cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comment identifier les personnes âgées fragiles ? Outils à disposition

Management of cancer in the elderly needs more attention than in younger patients mainly because of comorbidities and geriatric syndromes. Each frailty encountered will facilitate adverse events and complications which are more frequent and more severe in the elderly and have to be anticipated to control for the risk of organ failure and dependencies. Fortunately, tools which have been developed and validated by geriatricians, are available to the oncologists and their validity has been demonstrated in oncology. Yet, they are quite time-consuming and consequently available for a minority of patients. Furthermore, it appears that some of the older patients can be proposed standard therapy and do not need the intervention of geriatricians. This is the reason why screening tools have been developed and validated among which the G8 questionnaire appears to be one of the best. This approach is beginning to be implemented in the daily routine in France and abroad but their appropriate use according to cancer types and treatment intensity should be further improved for the benefit of our patients.
Environmental Influences on Adolescent Weight Gain: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Objectives. This study investigated the importance of environmental influences in explaining weight gain among freshman college students. Methods. We exploited a natural experiment that takes place on most college campuses in the US - randomized dormitory assignments. We estimated the effects of being randomly assigned to dormitories with varying physical environment characteristics on weight gain and related behaviors during the freshman year. Results. We found strong evidence linking weight and related behaviors to individual dormitories, as well as to specific characteristics of the dormitories. On average, female students assigned to dormitories with on-site dining halls gained more weight and exhibited more behaviors consistent with weight gain (eating more and exercising less) during the freshman year as compared to students not assigned to such dormitories. Furthermore, proximity of the dormitory to campus gyms and central campus significantly affected weight management behaviors for both male and female students.Conclusions. Using a natural experiment to deal with the potential endogeneity of the living environment, this study found that the physical environment affects both students’ weight changes and weight-related behaviors.
Oral Health Behavioral and Social Intervention Research Concepts and Methods

Oral health affects many aspects of a person’s functioning and overall health and well-being, including speaking, eating, and maintaining one’s appearance, self-esteem, physical comfort, activity level, and quality of life (1). Behavioral and social factors significantly impact oral health. Nutrition, feeding, and oral hygiene practices, pain management, treatment adherence, dental anxiety, oral health knowledge and literacy, parenting, corporate advertising, and access to healthcare and dental insurance, as well as other socioeconomic factors, are some of the many behavioral and social oral health-related issues. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention behavioral and social interventions are needed to target these issues, reduce the incidence of oral health problems, and improve the rates at which people recover from them. Behavioral interventions are those that educate or instruct individuals about good oral health and disease management practices or how to handle psychological and social challenges that impact their oral health behavior. Examples include: a) prenatal education and assessment of expectant parents to decrease primary caregivers’ mutans streptococci levels and risk of transmission to infants (2); b) motivational interviewing with mothers to prevent early childhood caries (3–5) or with adolescents to reduce dental avoidance behavior (6); c) the 5A’s (ask, advice, assess, assist, arrange) in routine dental care to increase tobacco quit rates (7); and d) dental office-based weight control interventions for children and adolescents to reduce dental caries and prevent obesity-related systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes) that negatively impact oral health (8). Social interventions are those that target groups of people, organizations, or communities to improve oral care. Examples include: a) school-based interventions to promote preadolescents’ gingival health (9); b) social marketing campaigns to increase awareness of and screening for oral cancer in African Americans (10,11); c) providing dental homes for pregnant women on Medicaid to improve their access and utilization of dental care (12); and d) training dentists to detect methamphetamine users with dental comorbidities and refer these patients to substance abuse treatment programs (13). Developing and testing behavioral and social interventions to promote oral health and effectively treat diseases and disorders represent important parts of the NIDCR strategic plan (14).
Are Voters Disconnected or Have Reelection Constituencies Realigned in Ways That Might Account for Party Polarization in Congress

Party polarization in Congress is well documented. Scholars analyzing individual attitudes, however, are engaged in a spirited debate regarding whether Americans are similarly polarized or if polarization in Congress has created a “disconnect” between citizens and their representatives. This paper analyzes changes in the electoral constituencies of House members from the 1970s to the 2000s that might account for party polarization in Congress. The research design used in previous work comparing citizens’ attitudes in red (Republican) states and blue (Democratic) states does not accurately model the Single Member District Plurality electoral system used in congressional elections. If we want to understand the role ordinary citizens play in party polarization in the House, the appropriate place to look is differences in the issue preferences of Democratic and Republican voters in the House districts where elections are contested. In a plurality winner-take-all electoral system, relatively small swings in voter’s preferences can have large effects on election outcomes. Hence, a polarized electorate is not a necessary condition for polarization in Congress. As suggested by Conditional Party Government theory (Aldrich 2011; Aldrich and Rohde 2000; Rohde 1991), the necessary pre-condition for party polarization in Congress is that preferences in partisan reelection constituencies realign to become more similar in different geographical areas. We find evidence that voters’ preferences in partisan reelection constituencies have realigned in ways consistent with CPG theory - in red, purple and blue congressional districts, inter-party preferences have diverged, while intra-party differences have become less pronounced. These findings raise doubts about the interpretation of a “disconnect” between voters and their representatives.
Magia medicinal azteca

