cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical Design of Overnight Trials for the Evaluation of the Number of Operating Rooms That Can Be Disinfected by an Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Robotic System.

Background and objective The number of ultraviolet light disinfection robot systems that are needed for a facility’s surgical suite(s) and/or procedure suite(s) depends in part on how many rooms need to be disinfected overnight by each robot and how long this will take. The answer needs to be determined separately for each surgical and procedure suite because those variables vary both among facilities and among operating rooms or procedure rooms within facilities. In this study, we consider statistical designs to assess how many rooms a facility can reliably (≥90% chance) disinfect overnight using an ultraviolet light disinfection robot system. Methods We used 133,927 observed disinfection times from 700 rooms as a population from which repeated samples were drawn with replacement in Monte-Carlo simulations. We used eight-hour and 10-hour shift lengths being multiples of 40 hours for full-time hourly employees. Results One possible strategy that we examined was to estimate total disinfection times by estimating the mean for each room and then summing up the means. However, that did not correctly answer the question of how many rooms can reliably be available for the next day’s first case. Summing up a percentile (e.g., 90%) instead also was inaccurate, because the proper percentile depended on the number of rooms. A suitable strategy is a brief trial (e.g., nine nights or 19 nights) with the endpoint being the daily number of rooms disinfected. Empirically, the smallest count of rooms disinfected among nine nights or the second smallest count among 19 nights are 10th percentiles (i.e., ≈90% probability that at least that number of rooms can be disinfected in the future). The drawback is that while this approach gives the probability of a night with fewer rooms disinfected, it does not give information as to how many fewer rooms may either skip ultraviolet decontamination or start late the next workday because disinfection was not completed. Our simulations showed that there is a substantial probability (≥95%) of at most two rooms fewer or one room greater than the 10th percentile with a nine-night trial and one room fewer or greater with a 19-night trial. Conclusions Because probability distributions of disinfection times are heterogeneous both among rooms and among treatments for the same room, each facility should plan to perform its own trial of nine nights or 19 nights. This will provide results that are within two rooms or one room of the correct answer in the long term. This information can be used when planning purchasing decisions, leasing, and technician staffing decisions.
An Eigenfunction Approach to State Estimation of Distributed Parameter Systems

The spectral decomposition of the process model has been exploited to develop low order state estimation algorithms for linear distributed parameter systems. The use of a measurement function obtained by representing the measurements in an eigenfunction expansion allowed for late discretization and resulted in computationally simple algorithms. It has been demonstrated with the help of experiments and simulations that the algorithm performs well, converges rapidly, requires a relatively small number of measurements and is computationally efficient. Estimates of the state of a very general class of linear distributed parameter systems can be obtained provided the eigenfunctions of the process model are known. Results indicate that the effort required to obtain the spectral properties is justified as good estimates of the state result from using a 3-4 term expansion. The computational effort required is small for the complex multidimensional models studied and the states can be estimated in a fraction of real time on a microcomputer.
Beam transport and focusing on PBFA II

