Showing papers by "Southern Illinois University Carbondale published in 1997"
TL;DR: In this paper, a directional distance function is used as a component in a new productivity index that readily models joint production of goods and bads, credits firms for reductions in bads and increases in goods, and does not require shadow prices of bad outputs.
2,003 citations
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: In this paper basic results on distributed detection are reviewed and the parallel and the serial architectures are considered in some detail and the decision rules obtained from their optimization based an the Neyman-Pearson criterion and the Bayes formulation are discussed.
Abstract: In this paper basic results on distributed detection are reviewed. In particular we consider the parallel and the serial architectures in some detail and discuss the decision rules obtained from their optimization based an the Neyman-Pearson (NP) criterion and the Bayes formulation. For conditionally independent sensor observations, the optimality of the likelihood ratio test (LRT) at the sensors is established. General comments on several important issues are made including the computational complexity of obtaining the optimal solutions the design of detection networks with more general topologies, and applications to different areas.
1,167 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that repeat-number variation in SSRs (simple sequence repeats) is a major source of quantitative mutation, which has broad implications for understanding molecular processes of evolutionary adaptation, including the evolutionary control of the mutation process itself.
450 citations
TL;DR: Results demonstrate that a wide variety of hydrocarbon contaminants can be degraded under sulfate-reducing conditions in hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments, and suggest that it may be possible to use sulfate reduction rather than aerobic respiration as a treatment strategy for hydro carbon- Contaminated dredged sediments.
Abstract: Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have usually been found to persist under strict anaerobic conditions, in a previous study an unusual site was found in San Diego Bay in which two PAHs, naphthalene and phenanthrene, were oxidized to carbon dioxide under sulfate-reducing conditions. Further investigations with these sediments revealed that methylnaphthalene, fluorene, and fluoranthene were also anaerobically oxidized to carbon dioxide in these sediments, while pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene were not. Studies with naphthalene indicated that PAH oxidation was sulfate dependent. Incubating the sediments with additional naphthalene for 1 month resulted in a significant increase in the oxidation of [14C]naphthalene. In sediments from a less heavily contaminated site in San diego Bay where PAHs were not readily degraded, naphthalene degradation could be stimulated through inoculation with active PAH-degrading sediments from the most heavily contaminated site. Sediments from the less heavily contaminated site that had been adapted for rapid anaerobic degradation of high concentrations of benzene did not oxidize naphthalene, suggesting that the benzene- and naphthalene-degrading populations were different. When fuels containing complex mixtures of alkanes were added to sediments from the two sites, there was significant degradation in the alkanes. [14C]hexadecane was also anaerobically oxidized to 14CO2 in these sediments. Molybdate, a specific inhibitor of sulfate reduction, inhibited hexadecane oxidation. These results demonstrate that a wide variety of hydrocarbon contaminants can be degraded under sulfate-reducing conditions in hydrocarbon-contaminated sediments, and they suggest that it may be possible to use sulfate reduction rather than aerobic respiration as a treatment strategy for hydrocarbon-contaminated dredged sediments.
441 citations
TL;DR: Recent studies have demonstrated that microbes might be used to remediate metal contamination by removing metals from contaminated water or waste streams, sequestering metals in soils and sediments or solubilizing metals to aid in their extraction.
402 citations
TL;DR: The verbally administered 0-10 NRS provides a useful alternative to the VAS, particularly as more contact with patients is established via telephone and patients within the hospital are more acutely ill.
Abstract: The ability to quantify pain intensity is essential when caring for individuals in pain in order to monitor patient progress and analgesic effectiveness. Three scales are commonly employed: the simple descriptor scale (SDS), the visual analog scale (VAS), and the numeric (pain intensity) rating scale (NRS). Patients with English as a second language may not be able to complete the SDS without translation, and visually, cognitively, or physically impaired patients may have difficulty using the VAS. The NRS has been found to be a simple and valid alternative in some disease states; however, the validity of this scale administered verbally, without visual cues, to oncology patients has not yet been established. The present study examined validity of a verbally administered 0-10 NRS using convergence methods. The correlation between the VAS and the NRS was strong and statistically significant (r = 0.847, p < 0.001), supporting the validity of the verbally administered NRS. Although all subjects were able to complete the NRS and SDS without apparent difficulty, 11 subjects (20%) were unable to complete the VAS. The mean opioid intake was significantly higher for the group that was unable to complete the VAS (mean 170.8 mg, median 120.0 mg, SD = 135.8) compared to the group that had no difficulty with the scale (mean 65.6 mg, 33.0 mg, SD = 99.7) (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0065). The verbally administered 0-10 NRS provides a useful alternative to the VAS, particularly as more contact with patients is established via telephone and patients within the hospital are more acutely ill.
