cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in Peripheral Blood Flow Distribution in Healthy Dogs

The instantaneous velocity and the integrated flow through a splanchnic artery (superior mesenteric or hepatogastric), the renal artery, and the terminal abdominal aorta were recorded continuously and simultaneously, as were the mean aortic pressure and heart rate, during a wide variety of spontaneous cardiovascular adjustments of healthy active dogs. These responses were compared with the effects of infusing vasoactive substances, such as isoproterenol, l -epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetyichol lie, and Pitressiii, and with P to stimulation of selected sites in the base of the brain. During sponta neous activity, the flow through the splanch nic and renal arteries usually varied in a direction opposite to that of changes in flow to the hindciuarters. The changes in mesen teric or renal flow were relatively slight, even during strenuous exercise that produced a substantial increase in flow to the hindciuar ters. Vasoactive substances tended to produce changes in the same direction in all three beds. Changes in flow distribution and in wave forms of the instantaneous flow patterns produced by vasoactive substances did not resemble those produced by spontaneous ad justment. 1-lowever, stimulation of selected diencephalic sites (e.g., 112 fields of Forel) produced changes in both flow distribution and flow velocity patteras that closely simu lated those observed during exercise in the same animals. Stimulation in the same re gions was previously reported to produce changes in left ventricular performance also closely resembling those noted during tread mill exercise.
THE STRUCTURE OF A PASSIVE SCALAR FIELD WITH A UNIFORM MEAN GRADIENT IN RAPIDLY SHEARED HOMOGENEOUS TURBULENT FLOW

The effect of an arbitrarily oriented mean passive scalar gradient on one‐point passive scalar statistics is studied in homogeneous turbulent shear flow in the limit of rapid shearing. By neglecting the nonlinear inertial transfer to small scales an analytical solution for individual Fourier modes is obtained for the case of unity Prandtl number. This solution is used to compute the development of one‐point statistics for the velocity and scalar fields in the inviscid limit. Comparisons to direct numerical simulations of the full nonlinear equations for the same flow show that in addition to describing the early time response to the imposed shear, the linear solution gives reasonable estimates of several correlation coefficients for the developed shear flow.
Efficacious experimental stroke treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone.

Recent studies reveal success in treating spinal cord trauma with early, high-dose methylprednisolone. As in spinal cord research, failure to find therapeutic effects with steroids in studies of acute stroke treatment may reflect institution of treatment too late and at too low dosage. We presently test the efficacy of stroke treatment with methylprednisolone administered early and at high doses using a cat temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion model.We occluded the middle cerebral artery for 4 hours in 24 pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. To enhance the probability of brain injury, we maintained the cats' serum glucose concentrations at high levels both during occlusion and for 6 hours afterward. Using a blinded, randomized study design, we treated 12 cats with methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg IV infused over 15 minutes starting 30 minutes after occlusion followed by 5.4 mg.kg-1.h-1 IV for the next 23 hours) and 12 control cats with vehicle. During and for 8 hours after occlusion, we monitored cerebral b...
The properties of wet‐formed thermoplastic sheet composites

Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic matrix sheet composites of polypropylene and poly(ethylene terephalate) were produced in a two-stage pilot scale impregnation and consolidation process. The first stage consisted of preparing wet-formed mats of long, discontinuous fibers and polymer powder on an inclined wire paper-making machine. The second stage consisted of consolidating approximately 15 wet-formed mats into a solid composite laminate by the application of heat and pressure in a compression press. The resulting composites had a nominal glass content of 26 wt% (∼12 vol %). Flexural strengths as high as 108 MPa for polyproplene composites and 132 MPa for poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites were measured on specimens cut from stamped parts. The flexural modulus of the polypropylene compsites reached 5.4 Gpa, while the modulus of the stiffest poly(ethylene terephthalate) composite was 8.1 Gpa. The impact properties of the composites were equally good. Polyproplene compsites absorbed up to 62 J/cm during an instrumented falling dart impact test, while poly(ethylene terephthalate) composites absorbed as much as 32 J/cm during the same test.
Coal in sub-Saharan-African countries undergoing desertification