Ion beam transport and focusing experiments on PBFA II (Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II) are continuing to improve both the total energy transported to the axis and the peak power density measured on axis. A varied set of on- and off-axis diagnostics includes an on-axis ion pinhole camera, magnetic spectrograph, off-axis K alpha soft X-ray cameras, Faraday cups, and witness plates. Diagnostics, transport theory, and simulations indicate that the total energy on axis is limited by excessive vertical focusing by the applied and self-fields. At present, the beam divergence is limiting the on-axis horizontal FWHM to 5.5 mm for high-power experiments. Experiments to determine the scaling and source of this divergence are continuing. The accelerator is now being operated reliably at the 3/4 energy level into an ion diode. At 3/4 energy, the diode consistently couples 700 kJ of energy into the diode, with over 500 kJ of ion energy delivered to the transport system. Over 120 kJ of proton energy has been transported inside a 1-cm radius. >
Abstract P323: Effectiveness of Point-of-Purchase Labeling on Dietary Behaviors and Nutrient Contents of Foods: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: While point-of-purchase food labeling in restaurants is increasingly being planned or implemented to promote healthy choices, its effects on consumers’ behaviors or industry’s product formulations are not well established. Method: Using MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched multiple online databases to identify interventional trials or prospective observational studies of point-of-purchase labeling in restaurants and changes in intakes of foods/nutrients, industry food reformulation, and CVD risk factors (adiposity, blood pressure, blood lipids). Studies were excluded if cross-sectional, not aiming to improve diet, or evaluating supermarkets. Data were extracted independently and in duplicate by 2 investigators. Pooled estimates were calculated using inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis. Pre-specified potential sources of heterogeneity (study location, targeted consumers, type of restaurant, presence of legislation, label placement, label format and delivered information) were assessed by using meta-regression. Funnel plots and Begg’s and Egger’s tests assessed potential for publication bias. Results: Of 1,899 abstracts, 19 met inclusion criteria: 15 from North America and 4 from Europe. These included 8 RCTs, 6 non-randomized trials, and 5 prospective cohorts; conducted in laboratory (N=8 studies) or restaurant (N=11) settings. Labeling provided information on contents of energy or specific nutrients (N=13), traffic light codes or other grading systems (N=6), or health claims/symbols (N=3); and were placed on menus (N=10) or next to the food at the point-of-purchase (N=9). As percent change from baseline/control, pooled analyses found no significant association of point-of-purchase labeling with intake of total energy (N=23, -3.4%, 95%CI -8.2%, 1.3%), total fat (N=8, -4.5%, -14.7%, 5.6%), saturated fat (N=4, -6.4%, -29.5%,16.7%), carbohydrate (N=4, 0.6%, -3.3%, 4.5%), protein (N=3, -1.1%, -9.9%, 7.7%), sodium (N=3, -6.9%, -25.2%,11.5%), or vegetables (N=3, -1.0%, -17.7%,15.6%). When industry reformulations were evaluated, labeling was associated with lower sodium content (N=5, -4.7%, -8.8%, -0.6%), but not total energy (N=5), saturated fat (N=3), cholesterol (N=3), or fiber (N=3) contents. Too few studies assessed labeling and CVD risk factors. In meta-regression, no significant effect modification of findings was evident. Little evidence was seen for publication bias. Conclusion: These interventional and prospective findings suggest limited effects of point-of-purchase labeling in restaurants on consumers’ dietary behaviors, and potential effects on food industry reformulations of sodium content but not other factors. These findings highlight the need for additional investigation of labeling as well as prioritization of more robust evidence-based policies.
The Rotation Curve of the Galaxy

The determination of the rotation curve of the Galaxy, θ(R), where θ is the circular velocity at galactocentric distance R, involves the synthesis of a large body of complementary (and sometimes contradictory) data. The synthesis has to be guided to some extent by theoretical considerations such as studying the distribution of mass in the Galaxy, i.e. by what one “expects” to find. For many years, Galactic structure studies have been guided by the seminal work of Schmidt (1965).
Atopic dermatitis in children: clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic skin condition resulting from disruption of the epithelial barrier and associated immune dysregulation in the skin of genetically predisposed hosts. AD generally develops in early childhood, has a characteristic age-dependent distribution and is commonly associated with elevated IgE, peripheral eosinophilia and other allergic diseases. Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common and may contribute to disease progression and severity. Targeted therapies to restore both impaired skin barrier and control inflammation are required for optimal outcomes for patients with moderate to severe disease. Pruritus is universal among patients with AD and has a dominant impact on diminishing quality of life. Medications such as anti-histamines have demonstrated poor efficacy in controlling AD-associated itch. Education of patients regarding the primary underlying defects and provision of a comprehensive skin care plan is essential for disease maintenance and management of flares.
Two Faces of SIVA

In non-small cell lung cancer cells that contain a mutated KRAS gene, SIVA, a p53 target gene that is critical for apoptosis, is overexpressed in a p53-independent manner and promotes tumorigenesis through the stimulation of mTOR signaling. The ablation of Siva in conditional knockout mice results in an inhibition of tumor development that makes SIVA an interesting new candidate therapeutic target for the treatment of a carcinoma with few therapeutic options.
Recovery of renal function in dialysis patients

Although recovery of renal functions in dialysis dependent patients is estimated to be greater than 1%, there are no indicators that actually suggest such revival of renal function. Residual renal function in dialysis patients is unreliable and seldom followed. Therefore renal recovery (RR) in dialysis dependent patients may remain unnoticed. We present a group of dialysis dependent patients who regained their renal functions. The aim of this project is to determine any indicators that may identify the recovery of renal functions in dialysis dependent patients. All the discharges from the chronic dialysis facilities were identified. Among these discharges deaths, transplants, voluntary withdrawals and transfers either to another modality or another dialysis facility were excluded in order to isolate the patients with RR. The dialysis flow sheets and medical records of these patients were subsequently reviewed. Eight patients with a mean age of 53.8 ± 6.7 years (± SEM) were found to have RR. Dialysis was initiated due to uremic symptoms in 6 patients and fluid overload in the remaining two. The patients remained dialysis dependent for 11.1 ± 4.2 months. All these patients had good urine output and 7 had symptoms related to dialysis. Their mean pre-initiation creatinine and BUN levels were 5.21 ± 0.6 mg/dl and 72.12 ± 11.12 mg/dl, respectively. Upon discontinuation, they remained dialysis free for 19.75 ± 5.97 months. The mean creatinine and BUN levels after cessation of dialysis were 2.85 ± 0.57 mg/dl and 29.62 ± 5.26 mg/dl, respectively, while the mean creatinine clearance calculated by 24-hour urine collection was 29.75 ± 4.78 ml/min. One patient died due to HIV complications. One patient resumed dialysis after nine months. Remaining continue to enjoy a dialysis free life. RR must be considered in patients with good urine output and unresolved acute renal failure. Dialysis intolerance may be an indicator of RR among such patients.
Estimating fluvial wood discharge using time‐lapse photography with varying sampling intervals

