cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of preliminary interpretation of neurologic CT examinations by on-call radiology residents and assessment of patient outcomes at a level I trauma center.

Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of preliminary interpretations of emergency neurologic CT scans after hours by on-call radiology residents and to assess the clinical impact of residents' errors at a level I trauma center. Methods A quality assurance database of neurologic CT examinations was reviewed to compare preliminary interpretations by on-call residents with final analyses by attending neuroradiologists during a 12-month period. All disagreements were reviewed for confirmation of the findings and categorized as significant or nonsignificant. Significant errors were further classified as acute intracranial, acute extracranial, and nonacute. Medical records for scans with significant errors were reviewed to evaluate any negative impact on the patient for each significant case. Residents' postgraduate years were also recorded. Results There were 252 cases (3.7%) with disagreements among 6,852 total cases. Of those, 226 (3.3%) were confirmed as resident errors, which included 171 (2.5%) that were significant. There were 73 (1.1%) acute intracranial, 77 (1.1%) acute extracranial, and 21 (0.3%) nonacute misinterpretations. Among the 171 significant cases, 105 (1.5%) had no changes in clinical management, and 55 (0.8%) required some changes. Conclusion The rate of significant errors by on-call radiology residents was low. These errors had a minimal impact on clinical outcomes. Continued monitoring of residents' performance is important to maintain or improve patient safety.
Charged Body Potential Monitoring of an Electrolyte Plume Emanating from a Dripping Source

Hole-surface charged body potential (CBP) measurements were taken over a 173-day period during a drip-injection, tracer experiment in partially saturated, fractured basalt. A continuous, enhanced conductivity, potassium chloride (KCl) solution was dripped into the fractured basalt and energized directly through a current electrode placed in the conductive solution. The constant concentration, KCl solution was introduced above a perched water table at an average rate of 10.07 L/day under a constant hydraulic head for 76 days. The KCl drip period was followed by a 34-day tap water drip period and a 62-day drainage period. Hole-surface CBP measurements were taken over time to delineate the evolution of the asymmetrical, vadose zone, plume. A 15 by 15 grid of land surface based, porous pot electrodes (copper sulfate), located symmetrically about the centrally located injection borehole, was used for the hole-surface CBP experiment. Ratios of electrical potentials measured at the land surface over time were contoured and profiled to delineate the evolution of the electrolyte plume.
A Rational Choice Model for the Dakota Effect

In a recent issue, Young and Sigelman ( 2008 ) present evidence of a “Dakota effect,” in which persons born in the Dakotas are disproportionately likely to represent their home state, other states, and also generate government spending directed toward the Dakotas. These authors are unable to explain the causal underpinnings for overrepresentation in Congress or the Dakotan natives' keen ability to direct pork back to these two states.
Postnatal development of different classes of cat retinal ganglion cells

Previous investigators have documented the postnatal development of alpha and beta type ganglion cells in cat retinae (Ramoa et al. [1987] Science 237:522-525; Ramoa et al. [1988] J. Neurosci. 8:4239-4261; Dann et al. [1987] Neurosci. Lett. 80:21-26; Dann et al. [1988] J. Neurosci. 8(5):1485-1499). The development of the remaining cells (about 50%), which constitute a heterogeneous group and are referred to here collectively as gamma cells (Boycott and Wassle, '74), has not been studied in detail. The purpose of this study was to compare the postnatal development of alpha, beta, and gamma cells in kitten and adult retinae using horseradish peroxidase histochemistry and the fluorescent dye DiI. In the kitten, alpha, beta, and gamma cells are recognizable. We find, as have others, that kitten alpha and beta cell bodies and dendritic fields are significantly smaller than in the adult. However, kitten gamma cells are nearly adult sized. In fact, at birth the cell bodies of beta cells throughout the retina are significantly smaller than those of gamma cells. During the first 12 weeks of life, alpha and beta cell bodies increase in size from 90% to 680% depending upon eccentricity. Gamma cells hardly increase in size at all. Also, the normal adult center-to-peripheral cell size gradient for alpha and beta cells is not seen in the neonate. Gamma cells show no such gradient in the neonate or adult. Our results suggest that the morphological development of alpha and beta cells occurs later than that of gamma cells and may explain some of the differences in the effects of visual deprivation and surgical manipulation upon the parallel Y-, X-, and W-cell pathways.
Observations on single vortex lines in rotating superfluid helium

We have detected the appearance of individual quantized vortex lines in liquid He II in narrow-diameter (\ensuremath{\sim}1 mm) rotating cylindrical vessels which were slowly accelerated from rest. The angular velocities where the lines appear are qualitatively consistent with theory based upon minimization of the free energy. However, we find that the detailed behavior of the He II is quite history dependent and cannot be uniquely determined from existing theory. Our detection technique involves charging the vortex lines for a fixed length of time. A subsequent measurement of the amount of charge trapped provides an indication of the number of vortex lines present. In order to detect the small amount of charge trapped on a single line, we have extracted the trapped electrons through the meniscus and have developed a proportional counter to detect them in the vapor.
Search for Gravitational Waves in the CMB After WMAP3: Foreground Confusion and The Optimal Frequency Coverage for Foreground Minimization

