cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating contemporary pain management practices in thyroid and parathyroid surgery: A national survey of head and neck endocrine surgeons.

BACKGROUND There is currently a lack of evidence-based guidelines regarding postoperative opioids after thyroid and parathyroid surgery. This study aimed to objectively characterize contemporary postoperative pain management practices via a national survey of head and neck endocrine surgeons. METHODS A standardized electronic survey was distributed to the membership of the American Head and Neck Society's Endocrine section. RESULTS A total of 102 surgeons completed the survey representing a 34% response rate. In all, 65.7% of respondents utilize opioids with wide variations in the total morphine equivalents prescribed. Practice environment (χ2 = 10.0; P = 0.04) and performing preoperative pain counseling (χ2 = 9.7; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of prescribing postoperative opioids. Utilization of non-opioid pain management strategies was common and significantly associated with performing outpatient surgery (χ2 = 6.2; P = 0.013) and preoperative pain counseling (χ2 = 4.5; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS Pain management practice patterns vary significantly among head and neck endocrine surgeons which further emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines.
Assessment of Upper Extremity Swelling Among Breast Cancer Survivors with a Commercial Infrared Sensor.

Abstract Background: There are various methods of detecting and monitoring arm lymphedema after breast cancer (BC) treatment. Using volumetric measurements is the most common method performed clini...
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Realities of Living With ALS: Implications for Palliative Care Teams.

Context:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an all-encompassing, life-limiting disease, resulting in the eventual paralysis of all voluntary muscles and concurrent loss of independence. As the d...
Arteries of the Head and Neck

Abstract The arteries of the head and neck are deformed by cardiac pulsatility and movement of the musculoskeletal system in the head and neck region. This chapter reviews arterial anatomy of the head and neck and examines movements relevant to head and neck arteries (e.g., turning of the head). Thorough literature reviews were performed and salient publications exploring arterial deformations are discussed. Medical images and illustrations are used to visualize the arteries and quantitative metrics including diameter change, distensibility coefficient, carotid artery longitudinal motion, and arterial bifurcation angle are used to characterize arterial dynamics. Special attention is paid to arterial deformations under healthy and diseased conditions as well as deformations in the presence of medical devices.
Transgender Policy in Sport, A Review of Current Policy and Commentary of the Challenges of Policy Creation

This review starts with a brief history of sex policy in sport followed by an exploration of the current state of transgender sport policies. Transgender in sport, from the high school to the professional level, is a frequent news topic. Fairness in women's athletics is at the center of transgender sport policy deliberations and public debate. Despite a long history of policy attempts and revisions, the female category in sport is not precisely and universally established, complicating transgender athlete policy development. Scientific evidence is scant on fairness for transgender athletes. For a variety of social factors, many transgender athletes do not have a positive experience in sports and the younger is the athlete the more challenging it becomes to create inclusive rules. Challenges remain in making competition rules fair, but inclusive, so that transgender athletes participate in sport. The medical and scientific community will continue to provide key input.
A Comparison of the Moral Distress Experienced by OTAs and OTs Working in Geriatrics Settings

Date Presented 04/06/19 The results of a national survey of OTAs and OTs who work in geriatric settings will be presented. The findings will be of interest to clinicians who are frustrated by constraints that interfere with their ability to deliver services to their clients. Evidence of a relationship between high moral distress and leaving a position will be of interest to managers. The study supports the need for educators to teach strategies for conflict resolution. Primary Author and Speaker: Neil Penny
Economic and environmental effects of double cropping winter annuals and corn using the Integrated Farm System Model.

ABSTRACT Dairy farms have been under pressure to reduce negative environmental impacts while remaining profitable during times with volatile milk and commodity prices. Double cropping has been promoted to reduce negative environmental impacts and increase total dry matter yield per hectare. Three dairy farms that double cropped winter annuals and corn were selected from northern and western Pennsylvania. Data were collected from recorded crop and dairy records and financial data for 2016 and 2017. Farms ranged in size from 336 to 511 ha with 233 to 663 cows. Data were used to set parameters for the Integrated Farm System Model, which was then used to simulate 8 scenarios for each farm: current operation; 0, 50, and 100% of corn hectares double cropped; 30% feed price increase with and without double cropping; and 30% feed price decrease with and without double cropping at the farm's current level of double cropping. A 20-yr time period, using weather data that was representative of the actual farms, was used in the Integrated Farm System Model simulation to produce both financial and environmental outputs. Double cropping winter annuals and corn silage increased dry matter yield per hectare by 19%, when comparing 0 to 100% of the corn area double cropped. With all corn land double cropped, net return to management per hundredweight (45.36 kg) of milk increased by 1.8%, N leached per hectare per year decreased by an average of 4.5%, and phosphorus loss was reduced by an average of 9.2% across farms. When feed prices increased by 30%, double cropping increased net return over feed cost and net return to management by 1.6 and 2.2%, respectively, across farms. When feed prices decreased by 30%, double cropping decreased net return over feed cost and net return to management by smaller amounts of 0.13% and 0.11%, respectively, across farms. Modeling indicated that double cropping winter annuals with corn silage can have both environmental and economic benefits when winter-annual silage yields are enough to cover expenses.
Assessing the range of enzymatic and oxidative tunability for biosensor design

