cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the spectrum of BH in the near ultraviolet

Abstract The spectrum of BH has been examined in the near ultraviolet both in absorption and also in emission. Improved data on known vibrational levels and the discovery of the levels with v = 3 in the A 1 Π and X 1 Σ + electronic states has led to a re-evaluation of the predissociation by rotation in the A 1 Π state. A new state, C′ 1 Δ , has been observed at 5.72 eV. All the electronic states predicted from the three lowest lying electron configurations have now been identified.
DiffractWD: an open-source program for powder pattern comparison and visualization

A new program for basic powder pattern manipulations and visualization is described. It provides a user-friendly interface for comparison of spectra with each other and with simulated patterns based on single-crystal data. The program contains all necessary tools for the preparation of routine images for qualitative phase analysis and can be downloaded free of charge from http://diffractwd.com.
IDENTIFICATION OF CHOLECYSTOKININ-SECRETING CELLS

Cholecystokinin (C.C.K.)-producing cells were identified in the mucosa of the upper small intestine in man and other mammals by immunocytochemical techniques and electron microscopy on semi-thin and serial thin sections. Ultrastructural studies suggested that the C.C.K.-producing cells resemble I cells of the modified Wiesbaden classification. The combination of these techniques provides a simple and reliable method of identifying C.C.K. cells in human biopsy material and will be useful in the investigation and diagnosis of gut endocrine dysfunctions.
Background emissions during cold sky calibration of Aquarius

The Aquarius instrument is a pathfinder to demonstrate the measurement of sea surface salinity (SSS) from space. The goal is to measure SSS with an accuracy of 0.2 practical salinity units (psu) and spatial resolution of 150 km, globally each month. To achieve this high accuracy in SSS, the radiometer requires accurate radiometric calibration. As part of the calibration plan it is planned to look at cold sky. The objectives of the Aquarius cold sky calibration (CSC) are to assist in the absolute calibration of Aquarius radiometer and to monitor calibration stability through repeated measurements. This manuscript describes the procedure being followed to identify optimum locations and times for the calibration. The goal is to find times with a stable signal from cold sky and locations around the orbit with a minimum contamination due to land and radiation from other external sources.
Swern Oxidation of α-Ketols to α-Diketones1

Abstract The Swern oxidation of acyclic and cyclic α-ketols delivered α-diketones or the tautomeric diosphenols in good yield.
The Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: sixteenth official report--1999.

Over the past 12 months, The Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation added a total of 3673 additional thoracic organ recipients, the smallest number over the past 5 years. In addition, we added 10 new transplant programs to those reporting data. We continue to be in sharing discussions with 4 newer national/ regional databases, and electronic data submission via the Internet has been instituted with approximately 25% of the non-US centers submitting data using the new system. We continue to use the entire data set to calculate multivariate risks rather than the U.S. data set alone, and we have continued to extend the time frame for both univariate and multivariate analyses.
Conceptualizing services research on outpatient commitment

Issues affecting the research of outcomes of involuntary outpatient commitment (OC) of persons with serious mental illness are explored. These issues include the reliance on hospital recidivism as a primary measure of outcome, the role of family members and coercion in the process of outpatient commitment, and the conceptualization and design of studies. A conceptual framework that attempts to incorporate responses to these issues is proposed. Continued research on OC should build on conceptual models that include family, role and burden, services delivered, an accounting for varied coercive mechanisms, and client-level outcomes. Rehospitalization should be conceptualized as an intermediate variable between OC and client-level outcomes rather than as an ultimate outcome.
Antigenic analysis of virulent and avirulent strains of Trichomonas gallinae by gel diffusion methods

