cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infected Neuropathic Foot: Investigation

Early diagnosis and management of diabetes and neuropathy can aid in the prevention of ulcerations and amputations. Care is best delivered through a multidisciplinary approach. High risk patients should be identified during routine foot exams. Clinical diagnosis and valuable imaging modalities can assist with diagnosing infection, which should be treated appropriately and timely to achieve the most successful outcomes. Effective preventative interventions to avoid infection should include strict glycemic control, smoking cessation and vascular health, intensive podiatric care, offloading of high pressure locations, and debridement of wounds and calluses.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction caused by metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT We describe the rare case of a 61-year-old female with right ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction caused by metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Her past medical history was notable for cholangiocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and two orthotopic liver transplants six years earlier. Urology was consulted when she presented with flank pain and urinary tract infection. Diagnostic workup demonstrated right UPJ obstruction. She was managed acutely with percutaneous nephrostomy. She subsequently underwent robotic pyeloplasty and intrinsic obstruction of the UPJ was discovered. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma, consistent with systemic recurrence of the patient's known cholangiocarcinoma.
On the evaluation of quasi-periodic Green functions and wave-scattering at and around Rayleigh-Wood anomalies

Abstract This article presents full-spectrum, well-conditioned, Green-function methodologies for evaluation of scattering by general periodic structures, which remains applicable on a set of challenging singular configurations, usually called Rayleigh-Wood (RW) anomalies (at which the quasi-periodic Green function ceases to exist), where most existing quasi-periodic solvers break down. After reviewing a variety of existing fast-converging numerical procedures commonly used to compute the classical quasi-periodic Green-function, the present work explores the difficulties they present around RW-anomalies and introduces the concept of hybrid “spatial/spectral” representations. Such expressions allow both the modification of existing methods to obtain convergence at RW-anomalies as well as the application of a slight generalization of the Woodbury-Sherman-Morrison formulae together with a limiting procedure to bypass the singularities. (Although, for definiteness, the overall approach is applied to the scalar (acoustic) wave-scattering problem in the frequency domain, the approach can be extended in a straightforward manner to the harmonic Maxwell's and elasticity equations.) Ultimately, this thorough study of RW-anomalies yields fast and highly-accurate solvers, which are demonstrated with a variety of simulations of wave-scattering phenomena by arrays of particles, crossed impenetrable and penetrable diffraction gratings and other related structures. In particular, the methods developed in this article can be used to “upgrade” classical approaches, resulting in algorithms that are applicable throughout the spectrum, and it provides new methods for cases where previous approaches are either costly or fail altogether. In particular, it is suggested that the proposed shifted Green function approach may provide the only viable alternative for treatment of three-dimensional high-frequency configurations with either one or two directions of periodicity. A variety of computational examples are presented which demonstrate the flexibility of the overall approach.
The paediatric weight management office visit via telemedicine: pre- to post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Telemedicine is a powerful tool that erases many logistical barriers to care and may increase access. Due to the need for social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced in-person visits for clinical care. Providers, clinical staff and patients are pressed to acutely learn new skills and adapt clinical care through the use of telemedicine whilst administrators, policy makers and regulatory organizations make changes to existing policies to meet this national emergency. Our tertiary care, interdisciplinary paediatric weight management clinic began the use of telemedicine 5 years ago to bring access to an underserved, rural population at their primary care office, which has allowed our clinic to pivot seamlessly to in-home telemedicine visits during the pandemic. Telemedicine rules and regulations are rapidly changing to meet the COVID-19 national emergency, but many supports for new telemedicine providers are already in place. In this article, we provide an overview of telemedicine components, policies and regulations. We review the operationalization of our clinic's telemedicine visit prior to the pandemic. We discuss how telemedicine services are impacted by COVID-19 and key resources are provided. Finally, we reimagine telemedicine services post-pandemic to expand effective, coordinated health care, particularly for patients with chronic needs such as obesity.
Generation and enhancement mechanisms for extreme orographic rainfall associated with Typhoon Morakot (2009) over the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan

Abstract The generation and enhancement mechanisms and essential ingredients for the extreme rainfall associated with Typhoon Morakot (2009) passing over Taiwan's Central Mountain Range (CMR) were investigated by using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. First, we found that the extreme rainfall was due to the essential orographic rain ingredients: high precipitation efficiency, strong low-level jet, steep terrain, high moisture upstream, large convective system, and slower movement of the typhoon. Second, the Orographic Rain Index (ORI) proposed by Rostom (2015) was modified and tested by twelve (12) TC cases and found it has a good correlation with daily rainfall. Thus it can be used to help the prediction of extreme orographic TC rainfall. Third, we found there are two types of orographic rainfall mechanisms associated with Morakot, namely initiation and enhancement. These rainfall mechanisms may occur simultaneously at different locations, such as in northeast and southwest CMR. The orographic rain in the northeastern CMR was initiated by the high and steep CMR while the typhoon was still 200 km away. The rainfall was enhanced gradually and continually by the CMR when Morakot was approaching it, which produced a maximum rainfall of 265 mm/3 h starting at 1800 UTC August 7. The rain then decreased when the typhoon's eyewall structure and convection were damaged and weakened, respectively, when it invaded the high and steep CMR. Orographic rain was generated in the southwestern CMR initially when the conditionally unstable, southwesterly monsoonal flow impinged on the southern CMR. It was enhanced afterward by the merged monsoonal flow and Morakot's rainband leading to an extreme maximum rainfall of 311 mm/3 h starting 0000 UTC August 8. Later, this region of orographically enhanced TC rain moved northward along the western flank of the CMR. At last, we presented a conceptual model summarizing four key processes associated with the generation and enhancement of orographic TC rain over the southwest of CMR during the passage of typhoon Morakot (2009).
Comparative analysis of battery electric vehicle thermal management systems under long-range drive cycles

Abstract Due to increasing regulation on emissions and shifting consumer preferences, the wide adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEV) hinges on research and development of technologies that can extend system range. This can be accomplished either by increasing the battery size or via more efficient operation of the electrical and thermal systems. This study endeavours to accomplish the latter through comparative investigation of BEV integrated thermal management system (ITMS) performance across a range of ambient conditions (-20 °C to 40 °C), cabin setpoints (18 °C to 24 °C), and six different ITMS architectures. A dynamic ITMS modelling framework for a long-range electric vehicle is established with comprehensive sub models for the operation of the drive train, power electronics, battery, vapor compression cycle components, and cabin conditioning in a comprehensive transient thermal system modelling environment. A baseline thermal management system is studied using this modelling framework, as well as four common thermal management systems found in literature. This study is novel for its combination of comprehensive BEV characterization, broad parametric analysis, and the long range BEV that is studied. Additionally, a novel low-temperature waste heat recovery (LT WHR) system is proposed and has shown achieve up to a 15% range increase at low temperatures compared to the baseline system, through the reduction of the necessary cabin ventilation loading. While this system shows performance improvements, the regular WHR system offers the greatest benefit, a 13.5% increase in cold climate range, for long-range BEV drive cycles in terms of system range and transient response without the need for additional thermal system equipment.
The New Southern Gothic: Habeas Corpus, AEDPA, and the Nightmare of Proving Actual Innocence

Investigating the demise of the writ of habeas corpus under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA), this paper questions the callused lineage of cases upholding Title I of AEDPA and contends that states must take up a statutory method like Texas’s to review defendant’s claims of actual innocence to ensure that the legal system designed under the U.S. Constitution remains fair and just not only in theory, but in practice. Using imagery from the southern gothic genre, this paper also reveals that “the death belt” most adequately portrays the reality of the death penalty, as many appeals based on actual innocence originate from this area.
Complex Function Theory

Complex numbers Complex differentiation Linear-fractional transformations Elementary functions Power series Complex integration Core versions of Cauchy's theorem, and consequences Laurent series and isolated singularities Cauchy's theorem Further development of basic complex function theory Appendix 1: Sufficient condition for differentiability Appendix 2: Two instances of the chain rule Appendix 3: Groups, and linear-fractional transformations Appendix 4: Differentiation under the integral sign References Index.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders

On first meeting a hyperactive boy, you are likely to be charmed by his outgoing and enthusiastic nature. He looks and behaves like any other child and may even seem especially bright and responsive. It will often take some time to realize that there are serious problems. Some of these children have difficulty settling into or completing tasks and assignments, and they appear dreamy, distractible, and disorganized. Others are forever seeking and exploring, confronting their environments in ways that violate social conventions and place them in harm’s way. Often but not always, defiance and aggression are part of this behavioral brew. The current diagnostic term for this constellation of problems is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and the core characteristics are inattention, impulsivity, and excessive motor activity. The behavioral profiles are highly heterogeneous, however, and there is an ongoing search for subgroups that can be identified on the basis of characteristics, correlates, and course.
Fine structure of host-graft relationships between transplanted chromaffin cells and CNS

Our laboratory studies have shown that transplantation of adrenal medullary tissue or isolated chromaffin cells into central nervous system (CNS) pain modulatory regions (i.e., periaqueductal gray and subarachnoid lumbar spinal cord) can reduce pain sensitivity of rats in both acute and chronic pain. The analgesia produced by these transplants is thought to result from release of both opiate peptides and catecholamines. Morphologically, these animal studies also suggest that there is no development of tolerance over long periods of time, and the transplanted chromaffin cells appear to be robust and well integrated with the host tissue. In our initial clinical studies, where allografts of adrenal medullary tissue were transplanted intrathecally to relieve intractable cancer pain, patients obtained significant and long-lasting pain relief. Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of metenkephalin were correlated with the decreased pain scores. Histology of autopsy tissue obtained from two patients with 1 ...
Magnesium and Hypertension

