cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MICROGLIOMA, A HISTIOCYTIC NEOPLASM OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Neuropathologists have long suspected the existence of a tumor derived from the microglia, which are the resident immunocompetent cells of the central nervous system. Previously, definitive characterization of this rare putative tumor was hampered by the lack of precise immunohistochemical reagents. We herein report on a patient with microglioma, and we define the immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor. The patient was a 50-year-old white woman who presented with a 1-year history of progressive paresthesia, visual difficulties, and cranial nerve abnormalities. The patient died in June 1972. At autopsy, the brain weighed 1540 grams and was remarkable for a diffusely infiltrating periventricular tumor, which extended from the rostral tip of the lateral ventricles through the spinal cord. Microscopically, the tumor cells had extremely long, slender, twisted nuclei, and the cells diffusely infiltrated the brain parenchyma so that the extent of the tumor was difficult to determine. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from the neuropathology archives were studied. The neoplastic cells stained intensely with CD68 (KP1) and Ricinus communis agglutinin-120 markers for microglia and also with HAM-56, a marker for macrophages. The tumor cells stained negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein. The recent availability of precise immunohistochemical reagents has clearly defined this rare neoplasm and has facilitated reliable distinction from lymphoma and gliomatosis cerebri.
Three-Phase Liquid-Liquid-Vapor Equilibria in the Methane + N-Butane + Nitrogen System

The authors are engaged in an extensive study of liquid-liquid-vapor (L1-L2-V) behavior in ternary systems. The systems under study are well-defined mixtures of materials commonly encountered in the processing of liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is hoped that a fuller understanding of these systems will provide an opportunity for designing more efficient processing schemes.
Conceptual Comparison and Conceptual Innovation

The guiding idea of this paper is that discussions of comparisons of concepts across theories (individuals, historical periods, cultures) and the introduction of new concepts must be based on an account of how the content of concepts is determined. I will sketch a theory of concepts based on the work of Wilfrid Sellars, although with several modifications.1 Then I will illustrate the application of this theory in two cases. First, I will compare the concepts of earth, water, and air as they appear in Aristotelian physics and in Galileo. Second, I will consider the concept of an isotope, an example of a new concept whose introduction is fairly well localized in the history of chemistry. There are two general conclusions that I want to draw from this discussion. First, a Sellarsian approach provides a specific set of tools for comparing concepts and introducing new concepts. Second, major conceptual change can take place while maintaining a great deal of continuity with existing conceptual resources.
Reexamining Data Fusion Processing at Levels 2, 3, and 4

Historically, one of the impediments to the maturation of the field if data and information fusion (DF/IF) was its lack of a standard taxonomy (classification conventions) or nomenclature, (naming conventions). The community has made great strides in these areas for Level 1 (L1) processing but has not addressed the terminology associated with Levels 2 and 3 (L2, L3) in nearly so rigorous a fashion. So one of the first topics that should be addressed as we contemplate formalization of technical approaches is that of language. The following are simple extractions from [1] but the reader is referred to [2] for a collection of some 24 different definitions of the phrase “situational awareness” drawn strictly from military or aerospace-type literature. The taxonomy of the US Joint Directors of Laboratories Data Fusion Group (“JDL/DFG”), [3] the primary US data fusion technology oversight organization, is another useful reference for fusion-related terminology.
Utilization and Economic Impact of Posterolateral Fusion and Posterior/Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgeries in the United States.

Study Design:Retrospective database study.Objective:To analyze the economic and age data concerning primary and revision posterolateral fusion (PLF) and posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fu...
A Health Systems Genogram for Improving Hospital Transitions to Primary Care.

Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) has become a standard of care that addresses gaps in the delivery of mental health services in this country.1 One challenge of IBH is finding common language that clinicians at multiple levels of training can share.2 We introduce the Health Systems Genogram, a
Axial-field Vernier-type Flux Modulation Machines for Low-speed Direct-drive Applications

This paper proposes different configurations of axial-field machines featuring a very large ratio of the number of rotor poles to stator teeth and coils suitable for low-speed direct-drive traction applications. The machines have a single rotor with spoke-type permanent magnets and the stator teeth include auxiliary slots, the function of which is to enhance the high-polarity component of the stator magnetomotive force interacting with the rotor to produce a net torque. The machines can be constructed with three or two phases, in which case they inherently exhibit high tolerance to faults due to the combined effect of a lack of coupling between phases and a relatively large phase inductance. A preliminary comparative simulation study shows performance improvement over a conventional reference permanent magnet synchronous machine.
Seeing strengths: Young adults and their siblings with autism or intellectual disability

