cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy on ventilator dependency in surfactant-substituted preterm infants.

We examined 26 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome in a randomized controlled prospective study to determine whether early postnatal dexamethasone therapy (< 2h ; 0.5 mg/kg per day) over 5 days in addition to substitution of surfactant (100 mg/kg) facilitates extubation and the course of RDS. Control (n =12) and treated (n =14) groups were comparable in birthweight (mean ± SD : 1219 ± 292 versus 1446 ± 442 g), gestational age (29.3 ± 2.2 versus 30.6 ± 2.7 weeks), prenatal characteristics and initial respiratory and blood gas parameters. In both groups one infant died. Infants in the dexamethasone group responded better to surfactant (12/14 versus 3/12 ; p < 0.01), were extubated earlier (6.6 versus 14.2 days ; p < 0.02) and required less time on supplemental oxygen (4.2 versus 12.5 days ; p < 0.02). Pulmonary complications tended to be lower in the dexamethasone group (1/14 versus 4/12), as was the frequency ofretinopathy (2/14 versus 6/12 ;p < 0.05). We conclude that early postnatal dexamethasone therapy improves response to surfactant therapy resulting in better weaning and earlier extubation in premature infants. Dexamethasone preterm infants, respiratory distress sydrome, retinophany, surfactant, ventilator dependency
Introduction: Using a multifactorial approach in assessing and treating the high-risk patient

P cardiology requires identifying those patients who will most likely experience cardiovascular events and implementing a treatment strategy that addresses their overall risk for disease rather than considering isolated individual risk factors. Increasingly, clinicians appreciate that cardiovascular risk factors work in tandem. Using this combined information can provide a more accurate picture of the patient’s cardiovascular risk and can help guide treatment decisions. Results from clinical trials provide strong evidence that aggressive risk factor management is effective in preventing coronary artery disease (CAD). In the first article, Dr. John A. Farmer and I discuss a recent landmark trial, the Heart Protection Study (HPS), which reported significant reductions in the risks for major vascular events with treatment using a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin). A groundbreaking aspect of this trial was its use of high coronary risk as its major inclusion criterion, rather than the presence or absence of any single risk factor. These data are not only likely to influence the future of cardiovascular disease prevention but also to provide new insights into the treatment of elderly patients, women, and those with noncoronary vascular disease. Drs. Robert S. Rosenson and Wolfgang Koenig note that markers of inflammation, such as fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and cytokines, are novel measures that may improve the prediction of CAD risk. Fibrinogen and CRP, for example, have both been associated with CAD mortality in patients with stable angina. High-sensitivity CRP and fibrinogen also have prognostic value in patients with unstable angina. The high-sensitivity assay for CRP may help identify patients in a high-risk inflammatory state who would likely benefit from interventions such as aspirin. Some fibrates will decrease fibrinogen levels. Statin therapy reduces the risk in clinical trials and lowers circulating levels of CRP, perhaps independently of its effects on lipids. Until well-designed clinical trials confirm that inflammation can be a target for coronary disease prevention, however, these should be considered as hypothesis-generating anti-inflammatory effects. As Drs. MacRae F. Linton and Sergio Fazio write, the new guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) attribute high-risk status to several groups, including those with any form of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or multiple risk factors. With the widespread prevalence of the metabolic syndrome—a high-risk condition characterized by mild hypertension, mild dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and visceral obesity—clinicians may be faced with the challenge of implementing aggressive risk reduction therapies in as much as 30% of the adult US population.
Millimeter-Wave 60 GHz Outdoor and Vehicle AOA Propagation Measurements Using a Broadband Channel Sounder

Millimeter wave (mm-wave) channel models for outdoor wireless systems with adaptive antennas are needed to exploit the massive bandwidths available at frequencies above 30 GHz. In this paper, we describe 60 GHz wideband propagation measurements in cellular peer-to-peer outdoor environments and in-vehicle scenarios. We present a channel sounder that operates at 38 and 60 GHz with a passband bandwidth of 1.9 GHz. The channel sounder provides sub-ns RMS delay spread measurement resolution and angle-of-arrival (AOA) capabilities. AOA multipath measurements for cellular peer-to-peer communications in an outdoor campus setting show that in all measured locations, some non-Line of Sight (NLOS) antenna orientations can exploit beamforming to create links using scattering in the channel. Measurements using rotating directional antennas in NLOS antenna pointing scenarios found links with up to 36.6 ns RMS delay spread and an average propagation path loss exponent of 4.19, whereas LOS channels provided sub-nanosecond RMS delay spreads and an average path loss exponent of 2.23 (close to free space). Measurements into a vehicle showed similarities to outdoor peer-to-peer environments for LOS channels, but in NLOS situations there was significantly greater path attenuation due to the vehicle interior, vehicle body, windows, and passengers in the vehicle.
Hsc70-interacting HPD loop of the J domain of polyomavirus T antigens fluctuates in ps to ns and μs to ms

