cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscle relaxant combinations

Summary Many combinations of nondepolarizers doresult in potentiation. The potentiation can be demonstrated as a faster onset of action, increased intensity of blockade, and increased duration of action. This potentiation probably occurs because of differences between the two drugs regarding their binding to the α subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Thus the class of each drug (benzylisoquinolone v steroid) is not as important as how each drug binds to these α subunits. Potentiation has been demonstrated with many drug pairings and these are summarized in Table 1. The benefits of combinations are a faster onset, longer duration, decreased side effects, and decreased cost. The disadvantages are the unexpected degree of potentiation and the increased effort involved in mixing the drugs.
A novel device for secure home E-voting

E-voting is not highly trusted, having security flaws that may have compromised previous elections. In this paper, we propose the concept and design of a novel device that will allow secure e-voting. Specifically, we discuss how the device is equipped with both hardware and software protection measures that prevent various attacks such as physical tampering and modification. Finally, we describe how voting and tallying can be done with the device, along with a security analysis of the propsed device.
Growth hormone binding protein and free growth hormone in chronic renal failure.

Chronic renal failure in children is associated with growth failure. While the pathogenesis of uremic growth failure is multifactorial, an abnormal growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis is an important contributory element. Patients with uremia exhibit insensivivity to the action of GH, as exemplified by high plasma GH levels, low IGF-I activity, and poor somatic growth. This insensitivity can be overcome by supraphysiological doses of exogenous GH. Plasma GH binding protein (GHBP, the circulating ectodomain of the GH receptor) levels are decreased in patients with renal failure, as are hepatic GH receptor levels in animal models. Since GHBP levels are thought to reflect GH receptor levels in tissues, it is likely that the uremic GH insensitivity in humans is mediated by a decreased number of GH receptors. Another implication of the low plasma GHBP is a disproportionate elevation of free plasma GH (the biologically active moiety) relative to total GH, lending additional support to the concept of GH insensitivity in uremia. GH kinetics are altered in renal failure because of: (1) inability to excrete GH and (2) changes in the bound fraction of GH in the circulation.
Full-band and atomistic simulation of realistic 40 nm InAs HEMT

A realistic 40 nm InAs high electron mobility transistor is studied using a two-dimensional, full-band, and atomistic Schrodinger-Poisson solver based on the sp 3 d 5 s*. tight-binding model. Bandstructure non-parabolicity effects, strain, alloy disorder in the InGaAs and InAlAs barriers, as well as band-to-band tunneling in the transistor OFF-state are automatically included through the full-band atomistic model. The source and drain contact extensions are taken into account a posteriori by adding two series resistances to the device channel. The simulated current characteristics are compared to measured data and show a good quantitative agreement.
Fitting tabulated current functions to linear-sweep voltammograms

Abstract A procedure is described for fitting tabulated theoretical current functions to linear-sweep voltammograms. The method, suitable for a small microcomputer, employs linear extrapolation between current function values, and non-linear regression for minimizing deviations between experimental and theoretical currents. Examples of its use for confirmation of simple electrode reaction mechanisms and estimation of electrochemical parameters are described.
Effect of glass-ionomer base on composite resin hardness.

Abstract The effect of the glass-mm, and 3 mm thicknesses were placed over glass-ionomer bases, and the microhardness of the external surface was compared with that of controls without a base. A significant reduction in surface hardness (p
A reference trajectory approach to Langevin equations in gas phase collision dynamics

In this paper, a new approach to the development of Langevin‐like equations for studying gas phase collisional energy tranfer and other dynamical problems is introduced based on the use of reference trajectories to describe memory effects and nonlinear interactions. In this development, the exact equations of motion are first expressed in terms of the deviations of the coordinates and momenta from some reference trajectory values and then linearized about those values. A partitioning between fast and slow variables is then assumed, and those members of the above mentioned linearized equations which refer to the fast variables are re‐expressed as integral equations. A ’’local Brownian‐like’’ approximation is then made in the memory kernel appearing in the integral equations to reduce them to algebraic equations, and upon substitution of these into the slow variable equations of motion, we obtain Langevin‐like equations for the slow variables. In these equations the interaction between slow and fast variabl...
An efficient polling strategy for Bluetooth piconets using channel state information

Bluetooth is an emerging technology for personal wireless communications and is being applied in many scenarios. We investigate the data scheduling policy for Bluetooth piconets. In general the performance evaluation of most piconet scheduling algorithms recently proposed do not consider the packet losses in the wireless channel. However in environments with high interference or mobility, the channel conditions can mitigate the performance of the polling strategies. We propose a new piconet scheduling algorithm based on the estimated channel state information. The channel is modeled using the Nakagami-m distribution. The channel quality estimation is based on the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and on the Nakagami fading parameter m. These two metrics are used by the scheduling algorithm to define the best polling strategy. Simulation results demonstrate the good algorithm performance for different traffic conditions.
Construction of an apparatus to aid in the technique of in ovo avian microinjection

This report deals with the construction and use of an apparatus which makes in ovo microinjection of avian embryos a precise and repeatable technique.
Gender dimorphic increase in RBP-4 and NGAL in children born after IVF: an epigenetic phenomenon?

