cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling Surface Chemistry with Light: Spatially Resolved Deposition of Rovibrational-State-Selected Molecules†

We report the spatially resolved deposition of infrared laser excited methane molecules onto a Ni(100) substrate. A narrow bandwidth infrared laser excites methane molecules in a supersonic molecular beam to v = 1 of the ν3 C−H stretching vibration. Tuning the laser to the center of the Doppler-broadened absorption profile selectively excites only those molecules whose transverse velocity is nearly zero. The molecular beam impinges on a Ni(100) substrate where laser-excited molecules dissociate with up to 1600 times the probability of molecules that do not absorb infrared light. Despite the fact that the entire Ni(100) surface is exposed to the molecular beam, only a narrow region of laser-enhanced carbon deposition appears on the substrate. We can control excitation conditions to deposit a single stripe, or a set of equally spaced parallel stripes of carbon on the surface. A model of the deposition process based on optical broadening mechanisms in our experiment quantitatively predicts deposition area di...
Immunoregulatory activity of different dietary carotenoids in male zebra finches

Many animals use carotenoid pigments to color their integument and become sexually attractive. These colorants can also serve physiological functions, protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage as well as stimulating the immune system. Because animals often acquire several different carotenoid pigments from their diet, there is the potential for different carotenoids to exhibit different free-radical-scavenging or immunoenhancing activity. We experimentally tested how two common dietary xanthophylls - lutein and zeaxanthin - may differentially affect the immune system in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Male T. guttata derive their red sexual beak colorants from these two carotenoids, and prior studies with this species have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin together boost cell-mediated immunity. We experimentally elevated these two dietary carotenoids separately in two groups of non-breeding zebra finches, but found that lutein-supplemented and zeaxanthin-supplemented males mounted similar cell-mediated immune responses (to phytohaemagglutinin, or PHA). Although zeaxanthin is a more conjugated carotenoid than lutein and has the potential to be a more potent antioxidant, our study suggests that such a subtle structural difference between these two biochemicals does not differentially affect immune performance in this songbird.
Sensitivity of atmospheric spectral transmittance to line and meteorological parameters

Abstract A study is made of the variance of the monochromatic molecular absorption coefficient and of the corresponding slant-path transmittance due to variations in the tabulated Lorentzian line-parameter data and atmospheric meteorological variables. General expressions are derived from five basic assumptions, which are useful for calculations involving specific atmospheric profiles and spectral line-parameter data. The results of calculations for 8 representative frequencies, assuming typical variations in the parameters, indicate that transmittance errors greater than 0.01 should be expected for transmittance calculations in the range from about 0.1 to 0.9.
Cardiac applications of optogenetics.

In complex multicellular systems, such as the brain or the heart, the ability to selectively perturb and observe the response of individual components at the cellular level and with millisecond resolution in time, is essential for mechanistic understanding of function. Optogenetics uses genetic encoding of light sensitivity (by the expression of microbial opsins) to provide such capabilities for manipulation, recording, and control by light with cell specificity and high spatiotemporal resolution. As an optical approach, it is inherently scalable for remote and parallel interrogation of biological function at the tissue level; with implantable miniaturized devices, the technique is uniquely suitable for in vivo tracking of function, as illustrated by numerous applications in the brain. Its expansion into the cardiac area has been slow. Here, using examples from published research and original data, we focus on optogenetics applications to cardiac electrophysiology, specifically dealing with the ability to manipulate membrane voltage by light with implications for cardiac pacing, cardioversion, cell communication, and arrhythmia research, in general. We discuss gene and cell delivery methods of inscribing light sensitivity in cardiac tissue, functionality of the light-sensitive ion channels within different types of cardiac cells, utility in probing electrical coupling between different cell types, approaches and design solutions to all-optical electrophysiology by the combination of optogenetic sensors and actuators, and specific challenges in moving towards in vivo cardiac optogenetics.
Regulation of leptin release by troglitazone in human adipose tissue.

Abstract In pieces of human subcutaneous adipose tissue incubated in primary culture for 48 hours, the release of leptin was stimulated by 50% in the presence of 3.3 μmol/L troglitazone. Insulin (0.1 nmol/L) and dexamethasone (200 nmol/L) stimulated leptin release by 30% and 300%, respectively. Troglitazone in combination with either insulin or dexamethasone had no effect on leptin release. Instead, troglitazone inhibited leptin release in the presence of both dexamethasone and insulin. The stimulatory effect of troglitazone on leptin release was also mimicked by 1 μmol/L 15-deoxy-Δ 12-14 prostaglandin J 2 (dPGJ 2 ). However, if the concentration of dPGJ 2 was increased to 10 μmol/L in the presence of dexamethasone, there was a decrease in leptin release, as well as of lactate formation and lipolysis. These data indicate that both stimulatory and inhibitory effects of troglitazone and dPGJ 2 can be seen on leptin release by human adipose tissue. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company
Errors of the third kind in engineering

