cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic stapler use: Is it safe?-FDA database analysis across multiple surgical specialties.

Introduction Robotic-assisted techniques are common across many surgical subspecialties. While robotic stapling offers increased surgeon control, there is limited information on surgical complications related to robotic stapler use. Methods We reviewed the FDA's MAUDE database for adverse events related to robotic stapler use. Results Upon review of the FDA database, the most frequently reported robotic stapler complications were malfunction, failure to form staple line, device fragmentation, and misfire. 31 Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher complications were attributed to stapler use since 2014. Conclusions Further research on prevalence of robotic stapler use is needed to quantity the associated complication rate.
Evaluation of Type A Botulinal Toxin Assays that Use Antitoxin to Crystalline Toxin

The type A botulinal toxin assay by the reverse passive hemagglutination procedure which uses antitoxin to crystalline toxin was examined for specificity. The analysis was based on the fact that crystalline type A toxin is a complex of neurotoxic protein (Aα) and a nontoxic protein (Aβ). By using these components, obtained in essentially pure forms, it was shown that the antitoxin to crystalline toxin has a significantly higher titer to Aβ than to Aα. When Formalin-treated red blood cells were sensitized with this antitoxin, the antibodies coupled to the cells were, for practical results, only anti-Aβ. When the suspension is reacted with dilutions of type A toxic solutions, the limiting dilutions are determined by Aβ and not by the neurotoxin, which should be the determinant if the assay is to measure toxicity. These observations may be pertinent to the development of serological assays for other botulinal toxin types.
Assay of mitochondrial ATP synthesis in animal cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the assay of ATP synthesis in three types of cells: fibroblasts from normal individuals; fibroblasts from patients affected by a mitochondrial encephalopathy (Leigh's syndrome) associated with cytochrome c oxidase deficiency due to mutations in the SURF-1 gene; and cytoplasmic hybrids harboring either wild-type mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or the T8993G mtDNA mutation in the ATPase 6 gene, which is responsible for a mitochondrial disorder characterized by neuropathy ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa. Mitochondria play a major role in cellular ATP synthesis, as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation generates 36 mol of ATP per mole of glucose, as opposed to only 2 mol of ATP generated by glycolysis in the cytoplasm. Therefore, the measurement of mitochondrial ATP synthesis can be considered a pivotal tool in understanding many important characteristics of cellular energy metabolism, both in the normal physiological state and in pathological conditions, such as mitochondrial disorders. Measurement of ATP synthesis on whole cells eliminates the need to isolate mitochondria. However, a membrane permeabilization step is required to allow the hydrophilic substrates to penetrate into the cells. Membrane permeabilization can be achieved by treatment with detergents, such as saponin, or by treatment with digitonin.
Acetyl transport mechanisms. Metabolism of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid in the non-nervous tissues of the rat.

Abstract The utilization and transport of N-[1- 14 C ] acetyl- l -aspartic acid by liver, kidney, heart and mammary gland tissues of the rat has been studied in vitro. The ratio of fatty acid labeling to that of CO2 paralleled that found with acetate for the tissues examined. Significant differences in the pattern of utilization were observed in those tissues. With kidney slices, over 85% of the added radioactive acetyl amino acid was converted to 14CO2 while in the mammary gland experiment most of the labeling appeared in the fatty acid. The pattern for liver and heart was similar to that observed in the kidney. Transport experiments showed a wide variation in uptake by the tissues examined; most notable is the kidney, when over 90% of the added acetyl amino acid is taken up within 10 min of incubation. These results show that N-acetylaspartic acid hydrolases exist in the heart, liver and mammary gland in addition to the acylases previously found in the kidney and brain. The biosynthesis of N- acetyl- l -aspartic acid in mammary gland and kidney was investigated with labeled glucose, acetate and aspartic acid. These studies indicate that, although an active metabolism for the compound exists in these tissues, no synthesis of this acetyl amino acid occurs. This suggests that if these tissues have any requirement for N-acetylaspartic acid it is supplied by the brain.
Twisted-nematic liquid crystal polarization rotators for broadband laser applications

Liquid crystal twisted-nematic polarization rotators in the Mauguin condition are shown to be more achromatic, less prone to high-frequency modulations caused by internal reflections than compound wave plates, and can be fabricated cost effectively at multi-inch apertures.
A non-sex chromosome marker in a patient with an atypical Ullrich–Turner phenotype and mosaicism of 46,X,mar/46,XX

The absence of a sex chromosome in conjunction with the presence of a marker chromosome generally implicates a sex chromosome origin for such marker chromosomes. These types of findings are frequently associated with Ullrich-Turner syndrome. We report a patient that presented with an atypical Ullrich-Turner phenotype and a cytogenetic mosaicism of 46,X,mar/46,XX. The marker chromosome was derived from chromosome 20, not from the X or Y chromosome. The patient's clinical features are described and discussed relative to the cytogenetic findings. This case further demonstrates the necessity of marker chromosome identification for accurate phenotype-karyotype correlation.
Complex patients and interprofessional relationships: Perceptions of primary care nurse practitioners and primary care physicians.