Background In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been widely used during the last decades. Recent studies demonstrated some alterations in IVF children's metabolic profile compared with controls. The recently reported lipocalins retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), as well as visfatin, which are associated with glucose intolerance and could help in the early detection of metabolic abnormalities, have not been studied in IVF children as yet. We studied the lipocalins RBP-4 and NGAL as well as visfatin in children born after IVF. Subjects and methods A total of 100 children born after IVF (47 boys) and 60 controls born after normal conception (30 boys), aged 4–14 year, were studied cross-sectionally. All children had a physical examination, their fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, RBP-4, NGAL, and visfatin were determined and their homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index was calculated. Results Children born after IVF had significantly higher RBP-4 (P = 0·009) and NGAL (P = 0·028) levels than controls. When divided by gender, RBP-4 remained higher in IVF girls (P = 0·002), whereas NGAL was higher in IVF boys (P = 0·021). Linear regression analysis had revealed that the differences are attributed to the IVF procedure per se. Conclusions In our study, IVF children had significantly higher RBP-4 and NGAL levels than controls, suggesting early metabolic derangements that could be attributed to an epigenetic phenomenon. These results are in accordance with our earlier findings of higher blood pressure and triglycerides in IVF children than controls. Further prospective studies in IVF children will determine the natural course of their metabolic profile.
Transfer and Variation in Cognitive Reading Strategies of Latino Fourth-Grade Students in a Late-Exit Bilingual Program

AbstractThe present study examines how 50 fourth-grade Spanish-dominant students utilize cognitive reading strategies to enhance comprehension of expository texts in Spanish and transfer strategic reading behaviors to English reading. The participants were grouped by Spanish reading ability into Able (Ab), Average (Av), and Less-Able (LAb) readers in order to determine how native language (LI) reading ability influences second language (L2) reading. Students' perception of the reading process and their oral proficiency in English were also examined as possible influences on cross-linguistic transfer. Data were collected through student interviews and think-aloud task tasks. For purposes of analysis, responses were grouped into categories of similar answers for comparisons across groups and languages; overall group means for strategic reading in Spanish were compared to those in English at various Language Assessment Scales (LAS) levels of English oral proficiency. All groups reported an increase in strate...
Time-dependent close-coupling calculations for the double photoionization of He and H2

Photoionization cross sections for both atomic helium and molecular hydrogen are calculated using a time-dependent close-coupling method. The total electronic wavefunction for the two-electron system is expanded in six dimensions, where four dimensions are represented on a radial and angular lattice and a coupled channels expansion is used to represent the other two dimensions. Double photoionization cross sections are obtained for both He and H2 for a range of photon energies above the complete fragmentation threshold. Comparisons are made with absolute experimental measurements.
A companion technology approach to CS1: handheld computers with concept visualization software

All incoming freshmen majoring in computer science at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) are required to purchase a handheld computer with wireless capability (HP/Compaq IPAQ). The integration of these devices into the CSI curriculum was primarily achieved by authoring and distributing a number of applications written to allow students to interact with visualizations of key concepts using their handheld computers. Downloadable from the campus wireless network and used in class (large lecture and discussion) the contribution of these applications to the course was substantial. The handheld computers and accompanying visualization software served as course companions, instantly providing meaningful content and engaging instruction anywhere the student went, on campus or off. Students rated the concept visualization software as the most useful aspect of the course. The success of this initiative leads to several important conclusions about the relationship of handhelds to laptops as learning tools, the importance of visualization software and the successfull integration of companion technology into the CS1 curriculum.
Lay Perceptions of Global Risk Public Views of Global Warming in Cross-National Context

This article reports results from a 1992 Gallup survey conducted in six nations (Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal and Russia) that explored public perceptions of global warming in some detail. Overall the results tend to support those of the small-scale but in-depth studies on which the present study built: Lay publics in these six nations see global warming as a problem, although not as serious as ozone depletion or rain forest destruction. Most people acknowledge that they do not understand global warming very well, and results from questions about the perceived causes and consequences of global warming illustrate their limited understanding. While often confusing global warming with ozone depletion and air pollution, majorities of respondents in all but Russia believe that it is already occurring and large majorities within all nations believe that it will occur within their lifetimes. Furthermore, as discussions of the `risk society' suggest, public perceptions of global warming do not vary consi...
Classification of behavior problems in dogs: Distributions of age, breed, sex and reproductive status

