cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-dose prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulin does not prevent HLA sensitization in left ventricular assist device recipients.

Background The use of left ventricular assist devices is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allosensitization. We investigated whether prophylactic treatment with low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), analogous to the use of IgG anti-D (anti-Rh) in preventing Rh immunization, can abrogate HLA allosensitization after left ventricular assist device implantation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data from 84 consecutive heart failure patients who underwent implantation of a left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation. After implantation, panel reactive antibody (PRA) was measured biweekly to assess sensitization (defined by PRA > 10%). Patients who were sensitized before left ventricular assist device implantation were excluded from further analysis (n = 12). Patients who either did not require perioperatively transfusions of cellular blood products or received other immunomodifying regimens were also excluded from further analysis (n = 21). The rest of the patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received IVIG, 10 g daily for 3 days (IVIG group, n=26; non-IVIG group, n=25). The decision as to whether patients received IVIG was not randomized but was based on surgeon preference. Results The sensitization rates (expressed as ratio of sensitized patients to total patients at risk) in the two groups were similar at consecutive time points (2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20 weeks) after left ventricular assist device implantation. Also, mean PRA at the same time points did not differ between the two groups. Overall, 34.6% (9 of 26) of the IVIG group became sensitized during mechanical support, compared with 32% (8 of 25) of the non-IVIG group (p = 1.0). A PRA of 90% or greater (high-degree sensitization) occurred in 15.3% (4 of 26) of the IVIG group and 12.0% (3 of 25) of the non-IVIG group ( p = 0.5). Conclusions The use of low-dose prophylactic IVIG after left ventricular assist device implantation affects neither the incidence nor the severity of HLA allosensitization.
Causality relations on a class of spacetimes

We investigate causality relations on a class of spacetimes that include warped products as a special case, and construct globally hyperbolic examples satisfying the strong energy condition.
Local structure of generalized contact manifolds

Abstract Generalized contact pairs were introduced in Poon and Wade (2011) [25] . In this paper, we carry out a detailed study of geometric properties of these structures. First, we give geometric conditions expressing the integrability of a generalized contact pair. Then, we use them to obtain insights into the characteristic foliation of a generalized contact manifold. Finally we show that, locally, any smooth manifold endowed with a generalized contact pair is equivalent to the product of an almost cosymplectic manifold whose associated 2-form is closed by a generalized complex manifold.
Crystal and molecular structure of the complex [1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane](diethylphenylphosphine)tri-isothiocyanatorhenium(III) and the electrochemistry of isothiocyanato-derivatives of rhenium(III) and rhenium(IV)

Crystals of the title complex are triclinic, space group P, with unit-cell dimensions a= 9.680(3), b= 12.519(4), c= 19.072(8)A, α= 68.86(3), β= 71.82(3), γ= 75.40(2)°, and Z= 2. The intensities of 4 025 reflections above background have been collected and the structure refined by least-squares techniques to R′ 0.046. The complex exists as discrete pseudo-octahedral monomers. The rhenium atom in a given molecule is co-ordinated by three phosphorus and three nitrogen atoms in a mer configuration. Cyclic-voltametric studies on dichloromethane solutions of [Re(NCS)3(PEt2Ph)L′][L′= 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, 2,2′-bipyridyl, or 1,10-phenanthroline] show that these complexes exhibit three electrochemically reversible one-electron waves attributable to [Re]1+â†�[Re]0→[Re]1–→[Re]2–, thereby demonstrating the existence of an extensive redox chemistry for these species. The results of these electrochemical studies are compared with the related behaviour of [NBu4]2[Re2(NCS)8] and [NBu4]2[Re(NCS)6].
Cycling Behavior in Near-Identical Cell Systems

A generic pattern of collective behavior of symmetric networks of coupled identical cells is cycling behavior. In networks modeled by symmetric systems of differential (difference) equations, cycling behavior appears in the form of solution trajectories (orbits) that linger around symmetrically related steady-states (fixed points) or periodic solutions (orbits) or even chaotic attractors. In this last case, it leads to what is called "cycling chaos". In particular, Dellnitz et al. [1995] demonstrated the existence of cycling chaos in continuous-time three-cell systems modeled by Chua's circuit equations and Lorenz equations, while Palacios [2002, 2003] later demonstrated the existence of cycling chaos in discrete-time cell systems. In this work, we consider two issues that follow-up from these previous works. First of all, we address the generalization of existence of cycling behavior in continuous-time systems with more than three cells. We demonstrate that increasing the number of cells, while maintaining the same network connectivity used by Dellnitz et al. [1995], is not enough to sustain the nature of a cycle, in which only one cell is active at any given time. Secondly, we address the existence of cycling behavior in networks with near-identical cells, where the internal dynamics of each cell is governed by an identical model equation but with possibly different parameter values. We show that, under a new connectivity scheme, cycling behavior can also occur in networks with near-identical cells.
SIX-MINUTE WALK TEST IN HEALTHY ADULTS