Monitoring large wood (LW: width > 10 cm, length > 1 m) in transport within rivers is a necessary next step in the development and refinement of wood budgets and is essential to a better understanding of basin-wide controls and patterns of LW flux and loads. Monitoring LW transport with coarse interval (≥ 1 min) time-lapse photography enables the deployment of monitoring cameras at large spatial and long temporal scales. Although less precise than continuous sampling with video, it allows investigators to answer broad questions about basin connectivity, compare drainages and years,and identify transport relationships and thresholds. This paper describes methods to: (i) construct fluvial wood flux curves; (ii) analyze the effects of sample interval lengths on transport estimates; and (iii) estimate total wood loads within a specified time period using coarse-interval time-lapse photography. Applying these methods to the Slave River, a large-volume (103 m3 s-1), low-gradient (10− 2 m km− 1) river in the subarctic (60∘ N), yielded the following results. A threshold relationship for wood mobility was located around 4500 m3 s-1. More wood is transported on the rising limb of the hydrograph because wood flux declines rapidly on the falling limb. Five- and ten-minute sampling intervals provided unbiased equal variance estimates of 1 min sampling, whereas 15 min intervals were biased towards underestimation by 5–6%, possibly due to periodicity in wood flux. Total LW loads estimated from the 1 min dataset and adjusted for a 15% misdetection rate from 13 July to 13 August are: 1600 ± 200 # pieces, 600 ± 200 m3 and of the order of 1.3 × 105 kg carbon. The total wood load for the entire summer season is probably at least double this estimate because only the second half of the summer was monitored and a large early summer peak freshet was missed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ontogeny, Functional Morphology, and Comparative Morphology of Lower (Stage 4) and Basal Middle (Stage 5) Cambrian Gogiids, Guizhou Province, China

Abstract Three gogiid eocrinoids, numbering in the thousands of specimens, are well known from the lower Cambrian (Stage 4) Balang Formation (Guizhoueocrinus yui) and basal middle Cambrian (Stage 5) Kaili Formation (Kaili Biota) (Sinoeocrinus lui and Globoeocrinus globulus) that resided on the Yangtze-South China Plate (modern Guizhou Province, China). In each species a complete ontogenetic sequence, using thecal height (TH) as a scale, juvenile stage (early, middle, and late substages), mature stage (early, middle, and late substages), and a gerontic stage can be identified. Sutural pores appeared in an orderly sequence; below the ambulacrals, above the stalk and generally over the theca, in that order. In younger species their emplacement and growth was commonly precocious relative to G. yui. Also, their shape ranges from circular to oval to triangular in a single growth sequence, after the establishment of the 2-1-2 pattern; brachioles were added in series of five and were also precocious in time of oc...
Coping with ecological transitions by black families: A psychosocial model

This paper reviews the research on black families for the purpose of pinpointing specific issues relevant to coping with ecological transitions, i.e, stressful changes in role, condition, or setting (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Models of coping are reviewed and specific criteria are proposed for a model of family coping. These include existence of a shared stressor, interaction of individual coping styles, and use of system-level constructs to describe adaptation. A health-related ecological transition, specifically childhood cancer, is used to discuss how unique aspects of black family life may affect patterns of coping by black families and individuals. Specific attention is devoted to the relationships of paradoxical attributions, perceived racial discrimination, social identity, religiosity, flexible family roles, egalitarian decision making, and family structures to each other and to family coping. The paper organizes these variables in a model of coping with the basic assumption that the relationship between stress and health or psychological outcomes is mediated by several unique features of black life which influence how blacks appraise stressors, how actively they engage in behavioral strategies to cope, and how they gain access to coping resources and support.
Stochastic Logic Realization of Matrix Operations

Stochastic computing (SC) is a re-emerging technique to process probability data encoded in digital bit-streams. Its main advantage is that arithmetic operations can be implemented by extremely small and low-power logic circuits. This makes SC suitable for signal-processing applications involving matrix operations whose VLSI implementation is very costly. Previous SC approaches only address basic matrix operations with relatively low accuracy needs. We explore the use of SC to implement a representative complex matrix operation, namely eigenvector computation. We apply it to a training task for visual face recognition, and show that our SC design has performance comparable to its conventional binary counterpart, while being able to trade computation time for accuracy.
Alterations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex in the frontal cortex of suicide victims

