cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual variability in the response to different opioids: report of five cases☆

Although it is widely appreciated that patients can demonstrate highly variable responses to different opioid drugs, there have been few detailed descriptions of this phenomenon. To illustrate this variability, we present 5 patients, 4 with cancer pain and 1 with non-malignant pain, who underwent dose titration with more than 1 opioid and developed markedly different responses to each. In every case, dose escalation led to successful treatment with 1 opioid and to intolerable side effects without adequate relief with others. The existence of this individual variability in the response to different opioids has important implications for both clinical practice and current understanding of opioid pharmacology in man. It contradicts the view that any opioid is inherently more efficacious than any other, suggests that patients who fail to obtain adequate pain relief at maximally tolerated doses of 1 opioid may benefit from an alternative drug, and underscores the potential importance of genetic factors as a determinant of opioid response.
Rapid identification of biological particles using on-the-fly fluorescent marking

We are developing a novel method to fluorescently label specific biological aerosols on-the-fly using an in-line electrospray technique. Fluorescently labeled biomarkers such as molecular beacons, aptamer beacons, or those constructed from antibodies, will be used to coat aerosol particles in an air stream. Single biological particles with appropriate receptors will be tagged with biomarkers that fluoresce at a particular wavelength allowing the particle to be identified in near real time using a simple laser induced fluorescence technique. The fluorescent markers are normally quenched in the absence of their target analyte, permitting the use of mixtures of different biomarkers for simultaneously identifying multiple types of biological particles. The technique can also be applied to inorganic particulate with a molecular surface composition that lends itself to epitopic binding. Some of the issues that are currently being investigated include the kinetics of biomarker binding in an aerosol stream, optimal electrospray geometries and the nondestructive charging of biological particles on the fly.
Structural basis for G.C recognition in the DNA minor groove.

Small molecules that target specific DNA sequences offer a potentially general approach for the regulation of gene expression. Pyrrole−imidazole polyamides represent the only class of synthetic small molecules that can bind predetermined DNA sequences with affinities and specificities comparable to DNA binding proteins. Antiparallel side-by-side pairings of two aromatic amino acids, imidazole (Im) and pyrrole (Py), distinguish G•C from C•G, and both from A•T/T•A base pairs. A high resolution X-ray crystal structure of a four-ring pyrrole−imidazole polyamide specifically bound as a dimer to a six-base pair predetermined DNA site reveals a structural framework of hydrogen bonds and interactions with the walls of the minor groove that underlies the pairing rules for DNA recognition.
Probable depths of interfaces between temperature layers, with a generalization

Abstract A model is postulated for temperature layers in the ocean and data from a fixed position in the North Pacific are analyzed. Of interest are the depths of interface surfaces between temperature layers. Such depths are defined in probabilistic intervals rather than falsely informative particular values. Intervals are given for the lower bounds of a recurrent layer (effects of periodic and recurring aperiodic processes), a monotone layer (effects of long-term dynamical changes), and an interaction layer (effects of correlation between the recurrent and monotone layers). Below the interaction boundary lies a constant layer, containing no significant changes discernible in these data. An extension is urged of the ideas of probabilistic definitions to general classes of oceanic phenomena.
Temporal Gap Detection in Sensorineural and Simulated Hearing Impairments

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of the configuration of a hearing loss on gap detection and to determine if hearing impairment affects temporal resolution, per se. The minimu...
Analysis of the borehole stress-relief method in rocks with rheological properties

Abstract Under the assumption that rock behaves as a linear, homogeneous, isotropic, viscoelastic substance, an analysis of the borehole stress-relief method is formulated. Small strains and displacement theory is used in considering the instantaneous elastic and subsequent viscoelastic radial displacements which occur in a borehole after drilling and overcoring. Formulae are written which allow one to determine the principal stresses at a point inside a rock mass from measurements taken after overcoring. However. the lack of experimental data does not yet permit the estimation of the discrepancy in the values of the principal stresses obtained by taking into account only the instantaneous elastic displacements.
Grinding and Separation of the Cellular Phone Housing

The front covers of Motorola cellular phone housings, which were composed of 62.2 wt% of polycarbonate (PC) /acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), were ground and separated from the undesired materials using sink-float methods. The sink-float methods in water and salt were used to remove the floating materials such as the adhesive strips and the foams, and to separate the metal parts where the recovery ratios were 92.8 and 40.5 %, respectively. The separation of residual wires and button rubbers, which could not be done by the sink-float process in water, was preformed using V-Stat Triboelectric Separator (Outokumpu Technology) of a roll separator that also provided the effective methods to separate the ground metals that had existed in the printed circuit boards where the recovery weight ratio of metal parts was 19 wt%. The separated PC/ABS’s could be compounded with the ground circuit boards or the thermoplastic elastomer called Engage®, or the reactive species of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA).
Hydration of the Lowest Triplet States of the DNA/RNA Pyrimidines

