cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of Clinical Trials of Empiric Antifungal Therapy in Patients with Persistent Febrile Neutropenia: Considerations and Critiques

Febrile neutropenic patients who receive antibiotics are at risk for fungal infections. This risk increases greatly with the length and severity of neutropenia. Because diagnostic tests for fungal infections lack sensitivity and specificity and because established fungal infections are associated with poor outcomes, empiric antifungal therapy is frequently given to patients with fever that persists despite antibacterial therapy. Early trials of empiric amphotericin B showed reductions in the number of invasive fungal infections and in related morbidity and mortality. However, as a result of infusion-related and renal adverse effects of amphotericin B, newer agents, such as lipid formulations of amphotericin B, extended-spectrum azoles, and echinocandins, have been developed. Although these alternatives have been associated with decreased toxicity, improved efficacy has not been clearly demonstrated. Although empiric antifungal therapy can prevent undetected breakthrough infections and morbidity associated with many fungal infections, its shortcomings include overtreatment, toxicity, and increased costs of unnecessary treatment. Recent studies have highlighted several questions in trial design and data interpretation. For example, what is the appropriate study design? Who should be enrolled in studies of empiric antifungal therapy? How should successful therapy be defined? These issues are reviewed to determine whether new antifungal agents should be evaluated for empiric use in patients with fever and neutropenia.
Passive Smoking, Air Pollution, and Acute Respiratory Symptoms in a Diary Study of Student Nurses

A cohort of approximately 100 student nurses in Los Angeles was recruited for a diary study of the acute effects of air pollution. Smoking histories and presence of asthma and other allergies were determined by questionnaire. Diaries were completed daily and collected weekly for as long as 3 yr. Air pollution was measured at a monitoring location within 2.5 miles of the school. Incidence and duration of a symptom were modeled separately. Pack-years of cigarettes were predictive of the number of episodes of coughing (p < 0.0001) and of bringing up phlegm (p < 0.0001). Current smoking, rather than cumulative smoking, was a better predictor of the duration of a phlegm episode (p < 0.0001). Controlling for personal smoking, a smoking roommate increased the risk of an episode of phlegm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, p < 0.001), but not of cough. Excluding asthmatics (who may be medicated), increased the odds ratio for passive smoking to 1.76 (p < 0.0001). In logistic regression models controlling for temperature and...
Focal hand dystonia: effectiveness of a home program of fitness and learning-based sensorimotor and memory training.

Abstract Study Design This was a pre post test design. Introduction Retraining the brain is one approach to remediate movement dysfunction resulting from task specific focal hand dystonia (FHD TSP ). Purpose Document change in task specific performance (TSP) for patients with FHD TSP after 8 weeks of comprehensive home training (fitness activities, task practice, learning based memory and sensorimotor training). Methods Thirteen subjects were admitted and evaluated at baseline, immediately and 6 months post treatment for task specific performance, functional independence, sensory discrimination, fine motor speed and strength. In Phase I, 10 subjects were randomly assigned to home training alone or supervised practice prior to initiating the home training. In phase II, 2 subjects crossed over and 3 new subjects were added (18 hands). The intent to treat model was followed. Outcomes were summarized by median, effect size, and proportion improving with nonparametric analysis for significance. Results Immediately post-intervention, TSP, sensory discrimination, and fine motor speed improved 60-80% (p Conclusions Progressive task practice plus learning based memory and sensorimotor training can improve TSP in patients with FHD TSP . Compliance with home training is enhanced when initiated with supervised practice. Level of Evidence 4.
On the optimality of k-means clustering

Although it is typically accepted that cluster analysis is a subjective activity, without an objective framework it is impossible to understand, let alone guarantee, the predictive capacity of clustering. To address this, recent work utilizes random point process theory to develop a probabilistic theory of clustering. The theory fully parallels Bayes decision theory for classification: given a known underlying processes and specified cost function there exist Bayes clustering operators with minimum expected error. Clustering is hence transformed from a subjective activity to an objective operation. In this work, we present conditions under which the optimization function utilized in classical k-means clustering is optimal in the new Bayes clustering theory, and thus begin to understand this algorithm objectively.
Tuning azolium azolate ionic liquids to promote surface interactions with titanium nanoparticles leading to increased passivation and colloidal stability

The passivation and stability of suspensions of titanium nanoparticles in azolium azolate ionic liquids can be tuned by introducing metal specific binding sites in the azolate anion.
Organometallic Routes to 2,5-Dihydroxy-3-(indol-3-yl)benzoquinones. Synthesis of Demethylasterriquinone B4

A method has been developed to sequentially add indole-3-mercurials to dichlorinated quinones using palladium catalysis. These reactions can be used in the modular assembly of bis(indol-3-yl)benzoquinones, a significant natural product family.
Complete 0ℏgw shell model Monte Carlo calculations of 94Ru, 96Pd, 96,98Cd and 100Sn

