cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Late-Onset Sepsis

Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is common and life-threatening problem in neonates, particularly among infants requiring intensive care. LOS can be caused by a variety of organisms; gram-positive organisms are most common and include staphylococcal species, group B or A Streptococcus, and Enterococcus. A wide range of gram-negative and fungal organisms, including Candida, are also common causes of LOS. A large proportion of LOS is due to horizontal transfer of pathogens within the intensive care nursery or indwelling medical devices, but cases may also be due to colonizing organisms from the infant’s mucosal membranes or gut. This chapter discusses the diagnostic and treatment approach to late-onset sepsis, including focal infections such as urinary tract infection, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection, and osteoarticular infection.
Tumor Microenvironment as a Determinant of Photodynamic Therapy Resistance

The tumor microenvironment is a complex force to be reckoned with in terms of cancer treatment. Structure and composition of the tumor stroma, oxygenation status within the tumor, and expression and/or activation of proteins that mediate tumor progression can contribute to the efficacy of, or resistance to, various therapeutic modalities. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is no exception—the oxygenation status and molecular makeup of the tumor and its stroma is critically important to the success of PDT. Moreover, the application of light therapy to a tumor can counteract the therapeutic benefit by altering the microenvironment. For example, PDT is capable of inducing hypoxia which can limit the extent of PDT damage (by consuming oxygen too rapidly), initiating angiogenesis which allows for reestablishment of the tumor vasculature, and activating survival signaling pathways and increasing expression of proteins which promote tumor progression. This chapter highlights key players in the tumor microenvironment that contribute to treatment failure as well as how resistance can be circumvented by overcoming these road blocks. Further, this chapter will discuss various technologies developed to monitor the tumor microenvironment in an effort to improve PDT dosimetry, allowing for personalized treatment that increases therapeutic efficacy.
Computational Cognitive Modeling of Human-Robot Interaction Using a GOMS Methodology

The goal of this study was to use computational cognitive modeling to further understand human behavior and strategy in robotic rover control. To this end, GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, Selection Rules) Language models of rover control were constructed based on a task analysis and observations during human rover control trials. For the first model, we hypothesized control would be characterized by actions to prevent deviations from exact path following. The second model was developed based on an alternate hypothesis that operators commanded ballistic rover movements to approximate path direction. In manual trials, an operator was required to navigate a commercially available micro-rover along a defined path using a computer interface (providing remote environment information through a camera view) located in a room separate from the rover. The computational cognitive model was executed with a pseudo system interface (Java device) in real-time. Time-to-navigation completion and path tracking accuracy were recorded during the human and cognitive model trials with navigation circumstances being identical. Comparison of the GOMSL model outputs with human performance demonstrated the first model to be more precise than actual human control, but at the cost of time. The second model with the new navigation criteria appeared to be more plausible for representing operator behavior; however, model navigation times were consistently longer than the human. This was attributable to limitations of the modeling approach in representing human parallel processing and continuous control. Computational GOMS modeling approaches appear to have potential for describing interactive closed-loop rover control with continuous monitoring of feedback and corresponding control actions. Humans exhibit satisficing behavior in terms of rover direction and movement control versus minimizing errors from optimal navigation performance. Certain GOMSL modeling issues exist for applications to human-robot interaction and this research provides a first empirical insight.
Emerging and Reemerging Virus Diseases of Vertebrates

In the last two decades, a large number of new viruses have been discovered, many of which are pathogenic in humans or other vertebrates. Among the more important causes of virus emergence have been changes in human behavior, population, and increases in travel to distant countries. In addition, the application of new molecular technologies has led to the recognition of many viruses that hitherto went undetected. Many of the new, emerging viruses have an RNA genome, and many are zoonoses. The spread of human immunodeficiency virus, causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs following transplant surgery, have increased the numbers of people in the population that are highly susceptible to emerging virus infections. The threat of a new pandemic of influenza virus in the human population stresses the need for development of better methods for detection, surveillance, and control of emerging virus diseases.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Syndemic Risk Dyads in a Cohort of Young Pregnant Couples.

Abstract Purpose The burden of syndemics—which are clusters of overlapping risk factors that adversely impact health—has been previously evaluated among high-risk individuals, yet little is known regarding syndemics within the relationship context. Methods We evaluated concordant and discordant syndemic profiles among 296 pregnant couples and their actor–partner effects longitudinally from pregnancy to 1-year postpartum. Results Syndemic score and severity were correlated across all time points for men and women. There was a significant difference in syndemic score (βMen–Women = .2736, p = Conclusions Pregnancy provides an opportunity to reduce syndemic burden among men and women. Couples-based prevention programs may serve to reduce syndemic risk for both partners, particularly during the postpartum period.
Surgery and chemotherapy are associated with improved overall survival in anal adenocarcinoma: results of a national cohort study

