cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An alkali-burn injury model of corneal neovascularization in the mouse.

Under normal conditions, the cornea is avascular, and this transparency is essential for maintaining good visual acuity. Neovascularization (NV) of the cornea, which can be caused by trauma, keratoplasty or infectious disease, breaks down the so called ‘angiogenic privilege' of the cornea and forms the basis of multiple visual pathologies that may even lead to blindness. Although there are several treatment options available, the fundamental medical need presented by corneal neovascular pathologies remains unmet. In order to develop safe, effective, and targeted therapies, a reliable model of corneal NV and pharmacological intervention is required. Here, we describe an alkali-burn injury corneal neovascularization model in the mouse. This protocol provides a method for the application of a controlled alkali-burn injury to the cornea, administration of a pharmacological compound of interest, and visualization of the result. This method could prove instrumental for studying the mechanisms and opportunities for intervention in corneal NV and other neovascular disorders.
Beneficial Effects of Hydron Burn Dressing on Scar Contracture and Wound Healing Following Deep Partial-Thickness Burn Injury

This study was designed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of Hydron. a synthetic hum dressing, on scar contracture and wound healing following deep partial-thickness burns. Standard deep partial-thickness burn injuries were produced by an aluminum template on both sides of guinea pigs' ba
Applications of a Fast Computational Method for Telford's Theory of Cloud Droplet Coalescence Growth.

Abstract A fast computational method for evaluating Telford's simplified stochastic model of the coalescence process of cloud droplet growth is shown to be useful for approximating the spectrum development in the early stages of precipitation, particularly for cases of narrow droplet size spectra. The method uses a saddle-point integration of the Laplace transform of the growth probability function, and turns out to be at least two orders of magnitude faster than the usual kinetic equation computations. Simple, rough approximations for large and small time intervals are developed. Instead of setting the collection efficiency E = 1 as in Telford (1955), realistic formulas for E taken from the Scott-Chen (1970) formula, the Neiburger-Lee-Lobl-Rodriguez (Lee, 1975) formula, or a Lagrange interpolation to fit the Davis-Sartor and Schafrir-Neiburger theories are used, yielding considerably different conclusions from those of Telford. Davies' and Beard and Pruppacher's terminal velocity formulas were both used,...
Transcriptome analysis of proton pump inhibitor–responsive esophageal eosinophilia reveals proton pump inhibitor–reversible allergic inflammation

Background Esophageal eosinophilia can be proton pump inhibitor (PPI) resistant or responsive, representing 2 entities known as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and PPI-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), respectively. Although they present with similar clinical features, EoE is accepted to be an antigen-driven, TH2-associated allergic disorder, whereas the cause of PPI-REE remains a mystery. Objective In this study, our aim was to investigate the pathogenesis of PPI-REE by using a recently described EoE diagnostic panel (EDP) composed of a set of 94 esophageal transcripts and to determine whether PPI therapy reverses any esophageal transcriptional abnormalities. Methods We evaluated the EDP signature in biopsy samples obtained from adult and pediatric patients with PPI-REE from 4 institutions and compared the pre- and post-PPI therapy expression profiles of these subjects with those of patients with active EoE. Results The EDP differentiated patients with EoE from control subjects with 100% accuracy among the 4 clinical sites. Bioinformatics analysis revealed largely overlapping transcriptomes between patients with PPI-REE and those with EoE, including the genes for eosinophil chemotaxis (eotaxin 3, CCL26), barrier molecules (desmoglein 1, DSG1), tissue remodeling (periostin, POSTN), and mast cells (carboxypeptidase A, CPA3). PPI monotherapy alone almost completely reversed the allergic inflammatory transcriptome of patients with PPI-REE. Furthermore, we identified a set of candidate genes to differentiate patients with EoE from those with PPI-REE before treatment. Conclusion These findings provide definitive evidence that PPI-REE is a disease entity with significant molecular overlap with EoE, suggesting that many patients with PPI-REE represent a continuum of the same pathogenic allergic mechanisms that underlie EoE and thus might constitute a subphenotype of patients with EoE. The ability of PPI therapy to nearly entirely reverse gene expression associated with PPI-REE, particularly that associated with classic features of allergic inflammation, provides new insight into potential disease etiology and management strategies for patients with significant esophageal eosinophilia.
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF CARDIAC GAP JUNCTIONS CAN AFFECT ACCESS RESISTANCE

In the heart, gap junctions electrically couple myocytes together. Electron- and light-microscope-based analyses have revealed that cardiac gap junctions show a variety of organizational patterns. At the level of gap-junctional channel aggregates, freeze fracture has demonstrated diverse channel packing arrangements in the membranes of different myocardial tissues. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies have shown variation and specialization in the 3-dimensional spatial distribution of gap junctional contacts between different types of myocardial cells. Here, we estimate the access resistance of various configurations of gap junctions using physical principles and explore how certain of these specializations in gap-junctional organization may influence access resistance, a potentially important determinant of electrical conductance between coupled myocardial cells. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Wavelet analysis in virtual colonoscopy