398 citations
TL;DR: The results of this study suggest that IT investments have begun to show results in proving they can make a positive contribution to firm output and labor productivity, however, various measures of IT investment do not appear to have a positive relationship with administrative productivity, showing inconsistent results in terms of business performance.
Abstract: relationships between measures of information technology (IT) investment and facets of corporate business performance. The results of our study suggest that IT investments have begun to show results in proving they can make a positive contribution to firm output and labor productivity. However, various measures of IT investment do not appear to have a positive relationship with administrative productivity, showing inconsistent results in terms of business performance. Our analysis suggests that while IT is likely to improve organizational efficiency, its effect on administrative productivity and business performance might depend on such other factors as the quality of a firm’s management processes and ITstrategy links, which can vary significantly across organizations. Measurement of the business value of IT investment has been the subject of considerable debate by academics and practitioners. The term productivity paradox is gaining increasing notoriety as several studies point toward falling productivity and rising IT expenditure in the service sector. Loveman [9] summarizes the research that provides evidence suggesting IT investment produces negligible benefits. Other studies [3] take the position that the “shortfall of evidence” is not “evidence of a shortfall” [3]. Brynjolfsson [3] argues that lack of positive evidence is due to mismeasurements of outputs and inputs, lags in learning and adjustment, redistribution and dissipation of profits, and mismanagement of IT. Our first objective was to reexamine the performance effects of IT investment in light of data collected up to 1994 (see the sidebar, “How the Study Was Done”). We are uncomfortable making such a statement as we have not conducted similar systematic scientific analysis with data later than 1994. We included three measures of IT investments: aggregate IT, client/server systems, including Internet-related systems, and IT infrastructure. We studied firm performance in terms of firm output, measured using value added by the organization and total sales; business results, assessed using return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) measures of financial performance; and intermediate performance, assessed using labor productivity and administrative productivity. Older studies examining the value of IT investment treat such investment as a monolithic entity. It is reasonable to argue that how investment dollars are differentially allocated among various elements of the IT infrastructure should be examined in tandem with how many dollars are spent cumulatively. Our second objective was to examine the relationships between investments in
380 citations
TL;DR: Experimental evidence shows that collagen carbon isotopes mainly reflect those of dietary protein sources and thus overestimate the contribution of marine animal foods, while apatite carbon isotope analysis has apparently identified previously unrecognized prehistoric dietary adaptations in the Mariana Islands, but this must be confirmed by archaeobotanical evidence.
Abstract: Proportions of marine vs. terrestrial resources in prehistoric human diets in the southern Mariana Islands (Guam, Rota, Saipan), Micronesia, have been estimated by analysis of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in bone collagen and of carbon in apatite. The isotopic composition of marine and terrestrial food resources from the Marianas have also been determined. Experimental evidence shows that collagen carbon isotopes mainly reflect those of dietary protein sources and thus overestimate the contribution of marine animal foods. Marine protein consumption apparently ranges from approximately 20% to approximately 50% on these islands. Experiments also demonstrate the carbon isotope ratio of bone apatite carbonate accurately reflects that of the whole diet. Carbonate carbon isotope data suggest some individuals consumed significant amounts of 13C-enriched (C4) plants or seaweeds. Sugar cane is an indigenous C4 crop and seaweeds are eaten throughout the Pacific, but they have not been considered by archaeologists to have been prehistoric dietary staples. Apatite carbon isotope analysis has apparently identified previously unrecognized prehistoric dietary adaptations in the Mariana Islands, but this must be confirmed by archaeobotanical evidence.
343 citations
332 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how theory may be translated into practice in assessing women's perceived career barriers, and discuss how counselors might assess women' perceived barriers during career counseling and possible counseling interventions to address clients' identified barriers.
