cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kidney and bladder function in a uricotelic treefrog (Phyllomedusa sauvagei)

Phyllomedusa sauvagei, a xeric adapted treefrog, excretes large amounts of nitrogen as urate when fed insects, even when deprived of additional water. Most terrestrial anurans produce urea which they do not excrete when they are deprived of water. We investigated the differences in renal function underlying the unusual excretory capacities ofP. sauvagei. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were measured inP. sauvagei in water and when deprived of water, except that in food, for up to 27 days. For comparison a toad (Bufo boreas) was studied in water and during water deprivation. In water both species produced 30–40 ml urine kg−1 h−1 and resorbed only ca. 50% of the filtrate. With water deprivation, GFR rapidly approached zero inB. boreas, but remained high (20–40 ml kg−1 h−1) inP. sauvagei despite reductions in urine production of up to 100-fold. During water deprivation inP. sauvagei, urate excretion was between 250–300 μ moles kg−1 h−1 and 90% of this reflects net tubular secretion. Urate clearances were similar to those of para-amino hippurate, indicating effective removal of urate from the peritubular circulation. Urea, sodium and chloride showed net fractional resorptions of 98–99%, and 85% of the potassium was resorbed. At low rates of urine production, urine to plasma (U/P) ratios for inulin in bladder urine were 20–100 whereas those for ureteral urine were ca. 10. The urinary bladder also functions as a water reserve during dehydration.
Development and application of a soil organic matter-based soil quality index in mineralized terrane of the Western US

Soil quality indices provide a means of distill- ing large amounts of data into a single metric that evaluates the soil's ability to carry out key ecosystem functions. Primarily developed in agroecosytems, then forested eco- systems, an index using the relation between soil organic matter and other key soil properties in more semi-arid systems of the Western US impacted by different geologic mineralization was developed. Three different sites in two different mineralization types, acid sulfate and Cu/Mo porphyry in California and Nevada, were studied. Soil samples were collected from undisturbed soils in both mineralized and nearby unmineralized terrane as well as waste rock and tailings. Eight different microbial parame- ters (carbon substrate utilization, microbial biomass-C, mineralized-C, mineralized-N and enzyme activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and fluorescein diacetate) along with a number of physico- chemical parameters were measured. Multiple linear regression models between these parameters and both total organic carbon and total nitrogen were developed, using the ratio of predicted to measured values as the soil quality index. In most instances, pooling unmineralized and min- eralized soil data within a given study site resulted in lower model correlations. Enzyme activity was a consistent explanatory variable in the models across the study sites. Though similar indicators were significant in models across different mineralization types, pooling data across sites inhibited model differentiation of undisturbed and dis- turbed sites. This procedure could be used to monitor recovery of disturbed systems in mineralized terrane and help link scientific and management disciplines.
Shaped pupil coronagraphy

Abstract At Princeton we have been studying shaped pupil coronagraphs for high contrast imaging and planet finding. These will find applications in both ground and space imaging. In this article we summarize the design procedure for shaped pupils and review the various families of designs we have found. We describe the manufacturing processes we have used to make free standing shaped pupil masks and review our most recent laboratory results with and without wavefront control. We also discuss the factors limiting high contrast in the laboratory and our plans for mitigating them. To cite this article: N.J. Kasdin et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).
X-ray Absorption Study of PdCu Bimetallic Alloy Nanoparticles Containing an Average of ∼64 Atoms

The synthesis and characterization of PdCu bimetallic nanoparticles and Pd and Cu monometallic nanoparticles, consisting of an average of ∼64 atoms, is described. The bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by cocomplexation of Pd2+ and Cu2+ to interior functional groups of a sixth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer template, followed by chemical reduction to yield dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy indicates that the particles have an alloy structure. TEM studies indicate particle diameters of 1.2−1.3 nm. This is a rare example of a stable nanoparticle in this size range that consists of one reactive metal and one substantially more noble metal. Such materials are predicted by first-principles theory to have interesting catalytic properties.
The lifetime probability density function for solute movement in the subsurface zone

Abstract The conceptual basis and physical significance of the solute lifetime probability density function (pdf) and its important special case, the travel time pdf, are discussed. The field-scale measurement and use of these two pdfs in characterizing solute mass transfer and solute concentrations in the subsurface zone are described along with their physical interpretation as lifetime or travel time “spectra”. The relation between the travel time pdf and mechanistic models of subsurface solute transport (e.g., the convection-dispersion equation) is illustrated with an application to three-dimensional reactive solute movement in a sand aquifer.
Regional specificity in the Drosophila midgut: setting boundaries with stem cells.

