cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Risk Factors for Length of Stay and Readmission Following Lower Extremity Revascularization

2.1% (86) pharmacologic alone, and 13.7% (569) no prophylaxis. The incidence of VTE in the high-risk group was 1.3% (54) compared with 0.9% (88) and 0.2% (16) in the medium-risk and low-risk groups, respectively. Of the 54 high-risk patients who developed VTE, 48 (88%) received appropriate prophylaxis as assigned by the risk-assessment model. The incidence of VTE in the high-risk group was greater when mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis were both used (50.0%) compared with pharmacologic alone (3.7%), mechanical alone (35.2%), or no prophylaxis (11.1%; P 1⁄4 .05; Fig). Conclusions: Hospital-acquired VTE develops in high-risk patients despite appropriate risk assessment, identification, and prophylaxis with pharmacologic and mechanical methods. Further consideration for more aggressive prophylaxis should be given to this high-risk patient population for VTE prevention.
Stability of Cardiac Monoamine Oxidase Activity after Chemical Sympathectomy with 6-Hydroxydopamine

MONOAMINE oxidase (MAO) of sympathetically innervated organs has been classically considered to be involved in the regulation of intraneuronal catecholamine concentrations. This function of MAO implies that the enzyme is located within the presynaptic element of the adrenergic neuroeffector system. Recent studies, however, have indicated that MAO may be located extraneuronally1,2.
‘Nuestro más profundo y sublime secreto’: los amores transgresores entre Rubén Darío y Amado Nervo

Abstract Este estudio documenta y expone los amores secretos, hasta ahora desconocidos o nunca probados, entre el nicaraguense Ruben Dario (1867–1916) y el mexicano Amado Nervo (1870–1919) sobre la base de unas cartas intimas entre ambos poetas que recientemente han visto la luz y forman ya hoy parte de una coleccion de manuscritos alojados en la Hayden Library de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona. Este descubrimiento y el contenido de dichas cartas ayuda a entender mejor las respectivas obras de ambos autores modernistas y ayuda a establecer relecturas de ciertos de sus textos. Pese a parecer tratarse de una relacion sentimental episodica, el hallazgo favorece la comprension del sentido tragico presente en ambos autores y en el Modernismo en general.
Glioblastoma in children: a single-institution experience.

Purpose Current treatment recommendations for pediatric glioblastoma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, even with this multispecialty approach, overall survival remains poor. To assess outcome and evaluate treatment-related prognostic factors, we retrospectively reviewed the experience at our institution. Methods and Materials Twenty-four glioblastoma patients under the age of 21 were treated with radiation therapy with curative intent at Washington University, St. Louis, from 1970 to 2008. Patients underwent gross total resection, subtotal resection or biopsy alone. Fourteen (58%) of the patients received chemotherapy. All patients received radiation therapy. Radiation consisted of whole-brain radiation therapy in 7 (29%) patients with a median dose of 50.4 Gy. Seventeen (71%) patients received three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy with a median dose of 54 Gy. Results Median follow-up was 12.5 months from diagnosis. One and 2-year overall survival rates were 57% and 32%, respectively. Median overall survival was 13.5 months. There were no differences in overall survival based on patients' age, race, gender, tumor location, radiation volume, radiation dose, or the use of chemotherapy. There was a significant improvement in overall survival for patients in whom gross total resection was achieved ( p = 0.023). Three patients were alive 5 years after gross total resection, and 2 patients were alive at 10 and 24 years after diagnosis. Conclusions Survival for children with glioblastoma remains poor. Data from this and other studies demonstrate the importance of achieving a gross total resection. Continued investigation into new treatment options is needed in an attempt to improve outcome for these patients.
Physical properties of the rat renal brush border membrane during growth

The biophysical properties of rat renal brush border membranes were examined during neonatal development and following unilateral nephrectomy by sensitive fluorescence techniques. Differences in the fluorscence anisotropy of 1,6 diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) following unilateral nephrectomy were not apparent; by contrast, the luminal membrane becomes more rigid as animals age. Although growth of the kidneys is common to both states examined, fundamental differences are apparent at the level of the luminal membrane.
Fluorescent proteins with ties that bind.