Abstract Coal has been reported in 11 of the 16 sub-Saharan countries discussed in this appraisal: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. No coal occurrences have been reported in Gambia, Togo, Burkina, Chad, and Djibouti but coal may be present within these countries because neighboring countries do contain coal-bearing rocks. Most of these countries are undergoing desertification or will in the near future. Wood, directly or in the form of charcoal, constitutes two-thirds of the fuel used in Africa. Destruction of forest and shrub lands for fuel is occurring at an increasing rate because of desertification and increasing energy demands. The decline in biological productivity, coupled with concentration of population in areas where water is available and crops may be grown, leads to increasing shortages of wood for fuel. Part of the present and future energy needs of the sub-Saharan region could be met by use of indigenous coal and peat. Nine sedimentary basins, completely or partially within the sub-Saharan region, have the potential of either coal and/or peat deposits of economic value: 1- Senegal Basin, 2- Taoudeni Basin and Gao Trough, 3- Niger Basin, 4- Chad Basin, 5- Chari Basin, 6- Benue Trough (Depression), 7- Sudan Trough, 8- Plateau and Rift Belt, and 9- Somali Basin. Niger and Nigeria are the only countries in sub-Saharan Africa in which coal is presently being mined as a fuel source for powerplants and domestic use. Peat occurs in the deltas, lower river, and interdunal basin areas of Senegal, Mauritania, and Sudan. Peat can be used as an alternate fuel source and is currently being tested as a soil amendment in the agricultural sector. Coal and peat exploration and development studies are urgently required and should be initiated so the coal and peat utilization potential of each country can be determined. The overall objective of these studies is to establish, within the sub-Saharan region, energy independent countries using indigenous coal and peat resources. These resources have the potential to replace wood and wood charcoal as domestic fueld in the urban centers, as well as producing electrical and industrial energy, thus reducing expensive oil imports and decreasing the rate of deforestation.
Structural analysis and output feedback control of nonlinear multivariable processes

This article concerns general multivariable nonlinear processes, particularly those with singular characteristic matrix. A precise characterization of the structural process properties that give rise to generic singularity of the characteristic matrix is initially developed within a graph-theoretic analysis framework. An output feedback controller synthesis problem is then formulated for multivariable processes with singular characteristic matrix. A comprehensive solution to this problem is obtained through a combination of dynamic state feedback controllers and state observers. The performance and robustness characteristics of the proposed control methodology are illustrated through simulations in a double-effect evaporator.
Prostaglandin metabolism during circulatory shock.

Abstract The rates of metabolic degradation and the patterns of metabolite formation of tritium-labeled prostaglandins E2 and F2α were assessed in vitro in tissues obtained from normal rabbits and from rabbits subjected to hemorrhagic or endotoxic shock. Normal rabbit tissues metabolized prostaglandin E2 at the following rates: renal cortex 479 ± 34, liver 389 ± 95, and lung 881 ± 93 pmol of PGE2 metabolized/mg soluble protein per min at 37°C (mean ± S.E.). Prostaglandin F2α metabolism proceeded in normal animal tissues at rates of 477 ± 39, 324 ± 95, and 633 ± 69 pmol of PGF2α metabolized/mg soluble protein per min for renal cortex, liver and lung, respectively. There were no significant differences between these rates of PGE2 and PGF2α metabolism when compared to rates in tissues obtained from animals subjected to either hemorrhagic or endotoxic shock. In addition, no significant differences were observed between the rate of PGE2 metabolism and that of PGF2α metabolism for any tissue. However, the lung was able to metabolize PGE2 and PGF2α significantly more rapidly than the liver, and to degrade PGE2 at a significantly greater rate than the renal cortex. Although slightly different patterns of metabolite production were observed between lung and kidney homogenates, only the liver metabolized prostaglandins almost exclusively to more polar metabolites. While hemorrhagic or endotoxic shock induced slight changes in the patterns of PGE2 metabolite formation in all three tissues studied, PGF2α metabolite formation patterns were not significantly altered by circulatory shock. Thus, prostaglandin metabolism is not significantly impaired during the first 2 h of hemorrhagic or endotoxic shock in rabbit tissues. Therefore, impairment of prostaglandin metabolism is not the major factor responsible for the early increase in circulating prostaglandin concentrations in these forms of shock.
Semantic bias effects on the outcomes of verbal slips

Abstract It has been shown previously that spoonerisms (such as barn door → darn bore ) can be elicited by having subjects attempt to articulate a target barn door ) preceded by bias items which contain at least the initial phoneme (/d/) of the desired error outcome. Since certain linguistic characteristics of the error outcomes differ from those of their targets, variables which affect only these ‘outcome’ properties in a systematic way can be shown to be the result of prearticulatory output processes, independent of perceptual ‘target’ properties. The present study shows that the base-rate of errors produced by the phonetic bias technique can be increased dramatically by adding, to the word-pairs preceding the target, some items which are semantically synonymous to the error outcomes of the target. In this way, it is demonstrated rigorously that semantic bias increases the likelihood of slips of the tongue; which is one of the defining properties of so-called ‘Freudian slips’. Implications are discussed.
Impact of Environmental Justice Investments

The author introduces articles in this supplement concerning a government summit on environmental justice co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Characterizing wetland boundaries: A pacific coast example

In order to provide ecologically meaningful recommendations for delimiting coastal wetland (salt marsh) boundaries, we used five approaches to analyze elevation and vegetation data from Bahia de San Quintin, Baja California. The 2-dm elevation band with the steepest slope coincided with the band of lowest compositional similarity and the band with the most species distributional limits. Consistent results, using three analytical approaches, suggest that this band represents an ecological boundary. For Bahia de San Quintin, we suggest that the upper salt marsh boundary coincides with the upper limits ofFrankenia grandifolia,Limonium californicum, andSuaeda esteroa, and the lower limits ofFrankenia palmeri andLycium species.
Prediction of visceral response to multi-directional loading as measured by the chestband.

