cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Renal Replacement Lipomatosis Presenting in the Setting of Ureteral Stricture with Absence of Renal Calculus Disease.

Renal replacement lipomatosis of the kidney is a rare, benign entity in which extensive fibrofatty proliferation of the renal sinus is associated with marked atrophy of the renal parenchyma. It is often associated with calculi or long-standing inflammation. This entity may be confused with a fatty neoplasm of the kidney. A 51-year-old woman with a past medical history of pancreas transplant for type 1 diabetes subsequently developed ureteral stricture. This was initially managed by a nephrostomy tube and nephroureterostomy stenting with periodic exchanges to help restore urine flow; however, the renal function of the kidney progressively declined with recurrent and complicated urinary tract infections. She presented for kidney transplant with right native nephrectomy. Gross examination of the right kidney revealed a 12.8 cm renal sinus lipomatous mass replacing much of the kidney. Microscopically, the mass consisted of mature adipose tissue with fibrous septae and occasional thick-walled vessels with prominent smooth muscle bundles. A rare atypical stromal cell was present, otherwise no significant cytologic atypia or lipoblasts were identified. After excluding fat-predominant angiomyolipoma and well-differentiated liposarcoma, a diagnosis of renal replacement lipomatosis was made. Renal replacement lipomatosis is a benign condition typically associated with a nonfunctioning or poorly functioning kidney often linked to renal calculus disease or chronic renal infection. The presentation in our case was atypical given an absence of associated renal calculus disease. This case is intended to increase awareness of this less commonly encountered entity as it may be confused with a fatty neoplasm of the kidney, some with malignant potential.
Impact of Treatment Timing on Disease Outcomes in Patients Treated With Definitive Concurrent Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The ideal timing for the initiation of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) in the use of definitive chemoradiation (CRT) for patients with head and neck cancer is not well established. We sought to evaluate the impact of the timing on the initiation of these two modalities on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who were treated using definitive chemoradiation from 2012-2018 were identified. Patients undergoing re-irradiation, post-operative CRT, had recurrent or second primaries, or ECOG 3-4 were excluded. Outcomes including locoregional control (LRC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated and compared between subgroups of the cohort based on the timing in which chemotherapy and RT were initiated: chemotherapy first, same day start, within 24 hours, start on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday (MTW). Univariable Cox proportional hazards models were generated using baseline patient/treatment characteristics including age, gender, ECOG performance status, Charlson Comorbidity Score, stage and type of cisplatin (bolus versus weekly cisplatin) in addition to chemotherapy/RT timing. Multivariable models were generated using the variables found significant (P < 0.25) on univariable models to assess their impact on LRC, PFS and OS. RESULTS A total of 131 patients were included for analysis consisting of oropharynx (64%), larynx (22.9%), nasopharynx (6.9%), hypopharynx (3.1%), oral cavity (1.5%), and unknown primary (1.5%). Chemotherapy was administered as bolus cisplatin every 3 weeks in 40% of patients and weekly cisplatin in 60% with a median cumulative dose of 240 mg/m2. In the multivariable analysis (MVA), starting chemotherapy before RT was associated with improved LRC (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11-0.99, P = 0.048); type of concurrent cisplatin was included in the model but not statistically significant. 3-year LRC for patients starting chemotherapy first was 90.9% compared to 78.2% in those starting RT first. In univariable models, ECOG and bolus cisplatin were both associated with OS, while ECOG alone was associated with PFS. No predictors were found significant on multivariable models for PFS or OS. The median PFS was not reached and 3-year PFS was 69.1% (95% CI: 60.6, 77.6). Similarly, median OS has not been attained, with a 3-year OS of 77.8% (95% CI: 70.0, 85.7). CONCLUSION Starting chemotherapy prior to RT improves LRC, but did not impact PFS or OS. Starting on the same day, within 24 hours, or on MTW were not associated with clinical outcomes. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm the ideal timing in the initiation of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the use of definitive concurrent chemoradiation for patients with head and neck cancer.
Human Rights Class Actions: Rethinking the Pilot-Judgment Procedure at the European Court of Human Rights

For decades, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has served as a bright beacon of hope for advancing human rights. Yet in recent years, a flood of applications has threatened to drown the institution entirely. In an effort to stay afloat amid the growing tide of cases, the Court instituted the so-called “pilot-judgment procedure.” Through this procedure, the Court attempts to address systemic violations on the domestic level that give rise to large numbers of repetitive applications by adjudicating an individual case. The procedure addresses the problems created by repetitive applications, which overburden the Court and cause delays in hearing individual applications that raise novel and grave human rights violations, thereby impeding the Court’s efforts to protect individual human rights. The pilot-judgment technique has been heralded as a bold and innovative response to these problems and has succeeded in stemming the tide of cases.As currently conceived and applied, however, the pilot-judgment procedure is riddled with ambiguities and uncertainties, and it provides insufficient safeguards for the rights of absent applicants. Despite these problems, no one has yet articulated a proposal for ensuring the rights of absent applicants. This Article fills this gap in the literature by proposing that the ECtHR adapt the procedural safeguards enshrined in Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which governs class actions in the United States. Like pilot judgments, class actions seek to achieve a balance between individual rights and judicial efficiency. The similarities between the procedures have been acknowledged on both sides of the Atlantic. For decades, U.S. federal judges have attempted to calibrate the tension between the need for judicial efficiency and the rights of individuals. These attempts can provide guidance and insight as to how ECtHR judges can balance the need to stem the flood of repetitive applications before the ECtHR with the need to safeguard the rights of absent individuals who will be impacted by the pilot-judgment procedure. Such balance is necessary if the ECtHR is to continue vindicating individual rights, staving off systemic human rights abuses, and serving as a model human rights court for other regional and supranational human rights regimes.
Determination of enzymatic activity in polyacrylamide gels. I. Enzymes catalyzing the conversion of nonreducing substrates to reducing products.