The effects of hydration on the lowest triplet states of the DNA/RNA pyrimidines have been studied by including one and two water molecules explicitly. Three configurations for the singly hydrated cytosine moiety were located, and six for the doubly hydrated system. For thymine and uracil, four singly and eight doubly hydrated structures were found. The singlet−triplet energy gaps of all three pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) fall in the low-energy range of ultraviolet radiation (UVA). Energetic excited states can be a step leading to lesions in DNA, such as a mismatched base pairs. Although the adiabatic and vertical electronic excitation energies for all three pyrimidines slightly increase upon inclusion of additional water molecules, this effect upon the excitation energies is much smaller than hydration effects upon the electron affinities and ionization energies of the three nucleobases. Because both the ground state and the triplet state are neutral, the hydration energy difference betwee...
Phenomenology and Fallibility

If Husserl is correct, phenomenological inquiry produces knowledge with an extremely high level of epistemic warrant or justification. However, there are several good reasons to think that we are highly fallible at carrying out phenomenological inquiries. It is extremely difficult to engage in phenomenological investigations, and there are very few substantive phenomenological claims that command a widespread consensus. In what follows, I introduce a distinction between method-fallibility and agent-fallibility, and use it to argue that the fact that we are fallible phenomenologists does not undermine Husserl’s claims concerning the epistemic value of phenomenological inquiry. I will also defend my account against both internalist and externalist objections.
Abstract 1926: The changing incidence of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in the United States (US): A surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) study

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction. Up to now PCNSL incidence in the US was presumed to be increasing in all age groups independent of changes in nosology, new diagnostic techniques, and HIV infection. The intent of our study was, firstly, to extend our prior study of PCNSL incidence in the US (Olson et al, Cancer 2002;95:1504-10) with an additional decade of SEER data; and, secondly, to determine time trends during the HAART era in the US. Methods. PCNSL age-adjusted incidence rates from 1973-2007 were obtained from the nine SEER registries used in the Olson et al. study. Similarly, the same exclusion criteria were used to remove PCNSL most likely associated with HIV (never married males and females; persons of unknown marital status; all cases reported in the San Francisco registry). To assess the accuracy of the criteria in removing HIV associated cases, incidence rates of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) were assessed with and without the use of the same exclusion criteria. Results. The incidence of PCNSL in the general population decreased from 1995 to 2000. Following this decrease, the incidence stabilized and is now beginning to increase in the last 5 years. Stratifying the incidence rate by age group and employing the exclusion criteria, PCNSL incidence has remained stable in the 20-64 year old population, but has steadily increased in the 65+ population. Removing the exclusion criteria did not alter the data for the 65+ population but demonstrated a sharp drop in incidence after 1996 for the 20-64 year old population. Applying the same HIV exclusion criteria the incidence of KS resulted in no appreciable change in incidence rates over the same time frame. Conclusion. The incidence rate of PCNSL is increasing. This increase is driven by a continued increase in incidence among the 65+ population while the incidence for those aged 20-64 has stabilized during the same time frame. An effect of HAART on PCNSL incidence in the US is suggested by the decline in the incidence among the 20-64 year old population without the HIV exclusion criteria. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1926. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1926
Breast self-examination: Knowledge and practices of Hispanic women in two southwestern metropolitan areas

The breast self-examination (BSE) practices of 1,453 Hispanic women in Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California were the focus of this study. Variables proposed as factors that influence the frequency and proficiency of BSE were demographic variables, particularly language and level of acculturation, having been taught BSE by a health professional, and experience with the disease. Results indicate that even though the majority of the women at both the Phoenix (78.1%) and San Diego (83.7%) sites had been taught BSE by a professional and most women in Phoenix (62.5%) and San Diego (63.4%) reported performing BSE within the past month, only 0.7% of the women at both sites were found to be proficient in the technique of BSE. Further, results indicate that language and acculturation were correlated with whether or not a woman performed BSE. These findings suggest that BSE education classes must provide information and techniques that promote proficiency in BSE, and must be designed to meet the unique needs of Hispanic women, particularly those of low acculturation levels.
Optimizing lesion contrast without using contrast agents.

