cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collagen shield delivery of ofloxacinto the human eye

Abstract Purpose: To determine the ocular penetration of of loxacin into the anterior chamber ofthe human eye when delivered by a presoaked collagen shield. Setting: University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical study comprised 31 patients having cataract surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the first received 3 preoperative drops of commercially available topical ofloxacin 0.3% given 10 minutes apart; the second had a collagen shield soaked in the same medication applied to the eye before surgery. Aqueous humor was extracted immediately before surgery for analysis. Results: Mean aqueous concentration was 287 ng/mL ± 69 (SEM) (range 40 to1141 ng/mL) in the drops group and 957 ± 189 ng/mL (range 214 to 2437 ng/mL) in the shield group. The difference was statistically significant ( P Conclusions: A collagen shield presoaked in commercially available topical ofloxacin and applied before surgery appears safe. The MICs for many common ocular pathogens were reached or exceeded. Further study is recommended to determine whether this method of infection prophylaxis is an acceptable substitute for subconjunctival injections of antibiotics.
Can the conus medullaris in normal position be tethered

Many have equated the term tethered spinal cord to a conus that is pathologically elongated. Most authorities have declared radiologic coni located inferior to the L-2 as pathologic. However, we have described previously a small series of patients in whom symptoms of a tethered spinal cord were evident clinically yet radiologically the conus medullaris was found to lie at a widely acceptable normal anatomic site. Following a review of the extant literature prior to our publication in 1993, several authors had operated on patients for symptoms of a distally tethered spinal cord in whom a conus was found to terminate at a 'normal' vertebral level. We believe that there is indeed a subset of the tethered cord patient population in whom the tip of the conus lies at even liberally accepted normal levels. We would encourage clinicians treating patients with symptoms of tethered cord syndrome not to treat the patient based simply on imaging but imaging coupled with clinical symptoms and physical exam. It is important to point out that in lieu of the many publications of conus termination that one accepts that there is no one single 'normal' position of the terminal cord but rather a normal range. Perhaps a superior way of interpreting 'tethered' cord is to view this as tautness of the cord and not necessarily elongation of the distal cord in every case.
Polarized 3He target construction

Abstract A description of a type of polarized 3He target, suitable for low energy nuclear scattering experiments, is described with emphasis on construction and procedural details.
Acid acylhydrolase deficiency in I-cell disease and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy.

Abstract Fibroblasts from patients with I-cell disease and pseudo-Hurler poly-dystrophy are characterized by multiple lysosomal enzyme deficiencies; only acid β- d -galactosidase and α- d -neuraminidase deficiency have been described in liver. Acid cholesterol ester hydrolase and acid triacylglycerol hydrolase have not previously been studied in either tissue. Acid cholesterol ester hydrolase activity in five lines of I-cell fibroblasts was 18 ± 5% (S.D.) of normal. Acid triacylglycerol hydrolase was 17 ± 3% of normal. Equivalence in deficiency of the two activities was also seen in fibro-blasts from patients with pseudo-Hurler poly dystrophy, Wolman's disease and cholesterol ester storage disease, suggesting that both activities reside in one enzyme. Although the apparent Km of cholesterol ester hydrolase (substrate emulsified with Triton X-100) was moderately elevated in two of three I-cell lines examined, deficiency was more a function of diminished catalytic capacity in all cases. In autopsied liver from three I-cell patients acid cholesterol ester hydrolase was 1–11% and acid triacylglycerol was 8–22% of normal; triacylglycerol hydrolase was less deficient in each case. In the liver of another I-cell patient, KZ, cholesterol ester hydrolase was 25–60% and triacylglycerol hydrolase was 86–194% of normal. Both activities in KZ fibroblasts were 17–20% of normal, indicating that the deficiency in fibroblasts does not necessarily denote triacylglycerol deficiency in liver. The apparent Km of liver cholesterol ester hydrolase was moderately elevated in two of the four samples.
The approximate distribution of four moment statistics from type III distributions

Taylor series in the sample size are set up for the first four moments of the standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, and coefficient of variation, the populations being x2 (gamma, Pearson Type III). These moments being out of reach of purely mathematical development, the study proceeds along two independent lines. For the one, simulation methods are used, an attempt being made to fix a cycle length to ensure some stability -this cycle length is pivoted on the fourth moment of the kurtosis, an expression involving sixteenth powers of the basic x2 - random variable. The second line of attack uses the Taylor moment series (which are taken out to at most sixty terms in the total derivatives). An algorithm is used to derive the expectation of a product of powers of elements which consist of non-central sample deviates; there are four of these involved in the kurtosis, three in the skewness, and two in the standard deviation. There is an added parameter for sample size. This expectation of products of powers o...
Identification of multichannel MA parameters using higher-order statistics

Abstract The identification of multichannel moving average (MA) parameter matrices { H ( k )} using fourth-order output cumulants is considered. By analyzing the eigenstructures of the cumulant matrices, it is shown that the MA parameters matrices can be identified uniquely up to a post-multiplication of monomial matrices if H (0) does not have columns that are pairwise colinear and H = [ H T (0), …, H T ( L )] T has full column rank. The constructive proof of this condition suggests a possible closed-form identification algorithm.
Subjective Structures and Operations in Semantic Memory.