SYNOPSIS. Antigenic constitution of 5 Trichomonas gallinae strains and substrains was analyzed by gel diffusion technics. Fresh isolates of the very virulent JB and of an avirulent SG strain as well as avirulent substrains JBC and SGC, derived from JB and SG respectively by prolonged in vitro cultivation, were used in the experiments. An originally avirulent AG strain that was attenuated still further and lost its infectivity for pigeons during many years of serial transfers in nonliving media also was analyzed. Two major groups of antigens, A and B, were differentiated on the basis of precipitin line patterns formed in gel diffusion reactions involving the 5 strains and substrains and antisera prepared in rabbits against each of these trichomonad stocks. Group A was subdivided further into subgroups [A] and (A). JB, JBC, AG, and SGC trichomonads appeared to share all or nearly all antigens of both these subgroups, but AG strain contained some unique [A] and (A) antigens in addition to those which it had in common with the remaining 4 strains and substrains. Group B antigens were divided into 5 subgroups, B1 to B5. The complete B1 antigenic complex was found in JB and JBC trichomonads and part of this complex was present also in SG strain and SGC substrain. In all instances, subgroup B1 antigens stimulated production of specific antibodies in rabbits and combined with these antibodies present in immune sera. The complete B2 antigenic complex was found only in JBC substrain. Some subgroup B2 antigens were present also in JB trichomonads. Very few of these, however, were capable of stimulating antibody production in rabbits. The more numerous B2 elements of JB strain that did not stimulate immunologic responses in rabbits, might be in the form of incomplete hapten-like antigens. All subgroup B2 antigens found in JB strain represented only a portion of the B2 complex associated with JBC substrain. Subgroup B2 was characteristic of SG and SGC trichomonads, the latter substrain differing from the parental SG strain in the levels of both B2 and B1 antigens; these differences, however, were purely quantitative. JB strain reacted with some of subgroup B3 antibodies present in SG and SGC antisera, but failed to stimulate antibody formation against any of these antigens in rabbits. The B3 elements of JB trichomonads might be incomplete antigens. AG strain was characterized by having B4 and B5 antigenic complexes. The very small part of subgroup B4, represented by a weak precipitin line in reactions between JB strain or JBC substrain and anti-AG serum, suggested the presence of some incomplete B4 antigens in these trichomonads. Irrespective of whether freshly isolated avirulent strains or substrains attenuated by prolonged in vitro cultivation are examined by gel diffusion, such organisms are found richer in subgroup B antigens than the fully virulent JB trichomonads. All the results suggest that there may be a direct relationship between antigenic constitution and virulence of T. gallinae strains.
The frequency of electrocardiographic variations in normal, unanesthetized dogs

Abstract Two hundred eighteen electrocardiograms were made on twenty-four normal dogs. Under normal conditions the P waves showed changes in direction and amplitude in the same lead. Since these changes happened more frequently in nervous or excited animals with sinus arrhythmia, we suggest that they may be associated with vagal or sympathetic nervous influences. Changes in amplitude and reversal of direction of the T waves are tabulated to illustrate the variability in this complex which has been reported previously. A change in the amplitude or disappearance of Q and S waves is the next most frequent variation in the electrocardiograms of normal dogs. Even though variations do occur in the various complexes in different animals, each dog's records are characteristic for that animal. Slight RS-T deviations from the isoelectric line occurred, but seldom exceeded one millimeter. There was a relationship between Q waves and inverted T waves in Lead I which was observed in 78 per cent of the records in our series. Likewise, there was a relationship between S waves and upright T waves in Lead III; this was observed in 75 per cent of the records. Apparently, therefore, there is a reciprocal relation between Q waves and inverted T waves in Lead I, and between S waves and upright T waves in Lead III. Extrasystoles occurred only once in this series of trained animals, and “dropped ventricular beats” were observed in less than 2 per cent of the records.
Longitudinal Changes in Quality of Life and Rates of Progressive Visual Field Loss in Glaucoma Patients

Purpose To evaluate the association between longitudinal changes in quality of life (QoL) and rates of progressive visual field loss in glaucoma. Design Prospective observational cohort study. Participants We recruited 322 eyes of 161 patients with glaucomatous visual field loss from the Diagnostic Innovations Glaucoma Study followed for an average of 3.5±0.7 years. Methods All subjects had National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ)-25 performed annually and standard automated perimetry (SAP) at 6-month intervals. Subjects were included if they had a minimum of 2 NEI VFQ-25 and ≥5 SAP during follow-up. Evaluation of rates of visual field change was performed using the mean sensitivity (MS) of the integrated binocular visual field (BVF). Rasch analysis was performed to obtain final scores of disability as measured by the NEI VFQ-25. A joint longitudinal multivariate mixed model was used to investigate the association between change in NEI VFQ-25 Rasch-calibrated scores and change in BVF sensitivity. Potentially confounding socioeconomic and clinical variables also were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures The relationship between change in NEI VFQ-25 Rasch-calibrated scores and change in binocular SAP MS. Results There was a significant correlation between change in the NEI VFQ-25 Rasch scores during follow-up and change in binocular SAP sensitivity. Each 1-dB change in binocular SAP MS per year was associated with a change of 2.9 units per year in the NEI VFQ-25 Rasch scores during the follow-up period ( R 2 = 26%; P P P = 0.005). A multivariable model containing baseline and rate of change in binocular MS had an adjusted R 2 of 50% in predicting change in NEI VFQ-25 scores. Conclusions Baseline severity, magnitude, and rates of change in BVF sensitivity were associated with longitudinal changes in QoL of glaucoma patients. Assessment of longitudinal visual field changes may help to identify patients at greater risk for developing disability from the disease.
Binding of polymethylene bisquaternary ions to chondroitin in vitro

Abstract Polymethylene bistrimethylammonium ions such as hexamethonium and decamethonium are found to bind strongly to chondroitin, using dialysis methods. The extent of such binding is dependent upon both the concentration of the drug as well as of chondroitin, and is inversely proportional to the ionic strength of the external medium. The monoquaternary choline is bound to a far lesser extent. The binding of hexamethonium to chondroitin is significantly reduced by the presence of pentamethonium or decamethonium in the external medium, and remains unaltered by choline. The binding of various di- and triquaternary ammonium ions, such as hexamethonium, d -tubocurare, succinyl choline, gallamine and related compounds, to chondroitin or to acid mucopolysaccharides in general, is postulated to be the major factor in the accumulation of these drugs in cartilage in vivo .
Analysis of TCP performance on ad hoc networks using preemptive maintenance routing