Muchas creencias medicinales aztecas siguen vigentes en Mexico. En este articulo se presentan y analizan algunas de las practicas medicinales aztecas en que se recurria a la magia.
Development and field application of a molecular probe for the primary pathogen of the coral disease white plague type II.

One of the current problems in the field of coral disease research is that of tracking coral pathogens in the natural environment. A promising method to do this is by use of pathogen-specific molecular probes. However, this approach has been little used to date. We constructed, and validated in the laboratory, a fluoro- chrome-labeled molecular probe specific to Aurantimonas coralicida, the bacterial pathogen of the Caribbean coral disease white plague type II (WPII). We then used the probe to test field samples of diseased coral tissue for the presence of this pathogen. Probe design was based on a unique subset (25 nucleotides) of the complete16S rRNA gene sequence derived from a pure culture of the pathogen. The pathogen-specific probe was labeled with the fluorochrome GreenStar*™ FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate, GeneDetect Ltd, New Zealand). As a control, we used the universal eubacterial probe EUB 338, labeled with a different fluorochrome (TRITC, tetra-methyl- rhodamine isothiocyanate). Both probes were applied to laboratory samples of pure cultures of bacteria, and field samples collected from the surface of the disease line of corals exhibiting signs of white plague (types I and II), healthy controls, and corals with an uncharacterized disease ("patchy necrosis"). All samples were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We have determined that the probe is specific to our laboratory culture of the coral pathogen, and does not react with other bacterial species (the eubacterial probe does). The WPII pathogen was detected in association with diseased coral samples collected from coral colonies on reefs of the Bahamas (n= 9 samples) exhibiting signs of both WPI and WPII. Diseased (and healthy) tissue samples (n= 4) from corals exhibiting signs of "patchy necrosis" were also assayed. In this case the results were negative, indicating that the same pathogen is not involved in the two diseases. Incorporation and use of pathogen-specific probes can significantly expand our knowledge of the etiology of coral diseases.
Documentation of Computerized Laboratory Systems: System Definition at the Management Level

A set of guidelines for documenting computerized laboratory systems at the management level is presented. The guidelines detail the various documentation that may be required by companies which utilize financial factors to determine project feasibility. The guidelines are divided into five arbitrarily defined phases which are: (1) project initiation, (2) project development, (3) feasibility study, (4) preparation of the computer proposal, and (5) project approval. The project initiation phase includes establishing the need for computerization, determining laboratory structure and functions, conducting the laboratory evaluation, developing a proposed scope, and establishing the financial budget. The project development phase includes how to prepare a computerization objective and the assignment of personnel to the project. Included in the feasibility study are preparation of specifications, vendor contact, environmental considerations, determination of project costs, and initiating changes to the budget. Details are also presented for the preparation of the computer proposal and final approval factors.
Multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy does not lead to greater infant birth size than does iron-only supplementation: a randomized controlled trial in a semirural community in Mexico

Background: Little is known about the benefits of prenatal multivitamin and mineral supplements in reducing low birth weight. Objective: We conducted a randomized double-blind clinical trial in semirural Mexico to compare the effects of multiple micronutrient (MM) supplements with those of iron supplements during pregnancy on birth size. Design: Pregnant women (n = 873) were recruited before 13 wk of gestation and received supplements 6 d/wk at home as well as routine antenatal care until delivery. Both supplements contained 60 mg Fe but the MM group also received 1–1.5 times the recommended dietary allowances of several micronutrients. Results: At recruitment the women in the 2 groups were not significantly different in age parity economic status height or hemoglobin concentration but differed significantly in marital status (4.6% and 2.0% of women in the MM and iron-only groups respectively were single mothers) and mean (± SD) body mass index (in kg/m2; 24.6 ± 4.3 and 23.8 ± 3.9 in the iron-only and MM groups respectively). Losses to follow-up (25%) and compliance (95%) did not differ significantly between the groups. In intent-to-treat analyses (MM group: n = 323; iron-only group: n = 322) mean (± SD) birth weight (2.981 ± 0.391 and 2.977 ± 0.393 kg in the MM and iron-only groups respectively) and birth length (48.61 ± 1.82 and 48.66 ± 1.83 cm in the MM and iron-only groups respectively) did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that MM supplementation during pregnancy does not lead to greater infant birth size than does iron-only supplementation. (authors)
Laser-based three-dimensional multiscale micropatterning of biocompatible hydrogels for customized tissue engineering scaffolds

