cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical reactivity of methoxy 4-o-aryl quinolines: identification of glutathione displacement products in vitro and in vivo.

AMG 458 {1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-N-[5-(7-methoxyquinolin-4-yloxy)pyridin-2-yl]-5-methyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide} is a potent, selective inhibitor of c-Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often deregulated in cancer. AMG 458 was observed to bind covalently to liver microsomal proteins from rats and humans in the absence of NADPH. When [14C]AMG 458 was incubated with liver microsomes in the presence of glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine, thioether adducts were detected by radiochromatography and LC/MS/MS analysis. These adducts were also formed upon incubation of AMG 458 with glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine in buffers at pH 7.4. In vivo, the thioether adducts were detected in bile and urine of bile duct-cannulated rats dosed with [14C]AMG 458. The two adducts were isolated, and their structures were determined by MS/MS and NMR analysis. The identified structures resulted from a thiol displacement reaction to yield a quinoline thioether structure and the corresponding h...
Simple hydrodynamical Simulations of the Circumnuclear Disk

The “circumnuclear disk” (CND) is a dense, clumpy, asymmetric ring-like feature centered on Sgr A*. The outer edge of the CND is not distinct but the disk extends for more than 7 pc; the distinct inner edge, at a radius of ≃1.5 pc, surrounds the “mini-spiral” of the HII region, Sgr A West. We present simple 3D hydrodynamical models of the formation and evolution of the CND from multiple selfgravitating infalling clouds and compare the results with recent observations. We assume the clouds are initially Bonner-Ebert spheres, in equilibrium with a hot confining inter-cloud medium. We include the gravitational potential due to the point-mass of Sgr A* as well as the extended mass distribution of the underlying stellar population. We also include the effects of the ram pressure due to the stellar winds from the central cluster of early-type stars. A single spherically symmetric cloud cannot reproduce the clumpy morphology of the CND; multiple clouds on diverse trajectories are required so that cloud-cloud collisions can circularize the clouds' orbits while maintaining a clumpy morphology. Collisions also serve to compress the clouds, delaying tidal disruption while potentially hastening gravitational collapse. Low density clumps are disrupted before reaching the inner CND radius, forming short-lived arcs. The outer parts of more massive clumps get tidally stripped, forming long-lived low-density wide-angle arcs, while their cores potentially undergo gravitational collapse. The fine balance between resisting tidal disruption and preventing gravitational collapse implies that most if not all clumps are not stable for much more than an orbit. Thus, in order for the CND to be a long-lived clumpy object, it must be continually fed by additional in-falling clouds. Clouds that survive to small radii are likely to be the sites of present or future star formation. However, within a few parsecs of Sgr A*, the stellar winds decelerate any in-falling cloud so that the wind-cloud interface becomes Rayleigh-Taylor unstable, potentially disrupting the cloud and inhibiting star formation.
Aging and the basal ganglia

Age-related changes within the basal ganglia primarily affect the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway and related pigmented nuclei. These alterations resemble the pathologic changes of Parkinson's disease, but cell dropout is not as marked or uniquely selective in the aged brain. Histopathologic changes including interneuronal inclusion bodies are associated with aging, but the number and location of these suggest that this is a nonspecific phenomenon, not the harbinger of Parkinson's disease or other specific neuropathology. It appears that aging and Parkinson's disease result in similar brain cell degenerative processes, but the causes and specific triggering mechanisms for these changes are likely to be quite distinct.
NADH oxidation in liver and fat cell plasma membranes.

1. Introduction Evidence that transformed cells have an increased NADH/NAD ratio [I] and decreased adenylate cyclase [2] and evidence that NADH will inhibit the AMP cyclase of plasma membrane [3] has brought up the question of a sensor of NADH in the plasma membrane. The fact that the flavin antagonist atebrin inhibits cyclase suggested that an NADH dehydrogenase might be the site of the NADH inhibition [3] . There have been reports of NADH dehydrogenase activity in plasma membrane preparations. In most
A linguistic approach to stochastic comparison of queuing systems

Abstract We study the problem of stochastic comparison of queuing systems. The author's previous results on stochastic comparison of supervised discrete event systems are extended to compare queuing systems with structural differences such as systems with different buffer capacities or different number of customers. This is done by comparing the languages generated by the systems. The approach has two advantages. First, it is simple because one needs only to compare the languages. Secondly, the results obtained are independent of stochastic features such as service time distributions and interarrival time distributions. After presenting the theoretical results we apply them to the three queuing systems.
Comparison of intravital thinned skull and cranial window approaches to study cns immunobiology in the mouse cortex

Fluorescent imaging coupled with high-resolution femtosecond pulsed infrared lasers allows for interrogation of cellular interactions deeper in living tissues than ever imagined. Intravital imaging of the central nervous system (CNS) has provided insights into neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and even immune interactions. In this review we will discuss the two most common intravital approaches for studying the cerebral cortex in the live mouse brain for pre-clinical studies, the thinned skull and cranial window techniques, and focus on the advantages and drawbacks of each approach. In addition, we will discuss the use of neuronal physiologic parameters as determinants of successful surgical and imaging preparation.
Sodium and lithium MA centers in KCl