Abstract: This article discusses how theory may be translated into practice in assessing women's perceived career barriers. It describes a theoretical perspective that is useful in considering the construct of perceived barriers, namely, social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994), and summarizes the empirical literature regarding barriers, with particular attention to practical applications of the evidence. It then discusses how counselors might assess women's perceived barriers during career counseling and possible counseling interventions to address clients' identified barriers.
292 citations
TL;DR: Under anaerobic conditions, Escherichia coli converts pyruvate to D-lactate by means of an NADH-linked lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which increases approximately 10-fold at low pH, suggesting a shortage of 3-carbon metabolic intermediates under low pH.
Abstract: Under anaerobic conditions, especially at low pH, Escherichia coli converts pyruvate to D-lactate by means of an NADH-linked lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This LDH is present in substantial basal levels under all conditions but increases approximately 10-fold at low pH. The IdhA gene, encoding the fermentative lactate dehydrogenase of E. coli, was cloned using λ10E6 of the Kohara collection as the source of DNA. The IdhA gene was subcloned on a 2.8 kb MIuI-MIuI fragment into a multicopy vector and the region encompassing the gene was sequenced. The IdhA gene of E. coli was highly homologous to genes for other D-lactate-specific dehydrogenases but unrelated to those for the L-lactate-specific enzymes. We constructed a disrupted derivative of the IdhA gene by inserting a kanamycin resistance cassette into the unique KpnI site within the coding region. When transferred to the chromosome, the IdhA::Kan construct abolished the synthesis of the D-LDH completely. When present in high copy number, the IdhA gene was greatly overexpressed, suggesting escape from negative regulation. Cells expressing high levels of the D-LDH grew very poorly, especially in minimal medium. This poor growth was largely counteracted by supplementation with high alanine or pyruvate concentrations, suggesting that excess LDH converts the pyruvate pool to lactate, thus creating a shortage of 3-carbon metabolic intermediates. Using an IdhA-cat gene fusion construct we isolated mutants which no longer showed pH-dependent regulation of the IdhA gene. Some of these appeared to be in the pta gene, which encodes phosphotransacetylase, suggesting the possible involvement of acetyl phosphate in IdhA regulation.
TL;DR: The results suggest that organisms spread among diverse bacterial phyla can use arsenate as a terminal electron acceptor, and that dissimilatory arsenate reduction might occur in the sulfidogenic zone at arsenate concentrations of environmental interest.
Abstract: A newly discovered arsenate-reducing bacterium, strain OREX-4, differed significantly from strains MIT-13 and SES-3, the previously described arsenate-reducing isolates, which grew on nitrate but not on sulfate. In contrast, strain OREX-4 did not respire nitrate but grew on lactate, with either arsenate or sulfate serving as the electron acceptor, and even preferred arsenate. Both arsenate and sulfate reduction were inhibited by molybdate. Strain OREX-4, a gram-positive bacterium with a hexagonal S-layer on its cell wall, metabolized compounds commonly used by sulfate reducers. Scorodite (FeAsO42· H2O) an arsenate-containing mineral, provided micromolar concentrations of arsenate that supported cell growth. Physiologically and phylogenetically, strain OREX-4 was far-removed from strains MIT-13 and SES-3: strain OREX-4 grew on different electron donors and electron acceptors, and fell within the gram-positive group of the Bacteria, whereas MIT-13 and SES-3 fell together in the ɛ-subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Together, these results suggest that organisms spread among diverse bacterial phyla can use arsenate as a terminal electron acceptor, and that dissimilatory arsenate reduction might occur in the sulfidogenic zone at arsenate concentrations of environmental interest. 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that strain OREX-4 is a new species of the genus Desulfotomaculum, and accordingly, the name Desulfotomaculum auripigmentum is proposed.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Organotypic culture of Corti's organ has been validated as a model for studying cisplatin toxicity and for screening otoprotective molecules and identified protective agents may prove to be clinically useful in limiting or completely protecting from cis platin ototoxicity.