Abstract Relations of semantic distance to response latencies in similarity judgments, to reaction times in a same-different classification task, and to proximity of recall in a free recall task were investigated. A multidimensional analysis of the similarity judgments was used to determine semantic structure and distances for pairs of animal words chosen from three classes:mammals, birds, andfish. A four-dimensional structure revealed both the class and quantitative contributions to the similarity ratings. Semantic distances were directly related to response latencies for words from the same class and inversely related for words from different classes. Distances were also related to reaction times for “same” judgments in the classification task, but not for “different” judgments. Independent ratings of typicality did not improve the relationship. Semantic distance was also a good predictor of proximity of recall for mammals, less so for birds, and not at all for fish.
The Weight-Specific Benefits of Assist-Control, Flow-Synchronized (AC/FS) Ventilation Compared to Intermittant Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) in VLBW Neonates † 1083

The Weight-Specific Benefits of Assist-Control, Flow-Synchronized (AC/FS) Ventilation Compared to Intermittant Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) in VLBW Neonates † 1083
Uncovering bias in the cytologic evaluation of cervical squamous lesions.

Objectives: It is well recognized that biases exist in medical decision making. We sought evidence for such bias in diagnostic testing. Methods: We investigated whether a cytotechnologist’s Papanicolaou (Pap) test interpretation of a squamous cell abnormality influenced the likelihood of making the same interpretation again that day using analysis based on the β distribution. Results: For squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) interpretations, significant deviation away from the mean daily diagnostic rate was seen within all three cytotechnologists and, for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance interpretations, within two of three. Conclusions: Cytotechnologists are not influenced by an expected number of abnormal Pap cases per day since this would result in deviation toward the mean daily rate of diagnosis. Possible explanations for the unanticipated clustering of SIL interpretations include clinical clustering effects or, alternatively, the influence a SIL interpretation might have on lowering the threshold for this interpretation again in subsequent specimens on the same day. The analysis presented here could serve as a model to detect bias in other aspects of medical decision making.
Dynamics of Endoglucanase Catalytic Domains: Implications Towards Thermostability

Abstract Thermostable endoglucanases play a crucial role in the production of biofuels to breakdown plant cellulose. Analyzing their structure-dynamics relationship can inform about the origins of their thermostability. Although tertiary structures of many endoglucanase proteins are available, the relationship between thermostability, structure, and dynamics is not explored fully. We have generated elastic network models for thermostable and mesostable endoglucanases with the (α/β)8 fold in substrate bound and unbound states. The comparative analyses shed light on the relation between protein dynamics, thermostability, and substrate binding. We observed specific differences in the dynamic behavior of catalytic residues in slow modes: while both the nucleophile and the acid/base donor residues show positively correlated motions in the thermo-phile, their dynamics is uncoupled in the mesophile. Our proof-of-concept comparison study suggests that global dynamics can be harnessed to further our understanding ...
Reliability of reasons used in making judgments of honesty and dishonesty.

57 Ss were asked to observe 4 role-playing situations involving a student-professor interview and a question of honesty or dishonesty. After each interview Ss were asked to: (1) judge the honesty of the student involved and (2) list his behaviors which contributed to the judgment. An interaction was found between judging ability and deceiving ability, with some cases harder to detect than others, and some judges better than others. Individuals made more correct choices than chance would predict. However, the reasons given for judgments were very much the same for those making correct and incorrect judgments, as well as for very good and very poor judges. Almost all information could be interpreted either in favor of or against the student. It appears that, when evidence is lacking, decisions will be made and defended but that observers do not use logic in arriving at the decision.
Inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 induces apoptosis in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes: role of adrenergic receptor stimulation.

