cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinafloxacin in the Treatment of Hospitalised Patients with Serious Infections: Current Status

As already outlined in this supplement,[1] the effective management of serious infections in hospitalised patients poses a complex problem for the clinician. Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment (selection of an antibiotic to which the suspected pathogens are sensitive, its prompt administration at the correct dosage, together with adequate supportive therapy) are critical for ensuring a favourable patient outcome. In addition, the continuing emergence of resistance among bacteria through chromosomal changes or by exchange of genetic material (transformation, transduction or conjugation) continues to be a major concern.[2-4] This further complicates the treatment of severe infections, as many different organisms (e.g. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and Gram-negative bacilli) and different drug classes are involved. The end result is greater morbidity with associated increased healthcare costs and higher mortality among afflicted patients.[3,4] It is against this background that new fluoroquinolone agents, such as clinafloxacin, may have a role to play. Clinafloxacin is a broad-spectrum quinolone antibiotic for parenteral and oral administration. Its spectrum of in vitro activity encompasses many pathogens commonly isolated from hospitalised patients, including drug-resistant strains (e.g. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and some multiresistant strains of enterococci).[5] Importantly, quinolone resistance seems to affect the activity of clinafloxacin less than it does the activities of other established fluoroquinolone agents,[6-8] indicating that it may be useful at institutions with emerging resistance to this drug class. The objective of this report is to outline currently available data and ongoing clinical trials evaluating the role of clinafloxacin as empirical therapy, as therapy for known pathogens or as switch (intravenous to oral) therapy in hospitalised patients with serious infections.
Response of pulmonary vein potentials to burst pacing.

Background: Pulmonary vein potentials recorded at the ostia of pulmonary veins (PV) are a useful guide for segmental isolation of the PV in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Even during coronary sinus pacing at 600 ms, atrial (A) and PV potentials can overlap in 50–60% of patients making the accurate identification of PV potentials very difficult.
CKD, Plasma Lipids, and Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: Results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Summary Background and objectives Altered levels of atherogenic lipoproteins have been shown to be common in mild kidney dysfunction. This study sought to determine the associations between plasma lipids (including LDL particle distribution) and subclinical atherosclerosis measured by the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) across levels of estimated GFR (eGFR) and to assess whether inflammation modifies these associations. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Cross-sectional analyses of 6572 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis enrolled from 2000 to 2002 were performed. Results CKD, defined as eGFR Conclusions Compared with total cholesterol and LDL-C, abnormalities in HDL-C and small-dense LDL-C are more strongly and consistently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in CKD. Inflammation modifies the association between total cholesterol and LDL-C with IMT.
Functional rehabilitation for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

Nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis must address anatomic and biomechanical factors. The entire functional kinetic chain and patient specific goals must be considered. In addition to passive modalities, manual therapy, and patient education, an active program consisting of flexion-based lumbar stabilization exercises, hip mobilization, proprioceptive training, and general conditioning should be initiated. More studies are needed to establish the benefit of a comprehensive, multifaceted treatment approach and to prove its clear benefit over the natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Electrical power generation from insect flight

This article presents an implementation of a miniature energy harvester (weighing 0.292 grams) on an insect (hawkmoth Manduca sexta) in un-tethered flight. The harvester utilizes a piezoelectric transducer which converts the vibratory motion induced by the insect's flight into electrical power (generating up to 59 μWRMS). By attaching a low-power management circuit (weighing 0.200 grams) to the energy harvester and accumulating the converted energy onboard the flying insect, we are able to visually demonstrate pulsed power delivery (averaging 196 mW) by intermittently flashing a light emitting diode. This self-recharging system offers biologists a new means for powering onboard electronics used to study small flying animals. Using this approach, the lifetime of the electronics would be limited only by the lifetime of the individuals, a vast improvement over current methods.
An analysis of Key Issues arising from Professor A. J. Briloff’s Paper entitled, “Garbage In/Garbage Out: A Critique of Fraudulent Financial Reporting: 1987–1997 (The COSO Report, 1999) The SEC Accounting Regulatory Process (AAERs)"

Abstract This paper examines the COSO Report (1999) in light of concerns raised by Professor Briloff in his critique (Briloff, 2001). I identify a number of limitations of using AAERs in research including the possibility that these releases reflect prevailing SEC agendas and therefore may not be representative of the population of financial statement frauds. I also question the sampling process used in the COSO Report which does not appear to capture many of the “high-profile" frauds of recent years. I evaluate three possible explanations for why Big 5 CPA firms are under-represented in the fraud sample used in that report: differences in audit quality; self-selection by the large audit firms away from risky firms; and the considerable financial resources of Big 5 firms discouraging the SEC from prosecuting them in all but the most blatant audit abuses for inadequacies. Following on from Professor Briloff’s remarks and earlier research, I also explore the broader issue of auditor independence.
Effect of experimental parameters on optimal transmission of light through opaque media

