cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The importance of increased interatrial septal thickness in patients with atrial fibrillation: a transesophageal echocardiographic study.

Background: Histological studies in animal models have showed that extensive atrial fibrosis or fatty deposition as a result of loss of atrial cardiomyocytes increases the propensity to develop atrial fibrillation (AF). Although several reports have suggested that AF in humans may be a consequence of these mechanisms, no study has correlated the presence of AF with interatrial septal thickness (IAST). Methods: Accordingly, we conducted a prospective analysis in 150 consecutive patients referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for numerous medical reasons. A total of 105 patients (mean age 62 ± 14 years) who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were included for analysis. Pertinent demographics, echocardiographic chamber dimensions, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), color flow, and spectral Doppler analysis, as well as IAST measured in both systole (S) and diastole (D) were obtained. Results: When patients with a documented history of AF were compared to patients without documented AF, no statistical difference was noted in terms of patients’ height, weight, IVS thickness, or LVEF. Patients with AF had a significantly larger left and right atrial dimensions (P < 0.001), lower left atrial appendage emptying velocities (P < 0.002), and pulmonary vein systolic Doppler signal (P < 0.01). The IAST in systole in patients with AF was 0.75 ± 0.27 cm versus 0.60 ± 0.16 cm in patients without AF (P < 0.006) while the IAST in diastole was 0.61 ± 0.22 cm versus 0.49 ± 0.12 cm, respectively (P < 0.009). However, no statistical difference was noted between IAST in either systole (P < 0.8) or diastole (P < 0.8) among patients with AF based on the duration of this arrhythmia. Conclusions: The results of this prospective TEE study show a statistically significant increase in IAST with the presence of AF independent of patient's age, height, weight, and the degree of IVS thickness. In addition, since no significant valvular abnormalities or compromise in left ventricular systolic function were present, the increase in IAST in patients with AF then suggest possible changes in the material properties of the atrial wall, easily identified by TEE on the interatrial septum, either as a cause or as a result of AF. Since no correlation was found between the degree of IAST and the duration of AF, the presence of IAST not only might identify patients with a higher propensity to have or develop this atrial arrhythmia; but also be a surrogate marker of changes within the components of the atrial wall in AF.
Scaling and regge behavior in hadron scattering

Requiringa) the compatibility of scaling and Regge behavior in the kinematic region in which they both apply, andb) certain analyticity properties, we obtain in the context of the quark model a simple expression for the angular distribution of high-energy scattering. This expression is found to agree with experiment.
Analysis of acquired human cytomegalovirus infections by polymerase chain reaction.

We used the polymerase chain reaction and primers corresponding to three regions of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome to study HCMVs isolated from 16 children attending a single day-care center and the father of two children in the same center. When we analyzed isolates with primers for the pp65 and major immediate-early genes, we observed nearly uniform amplification yielding products of predicted sizes. By contrast, primers for the a sequence demonstrated variability among HCMV strains, supporting the use of these primers as an epidemiologic tool. Analysis of a-sequence products from two isolates demonstrated 50 to 70% nucleotide homology with the a sequence of HCMV Towne strain DNA. We observed 95% nucleotide homology for the two a-sequence products derived from the father-child pair. Analysis of day-care center isolates indicated that two children excreted two distinct HCMV strains during the study interval. Images
On the performance of BWT sorting algorithms

In recent years lossless text compression based on the Burrows-Wheeler transform (BWT) has grown popular. The expensive activity during compression is sorting of all the rotations of the block of data to compress. Burrows and Wheeler (1994) describe an efficient implementation of rotation sorting but give little analysis of its performance. This paper addresses that need. We present the base algorithm using a more formal framework, describe two important optimisations not present in the original paper, and measure performance of the variants on a set of 14 files. For completeness, a tuned implementation of Sadakane's (1998) sorting algorithm was also tested. Merely measuring running times gives poor insight into the finer aspects of performance on contemporary machine architectures. We report measurements of instruction counts and cache misses for the algorithms giving a clearer picture of which variants perform well, and why.
Axiomatic semantics of a hardware specification language

Formal hardware design verification is to examine whether a structural specification of a circuit meets its behavioral specification. Despite the progress in formal verification, there is a big gap between hardware designers and verifiers, partially because there are no common specification languages for them to use. The authors show that formal semantics could bridge such a gap. By providing an axiomatic semantics to an existing hardware design language called the Iowa logic specification language (ILSL), the authors show that a circuit description in ILSL can be automatically converted into a set of first-order formulas which is the semantic description of the circuit and is acceptable by an existing theorem prover called the rewrite rule laboratory (RRL). In particular, they show how iterative statements of ILSL are converted into recursive functions of RLL. Their work thus results in a uniform specification language in which both hardware design and automatic verification can be done. >
Antimicrobial Properties of Raisins in Beef Jerky Preservation

: Fruits and vegetables may contain components that exert antimicrobial effects. In this study, beef jerky formulated with 15% raisins produced conditions inhibitory to pathogenic bacteria by decreasing pH to 5.4 and aw to 0.64. Storage of vacuum-packaged raisin-beef-jerky (10-wk; 30 °C) resulted in a further decrease to pH 4.5 and aw to 0.62. The antioxidant potential was increased by over 600%. The product received favorable sensory ratings for appearance, texture, and flavor, comparable to the non-raisin control. Raisins in ready-to-eat meats such as jerky produce a lower fat, higher fiber product with antimicrobial capability and increased antioxidant potential, thereby providing a potentially safer, healthier alternative to traditional meat snacks.
Magnetic-field anomalies in the lunar wake.