Abstract Results on the reorientation of the sodium MA center at various temperatures is presented and discussed. Evidence is also given for the existence of the lithium MA center.
Sequential multi-agent chemotherapy and whole abdominalirradiation for stage III ovarian carcinoma

Summary Modern therapy for stage III ovarian carcinoma patients usually involves one or more laparotomies with maximal resection of tumor, and intensive multi-agent chemotherapy. However, with long-term follow-up only 10–15% of patients remain free of disease. In the hope of improving outcome, we have treated 17 women with sequential multimodality therapy, including initial surgical resection (if possible), cyclophosphamide-adriamycin± cis -platinum, second-look surgery, and whole abdominal irradiation. Seven patients are currently alive without disease, with median follow-up of 52 months since initiation of radiation and 60 months since initiation of chemotherapy. Disease-free survival correlated with residual tumor at the start of radiotherapy: none (4/4); microscopic, ≤5 mm (3/4); >5 mm or no surgery (0/9). Survival also correlated with tumor grade: grade 1 (2/2); grade 2 (2/3); grade 3 (3/11). Hematological tolerance of radiotherapy was dependent upon the number of chemotherapy cycles: ten of 11 patients receiving ≤eight cycles completed radiotherapy without excessive delay, compared with only one five receiving>eight cycles. There were no treatment-related deaths and only one patient required laparotomy for bowel obstruction. We conclude that intensive multimodal treatment may be tolerated moderately well if the amount of chemotherapy is limited and that further studies are justified.
Abstract 479: A novel dynamic delivery system enabling high efficiency transfection of cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Transfection is an enabling technique for cellular and molecular biologists to study expression and knockdown of gene expression. Over the past decade, many researchers have utilized liposomal systems to deliver nucleic acids; however, this method has many caveats including low transfection efficiency and high cellular toxicity in some cell types. To address these shortcomings, Mirus Bio has developed a novel non-liposomal technology called the TransIT-X2™ Dynamic Delivery System. This unique polymeric delivery system is able to effectively condense negatively charged nucleic acids (plasmid DNA and/or siRNA), enter cells and break out of the endosomal compartment, a critical barrier for transfection. The plasmid and siRNA can then be delivered to their respective functional locations, the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In this study, we demonstrate functional transfection of labeled plasmid DNA co-delivered with labeled siRNA illustrating the dual abilities of the TransIT-X2 Dynamic Delivery System. Additionally, extensive head-to-head comparisons with a popular liposomal reagent, Lipofectamine® 2000 were performed using a luciferase expression assay in 30 cell types; TransIT-X2 demonstrated superior performance in 20 cell types with 11 showing greater than 2-fold higher expression compared to Lipofectamine 2000. Transfection efficiency of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was measured using flow cytometry and visualized by microscopy; most cell types had greater than 50% GFP efficiency. Lastly, gene knockdown after delivery of siRNA or miRNA was assessed. Two endogenous genes, GAPDH and AHA1, were targeted for siRNA knockdown and mRNA levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. miRNA function was assessed by the decrease in the miR-1 target mRNA PTK9. The TransIT-X2 Dynamic Delivery System shows effective knockdown via siRNA or miRNA. The TransIT-X2 Dynamic Delivery System offers researchers exceptional broad-spectrum transfection of plasmid DNA and siRNA. This cutting edge, non-liposomal polymeric delivery method enhances endocytic release of the transfection complexes allowing researchers to obtain very high transfection efficiencies. Citation Format: James Ludtke, Anthony Lauer, Austin Storck, Nicholas Rossi, Karen Neder, Anatoly Pinchuk, Laura Juckem. A novel dynamic delivery system enabling high efficiency transfection of cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 479. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-479
Essential sequences and projective equivalence

It is well known that if R is a Noetherian ring and b1,…, bh are an R-sequence, then there exist ideals (0) = (B0⊂B1⊂… ⊂Bh in R such that the following hold for i = 1,…,h: (a) Bi = (b1…bi) R; (b) Ass(RBi) = ∪ {Ass(R(Bi)k); k ⩾ 1} (c) (Bi−1)k: bi R = (Bi−1)K for all k ⩾ 1; and (d) if p ϵ Ass(RBi−1) and (p,bi) R ≠ R, then P is properly contained in some P ϵ Ass(RBi). The main theorem in this paper shows that something quite similar to this holds for essential sequences; namely, if bi,…,bh are an essential sequence in R, then there exists ideals (0) = J0⊂J1⊂…⊂Jh in R such that the following hold for i = 1,…,h: (a) Ji, is projectively equivalent to (bi,…,bi R; (b′) Ass(RJi) = ∪ {Ass(R(Ji)k); k ⩾ 1}; (c′) (Ji−1)k:biR = (Ji−1)k for all k ⩾ 1; and (d′) if P ϵ Ass(RJi−1 and (p,bi) R ≠ R, then P is properly contained in some P ϵ Ass(RJi).
Embryos, souls, and the fourth dimension.