Hypertension remains the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) affecting approximately one billion individuals worldwide [1]. More than 72 million Americans, or nearly one in three adults, are estimated to have high blood pressure (BP), but only 35 % reach goal BP control [2]. Nearly 70 million more adults are at risk of developing prehypertension, and 90 % of adults will probably develop high BP by age 65 [3]. Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), coronary heart disease (CHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Over the past several years, there has been little change in BP diagnostic thresholds, treatment targets, or in treatment approaches. Due to its high prevalence, hypertension remains the most common reason for visits to physician’s offices and the primary reason for prescription drug use.
Ablating N-acetylaspartate prevents leukodystrophy in a Canavan disease model

Canavan disease is caused by inactivating ASPA (aspartoacylase) mutations that prevent cleavage of N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA), resulting in marked elevations in central nervous system (CNS) NAA and progressively worsening leukodystrophy. We now report that ablating NAA synthesis by constitutive genetic disruption of Nat8l (N-acetyltransferase-8 like) permits normal CNS myelination and prevents leukodystrophy in a murine Canavan disease model.
Finite-temperature QCD at large N

The deconfining and chiral phase transitions of an $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ gauge theory are discussed at large $N$.
Computational Methods for Dynamic Stability and Control Derivatives

Force and moment measurements from an F-16XL during forced pitch oscillation tests result in dynamic stability derivatives, which are measured in combinations. Initial computational simulations of the motions and combined derivatives are attempted via a low-order, time-dependent panel method computational fluid dynamics code. The code dynamics are shown to be highly questionable for this application and the chosen configuration. However, three methods to computationally separate such combined dynamic stability derivatives are proposed. One of the separation techniques is demonstrated on the measured forced pitch oscillation data. Extensions of the separation techniques to yawing and rolling motions are discussed. In addition, the possibility of considering the angles of attack and sideslip state vector elements as distributed quantities, rather than point quantities, is introduced.
On information-theoretic metrics for symmetric-key encryption and privacy

Most practical security systems do not achieve perfect secrecy, i.e. the information observed by a computationally unbounded eavesdropper is not independent of the plaintext message. Nevertheless, there may still be properties of the plaintext that the eavesdropper cannot reliably infer. In this paper, we build on previous work by the authors and introduce new bounds that are used to quantify how well an adversary can estimate certain functions of the plaintext in the non-perfect secrecy regime. In particular, we present lower bounds for the minimum-mean-squared-error of estimating a target function of the plaintext given that a certain class of functions of the plaintext is known to be hard (or easy) to infer, either by design of the security system or by restrictions imposed on the adversary. We demonstrate how these bounds can be applied to characterize fundamental security properties of symmetric-key encryption schemes. Our results also shed light on the fundamental privacy-utility tradeoff that exists in privacy-preserving systems.
Determination of the exchange integral in binuclear iron-sulfur clusters in proteins of varying complexity.

Abstract The coupling constants J between the iron atoms in ferredoxin type iron-sulfur proteins containing binuclear clusters were evaluated by two parallel methods. The temperature dependence of the EPR linewidths and integrated absorption intensities are both related to the energy of the first excited state. The values of J obtained were: center S-1 in succinate dehydrogenase, 90 cm−1; Rieske's iron-sulfur center, 65 cm−1; adrenodoxin, 270 cm−1. The behavior of iron-sulfur center N-1a in NADH:UQ reductase was also examined; its similarity to that of center S-1 indicates that center N-1a is also a binuclear iron-sulfur center, with J = 90 cm −1 . Greater rhombic distortion present in the EPR spectrum of a binuclear cluster was associated with smaller values of J .
Heating of coronal plasma by anomalous current dissipation