The mechanisms that regulate cardiac myocyte apoptosis are not well understood. To study the role of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) in apoptosis, we exposed cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes to the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). Exposure (18 h) to 100 nM OA (a concentration which inhibits both PP1 and PP2A) decreased the number of adherent cells, caused genomic DNA fragmentation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells. These effects did not occur at a lower concentration of OA (1 nM) which is relatively specific for PP2A. Stimulation of α1- or β-adrenergic receptors with norepinephrine (NE) in the presence of propranolol or prazosin partially blocked OA-induced apoptosis as measured by flow cytometry. Likewise, stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin reduced OA-induced apoptosis. Conversely, inhibition of protein kinase A with H89 or protein kinase C with chelerethrine potentiated OA-induced apoptosis. OA increased caspase-3 activity, and this effect was reduced by NE. Thus, inhibition of PP1 stimulates apoptosis in NRVM and stimulation of adrenergic receptors protects against OA-induced apoptosis.
Pseudopotential for the Calculation of Transition Rates of Atoms Chemisorbed on Metals

We isolate the part of the interaction responsible for energy transfers between reacting chemicals adsorbed on a solid from the part that gives the potential-energy surface familiar in the description of the bonding of adsorbates.
Psychoeducational Services for Children and Youth in the Orient: Current Status, Problems, and some Remedies.

Utilizing information obtained through an international survey and existing literature, patterns in the practices, research, and preparation of professionals who deliver psychoeducational services to children and youth in six Oriental countries (i.e., China, Hong Kong1, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand) are described. Services are provided by many professional groups. While few formal programs exist for the preparation of psychologists to work in schools, those providing such services have at least a bachelor’s degree. Services commonly provided include assessment, vocational and educational guidance, counseling, parent education, and teaching. School psychological services generally are not governed by legislation or professional standards. Research tends to be applied and directed toward the construction and translations of tests and toward the needs of the mentally retarded, learning disabled, and behaviorally disordered. Ten major problems creating barriers for the delivery of psychoeducat...
Increasing rates of sex-discordant twins no longer correspond to decreasing perinatal mortality rates.

Objective To analyze dizygotic twinning rates and outcomes over a 25-year period. Methods Birth and fetal death certificates from 1980-2004 in Washington State, USA, were analyzed retrospectively to find factors associated with the increase in sex-discordant twins through time. "Low" and "high" fertility treatment groups were defined according to demographic traits. Perinatal mortality was defined as fetal or neonatal death of one or both twins and Weinberg's rule was used to estimate mortality for monozygotic and dizygotic pairs. Results Controlling simultaneously for maternal age, race, parity, and education did not eliminate the trend of increasing sex-discordant twins from 1992-2004 (M-H chi2 P=0.001). The "low" fertility group had a non-significant decline in sex-discordant twins (M-H chi2 P=0.24), whereas the "high" fertility group had a significant increase (M-H chi2 P=0.001). Perinatal mortality decreased for monozygtic twin pairs throughout the study period, but decreased until the mid-1990s and then increased slightly through 2004 for the dizygotic twin pairs. Conclusion Advancing maternal age and increasing use of fertility treatments are largely responsible for the increase in dizygotic twins from 1980-2004 and may also be responsible for the stalling of the decline in perinatal mortality rate.
Cardiovascular effects of a newer antiarrhythmic agent, disopyramide phosphate.

Abstract The effect on myocardial contractility of a new antiarrhythmic drug, disopyramide phosphate, was investigated and compared with that of quinidine using a Walton-Brodie strain gauge arch. Quinidine and disopyramide phosphate were compared at the same dosage, ranging from 1 to 10 mg. per kilogram of body weight. At 1 mg. per kilogram of body weight, the contractile force was unaffected by quinidine but was depressed 42 per cent by disopyramide phosphate. At higher dose (5 to 10 mg. per kilogram of body weight) the contractile force was depressed 50 to 100 per cent more by disopyramide phosphate than by quinidine. End-diastolic muscle segment length increased 5 per cent with disopyramide phosphate at 1 mg. per kilogram of body weight, whereas no change was observed with quinidine at this dosage. Both drugs widened QRS and P duration and prolonged PR interval to the same degree. Disopyramide appears to have no beta-adrenergic blocking activity, since it did not alter the contractile force or arterial blood pressure responses to isoproterenol, norepinephrine, or tyramine. Coronary blood flow was decreased by both drugs. The cardiac depressant effect of disopyramide phosphate would appear to limit its usefulness, but for the same degree of cardiac depression, disopyramide phosphate exhibited fewer ECG abnormalities and hence could be used as a replacement therapy for quinidine.
Using Word Trees, Word Networks, and Tag Clouds to Provide Meaningful Insights: A Case Study of Electronic Word of Mouth for Hotel Service Delivery

