cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest in children: initial findings of the Pediatric Perioperative Cardiac Arrest (POCA) Registry.

BACKGROUND The Pediatric Perioperative Cardiac Arrest (POCA) Registry was formed in 1994 in an attempt to determine the clinical factors and outcomes associated with cardiac arrest in anesthetized children. METHODS Institutions that provide anesthesia for children are voluntarily enrolled in the POCA Registry. A representative from each institution provides annual institutional demographic information and submits anonymously a standardized data form for each cardiac arrest (defined as the need for chest compressions or as death) in anesthetized children 18 yr of age or younger. Causes and factors associated with cardiac arrest are analyzed. RESULTS In the first 4 yr of the POCA Registry, 63 institutions enrolled and submitted 289 cases of cardiac arrest. Of these, 150 arrests were judged to be related to anesthesia. Cardiac arrest related to anesthesia had an incidence of 1.4 +/- 0.45 (mean +/- SD) per 10,000 instances of anesthesia and a mortality rate of 26%. Medication-related (37%) and cardiovascular (32%) causes of cardiac arrest were most common, together accounting for 69% of all arrests. Cardiovascular depression from halothane, alone or in combination with other drugs, was responsible for two thirds of all medication-related arrests. Thirty-three percent of the patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1-2; in this group, 64% of arrests were medication-related, compared with 23% in American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 3-5 patients (P < 0.01). Infants younger than 1 yr of age accounted for 55% of all anesthesia-related arrests. Multivariate analysis demonstrated two predictors of mortality: American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 3-5 (odds ratio, 12.99; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-57.7), and emergency status (odds ratio, 3. 88; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-9.6). CONCLUSIONS Anesthesia-related cardiac arrest occurred most often in patients younger than 1 yr of age and in patients with severe underlying disease. Patients in the latter group, as well as patients having emergency surgery, were most likely to have a fatal outcome. The identification of medication-related problems as the most frequent cause of anesthesia-related cardiac arrest has important implications for preventive strategies.
Development of a Gas Turbine Combustion System for Medium-BTU Fuel

The Cool Water Coal Gasification Project requires a gas turbine combustion system to burn a high hydrogen medium-Btu coal gas produced in an oxygen-blown gasifier. The gas turbine selected for this demonstration plant is a General Electric Company MS7001E unit. The plant is located in Daggett, California, a location requiring compliance with stringent environmental regulations; that is, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at 63.5 kg/hr and carbon monoxide (CO) at 35.0 kg/hr in the machine exhaust.The plant operating configuration requires fuel gas to be supplied at 330 ??K and 477 ??K with 20%/vol moisture blended. A combustion system was developed enabling the gas turbine to operate from full speed no load to full load on both fuel gas configurations. Distillate oil capability was also incorporated to facilitate safe machine startup and shutdown.Emissions requirements for NOx were met with steam injection, ???CO??? by combustor design, and sulfur oxides are met by fuel gas cleanup.A conventional combustion liner sleeve with a standard air admission schedule was used. A unique fuel nozzle, based upon past low-Btu fuel work, was designed incorporating the latest low erosion oil nozzle.One combustor of the 10 fitted to an MS7001E was tested at full pressure and airflow. Test results indicate, as predicted analytically, that NOx prediction varies substantially between cold dry fuel gas and hot wet gas. NOx compliance was attainable with little degradation of other design considerations. Carbon monoxide emissions were well below the required limits.Copyright ?? 1985 by ASME
Reflectance factor measurement systematic errors due to near infrared fluorescence

Orange and red ceramic tiles that are widely used as measurement standards for reflectance factor unexpectedly exhibit near infrared fluorescence. Two measurement methods, illuminating the sample with broadband light and spectrally resolving the reflectance or illuminating the sample with monochromatic light and using a broadband detector, are commonly used to measure reflectance factor. The effect this fluorescence component has on the measured reflectance factor utilizing different measurement methods is analyzed. Published 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011
Angiotensin-(1-7) Dilates Canine Coronary Arteries Through Kinins and Nitric Oxide