Abstract One hundred and seventy behavior problems were observed in 105 dogs referred for behavior-problem management by practicing veterinarians. Ninety percent of the observed behavior problems were classified within three major categories: aggression; stimulus reactivity; separation-related. Aggression and stimulus reactivity problems were further sub-divided by their predominant behavioral components, i.e. excessive approach or avoidance in relation to the target stimuli. The mean age for dogs presented for problem behavior was 3.4 years, which did not differ as a function of diagnostic category ( P > 0.05). The distributions of different types of aggression seen in dogs and the most frequent pair-wise combinations of different types of aggression in the sample were described. Significantly more intact males and neutered females were referred for aggressive and stimulus reactivity behavior problems ( P P > 0.05). The value of identifying the predominant components of behavior problems for clarifying the direction of behavior change was discussed.
Tracing the long-term evolution of a species complex: Examples from the Montastraea “annularis” complex

Abstract Recent molecular work has revealed numerous species complexes of scleractinian reef corals. Although species within complexes are distinct through much of their distribution, hybridization has been discovered at species margins, and has been hypothesized as playing an important role in mediating responses to changing environments. In the present study, I examine the long-term evolution of the Montastraea “ annularis ” complex over the past 5 million years to determine when speciation, extinction, and hybridization took place over the past 6.5 million years, with the eventual aim of understanding how these events corresponded with environmental changes in the Caribbean region. The material consists of colonies collected in the Mio-Pliocene of the Dominican Republic and the Plio-Pleistocene of Costa Rica and Panama. Genetically characterized colonies from the Recent of Panama are included in the analyses for comparison. Species are distinguished in the fossil material using a landmark-based morphometric approach that focuses on the size and shape of architectural features within corallites in transverse thin sections. Evolutionary relationships among species are examined using phylogenetic analyses based on parsimony. Phylogenetic characters are derived from the results of multiple comparisons tests, which statistically evaluated differences among species using morphometric data. The results show that the Montastraea “ annularis ” complex originated during late Miocene time, and consisted of >12 species during the Pliocene, with a maximum of 4–5 species co-occurring at any one time. The three modern species do not form a monophyletic group but belong to separate clades within the complex. The ranges of two of the three modern species may extend back to 2.9–3.5 Ma, indicating that they are survivors of the Plio-Pleistocene extinction event in which ∼80% of Caribbean reef coral species became extinct. Morphologic differences among species (disparity) were higher during the Pliocene than they are today.
Impact of thrombolytic therapy on hemoglobin change after acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Hemorrhage is the most important complication of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the largest United States trial of thrombolytic therapy, the incidence of hemorrhage was 20 to 30%. 1 Coronary angiography was performed in 55% of these patients and research phlebotomies alone removed ≥250 ml of blood from each patient. 1 These procedures were responsible for many of the “hemorrhagic complications,” but are no longer considered standard during thrombolytic therapy for AMI. In our experience with thrombolytic therapy, we often observed a hemoglobin decline early in the patient's hospitalization in the absence of overt blood loss or coronary angiography. We hypothesized that this decline did not represent hemorrhage and we measured the serial change in hemoglobin concentration in patients with AMI treated at our institution. We compared the hemoglobin decline in consecutive patients treated with and without thrombolysis. We assessed the impact of variables such as phlebotomy, fluid administration, infarct size and hemorrhage on this hemoglobin decline.
Eutrophication in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound System: Symptoms and Causes

Water quality in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound system, one of the largest estuaries in the U.S., may be threatened by blue-green algal blooms, a symptom of eutrophication, Blooms have developed during some recent years in two of the Sounds' tributary rivers, the Chowan and the Neuse, While there is general agreement that excess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients lead to such blooms, the available evidence is not clear-cut as to 1) whether or not N and P in the affected rivers is higher than in other nearby unaffected tributaries, or 2) whether or not nutrients in the rivers have increased substantially over the past two decades. Current N and P loading rates from the tributary basins do not appear to be abnormally high. Recent research has shown that although nutrients in these rivers are sufficient for blooms to develop every summer, they do not, probably because year-to-year variations in river flow also play an important role in bloom formation.
How to handle myasthenic crisis. Essential steps in patient care.

