cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outing Heteronormativity in Interpersonal and Family Communication: Feminist Applications of Queer Theory “Beyond the Sexy Streets”

Within interpersonal and family communication, researchers have tended to construct and describe LGBTQ relationships in regard to a heterosexual norm. A review of recent research reveals the conceptual limitations of this framework, “outing” heteronormativity's influence on our understandings of nonheterosexual relationships. I outline the challenges of “queering” interpersonal and family communication research and argue that feminist theory can contribute to this process by (a) revealing the heteronormative assumptions perpetuated by dyadic models of communication, (b) challenging the public/private bifurcation, (c) complicating notions of identity, and (d) emphasizing intersectionality. The article concludes by discussing the implications a feminist queer perspective holds for interpersonal and family communication pedagogies and research.
The effect of phenobarbital on biliary lipid metabolism and hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in patients with cholesterol cholelithiasis.

Six patients with cholesterol cholelithiasis were studied before and after 3 weeks treatment with phenobarbital, 120 mg/day. The kinetics of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid and biliary lipid composition were not significantly affected by phenobarbital treatment although hepatic mixed-function oxidase was stimulated by the treatment as shown by increased breath output of 14 CO 2 after administration of [ 14 C]aminopyrine. It is concluded that treatment with phenobarbital is unlikely to be effective therapy for patients with cholesterol cholelithiasis.
Determinants of reduction in intended effort as a strategy for coping with anticipated failure

Abstract The present study investigated the use of reduction in intended effort as a strategy for protecting self-esteem from the threat of anticipated failure. It was hypothesized that people reduce the amount of effort they intend to exert when they expect a low probability of success on a highly ego-relevant task. Female subjects anticipated taking an easy (high probability of success) or difficult (low probability of success) test that was either high or low in ego relevance. Subjects' levels of intended effort and other task-relevant cognitions were assessed. It was found that subjects in the low-probability condition intended to exert less effort on the highly ego-relevant test than did subjects in the high-probability condition; probability of success had no effect on intended effort level on the low ego-relevance test. Subjects also reported that it was a worse day for a test in the low-probability condition than in the high-probability condition. The relevance of these findings to the egotism explanation of learned helplessness effects and general theories of motivation was discussed.
The effect of laser pulse duration on laser-induced damage in KDP and SiO2

We examine the effect of pulse duration on both density and morphology of laser-induced damage in KDP and SiO2. In both materials the density of damage sites scales with pulse duration to the ~ 0.4 power for 351-nm pulses between 1 and 10 ns. In SiO2 three types of damage sites are observed. The sizes of the largest of these sites as well as the size of KDP damage sites scale approximately linearly with pulse duration. Similarities of damage in very different materials points to properties of laser-induced damage which are material independent and give insight to the underlying physics of laser-induced damage.
Relationship between body and brain temperature in traumatically brain-injured rodents.

✓ Recent work has shown that mild to moderate levels of hypothermia may profoundly reduce the histological and biochemical sequelae of cerebral ischemic injury. In the present study, the authors examined the effect of fluid-percussion injury on brain temperature in anesthetized rats and the effect of anesthesia on brain temperature in uninjured rats. The relationship between the brain, rectal, and temporalis muscle temperatures during normothermia, hypothermia, and hyperthermia was studied following a moderate magnitude of fluid-percussion brain injury (2.10 to 2.25 atmospheres) in rats. The results showed that mean brain temperature in 10 anesthetized injured rats, in 21 anesthetized uninjured rats, and in 10 unanesthetized uninjured rats was a mean (± standard error of the mean) of 36.04° ± 0.20°C, 36.30° ± 0.08°C, and 37.95° ± 0.09°C, respectively. There was no significant difference in temperature under general anesthesia between injured and uninjured rats (p > 0.05). In the absence of brain injury, m...
An Integrative Genomics Approach to Biomarker Discovery in Breast Cancer

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified genetic variants associated with risk for breast cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms through which the identified variants confer risk or influence phenotypic expression remains poorly understood. Here, we present a novel integrative genomics approach that combines GWAS information with gene expression data to assess the combined contribution of multiple genetic variants acting within genes and putative biological pathways, and to identify novel genes and biological pathways that could not be identified using traditional GWAS. The results show that genes containing SNPs associated with risk for breast cancer are functionally related and interact with each other in biological pathways relevant to breast cancer. Additionally, we identified novel genes that are co-expressed and interact with genes containing SNPs associated with breast cancer. Integrative analysis combining GWAS information with gene expression data provides functional bridges between GWAS findings and biological pathways involved in breast cancer.
Data presentation in rodent stroke studies and the predictive value of confidence intervals.

