cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial to determine whether beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and/or eicosapentaenoic acid improves diaphragm and quadriceps strength in critically Ill mechanically ventilated patients.

Intensive care unit acquired weakness is a serious problem, contributing to respiratory failure and reductions in ambulation. Currently, there is no pharmacological therapy for this condition. Studies indicate, however, that both beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increase muscle function in patients with cancer and in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HMB and/or EPA administration would increase diaphragm and quadriceps strength in mechanically ventilated patients. Studies were performed on 83 mechanically ventilated patients who were recruited from the Medical Intensive Care Units at the University of Kentucky. Diaphragm strength was assessed as the trans-diaphragmatic pressure generated by supramaximal magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation (PdiTw). Quadriceps strength was assessed as leg force generated by supramaximal magnetic femoral nerve stimulation (QuadTw). Diaphragm and quadriceps thickness were assessed by ultrasound. Baseline measurements of muscle strength and size were performed, and patients were then randomized to one of four treatment groups (placebo, HMB 3 gm/day, EPA 2 gm/day and HMB plus EPA). Strength and size measurements were repeated 11 days after study entry. ANCOVA statistical testing was used to compare variables across the four experimental groups. Treatments failed to increase the strength and thickness of either the diaphragm or quadriceps when compared to placebo. In addition, treatments also failed to decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation after study entry. These results indicate that a 10-day course of HMB and/or EPA does not improve skeletal muscle strength in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. These findings also confirm previous reports that diaphragm and leg strength in these patients are profoundly low. Additional studies will be needed to examine the effects of other anabolic agents and innovative forms of physical therapy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01270516. Registered 5 January 2011, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01270516?term=Supinski&draw=2&rank=4 .
The High-Tech High Risk Clinic

The high risk clinic is an important component of any comprehensive medical system. An effective high risk clinic employs knowledgeable staff, with the ability to assess risk, appropriately counsel, provide, and interpret cancer predisposition genetic testing, and make recommendations and assist individuals to adopt risk reduction strategies. After almost two decades after the cloning of the BRCA genes, and commercial availability and insurance coverage for testing, only a fraction of BRCA mutation carriers have been identified. We address the task of employing twenty first century technology to match the recent advances in genetics and to anticipate implementation of systems to accommodate the large numbers of individuals who will be identified as high risk. Specifically, this chapter will discuss HughesRiskApps (HRA), an integrated, open access software package originated at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Newton Wellesley Hospital (NWH), and that is undergoing continued enhancements through grants, philanthropy and an active user group.
Generalized Reversible Rules

A generalized notion of reversible rules is presented in this paper to perform state reduction in automatic formal verification. The key idea is that some of the transition rules in a design may be invertible, and therefore, they can be used to collapse subgraphs into abstract states, thereby reducing the state explosion problem. This paper improves upon previous work to achieve the following goals: 1) the definition of reversible rules is simplified so that it is easy to apply the reduction method in practice; 2) the definition is generalized to allow more reduction in the size of the state graph. The reduction algorithm can be combined with symmetry reduction techniques, for verification of invariants, deadlock-freedom, and stuttering-invariant temporal properties.
RESISTING THE GRAND COALITION IN FAVOR OF THE STATUS QUO BY GIVING FULL SCOPE TO THE LIBERTAS ECCLESIAE

This paper argues that questions about "religious freedom" must be subordinated to the fundamental principle of the liberty of the Church, libertas Ecclesiae. The First Amendment's agnosticism with respect to the liberty of the Church is not ultimately normative. Catholics and others who merely seek religious "accommodation," as with the HHS mandate, for example, are agents of a status quo that illegitimately has comfortable self-preservation as its highest value. It is Catholic doctrine that "creation was for the sake of the Church," not for the sake of, say, religious freedom. The paper argues that the contingent constitution of the state must conform itself to the given constitution of the Church. It is a matter of divine right that the purpose of creation itself be respected in law. The Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae (1965), requires, as Catholic doctrine always has, that the state promote acts of true religion -- not merely "freedom" -- as part of its duty to promote the common goods, both natural and supernatural. While it would be a gross injustice to force a person to embrace the Catholic religion, the Catholic religion is entitled to be the religion of the state in a Catholic society. Pace the views of many contemporary Catholics, Catholic doctrine does not bless settling for constitutional agnosticism.
Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality

Spinal cord injuries are among the most clinically concerning diagnoses encountered by neurosurgeons. Potentially, these injuries can require urgent surgical and medical interventions. In children with symptoms consistent with an acute spinal cord injury, initial imaging modalities such as X-rays and computed tomography scans may be normal. The incidence and management of pediatric patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality are reviewed.
Studies of Glycerol Transport Across the Rabbit Brush Border