Development of multi-functional materials and biosensors that can achieve an in situ response designed by the user is a current need in the biomaterials field, especially in complex biological environments, such as inflammation, where multiple enzymatic and oxidative signals are present. In the past decade, there has been extensive research and development of materials chemistries for detecting and monitoring enzymatic activity, as well as for releasing therapeutic and diagnostic agents in regions undergoing oxidative stress. However, there has been limited development of materials in the context of enzymatic and oxidative triggers together, despite their closely tied and overlapping mechanisms. With research focusing on enzymatically and oxidatively triggered materials separately, these systems may be inadequate in monitoring the complexity of inflammatory environments, thus limiting in vivo translatability and diagnostic accuracy. The intention of this review is to highlight a variety of enzymatically and oxidatively triggered materials chemistries to draw attention to the range of synthetic tunability available for the construction of novel biosensors with a spectrum of programmed responses. We focus our discussion on several types of macromolecular sensors, generally classified by the causative material response driving ultimate signal detection. This includes sensing based on degradative processes, conformational changes, supramolecular assembly/disassembly, and nanomaterial interactions, among others. We see each of these classes providing valuable tools toward coalescing current gaps in the biosensing field regarding specificity, selectivity, sensitivity, and flexibility in application. Additionally, by considering the materials chemistry of enzymatically and oxidatively triggered biomaterials in tandem, we hope to encourage synthesis of new biosensors that capitalize on their synergistic roles and overlapping mechanisms in inflammatory environments for applications in disease diagnosis and monitoring.
Abstract 427: Sudden ECG Rhythm Changes After Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Porcine Models of Cardiac Arrest

Background: Observation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in resuscitated swine has revealed the interesting phenomenon of sudden ECG rhy...
Re-examining the costs of sanctions and sanctions threats using stock market data

Are sanctions and sanctions threats costly for the sanctioning state? The costs of sanctions for the sender are an important feature of many theories developed to explain the use and utility of eco...
Blood flow-induced Notch activation and endothelial migration enable embryonic vascular remodeling

Arteries and veins are lined by arterial and venous endothelial cells (ECs), which are functionally different. During embryonic development, vascular remodeling transforms some arteries into veins and because arterial and venous embryonic ECs have the plasticity to transdifferentiate into each other, suggests that the transformation of arteries to veins may be accompanied by trans-differentiation of ECs. Here, we show that transformation of arterial intersegmental vessels (aISVs) into veins occurs without trans-differentiation, by the displacement of arterial ECs by venous ECs and requires normal blood flow. At the same time, the establishment of blood flow prevents neighboring aISVs from transforming into veins by the upregulation of Notch signaling in these aISVs. Here, we propose that through these two processes, blood flow facilitates the transformation of the all-arterial trunk vasculature into a functional vascular network with near equal numbers of arteries and veins.
COVID-19 in Pulmonary Artery Hypertension (PAH) Patients: Observations from a Large PAH Center in New York City

Information on outcomes of COVID-19 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients is limited to a few case series and surveys. Here, we describe our experience at a large Pulmonary Hypertension Center in New York City at the height of the pandemic. We performed a retrospective chart review of eleven consecutive PAH patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We analyzed demographics, PAH severity, risk factors for COVID-19, and COVID-19 severity and outcomes. We found in our sample that 63.6% of patients required intensive care, and there was a 45.45% overall mortality. Most patients had a known COVID-19 contact and mean duration of symptoms prior to presentation was 12 days. Only 4/11 (36%) patients presented to a center with pulmonary hypertension expertise, all of whom survived. Most patients had at least moderate pulmonary hypertension with an average REVEAL score of 7.81 despite double or triple PAH therapy. Our cases series underscores the gravity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with PAH. It also suggests possible interventions to prevent unfavorable outcomes such as preserving social distancing, PAH management optimization, and early and preferential presentation to a center with specialized expertise in PAH.
Pharmaceutical protein solids: Drying technology, solid-state characterization and stability.