The interplanetary magnetic field is only slightly perturbed by the presence of the moon in the solar wind flow. A statistical study of umbral increases and of penumbral variations was conducted with respect to variation in the solar wind plasma value beta, the distance from the moon, and the selenographic longitude of the limb regions of the lunar surface in the solar wind flow. All lunar wake anomalies show a strong positive correlation with the plasma value beta, while only penumbral increases show a marked variation with distance from the moon. There is no clear correlation of penumbral anomaly occurrence with selenographic longitude of the exposed lunar limb in the solar wind flow.
Tympanic Versus Rectal Thermometry in Pregnant Women

Objective: thermometer for use with pregnant women. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: Participants: Thirty-three hospitalized, afebrile pregnant women. Main outcome measures: and glass mercury thermometers were used to measure body temperature at the ear and rectum, respectively. The results were compared using two statistical methods: the Pearson correlation coefficient and a new technique suggested by Bland and Altman (1986). Results: Auditory canal temperature measured by a tympanic membrane thermometer correlated with rectal temperature as measured by a glass mercury thermometer (r = 0.38,p = 0.01). Thus, the tympanic membrane thermometer is acceptable for monitoring the body temperature of pregnant women. However, the device’s estimation of rectal temperature is not clinically reliable. Conclusions: Tympanic membrane thermometers, when applied with direct measures, are acceptable for use with pregnant women. It is not recommended that the rectal estimate mode be used with pregnant women. To assess the accuracy of the tympanic membrane
Effects of maternal immobilization stress on birth weight and glucose homeostasis in the offspring

Recent epidemiological studies have shown strong associations between low birth weight and the incidence of diabetes in the adult offspring. It has been hypothesized that exposure to maternal glucocorticoids programs cellular changes in the fetus which increases the susceptibility of the offspring to diabetes. Stressors produces large increases in maternal glucocorticoids. The present study determined the effects of immobilization stress during weeks one, two or three of pregnancy on offspring birth weight, glucose homeostasis, and the ability of the offspring to cope with metabolic stress. Immobilization stress produced large increases in maternal levels of ACTH and corticosterone, but did not affect birth weight of the pups. Chronic administration of high fructose diet, a metabolic stressor, to 60 days old control and prenatally stressed offspring produced large increases in plasma levels of triglyceride and insulin. However, there were no differences between the groups either in peak levels, or in the rates of increase and decrease (upon discontinuation of the diet) of plasma triglyceride and insulin concentrations. Basal levels of glucose and insulin, and areas under the glucose and insulin plasma concentration-time curves after an i.p. glucose dose were similar between 120 days old control and prenatally stressed offspring. These results suggest that in young adult rats prenatal immobilization stress did not affect glucose homeostasis or the ability of these rats to cope with chronic metabolic stress.
Counter Fictions and Imaginary Topographies: Auto/Biographical Methodologies and the Construction of Group Knowledge in Evelyn Shakir’s Bint Arab: Arab and Arab American Women in the United States

In this contribution, I identify two of Evelyn Shakir’s methodological contributions in Bint Arab: Arab and Arab American Women in the United States: counter fictions and imaginary topographies. First, I demonstrate how Shakir’s counter fictions complicate Nancy Hartsock’s (1997) argument that group knowledge is locatable in time, space and particular cultures. Second, I explore how Shakir’s imaginary topographies which are depicted through an autobiographical narrative voice—an intergenerational interlocutor—document movements between multiple voices and various actual and imagined locations. Shakir’s methodologies make important contributions to our understanding of Arab women’s diasporic experiences, feminist standpoint theory and women of color feminisms. Moreover, Shakir’s multivocal interdisciplinary narratives establish methodological parameters for the emerging field of Arab American Women’s Studies.
Impact of standardization of creatinine methodology on the assessment of glomerular filtration rate in children

There is a global effort to standardize clinical laboratory serum creatinine measurements to the reference method of isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Creatinine values in serum and urine are frequently used in children to calculate creatinine clearance (mCrCl) or estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Schwartz's equation (eGFR). The original normative data of mCrCl and eGFR were developed using Jaffe method. To investigate what impact the differences in methodologies of creatinine analysis will have on mCrCl and eGFR, we measured creatinine in random serum and urine samples by three commercially available assays: Jaffe (J), enzymatic (E) and enzymatic method traceable to IDMS (E-IDMS). There was a significant bias in the two enzymatic methods when compared with J method. The theoretical predicted errors in overestimating mCrCl ranged from 1.10 to 1.34 by E and 1.20 to 1.54 by E-IDMS; and in calculating eGFR 1.07-1.16 by E and 1.30-1.46 by E-IDMS, which was further confirmed in children who had formal GFR evaluation. Thus, as the clinical laboratories calibrate their creatinine assays to the gold standard IDMS method, it is important for the pediatric nephrology community to develop new equations for estimation of GFR based on the new creatinine assay.
Redistribution of cardiac output in response to heating in Iguana iguana