Abstract Thoracic and abdominal injury outcomes are correlated to chestband-derived uniaxial metrics in post-mortem human specimen (PMHS) experiments. Yet, uniaxial metrics may neglect deformations remote from the measurement site which still may be relevant to injury risk in motor vehicle crashes. Using 2D chestband contours from PMHS experiments, visceral strain and strain energy density responses were examined using a planar viscoelastic finite element model. The model was exercised by applying to the periphery 21 subject-specific PMHS chestband deformation patterns representing four boundary conditions: (a) lateral impact with close-proximity torso airbag, (b) stationary close-proximity torso airbag loading, (c) flat rigid lateral impact, and (d) antero-lateral oblique rigid impact. ANOVA determined that mean peak responses were dependent on boundary condition ( p 3 ( p
A quantitative index of soil development from field descriptions: Examples from a chronosequence in central California

Abstract A soil development index has been developed in order to quantitatively measure the degree of soil profile development. This index, which combines eight soil field properties with soil thickness, is designed from field descriptions of the Merced River chronosequence in central California. These eight properties are: clay films, texture plus wet consistence, rubification (color hue and chroma), structure, dry consistence, moist consistence, color value, and pH. Other properties described in the field can be added when more soils are studied. Most of the properties change systematically within the 3 m.y. age span of the Merced River chronosequence. The absence of properties on occasion does not significantly affect the index. Individual quantified field properties, as well as the integrated index, are examined and compared as functions of soil depth and age.
Reflections on the Trial of Vichy Collaborator Paul Touvier for Crimes against Humanity in France

On 20 April 1994, in Versailles France, Paul Touvier was convicted of complicity to commit crimes against humanity for his role in the killing of seven Jews during World War II. At the time of the crime Touvier was an oficer of the Milice, a special military force established to combat the Resistance and other enemies of the Vichy government. When Touvier's trial was finally held in spring 1994, it was the subject of enormous media attention in France and became the vehicle for a debate on the legitimacy and activities of the Vichy Regime, becoming popularly identified as a trial of the Vichy government. This essay, after tracing the historical and legal background of Touvier's prosecution, concludes that Touvier's conviction some 50 years after his crime, was legally and morally justified. Touvier's evasion of the law was remedied; his victims and their descendants were honored; the Nuremberg principles were resurrected and applied. The author is skeptical, however, about using his trial to reexamine the Vichy period and suggests that its attempted transformation by the media into an event that would produce an authoritative resolution of the various public discourses concerning Vichy France was and could only have been a disappointment.
Wild type p53 reduces the size of tumors caused by bovine leukemia virus-infected cells.

Abstract Bat lung (BAT 2 CL6) cells infected with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) cause malignant tumors in nude mice that after 6 weeks subcutaneous growth, have an average volume of 0.3 cm 3 . Uninfected bat lung cells (Tb l Lu) produce small benign neoplasms that average 0.003 cm 3 . BAT 2 CL6 cells were transfected in vitro with expression vectors that produce wild type human or mutant p53. Production of human p53 in transfected BAT 2 CL6 cells was confirmed by immunoprecipitation of p53 and by immunohistochemical staining using anti-human p53 monoclonal antibodies. BAT 2 CL6 cells transfected with wild type p53 produced tumors in nude mice averaging 0.03 cm 3 whereas cells transfected with mutant p53 yielded tumors averaging 0.3 cm 3 . BAT 2 CL6 cell tumors after 1 week subcutaneous growth were transfected in situ with the wild type p53 gene. At 6 weeks tumor volume of in situ transfected tumors was similar to those resulting from cells transfected in vitro. Histopathologic examination and immunochemical staining of tumors produced in nude mice after wild type p53 treatment showed no significant differences when compared to tumors produced by untreated BAT 2 CL6 cells. Therefore, it is likely that the tumors produced by p53 treated-cells arose from cells that escaped transfection. The reduction of tumor size by restoration of wild type 53 may prove to be a useful therapy for BLV-induced tumors.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma can be histologically diagnosed after previous corticosteroid use: A pilot study to determine whether corticosteroids prevent the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma

The objective is to determine whether corticosteroid administration before biopsy prevents histopathological diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). A retrospective review was performed of immunocompetent PCNSL patients from 1985 to 2005. A total of 109 patients was identified. Sixty-eight (63.6%) patients received corticosteroids before diagnosis. Thirteen patients (of 109; 12%) had undergone repeat brain biopsy to confirm PCNSL. These included 8 (of 68) patients who had received corticosteroids (12%), and 5 (of 39) who had not (13%) (p = 1.0). The majority of PCNSL patients who received corticosteroids before diagnosis did not experience significant radiographic change or require second biopsy for diagnosis.
Thermal Analysis for Thermoplastic Composite Tow/Tape Preheating and Pultrusion