Light-induced material phase transitions enable the formation of shapes and patterns from the nano- to the macroscale. From lithographic techniques that enable high-density silicon circuit integration, to laser cutting and welding, light-matter interactions are pervasive in everyday materials fabrication and transformation. These noncontact patterning techniques are ideally suited to reshape soft materials of biological relevance. We present here the use of relatively low-energy (< 2 nJ) ultrafast laser pulses to generate 2D and 3D multiscale patterns in soft silk protein hydrogels without exogenous or chemical cross-linkers. We find that high-resolution features can be generated within bulk hydrogels through nearly 1 cm of material, which is 1.5 orders of magnitude deeper than other biocompatible materials. Examples illustrating the materials, results, and the performance of the machined geometries in vitro and in vivo are presented to demonstrate the versatility of the approach.
Callable Bond Revisited

In light of the dramatic changes in the callable bond market, we re-examine the determinants of callable bonds. Using data from 1980-2003, we find that callable bonds are often issued by firms with both information asymmetry and underinvestment problems. However, risk-shifting does appear to be a major factor. Furthermore, we find that interest rate hedging is an important factor for investment grade bonds and when interest rates are high, but not so for below-investment grade bonds or when rates are low.
d‐Aspartate as a putative cell–cell signaling molecule in the Aplysia californica central nervous system

The content, synthesis and transport of D-aspartate (D-Asp) in the CNS of Aplysia californica is investigated using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with both laser-induced fluorescence and radionuclide detection. Millimolar concentrations of D-Asp are found in various regions of the CNS. In the cerebral ganglion, three adjacent neuronal clusters have reproducibly different D-Asp levels; for example, in the F- and C-clusters, up to 85% of the free Asp is present in the D-form. Heterogeneous distribution of D-Asp is also found in the individual identified neurons tested, including the optical ganglion top-layer neurons, metacerebral cells, R2 neurons, and F-, C- and G-cluster neurons. The F-cluster neurons have the highest percentage of D-Asp (approximately 58% of the total Asp), whereas the lowest value of approximately 8% is found in R2 neurons. In pulse-chase experiments with radiolabeled D-Asp, followed by CE with radionuclide detection, the synthesis of D-Asp from L-aspartate (L-Asp) is confirmed. Is D-Asp in the soma, or is it transported to distantly located release sites? D-Asp is clearly detected in the major nerves of A. californica, including the pleuroabdominal and cerebrobuccal connectives and the anterior tentacular nerves, suggesting it is transported long distances. In addition, both D-Asp and L-Asp are transported in the pleuroabdominal connectives in a colchicine-dependent manner, whereas several other amino acids are not. Finally, d-Asp produces electrophysiological effects similar to those induced by L-Asp. These data are consistent with an active role for D-Asp in cell-to-cell communication.
Unusual presentation of uterine leiomyoma

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common pelvic tumour in women. The presentation of uterine leiomyoma varies. Symptoms may include abnormal uterine bleeding or abdominal pressure and heaviness; however, most cases are asymptomatic. We report a case with renal impairment as the first presentation of uterine leiomyoma in a patient who presented with extensive bilateral lower limb oedema and no menstrual symptoms. Imaging studies, a subsequent Papanicolaou test and uterine biopsy were suggestive of uterine leiomyoma, which was confirmed by pathological examination after hysterectomy. The patient's kidney impairment resolved completely after the procedure.
Adaptive FEC Scheme For Layered Multimedia Streaming over Wired/Wireless Channels

In wireless communication, noise and channel fluctuation often cause bit errors and subsequently the packet loss, which has different characteristic from the loss from network congestion. For most congestion control algorithms, the packet loss information serves as an index of network congestion and is used for effective rate adjustment; therefore wireless packet loss can mistakenly lead to dramatic performance degradation. We discuss the reasons leading to packet loss and propose a packet loss classification (PLC) algorithm that is based on trend detection of relative one-way trip time. With the assistance of PLC, not only can the wireless loss be separated from the congestion loss, the wireless packet error rate can be also estimated. With the combined information, the new adaptive congestion control algorithm is constructed so that a receiver can acquire an appropriate share of bandwidth. The transmitted data is protected by adaptive maximum distance separable erasure codes according to the wireless channel condition and end-to-end available bandwidth
InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots within an effective approach