Abstract 1. 1. In Iguana iguana and Tupinambis nigropunctatus heating resulted in lower arterial-venous oxygen differences than were seen in controls at a similar temperature. Oxygen pulse values changed in a similar manner. 2. 2. Ventricular systemic output increased as much as 2.3 times during heatigg when compared with values during non-heating, control conditions. 3. 3. In three iguanas right-to-left shunting or bypassing the pulmonary circuit in response to heating averaged 20.3 per cent of ventricular systemic output. In one tegu it averaged 8.3 per cent. 4. 4. Increased heart rate with sustained, increased or decreased stroke volume was responsible for the increase in observed ventricular output under conditions of heating.
RIB INFARCTS AND ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME IN SICKLE CELL DISEASES

In the absence of evidence for pneumonia or pulmonary embolus, primary pulmonary infarction has been assumed to be the cause of the syndrome of chest pain, fever, and pulmonary infiltrate on chest X-ray that commonly complicates sickle cell anaemia. To find out whether the syndrome might be due to rib infarction, 99mTc-diphosphonate bone scans were done. In the eleven episodes thus investigated (10 patients) the scans showed segmental areas of increased radionuclide uptake in ribs, indicative of bone infarction. A possible sequence of events is that the rib infarcts are primary and cause bone pain, followed by soft tissue reaction, pleuritis, and splinting. The resultant hypoventilation leads to atelectasis and subsequent development of the radiographic changes of the acute chest syndrome. Prevention of hypoventilation and treatment of bone pain are important therapeutic goals.
Dissociation of symptom scores and bronchial hyperreactivity: study in asthmatic children on long-term treatment with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled steroids (IS) on the improvement of clinical asthma symptoms and on the decrease in bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). Twenty-four children with severe asthma were given 1,000 μg beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) daily and compared with ten asthmatic control children. The study included the evaluation of daily clinical score, of exercise induced asthma, of bronchial obstruction (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, FEV1), and of BHR at months 0, 1, 2–3, and 4–5 (MO, M1, M2–3, and M4–5) BHR was assessed by standardized inhaled carbachol provocation measuring plethys-mographic specific airway resistance (SRaw). The carbachol dose causing a 40% decrease in specific conductance (SGaw) was determined (PD40 SGaw). © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Clinical scores decreased at M1 (P < 0.01) and throughout the study. FEV1 increased at M1 (P < 0.05), M2-3 (P < 0.01), and M4-5 (P < 0.05) compared to MO. PD40 SGaw only increased significantly at M1 and M2-3. No individual correlation was found between clinical scores and PD40 SGaw at any testing, or between the decrease of clinical scores and the decrease of BHR. We conclude that bronchoconstrictive challenge tests do not adequately assess the clinical efficacy of IS. In clinical practice non-specific BHR should be preferentially measured for diagnosing atypical forms of asthma.
Examining the Levenson Self Report Psychopathy Scale using a Graded Response Model

Abstract The current study examined gender differences on the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP; Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995 ), a self-report measure of psychopathic personality traits, in an undergraduate sample using a Graded Response Model. Results demonstrated that some items on the LSRP are not contributing to the total score of the LSRP and could be removed. Additionally, differential item functioning demonstrated that items are endorsed differently by gender. Specifically, males endorsed items suggesting proneness to boredom and impulsivity, as well as “active” characteristics of psychopathy. This suggests that males with psychopathic characteristics actively seek out individuals to harm. However, females endorsed more “passive” items, suggesting a propensity to manipulate individuals with whom they come into contact, rather than seeking out individuals to harm.
Adaptive styles in elite collegiate athletes: the role of activation and self-regulation

The present study examined the interaction of emotional activation and self-regulation in elite collegiate athletes. We hypothesized that athletes would report higher levels of self-restraint, repressive defensiveness and denial of distress, but lower levels of distress than non-athletes. Participants were composed of 461 collegiate athletes and 61 age- and gender-matched non-athletes from Stanford University. Social-emotional adjustment and personality were assessed with the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory. Results indicate significant differences between athletes and non-athletes. Athletes report lower levels of distress, higher levels of self-restraint, repressive defensiveness and denial of distress. Logistic regressions assessed the important predictors of athlete status. Age, denial of distress and responsibility proved to be the most significant indicators of athlete status. Data can be interpreted in at least two ways: (1) athletes are better at dealing with pressure and therefore report lower levels of distress; or (2) athletes report lower distress because they utilize high levels of repressive defensiveness and denial of distress. Utilizing non self-report methods would further clarify this question and would provide a deeper understanding of personality traits in athletes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new texturing geometry for producing high efficiency solar cells with no antireflection coatings

