cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered right ventricular papillary muscle position and orientation in patients with a dilated left ventricle.

Objective To investigate the impact of left ventricular dilatation on right ventricular papillary muscle displacement. Methods Thirteen patients underwent high-resolution cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at Emory University Hospital: Seven patients with congestive heart failure and a dilated left ventricle composed the dilated left ventricular group, and 6 normal subjects were used as a control. A total of 120 cardiac magnetic resonance imaging slices were acquired in a short-axis view at end diastole for each subject. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging slices were used to identify the papillary muscle tip position in 3-dimensional coordinates for the septal, posterior, and anterior papillary muscles. The centroid of the papillary muscle coordinates was used as the reference point for comparison between subjects. The relative orientation between the right ventricular papillary muscles was evaluated and compared between the dilated left ventricular group and normal subjects. Results Dilatation of the left ventricle resulted in a significant ( P = .05) displacement of the septal right ventricular papillary muscle toward the centroid: normal group, 0.0285 ± 0.036 mm/mm versus dilated left ventricular group, 0.1437 ± 0.026 mm/mm. More specifically, the septal papillary muscle significantly ( P = .03) moved away from the septal wall (normal group: 0.61 ± 0.09 mm/mm, dilated left ventricular group: 0.379 ± 0.037 mm/mm). Specific locations of all 3 right ventricular papillary muscles were reported for normal subjects and patients with a dilated left ventricle. Conclusions Patients with a dilated left ventricle have significantly increased displacement of the septal right ventricular papillary muscle away from the septum when compared with normal controls. This demonstrates pathophysiologic contribution of the left ventricle to specific papillary muscle alterations within the right ventricle.
Feedback effectiveness of periodic versus constant triiodothyronine replacement.

We have studied some temporal aspects of the feedback inhibition of TSH secretion in unanesthetized rats using two patterns of T3 administration. Rats were thyroidectomized and prepared with chronic jugular catheters through which sequential blood samples were obtained and TRH was administered. Physiological amounts of T3 replacement (280–566 ng/100 g-day) were delivered to the rats by one of two methods: 1) continuous sc infusion by use of the Alzet osmotic minipump or 2) twice daily (800 and 2000 h) sc injections. In rats receiving 280 or 350 ng T3/100 g-day by constant infusion, plasma T3 concentrations were maintained at near-normal levels (50–60 ng T3/dl), but plasma TSH levels rose progressively. The plasma TSH concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated above prethyroidectomy levels as early as 48 h post thyroidectomy and continued to rise throughout 144 h. Constant infusion of 566 ng T3/100 g-day resulted in plasma T3 levels above normal and the maintenance of normal plasma TSH. Rats recei...
Lipogenesis in rat skin: A possible regulatory role of glycerol 3-phosphate☆☆☆

Abstract The incorporation of 14 C from acetate-1- 14 C into acidic and non-saponifiable lipid fractions by skin of rats was examined in vitro under fed, starved, and alloxan-diabetic conditions. Starvation and alloxan diabetes were found to diminish the capacity of the skin to incorporate 14 C into lipids. Refeeding and administration of insulin, respectively, restored the impaired ability to synthesize lipids to approximately normal levels. The level of l -glycerol 3-phosphate was found depressed in skin of the starved and the alloxan-diabetic rats. Injection of insulin to the diabetic animals raised the level to approximately control values. These changes in l -glycerol phosphate paralleled changes in lipogenic activity. Incorporation of 14 C from acetate-1- 14 C into lipids by skin of the starved and the alloxan-diabetic rats could be stimulated in vitro by the addition of dl -glycerol 3-phosphate to the incubation medium, the maximum 14 C incorporation being at 6.8 m m concentration of the phosphate. On the other hand, a depression of 14 C incorporation by skin of the control (fed) rat was observed with the addition of dl -glycerol 3-phosphate. Incubation of rat skin with l -glycerol 3-phosphate-UL- 14 C demonstrated active metabolism, and 14 C was found incorporated into the non-saponifiable and the acidic lipid fractions. The amounts of 14 C incorporated were considerably greater by skin of the control rats than skin of the starved and the alloxan-diabetic rats. Thus in the experiment with unlabeled dl -glycerol 3-phosphate, non-radioactive acetate could have been formed which diluted the 14 C acetate pool leading to an apparent depression of 14 C incorporation from 14 C acetate into lipids.
The role of mineralocorticoid receptors in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in humans.