PURPOSE: The Six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a popular and widely accepted modality of objective evaluation of functional exercise capacity, as it is inexpensive and simple to perform. In 2002 American Thoracic Society (ATS) published guidelines for the 6MWT and recommended investigators to publish reference equations for healthy persons. Recent studies have established regression equations to predict the Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in healthy Caucasians; however, regression equations have yet to be established for other populations. METHODS: ATS standardized 6MWT method was used. Age, height, weight, and sex independently affect the 6MWD in healthy adults; therefore, these factors along with race were taken into consideration. Subjects were interviewed about medical history and medication use. A brief physical examination, pulse oximetry, dyspnea and fatigue scores were recorded before and after the 6MWT. The study is ongoing and enrollment would continue through summer. At present eighty healthy subjects have completed the test. RESULTS: Fifty-five males and twenty-five females performed the test. The average age of the subjects was 36years (range 20-62years). The average height, weight and body mass index of males were 68.2inches, 175.3lbs and 26.1; and that of females were 63.5inches, 152.8lbs and 27.7 respectively. There were 38(47%) Asians, 20(25%) African-Americans, 10(13%) Hispanics, 8(10%) Caucasians and 4(5%) Middle-East subjects. The average 6MWD was 1513ft (range 980-1980ft). Males walked marginally more than females. Asian males walked less than their female counterparts. Among males Asians and African-Americans walked less than Caucasians and Hispanics. Among females Asians and Caucasians covered more distance than African-Americans and Hispanics. CONCLUSION: The 6MWD (1513ft) in our study was much less as compared to the earlier studies (1837-2290ft). Although differences in age, height, weight and sex could explain some of this difference but racial characteristics of our study population may have led to decrease in 6MWD. This would be determined later by multivariate analysis after collection of final data. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Published equations for 6MWD derived from Caucasian subjects may not be accurate for other population groups. DISCLOSURE: Rakesh Sinha, No Financial Disclosure Information; No Product/Research Disclosure Information
Thermopower Measurements of Arrays of Small Diameter (18-60 nm) Bi Nanowires

Theoretical work based on one-dimensional (1D) models indicates that Bi wires with diameter smaller than 50 nm can exhibit superior thermoelectric properties since the density of states at the Fermi level of a 1D system can be tuned to very high values. Recently, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) studies of Bi surfaces have shown that Bi nanowires support Rashba spin-orbit surface states, with high carrier densities of around 5×1012/cm −2, that have not been considered in current models of Bi nanowires. According to our estimates, the sheath of surface charge on Bi nanowires should contribute substantially to the thermopower of Bi nanowires. We carried out an experimental study of the transport properties and thermopower of bismuth nanowire arrays (NWA) with wire diameters ranging between 60 nm and 13 nm to investigate these phenomena. The Rashba interaction is a spin orbit interaction that is important for surfaces of materials consisting of heavy ion elements; thermoelectric materials frequently consist of these elements (i.e.PbTe) because they scatter phonons and form low thermal conductivity materials.
From Benevolence to Business: The Story of Two Savings Banks *

This comparative study deals with objectives, administration, and portfolio policies of two banks that were among the earliest institutional lenders in America. Founded to assist the “frugal poor,” both banks faced the handicaps of provincialism, capital immobility, and regulation in their efforts to enlarge their services to the community. Both contributed much to a growing public understanding of banks and banking.
Eigen-extended maximum average correlation height (EEMACH) filters for automatic target recognition

Correlation filters are attractive for SAR automatic target recognition (ATR) due to their distortion tolerance ability. Recently, a new filter called the extended maximum average correlation height (EMACH) filter was shown to exhibit low false alarm rate while providing good distortion tolerance. The trade-off between distortion tolerance and clutter rejection is achieved in the EMACH filter by selecting a parameter (beta) . The performance of this filter was examined using a simulated SAR database. In this paper, we develop a new filter called the eigen EMACH filter. This filter is based on decomposing the EMACH filter using the eigen-analysis. We show that this filter has better generalization ability compared to the EMACH filter. Also, we illustrate that this filter exhibits a consistent performance over a wide range of (beta) values. In this paper, we show that this filter provides better representation of the desired class while retaining the clutter rejection capability of the original EMACH filter. We use the MSTAR databases to test the performance of this filter.
Nonlinear digital filters mimicking cellular neural networks

