cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbiomes of the polychaete Hydroides elegans (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) across its life-history stages

Larvae of the biofouling tubeworm Hydroides elegans (Polychaeta) must contact a bacterial biofilm to induce settlement. To further understand the relationship between particular bacteria and the worm, this study analyzed associated microbiomes at multiple life-history stages with high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Worms were collected from Pearl Harbor Hawai’i (21°21′27.2″N 157°57′34.8″W), and microbial communities were analyzed from adults, their tubes, spawned eggs, 6-day old nectochaete larvae, and filtered seawater from the larval cultures that included cells of the microalga Isochrysis galbana fed to the larvae. Microbiomes of females sampled at two different times were significantly different: Cellvibrionales dominated the microbiome of adult females in August 2016, whereas Oceanospirillales were dominant in females collected in April 2017. Additionally, in 2017, the microbiomes across all life stages were significantly different from each other; only one OTU in the genus Endozoicomonas was shared between females and their nectochaetes at a relative abundance > 1%. Because of the apparent absence of a consistent microbiome between stages, female worms, their eggs and both trochophore and nectochaete larvae were stained to reveal the presence of bacteria and analyzed with scanning confocal microscopy. The eggs were almost devoid of bacteria, and bacteria seen on larvae were almost all confined to the feeding apparatus. The evidence of inconsistent microbiomes across life stages and lack of bacteria on eggs demonstrates that H. elegans lacks a vertically transmitted microbiome, and bacteria found at each stage came from a varying environment.
Estimating the Attributable Disease Burden and Effects of Interhospital Patient Sharing on Clostridium difficile Infections.

Objective:To estimate the burden of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) due to interfacility patient sharing at regional and hospital levels.Design:Retrospective observational study.Methods:We used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project California State Inpatient Database (2005–2011) to identify 26,878,498 admissions and 532,925 patient transfers. We constructed a weighted, directed network among the hospitals by defining an edge between 2 hospitals to be the monthly average number of patients discharged from one hospital and admitted to another on the same day. We then used a network autocorrelation model to study the effect of the patient sharing network on the monthly average number of CDI cases per hospital, and we estimated the proportion of CDI cases attributable to the network.Results:We found that 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6%–18%) of CDI cases were due to diffusion through the patient-sharing network. The network autocorrelation parameter was estimated at 5.0 (95% CI, 3.0–6.9). An increase in the number of patients transferred into and/or an increased CDI rate at the hospitals from which those patients originated led to an increase in the number of CDIs in the receiving hospital.Conclusions:A minority but substantial burden of CDI infections are attributable to hospital transfers. A hospital’s infection control may thus be nontrivially influenced by its neighboring hospitals. This work adds to the growing body of evidence that intervention strategies designed to minimize HAIs should be done at the regional rather than local level.
Diuretic use and duration of home oxygen therapy in infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)

Aims: To evaluate the practice of use of diuretics in infants with established or evolving BPD and its correlation with the length of stay in the hospital and duration of home oxygen therapy (LTOT). Methods: Retrospective cohort study by reviewing Digital Health Records on 281 infants discharged with LTOT between 2001 and 2018; 127 infants with incomplete data sets were excluded from analysis. We analysed the number, type and duration of diuretic treatment and compared the length of neonatal stay (LOS) and duration of LTOT between infants who were exposed to diuretics and those who were unexposed Setting: Tertiary BPD service Results: The median gestational age in weeks and weight at birth were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests that diuretic use on neonatal unit is associated with a longer LOS but not with the duration of LTOT after discharge in infants with BPD.
A Retrospective Chart Review on the Role of Suppressive Therapy in the Management of Spinal Infections Involving Hardware.

Background One percent to 8% of patients undergoing spinal instrumentation surgeries develop infections. There is no consensus on the medical and surgical management of these infections. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and Common Procedural Terminology codes relevant to spinal infections with hardware within Emory Healthcare over a 10-year period. Extracted data included patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory and microbiologic results, and surgical and medical management including choice and duration of suppressive therapy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of length of use of suppressive antibiotics with treatment success and to identify predictors of use of suppressive antibiotics. Results Of 869 records, 124 met inclusion criteria. Fifty patients (40.3%) had an infection that occurred after hardware placement, mostly within 3 months postsurgery, while the remainder had vertebral osteomyelitis that required hardware placement. After initial intravenous antibiotic treatment for ≥4 weeks, 72 patients (64.5%) were given suppressive antibiotics. The overall treatment success rate was 78.2%. In spinal infections involving hardware with gram-negative rods, patients were less likely to receive suppressive antibiotics, less likely to have hardware removed, and less likely to have treatment success compared with patients with infections with Staphylococcus species. Conclusions Management of spinal infections involving hardware should be tailored to the timing of onset of infection and causative organism. Further studies are needed to determine best management practices, particularly for gram-negative rod infections where the role of further suppressive antibiotics and hardware removal may be warranted.
Primary polydipsia: Update