In mobile ad hoc networks, the topology of the network is constantly changing as nodes move in and out of each other's range, breaking and establishing links. TCP performs poorly in such networks because packets that are lost due to path disconnections trigger TCP's congestion avoidance mechanisms. We investigate the effect of preemptive routing protocols, where an alternative path is found before an actual disconnection occurs, on the performance of TCP. Preemptive routing should perform well for TCP traffic because it reduces the delays caused by TCP's unnecessary use of congestion avoidance when paths break. We observe this behavior under some, but not all scenarios. Specifically, it appears that when the network is saturated, the additional traffic introduced by preemptive routing causes small degradation in performance. In the analysis process, we encountered an unfairness problem resulting from interaction between the routing protocol and the MAC layer under multiple continuous transmission cases. Similar unfairness problems were encountered by other studies-however the observations of those studies related those problems to the number of hops, and not the routing effects as we observed. This motivates the study of fairer wireless MAC protocols for multi-hop and ad hoc networks.
Systemic treatment for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in adult men. The majority of patients have subclinical systemic disease at diagnosis and will eventually require systemic therapy for palliation of symptoms. Recent development of new hormonal treatment options (e.g., gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and estramustine) has yet to demonstrate potential for improving the therapeutic index or for lengthening survival over results achieved with traditional modalities (i.e., supplemental estrogens or castration). Chemotherapeutic agents have demonstrated palliative efficacy and are being tested in multidrug regimens and in combination with hormones. At the present time, the optimal use of cytotoxic drugs remains undefined, since recently published studies have shown neither that combination chemotherapy is superior to single agents nor that chemo-hormonal therapy produces more favorable results than hormonal treatment alone.
Brain lipid concentrations in bipolar disorder

Reduced concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) have been reported in the postmortem bipolar disorder (BD) brain. Additionally, an increased prevalence of BD has been related to low dietary intake of fish, and dietary supplements containing fish products or DHA have been reported to ameliorate BD symptoms. These observations suggest that brain lipid metabolism, particularly involving DHA, is disturbed in BD. To test this suggestion, concentrations of different lipids were measured using internal standards in postmortem frontal cortex from eight BD patients and six matched controls. Compared with control cortex, the BD cortex showed no statistically significant difference in mean concentrations (per gram wet weight) of "stable" lipids (total lipid, total phospholipid, individual phospholipids, or cholesterol), of unesterified fatty acids, or of esterified DHA or AA within stable lipids. Fractional esterified AA and DHA concentrations also did not differ significantly between groups. Some fatty acid concentration differences were found in low-abundant cholesteryl ester. These results do not support the hypothesis of disturbed brain lipid concentrations, including concentrations of AA and DHA, in BD. Positron emission tomography might be used, however, to see if brain AA or DHA kinetics are disturbed in the disease.
Adaptations for Young Children with Visual Impairments in Regular Settings

Adaptations must be made in order to maximize the learning potential of children with visual impairments to compensate for learning which occurs through visual observation. As the impetus for integration in national and state legislation accelerates, more young children with visual impairments are being educated in community settings with nondisabled peers. The purpose of this article is to provide the child-care and preschool teacher with information that may facilitate the development of children with visual impairments with integrated or inclusive settings.
Importance of Candida Species Other than C. albicans as Pathogens in Oncology Patients

A number of surveys have documented increased rates of candida infection over the past several decades. In this assessment of the frequency and distribution of non-albicans Candida species among patients with cancer, 37 reports that were published between 1952 and 1992 and that described 1,591 cases of systemic candida infection were reviewed. Species other than Candida albicans accounted for 46% of all systemic candida infections in patients with cancer; specifically, Candida tropicalis accounted for 25%, Candida glabrata for 8%, Candida parapsilosis for 7%, and Candida krusei for 4%. Other species were uncommon. C. tropicalis was the predominant pathogenic Candida species in five reports, C. glabrata in two, C. krusei in two, and Candida stellatoidea in one. The perception that, over time, a greater proportion of candida infections have been caused by non-aolbicans species was not borne out. The wide variability in reported findings was striking and was due in part to differences in the underlying diseases affecting the patients described. For example, patients with leukemia were more likely to be infected by C. albicans or C. tropicalis but less likely to be infected by C. glabrata than patients with other types of cancer. The recent increase in the rate of bone marrow transplantation may also have contributed to discrepancies among reports. Bone marrow transplant recipients were more likely to be infected by C. krusei or C. lusitaniae. The other factors partially responsible for the variability among reports included common-source contamination and the pressures imposed by antimicrobial measures
182W(t, d)183W reaction at 20 MeV triton energy