Chronic antidepressant treatment results in adaptation of the NMDA receptor complex in the rodent cortex. This adaptation consists of a reduction in the potency of glycine to displace [3H]5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid from strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors and a reduction in high affinity, glycine-displaceable [3H]CGP-39653 binding to glutamate receptors. We hypothesized that dysfunction of NMDA receptors might occur in frontal cortices from human suicide victims. We now report that the proportion of high affinity, glycine displaceable [3H]CGP-39653 binding to glutamate receptors is reduced from 45 +/- 5% in controls to 27 +/- 6% in age- and post-mortem interval-matched suicide victims. In contrast, neither the potency nor the maximum efficacy of glycine to inhibit [3H]CGP-39653 binding is altered in the frontal cortex of suicide victims compared to controls. Moreover, neither the potency of glycine to inhibit [3H]5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid binding to the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor nor the specific binding of [3H]5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid binding differed in suicide victims compared to controls. Likewise, neither basal nor glycine- or glutamate enhanced non-equilibrium binding of [3H]dizocilpine was altered in the frontal cortex of suicide victims compared to controls. These data represent the first demonstration supporting the hypothesis that glutamatergic dysfunction is involved in psychopathology underlying suicide and, potentially in human major depression.
Targets for the APEX experiment at ATLAS

Abstract Targets of lead, tantalum, thorium and uranium have been produced for experiments with the APEX (Argonne Positron Experiment) apparatus at ATLAS (Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System). APEX is a device built at Argonne National Laboratory to investigate the anomalous positrons observed in collisions of very heavy ion beams on heavy targets. Both fixed and rotating targets have been used. The rotating target system involves a 4-quadrant wheel rotating at speeds up to 750 rpm with the position encoded into the data stream. In addition to the hundreds of targets produced for the heavy-ion reactions studied, a wide variety of targets were employed for beam diagnostics, detector calibration and target wheel development. The experiment used very heavy ion beams ( 238 U, 206 Pb and 208 Pb) from ATLAS and targets of 206 Pb, 208 Pb, 232 Th and 238 U produced in our laboratory.
Kinetic evaluation of haemostasis during surgery and wound healing.

Summary. This study indicates that platelets and fibrinogen are utilized following surgery as a physiological response to tissue injury. The amount and duration of the consumption of haemostatic components is related to the extent of the surgical injury. In vivo counting demonstrates localized accumulation of radioactively tagged platelets and fibrinogen in the surgical wound that proceeds for several days. It is concluded that this consumption reflects the participation of the haemostatic apparatus in wound healing.
The Extent of the Market and the Supply of Regulation

We present a model in which setting up and running a regulatory institution takes a fixed cost. As a consequence, the supply of regulation is limited by the extent of the market. We test three implications of this model. First, jurisdictions with larger populations affected by a given regulation are more likely to have it. Second, jurisdictions with lower incremental fixed costs of introducing and administering new regulations should regulate more. This implies that regulation spreads from higher to lower population jurisdictions, and that jurisdictions that build up transferable regulatory capabilities should regulate more intensely. Consistent with the model, we find that higher population U. S. states have more pages of legislation and adopt particular laws earlier in their history than do smaller states. We also find that the regulation of entry, the regulation of labor, and the military draft are more extensive in countries with larger populations, as well as in civil law countries, where we argue that the incremental fixed costs are lower.
Maintenance of Mosquito Vectors: Effects of Blood Source on Feeding, Survival, Fecundity, and Egg Hatching Rates

Artificial membrane-feeding techniques have replaced direct feeding on animals for the maintenance of malaria and arbovirus vectors in many laboratories. Membrane feeding facilitates controlled experimentation of pathogen transmission during mosquito feeding. Sheep blood is commonly used due to its availability and low cost. We evaluated the impact of blood source (human, guinea pig, sheep, and hamster via direct feeding) on feeding rates, adult survival, fecundity, hatching rates, and developmental times for five species of laboratory-colonized mosquitoes (Anopheles dirus, An. cracens, An. minimus, An. sawadwongporni, and Ae. aegypti). We found that feeding rates differ among blood sources within mosquito species. Survival, fecundity, and hatching rates were lower in all Anopheles species and Ae. aegypti after membrane feeding on sheep blood. Survival rates seven days post-feeding on sheep blood were significantly lower (P<0.05) for An. dirus (84.2%), An. minimus (67.2%), An. sawadwongporni (51.5%), and An. cracens (35.5%) relative to other blood sources. An. minimus and An. sawadwongporni laid no eggs by seven days post-feeding with sheep blood, while An. dirus and An. cracens produced significantly fewer numbers of eggs and demonstrated significantly lower hatching rates relative to what was observed with the other blood sources. These findings support the conclusion that sheep blood is not a suitable blood source for laboratory rearing of Anopheles spp.
Transmission electron microscopy of room temperature deformed polytwinned L10-ordered FePd