The computed tomographic colonography (CTC) computer aided detection (CAD) program is a new method in development to detect colon polyps in virtual colonoscopy. While high sensitivity is consistently achieved, additional features are desired to increase specificity. In this paper, a wavelet analysis was applied to CTCCAD outputs in an attempt to filter out false positive detections. 52 CTCCAD detection images were obtained using a screen capture application. 26 of these images were real polyps, confirmed by optical colonoscopy and 26 were false positive detections. A discrete wavelet transform of each image was computed with the MATLAB wavelet toolbox using the Haar wavelet at levels 1-5 in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. From the resulting wavelet coefficients at levels 1-3 for all directions, a 72 feature vector was obtained for each image, consisting of descriptive statistics such as mean, variance, skew, and kurtosis at each level and orientation, as well as error statistics based on a linear predictor of neighboring wavelet coefficients. The vectors for each of the 52 images were then run through a support vector machine (SVM) classifier using ten-fold cross-validation training to determine its efficiency in distinguishing polyps from false positives. The SVM results showed 100% sensitivity and 51% specificity in correctly identifying the status of detections. If this technique were added to the filtering process of the CTCCAD polyp detection scheme, the number of false positive results could be reduced significantly.
Kinetics of the HDN of Quinoline under Vapor-Phase Conditions

Four extended runs, employing a CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst or a NiMoP/Al2O3 catalyst, were made with quinoline or decahydroquinoline as the feed to determine the kinetics of the vapor-phase hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of quinoline at 613 K and 3.4 MPa. The data indicated appreciable inhibition of HDN by N-containing intermediates. Langmuir−Hinshelwood rate equations of the HDN network were used to fit the experimental data. It was necessary, first, to subdivide the network into smaller groups of certain species to obtain reasonable parameter values, which were then employed as estimates in the complete network. Three different types of active sites were required to achieve satisfactory fits to the data. It was found that an additional reaction path was also needed in the case of the CoMo catalyst that is not included in the usual HDN network. Propylbenzene was a minor product and was formed mainly from the dehydrogenation of propylcyclohexene. The CoMo catalyst was more active than the NiMo catalyst for the HDN o...
Belonging through Land/Scape

This paper addresses racialized practices of belonging through two examples which span the period after the Civil War in central Kentucky, and which might stand for questions of race, belonging, la...
Rapid desensitization determines the pharmacology of glutamate neurotoxicity

Abstract Glutamate (Glu), the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, is toxic to neurons when it accumulates at high concentrations in the extracellular space. Even though Glu is a mixed agonist, capable of activating N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors and non-NMDA receptors, in many preparations Glu neurotoxicity is prevented by selective blockade of NMDA receptors. In cultures of hippocampal neurons, treatment with 500 μM Glu for 30 min killed more than 90% of the neurons. The simultaneous addition of the selective NMDA agonist methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5-H-dibenzocyclo-hepten-5, 10-imine (MK-801) reduced the cell loss to less than 30%. However, when Glu was combined with either diazoxide or cyclothiazide, two thiazides which dramatically diminish rapid Glu desensitization, MK-801 was no longer very protective and neuronal loss exceeded 80%. However, the non-NMDA antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), in combination with MK-801, was able to prevent most Glu neurotoxicity in the presence of these thiazides. These experiments show that there are circumstances under which Glu neurotoxicity is produced by overactivation of non-NMDA receptors. Our observations offer a possible explanation for the recent finding that blockade of non-NMDA receptors is much more beneficial than NMDA receptor blockade in protecting the brain in some in vivo models of global ischemia.
An integrated temporal partitioning and partial reconfiguration technique for design latency improvement

Partially reconfigurable processors provide the unique ability by which a part of the device can be reconfigured, while the remaining part is still operational. In this paper, we present a novel partitioning methodology that temporally partitions a design for such a partially reconfigurable processor and improves design latency by minimizing reconfiguration overhead. This is achieved by overlapping execution of one temporal partition with the reconfiguration of another, using the processors partial reconfiguration capability. We have incorporated block-processing in the partitioning framework for reducing reconfiguration overhead of partitioned designs. A highlight of our partitioner is it's ability to handle loops and conditional constructs in the input specification. The proposed methodology was tested on several examples on the Xilinx 6200 FPGA. The results show significant reduction in the design latency, leading to a considerable speed-up due to partial reconfiguration.
Radial keratotomy: a comprehensive evaluation.

A prospective clinical investigation of radial keratotomy employing the Fyodorov method and instrumentation was initiated in March, 1980. The results of the first 147 eyes undergoing this surgical procedure for the reduction or elimination of myopia were analyzed one year following surgery. The mean preoperative, uncorrected visual acuity was finger counting vision and the mean preoperative myopic spherical equivalent was 5.33 diopters. The preoperative myopic refractive error ranged from 1.75 to 11.75 diopters.
Computed tomographic documentation of a comminuted fourth carpal bone fracture associated with carpal instability treated by partial carpal arthrodesis in an Arabian filly.