Spatial light modulator (SLM) controlled transmission of light through opaque media is a relatively new experimental method with wide applications in various fields. While there has been a surge in research into the technique, there has been little work reported considering the effects of various experimental parameters on the efficiency of optimization. In this study, we explore the effects of various experimental conditions on optimization and find that the intensity enhancement depends on the number of modulated channels, number of phase steps, feedback integration radius, beam spot size, and active SLM area. We also develop a model, based on the propagation of a Gaussian beam with a random phase front, to account for most of the measured effects.
Properties of Higher Plant Mitochondria. I. Isolation and Some Characteristics of Tightly-coupled Mitochondria from Dark-grown Mung Bean Hypocotyls

The mitochondria isolated from dark-grown mung bean hypocotyls oxidize succinate, l-malate, and externally added reduced nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) with good respiratory control. While the pattern of respiration resembles that of animal mitochondria, there are 4 basic differences between the respiratory properties of mung bean and animal mitochondria: A) the ability to oxidize NADH, B) the pattern of succinate and malate oxidation, C) the rate of oxygen uptake, and D) the adenosine-5′-diphosphate to oxygen ratios. The apparent `Km9 for malate of mung bean mitochondria is about one order higher than that expected from malic dehydrogenase in animal mitochondria, whereas the affinity for phosphate is about 5 times higher with plant mitochondria than rat-liver mitochondria. While the half-maximal stimulation of respiration by adenosine-5′-diphosphate is practically identical to that of animal mitochondria, higher concentrations of adenosine-5′-diphosphate cause some decrease in its stimulating action.
Effect of Dopants on Zirconia Stabilization—An X‐ray Absorption Study: I, Trivalent Dopants

Local atomic structures of Zr and dopant cations in zirconia solid solutions with Fe2O3, Ga2O3, Y2O3, and Gd2O3 have been determined. The Zr ions in both partially stabilized tetragonal and fully stabilized cubic zirconia have their own characteristic structures which are dopant-independent. The dopant cations substitute for Zr ions despite severe local distortions necessitated by the large difference in dopant–O distance ana Zr─O distance. Dopant ionic size determines the preferred locations of oxygen vacancies. Vacancies introduced by oversized dopants (Y and Gd) are located as nearest neighbors to Zr atoms, leaving 8-fold oxygen coordination to dopant cations. Undersized dopants (Fe and Ga) compete with Zr ions for the oxygen vacancies in zirconia, resulting in 6-fold oxygen coordination and a large disturbance to the surrounding next nearest neighbors. Since oxygen vacancies associated with Zr can provide stability for tetragonal and cubic zirconia, these results suggest an explanation for the observation that oversized trivalent dopants are more effective than undersized trivalent dopants in stabilizing cubic and tetragonal phases.
Modulation of luteinizing hormone pulse amplitude by the frequency of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulation and by testosterone in castrated, hypothalamic-lesioned male rats.

The frequency of spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses is thought to be a direct result of the frequency of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) pulses from the hypothalamus. By contrast, the amplitude of spontaneous LH pulses may be controlled by several factors other than the amplitude of LHRH pulses. We tested two hypotheses: 1) that LHpulse amplitude is determined in part by the frequency of LHRH pulses of constant magnitude, and 2) that testosterone (T) exerts a direct feedback effect on the pituitary gland to regulate LHpulse amplitude. Gonadal feedback was eliminated by castrating adult male rats (n�2O). Endogenous LHRH secretion was eliminated by lesioning the medial basal hypothalamus. Serum LH levels (0.19 ± 0.04 ng/ml RP-2, mean ± SEM) and T levels (0.15 ± 0.02 ng/ml), measured several weeks after hypothalamic lesioning, confirmed the hypogonado tropic hypogonadal state of the animals. During an 8-h period, unanesthetized, unrestrained animals were injected with 40�ng pulses of LHRH via catheters into the jugular vein, and blood samples for LH measurement were drawn at 10-mm intervals. The LHRH pulse interval was 20 mm during the first 4 h in all animals. The pulse interval was doubled to 40 mm in half of the animals (n�10) during the next 4 hours; in the other 10 animals, the pulse interval was maintained constant at 20 mm throughout the study. Within both of these groups, one-half of the animals (n=5) were infused with T to achieve a physiological level of T in serum (2.46 ± 0.36 ng/ml at 4 h), while the other half received vehicle. Doubling the interval between LHRH pulses (of a constant 40-ng amount per pulse) produced a significant increase in mean LH pulse amplitude (p<0.01). Animals infused with T displayed larger amplitude LH pulses than vehicle-infused animals (p<0.05). Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were also higher in Tinfused animals (p<0.05). This positive feedback effect of T was not altered by lengthening the LHRH pulse interval. These results demonstrate that 1) the amplitude of LH pulses is increased by decreasing the frequency of LHRH stimulation in animals in which endogenous LHRH is eliminated, 2) physiological plasma levels of T can acutely augment pituita,y gonadotropin responsiveness to LHRH, and 3) LHRH pulse interval and gonadal steroids exert independent modulating actions on LH pulse amplitude and on FSH secretion. We presume from these results that the amplitude of spontaneous LHpulses in intact animals is related to the endogenous LHRH pulse interval as well as to the magnitude of the LHRH stimulus and to levels of gonadal steroids.
Interface structure in the growth of semiconductor crystals using the Bridgman Stockbarger method

