cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient algorithm for band connectivity resolution

An efficient algorithm for band connectivity (BC) resoln. is presented. The method uses only readily available band coeffs. and the overlap matrix, and has a low computational cost. The accuracy of the BC resoln. is such that the method is practical for meshes of k points typically used in systems with small unit cells (e.g., 16´16´16 mesh for a 3 .ANG. unit cell). We establish that the errors in the linear tetrahedron (LT) method due to the undetected crossings have D2 dependence with respect to the characteristic spacing between k points. The intrinsic error of the LT method is proportional to D2, while for the "improved" LT method (iLT) it is proportional to D4. Thus, the BC error is in fact the leading error of the iLT method. Our benchmarks demonstrate that the resoln. of band connectivity restores the high accuracy of the "improved" LT method (D4) in systems with band crossings near or at the Fermi level.
Neural network-based agents for integrating information for production systems

Abstract Recent research on neural network-based agents for coordinating and filtering information is presented. Neural net agents have advantages over rule-based agents because they can be easily adapted to the information needs of the user through the learning capabilities of neural networks. Three application areas for these agents are discussed: electronic bulletin boards, Group Decision Support System (GDSS) meetings, and electronic mail (e-mail). This paper reports accuracy results of the network for electronic bulletin boards and meeting messages. The agents could accurately filter messages, under optimal conditions, in the range of 85% to 99%. Interface designs for incorporating these agents in GDSS and e-mail systems are discussed and illustrated. The advantages of neural network-based agents over rule-based agents are discussed also.
PARTICULATE CARBONATE, ORGANIC CARBON, AND Mn++IN THE OPEN OCEAN

Particulate carbonate, organic carbon, and Mn++ were measured in a series of surface and deep stations in the North Atlantic Ocean during the AFRAM expedition. Surface values of all three components were much greater than values from deeper samples, but below 100 m there was no apparent decrease with depth and no apparent correlation between the components, While organic carbon showed some regional variation, no such variation could be seen in either carbonate or divalent manganese.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy nurse experience and polyp detection during screening colonoscopy.

Background & Aims The effect of gastrointestinal endoscopy nursing experience on polyp detection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether nurse experience is associated with odds of polyp detection. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of screening colonoscopies performed by attendings at University of North Carolina hospitals between August 2003 and 2005. Nurse experience was dichotomized at 6 months. The primary outcome was polyp detection, with secondary analysis by histologic type. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiva-riable logistic regression were performed. Results Any polyp was detected in 44% of the eligible 3631 colonoscopies. Multiple polyps were detected in 23%, adenomas in 25%, advanced lesions in 5%, and hyperplastic polyps in 11%. Twenty-nine nurses were employed during the study period, 19 of whom were new to endoscopy nursing. For nurses with 6 months of experience or less, any polyp was detected in 40.3% of procedures compared with 46.0% of procedures for nurses with more than 6 months of experience (odds ratio [OR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.46). Similar results were seen for multiple polyps (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.29–1.84) and hyperplastic polyps (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.22–1.76), but not for adenomas (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.93–1.30) or advanced lesions (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.71–1.36). These relationships were unchanged after adjusting for potential confounding patient and procedure variables. Conclusions Procedures staffed by less-experienced gastrointestinal endoscopy nurses have increased odds of not detecting polyps. Subanalysis suggests that detection of hyperplastic polyps explains much of this relationship.
BIFURCATIONS AND MIXING WINDOWS IN SINUSOIDAL CAVITY FLOW MIXING SYSTEMS

Bifurcation analysis is applied to low periodic orbits of co- and counter-rotating sinusoidal cavity flow mixing systems, giving a quantitative account of the behavior observed and presenting an efficient way of finding nearly globally chaotic mixing systems, that can lead to uniform mixing. The corresponding parameter regions are called mixing windows. Symmetries of the Poincare maps deduced from those of continuous trajectories are used to help find periodic points. Both co- and counter-rotating flows have an integrable limit as T (the period of the sinusoidal motion of the walls) → 0. As T → ∞, most orbits in the co-rotating flows have an adiabatic invariant and are, therefore, regular, while the orbits in the counter-rotating flows do not, due to the existence of separatices. This qualitatively explains the better mixing performance of the counter-rotating flows compared with the co-rotating flows. The stream lines of the systems with small phase shift between the motion of two walls are nearly unchanged with time, and therefore, no good mixing can be expected. The bifurcation analysis reveals that a phase shift of half a period also results in bad mixing and that the best results are obtained with the phase shift of about a quarter period. The methodology presented in this paper saves computation time greatly compared with the traditional Poincare section method. Our results are compared with the existing experiments.
Multimodal pattern recognition by modular neural network

Multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) have been widely applied to pattern recognition. It is found that when the data has a multimodal dis- tribution, a standard MLP is hard to train and a valid neural network classifier is difficult to obtain. We propose a two-phase learning modular (TLM) neural network architecture to tackle this problem. The basic idea is to transform the multimodal distribution into a known and more learn- able distribution and then use a standard MLP to classify the new data. The transformation is accomplished by decomposing the input feature space into several subspaces and training several MLPs with samples in the subsets. We verified this idea with a two-class classification example and applied the TLM to the inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) au- tomatic target recognition (ATR), and compared its performance with that of the MLP. Experiments show that the MLP is difficult to train. Its performance depends strongly on the number of training samples as well as the architecture parameters. On the other hand, the TLM is much easier to train and yields better performance. In addition, the TLM's per- formance is more robust. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engi- neers. (S0091-3286(98)03702-7)
US FDA outreach to the regenerative medicine community: challenges and opportunities.

Advances in the field of regenerative medicine have yielded novel approaches to developing treatments for currently unmet medical needs. The regenerative medicine field is diverse, spanning many research and clinical disciplines; no single society or organization fully represents regenerative medicine. The US FDA maintains an active dialog with a variety of stakeholders to keep abreast of the latest available science, to anticipate regulatory challenges posed by the latest scientific developments and to educate stakeholders about regulatory expectations for product development. The diversity of stakeholders in this field makes this dialog challenging. This article provides an overview of some of the FDA’s current outreach activities in this area. The FDA welcomes opportunities to enhance its interactions with the regenerative medicine community.
Increased International Normalized Ratio in a Patient Taking Warfarin and Celecoxib

Objective:To report a case of increased international normalized ratio (INR) associated with the addition of celecoxib therapy.Case Summary:A 77-year-old white woman who was previously stabilized at a target INR of 2–3 on warfarin 26.25 mg/wk for recurrent atrial fibrillation presented with “leg pain.” Celecoxib 100 mg twice daily orally was added to her regimen. After approximately three weeks of celecoxib therapy, her INR was elevated at 3.5, with no signs of bleeding. Her warfarin was withheld for one day and reinitiated at 23.75 mg/wk (∼10% decrease). Follow-up INRs at one and three weeks had returned to target INR range between 2 and 3.Discussion:Drug interactions are common with warfarin due to induction or inhibitions of the cytochrome P450 system and changes in protein binding. Although the celecoxib package insert states that there is not a significant interaction in healthy subjects receiving 2–5 mg/d of warfarin, the potential exists, as both are highly protein bound and metabolized through CYP...
The association between early life adversity and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine associations between chronic preconception psychosocial and socioeconomic stress with bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy. Study Design Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, childhood abuse and neglect, chronic discrimination, childhood socioeconomic status, potential confounders, and BV were assessed at 14-16 and 19-22 weeks' gestation in a cohort of 312 pregnant women. Results Persistent BV (BV positive at both time points vs no BV at either time point) was associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA), chronic discrimination, and lack of parental home ownership. These associations were still present after covarying for current perceived stress, socioeconomic status, and other potential confounders. Conclusion There is evidence that BV during pregnancy is independently linked with early life psychosocial adversity, suggesting that a life-course perspective may be important in elucidating determinants of perinatal outcomes.
A METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE FROM SHEEP PITUITARY GLANDS.

Abstract A method is described for the preparation of highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone from fresh sheep pituitary glands. A gonadotropic preparation obtained by a modified Koenig-King procedure is subjected to zone electrophoresis on a vertical column of cellulose using 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.7) which effects a partial separation of the follicle-stimulating hormone from the luteinizing hormone. The follicle-stimulating hormone fraction is filtered through Sephadex G-25 and is further purified by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose equilibrated with 0.006 M Tris buffer (pH 7.7) in 0.001 M versene and 6 M urea. The active fraction obtained was rechromatographed under the same conditions and the product was shown to consist of a major and a minor component by starch-gel electrophoresis at pH 4.0 and 8.6. The follicle-stimulating hormone was recovered in the major zone at pH 8.6. The preparation obtained by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose when assayed by the Steelman-Pohley method was shown to be 6.5 times as active as the follicle-stimulating hormone supplied by the Endocrinology Study Section of the National Institutes of Health whereas after starch-gel electrophoresis, it was 9.7 times as active. The follicle-stimulating hormone obtained by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and by starch-gel electrophoresis when assayed in hypophysectomized female rats, stimulated the ovaries and caused estrogen production as indicated by the distension of the uteri with fluid and, when assayed in hypophysectomized male rats, both preparations showed low but essentially the same luteinizing-hormone activities as indicated by small increases in the weights of the ventral prostates. This low level of luteinizing activity is tentatively attributed to an inherent property of the follicle-stimulating hormone.
Experimental studies on mating systems and genetic load in Onoclea sensibilis L. (Aspleniaceae: Athyrioideae)