Abstract Spectroscopic factors for the lowest six excited states of 183 W have been obtained by means of the 182 W(t, d) 183 W reaction. Elastic scattering measurements also have been carried out and optical-model parameters thus obtained are used in the DW analysis. The results agree with previous (d, p) experiments and maintain the discrepancy which exists between the usual distorted-wave calculations on deformed nuclei and the expected spectroscopic values. When average value triton and deuteron optical-model parameters are used, this discrepancy becomes smaller.
THE INFLUENCE OF SODIUM-FREE SOLUTIONS ON THE MEMBRANE POTENTIAL OF FROG MUSCLE FIBERS.

The membrane potential of frog sartorius muscle fibers in a Cl- and Na-free Ringer's solution when sucrose replaces NaCl is about the same as that in normal Ringer's solution. The K+ efflux is also about the same in the two solutions but muscles lose K and PO4 in sucrose Ringer's solutions. The membrane potential in sucrose Ringer's solution is equal to that given by the Nernst equation for a K+ electrode, when corrections are made for the activity coefficients for K+ inside and outside the fiber. For a muscle in normal Ringer's solution, the measured membrane potential is within a few millivolts of EK. This finding is incompatible with a 1:1 coupled Na-K pump. It is consistent with either no coupling of Na efflux to K influx, or a coupling ratio of 3 or greater.
Utilization of Economic Impact Analysis in the Training of Graduate Students: The Senior Bowl Experience

This economic impact study of the annual Senior Bowl football game conducted in Mobile, AL, sought to examine the financial benefits accrued to that city as a function of hosting a nationally recog...
Sensitivity of quantitative UTE MRI to the biomechanical property of the temporomandibular joint disc.

To quantify MR properties of discs from cadaveric human temporomandibular joints (TMJ) using quantitative conventional and ultrashort time-to-echo magnetic resonance imaging (UTE MRI) techniques and to corroborate regional variation in the MR properties with that of biomechanical indentation stiffness. This study was exempt from the institutional review board approval. Cadaveric (four donors, two females, 74 ± 10.7 years) TMJs were sliced (n = 14 slices total) sagittally and imaged using quantitative techniques of conventional spin echo T2 (SE T2), UTE T2*, and UTE T1rho. The discs were then subjected to biomechanical indentation testing, which is performed by compressing the tissue with the blunt end of a small solid cylinder. Regional variations in MR and indentation stiffness were correlated. TMJ of a healthy volunteer was also imaged to show in vivo feasibility. Using the ME SE T2 and the UTE T1rho techniques, a significant (each p < 0.0001) inverse relation between MR and indentation stiffness properties was observed for the data in the lower range of stiffness. However, the strength of correlation was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for UTE T1rho (R2 = 0.42) than SE T2 (R2 = 0.19) or UTE T2* (R2 = 0.02, p = 0.1) techniques. The UTE T1rho technique, applicable in vivo, facilitated quantitative evaluation of TMJ discs and showed a high sensitivity to biomechanical softening of the TMJ discs. With additional work, the technique may become a useful surrogate measure for loss of biomechanical integrity of TMJ discs reflecting degeneration.
A study of the surface electronic properties of Cu/Ru(0001) by metastable quenching spectroscopy

Abstract The metastable quenching spectra of Cu/Ru(0001) were measured at various Cu coverages. We find that the electronic properties of the first Cu layer differ from those of the second layer which, in turn, has the same properties as the outermost layer of the Cu(111) surface.
Report card for planners

Corporations are continually under pressure to improve performance. Many different indexes are used to evaluate performance by various groups with legitimate concerns; these include stockholders, customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and governmental units. Return on investment is a basic index, but the quality of products or services provided and contributions to the welfare of society in general are also evaluated. Thus corporations must periodically measure their performance on various indexes and compare the results to accepted standards.
Polyatomicity and kinetic energy effects on surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition

Various techniques are used to probe surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) of films prepared from 100 and 200 eV non-mass-selected thiophene ions and evaporated -terthiophene (3T) neutrals. C4H4S + ,C 4D4S + (and fragments thereof), and Ar + ions are compared to elucidate polymerization mechanisms in SPIAD. Desorption ionization on oxidized silicon mass spectrometry is used to probe the nature of the polymerized products of SPIAD as well as ion incorporation into the film. Mass spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and X-ray diffraction all indicate higher molecular weight species and less fragmentation of 3T for 100 eV thiophene ions. Mass spectra indicate thiophene ions behave both as catalysts and reagents in polymerization. Despite obvious differences in film chemistry, quartz crystal microbalance measurements show SPIAD film thicknesses are the same for both the polyatomic and atomic ions at both ion energies. UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence are found to depend upon the differing chemical composition and structure of the films which in turn are controlled by the polyatomicity and kinetic energy of the incident ions. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Characterization of proteoglycans synthesized by cultured corneal fibroblasts in response to transforming growth factor beta and fetal calf serum.