In rodents, two types of glucocorticoid receptors, the mineralocorticoid (MR; type I) and the glucocorticoid (type II) receptors, have been demonstrated to play a role in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. Because MR shows a very high affinity for cortisol, it has been suggested that MR plays an important role in restraint of CRH and ACTH secretion during the nadir of the circadian rhythm. Although a number of studies have established the importance of MR in rodents, the functional role of MR in humans has not been determined. These studies evaluated whether spironolactone, an MR antagonist, had a detectable effect on HPA axis regulation in humans, and whether the effect was greatest during the evening, when plasma cortisol concentrations are in the MR range. Compared to the placebo day, after a single dose of spironolactone at either 0800 or 1600 h, there is a significant increase in plasma cortisol, which is preceded by a rise in ACTH and β-endorphin. A significant effect of spironola...
Die geometrical effect on annular die swelling

Die geometrical effect on Newtonian annular jet swelling was studied using a finite element method. Numerical result shows what we expected in the limiting cases of die swelling with annular die geometries, i.e., variation of the die gap for straight dies follows the limiting behavior of capillary and planar die swellings. Also the effect of upstream die geometry was investigated. The result shows that final extrudate dimensions are generally influenced by its previous history in the die, i.e., not only by shearing action but also by elongational effect caused by narrowing die gap.
Review of Microanalytical in vivo study of biochemical milieu of myofascial trigger points

Summary [Shah, J.P., Phillips, T.M., Danoff, J.V., Gerber, L.H., 2005. An in-vivo microanalytical technique for measuring the local biochemical milieu of human skeletal muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology 99, 1980–1987]: Myofascial pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) is a common cause of non-articular musculoskeletal pain. Although the presence of MTrPs can be determined by soft tissue palpation, little is known about the mechanisms and biochemical milieu associated with persistent muscle pain. A microanalytical system was developed to measure the in vivo biochemical milieu of muscle in near real time at the sub-nanogram level of concentration, the system including a microdialysis needle capable of continuously collecting extremely small samples (∼0.5μl) of physiological saline after exposure to the internal tissue milieu across a 105μm thick semi-permeable membrane. This membrane is positioned 200μm from the tip of the needle and permits solutes of less than 75kDa to diffuse across it. Three subjects were selected from each of three groups (9 subjects): Normal (no neck pain, no MTrP); Latent (no neck pain, MTrP present); Active (neck pain, MTrP present). The microdialysis needle was inserted in a standardized location in the upper trapezius muscle. Due to the extremely small sample size collected by the microdialysis system, an established micro-analytical laboratory, employing immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis (ICE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC), performed analysis of selected analytes. Concentrations of protons (H + ), bradykinin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, tumor necrosis factor- β , Interleukin 1- β , serotonin, and norepinephrine were found to be significantly higher in the Active group than either of the other two groups ( P P Conclusion The described microanalytical technique enables continuous sampling of extremely small quantities of substances directly from soft tissue, with minimal system perturbation and without harmful effects on subjects. The measured levels of analytes can be used to distinguish clinically distinct groups.
Alliance experience and value creation in high-tech and low-tech acquisitions

Abstract Throughout the 1990s, organizations combined resources through acquisitions and alliances in record numbers. Simultaneously, a large portion of acquisition and alliance activity has involved firms in high-tech industries. This study investigates whether acquirers' and targets' alliance experience is beneficial to value creation in high-tech and low-tech acquisitions using robust regression techniques. The study uses market returns around acquisition announcement and finds that alliance experience correlates with market returns and the results are different for high-tech and low-tech acquisitions. The findings have important implications for literature on acquisitions and alliances, as well as for managers.
Investigation of wheat as a trap crop for control of Orobanche minor

Summary Orobanche minor is a parasitic weed that attaches to theroots of red clover (Trifolium pratense) and a numberof other broad-leaved plant species in the PaciﬁcNorthwest USA. Orobanche minor seed must bestimulated by host plant exudates for germinationand attachment to occur. However, plant species calledfalse-hosts can stimulate parasitic seed germinationwithout attachment. These species could be utilized astrap crops to reduce the amount of parasitic seed ininfested soil. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), was found tobe a false-host of O. minor; therefore, growth chamber,glasshouse and ﬁeld soil experiments were conducted toevaluate the eﬀect of six soft white winter wheats(T. aestivum), one durum wheat (Triticum turgidum),and one triticale (Triticale hexaploide)onO. minorgermination. In growth chamber experiments, wheatand triticale induced 20–70% of O. minor seeds togerminate. In glasshouse studies, O. minor attachmentwas minimal on red clover plants grown in potspreviously planted to wheat or triticale. In pots thatdid not receive a false-host treatment, red clover plantsaveraged 4.2 O. minor attachments per plant. Redclover plants also had fewer O. minor attachmentswhen grown in ﬁeld soil taken from the plots wherewheat or triticale were grown compared with plantsgrown in soil where no wheat or triticale werepreviously grown. Our results demonstrate that wheatmay have the potential to be eﬀectively integrated intoan O. minor management system.Keywords: parasitic plant, integrated weed manage-ment, wheat, red clover, Orobanche minor.L
The possibility of quantum mechanical effects in polymeric systems

Abstract The purpose of this note is to speculate on whether quantum mechanical effects may be invoked in the understanding of established phenomena occurring in polymeric systems. What is here meant by quantum mechanical is the orbital overlap and resultant electron delocalization associated with monomeric organic systems [l, 21. Thus, this note attempts to indicate that several phenomena reported in the literature may be reinterpreted in terms of orbital overlap and its effect.
Book Review: Plastic Surgery Emergencies: Principles and Techniques