The combined use of data mining techniques and qualitative consumer reports can provide meaningful insights into service performance and relevant decision making. In several case studies, the authors combine qualitative comments from an online hotel feedback website about popular travel destinations, as reported by business, pleasure, and mixed-use travelers. After extracting 1,893 useable customer comments, using a web spider application, the study software produced summaries of qualitative comments in the form of tag clouds, word networks, and word tree images. This technologically enabled analysis of consumer-reported information provides consumer researchers with more objective ratings of qualitative consumer assessments of their experience across various units of analysis, with several applications for corporate and operational management. Furthermore, several implications inform consumer researchers and corporate consumer research departments about effective ways to investigate and serve industry. This study also has several limitations that suggest routes for further research.
Quantum electron-nuclear dynamics

Abstract A time-dependent approach to molecular dynamics involving both electrons and nuclei is formulated to study the interaction between electronic structure and nuclear geometry during electron transfer. The formulation uses the time-dependent variational principle to obtain a Hamiltonian system of first-order ordinary differential equations for wave function parameters from the Schrodinger equation. The formulation is applied to a two-level electron model with nuclei treated quantum mechanically by means of Gaussian wave packets, and coupled to the electronic states via a suitable potential. The effect of the nuclear widths on the potentials allowing for the possibility of electron tunneling in the electron transfer process is analyzed and compared with the case where the nuclei are treated classically.
Predicting outcome based on Swenerton score in patients with metastatic breast cancer undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: implications for patient selection.

Abstract The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of the Swenerton score in assessing extent of disease as an independent prognostic and predictive factor in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who receive high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT). Two-hundred thirty-two patients with MBC underwent HDCT. Extent of disease was assessed quantitatively using the Swenerton score. A retrospective analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression models. One hundred three (44%) patients had a complete response (CR) after HDCT. Bone marrow as source of hematopoietic stem cells, hormone-receptor-negative status, and visceral involvement correlated with both worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Short disease-free interval, multiple sites of metastatic disease, and less than 50% reduction in the Swenerton Score during induction chemotherapy correlated with worse OS. Patients in CR at the time of HDCT had better PFS than patients in partial response, stable disease, or progressive disease. Fifty-six patients who underwent conversion to CR after HDCT had a similar median OS (not reached v 74 months; P = .51) and PFS duration (22 v 44 months; P = .15) as patients who received HDCT after a CR to standard-dose chemotherapy (SDCT). Conversion to CR was predicted by a ≥50% reduction in the Swenerton score during SDCT (odds ratio [OR] 3.32, P
SU-FF-I-45: Labview Graphical User Interface for Micro Angio-Fluoroscopic High Resolution Detector

Purpose: A graphical user interface based on LabView software was developed to control a Micro Angio‐Fluoroscopic detector (MAF) for real‐time acquisition, display and rapid frame transfer of high resolution images of a region‐of‐interest. Method and Materials: A MAF detector was built by our group using a CsI(Tl) phosphor, fiber‐optic taper and Light Amplifier optically coupled to a progressive scan charged coupled device(CCD)camera which provides real‐time 12 bit, 1k × 1k images. During image acquisition, the MAF detector is inserted in the x‐ray beam of an angiographic unit, between the x‐ray image intensifier and the patient. Images can be captured in continuous or triggered mode and the camera can be programmed by a computer using the serial communication. A graphical user interface was developed to control the camera modes such as gain and pixel binning as well as to acquire, store, display, and process the images.Results: The program, written in LabView, has the following capabilities: camera initialization, synchronized image acquisition with the x‐ray pulses, flat field correction, window and level adjustment, brightness and contrast control, and looped play‐back of the acquired images. Acquisition starts when the first triggering pulse is read by the interface. The acquired sequence of images is automatically displayed in a loop after completion of acquisition and the images can be stored or deleted at the user's discretion. Frame rates can be up to 30fps in 2×2 binning mode and 25fps unbinned. Conclusion: The user friendly implementation of the interface along with the high frame rate acquisition and display for this unique high resolution detector may provide angiographers a new capability for visualizing details of small endovascular devices such as stents and hence enable more accurate image guided localization. (Support: NIH Grants R01NS43924, R01EB002873).
Medium-range, objective predictions of thunderstorm location and severity for aviation

This paper presents a computerized technique for medium-range (12-48h) prediction of both the location and severity of thunderstorms utilizing atmospheric predictions from the National Meteorological Center's limited-area fine-mesh model (LFM). A regional-scale analysis scheme is first used to examine the spatial and temporal distributions of forecasted variables associated with the structure and dynamics of mesoscale systems over an area of approximately 10 to the 6th sq km. The final prediction of thunderstorm location and severity is based upon an objective combination of these regionally analyzed variables. Medium-range thunderstorm predictions are presented for the late afternoon period of April 10, 1979, the day of the Wichita Falls, Texas tornado. Conventional medium-range thunderstorm forecasts, made from observed data, are presented with the case study to demonstrate the possible application of this objective technique in improving 12-48 h thunderstorm forecasts for aviation.
Studies on a network of complex neurons

