cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of spironolactone on excretion of 3H-digoxin and its metabolites in rats

Abstract Spironolactone increased the total excretion of radioactivity in female rats given specific labelled 3 H-digoxin. This increase was due to enhanced fecal excretion while urinary elimination of radioactivity and blood tritium levels were reduced. The ratio of total excreted digoxin to its metabolites which was measured by paper and thin-layer chromatography was changed from 28%: 72% under control conditions to 2% : 98% during spironolactone treatment. This increased excretion of metabolites mainly concerned the aqueous soluble compounds, the digoxigenin monodigitoxoside and the digoxigenin. The excretion of the genin was enhanced in urine only. After metabolism of 3 H-digoxin could still be observed 25 days after discontinuation of treatment with spironolactone. It is concluded that in rats spironolactone increased the metabolism of digoxin by induction of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity.
Financial Exploitation of Older Adults in Rural Settings: A Family Perspective

Federal agencies responsible for funding protective services to older adults are increasingly concerned with the growing incidence of financial exploitation in rural areas. The Wall Street Journal recently has reported an increasing trend of unemployed adult children migrating from urban centers to smaller rural towns and countrysides to live with their parents since 2008. This current study explores the attitudes of family caregivers regarding management of financial matters for their elderly care recipients. The major findings of the study include that adult children often (1) overestimate their parents' ability to manage their finances; (2) prefer to manage their parents' finances informally, as opposed to using legal options like power of attorney; and (3) tend to think of their parents' assets as “almost theirs.” The study concludes with recommendations on the critical need for information to help families make important decisions about helping elderly parents with their finances. This information wo...
A wide-band electromagnetic exploration method—Some theoretical and experimental results

Theoretical electromagnetic (EM) responses of a conductive circular cylinder in a conductive half‐space are obtained for a frequency range between 10 Hz and 30 kHz. The results show that the spectral characteristics can be used to determine the subsurface configuration of a target body, particularly in terms of its depth. Laboratory experiments using a wide‐band sweep‐frequency source provide support for the theoretical prediction of the spectral behavior. The experiment employed a harmonic EM source continuously sweeping logarithmically from 4 kHz to 4 MHz over a graphite slab submerged in a conductive solution. The results suggest that a wide‐band EM spectral profile displayed in a frequency‐distance space may provide many intuitive interpretation schemes which may not be possible with a single or discrete frequency profile.
Detection and tracking of the backreflection of potassium dihydrogen phosphate images in the presence or absence of a phase mask

The potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) crystals present in the final optics assembly at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) are used for conversion of an infrared laser light beam into an ultraviolet beam. The conversion is highest for a certain incident angle, the alignment of which is determined from the position of the backreflection beam, which exhibits a distinct characteristic shape. When a phase-plate device is introduced before the final assembly to increase the uniformity of the beam, the backreflection pattern changes drastically. The algorithm that is best for tracking the special-shaped beam is no longer suitable for tracking the phase-modified beam. We discuss our detection schemes for both situations. In particular, we demonstrate how the algorithm senses the modified beam by using a newly proposed criterion of correlation peak pedestal area and executes an alternate algorithm in real time without operator intervention. This new algorithm continuously tracks the beam pattern to guarantee reliable and repeatable sensing. Results from simulation and real-world implementation of the algorithm at the NIF facility are presented.
Context-dependent acceptance of non-nestmates in a primitively eusocial insect

The benefits of cooperation are essential in driving group formation. However, an individual can gain significant benefits by acting selfishly at a substantial cost to others in the group. Thus, group members must find a balance between accepting and rejecting potential new members. Here, I explore the factors that mediate acceptance of non-related individuals during the period of group establishment in the primitively eusocial wasp Mischocyttarus mexicanus. In this species, group composition changes during establishment, with non-related females (non-nestmates) sometimes accepted into a foreign colony. By experimentally introducing non-nestmates to newly established colonies, I test the hypothesis that acceptance threshold of nestmates towards non-nestmates shifts depending on the ecological context, as predicted by the Optimal Acceptance Threshold Model. I explored how non-nestmate age (young vs. old), stage of colony establishment (early vs. late), initial behavior of the non-nestmates (non-aggressive vs. aggressive), and the behavioral response by nestmates (non-aggressive vs. aggressive) affected the rates of acceptance. My results show an effect of both non-nestmate age and stage of colony development on non-nestmate acceptance. Young non-nestmates were more frequently accepted in early than in late colonies. Late colonies more frequently rejected both young and old non-nestmates, suggesting a cost of accepting potential usurpers into late colonies. Surprisingly, non-nestmate aggressive behavior did not have a direct effect on their acceptance, but it triggered an aggressive response from nestmates. These findings reveal a shift in the acceptance threshold, suggesting an effect of the social context and the specific needs of a colony on non-nestmate acceptance.
Designing the interaction with service systems