The unidirectional movement of glycerol across rabbit brush border was studied in vitro. The permeability coefficient for glycerol across the ileal brush border decreased from 3.41 x 10-4 cm · sec-1 at 0.05 mm to 0.65 at 5 mm, and remained constant at this level from 5 to 50 mm. Glucose and phlorizin did not inhibit glycerol movement. N-ethyl-maleimide inhibited glycerol by more than 55% from a 0.05 mm solution, but did not affect glycerol uptake from a 50 mm solution. Glycerol movement across the ileal brush border measured from a 0.05 mm solution was 2 times greater than the movement across proximal intestine. By contrast, glycerol movement across proximal and distal intestine was similar when measured from a 50 mm solution. It is concluded that glycerol movement occurs both by diffusion via the aqueous regions of the membrane and by a saturable carrier-mediated mechanism.
Abstract 2007: Hypoxia induced TGF-β regulates Semaphorin7A to promote a pro-tumorigenic mesenchymal phenotype in mammary cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The study of breast cancer relies heavily upon the identification of tumor-associated proteins that are involved with tumor growth and development. Our lab has discovered that mammary tumor cells express high levels of a novel protein known as Semaphorin7A (SEMA7A). After analyzing breast tissue samples collected at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, we have found that normal human mammary epithelial cells express negligible mRNA levels of SEMA7A, while the malignant mammary tumor cells express elevated levels of SEMA7A. Additionally, our laboratory has established a murine model of mammary cell lines that parallels our human findings. Currently, we have correlated high levels of SEMA7A with increasing tumor malignancy and metastasis. However, it is still unknown what factors could induce the production of SEMA7A in mammary tumors. Recent studies have proven that the expression and induction of SEMA7A in normal endothelial cells is regulated under a hypoxic-response element in the promoter of its gene. Although hypoxia is an established tumorigenic factor, it is unknown if the increased hypoxic conditions in breast tumors could induce SEMA7A. In this study we have investigated if exposing mammary cells to hypoxia induces the expression of pro-tumorgenic SEMA7A. Our results show that SEMA7A is up-regulated in 4T07 and 4T1 mammary tumor cells after hypoxic exposure via TGF-β activation of the PI3/AKT pathway. Furthermore, we have found that shRNA silencing of the SEMA7A in 4T1 mammary cells attenuates the activation of pro-angiogenic and mesenchymal genes even after hypoxic stimuli. In vivo, these cells show a reduced proliferation and metastatic potential. We therefore postulate an exciting new role for SEMA7A as a TGF-β effector that promotes tumorigenesis during breast cancer progression. Citation Format: Ramon A. Garcia-Areas, Stephania Libreros, Samantha Amat, Camila Castro-Silva, Kathy Schilling, Vijaya Iragavarapu-Charyulu. Hypoxia induced TGF-β regulates Semaphorin7A to promote a pro-tumorigenic mesenchymal phenotype in mammary cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2007. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2007
When Access to Chronic Dialysis is Limited: One Center’s Approach to Emergent Hemodialysis

Emergent hemodialysis is the practice of dialyzing a patient only when there is a life-threatening need for this treatment. Undocumented immigrants in many cities depend on this practice, as they are not entitled to the regularly scheduled hemodialysis treatments available to US citizens. There are several medical and ethical challenges to emergent hemodialysis. One example is defining the criteria that determine the need for an emergent treatment. Although it is lifesaving, emergent dialysis is inadequate dialysis; it results in unnecessary patient complications, is medically burdensome for the treating physician, and expensive to the providing facility. This article describes how undocumented immigrants are cared for in one county hospital system in a large city.
Infrared evidence of azide binding to iron, copper, and non-metal sites in heart cytochrome c oxidase

Interactions of azide ion with bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) at five redox levels (IV) to (0), obtained by zero to four electron reduction of fully oxidized enzyme CcO(IV), were monitored by infrared and visible/Soret spectra. Partially reduced CcO gave three azide asymmetric stretch band at 2040, 2016, and 2004 cm-1 for CcO(III)N3 and two at 2040 and 2016 cm-1 for CcO(II)N3 and CcO(I)N3. Resting CcO(IV) reacts with N3- to give one band at 2041 cm-1 assigned to CuB2+N3 and another at 2051 cm-1 to N3- that is associated with protein but is not bound to a metal ion. At high azide concentrations the weak association of many azide molecules with non-metal protein sites was observed at all redox levels. These findings provide direct evidence for 1) N3- binding to CuB as well as Fea3 in partially reduced enzyme, but no binding to Fea3 in fully oxidized enzyme and no binding to either metal in fully reduced enzyme; 2) a long range effect of the oxidation state of Fea or CuA on ligand binding at heme a3, but not at CuB; and 3) an insensitivity of either Fea3 or CuB ligand site to changes in ligand or oxidation state at the other site. The observed independence of the Fea3 and CuB sites provides further support for Fea3(3)+ OOH, rather than Fea3(3)+ OOCuB2+, as an intermediate in the reduction of O2 to water by the oxidase.
Effect of oral and intravenous 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 in duodenal ulcer and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome patients

