cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of retained nucleus fragment in the posterior chamber using ultrasound biomicroscopy.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to image retained nuclear fragments posterior to the iris plane after uncomplicated phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation in two patients. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: Two patients presented with an iris elevation after uncomplicated phacoemulsification and lens implantation. RESULTS: Visual acuity was 20/20 in the first patient and 20/30 in the second. There was no anterior chamber inflammation in either eye. UBM revealed a small, retained nuclear fragment between the iris pigment epithelium and the anterior lens capsule, causing localized anterior iris displacement in both patients. The PCIOL was within the capsular bag, and the iris root and ciliary body were normal in both patients. CONCLUSION: UBM can demonstrate retained lens fragments within the posterior chamber.
Synthesis and epimerization studies of 1‐alkyl‐2‐carbomethoxy‐(benzyloxy)‐4‐methylazetidines

A number of 1-alkyl-2-carbomethoxy(benzyloxy)-4-methylazetidines have been prepared by reaction of primary amines with α,γ-dibromo esters. Only one isomer was isolated from the reaction mixture. α-Aminolactones can also be obtained as the minor product of the reaction sequence.
100 Gb/s (10/spl times/10 Gb/s) DWDM photonic integrated circuit transmitters and receivers

100 Gb/s transmitters and receivers are realized through the monolithic integration of over 50 discrete functions onto a single InP chip. The modules are capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving 10 DWDM wavelengths at >10 Gb/s.
High-field conductivity in SnO2 glazes

Abstract The conductivity of glazes consisting of SnO 2 in Sb-doped BaAl-borate and BaAl-borosilicate glasses has been studied for fields in the range 10 2 –10 5 V/cm at temperatures 4.2 K ⩽ T ⩽ 470 K. The glazes were free of mobile ions such as K, Na, Li and Pb. Conduction takes place between Sb-doped SnO 2 particles concentrated in the fused contact region between the much larger glass particles. At high temperatures (300–470 K), the conductivity is thermally activated of the Frenkel-Poole type. At 77 K, both tunneling and thermally activated conductivity appear to be present.
Boltzmann Equation for Polarons

The Feynman description of the polaron is used to write a polaron Boltzmann equation. This equation is then used to discuss the drift mobility problem. In the limit of low temperatures, the Boltzmann equation is rearranged to exhibit elastic resonance scattering and it is solved exactly. The evaluation of the drift mobility thus obtained is compared with the results of other calculations. Other applications of the polaron Boltzmann equation are briefly discussed. (auth)
The Messenger Overwhelming the Message: Ideological Cues and Perceptions of Bias in Television News

Survey research has demonstrated that citizens perceive ideological bias in television news, specifically with regard to CNN and Fox News Channel (FNC), which allegedly represent the liberal and conservative viewpoint, respectively. In this paper I argue that attaching the CNN and FNC labels to news stories sends an ideological cue to the viewer regarding the content of the story. Utilizing an experimental design that allows manipulation of the network attribution of actual FNC and CNN content, I am able to demonstrate that the CNN and FNC labels function as ideological signals to the viewer, with this signal being most pronounced among ideologues whose views are supposedly at odds with those attributed to the network.
1601 THE EFFECT OF ANGIOTENSIN II (All) ON GLOMERULAR VASCULATURE

There is controversy in the literature regarding the effect of All on various components of the glomerular microcirculation. Experiments were performed on adult male Munich-Wistar rats paired according to weight (n=7 in each group). Following anesthesia, one animal in each pair was given an infusion of All at the rate of 0.5 μg/kg per min for 15-20 min while the other animal was given an identical volume of Ringer's lactate only. At the end of the infusion, the kidneys were fixed “in situ” with glutaraldehyde and injected with a silicone rubber compound. Following histological preparation of the tissue, measurements of glomerular tuft, arteriolar, and capillary diameters were performed with a caliper on projections of transparencies. All glomeruli chosen for examination were intact; none of the vessels were sectioned. The values are expressed in μm. The results indicate no significant change in glomerular and capillary diameters, but a significant and similar change (33 and 32%, respectively) in afferent and efferent arteriolar diameters. Thus, All given in the amounts: specified, constricts to a similar extent the afferent and efferent vessels and has no effect on glomerular tuft and capillary diameters.
The role of molecular methods in the prevention of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clusters in cancer patients.