Jamal M. Bullocks, Patrick W. Hsu, Shayan A. Izaddoost, Larry H. Hollier, Samuel Stal. Plastic Surgery Emergencies: Principles and Techniques. New York: Thieme; 2008. ISBN-10: 1588906701 Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” As a resident on call, I too valued that type of brevity. I wanted a manual that was portable, easily accessible, and a fairly quick read—something I could carry in my white lab coat or in my briefcase without it being too cumbersome. The reference manual I used in those days, although it was a great book, was a 500-page spiral notebook that too often was left at home or in the call room because it was too heavy to carry. When I think of the perfect-sized manual, I believe that Plastic Surgery Emergencies fits the bill in every way. The group from the Division of …
Effects of Intravenous Midazolam and Diazepam on Patient Response, Percentage of Oxygen Saturation, and Hemodynamic Factors During Periodontal Surgery

Background: The purpose of this double-masked study was to evaluate effects of intravenous sedation (IVS) using midazolam or diazepam during periodontal procedures on patient recall, psychomotor response, oxygen saturation, and hemodynamic factors. Methods: Seventeen patients received either two or three scheduled periodontal surgeries under IVS with midazolam, diazepam, or placebo control. Patients were monitored throughout the procedure for hemodynamic variables, percent oxygen saturation, level of recall of common objects presented at baseline, and psychomotor function via the perceptual speed test (PST). Results: Fifteen patients completed the study with average titrated dosages of 3.3 and 12.1 mg for midazolam and diazepam, respectively. Within the limitations of the study, there were few differences observed between the drugs with regard to hemodynamic variables, oxygen saturation, and overall percentage of objects recalled by patients sedated with either drug. However, midazolam was found to cause ...
On the accuracy of explicitly correlated coupled-cluster interaction energies--have orbital results been beaten yet?

The basis set convergence of weak interaction energies for dimers of noble gases helium through krypton is studied for six variants of the explicitly correlated, frozen geminal coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and noniterative triples [CCSD(T)-F12] approach: the CCSD(T)-F12a, CCSD(T)-F12b, and CCSD(T)(F12*) methods with scaled and unscaled triples. These dimers were chosen because CCSD(T) complete-basis-set (CBS) limit benchmarks are available for them to a particularly high precision. The dependence of interaction energies on the auxiliary basis sets has been investigated and it was found that the default resolution-of-identity sets cc-pVXZ/JKFIT are far from adequate in this case. Overall, employing the explicitly correlated approach clearly speeds up the basis set convergence of CCSD(T) interaction energies, however, quite surprisingly, the improvement is not as large as the one achieved by a simple addition of bond functions to the orbital basis set. Bond functions substantially improve the CCSD(T)-F12 interaction energies as well. For small and moderate bases with bond functions, the accuracy delivered by the CCSD(T)-F12 approach cannot be matched by conventional CCSD(T). However, the latter method in the largest available bases still delivers the CBS limit to a better precision than CCSD(T)-F12 in the largest bases available for that approach. Our calculations suggest that the primary reason for the limited accuracy of the large-basis CCSD(T)-F12 treatment are the approximations made at the CCSD-F12 level and the non-explicitly correlated treatment of triples. In contrast, the explicitly correlated second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2-F12) approach is able to pinpoint the complete-basis-set limit MP2 interaction energies of rare gas dimers to a better precision than conventional MP2. Finally, we report and analyze an unexpected failure of the CCSD(T)-F12 method to deliver the core-core and core-valence correlation corrections to interaction energies consistently and accurately.
Influence of moose browsing on successional forest growth on black spruce sites in Newfoundland

Two 225 m2 exclosures established in 1976 to eliminate browsing by moose (Alces alces Gray), were examined for tree growth and density, and species composition in 1987. Density of balsam fir (Abies balsamea L.), pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L. fil), and high-bush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum Marsh.) were higher inside the exclosures than outside. In the case of balsam fir, there was a significantly greater number of short (< m) dead and moribund stems outside both exclosures which had suffered browsing for 15 years. Balsam fir inside the exclosures that had been browsed were recovered. Heights of balsam fir inside were significantly higher than outside exclosures (1.01 m vs 0.60 m) and mean annual growth rate was more than three times greater inside. White birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) were significantly taller inside both exclosures compared with outside although densities were similar. Most black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.) had attained a mean height of more than 3 m, with a density of about 1800 stems/ha. Browsing has resulted in an open stand dominated by tall black spruce with small (< 1 m) balsam fir as an understorey. The expected regeneration pattern for this site is predominantly to balsam fir. We conclude that moose are altering forest successional patterns on black spruce sites in central Newfoundland.
Morphology and effective properties of disordered heterogeneous media