Abstract An effective approach for describing the electronic structure of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) is presented. We model QDs based on a single sub-band approach with an energy-dependent electron effective mass. The model assumes that the total effect of inter-band interactions, strain and piezoelectricity can be taken into account by an effective potential. Using this approximation, we define a strength parameter of the effective potential to reproduce capacitance–gate-voltage (CV) experimental data for InAs/GaAs QDs. In the present work, we expand the model to describe In x Ga 1− x As QDs with significant Ga fractions. We find that our model accurately describes CV and photoluminescence (PL) data for QDs, assuming 22% Ga fractions, and also reproduces the experimental data for Coulomb shifts of exciton complexes ( X − , X + , XX ). We compared our results with those from atomistic pseudopotential and eight-band kp -Hamiltonian approaches. The strength of the electron and heavy hole confinements is found to be weaker in the kp -model than in the atomistic pseudopotential approach.
Synthesis of High-Quality Antisense Drugs. Addition of Acrylonitrile to Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides: Adduct Characterization and Avoidance

It is demonstrated that the acrylonitrile (AN) generated during the ammonolysis step of oligonucleotide manufacture selectively adds to thymine residue present in ISIS 2302 to give a full-length ol...
Advanced care decision making: asking the right people the right questions

Aging often includes chronic disability and/or acute periods of illness. When seriously ill, people may be less able to participate in decision making. Decision making capacity, the ability to give informed consent or informed refusal, may not be accurately assessed or may not be assessed at all. Nurses are often ideally positioned to contribute to decision making by the clinical team and with the patient. Understanding how to assess capacity, and when and how to integrate surrogates into clinical decision making, can contribute to improved patient care. An example is used to explore the process of decision making based on medical indications, patient preferences, and the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the health care team and a surrogate decision maker.
Dynamic Bayesian networks for audio-visual speech recognition

The use of visual features in audio-visual speech recognition (AVSR) is justified by both the speech generation mechanism, which is essentially bimodal in audio and visual representation, and by the need for features that are invariant to acoustic noise perturbation. As a result, current AVSR systems demonstrate significant accuracy improvements in environments affected by acoustic noise. In this paper, we describe the use of two statistical models for audio-visual integration, the coupled HMM (CHMM) and the factorial HMM (FHMM), and compare the performance of these models with the existing models used in speaker dependent audio-visual isolated word recognition. The statistical properties of both the CHMM and FHMM allow to model the state asynchrony of the audio and visual observation sequences while preserving their natural correlation over time. In our experiments, the CHMM performs best overall, outperforming all the existing models and the FHMM.
Bargaining Behavior: A Comparison Between Mature Industrial Personnel and College Students

The study reported here was conducted for two purposes. The primary purpose was to provide an experimental test of certain theoretical models of bargaining behavior. A second purpose, emphasized in this paper, was to study the bargaining behavior of experienced personnel in business as contrasted with the bargaining behavior of college students. The design of the study was dictated by the requirements of the theoretical model; the interest in comparing businessmen with students was subordinate, and did not in itself influence the fundamental features of the design. Thus, while the test of the hypothesis is formal and has some rigor, the comparison of the two subject populations is informal, and is suggestive and provocative, perhaps, rather than definitive. In general the groups were notably similar in regard to their bidding patterns and the equilibrium solutions they reached.
Numerical investigation of supersonic flow for axisymmetric cones

An existing curvilinear finite-volume code with robust shock-capturing scheme was modified to allow for simulations of supersonic flow for axisymmetric cone geometries. It is shown how for an axisymmetric coordinate system the convective and viscous flux derivatives in the circumferential direction reduce to a y-momentum equation source term. The advantage of this approach over an axisymmetric code is that the governing equations and the discretization do not need to be changed. This paper provides a detailed derivation of the axisymmetric source terms from the full Navier-Stokes equations. Results are shown for a sharp and a blunt cone for approach flow Mach numbers of M=3.5 and M=7.99.
A dynamic framework for understanding cross‐national segmentation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for better understanding of cross‐national segmentation under the underlying forces of globalization and technology.Design/methodology/approach – The approach is conceptual with illustrative examples, with a dynamic approach to cross‐national segmentation being considered.Findings – Cross‐national segmentation can be better understood and better structured through closer examination of how segments evolve over time in response to the underlying forces of globalization and cultural evolution.Research limitations/implications – The framework described in the paper should inspire research on value‐based segmentation schemes across markets.Practical implications – International marketing managers should be able to construct and adapt segmentation strategies much more effectively through the use of the conceptual framework offered in the paper.Originality/value – The framework offered in the paper is unique in that it blends consumer valu...
The presence of a possible caffeine-steroid complex in human urine.