The backbone dynamics of the J domain from polyomavirus T antigens have been investigated using 15N NMR relaxation and molecular dynamics simulation. Model-free relaxation analysis revealed picosecond to nanosecond motions in the N terminus, the I-II loop, the C-terminal end of helix II through the HPD loop to the beginning of helix III, and the C-terminal end of helix III to the C terminus. The backbone dynamics of the HPD loop and termini are dominated by motions with moderately large amplitudes and correlation times of the order of a nanosecond or longer. Conformational exchange on the microsecond to millisecond timescale was identified in the HPD loop, the N and C termini, and the I-II loop. A 9.7ns MD trajectory manifested concerted swings of the HPD loop. Transitions between major and minor conformations of the HPD loop featured distinct patterns of change in backbone dihedral angles and hydrogen bonds. Fraying of the C-terminal end of helix II and the N-terminal end of helix III correlated with displacements of the HPD loop. Correlation of crankshaft motions of Gly46 and Gly47 with the collective motions of the HPD loop suggested an important role of the two glycine residues in the mobility of the loop. Fluctuations of the HPD loop correlated with relative reorientation of side-chains of Lys35 and Asp44 that interact with Hsc70.
SP21-2 Controversies in standard precaution

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) updated in 2007 a previous guideline and developed a two-level system for isolation precautions: standard precautions (SP), which apply to all patients, and transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet and airborne), put in place for patients with suspected or proven colonization or infection with certain microorganisms at risk of spreading. SP combine the major features of Universal Precautions (designed in 1987 to initially prevent HIV transmission and one year after, hepatitis B virus and other blood-bornepathogens transmission, to the healthcare workers [HCWs]) and Body Substance Isolation (designed in 1987 to prevent pathogen transmission frommoist body surfaces to the HCWs). SP apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which health care is delivered: they include the performance of hand hygiene according to pre-specified guidelines, use of personal protective equipment, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, safe injection practices, use of masks for catheter insertion and lumbar puncture procedures, safe handling of contaminated equipment, textiles and laundry, and routine cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces. Avoiding the exposure to potentially infectious sources such as blood, wounds, mucous membranes and excretions is the primary goal of SP. Current controversies surrounding SP will be discussed during the presentation. For instance, the impact of environmental contamination on healthcare-associated infection rates and the costeffectiveness of surface disinfection as opposed to detergent-based cleaning remains a scientifically unresolved issue, despite a growing body of literature. Furthermore, education of HCW about SP is an essential component of hospital infection control programmes. HCW education programmes are recommended by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America as a means of reducing nosocomial infections. HCW education has been shown to increase compliance with hand hygiene and reduce rates of nosocomial acquisition ofmethicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Despite this, the effectiveness of different education interventions to improve SP is seldom formally assessed.
Advances in the Design of Toughened Ceramics

On considere le potentiel d'amelioration de la resistance a la rupture des ceramiques par l'incorporation de phases de zircone subissant une transformation martensitique induite par une contrainte mecanique, ou par l'incorporation de phases discontinues resistantes telles que des trichites. Dans le cas des ceramiques contenant de la zircone quadratique, on discute du renforcement en termes de caracteristiques de microstructure et de composition influant sur la transformation martensitique. Pour les composites renforces par des phases discontinues, on decrit les parametres contribuant a l'amelioratiuon de tenacite en termes de pontage des fissures par le renfort.
Individual in vitro organ susceptibility to hyperbaric oxygen.

Summary o 1. Preservation of whole organs (kidney, heart, small bowel, and lung) has been investigated in relation to individual in vitro susceptibility to hyperbarie oxygen. 2. The lung, in sharp contrast to other organs, does not tolerate pressures above 3.0 OHP. 3. The critical oxygen tension required for successful preservation appears related to duration, intensity, and core depth of the individual organ.
Contribution to the Development of Guidelines for Toll Plaza Design

