cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of antimicrobial applications to the umbilical cord in neonates to prevent bacterial colonization and infection: a review of the evidence

In developing countries umbilical cord infections constitute a major cause of neonatal morbidity and pose significant risk for mortality, whereas outbreaks of cord infections continue to occur in developed country nurseries. Cord infections in developing countries can be prevented through increasing access to tetanus toxoid immunization during pregnancy, promoting clean cord care and reducing harmful cord applications and behaviors. Interventions introduced in both developed and developing countries to reduce exposure of the cord to infectious pathogens include clean cord cutting, hand-washing before and after handling the baby, bathing of the infant with antimicrobial agents and application of antimicrobials to the cord. Despite the importance of umbilical cord care, both traditionally and medically, there have been few randomized trials investigating the impact of different cord care regimens on rates of local or systemic infections, particularly in developing countries. This review examines available data on umbilical cord care, with a particular focus on those comparing rates of bacterial colonization and/or rates of cord infection among neonates receiving different umbilical cord care regimens. Although most investigators agree that topical antimicrobials reduce bacterial colonization of the cord, a firm relationship between colonization and infection has not been established. Further research in developed countries, including follow-up beyond hospital discharge, is required before advising on “best cord care practices.” The paucity of published reports from developing countries indicates the need to investigate the impact of antimicrobial applications on cord and systemic infections in a community-based, prospective manner.
Quaternary selenostannates Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 and AGaSnSe4 (A=K, Rb, and Cs) through rapid cooling of melts. Kinetics versus thermodynamics in the polymorphism of AGaSnSe4

Abstract The quaternary alkali-metal gallium selenostannates, Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 and AGaSnSe4 (A=K, Rb, and Cs), were synthesized by reacting alkali-metal selenide, Ga, Sn, and Se with a flame melting–rapid cooling method. Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group C2 with cell constants a=13.308(3) A, b=7.594(2) A, c=13.842(3) A, β=118.730(4)°, V=1226.7(5) A3. α-KGaSnSe4 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm with a=8.186(5) A and c=6.403(5) A, V=429.1(5) A3. β-KGaSnSe4 crystallizes in the space group P21/c with cell constants a=7.490(2) A, b=12.578(3) A, c=18.306(5) A, β=98.653(5)°, V=1705.0(8) A3. The unit cell of isostructural RbGaSnSe4 is a=7.567(2) A, b=12.656(3) A, c=18.277(4) A, β=95.924(4)°, V=1741.1(7) A3. CsGaSnSe4 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmcn with a=7.679(2) A, b=12.655(3) A, c=18.278(5) A, V=1776.1(8) A3. The structure of Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 consists of a polar three-dimensional network of trimeric (Sn,Ga)3Se9 units with Na atoms located in tunnels. The AGaSnSe4 possess layered structures. The compounds show nearly the same Raman spectral features, except for Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6. Optical band gaps, determined from UV–Vis spectroscopy, range from 1.50 eV in Na2−xGa2−xSn1+xSe6 to 1.97 eV in CsGaSnSe4. Cooling of the melts of KGaSnSe4 and RbGaSnSe4 produces only kinetically stable products. The thermodynamically stable product is accessible under extended annealing, which leads to the so-called γ-form (BaGa2S4-type) of these compounds.
Morphological changes in the facial region and a model of dental growth and wear pattern development in Nothrotheriops shastensis

ABSTRACT Specimens of Nothrotheriops shastensis (25 juvenile mandibles or fragments, and 22 maxillae and fragments) from San Josecito Cave, Mexico, Shelter Cave, Conkling Cavern, Rampart Cave, and the tar seeps at Rancho La Brea were examined to determine (1) the patterns of tooth growth, eruption, and wear, and (2) the pattern of anterior facial growth. Although they lack enamel, sloth teeth have a hard outer layer of dentine structurally distinct from the softer central dentine. These two dentine types were present in all specimens, including the smallest juvenile (length of mandibular tooth row = 20.3 mm). Some tooth wear was present in all specimens. The alveoli for the ever-growing teeth extend to the ventral border of the mandibular ramus in adult sloths but not in juveniles. Both maxillary and mandibular tooth roots in juvenile sloths are tilted and curved, but in adults are more vertical and straight. Changes in tooth size and orientation during growth result in size and shape changes in the occlu...
Routine insertion of a Silastic® spring-loaded silo for infants with gastroschisis☆