In 2002, an increased incidence of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our institution triggered a conventional investigation that failed to identify a common source. Molecular typing of the 70 nosocomial MRSA isolates obtained identified a predominant health care–associated clone A in the first trimester. Aggressive infection control measures led to a significant decrease in the number of isolates per 10,000 hospital days between the first trimester and the last 2 trimesters of 2003 (6.4 vs 3.8; P = .04). This was attributed to a decrease in clone A: SCC mec II, USA100, PVL gene–negative (2.3 per 10.000 patient-days vs 0.1 per 10,000 patient-days; P = .004). However, in 2003, 23% of the nosocomial isolates were SCC mec IV, USA300, PVL gene–positive. At that time, molecular methods allowed the detection and prevention of a nosocomial MRSA outbreak caused by a health care–associated clone; however, the community strains (SCC mec IV) have become a frequent cause of nosocomial infection in our institution.
Efficacy of Pneumatic Trousers in Refractory Prehospital Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Persons refractory to early application of advanced cardiac life support have a dismal prognosis. New modalities are needed to treat this almost universally lethal condition. We have evaluated pneumatic trousers in the treatment of refractory cardiopulmonary arrest. To date 136 patients have been entered into this controlled, prospective, randomized study. All patients were more than 20 years old and in cardiac arrest of apparent cardiac etiology. Patients were excluded if they had arrested secondary to trauma or overdose, or if an IV could not be started. In addition, patients had to be refractory to therapies included in our paramedic standing orders. If at the end of these standing orders the patient remained in arrest, he was entered into the study and pneumatic trousers were applied or not according to a randomized list. The attempted resuscitation was then continued with no other preset variables. The resuscitation and discharge rates for the control group were 21% and 4%, respectively. With pneumatic trousers, resuscitation increased to 33%, and discharge to 9%. The control group in ventricular fibrillation (VF) had a 27% resuscitation rate and a 5% discharge rate. The pneumatic trousers group with VF had a 35% resuscitation rate and a 12% discharge rate. In pulseless idioventricular rhythm (PIVR), the control group had a 0% resuscitation rate and a 0% discharge rate. In marked contrast, for PIVR the pneumatic trousers group had a 35% resuscitation rate and a 9% discharge rate. The control group in asystole (AS) had a 25% resuscitation rate and a 0% discharge rate. The pneumatic trousers group in AS had a 27% resuscitation rate and a 0% discharge rate. The improvement in resuscitation rate with pneumatic trousers was statistically significant only for the initial rhythm of PIVR (P
Tantalum metallization and properties of silicon MOS structures under stress

Abstract Stresses at the surface of a silicon wafer and at the Si-SiO 2 interface were induced by the sputter deposition of tantalum films. The sputtering of tantalum produced deformation of the silicon wafers by bending, and the radius of curvature was a function of the tantalum sputtering voltage and the tantalum film thickness. The magnitude of the stress induced at the silicon surface was determined from automatic Bragg angle control measurements of the radius of curvature. The surface distribution of the strain field and its distribution in the bulk of the silicon wafer were observed by the use of X-ray transmission topography. The electrical properties of the MOS capacitor were studied as a function of the induced stress. It was found that the largest changes with induced stress occur in the values of recombination time and capture cross section, while the surface state charge density Q ss and the surface state density N ss are not significantly affected. Auger electron spectroscopy showed that implanted tantalum atoms diffuse through the SiO 2 and reach the silicon surface.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a hospitalized population: Prospective study of factors associated with outcome

A prospective study of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was carried out on 226 patients in order to examine factors predicting successful resuscitation and 6 month survival. The mean age of all patients was 70 years and median age was 74. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was successful in 40.5% (137) of all arrests and in 48.7% (110) of the first arrests. Thirty of 207 patients with one or more cardiac arrests were discharged alive (14%). Twenty-one of our patients were alive at 6 months (10.3%). Patients in ventricular fibrillation and/or ventricular tachycardia at the time of arrest were more likely to have successful outcomes. When the patient required Isuprel or bicarbonate, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was significantly less successful. We found no correlation of immediate outcome with the following variables: location of arrest; time of day; pre-existence of shock; coma; stroke; malignancy. Uremia and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not significantly associated with failed resuscitation. Most notable in our results of specific treatments was the evidence for the need to improve the initial pH, particularly when it was less than 7.2. Failure to do so by the time the second blood gas was drawn was associated with failure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our results also suggest that the adequate treatment of metabolic acidosis, and improved ventilatory management with improved PO2 and optimization of PCO2, play a role in the better outcome of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
An early, nonrandom karyotypic change in immortal Syrian hamster cell lines transformed by asbestos: Trisomy of chromosome 11