Abstract A rapid and sensitive method for the location of enzymes after disc gel electrophoresis has been developed by a modification of the well-known formazan reaction. By means of the same assay, semiquantitative evaluation of the enzymic activity can also be accomplished, permitting measurement of enzymic activity in crude extracts. As has been illustrated by several examples, the procedures can be modified and adapted for the detection and measurement of numerous enzymes. The method is applicable to all enzymes converting nonreducing substrates into products exhibiting reducing properties. In addition, macromolecules susceptible to periodate oxidation can be selectively stained employing the same procedure.
In the shadows of the membrane: A tale about how to beat the odds in cellular copper acquisition (360.3)

Critical for cellular function, ions of the transition metal copper need to reach multiple specific destinations inside cells in an efficient manner. That they do is taken for granted. Yet, how exactly does an ion of 11A3 find binding sites of ~1000A3 in a volume of 30,000,000,000,000A3 that is accessible to diffusible species within the cytosol of even a small organism like yeast? The odds for this to happen through simple 3D-random walks and diffusion are staggeringly low, and yet, live goes on as though this problem did not exist. Studying the mechanisms of cellular copper acquisition and distribution, we recently made the discovery that cells overcome the odds associated with targeted copper delivery by reducing the dimensionality of the search problem through exploitation of cellular membranes as scaffolding components. Specifically, our studies showed that cellular copper chaperones are able to associate with membranes and that this novel property of the chaperones is important for initial copper lo...
Expression of mammalian 5-aminolevulinate synthase in Escherichia coli. Overproduction, purification, and characterization.

5-Aminolevulinate synthase catalyzes the first step of the heme biosynthetic pathway in nonplant higher eukaryotes. A cDNA encoding for the mouse erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase (Schoenhaut, D. S., and Curtis, P.J. (1986) Gene (Amst.) 48, 55-63) has been expressed in Escherichia coli, using the alkaline phosphatase promoter, to a level of 50-60% of the total bacterial protein. Aminolevulinate synthase was overexpressed in an active form and, therefore, was able to rescue hemA mutants, which are unable to grow in the absence of 5-aminolevulinate. A simple purification from the aminolevulinate synthase-overproducing bacterial strain yielded approximately 50 mg of protein, in a high state of purity, per liter of bacterial culture. Moreover, the expressed aminolevulinate synthase could be easily concentrated up to 6-8 mg/ml. Significantly, recombinant aminolevulinate synthase retained physical and catalytic properties identical to those of natural sources. These include the dimeric structure, subunit molecular mass, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as an essential cofactor. Removal of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate led to complete loss of activity. However, the apoenzyme could be readily reconstituted by incubation with 20 microM 5'-pyridoxal phosphate. The Km values are 51 mM for glycine and 55 microM for succinyl-CoA, in the same range of the Km values determined for the nonrecombinant enzyme. This report describes the overexpression of a mammalian 5-aminolevulinate synthase in E. coli and its purification from an overproducing strain. The ready availability of the pure, cloned, sequenced erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase makes it possible now for questions pertinent to the enzyme's structure, mechanism, and regulation to be addressed.
Momentum is Not an Anomaly

In this paper, we develop a new approach to test whether momentum is indeed an anomaly in that it reflects delayed reactions, or continued overreactions, to firm specific news. Our methodology does not depend on a specific model of expected returns and, more importantly, does not require a decomposition of momentum profits. Yet we provide distinct testable predictions that can discriminate between the two diametrically opposed causes for the profitability of momentum strategies: time-series continuation in the firm-specific component of returns, and cross-sectional differences in expected returns and systematic risks of individual securities. Our results show that, contrary to the common belief in the profession, momentum is not an anomaly; we find no evidence of continuation in the idiosyncratic component of individual-security returns. The evidence is instead consistent with momentum being driven entirely by cross-sectional differences in expected returns and risks of individual securities.
Bromodeoxyuridine-Induced Mutations in Synchronous Chinese Hamster Cells: Temporal Induction of 6-Thioguanine and Ouabain Resistance during DNA Replication

