cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TIPS for treatment of variceal hemorrhage: clinical outcomes in 128 patients at a single institution over a 12-year period.

Abstract Purpose To assess clinical outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) treatment of variceal hemorrhage. Materials and Methods A total of 128 patients (82 men and 46 women; mean age, 52 y) with liver cirrhosis and refractory variceal hemorrhage underwent TIPS creation from 1998 to 2010. Mean Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were 9 and 18, respectively. From 1998 to 2004, 12-mm Wallstents (n = 58) were used, whereas from 2004 to 2010, 10-mm VIATORR covered stent-grafts (n = 70) were used. Technical success, hemodynamic success, complications, shunt dysfunction, recurrent bleeding, and overall survival were assessed. Results Technical and hemodynamic success rates were 100% and 94%, respectively. Mean portosystemic gradient reduction was 13 mm Hg. Complications at 30 days included encephalopathy (14%), renal failure (5.5%), infection (1.6%), and liver failure (0.8%). Shunt patency rates were 93%, 82%, and 60% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Dysfunction, or loss of TIPS primary patency, occurred more with Wallstent versus VIATORR TIPSs (29% vs 11%; P = .009). Recurrent bleeding incidences were 9%, 22%, and 29% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, and were similar between Wallstent and VIATORR TIPSs (19% vs 19%; P = .924). Variceal embolization significantly reduced recurrent bleeding rates (5% vs 25%; P = .013). Overall survival rates were 80%, 69%, and 65% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, and were similar between Wallstent and VIATORR TIPSs (35% vs 26% mortality rate; P = .312). Advanced MELD score was associated with increased mortality on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Wallstent and VIATORR TIPSs effectively treat variceal hemorrhage, particularly when accompanied by variceal embolization. Although TIPS with a VIATORR device showed improved shunt patency, patient survival is similar to that with Wallstent TIPS. These results further validate TIPS creation for refractory variceal bleeding.
Glandular End Organ Deficiency Associated with Secretion of Biologically Inactive Pituitary Peptides

ABSTRACT A 23-yr-old man who had been treated 8 yr previously with radiotherapy and o,p′-DDD for rapidly progressive Cushing's syndrome associated with a suprasellar mass, presented with clinical evidence of hypothyroidism and laboratory evidence of hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism. Immunoassayable plasma ACTH and TSH levels were elevated, but there was adequate end organ responsiveness to exogenous ACTH and TSH. Plasma ACTH levels exhibited a normal circadian variation, and responded markedly to insulin induced hypoglycemia and to Pitressin® administration, with no associated change in plasma cortisol levels. Plasma TSH levels increased following TRH administration, with no change in serum T3 levels. In contrast to immunoassay results, bioassay demonstrated markedly diminished levels of plasma ACTH and absent TSH, indicating that the target organ deficiencies were secondary to lack of stimulation by biologically active hormone. Following trypsinization of the patient's plasma, levels of bioassayable ACT...
Charting of Jun family member proteins in the rat forebrain and midbrain: immunocytochemical evidence for a new Jun-related antigen

Abstract Immunocytochemistry was used to localize members of the Jun family of immediate-early genes in the forebrain and midbrain of non-stimulated male rats. Antibodies against specific peptide sequences of c-Jun (Ab-1 and Ab-2 from Oncogene Science) and against expressed proteins of JunB and JunD (both from Dr. R. Bravo) revealed widespread and unique distributions for each of these antigens. Charts were made of the distribution of each antigen, and extensive comparisons were made of previous results obtained using in situ hybridization to localize mRNAs for c- jun , junB and junD . Our results indicate a generally favorable comparison between immunoreactivity and distribution of mRNAs for JunB and JunD, but in the case of c-Jun, immunoreactivity and mRNA were comparable only with the Ab-1 antibody. Indeed, the immunocytochemical distribution of the antigen recognized by the c-Jun Ab-2 antibody was distinctly different from that of the other Jun proteins or mRNAs in the rat brain. This antibody (Ab-2) recognized a nuclear protein found extensively in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, layer II of the olfactory tubercle, the central nucleus of the amygdala, and the lateral division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Scattered labeled nuclei were found in a few other forebrain structures. Within the caudate-putamen, immunoreactivity was restricted to the matrix compartment, as determined by immunostaining of adjacent sections with the matrix-marker calbindin D 28k . Western blots of caudate-putamen demonstrated that this antibody recognized a protein doublet of molecular masses approximately 37 and 34 kDa, distinct from the molecular masses of c-Jun, JunB and JunD. This unique neuroanatomical distribution and molecular mass suggests that this antibody recognizes a previously undescribed Jun-related antigen.
Plasma leptin levels are not predictive of dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Background: animal studies suggest a neuroprotective role for leptin, but human studies have shown mixed results. We examined whether plasma leptin levels in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were related to cognitive function at baseline and whether higher leptin levels were associated with reduced risk of dementia. Methods: we categorised 352 MCI participants into sex-specific tertiles based on log-transformed fasting plasma leptin levels. In sex-stratified analyses, we investigated whether cognitive ability differed by leptin tertile. We also examined whether the risk of dementia over a 3-year follow-up period differed by leptin level. Analyses controlled for numerous potential confounding variables, including body mass index, hypertension and levels of blood insulin and C-reactive protein. Results: baseline cognitive ability did not differ as a function of leptin level, nor were higher leptin levels associated with reduced hazard of developing dementia. Controlling for related co-variates did not reveal any significant associations between leptin and dementia risk. Conclusion: in this cohort of older adults with MCI, plasma leptin level was not associated with cognitive function at baseline, nor did it predict risk of dementia. Other biological measures, such as volumetric MRI and cerebrospinal fluid protein levels, have demonstrated robust dementia prediction in this cohort. Thus, the current negative findings suggest that plasma leptin, on its own, is unlikely to become a useful clinical biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. Efforts to develop other blood-based biomarkers are needed.
Rashes amongst persulphate workers