The essence of optimizing lesion detection is increasing the signal-to-noise (S/N) for the lesion while decreasing the S/N of the background. Maneuvers which improve one aspect of lesion detection may have a deleterious effect on another. For example, thinner slices decrease partial volume averaging (important for detection of small lesions) but also decrease S/N. Attempts to increase S/N by lowering the bandwidth may increase the TE, decreasing the degree of T1-weighting. Fast spin echo (FSE) generally offers the best T2-weighting for detection of long T2 lesions. However, lesions with short T2s (due to magnetic susceptibility effects) are better detected with gradient echo techniques. Strategies which decrease background S/N include those based on chemical shift differences (ie, spectroscopic techniques like FatSat) and those based on differences in T1 (ie, inversion recovery [IR] techniques like STIR and FLAIR). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:442–449. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analytical calculation of minimum miscibility pressure

Analysis of the problem of one-dimensional, dispersion-free displacement of a multicomponent oil by a gas such as CO 2 or methane has shown that the behavior of the flow is controlled by a sequence of key tie lines: Those that extend through the original oil and injected gas compositions and n c − 3 tie lines known as crossover tie lines. The minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) is the lowest pressure at which any of the key tie lines is a critical tie line. We show how to identify the c − 3 crossover tie lines for oils that contain an arbitrary number of components as a sequence of tie lines whose extensions intersect. For displacement by a gas that contains only one component, that problem is equivalent to the problem of performing a flash calculation for single phase mixture with the composition of the intersection point. We transform the standard flash equation to a form that gives convergent solutions even for compositions well outside the phase diagram. We use the modified flash calculation to determine which of the key tie lines approaches the critical locus as the pressure is increased. Calculation of tie line lengths for a sequence of increasing pressures determines the MMP as the lowest pressure at which the length of one of the key tie lines becomes zero. Extension of the method to systems with two components in the injection gas is demonstrated for a four-component system, and further extension to multicomponent injection gases is discussed.
Contemporary Analysis of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Repair. A Comparison of Endovascular and Open Techniques

Background— Endovascular repair of thoracic aneurysm has demonstrated low risks of mortality and spinal cord ischemia (SCI), but few large series have been published on endovascular thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair, and reports suffer from a lack of accurate comparison with similar open surgical procedures. Methods and Results— A consecutive cohort of patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms treated electively with endovascular repair (ER) or surgical repair (SR) techniques between 2001 and 2006 were analyzed. The association between repair technique and SCI was evaluated with univariable analysis. Adjustments for potential confounders and for the propensity to receive ER or SR were also performed in multivariable analysis. A total of 724 patients (352 ER, 372 SR) underwent repair. The mean age was 67 years, and 65% were male. ER patients were on average 9 years older (P<0.001), had more comorbid conditions, and more frequently had prior distal repair (P<0.001) or underwent a type I or IV rep...
A Factor in Agar which reverses the Antibacterial Activity of 1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine

A Factor in Agar which reverses the Antibacterial Activity of 1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine
Some properties of N-supercyclic operators

Let T be a continuous linear operator on a Hausdorff topological vector space X over the field C. We show that if T is N -supercyclic, i.e., if X has an N dimensional subspace whose orbit under T is dense in X , then T ∗ has at most N eigenvalues (counting geometric multiplicity). We then show that N -supercyclicity cannot occur nontrivially in the finite dimensional setting: the orbit of an N dimensional subspace cannot be dense in an N + 1 dimensional space. Finally, we show that a subnormal operator on an infinitedimensional Hilbert space can never be N -supercyclic.
Library Automation in Australia

Technology is an integral part of library functions in Australia. The development of a national bibliographic network, of local and regional cooperation, integrated library systems, telecommunications, and online systems, as well as usage of microcomputers, ergonomics, copyright issues, and national information policy are all discussed. Additionally, the ambitious information technology plans of the Parliamentary Library of Australia are described.
Synthesis of oxygen‐17 labeled thyrotropin releasing hormone

Oxygen-17 isotope was introduced into the α-carboxyl group of L-proline and L-pyroglutamic acid by acid catalysed exchange of oxygen-17 from H217O or acid hydrolysis of respective amino acid methyl esters in presence of HCl/H217O. The α-amino group of the amino acids were protected by tertbutyloxycarbonylation. Two analogues of thyrotrop in releasing hormone, one enriched with [17O] at the proline carboxamide oxygen (I) and the other at the pyroglutamic acid's amide oxygen (II) were synthesized using Merrifield method of solid phase peptide synthesis.
Electroactive Ru(NH3)63+ gallery cations in clay-modified electrodes

Ru(NH3)63+ -Laponites® and -montmorillonite films supported on graphite electrodes exhibited cyclic voltammograms with a well-defined Ru(NH3)63+/2+ wave even when the complex ion loading was less than the cation exchange capacity of the clay film. Coulometry indicated that more than 80% of the Ru(NH3)63+ electrostatically bound at the cation exchange sites of the gallery surfaces was electroactive. Further confirmation of the presence of electroactive gallery exchange cations was obtained by comparing the electrochemical behavior of the Ru(NH3)63+ montmorillonite with montmorillonite containing Fe(bpy)32+ exchange ions and [Fe(bpy)32+][SO42−] ion pairs. In this latter system the ion-paired [Fe(bpy)32+] [SO42−] centers are electroactive but the gallery Fe(bpy)32+ exchange cations are rigorously electroinactive. The concentration and nature of the cation in the supporting electrolyte greatly affected the peak currents of the Ru(NH3)63+ clay, whereas the electroactivity of the [Fe(bpy)32+][SO42−] centers were not affected by the electrolyte cation. The decrease in the electroactivity of Ru(NH3)63+ montmorillonite with increasing electrolyte concentration was attributable to the exchange of Ru(NH3)63+ by electrolyte cations. A mechanism has been suggested for maintaining electrical neutrality upon electron transfer in these clay films.
Transitions to Democracy and Transition through Transaction