Antigen-binding fluorescent proteins provide a powerful tool for immunodetection-based assays.
Low Complexity Sub-band Image Coding with Pseudo QMF And Pyramidal Lattice VQ

A low complexity codec with no visible degradation is desirable in compression of digital images. The authors present a codec which combines the efficiency and effectiveness of both sub-band coding and lattice quantisation. Initially, a cosine modulated pseudoquadrature mirror filter is designed to decompose the input image into a number of sub-bands. The lowest frequency sub-band is DPCM encoded. All the higher frequency bands are vector quantised using a pyramidal piecewise uniform lattice quantisation. The proposed method was implemented and the computer simulation results are presented.
Cloning and characterization of corA, a gene encoding a copper-repressible polypeptide in the type I methanotroph, Methylomicrobium albus BG8

In an attempt to identify proteins involved in copper transport in the type I methanotroph Methylomicrobium albus BG8, copper-regulated polypeptides were examined. One major copper-repressible membrane polypeptide of approx. 28.500 Da was identified and designated CorA. The gene encoding this polypeptide was isolated and sequenced, and it shared a low identity with a calcium channel protein. An insertion mutation in corA of M. albus BG8 grew very poorly, suggesting that CorA is important for growth of this methanotroph. CorA may be involved in transport of copper and/or other divalent metals ions in M. albus BG8.
Correction of Murine Sickle Cell Disease Using γ-Globin Lentiviral Vectors to Mediate High-level Expression of Fetal Hemoglobin

Increased levels of red cell fetal hemogloblin, whether due to hereditary persistence of expression or from induction with hydroxyurea therapy, effectively ameliorate sickle cell disease (SCD). Therefore, we developed erythroid-specific, γ-globin lentiviral vectors for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-targeted gene therapy with the goal of permanently increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in sickle red cells. We evaluated two different γ-globin lentiviral vectors for therapeutic efficacy in the BERK sickle cell mouse model. The first vector, V5, contained the γ-globin gene driven by 3.1 kb of β-globin regulatory sequences and a 130-bp β-globin promoter. The second vector, V5m3, was identical except that the γ-globin 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) was replaced with the β-globin 3′-UTR. Adult erythroid cells have β-globin mRNA 3′-UTR-binding proteins that enhance β-globin mRNA stability and we postulated this design might enhance γ-globin expression. Stem cell gene transfer was efficient and nearly all red cells in transplanted mice expressed human γ-globin. Both vectors demonstrated efficacy in disease correction, with the V5m3 vector producing a higher level of γ-globin mRNA which was associated with high-level correction of anemia and secondary organ pathology. These data support the rationale for a gene therapy approach to SCD by permanently enhancing HbF using a γ-globin lentiviral vector.
The Challenge of Biodiversity in Farming Practices as a Research Topic

Saving the world’s plant species has been a concern ever since botanical gardens were introduced. Agricultural biodiversity is a special concern within this broader objective of conservation. Research should focus on how farmers can incorporate biodiversity into farming practices, ensuring food security and social and economic development at the same time. International projects have shown how this can be done and what the focus needs to be.
Population effects of shrimp trawl bycatch on Atlantic croaker

We used stage-within-age based matrix models of Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) in the Gulf of Mexico and the South and Mid-Atlantic bights to explore the population-level impacts of shrimp trawl bycatch on estuarine-dependent fishes and to investigate tradeoffs between directed adult fisheries and bycatch mortality. The Gulf model reflected a rapidly declining population, while the Atlantic population showed a modest decline. Elasticity analyses indicated that both populations were more sensitive to the summed survival of adults than first-year survival, particularly in the Gulf. Contrary to our expectations, bycatch mortality on late juveniles was not the most important factor affecting either population of Atlantic croaker, and this result was robust to uncertainty in both adult and late juvenile mortality estimates. Both populations were most sensitive to ocean larva mortality, followed by mortality of estuary larvae and adults in the Gulf and of early juveniles and adults in the Atlantic. ...
Meridian: an SDN platform for cloud network services

As the number and variety of applications and workloads moving to the cloud grows, networking capabilities have become increasingly important. Over a brief period, networking support offered by both cloud service providers and cloud controller platforms has developed rapidly. In most of these cloud networking service models, however, users must configure a variety of network-layer constructs such as switches, subnets, and ACLs, which can then be used by their cloud applications. In this article, we argue for a service-level network model that provides higher- level connectivity and policy abstractions that are integral parts of cloud applications. Moreover, the emergence of the software-defined networking (SDN) paradigm provides a new opportunity to closely integrate application provisioning in the cloud with the network through programmable interfaces and automation. We describe the architecture and implementation of Meridian, an SDN controller platform that supports a service-level model for application networking in clouds. We discuss some of the key challenges in the design and implementation, including how to efficiently handle dynamic updates to virtual networks, orchestration of network tasks on a large set of devices, and how Meridian can be integrated with multiple cloud controllers.
Research Directions in Macromarketing: A New England Perspective

A group of New England macromarketers met at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, in July 1984 to explore research directions in macromarketing. At issue was the perceived need to accelerate empirical and applied work in macromarketing and to augment the intellectual base for the field. This article reports on the research directions that evolved from the Kingston meeting and subsequent interactions.
The Trapeze Instability in an Equatorial β-Plane

Abstract From preliminary reports of the GATE experiment it was concluded that there is some strong evidence that mesoscale waves with a periodicity close to 2 days exist in the equatorial regions. The dynamics of unstable internal gravity waves due to trapeze instability was discussed by means of a two-dimensional, β-plane numerical model. It was concluded that the trapeze instability may be the means by which the observed 2-day waves are excited.
The influence of glycine and related compounds on spinal cord injury-induced spasticity