Sporophytes from natural populations of Onoclea sensibilis L. from eastern North America and Japan were investigated to determine their mating system and the frequency of recessive deleterious genes (genetic load). Morphological and physiological criteria in the gametophyte generation indicate that this species has a high probability of intergametophytic mating in nature. All sporophytes exhibited some degree of heterozygosity for genetic load, expressed either as zygotic lethals or leaky lethals. Effects of antheridogen on gametophyte sex ratios and polyembryony are described.
β-Adrenoceptor signaling in the developing brain: sensitization or desensitization in response to terbutaline

Abstract β2-Adrenoceptor agonists are commonly used to arrest preterm labor but they also penetrate the placenta to stimulate fetal β-adrenergic receptors (βAR), and have been implicated in subsequent neurobehavioral deficits. We administered terbutaline to pregnant rats on gestational days (GD) 17–20 and during two postnatal (PN) periods, PN2–5 and PN11–14, that correspond to third trimester human neurological development. We then examined βAR binding sites and adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling in fetal brain or neonatal brain regions. Although fetal terbutaline administration evoked βAR downregulation, the ability of isoproterenol to stimulate AC was enhanced instead of desensitized. Sensitization occurred at post-receptor signaling proteins, as augmented responses were also seen for stimulants that bypass the receptors to work on G-proteins (NaF) or that stimulate AC directly (forskolin and Mn2+). When terbutaline was given on PN2–5, βAR downregulation was obtained in brainstem, forebrain and cerebellum, but desensitization of the AC response was seen only in the forebrain; the desensitization was heterologous, reflecting decrements in total AC activity rather than specific loss of the βAR response. With treatment on PN11–14, only the cerebellum showed βAR downregulation and induction at the level of post-receptor signaling proteins maintained the βAR-mediated AC response. Our results indicate that, unlike the adult, βAR signaling in the fetus and neonate is resistant to homologous desensitization by β-agonists, and in fact, displays heterologous sensitization that sustains or enhances the overall response. The inability to desensitize βAR responses may lead to disruption of neural cell development as a consequence of tocolytic therapy.
Ex vivo inhibition of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin types B, C, E, and F by small molecular weight inhibitors.

Abstract Two small molecular weight inhibitors, compounds CB7969312 and CB7967495, that displayed inhibition of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A in a previous study, were evaluated for inhibition of botulinum neurotoxin serotypes B, C, E, and F. The small molecular weight inhibitors were assessed by molecular modeling, UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay; and an ex vivo assay, the mouse phrenic nerve – hemidiaphragm assay (MPNHDA). While both compounds were inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes B, C, and F in the MPNHDA, compound CB7969312 was effective at lower molar concentrations than compound CB7967495. However, compound CB7967495 was significantly more effective at preventing BoNTE intoxication than compound CB7969312. In the UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay, CB7969312 was also more effective against LcC. Both compounds inhibited BoNTE, but not BoNTF, LcE, or LcF in the UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay. Molecular modeling studies predicted that both compounds would be effective inhibitors of BoNTs B, C, E, and F. But CB7967495 was predicted to be a more effective inhibitor of the four serotypes (B, C, E, and F) than CB7969312. This is the first report of a small molecular weight compound that inhibits serotypes B, C, E, and F in the ex vivo assay.
Accurate and efficient computation of power plane pair inductance

The computation of the power-plane inductance for multiple ports is an important part of the PDN design. In this paper, we present an efficient approach for the inductance computation. Since this PEEC approach is based on partial inductance computations, vias and other discontinuities can accurately be taken into account. Speed-up techniques are employed like the faster decay of the coupling due to the symmetry, sparsification and simplification of the partial mutual inductance evaluation. Also, an approximate rectangular mesh reduction method is introduced which allows a local increase in mesh density.
Outcomes after acute ischemic stroke in the United States: does residential ZIP code matter?

Background We sought to analyze the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on in‐hospital outcomes, cost of hospitalization, and resource use after acute ischemic stroke. Methods and Results We used the 2003–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for this analysis. All admissions with a principal diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were identified by using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. SES was assessed by using median household income of the residential ZIP code for each patient. Quartile 1 and quartile 4 reflect the lowest‐income and highest‐income SES quartile, respectively. During a 9‐year period, 775 905 discharges with acute ischemic stroke were analyzed. There was a progressive increase in the incidence of reperfusion on the first admission day across the SES quartiles (P‐trend<0.001). In addition, we observed a significant reduction in discharge to nursing facility, across the SES quartiles (P‐trend<0.001). Although we did not observe a significant difference in in‐hospital mortality across the SES quartiles in the overall cohort (P‐trend=0.22), there was a significant trend toward reduced in‐hospital mortality across the SES quartiles in younger patients (<75 years) (P‐trend<0.001). The mean length of stay in the lowest‐income quartile was 5.75 days, which was significantly higher compared with other SES quartiles. Furthermore, the mean adjusted cost of hospitalization among quartiles 2, 3, and 4, compared with quartile 1, was significantly higher by $621, $1238, and $2577, respectively. Compared with the lowest‐income quartile, there was a significantly higher use of echocardiography, invasive angiography, and operative procedures, including carotid endarterectomy, in the highest‐income quartile. Conclusions Patients from lower‐income quartiles had decreased reperfusion on the first admission day, compared with patients from higher‐income quartiles. The cost of hospitalization of patients from higher‐income quartiles was significantly higher than that of patients from lowest‐income quartiles, despite longer hospital stays in the latter group. This might be partially attributable to a lower use of key procedures among patients from lowest‐income quartile.
Servant or CEO? A metaphor analysis of leadership in a nonprofit context