Abstract A culture system was developed to analyze the relationship between proteoglycans and growth factors during corneal injury. Specifically, the effects of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1) and fetal calf serum on proteoglycan synthesis in corneal fibroblasts were examined. Glycosaminoglycan synthesis and sulfation were determined using selective polysaccharidases. Proteoglycan core proteins were analyzed using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Cells cultured in 10% dialyzed fetal calf serum exhibited decreased synthesis of more highly sulfated chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate compared with cells cultured in 1% dialyzed fetal calf serum. The amount and sulfation of the glycosaminoglycans was not significantly influenced by TGF-β1. The major proteoglycan species secreted into the media were decorin and perlecan. Decorin was glycanated with chondroitin sulfate. Perlecan was linked to either chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate, or both chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate. Decorin synthesis was reduced by either TGF-β1 or serum. At early time points, both TGF-β1 and serum induced substantial increases in perlecan bearing chondroitin sulfate and/or heparan sulfate chains. In contrast, after extended periods in culture, the amount of perlecan bearing heparan sulfate chains was unaffected by TGF-β1 and decreased by serum. The levels of perlecan bearing chondroitin sulfate chains were elevated with TGF-β1 treatment and were decreased with serum. Because both decorin and perlecan bind growth factors and are proposed to modulate their activity, changes in the expression of either of these proteoglycans could substantially affect the cellular response to injury.
Regarding the announcement to halt the intensive glucose lowering arm of the action to control cardiovascular risk in diabetes.

An announcement to halt the intensive glucose lowering arm of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial has received tremendous press recently. The basis for stopping the trial was that more deaths from cardiovascular events were noted in the treatment group.1 No specific cause has been identified as yet. Past studies that aimed for “tight” control such as the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)2 have concluded that lower hemoglobin A1c levels were associated with improved cardiovascular health. The new findings appear to contradict this conclusion. One important difference in the ACCORD trial is the study population. In the DCCT trial, exclusion criteria eliminated concurrent hypertension and hyperlipidemia, whereas in the ACCORD study, one of the objectives was to examine the effect of intensive glycemic lowering in subjects who had concurrent hyperlipidemia and hypertension. A known mathematically described principle in control engineering (conservation of uncertainty) states that every connected system has a conserved or constant amount of uncertainty and that attempts to rein in more certainty in one area automatically create uncertainty in another area. When applying this principle to physiology, and in particular the ACCORD study, it is conceivable that attempts to constrain or increase certainty in glycemic control, blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia all at the same time, may be inducing uncertainty or vulnerability in other physiological functions, potentially resulting in a catastrophic event. For a review of this principle, refer to the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology commentary article.3 In light of recent ACCORD findings, it will be important to consider a range of potential mechanisms and explanations that may be at play. The conservation of the uncertainty principle, in fact, predicts the consequences resulting from restricting the system's range of physiological responses. These consequences might include increased fragility in the microvasculature, leading to myocardial infarction, stroke, or unwanted adverse effects, such as increased risk of hypoglycemia or other neuroendocrine problems. A precise event cannot be specified without a detailed model of the system's complete physiology. Moving forward, when dealing with the complexity of several interconnected physiological functions, careful consideration should be given to studying the system biology along with the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms.
Validation of cutaneous pressure threshold measurements for the evaluation of hand function.

The relationship of measures of pressure perception to hand function was evaluated by correlating the results of the Mayo Dexterity Test and a timed object recognition test with the one- and two-point static and moving touch thresholds for the index finger pulp of 44 hands. The Mayo Dexterity Test p
Options for handling missing data in the Health Utilities Index Mark 3.

Background. The Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) is a tool composed of 41 questions, covering 8 attributes: vision, hearing, speech, ambulation, dexterity, emotion, cognition, and pain. Respons...
Before The Conquest

Introduction In the late 15th century, through their explorers, Europeans “discovered” the New World. Although the discovery would cause drastic change, the New World was, of course, not new to its inhabitants. When the Europeans arrived, there were at least 9 million people in about 800 different cultures living in the Western Hemisphere. Because of the vast disruptions that eventually took place, what we know about them and their mathematical ideas is limited. Most of the cultures had no writing as we commonly use the term and so there are no writings by them in their own words. For the cultures that did not survive, we have primarily what can be learned from archaeology and from the writings of the Europeans of the time, who had little understanding and little respect for these cultures so different from their own. For those that did survive, we also have their oral traditions. We focus here on the mathematical ideas of two sizable groups, the Incas and the Maya. The regions the groups inhabited, their cultures, and their histories are quite distinct, as are their mathematical ideas. Fortunately, for both groups, there is sufficient information for us to gain some understanding of their rich and complex ideas. Here we present an abbreviated introduction to the content and context of the sophisticated data handling system of the Incas and the intricate calendric system of the Maya.
Polarization-dependent electromagnetic band gap (PDEBG) structures: Designs and applications