Abstract Recent progress that we have made on the problem of determining the effective properties of random heterogeneous media from knowledge of the morphology is reviewed and extended. A variety of different effective properties are considered, including the elastic moduli and electrical conductivity of composites, time scales associated with diffusion and reaction among traps, and fluid permeability of porous media. We also remark on the importance of microstructure fluctuations in influencing the failure characteristics of composites. The preponderance of work thus far has focused on heterogeneous media that are statistically homogeneous. We propose a model for statistically inhomogeneous two-phase random media (including functionally graded materials) consisting of inhomogeneous fully penetrable spheres that permits one to represent and evaluate certain n-point correlation functions that statistically characterize the microstructure for this model. Unlike the case of statistically homogeneous media, the microstructure functions depend upon the absolute positions of their arguments. Finally, we describe a novel procedure to reconstruct heterogeneous media from limited knowledge about the microstructure and discuss applications of this technique.
Functional composition: a mechanism to compose programs

We propose a mechanism to compose programs, which is more general than pipe facility and which provides more uniform model of computation to the user.
Control of Wireworms on Summer Potatoes in Eastern Washington

When granular carbofuran, Dyfonate® ( O -ethyl S -phenyl cthylphosphonodithioate), and parathion were applied in mid-March for control of the Great Basin wireworm, Ctenicera pruinina (Horn), and the Pacific Coast Wireworm, Limonius canus LeConte, on summer potatoes, band treatments at a rate of about 2.3 lb of toxicant per acre gave better average control with less variation than broadcast treatments with 4–8 lb of the same toxicant per acre. The reverse has been observed when similar treatments were applied in mid-April or later for control of these wireworms on fall potatoes.
The use of gas chromatography in the study of the adsorption and partition of nonelectrolytes with aqueous tetraalkylammonium bromide solutions

The use of gas chromatography to measure adsorption and partition phenomena of nonelectrolytes with aqueous tetralkylammonium bromide solutions is described. Experimental details are presented, and potential sources of error are discussed. Adsorption coefficients for a series of hydrocarbons are found to be larger on the salt solutions than for water itself. Moreover, the expected increase in partition coefficients with the salt solutions relative to bulk water is shown.
X-RAY STANDING WAVE STUDY OF ARSENITE INCORPORATION AT THE CALCITE SURFACE

Abstract The location and orientation of arsenite incorporated at the CaCO3 (10 1 4) cleavage surface from a dilute aqueous solution was examined with the X-ray standing wave (XSW) technique. The high coherent fractions measured for As on the (10 1 4) and (0006) Bragg reflections indicate that the arsenite was well ordered in registration with the calcite surface lattice. The As coherent positions show that arsenite was located at the carbonate site. The XSW analysis is consistent with a structural model in which the pyramidal-shaped arsenite ion was oriented with its oxygen base coincident with the carbonate plane, and its As apex pointing outward from the (10 1 4) surface. The structure observed here for arsenite, and previously for selenite, suggests that other pyramidal trioxyanions could be incorporated at the calcite (10 1 4) surface with the same geometry.
Liming materials and rates for Boston ferns in a soilless medium: I. Effect of pH

Abstract The growth of Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott ‘Compacta’ was compared for plants growing in a peat‐perlite medium limed at three rates using two liming materials, dolomitic limestone and hydrated lime. Greatest fern growth occurred with no lime or low lime treatments. Both liming materials produced rapid changes in pH, which remained relatively consistent for 16 weeks. Two procedures were used to monitor pH; a standard soil testing procedure and effluent analysis. The pH ranges resulting in the greatest growth were 3.8–5.1 for media pH values and 3.6–5.5 for effluent pH values.
Design of a Biomimetic Controlled-Curvature Robotic Pectoral Fin

This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of a biomimetic pectoral (side) fin with actively controlled curvature for UUV propulsion. First, a 3D unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tool has been adapted to computationally optimize any fin design, followed by a full parametric study based on our findings. Second, this said fin has been constructed, and our working optimized mechanical design is offered. Lastly, we make an experimental vs. computational result comparison for thrust, lift, and flapping moment data - showing that a UUV with this technology can have dramatic improvements in low-speed propulsion and control over traditional thruster methods.
Superior hemodynamic performance of a thigh-length versus knee-length intermittent pneumatic compression device.

Objective There is a lack of consensus regarding which length of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device provides optimal thromboprophylaxis. This trial was conducted to compare hemodynamic performance of a thigh-length and knee-length IPC device. The hypothesis is that thigh-length IPC will be more efficient in preventing stasis. Methods This single-center trial tested the thigh-length sleeve (TLS) and knee-length sleeve (KLS) in 47 healthy volunteers. Peak systolic velocity and total volume flow were measured at rest and during the 11-second compression cycle. Measurements were obtained at the popliteal vein for the KLS and at the common femoral vein for the TLS. Results The study was completed by 47 volunteers (32 women, 15 men), who were a mean age of 39.7 years (range, 18-68 years). There was a statistically significant difference in augmented total volume flow and peak systolic velocity between the KLS and TLS favoring the TLS: median total volume flow was 357.54 mL/min for the KLS vs 668.21 mL/min for the TLS (P Conclusions This trial suggests that the improved hemodynamic effects of a thigh-length IPC system may provide superior thromboprophylaxis to a knee-length IPC.
The use of prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of postoperative infections.