Abstract Background/Purpose: Gastroschisis traditionally is managed by emergency operating room closure (EC), with a silo reserved for cases that cannot be closed primarily. The authors recently began using routine insertion of a SILASTIC® (Dow Corning, Midland, MI) spring-loaded silo (SLS), followed by elective closure. Methods: A total of 43 consecutive neonates with gastroschisis were treated between 1993 and 1998. Results: Thirty patients underwent EC, and 13 underwent closure after insertion of a SLS (10 at bedside, 3 in the operating room). Eight infants treated by EC required staged repair. There were no differences with respect to gestational age, birth weight, gender, Apgar score, maternal age, or mode of delivery. Median length of stay was 32 days for EC and 25 days for SLS ( P =.05). The SLS group required fewer days on a ventilator (4 v 6 days, P =.03) and had lower intraoperative (28 v 21, P =.02) and early postoperative peak airway pressures. The time to tolerate full feedings was 21 days for SLS and 27 days for EC ( P =.07). The SLS group had fewer complications and a lower median hospital charge ($71,498 v $85,147; P =.05). Conclusion: SLS followed by elective repair permits gentle, gradual reduction of the viscera. When compared with EC, SLS is associated with significantly lower airway pressures, earlier extubation, fewer complications, and decreased length of stay and hospital charges. J Pediatr Surg 35:843-846. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Impact of Respiratory Maneuvers on Cardiac Volume Within Left-Breast Radiation Portals

Background Late cardiac morbidity and mortality have been reported among left-breast cancer survivors treated with radiation therapy. Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity is affected by the volume of myocardium included in the radiation portals. We hypothesize that simple respiratory maneuvers may alter the position of the heart relative to the portals without altering the radiation dose delivered to the breast. Methods and Results Fourteen healthy female adult volunteers underwent cardiac MRI to determine the cardiac volume included in the typical left-breast radiation field during respiratory maneuvers. Cardiac volume within the radiation portals was assessed from a transverse stack of 14 1-cm-thick contiguous slices covering the entire heart, obtained during breath holding at end-tidal volume (baseline), deep inspiration, and forced expiration. Thirteen subjects (92%) had inclusion of a portion of the heart within the radiation portals at end-tidal volume (median, 20.9 cm3; range, 1.3 to 88.4 cm3). In these subjects, inspiration decreased the cardiac volume included within the radiation portals (median change: −10.7 cm3 [−40.2%], P <.001 versus end-tidal volume), whereas expiration increased the cardiac volume included (median change: 4.0 cm3 [21.5%]; P <.001 versus end-tidal volume). Conclusions Inclusion of a portion of the heart in the left-breast radiation field is common. The use of simple inspiratory maneuvers significantly decreases cardiac volume within the radiation portals. Such an approach during delivery of radiation therapy may allow for preservation of radiation dosage to the breast while reducing cardiac involvement and subsequent mortality.
On Maxwell's Equations with a Temperature Effect, II

In this paper we study Maxwell's equations with a thermal effect. This system models an induction heating process where the electric conductivity σ strongly depends on the temperature $u$. We focus on a special one–dimensional case where the electromagnetic wave is assumed to be parallel to the y-axis. It is shown that the resulting hyperbolic–parabolic system has a global smooth solution if the electrical conductivity σ(u) grows like uq with 0 ⋚q<8+4 √ 3. A fundamental element in this paper is the establishment of a maximum principle for wave equations with damping. This maximum principle provides an a priori bound for the first derivative with respect to both $x$ and $t$ of the solution without the imposition of any differentiability assumptions nor bounds on the coefficient of the damping term. The use of a nonlinear multiplier then permits (via a bootstrap procedure) the estimation of successively higher Lp-norms of the temperature function u.
Spectrum and anomalous temperature dependence of the 2E → 4A2 emission of Y3Al5O12: Mn4+☆

Abstract The absorption and emission spectra of Mn 4+ ions in Y 3 Al 5 O 12 are presented together with measurements of the rate of nonradiative decay from the 2 E level to 4 A 2 . This decay is ascribed to multiphonon relaxation, and its anomalous temperature dependence is discussed in terms of anharmonic contributions to the orbit-lattice interaction.
DETERMINATION IN PLASMA OF FREE 17-HYDROXY AND 17-DESOXY CORTICOSTEROIDS AND THEIR GLUCURONICACID CONJUGATES*

INTRODUCTION AS PART of a long-term investigation (1–4) on the systemic effects of both accidental and surgical trauma, it was decided to determine the blood levels of adrenocortical steroids. It is believed that the measurement of the degree and duration of adrenocortical stimulation can be more objectively evaluated by this means than by methods hitherto employed (e.g., urinary excretion studies). In 1952, Nelson and Samuels (5) reported a method for determining “17-hydroxycorticosteroids” following simple chloroform extraction of plasma or whole blood and chromatographic separation on Florisil, utilizing the Porter-Silber (6) reaction which determines only those steroids containing an alpha-ketol group with a hydroxyl group in the 17 position. In this laboratory it was not found possible to employ this method with any degree of reproducibility. In order to determine adrenocortical steroids reproducibly in peripheral blood plasma, it was found necessary to carry out a more thorough purification of the p...
A framework to accelerate sequential programs on homogeneous multicores

This paper presents a light-weight dynamic optimization framework for homogeneous multicores. Our system profiles applications at runtime to detect hot program paths, and offloads the optimization of these paths to a Partner core. Our work contributes two insights: (1) that the dynamic optimization process is highly insensitive to runtime factors in homogeneous multicores and (2) that the Partner core's view of application hot paths can be noisy, allowing the entire optimization process to be implemented with very little dedicated hardware in a multicore.
Damage mechanics with fabric tensors