Abstract Cytogenetic studies were performed on eight early passage Syrian hamster embryo cell lines independently derived following asbestos exposure. The modal chromosome number of all the immortal cell lines was near-diploid. At the earliest passage examined, six of eight cell lines had only numerical chromosome changes. Cells in each of these six cell lines had an extra chromosome #11, either as a sole karyotypic change or with other numerical changes. The remaining two cell lines displayed both numerical and structural chromosome changes, but without involvement of chromosome #11. Common abnormalities were −X or −Y, +3, and 8p− in one cell line, and −13 and t(13;21) in the other cell line. A nonrandom gain of chromosome #8 was also found in four cell lines. In three of the four cell lines, trisomy of chromosome #8 seems to have occurred during karyotypic progression. The observation that nonrandom changes in chromosome number are an early karyotypic change after carcinogen treatment supports our hypothesis that induction of aneuploidy by asbestos is mechanistically important in the transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture and, further, suggests that trisomy 11 plays a major role in the early steps of immortalization and neoplastic progression.
The Longitudinal Relation Between Academic/Cognitive Skills and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Preschool Children

OBJECTIVE: Existing research suggests that there is a relation between academic/cognitive deficits and externalizing behavior in young children, but the direction of this relation is unclear. The present study tested competing models of the relation between academic/cognitive functioning and behavior problems during early childhood. METHOD: Participants were 221 children (120 boys, 101 girls) who participated in a longitudinal study from age 3 to 6. RESULTS: A reciprocal relation (Model 3) was observed only between inattention and academic achievement; this relation remained controlling for SES and family stress. The relation between inattention and cognitive ability was consistent with Model 1 (cognitive skills predicting later inattention) with controls. For hyperactivity and aggression, there was some support for Model 2 (early behavior predicting later academic/cognitive ability), but this model was no longer supported when controlling for family functioning. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the relation between academic achievement/cognitive ability and externalizing problems may be driven primarily by inattention. These results also suggest that this relation is evident early in development, highlighting the need for early assessment and intervention. Language: en
Toward an integrated model of intrinsic motivation and career self‐management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrative process model that explains the mechanisms through which intrinsic motivation can influence career self‐management and subsequent subjective and objective career success.Design/methodology/approach – Research on career self‐management can benefit by incorporating an intrinsic motivation perspective. The paper proposes a model that depicts how four components of intrinsic motivation – meaningfulness, competence, choice, and progress – can contribute to career self‐management.Findings – Because the manuscript is conceptual and theoretical in nature, there are no empirical findings to discuss. The paper does, however, advance six testable research propositions linking components of intrinsic motivation to career self‐management and career success.Research limitations/implications – The model is most applicable for individuals who have some level of control over their own career choices and mobility. Also, we focus on intrinsic, rather than extr...
Endoscopic palliation of pancreatic cancer

There are many approaches to palliation of jaundice in patients with pancreatic cancer. Each stenting technique has merit. Regrettably, an insufficient number of randomized comparative trials using the latest technology have been performed. Moreover, economic analyses of techniques to aid in clinical decision making are few. Currently data support endoscopic stenting as the standard for most patients with obstructive jaundice from pancreatic cancer. Patients with an expected survival of more than 6 months should undergo placement of an expandable metal stent, whereas patients with a limited life expectancy (<3 months) are best served with a plastic stent. Randomized comparative studies are needed between laparoscopic techniques and endoscopically placed expandable metal stents. Percutaneous techniques may prove safer and more effective when metal expandable stents are used.
Regulation of connexin 36 expression during development

Abstract In the mammalian CNS, the expression of neuronal gap junction protein, connexin 36 (Cx36), increases during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development and then decreases during the following 2 weeks. Recently we showed that the developmental increase in Cx36 expression is augmented by chronic (2 weeks) activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), prevented by chronic receptor inactivation, and the receptor-dependent increase in Cx36 expression is regulated via transcriptional control of the Cx36 gene activity. We demonstrate here that acute (60 min) activation of group II mGluRs in developing cortical neuronal cultures causes transient increase in Cx36 protein expression with decrease during the following 24 h. However, there is no change in Cx36 mRNA expression. In addition, the data indicate that transient increase in Cx36 expression is due to new protein synthesis. The results suggest that, during development, acute activation of group II mGluRs causes up-regulation of Cx36 via post-transcriptional mechanisms. However, if the receptor activation is sustained, transcriptional activation of the Cx36 gene occurs.
Dissimilatory arsenate reductase activity and arsenate-respiring bacteria in bovine rumen fluid, hamster feces, and the termite hindgut

Bovine rumen fluid and slurried hamster feces completely reduced millimolar levels of arsenate to arsenite upon incubation under anoxic conditions. This activity was strongly inhibited by autoclaving or aerobic conditions, and partially inhibited by tungstate or chloramphenicol. The rate of arsenate reduction was faster in feces from a population of arsenate-watered (100 ppm) hamsters compared to a control group watered without arsenate. Using radioisotope methods, arsenate reductase activity in hamster feces was also detected at very low concentrations of added arsenate (∼10 μM). Bacterial cultures were isolated from these materials, as well as from the termite hindgut, that grew using H2 as their electron donor, acetate as their carbon source, and arsenate as their respiratory electron acceptor. The three cultures aligned phylogenetically either with well-established enteric bacteria, or with an organism associated with feedlot fecal wastes. Because arsenite is transported across the gut epithelium more readily than arsenate, microbial dissimilatory reduction of arsenate in the gut may promote the body's absorption of arsenic and hence potentiate its toxicity.
A physical storage model for efficient statistical query processing