Abstract We perform shell model Monte Carlo calculations for nuclei in the 100 Sn region within the complete 0 g -1 d -2 s oscillator shell using an effective interaction derived from the Paris nucleon-nucleon potential. We find good agreement with empirically calculated masses, and reproduce the observed quenching of the total Gamow-Teller strengths in this mass region. The Gamow-Teller strength in 100 Sn is predicted to be nearly a factor of 3 smaller than the single particle estimate.
Role of the nucleus ambiguus in the regulation of heart rate and arterial pressure

The present study examined the effect of lesion of cell bodies in the nucleus ambiguus area on the development of neurogenic hypertension and further explored the cardiovascular responses produced by chemical and electrical stimulation of the nucleus ambiguus and the neighboring C1 region. Three days after chemical lesion of the nucleus ambiguus with kainic acid, arterial pressure and heart rate were unchanged; however, subsequent sinoaortic deafferentation produced a significantly greater increase of arterial pressure (157 +/- 7 vs 132 +/- 5 mm Hg) and heart rate (436 +/- 10 vs 374 +/- 10 beats/min) compared with those produced by sham lesion. Glutamate injected into the nucleus ambiguus increased arterial pressure and heart rate at 20 nmol/100 nl and decreased heart rate at 50 nmol/100 nl. Glutamate injected into the C1 area increased arterial pressure and heart rate at both doses. Gamma-Aminobutyric acid at 50 nmol/100 nl produced bradycardia and a fall in arterial pressure when injected into both the nucleus ambiguus and C1 area. The heart rate responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate were attenuated in sinoaortic-deafferentated rats. The nucleus ambiguus and the C1 region were mapped using electrical stimulation with microelectrodes. All points stimulated in three anteroposterior sections in the nucleus ambiguus and the C1 area produced increases in arterial pressure, whereas bradycardia was restricted to the middle of three lateral coordinates associated with the center of the nucleus ambiguus and the C1 area ventral to the nucleus ambiguus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Real-time implementation of matched filtering algorithms using adaptive focal-plane array technology

Spectrally tunable quantum-dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) can be used to approximate multiple spectral responses with the same focal-plane array. Hence, they exhibit the potential for real time adaptive detection/classification. In the present study, it is shown that we can perform the detection/classification operation at the adaptive focal-plane array (AFPA) based on QDIPs by fitting the QDIP's response to the correspondent operators. With a new understanding of spectral signature in the sensor space, the best fitting can be achieved. Our simulation results show how well QDIPs perform in different regions of the spectrum in the mid- and long wave infrared. The results indicate that the AFPA performance does not match that of the ideal filtering operators, but reliable measurement can be accomplished.
HIV-1 Vpr enhances production of receptor of activated NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) via potentiation of glucocorticoid receptor activity.

The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr potentiates glucocorticoid (GC)-induced inhibition of a variety of immunologically important cytokines. We report the first instance of synergy between Vpr and GC in induction of a T cell cytokine, one which may underlie a metabolic complication of HIV infection. Accelerated bone resorption is an important complication of HIV disease and its treatment. Receptor of activated NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is the final effector of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. It is induced by exogenous GC, a prominent cofactor in bone mineral loss, as well as by elevated levels of endogenous GC, found in many patients with HIV disease. We document Vpr-mediated upregulation of RANKL, the dependence of this effect on GC receptor integrity, its function through a classic GC receptor motif, and its independence from Vpr-mediated G2 cell cycle arrest. These data suggest a positive regulatory role for Vpr in transcriptional control of a cytokine that may be critical to one metabolic complication of HIV.
Grip Strength and Fatigue in Junior College Tennis Players

Change in grip strength over 30 trials was documented in two samples of junior college tennis players to assess possible fatigue. Eight men and eight women performed 30 maximum-grip strength tests with 25-sec. rests between trials. Significant positive correlations (.38 and .53 for men and women) were observed between grip strength and trials. In practical terms, grip strength did not change over 30 trials in these tennis players. The data suggested that the repetitive gripping patterns used by these players in tennis play resulted in consistent maximum-grip strengths across 30 trials.
Skin tumor initiating activity of therapeutic crude coal tar as compared to other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in SENCAR mice.

Abstract Crude coal tar (CCT), a complex mixture rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including carcinogens such as benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP), is widely used therapeutically in dermatological practice, particularly in combination with ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of chronic dermatoses such as psoriasis. In this study we analyzed the tumor initiating activity of therapeutic CCT preparation (USP) in a two-stage model system (initiation and promotion) in SENCAR mice. The tumorigenicity of CCT was compared with other conventionally studied carcinogenic PAHs; 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA), 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), benzo[ a ]pyrene 7,8-diol (BP-7,8-diol) and benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP). A single topical application of an initiating dose of CCT (20 μl), DMBA (39 nmol), MCA (746 nmol), BP-7,8-diol (352 nmol) or BP (396 nmol) was followed by twice weekly application of 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (3.24 nmol). The first tumor appearance in the CCT treated group was at 6 weeks on test as compared with DMBA and MCA (3 weeks) and BP-7,8-diol and BP (4–5 weeks). In a total of 20 animals after 8 weeks on test the DMBA, MCA, BP-7,8-diol, BP and CCT groups of mice showed 457, 176, 106, 76 and 46 tumors, respectively. After 11 weeks 100% of the mice in each experimental group had developed tumors and the number of tumors/mouse was 24.3, 15.0 9.8, 6.6 and 3.3 in the DMBA, MCA, BP-7,8-diol, BP and CCT groups, respectively. These studies provide first evidence that a single topical application of a therapeutic preparation of CCT possesses skin tumor initiating activity.
Reducing diet and/or exercise training decreases the lipid and lipoprotein risk factors of moderately obese women.

