cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meta‐analysis of the randomized controlled trials of the hemostatic efficacy and capacity of pathogen‐reduced platelets

BACKGROUND: A recent independently funded randomized controlled trial (RCT; Br J Haematol 2010;150:209-17) questioned prevailing opinion concerning the hemostatic capacity of pathogen-reduced platelets (PLTs). Meta-analysis was used to calculate the effect of pathogen reduction (PR) of PLTs on hemostatic efficacy and capacity based on all available data and to investigate possible reasons for the variation in reported findings. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RCTs allocating patients to receive routine PLT transfusions with pathogen-reduced or untreated PLTs and reporting on at least one of six hemostasis endpoints were eligible for analysis. Five RCTs of hemato-oncology patients met eligibility criteria. Endpoints determined by similar criteria in all RCTs were integrated by fixed-effects methods. Endpoints determined by different criteria were integrated by random-effects methods. RESULTS: Studies were statistically homogeneous in all analyses. Pathogen-reduced PLTs were associated with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in 1- and 24-hour posttransfusion corrected count increments (summary mean difference, 3260; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2450-4791; and summary mean difference, 3315; 95% CI, 2027-4603) as well as a significant increase in all and in clinically significant bleeding complications (summary odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11-2.26; and summary OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11-2.13). The frequency of severe bleeding complications did not differ. CONCLUSION: The results of the recent RCT are not inconsistent with those of the earlier studies. Introduction of PR technologies in their current stage of development would result in an increase in mild and moderate (albeit not severe) bleeding complications, which the transfusion-medicine community must explicitly tolerate to reap the benefits from PR.
Microwave and DC analysis of modfets with gate lengths down to 0.1 micrometer

Abstract A comparative study has been performed between AlGaAs/GaAs MODFETs and AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs pseudomorphic MODFETS with gate lengths down to 0.1 μm. The structure features a nm-T-gate lithography of high aspect ratio. The electrical analysis focuses on the FET's unity current gain f T . Maximum f T 's were 113 GHz for the 0.1 μm MODFET, and 115 GHz for the 0.13μm pseudomorphic MODFET. For comparable gate lengths the In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As quantum well transistors had higher cut-off frequencies due to a higher effective electron velocity of v S = 1.24×10 7 cm / s as compared to v S = 1.0×10 7 cm / s for the GaAs channel transistors.
Jesus' Uncanny 'Family Scene'

Mk 3.20-35 intercalates two stories about the possession of Jesus. Jesus' family ('those about him') seek to take control of him, thinking him to be insane, while 'scribes from Jerusalem' accuse him of possession by the devil. I read this double story in light of Tzvetan Todorov's theory of the fantastic, Sigmund Freud's essay, 'The "Uncanny"', and Jacques Derrida's essay on 'Freud and the Scene of Writing'. Jesus' 'family scene' is an uncanny one because it is defined by an undecidability between two realities, two contradictory accounts of who Jesus is. It cannot be resolved either theologically or psychoanalytically. The burden of deci sion concerning the story's meaning (and Jesus's identity) is left to the reader's ideology.
MOS flat-band capacitance method at low temperatures

The expression C/sub FB/=C/sub ox/*( epsilon /sub si//L/sub D/)/(C/sub ox/+( epsilon /sub si//L/sub D/)) (where L/sub D/ is the Debye length), commonly used for the flatband capacitance of the MOS structure, is invalid in the temperature range below 100 K. Consequently, significant error may be encountered when the flatband capacitance method is used to extract the flatband voltage, V/sub FB/, which is of considerable interest for both the modeling and characterization of MOS devices. To extend this method to low-temperature CMOS applications one has to use a more general model that can be obtained by applying Fermi-Dirac statistics and taking into account the impurity freeze-out effect. It is shown that when the temperature dependence of V/sub FB/ is extracted using this approach, the experimental data for n/sup +/ polysilicon gate MOS capacitors are in good agreement with a simple method. >
Nilpotent lattice-ordered groups

A lattice-ordered groupG isweakly abelian if for each 0<x∈G andg∈G,xg=−g+x+g≦2x. The class of weakly abelian lattice-ordered groups is a variety which we denote byW. Each nilpotent class 2 lattice-ordered group is necessarily weakly abelian. The main theorem is that each subvariety ofW containing a non-abelian lattice-ordered group contains the variety generated by the free nilpotent class 2 product of two copies ofZ, the additive group of integers with the usual order. Moreover, a reasonably precise description is given of the free products of copies ofZ in varieties of nilpotent lattice-ordered groups. It is further shown that the lattice-subgroup generated by the commutator subgroup of the free lattice-ordered group inW on two generators is convex; this is false for three or more generators.
Trapping of unreplicated phage DNA into spores of Bacillus subtilis and its stabilization against damage by 32P decay.

