cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse Events and Complications Associated With Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems: Insights From the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) Database

Background Modern intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) are technologically advanced to deliver medication through various automated and patient-controlled programs. They also are associated with unique complications ranging from post-operative complications, medication-related adverse events (AE), device malfunction, to refill associated AE. Objectives To systematically analyze real-world complications and AE reported on the Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database (MAUDE) associated with IDDS among patients predominantly with chronic pain disorders. Materials and methods MAUDE database was sampled for a month four times a year during the study period, February 2018 to February 2019. The database was resampled every six months till August 2020 to evaluate for any additional reported cases during the index months. The two FDA approved IDDS, were included. AE were broadly classified into causes related to catheter malfunction, pump malfunction, biologic, and medication-related AE. Results A total of 1001 reports were included in the final analysis. The top three reasons for adverse report are infection/erosion (15.7%, n = 157), motor stall (12.4%, n = 125) and adverse medication reactions (11.8%, n = 119), respectively. There were five deaths among patients with IDDS. Epidural hematoma (n = 3) after IDDS surgery resulted in a death and residual neurological deficits after surgical evacuation. Programming errors, medication concentration discrepancy, and failure to turn on the pump after reprogramming are various preventable causes of medication-related IDDS AEs. Conclusions Analysis of AE associated with IDDS from the MAUDE database provided a real-world perspective different from reported registry complications. Awareness and vigilance of preventable IDDS-related complications is the first step toward mitigating risks to provide safe and effective intrathecal drug delivery for chronic pain management.
Impact of bariatric surgery on gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal motility.

Purpose of review Obesity is rapidly increasing in prevalence, and bariatric surgery has become a popular treatment option that can improve all-cause mortality in obese individuals. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motility disorders are common in the obese population, and the effects of bariatric surgery on these conditions differ depending on the type of bariatric surgery performed. Recent findings Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has declined in popularity due to its contributions to worsening GERD symptoms and the development of esophageal dysmotility. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most popular type of bariatric surgery, a comprehensive assessment for acid reflux should be performed as LSG has been linked with worsening GERD. Novel methods to address GERD due to LSG include magnetic sphincter augmentation and concomitant fundoplication. Due to the decreased incidence of postoperative GERD and dysmotility compared to other types of bariatric surgeries, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass should be considered for obese patients with GERD and esophageal dysmotility. Summary Bariatric surgery can affect esophageal motility and contribute to worsening or development of GERD. A thorough workup of gastrointestinal symptoms before bariatric surgery should be performed with consideration for formal testing with high-resolution manometry and pH testing. Based on these results, the choice of bariatric surgery technique should be tailored accordingly to improve clinical outcomes.
Use of an opioid disposal bag for leftover pills in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing surgery

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of an environmentally-friendly drug deactivation bag on opioid disposal in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing surgery. Methods: This descriptive study included gynecology oncology patients undergoing any surgical procedure requiring an opioid prescription from 3/2020-9/2020. Patients were managed on a restrictive opioid prescribing algorithm (ROPA) and given an opioid disposal bag at their preoperative visit. The carbon drug deactivation bag used neutralizes the opioid medication and is environmentally friendly making it disposable in the trash. Patients were educated preoperatively about pain management goals, the disposal bag, and the ROPA. Patients were asked to complete a survey at their postoperative visit evaluating patient satisfaction, number of leftover pills, and disposal methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics v.25. Results: 140 patients were asked to complete the survey. The response rate was 78.5% (110 patients). The most common procedures were exploratory laparotomy (36.3%) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (32.7%). Ovarian and endometrial cancer were the most frequent diagnoses (17.2% and 27.3%, respectively). 91.8% of patients filled their opioid prescription and 47 (42.7%) had leftover pain medications. 55.3% of patients with leftover medications used the deactivation bag to dispose of them, 12.8% flushed or threw them away, and 31.9% did not dispose of them. Leftover opioid pill amounts included: Conclusions: Despite a restrictive opioid prescribing practice, 40% of patients had leftover opioids. Over half of these patients used the opioid disposal bag to discard their leftover pills. The disposal bag was most commonly used by patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy given the larger number of opioid pills prescribed at discharge. The use of a drug deactivation bag is unlikely to be beneficial in patients undergoing minor outpatient surgery.
11 – Breeding Herd Nutrition and Management