We show that the observed high temperature and inhomogeneous structure of the solar corona, as well as the long-term spatial and temporal evolution of coronal features, is economically explained by in situ heating of the coronal plasma via anomalous current dissipation. The basic geometrical structure is a loop configuration heated by nearly field-aligned currents occupying a small fraction of the total loop volume. Energy is transferred from the turbulent convective zone and photosphere, where ..beta..> or approx. =1, into the low-..beta.. corona via the magnetic fields which link the two regimes. The coronal currents are generated initially by relaxation of emerging magnetic flux to the nearly force-free configuration, and subsequent quasi-steady deposition of energy is achieved via induction processes arising from the continual transfer of azimuthal flux to the corona and from direct generation of electric fields along the flux tube by subphotospheric changes in flux linkage. Laboratory experiments show that the current filamentation necessary for this model can occur if the effective resistivity and radiative losses are strongly temperature dependent, as is the case in the solar corona. As a result, local temperature increases lead, via a regenerative process, to further temperature enhancement; the relative ineffectiveness of cross-field thermalmore » trnasport leads to well-localized channels of current flow.« less
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery is More Favorable Than Thoracotomy for Resection of Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background Lobectomy for patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be performed by thoracotomy or by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We compared the operative characteristics and postoperative course for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC who underwent lobectomy by VATS or thoracotomy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients undergoing lobectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC from January 1, 1998, through June 30, 2005. Results We performed 147 lobectomies (88 thoracotomy, 59 VATS) in 147 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC. Patient demographics were similar between groups; however, VATS patients had more hypertension ( p = 0.0114), chronic renal insufficiency ( p = 0.0479), and previous malignancies ( p = 0.0086). The two groups did not differ in pathologic stage, tumor size, histologic results, or number of positive nodes. More total nodes were identified in thoracotomy patients ( p = 0.0001), and they had a shorter intensive care unit stay ( p = 0.0224). VATS patients had significantly less postoperative pneumonia ( p = 0.0023). VATS patients trended toward fewer chest tube days and a shorter hospital length of stay. The two groups did not differ in operative time, blood loss, atrial fibrillation, or number of ventilator days. Median survival between the cohorts was similar (>7.9 years thoracotomy versus >4.6 years VATS, log-rank p = 0.6939). Conclusions Patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC, despite having more comorbidities, had fewer postoperative complications. The approaches are equivalent in operative time, blood loss, length of stay, and survival rate. Compared with thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy for patients with clinical stage I NSCLC appears to be a less morbid operation.
The source of solar high-frequency acoustic modes: Theoretical expectations

The source exciting the solar p-modes is likely to be acoustic noise generated in the top part of the sun's convection zone. If so, then simple arguments suggest that most of the emitted energy may come from rare localized events that are well separated from one another in space and time. This note describes the acoustic emission that would be expected from such events, based on a ray-theory analysis. Most of the acoustic energy is found to emerge very close to the source, so that observations to identify emission events will require high spatial resolution.
Union Wage Policy and the Supply of Labor

I. Introduction, 237. — II. The union's "optimum" wage rate, 239. — III. Absorption of unemployment: backward-rising supply curve of man-hours, 244. — IV. Maximization by unions and business firms, 250.
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing and proteome expansion in metazoans

The protein coding sequences of most eukaryotic messenger RNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) are interrupted by non-coding sequences called introns. Pre-mRNA splicing is the process by which introns are removed and the protein coding elements assembled into mature mRNAs. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing selectively joins different protein coding elements to form mRNAs that encode proteins with distinct functions, and is therefore an important source of protein diversity. The elaboration of this mechanism may have had a significant role in the expansion of metazoan proteomes during evolution.
Cerebral cortical ganglioside and glycoprotein metabolism in immature hypothyroidism.

Summary The concentration and metabolic activity of cerebral gangliosides and glycoproteins was studied in developing hypothyroid rats in an attempt to characterize the molecular basis of the cerebral dysfunction associated with thyroid hormone deficiency during infancy. Neonatal hypothyroidism had no effect on the concentration of cerebral ganglioside and glycoprotein N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) at 19 days of age. In addition, the relative distribution of the 4 major gangliosides was essentially normal in hypothyroidism. The concetration of myelin-associated glycolipids (cerebrosides and sulfatides), however, was markedly depressed in thyroid hormone-deficient rats, indicating a deficiency in myelinogenesis. In normal rats the kinetics of incorporation of [1−14C] glucosamine in vivo into brain gangliosides (counts/min/μole NANA ) was considerably different from that in the lipid-free protein containing glycoprotein. Hypothyroidism produced a striking increase in the radioactivity associated with both gangliosides and lipid-free protein and their constituent monosaccharides although the pattern of incorporation was similar to controls. The results suggest that the enhanced incorporation of isotopic glucosamine into cerebral gangliosides and glycoproteins is a manifestation of the retarded development of the immature hypothyroid brain.
The Conventional Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Receptor Type I Is Not Required for TGF-β1 Signaling in a Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line, LNCaP