Many organs consist of distinct subregions with specialized physiological roles, but how regional boundaries are upheld during cellular renewal is largely unknown. Recently, Buchon et al. (2013) and Marianes and Spradling (2013) showed that subregions of the Drosophila midgut are maintained by patterned transcription factors and compartmentalized stem cell progeny.
Escherichia coli Infections.

1. Sejal Makvana, MD* 2. Leonard R. Krilov, MD*,† 1. *Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Medical Center at Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY. 2. †State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. * Abbreviations: EIEC: : enteroinvasive Escherichia coli ESBL: : extended-spectrum β-lactamase ETEC: : enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli HUS: : hemolytic uremic syndrome STEC: : Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli UPEC: : uropathogenic Escherichia coli UTI: : urinary tract infection Virulent strains of Escherichia coli are responsible for most diarrheal infections, meningitis, septicemia, and urinary tract infections in children worldwide. Clinicians must learn to recognize, treat, and prevent these infections. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the epidemiology of E coli infections. 2. Recognize the clinical features of E coli infections, including the O157:H7 strain. 3. Appropriately treat children with various types of E coli infections. 4. Understand ways to prevent E coli infections. Escherichia coli are normal inhabitants of the human large intestine. Most strains are harmless, but some strains acquire bacteriophage or plasmid DNA-encoding enterotoxins or invasion factors and become pathogenic. These virulent strains are responsible for diarrheal infections worldwide, as well as neonatal meningitis, septicemia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). E coli are gram-negative bacilli of the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are facultative anaerobes and nonsporulating. E coli strains with the K1 capsular polysaccharide antigen cause approximately 40% of cases of septicemia and 80% of cases of meningitis. Different strains of E coli are associated with a number of distinctive diarrheal illnesses (Table). Among these are the enterotoxigenic E coli (ETEC), enteroinvasive E coli (EIEC), and Shiga toxin–producing E coli (STEC). Of the STEC, E coli O157:H7 is the prototypic strain. Each class of E coli has distinct somatic (O) and flagellar (H) antigens and specific virulence characteristics. (1) View this table: Table. Classification of Escherichia coli Associated With Diarrhea Diarrheogenic E coli strains are worldwide in distribution. The route of infection is fecal-oral, predominantly via contaminated water and food. STEC, especially E coli O157:H7, is shed in …
Receptor tyrosine kinases modulate distinct transcriptional programs by differential usage of intracellular pathways

Cells produce many different proteins that play a variety of important roles. For example, proteins called receptor tyrosine kinases can detect particular molecules and send signals to other parts of the cell to regulate the activity (or “expression”) of genes involved in cell division, movement, and other processes. Humans have 58 receptor tyrosine kinases, and defects in these proteins have been linked to diseases such as cancer and diabetes. However, many different receptors regulate the activities of shared sets of genes, so it is not clear how an individual receptor can specifically control the genes involved in a particular process. Two receptor tyrosine kinases called PDGFR and FGFR are crucial for the development of the face, palate, and head in humans and other animals. Vasudevan et al. used a technique called RNA-sequencing to find out which genes are regulated by these receptors in mouse palate cells. The experiments show that there is a common set of genes whose activities change quickly—within 1 hour—in response to the activation of either PDGFR or FGFR. However, several hours later, cells in which PDGFR is activated have different patterns of gene expression compared to those with active FGFR. Vasudevan et al. also found that FGFR promotes cell division, while PDGFR promotes the changing of palate cells into different types with more specialized roles. These different outcomes arise because PDGFR and FGFR use different signaling pathways that involve distinct proteins. For example, a protein called PI3K is critical for changes in gene expression in response to PDGFR but not FGFR. These results suggest that PGDRF and FGFR control different cellular processes in the palate by sending distinct signals into the cell. Understanding the receptor tyrosine kinases and the networks of genes they activate will help us to identify the signals that are important for other processes, such as the development of the face.
Synthesis of Pd/Fe3O4 Hybrid Nanocatalysts with Controllable Interface and Enhanced Catalytic Activities for CO Oxidation

Palladium is an important catalyst for many industrial processes and chemical reactions. The conjunction of Pd and a metal oxide is of particular interest for improving catalytic performance in heterogeneous catalysis. Here we report the synthesis of Pd/Fe3O4 hybrid nanoparticles with controllable interface and the evaluation of their catalytic activities for CO oxidation. The synthesis involves a seed-mediated process in which Pd nanoparticles serve as seeds, followed by the deposition of the Fe3O4 layer in the solution phase. The adhesion of the oxide layer to the metal surface is through the reduced form of Fe. Upon thermal annealing, the Fe3O4 layer evolved from complete to partial coverage on the Pd core surface. This process is accompanied by increased crystallinity of Fe3O4. The resultant Pd–Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a partial Fe3O4 shell significantly lower the light-off temperature of CO oxidation.
A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of ondansetron in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence

Methamphetamine dependence is an increasing public health problem in the United States. No efficacious medication for methamphetamine dependence has been developed. As ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and modulator of cortico-mesolimbic dopamine function, has been shown to reduce some of the rewarding effects of d-amphetamine in animal and human laboratory studies, we decided to test whether it would be superior to placebo at reducing methamphetamine use. In a preliminary, multi-site, randomized, double-blind, 8-wk controlled trial, 150 methamphetamine-dependent men and women received ondansetron (0.25 mg, 1 mg, or 4 mg b.i.d.) or placebo. Participants were assessed on several measures of methamphetamine use including urine methamphetamine level up to three times per week. As a psychosocial adjunct to the medication condition, cognitive behavioural therapy also was administered three times per week. Ondansetron was well tolerated and was less likely than placebo to be associated with serious adverse events. Nevertheless, none of the ondansetron doses was superior to placebo at decreasing any of the measures of methamphetamine use, withdrawal, craving, or clinical severity of methamphetamine dependence. Our preliminary results do not support the utility of ondansetron, at the doses tested, as a treatment for methamphetamine dependence. These findings should be viewed in light of the possibility that a less intensive cognitive behavioural therapy regimen might have yielded more positive results in this initial phase II trial exploring for the efficacy of ondansetron.
Polyploidy did not predate the evolution of nodulation in all legumes.

Background: Several lines of evidence indicate that polyploidy occurred by around 54 million years ago, early in the history of legume evolution, but it has not been known whether this event was confined to the papilionoid subfamily (Papilionoideae; e.g. beans, medics, lupins) or occurred earlier. Determining the timing of the polyploidy event is important for understanding whether polyploidy might have contributed to rapid diversification and radiation of the legumes near the origin of the family; and whether polyploidy might have provided genetic material that enabled the evolution of a novel organ, the nitrogen-fixing nodule. Although symbioses with nitrogen-fixing partners have evolved in several lineages in the rosid I clade, nodules are widespread only in legume taxa, being nearly universal in the papilionoids and in the mimosoid subfamily (e.g., mimosas, acacias) – which diverged from the papilionoid legumes around 58 million years ago, soon after the origin of the legumes. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using transcriptome sequence data from Chamaecrista fasciculata, a nodulating member of the mimosoid clade, we tested whether this species underwent polyploidy within the timeframe of legume diversification. Analysis of gene family branching orders and synonymous-site divergence data from C. fasciculata, Glycine max (soybean), Medicago truncatula, and Vitis vinifera (grape; an outgroup to the rosid taxa) establish that the polyploidy event known from soybean and Medicago occurred after the separation of the mimosoid and papilionoid clades, and at or shortly before the Papilionoideae radiation. Conclusions: The ancestral legume genome was not fundamentally polyploid. Moreover, because there has not been an independent instance of polyploidy in the Chamaecrista lineage there is no necessary connection between polyploidy and nodulation in legumes. Chamaecrista may serve as a useful model in the legumes that lacks a paleopolyploid history, at least relative to the widely studied papilionoid models.
Measurements of pulse dynamics in mode-locked fiber lasers

We present the measurement results of pulse dynamics in a mode-locked Er3+ fiber laser. The quantitative data will be useful for determining the noise-limits of optical frequency combs generated by mode-locked fiber lasers.
A Neural Circuit Basis for Spatial Working Memory

The maintenance of a mental image in memory over a time scale of seconds is mediated by the persistent discharges of neurons in a distributed brain network. The representation of the spatial location of a remembered visual stimulus has been studied most extensively and provides the best-understood model of how mnemonic information is encoded in the brain. Neural correlates of spatial working memory are manifested in multiple brain areas, including the prefrontal and parietal association cortices. Spatial working memory ability is severely compromised in schizophrenia, a condition that has been linked to prefrontal cortical malfunction. Recent computational modeling work, in interplay with physiological studies of behaving monkeys, has begun to identify microcircuit properties and neural dynamics that are sufficient to generate memory-related persistent activity in a recurrent network of excitatory and inhibitory neurons during spatial working memory. This review summarizes recent results and discusses issues of current debate. It is argued that understanding collective neural dynamics in a recurrent microcircuit provides a key step in bridging the gap between network memory function and its underlying cellular mechanisms. Progress in this direction will shed fundamental insights into the neural basis of spatial working memory impairment associated with mental disorders.
In vitro transdermal delivery of therapeutic antibodies using maltose microneedles

