cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ex situ and modeling study of two-phase flow in a single channel of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Abstract In this study, we investigate the air–water two-phase flow in a single flow channel of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In the ex situ study, both straight and serpentine channels with various gas diffusion layer (GDL) surfaces are studied. Focus is placed on the two-phase flow patterns, which are optically characterized using a microscope with a high-resolution camera, and the two-phase pressure amplifiers. We find that the GDL surface properties slightly affect the flow pattern and two-phase pressure amplifier in the flow field configuration. Flow pattern transition occurs at the superficial gas velocity of around 1 m s −1 , and the pressure amplifier can reach as high as 10. A two-fluid model is also presented together with one dimensional (1-D) analytical solution, and acceptable agreement is achieved between the model prediction and experimental data at high gas flow rates.
Stretch growth of integrated axon tracts: Extremes and exploitations

Although virtually ignored in the literature until recently, the process of 'stretch growth of integrated axon tracts' is perhaps the most remarkable axon growth mechanism of all. This process can extend axons at seemingly impossible rates without the aid of chemical cues or even growth cones. As animals grow, the organization and extremely rapid expansion of the nervous system appears to be directed purely by mechanical forces on axon tracts. This review provides the first glimpse of the astonishing features of axon tracts undergoing stretch growth and how this natural process can be exploited to facilitate repair of the damaged nervous system.
Measurements of postcoital sympathetic activity in females by means of vanillylmandelic acid

Abstract Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), the final metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine, and creatinine (Cr) were measured 1 hr before, within an hour after intercourse, and in a 23-hr pooled sample after intercourse in 11 females. The results were compared to a group of 8 normal females who abstained from intercourse. The control VMA/creatinine ratios were significantly lower than the preintercourse values (P
Graph transformation approaches for diverse routing in shared risk resource group (SRRG) failures

Failure resilience is a desired feature of the Internet. Most traditional restoration architectures assume single failure assumption, which is not adequate in present day WDM optical networks. Multiple link failure models, in the form of shared risk link groups (SRLG's) and shared risk node groups (SRNG's) are becoming critical in survivable optical network design. We classify both of these form of failures under a common scenario of shared risk resource groups (SRRG) failures. We develop graph transformation techniques for tolerating multiple failures arising out of shared resource group (SRRG) failures. Diverse routing in such multi-failure scenario essentially necessitates finding out two paths between a source and a destination that are SRRG disjoint. The generalized diverse routing problem has been proved to be NP-Complete. The proposed transformation techniques however provides a polynomial time solution for certain restrictive failure sets. We study how restorability can be achieved for dependent or shared risk link failures and multiple node failures and prove the validity of our approach for different network scenarios. Our proposed technique is capable of improving the diverse route computation by around 20-30% as compared to approaches proposed in the literature.
Expressed symptoms and personality traits in conversion hysteria.

The study was based on the Personality Assessment System (PAS), a new approach to relating personality traits to Wechsler test performance. The purpose was to study relations between PAS personality patterns and expressed symptoms in conversion hysterics. This group was chosen because their symptoms presumably reflect essential personality features. The sample of 124 Ss was divided in 2 parts, the data being obtained and analyzed separately. 3 specific hypotheses, in line with PAS constructs, were formulated on the basis of findings obtained with the first part and tested with the second. 2 of the 3 hypotheses were upheld.
Preoperative 18[F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography standardized uptake values predict survival after esophageal adenocarcinoma resection.

Background Clinical staging modalities for esophageal cancer are inaccurate at determining prognosis, especially in early-stage patients. We performed a retrospective review of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma imaged by positron emission tomography before surgical resection to determine whether 18 [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake predicted overall survival independently of clinical and pathologic stage. Methods The study is a retrospective review of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus treated by surgery. All patients were imaged with computed tomography and positron emission tomography imaging, and most patients had an endoscopic ultrasound. We compared positron emission tomography standardized uptake values (SUV max ) with clinical and pathologic stage and survival. Prognostic variables were assessed by log-rank test, and survival by the method of Kaplan and Meier. Results From January 1996 through June 2004, 50 patients meeting study eligibility criteria were analyzed. Median follow-up for surviving patients was 27 months. The median SUV max was 4.5. Stratification of patients by the median SUV max predicted survival. The 3-year survival was 57% for patients with an SUV max greater than 4.5 and 95% for patients with an SUV max of 4.5 or less ( p = 0.02). The survival advantage of the SUV max 4.5 or less group was also seen in clinically early-stage patients (defined as no adenopathy on computed tomography and positron emission tomography, and by endoscopic ultrasound T1–2 N0), as well as in patients with pathologically early-stage disease (T–2 N0). Conclusions In surgically managed esophageal adenocarcinoma patients, SUV max predicts overall survival. Moreover, SUV max identifies patients who have a poor prognosis from a subset of patients that would otherwise be considered to have early-stage disease.
Management of hormonal treatment effects