In the last decade, much effort has been directed towards understanding the role of chaos in the brain. Work with rabbits reveals that in the resting state the electrical activity on the surface of the olfactory bulb is chaotic. But, when the animal is involved in a recognition task, the activity shifts to a specific pattern corresponding to the odor that is being recognized. Unstable, quasiperiodic behavior can be found in a class of conservative, deterministic physical systems called the Hamiltonian systems. In this paper, we formulate a complex version of Hopfield's network os real parameters and show that a variation on this model is a conservative system. Conditions under which the complex network can be used as a Content Addressable memory are studied. We also examine the effect of singularities of the complex sigmoid function on the network dynamics. The network exhibits unpredictable behavior at the singularities due to the failure of a uniqueness condition for the solution of the dynamic equations. On incorporating a weight adaptation rule, the structure of the resulting complex network equations is shown to have an interesting similarity with Kosko's Adaptive Bidirectional Associative Memory.
Clearing A Path Through The Management Fashion Jungle: Some Preliminary Trailblazing

Sixteen management fashions that emerged over the past five decades were identified and evaluated on eight criteria, including radicalness, broadness, and fear induction. The authors examined relat...
On reforming practice in mathematics education

Based on principles of constructivism, an analysis is made of how practice in mathematical education might be reformed towards a professional practice. In addition to the widespread recommendations that mathematical teaching be based on interactive communication and that mathematical learning be active, we argue that conventional school mathematics be replaced by a constructivist school mathematics. A constructivist school mathematics is based on children's use of their schemes of action and operation in learning situations, and whatever accommodation the children make in these schemes as they use them. Through examples of our learning of the numerical schemes of five year old children we illustrate what we mean by a constructivist school mathematics. In our examples, we characterize the schemes of action and operation that we attribute to children as our interpretations of the children's activities. For this reason, we define a constructivist school mathematics to be the results of the observer's experiential abstractions in the context of interacting with children mathematically. A professional teacher is cast as one with the intellectual autonomy and power to produce a constructivist school mathematics, including the involved situations of learning and interactive mathematical communication.
Extended data dependency approach: a robust way of rebuilding database

Attack on information systems through electronic media has become epidemic with the explosion of Internet technologies and their applications. It is vital to start the assessment and recovery efforts immediately after an attack is detected. In this research, we consider dependency among data items to assess the damage. But the existing data dependency method is extremely limited. Therefore, in this paper, we have provided the theory and concepts needed to make this approach more robust and general. These include: classifications of read and write operations, a new definition of transaction and a new representation of the scheduler. Based on this developed theory, we have proposed an algorithm for damage assessment and recovery in a database that has suffered from information attack.
Novel Neurohormonal Antagonist Strategies: Vasopressin Antagonism, Anticytokine Therapy, and Endothelin Antagonism in Patients Who Have Heart Failure

The evolution of the notion that neurohormonal activation is central to the progression of heart failure (HF) is based mainly on studies of the effects of inhibiting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and sympathetic nervous system in this syndrome. The observed results have yielded pharmacologic modalities capable of reducing morbidity and mortality in this debilitating and costly condition. More recent characterization of additional, maladaptive responses in HF has identified further potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Among others, arginine vasopressin (AVP), inflammatory cytokines, and endothelin have been implicated in the progression of HF, and antagonists of each have undergone extensive evaluation for potential therapeutic benefit.
Probing DNA polymerase fidelity mechanisms using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy.

Prior to undergoing postsynthetic 3'-5' editing (proofreading), a defective DNA primer terminus must be transferred from the 5'-3' polymerase active site to a remote 3'-5' exonuclease site. To elucidate the mechanisms by which this occurs, we have used time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to study the interaction of dansyl-labeled DNA primer/templates with the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I. The dansyl probe is positioned such that when the DNA substrate occupies the polymerase active site, the probe is solvent-exposed and possesses a short average fluorescence lifetime (4.7 ns) and extensive angular diffusion (42.5 degrees). Conversely, when the DNA substrate occupies the exonuclease active site, the probe becomes buried within the protein, resulting in an increase in the average lifetime (14.1 ns) and a decrease in the degree of angular diffusion (14.4 degrees ). If both polymerase and exonuclease binding modes are populated (lower limit approximately 5%), their markedly different fluorescence properties cause the anisotropy to decay with a characteristic "dip and rise" shape. Nonlinear least-squares analysis of these data recovers the ground-state mole fractions of exposed (x(e)) and buried (x(b)) probes, which are equivalent to the equilibrium proportions of the DNA substrate bound at the polymerase and exonuclease sites, respectively. The distribution between the polymerase and exonuclease binding modes is given by the equilibrium partitioning constant K(pe) (equal to x(b)/x(e)). The important determinants of the proofreading process can therefore be identified by changes made to either the protein or DNA that perturb the partitioning equilibrium and hence alter the magnitude of K(pe).
Lack of Effect of Cimetidine on Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