Abstract The genome of phage ∅e enters the developing spore without prior replication. Nonetheless, 32P-labeled phage become stabilized to decay when incorporated into spores. This latter phenomenon is accompanied by resurrection on passage through the spore of phages previously damaged by 32P decay or irradiation, suggesting the existence of an efficient repair process during germination.
The Wicked Problems of Global Sustainability Need Wicked (Good) Leaders and Wicked (Good) Collaborative Solutions

Making a difference in the pursuit of a more sustainable world increasingly requires the ability to contend successfully with the wicked problem that is sustainability, and this shift needs to happen at the societal as well as the organizational level. dealing successfully with issues of sustainability means creating greater system resilience and using resources more wisely, which means working successfully across boundaries, be they sector, organizational, policy, or functional ones. Wicked problems are poorly formulated, confusing, and have many different constituents or stakeholders with conflicting values. This article argues that developing wicked (good) leadership that is collaboratively oriented and wicked (good) solutions that enhance system resilience are two potential strategies for creating change to reduce systemic problems associated with sustainability. Although these approaches do not deal with the problem of resource overuse, they may provide a basis for generating more sustainable approaches to resource use. In the late 1960s, Churchman, citing his colleague (Rittel & Webber, 1973), defined wicked problems as “that class of social system problems [that] are ill-formulated, where the information is confusing, where
Gender-based differences in cardiac diseases

It has been observed that the incidence of heart failure and Brugada syndrome are higher in men, while women are more likely to have QT interval prolongation and develop torsades de pointes (TdP). Over the past decade, new studies have improved our understanding of the mechanisms of abnormal repolarization and the relationship between gender differences in cardiac repolarization and presentation of clinical syndromes. Nevertheless, the causes of gender-based differences in cardiac disease are still not completely clear. This review paper briefly summarized what is currently known about gender differences in heart failure, Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome from molecular mechanisms to clinical presentations.
Fusion of radar and imaging sensor data for target tracking

This paper deals with the fusing of data from radar and imaging sensors at the dynamic level by generating a common state and observation model that relates the measurements to the common state vector. A key point which is taken into account in the paper is the fact that a radar provides center-of-reflection measurements that may not correspond very well to the true target center, and as the target aspect changes, the center-of-reflection may vary about the true target center. For small targets at long range, this effect may be negligible, but for semi- extended or extended objects, the mismatch must be considered. In the approach developed in the paper, the radar center-of-reflection measurements are modeled in terms of random perturbations of unknown constant off-sets from the true target center in spherical coordinates. Estimate of these off-sets are used in an extended Kalman filter approach to target tracking using radar and imaging sensor data. The performance of the resulting tracking filter is evaluated via computer simulations.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kinetic theory of galaxy correlations

Une theorie cinetique basee sur la hierarchie BBGKY est developpee pour decrire les fonctions de correlation des galaxies dans les modeles d'univers de Friedmann sur une etendue complete de valeurs du parametre de densite Ω 0 . Le schema de non-dimensionalisation derive de la notion de la sphere thermique de Hubble qui, elle-meme, provient de l'analyse du Lagrangien. Les schemas de non-dimensionalisation et d'expansion appliques aux equations BBGKY fournissent une classification des univers en termes de Ω 0 et du parametre du nombre de galaxies N THs . Neuf modeles separes sont etudies pour les solutions stationnaires de la fonction de correlation a 2 points ξ(r), ou r represente la separation propre entre les galaxies
IDENTIFICATION OF ELEMENTS ON GENEX-SECA RNA OF ESCHERICHIA COLI REQUIRED FOR SECA BINDING AND SECA AUTO-REGULATION

Abstract The protein translocation ATPase of Escherichia coli, SecA protein, auto-regulates its translation by binding to its translation initiation region in geneX-secA mRNA. To analyze this regulation further the secondary structure of this portion of geneX-secA RNA was investigated utilizing structure-specific nucleases and chemical probing approaches. The results of this analysis were consistent with the existence of two adjacent helices, helix I and the lower portion of helix II, whose function in secA activation and repression, respectively, has been demonstrated. Binding of SecA protein to geneX-secA RNA or various mutant derivatives of this RNA was studied by measurement of affinity constants, RNA footprint analysis, and quantitation of auto-repression in vivo. This analysis showed that the SecA-binding site in geneX-secA RNA was remarkably large spanning a region of 96 nucleotides including a 3′ portion of helix II, the secA translation initiation region and distal sequences. From the size of the SecA-binding site and the plasticity of its response to mutational alteration, it is suggested that SecA protein contains two distinct RNA-binding sites. Finally, it was shown that SecA binding was not sufficient to promote auto-regulation and that sequences both upstream (helix I) and within the binding site can contribute to auto-regulation without affecting SecA-binding affinity.
Clinical factors associated with relapse in primary care patients with chronic or recurrent depression.