Abstract Oral 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 is a potent inhibitor of meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin release in humans. Experiments were performed in 5 patients with inactive duodenal ulcer to determine the effect of graded doses of intravenous 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin release to demonstrate whether it is necessary for 16-16-dimethyl PGE2 to come into direct luminal contact with the oxyntic and antral gland portions of the stomach to produce its inhibitory effects. All doses of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2, between 0.01 and 0.1 μg/kg i.v. and between 0.01 and 1.0 μg/kg orally produced significant post-prandial inhibitory effects on both gastric acid secretion and gastrin release as compared with saline control. 0.1 μg/kg of intravenous or 1 μg/kg of oral 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 inhibited meal-stimulated acid secretion and gastrin by 80–90%. In 6 unoperated Zollinger-Ellison syndrome patients, 1 μg/kg of oral 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 significantly inhibited fasting gastric acid hypersecretion by approximately 85% without significantly altering serum gastrin. Each of the oral doses of 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (0.01–1 μg/kg) were without untoward effect, as were intravenous doses of 0.01–0.1 μg/kg. Maximal inhibition of acid secretion was found with 0.1 μg/kg 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 i.v. as compared with 1.0 μg/kg orally. Since 16,16-dimethyl PGE2, whether given orally or intravenously, is a potent inhibitor of both gastric acid secretion and meal-stimulated gastrin release, without apparent untoward side effects, clinical trials with 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 are indicated in patients with acid peptic disease.
GLB Adolescent's “Coming out”

TOPIC: A greater number of gay males, lesbians, and bisexual females or males (GLB) are “coming out” during adolescence. Discussion includes nursing implications. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to review the process of GLB disclosure, highlight the trend toward earlier outing, and discuss its implications for nursing practice. SOURCES: Sources include scholarly published literature, professional organization documents, and GLB advocacy publications. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need to update their knowledge of coming-out issues, as well as nondisclosing sexual behavior, to assess youth and family needs and direct care appropriately.
Clinical characteristics of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Abstract purpose: To study the histopathologic findings, clinical course, and therapeutic outcome of patients who developed a lymphoproliferative disorder after undergoing solid organ transplantation. patients and methods: A series of 26 patients who developed a lymphoproliferative disorder after solid organ transplant during a 27-year period were studied. results: The 26 patients ranged in age from 6 to 68 years (median 42 years). The lymphoproliferative disorder was diagnosed from 1 to 211 months (median 80 months) after transplantation. The type of transplant was kidney (n = 21), heart or heart-lung (n = 4), or liver (n = 1). Most patients received azathioprine and prednisone, in addition to antilymphocyte globulin or cyclosporine, for post-transplant immuno-suppression. Eight patients had lymphoma that could be classified according to the International Working Formulation (IWF-F, IWF-G, IWF-H). Sixteen patients had polymorphic lymphoma, and 2 patients were classified as having polymorphic lymphoid hyperplasia. Patients were staged by the Ann Arbor staging system. Nine patients had stage I disease, 4 stage II, 6 stage III, and 7 stage IV. Central nervous system, lung, or marrow involvement was present in 27%, 23%, and 14% of patients, respectively. In the 17 patients studied, immunophenotype was monoclonal B-cell (n = 12), malignant T-cell (n = 2), or polyclonal B-cell (n = 3). The initial therapeutic approach was generally a reduction in immunosuppression, but, thereafter, the approach to therapy varied. In patients with localized disease, surgical excision and/or involved field radiotherapy were utilized as applicable. For patients with more extensive disease, other approaches such as high-dose acyclovir, combination chemotherapy, or alpha interferon were utilized. Overall, 15 of 26 patients (58%) responded to systemic therapy or were rendered disease-free either by surgery or radiation, including 8 (31%) with a complete remission (CR). Only 3 of 9 patients responded to chemotherapy, whereas 4 of 13 patients responded to acyclovir (including 3 patients who experienced CR). Remission duration ranged from 8 to 122 months (median 32+ months). Twenty-one of 26 patients (81%) have died. Survival ranged from less than 1 to 122 months (median 14 months). conclusion: The outcome of patients with post-solid organ transplant lymphoproliferative disorders is poor, and the optimal approach to therapy is not clear. Newer therapeutic approaches are thus needed to improve the outcome of these patients.
Some quantitative morphological aspects of post-natal human cerebellar growth

Abstract Using a Quantimet 720 image analysing computer, the cellularity of the external and internal granular layer and the molecular layer has been measured in standard blocks of the lateral and central lobes of the cerebellum of apparently normal children. The DNA content of the nerve cells has also been measured and related to post-natal age. Standard cell concentrations per unit area have been established from birth to 14 years. The different lobules of the central lobe show different patterns of cellular development but all lobules reach their fully mature cellularity by 2 years. The maximum cellularity of the internal granular layer is maintained for several years, after which there is an apparent progressive reduction in the concentration of cells per unit area. Alterations in the DNA staining properties of the cell nuclei of the internal granular layer during normal development are presented.
Presynaptic control of synaptic channel kinetics in sympathetic neurones.