A common approach to improving the performance of statistical query processing is to use precomputed results. Another lower-level approach would be to redesign the storage structure for statistical databases. This avenue is relatively unexplored. The objective of this paper is to present a physical storage structure for statistical databases, whose design is motivated by the characteristics of statistical queries. We show that our proposal enhances multi-attribute clustering efficiency, and improves the performance of statistical and aggregational queries. This customized structure reduces the amount of I/O incurred statistical query processing, thus decreasing the response time. >
Characteristics of Bone Particles from Various Poultry Meat Products

Abstract Bone particles were isolated from hand deboned turkey meat, sawed turkey carcasses, and mechanically deboned turkey meat. The turkey meat was solubilized by digestion with papain and the bone separated from other non-digestible material using a carbon tetrachloride:acetone mixture. Bone meal was also utilized in this study for comparative purposes. Photomicrographs were taken of isolated bone particles to determine their characteristics and size. Largest bone particles were separated from hand-deboned turkey meat (average diameter 513 μ). Bone particles from mechanically deboned turkey meat (average diameter 233 μ) were substantially smaller than those observed from hand deboned sources. Bone meal was observed to have the smallest average particle size (average diameter 83 μ). Particles from sawed carcasses were similar in size to those found in mechanically deboned turkey meat. Photomicrographs indicated that particles were generally amorphous in nature.
A novel technique of permanent self-catheterizable feeding jejunostomy

Long-term/permanent jejunal feeding in children and adults is prone to significant complications, such as leakage, skin excoriation, and difficulty in reinsertion after dislodgement of the jejunostomy tube. Our innovative jejunostomy technique uses a pedicle segment of jejunum, which is retubularized using the principle of Monti. The jejunal segment is reinserted through a submucosal tunnel back into the jejunum. The other end is brought out onto the abdominal wall. The technique achieves a continent catheterizable jejunal stoma for enteral feeding.
Chronically Implanted, Nafion-Coated Ag/AgCl Reference Electrodes for Neurochemical Applications.

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon-fiber microelectrodes can be used to measure behaviorally correlated dopamine changes in the extracellular fluid of the brain of freely moving rats. These experiments employ a chronically implanted Ag/AgCl reference electrode. When dopamine measurements are taken 4 days after implantation, there is often a potential shift, typically greater than +0.2 V, in the anodic and cathodic peaks in the cyclic voltammogram for dopamine. In this work, we optimized a method to coat sintered Ag/AgCl reference electrodes with the perfluorinated polymer, Nafion, to prevent this shift. We find that we can stabilize reference electrodes for up to 28 days. Immunohistochemistry of the tissue around the implant site shows extensive glial encapsulation around both bare and Nafion-coated devices. However, the lesion around bare electrodes has a rough texture implying that these cells are strongly adsorbed onto the bare reference electrode, while the lesion around a Nafion-coated electrode ...
Differential Expression of Cytokine Genes and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Induced by Opacity Phenotype Variants of Streptococcus pneumoniae during Acute Otitis Media in the Rat

Phase variation in the colonial opacity phenotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been implicated as a factor in bacterial adherence, colonization, and invasion in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal otitis media (OM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether S. pneumoniae opacity variants influence the induction of gene expression for proinflammatory mediators in vivo using the rat model of OM. Both the opaque and transparent phenotype variants induced a significant up-regulation in gene expression for interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) compared to saline sham-inoculated controls at both 4 and 24 h postinoculation (P < 0.05 in all cases). Furthermore, whereas a significant difference in gene expression was evident for only IL-6 (greater following challenge with the opaque variant) and IL-1beta (greater following challenge with the transparent variant) at 4 h, by 24 h the opaque variant cohort demonstrated a significant increase in gene expression for IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and iNOS relative to animals inoculated with the transparent phenotype variant (P < 0.05 in all cases). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results confirmed the gene expression data as determined by real-time PCR. Moreover, the concentrations of the opaque variant in the middle ear lavage fluid were a full log higher than those of the transparent variant. The aforementioned results indicate that the opaque phenotype variant is more efficient at survival and multiplication within the middle ear space, resulting in the accumulation of more inflammatory cells and the enhanced expression and production of inflammatory mediators. However, when the data were normalized to account for differences in middle ear bacterial titers, it became apparent that the transparent variant of S. pneumoniae is a more potent inducer of inflammation, triggering the accumulation of more inflammatory cells and substantially greater fold increases in the expression and production of inflammatory mediators. Data from this study indicate that S. pneumoniae opacity variants influence the temporal mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators within the middle ear.
Suppressed instability growth in seeded kink Z-pinches