Abstract The defect structure present in polycrystalline polytwinned FePd (PT-FePd) intermetallics with the L10-ordered crystal structure after room temperature tensile testing to failure has been studied in detail by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The active deformation modes responsible for accommodation of plastic strain include octahedral glide of ordinary dislocations (ODs) with Burgers vector, b=1/2 〈1 1 0〉 , and mechanical twinning on octahedral planes, i.e., the ordered twinning systems 1/6 〈1 1 2〉 {1 1 1}. The details of shear transfer processes across the PT-interfaces that are required for macroscopic plasticity have been identified from experimental TEM observations. Superdislocations (SDs) with b= 〈0 1 1〉 have been observed infrequently and have been identified as by-products of the transfer of mechanical twins across the PT-interfaces which produces glissile ODs. The OD glide and the mechanical twinning represent complementary deformation modes, which must operate in a synergistic interplay in alternating twin-related lamellae of the PT-grains in order to achieve general plasticity in polycrystalline PT-FePd. Mechanisms based on the interactions of the active deformation systems with the PT-interfaces have been discussed that are suitable to rationalize the plastic flow behavior characteristic of PT-FePd.
An essential arginine residue in human prostatic acid phosphate

Treatment of human prostatic acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2) with either of the arginine-specific modifiers 2,3-butanedione or 1,2-cyclohexanedione in borate buffer at pH 8.1 leads to loss of activity. The inactivation by cyclohexanedione can be partially reversed by 0.2 M hydroxylamine. The rate of inactivation by both modifiers is decreased in the presence of the competitive inhibitors L-(+)-tartrate or inorganic phosphate but not in the presence of the non-inhibitor D-(-)-tartrate. Amino acid analysis of modified acid phosphatase indicates that only arginines are modified and that L-(+)-tartrate protects at least two arginyl residues from modification. A likely role of these arginyl residues is their involvement in binding the negatively charged phosphate group of the substrate.
A case study of mobile advertising in South Korea: Personalisation and digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)

This study explores cases of mobile marketing in South Korea, one of the leading countries in terms of mobile industries. By analysing mobile advertising cases, including that of digital multimedia broadcasting, this study documents the current market situation and the effectiveness of marketing in the South Korean market. The findings show that mobile advertising in South Korea is quite advanced, and personalisation is brought to life through consumer and location targeting. The managerial implications of these findings are discussed in the conclusion.
Germ cell apoptosis in the testes of normal stallions

Abstract Apoptosis in testicular germ cells has been demonstrated in many mammalian species. However, little is known about the stallion ( Equus caballus ) and rates of apoptosis during spermatogenesis. Morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis reported in other species were used to confirm that the TdT-mediated dUTP Nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay is an acceptable method for identification and quantification of apoptotic germ cells in histological tissue sections from stallion testis. Seminiferous tubules from eight stallions with normal testis size and semen quality were evaluated according to stage of seminiferous epithelium to determine the germ cell types and stages where apoptosis most commonly occurs. Spermatogonia and spermatocytes were the most common germ cell types labeled by the TUNEL assay. A low rate of round and elongated spermatids were labeled by the TUNEL assay. Mean numbers of TUNEL-positive germ cells per 100 Sertoli cell nuclei were highest in stages IV (15.5±1.0) and V (13.5±1.1) of the seminiferous epithelial cycle ( P P
Permanent low-activity (125)I seed placement for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors: preliminary experience.

Although external beam radiation therapy is effective in the treatment of many pediatric brain neoplasms its use in this patient population has been associated with the development of significant cognitive and endocrine dysfunction and is severely limited as an option in previously irradiated patients. Therefore, we have adopted a strategy for management of residual microscopic disease by implantation of low-activity 125I seeds in the tumor bed at the time of surgery. Six patients aged 2–14 years with recurrent tumors including two supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (n = 2), one medulloblastoma, one malignant ependymoma (n = 1), glioblastoma (n = 1) and one pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma were implanted at the time of reoperation. A total of 11–126 seeds were implanted resulting in total doses of 16–21.8 Gy (after theoretical infinite time) at a depth of 5 mm from the implanted resection bed. Five patients had prior external beam radiation while the other patient (2 years old at initial diagnosis) progressed after surgery and chemotherapy. Two patients had lasting local tumor control. One patient is alive at 390 weeks of follow-up and another who died of distant failure at 366 weeks had no recurrence on MRI at 333 weeks’ follow-up. Only 2 patients had first local failures. These results suggest that the use of permanent low-activity 125I seeds as an adjunct to surgery can provide good local tumor control and is a suitable treatment option for pediatric patients.
Submicron Structure in l-α-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine Monolayers and Bilayers Probed with Confocal, Atomic Force, and Near-Field Microscopy