Increased design, construction, and operation of toll facilities are trends in the U.S. Few toll plaza design guidelines exist and proper and safe toll plaza design is even more critical with the implementation of electronic toll collection. Several elements of toll plaza design have been identified in earlier research to be deficient. This research explores toll plaza design guidelines within the categories of horizontal and vertical geometrics. Current design publications with horizontal and vertical design guidelines do not adequately provide the necessary guidance to effectively design a toll plaza. The design guidelines presented here include toll plaza approach taper rates, departure taper rates, queue area length, recovery zone length, toll lane widths, lane configuration, pavement cross slope, profile grades, and sight distance. Current practices from 13 toll authorities in the U.S. were assessed, a panel of toll plaza design experts were assembled to provide review, and horizontal and vertical design guidelines for toll plazas are recommended.
Co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects approximately 0.5-1% of the population and imposes substantial societal costs including an increased risk of work-related disability and accelerated mortality. It is increasingly clear that RA-related co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), infection, osteoporosis, lymphoproliferative malignancy, and peptic ulcer disease, serve as major determinants of disease-associated outcome. In this review, the impact of these select co-morbidities on RA outcome is discussed. In addition, this review explores potential mechanisms underlying their association with RA, the possible iatrogenic role of agents used to treat the disease, and measures aimed at both prevention and treatment of disease-specific co-morbidity.
Analytical methods for the geometric optics of thermal vision illustrated with four species of pitvipers

SUMMARY The pitviper facial pit is a pinhole camera-like sensory organ consisting of a flask-shaped cavity divided into two chambers by a suspended membrane. Neurophysiological studies and simplified optical models suggest that facial pits detect thermal radiation and form an image that is combined with visual input in the optic tectum to form a single multispectral image. External pit anatomy varies markedly among taxonomic groups. However, optical function depends on unknown internal anatomy. Therefore, we developed methods for relating anatomy to optical performance. To illustrate, we constructed detailed anatomical models of the internal anatomy of the facial pits of four individuals of four pitviper species using X-ray tomography sections of fresh material. We used these models to define the point spread function, i.e. the distribution of radiation from a point source over the pit membrane, for each species. We then used optical physics, heat transfer physics and computational image processing to define the thermal image formed on the pit membrane for each species. Our computed pit membrane images are consistent with behavioral observations if the sensitivity of membrane receptors equals the most sensitive ( ca . 0.001°C) laboratory estimates. Vignetting (variation in optical aperture size with view angle) and differences between body and environmental temperatures can create temperature variation across the membrane that greatly exceeds image temperature contrasts, potentially impairing imaging. Spread functions plotted versus source point azimuth and elevation show distinct patterns that suggest new research directions into the relationships among the optical anatomy, ecology, behavior and sensory neurophysiology of pitvipers.
Impact of congenital anomalies and treatment location on the outcomes of infants hospitalized with herpes simplex virus (HSV).

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a rare but costly reason for hospitalization in infants under 60 days of age. The impact of coexisting comorbid conditions and treatment location on hospital outcome is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Determine patient and hospital factors associated with poor outcomes or death in infants hospitalized with HSV. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using the 2003 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). SETTING: U.S. hospitals. PATIENTS: Infants under 60 days of age with a diagnosis of HSV. INTERVENTION: Treatment at different types of hospitals, younger age at admission, and presence of congenital anomalies. MEASUREMENTS: Serious complications, in-hospital death. RESULTS: A total of 10% of the 1587 identified HSV hospitalizations had a concurrent congenital anomaly. A total of 267 infants had a serious complication and 50 died. After controlling for clinical and hospital characteristics, concurrent congenital anomalies were associated with higher odds of a serious complication (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00–5.56) and higher odds of death (adjusted OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.74–10.0). Similar results were found for infants admitted under 7 days of age. Although different hospital types had statistically similar clinical outcomes after controlling for case-mix differences, treatment at a children's hospital was associated with an 18% reduction in length of stay (LOS). CONCLUSIONS: Infants with concurrent congenital anomalies infected with HSV were at increased risk for serious complications or death. Health resource use may be improved through identification and adoption of care practiced at children's hospitals. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:154–159. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Maintaining Cultural Coherence in the Midst of Cultural Diversity

Abstract The individualism, collectivism, independence, and interdependence constructs are commonly used in considerations of culture and development, and this reply attempts to clarify a reconceptualization of these constructs. This reconceptualization represents a departure from traditional conceptualizations of individualism and collectivism in relation to independence and interdependence, and it also represents a move away from understanding these constructs in dichotomous, stereotypical, and unidimensional terms. Focusing on individualism, independence, and interdependence, the implications of the current perspective for the issue of stereotyping cultures and individuals and for the issue of the complexities of self-development are discussed. In considering the interrelations between cultural value systems and individual constructive activities, some reflections on the simultaneous organization and dynamism of human cultural processes are also offered.
Newborn screening for lysosomal and other disorders: a comparative effectiveness study

at age 9 years 9 months. The average number of months on treatment was 2 years 3 months, ranging from 9 months to 4 years 3 months. Regarding AE/IAR: 3 patients presented IAR considered mild and resolved with standard management; 3 patients presented AE during betagalsidase shortage and these were pain in hands and feet and proteinuria in a female patient, which was considered severe. Although betagalsidase is currently approved in Brazil for patients at age 16 years or older, the patients herein presented were started on treatment at a younger age due to important clinical symptoms.Mild IARwere reported in a few patients and managed with standard procedures. Current data shows that ERT with betagalsidase at 1,0 mg/kg EoW in a Brazilian younger than 16 years of age population appears to be as safe as in adults.
Experimental quantum control landscapes: Inherent monotonicity and artificial structure