Anal adenocarcinoma (AAC) is a rare disease with treatment protocols that mimic both that of rectal adenocarcinoma (RAC) and anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). Due to its rarity, data regarding outcomes are lacking. We sought to determine outcomes of patients with AAC compared to RAC and ASCC and to evaluate risk factors for mortality in AAC. The United States’ National Cancer Database was queried for all adult patients presenting with nonmetastatic AAC, RAC, or ASCC from 2003 to 2011. The primary outcome was overall survival. Intergroup univariate comparisons, unadjusted Kaplan-Meier, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to compare outcomes between AAC, RAC, and ASCC and to identify factors associated with survival within AAC. The query identified 129,153 patients (N = 2117 AAC, 19,427 ASC, 107,609 RAC). AAC patients were less likely than RAC patients to have surgery (72.5 vs. 87.1%), and also less likely to receive chemotherapy (54.7% vs. 96.1%) and radiation (58.2% vs. 74.1%) than patients with ASCC (all p 120 months for ASCC. On multivariable analysis, independent treatment-related predictors of decreased mortality hazard in AAC included proctectomy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66) and chemotherapy (HR, 0.60) (both p < 0.001). AAC tumors have worse prognosis than either RAC or ASCC. Within patients with AAC, nonsurgical management was independently associated with increased mortality hazard. Patients with AAC should be evaluated in a multidisciplinary setting and referred for surgery.
Introduction to Electric Circuits

Electric circuits are a method to demonstrate how an electric device receives power and operate. For instance, a flashlight has batteries to provide power to a light bulb, wires to bring the power from batteries to the bulb, and a switch to control the on-off action. The operation of this flashlight can be modeled by its electric circuit. Of course, it has mechanical components to hold the batteries, wires, the switch, and the bulb in place and make the entire unit waterproof. The wires and the switch have electric insulators to protect the flow of electric current in the wires. Nevertheless, these components have no electrical importance when it comes to the distribution of the power and modeling of the circuit. Figure 1.1 shows a flashlight with its internal components and its equivalent circuit.
From cradle to chain? Gendered struggles for cassava commercialisation in Mozambique

This article draws on survey data, interviews and archival research to analyse women's mixed responses to a cassava commercialisation scheme in Zavala district, Mozambique. As an example of the “Gr...
Normative Social Role Concepts in Early Childhood.

The current studies (N = 255, children ages 4-5 and adults) explore patterns of age-related continuity and change in conceptual representations of social role categories (e.g., "scientist"). In Study 1, young children's judgments of category membership were shaped by both category labels and category-normative traits, and the two were dissociable, indicating that even young children's conceptual representations for some social categories have a "dual character." In Study 2, when labels and traits were contrasted, adults and children based their category-based induction decisions on category-normative traits rather than labels. Study 3 confirmed that children reason based on category-normative traits because they view them as an obligatory part of category membership. In contrast, adults in this study viewed the category-normative traits as informative on their own (not only as a cue to obligations). Implications for continuity and change in representations of social role categories will be discussed.
Binge drinking and African-Americans: a partial test of primary socialization theory

Objective: Binge drinking among African-Americans is an important area of research; however, little research has examined this phenomenon using theory. The purpose of this study is to provide an ex...
Rise and decline of international rule of law: case of non-state armed actors

This paper assesses the rise and decline of international rule of law in the case of non-state armed actors. Both signs of rise and signs of decline of international rule of law show in the case of non- state armed actors. Signs of rise include the expansion of coverage of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international criminal law, as well as international legal argumentation and rhetoric made by non-state armed groups. Some non-state armed actors express that they are governed by IHL in public statements or bilateral agreements with international actors, partly acknowledging universality of international humanitarian norms, and sometimes act as such. Signs of decline in the international rule of law also show – although some of them can be seen as business-as-usual – privileging of military advantage, instrumental use of international law (as justification and local interpretations), as well as conflicting understanding of IHL between local and global norms. The multiplicity of non-state actors also portends the decline of international rule of law, with the proliferation of many non-organized groups without legitimacy-seeking motivations.
Prepubertal Vaginal Bleeding: An Inpatient Series from a Single Center in Fujian China.

