cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Mortality Following Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Application of a Randomized Clinical Trial to Real-World Practice Using a Validated Nationwide Data Set

Importance Because of the restrictions applied to the conduct of randomized clinical trials, the risks reported in their comparison of open and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) may not be applicable to real-world vascular surgical practice. The magnitude of this deviation is indeterminate. Objectives To compare 30-day mortality from the recent Open Vs Endovascular Repair (OVER) Veterans Affairs Cooperative trial with results obtained from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and to assess temporal trends in perioperative mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants We analyzed data from 21 115 patients who received elective EVAR or open repair for asymptomatic infrarenal AAA between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, in the NSQIP database. We used χ 2 and t tests to compare perioperative mortality between groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze perioperative mortality, adjusting for age, sex, race, and comorbidities. The outcomes of the OVER trial were then compared with the national estimates obtained from the NSQIP. Main Outcomes and Measures Death within 30 days of surgery. Results Perioperative mortality was 3.7% (95% CI, 3.2%-4.3%) after open repair and 1.3% (95% CI, 1.2%-1.5%) after EVAR. There was a 70% reduction in operative mortality after EVAR compared with open repair (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.30; 95% CI, 0.25-0.38; P P = .009). Thirty-day mortality in the NSQIP cohort was higher than that reported in the OVER trial for both EVAR and open repair (EVAR, 1.3% vs 0.2%; open, 3.7% vs 2.3%). There was an increase in the proportion of patients who received EVAR during the 7 years studied (65% in 2005 and 80% in 2011). There has been no significant decrease in perioperative mortality during these years ( P > .05). Conclusions and Relevance Perioperative mortality reported by the OVER trial is significantly lower than outcomes from practices outside the restriction of randomized clinical trials. We attribute this difference to the fact that the OVER trial excluded high-risk patients deemed unfit for open repair. This finding supports the need for individualized assessment of risk and treatment selection for patients with infrarenal AAA. There has been no change in perioperative mortality after EVAR in recent years despite improvements in techniques, devices, and proficiency.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder related disorders: the role of selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors

Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders comprise a unique category of related disorders with important diagnostic, aetio-logical and therapeutic implications. This group of disorders may overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in symptomatic profile, demographics, family history, neurobiology, comorbidity, clinical course and response to selective anti-obsessional behavioural and pharmacotherapies. OCD-related disorders can be viewed along a continuum with risk avoidance on the compulsive end and risk seeking at the other. This dimension may be defined within a framework which relates hyperfrontality and increased serotonergic sensitivity with compulsive disorders and hyperfrontality and low presynaptic serotonergic levels with impulsive disorders. Most biological models of OCD-related disorders stress the importance of serotonin in their pathophysiology and these disorders have also been shown to be preferentially responsive to selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This paper reviews the management of the OCD spectrum and the evidence for efficacy of the SSRIs and the differential treatment responses of the compulsive and impulsive disorders with regard to therapeutic dosage, response lag time and maintenance of symptom remission.
False aneurysm after balloon dilation of a calcified innominate artery stenosis.

PURPOSE To describe the occurrence of a false aneurysm after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a severely calcified, high-grade stenosis of the brachiocephalic trunk. CASE REPORT A 68-year-old patient was admitted with cerebrovascular insufficiency, right upper extremity ischemia, and recurrent amaurosis fugax. Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) and duplex ultrasound revealed a severely calcified, high-grade stenosis of the innominate artery. Balloon dilation of this lesion was performed with minimal morphological success. After dilation, the patient suffered a reversible ischemic neurological deficit, from which he recovered completely. The patient's symptoms improved, but after 3 weeks he was re-admitted with palsy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. An MRA showed a false aneurysm at the dilation site. Open surgery was performed, and the patient received a bifurcated aorto-subclavian-carotid bypass graft. He was discharged free of his preoperative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This case illustrates the potential hazards of angioplasty of severely calcified stenoses of the supra-aortic vessels.
The MDCK cell line is made up of populations of cells with diverse resistive and transport properties.

Abstract The MDCK cell line has been used as a model for the renal distal tubule. When grown on permeable supports, the cells form tight junctions and transport sodium and calcium. Widely different values have, however, been obtained for resistance and transports by different investigators. Since the MDCK cell line is genetically heterogeneous, one potential reason for observed differences is the use of different populations of cells. Dilutional techniques have been used to obtain eleven MDCK cell clones. The clones exhibit a range of values for resistance (300–4000 Ω cm 2 ), net Ca 2+ transport (3.2–81 pmol /cm 2 /min) and net Na + transport (0.4–6.0 nmol/cm 2 /min). To determine if the characteristics of clonal cell lines changed with increasing passage number, resistance was measured at relatively early and late passage number. Resistance increased with increasing passage number in two of six lines and decreased in one. These studies demonstrate that differences between previous studies may be due to differences in cell population, length of time since passage, and passage number. Clonal cell lines should provide a useful tool to investigate ion transport and mechanisms of regulation of transport in this model of renal distal tubule.
N-Glycans of ADAMTS13 modulate its secretion and von Willebrand factor cleaving activity