This paper investigates the microneedle-mediated in vitro transdermal delivery of human IgG as a model protein and demonstrates its applicability to deliver a monoclonal antibody. Microchannels created by the treatment of maltose microneedles in full thickness hairless rat skin were visualized using methylene blue staining. Cryostat sections were prepared and stained using hematoxylin and eosin to locate the depth of penetration. In vitro penetration studies were conducted using freshly excised full thickness hairless rat skin and various parameters like needle length, number of needles and effect of donor concentration were examined. Pathway of IgG transport across skin was confirmed by immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. A monoclonal antibody was delivered under optimized conditions. Methylene blue was taken up by microchannels indicating disruption of the stratum corneum and cryosections showed that microneedles just reached the dermis. Human IgG delivery increased with increase in arrays of microneedles, concentration and length of microneedles. IHC studies demonstrated that IgG follows microchannels for transport across the skin. Transdermal delivery was also demonstrated for the monoclonal antibody. In conclusion, maltose microneedles provide a means for the transdermal delivery of macromolecules.
Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme and its relatives

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) is a monomeric, membrane-bound, zinc- and chloride-dependent peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of the decapeptide angiotensin I to the octapeptide angiotensin II, by removing a carboxy-terminal dipeptide. ACE has long been known to be a key part of the renin angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure, and ACE inhibitors are important for the treatment of hypertension. There are two forms of the enzyme in humans, the ubiquitous somatic ACE and the sperm-specific germinal ACE, both encoded by the same gene through transcription from alternative promoters. Somatic ACE has two tandem active sites with distinct catalytic properties, whereas germinal ACE, the function of which is largely unknown, has just a single active site. Recently, an ACE homolog, ACE2, has been identified in humans that differs from ACE in being a carboxypeptidase that preferentially removes carboxy-terminal hydrophobic or basic amino acids; it appears to be important in cardiac function. ACE homologs (also known as members of the M2 gluzincin family) have been found in a wide variety of species, even in those that neither have a cardiovascular system nor synthesize angiotensin. X-ray structures of a truncated, deglycosylated form of germinal ACE and a related enzyme from Drosophila have been reported, and these show that the active site is deep within a central cavity. Structure-based drug design targeting the individual active sites of somatic ACE may lead to a new generation of ACE inhibitors, with fewer side-effects than currently available inhibitors.
Survival of HCl(v=2) in trapping-desorption from MgO(100)

An HCl molecular beam incident on MgO 100 is photoexcited to ˝ s 2, Js 1 by using a pulsed parametric oscillator. At a translational energy of 0.11 eV, incident HCl is adsorbed. Thermal desorption yields ˝ s 2 molecules whose rotational and translational degrees of freedom are equilibrated at the surface temperature. Surface residence times for ˝ s 2 might be as long as 1 ms. At 180 K, it is concluded that a large fraction of surface-bound ˝ s 2 molecules reenter the gas phase, while at 120 K, deactivation exceeds desorption by an order of magnitude. Deactivation probably takes place at steps. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Micromagnetic studies of iron microbars prepared by nanoimprint lithography and electrodeposition

Micromagnetic and macromagnetic switching properties of iron microbars produced by electrodeposition into voids patterned by nanoimprint lithography were investigated. The study was focused on microbars with six different aspect ratios. Magnetization along the long axis produced single-domain states in all microbars regardless of their aspect ratio. In the remanent state, magnetization in microbars with smaller aspect ratios resumed the closed magnetic flux configuration. Closed magnetic flux configuration was also found in demagnetized microbars. Individual, as well as the net remanence curves, were extracted from magnetic force microscopy images to verify their agreement with the macroscopic magnetization measurements.
On Ultrasonic Techniques for Measurement of the Nonlinear Parameter B/A in Fluid-Like Media

A composite waveform consisting of the sum of a low-frequency pump sinusoid and a higher frequency probe results in phase modulation of the probe by the pump in nonlinear media. The phase deviation of the probe at the pump frequency can be measured directly o r inferred from measurement of the magnitude of the resulting sum or difference sidebands. The phase deviation (or sideband magnitude) increases linearly with pump pressure and with the slope as a function of the nonlinearity of the medium, thus providing a possible means for determination of B/A. A theory which accounts for attentuation is introduced.
Differences in CT features of peritoneal carcinomatosis, sarcomatosis, and lymphomatosis: Retrospective analysis of 122 cases at a tertiary cancer institution

Aims To study the differences in the imaging features of spread from the three cancer cell lines, namely epithelial, sarcomatoid, and lymphoid, resulting in peritoneal carcinomatosis, peritoneal sarcomatosis, and peritoneal lymphomatosis, respectively. Materials and methods In this institutional review board-approved Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant retrospective study, an electronic radiology database was searched to identify patients with peritoneal tumour spread who underwent CT imaging at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a tertiary cancer institution, between January 2011 and December 2012. Out of 1214 patients with possible peritoneal tumour spread on the radiology reports, 122 patients were included with histopathologically confirmed peritoneal disease (50 randomly selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis each, and all 22 patients with lymphomatosis). Two blinded, fellowship-trained radiologists in consensus reviewed the CT images in random order and recorded the imaging findings of peritoneal tumour spread. The statistical analysis was performed in two steps: the first comparing incidence of various features in each group and the second step was a pairwise analysis between each cohort. Results Peritoneal carcinomatosis more frequently had ascites, peritoneal thickening, and omental cake (all p ≤ 0.001). Measurable nodules were less common in peritoneal carcinomatosis (p Conclusion Peritoneal carcinomatosis, sarcomatosis, and lymphomatosis have distinctive patterns on imaging, which can help the radiologists to differentiate between them.
The Heart and Electrocardiogram of an Alligator