Abstract LNCaP is an androgen-responsive human prostate cancer cell line that has a defective gene for ALK-5, the conventional TGF-β receptor type I. Yet, these cells respond to exogenous TGF-β1 under appropriate concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Because a heteromeric complex composed of type I and type II receptor is required for TGF-β signaling, the expression of these receptors was investigated in LNCaP cells at following concentrations of DHT—0, 0.1, and 100 nM. These concentrations were selected because they represent the zero DHT control in which LNCaP cells are not sensitive to TGF-β1, the proliferative dose of DHT in which these cells are sensitive to exogenous TGF-β1, and the growth-arrest dose of DHT in which LNCaP exhibits signs of TGF-β signaling but are insensitive to exogenous TGF-β1, respectively. Results of Western blot analysis showed that LNCaP cells express an increased level of type II receptor at 0.1 nM DHT, the TGF-β1-sensitive dose. However, results of competitive quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that DHT did not significantly change the level of type II receptor mRNA, suggesting that DHT modulates the level of type II receptor at the posttranscriptional level. In contrast, ALK-5 was not detected in these cells by either Western blot analysis or RT-PCR at all concentrations of DHT used in this study. Subsequently, the expression of ALK-1, -2, and -4 in LNCaP cells was examined because these proteins have been shown to bind TGF-β1in vitro.ALK-1 and -2 were detected in these cells. Further analysis by competitive quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot demonstrated that DHT did not affect the level of expression of ALK-1 and -2 in LNCaP cells. These observations, taken together, demonstrate that ALK-5 is not required for TGF-β1 signaling and that there may be alternative mechanism(s) for TGF-β1 signal transduction in some systems.
Hand recognition by wavelet transforms and neural networks

A new approach to human hand recognition is presented. It combines concepts from image segmentation, contour representation, wavelet transforms, and neural networks. With this approach, people are distinguished by their hands. After obtaining a person's hand contour, each finger of the hand is located and separated based on its points of sharp curvature. A two dimensional (2-D) finger contour is then mapped to a one dimensional (1-D) functional representation of the boundary called a finger signature. The wavelet transform then decomposes the finger signature signal into lower resolutions retaining the most significant features. The energy at each stage of the decomposition is calculated to extract the features of each finger. A three layer artificial neural network with back propagation training is employed to measure the performance of the wavelet transform. A database consisting of five hand images obtained from twenty-eight different people is used in the experiment. Three of the images are used for training the neural network. The other two are used for testing the algorithm. Results presented illustrate high accuracy human recognition using this scheme.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and indomethacin on neonatal lamb mesenteric and renal artery responses to electrical stimulation and norepinephrine

The effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and indomethacin on isolated neonatal lamb mesenteric and renal artery responses to electrical stimulation and injected norepinephrine were investigated. PGI2 (1 micro M) decreased baseline tension and significantly reduced vasoconstrictor responses to electrical stimulation and norepinephrine. Indomethacin raised baseline tension and potentiated the constrictor responses. PGI2 reversed completely the potentiating effects of indomethacin. These results suggest that PGI2 may modulate the response to adrenergic stimuli in the mesenteric and renal arteries of neonatal lambs.
In-Vitro Adsorption of Cholate Anion at pH 7.5 by Aluminum Hydroxide

AbstractThe in-vitro adsorptive capacities of aluminum hydroxide gel, dried aluminum hydroxide gel, and boehmite for cholate anion were determined at pH 7.5, 37°C and compared to cholestyramine. The adsorptive capacity of aluminum hydroxide gel was similar to cholestyramine. However, spray drying reduced the adsorptive capacity by approximately 50%. Boehmite, a crystalline aluminum oxyhydroxide, had an adsorptive capacity similar to dried aluminum hydroxide gel. The results support the hypothesis that adsorption of bile salts contributes to the constipation which is sometimes associated with aluminum hydroxide therapy.
Internal mammary artery for arterial pressure monitoring after pediatric cardiac operations

Establishing and maintaining arterial access in pediatric cardiac operations is a frequent and sometimes frustrating problem. We have modified a procedure commonly used in our research laboratory for arterial pressure monitoring and applied it successfully to the pediatric cardiac surgical patient. The internal mammary artery can provide reliable arterial access in the postoperative period.
Hyperspectral applications in wetland characterization

ABSTRACT Despite the considerable slowdown of wetlands loss in conterminous U.S., management of these valuable resources continues to be an area of interest for environmental professionals. The development of remote sensing technologies, particularly hyperspectral, offers an alternative for ecological and functional assessment of these sites. Extensive hyperspectral data image collected from the various sensor types can be analyzed by discriminatory techniques for reflectance analysis. Although data processing can become tedious, it enables scientists to target the various inherited characteristics of large wetland areas such as vegetative species and habitats. This information can be applied to determine the health and functionality of the nations wetlands for means of wetland characterization, assessment, management and possible restorative efforts to bring a consistent and fundamental change on how these are managed today. Keywords: hyperspectral, wetlands, remote sensing, habitats, environmental monitoring, ecosystems. 1. BACKGROUND
Production of a recombinant version of a Heligmosomoides polygyrus antigen that is preferentially recognized by resistant mouse strains.