Androgen ablation is an effective palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate. A variety of drugs with diverse mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and side effects are used to treat patients with this disease. This paper discusses the management of the most common side effects that result from treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, antiandrogens, ketoconazole, estrogens, and progestational agents. The most common side effects are loss of libido and impotence, hot flushes, gynecomastia, the flare phenomenon (LHRH agonists), nausea and vomiting, liver toxicity, and thromboembolic events (estrogens). The flare phenomenon associated with LHRH analog treatment is prevented best by pretreatment with antiandrogens or estrogens. Progestational agents can reduce hot flashes markedly. Gynecomastia may be prevented by preliminary breast irradiation. Erectile dysfunction is the most problematic side effect and possible treatments for this condition are discussed. Cancer 1995 ;75 : 1983-6.
Signal detection in fractional Gaussian noise

Several results related to the reproducing kernel Hilbert space of fractional Brownian motion are presented to facilitate the study of signal detection in additive fractional Gaussian noise. This Hilbert space is completely characterized, and an alternative characterization for the restriction of this class of functions to a compact interval (0.T) is given. Infinite- and finite-interval whitening filters for fractional Brownian motion are also developed. The application of these results to the signal detection problem yields necessary and sufficient conditions for a deterministic or stochastic signal to produce a nonsingular shift when embedded in additive fractional Gaussian noise. A formula for the likelihood ratio corresponding to any deterministic nonsingular shift is developed. >
Reducing Gasoline Prices: British Columbia's Experiment

Nature and significance of the problem, 443. — I. Conditions leading to investigation of the coal and petroleum industries, 443. — The Coal and Petroleum Products Control Board Act, 445. — Further legislation in 1940, 446. — Constitutional restrictions in Canada, 446. — II. Facts brought to light by the foregoing: brand names, 447; elasticity of demand, 448; major oil companies' control, 448; side-lines, 449; profits, 449. — Prices and cost of production, 450. — Interpretations of the facts revealed, 451. — Price determination, 451. — Product determination, 452. — Promotion, 454. — III. Alternative policies open to the Board, 454. — Policies adopted, 457. — Conclusions, 458.
Measurement of real free energies of transfer of individual ions from water to other solvents with the jet cell

Resolution of the activities of solutions of electrolytes into the individual ionic contributions cannot be carried out rigorously and requires the introduction of extrathermodynamic assumptions which have inherent uncertainties. The most commonly used approaches are basically similar in that they are based on the assumed solvent independence of the difference in the enthalpy or Gibbs energy of transfer of pairs of model solutes, e.g., tetraphenylarsonium and tetraphenylborate ions, or ferricinium ion and ferrocene. In this work we follow an alternative approach pioneered by Parsons involving measurement in the jet (Kenrick) cell of outer-potential differences between solutions of the same electrolyte in two solvents. These potential differences provide the ‘real’ free energies of transfer of individual ions which, in turn, differ from the usual Gibbs energies of transfer by the work required to transfer the ion through the dipolar layers at the two solvent-gas interfaces. One objective of this work was to improve the reliability of real free energy of transfer measurements, which are experimentally demanding, to within ca. ±0.5 kJ-mol−1 in order to match typical uncertainties in Gibbs transfer energies of electrolytes. This goal was met, in most instances, by careful evaluation of experimental parameters (particularly jet pressure). A major improvement over previous measurements was made by adding a supporting electrolyte which allowed stable potentials to be obtained at test electrolyte concentrations as low as 10−4M. Real free energy changes are reported for the transfer of silver ion from water to methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate and dimethyl sulfoxide, as well as for the transfer of chloride ion from water to methanol and ethanol. Reliable data of this kind may lead to improved understanding of either the properties of the surfaces of solvents or the interactions of model solutes with solvents, depending on which of the two fields develops most.
A robust coregistration method for in vivo studies using a first generation simultaneous PET/MR scanner.

Purpose: Hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems have recently been built that allow functional and anatomical information obtained from PET and MR to be acquired simultaneously. The authors have developed a robust coregistration scheme for a first generation small animal PET/MR imaging system and illustrated the potential of this system to study intratumoral heterogeneity in a mouse model. Methods: An alignment strategy to fuse simultaneously acquired PET and MR data, using the MR imaging gradient coordinate system as the reference basis, was developed. The fidelity of the alignment was evaluated over multiple study sessions. In order to explore its robustness in vivo, the alignment strategy was applied to explore the heterogeneity of glucose metabolism in a xenograft tumor model, using ^(18)F-FDG-PET to guide the acquisition of localized ^1H MR spectra within a single imaging session. Results: The alignment method consistently fused the PET/MR data sets with subvoxel accuracy (registration error mean=0.55 voxels, <0.28 mm); this was independent of location within the field of view. When the system was used to study intratumoral heterogeneity within xenograft tumors, a correlation of high ^(18)F-FDG-PET signal with high choline/creatine ratio was observed. Conclusions: The authors present an implementation of an efficient and robust coregistration scheme for multimodal noninvasive imaging using PET and MR. This setup allows time-sensitive, multimodal studies of physiology to be conducted in an efficient manner.
Delayed migration of a pipeline embolization device.