Severe deficiency of ADAMTS13, a plasma metalloprotease, leads to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. ADAMTS13 contains 10 putative N-glycosylation sites in or near its metalloprotease sequence, spacer region, thrombospondin type 1 repeat no. 4 (TSR no. 4), and CUB domains. Tunicamycin treatment markedly decreased the secretion of ADAMTS13 into the culture medium of transfected cells. Nevertheless, the protease was efficiently secreted from N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I–deficient Lec1 Chinese hamster ovary cells, indicating that N-glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum, but not the conversion of oligomannose to complex N-glycans in the Golgi complex, is important for secretion. However, ADAMTS13 with oligomannose N-glycans cleaved its substrate, von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers, less effectively, with a higher Km but similar kcat value. In mutagenesis analysis, decreased secretion and VWF cleaving activity was observed with the N146Q and N828Q mutants, while decreased secretion only was observed with the N552Q mutant of ADAMTS13. Enzymatic removal of N-glycans from ADAMTS13 did not affect its VWF cleaving activity. Thus, N-glycosylation is necessary for efficient secretion of ADAMTS13, while conversion of the N-glycans from oligomannose to complex type in the Golgi complex enhances the proteolytic activity of the protease toward VWF multimers. After its secretion, ADAMTS13 does not require N-glycans for its VWF cleaving activity.
Universal covers of finite sets

A recurrent problem in geometry, convexity, and combinatorics is to find universal covers for various classes of sets. (See [2] pp 84–88 for example.) This paper considers that problem for finite sets in the plane. Various covers are given including one which coversall finite sets, is closed, and has empty interior. The problem of covering a finite set or a similar copy of the set is also considered.
The dispersed flow model for a biological reactor as applied to the activated sludge process

A theoretical analysis of a dispersed flow biological reactor is presented in which Monod growth kinetics are used to describe the substrate utilization rate and the bacterial growth rate. Different bacterial and substrate dispersion coefficients are taken into account. Approximate perturbation solutions are established for two limiting situations, when the inverse Peclet number ϵ is very small and when it is very large. In the former case the perturbation analysis is singular. These perturbation solutions are compared with the solutions of the numerically integrated equations over a range of parameters corresponding to actual activated sludge systems. The application to the activated sludge system is discussed. On presente une analyse theorique d'un reacteur biologique a debit disperse et dans lequel on emploie la cinetique de croissance de Monod pour decrire le taux d'utilisation du substrat et celui de la croissance bacterienne. On considere differents coefficients de dispersion des bacteries et du substrat. On a etabli des solutions approximatives des perturbations dans le cas de deux situations limitatives, a savoir lorsque le nombre inverse de Peclet(ϵ) est tres petit et lorsqu'il est tres considerable; dans le premier cas, l'analyse des perturbationes est singuliere. On compare les solutions des perturbations avec celles d'equations integrees numeriquement, et ce, pour une echelle de parametres qui correspond a des systemes reels de boue activee. On discute l'application des resultats au systeme de boue activee.
Phylogenetic Relationships among Phrynosomatid Lizards as Inferred from Mitochondrial Ribosomal DNA Sequences: Substitutional Bias and Information Content of Transitions Relative to Transversions

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships among 40 species, representing all genera, within the North American liz ard family Phrynosomatidae were inferred from mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Cladistic analysis of the DNA sequence data (779 bp; 162 informative characters) supported the monophyly of the sand lizards ( Callisaurus, Cophosaurus, Holbrookia, and Uma ), Petrosaurus, Phrynosoma, Urosaurus, and Uta . Ah the species of Sceloporus, except S. variabilis and S. chrysostictus, formed a clade. Except for a sand lizard + Phrynosoma clade, the intergeneric relationships inferred from the mtDNA were largely incongruent with recent cladistic analyses based on morphology. Sceloporus group monophyly was not supported, with Petrosaurus being a member of a clade containing Sator, Sceloporus, and Urosaurus, to the exclusion of Uta . The phylogenetic placement of Uta was ambiguous. The substitutional bias in the phrynosomatid mitochondrial rDNA sequences was examined, as well as the phylogenetic information content of transitions relative to transversions. There appeared to be a lower transition bias than observed in other vertebrate sequences, with some classes of transversions occurring as frequently as G A transitions. Transitions were no less informative for phylogeny reconstruction than transversions. Therefore, transitions should not be down-weighted in phylogenetic analysis, as is often done.
Serious Group A streptococcal diseases in children

