cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aortic baroreceptor deafferentation diminishes saline-induced drinking in rats

The effect of bilateral surgical deafferentation of the baroreceptors in the aortic arch and carotid sinus on experimentally induced water intake was investigated in rats. Drinking was induced by subcutaneous administration of one of the following agents: hypertonic saline, polyethylene glycol, isoproterenol and angiotensin II, or by 18 h of water deprivation. Hypertonic saline-induced drinking was significantly attenuated after bilateral denervation of either the aortic arch plus the carotid sinus or the aortic arch alone. However, this diminished response disappeared when hypertonic saline was given in subsequent tests. The initial drinking deficit following hypertonic saline was independent of the time elapsed since the animals had undergone surgery. All other thirst challenges tested resulted in water intake that was not statistically different from sham-operated control groups. It is concluded that aortic baroreceptor deafferentation initially results in a diminished drinking response following hypertonic saline, possibly due to interruption of afferent information originating in osmosensitive areas in the aortic arch. A role of arterial baroreceptors in the regulation of non-osmotically induced water intake is not supported by the present data.
C-reactive protein and incident left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension.

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensive adults. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma CRP level is more predictive of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than is ambulatory blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive children. Baseline and 12-month follow-up measures of BP, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein cholesterol, left ventricular mass (LVM), and CRP data collected from 48 newly diagnosed, untreated hypertensive children were analyzed. CRP was measured by a highly sensitive nephelometric method. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated as LVM/height2.7, and LVH was defined as LVMI >38.6 g/m2.7 being the cut-point for the 95th percentile found in healthy children. Average systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), SBP index, and DBP index were calculated. All patients received hydrochlorothiazide therapy in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment. Five patients also had angiotensin receptor blocker therapy to reach the target BP (<95th percentile corrected for age and gender). In a multiple regression analysis, LMVI was correlated with CRP, BMI, SBP, and SBP index. CRP alone explained 77% of the variance of LVMI, whereas BMI, SBP, and SBP index explained only 1.3, 0.3, and 0.4% of the variance, respectively. CRP was also the most significant correlate of follow-up LVH. In conclusion, elevated CRP level is significantly associated with LVH in children with essential hypertension. BP reduction with renin–angiotensin system blocker and hydrochlorothiazide therapy reduces LVH while lowering CRP level.
Transient shaping in force-reflecting teleoperation

It has been shown that stability can actually be guaranteed for all possible transmission delays simply by having the transmission mimic natural wave carriers, such as flexible beams or electrical transmission lines. Passivity analysis provides a convenient framework for analyzing such systems while accommodating for arbitrary environment interactions and human operator inputs. Though stability is fundamental, practical usefulness is determined by transient characteristics. Thus, this paper focuses on the transient behavior of stable force-reflecting teleoperation systems. It builds on the notion of impedance matching to select the controller structure and tune the controller parameters, and finds a symmetric controller configuration to provide the best behavior. It also includes a tuning mechanism to trade-off the accuracy of force-reflection (and feeling of telepresence) with the possible speeds of operation. >
Effects of response type on pigeons' sensitivity to variation in reinforcer amount and reinforcer delay.

Twelve pigeons, divided into two groups, responded on concurrent nonindependent variable-interval schedules to obtain access to grain by either pecking keys or pressing treadles. Either the amount of grain or the delay to the receipt of grain was varied in separate conditions to determine the sensitivity of relative responding to variation in reinforcer amount (sA), the sensitivity to variation in reinforcer delay (sD), and sA/sD, a measure related to self-control. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the values of sA, sD, and sA/sD. These results suggest that the values of sA, sD, and sA/sD for pigeons may be similar across these two types of responses.
Flow cytometric characterization of isolated porcine hepatocyte suspensions for liver support.

Abstract: The high yield hepatocyte isolation necessary for hybrid liver assist devices (LAD) unavoidably increases contamination by nonparenchymal cells and depresses hepatocyte viability and functions. We have developed a flow cytometric procedure that improves quality control of the isolations. Cells present in these preparations were labeled by immunofluorescent antibody staining against cytokeratin 8,18 as well as vimentin to identify hepatocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Antibody staining against albumin and carbamoylphos-phate synthetase allowed assessment of levels of albumin and carbamoylphosphate synthetase based on the hepatocyte relative fluorescence intensity. Hepatocyte P450 enzyme activity was measured by its ability to convert 5,6-methoxycarbonylfluorescein, a nonfluorescent substrate, to an intracellular fluorescent product. Flow cytometric methods of cell type identification and cell function assessment are fast and accurate and can be applied to commercial cell production. They may also provide an avenue for the enrichment of otherwise heterogeneous hepatocyte suspensions with cells presenting the specific functions desired for an hybrid liver assist devices.
Some Cross-Section Limits for the Occurrence of the (n, He 3 ) Reaction at 14.5 Mev