Despite use of the best surgical techniques, some operations still carry a high risk of wound infection. Basic and clinical studies have shown that this risk can be reduced by the administration of prophylactic antibiotics. There are certain inherent risks associated with the use of these agents, however, such as toxic and allergic reactions, emergence of resistant bacteria, drug interactions, and superinfections. Moreover, prophylactic antibiotics do not prevent all postoperative infections. For these reasons, their use should be based on an understanding of certain basic principles. This article reviews these principles and discusses their application in specific clinical situations.
A chemical probe technique for the determination of reactive halogen species in aqueous solution: Part 2 – chloride solutions and mixed bromide/chloride solutions

Although reactive halogen species (X*=X•, •X 2 - , X 2 and HOX, where X=Br, Cl, or I) are important environmental oxidants, relatively little is known about their kinetics in condensed phases such as seawater and sea-salt particles. Here we describe a new technique to determine reactive chlorine and bromine species in aqueous solutions by using allyl alcohol (CH 2 =CHCH 2 OH) as a chemical probe. This probe is combined with competition kinetics in order to determine steady state concentrations of X*(aq). In some cases the technique also can be used to determine the rates of formation and lifetimes of X* in aqueous solution. In a companion paper we reported the results of our method development for aqueous solutions containing only bromide (Br - ). In this paper, we discuss method development for solutions containing chloride (Cl - ) alone, and for solutions containing both bromide and chloride.
Multiperiod securities markets with differential information: martingales and resolution times

We model multiperiod securities markets with differential information. A price system that admits no free lunches is related to martingales when agents have rational expectations. We introduce the concept of resolution time, and show that a better informed agent and a less informed agent must agree on the resolution times of commonly marketed events if they have rational expectations and if there are no free lunches. It then follows that if all elementary events are marketed for a less informed agent then any price system that admits no free lunches to a better informed agent must eliminate any private information asymmetry between the two. We provide an example of a dynamically fully revealing price system that is arbitrage free and yields elementarily complete markets.
A Diet High in Protein, Dairy, and Calcium Attenuates Bone Loss over Twelve Months of Weight Loss and Maintenance Relative to a Conventional High-Carbohydrate Diet in Adults

Weight loss causes bone mineral loss. Higher protein diets continue to be criticized for further potential harmful bone effects, including elevated urinary calcium, but may promote bone health if protein sources include dairy. Overweight middle-aged subjects (n ¼ 130, 59 males) were randomized to a diet providing 1.4 gkg 21 � d 21 protein and 3 daily servings of dairy (PRO) or 0.8 gkg 21 � d 21 protein and 2 daily servings of dairy (CARB) for 4 mo of weight loss plus 8 mo of weight maintenance. Diets prescribed 6276 kJ/d for females and 7113 kJ/d for males. Bone mineral content and density (BMD) for whole body (WB), lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) were measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry, and dietary intake using 3-d weighed food records. Urinary calcium was measured using 24-h collection at 0 and 8 mo for a subsample (n ¼ 42). Participants lost body weight (mean, 95% CI) of 8.2% (7.5-8.9%) at 4 mo, 10.6% (9.5-11.8%) at 8 mo, and 10.5% (8.9-12.0%) at 12 mo without differences between groups at any time (P ¼ 0.64). At 12 mo, PRO BMD was higher by 1.6% (0.3-3.0%) at WB, 2.1% (0.6-3.7%) at LS, and 1.4% (0.2-2.5%) at TH compared with CARB. PRO calcium intake was higher (PRO: 1140 6 58 mg/d, CARB: 766 6 46; P , 0.01), as was urinary calcium (PRO: 163 6 15 mg/d, CARB: 100 6 9.2; P , 0.01). A reduced-energy diet supplying 1.4 gkg 21 � d 21 protein and 3 dairy servings increased urinary calcium excretion but provided improved calcium intake and attenuated bone loss over 4 mo of weight loss and 8 additional mo of
Influence of Ethoxyquin on the Utilization of Selenium by the Chick

Abstract Experiments showed that commonly used concentrations of dietary ethoxyquin (6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-l,2-dihydroxyquinoline) spare the selenium requirement of the vitamin E-deficient chick according to the following function: log Y = —0.001 IX — 0.7741, where Y = Se requirement (ppm) and X = dietary ethoxyquin (ppm). The basis of the sparing effect appeared to be metabolic; (a) ethoxyquin was effective in alleviating exudative diathesis when fed (physiologically and chronologically) separately from selenium, and (b) ethoxyquin was effective in promoting increaases in the plasma of the selenium-containing enzyme, glutathione peroxidase.
Formation and dielectric properties of a novel polymer-metal nanocomposite [for embedded capacitor application]