The on-line consolidation of thermoplastic composites is a relatively new technology that can be used to manufacture composite parts with complex geometries. The localized melting/solidification te...
Sensitivity and robustness of eigendecomposition-based detectors

A new framework is presented for the analysis of the performance of detection methods, such as the Akaike's information criteria (AIC) and the minimum description length principle (MDL) which are based on the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix. It is shown that theoretical analysis of the probabilities of overestimation and underestimation can be much more conveniently carried out via a proposed, particularly simple, sequence of statistics. Also the breakdown of these detection methods in the presence of model nonidealities is explored by theory, simulations and experimentation with real array data. For example, theoretical arguments are given to demonstrate the high degree of sensitivity of the detectors to unknown deviations of the noise from whiteness. >
A membrane technique for producing protoplasts ofCryphonectria parasitica

A method for the formation and regeneration of protoplasts of several strains of the chestnut blight fungus,Cryphonectria parasitica, is presented. The procedure utillizes cellophane membranes for growth and employs centrifugation for separation of protoplasts from hyphal fragments. Yields averaged 8.04×106 protoplasts per membrane. Regeneration frequencies were 40–50% with a soft-agar overlay. These protoplasts are suitable for use in experiments designed to determine the role of dsRNA in hypovirulence ofC. parasitica.
Closed tendon sheath irrigation for pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis

Twenty patients with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis were treated by through-and-through saline irrigation using an indwelling catheter and small Penrose drain. The treatment lasted for 48 hours. All patients were discharged from the hospital within 4 days. Eighteen patients had regained complete active and passive motion by 1 week after operation. One patient had a slight residual flexor tendon adherence and one gained motion after operation. This technique provides rapid, complete return of function with minimal inconvenience to the patient.
Measurement of three-dimensional normal vectors, principal curvatures, and wall thickness of the heart using cine-MRI

We have developed a method for measuring the detailed in vivo three dimensional geometry of the left and right ventricles using cine-magnetic resonance imaging. From data in the form of digitized short axis outlines, the normal vectors, principal curvatures and directions, and wall thickness were computed. The method was evaluated on simulated ellipsoids and on human MRI data. Measurements of normal vectors and of wall thickness were very accurate in simulated data and appeared appropriate in patient data. On simulated data, measurements of the principal curvature k 1 (corresponding approximately to the short axis direction of the left ventricle) and of principal directions were quite accurate, but measurements of the other principal curvature (k 2 ) were less accurate. The reasons behind this are considered. We expect improvements in the accuracy with thinner slices and improved representation of the surface data. Gradient echo images were acquired from 8 dogs with a 1.5T system (Philips Gyroscan) at baseline and four months after closed chest experimentally produced mitral regurgitation (MR). The product (k 1 + k 2 ) X wall thickness averaged over all slices at end-diastole was significantly lower after surgery (n equals 8, p < 0.005). These geometry changes were consistent with the expected increase in wall stress after MR.
Who Takes the most Revenge? Individual Differences in Negative Reciprocity Norm Endorsement

The authors report that beliefs favoring the reciprocation of unfavorable treatment form a unitary factor that is distinct from beliefs favoring the reciprocation of favorable treatment. Individual differences in endorsement of this negative reciprocity norm were related to (a) beliefs that people are generally malevolent; (b) inclination toward anger in everyday life; (c) anger, disagreement, and ridicule directed toward a new acquaintance who treated participants unfavorably; and (d) reduced anxiety, positive emotional engagement, and encouragement of a new acquaintance who treated participants favorably. These findings suggest that individual differences in endorsement of the negative norm of reciprocity influence the extent of vengeance.
General features in the stoichiometry and stability of ionophore A23187-cation complexes in homogeneous solution.

Abstract Existing literature describing the stoichiometry and stability of complexes between A23187 and divalent cations in solution has been extended to include additional transition series cations, the heavy-metal cations Cd2+ and Pb2+, plus seven lanthanide series trivalent cations. Stability constants of 1:1 complexes between the ionophore and the divalent cations vary by 6.2 orders of magnitude between Cu2+ and Ba2+ which are the strongest and weakest complexes, respectively. Considering alkaline-earth and first-series transition cations together, the pattern of stability constants obeys the extended Irving-Williams series as is seen with many nonionophorous liganding agents. Cd2+ and Pb2+ are bound with an affinity similar to those of Mn2+ and Zn2+, whereas the lanthanides are bound with little selectivity and slightly higher stability. Titration of the ionophore in the 10−5 m concentration range with diand trivalent cations gives rise first to complexes of stoichiometry MA2 and subsequently to MA as the metal concentration is increased. The second stepwise stability constants for formation of the MA2 species exceeds the first constant by approximately 10-fold. With lanthanides, heavy metals, and transition-metal cations, OH−, at near physiological concentrations, competes significantly with free ionophore for binding to the 1:1 complexes. This competition is not apparent when Ca2+ or Mg2+ are the central cations. Possible implications of the 1:1 complex selectivity pattern, the ionophorehydroxide competitive binding equilibria, and potential ternary complexes involving 1:1 ionophore:cation complexes and other anions present in biological systems are discussed with respect to the ionophore's transport selectivity and biological actions.
Micellization of polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene block copolymers in aqueous polyol solutions