Spasticity is a frequent and complex sequel to spinal cord injury. The neurochemical basis for the origin of spasticity is largely unknown. Glycine is among the most abundant neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. However, the role of glycine and related compounds in spasticity have received little attention. An ischemic spinal cord injury was created in rabbits, by an intraaortic balloon occlusion technique, which produced lower limb spasticity. A catheter was inserted into the cisterna magna and the spinal cord was bathed with 100 microM solutions of glycine, strychnine, D-serine, beta-alanine, MK-801, or artificial CSF for 4 hours at a rate of 10 microliters/min. H-reflexes were monitored before and during infusion by stimulating the posterior tibial nerve and recording from the plantar surface of the foot. Glycine, D-serine, and MK-801 depressed the H wave, strychnine produced a heightened H wave, and beta-alanine caused no significant changes. These results indicate that glycine and related compounds may influence spasticity.
Review of Formative Assessment Use and Training in Africa

This literature review examines formative assessment education practices currently being utilized in Africa, as well as recent research regarding professional development on such assessments. Two main conclusions about formative assessment use and training, as well as a set of recommendations about teacher training on formative assessment, can be drawn from this study. First, evidence suggests that a variety of formative assessment techniques are currently being utilized in Africa. Second, although there is limited evidence regarding the effect of training teachers to utilize formative assessments, all of the available studies suggest that these trainings positively impact instruction. Professional development on this topic should be ongoing and collaborative, focusing on the purpose, use, and interpretation of formative assessments while considering the environment in which teachers operate. As countries in Africa and international development agencies seek to improve educational quality while expanding ...
Auto-associative segmentation for real-time object recognition in realistic outdoor images

As digital signal processors (DSPs) become more advanced, many real-time recognition problems will be solved with completely integrated solutions. In this paper a methodology which is designed for today’s DSP architectures and is capable of addressing applications in real-time color object recognition is presented. The methodology is integrated into a processing structure called raster scan video processing which requires a small amount of memory. The small amount of memory required enables the entire recognition system to be implemented on a single DSP. This auto-associative segmentation approach provides a means for desaturated color images to be segmented. The system is applied to the problem of stop sign recognition in realistically captured outdoor images.
Chemical effects on the L heavy-ion-induced X-ray satellite emission (HIXSE) spectra of niobium alloys and compounds

Abstract The Nb L X-ray satellites produced by 36 MeV Cl ion bombardment of a series of Nb alloys and compounds have been examined using a high-resolution (8 eV at 2.2 keV) Bragg-crystal spectrometer. Variations in the normalized emission spectra of the L α n M m and L β n M m satellite lines are observed and attributed to the influence of the valence-electron distribution or chemical environment of the emitting Nb ion. Difference spectra, generated by using the Nb metal spectrum as the subtrahend, amplified those variations. Results will be presented which demonstrate the chemical sensitivity of the L X-ray satellites. Potential applications to materials problems are also discussed.
Multigroup diffusion preconditioners for multiplying fixed-source transport problems

Several preconditioners based on multigroup diffusion are developed for application to multiplying fixed-source transport problems using the discrete ordinates method. By starting from standard, one-group, diffusion synthetic acceleration (DSA), a multigroup diffusion preconditioner is constructed that shares the same fine mesh as the transport problem. As a cheaper but effective alternative, a two-grid, coarse-mesh, multigroup diffusion preconditioner is examined, for which a variety of homogenization schemes are studied to generate the coarse mesh operator. Finally, a transport-corrected diffusion preconditioner based on application of the Newton-Shulz algorithm is developed. The results of several numerical studies indicate the coarse-mesh, diffusion preconditioners work very well. In particular, a coarse-mesh, transport-corrected, diffusion preconditioner reduced the computational time of multigroup GMRES by up to a factor of 17 and outperformed best-case Gauss-Seidel results by over an order of magnitude for all problems studied.
Measurements of nuclear parameters of high-Z isotopes performed on a high-energy electron beam ion trap

Abstract Spectral measurements of highly charged ions have been performed on the Livermore high-energy electron beam ion trap (EBIT) for determining various nuclear parameters. A value of μ = 4.1267 μN was inferred for the nuclear magnetic moment from a measurement of the hyperfine transition of 165Ho66+ in the visible. Values of δ〈r2〉233,238 = −0.432 fm2 and δ〈r2〉235,238 = −0.250 fm2 were determined for the isotopic variation of the nuclear charge radius from the energy shift of L-shell transitions in 233Uq+ and 235Uq+ relative to the x-ray line emission from 238Uq+ ions, with q = 86, 87, 88, 89. The accuracy of these measurements equals or exceeds that of earlier measurements relying on different techniques, because the atomic structure of highly charged ions is greatly simplified compared to that of neutral or few-times charged ions. The measurements can be extended to a variety of isotopes from hydrogen to transuranic elements. The latter was demonstrated in the first production of highly charged 249Cf ions in the trap.
Alterations in Gene Expression of Human Vascular Endothelial Cells Associated with Nanotopographic Cues

