cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do We Really Know Why Colorectal Anastomoses Leak

Colorectal anastomotic leak, a feared complication, results in significantly increased patient morbidity, mortality, and hospital resource utilization. The overall incidence of colorectal anastomotic leak is approximately 11 % with increasing rate the closer the anastomosis is to the anal verge. Because surgeons are unable to reliably predict which anastomosis would fail, most will construct a diverting ileostomy for low colorectal anastomosis to circumvent the devastating complications of anastomotic failure. Despite extensive investigations on technical considerations of anastomosis construction, anastomotic leaks continue to occur at an unacceptably high rate. In this review, we examine the major known risk factors and technical considerations that have been implicated as factors in leakage. Although surgical technique has evolved over the past several decades with the advent of newer surgical staplers, laparoscopy, and robotics, we have not witnessed a decrease in the incidence of colorectal anastomotic leaks suggesting that the fundamental pathogenesis of anastomotic leak remains unknown. Among the factors contributing to anastomotic healing, intestinal bacteria remains largely overlooked even though compelling evidence exist that intraluminal microbes could play a major role in pathogenesis of anastomotic leak. Further investigation focusing on intestinal microbes could be one such avenue for uncovering the elusive cause of colorectal anastomotic leak.
ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN RATS I. METHODS

Normal standards for the blood pressure of rats under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia have been ascertained. Arterial hypertension did not consistently follow the injection of estradiol and pitressin in adult rats, and only transient hypertension occurred after the injection of dihydroxyphenylalanine. The injection of adrenalin in oil, however, was followed by cardiac hypertrophy, and it also resulted from (a) partial constriction of one renal artery, (b) the production of unilateral hydronephrosis, (c) traumatic injury to one kidney, (d) inducing unilateral perinephritis with a cellophane membrane. The blood pressure in many of the animals became elevated. In rats the weight of the heart is probably a more reliable index of the presence of the hypertensive state than is one measurement, or two, of blood pressure under anesthesia. The latter is extremely variable, both in normal and in hypertensive animals. Rats are, however, liable to hypertension under natural circumstances, and it can be easily induced in a number of ways. The weight of the heart may then become rapidly increased. To judge from the findings in this species, rats are very susceptible to the production of the hypertensive state, in comparison with other animals.
The sodium and potassium activated ATPase of intestinal epithelium. I. Location of enzymatic activity in the cell

The location of sodium and potassium activated Mg-ATPase (Na-K ATPase) was studied in columnar epithelial cells of the small intestine of rats. Cell components were segregated in centrifuge fractions by a mild procedure (sucrose medium), which preserved mitochondria and vesicular inclusions, and by a drastic procedure, designed to preserve the striated borders selectively. The contents of fractions were characterized by phase contrast and electron microscopy and by the assay of alkaline phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.1), cytochome oxidase (E.C.1.9.3.1), invertase (E.C.3.2.1.26) and Mg-ATPase (E.C.3.6.1.4). Na-K ATPase was found to be most concentrated in fractions containing mitochondria on one hand, and striated borders on the other. Its distribution differed from the distributions of the other four enzymes. The physiological implications of finding the “sodium pump” enzyme in the membrane at the apical pole of the epithelial cell were discussed.
A rapid and precise method for measuring stable carbon isotope ratios of dissolved inorganic carbon

Abstract We describe a method for rapid preparation, concentration and stable isotopic analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon ( δ 13 C -DIC). Liberation of CO2 was accomplished by placing 100 μl phosphoric acid and 0.9 ml water in an evacuated 1.7-ml gas chromatograph (GC) injection vial. Following equilibration, the vial headspace gas was injected into a gas chromatograph-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-C-IRMS) using a standard GC autosampler. A correction factor of −1.0‰ must be added to all isotopic measurements due to the equilibrium isotopic fractionation between the aqueous and gaseous phases in the sample vials. The method allows for the preparation and analysis of 48 samples, in triplicate, in a 40-h period. We report on the analysis of an inter-laboratory CaCO3 standard, as well as two natural water samples. Samples analyzed between 15 and 36 h after preparation exhibited standard deviations of ±0.2‰, while standards analyzed at varying concentrations and injection volumes had standard deviations of ±0.1‰ with a minimum concentration of 0.20 mM DIC. Additionally, chromatographic area vs. concentration of standard carbon yielded an r2=0.996, indicating that DIC concentrations can also be obtained from the GC-C-IRMS data, if desired. Further, the standard deviations observed during the analysis of natural water samples from a seagrass dominated lagoon with diel variations of 1.5‰ were consistent with those observed in laboratory standard analysis.
Ultrasonic Attenuation in the Noble Metals

Measurements of the electronic component of the acoustic attenuation in the noble metals are reported for longitudinal waves with frequencies between 30 and 330 Mc/sec. These data are compared to theory using the known shapes of the Fermi surfaces and symmetrized harmonic expansions for their deformation properties. The resulting fits suggest that the deformation of the Fermi surfaces cannot be represented by low-order expansions. Nevertheless, it is possible to draw some qualitative conclusions about the anisotropy of the electron-phonon interaction in the noble metals at low wave numbers.
A controlled case study of methylphenidate and fenfluramine in a young mentally retarded, hyperactive child