Objective— To report treatment of a unilateral comminuted fourth carpal bone (C4) fracture associated with carpal instability by partial carpal arthrodesis (PCA) of the middle carpal joint (MCJ) and carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ). Study Design— Case Report. Animals— An 8-month-old Arabian filly. Methods— A C4 slab fracture was diagnosed radiographically; however, fracture comminution was conclusively diagnosed after computed tomographic (CT) imaging. PCA of the MCJ and CMCJ was performed with 2 narrow dynamic compression plates. Results— PCA provided appropriate carpal stability and correct limb alignment immediately after surgery. Complete bony fusion with substantial carpal flexion and no lameness at walk or light trot was observed 8 months after surgery. Conclusions— Carpal CT was successfully used to define fracture configuration after standard radiographic examination failed to delineate comminution. PCA was selected because of joint instability and lateral carpal collapse of MCJ and CMCJ and can be successfully used to treat comminuted C4 slab fractures associated with carpal instability. Moderate MCJ osteoarthritis without radiocarpal joint involvement allows pain-free, substantial carpal flexion and thus, return to low-level pleasure riding may be possible. Clinical Relevance— CT imaging may more adequately characterize traumatic carpal bone injury, particularly, when carpal bone fracture configuration cannot be determined on standard radiographs. Early PCA of the MCJ and CMCJ is an useful alternative to treat comminuted C4 slab fractures that cannot be reconstructed.
A qualitative and quantitative study of the oxides of aluminum and silicon using AES and XPS

Abstract Experimental AES and XPS results from powdered α-Al2O3, SiO2, Al2Si2O7·2H2O and an aluminosilicate glass are presented. The AES kinetic energy and the XPS binding energy values of core-level states and the peak shapes of X-ray induced O KLL Auger transitions are presented as qualitative reference data for the purpose of aiding in the identification of unknown aluminum oxide/silicon oxide samples. The AES peak-to-peak heights and the XPS peak areas of core-level states are presented as quantitative data and are used in the calculation of empirical relative sensitivity factor values. In addition, the sensitivity factor values are given parameters according to a single variable, f8, defined as the ratio of the volume density of the oxygen atoms to the sum of the volume densities of the aluminum and silicon atoms.
AIN-based dilute magnetic semiconductors

AlMnN and AlCrN have been synthesized by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE). Using optimized growth conditions and compositions, sccm films as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy, which also show room-temperature magnetic behavior were obtained for both materials. Chromium was found to produce greater magnetic ordering as evidenced by a higher technical saturation. The AlCrN also exhibited a higher remanent magnetization and a M versus T behavior more typical of ferromagnetism than that observed for AlMnN. These results suggest that Cr is a superior dopant for formation of AlN-based, dilute magnetic semiconductors.
A 99mTc-Labeled Triphenylphosphonium Derivative for the Early Detection of Breast Tumors

Abstract Introduction: A greater mitochondrial membrane potential in tumor cells has been shown to enhance the accumulation of triphenyl phosphonium derivatives. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize 99mTc-labeled alkyl triphenyl phosphonium (99mTc-Mito10-MAG3) for the early detection of breast tumors. Methods: Mito10-MAG3 was synthesized by coupling (10-aminodecyl)triphenyl phosphonium bromide with NHS-MAG3 and radiolabeled with 99mTc. Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of 99mTc-Mito10-MAG3 was investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Initially, 99mTc-Mito10-MAG3 was tested in animals with established breast tumors. In a subsequent longitudinal study, the imaging efficacy of 99mTc10-Mito-MAG3 for detecting small, nonpalpable breast tumors was assessed after chemically inducting breast carcinoma. Tumors detected by imaging were allowed to grow to palpable size and confirmed by histology. The results were compared with 99mTc-MIBI. Results: The synthesis of Mito10-MAG3 was confirmed ...
Salt-Dependent Folding Energy Landscape of RNA Three-Way Junction

RNAs are highly negatively charged chain molecules. Metal ions play a crucial role in RNA folding stability and conformational changes. In this work, we employ the recently developed tightly bound ion (TBI) model, which accounts for the correlation between ions and the fluctuation of ion distributions, to investigate the ion-dependent free energy landscape for the three-way RNA junction in a 16S rRNA domain. The predicted electrostatic free energy landscape suggests that 1), ion-mediated electrostatic interactions cause an ensemble of unfolded conformations narrowly populated around the maximally extended structure; and 2), Mg2+ ion-induced correlation effects help bring the helices to the folded state. Nonelectrostatic interactions, such as noncanonical interactions within the junctions and between junctions and helix stems, might further limit the conformational diversity of the unfolded state, resulting in a more ordered unfolded state than the one predicted from the electrostatic effect. Moreover, the folded state is predominantly stabilized by the coaxial stacking force. The TBI-predicted folding stability agrees well with the experimental measurements for the different Na+ and Mg2+ ion concentrations. For Mg2+ solutions, the TBI model, which accounts for the Mg2+ ion correlation effect, gives more improved predictions than the Poisson-Boltzmann theory, which tends to underestimate the role of Mg2+ in stabilizing the folded structure. Detailed control tests indicate that the dominant ion correlation effect comes from the charge-charge Coulombic correlation rather than the size (excluded volume) correlation between the ions. Furthermore, the model gives quantitative predictions for the ion size effect in the folding energy landscape and folding cooperativity.
Tetrapyrroles as π Donors: A Pd22+ Unit Sandwiched between Two Helical Bilindione–Palladium Moieties