Background Giant and complex aneurysms are increasingly treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED). However, clinical experience with the device remains preliminary. Objective To report the first case of a delayed migration of an intracranial PED. Methods A 61-year-old woman with a known large right cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm had a 3-month history of increasing retro-orbital pain. She underwent uneventful treatment of her aneurysm with the PED. Results Five months after the procedure, the patient's pain recurred. On the routine 6-month follow-up angiography, there was proximal PED migration, with the distal end of the device projecting directly into the aneurysm and creating a jet of contrast against the aneurysm sac. The migration distance was more than 1 cm, and there was significant foreshortening of the device. A second, overlapping PED was successfully deployed within the first PED to bridge the neck of the aneurysm and redirect the flow jet away from the aneurysm sac. Complete resolution of the patient's symptoms was noted 4 weeks later. Conclusion Delayed proximal migration may occur after placement of a PED. Accurate stent sizing and adequate apposition to the vessel wall may minimize the occurrence of this undesirable phenomenon. If there is any concern regarding the position of the PED, early imaging follow-up may be indicated.
Modulation of ribonuclease P expression in Escherichia coli by polyamines

1. The presence of polyamines in the growth medium of Escherichia coli can modulate the activity of the RNA-processing enzyme, ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P (RNase P), by altering the expression of the rnpA and rnpB genes, which encode its C5 protein and M1 RNA subunits, respectively. 2. Following growth in the presence of 1 mM spermidine the levels of C5 protein mRNA and catalytic M1 RNA were significantly elevated in the wild type E. coli K-12 strain MG1655. 3. The rnpA mRNA, together with the ribosomal protein L34 (rpmH) mRNA, was found to constitute a dicistronic rpmH-rnpA message whose half-life did not change upon Escherichia coli growth in the presence of spermidine. 4. This suggests that the spermidine effect is on the transcriptional level. 5. Increased expression of the rnpA and rnpB genes was reflected in the activity of RNase P, which almost doubled. 6. These results identify yet another component of the protein synthetic machinery which is specifically affected by polyamines.
Heme Stimulation of Globin Synthesis in a Cell Free System

In a cell-free system of pigeon erythrocyte nuclei high concentrations of oxygen inhibit globin synthesis because of the inhibition of heme synthesis, which is required for globin synthesis. The effect of heme in overcoming the inhibition of globin synthesis by oxygen is manifested only during the first few minutes of incubation. This period represents the time during which the system is being warmed from 4 degrees to 37 degrees C. The effect of heme seems to be upon some initial assembly or structural process.
Degradation mechanism and kinetic studies of a novel anticancer agent, AG2034

Abstract AG2034 is an anticancer drug designed using protein structure-based techniques. As demonstrated in preformulation studies [ Wang et al., 1997 . Preformulation studies of a novel glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase inhibitor, AG2034 (in preparation)], hydrolysis and oxidation were the two major degradation pathways for AG2034. AG2034 was initially formulated as a lyophilized powder for injection for parenteral administration. The hydrolysis was an unusual problem because of the erratic degradation kinetics. Further investigation in this study suggested that the hydrolysis of AG2034 was not through chemical degradation pathway, rather it was enzymatic—caused by the microbial growth in the solution. The enzymatic mechanism was supported by the observations that hydrolysis was dependent on temperature and pH, and could be effectively inhibited by the presence of EDTA, some preservatives, as well as by aseptic filtration. Due to the sensitivity of AG2034 to enzymatic degradation, sterility was crucial in maintaining the solution stability. Oxidation was the other degradation pathway which was found to be more significant at higher pH range. The pH-oxidation profile was studied in the pH range of 6–9, and the results indicated that the optimization of pH alone could not effectively minimize oxidation rate and result in a sufficiently stable liquid formulation. Consequently, a number of antioxidants and chelating agent EDTA were evaluated. It was observed that the effect of EDTA on oxidation was minimal. Sodium thiosulfate could slightly stabilize AG2034 against oxidation, while monothioglycerol, sodium sulfite and cysteine had no positive effects. Oxidation of AG2034 was shown to be sensitive to the presence of oxygen. The replacement of headspace gas with nitrogen significantly reduced the amount of oxidation product formation. Based on the kinetic study, it was estimated that liquid formulation could be stabilized with the headspace nitrogen control and the use of appropriate antioxidant.
Effects of Body Condition and Protein on Milk Fat Depression in Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Abstract Twenty multiparous and 16 primiparous Holstein cows were fed either a high energy or low energy diet during the dry period to achieve different degrees of body condition. Three weeks postpartum, cows were randomly assigned to either a high protein (23% CP) or a low protein (14.5% CP) diet. The diet contained 21% ADF during wk 3 through 6 postpartum and lowered to 9% ADF during wk 7 through 14 postpartum to depress fat test. Cows fed the low energy prepartum diet had less fat depression when fed the high protein postpartum diet compared with the low protein diet. Milk fat depression was more severe for all cows fed the high energy prepartum diet. Depression in milk fat percentage for multiparous cows was 30.8, 10.2, 34.5, and 26.0% for high energy-high protein, low energy-high protein, high energy-low protein, and low energy-low protein groups, respectively. For primiparous cows, milk fat depression was 37.3, 24.1, 37.0, and 34.6%. After the fiber change, depression in acetate to propionate ratio was less for multiparous cows fed high protein than for those fed low protein. Prepartum energy did not influence acetate to propionate ratio depression that resulted from the fiber change.
Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) - planning, collecting and managing data for clinical and translational research