Publisher Summary The real objectives in feeding the beef breeding cow herd are to produce a 90%-plus calf crop of healthy heavy calves at weaning time at a reasonable cost, and to have the brood cows. Principal among her nutrient requirements, which may require special attention, include at least limited energy, protein, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and chlorine. The nutrient requirements for beef brood cows can be classified under four general headings, namely, energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. The best adapted feeding program for a cow–calf herd depends on time of year for calving, and feeds available. Good pasture and mixed hays are excellent sources of protein. The only vitamin requiring attention in the feeding of mature beef cattle is vitamin A. The following mineral elements should be given consideration for beef cows: calcium, phosphorus, salt, iodine, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, and selenium. Crossbreeding has been recognized as a method of reaping the benefits of so-called hybrid vigor in many species of livestock. It is desirable that beef females are bred to calve as near 2 years of age as possible, and that they produce a calf every 12 months. For this, adequate nutrition and management needed. Liquid supplements generally are designed to contain a combination of supplemental crude protein, minerals, vitamin A, and possibly other nutrients. Urea is a source of nonprotein nitrogen from which cows with functioning rumens can manufacture true protein through a symbiotic relationship existing with the microscopic life, which inhabit such rumen.
Making Hay and Haylage

Publisher Summary This chapter describes about making and storage of hay and haylage. Materials with high amounts of moisture are considered silage or haylage, whereas material that is conserved with lower amounts of moisture is considered hay. This chapter also describes about stage of growth and its effect on composition and yield of nutrients in hay, chemical changes in hay drying, loss of nutrients in hay due to leaching, and making of quality hay. Making of quality hay includes harvesting at the proper stage of maturity, field handling, bailing hay and preserving moist hay. Field handling of hay includes sources of loss, mowing and mechanical conditioning and chemical conditioners. Haylage is defined as any crop ensiled at approximately 40% to 50% moisture. The most distinguishing characteristic of haylage compared with silage is its moisture content. This chapter also describes about the moisture content of haylage, chop length, additives, storage, and choice of crops. The processing of forage crops to attain a maximum of 40% to 50% moisture is defined as wilting. The material must be chopped finely enough to pack well in the silo or bunker so that oxygen is excluded and fermentation occurs properly. Several types of products can be added to aid the ensiling process. Silos should be filled as rapidly as possible to exclude air and avoid spoilage. Crops which are desirable for haylage making are numerous. However, a few which are commonly used include alfalfa, clover, oats, wheat, barley, and several grasses.
Consumption of diets high in fat and/or sucrose enhances the locomotor stimulatory effects of cocaine in male and female C57Bl/6J mice (848.7)

Drug abuse and obesity are serious public health problems. Dopamine systems play a central role in mediating the reinforcing effects of drugs and food, and the prolonged use of drugs or consumption...
Transcription Factor Movement Through Plasmadesmata

This chapter contains sections titled: * Introduction * Plant TFs * Evidence for cell-to-cell trafficking of TFs * Plant TFs that traffic cell to cell * Long-distance signaling by TFs, TF mRNAs and miRNAs * Mechanisms of TF movement * Perspectives * Acknowledgements
A CMOS VLSI implementation of an N/spl times/N multiplexing circuitry for ATM applications

A non internal blocking ATM packet switching network using CMOS technology has been developed for an N/spl times/N switch. A multiplexing circuitry with 32 inputs was designed and implemented using simple logic gates. The development has utilized an interconnection network of 1/spl times/32 parallel expander circuits. The control unit consisting of serial shift registers and latches to keep the destination path open for the length of the packet, were designed using MAGIC software and simulated by IRSIM. As low as 5 ns delay was estimated by the 1/spl times/32 expander circuit, while the clock generated by the combinational circuit for latching showed a delay of 190 ns. The system has been fabricated using MOSIS services, and as minimum of 5 ns delay was measured between the input and output nodes of the switching circuit.
Replication of the Moloney Murine Sarcoma-Leukemia Virus in XC Cells

Abstract The XC rat cell line was found to support the replication of a strain of the Moloney murine sarcoma-leukemia virus. In growth curve experiments cytopathology was paralleled by the production of murine sarcoma virus and leukemia virus progeny having the biologic, antigenic, and biophysical properties of the infecting virus.
Vertical Cells Driven by Vortices - A Possible Mechanism for the Preconditioning of Open-Ocean Deep Convection

Abstract The occurrence of open-ocean deep convection requires a background cyclonic circulation and a preconditioning. Both conditions reduce the stratification of the water column within the cyclonic gyre, which will then become eligible for convection if the surface forcing is sufficiently intense. Therefore, for open-ocean deep convection the generation of vertical cells inside the vortex by any mechanism (not necessary by pure thermodynamical processes) is ultimately important. There are two dynamical mechanisms for inducing vertical cells inside a stably stratified vortex: baroclinic and centrifugal instabilities. The combination of the two is called symmetric instability. In order to verify the importance of symmetric instability on the generation of vertical cells inside the vortex, a tangential velocity field with Gaussian distribution in both radial and vertical under stable stratification is taken as a mean flow field. The disturbances produced from this mean flow are assumed to be two dimensional (no azimuthal dependency) and described by a strcamfunction in the radial-vertical sections. This streamfunction satisfies a second-order partial differential equation. The numerical solutions show the generation of vertical cells inside the vortex. The strength and structure of these cells largely depend on the four parameters: Burger number Bu=(NH/fR)2, Rossby number Ro = V/fR, barotropic index mr, and baroclinic index mr. The larger the values of Ro, mr, and mz, or the smaller the value of Bu (weaker stratification for a given size of vortex), the stronger the vertical circulation. The time rate change of density (density redistribution) generated by a vortex and horizontally averaged inside the vortex, indicates the decrease of density in the lower part of the vortex, and the increase of density in the upper part of the vortex. This process, on the time scale of weeks, decreases the static stability and serves as one contributor to preconditioning for the open ocean deep convection.
Using a roommate preference survey for students living on an engineering dorm floor