The phylogenetic evolution of the cardiovascular system of animals and man has been a subject of continued interest. The reported study of the cardiovascular system and electrocardiogram of the alligator bears on this subject. The author has cogently remarked that this journal, which has reported similar studies in the beluga whale, should be the vehicle of his report.—Ed.
Peripheral laser iridoplasty opens angle in plateau iris by thinning the cross-sectional tissues

Plateau iris syndrome has been described as persistent angle narrowing or occlusion with intraocular pressure elevation after peripheral iridotomy due to the abnormal plateau iris configuration. Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) is an effective adjunct procedure to treat plateau iris syndrome. Classic theory suggests that the laser causes the contraction of the far peripheral iris stroma, “pulls” the iris away from the angle, and relieves the iris-angle apposition. We report a case of plateau iris syndrome that was successfully treated with ALPI. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography confirmed the angle was open at areas with laser treatment but remained appositionally closed at untreated areas. Further analysis suggested significant cross-sectional thinning of the iris at laser-treated areas in comparison with untreated areas. The findings indicate that APLI opens the angle, not only by contracting the iris stroma, but also by thinning the iris tissue at the crowded angle. This is consistent with the ALPI technique to aim at the iris as far peripheral as possible. This case also suggests that spectral domain optical coherence tomography is a useful adjunct imaging tool to gonioscopy in assessing the angle condition.
The organization and financing of kidney dialysis and transplant care in the United States of America

In the United States, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are primarily insured by the publicly funded Medicare program. Compared to other countries in the International Study of Health Care Organization and Financing (ISHCOF), the United States has the highest health care expenditures for the general population and among ESRD patients. However, because the Medicare program is more influential in the market for ESRD-related services than for other medical services, ESRD price controls have been relatively stringent. Nonetheless, ESRD costs have grown substantially through increases in prevalence and use of ancillary services. Treatment costs are also controlled by the relatively high rate of transplantation. Proposed reforms include bundling more services into a prospective payment system, developing case-mix adjustments, and financially rewarding providers for quality.
Linear transformations of the payoff matrix and decision criterion learning in perceptual categorization.

The effects of payoff-matrix multiplication, payoff-matrix addition, the presence of long-run gains versus long-run losses, category discriminability, and base rate on decision criterion learning were examined in 2 perceptual categorization experiments. Observers were found to be sensitive to the effects of payoff-matrix multiplication (and category discriminability) on the steepness of the objective reward function in line with predictions from the flat-maxima hypothesis and contrary to the predictions from the payoff-variance hypothesis. Decision criterion learning was best in base-rate conditions, was worst when losses were associated with incorrect responding, and was intermediate when no losses were associated with incorrect responding. This performance profile was well captured by the competition between reward and accuracy (COBRA) hypothesis. A hybrid model framework that instantiates both the flat-maxima and COBRA hypotheses was necessary to account for the data from both experiments.
Repression of Hybrid Dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster by Heat-Shock-Inducible Sense and Antisense P-Element Constructs

Sets of sense and antisense P-element constructs controlled by a heat-shock-inducible promoter were tested for their ability to repress manifestations of P-element activity in vivo. As a group, the antisense constructs repressed pupal lethality, a somatic manifestation of P activity, and this repression was significantly enhanced by heat shock. Three of the 11 antisense constructs also repressed gonadal dysgenesis, a manifestation of P activity in the female germ line; however, none had any effect on P-element-mediated mutability in the male germ line. Among the 13 different heat-shock-inducible sense constructs that were tested, those containing the KP and DP elements were strong repressors of pupal lethality, gonadal dysgenesis and P-element-mediated mutability; however, individual lines carrying these constructs varied in their ability to repress each of these traits, presumably because of genomic position effects. With the exception of the sense construct that contained a complete P element, none of the sense or antisense constructs repressed a lacZ reporter gene driven by the P-element promoter. Overall, the experimental results suggest that in nature, P-element activity could be regulated by P-encoded polypeptides and by antisense P RNAs.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering on Hierarchical Porous Cuprous Oxide Nanostructures in Nanoshell and Thin-Film Geometries.