The ($n$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$) reaction at 14.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9 Mev has been investigated carefully with scintillation spectroscopy and radiochemical techniques. No case of an ($n$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$) reaction could be detected at this energy. Upper limits were set on the ($n$, ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$) cross section for the following target nuclides: ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{26}$(3.0), ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$(0.70), ${\mathrm{P}}^{31}$(0.25), ${\mathrm{K}}^{41}$(2.5), ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$(0.33), ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$(0.42), ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$(0.10), ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$(0.08), ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$(0.51), ${\mathrm{Zr}}^{94}$(0.4), ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{103}$(0.09), and ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{133}$(0.15), where the value in parentheses is the upper limit in millibarns. One case of the ($n, {n}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\alpha}$) reaction was detected at this energy, on ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$ with a cross section of a few millibarns.
Gene–Gene–Environment Interactions Between Drugs, Transporters, Receptors, and Metabolizing Enzymes: Statins, SLCO1B1, and CYP3A4 as an Example

ABSTRACT Pharmacogenetic biomarker tests include mostly specific single gene-drug pairs, capable of accounting for a portion of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. However, multiple genes are likely to contribute, either acting independently or epistatically, with the CYP2C9 – VKORC1 –warfarin test panel, an example of a clinically used gene–gene–dug interaction. I discuss here further instances of gene–gene–drug interactions, including a proposed dynamic effect on statin therapy by genetic variants in both a transporter (SLCO1B1) and a metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4) in liver cells, the main target site where statins block cholesterol synthesis. These examples set a conceptual framework for developing diagnostic panels involving multiple gene-drug combinations.
Defining Integrality at Prime Sets of High Density over Function Fields

Let F be a function field of characteristic p>2 over a finite field Cp. Then for any finite set of F-primes S and any ɛgt;0, there exists a set of F-primes W of density greater than 1-ɛ such that S ⊂W and OF,S has a Diophantine definition over OF,W. (Here OF,W = {x ∈ Fx|ordpx⩾0,∀p∉W} and OF,S is defined analogously.)
Hidden Talent: Tacit Skill Formation and Labor Market Incorporation of Latino Immigrants in the United States

This article examines informal training and skill development pathways of Latino immigrant construction workers in two different urban labor markets: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. We find that institutional differences across local labor markets not only shape how immigrants develop skills in specific places but also determine the localized obstacles they face in demonstrating and harnessing these skills for employment. To explain the role of local institutions in shaping differences in skill development experience and opportunities, we draw on the concept of tacit skill, a term that is rarely incorporated into studies of the labor market participation of less educated immigrants. We argue that innovative pathways that Latino immigrant workers have created to develop tacit skill can strengthen advocacy planning efforts aimed at improving employment opportunities and working conditions for marginalized workers, immigrant and nonimmigrant alike.
Analysis of cooperativity and ion effects in the interaction of quinacrine with DNA.

The interaction of quinacrine with calf thymus DNA was monitored at several different ionic strengths using spectrophotometric and equilibrium dialysis techniques. The binding results can be explained, assuming each base pair is a potential binding site, using a model containing two negative cooperative effects: (1) ligand exclusion at binding sites adjacent to a filled binding site and (2) ligand–ligand negative cooperativity at adjacent filled binding sites. The logarithm of the observed equilibrium constant (Kobs) determined by this model varies linearily with log[Na+], as predicted by the ion condensation theory for polyelectrolytes. When the log Kobs plot is correlated for sodium release by DNA in the intercalation conformational change, the predicted number of ion pairs between the ligand and DNA is approximately two, as expected for the quinacrine dication. Even though Kobs depends strongly on ionic strength, the ligand negative cooperativity parameter ω was found to be indpendent of ionic strength within experimental error. This finding is also in agreement with the ion condensation theory, which predicts a relatively constant amount of condensed counterion on the DNA double helix over this ionic strength range. Drugs would, therefore, experience a relatively constant ionic environment when complexed to DNA even though the ionic conditions of the solvent could change considerably.
How We Manage the Multiple-Ligament Injured (Dislocated) Knee

Treating mulitligament knee dislocations can be difficult. Initial treatment should consist of immediate reduction and care for limb-threatening injuries. Physical examination, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging are often necessary to clearly define the injury pattern. Occasionally, a computed tomography scan is beneficial to better characterize fractures. Timing for definitive treatment of the multiligament knee injury depends on associated injuries at the time of injury, the integrity of the soft tissues, the vascular status of the limb, and the condition of the knee at presentation. In general, early surgery is indicated in patients with associated fractures, vascular compromise, and patellar or quadriceps tendon ruptures. We also tend to favor acute repair of lateral-sided injuries with or without graft augmentation. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries can be treated with immobilization unless the MCL is displaced or if there is associated meniscal extrusion. The condition of the knee largely determines whether the cruciate ligaments should be acutely reconstructed or reconstructed in a staged procedure. We treat complete posterior cruciate ligament injuries with a double-bundle arthroscopic inlay technique. The decision to use allograft or autograft depends on the severity of the knee injury, the demands that will be placed on the knee, and patient wishes. The return to a high level of sports participation after this injury is challenging and usually takes at least 9 to 12 months.
Adsorption of fluorescently labeled protein residues on poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) films modified with affinity functionalities

Poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (EAA) films were reacted with glycine, 12-aminododecanoic acid, aspartic acid, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, ethanolamine, diethylamine, dimethylamine, N-isopropylamine, and dimethylaminoethyleneamine to prepare EAA films with negatively charged, non-charged, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic functionalities. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and contact angle measurements were used to characterize the modified EAA films. Analyses revealed that the films were modified on the surfaces and also in the bulk; therefore, bulk properties such as cohesive energy density were changed even though the surfaces remained hydrophobic. Adsorption studies were performed for two fluorescently labeled protein residues, dansyl-L-phenylalanine (dansyl-F) and dansyl-L-glutamine (dansyl-Q), from pH 7.4 buffer solutions. The adsorption results revealed that dimethylaminoethyleneamine functionality gave the highest uptake among the functionalities studied, and adsorption was more favorable for dansyl-F than dansyl-Q. Adsorption behavior is discussed in terms of hydrophobic-hydrophobic (dispersion) interactions and Coulombic interactions.
Azithromycin once daily for 1 year reduced acute COPD exacerbations

Source Citation Albert RK, Connett J, Bailey WC, et al; COPD Clinical Research Network. Azithromycin for prevention of exacerbations of COPD. N Engl J Med. 2011;365:689-98. 21864166
Accuracy of Clinical Examination, Digital Mammogram, Ultrasound, and MRI in Determining Postneoadjuvant Pathologic Tumor Response in Operable Breast Cancer Patients

To determine the accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of clinical examination and breast imaging techniques in determining pathologic complete response in patients with locally advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy. A retrospective review was performed of data collected from patients treated with either neoadjuvant hormonal or chemotherapy between January 2005 and September 2010. Patients were evaluated by one of three surgical breast oncologists before neoadjuvant therapy and within 1 month before surgery by clinical breast examination (CBE), digital mammogram, breast ultrasound, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The accuracy, NPV, and PPV of each modality was calculated on the basis of the final pathologic report. Available data from the literature was synthesized. Sixty-two tumors in 61 patients with a mean age of 56 (range 34–87) years were evaluated. Overall accuracy ranged from 54% (CBE) to 80% (breast ultrasound). All modalities had a PPV greater than 75% for identifying the presence of residual disease. The PPV of each modality was generally higher in the younger patients. The NPV of all methods was less than 50%. The accuracy and NPV were compromised even further in younger patients. The combination of our own data with data available from the literature revealed MRI to be superior with regard to accuracy and PPV, but the NPV of MRIs remained poor at 65%. All measured tests are good at predicting the presence of disease on final pathology, but none are able to reliably predict a pathologic complete response.
Magnetic Field Induced Pseudo Phase Transition in Cadmium

Abstract Recent magnetostriction measurements in Cd showed anomalous behavior at about 25 kG. These data are shown to be consistent with a temperature and magnetic field version of Lifshitz's model for the ‘electron transitions’ associated with Fermi surface topology changes. The dependence of the model upon temperature and magnetic field direction is treated.
Structuring Information Flow to Enhance Innovation

Empirical work in industrial research organizations has provided data useful for better understanding researcher behavior during innovation. The role of information during idea creation and idea submission is described based on these data. A model of a management information system is structured which is consistent with and supportive of researcher behavior and which includes technical planning, project selection, and manpower planning. The critical problems of information search and dissemination are examined.
Comparison of triboluminescent emission yields for 27 luminescent materials

In 1888, Wiedemann and Schmidt defined triboluminescence (TL) as the emission of light produced by mechanical action. In 1999, Sage and Geddes patented a design for a sensor capable of discerning the locations of impacts. Their design involved embedding a sensor inside a material coated with a triboluminescent crystal. The resulting impacts would produce light that would be analyzed to determine its location. Using this idea, the authors have been investigating the triboluminescent properties of 27 materials for its possible use as an impact sensor. This paper gives a detailed comparison of the triboluminescent emission yields resulting from low energy drops for 27 luminescent materials. Collection of this data is only the first step towards the development of a practical TL-based impact sensor.
Applying the Mutual Climatic Range method to the beetle assemblages in Japan using accurate data of climate and distribution of modern species

Abstract The Mutual Climatic Range method of Paleotemperature reconstruction is well suited to Japan, because the meteorological stations are densely located, and the modern distributions of beetles are well studied. Many of the cold adapted species which were in the Japanese lowlands during glacial periods still survive at higher elevations on the Japanese Archipelago, in high mountain refuges. A new way of drawing convex polygons as species envelopes is proposed here, make the method more accurate and objective. A test analysis using four beetle species from a stratum in the Nojiri-ko site, Nagano Prefecture is presented. The test shows a decline of temperatures, the first example of MCR from East Asia. The result agrees with the previous estimation based on modern range overlaps and on reconstructions based on vegetation.
Complementary and alternative treatments for late-life depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance: a review of randomized controlled trials.