Democratization from authoritarian rule has been an important focus of scholarly interest in the 1980s. However, no typology of democratic transitions currently exists. This article introduces a ty...
Evidence of a Marine Larval Stage in Endemic Hawaiian Stream Gobies from Isolated High-Elevation Locations

Abstract Tropical streams on high oceanic islands are characterized by populations of amphidromous gobioid fishes. Adult fish live and breed in freshwater and many spawn at high (>300 m) elevations. Newly hatched fry are swept down to the sea where they develop for a period of time before recruiting to a stream. In analogous habitats in other geographic areas, amphidromous populations have further evolved into landlocked forms (i.e., populations that spend their entire life cycle in freshwater). We analyzed depositional patterns of trace elements in the otoliths of adult Lentipes concolor, an amphidromous goby endemic to Hawaii, to determine whether landlocked forms occurred. Otoliths were obtained from fish collected from the Hawaiian stream habitats most likely to harbor landlocked populations—upper elevations of interrupted streams and sections of streams above high waterfalls. A transition from a marine phase to freshwater existence was demonstrated as a decrease from high to low strontium : calcium r...
Signatures from tissue-specific MPSS libraries identify transcripts preferentially expressed in the mouse inner ear

Specialization in cell function and morphology is influenced by the differential expression of mRNAs, many of which are expressed at low abundance and restricted to certain cell types. Detecting such transcripts in cDNA libraries may require sequencing millions of clones. Massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS) is well suited to identifying transcripts that are expressed in discrete cell types and in low abundance. We have made MPSS libraries from microdissections of three inner ear tissues. By comparing these MPSS libraries to those of 87 other tissues included in the Mouse Reference Transcriptome online resource, we have identified genes that are highly enriched in, or specific to, the inner ear. We show by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization that signatures unique to the inner ear libraries identify transcripts with highly specific cell-type localizations. These transcripts serve to illustrate the utility of a resource that is available to the research community. Utilization of these resources will increase the number of known transcription units and expand our knowledge of the tissue-specific regulation of the transcriptome.
Do background stressors influence reactivity to and recovery from acute stressors

This review examines the effect of background stressors with acute stressor reactivity and recovery in the 19 available studies. Background stressors were associated with increased acute stressor reactivity in slightly over half of the studies of ongoing stressors. However, a substantial minority of studies demonstrated reduced acute stressor reactivity, suggesting habituation for certain people in certain situations. Background stressors were associated with delayed blood-pressure and immunological recovery from acute stressor events, but were not associated with delayed heart-rate recovery. Possible mechanisms underlying the association between background stressors and acute stressor reactivity and recovery are discussed. Background stressors should be measured thoroughly in future acute stress research to understand the meaning of the acute stress responses.
Intent and Choice Regarding Maternal Employment Following Childbirth

Abstract This study examined the impact of personal values, perceived spouse preference, and family income on maternal employment intent and maternal employment following childbirth. This study followed a sample of 70 expectant working mothers from the last trimester of pregnancy to 6 months following childbirth. Traditional gender role values and perceived spouse preference influenced maternal employment intent measured prior to childbirth. Maternal employment intent and marital partner's income influenced maternal employment 6 months after childbirth. The results of this study provided support for Brown's (1996) value-based theory of career choice. Results also suggested that some women who preferred to be withdrawn from the labor force had to work to provide greater family income.
Plant Macro- and Micronutrient Dynamics in a Biochar-Amended Wetland Muck

Biochar is an organic carbon (OC) and plant nutrient-rich substance that may be an ideal amendment for bolstering soil organic matter and nutrient contents. Two biochars were produced by pyrolysis at 350 °C from pine chips (Pinus taeda) and swine manure solids (Sus scrofa domesticus). The biochar total elemental composition was quantified using inductively coupled plasma spectrometer and their surface chemical composition examined using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The biochars were mixed into triplicate pots containing Lauderhill muck (Euic, hyperthermic Lithic Haplosaprist) at 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 % (dry mass). Four simulated water infiltration events were conducted during the 124-day incubation to assess the potential alteration in the leaching potential of soluble soil nutrients. At termination, the muck’s fertility characteristics were assessed, and dissolved cations were measured in water leachates. Neither biochars significantly increased the muck’s OC contents. Swine manure biochar contained higher K, Mg, Na, and P concentrations, and these differences were observable in SEM and EDS as differing amounts of surface-precipitated Mg and K salts. Correspondingly, swine manure biochar at all three applications rates significantly increased Mehlich 1-s K, P, Mg, and Na concentrations. Pine chip biochar only improved the Mehlich 1-extractable K concentration but did reduce soluble P concentrations. Water leachates from swine manure biochar treated wetland soil contained significantly higher soluble P concentrations that could create water quality issue in downstream ecosystems.
Importance of fatalism in understanding mammography screening in rural elderly women.