Abstract The micellization of a representative polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene–polyoxyethylene (POE–POP–POE) amphiphilic block copolymer (Pluronic P105, EO37PO58EO37) in aqueous solutions of the common excipients glucose, glycerol or ethanol, has been investigated as a function of solute (solvent) concentration, block copolymer concentration, and temperature. The formation of POE–POP–POE micelles is favored in the presence of glucose or glycerol, while ethanol has the opposite effect. ΔH° and ΔS° values derived from analysis of critical micellization concentration (CMC) data are both positive in all mixed aqueous polyol systems. ΔH° and ΔS° decrease slightly with increasing glucose or glycerol content, but increase significantly in the presence of ethanol. A 10- to 100-fold increase of the amphiphilic block copolymer solution viscosity was observed in the presence of glucose or glycerol above a certain temperature. This viscosity increase is indicative of micelle shape changes from spherical to elongated. The CMC and viscosity changes caused by glucose and glycerol are attributed to the enhanced dehydration of the POE block of the polymeric amphiphile. Glucose is more effective than glycerol, apparently due to its higher hydration number.
Comparison of time frequency analysis techniques for ultrasonic NDE signal

In ultrasonic NDE applications, it is challenging to analyze ultrasonic backscattered signal in presence of high scattering noise. The ultrasound trace embodies the shape, size and orientation of reflectors and reveals the physical property of propagation path. The signal loss due to the effect of attenuation and scattering makes ultrasonic backscattered signal nonstationary. Therefore, a proper signal analysis technique is needed. As an effective tool of nonstationary signal analysis, time-frequency (TF) signal representations have been used in many applications, including ultrasound NDE. In this paper, other time-frequency analysis techniques have been reviewed. Especially, a model-based TF analysis and parameter estimation technique is discussed. Simulation and experimental results have shown its effectiveness in signal decomposition. Additionally two different models, i.e., chirplet model and Gabor model are compared in terms of energy compact in time-frequency representation of ultrasonic NDE signals.
On convergence rate of Accelerated Dual Descent Algorithm

We expand and refine the convergence rate analysis of the Accelerated Dual Descent (ADD) Algorithm, a fast distributed solution to the convex network flow optimization problem. ADD uses local information to compute an approximate Newton direction for the dual problem. It has been previously shown that the quality of the approximation depends on a network invariant related to the expansion properties of the underlying graph. The main result of this work is to characterize this information spreading parameter in terms of the network structure and properties of the primal objective. The three phase convergence Theorem for ADD is revisited and bounds which explicitly depend on the network structure are presented. Additionally, an upper bound on the number of iterations required to reach the terminal phase is proven. We explore what type of graphs work best with ADD by examining our characterization of the information spreading coefficient in the context of commonly studied network structures.
Prolonged bronchial obstruction after a single antigen challenge in ragweed asthma

Some patients with allergic asthma exhibit late-phase responses to inhalation challenge with specific antigen. However, the duration of these responses is difficult to determine because of diurnal variations in airway function, a common phenomenon in patients with asthma. We therefore examined the pattern and duration of pulmonary function in six asymptomatic patients with a history of ragweed asthma and a documented late-phase response after specific and nonspecific bronchial challenge and compared them to responses after control challenge with normal saline. On 3 different days, specific airway conductance (SGaw) and gas distribution by the single breath nitrogen test were measured before (9:00 A.M.) and hourly for 24 hours after inhalation challenge with either normal saline, ragweed extract, or histamine at concentrations sufficient to decrease SGaw immediately by 35% or more. The fluctuations in SGaw after saline and histamine were considerable but failed to follow a typical diurnal or biphasic pattern. There was no difference in mean SGaw between the histamine and saline challenges from 1 to 24 hours after inhalation. In contrast, ragweed challenge produced a typical late-phase response followed by partial recovery of mean SGaw. However, mean SGaw remained subsequently lower than after saline challenge throughout the remaining observation period with fluctuations about this lower level. Gas distribution demonstrated marked intra- and intersubject variations and was therefore not different among the three challenges at any time of measurement. These observations suggest that a single specific but not nonspecific bronchial challenge causes prolonged airflow obstruction in subjects with allergic asthma that lasts 24 hours or longer, independent of variations in baseline airway function.
Social support: Mapping the construct

Social support is a construct with multiple dimensions that can be approached at multiple levels. Findings from a variety of disciplines and recognition of its bidirectional nature can help map the construct. Bidirectionality is a process that requires attention to moderators, such as, gender, cultural change, and personal development, together with the relationship between the receiver and the provider of support. Both close personal ties and weaker ones that often are part of community involvement need to be taken into account in order to map the construct comprehensively.
ACP Journal Club. Intensive glucose control increased risk for death and severe hypoglycemia in critically ill adults.