Cimetidine, widely used for peptic ulcer disease, blocks type 2 histamine receptors present on immune cells, including T cells, B cells, and monocytes. As an earlier published study showed evidence of increases in CD4 cell counts due to this drug, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial of oral cimetidine (400 mg po t.i.d.) in a study involving 182 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Overall, cimetidine-treated patients had a decline in CD4 + cell counts that was no different from the decline for placebo-treated persons, neither during the first 8 weeks of the trial (mean drop, 7.1% [standard error, 12.1-1.8] vs. 6.7% [standard error, 11.6-1.5]) nor during the subsequent 8 weeks of open-label administration of cimetidine. No differences were evident between the treatment groups in terms of the percentage reactive to p24 antigen at baseline, and p24 antigen concentrations did not change from baseline to the end of week 8. In summary, cimetidine is well tolerated by HIV-infected individuals but alters neither CD4 + cell counts nor at least one quantitative measure of viral load, HIV p24 antigen levels.
New Media Use by Patients Who Are Homeless: The Potential of mHealth to Build Connectivity

Background: Patients experiencing homelessness represent a disproportionate share of emergency department (ED) visits due to poor access to primary care and high levels of unmet health care needs. This is in part due to the difficulty of communicating and following up with patients who are experiencing homelessness. Objective: To determine the prevalence and types of “new media” use among ED patients who experience homelessness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study with sequential enrolling of patients from three emergency departments 24/7 for 6 weeks. In total, 5788 ED patients were enrolled, of whom 249 experienced homelessness. Analyses included descriptive statistics, and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios. Results: 70.7% (176/249) of patients experiencing homelessness own cell phones compared to 85.90% (4758/5539) of patients in stable housing (P=.001) with the former more likely to own Androids, 70% (53/76) versus 43.89% (1064/2424), and the latter more likely to have iPhones, 44.55% (1080/2424) versus 17% (13/76) (P=.001). There is no significant difference in new media use, modality, or frequency for both groups; however, there is a difference in contract plan with 50.02% (2380/4758) of stably housed patients having unlimited minutes versus 37.5% (66/176) of homeless patients. 19.78% (941/4758) of patients in stable housing have pay-as-you-go plans versus 33.0% (58/176) of homeless patients (P=.001). Patients experiencing homelessness are more likely to want health information on alcohol/substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, pregnancy and smoking cessation. Conclusions: This study is unique in its characterization of new media ownership and use among ED patients experiencing homelessness. New media is a powerful tool to connect patients experiencing homelessness to health care.
The Generalization of Conditioned Responses: I. The Sensory Generalization of Conditioned Responses with Varying Frequencies of Tone

(1937). The Generalization of Conditioned Responses: I. The Sensory Generalization of Conditioned Responses with Varying Frequencies of Tone. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 125-148.
Assessment of the JUPITER Trial

The Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) is a trial that has attracted considerable attention since it was published in November 2008 [1]. It was a large randomized, controlled primary prevention trial that demonstrated reduced cardiovascular disease endpoints in healthy adults (i.e., no antecedent cardiovascular disease) who were randomized to receive the statin medication rosuvastatin versus placebo. Rosuvastatin achieves both potent low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering benefits as well as reduced C-reactive protein (CRP), a serum protein that serves as a reliable marker of systemic inflammation. More recently, a related article by Glynn et al. [2] highlighted the generalizability of JUPITER’s main conclusions to the older adults in the study population.
Some proposals regarding the organization of the central nervous system control of penile erection

Abstract Recent research on the central nervous control of penile erection is discussed. A framework for this control is based upon principles put forward by Frank Beach regarding the neuroendocrine regulation of male copulatory behavior. The current discussion is focused primarily on a subset, penile erection. The spinal cord contains all the necessary components for the production of penile erection. This requires a multisegmental coordination among penile vasodilator and vasoconstrictor autonomic neurons, pudendal motoneurons responsible for penile rigidity and autonomic neurons which control extra-penile blood flow. Genital sensory stimulation can activate this spinal network. The spinal cord is also under excitatory and inhibitory control from supraspinal sites. Penile erection can be driven by supraspinal input alone and supraspinal control can inhibit the erectile effects of genital stimulation. An important aspect of the CNS control of penile erection is that there are extensive interconnections between most of the brain sites identified to date. Most of the pathways are characterized by reciprocal connections. A large number of the CNS sites also receive genital sensory information. Thus, descending control may itself be modulated by ascending sensory pathways which relay information from the genitalia. This raises the possibility that penile erection may involve a positive feedback system. Receptors for gonadal hormones have been identified throughout the neuraxis. However, strong evidence for the control of male sexual function by gonadal hormones has been identified only for forebrain sites. The functional role of brainstem and spinal gonadal hormone receptors has not yet been clarified.
Construction of a Custom-Shaded Interim Denture Using Visible-Light-Cured Resin