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] was recently recognized to have novel biological functions that are distinct from those of Ang II. In these studies, we determined the vasoactive effects of Ang-(1-7) together with the endothelium-dependent mediator(s) of these responses in canine coronary arteries. Isometric tension was measured in intact canine coronary artery rings suspended in organ chambers perfused with 95% O2/5% CO2 at 37 degrees C. Ang-(1-7) caused significant concentration-dependent vascular relaxation (2.73 +/- 0.58 micromol/L, EC50) of rings precontracted with the thromboxane A2 analogue U46,619. Pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (1 mol/L) abolished the vasodilator response to Ang-(1-7), whereas treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 micromol/L) was without effect. The vasodilator response produced by Ang-(1-7) was blocked by 75% with the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 (1 micromol/L) or by 80% with the nonselective Ang II antagonist [Sar1,Thr8]-Ang II (1 micromol/L). In contrast, the selective AT1 or AT2 Ang II antagonists CV 11974 (1 micromol/L), and PD 123319 (1 micromol/L), respectively, were ineffective in inhibiting the Ang-(1-7)-elicited vasodilation. Furthermore, pretreatment of the coronary rings with 2 micromol/L Ang-(1-7) markedly potentiated the bradykinin response. These results suggest that Ang-(1-7) elicits coronary vasodilation that is specifically mediated by the endothelium-dependent release of nitric oxide. These responses involve a B2 bradykinin receptor and a non-AT1, non-AT2, angiotensin receptor. These data suggest that increases in circulating levels of Ang-(1-7) accompanying long-term administration of converting enzyme inhibitors or Ang II receptor blockers may contribute to the cardioprotective actions of these drugs.
Reduction of fusarium wilt of hydroponically grown basil by Fusarium oxysporum strain CS-20

Abstract Basil seedlings were drenched with water or Fusarium oxysporum strain CS-20. The following week, plants were placed in hydroponic troughs with a circulating nutrient solution. Since 2% of the seed was naturally infested with F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici , pathogen inoculum was not applied. After 7 weeks, there were significantly fewer dead stems in plants treated with strain CS-20 than in the control treatment. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if a different type of seeding medium could retard dispersal of the pathogen. Oasis is a rigid, open-celled foam used as a medium for seeding and for rooting cuttings. Oasis cubes (cubes physically attached to each other within each tray) and wedges (wedges physically separated within each tray) were seeded with basil. The cube or wedge nearest to the center was inoculated with 10 5 propagules of the pathogen or water. After 1 and 2 weeks, half of the cubes and wedges in each of the three trays were destructively sampled. Different trays were used for the 1- and 2-week samplings. For treatments inoculated with the pathogen, the number of colony forming units (cfu) recovered decreased significantly as the distance from the inoculation site increased. Significantly more cfu were recovered from cubes than wedges when both planting media were inoculated with the pathogen, indicating that the cubes were more conducive to pathogen dispersal than the wedges. In the cubes, the pathogen was recovered 13 cm away from the inoculation site at populations significantly higher than the background levels (up to 10 6 propagules/cube).
Global phase behavior for CO2-philic solids: the CO2 + β-D-maltose octaacetate system

Abstract High-pressure phase behavior for a binary mixture of the CO2-philic solid β- d -maltose octaacetate (MOA, Tm = 432 K) with carbon dioxide was determined. Both critical end points (LCEP and UCEP) and pressure versus composition isotherms at 283, 298, and 323 K were measured in order to identify the global phase behavior for this system. Limited pressure–composition measurements were also made down to 253 K to determine whether liquid–liquid equilibria re-emerged at lower temperatures. The pressure-temperature projection of this system has the fluid-phase features of a Scott and Van Konynenburg Type V system. The solid–fluid behavior consists of a continuous, three-phase VL2S2 curve that goes through a pressure maximum before running just below and parallel to the three-phase VL1L2 line to lower pressures and temperatures. Another distinguishing feature of the CO2 + MOA system is a long VL1L2 line, which extends over a range of more than 20 K. The solubility of MOA in CO2 can be explained by the interaction between a Lewis base (the carbonyl groups of MOA) and a Lewis acid (CO2). The observed phase behavior, which is relatively rare, is likely to be observed for other high-melting CO2-philic solids, including poly(fluoroalkyl acrylate), poly(vinyl acetate), and other sugar acetates.
Traceability challenge 2011: using TraceLab to evaluate the impact of local versus global IDF on trace retrieval

Numerous trace retrieval algorithms incorporate the standard tf-idf (term frequency, inverse document frequency) technique to weight various terms. In this paper we address Grand Challenge C-GC1 by comparing the effectiveness of computing idf based only on the local terms in the query, versus computing it based on general term usage as documented in the American National Corpus. We also address Grand Challenges L-GC1 and L-GC2 by setting ourselves the additional task of designing and conducting the experiments using the alpha-release of TraceLab. TraceLab is an experimental workbench which allows researchers to graphically model and execute a traceability experiment as a workflow of components. Results of the experiment show that the local idf approach exceeds or matches the global approach in all of the cases studied.
DNA sequencing using 96-capillary array electrophoresis

