cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid dilation of the abdominal aorta during infusion of angiotensin II detected by noninvasive high-frequency ultrasonography.

Background Infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) via subcutaneous osmotic pumps into mice promotes the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). These AngII-induced AAAs develop via a complex process in which there is a transmedial break, lumen dilation, thrombus formation, inflammation involving cells of both the innate and acquired immune systems, and remodeling. The recent development of a high-frequency ultrasound machine has permitted the noninvasive detection of murine abdominal aortas. We assessed the ability of a Visualsonics Vevo 660 high-resolution imaging system to detect AAAs and sequentially quantify the aortic luminal diameter. This system had 100% accuracy in detecting AngII-induced AAAs in vivo, with intrauser and interuser variation coefficients of less than 10% for quantification of the aortic lumen diameter. Methods Male apolipoprotein E (apoE) −/− mice were infused subcutaneously with either saline or AngII and were monitored with this ultrasonic system to define the temporal changes in aortic lumen diameter. Aortic luminal diameters were measured in the aneurysm-susceptible region of the suprarenal aorta. For internal controls, abdominal aortic diameters were measured at the level of the left renal branch, because this landmark region did not dilate during AngII infusion. Results Luminal diameters of the suprarenal aorta did not change significantly in saline-infused mice over 28 days of measurement ( P = .71). In contrast, AngII infusion led to rapid dilation of suprarenal aortas during the initial 7 days of infusion (0.071 mm/d; P = .0037 for the change in the initial expansion rate). Further luminal diameter expansions occurred for the remaining 21 days of observation at a more modest rate (0.023 mm/d; P = .0001 for continued expansion after day 7). Within the initial 14 days of AngII infusion, some apoE −/− mice died as a result of rupture of the aorta in the suprarenal region. We had previously assumed that aortic dilation and rupture occurred simultaneously. However, in the AngII-infused mice that succumbed to aortic rupture, luminal diameters increased several days before death. Conclusions High-frequency ultrasonography demonstrated that suprarenal aortic expansion occurs rapidly after the initiation of AngII infusion into apoE −/− mice.
High speed closed loop control of a dielectrophoresis-based system

Nanosciences have recently proposed a lot of proofs of concept of innovative nanocomponents and especially nanosensors. Going from the current proofs of concept on this scale to reliable industrial systems requires the emergence of a new generation of manufacturing methods able to move, position and sort micro-nano-components. We propose to develop `No Weight Robots-NWR' that use non-contact transmission of movement (e.g. dielectrophoresis, magnetophoresis) to manipulate micro-nano-objects which could enable simultaneous high throughput and high precision. This article deals with a control methods which enables to follow a high speed trajectory based on visual servoing. The non-linear direct model of the NWR is introduced and the calculation of the inverted model is described. This inverted model is used in the control law to determine the control parameter in function of the reference trajectory. The method proposed has been validated on an experimental setup whose time calculation has been optimized to reach a control period of 1 ms. Future works will be done on the study of smaller components e.g. nanowires, in order to provide high speed and reliable assembly methods for nanosystems.
"Epileptic" brain damage in rats induced by sustained electrical stimulation of the perforant path. II. Ultrastructural analysis of acute hippocampal pathology.

Sustained electrical stimulation of the perforant path evokes granule cell population spikes and epileptiform discharges, abolishes recurrent inhibition in the granule cell layer and induces a reproducible pattern of hippocampal damage (see preceding paper, this volume, for electrophysiological and light microscopic findings). Electron microscopic findings described here reveal that the hippocampal damage is identical in pattern and cytopathological detail to that associated with sustained limbic seizures induced by chemical convulsants such as kainic acid, folic acid and dipiperidinoethane. Acutely swollen dendritic segments distributed in a laminar pattern corresponding closely with the termination of putative glutamate or aspartate-containing fibers, including those of the perforant path, were a conspicuous finding. Cell bodies of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and various interneurons in the hilus and elsewhere displayed degenerative changes ranging from mild to severe. Both the dendritic and somal degenerative changes closely resemble the "excitotoxic" type of damage that the putative transmitters glutamate and aspartate are known to cause. It is proposed, therefore, that sustained electrical stimulation of the perforant path results in excessive synaptic release and accumulation of glutamate (or aspartate) at numerous dendrosomal receptors in the hippocampus with consequent degeneration of the dendrosomal structures housing these receptors. Early excitotoxic effects on interneurons that mediate recurrent inhibition may play an important role in the observed loss of recurrent inhibition and in the evolution of subsequent excitotoxic degeneration in the hippocampus.
Deriving in situ phytoplankton absorption for bio‐optical productivity models in turbid waters