Abstract Various schemes to trap weakly absorbed light into solar cells have been proposed. These schemes include texturing the cell, texturing the cover glass and geometric arrangements of the individual cells. The perpendicular slats geometry is considered to be the best cell texturing design for light trapping. In this paper a new cell surface texturing design is proposed which, without the use of anti-reflection coatings, can outperform the perpendicular slats geometry with a double layer anti-reflection coating by virtue of efficient internal light trapping and a decrease in the front surface reflectance. The single sided texture uses three perpeendicular planes on the front surface and a planar back surface. The three perpendicular planes provide a triple bounce for the incoming light and efficient confinement for light which has entered the cell. TEXTURE, a raytracing program for textured cells, was used to predict the performance of this new design. A quantitative comparison with other texturing schemes is also provided. It is shown that for a cell without an anti-reflection coating on the front and a 98% effective back surface reflector, the new design produces a maximum short circuit current density of 40.99 mA/cm2 as compared to 41.46 mA/cm2 and 35.16 mA/cm2 for the perpendicular slats geometry and flat surfaces, respectively, with a conventional single layer AR coating on the front. Effects of different front surface reflection coefficients are examined to show that as the front reflectance is decreased by improved antireflection coatings, the importance of the triple bounce is reduced and most promising surface texturing schemes approach the same value of maximum current.
Some Evidence Against the Existence of Sehgal's Low-Mass Fermion

Sehgal has proposed that the anomalously low rate observed for the decay ${K}_{L}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\mu}$ can be explained if there exists a neutral fermion $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ with mass $\ensuremath{\ll}\frac{1}{2}{M}_{K}$. We discuss the relevance of a recent experiment at SLAC by Rothenberg et al. to Sehgal's proposal. We estimate that if Sehgal's hypothesis were correct, with a tantalum production target the SLAC group should have observed between 10 and ${10}^{5}$ lepton pairs produced by $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ interactions in their spark chambers, while in fact only 2 two-prong events were observed. This poses considerable difficulty for Sehgal's hypothesis. However, because of the uncertainty in our estimates, we do not believe it can be completely excluded.
Immunomodulation of pancreatic islet allografts in mice with CTLA4Ig secreting muscle cells.

In an effort to create a model of in vivo production of immunosuppressants, we have transfected C2C12 muscle cells (H-2 k ) with the cDNA for CTLA4Ig, a fusion protein that prevents the activation of T cells by blocking the costimulatory signal transduced by the T cell receptors CD28 and CTLA4. CTLA4Ig-secreting clones were cotransplanted with islets as composite grafts in the renal subcapsular space of diabetic mice. When the myoblasts were syngeneic to C3H/HeJ hosts (H-2 k ), there was a significant prolongation of survival of allogeneic C57Bl/6J (H-2 b ) islets from a mean 11.0 days to 31.7 days. When the graft was completely allogeneic (H-2 k ) myoblasts and islets into H-2 b recipients), there was no benefit in survival. A transient blockade of LFA-1 with the mAb M17 was synergistic in this combination: 8 out of 12 C57Bl/6J recipients achieved long-term acceptance. Systemic CTLA4Ig levels were detected up to 60 days after transplantation. In conclusion, we have shown that C2C12 muscle cells can be genetically engineered to secrete functional CTLA4Ig and that they can be used as a gene reservoir for the continuous in vivo production of CTLA4Ig to modulate the survival of islet cell allografts
Disappearance of multiple esophageal diverticula following treatment of esophagitis: serial endoscopic, manometric, and radiologic observations.

A patient is described in whom multiple esophageal diverticula were demonstrated endoscopically, but not radiologically, in association with hiatus hernia, acid reflux, and esophagitis. Intensive medical therapy of esophagitis led to disappearance of the diverticula. Serial manometric studies, combined with acid perfusion, helped elucidate a possible pathogenetic mechanism. This case raises the possibility that a reversible, treatable, "pre-diverticular" stage occurs in the natural history of esophageal diverticula.
Modular-Mus: towards an interaction design toolkit for music

How can we create boundary objects that empower beginners and engage experts? How is creativity and exploration supported in hardware? This paper describes the design and development of a new hardware and software toolkit for creating musical interactions to be demonstrated at DIS. Modular-Mus aims to lower the barrier to entry to working with electronics and musical programming. Transparency coupled with simplicity contribute to enabling an accessible yet deep interaction design tool. The toolkit utilizes audio cables to connect to a variety of sensors, tactile interfaces and output modules, both familiar and atypical of music interactions.
Palladium-Microencapsulated Graphite as the Negative Electrode in Li-ion Cells