The illnesses of 40 patients with diagnoses of septicemia, cellulitis with bacteremia, pneumonia empyema, and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes , Group A, are described. Twenty-five of 27 patients (93%) without underlying disease survived, whereas only seven of 13 children (54%) with underlying disease survived. Nine of the 25 patients who were otherwise normal and who survived these infections had prolonged, complicated illnesses. Four of these patients, and one who died, had septicemia without a focus of infection at the time of admission. Streptococcus pyogenes , Group A, although very sensitive to penicillin G and other antibiotics, can cause both severe and rapidly progressive disease in children.
Short Communication Tamoxifen exerts testosterone-dependent and independent effects on thymic involution

Circulating testosterone concentrations and seminal vesicles weights, as well as thymus and spleen weights and histology were assessed in male Wistar rats from the infantile to post-pubertal period. The widely used anti-estrogenic agent tamoxifen was then administered in adult intact and castrated male rats and its long-term effects on thymic involution and splenic growth were examined. The results showed that: (1) age-related involution of the male thymus from the juvenile period through puberty to post-puberty depends on the rising testosterone levels and represents mainly a decrease of thymic lymphoid-cell elements; (2) tamoxifen administration reverses thymic involution in intact adult male rats and this effect is related to a dose-dependent, tamoxifen-induced castration and decrease of testosterone levels; (3) the changes of circulating testosterone levels, either resulting from maturity, or induced by tamoxifen or by castration, have a minimal effect on splenic growth and weight; and (4) in contrast to intact animals, administration of tamoxifen at pharmacological doses to adult castrated rats results in thymic regression. Underscoring the critical role of testosterone on thymic involution, these findings show that tamoxifen is able to reverse ageing changes in the thymus by suppressing testosterone production, while conversely, exerts thymolytic effects in the absence of androgens.
The effects of speech summaries upon audience comprehension of expository speeches of varying quality and complexity

Analysis of data obtained on a 25‐item, multiple‐choice post‐test indicated that well organized speeches produced significantly more comprehension than did poorly organized speeches; that linguistically simple speeches were significantly more easily comprehended than linguistically complex speeches; and that inclusion of a preview or a review produced significantly more comprehension than did inclusion of no summaries whatsoever.
Mobile atheroma of the aortic arch and the risk of carotid artery disease

Abstract Background: Mobile atheromas of the aortic arch are associated with otherwise unexplained strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). They are associated with increased perioperative strokes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Peripheral embolization is an additional risk. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) accurately identifies mobile atheroma. Anticoagulant therapy may have therapeutic considerations in the management of this condition. However, the risk of significant carotid artery disease associated with mobile atheromas is unknown. Methods: Between March 1994 and July 1998, 40 patients with mobile atheromas by TEE and evidence of embolization were studied. All patients were captured prospectively in a vascular registry and were retrospectively reviewed. Carotid artery disease was evaluated using carotid duplex imaging in an accredited vascular laboratory. All patients with significant carotid disease, 70% or greater stenosis, underwent arteriography. Patients with significant carotid artery stenosis then underwent carotid endarterectomy. All patients with mobile atheromas were maintained on anticoagulation. Results: Forty patients with mobile atheromas of the aortic arch were diagnosed with TEE. All 40 patients had evidence of embolization. Patient age ranged from 57 to 73 years (mean 68.4). There were 22 men and 18 women. Twenty of 40 (50%) patients presented with symptoms of TIA. Eleven of 40 (28%) patients presented with diffuse atheroembolization (lower extremity embolization and renal insufficiency). Six of 40 (15%) patients presented with a completed stroke. Three of 20 (7%) patients presented with acute extremity ischemia secondary to a peripheral embolus. Twenty-three of 40 (58%) of patients had significant carotid artery stenosis, 70% or greater stenosis. These 23 patients underwent both arteriography and carotid endarterectomy without complication. All patients were treated with anticoagulation and have remained anticoagulated. Clinical follow-up between 2 to 48 months (mean 18) has demonstrated no further evidence of systemic embolization in these 40 patients. Repeat TEE was performed in 6 of 40 patients. These follow-up studies no longer visualized mobile atheromas. Conclusions: Mobile atheromas are recognized sources for embolization. Routine carotid duplex imaging should be performed in patients found to have mobile atheromas of the aortic arch. Carotid endarterectomy appears to be safe in patients who have combined carotid artery stenosis and mobile atheromas. Anticoagulation may have therapeutic considerations in the management of this condition.
Development of a fire-resistant cardboard compressible block for use in stopping construction in underground mines

An engineering study was undertaken to develop a cost-effective compressible block for use in stopping construction in areas of underground coal mines exposed to convergent ground and roof conditions. A cardboard block consisting of 1.25-cm hexagonal cells with a nominal 0.4-mm face coating of intumescent paint was judged to be a viable solution to this problem and met the important performance characteristics of high fire resistance at low pressure differentials, low flame spread, resistance to air leakage, and relatively low compressive strength. These units may not perform well in areas of high humidity (above 90%). A special block, treated with 18% by weight of phenolic resin, displayed excellent resistance to moisture and adequate fire-resistance characteristics. It may be considered an attractive alternative to untreated blocks for use in mines experiencing high humidity (above 90%).
Pimavanserin tartrate: a 5-HT2A inverse agonist with potential for treating various neuropsychiatric disorders