Summary Protective immunity to the mouse nematode parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, has been characterized and found to be composed of the Th2 type. However, many inbred mouse strains cannot produce this protective immune response during a primary infection. A possible reason for this lack of protection in poor responding strains could be due to lack of recognition of specific protective antigens by these strains. Recently, evidence suggests that specific antigens exist that are only recognized by fast responding strains during a primary infection. Using monoclonal antibodies to screen an H. polygyrus cDNA library enabled the production of a recombinant protein, 3A4, which is antigenically similar to those found in the excretory/secretory antigens (E/S) of both L4 and adult parasites. Protein 3A4 shares approximately 70% sequence homology with an E/S protein that induces protection to Trichostrongylus colubriformis in guinea-pigs. Antibodies that bind to 3A4 are preferentially produced in SWR compared to BALB/c mice following immunization with L4 homogenate, although both strains of mice were able to produce comparable levels of specific antibodies after immunization with 3A4 protein. It is believed that 3A4 may have considerable importance in dissecting out the nature of the immune response to H. polygyrus infection, particularly in mouse strains of differing response phenotype.
Lactation leucopenia in rats on purified diets

SummaryAdult stock rats maintained on stock diets show no changes in the white blood cells during the 3-week lactation period. Maintenance on a purified diet during the same period results in a marked leucopenia and granulocytopenia by the twenty-first day. Daily supplements of brewers′ yeast or liver extract result in improvement but not entire prevention of the blood dyscrasia.
The damaging effects of short chain fatty acids on Escherichia coli membranes

Carboxylic acids are an attractive biorenewable chemical. However, like many other fermentatively produced compounds, they are inhibitory to the biocatalyst. An understanding of the mechanism of toxicity can aid in mitigating this problem. Here, we show that hexanoic and octanoic acids are completely inhibitory to Escherichia coli MG1655 in minimal medium at a concentration of 40 mM, while decanoic acid was inhibitory at 20 mM. This growth inhibition is pH-dependent and is accompanied by a significant change in the fluorescence polarization (fluidity) and integrity. This inhibition and sensitivity to membrane fluidization, but not to damage of membrane integrity, can be at least partially mitigated during short-term adaptation to octanoic acid. This short-term adaptation was accompanied by a change in membrane lipid composition and a decrease in cell surface hydrophobicity. Specifically, the saturated/unsaturated lipid ratio decreased and the average lipid length increased. A fatty acid-producing strain exhibited an increase in membrane leakage as the product titer increased, but no change in membrane fluidity. These results highlight the importance of the cell membrane as a target for future metabolic engineering efforts for enabling resistance and tolerance of desirable biorenewable compounds, such as carboxylic acids. Knowledge of these effects can help in the engineering of robust biocatalysts for biorenewable chemicals production.
Development of a Cellularly Degradable PEG Hydrogel to Promote Articular Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Deposition

Healing articular cartilage remains a significant clinical challenge because of its limited self-healing capacity. While delivery of autologous chondrocytes to cartilage defects has received growing interest, combining cell-based therapies with scaffolds that capture aspects of native tissue and promote cell-mediated remodeling could improve outcomes. Currently, scaffold-based therapies with encapsulated chondrocytes permit matrix production; however, resorption of the scaffold does not match the rate of production by cells leading to generally low extracellular matrix outputs. Here, a poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) norbornene hydrogel is functionalized with thiolated transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and cross-linked by an MMP-degradable peptide. Chondrocytes are co-encapsulated with a smaller population of mesenchymal stem cells, with the goal of stimulating matrix production and increasing bulk mechanical properties of the scaffold. The co-encapsulated cells cleave the MMP-degradable target sequence more readily than either cell population alone. Relative to non-degradable gels, cellularly degraded materials show significantly increased glycosaminoglycan and collagen deposition over just 14 d of culture, while maintaining high levels of viability and producing a more widely-distributed matrix. These results indicate the potential of an enzymatically degradable, peptide-functionalized PEG hydrogel to locally influence and promote cartilage matrix production over a short period. Scaffolds that permit cell-mediated remodeling may be useful in designing treatment options for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Carbon nanotube, graphene and atomic wires as next generation interconnects: current status and future promise