Practical DNA sequencing in a rugged capillary array electrophoresis system coupled directly to 96-well microtiter plates is demonstrated. A CCD detector was used to monitor all capillaries simultaneously with laser-induced fluorescence at 1.75 frames per second. The reconstructed electropherograms show good signal-to-noise ratios and resolution for the entire capillary array. The system used standard dye labeling and image splitting to obtain fluorescence intensities in two wavelength regions to allow calling up to 410 bases for the DNA sequence. The use of a replaceable poly(ethylene oxide) matrix and a protective poly(vinylpyrrolidone) coating allows high separation speed and short turnaround time for high throughput DNA sequencing. Critical evaluation of the system performance over repeated runs with base calling is presented.
Units of analysis and the environmental justice hypothesis: The case of industrial hog farms

Objective. In environmental justice research, different-sized units of analysis have generated mixed results, begging the question of what constitutes the most appropriate unit of analysis. Grappling with this question raises both conceptual and methodological issues. In this article, it is argued that, conceptually, community should be the most important unit of analysis and that, methodologically, units should be selected through an appropriate sampling procedure. These issues are addressed through an investigation of the locations of industrial hog farms in Mississippi. Methods. A geographic information system procedure was used to identify community areas and to select the sample of units. The identified community areas were compared to counties, ZIP code areas, census tracts, and census block groups through a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results. Race was the only variable that was consistently not found to be significant across all units. For the remaining variables—income, education, and industry—results were mixed across units. Conclusions. This research confirms that units of different size generate different results. We argue that the decision about the most appropriate unit of analysis should be conceptually rather than statistically determined and that community is the most important unit of analysis because it holds both legal and social authority to raise concern about environmentally controversial facilities.
Aerial digital photographic surveys of narwhals, Monodon monoceros, in northwest Greenland

Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) abundance in Inglefield Bredning and adjacent fjords in Northwest Greenland was estimated using aerial digital photographic techniques in August 2001 and 2002. Two digital, large-format cameras continuously downloaded images to two laptop computers together with information on position, altitude, pitch, and roll of the aircraft. In 2001 a total of 11,628 images were obtained corresponding to a swept area of 840 km 2 . The survey of the entire area was repeated four times and produced a count of 360 narwhals on the images or an average abundance in the surveyed area of 873 narwhals (CV = 0.35) at the surface. In 2002 the area was surveyed seven times and approximately 11,402 images were obtained. This corresponded to a swept area of 2,208 km 2 with 566 narwhals counted on the images, and an average estimated abundance of 562 narwhals (CV = 0.24) at the surface. Correcting these figures for availability bias (assuming narwhals are submerged deeper than 2 m for 62% of the time) results in abundance estimates of 2,297 (95% CI: 1,472-3,122) in August 2001 and 1,478 (95% CI 1,164-1,793) in August 2002. The uncorrected estimates, when compared to the results of visual line-transect surveys conducted in 1985 and 1986 (Born et al. 1994), show a 10% decline in recent years in the abundance of whales visible at the surface.
Blockade of the HER Family of Receptors in the Treatment of HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Metastatic breast cancer is considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at palliating symptoms, achieving remission, and prolonging survival. Treatment options for metastatic disease vary based on tumor surface markers and clinical factors in an individual patient and include cytotoxic chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, or some combination of these. An important molecular determinant of therapy is the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity of the tumor, which affects response to HER2-targeted treatment. HER2 is a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptor tyrosine kinases, also known as the HER family, which activates signaling that promotes tumorigenic cellular processes such as proliferation and evasion of apoptosis. Several targeted agents, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors that inhibit one or more HER family receptors have been developed that affect signaling through this pathway. Some of these, such as trastuzumab and lapatinib, have been approved for breast cancer treatment. Resistance to therapy is a challenge that limits the duration of benefit achieved with these agents. Therefore, combinations of HER family-targeted agents with other therapies such as cytotoxic agents, hormonal therapy, or inhibitors of other cellular pathways, are being developed to exploit synergy and overcome resistance mechanisms. Here we review the HER family-targeted agents currently approved or in development for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with a focus on strategies to overcome tumor resistance.
The Larrey Legacy: Two Hundred Years on