Background REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a software application and workflow methodology designed to collect and manage data for research studies. REDCap study databases are secure, web-based applications and easy to create, launch and manage on a project-by-project basis. REDCap uses a study-specific data dictionary to eliminate all programming requirements for the creation of electronic case report forms and participant survey instruments for individual studies – making it extremely fast to develop and launch for any size study. Vanderbilt developed and launched REDCap in 2004 and began sharing the software with other academic and non-profit institutions in 2005 at no cost under a unique consortium dissemination model. The consortium now consists of 322 academic and non-profit partner institutions across six continents serving 38,600 end-users (http://www.projectredcap.org). This presentation will provide a description of the REDCap software platform, global consortium and low-cost institutional models for supporting data management across the entire clinical and translational research enterprise.
C12E6 and SDS Surfactants Simulated at the Vacuum−Water Interface

The effect of surface coverage on the aggregate structure for the nonionic hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C(12)E(6)) and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants at vacuum-water interface has been studied using molecular dynamics simulations. We report the aggregate morphologies and various structural details of both surfactants as a function of surface coverage. Our results indicate that C(12)E(6) tail groups orient less perpendicularly to the vacuum-water interface compared to SDS ones. Interfacial C(12)E(6) shows a transition from gaslike to liquidlike phases as the surface density increases. However, even at the largest coverage considered, interfacial C(12)E(6) aggregates show more disordered structures compared to SDS ones. Both surfactants exhibit a non-monotonic change in planar mobility as the available surface area per molecule varies. The results are interpreted on the basis of the molecular features of both surfactants, with particular emphasis on the properties of the surfactant heads, which are nonionic, long, and flexible for C(12)E(6), as opposed to ionic, compact, and rigid for SDS.
Hubble Space Telescope Imaging of Bright Galactic X-Ray Binaries in Crowded Fields

We report high spatial resolution HST imagery and photometry of three well-studied, intense Galactic X-ray binaries, X2129+470, CAL 87, and GX 17+2. All three sources exhibit important anomalies that are not readily interpreted by conventional models. Each source also lies in a severely crowded field, and in all cases the anomalies would be removed if much of the light observed from the ground in fact came from a nearby, thus far unresolved superposed companion. For V1727 Cyg (X2129+470), we find no such companion. We also present an HST FOS spectrum and broadband photometry which is consistent with a single, normal star. The supersoft LMC X-ray source CAL 87 was already known from ground-based work to have a companion separated by O.9 minutes from the optical counterpart; our HST images clearly resolve these objects and yield the discovery of an even closer, somewhat fainter additional companion. Our photometry indicates that contamination is not severe outside eclipse, where the companions only contribute 20% of the light in V, but during eclipse more than half of the V light comes from the companions. The previously determined spectral type of the CAL 87 secondary may need to be reevaluated due to this significant contamination, with consequences on inferences of the mass of the components. We find no companions to NP Ser (= X1813-14, = GX 17+2). However, for this object we point out a small but possibly significant astrometric discrepancy between the position of the optical object and that of the radio source which is the basis for the identification. This discrepancy needs to be clarified.
Quantum yield for poly(methyl methacrylate) chain scission by 214-229 nm wavelength light

The quantum yield for poly(methyl methacrylate)chain scission by ultraviolet light in the 214–229 nm wavelength region was found to be ϕd = 0.03 scissions per absorbed photon. Samples were 1.65-μm films spun cast on silicon wafers and irradiated under flowing nitrogen by a cadmium vapor lamp. Gel permeation chromatography was used for molecular weight determination. Heating (postbaking) the irradiated films at 150°C for one hour under reduced-pressure flowing nitrogen increased the observed scissions per absorbed photon to 0.04. Glass transition temperatures by DSC are well-represented by Tg (K) = 393.3 − 2.0 × 105/Mn for the postbaked samples (139,000 > Mn > 6500).
Part 2 The Link between GIS and spatial analysis