[1] As part of Hyperspectral Coupled Ocean Dynamics Experiment, a high-resolution hydrographic and bio-optical data set was collected from two cabled profilers at the Long-Term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO). Upwelling- and downwelling-favorable winds and a buoyant plume from the Hudson River induced large changes in hydrographic and optical structure of the water column. An absorption inversion model estimated the relative abundance of phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and detritus, as well as the spectral exponential slopes of CDOM and detritus from in situ WET Labs nine-wavelength absorption/attenuation meter (ac-9) absorption data. Derived optical weights were proportional to the parameter concentrations and allowed for their absorptions to be calculated. Spectrally weighted phytoplankton absorption was estimated using modeled spectral irradiances and the phytoplankton absorption spectra inverted from an ac-9. Derived mean spectral absorption of phytoplankton was used in a bio-optical model estimating photosynthetic rates. Measured radiocarbon uptake productivity rates extrapolated with water mass analysis and the bio-optical modeled results agreed within 20%. This approach is impacted by variability in the maximum quantum yield (ϕmax) and the irradiance light-saturation parameter (Ek(PAR)). An analysis of available data shows that ϕmax variability is relatively constrained in temperate waters. The variability of Ek(PAR) is greater in temperate waters, but based on a sensitivity analysis, has an overall smaller impact on water-column-integrated productivity rates because of the exponential decay of light. This inversion approach illustrates the utility of bio-optical models in turbid coastal waters given the measurements of the bulk inherent optical properties.
Underground variations in BEarth: Implications for near‐surface MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a possible near-surface imaging technique for locating objects buried to a depth of a few meters in fully hydrated soils. The viability of this proposed technique will depend on the choice of the static magnetic field, which could be the Earth's magnetic field (BEarth) or some conveniently applied higher value. This study addresses the practicality of using various magnitude static magnetic fields to perform near-surface imaging by focusing on the restrictions the magnetic field places on major aspects of the MRI procedure. Measurements of the magnitude and direction of the Earth's magnetic field were made as a function of depth down to 6 m at a test site. These values were used to simulate in situ magnetic resonance images arising from the water in the hydrated soil. Images show that the greatest limitation is spatial susceptibility variations that affect the static magnetic field used by the hypothetical system. Higher applied magnetic fields alone only improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Systems with a low Q resonant coil are needed when using either the Earth's magnetic field or a higher applied magnetic field. These conditions produce a spatial distortion of less than 9 cm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 35B: 153–167, 2009
Leadership in teams: managerial responses

This paper explores the real issues in team effectiveness as they relate to leadership, assessment and policies in any business organization. Data are derived from a questionnaire that was given to 60 executives in different business organizations, creating a matrix of 1,020 answers which were then put into the three areas and examined for commonality of issues, trends and tentative conclusions.
Chronic administration of selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist or antagonist in cerebral ischemia

Abstract The effect of chronic administration of selective adenosine A 1 receptor agonists and antagonists on the outcome of cerebral ischemia is entirely unknown. Therefore, we have investigated the impact of such regimens on the hippocampal adenosine A 1 receptor density, and on the recovery from 10 min forebrain ischemia in gerbils. While acutely administered N 6 -cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) given at 0.02 mg/kg resulted only in a significant reduction of mortality, at 1 mg/kg it improved both survival and neuronal preservation in the hippocampal CA1 region. Acute treatment with 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (CPX) significantly worsened the outcome and enhanced neuronal destruction. The effects of chronic administration of these drugs (15 days followed by 1 drug-free day) were opposite. Thus, although chronic CPA at 0.02 mg/kg did not have any effect at all, at 1 mg/kg both survival and neuronal preservation were significantly poorer than in controls, while chronic CPX resulted in a significant improvement of both measures. These results were not accompanied by adenosine A 1 receptor up- or downregulation. Our study indicates that highly selective adenosine analogues may have therapeutic potential in treatment of cerebral ischemia/stroke and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders as well.
Arginine vasotocin and renal function in the conscious dog

Abstract The effects of arginine vasotocin (AVT), 4–6 ng/kg, on renal function and plasma prolactin (PRL) were determined in conscious American foxhounds undergoing a water diuresis. Intravenous AVT produced an antidiuresis, kaliuresis and inconsistent natriuresis, independently of changes in GFR, blood pressure, heart rate and plasma PRL.
Physical activity after a cancer diagnosis: psychosocial outcomes.

This year over 1,268,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and over 9 million will be alive with a diagnosis of cancer in the United States. Cancer treatments are prolonged and rigorous, often ...
Mist Deposited Lead Zirconate Titanate Films

The liquid source misted chemical deposition (LSMCD) method was employed in the preparation of lead zirconate titanate, Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin films. The desired thickness of the films was a...
Development of a single-step duplex RT-PCR detecting different forms of ret activation, and identification of the third form of in vivo ret activation in human papillary thyroid carcinoma.