Abstract In this paper we assume, like in Balint et al. [Mater. Sci. Semiconductor Process. V3/3 (2000) 115–121], that the melt/solid interface in the case of vertically stabilized Bridgman–Stockbarger semiconductor growth system is a thin layer, masking the crystal, where a weak form of the periodical structure of the crystal exists. In these conditions, using a new diffusion coefficient in the equation of the dopant transport in the interface region, we compute the axial and radial variation of the dopant field in this region for crystal and melt with thermophysical properties similar to the gallium-doped germanium. We compare the results to those obtained in Mater. Sci. Semiconductor Process. V3/3 (2000) 115–121 [1] , where we have changed the diffusion coefficient only in the boundary condition for the dopant concentration at the melt/solid interface.
Effects of Non-Anticipation and Anticipation Procedures upon Paired-Associate Learning in Unmixed and Mixed List Designs:

Two experiments compared verbal PA learning by the standard anticipation technique with learning by a non-anticipation method in which immediate confirmation O- correct responding was eliminated. Most previous investigations have found that learning by the latter procedure is superior to learning by the usual anticipation method. In Exp. I, which employed an unmixed list design, no differences in learning were obtained between the two methods at either of two levels of list difficulty. However, Exp. II, using the same materials in a mixed list design, showed superior learning of items presented by the non-anticipation method regardless of the difficulty of the list. The conflicting results of the two experiments suggest that evidence for superior verbal PA learning by the non-anticipation method may depend, at least in part, upon the list design employed.
String and wall formation in the early universe

Abstract The formation of global strings and domain walls in the early Universe is investigated through the numerical solution of dynamical Langevin equations of motion. Ordered states are prepared and then cooled to the Ginzburg temperature, on time scales that allow horizons in the simulation volume, where structure is observed. We argue, and find, that the results of non-dynamical Monte Carlo computer simulations cannot be applied to describe the formation of topological defects when the correlation length at the Ginzburg temperature is significantly smaller than the horizon size. We also examine the equilibrium distribution of defects as a function of temperature and, in particular, at the Ginzburg temperature. We find that transitions from small-scale to large-scale structure occur very close to the Ginzburg temperature, in agreement with recent work.
Improved Cloud Motion Wind Vector and Altitude Assignment Using VAS.

Abstract A CO2 cloud tracking technique to determine simultaneous heights and velocities of cloud motion winds is presented. Using animated CO2 channel imagery from VAS, multi-level cloud situations are separated into high, middle and low level cloud motion wind vectors by the CO2 slicing method. The VAS CO2 channel radiometric values are used in the CO2 absorption method to assign quantitative heights to the cloud vectors; cloud top pressures are determined from the ratio of the deviations in cloud produced radiances and the corresponding clear air values for three CO2 channels in a radiative transfer equation formulation. Two case studies are presented that show CO2 cloud-motion wind vectors to be in good agreement with radiosonde wind observations and CO2 cloud heights to be within a 50 mb rms deviation of radiosonde, bispectral and stereo height determinations.
Dynamics of semidilute polymer rods: An alternative to cages.

Brownian simulations of rods with variable diameter $d$ show that the rotational friction constant ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{\mathrm{rot}}$ is the same in the limit $d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ as for a probe rod in a system in which vicinal rods interact with the probe but not with each other. This agreement seems to rule out cage models. A model based on the rapid dissipation of cage forces accounts for the observed dependence of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{\mathrm{rot}}$ on concentration $c$, length $L$, and $d$.
Accelerator control middle layer

This paper reviews an efficient implementation of the software 'middle layer' that resides between high-level accelerator control applications and the low-level accelerator control system. The middle layer software is written in MATLAB and includes links to the EPICS Channel Access Library. Functionally, the middle layer syntax closely parallels the Family/Index naming scheme used in many accelerator simulation codes and uses the same convention to communicate with both the online machine and the accelerator model. Hence, machine control, machine simulation and data analysis tools are integrated into a single, easy-to-use software package.
Convergence of atmospheric simulations with increasing horizontal resolution and fixed forcing scales