H 0H0 jH /2 , (10) M 0M0. (11) At first, the analysis is performed to obtain the dispersion characteristics of a ferrite-filled waveguide with 0M0 178.0 mT, 0H0 80.0, and 141.2 mT, respectively. The magnetic loss H is assumed to be zero in this calculation. The numerical results calculated by the present method (see Fig. 3), agree very well with the theoretical results and the 3D FDTD numerical results. Secondly, the present method is also employed for analyzing the attenuation characteristic of a ferrite-filled waveguide. In this calculation, the magnetic losses H are chosen as 79.6 and 796 A/m (1.0 and 10.0 Oe, respectively), 0M0 178.0 mT, and 0H0 141.2 mT. The results for these calculations, shown in Figure 4, also show good agreement with the theoretical results and the 3D FDTD numerical results. 4. CONCLUSION A 2D FDFD method to analyze the dispersion characteristic of ferrite devices has been presented and demonstrated. The calculated result of the dispersion and attenuation characteristic of a ferrite-filled waveguide agrees very well with the theoretical result obtained from analytical approach and the 3D FDTD numerical result. Although the final eigen equation employed only four transverse-field components, it was confirmed to be sufficient for the analysis of the dispersion characteristics of ferrite devices. Therefore, it was shown to be more efficient than the method using six field components. In the calculation, although the elimination of longitudinal components does not help to reduce the memoryspace requirement due to the increased number of terms in the remaining equations, the calculation time is considerably reduced, as compared to the case in which six field components are involved. Furthermore, when the frequency characteristic for a narrow range, for example, a resonator analysis made of artificial material, the FDFD method becomes more attractive, since it can effectively analyze the dispersion characteristics for a limited frequency range.
Pediatric Dyspnea Scale for use in hospitalized patients with asthma.

Background Asthma is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations across the country, yet no clinical instrument exists that incorporates the child's perception of dyspnea in determining discharge readiness. Objective We sought to develop the Pediatric Dyspnea Scale (PDS) to support discharge decision making in hospitalized asthmatic patients and to compare the performance of the PDS with traditional markers of asthma control in predicting outcomes after discharge. Methods Asthmatic children aged 6 to 18 years hospitalized for an exacerbation were included in the study. The PDS score, demographics, asthma severity, spirometric results, peak expiratory flow rate, and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide were assessed at the time of discharge. A telephone call 14 days after discharge determined relapse, activity limitation, asthma control, and asthma-related quality-of-life outcomes. Results Eighty-nine patients were enrolled, of whom 70 completed the telephone follow-up. Eight patients had a relapse, and 29 complained of limited activity. A PDS score of greater than 2 on the 7-point scale was a significant predictor of these poor outcomes, with each additional point of the PDS doubling the risk. A higher score on the PDS also correlated with worse asthma control and poor asthma-specific quality of life. The PDS performed better than FEV 1 , peak expiratory flow rate, or fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in predicting the outcomes of interest. Conclusion The PDS, which is easy to use in children as young as 6 years of age, might be able to predict adverse outcomes after hospitalization for an asthma exacerbation and should be used as a tool to help guide inpatient discharge decisions.
Anodic formation and chemical analysis of oxychloride films on platinum electrodes

Chronopotentiometric studies and direct chemical analyses have established that platinum chloride and oxychloride films are formed on platinum electrodes which are anodically polarized, in acid, neutral, and alkaline chloride media. A comparison of these films with the platinum oxide films formed in sulfate media has also been made. Evidence has been obtained to support the conclusion that in I VF hydrochloric acid a PtCl2 film is formed. The quantity of this film (0.15mC/cm2) is only one-fourth that for the platinum oxide film formed in I VF suIf uric acid. A film consisting of a 3:1 mixture of +2 and +4 platinum oxy chlorides is formed in a I VF sodium chloride electrolyte at pH 7. A complete analysis of the film for +2 and +4 platinum, chloride, and hydroxide has been performed. When a platinum electrode is anodized in 5 VF sodium chloride solution at pH 7, a film is formed which, like the film formed in I VF sodium chloride, is a mixture of oxychlorides of +2 and +4 platinum. However, in 5 VF sodium chloride the ratio of +2 to +4 platinum is increased to 4:1 and the quantity of chloride ion in the film is larger. Anodization of a platinum electrode in I VF sodium chloride solution at pH 12 produces a film of +2 and +4 platinum oxychlorides. The ratio +2 to +4 platinum was found to be about 2:1, and the amount of chloride in the film proved to be much smaller than at pH 7.
Anaerobic bacteria in oral infections.