Rashes were found to develop frequently amongst workers employed in the manufacture of persulphates. New employees were often affected within one month of the start of employment. Attention to occupational hygiene has caused a rapid decline in the incidence of the problem.
PTV margin determination in conformal SRT of intracranial lesions

The planning target volume (PTV) includes the clinical target volume (CTV) to be irradiated and a margin to account for uncertainties in the treatment process. Uncertainties in miniature multileaf collimator (mMLC) leaf positioning, CT scanner spatial localization, CT-MRI image fusion spatial localization, and Gill-Thomas-Cosman (GTC) relocatable head frame repositioning were quantified for the purpose of determining a minimum PTV margin that still delivers a satisfactory CTV dose. The measured uncertainties were then incorporated into a simple Monte Carlo calculation for evaluation of various margin and fraction combinations. Satisfactory CTV dosimetric criteria were selected to be a minimum CTV dose of 95% of the PTV dose and at least 95% of the CTV receiving 100% of the PTV dose. The measured uncertainties were assumed to be Gaussian distributions. Systematic errors were added linearly and random errors were added in quadrature assuming no correlation to arrive at the total combined error. The Monte Carlo simulation written for this work examined the distribution of cumulative dose volume histograms for a large patient population using various margin and fraction combinations to determine the smallest margin required to meet the established criteria. The program examined 5 and 30 fraction treatments, since those are the only fractionation schemes currently used at our institution. The fractionation schemes were evaluated using no margin, a margin of just the systematic component of the total uncertainty, and a margin of the systematic component plus one standard deviation of the total uncertainty. It was concluded that (i) a margin of the systematic error plus one standard deviation of the total uncertainty is the smallest PTV margin necessary to achieve the established CTV dose criteria, and (ii) it is necessary to determine the uncertainties introduced by the specific equipment and procedures used at each institution since the uncertainties may vary among locations.
Analysis of thermally coupled chemical looping combustion-based power plants with carbon capture

Abstract A number of CO2 capture-enabled power generation technologies have been proposed to address the negative environmental impact of CO2 emission. One important barrier to adopting these technologies is the associated energy penalty. Chemical-looping Combustion (CLC) is an oxy-combustion technology that can significantly lower this penalty. It utilizes an oxygen carrier to transfer oxygen from air/oxidizing stream in an oxidation reactor to the fuel in a reduction reactor. Conventional CLC reactor designs employ two separate reactors, with metal/metal oxide particles circulating pneumatically in-between. One of the key limitations of these designs is the entropy generation due to reactor temperature difference, which lowers the cycle efficiency. Zhao et al. ( Zhao et al., 2014 , Zhao and Ghoniem, 2014 ) proposed a new CLC rotary reactor design, which overcomes this limitation. This reactor consists of a single rotating wheel with micro-channels designed to maintain thermal equilibrium between the fuel and air sides. This study uses three thermodynamic models of increasing fidelity to demonstrate that the internal thermal coupling in the rotary CLC reactor creates the potential for improved cycle efficiency. A theoretical availability model and an ideal thermodynamic cycle model are used to define the efficiency limits of CLC systems, illustrate the impact of reactor thermal coupling and discuss relevant criteria. An Aspen Plus® model of a regenerative CLC cycle is then used to show that this thermal coupling raises the cycle efficiency by up to 2% points. A parametric study shows that efficiency varies inversely with pressure, with a maximum of 51% at 3 bar, 1000 C and 60% at 4 bar, 1400 C. The efficiency increases with CO2 fraction at high pressure ratios but exhibits a slight inverse dependence at low pressure ratios. The parametric study shows that for low purge steam demand, steam generation improves exhaust heat recovery and increases efficiency when an appropriate steam production strategy is adopted.
Large Capacitance Enhancement Induced by Metal-Doping in Graphene-Based Supercapacitors: A First-Principles-Based Assessment