The kinetic properties of synaptically activated ion channels are an important determinant of the duration of the synaptic currents that produce postsynaptic potentials in autonomie neurones1–3 and skeletal muscle4–6. In the two types of principal neurones in frog sympathetic ganglia, B and C cells, a twofold difference in the mean open time of the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh-gated) ion channels accounts for the twofold difference in the decay rate of their fast excitatory postsynaptic currents (e.p.s.cs)3. The B and C cells are selectively innervated by two distinct classes of choliner-gic preganglionic axons called B and C fibres, respectively7. The present study examined the influence of the preganglionic nerve on the expression of synaptic ion channel properties in sympathetic neurones. B cells were denervated surgically and allowed to become innervated solely by preganglionic C fibres. These B cells, innervated by C fibres, acquired slowly decaying e.p.s.cs and long channel open times, characteristics normally seen in C cells only. These findings provide the first evidence that the kinetic properties of postsynaptic channels can be determined by the particular class of axon innervating a neurone.
Efficient simulation of binary adsorption isotherms using transition matrix Monte Carlo.

Molecular simulations of binary adsorption in porous materials are a useful complement to experimental studies of mixture adsorption. Most molecular simulations of binary adsorption are performed using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) to independently examine a range of state points of interest. A disadvantage of this approach is that it only yields information at a discrete set of state points; therefore, if a complete isotherm is required for arbitrary conditions, some type of data fitting or interpolation must be used in combination with the GCMC data. We show that the transition matrix Monte Carlo (TMMC) method of Shen and Errington (Shen, V. K.; Errington, J. R. J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 064508) is well-suited to simulation of binary adsorption in porous materials. At the completion of a TMMC simulation, the adsorption isotherm for all possible bulk phase compositions and pressures is available without data fitting or interpolation. It is also straightforward to use results from TMMC to compute der...
Unraveling the 10 micron "silicate" feature of protostars: the detection of frozen interstellar ammonia

We present infrared spectra of four embedded protostars in the 750-1230 cm-1 (13.3-8.1 microns) range. For NGC 7538 IRS 9, a new band is reported at 1110 cm-1 (9.01 microns, and several others may be present near 785, 820, 900, 1030, and 1075 cm-1 (12.7, 12.2, 11.1, 9.71, and 9.30 microns). The band 1110 cm-1 is attributed to frozen NH3. Its position and width imply that the NH3 is frozen in a polar, H2O-rich interstellar ice component. The NH3/H2O ice ratio inferred for NGC 7538 IRS 9 is 0.1, making NH3 as important a component as CH3OH and CO2 in the polar ices along this line of sight. At these concentrations, hydrogen bonding between the NH3 and H2O can account for much of the enigmatic low-frequency wing on the 3240 cm-1 (3.09 microns) H2O interstellar ice band. The strength of the implied NH3 deformation fundamental at 1624 cm-1 (6.158 microns) can also account for the absorption at this position reported by ISO.
2-Electron reduction of N2O yields a new ligand binding mode: N-Nitrosoimide

Abstract A new mode of bonding of the traditionally weak ligand N2O to highly reducing transition metal complexes is described based on DFT calculations for a variety of late transition metals. These η1-NNO can be singly bent (at the central nitrogen) or doubly bent (at both N), and thus involve a triple or double M/N bond, respectively. The ligand is therefore properly termed an N-nitrosoimide, N2O2−.
Modulated discharges: Effect on plasma parameters and deposition

The initial motivation for using amplitude modulated (kHz) rf discharges was as an aid for ascertaining the temporal evolution of various transient species which are formed from the feedstock commonly used for the deposition or etching of semiconductors. Such gases are easily dissociated and hence the density of some of the transient molecules may easily exceed the remaining fraction of the donor gas. From a diagnostic point of view, the use of ‘‘time’’ will be shown to be a cheap and a most valuable aid in ascertaining some of the kinetics of such glows. Most surprising was the fact that the use of a modulated discharge can have a profound effect on the processing goal itself. For instance, it has been shown that the bandgap of amorphous silicon deposited from SiH4 is lower with a modulated discharge than that deposited from a continuous wave (cw) one; simultaneously, the amount of ‘‘dust,’’ as measured by Mie scattering, is also much lower. These experiments and others using etching gases point to a rol...
Magnetic tweezers measurement of the bond lifetime-force behavior of the IgG-protein A specific molecular interaction.