Understanding the mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of molecules on semiconductor nanostructures is directly related to our capabilities of designing and optimizing new SERS-active substrates for broad applications in the field of molecular detection and characterization. Here, we present an exploration of using cuprous oxide nanostructures with hierarchical porosity for enhancing Raman signals of adsorbed probe molecules. Distinct SERS signals were detected on both individual polycrystalline nanoshells and porous thin films composed of cuprous oxide nanocrystals. The observed enhancement of SERS signals can be interpreted as synergistic effects of strong chemical interactions between the probe molecules and cuprous oxide surfaces, localized electromagnetic field enhancement, and the unique hierarchical porosity of the nanostructures. Our work introduced a novel type of semiconductor substrates for high-performance SERS and extended the applications of cuprous oxide nanostructures to s...
Implantation Trends and Patient Profiles for Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in the United States: 1993–2006

Background: Prior studies of cardiac rhythm management devices (pacemakers [PM] and implantable cardioverter defibrillators [ICD]) utilization in the United States have been limited to the Medicare population. We evaluated the national trends for the implantation of PMs and ICDs including the burden of device replacement. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried to identify PM and ICD patients between 1993 and 2006 using ICD-9-CM codes, including demographics, health profile, and economic data. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and replacement burden were calculated, and changes over time studied. Results: From 1993 to 2006, 2.4 million patients received a primary PM and 0.8 million received an ICD, while there were 369,000 PM replacements and 74,000 ICD replacements. Women comprised 49% of PM and 24% of ICD patients. The mean ICD replacement burden was 8.4% (range 5–22%) and decreased significantly over time (P < 0.0001) while the replacement burden for PMs was constant (mean = 13.4%, range 11–16%). ICD patients had more comorbidities than PM patients (CCI: 0.8 vs 1.1, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The replacement burden for PMs has remained constant, while the replacement burden for ICDs has decreased. This is likely due to the stability of the patient population receiving PMs and technology maturity. Alternatively, the indications for ICD implantation have broadened, resulting in an increased number of primary ICD implantations. The age and comorbidities are increasing in those patients receiving ICDs while the PM population is stable. These data suggest that monitoring of replacement burden is warranted, given the changing populations, their disparate clinical outcomes, and economic implications to the health care system. (PACE 2010; 33:705–711)
RECONSTITUTION OF APOMYOGLOBIN WITH TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES CONTAINING SYNTHETIC MACROCYCLIC LIGANDS

Abstract Reconstitution of apomyoglobin has been attempted with six transition metal complexes containing synthetic macrocyclic ligands and has been successful in several cases. The success of reconstitution has been judged by electronic absorption spectroscopy and ANS fluorescence analysis of solutions of the reconstituted proteins. The most dramatically successful reconstitution was achieved with the complex [Fe TAAB (An)2] (BF4)2, (An=accetonitrile, TAAB=[b,f,n] p1,5,9,13] -tetraazacyclo-hexadecine) which undergoes a color change from maroon-red to deep blue when exposed to apomyglobin. The electronic spectrum of the blue solution corresponds with the known spectrum of FeTAAB(meIm)2 2+ (MeIm=N-methylimidazole).
THEORETICAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF WAVE-CURRENT INTERACTION IN STRONGLY-SHEARED FLOWS

The application of wave-current interaction theory in ocean circulation models has been extensively developed over the past decade, with formulations extended to three dimensions and based either on radiation stress formulations or on the Craik-Leibovich formulation. However, few of these studies consider the interaction of waves with relatively strongly sheared current, in which current shear can affect linear wave dynamics at leading order. The problem arises from the study of the evolution of highly concentrated sediment plumes developing at the mouth of small mountainous rivers. Although the annually averaged discharge of these small mountainous rivers is trivial compared to large rivers, during the extreme flooding events triggered by typhoon or tropic cyclones, these rivers, most of which located at tectonically active mountain belts, can carry highly concentrated sediment ( up to several g/l in the river plume) into the ocean. The magnitude of river discharge velocity at the river mouth may reach several m/s, comparable to the wave phase speed in coastal water. In addition, these flooding events usually coincide with very energetic wave conditions induced by the storms. Therefore, the interaction of waves with strongly sheared current becomes a very important dynamic process at this kind of river plumes. In our study, we establish a new framework to describe the interaction of small amplitude surface gravity waves and strongly sheared currents, where shear can exist in both vertical and horizontal directions. To begin with, we limit the derivation to the case of a narrow-banded slowly varying wave train propagating shoreward in the coastal ocean outside of the surf zone. Accordingly, our problem is assumed to be finite depth without wave breaking. Later we can extend the formulation to describe a spectrum of surface waves and include wave energy dissipation. In contrast to existing formulations, where waves at most feel a weighted depth-average current which follows from a weak-current, weak-shear approximation, the present formulation allows for an arbitrary degree of vertical shear, leading to a description of the vertical structure of waves in terms of solutions to the Rayleigh stability equation. The resulting formulation leads to a conservation law for wave action, and forcing terms for the description of mean flow using the Craik-Leibovich vortex force formulation. This new framework of wave-current interaction can be applied to numerical model based on ROMS/SWAN to study dynamics in coastal waters.
Casts in the Urine Sediment