Abstract Background Because in most patients depression is a relapsing/remitting disorder, finding clinical factors associated with risk of relapse is important. The majority of patients with depression are treated in primary care settings, but few previous studies have examined predictors of relapse in primary care patients with recurrent or chronic depression. Methods Data from a cohort of 386 primary care patients in a clinical trial were analyzed for clinical and demographic predictors of relapse over a one-year post-study observational period. Patients were selected for a high risk of relapse, based on a history of either 3 previous depressive episodes or dysthymia, and enrolled in a randomized trial of relapse prevention. Results Factors found to be associated with significantly higher risk of relapse included poorer medication adherence in the 30 days prior to the trial, lower self-efficacy to manage depression, and higher scores on the Child Trauma Questionnaire. Limitations Use of a sample of limited diversity taken from a clinical trial, and use of retrospective information from patients with potential for recall bias. Conclusions The findings of this report suggest specific risk factors to be targeted in depression relapse prevention interventions. It is encouraging that two of the factors associated with increased risk of relapse, self-efficacy and medication adherence have been seen to improve with the intervention utilized in the primary care trial from which the studied cohort was drawn.
Bioartificial kidney. I. Theoretical analysis of convective flow in hollow fiber modules: Application to a bioartificial hemofilter

Analytical expressions describing convective flow in a continuous arteriovenous hollow fiber hemofilter were developed. In the lumen of the hollow fiber membrane, existing analytical expressions were applied to describe velocity profiles and pressure. For flow in the shell (the extracapillary space separating the fibers), analytical expressions for the radial and axial velocity profiles and pressure distribution were derived by first finding the stream function. The expressions are based on a similarity solution. Previous analyses of ultrafiltration have either ignored osmotic pressure or assumed constant shell pressure. In this paper, the axial variation in lumen pressure, shell pressure, and osmotic pressure were accounted for. The predicted filtration rates agree well with the experimental results. This flow model is general enough to describe flow in hollow fiber membrane systems employed as bioreactors (e.g., for cell cultures and as bioartificial organs) and as separators (e.g., ultrafiltration and microfiltration) operating in the open-shell mode. The results were applied to determine the design of an optimally functioning bioartificial hemofilter for use ex vivo or in vivo.
Reverse I-V characteristics in Au-GaAs Schottky diode in the presence of interfacial layer

The existence of an interfacial layer in an Au-GaAs Schottky diode may be revealed by measuring its I-V characteristics at very low reverse bias voltage. It is shown in this letter that a voltage dividing factor m can be used [see (2) of the text] to describe the effect of the interfacial layer on the I-V characteristics of the diode at low bias voltage.
The differential effects of dwarf mistletoe infection and broom abundance on the radial growth of managed ponderosa pine

Abstract Broom formation in trees infected with dwarf mistletoe is one of the most important yet least understood aspects of this host–parasite relationship. Previous research has demonstrated that mistletoe infection reduces both height and radial growth of host trees, but the role of brooms in this growth reduction remains unclear. This research investigates how broom abundance influences radial growth beyond the effects of infection alone. I hypothesize that, at a given infection level, trees with brooms will show lower radial growth than comparable trees without brooms. I tested this hypothesis by measuring radial growth increments from 1989 to 1998 for 326 ponderosa pine trees representing a range of mistletoe infection and broom abundance from three selectively harvested stands on the Malheur National Forest, Oregon. Hierarchical regression shows that trees severely infected with dwarf mistletoe have reduced growth rates when compared to moderately or lightly infected individuals, but broom abundance does not uniquely impact recent radial growth after controlling for the influences of tree size and infection level. Brooms appear to be a stimulant rather than a deterrent to radial growth of the main stem and indicate an increase in photosynthetic tissue associated with the high biomass of brooms. Increased photosynthetic capacity coupled with a decrease in competition from neighboring trees could be advantageous to broomed individuals. Recent radial growth rates at any given infection level varied among the study sites, indicating that the growth response of infected trees following selective harvesting is a complex process strongly influenced by stand structure and physical site conditions. These results suggest that management strategies to increase timber yield by removing brooms may not improve stand productivity or justify the loss of ecological benefits brooms provide as wildlife habitat.
Estimates of the Rate of Surplus-Value in the Postwar United States Economy

One important prediction of Marx's theory is that the rate of surplus-value will increase as a secular tendency. This paper subjects this prediction of Marx's theory to an empirical test, by derivi...
The location-routing problem: considerations in physical distribution system design

