cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paravertebral blockade with propofol sedation versus general anesthesia for elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of paravertebral blockade (PVB) for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair compared with general anesthesia (GA).Data from patients who underwent elective infrarenal endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair between August 2001 and July 2002 using PVB or GA were retrospectively reviewed and compared with respect to risk factors, intraoperative hemodynamic characteristics, operative outcome, and complications.Ten patients underwent elective infrarenal endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair under PVB, whereas 15 patients were operated on under GA. One conversion from PVB to GA was necessary for block failure. The perioperative (< 30 days) cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality were zero in both groups. The PVB group benefited significantly with respect to the incidence of intraoperative hypotension (p < .05) and blood pressure lability (p < .01), as well as postoperative nausea (p < .01). Our preliminary results indicate...
Role of Calcium Feedback in Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Isolated Triads

There is a considerable controversy in the literature concerning the effects of higher concentrations of calcium chelators (e.g. BAPTA (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) or fura-2) on the intracellular Ca2+ transients in muscle. We induced calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the triad preparation by chemical depolarization of the T-tubule in the presence of various concentrations of BAPTA-calcium buffer ([Ca2+] = 0.1 microM) and investigated the effects of the BAPTA concentration on the time courses of conformational changes in the junctional foot protein (JFP) and calcium release from SR. Upon stimulation, the JFP underwent biphasic conformational changes, as determined by stopped-flow fluorometry of the JFP-bound conformational probe. The first phase of protein conformational change, which preceded calcium release from SR, was virtually unaffected by the BAPTA concentration. However, the magnitude of the second phase increased in an inversely proportional fashion to the BAPTA concentration. An abrupt increase in [Ca2+] from 0.1 microM up to 1.0 microM (delta Ca2+), concurrently with T-tubule depolarization, produced biphasic protein conformational changes: a delta Ca(2+)-independent first phase and a delta Ca(2+)-dependent second phase. Similar Ca2+ jump experiments under non-depolarizing conditions produced a slow monophasic conformational change equivalent to the second phase described above. These results suggest that the first phase of protein conformational change represents the activation of JFP by T-tubule depolarization to induce calcium release, and the second phase the secondary activation by the released Ca2+. Activation of the JFP by the released Ca2+ resulted in an acceleration of both (i) the rate of initial calcium release, and (ii) the subsequent attenuation of calcium release. The acceleration of both was suppressed by higher concentrations of BAPTA. These results provide a reasonable explanation for both of the apparently contradictory views in the literature; high concentrations of calcium buffer (a) suppress the initial activation and (b) prevent the subsequent attenuation of calcium release.
Narrative medicine and healthcare reform.

Narrative medicine is one of medicine’s most important internal reforms, and it should be a critical dimension of healthcare debate. Healthcare reform must eventually ask not only how do we pay for healthcare and how do we distribute it, but more fundamentally, what kind of healthcare do we want? It must ask, in short, what are the goals of medicine? Yet, even though narrative medicine is crucial to answering these pivotal and inescapable questions, it is not easy to describe. Many of its core claims go against the grain of common sense thinking about medicine. This article argues that the best way to understand narrative medicine is to tell a story that puts its emergence in historical context.
Ultrastructure of an isolate of Rickettsiella from the African grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus

Abstract A rickettsial organism was isolated from the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus , collected in Senegal. The organism is tentatively identified as a strain of Rickettsiella grylli . The rickettsiella isolated from naturally infected grasshoppers was used to infect the grasshoppers Melanoplus sanguinipes or M. differentialis and for in vitro propagation of the organism. Electron microscopy of the R. grylli developmental cycle is characterized by short curved rods (elementary bodies), measuring 350–500 nm in length by 200 nm in diameter, bacilliform-shaped intermediate bodies approximately 500–800 nm in length by 300 nm in diameter, and initial bodies measuring 1 μm in diameter. The formation of large crystalline bodies reported for R. grylli was not observed for the strain in this investigation.
Development of α‐Noradrenergic and Dopaminergic Receptor Systems Depends on Maturation of Their Presynaptic Nerve Terminals in the Rat Brain