In up to 25% of human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PCs), the oncogenic activation of ret results from the fusion of its tyrosine kinase domain with different unlinked amino-terminal sequences. Activation of this oncogene may be of prognostic significance in patients with PC. To screen for ret activation in archival paraffin-embedded tumors, we have developed a single-step duplex RT-PCR to detect different forms of ret activation despite different chimeric transcripts being expressed. Furthermore, we report a third type of ret oncogenic activation, named ret/PTC3, identified by using this novel method followed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5′-RACE) cloning.
982-115 Gender Differences in Quality of Life Changes After Angioplasty

The performance and results of PTCA have been shown to vary between men and women. However, the effect of PTCA on modifying quality of life (QOL) in men vs. women has not been fully evaluated. Therefore the Medical Outcome Study (MOS-3S), a well validated, quantitative tool to measure (QOL). was administered to 113 consecutive patients, (69% men and 31% women), prior to and 6 months after undergoing elective PTCA. The (MOS36) includes 8 individual indices including: physical role (RP), bodily pain (BP), social function (SF), emotional role (ER), general health, vitality, physical functioning, and mental health. Serial changes of the (MOS-36) indices, in men and women, were compared and statistically analyzed. Statistically significant changes were obtained by both groups in physical roles and bodily pain, men in social function, and women in emotional roles (p l 0,05). There were no significant differences in the other 4 indices. In conclusion, 1) (QOL) after PTCA can be quantitated by using the (MOS-36) in both men and women. 2) Gender differences do exist in (QOL) changes after PTCA. 3) Women have greater improvement in emotional roles, and men have greater improvement in social function. 4) Knowledge of gender differences in (QOL) changes after PTCA, may assist in patient care and outcome measurements. Download : Download high-res image (87KB) Download : Download full-size image
Acute Pancreatitis: What's the Score?

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). Severity of pancreatitis is an important consideration for ED clinicians making admission judgments. Validated scoring systems can be a helpful tool in this process. Objective The aim of this review is to give a general outline on the subject of AP and compare different criteria used to predict severity of disease for use in the ED. Discussion This review updates the classifications and scoring systems for AP and the relevant parameters of each. This article assesses past and current scoring systems for AP, including Ranson criteria, Glasgow criteria, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), computed tomography imaging scoring systems, Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score, Panc 3, Harmless Acute Pancreatitis Score (HAPS), and the Japanese Severity Score. This article also describes the potential use of single variable predictors. Finally, this article discusses risk factors for early readmission, an outcome pertinent to emergency physicians. These parameters may be used to risk-stratify patients presenting to the ED into mild, moderate, and severe pancreatitis for determination of appropriate disposition. Conclusion Rapid, reliable, and validated means of predicting patient outcome from rapid clinical assessment are of value to the emergency physician. Scoring systems such as BISAP, HAPS, and single-variable predictors may assist in decision-making due to their simplicity of use and applicability within the first 24 h.
Substance use in prenatally cocaine-exposed adolescents

throughout the gestational period. In order to discern which effects are influenced by MB, PDE, or both, natural litters and a cross-fostering paradigm with vehicle-treated mothers raising PDE pups and drugtreatedmothers raisingvehicle-exposedpups are used. Preliminarydata indicate that non-PDE offspring behave differently in the PPI task based on the treatment (PD or Vehicle) the mother received during her pregnancy. Bothmales and females raised byvehicle-treateddams show adampening in theeffectof thepre-pulse at all but thehighestpre-pulse level. Whereas males raised by PD-treated dams show increased inhibition at all pre-pulse levels, females show no effect of the prepulse at any level. Reduced inhibition following the pre-pulse indicates abnormal sensory and motor information integration and processing, and is seen in schizophrenic patients. This suggests that abnormal MB produced by polydrug exposure during pregnancy has long-term effects on sensorimotor gating, which differs according to the sex of the offspring. (Supported by NIH P50 DA 025484-0001)
The combined effects of a pre-workout supplement and three weeks of high-intensity interval training on critical velocity, anaerobic running capacity, training volume, and body composition in men and women.

Methods Twenty-five well-trained recreational athletes (mean ± SD age = 21 ± 2 yrs; stature = 172 ± 9 cm; body mass = 66 ± 12 kg, VO2max = 48 ± 9 ml·kg-1·min-1, percent body fat = 19 ± 7%) were assigned to either the active supplement (n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 11) group. The active supplement (Game Time®, GT, Corr-Jensen Laboratories Inc., Aurora, CO) was 18 g of powder, 40 kcals, and consisted of a proprietary blend including whey protein, cordyceps sinensis, arginine, creatine, citrulline, ginseng, and caffeine. The PL was also 18 g of power, 40 kcals, and consisted of only maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors and colors. Thirty minutes prior to all testing and training sessions, participants consumed their respective supplements mixed with 8–10 oz of water. Both groups participated in a three week HIIT program three days per week, and testing was conducted before and after the training. Cardiovascular fitness (VO2max) was assessed using closed circuit spirometry (Parvo Medics TrueOne® 2400 Metabolic Measurement System, Sandy, UT) during graded exercise tests on a treadmill (Woodway, Pro Series, Waukesha, WI). Also, four high-speed runs to exhaustion were conducted at 110, 105, 100, and 90% of the treadmill velocity recorded during VO2max, and the distances achieved were plotted over the times-to-exhaustion. Linear regression was used to determine the slopes (critical velocity, CV) and Y-intercepts (anaerobic running capacity, ARC) of these relationships to assess aerobic and anaerobic performances, respectively. Training volumes were tracked by summing the distances achieved during each training session for each subject. Percent body fat (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed with air-displacement plethysmography (BOD POD®, Life Measurement, Inc., Concord, CA).
Genetic heterogeneity evidenced by low incidence of KAL-1 gene mutations in sporadic cases of gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency.

