cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscle synergies involved in shifting the center of pressure while making a first step

We used the framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis to analyze multi-muscle synergies involved in making a step by a standing person. We hypothesized that leg and trunk muscles are organized into stable groups (muscle modes, M-modes) related to shifts of the center of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions. Another hypothesis was that the magnitudes of the modes co-vary across repetitive trials to stabilize a certain magnitude of the COP shift in both directions. M-modes were defined using principal component analysis applied to indices of changes in the electromyographic (EMG) activity prior to releasing variable loads that were held by the subject using a pulley system. For the task of releasing the load behind the body three M-modes associated with a backward COP shift were defined. Four M-modes were defined for the task of releasing the load at the body side associated with a lateral COP shift. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate changes in the M-mode magnitudes to COP shifts. EMG changes prior to making a step were quantified over five 100 ms time windows before the lift-off of the stepping leg. Two components of the variance in the M-mode space computed across repetitions of a stepping task were quantified-a component that did not affect the average COP shift in a particular direction (variance within the UCM, V (UCM)), and a component that affected the COP shift (variance orthogonal to the UCM, V (ORT)). V (UCM) was significantly higher than V (ORT) for both directions of the COP shifts. This relation was observed for the M-modes in the stepping leg as well as in the support leg. The stepping leg showed a different time evolution of the ratio V (UCM)/V (ORT) such that the difference between the two variance components disappeared closer to the time of the lift-off. The findings corroborate both main hypotheses. The study supports a view that control of whole-body actions involves grouping the muscles, using fewer elemental variables to scale the muscle activity, and forming synergies in the space of the elemental variables that stabilize time profiles of important performance variables.
Effect of pre-existing surface crack morphology on the interfacial thermal fracture of thermal barrier coatings: a numerical study

The interfacial fracture of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) at the ceramic-bond coat interface occurs during the cooling period following exposure to high temperatures. Previous studies showed that, the presence of multiple vertical surface precracks that span over the entire coating thickness, was beneficial in reducing the propagation of interface cracks. In this paper, the effect of different surface precrack morphologies, such as precrack length and precrack density, on an interface crack during a thermal shock caused by a high heat flux is presented. The results show that shorter surface precracks and a larger precrack density can delay the interfacial fracture. In particular, this behavior is shown to be more prominent in thicker TBCs.
Domestic tasks, gender egalitarian values and children's gender typing in conventional and nonconventional families

Relationships between gender egalitarian values, family lifestyles, and children's gender typing were studied among 156 Euro-American, working to upper middle class nonconventional families, and a comparison sample of 51 two-parent, married couples. Did efforts to alter domestic task allocation in nonconventional countercultural families influence children's gender typing at age six? Children's gender typing scores were not directly related to patterns of task assignment, although they were moderately correlated with parents' gender egalitarian values and nonconventional lifestyles. The nonconventional families tended to have children displaying less stereotyping of male objects, and more non gender-typed responses. These effects were stronger among girls. Household organization (single parent, married or unmarried couple, or commune), regardless of family lifestyle and values, was strongly related to shared vs. more exclusive forms of task assignment. Mothers' egalitarian values also were associated with more shared tasks. The effects of shared domestic tasks in the home on children's gender typing seemed to be indirect, mediated by the child's sex and the meaning parents attached to their task assignment in the home.
Podiatric medical students' evaluation of a computerized student-patient encounter log system.

The computerized student-patient encounter log system represents a considerable improvement in terms of efficiency and accuracy over traditional paper-based student-patient encounter reporting systems. The computerized log not only facilitates faculty monitoring of students’ assessment and management of health problems at geographically disparate locations but also provides a rich resource of data for enhancing clinical teaching and learning experiences. However, little is known about podiatric medical students’ experiences with Web-based computerized student-patient encounter log systems. The findings reported in this article suggest that the computerized student-patient encounter log was considered to be useful and effective by most of the podiatric medical students surveyed and represents an improvement over traditional paper-based recording systems. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 95(6): 556–563, 2005)
Economic theory and comparative economic systems: A partial literature survey

Abstract This paper surveys the more abstract literature on the newly developing theory of economic systems. Works from both pure economic theory and comparative economics are discussed. The principal thesis is that, while these two literatures have developed rather independently, they share an amazingly similar framework. What is emerging is a full-fledged theory of economic systems. Emphasis is placed on the three component structures of economic systems—the information, decision-making, and incentive structures–and the normative evaluation of economic systems. J. Comp. Econ. , Dec. 1978, 2 (4), pp. 355–381. Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: 024,053.
Growth/differentiation factor-5 modulates the synthesis and expression of extracellular matrix and cell-adhesion-related molecules of rat Achilles tendon fibroblasts