Background: Pimavanserin tartrate is the first 5-HT2A inverse agonist to enter clinical trials as a treatment for L-dopa-induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease and for augmentation of low-dose risperidone treatment in schizophrenia. Pimavanserin is also being evaluated as a possible anti-insomnia drug. Objective: To discuss the potential of pimavanserin to fill multiple therapeutic needs. Methods: The problems with currently approved antipsychotics and sleep agents are explored to highlight how pimavanserin might address some longstanding issues in the treatment of psychosis and insomnia. Results/conclusions: In Phase II clinical trials, pimavanserin seemed to be safe, well-tolerated and efficacious in treating L-dopa-induced psychosis without worsening motor symptoms. Pimavanserin also potentiated the therapeutic effects of low-dose risperidone, reduced haloperidol-induced akathisia, and increased slow-wave sleep in older individuals.
Gelation of photopolymerized hyaluronic acid grafted with glycidyl methacrylate

Abstract Experiments have tracked the ambient gelation of a series of hydrophilic hyaluronic acid (HA) resins grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GM) and photopolymerized as a function of dose. The resin mixtures range in GMHA concentration between 0.5 and 1.5% w/w in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Illuminated at 20 mW/cm 2 , the dynamic viscosity (η(t)) has been tracked and characterized using the Boltzmann log-sigmoidal model. A gelled viscosity of ~ 10 Pa s was determined at 0.5% w/w which rose to ~ 50 Pa s at or above 1% w/w. More curing agent marginally increased the gel viscosity at each concentration. Time constants associated with viscosity advancement were shortest at [GMHA] = 1.0%; higher concentrations are attributed with lower quantum efficiency when illuminated. Subsequent frequency sweeps replicated already published work using similar GHMA concentrations in PBS. G′ values ranged from 100 to 500 Pa over the formulation range with expected sensitivity to GMHA and curing agent concentration. Overall, the sigmoidal model represented this advancing viscosity data well, and further analysis of the physical significance of these model parameters may help in understanding photopolymerization of this complicated formulation more broadly.
The kinetics of the complexes of peroxidase formed in the presence of chlorite or hypochlorite.

Abstract The addition of chlorite to horse-radish peroxidase appears to initiate the same sequence of reactions as peroxide: the formation of a complex I followed by its transition to complex II. However, the amount of free chlorite or hypochlorite required to give half-maximal formation of the peroxidase complexes is over 100 times the amount of free hydrogen peroxide that is required. Complex I is not observed at an appreciable concentration because chlorite also acts as an electron donor (from which chlorine dioxide is formed) and accelerates the transition from complex I to II. The complex II formed from chlorite has the same reactivity toward nitrite as does that formed from peroxide, and the complexes may be considered to be identical. With hypochlorite, the formation of a complex I is readily observed, as is its transition to complex II. An accurate evaluation of the reactivity of this complex II toward donors has not yet been obtained.
Palaeoceanography: Broken greenhouse windows

Large and rapid global sea-level changes indicate that polar ice sheets may have ephemerally existed during the Cretaceous greenhouse climate. Two oxygen isotopic studies provide evidence for and against this conclusion.
Local Anesthetic Activity of a Number of New Monohydrochlorides of Dialkylaminomethyl Phenyl p-Aminobenzoates.

SummaryIntradermally in guinea pigs the hydrochlorides of 9 new dialkylaminomethyl phenyl p-aminobenzoates were found to produce local anesthesia in 1.0% and 0.5% solution but all caused tissue damage at the site of injection. In 1.0% solution certain of these derivatives abolished the corneal reflex after instillation in rabbit eyes. The hydrochloride of (2-piperidinomethyl-) 4,6-dimethylphenyl p-aminobenzoate (IX) was less toxic subcutaneously in mice and exhibited greater topical activity in rabbits than cocaine hydrochloride but practical application of the anesthetic action of IX or any of the new compounds is complicated by their instability in aqueous solution.
Shock tunnel flow visualization using planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging of NO and OH

Temporal sequences of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) images of several high-speed, transient flowfields created in a reflection-type shock tunnel facility were acquired. In each case, the test gas contained either nitric oxide or the hydroxyl radical, the fluorescent species. The processes of shock reflection from an endwall with a converging nozzle and of underexpanded free jet formation were examined. A comparison was also made between PLIF imaging and shadow photography. The investigation demonstrated some of the capabilities of PLIF imaging diagnostics in complex, transient, hypersonic flowfields, including those with combustion.
Use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock

Purpose The efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were evaluated. Summary The medical literature was reviewed to identify published trials, case reports, and case series on the use of G-CSF in critically ill patients for treatment of severe sepsis or septic shock. G-CSF has been evaluated as an adjunct to standard care for critically ill patients. Initial studies involving critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock found mortality benefits with G-CSF therapy; however, these findings are limited by factors such as small sample sizes, selection bias, and lack of an appropriate control group. Prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind studies failed to confirm the benefits in mortality for patients receiving G-CSF for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. Due to the limitations in the design of the studies that report a mortality benefit and prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind studies that report the lack of a mortality benefit, a recommendation to add G-CSF as an adjunctive therapy in critically ill patients with severe sepsis and septic shock cannot be made at this time. Conclusion The available data, especially those from large, prospective, randomized, double-blind studies, do not support the use of G-CSF as an adjunct therapy to standard care for critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Data from prospective, large, randomized, controlled, well-designed studies are needed to define the optimal G-CSF dosing regimen, the safety of this therapy, and the effects of G-CSF on patient morbidity and survival.
Rapid cytopathic effect with rabies virus in fused hamster embryo cells.

A line of hamster embryo cells fused with inactivated Sendai virus was infected with a strain of fixed rabies virus. The growth of rabies virus in such a system produced a characteristic cytopathic effect.
β-adrenoceptor control of cardiac adenylyl cyclase during development: agonist pretreatment in the neonate uniquely causes heterologous sensitization, not desensitization

In the adult, increased stimulation of postsynaptic receptor sites produces compensatory desensitization that reduces tissue responsiveness. During development, however, responses in most systems increase with age and with the maturation of neuronal inputs. In the current study, we examined whether agonist-induced desensitization of cardiac beta-adrenergic receptor signaling mediated through adenylyl cyclase could be elicited in 6-, 15- and 25-day-old rats, and in adults. In each case, animals were pretreated with isoproterenol daily for four days preceding the experiment, and on the fifth day, cardiac membrane preparations were examined. Fifteen and 25-day-old animals and adults all exhibited desensitization, as demonstrated by a diminished cyclase response to isoproterenol in vitro. However, in 6-day-old animals, the enzymatic response to isoproterenol was enhanced by chronic pretreatment. Measurements of the G-protein-sensitive component of cyclase (decrement in activity obtained with deletion of GTP from the reaction mixture, stimulatory response to fluoride) indicated heterologous desensitization in the older animals, evidenced by diminished dependence on GTP and reduced response to fluoride; the 6-day-old animals showed enhanced GTP dependence and augmentation of the fluoride response. Uniquely in 6-day-old animals, the total catalytic activity of adenylyl cyclase, measured with forskolin-Mn2+, was markedly elevated by chronic isoproterenol pretreatment, whereas it was unaffected in older animals. These data suggest that regulation of receptor signaling is completely different early in neonatal life. Instead of producing desensitization of responses, agonist exposure promotes receptor signaling by enhancing expression and/or catalytic efficiency of adenylyl cyclase. In older animals, the predominant effect is heterologous desensitization mediated at the level of G-proteins. These developmental differences are likely to be important in the maintenance of tissue responsiveness during the period in which innervation develops, as well as in the ability of neurotrophic input to 'program' the responsiveness of target tissues.
Detecting a Change in the Correlation Coefficient in a Sequence of Bivariate Normal Variables

We consider the problem of testing the hypothesis that the correlation coefficient is stable in a sequence of n observations of independent, bivariate normal random variables against the alternative that the correlation coefficient changes after an unknown point t(t < n). We propose an estimate of the changepoint t and report on power comparisons between the commonly used test for this problem and our proposed test. Some applications to finance are discussed.
Retrograde amnesia initiated by low-level stimulation of hippocampal cytoarchitectonic areas

Abstract Rats with electrodes bilaterally placed in either the CA1, CA3, or dentate areas of the dorsal hippocampus received a footschock upon entering a black or white compartment for water. If the hippocampus was stimulated either bilaterally or unilaterally 10 sec after footshock, the rats had retrograde amnesia when tested 24 hr later. EEG monitoring indicated no abnormal brain activity or seizures. Bilateral hippocampal stimulation was still effective in producing retrograde amnesia 3 hr after training. The results are discussed in terms of possible memory mechanisms.
Estimating the conservatism of Popov's criterion for real parametric uncertainties

Abstract We consider the problems of robust stability and performance analysis of linear systems subject to parametric uncertainties. The Popov criterion provides lower bounds of stability margins and upper bounds on robust performance. In this paper we propose a method for obtaining upper bounds on stability margin or lower bounds on robust H2 performance based on the outcome of the lower bound computation for the stability problem or the upper bound computation for the H2 performance problem. We make several numerical tests.
The predictive capability of an automatically generated combustion chemistry mechanism: Chemical structures of premixed iso-butanol flames