This study examined the relationship between demographic factors and other correlates of fatalism, and assessed the impact of fatalistic beliefs on the participation in breast cancer screening in rural women. The subjects were 220 women aged 50 and over recruited from 6 large rural counties in South Carolina. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the revised Powe Fatalism Inventory. Results show significant associations between fatalism and increased age (p = 0.005), race (p = 0.0001), doctor recommendation (p = .0034) and decreased educational level (p = 0.001). Fatalism was associated with noncompliance with mammography screening in univariate analysis among African-American women (OR = .362; 95% CI: 1.11, 11.8). After adjusting for possible confounders (age, education, and doctor recommendation), fatalism was not significantly associated with noncompliance with screening. These results illustrate age, race, and education may be important predictors of fatalism and that fatalism may be one barrier that has previously gone unmeasured and unchallenged in understanding screening behavior in older women.
READING DYNAMICS IN CENTRAL APERTURE DETECTION(CAD) MAGNETIC SUPER RESOLUTION (MSR) MEDIA

We present, for the first time, the direct observation of the dynamic reading process in central aperture detection (CAD) magnetic super resolution (MSR) media. The stroboscopic images taken by a 10ns exposure time high speed Kerr microscope system on an airbearing spin stand are compared with the corresponding CNR measurements on a MO spin stand. Dynamics of the reading process in samples with and without an intermediate layer and at different reading conditions are studied. Our analysis indicates that the intermediate layer sharpens the threshold for copying the data into the readout layer. We find that optimizing the reading power in CAD MSR readout is critical in order to achieve fast copy speed and provide clear and complete copying. The optimal reading power increases with the increase of the linear velocity of the disk, as expected. Higher disk velocity results in a smaller thermal aperture, which is shifted further from the center ofthe optical aperture, resulting in a decrease in CNR.
Call Imitation and Call Modification in Red Crossbills

Abstract Open-ended learning of flight calls has been found consistently in the subfamily Carduelinae. Understanding call learning is especially important in Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra complex) because calls appear to play an instrumental role in assortative mating, perhaps by acting as a marker trait that signals ecological adaptation for foraging on a particular species of conifer. We analyzed flight call recordings from a banded population of the South Hills (call type 9) crossbill to examine whether young birds imitate the calls of their parents and whether, as adults, individuals modify their calls to match those of their mates. The calls of offspring were more similar to the calls of their parents than to the average adult in the population. This indicates that calls are, at least initially, culturally inherited from parents and thereby could act as marker traits. Adults did later modify their calls to match the calls of their mates, which presumably aids in individual and pair recognition. C...
Project DIST-ED: Teleconferencing as a Means of Supporting and Assisting Beginning Teachers

Abstract Through the use of videotaping and post-conferencing via a telecommunication link, initially certified (1st year) teachers (ICTs) are assisted by a support team composed of both a site-based mentor and a remotely sited university professor. The authors discuss the rationale and objectives behind the project, the details and results of its implementation, and conclude with a brief evaluation of the project's success and its potential impact upon the supervision of preservice and inservice teaching populations.
Plasma Prekallikrein A Risk Marker for Hypertension and Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes

The relevance and significance of the plasma kallikrein/kinin system as a risk factor for the development of vascular complications in diabetic patients was explored in a cross-sectional study. We measured the circulating levels of plasma prekallikrein (PK) activity, factor XII, and high−molecular weight kininogen in the plasma of 636 type 1 diabetic patients from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology and Diabetes Intervention and Complications Study cohort. The findings demonstrated that type 1 diabetic patients with blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg have increased PK levels compared with type 1 diabetic patients with blood pressure P r = 0.17 and 0.18, respectively; P r 2 value for PK was 2.93% for SBP and 2.92% for DBP ( P r = 0.16, P P P = NS). Among patients in the microalbuminuric subgroup, we observed a positive and independent correlation between PK and AER in univariate and multivariate regression analysis ( r = 0.27, P n = 63). We concluded that in type 1 diabetes, 1 ) PK levels are elevated in association with increased blood pressure; 2 ) PK levels are independently correlated with AER and are categorically elevated in patients with macroalbuminuria; and 3 ) although the positive correlation between PK and AER within the subgroups of patients with microalbuminuria suggest that PK could be a marker for progressive nephropathy, longitudinal studies will be necessary to address this issue.
The microcomputer as an agent of intervention with psychiatric patients: preliminary studies