This work is motivated by the need forFaithful digital simulation of cellular neural networks (CNNs) that maintains most of their qualitative properties of stability and convergence. An interconnection of nonlinear digital filters mimicking behaviors of the analog CNNs is proposed, and the main properties are studied in detail. The discrete model obtained is proven to have the same convergence properties as the original analog network. The key to this development is the use of anAppropriate discretization scheme. Our discrete approximation to the nonlinear state-space representation of cellular neural networks is such that the Lyapunov function used to show convergence in analog cellular neural networks is still a Lyapunov function (when appropriately discretized) for our nonlinear digital filter network. This is in contrast to other digital simulations of CNNs, which have not been proven to preserve the convergence properties. The network of nonlinear digital filters so introduced thus adds another item to the catalog of digital filters obtained viaappropriate discretization of analog circuits, e.g., wave digital filters, orthogonal filters, and certain other of their more recently studied nonlinear counterparts.
SU-E-I-67: X-Ray Fluorescence for Energy Response Calibration of a Photon Counting Detector: A Simulation Study

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of energy calibration and energy response characterization of a photon counting detector using x-ray fluorescence. Methods: A comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation study was done to investigate the influence of various geometric components on the x-ray fluorescence measurement. Different materials, sizes, and detection angles were simulated using Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) Monte Carlo package. Simulations were conducted using 100 kVp tungsten-anode spectra with 2 mm Al filter for a single pixel cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector with 3 × 3 mm2 in detection area. The fluorescence material was placed 300 mm away from both the x-ray source and the detector. For angular dependence measurement, the distance was decreased to 30 mm to reduce the simulation time. Compound materials, containing silver, barium, gadolinium, hafnium, and gold in cylindrical shape, were simulated. The object size varied from 5 to 100 mm in diameter. The angular dependence of fluorescence and scatter were simulated from 20° to 170° with an incremental step of 10° to optimize the fluorescence to scatter ratio. Furthermore, the angular dependence was also experimentally measured using a spectrometer (X-123CdTe, Amptek Inc., MA) to validate the simulation results. Results: The detection angle between 120° to 160° resulted in more optimal x-ray fluorescence to scatter ratio. At a detection angle of 120°, the object size did not have a significant effect on the fluorescence to scatter ratio. The experimental results of fluorescence angular dependence are in good agreement with the simulation results. The Kα and Kβ peaks of five materials could be identified. Conclusion: The simulation results show that the x-ray fluorescence procedure has the potential to be used for detector energy calibration and detector response characteristics by using the optimal system geometry.
Double jeopardy: the influence of excessive daytime sleepiness and impaired cognition on health‐related quality of life in adults with heart failure

Aims To determine how excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and impaired cognition contribute to health-related quality of life (HRQL) in heart failure (HF). Methods and results Adults with chronic HF were enrolled into a prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from 280 subjects enrolled from three sites in the northeastern USA; 242 completed the 6-month study. At baseline, cohorts with and without EDS were identified using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Each EDS group was further subdivided into those with and without impaired cognition using a battery of five neuropsychological tests. Two disease-specific measures, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), were used to measure HRQL. General linear modelling of square-transformed variables was used to test the hypothesis that cohort membership was a significant predictor of HRQL. At 6 months the remaining sample was 62.5 [standard deviation (SD) 12] years old, mostly male (63%), white (65%), and functionally compromised [72% New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV]. The cohort with both EDS and impaired cognition had the lowest KCCQ overall summary score (60.5 ± 22.5) compared with the cohort without EDS or impaired cognition (74.6 ± 17.4, P ≤ 0.001). A similar effect was seen on the FOSQ (16.0 ± 2.8 vs. 18.5 ± 2.2, P < 0.001). Conclusion Impaired cognition alone did not explain poor HRQL, but the addition of EDS poses a significant risk for poor HRQL. Interventions designed to influence EDS may improve HRQL in this population.
The magnification factor for sodium chloride Liesegang circles established with an aerosol centrifuge

Abstract Sodium chloride particles deposited on a gelatin film containing silver nitrate form in a humid environment clearly visible dark brown reaction spots (Liesegang circles) after development in u.v.-light. The size of these reaction spots depends on the mass of NaCl in the particles. To establish the spot size vs particle size relation, particles produced by nebulising NaCl-solutions and sea water were sampled in an aerosol centrifuge. The location of deposition yields the aerodynamic diameter of the particle and the spot size is measured microscopically. In this way the spot size vs aerodynamic diameter relation is established experimentally in the so far unexplored aerodynamic diameter range between 0.5 and 2.0 μm.
On the merits of partial fluid mixing in the biochemical reactor system