This study investigates conceptualizations of the pastoral leadership role. The research utilized interviews with twenty‐nine pastors in eighteen different Protestant denominations in a large, southwestern city. Respondents were asked to provide a metaphor that represents their view of the pastor as congregational leader. An archetypal metaphor analysis revealed that most pastors described a hierarchical, one‐way communication relationship that either placed them in a dominant (e.g., CEO, Captain) or submissive (e.g., shepherd, servant) position. In addition, most pastors described some type of interpersonal or group conflict as the greatest threat to their leadership. Lastly, two typologies were developed. The first, focusing on information, revealed that pastors relied most on “church growth” marketing literature and least on their formal education in developing their model of leadership. The second typology revealed spiritual renewal and organizational change as the primary bases for optimism among the...
Yme2p is a mediator of nucleoid structure and number in mitochondria of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A large number of gene products have been identified that either directly or indirectly alter the inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. In yeast, we have used a unique genetic screen based on the transfer of DNA from mitochondria to nucleus to identify nuclear-encoded gene products that are targeted to mitochondria and impact the stable inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. A specific allele of one of these genes, yme2-4, prevents even the low wild-type rate of mitochondrial DNA transfer to the nucleus and imparts significant temperature-sensitive and respiratory-growth defects. Intra- and extragenic suppressors of the yme2-4 growth phenotypes were isolated and analysis of these interacting genes reveals that both YME2 and its suppressors influence the structure and number of mitochondrial nucleoids. The yme2-4 allele decreases the average number of mtDNA nucleoids found in cells and the sensitivity of DNA in toluene-treated mitochondria to digestion by DNA exonuclease, effects reversed by intra- and extragenic suppressors. The extragenic suppressor, a missense allele of ILV5, encodes an enzyme of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway that is also a component of mitochondrial nucleoids. A null allele of ILV5 suppresses transfer of mitochondrial DNA to the nucleus and displays synthetic interactions with yme2-4.
Detection of surface differences between two closely related cell populations by partitioning isotopically labeled mixed cell populations in two-polymer aqueous phases. II. A correction.

The partition behavior of cells in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous phases (i.e., the cells' relative affinity for the top or bottom phase or their adsorption at the interface) is greatly dependent on the polymer concentrations and ionic composition and concentration. Appropriate selection of phase system composition permits detection of differences in either charge-associated or lipid-related surface properties. We have now developed a method that can reveal differences by partitioning that fall within experimental error if one were to compare countercurrent distribution (CCD) curves of two closely related cell populations run separately. One cell population is isotopically labeled in vitro (e.g., with51Cr-chromate) and is mixed with an excess of the unlabeled cell population with which it is to be compared. The mixture is subjected to CCD and the relative specific radio-activities are determined through the distribution. As control we also examine a mixture of labeled cells and unlabeled cells of the same population. The feasibility of this method was established by use of cell mixtures the relative partition coefficients of which were known. The procedure was then used to test for human erythrocyte subpopulations51Cr-chromate-labeled human young or old red blood cells were mixed with unfractionated erythrocytes and subjected to CCD in a phase system reflecting charge-associated properties. It was found that older cells had a high, young cells (probably only reticulocytes) a low partition coefficient. Because of the small differences involved these results were not previously obtained. It was further determined, by repartitioning51Cr-labeled cells from the left or right ends of a CCD of human red blood cells admixed to unlabeled unfractionated erythrocytes, that a subpopulation with higher partition coefficient exists (probably constituting the old red cells). These experiments serve to illustrate (a) that human red blood cells, contrary to a previous report, can be subfractionated by partitioning and (b) the usefulness of this new method in detecting smaller surface differences between closely related cell populations than was heretofore possible by partitioning alone.
The structure of premixed particle-cloud flames☆