Mutations were induced in synchronous Chinese hamster cells by bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) incorporated into cells for one-hour periods in the cell cycle. There was a very pronounced temporal dependence during the first half of the DNA synthesis period for the induction of damage leading to 6-thioguanine (6TG) and ouabain resistance. No mutants above background were induced by exposure to BUdR in G1 and G2 cells, and very few mutants were induced in the latter part of the DNA synthesis period. The peak for the induction of 6TG resistance occurs at about two hr in the DNA synthesis period; one hour later there is a peak for the induction of ouabain resistance. Both peaks occur before the time of maximum incorporation of BUdR into DNA. These results suggest that the mutagenesis by BUdR is associated with at least two nuclear genes, which replicate at two hr and three hr in the DNA synthesis period.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered ruxolitinib (INCB018424 phosphate) in renal and hepatic impairment patients.

Hepatic and renal impairment studies were conducted with ruxolitinib, a JAK1&2 inhibitor that is cleared predominantly by metabolism. Both studies were open label, single-dose studies. Ruxolitinib area under the curve (AUC) was increased by 87%, 28%, and 65%, respectively, in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment compared to healthy subjects with no correlation between exposure of ruxolitinib and the degree of hepatic impairment. The pharmacodynamics (PD) data were consistent with ruxolitinib pharmacokinetics (PK). The renal impairment study showed a surprising finding. While there was no change in ruxolitinib PK with varying degrees of renal impairment, the PD showed increasing pharmacological activity with increased severity of renal impairment. Analysis of the metabolite exposures revealed that active metabolites contributed to the observed incremental increase in PD activity. The recovery of ruxolitinib in dialysate was negligible. The starting dose of ruxolitinib in subjects with any hepatic impairment or moderate or severe renal impairment should be decreased to 10 mg twice daily (BID) if their platelet counts are between 100 × 10(9) /L and 150 × 10(9) /L. Subjects on dialysis should initiate dosing with a single dose of 15 or 20 mg, based on platelet counts, with dosing only on the days of dialysis.
Pervasive developmental disorder and parental adaptation: previewing and reviewing atypical development with parents in child psychiatric consultation.

Parenting young children with pervasive developmental disorder engenders unique sustained stresses, which have been termed "burden of care." One specific source of stress for parents is the childre...
SU‐FF‐T‐314: Macro Monte Carlo Simulation of Visible Light Transport in Heterogeneous Media

Purpose: Although Monte Carlo(MC) simulation has become the gold standard in the transport of visible and near infra‐red photons in turbid media such as tissue, its computational intensity limits its practical application. To increase the computational efficiency of visible MC, we have adapted a macro‐Monte Carlo (MMC) method (Neuenschwander, et al. 1995, Phys. Med. Biol. 40, 543–574) to the modeling of light transport in heterogeneous media. Method and Materials: Traditional MC routines trace individual photons step‐by‐step through the tissue. Instead, the MMC approach relies on a data set consisting of spheres or ‘kugels’ in which the light absorbed in each voxel is pre‐calculated using a traditional MC routine. At each MMC step, the pre‐calculated absorbed light dose in the appropriate sphere, aligned to the current position and direction of the sphere, is recorded in the dose matrix. The position and direction of the photon exiting the sphere are chosen from the exit distribution of the pre‐calculated sphere, and the process is repeated. By choosing the size of the pre‐calculated sphere appropriately, arbitrarily complex boundary geometries can be simulated. To allow the simulation to remain accurate arbitrarily close to boundaries, we have it automatically switch to photon‐by‐photon MC for points less than one kugel radius. Results: We compare the accuracy and calculation time of the MMC method with a traditional MC algorithm for a variety of tissue optical properties and geometries. We find that the MMC algorithm can increase the speed of calculation by as much as two orders of magnitude, depending on the optical properties and geometry being simulated, without a significant loss in accuracy. Conclusions: The drastic improvement in efficiency accomplished by implementing the Macro Monte Carlo algorithm for visible photons makes it fast enough to be potentially useful in photodynamic therapytreatment planning and optical measurement analysis.
On a pragmatic modification of survey sampling in three stages

Presented are formulae for an unbiased estimator of a finite population total and an unbiased variance estimator for it when samples are taken by usual procedures in the first two stages with varying probabilities but the third stage units are sampled for economy and convenience in a non-standard way from the pool of all sampled second stage units rather than independently from each of the latter separately containing the former.
Density dynamics of bumblebees in subalpine meadows: competition and resource limitation