More and more people use computers to interact not with machines but with complex service systems. This talk examines the similarities and differences of interaction with machines and service systems, assuming, as the defining characteristic of a service system is the significant presence of humans as part of the service system during the time of use. One of the main consequences is that service systems are often perceived as having human characteristics and usually expected to exhibit human-like behaviors. This talks presents and discusses those issues, under the light of Service Science and HCI theory. We also present the concept of the human facet of a service system, which is the set of elements and their configurations that create and control the perception of and the interaction of a user with the human characteristics of a service system. The talk then examines how the design of the human facet of service system can be simplified by theoretical insights from Psychological Models such Personality Theory, Social Psychology, and Emotional Communication Theory; and Dramatic models such as Character Theory, Stanislavski's System, Method Acting, and Illusion of Life.
Reciprocal Associations Among Maternal and Child Characteristics of At-Risk Families: A Longitudinal Actor- Partner Interdependence Model.

Researchers have found linear associations among maternal and child characteristics. However, family systems theorists suggest that relationships are more complex and family members are interdependent. We used actor-partner interdependence modeling to unravel associations among maternal and child characteristics to predict outcomes in adolescence. We used data from 361 mother-child dyads from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect and found both actor and partner effects. Maternal depression and history of victimization were associated with children's later reports of lower mother-adolescent relationship quality. Children's perceptions of relationship quality were also associated with mothers' later depressive symptoms and perceptions of relationship quality. Overall, results highlighted interdependence among mothers and their children over time. We discuss implications for marriage and family therapists.
Apomorphine sensitization effects: Evidence for environmentally contigent behavioral reorganization processes

Apomorphine-induced behavioral sensitization was investigated with a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm. Rats were administered apomorphine (2.0 mg/kg SC) daily for 7 days either paired or unpaired with a 10-min test environment placement. Initially, apomorphine induced hypolocomotion, but by treatment day 5, hyperlocomotion developed. Utilizing a videoimage analysis program which quantitated angular movement, it was determined that the increase in locomotion induced by repeated apomorphine treatment was due to an increase in rotational locomotion. Critically, rotation per se did not increase, but rather wide angle rotation toward the periphery of the test environment increased. Furthermore, a directional bias of rotation developed and stabilized which was unrelated to the animal's initial asymmetry bias. This emergence of a new locomotion pattern in conjunction with hyperlocomotion pointed to the need to reconceptualize behavioral sensitization phenomena into a new framework consistent with a progressive change in behavioral structure. Behavioral reorganization is presented as an alternative formulation to that of behavioral sensitization, as a drug-environment interactive process which is more compatible with the behavioral dynamics that emerge with repeated intermittent dopaminergic psychostimulant drug treatment.
Microcanonical cluster approximations

Abstract A method of entropy estimates due to Kikuchi is generalized from Ising systems to Z 2 gauge models. This method is explicitly gauge invariant. The results of the approximation are compared to Monte Carlo data and strong coupling expansions.
On fracture toughness in the nonlinear range

A general definition of fracture toughness is developed which is appropriate to situations of subcritical crack growth and/or large-scale crack border plastic yield. The theoretical basis as well as comparisons with other proposed measures of fracture toughness are discussed. A simple method is given for evaluating fracture toughness which is based on use of the load-displacement test record.
Pain as a Human Right: The 2004 Global Day Against Pain

On October 11, 2004, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Federation of IASP Chapters (EFIC) held a Global Day against Pain campaign to promote pain relief as a human right. International leaders in pain management and public health participated in the full day program that took place in Geneva Switzerland and was simultaneously broadcast around the world through the Word Wide Web. The declaration and statements that were released and announced, and selected contents of the program are summarized in this report.
Myocardial Fibrosis in Severe Aortic Stenosis

European and American guidelines for the management of patients with aortic stenosis use left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), aortic valve area (AVA), and transvalvular pressure gradient to grade severity and prognosis. However, these measurements depend on stroke volume and sometimes correlate poorly with symptoms. Chronic pressure overload on the left ventricle from aortic stenosis leads to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, which is accompanied by interstitial myocardial fibrosis. This fibrosis starts in the subendocardial layers and progresses outward leading to alterations initially in LV longitudinal function and eventually radial function. LVEF predominantly reflects global radial function missing early changes in longitudinal function. It is unknown if LV remodeling in aortic stenosis from fibrosis affects LV function and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR).
Resolving Contested Elections: The Limited Power of Post-Vote Vote-Choice Data