Abstract Three studies are reported which explore the usefulness of microcomputers with chronic psychiatric patients. In the first study, computer games were made available to patients and one half showed an active interest. The second study showed a neutral relationship between patients' social communication skills and their involvement with computer games. Thus, some patients who are socially intractable may be reachable with computers. The third study compared the computer and clinicians as trainers in the administration of an information-handling practice task. The performance of computer-trained patients equalled or exceeded that of the clinician-trained patients and showed better generalization of cognitive skill improvement. It is argued the computer can be used effectively to automate many tasks normally undertaken by clinicians and that the computer may have special advantages over the clinician for some purposes.
Dynamic programming and the Hamilton-Jacobi method of classical mechanics

The conventional dynamic programming method for analytically solving a variational problem requires the determination of a particular solution, the optimal value function or return function, of the fundamental partial differential equation. Associated with it is another function, the optimal policy function. At each point, this function yields the value of the slope of the optimal curve to that point (or from that point, depending on the method of solution). The optimal curve itself can then be found by integration. In this paper, dynamic programming concepts and principles are used to develop two alternatives to the conventional method of solution. In the first method, a particular solution of two simultaneous partial differential equations is used to generate optimal curves by differentiations and solution of simultaneous equations. In the second method, any solution of the fundamental equation containing an appropriate number of arbitrary constants is sought. It is shown how such a function yields directly, by differentiations and solution of simultaneous equations, the optimal curve for a given problem. While the derivations to follow are new, the results are equivalent to those of a method due to Hamilton and its modification due to Jacobi.
Efficacy and Safety of Fluvoxamine in Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, has been noted in case reports, retrospective studies, and clinical series to respond to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). These data further suggest that the delusional variant of BDD (delusional disorder, somatic type) may also respond to SRIs. However, systematic pharmacologic treatment studies of BDD and its delusional variant are needed. Method: Thirty subjects with BDD or its delusional variant (DSM-IV) were prospectively treated in an open-label fashion with fluvoxamine for 16 weeks. Subjects were assessed at regular intervals with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Modified for BDD (BDD-YBOCS), the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale, and other measures. Results: BDD-YBOCS scores (mean ± SD) decreased from 31.1 ± 5.4 at baseline to 16.9 ± 11.8 at termination (p <.001). Nineteen (63.3%) subjects were rated as responders on the BDD-YBOCS and the CGI (10 [33.3%] were much improved, and 9 [30.0%] were very much improved). Delusional subjects were as likely to respond to fluvoxamine as nondelusional subjects, and delusionality significantly improved. All 5 responders who were delusional at baseline were no longer delusional at study endpoint. The mean dose of fluvoxamine was 238.3 ± 85.8 mg/day, and mean time to response was 6.1 ± 3.7 weeks. Fluvoxamine was generally well tolerated. Conclusion: These results suggest that fluvoxamine is a safe and effective treatment for BDD, including its delusional disorder variant. Controlled treatment trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Unilateral pedicle screw epiphysiodesis of the neurocentral synchondrosis. Production of idiopathic-like scoliosis in an immature animal model.

Background: The neurocentral synchondrosis plays a role in the growth of the spine. The goal of this study was to determine whether asymmetric epiphysiodesis of this synchondrosis creates a scoliotic deformity in a growing-animal model and to correlate curve magnitude with the degree of closure of the synchondrosis. Methods: Two-month-old pigs were assigned to three groups. In the control group, two animals received a sham operation without pedicle screw fixation; in the single-screw group, three animals were treated with a single right transpedicular screw placed across the neurocentral synchondrosis from T7 to T14; and in the double-screw group, three animals were treated in the same way as the previous group except that two screws were placed in each pedicle. The animals were killed at six months, and radiographs and axial computed tomography images of the spine were obtained. Histomorphometric analyses were performed to grade the synchondrosis at each level. Results: A scoliotic curve was seen in none of the animals in the control group, in one of the three in the single-screw group, and in all three in the double-screw group (30°, 42°, and 42°). Vertebral rotation in the axial plane occurred toward the screw side and was significantly greater in the double-screw group (mean, 15.2°) than in the single-screw (mean, 6.1°) and control (0°) groups (p 75% closure) compared with the single-screw group (<50% closure) (p < 0.0001) and the control group (no closure) (p < 0.0001), and closure correlated with the magnitude of the coronal curve (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Unilateral transpedicular screw fixation that traverses the neurocentral synchondrosis in a growing-pig model can produce asymmetric growth of the synchondrosis to create scoliosis with the convexity on the side of the screw fixation. Double pedicle screws provided a greater epiphysiodesis effect on the neurocentral synchondrosis, which correlated with a greater degree of scoliosis. Clinical Relevance: This young-animal model demonstrates that asymmetric closure of the neurocentral synchondrosis produces structural scoliosis due to continued growth of the opposite pedicle. This non-fusion strategy may have some role in the treatment of growing patients with spinal deformity.
Proreceptor dimerization is required for insulin receptor post-translational processing.