B-modes of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization can be created by a primordial gravitational wave background. If this background was created by inflation, then the amplitude of the polarization signal is proportional to the energy density of the universe during inflation. The primordial signal will be contaminated by polarized foregrounds including dust and synchrotron emission within the galaxy. In light of the WMAP polarization maps, we consider the ability of several hypothetical CMB polarization experiments to separate primordial CMB B-mode signal from galactic foregrounds. We also study the optimization of a CMB experiment with a fixed number of detectors in the focal plane to determine how the detectors should be distributed in different frequency bands to minimize foreground confusion. We show that the optimal configuration requires observations in at least 5 channels spread over the frequency range between 30 and 500 GHz with substantial coverage around 150 GHz. If a low-resolution space experiment using 1000 detectors to reach a noise level of about 1000 nK{sup 2} concentrates on roughly 66% of the sky with the least foreground contamination, the minimum detectable level of the tensor-to-scalar ratio would be about 0.002 at the 99% confidence level for an optical depth ofmore » 0.1.« less
Protein synthesis by isolated nucleoprotein particles.

Isolated ribonucleoprotein particles from peas catalyze a net synthesis of “soluble” protein in the presence of adenosine triphosphate, guanosine triphosphate, manganese ions, phosphoglycerate, soluble polynucleotide, and a mixture of the 18 amino acids and two amides usually found in protein. The protein thus formed exhibits more than one electrophoretic component, and has enzymic activity. If protein synthesis proceeds in the presence of C14-labeled amino acids, the protein formed has a specific activity close to that of the free amino acids. The enzyme system is rather unstable.
Pathologic response after neoadjuvant carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel for early-stage lung cancer: a Brown University oncology group phase II study.

Introduction Pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in solid tumors. Southwest Oncology Group 9900 demonstrated a 9% pCR after three cycles of paclitaxel/carboplatin every 21 days. We evaluated pCR rate with intensive weekly paclitaxel in a phase II study. Methods Patients with non-small cell lung cancer, stage IB to IIIA, were eligible and received carboplatin, area under the curve=6, every 21 days ×3 and paclitaxel 80 mg/m 2 weekly ×9. Primary outcome was the pCR rate. Results Twenty patients with clinical stage IB ( n = 16), IIA ( n = 1), IIB ( n = 1), and IIIA ( n = 2) were enrolled. Mean age was 65 years. Toxicity included grade 4 neutropenia in 1 (5%), grade 3 neutropenia in 3 (15%), grade 3 neuropathy in 1 (5%), and grade 3 nausea in 1 (5%). After neoadjuvant therapy, one patient refused surgery and one died of a nontreatment-related event. Eighteen patients underwent complete resection, 15 by lobectomy, and 3 by pneumonectomy. Pathology revealed 3 (17%) patients with pCR. The median follow-up is 67 months. For clinical stage IB ( n = 16), the median overall survival has not been reached, and the 5-year overall survival is 69%. All patients with pCR ( n = 3) remain alive and disease-free. Improved overall survival was seen in patients who were pathologically down-staged versus patients who were not, p = 0.05. Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with intensive weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin is well tolerated and does not increase surgical morbidity. This intense regimen achieves rates of pCR and survival that compares favorably with other reported induction regimens and merits further investigation.
Digitized and differentially shaded human chromosome ideograms for genomic applications

Human chromosome ideograms that depict 850 bands, numbered in agreement with ISCN (1981) nomenclature but based on actual measurements of band sizes and differentiated by five shades of staining intensity, have been digitized using commercially available graphics software. They provide for more accurate estimates of distances within chromosome arms, DNA content of chromosome bands and correlation between cytogenetic, molecular and genetic linkage maps than the standard ISCN ideograms.
Reactions of Indoles with Metal-Bound Carbenoids

Abstract Indoles are a broadly occurring functional group in nature and are found in an expansive number of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical compounds. As such, there has been a growing interest in the development of novel methods for site-selective functionalization of the indole core. This review will focus on the inter- and intramolecular reactions of indoles with metal-bound carbenoids, including cyclopropanation, alkylation, and annulation reactions, as well as the growing number of asymmetric variants of these transformations. In addition, the applications of these transformations to the syntheses of a number of indole-containing natural products will be discussed.
Autoradiographic Studies With 3H Estradiol in the Body of Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis

Reid, F. A., Kim, Y. S., Stumpf, W. E., Selzer, M. E., Sar, M. 1980. Autoradiographic studies with 3H estradiol in the body of lamprey, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis. (Departments of Anatomy and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) — Acta zool. (Stockh.) 61 (4): 247–253. Female and male lampreys, Ichthyomyzon unicuspis, in the parasitic feeding stage were injected with 3H estradiol-17β. Autoradiograms were prepared from the trunk region of animals sacrificed 2.5 hours after injection. Nuclei of cells show concentrations of radioactivity which can be abolished with pre-injection of unlabeled estradiol. 3H estradiol-concentrating cells are found in connective tissues associated with aorta, cardinal veins, muscle septa, dermis, intestine, kidney, and ovary, as well as in kidney tubules, epithelial lining of the body cavity, epidermis and notochord. The results demonstrate the extensive presence of estrogen target cells in this cyclostome. These estrogen target sites correspond to tissues known to undergo drastic morphological changes during the spawning migration.
Rotational dynamics of monoclonal anti-dansyl immunoglobulins

The rotational motions of monoclonal mouse anti-dansyl immunoglobulins were studied by nanosecond fluorescence emission anisotropic spectroscopy using a mode-locked argon-ion laser as the pulsed excitation source. Three homogeneous antibodies of the immunoglobulin Gl (IgGl) subclass containing different V regions were prepared. The fluorescence emission maxima of these antibodies (designated as DNS1, DNS2 and DNS3) are at 515, 480 and 500 nm, respectively. Their mean rotational correlation times, 〈φ〉, are 84, 109 and 96 ns, respectively. The binding of protein A or a monoclonal anti-allotype antibody to the Fc unit of DNS1 increased 〈φ〉 to 142 and 150 ns, respectively, whereas reduction of the disulfide bond between the heavy chains decreased 〈φ〉 to 48 ns. These nanosecond measurements show that the rotational motion of the Fab arms in mouse IgGl is restricted.
Two-dimensional sink flow of a stratified fluid contained in a duct

A reservoir is assumed to be filled with water which has a linear variation of density with depth. The geometry of the boundaries is simplified to a parallel walled duct with the line sink at the centre of the fluid. The primary focus is on partitioning the flow into distinct flow regimes and predicting the withdrawal-layer thickness as a function of the distance from the sink; the predictions are verified experimentally.For fluids with a Schmidt number of order unity, the withdrawal layer is shown to be composed of distinct regions in each of which a definite force balance prevails. The outer flow, where inertia forces are neglected, changes from a parallel uniform flow upstream to a symmetric self-similar withdrawal layer near the sink. For distances from the sink smaller than a critical distance, dependent on the flow parameters, inertia forces become of equal importance to buoyancy and viscous forces. The equations valid in this inner region are derived. Using the inner limit of the outer flow as the upstream boundary condition, these inner equations are solved approximately for the withdrawal-layer thickness by an integral method. The inner and outer variations of δ, the withdrawal-layer thickness, are combined to yield a composite solution and it is seen that the inclusion of inertia forces yields layers thicker than those obtained from a strict buoyancy-viscous force balance. In terms of the inner variables the only parameter remaining is the Schmidt number.Laboratory experiments were carried out to verify the theoretical conclusions. The observed withdrawal-layer thicknesses were shown to be closely predicted by the integral solution. Furthermore, the data could be represented in terms of the inner variables by a single curve dependent only on the Schmidt number.
Magnifiers in dermatology: a personal survey.

Most dermatologists find some type of magnifying system useful in their practice. Over a period of 15 years, I evaluated magnifiers ranging from simple low-power, single-lens systems to a Zeiss operating microscope. This report reviews the various types of magnifiers available for examining the skin's surface and describes their optical characteristics. For the dermatologist a binocular loupe with magnification of 3 × to 4 × appears to be the most useful diagnostic magnifying device. Higher magnifications failed to yield additional clinically useful detail. Lower-power binocular magnifiers of 2 × to 2.5 × , although useful as a surgical aid, provided less-than-optimal magnification for diagnostic purposes. The ideal magnifier for each practitioner will depend on subjective needs, as well as optical characteristics. Currently available magnifiers are described and evaluated.
Calcium Influx from the Extracellular Space Promotes NADH Hyperoxidation and Electrical Dysfunction After Anoxia in Hippocampal Slices

A characteristic event during reperfusion after cerebral ischemia in vivo, and reoxygenation after anoxia in vitro, is hyperoxidation of the electron carriers of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Current studies have tested the hypothesis that there is a relation among calcium molecules derived from extracellular sources, mitochondrial hyperoxidation, and electrical recovery after anoxia in hippocampal slices. Rat hippocampal slices were superfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluids (ACSF) containing calcium chloride(CaCl2) in concentrations of: 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mmol/L. Slices were made anoxic and then allowed to recover for 60 minutes. Reduction-oxidation shifts of NADH were measured by rapid-scanning spectrofluorometry. Synaptic activity was indicated by population spike amplitudes in the CA1 pyramidal cell subfield of the hippocampus in response to stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals. Low calcium ACSF concentrations ameliorated NADH hyperoxidation and improved synaptic transmission recovery after anoxia. High calcium ACSF concentrations had opposite effects. These data suggest a link between mitochondrial hyperoxidation and electrical recovery after postanoxia reoxygenation and support the hypothesis that cytosolic calcium overload promotes mitochondrial hyperoxidation and limits electrical recovery.
Inhibition of simian virus 40 DNA replication by ultraviolet light.