In close elections, the losing side has an incentive to obtain evidence that the election result is incorrect. Sometimes this evidence comes in the form of court testimony from a sample of invalid voters, and this testimony is used to adjust vote totals (Borders v King County, 2005; Belcher v Mayor of Ann Arbor, 1978). However, while courts may be reluctant to make explicit findings about out-of-sample data (e.g. invalid voters that do not testify), when samples are used to adjust vote totals, the court is implicitly making findings about this out-of-sample data. In this paper, we show that the practice of adjusting vote totals on the basis of potentially unrepresentative samples can lead to incorrectly voided election results. More generally, we show that given the difficulties of sampling and non-response in this context, even when frame error is minimal and if voter testimony is accurate, such testimony has limited power to detect incorrect election results without precinct level polarization or the acceptance of large Type I error rates. Therefore in U.S. election disputes, even high quality post-vote vote-choice data will often not be sufficient to resolve contested elections without modeling assumptions (whether or not these assumptions are acknowledged).
Metabolism of 5-thio-d-glucopyranose and 6-thio-d-fructopyranose in rats

Abstract 5-Thio-α- d -[U-14C]glucopyranose and 6-thio-β- d -[U-14C]fructopyranose were administered orally and intravenously to rats. On intravenous administration of 5-thio- d -[U-14C]glucopyranose, 1% was oxidized to [14C]carbon dioxide, 93% was excreted in the urine, and 1.6% was retained in the carcass. On oral administration of 5-thio- d -[U-14C]glucopyranose, 1% was exhaled as [14C]carbon dioxide, 90% was excreted in feces and urine, and 4% was retained in the carcass after 72 h. On intravenous administration of 6-thio-β- d -[U-14C]fructopyranose, 56% was exhaled as [14C]carbon dioxide, 23% was excreted in the urine, and 7.5% was retained in the carcass; after oral administration, 35% was oxidized to [14C]carbon dioxide, 50% was excreted in feces and urine, and 6% was retained in the animal after 72 h. On intravenous administration of 5-thio- d -glucose to fasted male rats, blood d -glucose levels increased at lower doses than on oral administration. A dose of 50 mg/kg raised blood d -glucose to 226 mg/100 ml within 2.5 h after intravenous but only to 173 mg/100 ml within 2 h after oral administration from basal level of 70–90 mg/100 ml. Blood d -glucose concentration returned to normal levels within 9 h in both cases. 6-Thio- d -fructopyranose showed no diabetogenic action. The LD50 of 6-thio- d -fructopyranose was 11,200 mg/kg when tested in mice.
Fieldwork and the Music Librarian: How Music Librarians Can Help Researchers Conduct High-Quality Fieldwork

The article addresses several ways in which music librarians and libraries can assist researchers conducting fieldwork. Using survey responses from field researchers and librarians, I investigate what resources and assistance researchers need to conduct high-quality fieldwork and what librarians have to offer, from electronic tutorials to contacts with experts in a variety of fields. I conclude that music librarians can better serve field researchers by creatively using skills and knowledge we already possess.
Living the Good (Work) Life: Implications of General Values for Work Values

Advances in the understanding of general values from personality and social psychology apply to work values. In this paper, I introduce the concepts of values, value priorities, motivational goals,...
Seven challenges for nanomedicine

Nanomedicine offers new opportunities to fight diseases but a global effort is needed to safely translate laboratory innovation to the clinic. Seven priority areas have been identified for this endeavour.
Cultural variations in children's coping behaviour, TV viewing time, and family functioning

Aim: To examine children's coping behaviour, TV viewing hours and family functioning in four ethnic groups and factors related to children's coping behaviour. Methods: This study was part of two larger research projects investigating children's health behaviours in the United States and Taiwan. Fifty-six White American children of European ancestry, 66 Mexican American children, 68 Chinese American children and 95 native Taiwanese children were included in the analysis. Standardized instruments were used to measure coping strategies, children's TV viewing hours and family functioning. Results: There were significant differences in the types of stressor that children of different ethnicity reported. Similarities and differences were found in the four ethnic groups regarding the top five most frequently used and most effective coping strategies. Multiple regressions identified two variables that contributed significantly to the variance in the frequency of children's coping strategies – ethnicity and poorer behaviour control in the family. Ethnicity was the only variable found to contribute to the variance in coping effectiveness. Significant differences were found in the number of hours children spent watching TV. Conclusions: Findings suggest that children of different ethnicity utilized different types of coping strategies and ethnicity is one of the important factors related to children's coping behaviour. These findings provide evidence for nurses to assess children's coping behaviour and TV viewing and provide children with healthier alternatives.
Toddlers' understanding of ownership: Implications for self-concept development.

Knowledge of self-continuity is proposed as essential to self understanding. However, little research has addressed the development of the extended self in very young children. This study explored ownership understanding as evidence for knowledge of the interpersonal extended self. Toddlers, age 18 months to 28 months, identified items as belonging to themselves or another, and participated in the classic mirror self- recognition task. Mothers completed the Self Development Questionnaire. Results show that the children have a basic understanding of ownership, and that this understanding differentiated children who provided self-descriptions and evaluations from children who did not. Mirror self-recognition was unrelated to ownership understanding or self-descriptions and evaluations. These results suggest that the extended self emerges earlier in development than previously claimed. Implications for integrated self-concept development are discussed.
Interventional radiology nursing

