cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic-SLC37A2 deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice

Abstract Macrophages play a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our previous study demonstrated that solute carrier family 37 member 2 (SLC37A2), an endoplasmic reticulum-anchored phosphate-linked glucose-6-phosphate transporter, negatively regulates macrophage Toll-like receptor activation by fine-tuning glycolytic reprogramming in vitro. Whether macrophage SLC37A2 impacts in vivo macrophage inflammation and atherosclerosis under hyperlipidemic conditions is unknown. We generated hematopoietic cell-specific SLC37A2 knockout and control mice in C57Bl/6 Ldlr-/- mice by bone marrow transplantation. Hematopoietic-specific SLC37A2 deletion in Ldlr-/- mice increased plasma lipid concentrations 12-16 wks of Western diet induction, attenuated macrophage anti-inflammatory responses, and resulted in more atherosclerosis compared to Ldlr-/- mice transplanted with wild type bone marrow. Aortic root intimal area was inversely correlated with plasma IL-10 levels, but not total cholesterol concentrations, suggesting inflammation but not plasma cholesterol was responsible for increased atherosclerosis in bone marrow SLC37A2-deficient mice. Our in vitro study demonstrated that SLC37A2 deficiency impaired IL-4-induced macrophage activation, independently of glycolysis or mitochondrial respiration. Importantly, SLC37A2 deficiency impaired apoptotic cell-induced glycolysis, subsequently attenuating IL-10 production. Our study suggests that SLC37A2 expression is required to support alternative macrophage activation in vitro and in vivo. In vivo disruption of hematopoietic SLC37A2 accelerates atherosclerosis under hyperlipidemic pro-atherogenic conditions.
Balancing Medical Education in Aesthetics: Review and Debate.

The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures is rising, and the public and other physicians deem dermatologists as top providers of these services. Given these expectations, dermatologic residency training must equip resident physician trainees to care for the growing population of patients with aesthetic concerns. As stands, formal hands-on cosmetic dermatology training in residency is lacking specific structure. Educational, cultural, time, and monetary barriers exist, among others, which restrict residents from attaining proficiency in cosmetic dermatology procedures prior to graduation. This may adversely impact patient safety and deter graduates from offering aesthetic procedures. The standardization of core residency competencies in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures is fundamental to guarantee patient safety and satisfaction while ensuring practitioner competence. The balance between these elements is essential for optimal patient care. We review and debate for modifying and strengthening the current curriculum requirements while presenting means to overcome barriers.
Parallel solution of nonlinear contingency-constrained network problems.

Abstract This paper presents a nonlinear stochastic programming formulation for a large-scale contingency-constrained optimal power flow problem. Using a rectangular IV formulation to model AC power flow in the transmission network, we construct a nonlinear, multi-scenario optimization formulation where each scenario considers failure of an individual transmission element. Given the number of potential failures in the network, these problems are very large; yet need to be solved rapidly. In this paper, we demonstrate that this multi-scenario problem can be solved quickly using a parallel decomposition approach based on nonlinear interior-point methods. Parallel and serial timing results are shown using a test example from Matpower, a MATLAB-based framework for power flow.
Applied Digital Signal Processing: Random signal processing

To use stochastic process models in practical signal processing applications, we need to estimate their parameters from data. In the first part of this chapter we introduce some basic concepts and techniques from estimation theory and then we use them to estimate the mean, variance, ACRS, and PSD of a stationary random process model. In the second part, we discuss the design of optimum filters for detection of signals with known shape in the presence of additive noise (matched filters), optimum filters for estimation of signals corrupted by additive noise (Wiener filters), and finite memory linear predictors for signal modeling and spectral estimation applications. We conclude with a discussion of the Karhunen–Loeve transform, which is an optimum finite orthogonal transform for representation of random signals. Study objectives After studying this chapter you should be able to: Compute estimates of the mean, variance, and covariance of random variables from a finite number of observations (data) and assess their quality based on the bias and variance of the estimators used. Estimate the mean, variance, ACRS sequence, and PSD function of a stationary process from a finite data set by properly choosing the estimator parameters to achieve the desired quality in terms of bias–variance trade-offs. Design FIR matched filters for detection of known signals corrupted by additive random noise, FIR Wiener filters that minimize the mean squared error between the output signal and a desired response, and finite memory linear predictors that minimize the mean squared prediction error. […]
Displacewent Ceeohatogeapey: Yesterday, Today Ahd T0Ik)Brou

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the displacement chromatography. Gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography in the elution mode have become the most widely used techniques for chemical analysis of multicomponent mixtures over the past thirty years. As a result the term chromatography has become synonymous with linear elution chromatography. Concomitantly, most chromatographic texts published during the last twenty years have ignored displacement development, the other mode of chromatography for separating multicomponent mixtures according to Tiselius classification. The linear elution mode of chromatography is eminently suitable for chemical analysis since the eluites travel down the column with different velocities as individual quasi-Gaussian peaks which can be easily detected by high sensitivity.
Diffusion limited crystallization and phase partitioning in ZrO2-metal oxide binary systems: Code: D3