Casts are the result of solidification of material (protein) in the lumen of the kidney tubules, more specifically in the nephron. Once formed, these molds (or casts) of the tubule are eliminated via the urine and may be seen in the urine sediment. Such structures are extremely important clinically, as they show the conditions in the nephron where they were formed. They may be considered to represent a biopsy of the kidney. If a cast is seen in the urine, kidney disease or in
Tropical Tropospheric-Only Responses to Absorbing Aerosols

AbstractAbsorbing aerosols affect the earth’s climate through direct radiative heating of the troposphere. This study analyzes the tropical tropospheric-only response to a globally uniform increase in black carbon, simulated with an atmospheric general circulation model, to gain insight into the interactions that determine the radiative flux perturbation. Over the convective regions, heating in the free troposphere hinders the vertical development of deep cumulus clouds, resulting in the detrainment of more cloudy air into the large-scale environment and stronger cloud reflection. A different mechanism operates over the subsidence regions, where heating near the boundary layer top causes a substantial reduction in low cloud amount thermodynamically by decreasing relative humidity and dynamically by lowering cloud top. These findings, which align well with previous general circulation model and large-eddy simulation calculations for black carbon, provide physically based explanations for the main character...
Demographics, attitudes, and reef management preferences of sport divers in offshore Texas waters

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has created artificial reefs to enhance sport-diving opportunities since 1989. Administrators see the need to site reefs dependent on area-specific human population and tourism densities and the demand for sport-diving resources. This requires an understanding of the sport-diver constituency and their particular interests and needs. In 1997, we surveyed sport divers using a mail questionnaire. Because of difficulties involved in establishing a sampling frame of saltwater divers, the study focused on divers who used dive charter boats to go diving offshore in the previous 12 months (n=1057). A response rate of 56% was achieved. On average, respondents went diving for 20 days in the previous 12 months. Most reported scuba diving is their most important outdoor recreation activity. The majority preferred to dive at depths ranging between 60 and 89 feet and preferred large naval vessels and rig jackets and other oil production structures as their materials-of-choice for future reef deployment. Results are useful for evaluating artificial reefs available in offshore Texas waters as well as input for future reef development. Copyright 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Insensitivity to Gradations in Warmth Traits Constrains Beliefs About Others’ Potential for Improvement

Do people believe that others can improve their traits and personalities? Three experiments find that the answer depends on the trait in question. People believe that others’ potential for improving warmth traits is systematically lower than others’ potential for improving competence traits (Experiments 1a–1c). Consequently, shortcomings related to one's warmth are considered harder to overcome than shortcomings related to one's competence (Experiment 2). This asymmetry is partly rooted in people's relative inability to detect gradations in warmth-related behaviors (Experiments 3–5). Enabling participants to more easily distinguish between moderate and high levels of warmth also increased their beliefs that other people can improve warmth traits. Beliefs about potential for improvement depend on how easily a trait can be evaluated.
Steroid receptors and breast cancer.

There are 2 main treatments for postmastectomy breast cancer endocrine therapy or the more radical chemotherapy. Endocrine therapy has been shown to be effective in prolonging life in approximately 1/3 of patients with advanced mammary carcinoma. Until recently there were no methods for discovering in advance exactly which patients would be helped with endocrine therapy. A series of recent clinical studies have assayed breast tumor tissue for the presence of receptors specific for the steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone. The presence of such receptors will tell the clinician which patients will respond to endocrine therapy. The endocrine therapy involves administration of antiestrogens which are blocking agents; these agents tie up the cells estrogen-controlled machinery. Diagrams graphs and tables illustrate the manner in which this type of therapy functions.
3-Ethyl-2-methyl-5-methyl-ene-6,7-di-hydroindol-4(5H)-one.