Objective We reviewed randomized controlled trials of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in nondemented older adults. Data sources We searched PubMed (1966-September 2006) and PsycINFO (1984-September 2006) databases using combinations of terms including depression, anxiety, and sleep; older adult/elderly; randomized controlled trial; and a list of 56 terms related to CAM. Study selection Of the 855 studies identified by database searches, 29 met our inclusion criteria: sample size >or= 30, treatment duration >or= 2 weeks, and publication in English. Four additional articles from manual bibliography searches met inclusion criteria, totaling 33 studies. Data extraction We reviewed identified articles for methodological quality using a modified Scale for Assessing Scientific Quality of Investigations (SASQI). We categorized a study as positive if the CAM therapy proved significantly more effective than an inactive control (or as effective as active control) on at least 1 primary psychological outcome. Positive and negative studies were compared on the following characteristics: CAM treatment category, symptom(s) assessed, country where the study was conducted, sample size, treatment duration, and mean sample age. Data synthesis 67% of the 33 studies reviewed were positive. Positive studies had lower SASQI scores for methodology than negative studies. Mind-body and body-based therapies had somewhat higher rates of positive results than energy- or biologically-based therapies. Conclusions Most studies had substantial methodological limitations. A few well-conducted studies suggested therapeutic potential for certain CAM interventions in older adults (e.g., mind-body interventions for sleep disturbances and acupressure for sleep and anxiety). More rigorous research is needed, and suggestions for future research are summarized.
Surface reactions at high pressures

Abstract Surface chemistry has progressed to a stage where definitive characterization of some simple prototype surface reaction systems is possible. For example, one can predict or reproduce measurements of the rate of CO oxidation on Pt in any laboratory. probably to within a factor of two over wide ranges of temperature and pressure. On the other hand, one would be fortunate to guess the rate of this reaction on Pt in the automotive converter to within a factor of ten unless the method of preparation and previous history of the catalyst had been precisely specified.
Botulinum neurotoxin type B (strain 657): partial sequence and similarity with tetanus toxin

The type B neurotoxin (NT) isolated from Clostridium botulinum (strain 657) behaved as a mixture of single (unnicked) and dichain (nicked) proteins, both of Mr approximately 150 kDa. When the dichain NT was reduced by mercaptoethanol, the two chains migrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as separate polypeptides of Mr approximately 100 and 50 kDa that appeared similar to the heavy and light chains of other serotypes of botulinum NT. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two chains were determined. They were as follows: light chain: Pro-Val-Thr-Ile-Asn-Asn-Phe-Asn-Tyr-Asn-Asp-Pro-Ile-Asp-Asn-Asn-Asn-Ile- Ile-Met - Met-Glu-Pro-Pro-Phe-Ala-Arg-Gly-Met-Gly-Arg-Tyr-Tyr-Lys-Ala-Phe-Lys-Ile- Thr-Asp - Arg-Ile-Trp-Ile-; and heavy chain: Ala-Pro-Gly-Ile-X-Ile-Asp-Val-Asp-Asn-Glu-Asp-Leu-Phe-Phe-Ile-Ala-Asp-Ly s-Asn- Ser-Phe-Arg-Asp-Asp-Leu-. These two sequences matched exactly with those of the light and heavy chains of type B NT (strain Okra) of which only 16 and 18 residues were known (J. Biol. Chem. (1985) 260, 10461). The above sequences were different from those of type A NT. Immunoprecipitation reactions of type B NT isolated from strains 657 and Okra were indistinguishable against polyclonal anti-type B NT serum. These two preparations did not produce precipitin reactions with polyclonal anti-type A NT serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The distal femoral and proximal tibial growth plates: MR imaging, three-dimensional modeling and estimation of area and volume.