Objective: This study was designed to measure the influence of diet, exercise or both on serum lipids and lipoproteins in obese women.Methods: Obese subjects were randomly divided into one of four groups: diet alone (1,200–1,300 kcal/day, NCEP, Step I), exercise alone (five 45 minute sessions per week at 78.4 ± 0.5% maximum heart rate), exercise and diet, and controls. Maximal aerobic power, body composition, diet, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured in all subjects at baseline and after a 12-week intervention period. Subjects included 91 moderately obese (45.6 ± 1.1 y, body mass index 33.1 ± 0.6 kg/m2) and 30 nonobese (43.2 ± 2.3 y, body mass index 21.4 ± 0.34 kg/m2) women who were recruited from the surrounding community. Independent t tests were used to compare obese and nonobese subjects at baseline. The 12-week intervention data from the obese groups were analyzed using a 4 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA design.Results: Cross-sectional comparisons at baseline showed obese subjects had significan...
The importance of blood pressure control in the patient with diabetes

In individuals with diabetes mellitus, higher risk for renal and cardiovascular disease is seen with blood pressure levels >130/80 mm Hg. Findings of several studies, as well as new guidelines, indicate that individuals with diabetes will benefit from more aggressive treatment of hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, diuretics, β-adrenoceptor blockers, and calcium-channel blockers are effective antihypertensive agents in type 2 diabetes. Moreover, combinations of these agents are frequently required to reach the target blood pressure of <130/80 mm Hg and reduce risk for renal and cardiovascular events. All of these agents have demonstrated benefits in treating patients. Clinical evidence also indicates that the new vasodilating β-blockers offer advantages beyond blood pressure control, including cardiovascular risk reduction without exacerbating metabolic parameters. With increased awareness of the need for aggressive treatment of hypertension, clinicians can provide significant benefit to their patients with diabetes. The new β-blockers may play an important role in achieving blood pressure goals.
A unique coplanar multi-center bonding network in doubly acetylide-bridged binuclear zirconocene complexes: A density functional theory study

Abstract A unique π-conjugative interaction pattern was experimentally revealed in the doubly acetylide-bridged binuclear group 4 metallocene complexes, which was involved in C–C coupling/cleavage reactions of acetylides and σ-alkynyl migrations. To elucidate how this multi-center bonding network affects the structural and reaction properties of these complexes, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular orbital (MO) analysis were carried out on the electronic structure and σ-alkynyl migration mechanisms of the doubly acetylide-bridged binuclear Zr complexes, (L 2 Zr) 2 (μ-C CH) 2 (L = Cp, Cl). The B3LYP calculations suggested that the doubly [σ,π] acetylide-bridged complex C 2 h -(L 2 Zr) 2 (μ-C CH) 2 was produced by the reaction of L 2 Zr(C CH) 2 with L 2 Zr through a C 2 v -(L 2 Zr) 2 (μ-C CH) 2 intermediate followed by an isomerization process. In particular, the isomerization of C 2 h - or C 2 v -(L 2 Zr) 2 (μ-C CH) 2 is almost thermoneutral through a low barrier of 15.3–17.0 kcal/mol. The MO Walsh diagram revealed that the two isomers have a very similar six-center-six-electron bonding network. The coplanar π-conjunctive interaction by the electron donating and back-donating interactions between the metal centers and acetylide ligands significantly stabilizes the doubly acetylide-bridged binuclear group 4 metallocene complexes and the isomerization transition state.
On the use of third electrodes in a secondary zinc-air battery

Abstract The use of third electrodes for charging a secondary zinc-air battery is described. Performance data for single cells and for the battery are presented. The characteristics of the battery are: open-circuit voltage, 21·1 V; maximum power, 366 W at 38 A and 9·6 V; energy density, 23 W-hr/lb and 1350 W-hr/ft3; peak density, 15 W/lb and 880 W/ft3. Some of the problems encountered in the operation of the battery are discussed.
Purification and characterization of folate binding proteins from rat placenta