Abstract The effects of ultraviolet light (uv) upon SV40 DNA synthesis in monkey cells were examined to determine whether replication forks were halted upon encountering lesions in the DNA, or alternatively whether lesions were rapidly bypassed. Ultraviolet light inhibits elongation of nascent DNA strands; the extent of incorporation of [ 3 H]deoxythymidine ([ 3 H]dT) into DNA decreases with increasing uv fluence. Inhibition begins within minutes of irradiation, and becomes more pronounced with increasing time after irradiation. The synthesis of form I (covalently closed) molecules is inhibited even more severely than is total incorporation: post-uv incorporation is predominantly into replication intermediates. In contrast to previous reports, we find that replication intermediates labeled after uv resemble those in unirradiated cells, and contain covalently closed parental strands. DNA strands made after uv are approximately the size of parental DNA which has been cleaved at pyrimidine dimers by a uv endonuclease, indicating that they do not extend past dimers. The hypothesis that replication forks are halted upon encountering pyrimidine dimers in the template strand is consistent with these data.
Possible supersymmetric contributions to the decay μ → e + missing neutrals

Abstract We calculate the full spin-dependent differential decay distribution and e-polarization for the decay μ → e γ ˜ m γ ˜ m mediated by scalar leptons. Consideration is given to what bounds are implied on the masses and mixing of scalar leptons.
NNNLO soft-gluon corrections for the top-quark p T and rapidity distributions

We present a calculation of next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNNLO) soft-gluon corrections for differential distributions in top-antitop pair production in hadronic collisions. Approximate NNNLO (aNNNLO) results are obtained from soft-gluon resummation. Theoretical predictions are shown for the top-quark aNNNLO transverse momentum (${p}_{T}$) and rapidity distributions at LHC and Tevatron energies. The aNNNLO corrections enhance previous results for the distributions but have smaller theoretical uncertainties.
Elimination of egg pigment from developing ocular tissues in the frog Rana pipiens.

Abstract The method by which egg pigment is eliminated from the developing retina, corneal epithelium and lens in Rana pipiens was studied with light and electron microscopy. The retina expells egg pigment into the space between the retina and pigment epithelium. This pigment is then engulfed by the pigment epithelial cells. The corneal epithelium eliminates egg pigment directly to the outside via the free surface of the epithelial cells. Egg pigment accumulates in a few cells in the lens. These cells probably degenerate and are extruded. These ectodermal derivatives in the eye are free of egg pigment long before ectodermal derivatives in other parts of the embryo lose their pigment. The early elimination of egg pigment from ocular tissues may related to the fact that these tissues must be transparent in order that light may pass freely to the photoreceptors.
Silicon Radiation Detectors with Oxide Charge State Compensation

This paper discusses the use of boron implantation on high resistivity P type silicon before oxide growth to compensate for the presence of charge states in the oxide and oxide/silicon interface. The presence of these charge states on high resistivity P type silicon produces an inversion layer which causes high leakage currents on N+P junctions and high surface conductance. Compensating the surface region by boron implantation is shown to result in oxide passivated N+P junctions with very low leakage currents and with low surface conductance.
Triplication of a unique genetic segment in a simian virus 40-like virus of human origin and evolution of new viral genomes

Abstract The non-defective (heavy) virions from a simian virus 40-like virus (DAR virus) isolated from human brain have been serially passaged at high input multi-plicities in primary monkey kidney cells. The 32 P-labeled, progeny DAR-viral genomes have been purified and tested for sensitivity to the R I restriction endouclease from Escherichia coli ( Eco RI‡ restriction nuclease). The parental DAR-viral genomes share many physical properties with “standard” simian virus 40 DNA and are cleaved once by the Eco RI restriction nuclease. After the fourth serial passage, three populations of genomes could be distinguished: Eco RI resistant, Eco RI sensitive (one cleavage site) and Eco RI “supersensitive” (three, symmetrically-located, cleavage sites). The Eco RI cleavage product of the “supersensitive” form is one-third the physical size (10.4 S) of simian virus 40 DNA and reassociates about three times more rapidly than sheared, denatured simian virus 40 DNA. From the fourth to the eighth serial passages, the genomes containing this specific triplication of viral DNA sequences were selected for and became the predominant viral DNA species.
Performance Modeling of an Airborne Raman Water Vapor Lidar