Why would someone believe that an embryo is a human being, albeit an exceedingly tiny one? It is merely a cluster of cells, after all, and it in no way resembles ordinary human beings like you and me, entities with the functional abilities to think, feel, locomote, laugh, love, and actually be seen by the naked eye. Furthermore, even if embryos were human be ings, why would that fact alone generate a moral obligation on our part to refrain from harming them? In other words, what precisely is it about human beings that warrants their moral protection? These sorts of questions have played a major role in the longstanding abortion debate, of course, which nevertheless generally focuses not on the embryo but on the fetus. Specifically, abortion theorists typically want to figure out (a) what the ontological status of the fetus is, that is, into what category of the world it fits, and (b) what its ontological status implies, if anything, about its moral status, that is, how entities catego rized-like-that ought to be treated.2 Fetuses, though, especially late-stage
Oral contraception: From birth control to pregnancy prevention with noncontraceptive benefits

Considerable changes have occurred in oral contraceptives since their introduction in the 1960s. Initial reductions in sex steroid dosing were followed by alterations in dosing regimens that allowed for the minimization, reduction or elimination of scheduled vaginal bleeding episodes. More recently, oral contraceptives have incorporated novel progestins or estrogens other than ethinylestradiol, many of which are now associated with noncontraceptive benefits. The 21/7 regimen, developed to maximize the likelihood of a monthly withdrawal bleed, is likely to no longer be the pre-eminent dosing regimen used in new pill formulations, which can be expected to feature lower doses of new progestins and novel estrogens combined in dosing regimens that will reduce withdrawal bleeding, provide new noncontraceptive benefits and possibly be associated with an improved safety profile.
Neutralizing the HIV Reservoir

Halper-Stromberg et al. use a humanized mouse model to demonstrate that broadly neutralizing antibodies, when administered with a combination of HIV latency activators, can reduce persistent HIV reservoirs, as measured by plasma virus rebound. Their results support the use of broadly neutralizing antibodies in HIV-reservoir-purging strategies.
Ultrastructure of trypan blue-induced ocular defects II. Cornea and mesenchyme

Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the histological and cytological alterations induced in the developing eye by trypan blue were examined. Microphthalmic and anophthalmic eyes were analyzed from 16-day rat fetuses whose dams had received a teratogenic dose of trypan blue. Cell and tissue damage within cornea and mesenchyme were assessed. Corneas from the treated groups were undulating and uneven owing to abnormal lens placement and corneal cell injury. Extensive extracellular spacing, few cell-to-cell contacts, patchy glycocalyces, and abnormal surface morphology characterized the corneal cells of treated tissues. Mesenchyme of severely malformed eyes typically filled the eye field in regions normally occupied by retina and lens. As a tissue, mesenchyme lacked organization and those surface features normally present in component cells were altered. Mesenchymal cells were packed so closely that extracellular spaces were nearly obliterated. Microvilli, filopodia, and lamellipodia, cell processes observed in normal mesenchyme, were altered in both number and structure. The cytoplasm of mesenchymal cells was condensed and decreased in volume. These data suggested that (1) in this trypan blue ocular model, virtually all major tissue types were morphologically altered; (2) because healthy mesenchyme and cornea are required for normal development of lens, optic vesicle and ocular adnexa it follows that abnormal cornea and mesenchyme also will compromise these tissues; and (3) since necrotic reminants were not present, this trypan blue model probably causes developmental arrest. The most likely teratogenic pathway is presented with emphasis on the cell surface as a probable site of dye action.
Multiple sclerosis remission following antiretroviral therapy in an HIV-infected man.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a challenging diagnosis under the best of circumstances and this is especially true when demyelinating disease occurs in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among the large spectrum of neurological disease associated with HIV are disorders that frequently affect the white matter, most commonly, HIV dementia and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Among the demyelinating disorders observed with HIV infection are acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), MS or a MS-like illness, and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). On occasion, the demyelinating disorder is monophasic and is likely an isolated autoimmune event triggered by the viral infection. This clinical expression mimics ADEM and often, but not invariably, occurs proximate to the time of HIV seroconversion (Bhigjee, Patel et al. 1999; Narciso, Galgani et al. 2001; van Toorn, Kritzinger et al. 2005; Raychaudhuri, de Silva et al. 2006; Tullu, Patil et al. 2011). An aggressive course of MS has been described as well with autopsy confirmation of demyelinating plaques indistinguishable from those of MS (Berger, Sheremata et al. 1989; Gray, Chimelli et al. 1991). In other instances, the course of the MS-like illness is more reflective of that typical of relapsing remitting MS in a non-HIV-infected person (Berger, Sheremata et al. 1989; Gonzalez-Duarte, Ramirez et al. 2011). NMO or a related disorder has also been reported in association with HIV infection (Berger, Tornatore et al. 1992; Blanche, Diaz et al. 2000; Feyissa, Singh et al. 2013). We report a man who presented with an MS-like illness conforming to McDonald criteria for MS whose demyelinating disease, both clinically and radiographically, abated following the institution of effective antiretroviral therapy. This observation has been described in at least one other HIV-infected patient with an MS-like illness (Maruszak, Brew et al. 2011) and another with a mixed MSNMO pattern of disease (Delgado, Maldonado et al. 2014).
FURTHER STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY-RELATIONSHIP STUDIES ON A/C/D-RING ANALOGS OF COMPLEMENT INHIBITOR K-76