o c w s u he Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences USUHS) was created by an act of Congress of the United tates of America in 1972 and began a set of challenges to stablish an academic and credible Department of Surgery. abiston and Rich documented early struggling activities as The onsultant and First Chairman to the Department of Surgery. oore, serving on the Board of Regents for USUHS for an early -year period, and Pories as an Army Reserve Officer and erving on the Surgical Faculty provided additional details rearding the activities of the only Federal Medical School with a ission to provide young physicians to serve in the Air Force, rmy, Navy, and Public Health Service. Although this was a new school, there were many estabished traditions in military medicine and surgery, including strong and extensive military surgical heritage. To provide n incentive and to establish a specific tradition for the new epartment of Surgery, it was agreed that there should be a pecific award presented to a military surgeon in uniform on ctive duty who had demonstrated a record of achieving cademic recognition, who provided outstanding care for he extended military family, and who contributed to the eveloping activities in the Department of Surgery at SUHS. In seeking wide consultation from historians and thers not involved with USUHS, it was emphasized that the ward should be named for a highly recognized military urgeon, and considering surgeons’ egos, it was best to hoose a surgeon who was dead. Baron Dominique Jean arrey, surgeon to Napoleon, was widely considered to be ne of the most outstanding military surgeons of the world, f not the most outstanding. Napoleon called Larrey, “the ost virtuous man he had ever known.” He exemplified hat we hope military surgeons would emulate in treating ounded on the battlefield without regard to nationality or tation in life. Details regarding Larrey’s humanism have been docuented earlier by our Department of Surgery. This new ward was named The Baron Dominque Jean Larrey Award
Prevalence of aquatic insects and arsenic concentration determine the geographical distribution of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection

A modified SIR model is used to explain the transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) and its dependence on arsenic (As) environments. Some studies have suggested that As plays a major role in the spread and prevalence of buruli ulcer (BU). In addition, it has been hypothesized that a vector in the form of a water-bug plays a key role in the epidemiology of BU. We develop an epidemiological model based on these assumptions for the dynamics and prevalence of BU and show that As positively induces the growth and spread of MU.
Colorimetric monitoring of solid-phase aldehydes using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.

A simple and rapid method to achieve colorimetric monitoring of resin-bound aldehydes, based on ambient temperature reaction with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) in the presence of dilute acid, has been developed as an adjunct to solid-phase organic synthesis and combinatorial chemistry. By this test, the presence of aldehydes is indicated by a red to dark-orange appearance, within a minute. Alternatively, resins that are free of aldehydes or in which aldehyde functions have reacted completely retain their original color. The DNPH test was demonstrated for poly(ethylene glycol)−polystyrene (PEG−PS), aminomethyl polystyrene (AMP), cross-linked ethoxylate acrylate resin (CLEAR), and acryloylated O,O‘-bis(2-aminopropyl)poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGA) supports and gave results visible to the naked eye at levels as low as 18 μmol of aldehyde per gram of resin.
Architectural mismatch: why reuse is so hard

Why isn't there more progress toward building systems from existing parts? One answer is that the assumptions of the parts about their intended environment are implicit and either don't match the actual environment or conflict with those of other parts. The authors explore these problems in the context of their own experience with a compositional approach. >
Using vision based tracking to support real-time graphical instruction for students who have visual impairments

In this paper, we describe a real-time vision-based tracking system to help students who are blind or visually impaired (SBVI) to follow instructional discourse that employs graphical illustrations. The vision system employs a color model based tracking for both the instructor's pointing behavior and the SBVI's reading behavior, and maps the pointing positions into the same coordinates. Our Haptic Deictic System - HDS system also employs a haptic glove to provide SBVI access to the situated pointing behavior of instructor that is performed in conjunction with speech, and provides the instructor real-time visual feedback on the SBVI's reading actions. Thus, our system supports two-way situated multimodal communication. In this paper, we first introduce our system, and then we discuss studies that show the efficacy of our approach.
A new nonlinear filtering formula non-Gaussian discrete time measurements

An exact formula for computing the conditional mean of a random variable is derived for discrete time observations with non-Gaussian measurement noise. This formula is analogous to the well-known result of Fujisaki-Kallianpur-Kunita for continuous time observations, and it is a generalization of the discrete time formula recently derived by Takeuchi and Akashi. The derivation of the new formula is extremely elementary, and it is based on the judicious choice of a certain homotopy function.
Monocyte-Derived IL-5 Reduces TNF Production by Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific CD4 T Cells during SIV/M. tuberculosis Coinfection

HIV-infected individuals are significantly more susceptible to tuberculosis (TB) than uninfected individuals. Although it is established that HIV reduces Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific T cell responses, the causes of this dysfunction are not known. We used the cynomolgus macaque model of TB to demonstrate that ex vivo SIV reduces the frequency of M. tuberculosis–specific TNF and IFN-γ–producing T cells within 24 h after infection. In vivo, T cell IFN-γ responses in granulomas from animals with SIV/M. tuberculosis coinfection were lower than SIV-negative animals with active TB. The SIV effects on the inhibition of T cell responses were primarily on APCs and not the T cells directly. Specifically, reductions in the frequency of TNF-producing M. tuberculosis–specific CD4 T cells were caused, at least in part, by SIV-induced production of monocyte derived IL-5.
Speaker independent audio-visual speech recognition