Chemical routes to synthesize inorganics can start with solutions where multiple elements remain well mixed during liquid evaporation, precursor decomposition and crystallization. Because crystallization generally occurs at temperatures where diffusion is very limited, a single phase can crystallize with a greatly extended solid-solution that does not achieve its equilibrium phase assemblage until much higher temperatures where diffusion is no longer constrained. Partitioning at these higher temperatures can lead to unique microstructures such as the nano-composite illustrated here for a metastable Zr(1−x)AlxO2−x/2 (x≤0.57) phase that partitions into a composite containing t-ZrO2 grains and α-Al2O3 plates.
Clinical Immunology Society: the Early Years 1984–1989

The Clinical Immunology Society (CIS) developed in two broad contexts: (1) as a component of immunology research and education with human relevance, and (2) as a component of clinical medicine, i.e., disease identification, pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention. Indeed, a purpose of the CIS was to bring these two areas closer together. Initial goals included uniting the clinical investigators from the wide array of clinical fields and providing information on scientific and clinical advances. There was also the intent to enhance the framing and scope of immune-based therapies. Conversations were initiated in 1984 to develop a society for bringing together the leadership of the many clinical and laboratory contexts of clinical immunology. From 1979 to 1984, I had been on the National Advisory Council for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the senior advisory group to the NIAID, which met three times each year to review recommendations for research grant awards. In those years, I became acquainted, at least by name and field of interest, with almost all of the leading immunologists in the USA. Many I knew from my own research defining human andmurine immunoglobulins in the 1960s, immunology and cancer studies in the 1970s, and description and characterization of AIDS in the 1980s. The discussions from 1984 to 1986 involved more than 50 immunologists in the USA (Table I) and with a dozen more from other countries. The leading relevant organizations were consulted. These included the American Association of Immunology (AAI), the NIH, especially the NIAID, and other health-related organizations. Initial discussions identified several individuals who became major partners in advancing this enterprise: Noel Rose, Gary Fathman, Max Cooper, and Bernard Janicki. Noel Rose made special contributions and was a cofounder. His experience included AAI committees, advocacy of the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology within the American Society of Microbiology, as editorin-chief of the Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology, and as editor of the journal, Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. He shared administrative responsibilities in the first years and has recounted some of the early events (Noel Rose, The inception of the Clinical Immunology Society—see http://www.clinimmsoc.org/about/history. php). Gary Fathman was prominent with his knowledge of the emergence of immunology in many clinical subspecialties and his own contributions at this interface. Max Cooper was a leader in both pediatric and fundamental immunology and was en route to becoming president of the AAI. Bernard Janicki was central to immunology communication at the NIH and communication with NIAID leadership.
CONTRIBUTION OF PASSIVE PROXIMAL BILE SALT (BS) ABSORPTION TO ENTEROHEPATIC CIRCULATION (EHC) OF BS IN THE RAT

Although the active transport of BS across the terminal ileum has been well documented, analysis of previous studies shows that ileal active transport cannot account for total BS recovery (Am 3 Physiol 244:G507,1983).
Boosting in location space

Computer-based object detection promises to vastly change our lives. Robots will be able to map their environment and make sense of the world. Scientists will have a new pair of eyes to sift through terabytes of images of molecules, proteins, waterways, and galaxies to discover novel science. Most approaches to object detection use general-purpose machine learning algorithms that optimize a non-spatial objective. The classic sliding window approach predicts the presence or absence of an object in every window of an image; this optimizes the classifier for detection but not for localization. In contrast, this thesis introduces a new boosting algorithm (LocationBoost) that operates over an entire image at all times during training, directly predicts object locations, and minimizes a spatial loss function that is strongly motivated by object detection. The research of this dissertation led to six major contributions in object detection. First, it is impossible to develop a universal metric to evaluate the accuracy on any object detector on every object detection task. We do not exclusively use a single “standard” metric. Instead, we clearly define three different problems in small object detection and devise metrics well-matched to them. Second, we introduce generative grammars to combine primitive image features into composite features. Composite features are more informative and lead to more accurate object detection. Third, AdaBoost is fragile in the presence of noisy and ambiguous training data but we made spatially exploitative adaptations to the learning algorithm to greatly improve learning stability. Fourth, a radically different boosting algorithm (LocationBoost ) is proposed that directly locates centers of small objects, bypassing the need for bounding boxes. Instead of boosting classifiers that predict whether or not a patch contains an object, our new approach boosts object detectors that produce a list of predicted object locations. LocationBoost uses a new spatial loss function reflecting the intuition that large areas of background are uninteresting and not worth spending computational effort on. Fifth, LocationBoost is extended so it can predict bounding boxes that enclose objects. Sixth, a multi-scale variant of LocationBoost is proposed to enable the detection of both large and small objects in the same image. In this variant, we show how the structure of multi-scale detection can be exploited to greatly speed up training and detection. Seventh, we propose a new primitive image feature based on FAST corner detection that enables real-time object detection.
Skin testing for inhalant allergy