Among the limiting factors preventing the achievement of maximum energy density in Z-pinches is the turbulence generated from instabilities, such as the sausage and kink. The kink instability can be stimulated by introducing a thin helical obstacle on the axis of the pinch. Imploding a conical wire arrays with this obstacle creates a sheared axial flow that interacts with the developing kink instability. Experiments involving conical and cylindrical wire arrays were conducted at the Nevada Terawatt Facility in order to investigate the growth of the seeded instability. Observations show that the kink instability was indeed suppressed for conical wire arrays.
The Synergizer service for translating gene, protein and other biological identifiers

Summary: The Synergizer is a database and web service that provides translations of biological database identifiers. It is accessible both programmatically and interactively. Availability: The Synergizer is freely available to all users inter-actively via a web application ( http://llama.med.harvard.edu/synergizer/translate) and programmatically via a web service. Clients implementing the Synergizer application programming interface (API) are also freely available. Please visit http://llama.med.harvard.edu/synergizer/doc for details. Contact: fritz_roth@hms.harvard.edu
Climate Change Research Across Disciplines: The Value and Uses of Multidisciplinary Research Reviews for Technical Communication

The authors performed an interdisciplinary literature review of research on communication and climate change. The authors reviewed STEM, social science, and risk analysis journals to synthesize recent publications on climate change communication which could support research in technical communication. Several applications are proposed for technical communication research, including using this review to contextualize local qualitative work, to spur interdisciplinary projects and address gaps in multidisciplinary literature, and reconsider a role for advocacy in technical communication.
Advanced elemental analysis methods for sub 30nm defects in a defect review SEM

As development phases became shorter, fast defect characterization is highly important. In addition, new chemicals involved in sub 28nm semiconductor processes introduce new types of defects. The variety of defect types complicates defect root cause analysis, so that image based defect analysis is limited, and defect material information becomes more important. Thus elemental analysis of defects in a defect review SEM gains importance in sub 28nm processes. This work presents a new type of Energy Dispersive X ray Spectrometer (EDX), integrated together with a unique e-beam column and high collection solid angle. It allows x-ray count rates that are more than an order of magnitude higher compared to traditional detectors. The high count rate speeds up the analysis period to less than 2 seconds for sub 30nm defects. Short analysis time is critical for such small sized defects as they can disappear due to charging or evaporation. In addition, the new detector-column configuration becomes sensitive to very thin films (down to 1nm), something that was not reasonable for the traditional SiLi x-ray spectrometers. Traditional EDX requires >5keV beam energies and >500pA beam current. New layers that are introduced to < 40nm processes, such as Ultra Low K materials, are sensitive to high electron doses. The new, fast EDX allows defect analysis on sensitive layers without damaging the analysis area
Vision-based target geo-location using camera equipped MAVs

A method for determining the location of a fixed ground target when imaged from the air using camera equipped micro air vehicles (MAVs) is developed. The ground objects' elevation is assumed known. Rather than a "one shot" affair, multiple bearing measurements of the ground object taken as the aircrafts fly around the target are used. This makes it possible for the deleterious effects of both the random measurement errors and the systematic measurement errors, a.k.a., attitude sensor biases, to be mitigated. As a result, the target is accurately geo-located and the attitude sensors are calibrated. If only one target bearing measurement can be taken, the attitude sensors will be calibrated in proximity of and prior to the arrival at the target area using an initial point (IP). The technique has been successfully tested on actual flight data and has been extended to multiple MAVs operations and cooperative geo-location.
Embedded Database Management Performance

Current methods for developing software for mobile devices don't account for input/output (I/O) options when design decisions are made. I/O needs are typically addressed in an ad hoc manner, and inexperienced application developers are not accustomed to programming for resource constrained devices and tend to ignore differences in performance between various persistent storage options. In this paper, we investigate the two primary methods for persistent storage on mobile devices and use a battery of tests to evaluate the optimal ways in which to retrieve persistent data from mobile devices. In our investigation, we uncover that if the number of records are less than 1000 then sequential files should be used as the data storage option. Furthermore, in cases involving nonindexed columns, the clear winner appears to be the embedded DBMS solution, especially as the data scales.
Cellulose acetate: Interactions with aqueous phenol and a transition temperature of about 20°C