Abstract A series of new A/C/D-ring analogs ( 4a-f, 15 ) of fungal metabolite K -76 ( 1a ) have been synthesized and evaluated for human complement inhibitory potency. The in vitro assay results of human complement-mediated hemolysis of A/C/D-ring analogs indicate that the carboxylic acid functionality at C-6 is more important than C-7. The presence of aldehydic group and the terpenoid diol in these analogs contribute little towards human complement inhibition. The role of the phenolic hydroxyl is critical as benzofurans 4a and 4b exhibit human complement inhibition similar to the natural product.
Fine structural changes in the gastro-intestinal tract of the hypoxic puppy: A study of natural history

Abstract The present study demonstrates that a 2 hr period of sustained hypoxia results in a focally destructive process, a process which resolves by 5 days. That the changes described in earlier work are not overwhelming to the animal suggest that an early, focal, and reversible stage of the development of acute enterocolitis in the puppy can be described with the aid of electron microscopy.
Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (PreBERS): Test–Retest Reliability and Inter-Rater Reliability

The Preschool Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (PreBERS) is a standardized, norm-referenced instrument that assesses the emotional and behavioral strengths of preschool children. Two studies that investigated the test–retest and inter-rater reliability of the PreBERS are reported. In the first study, teachers rated preschool children (N = 96) on two occasions with 1 month between ratings. Reliability coefficients for the four subscales and total score of the PreBERS were all at or above 0.86. In the second study teachers and paraprofessionals rated the same preschool children (N = 88). All of the correlations were over 0.72. In both studies the magnitude of correlations were large indicating that the PreBERS is a stable measure across time and raters. Based on the data the PreBERS appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument appropriate for use with preschool children. Recommendations for use with preschool children as well as future research are discussed.
Magnetic-force-sensing STM: novel application of STM for simultaneous measurement of topography and field gradient of magnetic recording heads

Abstract We present a technique for simultaneously measuring the topography and the field gradient of recording heads using a scanning tunneling microscope with a cantilever-shaped magnetic tip. The field from the recording head excited by an alternating current vibrates the tip of the STM, and this causes modulation in tunneling current. This modulated signal is detected by a lock-in amplifier and is processed to obtain a magnetic-force image. The low-frequency components of the tunneling current represent the topography of the air-bearing surface of the recording head in a normal STM mode. The effects of the head current and the tunneling voltage upon the field gradient were also investigated.
Race, Status, and Interaction between Patients and Hospital Personnel

FOR MANY years sociologists have done research on race relations in the United States, especially between Negroes and whites. In the past decade, hospitals and the health professions have also been popular objects of sociological inquiry. But thus far, there has been relatively little study of race relations in health organizations.? Although some attention has been paid to the contribution of low-status hospital workers to the therapeutic process, the extent to which the race of the low-status worker may influence the contribution has not been studied.2 This paper presents some data contrasting patient perceptions of subprofessional low-status Negro hospital workers with patient perceptions of the professional high-status white hospital staff.3 The data suggest that from the patient's point of view (1) Negro aides, orderlies, housekeepers, food service personnel, etc. are more effective in meeting the patients' needs for expressive care than white nurses and physicians; and (2) these individuals' low status, Negro race, and sub-professional affiliation directly contribute to their effectiveness. If supported by further research, these hypotheses would have important implications for the sociology of race relations and for professional practice in patient care. Procedure and Setting The data were collected in a study of the role of the hospitalized patient from the patient's point of view. During the initial stages of this project, interviews were conducted with a sample of patients (N = 85) on several wards at one hospital. In addition to the attending physician's permission, to be included in the sample patients had to be white, American born, between the ages of forty and sixty, must have had
Simple method for measurement of lower extremity muscle strength