AbstractPurpose:The literature describing primary care nurse practitioners (PCNPs) and primary care physicians (PCPs) suggests that PCNPs provide care to patients with less complicated diagnoses than their PCP colleagues. However, other literature suggests the contrary. Therefore, the purpose of thi
Using Experiments to Evaluate Performance Standards What Do Welfare-to-Work Demonstrations Reveal to Welfare Reformers?

This paper examines how experimental demonstrations can be used to inform planners about the efficacy of social programs in light of a performance standard. The problem is illustrated by considering the situation faced by state governments attempting to design programs to meet the new federal welfare-to-work standards. Data from experimental evaluations alone allow only limited inferences about the labor market outcomes of welfare recipients. Combined with prior information on the selection process, however, these data are informative, suggesting either that the long-run federal requirements cannot be met or that these standards will only be met under special circumstances.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Escherichia coli isolated from freshwater beaches

Summary Escherichia coli is an important member of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and warm-blooded animals (primary habitat). In the external environment outside the host (secondary habitat), it is often considered to be only a transient member of the microbiota found in water and soil, although recent evidence suggests that some strains can persist in temperate soils and freshwater beaches. Here we quantified the population genetic structure of E. coli from a longitudinal collection of environmental strains isolated from six freshwater beaches along Lake Huron and the St. Clair River in Michigan. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed extensive genetic diversity among 185 E. coli isolates with an average of 40 alleles per locus. Despite evidence for extensive recombination generating new alleles and genotypic diversity, several genotypes marked by distinct MLEE and MLST profiles were repeatedly recovered from separate sites at different times. A PCR-based phylogrouping technique showed that the persistent, naturalized E. coli belonged to the B1 group. These results support the hypothesis that persistent genotypes have an adaptive advantage in the secondary habitat outside the host.
Engineering Monolayers With Strain Field

A binary monolayer on an elastic substrate may self-organize into ordered nanoscale patterns. Here we report a work of using a substrate strain field to guide the self-assembly process. The study shows that straining a substrate uniformly does not influence the pattern. However, a non-uniform strain field significantly influences the size, shape and distribution of self-assembled features. The study suggests a method of strain field design to make various monolayer patterns.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Performance of two Common Lisp programs on several systems

To assist in the evaluation of Lisp platforms for the Stanford University Knowledge Systems Laboratory, 25 Common Lisp implementations were benchmarked. Run time and compilation time data on two moderate-sized application programs are presented, along with data on the effect of compiler optimization levels and on the impact of display I/O on run time. For these Lisp benchmarks, several systems did not rank where we expected them based on speed ratings using other conventional measures. Also, the rankings of machines by Lisp speed differed for the two programs we tested. The data indicate that the performance of Lisp systems is very application dependent. The quality of the software environment should play at least as strong a role in machine selection as performance benchmarks.
Determination of acetazolamide in biological fluids by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of acetazolamide in whole blood, plasma, and urine was developed. Samples of biological fluids containing various concentrations of acetazolamide were spiked with the internal standard, sulfadiazine. Samples were then mixed with a 50% ammonium sulfamate solution. Whole blood samples were heated for 25 s in boiling water. All samples were extracted with ethyl acetate; a phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) was used to wash the extracts. Acetazolamide was back-extracted into a glycine buffer (pH 10.0), which was then washed with ether. Separation of acetazolamide and internal standard from other biological constituents was achieved on a 10-μm C18 reverse-phase column using an acetonitrile-methanol-acetate buffer (pH 4.0). The eluant was monitored at 254 nm. All calibration curves were linear, and the results from reproducibility studies were excellent. Application of the method to human pharmacokinetic studies was demonstrated.
Significance of organic nitrogen uptake from plant residues by soil microorganisms as affected by carbon and nitrogen availability