This study was designed to examine the cellular and molecular response of tendon fibroblasts to growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5). Rat Achilles tendon fibroblasts (ATFs) were treated in culture with varying concentrations of GDF-5 (0–1000 ng/ml) over varying periods of time (0–12 days). Cell proliferation, evaluated through use of a standard MTT colorimetric assay, confirmed that GDF-5 stimulates ATF proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. Temporal and concentration analysis revealed that GDF-5 increases total DNA, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and hydroxyproline (HYP) content. Ratios of HYP/DNA and GAG/DNA increased with increasing concentrations of GDF-5 (0–1000 ng/ml). Expression of the following 12 extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-adhesion-related genes was assessed using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR): collagen I (col I), collagen III (col III), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 and -13, aggrecan, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteina...
Local gamma ray events as tests of the antimatter theory of gamma ray bursts

Nearby examples of the antimatter ‘chunks’ postulated by Sofia and Van Horn to explain the cosmic gamma ray bursts may produce detectable gamma ray events when struck by solar system meteoroids. These events would have a much shorter time scale and higher energy spectrum than the bursts already observed. In order to have a reasonably high event rate, the local meteoroid population must extend to a distance from the Sun of the order of 0.1 pc, but the required distance could become much lower if the instrumental threshold is improved. We also examine the expected gamma ray flux for interaction of the antimatter bodies with the solar wind, and find it far below present instrumental capabilities.
The precipitation of plasma proteins by short-chain fatty acids.

Abstract The precipitation of proteins from plasma by caproic, heptylic, caprylic, pelargonic, capric, and lauric acids was measured by means of electrophoresis. At low concentrations (0.04 M) these fatty acids form insoluble complexes, particularly with α- and β-globulins; at higher concentrations (0.1 M) albumin and all globulins are precipitated in appreciable amounts. Each of these fatty acid homologs has characteristic properties as a plasma protein precipitant.
Nylon Suture Toxicity after Cataract Surge

A cluster of symptoms and signs that appear to be related to wound closure developed in 10 of 105 consecutive patients (9.5%) who underwent uncomplicated planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implants. These signs and symptoms included foreign body sensation, conjunctival injection and infiltrates localized to the scleral wound, and scleral excavation underlying the running 10-0 nylon suture possibly resulting from localized scleral edema. The clinical presentation ranged from 1 to 6 weeks. Conjunctival stains demonstrated eosinophils and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in some cases. Gram stains, conjunctival cultures, and results of suture toxicology studies were negative. The authors believe that these findings represent a previously unreported complication after ECCE: acute inflammation primarily localized to the conjunctiva and sclera adjacent to the cataract wound. The etiology of this postoperative complication is yet to be determined.
The Epistemology of Belief

By examining the general conditions in which a structure could come to represent another state of affairs, it is argued that beliefs, a special class of representations, have their contents limited by the sort of information the system in which they occur can pick up and process. If a system—measuring instrument, animal or human being—cannot process information to the effect that something is Q, it cannot represent something as Q. From this it follows (for simple, ostensively acquired concepts at least) that if an organism that has the information-processing capabilities for knowing that something is Q.
Inclusions in Thin Smectic Filns

We study theoretically the behaviour of inclusions in thin films of smectic-A liquid crystal consisting of a stack of regularly spaced membranes. Such membranes are frequently formed in thin diblock copolymer films or in solutions of amphiphilic surfactants. Inclusions, such as colloidal particles or large proteins, couple locally to the smectic and may deform the membranes over a large length scale. Using the Landau-de Gennes description of smectic liquid crystals we obtain the deformation field of the membranes for the two cases of a freely suspended film and a film on a rigid substrate. In the first case we compare and contrast with earlier work on inclusions confined between two membranes and in a lamellar phase of infinite thickness. We show that the existence of an overshoot in the deformation of the layers is intrinsically related to the finite size of the sample. This leads to qualitative differences in the interaction potential between two inclusions for finite and infinite systems. The interaction, monotonically attractive for infinite systems, becomes repulsive at large distance is the sample is finite. We show that the equilibrium position of the particle depends on the surface tension at the film boundary and give quantitative predictions for the particle-induced deformation of the membranes.
Gamer Widow: A Phenomenological Study of Spouses of Online Video Game Addicts

Few studies have examined the impact of online video game addiction on addicts’ family members. The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of the spouses of online video game addicts via qualitative, phenomenological methodology. Data were gathered via online, open-ended questions and suggested three categories that described participants’ experiences of being married to an online video game addict: Changes in My Husband, Changes in Me, and Changes in the Marital Relationship. Among these categories, seven themes and 12 subthemes emerged. The study concludes by discussing the essence of the phenomenon, as well as implications for therapy.
Phosphorus cycling and soil P fractions in Douglas-fir and red alder stands