Some ideas are formulated on the challenges presented to GIS, spatial analysis and spatial econometrics that result from recent trends in social science research. These new developments are characterized by a focus on the geography of phenomena. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to extend concepts of space, to broaden the analytical toolbox and to develop software and advance education.
Long-Term Epidemiology of Neonatal Sepsis: Benefits and Concerns

agulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). CoNS are now appreciated as a world-wide cause of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) [5] . In the future, longitudinal reviews of neonatal sepsis from the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital may be informative to caregivers in other NICUs of Western Europe. Neonatal units in developed and developing countries outside Europe should probably not rely on the information about neonatal sepsis from studies performed at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, other NICUs in Western Europe or the USA. Rather, it is recommended that all NICUs conduct their own surveillance of infections [6] . Knowledge of the antibiotic susceptibilities of pathogens causing EOS and LOS in a particular NICU assists clinicians in making decisions about empiric antibiotics before microbiologic studies are available [7] . This strategy may also reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality from infection [8] . van den Hoogen et al. [2] express opinions in their report that require discussion. Similar to treatment for LOS at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Karlowicz and associates [9] suggest vancomycin can be avoided as an empiric antibiotic for nosocomial infections. The rationale for use of a 1st-generation cephalosporin to treat LOS is based on the finding that deaths are rarely associated with CoNS infections [9] . Several issues must be considered when a caregiver selects a 1st-generation cephaloIn the United States of America (USA), a historical study of neonatal sepsis from Yale-New Haven Hospital has become a roadmap for health care professionals. In a recent 15-year period, the causes of neonatal sepsis at Yale were compared to the 60 years of preexisting data [1] . Publications related to neonatal sepsis at Yale have helped identify new or emerging bacterial pathogens that cause early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in neonates. In this issue of Neonatology [2] , van den Hoogen and colleagues report the first long-term epidemiologic study of neonatal sepsis in Western Europe. The 29-year review of EOS and LOS at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital in the Netherlands shows trends like those seen at Yale with a few exceptions. First, these Dutch investigators show a reduction in EOS caused by group B streptococci after recent increased use of intrapartum antibiotics. A report from Yale had similar findings [3] . Second, van den Hoogen and colleagues found a low incidence of Gram-negative infections in neonates [2] , but a report from Yale observed a recent and substantial increase in EOS and LOS caused by Escherichia coli [4] . It is plausible that intrapartum use of antibiotics at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht will over time result in increased EOS and LOS caused by Gram-negative bacteria akin to those emerging at Yale [3, 4] . The primary cause of LOS at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital is currently coReceived: November 11, 2008 Accepted after revision: November 19, 2008 Published online: July 2, 2009 formerly Biology of the Neonate
Test Driven Design of a System for Removing Graffiti from Retroreflective Signs

The remediation of graffiti from highway signs is a labor intensive and potentially hazardous task. Accordingly, this paper presents the initial design stages of tools that could be used to clean graffiti from signs. Two design concepts are presented – one for pedestrian accessible signs and one for overhead signs – and the concepts share a common end-effector design. The paper is primarily aimed at developing an understanding of the interactions between the end-effector's scrubbers and the sign's resultant retroreflectivity. This is accomplished through a factorial experiment to test the effects of load, speed, brush type, and sign surface material on the retroreflectivity. This work shows the feasibility of such a tool for cleaning graffiti from signs along the roadways.
Gene expression profiles associated with acute myocardial infarction and risk of cardiovascular death

Genetic risk scores have been developed for coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, but are not predictive of adverse cardiovascular events. We asked whether peripheral blood expression profiles may be predictive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and/or cardiovascular death. Peripheral blood samples from 338 subjects aged 62 ± 11 years with coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed in two phases (discovery N = 175, and replication N = 163), and followed for a mean 2.4 years for cardiovascular death. Gene expression was measured on Illumina HT-12 microarrays with two different normalization procedures to control technical and biological covariates. Whole genome genotyping was used to support comparative genome-wide association studies of gene expression. Analysis of variance was combined with receiver operating curve and survival analysis to define a transcriptional signature of cardiovascular death. In both phases, there was significant differential expression between healthy and AMI groups with overall down-regulation of genes involved in T-lymphocyte signaling and up-regulation of inflammatory genes. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis provided evidence for altered local genetic regulation of transcript abundance in AMI samples. On follow-up there were 31 cardiovascular deaths. A principal component (PC1) score capturing covariance of 238 genes that were differentially expressed between deceased and survivors in the discovery phase significantly predicted risk of cardiovascular death in the replication and combined samples (hazard ratio = 8.5, P < 0.0001) and improved the C-statistic (area under the curve 0.82 to 0.91, P = 0.03) after adjustment for traditional covariates. A specific blood gene expression profile is associated with a significant risk of death in Caucasian subjects with CAD. This comprises a subset of transcripts that are also altered in expression during acute myocardial infarction.
VELOCITIES OF FALLING FILMS OF WATER ON TEFLON®, GLASS AND STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES

SUMMARY— The velocities of falling films of water on a stainless steel plate (8 by 1.5 ft) with No. 4 surface finish were measured by the salt conductivity method for flows varying from 50 to 250 Ib/min. The downflow times between 2 fixed electrodes, 6 feet apart on the plate, were measured by a Solu-Bridge flow timer. The film velocity measurements were made with the plate vertical and inclined 30 degrees from vertical, with water at 70 and 140°F. Another setup with a smaller plate (4 by 1.5 ft) and a constant flow of 45 lb/min was used to study the characteristics of falling films of water on Teflon, glass and stainless steel surfaces. The plates could be positioned at any positive or negative angle. The effects on wave structures were recorded photographically. The results showed highest velocities when the plates were vertical. Velocities increased with flow rate and temperature. At a given slope, film velocities were higher for the flow clinging to the underside of the surface than for the flow down the upper side of the surface.
High serum miR-19a levels are associated with inflammatory breast cancer and are predictive of favorable clinical outcome in patients with metastatic HER2+ inflammatory breast cancer

Introduction Altered serum microRNA (miRNA) levels may be correlated with a dysregulated expression pattern in parental tumor tissue and reflect the clinical evolution of disease. The overexpression of miR-21, miR-10b, and miR-19a is associated with the acquisition of malignant characteristics (increased tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, dissemination, and metastasis); thus, we determined their utility as serum biomarkers for aggressive breast cancer (HER2-overexpressed or -amplified [HER2(+)] and inflammatory breast cancer [IBC]). Experimental design In this prospective study, we measured miR-21, miR-10b, and miR-19a levels using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in the serum of 113 breast cancer patients and determined their association with clinicopathologic factors and clinical outcome. Thirty healthy donors with no history of cancer were enrolled as controls. Results Patients with non-metastatic HER2(+) breast cancer had higher serum miR-21 median levels than patients with non-metastatic HER2(-) disease (p = 0.044); whereas patients with metastatic HER2(+) breast cancer had higher serum miR-10b median levels than patients with metastatic HER2(-) disease (p = 0.0004). There were no significant differences in serum miR-19a median levels between HER2(+) and HER2(-) groups, regardless of the presence of metastases. High serum miR-19a levels were associated with IBC (p = 0.039). Patients with metastatic IBC had significantly higher serum miR-19a median levels than patients with metastatic non-IBC (p = 0.019). Finally, high serum miR-19a levels were associated with longer progression-free survival time (10.3 vs. 3.2 months; p = 0.022) and longer overall survival time (median not reached vs. 11.2 months; p = 0.003) in patients with metastatic HER2(+) IBC. Conclusion High levels of miR-21 and miR-10b were present in the serum of patients with non-metastatic and metastatic HER2(+) breast cancer, respectively. High levels of serum miR-19a may represent a biomarker for IBC that is predictive for favorable clinical outcome in patients with metastatic HER2(+) IBC.
Agroterrorism: Issues of Reality

In the past, deliberate contamination of foods to the U.S. has been committed by badividual criminals, disgruntled employees, or political activists with a narrow agenda. After September 11, 2001, every nation has had to consider a much wider range of food security issues. Food is a global commodity and nearly every country both exports and imports foods. Every nation must consider the security of its domestic production and look beyond its borders to its trading partners to assure the safety of its food supply. In the nearly 2 years since September 11, 2001, many steps have been taken to improve food security. New legislation has been enacted to strengthen the ability of government to respond to terrorist thrests. New relationships have been forged between food security agencies, law enforcement, and the intelligence community. Virtually every segment of the domestic and imported food supply has come under scrutiny in an effort to identify points of wenkness and appropriate protective measures. Gaps in our knowledge about specific agents and food processes have been identified and research to fill these gaps has been initiated. This effort will continue for the foreseeable future and could have a wide range of benefits, including imporvements to food safety, a reduction in product counterfeiting, and a reduction in the gray market food trade. The scale and diversity of the U.S. food supply makes it an attractive target, but at the same time makes it very resilient and responsive to emerging threats.
Calcium Entry Attenuates Adenylyl Cyclase Activity: A Possible Mechanism for Calcium-Induced Catecholamine Resistance

In experimental animals, coadministration of calcium (Ca) salts with β-adrenergic receptor agonists reduces the increased blood pressure and cyclic AMP (cAMP) produced by β-adrenergic receptor agonists alone. In patients, coadministration of these drugs reduces the increased cardiac output and blood glucose produced by selective administration of β-adrenergic agonists. The mechanism by which Ca might produce catecholamine resistance remains unclear. Healthy volunteers donated venous blood from which lymphocytes were isolated. The cAMP production was measured by radioimmunoassay under control conditions and after incubation with epinephrine or colforsin (forskolin) in the presence and absence of inhibitors. Epinephrine and colforsin produced concentration-dependent increases in cAMP production. Extracellular Ca concentration over the range from 0 to 8 mM did not inhibit basal cAMP production or that stimulated by either colforsin or epinephrine. The calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 (50 μM) combined with normal extracellular Ca concentration significantly attenuated colforsin-induced increases in cAMP production. When barium was substituted for Ca in the extracellular fluid, the cAMP response to colforsin was restored, despite Bay K 8644. Inhibition of Ca channel permeability with cadmium or cobalt ions partially restored colforsin-stimulated cAMP production, despite the presence of extracellular Ca and Bay K 8644. These results suggest that entry of Ca ions through Ca channels attenuates adenylyl cyclase. The inhibition appears specific for Ca ions over other permeant divalent cations, and favors a possible physiologic role for the recently cloned Ca-inhibited adenylyl cyclase.
Thinking outside the box: reflections on teaching