Composites of metal particles within a dielectric medium have attracted a lot of attention because of the interesting properties exhibited by them. The current object of interest is the behavior of such polymer nanocomposites near the percolation loading levels of the metal nanoparticles. This material is particularly suited for a new technology called the Integral Passive technology. Discrete capacitors are used in many applications such as noise suppression, filtering, tuning, decoupling, bypassing, termination, and frequency determination, and they occupy substantial amount of surface area on a substrate. Therefore, there are limitations in the number of capacitors can be placed around the chip. Integral passive components are gradually replacing discrete components due to the inherent advantages of improved electrical performance, increased real estate on the printed wiring board (PWB), miniaturization of interconnect distance, reduced processing costs, and efficient electronics packaging. For integral capacitors, polymer composite material has emerged as a potential candidate, since it meets the requirements of low processing temperature and reasonably high dielectric constant. The current study achieves the polymer-metal composite through an in-situ reduction in an epoxy matrix. Various parameters affecting the nanoparticle size are discussed and optimum conditions obtained. Material characterization was done through TEM, SEM, EDAX and X-ray analysis. Dielectric characterization is done through an LCR meter. Novel dielectric behavior has been observed. Possible Coulomb blockade effects are discussed to explain the novel behavior.
Seeing more than meets the eye: processing of illusory contours in animals.

This review article illustrates that mammals, birds and insects are able to perceive illusory contours. Illusory contours lack a physical counterpart, but monkeys, cats, owls and bees perceive them as if they were real borders. In all of these species, a neural correlate for such perceptual completion phenomena has been described. The robustness of neuronal responses and the abundance of cells argue that such neurons might indeed represent a neural correlate for illusory contour perception. The internal state of an animal subject (i.e., alert and behaving) seems to be an important factor when correlating neural activity with perceptual phenomena. The fact that the neural network necessary for illusory contour perception has been found in relatively early visual brain areas in all tested animals suggests that bottom-up processing is largely sufficient to explain such perceptual abilities. However, recent findings in monkeys indicate that feedback loops within the visual system may provide additional modulation. The detection of illusory contours by independently evolved visual systems argues that processing of edges in the absence of contrast gradients reflects fundamental visual constraints and not just an artifact of visual processing.
Secretin in a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and prominent autistic features

Secretin, a gastrointestinal (GI) peptide, may offer therapeutic benefit in autism. Autistic features can also be present in schizophrenia and a recent study suggested a role for adjunctive secretin in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The current report describes one patient with undifferentiated schizophrenia and prominent autistic features who received a single dose of secretin and demonstrated substantial yet transient improvement. The case illustrates the potential role of secretin as a novel adjunctive treatment strategy in schizophrenic patients with autistic features.
Sensor integration in KIV brain model for decision making

KIV, a biologically inspired neural network with non-convergent dynamics is considered. This contribution builds on the previous studies concerning components of KIV and considers sensor integration. The method is demonstrated using a simple character recognition task. The significance of the results in the framework of biologically plausible sensor integration is discussed.
The reduction of putidaredoxin reductase by reduced pyridine nucleotides

Abstract Putidaredoxin reductase (PdR), an FAD-containing protein, mediates the transfer of electrons from NADH to putidaredoxin in the cytochrome P-450cam-dependent oxidation of camphor. Using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, reduction of putidaredoxin reductase by NADH (70 μ m ) at 4 °C appeared to be a pseudo-first-order process with a rate constant in excess of 600 s−. The reduction of putidaredoxin reductase by NADPH was much slower with a second-order rate constant of 530 s−1 m −1 at 4 °C. The reduction of the enzyme was monitored at several wavelengths: 455 nm to follow flavin reduction; 700 nm to follow the appearance of the long-wavelength charge-transfer complex; and 513 nm to detect the presence of a semiquinone form of the flavoprotein. There was no apparent semiquinone formation observed during reduction. The charge-transfer complex can be formed in the presence of NAD+, whereas, no charge-transfer band could be detected when PdR was reduced with NADPH. The titration of chemically or NADPH-reduced putidaredoxin reductase with either a stoichiometric or an excess amount of NAD+ resulted in the formation of a charge-transfer complex, indicating that the reduced form of PdR has a high affinity for NAD+ regardless of the method of reduction. The data presented indicate that putidaredoxin reductase is reduced without the formation of semiquinone intermediate and, upon reduction, forms a tight complex with NAD+. The Krmeq for the reduction of PdR by NADPH is 1.1 and the midpoint potential for this reaction is —317 ± 5 mV.
Signals and systems assessment: Comparison of responses to multiple choice conceptual questions and open-ended final exam problems

The validity of the Signals and Systems Concept Inventory (SSCI) was evaluated by comparing students' performance on the SSCI to open-ended final exam problems. An assessment instrument is said to be valid to the extent that it measures what it was designed to measure. The SSCI was designed to measure students' understanding of core concepts in undergraduate signals and systems (S&S) courses through 25 multiple choice questions. The SSCI scores and final exam scores for more than 150 students in four sections of S&S at two schools were found to have a statistically significant correlation. A more detailed analysis was conducted with a pool of over 60 students at both schools. This second analysis compared detailed coding of students' responses on the final exam problems to their answers for specific SSCI questions assessing the same topic. This analysis found statistically significant correlations between SSCI questions and final exam problems for some convolution and Fourier transform problems. Results were mixed for the problem on Bode plots.
Multiobjective flow control in telecommunication networks