Metalation of octaethylbilindione (H(3)OEB) with palladium(II) acetate produces the novel tetranuclear complex [Pd(4)(OEB)(2)] in which a (Pd(I)(2))(2+) unit is sandwiched between two helical Pd(OEB) units (see picture). Treatment of [Pd(4)(OEB)(2)] with pyridine/ethanol gives the odd-electron helical complex [Pd(OEB)].
Child Behavior and Quality of Life Before and After Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Objective: To determine the relationship between child behavior and quality of life before and after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy by means of a standardized assessment of child behavior, the Child Behavior Check-list (CBCL), and a validated quality-of-life survey of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, the OSA-18. Design: Before-after study. Setting: Hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice in a metropolitan area. Participants: Sixty-four children (mean [SD] age, 5.8 [3.1] years; 36 boys, 28 girls) who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for treatment of sleep-disordered breathing or recurrent tonsillitis. Intervention: Parents or caretakers completed the OSA-18 and the CBCL for ages 2 to 3 years or 4 to 18 years before surgery and 3 months postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures: The OSA-18 mean survey scores and change scores, and the CBCL total problem T scores and change in total problem T scores. Results: The mean (SD) preoperative OSA-18 score was 3.9 (1.5) and change score was 2.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-2.7). The mean total problem score was 7.3 points lower after surgery (95% confidence interval, 4.9-9.7), indicating a significant decrease (P<.001, matched t test). The preoperative CBCL total problem score was consistent with abnormal behavior for 16 children (25%), but only 5 children (8%) scored in the abnormal range postoperatively (P=.03, log-likelihood ratio test). The OSA-18 preoperative mean survey score had fair to good correlation with the preoperative CBCL total problem T score (r=0.50, P<.001, Pearson correlation), and the OSA-18 change score had fair to good correlation with the change in CBCL total problem T score (r=0.54, P<.001, Pearson correlation). Conclusions: Behavioral and emotional difficulties are found in children with sleep-disordered breathing before treatment and improve after intervention. Scores on a standardized measure of assessment of behavior demonstrate significant correlation with scores on a validated quality-of-life instrument.
Complications of regional anesthesia

Summary In this brief review of complications associated with regional anesthesia, I have attempted to cover the major considerations of the agents commonly used as well as the risk factors inherent in the performance of the technique. The general concerns about CNS and CVS toxicity of the local anesthetic agents were discussed, as well as problems specific to certain drugs such as allergy, methemoglobinemia, and refractory cardiotoxicity. In addition, mention was made of problems associated with preservatives included in the packaging of certain agents. Intrathecal and epidural opioids were discussed, and the important complications of respiratory depression, pruritus, nausea and vomiting, and urinary retention were reviewed, as well as the less common side effects. In consideration of the techniques used to effect regional anesthesia, mention was made of the risks of neuropathy due to direct nerve damage, as well as the problems of hematoma especially in the epidural space. Cauda equina syndrome was discussed. The cause and treatment of postdural puncture headache was reviewed, and general concerns related to the brachial plexus approaches, including phrenic nerve paralysis and pneumothorax, were discussed. Finally, mention was made of the more general complications of the techniques of regional blockade, such as infections, sepsis, and abscess formation.
Myocardial biopsy drill: construction details and techniques.

Abstract The modification of currently available dental equipment to construct a myocardial biopsy drill by the technique of Poole et al. (P. E. Poole, G. F. Norris, R. M. Lewis, and J. W. Covell, J. Appl. Physiol.24: 832, 1968 ) is described. In dogs, five to seven full-thickness myocardial cores 3 mm in diameter and weighing 40 to 70 mg could be obtained consistently with the drill without affecting left ventricular function. The positive pressure/negative pressure system allowed separation of contaminating blood from the myocardial sample and rapid myocardial freezing. Assessment by a modification of the technique of Estabrook et al. (R. W. Estabrook, J. R. Williamson, R. Frenkel, and P. K. Maitra, In R. W. Estabrook and M. E. Pullman (Eds.), Methods in Enzymology. New York: Academic Press, 1967. Vol. 10, p. 474 ), yielded myocardial ATP levels of 32.12 ± 0.90 nmole/mg of protein.
Wavefront conjugation in nematic liquid crystal films

We report the results of wavefront conjugation experiments in nematic liquid crystal films using low-power CW laser beams. The dependences of the efficiency on the film thickness and other parameters are discussed. The ability of the process to compensate for wave-front distortion is explicitly demonstrated.
Dynamics and noise spectra of a driven single flux line in superconductors

We study the low temperature dynamics of a single flux line in a bulk type-II superconductor, driven by the Lorentz force acting near the sample surfaces, both near and above the depinning threshold. We find a novel instability of the flux line motion at large driving currents. The power spectrum of the voltage noise generated by the moving flux line in the presence of random pinning has a [omega][sup 0.5] and [omega][sup [minus]0.5] form for [omega][lt][omega][sub 1] and [omega][gt][omega][sub 1], respectively, where [omega][sub 1][r arrow]0 at the depinning threshold.
Where has all the old crust gone

Geophysicists have come to believe that the Earth was covered with a thick crust more than four billion years ago. New measurements challenge that theory, indicating the importance of crustal destruction in Earth's early history.
Simple functionalization strategies for enhancing nanoparticle separation and recovery with asymmetric flow field flow fractionation.