Abstract Despite the boom in biologics over the past decade, the intrinsic instability of these large molecules poses significant challenges to formulation development. Almost half of all pharmaceutical protein products are formulated in the solid form to preserve protein native structure and extend product shelf-life. In this review, both traditional and emerging drying techniques for producing protein solids will be discussed. During the drying process, various stresses can impact the stability of protein solids. However, understanding the impact of stress on protein product quality can be challenging due to the lack of reliable characterization techniques for biological solids. Both conventional and advanced characterization techniques are discussed including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), solid-state Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (ssFTIR), solid-state fluorescence spectrometry, solid-state hydrogen deuterium exchange (ssHDX), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and solid-state photolytic labeling (ssPL). Advanced characterization tools may offer mechanistic investigations into local structural changes and interactions at higher resolutions. The continuous exploration of new drying techniques, as well as a better understanding of the effects caused by different drying techniques in solid state, would advance the formulation development of biological products with superior quality.
Time-dependent probability density function for general stochastic logistic population model with harvesting effort

Abstract We derive and analyze the time-dependent probability density function for the number of individuals in a population at a given time in a general logistic population model with harvesting effort using the Fokker–Planck equation. The time-dependent probability density function (obtained as the unique principal solution of the Fokker–Planck equation corresponding to certain initial value and boundary conditions) is used to describe how the distribution of the population process changes with time. We assume the environment is randomly varying and the population is subject to a continuous spectrum of disturbances, with fluctuations in the intrinsic growth rate and the harvesting effort. The randomness is expressed as independent white noise processes. The effect of changes in the intrinsic growth rate, harvesting effort, and noise intensities on the distribution is investigated. In addition, conditions for the existence of optimal harvesting policy are obtained using properties of the time-dependent probability density function. The results obtained in this work are validated using population and published parameters.
Changing Institutional Culture Around Hospice Using LEAN Tools to Improve Hospice Utilization in a Veteran Population.

Abstract Background Longer hospice length of stay improves the palliation of symptoms, quality of life, and the dying process for patients and their caregivers. We used a Lean designed Rapid Improvement Event (RIE) to facilitate earlier entry into hospice. Measures Our primary outcome was hospice length of stay. Secondary outcomes were avoiding unwanted inpatient utilization and hospice location. Interventions We conducted a five-day RIE utilizing Lean tools targeting the inpatient medicine wards. Outcomes Hospice length of stay increased from a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 11 (7,27) days prior to 37 (7,73) days following the RIE. Home hospice and outside Skilled Nursing Home (SNF) hospice use increased while use of the onsite VA hospice decreased. Conclusions/Lessons Learned LEAN tools can be used successfully to improve end of life outcomes in an inpatient VA setting. The 90-day sustainment period following the RIE uncovers barriers to implementation and allows for adjustments to implementation.
Spring-Based Trapdoor Tests Investigating Soil Arching Stability in Embankment Fill under Localized Surface Loading

AbstractPile-supported (PS) embankments have been used increasingly to support highways and railways on soft subsoils. In addition to the self-weight of the embankment, this embankment system is of...
High- versus low-dose tranexamic acid as part of a Patient Blood Management strategy for reducing blood loss in patients undergoing surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to be beneficial in reducing blood loss during surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but optimal dosing has yet to be defined. This retrospective study compared high- versus low-dose TXA as part of a Patient Blood Management strategy for reducing blood loss in patients undergoing posterior spine fusion surgery. Clinical records were reviewed for 223 patients with AIS who underwent posterior spinal fusion of five or more levels during a 6-year time period. We compared normalized blood loss, total estimated blood loss (EBL), and the need for transfusion between patients receiving high-dose TXA (loading dose of ≥ 30 mg/kg) versus low-dose TXA (loading dose < 30 mg/kg). Both groups received maintenance TXA infusions of 10 mg/kg/h until skin closure. Patient demographics, curves, and surgical characteristics were similar in both groups. The high-dose TXA group had a 36% reduction in normalized blood loss (1.8 cc/kg/level fused versus 2.8 cc/kg/level fused, p < 0.001) and a 37.5% reduction in total EBL (1000 cc versus 1600 cc, p < 0.001). Patients in the high-dose group had a 48% reduction in PRBC transfusion, with only 19% receiving a transfusion of PRBC compared to 67% in the low-dose group (p < 0.001). When combined with other proven Patient Blood Management strategies, the use of high-dose TXA compared to low-dose TXA may be beneficial in reducing blood loss for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery. Level III, retrospective cohort
The influence of inter-dialect contact on the Korean three-way laryngeal distinction: An acoustic comparison among Seoul Korean speakers and Gyeongsang speakers with limited and extended residence in Seoul:

This exploratory study investigates the acoustic correlates of the Korean three-way laryngeal stop distinction in Gyeongsang long-term (LT) transplants who were born in the Gyeongsang region but mo...
A better science for better decision-making in future crises.

In fast-paced crises like COVID-19, making use of scientific discovery in policymaking is challenging. We should learn the lessons of the current pandemic to make science a better partner to decision-makers in future crises, Sandro Galea writes.
Know your target, know your molecule

The pharmaceutical industry continues to experience significant attrition of drug candidates during phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical studies. We describe some questions about the characteristics of protein targets and small-molecule drugs that may be important to consider in drug-discovery projects and could improve prospects for future clinical success.
Adhesion of Bordetella pertussis to sulfatides and to the GalNAc beta 4Gal sequence found in glycosphingolipids.