A patient treatment is presented to demonstrate a technique using visible-light-cured (VLC) resin to create a characterized denture base for an interim denture. This indication for characterization is routinely seen with African-Americans with dark-pigmented gingiva. Using a combination of blue VLC tray resin and pink VLC denture base resin, the mixture achieves a darker-colored denture base. This technique was used for the fabrication of an interim denture for a patient who required an immediate interim denture. The prosthesis was worn during the healing phase and allowed the patient to function while the definitive prosthesis was being fabricated.
Mechanisms of Ventricular Fibrillation Induction by 60-Hz Alternating Current in Isolated Swine Right Ventricle

Background —The mechanisms by which 60-Hz alternating current (AC) can induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) are unknown. Methods and Results —We studied 7 isolated perfused swine right ventricles in vitro. The action potential duration restitution curve was determined. Optical mapping techniques were used to determine the patterns of activation on the epicardium during 5-second 60-Hz AC stimulation (10 to 999 μA). AC captured the right ventricles at 100±65 μA, which is significantly lower than the direct current pacing threshold (0.77±0.45 mA, P <0.05). AC induced ventricular tachycardia or VF at 477±266 μA, when the stimulated responses to AC had (1) short activation CLs (128±14 ms), (2) short diastolic intervals (16±9 ms), and (3) short diastolic intervals associated with a steep action potential duration restitution curve. Optical mapping studies showed that during rapid ventricular stimulation by AC, a wave front might encounter the refractory tail of an earlier wave front, resulting in the formation of a wave break and VF. Computer simulations reproduced these results. Conclusions —AC at strengths less than the regular pacing threshold can capture the ventricle at fast rates. Accidental AC leak to the ventricles could precipitate VF and sudden death if AC results in a fast ventricular rate coupled with a steep restitution curve and a nonuniform recovery of excitability of the myocardium.
Guessing preferences: a new approach to multi-attribute ranking and selection

We consider an analyst tasked with using simulation to help a decision-maker choose among several decision alternatives. Each alternative has several competing attributes, e.g., cost and quality, that are unknown but can be estimated through simulation. We model this problem in a Bayesian context, where the decision-maker's preferences are described by a utility function, but this utility function is unknown to the analyst. The analyst must choose how to allocate his simulation budget among the alternatives in the face of uncertainty about both the alternatives' attributes, and the decision-maker's preferences. Only after simulation is complete are the decision-maker's preferences revealed. In this context, we calculate the value of the information in simulation samples, and propose a new multi-attribute ranking and selection procedure based on this value. This procedure is able to incorporate prior information about the decision-maker's preferences to improve sampling efficiency.
Identifying clinical/translational research cohorts: ascertainment via querying an integrated multi-source database

Background Ascertainment of potential subjects has been a longstanding problem in clinical research. Various methods have been proposed, including using data in electronic health records. However, these methods typically suffer from scaling effects—some methods work well for large cohorts; others work for small cohorts only. Objective We propose a method that provides a simple identification of pre-research cohorts and relies on data available in most states in the USA: merged public health data sources. Materials and methods The Utah Population Database Limited query tool allows users to build complex queries that may span several types of health records, such as cancer registries, inpatient hospital discharges, and death certificates; in addition, these can be combined with family history information. The architectural approach incorporates several coding systems for medical information. It provides a front-end graphical user interface and enables researchers to build and run queries and view aggregate results. Multiple strategies have been incorporated to maintain confidentiality. Results This tool was rapidly adopted; since its release, 241 users representing a wide range of disciplines from 17 institutions have signed the user agreement and used the query tool. Three examples are discussed: pregnancy complications co-occurring with cardiovascular disease; spondyloarthritis; and breast cancer. Discussion and conclusions This query tool was designed to provide results as pre-research so that institutional review board approval would not be required. This architecture uses well-described technologies that should be within the reach of most institutions.
Permeability reduction of a natural fracture under net dissolution by hydrothermal fluids