For autocatalytic reactions such as those associated with many biochemical processes, the rate of a reaction is influenced by the concentrations of some of the products as well as those of the reactants. By use of the so-called diffusion (axial dispersion) model in conjunction with the Monod growth kinetics, it is shown that partial (incomplete) fluid mixing is often desirable for this class of reactions. Under sterile feed conditions, the optimal Peclet number appears to range between 0 and 2 with the exact value depending on the values of the kinetic constants and initial substrate concentration. By varying this single parameter, the performances of such reactors under various degrees of fluid mixing can be readily investigated using the axial dispersion model. The optimal design may be physically realized by the use of a tower fermentor with controlled axial dispersion. Dans des reactions auto-catalytiques comme celles qui se produisent dans nombre de procedes biochimiques, la vitesse de reaction est influencee par les concentrations de certains produits et des composes qui reagissent. En employant le soi-disant modele de diffusion (dispersion axiale) conjointement avec la cinetique de croissance de Monod, on voit qu'il est souvent desirable d'utiliser ce melange partiel ou incomplet de fluide pour cette categorie de reaction. Dans des conditions steriles d'alimentation, le nombre optimal de Peclet semble varier entre 0 et 2, la valeur exacte dependant des valeurs des constantes cinetiques et de la concentration initiale du materiel de base. En variant ce seul parametre, on peut facilement etudier, au moyen du modele de dispersion axiale, les rendements de reacteurs de ce genre lorsque le melange fluide se fait a des degres differents. On peut realiser physiquement le modele optimal en utilisant un dispositif a fermentation muni de tour et ou il y a dispersion axiale controlee.
Bleeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is linked to serotonin reuptake inhibitors, not aspirin or clopidogrel.

Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an invasive procedure that can result in bleeding. Guidelines recommend discontinuing clopidogrel for 7 to 10 days, but not withholding aspirin, before PEG. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) have been associated with an increased risk of GI bleeding. Objective To determine whether there is an association between periprocedural aspirin, clopidogrel, or SRI use and bleeding in patients who underwent PEG tube placement. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Large quaternary-care academic medical center. Patients A total of 990 patients (525 men) with a median age of 69.8 years who underwent PEG from January 1999 to April 2009. Interventions PEG tube placement. Main Outcome Measurements GI bleeding. Results Sixteen patients (1.6%) had evidence of bleeding during the first 48 hours after PEG, and 12 patients (1.2%) had evidence of bleeding between 48 hours and 14 days after PEG. Thirty-six patients (3.6%) received high-dose aspirin (>325 mg), 27 patients (2.7%) received clopidogrel (75 mg), and 99 patients (10%) received an SRI before PEG. Twenty-four patients (2.4%) received high-dose aspirin, 25 patients (2.5%) received clopidogrel, and 130 patients (13.1%) received an SRI after PEG. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no association between periprocedural use of aspirin (at any dose) or clopidogrel and post-PEG bleeding. However, SRIs administered 24 hours or less before PEG were associated with a significantly higher odds of post-PEG bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 4.1; 95% CI, 1.1-13.4; P = .04). Limitations Retrospective, single-center study with limited statistical power despite a relatively large cohort of patients. Conclusions Use of aspirin or clopidogrel before or after PEG was not associated with procedure-related bleeding. SRI use in the 24 hours before PEG was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
CONTINGENCY PRICING FOR IMPROVED PROFIT PERFORMANCE

During the past decade few areas of marketing strategy have received more attention than the establishment and implementation of pricing strategies. This emphasis has been due in part to the erosion of purchasing power during the past ten years. Both individual household income and real company profits (profits discounted for the impact of inflation) suffered declines which have only recently been turned around.
Some results concerning proofs of statements about programs

A programming language is viewed as a language for expressing ''instructions'' for a computation to be performed by a particular machine. A class of abstract machines (which includes universal machines) is defined. These machines are viewed as devices which execute ''instructions'' expressed in programming languages. Using this model and an appropriate definition of a programming language, it is shown that there is at least one system of logic which has the following properties for all machines in this class.o(1) For three concepts of the equivalence of computations and of programs, this system can be used to show that two computations or programs are or are not equivalent. (2) Given a program and a finite number of functions, this system can be used to show that the program does or does not specify the computation of these functions. That is, it is shown that certain relations of equivalence among programs and the relation of a program to the functions whose computation it specifies probably obey the law of excluded middle in this system of logic.
Potential Dietary Links to Central Sensitization in Fibromyalgia: Past Reports and Future Directions

This article reviews the existing literature on fibromyalgia (FM) and diet, discusses the possible role of diet on central sensitization in FM, proposes a novel hypothesis of possible food-related contributors to central sensitization, and makes recommendations for future dietary research directions.
Increases in voltage may produce false-negatives when using transcranial motor evoked potentials to detect an isolated nerve root injury