Abstract Nitrogen-fixing species can dramatically increase soil acidity and organic matter content, and potentially alter biogeochemical P dynamics. We compared ecosystem P cycling in adjacent stands of N 2 -fixing red alder ( Alnus rubra Bong.) and non-fixing Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) in order to determine whether P-cycling rates within stands were related to soil P forms as measured by sequential P fractionation. Above-ground annual P uptake was 61% greater in the red alder stand, although soil available P, as measured by Bray (NH 4 F–HCl) extraction, was only 10% of that found in the Douglas-fir stand. Total ecosystem P in the alder stand was only 69% of that found in the Douglas-fir stand, and could indicate a pre-establishment difference between stands. However, the percentage of total soil P released by Bray or NaOH extraction was also lower in the alder stand, which suggests that differences in total P alone did not control the patterns observed in P fractions. Concentrations of inorganic P sorbed to Fe and Al minerals and contained in Fe minerals and apatite were greater under Douglas-fir, while organic P was slightly greater under red alder. While fluxes of P in litterfall, uptake and resorption were 94, 60 and 292% higher in the alder stand, soil extractable fractions meant to represent available P were lower under alder. Static measures of available P do not appear to adequately reflect P supply, and the development of techniques to assess P turnover is needed to better understand cycling and plant availability of P.
A Prospective Evaluation of Survivorship of Asymptomatic Degenerative Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: The purpose of this prospective study was to report the long-term risks of rotator cuff tear enlargement and symptom progression associated with degenerative asymptomatic tears. Methods: Subjects with an asymptomatic rotator cuff tear in one shoulder and pain due to rotator cuff disease in the contralateral shoulder enrolled as part of a prospective longitudinal study. Two hundred and twenty-four subjects (118 initial full-thickness tears, fifty-six initial partial-thickness tears, and fifty controls) were followed for a median of 5.1 years. Validated functional shoulder scores were calculated (visual analog pain scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], and simple shoulder test [SST] scores). Subjects were followed annually with shoulder ultrasonography and clinical evaluations. Results: Tear enlargement was seen in 49% of the shoulders, and the median time to enlargement was 2.8 years. The occurrence of tear-enlargement events was influenced by the severity of the final tear type, with enlargement of 61% of the full-thickness tears, 44% of the partial-thickness tears, and 14% of the controls (p < 0.05). Subject age and sex were not related to tear enlargement. One hundred subjects (46%) developed new pain. The final tear type was associated with a greater risk of pain development, with the new pain developing in 28% of the controls, 46% of the shoulders with a partial-thickness tear, and 50% of those with a full-thickness tear (p < 0.05). The presence of tear enlargement was associated with the onset of new pain (p < 0.05). Progressive degenerative changes of the supraspinatus muscle were associated with tear enlargement, with supraspinatus muscle degeneration increasing in 4% of the shoulders with a stable tear compared with 30% of the shoulders with tear enlargement (p < 0.05). Nine percent of the shoulders with a stable tear showed increased infraspinatus muscle degeneration compared with 28% of those in which the tear had enlarged (p = 0.07). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the progressive nature of degenerative rotator cuff disease. The risk of tear enlargement and progression of muscle degeneration is greater for shoulders with a full-thickness tear, and tear enlargement is associated with a greater risk of pain development across all tear types. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Comparing wind speed retrievals from GPS reflectometry with SFMR surface wind speeds in Huricane Ike (2008)

Recently, a compact system, able to record raw GPS intermediate frequency (IF) samples has been designed and tested by the research group at the CU/Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department. Such an approach provides the most fundamental measurement, enabling the most advanced and complete post-processing, with data volumes on the order of 1GB/minute. In 2008 this system was flying on board the NOAA WP-3D aircraft which collected research-mission data on Hurricane Ike. During two flights there was collected about 800 GB of raw data for flight lags that transverse the hurricane eye and away from it. After the flights the correlation waveforms for both direct and reflected signals were retrieved from the raw data for all available satellites and sea surface roughness estimates were produced. Those retrievals were compared with the Step Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) measurements of the surface wind speed. As expected, the data show a high sensitivity of the GPS bistatic radar signals to ocean surface roughness. However, the system of swells generated by various parts of the hurricane complicates the picture and makes the problem of wind retrieval non-trivial.
Evolution of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonists

OBJECTIVE:To discuss the evolution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists from single site to multiple subtype or partial agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome.DATA SOURCES:Information was obtained from MEDLINE (1966-March 2007) using search terms peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist, PPAR dual agonist, PPAR α/γ agonist, PPAR pan agonist, partial PPAR, and the specific compound names. Other sources included pharmaceutical companies, the Internet, and the American Diabetes Association 64th-66th Scientific Sessions abstract books.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Animal data, abstracts, clinical trials, and review articles were reviewed and summarized.DATA SYNTHESIS:PPAR α, γ, and δ receptors play an important role in lipid metabolism, regulation of adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, and insulin sensitivity. The PPAR dual agonists were developed to combine the triglyceride lowering and high-density li...
Membrane probe card technology (the future for higher performance wafer test)

A probe card technology is described that addresses the needs of testing VLSI devices at the wafer level. This technology offers the ability to test high-pin count devices at operating speed with the same performance as obtained in package test. The design and performance characteristics of two implementations are summarized and the results of several applications are reviewed. >
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Competitively Inhibits Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)-Dependent Activation of PDGF Receptor and Subsequent Signaling Events and Cellular Responses

Certain platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms are associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), a sight-threatening complication that develops in a subset of patients recovering from retinal reattachment surgery. Although these PDGF isoforms are abundant in the vitreous of patients and experimental animals with PVR, they make only a minor contribution to activating PDGF receptor α (PDGFRα) and driving experimental PVR. Rather, growth factors outside of the PDGF family are the primary (and indirect) agonists of PDGFRα. These observations beg the question of why vitreal PDGFs fail to activate PDGFRα. We report here that vitreous contains an inhibitor of PDGF-dependent activation of PDGFRα and that a major portion of this inhibitory activity is due to vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A). Furthermore, recombinant VEGF-A competitively blocks PDGF-dependent binding and activation of PDGFR, signaling events, and cellular responses. These findings unveil a previously unappreciated relationship between distant members of the PDGF/VEGF family that may contribute to pathogenesis of a blinding eye disease.
TEM investigation of interfaces during cuprous island growth

The geometry and epitaxial relationships of interfaces generated during the early-stage oxidation of Cu(1 0 0) surfaces were studied using transmission electron microscopy. The predominant orientation relationship between Cu2O islands and the Cu substrate is cubeon-cube growth, whereby equivalent planes and directions of oxide islands and the metal substrate are matched across the interface, while other epitaxies are occasionally observed. A 6 � 7 coincidence site lattice configuration is observed at the Cu–Cu2O interface for the cube-on-cube epitaxy. The geometry of Cu2O–Cu interfaces is found to depend on the specific epitaxial orientations of Cu2O islands with the Cu substrate: wedge-shaped interfaces are developed for cube-on-cube growth, and edge-on interfaces are formed for other epitaxies. These growth features are attributed to the minimization of the interface energy via the competing factors among the coincidence lattice misfit, misfit dislocations and the metal–oxide interface area. 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Diel patterns in light absorption and absorption efficiency factors of Isochrysis galbana (Prymnesiophyceae)

The chl a specific absorption coefficients [a* (λ), m 2 .mg chl a - 1 ] were examined in chemostat culture of the Prymnesiophyceae Isochrysis galbana (Parke) under a 12:12-h light:dark cycle at low light (75 μmol photons.m - 2 .s - 1 ) and high light (500 μmol photons m - 2 .s - 1 ) conditions. Other associated measurements such as pigment composition, cell density, and diameter as the measure of cell size were also made at the two light regimes every 2 h for 2 days to confirm the periodicity. A distinct diel variability was observed for the a* (λ) with maxima near dawn and minima near dusk. The magnitude of diel variation in a* (440) was 15% at low light and 22% at high light. Pronounced diel patterns were observed for cell size with minima near dawn and maxima near dusk. The magnitude of diel variation in cell size was 9.3% at low light and 21% at high light. The absorption efficiency factors [Q a (440)] were determined by reconstruction using intracellular concentrations of pigments and cell size. The Q a (440) also showed a distinct diel variability, with minima near dawn and maxima near dusk. The diel variation in a* (λ) and Q a (λ) was primarily caused by changes in cell size due to growth, although there was some influence from diel variations in the intracellular pigment concentrations. The results presented here indicated that diel variation in a* (λ) was an important component of the optical characterization of phytoplankton.
Multi-GPU volume rendering using MapReduce

In this paper we present a multi-GPU parallel volume rendering implemention built using the MapReduce programming model. We give implementation details of the library, including specific optimizations made for our rendering and compositing design. We analyze the theoretical peak performance and bottlenecks for all tasks required and show that our system significantly reduces computation as a bottleneck in the ray-casting phase. We demonstrate that our rendering speeds are adequate for interactive visualization (our system is capable of rendering a 10243 floating-point sampled volume in under one second using 8 GPUs), and that our system is capable of delivering both in-core and out-of-core visualizations. We argue that a multi-GPU MapReduce library is a good fit for parallel volume renderering because it is easy to program for, scales well, and eliminates the need to focus on I/O algorithms thus allowing the focus to be on visualization algorithms instead. We show that our system scales with respect to the size of the volume, and (given enough work) the number of GPUs.
HYBRID SOL-GEL ELECTRO-OPTIC POLYMER MODULATORS: BEATING THE DRIVE VOLTAGE/LOSS TRADEOFF