Abstract A research project to assess the value of clinical bacteriology in a dental school has been initiated. The project stresses techniques which should result in routine isolation of obligate anaerobes from oral specimens. A series of acute fluctuant abscesses in the mouth has been studied with the use of anaerobic techniques of isolation and culture combined with current methods for characterization and taxonomy of obligate anaerobes. The data indicate that oral abscesses contain a variety of obligate anaerobes. Information presently available indicating the prevalence of staphylococcus and streptococcus might well be reassessed. A number of the organisms isolated were resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics, including penicillin.
The effect of reserpine treatment on the chronotropic and inotropic sensitivities of the perfused guinea-pig heart to norepinephrine and calcium.

Abstract The chronotropic and inotropic responses of the isolated perfused guinea-pig heart to norepinephrine and calcium were measured in preparations obtained from untreated and reserpinetreated animals. Dose-response curves were obtained in spontaneously beating as well as electrically paced perfused hearts. The dose-response curve for the chronotropic effect of both norepinephrine and calcium was shifted to the left of control in spontaneously beating preparations from animals pretreated with reserpine (0.1 mg/kg/day) for seven days. However, in these same preparations the dose-response curve for the inotropic effect of only norepinephrine was shifted to the left. This may be reflection of the enhanced sensitivity to the chronotropic action of the agonist since a changing rate is known to influence inotropic response. This conclusion is supported by the finding that, in electrically paced perfused hearts, no postjunctional supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of norepinephrine was demonstrable. Since no supersensitivity was observed to the inotropic effects of calcium, it is concuded that true postjunctional supersensitivity develops to the chronotropic but not to the inotropic effects of drugs.
Relationship between psychiatric disease and neuropsychological impairment in HIV seropositive individuals

Neuropsychological impairment and DSM-III-R Axis I psychiatric diagnoses were evaluated in a heterogenous group of HIV seropositive individuals and seronegative individuals with similar risk factors for HIV infection. Neuropsychological and psychiatric disorders were common in the HIV seropositive group, but there were no relationships between these two aspects of neuropsychiatric dysfunction in seropositive patients. Results indicate that psychiatric disorders in HIV seropositive individuals tend to predate infection and decrease over time following knowledge of seroconversion, suggesting that they are primarily a function of psychosocial factors. Neuropsychological disorders are specific to HIV seropositive patients and tend to increase over time following seroconversion, suggesting that they are due to neurological effects of HIV-infection. (JINS, 1995, 1, 581–588.)
Market Equilibrium Computations in Activity Analysis Models

This paper shows how an approximate competitive market equilibrium may be computed as the solution to a linear programming model, when production possibilities are described by activity analysis vectors and demand functions are locally linear. Numerical examples show that the degree of approximation may be expected to be very small in many cases. Prices and quantities of goods and resources and also incomes are explicit in the primal. The defining characteristics of a market equilibrium are written as primal constraints. Linearizations of inherently nonlinear expressions are attained by use of grid linearizations and the associated interpolation variables.
Eyelid deformities caused by the injection of silicone fluid

Summary Medical grade dimethylpolysiloxane (silicone) fluid has proved satisfactory as an injectable subcutaneous tissue prosthesis in the treatment of certain deformities such as hemifacial atrophy. The injection of this material beneath the eyelid skin can result in the formation of palpebral bags because of localisation of the tissue reaction and the thinness of the eyelid skin. Surgical excision of the localised silicone mass is indicated in some patients, although total excision is usually not possible. Patients with such eyelid lesions are presented.
Heterogeneity in Nsp2 of European-like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses isolated in the United States

Recently, isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) that possess nucleotide sequences similar to European isolates have been reported in United States herds. The origin, diversity and prevalence of European-like North American PRRSV isolates in the U.S. remain unknown. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 12kb ORF1 of a North American isolate, SDPRRS 01-08 (01-08), showed 93.7% identity with Lelystad virus (LV), the prototypic European isolate, but only 58% identity with VR-2332, the prototypic North American isolate. Comparisons between LV and 01-08 at the peptide sequence level of the predicted non-structural proteins (Nsp) showed that Nsp9 (98.9% amino acid identity) was the most conserved and the least conserved was Nsp2 at 90.6% identity. For the purpose of comparison, GP5, the principal envelope structural protein, showed a 93.5% identity between 01-08 and LV. The most dramatic differences between the Nsp2 proteins of LV and 01-08 were a single 17 amino acid deletion between residues 734 and 750, as well as several amino acid differences. The same deletion was identified in the Nsp2 in five of seven other EuroPRRSV isolates submitted to the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. The remaining two isolates contained small deletions, but in other regions of Nsp2. Peptide sequence diversity in the form of hypervariability and deletions in Nsp2 demonstrate that European-like PRRSV isolates in the USA represent a heterogeneous group. Furthermore, areas in Nsp2 with deletions and amino acid hypervariability localize to regions that are predicted to be immunologically important.
Regional convergence, inequality, and space