Chemically doped graphene-based materials have recently been explored as a means to improve the performance of supercapacitors. In this work, we investigate the effects of 3d transition metals bound to vacancy sites in graphene with [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid on the interfacial capacitance; these results are compared to the pristine graphene case with particular attention to the relative contributions of the quantum and electric double layer capacitances. Our study highlights that the presence of metal-vacancy complexes significantly increases the availability of electronic states near the charge neutrality point, thereby enhancing the quantum capacitance drastically. In addition, the use of metal-doped graphene electrodes is found to only marginally influence the microstructure and capacitance of the electric double layer. Our findings indicate that metal-doping of graphene-like electrodes can be a promising route toward increasing the interfacial capacitance of electrochemical double layer capacitors, pri...
Uteroplacental Insufficiency Decreases Cerebral Mitochondrial DNA and Protein in Intrauterine Growth Retarded (IUGR) Juvenile Rats

Uteroplacental Insufficiency Decreases Cerebral Mitochondrial DNA and Protein in Intrauterine Growth Retarded (IUGR) Juvenile Rats
A critical analysis of Rayleigh-Taylor growth rates

Abstract Recent simulations of Rayleigh–Taylor instability growth rates display considerable spread. We provide evidence that differences in numerical dissipation effects (mass diffusion and viscosity) due to algorithmic differences and differences in simulation duration are the dominant factors that produce such different results. Within the simulation size and durations explored here, we provide evidence that the principal discrepancies are due to numerical dispersion through comparison of simulations using different algorithms. We present new 3D front tracking simulations that show tentative agreement with the range of reported experimental values. We begin an exploration of new physical length scales that may characterize a transition to a new Rayleigh–Taylor mixing regime.
Vancomycin Powder in Spine Surgery: Still a Work in Progress.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) after complex spinal surgery are associated with significant neurological morbidity and mortality and can lead to increased medical costs. Reasons for the development of these types of infection can be multifactorial. Those risk factors that are patient related include advanced age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, malnutrition, drug abuse, alcoholism, increased body mass index, and immunosuppression. All of these factors will decrease a patient’s ability to mount an adequate immune response that will prevent the development of an infection. Microvascular injury resulting in tissue ischemia contributes to the risk of SSI in diabetes mellitus and in smokers. Smoking cessation, strict blood glucose control, and an optimized nutritional state can diminish the potential for postoperative SSI. SSIs have been classified into superficial or deep depending on the location in which the infection occurs. Involvement of the skin and subcutaneous tissue defines a superficial infection in contrast to a deep SSI where the fascial and muscle layers are involved. It has been estimated that the rate of deep SSI in lumbar spinal instrumentation surgery ranges from 1%e14% (3). Specific prognostic variables that are associated with an increased risk of postoperative SSI are repeat/revision surgery, type of surgery (i.e., deformity correction vs. fusion procedure), longer operative time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, number of spinal levels fused, posterior surgical approach, pelvic instrumentation, and the number of personnel in the operating room (3). The use of drains postoperatively has not been shown to reduce SSIs and may in fact lead to the development of SSIs with prolonged usage.
Evidence of cryptic introgression in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) based on wild tomato species alleles

Many highly beneficial traits (e.g. disease or abiotic stress resistance) have been transferred into crops through crosses with their wild relatives. The 13 recognized species of tomato (Solanum section Lycopersicon) are closely related to each other and wild species genes have been extensively used for improvement of the crop, Solanum lycopersicum L. In addition, the lack of geographical barriers has permitted natural hybridization between S. lycopersicum and its closest wild relative Solanum pimpinellifolium in Ecuador, Peru and northern Chile. In order to better understand patterns of S. lycopersicum diversity, we sequenced 47 markers ranging in length from 130 to 1200 bp (total of 24 kb) in genotypes of S. lycopersicum and wild tomato species S. pimpinellifolium, Solanum arcanum, Solanum peruvianum, Solanum pennellii and Solanum habrochaites. Between six and twelve genotypes were comparatively analyzed per marker. Several of the markers had previously been hypothesized as carrying wild species alleles within S. lycopersicum, i.e., cryptic introgressions. Each marker was mapped with high confidence (e<1 x 10-30) to a single genomic location using BLASTN against tomato whole genome shotgun chromosomes (SL2.40) database. Neighbor-joining trees showed high mean bootstrap support (86.8 ± 2.34%) for distinguishing red-fruited from green-fruited taxa for 38 of the markers. Hybridization and parsimony splits networks, genomic map positions of markers relative to documented introgressions, and historical origins of accessions were used to interpret evolutionary patterns at nine markers with putatively introgressed alleles. Of the 47 genetic markers surveyed in this study, four were involved in linkage drag on chromosome 9 during introgression breeding, while alleles at five markers apparently originated from natural hybridization with S. pimpinellifolium and were associated with primitive genotypes of S. lycopersicum. The positive identification of introgressed genes within crop species such as S. lycopersicum will help inform conservation and utilization of crop germplasm diversity, for example, facilitating the purging of undesirable linkage drag or the exploitation of novel, favorable alleles.
Caffeine Consumption and Miscarriage: A Prospective Cohort Study

Caffeine consumption has been equivocally associated with miscarriage, despite an absence of prospective longitudinal measurement of caffeine intake during sensitive windows of human development. In response to this critical data gap, we analyzed daily caffeine consumption while attempting pregnancy through 12 menstrual cycles at risk for pregnancy and found that caffeine consumption did not increase the risk or hazard of miscarriage, even after adjusting for relevant covariates.
Preliminary evidence for an association between minor physical anomalies and second trimester neurodevelopment in schizophrenia.