Abstract Study Objective This study characterizes the etiology, clinical features and outcomes of prepubescent vaginal bleeding and summarizes our experience. Design The data of patients who were hospitalized with vaginal discharge or bleeding treated from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Setting A provincial Grade III Level A Maternity and Children’s Hospital. Participants Prepubertal patients with vaginal discharge or bleeding. Main outcome measures Patient age, bleeding duration, etiology, treatment and prognosis were recorded. Physical examinations and color Doppler ultrasonography were also performed. Results There were 158 patients aged from 1 month to 10 years (mean age 5.2 years). Bleeding duration ranged from 1 to 98 days, with an average of 13.3 days. Sixty patients were diagnosed with vaginal foreign bodies, 34 with vulvovaginitis, 34 with vulvar trauma, 13 with ovarian granulosa cell tumors, 8 with urethral mucosa prolapse, 5 with vaginal yolk sac tumors and 1 each with pituitary tumor, hypothyroidism, McCune-Albright syndrome, and short-term intake of a large number of strawberries. All the children were treated according to their different disease etiologies. Conclusion Prepubertal vaginal bleeding is caused by a variety of different conditions. In our study, the most common causes were vaginal foreign bodies, vulvovaginitis, trauma, vaginal malignant tumors and urethral mucosa prolapse. Careful medical histories and targeted examinations are needed. Vaginoscopy could be considered. Considering the different causes, different treatments should be administered to achieve a good prognosis.
Current Saturation Characteristics and Single-Pulse Short-Circuit Tests of Commercial SiC MOSFETs

This paper focuses on the short circuit (SC) tests of four commercial TO-247 packaged silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with voltage ratings of 900 V and 1200 V at room temperature. The test results of the SiC devices are compared with that of super junction silicon (Si) MOSFETs which underwent identical test procedures. The current saturation characteristics were tested at over 50% of their rated voltages with 1-µs turn-on pulses. The test results show that the SiC MOSFETs can sustain much higher power density during short circuit conditions relative to their Si counterparts. However, there are several challenges in sustaining a 10-µs SC time without significant degradation or failure with the drain-to-source voltage set at half of the rated voltage and the gate set to the full rated voltage.
Molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii containing IMP-4 and OXA-23 isolated in children

Objective To investigate the molecular epidemiology of CRAB isolated from children in wuhan. Methods Forty non-repetitive strains of CRAB were collected from hospitalized children of emergency department, neonatal medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, bone surgery, respiratory medicine and renal medicine in Wuhan children's hospital during December 2008 and May 2009. MIC values were PFGE; KPC, IMP, GIM, SPM, SIM, OXA-23, VIM genes and integrase gene were amplified by PCR and then sequenced to confirm the genotypes.; Plasmid conjugation experiment was used to study the transfer method of bacterial resistance and southern blot hybridization was used to target the resistance genes. Results Susceptible rates of 40 strains to gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trimoxazole were 20%, 5%, 93%, 93%, 95%, and 23% respectively. Eleven types of clone were detected by PFGE,including 29 strains of type A clone, 2 strains of type B clone, and 1 strain for each type of C to K clone. Eleven isolates produced both IMP-4 and OXA-23 carbapemase. Twenty-six isolates only possessed OXA-23 carbapemase. Thirty-six strains carried class Ⅰ integron. The results of southern blot hybridization showed that Intl, IMP-4 and OXA-23 type were located on chromosome. Conclusions Type A clone of CRAB is the most common. OXA-23 and IMP-4 type are the major acquired carbapemases, especially the OXA-23 is the most common type. The horizontal transmission of OXA-23 and IMP-4 gene mediated by Int1 and the spread of type A resistant clone is the major way of the spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in the region. Key words: Acinetobacter baumannii; beta-Lactamases; Bacterial proteins; Epidemiology,molecular
Uncertainty Function Design for Adaptive Beamsteering Cognitive Radar

Adaptive Beamsteering Cognitive Radar (AB-CRr) employs a real time transmit-receive system to improve the performance of radar search-and-track functions over traditional beam rasterization schemes. AB-CRr utilizes a probabilistic model of the radar channel to dynamically generate a beam-steering strategy for its environment. The channel probability model is used to form an adaptive beamsteering strategy via a user defined uncertainty function. In this paper, the formulation of uncertainty functions is introduced and their impact on beamsteering behavior and performance is investigated.
Creating synergy between biodiversity conservation and human health - one health

With the pandemic of COVID-19, the linkage between wildlife, biodiversity and human health has drawn tremendous attention from the public In the recent 20 years, there has been growing interest from the international community to understand how biodiversity influences human health, which has become one of the crucial directions to promote biodiversity conservation and research At the same time, One Health, as a new concept and framework, promotes interdisciplinary research and action to improve the health of humans, animals and the environment altogether This concept has been adopted and promoted by various countries and international organizations, including the Convention on Biological Conservation This paper summarizes major pathways of how biodiversity influences human health, the definition and history of One Health, the incorporation of One Health into the biodiversity conservation agenda In the end, using the One Health framework, this paper suggests ways to improve China's current wildlife management system to reduce the probability of potential public health crisis This paper also identifies some key research gaps in enhancing the role of biodiversity in protecting human health The implementation of One Health in China should emphasize the importance of biodiversity research and conservation By integrating research on landscape ecology, community and species interactions, climate change impacts, land-cover and land-use change with that on human health, One Health can improve its efficiency in addressing risks of public health and environmental health At the same time, China should invest more resources in wildlife management, reinforce the linkage between biodiversity conservation and human health, and prevent and control epidemics from their very beginning
Diagnosis and Management of Divergence Paresis