A controlled case study of a severely hyperactive, moderately retarded 4-year-old boy was conducted in which the efficacy of methylphenidate, fenfluramine, and placebo was assessed. Four separate placebo-controlled evaluations were conducted over a 2.5 year period. Initially, methylphenidate was clinically effective in decreasing overactivity; however, it was later shown to exacerbate the child's symptoms. In a subsequent drug evaluation, flenfluramine was found to produce dramatic behavioral improvement. Procedures for and difficulties with assessing drug response in this patient population are discussed.
South Korea: Who will ride the dragon?

Constitutional uncertainty clouds the horizon in South Korea. Despite a strongly rebounding economy, uncertainty continues over the timing and format of the elections that will replace President Chun Doo Hwan. Student and labor protest could increase significantly if the ruling Democratic Justice Party (D]P) and the opposition New Korea Democratic Party (NKDP) fail to achieve a compromise on revising the constitution and holding elections. A substantial increase in political turmoil could lead to Chun's refusal to leave office or a military coup. It could also threaten the staging of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, which in turn would reverse the country's current economic trend. If open elections were held, the DJP and the NKDP would have about the same chance of winning. An NKDP regime, however, would be more restrictive toward international business and trade than the current government.
Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of juvenile hormone and its metabolites, and its application for an in vivo juvenile hormone catabolism study in Manduca sexta.

Abstract A convenient reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed to separate juvenile hormone (JH) and its metabolites. The known metabolites including JH acid, JH diol, and JH acid-diol, as well as an unknown metabolite, were efficiently separated within 25 min on a 50 × 4.6 mm polymer column using a linear gradient of acetonitrile:5 m m Hepes (pH 7.4) buffer. Use of the polymer column diminished tailing observed for the diol metabolite on a C 18 silica column, and allowed use of slightly basic buffers without concern of column instability. Use of buffer was essential to give good peak shape and reproducible retention behavior for the acidic metabolites. Using this method, an in vivo JH catabolism study was performed in fifth stadium larvae of Manduca sexta . Injected (10 R )-[ 3 H]JH III was rapidly converted to JH acid-diol and to an unknown compound(s) indicating that, in addition to JH esterase, epoxide hydrolase and other reactions play an important role in the catabolism of JH.
Antimicrobial control programs

The use of broad spectrum antimicrobials, the emergence of multiresistant organisms, and the hospital drug costs associated with antimicrobials have all driven the need for institutions to develop strategies to control the use of antimicrobials. Formulary restrictions, prior approval mechanisms, treatment guidelines, order forms, stop orders, antimicrobial management teams, computer-assisted decision support tools, antimicrobial rotation, and combinations of these practices have all been evaluated as methods to encourage the appropriate use of these agents. While many programs have been successful in reducing antimicrobial costs without compromising patient care, limited data are available on the impact of these programs on the development of multiresistant organisms, particularly in neonatal intensive care units. The optimal means for controlling the emergence of resistance have yet to be determined, but ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial utilization and susceptibility patterns are necessary to identify opportunities for interventions, maximize patient care, and potentially minimize the development of resistance.
Electron microscopy of cell islands in layer II of the primate entorhinal cortex

An electron microscopic analysis of cell islands in layer II of the entorhinal cortex from rhesus monkeys was made to determine the ultrastructural features of these unique neuronal clusters. The rostral, intermediate, and caudal divisions of the entorhinal cortex were selected for electron microscopic examination. In the rostral division, neurons were grouped together in prominent clusters, often with 10 or more contiguous somata. Somatic and dendrosomatic appositions were frequent, without intervening cellular processes or specialized junctions. Somata were relatively small, typically 10-15 microns in diameter, with oval or circular nuclei that were euchromatic and contained nucleoli. Small nuclear infoldings were commonly seen. A thin shell of perikaryal cytoplasm contained numerous organelles. Axosomatic synapses were infrequent, with a mean of only 1.0 synapse per neuron per thin section. The neuropil contained numerous synapses, and myelinated axons were seen infrequently. In the intermediate division, somatic appositions were rarely observed. Somata were relatively large, typically 15-20 microns in diameter, and displayed a moderate amount of cytoplasm. Axosomatic synapses were relatively common, with a mean of 3.3 synapses per neuron per thin section. In the caudal division, neurons were typically grouped in clusters of two to three contiguous somata. Neurons were about 15 microns in diameter and displayed a moderate amount of cytoplasm. Axosomatic synapses were of moderate frequency, with a mean of 2.5 synapses per neuron per thin section. The neuropil in the caudal division displayed a relatively high frequency of myelinated axons. Our analysis of three regions of the entorhinal cortex revealed significant differences in the frequency of somatic appositions and axosomatic synapses, and in certain ultrastructural features of the somata and neuropil. These results showed that cell islands in layer II of the entorhinal cortex display regional morphologic differences. The paucity of symmetric axosomatic synapses in the rostral division may correlate with this region's vulnerability in certain diseases.
Effects of tumor necrosis factor-α on glucose and albumin production in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is known to alter significantly in vivo hepatic glucose and albumin metabolism. However, it remains unclear whether the observed effects represent direct actions of this factor or secondary responses due to the recruitment of other mediator systems. The present study was designed to investigate direct actions of TNF on glucose and albumin production in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Addition of TNF to the culture medium resulted in a 45% to 50% reduction in glucose production from a control level of 239 ± 15 nmol/plate·h. This effect was reversed by addition of anti-TNF monoclonal antibody. In glycogen-depleted cells, short-term (5-hour) incubation with TNF did not affect hepatocyte albumin secretion, which was 8.13 ± 0.29 μg/plate · h. However, in cells exposed to insulin or in non-glycogen-depleted cells, addition of TNF resulted in a 10% to 25% reduction in albumin production. These findings indicate that TNF exerts direct inhibitory effects on hepatocyte glucose and albumin production, but the effects on the latter process are modest. A notable aspect of the findings is that the albumin effects are insulin or glucose substrate-dependent, which may have implications regarding liver function during nutritional support in critical illness.
Fungal Pathogens: Getting to “C-u”