Background Understanding the positive qualities of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can provide a much-needed counterpoint to deficit-based depictions of disability. Method This study examined how 163 young adults (ages 18-30) viewed the strengths of their brothers and sisters with intellectual disability or autism using the Assessment Scale for Positive Character Traits-Developmental Disabilities (Woodard, 2009). In addition, the authors examined factors that may shape their perspectives. Results Overall, siblings' ratings of strengths were moderate to high, indicating an overall portrait of strengths. The majority of brothers and sisters with disabilities was described as having multiple strengths and their profiles on this measure were highly individualized. Lower overall ratings were associated with several variables, including not using speech as a primary mode of communication, exhibiting challenging behaviours, having autism and not currently living together. Conclusions The authors offer recommendations for future research and practice related to supporting siblings with and without disabilities.
Request for an Andexxa Value Analysis

This perspective is a formal request to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) to perform a value analysis on andexanet (Andexxa) similar to what was completed for the PCSK9 inhibitors in the 2018 ACC/AHA Blood Cholesterol guidelines. Based on the safety and efficacy concerns of andexanet alfa, a value statement in and or as an addendum to society guidelines is vital considering the high cost of therapy. In this era of ever-increasing health care costs, every clinician, health system, national society, insurer, and pharmaceutical company should work to be good stewards of our society's resources.
Ground-nesting warblers on the eastern shore of Maryland: declining population trends and the effects of forest composition and structure.

Changes in forest size and composition can affect Neotropical migratory songbirds breeding in Eastern North America, leading to population fluctuations and declines. In 2012–2014, we conducted point counts at locations previously surveyed in 1981–1983 and analysed Breeding Bird Atlas data from 1980–2013 to estimate long-term population trends of two declining ground-nesting warblers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland within the Atlantic Coastal Plain: the Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla and the Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum. We detected significant declines for Ovenbirds in both datasets, but we found conflicting data for Worm-eating Warblers. During 2012–2015, we investigated the effects of forest characteristics, such as vegetative composition and ground cover, on occupancy and nest success. Ovenbirds were found more where there were more and larger trees but were negatively affected by the proportion of pines, whereas Worm-eating Warblers were more abundant when there were higher numbers of trees and more pines. Nest success was not affected by vegetation other than the proportion of pine trees or leaf litter depth, both of which increased nest success. Worm-eating Warblers with more pine needles in their nests also had increased nest success. This study presents a nuanced view of how forest composition (proportion of pine trees) of the Atlantic Coastal Plain in Maryland influenced ground-nesting warblers differently, and suggests that effectively managing ground-nesting warblers in this area may differ from other regions of Eastern North America due to its unique vegetative composition, structure, and history.
Design of a Drug-Eluting Subcutaneous Implant of the Antiretroviral Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate

Sexual transmission of HIV has been clinically proven to be preventable with a once-daily oral tablet; however, missed doses dramatically increase the risk of HIV infection. Long-acting subcutaneous implants do not allow the user to miss a dose. A desirable long-acting drug-eluting implant can deliver a constant amount of drug, adjust the delivered dose, and be readily manufactured. We present a long-acting, subcutaneous implant design composed of tenofovir alafenamide hemifumarate (TAF) pellets loaded in a sealed polyether urethane tube for the prevention of HIV transmission. Implants were prepared with pressed drug pellets and extruded polyurethane tubing. In vitro release rate of implants using different pellet formulations, rate-controlling membranes, and geometries were measured. Tenofovir alafenamide release appeared to be governed by a pseudo-steady state and followed a mass transport model of release from a cylindrical drug reservoir. Implant seal integrity was tested and confirmed using mechanical testing. The inclusion of sodium chloride in the pellet increased the release rate and reduced initial lag. The release was sustained for 100 days. The release rate of tenofovir alafenamide mechanistically varied with geometry and rate controlling membrane composition. The polyether urethane implant presented herein is modular and tunable to adjust the release rate and duration of the TAF release.
Etiology characteristics of 28 685 children with hand-foot-mouth disease of Kunming

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hand,foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children of Kunming area.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the pathogens and clinical characteristics of 28 685 children with HFMD in the Children's Hospital of Kunming from 2009 to 2012.Results The reported number increased by 781.00％ from 1 105 in 2009 to 9 735 in 2010 and by 65.79％ from 6 714 in 2011 to 11 131 in 2012.In 28 685 HFMD children,the male/female ration was 1.29 ∶ 1 and 57.00％ was 4-7 years old; the onset of the peak was from April to July,which occurred in May during 2009-2011 and in June 2012; the main manifestations were rash (100.00％) and fever (64.66％,18 549); 902,1 186,and 802 severe HFMD cases were reported in 2010-2012,respectively; Enterovisus type 71 (44.00％) and coxackievirus A16 (41.00％) were the predominant HFMD pathogens in 24 669 cases detected.Conclusions The case number of HFMD reported presents a line up trend in Kunming area from 2009 to 2012.There are no marked changes of epidemic characteristics of HFMD and the number of severe HFMD cases in Kunming area. Key words: Hand, foot, and mouth disease; Epidemiology; Children
Alterations of the rewarding actions of amphetamine by prior nicotine and alcohol treatment: The role of age and dopamine