Abstract The chemical compositions of four low-pressure premixed flames of iso -butanol are investigated with an emphasis on assessing the predictive capabilities of an automatically generated combustion chemistry model. This kinetic model had been extensively tested against earlier experimental data [S.S. Merchant, E.F. Zanoelo, R.L. Speth, M.R. Harper, K.M. Van Geem, W.H. Green, Combust. Flame (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.04.023.] and also shows impressive capabilities for predicting the new flame data presented here. The new set of data consists of isomer-resolved mole fraction profiles for more than 40 species in each of the four flames and provides a comprehensive benchmark for testing of any combustion chemistry model for iso -butanol. Isomer-specificity is achieved by analyzing flames, which are burner-stabilized at equivalence ratios of ϕ = 1.0–1.5 and at pressures between 15 and 30 Torr, with molecular-beam mass spectrometry and single-photon ionization by tunable vacuum-ultraviolet synchrotron radiation. Predictions of the C 2 H 4 O, C 3 H 6 O, and C 4 H 8 O enol–aldehyde–ketone isomers are improved compared to the earlier work by Hansen et al. [N. Hansen, M. R. Harper, W. H. Green, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13 (2011) 20262-20274] on similar n -butanol flames. A reaction path analysis identifies prominent fuel-consumption and oxidation sequences. Almost all of the species mole fraction data reported here are predicted within the measurement uncertainties of a factor of two to three. Some significant differences with previous published models are highlighted.
Pulmonary metastasis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma: treatment results in 101 patients

Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 1,127 patients at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston from 1951 to 1981. Of those 1,127 patients, 101 had documented pulmonary metastasis. A retrospective analysis was conducted, and these patients were followed up until 1983. The primary tumors in these patients were histologically classified as papillary (67%), follicular (22%), or Hurthle cell (11%). The age at diagnosis ranged from 5-87 yr. Lung metastasis was diagnosed by both chest x-ray and positive uptake of 131I in 49 patients. Forty-two patients had positive chest x-ray results and negative 131I scans, and 10 patients had positive 131I scans and negative chest x-ray results. The patients were treated with radioactive iodine (76%), chemotherapy (9%), external radiotherapy (2%), or supportive care only (14%). Sixty-seven patients subsequently died of thyroid carcinoma. Our studies showed the following. 1) Patients who were younger than 40 yr of age at diagnosis had better prognosis (71% survival) compared with those over 40 yr of age (16% survival; P less than 0.01). 2) Uptake of radioactive iodine by lung metastasis is a favorable prognostic factor, especially in patients with negative radiological findings. Patients treated with radioactive iodine have a longer survival than those not treated with radioactive iodine (P less than 0.002). 3) The incidence of pulmonary metastasis is significantly less in patients who are treated by total thyroidectomy than in those treated with less than total thyroidectomy (P less than 0.03). 4) The incidence of pulmonary metastasis is lowest in patients with papillary carcinoma (9%), compared with that in patients with follicular (13%) or Hurthle cell (25%) carcinoma.
Gender differences in cardiovascular and natural killer cell reactivity to acute stress following a hassling task

To determine the influence of increased ambient stress load on subsequent cardiovascular and natural killer (NK) cell reactivity to acute stress, 30 men and women were exposed to a 5-min mental arithmetic (MA) stressor. Half the participants experienced a bureaucratic hassle designed to increase ambient stress load prior to the MA task, and the other half experienced the MA task without this pretreatment. Hassle group x gender effects suggested that hassled men had greater heart rate increases to the MA task than did hassled women, and hassled men had greater NK reactivity to the MA task than did any other group.
Isolation of the brain-related factor of the error between intended and achieved position of deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted into the subthalamic nucleus for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although a few studies have quantified errors in the implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a significant trend in error direction has not been reported. We have previously found that an error in axial plane, which is of most concern because it cannot be compensated for during deep brain stimulation programming, had a posteromedial trend. We hypothesized that this trend results from a predominance of a directionally oriented error factor of brain origin. Accordingly, elimination of nonbrain (technical) error factors could augment this trend. Thus, implantation accuracy could be improved by anterolateral compensation during target planning. METHODS: Surgical technique was revised to minimize teehnical error factors. During 22 implantations, targets were selected on axial magnetic resonance imaging scans up to 1.5 mm anterolateral from the STN center. Using fusion of postoperative computed tomographic and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans, implantation errors in the axial plane were obtained and compared with distances from the lead to the STN to evaluate the benefit of anterolateral compensation. RESULTS: Twenty errors and the mean error had a posteromedial direction. The average distances from the lead to the target and to the STN were 1.7 mm (range, 0.8-3.1 mm) and 1.1 mm (range, 0.1-1.9 mm), respectively. The difference between the 2 distances was significant (paired t test, P < 0.0001). The lower parts of the lead were consistently bent in the posteromedial direction on postoperative scout computed tomographic scans, suggesting that a brain-related factor is responsible for the reported error. CONCLUSION: Elimination of the technical factors of error during STN deep brain stimulation implantation can result in a consistent posteromedial error. implantation accuracy may be improved by compensation for this error in advance.
Use of linear modeling in steady-state isotopic-transient kinetic analysis of surface-catalyzed reactions: Application to plug-flow reactors