Abstract This paper is based on the fundamental premise that the solution of an engineering problem situation is critically dependent on the way the designer or analyst represents the situation. It deals with the “problem of how to represent problems” that arise in the field of engineering mechanics and for that matter in other areas of engineering as well. By using a decision theoretic approach, the paper underlines the key role that judgement plays in arriving at a solution or a result of a complex engineering problem situation. While most engineers who are faced with complex situations would, if possible, attempt to assume away the role that judgement plays in their designs and engineering solutions, the viewpoint posited in this paper in that, in such situations, judgement plays a quintessential role. In an attempt to get a handle on the extent and nature of engineering judgement involved in a project or a complex situation, we employ the concept of the error of the third kind: the error of having solved the wrong problem. We quantify the purposeful state of a problem formulation relative to the state of knowledge about the environment that the designer (analyst) has, and indicate a method of assessing the extent or probability with which such an error is incurred. This work represents a first step in assessing the results obtained in complex engineering situations such as structural damage assessment and identification of structural systems. A simple example related to the aseismic design of structures is provided to elucidate the various diverse concepts.
Influence of parity and litter size on estrous cycles and progesterone patterns in sows.

Abstract Post-weaning patterns of serum progesterone were studied in 32 primiparous and 67 multiparous sows (approximately 35 sows per week for 3 weeks). Blood samples were obtained on Days 0, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28 after weaning. There was a significant parity effect for days to estrus (17.83 ± 2.44 for primiparous sows vs 5.86 ± 1.60 for multiparous sows; P
[Mn7O5(OR)2(O2CPh)9(terpy)] (R = Me, CH2Ph) complexes with a fused cubane/butterfly core and an S = 6 ground-state spin.

Two new heptanuclear Mn clusters, [Mn7O5(OMe)2(O2CPh)9(terpy)] (1) and [Mn7O5(OCH2Ph)2(O2CPh)9(terpy)] (2), were prepared from the partial alcoholysis of the trinuclear complex [Mn3O(O2CPh)6(py)2(H2O)] (3) in the presence of terpy (terpy = 2,2‘:6‘,2‘ ‘-terpyridine). Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic P1 and the orthorhombic Pbca space groups, respectively. The clusters are both mixed valent, containing three Mn oxidation states: MnIV, 5MnIII, and MnII. The Mn ions are held together by nine doubly bridging benzoates, four μ3-O2- ions, one μ5-O2- ion, and either two μ-MeO- (1) or two μ-PhCH2O- (2) groups. The single terpy chelate in each complex is attached to the MnII ion. The core topology is novel and very unusual, comprising a cubane and a butterfly unit fused by sharing a MnIII and the μ5-O2- ion. Solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies establish that complexes 1 and 2 both possess an S = 6 ground-state spin. Fits of variable-temperature and -field magnetization data gave S ...
Expert support systems for competitive procurement

Abstract This paper presents an expert support system (ESS) based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The model, which was built using the ESS generator “Expert Choice” by Decision Support Software, Inc., is designed to help contracting and program managers identify and evaluate the relevant criteria, subcriteria, and alternatives to be considered in formulating a competition strategy, and to enable these professionals to integrate their experience, judgment, and the facts that are available into a coherent, comprehensive competition strategy.
Second thoughts about a career in IT

At a time of numerous reports of American IT jobs being outsourced overseas, and the immediate employment prospects for many IT graduates uncertain, it remains unclear whether these developments are causing American IT students to reconsider their earlier decision to undertake a career in IT. Addressing this issue, this exploratory study reports the general level of IT career commitment of senior IT students enrolled at a medium-sized State University in the southern United States. In addition, links between the level of a student's IT career commitment and a number of factors are investigated, including knowledge about the IT job market, perceived job uncertainty, IT self-efficacy, attitudes towards IT study, and the type of IT program a student was undertaking.
Treatment with pergolide or cyproheptadine of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing's disease).

Medical records of 27 horses (including 13 ponies) treated with pergolide or cyproheptadine for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction were reviewed to determine the effect of treatment on plasma ACTH, insulin, and glucose concentrations and clinical signs. Prior to treatment, the most common clinical signs were laminitis, hirsutism, and abnormal body fat distribution. The median pergolide dose was 3.0 microg/kg p.o. q24h (range, 1.7-5.5 microg/kg). All horses treated with cyproheptadine were given 0.25 mg/kg p.o. q24h. After pergolide treatment, ACTH concentrations (n = 20; median = 30.4 pg/ml; range, 4.2-173) were significantly lower (P < .01) than those in horses treated with cyproheptadine (n = 7; median = 141.0 pg/ml: range, 10-1,230). Among horses treated with pergolide, there was a correlation between ACTH concentration after treatment and the duration of treatment (P < .001) and pergolide dose (P = .04). Significantly (P = .02) more owners of horses treated with pergolide (85%, 17/20) reported an improvement in clinical signs compared to owners of horses treated with cyproheptadine (28%, 2/7).
Neutron Diffraction Techniques for Alloy Characterization and Development