Abstract Two types of markers, dermatoglyphics and minor physical anomalies, have been used as indicators of problems with fetal neurodevelopment in schizophrenia. The degree to which these markers overlap is not known. While it is agreed that abnormal dermatoglyphics reflect early second trimester maldevelopment, the timing of the development of minor physical anomalies has not been determined. Forty-six schizophrenic patients received assessments for minor physical anomalies, dermatoglyphics (right-left ridge count asymmetry and total finger ridge count), and information processing. Higher scores for minor physical anomalies were associated with greater dermatoglyphic asymmetry. Patients who had both types of indicators (high minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry) did not differ on information-processing measures from patients who had neither. On the basis of the timing of dermatoglyphic development (weeks 14–22 of gestation), the association between minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry suggests that the relatively high rate of minor physical anomalies observed in schizophrenia can be considered to reflect at least second trimester maldevelopment.
CCN predictions: Is theory sufficient for assessments of the indirect effect?

[1] This study quantitatively assesses the sensitivity of cloud droplet number (CDNC) to errors in cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) predictions that arise from application of Kohler theory. The CDNC uncertainty is assessed by forcing a droplet activation parameterization with a comprehensive dataset of CCN activity and aerosol size and chemical composition obtained during the ICARTT field campaign in August 2004. Our analysis suggests that, for a diverse range of updraft velocity, droplet growth kinetics and airmass origin, the error in predicted CDNC is (at most) half of the CCN prediction error. This means that the typical 20–50% error in ambient CCN closure studies would result in a 10–25% error in CDNC. For the first time, a quantitative link between aerosol and CDNC prediction errors is available, and can be the basis of a robust uncertainty analysis of the first aerosol indirect effect.
Advancing the Vision: New PubMed Indexing, Creative Commons Licensing, and December Highlights.

In the two years since the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) published the Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action report, the national momentum to transform undergraduate biology education has driven the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE)’s growth in readership and authorship. Since January 2010, the Journal has more than doubled its registered users and overall submissions have increased by nearly 40%. International presence on the Journal’s Editorial Board is currently at 13%, thanks to Research Editor Kathy M. Takayama’s work to incorporate biology educators on a global scale. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM)’s faculty training programs—such as the ASM/JGI Genomic Sciences Programs and the ASM/ NSF Biology Scholars Program—connect scholars with the Editorial Board and expose them to JMBE’s open access content. After they train and/or present at the annual ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE), our readers are poised to submit their work to JMBE. In 2012, 37% of published JMBE authors are alumni of these ASM programs.
State of the art: The data base manager

Abstract Siegel describes the development of CSIN, the Chemical Substances Information Network, an information manager which mediates between the user and any database interfaced by the manager. CSIN was developed because of a mandate from the Toxic Substances Control Act to collect and make information available. In addition to describing the technology, Siegel discusses the political and economic questions surrounding the development of CSIN.
Hierarchical modeling N2 adsorption on the surface of and within a C60 crystal : From quantum mechanics to molecular simulation