Arizona State University is primarily a commuter school and many of its students work. These factors contribute to a serious problem of retention for the University and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In an effort to increase retention rates and to improve student life, three years ago an engineering dorm floor was designated and advertised to incoming engineering students. During the first two years only a small number of engineering students were attracted to this style of living. Roommate assignments were done by chance. Last year in an effort to improve the process, an interest and preference survey was developed for potential dormitory residents in an effort to increase the quality of roommate pairing. An unexpected result of the use of the survey was that three times as many students requested clustered engineering housing and completed the survey. The roommate survey is described and anecdotes from students given. Some results of a survey of the student satisfaction with the engineering cluster housing program are also presented. Minor changes to the survey are discussed and difficulties with the process and their solution are also addressed.
Treatment of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus With Metformin

Background: Metformin alleviates hyperglycemia of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) by inhibiting hepatic glucose production and improving peripheral insulin sensitivity. In contrast to sulfonylureas, metformin does not stimulate insulin secretion, promote weight gain, exacerbate hyperinsulinemia, or cause hypoglycemia. It also favorably affects serum lipids. Methods: A comprehensive review of the medical literature from 1968 to the present was conducted using the key words “metformin” and “non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.” Results: Metformin monotherapy was superior to placebo and comparable to sulfonylureas in reducing fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with NIDDM uncontrolled by diet. Metformin and sulfonylureas, however, had diverse effects on body weight and fasting plasma insulin levels; both weight and insulin levels remained unchanged or decreased with metformin and increased with sulfonylureas. In patients with secondary sulfonylurea failure, the combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea synergistically improved glycemic control better than either drug alone and was comparable to insulin plus sulfonylurea. When hyperglycemia is uncontrolled by insulin after secondary sulfonylurea failure, limited data suggest the efficacy of metformin plus insulin. The mild, transient, self-limited gastrointestinal side effects that sometimes occur can be minimized by gradually increasing the doses and by taking metformin with food. Risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is low if prescribing guidelines are adhered to. Potential adverse drug interactions include hypoglycemia during concurrent sulfonylurea therapy and elevated metformin plasma concentrations when metformin is taken concomitantly with cimetidine. Conclusions: Metformin can be used safely and effectively as first-line monotherapy in NIDDM or in combination with a sulfonylurea when monotherapy with either agent fails. It can be particularly suitable when weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hypoglycemia are clinically important issues.
A study of spermatozoan defects in wild-type and T:t-bearing mice.

A comparative light and electron microscopic study was done on cauda epididymal spermatozoa from + /tx, T/ +, T/tx, C57BL/6J, BALB/c and randomly breeding Swiss Albino mice. The results show that all of the males contain abnormal spermatozoa and that all contain the same types of defective gametes. No unique defect was found which can be correlated with the increased transmission frequency of the tx-bearing allele.
David Scheffer's “Genocide and Atrocity Crimes”: A Response

I have to be honest: it was with some degree of reluctance that I agreed to GSP’s invitation to offer a commentary on David Scheffer’s paper. Not only has my involvement in genocide studies been explicitly on the academic, rather than hands-on activist or, for that matter, legal side, but also I have made abundantly clear in recent years that I do not find a real basis for genocide prevention either in Lemkinesque assumptions as to the development of strengthened juridical instruments aimed at buttressing existing international law or in military intervention against violators.1 Genocide, in my view, has always been, to greater or lesser degrees, far too inextricably bound up with the conflicts and tensions of the broader international political economy ever to be isolatable to the circumstances—however singular—of any specific state. Nor do I believe it to be a phenomenon wholly treatable—and hence curable—in its own right, without respect, that is, to a wider and more holistic epidemiology of violence in the modern world. This is not to say that I consider that genocide can simply be subsumed within wider categories of violence; indeed, one of the most peculiar, if not bewildering, aspects of the phenomenon is the degree to which it defies most conventional, including social-scientific, analyses as to its origins and nature.2 Even standard notions that genocide involves a straightforward bipolarity between one group of actors carrying out the violence and a second group who are its defenseless victims, while it may have salience on some occasions, I find increasingly wanting, on a variety of levels, with reference to many of the contemporary instances referred to as "genocide" today. Prevention of genocide, if we are to arrive there at all, thus requires, in my reckoning, not only a much broader engagement with the systemic sources of conflict in the contemporary world but a paradigmatic shift in our approach to the fundaments of human life on this planet.
Sonar images hydrothermal vents in seafloor observatory