Objective. Transcranial Motor Evoked Poten- tials (TcMEPs) are sometimes used during lumbar spine surgery in order to detect and prevent an intraoperative nerve root injury. Typically, a fixed stimulus is applied, and one monitors for changes in response amplitude from several myotomes. Increased stimulating voltage may or may not alter the response after an acute injury. Methods. We suture ligated the dominant root innervating the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in 7 experiments in swine monitored with TcMEPs. Injury to the root was confirmed by an increase in threshold current needed to evoke an EMG response in the TA (from 0.32 ± 0.10 to 2.3 ± 0.9 mA, P < 0.01). We recorded TcMEPs at baseline, after injury, and with incremental 25 V increases in stimulation up to 100 V. Results. After ligation, mean TcMEP amplitude in the TA decreased by 56% from baseline (P < 0.01). Adding voltage progressively restored mean amplitude to within 17% of baseline, but with wide variability in the response. In 1 experiment, there was no augmentation; 3 studies showed partial improvement toward baseline; and in 3 studies, the amplitude was augmented to levels above baseline. Conclusion. An acute nerve root injury may be detected by TcMEP monitoring. However, if the stimulating voltage is increased after injury, the response may or may not be affected. In complex spine procedures, adjustments to TcMEP stimulating parameters are often needed to maintain reproducible responses. However, if these changes are made during a period where injury might occur, this could mask the changes and lead to a false-negative interpretation.
Computational Analysis of the Tether Pulling Experiment to Probe Cellular Membranes

Membrane tethers can form naturally such as during leukocyte rolling (pre-adhesion) stage. Tethers can also be experimentally pulled from cellular membranes to estimate membrane mechanical and electromechanical properties, including bending modulus, adhesion energy of the membrane-cytoskeleton interaction, tension, and electromechanical forces produced by membranes. This technique has been effectively applied to a variety of cells such as red blood cells [1], neutrophils [2], and cochlear outer hair cells [3,4]. Fig. 1 presents the experiment where tethers are pulled from cellular membranes using optically trapped beads.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Preferred sources and channels of soil and water conservation information among farmers in three midwestern US watersheds

Abstract This research examines farmers’ use of various sources and channels of conservation information in three midwestern US watersheds. A primary objective was to determine perceptual and farm structure factors influencing the use of particular information sources for farm-level decision-making. Data were collected from 1011 farm operators, the Maquoketa River watershed in east-central Iowa, the Lower Minnesota River watershed in southeast Minnesota, and the Darby Creek watershed in central Ohio. Respondents were asked to indicate frequency of use for 22 sources of conservation information identified from the literature and to rank the perceived importance of 11 of the most common communication channels for accessing agricultural information. Factor analysis was used to reduce the number of information sources to a smaller set of variables that explained much of the variance of the original data set. Selected elements of diffusion, risk communication, and farm structure theories were used to interpret the factor loadings and to identify predictors of information use. Regression analysis was used to test the communication source models developed for the overall data set and for each state. Descriptive findings revealed that farmers use multiple sources and channels when accessing soil and water conservation information. Substantial differences in information-use patterns were noted among the study watersheds. The results of the factor analysis showed that the 22 information sources could be categorized into six overarching groups based on their intercorrelation. The regression models were shown to vary widely in their predictive capacity, explaining from 1 to 29% of the total variance in source use. The variability noted among farmers’ information-use patterns and perceptions across the three study areas casts doubt on the value of broad-based or “shotgun” approaches for delivering agricultural information. The use of factor analysis has promise in future studies as a valuable tool for developing empirical measures of information use and improving measurement of key theoretical constructs in agricultural communication.
Bioactives from Artemisia dracunculus L. enhance insulin sensitivity via modulation of skeletal muscle protein phosphorylation