The adsorption of N 2 on the surface of, and within, a C 6 0 face-centered cubic crystal has been studied using a hierarchical approach. First, an ab initio potential between N 2 and C 6 0 is obtained from a recently developed quantum mechanical hybrid method, and then the adsorption behavior is predicted using Monte Carlo simulation. On the crystal surface, N 2 adsorption isotherm at 77.3 K is of type II. The adsorption simulated with the ab initio potential is slightly greater than that with the empirical Steele potential derived from experimental N 2 adsorption on planar graphite, and both are in fairly good agreement with measured results. With increasing pressure, N 2 molecules are found to sequentially occupy three favorable sites: the octahedral sites, the tetrahedral sites, and the top of C 6 0 molecules. Finally multiple layers form and wetting occurs as the bulk N 2 saturation pressure is reached. The isosteric heat of adsorption exhibits two maxima and finally approaches the enthalpy of vaporization of bulk N 2 . Within the crystal, the N 2 adsorption isotherm at 77.3 K is of type I, and the use of ab initio potential leads to significantly greater adsorption than the Steele potential. N 2 molecules are observed to intercalate only the octahedral sites, and the isosteric heat of adsorption is nearly a constant. As in our previous work of N 2 and O 2 adsorption in the C 1 6 8 schwarzite (Jiang et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 9852), this work demonstrates the importance of an accurate adsorbate-adsorbent interaction potential in the determination of gas adsorption behavior.
An Autism Case History to Review the Systematic Analysis of Large-Scale Data to Refine the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Analysis of large-scale systems of biomedical data provides a perspective on neuropsychiatric disease that may be otherwise elusive. Described here is an analysis of three large-scale systems of data from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and of ASD research as an exemplar of what might be achieved from study of such data. First is the biomedical literature that highlights the fact that there are two very successful but quite separate research communities and findings pertaining to genetics and the molecular biology of ASD. There are those studies positing ASD causes that are related to immunological dysregulation and those related to disorders of synaptic function and neuronal connectivity. Second is the emerging use of electronic health record systems and other large clinical databases that allow the data acquired during the course of care to be used to identify distinct subpopulations, clinical trajectories, and pathophysiological substructures of ASD. These systems reveal subsets of patients with distinct clinical trajectories, some of which are immunologically related and others which follow pathologies conventionally thought of as neurological. The third is genome-wide genomic and transcriptomic analyses which show molecular pathways that overlap neurological and immunological mechanisms. The convergence of these three large-scale data perspectives illustrates the scientific leverage that large-scale data analyses can provide in guiding researchers in an approach to the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disease that is inclusive and comprehensive.
Fibrosarcomatous metastasis the central nervous system with overt hemorrhage: case report and review of the literature

Sarcomatous metastasis to the central nervous is generally considered uncommon and rarely shows evidence of hemorrhage. Consequently, patients with fibrosarcoma are rarely screened for metastatic disease in the central nervous system. We present a case of fibrosarcoma with metastasis to brain accompanied by overt hemorrhage into the tumor. It is suggested that patients with fibrosarcoma be routinely screened for metastasis to the central nervous system and that sarcomatous metastasis be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic CNS tumors.
Familial resemblance of radial bone mass between premenopausal mothers and their college-age daughters

The influences of heredity and environmental factors on radial bone mass were evaluated in 84 premenopausal mothers with their biological daughters (ages 18–22). Mid- and distal radial bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were assessed using single-photon absorptiometry. As a group, the daughters (mean age 18.6 years) had 5–10% less bone mass at both the distal and midradial sites than their mothers (mean age 44.2 years). Familial resemblance estimates showed significant relationships between mothers and daughters for mid-and distal BMC and BMD after considering the influence of body mass index (BMI). Daughters with a maternal family history of osteoporosis had 6–7% lower but nonsignificant values of mid- (P=0.086) and distal BMC (P=0.075) compared to values of women with a negative family history, whereas mothers with a positive family history had 3–4% lower (NS) values of distal and mid-BMC compared to those of mothers with a negative family history after adjustment for BMI. Multiple regression analyses showed BMI to be the most important determinant of the bone values of the mothers, and both BMI and dietary calcium intake were found to be significant for the daughters. The findings of this study suggest that hereditary contributions from the mothers play an overwhelmingly critical role in the accrual of bone mass by their daughters by ages 18–22, but that environmental influences on bone consolidation during the premenopausal decades may be more important in promoting optimal (peak) bone mass and thereby may help to delay the postmenopausal onset of osteoporotic fractures.
Single 19F probe for simultaneous detection of multiple metal ions using miCEST MRI

The local presence and concentration of metal ions in biological systems has been extensively studied ex vivo using fluorescent dyes. However, the detection of multiple metal ions in vivo remains a major challenge. We present a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based method for noninvasive detection of specific ions that may be coexisting, using the tetrafluorinated derivative of the BAPTA (TF-BAPTA) chelate as a 19F chelate analogue of existing optical dyes. Taking advantage of the difference in the ion-specific 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift offset (Δω) values between the ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA, we exploited the dynamic exchange between ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA to obtain MRI contrast with multi-ion chemical exchange saturation transfer (miCEST). We demonstrate that TF-BAPTA as a prototype single 19F probe can be used to separately visualize mixed Zn2+ and Fe2+ ions in a specific and simultaneous fashion, without interference from potential competitive ions.
Investigation of the Structure and Dynamics of the Capsid–Spacer Peptide 1–Nucleocapsid Fragment of the HIV‐1 Gag Polyprotein by Solution NMR Spectroscopy