A simple, rapid, reproducible method for quantification of lower extremity muscle strength was standardized. The time needed to stand 10 times from a standard chair was recorded in 139 healthy subjects, aged 20 to 85 years (77 men, 62 women). Reproducibility was 6.8 percent (+/- 3.4 percent). Neither height nor weight was related to time in either sex. Weight was related to time (p less than 0.05) after adjusting for age, but this effect was slight compared with the effect of age alone. A highly significant (p less than 0.0001) relationship between time and age was found in both sexes. Younger men performed better than younger women, although this difference was lost in the older age groups. The results of this simple test correlated well with published data on the strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles in groups of men and women of various ages. This method was used to evaluate serially six consecutive patients with classic polymyositis or dermatomyositis. Improvement after treatment with prednisone used alone or in combination with azathioprine or methotrexate was found in all cases.
Productivity and Fledging Success of Trumpeter Swans in Yellowstone National Park, 1987–2007

Abstract. Trumpeter Swan nesting in Yellowstone was monitored from 1987–2007 to assess the effects of environmental conditions, density-dependent factors and habitat characteristics on two metrics of productivity: clutch size and fledging success. Average clutch size was 4.2 eggs per nest (range = 3–6, SE = 0.2) and a positive relationship was found between clutch size and area of wetland complex surrounding the nesting site. The probability of fledging success (survival until September of at least one cygnet per nest) was associated with an increasing metric of territory quality (measured as historical site use from 1931–1986) and decreasing April precipitation. The probability of fledging success was estimated to range from 0.062 (95% CI = 0.060, 0.064) for a nest located in a wetland occupied only one time historically to 0.275 (95% CI = 0.073, 0.466) in a wetland occupied 38 times historically. The need to protect and maintain high quality nesting areas is underscored by the variability among nesting ...
The precision implant 9000, a new concept in ion implantation systems

Abstract An advanced ion implantation system has been developed to address the device requirements and automated fabrication requirements of future IC manufacturing. This new system, the Applied Materials Precision Implant 9000 contains advanced capabilities for automatic beam setup and implantation over an energy range from 10 to 180 keV, beam current operation for As and P of 30 mA, B beam currents of 11 mA, and low particulate wafer handling. The system is also designed in maintain wafer temperatures below 80°C at beam powers of up to 4 kW, to minimize contamination levels through features in the beam line and wafer holder design and to control wafer charging effects through high speed scanning and control of beam current density. System design concepts and innovative features of the beam line, wafer handling and automation areas of the system will be discussed.
Localization and synthesis of an insulin-binding region on human insulin receptor.

Seven regions of the α subunit of human insulin receptor (HIR) were synthesized and examined for their ability to bind radioiodinated insulin. A peptide representing one of these regions (namely, residues α655–670) exhibited a specific binding activity for insulin. In quantitative radiometric titrations, the binding curves of125I-labeled insulin to adsorbents of peptide α655–670 and of purified placental membrane were similar or superimposable. The binding of radioiodinated insulin to peptide or to membrane adsorbents was completely inhibited by unlabeled insulin, and the inhibition curves indicated that the peptide and the membrane on the adsorbents had similar affinities. Synthetic peptides that were shorter (peptide α661–670) or longer (peptide α651–670) than the region α655–670 exhibited lower insulin-binding activity. It was concluded that an insulin-binding region in the HIR α subunit resides within residues α655–670. The results do not rule out the possibility that other regions of the α subunit may also participate in binding of HIR to insulin, with the region described here forming a “face” within a larger binding site.
Cigarette Smoking Decreases Global MicroRNA Expression in Human Alveolar Macrophages

Human alveolar macrophages are critical components of the innate immune system. Cigarette smoking-induced changes in alveolar macrophage gene expression are linked to reduced resistance to pulmonary infections and to the development of emphysema/COPD. We hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs) could control, in part, the unique messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles found in alveolar macrophages of cigarette smokers. Activation of macrophages with different stimuli in vitro leads to a diverse range of M1 (inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory) polarized phenotypes that are thought to mimic activated macrophages in distinct tissue environments. Microarray mRNA data indicated that smoking promoted an “inverse” M1 mRNA expression program, defined by decreased expression of M1-induced transcripts and increased expression of M1-repressed transcripts with few changes in M2-regulated transcripts. RT-PCR arrays identified altered expression of many miRNAs in alveolar macrophages of smokers and a decrease in global miRNA abundance. Stratification of human subjects suggested that the magnitude of the global decrease in miRNA abundance was associated with smoking history. We found that many of the miRNAs with reduced expression in alveolar macrophages of smokers were predicted to target mRNAs upregulated in alveolar macrophages of smokers. For example, miR-452 is predicted to target the transcript encoding MMP12, an important effector of smoking-related diseases. Experimental antagonism of miR-452 in differentiated monocytic cells resulted in increased expression of MMP12. The comprehensive mRNA and miRNA expression profiles described here provide insight into gene expression regulation that may underlie the adverse effects cigarette smoking has on alveolar macrophages.
Rheo-optics of Equilibrium Polymer Solutions: Wormlike Micelles in Elongational Flow in a Microfluidic Cross-Slot

The rheo-optical analysis of polymer solutions and melts is a critical tool in elucidating their molecular response to flow fields. We therefore evaluate the measurement of flow-induced birefringence (orientation) under extension in microfluidic cross-slots, whose flow kinematics was examined by microparticle image velocimetry. The effects of planar extension on the (non)linear viscoelasticity of wormlike micellar surfactant solutions (comprising either cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or cetylpyridinium chloride in aqueous sodium salicylate) were measured. The effect of wall shear was found to be negligible compared to extension. The birefringence is linear (indicating the validity of the stress−optical rule) for very small extensional Weissenberg numbers, as expected. This rule fails, however, when a sharp birefringence band appears at modest Weissenberg number (indicating the alignment of wormlike micelles along the outflow direction). Experiments that measure average birefringence may misidentify the po...
Sedation and analgesia for pediatric fracture reduction in the emergency department: a systematic review.