Rat placenta contains virtually no unsaturated (i.e., apo-form) folate binding protein. However, by lowering the pH of a solubilized membrane preparation of this tissue to 3.5, the endogenous bound folate was dissociated from the protein and adsorbed to charcoal. The apo-form of the folate binding protein thus obtained was purified by affinity chromatography using pteroylglutamic acid covalently coupled to Sepharose 4B. A single protein band with an apparent M(r) of 36,000 was observed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the eluate from the affinity matrix. Western blot of this preparation using a rabbit antiserum raised with the affinity eluate also identified a single 36 kDa protein band. However, peptide sequencing of the N-terminal region of the proteins in the affinity eluate established that it contained two homologous proteins. Computer alignment of the first 22 N-terminal amino acids of each rat placental protein with human, bovine milk and mouse folate binding proteins showed 50-64% identical homology and 27% homology when the eight proteins were aligned together. The affinity of both rat proteins is highest for pteroylglutamic acid (Ka = 1.6.10(9) l/mol) lower for N5-methyltetrahydrofolate and substantially lower for N5-formyltetrahydrofolate. In the dose-response range studied there was no apparent affinity for methotrexate. The folate binding proteins could be released from a preparation of placental membranes using phospholipase C indicating that these proteins belong to the class of proteins anchored to the plasma membrane by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol adduct.
Women’s Bragging Rights Overcoming Modesty Norms to Facilitate Women’s Self-Promotion

Within American gender norms is the expectation that women should be modest. We argue that violating this “modesty norm” by boasting about one’s accomplishments causes women to experience uncomfort...
Antioxidant Status and Susceptibility of Sickle Erythrocytes to Oxidative and Osmotic Stress

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in antioxidant status between the red blood cells (RBCs) of sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients and controls are responsible for the differential responses to oxidative and osmotic stress-induced hemolysis. Susceptibility to hemolysis was examined by incubating oxygenated and deoxygenated RBCs at 37 degrees C with 73 mM 2,2' azobis (2-amidinopropane) HCl (AAPH), a peroxyl radical generator, for up to 3.5 hours.f The ability of RBCs to maintain membrane integrity under osmotic stress was determined over a range of diluted saline-phosphate buffer. Sickled RBCs showed a lesser degree of AAPH-induced hemolysis than control groups and were more resistant to osmotic stress-induced hemolysis. SCA patients had higher levels of RBC vitamin E and RBC lipids, but lower RBC GSH, plasma lipids and plasma carotenes than those of the hospital controls. No significant differences were observed in the levels of retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, MDA and conjugated dienes in plasma, or the levels of MDA and conjugated dienes in RBCs. The results obtained suggest that the differences in antioxidant status between sickled RBCs and controls do not appear to be responsible for their different susceptibility to oxidative or osmotic stress-induced hemolysis observed.
Hybrid Control Design Applied in Land Vehicle Behavior-Based Switching Controller

This article describes the design and simulation implementation of a behavior-based control system that can be used for maneuvering of nonholonomic vehicles. As opposed to a single controller approach which treats tracking a curve with discontinuous yaw, we apply a behavior-based control approach with switching among different controllers for tracking smooth trajectories and yaw control. We use the results from hybrid system control where multiple Lyapunov functions are used in order to prove overall controller stability. The controllers are designed using a command filtered, vector backstepping (CFBS) approach where each controller's objective is to force a specified output to track a desired ideal output. The article includes design of the control law and simulation based analysis of the performance. The simulation confirms the theoretical result.
What's in a name? Comparing DPA and Ph.D. programs

This article explores two questions: What are the main similarities and differences between the current sets of DPA and Ph.D. programs? And how, if at all, do these types compare on one important measure of program quality--the research productivity of program participants and graduates? After comparing DPA and Ph.D. programs and the research productivity of their graduates, the authors conclude that there is very little difference in DPA and Ph.D. programs. Degree title is more informative about the type of students recruited than outputs, such as journal publications. While DPA programs tend to be aimed more at practitioner training, that does not translate into lower levels of scholarly productivity for those graduates. The most noteworthy finding is the overall low research productivity of public administration graduates. Finally, the article raises several critical questions about the scholarly output of public afiairs program graduates.
Emotion and leadership: What scholarship on status and identity can tell us

While leadership and emotion have been described as interrelated by many scholars in disciplines outside of sociology, there is a dearth of sociological literature on the subject. Indeed, within the last thirty years there has been an immense upsurge in the organizational literature on this very topic. While sociologists have not focused as much on leadership and emotions, there are many ways that sociologists can contribute, both empirically and theoretically. In this review our aim is to highlight the existing literatures within sociology that we feel are most valuable in exploring leadership and emotion, specifically, status and identity processes, while also engaging with the more developed literatures in organizations, focusing on the area of emotional regulation and labor.
A test methodology for VLSI chips on silicon

This paper describes a methodology developed to test high performance VLSI CMOS ICs that have been mounted onto a multichip silicon substrate. After a brief description of the package technology itself, the necessary elements of an ideal test methodology are provided, along with a description of the drawbacks of existing methods. The test strategy developed, covering test from the wafer level, unpopulated substrate, and populated substrate, is then detailed. >
Comment on "Numerical Lifting- Surface Theory—Problems and Progress"