Due to the increasing use of engineered nanomaterials in consumer products, regulatory agencies and other research organizations have determined that the development of robust, reliable, and accurate methodologies to characterize nanoparticles in complex matrices is a top priority. Of particular interest are methods that can separate and determine the size of nanomaterials in samples that contain polydisperse and/or multimodal nanoparticle populations. Asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (AF4) has shown promise for the separation of nanoparticles with wide size range distributions; however, low analyte recoveries and decreased membrane lifetimes, due to membrane fouling, have limited its application. Herein, we report straightforward strategies to minimize membrane fouling and improve nanoparticle recovery by functionalizing the surface of the nanoparticles, as well as that of the AF4 membranes. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were stabilized through functionalization with a phosphine molecule, whereas the...
Polarimetric Filtering of Time-Reversal in Multiple Scattering

Time-reversed trajectories in multiple scattering produce constructive interference. Ensemble averaging leads to enhancement of backscattered intensity. We demonstrate that polarization analysis identifies time-reversed contributions even within a single realization of wave-matter interaction.
Screening in quark droplets.

Finite systems of quark matter are found to have charge densities varying spatially on length scales of the order of the Debye screening length which is estimated to be [similar to]5 fm/[ital c]. Describing the quark matter by a simple bag model the charge densities and electrostatic potentials are calculated in the Thomas-Fermi approximation. The resulting relation between the total charge [ital Z] and the mass number [ital A] differs from previous work. Whereas small droplets of quark matter are almost uniformly charged, large droplets of quark matter act like a conductor and are only charged within a screening length from the surface. Including surface energies in addition to Coulomb energies, the binding energies of quark matter droplets are calculated and fission is found to be unlikely.
Thermodynamics of peptide insertion and aggregation in a lipid bilayer.

A variety of biomolecules mediate physiological processes by inserting and reorganizing in cell membranes, and the thermodynamic forces responsible for their partitioning are of great interest. Recent experiments provided valuable data on the free energy changes associated with the transfer of individual amino acids from water to membrane. However, a complete picture of the pathways and the associated changes in energy of peptide insertion into a membrane remains elusive. To this end, computational techniques supplement the experimental data with atomic-level details and shed light on the energetics of insertion. Here, we employed the technique of umbrella sampling in a total 850 ns of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the free energy profile and the pathway of insertion of a model hexapeptide consisting of a tryptophan and five leucines (WL5). The computed free energy profile of the peptide as it travels from bulk solvent through the membrane core exhibits two minima: a local minimum at the water−membrane interface or the headgroup region and a global minimum at the hydrophobic−hydrophilic interface close to the lipid glycerol region. A rather small barrier of roughly 1 kcal mol−1 exists at the membrane core, which is explained by the enhanced flexibility of the peptide when deeply inserted. Combining our results with those in the literature, we present a thermodynamic model for peptide insertion and aggregation which involves peptide aggregation upon contact with the membrane at the solvent−lipid headgroup interface.
Sulfur K-edge spectroscopic investigation of second coordination sphere effects in oxomolybdenum-thiolates: relationship to molybdenum-cysteine covalency and electron transfer in sulfite oxidase.

Second-coordination sphere effects such as hydrogen bonding and steric constraints that provide for specific geometric configurations play a critical role in tuning the electronic structure of metalloenzyme active sites and thus have a significant effect on their catalytic efficiency. Crystallographic characterization of vertebrate and plant sulfite oxidase (SO) suggests that an average Ooxo−Mo−SCys−C dihedral angle of ∼77° exists at the active site of these enzymes. This angle is slightly more acute (∼72°) in the bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase (SDH) from Starkeya novella. Here we report the synthesis, crystallographic, and electronic structural characterization of Tp*MoO(mba) (where Tp* = (3,5-dimethyltrispyrazol-1-yl)borate; mba = 2-mercaptobenzyl alcohol), the first oxomolybdenum monothiolate to possess an Oax−Mo−Sthiolate−C dihedral angle of ∼90°. Sulfur X-ray absorption spectroscopy clearly shows that Oax−Mo−Sthiolate−C dihedral angles near 90° effectively eliminate covalency contributions to the Mo...
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pediatric Tumors – Current State of the Art