The clinical failure of neuroprotective agents stems partly from inappropriate statistical presentation of preclinical data, which causes an overestimation of effect size and underpowered clinical studies. We searched for studies utilizing neuroprotective agents in a rodent middle cerebral artery occlusion model. We identified all experimental groups demonstrating statistically significant claims of neuroprotection within these studies and calculated the mean, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and meta-analyses of effect size for each agent. The lower limits of the CI (LLCI) of effect size were less than 0.2 in 161/221 (73%) of all experimental groups, corresponding to small effects. After meta-analysis, 29/60 (48%) and 11/18 (61%) of the agents had an effect size LLCI < 0.2 for infarct volume and neurological function, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the preclinical neuroprotective effect size of many of these drugs is small, although that of neurological function is smaller and is thus a more conservative and appropriate estimate of effect.
Numerical solution of calcium-mediated dendritic branch model

The standard algorithms for spatial discretizations of calcium-mediated dendritic branch models via finite difference methods are quite accurate, but they are also extremely slow. To improve computational efficiency we apply spatial discretization using a spectral collocation method. Simulations using the spectral collocation method are compared to the finite difference approach using a model for calcium-mediated restructuring with spine pruning. We find that the spectral collocation method is about fifteen times more efficient to achieve similar accuracy than the finite difference approach even though spectral collocation requires more steps.
Nonlinear oscillators with constant time delay by

Abstract A particular family of electronic oscillators uses an amplifier with a feedback path consisting of a network that provides constant time delay for any signal. Oscillation may occur when the total phase shift around the feedback loop is a multiple of 2π radians and the net amplification is unity.For a system composed of ideal elements, oscillation may take place at an infinity of frequencies.Several systems of this type are discussed here.The amplifier is allowed to be ideal and linear, to saturate and be nonlinear, and to have simple low-pass properties. Somewhat different kinds of operation occur in these various cases. Mathematical analysis requires the use of nonlinear differential-difference equations, and a modification of the method of variation of parameters is used in their solution.
Chile: mudança política e inserção internacional, 1964-1997

This article analyses the last three decades of Chilean foreign policy, having as background the country's internal situation and its reflects on Chile's international insertion. By doing that, it emphasises the import of the relation democracy-foreign policy and, mainly, the elements of continuity and change that affect this relation during the last thirty years.
Phenotypic Differences in Cytokine Responsiveness of Hypertrophic Scar Versus Normal Dermal Fibroblasts

The alteration of normal dermal fibroblast function that leads to the development of hypertrophic scar after thermal injury is unknown. To determine functional differences that might explain this process, fibroblasts were cultured from biopsies of post-thermal injury mature hypertrophic scars and patient-matched normal skin. The mitogenic responses of scar cells to fetal bovine serum, epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) were determined and compared to normal skin cells. Collagen synthetic rate was also compared in the presence and absence of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1). Whereas both scar and normal cells responded with increased thymidine uptake to serum and cytokines, the stimulation to EGF and serum was significantly lower in scar cells. In contrast, synthesis of collagen, but not of non-collagenous proteins, was increased in scar relative to normal cells, both basally and when stimulated with low doses of TGF beta 1. Additionally, the fraction of protein synthesized as collagen was significantly higher in scar fibroblasts. These results suggest that fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars demonstrate stable phenotypic differences in cytokine responsiveness in comparison to cells from unaffected skin. The increased rate of collagen synthesis and decreased responsiveness to mitogens are consistent with the increased extracellular matrix content and decreased cellularity of hypertrophic scars.
Gamma knife radiosurgery of imaging-diagnosed intracranial meningioma

Abstract Purpose To evaluate tumor control and outcome from radiosurgery of meningiomas diagnosed by imaging without pathologic verification. Methods and materials A total of 219 meningiomas diagnosed by imaging criteria underwent gamma knife radiosurgery to a median marginal tumor dose of 14 Gy (range 8.9–20), a median treatment volume of 5.0 cm 3 (range 0.47–56.5), and a median maximal dose of 28 Gy (range 22–50). The median follow-up was 29 months (range 2–164). Results Tumor progression developed in 7 cases, 2 of which turned out to be different tumors (metastatic nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma and chondrosarcoma). One tumor was controlled, but the development of other brain metastases suggested a different diagnosis. The actuarial tumor control rate was 93.2% ± 2.7% at 5 and 10 years. The actuarial rate of identifying a diagnosis other than meningioma was 2.3% ± 1.4% at 5 and 10 years. The actuarial rate of developing any postradiosurgical injury reaction was 8.8% ± 3.0% at 5 and 10 years. No pretreatment variables correlated with tumor control in univariate or multivariate analysis. The risk of postradiosurgery sequelae was lower (5.3% ± 2.3%) in patients treated after 1991 (with stereotactic MRI and lower doses; p = 0.0104) and tended to increase with treatment volume ( p = 0.0537). Conclusion Radiosurgery of meningioma diagnosed by imaging without tissue confirmation is associated with a high rate of tumor control and acceptable morbidity but carries a small risk (2.3%) of an incorrect diagnosis.
Synthesis and crystallographic characterization of a ‘palladadehydrobenzo[19]annulene’