Human cells in vivo are exposed to a topographically rich, 3-dimenisional environment which provides extracellular cues initiating a cascade of biochemical signals resulting in changes in cell behavior. One primary focus of our group is the development of biomimetic substrates with anisotropic nanoscale topography to elucidate the mechanisms by which physical surface cues are translated into biochemical signals. To investigate changes in gene expression as a result of nanotopographic cues, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were cultured on chemically identical flat and 400 nm pitch nanogrooved surfaces. After 12 h, RNA was harvested for an Affymetrix HG U133 Plus 2.0 gene array. Of over 47,000 possible gene probes, 3171 had at least a two-fold difference in expression between the control flat and 400 nm pitch. The gene ontology groups with the most significant increase in expression are involved in protein modification and maintenance, similar to cells upregulating chaperone and protein synthesis genes in response to physical stresses. The most significant decreases in expression were observed with cell cycle proteins, including cyclins and checkpoint proteins. Extracellular matrix proteins, including integrins, collagens, and laminins, are almost uniformly downregulated on the 400 nm pitch surfaces compared to control. The downregulation of one of these genes, integrin beta 1, was confirmed via quantitative PCR. Together, these gene array data, in addition to our studies of cell behavior on nanoscale surfaces, contribute to our understanding of the signaling pathways modulated by topographical surface cues.
Mechanism of friction in rotating carbon nanotube bearings

Abstract Simulation of friction in carbon nanotube (CNT) bearing systems has been a popular topic, yet many questions remain open. For example, quantitative estimates of friction reported to date range by as much as eight orders of magnitude, and simulation techniques employ a variety of disparate simulation paradigms and parameters. This paper presents a new suite of consistently implemented but complementary and independent molecular simulations of rotary CNT bearing systems, which span the approaches reported to date, yet agree quantitatively within the error margin, or about one order of magnitude. A comparison between these new results, existing simulation results, and one experimental friction datum is presented. Furthermore, quantitative relationships between friction and the system operating parameters are determined. Friction is found to vary linearly with rotating speed and system temperature, while system length and mean diameter do not have a strong effect. Finally, based on phonon energy spectrum computations, we show that friction is a broadband phenomenon, which does not depend strongly on a specific vibrational mode, but rather appears to occur from the aggregate interactions of many modes at different frequencies. This work reports an in-depth analysis of the mechanics of CNT friction and shows that it can be simulated using complementary approaches, while still obtaining the same result. The analysis reveals the underlying mechanism causing friction and how the governing parameters affect its behavior.
Necrotizing neurosarcoidosis of the cranial base resembling an en plaque sphenoid wing meningioma: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Necrotizing sarcoid granuloma (NSG) has been recognized as a histological variant of sarcoidosis. Two cases of neurosarcoidosis (NS) with NSG with concomitant systemic disease have been described previously. We present an unusual case of primary NS-NSG that resembled an en plaque cranial base meningioma. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of progressive left visual deterioration and proptosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large cranial base lesion occupying the left anterior clinoid process and sphenoid wing, extending to the left frontotemporal convexity. A second dura-based lesion was observed in the right parietal convexity. Both lesions enhanced homogeneously after administration of intravenous contrast medium. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics were consistent with a typical clinoidal meningioma with an en plaque extension laterally. INTERVENTION: A left frontotemporal craniotomy with extradural removal of the anterior clinoid process was performed. When the dura was opened, a red fibrous mass was identified. Intraoperative histological analysis revealed the presence of necrotizing and noncaseating granulomas. Postoperatively, cerebrospinal fluid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and serum and cerebrospinal fluid angiotensin-converting enzyme values were normal. The search for acid-fast bacilli or fungi was negative. A diagnosis of primary NS-NSG was made. The patient began long-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy. One and a half years after surgery, his vision had improved significantly and the lesions were stable as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: The first case of primary NS-NSG in the absence of systemic sarcoidosis is reported. NS should be included in the differential diagnosis of dura-based lesions resembling meningioma.
Antimicrobial Activity of Several Antibiotics and a Sulfonamide Against Chlamydia trachomatis Organisms in Cell Culture

Minimum inhibitory concentrations of several antibiotics and a sulfonamide for growth of the 15 known immunotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis were determined in HeLa 229 cell cultures. The concentrations for complete inhibition of infectious-organism production were (per milliliter): tetracycline, 0.02 to 0.5 μg; rosamicin, 0.05 to 0.25 μg; erythromycin, 0.1 to 0.5 μg; chloramphenicol, 10 μg; penicillin, 0.02 to 50 U; ampicillin, 0.1 to 50 μg; and sulfisoxazole, 2 to 200 μg. The same concentrations of tetracycline, rosamicin, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol were sufficient to inhibit C. trachomatis inclusion formation. An increased concentration of sulfisoxazole was often needed to inhibit inclusion formation. Penicillin at 100 U/ml and ampicillin at 100 μg/ml failed to completely inhibit inclusion formation.
Mill and Edwards on the Higher Pleasures