Background Allergy is diagnosed by a combination of history, physical examination, and confirmatory testing. Modalities for testing include skin testing, in vitro assessment, and challenge testing of the conjunctiva or nasal mucosa. Challenge testing is primarily reserved for research. Methods A review of the literature on skin testing methods for inhalant allergic rhinitis was performed. Results Different forms of commonly used skin testing are available, including: individual prick; multiple prick; single, intradermal, and intradermal dilutional testing; and blended techniques. Each has inherent benefits and limitations. Conclusion Skin testing remains a valid and in some cases superior means of identifying inhalant allergy. Skin-prick testing and intradermal testing are the primary categories, although different formats exist for each. Caution must be taken to avoid creating a serious systemic reaction by injecting an injudicious amount of antigen into the skin, or in skin testing a patient whose medication profile puts them at increased risk.
Issues involved in the phenotypic classification of orofacial clefts ascertained through a state birth defects registry for the North Carolina Cleft Outcomes Study.

Background: Epidemiologic studies involving birth defects are extremely sensitive to phenotype accuracy and precision. We devised a case review and classification protocol for a project to study school achievement in children with idiopathic, nonsyndromic orofacial clefts to improve the reliability of phenotypic classification from the statewide birth defects registry. Methods: Surveillance-program abstraction data and medical records at the birth or treating hospitals were used when available. Exclusion criteria included: median cleft lip; Tessier cleft; premaxillary agenesis; presence of a recognizable syndrome, phenotype, association, or sequence (other than Robin sequence); clefts with other malformations not considered to be normal or common variants in the newborn; and cases with documented or suspected genetic or teratogenic causes. Results: Of 712 children identified with orofacial clefts, 153 were excluded, leaving 559 nonsyndromic orofacial cleft cases of unknown cause in the final study. These cases were grouped into the following clinically meaningful types: cleft lip with or without cleft alveolus; cleft lip and cleft palate; and cleft palate only. This review and classification process resulted in the elimination of 21.5% of the original cohort of identified cases, with most exclusions being due to suspected syndromic associations. Conclusion: Verbatim descriptions of the clinical findings are critical for accurate classification of diagnoses. This review process improved the precision of orofacial cleft phenotype classification for our study. Precision would have been further improved if all of the cases had verbatim descriptions of diagnoses and all medical records could have been reviewed by the classification team. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:899–903, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of extended care on the long‐term maintenance of weight loss: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Behavioural weight management interventions consistently produce 8-10% reductions in body weight, yet most participants regain weight after treatment ends. One strategy for extending the effects of behavioural interventions has been the provision of extended care. The current study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the effect of extended care on maintenance of weight loss. Through database searches (using PubMED, PsychInfo and Cochrane Reviews) and manual searches through reference lists of related publications, 463 studies were identified. Of these, 11 were included in the meta-analysis and an additional two were retained for qualitative analysis. The average effect of extended care on weight loss maintenance was g=0.385 (95% confidence interval: 0.281, 0.489; P<0.0001). This effect would lead to the maintenance of an additional 3.2 kg weight loss over 17.6 months post-intervention in participants provided extended care compared with control. There was no significant heterogeneity between studies, Q=5.63, P=0.845, and there was minimal evidence for publication bias. These findings suggest that extended care is a viable and efficacious solution to addressing long-term maintenance of lost weight. Given the chronic disease nature of obesity, extended care may be necessary for long-term health benefits.
The Prioninae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) of Hispaniola, with Diagnoses, Descriptions of New Species, Distribution Records, and a Key for Identification

Abstract The Prioninae (Cerambycidae) of Hispaniola are reviewed. Twenty-eight species are known from the island, including six new species and a new genus described herein: Elateropsis dichroma Lingafelter, new species, Elateropsis woodleyi Lingafelter, new species, Solenoptera tomentosa Lingafelter, new species, Solenoptera helbi Lingafelter, new species, Solenoptera rugosa Lingafelter, new species, and Derancistrachroma melanoleuca Lingafelter, new genus and new species. Derancistrus furfurosus Galileo and Martins, 1993 is transferred to Solenoptera Audinet-Serville, 1832 as S. furfurosa, new combination; the holotype is determined to be a female, and the male is described for this species. Derancistrodes vittatus (Olivier, 1795) is transferred to Solenoptera as S. vittata, new combination, and Derancistrodes Galileo and Martins, 1993 is a new synonym of Solenoptera. New country records are recorded for Strongylaspis corticarius (Erichson, 1848), Monodesmus atratus Fisher, 1932, Elateropsis quinquenota...
Could Big Data be the end of theory in science? A few remarks on the epistemology of data-driven science.