Abstract The trans-palladium bis(σ-acetylide) complex (Et3P)2Pd(C30H12) (2) was synthesized from hexane 4 in 77% yield via a simple three-step process. The X-ray crystal structure of 2 shows a strained and warped annulenic core upon insertion of the organometallic fragment. UV–vis data of the molecule suggest limited electronic delocalization throughout the metallacycle.
The Collaboration Decision in Nonprofit Organizations Views From the Front Line

To understand the impact of collaborative service delivery by nonprofit organizations, scholars must fully understand why those nonprofits enter into service delivery collaborations and what motivates them to collaborate with another organization to deliver their services. Drawing on managers’ retrospective accounts concerning the creation of interagency collaborations and applying multiple theoretical perspectives, this article explores what managers directly involved in collaborations perceive to be the rewards or benefits of those collaborations. This research demonstrates the multiple forces driving the formation of interagency collaborations, in particular the desire to secure benefits attached to service delivery and to secure benefits for the organization as a whole. Understanding why nonprofit managers enter into interagency service delivery collaborations will allow for scholars to better determine the full impact of those collaborations on both services and the nonprofit organizations engaged in...
Wave driven magnetic reconnection in the Taylor problem

An improved Laplace transform theory is developed in order to investigate the initial response of a stable slab plasma equilibrium enclosed by conducting walls to a suddenly applied wall perturbation in the so-called Taylor problem. The novel feature of this theory is that it does not employ asymptotic matching. If the wall perturbation is switched on slowly compared to the Alfven time then the plasma response eventually asymptotes to that predicted by conventional asymptotic matching theory. However, at early times there is a compressible Alfven wave driven contribution to the magnetic reconnection rate which is not captured by asymptotic matching theory, and leads to a significant increase in the reconnection rate. If the wall perturbation is switched on rapidly compared to the Alfven time then strongly localized compressible Alfven wave-pulses are generated which bounce backward and forward between the walls many times. Each instance these wave-pulses cross the resonant surface they generate a transient surge in the reconnection rate. The maximum pulse driven reconnection rate can be much larger than that predicted by conventional asymptotic matching theory.
Mode-II Fatigue Fracture of Wood-Composite Bonded Interfaces

In this paper, the shear mode (mode-II) fatigue fracture of wood-FRP bonded interfaces using a unique linear tapered end-notched flexure (TENF) specimen is presented. A tapered beam on elastic foundation (TBEF) model developed for design and analysis of the TENF specimens is first reviewed. A combined analytical and experimental fracture mechanics method is developed to evaluate the fatigue fracture behavior of wood-FRP bonded interfaces under mode-II constant cyclic loading conditions. By applying the compliance method with the unique feature of TENF specimen (i.e., a constant compliance rate change) and modifying the original Paris Law equation, the fatigue fracture behavior of wood- FRP interface under Mode-II loading is effectively evaluated. The possible effects of loading variables (i.e., load ratio, waveform, and frequency) on crack propagation rate are investigated. Both the load ratio and frequency have shown pronounced influences on crack propagation rate; while the waveform has negligible effec...
A chaotic circuit demo for communications

This article demonstrates the chaos synchronization as a laboratory experiment to support the fact that chaotic signals can be utilized for a secure communication system. This chaotic signal is obtained between transmitter and the receiver and the extractor circuit determines the BER. The chaos synchronization is used for coherent detection of message signal. The modulator-demodulator circuit is implemented with discrete components to study the effect of chaos extractor circuit and digital information signal. Thus the security is better at higher complexity level. The experiment shows the ability to achieve the chaos synchronization at the hardware level.
Products of Characters and Finite P-Groups II

Let p be a prime number. Let G be a finite p-group and $ \chi \in \textrm{Irr}(G) $ . Denote by $ \overline{\chi} \in \textrm{Irr}(G) $ the complex conjugate of $ \chi $ . Assume that $ \chi(1) = p^n $ . We show that the number of distinct irreducible constituents of the product $ \chi \, \overline{\chi} $ is at least $ 2n(p-1) + 1 $ .
The Effect of Modifications of the Charged Residues in the Transmembrane Helices on the Transport Activity of the Melibiose Carrier of Escherichia coli

The melibiose transport carrier of Escherichia coli (coded by melB gene) is a cotransport system which couples the transport of a-galactosides to protons, sodium, or lithium ions. The charged amino acid residues in membrane-spanning helices are of considerable interest because many of them have important function in substrate recognition. In most cases changing these charged residue to an uncharged residue (cysteine) results in total loss of activity. In this communication we describe experiments in which the cysteine substitution for a charged residue was chemically changed by sulfhydryl reagents (MTSEA and MTSET to restore a positive charge and MTSES a negative charge) or by iodoacetic acid or through oxidation by hydrogen peroxide so as to regain the original negative charge. In two cases (D55C and D124C) the reconstructed negative charges via the oxidation of the thiol to the sulfinic and/or sulfonic acid resulted in partial recovery of transport: D55C up to 27% of the normal and D124C up to 4% of the normal in melibiose accumulation; D55C up to 36% of the normal and D124 up to 4.5% of the normal in downhill transport. Sulfhydryl reagents and iodoacetic acid failed to recover transport in all cases. We infer that the configurations of the charges as well as the structure of the side chains that carry them are critical in the maintenance of the transport.
Managing the firm‐regulator relationship