[1] Hydrothermal plumes venting from black smokers and diffuse flow discharging from the surrounding area of the seafloor are important as agents of transfer of heat, chemicals, and biological material from the crust into the ocean in quantitatively significant amounts [Elderfield and Schultz, 1996]. An unprecedented time series of three-dimensional (3-D) volume images of plumes rising tens of meters from black smoker vents and of concurrent 2-D maps of diffuse flow discharging from surrounding areas of the seafloor illuminates the turbulent behavior of hydrothermal fluid transfer into the ocean (seeFigure 1).
Immunochemical Analysis of the Monoclonal Paraprotein in Scleromyxedema

The monoclonal paraprotein from a typical case of scleromyxedema was isolated and characterized. The isolated paraprotein was of the IgG-lambda class, with a molecular weight of approximately 110,000 daltons compared with 160,000 daltons for normal IgG. Immunochemical studies indicated that the paraprotein was an incomplete IgG molecule which was missing a significant antigenic portion of the Fd fragment. The monoclonal paraprotein from a typical case of scleromyxedema was isolated and characterized. The isolated paraprotein was of the IgG-lambda class, with a molecular weight of approximately 110,000 daltons compared with 160,000 daltons for normal IgG. Immunochemical studies indicated that the paraprotein was an incomplete IgG molecule which was missing a significant antigenic portion of the Fd fragment.
On the possible utilization of Camelops by early man in North America

Camelops was a major faunal element in late Wisconsin biotic communities over much of North America. Interpretations of possible human association with Camelops are often based on poorly evaluated evidence. Ideal standards for acceptable evidence are compared here to the actual evidence that has been advanced. Of 25 fossil assemblages examined, 2 might be examples only of geological contemporaneity of humans and Camelops; 2 might indicate behavioral association of humans and Camelops bones; and 2 might indicate actual human utilization of Camelops (killing and/or butchering). Camelops bones interpreted as artifacts are similar to modern specimens affected by noncultural processes.
Desolvation-induced non-linearity in the analysis of bromine using an ultrasonic nebulizer with membrane desolvation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Ultrasonic nebulization coupled with a membrane desolvator is used for the introduction of bromine containing samples in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Severe non-linearity (R2 = 0.9317) is observed when ammonium bromide (NH4Br, 0–100 ng mL−1) solution is nebulized, suggesting the loss of bromide ions at the desolvation stage. It is proposed that the primary reason for this phenomenon is the formation of gaseous HBr and its subsequent removal in the desolvation unit. In order to preserve the linearity in the calibration curve, excess NaCl (1 μg mL−1 of Na) is added to the solutions, resulting in a perfectly linear (R2 = 0.9999) calibration curve. However, in the presence of a strong acid (2% HNO3), no significant improvement in the linearity is observed with the addition of NaCl. Bromine signal enhancement and improved linearity are also observed when 1 μg mL−1 of Na is added to KBr solutions. Also, addition of 2% HNO3 to KBr solutions results in signal suppression through the formation of HBr.
Culture and identity in literature of the South Pacific

ABSTRACT: This paper offers an interpretation of fiction written by South Pacific writers Albert Wendt and Witi Ihimaera. Wendt and Ihimaera depict in their literature South Pacific islanders living separated from their past and its traditions, and therefore living separated from their own identities. Both writers create characters who struggle to find meaning in the context of an island microcosm that is made emblematic of the human condition. The resolution of the individual's quest for identity and meaning is shown to lie in an integration of the past with the present through the connections individuals are able to make to the lives of their fathers.
Assessment of branching in polymers from small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS): SAXS from model comb-branched polystyrenes

Abstract Comb-branched polystyrenes having both fixed backbone length and number of branches but variable branch lengths were prepared anionically. Small angle X-ray scattering of the model polystyrenes from methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solutions at 25°C was examined and it is shown that the mass per unit length and cross-sectional radius of gyration increase with increasing branch length. A maximum appears in the Kratky plot for the branched polymers. While the linear polymer displays an essentially Gaussian segment distribution in solution, the branched polymers deviate considerably from the behaviour of the linear polymer under the same conditions.
Demonstration of the presence of a female sex pheromone in the cotton leaf perforator.