Isolated GnRH deficiency is a heritable condition characterized by a functional deficit in GnRH secretion. Familial cases with different modes of inheritance have been described, and the gene responsible for the X-linked form (KAL-1) has been identified. However, sporadic cases with no documented family history of GnRH deficiency account for the majority of the affected patients. For this reason, we sought to determine the frequency with which KAL-1 gene mutations occur in patients with sporadic GnRH deficiency. Only 1 of 21 patients with sporadic GnRH deficiency was found to bear a defect in the KAL-1 gene (a deletion of 14 bases starting at codon 464). Three types of polymorphic single base substitutions with no apparent correlation with GnRH deficiency were also detected in several patients. In each of 3 different patients with an X-linked mode of inheritance, 3 genetic defects, 2 point mutations and a small intragenic deletion, were detected. These defects consist of a single base mutation introducing...
Education & Training of Peon on Infection Control: Experience in Peripheral Health Facilities in Nepal

Infectious diseases are consistently in transition with new diseases develop and known diseases become widespread or reemerge. Infection control is crucial for the safety of health workers, others working in health care settings, individuals and communities receiving health care. Peons are responsible for conducting the majority of procedures directly related to blood and bodily secretions making them the most vulnerable group for infection. Yet they have rarely been included in any education concerning Infection control. This was before-after study designed to assess the effectiveness of training of peons to improve Infection control at the peripheral health facilities of Nepal. A total of 33 health facilities were selected using random sampling for the study. It was found that after the training intervention, health facilities with functioning Infection control practice was increased significantly. Environmental cleanliness was increased from 24% to 52%. Similarly, hand washing practice was increased from 36% to 88%. The waste disposal practice was increased from 27% to 52%. Decontamination was increased from 21% to 45%. It can be concluded that training and coaching of peon to improve the infection control practice in the peripheral health facilities was found very effective. It is recommended to train the peons on infection control using low-tech approaches that are practical and simple, to improve Infection control at the peripheral health facilities. Key words: Infection Control, Hand Washing, Waste Disposal, Decontamination, Training, Peons.
Improving survival for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results survey from 1990 to 2005.

Background Although there has been a significant survival improvement for patients with metastatic NSCLC enrolled in randomized trials, it is not clear whether a similar benefit is seen in an unselected group of patients. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate for survival changes in a large national cancer registry database. Patients and Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry was queried for patients with NSCLC stage IV, aged 21 years or older, and diagnosed between 1990 and 2005. We analyzed four equally divided time periods between 1990 and 2005 (1990 to 1993 or period 1, 1994 to 1997 or period 2, 1998 to 2001 or period 3, and 2002 to 2005 or period 4) to determine changes in overall survival for all patients and according to histology. Results We identified 129,337 patients meeting eligibility criteria. There was a significant improvement in overall survival since period 1. One-year and 2-year overall survival increased from 13.2 and 4.5%, respectively, in period 1 to 19.4% and 7.8%, respectively, in period 4. On multivariate analysis, survival for adenocarcinoma was increased compared with squamous cell carcinoma only in period 4 ( p = 0.02). Conclusions There has been a modest but statistically significant improvement in overall survival for stage IV NSCLC over the past 16 years. The recent differences in outcomes based on histology observed in period 4 may reflect the increased activity of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in adenocarcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma.
Evaporation and transport of non-dilute, multi-component liquid mixtures in porous wicks: Simulation and experimental validation