The adherence of the human respiratory pathogen, Bordetella pertussis, to purified glycosphingolipids was investigated using thin layer chromatography overlay assays. Both virulent and avirulent strains of B. pertussis bound to asialo GM1. The bacterium did not bind to the gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b, nor to lactosylceramide, trihexosylceramide, globoside, or Forssman antigen. However, after treatment of the chromatography plates with sialidase, B. pertussis bound to the gangliosides GM1, GM2, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b but not to GM3. Comparison of the oligosaccharide structures of these gangliosides suggests that the minimum sugar structure needed for avid bacterial binding is GalNAc beta 4Gal. This structure has been previously implicated as a receptor for other human respiratory pathogens (Krivan, H. C., Roberts, D. D., Ginsburg, V. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 85, 6157-6161). Virulent strains of B. pertussis also bound specifically to sulfatide. This response was dose-dependent and inhibited by the anionic polysaccharide dextran sulfate. The sulfated-sugars dextran sulfate, fucoidan, and heparin inhibited the attachment of virulent strains of B. pertussis to human WiDr cells and to hamster trachea cells indicating that sulfatides on the surface of mammalian cells may function as a receptor for B. pertussis. The occurrence of both sulfatides and asialo GM1 in human lung and trachea suggests that these glycolipids may serve as specific receptors for B. pertussis.
Diaphragm dysfunction in heart failure is accompanied by increases in neutral sphingomyelinase activity and ceramide content

Aims Chronic heart failure (CHF) causes inspiratory (diaphragm) muscle weakness and fatigue that contributes to dyspnoea and limited physical capacity in patients. However, the mechanisms that lead to diaphragm dysfunction in CHF remain poorly understood. Cytokines and angiotensin II are elevated in CHF and stimulate the activity of the enzyme sphingomyelinase (SMase) and accumulation of its reaction product ceramide. In the diaphragm, SMase or ceramide exposure in vitro causes weakness and fatigue. Thus, elevated SMase activity and ceramide content have been proposed as mediators of diaphragm dysfunction in CHF. In the present study, we tested the hypotheses that diaphragm dysfunction was accompanied by increases in diaphragm SMase activity and ceramide content. Methods and results Myocardial infarction was used to induce CHF in rats. We measured diaphragm isometric force, SMase activity by high-performance liquid chromatography, and ceramide subspecies and total ceramide using mass spectrometry. Diaphragm force was depressed and fatigue accelerated by CHF. Diaphragm neutral SMase activity was increased by 20% in CHF, while acid SMase activity was unchanged. We also found that CHF increased the content of C18–, C20–, and C24-ceramide subspecies and total ceramide. Downstream of ceramide degradation, diaphragm sphingosine was unchanged, and sphingosine-1-phosphate level was increased in CHF. Conclusion Our major novel finding was that diaphragm dysfunction in CHF rats was accompanied by higher diaphragm neutral SMase activity, which is expected to cause the observed increase in diaphragm ceramide content.
Low-field designs for interior MRI and CT coupling

The combination of CT and MRI for simultaneous image acquisition has not yet been successfully prototyped. To overcome the geometric conflict and electromagnetic interference between CT and MRI hardware, low-field magnet arrays are utilized. Using 3D magnetic field modeling software, several permanent magnet array designs are proposed yielding homogeneous field magnitudes of ∼0.3–0.35 T. The results demonstrate potential configurations to enable interior MRI while working synergistically with x-ray hardware for simultaneous data acquisition.
Unified Framework for Matter and Dark Matter

Dark matter may be stable in the same way that the proton is stable. This hints at the possibility of a grand unified theory incorporating both matter and dark matter. Two simple examples based on SU(6) and SU(7) are discussed, both of which have natural applications to the radiative (scotogenic) generation of neutrino mass.
Solubilization of rat liver alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Agonist specific alteration in receptor binding affinity.

Abstract An improved method for the solubilization of the alpha1-adrenergic receptors in rat liver, utilizing digitonin, glycerol and sonication, is described. The yield of solubilized receptors was approximately 20%. The soluble receptors showed characteristics similar to the membrane-bound alpha1 receptors. However, upon solubilization, the affinity for the agonists (−)norepinephrine and (−)epinephrine increased 35- to 66-fold when compared to the affinity in the membranes. The affinity for antagonists remained unchanged. A number of synthetic partial agonists showed a less marked (5- to 10-fold) increase in affinity upon solubilization. These data are consistent with the notion that these receptors might be capable of existing in two distinct conformational states with the high affinity state for agonists being favored by solubilization.
Band structure engineering of ZnO 1-x Se x alloys

ABSTRACT ZnO 1-x Se x films have been prepared through pulsed laser deposition a s a step toward stable films with a band gap appropriate for water splitting. The films show a clear red shift in absorption with increasing Se content and a s hift in the flat band voltage toward spontaneity. Due to the fil ms electron affinities, there exists a natural tunnel junction between these n- ZnO 1-x Se x films when grown on the p-side of a Si diode. The overa ll performance, emphasized by flat band potential measurements, can be improved by growing films on Si p-n diodes. Keywords: oxide films, band gap engineering, photoelectrochemistry 1. INTRODUCTION An immediate and widespread need for renewable energy sourc es has spawned a series of investigations into potential photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic materials. Photoelectrochemical hydrogen production from sunlight represents a combination of photovoltaic power generation with the advantages of storage and fuel mobility
Anxiety and Sleep