PREVIEWRespiratory failure is a life-threatening complication of myasthenia gravis that necessitates care in an intensive care unit. By becoming familiar with the causes, clinical features, and treatment of such crises, primary care physicians can collaborate with neurologists in attaining the best possible outcome. In this article, Drs Bedlack and Sanders review the essential steps in the care of patients with myasthenic crisis and discuss complications and prognosis.
Quantum-wire effects in trigate SOI MOSFETs

Trigate SOI transistors have been modeled using the Poisson and Schrodinger equations. In devices with a large enough cross section, inversion channels form at the Si/SiO2 interfaces, but in devices with a small section, volume inversion is clearly visible. A transition between a one-dimensional density of states to a two-dimensional density of states is observed when the height of the fin is increased. Current oscillations are experimentally observed when the gate voltage is increased. These are due to a quantum-wire effect in which electron mobility is affected by intersubband scattering.
Influence of carbon sources on the production of the termite trail-following substance byGloeophyllum trabeum

Efforts were made to study the effects of various carbon sources on the production of the trail-following substance (Z, Z, E)-3,6,8-dodecatrien-1-ol in the brown-rot fungusGloeophyllum trabeum (=Lenzites trabea). The substance is found in a southern subterranean termite,Reticulitermes virginicus, and is known to function as the trail-following pheromone. The fungus could not produce it when grown on a low potato-dextrose medium. On addition of several simple carbon sources, however, the fungus actively produced the substance. Ethylene glycol, glyceraldehyde, and xylose yielded the highest production of the substance. Using 1,2-14C-ethylene glycol as a tracer, we demonstrated that the given carbon source was incorporated into the trail-following substance by the fungus.
Global phase behavior of imidazolium ionic liquids and compressed 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a)

Novel processes involving ionic liquids with refrigerant gases have recently been developed. Here, the complete global phase behavior has been measured for the refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) and 1-n-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium ionic liquids with the anions hexafluorophosphate [PF6], tetrafluoroborate [BF4] and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Tf2N] from ∼0°C to 105°C and to 33 MPa. All of the systems studied were Type V from the classification scheme of Scott-van Konynenburg with regions of vapor-liquid equilibrium, miscible/critical regions, vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium, and upper and lower critical endpoints (UCEP and LCEP). The effect of the alkyl chain length has been investigated, for ethyl-([EMIm]), n-butyl-([BMIm]), and n-hexyl-([HMIm]). With increasing chain length, the temperature of the lower critical end points increases and pressure at the mixture critical points decrease. With a common cation, the temperature of the LCEP increased and the mixture critical point pressures decreased in the order of [BF4], [PF6], and [Tf2N]. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Discussions of viral load in negotiating sexual episodes with primary and casual partners among men who have sex with men.

Abstract Recent studies suggest that people living with HIV with lower viral load are at reduced risk for transmitting HIV to their sexual partners. As information about the association between viral load and risk for HIV transmission disseminates throughout high-risk communities, viral load discussions may be used more often as a risk reduction strategy. The overall purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of viral load discussions and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in primary and casual sexual partnerships among men who have sex with men (MSM). An online survey was completed by 326 MSM (82% Caucasian, 62% college educated, 7% HIV-positive or thought they were HIV positive) in January 2011. Results showed that viral load discussions occurred in 93% of primary partnerships in which at least one partner was HIV-positive; UAI was reported with 46% of all primary partners and 25% of serodiscordant primary partners with whom viral load was discussed. Viral load discussions occurred in 53% of t...
The effectiveness of a compiler assisted look-ahead paging algorithm via simulation

This paper presents a computer simulation of a look-ahead paging algorithm that; is based on computer produced weighted values assigned at compilation time. The look-ahead paging algorithm employed in this paper calculates those pages with the highest values as the most probable for future utilization and selectively chooses among them those which will comprise the new current working set. The number of page faults, which in essence is the request for up-dating the current working set, prorated by the number of original pages of programme code and data, yields a ratio that is used as a basis for determining the effectiveness of the system with or without the look-ahead paging algorithm. The implementation of this algorithm can be accomplished via software using an added programming package controlled by the operating system or via hardware using a dedicated micro-computer. The effectiveness of the look-ahead paging algorithm was determined via simulation. The simulation itself was written in General Purpo...
Correlation of Positron Annihilation and Other Dynamic Properties in Small Molecule Glass-Forming Substances

Positron annihilation spectroscopy is used to characterize the ortho-positronium lifetime, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}$, in a broad range of small molecule organic glasses over a wide temperature range. The magnitude and thermal variations of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}$ reflect changes in the dielectric $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ and its non-Arrhenius or ``fragile'' characteristics. ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}$ also displays striking similarities with the fast relaxations reflected in the hydrogen-weighted mean square atomic displacements $〈{u}^{2}〉$. The parallel temperature variations of $〈{u}^{2}({T/T}_{g})〉$, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}({T/T}_{g})$, and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}({T/T}_{g})$, and their similar patterns of change between the different glasses, are discussed in terms of anharmonicity in the intermolecular caging potentials and the subnanometer density heterogeneities.
A Karhunen-Loeve-like expansion for 1/f processes via wavelets