Modeling the transport and evaporation of multi-component liquids remains one of the most challenging problems in porous media studies. In this paper, slow isothermal evaporation of a non-dilute multi-component liquid mixture from a cylindrical porous wick made of sintered polymer beads is studied numerically and experimentally. Such wicks are used in several consumer products, such as air-fresheners and insect repellants, for dispensing volatile compounds into air. Since the evaporation rate is much smaller than the rate of capillary-pressure-driven liquid imbibition, the wick is considered fully-saturated while the evaporation from the wick top is modeled as a boundary effect. A volume-averaged model based on the work of Quintard and Whitaker is adapted to set the nonlinear species-transport equations inside the fully-saturated porous wick. Three numerical models with progressively increasing levels of complexity are employed to solve the governing equations in a one-dimensional domain representing the unidirectional, axial flow in a cylindrical wick. The Darcy velocity inside the wick is determined from evaporation rate at the wick-top, which in turn is a function of mole-fractions of all components at the liquid–air interface. Using the proposed numerical models, the evaporated liquid-mass and the composition of liquid mixture within the wick are predicted as functions of time. Results of the simulations are compared with experiments for a non-dilute mixture of decane, dodecane and hexadecane. Good agreement is observed for the three models, especially for the component concentration distributions along the wick, without the use of any fitting parameters. The evaporation rate is found to be a strong function of two model parameters: the porous-medium tortuosity and the air-film thickness at wick top.
Dendrimeric Organotelluride Catalysts for the Activation of Hydrogen Peroxide. Improved Catalytic Activity through Statistical and Stereoelectronic Effects

Dendrimeric polyorganotellurides are prepared in high yield using propyloxy spacers to connect the organotelluride groups to the core molecules. The polyorganotellurides catalyze the oxidation of t...
Mass spectrometric measurements in inductively coupled CF4/Ar plasmas

Positive ion fluxes, mean ion energies and ion energy distribution functions in low pressure CF4/Ar plasmas have been measured. The experiments were conducted in a Gaseous Electronics Conference cell using an inductively coupled plasma device powered by a 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (rf) power source. The measurements were made at 200 and 300 W of input rf power and at 10, 20, 30 and 50 mTorr gas pressures for three gas mixtures: (i) 20% CF4 : 80% Ar, (ii) 50% CF4 : 50% Ar and (iii) 80% CF4 : 20% Ar. A Langmuir probe was also used to measure plasma parameters such as ne, ni+ and electron energy distribution functions (EEDF) which were subsequently used to reconcile the mass spectrometer data. CF3+ is the most dominant fluorocarbon ion product of the plasma, followed by CF2+ and CF+. Ar+ is also detected in significant amounts with its relative flux increasing with the increase in Ar content in the gas mixture. Significant amounts of etch products, SiFx+/COF+x (x = 0−3), of the quartz window were also detected. The fluorocarbon ions are produced by direct electron impact and by ion–molecule reactions between Ar+ and CF4 as well as between CF3+ and CF4. However, the concentrations of CF2+ and CF+ are much larger than that which can be possibly produced from these two processes. The available cross-section data suggest that the direct electron impact ionization of the fragment neutrals and negative ion production by electron attachment may be responsible for the increase in the concentrations of the minor ions. F− densities, estimated by using the measured EEDF and positive ion flux data and the available cross-section data, agree well with the published experimental data.
Dubious details of nitrogen diffusion in nitrided titanium

Abstract In a Bureau of Mines study of the Ti-TiN phase system, solid single-phase regions were formed at various temperatures by interdiffusing Ti and TiN. The diffusion profiles were examined quantitatively by scanning them with an electron microprobe analyzer. This method delineated compositional gradients and limits of the single-phase regions and gave a basis for calculating diffusion parameters for the germane phases. Results of this approach differ from diffusion data previously reported for the system because compositions in the present instance were directly analyzed and then were used to infer a modification of the phase diagram, whereas prior practice was to infer compositions from a pre-existing phase diagram that is now known to be inaccurate in certain details. Considerations of this difference and its implications lead to a strong suspicion that the e-phase nitride may have been either mistaken for the δ phase or lumped together with the α phase in earlier calculations of diffusion parameters. Judicious caution should therefore be exercised in applying the existing diffusion parameters or in trying to clarify the situation.
Competence as a Moderator of the Similarity/Attraction Relationship: Development and Application of a New Index

Summary Previous inconsistencies in efforts directed at estimating the impact of competence as a moderator of the similarity/attraction (S/A) relationship led to an argument for the inclusion of subjects' self-perceived judgmental ability as an important but previously ignored component of competence in such situations. A self-report measure of competence which included judgmental ability as well as a motivational (interpersonal efficacy) component of competence was developed and evaluated following guidelines from Wylie. The Competence Index was subsequently employed in a procedure involving 80 female undergraduates in which the respective moderating impacts of judgmental ability and interpersonal efficacy on the S/A relationship were examined in an adaptation of the Byrne standard stranger technique. A significant moderating effect was found for judgmental ability (p # .024) but not for interpersonal efficacy.
Extrusion of an anterior chamber intraocular lens complicated by Haemophilus endophthalmitis

Purpose To describe a case of late postoperative endophthalmitis in a patient who had undergone anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation 6 years previously. Method Onset, course, and outcome of the patient's eye disease are presented. Results The patient was initially examined with erosion of the eyewall, extrusion of the lens haptic, and endophthalmitis. Intraocular cultures disclosed the pathogenic organism to be Haemophilus influenzae. Conclusion Anterior chamber intraocular lens haptic extrusion can have grave consequences, including endophthalmitis and severe visual loss.
The problem of finding a strategy to control binary paramodulation