A series of experiments with the NCAR Community Climate Model, Version 2 (CCM2) isexamined in which the grid and scale of the physical parameterizations are held fixed while thehorizontal resolution of the dynamical core is increased. The convergence characteristics ofthese dual-resolution simulations are compared to those of simulations with the standard modelin which the resolutions of both the dynamical core and physical parameterizations are increasedtogether, as traditionally done in atmospheric model convergence studies. With the standardmodel the upward branch of the local Hadley circulation increases in strength with increasinghorizontal resolution and does not converge by T170 truncation. As the dynamical resolutionis increased, but the parameterization resolution held fixed, the dual-resolution model simulationsconverge to a state close to that produced by the standard model at the fixed parameterizationresolution. The mid-latitude transient aspects do not converge with increasing resolutionwhen the scale of the physics is held fixed. The nonlinear interactions in the dynamics createfiner scales, with or without the finer scale forcing. However, the lower resolution T42 scalesappear to converge. These convergence characteristics are shared by both the dual-resolutionmodel and the standard model when horizontal resolution is increased. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1999.00009.x
On proulx's four exceptional toroidal groups

V. K. Proulx has proved that every finite group having a Cayley graph embeddable in the torus is, with four unresolved exceptions, a quotient of a Euclidean space group. It was conjectured that these four unresolved groups are not exceptional, that they in fact are Euclidean space-group quotients. It is shown here that one is not exceptional, but the other three are.
Circumcision Practice Patterns in the United States

Objective . To determine 1) the performing of circumcision by medical specialty, gender, and years of practice; 2) the pattern of anesthetic use for this procedure; and 3) the reasons physicians cite for not using anesthesia. Design . A total of 3066 questionnaires were received from a mailing to a representative sampling of physicians stratified by specialty and geographic location. Results . Fifty-eight percent (1768) of the questionnaires were returned and interpretable from the following specialists: pediatricians (PEDs), 73% ( n = 691); family practitioners (FPs), 52% ( n = 464); and obstetricians (OBs), 51% ( n = 623). Of the respondents, 956 (54%) perform at least one circumcision per month (35% of PEDs; 60% of FPs; 70% of OBs). Of the physicians performing circumcisions, 45% use anesthesia (71% of PEDs; 56% of FPs; 25% of OBs). Of physicians using anesthesia, 85% use dorsal penile nerve block. A significantly higher percentage of male physicians (57%) are performing circumcisions than are females (45%), but there was no difference in the percent using anesthesia. Recently trained PEDs and FPs were more likely to use anesthetics than were their older colleagues, but OB use of pain relief was independent of their practice longevity. Physicians in the western states were significantly more likely to use anesthesia than were other physicians from the rest of the United States. Respondents who did not use anesthesia cited “concern over adverse drug effects” (54%) followed by “procedure does not warrant anesthesia” (44%) as the most common explanations. Conclusions . A substantial number of PEDs are performing circumcisions, and they are most likely to use anesthesia (71%), followed by FPs (56%), then OBs (25%). With recent recognition of the importance of pain reduction in neonatal procedures and the lack of substantiated contraindications to newborn anesthetic use, additional education of current practitioners, residents, and parents is required to increase the use of anesthesia for circumcision.
Computer Aided Design of Industrial Logistics Systems

The efficient design of complex and effective industrial logistics systems will require the synergy between design engineer(s) and computers. The design engineers must be provided with a powerful, flexible, and intuitive modeling environment for all phases and aspects of the design. If such design environments are to be used successfully in practice, they must address and integrate the data base design and management, user interface, algorithmic, and technology transfer functions.
Conformational dynamics of photoexcited conjugated molecules.

Time-dependent photoexcitation and optical spectroscopy of $\ensuremath{\pi}$-conjugated molecules is described using a new method for the simulation of excited state molecular dynamics in extended molecular systems with sizes up to hundreds of atoms. Applications are made to poly(p-phenylene vinylene) oligomers. Our analysis shows self-trapping of excitations on about six repeat units in the course of photoexcitation relaxation, identifies specific slow (torsion) and fast (bond-stretch) nuclear motions strongly coupled to the electronic degrees of freedom, and predicts spectroscopic signatures of molecular conformations.
Apolipoprotein B but not LDL Cholesterol Is Associated With Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 2 Diabetic Whites

OBJECTIVE Evidence favors apolipoprotein B (apoB) over LDL cholesterol as a predictor of cardiovascular events, but data are lacking on coronary artery calcification (CAC), especially in type 2 diabetes, where LDL cholesterol may underestimate atherosclerotic burden. We investigated the hypothesis that apoB is a superior marker of CAC relative to LDL cholesterol. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We performed cross-sectional analyses of white subjects in two community-based studies: the Penn Diabetes Heart Study ( N = 611 type 2 diabetic subjects, 71.4% men) and the Study of Inherited Risk of Coronary Atherosclerosis ( N = 803 nondiabetic subjects, 52.8% men) using multivariate analysis of apoB and LDL cholesterol stratified by diabetes status. RESULTS In type 2 diabetes, apoB was associated with CAC after adjusting for age, sex, and medications [Tobit regression ratio of increased CAC for 1-SD increase in apoB; 1.36 (95% CI 1.06–1.75), P = 0.016] whereas LDL cholesterol was not [1.09 (0.85–1.41)]. In nondiabetic subjects, both were associated with CAC [apoB 1.65 (1.38–1.96), P P CONCLUSIONS Plasma apoB, but not LDL cholesterol, levels were associated with CAC scores in type 2 diabetic whites. ApoB levels may be particularly useful in assessing atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes.
Automobile Occupant Posture Prediction for Use with Human Models