Several fungal pathogens can cause meningitis, as chillingly illustrated by the current US outbreak of meningitis attributed to tainted steroid injections contaminated by the fungal pathogen Exserohilum rostratum . Fungal infections of the central nervous system are acquired from environmental
Kinetic-Diffusive-Convective Adsorption in TIRF Flow Cells

Abstract A quantitative theory of kinetic-diffusive-convective adsorption in the flow cell for total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy is developed for arbitrary adsorption isotherms. The effect of the convective transport is estimated in an analytical form for the short-time and long-time approximations. The boundary condition for the rate of adsorption at the interface ( y = 0) is derived for kinetics-diffusion-convection controlled adsorption ( V x ≠ 0) in the flow cell, taking into account both the normal and the axial fluxes in the flow cell. The adsorption process in the flow cell for short times ( t - t m → 0) is controlled by adsorption kinetics or by diffusive transfer when the rates of adsorption and desorption are infinite, and for long times ( t → ∞) is controlled by diffusive and convective transfer. The simple formulae are derived to calculate from the experimental data the adsorption isotherm and the diffusion coefficient.
Synthesis of alkyl hydroperoxides via alkylation of gem-dihydroperoxides

2-Fold alkylation of 1,1-dihydroperoxides, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting bisperoxyacetals, provides a convenient method for synthesis of primary and secondary alkyl hydroperoxides.
Tricritical behavior in a two-dimensional field theory

The critical behavior of a two-dimensional scalar Euclidean field theory with a potential term that allows for three minima is analyzed using an approximate position-space renormalization-group transformation on the equivalent quantum spin Hamiltonian. The global phase diagram shows a tricritical point separating a critical line from a line of first-order transitions. Other critical properties are examined, and good agreement is found with results on classical spin models belonging to the same universality class.
Generalized structured programs and loop trees

Any directed graph, even a flow graph representing ''spaghetti code'', is shown here to have at least one loop tree, which is a structure of loops within loops in which no loops overlap. The nodes of the graph may be rearranged in such a way that, with respect to their new order, every edge proceeds in the forward direction except for the loopbacks. Here a loopback goes from somewhere in a loop L to the head of L. We refer to such a rearrangement as a generalized structured program, in which forward goto statements remain unrestricted. Like a min-heap or a max-heap, a loop tree has an array representation, without pointers; it may be constructed in time no worse than O(n^2) for any program written in this fashion. A scalable version of this construction uses a label graph, whose only nodes are the labels of the given program. A graph has a unique loop tree if and only if it is reducible.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Cold Start Performance of a Single PEM Fuel Cell

A combined experimental and analytical investigation of single proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, during cold start has been conducted. The temperature influence on the performance of a single PEM fuel cell and the cold start failure of the PEM fuel cell was evaluated experimentally to determine the failure mechanisms and performance. The voltage, current and power characteristics were investigated as a function of the load, the hydrogen fuel flow rate, and the cell temperature. The characteristics of cold start for a single PEM fuel cell were analyzed, and the various failure mechanisms explored and characterized. In an effort to better understand the operational behavior and failure modes, a numerical simulation was also developed. The results of this analysis were then compared with the previously obtained experimental results and confirmed the accuracy of the failure mechanisms identified.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Phosphorus--nitrogen compounds. XV. N-1-adamantylphosphoramidic dichloride and dimethyl and diphenyl N-1-adamantylphosphoramidate.