The existence of a female sex attractant or pheromone In Bucculatrix thurberiella Busck was demonstrated using “Y” and “swastika” type olfactometers. The males performed the typical mating “dance” when exposed to the virgin females in the olfactometer. The attractancy of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 females, as pheromone source or excitant, did not significantly vary in either type of apparatus. Attraction of 100% was not attained in the 2 olfactometers. The peak mating activities or presumably pheromone release occurred between 5 and 8 PM, as recorded by a clock-operated turntable. A smaller peak activity occurred between 1 and 2 AM, and thereafter the number of moths attracted decreased until no moths were caught at 12 M.
Distonic Isomers and Tautomers of the Adenine Cation Radical in the Gas Phase and Aqueous Solution

The gas-phase protonation of adenine is predicted to occur preferentially at N 1 , N 3 , and N 7 , which have the highest proton affinities PA = 939, 932, and 904 kJ mol - 1 , respectively, as calculated by coupled-cluster abinitio theory and combined density functional and Moller-Plesset theory, B3-MP2, with the 6-311++G-(3df,2p) basis set. The collisionally activated dissociation of protonated adenine tautomers at kiloelectronvolt energies in the gas phase proceeds by the loss of a hydrogen atom, which is accompanied by substantial hydrogen migration in the dissociating ion. The product is the adenine cation-radical (1 + .), which is the most stable C 5 H 5 N 5 + . isomer. The adiabatic and vertical ionization energies of adenine have been calculated to be 8.28 and 8.43 eV, respectively, in excellent agreement with previous photoionization and photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Structures and relative energies of several isomers of 1 + . (e.g., three imine tautomers and six distonic ions) have been obtained computationally. The imine tautomers are 16-79 kJ mol - 1 less stable than 1 + . at 0 K in the gas phase. The distonic ions, in which a hydrogen atom has been shifted from C 2 or C 8 to N 1 , N 3 , or N 7 , are 51-142 kJ mol - 1 less stable than 1 + .. Dissociations of protonated adenine tautomers by the loss of H require threshold energies in the range of 381-415 kJ mol - 1 and proceed at or close to the thermochemical thresholds. The energy differences between 1 + . and its isomers are diminished to ΔG 2 9 8 (w) = 14-121 kJ mol - 1 in the polar dielectric corresponding to aqueous solution. However, 1 + . remains the most stable isomer in water. H 9 and the protons of the amino group are calculated to be the most acidic protons in 1 + . (pK a = 3.2-3.3). The deprotonation of the amino group in the ionized adenine moiety in DNA is expected to produce a highly reactive radical that is able to abstract a hydrogen atom from thymine and amino acid residues exothermically.
The kantor doubling process revisited

A follow-up on the authors′ earlier discussion on the Kantor construction of Jordan superalgebras is presented. A short axiom, required in characteristic 3 but omitted in the original treatise, is added to those of a Jordan superbracket. A particular case of the Kantor construc¬tion is the Jordan superalgebra of Poisson Brackets. Jordan folklore describes this superalgebra in Clifford terms, but we show this description does not even yield a Jordan superalgebra. An amended Clifford description of the Poisson superalgebra is given which does represent the superalgebra of Poisson brackets.
The maximum reliability location problem and xa-reliable r-center problem: derivatives of the probabilistic location set covering problem

In the last several years, the modeling of emergency vehicle location has focussed on the temporal availability of the vehicles. Vehicles are not available for service when they are engaged in earlier calls. To incorporate this dynamic aspect into facility location decisions, models have been developed which provide additional levels of coverage. In this paper, two new models are derived from the probabilistic location set covering problem. These models allow the examination of the relationships between the number of facilities being located, the reliability that a vehicle will be available, and a coverage standard. In addition, these models incorporate sectoral specific estimates of the availability of the vehicles. Solution of these models reveals that the use of sectoral estimates leads to facility locations which are distributed to a greater spatial extent over the region to be serviced.
Improved Acid, Flavor and Volatile Compound Production in a High Protein and Fiber Soymilk Yogurt‐like Product

The effects of added caseinate (CAS), casein hydrolyzate (CASHY) and whey protein hydrolyzate (WPHY) on acid, flavor and volatile compound production in a high protein and fiber soymilk yogurt-like product were studied. High protein and fiber soymilk, produced by blending soaked, boiled and dehulled soybeans with Swiss cheese whey ultrafiltration permeate, was fermented with a mixed S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus yogurt culture. The concentrations of lactic acid, key volatile compounds, i.e., acetaldehyde, acetone, and diacetyl, and the flavor and texture of the resulting soymilk based yogurt formulated with added CAS or CASHY were comparable to those in a milk yogurt control.
From the shoulders of a giant: perspectives on the legacy of William White Howells (1908-2005).