This paper sets out to examine, on an elemental basis, the key mechanisms and techniques which could be used to build up a management relationship with a firm's regulator. It is aimed at being both a reminder for the more seasoned hands and a guide for new starts. As with most subjects of this nature its purpose is to increase awareness of the importance of compliance and its various techniques for success.
Analysis of Rotary-Vane Two-Phase Refrigeration Expanders: Geometric and Thermodynamic Modeling

Increasing the coefficient of performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system may be manifested by utilizing work-recovering expansion devices that lower the enthalpy of the refrigerant obtained at the inlet of the evaporator. This paper presents a comprehensive component-level model of a two-phase circular rotaryvane expander employed in a vapor compression refrigeration system as a throttle valve replacement. The model establishes the performance of the expander as a function of design and fluid parameters. Geometric and kinematic characteristics of the expander are used in conjunction with refrigerant properties to evaluate the thermodynamic state of the refrigerant in the expander cells as a function of angular displacement. Comparisons of the predicted built-in (geometric) volume ratio of the expander and the expansion process volume ratio that the saturated refrigerant undergoes are made. Directions for future work are also discussed.
Lactose-Functionalized Dendrimers Arbitrate the Interaction of Galectin-3/MUC1 Mediated Cancer Cellular Aggregation

By using lactose-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as a tunable multivalent platform, we studied cancer cell aggregation in three different cell lines (A549, DU-145, and HT-1080) with galectin-3. We found that small lactose-functionalized G(2)-dendrimer 1 inhibited galectin-3-induced aggregation of the cancer cells. In contrast, dendrimer 4 (a larger, generation 6 dendrimer with 100 carbohydrate end groups) caused cancer cells to aggregate through a galectin-3 pathway. This study indicates that inhibition of cellular aggregation occurred because 1 provided competitive binding sites for galectin-3 (compared to its putative cancer cell ligand, TF-antigen on MUC1). Dendrimer 4, in contrast, provided an excess of ligands for galectin-3 binding; this caused crosslinking and aggregation of cells to be increased.
A systematic investigation of the synthetic utility of glycopeptide glycosyltransferases.

Glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of bacterial secondary metabolites may be useful for the generation of sugar-modified analogues of bioactive natural products. Some glycosyltransferases have relaxed substrate specificity, and it has been assumed that promiscuity is a feature of the class. As part of a program to explore the synthetic utility of these enzymes, we have analyzed the substrate selectivity of glycosyltransferases that attach similar 2-deoxy-l-sugars to glycopeptide aglycons of the vancomycin-type, using purified enzymes and chemically synthesized TDP β-2-deoxy-l-sugar analogues. We show that while some of these glycopeptide glycosyltransferases are promiscuous, others tolerate only minor modifications in the substrates they will handle. For example, the glycosyltransferases GtfC and GtfD, which transfer 4-epi-l-vancosamine and l-vancosamine to C-2 of the glucose unit of vancomycin pseudoaglycon and chloroorienticin B, respectively, show moderately relaxed donor substrate speci...
Conjunctiva Contains Factor Inhibiting Growth of Candida albicans

Intact conjunctiva and conjunctival extracts have a strong inhibitory effect upon Candida albicans. The fungistatic effect is not attributable to antimetabolic action and is not caused by lysozyme or tears, neither of which inhibit growth and viability of Candida albicans.
Comparison of a Reality Orientation Program for Geriatric Patients With and Without Music

Reality orientation (RO) is a technique used with patients exhibiting confused or disoriented behavior. The purpose of RO is to reverse or halt confusion, social withdrawal, and apathy characteristic of elderly institutionalized patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a traditional versus music-based RO program. Eight residents of the Chateau de Notre Dame Nursing Home were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. A pretest was administered to identify any significant differences in RO and behavior functioning between the two groups. The specific goals and objectives for the RO program were then formulated from information gathered on the pretest. The experimental group received two 30-minute music-based RO sessions a week for 8 weeks, while the control group received the same number of traditional RO sessions without music. Upon completion of the treatment, the posttest was administered to each subject. A two-way "mixed effects" analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. A significant interaction (p less than .05) was found between the groups and the treatment condition, with the control group remaining at the same level across trials and the group receiving the music-based RO showing marked improvement.
Social Research as a Communications System