We present a general framework of integrating multimodal sensory signals for spatial temporal pattern recognition. Statistical methods are used to model time varying events in a collaborative manner such that the inter-modal CO-occurrence are taken into account. We discuss various data fusion strategies, modeling of the inter-modal correlations and extracting statistical parameters for multi-modal models. A bimodal speech recognition system is implemented. A speaker-independent experiment is carried out to test the audio-visual speech recognizer under different kinds of noises from a noise database. Consistent improvements of word recognition accuracy (WRA) are achieved using a cross-validation scheme over different signal-to-noise ratios.
Deficiency in recapitulation of stage-specific embryonic gene transcription in two-cell stage cloned mouse embryos

One possible explanation to account for the ability to clone animals by somatic cell nuclear transfer is that the donor genome is reprogrammed by the oocyte to recapitulate a normal embryonic pattern of gene expression. Mouse embryos display transient transcriptional induction of a group of genes (TIGs) at the mid two-cell stage, the first major transcriptional output of the embryonic genome, uniquely suited for evaluating whether the oocyte directs correct and efficient recapitulation of an embryo stage-specific gene expression program before any in vitro selection occurs. We analyzed the expression of eight TIGs in two-cell stage clones prepared with cumulus cell nuclei. One failed to be transcribed, and seven others were transcribed, but supported significantly reduced mRNA expression. The reduction ranged from 1.6- to 17-fold at the mid two-cell stage, and 1.5- to 13-fold for the late two-cell stage. Five genes were not expressed in the donor cells, and these displayed the most pronounced deficiencies in expression. Two genes were expressed in cumulus cell donors, and supported progressive accumulation of their mRNAs in clones during this period, albeit at reduced rates. One other gene expressed in cumulus cells was not activated in clones. Although a significant proportion of these genes is reactivated in two-cell stage clones, this recapitulation is grossly imperfect, occurs at a substantially reduced level, and even fails entirely to occur for some genes. Thus, the oocyte is incapable of efficiently directing the recapitulation of early embryonic stage-specific gene expression. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1548–1556, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interhospital Transfer for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Community Hospital's Experience

Priscilla A. Bowler is Master of Science in Nursing Student at D’Youville College and Professional Practice Educator, Emergency Services, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. For correspondence, write: Priscilla A. Bowler, BScN, Emergency Services, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, 1230 Northshore Blvd, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4C4; E-mail: pbowler@jbmh.com. J Emerg Nurs 2006;32:486-90 Available online 12 October 2006. 0099-1767/$32.00 Copyright n 2006 by the Emergency Nurses Association. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2006.08.001
Multiphase power boost converters with sliding mode

On/off operation mode is commonly used for power systems, which results in oscillations with finite frequency and amplitude. These oscillations are called ripple or chattering in control literature. On one hand increasing the switching frequency improve the system accuracy, but on the other hand it leads to high power losses in converters. The design methodology is offered for boost power converters to keep frequency and amplitude at the admissible level simultaneously. The frequency is maintained at the desired level by making the width of hysteresis loop in switching element depending on the system state. The idea of chattering suppression is based on so-called “harmonic cancelation”: the converter consists of several parallel channels, which brings cancelation of high frequency components in the sum of outputs. The method of phase control stems from the theory of multidimensional sliding modes: the desired phase shifts can be provided by a proper choice of switching commands. Implementation of the method does not need any additional hardware.
Influence of body and genital morphology on relative male fertilization success in oriental beetle

Although the frequently large variance in relative male fertilization success when females are mated by more than 1 male has been appreciated for some time, the factors that influence relative paternity are still poorly understood. Recently, experimental evidence that morphology of male genitalia influences fertilization success has been documented in 2 water striders, a dung beetle, and a leaf beetle. We explored the role of male genital morphology in postcopulatory sexual selection in the oriental beetle. We mated females to 2 males in succession and assessed relative paternity by the sterile male technique. Morphology of the male genitalia was found to strongly influence relative paternity but only for the first male to mate. Male body size influenced relative fertilization success as well, but again, only for the first male; surprisingly, smaller males achieved higher paternity when mating first. We also found suggestive evidence that copula duration of both the first and second male to mate influenced paternity. Other factors, including female size and degree of asymmetry of hind tibiae length of males had no effect on relative fertilization success. Our results for the oriental beetle are novel among sperm precedence studies for 2 reasons: 1) traits of the first male appear to be more important in influencing paternity than those of the second, and 2) smaller, not larger, males achieved greater relative paternity. Our results also contribute to the growing body of empirical evidence in support of the hypothesis that male genitalia evolve by postcopulatory sexual selection. Key words: evolution of genitalia, first male priority, genital morphology, sexual selection, sperm precedence. [Behav Ecol]
Numerical Investigation of a Bidirectional Wave Coupler Based on Plasmonic Bragg Gratings in the Near Infrared Domain