The study of regional income convergence continues to attract enormous attention. Recent emphasis has been placed on the underlying spatial dimensions of regional growth processes both from theoretical and empirical perspectives, as well as from exploratory and confirmatory methodological stances. This paper provides a critical review of empirical approaches and methodological advances with an emphasis on the treatment of spatial effects, namely spatial dependence, spatial heterogeneity, and spatial scale. A number of areas that have been overlooked are highlighted, and the paper suggests a research agenda on regional growth empirics. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Protein surface roughness and small molecular binding sites

Pharmaceutical design is usually directed at developing small molecules that can specifically bind and alter the activity of a target protein. Here, we show that high-affinity binding of small molecules requires a rough patch on a protein surface. Drug design strategies should therefore be targeted to rough areas on a protein. Our results indicate that the roughness of small functional sites may reflect the complex local shapes needed to fit specific interactions into small areas.
Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer

The interest in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has rapidly increased in recent decades and surgeons have adopted minimally invasive techniques due to its reduced invasiveness and numerous advantages for patients. With increased surgical experience and newly developed surgical instruments, MIS has become the preferred approach not only for benign disease but also for oncologic surgery. Recently, robotic systems have been developed to overcome difficulties of standard laparoscopic instruments during complex procedures. Its advantages including three-dimensional images, tremor filtering, motion scaling, articulated instruments, and stable retraction have created the opportunity to use robotic technology in many procedures including cancer surgery. Gastric cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While its overall incidence has decreased worldwide, the proportion of early gastric cancer has increased mainly in eastern countries following mass screening programs. The shift in the paradigm of gastric cancer treatment is toward less invasive approaches in order to improve the patient’s quality of life while adhering to oncological principles. In this review, we aimed to summarize the operative strategy and current literature in laparoscopic and robotic surgery for gastric cancer.
Purification of a carbonic anhydrase from the inner ear of the guinea pig

Abstract A soluble carbonic anhydrase (carbonate hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.1) has been purified to homogeneity from the membranous lateral wall (stria vascularis, spiral ligament, spiral prominence, and outer sulcus) of the guinea-pig inner ear. About 1% of the protein of the membranous lateral wall is carbonic anhydrase. The specific activity of the enzyme in homogenates of the lateral wall is 1.6-1.8 times that of whole blood; for homogenates of the components, stria vascularis and the fraction containing the spiral ligament, the specific activities are 0.9 and 2.0 times the specific activity of whole blood, respectively. No other cochlear fraction examined contains appreciable carbonic anhydrase. The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of about 30,000, a specific activity 60--80% that of carbonic anhydrase C from blood, and an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the blood enzyme. Cochlear carbonic anhydrase is half-maximally inhibited by 4 X 10(-9) M acetazolamide, is completely inhibited above 10(-5)M acetazolamide, and forms a fluorescent complex with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonamide, by which it can be distinguished on polyacrylamide gels. This report describes both another isolation of a carbonic anhydrase from a source other than blood and the isolation of an inner-ear enzyme.
Homometallic uranium(VI) phosphonoacetates containing interlayer dipyridines.

Three organically templated uranium(VI) carboxyphosphonates, [C10H10N2][(UO2)3(PPA)2(HPPA)(H2O)]·3H2O (1), [C12H12N2][(UO2)3(PPA)2(HPPA)(H2O)]·2H2O (2), and [C12H14N2][(UO2)3(PPA)2(HPPA)(H2O)]·2H2O (3) have been prepared from hydrothermal reactions of UO2(NO3)2·6H2O and phosphonoacetic acid (H2O3PCH2CO2H, H3PPA) in the presence of 4,4′-dipyridyl, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethylene and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethane. The crystal structures of 1−3 are built from UO7 units linked via phosphonoacetate molecules to form 2-dimensional [(UO2)3(PPA)2(HPPA)(H2O)]2− networks which are charge balanced by doubly protonated bipyridyl molecules. Interaction of the pyridyl molecules with other functionalities present in 1−3 result in relatively strong N−H···O (2.707−3.155 A) and weaker C−H···O (2.948−3.237 A) interactions that constitute the interlayer. Water-carboxylate O−H···O hydrogen bonding (2.548−2.675 A) in 1−3 and π−π interactions (3.708 A) between pyridyl rings in 2 also exist in these materials. Reported herein are the sy...
Acid-catalyzed moisture-curing polyurea/polysiloxane ceramer coatings

The para-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) was used to catalyze the moisture curing of an organic/inorganic hybrid coating system. The organic phase was based on the isocyanurate of 1,6-hexamethylene of diisocyanate (HDI). The inorganic phase was based on the prepolymerized oligomers of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). An alkoxysilane-functionalized HDI isocyanate was added into the coating formulation to aid in phase miscibility. The general coating and tensile properties were evaluated as a function of the acid catalyst concentration. In addition, the films were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The results indicated that the acid catalyst enhanced the adhesive properties of the hybrid coatings. The addition of the acid catalyst increased the changed crosslink density of films and decreased the crystallinity of the organic phase.