Important activities in the aluminum industry are the development of new alloys, and the optimization of thermo-mechanical treatments to obtain desired performance. The strength and formability of aluminum alloys depend on the distribution and scale of precipitating phases, on the grain size and grain orientation distribution, on the distribution and scale of flaws, and on the presence of residual stresses. Thus it is useful to have detailed quantitative data on the crystal structures and volume fractions of phases that form during thermomechanical treatment, on the kinetics of solid state reactions, on the distribution of grain orientations, and on the stresses that develop during mechanical testing and forming. Neutron scattering is a powerful tool that can provide unique data to guide the development of improved materials and processes. Of particular interest are in-situ experiments: such experiments are uniquely suited to neutron diffraction because of the high penetrating power of neutrons, which allows data to be collected from materials subjected to realistic conditions (load, temperature, atmosphere) in specialized sample environments. In this presentation, we discuss several examples of neutron scattering studies, including residual strain mapping, in-situ loading experiments, texture analysis, powder diffraction, and tomography.
Cooperative OTH communications for airborne networks: Opportunities and challenges

We propose a distributed cooperative communication scheme for airborne networks allowing increased range and throughput for over-the-horizon (OTH) communication via the high-frequency (HF) band. By exploiting multiple airborne radios in a collaborative fashion, we can obtain diversity gains similar to Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) allowing increased link reliability and increased throughput for a given range and power. The scheme is based on randomized space-time coding in the framework of distributed cooperative networks where each airborne node may broadcast its own message as well as relay messages to either a terrestrial or airborne destination in a decentralized fashion. This decentralized approach to cooperative communication allows for simplified network formation and organization but does present its own challenges. The main challenge is the receiver design which is complicated due to the time and frequency dispersion caused by both node asynchrony as well as the notoriously difficult HF propagation environment. This paper discusses our transmission protocol and our approach to the receiver design, which merges compressed sensing ideas with a basis expansion of the channel capturing the cooperative HF channel response.
Two-dimensional global longitudinal strain rate is a preload independent index of systemic right ventricular contractility in hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients after Fontan operation.

Background— Assessment of systemic right ventricular (RV) function in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is important during long-term follow-up after Fontan repair. Traditional echocardiographic parameters to evaluate systolic ventricular function are affected by loading conditions. The only generally accepted load-independent parameter of systolic function, end systolic elastance ( E es), requires invasive catheterization. Therefore, we sought to determine if parameters obtained by 2-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) were affected by acute changes in preload and correlated with catheterization-derived indices of RV contractility in hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients after Fontan palliation. Methods and Results— Fifty-two patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (median age, 6.6; range 2.9–22.2 years) were prospectively enrolled to have echocardiography and conductance catheter studies performed simultaneously. We compared traditional echo, 2-dimensional speckle tracking and catheterization-derived parameters during different states of preload at baseline and during dobutamine infusion. Global longitudinal strain (S) showed a tendency to decrease with preload reduction, whereas global longitudinal strain rate (SR) did not change (S: −17.7±3.4% versus −16.9±3.8%, P =0.08; SR: −1.30±0.29 versus −1.34±0.34 s−1, P =0.3). S did not change with dobutamine infusion (−17.7±3.4% versus −18.4±3.9%, P =0.24), whereas SR increased significantly (−1.30±0.29 versus −2.26±0.49 s−1, P <0.001). RV E es correlated with SR ( r s= −0.47, P <0.001), but not with S ( r s=0.07, P =0.5) or other echocardiographic parameters. Conclusions— In contrast to S, SR was not affected by preload and correlated with E es of the systemic RV. SR may be a useful noninvasive surrogate of RV contractility and suitable for follow-up of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after Fontan palliation.
The Effects of Cocaine in Buprenorphine‐Maintained Outpatient Volunteers: Results From Clinical Experience and Laboratory Challenges

Previous data suggest that buprenorphine may decrease cocaine abuse. The authors investigated the influence of buprenorphine on cocaine effects in volunteer opioid and cocaine abusers. Results from cocaine challenge sessions (40 mg iv) before and during buprenorphine treatment (8 mg/day sublingual) and from weekly outpatient reports provided no evidence that buprenorphine attenuated the effects of cocaine; in fact, trends suggested an enhancement of cocaine effects. The combination of cocaine and buprenorphine did not produce adverse effects, but illicit opioid use decreased during treatment with buprenorphine. These results support further study of buprenorphine as a treatment for opioid abuse, but they do not suggest efficacy against cocaine abuse.
Chapter VII. Relations Among Relationships: A Family Systems Perspective