Objective To explore how the size of the growth plate changes with age using three-dimensional (3D) models of the distal femoral and proximal tibial growth plates in pediatric patients.
Temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of xenon solutions and ab initio calculations for the determinations of conformational stabilities of some CH3CH2PX2 molecules

Abstract The mid-infrared spectra (3100−400 cm−1) of ethyldimethylphosphine CH3CH2P(CH3)2 dissolved in liquid xenon as a function of temperature (− 60 to − 100°C) have been recorded. Using the conformer pairs ( trans gauche ) observed at 937 947 and 1006 1016 cm−1, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 276 ± 37 cm−1 (790 ± 105 cal mol−1) with the gauche conformer being more stable than the high energy trans form. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies are reported for both conformers from RHF 6−31 G ∗ and MP 2 6−31 G ∗ ab initio calculations. The ab initio calculations predict the gauche conformer to be more stable in agreement with the experimental results. The other calculated quantities are compared to the experimentally determined values when appropriate. These results are compared to those obtained for ethylphosphine, CH3CH2PH2, ethyldifluorophosphine, CH3CH2PF2, and ethyldichlorophosphine, CH3CH2PCl2 where similarities and differences are documented and discussed.
Nitric oxide and nanotechnology: a novel approach to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia.

Objective Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia after arterial interventions in several animal models. To date, however, NO-based therapies have not been used in the clinical arena. Our objective was to combine nanofiber delivery vehicles with NO chemistry to create a novel, more potent NO-releasing therapy that can be used clinically. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the perivascular application of spontaneously self-assembling NO-releasing nanofiber gels. Our hypothesis was that this application would prevent neointimal hyperplasia. Methods Gels consisted of a peptide amphiphile, heparin, and a diazeniumdiolate NO donor (1-[ N -(3-Aminopropyl)- N -(3-ammoniopropyl)]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate [DPTA/NO] or disodium 1-[(2-Carboxylato)pyrrolidin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate [PROLI/NO]). Nitric oxide release from the gels was evaluated by the Griess reaction, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed nanofiber formation. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and cell death were assessed in vitro by 3 H-thymidine incorporation and Personal Cell Analysis (PCA) system (Guava Technologies, Hayward, Calif). For the in vivo work, gels were modified by reducing the free-water content. Neointimal hyperplasia after periadventitial gel application was evaluated using the rat carotid artery injury model at 14 days (n = 6 per group). Inflammation and proliferation were examined in vivo with immunofluorescent staining against CD45, ED1, and Ki67 at 3 days (n = 2 per group), and graded by blinded observers. Endothelialization was assessed by Evans blue injection at 7 days (n = 3 per group). Results Both DPTA/NO and PROLI/NO, combined with the peptide amphiphile and heparin, formed nanofiber gels and released NO for 4 days. In vitro, DPTA/NO inhibited VSMC proliferation and induced cell death to a greater extent than PROLI/NO. However, the DPTA/NO nanofiber gel only reduced neointimal hyperplasia by 45% (intima/media [I/M] area ratio, 0.45 ± 0.07), whereas the PROLI/NO nanofiber gel reduced neointimal hyperplasia by 77% (I/M area ratio, 0.19 ± 0.03, P P P Conclusions Perivascular application of NO-releasing self-assembling nanofiber gels is an effective and simple therapy to prevent neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. Our study demonstrates that the PROLI/NO nanofiber gel most effectively prevented neointimal hyperplasia and resulted in less inflammation than the DPTA/NO nanofiber gel. This therapy has great clinical potential to prevent neointimal hyperplasia after open vascular interventions in patients.
Factors affecting the retention and fit of gold castings

A study was designed to simulate clinical conditions. Several factors were evaluated for effect on retention and fit (margin adaptation) of gold castings. Twenty-six castings (13 pairs) were made by different investigators using a standard preparation but with varying fabrication techniques. One of each pair of castings was made on a spaced die and one on an unspaced die. A significant difference in the postcementation retention was observed in the varying techniques of each investigator. Retentive values varied from 29 to 129 lbs. Complete seating of the castings during cementation was improved by the use of die spacer. Castings made on the spaced dies had more retention than corresponding unspaced castings. Die spacing has positive benefit when properly used. Moderate roughness of axial surfaces improves retention when zinc phosphate cement is used. Physical properties of restorative materials are important, but the individual technique and care of each investigator has a major effect on the ultimate fit and retention of the cast restoration.
Evaluation of the porosity, the tortuosity, and the hindrance factor for the transdermal delivery of hydrophilic permeants in the context of the aqueous pore pathway hypothesis using dual-radiolabeled permeability experiments.