A new formulation is presented to link continuum damage mechanics with the concept of fabric tensors within the framework of classical elasticity theory. A fourth-rank damage tensor is used and its exact relationship to the fabric tensors is illustrated. A model of damage mechanics for directional data is formulated using fabric tensors. The applications of the new formulation to micro-crack distributions are well illustrated in two solved examples. In the first example, a micro-crack distribution is considered with its data represented by a circular histogram. The values of the fabric tensors and damage tensor are calculated in this case. In the second example, two sets of parallel micro-crack distributions with two different orientations are investigated. In addition, a general hypothesis for damage mechanics is postulated. It is seen that the two available hypotheses of elastic strain equivalence and elastic energy equivalence may be obtained as special cases of the postulated general hypothesis. This ...
Comparison of the thermal performance between a population of the olive fruit fly and its co-adapted parasitoids

Abstract Long-term separation of a host from its native parasitoids may result in divergent thermal adaptation between host and parasitoid. The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), most likely originated from Sub-Saharan Africa, but has since had a long invasion history in cultivated olives that spans geographical barriers and continents. This study compared three major thermal performance profiles (development, survival, and reproduction) across a wide range of temperatures (10–34 °C) among a Californian population of the olive fruit fly and two African parasitoids, Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri) and Psyttalia humilis (Silvestri), believed to have co-adapted with the fruit fly in its native range. Temperature ranges for the development and survival were 10–30 °C for the fly, 10–28 °C for P. lounsburyi , and 14–32 °C for P. humilis . There was no difference in any thermal performance measured between two P. humilis populations (Kenya and Namibia) tested. The most suitable temperature ranges for reproduction were 22–30 °C for the fly, 18–32 °C for P . humilis , and 18–26 °C for P. lounsburyi . The results showed slight differences in the thermal profiles among olive fruit fly and both parasitoids species, with P. humilis being more heat tolerant whereas P. lounsburyi was less heat tolerant than the fruit fly. The results are discussed with respect to thermal co-adaptation and classical biological control of the olive fruit fly.
Determination of Concentration Dependent Transport Diffusivity of CF4 in Silicalite by Neutron Scattering Experiments and Molecular Dynamics

We have used quasi-elastic neutron scattering to determine the concentration-dependent corrected and transport diffusivities for CF4 adsorbed in silicalite at 200 and 250 K. Equilibrium molecular d...
Modification of gelation kinetics in bioactive peptide amphiphiles

Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) previously designed in our laboratory are known to self-assemble into nanofibers that exhibit bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo. Self-assembly can be triggered by charge neutralization or salt-mediated screening of charged residues in their peptide sequences, and the resulting nanofibers can form macroscopic gels at concentrations as low as 0.5% by weight. Controlling the kinetics of gelation while retaining the bioactivity of nanofibers could be critical in tailoring these materials for specific clinical applications. We report here on a series of PAs with different rates of gelation resulting from changes in their peptide sequence without changing the bioactive segment. The pre-existence of hydrogen-bonded aggregates in the solution state of more hydrophobic PAs appears to accelerate gelation kinetics. Mutation of the peptide sequence to include more hydrophilic and bulky amino acids suppresses formation of these nuclei and effectively slows down gelation through self-assembly of the nanofiber network. The ability to modify gelation kinetics in self-assembling systems without disrupting bioactivity could be important for injectable therapies in regenerative medicine.
Identity, Culture and Cosmopolitan Futures

This paper examines the policy notion of multiculturalism, and suggests that it is no longer adequate for understanding contemporary forms of interculturality that span across the globe, and are deeply affected by the processes of cultural globalization. Cultural identities can no longer be assumed as static and nation-bound, and are created instead in deterritorialized spaces, characteristics of our cosmopolitan futures. It argues that the goal of the internationalization of curriculum must involve pedagogic strategies through which students can interrogate these spaces, and seek to recreate them.
Mice infected with the larvae of Taenia crassiceps exhibit a Th2-like immune response with concomitant anergy and downregulation of Th1-associated phenomena

Infection of intermediate hosts with eggs of taeniid parasites results in a larval infestation known as cysticercosis. A number of studies have indicated that cysticercosis is associated with immunosuppression, although little is known about the mechanisms involved. In the present study, mice infected with the larvae of Taenia crassiceps were found to exhibit a pronounced energy, which preferentially affected T-cells located anatomically close to the parasite. This anergy was linked to late events in the T cell activation pathway; that is, stimulation through the T cell receptor(TCR)/CD3 complex by Concanavalin-A, or plate-bound monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to TCR alpha beta or CD3 epsilon, or combinations of phorbol ester and ionomycin (all of which can bypass early membrane-related events), failed to fully activate T lymphocytes. The relative proximity of T cells to the parasite was directly related to upregulation of IL-4 and downregulation of IL-2 production. In addition, the profiles of parasite-specific Abs showed an exclusive increase of serum IgG1 during infection. Taken together, the data suggest that infection of mice with larvae of T. crassiceps alters the balance of CD4+ Th cells by upregulating Th2 and downregulating Th1 cells located in close proximity to the parasite.
Comments on correlations of IQ with skin color and geographic–demographic variables