In his recent book, Pleasures and Pains: A Theory of Qualitative Hedonism, Rem B. Edwards develops a distinction between kinds of pleasure which he claims can be used, among other things, to explicate further John Stuart Mill's distinction between the higher and lower pleasures. I confess that I am more interested in Mill than in Edwards, and at this point more interested in what Mill's distinction was than in whether it can be defended. I will trust, rather than defend, that revealing more adequately Mill's views on the subject serves more than mere historical curiosity. I should like to make three main points about Edwards' proposed distinction between higher and lower pleasures in relation to Mill: (i) Edwards' distinction is not Mill's distinction, (2) Mill explicates his own distinction to a greater degree than Edwards realizes, i.e. beyond the mere description of higher pleasures as mental or non-sensory and lower pleasures as physical or sensory, and (3) Mill provides a rationale for his distinction in a way that Edwards does not provide one for his. Edwards observes that Mill has not carefully distinguished the higher from the lower pleasures in a way which enables us to understand how to classify various examples which may arise. MVIill does, of course, distinguish them as mental or non-sensory and physical or sensory, respectively, but this, Edwards charges, is not sufficiently explained.1 I shall below discuss not only the explanation Mill does give of this distinction but also its rationale: Mill has, I feel, done more to clarify this problem than Edwards has noticed. Part of Edwards' purpose is to improve on, by further elucidating, the distinction in a way of which he thinks Mill would have approved. This is the task at which I think he has failed, but failed in a way which brings out how haphazardly philosophers in general have examined the basis for this distinction which is so crucial to Mill's philosophy.
Reagents for astatination of biomolecules. 3. Comparison of closo-decaborate(2-) and closo-dodecaborate(2-) moieties as reactive groups for labeling with astatine-211.

In vivo deastatination has been a major problem in the development of reagents for therapeutic applications of the α-particle emitting radionuclide 211At. Our prior studies demonstrated that the use of a closo-decaborate(2-) ([closo-B10H9R]2−) moiety for 211At labeling of biomolecules provides conjugates that are stable to in vivo deastatination. In this investigation, the closo-decaborate(2-) moiety was compared with the structurally similar closo-dodecaborate(2-) ([closo-B12H11R]2−) to determine if one has more favorable properties than the other for use in pendant groups as 211At labeling molecules. To determine the differences, two sets of structurally identical molecules, with the exception that they contained either a closo-decaborate(2-) or a closo-dodecaborate(2-) moiety, were compared with regard to their synthesis, radiohalogenation, stability to in vivo deastatination and tissue distribution. Quite different rates of reaction were noted in the synthetic steps for the two closo-borate(2-) moieti...
Shear zone control on mineral deposits in the State-line serpentinite, Pennsylvania Piedmont

The secondary redistribution and, in some cases, the primary formation of mineral deposits in the State-line serpentinite were controlled by shear zone processes. The State-line serpentinite is a layered mafic intrusion with a basal serpentinized peridotite with cumulate chromite layers, rhythmically layered gabbro and quartz diorite in the upper section. There are three generations of shear zones that have affected the serpentinite including early thrust faults, conjugate high-angle reverse faults and late dextral strike-slip faults with complex temporal, spatial and angular relations. The thrust faulting emplaced the State-line serpentinite onto the Peters Creek metasediments and represents the major faulting event. The conjugate reverse faulting may have been a late feature of the thrust faulting or related to the strike-slip faulting. The strike-slip faulting produced extensive mylonitization in the serpentinite and is the latest deformation in the area. Chromite is the most economic mineral resource in the State-line serpentinite. Most of the cumulate chromite deposits are lenticular to lensoidal in shape as the result of physical reorientation in thrust and strike-slip shear zones. Talc and magnesite were also mined from the State-line serpentinite. Talc occurs adjacent to pegmatite dikes but both talc and magnesite formed in mylonite where magnesite also fills the matrix of late-stage cataclasite and extensional veins. Some of the long fiber variety of asbestos formed in cross-fiber veins and slip-fiber slickensides in all brittle faults. The asbestos was mined from a few small prospects. The metamorphic reactions within the active shear zones during talc and magnesite mineralization reflect fluid evolution to lower temperatures and higher concentrations of CO2. Comparison with experimental results on the metamorphism of serpentinite indicates a decrease in temperature from approximately 500° to < 350°C and an increase in CO2 content from 0 to 3%. The shear zones acted as fluid conduits during deformation, recorded the evolution of metamorphic conditions in their mineralogies and controlled the distribution of talc and magnesite deposition.
Surface density of calcium ions and calcium spikes in the barnacle muscle fiber membrane.