Divergence paralysis may present with varying degrees of severity ranging from total paralysis to more subtle forms of weakness. There is a wide spectrum of symptoms. The classic presentation consi...
Evidence of continued reduction in the age-at-death disparity between adults with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND This study examines recent trends in the age-at-death disparity between adults with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in the United States. METHOD Data were from the 2005-2017 U.S. death certificates. Average age at death was compared between adults whose death certificate did or did not report an intellectual and/or developmental disability. RESULTS Age at death increased minimally for adults without, but markedly for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. As a result, the age-at-death disparity decreased: 2.2 years between adults with/without intellectual disability; 1.9 years between adults with/without Down syndrome; 2.7 years between adults with/without cerebral palsy; and 5.1 years between adults with/without rare developmental disabilities. CONCLUSION Evidence from this study demonstrates that the age-at-death disparity between adults who did or did not have an intellectual and/or developmental disability reported on their death certificate continues to decrease, but the magnitude of the remaining disparity varied considerably by type of disability.
Career Concerns, Fund Performance, and the Active Manager's Problem

We examine the implications of career concerns for the portfolio strategy of an equity mutual fund manager who times the market with valuable private information. The manager solves a dynamic lifetime portfolio/consumption choice problem with endogenous stochastic income, generated by fund management fees, in a setting without learning. Career concerns are defined as the endogenous effect of the manager's actions on both fund flows and the probability of demotion, which is defined as a discrete drop in the assets under management.
Low dose hCG supplementation in a Gn-RH-agonist trigger protocol is associated with worse pregnancy outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

A number of studies have looked at dual triggers with hCG and GnRH agonist (GnRHa) in varying doses, but the question remains: what is the optimal dose of hCG to minimize ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and still offer adequate pregnancy rates? The purpose of this study was to compare pregnancy and OHSS rates following dual trigger for oocyte maturation with GnRHa and a low-dose hCG versus hCG alone. A secondary objective was the assess pregnancy outcomes in subsequent frozen cycles for the same population. A total of 963 women 2 ng/mL who underwent fresh autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) with GnRH antagonist protocol at a University-based fertility center were included in this retrospective cohort study. Those who received a low dose dual trigger with hCG (1000u) and GnRHa (2 mg) were compared to those who received hCG alone (10,000u hCG/250-500 μg Ovidrel). Differences in implantation rates, pregnancy, live birth, and OHSS were investigated. The dual trigger group was younger (mean 33.6 vs 34.1 years), had a higher AMH (6.3 vs 4.9 ng/mL,) more oocytes retrieved (18.1 vs 14.9) and a higher fertilized oocyte rate (80% vs 77%) compared with the hCG only group. Yet, the dual trigger group had a lower probability of clinical pregnancy (gestational sac, 43.4% vs 52.8%) and live birth (33.4% vs 45.8%), all of which were statistically significant. There were 3 cases of OHSS, all in the hCG-only trigger group. In subsequent frozen cycles, pregnancy rates were comparable between the two groups. The dual trigger group had a better prognosis based on age and AMH levels and had better stimulation outcomes, but significantly worse pregnancy outcomes, suggesting the low dose hCG (1000u) in the dual trigger may not have provided adequate luteal support, compared to an hCG-only trigger (10,000u hCG/250-500 μg Ovidrel). Interestingly, the pregnancy rates were comparable in subsequent frozen cycles, further supporting the hypothesis that the issue lies in inadequate luteal phase support, rather than embryo quality. Based on these findings, our program has changed the protocol to 1500u of hCG in a dual trigger.
Ultrasound Guided Core Breast Biopsies

Core needle biopsies are common procedures performed in breast imaging centers. Utilizing ultrasound guidance for biopsy of suspicious findings within the breast and axilla is the standard of care when lesions are visible on ultrasound. Most ultrasound guided breast biopsies are performed by radiologists interpreting breast imaging who correlate findings across modalities including mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI, however interventional radiologists may perform in some practice settings. Appropriate knowledge of complete breast imaging is important not only for localization, but for determining radiologic-pathologic concordance. Proper localization, technique, and post biopsy management are essential to the success of the procedure and providing proper care for patients. This article discusses indications, strategies for accurate targeting, how-to biopsy techniques, post biopsy considerations and radiologic-pathologic concordance incorporating recommendations from the American College of Radiology Practice Parameter for the Performance of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Breast Interventional procedures.
Dynamic compression of TiO2 to 221 GPa