Afew years ago, Chris Anderson, former editor in chief of Wired magazine, published a provocative and thought‐provoking article: “The end of theory: the data deluge makes the scientific method obsolete” (http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-07/pb_theory/). As the title indicates, Anderson asserted that in the era of petabyte information and supercomputing, the traditional, hypothesis‐driven scientific method would become obsolete. No more theories or hypotheses, no more discussions whether the experimental results refute or support the original hypotheses. In this new era, what counts are sophisticated algorithms and statistical tools to sift through a massive amount of data to find information that could be turned into knowledge. > … [an] imagined future in which the long‐established way of doing scientific research is replaced by computers that divulge knowledge from data at the press of a button… Anderson's essay started an intense discussion about the relative merits of data‐driven research versus hypothesis‐driven research that has much relevance for many areas of research, including bioinformatics, systems biology, epidemiology and ecology. Yet, his imagined future in which the long‐established way of doing scientific research is replaced by computers that divulge knowledge from data at the press of a button deserves some inquiry from an epistemological point of view. Is data‐driven research a genuine mode of knowledge production, or is it above all a tool to identify potentially useful information? Given the amount of scientific data available, is it now possible to dismiss the role of theoretical assumptions and hypotheses? Should this new mode of gathering information supersede the old way of doing research? The scientific method encompasses an ongoing process of formulate a hypothesis‐test with an experiment–analyze the results‐reformulate the hypothesis. Such a way of proceeding has been in use for centuries and is basically accepted in our Western society as the most reliable way to produce robust knowledge. However, Anderson is not the …
Novel bioactive diterpenoid metabolites from tropical marine algae of the genus halimeda (Chlorophyta)

Abstract Four new diterpenoid metabolites, halimedarial (1), 3, 4 and 5, have been isolated from several species of the tropical green algae Halimeda (Udoteaceae). These new compounds show potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties in laboratory bioassays.
Drug treatment of the complications of cirrhosis in the older adult.

Several age-related changes occur in the structure and functions of the liver. The volume of the liver decreases, despite an increase in the size of hepatocytes, suggesting loss of liver cells. There are decreases in hepatic blood flow, the synthesis of urea and cholesterol, and the metabolism of drugs. Moreover, the regenerative capacity of liver becomes less efficient.
Augmentation of phenotype in a transgenic Parkinson mouse heterozygous for a Gaucher mutation

The involvement of the protein α-synuclein (SNCA) in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease is strongly supported by the facts that (i) missense and copy number mutations in the SNCA gene can cause inherited Parkinson’s disease; and (ii) Lewy bodies in sporadic Parkinson’s disease are largely composed of aggregated SNCA. Unaffected heterozygous carriers of Gaucher disease mutations have an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease. As mutations in the GBA gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA) are known to interfere with lysosomal protein degradation, GBA heterozygotes may demonstrate reduced lysosomal SNCA degradation, leading to increased steady-state SNCA levels and promoting its aggregation. We have created mouse models to investigate the interaction between GBA mutations and synucleinopathies. We investigated the rate of SNCA degradation in cultured primary cortical neurons from mice expressing wild-type mouse SNCA, wild-type human SNCA, or mutant A53T SNCA, in a background of either wild-type Gba or heterozygosity for the L444P GBA mutation associated with Gaucher disease. We also tested the effect of this Gaucher mutation on motor and enteric nervous system function in these transgenic animals. We found that human SNCA is stable, with a half-life of 61 h, and that the A53T mutation did not significantly affect its half-life. Heterozygosity for a naturally occurring Gaucher mutation, L444P, reduced GBA activity by 40%, reduced SNCA degradation and triggered accumulation of the protein in culture. This mutation also resulted in the exacerbation of motor and gastrointestinal deficits found in the A53T mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. This study demonstrates that heterozygosity for a Gaucher disease-associated mutation in Gba interferes with SNCA degradation and contributes to its accumulation, and exacerbates the phenotype in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.
Parallel Estimation of Surface Subsidence and Updated Reservoir Characteristics by Coupling of Geomechanical & Fluid Flow Modeling