Structural studies of HIV-1 Gag, the primary structural polyprotein involved in retroviral assembly, have been challenging, owing to its flexibility and conformational heterogeneity. Using residual dipolar couplings, we show that the four structural units of the capsid (CA)–spacer peptide 1 (SP1)–nucleocapsid (NC) fragment of HIV-1 Gag (namely, the N- and C-terminal domains of capsid, and the N- and C-terminal Zn knuckles of nucleocapsid) have the same structures as their individually isolated counterparts, and tumble semi-independently of one another in the absence of nucleic acids. Nucleic acids bind exclusively to the nucleocapsid domain and fix the orientation of the two Zn knuckles relative to one another so that the nucleocapsid domain/nucleic acid complex behaves as a single structural unit. The low 15N–{1H} heteronuclear NOE values (≤0.4), the close to zero values for the residual dipolar couplings of the backbone amides, and minimal deviations from random-coil chemical shifts for the C-terminal tail of capsid and SP1, both in the absence and presence of nucleic acids, indicate that these regions are intrinsically disordered in the context of CA–SP1–NC.
Asymptomatic syndrome of polycythemic hyperviscosity: Effect of partial plasma exchange transfusion

We determined the cerebral hemodynamic changes in infants with asymptomatic polycythemic hyperviscosity syndrome and whether treatment with partial plasma exchange transfusion (PPET) would affect hemodynamics as well as outcome. From a routine cord blood hematocrit screening, 71 babies were identified as needing to be tested for polycythemic hyperviscosity. In addition to clinical evaluation, each infant had radial artery hematocrit and viscosity determinations, blood gas determinations, cerebral blood flow velocity studies, cranial ultrasonography, and noninvasive intracranial pressure determination. Bables with symptomatic hyperviscosity (n=17) were treated by PPET, whereas those with asymptomatic hyperviscosity (n=28) were randomly selected to have PPET (n=14) or to be observed (n=14). The remaining babies (n=26) with normal viscosity served as control subjects. Both hematocrit and viscosity decreased after PPET but remained unchanged in babies with hyperviscosity who were merely observed. Reversal of cerebral blood flow velocity abnormalities was observed after PPET in the infants with symptomatic hyperviscosity, whereas those who had no symptoms had normal results on Doppler studies at the outset, and no significant changes occurred with either PPET or observation. There were two deaths in the group with symptoms. A total of 46 babies returned for follow-up evaluation at a mean age of 30±7.7 months. Outcome of the control group was no better than that of those who had hyperviscosity, and outcomes did not differ between the babies with symptomatic and those with asymptomatic hyperviscosity, nor between those treated with PPET and those who were only observed. Multivariate analysis revealed that other perinatal risk factors and race, rather than polycythemia or PPET, significantly influenced long-term outcome.
Endolymphatic and intracellular resting potential in the alligator lizard cochlea.

Endolymphatic potential (EP) and intracellular resting potentials (RPs) in the cochlea of the alligator lizard were measured with micropipets. The EP (defined as the dc electric potential recorded between the endolymph in scala media and the perilymph in scala tympani or scala vestibuli) had a mean value of +16 mV (in 96 ears). The RPs (defined as the de potentials recorded between the intracellular and perilymphatic spaces) were different in the distal portion of the cochlear nerve (range to-56 mV, mean of −23 mV in 158 cells) from those in the region of the basilar papilla (range to-154 mV, mean of-73 mV in 623 cells). In identified cells in the region of the basilar papilla, the mean values of RPs of hyaline epithelial cells (-113 mV in 7 cells) and supporting cells (-93 mV in 13 cells) were more negative than of hair cells (-73 mV in 5 cells). Differences in measured RPs could reflect differences in the resting potentials of these cells and/or their source resistances. RPs measured in the basilar papilla of the alligator lizard are compared with those obtained in other vertebrate hair cell organs.
The Effect of Crack-Tip Plasticity on the Determination of Dynamic Stress-Intensity Factors by the Optical Method of Caustics

Abstract : The shadow spots which are obtained in using the optical method of caustics to experimentally determine dynamic stress intensity factors are usually interpreted on the basis of a static elastic crack model. In this paper, an attempt is made to include both crack tip plasticity and inertial effects in the analysis underlying the use of the method in reflection. For dynamic crack propagation in the two-dimensional tensile mode which is accompanied by a Dugdale-Barenblatt line plastic zone, the predicted caustic curves and corresponding initial curves are studied within the framework of plane stress and small scale yielding conditions. These curves are found to have geometrical features which are quite different from those for purely elastic crack growth. Estimates are made of the range of system parameters for which plasticity and inertia effects should be included in data analysis when using the method of caustics. For example, it is found that the error introduced through the neglect of plasticity effects in the analysis of data will be small as long as the distance from the crack tip to the initial curve ahead of the tip is more than about twice the plastic zone size. Also, it is found that the error introduced through the neglect of inertial effects will be small as long as the crack speed is less than about 20% of the longitudinal wave speed. (Author)
Total quality management (TQM) in a reverse supply chain

Six-Sigma is a newer version of Total Quality Management (TQM), and its fundamental principle is to reduce defects in processes. The traditional approach to calculate the value of n for an n-sigma process can be confusing to prospective six-sigma practitioners, because the three values of interest (viz., process capability ratio, process capability index, and n) are always different. In this paper, we present a new formula that is less confusing, and yet serves the purpose of checking how good a given process is. We apply this formula for a crucial issue (selection of potential recovery facilities) identified in the literature for reverse supply chain design. The CPC chart in the literature for selection of potential suppliers uses the process capability index alone. Since the process capability ratio too is required for judging the quality of a facility, we use the new formula for building a chart for selection of potential recovery facilities.
Improved throughput of deep high-aspect-ratio trenches using split-beam laser ablation