Abstract Interventional radiology nursing (IVR) is a relatively new nursing specialty. The American Radiological Nurses Association (ARNA) was established in 1982 and recognized by the American Nurses Association as a nursing specialty in 1991. The rapid expansion of IVR procedures being performed and the high level of patient acuity have created unique challenges for IVR nursing. The ARNA has written suggested guidelines for IVR nursing to follow and integrate into practice. The ARNA guidelines also provide a structure to the orientation process for experienced nurses entering into the IVR nursing specialty for the first time. However, written guidelines and orientation practices are inconsistent and incomplete from one institution to another. In addition, the rapid expansion of technology and new procedures being introduced pose additional burdens to maintaining and updating current nursing IVR guidelines and procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the structure and orientation practices for IVR nurses and to compare content covered in orientation with suggested guidelines developed by the ARNA. The results recognize variability with orientation patterns and incongruent content based on the convenience sample completing the questionnaire. Areas of strength and areas for improvement were identified. Information gathered can have significant impact on recruitment and retention of qualified nurses in IVR.
Magnetic fields of lunar multi-ring impact basins

We survey the magnetic fields of lunar multi-ring impact basins using data from the electron reflectometer instrument on the Lunar Prospector spacecraft. As for smaller lunar craters, the primary signature is a magnetic low that extends to ~1.5-2 basin radii, suggesting shock demagnetization of relatively soft crustal magnetization. A secondary signature, as for large terrestrial basins, is the presence of central magnetic anomalies, which may be due to thermal remanence in impact melt rocks and/or shock remanence in the central uplift. The radial extent of the anomalies may argue for the former possibility, but the latter or a combination of the two are also possible. Central anomaly fields are absent for the oldest pre-Nectarian basins, increase to a peak in early Nectarian basins, and decrease to a low level for Imbrian basins. If basin-associated anomalies provide a good indication of ambient magnetic fields when the basins formed, this suggests the existence of a "magnetic era" (possibly due to a lunar core dynamo) similar to that implied by paleointensity results from returned lunar samples. However, the central basin anomalies suggest that the fields peaked in early Nectarian times and were low in Imbrian times, while samples provide evidence for high fields in Nectarian and early Imbrian times.
Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors in chondrosarcomas and enchondromas.

Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors α and β was studied in chondrosarcomas and enchondromas and was correlated with chondrosarcoma grade, type, and dedifferentiation. Estrogen receptor α was studied in 37 chondrosarcomas, 10 enchondromas, and 2 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. Estrogen receptor β was studied in 23 chondrosarcomas, 6 enchondromas, and 2 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. Ventana prediluted monoclonal anti-ER α (clone 6F11) and Biogenex prediluted polyclonal anti-ER β were used on the Ventana ES autostainer and BenchMark XT IHC/ISH, respectively. Percent of cell staining and intensity (+, ++, or +++) was evaluated. Overall, 61% of conventional chondrosarcoma and 60% of enchondroma were positive for estrogen receptor α. Low-grade chondrosarcoma expressed estrogen receptor α more frequently than high-grade chondrosarcoma (P ≤ .001). Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas expressed estrogen receptor α; it was not expressed in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Overall, 89%...
Use of distress and ride quality data to determine roughness thresholds for smoothing pavements as a preventive maintenance action

In this discussion, 462 pavement sections from 37 projects in Michigan were analyzed to investigate the interaction between pavement surface roughness and distress. The main hypothesis of this research is that an increase in roughness leads to higher dynamic axle loads, which in turn can lead to a tangible acceleration in pavement distress. If this relationship is established, then it will be possible to plan a preventive maintenance (PM) action to smooth the pavement surface. Such a PM action is bound to extend the service life of the pavement by several years. The objective of the research presented was to develop such roughness thresholds. The selected projects include 13 rigid, 15 flexible, and 9 composite pavements. The ride quality index (RQI) and distress index were used as measures of surface roughness and distress, respectively. To get a good relationship between distress caused by dynamic loading and surface roughness, dynamic-load-related distress types were extracted. The analysis showed very ...
Combined Approach to Lysis Utilizing Eptifibatide and Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Stroke–Enhanced Regimen Stroke Trial

Background and Purpose—The Combined Approach to Lysis Utilizing Eptifibatide and Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator (r-tPA; CLEAR) in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and CLEAR-Enhanced Regimen (CLEAR-ER) trials demonstrated safety of reduced dose r-tPA plus the glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitor, eptifibatide, in AIS compared with r-tPA alone. The objective of the CLEAR-Full Dose Regimen (CLEAR-FDR) trial was to estimate the rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) in AIS patients treated with the combination of full-dose r-tPA plus eptifibatide. Methods—CLEAR-FDR was a single-arm, prospective, open-label, multisite study. Patients aged 18 to 85 years treated with 0.9 mg/kg IV r-tPA within 3 hours of symptom onset were enrolled. After obtaining consent, eptifibatide (135 μg/kg bolus and 2-hour infusion at 0.75 μg/kg per minute) was administered. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who experienced sICH within 36 hours. An independent clinical monitor adjudicated if an sICH had ...
Regional differences in abdominal fat loss.