Abstract A Pd-encapsulated graphite electrode was used as the negative electrode in Li-ion cells. Through dispersion of ultrafine nanoparticles of palladium on the surface of graphite, the interfacial properties of the carbon surface were modified. The presence of the palladium dramatically reduces the initial irreversible capacity of the graphite in propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolyte. Palladium suppresses the solvated lithium ion intercalation and improves the charge–discharge performance and initial coulombic efficiency of graphite. For example, 10-wt.% of Pd-nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of graphite increases the initial charge–discharge coulombic efficiency from 59% to 80.3%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicates that palladium dispersed on graphite increases the ohmic conductivity and also improves the Li insertion rate into graphite. However, an excess amount of palladium on graphite leads to a decrease in the charge–discharge efficiency due to the consumption of lithium by the formation of Li 2 PdO 2 .
Identification of some naturally occurring alkylthiphenes in wilmington, calif., crude oil by use of a series of gas—liquid chromatography stationary phases

Abstract The firm identification of eight alkylthiophenes in a pyrolysis-free Wilmington, Calif., 111° to 150° distillate required the application of several processing steps including the use of more than one gas—liquid chromatography stationary phase. The systematic procedures employed for both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of each alkylthiophene present in the original crude oil included isothermal distillation vacuum fractionation, liquid—solid chromatography (alumina adsorption), gas—liquid chromatography, microdesulfurization, and infrared analysis.
Fluid stresses on the membrane of migrating leukocytes.

We recently demonstrated that migrating human leukocytes respond to normal physiologic fluid stresses (∼1 dyn/cm2) by active control of local cytoplasmic extensions (pseudopods). To better understand the governing mechanisms of this response, we determined the fluid stress distributions on individual migrating leukocytes whose shapes were reconstructed with serial confocal microscopy. The flow over adherent leukocytes was computed by solution of the Stokes equation for plasma motion over the cell membrane. The fluid stresses are highest at the top of the cell and lowest in the substrate contact region. Pseudopods experience enhanced shear stresses but at lower values than at the top. Interestingly, leukocytes retract pseudopods in all regions and not only at sites with maximum fluid stresses. Therefore we hypothesized that sub-micron membrane folds (microvilli) serve to locally enhance the fluid stress on the cell. Using a separate model, we found that tips of microvilli experience greatly increased levels of stresses while the troughs between microvilli are shielded from fluid shear. This evidence suggests that the highly irregular shape of active leukocytes leads to fluid stresses that may stimulate local mechanosensory responses at many sites on the plasma membrane, even if they are located close to the cell-substrate contact region.
Growth and nutritional state of American Crow nestlings vary between urban and rural habitats

In urbanized areas, many adult birds find sufficient foods to survive, but the anthropogenic foods that are abundant there may be detrimental to nestling growth. In fact, American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) nestlings are smaller in suburban than rural areas, possibly because of nutrient limitation. Here, we seek to identify possible causes of size differences by comparing both size and blood chemistry measures in rural and suburban crow nestlings. We quantified land use in known crow territories and distinguished three distinct environments: suburban-residential, suburban-managed (e.g., golf courses), and rural. We measured nestlings near fledging age in each environment and bled them for determination of unbound plasma calcium, total protein, and corticosterone. We supplemented a subset of broods in suburban-residential and rural areas with a food high in protein and calcium. Rural nestlings were significantly larger than suburban-residential crows and had higher total serum protein. Nestlings in suburban-managed areas were intermediate in size and serum protein but had the lowest plasma calcium levels. Nestling corticosterone levels did not differ significantly among habitats, indicating that, although suburban nestlings may be food-limited, they were not starving. Supplemented nestlings in suburban-residential areas were significantly larger in some growth measures than their unsupplemented counterparts. Unexpectedly, supplemented rural nestlings were significantly smaller than unsupplemented rural ones, suggesting that parents use easily accessible food even when it is nutritionally suboptimal. Our results indicate that nestlings in suburban areas are nutrient restricted, rather than calorie restricted.
Modernization and democracy in China: Samuel P. Huntington and the “Neo‐Authoritarian” debate

(1994). Modernization and democracy in China: Samuel P. Huntington and the “Neo‐Authoritarian” debate. Asian Journal of Political Science: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 32-65.
Development of GaAs monolithic power amplifiers in X-band

The design, fabrication, and performance of several GaAs FET monolithic circuits are described. These include a two-stage, four-FET push-pull amplifier that has exhibited 1.4-W output power with 12.4-dB gain at 9.0 GHz, and a three-transistor monolithic paraphase amplifier (unbalanced input, balanced output) exhibiting 6-dB small-signal gain and a 1-dB gain compression point of 20 dBm. The amplifier chips utilize monolithically fabricated inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines to accomplish on-the-chip impedance matching.
Simulation studies of the membrane exchange assembly of an all-liquid, proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract A model has been designed and constructed for the all-liquid, sodium borohydride/hydrogen peroxide fuel cell under development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The electrochemical behavior, momentum balance, and mass balance effects within the fuel cell are modeled using the Butler–Volmer equations, Darcy's law, and Fick's law, respectively, within a finite element modeling platform. The simulations performed with the model indicate that an optimal physical design of the fuel cell's flow channel land area or current collector exists when considering the pressure differential between channels, and the diffusion layer permeability and conductivity. If properties of the diffusion layer are known, the model is an effective method of improving the fuel cell design in order to achieve higher power density.
When cancer and immunology meet