In primary polydipsia pathologically high levels of water intake physiologically lower arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion, and in this way mirror the secondary polydipsia in diabetes insipidus in which pathologically low levels of AVP (or renal responsiveness to AVP) physiologically increase water intake. Primary polydipsia covers several disorders whose clinical features and significance, risk factors, pathophysiology and treatment are reviewed here. While groupings may appear somewhat arbitrary, they are associated with distinct alterations in physiologic parameters of water balance. The polydipsia is typically unrelated to homeostatic regulation of water intake, but instead reflects non-homeostatic influences. Recent technological advances, summarized here, have disentangled functional neurocircuits underlying both homeostatic and non-homeostatic physiologic influences, which provides an opportunity to better define the mechanisms of the disorders. We summarize this recent literature, highlighting hypothalamic circuitry that appears most clearly positioned to contribute to primary polydipsia. The life-threatening water imbalance in psychotic disorders is caused by an anterior hippocampal induced stress-diathesis that can be reproduced in animal models, and involves phylogenetically preserved pathways that appear likely to include one or more of these circuits. Ongoing translational neuroscience studies in these animal models may potentially localize reversible pathological changes which contribute to both the water imbalance and psychotic disorder.
Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Guidelines

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the Western world. Despite the improvement in CVD outcomes over the past four decades, the burden of cardiovascular risk factors remains high. Consequently, death rates from CVD rose in 2015 by 1%, the first rise since 1999. Less than one-fifth of US adults live an ideal heart-healthy lifestyle or have favorable risk factor profiles, which highlights a significant health gap in primary prevention. The AHA/ACC released new comprehensive guidelines for primary prevention, which encompasses recommendations for screening, identifying, and treating patients at risk for CVD. With growing evidence on the importance of lifestyle choices in CVD health, maintaining a healthy lifestyle remains at the center of primary cardiovascular prevention recommendations. This includes recommendations regarding diet, exercise and healthy weight. Accurate CVD risk assessment is the first step in guiding prevention efforts. The use of risk-enhancing factors and coronary artery calcium scoring are new additions to the guidelines and useful to further risk stratify patients in whom the benefit of statin therapy is still uncertain. There is now more emphasis on a team-based approach to CVD risk factor modification, shared decision making between patient and clinician, and, attention to the social determinants of health. The new recommendations for aspirin in primary CVD prevention allow a more targeted use given recent evidence of higher-than-anticipated risk of bleeding in the primary prevention population. Here we discuss the 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline of Primary Prevention of CVD in a simple, ABCDE-structured approach. The goal is to help clinicians implement best practices of primary prevention using this simple framework.
BMI status and associations between affect, physical activity and anxiety among U.S. children during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is concern regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the psychological and physical health of children, but to date, studies on mental health during the pandemic in children are limited. Furthermore, unprecedented lifestyle stressors associated with the pandemic may aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic, but the role of BMI on child activity levels and psychological outcomes during COVID-19 is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We investigated how emotional responses (positive/negative affect), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours related to anxiety among U.S. children with healthy weight and overweight/obesity during the pandemic. METHODS: Sixty-four typically developing children (63% girls, 53% healthy weight) aged 9 to 15 years completed two virtual visits during the height of 'stay-at-home' measures from April 22 to July 29, 2020. Children completed 24-hours PA recalls, state portion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and the 10-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children. RESULTS: Independent of child BMI status, child anxiety scores were over five standard deviations greater than normative values from paediatric populations prior to the pandemic. Higher positive affect and PA were each associated with reduced anxiety levels in children with overweight/obesity, whereas higher positive affect was associated with reduced anxiety in children with healthy weight. Greater leisure screen time was associated with higher negative affect irrespective of child BMI status. CONCLUSIONS: These associations highlight the potential mental health benefits of maintaining positive affect, engaging in PA and limiting leisure screen time for children during the pandemic and suggest that these associations may be particularly relevant for children with overweight/obesity.
"One Musician at a Time": Music, Philanthropy, and Public Policy in the Age of Coronavirus

Dale Chapman discusses the important work that the Jazz Foundation of America is doing during the pandemic, assisting jazz musicians with housing costs, medical expenses, and emergency financial support, and argues for the pandemic as an opportune moment to organize on behalf of policies that ensure the universal reach of economic and social security.
Saci-IO HR+: Randomized phase II trial of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) +/- pembrolizumab in PD-L1+ hormone receptor-positive (HR+) / HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

TPS1102Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have not yet benefited most patients with MBC. In HR+ MBC, the first randomized trial combining an ICI with chemotherapy demonstrated no clini...
Shared Care to Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Device Site: a Novel Strategy to Start a Successful Mechanical Circulatory Support Program.