To study the relationship between ontogeny of rat brain catecholamine nerve terminals and the receptor systems for the catecholamine transmitters, the developmental patterns of synaptosomal uptake mechanisms were compared with those of alpha-noradrenergic and dopaminergic receptor-mediated effects. Uptakes of [(3)H]dopamine or [(3)H]norepinephrine into dopaminergic and noradrenergic nerve terminals were low during the 1st week postpartum and increased rapidly during the 2nd week. A similar pattern was obtained for ontogeny of dopaminergic receptor binding sites, as evaluated by [(3)H]domperidone binding. Stimulation of incorporation of (33)P(i) into brain phospholipids (elicited by intracisternal injection of dopamine), which is mediated by dopaminergic receptors, was shown to be highly correlated with the maturation of both receptor binding sites and presynaptic nerve terminal uptake. A similar result was seen with norepinephrine, in that the synaptosomal uptake mechanism and norepinephrine-induced stimulation (33)P(i) incorporation into phospholipids, an alpha-noradrenergic effect, developed in a parallel fashion. To test the hypothesis that development of the receptor systems is linked to nerve terminal ontogeny, presynaptic nerve terminals were destroyed in neonates by intracisternal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine. The lesions prevented the maturational increase in the number of dopamine receptor binding sites and produced a defect in development of the dopamine- and norepinephrine-induced stimulation of (33)P(i) incorporation. The results suggest that ontogeny of both dopaminergic and alpha-noradrenergic receptor systems depend upon development of the presynaptic nerve terminals containing the transmitters.
Complex scalar dark matter vis-à-vis CoGeNT, DAMA/LIBRA, and XENON100

The CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA experiments have found evidence for the spin-independent scattering from nuclei of a light dark matter (DM) particle, 7-12 GeV, which is not excluded by the XENON DM experiments. We show that this putative DM signal can be explained by a complex scalar singlet extension of the standard model (CSM), with a thermal cosmological DM density, and a Higgs sector that is consistent with LEP constraints. We make predictions for the masses, production, and decays of the two Higgs mass eigenstates and describe how the Higgs and DM particles can be discovered at the LHC.
Accurate numerical resolution of transients in initial-boundary value problems for the heat equation

If the initial and boundary data for a PDE do not obey an infinite set of compatibility conditions, singularities will arise in the solution at the corners of the initial time-space domain. For dissipative equations, such as the 1-D heat equation or 1-D convection-diffusion equations, the impacts of these singularities are short lived. However, they can cause a very severe loss of numerical accuracy if we are interested in transient solutions. The phenomenon has been described earlier from a theoretical standpoint. Here, we illustrate it graphically and present a simple remedy which, with only little extra cost and effort, restores full numerical accuracy.
Climate change and observed climate trends in the fort cobb experimental watershed.

Recurring droughts in the Southern Great Plains of the United States are stressing the landscape, increasing uncertainty and risk in agricultural production, and impeding optimal agronomic management of crop, pasture, and grazing systems. The distinct possibility that the severity of recent droughts may be related to a greenhouse-gas induced climate change introduces new challenges for water resources managers because the intensification of droughts could represent a permanent feature of the future climate. Climate records of the Fort Cobb watershed in central Oklahoma were analyzed to determine if recent decade-long trends in precipitation and air temperature were consistent with climate change projections for central Oklahoma. The historical precipitation record did not reveal any compelling evidence that the recent 20-yr-long decline in precipitation was related to climate change. Also, precipitation projections by global circulation models (GCMs) displayed a flat pattern through the end of the 21st century. Neither observed nor projected precipitation displayed a multidecadal monotonic rising or declining trend consistent with an ongoing warming climate. The recent trend in observed annual precipitation was probably a decade-scale variation not directly related to the warming climate. On the other hand, the observed monotonic warming trend of 0.34°C decade⁻¹ that started around 1978 is consistent with GCM projections of increasing temperature for central Oklahoma.
Next-generation genomic shotgun sequencing indicates greater genetic variability in the mitochondria of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix relative to H. nobilis from the Mississippi River, USA and provides tools for research and detection

We characterized variation within the mitochondrial genomes of the invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) from the Mississippi River drainage by mapping our Next-Generation sequences to their publicly available genomes. Variant detection resulted in 338 single-nucleotide polymorphisms for H. molitrix and 39 for H. nobilis. The much greater genetic variation in H. molitrix mitochondria relative to H. nobilis may be indicative of a greater North American female effective population size of the former. When variation was quantified by gene, many tRNA loci appear to have little or no variability based on our results whereas protein-coding regions were more frequently polymorphic. These results provide biologists with additional regions of DNA to be used as markers to study the invasion dynamics of these species.
Regularizing Extraction in Andean Peru: Mining and Social Mobilization in an Age of Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract: This paper examines the new forms of regulation and resistance accompanying the expanding extractive frontier in Andean Peru. It does so through an analysis of a process of community mobilization at the Pierina gold mine in the region of Ancash that was aimed at transforming the conditions under which area residents labored at the mine. The article documents the complex ways in which the emergence of neoliberalized forms of resource governance has affected the terrain of mining-related sociopolitical struggle at Pierina, both allowing the mining firm to consolidate authority in the arena of mine–community relations, while also establishing certain conditions for residents to pursue their interests collectively. An analysis of the Pierina case suggests that efforts to forge more just and equitable political economies of mineral development must not only challenge the neoliberalization of resource governance, but also confront the underlying socio-ecological contradictions of contemporary capitalist resource development.
Exploring Uses of IText in Campus-Community Partnerships:

Many colleges and universities have begun to create structures that foster sustainable partnerships with neighboring communities. As part of such efforts, these institutions often use IText—written texts mediated by information technologies such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, databases, and online bulletin board systems. Using content analysis and interviews, the author explores the ways that IText is used in campus-community partnerships. The author concludes that at this early point in partnership efforts, the best uses for IText are to build trust and share information, even though such uses raise questions about the egalitarian potential of partnership efforts.
Effects of circadian disruption on the cardiometabolic system

The presence of day-night variations in cardiovascular and metabolic functioning is well known. However, only recently it has been shown that cardiovascular and metabolic processes are not only affected by the behavioral sleep/wake cycle but are partly under direct control of the master circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Heart rate, cardiac autonomic activity, glucose metabolism and leptin-involved in appetite control-all show circadian variation (i.e., under constant behavioral and environmental conditions). This knowledge of behavioral vs. circadian modulation of cardiometabolic function is of clinical relevance given the morning peak in adverse cardiovascular incidents observed in epidemiological studies and given the increased risk for the development of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in shift workers. We will review the evidence for circadian control of cardiometabolic functioning, as well its sensitivity to light and melatonin, and discuss potential implication for therapy.
Volume-dependent rate processes predicted by the coupling model

Abstract Structural relaxations such as volume changes near T g are complicated by the fact that the approach to volume equilibrium is non-exponential in time and the rate of change of volume depends on the volume itself. The traditional approach for kinetic models of structural relaxations has been to generalize the observed linear response behavior, such as the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) decay function and Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann-Hesse (VFTH) temperature dependence, using a ‘reduced time’. The reduced-time models have been successful in reproducing many experimentally observed phenomena. However this is worth re-examining for two reasons: (1) some phenomena, such as Kovacs' observation of the ‘expansion gap’ in τ eff , cannot be reproduced even qualitatively by the reduced time method, and (2) there are observed linear response phenomena, in addition to KWW and VFTH, which are incompatible with the reduced-time models. In this paper, the coupling model approach based on a time-dependent rate due to intermolecular coupling is discussed. The coupling model quantitatively reproduces Kovacs' expansion gap and includes the additional observed phenomena in the limit of linear response. The coupling and reduced-time approaches are compared and experiments, including recent measurements of Bero and Plazek on specific volume at constant but very slow rates of cooling which find that the glassy line is attained at the same temperature for all cooling rates, are discussed.
Multi-level magnetic RAM using domain wall shift for energy-efficient, high-density caches

Spin-based devices promise to revolutionize computing platforms by enabling high-density, low-leakage memories. However, stringent tradeoffs between critical design metrics such as read and write stability, reliability, density, performance and energy-efficiency limit the efficiency of conventional spin-transfer-torque devices and bit-cells. We propose a new multi-level cell design with domain wall magnets (DWM-MLC) that significantly improves upon the read/write performance, density, and write energy consumption of conventional spin memories. The fundamental design tradeoff between read and write operations are addressed in DWM-MLC by decoupling the read and write paths, thereby allowing separate optimization for reads and writes. A thicker tunneling oxide is used for higher readability, while a domain-wall-shift (DWS) based write mechanism is used to improve write speed and energy. The storage of multiple bits per cell and the ability to use smaller transistors lead to a net improvement in density compared to conventional spin memories. We perform a systematic evaluation of DWM-MLC at different levels of design abstraction. At the circuit level, DWM-MLC achieves 2X improvement in density, read energy and read latency over its 1-bit counterpart. We evaluate an “all-spin” cache hierarchy that uses DWM-MLC for both L1 and L2, resulting in 4.4X (1.7X) area improvement and 10X (2X) energy reduction at iso-performance over SRAM (STT-MRAM).
Si/transition-metal Schottky barriers: Fermi-level pinning by Si dangling bonds at interfacial vacancies

Abstract The Schottky barriers formed by deposition of transition metals on Si surfaces are explained in terms of Fermi-level pinning by Si dangling bonds that are sheltered by vacancies at Si/transition-metal-silicide interfaces.
Diabetes insipidus associated with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection

We report five infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection in whom diabetes insipidus developed before initiation of treatment with ganciclovir. Four of five infants required treatment with desmopressin. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed no destruction of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in any infant. Cortisol levels and results of thyroid function studies were normal in all infants.
3D-QSAR studies on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 substrates using the pharmacophore and VolSurf approaches

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) is an important enzyme responsible for clearance of many drugs. Here, we report two 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for UGT2B7 using the pharmacophore and VolSurf approach, respectively.The dataset included 53 structurally diverse UGT2B7 substrates, 36 of which were used for the training set and 17 of which for the external test set. Pharmacophore-based 3D-QSAR model (or hypothesis) was developed using the Discovery Studio program. A user-defined “glucuronidation site” feature was forcefully included in a pharmacophore hypothesis. VolSurf-based 3D-QSAR model was generated using the VolSurf program. This involves calculation of VolSurf descriptors, variable selection with the FFD algorithm, and partial least squares (PLS) analyses.The best pharmacophore model (r2 = 0.736) consists of one glucuronidation site, one hydrogen bond acceptor, and three hydrophobic regions. Using this model, Km values for 14 of 17 test substrates were predicte...
Surface, catalytic and magnetic properties of small iron particles: II. Structure sensitivity of ammonia synthesis