Source Citation The NICE-SUGAR Study Investigators. Intensive versus conventional glucose control in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:1283-97. 19318384
What keeps cells in tissues behaving normally in the face of myriad mutations

The use of a reporter gene in transgenic mice indicates that there are many local mutations and large genomic rearrangements per somatic cell that accumulate with age at different rates per organ and without visible effects. Dissociation of the cells for monolayer culture brings out great heterogeneity of size and loss of function among cells that presumably reflect genetic and epigenetic differences among the cells, but are masked in organized tissue. The regulatory power of a mass of contiguous normal cells is expressed in its capacity to normalize the appearance and growth behavior of solitary homophilic neoplastic cells, and to redirect differentiation of solitary heterophilic stem-like cells. Intimate contact between the interacting cells is required to induce these changes. The normalization of the neoplastic phenotype does not require gap junctional communication between cells, though transdifferentiation might. These varied relationships are manifestations of the unifying biological principle of “order in the large over heterogeneity in the small”. BioEssays 28: 515–524, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Nature of the Meson Decay

Theoretical values for the intensity of the soft component due to meson decay are compared with the experimental data.
In vivo penetration and metabolism of methyl parathion in larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), fed different host plants

Abstract The effect of wild tomato, Lycopersicon hirsutum f. glabratum (accession PI 134417), and peppermint, Mentha piperita L., on the susceptibility, penetration, and metabolism of methyl parathion, O,O -dimethyl O - p -nitrophenyl phosphorothioate, was studied in larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens F. Third-instar larvae fed wild tomato or peppermint leaves for 1 day were 3.3- and 2.7-fold more tolerant to methyl parathion, respectively, as compared to insects fed an artificial diet. These tolerance levels were only 2.2- and 1.7-fold, respectively, in fifth-instar larvae when fed leaves of the same plant species for 1 day. Penetration studies did not indicate any differences in the rate of penetration of methyl parathion in larvae fed different diets. Methyl parathion injected into fifth-instar larvae was converted into three chloroform-soluble and five water-soluble metabolites. Five hours after injection, the extent of methyl parathion metabolism was greater in larvae fed wild tomato leaves (77.4%) or peppermint leaves (72.8%), than in those fed an artificial diet (64.55%). The major metabolite was p -nitrophenol and its formation was higher in larvae fed wild tomato leaves (49.4%) than in larvae fed peppermint leaves (44.23%), which in turn were higher than those fed an artificial diet (38.19%). These data suggested that the two plants induced enzymes responsible for detoxifying methyl parathion.
ACCURATE AB INITIO NEAR-EQUILIBRIUM POTENTIAL ENERGY AND DIPOLE MOMENT FUNCTIONS OF HOCL AND HOBR

Abstract Accurate three-dimensional, near-equilibrium potential energy and electric dipole moment surfaces have been computed for HOCl and HOBr using the CCSD(T) method with large correlation consistent basis sets. The analytical potential energy and dipole moment functions have been used in perturbational and variational calculations of the anharmonic spectroscopic constants and vibrational spectra of HOCl/DOCl and HOBr/DOBr. Excellent agreement with experiment is observed for the fundamentals and low-lying overtones and combination bands. The calculated IR spectra and intensities of HOBr are calculated to be very similar to those of HOCl. In general, the calculated intensities of the deuterated species are weaker by about a factor of two, but have the same general features. An exception is the ν2 + 3ν3 combination band of DOBr, which is predicted to borrow intensity from the strong ν1 band, resulting in a significant calculated band intensity of the same magnitude as the ν3 fundamental.
Comparison of Ultra‐ and Microfiltration in the Presence and Absence of Secondary Flow with Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Yeast Suspensions