The title compound, C12H15NO, a degradation product of molindone hydro­chloride, was prepared by the reaction of molindone with methyl iodide and subsequent reaction of the resulting quaternary ammonium salt with 2N aqueous sodium hydroxide. The newly formed double bond is exocyclic in nature and the carbonyl group is conjugated with the π-electrons of the pyrrole ring. The six-membered ring is in the half-chair conformation. The H atom attached to the N atom is involved in an inter­molecular hydrogen bond with the O atom of a screw-related mol­ecule, thus forming a continuous chain.
Editorial: Linking tastes, odours, and appearance of water with consumer perception

This issue presents an excellent collection of global articles from the 10th International Symposium from the International Water Association's Specialty Group on Tastes, Odours, and Algal Toxins in Drinking Water Resources and Aquaculture (formerly called ‘Off-Flavours in the Aquatic Environment’). The symposium was held at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan during October 2013. The articles have all been written and peer reviewed according to the journal's high standards. The authors of the articles originate from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. While the researchers are from across the globe, their individual research has universal application for drinking water sustainability and public health protection. The articles intertwine two important aspects of tastes and odours in drinking water: (1) the complex nature of human sensory perception; and (2) the complex role of algae, ecology, and limnology in production of tastes, odours, colour, and turbidity in source and drinking waters. The human senses are an interface designed to assess the environment and determine pleasures and risks. As is done for any food or beverage, consumers apply their senses to evaluate treated …
AutoManner: An Automated Interface for Making Public Speakers Aware of Their Mannerisms

Many individuals exhibit unconscious body movements called mannerisms while speaking. These repeated changes often distract the audience when not relevant to the verbal context. We present an intelligent interface that can automatically extract human gestures using Microsoft Kinect to make speakers aware of their mannerisms. We use a sparsity-based algorithm, Shift Invariant Sparse Coding, to automatically extract the patterns of body movements. These patterns are displayed in an interface with subtle question and answer-based feedback scheme that draws attention to the speaker's body language. Our formal evaluation with 27 participants shows that the users became aware of their body language after using the system. In addition, when independent observers annotated the accuracy of the algorithm for every extracted pattern, we find that the patterns extracted by our algorithm is significantly (p
Effects of certain hydroxamic acids on L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase.

SummaryOver 50 hydroxamic acids (HA) were surveyed for inhibitory action against bacterial and vegetable glutamic acid carboxy-lyase (GCL). Appreciable activity against the bacterial enzyme was shown by 7 compounds. These 7, in addition to 2 others, also inhibited the vegetable enzyme. Four HA stimulated the activity of the vegetable enzyme, but none had a similar effect on bacterial GCL. Kinetic studies indicated that inhibition was predominantly competitive with substrate, but with the exception of 1 compound, was also antagonized by pyridoxal phosphate (PyP). Certain of the active inhibitors interacted with PyP in a nonenzymatic system as shown by changes in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the coenzyme, but this property was not a requisite for GCL inhibitory action.
Analysis of genesis and control measures of Xinzhai engineering landslide,Guizhou Province

Xinzhai engineering landslide locates at Sankai(Sansui-Kaili) express way Xinzhai tunnel entry in Guizhou Province.Because of the construction and cutting slope at tunnel entry and slotting of tunnel,the wide range engineering landslide occurred in the strong weathered metamorphic rock slope along left side of the line.The highway construction was once suspended.After the engineering geolagical prospecting, the pre-stressed anti-slipping pile and the pre-stressed anchor cable frame were used to stablize the landslide,then this section of express way construction can go on to complete smoothly.
Familial Idiopathic Priapism: A Case Report

Idiopathic priapism is a diagnosis made by exclusion of identifiable etiologies and is found in 43 to 58 per cent of the cases. We report a case of priapism that was investigated exhaustively and classified as idiopathic. In addition, 3 brothers also reported similar episodes of priapism. Although a common abnormality exists presumably, we were unable to define an etiology. Therefore, this case was designated as familial idiopathic priapism.
Transportation and Revolt: Pigeons, Mules, Canals, and the Vanishing Geographies of Subversive Mobility

Jacob Shell. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2015. ix and 196 pp., maps, photos, notes, index. $32.00 cloth (ISBN 978-0-262-02933-9).Just over fifteen years ago, transportation geographer Susan Hanson (2...
Suicidal Ideation is Associated With All-Cause Mortality

ABSTRACTSuicidal ideation may be associated with all-cause mortality. Available research shows that treatment of depression reduces the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with suicidal ideation. However, this finding has not been replicated in a clinical population, where patients have various mental health conditions. We examined the association between suicidal ideation and all-cause mortality in a clinical cohort. We stratified patients presenting to a mental health clinic from January 2005 through December 2007 based upon their degree of suicidal ideation and obtained vital status information through June 2015. We compared groups using survival analysis, adjusting for patient characteristics and treatment receipt. Among 1,869 patients who completed the initial assessment, there were 363 deaths. Patients with the highest levels of suicidal ideation died at increased rates. Cause-of-death data in the year following the initial assessment indicates that the difference in mortality is not likely attr...
Democracy Distracted in an Era of Accountability: Teacher Education Against Neoliberalism:

Democracy’s distraction by the politics of accountability and the public’s disaffection in an ideologically bound culture of accountability further defines the work ahead for teacher educators in a...