The structure of premixed flames propagating in combustible systems, containing uniformly distributed volatile fuel particles, in an oxidizing gas mixture, is analyzed. It is presumed that the fuel particles vaporize first to yield a gaseous fuel of known chemical structure, which is subsequently oxidized in the gas phase. The analysis is performed in the asymptotic limit, where the value of the characteristic Zeldovich number, based on the gas-phase oxidation of the gaseous fuel is large, and for values of phi(u) greater than or equal to 1.0, where phi(u) is the equivalence ratio based on the fuel available in the fuel particles. The structure of the flame is presumed to consist of a preheat vaporization zone where the rate of the gas-phase chemical reaction is small, a reaction zone where convection and the rate of vaporization of the fuel particles are small and a convection zone where diffusive terms in the conservation equations are small. For given values phi(u) the analysis yields results for the burning velocity and phi(g) where phi(g) is the effective equivalence ratio in the reaction zone. The analysis shows that even though phi(u) greater than or equal to 1.0, for certain cases the calculated value of phi(g) is less than unity. This prediction is in agreement with experimental observations.
Does coercion drive firms to adopt ‘voluntary’ green initiatives? Relationships among coercion, superior firm resources, and voluntary green initiatives

Abstract Institutional theory, one of the most developed in the management literature, argues that external forces drive firms' decision-making. The resource-based view, one of the fastest growing, argues that internal forces drive firms' decision-making. This research uses both theories, investigating relationships among external coercion, internal resources and voluntary green initiatives (VGIs). Institutional theory offers that firms will only perform conscientiously if coerced by governments. Recent literature largely argues that firms initiate VGIs without coercion. This study found that coercion is positively related to VGIs, but the relationship is contextual, dependent on firms' level of superior resources focused on environmental strategies. This research found that internal superior firm resources are positively related to VGIs. The study also found these same internal firm resources dampen the relationship between external coercion and VGIs. That is, relationships between coercion and VGIs are weaker or nonexistent for firms with superior resources associated with environmental strategies.
Bromination of a Naphthalene Platinacycle

Bromination of the four-membered Pt(II) metallacycle Pt(Et3P)2(1,8-naphthalendiyl) by Br2 results in Pt−C bond cleavage and formation of cis-Pt(8-bromonaphthalen-1-yl)(Br)(PEt3)2 (cis-2). Further Br2 addition yields ionic cis-[Pt(η2-8-bromonaphthalen-1-yl)(Br)2(PEt3)2]Br (cis-3) in which the bromine atom of the bromonaphthalene is bonded to the six-coordinate Pt(IV) center. AgPF6 and cis-3 give AgBr and cis-[Pt(η2-8-bromonaphthalen-1-yl)(Br)2(PEt3)2]PF6 (cis-4). All of the above complexes isomerize to more stable trans-complexes. Complex cis-3 slowly converts to neutral Pt(η2-8-bromonaphthalen-1-yl)(Br)3(PEt3) (5) through displacement of a PEt3 ligand by Br-. Photolysis of 5 yields naphthalene, Pt2Br4(PEt3)2, Et3PBr2, and other products. Na/Hg eduction of 5 gives trans-2 and other unidentified products.
Near-field flow of supersonic swirling jets

The addition of swirl to scramjet fuel jets has been proposed as a method of enhancing fuel mixing, but little of a fundamental nature is known about supersonic swirling flows. Several jets with different amounts of swirl were created by tangential injection and acceleration through a convergent-divergent nozzle. The flowfields near the nozzle exit were investigated using pitot, cone, and total-temperature probes, and Rayleigh scattering from a laser light sheet. The results show that tangential injection is an efficient method for generating swirling jets, that the swirling jets mix much more rapidly with the stagnant air than comparable straight jets, and that, when overexpanded, turbulence is created in the jet core as a result of vortex breakdown. Mixing layer growth rates are shown to correlate with Richardson number
One slide fits all: the versatility of slide tracheoplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass support for airway reconstruction in children.

Objectives This study describes results of tracheal reconstruction in children with slide tracheoplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass and identifies predictors for adverse outcomes. Methods Preoperative characteristics, operative variables, and outcome measures were collected for children undergoing slide tracheoplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass between April 2001 and October 2009. Predictors of worse outcomes were identified by bivariate analysis. Multiple regression analysis was performed for predictors of prolonged hospital stay. Results Cohort included 80 patients (median age, 8.7 months; 7 days–21 years). Forty-eight patients had associated cardiac or great vessel anomalies; 24 had simultaneous repair of cardiovascular anomaly at tracheal reconstruction. Fifty (63%) were extubated within 48 hours after operation. Median stay was 18.5 days (range, 7–119 days). Twenty-three patients (29%) required significant airway reintervention during median follow-up of 12 months (range, 4 months–7.8 years). There were 4 deaths, 2 early and 2 late. In bivariate analysis, age ( P = .017), cardiopulmonary bypass duration ( P = .025), and duration of mechanical ventilation ( P P = .009). Multiple regression analysis indicated preoperative ventilatory support ( P P = .002), previous airway operation ( P = .01), and need for significant airway reintervention ( P Conclusions Slide tracheoplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass can be performed with low mortality in a diverse pediatric population. This technique minimizes need for early significant airway reintervention in most cases.
Review: mixing new cocktails: drug interactions in antiretroviral regimens.