[1] Flow-through tests are completed on a natural fracture in novaculite at temperatures of 20� C, 80� C, 120� C, and 150� C. Measurements of fluid and dissolved mass fluxes, and concurrent X-ray CT imaging, are used to constrain the progress of mineral dissolution and its effect on transport properties. Under constant effective stress, fracture permeability decreases monotonically with an increase in temperature. Increases in temperature cause closure of the fracture, although each increment in temperature causes a successively smaller effect. The initial differential fluid pressure-drop across the fracture increases by two orders of magnitude through the 900 h duration of the test, consistent with a reduction of an equivalent hydraulic aperture by a factor of five. Both the magnitude and rate of aperture reduction is consistent with the dissolution of stressed asperities in contact, as confirmed by the hydraulic and mass efflux data. These observations are confirmed by CT imaging, resolved to 35 microns, and define the potentially substantial influence that benign changes in environmental conditions of stress, temperature, and chemistry may exert on transport properties. INDEX TERMS: 5104 Physical Properties of Rocks: Fracture and flow; 5114 Physical Properties of Rocks: Permeability and porosity; 5194 Physical Properties of Rocks: Instruments and techniques; 5134 Physical Properties of Rocks: Thermal properties; 8135 Tectonophysics: Hydrothermal systems (8424). Citation: Polak, A., D. Elsworth, H. Yasuhara, A. S. Grader, and P. M. Halleck, Permeability reduction of a natural fracture under net dissolution by hydrothermal fluids, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(20), 2020, doi:10.1029/2003GL017575, 2003.
Life in the treetops: ecophysiological strategies of canopy epiphytes in a tropical montane cloud forest

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) inhabit regions rich in biodiversity that play an important role in the local and regional water cycle. Canopy plants such as epiphytes and hemiepiphytes are an important component of the biodiversity in the TMCF and therefore play a significant role in the carbon, nutrient, and water cycles. With only partial or no access to resources on the ground, canopy plants may be vulnerable to changes in climate that increase canopy temperatures and decrease atmospheric humidity or precipitation inputs. Despite their importance in the TMCF, little is known about variation in functional strategies relating to drought avoidance or drought tolerance of canopy plants. In this study, we quantified variation in a number of functional traits in 11 species of epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in a Costa Rican TMCF. We also generated pressure–volume and xylem vulnerability curves that we used as indicators of drought tolerance. In addition, we hand-sectioned fresh leaves and examined cross ...
Daily stress and cortisol patterns in parents of adult children with a serious mental illness.

Stress associated with caregiving takes a toll on physical health (Vitaliano, Zhang, & Scanlan, 2003). Although much research has examined the psychological impact of parenting an adult child with a serious mental illness (SMI), especially in terms of perceived burden (Satorius, Leff, Lopez-Ibor, Maj, & Okasha, 2005), little research has focused on the physiological impact of parenting an adult child with a SMI. The hormone cortisol is a biomarker of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation that plays an important role in mediating the effects of life stressors on physical health. Over time, repeated or chronic stress exposure can lead to flatter profiles and persistently low levels of circulating cortisol, a pattern of hypoactivity that is symptomatic of wear and tear on the HPA axis (Miller, Chen, & Zhou, 2007). Hypoactive cortisol profiles are linked to chronic stress exposure, including chronic caregiving stress in parents of individuals with developmental disabilities and SMIs. For example, among parents of adult children with a developmental disability or mental illness, cortisol declined less on days parents spent more time with their children, including the affected child (Seltzer et al., 2009). Likewise, in a sample of mothers of adults with an autism spectrum disorder, a flatter cortisol awakening response (CAR) was experienced on days following elevated behavior problems, especially for mothers whose adult child had a history of high levels of behavior problems (Seltzer et al., 2010). In a sample of 38 parents of individuals with schizophrenia, parents whose son or daughter was not institutionalized had a flatter CAR than parents whose son or daughter was institutionalized (Gonzolez-Bono, De Andres-Garcia, Moya-Albiol, 2010). In the current study we examine the CAR and daily decline in cortisol in a sample of parents of adults with a SMI, and compare these parameters to those manifested by parents of non-disabled adult children. We expected that parents of individuals with an SMI would exhibit a flatter CAR and flatter daily decline in cortisol on days following more severe stress.
Robotic total hip replacement surgery in dogs

Approximately half of over 120000 total hip replacement operations performed annually in the United States use cementless implants. The standard method for preparing the femoral cavity for such implants improves the use of mallet-driven handheld broach whose shape matches that of the desired implant. In vitro experiments have supported the possibility that more accurate (and efficacious) results can be achieved by using a robot to machine the cavity. The authors are developing a second-generation system suitable for use in an operating room, targeted at clinical trials on dogs needing hip implants. A description is given of the background, objectives, architecture, and surgical procedure for this system. Also provided are brief descriptions of key results from earlier experiments and planned future work. >