A new method of predicting automobile occupant posture is presented. The Cascade Prediction Model approach combines multiple independent predictions of key postural degrees of freedom with inverse kinematics guided by data-based heuristics. The new model, based on posture data collected in laboratory mockups and validated using data from actual vehicles, produces accurate posture predictions for a wide range of passenger car interior geometries. Inputs to the model include vehicle package dimensions, seat characteristics, and occupant anthropometry. The Cascade Prediction Model was developed to provide accurate posture prediction for use with any human CAD model, and is applicable to many vehicle design and safety assessment applications.
A flat triangular shell element with improved membrane interpolation

An 18 degrees-of-freedom flat triangular shell element is formulated using the DKT bending element and a new membrane stress formulation. The membrane stress formulation is based on a degenerate linear strain triangle utilizing in-plane rotations at each node. This new formulation is very simple and satisfies the plane stress patch test. Based on the numerical results from a rigorous set of test problems, the new formulation is shown to be an improvement over earlier attempts to improve the membrane stress in the shell element.
An Updated Model of Travel and Tourism Purchase-Consumption Systems

Abstract A purchase consumption system (PCS) is the sequence of mental and observable steps a consumer undertakes to buy and use several products for which some of the products purchased leads to a purchase sequence involving other products. The central PCS proposition (P1) is that several decisions within a customer's PCS are dependent on prior purchases of products that trigger these later purchases. While many additional propositions follow from this central proposition, only three are examined empirically in this report. P2: some of the important product purchases made subsequent to the destination choice are not pre-planned before the start of the trip; these purchases often include destination-area restaurant decisions, gift purchases, and activity purchases. P3: two categories of choice decisions occur for many travelers within a leisure-travel PCS: (1) the generic product decision (e.g., should I plan a trip?); and (2) the brand choice decision (e.g., which destination alternative should I select?...
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Interleukin-2 and Interferon-γ Production, Cytotoxicity, and Antigen-Stimulated Blastogenesis during Experimental Rhinovirus Infection

To determine whether rhinovirus infection induced a systemic cellular immune response in humans, specific antigen-stimulated blastogenesis, natural killer cell activity, and mitogen-stimulated production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were quantified during experimental rhinovirus infection of normal volunteers. Phytohemagglutinin-stimulated interleukin-2 production by PBMC collected on day 5 after rhinovirus inoculation was increased fourfold compared with production by PBMC collected before rhinovirus challenge (P less than .05); phytohemagglutinin-stimulated interferon-gamma production was doubled (P less than .05). An inverse relationship was observed between the increase in interleukin-2 production and both nasal mucus production (P less than .02) and the number of days virus was cultured from nasal washings (P less than .02). Natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity of PBMC collected on day 5 after rhinovirus challenge was also increased (P less than .01) compared with preinfection levels, as was specific antigen-stimulated blastogenesis on day 21 (P less than .05). The extent of blastogenic response correlated directly with both mucus production (P less than .05) and the number of days virus was cultured from nasal washings (P less than .05). These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that rhinovirus infection results in activation of a systemic cellular immune response.
Spatial Behavior of Phosphorus and Nitrogen in a Subtropical Wetland

Complex spatial patterns of biogeochemical properties such as soils are generated in wetlands as a result of internal cycling of nutrients, natural forcing functions (e.g., hydrologic flow paths), and anthropogenic impacts (e.g., nutrient inputs). To preserve ecosystem health and the functions of a wetland ecosystem, it is critical to maintain a soil nutrient status that resembles natural reference conditions and to preserve biogeochemical variability. We investigated the spatial behavior of total P (TP) and total N (TN) in a subtropical wetland in Florida that historically has been impacted by nutrient influx. Our specific objectives were to: (i) assess the spatial autocorrelation structure and spatial variability ofTP and TN across a subtropical wetland given a dense observation set (n = 266); and (ii) assess the information loss associated with underlying spatial autocorrelations and spatial variability in TP and TN under various scenarios of reduced sampling densities (n = 175-50). Both properties showed contrasting spatial metrics with long spatial autocorrelations for TP (7240 m) and much shorter ones for TN (1007 m). The contrasting spatial metrics ofTP and TN along trajectories of sparser observation sets translated into different responses in spatial patterns that disintegrated dramatically for TN and less so for TP when compared with the reference set (n = 266). In this subtropical wetland, a sampling set of n > 75 (0.036 samples ha -1 ) for TP and n > 125 (0.0260 samples ha -1 ) for TN yielded satisfactory results to resemble spatial patterns of the reference set. This study provided insight into the spatial behavior and patterns of two important soil nutrients in wetlands.
New Insights into the Role of Nuclear Factor-κB, a Ubiquitous Transcription Factor in the Initiation of Diseases