Abstract On Fe MgO catalysts with metallic iron particles between 1.5 and 30 nm, the ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure and between 570 and 680 K was found to be a structure sensitive reaction, with the turnover number of the small particles being an order of magnitude smaller than that for larger particles. The small particles were then treated with ammonia at 680 K to obtain a high virtual pressure of nitrogen with formation of an iron nitride. The latter was then decomposed in a hydrogen/nitrogen gas mixture. After this treatment, the iron particles possessed a higher turnover number which returned to its original lower value after prolonged treatment of the catalyst in pure hydrogen. The effects of treating the iron particles with ammonia, a hydrogen/nitrogen gas mixture, and pure hydrogen are explained by a nitrogen induced surface reconstruction which can be erased in hydrogen. Hydrogen reduced iron surfaces are rich in sites which are moderately active in ammonia synthesis. Upon exposure to synthesis gas, sites with higher catalytic activity appear on larger particles but hardly on small particles. The surface of the latter can, however, be reconstructed more readily by treatment with ammonia.
L-Carnitine in Dialysis Patients

Hemodialysis (HD) patients often have low serum concentrations of free L-carnitine and decreased skeletal muscle stores. As L-carnitine is an essential cofactor in fatty acid and energy metabolism, it is possible that abnormal carnitine metabolism in dialysis patients may be associated with clinical problems such as skeletal myopathies, intradialytic symptoms, reduced cardiac function, and anemia. Studies have shown that L-carnitine supplementation in HD patients improves several complications seen in dialysis patients, including cardiac complications (arrhythmias, reduced output, low cardiothoracic ratio), limitation of exercise capacity, increased intradialytic hypotension, and muscle symptoms. The most promising results have been noted in the treatment of erythropoietin-resistant anemia. Routine administration of L-carnitine to all dialysis patients is not recommended at this time; however, a therapeutic trial of L-carnitine can be useful in symptomatic patients with certain clinical features unresponsive to the usual measures. These include intradialytic muscle cramps and hypotension, asthenia, cardiomyopathy, lowered ejection fraction, muscle weakness or myopathy, reduced oxygen consumption, and anemia requiring large doses of EPO.
Intravenous adenosine suppresses cardiac release of endothelin after myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion

Objective: Intravenous adenosine decreases infarct size in experimental models of myocardial ischaemia/ reperfusion. Ischaemia/reperfusion is associated with a significant increase in cardiac release of endothelin. The effect of cardioprotective doses of adenosine on endothelin release was explored in dogs undergoing 90 min coronary occlusion and 210 min reperfusion. Methods: Dogs were assigned to intravenous adenosine in a dose of 0.15 mg·kg−1·min−1 (n=12) or control (n=11) during the first 150 min reperfusion. Serial endothelin levels were obtained from the coronary sinus and aortic blood and measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Adenosine significantly reduced infarct size expressed as a percent of the risk region (28.8 6% v 14.4 2%; p=0.03). A similar increase in aortic and coronary sinus blood endothelin was observed in both groups during temporary occlusion. A significant transcardiac increase in endothelin levels was present in the control group 60 min after reperfusion whereas no increase occurred in the adenosine treated group [control 5.6(SEM 1.9) v adenosine -0.2(1.4) pg·ml−1; p=0.02]. Similarly, intravenous adenosine tended to prevent the increase in myocardial endothelin production seen in control animals during the early reperfusion period [control 280(146) v adenosine -57(55) pg·min−1; p=0.05]. Endocardial blood flow in the ischaemic zone 210 min after reperfusion was significantly higher in the adenosine group, at 0.60(0.02) v 0.38(0.02) ml·min−1·g−1; p<0.05. A significant correlation between endothelin levels, endocardial flow and infarct size was observed in the control group 3 h after reperfusion: r=0.73, p=0.02; r=0.62, p=0.03 respectively. This relationship was absent in animals treated with adenosine. Conclusions: Intravenous adenosine suppresses the release of endothelin from the previously ischaemic myocardium during the early reperfusion period. This effect may in part contribute to the improvement by adenosine in postischaemic microcirculatory flow resulting in attenuation of the “no reflow” phenomenon. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :121-128
Examining Multicultural Counseling Competence and Race-Related Attitudes among White Marital and Family Therapists