Heart failure is an important healthcare issue because of its high prevalence, mortality, and morbidity. Advanced heart failure therapies have improved significantly over the years with improved outcomes. Heart transplantation remains an elusive treatment option for most patients; hence, the need for alternative therapy has given rise to the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, initially as bridge to transplantation, but with more recent use as destination therapy. This review focuses on the intricacies of establishing a successful left ventricular assist device (LVAD) program for destination therapy in the setting of a growing anticipated need for wider availability of such treatment options. Guidelines have established the role of MCS in patients with advanced HF refractory to optimal guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and cardiac device interventions. Multiple studies have shown generational improvement in the overall safety profile of MCS devices with the use of newer devices for destination therapy showing improved outcomes. Heart failure is a growing cardiovascular problem with an anticipated growing need for advanced HF therapies including MCS devices. A model of shared care LVAD to destination therapy implanting site should be considered as a strategy to start a successful LVAD program.
The Intersection of Science and Literature in Musil's The Man without Qualities

As the utopian projection of a world in which the conditional mood is preferred to the indicative, Robert Musil's ambitious novel The Man Without Qualities is widely recognized as a great example of aesthetic modernism and a profound reflection on the "postmodern condition." Based on the new and more inclusive English translation by Sophie Wilkins and Burton Pike, this study provides the English-speaking reader with a well-researched commentary that situates Musil's novel in the cultural, literary, and scientific context of the early 20th century. Revealing the novel's many philosophical underpinnings, the study analyzes the intersection of theoretical reflection and aesthetic imagination essential to Musil's programmatic move beyond realism. Thomas Sebastian explores Musil's background in experimental psychology, which he studied under the pioneering psychologist Carl Stumpf, and how it and other strains of scientific thought, including that of Ernst Mach, on whose philosophical ideas Musil wrote his doctoral thesis, are reflected in his great novel.Thomas Sebastian is associate professor of German at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Using molecular rotations for self-compression of ultrafast optical pulses

Summary from only given. We demonstrate self-compression of an ultrafast optical pulse where new bandwidth is generated with an intrinsic negative chirp and can be compressed by simple propagation though a transparent window. This technique is applicable to the entire transparent window of the gas and in particular may lead to <2 fs pulses in the deep-UV without the need for lossy and dispersive compression schemes.
Re: Utilization of Intravenous Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator for Ischemic Stroke at Academic Medical Centers

To the Editor: We write in response to the recent significant article of Johnston et al.1 The authors’ hypothesis is that racism, even on an unconscious level, may contribute to the disparity between administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to blacks and the administration of tPA to whites for acute ischemic stroke at academic medical centers in the United States. While we do not dispute their findings, we wish to introduce an additional point that was not considered in their article, and to forward a means to partially …
Use of different catheter ablation technologies for treatment of typical atrial flutter: acute results and long-term follow-up.

MARROUCHE, N.F., et al.: Use of Different Catheter Ablation Technologies for Treatment of Typical Atrial Flutter: Acute Results and Long-Term Follow-Up.Objectives: We report the acute success and long-term follow-up in consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation of typical right atrial flutter (AFL) using different ablation technologies. Methods: One hundred and two patients presenting for treatment of AFL to our laboratory were included in the study. Based on availability and physician preference, ablation was performed with either a cooled-tip catheter (39 patients, group I), an 8- or 10-mm tip catheter connected to a high-power radiofrequency (RF) generator (25 patients, group II), or a 4- or 5-mm tip catheter (38 patients, group III). Acute ablation success was achieved in all group II and group III patients. Among the 38 patients undergoing ablation with the conventional catheter tip (group I), crossover to an 8-mm tip or a cooled tip ablation catheter was required in 11 patients (29%). The mean fluoroscopy time was significantly higher in group I(54.3 ± 26.4 minutes)when compared to group II(39.6 ± 19.6 minutes; P < 0.05)and group III(40 ± 16 minutes; P = 0.0.5). After a mean follow up of20 ± 5months no patient in group II experienced recurrence of AFL, whereas 18.4% (7 of 38 patients;P < 0.05) in group I and 10% (4 of 39 patients;P < 0.05) in group III had recurrence of AFL. Ablation technologies designed to obtain larger size lesions appeared to be more effective in achieving acute ablation success of AFL and in limiting the long-term recurrence rate of this arrhythmia. (PACE 2003; 26:743–746)
An empirical study of optimal noise and runtime distributions in local search

This paper presents a detailed empirical study of local search for Boolean satisfiability (SAT), highlighting several interesting properties, some of which were previously unknown or had only anecdotal evidence. Specifically, we study hard random 3-CNF formulas and provide surprisingly simple analytical fits for the optimal (static) noise level and the runtime at optimal noise, as a function of the clause-to-variable ratio. We also demonstrate, for the first time for local search, a power-law decay in the tail of the runtime distribution in the low noise regime. Finally, we discuss a Markov Chain model capturing this intriguing feature.
Complications after oncologic scalp reconstruction: A 139‐patient series and treatment algorithm