In this paper, we present a theoretical discussion of the design of bidirectional wave couplers based on plasmonic Bragg gratings in the near infrared domain. A key feature in the design of the plasmonic Bragg gratings is the dependence of the effective refractive index on the thickness of the dielectric layer. These gratings, which function as band rejection filters, enable directional coupling of different SPP modes. By placing two gratings with different band gaps on opposite sides of a subwavelength metallic slit, a bidirectional plasmonic surface wave coupler can be realized. Two-dimensional (2-D) FDTD simulations were performed to elucidate the properties of the device, and were found to agree well with the theoretical predictions. Finally, the wave confinement properties of the plasmonic Bragg gratings are studied further by introducing the equivalent 1-D photonic crystal band structures.
Mouse model of experimental Eustachian tube occlusion: a surgical technique.

AbstractConclusion: The present study demonstrates a mouse model of chronic Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction using a surgical technique that is reproducible and effective with low mortality and morbidity.Objective: To create a reproducible and effective mouse model of ET obstruction with a low operative morbidity.Methods: Forty healthy, male CBA/CaJ mice underwent the procedure. ET obstruction was performed on one side under general anesthesia; A small piece of dental material (Gutta Percha Points, Meta Biomed, Chungbuk, Korea) was placed via the tympanic orifice of the ET to occlude the entire ET. The contralateral ears of animals served as a control. One month after the operation, all ears were inspected under an operating microscope for signs of ET dysfunction. Primary outcome measures were the signs of ET dysfunction inspected through tympanic membrane (TM) 4 weeks after the operation and confirmation of ET occlusion by post-mortem dissection.Results: Forty (100%) of the treated mice ears developed ET...
Injection molding of poly(ethylene terephthalate) reinforced with pregenerated thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer microfibrils

This work was concerned with the injection molding of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) reinforced with pregenerated thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) fibrils, where the TLCP had a higher melt processing temperature than PET. These composites, referred to as pregenerated microcomposites, were produced using a two step processing scheme. First, a novel dual extrusion process was used to spin strands of PET reinforced with nearly continuous TLCP fibrils. Second, these strands were subsequently chopped into pellets and injection molded below the melt processing temperature of the TLCP but above that of PET. This allowed the high modulus TLCP fibrils generated in the spinning step to be retained in the injection molded samples. TLCP concentration and strand draw ratio were varied in the composite strands to determine how they affected mechanical properties. It was shown that the best properties were obtained using strands containing 50 weight percent TLCP with draw ratios greater than 50, which were diluted to the desired loading level with a low viscosity injection molding grade of PET. Specifically, these composites had tensile moduli as high as 5.7 GPa when reinforced with 30 weight percent HX1000. Also, it was determined that pregenerated microcomposites had smoother surfaces than glass-filled PET.
AN OPTIMAL INEQUALITY FOR CR-WARPED PRODUCTS IN COMPLEX SPACE FORMS INVOLVING CR δ-INVARIANT

We prove a new optimal inequality for CR-warped products in complex space forms involving a CR δ-invariant. Moreover, we completely classify CR-warped product submanifolds in complex Euclidean space which satisfy the equality case of the inequality.
Perceived Parent-Child Relations, Conduct Problems, and Clinical Improvement Following the Treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Our objective in this study was to examine the moderating influence of parent–child relationship quality (as viewed by the child) on associations between conduct problems and treatment responses for children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). To date, few studies have considered children’s perceptions of relationship quality with parents in clinical contexts even though extant studies show the importance of this factor in children’s behavioral adjustment in non-clinical settings. In this study, 123 children (ages 7–14 years, 61.8 % male, 83.7 % white) who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for ODD received one of two psychosocial treatments: Parent Management Training or Collaborative and Proactive Solutions. In an earlier study, both treatments were found to be effective and equivalent in treatment outcomes. In the current study, pre-treatment maternal reports of conduct problems and pre-treatment child reports of relations with parents were used to predict outcomes in ODD symptoms and their severity following treatment. Elevated reports of children’s conduct problems were associated with attenuated reductions in both ODD symptoms and their severity. Perceived relationship quality with parents moderated the ties between conduct problems and outcomes in ODD severity but not the number of symptoms. Mother reports of elevated conduct problems predicted attenuated treatment response only when children viewed relationship quality with their parents as poorer. When children viewed the relationship as higher quality, they did not show an attenuated treatment response, regardless of reported conduct problems. The current findings underscore the importance of children’s perspectives in treatment response and reductions in externalizing child behaviors.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF GASTROINTESTINAL ANTIBODIES II. Histological changes in the stomach induced by injection of specific heterologous antibodies