During recent years minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become the standard approach for various operations in infants and children. This also holds true for surgery in children with solid tumors. Meanwhile, more and more oncological biopsies and resections are being performed laparoscopically or thoracoscopically. Despite its increasing role in pediatric tumor surgery, the different national and international multicenter trial groups have not yet implemented MIS within guidelines and recommendations in most of the current treatment protocols. An increasing number of reports describe a potential role of MIS in the different entities of pediatric surgical oncology. Over the time, there has been a diverse development of this approach with regard to the different neoplasms. The aim of this article is to give an overview and to describe the current state of the art of MIS in pediatric solid tumors.
Folliculogenesis during the transitional period and early ovulatory season in mares

Individual follicles were monitored by ultrasonography in 15 mares during the transitional period preceding the first ovulation of the year and in 9 mares during the first interovulatory interval. During the transitional period, 7 mares developed 1-3 anovulatory follicular waves characterized by a dominant follicle (maximum diameter greater than or equal to 38 mm) that had growing, static, and regressing phases. The emergence of a subsequent wave (anovulatory or ovulatory) did not occur until the dominant follicle of the previous wave was in the static phase. After the emergence of the subsequent wave, the previous dominant follicle regressed. The mean (+/- s.d.) length of the interval between successive waves was 10.8 +/- 2.2 days. Before the emergence of waves (identified by a dominant follicle), follicular activity seemed erratic and follicles did not reach greater than 35 mm. During the interovulatory interval, 6 mares developed 2 waves (an anovulatory wave and a subsequent ovulatory wave) and 3 mares developed only 1 detected wave (the ovulatory wave). The ovulatory follicle at the end of the transitional period reached 20 mm earlier (Day - 15), grew slower (2.6 +/- 0.1 mm/day; mean +/- s.e.m.) but reached a larger diameter on Day - 1 (50.5 +/- 1.1 mm) than for the ovulatory follicle at the end of the interovulatory interval (Day - 10, 3.6 +/- 0.2 mm/day, 44.4 +/- 1.0 mm, respectively; P less than 0.05 for each end point). The interval from cessation of growth of the largest subordinate follicle to the occurrence of ovulation was longer (P less than 0.05) for end of the transitional period (9.5 +/- 0.7 days) than for the end of the interovulatory interval (6.8 +/- 0.6 days). Results demonstrated the occurrence of rhythmic follicular waves during some transitional periods and the occurrence of 2 waves during some of the first oestrous cycles of the year.
SMV-HUNTER: Large Scale, Automated Detection of SSL/TLS Man-in-the-Middle Vulnerabilities in Android Apps

Many Android apps use SSL/TLS to transmit sensitive information securely. However, developers often provide their own implementation of the standard SSL/TLS certificate validation process. Unfortunately, many such custom implementations have subtle bugs, have built-in exceptions for self-signed certificates, or blindly assert all certificates are valid, leaving many Android apps vulnerable to SSL/TLS Man-in-the-Middle attacks. In this paper, we present SMV-HUNTER, a system for the automatic, large-scale identification of such vulnerabilities that combines both static and dynamic analysis. The static component detects when a custom validation procedure has been given, thereby identifying potentially vulnerable apps, and extracts information used to guide the dynamic analysis, which then uses user interface enumeration and automation techniques to trigger the potentially vulnerable code under an active Man-in-the-Middle attack. We have implemented SMV-HUNTER and evaluated it on 23,418 apps downloaded from the Google Play market, of which 1,453 apps were identified as being potentially vulnerable by static analysis, with an average overhead of approximately 4 seconds per app, running on 16 threads in parallel. Among these potentially vulnerable apps, 726 were confirmed vulnerable using our dynamic analysis, with an average overhead of about 44 seconds per app, running on 8 emulators in parallel.
Peripheral Vascular Response to Simulated Hemorrhagic Shock during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Dogs

The peripheral vascular response to hemorrhagic hypotension was examined in thirteen anesthetized dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass. Nine animals were subjected to 2 or 4 hours of hypotension by decreasing pump output (30ml/kg/min), thereby controlling mean arterial blood pressure at 40 mm Hg. Systemic flow was then returned to prehypotensive levels (100 ml/kg/min), and the animals were observed for 6 more hours. Dynamic venous compliance was determined by occluding the venous outflow catheters and recording the venous pressure rise at a known rate of inflow. Venous compliance, changes in reservoir fluid volume, total peripheral resistance, and mean arterial blood pressure were measured at 30-minute intervals. During the first hour of hypotension there was a marked increase in venous compliance, a decrease in reservoir fluid volume, and an increase in total peripheral resistance. Fluid uptake increased during the first hour after returning flow to control values, although mean arterial blood pressure, venous compliance, and total peripheral resistance were similar to the controls during the posthypotensive period. Three dogs were subjected to the same procedure, but without hypotension, to determine the influence of extracorporeal circulation on dynamic compliance when flow is constant. The results indicate that the dog on cardiopulmonary bypass responds to hypotension by arterial constriction and an increase in venous compliance. There was no evidence to indicate a loss of venous or arterial tone within 6 hours following the period of hypotension, although the gross changes in the gut at autopsy were similar to those seen in dogs dying in hemorrhagic shock.
The Original Alva Ixtlilxochitl Manuscripts at Cambridge University