Determining of reservoir surface subsidence is a crucial problem especially for soft and unconsolidated formations. For long time production with water injection and/or water influx, the pore pressure decreases with increasing in effective stress leading to reservoir compaction and vertical surface subsidence. In this paper, a Tank Capacitance-Resistive Model (TCRM) has been done to estimate the history of vertical subsidence in the upper sandstone member/main pay of South Rumaila oil field in Iraq. It is a mature oil field with around 58 years of production with 40 producing wells and it has also 20 injection wells located only at the east flank. The average surface area for this reservoir is 142 km2. The reservoir is modeled considering an infinite acting aquifer at the east and west flanks. A commercial reservoir simulator has been adopted parallel with the Tank Capacitance-Resistive Model to estimate the subsidence in very active aquifer. The Carter-Tracy water influx model has been adopted to calculate the water influx rate. The TCRM depends on the concept of continuity equation that considers the difference between the water injection and oil production as reservoir input and output, respectively. So, the simulator calculates the total water injection rate and water influx to be treated as water injection in the continuity equation. The results demonstrated that reservoir formation has plastic deformation because it has recurrence subsidence in the reservoir thickness. The current subsidence for this reservoir in the current time after 58 years of predict is 1.5 ft at the crest of the reservoir and it is approximately close to the local subsidence at each grid in the reservoir crest.
Response to “Exploring the Religious‐Spiritual Needs of the Dying”

This commentary compares Smith's work to classic value clarification, addresses issues of counselor judgement and informed consent, and outlines further exercises based on near-death experiences.
A Modeling Framework for Studying Quantum Key Distribution System Implementation Nonidealities

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is an innovative technology that exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute unconditionally secure shared key for use in cryptographic applications. However, QKD is a relatively nascent technology where real-world system implementations differ significantly from their ideal theoretical representations. In this paper, we introduce a modeling framework built upon the OMNeT++ discrete event simulation framework to study the impact of implementation nonidealities on QKD system performance and security. Specifically, we demonstrate the capability to study the device imperfections and practical engineering limitations through the modeling and simulation of a polarization-based, prepare and measure BB84 QKD reference architecture. The reference architecture allows users to model and study complex interactions between physical phenomenon and system-level behaviors representative of real-world design and implementation tradeoffs. Our results demonstrate the flexibility of the framework to simulate and evaluate current, future, and notional QKD protocols and components.
Dynamics of an electronic impact oscillator

Experimental measurements of an electronic impact oscillator that simulates a ball bouncing on a vibrating surface reveal interesting chaotic regimes that are consistent with the numerical simmulations. Correlation dimensions and Lyapunov exponents show good agreement between experimental and numerical results.
Kondo effect in superconductors

A self-consistent treatment of the Kondo scattering of conduction electrons from magnetic impurities is presented in order to treat finite concentrations of such impurities in superconductors. The present theory leads to a concentration dependence for the transition temperature which differs markedly from the Abrikosov-Gor'kov result. The theory appears to account nicely for various experimental results. We also find that superconductivity, under certain circumstances, does not exist at all temperatures below ${T}_{c}$.
A continuum constitutive model for the mechanical behavior of woven fabrics

Abstract We propose a new approach for developing continuum models for the mechanical behavior of woven fabrics in planar deformation. We generate a physically motivated continuum model that can both simulate existing fabrics and predict the behavior of novel fabrics based on the properties of the yarns and the weave. The approach relies on the selection of a geometric model for the fabric weave, coupled with constitutive models for the yarn behaviors. The fabric structural configuration is related to the macroscopic deformation through an energy minimization method, and is used to calculate the internal forces carried by the yarn families. The macroscopic stresses are determined from the internal forces using equilibrium arguments. Using this approach, we develop a model for plain weave ballistic fabrics, such as Kevlar®, based on a pin-joined beam geometry. We implement this model into the finite element code ABAQUS and simulate fabrics under different modes of deformation. We present comparisons between model predictions and experimental findings for quasi-static modes of in-plane loading.
Comparative Effect of X-Ray and Ultrasound (Inducing Hyperthermia) on the Testes of Rats—A Rationale for Male Castration by Ultrasound

The testes of rats were treated by x rays, or ultrasound. 2000 rads single dose of x ray led to tubular atrophy, which was defined as destruction of all spermatogenic cells but Sertoli cells. Ultrasound of 1 W/cm2 for 15 min led to tubular necrosis, which was designated as complete disorganization of the seminiferous tubules with disappearance of spermatogenic as well as Sertoli cells. The possibility of male castration by ultrasound is raised.
Radiologist Use of and Perceived Need for Patient Data Access

Given the increasing volume of radiological exams, the decreasing frequency of direct communication with the referring provider, and the distribution of patient data over many clinical systems, radiologists often do not have adequate clinical information at the time of interpretation. We have performed a survey of radiologists to determine the need and actual utilization of patient data at the time of image interpretation. Our findings demonstrate that most radiologists want more clinical information when interpreting images and that this information would impact their report, but they are discouraged by the time it takes to access this information. In addition, current mechanisms for monitoring necessary patient follow-up are inadequate.
Unoccupied electronic structure of Na/Ni(111).