Abstract Rationale Nicotine and alcohol each can serve as the gateway to other drugs. Objective The current study was sought to determine if prior nicotine and alcohol exposure alters amphetamine reward and if age and dopaminergic neurotransmission are involved. Methods Male and female adolescent and adult C57BL/6J mice were tested for baseline place preference, received six conditioning with saline/nicotine (0.25 mg/kg) twice daily followed by six conditioning with saline/ethanol (2 g/kg) in a counterbalance manner. Control mice were conditioned with saline/saline throughout. Finally, mice were conditioned with amphetamine (3 mg/kg) once in the nicotine-alcohol-paired chamber and then tested for CPP 24 h later. The following day, mice were challenged with amphetamine (1 mg/kg) and tested for CPP under a drugged state. Mice were then immediately euthanized, brain removed and nucleus accumbens isolated and processed for the expression of dopamine receptors and transporter, and glutamate receptors. Results We observed a greater amphetamine-induced CPP in adolescent than adult mice but no change in state-dependent CPP between the two age groups. In contrast, amphetamine-induced CPP in mice with prior nicotine-alcohol exposure was greater in adult than adolescent mice under both drug-free and drugged states. The enhanced response in adult mice was associated with greater expression of dopamine-transporter, reduced D2 receptors, and increased D1 receptors with no changes in glutamate receptors. Conclusions These results suggest that prior nicotine and alcohol exposure differentially alters the rewarding action of amphetamine in adult and adolescent mice and alterations in dopaminergic neurotransmission may be involved in this phenotype.
Practices of Supportive Church Children’s Ministries: An Exploratory Multilevel Investigation of Church of the Nazarene Congregations in the United States

Religious communities have been identified as an important source of social support for children. Although church children’s ministries (i.e., church programs where children receive religious education separate from their parents) have been suggested as a potential avenue for the transmission of social support, the specific children’s ministry practices that promote social support have not been established empirically. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether contemplative-reflective practices, structured playtime, and unstructured playtime predict between-church differences in children’s church-based social support (i.e., received support, perceived support from peers, perceived support from adults) controlling for children’s individual characteristics and children’s ministry size. Using a multilevel approach, we analyzed self-report survey data from 43 children’s ministers and 1,090 children from 43 Church of the Nazarene congregations in the United States. Results showed that children’s supportive experiences were largely predicted by their individual characteristics (e.g., family religiosity, agreeableness). However, contemplative-reflective practices had a medium positive effect on received support and perceived support from peers and adults. Unstructured playtime had a medium positive effect on received support only. Structured playtime was unrelated to all three outcomes. These findings suggest that, although some children are naturally predisposed to thrive socially at church, children’s ministry practices appear to have a significant and substantive impact on children’s church-based social support. The results shed light on the conditions that create and sustain church-based social support. Churches wishing to make children feel part of a supportive community should consider incorporating contemplative-reflective practices into their children’s worship service (e.g., mindful prayer and reflective experiences, meaningful choices, leadership opportunities for children, safe and intimate opportunities to share and receive prayer, and liturgical traditions), as well as regular space for unstructured playtime wherein children can exercise autonomy, demonstrate their unique talents and abilities, and engage in informal conversations with peers and adults about their life experiences, feelings, and personal problems.
Third year medical students impersonalize and hedge when providing negative upward feedback to clinical faculty.

Medical students provide clinical teaching faculty with feedback on their skills as educators through anonymous surveys at the end of their clerkship rotation. Because faculty are in a position of ...
Constitutional law restrictions on the activities of a deputy due to changes in the constitution of the Russian Federation