The major objective of this chapter was to explore stress and coping from a family systems perspective. According to this viewpoint, the development of psychopathology at the individual level can only be fully understood by considering the larger network of interdependent relationships within the family (Minuchin, 1985). In this chapter, we examined linkages among various aspects of the marital relationship, parenting quality, the sibling relationship, and adolescent adjustment concurrently and over time using structural equation modeling. A general theoretical model was developed based on past research findings (see Chapter I). This model explored four dimensions of adolescent competence and problematic adjustment in relation to the marital, parentchild, and sibling subsystems (see Figure 6). More specifically, marital distress, parental depressive symptoms, authoritative parenting, parent-child negativity/conflict, and sibling negativity and positivity were examined as predictors of adolescents' social responsibility and cognitive agency as well as their depressive symptoms and externalizing behaviors. Given the complexity of this omnibus model and a limited sample size, we were unable to include all variables in one model. Therefore, analyses were conducted on subportions of the larger conceptual model: (a) the marital subsystem in relation to the parent-child subsystem, and (b) the parent-child and sibling subsystems in relation to adolescent adjustment. Additionally, multiple group models were employed to investigate adolescent gender and family type differences in the criterion models by using a comparative model
Fabrication of polynomial 3-D nanostructures in Si with a single-step process

This work demonstrated the ability to transfer a nanoscale 3-D polynomial structure of arbitrary shape into Si with a single step electron-beam lithography process. The technique involved employing a proximity correction algo- rithm, PYRAMID, to derive the dose distribution for a given 3-D structure by accounting for the electron scattering ef- fects of the surrounding pixels. The pattern was written into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resist and then succes- sively transferred into Si via reactive ion etching, where a 1:1 etching ratio between PMMA and Si was achieved. The pattern transferred into Si possessed nanoscale features and matched the desired pattern with high fidelity. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI: 10.1117/1.3563601) Subject terms: 3-D nanolithography; single-step lithography; proxim- ity correction.
A COMPARISON OF NEURAL NETWORKS TO SPC CHARTS

Abstract A comparison of the performance of a synthetic neural network to several traditional statistical control chart decision criteria is drawn using computer simulation experiments.
Some low homogenization pressures improve certain probiotic characteristics of yogurt culture bacteria and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-K1

Abstract Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus , Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus , and Lactobacillus acidophilus are dairy cultures widely used in the manufacture of cultured dairy products. Commonly used homogenization pressures in the dairy industry are 13.80 MPa or less. It is not known whether low homogenization pressures can stimulate bacteria to improve their probiotic characteristics. Objectives were to determine the effect of homogenization at 0, 3.45, 6.90, 10.34, and 13.80 MPa on acid tolerance, bile tolerance, protease activity, and growth of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus LB-12, S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus ST-M5, and L. acidophilus LA-K. The cultures were individually inoculated in cool autoclaved skim milk (4°C) and homogenized for 5 continuous passes. Growth and bile tolerance of samples were determined hourly for 10h of incubation. Acid tolerance was determined every 20min for 120min of incubation. Protease activity was determined at 0, 12, and 24h of incubation. All homogenization pressures studied improved acid tolerance of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus LB-12 but had no beneficial effect on protease activity and had negative effects on growth and bile tolerance. A pressure of 6.90 MPa improved acid tolerance, bile tolerance, and protease activity of S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus ST-M5, but none of the homogenization pressures studied had an effect on its growth. Homogenization pressures of 13.80 and 6.90 MPa improved acid tolerance and bile tolerance, respectively, of L. acidophilus LA-K but had no effect on protease activity and its growth. Some low homogenization pressures positively influenced some characteristics of yogurt culture bacteria and L. acidophilus LA-K. Culture pretreatment with some low homogenization pressures can be recommended for improvement of certain probiotic characteristics.
Communication-Aware Task Scheduling and Voltage Selection for Total Systems Energy Minimization

In this paper, we present an interprocessor communication-aware task scheduling algorithm applicable to a multiprocessor system executing an application with dependent tasks. Our algorithm takes the application task graph and the architecture graph as inputs, assigns the tasks to processors and then schedules them. As main theoretical contribution, the algorithm we propose reduces the overall systems energy by (i) reducing the total interprocessor communication and (ii) executing certain cycles at a lower voltage level. Experimental results show that by tuning the parameter for communication awareness, a schedule using our algorithm can reduce up to 80% interprocessor communication in a complex video/audio application (compared to a schedule which is only voltage-selection aware) without losing much in the number of cycles executed at lower voltage.
Multidisciplinary Management of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia in Children: Experience With 10 Cases