Insomnia, nightmares, or nocturnal panic attacks are prominent features of sleep disturbance that spans across many anxiery disorders. In a meta-analysis of 177 studies, Benca and colleagues (1992) reported that individuals with an anxiery disorder take longer ro get to sleep at the beginning of the night, experience more awakenings during rhe night, obtain less sleep overall, and exhibit poorer sleep efficienry, relative to nonpatients. More recently, a review of dre literature by Papadimitriou and Linkowski 2005) suggesrs rhat the major findings reported bv Benca et al. have held over the ensuing decade. \,foreover, Papadimitriou and Linkowski (2005) tbund an especially strong association beween sleep disturbance and several anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiery disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Afthough -ort of the evidence to date is based on samples of aduhs in their rriddle years, there is also evidence ofan association )erween sleep disturbance and anxiety disorders in ;hildren and adolescence (Forbes et al., 2006), as well as among older adults (Spira, Friedman, Flint, & Sheikh,2005). The first aim of this chapter is to highlight the potential importance of sleep problems in individuals with anxiery disorders. W'e argue that disturbed sleep not only impairs the qualiry of a patientt life but may also contribute to rhe maintenance of the anxiety disorder. Our second aim is to review the evidence base for rrearing parienrs who sufFer from comorbid sleep disturbance and anxiery disorder. As will become evident throughout the chapter, there is a dearth of evidence that specifically delineates the relationship berween sleep disturbance and anxiery disorder and thus several ofour proposals are based on evidence from healthy nonpatients or patienrs with other clinical disorders. 'We raise this caveat at the outset as an importanr limitarion to rhe conclusions that we draw. 'We rurn now to begin this chapter by offering an overview of concepts that are basic to understanding human sleep; this knowledge is important for clinicians rreating individuals who sufFer from sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbances in the form of insomnia, nightmares, or nocrurnal panic attack are prominenr features across the anxiety disorders.The first aim ofthis chapter is to highlight rhe potential importance of sleep in individuals with anxiety disorders. lt is argued ttrat steep is important not only because disturbed sleep impairs the quality of a patient's life, but also because it likely contributes to the maintenance of the anxiety disorder. The second aim is to review the evidence base for treating Patients who suffer from comorbid insomnia and an anxiety disorder. Research attention and clinical intervention for sleep disturbance among individuals with anxiety disorders is a critical domain for future research.
Economic analysis of the potential impact of climate change on recreational trout fishing in the southern Appalachian mountains: an application of a nested multinomial logit model.

Global warming due to the enhanced greenhouse effect through human activities has become a major public policy issue in recent years. The present study focuses on the potential economic impact of climate change on recreational trout fishing in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Significant reductions in trout habitat and/or populations are anticipated under global warming since the study area is on the extreme margins of trout habitat of the eastern U.S. The purpose of this study is to estimate the potential welfare loss of trout anglers due to global warming. A nested multinomial logit model was developed and estimated to describe the angler's fishing choice behavior. The estimated median welfare loss (Compensating Variation) ranged from $5.63 to $53.18 per angler per single occasion under the various diminished trout habitat and/or population scenarios.
Microarrays: monitoring for transplant tolerance and mechanistic insights

With recent advances in immunology and a growing understanding of transplantation biology, the development of reliable assays that may be used for identification and prediction of the current state of an immune response (rejection and tolerance) are urgently needed to allow us to predict the development of immunologic graft injury, individualize immunosuppression, rationally minimize immunosuppressive drug toxicity, promote a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying stable graft acceptance, and aid in the design of tolerance-inducing clinical transplantation trials. Microarrays can provide nonbiased, simultaneous global expression patterns for more than 40,000 human genes across different experiments. High throughput microarray technology offers a means to study disease-specific transcriptional changes in tissue biopsy, peripheral blood, and biofluids.
Effect of chemical impurities in polyethylene glycol on macromolecular crystallization

Abstract Trypsin-modified elongation factor (EF)-Tu-GDP from Escherichia coli is known to crystallize in several different unit cells under apparently identical conditions. The crystal polymorphism problem was investigated and found to be correlated with the source of polyethylene glycol used in the crystallization procedure. The use of purified polyethylene glycol promoted the growth of a crystal from belonging to space group P212121. In extensive crystallization trials, substances that typically contaminate commercial preparations of polyethylene glycol were screened. The final results show that the presence of divalent anions at different concentrations induce the growth of the two crystal forms belonging to space groups C2221 and P43212. The relavancy of the findings is discussed.
The nonlinear dynamics of intrinsic acoustic oscillations in a model pulse combustor