Abstract A large number of national and geographic population samples were used to test the hypothesis that the variation in mean values of skin color in the diverse populations are consistently correlated with the mean measured or estimated IQs of the various groups, as are some other physical variables, known as an ecological correlation. Straightforward statistical analyses clearly bear out the hypothesis, showing a significant positive ecological correlation between lightness of mean skin color and mean IQ across different populations. The main limitation of such a study design is that correlations obtained from this type of analysis are completely non-informative regarding any causal or functional connection between individual differences in skin pigmentation and and individual differences in IQ, nor are they informative regarding the causal basis of the correlation, e.g., simple genetic association due to cross-assortative mating for skin color and IQ versus a pleiotropic correlation in which both of the phenotypically distinct but correlated traits are manifested by one and the same gene.
Correlation between fragmented immunoglobulin genes and heavy chain deletion mutants.

It is generally accepted that the variable (V) and constant (C) regions of immunoglobulin (Ig) chains are under separate genetic control1. The notion that the different domains and interdomain regions are also under the control of independent genetic units was initially based on the clearcut results obtained by studying the primary structure of deletion mutants2–9 and received definitive support from direct analysis of cloned heavy (H) and light (L) chain genes10–13. Here we present additional studies carried out on two selected γ3 deletion mutants which indicate that the genetic control of human H chains may be even more complex than previously believed.
Intracavity Optical Damage Due To Electrons, Ions And Ultraviolet Photons

Many of the damage problems experienced by intracavity laser optics, particularly for discharge-pumped and electron-beam-pumped laser systems, arise from the electronic interactions of low-energy electrons, ions and ultraviolet photons with the surface and near-surface regions of the optical material. We shall describe results of recent experiments which display some of the electronic mechanisms involved in these processes, through which incident electronic energy is absorbed, localized, transformed and ultimately dissipated in ways which change the surface composition and electronic structure of model wide bandgap optical materials. We consider discuss recent experimental results on the metallization of dielectric surfaces, the effects of adsorbed overlayers in inhibiting desorption of excited neutral atoms, and the effects of glass processing on response to electron and ion irradiation. We also point out some of the ways in which the changes in the optical surfaces wrought by the low-energy and low-intensity irradiation arising from the laser pumping mechanism can influence thermal, chemical and plasma properties of the surface in ways which alter the surface response to intense laser radiation.
Tidal influence on the evolution of egg size in the grunions ( Leuresthes , Atherinidae)

The duration of natural in-beach-sand incubation of Gulf of California and California grunion embryos is dictated by the tidally-driven wave activity in their respective habitats. Analyses of these tidal regimes reveal that the incubation period can be three times longer on beaches of the California coast than on those of the northern Gulf.
Describing-function analysis of automatic generation control system with governor deadband

Abstract A describing-function method is applied to the study of the existence and behavior of limit cycles observed in power systems. A parameter sensitivity study was conducted on a system model of an isolated area. Results on the qualitative behavior of parameter changes are presented.
Agents of Policy Learning and Change: U. S. and EU Perspectives on Cultural Trade Policy

Cultural identity is an important facet of globalization, and cultural policy involves an international network of policymakers at the subnational, national, and supranational levels. It is often unclear what cultural identity means and who effects policy change, especially in a fast-changing world. The author examines one of the most important cultural policy conflicts of the last two decades to suggest that the intersections among multiple policymakers led to considerable learning through interaction and clear articulation of policy preferences. The author examines the culture war between the European Union (EU) and the United States over trade in cultural products.1 The conflict played out in international organizations and allowed the EU to come together to articulate a somewhat coherent cultural identity policy, while the United States realized the difficulty of sustaining cultural exports in the context of provocative cultural identity frames.
Reduced Order Model Based on Principal Component Analysis for Process Simulation and Optimization

It is well-known that distributed parameter computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models provide more accurate results than conventional, lumped-parameter unit operation models used in process simulation. Consequently, the use of CFD models in process/equipment co-simulation offers the potential to optimize overall plant performance with respect to complex thermal and fluid flow phenomena. Because solving CFD models is time-consuming compared to the overall process simulation, we consider the development of fast reduced order models (ROMs) based on CFD results to closely approximate the high-fidelity equipment models in the co-simulation. By considering process equipment items with complicated geometries and detailed thermodynamic property models, this study proposes a strategy to develop ROMs based on principal component analysis (PCA). Taking advantage of commercial process simulation and CFD software (for example, Aspen Plus and FLUENT), we are able to develop systematic CFD-based ROMs for equipment model...
Status Comparability and Attitudes Toward a Foreign Host Nation: A Cross-Cultural Study