The effects of various divalent cations in the external solution upon the Ca spike of the barnacle muscle fiber membrane were studied using intracellular recording and polarizing techniques. Analysis of the maximum rate of rise of the spike potential indicates that different species of divalent cations bind the same membrane sites competitively with different dissociation constants. The overshoot of the spike potential is determined by the density of Ca (Sr) ions in the membrane sites while the threshold membrane potential for spike initiation depends on the total density of divalent cations. The order of binding among different divalent and trivalent cations is the following: La+++, UO2++ > Zn++, Co++, Fe++ > Mn++ > Ni++ > Ca++ > Mg++, Sr++
Resuscitation-induced intestinal edema and related dysfunction: State of the science

High volume resuscitation and damage control surgical methods, while responsible for significantly decreasing morbidity and mortality from traumatic injuries, are associated with pathophysiologic derangements that lead to subsequent end organ edema and dysfunction. Alterations in hydrostatic and oncotic pressures frequently result in intestinal edema and subsequent dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to examine the principles involved in the development of intestinal edema, current and historical models for the study of edema, effects of edema on intestinal function (particularly ileus), molecular mediators governing edema-induced dysfunction, potential role of mechanotransduction , and therapeutic effects of hypertonic saline. We review the current state of the science as it relates to resuscitation induced intestinal edema and resultant dysfunction.
Comparative Urban Governance An Integrated Approach

This article develops an integrated framework for comparing urban governance cross nationally. Joining together structural, cultural, and rational actor approaches to cross-national comparison, it explains the institutional milieux of urban governance in the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany. Comparison of public-private partnership arrangements in cities of these four countries is used to demonstrate the utility of this integrated framework.
Effect of fluorine content on mechanical properties of sintered fluoridated hydroxyapatite

Abstract The effect of fluorine content, preparing method, and sintering temperature on both the bulk density and biaxial flexural strength of sintered fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA) was studied. Both uniaxially pressed un-milled (UPU) and cold isostatically pressed milled (IPM) FHA discs were sintered at temperatures between 1200∼1400 °C at an interval of 100 °C. It was found that the fluorine content had significant impact on the sintering behavior, densification, and mechanical properties of FHA discs. At a low fluorine content, the specimens decomposed between 1200–1400 °C, which resulted in a relatively low sintered density and biaxial flexural strength of the specimens. In comparison, the specimens with high fluorine content did not decompose even at the sintering temperature of 1400 °C. The sintered density and biaxial flexural strength of these specimens increased with the sintering temperature. The maximum sintered density and biaxial flexural strength of the UPU specimens were only 85% of the theoretical density and 45 MPa, respectively. In contrast, much higher sintered density (∼95% of the theoretical density) and mechanical strength (∼100 MPa) were attained for the specimens subjected to the cold isostatic pressing and ball milling. A close correlation between the sintered density and biaxial flexural strength of the specimens was revealed, where the biaxial flexural strength increased exponentially with the sintered density.
Predicting protein--peptide interactions via a network-based motif sampler

Motivation: Many protein--protein interactions are mediated by peptide recognition modules (PRMs), compact domains that bind to short peptides, and play a critical role in a wide array of biological processes. Recent experimental protein interaction data provide us with an opportunity to examine whether we may explain, or even predict their interactions by computational sequence analysis. Such a question was recently posed by the use of random peptide screens to characterize the ligands of one such PRM, the SH3 domain. Results: We describe a general computational procedure for identifying the ligand peptides of PRMs by combining protein sequence information and observed physical interactions into a simple probabilistic model and from it derive an interaction-mediated de novo motif-finding framework. Using a recent all-versus-all yeast two-hybrid SH3 domain interaction network, we demonstrate that our technique can be used to derive independent predictions of interactions mediated by SH3 domains. We show that only when sequence information is combined with such all versus all protein interaction datasets, are we capable of identifying motifs with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for predicting interactions. The algorithm is general so that it may be applied to other PRM domains (e.g. SH2, WW, PDZ). Availability: The Netmotsa software and source code, as part of a general Gibbs motif sampling library, are available at http://sf.net/projects/netmotsa
Polymerized colloidal crystal hydrogel films as intelligent chemical sensing materials