Carbon based metal wires such as carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nano ribbon (GNR) attracted much attention for possible applications as future interconnects. In particular, both CNTs and GNRs have long electron mean free path (~ µ), high carrier mobility (105 cm2/V s) and excellent mechanical (tensile strength ~ 100 GPa) and high thermal conductivities (300 W/m K) and have shown great promise for integration with existing CMOS technology. The current carrying capacity of both CNT and GNR are remarkable: (1010 A/cm2) about four orders of magnitude higher than copper even at ~1nm diameter. While both CNT and GNR share some common functionality such as high current carrying capacity they have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, while CNT could be relatively produced in bulk quantities particularly using CVD and chemical route while large scale production of GNR is still not possible. In contrast, due to planar nature GNR could be produced using lithography techniques down to 10's of nm.In addition to pristine carbon based conductors, functionalized CNT and GNR provide a new and interesting approach to enhance their electrical performance. Metal decorated CNT, metal intercalated GNR and/or chemically functionalized carbon based wires are few examples. These solutions are new class of examples that may provide superior performance and could integrate into existing CMOS technology better.In spite of these promises, there are many challenges remain before either of these new solutions become viable. These problems arise from intrinsic nature of size effect: quantum effects such as discrete energy levels, modified e-ph coupling becomes severe at nanoscale and these issues appear (or will appear) in all the emerging interconnect solutions e. g. CNT, GNR, single crystal metallic wires (atomic wires) including copper at nanoscale. Carrier transport at nanoscale other wisely known as "quantum transport" -- both theoretical and experimental are beginning to provide answers to some of these questions but much more work needed in these directions. For example, (1) how both static and dynamic resistances change from pristine (suspended) wires to when deposited on dielectrics (2) how different dielectrics affect wire's electrical characteristics (e. g. RC delay etc) (3) what kind of bonding and stability wires have with underlying substrate (4) which of the two (CNT vs GNR vs atomic wires) have superior performance as interconnects when deposited in dielectrics. (5) what kind of power requirement one needs to meet? (6) what type of packaging and thermal constraints one have to deal with?These issues need to be addressed in a fundamental and predictive way: indeed combining large scale quantum simulations with compact and circuit level modeling in combination with state of the experiments may provide much needed pathway for next generation interconnects.
Reply to “Comment on `Ab initio studies of (H2O)14− clusters: Existence of surface- and interior-bound extra electrons'” [J. Chem. Phys. 125, 024307 (2006)]

In the foregoing Comment [Sommerfeld[J. Chem. Phys.125, 024307 (2006)] suggests that the computational results presented in the above referenced paper does not support the conclusion of the paper regarding the prevalence of both surface- and interior-bound electron states for (H2O)14− clusters in experiments. Herein, the author presents the method used in the selection of clusters and provide experimental results that are consistent with the findings of the paper.
A Humean approach to assessing the moral significance of ultra-violent video games

Although the word empathy only recently came into existence, eighteenth century philosopher, David Hume, significantly contributed to our current understanding of the term. Hume was among the first to suggest that an empathic mechanism is the central means by which we make ethical judgments and glean moral knowledge. In this paper, I explore Hume's moral sentimentalism, and I argue that his conception of empathy provides a surprisingly apposite framework for interpreting and addressing a current issue in practical ethics: the moral significance of ultra-violent video games. Ultimately, I attempt to show that a Humean account of morality uniquely explains the dangers of ultra-violent video gaming by elucidating a direct connection between playing such games and moral harm.
THE POSTCOMMISSUROTOMY (POSTPERICARDIOTOMY) SYNDROME.

Abstract The term “postcommissurotomy” syndrome should be discarded and permanently replaced with the more accurate description, “postpericardiotomy” syndrome. The clinical expression of this entity appears to be identical with the various forms of traumatic pericarditis reported in the past. The postpericardiotomy syndrome is described in 10 to 40 per cent of patients following commissurotomy for acquired valvular stenosis, and in 30 per cent of 100 consecutive survivors following open heart surgery for repair of atrial and ventricular septal defects and the relief of pulmonic and aortic stenosis. The clinical picture is one of recurrent fever and retrosternal pain described as dull or, more commonly, knifelike or stabbing, and in most patients a pericardial friction rub. The electrocardiogram often suggests pericardial changes that may disappear during periods of remission. They may also persist for weeks following resolution of the syndrome. The cardiac silhouette on x-ray examination is generally enlarged. The postpericardiotomy syndrome is a benign illness with an excellent prognosis. Therapy, for the most part, is supportive although in certain instances corticosteroids are used.
Characteristics Analysis and Simulation of Self-Excited Single-Phase Induction Generator

This paper presents steady-state characteristics analysis of a self-excited single-phase induction generator (SPIG) which supplies an isolated load. The self-regulated characteristics of a SPIG by connecting external capacitors are examined. The system consisting of both shunt and series capacitors in short shunt and long shunt connections to improve voltage regulation of SPIG has been analyzed. Based on two-phase symmetrical components equivalent circuit model, a fast iterative approach to simulate the operated state of a SPIG is developed. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the approach has been tested on a practical motor-driven SPIG. Very close agreement between experimental and simulated results has been obtained.
Several Conserved Positively Charged Amino Acids in OATP1B1 are Involved in Binding or Translocation of Different Substrates