Summary An investigation was made of four models of the effects of status inter-relationships during an overseas sojourn on the attitudes toward the nations visited. Questionnaires were given to 158 Ss in four groups (all groups included roughly 70% males and 30% females): Italian overseas and control groups, and American overseas and control groups. For overseas Italians, superiority to the reference group in terms of prestige, intellectual, and mean status was a significant predictor of attitudes. For overseas Americans, merely present status, devoid of a referent, was significant, but only with attractiveness status. The equal status principle and status gain models were not significant with either group. Of nonstatus variables, the most significant correlate for both groups was satisfaction with the entertainment facilities. The cross-cultural similarities supported social exchange theory, and the differences supported popular stereotypes of the two cultures and a field theoretical position on insecur...
IMAGE CONTRAST IN SECTIONS OF EPOXY RESIN-EMBEDDED BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL : MAINTENANCE OF A PROPER ANHYDRIDE-EPOXY RATIO DURING TISSUE IMPREGNATION

Epoxy resins are mixtures of several components formulated in exact proportions to assure proper polymerization. It is necessary that this composition be maintained throughout the tissue being infiltrated to avoid embedding artifacts. Unfortunately, the separate resin components will not penetrate the tissue at the same rate unless they all have the same viscosity and molecular size. Failure to meet these criteria will result in component separation during tissue infiltration and may result in severe embedding defects. This and several ancillary problems such as low tissue contrast, damage to diamond knives, and poor postsection staining are explored in this brief discussion.
Charge-remote fragmentation of gas-phase ions: mechanistic and energetic considerations in the dissociation of long-chain functionalized alkanes and alkenes

Abstract The collision-activated dissociation pathways of a number of long-chain functionalized alkane ions, CH3 (CH2)nX+, and alkene ions have been examined by tandem mass spectrometry. Major dissociation pathways observed following collisional activation include the loss of CnH2n+2 units, the loss of CnH2n+1 units, the formation of CnH+2n+1, and the formation of X+ or XH+. Isotopic labelling data for [(CD3)3 N(CD2)13CH3]+ show that no hydrogen/deuterium scrambling occurs between the charge site and the terminal methyl group for the losses of CnH2n+2 or CnH2n+1 from [(CH3)3N(CH)2)13CH3]+. The collision energy required to detect charge-remote fragmentation in low-energy (electronvolt) collisional activation experiments was found to vary with compound type, ion formation method, mass of collision target, and target gas pressure. It is proposed that the dependence of the product distribution on the type of compound is caused by competition between charge-remote fragmentation and charge-directed processes such as the formation of CnH+2n+1 or the formation of X+ or XH+. A radical mechanism is proposed to account for several charge-remote dissociation pathways that cannot be accounted for by a previously proposed cyclic elimination mechanism. These processes include the loss of methane, the formation of odd- and even-electron product ions separated by 1 u, andthe enhancement of certain dissociation products (e.g. allylic cleavage product ions) when unsaturation or substituent sites are introduced into the molecule.
Integrated inertial fusion energy chamber dynamics and response

Abstract This paper presents results of three-dimensional hydrodynamics simulations of the flow inside a model inertial fusion energy (IFE) fusion chamber. Turbulence modeling employing the large-eddy simulation approach is used to estimate the gas dynamics, state, and mixing after a sufficiently large number of target ignitions. The rich radiation-flow physics that takes place immediately after the lasers hit the hohlraum is modeled separately using a high-fidelity one-dimensional model, which provides reference conditions for the complex geometry three-dimensional turbulence simulations. The IFE geometry includes optical ports and recirculation openings as well as a duct to evacuate the debris produced after each energy deposition (as a model of a laser shot). Furthermore, a selected set of sensitivity studies are conducted to estimate the effect of uncertainty in radiative properties of the Xenon gas at the prevalent conditions in the chamber. The results provide guidance regarding the turbulence conditions in the chamber, which seem to have entered a decay state immediately before a new shot takes place. Computational estimates of the density variability within the chamber as well as pressure history at the approximate location of the laser optical ports is presented among other turbulence statistics.
Alternating isotactic ethylene-cyclopentene copolymer: a crystalline engineering plastomer including high amounts of structural disorder.

Crystals of alternating isotactic ethylene−cyclopentene copolymer include conformational disorder of cyclopentene rings and packing disorder of chains.
Validating an objective video-based dyskinesia severity score in Parkinson's disease patients

Dyskinesia is a common side effect of prolonged dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson's disease patients. Assessing the severity of dyskinesia could help develop better pharmacological and surgical interventions. We have developed a semi-automatic video-based objective dyskinesia quantifying measure called the severity score (SVS) that was evaluated on 35 patient videos. We present a study to evaluate the utility of our severity score and compare its performance to clinical ratings of neurologists. In addition to the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) score for each video, four neurologists provided three sets of time lapsed ratings and rankings of the 35 videos using a specifically developed protocol. The statistical analysis of our data using Kendall's tau-b and intra-class correlations shows that (a) ranking patient videos based on severity is suitable for studying the utility of the SVS, and (b) SVS exhibits moderate utility to quantify dyskinesia severity when compared to manual assessment of dyskinesia by neurologists using the UDysRS. These results support the effective use of SVS as an objective measure to quantify dyskinesia and the rationale for a ranking system that complements traditional rating scales.
Diffractive optics: an introduction to the feature issue.