While so-called 1/f or scaling processes emerge regularly in modeling a wide range of natural phenomena, as yet no entirely satisfactory framework has been described for the analysis of such processes. Orthonormal wavelet bases are used to provide a new construction for nearly 1/f processes from a set of uncorrelated random variables. >
Dynamics of Aqueous Humorin the Syndrome of Exfoliatio with Glaucoma

We compared the aqueous humor dynamics of the affected and unaffected eyes of ten subjects with unilateral exfoliation and glaucoma and normal fellow eyes. The affected eyes had a greater mean intraocular pressure (31.9 ± 11 mm Hg) than the unaffected control eyes (17.7 ± 4.7 mm Hg) and a higher apparent resistance to the outflow of aqueous humor (15.2 ± 7.3 min mm Hg/mUl vs 6.5 ± 2.1 min mm Hg/mUl). The affected eyes accumulated systemically administered fluorescein at an abnormal rate. The rate of aqueous flow through the anterior chamber was lower in the affected eyes than in the control eyes (2.02 ± 0.63 min 1 x 10 2 vs 2.38 ± 0.71 min 1 x 10 2 ), as was the anterior chamber volume (126 ± 23 mUl vs 136 ± 25 mUl). The cornea-to-anterior chamber transfer coefficient for fluorescein was within the normal range in the affected eyes (mean, 2.51 ± 1.2 min -1 x 10 3 .)
Exact parameter relations and effective masses within sp 3 szinc-blende tight-binding models

Working within the next-nearest-neighbor ${\mathrm{sp}}^{3}$ zinc-blende model, we restrict the number of free tight-binding parameters from 23 to 8 by directly inverting the \ensuremath{\Gamma}-, X-, and L-point energy expressions. In addition, we solve for the parameter dependence of the (001) conduction- and valence-band masses and present optimized parameter sets for GaAs, GaSb, AlAs, InAs, and InSb. The optimal parameters are incorporated in energy-gap calculations for InAs/${\mathrm{In}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$ Sb superlattices.
Synthesis of ppGpp and chloroplast ribosomal RNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardi

A material identified as guanosine 5',3'-bis-diphosphate (ppGpp) has been detected in extracts of Chlamydomonas reinhardi ac-20 cells grown under mixotrophic conditions or in arg-2 cells deprived of arginine. The material was acid and base labile, susceptible to alkaline phosphatase, resistant to periodate oxidation, had spectral characteristics of a guanine derivative and comigrated on chromatograms with ppGpp from Escherichia coli. In ac-20 ppGpp may be involved in the control of chloroplast ribosomal RNA synthesis. When ac-20 cells were shifted from mixotrophic to autotrophic conditions, the 32Pi labeling of ppGpp, relative to that of GTP, was reduced, while the specific labeling of chloroplast ribosomal RNA was enhanced. Addition of low concentrations of cycloheximide had somewhat similar effects.
Education Policy and Youth: Effects of Policy on Practice

In this article, we discuss the ways in which the pressures of the current high-stakes testing (HST) accountability movement impacts instructional practice and student outcomes. We focus specifically on how HST impacts schools that serve poorer students and students of color. We use Bronfenbrenner's (1977) theory of development to hypothesize on the ways in which instructional practices, informed by HST pressures, may undermine students' developing motivation. We conclude with a few recommendations for practice.
A transition model for placement of handicapped children in regular and special classes

Abstract Mainstreaming and deinstitutionalization are current phenomena which call for a variety of handicapped children to be transitioned to a range of educational settings not previously available to them. A model is presented in which critical transition parameters are conceived as functionally related continua, indicating degrees of readiness for both special and regular classroom settings. The model is based upon actual experience in placement of disturbed, learning disabled, and retarded children into school settings after discharge from a psychiatric hospital.
Correlation of receptors for growth factors on mouse embryonal carcinoma cells with growth in serum-free, hormone-supplemented medium

Abstract High affinity receptors for insulin, transferrin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) have been identified and partially characterized on a mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line, OTT-6050, using various 125I-ligands. With the exception of MSA receptors which bound both MSA and insulin, the receptors for EGF, insulin and transferrin exhibited specificity of binding for their respective ligands. There is a correlation between the saturation of these receptors and the concentration of growth factors necessary for optimal growth of OTT-6050 cells in serum-free medium supplemented with insulin (or MSA), transferrin, EGF, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Pedersen fetuin on culture surfaces treated with polylysine or various types of collagen. Cells cultured in this medium exhibit growth rates equivalent to that observed with cells maintained in medium containing 5% fetal calf serum (FCS). These results suggest that relatively undifferentiated mouse embryonal carcinoma cells or endoderm cells possess receptors for various growth factors and that their presence on these cells is correlated with the ability of these cells to mitogenically respond to these growth factors.
A new compact ring hybrid and its use in a singly balanced mixer