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayers and bilayers of L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), fluorescently doped with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (diIC18), are studied by confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). Beyond the resolution limit of confocal microscopy, both AFM and NSOM measurements of mica-supported lipid monolayers reveal small domains on the submicron scale. In the NSOM studies, simultaneous high-resolution fluorescence and topography measurements of these structures confirm that they arise from coexisting liquid condensed (LC) and liquid expanded (LE) lipid phases, and not defects in the monolayer. AFM studies of bilayers formed by a combination of LB dipping and Langmuir-Schaefer monolayer transfer exhibit complex surface topographies that reflect a convolution of the phase structure present in each of the individual monolayers. NSOM fluorescence measurements, however, are able to resolve the underlying lipid domains from each side of the bilayer and show that they are qualitatively similar to those observed in the monolayers. The observation of the small lipid domains in these bilayers is beyond the spatial resolving power of confocal microscopy and is complicated in the topography measurements taken with AFM, illustrating the utility of NSOM for these types of studies. The data suggest that the small LC and LE lipid domains are formed after lipid transfer to the substrate through a dewetting mechanism. The possible extension of these measurements to probing for lipid phase domains in natural biomembranes is discussed.
Pricing design for robustness in linear quadratic games

We show that designing prices to induce a socially optimal Nash equilibrium that is robust to small parameter perturbations in a linear-quadratic game can be framed as a convex program. In addition, we use a similar analysis to develop convex conditions that guarantee that the induced equilibrium is stable with respect to small deviations in players' feedback strategies.
Accounting for Spatial Variability in Breeding Trials: A Simulation Study

Several techniques to control for spatial heterogeneity in breeding trials were compared through the use of simulated data for a field site with 256 genotypes (i.e., treatments). Various experimental designs, error structures, and polynomial functions were modeled. The error structures studied included first-order autoregressive with and without measurement error (or nugget) and independent errors. Also, several nearest neighbor methods (Papadakis [PAP] and moving average [MA]) were used. The results indicated that, of models with independent errors, row-column designs gave the best correlation between the predicted and true treatment effects (CORR). Once the autoregressive error structure, with or without nugget, was incorporated, CORR values were even higher. Also, failing to incorporate the nugget produced bias in the correlation parameters of the error structure. Nearest neighbor technique were also among the best options, where some variants of the Papadakis method were almost as good as models that incorporated the error structure.
A modular 1mm 3 die-stacked sensing platform with optical communication and multi-modal energy harvesting

Wireless sensor nodes have many compelling applications such as smart buildings, medical implants, and surveillance systems. However, existing devices are bulky, measuring >1cm3, and they are hampered by short lifetimes and fail to realize the “smart dust” vision of [1]. Smart dust requires a mm3-scale, wireless sensor node with perpetual energy harvesting. Recently two application-specific implantable microsystems [2][3] demonstrated the potential of a mm3-scale system in medical applications. However, [3] is not programmable and [2] lacks a method for re-programming or re-synchronizing once encapsulated. Other practical issues remain unaddressed, such as a means to protect the battery during the time period between system assembly and deployment and the need for flexible design to enable use in multiple application domains. To this end, we propose a 1.0mm3 general-purpose heterogeneous sensor node platform with a stackable multi-layer structure that includes a new, ultra-low power I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface for inter-layer communication. The system has an ultra-low-power optical wakeup receiver and GOC (Global Optical Communication), which enables re-programming and synchronization. It also includes an ultra-low power PMU (Power Management Unit) with BOD (BrownOut Detector) to prevent processor malfunctions and battery damage. The BOD also controls a POR (Power-On Reset) module in other layers to enable a proper reset sequence. Image and temperature sensors are implemented, but the modularity of the system allows end-users to easily replace or add layers to incorporate specific circuits in appropriate technologies as needed.
Bradycardia Preceding Apneic Attacks in Low-Birthweight Infants The Relationship of Recognition and Management

Two premature infants had frequent episodes of prolonged apnea. The apneic spells were not due to the more commonly known causes of apnea in infancy, but were consistently preceded by severe bradycardia. Atropine or ephedrine produced favorable therapeutic results.Since severe bradycardia may be a cause of sudden death in infants, its recognition and treatment is important in the management of apneic infants.
Intracavernous trigeminal ganglion amyloidoma: case report.