It is both exciting and challenging to assemble an issue of Immunological Reviews on hematologic malignancies in 2014. Both scientifically and clinically, the pace of advances has accelerated in the last few years. However, blood cancers remain a highly diverse group of diseases with many mechanisms of pathogenesis that require different clinical approaches. This diversity makes a comprehensive review of blood cancers a challenge. Instead, we have focused on in depth discussion of aspects of these topics that are either rapidly evolving or of particular interest to basic immunologists. The latter set of topics is itself diverse. Most blood cancers are themselves disruptions of the hematopoietic and immune systems. Some articles in this issue highlight the comparisons between normal immunologic development and the diseases that are associated with disruptions of immune development. A number of pieces focus on molecular mechanisms that are critical to both normal immunologic development and, when disturbed, cancer development. Others are focused on harnessing the immune system to treat blood cancers. This area has, in the last two years, achieved clinical responses that have long been sought (1, 2). A theme that runs through many of these reviews is the complexity of the immune system but the remarkable advances that years of research have made possible in both understanding biology and generating new therapies.
Hydroxychloroquine-induced Cardiotoxicity in a 39-year-old Woman with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Systolic Dysfunction

A 39-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus developed chest pain and conduction abnormalities. An echocardiographic examination revealed systolic dysfunction and ventricular thickening. Because of the unclear nature of her cardiac disease, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy was performed. Light microscopy showed diffuse myocyte vacuolization without myocarditis, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated sarcoplasmic myelinoid and curvilinear bodies, diagnostic of hydroxychloroquine toxicity. Among patients with autoimmune connective disorders, cardiac dysfunction may be a result of the disease or occasionally of its treatment. Although the nature of the cardiac disease (myocardial, valvular, or pericardial) can generally be evaluated echocardiographically, endomyocardial biopsy may be indicated to rule out diseases with a specific microscopic appearance, such as myocarditis or hydroxychloroquine cardiotoxicity.
Pretransitional Phenomena in the Isotropic Phase of a Nematic Liquid Crystal

We have observed a divergence of the magnetic birefringence, and a critical increase and slowing of the fluctuations in order in the isotropic phase of a nematic liquid crystal. Our results are quantitatively described by a mean-field model except for a critical region close to the ordering temperature where the fluctuations are so large that the meanfield approximation fails.
Three Questions about Treatise 1.4.2

Why does Hume think that the "distinct existence" of sensible objects implies their "continu'd existence"? Does Hume have any reason for thinking that objects have an intermittent existence, other than that they lack a "distinct" existence? Why does Hume think that the inference from the "coherence" of our impressions to the continued existence of objects is "at bottom" considerably different from causal reasoning? The answers proposed are, respectively, that perceptually delimited objects would for Hume be causally dependent on being perceived; that Hume's collapse of the object/perception distinction leads him to the view that objects have as "gappy" an existence as our perceptions of them, and that cases of coherence falsify the generalizations that would need to hold for inferences from coherence to qualify as causal reasoning.
α-l-Iduronidase activity in cultured skin fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells

Abstract Using phenyl-α- l -iduronide as substrate, we have examined the level of α- l -iduronidase activity in homogenates of fibroblasts derived from normal individuals, from patients affected with α- l -iduronidase deficiency disorders (Hurler syndrome, Scheie syndrome, and a disease of intermediate severity presumed to be a Hurler/ Scheie compound) and from parents of such patients. Extracts derived from the affected individuals had no detectable α- l -iduronidase activity, whereas those derived from heterozygotes varied between 20% and 95% of the normal mean. Overlap between normal and heterozygous levels was reduced if the α- l -iduronidase activity was expressed on the basis of the β-galactosidase activity in the same homogenate. Cultured amniotic fluid cells from normal pregnancies had less than half as much α- l -iduronidase activity as fibroblasts from normal adults; this might cause problems in distinguishing a heterozygous fetus from an affected one by the enzyme assay alone.
Functional consequences of G alpha 13 mutations that disrupt interaction with p115RhoGEF.