The bond lifetime−force behavior of the immunoglobulin G (IgG)−protein A interaction has been studied with magnetic tweezers to characterize the physical properties of the bond under nonequilibrium conditions. Super-paramagnetic microparticles were developed that have a high and uniform magnetization to simultaneously apply a piconewton-scale tensile force to many thousands of IgG−protein A bonds. A strong and a weak slip bond were detected with an effective bond length that is characteristic of short-range, stiff intermolecular interactions. These bonds are attributed to the interaction of protein A with the constant region (Fc) and heavy chain variable domain (VH) of IgG, respectively. The IgG−VH interaction appears to be one of the weakest specific molecular interactions that has been identified with a single molecule force measurement technique. This study demonstrates that magnetic tweezers can be used to rapidly characterize very weak biomolecular interactions as well as strong biomolecular interact...
Review of multilayer ceramics for microelectronic packaging

Abstract The series of products produced with the multilayer ceramic technology started with a three-layer quartz crystal package. It was followed sequentially by packages for diodes, transistors, and multi-chip arrays until recently, when IBM announced its 4300 Series and 3081 computer systems. They use up to nine chip/23 layer and up to 133 chip/33 layer packages, respectively. This paper describes the technologies used in making these substrates. The future products depend on achieving continued improvements in materials, resolutions and processing.
Reducing gravitational wave false alarms using signals at the antisymmetric port in LIGO detectors

We show that many of the false alarms found in the search for binary neutron stars during the LIGO S3 science run are coincident with glitches in an auxiliary channel from the photo diode at the antisymmetric port. By studying how the glitches compare with simulated gravitational waves we were able to find a method that vetoes the false alarms while minimizing the potential for false dismissal.
Management of Hypertension Following Hurricane Katrina: A Review of Issues in Management of Chronic Health Conditions Following a Disaster

Following Hurricane Katrina many residents of the Gulf Coast had difficulties managing their cardiovascular risk factors especially hypertension. Care for patients with chronic diseases can be an enormous challenge after any disaster. The difficulties are compounded if the population prior to the disaster was already experiencing major health disparities. Focusing on hypertension we review the issues confronted by residents of the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in managing their health care. In addition, we address possible solutions to these problems. Pre-disaster preparedness is essential and requires multidisciplinary efforts including patient education. Being certain that patients with chronic diseases have enough medical supplies to last through the immediate disaster period and for portability of medical records are essential interventions in maintaining control of blood pressure in the post-disaster period.
Study of Solute Partitioning in Biomembrane−Mimetic Pseudophases by Electrokinetic Chromatography: Dihexadecyl Phosphate Small Unilamellar Vesicles

Solute partitioning into vesicles of dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate (DHP) was investigated by electrokinetic chromatography (EKC). The ionic double-chain surfactant forms bilayer structures that mimic a biological membrane when dispersed in aqueous media. The linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) was used to gain insights about the nature of interactions and parameters that influence the partitioning process into vesicles, micelles, and n-octanol. The Gibbs free energies of transfer of selected functional groups from aqueous to vesicular phases were compared to those in micellar pseudophases of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecyl phosphate (SDP). Size and hydrogen bond acceptor strength of solutes are the main factors that determine their partitioning behavior, while dipolarity and polarizability play minor, yet significant, roles. It was determined that the cohesiveness of solute microenvironments in DHP vesicles is between those for micells and n-octanol. Vesicles are weaker hydrogen b...
Red Pearl: A new gourmet red potato variety

Red Pearl is a medium-late variety with round tubers of stable dark red skin and white flesh. It is an ideal gourmet and canning variety due to its high tuber set and high proportion of tubers less than 4.76 cm diameter (up to 71% of the total yield). Red Pearl has good boiling and baking qualities. Its specific gravity is slightly higher and the tuber dormancy is longer than Dark Red Norland. Red Pearl yields only 54% to 77% of Red Norland because of its small tuber size. Red Pearl is less susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabiae < than Dark Red Norland, significantly more resistant to corky ring spot (tobacco rattle virus) than Dark Red Norland and is resistant to bacterial wilt and brown rot (Ralstonia solanacearum). Red Pearl showed similar susceptibilities to several other diseases, including early blight, late blight, pink rot, and tuber soft rot, compared to Dark Red Norland. Red Pearl is more susceptible to shatter bruise and blackspot than Dark Red Norland when handled from storage at 7.2 C.
Kinetics of CN reactions with allene, butadiene, propylene and acrylonitrile