This study determined if the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol used alters the estimation of change in abdominal fat with weight loss in obese type 2 diabetic women. This study also examined if there is a uniform fat loss across the abdomen. Thirty-three obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes (age 50–70 years, body mass index>30 kg/m2) had a total abdominal MRI scan pre- and post weight loss intervention. Three different MRI analysis protocols were used and compared: a single slice at L2–L3 vs five slices (centered at L4–L5) vs all abdominal slices. In addition, the total abdominal scan was divided into four regions (four slices each) with region 3 (critical region) including the traditionally studied L2–L3, and regions 1 and 2 superior and region 4 inferior to critical region 3. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to compare the influence of weight loss on abdominal fat measured both regionally and using the varying number of MR slices. At baseline, the ratio of visceral adipose tissue:subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT:SAT) was significantly lower using the single-slice method compared to five slices and the total abdomen (P<0.01). Using the single-slice method, a lower %VAT was found than with the other methods (P<0.01). In regions 1, 2, 3, and 4, the absolute change in total fat was 122±50, 182±48, 182±55, and 155±40 cm3, respectively. The regional difference in abdominal fat patterning revealed that the critical region (region 3) had a smaller VAT:SAT ratio than regions 1 and 2 (P<0.05), and the ratio at region 4 was smaller than region 3 (P<0.05). Weight loss resulted in a decrease in the VAT:SAT ratio (P<0.05) for regions 3 and 4 but not for regions 1 and 2. The number of MR slices analyzed yields differential result in relative VAT distribution. Regional differences in abdominal fat loss occur with a greater relative VAT loss in the critical region, thus if only the critical region is analyzed the overall VAT loss induced by weight loss intervention may be overestimated.
The Role of Ciprofloxacin in Endophthalmitis Therapy

Ciprofloxacin has been proposed for the systemic treatment of endophthalmitis. We studied the role of therapy based on the susceptibility of actual bacterial isolates and developed a system for assessing this susceptibility in endophthalmitis. Susceptibility testing was performed on 68 bacterial isolates from 66 patients with endophthalmitis. Our results indicated that, on the basis of a vitreous ciprofloxacin concentration of 0.25 μg/ml, only 41 of 68 isolates (60%) would be inhibited by systemic therapy. All gram-negative bacteria (six of six) would be inhibited, whereas gram-positive bacterial susceptibility was variable. We concluded that systemic ciprofloxacin alone should not be administered empirically but it could provide an adjunct for treating selective cases of bacterial endophthalmitis. Bacterial susceptibility should be assessed on a blood serum standard of 0.25 μg/ml instead of 1.0 μg/ml.
Evaluation of fee collection policy changes in an alcohol halfway house

This study used an ABAB design and 1-year retrospective baseline to evaluate the impact of a contingency management and feedback policy on payment of fees by clients in a halfway house for substance abusers. The results indicated no consistent effect of the intervention on halfway house income, but some clients did appear to increase their saving and decrease their spending behavior while making sufficient fee payments to avoid the policy contingencies.
Experimental and numerical investigation of single-phase heat transfer using a hybrid jet-impingement/micro-channel cooling scheme

Abstract Experimental and numerical methods were used to explore the cooling performance of a new hybrid device consisting of a slot jet impinging into a micro-channel, thus capitalizing upon the merits of both cooling configurations. The three-dimensional heat transfer characteristics of this device were analyzed using the standard k–e turbulent model. Numerical predictions for liquid PF-5052 show excellent agreement with experimental measurements. Vorticity effects are shown to greatly influence cooling performance outside the impingement zone. Higher jet Reynolds numbers yielded stronger attachment to the heated surface and lower surface temperatures. The model was also used to optimize the cooling performance for a water-cooled device. Lower surface temperatures were achieved by decreasing jet width and micro-channel height. These findings are used to recommend a simplified hybrid cooling geometry in pursuit of both lower surface temperatures and smaller temperature gradients across the heated surface.
The synthesis and infra-red spectrum of carbon-deuterated ethylenediamine dihydrobromide

Abstract Ethylenediamine-C-d4 · 2HBr is produced in 80–90 per cent yield by the reaction of anhydrous NH3 with 1,2-dibromoethane-d4 in a sealed tube at 55°. An estimation of the level of CH impurity is made from a comparison of the Infrared Spectra of normal and carbon-deuterated ethylenediamine dihydrobromide and verified by the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra of the free amines. Little or no hydrogen exchange on the carbon atoms occurs during the reaction and subsequent purification. On the basis of simplicity, high yield, relative freedom from side reactions, and lack of isotopic exchange, this method is suggested for the preparation of carbon and hydrogen isotopically substituted ethylenediamine.
Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after retinal detachment surgery: just another monitored anesthesia eye case