Current highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection requires the concomitant administration of three or four different agents, often with a high potential for drug–drug interactions. Additionally, some HIV-positive patients still require concomitant treatment with drugs for opportunistic infections, some require medication to treat unrelated medical conditions and/or the metabolic complications of antiretroviral therapy, others may self-medicate with herbal formulations and/or over-the-counter drugs, and still others many take drugs for recreational reasons or to manage addiction. Therefore, the virtually limitless number of drug combinations that may be taken by patients undergoing treatment of HIV infection makes drug–drug interactions almost inevitable. Managing these interactions is one of the major challenges associated with the multidrug regimens used for HIV therapy. This paper provides an overview of the most common interactions between antiretrovirals in the sa...
Frequency Compensated A-C Ammeters and Voltmeters

The increased use of a-c instruments over a frequency range of 25 to 3,000 cycles for aircraft and industrial applications has imposed new requirements on instrument design. It is recognized that the standard type of a-c ammeters and voltmeters normally calibrated for use at a given frequency are subject to errors in indication when used at other frequencies. This paper describes the manner in which one line of a-c ammeters and voltmeters can be compensated to have minimum errors resulting from changes in frequency over a range of 25 to 3,000 cycles. Errors found in the uncompensated and compensated types of instruments with changes in frequency are shown, and a practical means of determining the amount of compensation and its application to ammeters and voltmeters is presented.
Evaluation of the mos SF-36 physical functioning scale (PF-10): I. Unidimensionality and reproducibility of the Rasch Item scale

Indexes developed to measure physical functioning as an essential component of general health status are often based on sets of hierarchically-structured items intended to represent a broad underlying concept. Rasch Item Response Theory (IRT) provides a methodology to examine the hierarchical structure, unidimensionality, and reproducibility of item positions (calibrations) along a scale. Data gathered on the 10-item Physical Functioning Scale (PF-10) from a large sample of Medical Outcomes Study patients (N = 3445) were used to examine the hierarchical order, unidimensionality, and reproducibility of item calibrations. Rasch-IRT analyses generated an empirical item hierarchy, confirmed the unidimensionality of the PF-10 for most patients, and established the reproducibility of item calibrations across patient populations and repeated tests. These findings support the content validity of the PF-10 as a measure of physical functioning and suggest that valid Rasch-IRT summary scores could be generated as an alternative to the current Likert summative scores. Unidimensionality and reproducibility of the item scale are essential prerequisites for the development of Rasch-based person measures of physical functioning that can be used across populations and over repeated tests.
Compositional Strategies in The Angel of Death for Piano, Chamber Orchestra, and Computer-Processed Sound

A composer describes his concerns in relation to a 34-minute musical work (The Angel of Death) written in consultation with perceptual psychologists. This work was conceived, and has served, as an experimental object suited to the testing of a range of issues of interest to composers as well as psychologists: in particular, are the musical materials and the formal structure of a piece of music heard by listeners in the ways that the composer anticipates? The thematic sources of the subject work are described in relation to an overall formal design that was realized in two contrasted ways: Sectional (strongly characterized sections with clear boundaries) and Domain (an interwoven presentation of materials that minimizes formal articulation). These two realizations can be performed in either order (S-D, or D-S), but in either case, a computer component enters at the end of the first part, coexisting with the second.
MOLECULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF COLONIZED HUMAN MALARIA VECTORS BY 28S RIBOSOMAL DNA POLYMORPHISMS

Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles, An. stephensi Liston, An. freeborni Aitken, and An. quadrimaculatus Say are cultured and studied in molecular genetic and transgenic laboratories with increasing frequency. With limited research space, these mosquitoes are often maintained in the same insectary. Under these conditions, cross-contamination of colonies can occur and have devastating consequences to affected research programs. We have developed a polymerase chain reaction-based assay targeting the 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene to easily differentiate between these four taxa and An. funestus Giles, which occurs in sympatry with An. gambiae. The resulting assay identifies individual mosquito preparations as well as all taxa within a mixed or pooled DNA template preparation.
On path selection for traffic with bandwidth guarantees