The high-pressure dynamic response of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) is not only of interest because of its numerous industrial applications but also because of its structural similarities to silica (SiO 2). We performed plate impact experiments in a two-stage light gas gun, at peak stresses from 64 to 221 GPa to determine the TiO 2 response along the Hugoniot. The lower stress experiment at 64 GPa shows an elastic behavior followed by an elastic–plastic transition, whereas the high stress experiments above 64 GPa show a single wave structure. Previous shock studies have shown the presence of high-pressure phases (HPP) I (26 GPa) and HPP II (100 GPa); however, our data suggest that the HPP I phase is stable up to 150 GPa. Using a combination of data from our current study and our previous Z-data, we determine that TiO 2 likely melts on the Hugoniot at 157 GPa. Furthermore, our data confirm that TiO 2 is not highly incompressible as shown by a previous study.
Costs and Consequences of Arming America's Law Enforcement with Combat Equipment

The catalyst for this report was an U.S. Army Iraq Veteran describing the similarity between the streets of Boston during the manhunt following the Boston bombing to those in Bagdad. An alarming and unprecedented number of federal spending programs have transformed local police departments and law enforcement organizations into lethal combat units patrolling the cities and towns of the United States. While these federal programs directed money to assist local law enforcement agencies with drug interdiction and emergency management operations, the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri highlight the dangers of supplying combat equipment to local law enforcement personnel who lack the training, discipline, and command and control structure of military combat units. The radical increase of resources and combat power has directly affected the relationship citizens and the community at large have with local law enforcement and has led to perilous policing strategies. This report details twelve separate government programs overseen by three federal agencies providing law enforcement agencies with combat equipment.Although the dollar amounts of these programs are staggering, the disregard of Federal control and oversight after money and combat equipment is distributed to local agencies risks catastrophic consequences. Now that the genie is out of the bottle and almost every metropolitan force, city, and small town possesses the capabilities on display in Ferguson, Missouri, violent confrontation between citizens and law enforcement threatens to become the new American normal. As pictures and journalist descriptions from Ferguson, Missouri demonstrate, combat equipment used by law enforcement threatens the safety of citizens and can exacerbate already tense situations.While there may be a time and a place for the use of combat equipment on United States soil, it should be rare and deployed within the command and control structure of a military trained and accountable to civilian authorities. Army and Air National Guard units already exist in all 50 states. These units can be activated by order of their state Governor and placed under his or her control. National Guard units have an established rank structure and the training to use their weapons and equipment effectively and safely. Activating National Guard units when a crisis occurs rather than relying on a militarized police force is not only more effective, but also ensures respecting the civil liberties of the community.
Quadratic normal forms of nonlinear control systems with uncontrollable linearization

The controller normal form of linear systems has been a useful tool for the study of many linear control problems. In Wei Kang and Krener (1992), Wei Kang (1991,1994), and Krener and Wei Kang (1991), normal forms of nonlinear control systems are found for linearly controllable systems. In this paper, the author addresses the problem of quadratic normal forms of single input nonlinear systems which are not linearly controllable. Similar to the method used in Wei Kang and Krener (1992), the Poincare technique for normal forms of nonlinear dynamic systems plays the key role in the proof of the main theorem.
Effects of internal degrees of freedom on the heavy-ion fusion cross section

The large enhancement of the sub-barrier fusion cross section observed in a number of mediate-mass heavy ion collisions has been attributed to the effects of coupling of the relative motion to internal degrees of freedom. In this connection, I discuss several aspects of the tunnelling using the influence functional method. I first discuss the properties of the potential renormalization caused by a linear oscillator coupling, showing that in certain limits it has significant energydependence. Then, I discuss a factorization property of the influence functional when several internal modes of excitation are simultaneously involved, showing that there is a saturation effect in the enhancement of the transmission probability. Then, I show that the transmission probability can be factorized as a product of the adiabatic transmission probability and a dissipation factor if the relative motion couples to harmonic oscillators with high frequency. It is suggested that quite different correlations between the dissipation factor and the friction coefficient for a classically accessible process arises depending on the properties of the Hamiltonian of the internal coordinates. Finally, I show that a strong and localized coupling around the potential barrier yields a resonant fusion excitation function.
β‐Dicarbonyl enolates: a new class of neuroprotectants

Curcumin, phloretin and structurally related phytopolyphenols have well-described neuroprotective properties that appear to be at least partially mediated by 1,3-dicarbonyl enol substructures that form nucleophilic enolates. Based on their structural similarities, we tested the hypothesis that enolates of simple 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds such as acetylacetone might also possess neuroprotective actions. Our results show that the β-diketones, particularly 2-acetylcyclopentanone, protected rat striatal synaptosomes and a neuronal cell line from thiol loss and toxicity induced by acrolein, an electrophilic α,β-unsaturated aldehyde. The 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds also provided substantial cytoprotection against toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide in a cellular model of oxidative stress. Initial chemical characterization in cell-free systems indicated that the 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds acted as surrogate nucleophilic targets that slowed the rate of sulfhydryl loss caused by acrolein. Although the selected 1,3-dicarbonyl congeners did not scavenge free radicals, metal ion chelation was a significant property of both acetylacetone and 2-acetylcyclopentanone. Our data suggest that the 1,3-dicarbonyl enols represent a new class of neuroprotectants that scavenge electrophilic metal ions and unsaturated aldehydes through their nucleophilic enolate forms. As such, these enols might be rational candidates for treatment of acute or chronic neurodegenerative conditions that have oxidative stress as a common molecular etiology.
Binding of chlorpromazine and thioproperazine in vitro—I: Results of centrifugation methods with tissue and mitochondria from rat liver and human leukocytes