N-1-Adamantylphosphoramidic dichloride and the dimethyl and diphenyl esters of the corresponding acid were synthesized and evaluated for biological activity. The dimethyl ester delayed the onset of tremorine-induced tremors and reduced locomotor activity, while the diphenyl derivative slightly antagonized perphenazine-induced catatonic reactions. None of the agents displayed activity against lymphoid leukemia.
Poly‐(pearfluoralkylen)‐benzimidazole

Bei der Herstellung von Poly-(perfluoralkylen)-benzimidazolen tritt neben HF vor allem CO2 als Zersetzungsprodukt auf. Die gebildeten, fluorhaltigen Benzimidazole sind oberhalb 250°C unbestandig, wie an Hand von reinen Modellsubstanzen gezeigt wurde. Der Abbaumechanismus ist so verwickelt, das er nicht auf einfache Weise geklart werden kann. HF and CO2 have been identified as decomposition products during the preparation of poly(perfluoroalkylene) benzimidazoles. The formed fluorinated benzimidazoles are instable above 250°C. as could be shown with pure model substances. The mechanism of the decomposition is too complex to be explained in simple manner.
A Note on Fracture Models Incorporating Surface Elasticity

Several recent papers that describe an approach to developing a theory of brittle fracture incorporating crack-surface elasticity have asserted that such models predict bounded stresses and strains at crack-tips in two dimensions. It is proved in this short note that the assertion is incorrect. While incorporating surface elasticity into fracture models in the setting of the linearized theory of elasticity does remove the square-root stress/strain singularity at crack-tips seen in classical theories that do not take account of crack-surface interfacial effects, it does not predict bounded stresses and strains but rather diminishes the singularity to being logarithmic.
Immunomagnetic Separation in Microchannels: From MEMS to BioNEMS

Conventional methods of monitoring and testing water quality involve collection of the sample to be tested and its subsequent analysis in a research laboratory for which some procedures may not be feasible or even accessible under certain field situations. Therefore, next generation sensors are required. Herein, an innovative concept that combines a micromixer and microparticle trap is proposed that should enable more rapid pathogen detection in contaminated water. In it, immunomagnetic separation (a procedure [1,2] that is well practiced in the field of immunochemistry) is scaled down from the benchtop to the microscale. Our design is generic, i.e., design is not limited to the detection of waterborne biological agents, but can be used for other forms of chemical analysis. Testing for waterborne bacteria requires analysis methods that must meet a number of challenging criteria. Time and sensitivity of analysis are the more important limitations. Bacterial detection methods have to be rapid and very sensitive since the presence of even a small pathogenic sample may sometimes constitute an infectious or otherwise harmful dose. Selective detection is also required because small numbers of pathogenic bacteria are often present in a complex biological environment along with many other nonpathogenic organisms. As an example, the infectious dosage of a pathogen such as E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella is as low as 10 cells and the existing coliform standard for E. coli in water is 4 cells: 100 ml [3].Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Current Treatment of Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis: An Evidence-Based Review

Objective. To perform an evidence-based review of treatments for Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis (TRC). Methods. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed database and the key phrase "ocular toxoplasmosis treatment" and the filter for "controlled clinical trial" and "randomized clinical trial" as well as OVID medline (1946 to May week 2 2014) using the keyword ''ocular toxoplasmosis". The included studies were used to evaluate the various treatment modalities of TRC. Results. The electronic search yielded a total of 974 publications of which 44 reported on the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis. There were 9 randomized controlled studies and an additional 3 comparative studies on the treatment of acute TRC with systemic or intravitreous antibiotics or on reducing the recurrences of TRC. Endpoints of studies included visual acuity improvement, inflammatory response, lesion size changes, recurrences of lesions, and adverse effects of medications. Conclusions. There was conflicting evidence as to the effectiveness of systemic antibiotics for TRC. There is no evidence to support that one antibiotic regimen is superior to another so choice needs to be informed by the safety profile. Intravitreous clindamycin with dexamethasone seems to be as effective as systemic treatments. There is currently level I evidence that intermittent trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prevents recurrence of the disease.
A comparative study of some methods for constructing confidence bands on a normal distribution Function

The problem of putting a confidence band on a normal cumulative distribution function is considered. The relative merits of three approaches to the problem are explored. These approaches are Kanofsky's method, a modification of this approach involving likelihood ratio estimators and a band based on a Kolmogorov—Smirnov type statistic
Assessment of liver ability to biotransformation of antipyrine in uraemic patients on regular peritoneal dialysis treatment

It was the aim of this work to establish whether biotransformation of drugs by the liver expressed by antipyrine kinetics is disturbed in peritoneally dialysed patients with end-stage renal failure. The investigations were carried out in 10 uraemic patients using the antipyrine test and comparing the parameters of antipyrine kinetics with those obtained in 13 healthy persons. Our results indicate that in uraemic patients on regular peritoneal dialysis treatment antipyrine kinetics are generally in the normal range, suggesting the microsomal content of cytochrome P-450 being not evidently reduced.
Pharmacologic approaches to butterfly wing patterning: sulfated polysaccharides mimic or antagonize cold shock and alter the interpretation of gradients of positional information.