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of various forms of analgesia and sedation for fracture reduction in pediatric patients in the emergency department, as observed in randomized controlled trials in pediatric populations. Data Sources Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature), and MEDLINE. The search terms “fractures,” “manipulation, orthopedic,” “an(a)esthetics,” “analgesics,” and “hypnotics and sedatives” were used. Study Selection Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials studying sedative and/or analgesic regimens for fracture reductions in pediatric patients in the emergency department. The search yielded 915 references. From these, 8 studies inclu ding 1086 patients were selected. Data Extraction Interventions studied included intravenous regional blocks (Bier blocks), nitrous oxide, and parenteral combinations. Data on measures of effectiveness and safety were extracted. Data Synthesis Ketamine hydrochloride–midazolam hydrochloride was associated with less distress during reduction than fentanyl citrate–midazolam or propofol-fentanyl. Patients receiving ketamine-midazolam required significantly fewer airway interventions than those in whom either fentanyl-midazolam or propofol-fentanyl were used. Data comparing Bier blocks with systemic forms of sedation or analgesia were limited. Conclusions Ketamine-midazolam seems to be more effective and have fewer adverse events than fentanyl-midazolam or propofol-fentanyl. Data on other forms of analgesia or sedation are too limited to make comparisons. More research is needed to define the regimen that maximizes safety, efficacy, and efficiency for fracture reduction in pediatric patients.
The percentage of consonants correct (PCC) metric: extensions and reliability data.

Research in normal and disordered phonology requires measures of speech production that are biolinguistically appropriate and psychometrically robust. Their conceptual and numeric properties must be well characterized, particularly because speech measures are increasingly appearing in large-scale epidemiologic, genetic, and other descriptive-explanatory database studies. This work provides a rationale for extensions to an articulation competence metric titled the Percentage of Consonants Correct (PCC; Shriberg & Kwiatkowski, 1982; Shriberg, Kwiatkowski, Best, Hengst, & Terselic-Weber, 1986), which is computed from a 5- to 10-minute conversational speech sample. Reliability and standard error of measurement estimates are provided for 9 of a set of 10 speech metrics, including the PCC. Discussion includes rationale for selecting one or more of the 10 metrics for specific clinical and research needs.
3D-QSAR studies on malonyl coenzyme A decarboxylase inhibitors.

Abstract Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) were performed on a series of Malonyl Co-A decarboxylase (MCD) inhibitors (Cheng et al. J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49, 1517–1525 and Cheng et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 695–700). These inhibitors have shown protective action on the ischemic heart by inhibiting fatty acid oxidation. The CoMFA model produced statistically significant results, with the cross-validated and conventional correlation coefficients being 0.544 and 0.986, respectively. The best results were obtained by combining steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and H-bond acceptor fields in CoMSIA, in which case the respective cross-validated and conventional correlation coefficients were 0.551 and 0.918. The predictive ability of CoMFA and CoMSIA, determined using a test set of 24 compounds, gave predictive correlation coefficients of 0.718 and 0.725, respectively. The information obtained from CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D contour maps may be of utility in the design of more potent MCD inhibitors.
Inaugural climate communications prize winner announced

In recognition of Gavin Schmidt's exceptional work as a climate communicator, AGU has selected him as the recipient of its inaugural Climate Communications Prize. Schmidt is a climate scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and cofounder of the RealClimate.org blog. RealClimate.org covers areas of science related to climate—from present-day measurements to paleoclimate proxies, from natural climate variation to anthropogenic change. Schmidt has also worked with photographers on a popular science book, on museum exhibits, and on online courses and has often appeared on TV and radio and in print.
Order-N sparse minimum-variance open-loop reconstructor for extreme adaptive optics.