Densities of Bombus flavifrons and B. rufocinctus were measured over one summer in 23 and 11 discrete subalpine meadows, respectively. I assessed the relation between observed bee densities and meadow size, elevation, floristics, temperature, and time of day by multiple regression. Multivariate regression solutions for each week of observation accounted for 38 to 61% of the variation in density for B. flavifrons and 47 to 87% for B. rufocinctus. Temperature or time of day consistently accounted for the most variation in density of the two species. In early summer meadow size or elevation also accounted for a large proportion of explained variation in B. flavifrons density; as the summer progressed meadow floristics increasingly contributed to the explanation of variation in both species. In mid- to late summer a statistically significant portion of the variation in densities not explained by habitat characteristics was accounted for by densities of congeners: i.e., densities of B. flavifrons and B. rufocinctus were negatively related in eight meadows where they co-occurred. In experimental meadows where all Bombus but one of the two target species were removed. B. rufocinctus underwent significant positive density compensation but B. flavifrons did not. To the extent that B. flavifrons appeared to limit the density of B. rufocinctus these statistical and experimental results are consistent with the hypothesis that competition limits local bumblebee densities.
Automated Compositional Abstraction Refinement for Concurrent C Programs: A Two-Level Approach

Abstract The state space explosion problem in model checking remains the chief obstacle to the practical verification of real-world distributed systems. We attempt to address this problem in the context of verifying concurrent (message-passing) C programs against safety specifications. More specifically, we present a fully automated compositional framework which combines two orthogonal abstraction techniques (operating respectively on data and events) within a counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) scheme. In this way, our algorithm incrementally increases the granularity of the abstractions until the specification is either established or refuted. Our explicit use of compositionality delays the onset of state space explosion for as long as possible. To our knowledge, this is the first compositional use of CEGAR in the context of model checking concurrent C programs. We describe our approach in detail, and report on some very encouraging preliminary experimental results obtained with our tool MAGIC.
Limitations on relaxation rates of 57Fe in CoO

Abstract By direct relaxation measurements and inference we conclude that the occurrence of Fe+3 as well as Fe+2 Mossbauer spectra in some sources of 57Co in CoO results from the effect of localized lattice heating following the decay of 57Co upon atoms in the vicinity of lattice defects.
Tetralogy of Fallot in two siblings. Associated anomalies of the head and neck in one child.

HEREDITARY FACTORS in many types of congenital heart disease have not been clearly delineated. 2 Occasionally, heart lesions may be found in association with anomalies of the skeleton 2-4 as well as with multiple system involvement. 5-6 Such phenomena as these pose a challenge to medical geneticists and embryologists. The purpose of this report is to present a family study of tetralogy of Fallot in a brother and sister. In addition, the brother manifested bizarre associated anomalies of the head and neck and mental subnormality. Genetic, cytogenetic, and embryologic considerations will be presented. Materials and Methods The proband was investigated while he was a patient on the medicine service of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. Catheterization studies of the right side of the heart were performed. Detailed history from the age of 6 months will be reported. His sister, who had recently undergone surgical correction for tetralogy of
Thermal stability of self-organized gratings and defects in Ge- and Ge-P-doped silica core fibers

Thermal stabilities of photoinduced paramagnetic defects in second-harmonic (SHG) generation Ge-P-doped silica fibers and in Ge- and Ge-P-doped silica preforms are studied by electron-spin-resonance and compared with that of the reported self-organized gratings. Our data suggests that the charge trapping sites for the electric-field-induced SHG are Ge(1), Ge(2) and Ge E' d1 centers. The defects responsible for the Bragg gratings are Ge E'-type centers. Thermal darkening in Ge-doped silica core fibers reported is likely due to the thermal induced Ge E' d1 center.
Arteriolar Responses to Vasodilator Stimuli and Elevated PO2 in Renin Congenic and Dahl Salt‐Sensitive Rats

Objectives: Angiotensin II suppression leads to impaired vascular relaxation in normotensive animals on a high-salt diet. The goal of this study was to determine whether normal vascular reactivity could be restored by transferring the chromosomal region carrying the Dahl salt-resistant (R) renin gene into the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) genetic background in a strain of renin congenic rats (RGRR).Methods: Male RGRR and SS rats were fed low-salt (0.4%) and high-salt (4%) diets for 4 weeks. The responses of cremaster muscle arterioles to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and elevated PO2 were assessed using video microscopy.Results: ACh-induced dilation was significantly enhanced in RGRR on a high-salt diet compared to SS rats, while dilation to the NO donor SNP was similar in both strains. A high-salt diet significantly enhanced arteriolar constriction in response to elevated PO2, in both SS and RGRR rats.Conclusions: These data suggest that transfer of the chromosomal region containing the ren...
The effects of dissolved oxygen and aquatic surface respiration on the critical thermal maxima of three intermittent-stream fishes

Critical thermal maxima (CTM) were determined for three species of fish in hypoxic (1.2 mg l-1), normoxic (7 mg l-1) and hyperoxic (12 mg l-1) oxygen tensions. All fish were acclimated to 30°C under a regulated photoperiod of 12:12. During each CTM determination, one-half of the test fish were allowed free access to the surface (to permit aquatic surface respiration) while the remaining one-half were denied access to the surface. Under hypoxic conditions, CTMs of Fundulus notatus, Notropis lutrensis and Pimephales vigilax given access to the surface were significantly higher than those of conspecifics without access to the surface. With access to the surface, all species had significantly lower CTMs under hypoxic conditions than under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. CTMs measured under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions were not different for any of the test species. Under all comparable oxygen tensions with surface access, F. notatus had the highest CTM, N. lutrensis intermediate and P. vigilax had the lowest CTM. The critical oxygen concentration for N. lutrensis during CTM determinations occurred between 1.2 and 2 mg l-1.
Isothermal Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide Dihydrate