Abstract The design of a physical distribution system is a complex task because of the various elements involved, along with their interactions. Two key elements of the system are location of depots and routing of customers from the depots. The interdependence between these two elements has been studied and solution procedures have been developed. Most research into the design of distribution systems has, however, overlooked the possible effect of the system's environment on the solution efficacy. There are various environmental and operational factors that must be considered in physical distribution system design. In this research, several significant environmental factors that influence distribution system design such as ratio of location to routing cost and spatial distribution of customers are investigated. The effect of these factors on some alternative location-routing procedures is examined. The research shows that the performance of alternative location-routing procedures is affected by various key environmental factors. The implication for the decision maker is that the choice and use of alternative solution procedures should be based on systems' environment.
Laser flash photolysis study of 10, 10‐dimethyl‐9‐anthrylidene, a carbene with nearly degenerate singlet and triplet states

10, 10-Dimethyl-9-anthrylidene (DMA) was studied by laser flash photolysis (LFP) techniques. LFP of the requisite diazo precursor in pentane or carbon tetrachioride produced transient spectra attributed to the hydrocarbon and monochlorinated diarylmethyl radicals, respectively. In the presence of pyridine and oxygen, ylides were formed upon LFP of 10, 10-dimethyl-9-diazoanthrone. However, ylides are not formed in acetonifrile or acetone. The carbene itself was not detected by transient absorption spectroscopy. The absolute rate constants for reaction of DMA with pyridine, methanol and triethylsilane are 1·96 × 109, 1·8 × 1010, and 1·0 × 108 I mol−1 s−1, respectively. It is concluded that the singlet and triplet states of DMA are essentially degenerate.
New York City Police Department Downsizing and Its Impact on Female Officer Employment

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has been downsizing its police force since about 2000. It is unclear whether the downsizing has had a negative impact on female police officer employment and promotions at each police rank. In addition, it is unclear whether the downsizing has reduced the number of new female police officers over the past 12 years. This study examines the impact that the downsizing has had on White and minority female police officers at each police rank within the NYPD. The findings reveal that the total number of Hispanic female officers increased from 1,606 in 2000 to 2,094 in 2012, while the total number of Asian female officers increased from 78 in 2000 to 141 in 2012. The findings also show that the level of diversity among the female police force increased from 2000 to 2012 despite the downsizing.
Coupled gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The specific, precise detection of volatile metal chelates has been obtained by coupling the effluent from a gas chromatograph directly to the burner head of a commercial atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Quantitation of chromium in the nanogram range has been accomplished with a detection limit of 1.0 ng. The chelation-extraction-gas chromatographic separation procedure coupled with the selective detection by AAS gives a relatively interference-free system that has been used to quantitatively analyse for chromium in standard biological materials NBS SRM 1571 Orchard Leaves and SRM 1569 Brewers Yeast. Metal chelates or iron, copper and cobalt have also been detected by this system.
Digital access to government information: To what extent are agencies in compliance with EFOIA?

Citizen access to government information is thought by many to be a cornerstone of democracy. The Electronic Freedom of Information Act (EFOIA), passed in 1996, established a legal right for people to request and receive government information in digital format and required agencies to provide specific information on their websites. Many commentators agreed that this law was a positive step and would improve citizen access to government information. This paper adopts a social informatics perspective to assess this prevailing view by examining the underlying assumptions about technology on which discourse is based. It then supports this critical assessment with an empirical investigation. First, compliance with Department of Justice guidelines was examined (following Gordon-Murnane, 1999). Then we analyzed the content of agencies’ electronic reading rooms to determine if they were in compliance with the law. Our analysis determined that agencies are in better compliance with the Department of Justice guidelines, but many do not comply with the legal requirements. Agencies could improve their compliance with the letter and the spirit of EFOIA. In this way, our study contributes to bodies of research concerned with information access, social informatics, and digital government.
APPROXIMATING ASYMMETRIC TSP IN EXPONENTIAL TIME

Let G be a complete directed graph with n vertices and integer edge weights in range [0,M]. It is well known that an optimal Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) in G can be solved in 2n time and space (all bounds are given within a polynomial factor of the input length, i.e., poly(n, log M)) and this is still the fastest known algorithm. If we allow a polynomial space only, then the best known algorithm has running time 4nnlog n. For TSP with bounded weights there is an algorithm with 1.657n · M running time. It is a big challenge to develop an algorithm with 2n time and polynomial space. Also, it is well-known that TSP cannot be approximated within any polynomial time computable function unless P=NP. In this short note we propose a very simple algorithm that, for any 0 < e < 1, finds (1+e)-approximation to asymmetric TSP in 2ne−1 time and e−1 · poly(n, log M) space. Thereby, for any fixed e, the algorithm needs 2n steps and polynomial space to compute (1 + e)-approximation.
Regiochemistry in Cycloaddition Reactions of Vinyl Azides with Phenylacetylene[1]