The process of social research conisists in abstracting certain features from the environment and reconstituting them in a statement of interrelationships. The large scope of many research efforts and the unreliability of many techniques makes exact transmission of the original facts to a final statement practically impossible. The logical stability or systems approach is demonstrated in such aspects of social research as questionnaire construction, scaling, statistical measures and the use of theory.
Cultural Alienation in Today's Multinational Work Arenas: Behavioral Fallout from Globalization

The rapidly growing presence of multinational enterprises has brought forth a plethora of intra-organizational issues. Alienation is one such issue heard as a frequent refrain in business press reports and often describes the experience of employees who find themselves in mixed cultural work arenas. This is a condition of malaise associated mainly with feeling not integrated into the dominant culture of the organization.
Optimum design of space structures with active and passive damping

This paper investigates the effects of passive damping on the optimum structural design with active controllers. An integrated design of structure and active control system is performed. The minimum weight design is obtained by imposing constraints on the closed-loop damping and the imaginary part of the closed-loop eigenvalues of the active control system. The mathematical optimization problem is solved by using the NEWSUMT-A program, which is based on quadratic extended interior penalty function method. The ACOSS-FOUR model is selected for the numerical studies. The active control effort, performance index, and optimum weights are presented as a function of the passive damping.
Solar flare neutron production and the angular dependence of the capture gamma-ray emission

The depth dependence of the production of neutrons and capture gamma-ray line emission are calculated by Monte Carlo simulation of the nuclear processes taking place when flare-accelerated ions interact with the solar atmosphere. The calculations also give the heliocentric-angular dependence of the 2.223 MeV neutron capture line emission as a function of accelerated-ion energy spectrum and angular distribution. These results are compared with observations to determine the energy spectrum shape and total ion number for various flares.
Left atrial isomerism: Clinicopathologic findings in a 14‐year‐old boy

Visceral heterotaxy syndromes have been associated with complex congenital heart disease and several attempts have been made to classify these lesions. One area of controversy that remains is the existence of atrial isomerism. In this case report we provide definite anatomic evidence of the existence of left atrial isomerism, wherein both the atria have smooth walls, finger-like appendages, and absence of the pectinate muscles and sinus node. Clin. Anat. 16:331–334, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with high coercivity

Single crystalline CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with high coercivity were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method. The shape and size of the nanocrystals (in the range of 20–100 nm) can be controlled by varying synthesis parameters such as the concentration of NaOH and CTAB. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectra analysis confirmed that all the as-synthesized nanoparticles have a face centered cubic spinel crystal structure. HRTEM observation of particles shows interlayer spacing 0.48 nm of (111) lattice planes. A coercive force up to 5.0 kOe and saturation magnetization of 73 emu/g was achieved at room temperature for the 40 nm CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
Exterior-Point Method for Support Vector Machines

We present an exterior-point method (EPM) for training dual-soft margin support vector machines (SVMs). The EPM stems from nonlinear rescaling and augmented Lagrangian methods and allows iterates to approach the solution of a constrained nonlinear optimization problem from the exterior of the feasible set. Furthermore, the EPM produces and solves a well-conditioned system of linear equations at each iteration; thus, avoiding numerical inaccuracies that can occur when solving ill-conditioned systems. Therefore, the EPM may be an attractive alternative to existing quadratic programming solvers for training SVMs. We report numerical results for training the SVM with the EPM on data up to several thousand data points from the UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository.
643 Predictors of Renal Function Improvement Following Implantation of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose: Chronic renal failure requiring dialysis has traditionally been an exclusion criterion for mechanical circulatory support in clinical trials and in clinical practice. Nephrology is actively involved in our VAD program and has been supportive of VADs in chronic dialysis patients. Outcomes with outpatient dialysis of VAD patients have not been described. We describe a single center experience with pre-existing chronic dialysis on VAD patients as a bridge to transplant. Methods and Materials: All VAD patients on chronic dialysis pre-VAD at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center were included. There have been no destination therapy patients on dialysis pre-VAD. Outcomes of interest include survival to transplant or 11/10/10, length of stay post-VAD, duration of support on dialysis, readmission rates, and ability to wean off dialysis. Results: 5 patients on chronic dialysis prior to VAD for 433 265 days have been implanted with a HM II with a length of stay of 22 8 days. All 5 have either survived to transplant or are on ongoing support for a duration of VAD support of 159 94 days. 3 patients were on hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. One patient was successfully weaned from dialysis 9 days post VAD and another did not require any dialysis post-VAD. Neither required renal transplant. The 3 patients who remained on dialysis post-VAD were supported for 110 66 days. There were only 4 re-admissions in 3 patients at 115 134 days post-VAD for a driveline infection, peritonitis, VT, and weakness. After the initial discharge, patients remained outpatients 97 3% of total days. Conclusions: 1) Carefully selected ESRD patients on dialysis may be suitable VAD candidates. 2) Peritoneal dialysis can be performed safely if no surgical invasion of the peritoneum occurs. 3) Outpatient hemodialysis can be safely performed on continuous flow VADs. 4) Outcomes, readmission rates, and length of stay appear to be similar to those reported in the literature for patients without ESRD. 5) After the initial discharge, 97% of days are spent out of hospital in VAD patients on dialysis
Overlap of Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Objectives: To review common features seen in fibromyalgia, myofascial pain and chronic fatigue syndrome. Method: Informed literature review. Results: Important common features are seen in these apparent disparate syndromes. Conclusion: The striking similarity between these syndromes provides insight into potential pathogenic and treatment options.
Osteotomies in the posterior-only treatment of complex adult spinal deformity: a comparative review