This study investigates the relative contributions of social desirability attitudes, previous number of multicultural counseling courses taken, and racism and White racial identity attitudes together in predicting marital and family therapists' self-reported multicultural counseling competence. Results revealed that, when controlling for social desirability attitudes and the number of multicultural courses taken, racism and White racial identity attitudes in consort accounted for a significant amount of the variance in self-perceived multicultural counseling competence. Implications for marital and family therapy training, practice, and research are discussed.
ANTIHORMONE STUDIES IN BOYS TREATED WITH ANTERIOR PITUITARY-LIKE HORMONE FOR GENITAL UNDERDEVELOPMENT

The claims of investigators in the field of endocrinology that certain hormones, administered parenterally to experimental animals, will cause a production of antagonistic substances within an animal’s blood stream has significance which cannot be overlooked (1). Production of these antagonistic substances or antihormones has been demonstrated in animals for such principles as the maturity, the ketogenic, the thyreotropic and growth factors of the anterior pituitary gland. This demonstration, coupled with the discovery of the APL gonadotropic principle found in the urine of pregnant women, warrants the attention of the laboratorian as well as the clinician (2, 3, 4, 5). Certainly, with the increasing use of endocrine therapy, the clinician must recognize the possibility of the occurrence of such antagonistic bodies in the human (6). For some time the clinical significance of the likelihood of the existence or production of such antagonistic substances in humans, especially in those receiving chronic endoc...
Large-scale fabrication and observation of self-assembled silica nanospheres on GaN

A simple and efficient spin coating method for large-scale fabrication of self-assembled silica nanospheres on Gallium Nitride (GaN) substrates is reported. A Matlab-based Nomarski image processing method was developed to calculate the surface coverage of silica nanospheres on GaN surface and allows large-scale observation of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ordering of silica nanospheres on GaN. With Nomarski image processing and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the optimal spin coating condition and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration were investigated. A ~70% monolayer coverage of silica nanospheres was demonstrated on GaN substrates ranging in size from 10mm square to 51mm (2'') diameter. This paper discusses the details of the spin coating process parameters and SDS concentration vs. surface coverage of silica nanospheres on GaN substrate, along with a theoretical evaluation of the effects of nanosphere patterning on photonic crystals fabricated using this method.
Collagen synthesis by the epithelial enamel organ of the embryonic rabbit tooth.

Summary Epithelial enamel organs and dental papilla mesenchyme were separated from 26-day embryonic rabbit molar tooth rudiments. The isolated epithelia and mesenchyme were incubated overnight in the presence of H 3 -proline and the collagens synthesized by both tissues were characterized by GM-cellulose chromatography. The epithelium produced 3 times as much collagen per tissue as the mesenchyme. This epithelial collagen contained an excess of α 1 chains ( α 1/ α 2 ∼ 3.0) suggesting the presence of two species of collagen, probably types I and IV. The mesenchyme appeared to produce only type I collagen. The extracellular matrix between the enamel organ and dental mesenchyme plays an important role in tooth morphogenesis and the present data indicate that a major portion of the collagenous component of this material is derived from the epithelium.
Mechanisms of progressive renal disease in glomerulonephritis.

Progressive renal disease in glomerulonephritis (GN) involves both glomerular and interstitial processes. In the glomerulus, sclerosis occurs with progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components that reduce filtration surface area. In the interstitium, early inflammatory changes accompany GN with later development of fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Our studies have focused on the role of early cellular events in the development of glomerular and interstitial fibrosis. In the antithymocyte serum (ATS) model of mesangial proliferative GN, mesangial cell proliferation is initiated by processes involving complement and platelets and may involve basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Mesangial cell proliferation is maintained by an autocrine mechanism involving upregulation of mesangial cell PDGF and PDGF receptors. Mesangial cells also change phenotype with expression of a-smooth muscle actin and production of type I collagen. These early changes precede upregulation of genes for the production of extracellular matrix components and the development of mesangial matrix expansion and sclerosis. Matrix expansion is reduced by factors that block cell proliferation, including platelet and complement depletion, heparin, and antibody to PDGF. A similar sequence of early platelet infiltration, increased expression of PDGF, and mesangial cell proliferation occurs early in the development of glomerulosclerosis in the remnant kidney model, and mesangial cell proliferation is a prominent early feature of experimental diabetic nephropathy. We believe these early glomerular cellular changes are linked to the later development of sclerosis. In the interstitium, acute GN is accompanied by upregulation of mRNA and protein for osteopontin, a macrophage chemotactic/adhesive factor expressed by cortical tubules following several types of glomerular injury. Interstitial macrophage localization occurs in areas of osteopontin expression followed by the development of interstitial fibrosis. These studies of early cellular events in the development of both glomerular and interstitial fibrosis may provide important clues to the mechanisms that underlie progressive renal disease in GN.
Correction of coronal suture synostosis using suture and dura mater allografts in rabbits with familial craniosynostosis.