As a result of constitutional amendments, several ideological provisions which are legally binding by constitutional requirements as a normative legal act of supreme legal force appeared in the Russian Constitution. It is necessary to determine the limits of freedom of parliamentary activity in the current conditions. The objective of the study. To analyze the deputy’s activity through the prism of constitutional amendments, in the correlation of the deputy’s activity as a free expression of his opinion and the established constitutional right restrictions. In this study, the formal-legal method was used to interpret the content of the constitutional amendments and the analysis method to identify the impact of the adopted amendments on the deputy activities. The analyzed constitutional provisions, having an “ideological” character, for the most part, cannot be qualified as a constitutional-legal norm. At best, it is a constitutional and legal principle, but most likely, it should be interpreted as a constitutional principle of a non-legal nature. However, at the same time, they are a legally binding rule of law. Concerning parliamentary activity, the “ideological” norms of the Russian Federation’s Constitution after its amendments from 2020 play a special role. Deputies are forced to take one political position in the presence of several alternatives, which are also devoid of signs of illegality and, therefore, are legitimate and permissible in a democratic society. Therefore, in relation to deputies’ activities, these amendments can be interpreted as a very significant deviation from the freedom of expression in a democratic society. These constitutional innovations significantly change some traditional ideas about the people’s representation, the role of deputies in society, their obligations, and constitutional legal restrictions on their activities.
Management of pneumatocele in an extremely low birth weight neonate with percutaneous pigtail catheter by ultrasound guidance

Abstract Pneumatoceles are rare in neonates and most resolve spontaneously. However, pneumatoceles can persist and compromise cardiopulmonary function secondary to mass effect. Intervention aimed at decompressing the air cyst helps alleviate cardiopulmonary compression. We present the case of a 23 6/7 week gestation female infant born in the setting of severe maternal preeclampsia who developed respiratory failure associated with a pneumatocele that was successfully treated at the bedside with ultrasound-guided placement of a pigtail catheter. This novel intervention resulted in immediate decompression of the pneumatocele without recurrence which allowed stabilization of the patient for closure of a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with subsequent improvement of her cardiopulmonary function and discharge home. Prior reports have shown successful percutaneous decompression using fluoroscopic guidance, in this report we show an ultrasound guided technique. This approach mitigates the distress associated with fluoroscopic-guided and operative interventions in these patients with compromised cardiopulmonary function. In addition, it eliminates the need for transportation in this fragile patient population.
Experiencing Discrimination: Race and Retention in America's Largest Law Firms

Although the number of racial and ethnic minority lawyers in the legal profession has greatly increased, concern remains about their low percentage among partners in elite law firms. Using a nationally representative sample of young American lawyers, we compare a human capital-based theory, which emphasizes measures of merit, and an institutional discrimination-based theory, which focuses on differences in partner contact and mentoring. The results indicate that institutional discrimination theory is the better way of understanding racial and ethnic differences in lawyer retention. Future affirmative action programs need to focus not just on access but also the processes within large firms if minority presence is to be increased.
Geographical and economic determinants of interregional migration in the USSR, 1968-1985.

Interregional migration results in a regional redistribution of labor essential under the current mismatch between the locations of labor and of natural resources and industrial capacity in the USSR. This study focuses on economic and geographical determinants of destination choice of migrants from 1968 through 1985. Particular emphasis is placed upon the relative effects of economic variables and quality of life factors and on the effect of gravity variables (i.e. distance and population size). The statistically significant results for the economic and gravity variables indicate the appropriateness of using Western theories to analyze migration in the Soviet context. (EXCERPT)
Cognitive Impairment Associated With Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked with an increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia, but whether this risk was due to stroke has been uncertain. This systematic review of 21 studi...
Frequency in the United States of non-beta-lactamase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae possessing the 24.5-Mdal conjugative plasmid.

We characterized 475 non-beta-lactamase-producing gonococcal isolates from five U.S. cities by auxotype, serovar, and plasmid content to determine the frequency of isolates with the 24.5-Mdal gonococcal conjugative plasmid. A total of 150 (32%) of all isolates possessed the 24.5-Mdal plasmid; these isolates represented between 10% and 53% of isolates from each city. Isolates possessing the 24.5-Mdal plasmid belonged to 45 (56%) of 81 auxotype/serovar (A/S) classes, or between 24% and 70% of the A/S classes isolated in each city. Overall, a higher proportion of strains isolated in the southern cities possessed the 24.5-Mdal plasmid than did those from northeastern or northwestern cities. These strains appear to have spread independently of the spread of beta-lactamase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae strains with the 24.5-Mdal conjugative plasmid has increased substantially and may have important implications for the epidemiology of gonorrhea caused by beta-lactamase-producing strains.
Simulations of atomic level stresses in systems of buried Ge/Si islands

Stress distribution in laterally ordered arrays of coherent Ge islands on Si(001) buried in Si cap layers is examined using atomistic simulations. The obtained hydrostatic stress dependence on the spacer layer thickness shows a nearly linear inverse dependence, unlike the commonly used inverse cubic dependence derived in the framework of an isolated embedded force dipole source model. Additionally, the hydrostatic stress on the spacer surface is found to scale more closely with the area of the island rather than its volume as implicit in the use of the force dipole model.
Regulation of proline synthesis during osmotic stress in the copepod Tigriopus californicus