Abstract The two-laser pump-probe technique has been used to study the kinetics of the reaction of CN radicals with C3H6, CD3C2H3, C3D6, C2H3CN, C3H4 and C4H6 at temperatures between 297 and 740 K. CN was generaged by 248-nm photolysis of ICN. Laser-induced fluorescence of the CN radical has been used for its detection by CN (B←X) excitation. The values for the rate constants, given in units of cm3/s, are reported as: k(C3H6)=10−9.88±0.10exp(+244±96.3/T), k(C3H3D3) = 10−9.76±0.04 exp (+143.4±35.1/T), k(C3D6)=10−9.87±0.05exp(+231.4±47.01/T, k(C2H3CN)=10−10.52±0.02exp(+103.6±20.3/T), k(C3H4)=10−9.58±0.08 ×exp(+167.4±73.7/T), k(C4H6)=10−9.59±0.04exp(+169.2±33.1/T). The absolute rates of CN reactions with CH3CHCH2, CD3CHCH2 and CD3CDCD2 are essentially the same and are somewhat faster than that of the CN+C2H4 reaction. This suggests that the CN+C3H6 reaction occurs primarily by addition to the unsaturated bond and the CH3 group enhances the addition process slightly. The rate of the CN+CH2CHCN reaction, however, was found to be a factor of six slower than that of CN+C2H4, indicating a substantial electron withdrawing effect of the CN group in vinyl cyanide which results in the reduction in the addition rate. The rates for CN reaction with CH2CCH2 and CH2CHCHCH2 are approximately the same and are twice that of CN+C2H4.
Improvement of the Kruk-Jaroniec-Sayari method for pore size analysis of ordered silicas with cylindrical mesopores.

In this work, the X-ray diffraction structure modeling was employed for analysis of hexagonally ordered large-pore silicas, SBA-15, to determine their pore width independently of adsorption measurements. Nitrogen adsorption isotherms were used to evaluate the relative pressure of capillary condensation in cylindrical mesopores of these materials. This approach allowed us to extend the original Kruk−Jaroniec−Sayari (KJS) relation (Langmuir 1997, 13, 6267) between the pore width and capillary condensation pressure up to 10 nm instead of previously established range from 2 to 6.5 nm for a series of MCM-41 and to improve the KJS pore size analysis of large pore silicas.
Neural plasticity and human development: the role of early experience in sculpting memory systems

The concept of sensitive or critical periods in the context of memory development is examined in this paper. I begin by providing examples of the role of experience in influencing sensory, linguistic and emotional functioning. This is followed by a discussion of the role of experience in influencing cognitive functioning, particularly memory. Based on this discussion, speculation is offered that the infant’s proclivity for novelty, which makes its appearance shortly after birth, provides critical input into a nervous system that will eventually be set up to learn and remember for the entire lifespan. Because learning and memory are fundamental to the survival of our species, those aspects of the nervous system that permit the encoding and retention of new information are remarkably malleable from the outset, even in the face of some types of neural trauma. This flexibility is retained for many years so long as the learning and memory ‘system’ is challenged. The implications of this model are discussed in the context of those life events that might undermine the longevity of memory systems.
Characterization of the transition state of functional enzyme dynamics

Through characterization of the solvent isotope effect on protein dynamics, we have examined determinants of the rate limitation to enzyme catalysis. A global conformational change in Ribonuclease A limits the overall rate of catalytic turnover. Here we show that this motion is sensitive to solvent deuterium content; the isotope effect is 2.2, a value equivalent to the isotope effect on the catalytic rate constant. We further demonstrate that the protein motion possesses a linear proton inventory plot, indicating that a single proton is transferred in the transition state. These results provide compelling evidence for close coupling between enzyme dynamics and function and demonstrate that characterization of the transition state for protein motion in atomic detail is experimentally accessible.
The effect of temperature on the permeability of a porous material

Abstract The effect of temperature on the flow of compressible fluids through consolidated porous media has been studied experimentally. The work covers a temperature range of 255–1520 K at a pressure of 1 atm. The porous medium was aluminum oxide ceramic with a porosity range of 38.1–49.8%. The gases studied were air, nitrogen, helium and argon. In particular the effect of the ‘slip’ correction term used to explain the change in permeability in the porous flow equations was studied. This permeability correction term depends on the mean free path of the gas and would be expected to increase with temperature. Also the observed permeability should be different for each gas, due to the molecular diameter dependency of the mean free path according to kinetic theory. Both of these expectations were found consistent with the microscopic assumptions. Plots are given showing the relationship of permeability and temperature for the four gases. Helium behavior departs from that of the other three gases. Also shown is how the porous material parameters vary with temperature.
Substituent Effects on Rates and Stereoselectivities of Conrotatory Electrocyclic Reactions of Cyclobutenes. A Theoretical Study.