Unconstrained searches over quantum control landscapes are theoretically predicted to generally exhibit trap-free monotonic behavior. This paper makes an explicit experimental demonstration of this intrinsic monotonicity for two controlled quantum systems: frequency unfiltered and filtered second-harmonic generation (SHG). For unfiltered SHG, the landscape is randomly sampled and interpolation of the data is found to be devoid of landscape traps up to the level of data noise. In the case of narrow-band-filtered SHG, trajectories are taken on the landscape to reveal a lack of traps. Although the filtered SHG landscape is trap free, it exhibits a rich local structure. A perturbation analysis around the top of these landscapes provides a basis to understand their topology. Despite the inherent trap-free nature of the landscapes, practical constraints placed on the controls can lead to the appearance of artificial structure arising from the resultant forced sampling of the landscape. This circumstance and the likely lack of knowledge about the detailed local landscape structure in most quantum control applications suggests that the a priori identification of globally successful (un)constrained curvilinear control variables may be a challenging task.
What is the place of research and technological innovations in business planning

Abstract This paper explores the factors underlying the fluctuating support given to research and technological innovation in most firms. These include the general value basis for major decisions when authoritative information is inadequate; managerial conceptions of the role of technological innovations in promoting company objectives; managerial preferences among alternative approaches to advancing technology; and managerial methods of evaluating innovational efforts and results.
Millimeter wave absorption spectroscopy of biopolymers

Experimental study on millimeter-wave absorption spectra from 180 to 220 GHz of biopolymers is presented in this paper. The proportional relation of absorbance with the density of the sample film is found out from the data set. Therefore, the technique of millimeter-wave absorption spectra is feasible for identification and early warning of biological agent.
We Just Can’t Seem to Do What NCLB Expects Us to Do: The Case of an Urban District Focused on NCLB Compliance

This case is situated in a Midwestern urban school district, exploring problems faced by its superintendent and administrators as they work to implement the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Developed from a study examining the response of P-12 districts to legislative policy mandates, the case presents problems and challenges experienced by a district as it employs bureaucratic strategies to achieve NCLB-mandated outcomes. Emergent issues posed by the case study afford graduate students and educators an opportunity to use discussion questions and exercises to analyze how a P-12 district may build capacity, enabling a more effective response to educational reform mandates and student needs.
“Cigar Wrap” Technique for Gracilis Augmentation in Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The use of Hamstring grafts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is becoming increasingly popular. Most surgeons use a four-stranded graft consisting of double-stranded semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The gracilis tendon, in addition to being smaller in diameter, is often shorter and more diminutive at its muscular end. We developed a technique for supplementing this tendon using excess semitendinosus tendon. This allows enhanced tibial tunnel fit and improved graft fixation.
Wireless networks and random geometric graphs

In this paper, mobile ad-hoc networks are studied. Chen and Jia (2001) proposed a routing algorithm by utilizing multiple communication channels and localizing the routing information (routing tables) for mobile stations within the wireless network. The routing algorithm relies on a spanning tree of the underlying network. It is proven that both the construction of the spanning tree and the routing algorithm are efficient. The routing algorithm is also reliable because of the frequent update of the spanning tree which the routing scheme is based on. The underlying network is a random geometric graph G(A,n) formed on a set of uniformly randomly located points in the unit disk, in which two vertices are adjacent if and only if their Euclidean distance is at most A.
The Professional Will: An Ethical Responsibility.

Attention is directed to the ethical responsibility for the counselor to develop a professional will. Essentially the professional will is a roadmap for what the counselor directs to happen in the event that the counselor becomes incapacitated due to sudden death or illness. A model of a professional will is provided.
Vascular Permeability Factor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The production of vascular permeability factor (PF) by certain strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been demonstrated in rabbits injected intradermally with culture filtrates followed by intravenous injection with Pontamine Sky Blue 6BX. The dose-response curve was found to be rectilinear when lesion diameters, within the range of 10 to 20 mm, were plotted against log dose. Thus, PF in test filtrates can be measured with reasonable accuracy by the concomitant testing of a reference PF. In contrast to the titers of PF obtained with Vibrio cholerae cultures, those with strains of P. aeruginosa were rather low. Thus far, PF has been demonstrated only in shallow still cultures of P. aeruginosa and not in shake cultures. A variety of commercial media were tested for the production of PF, but none was satisfactory. A synthetic medium that gave more reproducible and higher yields of PF was developed. Cultivation at 30 C generally gave higher yields of PF than at 37 C. PF was destroyed by heating at 60 C for 30 min or by digesting with trypsin or Pronase. Strains producing larger amounts of PF appeared to have greater virulence when inoculated onto the surface of burns in mice than those yielding little or no PF.
Hubble's Law and the expanding universe.