The marine copepod Tigriopus californicus shows rapid adjustment of intracellu- lar proline and alanine pools in response to salinity stress. Small increases in salinity (on the order of 2 ppt or 50 mOsmoles) are sufficient to elicit proline synthesis in animals acclimated to 50% seawater. Increases in osmolarity achieved by adding organic solutes to a 50% seawater medium also elicited proline (but not alanine) synthesis. In constant 50% seawater, label from 14C-(U)-glucose is incorporated into the free alanine and glutamate (but not proline) pools; only the proline pool shows a monotonic increase in specific activity following transfer to 100% seawater. To demonstrate that glutamate is a proline precursor, 14C-(U)-glutamate was provided to animals maintained in 50% seawater (control) and animals transferred to 100% seawater; salinity change resulted in the rapid increase in alanine and proline concentrations, with proline (and not alanine) achieving specific activities similar to that of the glutamate pool. Taken together, these results indicate that small hyperosmotic stimuli result in the induction of proline synthesis from gluta- mate. The regulation of proline synthesis involves mechanisms discrete from those regulating the concentrations of other FAA functioning in osmotic response. Response to osmotic stress among euryhaline marine crustacea has attracted intensive investi- gation for many years (see reviews by Florkin and Schoffeniels, '69; Gilles, '75, '79; Schoffeniels, '76; others). A major component of this response in- volves the regulation of cell volume via the ad- justment of intracellular organic solute concen- trations, primarily in the form of free amino acids (FAA). Not all amino acids participate in this response; only non-essential amino acids show rapid, quantitatively important changes in con- centration following changes in environmental salinity. Specifically, alanine, proline, and gly- cine typically show the largest adjustments, with one of more of these FAA commonly reaching intracellular concentrations in excess of 0.1 M in seawater-acclimated crustacea. Bowlus and So- mero ('79) and Yancey et al. ('82) have shown that alanine, proline, and glycine do not perturb en- zyme function even when present in high concen- trations, suggesting that their compatibility with cell function has resulted in the evolution of their participation in osmotic response in a diversity of organisms. Despite long interest in the accumulation and loss of FAA during osmotic stress, little is known about the regulation of this response, especially among crustacea. The most widely cited hypothe- sis involves the direct action of inorganic ions on
Mania and Behavioral Equivalents: A Preliminary Study.

Previous research has failed to address the possibility of behavioral equivalents in people with ID and mania. The relationship between a measure of mania and possible behavioral equivalents was assessed in 693 adults, most with severe or profound ID, living in a large residential setting. The mania subscale of the DASH-II proved to be a homogenous scale, suggesting that this may be a valid measure of mania in individuals with ID. Both item and factor analyses and correlations showed that many behavioral items acceptably correlated with the mania items. There may be some challenging behaviors that are related to mania in individuals with ID. A factor analysis noted a decreased need for sleep, restlessness, agitation, and irritability as items associated with mania.
A Mouse Model of Otitis Media Identifies HB-EGF as a Mediator of Inflammation-Induced Mucosal Proliferation

Objective: Otitis media is one of the most common pediatric infections. While it is usually treated without difficulty, up to 20% of children may progress to long-term complications that include hearing loss, impaired speech and language development, academic underachievement, and irreversible disease. Hyperplasia of middle ear mucosa contributes to the sequelae of acute otitis media and is of important clinical significance. Understanding the role of growth factors in the mediation of mucosal hyperplasia could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for this disease and its sequelae. Methods: From a whole genome gene array analysis of mRNA expression during acute otitis media, we identified growth factors with expression kinetics temporally related to hyperplasia. We then tested these factors for their ability to stimulate mucosal epithelial growth in vitro, and determined protein levels and histological distribution in vivo for active factors. Results: From the gene array, we identified seven candidate growth factors with upregulation of mRNA expression kinetics related to mucosal hyperplasia. Of the seven, only HB-EGF (heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor) induced significant mucosal epithelial hyperplasia in vitro. Subsequent quantification of HB-EGF protein expression in vivo via Western blot analysis confirmed that the protein is highly expressed from 6 hours to 24 hours after bacterial inoculation, while immunohistochemistry revealed production by middle ear epithelial cells and infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusion: Our data suggest an active role for HB-EGF in the hyperplasia of the middle ear mucosal epithelium during otitis media. These results imply that therapies targeting HB-EGF could ameliorate mucosal growth during otitis media, and thereby reduce detrimental sequelae of this childhood disease.
Shiga-like toxins and HIV-1 ‘go through’ glycosphingolipids and lipid rafts in renal cells