Abstract A compound which behaves like a steroid in terms of solubilities and chromatographic behaviour in paper systems commonly used for the separation of C-21 steroids has been isolated and characterized. This compound was shown to be caffeine. Further, in four out of eleven cases where cortisol-4-14C had been infused, cortisone-14C was found bound to caffeine.
Performance-Based Reliability Design for Deep Foundations Using Monte Carlo Statistical Methods (DFI Student Paper Competition 2012)

Deep foundation designs for service limit state are still deterministic in the current AASHTO LRFD Specifications. To address this deficiency, a performance-based reliability design methodology is developed using the Monte Carlo statistical techniques. In the proposed methodology, the design criteria are defined in terms of the allowable displacement. The spatial variability of soil parameters is considered in the proposed methodology by modeling soil parameters as random fields. Failure is defined as the event that the induced displacement exceeds the limiting displacement. The probability of failure by Monte Carlo approach is the ratio of the number of unsatisfactory performance events to the sample size. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the application of the proposed methodology for laterally loaded and axially loaded drilled shafts, respectively. The spatial variability and correlation of soil properties were shown to exert significant influences on the foundation design.
A spectral solution for the bending of arbitrarily shaped plates

Abstract A spectral solution methodology has been used to solve the biharmonic equation for analyzing the bending of thin plates of arbitrary geometric shapes. This scheme evaluates the derivatives along the boundaries with spectral accuracy, thus permitting the achievement of a more accurate overall solution for arbitrarily shaped plates. The main aim of this paper is to develop the method in general coordinates and then to validate the method by comparison with the already available solutions. Comparisons of results are made with the analytical solutions for triangular, circular and annular plates. Additionally, results are also obtained for a truncated circular sector plate. The analytical approach adopted in this paper is to solve the biharmonic equation by considering a set of second-order equations which depends on a time-like parameter. The computational scheme centers around driving the solution to parametric independency. The step size of the introduced parameter has been found to vary with both the mesh complexity and the type of boundary conditions. The results achieved at the level of parametric independency have been found to accurately predict the design shears, moments and deflections for arbitrarily shaped plates.
The spectral problem and particular solutions to the (2+1)-dimensional integrable generalization of the Camassa–Holm equation

Abstract We represent the relation between spectral problems for (2+1)-dimensional integrable generalization of the Camassa–Holm (CH) and modified Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (mKP-2) equations through the hodograph-type transformation, which allows to establish the link between particular solutions to each of them. We represent the algorithm for construction of the particular solutions to (2+1)-dimensional generalization of CH based on the nonlocal ∂ -problem. As examples, we present the traveling wave solutions and discuss briefly the rational solutions.
Teaching Modeling and Simulation in Economics: A Pleasant Surprise

This article represents the development of a course on modeling and simulation in micro- and macroeconomics. Each student-manager enters into the computer decisions regarding economic policy.
Preparation and liquid chromatographic analysis of propanediol fatty acid esters

Procedures were developed for the synthesis, purification and analysis of propanediol (PD) esters of n-fatty acids (FA). Mono- (MAPD) and di-acylated (DAPD) species were synthesized from PD and FA using an immobilized lipase (Candida antarctica B) in tert-butanol. MAPD and DAPD were isolated using silica gel column chromatography as approximately 95% pure preparations. Normal phase gradient LC provided for resolution of MAPD, DAPD and FA. UV220 nm detection provided a detection limit of about 1 microgram, and a linear response range of up to 2000 micrograms. Response factors were determined for MAPD, DAPD and FA components comprised of n-fatty acyl lengths of 4-16.
Adrenalectomy attenuates electroconvulsive shock-induced retrograde amnesia in rats

The involvement of the adrenal glands in the induction of electroconvulsive-shock amnesia was examined. Sham-adrenalectomized rats given an electroconvulsive shock immediately following a single passive avoidance acquisition trial showed amnesia when tested 24 hr after training. Bilateral adrenalectomy 10 days before training protected rats against the disruptive effects of electroconvulsive shock on passive avoidance behavior.
Effects on choice of reinforcement delay and conditioned reinforcement

Pigeons chose between fixed-interval schedules of different durations presented in the terminal links of concurrent-chains schedules. The pair of schedules was always in the ratio of 2:1, but the absolute duration of the fixed intervals varied. In one set of conditions, the different terminal-link schedules were associated with different keylight stimuli (cued conditions). In a second set of conditions, the different terminal-link schedules were associated with the same stimulus (uncued conditions). Results from the cued conditions replicated previous findings that preference for the shorter fixed-interval schedule increased with fixed-interval duration. Preferences in the uncued conditions were lower than in the corresponding cued conditions but also increased with fixed-interval length. In addition, the degree of control under the uncued conditions was correlated with the extent to which the schedule during the terminal link was discriminated immediately upon entry into the terminal link. The pattern of results in both conditions was inconsistent with the notion that choice behavior matches relative immediacy of reinforcement. Reanalysis of previous evidence for matching (Chung and Herrnstein, 1967) showed that matching in fact did not occur, as the preferences of their subjects for the shorter of two delays also increased with the absolute size of the delays.
Performance evaluation of fluorescence tomography in a Siemens Inveon multimodality scanner

A tri-modal (PET/CT/Optical) small animal tomographic imaging system was developed by integrating our advanced non-contact intensified CCD (ICCD) frequency-domain fluorescence imaging components into a Siemens Inveon scanner. We performed a performance evaluation of the developed imaging system by using the developed regularization-free high-order radiative-transfer-based reconstruction algorithm and custom solid phantoms. Our results show that frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) fluorescence tomography can achieve better tomographic images with less artifacts and more precise fluorescent source localization compared to the continuous-wave counterpart. The developed multimodal tomographic imaging system provides a powerful tool for translational biomedical research.
Obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux.