There are currently few data regarding the rate of learning for medical students and residents during a single clinical rotation. In this study, learner knowledge acquisition for medical students, and junior and senior residents, was evaluated during a single rotation in a surgical intensive care unit. Multiple-choice and short-answer question examinations (n = 261) were administered to students, and junior and senior residents (n = 103) at variable times during their rotation, over a period of 3 years. Results demonstrated that examination scores improved as ICU experience increased, in both students and junior residents, but not in senior residents. The learning curve in juniors reached a plateau after 7 weeks' experience. Post-call status had no impact on examination results. The plateau in examination scores in juniors and the lack of increase in senior residents have implications regarding planning the length of rotations during residency education.
The yjeB (nsrR) Gene of Escherichia coli Encodes a Nitric Oxide-Sensitive Transcriptional Regulator

Microarray studies of the Escherichia coli response to nitric oxide and nitrosative stress have suggested that additional transcriptional regulators of this response remain to be characterized. We identify here the product of the yjeB gene as a negative regulator of the transcription of the ytfE, hmpA and ygbA genes, all of which are known to be upregulated by nitrosative stress. Transcriptional fusions to the promoters of these genes were expressed constitutively in a yjeB mutant, indicating that all three are targets for repression by YjeB. An inverted repeat sequence that overlaps the -10 element of all three promoters is proposed to be a binding site for the YjeB protein. A similar inverted repeat sequence was identified in the tehA promoter, which is also known to be sensitive to nitrosative stress. The ytfE, hmpA, ygbA, and tehA promoters all caused derepression of a ytfE-lacZ transcriptional fusion when present in the cell in multiple copies, presumably by a repressor titration effect, suggesting the presence of functional YjeB binding sites in these promoters. However, YjeB regulation of tehA was weak, as judged by the activity of a tehA-lacZ fusion, perhaps because YjeB repression of tehA is masked by other regulatory mechanisms. Promoters regulated by YjeB could be derepressed by iron limitation, which is consistent with an iron requirement for YjeB activity. The YjeB protein is a member of the Rrf2 family of transcriptional repressors and shares three conserved cysteine residues with its closest relatives. We propose a regulatory model in which the YjeB repressor is directly sensitive to nitrosative stress. On the basis of similarity to the nitrite-responsive repressor NsrR from Nitrosomonas europaea, we propose that the yjeB gene of E. coli be renamed nsrR.
Effect of Varying the Case Mix on the Standardized Mortality Ratio and W Statistic: A Simulation Study

Objective To evaluate the validity of using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the W statistic as risk-adjusted measures of hospital mortality to judge ICU performance. Design APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II data were collected prospectively from the surgical ICU (SICU) at a single institution using all adult admissions (n = 6806) over an 8-year period (excluding cardiac surgical patients, burn patients, and patients under 16 years of age). Using a computer simulation technique, virtual ICUs (VICUs) with mortality rates between 5% and 16% were constructed. After first dividing the original data set into deciles of risk, each VICU was constructed by randomly resampling between 10 and 680 patients from each decile. The SMR, W statistic, and Z statistic were calculated for 10,000 different case mixes. Setting The SICU at a 450-bed teaching hospital. Patients A group of 6,806 adult patient admissions, excluding cardiac surgical patients and burn patients. Measurements and results VICUs were created from a data set of actual patients treated at one institution in order to test the hypothesis that the SMR and W statistic would remain invariant when applied to subsets of patients from a single institution. Instead, the SMR and W statistic were found to be very sensitive to changes in case mix. The SMR and W statistic were linear functions of the simulated ICU mortality rate. Conclusion This simulation demonstrates that the SMR and the W statistic based on APACHE II cannot be used to compare outcomes of ICUs. We have proposed a revision of the SMR that eliminates the effect of case mix and allows for more accurate comparisons of ICU performance.
Reevaluation of the Role of HWP1 in Systemic Candidiasis by Use of Candida albicans Strains with Selectable Marker URA3 Targeted to the ENO1 Locus

Previous evaluation of HWP1 in systemic candidiasis in CBA/J mice was done with Candida albicans strains with differing genetic locations of URA3 as a result of Ura-blaster mutagenesis. In this study, the presence of HWP1 and the location of URA3 contributed to the severity of murine systemic candidiasis in BALB/c mice.
Diminutive polyps among black and Latino populations undergoing screening colonoscopy: evidence supporting a resect and discard approach