A new miniaturized 180—degree ring hybrid was developed. Its circumference is only one wavelength, as compared to the one and a half wavelengths of the conventional ring hybrid. Simple formulas for its scattering (S) parameters along with design information were derived. The obtained S parameters and measured performance of the ring at X band (8–12 GHz) confirm the 180—degree hybrid feature. A microstrip singly balanced diode mixer using the new ring was also developed at X band band with less than 6.5 dB of conversion loss and more than 25 dB of LO-rf isolation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Side Chain, Chain Length, and Sequence Effects on Amphiphilic Peptide Adsorption at Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Surfaces Studied by Sum-Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy and Quartz Crystal Microbalance

The surface molecular structure and adsorbed mass of a series of model amphiphilic peptides have been studied in situ with surface-specific sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) at the hydrophobic polystyrene and hydrophilic silica solid−water interface. The peptides are designed to form α-helical (XY14) and β-strand (XY7) secondary structures at an apolar interface and contain hydrophobic (X) and charged (Y) amino acids with sequence Ac-XYYXXYXXYYXXYX-NH2 or Ac-XYXYXYX-NH2, respectively. The X and Y combinations are leucine (L) and lysine (K), alanine (A) and lysine (K), alanine (A) and arginine (R), and phenylalanine (F) and arginine (R). One additional peptide with sequence Ac-LKKLLKL-NH2 (LK7 α) was synthesized. These peptides allow for the study of how chain length (LK14 vs LK7 α and LK7 β), amino acid side chain character (LK vs AK vs AR vs FR), and sequence (LK7 α-helix vs LK7 β-strand sequences) affect adsorption. The SFG spectra of adsorbed ...
Avoiding “training toxicity”—staying human during residency * **

Abstract [Carius M. Avoiding "training toxicity"—staying human during residency. Ann Emerg Med. November 2001;38:596-597.]
Some properties of cyclic codes

This paper will investigate the properties of cyclic codes under the transformation,$ It is discovered that for all the non-shortened cyclic codes (binary or (/-nary), if (g(x), (x−1)) =1 then the set of all the codewords is invariant under the transformation fb. If (g(x), Lx−1)) = (x; − 1), then the set of all the code words is generated by g(x)/(x − 1). Next this paper shows a systematic method for the construction of orthogonal cyclic codes in which all the code vectors are orthogonal to each other even to itself
Optimum sensitivity derivatives of objective functions in nonlinear programming

The feasibility of eliminating second derivatives from the input of optimum sensitivity analyses of optimization problems is demonstrated. This elimination restricts the sensitivity analysis to the first-order sensitivity derivatives of the objective function. It is also shown that when a complete first-order sensitivity analysis is performed, second-order sensitivity derivatives of the objective function are available at little additional cost. An expression is derived whose application to linear programming is presented.
Postnatal Dexamethasone for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 20 Years of Clinical Trials

Inflammation leading to alveolar and airway damage is a significant contributing factor to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Preterm infants, who may have developmental immaturity of their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and decreased cortisol response to stress, could be particularly vulnerable to the effects of inflammatory injury. For these reasons, using anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone to prevent BPD has appeared to be reasonable. Clinical studies have demonstrated decreased inflammatory markers and suppression of cytokine-mediated inflammatory reactions in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of preterm infants treated with dexamethasone. (1) In addition, corticosteroids have been associated with numerous potential physiologic benefits on the lung, including increased surfactant synthesis, enhanced beta-adrenergic activity, increased antioxidant production, stabilization of cell and lysosomal membranes, and inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. (1) Acute improvement in lung function, with increased dynamic compliance and decreased pulmonary resistance, has also been demonstrated within 12 hours of treatment with dexamethasone. (2) Likely because of this acute improvement in lung function, which facilitates weaning from mechanical ventilation, postnatal steroids have been widely used. In the recent multicenter North American Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone Trial for the prevention of lung disease in preterm infants, 72% of infants weighing less than 1,500 g who were ventilated at 14 days received postnatal steroids in an effort to prevent BPD (personal communication, Dr Roberta Ballard, June, 2001). However, the long-term effects of dexamethasone on pulmonary outcome, survival, and neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants has raised some questions about its use. The following criteria for assessing the benefit of postnatal steroids have been proposed: 1. Decreased mortality. 2. Decreased outcome of BPD or death at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA). 3. No significant acute adverse effects. 4. No long-term effects on growth or neurodevelopmental outcome. 5. No increased occurrence of disease, such as cardiac disease or diabetes, throughout life. In this review and …
Suppression of Tumor and Metastasis Progression through the Scaffolding Functions of SSeCKS/Gravin/AKAP12