We present a new method of growing pure solid hydrogen peroxide in an ultra high vacuum environment and apply it to determine thermal stability of the dihydrate compound that forms when water and hydrogen peroxide are mixed at low temperatures. Using infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, we quantified the isothermal decomposition of the metastable dihydrate at 151.6 K. This decomposition occurs by fractional distillation through the preferential sublimation of water, which leads to the formation of pure hydrogen peroxide. The results imply that in an astronomical environment where condensed mixtures of H2O2 and H2O are shielded from radiolytic decomposition and warmed to temperatures where sublimation is significant, highly concentrated or even pure hydrogen peroxide may form.
A Method for Assessing the Visibility Benefits of Roadway Lighting

Photometrically accurate lighting software and a model of visual performance were used to evaluate realistic roadway lighting and driver scenarios. A great deal of data, both virtual photometric quantities and values of relative visual performance, were generated. A method for simplifying these data was developed to create practical insights about the value of different fixed roadway lighting systems. In particular, it was concluded that it is important to illuminate both high- and low-speed intersections, to provide high illumination for older drivers on high-speed roadways with intersections, and perhaps to incorporate refined photosensor-based control of lighting in highly developed areas. The approach used here enables officials responsible for public cost and public safety to make more sophisticated and rational decisions about roadway lighting.
Constant Composition Dissolution Kinetics Studies of Human Dentin

The Constant Composition (CC) method has been used to study the dissolution kinetics of whole powdered human dentin as a function of calcium phosphate concentration at relative undersaturations with respect to hydroxyapatite (σHAP), ranging from +0.8 to -2.8, ionic strength from 0.05 to 0.30 mol/L-1 in sodium chloride or potassium nitrate, pH 4.00 to 5.50, and molar calcium/phosphate ratio in the reaction solutions from 0.05 to 11.1. The results suggest that human dentin behaves as a mixture of at least two calcium phosphate phases, HAP-like and octacalcium phosphate-like, OCP-like. Significant dissolution took place in solutions that were even supersaturated with respect to HAP, and the rates exhibited a striking insensitivity to relative undersaturation, while influenced by ionic strength, pH, and molar calcium/phosphate ratio in the reaction solutions. Although the dissolution was retarded in the presence of magnesium ion, the reaction rate showed the same insensitivity to undersaturation with respect ...
Interseeding Kura Clover and Birdsfoot Trefoil into Existing Cool-Season Grass Pastures

Legumes in cool-season grass pastures can improve productivity and quality. In May of 1997 and 1998, a split-split plot field experiment with six replications was planted in Morris, MN to evaluate the effect of sod suppression, planting method, and legume species on establishment of legumes into existing cool-season grass pastures and to evaluate kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) as potential species for interseeding in the North Central region. Whole-plot sod suppression treatments were (i) 0.62 kg a.i. ha -1 glyphosate [isopropylamine of N-(phosphonomethyl) glycinel or (ii) no glyphosate. Subplot planting methods were (i) no-till drilling, (ii) broadcasting seed on the soil, (iii) broadcasting seed followed by harrowing, and (iv) broadcasting seed followed by a light disking. Legume species sub-subplots were (i) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), (ii) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), (iii) kura clover, and (iv) birdsfoot trefoil. Stand data were collected in the fall of the planting year and in the spring of the second growing season. Averaged across planting methods and species, legume stands were 38% where glyphosate was used and 3% where it was not. No differences or interactions were detected for planting method (P > 0.12). In this study, if competing vegetation was suppressed, stands were >31% regardless of planting method. When sod was suppressed, alfalfa established better stands than the other legume species. The overriding factor in the ability to establish legumes in this study was the suppression of existing vegetation during establishment.
Rational design of shape selective separations and catalysis: Lattice relaxation and effective aperture size

Gounaris et al. presented a computational method that can be used for the quick screening of zeolite structures and provide predictions regarding which of them have the potential to exhibit high selectivity among a set of molecules of interest. This article builds upon this earlier work and furthers our understanding of diffusion processes in zeolites and other microporous metal oxides. We first present an augmented formulation to account for the flexibility of the zeolitic portal and conduct an analysis to assess the effect of varying the parameters of the associated quadratic potential. We then introduce a methodology to map the energetic landscape, identify all locally optimal conformations, and probabilistically account for the multiplicity of conformers. Finally, we conduct sensitivity analysis on the effective size of the aperture, and show how the methodology can be fine–tuned through experimental observations. A comprehensive database of 290 molecules of industrial interest and a total of 123 different zeolite structures were used in this study. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Adaptive Multipath Equalization for T.V. Broadcasting

In recent years the growing use of vertical interval data transmission systems in television broadcasting, such as the Captioning for the Deaf system1 developed by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)*, has created a renewed interest in the problems of multipath distortion.2 This interest is heightened by the fact that new devices, such as microcomputers and charge coupled delay devices (CCD's), make possible an economic solution to this problem for the first time, not only for data but for video as well3, although the work described herein has concentrated primarily on data applications.
A prospectively validated clinical risk score accurately predicts pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy.