N a recent paper, Landahl and Stark1 present a progress report on the status of numerical approaches to nonsteady lifting-surface theory for planar and nonplanar configurations as applied to the linearized thin-wing problem, with particular stress on the subsonic case. Over the past few years, in the course of studies adapting unsteady lifting-surface theory to marine propellers,2"4 Davidson Laboratory has developed a new method for the solution of the downwash surface integral equation. By proper expansion of the kernel function and introduction of the so-called "generalized lift operator/7 the chordwise integration is performed analytically with the additional advantage that the numerical solution is greatly simplified. These studies indicate that use of the generalized lift operator, which is in fact dictated by the nature of the integral equation itself, is a more accurate and rapid procedure than the "usual" numerical approaches for evaluating the steady and unsteady pressure distributions on lifting surfaces and resultant hydrodynamic forces. This technique has been used in Ref. 5, where the lifting surfaces are the blades of a marine propeller operating in nonuniform inflow, and in Ref. 6 for the case of a deeply submerged, flat, rectangular hydrofoil in steady flow. In Ref. 7, this new approach has been applied to several two-dimensional, unsteady airfoil problems and has yielded results identical to the known explicit solutions.
The role of the Type I interferon response in the resistance of mice to filovirus infection.

Adult immunocompetent mice inoculated with Ebola (EBO) or Marburg (MBG) virus do not become ill. A suckling-mouse-passaged variant of EBO Zaire ’76 (‘mouse-adapted EBO-Z’) causes rapidly lethal infection in adult mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation, but does not cause apparent disease when inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.). A series of experiments showed that both forms of resistance to infection are mediated by the Type I interferon response. Mice lacking the cell-surface IFN-α/β receptor died within a week after inoculation of EBO-Z ’76, EBO Sudan, MBG Musoke or MBG Ravn, or after s.c. challenge with mouse-adapted EBO-Z. EBO Reston and EBO Ivory Coast did not cause illness, but immunized the mice against subsequent challenge with mouse-adapted EBO-Z. Normal adult mice treated with antibodies against murine IFN-α/β could also be lethally infected with i.p.-inoculated EBO-Z ’76 or EBO Sudan and with s.c.-inoculated mouse-adapted EBO-Z. Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice became ill 3–4 weeks after inoculation with EBO-Z ’76, EBO Sudan or MBG Ravn, but not the other viruses. Treatment with anti-IFN-α/β antibodies markedly accelerated the course of EBO-Z ’76 infection. Antibody treatment blocked the effect of a potent antiviral drug, 3-deazaneplanocin A, indicating that successful filovirus therapy may require the active participation of the Type I IFN response. Mice lacking an IFN-α/β response resemble primates in their susceptibility to rapidly progressive, overwhelming filovirus infection. The outcome of filovirus transfer between animal species appears to be determined by interactions between the virus and the innate immune response.
Emissions inventory of greenhouse gases and ammonia from livestock housing and manure management

A n emission inventory is a database on the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere. The anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases are detrimental to the environment and the ecosystems. Therefore, reducing emissions is crucial. One key issue is to inventory these emissions, and consequently databases on anthropogenic emissions will be available for making decisions on implementing suitable mitigation strategies. Such investigations aim at developing national emissions inventory for domestic livestock and to identify possible abatement techniques in order to reduce these emissions. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to introduce and define the emissions inventories, review the emission inventory guides, introduce the relation between the emissions inventory and livestock buildings and manure stores and the relevant emission factors and algorithms, review the tools for processing the emissions inventories (e.g. models, software), show the evaluation and improvement methods of emissions inventories, review the emissions abatement techniques, and present examples and paradigms of available national emissions inventories for several countries. Keywords: emissions inventory, greenhouse gases, methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia, particulate matter, livestock buildings, manure, emission factors, emissions abatement techniques
Clinical Intuition: A Procedure for Balancing the Rights of Patients and the Responsibilities of Physicians

The assumption underlying the subtitle of this paper is that medicine in the 1970’s has become an adversarial practice, requiring a procedure for adjudicating between the rights of patients and the responsibilities of physicians. It is ironic that the relationship between doctor and patient — traditionally a vital element in the healing process — should deteriorate at precisely the time when medicine has become more effective. Although the doctor-patient relationship appears to be evolving in a libertarian direction, emphasizing individual autonomy, self-determination, and rights, an ambivalence remains; witness the unclarity of attitude of the courts and legislatures. Precisely because this uncertainty exists, it is not surprising that at times the practice of medicine seems to juxtapose the interests of patients and those of physicians. This essay will consider these questions by examining two very different issues in modern medicine: (1) the rights of patients and the responsibilities of physicians in situations in which acutely, critically ill patients who have easily treatable diseases refuse life-saving therapy, and (2) the rights of patients and the responsibilities of physicians in situations in which ambulatory patients with self-defined senses of dis-ease or illness demand specific services from physicians.
Combinations of chiral and prochiral singlet radical-pairs in reaction cavities of polyethylene films. Control and analysis of radical tumbling and translation.