Substituent effects on the geometries and conrotatory electrocyclic ring openings of cyclobutenes were studied. This work extends the original investigations to many more substituents and provides a comprehensive theory of substituent effects on geometries and reaction rates. The effects of substitution at the 1 position are minimal; donor substituents raise the activation energy slightly, and powerful acceptor substituents slightly lower the activation energy. Substituents on C3 cause small distortions of the cyclobutene geometry, in the same direction as the favored stereochemistry of reaction. Donors prefer outward rotation, while strong acceptors prefer inward rotation. The activation energy changes and cyclobutene geometrical perturbations were found to correlate with Taft σR0 parameters. Amino, hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, methyl, cyano, formyl, and vinyl substituents were studied in the 1 position. Boryl, dimethylboryl, nitroso, formyl, nitro, carboxyl (neutral, protonated, and deprotonated), cyano, tr...
Influence of Dietary Protein during the Pre-Breeder Period on Subsequent Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkeys.1. Growth, Feed Consumption, and Female Sex-Limited Reproductive Traits

Abstract Large White female turkeys of a commercial variety were used to determine the effects of low dietary protein during the pre-breeder period (12 to 32 weeks of age) on subsequent reproductive performance. Diets containing 10, 12, 14, and 17% protein were fed from 12 weeks or 20 weeks to 32 weeks of age. At 32 weeks of age, all females were fed a 17% protein breeder diet. Reproductive performance was measured for a 24-week production period. Pre-breeder feed consumption and body weight gain from 12 to 32 weeks of age increased with increased dietary protein until diets contained 14% protein. Similar results were obtained when females were fed varying protein levels from 20 to 32 weeks of age. Egg production also showed an increase with increased pre-breeder dietary protein level until diets contained 14% protein. Ten fewer eggs per hen were obtained from females previously fed the 10% protein diet than those fed the 14% (20 to 32 weeks) and 17% protein diets. Pre-breeder dietary protein level did not affect age at sexual maturity, egg weight, specific gravity or shell thickness of eggs, mortality or growth, and feed consumption of progeny. Based upon the results of this study, female breeder turkeys require at least 14% protein to 20 weeks of age and 14% from 20 to 32 weeks of age for optimum egg production.
Role of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

This article examines the role of neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma. Recent studies have demonstrated that pre- or perioperative chemotherapy is associated with improved survival. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy continues to be investigated but is associated with several advantages over neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. Primary chemoradiotherapy is the accepted standard of care for medically inoperable patients, whereas adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may be considered for patients who undergo primary resection of lower esophageal/gastroesophageal junction tumors. Future directions include the investigation of newer chemotherapy regimens, the addition of targeted therapies, and the use of position emission tomography to provide an early assessment of response.
Developmental regulation of expression of renal potassium secretory channels.

Purpose of reviewSomatic growth is associated with an increase in total body K+ content. K+ homeostasis is regulated, in large part, by urinary K+ excretion. Within the adult kidney and specifically the cortical collecting duct, K+ secretion is accomplished by the passive diffusion of cell K+ into t
Chimalpahin's Conquest: A Nahua Historian's Rewriting of Francisco López de Gómara's La conquista de México

In 1552, the Spanish historian Francisco Lopez de Gomara (1511?–1559) published his Historia de las Indias y Conquista de Mexico, a very popular work at the time, which went through many editions a...
The quantitative estimation of α2-macroglobulin in normal, pathological and cord sera

The α2-macroglobulin content of normal, pathological and cord sera was estimated by an antibody-agar radial diffusion procedure (employing α2-macroglobulin standards) which gives highly reproducible results (100 ± 2.2%). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the serum α2-macroglobulin levels of normal Caucasian men (265 ± 55 mg/100 ml) and women (335 ± 57 mg/100 ml). In men, the serum concentration of α2-macroglobulin was greatly increased in ataxia telangiectasia, atopic dermatitis and mongolism and was significantly elevated in pulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus and agammaglobulinemia. Values were significantly decreased in multiple myeloma and slightly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis. In women, serum concentrations were markedly increased in ataxia telangiectasia, atopic dermatitis and mongolism and were significantly decreased in severe rheumatoid arthritis, macroglobulinemia and multiple myeloma. No significant differences were observed in the limited number of sera from women with pulmonary disorders or agammaglobulinemia. The α2-macroglobulin levels of cord sera were elevated (387 ± 58 mg/100 ml), whereas samples of maternal sera obtained at parturition had normal levels (335 ± 57 mg/100 ml).
Western European Landscape Protection Western European Approaches to Landscape Protection: A Review of the Literature

Western Europeans, by virtue of living in relatively small and densely populated countries, have learned how to protect lands where there is little pristine nature or state ownership. The results a...
Meshfree isoparametric point interpolation method (IPIM) for evaporative laser drilling

An isoparametric point interpolation method (IPIM) has been developed to analyze evaporative laser machining. The method is based on isoparametric representation of the unknown in the local domain. It also uses a simple strong form, but shows to be powerful enough to handle highly localized boundary conditions. Solution in a typical influence domain is approximated by a polynomial function. The problem is geometrically nonlinear because the domain is not known a priori due to material removal in machining. An iterative scheme is introduced to solve the nonlinear problem. The material removal is handled by redistributing points in the domain. This renders the point distribution non-uniform same as random distribution. Three different boundary conditions considered are of essential, convection, and laser irradiation type. The numerical results show very good agreement with those by FEM and BEM.
Brake System Modeling for Simulation and Control