The binding of Shiga-like toxins (Stx) to globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3) in renal cells plays a central role in Stx-induced hemolytic uremic syndrome (Stx-HUS). Khan et al. show that the presence of Gb3 within lipid raft microdomains in glomerular but not tubular cells may be the basis for the glomerular- and age-restricted pathology of Stx-HUS. They also propose that the binding of the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 to Gb3 in renal tubules may play a role in HIV nephropathy.
Applications of Satellite Altimetry to Oceanography and Geophysics

Satellite-borne altimeters have had a profound impact on geodesy, geophysics, and physical oceanography. To first order approximation, profiles of sea surface height are equivalent to the geoid and are highly correlated with seafloor topography for wavelengths less than 1000 km. Using all available Geos-3 and Seasat altimeter data, mean sea surfaces and geoid gradient maps have been computed for the Bering Sea and the South Pacific. When enhanced using hill-shading techniques, these images reveal in graphic detail the surface expression of seamounts, ridges, trenches, and fracture zones. Such maps are invaluable in oceanic regions where bathymetric data are sparse. Superimposed on the static geoid topography is dynamic topography due to ocean circulation. Temporal variability of dynamic height due to oceanic eddies can be determined from time series of repeated altimeter profiles. Maps of sea height variability and eddy kinetic energy derived from Geos-3 and Seasat altimetry in some cases represent improvements over those derived from standard oceanographic observations. Measurement of absolute dynamic height imposes stringent requirements on geoid and orbit accuracies, although existing models and data have been used to derive surprisingly realistic global circulation solutions. Further improvement will only be made when advances are made in geoid modeling and precision orbit determination. In contrast, it appears that use of altimeter data to correct satellite orbits will enable observation of basin-scale sea level variations of the type associated with climatic phenomena.
The Effects of Biogenically Active Compounds on Cyclotella Meneghiniana (Bacillariophyta)

Biogenically active compounds have been discovered in many surface water samples in Europe and North America. Wastewater effluent is identified as a major source of contamination and found to revert much of the metabolic products of these biologically active compounds back to their original form. This presentation explains methodology for determining the effects of these contaminants through a newly developed bioassay, examining the physiological response of a diatom to these compounds. Diatoms represent an important aspect of the primary production community. They are a desirable food source over other members of the primary production community through storage of photosynthetically produced sugars in the form of lipids rather than starch. Therefore, members of higher trophic levels selectively feed on diatoms when present with other members of the primary production community. This study examines the effects of select biogenically active compounds on the gross morphology and physiological development of the diatom species Cyclotella meneghiniana. Clearly, unicellular protists such as diatoms are not susceptible to these contaminants in a manner directly analogous to that expressed in vertebrates. However, many of these compounds are lipophilic making them particularly effective in entering the diatom cell membrane. Comparing cell density, lipid composition, fatty acid concentrations, and the electron microscope ultra-structure in control and exposed cultures achieve this study's experimental objectives. This diatom was selected because it commonly occurs in most freshwater environments and has been the subject of other toxicological studies. An adequate literature base also exists for evaluating results of this experiment. The species grows rapidly and is easy to maintain in culture. The use of a phytoplankton species as a test organism complements other investigations involving vertebrate models at the apex of the trophic hierarchy by considering effects at the base of the food web.
Early National Experience with Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Comparison of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy and Open Pancreaticoduodenectomy from the National Cancer Data Base.

Background There is considerable debate about the safety and clinical equivalence of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDCA). Study Design We queried the National Cancer Data Base to identify patients undergoing LPD and OPD for PDCA between 2010 and 2011. Chi-square and Student's t -tests were used to evaluate differences between the 2 approaches. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to identify patient, tumor, or facility factors associated with perioperative mortality. Results Four thousand and thirty-seven (91%) patients underwent OPD. Three hundred and eighty-four (9%) patients underwent LPD. There were no statistical differences between the 2 surgical cohorts with regard to age, race, Charlson score, tumor size, grade, stage, or treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy demonstrated a shorter length of stay (10 ± 8 days vs 12 ± 9.7 days; p Conclusions Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is equivalent to OPD in length of stay, margin-positive resection, lymph node count, and readmission rate. There is a higher 30-day mortality rate with LPD, but this appears driven by a surmountable learning curve for the procedure.
The Expression and Role of Hyperpolarization-Activated and Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels in Endocrine Anterior Pituitary Cells