We have developed a sophisticated Raman lidar numerical model to simulate the performance of two ground-based Raman water-vapor lidar systems. After verifying the model using these ground-based measurements, we then used the model to simulate the water-vapor measurement capability of an airborne Raman lidar under both daytime and nighttime conditions for a wide range of water-vapor conditions. The results indicate that, under many circumstances, the daytime measurements possess comparable quality to an existing airborne differential absorption water-vapor lidar whereas the nighttime measurements have improved spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, an airborne Raman lidar can offer measurements that are difficult or impossible with the differential absorption lidar technique.
Preoperative Predictors of Operative Morbidity and Mortality in COPD Patients Undergoing Bilateral Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

Bilateral volume reduction surgery (VRS) improves lung function for selected patients with emphysema. However, predictors of outcome are not well defined. We reviewed the preoperative characteristics of the first 47 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral VRS at the Massachusetts General Hospital in order to define potential predictors of unacceptable outcome. Preoperative data included spirometry, plethysmography, diffusion of carbon monoxide (DCO), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure, resting arterial blood gases (ABG), cardiopulmonary exercise testing with ABG and lactate sampling, and radionuclide ventriculography. Prepulmonary and postpulmonary rehabilitation 6-min walk tests (6MWT), and preoperative chest CT scans were also obtained. Twenty-two subjects were male and 17 of the subjects were on the lung transplant list. Patient characteristics included age of 60.5 ± 7.5 years, FEV 1 of 0.67 ± 0.20 L, total lung capacity of 7.56 ± 1.7 L, DCO of 7.40 ± 4.1 mL/min/mm Hg, and PaCO 2 of 41.6 ± 6.4 mm Hg (mean±SD). The FEV 1 , vital capacity, MIP, resting room air PaCO 2 , prepulmonary and postpulmonary rehabilitation 6MWT, and PaCO 2 at maximum oxygen consumption correlated with length of hospitalization (p 2 ≥45 mm Hg were the best predictors of an unacceptable outcome. If either of these characteristics was present, six of 16 vs zero of 25 died (Fisher's Exact Test, p=0.0025, one-tailed) and 11 of 16 vs four of 25 had hospital courses >21 days (p 2 ≥45 mm Hg alone correlated with death (p=0.004 and p=0.012, respectively) and the resting PaCO 2 ≥45 mm Hg correlated with hospital days >21 (p=0.0002). In conclusion, the data suggest that the inability to walk at least 200 m in 6 min before or after pulmonary rehabilitation and a resting room air PaCO 2 ≥45 mm Hg are excellent preoperative predictors of unacceptable postoperative outcomes.
Sci—Fri PM: Delivery — 04: Quantitative air communication testing of ion chambers for megavoltage dosimetry

The valid application of the standard correction for air density (PTP in the TG‐51 protocol) requires that for a vented ion chamber (basically all reference‐class ion chambers) the air cavity does indeed communicate directly with the external environment. However, this assumption is not tested by users, and not universally verified by calibration laboratories. A system has therefore been developed at the National Research Council to test air communication of cylindrical and parallel‐plate ion chambers. The systems is based on measurements in a vacuum vessel with a Sr‐90 check source; the procedure is simple and quick and can measureionization currents over the pressure range 0 kPa (atmospheric) to −20kPa (0.8 atm) with an uncertainty better than 0.2%. Investigation of a wide range of chamber types shows that for a coarse check on chamber performance (i.e., that the chamber is vented to atmosphere) measurement at a single polarity is sufficient (total test time less than 15 minutes) but for accurate characterization of the chamber performance, data at both polarities must be acquired. The accuracy of the system means that it can potentially be used to investigate: i) the validity of the pressure correction, and ii) the source of the polarity correction in cylindrical and parallel‐plate chambers. The air communication test will be implemented as part of the standard calibration services provided by NRC for external beam radiotherapy.
Differences in Access to Liver Transplantation: Disease Severity, Waiting Time, and Transplantation Center Volume

Sicker patients with liver disease get higher priority for liver transplants under the current system of organ allocation. Ahmad and colleagues wanted to determine whether disease severity scores a...
Incidence of urethral involvement in female bladder cancer: An anatomic pathologic study

Abstract Objectives To evaluate risk factors for urethral involvement in female patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer and to define potential candidates for orthotopic continent urinary diversion. Methods From 1990 to 1996, 43 female patients underwent cystectomy for primary bladder malignancy. Bladder mapping studies were performed with special attention to tumor location, multifocality, pathologic stage and grade, presence of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and the relationship of these factors to urethral involvement. Results Of the 43 patients evaluated, 7 (16.3%) had urethral involvement by tumor. Two patterns of urethral invasion were identified: 5 patients had tumors in the vascular or lymphatic channels of the periurethral tissue and 2 had tumors in the mucosa or submucosa. Three of the 12 patients with tumors located at the trigone and 4 of the 26 with CIS of the bladder had tumor in the urethra. Three of the 5 patients with vaginal involvement had tumor in the urethra. Only vaginal involvement was significantly associated with urethral involvement (P = 0.02). Conclusions Vaginal involvement was the only preoperative factor that was associated with presence of tumor in the urethra. Five patients with urethral involvement had submucosal tumors without concomitant CIS of the urethra. Before the performance of orthotopic urinary diversions, intraoperative full-thickness bladder neck biopsies are needed to accurately evaluate the female urethra.
PIE: Perpendicular-incidence ellipsometry—application to the determination of the optical properties of uniaxial and biaxial absorbing crystals