This paper presents reduced-order models of brake system dynamics derived from a physical modeling perspective. The vacuum booster model combines a static control valve with dynamic air flows, resulting in the ability to easily reproduce both static hysteresis effects and rapid transients. Following the assumption of incompressible flow, a four-state model of the brake hydraulics is presented and, subsequently, reduced to one or two states for certain applications. Experimental results support the simplifying assumptions made during the modeling process by demonstrating better agreement with the response from pedal force to brake pressure than previously displayed in the literature. These models are intended for use in the design and analysis of vehicle control systems and the evaluation of driver/vehicle interactions through dynamic simulation.
Line positions and strengths in the /001/, /110/, and /030/ bands of HDO

A Fourier transform spectrometer of 0.01/cm resolution has been used to study the vibration-rotation spectrum of HDO in the 3250-4370/cm region, and a nonlinear least squares fitting technique has been employed in measurements of the strengths, positions and pressure-broadening parameters of over 1400 lines. In addition to determining values of both the ground state levels and levels in the (001), (110), and (030) states, an analysis is undertaken of the strengths of 953 lines in order to establish band strengths, F factor coefficients, and Fermi interaction parameters. Detailed results are presented in tabular form.
Heart failure in the newborn infant. Recognition and management.

Summary Heart failure in the newborn infant is characterized by tachypnea, tachycardia, feeding difficulties, pulmonary râles and rhonchi, hepatic enlargement, and cardiomegaly. Less common signs include visibly elevated systemic venous pressure, peripheral edema, ascites, pulsus alternans, gallop rhythm, and inappropriate sweating. When heart failure occurs in the first days and weeks of life it is usually due to structural congenital heart disease or to primary myocardial disease. It may on occasion, however, be secondary to arrhythmia, respiratory disease, central nervous system disease, anemia, systemic or pulmonary hypertension, or septicemia. The distinction between left heart failure and right heart failure is less obvious in the newborn infant than in the older child or adult. The newborn infant with advanced near-terminal heart failure is often pallid and apathetic. He has minimal spontaneous movements, diminished peripheral pulses, bradycardia, apneic periods, splenic enlargement, widespread peripheral edema, and gross cardiomegaly. Near-terminal heart failure may closely simulate septicemia, meningitis, bronchiolitis, or severe pneumonia. Certain noncardiac conditions may also simulate heart failure. Such conditions include hypoglycemia, many forms of respiratory disease, renal disease, the rubella syndrome, liver enlargement due to a variety of diseases, factitious cardiomegaly, cardiomegaly not due to heart failure, peripheral edema due to hypoalbuminemic states or lymphedema, and ascites due to escape of chyle or liver disease. The management of heart failure in the newborn infant requires a rapid assessment of the effect of the medical measures described. Deterioration or failure to improve within 12 hours is usually an indication for cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography. In general, the younger the infant the more urgent are diagnostic studies and surgery, if indicated. The use of an incubator is essential for optimal care. A number of emergency measures are available for the critically sick newborn infant with heart failure. The usual objective of these more drastic measures is to produce a temporary improvement so that other measures which may provide longer range benefit may be utilized.
Altered hepatic inflammatory response in the offspring following prenatal LPS exposure.

There is increasing evidence that maternal immune activation has a significant impact on the offspring's immune function. In this study, we examined the effects of maternal immune activation on the offspring's hepatic inflammatory response. We treated pregnant rats with 500 μg/kg LPS or saline on day 18 of pregnancy, subsequently stimulated the offspring with 250 μg/kg LPS or saline at postnatal day (P) 21, and then examined the expression of LPS cell surface receptors, namely toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and CD14, and cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, as well as the activation of key intracellular mediators of the TLR-4 signaling cascade, namely p38 MAPK and p42/44 MAPK, in the offspring liver. We found that LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-6 in the pups born to LPS-treated dams was significantly diminished compared with that in the pups born to saline-treated dams. Furthermore, maternal immune activation attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p42/44 MAPK compared with the control pups without significantly affecting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. The correlation between the level of IL-6 expression and that of phosphorylated p42/44 MAPK suggests that p42/44 MAPK may play an important role in regulating hepatic IL-6 expression. Our results also suggest that maternal immune activation could have differential effects on various inflammatory mediators in the liver of the offspring.
Exploring and exploiting routing opportunities in wireless ad-hoc networks

In this paper, d-AdaptOR, a distributed opportunistic routing scheme for multi-hop wireless ad-hoc networks is proposed. The proposed scheme utilizes a reinforcement learning framework to achieve the optimal performance adaptively even in the absence of reliable knowledge about channel statistics and network model. The scheme extends an earlier proposed scheme [1] which relied on centralized computation. In contrast, d-AdaptOR operates solely based on local information and coordination with other neighboring nodes via network message passing while achieving optimality with respect to an expected average per packet reward criterion.