OATP1B1 and 1B3 are related transporters mediating uptake of numerous compounds into hepatocytes. A putative model of OATP1B3 with a “positive binding pocket” containing conserved positively charged amino acids was predicted (Meier-Abt et al. J Membr Biol 208:213–227, 2005). Based on this model, we tested the hypothesis that these positive amino acids are important for OATP1B1 function. We made mutants and measured surface expression and uptake of estradiol-17β-glucuronide, estrone-3-sulfate and bromosulfophthalein in HEK293 cells. Two of the mutants had low surface expression levels: R181K at 10% and R580A at 30% of wild-type OATP1B1. A lysine at position 580 (R580K) rescued the expression of R580A. Mutations of several amino acids resulted in substrate-dependent effects. The largest changes were seen for estradiol-17β-glucuronide, while estrone-3-sulfate and bromosulfophthalein transport were less affected. The wild-type OATP1B1 K m value for estradiol-17β-glucuronide of 5.35 ± 0.54 μM was increased by R57A to 30.5 ± 3.64 μM and decreased by R580K to 0.52 ± 0.18 μM. For estrone-3-sulfate the wild-type high-affinity K m value of 0.55 ± 0.12 μM was increased by K361R to 1.8 ± 0.47 μM and decreased by R580K to 0.1 ± 0.04 μM. In addition, R580K reduced the V max values for all three substrates to <25% of wild-type OATP1B1. Mutations at intracellular K90, H92 and R93 mainly affected V max values for estradiol-17β-glucuronide uptake. In conclusion, the conserved amino acids R57, K361 and R580 seem to be part of the substrate binding sites and/or translocation pathways in OATP1B1.
Estimation of in situ viscoelastic parameters of weak floor strata by plate-loading tests

This paper explores an approach to estimation of the viscoelastic parameters of weak floor strata using plate-loading tests. Mathematical equations are derived to describe deformation-time history for the standard Burgers model under three-dimensional stress-strain conditions, which are verified with a finite element model. A number of time-dependent in-mine plate-loading tests were conducted and the values of the viscoelastic parameters were estimated based on the derived equation. It is shown that large discrepancies between the parameter values estimated from the plate-loading tests and those acquired from the in-mine convergence data are the results of neglecting adjacent pillar interaction. Finite element modelling was conducted to investigate the effects of adjacent pillar interactions upon the pillar settlement. Based on the finite element analyses, a correction curve was developed to adjust the viscoelastic parameter values to take into account the interaction between adjacent pillars. With the correction, the parameter values estimated from the plate-loading tests compared favourably with those acquired from the in-mine convergence results.
Stability of distributed parameter systems with finite-dimensional controller-compensators using singular perturbations

Abstract Using a singular perturbation formulation of the linear time-invariant distributed parameter system, we develop a method to design finite-dimensional feedback compensators of any fixed order which will stabilize the infinite-dimensional distributed parameter system. The synthesis conditions are given entirely in terms of a finite-dimensional reduced-order model; the stability results depend on an infinite-dimensional version of the Klimushchev-Krasovskii lemma presented here.
Pneumatosis intestinalis in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa

Necrotizing enterocolitis of the small bowel in polyarteritis nodosa is rare. In the proper clinical setting, pneumatosis intestinalis and mesenteric air are characteristic of this entity.
Relationships among pain and depressive and anxiety symptoms in clinical trials of pregabalin in fibromyalgia

Background Fibromyalgia, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology, is characterized by widespread pain lasting for at least 3 months, with pain in at least 11 out of 18 tender points when palpated with digital pressure. Objective The authors investigated the relationship between changes in pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression, using data from pregabalin clinical trials. Method Results from three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of pregabalin monotherapy in fibromyalgia (8–14 weeks) were pooled, and baseline to end-point changes in pain and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were analyzed. Path-analysis evaluated the association between improvements in anxiety and depression and pain relief. Results Baseline HADS scores indicated moderate-to-severe anxiety in 38% of patients and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in 27%. The improvement in pain was not related to baseline levels of anxiety or depression. The correlation between changes in pain and depressive or anxiety symptoms was low-to-moderate. Pathanalysis showed that most of the pain relief observed with pregabalin treatment was a direct analgesic effect and was not explained by improvement in mood. Conclusion Response to treatment of pain in the pregabalin trials did not depend on baseline levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, and pregabalin improved pain in fibromyalgia patients with or without depressive or anxiety symptoms. Changes in the level of anxiety or depression had a low-tomoderate impact on pain reduction. Pain reduction with pregabalin treatment appeared to result mostly from a direct treatment effect, rather than an indirect effect mediated through improvement in anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Infrared reflection-absorption study of the adsorbate-substrate stretch of CO on Pt(111)

Abstract We report an infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) study of the coverage and temperature dependence of the Pt-CO stretch of CO adsorbed at on-top sites of Pt(111). At 80 K we observe the band at 474 cm−1 at the lowest coverage, a maximum frequency of 478 cm−1 at 0.19 monolayer which then decreases to 466 cm−1 at 0.55 monolayer. The line widths show a sudden increase near θ = 0.3 which is associated with the onset of bridge site occupancy. We also obtained the temperature dependence of the Pt-CO stretch for coverages of 0.19 and 0.50 monolayer. The approximately quadratic dependence of the full width on temperature (FWHM varying between 3 cm−1 at 80 K and 11 cm−1 at 350 K) is compared to a vibrational energy decay mechanism via excitation of three substrate phonons and a reasonably good agreement is found.