Using the technique of inverse photoemission spectroscopy we have measured the unoccupied electronic states of Na on Ni(111) as a function of Na dose on the Ni(111) surface. An image-potential surface state pinned to the vacuum level shifts towards the Fermi level and disappears for Na coverages greater than 0.07 monolayer (ML). This image state reappears at high coverage, when the Na coverage is larger than 0.6 ML and is detected at 2.4 eV above the Fermi level at 1 ML of Na coverage. A Na-induced state which we assign as the Na 3p level appears for Na coverages above 0.02 ML and shifts down towards the Fermi level with increasing coverage. We compare our results with studies of related systems
Is coiling really more costly than clipping in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm

Is coiling really more costly than clipping in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysm?
Power scaling of fiber-based amplifiers seeded with microchip lasers

We summarize the performance of mode-filtered, Yb-doped fiber amplifiers seeded by microchip lasers with nanosecond-duration pulses. These systems offer the advantages of compactness, efficiency, high peak power, diffraction-limited beam quality, and widely variable pulse energy and repetition rate. We review the fundamental limits on pulsed fiber amplifiers imposed by nonlinear processes, with a focus on the specific regime of nanosecond pulses. Different design options for the fiber and the seed laser are discussed, including the effects of pulse duration, wavelength, and linewidth. We show an example of a microchip-seeded, single-stage, single-pass fiber amplifier that produced pulses with 1.1 MW peak power, 0.76 mJ pulse energy, smooth temporal and spectral profiles, diffractionlimited beam quality, and linear polarization.
Identification and localization of wound hyaluronidase.

A method for tissue localization of hyaluronidase by a substrate film was used to study the time course and location of enzymatic activity in healing open rabbit wounds. Optically clear areas which were devoid of toluidine blue metachromasia indicated degradation of hyaluronate by hyaluronidase. Central granulation tissue exhibited hyaluronidase activity on the seventh postwound day, while whole edge tissue did not show activity until Day 18. The current work also compares the healing wound to other developmental systems in which hyaluronic acid has been implicated in morphogenesis, and where the appearance of hyaluronidase has been correlated to cytodifferentiation.
Effects of biaxial strain on stability and half-metallicity of Cr and Mn pnictides and chalcogenides in the zinc-blende structure

The effects of biaxial strain, imposed by epitaxial growth conditions, on the half-metallicity properties of Cr and Mn pnictides and chalcogenides were investigated using local spin-density-functional calculations. The minority band gaps were found to decrease significantly under the biaxial strain, whereas the spin-flip gaps changed only slightly. The calculations show that under epitaxial conditions for any choice of substrate, CrSe, MnAs, MnSe, and MnTe cannot be half metallic; CrAs and CrTe are barely half metallic as their SF gap is close to zero; and only CrSb and MnSb remain distinct half metals with spin-flip gaps of 0.9 and $0.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, respectively.
Elastic Twist Dynamics of DNA

Single-molecule DNA experiments have revealed a number of observations about the mechanical properties of DNA, but little is known about the dynamics of twist and bend in these experiments. To understand these experiments, we develop and solve a stochastic and elastic model for twist dynamics in a DNA molecule that is driven at one end and dissipates torsional energy through viscous drag at the other end. To ensure that torque fluctuations remain finite in our model, we include a term depending on the gradient-squared of twist strain. We find that the boundary conditions of our system quantize the spectrum of DNA twisting modes and modulate the dynamics in a striking way. To see this, we derive a nonequilibrium fluctuation relation for twist and construct the spatiotemporal correlation function. We find that a novel elastic correlation length controls spatial correlations between twist fluctuations. In the middle of a long DNA molecule, twist correlations initially decay as t−1/4 and crossover to t−1/2 decay at longer times. In contrast, in a shorter molecule, correlations decay exponentially with a decay time that depends on the magnitude of the viscous drag. For nearly straight DNA molecules, twist dynamics are unaffected by bending fluctuations at linear order, even though writhing dynamics are modulated by twist at this order. Our model for twist dynamics suggests several new single-molecule experiments, which could shed further light on DNA mechanics and dynamics.
Effects of Delaying Transplanting on Agronomic Traits and Grain Yield of Rice under Mechanical Transplantation Pattern