Among the 470 books that [Carlos de Siguenza y Gongora] left to the Jesuit College of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, there were 28 manuscripts—twelve folios and 16 quartos—very lengthy, and some of th...
Estimating Profitability of Two Biochar Production Scenarios: Slow Pyrolysis vs. Fast Pyrolysis

We estimate the profitability of producing biochar from crop residue (corn stover) for two scenarios. The first employs slow pyrolysis to generate biochar and pyrolysis gas and has the advantage of high yields of char (as much as 40 wt-%) but the disadvantage of producing a relatively low-value energy product (pyrolysis gas of modest heating value). The second scenario employs fast pyrolysis to maximize production of bio-oil with biochar and pyrolysis gas as lower-yielding coproducts. The fast pyrolysis scenario produces a substantially higher value energy product than slow pyrolysis but at the cost of higher capital investment. We calculate the internal rate of return (IRR) for each scenario as functions of cost of feedstock and projected revenues for the pyrolysis facility. The assumed price range for delivered biomass feedstock is $0 to $83 per metric ton. The assumed carbon offset value for biochar ranges from $20 per metric ton of biochar in 2015 to $60 in 2030. The slow pyrolysis scenario in 2015 is not profitable at an assumed feedstock cost of $83 per metric ton. The fast pyrolysis scenario in 2015 yields 15% IRR with the same feedstock cost because gasoline refined from the bio-oil provides revenues of $2.96 per gallon gasoline equivalent. By 2030, the value of biochar as a carbon offset is projected to increase to $60 per metric ton and the price of gasoline is expected to reach $3.70 per gallon, which would provide investors with an IRR of 26%. © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Neutrino masses in an extended gauge model with E6 particle content

Abstract Naturally light singlet neutrinos which mix with the usual doublet neutrinos are possible if the supersymmetric standard gauge model is extended to include a specific additional U (1) factor derivable from an E 6 decomposition. The low-energy particle content of the model is limited to the fundamental 27 representations of E 6 .
Precise Measurement of the Gyromagnetic Ratio of He 3

The gyromagnetic ratio of ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ was compared to that of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ gas by the magnetic resonance method with the result $\frac{|\ensuremath{\gamma}({\mathrm{He}}^{3})|}{|\ensuremath{\gamma}({\mathrm{H}}_{2})|}=0.7617866\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0000012$To obtain the nuclear gyromagnetic ratios, a diamagnetic correction must be made which raises this by approximately 38 parts in ${10}^{6}$ to $\frac{|\ensuremath{\gamma}{\mathrm{He}}^{3}|}{|{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{p}|}=0.761815$Intensity measurements were consistent with a spin of \textonehalf{}. In nuclear magnetons, the magnetic moment $\ensuremath{\mu}{\mathrm{He}}^{3}=(\ensuremath{-})2.12815$ based on the value ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{p}=2.79353$ obtained by Taub and Kusch. The negative sign has not yet been verified.
Nicotine enhances contextual fear conditioning in C57BL/6J mice at 1 and 7 days post-training

Nicotine has been demonstrated to enhance learning processes. The present experiments extend these results to examine the effects of nicotine on acquisition and consolidation of contextual and cued fear conditioning, and the duration of nicotine's enhancement of conditioned fear. C57BL/6 mice were trained with two pairings of an auditory CS and a foot shock US. Multiple doses of nicotine were given before or immediately after training and on testing day (0.0, 0.050, 0.125, 0.250, and 0.375 mg/kg, i.p). Freezing to both the context and auditory CS was measured 24h after training and again 1 week after training. Mice did not receive nicotine for the 1-week retest. Nicotine (0.125 and 0.250 mg/kg) given on both training and testing days enhanced freezing to the context at 24h. In addition, elevated freezing to the context was seen 1 week post-training in mice previously treated with 0.125 and 0.250 mg/kg nicotine. Thus, nicotine-treated mice did show elevated levels of freezing when retested 1 week later, even though no nicotine was administered at the 1-week retest. Mice that received nicotine on training day or testing day only and mice that received nicotine with mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, were not different from saline-treated mice. In addition, post-training administration of nicotine did not enhance fear conditioning. The present results indicate that nicotine enhancement of contextual fear conditioning depends on administration of nicotine on training and test days but results in a long-lasting enhancement of memories of contextual fear conditioning that remains in the absence of nicotine.
Discontinuous Galerkin Method for 1D Shallow Water Flow in Nonrectangular and Nonprismatic Channels

A total variation diminishing Runge-Kutta discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for the solution of one-dimensional (1D) shallow water flow equations for natural channels is presented. The hydrostatic pressure force and the wall pressure force terms are combined to simplify the calculations and prevent unphysical flow attributable to improper treatment of the bottom slope term. The treatment of the combined term that appropriately accounts for the momentum flux is given. HLL and Roe Riemann solvers are assessed for the mass and momentum flux terms. Numerical tests are conducted using prismatic rectangular and nonrectangular channels as well as non prismatic channels and natural channel for dam break, supercritical flow, transcritical flow, and dry-bed problems. Slope limiters based on flow cross section area, water surface, and water depth are evaluated. The tests show that HLL and Roe solvers provide similar accuracy. However, the slope limiter based on flow area provides more accurate solutions f...
Comment on: Interferometric detection of optical phase shifts at the Heisenberg limit