Abstract Butterflies produce complex and diverse wing patterns by mechanisms that are generally unknown. We have employed a pharmacological approach to explore the molecular mechanisms of pattern formation. In a screen of over 200 compounds injected into developing Junonia coenia pupae, we identified several specific sulfated polysaccharides that caused widespread, dose-dependent effects on adult wing patterns. These compounds were well tolerated and permitted butterflies to eclose normally and take flight at moderate levels of effect. Heparin and closely related chondroitin sulfates caused stage-specific expansion of distal and proximal band systems and reduction and repatterning of eyespots. Dextran sulfate and fucoidan, whose structures are widely divergent from heparin and one another, caused contraction of distal and proximal systems, but had no effect on eyespots. Nonsulfated or nonpolymeric saccharides were without effect. Pattern alterations were indistinguishable from those reported for extreme cold shock and exposure to sodium tungstate and “molsin”. When administered after cold shock or coinjected with heparin, dextran sulfate reversed all patterning effects. We suggest that the primary effect of polysaccharide treatments is to alter the interpretation of gradients of positional information along the proximodistal axis of the pupal wing.
Synaptic properties and postsynaptic opioid effects in rat central amygdala neurons

Abstract An important output of amygdaloid nuclei, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) not only mediates negative emotional behaviors, but also participates in the stimulus–reward learning and expression of motivational aspects of many drugs of abuse, and links environmentally stressful conditions such as fear to endogenous pain-inhibiting mechanisms. The endogenous opioid system in the CeA is crucial for both reward behaviors and environmental stress-induced analgesia. In this study using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings, we investigated synaptic inputs and the postsynaptic effects of opioid agonists in CeA neurons. We found that synaptic inputs evoked within the CeA were mediated by both glutamate and GABA, but those evoked from the basolateral amygdala were primarily glutamatergic. Based on membrane properties, three types of cells were characterized. Type A neurons had no spike accommodation while type B neurons displayed characteristic accommodating response. Type A neurons were further classified as either A1 or A2, based on differences in resting membrane potential and the amplitude of after-hyperpolarizing potential. μ-Opioid receptor agonists hyperpolarized a subpopulation of CeA neurons, of which the vast majority was type A1. This μ agonist-induced hyperpolarization was mediated by the opening of inwardly rectifying potassium channels. In contrast, the κ-opioid receptor agonist hyperpolarized only type B neurons. These results illustrate three types of CeA neurons with distinctive membrane properties and differential responses to opioid agonists. They may represent functionally distinct CeA cell groups for the integration and execution of CeA outputs in the aforementioned CeA functions.
Level Sets, a Gauss-Fourier Conjecture, and a Counter-Example to a Conjecture of Borcea and Shapiro

We use level sets to give a counter-example to a conjecture of J. Borcea and B. Shapiro. In particular we show that there are real polynomials P such that there is a chord of the level set Im P′(z)/P(z) = 0 that does not have a non-real zero of P lying on it. In addition, we use level sets to show that there are no bounded components of the set z: Im z > 0 and Im Q(z) > 0 where Q = z− f/f ′ and f is a real entire function.
Immobilized Iron(III) Metal Affinity Chromatography for the Separation of Phosphorylated Macromolecules: Ligands and Applications

This review highlights the advances in Fe(III)-Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography [Fe(III)-IMAC] for the separation and characterization of phosphorylated biomolecules. Fe(III)-IMAC has demonstrated a selective interaction with phosphate groups and other hard Lewis bases such as carboxylate and phenol functional groups. These properties make this technique useful for separating and studying macromolecules. Since phosphorylation is a central means of regulation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, the development of Fe(III)-IMAC is important. Various iron chelating ligands and their properties are discussed. General features of Fe(III)-IMAC are examined and examples of useful separations are considered.
Effective chemotherapy for advanced carcinoma of the cervix with bleomycin, cisplatin, vincristine, and methotrexate.

This study was designed as a Phase II clinical trial in advanced recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with a combination of bleomycin (B: 10 u/m2/d) and cisplatin (P: 20 mg/m2/d) administered for five consecutive days in intravenous infusion for 7 hours and vincristine (V: 1 mg/m2) and methotrexate (M: 40 mg/m2) administered only on day one of each cycle which was repeated every 28 days up to a maximum of 6 times. Over a period of 2 years, 15 evaluable patients with measurable disease received at least 3 courses of therapy. Six had recurrent disease and nine had distant metastases. All had previous radiation therapy. There were two dropouts after the first course due to nausea and vomiting which was practically universal. Other side effects included: mild paresthesias of the extremities (89%), stomatitis (41%), diarrhea (17%), moderate pancytopenia and hypomagnesemia which was reduced from 65% to 17% when magnesium sulfate 10% was administered with cisplatin. Sixty-six percent of the evaluable patients achieved remission (7 partial and 3 complete) usually before the fourth course of therapy. The disease-free interval was of 29.7 ± 15 weeks in all responders (40.6 ± 15.5 weeks in complete responders). The mean survival from the start of BPVM therapy was of 55.8 ± 33.3 weeks in responders and of only 14 ± 2.9 weeks in nonresponders (P < 0.01). It is concluded that BPVM is an effective combination chemotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. These results should be confirmed in a Phase III trial. Cancer 52:2025-2030, 1983.
Drop-Weight Impact Responses of Woven Hybrid Glass-Graphite/Toughened Epoxy Composites