Abstract A number of recent studies have described the presence of significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aims of our studies were to determine the prevalence of this in a controlled population and to investigate the potential for a causal relationship between the two entities by determining whether therapy of OSA altered GER parameters, and vice versa. All patients presenting to our sleep laboratory for screening polysomnography underwent distal esophageal pH monitoring simultaneously with polysomnography. Control subjects were selected if the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 15.0. Fourteen subjects with OSA undertook a second polysomnographic study including distal esophageal pH monitoring, with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) intervention. Twelve subjects with proven OSA took part in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel group study of the effect of antireflux therapy (nizatidine) on OSA parameters. In 63 patients and 41 controls, we found that patients with OSA had significantly more GER events than controls as measured by number of reflux events over 8 hours (115 vs 23; P P
Thyroid cyst mistaken for carotid pseudoaneurysm by MR angiography case report

A normal volunteer for magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid arteries had an abnormal examination that suggested a common carotid pseudoaneurysm. High resolution sonography identified a normal carotid artery immediately adjacent to a thyroid lesion, part of which was cystic and which mimicked carotid aneurysmal disease.
The use of iterative methods for solving large sparse PDE-related linear systems

Abstract A preliminary report is given on the ITPACK project for developing adaptive iterative algorithms and software for solving large sparse PDE-related linear systems of equations. These iterative procedures are implemented in a collection of Fortran subroutines.
Recent developments in the synthetic chemistry of technetium disulfide

Technetium disulfide was prepared by reaction between the elements in a sealed tube at 450 °C, by reaction between Tc2(O2CCH3)5 and H2S gas in a flowing system at 450 °C and by reaction between K2TcCl6 and H2S gas in sulfuric acid. The samples were analysed by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy.
Tailoring Pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in the Emergency Department: Choosing a Regimen to Fit the Situation

Practitioners of procedural sedation and analgesia for children in an emergency department setting must balance the needs of individual patients, including safety and efficacy, with the needs of the department as a whole, including efficiency and appropriate use of resources. Individual patient needs will vary depending on the age and developmental stage of the patient, the anticipated level of pain and distress, the degree of immobility required, and the duration of the procedure. The ability to accurately predict the need for sedation, the level of sedation and degree of analgesia required for patient comfort, and the best sedative agent to accomplish these goals without undesirable consequences is a skill that requires knowledge and experience. This review presents 6 case scenarios illustrating various sedation options, from an evidence-based perspective whenever possible, for common pediatric presenting complaints.
CREB Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation: A Ca2+- and Stimulus Duration–Dependent Switch for Hippocampal Gene Expression

While changes in gene expression are critical for many brain functions, including long-term memory, little is known about the cellular processes that mediate stimulus-transcription coupling at central synapses. In studying the signaling pathways by which synaptic inputs control the phosphorylation state of cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) and determine expression of CRE-regulated genes, we found two important Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-regulated mechanisms in hippocampal neurons: a CaM kinase cascade involving nuclear CaMKIV and a calcineurin-dependent regulation of nuclear protein phosphatase 1 activity. Prolongation of the synaptic input on the time scale of minutes, in part by an activity-induced inactivation of calcineurin, greatly extends the period over which phospho-CREB levels are elevated, thus affecting induction of downstream genes.
The biodegradation of esters of α‐sulfo fatty acids

Methyl and aminoalkyl esters of α-sulfonated fatty acids in the C9-C18 range were subjected to aerobic biodegradation in a controlled nutrient medium in which sewage microorganisms were used as the inoculum and the test compound was the sole source of carbon and energy. The extent of biodegration increased with increasing alkyl chain length of the α-sulfo fatty acid and decreased with increasing substitution on the amino nitrogen and possibly with the increasing molecular weight of the substituent on the amino nitrogen atom. No connection was found between the degree of biodegradability and anti-microbial activity of the test compounds. Methyl α-sulfopalmitate was the compound of this study most inhibitory againstStaphylococcus aureus.
Submicrometer Linewidth Production On Integrated Circuit Materials By Uv Laser Radical Etching