Abstract Objectives A botanical extract from Artemisia dracunculus L., termed PMI 5011, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity by increasing cellular insulin signaling in in vitro and in vivo studies. These studies suggest that PMI 5011 effects changes in phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in insulin signaling. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of this promising botanical extract on the human skeletal muscle phosphoproteome, by evaluating changes in site-specific protein phosphorylation levels in primary skeletal muscle cultures from obese, insulin-resistant individuals stimulated with and without insulin. Methods Insulin resistance is a condition in which a normal or elevated insulin level results in an abnormal biologic response, e.g., glucose uptake. Using isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ™) followed by phosphopeptide enrichment and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, 125 unique phosphopeptides and 159 unique phosphorylation sites from 80 unique proteins were identified and quantified. Results Insulin stimulation of primary cultured muscle cells from insulin-resistant individuals resulted in minimal increase in phosphorylation, demonstrating impaired insulin action in this condition. Treatment with PMI 5011 resulted in significant up-regulation of 35 phosphopeptides that were mapped to proteins participating in the regulation of transcription, translation, actin cytoskeleton signaling, caveolae translocation, and translocation of glucose transporter 4. These data further showed that PMI 5011 increased phosphorylation levels of specific amino acids in proteins in the insulin-resistant state that are normally phosphorylated by insulin (thus, increasing cellular insulin signaling) and PMI 5011 also increased the abundance of phosphorylation sites of proteins regulating anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion This phosphoproteomics analysis demonstrated conclusively that PMI 5011 effects changes in phosphorylation levels of proteins and identified novel pathways by which PMI 5011 exerts its insulin-sensitizing effects in skeletal muscle.
Rat liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase: a comparison and immunological study of purified solubilized preparations, and alteration of enzyme levels by cholestyramine feeding.

Abstract Some properties of various preparations of solubilized 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase from rat liver are described. One, prepared by solubilization with deoxycholate, has been brought to a level of purity such that only a single component is detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A second preparation, solubilized by high salt concentration and heat treatment, has also been purified to a high level of purity so that only minor contaminants are detected. The deoxycholate-solubilized 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase has a molecular weight of 197,000–202,000. Electrophoresis of both preparations treated with mercaptoethanol on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed one band with a molecular weight of 65,000. The data are consistent with the trimeric structure consisting of three polypeptide chains of apparently identical molecular weight. An antiserum to the deoxycholate-solubilized preparation has been prepared. Despite major differences among these preparations in specific activity, in stability to cold, and in the requirement of high salt concentration for preservation, both samples react in the same manner to the antibody and are immunologically indistinguishable. A preparation solubilized by freeze-thawing also reacts with the antiserum. Possible reasons for the variations in specific activity are considered, and it is concluded that specific activity changes cannot be reliably related to protein concentration unless the protein is isolated. Application of the immunological assay to an analysis of the effect of feeding cholestyramine to rats shows that compared to normals the diurnal cycle is unchanged but the rate of enzyme protein synthesis in the cholestyramine-fed rats is greatly accelerated. However, the first-order rate constant for degradatation of enzyme protein remains essentially unchanged throughout the falling phases of the cycle. The specific activity relationships of the enzyme protein of cholestyramine-fed rats appear to be altered when compared to that of normally fed controls.
A Note on the Computation of Atmospheric Surface Layer Fluxes for Use in Numerical Modeling

Abstract Empirical formulas which have been derived to describe the profiles of wind, temperature and humidity through the atmospheric surface boundary layer (SBL) are used to derive equations predicting the fluxes of momentum, heat and moisture through the SBL. These formulas can be applied in the computation of lower boundary conditions needed for the diffusion equation in planetary boundary layer models.
Dynamic tribological response of SiC fracture surfaces

Abstract A new experimental method combining dynamic tribometry based on the torsional Kolsky bar technique and three-dimensional surface profilometry that enables characterization of surface topography and wear has been applied to study the dynamic tribological response of closed silicon carbide (SiC) fracture surface pairs under normal compressive stresses up to 1900 MPa. It is found that global sliding of such a tribo-pair occurs when the interfacial shear stress reaches approximately 39% of the applied normal stress. The engaged interfacial asperity pairs mostly undergo shear-induced disengagement as the sliding initiates. However, surface wear-crushing of asperity-occurs at isolated locations and evolves, though at a decreasing rate, as the sliding progresses, resulting in fine interfacial wear debris particles that act effectively as solid lubricant. The transient behavior of the tribo-pair is affected strongly by the interfacial wear debris, whose response is sensitive to the acceleration rather than the velocity of sliding. Despite the variation of transient response from one experiment to another, the steady-state response is essentially Coulombic (linear) over the sliding velocities examined (0.05–3.4 m/s) with an effective kinetic friction coefficient of 0.36. A dynamic friction model allowing acceleration-dependent overstress and relaxation has been worked out. It is demonstrated that the model can capture the key dynamic features observed in the transient response and recover the Coulombic relation for the steady-state response. The significance of these findings for analyzing shear cracking in SiC deformed under confining stresses is also discussed.
Texture Measure from Low Resolution MR Images to Determine Trabecular Bone Integrity in Osteoporosis

Bone architectural information can be derived from structural indices calculated from high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, high resolution scans are time consuming and prone to motion artifacts and hence are not routinely feasible. The purpose of this study is to determine if a correlation exists between 3D structural indices calculated from high-resolution MR images and 3D cooccurrence texture features calculated from lower resolution MR images. Regression analysis indicates a strong correlation between the structural indices and the texture features. This study highlights the potential of using surrogate texture markers extracted from readily acquired clinical MR images to quantify bone architecture, circumventing the need for high resolution MR imaging.
Phase Equilibria in the System LiF‐AlF3‐Na3AlF6‐Al2O3