Repair of a retinal detachment was performed during a retrobulbar block with monitored anesthesia care and intravenous conscious sedation. Following the procedure and after removal of the sterile drapes, the patient exhibited significant swelling of the bilateral orbits, face, neck, and chest. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum were confirmed on postoperative chest radiographs and computed tomographic scans. Possible mechanisms and potential sequelae of this intraoperative event are discussed.
Optimal single-pulse excitation of rotational impulsive molecular phase modulation

The full transient macroscopic linear optical susceptibility tensor induced in a transiently aligned molecular gas by a single, linearly polarized intense alignment pulse is studied. We determine the optimal properties of the pulse that forms the rotational wave packet. Significantly, we demonstrate that the optimal pulse for phase modulation differs from the optimal alignment pulse. Finally, we show that the limited information about rotational wave packets obtained by measuring the linear optical susceptibility can be augmented by also measuring the time-varying nonlinear optical susceptibilities.
Influence of diet with or without amino acids on polyamine excretion in multiple trauma victims

Abstract Elevated levels of urinary polyamines (PA) in severely injured trauma patients are further enhanced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) that contains both glucose and amino acids (AAs). Since TPN solutions contain arginine, the AA precursor of PA, it is not certain whether the increased urinary PA are due to this substrate. Nutritional factors can evidently modify PA metabolism. We measured the daily excretion of the PA, putrescine (PU) and spermidine (SD) in 18 multiply injured (injury severity score [ISS], 32 ± 2), hypermetabolic (resting energy expenditure [REE]/basal energy expenditure [BEE], 1.41 ± 0.06), and highly catabolic (daily N loss, 17.2 ± 1.8 g N/d) acute trauma patients for 5 days in the early flow phase of injury. The patients were fed only maintenance fluids without calories or nitrogen for the first day 60 to 72 hours after injury, and then were randomized to receive glucose alone ([GLUC] 4.1 mg/kg/min, 80% measured REE, n = 8) or the same amount of glucose with AAs (TPN, 275 mg N/kg/d, n = 10) for the following 4 days. There was no significant difference in the enhanced daily PA excretion either in the free or acetylated form between the two dietary regimens. The addition of AAs in the TPN mixture did not seem to further stimulate PA metabolism in the trauma patients. The source of the nutrient content of the diet appears to be important for enhancing total PA excretion in critically ill patients.
cGMP-gated conductance in retinal bipolar cells is suppressed by the photoreceptor transmitter

Transmitter release from photoreceptors is decreased by light, resulting in a conductance increase in depolarizing bipolar cells. Addition of exogenous cGMP through a patch pipette to depolarizing bipolar cells from slices of dark-adapted tiger salamander retina resulted in an enhancement of the light response. This enhancement was blocked by GTP-gamma-S and dipyridamole, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. GTP-gamma-S and dipyridamole also blocked responses to exogenously applied 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB), the glutamate agonist selective for this receptor. These data support the hypothesis that the postsynaptic receptor is linked via a G protein to a phosphodiesterase. The binding of glutamate or APB to the receptor suppresses a cGMP-activated current by increasing the rate of cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis.
The Effects of Interfaces on Radiation Damage Production in Layered Metal Composites

Abstract Molecular dynamics computer simulations of 5 keV displacement cascades near cube-on-cube Cu–Ni interfaces have been performed. Both coherent interfaces (with large coherency stresses) and semi-coherent interfaces (with misfit dislocations in the interface) typical of nanolayer metal composites are considered. The primary damage state of cascades from 5 keV recoil atoms in the composite differs from that in cascades generated in pure Cu and Ni. In the semi-coherent case some defect clusters form directly on the misfit dislocations. Excluding these, the defect yields for both interface types are about two-thirds of the average yield of defects for cascades in the pure metals. In single cascades, as well as for overlapping multiple cascades, the numbers of surviving defects in the semi-coherent interface are significantly different in the Cu and Ni layers, but they are the same in Cu and Ni for the coherent case. Anti-site atomic mixing occurs near both types of interfaces, more so in the coherent case.
Population Balance Model Validation and Predictionof CQAs for Continuous Milling Processes: toward QbDin Pharmaceutical Drug Product Manufacturing

Continuous tablet manufacturing has been investigated for its potential advantages (e.g., cost, efficiency, and controllability) over more conventional batch processes. One avenue for tablet manufacturing involves roller compaction followed by milling to form compactible granules. A better understanding of these powder processes is needed to implement Quality by Design in pharmaceutical manufacturing. In this study, ribbons of microcrystalline cellulose were produced by roller compaction and milled in a conical screen mill. A full factorial experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of ribbon density, screen size, and impeller speed on the product size distribution and steady-state mass holdup of the mill. A population balance model was developed to simulate the milling process, and a parameter estimation technique was used to calibrate the model with a subset of experimental data. The calibrated model was then simulated at other processing conditions and compared with additional unused experimental data. Statistical analyses of the results showed good agreement, demonstrating the model’s predictive capability in quantifying milled product critical quality attributes within the experimental design space. This approach can be used to optimize the design space of the process, enabling Quality by Design.
Field-assisted combustion synthesis of MoSi2-SiC composites