In one of the most famous classic papers in the annals of science, Edwin Hubble’s 1929 PNAS article on the observed relation between distance and recession velocity of galaxies—the Hubble Law—unveiled the expanding universe and forever changed our understanding of the cosmos. It inaugurated the field of observational cosmology that has uncovered an amazingly vast universe that has been expanding and evolving for 14 billion years and contains dark matter, dark energy, and billions of galaxies. It is difficult to imagine that only 90 years ago, we did not know about the existence of most of the universe around us. From today’s perspective, the reality of a very large, old, expanding universe, filled with billions of galaxies that are receding from each other as the cosmic space expands from an initial “Big Bang” billions of years ago seems so obvious that we expect it must have been known for centuries. Not so. It was Edwin Hubble’s seminal 1929 PNAS paper, “A relation between distance and radial velocity among extra-galactic nebulae” (1), that led to a turning point in our understanding of the universe. In his short paper, Hubble presented the observational evidence for one of science’s greatest discoveries—the expanding universe. Hubble showed that galaxies are receding away from us with a velocity that is proportional to their distance from us: more distant galaxies recede faster than nearby galaxies. Hubble’s classic graph of the observed velocity vs. distance for nearby galaxies is presented in Fig. 1; this graph has become a scientific landmark that is regularly reproduced in astronomy textbooks. The graph reveals a linear relation between galaxy velocity ( v ) and its distance ( d ) v = H o × d . Fig. 1. Velocity–distance relation among extragalactic nebulae (1). “Radial velocities, corrected for solar motion, are plotted against distances estimated from … [↵][1]1Email: neta{at}astro.princeton.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Incommensurability and the Discontinuity of Evidence

Incommensurability between successive scientific theories—the impossibility of empirical evidence dictating the choice between them—was Thomas Kuhn's most controversial proposal. Toward defending i...
Design and control characterization of switched reluctance generator for maximum output power

Maximization of power throughput of switched reluctance generator has been addressed in this paper. Phase self-inductance, phase voltage switching angles, DC bus voltage level and shaft speed of the generator have been identified as design parameters and control variables affecting output power. Depending on the application each one can be defined as either design parameter or control variable. Due to highly nonlinear characteristics of switched reluctance generator, there is no analytical equation for output power in terms of design parameters and control variables. So, iterative simulation of the generator model on the range of design parameters and control variables has been used for finding output power profile. Since it is a multidimensional search space, the number of iterations is very big. Therefore, we have used theoretical knowledge about the generator and practical limitations to narrow the search space and reduce simulation time. Output power profile of a 1hp generator has been presented from simulation results. These results have been verified by experimental measurements on a test-bed in the lab. The results give the performance of switched reluctance generator for the range of machine parameters and control variables. They show the existence of optimal output power and give guidance for design of the generator and its controller.
Characterization of waxy grain sorghum lines in relation to granule-bound starch synthase

Summary The waxy phenotype, associated with endosperm containing little or no amylose, has been recognized in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) since 1933. Although variants of the waxy gene are well characterized in other cereals, the waxy trait has been assumed to be controlled by a single allele, wx ,i nsorghum. Recent improvements in technologies encourage re-examination of the waxy sorghums. The objectives of this research were therefore to identify and characterize sorghum lines with differing waxy alleles and to describe the actions of those alleles in crosses. Grain of eight waxy sorghum lines (BTxARG1, BTx630, Tx2907, B.9307, 94C274, 94C278, 94C289, 94C369), three wild-type checks (BWheatland, RTx430, BN122), and F2 families from crosses among a subset of these lines were evaluated for presence or absence of granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), the gene product of the wx locus, and wild-type vs. waxy endosperm. The F2 segregation ratios were tested for fit to a 3:1 ratio using Chi-square analyses. Two distinctly different naturally occurring waxy alleles were identified: One with no GBSS (GBSS−), and one with apparently inactive GBSS present (GBSS+). We propose that the waxy allele with no GBSS be designated wx a , and that waxy allele with apparently inactive GBSS present be designated wx b . These two alleles are located in close proximity on the waxy locus. The wx b allele is dominant to the wx a allele in terms of GBSS production, and both are recessive to the wild-type Wx in terms of amylose content. Abbreviations: GBSS: granule bound starch synthase; SDS-PAGE: Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Hirschsprung's disease associated with Ondine's curse: Report of three cases and review of the literature