Sorption of aqueous phenol onto powdered cellulose acetate can be described with the Langmuir equation at phenol concentrations below 0.10M. Unacetylated hydroxyl groups are probably the primary sites where phenol hydrogen bonds. As the phenol concentration is increased (> 0.13M), additional hydrogen bonding may occur with the carbonyl oxygens on the primary acetate groups, followed by secondary acetates and the beta glucosidic oxygens. Sorption at higher concentrations shows a negative slope for the Langmuir equation, perhaps caused by crowding and partial blocking of sites. Extrapolations to higher phenolic concentrations using the equation from the negative slope isotherm and plotting N versus °C reveal two lines with a point of intersection at 0.77M. Because of the increase slope above 0.77M, cellulose acetate may be dissolving in phenol. At concentrations below 0.10M, two processes were identified using a Van't Hoff plot (9.33 ± 0.30) × 103 and (−1.36 ± 0.18) X 103 J/mol. The initial moisture present in the polymer appears to be an important experimental variable and a transition temperature of 20.1 ± 0.2°C, probably due to polymer swelling, is reported.
Managing Hypertension with Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

There has been a dramatic shift in the manner in which blood pressure (BP) is measured to provide far more comprehensive clinical information than that provided by a single set of office BP readings. Extensive clinical and epidemiological research shows an important role of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in the management of hypertensive patients. A 24-h BP profile helps to determine the absence of nocturnal dipping status and evaluate BP control in patients on antihypertensive therapy. The ability to detect white-coat or masked hypertension is enhanced by ambulatory BP monitoring. In 2001, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved ABPM for reimbursement for the identification of patients with white-coat hypertension. In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK published guidelines that recommended the routine use of ABPM in all patients suspected of having hypertension. The European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2013 guidelines also support greater use of ABPM in clinical practice. While the advantages of ABPM are apparent from a clinical perspective, its use should be considered in relation to its cost, the complexity of data evaluation, as well as patient inconvenience. In this review, we evaluate the clinical importance of ABPM, highlighting its role in the current management of hypertension.
High uterosacral vaginal vault suspension with fascial reconstruction for vaginal repair of enterocele and vaginal vault prolapse

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to review retrospectively the functional and anatomic outcomes of women who underwent vaginal repair of enterocele and vault prolapse with the use of an intraperitoneal suspension of the vaginal vault to the uterosacral ligaments in conjunction with fascial reconstruction of the anterior and posterior vaginal wall. Study Design: Two hundred two women with advanced symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse or posthysterectomy vault prolapse underwent a standard transvaginal procedure to correct their prolapse between January 1997 and June 2000. Anatomic results were assessed by standardized examination from 6 months to 3 years after the operation. Functional results were assessed subjectively and with standard quality of life questionnaires. The average age of the women was 60.3 years. Follow-up data were available for 168 of the 202 women. Fifty-three percent of the women had their uterus in place and underwent a vaginal hysterectomy. The prolapse repair was a primary procedure in 45.2% of the women and was performed for a recurrence or persistence in 54.8% of the women. Sixty percent and 78.6% of women underwent anterior and posterior repair, respectively. Thirty-five percent of the women underwent an anti-incontinence procedure. Results: Eighty-nine percent of the women expressed satisfaction with the results of the procedure. Ten women (5.5%) underwent a repeat operation (by the authors) for recurrence of prolapse in one or more segments of the pelvic floor. Quality of life assessment revealed a significant reduction in all aspects of daily living, when the short forms of the incontinence impact questionnaire and urogenital distress inventory were evaluated before and after the operation. Major intraoperative complications included 5 cases (2.4%) of ureteral injury, 1 case of a small bowel injury, and 1 case of a pelvic abscess that required abdominal exploratory operation and diversion of the colon. Conclusion: High uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension with fascial reconstruction would seem to provide a durable anatomic repair with good functional improvement in patients with significant complex uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:1339-43.)
Biological Functions and Transcriptional Targets of CaRF in Neurons

Calcium-response factor (CaRF) is a unique DNA-binding protein first recognized as a transcription factor for its role in modulating transcription of the gene encoding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neurons. Here I review evidence for the biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in the brain and discuss potential mechanisms by which calcium-activated signaling pathways may modulate CaRF-dependent transcription. These data paint an emerging picture of CaRF as a regulatory nexus for signaling pathways that control aspects of synaptic development and neuronal function.
Neurohormones in heart failure: predicting outcomes, optimizing care