The phase equilibria relations in the binary system Li3AlF6-A12O3, the ternary system Li3AlF6-Na3AlF6-Al2O3, and the quaternary system LiF-AlF3-Na3AlF6-Al2O3 were investigated using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, DTA, quenching, and optical microscopy techniques. The compatibility relations at 500°C for these systems and for the ternary liquidus surface were determined. The binary system had a eutectic at 754°C and 1 mol% A12O3. The ternary liquidus surface contained a eutectic at 66 mol% Li3AlF6, 29 Na3AlF6, 5 A12O3, and 670°C, a peritectic at 51 mol% Li3AlF6, 42.5 Na3AlF6,65 A12O3, and 683°C, and a reaction point at 65 mol% Li3AlF6, 33 Na3AlF6, 2 A12O3, and 693°C. The 500°C ternary isothermal section contains one 2-phase and three 3-phase regions. The quaternary system contains seven compatibility tetrahedra at 500°C.
Effect of Control of Hyperglycemia on Plasma Insulin Responses to Various Stimuli in Newly Diagnosed Ketosis-Prone Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT The effect of prompt re-establishment of normoglycemia on insulin was examined in newly diagnosed, ketosis-prone diabetic patients. The patients were studied with an oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), a tolbutamide tolerance test (TTT), and a maximum insulin stimulation test (MIST) at the initiation of insulin treatment (mean fasting blood glucose = 268 ± 26 mg/100 ml), and again after control of hyperglycemia (mean fasting blood glucose = 142 ±: 13 mg/100 ml). Initially the patients' insulin responses to the three tests were absent or markedly below normal except for three patients' responses to tolbutamide. Glucose administration prior to control of hyperglycemia induced a mean insulin response which was only 6.7% of the normals' response. Treatment of hyperglycemia was followed by variable insulin responses. Three patients experienced a temporary remission of their diabetes and had insulin responses on the second GTT of 241%, 204%, and 82% of the normals' response. These patients also demonstr...
Equivalent Permittivity Tensor for Parallel Anisotropic Homogeneous Stratified Media

Abstract The equivalent permittivity tensor for a medium which consists of any number of parallel layers of arbitrary anisotropic homogeneous materials is calculated in the long wavelength limit. The formal results of the calculation are shown to be identical with the previous results obtained for the specialcase in which the system has a periodic structure. If the principal axes of the permittivity tensor in each successive layer have the same orientation, the expressions for the principal values of the equivalent permittivity tensor are similar to those for a number of capacitors in series or in parallel.
“Between Eye and Eye Stretches an Interminable Landscape”: The Challenge of Philosophical Hermeneutics:

While conducting phenomenological interviews on the experience of being a parent with children in school, the author comes to a deeper, more personal understanding of the tradition of philosophical hermeneutics. How people use language—the form, content, and context of the words they use, whether in their interviews, analytic memos, or theoretical writings—is crucial to how they understand. As such, language is always communicative, relational, interpretive, and dynamic. The challenge for interpretive researchers is incorporating in their understanding of a topic the physical, emotional, situational, and relational conditions within which communication and thus understanding occur. In a series of poems, the author provides an aesthetic account of some of those conditions.
Reactions of the Re(CO)3(H2O)3(+) synthon with monodentate ligands under aqueous conditions.

The reactions of ammonia, pyridine (py), N-methyl imidazole (N-MeIm), tetrahydrothiophene (tht), and piperidine (pip) with Re(CO)3(H2O)3 +, 1 + , were investigated employing aqueous conditions unde...
Preparing for a future in situ mission to Titan

It is becoming clear that any future mission to Titan will require the delivery and support of in situ elements to address high priority science questions raised by both the Cassini-Huygens mission and the international science community participating in recent NASA-ESA mission studies.1,2,3 The most recent studies have specifically identified the montgolfiere hot air balloon (Titan's rover) and lake lander as providing the highest value science return for future missions to Titan. Furthermore, results from science, technical, and management review of recent studies have focused current technical efforts on key areas for increasing the readiness of these in situ elements for launch. The purpose of this paper is to provide a technical overview of the Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) architecture and its elements and the progress and plans toward reducing risk and increasing readiness.
The medical home experience among children with sickle cell disease.