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that governs the expression of genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and some acute phase proteins in health and in various disease states. NF-κB is activated by several agents, including cytokines, oxidant free radicals, inhaled particles, ultraviolet irradiation, and bacterial or viral products. Inappropriate activation of NF-κB has been linked to inflammatory events associated with autoimmune arthritis, asthma, septic shock, lung fibrosis, glomerulonephritis, atherosclerosis, and AIDS. In contrast, complete and persistent inhibition of NF-κB has been linked directly to apoptosis, inappropriate immune cell development, and delayed cell growth. Therefore, development of modulatory strategies targeting this transcription factor may provide a novel therapeutic tool for the treatment or prevention of various diseases.
Modal control of reflector surfaces using far-field power measurements

The far-field power received from a transmitting reflector antenna was maximized by varying the shape of the reflector surface. The shape of the reflector surface was controlled by a modal autofocus method which deformed the membrane sequentially into the full range of its natural modes of vibrations. The convergence time was shown to depend on the scan time associated with a natural mode of vibration, the number of cycles the algorithm underwent before convergence, and the desired resolution of the surface shape. A numerical example illustrates the method presented. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
When are reflux episodes symptomatic

SUMMARY. Careful scrutiny of pH recordings and symptom diaries in patients having 24-hour pH-metry reveals that most reflux episodes are asymptomatic. Although this observation is well known and long recognized, the explanation for why one reflux episode leads to symptoms and others do not is incompletely understood. Forty-four patients with chronic typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms referred for ambulatory pH testing were studied. Antisecretory medication was stopped 2 weeks prior to the study. Two meals were taken during the study; one standardized (hamburger, fries, milk-shake) and one at the patient’s discretion. A system onset marker noted the type, beginning and end of symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain). Age, sex, upright/supine position, nadir pH, time pH 5 seconds. The pH catheter detected 1464 reflux episodes. Only 93 (6.3%) were symptomatic. Forty-six of the 93 (49.4%) were associated with heartburn, 38 (40.9%) with regurgitation, and nine (9.7%) with chest pain. Nadir pH was significantly lower in symptomatic episodes. Nearly 50% of symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after meals, especially after non-standardized compared to standardized meal. Symptomatic episodes tended to be longer in duration and to occur in the supine position, while age/sex made no difference. Six percent of the reflux episodes were temporally associated with typical GERD symptoms. This association seems to be influenced by the acidity of the refluxate. Nearly half of the symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after eating.
1,3‐Dimethyl‐1H‐Benzimidazolium Salts

[769-15-3] C9H11N2+ (MW 147.2) InChI = 1S/C9H11N2/c1-10-7-11(2)9-6-4-3-5-8(9)10/h3-7H,1-2H3/q+1 InChIKey = DSPUBTKMQXMJCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N [7181-87-5] C9H11IN2 (MW 274.1) InChI = 1S/C9H11N2.HI/c1-10-7-11(2)9-6-4-3-5-8(9)10;/h3-7H,1-2H3;1H/q+1;/p-1 InChIKey = RQGURHMTNSNBQX-UHFFFAOYSA-M (reagent used in Umpolung reactions to convert an electrophilic aldehyde to a nucleophile in the benzoin condensation, Stetter-type reaction, and SNAr reaction; the generation of homoenolate species from α,β-unsaturated aldehydes; formylation; and in coupling reactions) Physical Data: mp 200–201 °C,1 201–202 °C (methanol),2 200–201 °C (ethanol);3 1H NMR (60 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.65 (s, 1H), 7.50–8.10 (m, 4H), 4.09 (s, 6H).2, 4 1H NMR (500 MHz, D2O, 50 mM acetate buffer pH 5.6) δ 9.17 (br s, 1H), 7.86 (m, AA′XX′, 2H), 7.70 (m, AA′XX′, 2H), 4.10 (d, J = 0.6 Hz, 6H).5 13C NMR (60 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 9.65 142.9 (d), 131.5 (s), 126.2 (d), 113.2 (d), 33.3 (q).4 IR (KBr, cm−1)λ 3095, 1597, 1572.3 Solubility: sol THF, MeCN, acetone, H2O, DMSO, and methanol. Known Forms: the iodide salt is the most widely used form. Other counteranions such as chloride, bromide, perchlorate, hydroxide, tetrafluoroborate, and trifluoroacetate are also known. Most of the benzimidazolium salts are not commercially available. The iodide salt can be synthesized from commercially available 1-methylbenzimidazole. Preparation and Purification: 1,3-dimethyl-1H-benzimidazolium iodide was prepared by methylation of 1-methylbenzimidazole with an excess amount of iodomethane2, 4, 5 To an oven-dried pressure tube equipped with a stir bar was added 1-methylbenzimidazole (1.0 equiv) and iodomethane (5.5 equiv). The tube was sealed and heated to 100 °C for 1 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and concentrated under vacuo. The product was recrystallized from acetone, methanol, or a mixture of MeCN-toluene and dried under vacuum in the presence of P2O5. The iodide salt was obtained as light yellow crystals. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the iodide salt can be stored in the dessicator and handled quickly in air.6
Metabolic Response of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the pediatric brain presents unique challenges as the complex cascades of metabolic and biochemical responses to TBI are further complicated ongoing maturational changes of the developing brain. TBIs of all severities have been shown to significantly alter metabolism and hormones which impair the ability of the brain to process glucose for cellular energy. Under these conditions, the brain's primary fuel (glucose) becomes a less favorable fuel and the ability of the younger brain to revert to ketone metabolism can an advantage. This review addresses the potential of alternative substrate metabolic intervention as a logical pediatric TBI neuroprotective strategy.
An Inexpensive, Portable, Air-Sampling Tower