We have developed ultraviolet laser-induced, radical-etching processes that can provide practical etch rates and selectivities for most of the important substrate combinations used in silicon microelectronic devices. These processes have been demonstrated, in simple proximity and projection exposure experiments, to produce etch features on surfaces with dimensions of a few tenths of a micrometer. The technique could significantly simplify the fabrication of submicrometer linewidth devices by eliminating photoresist patterning and acid or plasma etching processing steps.
Detection of User Intent in Neurorehablitation Using a Commercial EEG Headset

Neurorehabilitation has recently been augmented with the use of virtual reality and rehabilitation robotics. In each case a necessary condition for success is the linkage of user intent to the interventions. In many systems, some known volitional control must exist in order to synchronize the user intended movement with the therapeutic virtual or robotic movement. Individuals without such residual movements are unable to fully benefit from these therapies. This project demonstrates the feasibility of using a low cost, commercial EEG system with BCI2000 software [3] to access the imagined movement without the need for physical movement.
Observation of a Dimuon Resonance at 9.5 GeV in 400-GeV Proton-Nucleus Collisions

Dimuon production is studied in 400-GeV proton-nucleus collisions. A strong enhancement is observed at 9.5 GeV mass in a sample of 9000 dimuon events with a mass ${m}_{{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}}g5$ GeV.
Secure Sockets Layer

Secure Sockets Layer is a Web-based protocol used for securing data exchanges over the Internet. To understand how SSL does its job, we also must review the two cryptographic techniques on which it relies: symmetric-key and public-key cryptography (PKC). If a particular recipient is intended to decode the ciphertext, the sender and receiver must be using the same cryptographic technique, and they must safeguard a secret - a random number (called a key) in the case of symmetric-key cryptography, or the private key of a public/private key pair in the case of the public-key cryptography. To transport data, large messages are divided into multiple smaller messages with a maximum size of 16 Kbytes. Each message is optionally compressed, then a message authentication code (a hash derived from the plaintext, the two nonces, and the pre master secret) is appended. The plain-text and appended MAC are now encrypted using the negotiated symmetric-key scheme and the computed session key.
The mask designs for Space Interferometer Mission (SIM)

The Space Interferometer Mission (SIM) consists of three interferometers (science, guide1, and guide2) and two optical paths (metrology and starlight). The system requirements for each interferometer/optical path combination are different and sometimes work against each other. A diffraction model is developed to design and optimize various masks to simultaneously meet the system requirements of three interferometers. In this paper, the details of this diffraction model will be described first. Later, the mask design for each interferometer will be presented to demonstrate the system performance compliance. In the end, a tolerance sensitivity study on the geometrical dimension, shape, and the alignment of these masks will be discussed.
Revisiting the role of heterochromatin protein 1 in DNA repair

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is a conserved factor critical for heterochromatin organization and gene silencing. It is recruited to chromatin by its direct interaction with H3K9me (methylated lysine 9 residue of histone H3), an epigenetic mark for silenced chromatin. Now, Luijsterburg et al. (Luijsterburg, M.S., C. Dinant, H. Lans, J. Stap, E. Wiernasz, S. Lagerwerf, D.O. Warmerdam, M. Lindh, M.C. Brink, J.W. Dobrucki, et al. 2009. J. Cell Biol. 185:577-586) reveal a new H3K9me-independent role for HP1 in the DNA damage response, which is distinct from the one recently reported by Ayoub et al. (Ayoub, N., A.D. Jeyasekharan, J.A. Bernal, and A.R. Venkitaraman. 2008. Nature. 453:682-686).
Intersubband spectroscopy of inversion layers in the principal surfaces of silicon: Many-body and “impurity” effects

Abstract Frequency domain studies of intersubband transitions have been carried out with a FIR Fourier Transform Spectrometer. The experimental techniques have been applied to several studies including subband spectroscopy in (100) and vicinal planes, and in (111) and (110) inersion layers as well as the effects of oxide charge on the optical properties of (100) inversion layers.
Simulation of reinjection at Cerro Prieto using an idealized two-reservoir model

Abstract Most of the papers published on the hydrodynamic and thermal effects of reinjection in geothermal fields assume a single reservoir with uniform transmissivity and storativity. However, there is evidence that the Cerro Prieto geothermal field is a two-reservoir system and that each reservoir has different hydraulic properties (Abril and Noble, 1979). Because two-reservoir fields have not been adequately studied, we will analyze the thermohydrological response of this kind of geothermal system to various alternative schemes of reinjection. We use parameters relevant to the Cerro Prieto system so that the results will be useful in planning future reinjection operations at this field.
Suboptimal control of glycemia, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol in overweight adults with diabetes: the Look AHEAD Study