Abstract Determination of kinetic parameters from steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis (SSITKA) requires modeling of the reactor system and the catalyst surface. In this work, a novel application of linear-modeling methods was developed for SSITKA, using transfer functions for non-differential-length catalyst beds in non-ideal plug-flow reactors (PFR's), which are often employed in SSITKA. Various linear relationhips between the catalyst surface and the gas phase were derived - including linear convolution, which provides a new rigorous method for generating calculated isotopic transient responses from catalyst-surface and reaction-system models. Incorporation of linear convolution - which avoids a priori gas-phase behavior correction which is problematic when using non-ideal PFR's - in parametric and nonparametric kinetic analyses provides for increased accuracy in the determination of kinetic parameters in SSITKA. The linear modeling techniques developed were applied to a PFR transient-response model for an irreversible reaction occurring in a non-differential-length catalyst bed. It was determined that the dependency upon the catalyst-bed length in PFR's is unimportant if gradientless conditions - differential conversion of reactant and irreversible reaction - are maintained in a catalyst bed of non-differential length. The results illustrate how the linear modeling techniques developed can be used with SSITKA to test assumed catalyst-surface reaction models.
Application of a high-energy-density permanent magnet material in underwater systems

This paper addresses the application of high-energy-density permanent magnet (PM) technology to (1) the brushless, axial-field PM motor and (2) the integrated electric motor/pump system for under-water applications. Finite-element analysis and lumped parameter magnetic circuit analysis were used to calculate motor parameters and performance characteristics and to conduct tradeoff studies. Compact, efficient, reliable, and quiet underwater systems are attainable with the development of high-energy-density PM material, power electronic devices, and power integrated-circuit technology.
Neuromuscular and stiffness adaptations in division I collegiate baseball players

To compare bi-lateral shoulder EMG, active and short range glenohumeral stiffness, and examine its correlation to posterior capsule thickness (PCT) in collegiate baseball players. Surface and fine wire EMG was recorded on shoulder and scapular musculature during stiffness testing. Posterior capsule thickness was assessed separately using a diagnostic ultrasound. Serratus anterior EMG area and peak on the dominant arm was significantly greater compared to the non-dominant arm. The dominant arm had significantly greater active and short range glenohumeral stiffness compared to the non-dominant arm. Active glenohumeral stiffness was significantly correlated with PCT, however short range glenohumeral stiffness was not significantly correlated with PCT. Healthy collegiate baseball players present with adaptations of their stiffness regulation strategies. There were also correlations between stiffness and morphologic changes. Our results support the theory that PCT has an impact on the energy absorption capabilities of the shoulder during the deceleration phase of throwing. It also seems that tightening of the series elastic component within the posterior rotator cuff may be causing the increase in short range stiffness on the dominant arm.
Uptake of radiolabeled somatostatin analog is detectable in patients with metastatic foci of sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Somatostatin receptors are present on many types of epithelial tumors, and ligands targeting these receptors are used to treat patients with neuroendocrine malignancies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the presence of somatostatin receptors on a variety of mesenchymal tumors by in vitro receptor autoradiography. The use of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs to assess the presence of somatostatin receptors in vivo has been established, but use of this technique to evaluate human sarcomas has not been reported previously. METHODS Seventeen patients (13 females and 4 males) with metastatic sarcoma underwent imaging via somatostatin-receptor scintigraphy. Scans were performed using indium -111 pentetreotide. Planar studies and single photon emission computed tomography imaging were performed at 4 and 24 hours, and results of scintigraphy were correlated with computed tomography findings. RESULTS Twelve of 17 scans showed increased uptake in regions of known metastatic disease. There was no apparent correlation with scan positivity and patient age, histology, site of disease, or duration of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Seventy-one percent of patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcomas had positive scintigraphy scans demonstrating tumor expression of somatostatin receptors subtype 2 in vivo. Imaging with indium-111 pentetreotide could be studied as an adjunct to conventional imaging modalities for assessment of sarcoma patients. Further research is needed to determine the prognostic implications of somatostatin receptor subtype 2 positivity, including larger studies to evaluate any potential correlation with metastatic behavior and other clinical outcomes. Cancer 1999;86:1621–7. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Maintenance of Adult Mosquito Tissue in a Tissue-Culture Medium

A SERIES of experiments to be reported elsewhere has been performed to discover the nature of egg development in adult female mosquitoes. In the course of the work, a tissue-culture medium was used for suspending extirpated ovaries in various stages of development. This was done to see if development of the isolated ovaries could be induced or continued.
An AB initio study of the cis- and trans -conformers of 1,3-butadiene, acrolein and glyoxal: evidence for a stabilizing interaction in cis-acrolein