A Comment on the Letter by M. J. Holland and K. Burnett, Phys. Rev. Lett. 71, 1355 (1993). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Segregating Preventive Maintenance Work for Cycle Time Optimization

Preventive maintenance (PM) plays an essential role in keeping the equipment in control and performing in the long term in semiconductor manufacturing. However, the impact of this activity on the cycle time of a specific toolset or even the entire fab can be detrimental. Hence, there is a strong incentive for determining the best way to carry out the required PM work content so as to optimize cycle time. In this paper, a model is proposed that optimizes the number and frequency of PMs for a predetermined PM work content, with the consideration of attached setups.
Effects of pond size and consequent predator density on two species of tadpoles

Experimental ponds were used as a model system of habitat patches to study the effect of habitat size on the relative growth performance of tadpoles of Bufo americanus and Pseudacris triseriata, and on colonization by predatory insects. Three pond depths and surface areas were habitat size treatments in a replicated, factorial experiment. Tadpoles of both species were astablished together at a single density and ponds were left open to natural colonization by aquatic insects. Pond area had a significant effect on the multivariate response of P. triseriata larval period, survival, and metamorphic mass. P. triseriata survived better relative to B. americanus in larger ponds. However, increasing pond area led to greater incidence of predacious beetle larvae (Dytiscus, Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). Dytiscus larvae had a significant negative effect on the survival of P. triseriata and led to reduced P. triseriata survival relative to B. americanus in colonized ponds. The results suggest that habitat size can influence community structure by altering the distribution of predation among habitat patches.
Peripherally administered serotonin decreases food intake in rats.

Abstract We report that intraperitoneal injection of serotonin produces a dose-related decrease in the food intake of hungry rats. The efficacy of serotonin was increased by prior treatment with clorgyline, a type A monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Doses of serotonin which were anorectic did not significantly impair locomotor activity of sensorimotor performance. Further, 2 mg/kg serotonin (ED50 on food intake) did not produce a conditioned taste aversion when paired repeatedly with sucrose ingestion. We conclude that the anorectic effects of serotonin are not secondary to nonspecific effects of the agent, and suggest that peripheral serotonin may play a role in normal satiation.
Collaboration for cooperative work experience programs in biomedical engineering education

Incorporating cooperative education modules as a segment of the undergraduate educational program is aimed to assist students in gaining real-life experience in the field of their choice. The cooperative work modules facilitate the students in exploring different realistic aspects of work processes in the field. The track records for cooperative learning modules are very positive. However, it is indeed a challenge for the faculty developing Biomedical Engineering (BME) curriculum to include cooperative work experience or internship requirements coupled with a heavy course load through the entire program. The objective of the present work is to develop a scheme for collaborative co-op work experience for the undergraduate training in the fast-growing BME programs. A few co-op/internship models are developed for the students pursuing undergraduate BME degree. The salient features of one co-op model are described. The results obtained support the proposed scheme. In conclusion, the cooperative work experience will be an invaluable segment in biomedical engineering education and an appropriate model has to be selected to blend with the overall training program.
Chemiresistive response of silicon nanowires to trace vapor of nitro explosives

Silicon nanowires are observed to behave as chemically modulated resistors and exhibit sensitive and fast electrical responses to vapors of common nitro explosives and their degradation by-products. The nanowires were prepared with a top-down nano-fabrication process on a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The surface of the silicon nanowires was modified by plasma treatments. Both hydrogen and oxygen plasma treatments can significantly improve the responses, and oxygen plasma changes the majority carrier from p- to n-type on the surface of silicon nanowire thin films. The sensitivity is found to increase when the cross-section of the nanowires decreases.
Predictive value of FIGO and AJCC staging systems in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Background Cancer staging systems aim to identify patient cohorts with different outcomes based on clinically relevant prognostic factors. Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is classified using the FIGO staging system developed for epithelial malignancies; other sarcomas use the AJCC staging system. Neither has been validated in ULMS. We critically evaluated both systems to determine if either identified patient groups with distinct outcomes. Methods We staged 230 ULMS patients by the FIGO and AJCC systems. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated; statistical pairwise comparisons were performed. Results The number of stages I and III patients varied by staging system. There were few stage II patients by either system. Using the FIGO system, PFS was better in stage I patients versus stage III or IV patients, and OS was better in stage I patients versus stage IV patients. Using the AJCC system, PFS and OS were better in stage I patients (low grade) versus stage II, III or IV patients, and OS was better in stage III patients versus stage IV patients. Prognosis of patients with serosal involvement (FIGO III) was similar to that of patients with metastases (FIGO IV). Conclusion Neither system classifies ULMS patients into four clinically meaningful, non-overlapping stages predictive of PFS and OS. This analysis highlights the relevance of certain factors (low grade, serosal involvement) and rarity of others (FIGO stage II, cervical invasion). Once identified, prognostic factors relevant to this malignancy should be incorporated into a new staging system in an effort to identify appropriate cohorts for different treatments.