The cases of three full-term infant girls with both Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and Ondine's curse (OC) are presented, and the relevant literature is reviewed. All three patients required endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation during the first 24 hours of life because of respiratory distress. The diagnosis of HD was subsequently established at age 13, 16, and 20 days, respectively. The aganglionic segment was confirmed to the rectum in one case, extended to the splenic flexure of the colon in the second case, and involved the terminal ileum in the third. The definitive treatment (endorectal pull-through) was completed successfully in all three patients, and the postoperative follow-up period was 3 to 34 months. All of them presently have tracheostomies and are maintained on home ventilation. They tolerate being off the ventilator while awake, and have nearly normal bowel habits and growth curves. Two have bilateral ciliary ganglion dysfunction, and one has strabismus. Based on this review, the authors conclude the following. (1) The incidence of the HD associated with OC may be more common than is generally believed (1.8% of all their HD patients have OC). (2) OC should be suspected in any newborn with HD who requires assisted ventilation in the absence of major cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Likewise, HD should be ruled out in any OC case with gastrointestinal dysfunction. (3) Contrary to the previous impression from the literature, the combination of OC and HD should not be considered fatal, because most such patients can be managed successfully and have a reasonable quality of life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Price Promotions: Limiting Competitive Encroachment

In this paper, we explore equilibrium pricing strategies in an infinite horizon repeated game for an oligopoly. We model the interactions between three firms in a market of switchers and loyals. Our analysis shows that if, there are sufficiently large number of switchers in the market, the demand parameter is within an acceptable range, and the firms have a sufficiently low discount rate, alternating promotions between national firms can be an outcome of a perfect Nash equilibrium between competing firms. This equilibrium results in an implicit collusion between national firms and therefore suggests that price promotions can be interpreted as a long run strategy pursued by national firms to defend their market shares from possible encroachments of a third firm. In this way we attempt to provide an explanation for the patterns of promotion observed in some industries and in particular the beverage industry.
Cortisol responses to ipsapirone challenge correlate with aggression, while basal cortisol levels correlate with impulsivity, in personality disorder and healthy volunteer subjects

Abstract Background This study was performed to test the hypothesis that 5-HT-1a receptors, as assessed by the cortisol (post-synaptic) and temperature (pre-synaptic) responses to the 5-HT-1a agonist, Ipsapirone (IPSAP), play a role in the regulation of impulsive aggressive behavior in human subjects. Methods Fifty-two healthy subjects (28 with Personality Disorder: PD; 24 Healthy Volunteers: HV) underwent acute challenge with the selective 5-HT-1a agonist, ipsaprione (IPSAP: .3 mg/kg po). Residual Peak Delta Cortisol (ΔCORT[IPSAP]-R; after removal of Basal CORT and IPSAP plasma levels) was used as the primary 5-HT-1a post-synaptic receptor variable. Residual Nadir Delta Temperature (ΔTEMP[IPSAP]-R; after removal of Basal TEMP) was used as the primary 5-HT-1a somatodendritic (pre-synaptic) receptor variable. Measures of trait aggression included the Aggression scales of the Buss–Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) and the Life History of Aggression (LHA); trait impulsivity was assessed with the Impulsivity scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-II). Results Correlations between ΔCORT[IPSAP]-R responses and BDHI Aggression scores varied by group. Specifically, BDHI Aggression correlated inversely with ΔCORT[IPSAP]-R values in PD subjects but directly in HV subjects. While EPQ-II Impulsivity did not correlate with ΔCORT[IPSAP]-R responses, this measure of impulsivity correlated directly with Basal CORT levels in all subjects. ΔTEMP[IPSAP]-R responses did not correlate with measures of trait aggression or trait impulsivity. Conclusion Physiologic responses of 5-HT-1a post-synaptic receptors may be reduced as a function of trait aggression, but not impulsivity, in PD subjects. In contrast, pre-synaptic 5-HT-1a receptors may not play a role in the regulation of aggression or impulsivity in human subjects.
A Screw Theory Approach for the Conceptual Design of Flexible Joints for Compliant Mechanisms