Background Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (CR-POPF) are serious inherent risks of pancreatic resection. Preoperative CR-POPF risk assessment is currently inadequate and rarely disqualifies patients who need resection. The best evaluation of risk occurs intraoperatively, and should guide fistula prevention and response measures thereafter. We sought to develop a risk prediction tool for CR-POPF that features intraoperative assessment and reveals associated clinical and economic significance. Study Design Based on International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula classification, recognized risk factors for CR-POPF (small duct, soft pancreas, high-risk pathology, excessive blood loss) were evaluated during pancreaticoduodenectomy. An optimal risk score range model, selected from 3 different constructs, was first derived (n = 233) and then validated prospectively (n = 212). Clinical and economic outcomes were evaluated across 4 ranges of scores (negligible risk, 0 points; low risk, 1 to 2; intermediate risk, 3 to 6; high risk, 7 to 10). Results Clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas occurred in 13% of patients. The incidence was greatest with excessive blood loss. Duct size Conclusions A simple 10-point Fistula Risk Score derived during pancreaticoduodenectomy accurately predicts subsequent CR-POPF. It can be readily learned and broadly deployed. This prediction tool can help surgeons anticipate, identify, and manage this ominous complication from the outset.
The effect of bubble size distribution on selectivity of iron ore flotation

Abstract The effect of the size distribution of air bubbles generated in a flotation pulp on selectivity in mineral flotation was investigated. A theoretical analysis of the effect in terms of the rate of particle collection by bubbles is presented. This analysis demonstrated that the selectivity of flotation depends on both the average bubble size and the width of the bubble size distribution. The selectivity has a maximum value for an intermediate range of bubble diameters. Experiments with flotation of hematite ore were used to confirm theoretical findings. Size distributions of air bubbles generated in the flotation pulp were varied by using different flotation machines and by changing the air flow rate and rotational speed of the impellers. The average diameter of bubbles ranged from 55 μm to 725 μm, and the standard deviation of bubble size varied from 30% to 60% of the corresponding average diameter. Experimental results agreed qualitatively with the theoretical predictions.
Microdebrider resection of acquired subglottic cysts: case series and review of the literature.

Abstract Objective Pediatric subglottic cysts (SGC) are a rare but curable cause of respiratory distress. Previous studies have described microsurgical marsupialization and carbon dioxide laser ablation to treat SGC. In this report we describe our experience performing endoscopic resection of SGC with a laryngeal microdebrider. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent endoscopic resection of SGC with a laryngeal microdebrider between January 2004 and October 2008 at a tertiary care children's hospital was performed. Results Eight patients with one or more SGC were treated with microdebrider resection. All patients presented with stridor or respiratory distress, were born prematurely (mean gestational age 27 weeks), and had been intubated for between 1 and 91 days (mean 33 days). In all cases, suspension laryngoscopy was performed under general anesthesia. The SGC was visualized using a 4.0-mm Hopkins rod telescope and excised using a 2.9-mm diameter laryngeal microdebrider (skimmer blade). No patient experienced significant bleeding following excision. Mean surgical time was 36 min (range 26–59 min). Seven of eight patients (87.5%) were extubated by post-operative day 1. All patients had a follow-up bronchoscopy within 10 weeks. Six of eight patients (75%) had a single treatment, while two patients (25%) required a second resection. One patient had a symptomatic recurrence (12.5%). All eight patients are now free of disease with a mean follow-up of 21 months. No patient developed clinically significant scarring or subglottic stenosis. Conclusions The laryngeal microdebrider offers a safe and effective way to remove SGC with a low recurrence rate.
One-pot three component reaction for the synthesis of chromone-linked naphthopyrans:

Heating an equimolar mixture of 6-substituted chromone-3-carbaldehydes, β-naphthol and dimedone in AcOH produces 3,3-dimethyl-11-(4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtho[2,1-b]-1-benz...
Retroperitoneal tumors that may be confused as adrenal pathologies

There are a number of retroperitoneal pathologies that may be confused with adrenal tumors. It is important to suspect and recognize these conditions as their management and work up might be different than adrenal tumors. This review will go in to the differential diagnosis and unique features of these conditions. A management strategy will also be provided.
Evidence for metalloenzyme character of tRNA nucleotidyl transferase.