This editorial refers to ″The comparative prognostic value of plasma neurohormones at baseline in patients with heart failure enrolled in Val-HeFT″ by R. Latini et al. on page 292† As both the prevalence of heart failure (HF) and the number of therapeutic modalities for this condition grow, the search for improved biomarkers to predict prognosis and guide therapy continues. In this issue of the European Heart Journal , Latini et al.1report on the relative prognostic value of plasma neurohormones in HF by analysing the relationship between six biomarkers and outcomes in 4300 patients in the Valsartan in Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT). Although on univariate analysis all six neurohormones (Endothelin-1, Big Endothelin-1, aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and plasma norepinephrine (PNE)) were significant predictors of mortality, in a multivariate analysis only the latter two remained strong predictors. These new data raise the interesting question of how these two neurohormones can now be used to optimize patient care. Numerous lines of evidence support the idea that neurohormonal activation contributes to ventricular remodelling and disease progression in HF. Elevations of PNE in HF, with a correlation between the level of PNE and the clinical severity of HF, were described in 1962.2In 1984, Cohn et al.3reported that PNE is independently associated with mortality in patients with advanced HF. Subsequent studies demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between circulating PNE and survival in patients with asymptomatic LV dysfunction, and … *Correspondence to: Eugene Braunwald, MD, TIMI Study Group, 350 Longwood Avenue First Floor, Boston MA 02115, USA. Tel: 617-732-8989; Fax: 617-975-0955 E-mail address: ebraunwald{at}partners.org
Respiratory Effects of Cocaine "Freebasing" Among Habitual Users of Marijuana With or Without Tobacco*

Use of cocaine by smoking its alkaline precursor ("freebasing") has become increasingly prevalent. Recent studies of small numbers of cocaine users suggest that freebasing frequently causes cough, dyspnea, and abnormalities in diffusing capacity (DCO), although these findings could have been due to concomitant use of other drugs. We therefore evaluated the relationship between cocaine use by freebasing and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung dysfunction in a large sample of habitual smokers of marijuana with or without tobacco who denied intravenous drug abuse. The findings suggested that, among habitual marijuana smokers, "moderate" cocaine smoking damaged both large and small airways, as reflected by functional changes that were independent of concomitant marijuana use and appeared to be synergistic with the effects of tobacco. On the other hand, no adverse influence of cocaine smoking on the pulmonary microcirculation was demonstrated in our sample of freebase users.
Characterization of Damping and Beating Effects Within the Aggregate Power Demand of Heterogeneous Thermostatically Controlled Loads

This paper presents an analysis of the damping and beating effects within the aggregate power demand of heterogeneous thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs). Demand response using TCLs is an appealing method to enable higher levels of penetration of intermittent renewable resources into the electric grid. Previous literature covers the benefits of TCL population heterogeneity for control purposes, but the focus is solely on the damping observed in these systems. This work is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first to characterize the combined damping and beating response of power demand versus the level of TCL population parameter heterogeneity. The forced aggregate dynamics of TCLs have been shown to be bilinear when set point temperature adjustment is used as a control input. This motivates the paper’s use of free response dynamics, which are linear, to characterize both the damping and beating phenomena. A stochastic parameter distribution is applied to the homogeneous power demand solution, furnishing an analytic expression for aggregate power demand. The resulting analysis shows that increasing parameter heterogeneity increases damping and shortens the beat period.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Temporal Variation in Resource Use by Black-Throated Gray Warblers

We studied foraging behavior and habitat use of male and female Black-throated Gray Warblers (Dendroica nigrescens) to quantify the effects of temporal variation on interpretations of avian resource use. Overall, both sexes primarily foraged by gleaning in single-leaf pinyon pine (Pinus monophyla); however, within-season and between-year variation in behavior and habitat use were found for both sexes. Warblers increased use of shrubs from May to mid-June, and decreased use of shrubs and increased use of pinyon pine from mid-June through August, during each year. Use of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Utah juniper (Juniper osteosperma) varied between years. Sex differences were found in proportional use of foraging maneuvers. Within-season shifts in plant species and habitat use corresponded to changes in arthropod numbers on the plant species used by the warblers, but between-year shifts in behavior did not correspond as closely with changes in arthropod numbers. Temporal variation in microhabitat use resulted from shifts within seasons in the plant species used for foraging, which was associated with temporal changes in food abundance. Our results also demonstrate the importance of considering the effects of temporal scale in studies of bird-resource interactions.
The Relationship of Plasma Estradiol and Progesterone Levels to the Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens

Abstract The relationship of plasma estradiol and progesterone levels to fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) was studied with three groups of 9 White Leghorn hens per group. One group was fed ad libitum; the other two groups were force-fed at 120% and 135% of their own pre-experimental daily feed intake. Force-feeding for 3 weeks produced FLHS. The average FLHS score was 1.6 for control, 3.7 for 120% force-fed, and 4.5 for 135% force-fed. The average liver fat contents were 31.3%, 75.1%, and 76.8% (dry matter basis), respectively. Plasma estradiol averaged 165 pg/ml in the control group and 194 and 247 pg/ml in groups force-fed at 120% and 135%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between plasma estradiol and FLHS was .72 (P
ON THE INSTABILITY OF POLYGENIC SEX DETERMINATION: THE EFFECT OF SEX-SPECIFIC SELECTION.