Objectives/Hypothesis Evaluate the factors influencing choice of technique and complications of scalp reconstruction after oncologic ablation. Study Design A single-institution retrospective review of 139 patients requiring oncologic scalp resection with subsequent reconstruction from 1992 to 2010 was completed. Methods The type of reconstruction used and complications encountered postoperatively were recorded over a mean follow-up of 2.4 years. χ2 and Fisher exact tests were used to compare complication rates based on defect characteristics, type of reconstruction, and patient demographics and comorbidities. Results Defect widths ranged from 0.7 to 35 cm of varying depths. Closure methods ranged from partial closure with granulation to free tissue transfer. The overall complication rate was 10.8%. Complication rates were higher when dealing with larger defect sizes (P = .016), deeper defects (P = .004), in patients who received preoperative radiation (P = .026), and in patients who were immunosuppressed (P = .026). Conclusions Scalp defects encountered after oncologic resection can be a challenging reconstruction. The defect location, size, depth, and unique patient factors likely to affect wound healing should all be considered when choosing between reconstructive options. Larger and deeper defects and patient factors, such as preoperative radiation and immunosuppression, are more prone to wound complications and may require more advanced reconstructive techniques such as pedicled locoregional flaps or free tissue transfer. An algorithm for scalp reconstruction based on these principles is provided. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 125:582–588, 2015
Source and progression of a submarine landslide and tsunami: The 1964 Great Alaska earthquake at Valdez

Like many subduction zone earthquakes, the deadliest aspects of the 1964 M = 9.2 Alaska earthquake were the tsunamis it caused. The worst of these were generated by local submarine landslides induced by the earthquake. These caused high runups, engulfing several coastal towns in Prince William Sound. In this paper, we study one of these cases in detail, the Port Valdez submarine landslide and tsunami. We combine eyewitness reports, preserved film, and careful posttsunami surveys with new geophysical data to inform numerical models for landslide tsunami generation. We review the series of events as recorded at Valdez old town and then determine the corresponding subsurface events that led to the tsunami. We build digital elevation models of part of the pretsunami and posttsunami fjord-head delta. Comparing them reveals a ~1500 m long region that receded 150 m to the east, which we interpret as the primary delta landslide source. Multibeam imagery and high-resolution seismic reflection data identify a ~400 m wide chute with hummocky deposits at its terminus, which may define the primary slide path. Using these elements we run hydrodynamic models of the landslide-driven tsunamis that match observations of current direction, maximum inundation, and wave height at Valdez old town. We speculate that failure conditions at the delta front may have been influenced by manmade changes in drainage patterns as well as the fast retreat of Valdez and other glaciers during the past century.
Video Indexing and Retrieval for Archeological Digital Library, CLIOH

With the ever-increasing amount of digitally archived libraries that are being collected, new techniques are needed to organize and search these collections, retrieve the most relevant selections, and effectively reuse them. This helps a user find contents of interest in faster and more precise fashion than searching a single track. This paper introduced a video indexing and retrieval system for an archeological database, CLIOH (Cultural Digital Library Indexing our Heritage), using wavelet best basis and self-organizing neural networks. Texture similarity matching provides the functionality of video retrieval by comparing the Euclidean distance of encoded wavelet quadrature tree structures generated from probe texture icon and gallery texture icons. Experimental result using video sequences drawn from the CLIOH database proves the feasibility of our approach.
Tissue uptake of catechol and indole amino acids. Histochemical studies on the rat iris.

Rat irises exposed to DOPA in vitro and subsequently treated with the histochemical technique of Falck and Hillarp for catecholamines show accumulation of a fluorescent formaldehyde condensation product within the capillary endothelial cells. A similar accumulation was observed when rat irises were exposed to 5-OH-Tryptophan and α-methyl-dopa but not after exposure to the corresponding amines. Fluorescent products were also observed in the same cells when control irises were treated with the trihydroxyindole histochemical reaction. It is concluded that certain catechol and indole amino acids accumulate within the endothelial cells of the rat iris capillaries in a manner similar to that observed in brain capillaries. Furthermore, small amounts of DOPA are probably present within these cells normally.
Performance evaluation of several commercial alloys in a reducing environment

Abstract Several commercial alloys including Ebrite, Crofer 22 APU, Haynes 230 and Haynes 242, which are candidates for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect materials, were isothermally and cyclically oxidized at 900 °C in the reducing atmosphere of Ar + 5 vol.% H2 + 3 vol.% H2O corresponding to the SOFC anode environment. Results indicate that these alloys exhibited good scale spallation resistance with the Ni-base alloys possessing better oxidation resistance over the Fe-base alloys. Both Mn–Cr spinel and Cr2O3 were formed in the oxide scales of these alloys. For Crofer 22 APU and Haynes 242, a continuous protective MnO and Mn–Cr spinel layer formed outside on the inner layer of Cr2O3. The increase in scale ASR after longer-term thermal exposure in the reducing environment was relatively slower for the Ni-base alloys than for the Fe-base alloys.
The electrochemical and flotation behavior of chalcocite and mixed oxide/sulfide ores