A hybrid experimental and 3-D dynamic nonlinear finite element approach was used to study damage in 101.6mm × 101.6mm composite panels subject to drop-weight impact up to 50 J. The specimens tested were made of hybrid woven S2-glass-IM7 graphite fibers/toughened epoxy (cured at 177°C). The composite panels were damaged by impacts using a pressure-assisted Instron-Dynatup 8520 instrumented drop-weight impact tester. During the low velocity impact tests, the time-histories of impact-induced dynamic strains and impact forces were recorded. Two types of drop-weight impact tests were conducted. The first focused on the effect of different shapes of the impactor and the second involved progression of the damage in the composite when impacted repeatedly. The commercially available 3-D dynamic nonlinear finite element software, DYNA, was then used to simulate the experimental results of drop-weight tests using different shapes of the impactor. Good agreement between experimental and FEM results has been achieved when comparing dynamic force, strain histories and damage patterns from experimental measurements and finite element simulations.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Rights of Graduate Psychology Students with Disabilities

Abstract Students with disabilities in graduate school have requirements additional to those of non-disabled students, and face barriers to retention and graduation. This paper addresses the issues facing students with disabilities in clinical graduate programs, and outlines a dozen specific rights for students with disabilities. The legal and social contexts for considering these rights are examined. Three legal tenets (separate is not equal; equality versus equity; assumption of innocence until proven guilty) are discussed as they apply to disability. Twelve suggestions for making the application process more accessible to persons with disabilities are offered.
Virtual aluminum castings: An industrial application of ICME

The automotive product design and manufacturing community is continually besieged by Hercule an engineering, timing, and cost challenges. Nowhere is this more evident than in the development of designs and manufacturing processes for cast aluminum engine blocks and cylinder heads. Increasing engine performance requirements coupled with stringent weight and packaging constraints are pushing aluminum alloys to the limits of their capabilities. To provide high-quality blocks and heads at the lowest possible cost, manufacturing process engineers are required to find increasingly innovative ways to cast and heat treat components. Additionally, to remain competitive, products and manufacturing methods must be developed and implemented in record time. To bridge the gaps between program needs and engineering reality, the use of robust computational models in up-front analysis will take on an increasingly important role. This article describes just such a computational approach, the Virtual Aluminum Castings methodology, which was developed and implemented at Ford Motor Company and demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of integrated computational materials engineering.
Elevated plasma cholecystokinin and appetitive ratings after consumption of a liquid meal in humans

Abstract Objective This study had two objectives. The first was to evaluate the possibility that, in a previous study, a soup preload augmented the reduction of food intake in a test meal induced by an exogenous infusion of cholecystokinin (CCK) because the soup also endogenously released CCK. The second was to compare CCK release by soup between men and women to determine whether the increased satiating effectiveness of soup in women as opposed to men could have been partly attributable to differences in CCK release. Methods By using a bioassay that measures all of its known isoforms, we determined plasma CCK levels at baseline and at several times postprandially in eight healthy, non-obese men and women (four of each sex). Each subject ingested 800 g of tomato soup, which was followed 30 min later by 300 g of a yogurt shake. Appetitive ratings were also collected and related to CCK levels. Results Ingestion of tomato soup significantly increased plasma CCK levels by 3.81 pmol/L (± 1.21 standard error, P = 0.016) over baseline within 30 min in all subjects combined. When CCK concentrations at 5 min after soup and 5 min after yogurt were averaged, the women’s mean averaged concentration was 5.58 pmol/L (± 1.994, t = 2.80, P = 0.0073) higher than the men’s. The elevated levels persisted but did not rise further upon consumption of the yogurt shake. Hunger ratings declined and fullness ratings increased after eating, although patterns of ratings did not match exactly patterns of CCK release. Conclusions A large quantity of tomato soup stimulates significant CCK release; therefore, some of the satiating effects of soup preloads could have been mediated by an elevation in endogenous CCK.
An Analytic Study of the Professional Development Research in Early Childhood Education

Research Findings: The goal of this study was to examine empirical research on the design, delivery, and measurement of the effects of professional development (PD) for early childhood educators in order to provide insight into what the field has accomplished as well as suggest directions for future PD programs and research. Through the use of rigorous inclusion criteria outlined by S. M. Wilson, R. E. Floden, and J. Ferrini-Mundy (2001), 73 studies were included and analyzed. On average, 25% (M = 12.68, SD = 9.99) of references in each study were specifically about PD. The majority of studies (n = 39) targeted some form of language and literacy instruction, whereas only 5 studies targeted math and 1 study targeted science. A total of 35 different delivery mechanisms were used to provide PD, with 40 studies including some form of coaching and 45 including training workshops. The studies used a wide range of methods to measure PD-related outcomes: 51% (n = 37) of studies examined changes in teacher practic...
Effect of cyclic AMP on the expression of myelin basic protein species and myelin proteolipid protein in committed oligodendrocytes: Differential involvement of the transcription factor CREB