Abstract Perpendicular-incidence ellipsometry (to be given the acronym PIE) is simpler than oblique-incidence conventional or generalized ellipsometry as a tool for the characterization of optically anisotropic surfaces. To illustrate the potential usefulness and simplicity of PIE, we present an example of its application to the determination of the optical properties of uniaxially and biaxially anisotropic crystals.
Enzymic synthesis of ethanolamine plasmalogens from 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-(32P)-phosphorylethanolamines by microsomes from rat brain.

suggested that 1 -alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamines (alkylacyl-GPE) are ;he immediate precursors of 1 alkenyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamines (ethanolamine plasmalogens). The first direct evidence for the existence of an enzyme catalyzing this conversion was reported in 1972 by Paltauf [ 111 for microsomes from hamster intestinal mucosa. While studying the enzymic synthesis by rat brain microsomes of alkylacyl-GPE [12, 131 , we obtained Indirect evidence for the further conversion of these products to ethanolamine plasmalogens. By incubations of alkylacyl-GPE with fresh rat brain microsomes, we have detected a dehydrogenase that catalyzes the last step in the biosynthesis of ethanolamine plasmalogens .
The influence of temperature on surface enhanced Raman scattering in the electrochemical environment: Evidence for adatoms

Abstract The surface enhanced Raman signal from the Cl-surface stretch vibration on Ag in aqueous KCl is irreversibly quenched by thermal dissociation of Ag-adatom-Cl-surface complexes. In a KF electrolyte, where a low concentration of Ag + ions is present, temperature changes alter the steady state adatom concentration and give rise to reversible changes in the inelastic continuum background Raman signal.
The effect of hypoxia on capillary endothelial cell function: modulation of barrier and coagulant function

As the cells forming the luminal vascular surface, endothelium is exposed to alterations in the vascular microenvironment, such as hypoxaemia. In this report we demonstrate that hypoxia, with pO2 as low as 12-14 mmHg, was not toxic to endothelium, but reversibly modulated central cellular functions essential for maintenance of homeostasis: permeability of monolayers to solutes increased in a dose-dependent manner, and cell surface coagulant properties were shifted to promote activation of coagulation. The anticoagulant cofactor thrombomodulin was suppressed and an apparently novel activator of factor X, distinct from the classical extrinsic and intrinsic systems, was induced. The hypoxia-induced factor X activator was cell surface-associated, had properties of a cysteine protease, had Mr corresponding to approximately 100 kDa, based on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and isoelectric point (pI) approximately 5.0. These findings indicate that hypoxia dynamically modulates endothelial function providing insights into the contribution of microvascular endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions.
Laser photocoagulation for stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity.

Retinopathy of prematurity remains a leading cause of childhood blindness. New technologies and improvements in neonatal care are resulting in a greater survival rate among infants with birth weights of less than 1000 g. A fetus at or beyond 25 weeks’ gestation or with an expected birth weight of 700 g or more currently has a more than 50% chance of survival.1 The International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP)2 has paved the way for better understanding this potentially blinding condition. Shortly after the ICROP was published, a multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity (CRYO-ROP study) was initiated. The results to date support the efficacy of cryotherapy for reducing the risk of unfavorable ocular outcome from “threshold” ROP. However, significant systemic and ocular complications were reported within the CRYO-ROP study.
Ab initio characterization of the weakly bound anions ClOO- and ArCl-

Abstract Experimental studies of the energetics and vibrational spectrum of the chloroperoxyl radical, ClOO, are contradictory. The most recent experiment accessed the radical by photodetachment of the corresponding anion, ClOO−. The present study uses both multi- and single-configuration ab initio methods to characterize various structures and spin-states of the ion. The calculations support the recent experimental description of ClOO− as a weakly bound complex, not a chloroperoxide anion. Two local minima (bent and linear) were found on the triplet-state potential energy surface; the lower has an average equilibrium ClO distance of 359 pm and equilibrium ClOO bond angle of 96°. However, the vibrational ground state has C2v symmetry, resulting in the designation 3 B 1 for the electronic ground state. The singlet excited state is asymmetric and lies near T e ( a 1 A ′ ) = 7895 cm−1. The calculated binding energy is D0(Cl−O2)=478±10 cm−1 (5.72±0.12 kJ mol−1), corresponding to an ideal-gas enthalpy of formation of ΔfH°0(ClOO−)=−234.80±0.23 kJ mol−1. Small Franck–Condon factors are expected for adiabatic electron detachment, in conflict with the vertical process inferred from the experiments. Thus, the experimentally determined electron affinity is only an upper limit. Companion calculations on ArCl − [D 0 ( Cl −  Ar )=489 cm − 1 ] support both experimental estimates [D 0 ( Cl −  Ar )=494±5 cm − 1 ] and the present calculations for ClOO−.
Synchrotrons and accumulators for high-intensity proton beams