Pituitary cells fire action potentials independently of external stimuli, and such spontaneous electrical activity is modulated by a large variety of hypothalamic and intrapituitary agonists. Here, we focused on the potential role of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in electrical activity of cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed higher level of expression of mRNA transcripts for HCN2 and HCN3 subunits and lower expression of HCN1 and HCN4 subunits in these cells. Western immunoblot analysis of lysates from normal and GH3 immortalized pituitary cells showed bands with appropriate molecular weights for HCN2, HCN3, and HCN4. Electrophysiological experiments showed the presence of a slowly developing hyperpolarization-activated inward current, which was blocked by Cs+ and ZD7288, in gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, somatotrophs, and a fraction of lactotrophs, as well as in other unidentified pituitary cell types. Stimulation of adenylyl cycl...
Effect of stopper size on squaraine rotaxane stability

A series of new squaraine rotaxanes have been synthesized with a tetralactam macrocycle and stopper groups of varying sizes and functionalities. In chloroform solvent, the relative size of the stopper group appears to have little influence on the high mechanical stability of the rotaxane structure. There is no evidence for unthreading (sometimes referred to as deslipping), even in the presence of competing chloride salts or elevated temperatures. A difference in rotaxane stability emerges as the polarity of the organic solvent is increased. Squaraine rotaxanes with small stopper groups undergo unthreading in the polar aprotic solvent DMSO. However, a water soluble tetracarboxylic acid derivative was found to be highly stable in aqueous solvents containing serum.
Experimental Evaluation of Cartesian Stiffness Control on a Seven Degree-of-Freedom Robot Arm

The programmability of Cartesian stiffness in Cartesian servo control algorithms that do not use explicit force feedback is examined. A number of Cartesian algorithms are implemented and evaluated on a commercial seven degree-of-freedom robot arm, using the NASREM robot control system testbed. It is found that Cartesian servo algorithms which use the transpose of the Jacobian and model-based gravity compensation, provide easy programmability and accurate reproduction of stiffnesses over a wide range. When dynamic behavior is a consideration, dynamic damping control, augmented to include a parameterization of the manipulator self-motion, provides superior performance and programmability.
Power-and space-efficient image computation with compressive processing: II. Models and simulation results

The increased use of power- and space-constrained embedded processors in a wide variety of autonomous imaging and surveillance applications implies increased speed of computational resources that follow image acquisition in the processing stream. In such early vision applications, one typically processes an entire image data stream prior to spatial downselection operations such as focus-of-attention involving area-of-interest (AOI) selection. Downselection is especially useful in the emerging technologies of spatiotemporal adaptive processing (STA) and biomimetic automated target recognition (ATR). Here, progressive data reduction employs operations or sub-algorithms that process fewer data but in a more involved manner at each step of an algorithm. Implementationally, the STAP approach is amenable to embedded hardware using processors with deep pipelines and fine-grained parallelism. In part 1 of this series of two papers, we showed how compression of an image or sequence of images could facilitated more efficient image computation or ATR by processing fewer (compressed) data. This technique, called compressive processing or compressive computation, typically utilizes fewer operations than the corresponding ATR or image processing operation over noncompressed data, and can produce space, time, error, and power (STEP) savings on the order of the compression ratio (CR). Part 1 featured algorithms for edge detection in images compressed by vector quantization (VQ), visual pattern image coding (VPIC), and EBLAST, which is a recently-reported block-oriented high- compression transform. In this paper, we continue presentation of theory for compressive computation of early processing operations such as morphological erosion and dilation, as well as higher- level operations such as connected component labeling. We also discuss the algorithm and hardware modeling technique that supports analysis and verification of compressive processing efficiency. This methodology emphasizes 1) translation of each image processing algorithm or operation to a prespecified compressive format, 2) determination of the operation mix M for each algorithms produced in Step 1), and 3) simulation of M on various architectural models, to estimate performance. As in part 1, algorithms are expressed in image algebra, a rigorous, concise notation that unified linear and nonlinear mathematics in the image domain.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Endoscopy: NBI in Barrett esophagus--look more and sample less.

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) might improve the detection of Barrett esophagus and its associated neoplasia. A randomized controlled trial suggests that NBI with targeted biopsies can yield the same detection rate for Barrett esophagus with fewer biopsies compared with standard high-definition white light endoscopy with random biopsies.
Venus: Surface Temperature Variations

Abstract The enthalpy change in chemical reactions between atmospheric CO2 and Venus surface rocks is shown to provide an extremely effective mechanism for damping short-term temperature excursions in the lower atmosphere. It is shown that the diurnal temperature variation near the Venus equator is probably less than 0.05K
Fluoroscopically guided closed reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the lateral portion of the humeral condyle: prospective clinical study of the technique and results in ten dogs.