ABSTRACT The aqueous pore pathway hypothesis has been modified to include both transient and steady‐state domains of diffusive transport to evaluate the porosity, the tortuosity, and the hindrance factor of the skin aqueous pore channels from an individual dual‐radiolabeled permeability experiment. Using these theoretical and experimental methods, the porosity ( e ), the tortuosity ( τ ), and the hindrance factor ( H ) of the skin aqueous pore channels were evaluated as a function of: (i) the radius of the selected model hydrophilic permeants (urea, mannitol, raffinose, and inulin), and (ii) the extent of skin perturbation present in untreated skin, skin pretreated at a low dose, and a high dose, with a simultaneous application of 20 kHz ultrasound and the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and the dermis. The results of this investigation revealed that the tortuosity decreased, and only the hindrance factor for inulin was significantly less than 1, over the range of permeant radii examined. Furthermore, only the porosity increased over the range of skin perturbation examined (over 100‐fold), suggesting that a surface‐related phenomenon is primarily responsible for the observed enhancement in the transdermal permeability of hydrophilic permeants induced by the simultaneous application of ultrasound and SLS. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 96: 3263–3282, 2007
Mapping susceptibility genes for the induction of pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

phenotype strongly supports the hypothesis that the mutations were causally related to their lung disease. Missense SP-C mutations that resulted in amino-acid substitutions in residues highly conserved across species (P30 L, I73T, G100V, Y104H, P115 L, I126R, T187N, and L188R), as well as a frameshift mutation (140delA) associated with expression of a stable transcript, were identified in 10 other infants, 6 of whom had a family history of lung disease. None of the identified mutations were found on 100 control chromosomes, indicating that they are not common polymorphisms. We conclude that mutations in the SP-C gene are a cause of both familial and sporadic ILD. While the pathophysiologic mechanisms remain to be elucidated, the finding of mutations on one allele suggests a dominant negative effect on SP-C or pro-SP-C function or metabolism.
Accelerated primal-dual cutting plane algorithm for all-integer programming

Abstract The use of integer programming as a modeling technique is widespread in practice, but current algorithms for solving these models are less than satisfactory even for problems of modest size. Thus the search continues for more efficient and reliable algorithms. In this paper we present a technique for solving all-integer programming problems. The algorithm, which we call the accelerated primal-dual algorithm (APDA), uses all-integer cutting planes and an advanced feasible start to speed convergence to optimality. We discuss computational results on a standard set of test problems.
Phonological priming in adults who stutter.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the speed of phonological encoding between adults who stutter (AWS) and adults who do not stutter (ANS). Fifteen male AWS and 15 age- and gender-matched ANS participated in the study. Speech onset latency was obtained for both groups and stuttering frequency was calculated for AWS during three phonological priming tasks: (1) heterogeneous, during which the participants’ single-word verbal responses differed phonemically; (2) C-homogeneous, during which the participants’ response words shared the initial consonant; and (3) CV-homogeneous, during which the participants’ response words shared the initial consonant and vowel. Response words containing the same C and CV patterns in the two homogeneous conditions served as phonological primes for one another, while the response words in the heterogeneous condition did not. During each task, the participants produced a verbal response after being visually presented with a semantically related cue word, with cue-response pairs being learned beforehand. The data showed that AWS had significantly longer speech onset latency when compared to ANS in all priming conditions, priming had a facilitating effect on word retrieval for both groups, and there was no significant change in stuttering frequency across the conditions for AWS. This suggests that phonological encoding may play no role, or only a minor role, in stuttering. Educational objectives : The reader will be able to: (1) describe previous research paradigms that have been used to assess phonological encoding in adults and children who stutter; (2) explain performance similarities and differences between adults who do and do not stutter during various phonological priming conditions; (3) compare the present findings to past research that examined the relationship between phonological encoding and stuttering.
Bio-fuel reforming for solid oxide fuel cell applications. Part 2: Biodiesel

Abstract Biodiesel is considered as a renewable hydrogen source for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). This study contributes to a fundamental understanding of biodiesel autothermal reforming (ATR), which has not yet been widely explored in the open literature. Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) ATR is established as a baseline for this analysis. This work applies a micro-soot meter based on a photo-acoustic method to quantify the condensed carbon from a single-tube reactor, and uses a mass spectrometer to measure the effluent gas composition under different operating conditions (reformer temperature, steam/carbon ratio, oxygen/carbon ratio, and gas hourly space velocity). The key objective is to identify the optimum operating environment for biodiesel ATR with carbon-free deposition and peak hydrogen yield. Thermodynamic analysis based on the method of total Gibbs free energy minimization is used to evaluate the equilibrium composition of effluent from the reformer. The experimental investigations complimented with this theoretical analysis of biodiesel ATR enable effectively optimizing the onboard reforming conditions. This study is one component of a three-part investigation of bio-fuel reforming, also including fuel vaporization and reactant mixing (Part 1) and biodiesel–diesel blends (Part 3).
Trends of HIV risk behaviors in a cohort of injecting drug users and their sex partners in Miami, Florida, 1988-1998.