Scaffolding proteins such as SSeCKS/Gravin/ AKAP12 ("AKAP12") are thought to control oncogenic sig- naling pathways by regulating key mediators in a spatiotempo- ral manner. The downregulation of AKAP12 in many human cancers, often associated with promoter hypermethylation, or the loss of its locus at 6q24-25.2, correlates with progression to malignancy and metastasis. The forced re-expression of AKAP12 in cancer cell lines suppresses in vitro parameters of oncogenic growth, invasiveness, and cell motility through its ability to scaffold protein kinase C (PKC), F-actin, cyclins, Src, and phosphoinositides, and possibly through additional scaf- folding domains for PKA, calmodulin, β1,4-galactosyltransfer- ase-polypeptide-1, β2-adrenergic receptors, and cAMP- specific3',5'-cyclicphosphodiesterase4D.Moreover,AKAP12 re-expression in tumor models results in metastasis suppression through the inhibition of Src-regulated, VEGF-mediated neo- vascularization at distal sites. The current review will describe the emerging understanding of how AKAP12 regulates cellular senescence and oncogenic progression at the level of tumor cells and tumor-associated microenvironment via its multiple scaffolding functions.
Research needed to improve solar flare and particle forecasting

We briefly review the status of our physical understanding of energy buildup and release in transient active phenomena on the Sun. Such understanding is necessary in order to improve our capabilities to predict such events and their effects in interplanetary space and near-Earth environment. We then discuss the research that we consider is needed for such improvement.
Prognosis in HIV-infected patients with non-small cell lung cancer

We conducted a population-based study to evaluate whether non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prognosis was worse in HIV-infected compared with HIV-uninfected patients. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry linked to Medicare claims, we identified 267 HIV-infected patients and 1428 similar controls with no evidence of HIV diagnosed with NSCLC between 1996 and 2007. We used conditional probability function (CPF) analyses to compare survival by HIV status accounting for an increased risk of non-lung cancer death (competing risks) in HIV-infected patients. We used multivariable CPF regression to evaluate lung cancer prognosis by HIV status adjusted for confounders. Stage at presentation and use of stage-appropriate lung cancer treatment did not differ by HIV status. Median survival was 6 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 5–8 months) among HIV-infected NSCLC patients compared with 20 months (95% CI: 17–23 months) in patients without evidence of HIV. Multivariable CPF regression showed that HIV was associated with a greater risk of lung cancer-specific death after controlling for confounders and competing risks. NSCLC patients with HIV have a poorer prognosis than patients without evidence of HIV. NSCLC may exhibit more aggressive behaviour in the setting of HIV.
Acetaminophen-induced liver injury in experimental animals and humans

2013 e119 References 1. TINN project. www.tinn-project.org. 2. Kaguelidou F , Turner M A , Choonara I , Jacqz-Aigrain E , Ciprofloxacin use in neonates: a systematic review of the literature. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011;30:e29–37. 3. http://www.phenopups.com. 4. Pandolfini C , Kaguelidou F , Sequi M , Jacqz-Aigrain E , Choonara I , Turner M A , Manzoni P , Bonati M Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2012; Oct 5. [E-pub ahead of print]. 5. Grondin C , Zhao W , Fakhoury M , Jacqz-Aigrain E , Biomed Chromatogr. 2011;25:827–832. 6. Zhao W, Hill H, Le Guellec C, Turner M, Jacqz-Aigrain E, on behalf of TINN consortium Population. ESDPPP, June 2013, Salzburg Austria.
Spatial Periodic Forcing of Turing Structures

Spontaneously evolving Turing structures in the chlorine dioxide-iodine-malonic acid reaction-diffusion system typically exhibit many defects that break the symmetry of the pattern. Periodic spatial forcing interacts with the Turing structures and modifies the pattern symmetry and wavelength. We investigate the role of the amplitude and wavelength of spatial periodic forcing on the hexagonal pattern of Turing structures. Experimental results and numerical simulations reveal that forcing at wavelengths slightly larger than the natural wavelength of the pattern is most effective in removing defects and producing ordered symmetric hexagonal patterns.
Functional micro-structured optical fibers

We developed a procedure for the fabrication of functional micro-structured optical fibers (MOFs) through a selective filling technique. In this method, we selectively infiltrate the conventional silica MOF with a UV curable polymer and construct a mold for the fabrication of the functional MOF. Subsequently, we can build the functional MOF by introducing novel materials such as nonlinear optical polymers, nano-structures, and water-based solutions. Such functional MOFs can find wide applications in areas that include nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, chemical and biological sensing.
Themes and variations in prokaryotic cell division