This article is the fifth of a series of articles discussing various open research problems in automated reasoning. Here we focus on the equality relation which is so vital to many applications of automated reasoning. The prolem proposed for research asks one to find a strategy for controlling the application of binary paramodulation. For evaluating a proposed solution to this research problem, we include suggestions concerning possible test problems.
Sustainable transportation institutions and regional evolution: Global and local perspectives

Abstract Sustainable transportation institutions must promote efficient transport utilization and reflect regional demands that often do not align themselves with traditional patterns of political organization. These institutions must confront political legitimacy, economic efficiency and social representation as well as functional effectiveness. Increasing interdependence of mobility demands in terms of safety and efficiency and the embeddedness of transportation in civil society has caused issues of equity, fiscal management and environmental externalities to put new stresses on old slowly evolving transport management institutions. Key challenges to sustainability relate to effective use of technology in management of international trade and the management of spatial externalities in complex urban infrastructure investments. In both cases significant progress has been made using regional strategies, but tension continues between issues of efficiency and privatization on the one hand and equity and public good responsibilities on the other hand. Institutions evolve and change with these cross pressures and different cultural contexts. Examples of these evolutionary changes are explored in terms of the interaction between technology and governance in international trade and in the frameworks intended to manage metropolitan transportation in the US.
Spacetime structure of an inflating global monopole

The evolution of a global monopole with an inflating core is investigated. An analytic expression for the exterior metric at large distances from the core is obtained. The overall spacetime structure is studied numerically, both in vacuum and in a radiation background. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Synthesis and Pharmacological Investigations of Certain Trimethoxycinnamamides

Three new N , N -disubstituted 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamamides have been prepared, and these, as well as some other previously described compounds of this class, have been evaluated for possible pharmacological action. No significant cardiovascular, somatic, visceral, or central nervous system effects were noted.
Samuelson's Principles of Economics in 1948 and 1973.

This article differs from those usually found in this journal, but it was felt that it would be of interest to most college teachers of economics. Professor Brazelton has systematically compared early and recent editions of Paul Samuelson's famous textbook, noting how Samuelson has substantially changed over a period of 25 years. Because Samuelson's text has had a profound influence on the content and approach to the introductory course, the changes that have occurred in that book should be noted by everyone responsible for teaching principles of economics.
Host range of larvae of the western corn rootworm.

Larvae of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, survived for a minimum of 10 days on 9 of 22 species of grasses tested in the laboratory. Larvae developed into adults on Minter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and green foxtail grass, Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. In the greenhouse, tests conducted with Minter and Selkirk wheat indicated that both were in the host range of the insect. In field tests larvae survived and developed on green and yellow foxtail grass, S. lutescens (Weigel) Hubb.; Minter wheat; Omugi barley, Hordeum vulgare L.; Oahe intermediate wheatgrass, Agropyron intermedium (Host); and corn, Zea mays L. Adult rootworms were recovered from all hosts.
The preparation and characterization of Ba3Te2O9; a new oxide structure

Abstract The structure of Ba3Te2O9 has been determined from x-ray powder diffraction data and by profile refinement of neutron diffraction data. We find tellurium octahedrally coordinated as expected and the same face-shared [B2O9]6− unit as observed in Ba3W2O9. The phase Ba3Te2O9 has, however, a Cs3Fe2F9 type structure ( P 6 3 mmc , a = 5 .8603(1) A , c =14.3037(6) A ) rather than the Cs3Tl2Cl9 structure (R3c) found for the tungsten analogue. The two oxide structures have the same BaO3 layer sequence but differ only in the spatial arrangement of the [B2O9] groups in the lattice. Infrared and Raman spectra confirm the different site symmetries associated with the different packing of the tungstate and tellurate anions in their respective structures.
Histochemical and electron microscopic observations on the sperm receptacles in the garter snake oviduct

The sperm storage receptacles in the oviduct of the garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, were studied using histological, histochemical, and electron microscopic techniques. The receptacles are located in the posterior infundibulum and are readily distinguished from other structures within the oviduct. The luminal epithelium consists of secretory cells and ciliated cells. The latter cell type also lines the ducts leading to the receptacles. The distribution of lipids, carbohydrates, and several enzymes (succinic dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, nonspecific esterase, lipase, sorbitol dehydrogenase) in the infundibulum is described. At the electron microscopic level sperm heads are seen to be closely associated with the surface of receptacle cells, often indenting the luminal plasma membrane. The possibility of a “Sertoli cell-like” relationship is discussed. Formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in receptacle cells is temporally associated with ovulation and may be part of a mechanism for sperm release from receptacle cells. No contractile elements were observed immediately around the receptacles. Evidence is presented which suggests that free fructose and glucose are produced by the oviduct, possibly to be utilized for sperm metabolism at the time of ovulation and sperm release.
Arthropod response to prescription burning at the soil-litter interface in oak-pine forests