A cohort of 111 injection drug users (IDUs) and their sex partners was assessed in 1988 concerning risk behaviors for HIV and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Ten years later, in 1998, the cohort was reassessed using the same instrument. All who were HIV negative in 1988 were retested by blood draw for antibodies to HIV. A paired analysis was utilized to determine individual changes in risk behaviors for three serostatus groups—those who remained HIV negative (long-term HIV negatives), seroconverters, and those positive in 1988 (long-term HIV positives). Incidence was twice as high for sex partners (37.5%) as for IDUs (18.0%). Drug and needle use risk behaviors, except crack use, showed decreases; sexual risk behaviors were less amenable to change. Knowledge significantly increased among the long-term HIV negatives and seroconverters but not among those HIV positive in 1988. This analysis demonstrates the need for continued intervention among IDUs and their sex partners.
Effects of bicuculline on receptive field center sensitivity of relay cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus.

Abstract The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) receives input from the retina that is spatially organized into a receptive-field center and surround. It maintains this organization in the signal that it sends to the visual cortex. Previous studies have focused on changes in the receptive-field ‘surround’ that are generated at the LGN, possibly as a local contrast enhancement mechanism. The present study suggests a role for the LGN in regulating the receptive-field center sensitivity under the control of GABAergic circuitry. Local microiontophoresis of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline increased the contrast sensitivity of LGN relay cells to many spatial frequencies. Difference of Gaussians analysis showed that the increase was due to an increased sensitivity of the receptive-field center. Similar increases in receptive-field center sensitivity may be produced during behavioral arousal by the action of pontine and mesencephalic pathways upon the activity of the LGN GABAergic circuitry.
The efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiography for the evaluation of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is the most commonly utilized tool for the identification of common bile duct stones (CBDS) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for patient evaluation before laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently undefined. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of MRC for the identification of CBDS among patients with high risk for choledocholithiasis. Patient selection was based on clinical, sonographic, and laboratory criteria. Standard cholangiograms were obtained when possible for verification of MRC results. Results: Ninety-nine patients underwent evaluation with preoperative MRC. CBDS was visualized in 30% of patients. MRC sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 85%, 90%, 77%, 94%, and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: MRC is useful for the evaluation of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Advantages of MRC include its noninvasive nature, ease of application, and accuracy in identifying and estimating the size of CBDS. Application of MRC in this setting reduces the need for diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Future investigations should be directed at the development of cost-effective utilization strategies for MRC application.
Drinking and smoking at 3 months postpartum by lactation history.

Summary. A spontaneous decrease in maternal drinking and smoking often occurs during pregnancy. The present study was conducted to determine if these lower levels of maternal drinking and smoking during pregnancy persist into the postpartum period, and if so, to determine if they are related to breastfeeding. Drinking and smoking were estimated in three cohorts of postpartum women who had been followed since pregnancy. The first group never breastfed their infants; the second group breastfed for less than 1 month; the third group breastfed for more than three months. (Women who weaned between one and three months were not studied.) Drinking and smoking in all three groups decreased sharply during pregnancy but rose again in the 3 months after delivery, though not to levels that were reported before conception. Usual drinking in the third month postpartum did not differ significantly among the three lactation groups. However, women who were still nursing were less likely to report occasional episodes of heavy drinking (binges) in this month than women who had weaned early or never breastfed. Women nursing in the third month postpartum were also significantly less likely to smoke during the month; if smoking, they were less likely to smoke heavily. These differences in postpartum drinking and smoking were not due entirely to habits before conception or to the influence of other potentially confounding variables.
Flow in Complex Terrain: Observations by Radar Wind Profilers and Anemometers near Juneau, Alaska

Abstract Four years of data from three radar wind profilers and collocated anemometers are used to examine the airflow regimes near Juneau, Alaska. Wind direction probability density functions and wind rose histograms show the dominant wind speeds and directions from a long time series of observations. Analysis of diurnal variation separates mountain–valley flow events from synoptically driven events. Flow constrained by the Gastineau Channel dominates the winds near downtown Juneau, and the wind profilers document the rotation of this flow as it merges with the synoptic flow above the surrounding mountains. Strong flows from the northeast over the Taku Glacier, locally known as “Taku flows,” are also documented. These flows are less frequent but can cause strong wind storms at the surface. In addition, local flow effects are seen, including winds turning in response to terrain influence, drainage flows in creek valleys, and cross-valley flows. This analysis also demonstrates that radar wind profilers, us...
Attachment and detachment of bacteria on surfaces with tunable and switchable wettability