This special feature of Applied Optics contains 20 papers on the design, applications, and fabrication of diffractive optics. The companion feature in the Journal of the Optical Society of America A (May 1995) contains papers on diffractive optics modeling. Many of these papers result from presentations at the second OSA topical meeting on diffractive optics, June 6–9, 1994, in Rochester, New York.
Phobos and Deimos control networks

Viking Orbiter images of Phobos and Deimos have been measured to establish global control networks for 98 surface features of the former and 53 of the latter; photogrammetric triangulation has yielded body-fixed coordinates of these control-points, as well as mean triaxial radii of 13.3 x 11.1 x 9.3 km for Phobos and 7.5 x 6.2 x 5.4 for Deimos. Expressions are also obtained for the inertial orientations of these bodies' spin axes and prime meridians. While these expressions should be accurate to a few tenths of a deg for the 1971-1980 period, their accuracy will degrade with time as the orbit accuracy degrades.
Ornithine decarboxylase: Inhibition by a-hydrazinoornithine

Abstract a-Hydrazinoornithine is a potent inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17, l -ornithine carboxy-lyase) with Ki values for the enzyme from Escherichia coli and rat ventral prostate of 5 · 10−7 and 2·10−6 M, respectively. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase by a-hydrazinoornithine is relatively selective, since the drug is 1–2 orders of magnitude less potent in inhibiting other pyridoxal phosphate-dependent amino acid decarboxylases. Other hydrazino compounds examined are much less potent inhibitors of ornithine deacrboxylase than a-hydrazinoornithine. Inhibition by a-hydrazinoornithine is reversible and competitive with respect to substrate.
Effects of thermoperiod on photoperiodic determination of larval diapause in Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract Some effects of thermoperiods on the photoperiodic determination of larval diapause in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis are reported. Thermoperiods and photoperiods were shown to interact to a highly significant degree in the induction of diapause. Diapause determination was found to be sensitive to the duration and temperature of the cryoscotophase of the thermophotoperiod; the thermophotophase characteristics exerted only minor influence. Cryoscotophase temperatures of 10°C or lower caused an unexpected increase in the apparent critical nightlength for diapause determination. A 0°C cryoscotophase effectively prevented the photoperiodic determination of diapause. Experimental investigation of the effects of 0°C cryoscotophases produced evidence that such low-temperature cryoscotophases may suppress the biological clock functions regulating the determination of diapause. Photoperiodic regimes in which 0°C pulses were inserted at successive points in 24-h cycle evoked responses suggesting that the early scotophase (saturation phase) was more strongly influenced by the low temperature pulse than was the later scotophase (scotonon); low temperature had little effect on the light-dependent processes (photonon) associated with the photophase.
Peltier effect in normal-metal-superconductor microcontacts.

We have calculated the heat current in the normal-metal--insulator--superconductor contacts with arbitrary transparency of the insulator barrier. In the tunneling limit (small transparencies), the heat flow out of the normal metal reaches its maximum at temperature T\ensuremath{\simeq}0.3\ensuremath{\Delta}. At higher values of transparency, the interplay between single-particle tunneling and Andreev reflection determines optimum transparency which maximizes the density of heat flow out of the normal metal. In clean contacts, the optimum transparency is about 0.1 at T=0.3\ensuremath{\Delta} and decreases with temperature roughly as (T/\ensuremath{\Delta}${)}^{3/2}$. In disordered contacts, disorder enhances Andreev reflection and shifts the optimum point towards smaller transparencies. The optimal ratio of the barrier resistance to the resistance of the normal electrode is ${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{N}}$/${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{T}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}0.01 at T=0.3\ensuremath{\Delta} and decreases with temperature similarly to clean contacts. For disordered contacts we also plot current-voltage characteristics for arbitrary values of the ratio ${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{N}}$/${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{T}}$.
Cluster reserves: a mechanism for resource management in cluster-based network servers

In network (e.g., Web) servers, it is often desirable to isolate the performance of different classes of requests from each other. That is, one seeks to achieve that a certain minimal proportion of server resources are available for a class of requests, independent of the load imposed by other requests. Recent work demonstrates how to achieve this performance isolation in servers consisting of a single, centralized node; however, achieving performance isolation in a distributed, cluster based server remains a problem.This paper introduces a new abstraction, the cluster reserve, which represents a resource principal in a cluster based network server. We present a design and evaluate a prototype implementation that extends existing techniques for performance isolation on a single node server to cluster based servers.In our design, the dynamic cluster-wide resource management problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem, with the resource allocations on individual machines as independent variables, and the desired cluster-wide resource allocations as constraints. Periodically collected resource usages serve as further inputs to the problem.Experimental results show that cluster reserves are effective in providing performance isolation in cluster based servers. We demonstrate that, in a number of different scenarios, cluster reserves are effective in ensuring performance isolation while enabling high utilization of the server resources.
A pooled analysis of common femoral and profunda femoris endovascular interventions.