William White Howells was one of the intellectual giants of the discipline of biological anthropology during the twentieth century. He was a devoted student of Earnest A. Hooton; yet he played a central role in directing the discipline away from the typological thinking that infused the work of his predecessor, and toward the population perspective that characterizes the field today. An original and productive scholar with diverse interests, his influence was extraordinary not merely because of his brilliance, but also because of the kind of mentor he was. Almost two dozen graduate students, and countless others with whom he interacted in various capacities, have carried Howells' legacy into the twenty-first century. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 51:118–126, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamical model for neck formation in the entrance channel of a heavy ion collision

The formation of the neck in the entrance channel is studied using a classical dynamical model. The dependence of neck radius on bombarding energy, mass or charge and angular momentum is discussed.
Probabilistic analysis of reinforced concrete columns

Abstract The subject of this work is the probabilistic finite element analysis of reinforced concrete columns. Concrete properties are represented as homogeneous Gaussian random fields. The yield stress and position of steel reinforcement, dimensions of the column cross-section and axial load are considered as random variables. The Monte Carlo method is employed to obtain expected values and standard deviations of the rupture load. The partial safety factors method is used for columns design and structural safety is evaluated by means of the reliability index, which is obtained through simulations. The effects of main parameters on the reliability index are investigated. It is shown that the correlation length of random fields for concrete properties may have a significant effect on reliability. Therefore, simplified procedures, which do not consider spatial variations of concrete properties are inappropriate for safety analysis.
Stereoselective genetically-determined interaction between chronic flecainide and quinidine in patients with arrhythmias.

1. Recent reports have indicated a role for the P450IID6 polymorphism in the stereoselective disposition of single doses of the antiarrhythmic flecainide. 2. In this study, we evaluated the effects of adding low dose quinidine, a potent inhibitor of P450IID6, to chronic flecainide therapy in patients with arrhythmias. 3. In five extensive metabolizer patients, quinidine significantly reduced the clearance of R-(-)-flecainide, from 395 +/- 121 (s.d.) to 335 +/- 88 ml min-1. This change was attributable to a decrease in metabolic clearance, was accompanied by decreased formation of the two major metabolites of flecainide and was not observed in a poor metabolizer subject. The renal clearance of R-(-)-flecainide rose significantly. 4. Quinidine did not alter the clearance of S-(+)-flecainide. 5. The pharmacologic effects of flecainide therapy (QRS widening, % arrhythmia suppression) were slightly, but not significantly, increased. 6. In extensive metabolizer patients receiving chronic flecainide, increased plasma concentrations will develop if P450IID6 is inhibited.
The effect of low dose rate on metabolomic response to radiation in mice

Metabolomics has been shown to have utility in assessing responses to exposure by ionizing radiation (IR) in easily accessible biofluids such as urine. Most studies to date from our laboratory and others have employed γ-irradiation at relatively high dose rates (HDR), but many environmental exposure scenarios will probably be at relatively low dose rates (LDR). There are well-documented differences in the biologic responses to LDR compared to HDR, so an important question is to assess LDR effects at the metabolomics level. Our study took advantage of a modern mass spectrometry approach in exploring the effects of dose rate on the urinary excretion levels of metabolites 2 days after IR in mice. A wide variety of statistical tools were employed to further focus on metabolites, which showed responses to LDR IR exposure (0.00309 Gy/min) distinguishable from those of HDR. From a total of 709 detected spectral features, more than 100 were determined to be statistically significant when comparing urine from mice irradiated with 1.1 or 4.45 Gy to that of sham-irradiated mice 2 days post-exposure. The results of this study show that LDR and HDR exposures perturb many of the same pathways such as TCA cycle and fatty acid metabolism, which also have been implicated in our previous IR studies. However, it is important to note that dose rate did affect the levels of particular metabolites. Differences in urinary excretion levels of such metabolites could potentially be used to assess an individual's exposure in a radiobiological event and thus would have utility for both triage and injury assessment.
Polymorphism in heat shock protein gene (hsp70) in entomopathogenic nematodes (rhabditida)

Abstract 1. 1. All organisms tested respond to a sudden increase of temperature by synthesizing heat-shock proteins, which helps organisms to survive high temperature. A correlation with increased thermotolerance and production of major 70 kDa protein has been observed in many organisms. 2. 2. Many studies have been designed on a large number of animal species to assess their adaptation to different thermal environments. Genetic analysis of the hsp 70 gene in entomopathogenic nematodes inhabiting different environments may provide insight into the physiological roles of hsps in these nematodes and could be useful for ecological studies. 3. 3. To assess variation among species of entomopathogenic nematodes for thermotolerance, we initiated a search for the molecular organization of heat-inducible hsp 70 genes in these nematodes. Five Heterorhabditis species/isolates with different temperature optima for survival and one warm-adapted species of Steinernema were tested 4. 4. PCR and RFLP analyses of hsp 70 in Heterorhabditis species and S. scapterisci demonstrated a putative homology with the Caenorhabditis elegans hsp 70 A gene, thus indicating evolutionary conserved nature among different nematode species. 5. 5. RFLPs with the hsp 70 A gene probe revealed different banding patterns for Heterorhabditis species and isolates. 6. 6. This is the first report on the identification of any hsp 70 gene in entomopathogenic nematodes. 7. 7. Our observation establishes a unique correlation between geographical distribution and polymorphisms for hsp 70 A gene in these nematodes.
Development of an experimentally flexible facility for mixing-combustion interactions in supersonic flow