During the past five decades, the development of accelerator science and technology sustained exponential growth in the energy and intensity of proton beams. Combined with an increasing repetition rate, the use of high-powered proton beams has extended from nuclear and high-energy physics to modern applications, including spallation-neutron production, kaon factories, nuclear transmutation, neutrino-factory drivers, and, in future, energy amplification and muon-collider drivers. This paper surveys the design and operational experience of existing and proposed proton facilities, summarizes physical and engineering issues limiting the efficiency of high-intensity synchrotrons and accumulators, reviews beam-dynamics topics pertaining to high-intensity performance, and discusses future applications and outlook.
Relation of serum phosphorus levels to the incidence of atrial fibrillation (from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities [ARIC] study).

High serum phosphorus levels have been linked with vascular calcification and greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We assessed whether serum phosphorus was associated with the atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence in a large community-based cohort in the United States. Our analysis included 14,675 participants (25% black, 45% men) free of AF at baseline (1987 to 1989) and with measurements of fasting serum phosphorus from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. The incidence of AF was ascertained through the end of 2008 from study visit electrocardiograms, hospitalizations, and death certificates. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios of AF by the serum phosphorus levels, adjusting for potential confounders. During a median follow-up of 19.7 years, we identified 1,656 incident AF cases. Greater serum phosphorus was associated with a greater AF risk: the hazard ratio of AF with a 1-mg/dl increase in serum phosphorus was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.26). No significant interaction was seen by race (p = 0.88) or gender (p = 0.51). The risk of AF was increased in association with greater serum phosphorus in those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≥90 ml/min/1.72 m 2 but not among those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 2 . The total corrected calcium levels were not related to AF risk; however, greater levels of the calcium-phosphorus product were associated with greater AF risk. In conclusion, in the present large population-based study, greater levels of serum phosphorus and the related calcium-phosphorus product were associated with a greater incidence of AF.
Protection of Buried Cable from Direct Lightning Strike

This paper presents studies of protection schemes for buried cables. A formula is introduced that gives the maximum peak lightning current for various ground resistivities. Maximum and minimum arcing distances beneath the surface are calculated using the internal breakdown gradient of the soil. The susceptible region for a buried cable is shown to be related to the maximum arcing distance, while the number of buried shield wires required for adequate protection is determined by the minimum arcing distance. The effectiveness of the proposed protective schemes is demonstrated by electrogeometrical theory. Finally, the qualifications of the new schemes are discussed.
Pharmacological Elevation of Blood Pressure in Acute Stroke: Clinical Effects and Safety

Background and Purpose Lowering of blood pressure can adversely affect ischemic symptoms in acute stroke. The aim of our study was to determine whether induced hypertension in stroke is safe and to examine its effects on neurological deficits in patients presenting with acute cerebral ischemia. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted to our neurological intensive care unit with the diagnosis of ischemic stroke over a 2.5-year period. Thirty-three patients were not given a pressor agent (Ph− group), while 30 were treated with phenylephrine (Ph+ group) in an attempt to improve cerebral perfusion. Results Baseline characteristics showed few differences between the Ph+ and Ph− groups. Intracerebral hemorrhage, brain edema, cardiac morbidity, and mortality were not increased in the Ph+ group. In 10 of 30 Ph+ patients, a systolic blood pressure threshold was identified below which ischemic deficits worsened and above which deficits improved. The mean threshold was 156 mm Hg (range, 120 to 190 mm Hg). The mean number of stenotic/occluded cerebral arteries was greater in those Ph+ patients with an identified clinical blood pressure threshold (mean, 2.1 per patient) than in Ph+ patients without a threshold (mean, 1.2 per patient; P <.05). Conclusions The results suggest that careful use of phenylephrine-induced hypertension is not associated with an increase in morbidity or mortality in acute stroke. Although based on a retrospective analysis of clinical practice, this report suggests that a subset of patients, particularly those with multiple stenosis of cerebral arteries, may improve neurologically upon elevation of the blood pressure.
Thinking through Worlds Fair: evolutionary rhetoric