Our previous results support the idea that CREB (cyclic AMP-response element binding protein) may be a mediator of neuroligand and growth factor signals that, coupled to different signal transduction pathways, play different roles at specific stages of oligodendrocyte development. In the early stages, when cells are immature precursors, CREB may play a role as a mediator of protein kinase C (PKC)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways regulating cell proliferation. In contrast, at a later stage, when cells are already committed oligodendrocytes, CREB seems to play an important role as a mediator in the stimulation of myelin basic protein (MBP) expression by cyclic AMP (cAMP). In this study, we have investigated whether cAMP and CREB play a role in regulating the expression of all or on the other hand particular MBP isoforms. The results indicated that treatment of committed oligodendrocytes with the cAMP analogue db-cAMP results in a pattern of expression of MBP-related polypeptides that most closely resembles the pattern of MBPs observed in cerebra from adult animals. Experiments in which CREB expression was inhibited using a CREB antisense oligonucleotide, suggested that CREB is involved in the cAMP-dependent stimulation of all the MBP isoforms. In contrast, we have found that db-cAMP stimulates the expression of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) in a process that occurs despite inhibition of CREB expression. These results support the idea that cAMP stimulates the maturation of oligodendrocytes and stress the fact multiple mechanisms may convey the action of this second messenger modulating oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination.
Parental activity as a determinant of activity level and patterns of activity in obese children.

Abstract The purposes of this study were to measure the level and pattern of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA = > 4.5 METs) and examine predictors of activity in obese children. Fifty-one 8–12-year-old children seeking obesity treatment wore accelerometers for 3 or 4 days. Children averaged 12.2 bouts of MVPA per day that lasted an average of 4.2 min, while parents engaged in 3.9 bouts of MVPA that lasted 4.2 min. Hierarchical regression models showed parent activity improved the prediction of obese children's activity levels and the number of bouts of MVPA but not the duration of MVPA. These results suggest that programs to increase physical activity in obese children should structure the activity in short bouts and attempt to increase parental physical activity.
A computer assisted optimal depth lower bound for sorting networks with nine inputs

It is demonstrated that there is no nine-input sorting network of depth six. The proof was obtained by executing on a supercomputer a branch-and-bound algorithm which constructs and tests a critical subset of all possible candidates. Such proofs can be classified as experimental science, rather than mathematics. In keeping with the paradigms of experimental science, a high-level description of the experiment and analysis of the result are given.
Protein Restriction and Growth in Roaster Chicks

Abstract The effects of diets absent or low in protein upon early growth and subsequent recovery were studied in 864 roaster pullet chicks. Two diets consisting of 0% and 8% protein were fed for four different time intervals starting from day of hatch and lasting either 4, 8, 12, or 16 days. At the end of each period of protein restriction the chicks were placed on a 23% protein diet until they were 84 days of age. The 23% protein diet was also fed to a control group for the entire 84-day study period. Throughout the experiment, growth rate and feed consumption were monitored. During the restriction periods the chicks fed 0% protein experienced a slight weight loss (P .05) from the control treatment at 84 days, indicating compensatory gains; however, the remaining treatments weighed significantly less. These results suggest that a diet devoid or low in protein, when fed during the first weeks of growth, has potential short term deleterious effects upon the body weight of the chick.
PHY/MAC adaptation approaches for dense wireless LAN MESH

802.11 WLANs in the enterprise and large campus environments must provide quality of service (QoS) to large user base. A potential solution is a (static) Tier-2 multi-hop wireless mesh to replace the current Ethernet backhaul distribution network, making WLAN deployment easier, cheaper, and more efficient. However, todaypsilas 802.11 technology does not readily scale in such multi-hop environments. We describe a multi-dimensional adaptation (MDA) framework for interference management based on distributed adaptation of key parameters: physical carrier sensing threshold, transmit power and contention window. In the novel framework, each node adapts its own parameters based on its own local measurements, without any overhead due to information exchanges.
18Gbps, 50mW reconfigurable multi-mode SHA Hashing accelerator in 45nm CMOS

A multi-mode Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA) accelerator is fabricated in 45nm CMOS and occupies 0.0625mm2 with 18Gbps throughput and total power consumption of 50mW. The reconfigurable hardware accelerator computes SHA-1/224/256/384/512 message-digest using unified SHA bit-slices and configurable compression circuits resulting in 40% area reduction and <3% performance overhead for reconfiguration with 23Gbps peak throughput in SHA-224/256 modes. SHA frequency ranges from 21MHz-1.8GHz across 320mV-1.35V supply voltage range.
The C-Terminal Domains of NF-H and NF-M Subunits Maintain Axonal Neurofilament Content by Blocking Turnover of the Stationary Neurofilament Network