OBJECTIVE: Isolated amyloidomas rarely manifest in nervous system tissues. To the authors knowledge, there have been 52 documented cases of primary amyloid tumors of the central nervous system and closely associated structures. The authors present a case of a woman with a history of presumptive trigeminal neuralgia who was found to have an amyloidoma of the trigeminal ganglion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old Caucasian patient presented with a chief complaint of severe numbness and pain throughout the right side of her face. Her symptoms had been progressive over the previous 3 years. Medical management of her presumptive diseases with Zotoft (Pfizer Inc., New York, NY) and Neurontin (Pfizer Inc.) failed to improve or halt her right facial numbness and pain. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was acquired, demonstrating abnormal contrast enhancement and enlargement of the right trigeminal ganglion. The lesion abutted and indented the right internal carotid artery and extended from Meckel's cave into the inferior cavernous sinus and distally to the foramen ovale. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy for resection of the gasserian ganglion lesion. A delicate incision was made in the wall of the cavernous sinus, allowing confirmatory biopsy of the lesion. With the site of the tumor within the cavernous sinus verified by pathology, the remainder of the tumor was removed. A final pathological review of the resected tumor confirmed a diagnosis of amyloidoma of the trigeminal ganglion. CONCLUSION: We present the case of a patient with a rare trigeminal ganglion amyloidoma that closely mimicked idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Even in the absence of systemic signs of amyloidosis, this benign protein deposition disease should be considered in the differential for atypical dysesthesias of the trigeminal dermatomes. Furthermore, central and peripheral nervous system amyloidomas respond well to surgical resection and rarely recur.
Interleukin-10 Induction Is an Important Virulence Function of the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type III Effector YopM

Pathogenic Yersinia species modulate host immune responses through the activity of a plasmid-encoded type III secretion system and its associated effector proteins. One effector, YopM, is a leucine-rich-repeat-containing protein that is important for virulence in murine models of Yersinia infection. Although the mechanism by which YopM promotes virulence is unknown, we previously demonstrated that YopM was required for the induction of high levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in sera of C57BL/6J mice infected with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. To determine if IL-10 production is important for the virulence function of YopM, C57BL/6J or congenic IL-10⁻/⁻ mice were infected intravenously with wild-type or yopM mutant Y. pseudotuberculosis strains. Analysis of cytokine levels in serum and bacterial colonization in the spleen and liver showed that YopM is required for IL-10 induction in C57BL/6J mice infected with either the IP32953 or the 32777 strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis, demonstrating that the phenotype is conserved in the species. In single-strain infections, the ability of the 32777ΔyopM mutant to colonize the liver was significantly increased by the delivery of exogenous IL-10 to C57BL/6J mice. In mixed infections, the competitive advantage of a yopM⁺ 32777 strain over an isogenic yopM mutant to colonize spleen and liver, as observed for C57BL/6J mice, was significantly reduced in IL-10⁻/⁻ animals. Thus, by experimentally controlling IL-10 levels in a mouse infection model, we obtained evidence that the induction of this cytokine is an important mechanism by which YopM contributes to Y. pseudotuberculosis virulence.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy at Alkanethiol-Coated Gold in Propylene Carbonate

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was successfully employed to investigate ionic permeability into self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) deposited on a Au(111) single crystal in propylene carbonate electrolyte solutions. The ionic permeability strongly depends on the applied dc potential, implying the existence of different potential dependent phases in monolayers exposed to propylene carbonate solutions. Increasing the temperature changes the ionic permeability of the SAM irreversibly. This is suggested to be due to changes in film structure due to Ostwald ripening. An appropriate equivalent circuit for characterization of the ionic conductivity of these self-assembled monolayers was developed.
Absorption strength and pressure-broadened linewidth measurements of the 1.73 μm (2-0) band of HCl at high temperatures

Abstract Line intensities and the pressure- (self-, N 2 -) broadened linewidths in the first overtone of H 35 Cl at 1.73 μm have been measured at several temperatures between 296 and 1300 K using a tunable, narrow-linewidth (0.07 cm −1 ) F + 2 -center laser spectrometer. The spectral intensities at different temperatures, self-broadening coefficients at room temperature, and the rotational-state and the temperature dependence of N 2 -broadening coefficients were measured. Our results are compared with previously published experimental data and theoretical predictions.
Management of dyslipidemia in IDDM patients