Vinyl azides and β-haloalkyl azides combine with phenylacetylene to give a mixture of adducts, whose regiostructure can be resolved by NMR.
Surface Solar Radiation Flux and Cloud Radiative Forcing for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP): A Satellite, Surface Observations, and Radiative Transfer Model Study

Abstract This study presents surface solar radiation flux and cloud radiative forcing results obtained by using a combination of satellite and surface observations interpreted by means of a simple plane-parallel radiative transfer model called 2001. This model, a revised version of a model initially introduced by Gautier et al., relates calibrated radiance observations from space to incoming surface solar flux. After a description of the model, an evaluation is presented by comparison with a more complex model that the authors have developed, the Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer model (SBDART) based on the discrete ordinate model of Stamnes et al. This evaluation demonstrates this model’s accuracy for instantaneous surface flux when used to retrieve daily (and monthly) surface solar flux. Limitations related to its lack of treatment of the bidirectional reflectance properties of clouds are also discussed and quantified by comparison with SBDART for instantaneous surface solar flux retri...
Where do motivational and emotional traits fit within three factor models of personality

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine the location of emotional and motivational traits within three major dimensions of personality. Subjects were 396 undergraduates. Generalized expectancies and sensitivities to signals of reward and punishment were measured by questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis was followed by a Procrustes-rotation in a second sample. Factors were highly reliable. Generalized punishment expectancy, sensitivity to signals of punishment, and trait anxiety were primarily associated with the neuroticism factor. Generalized reward expectancy, sensitivity to signals of reward, and the surgent type of positive affect were primarily associated with the extraversion factor. Trait hostility loaded positively and positive affect loaded negatively on the psychoticism factor. Results are discussed in terms of five models of personality.
Marine Fog Droplets and Salt Nuclei—Part I

Abstract In Past 1 of this fog study, the distribution of water with number and size of drops in some New England marine advection fogs was shown to be related to the distribution of number and size of salt particles found in marine air. It was indicated that in saturated air the calculated amounts of water condensed on the salt particles produced water distributions as a function of drop size much like distributions observed in numerous advection fogs. The results suggest that salt particles play an important role in the initiation and growth of marine fogs. In the present work, photomicrographs of drops and of drop salt nuclei from several New England marine fogs are studied. The results confirm the conclusions of the first study, demonstrating even more clearly the direct relationship of drop weight to nucleus weight. The fog drops must have grown in supersaturated air, because in almost all of them the salt concentrations were below the equilibrium values for saturated air. However, the number and siz...
Physician Recommendations and Patient Adherence After Inadequate Bowel Preparation on Screening Colonoscopy

Background and Aims It has been suggested that bowel preparation quality may influence decision-making about appropriate follow-up interval after screening colonoscopy. We sought: (1) to assess physician recommendations for timing of subsequent colonoscopy in average-risk patients with inadequate bowel preparation on initial screening, and (2) to measure the association between physician recommendations and patient adherence to repeat colonoscopy.
Regulation of IgE and cytokine production by cAMP: implications for extrinsic asthma.

Abstract Recent investigations indicate that pharmacologic agents which elevate intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) also enhance immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. This review proposes that elevation of intracellular cAMP is a prominent mechanism which enhances IgE production. Enhancement is mediated by two mechanisms. First, cAMP-elevating agents directly target B lymphocytes, promoting recombination of the Ig heavy chain loci. Second, these agents indirectly promote IgE production by inducing a T-helper type 2 (Th2) profile of cytokine secretion. In turn, Th2-type cytokines interact with B lymphocytes and direct isotype switching to the ϵ locus. One type of cAMP-elevating agents, the β2-adrenergic receptor agonists (β2-agonists), are used to treat asthma. A number of detrimental phenomena have been associated with β2-agonist use such as, rebound hyperresponsiveness and increases in asthma mortality. This review theorizes that β2-agonists enhance IgE and Th2 cytokine production and that these mediators exacerbate extrinsic, IgE-dependent asthma.
Coherence and Replacement Protocol of DICE —A Bus-Based COMA Multiprocessor

As microprocessors become faster and demand more bandwidth, the already limited scalability of a shared bus decreases even further. DICE, a shared-bus multiprocessor, utilizes cache only memory architecture (COMA) to effectively decrease the speed gap between modern high-performance microprocessors and the bus. DICE tries to optimize COMA for a shared-bus medium, in particular to reduce the detrimental effects of cache coherence and the “last memory block” problem on replacement. In this paper, we present the coherence and replacement protocol of the DICE multiprocessor and its design trade-offs. We describe a four-state write-invalidate coherence protocol in detail. Replacement, which poses a unique overhead problem of COMA, requires that a victim block with ownership be relocated to a remote node in order not to discard the last cached memory block. We show that the relocation process can be efficiently implemented by using a temporary storage called relocation buffer and a priority-based selection algorithm. We present performance results that show a drastic reduction in global bus traffic compared to a traditional shared-bus multiprocessor architecture.
Polynomial Approximation of Shape Function Gradients From Element Geometries