The regio- and stereo-chemistries of combination products from chiral 1-naphthoxy/(R)-2-phenylpropanoyl and prochiral 1-naphthoxy/1-phenylethyl singlet radical-pairs (radical-pairs A and B, respectively) have been studied at different temperatures in polyethylene (PE) films with different crystallinities. The radical-pairs have been generated as intermediates along the photo-Fries reaction course of 1-naphthyl (R)-2-phenylpropanoate ((R)-1) and the photo-Claisen reaction course of 1-naphthyl (R)-1-phenylethyl ether ((R)-2). Radical-pair B was produced directly upon lysis of the first excited singlet state of (R)-2 and indirectly after irradiation of (R)-1 and subsequent decarbonylation of the 2-phenylpropanoyl radical of radical-pair A. Comparison of the fates of the directly and indirectly formed radical-pairs B provides detailed information about the nature of the reaction cavities within the polyethylene hosts and how the combinations of the radical-pairs are influenced by their initial locations within a cavity. The results, especially when taken with those from irradiations in n-alkanes, indicate that the PE cavities are “templated” by the (R)-1 and (R)-2 guest molecules and that the templated shapes are retained in some form for periods that are at least as long as the time required for decarbonylation of a 2-phenylpropanoyl radical. In addition, the enantiomeric excesses of the decarbonylated photoproducts from (R)-1 (2, 2-(1-phenylethyl)-1-naphthol (2BN), and 4-(1-phenylethyl)-1-naphthol (4BN)) or 2BN and 4BN from (R)-2 indicate different influences of temperature on translational and tumbling motions of the radicals of radical-pairs B within their polyethylene cages.
Generic architecture for power aware routing in wireless sensor networks

We describe the design and implementation of a generic architecture to provide a collective solution for power-aware routing to a wide range of problems in wireless sensor network environments. Power aware-routing is integral to the solutions proposed for a variety of wireless sensor network problems. This can lead to challenging technical problems and deployment barriers when attempting to integrate the proposed solutions. We have identified coupling between sources and sinks as the main factor for different design choices for a range of problems. We developed a core-based hierarchical routing framework and protocol for efficient power-aware routing that is used to decouple the sources from sinks. We show the efficiency of our approach via simulation.
Esophageal dilatation and reflux in neonates supported by ECMO after diaphragmatic hernia repair

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for survivors of surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia was used in 14 neonates. All showed marked esophageal dilatation on postoperative chest radiographs; the dilated esophagus simulated an air- or fluid-filled mass. All patients were later shown to have marked gastroesophageal reflux as well. The finding suggests a problem in swallowing exists before birth, which may explain the recent correlation between diaphragmatic hernia and hydramnios. The observation of a mediastinal mass in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia may represent esophageal ectasia and may be related to significant gastroesophageal reflux.
Firearms and suicide in US cities

On an average day in the USA more than 100 Americans die by suicide-half use firearms. Suicide rates overall and by firearms are higher, on average, in states where household firearm ownership is more common. In general this means in states where a greater proportion of the population lives in rural areas. The current ecological study focuses on the relation between measures of household firearm prevalence and suicide mortality in urban areas (metropolitan statistical areas and divisions) using survey-based measures of firearm ownership. Suicide rates (1999-2010) for metropolitan statistical areas that are comprised of large US cities come from death certificate records; rates of household firearm ownership come from the 2002 and 2004 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System. Higher rates of firearm ownership are strongly associated with higher rates of overall suicide and firearm suicide, but not with non-firearm suicide. Stratification by gender, age and race did not materially affect the association between firearms and suicide. This study provides evidence consistent with previous case-control work and extends evidence from previous state- and region-level ecological studies that firearms in the home impose suicide risk above and beyond baseline.
The Headache and Pain of Spontaneous Carotid Dissection

SYNOPSIS The clinical features of the headache and neck pain in 21 cases of spontaneous carotid dissection are described. Twenty of 21 patients had head pain or headache and of the 20, 12 had neck pain as well. One patient had neck pain only. Typically, the headache involved the ipsilateral forequarter of the head and neck pain was of local origin in the region of the upper few inches (10 cm.) of the internal carotid artery. Recognition of the headache as a prodromal manifestation may lead to prevention of a stroke through the use of anticoagulation.
Phylogeny of the cycads based on multiple single-copy nuclear genes: congruence of concatenated parsimony, likelihood and species tree inference methods