Nonoperative management of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is an accepted paradigm in adults, but current management strategies for children vary substantially between institutions. We reviewed medical records at Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2008, to investigate the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of pediatric patients with a pathologic diagnosis of FNH to provide additional data to help formulate management guidelines for this disease. Ten pediatric patients were identified as having a pathologic diagnosis of FNH, either by biopsy sample (n = 5) or hepatic resection (n = 5). The mean age of the patients was 12.1 years, and most were female (n = 7). Mean tumor size was 5.7 cm (range, 0.8-13 cm). Four of 5 patients whose FNH was diagnosed by biopsy alone developed no sequelae, and 1 patient eventually required surgery for mass effect. Patients with either large lesions (≥5 cm) or symptoms were referred for resection. Observational management of small lesions that can be confidently diagnosed as FNH appears to be safe and appropriate. Surgical resection should be reserved for large or symptomatic lesions amenable to resection.
Polymer microring coupled-resonator optical waveguides

We present measurements of the transmission and dispersion properties of coupled-resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) consisting of weakly coupled polymer microring resonators. The fabrication and the measurement methods of the CROWs are discussed as well. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical loss, waveguide dispersion, group delay, group velocity, and group-velocity dispersion (GVD). The intrinsic quality factors of the microrings were about 1.5/spl times/10/sup 4/ to 1.8/spl times/10/sup 4/, and group delays greater than 100 ps were measured with a GVD between -70 and 100 ps/(nm/spl middot/resonator). With clear and simple spectral responses and without a need for the tuning of the resonators, the polymer microring CROWs demonstrate the practicability of using a large number of microresonators to control the propagation of optical waves.
A durable sensor enabled lifeline support for firefighters

Traditionally, firefighters used to use lifelines (example, ropes) when moving through places on fire under impaired visibility. However, these lifelines have their inherent drawbacks like they sometimes get stuck and limit the operational range. A recent research proposed that firefighters automatically deploy sensor nodes along their paths to establish an ad hoc network that promotes the required level of navigation and communication between firefighters who interact to the system using wearable computing devices. An alternative way to implement such system, is to deploy sensors during building construction or later to build a mission critical network that can be used for emergency purposes. Durability with respect to energy available is one of the primary challenges to the success of such networks. Workforce selection strategies which unevenly consume sensor energy can reduce the lifetime of the network significantly. This work proposes and evaluates a new class of strategies that provides an energy efficient workforce management for mission-critical WSNs (e.g. on-site indoor-navigation support system for slow moving firefighters under impaired visibility). Analytical and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly increases network lifetime by evenly consuming sensors energy.
Additional bands of the Ar–D2O intramolecular bending mode observed using a quantum cascade laser

Abstract Three new rovibrational bands of Ar–D 2 O have been observed in the ν 2 bending region of D 2 O using a quantum cascade laser based cavity ringdown spectrometer. In addition, further observations of the Π(1 10 , ν 2 = 1) ← Σ(1 01 ) band reported by Li et al. (J. Mol. Spectrosc. 272 (2012) 27–31) have been made. All bands were fit by treating the complex using a pseudo-diatomic model which treats the D 2 O as a free rotor within the complex. Molecular constants have been obtained using this model and are reported with deviations in the fits ranging from 0.0002 cm −1 to 0.0005 cm −1 . Two of the newly observed bands are tentatively assigned as the Π(2 02 , ν 2 = 1) ← Σ(1 11 ) and Π(2 11 , ν 2 = 1) ← Σ(2 02 ) bands, which have not previously been observed in other spectral regions.
Rate of Maillard Browning in Sweet Whey Powder

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of Maillard browning in 3 commercial sweet whey powders (WC1, WC2, and MW1), under accelerated shelf-life testing (ASLT) and under normal storage conditions (21 degrees C and 35% RH). Rate of brown pigment formation (k) obtained from short-term ASLT of whey powder was compared with actual findings obtained from the long-term shelf-life testing under normal conditions. Deterioration by Maillard browning, measured by spectrophotometer, was compared with changes in color (Hunter Laboratory), free moisture, titratable acidity, and sensory attributes. Results suggest that estimated k (from ASLT) was comparable with the observed rate (obtained at ambient temperature) for 2 producers (WC1, MW1). The actual k values observed for samples WC1, WC2, and MW1, stored under normal conditions, were 0.0031, 0.0080, and 0.0148 color units/g of solid per mo, respectively. The estimated values of k for samples WC1, WC2, and MW1 were 1.12, 4.90, and 1.35 times more than the observed values, respectively. The Q10 values (increase in reaction rate for a 10 degrees C temperature increase) ranged from 1.77 to 4.14, and the activation energies ranged from 15.9 to 28.4 kcal/mol. Hunter Laboratory values L* and a* appeared most sensitive to changes during storage. Free moisture content, and acidity increased significantly with storage. However, no significant changes were detected by the sensory panel in the attributes considered.
The OMEGA EP high-energy, short-pulse laser system

OMEGA EP (extended performance) is a petawatt-class addition to the existing 30-kJ, 60-beam OMEGA Laser Facility at the University of Rochester. Activation of the OMEGA EP laser is near completion and results will be described.
Severe Thrombocytopenia Associated with Alatrofloxacin