Abstract The electrochemistry and wetting behavior of chalcocite in aqueous solutions of the potassium salts of octyl hydroxamate, diethyldithiophosphate and ethyl xanthate have been compared. In each case, the chalcocite surface can be made hydrophobic by adjusting the potential of the system. As the potential is made more oxidizing, the surface becomes hydrophobic. The potential at which this transition occurs is a characteristic of the added reagent and its concentration. Ethyl xanthate adsorbs at the lowest potential, followed by dithiophosphate and finally by the hydroxamate. Ethyl xanthate also desorbs at nearly the same potential at which it adsorbs whereas the other two reagents are not removed from the surface until the chalcocite itself is reduced. Hydroxamate also appears to have promise as a collector not only for sulfide but also oxidized copper ores.
Similarities and Differences in the Time Course of Mechanical Activity of the Canine Myocardium and Isovolumic Left Ventricle

BACKGROUND The isovolumic non-ejecting left ventricle (LV) is functionally analogous to the isometric myocardium and the curve of the time course of left ventricular isovolumic pressure, P(t), resembles the curve of the time course of myocardial isometric force, F(t). In this study therefore, we first tested the hypothesis that the same general empirical model that fit F(t) and L(t), the isotonic shortening curve, will also fit P(t) by evaluating the model P(t) = P0 + C(t/A)B exp[1-(t/A)]B in 8 Suga-Sagawa isolated cross-circulated canine left ventricles. P0 is the end-diastolic pressure; A, B, and C are parameters. We went further to compare the time course of P(t) to those of F(t) and L(t) exploiting their common basic analytical models not only to characterize similarities but also to highlight differences between them. METHODS To obtain curves of P(t), we inserted a latex balloon in the LV and injected water into it and recorded the isovolumic pressure curve, P(t), in each of 8 ventricles. Eight in situ right ventricular papillary muscles of the isolated canine heart were also studied with a servo system that clamped length or force to produce F(t) or L(t). Each curve, P(t), F(t), or L(t) was fit with the above model by Marquardt's algorithm and A, B, and C determined. RESULTS The model fit the curves closely, the coefficient of determination being 0.995 +/- 0.003 for P(t); 0.994 +/- 0.003 for F(t), and 0.990 +/- 0.004 for L(t). The common model allowed direct quantitative comparison of the time course of either myocardial isometric or isotonic dynamics with the time course of left ventricular isovolumic dynamics by comparing the ventricular parameters A and B, which determine details of time course, with their corresponding myocardial counterparts. Under basal (i.e. control) conditions, A and B averaged 0.194 +/- 0.015 and 2.09 +/- 0.065 respectively for P(t). Mean A for isotonic shortening was 0.219 +/- 0.022 (p < 0.02 compared to mean A for P(t)). Mean B for F(t) was 1.87 +/- 0.100 (p < 0.001 compared to mean B for P(t)). The values of A for P(t) and F(t) were not different and the values of B for P(t) and L(t) were closely similar. CONCLUSION The same empirical model that fits F(t) and L(t) also fits P(t). Comparison of myocardial to ventricular curves showed that during contraction, P(t) corresponded closely to F(t) and L(t). However during relaxation, P(t) led both F(t) and L(t) both of which pursued a similar time course. This suggests that myocardial contraction may be isometric during LV isovolumic contraction and it may be valid to extrapolate information about myocardial isometric contraction directly to left ventricular isovolumic contraction and vice versa. On the other hand during left ventricular isovolumic relaxation, myocardial dynamics may well involve some length changes. It is difficult, however, to reconcile such presumed length changes to the putative isometricity of myocardial function during contraction.
Charging large capacitor banks in thermonuclear research

To contain and heat the deuterium plasma used in fusion experiments, strong magnetic fields are necessary. Fields are produced by a system of coils receiving a rapid transfer of energy from large capacitor banks storing large quantities of energy. The problems involved fall within the compass of electrical engineering analysis and can best be solved by the engineer in his normal work environment.
Electron microscopic and immunocytochemical study of rapidly frozen, freeze-substituted neural lobes of rats.