There has been great progress in the development of electro-optic (EO) polymers with exceptionally high r33 coefficients, with values ranging from 100–400 pm/V now being reported for single layer electro-optic polymer films. While this enables the fabrication of EO modulators with sub-volt operation, it is also necessary to make devices with acceptably low insertion loss (< 6 dB) in order to compete with existing technology. We have developed a solution to the voltage/insertion loss tradeoff in EO polymer modulators by adopting a hybrid geometry that provides for low optical coupling loss, electro-optic polymer limited propagation loss, highly efficient poling, and low cost fabrication. This combination of properties has allowed us to achieve r33 = 170 pm/V in an EO phase modulator. In addition to this proven approach to optimizing the figure of merit, there are several other approaches that can have high impact. The development of low loss EO polymer and cladding materials and waveguides can greatly reduce the insertion loss of EO polymer modulators, through chemical substitution techniques such as selective halogenation, as well as through improved processing to reduce roughness, stress and poling induced losses. Halogenation can be used to reduce the number of C–H bonds, which have well-known stretch and bend vibrational modes whose overtones extend into the optical communications bands at 1550 nm and 1310 nm. While roughness and stress effects are well-understood from work on passive waveguides, the poling process can produce inhomogeneities that lead to increased scattering loss; molecular design can be used to reduce poling induced loss. Another approach is to adopt non-waveguide device formats that are more tolerant of material losses, such as Fabry-Perot etalons. While etalons may not be viable for very high speed applications (i.e., GHz regime), they present entirely new application areas for electro-optic polymers.
A hybrid distributed centralized system structure for transaction processing

A hybrid system structure comprised of distributed systems to take advantage of locality of reference and a central system to handle transactions that access non-local data is examined. Several transaction processing applications, such as reservation systems, insurance and banking have such regional locality of reference. A concurrency and coherency control protocol that maintains the integrity of the data and performs well for transactions that access local or non-local data is described. It is shown that the performance of the hybrid system is much less sensitive to the fraction of remote accesses than the distributed system and offers similar performance to the distributed system for local transactions. >
The Logical Road to Human Level AI Leads to a Dead End

The logical road to human-level AI is a dead end. Human-level AI requires compassionate intelligence to guide interaction and build applications and operating systems of the future. The cognition of such an agent includes Metacognition: thinking about thinking, thinking about feeling, and thinking about others’ thoughts and feelings. We summarize the core meta-architectures and meta-processes of EM-2, a meta-cognitive agent that uses affective inference and an irrational TMS, the I-TMS, to resolve the turf war between thoughts and feelings based on agent personality and social and cultural knowledge as well as logic. The work is inspired as much by a human mind training process from India as it is by the 17th century commonsense philosopher David Hume. Although separated by more than 2000 years they both present a philosophy of mind where emotion is the antecedent to logical thought.
Interface and Electrical Properties of Atomic-layer-deposited HfAlO Gate Dielectric for N-channel GaAs MOSFETs

The interface and electrical properties of HfAlO dielectric formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on sulfur-passivated GaAs were investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the absence of arsenic oxides at the HfAlO/GaAs interface after dielectric growth and post-deposition annealing at 500 °C. A minimal increase in the amount of gallium oxides at the interface was detected between the as-deposited and annealed conditions highlighting the effectiveness of HfAlO in suppressing gallium oxide formation. An equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of ∼ 2 nm has been achieved with a gate leakage current density of less than 10 -4 A/cm 2 . These results testify a good dielectric interface with minimal interfacial oxides and open up potential for further investigation of HfAlO/GaAs gate stack properties to determine its viability for n-channel MOSFETs.
Role accumulation theory and prisoner reintegration: The pursuit of transformative social roles:

Former prisoners encounter many challenges upon release from prison, accompanied by ample suggestions as to what they should do to manage and/ or conquer those challenges. Yet, the actual process of interaction between former prisoners and their pursuits of transformative roles have not been guided by a theoretical lens. In particular, little is known about the underlying rationale and process of directing former prisoners into and selecting positive social roles to reduce criminality, increase community safety, and lead them on a pro-social path. Offering an underlying theoretical framework for understanding this process, this article examines role accumulation theory as it pertains to the prisoner reentry and reintegration process. It argues that this is a relevant lens through which to guide appropriate measures and mechanisms to assist with the acquisition and accumulation of non-criminal social roles for former prisoners. In so doing, the article presents an analysis of role accumulation theory, a de...
Gynandroblastoma of the ovary in a young child