A method is presented for the polynomial approximation of shape function gradients based solely on the geometry of finite element boundaries. The method is founded on a least squares approach which leads to an integration scheme satisfying a necessary condition for convergence. In its simplest form the method reduces to the well-known uniform strain approach for finite elements. The method is applicable to a broad class of problems such as connecting dissimilar meshes, mesh adaptivity and transitioning, and the construction of finite elements with variable topologies. Finite elements based on the polynomial approximations are shown to pass patch tests of various orders. In contrast to standard elements, higher-order patch tests are passed without the need for nodes internal to element boundaries. Less sensitivity to volumetric locking under plane strain conditions is demonstrated through comparisons with a standard element formulation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anaphylactoid reaction after retrograde pyelography despite preoperative steroid preparation

Abstract A 19-year-old woman with a known allergy to iodinated contrast presented with intermittent, gross hematuria of 2 years' duration. The patient was scheduled to undergo cystoscopy with bilateral retrograde pyelography, because this is considered a safe alternative to intravenous pyelography or computed tomography. Because of her contrast allergy, the patient completed a 13-hour steroid preparation before the procedure. However, within minutes of extubation, she developed an anaphylactoid reaction and, despite appropriate management, required reintubation and subsequent transfer to the intensive care unit. The patient was subsequently extubated 8 hours later and recovered completely.
Rates of convergence for a method of centers algorithm

Convergence of a method of centers algorithm for solving nonlinear programming problems is considered. The algorithm is defined so that the subproblems that must be solved during its execution may be solved by finite-step procedures. Conditions are given under which the algorithm generates sequences of feasible points and constraint multiplier vectors that have accumulation points satisfying the Fritz John or the Kuhn-Tucker optimality conditions. Under stronger assumptions, linear convergence rates are established for the sequences of objective function, constraint function, feasible point, and multiplier values.
Conformation and Hydrogen Bonding in the Alaninamide−Water van der Waals Complex

Five conformational minima of the alaninamide−water complex were found from MP2/6-31+G** calculations. The structure of the lowest energy conformation has a network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds from the amide to water and from water to the carbonyl oxygen; this structure is also based on the lowest energy conformation of the alaninamide monomer. The amide-to-water and water-to-carbonyl hydrogen bond lengths in the fully optimized structure are 2.061 and 1.914 A. Rotational spectra have been recorded for four isotopomers of alaninamide−water, and the structure of the complex was fit to the experimental moments of inertia. The intermolecular hydrogen bond lengths in the best-fit structure are 2.042(6) A (amide-to-water) and 1.931(4) A (water-to-carbonyl oxygen), and this structure is nearly identical with the lowest energy ab initio structure.
Prenatal diagnosis of adrenogenital syndrome by amniocentesis

Concentrations of 17-ketosteroids and of pregnanetriol were determined in amniotic fluid from 26 women with normal pregnancies and from 2 pregnant women who had previously given birth to infants with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and whose subsequent pregnancies also resulted in infants with the disease. Pregnanetriol concentration of amniotic fluid was measured by a new double isotope dilution derivative technique capable of measuring microgram levels of pregnanetriol. The presence of the disease could not be predicted during early or mid-pregnancy, but values for both 17-ketosteroids and pregnanetriol were suggestively elevated in amniotic fluid obtained at term from affected pregnancies.
High-speed camera with real time processing for frequency domain imaging

We describe a high-speed camera system for frequency domain imaging suitable for applications such as in vivo diffuse optical imaging and fluorescence lifetime imaging. 14-bit images are acquired at 2 gigapixels per second and analyzed with real-time pipeline processing using field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Performance of the camera system has been tested both for RF-modulated laser imaging in combination with a gain-modulated image intensifier and a simpler system based upon an LED light source. System amplitude and phase noise are measured and compared against theoretical expressions in the shot noise limit presented for different frequency domain configurations. We show the camera itself is capable of shot noise limited performance for amplitude and phase in as little as 3 ms, and when used in combination with the intensifier the noise levels are nearly shot noise limited. The best phase noise in a single pixel is 0.04 degrees for a 1 s integration time.
Evaluation of collagen in atherosclerotic plaques: the use of two coherent laser-based imaging methods

Acute coronary events such as myocardial infarction are frequently caused by the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Collagen plays a key role in determining plaque stability. Methods to measure plaque collagen content are invaluable in detecting unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Recently, novel coherent laser-based imaging techniques, such as polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) and laser speckle imaging (LSI) have been investigated, and they provide a wealth of information related to collagen content and plaque stability. Additionally, given their potential for intravascular use, these technologies will be invaluable for improving our understanding of the natural history of plaque development and rupture and, hence, enable the detection of unstable plaques. In this article we review recent developments in these techniques and potential challenges in translating these methods into intra-arterial use in patients.
Comparison of genotyping of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA virulence genes from gastric biopsies and stool specimens.