No investigation on the use of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) to prepare MoSi[sub 2]/SiC composites has been reported. Reactions to synthesize such composites from elemental powders are not strongly energetic and thus cannot become self-sustaining without the pre-heating of the reactants. The adiabatic combustion temperature of MoSi[sub 2] is 1,900 K, which is at the empirically defined boundary between the occurrence and absence of SHS reactions. Since the adiabatic temperature of SiC is 1,800 K, that of the composite MoSi[sub 2] + x SiC is less than 1,900 K for any value of x. Through the application of an electric field, the authors have recently been successful in forming a variety of materials which are difficult or impossible to prepare by SHS. They report here the results of the first demonstration of the use of SHS to prepare MoSi[sub 2] + x SiC composites for 0 [le] x [le] 1.0.
Differences in patellofemoral kinematics between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions in patients with patellofemoral pain.

Patellar maltracking is thought to be one source of patellofemoral pain. Measurements of patellar tracking are frequently obtained during non-weight-bearing knee extension; however, pain typically arises during highly loaded activities, such as squatting, stair climbing, and running. It is unclear whether patellofemoral joint kinematics during lightly loaded tasks replicate patellofemoral joint motion during weight-bearing activities. The purpose of this study was to: evaluate differences between upright, weight-bearing and supine, non-weight-bearing joint kinematics in patients with patellofemoral pain; and evaluate whether the kinematics in subjects with maltracking respond differently to weight-bearing than those in nonmaltrackers. We used real-time magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the patellofemoral joint during dynamic knee extension from 30° to 0° of knee flexion during two conditions: upright, weight-bearing and supine, non-weight-bearing. We compared patellofemoral kinematics measured from the images. The patella translated more laterally during the supine task compared to the weight-bearing task for knee flexion angles between 0° and 5° (p = 0.001). The kinematics of the maltrackers responded differently to joint loading than those of the non-maltrackers. In subjects with excessive lateral patellar translation, the patella translated more laterally during upright, weight-bearing knee extension for knee flexion angles between 25° and 30° (p = 0.001). However, in subjects with normal patellar translation, the patella translated more laterally during supine, non-weight-bearing knee extension near full extension (p = 0.001). These results suggest that patellofemoral kinematics measured during supine, unloaded tasks do not accurately represent the joint motion during weight-bearing activities. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:312–317, 2011
Observations on the clinical employment of pituitary and pituitary-like gonadotropic principles in certain conditions characterized by failure of ovulation

Abstract A consideration of the results obtained in the treatment of anovulatory meno-metrorrhagia of functional character by gonadotropic principles seems to indicate that these principles have no claim for specificity. Neither symptomatic responses, ovarian responses, nor endometrial responses warrant their employment as gonadotropic principles in this group of clinical aberrations. Since the histopathology of functional amenorrhea of anovulatory type and of so-called endocrine sterility is the same, similar assumptions seem justified in these two instances. Higher dosage, more physiologic methods of administration, and a more complete perfection of methods of extraction and purification of these principles may lead to an alteration of these views. We have been aided in these studies by liberal supplies of gonadotropic principles made available by the following concerns: Parke, Davis & Co. (Antuitrin-S and Antuitrin Gonadotropic); Ayerst, McKenna & Harrison (A. P. L., Maturity Factor, Danish Anterior Pituitary-like Gonadotropic Principle: Danish Serum Gonadotropic Principle) and E. R. Squibb & Son (Follutein). A part of the expenses of these studies has been defrayed by a grant from the Research Council of Duke University.
EFFECT OF Y ON CATION AND ANION GRAIN BOUNDARY DIFFUSION IN CHROMIA

Cation and anion diffusivities in the lattice and along grain boundaries have been measured on sintered polycrystals of Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3] and Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3]-0.09 weight percent Y[sub 2]O[sub 3] at 1100 C and at the oxygen partial pressure corresponding to that of the Cr/Cr[sub 2]O[sub 3] equilibrium at that temperature. Results show the effect of Y is to enhance cation grain boundary diffusion. It was also observed that under the same conditions, anion diffusion is significantly faster than cation diffusion. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the reactive element effect on high temperature oxidation of chromia forming alloys.
Electrophoretic evidence of reproductive isolation between two varieties of the moss, Climacium americanum

Electrophoretic evidence of reproductive isolation between two varieties of the moss, Climacium americanum
Specificity of submaxillary gland sialyltransferases