In addressing adult spinal deformities through a posterior approach, the surgeon now may choose from among a variety of osteotomy techniques. The Ponte or Smith-Petersen osteotomy provides the least correction, but it can be used at multiple levels with minimal blood loss and a lower operative risk. Pedicle subtraction osteotomies provide nearly 3 times the per-level correction of Ponte/Smith-Petersen osteotomies but carry increased technical demands, longer operative time, and greater blood loss and associated morbidity. Vertebral column resections serve as the most powerful method, providing the most correction in the coronal and sagittal planes, but posing both the greatest technical challenge and the greatest risk to the patient in terms of possible neurological injury, operative time, and potential morbidity. The authors reviewed the literature relating to these osteotomy methods. They also provided case illustrations and suggestions for their proper application.
An inexpensive and portable talking-tactile terminal for the visually handicapped

The visually handicapped computer user or programmer is faced with a very difficult task in interfacing with computing hardware. The types of equipment currently available for this purpose fall into one of several general categories: expensive, nonportable, and domain-specific. In the current paper, we describe a new terminal device designed specifically for the visually handicapped that answers all of the problems mentioned above. The work is already under way, with a prototype model is currently in use by a visually handicapped programmer on the development team. In the remainder of this paper we will present a report on the current status of our project as well as plans and milestones for future work.
Amine gradient process for 157-nm lithography

To accomplish minimizing feature size to sub 70nm, 157nm photolithography becomes a strong candidate as a new lithographic technology. However, there is a strong need for new photoresists, which are transparent to 157nm light sources. To have a transparency for 157nm light source, fluorinated organic polymers are studied intensively. As a result, there are some of polymers that have absorbance of 2/micrometers . However, in spite of this low absorbance of 2micrometers , resist profile simulation tells us bulk slope problems. TO obtain more than 85 degree of resist pattern profile, the absorbance of resist must be 1.2micrometers . The absorbance of 1.2micrometers is very difficult target to accomplish. To overcome this light absorption problem, we have developed amine gradient resist process (AGRP) which gives an amine gradient in photoresist and can make a vertical profile though the resist has poor transparency to light source. By adding chromophore that absorbs 193nm wavelength, we made model ArF resists of which absorbances were from 1.2micrometers to 4micrometers . By patterning experiment using these model resists and 193nm scanner, we could confirm that the resist absorbance should be lower than 1.2micrometers to obtain vertical profile pattern at the resist thickness of 150nm. But if we use AGRP, the absorbance of 2.5micrometers will be enough value for the vertical profile pattern. So we could conclude that by combining 157nm resists and amine gradient process, resist absorbance problem in 157nm photolithography could be solved. We also studied for the resist properties that were suitable for AGRP.
psbA mutation (Asn266 to Thr) in Senecio vulgaris L. confers resistance to several PS II-inhibiting herbicides.

DNA sequence analysis of the psbA gene encoding the D1 protein of photosystem II (PS II), the target site of PS II-inhibiting herbicides, identified a point mutation (Asn266 to Thr) in a bromoxynil-resistant Senecio vulgaris L. population collected from peppermint fields in Oregon. Although this mutation has been previously reported in Synechocystis, this is the first report of this particular point mutation in a higher plant exhibiting resistance to PS II-inhibiting herbicides. The resistant population displayed high-level resistance to bromoxynil and terbacil (R/S ratio 10.1 and 9.3, respectively) and low-level resistance to metribuzin and hexazinone (R/S ratio 4.2 and 2.6, respectively) when compared with the susceptible population. However, the population was not resistant to the triazine herbicides atrazine and simazine or to the urea herbicide diuron. A chlorophyll fluorescence assay confirmed the resistance levels and patterns of cross-resistance of the whole-plant studies. The resistant S. vulgaris plants produced fewer seeds. Differences in cross-resistance patterns to PS II-inhibiting herbicides and the difference in fitness cost could be exploited in a weed management program. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparing active delay and procrastination from a self-regulated learning perspective