The insulin receptor is a transmembrane protein dimer composed of two αβ monomers held together by inter-α-chain disulfide bonds. In a previous report we described a monomeric insulin receptor obtained by replacing Cys-524, -682, -683, and -685 with serine (Wu, J. J., and Guidotti, G. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 27809-27817). The membrane-bound monomeric insulin receptors could be cross-linked to dimers in the presence of insulin, indicating that although covalent interactions had been abolished, noncovalent dimerization could still occur in the membrane. To eliminate noncovalent dimerization, we replaced all or some of Cys-524, -682, -683, and -685 with arginine or aspartic acid with the expectation that the electrostatic repulsion at these contact sites would prevent noncovalent dimerization. The results indicate that mutant insulin receptors that are able to form covalent dimers are expressed at the wild type level; mutants that can form noncovalent dimers are expressed at half the level of the wild type receptor, whereas insulin receptor mutants that cannot dimerize are expressed at less than 10% of the wild type level. To elucidate the mechanism of the decrease in expression of the mutant insulin receptors, we examined their subcellular localization and biosynthesis. The results suggest that the extent of expression of these mutant receptors is related to their ability to form covalent or noncovalent dimers at the proreceptor stage.
Conversion of spatial-enumeration scheme into constructive solid geometry

An algorithm is presented that converts a spatial enumeration scheme into a CSG representation of an object. The scheme represents solid objects in terms of a discrete set of binary elements of the same (or comparable) size. An automatic conversion of such a representation into CSG trees would help the designer in reasoning with the represented artifact. The algorithm has been developed to aid the interpretation of structural design topologies generated by homogenization. The work presented poses a challenging problem that does not have a unique solution, proposes a solution that solves the problem under a set of assumptions, and acts as a motivation for future work.
Spectral and electrical performance of screw-based dimmable compact fluorescent lamps:

Screw-based dimmable compact fluorescent lamps (SD-CFLs) are promoted as alternatives to incandescent lamps. This paper investigates the performance of SD-CFLs over their dimming range—including lu...
The Stability of LSF-YSZ Electrodes Prepared by Infiltration

Composite electrodes were prepared by adding 40 wt % La 0.8 Sr 0.2 FeO 3 (LSF) into porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and their performance was studied as a function of time and calcination temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the LSF-YSZ composites indicated an expanded lattice parameter after calcination above 1523 K, suggesting that Zr reacted with the LSF to form a Zr-doped perovskite; but XRD provided no evidence for reaction between LSF and YSZ after calcination at 1373 K or after operation for 1000 h at 973 K and 700 h at 1073 K. A composite of 40 wt % La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Fe 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 3 in YSZ showed reasonable performance at 973 K, with an area-specific resistance (ASR) of 0.22 Ω cm 2 . Based on symmetric-cell measurements, electrodes calcined at 1123 K showed an initial ASR of 0.13 Ω cm 2 at 973 K but this increased linearly with time to 0.55 Ω cm 2 after 2500 h at 973 K. However, the ASR depended strongly on current density, decreasing dramatically under both anodic and cathodic polarization. Electrodes calcined at 1373 K showed an ASR of 2.5 Ω cm 2 at 973 K but this value also decreased dramatically under polarization. Scanning electron microcopy images demonstrate that aging at 973 K and calcination at 1373 K cause significant sintering of the LSF. It is therefore suggested that deactivation is caused by morphological changes, rather than solid-state reactions, with a dense layer of LSF forming over the YSZ substrate.
Computerized control and protection of electric power distribution system

The U.S. utilities have traditionally pioneered the use of computer technology to optimize its operation and to reduce its cost. With the recent development of microprocessors, present R&D efforts are focused or, applying this technology and companion communication technologies to the control and protection of the transmission and distribution network to achieve energy conservation and to enhance operating reliability. Specifically, these efforts have as a long range goal the potential for close coordinated control of the total electric distribution system which includes loads in individual homes. Because the system consists of potentially millions of homes, a principle focus of these efforts is the development of absolutely low cost control and communication system which maximize the use of the present electric power network.
End of the "see one, do one, teach one" era: The next generation of invasive bedside procedural instruction