Abstract Objective: Resynostosis following surgical correction of craniosynostosis is a common clinical correlate. Recent studies suggest that the dura mater is necessary to maintain suture patency. It has also been hypothesized that dura mater from synostotic individuals may provide aberrant biochemical signals to the osteogenic fronts of the calvaria, which result in premature suture fusion and subsequent resynostosis following surgery. This study was designed to test this hypothesis by surgically manipulating the coronal suture and dura mater in rabbits with familial craniosynostosis to prevent postsurgical resynostosis. Design: Craniofacial growth and histomorphometric data were collected from 129 rabbits: 72 normal controls and 57 rabbits with bilateral coronal suture synostosis (15 unoperated on controls; 13 surgical controls; 9 dura mater transplant only; 10 suture transplant only; and 10 suture and dura mater transplant). At 10 days of age, all rabbits had radiopaque amalgam markers placed on eith...
Morphological and biochemical evidence for the evolution of salt glands in snakes.

Abstract Vertebrate salt glands have evolved independently multiple times, yet there are few hypotheses about the processes underlying the convergent evolution of salt glands across taxa. Here, we compare the morphology and molecular biology of specialized salt-secreting glands from a marine snake ( Laticauda semifasciata ) with the cephalic glands from semi-marine ( Nerodia clarkii clarkii ) and freshwater ( N. fasciata ) watersnakes to look for evidence of a salt gland in the former and to develop hypotheses about the evolution of snake salt glands. Like the salt gland of L. semifasciata , the nasal and anterior/posterior sublingual glands in both species of Nerodia exhibit a compound tubular shape, and express basolateral Na + /K + -ATPase (NKA) and Na + /K + /2Cl − cotransporter (NKCC); however, the abundance of NKA and NKCC in N. fasciata appears lower than in N. c. clarkii . Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is also basolateral in the sublingual glands of both species of Nerodia , as is abundant neutral mucin; both AQP3 and mucin are absent from the salt gland in L. semifasciata . Thus, we propose that the evolution of the snake salt gland by co-option of an existing gland involved at least two steps: (i) an increase in the abundance of NKA and NKCC in the basolateral membranes of the secretory epithelia, and (ii) loss of AQP3/mucus secretion from these epithelia.
Tropical cirrus cloud properties derived from TOGA/COARE airborne polarization lidar

During the January–February 1993 TOGA/COARE intensive field program, airborne polarization lidar data were collected from cirrus clouds generated by thunderstorm anvils over the western Pacific Ocean. The cirrus cloud tops typically extended to near the 16.85 km average tropical tropopause. Average lidar linear depolarization ratios δ show a consistent increase with height, with the maximum δ ≈ 0.52 values found at the tropopause. This finding can be interpreted in terms of a fundamental dependence of ice crystal habit or axis ratio on temperature. Although similar δ trends have been observed elsewhere, a complication in this case is that the cirrus may have been affected by the Pinatubo volcanic aerosol, which midlatitude research indicates could alter ice crystal shapes.
‘Thinking and feeling’ products and ‘utilitarian and value-expressive’ appeals in contemporary TV advertising: A content analytic test of functional matching and the FCB model

Using the Foote, Cone and Belding (FCB) grid model and functional matching effects as theoretical frameworks, this study analyzed 1356 primetime TV commercials to assess the extent to which there is a functional match-up between think and feel product types and utilitarian and value expressive message appeals in contemporary TV advertising. Additionally, the use of sales promotion techniques in those TV commercials relative to the FCB model's think/feel and involvement dimensions was analyzed. Results reveal that utilitarian appeals were used more in commercials for think products while value expressive appeals were used more in spots for feel products. Presence of sales promotions in the TV commercials was found to differ by product involvement rather than by the prediction of the functional matching hypothesis. The results suggest that contemporary TV advertising practice is more complicated than conceptualized in the four quadrants of the FCB model (i.e. relative to the integration of product, message,...
Sildenafil (Viagra) Induces Neurogenesis and Promotes Functional Recovery After Stroke in Rats

Background and Purpose— We tested the hypothesis that sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, promotes functional recovery and neurogenesis after stroke. Methods— Male Wistar rats were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion. Sildenafil (Viagra) was administered orally for 7 consecutive days starting 2 or 24 hours after stroke onset at doses of 2 or 5 mg/kg per day. Ischemic rats administered the same volume of tap water were used as a control group. Functional outcome tests (foot-fault, adhesive removal) were performed. Rats were killed 28 days after stroke for analysis of infarct volume and newly generated cells within the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus. Brain cGMP levels, expression of PDE5, and localized cerebral blood flow were measured in additional rats. Results— Treatment with sildenafil significantly (P<0.05) enhanced neurological recovery in all tests performed. There was no significant difference of infarct volume among the experimental groups. Treatmen...
The Creation of an Information Based Manufacturing Framework for micro devices assembly: A discussion of the path planning and virtual assembly modules