Newly synthesized neurofilaments or protofilaments are incorporated into a highly stable stationary cytoskeleton network as they are transported along axons. Although the heavily phosphorylated carboxyl-terminal tail domains of the heavy and medium neurofilament (NF) subunits have been proposed to contribute to this process and particularly to stability of this structure, their function is still obscure. Here we show in NF-H/M tail deletion [NF-(H/M)tailΔ] mice that the deletion of both of these domains selectively lowers NF levels 3–6 fold along optic axons without altering either rates of subunit synthesis or the rate of slow axonal transport of NF. Pulse labeling studies carried out over 90 days revealed a significantly faster rate of disappearance of NF from the stationary NF network of optic axons in NF-(H/M)tailΔ mice. Faster NF disappearance was accompanied by elevated levels of NF-L proteolytic fragments in NF-(H/M)tailΔ axons. We conclude that NF-H and NF-M C-terminal domains do not normally regulate NF transport rates as previously proposed, but instead increase the proteolytic resistance of NF, thereby stabilizing the stationary neurofilament cytoskeleton along axons.
381: Echocardiography on neonates exposed to anthracycline therapy in utero for maternal cancer

UTERO FOR MATERNAL CANCER ELYCE CARDONICK, ANIQA USMANI, SADIA GHAFFAR, DENNIS WOOD, MARC LEVINE, Robert Wood Johnson University, OBGYN, Camden, New Jersey, Cooper University Hospital, OBGYN, Camden, New Jersey, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Robert Wood Johnson University, pediatric cardiology, camden, New Jersey OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiac function of neonates exposed to anthracyclines in utero. STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational study. Pregnant women diagnosed with cancer who underwent anthracycline based chemotherapy and delivered a liveborn infant after 24 weeks, were offered enrollment. Patients provided written consent to obtain doses and dates of chemotherapy treatment. Due to the known cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines in pediatric and adult populations, echocardiograms were offered to all newborns exposed as fetuses. Women chose to perform this echocardiogram locally or at the institution of the primary investigator. RESULTS: This is the largest report of echocardiograms performed in neonates exposed to chemotherapy in utero. Twenty one neonates participated. Women were treatment for Hodgkin’s Disease with ABVD (Adriamycin/BleomycinVincristine/Dacarbazine) for Hodgkin=s Disease (n 3), CHOP (Cyclophosphamide/ Adriamycin/Vincristine/Prednisone) for NonHodgkin=s Lymphoma (n 1), and Adriamycin/Cytoxan for breast cancer (n 17). There were no cases of exposure to epirubicin or idarubicin. Mean dosage of Adriamycin was 54.3mg/m2 / 10. Baseline fetal cardiac evaluation was normal prior to starting chemotherapy.Neonatal echocardiograms were performed at a mean age of 13 / 27months, with children ranging in age from 3 days of life to 9.75 years. LV dimensions, RV wall, IVS and LV posterior wall thickness measurements were within normal limits for age and BSA. Mean shortening fraction was 41 / 10%. (normal 33 / 3%). In all 21, AV and semilunar valves were normal. Great arteries were normal in 20/21, with one case of a small pulmonary artery fistula. Patent foramen ovale was noted in 6 cases, all in children less than 2.5 months of age. No additional structural or any functional heart defects were diagnosed in any of these children. CONCLUSION: Cardiac function appears to be preserved in neonates exposed to adriamycin chemotherapy in utero. Any toxicity effects on fetal myocytes were not evident in postnatal echocardiograms.
Equivalent Width Due to Two Overlapping Lines

The equivalent width, or integrated absorptance, of two unequal, overlapping absorption lines is equal to the sum of the individual equivalent widths minus an overlap correction term Δ. A method is given for rigorous evaluation of the correction. The rigorous result is unwieldy in the general case, but for the special case of two lines widely separated, the correction term reduces to tractable form. However, an approximate solution is given that is shown to introduce relatively small error for all cases considered, and is quite convenient to use.
Limitations of a conventional logistic regression model based on left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting coronary events after myocardial infarction

The clinical utility of conventional logistic regression models based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) for the prediction of cardiac events (death or recurrent infarction) was assessed in 646 postinfarction patients undergoing radionuclide ventriculography at rest and during exercise. The discriminant power of 2 different models (LVEF at rest alone vs LVEF at rest plus LVEF at peak exercise) was quantified in terms of the area under receiver-operating characteristic curves based on knowledge of patient outcome in the year after testing and the logistic probability of that outcome. Although LVEF at rest provided a significant amount of prognostic information (receiver-operating characteristic curve area = 62 +/- 4%, p less than 0.001), several limitations were observed: (1) powerful predictors of risk were uncommon (32% of patients with an LVEF at rest less than 0.20 had a cardiac event, but only 3% of the population had such extreme values); (2) the accuracy of predictions for high risk patients was less than for low risk patients (28 vs 98%, p less than 0.001); (3) addition of exercise LVEF to the model did not improve the accuracy of prediction (receiver-operating characteristic curve area = 68 +/- 4%, p = 0.11); and (4) predictions for individual patients were very imprecise (the 95% confidence interval of percent risk for an LVEF at rest of 0.20 [11 to 36%] overlapped that for an LVEF at rest of 0.60 [0 to 14%]).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)