Abstract Previous studies (1–5) have shown that several nucleotidyl transferases are metalloenzymes and in a few cases (1–3) the metal has been identified as zinc. In all instances these enzymes are specifically inhibited by incubation with the chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline but are not affected by the structurally similar 1,7-phenanthroline which does not chelate metals. We report here that tRNA nucleotidyl transferase from E. coli is inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline and that only the initial rate of incorporation of AMP is affected; CMP incorporation is not specifically inhibited by this chelator. This finding is in conflict with a previous study (5) in which it was claimed that tRNA nucleotidyl transferase from Rous sarcoma virus and from yeast was unaffected by 1,10-phenanthroline and suggests that the E. coli tRNA nucleotidyl transferase is a metalloenzyme.
An Evaluation of Story Grammars

We evaluate the “story grammar” approach to story understanding from three perspectives. We first examine the formal properties of the grammars and find only one to be formally adequate. We next evaluate the grammars empirically by asking whether they generate all simple stories and whether they generate only stories. We find many stories that they do not generate and one major class of nonstory that they do generate. We also evaluate the grammars' potential as comprehension models and find that they would add nothing to semantic models that focus on the story content. Hence we advocate a story content oriented approach to studying story understanding instead of the structural story grammar approach.
L -Phenylalanine : an Organ Specific, Stereo-specific Inhibitor of Human Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase

HUMAN alkaline phosphatase of intestine but not of liver, bile, bone, lung, kidney and spleen is almost completely (78 per cent) inhibited by L-phenylalanine and is not so affected by D-phenylalanine.
Behaviors of youth involved in the child welfare system.

Abstract Objective Using data from a nationally representative panel study, the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW), we address the following questions: (a) What are the youth, family, community, and child welfare system risk factors that place youth (ages 11–14 years) living at home, who are referred for maltreatment, at increased risk of delinquent behaviors over time? and (b) What promotive factors at the youth, family, community, and child welfare system levels appear to minimize the risk of delinquent behaviors for these youth over time? Methods The study uses the NSCAW data collected at baseline (Wave 1) and 18 months later (Wave 3). The multivariate analyses were conducted using a tobit model adjusted for longitudinal data and a complex survey sample. Results Several significant risk and promotive factors were found to influence the risk of delinquent behaviors over time. Older youth were more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors than younger youth. Girls were less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors than boys. Race or ethnicity did not have a statistically significant relationship with engaging in delinquent behaviors. Compared with neglected youth, youth who were physically abused were more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors. Increases in caregiver monitoring and in the quality of relationship with caregivers were associated with decreases in delinquent behaviors. Youth at greatest risk and those who engaged in more delinquent behaviors received more child welfare services then youth who did not engage in delinquent behaviors. Conclusions The current child welfare delivery system emphasizes provision of services to youth experiencing the more serious problems and less on preventive services. The study findings suggest that preventive services when youth first enter the child welfare system that focus on enhancing caregiver skills in building positive relationships with their youth and increased monitoring of the youth's activity may alter the pathway to delinquent behaviors for these youth.
Threshold levels of Flt3-ligand are required for the generation and survival of lymphoid progenitors and B-cell precursors

The generation of B-cell precursors (BCP) from lymphohematopoietic progenitors (LHP) in bone marrow is dependent on signals provided by the receptor tyrosine kinase Flt3 and its ligand, Flt3-ligand (FL). Mice deficient in FL exhibit striking reductions in LHP and BCP. Currently, the mechanism by which Flt3 regulates lymphoid lineage/B-cell development is unknown. Here, we show that haploinsufficiency of FL (FL(+/) (-) ) reduced the numbers of LHP, common lymphoid progenitors, and pro-B cells, suggesting that FL levels set a threshold for B lymphopoiesis. Limiting dilution analysis confirmed reduced BCP frequency in FL(+/) (-) mice. Real-time PCR of LHP from FL(+/) (-) animals showed increased transcripts of the B lineage inhibitor id1. However, targeted deletion of id1 did not restore the lymphoid/B lineage deficiencies in FL(-/-) mice, supporting Id1-independent mechanisms. BrdU incorporation studies established that FL is not essential for the proliferation of Flt3(+) multipotential progenitors. Analysis of FL(-/-) progenitors expressing low levels of Flt3 revealed decreased levels of the pro-survival factor Mcl1. Consequently, the Flt3(+) LHP progeny of Flt3(low) LSK(+) cells exhibited increased Annexin V staining. Together, these data suggest that Flt3 signaling initiates a cascade of events in Flt3(low) precursors that promote the survival of LHP from which BCP are derived.
Role of geometric parameters in electrical measurements of insulating thin films deposited on a conductive substrate