Pareto optimality is studied in the context of multiclass telecommunications networks with constraints on the maximum allowable user delays. The performance objective of each individual class is the maximization of throughput under a delay constraint. Users share the network on a processor sharing basis. The multiobjective problem that arises is solved via a transformation that leads to a multicriterion linear program. The solution method is outlined by a thorough study of a simple example. Pareto optimal solutions are compared on the basis of fairness given to different configurations and traffic characteristics. >
The failed intubation attempt in the Emergency Department: analysis of prevalence, rescue techniques, and personnel

The aims of this study were: To describe the prevalence of Emergency Department (ED) airway management failures requiring rescue maneuvers, to describe successful rescue methods used when the primary method chosen is unsuccessful, and to characterize the roles of emergency physicians and other specialists in rescue airway management. A prospective observational study was conducted of ED airway management in 30 hospitals in the USA, Canada, and Singapore participating in the National Emergency Airway Registry (NEAR) database project. Patients were entered in the study if they underwent ED airway management, the first method chosen was not successful in achieving intubation, and a rescue technique was required. Data were collected on a structured data form for entry into a relational database with subsequent search for subjects fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of these data. There were 7,712 patients identified who underwent emergency intubation during the study period from January 1998 to February 2001. A total of 207 (2.7%) patient intubations met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 102 (49%) patients underwent rescue rapid sequence intubation (RSI). RSI was used after failure of oral intubation with sedation alone (n = 29), oral intubation without medications (n = 37), or blind nasotracheal intubation (n = 36). Forty-three (21%) patients underwent rescue cricothyrotomy after failure of RSI (n = 26) or other intubation methods (n = 17). Seventy-nine percent of rescue RSIs and 53% of rescue surgical airways were performed by emergency physicians. In conclusion, a total of 2.7% of emergency intubations required rescue. RSI is the most commonly used first line technique for ED airway management and is also the principal back-up technique when other oral or nasal intubation methods fail. Emergency physicians manage the majority of ED intubations, including those requiring rescue techniques.
Chorus, energetic electrons and magnetospheric substorms

The origin(s) of whistler mode chorus in the outer region of the terrestrial magnetosphere has been investigated using simultaneous measurements of chorus, energetic (79 ± 23 keV) electron fluxes and pitch angle distributions and ambient magnetic fields obtained with OGO 5. It is found that chorus occurring within 15° of the magnetic equator (equatorial chorus) was detected during magnetospheric sub-storms and is closely related to enhanced, anisotropic fluxes of energetic electrons. The observations are consistent with wave generation by a loss-cone instability associated with freshly injected 10–100 keV electrons. Chorus observed at higher latitudes appear to have several causes. 1) Nightside emissions are substorm related and are observed when the magnetic field changes from a tail-like to a more dipolar configuration. Possible explanations are an onset of chorus growth due to a change in the electron pitch angle distribution or a decrease in the Landau damping of the waves as they propagate to higher latitudes. 2) Dayside high latitude emissions, which are sub-storm related, are found to be correlated with high fluxes of energetic electrons. Local, high latitude generation in “minimum B pockets” or equatorial generation and subsequent propagation to higher latitudes by wave ducting can both occur. It is possible to determine the proper mechanism for each individual case if the measurements of the value f/fc (fc is local electron gyrofrequency) and the ambient plasma densities can be made. 3) High latitude chorus also occurs during prolonged geomagnetic quiet but is not well understood. These emissions were not related to features in the electron flux or pitch angle distribution. Solar wind pressure fluctuations and magnetic flux cutting were ruled out as major causes of these emissions. Several possible generation mechanisms are proposed. One possibility is that lower energy electrons (E < 55 keV) are responsible. Another possible generation mechanism requires the existence of boundary layer plasma. This enhanced, thermal plasma could lower the local wave phase velocity, leading to enhanced wave-particle interactions and to chorus growth. Further study is necessary to test the latter hypothesis.
Sequence determination of peptides from CID spectra using artificial neural networks

A new technique using artificial neural networks to aid in the automated interpretation of peptide sequence from high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectra of peptides is presented. Two backpropagation networks classify fragment ions before the commencement of an iterative sequencing algorithm. The first neural network attempts to determine whether or not peaks belong to one of eleven fragment ion classes while the second network assigns classification scores. The results enable the program to generate an idealized spectrum consisting of a single ion type, from which the sequencing module builds and ranks candidate sequences in a high-speed iterative process. >
Neurophobia among medical students.