Objective To report a technique for fluoroscopically guided closed reduction with internal fixation of fractures of the lateral portion of the humeral condyle (FLHC) and determine the long-term results in 10 clinical cases. Study Design Prospective clinical case study. Animals Ten dogs with 11 fractures. Methods Fractures of the lateral portion of the humeral condyle were stabilized with transcondylar screws and Kirschner wires. Closed reduction and implant placement were achieved using intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. After fracture repair, postoperative radiographs were evaluated for articular alignment and implant placement. Dogs were evaluated after surgery by means of lameness scores, elbow range of motion (ROM), radiographic assessment, and owner evaluation of function. Results Postoperative reduction was considered anatomic in 6 fractures with all other fractures having <1.5 mm of malreduction. Follow-up was available for 9 patients from 9 to 21 months after surgery. All of the fractures had healed. One minor (wire migration) and one major (implant failure) complication occurred. Mean lameness scores were 0 (n = 6), 0.5 (n = 2), and 1 (n = 1) at the time of final follow-up. No significant differences were found in follow-up ROM values between affected and unaffected elbows. All of the dogs in this study regained 90–100% of full function, based on owner assessment. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Fluoroscopic guidance for closed reduction and internal fixation of FLHC in dogs is an effective technique.
ScN/GaN heterojunctions: fabrication and characterization

Abstract We report the fabrication of ScN/GaN isotype (n–n) heterojunctions by plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition (PAPVD) of ScN onto metal-organic chemical vapor deposited (MOCVD) GaN. Two types, corresponding to different temperature growth conditions (900 and 1000 K) for ScN were used. The samples grown at 900 K, display rectifying current–voltage ( I – V ) behavior with turn on voltage between 1.26 and 1.56 V and ideality factors of 4.61 and 5.90. From capacitance–voltage ( C–V ) measurements, the “built-in” potential values of approximately 0.06 and 1.00 V on each side of the junction were obtained.
A moving boundary formulation for recursive plastic heat release during friction stir welding

Abstract In this paper, a model for the growth of third region during friction stir welding is presented. The domain of interest is the heat and deformation affected zone under the tool shoulder. The model integrates a moving boundary framework for the growth of a stirring induced plastic flow region within the domain and formulates the heat generated by recursive plastic work as an enthalpy jump condition across the moving interface. From global energy balance considerations, the approach provides the means to estimate the time required to develop the stirring induced plastic flow region as a function of tool geometry (shoulder radius and pin radius).
Observational Constraints on the Abundance and Evolution of ``XCN'' in Interstellar Grain Mantles

The 4.62 km ii XCN ˇˇ absorption feature, attributed to CN-bearing molecules in solids, is potentially an important diagnostic of the evolution of organic matter in the interstellar medium and the envelopes of newly formed stars. We report quantitative limits on the strength of this feature in the diUuse interstellar medium toward the reddened B-type star Cyg OB2 No. 12 and in the dark cloud toward the young stellar object R CrA IRS 2. On the basis of an assumed band strength for the carrier species, we estimate that less than 0.3% and less than 0.1% of the elemental nitrogen is in CN bonds along these lines of sight, respectively; if they are typical of diUuse and dense environments, it follows that the carrier of XCN is no more than a trace constituent of either organic-refractory or icy interstellar grain mantles. Appreciable XCN abundances seem to occur only in the envelopes of certain young stellar objects (YSOs), most notably the high-mass objects W33A and AFGL 7009S. We con—rm the presence of XCN in the spectrum of the low-mass YSO R CrA IRS 7. The strengths of the XCN absorptions in R CrA IRS 7 and other low-mass YSOs indicate mean XCN concentrations relative to in the ices of H 2 O D1%, comparable with the abundance of CN-bearing species in comets. )
Ziconotide: A New Pharmacological Class of Drug for the Management of Pain

Z ICONOTIDE is the first in a new pharmacological class of analgesics that selectively target neuron-specific (N-type), voltage-gated calcium channels. Formerly known as SNX-111 (Elan Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA), ziconotide is the synthetic form of a peptide, ~-conopeptide-MVIIA, derived from the venom of fish-hunting marine snails. By selectively antagonizing N-type channels, intraspinally administered ziconotide produces potent analgesia in animals by mechanisms that appear to include interruption of primary afferent transmission (Fig 1) as well as reversal of the pathological hypersensitivity in spinal cord circuitry known as central sensitization. 1 Controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the analgesic efficacy of ziconotide in both acute and chronic pain, including pain refractory to opioids. z-4 Furthermore, unlike analgesics that bind to opioid receptors, ziconotide does not produce abuse, dependence, or tolerance, 5 nor does it cause respiratory depression 3 or bowel dysfunction. 5 Ziconotide is currently awaiting clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for the management of pain. This article reviews the mechanism of action of ziconotide, its pharmacological profile, and its efficacy and safety in con~olled clinical trials.