A 20W 355nm DPSS Q-switched nanosecond pulse width laser, with external beam-splitting optics, was used to simultaneously ablate two 600μm deep, 140μm wide, 13.4mm long blind trenches in silicon using a five line wide cut strategy, achieving a 1.22x throughput improvement compared with a single-beam 20W laser configuration. Improved split-beam throughput was achieved because overhead time consisting of non-cut time during galvanometer retrace and turn-around movements and the time taken to ablate shoulder formations, were found to be approximately independent of laser power. With this split-beam approach, where two identical trenches are simultaneously cut, overhead time is split between the two trenches when cut time/die is calculated, halving the effective overhead time/die, and thereby improving throughput. Specific throughput improvement depends upon cut strategy, trench size, and insertion loss of the beam-splitting optics. Beam splitting optics consisted of a half-wave plate, Glan-laser polarizing prism, and mirror. Making use of the linear polarization characteristic of laser light, rotation of the half-wave plate was used to adjust the relative power in each beam, and thereby equalize the ablation rate of each beam. Adjustment of the mirror angle determined the separation between the two trenches.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Solid solution single crystals: (1−x)HoF3·xErF3

Abstract The orthorhombic phase of the single crystal, (1−x)HoF 3 ·xErF 3 at 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, was grown directly at the melting point. Type 1 solid-solution behavior was observed. The solidus-liquidus concentration gap was fairly narrow. The results indicate the solution to be close to ideal.
The Effects of Cross-System Collaboration on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems of Detained Youth

Objective: This study examined the effects of a collaborative intervention targeting 107 juvenile detainees with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems. Method: Changes in mental h...
Radionuclide Scintiphotography in Defining Postoperative Pulmonary Vasoconstriction: Successful Results after Tolazoline Administration in a Four-Month-Old Infant with Congenital Heart Disease

99m Technetium macroaggregated albumin has successfully been used to define severe postoperative pulmonary vasoconstriction in a four-month-old boy with D-transposition of the great vessels who had undergone a Blalock-Hanlon surgical atrial septectomy. Radionuclide imaging documented clinically suspected pulmonary vasoconstriction and led to the successful use of tolazoline (Priscoline) to reverse the vasoconstrictive with improved pulmonary blood flow patterns.
Ring-Opening Polymerization of Diisopropyl Cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate under Living Anionic Conditions: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study

Diisopropyl cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate (1) undergoes ring-opening polymerization in the presence of thiophenolate anions acting as initiator. A carbon-chain polymer, substituted on every third carbon atom by two isopropyl ester substituents, is obtained, whose structure and molecular weight were characterized by several analytical techniques. Under typical reaction conditions, only the expected ring-opened structure with a phenylthio end group is obtained, with no evidence for side reactions during the initiation and propagation steps. A kinetic study of the polymerization, at 140 degrees C in the presence of sodium thiophenolate, showed that the degree of polymerization increases linearly with conversion. The final polymers have narrow molecular weight distributions ((M) over bar(w)/(M) over bar(n) < 1.13), and the reaction follows a first-order kinetics with respect to the monomer over the entire conversion range. These results support a living mechanism for the polymerization. The nature of the counterion and the presence of counterion complexing agents, like crown ether and cryptand, significantly increase the reaction rate. A linear Arrhenius behavior was found in the 130-190 degrees C range, with an activation energy of 21.3 kcal mol(-1). At higher temperatures deviation from the linear Arrhenius behavior and appearance of new peaks in H-1 NMR can be observed. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the polymer is thermally stable up to 270 degrees C. Poly(1) is highly crystalline, with a melting point in the 168-76 degrees C range.
Jesse Buttrick Davis (1871-1955): Pioneer of Vocational Guidance in the Schools

Jesse Buttrick Davis is considered to be the 1st school counselor in the United States because he was the 1st to implement a systematic guidance program in the schools. Through his work in the Michigan public schools, he became an important leader in the development of vocational guidance in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His pioneering work in the Detroit and Grand Rapids public schools laid the foundation for the counseling specialties of career counseling and school counseling. He was also 1 of the founders of the National Vocational Guidance Association (now National Career Development Association) and National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Trajectory control in the world coordinate system by an adaptive forecasting algorithm

A new approach to trajectory control of an industrial robot is proposed which aims to reduce the error in the trajectory, under the assumption that the position of the hand is known or can be measured in Cartesian space. An on-line system identification technique, referred to as the adaptive linear modelling technique, and a forecasting algorithm to generate corrective commands were used. A laser measurement system with a laser source and a photodetector was developed to detect the error between the actual and desired trajectories in Cartesian space. By implementing the proposed methods a 70% improvement in controlling the trajectory error was achieved.
Ideas, beliefs, and nuclear policies: The cases of South Africa and Ukraine