A combination of analytical and simulation models is used to explore the initial evolution of genic sex determination from polygenic sex determination. Prior studies have indicated that polygenic sex determination is rare or absent in extant species but that it has likely played an important intermediate role in the evolution of other genetic sex-determination systems. This study explores why polygenic sex determination does not persist. Two possibilities are considered. First it is assumed that a major sex-determining gene also pleiotropically increases fitness. Second it is assumed that the sex-determining gene is neutral but linked to another locus segregating for a rare selectively favored allele. The major conclusion from the models is that sex-specific natural selection will cause polygenic sex determination to be a transient state in most populations. Polygenic sex determination may be an important intermediate step in the evolution of genetically controlled sexual differentiation, but it is unlikely to persist unless there is some selective advantage compared to genic sex determination. This may in part explain the relatively small number of extant species that have polygenic sex determination.
Study on the Behavior and Efficiency of Rural Households in View of Their Grain Planting Area Being Adjusted——Based on a Survey on Five Central Provinces

The data collected in a survey to 1861rural households were used to study the behavior and efficiency of rural households in view of their grain planting area being adjusted.The results suggest:the distribution of central main grain-producing area is a partial normal distribution with the stabilizing households as the mainstay while the number of enlarging households is small.The number of family members,the amount of labor force, and the average years of education in enlarging households are higher than those in reducing and stabilizing households in average.On the corresponding,the character of enlarging households is that:the total input is high,the capital and labor input per unit area of land is low,the agricultural production is high,the productivity by unit of land and capital is low,and the labor productivity is high and so on.Being judged by its overall efficiency,the efficiency of enlarging and stabilizing households is higher than reducing households',it is not mainly owing to their difference in pure technological efficiency,but due to their difference in scale efficiency.Therefore,it needs to seek a breakthrough on scale management,intensive management and systematization to improve the behavior and efficiency of rural households,also to ensure China's national grain safety.
A Meta-Analysis of Educator Training to Improve Implementation of Interventions for Students With Disabilities:

Teachers and paraprofessionals need effective training to improve their implementation of interventions for students with disabilities. Reviews of the single-case design literature have identified some features associated with effective training for these educators, but the group-design literature has received little attention. This meta-analysis systematically reviews group-design studies testing the efficacy of training to improve implementation of interventions for students with disabilities. The mean effect size of educator training on implementation fidelity was g = 1.08, and results from meta-regression analysis suggest training that involves a combination of two specific training strategies (i.e., modeling and performance feedback) was associated with improved implementation fidelity. Increased duration of training was not associated with larger effects. Considered alongside findings from the single-case design literature, these results suggest that how educators are trained is a more important con...
Democracia, Constituição e Relações Exteriores: o papel do Direito e da Cidadania no Contexto do Novo Constitucionalismo Latino Americano

The rules explicitly aimed to guide the external relations of a country established principles of the state action, regulating the procedures and institutional responsibilities of the different actors, organizations and public authorities involved in the issue. Constitutional Law studies have Constitutionalism as a linear evolution process, this same evolution is not always found in third world countries, as is the case of Latin America. The relationship between the New Latin American Constitutionalism and democracy appears in the center of academic debates raising the central question of the extent to which popular sovereignty may exhaust all his legitimacy power of exercise in a constitutional text. The formulation process of external relations has changed, with more and more groups within the Latin American society pushing for representation of their interests. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs remain refractory to these influences, but social movements seek alliances with state sectors that want more space on the diplomatic agenda.
Contribution of age to clinical trial enrollment and tolerance with ovarian cancer

Abstract Introduction Increasing age has been correlated with shorter survival in ovarian cancer patients, a finding attributed to diminished tolerance of standard therapy. Elderly patients, however, are less likely to enroll on clinical trials; thus, limited data exists to evaluate their response to front line treatment. This study describes how elderly patients on trial fared, with respect to toxicity and response, compared to younger women. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed of ovarian cancer patients enrolled in front line chemotherapy trials at our institution between 2000 and 2013. Patients were dichotomized by age: Results 336 patients were enrolled. Of these, 79 (23.5%) were ≥70yrs. Demographics were similar between the two groups. Compared to patients p =0.16) and had similar numbers of dose modifications ( p =0.40) and delays ( p =0.26). Both hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities occurred at similar rates as well. Age≥70 (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.27–2.54, p =0.0009), stage III/IV (HR 3.44, 95% CI 1.08–10.95, p =0.036), and residual disease (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.82–3.78, p Conclusion Our data continues to support reports of shorter survival for older women with ovarian cancer. With physician bias removed and similar chemotherapy tolerance noted, our study suggests that inherent tumor biology may be a significant contributor. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms which contribute to the inequality that age imposes on outcomes.