Injection into guinea pigs of rabbit antisera against antigens from fetal and adult guinea pig gastric mucosa results in an acute inflammation confined to the stomach of the injected animals. The lesion is characterized by extreme capillary dilation, hemorrhage, and neutrophilia, and is similar to an Arthus type phenomenon. Injection of rabbit antisera against antigens from adult and fetal guinea pig colonic mucosa only induces mild capillary dilation. No histological changes are found in rabbits which have circulating autoantibodies against constituents of gastric and colonic mucosa.
Can We Make Unambiguous Inequality Comparisons When Lorenz Curves Intersect? An Essay

This essay outlines the exact definition of “Equality” and “Inequality” in economics. The discussion moves forward to review concepts of ranking of orderings and methodology of constructing Indices of Inequality with an emphasis on Lorenz Orderings. We also discuss the possibility of comparing between two distributions (i.e. two Lorenz Curves/Orderings), and extend the analysis to analyse the ambiguity of comparisons when the case when Lorenz curves intersect.
Hegemonic Framing of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., in Northeastern Newspapers

This study explores how Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., were portrayed in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Boston Globe. Drawing on concepts of hegemony and racism, a textual analysis was conducted to examine coverage of each man. Through this framing, Malcolm X was labeled as a deviant while Martin Luther King, Jr., was embraced as a righteous leader. These characterizations reinforced hegemonic power structures while challenging the established “protest paradigm.”
Dramatic Effect of the Electrostatic Parameters on H2 Sorption in an M-MOF-74 Analogue

Simulations of H2 sorption were performed in Cu-MOF-74, a recent addition to the M-MOF-74 series. Electronic structure calculations revealed that the Cu2+ ions exhibit an unusually low partial positive charge distribution in Cu-MOF-74, which is a direct consequence of the Jahn–Teller effect. This is in contrast to the charge environment for the metal ions in some of the other M-MOF-74 variants as determined in previous work [Pham, T.; J. Phys. Chem. C 2015, 119, 1078−1090]. Because of the low magnitude of the partial charges of the Cu2+ ions in Cu-MOF-74, this MOF displays the lowest H2 uptake and Qst values of the M-MOF-74 series, which is consistent with what was observed experimentally for H2 sorption in this series of MOFs. Control simulations of H2 sorption in a nonphysical Cu-MOF-74 variant were performed in which a set of calculated partial charges, appropriate for one of the other M-MOF-74 analogues, were used. These simulations utilize a much higher partial positive charge for the metal ions and,...
Probing Perovskite Interfaces and Superlattices with X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy

The use of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) in the soft, intermediate and hard X-ray regimes in probing complex oxide interfaces and superlattices is reviewed. Core-level line shapes are briefly discussed, followed by a case study of several aspects of the LaAlO3/SrTiO3(001) heterojunction. These include how XPS in both angle-integrated and angle-resolved modes has been used to probe the physical cause of interface conductivity, the origin of itinerant electrons, the valence band offset, and the extent of cation mixing. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of other perovskite interfaces which have been successfully investigated with XPS.
Electric fish confront the paradox of selfhood

Among your brain's many responsibilities, one of the most important is distinguishing between external and self-generated signals. The sound of one's own laughter might closely resemble the shrieking of an irascible badger, but the two auditory stimuli require wildly different responses. One way
Genetics of grain amaranths : 4. Variation and early generation response to selection in Amaranthus cruentus L.

Two landrace populations of Amaranthus cruentus L. were crossed to generate F2 populations for quantitative genetic analyses of variation. Evidence for significant inbreeding depression in comparisons of F1 and F2generation means suggested some role of nonadditive gene action for days to first anthesis, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, plant height, panicle length, and panicle weight. A pooled F2 population was subjected to bidirectional mass selection for time of first anthesis (two cycles) and leaf length (one cycle). Responses to selection were asymmetrical and the second cycle response for anthesis time was smaller than for the first cycle. Overall, selection gains were significant and gave estimates of heritability in the range of 0.35 to 0.66 for anthesis time and 0.08 to 0.19 for leaf length. This suggested a large additive term in the total genetic variance especially for anthesis time where early and late flowering selection lines diverged by 20.5 days.Correlations between the selected traits (anthesis time, leaf length) and single plant yield or yield components were also studied to evaluate correlated responses to selection. Selection for optimal flowering time in amaranth cultivation areas is very likely to result in rapid yield improvement.
2-Amino-5-chlorobenzoxazole (McN-485, flexin), a long-acting spinal cord depressant.