This paper outlines the design of an information based manufacturing framework for micro devices assembly (MDA). The focus of discussion is on the virtual reality based assembly environment along with the use of path planning components. The virtual environment is implemented using C++ and Open Inventor. Two path planning software modules have also been implemented to demonstrate the overall approach. A physical micro assembly cell is used to accomplish the proposed assembly plans.
Comprehensive kinetic model for the dissolution, reaction, and crystallization processes involved in the synthesis of aspirin

Kinetic modeling of batch reactions monitored by in-situ spectroscopy has been shown to be a helpful method for developing a complete understanding of reaction systems. Much work has been done to demonstrate the ability to model dissolution, reaction and crystallization processes separately, however little has been done in terms of combining all of these into one comprehensive kinetic model. This paper demonstrates the integration of models of dissolution, temperature-dependent solubility and unseeded crystallization driven by cooling into a comprehensive kinetic model describing the evolution of a slurry reaction monitored by in-situ ATR UV/Vis spectroscopy. The model estimates changes in the volume of the dissolved fraction of the slurry by use of the partial molar volume of the dissolved species that change during the course of reagent addition, dissolution, reaction and crystallization. The comprehensive model accurately estimates concentration profiles of dissolved and undissolved components of the slurry and thereby, the degree of undersaturation and supersaturation necessary for estimation of the rates of dissolution and crystallization. Results were validated across two subsequent batches via offline HPLC measurements.
Association of HSP60-like Proteins with the L-System Amino Acid Transporter☆

Abstract The carrier protein(s) responsible for mammalian L-system amino acid transport has not been identified. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B-lymphocytes have markedly diminished L-system transport which is restored after treatment with 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Six candidate L-system related plasma membrane proteins were identified in TPA-treated CLL-cells using an L-system photoprobe and ultra-high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In the current studies, two candidate L-system related proteins were obtained from preparative giant two dimensional gels, and the amino acid sequences of peptide fragments from these proteins were determined by Edman degradation. These proteins, forming a doublet on the gels at an apparent size of 40 kDa and p I 5.85, had sequence homology to the mitochondrial heat shock protein 60 (hsp60). The presence of these proteins in CLL lymphocyte plasma membranes was confirmed by immunoblotting with antibodies to hsp60. These observations indicate that an hsp60 homologue is associated with the L-system amino acid transporter.
Optimal call admission to a mobile cellular network

To fulfil the future demand for and increase the reliability of the mobile cellular service, the authors have explored the use of a call admission policy that constitutes a dynamic channel allocation scheme for a cellular system. The call admission policy optimizes a weighted blocking criteria for a queueing network model of a mobile cellular system. In this context, the call admission problem is formulated as a Markov decision process. The value iteration method has been applied to a uniformized chain of a cellular highway system. The effectiveness of a call admission policy for maximizing the call completion rate and for reducing the handoff dropping is studied. Channel reservation policies for handoffs are also examined for different system parameters. In addition, several symmetry properties of the optimal policies which effectively truncate the size of policy space, are mathematically established.
A Semantic Unit for Timed Automata Based Modeling Languages

Model-Integrated Computing (MIC) is an infrastructure for model-based design of real-time and embedded software and systems. MIC places strong emphasis on the use of domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs) and model transformations in design flows. Building on our earlier work on transformational specification of semantics for DSMLs, the paper proposes a "semantic unit" - a common semantic model - for timed automata behavior. The semantic unit is defined using Abstract State Machine (ASM) formalism. We show that the precise semantics of a wide range of timed automata based modeling languages (TAMLs) can be defined through specifying model transformations between a domain-specific TAML and the semantic unit. The proposed method that we call semantic anchoring is demonstrated by developing the transformation rules from the UPPAAL and IF languages to the semantic unit.
A magmatic geohygrometer: Application to Mount St. Helens and other dacitic magmas

Compositions of andesitic to dacitic melts in equilibrium with plagioclase, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene have been experimentally calibrated as a geohygrometer. Application to Melson's data on melt inclusions and matrix glasses from the 1980-1982 cycle of eruptions of Mount St. Helens reveals systematic dewatering trends—ca. 4% (1980) to 1% (1982) H 20 in subliquidus (intratelluric) melt in pyroclastics and 2%-3% (1980) to 1% (1982) in subliquidus melt in dome-building dacites. Before each pyroclastic event, intratelluric crystallization achieved melt H 20 contents of ca. 6% (at a depth of at least 8 km), a necessary condition for crystallization of amphibole. Dewatering trends indicate that individual magma blobs or ribbons then ascended to successively higher levels over the 3-yr cycle, from a minimum depth of 4 km in 1980 to 0.35 km in 1982, and pyroclastically erupted. Comparison of Mount St. Helens compositions to worldwide andesites and dacites suggests that near-liquidus arc magmas that crystallize plagioclase and pyroxenes contain l%-2% H 2 0, on average, whereas magmas in continental margins contain appreciably more H2O.
Reflex Blood Pressure Control during Acute Myocardial Ischemia in the Conscious Dog