Abstract A method has been developed to determine the activities of specific sialyltransferases by analysis of the products of the reaction. This method, which utilizes high performance liquid chromatography, distinguishes addition of sialic acid to the N -acetylgalactosamine vs. galactose residues of the mucin disaccharide Gal β (1→3)GalNac, and can be used to distinguish formation of the 3′- and 6′-isomers of sialyllactose. For the bovine, ovine, and porcine submaxillary extracts, more than 95% of the activity with asialo ovine submaxillary mucin is due to formation of NeuAc α (2→6)GalNAc. With lactose as the acceptor, more than 95% of the α (2→3) isomer is produced. Activity with asialofetuin is due solely to the O-linked chain, with relative activity toward the galactose vs. GalNAc residues of 0.32, 1.5, and 0.10 for bovine, ovine, and porcine, respectively. The rat submaxillary gland extract showed equal formation of 3′- and 6′-sialyllactose, and very low activity with asialo ovine submaxillary mucin. However, at least 40% of the activity toward the Gal β (1→3)GalNAc disaccharide of asialofetuin was directed toward the GalNAc residue. The relative preference of the N -acetylgalactosaminide α (2→6) sialyltransferase for a monosaccharide vs. a substituted GalNAc may play a role in regulation of chain length during mucin synthesis.
The properties of mononuclear phagocytes

The diverse cells which comprise the reticuloendothelial system are widely scattered throughout the body and play an essential role in the economy of the mammalian host (1). Although differing markedly in morphological characteristics, they all share the common properties of being actively endocytic. In this regard, they are able to pinocytose soluble molecules from their environment, as well as ingesting solid particles ranging from colloids to intact cells. Many of their important functions in the body are directly related to endocytosis and the subsequent intracellular digestion of exogenous molecules. Some of their more important functions include: defense against both bacterial and viral infections; the turnover of erythrocytes and the metabolism of iron; involvement in a variety of immunological reactions encompassing antigen processing and delayed hypersensitivity; inflammation, wound healing and bone metabolism. We will review some of the more recent
The tricky azimuthal dependence of jet quenching at RHIC and LHC via CUJET2.0

Abstract High transverse momentum neutral pion and charged hadron suppression pattern with respect to reaction plane at RHIC and LHC energies in central and semi-peripheral AA collisions are studied in a perturbative QCD based model, CUJET2.0. CUJET2.0 has dynamical DGLV radiation kernel and Thoma–Gyulassy elastic energy loss, with both being generalized to including multi-scale running strong coupling as well as energy loss probability fluctuations, and the full jet path integration is performed in a low p T flow data constrained medium which has 2+1D viscous hydrodynamical expanding profile. We find that in CUJET2.0, with only one control parameter, α max , the maximum coupling strength, fixed to be 0.26, the computed nuclear modification factor R AA in central and semi-peripheral AA collisions are consistent with RHIC and LHC data at average χ 2 / d.o.f. 1.5 level. Simultaneous agreements with high p T azimuthal anisotropy v 2 data are acquired given average α max over in-plane and out-of-plane paths varying as little as 10%, suggesting a non-trivial dependence of the high p T single particle v 2 on the azimuthally varied strong coupling.
Anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose of reviewThis review focuses on the technological principles, safety considerations, monitors and equipment, patient issues, and a general overview of the anesthetic management of both conventional and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging based on the most recent literature.Recent findi
Development of an Internal Positive Control for Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus Infections by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR with Lyophilized Reagents

We developed an internal positive control (IPC) RNA to help ensure the accuracy of the detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) RNA by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real-time RT-PCR (RRT-PCR). The IPC was designed to have the same binding sites for the forward and reverse primers of the AIV matrix gene as the target amplicon, but it had a unique internal sequence used for the probe site. The amplification of the viral RNA and the IPC by RRT-PCR were monitored with two different fluorescent probes in a multiplex format, one specific for the AIV matrix gene and the other for the IPC. The RRT-PCR test was further simplified with the use of lyophilized bead reagents for the detection of AIV RNA. The RRT-PCR with the bead reagents was more sensitive than the conventional wet reagents for the detection of AIV RNA. The IPC-based RRT-PCR detected inhibitors in blood, kidney, lungs, spleen, intestine, and cloacal swabs, but not allantoic fluid, serum, or tracheal swabs The accuracy of RRT-PCR test results with the lyophilized beads was tested on cloacal and tracheal swabs from experimental birds inoculated with AIV and compared with virus isolation (VI) on embryonating chicken eggs. There was 97 to 100% agreement of the RRT-PCR test results with VI for tracheal swabs and 81% agreement with VI for cloacal swabs, indicating a high level of accuracy of the RRT-PCR assay. The same IPC in the form of armored RNA was also used to monitor the extraction of viral RNA and subsequent detection by RRT-PCR.
Delayed infection of a pelvic lymphocele following pelvic lymphadenectomy

Pelvic lymphocele is an infrequent complication of pelvic surgery, usually presenting shortly after surgery. We report a case of an infected pelvic lymphocele presenting more than 1 year after a staging pelvic lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This case illustrates that late infection of pelvic lymphoceles can occur following a pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical prostatectomy.