Background A resect and discard strategy for diminutive (≤5 mm) colon polyps has been proposed to save costs of screening colonoscopy (SC). Prior studies on neoplasia prevalence based on polyp size have involved mostly white patients. Objective To determine the prevalence of adenomas and advanced histologic features by size among primarily black and Latino patients enrolled in a prospective SC study. Design Retrospective analysis of data from a prospective clinical trial. Setting Urban academic medical center. Patients Average risk, asymptomatic, minority patients aged ≥50 years undergoing SC. Interventions Screening colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements Rates of neoplasia and advanced histologic features (villous histology, high-grade dysplasia, or cancer) by polyp size and location. Results A total of 566 polyps from 295 patients were analyzed. Diminutive polyps and small (6-9 mm) polyps had lower prevalence of ≥1 advanced feature compared with large (≥10 mm) polyps (0.9% and 2.7%, respectively, vs 13.6%; P Limitations Use of pathology reports for polyp size. Conclusion Among a cohort of minority patients, advanced histologic features were very rare in diminutive polyps. Distal polyps were less likely to be neoplastic than proximal polyps in all size categories. This supports a resect and discard strategy for diminutive polyps, especially in the distal colon.
Overexpression of connective tissue growth factor promotes pancreatic adenocarcinoma xenograft formation and decreases survival in a nude mouse model

INTRODUCTION: Molecular targets for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma remain to be elucidated. While prior clinical studies have suggested a potential role for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the pro-fibrotic microenvironment of pancreatic inflammation, its involvement in pancreatic cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, we determine the effects of CTGF overexpression on the formation of human pancreatic cancer cell line-derived xenografts in nude mice.
Tip based chemical vapor deposition of silicon

Electric-field assisted decomposition of gas molecules such as SiCl 4 and SF 6 was used near a conducting AFM tip to directly deposit, etch and pattern nanometer-scale silicon structures. Deposition required around + 50 MV/cm (∼ +30 V) while etching could be achieved at lower fields around − 10 MV/cm (∼ −10 V) with the voltage as applied to the tip. This technique is versatile and can deposit/pattern dielectrics and metals as well by using appropriate pre-cursor gases. The deposition/etching time is around tens of seconds/µm3 and it can be improved employing parallel probes. The spatial resolution is primarily determined by tip size, gas mean-free path and random walk of the tip over the sample (tip actuator noise). Features as small as 1 nm are achievable at one atmosphere at room temperature and 60 nm features with 60 nm are routine under these conditions.
Reaction of perfluoroaryl halides with reduced species of sulfur dioxide (HSo2-, SO22-, S2O42-) [1]

Abstract Rongalite (sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate), sodium dithionite, and aminoiminomethanesulfinic acid (AIMS) reduce perfluoroiodobenzene in N,N-dimethylformamide to pentafluorobenzene. In the presence of added D 2 O or CH 3 OD, deuteriopentafluorobenzene is formed. p- Dinitrobenzene does not inhibit the reduction, and addition of norbornene did not result in trapping of any radical intermediates. Reaction of pentafluoroiodobenzene with sodium benzenesulfinate gave 1,4-dibenzenesulfonyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene. A halophilic attack mechanism is suggested for the reduction reaction. Chloropentafluorobenzene did not react under the same conditions as the iodide; at elevated temperatures in the presence of sodium bicarbonate and Rongalite the fluorine para to the chlorine was reduced. Reduction of the chloride to pentafluorobenzene is minor. In the absence of bicarbonate, the chloride also gave a mixture of sulfides believed to be derived from decomposition of the Rongalite to hydrogen sulfide. Some reaction with dimethylamine from decomposition of DMF also is observed.
Surface micromachined accelerometers

Surface micromachining has enabled the co-fabrication of thin-film micromechanical structures and CMOS or Bipolar/MOS integrated circuits. Using linear, single-axis accelerometers as a motivating example, this paper discusses the fundamental mechanical noise floor as well as the electronic noise floors for representative capacitive position-sensing interface circuits. Operation in vacuum lowers the Brownian noise of a polysilicon accelerometer to below 1 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz. For improved sensor performance, the position of the microstructure should be controlled using electrostatic force-feedback. Both analog and digital closed-loop accelerometers are described and contrasted, with the latter using high-frequency voltage pulses to apply force quanta to the microstructure and achieve a very linear response.
The temporal course of suppression during binocular rivalry.

Orthogonally oriented sinusoidal luminance gratings were dichoptically presented to the observers' left and right eyes. During the subsequent binocular rivalry, a small target was briefly presented (4AFC) to probe the strength of interocular suppression at various temporal latencies. Both stationary and moving rivalrous patterns were investigated. The purpose of experiment 1 was to compare the temporal characteristics of stationary and motion rivalry (0 and 1.2 deg s−1), while that of experiment 2 was to examine rivalry suppression for higher speeds (2 and 4 deg s−1). In all cases, it was found that the strength of suppression remained essentially constant throughout a single phase of binocular rivalry. The results of the investigation also revealed that moving rivalrous patterns lead to greater magnitudes of interocular suppression than static patterns. Despite these differences in the strength of suppression, the results of both experiments show that the temporal characteristics of motion and static riv...