Abstract The appearance of nonlinear acoustic oscillations in pulse combustors and other unsteady combustion devices arises from combustion-driven instabilities that excite one or more classical acoustic modes of the system. For sufficiently strong acoustic driving relative to various damping processes, these disturbances grow to finite amplitudes and, owing to the nonlinear coupling between linearly unstable and stable modes, a stable limit-cycle oscillation is typically established. The nonlinear dynamics of these oscillations are formally governed by an infinitely coupled system of evolution equations for the complex mode amplitudes. The linear terms determine the relative growth and decay rates of infinitesimal perturbations, while the nonlinear coupling terms determine the ultimate amplitude of each mode. The present work describes the nonlinear acoustic response of the system by obtaining approximate analytical and numerical solutions of the dynamical system of amplitude equations. In particular, it is shown that, depending on the value of a reduced driving parameter, various finite-mode approximations to the full infinitely coupled system may be employed to describe the acoustic response of the model. The nature of acoustic mode interactions is also investigated, and it is formally demonstrated that a resonance-like coupling exists between any growing mode, whose frequency is ω j , and its first resonant harmonic, which is the mode whose frequency is 3 ω j . Thus, the first acoustic bifurcation of the system occurs at a critical value of the driving parameter for which some mode achieves a positive linear growth rate, and is governed by a decoupled subsystem for the two modes corresponding to these frequencies. At larger values of the driving parameter, a second mode may achieve a positive linear growth rate, which in turn may produce a secondary transition in the acoustic response. The results for two cases, corresponding to whether or not one growing mode is the first resonant harmonic of the other, arediscussed in terms of the minimal number of modes required to correctly predict the nonlinear acoustic behavior of the system.
Inhaled corticosteroids were safely stepped down in chronic, stable asthma

Source Citation Hawkins G, McMahon AD, Twaddle S, et al. Stepping down inhaled corticosteroids in asthma: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2003;326:1115-20. 12763981
One-piece versus two-piece orbitozygomatic craniotomy: quantitative and qualitative considerations.

OBJECTIVE: The orbitozygomatic (OZ) craniotomy minimizes brain retraction and improves cranial base exposure by providing a multidirectional view, increased operative angles and working space. The two main variations of the approach include the one-piece and the two-piece types. The microsurgical anatomy of the one- and two-piece OZ craniotomies are presented with the goal of comparing the extent of orbital roof removal between these two craniotomies and the effect of orbital roof removal on operative exposure. METHODS: Ten two-piece and 11 one-piece OZ craniotomies were performed in a stepwise manner simulating the approaches on formalin fixed specimens. The orbital surface area removed above the frontozygomatic suture extending medially over the orbital roof was measured from each bone flap. The two-sided unpaired t test using STATA 7.0 software was used to compare the amount of orbital roof removed using the two approaches. RESULTS: The two-piece OZ craniotomy allowed for the removal of a larger portion of the roof and lateral wall of the orbit than the one-piece. The total orbitotomy, including the orbital roof plus the part of the lateral wall above the frontozygomatic suture, had an average surface area of 996 +/- 229 mm for the two piece and 372 +/- 103 mm for the one-piece. The orbital roof made up 27 +/- 18% of the orbital osteotomy for the one-piece craniotomies and 67 +/- 10% of the osteotomy for the two-piece craniotomies (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The two-piece OZ craniotomy allows for more extensive orbital roof removal and better visualization of the basal frontal lobe. Therefore, the two-piece may result in a lower incidence of enophtalmus and poor cosmetic outcomes, particularly if the remaining orbital roof must be removed piecemeal during the one-piece OZ craniotomy in order to obtain satisfactory exposure.
Influence of pH and temperature upon calcium accumulation and release by bovine sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was prepared from fresh beef sternomandibularis muscle and shown to be relatively free from contamination by lysosomes, sarcolemma and mitochondrial membranes. Ca2 + accumulation by SR from fresh and cold-shortened muscle was 51 and 39 nmoles/mg protein, respectively. The Ca2 + accumulating ability of fresh SR vesicles decreased with lowering of pH (7·3, 6·8, 6·2, 5·5 and 5·0) at all temperatures (0, 15 and 38°C). Lowering the temperature from 38 to 0°C at pH 6·6 resulted in the release of 48% of the total accumulated Ca2 +, whereas the corresponding value on lowering the temperature from 38 to 15°C at the same pH was only 12%. Thus, low temperatures accelerate the release of Ca2 + by SR. Although simultaneously lowering pH and temperature also increased Ca2 + release by SR, the amount of Ca2 + released was less than if pH and temperature were altered independently. The findings are discussed in the light of explaining cold shortening.
Change in the Arctic influence on Bering Sea climate during the twentieth century