Details of a 40-foot portable tower for the sampling of airborne insecticide particles are presented. The basic unit is comprised of four 10-foot sections. A portable carriage is described that carries sampling and monitoring equipment. The structure is simple to fabricate, inexpensive, and easily erected with a minimum of effort and time.
Snodgrass urethroplasty for the anterior hypospadias

Objective To evaluate the application of Snodgrass urethroplasty for the anterior hypospadias.Methods A retrospective review of hypospadias treated by Snodgrass urethroplasty from 2001 to 2005 was performed.Among 146 cases,62 were primary and 84 with redo procedures. In the meantime,onlay island flap procedure was undertaken for the hypospadias without chordee(266 cases).The short and long-term results were compared between these two groups.Results In 62 pri- mary cases by Snodgrass urethroplasty,57 were recovered without any complications,2 cases with u- rethral stricture and 3 cases with urethral fistula;while among 84 redo cases,64 were completely cor- rected,6 cases with urethral stricture and 14 with urethrocutaneous fistula.In 266 cases corrected by onlay island flap,256 were recovered without any complaints and 10 with urethrocutaneous fistula. Conclusions Snodgrass can be recommended for hypospadias cases with wide urethral plate but with- out chordee or parts of failed cases.Onlay island flap is suitable for the narrow urethral plate cases.
21st Lenna Frances Cooper memorial lecture: nutrition research by and about women.

Physiologists, chemists, and a few physicians, virtually all men, carried out the early research in human nutrition. Nutrition emerged as a “woman’s field” of study and practice during a period when women’s attempts to enter traditionally male-dominated fields of science were being resisted and frustrated. Nutrition benefited as a result, because it was given the attention of outstanding women scholars denied opportunities in their own fields. Women were the principal investigators of the nutrition concerns of women and children, for reasons of access and gentility. Analysis of historical and contemporary contributions by and about women suggests a gender difference between investigators’ concerns: Men explore problems; women study needs.
Pediatric Considerations in Sports-Specific Injuries

The pediatric musculoskeletal system has many distinct differences from the adult musculoskeletal system. Because of the anatomic and physiologic differences and the differences in sports training methods and sports participation between children and adults, the spectrum of injuries incurred by the pediatric athlete is unique. This chapter focuses on those injuries that are peculiar to the pediatric musculoskeletal system but includes “adult” injuries where they have particular relevance to pediatric patients.
Factors Affecting Donor Artificial Insemination Success Rates

Pregnancy was achieved at least once by 75 of 100 women treated with artificial insemination donor (AID). In all, 94 gestations were recorded, with a mean time to achieve pregnancy of 3.3cycles. Success rates were studied relative to ovulatory function, cervical mucus parameters, previous reproductive history, and following pelvic surgery. A life-table analysis of conception according to actual inseminations performed during each cycle gave a 61% conception rate within 6months, including patients who discontinued therapy after only one treatment cycle. Clomiphene citrate was used freely for ovulation induction. These patients took longer to conceive (5.5cycles), but had an abortion rate similar to that of the general group. An effect of cervical mucus on the time necessary to initiate pregnancy was not demonstrated. Six of seven patients who had undergone reparative surgery for restoration or promotion of fertility conceived. The highest number of conceptions with double AID was found on cycle days 13 and 15.
Pulmonary nodule caused by Enterobius vermicularis.

A pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, collaped and with the egg-laden uterus prolapsed into the surrounding tissue was identified in histopathological sections of a nodule discovered by routine roentgenograph and surgically removed from the lung of a 23-year-old man in Connecticut, U.S.A., the second such case to be reported.
Thalamic Mechanisms in Language

Although there are reports in the early literature of lesions of the thalamus in association with disorders of perception, for example, de Morsier’s (1938) case of pulvinar lesion with “peduncular hallucinosis,” as well as with disorders of cognition, such as Grunthal’s (1942) case of “thalamic dementia,” it was not until the monograph by Penfield and Roberts (1959) that attention was focused on the thalamus in relation to language organization. In this monograph, it was proposed that the thalamus, specifically the nucleus pulvinaris, was a way station in language processing between the anterior and posterior speech zones. While no persuasive evidence was presented in support of this hypothesis, it was at least consistent with the enormous expansion of pulvinar over the mammalian series leading to man, as well as with the presence of major fiber pathways between pulvinar and the posterior temporoparietal cortex.
The relationship between depression and overactive bladder/urinary incontinence symptoms in the clinical OAB population