Abstract Binding of two phenothiazine neurolepties, chlorpromazine (CPZ) and thioproperazine (TPZ) was studied with rat liver and human leukocytes as sources of tissue and mitochondria. After 10 min of incubation at 24° in 15 or 30μg CPZ/ml Hank's solution, rat liver bound 66–88 per cent, whereas human leukocytes bound 27–29 per cent of the drug. Eight sequential centrifugal washings of the rat liver tissue released 30 per cent of the CPZ, but under the same conditions human leukocytes released 84–100 per cent of the bound drug. In contrast, we observed no difference in mitochondrial binding due to difference between tissues. Liver and leukoeyte mitochondria were centrifuged at 8° through linear sucrose density gradients that contained a constant concentration of 15 or 30μg phenothiazine/ml. After 5 min of centrifugation through a sucrose gradient containing 15 μg ifCPZ/ml, 3.7 μg ifCPZ/ml was ifbound/mg mitochondrial protein; after 15 min, 5.3 μg drug/ml was bound/mg protein. With 30 μg CPZ/ml in the gradient, 2.2 and 9.9 μg of drug/ml were bound/mg protein after 5 and 15 min, respectively. If TPZ, at either 15 or 30 μg/ml, was present in the gradient, 3.0 and 4.4μg of drug/ml were bound/mg protein after 5 and 15 min. Cooperative effects on binding by the mitochondria and the drugs were observed as a function of duration of exposure at 8°. Significant quantities of each drug, measured spectrophotofluorimetrically, were removed from solution by the mitochondrial suspensions.
Nivolumab in renal cell carcinoma

Introduction: Immune-based therapies (e.g., IL-2, IFN) have been used for some time in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with overall modest success. Recent advances have demonstrated that tumor cells evade immune-mediated destruction by inducing inhibitory signals that result in effector T-cell exhaustion. One mechanism involves interaction between the T-cell programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand, PD ligand-1, expressed on tumor and inflammatory cells. Nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, blocks this pathway, thereby reversing T-cell suppression and activating antitumor responses.Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize selected aspects of PD-1 signaling, the development of immune checkpoint therapeutic agents, and clinical data regarding the safety and efficacy of nivolumab in RCC from Phase I and II clinical trials.Expert opinion: Objective responses and safety profiles of single-agent nivolumab are favorable in patients with previously treated and treatment-naive meta...
Diet-Induced Changes in NaCl Preference and Blood Pressure in Rats

The interrelationship between diet, blood pressure and the acceptability of salt solutions was examined. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high carbohydrate (5% corn oil), all unsaturated fat (20% corn oil) or all saturated fat (20% coconut oil) diets containing either basal (0.15% NaCl) or high (8.0% NaCl) levels of salt. Systolic blood pressure was determined indirectly using an electro-sphygmomanometer. Percent acceptance was determined using a two-bottle preference test. Results from this experiment suggest that postingestional feedback mechanisms rather than blood pressure play an important role in determining the acceptability of salt solutions by the Sprague-Dawley rat.
Solid state NMR study of chemical structure and hydrothermal deactivation of moderate-temperature carbon materials with acidic SO3H sites

Abstract Hydrothermal stability of carbon based acid catalysts synthesized by sulfonating carbohydrates pyrolyzed at moderate temperatures (300–600 °C) has been reported previously. To test the effect of carbon structure on hydrothermal stability, we produced catalysts by dry pyrolysis at 350 °C and 450 °C or by hydrothermal carbonization, followed by sulfonation with fuming sulfuric acid, as well as by direct sulfonation of glucose. The catalysts were characterized by BET, titration, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, XPS, reaction testing, and 13 C solid state NMR. Catalysts were hydrothermally treated and then analyzed for sulfur retention and catalytic activity. The lower temperature carbon catalysts showed the best stability, however all showed significant activity loss. Solid state NMR of materials made from 13 C-glucose was used to characterize the structural details in an attempt to correlate functional groups to hydrothermal stability of catalyst active sites. Structural models generated from NMR data showed that the most stable catalysts contained a significant fraction of furan rings and hardly any polycondensed aromatic rings.
Core recruitment effects in SIS models with constant total populations