A delay in the mechanical transplantation (MT) of rice seedlings frequently occurs in Huanghuai wheat-rice rotation cropping districts of China, due to the late harvest of wheat, the poor weather conditions and the insufficiency of transplanters, missing the optimum transplanting time and causing seedlings to age. To identify how delaying transplanting rice affects the agronomic characteristics including the growth duration, photosynthetic productivity and dry matter remobilization efficiency and the grain yield under mechanical transplanting pattern, an experiment with a split-plot design was conducted over two consecutive years. The main plot includes two types of cultivation: mechanical transplanting and artificial transplanting (AT). The subplot comprises four japonica rice cultivars. The results indicate that the rice jointing, booting, heading and maturity stages were postponed under MT when using AT as a control. The tiller occurrence number, dry matter weight per tiller, accumulative dry matter for the population, leaf area index, crop growth rate, photosynthetic potential, and dry matter remobilization efficiency of the leaf under MT significantly decreased compared to those under AT. In contrast, the reduction rate of the leaf area during the heading-maturity stage was markedly enhanced under MT. The numbers of effective panicles and filled grains per panicle and the grain yield significantly decreased under MT. A significant correlation was observed between the dry matter production, remobilization and distribution characteristics and the grain yield. We infer that, as with rice from old seedlings, the decrease in the tiller occurrence, the photosynthetic productivity and the assimilate remobilization efficiency may be important agronomic traits that are responsible for the reduced grain yield under MT.
Phase diagram of chromium alloys

Abstract Using mean field theory, we have constructed the phase diagram of chromium alloys. At zero temperature, we find a first-order phase transition from the incommensurate state with manganese doping. Within a small window of manganese concentrations, a first-order phase transition from the commensurate to the incommensurate states occurs with decreasing temperature, in agreement with experiments performed over 25 years ago on CrMn alloys.
Producing accurate wave propagation time histories using the global matrix method

This paper presents a reliable method for producing accurate displacement time histories for wave propagation in laminated plates using the global matrix method. The existence of inward and outward propagating waves in the general solution is highlighted while examining the axisymmetric case of a circular actuator on an aluminum plate. Problems with previous attempts to isolate the outward wave for anisotropic laminates are shown. The updated method develops a correction signal that can be added to the original time history solution to cancel the inward wave and leave only the outward propagating wave. The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the new method for circular and square actuators bonded to the surface of isotropic laminates, and these results are compared with exact solutions. Results for circular actuators on cross-ply laminates are also presented and compared with experimental results, showing the ability of the new method to successfully capture the displacement time histories for composite laminates.
Bulk purification of isochorismic acid by low-pressure octadecyl (C18) reverse-phase liquid chromatography

Partially purified isochorismate synthase (EC 5.4.99.6) from Klebsiella pneumoniae 62-1 was used to produce bulk quantities (3.4-6.8 mg) of isochorismate from chorismate. A new, preparative, low-pressure liquid chromatographic method for the purification of isochorismate was used; a (1.0 X 13.0 cm) octadecyl (C18) reverse-phase column with a discontinuous, stepped methanol gradient as eluent. The recovery of isochorismate was quantitative and its purity was verified by HPLC using a butyl (C4) reverse-phase column. This chromatographic method is superior to those previously described.
Removal of toxic levels of N-acetylprocainamide with continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration or continuous arteriovenous hemodiafiltration.

Abstract Two patients with renal failure developedN-acetylprocainamide toxicity while receiving procainamide. Treatment consisted of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in one and hemodialysis ...
Inhaled nitric oxide in term and preterm infants

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas that has potent vasodilator properties. It can be administered via inhalation in situations where NO production is impaired and results in vasodilatation of the pulmonary capillaries. In term infants, the administration of inhaled NO, at a dose of 20 parts per million, may reduce the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and improving oxygenation. Inhaled NO is an approved therapy in term babies with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. In premature infants, inhaled NO may increase bleeding time and decrease platelet aggregation resulting in an increased risk for intraventricular hemorrhage. Early administration of inhaled NO may also potentially decrease the risk for developing chronic lung disease in premature infants. However, since studies show conflicting results, inhaled NO should only be used in premature neonates following investigational review board approved protocols.
Solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) and gas‐chromatographic analysis of anorectic compounds in human urine

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied to the analysis of anorectic compounds from human urine. Urine samples from phendimetrazine and fenfluramine users, after the 1:1 dilution and addition of 400 ng/mL of Proadifen as an internal standard, have been directly sampled with SPME and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Calibration curves have been built by spiking blank urine with amounts ranging from 60 to 900 ng/mL for fenfluramine and from 80 to 800 ng/mL for phendimetrazine. Correlation coefficients were 0.992 for phendimetrazine and 0.995 for fenfluramine curve. On 10 replicate samples, variation coefficients of 8% and 10% were observed for phendimetrazine and fenfluramine, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep9: 249–252, 1997
Orientation and absolute coverage of benzene, aniline, and phenol on Ag(110) determined by NEXAFS and XPS