Top of pageAbstract The G-protein subunit, 13, regulates cell growth and differentiation through the monomeric Rho GTPase. 13 activates Rho through direct stimulation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor p115RhoGEF, which contains a regulator of G-protein signaling homology domain (RH) in its N-terminus. Through its RH domain, p115RhoGEF also functions as a GAP for G13. The mechanism for the G13/p115RhoGEF interaction is not well understood. Here, we determined specific 13 residues important for its interaction with p115RhoGEF. GST-pulldowns and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that individually mutating 13 residues Lys204, Glu229, or Arg232 to opposite charge residues disrupts the interaction of activated 13 with the RH domain of p115RhoGEF or full-length p115RhoGEF. We further demonstrate that mutation of Glu229, and to a lesser extent Lys204 or Arg232, disrupts the ability of activated 13 to induce the recruitment of p115RhoGEF to the plasma membrane (PM) and to activate Rho-mediated serum response element-luciferase gene transcription. Interestingly, an 13 mutant where a conserved Gly was mutated to a Ser (G205S) retained its ability to bind to p115RhoGEF, induce p115RhoGEF recruitment to the PM, and activate Rho-dependent signaling, even though identical Gly to Ser mutations in other disrupt their interaction with regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins. These results demonstrate that, whereas several features of a typical /RGS interaction are preserved in the 13/p115RhoGEF interaction, there are also significant differences. Keywords: signal transduction, heterotrimeric G protein, Rho GTPase, RGS protein, guanine–nucleotide exchange factor Abbreviations: G protein, guanine nucleotide-binding protein; GPCR, G protein-coupled receptor; RGS, regulator of G-protein signaling; RH, regulator of G-protein signaling homology domain; GEF, guanine-nucleotide exchange factor; LARG, leukemia-associated RhoGEF; GAP, GTPase activating protein; SRE, serum response element; PM, plasma membrane; GRK, GPCR kinase; GFP, green fluorescent protein; HA, hemagglutinin; Ni-NTA, nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid
Determination of Iron Content in Mice

A colorimetric method was employed in the estimation of the normal iron content of mice. An estimate of the total amount of iron present per mouse was 1.457 ± 0.152 mg. This represented an average of 52 ± 6 mcg. per Gm. body weight of mouse with approximately 11.5 per cent of the total iron per mouse present in the gastrointestinal tract and 88.5 per cent in the remainder of the carcass.
Liver transplant recipients: individual, social, and environmental resources

ContextPatient characteristics are important in the liver transplant population because of proven associations between individual and environmental factors, treatment adherence, and health outcomes...
Mutations at six additional loci of Drosophila melanogaster cause alkylation hypermutability.

Abstract 8 mutagen-sensitive strains of Drosophila melanogaster were examined for their effects on alkylation-induced mutagenesis. Using methylnitrosourea as the DNA-damaging agent and the sex-linked recessive lethal test as the monitor of genetic endpoint, 6 of these strains were shown to be hypermutable following exposure to this alkylating agent. Previous studies of 6 other genes have demonstrated that strains exhibiting alkylation hypermutability are completely defective in repair replication following alkylation-induced DNA damage. The present observations suggest that at least 12 loci may be required for excision repair of alkylation DNA damage in this species.
A possible role for mast cells in controlling the diameter of arterioles on the surface of the brain.

Abstract In the mouse a series of experiments were carried out which suggested that one or more mast cell contents might produce constriction of pial arterioles. Local application of 48/80, a compound known to release some of the mast cells contents, produced pial arteriolar constriction. Pretreatment designed to deplete the mast cell contents prior to testing of vascular reactivity, blocked the local response to 48/80 while leaving the response to another contractile agent intact. The data suggest that 48/80 produces pial vasoconstriction by releasing one or more contents from mast cells in the arachnoid membrane. Alternatively, the local constrictor effect of 48/80 may be independent of pial mast cells, but inhibited nevertheless by prior release of materials from mast cells elsewhere in the body.
Issues in electrical impedance imaging

Electrical impedance imaging systems apply currents to the body's surface, measure the corresponding voltages, and use inverse methods to reconstruct the conductivity and permittivity in the interior from these data. Quick, accurate maps of these electrical parameters inside the body could improve the effectiveness of critical medical technologies.
Impotence in the elderly Evaluation of erectile failure in men older than seventy years of age

A total of 102 patients over seventy years of age were evaluated in a multidisciplinary center for erectile dysfunction. The primary diagnosis was organic in 80 percent, but there were multiple associated factors. Erectile failure had persisted more than twenty-four months in 84 percent and the last successful intercourse was over one year prior to evaluation in 68 percent. There appears to be distinct differences in the pattern and etiology of erectile failure in elderly patients.
The Meaning of Adolescents’ Eating Experiences During Bone Marrow Transplant Recovery

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a common treatment option for adolescents with various diseases; however, the aggressive therapy often causes significant side effects that can lead to poor eating. There is little documentation of eating experiences and necessary support needed after the initial BMT hospitalization. This phenomenological study, guided by Martin Heidegger's philosophical influences, revealed the meaning of adolescents' eating experiences, eating strategies, and the impact of eating on the adolescents' quality of life during the first 100 days post-BMT. Individual interviews were conducted at 50 and 100 days post-BMT. Data analysis used the hermeneutic circle and revealed 5 themes. Adolescents discussed the slow return of eating, barriers that affected their eating, personal eating strategies, significance of eating, and feelings regarding eating. Eating issues do not end when a BMT patient is discharged from the hospital, and caregivers need to have a better understanding of the ongoing issues affecting adolescents throughout the BMT recovery phase.
Muon bonding and antiferromagnetism in the 123 cuprates