Abstract: Hypothesis: Cisplatin causes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which interferes with the antioxidant defense system of Corti's organ and results in damage to the hair cells. Background: Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent with the dose-limiting side effect of ototoxicity. Evidence is accumulating that cisplatin interferes with the antioxidant defense system of Corti's organ. Methods: Organotypic explants of P-3 rat organ of Corti were the in vitro model system. Presence of intact auditory hair cells and stereocilia bundle integrity was assayed by phalloidin-FITC staining. Fluorescent dye probes detected H 2 O 2 and intracellular thiol [e.g., glutathione (GSH)]. Spectrophotometric analysis determined antioxidant enzyme levels. Results: There was a rapid dose-dependent cisplatin cytotoxicity in the explants after 48 h of exposure. An accumulation of H 2 O 2 and a reduction of GSH levels were observed within cisplatin-exposed hair cells. L-buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of GSH formation, enhanced cisplatin ototoxicity, whereas N 6 -(2-phenylisopropyl) adenosine, an adenosine agonist, elevated antioxidant enzyme levels and ameliorated cisplatin toxicity. The following molecules protected hair cells from cisplatin-induced damage: GSH; glutathione diethyl ester (GSHe); ebselen (EBS); 4-methylthiobenzoic acid (MTBA); and D-methionine (D-MET). EBS, MTBA, and D-MET in vitro protection correlates with in vivo protection in rats. Conclusions: Organotypic culture of Corti's organ has been validated as a model for studying cisplatin toxicity and for screening otoprotective molecules. Some of the events that contribute to cisplatin's ability to damage auditory hair cells are generation of ROS (e.g., H 2 O 2 ), depletion of intracellular GSH, and interference with antioxidant enzymes within the cochlea. Agents that bolster the cochlea's antioxidant system can prevent cisplatin destruction of auditory hair cells. Identified protective agents may prove to be clinically useful in limiting or completely protecting from cisplatin ototoxicity.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors combine RBV logic, the definition of strategic assets, Hall's studies, and the logic embodied in several streams of management literature to explain why strategic assets are intangible in nature.
Abstract: The Resource‐Based View of the Firm (RBV) has become an important stream of literature in strategic management. RDV's main prescription is that strategic assets are crucial determinants of sustainable competitive advantage and thus firm performance. Unfortunately, little empirical research has been occasioned to substantiate that prescription. Part of the difficulty in empirically testing RBV's main prescription lies in identifying resources capable of being strategic assets. This article combines RBV logic, the definition of strategic assets, Hall's studies, and the logic embodied in several streams of management literature to explain why strategic assets are intangible in nature, to show that not all intangible resources are strategic assets, and to demonstrate that company reputation, product reputation, employee knowhow, and organizational culture possess the characteristics of strategic assets. That is the foundation for the proposed hypotheses and proposed conceptual model presented in this paper for testing RBV's main prescription. We also discuss the practical, theoretical and empirical implications of this paper and make suggestions regarding empirical testing.
TL;DR: The authors analyzed the efficiency and equality consequences of various school finance reforms using a cost-indirect output distance function, which is a natural measure of performance that is closely related to Farrell-type measures of efficiency.
Abstract: Equality and efficiency are key issues in educational reform. Here the authors analyze the efficiency and equality consequences of various school finance reforms using a cost-indirect output distance function. This function readily models multiple-output production under conditions of budgetary constraint, and provides a natural measure of performance that is closely related to Farrell-type measures of efficiency. The analysis suggests that despite school district inefficiency, finance reforms can affect student achievement. However, any potential gains in output from redistribution are dwarfed by the potential gains from increased efficiency. More strikingly, the analysis demonstrates that budgetary reforms designed to equalize expenditures could actually increase the inequality of student achievement.
TL;DR: The authors demonstrate that statistics textbooks differ in their prescription for the analysis of experiments that involve blocking factors, leading to differences in conclusions regarding the significance of experimental treatment effects, and point out that simply following one's textbook may not be the best course of action for any particular situation.
Abstract: We demonstrate that statistics textbooks differ in their prescription for the analysis of experiments that involve blocking factors. The differences in analysis may lead to differences in conclusions regarding the significance of experimental treatment effects. We outline the two approaches, discuss why they are different, and suggest when each approach may be applicable. We point out that simply following one’s textbook may not be the best course of action for any particular situation.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors express the technical change index as the product of a magnitude index and a bias index, and state conditions under which each bias index makes no contribution to productivity change.