Abstract The orientation, absolute coverage, and core-electron binding energies of benzene, aniline, and phenol have been measured with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At 0.13 ± 0.02 monolayer (ML) coverage, the plane of the benzene ring orients with a maximum tilt angle with respect to the plane of the surface of 18°. The aromatic ring of aniline tilts at 39 ± 5 ° at 0.27 ± 0.07 ML coverage, and the phenol aromatic ring tilts 40 ± 5 ° from the plane of the surface at a coverage of 0.35 ± 0.06 ML. The saturation coverage of benzene on the Ag(110) surface is 0.31 ± 0.05 ML. After annealing a multilayer of phenol to 225 K the coverage of phenol remaining on the surface is 0.35 ± 0.06 ML. Aniline is present at 0.75 ± 0.15 ML at saturation coverage, suggesting the presence of a second layer; temperature-programmed desorption shows states indicative of a second layer also. The C(1s) XPS binding energy of benzene monolayer is 284.7 ± 0.3 eV. As expected, two C(1s) XPS binding energies were measured both for aniline at 284.4 ± 0.3 eV and 285.5 ± 0.3 eV and for phenol at 284.4 ± 0.3 eV and 285.9 ± 0.3 eV. The splitting due to different carbons of 1.1 eV observed for aniline agrees well with the gas phase splitting of 1.2 eV, and the 1.6 eV splitting observed for phenol is identical to the splitting measured for gas phase phenol. A clear splitting of the π∗ resonances is also observed in the NEXAFS spectra of aniline and phenol and has been assigned to transitions from the two C(1s) levels into the three π∗ molecular Orbitals.
Renal dysplasia, megalocystis, and sirenomelia in four siblings

First degree relatives of infants with bilateral renal agenesis or dysplasia have an increased risk of renal abnormalities including renal agenesis. We report a family in which four successive offspring exhibited a previously undescribed combination of congenital lethal renal disorders: bilateral renal dysplasia, megalocystis secondary to urethral obstruction and, sirenomelia with associated renal agenesis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Design of a Ti/TiC/DLC functionally gradient coating based on studies of structural transitions in Ti–C thin films

Abstract Development of optimized hard coatings requires a multilayer, functionally gradient approach, where adhesion, load support and low friction regions must be elements of the design architecture. Each of these functional regions should be joined through appropriate transition regions to reach desired coating performance. The design of coatings with hard and lubricious diamond-like carbon (DLC) surfaces requires a study of transitions between adhesive metal, load supporting carbide, and wear-resistant DLC materials. These transitions were investigated on the Ti–C system prepared by a hybrid of magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition. Crystalline α-Ti, TiC and amorphous DLC films were formed at 100 °C substrate temperature by varying film chemical composition. Phase transitions between Ti–TiC–DLC were analyzed with XPS, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. A gradual replacement of hcp α-Ti with fcc TiC, and a two-phase region consisting of crystalline TiC and amorphous carbon (a-C) in transitions from Ti to TiC and from TiC to DLC were found. These transitions were reflected in mechanical properties investigated with nanoindentation. A hardness maximum in the two-phase TiC/a-C region was found. The resulting composition-property maps were used to design a wear-resistant coating with Ti/TiC/DLC transitions and a gradual increase in hardness from a steel substrate to a super-hard (60–70 GPa) self-lubricating DLC layer on the surface. This provided a hard coating with a low friction surface, which also resisted brittle failure in tests with high contact loads. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.
Effect of thidiazuron and 6-benzylaminopurine on adventitious shoot regeneration from leaves of three strains of ‘McIntosh’ apple (Malus X domestica Borkh.) in vitro

Abstract Regeneration of adventitious shoots from apple leaf segments of three strains of ‘McIntosh’ has been achieved using leaves from in vitro grown plants. Optimum levels of thidiazuron (TDZ) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) for shoot regeneration differed among the strains. The optimum levels of TDZ were between 2 and 3 μM. The optimum levels of BAP required for shoot regeneration varied according to the field growth habit of each strain: ‘Wijcik’ (the most dwarf strain) regenerated best at a higher level of BAP (20 (μM) than ‘Macspur’ (intermediate, 16 μM) and ‘McIntosh’ (standard, 12 μM). Leaf mid segments were the most likely to regenerate shoots. Most of the adventitious shoots originated from cut areas rather than from leaf surfaces. It appears that BAP concentrations can be used to differentiate among strains of ‘McIntosh’ at both the proliferation and regeneration stage.
An optimal parabolic estimate and its applications in prescribing scalar curvature on some open manifolds with Ricci $\ge 0$

By establishing an optimal comparison result on the heat kernel of the conformal Laplacian on open manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature, (a) we show that many manifolds with positive scalar curvature do not possess conformal metrics with scalar curvature bounded below by a positive constant; (b) we identify a class of functions with the following property: If the manifold has a scalar curvature in this class, then there exists a complete conformal metric whose scalar curvature is any given function in this class. This class is optimal in some sense; (c) we have identified all manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature, which are “uniformly” conformal to manifolds with zero scalar curvature. Even in the Euclidean case, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition under which the main existence results in [Ni1] and [KN] on prescribing nonnegative scalar curvature will hold. This condition had been sought in several papers in the last two decades.