The purpose of this research was to show that controlled centrifugal instabilities-Dean vortices-produced by solutions and suspensions from typical biotechnology applications flowing through curved tubes can be used to reduce concentration polarization and/or fouling in pressure-driven ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) processes. Experiments were conducted to (i) evaluate the ultrafiltration performance of hollow fiber membranes in linear and helical configurations with dextran (low fouling) and bovine serum albumin (high fouling) solutions and (ii) compare the performance of linear and helical coiled UF hollow fiber modules with that of similar MF modules using baker's and beer yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) suspensions as feed. Both constant transmembrane pressure (TMP) and constant permeation flux (J) experiments were utilized here. The membrane material was polyether sulfone. For the ultrafiltration experiments, the helical module performed consistently better than the linear module with dextran T500 and BSA solutions, resulting in performance improvements (helical versus linear) from 20 to 200% and up to 85%, respectively. For the comparative experiments between UF and MF, the helical module again performed better than the linear module for low concentration baker's yeast suspensions (0.5-1% dry wt). At constant TMP, the flux improvements for UF were 30-120%, while at constant J, the capacity or loading was 4.5 times higher for the UF as compared to the MF membrane. At high beer yeast concentrations (5.1-6.8% dry wt), although flux improvements were not observed between the linear and helical modules for UF, the UF fluxes were 72% higher than that obtained with MF. Also, for MF, with the same high beer yeast concentrations, the helical module exhibited 30-90% higher fluxes than that obtained with the linear module. At constant flux (117-137 L m -2 h -1 ) and intermediate baker's yeast concentrations (0.65-2.7% dry wt), 10-20 times the capacity was obtained for the helical over the linear module. Yeast cells were the dominant foulant. For constant UF flux (70 L m -2 h -1 ) experiments at high beer yeast concentrations ((4.3-7.7) × 10 7 cells/mL or 5.1-6.8% dry wt), the capacity (loading) for the helical module was 10 times that of the linear module. Again, the yeast cells were the dominant foulant. A new mass-transfer correlation for ultrafiltration of dextran T500 solutions for laminar flow in a helical hollow fiber module was obtained, viz. Sh = 0.173Re 0.55 Sc 0.33 (α/R c ) 0.07 .
DNA Based Photonic Materials

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) based materials show promise for use in photonic applications. Preliminary characterization studies indicate that DNA has excellent optical and electromagnetic properties, such as low optical loss, high temperature stability and low resistivity.
Distortion of gravity wave spectra of horizontal winds measured in atmospheric radar experiments

Large disparities in upper mesospheric winds measured with different radar techniques have been attributed earlier to the possibility that MF radars are sensitive to the phase speed of waves, rather than to true winds. An alternative explanation attributes these disparities to biases due to horizontal gradients in the wind field. These biases are common to the Doppler beam swinging (DBS), spaced antenna (SA), and imaging Doppler interferometry (IDI) methods and arise because of spatial filtering of the wind field by the beam configuration. We develop a theoretical model for intrinsic frequency and vertical wave number spectra of DBS wind component estimates that includes the effect of spatial filtering on an ensemble of gravity waves. The model shows a strong enhancement of frequency components above a knee, at ∼1 hour intrinsic period. A similar model for the SA experiment is inherently intractable. We suggest, instead, that the DBS model should also hold for the spectra of SA wind component estimates. The knee is clearly evident in recently observed SA wind component spectra, but is less pronounced and occurs at a frequency lower than the DBS model predicts. Better agreement is expected with a model refined to include the effect of Doppler shifts due to background winds. Occurrence of the knee in observed SA wind spectra implies that MF radars are sensitive to winds rather than to phase speed of atmospheric waves.
How Psychological Telehealth Can Alleviate Society's Mental Health Burden: A Literature Review

Mental health professionals must establish new means to reach those in need that face obstacles related to geographical location, time limitations, and health. With the high incidence of mental illness, as well as the hypothesized increase in coming years, telehealth modalities propose a novel and far-reaching alternative to traditional therapy. This article outlines the positive aspects and interdisciplinary possibilities when telehealth is incorporated into mental health practice. Novel outlets including mHealth and the utilization of computer tablets as mental health facilitators are outlined. Considerations for practice including training are discussed, as well as potential future directions for the field. Available data supports telehealth as an effective mode for the treatment of clients who are unable to pursue mental health services in their current form. However, careful consideration and training for the mental health professional is needed if telehealth is to be effectively used to alleviate th...
Morphology of regenerated spinal cord in Sternarchus albifrons.

The tail of the gymnotid Sternarchus albifrons, including the spinal cord, regenerates following amputation. Regenerated spinal cord shows a rostro-caudal gradient of differentiation. Cross sections of the most distal regenerated cord show radially enlarged ependymal cells, relatively undifferentiated cells, and numerous blood vessels. More anterior sections contain well differentiated electromotor neurons, glial cells, and myelinated axons. The number of electromotor-neuron cell bodies in cross sections of regenerated spinal cord is three to six times the number in nonregenerated cord. Distinct tracts of axons, easily identifiable in normal cord, are not distinguishable in cross sections of regenerated cord. Some reorganization of the spinal cord also appears to take place anterior to the site of transection. Individual electromotor neurons in the regenerated spinal cord have morphologies largely similar to those of normal electrocytes, i.e., cell bodies are rounded, lack dendrites, have synapses characterized by gap junctions with presynaptic axons, and lack an unmyelinated initial segment. The presence of electromotor neurons with normal morphology in regenerated spinal cord correlates with the re-establishment of relatively normal electrocyte axonSchwann cell relationships in the regenerating electric organ of this sternarchid.
Statistical considerations in the overlap of powder diffraction patterns