Abstract In the southeastern U.S., forest managers are returning repetitive fire to the landscape to facilitate regeneration of desirable species. The increased use of prescribed fire generates questions regarding the effects of single- and multiple-burning events on leaf-litter and ground-dwelling arthropods, and recovery of these arthropods following fire disturbance. In this study, the effects of early season single- and multiple-burns were assessed on leaf-litter arthropods and ground-dwelling arthropods in oak–pine forests for two growing seasons following fire disturbance. Arthropods were sampled by leaf-litter extraction and pitfall trapping, where pitfall trapping was restricted to single-burned areas. For each sampling method, arthropod abundance, diversity, richness, and evenness were calculated at the family or ordinal level. Forest characteristics were also surveyed to measure impacts from the prescribed fires and to assess variability in the forest environment. Leaf-litter arthropod abundance was devastated by burning, and resurgence of populations was not evident until the second growing season in the multiple-burned areas. In single-burned plots, litter arthropod abundance remained low for the duration of the study possibly due to greater fire intensity relative to the multiple-burn plots. Leaf-litter arthropod diversity was not affected by either burn regime. Burning decreased leaf-litter arthropod richness and increased leaf-litter arthropod evenness, but these effects were only marginally significant. Prescription burning had no impact on ground-dwelling arthropod abundance, diversity, or richness, but arthropod community evenness increased following the single-burn disturbance. In the principal components analysis (PCA), burning was a major gradient explaining 46% of the variation in the data. Burning decreased leaf-litter cover and depth and lower canopy cover, and contributed to the variance explained by PCA. Our data confirm that prescription burning is accomplishing its management goal of removing undesirable lower-canopy cover in the mixed hardwood forests of the Cumberland Plateau. Following early-season, low-intensity burns, recovery of leaf-litter arthropods was not evident until two-growing seasons after fire disturbance. Any differences we observed could be attributed to lower fire intensity in forests that are repeatedly burned. Prescribed burns should be utilized on a rotation greater than 2 years to allow resurgence of the leaf-litter arthropod community and recovery of the leaf-litter habitat.
The burden of obesity on blood pressure is reduced in older persons: the SardiNIA study.

Introduction: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of elevated blood pressure. However differences of their effects on blood pressure in different age groups are not clear. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences of the effects of adiposity on the odds of having hypertension in different age groups. Design and Methods: Three thousand fifty-six subjects (1,532 women and 1,524 men) consist of the drug naive subjects from the SardiNIA study. Logistic regression models with backward elimination were used to determine and compare the association between categories of obesity on hypertension within young (≤39), middle aged (40–59), and older (60+) subjects. Additional terms controlled for in the model were smoking and alcohol intake status. Results: The relationship of body mass index (BMI) on hypertension differed by age, as indicated by the significant interaction term of age with BMI (P <0.01). Older subjects had higher odds of having hypertension than younger subjects but these odds were lower for obese than for lean subjects (OR 10.45, 95% CIs 4.58–23.85 in obese versus OR 33.89, 95% CIs 17.94–64.02 in lean subjects). A similar trend was also observed in middle aged subjects. Conclusions: This study shows that among men and women, older age was associated with a lesser effect of BMI on the odds of having hypertension.
Filtered Back-Projection in $4pi$ Compton Imaging With a Single 3D Position Sensitive CdZnTe Detector

The Compton scattering camera can provide higher detection efficiency since the use of a mechanical collimator is not required. Several image reconstruction algorithms for Compton scattering cameras, such as maximum likelihood method and ART, can provide good imaging performance but are indirect and computational intensive. A direct reconstruction algorithm, such as filtered back-projection, is preferable if computational time is critical. Parra proposed an analytical inversion algorithm from cone-beam projections for Compton scattering cameras with a complete data set. In reality, a Compton camera is always limited by its configuration and can only provide an incomplete data set with a finite range of scattering angles. In this paper, we investigate a filtered back-projection algorithm applied to single 3-dimensional position sensitive CdZnTe detectors
Systemic chemotherapy of advanced head and neck malignancies.

Several Phase II chemotherapy protocols were evaluated in patients with advanced malignancies; 158 were evaluable head and neck cases. The protocols were as follows: five-drug combination (COMFP), four-drug (COMF), (CCNU, Adriamycin, DTIC, and cytosine arabinoside. Insufficient numbers and data were received to adequately evaluate Yoshi 864, 5 Azacytidine, porfiromycin, BCNU, and Azaserine. Significant responses to therapy were noted in the four and five-drug combinations in which 30–44% of the patients had 50% or greater regression, with an average duration of 2.2 months. Adriamycin and CCNU demonstrated lesser antitumor effects, while DTIC and cytosine arabinoside did not demonstrate significant antitumor activity in the head and neck areas. Usual toxicity consisted largely of nausea and vomiting, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Alopecia was not pronounced in Adriamycin-treated patients. It appears that combination chemotherapy had a higher response rate compared to single agents used in the different cooperative protocols.
EGFRvIII mCAR-Modified T-Cell Therapy Cures Mice with Established Intracerebral Glioma and Generates Host Immunity against Tumor-Antigen Loss