Perhaps the biggest single task facing a bacterial cell is to divide into daughter cells that contain the normal complement of chromosomes. Recent technical and conceptual breakthroughs in bacterial cell biology, combined with the flood of genome sequence information and the excellent genetic tools in several model systems, have shed new light on the mechanism of prokaryotic cell division. There is good evidence that in most species, a molecular machine, organized by the tubulin-like FtsZ protein, assembles at the site of division and orchestrates the splitting of the cell. The determinants that target the machine to the right place at the right time are beginning to be understood in the model systems, but it is still a mystery how the machine actually generates the constrictive force necessary for cytokinesis. Moreover, although some cell division determinants such as FtsZ are present in a broad spectrum of prokaryotic species, the lack of FtsZ in some species and different profiles of cell division proteins in different families suggests that there are diverse mechanisms for regulating cell division.
Using Growth Mixture Modeling to Identify Heterosexual Men Who Reduce Their Frequency of Unprotected Sex Following a Behavioral Intervention

Using growth mixture modeling, two 12-month trajectories of unprotected sex were identified in 210 heterosexual men (76 % African American, M(age) = 33.2 years) attending a sexual risk reduction intervention. Risk Reducers (46 %) reported fewer acts of unprotected sex following intervention, whereas Risk Maintainers (54 %) reported continuously high levels of unprotected sex. These groups did not differ with respect to demographic characteristics or intervention type. However, Risk Maintainers were more likely than Risk Reducers to report lifetime sex work, forced sex in the past year, and alcohol use before sex at baseline. They had higher levels of peak alcohol use, poorer condom skills, and scored lower on stage of change for condom use at baseline. Risk Maintainers were also more likely to have steady partners at baseline and less likely to change partner status following intervention. Understanding factors distinguishing these groups can contribute to the development of targeted Risk Reduction interventions.
Intravenous methadone for cancer pain unrelieved by morphine and hydromorphone : clinical observations

Methadone is a very effective second-line opioid for treatment of cancer pain. However, the starting doses of methadone indicated on opioid conversion charts may over-estimate the dose of intravenous (i.v.) methadone needed. In this report, we describe four patients with cancer-related pain treated with continuous i.v. morphine and hydromorphone. Because of persistent pain and opioid side effects limiting increases in opioid dose, each patient was switched to i.v. methadone. All four patients had excellent pain relief without significant side effects at a dose that, according to the available conversion charts, was approximately 3% of the calculated equianalgesic dose of hydromorphone. When converting from continuous i.v. hydromorphone to continuous i.v. methadone, much lower doses than those suggested by the opioid conversion charts should be used as starting doses.
Near-Infrared Quenching Effects on Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers

We report in this work the near-Infrared optical quenching effects on mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs). The quenching effect is both intensity and wavelength dependent. A group of strain-compensated InGaAs/InAlAs, 4.8μm mid-IR QCLs, were used in the experiment. The pump lasers are near-IR lasers with wavelengths ranging from 1550nm to visible wavelength around 500nm. When the pump lasers have their lasing wavelengths shorter than 950 nm, it seems that majority of the generated electrons are excited above the conduction band edge of the InAlAs material and be swept off as photoconductive current without significantly affecting the QCL intersubband operations. So their quenching effect is weaker. We also observe that a near-IR laser with good quenching ability can modulate the mid-IR laser with speeds way above 100 MHz, which excludes the possibility of a thermal origin of these results.
HEGEL, DEWEY, AND HABITS

In this paper, I argue against Terry Pinkard's account of the relation between Deweyian pragmatism and Hegelian idealism. Instead of thinking that their affinity concerns the issue of normative authority, as Pinkard does, I argue that we should trace their affinity to Dewey's appropriation of Hegel's naturalism, especially his theory of habits. Pinkard is not in a position to appreciate this affinity because (1) he misreads Dewey as an instrumentalist, and (2) his social-constructivist account of Hegel – which he shares with Pippin and Brandom, is not able to correctly take the measure of Hegel's naturalism. On my reading, Dewey's philosophy is concerned above all with understanding and making objective the proper relation between reason and habit, with our achieving an equipoise in which thought is informed by intelligent habits and where habits are instituted by past thought and inquiry. In achieving this equipoise, one's bodily nature becomes a form in which subjects can realize their freedom. I claim ...
Semi-perfect FPF rings and applications

A ring R is right FPF if each faithful finitely generated right R module is a generator of MOD-R. The purpose of this paper is to answer several questions posed by C. Faith and S. Page in their monograph (“FPF Ring Theory: Faithful modules and generators of MOD-R,” London Math. Soc. Lecture Note Series, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1984), and then to apply these results to semi-perfect left or right Noetherian right FPF rings. Thus, a semi-perfect ring R is right FPF iff (i) R possesses a semi-perfect, right self-injective classical (left and right) ring of quotients, (ii) faithful finitely generated right ideals of R are generators of MOD-R, and (iii) the basic ring of R is right strongly bounded. Furthermore, the set of left regular elements of R is the set of right regular elements of R is the set of elements regular modulo Zr(R). The semi-perfect ring R is an injective cogenerator of MOD-R iff R is right FPF and right Kasch. Chain conditions on R are also considered.