We consider a set of SIS models for a heterosexually transmitted disease in which there is recruitment between core and non-core subpopulations as a function of prevalence of the disease. Behavior diverges from the traditional R0 threshold behavior and yields an extra pair of endemic equilibria in one case and a limit cycle in the other. Total at-risk population is constant.
Vectorcardiogram Simulating Myocardial Infarction in Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

Vectorcardiograms and electrocardiograms that simulated patterns of myocardial infarction were recorded in two patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Both patients had normal coronary arteries as shown by selective coronary arteriography. The angiographic evidence of normal coronary arteries in these patients supports the clinical impression that both the vectorcardiogram and the electrocardiogram can simulate myocardial infarction in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. The vectorcardiogram may not distinguish between the electrocardiographic pattern of myocardial infarction and the electrocardiographic pattern that mimics myocardial infarction in such patients.
Estimating Market Model Betas: A Comparison of Random Coefficient Methods and Their Ability to Correctly Identify Random Variation

When estimating market model betas using random coefficient methods, the rather fine distinction between significance or insignificance, as argued in recent studies, overlooks two important factors. First, the maximum likelihood method has not been tested in comparison to the generalized least squares approximation. Second, and more importantly, the ability of these methodologies to correctly identify a known random coefficient process has not been examined in the context of the market model. Using both simulations and subsequent empirical tests, this study shows that, for reasonable levels of variation in beta, neither method can consistently identify a random coefficient process. These results suggest that the nominal level of significant random coefficients previously observed could be indicative of a much more predominant phenomenon.
Detection and Management of Obstructive Azoospermia

Abstract Introduction Obstructive azoospermia represents a treatable form of male factor infertility. With greater demand for assisted reproductive technologies the general urologist may be tasked with initiating the infertility evaluation and providing counsel for treatment options. In this review we discuss appropriate laboratory, radiographic and genetic testing for the patient with obstructive azoospermia. We also outline surgical treatment options. Methods The Medline® database was searched for relevant studies of the evaluation and treatment of men with obstructive azoospermia. Key words included obstructive azoospermia, vasovasostomy, vasoepididymostomy, testicular sperm extraction, sperm aspiration and sperm retrieval. Results Most published reports were based on small cohorts followed at single institutions. There were sufficient data to characterize the current state of the art and review the standard of practice. Conclusions The initial evaluation of azoospermia is primarily based on differentiating obstructive from nonobstructive etiologies with a substantial reliance on history, physical examination and screening laboratory studies. Various treatment options exist for obstructive azoospermia, including reproductive tract reconstruction (vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy) or numerous surgical sperm extraction approaches.
Inferior Vena Cava Filter Malposition in a Paraspinal Vein

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filtration is used in patients with deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism who fail or are unfit for anticoagulation therapy. In the past, malposition was a relatively common event when vena cava filters were placed by surgeons without imaging guidance, especially when the internal jugular veins were used for access. Currently, complications are uncommon when filters are placed by interventional radiologists and malposition is exceedingly rare.
Effect of Non-Pulsatile Renal Blood Flow on Plasma Erythropoietin

Erythropoietin is a hormone responsible for regulation of red blood cell production. Circulating erythropoietin values are regulated by renal oxygen supply, which is determined by hemoglobin concentration, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and renal blood flow. Previous animal and human studies regarding erythropoietin regulation have assumed pulsatile renal blood flow. During cardiopulmonary bypass, non-pulsatile renal perfusion has been shown to result in decreased glomerular filtration rate and decreased renal blood flow in comparison to pulsatile perfusion. Repair of congenital heart disease during cardiopulmonary bypass is an attractive circumstance in which to study the effect of non-pulsatile blood flow on erythropoietin production. The hypothesis in this study was that non-pulsatile perfusion would result in increased erythropoietin production because of decreased renal oxygen supply. Fourteen children with congenital heart disease and without preoperative renal insufficiency or anemia were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary bypass with non-pulsatile flow. In addition, 10 control patients without congenital heart disease were enrolled. Six cardiopulmonary bypass patients had 1.5- to 6-fold increases in plasma erythropoietin concentrations from baseline. These patients had longer cardiopulmonary bypass times, more commonly performed under low flow deep hypothermic conditions. The remaining 8 patients with congenital heart disease, and all control patients, did not develop increased postoperative erythropoietin concentrations. The conditions under which cardiopulmonary bypass are performed appear to influence postoperative circulating erythropoietin concentrations.
Distance and Orientation Dependence of Heterogeneous Electron Transfer: A Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Study of Cytochrome c Bound to Carboxylic Acid Terminated Alkanethiols Adsorbed on Silver Electrodes