Abstract We describe a 4½-year-old girl with breast development due to a sex cord—stromal tumor histologically identified as a gynandroblastoma. Excision of this tumor resulted in complete resolution of symptoms without tumor recurrence.
Interventions to Improve Treatment of Respiratory Infections in Ambulatory Managed-Care Patients

OBJECTIVE:To review the literature on managed-care initiatives to improve antimicrobial use in respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and examine whether efforts were successful in decreasing antibiotic prescribing when an antibiotic was not indicated or in increasing the frequency with which a preferred antimicrobial agent was chosen when an antibiotic was appropriate.DATA SOURCES:A computerized search of Ovid MEDLINE was conducted for research articles published between 1966 and September 2004 using a key word search of MeSH subject headings and titles. Search terms included managed care or health maintenance organization and antibacterial agents or antibiotic or antimicrobial.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Studies evaluating initiatives in ambulatory managed-care environments and the effects of managed care on treatment of RTIs were chosen. Articles addressing both population and individual level tools were included.DATA SYNTHESIS:Initiatives have been attempted in a variety of managed-care models. I...
A hydrophilic polymer‐coated antimicrobial urethral catheter

An antibiotic eluting catheter has been designed to suppress bacteriuria associated with indwelling catheter drainage of the bladder. A coating of hydrophilicgel plastic, Hydron, is used as the vehicle from which the antimicrobial agent is locally released. In 15 dogs, indwelling Hydron-cephalothin catheters provided a high degree of protection against bacteriuria up to 96 hr. After 48 hr, all 12 control animals became infected. In preliminary clinical trials involving 60 definitive cases Hydron-cephalothin (Group II) and plain Hydron (Group III)-coated indwelling catheters prevented the development of bacteriuria to a significant degree compared with uncoated latex controls (Group I). At the end of 5 days, the cumulative per cent infected for Groups I, II, and III was 75, 33, and 4.7%, respectively. Increased lubricity and reduced urethral mocosal reaction at the catheter interface promote drainage and prevent accumulation of detritus at the meatus. An indwelling antibiotic eluting catheter appears to interdict bacterial invasion of the bladder by, through, and around the catheter.
Hemodynamic evaluation of arterial and venous cannulae performance in a simulated neonatal extracorporeal life support circuit.

Objective: To construct an ideal extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuit in terms of hemodynamic performance, each component of the circuit should be evaluated. Most cannulae manufacturers evaluate their products using water as the priming solution. We conducted this study to evaluate the different sizes of arterial and venous cannulae in a simulated neonatal ECLS circuit primed with human blood.Methods: The simulated neonatal ECLS circuit was composed of a Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator, a Rotaflow centrifugal pump and a heater & cooler unit. Three Medtronic Bio-Medicus arterial cannulae (8Fr, 10Fr, 12Fr) and three venous cannulae (10Fr, 12Fr, 14Fr) were tested in seven combinations (8A-10V, 8A-12V, 10A-10V, 10A-12V, 10A-14V, 12A-12V, 12A-14V). All the experiments were conducted using human blood at a hematocrit of 40% and at a constant temperature of 37°C. The “tip to tip” priming volume of the entire circuit was 135ml. The blood volume of the pseudo patient was 500ml.Results: Flow rates increased linea...
Fermentation and Lactic Acid Addition Enhance Iron Bioavailability of Maize

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops for human consumption, yet it is of concern due to its low iron bioavailability. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of processing on iron bioavailability in common maize products and elucidate better processing techniques for enhancing iron bioavailability. Maize products were processed to represent different processing techniques: heating (porridge), fermentation (ogi), nixtamalization (tortillas), and decortication (arepas). Iron and phytate contents were evaluated. Iron bioavailability was assessed using the Caco-2 cell model. Phytate content of maize products was significantly reduced by decortication (25.6%, p = 0.003) and nixtamalization (15%, p = 0.03), and iron content was reduced by decortication (29.1%, p = 0.002). The relative bioavailability (RBA, compared to 100% bioavailability of porridge with FeSO4) of ogi was significantly higher than that of other products when fortified with FeSO4 (p < 0.001) or reduced iron (p < 0.001). Addition of lactic acid (6 mg/g of maize) significantly increased iron solubility and increased bioavailability by about 2-fold (p < 0.01), especially in tortillas. The consumer panel results showed that lactic acid addition does not significantly affect the organoleptic characteristics of tortillas and arepas (p = 0.166 and 0.831, respectively). The results suggest that fermentation, or the addition of small amounts of lactic acid to unfermented maize products, may significantly improve iron bioavailability. Lactic acid addition may be more feasible than the addition of highly bioavailable but expensive fortificants. This approach may be a novel means to increase the iron bioavailability of maize products to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia.
Geographic variation in salt marsh structure and function