This paper presents a screw theory based approach for the analysis and synthesis of flexible joints using wire and sheet flexures. The focus is on designing flexure systems that have a simple geometry, i.e., a parallel constraint pattern. We provide a systematic formulation of the constraint-based approach, which has been mainly developed by precision engineering experts in designing precision machines. The two fundamental concepts in the constraint-based approach, constraint and freedom, can be represented mathematically by a wrench and a twist in screw theory. For example, an ideal wire flexure applies a translational constraint, which can be described by a wrench of pure force. As a result, the design rules of the constraint-based approach can be systematically formulated in the format of screws and screw systems. Two major problems in compliant mechanism design, constraint pattern analysis, and constraint pattern design are discussed with examples in details. Lastly, a case study is provided to demonstrate the application of this approach to the design of compliant prismatic joints. This innovative method paves the way for introducing computational techniques into the constraint-based approach for the synthesis and analysis of compliant mechanisms.
An adaptive fault-tolerant routing algorithm for hypercube multicomputers

This paper presents a partially adaptive fault-tolerant routing algorithm for hypercube multicomputers. The algorithm is tolerant to n-1 link and/or node faults for an n-cube. It makes routing decisions adaptively based on local failure information only. It is simple to implement and needs a very small message overhead. A comparison between the algorithm and a popular previous work is given.
Targeting cancer metabolism: a therapeutic window opens

Genetic events in cancer activate signalling pathways that alter cell metabolism. Clinical evidence has linked cell metabolism with cancer outcomes. Together, these observations have raised interest in targeting metabolic enzymes for cancer therapy, but they have also raised concerns that these therapies would have unacceptable effects on normal cells. However, some of the first cancer therapies that were developed target the specific metabolic needs of cancer cells and remain effective agents in the clinic today. Research into how changes in cell metabolism promote tumour growth has accelerated in recent years. This has refocused efforts to target metabolic dependencies of cancer cells as a selective anticancer strategy.
Beyond log‐normal distributions: Hermite spectra for solving population balances

The oft-used log-normal distribution for solving many population-balance problems is in fact a degenerate case of a Hermite function expansion of the solution in log particle-size coordinate. Corrective capabilities of such an expansion constitute vast improvements not only over those using the log-normal distribution, but also over discretization methods in that moments other than those designed for in the latter are predicted with much higher accuracy, although at greater computational cost. The Hermite spectral method is compared with known analytical results and other computational techniques for particle dynamic processes involving agglomeration, breakage, and growth. This method is extremely accurate and flexible, as evidenced by the wide range of problems it can solve, both transient and steady state, along with perfectly mixed or convection dominant problems. Particle distributions are allowed to evolve according to the physics of the process, not constrained by restrictive assumptions inherent in the prespecified form of the distribution.
Digital signal processing algorithms for power quality assessment

The authors introduce novel digital signal processing algorithms which can be used to measure various power system indicators, which, in turn, may be utilized for power quality assessment. They first discuss the signal analysis problem by providing classification of the assumptions about signal characteristics. Specific characteristics are a consequence of different power system disturbances. Two different classes of digital signal processing algorithms are introduced. These algorithms can be used for measurement of various quantities which may be used to characterize given disturbances. An approach to power quality assessment based on various measurements is illustrated by some examples. >
Fast spiral Fourier transform for iterative MR image reconstruction

We present a fast and accurate discrete spiral Fourier transform and its inverse. The inverse solves the problem of reconstructing an image from MRI data acquired along a spiral k-space trajectory. First, we define the spiral FT and its adjoint. These discrete operators allow us to efficiently compute the inverse using fast-converging conjugate gradient methods. Next, we developed a fast approximate spiral FT using the pseudo-polar FFT, to enhance the computational performances and numerical accuracy of the algorithm. Preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more accurate than existing iterative methods that use similar interpolation and grid size.
A Method for Constructing Data Which Illustrate Three Types of Suppressor Variables

A method is presented for the construction of an artificial data set which will illustrate the behavior of the traditional, the negative, and the reciprocal suppressor variable in multiple regression analysis. It extends the method of Dayton (1972) and includes the previously unrecognized reciprocal suppression defined by Conger (1974).
Edge spin excitations and reconstructions of integer quantum Hall liquids

We study the effect of electron-electron interaction on the charge and spin structures at the edge of integer quantum Hall liquids, under three different kinds of confining potentials. Our exact diagonalization calculation for small systems indicates that the low-energy excitations of the $\ensuremath{\nu}=1$ ferromagnetic state are bosonic edge spin waves. Instabilities of the ferromagnetic state with altering confinement strength result from the softening of these edge spin waves and formation of edge spin textures. In the $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\lesssim}2$ regime, exact diagonalization on edge electron systems indicates that compact Hartree-Fock states with different total spin always become ground states in some regions of parameter space, and the ground states appearing between two compact states are their edge spin waves. The initial $\ensuremath{\nu}=2$ instability is toward the compact state with total spin 1. Larger systems are studied using a microscopic trial wave function, and some quantitative predictions on the edge instabilities for a certain type of confining potential are reached in the thermodynamic limit.
3-D Numerical Simulations of Biofilm Flows