Surface air temperatures (SAT) from three Alaskan weather stations in a north–south section (Barrow, Nome, and St. Paul) show that on a decadal scale, the correlation among the stations changed during the past century. Before the 1960s, Barrow and Nome were dominated by Arctic air masses and St. Paul was dominated by North Pacific maritime air masses. After the 1960s, the SAT correlation in winter between Barrow and St. Paul increased from 0.2 to 0.7 and between Nome and St. Paul from 0.4 to 0.8, implying greater north–south penetration of both air masses. The correlation change in the winter of the Barrow–St. Paul pair is significant at a 95% confidence level. The Nome–St. Paul pair in spring also shows some of this characteristic change in correlation. Relatively stable, high correlations are found among the stations in the fall; correlations are low in the summer. Our study shows a change in the climatological structure of the Bering Sea in the late twentieth century, at present of unknown origin and occurring earlier than the well-known 1976/1977 shift. These climatological results further support the concept that the southeast Bering Sea ecosystem may have been dominated by Arctic species for most of the century, with a gradual replacement by sub-Arctic species in the last 30 years. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.
A comparative conformational study of certain 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinofuranosylcytosine nucleosides.

Abstract The 270 MHz proton NMR spectra of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β- d -arabinofuranosyl-5-iodocytosine as well as the respective 5-bromo and 5-chloro derivatives have been iteratively analyzed using LAOCOON 3. The derived parameters indicate that the fluorine substituent in an arabino configuration results in an approx. 50 : 50 C(3′)- endo , C(2′)- endo conformer mixture. The C(4′)-C(5′) rotamer populations are 41% gg , 18% tg , and 41% gt . These equilibrium distributions, which are maintained within the series studied, are similar to that of other ara-C derivatives, but quite different from that of 2′-deoxycytidine. The agreement in chemical shift for each of the furanose protons within the series studied suggests a similar syn, anti distribution for each analog.
Ion-simulated irradiation-induced creep

Abstract An experimental technique developed to measure the ion-simulated irradiation-induced creep of bulk metallic specimens stressed in tension during charged particle irradiation is described. The experimental apparatus permits on-line computer monitoring of the experimental parameters while temperature, stress, and ion flux are maintained at the desired levels. A typical result obtained with a 0.38 mm (0.015″) thick, high-purity nickel specimen is presented with an analysis of the sources of systematic and random errors.
The α folate receptor is highly activated in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Abstract Objective: To determine whether the folate receptor gene is overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods: Differential display analysis was performed with fresh frozen RNA obtained from normal lung, pleura, and mesothelioma. Sixty differentially expressed genes were identified and characterized. One gene that was over-expressed in mesothelioma versus normal tissue was the human α folate receptor. In situ hybridization with antisense probes designed on the basis of the sequence of the folate receptor was performed with frozen sections from 61 patients (33 epithelial and 28 mixed or sarcomatoid tumors) with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The controls included normal pleura, normal lung, other cancers, and sense controls for all of the tumors. Northern analysis with a folate receptor probe and immunohistochemical analysis with anti-α folate receptor antibodies were also performed. Results: Forty-four (72%) of the 61 mesothelioma tumors were found to have between 2-fold and 4-fold higher mRNA expression of the folate receptor when compared with the control tissues. The histologic type of the tumor did not affect the rate of folate receptor activation. Northern analysis and immunohistochemical experiments confirmed these findings. Conclusions: A majority of mesothelioma tumors examined overexpress the α folate receptor protein when compared with normal adjacent tissues. This finding may help explain the observations that antifolate drugs have activity in the treatment of mesothelioma. It also encourages further study of folate receptor–related treatment strategies in this malignancy. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:225-33)
The Social System of Feral Asses (Equus asinus)

Feral asses (Equus asinus) were studied in a desert range in southeastern California, USA. They formed small, highly unstable groups of varied sex and age composition. Older ♂♂ tended to be solitary and some were seasonally territorial. Home ranges of marked individuals overlapped and averaged 32 km2. The territory of a marked ♂ occupied 0.5 km2. The social and spatial organizations of the study population are compared with other feral ass populations and with other equid species. Loose social organization is viewed as well-adapted to the low carrying capacity of deserts, and the territorial system similarly adaptive when precipitation is periodic.
Power-Efficient Clock Synchronization using Two-Way Timing Message Exchanges in Wireless Sensor Networks

A number of time synchronization protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been recently proposed aiming at maximizing the accuracy and minimizing the power efficiency. This paper proposes novel clock skew estimators for the protocols based on two-way timing message exchanges to achieve long term reliability of synchronization. The proposed clock synchronization mechanism is far more power efficient than the conventional ones by significantly increasing the re-synchronization period. Moreover, it can be applied to the conventional protocols without any additional overhead. In fact, the proposed estimators assume simple steps and low complexity, a feature which is strongly demanding for WSNs consisting of cheap and small nodes
Estudio prospectivo del tratamiento de los pseudoaneurismas de la arteria femoral con inyección de trombina guiada por ultrasonido: hacia una terapia menos invasiva

