on a set of high accuracy motion stages. These stages permit positioning and orienting the source, detector and phantom with respect to each other. The benchtop system is thereby able to simulate any realistic clinical CT system geometry. This work provides a geometrical model of this benchtop system and illustrates how the stages need to be controlled in order to simulate a particular CT system. This illustrates at the same time the geometrical capabilities of the system. The method and first results of the geometrical calibration of the system are also shown.
Using Vision Modeling to Define Occupational Vision Standards

A methodology is introduced to assist in the construction of performance-based occupational vision standards. A simple image discrimination model is first calibrated using stimuli representative of airframe and powerplant cracks. It is then used to predict simulated crack visibility for cracks of different lengths and widths. Visual acuity declines are simulated using a Gaussian blur function on the crack images. Crack width is shown to be a salient cue for crack detection. This modeling technique can generate the data necessary to construct empirically-based occupational vision standards. Future research will validate model predictions with human psychophysical data.