SummaryMcN-485 (Flexin) has been shown to produce selective depression of polysynaptic spinal reflexes at lower does then those required to block monosynaptic reflexes. In much higher doses, it inhibits the response of indirectly stimulated skeletal muscle. In these respects it resembles the other five “spinal cord depressants” tested. However, its duration of action is extremely protracted, as observed previously in unanesthetized animals (10), and its potency was found to be considerably greater than those of the other two long-acting drugs tested. In view of its reported low toxicity and minimum of side-effects, it appears to possess desirable properties as a therapeutic agent of this class.
Does Survival on the Heart Transplant Waiting List Depend on the Underlying Heart Disease

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to identify differences in survival on the basis of type of heart disease while awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Background Patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), congenital heart disease (CHD), or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be at a disadvantage while awaiting OHT because they often are poor candidates for mechanical circulatory support and/or inotropes. Methods The study included all adults in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database awaiting OHT from 2004 to 2014, and outcomes were evaluated on the basis of type of heart disease. The primary endpoint was time to all-cause mortality, censored at last patient follow-up and time of transplantation. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to evaluate survival by type of cardiomyopathy. Results There were 14,447 patients with DCM, 823 with RCM, 11,799 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), 602 with HCM, 964 with CHD, 584 with valvular disease, and 1,528 in the “other” category (including 1,216 for retransplantation). During median follow-up of 3.7 months, 4,943 patients died (1,253 women, 3,690 men). After adjusting for possible confounding variables including age, renal function, inotropes, mechanical ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support, the adjusted hazard ratios by diagnoses relative to DCM were 1.70 for RCM (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43 to 2.02), 1.10 for ICM (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.18), 1.23 for HCM (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.54), 1.30 for valvular disease (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.57), 1.37 for CHD (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.61), and 1.51 for “other” diagnoses (95% CI: 1.34 to 1.69). Sex was a significant modifier of mortality for ICM, RCM, and “other” diagnoses (p Conclusions In the United States, patients with RCM, CHD, or prior heart transplantation had a higher risk for death while awaiting OHT than patients with DCM, ICM, HCM, or valvular heart disease.
The Effect of Uretero-Peritoneostomy on Renal Mass in Rats with Porto-Caval Shunts

AbstractIt is established that peritoneal reabsorption of 1 kidney’s excretion after uretero-peritoneostomy does not result in a compensatory increase in renal mass. To test whether a factor in normal urine which is deactivated by passage through the liver becomes renotrophic if absorbed directly into the systemic blood, either unilateral uretero-peritoneostomy or intraperitoneal infusion of normal urine was performed in rats with prior porto-caval shunts. No significant growth occurred in the intact kidney(s) of such rats. Uninephrectomy did cause compensatory hypertrophy in porto-caval rats. Thus the porto-caval shunt did not alter the inability of peritoneal urine to induce compensatory hypertrophy in spite of the obvious added excretory load.
Making Sense of Class: A Commentary on Lott

While Lott's commentary rightly calls for greater attention to the consequences of capitalism, we offer further discussion of one important issue: the psychological study of social class. This work has predominantly focused on the psychological consequences of class itself by studying the ways that objective and subjective status differences influence thought and behavior. We call for a broader approach that further acknowledges the psychology of class perceptions and beliefs, one means of legitimizing (or challenging) inequality under capitalism. The role of class beliefs as a justification of, or challenge to, the status quo presents an important area for future research. (100/100)
Embryonic Stem Cells and Released Factors Stimulate c-kit+/FLK-1+ Progenitor Cells and Promote Neovascularization in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy:

Vascular apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of a myriad of cardiac dysfunctions, but has yet to be investigated in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Additionally, the neovascularization potential and resulting functional consequences of embryonic stem (ES) cells and factors released from these cells in the chronic DIC myocardium remain largely unknown. To this end, we transplanted conditioned media (CM) and ES cells in the DIC-injured heart and evaluated their potential to inhibit vascular cell death, activate endogenous c-kit(+) and FLK-1(+) cells, enhance neovascularization, and augment left ventricular dysfunction. Data presented suggest transplanted CM and ES cells significantly blunt vascular cell apoptosis consequent to DIC. Quantitative immunohistochemistry data demonstrate significantly increased c-kit(+) and FLK-1(+) cells, as well as enhanced differentiated CD31(+) cells in the CM and ES cell groups relative to DIC controls. Heart function, including fractional shortening and ejection fraction, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, was significantly improved following CM and ES cell transplantation. In conclusion, our data suggest that transplantation of CM and ES cells inhibit vascular apoptosis, activate endogenous c-kit(+) and FLK-1(+) cells and differentiate them into endothelial cells, enhance neovascularization, and improve cardiac function in the DIC-injured myocardium.