Dr. William J. Long is Professor and Director of Graduate Programs at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also serves as Co-Director of the European Union Center of the University System of Georgia and Research Director for Georgia Tech’s Center for International Business Education and Research. He is the author of US Export Control Policy (Columbia University Press, 1989) and Economic Incentives and Bilateral Cooperation (University of Michigan Press, 1996). Dr. Suzette R. Grillot is Assistant Professor in Political Science and International Academic Programs at the University of Oklahoma. She is coeditor of Arms on the Market: Reducing the Risk of Proliferation in the Former Soviet Union (Routledge, 1998) and Arms and the Environment: Preventing the Perils of Disarmament (forthcoming).
Interfacial shear strength of cured vinyl ester resin-graphite nanoplatelet from molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract Interfacial adhesion between a three layer thick graphite nanoplatelet and a vinyl ester (VE) matrix was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Polymer interphase formation near carbon surfaces influences interfacial bonding and carbon/matrix load transfer. A VE resin was equilibrated near the graphite surfaces and then cured using the Relative Reactivity Volume algorithm to form a crosslinked matrix while enforcing the correct regiochemistry and relative reactivity ratios within the free radical addition cure. The local styrene monomer concentration in both the liquid and cured resin was highest near the graphite sheets, affecting interfacial strength and near-surface crosslink density. The composite's glass transition temperature (466–502 K) was 50–100 K higher than pure VE. The interfacial shear strength was 141 MPa for resin with 87% monomer conversion and 106 MPa for 98% monomer conversion, indicating effective reinforcement/matrix load transfer. This computational methodology provides more chemically realistic predictions of interfacial surface adhesion than has been reported previously.
Short-latency ionic effects of nerve growth factor deprivation and readministration on ganglionic cells.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is likely to exert its trophic action on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and on sympathetic ganglion neurons by controlling a crucial function of these cells. This function would in turn regulate other cellular machineries and, ultimately, lead to the traditional NGF consequences, such as survival and neuritic growth. A corollary of this view is that the key to NGF action must lie in short-latency events, occurring within minutes of NGF administration. Chick embryo DRG dissociates have proved to be an effective experimental system to investigate short-latency responses to NGF, in that (1) measurable functional deficits develop over 6 h of NGF deprivation in vitro and (2) delayed presentation of NGF promptly and fully restores the defective function. The first deficit observed in this experimental system, a decline in RNA-labeling capability, led to the recognition that NGF controls the transport of selected exogenous substrates, all of which are Na+-coupled and depend on an Na+ gradient across the neuronal membrane. Subsequent work showed that NGF controlled such transport systems by actually regulating the neuronal ability to control intracellular Na+. Under NGF deprivation, the DRG cells accumulate Na+ to levels that reflect, and presumably equate, the extracellular Na+ concentrations. Conversely, on delayed NGF administration, the accumulated Na+ is actively extruded to an extent and at a speed that depends on the NGF concentration. The Na+ response is elicited by both Beta and 7S NGF, but not by other proteins tested. All ganglionic systems that display a requirement for exogenous NGF in culture have also displayed the Na+ response to NGF. The Na+ response is grossly paralleled by a K+ response. DRG dissociates, in which intracellular K+ has been pre-equilibrated with extracellular 86Rb+, lose their 86Rb+ over 6 h of NGF deprivation and restore it on delayed NGF administration. The regulation by NGF of mechanisms controlling intracellular Na+ and K+ levels in their target neurons is likely to occupy an early and fundamentl place in the sequence of events underlying the mode of action of this factor.
Performance requirements for the transport of MPEG video streams over ATM networks

We study the performance requirements for the transport of MPEG video streams over ATM networks. The use of two different schemes is studied to overcome the loss of information when transferring video sequences through ATM networks. In the first scheme, the prioritization scheme assigns different priorities to the video stream based on the different types of video frames. In the second scheme, the use of dummy cells to replace the lost ATM cells is investigated. For this second scheme, different patterns for the dummy cells to be used are investigated. Statistics of signal to noise ratio (SNR) for cell loss ratio (CLR) in each case are presented. Statistics gathered from both types of schemes can be applied in several ways to network design and operation.
AAP Presidential Address The AAP and the transformation of medicine

As much as I enjoy blazing new trails, my approach to this Presidential Address has followed the requisites faithfully taken by my illustrious predecessors. I have read the Constitution of the Association of American Physicians (AAP) developed in 1886, I have reviewed the history of the organization, and I have studied most of the Presidential Addresses delivered over the last decade.
A Test Methodology for Large Logic Networks

This paper analyzes a test methodology for large logic networks. In particular, it examines the effects of network sub-division on test system performance.