Abstract: The Malmquist productivity index has many attractive features. One is that it can be epxressed as the product of a technical efficiency change index and a technical change index. In this paper we express the technical change index as the product of a magnitude index and a bias index. We then express the bias index as the product of an output bias index and an input bias index, and we state conditions under which each bias index makes no contribution to productivity change.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the mixed influence is the dominant influence factor in the diffusion of IS outsourcing, and that there is no evidence of the “Kodak effect” in the IS diffusion process.
Abstract: Information systems outsourcing is an increasingly popular IS management practice in companies of all sizes. Examining the adoption of IS outsourcing from the well-developed theoretical foundation of innovation diffusion may shed some light on significant factors that affect the adoption decision, and clarify some misperceptions. This study explores the sources of influence in the adoption of IS outsourcing. Using a sample of 175 firms that outsourced their IS functions during the period from January 1985 to January 1995, we tested three hypotheses of sources of influences using four diffusion models: internal influence, external influence, and two mixed influence models. Our findings suggest that the mixed influence is the dominant influence factor in the diffusion of IS outsourcing, and that there is no evidence of the “Kodak effect” in the IS diffusion process. This directly contradicts the conclusions of the Loh and Venkatraman 1992 study. Further discussions are provided about the potential problems in studies of influence sources of IT innovation diffusion.
TL;DR: Aggression in three samples of subjects with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, who were exposed to high levels of androgen in the prenatal and early postnatal periods, suggests that early androgens contribute to variability in human aggression.
TL;DR: In this paper, moving average trading rules are utilized in both futures and spot foreign currency markets to show that significant, positive profits can be earned in four of five currencies examined, and the results are consistent for both in-sample and forward simulation tests.
Patent•
30 May 1997TL;DR: In this article, methods of modulating brain neural plasticity, improving memory and learning, improving recovery from traumatic brain injury, preventing epilepsy, treating memory disorders and chronic memory impairment, and treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimulation are provided.
Abstract: Methods of modulating brain neural plasticity, improving memory and learning, improving recovery from traumatic brain injury, preventing epilepsy, treating memory disorders and chronic memory impairment, and treating persistent impairment of consciousness in humans and animals by vagus nerve stimulation are provided. These methods comprise selecting an appropriate human or animal subject and applying to the subject's vagus nerve an electrical stimulation signal having parameter values effective in modulating the electrical activity of the vagus nerve in a manner so as to modulate the activity of preselected portions of the brain.
TL;DR: In this paper, the synthesis of titanium carbide (TiC) by the carbothermal reduction of carbon coated titanium dioxide (TiO2), a novel synthesis process, and titanium dioxide mixed with carbon black was investigated.
Abstract: The synthesis of titanium carbide (TiC) by the carbothermal reduction of carbon coated titanium dioxide (TiO2), a novel synthesis process, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixed with carbon black was investigated. A high surface area (64 m2g-1) TiO2 powder consisting of anatase and rutile phases was used for starting powders. The carbon coated method is a two-step process that utilizes a precursor derived from decomposing propylene (C3H6) and depositing carbon on the TiO2 particles. TiO2 powders were also mechanically mixed with carbon black for comparison. Both starting precursors and mixtures were reacted in a tube furnace for 2 and 4 h at temperatures of 1100°C to 1550°C under 1 l min-1 flowing argon. The TiC powders were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyser, chemical analysis (oxygen and carbon) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The carbon coating process provides high contact area between the reactants which results in a TiC product with lower oxygen content (0.6 wt%), finer particle size (0.1 μm), and uniform shape when synthesized at 1550°C for 4 h.
TL;DR: Rural students are currently at risk approximately equal to that of urban students, and policy alterations and health education programs should address this pattern in the nation's rural areas.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study compared prevalence of substance use among high school seniors in rural and urban areas from 1976 through 1992. METHODS: We used data collected for these years from urban (n = 75,916) and rural (n = 51,182) high school seniors. Thirty-day prevalence for alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, and inhalant use, binge drinking, smoking a pack or more of cigarettes a day, and daily alcohol and marijuana use were evaluated. RESULTS: Substance use declined from 1976 through 1992. In 1976, urban students had greater prevalence for most substances, but by 1992, rural and urban students were similar, with rural students having higher prevalence for alcohol and cigarette use (particularly excessive use). Trends were similar for both sexes, though rural girls showed a later catch-up to use levels of urban girls. CONCLUSIONS: Rural students are currently at risk approximately equal to that of urban students. Other studies have demonstrated the association of substance use with increased ...