Introduccion. Los procedimientos endovasculares en los que se cateteriza la arteria femoral pueden complicarse con la formacion de pseudoaneurismas. Recientemente se ha utilizado una tecnica menos morbida que utiliza inyeccion de trombina guiada por ultrasonido (ITGU) en el saco aneurismatico. Objetivo. Evaluar de manera prospectiva la efectividad de la ITGU como tratamiento de los pseudoaneurismas iatrogenicos de la arteria femoral. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizaron 3.734 cateterizaciones de la arteria femoral. Treinta y dos pacientes desarrollaron 33 pseudoaneurismas de la arteria femoral (0,88%) de menos de 8 cm; este grupo de pacientes se sometio a ITGU y fue seguido de manera prospectiva. Resultados. La incidencia inicial de exito fue del 100%. Treinta y un casos (93,9%) permanecieron trombosados de manera exitosa con una sola inyeccion, controlados hasta el dia 30. Dos pseudoaneurismas recurrieron los dias 1 y 8 despues del procedimiento (6,1%). Mas de la mitad de los pacientes fueron pacientes hospitalizados (53,1%). Al 88,2% de los pacientes se les dio de alta en el primer o segundo dia. Diez de los ultimos 11 casos necesitaron menos de 800 UI y casi la mitad de los pseudoaneurismas (49%) se trombosaron con exito utilizando menos de 600 UI. No se demostro una relacion estadisticamente significativa entre la aparicion del pseudoaneurisma y el tamano del introductor o entre el tamano del pseudoaneurisma y la efectividad de la trombosis. Conclusion. La ITGU es un tratamiento efectivo. Es menos doloroso y se puede realizar de manera ambulatoria; asimismo, la terapia anticoagulante no contraindica su uso ni disminuye su efectividad. Se utilizan cantidades minimas de trombina, lo que disminuye la incidencia de complicaciones.
Targeting therapeutics to the vascular wall in atherosclerosis--carrier size matters.

Abstract Objective Vascular-targeted imaging and drug delivery systems are promising for the treatment of atherosclerosis due to the vast involvement of endothelium in the initiation and growth of plaque. Herein, we investigated the role of particle size in dictating the ability of vascular-targeted spherical particles to interact with the vascular wall (VW) from pulsatile and recirculating human blood flow relevant in atherosclerosis. Methods In vitro parallel plate flow chambers (PPFC) with straight or vertical step channel were used to examine the localization and binding efficiency of inflammation-targeted polymeric spheres sized from 0.2 to 5μm to inflamed endothelium from disturbed reconstituted and whole blood flow. Apolipoprotein deficient mice were used to study particle localization and binding to plaque in vivo . Results The efficiency of particle binding in disturbed reconstituted blood flow increases as spherical diameter increases from 500nm to 5μm. No significant difference was observed between adhesion of 200nm and 500nm spheres. Binding efficiency for all particle size was enhanced in disturbed whole blood flow except adhesion of 5μm in pulsatile whole blood. The adhesion trend in the in vivo model confirmed the binding pattern observed in in vitro assays. Conclusions The presented data shows that the binding efficiency of vascular-targeted drug carriers in blood flow is a function of particle size, wall shear rate, flow type, blood composition and ligand characteristics. Overall, the presented results suggest that micron-sized spherical particles (2μm), not nano spheres, are optimal for vascular-targeted drug delivery applications in medium to large vessel relevant in atherosclerosis.
Microwave near-field probes for photovoltaic applications

The photoresponse of three different photovoltaic Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) samples as well as GaAs and silicon bulk samples is measured using near-field scanning microwave microscopy (NSMM). Modeling predicts light-dependent conductivity values for bulk samples, as well as a preliminary understanding of more complicated multilayer photovoltaics. The spectral dependence of CIGS samples is probed at 405, 635, 808 and 980 nm wavelengths. In addition, we present two-dimensional raster scans that may reveal grain-boundary effects under illumination.
Chemokines and their receptors as markers of allograft rejection and targets for immunosuppression

Although almost every known chemokine and chemokine receptor is expressed at some stage during development of allograft rejection, mechanistic studies indicate that the actual key effector mechanisms are rather few. Thus, in vivo studies have alleviated concerns regarding possible biological redundancy and the pleiotropic effects of these molecules, and have resulted in a focus on CXCR3, CCR5 and their respective ligands as key mediators of host alloresponses, especially in acute rejection. Data are also accruing regarding the importance of chemokine/chemokine receptor pathways in ischemia/reperfusion, chronic rejection and tolerance induction following co-stimulation blockade, providing new targets for immune monitoring and therapeutic intervention.
Ready for his close-up? Representing Hitler in Der Untergang (Downfall, 2004)

AbstractThis article analyzes the controversial German film Der Untergang (Hirschbiegel 2004) in light of the demands and limits of representations of the Holocaust and the Third Reich. It addresses the question of how a fictional rendition of Hitler, and thus a ‘personalization’ of the dictator, might aid or prevent the furthering of our understanding of the events that took place during the Nazi regime, and it examines the representational strategies used in the film to make it a meaningful contribution to working through the nation's past.