†Background and aims Despite a recent new classification, a stable phylogeny for the cycads has been elusive, particularly regarding resolution of Bowenia, Stangeria and Dioon. In this study, five single-copy nuclear genes (SCNGs) are applied to the phylogeny of the order Cycadales. The specific aim is to evaluate several gene tree ‐ species tree reconciliation approaches for developing an accurate phylogeny of the order, to contrast them with concatenated parsimony analysis and to resolve the erstwhile problematic phylogenetic position of these three genera. †Methods DNA sequences of five SCNGs were obtained for 20 cycad species representing all ten genera of Cycadales. These were analysed with parsimony, maximum likelihood (ML) and three Bayesian methods of gene tree ‐species tree reconciliation, using Cycas as the outgroup. A calibrated date estimation was developed with Bayesian methods, and biogeographic analysis was also conducted. †Key Results Concatenated parsimony, ML and three species tree inference methods resolve exactly the same tree topology with high support at most nodes. Dioon and Bowenia are the first and second branches of Cycadales after Cycas, respectively, followed by an encephalartoid clade (Macrozamia ‐Lepidozamia‐Encephalartos), which is sister to a zamioid clade, of which Ceratozamia is the first branch, and in which Stangeria is sister to Microcycas and Zamia. †Conclusions A single, well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis of the generic relationships of the Cycadales is presented. However, massive extinction events inferred from the fossil record that eliminated broader ancestral distributions within Zamiaceae compromise accurate optimization of ancestral biogeographical areas for that hypothesis. While major lineages of Cycadales are ancient, crown ages of all modern genera are no older than 12 million years, supporting a recent hypothesis of mostly Miocene radiations. This phylogeny can contribute to an accurate infrafamilial classification of Zamiaceae.
Weight of the Bursa of Fabricius and Antibody Response of Chicks Hatched from Eggs Dipped in Varying Concentrations of Testosterone Propionate

Abstract SELTZER (1956) patented a method for controlling the sex of chicks by dipping hatching eggs in solutions of sex hormones. A procedure similar to Seltzer’s has been employed by Glick and Sadler (1961) and Glick (1961, 1962, 1963a) to introduce testosterone propionate (TP) into fertile eggs. These workers reported a significantly smaller bursa of Fabricius or no bursa in birds hatched from eggs dipped in 0.67 to 3.0 percent solutions of TP. The immunological competence of birds hatched from the TP dipped eggs was markedly reduced or eliminated. The primary purpose of this paper is to report the quantitative changes occurring in the weight of the bursa of Fabricius and antibody response in birds hatched from eggs dipped in varying levels of TP. PROCEDURE Eggs were removed from the incubator on the third day of incubation. One and one-quarter inches of the small end of the egg was immersed in…
Control of STDs--the role of prophylactic vaccines against herpes simplex virus.

OBJECTIVES: To summarise the current status of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine development and provide a discussion of the potential benefits and limitations of genital herpes vaccines. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: Genital herpes simplex virus infection has a complex pathogenesis that has contributed to it becoming a serious worldwide problem. In an attempt to control the problem five different types of genital herpes vaccines have been developed. These include inactivated virion derived vaccines, adjuvanted subunit vaccines, vectored vaccines, replication limited live viral vaccines, genetically attenuated live viral vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines. While available commercially in some parts of the world, inactivated virion derived vaccines have not been proved effective. Of the others, adjuvanted subunit vaccines, replication limited live viral vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines are currently in clinical trials and vectored vaccines and genetically attenuated live viral vaccines are in preclinical development. CONCLUSION: With regard to HSV vaccines in general, it is reasonable to expect that the newer vaccines may protect the individual from developing symptomatic genital herpes but may not protect against asymptomatic viral infection. With widespread use HSV vaccines might help to prevent the spread of genital herpes.
Analyzing the catalytic role of active site residues in the Fe-type nitrile hydratase from Comamonas testosteroni Ni1.

A strictly conserved active site arginine residue (αR157) and two histidine residues (αH80 and αH81) located near the active site of the Fe-type nitrile hydratase from Comamonas testosteroni Ni1 (CtNHase), were mutated. These mutant enzymes were examined for their ability to bind iron and hydrate acrylonitrile. For the αR157A mutant, the residual activity (k cat = 10 ± 2 s−1) accounts for less than 1 % of the wild-type activity (k cat = 1100 ± 30 s−1) while the K m value is nearly unchanged at 205 ± 10 mM. On the other hand, mutation of the active site pocket αH80 and αH81 residues to alanine resulted in enzymes with k cat values of 220 ± 40 and 77 ± 13 s−1, respectively, and K m values of 187 ± 11 and 179 ± 18 mM. The double mutant (αH80A/αH81A) was also prepared and provided an enzyme with a k cat value of 132 ± 3 s−1 and a K m value of 213 ± 61 mM. These data indicate that all three residues are catalytically important, but not essential. X-ray crystal structures of the αH80A/αH81A, αH80W/αH81W, and αR157A mutant CtNHase enzymes were solved to 2.0, 2.8, and 2.5 A resolutions, respectively. In each mutant enzyme, hydrogen-bonding interactions crucial for the catalytic function of the αCys104-SOH ligand are disrupted. Disruption of these hydrogen bonding interactions likely alters the nucleophilicity of the sulfenic acid oxygen and the Lewis acidity of the active site Fe(III) ion.
Research Genres: Theoretical and methodological issues