We examined geographic variation in the structure and function of salt marsh communities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Focusing on the arthropod community in the dominant salt marsh plant Spartina alterniflora, we tested two hypotheses: first, that marsh community structure varies geographically, and second, that two aspects of marsh function (response to eutrophication and addition of dead plant material) also vary geographically. We worked at eleven sites on the Gulf Coast and eleven sites on the Atlantic Coast, dividing each coast up into two geographic areas. Abiotic conditions (tidal range, soil organic content, and water content, but not soil salinity), plant variables (Spartina nitrogen content, height, cover of dead plant material, but not live Spartina percent cover or light interception), and arthropod variables (proportional abundances of predators, sucking herbivores, stem-boring herbivores, parasitoids, and detritivores, but not total arthropod numbers) varied among the four geographic regions. Latitude and mean tidal range explained much of this geographic variation. Nutrient enrichment increased all arthropod functional groups in the community, consistent with previous experimental results, and had similar effects in all geographic regions, contrary to our hypothesis, suggesting widespread consistency in this aspect of ecosystem function. The addition of dead plant material had surprisingly little effect on the arthropod community. Our results caution against the uncritical extrapolation of work done in one geographic region to another, but indicate that some aspects of marsh function may operate in similar ways in different geographic regions, despite spatial variation in community structure.
Use of microarrays with different probe sizes for monitoring gene expression.

Microarrays with oligonucleotides of different lengths were used to monitor gene expression at a whole-genome level. To determine what length of oligonucleotide is a better alternative to PCR-generated probes, the performance of oligonucleotide probes was systematically compared to that of their PCR-generated counterparts for 96 genes from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in terms of overall signal intensity, numbers of genes detected, specificity, sensitivity, and differential gene expression under experimental conditions. Hybridizations conducted at 42°C, 45°C, 50°C, and 60°C indicated that good sensitivities were obtained at 45°C for oligonucleotide probes in the presence of 50% formamide, under which conditions specific signals were detected by both PCR and oligonucleotide probes. Signal intensity increased as the length of the oligonucleotide probe increased, and the 70-mer oligonucleotide probes produced signal intensities similar to the intensities obtained with the PCR probes and detected numbers of open reading frames similar to the numbers detected with the PCR probes. PCR amplicon, 70-mer, 60-mer, and 50-mer arrays had detection sensitivities of 5.0, 25, 100, and 100 ng of genomic DNA, which were equivalent to approximately 1.9 × 106, 9.2 × 106, 3.7 × 107, and 3.7 × 107 copies, respectively, when the array was hybridized with genomic DNA. To evaluate differential gene expression under experimental conditions, S. oneidensis MR-1 cells were exposed to low- or high-pH conditions for 30 and 60 min, and the transcriptional profiles detected by oligonucleotide probes (50-mer, 60-mer, and 70-mer) were closely correlated with those detected by the PCR probes. The results demonstrated that 70-mer oligonucleotides can provide the performance most comparable to the performance obtained with PCR-generated probes.
New techniques for the evaluation of diabetic neuropathies.

1 ALL WE CAN DO for diabetic neuropathy (DN) is make the diagnosis and commiserate with the patient,” said a Lancet editorial of 1994. We have come a long way since then and, with increasing sophistication in our understanding of the true nature of diabetic neuropathies, have developed new strategies for treatment. DN, once regarded as the “Cinderella” of the complications of diabetes, is now coming of age with introduction of a variety of preventative and therapeutic strategies, which modified the natural progressive course of the condition. Since we no longer indulge in self-flagellation and have real therapies to offer, it now behooves us to do our utmost to make these diagnoses when therapeutic endeavors can result in real gains. To do this, we need first to briefly review what we have come to know about neuropathies. DN is the most common and troublesome complication of diabetes mellitus, leading to great morbidity and mortality, and resulting in a huge economic burden for diabetes care.1–3 It is the most common form of neuropathy in the developed countries of the world, accounts for more hospitalizations than all the other diabetic complications combined, and is responsible for 50–75% of nontraumatic amputations.2,4 DN is a set of clinical syndromes that affect distinct regions of the nervous system, singly or combined. It may be silent and go undetected while exercising its ravages. DN is a heterogeneous disorder that encompasses a wide range of abnormalities affecting proximal and distal peripheral sensory and motor nerves as well as the autonomic nervous systems. Neuropathic complications occur equally in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and additionally in various forms of acquired diabetes.5,6 The major morbidity associated with somatic neuropathy is foot ulceration, the precursor of gangrene and limb loss. Neuropathy increases the risk of amputation 1.7-fold; 12-fold, if there is deformity (itself a consequence of neuropathy); and 36fold, if there is a history of previous ulceration.7 There are 85,000 amputations in the United States each year, one every 2 min, and neuropathy is considered to be the major contributor in 87% of cases. It is also the most lifespoiling of the diabetic complications and has tremendous ramifications for the quality of life in a person with diabetes. Once autonomic neuropathy sets in, life can become quite dismal and the mortality rate approximates 25–50% within 5–10 years.5,8–10 Autonomic neuropathy can affect virtually every system in the body. It has major effects in the cardiovascular system ranging from sudden death, silent myocardial infarction, and decreased exercise tolerance, to anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and brittle diabetes due to vagaries of gastric emptying and loss of the coordinated delivery of fuels from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and insulin delivery. Autonomic supply to the skin and subcutaneous tissues is critical for nutrient delivery blood flow and lubrication through
Utilizing Distributed Temperature Sensor Data in Predicting Flow Rates in Multilateral Wells