Context: Traditionally, an apprenticeship model has been used for the instruction of invasive bedside procedures. Because this approach is subject to nonuniform application, a new model was established to determine the impact of a stan dardized curriculum on medical students’ and residents’ medical knowledge and technical skills. Methods: A procedural instruction curriculum for medical stu dents and residents was developed, and a pilot program with the curriculum was incorporated into an internal medicine res idency program. Five common procedures in osteopathic and allopathic internal medicine training programs were included: central venous catheterization, knee arthrocentesis, lumbar puncture, paracentesis, and thoracentesis. An initial assessment of participants’ baseline knowledge and skills was obtained. Teaching methods included video instruction; discussion of key concepts; faculty-led, hands-on, simulationbased instruction; and individual deliberate practice. Postin struction knowledge and skills were evaluated, respectively, through a written test and a quantified assessment (ie, check list) using direct observation. Participants were asked to pro vide written feedback at the conclusion of each instructional module. Results: A total of 60 participants, all in allopathic medicine, underwent the training component. Fifty-two participants were internal medicine residents (including 2 from an outside program); 4 were trainees in a combined internal medi cine –pediatrics residency; and 4 were medical students (1 from an outside program). Participants demonstrated a statisti cally significant improvement ( P<.001) in medical knowl edge, as evidenced by preinstruction vs postinstruction test scores. Comparison of initial baseline procedural checklist scores with postinstruction checklist scores, during partici pants’ performance on the first live patient, also showed sta tistically significant improvement ( P<.001). Conclusion: A simulation-based, standardized curriculum in invasive bedside procedural instruction significantly improved the medical knowledge and technical skills of novice physicians.
Experimental comparison of handoff performance of SIGMA and Mobile IP

Mobile IP and SIGMA are handoff schemes at the network layer and the transport layer respectively. SIGMA is based on IP diversity and aims to improve the handoff performance over mobile IP by reducing the handoff latency. We compared the performance of the handoff schemes in an experimental test bed. Results show that SIGMA has a lower handoff latency when compared to mobile IP. Moreover, SIGMA can achieve a seamless handoff between two subnets.
Recent progress and challenges for relay logic switch technology

The energy efficiency of CMOS technology is fundamentally limited by transistor off-state leakage (I OFF ). Mechanical switches have zero I OFF and therefore could be advantageous for ultra-low-power digital logic applications. This paper discusses recent advancements in relay logic switch technology and current challenges which must be addressed to realize its promise.
Characterizing optimal topological structures for a class of large distributed data networks

A fundamental graph-theoretic result is presented for characterizing optimal topological structures. An optimal topology is defined as one which maximizes the number of origin-destination pairs that can communicate concurrently, while satisfying practical constraints related to performance, capital investment, and reliability. For a given network topology, the graph-theoretic result gives a bound for the maximum number of origin-destination pairs which can have concurrent communication. This theoretical result is in the form of a simple inequality which relates (among others) the following three parameters: number of concurrently communicating origin-destination pairs, number of network links, and network diameter. The novelty of this result with respect to past research in the area is its strong graph-theoretic foundation. The author aims at developing the mathematical machinery needed to cut to the heart of the topology design problem, as opposed to past approaches which rely heavily on heuristics or rules of thumb. >
Incremental length diffraction coefficients for arbitrary cylindrical scatterers

Convenient expressions are derived for incremental length diffraction coefficients (ILDCs) in terms of the far fields of arbitrary cylindrical canonical scatterers composed of linear electromagnetic material. The derivation of these general expressions for ILDCs is based on a surface-current equivalence theorem that states that the electromagnetic fields outside cylindrical sources can be generated to any degree of accuracy by localized electric and magnetic surface currents that lie in a single plane within the source region. This equivalence theorem is proven with the help of cylindrical wave expansions and the Kottler-Franz formulas. It combines with a general even and odd decomposition of cylindrical electromagnetic fields to allow the use of previous formulas for planar surface current ILDCs in the derivation of the general expressions for ILDCs in terms of cylindrical far fields.
Evaluation of 4‐poster acaricide applicators to manage tick populations associated with disease risk in a Tennessee retirement community

In 1993, four residents of a retirement community in middle Tennessee were hospitalized with symptoms of ehrlichiosis causing community managers to implement mitigation methods to reduce tick numbers. For the past four years, managers have utilized 4-poster acaricide applicators that aim to reduce disease risk to residents by killing ticks that feed on deer. To determine the efficacy of this technique, we assessed Amblyomma americanum abundance in the vicinity of the devices by dragging 400 m vegetation transects once per month while ticks were active. In 2009, adult tick activity peaked in May, nymphal tick activity peaked in June, and larval activity peaked in September. Close to 4-poster devices, larval, nymphal, and adult tick abundances were reduced by 91%, 68%, and 49%, respectively (larval and nymphal p 300 m from 4-poster devices, however a ∼90% reduction in larvae was observed to our sampling limit (400 m). At the low density at which these devices are currently being used (average distance between devices = 6.6 km), we conclude that they will have little large-scale effect on the health risk posed by ticks in this community.