Abstract The cis - and trans -conformers of 1,3-butadiene, acrolein and glyoxal have been studied using the 4-31G and (7, 3) basis sets with full geometry optimization. The changes in geometry in going from the cis - to the trans -structures indicate that the terminal carbon and oxygen atoms in cis -acrolein are closer together than would otherwise be expected from the butadiene and glyoxal data, and that the hydrogens of the CH 2 group are also affected. These results, together with a comparison of the changes in force constants for key structural elements, suggest that some sort of attractive interaction is present in cis -acrolein. Δ E T , Δ E K , Δ V ee , Δ V nn and Δ V en are reported for the cis - trans isomerizations, the special geometrical features of the cis -conformer being reflected in Δ V nn for the acrolein reaction. The positive Δ E T values for the disproportionation reactions of both conformers 2 acrolein → 1,3-butadiene + glyoxal show that the acrolein framework provides the most stable combination of the H 2 C, CH- and O structural elements, while the bigger value for the cis -conformers affords additional evidence that the interaction in cis -acrolein is stabilizing in nature. However, in going from the trans - to the cis -structure neither the change in f C-H,C-H for the C-H that would be involved in an H- bond, nor the change in charge on the atoms in the C-H ⋯ O unit. based on Mulliken population analyses, are in accord with what would be expected for a hydrogen-bonding type of interaction. Instead the stabilization may be a manifestation of the different pattern of charge distribution along the polyene chain of acrolein, i.e. with the ends oppositely charged, compared to butadiene and glyoxal, in which the ends carry the same charge.
The Beige/Chediak-Higashi Syndrome Gene Encodes a Widely Expressed Cytosolic Protein *

The human autosomal recessive disorder Chediak-Higashi syndrome and its murine homologue beigeare associated with the formation of giant lysosomes that cluster near the perinuclear region of cells. We prepared a polyclonal antiserum against a glutathione S-transferase-Beige fusion protein and demonstrated by Western analysis that the beige gene encodes a protein of 400 kDa that is expressed in cultured murine fibroblasts as well as most mouse tissues. The protein was not detected in either cultured fibroblasts or mouse tissues from two differentbeige mutants. Cultured fibroblasts transformed with multiple copies of yeast artificial chromosomes that contain the full-length beige gene showed much higher levels of Beige protein than either wild type fibroblasts or mouse tissues. Subcellular fractionation experiments demonstrated that the Beige protein was cytosolic and, under the conditions of isolation, had no measurable membrane association. Cultured mouse fibroblasts in which the Beige protein was overexpressed had smaller than normal lysosomes that were more peripherally distributed than in control cells. These findings, coupled with earlier published results, suggest that the Beige protein regulates lysosomal fission.
Formation of recombinant protein inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli

Overexpression of cloned genes in Escherichia coli may lead to the formation of intracellular proteinaceous granules that are readily visible under the light microscope. A number of parameters relating to the host cell, the growth conditions and the properties of the particular protein affect this process. This short review considers some of these conditions and proposes a model to explain the formation of the refractible particles.
Estimating Geocenter Variations from a Combination of GRACE and Ocean Model Output

[1] In this study, we estimate a time series of geocenter anomalies from a combination of data from the GravityRecoveryandClimateExperiment(GRACE)satellitemissionandthe outputfromoceanmodels.Amatrixequationisderivedrelating totalgeocentervariations to the GRACE coefficients of degrees two and higher and to the oceanic component of the degree one coefficients. We estimate the oceanic component from two state-of-the-art ocean models. Results are compared to independent estimates of geocenter derived from other satellite data, such as satellite laser ranging and GPS. Finally, we compute degree one coefficients that are consistent with the processing applied to the GRACE Level-2 gravity field coefficients. The estimated degree one coefficients can be used to improve estimates of mass variability from GRACE, which alone cannot provide them directly.
Anisotropic Superfluidity in Neutron Star Matter

The magnitude of the expected superfluid transition temperature and the form of the gap are obtained for regimes of neutron density expected in neutron-star cores. For neutron densities exceeding 1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ the gap is anisotropic but nodeless, leading to thermodynamic properties of a conventional BCS-type superfluid.
Asymmetric, pole-zero microring-resonator filters for efficient on-chip dense WDM multiplexers

Channel add-drop filters with asymmetric responses based on transmission zero engineering are proposed and demonstrated in a zero-change 45nm SOI CMOS process. They enable multiplexers with 2.4x higher channel density using the same order filter.
Numerical experiments on the clustering of galaxies

Consistent and robust growth rates for disturbances which lead to galaxy clustering are obtainable with a precision of 1-2 percent, in numerical experiments that encompass such conditions as expansion, nonexpansion, and parameter variations. The experiments have given attention to the dominant physical processes of gravitational clustering in an expanding universe of conventional matter, and are based on n-body integrations for 100,000 particles responding self-consistently to forces of self-gravitation with periodic boundary conditions. Observed structures of the scale of galaxy clusters and superclusters are most easily described in terms of matter swept away from growing empty regions. The result of this process has a cellular appearance which resembles clustering of the scale of large voids and superclusters.