TL;DR: The distribution and mtDNA relationships among subspecies of Erimystax dissimilis are not consistent with Pleistocene vicariance, but relationships among Appalachian haplotypes are consistent with the late Pleistsocene integration of the modern Ohio River system.
Abstract: The highland fish fauna of eastern North America consists of Appalachian and Ozark centers of endemism separated by the intervening Glacial Till Plains. Clades within these areas are more closely related phylogenetically to each other than to clades occurring in the intervening formerly glaciated region, suggesting that the Pleistocene glaciations fragmented a widespread highland region and its associated fauna. Alternatively, it is possible that these faunal assemblages predate the glaciations or that recent dispersals may have been more important than vicariance in determining faunal compositions. We examined the relationships among mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes within five clades of highland fishes, each with a distribution suggestive of a Pleistocene vicariance event. Darters of the subgenera Litocara and Odontopholis have distributions and mtDNA relationships that are consistent with the Pleistocene integration and burial of the Teays-Mahomet valley, a major drainage of the early Pleistocene. The distribution and mtDNA relationships among subspecies of Erimystax dissimilis are not consistent with Pleistocene vicariance, but relationships among Appalachian haplotypes are consistent with the late Pleistocene integration of the modern Ohio River system. Both Cottus carolinae and the Fundulus catenatus species group have representatives in the Mobile basin consistent with pre-Pleistocene divergences. Three haplotype clusters were found in C. carolinae, corresponding to the Appalachian, Ozark, and upper Kanawha River populations. However, Appalachian and Ozark F. catenatus populations are paraphyletic with respect to each other. This, coupled with a relatively low degree of sequence divergence, suggests that no long-term barriers to gene flow exist for C. carolinae and F. catenatus. These three distinct phylogeographic patterns indicate that Pleistocene vicariance is not the only explanation for the Ap- palachian-Ozark distribution of highland fish communities.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the career paths of the key executives of Business Week's 1990 listing of the 1000 most valuable publicly held companies and empirically examine the impact of announced changes in key executive plurality on stockholder returns.
Abstract: Tracing backward the career paths of the key executives of Business Week’s 1990 listing of the 1000 most valuable publicly held companies, we empirically examined the impact of announced changes in key executive plurality on stockholder returns. We found the more complete the position consolidation, the more negative were the shareholder responses. To attempt to gain further understanding, the additional variables of executive’s origin, the size of the board of directors of the firm, the proportion of outsiders on the board, and prior firm performance were examined. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This pilot study suggests that investigation of earlier use of vasopressin as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of cardiac arrest is warranted, and in this human model of prolonged cardiac arrest, 40% of the patients receiving vasopressingin had a significant increase in CPP.
Abstract: Objectives: To determine the hemodynamic effect of vasopressin on coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) in prolonged human cardiac arrest.
Methods: A prospective, open-label clinical trial of vasopressin during cardiac resuscitation was performed. Ten patients presenting in cardiac arrest initially received resuscitative measures by emergency physicians according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) gcidelines. A central venous catheter for fluid and drug administration and a femoral artery catheter for measurement of CPP (aortic minus right atrial relaxation phase pressures) were placed. When each patient was deemed nonsalvageable, 1.0 mg epinephrine was given and CPP was measured for 5 minutes, followed by a dose of vasopressin (1.O Ukg). CPP measurements were continued for another 5 minutes.
Results: The mean duration of cardiac arrest (out-of-hospital interval plus duration of ED ACLS) was 39.6 ± 16.5 min. There was no improvement in CPP after 1.0 mg of epinephrine. Vasopressin administration resulted in a significant increase of CPP in 4 of the 10 patients. Patients responding to vasopressin had a mean increase in CPP of 28.2 ± 16.4 mm Hg (range: 10–51.5), with these peak increases occurring at 15 seconds to 4 minutes after administration. The increases in the vasopressin levels after administration did not differ between the responders and nonresponders.