Abstract Muon Spin Relaxation (μSR) is a microscopic technique which may help in understanding the mechanism of superconductivity in the high-temperature cuprates. A computational study indicates muon-probe sites in RBa2Cu3Ox are strongly dependent on the oxygen content (x), however, these μ sites are nearly independent of the rare earth (R). For x = 7, the majority of the μ sites lies near oxygen in the basal planes; for x = 6, near the oxygens in the CuO planes. The results are based upon potential-energy calculations using the Ewald method, ionic potentials and two different Morse-like potentials describing the μ-O bonding. Magnetic dipole fields are calculated for the candidate μ sites and compared with available zero-field μSR data. The obtained good agreement indicates that the ionic bonding assumption may be correct in describing the electronic p- and d-states in the insulating and superconducting cuprates.
Thin film transistors made of nanocrystalline silicon for CMOS on plastic

Our motivation is to realize CMOS on plastic foil. We report the development of thin film transistors (TFTs) made of nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H). nc-Si:H is compatible with present a-Si:H thin film technology. Because of the structural evolution of nc-Si:H with film thickness, it requires extensive experimentation with device geometry. For comparison we fabricate TFTs in (a) conventional coplanar top-gate, top-source/drain geometry and (b) staggered top-gate, bottom source/drain geometry. A seed layer is introduced in the latter case serves to develop the crystallinity of the intrinsic channel layer. While the coplanar geometry provides the shortest carrier path in the most crystalline channel region, the inverted staggered geometry ensures that the active channel is formed in the last-to-grow nc-Si:H layer, and also avoids exposure of the channel to reactive ion etching (RIE). The highest process temperature is 150°C. Both intrinsic and doped nc-Si:H layers are grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with an excitation frequency of 80MHz. Present p-channel TFTs reach a hole field-effect mobility of ~ 0.2 cm 2 V -1 s -1 in the staggered geometry, and an electron field-effect mobility of ~ 40 cm 2 V -1 s -1 in both geometries. These results suggest that directly deposited nc-Si:H is an attractive candidate material for CMOS capable electronics on plastic substrates.
Winter Wheat and Maize Response to Urea Ammonium Nitrate and a New Urea Formaldehyde Polymer Fertilizer

Slow release N fertilizers have potential to improve yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). A slow release urea formaldehyde polymer (UFP) was compared with aqueous urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) [(NH 2 ) 2 CO, NH 4 NO 3 ] during a 2-yr field experiment in North Carolina. Crops were grown on Candor (sandy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Kandiudults), Portsmouth (fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults), and Cape Fear (fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults) soils. Treatments were N source (UFP and UAN) and N rate (0, 50, 78,106, 134,162, and 190 kg N ha -1 for wheat and 0,39,78,118,157,196, and 235 kg N ha for maize). Both sources were band applied as a split application for wheat, whereas maize received UFP at planting and split application of UAN, which is the current standard practice. Based on years of research, NC producers' apply less than one-third of UAN at planting, with the remainder applied before the end of tillering (wheat) or at V4-6 (corn). For both crops and both sites, grain yield and NUE with UAN were statistically similar to or better than UFP. Laboratory incubations suggested UFP release of urea and urea hydrolysis were complete in less than 2 wk. Hence, UFP release was limited to a time scale of days, considered insignificant for summer crop (corn) growth conditions. Since the UFP did not significantly improve yield, UFP may only be economical if priced similar to UAN.
Reduced Red Cell 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate and Adenosine Triphosphate, Hypophosphatemia, and Increased Hemoglobin-Oxygen Affinity after Cardiac Surgery

Serum inorganic phosphorous was decreased significantly on the third postoperative day following cardiac surgery in 18 patients initially studied. Reduced plasma inorganic phosphate has been shown to cause a reduced concentration of red cell organic phosphates, an important determinant of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity. Therefore, 10 consecutive patients were studied to determine if reduced 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration and increased hemoglobin-oxygen affinity accompanied the fall in serum inorganic phosphate concentration. A significant fall in 2,3-DPG and an increase in hemoglobin-oxygen affinity was present in red cells of patients studied on the first postoperative day. A reduction in red cell ATP was also present and persisted for 5 days during which time red cell 2,3-DPG returned to levels which were in excess of preoperative values. The reduction in serum inorganic phosphorous followed the reduction in red cell 2,3-DPG and correlated with the reduction in A...
Co-managed Care: The Gold Standard for Geriatric Fracture Care

With a worldwide aging population, the incidence and consequences of geriatric fractures are assuming an increasing importance to health care providers and institutions. Studies have shown that optimal efficient management ensures the best outcome for the patient, at the least cost to the institution. A review of the recent literature was performed to establish the current best evidence ie, gold standard, for geriatric fracture care. Given the complexities of the subject, randomized controlled trials are difficult and confounded by the multiple medical issues of the population being studied. RCT’s are best suited to study individual questions, rather than systems of care. Hence, the importance of peer-reviewed models of care, as well as prospective population registries is established in defining what the gold standard of care should be for this vulnerable population.