Rapid freezing of freshly dissected or incubated neural lobes was explored as a means of obtaining ultrastructural preservation of the more natural state of this tissue. A quantitative assessment of the region of good fixation was made in order to determine the relative fractions occupied by axons, pituicytes and the extracellular space. The immunocytochemical distributions of neurophysins and the glycopeptide portion of the vasopressin precursor were evaluated using the immunogold technique in order to determine the relative numbers of oxytocin and vasopressin fibre types in the fixed region, and the subcellular localization of these antigens.
Direct Spectrophotometric Determination of Iodate following Periodate Oxidation of α-Glycol Groups: Quantitative Removal of Iodate and Periodate by Ion-Exchange Materials or by Solvent Extraction

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the direct spectrophotometric determination of iodate following periodate oxidation of α-glycol groups. The amount of iodate found corresponds stoichiometrically to the amount of α-glycol oxidized. One advantage of this method is that it quantitatively removes both periodate and iodate ions from the oxidized carbohydrate sample, which now is the effluent solution of sorption of the periodate and iodate ions on an anion-exchange resin. The elimination of these ions from a reaction mixture allows further chemical manipulations of the periodate-oxidized carbohydrates, such as those involved in structural, synthetic, or preparative work. In addition, tests for the presence of formaldehyde can be performed directly on the effluent solution of step.
Intramolecular nucleophilic capture of radical cations by tethered hydroxy functions

Abstract A range of systems bearing hydroxy functions tethered to the molecular framework gives rise to a family of interesting radical cations, 5 + – 11 + , upon electron transfer to photo-excited cyanoaromatics. Geraniol ( 5 ), nerol ( 6 ), citronellol ( 7 ), chrysanthemol ( 8 ), homochrysanthemol ( 9 ), trans -1- o -hydroxyphenyl-2-phenylcyclopropane ( 10 ), and endo -5-hydroxymethylnorbornene ( 11 ), generate a series of mono-, bi-, or tricyclic ethers via a series of four- to seven-membered transition states. Two of the radical cations, 5 + and 6 + , undergo tandem cyclizations where 1,5- and/or 1,6-C–C cyclizations precede nucleophilic capture.
Angiogenic inhibition reduces germinal matrix hemorrhage

The germinal matrix of premature infants is selectively vulnerable to hemorrhage within the first 48 h of life. To assess the role of vascular immaturity in germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH), we evaluated germinal matrix angiogenesis in human fetuses and premature infants, as well as in premature rabbit pups, and noted active vessel remodeling in all three. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-2 and endothelial cell proliferation were present at consistently higher levels in the germinal matrix relative to the white matter anlagen and cortical mantle. On that basis, we asked whether prenatal treatment with either of two angiogenic inhibitors, the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, or the VEGFR2 inhibitor ZD6474, could suppress the incidence of GMH in premature rabbit pups. Celecoxib treatment decreased angiopoietin-2 and VEGF levels as well as germinal matrix endothelial proliferation. Furthermore, treatment with celecoxib or ZD6474 substantially decreased the incidence of GMH. Thus, by suppressing germinal matrix angiogenesis, prenatal celecoxib or ZD6474 treatment may be able to reduce both the incidence and severity of GMH in susceptible premature infants.
Carotid angioplasty and stent placement: a prospective analysis of perioperative complications and impact of intravenously administered abciximab.

Objective To determine the frequency of perioperative complications since the introduction of abciximab, we prospectively evaluated our experience in a consecutive series of patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stent placement (CAS). CAS has been introduced recently for treatment of carotid artery stenosis. A major limitation to this modality is the risk of perioperative thromboembolic and ischemic events. To reduce the risk of ischemic complications, abciximab, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, has been introduced as adjunctive treatment for high-risk patients. Methods Each patient was evaluated by a neurologist before, immediately after, and 24 hours after CAS for identification and classification of new neurological deficits. Bleeding events or other complications during hospitalization were recorded. Bleeding complications were classified as major (hemoglobin decrease,g5 g/dl), minor (hemoglobin decrease, 3-5 g/dl), or insignificant. Abciximab was administered intravenously as a single bolus (0.25 mg/kg) and then via infusion (10 microg/min) for 12 hours as an adjunct to CAS in patients considered to be at high risk for thromboembolic events owing to recent ischemic symptoms and/or complex lesion morphology. Results Intravenously administered abciximab was used in 37 patients (mean age, 70 yr; 21 patients were men) as an adjunct to high-risk CAS. Thirty-three other patients underwent CAS performed with standard intraprocedural heparinization (mean age, 69 yr; 17 patients were men). Minor ischemic strokes were observed in 1 of 37 abciximab-treated patients and in 4 of 33 heparin-treated patients. No major ischemic strokes were observed in either group. Transient neurological deficits were observed in nine patients in the abciximab-treated group and in one patient in the heparin-treated group. Transient neurological deficits in abciximab-treated patients were mainly related to hemodynamic factors (associated with balloon inflation in two patients and with hypotension in another two patients) or occurred after completion of infusion (in three patients). Minor bleeding complications were observed in three patients who received abciximab and in four patients who received standard heparinization. Major bleeding complications were observed in four patients from each group. Two patients who received abciximab developed intracerebral hemorrhages; one hemorrhage was fatal. Conclusion The frequency of ischemic stroke in high-risk patients (3%) with the use of intravenously administered abciximab was lower, but not significantly so, than rates observed in lower-risk patients (12%), although the benefit was lost because of the high rate of intracranial hemorrhages (5%). Further efforts are required to determine appropriate selection criteria for use of intravenously administered abciximab and the effect of other strategies that involve distal protection devices.
Stability of Piston-Like Displacements of Water by Steam and Nitrogen in Porous Media