Background While a large body of research documents acute care services for children with sickle cell disease (SCD), little is known about the primary care experiences of this population. The goal of this study was to determine to what extent children with SCD experienced care consistent with a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Procedure We collected and analyzed data from 150 children, ages 1–17 years, who received care within a large children's hospital. The primary dependent variable was access to a PCMH or its four individual components (regular provider, comprehensive care, family-centered care, and coordinated care) as determined by parental report. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to investigate associations between socio-demographic variables and having access to a PCMH. Results Only 11% (16/150) of children qualified as having a PCMH, achieving the required thresholds in all four components. Approximately half of children had access to two or fewer components. Over 90% of children were reported to have a personal provider. Two-thirds of children had access to comprehensive care. Almost 60% of children were reported to receive family-centered care. Only 20% of children had access to coordinated care. No consistent associations were found between socio-demographic variables and having access to a PCMH or its individual components. Conclusions Within our study sample, children with SCD experienced multiple deficiencies in having access to a PCMH, particularly with respect to care coordination. However, further studies with larger samples are needed to determine associations between socio-demographic variables and having a PCMH. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:275–280. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prospective randomized evaluation of surgical resident proficiency with laparoscopic suturing after course instruction.

Background: Laparoscopic suturing is required to develop competency in advanced laparoscopy. Methods: Manuals detailing laparoscopic suturing were give to 17 Surgery residents. One week later they performed a suture on a training model. Time (s), accuracy (mm), and knot strength (lb) were recorded. The residents were blindly randomized to intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. The intervention residents attended a 60-min course with lecture, video, and individual proctoring. Two weeks later they performed a stitch with standard laparoscopic instruments and a stitch with a suturing assist device. Statistical analysis included a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: The intervention residents decreased their suturing time from the first to the second stitich (732.4–257.6s), the control and residents decreased their time from 500.2 s to 421.8 s. The time required to perform the second stitch showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.46), but the difference in reduced time between the first and second stitch was significant (p = 0.001). Using the suturing assist device for the third suture, the intervention and control groups both decreased their times significantly. The control residents performed almost as quickly as the intervention residents with the suturing; device (p = 0.11). Accuracy and knot strength were not different in any test. Conclusions: Residents can improve suturing skill with a short didactic course and individual proctoring. A suturing assist device decreases time required by inexperienced surgeons to device perform an intracorporeal tie.
Comorbid depression and heart rate variability as predictors of aggressive and hyperactive symptom responsiveness during inpatient treatment of conduct‐disordered, ADHD boys

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the utility of (1) comorbid depression and (2) parasympathetic influence on cardiac function as markers for treatment response among aggressive preadolescent males, Inpatient records of 53 patients with conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (17 with a comorbid depressive disorder) were examined, including an intake electrocardiogram and daily tallies of several indices of aggressive behavior across 3 weeks of stay, The relations of comorbid depression, heart rate variability, and residualized heart rate (primarily of sympathetic origin) to treatment response were assessed through analyses of linear growth functions, Significant vagal tone by diagnostic status interactions were obtained for both frequency and duration indices of aggression, whereby nondepressed patients with high vagal tone deteriorated and depressed patients with high vagal tone improved during hospitalization. No such relation was found for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, Patients in the comorbid group also exhibited greater heart rate variability than their nondepressed counterparts, Furthermore, residualized heart rate was predictive of maternal substance use and paternal incarcerations, These findings suggest complex relations among treatment response, comorbid depression, and emotion regulation in male preadolescents with severe behavior disorders, Additionally, the differendal prediction afforded by vagal tone and residualized heart rate underscores the importance of assessing both parasympathetic and sympathetic indites of cardiac function as distinct physiological markers.
THAWING NO PROBLEM FOR SUPERCOOL TURTLES

![Figure][1] In the world of stroke and heart disease research, it is understood that a great deal of the damage from ischemia (reduction in blood flow) is due not only to the lack of oxygen when blood flow is cut off but also results from the restoration of blood flow and oxygen to the
Some Factors Influencing Fire Spread Over Room Linings and in the Astm E-84 Tunnel Test

An examination of the correlative relationship between room fire intensity (temperature) and flammability data for materials, ASTM E–84 flame ratings and energy release rate from calorimertry devices is presented for fire spread on lings. The results of the analysis show the significance of two modes of flame spread—wind-aided and opposed-flow spread. The factors important in these spread modes are considered from approximate solutions developed for turbulent flow. As the importance of energy release rate to flame spread in the tunnel test (E–84) and in upward or wind-aided spread is illustrated. The results suggest a possible reason why the ASTM E–84 and in upward or wind-aided spread is illustrated. The results suggest a possible reason why the ASTM E–84 ratings may not be applicable to the performance of low-density combustible linings in wall fires. In the analyses, flame radiation has not been considered. Also the interpretation of energy release rate data for difference scale and orientation effects has been ignored. These two factors must ultimately be addressed.