A scalable sparse minimum-variance open-loop wave-front reconstructor for extreme adaptive optics (ExAO) systems is presented. The reconstructor is based on Ellerbroek’s sparse approximation of the wave-front inverse covariance matrix [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 19, 1803 (2002)]. The baseline of the numerical approach is an iterative conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm for reconstructing a spatially sampled wave front at N grid points on a computational domain of size equal to the telescope’s primary mirror’s diameter D that uses a multigrid (MG) accelerator to speed up convergence efficiently and enhance its robustness. The combined MGCG scheme is order N and requires only two CG iterations to converge to the asymptotic average Strehl ratio (SR) and root-mean-square reconstruction error. The SR and reconstruction squared error are within standard deviation with figures obtained from a previously proposed MGCG fast-Fourier-transform based minimum-variance reconstructor that incorporates the exact wave-front inverse covariance matrix on a computational domain of size equal to 2D . A cost comparison between the present sparse MGCG algorithm and a Cholesky factorization based algorithm that uses a reordering scheme to preserve sparsity indicates that the latter method is still competitive for real-time ExAO wave-front reconstruction for systems with up to N ∼ 104 degrees of freedom because the update rate of the Cholesky factor is typically several orders of magnitude lower than the temporal sampling rate.
Frank B. Gilbreth, Walter C. Camp and the World of Sports:

This paper recounts the pioneering roles played by Frank B. Gilbreth and Walter C. Camp in using motion pictures to chart the swings of early twentieth-century golf champions. Drawing on personal c...
110 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC LEFT VENTRICULAR SIZE IN GROWING MALE AND FEMALE CHILDREN

Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVD) in the echocardiogram (E) is widely used to assess the LV size. There is no study available where difference in male (M) and female (F) growing children were examined. Therefore, we studied 110 M and 90 F normal school children, 5-14 years of age and with body surface area (BSA) varying from 0.7 to 1.59. Strip chart E recordings of the LV at its midcavity sector containing mitral echos were obtained by means of a 2.25 M Hz transducer in the standard fashion. Internal LVD was measured in millimeters at the onset of the Q wave of the EKG for several cardiac cycles and averaged. Our results for the mean and 1 standard deviation in M and F children with the different BSA were as follows: This study shows increase in LVD with larger BSA as in other studies in both M and F children. However, there was no statistically significant difference in LVD between M and F growing children at any BSA.
On the concept of equal exchange

A system is said to be in equilibrium when no changes are per ceived in it by gross observation. Yet there may be vigorous activity within such a system which is hidden from gross obser vation, because the inner processes “cancel” each other. Thus, a number of cities can maintain constant populations even though the birth, death, and migration rates are high. A system will be obviously in equilibrium if there is “equal exchange” between every pair of its subsystems, but not all systems in equilibrium are such systems of “strict exchange.” It is a question of some theo retical importance whether a system is a system of strict exchange. Mathematical conditions for such systems are given here. In particular it is shown that a “perfectly mobile society,” i.e., one where the probability of a person's position is independent of that of his father, is a strict exchange system.
The behavioral treatment of dysmorphobia

Abstract Dysmorphobia refers to a subjective feeling of ugliness in a person of normal appearance. It may occur as part of a schizophrenic psychosis, an affective disorder, or as an obsessional or phobic-like complaint. There are apparently no systematic studies on the psychiatric treatment of this problem, nor any reports of its treatment by behavior therapy. The following is a case report of the successful treatment, by systematic desensitization, of a nonpsychotic 27-yr-old male complaining of an abnormally red complexion. General improvement in other areas of his life were also observed. There may be a large number of nonpsychotic patients whose medical or surgical treatment for psychological sensitivities could be avoided by the use of behavior therapy.
Leipzig and Louvain University in Belgium

Experimental psychology was introduced at the University of Louvain in 1891 under the influence of Desire J. Mercier, a philosopher, who wanted to bridge the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas with experimental psychology. As the head of the philosophy program at the Louvain University, Mercier sent Armand Thiery, his collaborator, to Leipzig in order to acquaint him with Wundt's physiological psychology and laboratory. Upon his return from Germany Thiery organized a psychological laboratory at the Louvain University and offered a course in psychophysiology. Thiery headed the experimental program at Louvain for over ten years but he was more interested in philosophical and theoretical problems than in laboratory investigations. His successor, Albert Michotte, was wholeheartedly committed to laboratory experimentation and research. He also studied in Leipzig but was more influenced by Kulpe than by Wundt. Under Michotte's leadership, which lasted over 50 years, Louvain laboratory became one of the most active and original research centers in Europe.
Running Away from Foster Care: What Do We Know and What Do We Do?

Running away is a serious problem behavior that occurs frequently among youth in the foster care system. Given the severity of the problem, it is important to understand the phenomenon and seek solutions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature to determine what is known about youth running away from foster care placements and to identify strategies that have been implemented to reduce the magnitude of the problem. We begin by describing how running away has been defined within the child welfare system and what is known about the prevalence of runaway behavior among youth in foster care. We then consider risk factors related to running away, along with ramifications for youth when they run away. Lastly, we discuss motivations for running and offer suggestions of strategies that can be helpful in efforts to prevent or reduce running. Strategies include promising research that uses a behavioral functional assessment and intervention approach to decrease running and stabilize placements.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors: Putting the EPIC, IMPACT II, RESTORE, and EPILOG Trials into Perspective