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) are at an increased risk for coronary heart disease. Factors that may enhance the risk include dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Until recently, the importance of dyslipidemia in IDDM was ignored because the prevalence of high cholesterol levels was similar to that in the nondiabetic population. However, unique abnormalities in the composition and metabolism of lipoproteins may occur in IDDM patients. Management of IDDM patients, therefore, should include control of dyslipidemia as well as control of hyperglycemia and hypertension. The therapeutic goals for serum cholesterol reduction in IDDM patients should be lower than that for nondiabetic patients, and the goals for children should be even lower than those for adults. Both very-low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels should be the targets for therapeutic interventions and not just the LDL alone. Because of the unique features of dyslipidemia in IDDM patients, the therapeutic options may not be the same as that for nondiabetic patients. Hyperglycemia should be controlled by matching daily energy intake and activity with appropriately timed doses of insulin. The diets should be low in saturated fats and cholesterol. If dyslipidemia persists despite diet and hyperglycemia management, drug therapy may be initiated. For IDDM children > or = 10 years of age with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, the first-line therapy should be bile acid sequestrants. For adults with IDDM, bile acid sequestrants also may be the drugs of choice, particularly for normotriglyceridemic patients. Nicotinic acid therapy should be avoided. Among other drugs, hydroxymethyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors may be preferable for patients with elevated LDL cholesterol and borderline hypertriglyceridemia. Fibric acid derivatives should be used for markedly hypertriglyceridemic patients. The role of probucol for dyslipidemia in IDDM patients is not clear.
Do the Effects of Cognitive Therapy Endure? A Two-Year Follow-Up of Tension Headache Sufferers Treated with Cognitive Therapy or Biofeedback ~

This report presents findings from a two-year follow-up of chronic tension headache sufferers treated either with stress-coping training (cognitive therapy, N = 11) or electromyographic biofeedback (N = 8). Clients who had received stress-coping training reported that two years following treatment they continued to use the coping strategies they had been taught, and daily headache recordings indicated they were still significantly improved ( p < .005). About one-half of the clients treated with biofeedback were substantially improved following treatment, with the remaining clients showing minor improvements or increases in headache symptoms. These mixed outcomes were still evident at two-year follow-up, with three of four clients maintaining improvements and the remaining clients showing, at best, minor reductions in headache symptoms. This longterm maintenance of treatment gains following stress-coping training suggests that cognitive therapy deserves the increased attention of investigators interested in the long-term maintenance of therapeutic gains.
The Semiconductor Research Corporation and University Research in Integrated Circuits

The Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) was formed in 1982 as a cooperative for implementation of research activities that respond to the generic needs of the integrated circuit industry. It has established a research program through contracts with universities that encompasses the spectrum of technologies that are relevant to integrated circuits.
Reporting relationships of clinical nurse specialists in acute care.

AbstractReporting relationships between clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and administrators (ADMs) can facilitate or constrain CNS practice and affect patient outcomes. Limited information is available comparing reporting relationships and perspectives of CNSs and ADMs.Purpose:The purpose of the pr
Towards Deeper Understanding of the Search Interfaces of the Deep Web

Many databases have become Web-accessible through form-based search interfaces (i.e., HTML forms) that allow users to specify complex and precise queries to access the underlying databases. In general, such a Web search interface can be considered as containing an interface schema with multiple attributes and rich semantic/meta-information; however, the schema is not formally defined in HTML. Many Web applications, such as Web database integration and deep Web crawling, require the construction of the schemas. In this paper, we first propose a schema model for representing complex search interfaces, and then present a layout-expression based approach to automatically extract the logical attributes from search interfaces. We also rephrase the identification of different types of semantic information as a classification problem, and design several Bayesian classifiers to help derive semantic information from extracted attributes. A system, WISE-iExtractor, has been implemented to automatically construct the schema from any Web search interfaces. Our experimental results on real search interfaces indicate that this system is highly effective.
Shared Decision-making in Orthopaedic Surgery

Background The process of clinical decision-making and the patient-physician relationship continue to evolve. Increasing patient involvement in clinical decision-making is embodied in the concept of “shared decision-making” (SDM), in which the patient and physician share responsibility in the clinical decision-making process. Various patients’ decision aid tools have been developed to enhance this process.
Controlled phase separation of polymer-liquid crystal mixtures for reversible optical data storage

A system for reversible optical data storage has been studied, using mixtures of polymers with liquid crystal molecules. A thin coating of a polymer-liquid crystal mixture with a laser absorbing dye would be spin coated onto a substrate and recording would be done with two types of write laser pulses. One laser pulse would be of high intensity and focused to small diameter, giving large temperature gradients and relatively fast cooling rates. The other write pulse would have lower intensity and larger diameter, resulting in smaller temperature gradients and slower cooling. A third pulse, reserved for reading, would not have sufficient intensity at the wavelength absorbed by the system to heat significantly. It would be scattered at different intensities into a photodetector depending on the cooling history of the spot being read. The feasibility of the principle was demonstrated through an experiment in which a 4-8-microm sample coating is applied to clear resistor coated glass. Energy was put into the system by a pulse generator whose power and pulse duration can be controlled. Low intensity laser light scattering patterns were observed during and after the resistive pulse to monitor the sample morphology during the experiment. A short heating pulse resulted in more intense light scattering at small angles than longer, lower power pulses.