OBJECTIVE:To report the development of severe thrombocytopenia during alatrofloxacin therapy.CASE SUMMARY:A 54-year-old Native American woman was admitted for pneumonia after completing a 10-day course of loracarbef 200 mg po bid. On admission, the woman was hypoxic (PO2 56 mm Hg) and had a platelet count of 408 times 103/mm3. Alatrofloxacin 300 mg iv piggyback qd was initiated in the emergency department. The patient's condition gradually improved during the next three days. While preparing for discharge on hospital day 4, the patient developed epistaxis that lasted approximately three hours. Laboratory testing revealed a platelet count of 7 times 103/mm3; stable red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values; and a normal white blood cell count. Alatrofloxacin therapy was discontinued and azithromycin was initiated on hospital day 4. Methylprednisolone 125 mg iv piggyback every 12 hours was initiated on hospital day 5. The platelet count fell to 2 times103/mm3 on hospital day 5 and then began t...
Fatality from Administration of Labetalol and Crushed Extended-Release Nifedipine

ObjectiveTo report a case in which a crushed extended-release (XL) nifedipine tablet contributed to a patient fatality.Case SummaryA 38-year-old woman with multiple medical problems presented to the hospital in acute respiratory distress and was diagnosed with acute pulmonary edema and pneumonia. After initial stabilization, her medications were changed to oral hydralazine, labetalol, and nifedipine XL. These medications were crushed and administered through a nasogastric tube. The patient developed worsening bradycardia with hypotension and experienced asystolic cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated; however, the following morning, another dose of labetalol and nifedipine XL was crushed and administered through the nasogastric tube. She again developed worsening bradycardia with hypotension and ultimately died.DiscussionThe administration of a crushed nifedipine XL tablet resulted in the patient's severe hypotension. The concurrent administration of labetalol prevented a compensatory heart rate increase. ...
Effects of increased device dissipation on haptic two-port network performance

This paper investigates the effects of increasing the haptic device's physical dissipation on haptic two-port network (H2PN) performance. Two methods for increasing device dissipation are first explored through numerical H2PN models. Specifically, I/A (impedance/admittance) and A/I (admittance/impedance) H2PN's with low device dissipation, increased device physical dissipation, and electrical DC motor EMF dissipation are numerically compared. Second, I/A and A/I H2PN's with and without increased physical device dissipation are experimentally validated on HuRBiRT, a large scale haptic device with a hybrid active/passive actuated axis
Multiple Types of 8-Vinyl Reductases for (Bacterio)Chlorophyll Biosynthesis Occur in Many Green Sulfur Bacteria

Two 8-vinyl reductases, BciA and BciB, have been identified in chlorophototrophs. The bciA gene of Chlorobaculum tepidum was replaced with genes similar to bciB from other green sulfur bacteria. Pigment analyses of the complemented strains showed that the bciB homologs encode 8-vinyl reductases similar to those of cyanobacteria.
Network-based systems for asynchronous group communication

Current computer-based mechanisms for asynchronous communication include electronic mail and computer conferencing systems. Electronic mail supports one-to-many communication patterns and has serious drawbacks when used for group interaction. Computer conferencing systems are typically implemented to execute on a single processor and users at remote locations access the shared information by logging on from terminals connected by dial-up lines. This paper presents an architecture for a network-based system that models communication as group access to shared multimedia objects. It also describes the features of a computer conferencing system that was implemented for Bitnet, a network of academic computers, and Vnet, the IBM internal network.
Ionic binding properties of carrier ampholytes.

Radioactive ampholytes were synthesized with specific activity of 638 microCi/g. These were used in studies of ampholyte binding to target proteins under nonionic conditions. These radioactive ampholytes bound to target proteins but were dissociable in sodium chloride solutions with dissociation occurring in a concentration dependent way. The ampholytes could be dissociated from target molecules using excess unlabelled ampholytes synthesized in the laboratory as well as commercial ampholytes. Radioactive ampholytes were bound to target proteins with different isoelectric points, and the bound ampholytes were eluted and analyzed by recycling isoelectric focusing. The results showed that acidic proteins bound basic ampholytes and basic proteins bound acidic ampholytes.
Satellite Microwave Remote Sensing of Boreal and Arctic Soil Temperatures From AMSR-E

Methods are developed and evaluated to retrieve surface soil temperature information for the advanced microwave scanning radiometer on earth observing system for seven boreal forest and Arctic tundra biophysical monitoring sites across Alaska and Northern Canada. A multiple-band iterative radiative transfer process-based method producing dynamic vegetation and snow cover correction quantities and an empirical multiple regression method using several frequencies are employed. The seasonal pattern of microwave emission and relative accuracy of the soil temperature retrievals are influenced strongly by landscape properties, including the presence of open water, vegetation type and seasonal phenology, snow cover, and freeze-thaw transitions. The retrieval of soil temperature is similar for the two methods with an overall root-mean-square error of 3.1-3.9 K during summer thawed conditions, with a larger error occurring in winter during periods of dynamic snow cover and freeze-thaw state. These results indicate that at high latitudes, the influence of the atmosphere may be less important than that of surface conditions in determining the relative accuracy of the estimated soil temperature. Impacts of surface conditions on surface emissivity, observed brightness temperature, and estimated soil temperature are discussed.
Relationship between cyclin D1 expression and poor radioresponse of murine carcinomas.