The new advancements in well monitoring tools have increased the amount of data that could be retrieved with great accuracy. The new challenge that we are facing today is to maximize the benefits of the large amount of data provided by these tools. One of these benefits is to utilize the continuous stream of data to determine the flow rate in real time of a multilateral well. Temperature and pressure changes are harder to predict in horizontal laterals compared with vertical wells because of the lack of variation in elevation and geothermal gradient. Thus the need of accurate and high precision gauges becomes critical. A theoretical model is developed to predict temperature and pressure in trilateral wells. The model is used as a forward engine in the study and an inversion procedure is then added to interpret the data to flow profiles. The forward model starts from a specified reservoir with a defined well structure. Pressure, temperature and flow rate in the well system are calculated in the motherbore (main hole) and in the laterals. Then we use the inverse model to interpret the flow rate profiles from the temperature and pressure data measured by the downhole sensors. A gradient-based inversion algorithm is used in this work, which is fast and applicable for real-time monitoring of production performance. In the inverse model, the flow profile is calculated until the one that matches the temperature and pressure in the well is identified. The production distribution from each lateral is determined based on this approach. Examples are presented in the paper. The value of the model approach for production optimization for trilateral wells is illustrated through parametric study.
Determination of sorbitol crystal content and crystallization rate using TD-NMR

Abstract Sorbitol crystallization in low moisture systems is difficult to measure using traditional methods such as differential scanning calorimetry, microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. This study developed a novel method for sorbitol crystal content determination using a time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) method adapted from that commonly used to measure solid fat content and recently proven to measure sucrose crystal content (Porter and Hartel, 2013). TD-NMR was proven to accurately measure sorbitol crystal content (p
Information Systems: What Every Business Student Needs to Know

Most information systems textbooks overwhelm business students with overly technical information they may not need in their careers. Information Systems: What Every Business Student Needs to Know takes a new approach to the required information systems course for business majors. For each topic covered, the text highlights key "Take-Aways" that alert students to material they will need to remember during their careers. Sections titled "Where You Fit In" and "Why This Chapter Matters" explain how the topics being covered will impact students once they are on the job. Review questions, discussion questions, and summaries are also included in each chapter to reinforce learning. The book is presented in four parts: About Information Systems: covers general information systems concepts that students need to know as they learn about real-world information systems Technology Fundamentals: supplies a foundation in information technology that fills the gaps most students have when they learn through trial and error Information Systems at Work: details the nitty-gritty of how actual companies use information systems in the real word Managing Information Systems: addresses the issues involved in selecting, developing, and managing information systems The text includes a running case study that follows two management information systems majors in college. As the two main characters study the information systems of a medical practice, students follow along and learn valuable lessons as they see how the case plays out. In addition to the running case study, each chapter also includes two mini cases that illustrate the concepts discussed in that chapter. Maintaining a focus on the essential concepts students must know before entering the business world, this book covers the subject of information systems in a manner that students will find accessible.
Solid-State Transfer Switch Topologies for a Switched Doubly Fed Machine Drive

Switched doubly fed machines (DFM) enable the creation of variable speed drives with reduced power electronics requirements compared to shaft power, and with the additional benefit of controllable stator power factor. A transfer switch is a critical component of a switched-DFM drive, permitting reconfiguration of the stator power connections. A solid-state transfer switch not only allows seamless shaft control across the full-speed range but also permits effective grid interaction. This paper presents and compares different transfer switch topologies that can reconfigure the DFM connections on-the-fly as shaft speed demands vary. Constraints on operating conditions are derived that can allow DFM mode transitions without any additional commutation circuitry. Experiments demonstrate the performance of the transfer switch under different operating conditions.