Conclusions: In this human model of prolonged cardiac arrest, 40% of the patients receiving vasopressin had a significant increase in CPP. This pilot study suggests that investigation of earlier use of vasopressin as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of cardiac arrest is warranted.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors link the process of agenda setting to the diffusion of innovations across the American states, and use independent variables that reflect both agenda setting and specific state context, and hypothesize that a combination of these variables affects the likelihood of policy adoption in the various states.
Abstract: In this article we link theoretically and empirically the process of agenda setting to the diffusion of innovations across the American states. We use independent variables that reflect both agenda setting and the specific state context, and we hypothesize that a combination of these variables affects the likelihood of policy adoption in the various states. Employing event history analysis of pooled cross-sectional time series data on the adoption of living-will laws, we find that the best model of living-will adoptions includes both agenda setting and state context variables. Our findings demonstrate the importance of linking agenda setting with internal state characteristics to reach a more complete explanation of state policy making.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of deep tillage (0, 40, 60 and 90 cm) and annual tillage management practices (reduced till and no-till) on soil physical characteristics, corn root development and grain yield were investigated.
Abstract: In years of low rainfall, corn (Zea mays L.) grain production in parts of Southern Illinois, USA is drastically reduced. The naturally occurring claypans and fragipans in the soils of the region and compaction from farming practices have deleterious effects on crop production. An experiment was conducted from 1989–1993 in Carbondale, IL (USA) on a Stoy silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludalfs) to investigate the effects of deep tillage (0, 40, 60 and 90 cm) and annual tillage management practices (reduced till and no-till) on soil physical characteristics, corn root development and grain yield. Penetrometer resistance and soil bulk density were reduced to the greatest extent by 90-cm depth of tillage and lesser differences were observed with the other tillage depths. About 35% of the corn root length in the 21–100 cm portion of the soil profile was found below 60 cm depth in the deepest tillage, whereas, less than 5% was below 60 cm in the control. Deep tillage increased root proliferation and the depth to which roots penetrated. In growing seasons with evenly distributed rainfall and lower temperatures, root development was rather uniform in the subsurface soil layers. Deep tillage of the soil resulted in increased corn grain yields with the greatest yield always being obtained with 90 cm tillage. The advantage was dependent on tillage depth and the amount and distribution of rainfall during the growing season. No-till annual management resulted in higher yields than reduced till management (for the 0 and 40 cm tillage depth) mainly because of the moisture conserving properties of the surface residues present. Annual management (no-till vs. reduced till) had less impact on yield as the tillage depth increased.
TL;DR: The use of bovine pericardial sleeves to buttress the staple lines in thoracoscopic unilateral lung volume reduction operation results in a shorter duration of postoperative air leaks.
TL;DR: The data indicate that IgG antibody in vaginal secretions of immune mice provides early protection against vaginal challenge infection, probably by neutralizing virus in the vaginal lumen.
Abstract: We investigated the protective role of antibodies in vaginal secretions of mice that were immune to vaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) Unfractionated vaginal immunoglobulins from immune and nonimmune mice and affinity-purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) and secretory IgA (S-IgA) from immune secretions were adjusted to their concentrations in vivo Wild-type HSV-2 was incubated in the immunoglobulin preparations for 15 min in vitro, followed by inoculation into vaginae of nonimmune mice HSV-2 was neutralized by unfractionated antibody and purified IgG from immune secretions but not by unfractionated nonimmune antibody or by purified immune S-IgA The protective effect of IgG in vivo was investigated by passively transferring purified serum IgG from immune and nonimmune donors to nonimmune recipients before vaginal challenge infection Immune IgG significantly reduced the percentage of vaginal epithelium infected, concentrations of shed virus protein in the vaginal lumen, and illness scores, even though the viral antibody titers in serum and vaginal secretions of recipient mice at the time of challenge were only 29 and 8%, respectively, of those in actively immunized mice Additionally, removal of vaginal secretions from immune mice 10 min before vaginal challenge with HSV-2 significantly increased the concentration of shed virus protein in the vaginal lumen after challenge Collectively, the data indicate that IgG antibody in vaginal secretions of immune mice provides early protection against vaginal challenge infection, probably by neutralizing virus in the vaginal lumen In contrast, S-IgA antibody contributed relatively little to immune protection of the vagina