Abstract Purpose: We recently reported that overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positively correlated with radioresistance of murine carcinomas. Because cyclin D1 is a downstream sensor of EGFR activation, the present study investigated whether a relationship exists between the extent of cyclin D1 expression and in vivo radiocurability of murine tumors. We further investigated the influence of radiation on cyclin D1 expression and the expression of p27, an inhibitor of the cyclin D1 downstream pathway, as well as the relationship of these molecular determinants to cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in tumors exposed to radiation. Methods and Materials: Cyclin D1 expression was assayed in nine carcinomas syngeneic to C3Hf/Kam mice using Western blot analysis. These tumors greatly differed in their radioresponse as assessed by TCD 50 . The expression of cyclin D1 and p27 proteins was determined by Western blotting. Cell proliferative activity in tumors was determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunochemistry. The effect of irradiation on the expression of cyclin D1 or p27 proteins and on PCNA positivity was determined in the radiosensitive OCa-I and in the radioresistant SCC-VII tumors. Results: Cyclin D1 expression varied among tumors by 40-fold, and its magnitude positively correlated with poorer tumor radioresponse (higher TCD 50 values). The level of cyclin D1 expression paralleled that of EGFR. A 15-Gy dose reduced constitutive expression of cyclin D1 in the radiosensitive OCa-I tumors, but had no influence on expression of cyclin D1 in the radioresistant SCC-VII tumors. In contrast, 15 Gy increased the expression of p27 in radiosensitive tumors and reduced it in radioresistant tumors. Radiation induced no significant apoptosis or change in the percentage of PCNA-positive (proliferating) cells in SCC-VII tumors with high cyclin D1 levels, but it induced significant apoptosis and a decrease in the percentage of proliferating cells in OCa-I tumors with low cyclin D1 expression. Conclusion: Our findings show a positive correlation between cyclin D1 expression and tumor radioresistance. The expression of cyclin D1 and p27 was modified by radiation and was associated with cellular response to radiation, but this depended on the pretreatment level of cyclin D1 expression. These findings may have important clinical implications: The pretreatment assessment of cyclin D1 expression could serve as a useful predictor of radiotherapy outcome and assist in selecting an effective treatment modality.
INCREASED RESISTANCE TO VIRAL INFECTION AS A RESULT OF INCREASED FLUID IN TISSUES

Experiments are described in which it is shown that the estrogenic hormone (alpha-estradiol propionate) increases the amount of extracellular fluid in the skin. Since previous work showed that this hormone increases resistance of rabbits to vaccinia virus, it is suggested that the increased resistance is the result of increased fluid in the tissues. In further test of this thesis, experiments were performed in which the extracellular fluid in the skin was increased by the intraperitoneal injection of a salt solution known to increase the hydration of the tissues. Under these conditions it was found that the spread of India ink in the skin, as well as susceptibility to viral infection, was decreased in the same magnitude as obtains when the animals are treated with estrogenic hormone. The identity of effects under the two sets of circumstances seems to warrant the conclusion that in both instances the spread of India ink and decreased susceptibility to vaccinia are due to the common factor of increased volume of the extracellular fluid.
The Diffusion of Fission Krypton from Metallic Uranium

The rare gases have not been shown to exhibit measurable equilibrium solubility in metals, nor do any common metals exhibit measurable permeability to the rare gases. By means of nuclear reactions,...
Phase I/feasibility trial of dose-dense carboplatin (C) and paclitaxel (P) in patients (pts) with ovarian cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study

5544 Background: Dose-dense regimens improve outcome for women with breast cancer. We investigated the feasibility of dose-dense CP for women with ovarian cancer. Methods: Pts with untreated stage ...
IMAGING BIOMARKERS OF MALIGNANT PROGRESSION OF DIFFUSE LOW-GRADE GLOMA (LGG).