Abstract Instructors may hesitate to incorporate visual rhetoric into their composition courses because of their own lack of training or experience in visual arts or graphic design. They may also be uncertain about what kinds of demands visual rhetoric will make of students, and what kinds of learning are involved. One of the best ways for composition instructors to gain an understanding about the challenges and potential of incorporating visual rhetoric into a course is to develop their own project. This article describes the creation of Worlds Fair, a project that evolved over several years from a sketchy short-story idea into a full-blown Web-based multimedia project with over 80 contributors, and proved to be an education in incorporating visual rhetoric into composition pedagogy.
Herpes zoster vasculitis presenting as giant cell arteritis with bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Abstract Purpose To present a case of herpes zoster vasculitis presenting as giant cell arteritis. Design Interventional case report. Methods A 77-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of diplopia associated with temple headaches and a previous history of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. A temporal artery biopsy was obtained and in-situ hybridization performed for herpes zoster DNA. Results The patient presented with a bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Initial diagnostic evaluation, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and temporal artery biopsy, was consistent with giant cell arteritis. However, in-situ hybridization of the temporal artery specimen was positive for herpes zoster DNA. Conclusions Herpes zoster vasculitis may mimic giant cell arteritis and should be considered in the differential of any patient with presumed giant cell arteritis with suspicious findings, central nervous system involvement, or previous herpes zoster infection.
Antiviral dosing and efficacy for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Purpose. The implications of the findings from clinical studies and pharmacokinetic analyses of the antiviral agent valganciclovir for dosing of the drug to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in solid organ transplant recipients are reviewed. Summary. Valganciclovir, an oral prodrug of ganciclovir, is as effective as oral ganciclovir for preventing CMV disease, although prophylaxis with either agent may delay CMV disease. Dosage reduction is required for both drugs in patients with renal impairment to prevent high plasma ganciclovir concentrations and toxicity. A valganciclovir dosage of 900 mg/day is required in patients with normal renal function, especially those at high risk for CMV disease, to provide adequate systemic ganciclovir exposure. Some studies suggest that a lower dosage might suffice for patients at a low risk for CMV disease. Conclusion. Valganciclovir dosing should be based on renal function to avoid toxicity.
Ischemic-reperfusion syndromes: Biochemical and immunologic rationale for IL-1 targeted therapy

Ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) can affect many organ systems. Examples include strokes, coronary occlusion, accidental hypothermia, compartment syndrome and neonatal hypoxia. To date no mechanism has been fully accepted to explain acute inflammation associated with IRI. There is circumstantial evidence from animal and human ex-vivo cardiac experiments to support the hypothesis that acute inflammation associated with IRI is in part caused by IL-1 beta and/or IL-1 alpha secretion. Danger signal formation, such as uric acid/calcium pyrophosphate crystallization and other cellular stresses, may occur in IRI. These in turn may stimulate innate immune pathways (i.e. cryopyrin-inflammasome; and/ or toll-like receptors 2 and 4) to secrete IL-1 beta. Most IL-1 targeted therapy studies have focused on chronic human diseases and hopefully this discussion will create a framework to encourage use of this therapy in acute inflammation associated with IRI.
Tenascin-C deposition requires β3 integrin and Src

Abstract In this study we now show that deposition of the mesenchymal matrix marker, tenascin-C (TN-C), is mediated through β3 expression and activation of Src. There was a striking upregulation of TN-C matrix organization in cell lines expressing β3 and activated Src when compared to cell lines with neither of these attributes. When β3 function was suppressed so was the deposition of TN-C. The same was true for function and activation of Src. When Src was inactive, the deposition of TN-C was low. We also determined that one of the downstream effectors of Src, MAPK, was also required to promote TN-C deposition. When MAPK activation was inhibited, TN-C deposition was also decreased. MMP activation is also implicated in TN-C deposition. The broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, GM6001, suppressed TN-C organization. These results indicate that β3 integrin ligand binding and the activation of the Src/MAPK/MMP pathway modulate deposition of TN-C.
Potential hazard of two functioning pacemakers.

A patient with the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome received a permanent ventricular inhibited demand pacemaker as well as a standby temporary transvenous pacemaker. When ventricular premature beats were seen, the temporary pacemaker was activated at 135 beats/min. Sinus bradycardia was now seen due to the inhibition of the permanent pacemaker by the pacing stimuli of the non-capturing temporary pacemaker.
The discrete-ordinate method in diffusive regimes

Abstract In highly scattering regimes, the transport equation has a limit in which the leading behavior of its solution is determined by the solution of a diffusion equation. A boundary layer with a thickness of a few mean free paths usually forms between the domain boundary and the interior region, through which the given transport boundary conditions are matched to the interior tablesolution by properly choosing the boundary conditions for the diffusion equation. In order for a numerical scheme to be effective in these regimes, it must have both a correct interior diffusion limit and a correct boundary condition limit. The behavior of the discrete-ordinate method is studied in these limits and formulas for the resulting diffusion equation and its boundary conditions are found. By imposing the condition that these limiting formulas be the same as those for the transport equation, a new constraint on the quadrature set is obtained and a way to discretize the boundary data based on the discrete W-function ...
The Theory of the Continuous X-Ray Spectrum Near the Duane-Hunt Limit

The effect on the distribution of energy in the continuous x-ray spectrum in the immediate vicinity of the Duane-Hunt limit of the extranuclear electrons in the atoms composing the target of the x-ray tube is considered. Resonance effects are found to occur which are capable of explaining the knee recently discovered by DuMond and Bollman in the isochromat very close to the threshold.