Controlling accumulations of unwanted biofilms requires an understanding of the mechanisms that organisms use to interact with submerged substrata. While the substratum properties influencing biofilm formation are well studied, those that may lead to cellular or biofilm detachment are not. Surface-grafted stimuli-responsive polymers, such as poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) release attached cells upon induction of environmentally-triggered phase changes. Altering the physicochemical characteristics of such polymeric systems for systematically studying release, however, can alter the phase transition. The physico-chemical changes of thin films of PNIPAAm grafted from initiator-modified self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of omega-substituted alkanethiolates on gold can be altered by changing the composition of the underlying SAM, without affecting the overlying polymer. This work demonstrates that the ability to tune such changes in substratum physico-chemistry allows systematic study of attachment and release of bacteria over a large range of water contact angles. Such surfaces show great promise for studying a variety of interactions at the biointerface. Understanding of the source of this tunability will require further studies into the heterogeneity of such films and further investigation of interactions beyond those of water wettability.
Some Obstacles to Employment for Persons with Chronic Substance Use Disorders

In the U.S., persons with severe and chronic substance use disorders (SUDs) manifest crippling impairments in fulfilling ordinary adult roles, pose serious threats to public health and safety, and constitute one of the costliest populations served by health care systems. Published peerreviewed studies of SUDs and their treatments report problems nearly equal in magnitude to those of persons with severe mental illness (SMI: schizophrenia, manic-depression, major depression), especially extremely poor labor force participation (>80% unemployment), low educational attainment, lack of health care insurance, and earned income below U.S. federal poverty levels. Persons with chronic SUDs rarely receive comprehensive services (especially vocational services) (McLellan et al., 2000) and civil rights protections that promote recovery from illness and facilitate reintegration into their communities (Parikh, 2004). Below, I describe some of the many obstacles to illness recovery and to obtaining and retaining meaning...
An adaptive write error detection technique in on-chip caches of multi-level caching systems ☆

Abstract Cache memories are becoming an integral part of modern computer systems and are instrumented in various ways. As a result of the nature of reference locality, the CPU mostly communicates instructions and data with the first level on-chip caches that are originally fetched from the secondary cache or memory with very low frequency. Thus, the guarantee of this initial fetch-and-write into the first level cache, which is rare but fundamental for correct future operation, is indispensable for a dependable caching system. This paper presents a new cache write error detection scheme, called cache write sure (CWS), which exploits the preexisting information redundancy of the multi-level caching systems. The effectiveness of this detection technique is evaluated by using on-the-fly trace driven simulations of thirteen benchmarks combined with software error injection. The results show that for most workloads, the CWS provides almost complete write error detection for non-protected I-cache in a two-level on-chip caching system with a cache cycle time ratio between L1 and L2 of 1:5. At the same time, it can also cover 57.9% of write error for D-cache.
Hydrogen hopping rates and hydrogen-hydrogen interactions in PdH x

Ultrasonic-attenuation measurements have been performed on single-crystal ${\mathrm{PdH}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ over the temperature range 80--300 K and for 0.64\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}0.76. The longitudinal and the two independent transverse modes that propagate along the [110] crystalline direction were investigated over a range of frequencies from 10 to 150 MHz. Evidence was found for more than one type of motion. The assumption of two simple relaxation processes was sufficient to give a reasonable fit to all of the data. The attempt frequencies for these two processes were found to depend somewhat on H concentration and acoustic mode, but the activation energies did not. The activation energies and approximate attempt frequencies were found to be 0.155 eV and 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, and 0.254 eV and ${10}^{14}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. These values are suggestive, respectively, of tunneling and classical barrier hopping. The relaxation strengths (\ensuremath{\delta}C's) derived from the fit do not satisfy the Cauchy relation, which means that central forces do not fully describe the H-H interactions. By restricting consideration to nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor H-H interactions, elements of the force-dipole tensor describing H-H interactions are found, including a noncentral force contribution.
Photochemistry of the inclusion complex of (R-)Δ1,9-10-methyl-2-octalone with α-cyclodextrin

Photolyse de la methyl-4a octahydro-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8 naphtalenone-2 en dimethyl-4-,8a perhydro chromannone-2
An analysis of the difference between organization identification and professional commitment: a study of certified public accountants

Addresses the relationship between organizational identification and organizational commitment. Tested the following three hypotheses in relation to professional accountants: self‐image congruence has a direct effect on organizational identification; organizational identification has a direct effect on organizational commitment; and the organizational‐identification effect on commitment is moderated by attitudes of significant others, work abilities/experience, other options and alternatives, competing motives, and perception of outcomes. Four international Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms participated in the study. A random sample of 335 CPAs within these firms was selected and a survey questionnaire was mailed to them. Results did not provide support for any of the hypotheses. Instead, the results show that self‐image congruence may have a direct effect on organizational commitment, which in turn may have a direct effect on organizational identification.
Parallel operation of microhollow cathode discharges

Parallel operation of DC microhollow cathode discharges in argon at pressures up to several hundred torr was obtained without individual ballast at low currents, where the slope of the current-voltage characteristic is positive. By using semi-insulating silicon as anode material, we were able to extend the range of stable operation over the entire current range, including that with negative differential resistance. This opens the possibility to utilize microhollow cathode discharge arrays in flat panel lamps.