A simple model for the calculation of the probability of random overlap of partial powder diffraction patterns has been constructed. The application of the model to the analysis of complex mixtures is discussed.
Neurokinin-1 Receptors Modulate the Excitability of Expiratory Neurons in the Ventral Respiratory Group

We studied the role of neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1-R) on the excitability of expiratory (E) neurons (tonic discharge, ETONIC; augmenting, EAUG; decrementing, EDEC) throughout the ventral respirator...
Endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy

Purpose: To describe the clinical course and incidence of culture-proven Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis in 18 patients from five academic centers and three private practices. Methods: Patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for recent trauma or endophthalmitis were excluded. The average age was 58 years (range, 21–85 year). Sixty-one percent of the patients (11/18) had diabetes mellitus. The indication for initial vitrectomy was vitreous hemorrhage (n = 10), macular epiretinal membrane (n = 3), recurrent retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (n = 2), retinal detachment with retinoschisis (n =1), proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment (n =1), and dislocated intraocular lens (n =1). None of these eyes received prophylactic intraocular antibiotics during the vitrectomy. Results: All eyes were treated with intraocular antibiotics after the diagnosis of Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was made. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception and included five eyes with 20/50 or better visual acuity and 11 eyes with less than 5/200 visual acuity. Nine eyes had a final visual acuity of no light perception. Of the 16 eyes infected with a single organism, 71 % (5J7) of eyes infected with coagulasenegative staphylococci retained 20/50 or better final visual acuity compared with no eyes (0/9) infected with other organisms ( P = 0.005). Two eyes infected with both coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Streptococcus had a final visual acuity of 20/ 400. Three eyes with a total hypopyon later had enucleation or evisceration. Based on the data from four medical centers, the incidence of endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy performed over the last 10 years was 9/12,216 (0.07%). Conclusion: Endophthalmitis after vitrectomy is rare. Postvitrectomy bacterial endophthalmitis caused by organisms other than coagulase-negative staphylococci has a poor visual prognosis.
Production of superoxide through NADH oxidase in thick ascending limb of Henle's loop in rat kidney

We recently reported that NADH oxidase is one of the major enzymes responsible for superoxide (O 2 − ·) production in the rat kidney. However, the functional significance of NADH oxidase-mediated O...
Isolating short-lived operands for energy reduction

A mechanism for reducing the power requirements in processors that use a separate (architectural) register file (ARF) for holding committed values is proposed. We exploit the notion of short-lived operands-values that target architectural registers that are renamed by the time the instruction producing the value reaches the writeback stage. Our simulations of the SPEC 2000 benchmarks show that as much as 71 percent to 97 percent of the results are short-lived. Our technique avoids unnecessary writebacks into the result repository (a slot within the reorder buffer or a physical register) as well as writes into the ARF from unnecessary commitments by caching (and isolating) short-lived operands within a small dedicated register file. Operands are cached in this manner till they can be safely discarded without jeopardizing the recovery from possible branch mispredictions or reconstruction of the precise state in case of interrupts or exceptions. Additional energy savings are achieved by limiting the number of ports used for instruction commitment. The power/energy savings are validated using SPICE measurements of actual layouts in a 0.18 micron CMOS process. The energy reduction in the ROB and the ARF is about 20 percent (translating into the overall chip energy reduction of about 5 percent) and this is achieved with no increase in cycle time, little additional complexity, and no degradation in the number of instructions committed per cycle.
Effectiveness of a Glasgow Coma Scale instructional video for EMS providers.

INTRODUCTION: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the standard measure used to quantify the level of consciousness of patients who have sustained head injuries. Rapid and accurate GCS scoring is essential. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a GCS teaching video shown to prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) providers. METHODS: Participants and setting--United States, Mid-Atlantic region EMS providers. Intervention--Each participant scored all of the three components of the GCS for each of four scenarios provided before and after viewing a video-tape recording containing four scenarios. Design--Before-and-after single (Phase I) and parallel Cohort (Phase II). Analysis--Proportions of correct scores were compared using chi-square, and relative risk was calculated to measure the strength of the association. RESULTS: 75 participants were included in Phase I. In Phase II, 46 participants participated in a parallel cohort design: 20 used GCS reference cards and 26 did not use the cards. Before observing the instructional video, only 14.7% score all of the scenarios correctly, where as after viewing the video, 64.0% scored the scenarios results were observed after viewing the video for those who used the GCS cards (p = 0.001; RR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.29 to 3.10) than for those not using the cards (p < 0.0001; RR = 10.0; 95% CI = 2.60 to 38.50). CONCLUSIONS: Post-video viewing scores were better than those observed before the video presentation. Ongoing evaluations include analysis of long-term skill retention and scoring accuracy in the clinical environment.