Background. We compared results of genotyping of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA virulence genes in DNA from gastric biopsies, both paraffin-embedded and frozen, and from stool samples, in order to evaluate the comparative sensitivity of the stool assay. Methods. Genomic DNA from paraffin-embedded biopsies, unfixed frozen biopsies, and stool samples of the same 20 patients was amplified for the cagA gene, an empty site (which provides a positive signal for cagA negative strains) and for the s and m alleles of the vacA gene. Composite genotypes were determined by combining data from analysis of all three materials. Results. Analysis of none of the materials taken singly showed all of the genotypes revealed by all three materials taken together, probably because of sampling error. Analysis of paraffin biopsies revealed 83.5%, that of frozen biopsies revealed 74.7% and that of stools revealed 75.9% of the genotypes. There was no significant difference in the percentage of the H. pylori genotypes identified from the three materials. Analysis of combinations of frozen biopsies and stools revealed 89.9% of the composite genotypes, and that of paraffin biopsies and stools revealed 96.2% of the composite genotypes. Evidence of multiple genotypes was found in 10 of 20 (50%) of the cases. Conclusions. Any one of the investigated biological materials can be used for detection of cagA and vacA genes, but no single assay provided a complete genotype. The use of a combination of two materials may generate a more accurate representation of H. pylori genotypes in each individual.
Origin of the oxygen in the oxidation of triphenylphosphine by potassium perphosphate

Abstract The oxidation reaction of triphenylphosphine with potassium perphosphate (peroxidiphosphate) in 75% aqueous acetonitrile was studied in the presence of [18O] water in order to ascertain the origin of the oxygen in the triphenylphosphine oxide. The 18O isotope shift in 13P NMR spectroscopy was used to analyze the reaction. The data indicate that perphosphate is the origin of the oxide oxygen.
Alteration in calcium-binding activity in synaptosomal membranes from rat brains in association with physical dependence upon ethanol

The effects of ethanol treatment on calcium-binding activity in synaptosomal membrane fraction from rat brains were studied. The synaptosomal membrane fraction from the hippocampus, the cortex and the cerebellum from control, single dose (6 g/kg), dependent intoxicated (prodromal) and dependent withdrawing (ethanol withdrawal syndrome) rats were used. Two different methods were used for determining the calcium activity in these membrane preparations: the calcium chelator fluorescence probe, chlortetracycline (CTC), was used to measure Ca2+ binding sites in the membranes, and radioactive calcium (45Ca) was used to measure the calcium binding to the synaptosomal membranes. Both methods provided similar conclusions; the calcium activity was higher during the dependent intoxicated phase of the ethanol withdrawal period. The synaptosomal membranes from the hippocampus showed more drastic changes in calcium-binding activity than the cortex and the cerebellum. These results suggest that ethanol dependence is associated with changes in calcium-binding activity in certain areas of the rat brain.
Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopy, electronic and redox properties of a new nickel dithiolene system

Abstract A new dithiolene ligand with 3,5-dibromo substituted phenyl groups was designed and synthesized. The protected form of the ligand was reacted with a nickel salt providing neutral Ni(S2C2(3,5-C6H3Br2)2)2 and anionic [Ni(S2C2(3,5-C6H3Br2)2)2]− isolated as a Bu4N+ salt. Both were characterized by UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy and compared with the similar known molecular systems. They exhibit intense low energy transitions that are characteristic of such systems. The electrochemical behavior of these molecules was investigated by cyclic voltammetry.
Reduced axonal transport of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in dystrophic mice: Evidence for abnormality of adrenergic nerve cells

Abstract Axonal transport in sympathetic nerves of normal and dystrophic mice (strain 129/ReJ) was studied by measuring the accumulation of activity of a marker-enzyme, dopamine-β-hydroxylase, above a ligature on the sciatic nerve. Although the enzyme activity of unligated sciatic nerve was similar in all mice, the rate of accumulation of DBH activity proximal to a ligature on this nerve was reduced by one-third in 5 to 6-week-old dystrophic mice as compared with their normal littermates (P
Psychosocial aspects of beauty: How and why to look good