Chemical sensors respond to the presence of a specific analyte in a variety of ways. One of the most convenient is a change in optical properties, and in particular a visually perceptible colour change. Here we report the preparation of a material that changes colour in response to a chemical signal by means of a change in diffraction (rather than absorption) properties. Our material is a crystalline colloidal array of polymer spheres (roughly 100 nm diameter) polymerized within a hydrogel that swells and shrinks reversibly in the presence of certain analytes (here metal ions and glucose). The crystalline colloidal array diffracts light at (visible) wavelengths determined by the lattice spacing, which gives rise to an intense colour. The hydrogel contains either a molecular-recognition group that binds the analyte selectively (crown ethers for metal ions), or a molecular-recognition agent that reacts with the analyte selectively. These recognition events cause the gel to swell owing to an increased osmotic pressure, which increases the mean separation between the colloidal spheres and so shifts the Bragg peak of the diffracted light to longer wavelengths. We anticipate that this strategy can be used to prepare 'intelligent' materials responsive to a wide range of analytes, including viruses.
Molecular Characterization of Mutations That Cause Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy and Pharmacological Rescue Using Small Molecule Chemical Chaperones

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) (Krabbe disease) is an autosomal recessive, degenerative, lysosomal storage disease caused by a severe loss of galactocerebrosidase (GALC) enzymatic activity. Of the >70 disease-causing mutations in the GALC gene, most are located outside of the catalytic domain of the enzyme. To determine how GALC mutations impair enzymatic activity, we investigated the impact of multiple disease-causing mutations on GALC processing, localization, and enzymatic activity. Studies in mammalian cells revealed dramatic decreases in GALC activity and a lack of appropriate protein processing into an N-terminal GALC fragment for each of the mutants examined. Consistent with this, we observed significantly less GALC localized to the lysosome and impairment in either the secretion or reuptake of mutant GALC. Notably, the D528N mutation was found to induce hyperglycosylation and protein misfolding. Reversal of these conditions resulted in an increase in proper processing and GALC activity, suggesting that glycosylation may play a critical role in the disease process in patients with this mutation. Recent studies have shown that enzyme inhibitors can sometimes "chaperone" misfolded polypeptides to their appropriate target organelle, bypassing the normal cellular quality control machinery and resulting in enhanced activity. To determine whether this may also work for GLD, we examined the effect of alpha-lobeline, an inhibitor of GALC, on D528N mutant cells. After treatment, GALC activity was significantly increased. This study suggests that mutations in GALC can cause GLD by impairing protein processing and/or folding and that pharmacological chaperones may be potential therapeutic agents for patients carrying certain mutations.
The Response of Chicks to Fish Meal in Relation to the Composition of the Basal Diet

Abstract EVIDENCE has been presented supporting the view that carbohydrates influence the sensitivity of purified diets to unidentified growth factors. Arscott et al. (1955) have reviewed this aspect of the problem and submitted data of their own showing that significantly greater growth responses to unidentified factors were obtained with sucrose diets than from cerelose diets and greater responses from diets containing iodinated casein than from diets not containing this compound. The possibility of increasing the sensitivity of the purified diet shown in Table 1 to the growth factor in fish meal by replacing dextrose (cerelose) with sucrose and/or the addition of iodinated casein has been investigated. Cockerel chicks from a mating of New Hampshire males to Columbian females were used in the first experiment and females in Experiment 2. The parent stock had been fed a ration containing a liberal amount of fish meal. Each experimental lot was made up of …
Cardiac resynchronization therapy in the young patient: current status and future directions.

largest study to date was reported by Dubin and colleagues. 2 They retrospectively reviewed the records of 103 patients at multiple institutions, who had undergone placement of resynchronization devices. Unfortunately, the centers used multiple and diverse criteria for deciding when resynchronization therapy was to be employed and multiple means of assessing outcomes. Both articles provide an excellent beginning from which to develop this type of therapy in children, but should not be looked upon as providing definitive criteria for such use. The current major issues with the use of CRT in this patient population are similar to those posed in the adult population and relate to indications for resynchronization therapy, specific measures of ventricular dyssynchrony, and implant methodology as it relates to this unique group of patients. However, the answers may be very different. To date, indications for consideration of ventricular resynchronization have included advanced heart failure unresponsive to medication together with some indication for left ventricular dyssynchrony with or without a wide QRS complex. Patient symptomatology has been variable, ranging from being listed for transplantation to NYHA class I. 2 Use of ejection fraction alone may not be a good indicator for CRT need. The degree of symptoms and the likelihood of patient improvement must be balanced by the risk of CRT placement, 2 and quantitative indicators of a declining clinical state should be used. In all series reported to date, there has been a significant number of nonresponders. The question then arises as to the difference between responders and nonresponders. Dubin et al. 2 have suggested that perhaps the nonresponders were children who had less advanced dysfunction and higher initial ejection fractions, and therefore failed to show much improvement. Better patient selection criteria hopefully will improve this.
Improving IRT item bias detection with iterative linking and ability scale purification