We study the biofilm-flow interaction resulting in biofilm growth and de- formation in a water channel in a 3-D setting using the phase field model developed recently(28,29). In this biofilm model, the biofilm made up of the EPS, bacteria and solvent is tracked using a biofilm volume fraction which vanishes outside the biofilm region. The interface between the biofilm and the solvent is marked by the zero level surface of the volume fraction measured from the biofilm to the solvent. The growth of the biofilm and the solvent-biofilm interaction with the top nutrient feeding condition is simulated in the viscous regime (growth regime) of the biofilm-solvent mixture flow. In quiescent flows, the model predicts growth patterns consistent with experimental findings for single or multiple adjacent biofilm colonies, in which the known mushroom shape growth pattern is obtained. Shear induced deformation in biofilms is simulated in a shear cell, providing a viable numerical evidence for using simulation tool to study biofilm growth and interaction dynamics in aqueous environment.
Emotion Differentiation as Resilience Against Excessive Alcohol Use An Ecological Momentary Assessment in Underage Social Drinkers

Some people are adept at using discrete emotion categories (anxious, angry, sad) to capture their felt experience; other people merely communicate how good or bad they feel. We theorized that people who are better at describing their emotions might be less likely to self-medicate with alcohol. During a 3-week period, 106 underage social drinkers used handheld computers to self-monitor alcohol intake. From participants' reported experiences during random prompts, we created an individual difference measure of emotion differentiation. Results from a 30-day timeline follow-back revealed that people with intense negative emotions consumed less alcohol if they were better at describing emotions and less reliant on global descriptions. Results from ecological momentary assessment procedures revealed that people with intense negative emotions prior to drinking episodes consumed less alcohol if they were better at describing emotions. These findings provide support for a novel methodology and dimension for understanding the influence of emotions on substance-use patterns.
Ultrasonic/sonic drill for high temperature application

Venus is one of the many significant scientific targets for NASA. New rock sampling tools with the ability to be operated at high temperatures of the order of 460 deg C are required for surface in-situ sampling/analysis missions. Piezoelectric materials such as LiNbO? crystals and Bismuth Titanate are potentially operational at the temperature range found on the surface of Venus. A study of the feasibility of producing piezoelectric drills for a temperature up to 500 deg C was conducted. The study includes investigation of the high temperature properties of piezoelectric crystals and ceramics with different formulas and doping. Several prototypes of Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corers (USDC) driven by transducers using the high temperate piezoelectric ceramics and single LiNbO? crystal were fabricated. The transducers were analyzed by scanning the impedance at room temperature and 500 deg C under both low and high voltages. The drilling performances were tested at temperature up to 500 deg C. Preliminary results were previously reported [Bao et al, 2009]. In this paper, the progress is presented and the future works for performance improvements are discussed.
Segmentation by minimal description

The authors formulate the segmentation task as a search for a set of descriptions which minimally encodes a scene. A novel framework for cooperative robust estimation is used to estimate descriptions that locally provide the most savings in encoding an image. A modified Hopfield-Tank networks finds the subset of these descriptions which best describes an entire scene, accounting for occlusion and transparent overlap among individual descriptions. Using a part-based 3-D shape model the authors have implemented a system that is able to successfully segment images into their constituent structure. >
Research Productivity Of Accounting Faculty: An Exploratory Study

This study surveyed 367 accounting faculty members from AACSB accredited Colleges of Business to examine (1) their research productivity and (2) the intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to conduct research. Wide differences in research productivity were observed in the faculty associated with doctoral vs. non-doctoral granting programs. There were some common motivators of research for faculty in the two sets of programs; however, some interesting differences were also noted. Of the thirteen rewards studied, receiving or having tenure is the most important reward, while getting a possible administrative position was the least important. There were significant differences in the importance of these rewards between tenured-untenured and between male-female faculty members. Faculty perceives a strong link between research productivity and the attainment of the rewards of tenure and of promotion. However, in the minds of the faculty, the link between publications and salary increases is not strong.
Scattering of Photons: X-Ray Diffraction

Studying biomolecules of unknown structure is like walking in an unknown forest at night without a map or a light. Major progress in understanding biomolecules came when John Kendrew and Max Perutz and colleagues used X-ray diffraction to determine the structures of myoglobin [1] and hemoglobin [2]. Since these pioneering studies, X-ray diffraction has continued to lead advances in biology and biological physics. In the present chapter, we describe some of the main aspects of X-ray diffraction. Updated information on protein structures can be found at http://www.nigms.nih.gov.