It is difficult to pick up a paper or magazine today or turn on the television without being reminded that ours is a culture of youth and beauty. Bookstore shelves sag under the weight of enticing tomes devoted to the subject. We are bombarded with advertisements for any one of thousands of different products, both prescription and over-the-counter, that claim to be able to restore our youthful appearance, banish wrinkles, tone skin, and remove cellulite, among other promises that often sound, and probably are, too good to be true. Health food stores and sales catalogs are replete with myriad products, so that one wonders how the average person, in face of such bombardment, can either resist the temptation to buy or make an informed selection from the veritable feast of goodies put before them. Billions of dollars are expended each year, and false claims abound, but fortunately, there are many preparations and procedures that, in skilled hands, can really make a difference.
Vertebral Artery Dissection

Vertebral artery dissections (VADs) following a variety of minor traumatic mechanisms have been previously reported. This article reports 2 cases of VAD with delayed recognition following motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). The first VAD patient developed major neurologic abnormalities 28 hours after an MVC. The second VAD patient presented with 3 weeks of neck and head pain beginning 8 weeks after an MVC and subsequent chiropractic manipulation. The anatomy and pathophysiology of VAD are reviewed. Early ED recognition prior to the onset of major neurologic deficits (e.g., paresis, dysarthria, ataxia, or altered mental status) is emphasized. An algorithm for the ED management of the entity is suggested.
Intracranial calcifications in childhood leukemia. An association with systemic chemotherapy.

Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia were examined for evidence of intracranial calcifications withroentgenograms of the skull and computerized tomography. Of 39 children in their initial complete remission, ten were found to have subcortical cerebral calcifications. Significant associations were found between the presence of cerebral calcifications and systemic treatment with large cumulative doses of methotrexate.
Prostaglandin E2 and aqueous humor dynamics in the rhesus monkey eye.

Abstract Topical and intraocular PGE2 resulted in a significant rise in intraocular pressure and outflow facility. Treatment with intravenous atropine and topical epinephrine did not alter these effects. Qualitatively the responses demonstrated by monkeys are similar to those of rabbits. The intraocular pressure response differs quantitatively in that it is substantially less for equivalent dosages. The outflow facility rise is, however, about the same for the two species.
Passing gas through the hydrate stability zone at southern Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon

Abstract We present an equilibrium model of methane venting through the hydrate stability zone at southern Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon. Free gas supplied from below forms hydrate, depletes water, and elevates salinity until pore water is too saline for further hydrate formation. This system self-generates local three-phase equilibrium and allows free gas migration to the seafloor. Log and core data from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1249 show that from the seafloor to 50 m below seafloor (mbsf), pore water salinity is elevated to the point where liquid water, hydrate and free gas coexist. The elevated pore water salinity provides a mechanism for vertical migration of free gas through the regional hydrate stability zone (RHSZ). This process may drive gas venting through hydrate stability zones around the world. Significant amount of gaseous methane can bypass the RHSZ by shifting local thermodynamic conditions.
Finger pressure during tracking of curved contours: implications for a visual dominance phenomenon.

An investigation was performed to determine the similarity between finger-tracking inspection of real and optically induced curved contours. It was found in the first three experiments that finger-pressure profiles produced during tracking of real curved contours were curved and opposite in orientation to the contours. This was the case whether the subjects’ eyes were open or closed, provided tracking was sufficiently underway. It was also determined that the pressure profiles were the result of tracking limb-movement curves which were slightly larger in magnitude than the contours. The results of a fourth experiment indicated that pressure profiles from induced curved contours were also curved and opposite in orientation to the contours. The four experiments strengthen the contention that the experience of felt curvature under conditions of prismatic rearrangement is a joint function of vision and haptics rather than being determined exclusively by vision. A sensory conflict and a haptic system mechanism were discussed as alternatives to account for the pressure profiles obtained during finger-tracking of real- and induced-curved contours.
Effects of Carbaryl-Bran Bait on Trap Catch and Seed Predation by Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

ABSTRACT Carbaryl-bran bait is effective against grasshoppers without many impacts on nontarget organisms, but ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) may be susceptible to these baits. Carabids are beneficial in agricultural settings as predators of insect pests and weed seeds. Carabid species and their consumption of weed seeds have not been previously studied in agricultural settings in Alaska. This study examined the effect of grasshopper bran bait on carabid activity-density, as measured by pitfall trap catches, and subsequent predation by invertebrates of seeds of three species of weed. Data were collected in fallow fields in agricultural landscape in the interior of Alaska, near Delta Junction, in 2008 and 2010. Bait applications reduced ground beetle activity-density by over half in each of 2 yr of bait applications. Seed predation was generally low overall (1–10%/ wk) and not strongly affected by the bait application, but predation of lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) seed was lower on treated ...
Hollow flexible IR fibers

A flexible, hollow fiber for transmission of CO2 laser energy has been developed. Various forms of this fiber have been in routine clinical use for the past two years. This hollow fiber technology has shown itself to be a practical, durable, and cost-effective means of beam delivery for both freehand and endoscopic applications.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.