The distance and orientation dependence of the heterogeneous electron-transfer reaction between ferrocytochrome c (Fe2+Cc) and a silver film over nanosphere (AgFON) electrode is examined in detail using electrochemical surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) as a molecularly specific and structurally sensitive probe. The distance between the Fe2+ redox center and the electrode surface is controlled by varying the chain length x of an intervening carboxylic acid terminated alkanethiol, HS(CH2)xCOOH, self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The orientation of the heme in Fe2+Cc with respect to the AgFON/S(CH2)xCOOH electrode surface is controlled by its binding motif. Electrostatic binding of Fe2+Cc to AgFON/S(CH2)xCOOH yields a highly oriented redox system with the heme edge directed toward the electrode surface. The binding constants were determined to be K = 5.0 × 106 M-1 and 1.1 × 106 M-1, respectively, for the x = 5 and x = 10 SAMs. In contrast, covalent binding of Fe2+Cc yields a randomly oriente...
Constrained phosphite ester complexes of η-cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl halides

Abstract The synthesis of complexes of the type gh-C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)LX, where X = Cl, Br or I and L = P(OCH 2 ) 3 CR (R = CH 3 , C 2 H 5 or C 3 H 7 ), is reported. Near- and far-infrared, proton magnetic resonance, and conductimetric measurements were taken, which characterized the complexes as non-conducting covalent species in solution. All PMR spectra showed a sharp doublet η-cyclopentadienyl signal ( J (PH) ~ 1.0 Hz) and a sharp doublet resonance for the ligand OCH 2 protons ( J (POCH) ~ 5.0 Hz), suggesting a structure in solution similar to that of other neutral η-cyclopentadienyliron carbonyl complexes. The expected two δ(FeCO) modes and one v (FeCO) mode were identified in the far-infrared spectra. The single strong v (CO) band observed in the near-infrared spectra indicated that the complexes are single conformers of the covalent compounds η-C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)LX. The order in the position of the v (CO) varied with the halogen group as expected (Cl > Br > I) from electronegativity considerations. The position of the v (CO) in these complexes compared with that for analogous complexes where the ligand was an alkyl or aryl phosphine or phosphite suggested that bi- cyclic P(OCH 2 ) 3 CR ligands are better π-acceptors than phosphines or other phosphites.
Sensitive assay for cocaine and benzoylecgonine using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography

Abstract An improved method for the simultaneous determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine by means of gas chromatography with nitrogen—phosphorus detection is described. Following a solid-phase extraction and derivatization of benzoylecgonine to its butyl ester, chromatography was performed using a capillary column. The n-propylester of benzoylecgonine served as the internal standard. The assay was linear from 4 to 2000 ng/ml for both cocaine and benzoylecgonine, with a good precision over this concentration range. This method may be particularly useful for small volume samples since it requires only 250 μl of plasma for analysis of both cocaine and benzoylecgonine.
Short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing valve surgery with end-stage renal failure receiving chronic hemodialysis.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic preoperative hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure in patients undergoing valve surgery. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing primary valve with or without coronary artery bypass surgery from 1996 to 2008 at a US academic center was performed. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 underwent valve surgery without preoperative dialysis (n = 5084) and group 2 underwent valve surgery with preoperative dialysis (n = 224). The outcomes were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis, and long-term survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meier plots. Results The patients in group 2 were younger ( P P = .04), and presented with New York Heart Association class III-IV ( P P = .36). The adjusted perioperative morbidity was similar between the two groups for stroke ( P = .79) and myocardial infarction ( P = .68). Resource use (postoperative length of stay) was greater in group 2 ( P P P Conclusions In this large cohort of patients, preoperative dialysis conferred a high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality and poor long-term survival after valve surgery. Risk stratification and future research efforts should focus on more precise identification of the benefits of valve surgery in this high-risk patient population.
Calculations for breakdown induced by "Large defects" in superconducting niobium cavities

A computer program has been written to model thermal magnetic breakdown. It incorporates all the heat production and heat transport factors. The temperature of the defect and vicinity is calculated for increasing rf field levels until the defect grows unstably, determining the breakdown field level. Calculations are performed for a variety of circumstances to explore the relative influence of the various heat production and heat transport factors.
Limiting temperatures of neutron rich nuclei: A possible interpretation of data from isotope yield ratios

The recent ALADIN report of limiting temperatures for nuclear disassembly, derived from measurements of isotopic ratios for He and Li nuclei, is discussed. It is suggested that the entire excitation energy dependence which is observed may result from the fact that limiting temperatures for the onset of Coulomb instability are being measured for progressively lighter neutron rich nuclei as the excitation energy per nucleon increases. While the basic observation of plateauing in the intermediate excitation energy range remains valid, the higher excitation results may not signal entry into the vapor phase. The ALADIN result for A\ensuremath{\approxeq}125, when combined with lower energy data, indicates a plateau temperature near 6.5 MeV over the range of 3--11 MeV/nucleon initial excitation energy.