Transmission of multimedia streams imposes a minimum-bandwidth requirement on the path being used to ensure end-to-end Quality-of-Service (QoS) guarantees. While any shortest-path algorithm can be used to select a feasible path, additional constraints that limit resource consumption and balance the network load are needed to achieve efficient resource utilization. We present a systematic evaluation of four routing algorithms that offer different tradeoffs between limiting the path hop count and balancing the network load. Our evaluation considers not only the call blocking rate but also the fairness to requests for different bandwidths, robustness to inaccurate routing information, and sensitivity to the routing information update frequency. It evaluates not only the performance of these algorithms for the sessions with bandwidth guarantees, but also their impact on the lower priority best-effort sessions. Our results show that a routing algorithm that gives preference to limiting the hop count performs better when the network load is heavy, while an algorithm that gives preference to balancing the network load performs slightly better when the network load is light. We also show that the performance of using pre-computed paths with a few discrete bandwidth requests is comparable to that of computing paths on-demand, which implies feasibility of class-based routing. We observe that the routing information update interval can be set reasonably large to reduce routing overhead without sacrificing the overall performance, although an increased number of sessions can be misrouted.
Use of non-invasive X-ray microtomography for characterizing microstructure of extruded biopolymer foams

Understanding foam microstructure formation is important for a priori design and engineering of new biopolymer-based products for both food and industrial applications. However, this has been hindered by unavailability of an imaging technology to characterize the cellular structure of foams accurately. This study investigated a non-invasive imaging technology, X-ray microtomography (XMT), for visualization and measurement of microstructural features of biopolymer foams. Brittle corn starch foams with two levels (5% and 15%) of whey protein concentrate (34% protein) factorialized with two moisture contents (26% or 34%) were produced using extrusion. XMT allowed non-invasive imaging of sample cross-sections at various depths, and facilitated accurate and hitherto impossible measurements of features like true cell size distribution (bi-modal), average diameter (0.58 to 2.27 mm), open wall area fraction (0.068 to 0.099), cell wall thickness (0.09 to 0.15 mm), and true void fraction (0.63 to 0.84). Results indicated XMT is superior to conventional imaging techniques for characterizing foam microstructure.
Lattice Filter Algorithms

This chapter contains sections titled: Significance of Data Structure A Posteriori-Based Lattice Filter A Priori-Based Lattice Filter ]]>
La dualidad religiosa en las Sonatas de Valle-Inclán

Estudia el ataque que realiza Valle-Inclan en su obra a la hipocresia de la Espana catolica o del cristianismo en general. Este autor emplea la ambivalencia, es decir, la dualidad religiosa como medio estetico.
A fast maximum-intensity projection algorithm for generating magnetic resonance angiograms

Maximum-intensity projection (MIP) algorithms, a class of algorithms for construction of magnetic resonance (MR) angiograms, are reviewed. The blood flow in a volume of interest is represented by bright intensities in the MR data volume. MIP algorithms search for the maximum intensity along parallel rays cast through the MR image volume. A projection image is formed from these maximum intensity values. The flow within the vasculature shows up in the projection plane. An approach to calculating projections in which each image slice is presorted into bins of intensities is discussed. By relating the intensities of the pixels to their location in the slice, the total number of pixels considered for the projection plane is reduced, saving calculation time. Only the brighter intensities that relate to flow are used in the projection. Additional time savings result from precalculating projection templates and filling multiple projection planes at the same time. The algorithm was written in C on a 80386-based system. Results indicate a sixfold increase in projection calculation speed over a benchmark algorithm. >
Transplanting: A Method of Introducing an Insect Virus Into an Ecosystem

Contamination of seedlings with a formulation containing an entomopathogenic virus at the time of transplanting was found to be a technically feasible method of introducing an insect virus into an agroecosystem. Cabbage so treated with the highly infectious, single-embedded nucleopolyhedrosis virus of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), maintained a high concentration of the virus thoughout the season. In bioassays, larval mortality on treated plants averaged 97.2% during the 1st-week posttreatment and 95.0% throughout the 84 days of sampling. Larval mortality on untreated plants averaged 4.5% during the 1st-week posttreatment and increased to 89% by 84-day posttreatment due to spread of virus from treated plots.
Mapping evergreen forests in the Brazilian Amazon using MODIS and PALSAR 500-m mosaic imagery

Abstract In this study, we evaluate a methodology that uses dual-polarization L-band SAR 500-m mosaic PALSAR imagery to identify and map forests in the Brazilian Amazon and an algorithm that uses time-series MODIS imagery to map evergreen forest. IKONOS images were used to evaluate forest maps derived from PALSAR and MODIS imagery. A comparison between the PALSAR forest map and IKONOS forest maps shows that 91.4% of PALSAR-derived forest pixels had greater than 60% IKONOS-derived forest area. We also compared the PALSAR-derived forest map with the MODIS-derived evergreen forest map. Out of 1999 evergreen forest pixels in the MODIS evergreen forest map (the areas covered by the 11 IKONOS imagery), 1934 pixels were identified as forest by the PALSAR forest map, approximately 96.7% agreement. The results of this study highlight the potential of combining PALSAR and MODIS data for identifying and mapping evergreen forests in the Amazon.
Joining plasmonics with microfluidics: from convenience to inevitability