Occlusions of the left circumflex coronary artery were performed before and after surgical denervation of sinoaortic baroreceptors in conscious, resting dogs. The removal of baroreceptors dramatically compromised arterial blood pressure maintenance. Mean pressure fell 9.1 mm Hg before denervation and 33.0 mm Hg after denervation. Aortic flow was reduced somewhat more without baroreceptors, and calculated total peripheral resistance fell 15% at the peak of occlusion in denervated dogs compared with a 2% increase in intact dogs. Flow studies indicated that femoral resistance was maintained or increased under the influence of active arterial baroreceptors but that femoral resistance fell dramatically in their absence. Renal resistance fell during coronary occlusion whether or not arterial baroreceptors were functional. Under both conditions, renal flow was maintained near its resting level. Results of this study suggest an important function in the maintenance of perfusion pressure by arterial baroreceptors during left circumflex coronary artery occlusion. The elimination of the arterial baroreceptors unmasked a dilatory response that reduced total peripheral resistance and, consequently, arterial blood pressure. Vessels which supply skeletal muscle and skin collectively were critically involved, but flow to the kidneys did not appear to play an important role.
A sensitivity measure for image reconstruction from irregular 2-D DTFT samples

The problem of reconstructing an image from irregular samples of its 2-D DTFT arises in synthetic aperture radar (SAR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), limited angle tomography, and 2-D filter design. Since there is no 2-D Lagrange interpolation, sufficient conditions for the uniqueness and conditioning of the reconstruction problem are both not apparent. The Good-Thomas FFT is used to unwrap the 2-D problem into a 1-D problem, from which uniqueness results and, more importantly, insights into the problem conditioning are available. We propose the variance of distances between adjacent frequency locations as a sensitivity measure, which aids in determining a well-conditioned configuration of frequency values. The sensitivity measure is analyzed on its accuracy of estimating the conditioning and on its computational speed. The image is then reconstructed by solving the problem using the conjugate gradient method.
Nanowire-based programmable architectures

Chemists can now construct wires which are just a few atoms in diameter; these wires can be selectively field-effect gated, and wire crossings can act as diodes with programmable resistance. These new capabilities present both opportunities and challenges for constructing nanoscale computing systems. The tiny feature sizes offer a path to economically scale down to atomic dimensions. However, the associated bottom-up synthesis techniques only produce highly regular structures and come with high defect rates and minimal control during assembly. To exploit these technologies, we develop nanowire-based architectures which can bridge between lithographic and atomic-scale feature sizes and tolerate defective and stochastic assembly of regular arrays to deliver high density universal computing devices. Using 10nm pitch nanowires, these nanowire-based programmable architectures offer one to two orders of magnitude greater mapped-logic density than defect-free lithographic FPGAs at 22nm.
Intergenerational transmission of sexual victimization vulnerability as mediated via parenting

Abstract Objectives Previous research suggests that women's early sexual victimization experiences may influence their parenting behaviors and increase the vulnerability of their children to being sexually victimized. The current study considered whether mother's sexual victimization experiences, in childhood and after age 14, were associated with the sexual victimization experiences reported by their adolescent daughters, and if so, whether these effects were mediated via parenting behaviors. Methods The proposed model was examined using a community sample of 913 mothers and their college-bound daughters, recruited by telephone at the time of the daughter's high school graduation. Daughters reported on their experiences of adolescent sexual victimization and perceptions of mothers’ parenting in four domains: connectedness, communication effectiveness, monitoring, and approval of sex. Mothers provided self-reports of their lifetime experiences of sexual victimization. Results Consistent with hypotheses, mothers’ victimization was positively associated with their daughters’ victimization. The effect of mothers’ childhood sexual abuse was direct, whereas the effect of mothers’ victimization after age 14 was mediated via daughters’ perceptions of mothers’ monitoring and greater approval of adolescent sexual activity. Comparison of the prevalence of specific victimization experiences indicated that mothers were more likely to report forcible rape over their lifetimes; however, daughters were more likely to report unwanted contact and incapacitated rape. Conclusions Findings suggest that even in a highly functional community sample, mothers’ sexual victimization experiences are significantly associated with aspects of their parenting behavior and with their daughters’ own experiences of adolescent sexual victimization.
Quantitative phased array modeling and imaging

Ultrasonic measurement models are used to develop explicit procedures for producing ultrasonic flaw images, called imaging measurement models. These imaging measurement models define the images produced in terms of the geometry and reflectivity of the flaw and are rational versions of synthetic aperture imaging and the total focusing method. For small flaws, the images produced are closely related to those developed with the physical optics far field inverse scattering method. Numerical examples are given that describe the images generated with such models.