BACKGROUND: Patients with tumors that recur from a prior LGG have quite different outcomes depending on their histological subtype, grade, and molecular/cytogenetic features. Non-invasive biomarkers that accurately reflect the biological properties of the lesion are urgently needed to make informed decisions about patient care. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the role of noninvasive imaging parameters as biomarkers of malignant progression in diffuse LGG (WHO II) and to use these parameters to select the most metabolically active regions of tumors for characterization of their histological features. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, 125 patients undergoing surgical resection of tumors that recurred from a prior LGG were prospectively enrolled from 2008-2012 in an institutional review board approved protocol. Preoperative MR metabolic and physiological images were used to select image guided tissue sample targets for histological status, IDH1 mutation and ex vivo metabolic profiles. H&E and immunohistochemistry of the tissue samples provided the following parameters: tumor score, necrosis, CA9 status (measure of hypoxia), MIB-1 status, cellularity, SMI-31 status and vascular status. RESULTS: 44% of the 125 tumors were grade II at recurrence, with 56% having upgraded in histology (44% grade III and 12% grade IV). Significant differences were observed for in vivo measures of maximum choline to N-acetylasparate index (CNI) and lactate, normalized apparent diffusion coefficient 2 for patients with upgraded versus non-upgraded lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study highlight tumor heterogeneity and underline the use of metabolic and physiologic imaging for non-invasively predicting upgrade status for patients with recurrent LGG who are not surgical candidates and also for directing the surgeon to the most malignant region of the lesion to get representative tissue for evaluation. These enhanced parameters will be utilized in a new cohort of 100 patients with recurrent LGG and their tissue will be used to characterize the genomic properties of non-upgraded versus upgraded samples. SECONDARY CATEGORY: n/a.
Systemic Lymphoma Mimicking ADEM

The case of a 10-year-old immunocompetent male who initially presented with fatigue and ataxia following a viral illness, and MRI findings compatible with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and who later was diagnosed with systemic lymphoma is reported from Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
Diffusion and the Production of Eastern Europe

This article argues that Eastern Europe continues to be defined and redefined not just by the actual patterns of socio-economic and political reproduction of the distant and proximate regimes gover...
Feature Point Extracting and Fitting Method Based on Scanning Input Engineering Curves

Engineering design revolved a lot of design data.Partial design data were described in the form of curve chart.Spiral angle coefficient curve was a typical engineering curve and had the characteristics of engineering curves.In the paper,spiral angle coefficient curve was as an example in which scanning image preprocessing,image revision,image cropping,binarization processing,mesh removing,characteristics point extracting of spiral angle coefficient curve were put forward.Furthermore,the least square method was used to fit characteristic points and accomplish digitizing of engineering curves.
Present Situation of Surveying and Planning of China and Corresponding Suggestions

This paper introduces the present situation of surveying and planning of our country,analyzes the problems in the development of surveying and planning field in terms of application of new technology,trade management and industrial structure,and advocates strengthening the professional construction and trade management and increasing government investment to develop surveying and planning field of this country.
Infection status of HIV,HCV and syphilis in drug addicts of Nandan

Objective:To understand the infection status of drug addicts in Nandan county,focus on AIDS,HCV,syphilis surveillance analysis,so as to provide scientific basis for making AIDS intervention and comprehensive prevention measures in drug addicts.Methods:According to the particularity of drug addicts,face to face interview,uniform drug registration form for questionnaire,venous blood detection were involved in this study.Results:Among the 162 drug addicts,HIV antibody positive rate was 2.47%;the HCV antibody positive rate was 75.31%;syphilis antibody positive rate was 23.46%.Conclusion:Drug users were the main population for AIDS,HCV,syphilis transmission.So it was urgent to strengthen the education and training of venereal diseases prevention knowledge among drug addicts,which can enhance their prevention awareness,change their way of drug use,reduce the behavioral risk and infection rate of HIV,HCV and syphilis.
The Paradox of Suspense

It is an incontrovertible fact that people can consume the same suspense fiction again and again with no loss of affect. Someone may reread Graham Greene’s This Gun fo r Hire or re-view the movie The Guns ofNavarone and, nevertheless, on the second, third, and repeated encounters be caught in the same unrelenting grip of suspense that snared them on their first encounter. I myself have seen King Kong at least 50 times, and yet there are still certain moments when I feel the irresistible tug of suspense.
Influence of Maximum Particle Size, Fines Content, and Dust Ratio on the Behavior of Base and Subbase Coarse Aggregates:

Unbound aggregate base and subbase layers are the main load-bearing layers in a pavement structure. Size and shape properties of these aggregate materials should be controlled to ensure proper workability during construction and improved performance for pavement longevity. The effects of gradation, maximum particle size, fines content (percentage passing the No. 200 sieve), and dust ratio on the quality of aggregates were investigated by performing many soaked California bearing ratio tests on a crushed limestone material. The dust ratio represents the amount of fines content divided by the amount of minus No. 40 sieve material. The dust ratios studied were 0.4, 0.6, and 1.0. Two gradations commonly used in Illinois, with maximum particle sizes of 1 in. and 2 in., were studied to analyze the effect of fines content with respect to maximum particle size in the gradation. A typical range of fines contents (i.e., 5%, 8%, and 12%) was also considered. The results show that the gradation, dust ratio, and fines...
Clinical Evaluation of the Variables associated with Treatment Acceptability and Their Relation to Compliance

The authors examined the acceptability ratings of positive reinforcement procedures recommended to parents seen in a pediatric behavior management outpatient clinic. Parental ratings of acceptabili...