Along the advances in optofluidics, functionalities based on the surface plasmon-polariton have also been finding an increasing level of involvement within micro/nano-fluidic systems, gradually forming a new field of plasmo-fluidics. This survey of the burgeoning field reveals that judicious selection and combination of plasmonic and micro/nano-fluidic features render the plasmo-fluidic integration useful and mutually beneficial to the point of inevitability. We establish categories for the level of integration and utilize them as a framework for surveying existing work and extracting future perspectives.
Recovery of Compactly Supported Spherically Symmetric Potentials from the Phase Shift of the S-Wave

It is proved that the phase shift δ0(k) known for all k > 0, determines a real-valued locally integrable spherically symmetric potential q(x), |q(x)| ≤ C exp(-c|x|γ), γ>1, where γ is a fixed number, c and C are positive constants. A procedure for finding the unknown potential from the above phase shift is proposed, an iterative process for finding the potential from the above data is described and its convergence is proved.
A physical-flow-based approach to allocating transmission losses in a transaction framework

A physical-flow-based approach to allocating transmission losses in a multiple-transaction system is presented. The allocation scheme is developed using a framework in which the transactions are explicitly represented. The proposed scheme is based on expressing losses explicitly in terms of all the transactions in the system. An important property of the allocation scheme is its effective capability to deal with counter flows that result in the presence of specific transactions. Extensive numerical testing indicates that the allocation scheme produces loss allocations that are appropriate and that behave in a physically reasonable manner. Test results on several systems are presented.
Internal source monitoring and communication disturbance in patients with schizophrenia.

Background This study examined the relationship between internal source monitoring and disordered speech in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It was predicted that internal source monitoring would relate specifically to one type of communication disturbance, the missing information reference. Method Immediate, working, and internal source memory were assessed in 47 out-patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Speech samples were also collected from this sample and coded for six types of communication disturbance. Results Of the six types of communication disturbance coded in this study, internal source monitoring indices were uniquely related to the frequency of the missing information reference. Furthermore, internal source monitoring was the only type of short-term memory process assessed in this study that was related to the missing information reference. Neither immediate nor working-memory capacity was related significantly to the frequency of this type of communication disturbance. Conclusions This study adds to our knowledge of the neurocognitive processes that underlie communication disturbance in the speech of patients with schizophrenia.
The Metastable Liquidus and Its Effect on the Crystallization of Glass

There is a range of compositions and temperatures below the monotectic where the equilibrium solid cannot form directly from an undercooled single-phase liquid. Thermodynamics requires either a prior liquid-liquid Phase separation or a simultaneous formation of the second liquid if the solid is to form. The implications for controlled crystallization of glass are discussed.
HFE Gene Mutations in Cryptogenic Cirrhosis Patients.

Dear Editor, In Western countries, HFE-linked hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is considered to be the most common cause of iron overload. The HFE gene, first identified in 1996, is located on the short arm of chromosome 6. The majority of patients with phenotypic HH are homozygous for the C282Y mutation, a major mutation of the HFE gene, whereas compound heterozygosity (C282Y/H63D) is found in patients with a milder iron loading phenotype [1]. Because hepatic iron overload promotes liver fibrogenesis in HH, it is crucial to know whether the presence of any HFE gene mutations might accelerate liver damage. In a study by Jowkar et al. [2] published in the November issue of Hepatitis Monthly, the C282Y mutation was not detected in cryptogenic cirrhosis patients as well as healthy individuals; however, 22% of the patients and 28% of the healthy individuals were found to be heterozygous for the H63D mutation. Therefore, they concluded that HH is not the major cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis in the Iranian population. Although this study adds to the general knowledge on the molecular genetics of HH in the different regions of Iran, the findings of this study should be debated. We, as well as other researchers, have studied the frequency of HFE gene mutation among Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis and healthy individuals [3][4][5]. In the aforementioned studies, it was found that the allele frequency of the C282Y mutation was between 0% and 0.1%, whereas the allele frequency of the H63D mutation varied between 8.6 and 12.5% in healthy individuals. It is also noteworthy to mention that cryptogenic cirrhosis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, it is assumed that several of the patients in these studies are in fact alcoholic hepatitis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients. The patients' reluctance to admit to alcohol consumption along with the absence of advanced molecular techniques result in a higher number of false positive cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis in Iran. It is also not quite plausible to conclude that "HH is not a major cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis in the Iranian population" as Jowkar et al. have indicated in their study [2]. Perhaps, the authors meant to say that the development of cirrhosis in these patients cannot be attributed to HFE mutations. In the absence of any positive laboratory index of iron overload, there would be no evidence to correlate merely HFE mutations with hepatic cirrhosis even if these patients harbored HFE mutations. Taken together, our understanding of the role of HFE mutations in liver fibrogenesis in the context of viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, or other unknown accelerating factors is very premature, and further research and broader translational studies are required to unravel the underlying mechanisms.