BackgroundAtherosclerotic disease of common femoral and profunda femoris arteries has been historically treated with surgical endarterectomy. Endovascular treatment of common femoral artery and pro...
Smoldering multiple myeloma: special considerations surrounding treatment on versus off clinical trials

5A recent randomized phase III clinical trial reported a prolongation in progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with early treat ment of patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). 6 Typically, these patients are diagnosed incidentally on routine evaluations and have no end-organ damage. 7 Given that a key aspect of clinical medicine is “first, do no harm”, a dilemma exists regarding early intervention for SMM. Clinical trials in medicine are systematic investigations to develop generalizable knowledge. In the field of multiple myeloma, unanswered fundamental questions need to be addressed through clinical trials. Is earlier treatment in myelo ma adequate? When should treatment be initiated? What pop ulation is the most likely to benefit? What treatment strategy should we use? What type of disease monitoring after initial therapy should we employ?
Queueing analysis of explicit priority assignment partial buffer sharing schemes for ATM networks

A theoretical analysis of the cell loss probability performance of an explicit priority assignment partial buffer sharing scheme for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks is provided. A two-service-class traffic model is used in which each service class consists of bursty traffic generated by a multiple number of discrete-time Markov sources. The effect of cell loss probability on both traffic load and burstiness characteristics, as well as on system parameters such as buffer size and buffer sharing threshold, is examined. These results are useful for system design. The many examples examined yield no significant priority separation for either high- or low-priority cells. This is particularly desirable for fulfilling the objective of two quality of services (QOS) bearer services to provide only two cell loss probability levels of service. >
A remotely adjustable check-valve array with an electrochemical release mechanism for implantable biomedical microsystems

In this paper, we present a remotely adjustable check-valve array with an electrochemical release mechanism for implantable biomedical microsystems. A SU-8 polymer layer deposited on the top of a gold sacrificial layer was used as the valve structural material. A constant DC current obtained via a telemetry link was used to electrochemically dissolve the gold sacrificial layer and activate the valves. 3/spl times/3 and 4/spl times/4 arrays each containing three different size valves (50/spl times/50, 100/spl times/100 and 200/spl times/200 /spl mu/ m/sup 2/) were fabricated and tested. A current density of 35 mA/cm/sup 2/ resulted in the dissolution of a 3000/spl Aring/ gold sacrificial layer in 30 seconds with the final release completed in 1-2 minutes.
Uniform PEO Star Polymers Synthesized in Water via Free Radical Polymerization or Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Amphiphilic star shaped polymers with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) arms and cross-linked hydrophobic core were synthesized in water via either conventional free radical polymerization (FRP) or atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques using a simple "arm-first" method. In FRP, PEO based macromonomers (MM) were used as arm precursors, which were then cross-linked by divinylbenzene (DVB) using 2,2'-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN). Uniform star polymers ( M W / M n < 1.2) were achieved through adjustment of the ratio of PEO MM, DVB, and AIBN. While in case of ATRP, both PEO MM, and PEO based macroinitiator (MI) were used as arm precursors with ethylene glycol diacrylate as cross-linker. Even more uniform star polymers with less contamination by low MW polymers were obtained, as compared to the products synthesized by FRP.
Intraoperative tranexamic acid in pediatric bloodless cardiac surgery.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of intraoperative tranexamic acid administration in cardiac surgery without blood transfusion (bloodless cardiac surgery) in chil...
Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy and Congenital Heart Disease: Two Strikes?

Background: Myocardial strain determined via tissue Doppler imaging has been shown to accurately describe right ventricular (RV) function. Our purpose was to measure RV myocardial strain in cardiac transplant recipients. Methods: We performed tissue Doppler imaging of the RV via transthoracic echocardiography in 34 consecutive heart transplant recipients at the University of Pittsburgh (age 57 6 12; 5.5 6 5.3 years post-transplant; 30 males). All patients underwent right heart catheterization on the same day. None of the patients had significant (2R or greater) rejection. RV myocardial strain was measured at the basal and mid-ventricular aspects of the RV free wall and then averaged together to obtain a global measure of RV function (RV Sm). RV strain was also measured in 20 normal controls (age 49 6 13; 15 males). Results: Right heart catheterization revealed the following hemodynamics for the transplant group: right atrial pressure 6 6 4 mm Hg, mean pulmonary artery pressure 20 6 5 mm Hg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 11 6 4 mm Hg, cardiac output 5.8 6 1.0 L/min. Compared to normal controls, RV myocardial strain was significantly lower in transplant patients at the basal (-19 6 7% vs. -24 6 9%; p 5 0.03) and mid-ventricular segments ( 14 6 6% vs. 32 6 7%; p ! 0.01). RV Sm was significantly lower in the transplant group compared to controls ( 17 6 5 vs. -28 6 6; p ! 0.01). RV strain demonstrated no correlation with right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, or Fick cardiac output. In the subset of patients who were post-transplant O5 years (n 5 10), RV Sm was significantly lower than the rest of the study population ( 13 6 4% vs. 18 6 5%; p 5 0.02). Conclusion: RV strain was abnormal in cardiac transplant recipients, despite the fact that invasive hemodynamics were relatively normal in this group. This abnormality was more pronounced in those patients O5 years post-transplant. Further studies are necessary to determine the therapeutic and prognostic implications of this finding.
Estimation of turbulence closure coefficients for data centers using machine learning algorithms