Abstract Clinical evaluation of the antiplatelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists has now extended over nearly a decade. The largest experience to date with this new class of agents has been in the prevention and management of complications of percutaneous coronary intervention. Four trials involving 3 different agents in the setting of coronary intervention are discussed: the Evaluation of c7E3 in Preventing Ischemic Complications (EPIC) and the Evaluation of PTCA to Improve Long-term Outcome by c7E3 GPIIB/IIIA Receptor Blockade (EPILOG) trials of the antibody fragment abciximab (ReoPro); the Integrilin to Minimize Platelet Aggregation and Prevent Coronary Thrombosis II (IMPACT II) trial evaluating the peptide Integrilin; and the Randomized Efficacy Study of Tirofiban for Outcomes and Restenosis (RESTORE) trial studying the nonpeptide mimetic tirofiban (Aggrastat). All 3 agents reduced the incidence of clinically relevant endpoint events but to differing degrees and for varying durations. The increased rates of bleeding complications seen in the EPIC trial appear to be lessened by the use of competitive GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and by studious titration of heparin and careful groin management. The findings in IMPACT II and EPILOG suggest that the entire spectrum of patients who undergo coronary intervention benefit from GP IIb/IIIa blockade. Based on the results of these trials, platelet GP IIb/IIIa integrin blockade appears to be instrumental in improving clinical outcomes following percutaneous intervention, with clinical benefit extending to all patient categories. Bleeding risks can be minimized by minor changes in standard patient care algorithms. Dosing strategies and treatment duration still need to be refined, especially for the competitive antagonists. The role of these agents as adjuncts in stenting and rotational atherectomy and as adjunctive therapy in other disease settings requires further study.
Adjustment with a human face: A UNICEF record and perspective on the 1980s

Abstract In the early 1980s UNICEF became increasingly concerned with the setbacks in health, education and child nutrition arising in many developing countries. This article records the developments of UNICEF's concerns with international and national policy to offset these setbacks, the development of its policy of “adjustment with a human face” and the major steps taken to encourage the IMF and the World Bank to give more attention to poverty and human concerns in the making of adjustment policy.
The Aeronomy of Hydrogen in the Atmosphere of the Earth

Abstract The distribution of hydrogen compounds between 50 km and the exobase is calculated subject to the condition that the upward flux of hydrogen atoms be sufficient to supply the thermal escape flux. The effect of varying many parameters, such as exospheric temperature, chemical rate constants, solar UV flux, and atmospheric transport coefficients is explored. It is found that H2 plays an important role in the chemistry and transport even above 100 km. It is found that the escape flux is determined mainly by the total mixing ratio and relatively insensitive to other factors at exospheric temperatures above 1000K, but is limited by the exosbase flow at lower temperatures. A thermal escape flux of 7×107 cm−2 sec−1 above 1000K is difficult to reconcile with a combine mixing ratio of H2O, H2 and CH4 greater than about 2 ppm at 50 km.
CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR A NO- CHOICE OPTION

The traditional focus in the decision-making literature has been on understanding how consumers choose among a given set of alternatives. The notion that preference uncertainty may lead to choice deferral when no single alternative has a decisive advantage is tested in seven studies. Building on recent research, the article shows that the decision to defer choice is influenced by the absolute difference in attractiveness among the alternatives provided and is not consistent with trade-off difficulty or the theory of search. These findings are then extended to show that choice deferral can also be modified for the same alternatives by manipulations that make them appear more similar in attractiveness, or that decrease the need to differentiate among them. The results are consistent with the notion that preference uncertainty results in a hesitation to commit to any single action since small differences in attractiveness among the alternatives are potentially reversible. Consistent with this premise, the effect of attractiveness difference on choice deferral decreased significantly when subjects were first allowed to practice making monetary trade-offs among the available alternatives.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging of the Spatial Distribution of Free Radicals in Pmr-15 Polyimide Resins

Prior studies have shown that free radicals generated by heating polyimides above 300 C are stable at room temperature and are involved in thermo-oxidative degradation in the presence of oxygen gas. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI) is a technique to determine the spatial distribution of free radicals. X-band (9.5 GHz) EPR images of PMR-15 polyimide were obtained with a spatial resolution of about 0.18 mm along a 2 mm dimension of the sample. In a polyimide sample that was not thermocycled, the radical distribution was uniform along the 2 mm dimension of the sample. For a polyimide sample that was exposed to thermocycling in air for 300 one-hour cycles at 335 C, one-dimensional EPRI showed a higher concentration of free radicals in the surface layers than in the bulk sample. A spectral-spatial two-dimensional image showed that the EPR lineshape of the surface layer remained the same as that of the bulk. These EPRI results suggest that the thermo-oxidative degradation of PMR-15 resin involves free radicals present in the oxygen-rich surface layer.
Perceived Parental Reactions to Adolescent Distress: development and validation of a brief measure

Although adolescence is a time of individuation with increased reliance on peers, research indicates that, despite a deliberate distancing from parents, adolescents continue to seek the support and...