Background To investigate the relationship between depression and overactive bladder (OAB)/urinary incontinence symptoms among the clinical OAB population.
Ethnic Media and the Social Incorporation of New Americans

Ethnic media are growing in size, audience, and visibility worldwide, as well as in the USA. Ethnic media have historically, and still actively, supported the integration of immigrant and ethnic populations into the social fabric of US society by serving the critical information needs (CINs) of these populations across the USA. Because mainstream media are interested in appealing to the broadest possible audience, they tend to overlook CINs specific to these vulnerable populations. As a result, ethnic media are a crucial feature of the media landscape for many Americans. In addition to efforts to stabilize the ethnic media sector by recognizing them as legitimate players in media markets across the country, efforts to directly support ethnic media operations are also necessary.
Regulation of DNA Alkylation Damage Repair: Lessons and Therapeutic Opportunities

Alkylation chemotherapy is one of the most widely used systemic therapies for cancer. While somewhat effective, clinical responses and toxicities of these agents are highly variable. A major contributing factor for this variability is the numerous distinct lesions that are created upon alkylation damage. These adducts activate multiple repair pathways. There is mounting evidence that the individual pathways function cooperatively, suggesting that coordinated regulation of alkylation repair is critical to prevent toxicity. Furthermore, some alkylating agents produce adducts that overlap with newly discovered methylation marks, making it difficult to distinguish between bona fide damaged bases and so-called 'epigenetic' adducts. Here, we discuss new efforts aimed at deciphering the mechanisms that regulate these repair pathways, emphasizing their implications for cancer chemotherapy.
CVD growth and characterization of Si x Ge 1−x−y Sn y alloys for high efficiency multi-junction solar cells

Silicon-germanium-tin films were grown by an Epsilon® RPCVD single wafer CVD deposition system to be used as an intermediate cell in high efficiency multi-junction solar cells. Material and optical characterization of the samples are performed using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and eillpsometry techniques. Thicknesses, absorption coefficients, refractive indexes, direct and indirect bandgap transitions were measured and compared for different Sn and Si composition samples. The results show that incorporation of Si in GeSn lattice lowers the lattice size and increases the energy bandgap simultaneously.
Intrinsic inter-network brain dysfunction correlates with symptom dimensions in late-life depression

Prior studies have demonstrated dysfunctions within the core neurocognitive networks (the executive control [ECN], default mode [DMN] and salience [SN] networks) in late-life depression (LLD). Whether inter-network dysfunctional connectivity is present in LLD, and if such disruptions are associated with core symptom dimensions is unknown. A cross-sectional resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging investigation was conducted of LLD (n = 39) and age- and gender-equated healthy comparison (HC) (n = 29) participants. Dual regression independent component analysis approach was used to identify components that represented the ECN, DMN and SN. The intrinsic inter-network connectivity was compared between LLD and HC participants and the relationship of inter-network connectivity abnormalities with dimensional measures was examined. Relative to HC participants, LLD subjects showed decreased inter-network connectivity between the bilateral ECN and default mode subcortical (thalamus, basal ganglia and ventral striatum) networks, and the left ECN and SN insula component; and increased inter-network connections between the left ECN and posterior DMN and salience (dorsal anterior cingulate) network components. Distinct inter-network connectivity abnormalities correlated with depression and anxiety severity, and executive dysfunction in LLD participants. LLD subjects also showed pronounced intra-network connectivity differences within the ECN, whereas fewer but significant DMN and SN disruptions were also detected. Investigating the intrinsic inter-network functional connectivity could provide a mechanistic framework to better understand the neural basis that underlies core symptom dimensions in LLD. Inter-network connectivity measures have the potential to be neuroimaging biomarkers of symptom dimensions comprising LLD, and may assist in developing symptom-specific treatment algorithms.
Accuracy of single photoelectron time spread measurement of fast photomultipliers

Abstract The accuracy of time spread measurements of fast photomultipliers has been investigated, using single photoelectrons. The effect of the finite light pulse width on the measurement accuracy is determined and discussed. Experimental data have been obtained on a special measuring system for light pulse widths ranging from 200 ps to 10 ns, using fast photomultipliers 8850 and C31024 with optimized operating conditions for minimum transit time spread. A modified exponential function expression and curve-fitting parameters are given, which fit closely the experimentally obtained data over a wide dynamic range of light pulse widths.
No-excuses for character: A critique of character education in no-excuses charter schools:

The ‘no-excuses’ model of education has become one of the most prominent educational alternatives for urban youth. Recently, notable no-excuses charter schools have begun a concerted effort to deve...