A new experimental facility has been designed, built and calibrated to support research topics involving supersonic mixing and combustion and will be used to investigate: (1) molecular level mixing; (2) mixing-combustion coupling effects for gaseous and liquid fuels; and (3) atomization, droplet break-up, mixing, and combustion of high-energy/high-density slurry fuels in a supersonic airstream. The facility simulates flight enthalpies corresponding to altitudes between 26 and 36 km and flight Mach numbers up to 4.75. The major features of this facility are the geometric flexibility of the test section configuration, of the fuel injection, and of the experimental conditions, enabling the investigation of a broad range of topics. Parallel and transverse injection, independently controlled in four regions, is available. The construction of the test section is modular and the entrance Mach numbers can be varied between 1.6 and 3.6. An experimental program to define the test flow at the entrance of the facility`s test section is presented with emphasis on the test section entrance temperature distribution and calibration. Selected research topics currently being investigated are summarized to highlight the usefulness of the present facility.
The Influence of Oral Corticosteroids or Declining Allergen Exposure on Serologic Allergy Test Results

— Twenty-seven proven atopic dogs had a serologic allergy test performed on the day of skin testing and again after either a 21-day course of corticosteroid treatment or 60 days without therapy during which time exposure to botanical aeroallergens was reduced or absent. There was no statistical difference in preand post-corticosteriod treatment results. There were significantly more positive scores recorded in the 60-day follow-up samples in the untreated dogs. Resume— Vingt-sept chiens ayant une atopie prouvee ont subi des tests serologiques d'allergie avant et 21 jours apres une corticotherapie ou 60 jours sans traitement et sans exposition pollinique. Il n'y avait pas de difference statistiquement significative avant et apres le traitement corticoide. Il y avait beaucoup plus de resultats positifs a 60 jours chez les animaux ne subissant aucun traitement. Zusammenfassung— Bei 27 Hunden mit nachgewiesener Atopie wurde ein serologischer Allergietest am selben Tab wie der Hauttest und erneut entweder nach 21-tagiger Kortikosteroidbehandlung oder nach 60 Tagen ohne Therapie durchgefuhrt. Bei der zweiten Gruppe wurde die Exposition gegenuber pflanzlichen Aeroallergenen reduziert oder fehlte. Es gab keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied bei den Ergebnissen vor und nach Korikosteroidtherapie. Es trat eine statistch signifikant hohere Zahl positiver Reaktionen in den Proben der nicht behandeltentiere nach 60 Tagen aug. Resumen Veinti-siete perros en los que se habia diagnosticado previamente atopia, se hizo un test serologico de alergia simultaneamente con tests de inyecciones intradermicas durante el mismo dia, volviendose a repetir a los 21 dias despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides, o despues de 60 dias sin ningun tipo de medicacion, durante en cual exposicion a aero-alergenos botanicos fue minima o inexistente. No se observo diferencia de tipo estadistico en animales antes o despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides. En los animales que no recibieron medicacion, despues de 60 dias se observo un aumento significativo de respuestas positivas.
Esophageal motor function in Graves' disease

Esophageal motor function was studied in 10 patients with untreated Graves' disease and 15 healthy volunteers who served as controls. A noncompliant recording system with a triple-lumen assembly was used. Resting upper- and lower-esophageal-sphincter pressures, amplitude, duration, and velocity of peristaltic contractions in the body of the esophagus, and the number of repetitive and simultaneous contractions were measured. There was no significant difference in peristaltic amplitude and duration between the controls and the patients with Graves' disease. However, there was a significant increase in velocity of contractions in Graves' disease as compared with controls. On restudy of 5 patients who became euthyroid after treatment with131I, all the measured parameters were unchanged except for velcity of the peristaltic contractions. The value for this measurement decreased essentially to the same as that found in the control subjects. It is conclueded that: (1) thyrotoxicosis increases the propagation velocity of esophageal contraction, and (2) thyroid hormones may play a physiologic role in the control of esophageal motor function.
Rules for design of nuclear graphite core components — Some considerations and approaches☆

Abstract The use of graphite as a structural element presents unusual problems both for the designer and stress analyst. When the structure happens to be a nuclear reactor core, these problems are significantly magnified both by the environment and the attendant safety requirements. In the high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) core a large number of elements are constructed of nuclear graphite. This paper discusses the attendant difficulties, and presents some approaches, for ASME code safety-consistent design and analysis. The statistical scatter of material properties, which complicates even the definitions of allowable stress, as well as the brittle, anisotropic, inhomogeneous nature of the graphite was considered. The study of this subject was undertaken under contract to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Breaking the isotropy of amorphous silicon-germanium alloys: Graded-bandgap and sawtooth superlattice structures