The effectiveness of several iterative methods of item response theory (IRT) item bias detection was examined in a simulation study. The situations employed were based on biased items created using a two-dimensional IRT model. Previous research demonstrated that the non-iterative application of some IRT parameter linking procedures produced unsatisfactory results in a simulation study involving unidirectional item bias. A modified form of Drasgow’s iterative item parameter linking method and an adaptation of Lord’s test purification procedure were examined in conditions that simulated unidirectional and mixed-directional forms of item bias. The results illustrate that iterative linking holds promise for differentiating biased from unbiased items under several item bias conditions. In addition, a combination of methods, involving cycles of iterative linking followed by ability scale purification, was found to be even more effective than iterative linking alone. This combination of procedures totally eliminated false positive misidentifications for the most pervasive item bias condition, and false negative misidentifications were also reduced. Combining iterative linking with ability scale purification appears to be a viable method for analyzing multidimensional IRT data with unidimensional IRT item-bias methods. Index terms: ability scale purification, item bias, item response theory, iterative linking, iterative methods, metric linking, multidimensional IRT model.
Employment Discrimination and the International Workplace: A Review of Recent US Court Rulings

The extraterritoriality clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1991 amended Title VII and the ADA to include employment discrimination protection for US citizens working abroad for US employers. A review of recent court rulings demonstrates an absence of lawsuits involving alleged violations of the extraterritorial provision. Instead, recent cases show that Americans working outside of the US are filing charges against foreign employers rather than US employers and applying state level employment statutes rather than federal legislation. In addition, non US citizens are exhibiting a trend toward invoking US federal and state statutes against US employers. These cases are reviewed and implications discussed for managing employment relations in an increasingly international workplace.
The influence of lower stratospheric forcing on the October Antarctic ozone decrease

A pattern correlation is found between the 30-mb zonal average ozone and temperature at 70 deg S during the October months and the 100-mb Eliassen-Palm (E-P) fluxes for the seven Septembers of 1979 to 1985, suggesting a dynamical influence on the long term trend of ozone and temperature values in the Southern Hemisphere for this period. For the August E-P fluxes and September values, this relationship is found to hold for temperature while not being strong for ozone. No explanation is found for the anomalously warm temperature values noted for both September and October 1982.
The Influence of Moisture on Dielectric Behavior of Poly-Etheretherketone/ Carbon Fiber Composites

An analysis of local and global mechanisms of heat generation and distri bution in carbon-fiber-based composites subjected to an alternating magnetic field has shown that heating is dependent upon the dielectric properties of the polymer matrix. These properties were investigated as functions of temperature, frequency and moisture content. The results indicated little dependence of the dielectric constant on temperature or frequency, while the loss tangent exhibited a substantial dependence on both frequency and temperature. A substantial dependence of loss tangent on moisture content in PEEK was found. Significant increases in loss tangent corresponding to small increases in mois ture content are exemplified by a parametric analysis of our induction heating model.
Electromagnetic Field Shaping for Efficiency Enhancement in Terahertz Folded-Waveguide Traveling-Wave Tube Slow-Wave Circuit Design

In this paper, there is much interest in using vacuum electronics in the terahertz regime because of their superior power and efficiency capabilities compared to solid state power amplifiers (SSPA's) at high frequencies. However power and efficiency levels with conventional vacuum electronics devices are still quite low in the terahertz regime because of the small size of the circuits and high attenuation. In this presentation, we will show computational results from our investigation of using holey metamaterials, corrugations, and frequency selective surfaces for electromagnetic field shaping to increase the efficiency and power in terahertz folded- waveguide travelling-wave tube slow-wave circuits.
Characterization of Radio Frequency Heating of Fresh Fruits Influenced by Dielectric Properties

Because of its fast and volumetric nature, radio frequency (RF) heating has been looked upon as a way to overcome the problems associated with conventional heating methods used for disinfestation of fruits. But non-uniform heating within fruits is a major obstacle in adaptation of this technology. In this study, RF heating patterns influenced by dielectric properties (DPs) of fruits were investigated both experimentally and mathematically. A computer simulation model was developed using FEMLAB 3.4, a commercial software for solving Maxwell’s electromagnetic and Fourier’s heat transfer equations. Orange, apple, grapefruit, peach, and avocado fruits, selected for these studies were subjected to RF heating in a water filled container equipped with a mechanism to keep fruits rotating and moving during RF heating in a 27.12 MHz, 12 kW parallel plate RF unit. DPs of constitutional parts of the selected fruits were measured by open-ended coaxial probe method. The study showed that dissimilarity in peel and pulp DPs greatly influenced the RF heating behavior of the fruits. Core heating was prominent in apple, peeled orange and grapefruit; whereas subsurface/peripheral heating in whole oranges and grapefruit, and avocado. The computer model was an effective tool in characterizing and explaining the heating patterns in the fruits based on DPs. The study helped in better understanding the complex RF heating characteristics of fruits, which may be useful in assessing the design feasibility of product specific RF energy based treatment protocol.
Cognitive CDMA channelization

We consider the problem of simultaneous power and code-channel allocation for a secondary transmitter/receiver pair coexisting with a primary code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system. We develop a novel computationally feasible solution using semidefinite programming. Simulation studies illustrate the theoretical developments.