### To the Editor We have read with interest the recent manuscript on neurophobia by Abulaban et al.[1][1] We agree with the authors that there is a shortage of medical students who continue to pursue careers in clinical Neurosciences. This is further exacerbated by the discomfort, so termed “
The Role of Oxygen In the CF 2 Cl 2 Reactive Ion Etching of Pecvd Films

An extensive study on O2 effects on RIE of PECVD a-Si:H and SiNx has been carried out. Mixtures of CF2Cl2/HCl and CF2Cl2/CF3Cl were used as base gases. The addition of O2 into these gases changed the film etch rate and etch selectivity in different ways. Process results were interpreted by examining the plasma phase chemistry, the ion bombardment energy, and ESCA surface chemical states.
Augmentor α and β (FAM150) are ligands of the receptor tyrosine kinases ALK and LTK: Hierarchy and specificity of ligand–receptor interactions

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a class of cell surface receptors that, upon ligand binding, stimulate a variety of critical cellular functions. The orphan receptor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is one of very few RTKs that remain without a firmly established protein ligand. Here we present a novel cytokine, FAM150B, which we propose naming augmentor-α (AUG-α), as a ligand for ALK. AUG-α binds ALK with high affinity and activates ALK in cells with subnanomolar potency. Detailed binding experiments using cells expressing ALK or the related receptor leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK) demonstrate that AUG-α binds and robustly activates both ALK and LTK. We show that the previously established LTK ligand FAM150A (AUG-β) is specific for LTK and only weakly binds to ALK. Furthermore, expression of AUG-α stimulates transformation of NIH/3T3 cells expressing ALK, induces IL-3 independent growth of Ba/F3 cells expressing ALK, and is expressed in neuroblastoma, a cancer partly driven by ALK. These experiments reveal the hierarchy and specificity of two cytokines as ligands for ALK and LTK and set the stage for elucidating their roles in development and disease states.
Inadvertence or Unfair Advantage: The Fifth Circuit's and Texas Supreme Court's Applications of Judicial Estoppel Following a Bankruptcy Non-Disclosure and How a PACER Search Can Spare the Cleanup

Judicial estoppel is a common law doctrine that prevents parties from taking a position which is inconsistent with a successful position in a prior proceeding. In the bankruptcy context, this doctrine typically arises when a debtor fails to disclose a pending lawsuit to the bankruptcy court or fails to disclose a cause of action that the debtor files post-petition. This comment discusses the application of judicial estoppel following a bankruptcy non-disclosure in the Fifth Circuit and in the Texas Supreme Court, specifically emphasizing the two, distinct standards that can be found in both jurisdictions: (1) the three elements enumerated by the Fifth Circuit majority; and (2) the three non-exclusive factors stated by the United States Supreme Court in New Hampshire v. Maine, 532 U.S. 742 (2001). This distinction is evident in the dissenting opinions of Reed v. City of Arlington, 650 F.3d 571 (5th Cir. 2011) (rehearing en banc), and Love v. Tyson Foods, 677 F.3d 258 (5th Cir. 2012). Additionally, after Love v. Tyson Foods, the Fifth Circuit's approach to judicial estoppel in a Chapter 13 non-disclosure is in conflict with that of the Texas Supreme Court in Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of America, 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam). Accordingly, this comment recommends that the test employed in Reed v. City of Arlington be limited to its facts — a non-disclosure in a Chapter 7 filing. Moreover, this comment encourages all practitioners to conduct a PACER search prior to filing suit to eliminate any judicial estoppel defense.
Is thromboprophylaxis after knee arthroscopy warranted? Commentary on an article by Gregory B. Maletis, MD, et al.: "Incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism after elective knee arthroscopy".

The management of venous thrombophlebitis and thromboembolic disease has challenged the medical community for decades. The diagnosis can be elusive because of absent or mild clinical symptoms, and the potential outcome can be catastrophic. Major venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are uncommon after outpatient knee arthroscopy, although many orthopaedic surgeons are aware of cases of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) after this “low risk” surgery. In their paper, Maletis et al. use a large administrative database from the Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization to analyze the incidence of symptomatic VTE after knee arthroscopy. The records of almost 22,000 patients were retrospectively reviewed to identify ICD-9-CM procedure codes associated with symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or PE during a ninety-day postoperative period. The incidence of symptomatic DVT during this period …
The Politics of Identity in Russia's Postcommunist Transition: The Nation against Itself

Politics in postcommunist societies is in large measure a politics of identity. Central to it seem to be two mutually reinforcing moments through which national communities recreate themselves. One involves the "positive" expression of nation and concerns the recovery of those identity markers—symbols, rituals, anthems, history, literature and so forth—that had been suspended and suppressed during the communist epoch. The other moment is "negative." It appears in the act of purging the nation of like markers associated with the period of communist rule that are now openly regarded as alien. The multitude of images projected from the countries of east Europe and the former USSR at the moment of communism's collapse capture these two moments in concentrated fashion. In the crowds chanting national slogans and waving the national flag, while chiseling communist emblems from the facades of public buildings and toppling statues erected to some member of the communist pantheon, we observe a distilled version of this duplex signification: "We are not communist/communism is not us."