Abstract Researchers have proposed that the act of postponing academic work may be divided into a traditional definition of procrastination, viewed as maladaptive, and adaptive forms of delay. Adaptive forms of delay may be more consistent with certain facets of self-regulated learning. The current study investigated this issue by examining whether the relations between aspects of self-regulated learning and active delay may be distinct from the relations these aspects of self-regulated learning have with procrastination. Among 206 undergraduates, procrastination was positively predicted by mastery-avoidance goals and negatively by metacognitive strategy usage, whereas active delay was negatively predicted by avoidance goals and positively by self-efficacy. Furthermore, students who reported higher levels of active delay also received better grades. These findings provide support that active delay is a distinct form of delay from procrastination that may be more positive due to its associations with some adaptive self-regulatory processes and academic achievement.
A Phase I trial of weekly docetaxel and topotecan for solid tumors

Background/Aims. Topotecan and docetaxel are active agents in the treatment of various malignant diseases. Both drugs cause dose-limiting hematologic toxicity. This study defines the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity of weekly topotecan when administered in combination with docetaxel 25 mg/m2 given day 1, 8,15 every 28 days. Methods. Thirteen patients were enrolled. Median age was 62 years. Majority of the patients had lung cancer. Results. The maximum tolerated dose was docetaxel 25 mg/m2 and topotecan 3 mg/m2 administered weekly. Dose-limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia. Eight patients developed at least grade 3 neutropenia in all cycles. Non-hematologic toxicities were mild. No objective responses were noted. Two patients with non-small cell lung cancer had stable disease as a best response. Conclusion. Combination docetaxel and topotecan given weekly is tolerable. The recommended phase II dose is docetaxel 25 mg/m2 and topotecan 3 mg/m2 day 1, 8, 15 every 28 days.
All-Optical Magnetometer based on Magnetite Core-Polymer Shell Nanocomposite Material

An all-optical magnetometer has been constructed based on magnetite core polymer shell nanocomposite material. A noise equivalent magnetic field sensitivity of 5 nT/?Hz was observed using a 1 ?T 500 Hz control magnetic field.
Frequency discrimination near masked threshold

Frequency DLs (Δf) at 1000 Hz were obtained in quiet and under masking conditions similar to those used in pitch-shift experiments, narrow-band noise at levels of 60, 80, and 100 dB SPL and tones at 15 dB SL or less. The Δfs were obtained by means of a tracking task in which the S controlled the input voltage to a frequency modulator. Characteristic improvement was seen when Δf was plotted as a function of sensation level. However, noise level itself was a significant factor, with more intense noise resulting in larger Δfs for tones of equal sensation level re masked threshold. This departure from previous findings is attributed to the signal and noise levels used, although the possibility exists that it is due to the use of modulated tones.
Effect of electron–phonon coupling on the double-exchange interaction

Abstract A simple, exactly solvable three-site Mn–O–Mn model is studied to extend the Anderson–Hasegawa treatment of double exchange (DEX) to include the effects of the electron–lattice coupling. The treatment being an exact solution includes both the so-called static and dynamical Jahn–Teller effects, as appropriate for the magnetoresistive manganites. It is shown that the DEX interaction energy J DEX is considerably reduced, by about a factor of three for parameters relevant to La 1− x Ca x MnO 3 . The angle dependence of J DEX is also altered from the Anderson–Hasegawa t cos (θ/2) form. Interestingly, in the strong electron–lattice coupling limit, the angular dependence reduces to the Heisenberg form J DEX ∼cos θ . An oxygen isotope exponent of α ≈0.15–0.20 for the shift of the Curie temperature T C , consistent with experiments, is obtained and an isotope shift of about 1–2% for the ferromagnetic spin-wave stiffness is predicted for the first time.
Mechanism of Calcium Oscillations in Fertilized Rabbit Eggs

Changes in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) occur at regular intervals following fertilization in eggs of all mammalian species studied to date. To investigate the mechanisms of their generation, rabbit eggs were injected with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 dextran. [Ca2+]i oscillations were associated with fertilization (n = 10) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3;IICR) appears to participate in their generation because injection of heparin (100 mg/ml in the pipette), a competitive InsP3 receptor antagonist, blocked or considerably delayed the fertilization [Ca2+]i rises in all eggs (8/8). Injection of guanosine 5'-0-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta[S]), a G-protein antagonist, which possibly reduced the production of InsP3, also resulted in inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillations (n = 7). Ca2+ injection-induced Ca2+ release in fertilized eggs was observed by injection of CaCl2, which evoked intracellular Ca2+ release in all oscillating eggs (n = 14), but only in a few late fertilization stage nonoscillating eggs (7/19 eggs) and in none of the unfertilized eggs (n = 11). Injection of InsP3 (5 microM) between fertilization [Ca2+]i rises also elicited Ca2+ responses that were similar in peak [Ca2+]i to the fertilization [Ca2+]i rises (n = 5). In unfertilized eggs, injection of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP[S]; 5-20 mM), a stimulator of G-proteins, induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. CaCl2 injections, delivered between GTP[S]-induced [Ca2+]i rises, resulted in increased Ca2+ responses in 5/7 eggs. The results of this study indicate that IICR participates in the generation of fertilization-associated [Ca2+]i rises and that Ca2+ injection-induced Ca2+ release appears to be stimulated by a product of the phosphoinositide pathway. Furthermore, the time to reach threshold levels of InsP3 may dictate the periodicity of fertilization [Ca2+]i rises in rabbit eggs.
Cancellation of infrared divergences in massive-quark potential scattering