Purpose: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T cells represent a promising immune therapy that has been shown to successfully treat cancers in mice and humans. However, CARs targeting antigens expressed in both tumors and normal tissues have led to significant toxicity. Preclinical studies have been limited by the use of xenograft models that do not adequately recapitulate the immune system of a clinically relevant host. A constitutively activated mutant of the naturally occurring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) is antigenically identical in both human and mouse glioma, but is also completely absent from any normal tissues. Experimental Design: We developed a third-generation, EGFRvIII-specific murine CAR (mCAR), and performed tests to determine its efficacy in a fully immunocompetent mouse model of malignant glioma. Results: At elevated doses, infusion with EGFRvIII mCAR T cells led to cures in all mice with brain tumors. In addition, antitumor efficacy was found to be dependent on lymphodepletive host conditioning. Selective blockade with EGFRvIII soluble peptide significantly abrogated the activity of EGFRvIII mCAR T cells in vitro and in vivo , and may offer a novel strategy to enhance the safety profile for CAR-based therapy. Finally, mCAR-treated, cured mice were resistant to rechallenge with EGFRvIII NEG tumors, suggesting generation of host immunity against additional tumor antigens. Conclusion: All together, these data support that third-generation, EGFRvIII-specific mCARs are effective against gliomas in the brain and highlight the importance of syngeneic, immunocompetent models in the preclinical evaluation of tumor immunotherapies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(4); 972–84. ©2013 AACR .
Disease-modifying effects of phosphocitrate and phosphocitrate-β-ethyl ester on partial meniscectomy-induced osteoarthritis

It is believed that phosphocitrate (PC) exerts its disease-modifying effects on osteoarthritis (OA) by inhibiting the formation of crystals. However, recent findings suggest that PC exerts its disease-modifying effect, at least in part, through a crystal-independent action. This study sought to examine the disease-modifying effects of PC and its analogue PC-β-ethyl ester (PC-E) on partial meniscectomy-induced OA and the structure-activity relationship.
Commentary on “Revisiting the Role of Fat Mass in the Life Extension Induced by Caloric Restriction”

were allowed to eat ad libitum or were fed 2 grams of food per day. The ad-libitum fed obese mice ate more than ad-libitum fed normal mice and had a shorter length of life. However, the calorie-restricted obese mice had a greater maximum longevity than ad-libitum fed normal mice even though the body fat con­ tent of the calorie-restricted obese mice was more than twice that of the ad-libitum fed normal mice. Barzilai and Gupta criti­ cize this study because visceral fat was not separately mea­ sured, a flaw shared by all of the early studies. Barzilai and Gupta also feel these obese mice are a poor model because they lack a functional leptin peptide. I disagree because caloric re­ striction increased the longevity of these obese mice, and that indicates a reduction in leptin is not involved in the antiaging action of caloric restrietion. In contrast to the view of Barzilai and Gupta, I believe that the available evidence makes a strong case against reduction in body fat playing a role in the antiaging action of caloric restric­ tion. However, I strongly feel that this issue can and should be reassessed by using modem technology that permits noninva­ sive, longitudinal measures of total and specific depot fat. If such a study indicates a role for reduction of body fat, then the many endocrine and metabolie mechanisms suggested in this hypothesis article would be worth pursuing.
Adaptations in human neuromuscular function following prolonged unweighting: II. Neurological properties and motor imagery efficacy.

Strength loss following disuse may result from alterations in muscle and/or neurological properties. In this paper, we report our findings on human plantar flexor neurological properties following ...
Enhanced stability of cobalt catalysts by atomic layer deposition for aqueous-phase reactions

A thin atomic layer deposition (ALD) TiO2 coating successfully stabilizes cobalt particles supported on TiO2 for aqueous-phase hydrogenation (APH) reactions by preventing leaching and sintering of cobalt. The uncoated conventional cobalt catalysts leach under the same conditions. Using Al2O3 coating of Co/γ-Al2O3 causes the formation of an irreducible cobalt aluminate phase which has no catalytic activity. The ALD TiO2 decorated cobalt catalyst is active for APH of a range of feedstocks including furfuryl alcohol, furfural, and xylose whereas classic non-ALD cobalt catalysts have very low activity for these reactions.
Implicit cognition, emotion, and meta-cognitive control

The goal of this research is to understand the interaction of implicit and explicit psychological processes in dealing with emotional distractions and meta-cognitive control of such distractions. The questions are how emotional and meta-cognitive processes can be separated into implicit and explicit components, and how such a separation can be utilized to improve self-regulation of emotion, which can have significant theoretical and practical implications.