The effects of film thickness, electrode size and substrate thickness on the impedance parameters of alternating frequency dielectric measurements of insulating thin films deposited on conductive substrates were studied through parametric finite-element simulations. The quasi-static forms of Maxwell's electromagnetic equations in a time harmonic mode were solved using COMSOL Multiphysics® for several types of 2D models (linear and axisymmetric). The full 2D model deals with a configuration in which the impedance is measured between two surface electrodes on top of a film deposited on a conductive substrate. For the simplified 2D models, the conductive substrate is ignored and the two electrodes are placed on the top and bottom of the film. By comparing the full model and the simplified models, approximations and generalizations are deduced. For highly insulating films, such as the case of insulating SiO2 films on a conducting Si substrate, even the simplified models predict accurate capacitance values at all frequencies. However, the edge effects on the capacitance are found to be significant when the film thickness increases and/or the top electrode contact size decreases. The thickness of the substrate affects predominantly the resistive components of the dielectric response while having no significant effect on the capacitive components. Changing the electrode contact size or the film thickness determines the specific values of the measured resistance or capacitance while the material time constant remains the same, and thus this affects the frequency dependence that is able to be detected. This work highlights the importance of keeping in mind the film thickness and electrode contact size for the correct interpretation of the measured dielectric properties of micro/nanoscale structures that are often investigated using nanoscale capacitance measurements.
Obtaining blood samples for anti-factor Xa quantification through umbilical artery catheters.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates who are treated with low-molecular-weight heparin require repeated venipunctures to monitor anti–factor Xa (anti-FXa) levels. Generally, blood withdrawn from umbilical artery catheters (UACs) is not useful for such monitoring because heparin in the fluids running through the catheters contaminates the results. We tested methods for collecting blood for anti-FXa levels from UACs through which heparin-containing fluids were running, in an attempt to reduce the need for repeated venipunctures of anticoagulated neonates. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A new blood drawing port, through which no heparin was run, was added to the UAC system. Qualifying neonates with UACs were randomized to have anti-FXa levels drawn after line-clearing volumes of 0.5, 3.0, or 4.0 ml. RESULTS: Twelve patients with UACs were enrolled and all completed the study with no adverse events. When 0.5, 3.0, or 4.0 ml of blood was cleared from the UAC before withdrawing the test sample, heparin contaminated the test (anti-FXa levels ≥0.1 U/ml) in 66%, 16%, and 8% of samples, respectively. Differences between the 0.5- vs. 3.0-ml line-clearing volumes and between the 0.5- vs. 4.0-ml clearing volumes were significant (p=0.0026 and 0.0006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Blood samples for anti-FXa can be drawn from UACs through which heparin-containing solutions are infusing if a port is added through which no heparin-containing fluids are run, a line-clearing volume of at least 4.0 ml is drawn, and a contamination rate of 8% of samples is acceptable.
The rapid development of high speed, resolution and precision in fMRI.

Abstract MRI pulse sequences designed to increase the speed and spatial resolution of fMRI have always been a hot topic. Here, we review and chronicle the history behind some of the pulse sequence ideas that have contributed not only to the enhancement of fMRI acquisition but also to diffusion imaging. (i) Partial Fourier EPI allows lengthening echo trains for higher spatial resolution while maintaining optimal TE and BOLD sensitivity. (ii) Inner-volume EPI renamed zoomed-EPI, achieves extremely high spatial resolution and has been applied to fMRI at 7 Tesla to resolve cortical layer activity and columnar level fMRI. (iii) An early non-BOLD approach while unsuccessful for fMRI created a diffusion sequence of bipolar pulses called ‘twice refocused spin echo’ now widely used for high-resolution DTI and HARDI neuronal fiber track imaging. (iv) Multiplexed EPI shortens TR to a few hundred milliseconds, increasing sampling rates and statistical power in fMRI.
Susceptibility of the “Gopher,” Citellus richardsonii (Sabine), to Leptospira icterohemorrhagiœ.

SummaryEvidence is presented of the susceptibility of the gopher or Richardson ground-squirrel, Citellus richardsonii (Sabine), to the etiological agent of Weil's disease, Leptospira ictero-hemorrhagiœ. Two series of 5 and 15 passages through gophers, respectively, were effected by the parenteral introduction of blood or tissue-suspensions. The organisms were tested in guinea pigs following the serial passages in gophers; no changes in pathogenicity were noted. Passage was also accomplished by permitting normal gophers to feed on infected gophers, dying or dead of the spirochetal disease.The findings presented in this note suggest that gophers, or similar wild rodents, might act in nature as hosts for Leptospira icterohemorrhagiœ.
MORPHOLOGY AND LABORATORY CULTIVATION OF ECHINOSTELIUM MINUTUM

minutum is described. A peridium is present in the early stages of sporangial formation. It eventually disappears leaving only a small collar at the base of the columella. The structure of the spore wall is unique in this genus. The spore case may be described as consisting of a thin wall with several thickened portions distributed over its surface. These are particularly evident in germinated spores. Spore germination and swarm cells are described for the first time. Swarm cells are biflagellate with two long anterior flagella of nearly equal length. The plasmodium remains microscopic until fruiting time, when it gives rise to but a single sporangium. The plasmodial protoplast never becomes differentiated into veins but remains more or less homnogeneous. It exhibits almost imperceptibly slow, irregular streaming instead of the reversible, rapid, rhythmic motion characteristic of plasmodia of most other Myxomycetes which have been studied. It typifies. therefore, a third type of plasmodium which may be placed alongside that of the Physarales, and that of Stemonitis flavogenita. The laboratory cultivation of E. minutum from spore to spore on agar media is reported here for the first time.