Abstract The electron and hole transport in bandgap-engineered amorphous silicon/germanium alloys (a-Si,Ge:H,F) is studied using steady-state conductivity, time-of-flight and the voltage-bias dependence of the photocurrent. We investigate graded-bandgap structures and sawtooth multilayers. We find that in graded-bandgap structures the mobility-lifetime (μτ) products for both electron and holes show strong asymmetry in the direction of the compositional grading. We report for the first time on the optoelectronic properties of a-Si:H,F/a-Si,Ge:H,F sawtooth superlattices.
Pooling operators with the marginalization property

In this paper, we consider the problem of combining a number of opinions which have been expressed as probability measures P1, …, Pn, over some space. It is shown that a pooling formula which has the marginalization property of McConway (1981) must be of the form T = Σni=1WiPi + (1 - Σni =1Wi)Q, where Q is an arbitrary measure and W1, …, Wn ϵ [—1,1] are weights such that| ΣJ Σ jwj | ≤ 1 for every subset J of {1, …, n}. If, in addition, T is required to preserve the independence of arbitrary events A and B whenever these events are independent under each Pi, then either T = Pi for some 1 ≤ i ≤ n or T = Q, in which case Q takes values in {0, l}.
Variations of total solar irradiance produced by structural changes of the solar interior

In recent years, a lively controversy has existed regarding the sources contributing to variations of the total solar irradiance (TSI) on time scales of the magnetic activity cycle or longer. On one side are those who claim that the TSI variations can be explained entirely as a consequence of surface magnetic features (sunspots, faculae, and magnetic network). On the other side, a number of researchers claim that variations of the solar luminosity emerging from the solar interior, as a consequence of structural readjustments caused by the changing internal (dynamo) magnetic field, are important; and that indeed, they may dominate on those longer time scales.The case for the first viewpoint has been recently made in Eos [Foukal, 2003]; the case for the second viewpoint is presented in this article.
The pathophysiology of pneumococcal meningitis.

The interactions between pneumoccocal surface components and host defence systems that initiate pneumoccocal meningitis have been studied in considerable molecular detail over the past decade. In this sense, the pneumococcus has served as a prototype for the unravelling of the genesis of inflammation caused by gram-positive bacteria. This review outlines the progression of these early events involving the cytokine cascade, the coagulation cascade, and leukocyte migration, and relates these processes to the production of blood-brain barrier permeability, the hallmark of injury in meningitis. This new understanding has radically altered the therapy of disease with the promise of greatly improved outcome.
Advances in the Orthopedic Management of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The long-established study of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has opened a realm of scientific research surrounding connective tissue disorders. Over the past decade alone there have been vast advancements in the understanding of the underlying genetic variations of this disease, pharmacologic treatments, and the technological and surgical options for fracture deformity. It is important to appreciate the progressive nature of the advances concerning OI. This article aims to synthesize the expanding evolution of the field surrounding OI over the past decade.
DRAMATIC SWITCHING OF MAGNETIC EXCHANGE IN A CLASSIC TRANSITION METAL OXIDE : EVIDENCE FOR ORBITAL ORDERING

Spin correlations in metallic and insulating phases of V2O3 and its derivatives are investigated using magnetic neutron scattering. Metallic samples have incommensurate spin correlations varying little with hole doping. Paramagnetic insulating samples have, spin correlations only among near neighbors. The transition from either of these phases into the low temperature insulating antiferromagnetic phase is accompanied by an abrupt change of dynamic magnetic short range, order. Our results support the idea that the transition into the antiferromagnetic insulator is also an orbital ordering transition.
Measuring hypervelocity impact velocity from micrometeoroid crater geometry

Summary Guided by half-space computer simulations showing hypervelocity impact crater formation for an iron particle impacting an aluminum target and characteristic crater geometry changes with impact velocity over the range 8–40 km s −1 , we examined normal surface crater views and cross-sectional views through craters (>0.5 mm diameter) from samples retrieved from the NASA LDEF satellite and examined in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). While geometrical features suggested in the computer simulations were indeed observed for micrometeoroid craters in 6061-T6 aluminum targets and 303 stainless steel targets, there was no consistent estimate for impact velocities in any of the experimental samples, and velocity estimates based on measuring ratios of ejecta width/crater diameter and ejecta height/crater depth as well as ejecta height/crater diameter varied from 8 to 42 km s −1 ; over the same range simulated. These results point to the need to create reference data from actual hypervelocity impact experiments in the laboratory, and systematic observation of residual crater geometries in the SEM. These experiments also demonstrate the uncertainty in assuming a fixed impact velocity for all impact craters in space materials as well as an apparent futility in attempting to correlate impacting particle velocity with post-mortem characteristics of a given crater.