Abstract Soil microorganisms can use a wide range of nitrogen (N) compounds. When organic N sources are degraded, microorganisms can either take up simple organic molecules directly (direct route), or organic N may be mineralized first and taken up in the form of mineral N (mineralization–immobilization–turnover [MIT] route). To determine the importance of the direct route, a microcosm experiment was carried out. Two types of wheat residue were added to soil samples, including younger residue with a carbon (C) to N ratio of 12 and older residue with a C to N ratio of 29. Between days 1 and 4, the gross N mineralization rate reached 8.4 and 4.0 mg N kg −1 dry soil day −1 in the treatment with younger and older residue, respectively. During the same period, there was no difference in protease activity between the two residue amended treatments. The fact that protease activity was not related to gross N mineralization, even though the products of protease activity are the substrates for N mineralization, suggests that not all organic molecules released from residue or soil N passed through the soil mineral N pool. In fact, when leucine and glycine were added, only 10 and 53% of the amino acid-N, respectively, was mineralized. The fraction of N taken up via the direct route was estimated to be 55 and 62% for the young and older residue, respectively. After 28 days of incubation, the proportion of amino acid-N mineralized had increased especially in the soil amended with older residue, suggesting that the MIT route became increasingly important. This result is supported by an increase in the activities of enzymes responsible for the intracellular assimilation of ammonium (NH 4 + ). Our results suggest that in contrast to what is proposed by many models of soil N cycling, both the direct and MIT routes were operative, with the direct route being the preferred route of residue N uptake. The direct route became less important over time and was more important in soil amended with older residue, suggesting that the direct route is favored by lower mineral N availabilities. An important implication of these findings is that when the direct route is dominant, gross N mineralization underestimates the amount of N made available from the residue.
Effects of insulin at two dose levels on gluconeogenesis from alanine in fasting man.

Abstract We have determined the effect of insulin infused at 1 and 5 mU/kg/min on gluconeogenesis from alanine in 48-hr fasted men. The conversion of alanine to glucose was measured by the arterial-hepatic venous catheterization technique combined with the infusion of 14 C-alanine. During insulin infusion, euglycemia was maintained by variable glucose infusion. When insulin was infused at 1 mU/kg/min the net splanchnic production of 14 C-glucose was suppressed by 80% but glucagon infused at the end of the study resulted in substantial release of 14 C-glucose from the liver suggesting marked accumulation of labeled glucose in glycogen. When insulin was infused at 5 mU/kg/min the splanchnic release of 14 C-glucose was also markedly suppressed but in contrast to the lower insulin dose very little labeled glucose accumulated in glycogen. Neither the high nor the low dose insulin infusion had any effect on net splanchnic alanine uptake and plasma glucagon levels fell by 35% in both protocols. These data demonstrate that in 48-hr fasted man, (1) a small increment in insulin concentration will suppress glucose production but mostly by diverting the newly formed glucose into glycogen; (2) at higher concentrations, insulin will inhibit glucose production mainly by suppressing gluconeogenesis; and (3) this insulin-induced suppression of gluconeogenesis is due to an intrahepatic effect rather than an effect on the splanchnic extraction of alanine.
Synthesis of [1-14C]-2,2-difluoroethene from [14C]-formaldehyde

[1-14C]-2,2-Difluoroethene was synthesized from [14C]-formaldehyde using a modification of the Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, via formation of the intermediate (EtO)2P(O)CF214CH2OSiMe3. This highly volatile product was collected in a liquid nitrogen trap at a purity of >97% and specific activity of 0.2 mCi/mmol, with yields of 10 - 15%.
Predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy for patients with organ-confined disease using p27 expression☆