This paper reformulates Miller's results for a condensation front in a more useful form including general numerical results and extends the theory to include injection of a noncondensing gas (e.g., nitrogen) together with the steam. Depending on the particular situation, the presence of nitrogen can be either stabilizing or destabilizing. The motivation for the generalization comes from enhanced oil recovery projects where the exhaust gases from the steam generator are injected into the reservoir along with the steam. This paper considers perturbations on a flat condensation front that is perpendicular to its velocity. The gravitational force along this velocity is included, but the component of the gravitational force perpendicular to the velocity is not. The authors present two steps: (1) determination of the motion of a flat condensation front (details are in the Appendix) and (2) evaluation of the characteristic time for growth or decay of a perturbation of that front. The results are given for a specific reservoir; (2) discuss the sensitivity of these results to the important reservoir parameters (flow velocities and absolute permeabilities); (3) show that, if surface tension and gravitation are unimportant, the stability condition is independent of the absolute permeability and absolute flow rates; andmore » (4) discuss the longest wavelength for a stable perturbation.« less
Romanian Land Reform: 1991–1993

Survey data collected in Romania in 1991 describe emerging patterns of landholding and farming where the majority of rural households pool land and produce collectively in newly formed associations, rather than farm individually. This pattern appears to persist in 1992 and 1993. The decision to farm collectively can be explained, in part, by households' response to slowly developing competitive markets. Nonetheless, the associations appear less responsive than private farmers to market stimuli, which may impede agricultural transformation.
Signal-Transition Patterns of Functional Broadside Tests

Existing low-power test generation procedures use a single number to represent the power dissipation in a circuit or subcircuit. As a result, the specific signal transitions they create may deviate substantially from those possible during functional operation (and those the circuit is designed for). Functional broadside tests create functional operation conditions during their two functional capture cycles. Therefore, the specific signal transitions that occur during their second, fast functional capture cycles can occur during functional operation. This paper defines and studies the patterns of signal transitions under the second, fast functional capture cycles of functional broadside tests. These patterns can be used for evaluating the deviations from functional power dissipation created by low-power test sets that consist of arbitrary (functional and nonfunctional) broadside tests. They can also be used for guiding the generation of low-power test sets. The paper presents experimental results for both applications.
Supramolecular approaches to second-order nonlinear optical materials. Self-assembly and microstructural characterization of intrinsically acentric [(aminophenyl)azo]pyridinium superlattices

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of self-assembled second-order nonlinear optical multilayer materials containing the high-hyperpolarizability [(aminophenyl)azo]pyridinium chromophore. The chromophoric multilayers are assembled on clean glass or single-crystal silicon substrates via the following iterative reaction sequence: (1) treatment with 4-ClCH2C6H4SiCl3, 3-BrC3H6SiCl3, or 3-IC3H6SiCl3 to afford a self-assembled coupling layer; (2) quaternization of 4-[[4-[N,N-bis(hydroxylethyl)amino]phenyl]azo]pyridine in a “topotactic” fashion to generate an [(aminophenyl)azo]pyridinium chromophore layer; (3) cross-linking with octachlorotrisiloxane to afford a capping layer (which also regenerates surface hydroxyl groups for subsequent layer deposition). The new chromophore precursor 4-[[4-[N,N-bis(hydroxylethyl)-amino]phenyl]azo]pyridine was synthesized by diazotization of 4-aminopyridine followed by coupling with N-phenyldiethanolamine and has been characterized by elemental analysis, ma...
Soft pion theorems and the Kl3, Kl4 form factors☆

Abstract Theoretical arguments are given, based on current-algebras and the smoothness property of the K l 4 decay form-factors, which imply that the parameter ξ of K l 3 decay has the value - 1 and is approximately constant over the decay region.
On arc-traceable tournaments

A digraph D = (V, A) is arc-traceable if for each arc xy in A, xy lies on a directed path containing all the vertices of V, that is, a hamiltonian path. Given a tournament T, it is well known that it contains a directed hamiltonian path. In this article, we develop the structure necessary for a tournament T to contain an arc xy that is not on any hamiltonian path. Using this structure, we give sufficient conditions for a tournament to be arc-traceable. In addition, we give examples to show that these conditions are best possible. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 53: 157–166, 2006
Topical Review: Barefoot Running:

Barefoot running has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years driven by claims of enhanced running efficiency and injury prevention as individuals continue to explore alternative training strategies to improve performance.19,62,65 This rising interest has sparked a significant growth of scientific research investigating the physiology, biomechanics, performance effects, and injury mechanisms of barefoot running. It has been established that footwear plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of foot and ankle disorders by creating biomechanical changes in force transmission, lower extremity position, and gait kinematics.11,44,46,65 Since the invention of modern cushioned heel footwear in the 1970s, there has been a worldwide proliferation of shoe manufacturers with claims of improved foot safety and injury prevention that have gone unproven. Despite previous discussions in the scientific community in the 1980s regarding the effects of barefoot running,6,16,28,59,60 there has been renewed mainstream media interest regarding barefoot running as recreational and professional athletes explore new training programs to increase strength and endurance. Foot and ankle injuries associated with running include stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and ligamentous injuries, among many others.1,2 Specific causative factors for these injuries such as anatomic and kinematic variables are not well delineated or understood. Studies investigating the role of footwear in injury patterns report conflicting data
Voice recognition technology as a tool for behavioral research.

Behavioral research often requires the acquisition and processing of large volumes of data. Most current techniques for recording behavior constrain the amount and type of data that can be measured. We developed and tested a system that uses voice recognition technology to collect data on the social interactions and singing patterns of cowbirds (Molothrus ater) living outdoors in a semi-natural environment. We spoke observation data into a wireless microphone that transmitted the data to a computer in the laboratory. After collection, the data were automatically checked for errors and then were entered into a database. Overall, the system performed at extremely high levels of accuracy Furthermore, owing to the removal of constraints on observers such as breaking visual contact with subjects and manual data entry into a database, we were able to increase the amount of data collected and to collect new measures of social interactions that have not been available to us in the past. We tested the system under the challenging circumstances of field observation, and it performed above our expectations. In a laboratory setting, if transmission difficulties are removed, voice recognition could be even more accurate. We recommend voice recognition as a powerful new tool for the variety of research fields in which measuring behavior is involved.
Strength-Duration Relationship for Human Transvenous Defibrillation

Background One of the basic characteristics of electrical defibrillation is the strength-duration relationship, or the effect of pulse width on defibrillation efficacy. This relationship is important for understanding the mechanism of defibrillation and for the design of optimal waveforms. However, a detailed evaluation of the strength-duration relationship for human transvenous defibrillation has not been performed previously. Methods and Results This was a prospective study of 29 patients undergoing initial defibrillator implantation with a uniform dual coil, transvenous lead. In each patient defibrillation thresholds were measured for either short (2, 3, 4, 6 ms) or long (6, 12, 18 ms) pulse durations, with the order of testing randomized. The shock waveform was a truncated monophasic pulse from a capacitor of 150 μF. The leading edge voltage at defibrillation threshold was 566±100 V for 2-ms pulses. Voltages declined exponentially with increasing pulse width reaching an asymptote by 6 ms (451±68 V, P<...
Chronic Exposure to Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Alters Activity and Synaptic Function in Neuroendocrine Control Regions of the Female Mouse

Disruption of reproductive function is a hallmark of abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in female subjects. To understand the central actions of AAS, patch clamp recordings were made in estrous, diestrous and AAS-treated mice from gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, neurons in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and neurons in the anteroventroperiventricular nucleus (AVPV); regions known to provide GABAergic and kisspeptin inputs to the GnRH cells. Action potential (AP) frequency was significantly higher in GnRH neurons of estrous mice than in AAS-treated or diestrous animals. No significant differences in AAS-treated, estrous or diestrous mice were evident in the amplitude or kinetics of spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPCSs), miniature PSCs or tonic currents mediated by GABAA receptors or in GABAA receptor subunit expression in GnRH neurons. In contrast, the frequency of GABAA receptor-mediated sPSCs in GnRH neurons showed an inverse correlation with AP frequency across the three hormonal states. Surprisingly, AP activity in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), a likely source of GABAergic afferents to GnRH cells, did not vary in concert with the sPSCs in the GnRH neurons. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of GABAA receptors did not alter the pattern in which there was lower AP frequency in GnRH neurons of AAS-treated and diestrous versus estrous mice. These data suggest that AAS do not impose their effects either directly on GnRH neurons or on putative GABAergic afferents in the mPOA. AP activity recorded from neurons in kisspeptin-rich regions of the anteroventroperiventricular nucleus (AVPV) and the expression of kisspeptin mRNA and peptide did vary coordinately with AP activity in GnRH neurons. Our data demonstrate that AAS treatment imposes a “diestrous-like” pattern of activity in GnRH neurons and suggest that this effect may arise from suppression of presynaptic kisspeptin-mediated excitatory drive arising from the AVPV. The actions of AAS on neuroendocrine regulatory circuits may contribute the disruption of reproductive function observed in steroid abuse.