In this chapter, I explore a number of more theoretical issues that have in recent years somewhat complicated any attempts at an applied genre analysis, whether directed at the academy, the corporate world, the health professions, governments, or even the law. In so doing, however, I will hold to a practitioner orientation – if at times at quite long range and at others somewhat precariously. In other words, I will be searching for a position that, on the one hand, engages as far as necessary with genre theory, while, on the other, protects applied discourse analysts from particularly complex or distant sources of theory construction so that their arriving at workable solutions to real-world problems is not unreasonably delayed or placed in other kinds of jeopardy. I suggest that a large part of the way forward in this pragmatic approach is to take the view that theory and methodology represent not so much separate epistemological worlds as mirror images of the same enterprise – that of making useful discoveries. In this way, theory turns out to be what we need to shape and inform our methodologically derived observations and interpretations, while the methodological options that emerge modify the theoretical positioning that we started with. Theory, then, can best be seen as what we need to frame a viable piece of action research , rather than being a body of reflections and perplexities that may hold up investigative endeavors.
Nature of the chemical bond in transition: dissection of radical-molecule reactivity.

A complete method for quantifying the Born–Oppenheimer barriers of radical–-molecule abstraction reactions is derived from first principles with the dual objectives of analytical prediction and con...
The Relationship between Hemispheric Latarality and Motor Function in Hemiplegia

近年、大脳半球一側優位性の研究の進展は著しいものがある。理学療法の分野でも左右の半球損傷患者の機能的差異を的確に把握しておくことが重要であり、本論文ではこのことについて著者のこれまでの研究を基に述べる。
Spore-to-spore cultivation of Didymium iridis on heat-killed bacteria

Didymium iridis myxamoebae and plasmodia were cultivated in liquid peptone-glucose-yeast media or on plain agar with Escherichia coli killed by mild heat treatment. Fifteen of sixteen heterothallic strains could be maintained by serial transfer on the axenic medium. There was no difference in mating and sporulation frequency between never axenized strains and axenic strains reassociated with live bacteria at the time of mating. Axenic strains mated under axenic conditions formed plasmodia at the same frequency as the above crosses but the sporulation frequency was reduced by one-half.
Test of a Two-Layer Network as a Model of Human Entry-Level Object Recognition

A number of recent models of shape recognition assume that the outputs of a lattice of early (V1) spatial filters are mapped directly onto an object representation layer. Although such two-layer networks may be appropriate for face recognition or visually guided motor behavior, a near optimum version of such a model failed to generate the qualitative characteristics of human object recognition data. Hidden layers that represent viewpoint-invariant properties of contours may be required for modeling human object recognition.
The status analysis of the unfulfilled government health security measures in some less-developed areas

Through the status analysis of the unfulfilled government health security measures in some less-developed area,this article exposed the harmful effects of these problems on the public health system construction,and pointed out that we must pay great attention to these problems and solve them practically.On the basis of intensifying the "three kinds of sense" and appraising and deciding the finacial allocation scientifically,we can explore "three models" of managing of health security.
Recognition of Bartonella infection

Bacteria of the genus Bartonella(alpha subdivision of the class Proteobacteria) are Gram-negative,fastidious,aerobic bacilli with more than 26 described species or subspecies.They are widespread in nature with several animal reservoirs(mainly cats,dogs,and rodents) and insect vectors(mainly sandflies,fleas,and human lice).Seventeen Bartonella spp.have been associated with an expanding spectrum of human diseases,ranging from acute fever to more severe disease manifestations including lymphadenopathy,fever of unknown origin,endocarditis,sensory and motor neuropathies,ophthalmological syndromes,and Carrion's disease.This review provides some information on seroepidemiological studies,clinical manifestations,and diagnosis and treatment of Bartonella infections.
Law and Legislation in Municipal Bankruptcy

Corporate and consumer bankruptcy are defined by two principal features: a compulsory process and an identifiable set of priorities to debtor property. These “rule of law” features reduce borrowing costs ex ante by, among other things, discouraging rent-seeking ex post. Municipal bankruptcy, by contrast, despite apparent similarities, embodies a radically different kind of debt adjustment. Substantive priorities in Chapter 9 are riddled with uncertainty, and the very invocation of bankruptcy is subject to veto by multiple political actors. Consequently, this Article contends, familiar models of bankruptcy are inadequate to explain the existing regime of municipal debt adjustment. What Chapter 9 creates is less a forum for the application of settled law, and more a venue for legislation, in which multiple political bodies seek to apportion resources by mutual consent. Political economy rather than contract-enforcement theory supplies the appropriate lens. This Article traces some of the implications of this view and argues that, relative to a system of rights enforcement, municipal bankruptcy as we know it leads to too few bankruptcies and at the same time increases the costs of financing city services and impoverishes residents, employees, and retirees. Reformers would do well to keep in mind a simple slogan: more law, less legislation.