CFD models of data centers often use two equation turbulence models such as the k-e model. These models are based on closure coefficients or turbulence model constants determined from a combination of scaling/dimensional analysis and experimental measurements of flows in simple configurations. The simple configurations used to derive the turbulence model constants are often two dimensional and do not have many of the complex flow characteristics found in engineering flows. Such models perform poorly, especially in flows with large pressure gradients, swirl and strong three dimensionality, as in the case of data centers. This study attempts to use machine learning algorithms to optimize the model constants of the k-e turbulence model for a data center by comparing simulated data with experimentally measured temperature values. For a given set of turbulence constants, we determine the Root Mean Square ‘error’ in the model, defined as the difference between experimentally measured temperature from a data center test cell and CFD calculations using the k-e model. An artificial neural network (ANN) based method for parameter identification is then used to find the optimal values for turbulence constants such that the error is minimized. The optimum turbulence model constants obtained by our study results in lowering the RMS error by 25% and absolute average error by 35% compared to the error obtained by using standard k-e model constants.
Another Look at the PERT Assumptions

A maximum entropy approach leads to a truncated normal distribution for the activity time in PERT analysis. Three different methods of fit are discussed, and a comparison with the standard assumption of a Beta distribution is made. The results suggest new ways of performing the PERT analysis.
Matrix based fertilizers reduce nitrogen and phosphorus leaching in greenhouse column studies

We tested the efficacy of matrix based fertilizer formulations (MBF) that reduce NH4, total phosphorus (TP), total reactive phosphorus (TRP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in leachate. The MBF formulations cover a range of inorganic N and P in compounds that are relatively loosely bound (MBF1) to more moderately bound (MBF2) and more tightly bound compounds (MBF3) mixed with Al(SO4)3 H2O and/or Fe2(SO4)3 and with the high ionic exchange compounds starch, chitosan and lignin. Glomus interadicies, a species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores that will form mycorrhizae in high nutrient environments, was added to the MBF formulations to increase plant nutrient uptake. When N and P are released from the inorganic chemicals containing N and P the matrix based fertilizers likely bind these nutrients to the Al(SO4)3 H2O and/or Fe2(SO4)3 starch–chitosan–lignin matrix. We tested the efficacy of the MBFs to reduce N and P leaching compared to Osmocote® 14-14-14, a slow release fertilizer (SRF) in sand filled columns in a greenhouse study. SRF with and without Al and Fe leached 78–84% more NH4, 58–78% more TP, 20–30% more TRP and 61–77% more than MBF formulations 1, 2, and 3 in a total of 2.0 liters of leachate after 71 days. The concentration and amount of NO3 leached among SRF and MBF formulations 1 and 2 did not differ. The SRF treatment leached 34% less NO3, than MBF3. Total plant weight did not differ among fertilizer treatments. Arbuscular mycorrhizal infection did not differ among plants receiving SRF and MBF formulations 1, 2 and 3. Although further greenhouse and field testing are called for, results of this initial investigation warrant further investigation of MBFs.
The Belgian Chocolate Company: A Dynamic Data Modeling and Database Design Case for the Accounting Information Systems Class

The Belgian Chocolate Company (BCC) case was designed to be used in an accounting information systems (AIS) class with strong emphasis on the Resource‐Event‐Agent (REA) model, data modeling, and database design. Students are asked to design, implement, and use an accounting database. A unique feature of the case is its delivery through the Internet by means of a dynamic web site. Instructors are able to adapt the content of the case to their specific needs and to create individualized assignments for students.
Evidence of Maxillary Sinus Inflammation in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Objective. Allergic rhinitis has been frequently associated with both acute and chronic sinusitis. Previous studies have shown an influx of eosinophils into the maxillary sinus after nasal challenge with allergen. The objective of this study was to determine, in humans, if the development of seasonal allergic inflammation, secondary to natural allergen exposure, leads to similar inflammation within the maxillary sinus.Study Design. Prospective, longitudinal study.Setting. Academic medical center and research laboratory.Subjects and Methods. Eighteen subjects were evaluated in and out of the ragweed allergy season using subjective measures (nasal symptoms, quality of life), nasal secretory response to methacholine challenge, and evaluation of biomarkers in nasal and sinus lavages.Results. The subjects became symptomatic during the season and reported worse quality of life and increased nasal reactivity to methacholine. The total number of eosinophils obtained by nasal lavage during the season (median= 35,6...