Abstract Background The characteristics associated with meeting goals for glycemia, blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for participants with diabetes were examined. Methods Baseline information on demographics, medical history, and anthropometry, as well as on hemoglobin A1c, BP, and LDL cholesterol levels, was measured in 5145 participants of Look AHEAD, a multicenter randomized trial performed to determine whether long-term weight loss and increased physical fitness reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression was used to analyze these cross-sectional data to ascertain associations between participant characteristics and attainment of risk factor goals [hemoglobin A1c Results The study population had a mean age of 58.7 years and a mean body mass index of 36.0 kg/m 2 . Of the total number of participants, 59.5% were female, 36.8% were of ethnic/racial minority, and 87.3% were on diabetes medications. Upon enrollment, 45.8% had hemoglobin A1c Conclusion These data demonstrate that numerous baseline characteristics are associated with suboptimal control of these cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese adults with diabetes.
Phanerozoic thrusting in Proterozoic belt rocks, northwestern United States

Newly identified listric thrust faults show eastward translation north of the Lewis and Clark line across all 800 km of Belt terrane from Spokane, Washington, on the west to Glacier National Park on the east. Right-lateral slippage on the line was accompanied by clockwise rotation on the thrusts. These movements were probably in response to the complex plate interactions that began about 200 m.y. ago along the western continental margin. Gravity and magnetic data suggest that basement rock is involved in the thrusting. Reconcentration of strata-bound copper sulfides along bedding-plane shears may help form ore near one thrust. West of the Rocky Mountain Trench, Phanerozoic strata that elsewhere have oil and gas potential may have been stepped up by the thrusting, and eroded, rather than extending beneath most of the thrust belt.
Effect of glucocorticoids on the production of lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and alpha-fetoprotein by Morris hepatoma 7777 in vitro

Abstract Non-AFP-producing Morris hepatoma 7777 were treated with glucocorticoids in order to compare the responses for AFP production and for lactate and malate dehydrogenases. Steroid hormone treatment did not affect the production of AFP. However, there was an approximate tripling of levels of both LDH and MDH (cytosolic plus mitochondrial).
High resolution chromosome analysis: one and two parameter flow cytometry

Isolated mammalian chromosomes have been quantitatively classified by high resolution flow cytometry. Chinese hamster chromosomes stained with 33258 Hoechst and excited in the UV showed a fluorescence distribution in which the 14 types of Chinese hamster chromosomes were resolved into 16 groups seen as distinct peaks in the distributions. Chinese hamster chromosomes were also stained with both 33258 Hoechst (HO) and chromomycin A3 (CA3); the two dye contents were measured by selective excitation in the UV and at 458 nm in a dual beam flow cytometer. The resulting two parameter distribution (HO versus CA3) showed 10 chromosome groups1. Human strain LLL 761 chromosomes stained with HO and excited in the UV showed a fluorescence distribution in which the 23 types of human chromosomes were resolved into 12 groups. Human chromosomes stained with both HO and CA3 and measured in the dual beam flow cytometer produced two parameter fluorescence distributions which showed 20 groups. The chromosomes associated with each group were determined by quinacrine banding analysis of sorted chromosomes and by DNA cytophotometry of preidentified metaphase chromosomes. The relative HO and CA3 stain content and frequency of occurrence of chromosomes in each group were determined from the fluorescence distributions and compared to the results from DNA cytophotometry. The chromosome to chromosome variations in HO and CA3 staining are attributed to variations in chromosomal base composition.
Kinetic Model for Simulating the Evolution of Particle Size Distributions During Char Combustion

Abstract The details of a numerical simulation of particle size distribution evolution during ash-free char oxidation are presented. This work represents the first application of the population balance modeling approach to char combustion, and includes the effects of both oxidation and fragmentation. The simulation consists essentially of a transfer function 'hat determines the evolution of the entire char particle size distribution with lime. Determination of the input parameters to the model, and the sensitivity of the results to variations in these parameters are discussed.
Attempts to detect RNA tumour virus in human milk.

ONCORNAVIRUS-like morphological structures and particulate material containing RNA-directed DNA polymerase (RDP) activity in association with 70S RNA (commonly referred to as the simultaneous detection1) have been reported in some human milks2–7. However, other workers concluded from electron microscopic studies of human milk that the particles observed were probably cytoplasmic debris and not type-B or type-C virus particles8,9. In addition, the partially purified RDP activity of human milk differed in chromatographic behaviour from that of known animal oncornaviruses10. Thus, the viral origin of the RDP activity measured in human milk remains in doubt. We report here the occurrence of particulate RDP in association with high molecular weight RNA in a small number of human milk samples with no correlation with presence of oncornavirus particles by electron microscopy or with a family history of breast cancer. By contrast, we were able to correlate the presence of high molecular weight RNA and RDP activity with morphologically detectable type-B and type-C oncornaviruses from the milk of freshly trapped wild mice.