We present a proof of the cancellation of infrared divergences in the potential scattering of a massive quark when a sum is performed over soft-gluon emission. The proof applies to quantum chromodynamics and works to all orders in perturbation theory.
A rare cause of seizures, parkinsonian, and cerebellar signs: brain calcinosis secondary to thyroidectomy.

Context: Post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism presenting with Parkinsonian features and seizures with extensive intracranial calcifications is uncommon. Acquired intracranial calcification that affects structures other than the basal ganglia is rare. Case Report: We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of total thyroidectomy who presented with Parkinsonian features, cerebellar signs, and seizures. Brain imaging revealed extensive intracranial calcifications secondary to long-standing hypoparathyroidism. The patient was treated with intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate therapy and shifted to oral calcium and calcitriol therapy. Her symptoms improved markedly. At four months of follow up, the patient had not suffered another episode of seizure and was being gradually weaned off anti-Parkinsonian therapy. Conclusion: This case describes the rare finding of extensive intracranial calcifications in a case of iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism secondary to thyroidectomy with its wide array of features and its remarkable response to restoration of calcium levels to normal limits.
Is there a code for protein–DNA recognition? Probab(ilistical)ly…

Summary Transcriptional regulation of all genes is initiated by the specificbindingofregulatoryproteinscalledtranscription factors to specific sites on DNA called promoter regions. Transcription factors employ a variety of mechanisms to recognise their DNA target sites. In the last few decades, attempts have been made to describe these mechanisms by general sets of rules and associated models. We give an overview of these models, starting with a historical review of the somewhat controversial issue of a ‘‘recognition code’’ governing protein–DNA interaction. We then present a probabilistic framework in which advantages and disadvantages of various models can be discussed. Finally, we conclude that simplifying assumptions about additivity of interactions are sufficiently justified in many situations (and can be suitably extended in other situations)toallowaunifyingconceptofa‘‘probabilisticcode’’ for protein–DNA recognition to be defined. BioEssays 24:466–475, 2002. 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinetic effects on trace element partitioning

A potential difficulty regarding the application of trace element abundance data to problems in igneous petrogenesis is related to the possibility that partitioning of trace elements among minerals and melt may not be an equilibrium process. It may rather be controlled by kinetic processes, specifically the interplay between crystal growth and diffusion of the trace elements in crystals and melt. The present investigation has the objective to quantify kinetic effects on trace element partitioning. Crystals of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase were grown rapidly from synthetic melts resembling naturally-occurring mafic melts and doped with La, Sm, and Lu to quantify the magnitude of the effect of crystal growth rate on concentration of excluded trace elements. Olivine melt partitioning failed to show any appreciable kinetic effects, while diopside/melt distribution coefficients increased by 70 percent when the crystals grew very rapidly.
Chapter 5: AN EVALUATION OF ASSAY PROCEDURES FOR DETECTION OF TUMOR PROMOTORS

Cancer appears to be the result of a series of complex biological events of which only the first may involve the genome of a somatic cell. These events originate from endogenous as well as exogenous factors. Among the endogenous factors are the genetic, endocrine and immunologic constitution of the host. The exogenous factors include nutrition, exposure to environmental chemicals, and possible viral infection and are often identified as cocarcinogenic factors (Sivak, 1979; Clayson, 1981). Since these modifying factors are among the critical ones in determining whether a cancer .will arise and threaten its host, the identification o f tumor-promoting agents would be an important public health strategy for the prevention of cancer (Falk, 1976). Tumor promotion is one phenomenon under the rubric of cocarcinogenesis that has been demonstrated in several organ systems in experimental animals and for which strong circumstantial evidence is available that it occurs in humans (Boutwell, 1974; Slaga et al., 1978; Weinstein et al., 1975; Diamond et al., 1978, 1980). In
Recognition and Integration of Multiple Environmental Signals by the Bacterial Sensor Kinase PhoQ

Summary Two-component regulatory systems are commonly used by bacteria to sense and respond to their environment. In Molecular Cell , Prost et al. describe how low pH activates the Salmonella PhoQ sensor kinase, building on their previous demonstration that the PhoQ periplasmic domain senses magnesium and antimicrobial peptides. These findings are likely to be broadly applicable for understanding how bacteria recognize and transduce the multiple signals characteristic of their complex extracellular environments.