Abstract Objectives It is unclear why men who undergo radical prostatectomy (RP) and are found to have pathologically organ-confined disease develop prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrences. We previously found that patients with less than 45% of cells in the prostate needle biopsy specimen (PNBx) staining positive for the cell cycle regulator p27 had a significantly increased risk of biochemical recurrence after RP. We sought to determine whether p27 staining in the PNBx specimen might serve as a molecular marker for PSA failure in the subset of patients who develop PSA recurrence despite organ-confined disease at RP. Methods The PNBx specimens of 161 men treated with RP between 1991 and 2000 were examined for p27 expression using immunohistochemistry. The p27 cutpoint of less than 45% expression was used to define the high and low-risk categories. Patients were separated into two groups for analysis: organ-confined (pT2 and negative surgical margins) and non-organ-confined (pT2 with positive surgical margins, pT3, pT4, or lymph node involvement). The mean and median follow-up for patients with organ-confined and non-organ-confined disease was 47 and 43 months and 42 and 38 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to examine the preoperative clinical variables that were the strongest predictors of biochemical recurrence after RP among each group. Results Among organ-confined patients, p27 expression was the only significant independent predictor of the time to biochemical recurrence after RP (hazard ratio 5.15, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 18.83, P = 0.013). Among patients with non-organ-confined disease, the percentage of biopsy tissue with cancer, biopsy Gleason score, and PSA level were independent predictors of PSA recurrence. p27 expression was not a significant independent predictor of PSA recurrence among men with non-organ-confined disease. Conclusions p27 expression in the PNBx was a significant independent predictor of PSA failure for patients with pathologically organ-confined disease, but not for those with non-organ-confined disease. Patients with organ-confined disease but low p27 expression had a greater than fivefold risk of developing PSA recurrence than were men with high p27 expression, suggesting that p27 may be a molecular marker associated with micrometastatic disease at the time of RP.
Ambipolar thin-film transistors with a co-planar channel geometry

Abstract We report on ambipolar thin-film transistors (ATFTs) that use a co-planar channel geometry to achieve balanced ambipolar operation. Using this geometry, we demonstrate hybrid organic–inorganic high performance ATFTs consisting of amorphous-InGaZnO (mobility of 10 cm2/Vs) and pentacene channels (mobility of 0.3 cm2/Vs) with performance parameters comparable to those of unipolar TFTs fabricated from these same semiconductors. A key characteristic of this co-planar channel ATFT geometry is that the onset of ambipolar operation is mediated by a new operating regime where one of the channels can reach saturation while the other channel remains off. This allows these ATFTs to reach high on–off current ratios approaching 104 at 5 V, close to the saturation regime.
47 THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL COOPERATION ON MAINTENANCE CF WEIGHT LOSS IN OBESE CHILDREN

Maintenance of health behavior change is one of the most difficult problems in preventive medicine. The present study evaluated the effects of including obese parents as weight loss participants in the treatment of obese 6-12 year old children. Seventy-six families with at least one obese child and parent were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Group I included both the parent and child as weight loss targets; Group II had only the child as the target, and Group III did not specify either as the target. Participants were provided an eight-month behaviorally oriented treatment designed to change both eating and exercise habits, and a two year follow-up. Child results showed highly significant (p<.01) changes from pretreatment to the 8 month follow-up in relative weight across all three groups, with Groups I (17.1%) and II (18.7%) showing superior changes compared to Group III (13.8%). At the two year follow-up, all groups were still significantly less (10%) than at pretreatment, with no differences across groups. However, very different patterns of maintenance emerged, with all the children in Group I who were non-obese at the 8 month point still non-obese (7/7), while 40% of children in Groups II (4/10) and III (2/5) were still non-obese (p<.05). These results clearly show that weight loss can be maintained in obese pre-adolescents, and that active parental involvement is an important component.
Planning and funding academic computing

This paper is an initial analysis of data from a 1982 survey of four-year college and university computer centers in the United States. Information is presented on the level and distribution of funding for academic computing, the services and service levels that are typically provided, the way the costs of those services are recovered, and the computer planning process used by the institution. Significant differences in these areas between private and public institutions are noted. In the context of this paper, academic computing is defined as computing that relates directly to the instructional and research programs of an institution.
Hardware model checking: status, challenges, and opportunities

It's been nearly 30 years since Model Checking was first proposed as a method to validate hardware designs. Since then there has been considerable progress in this area and an active research community has grown around it. While areas like Software Model Checking and Hybrid Systems Model Checking are thriving, it seems there hasn't been much progress or activity in the area of Hardware Model Checking (HMC) itself lately. If we examine the proceedings of conferences like CAV, TACAS, or even FMCAD the number of submissions dealing with hardware model checking has gone down drastically compared to 10--15 yrs ago. But verification of hardware designs continues to be a pressing problem -- if anything it is only getting exacerbated with the continuing push towards larger designs and shorter turn-around times. This panel will examine the current status of HMC, what further challenges and opportunities exist going forward and what can be done to give a fresh impetus to the area. The panel will broadly have three sections 1) Taking stock of the area, 2) Challenges to wider industrial adoption, and 3) How to renew interest in HMC? Each section will have multiple talking points (as described below) which will serve as guides for the panelists in taking their positions.
Experience with different treatment modules in hidradenitis suppuritiva: a study of 106 cases.

Background: Hidradenitis suppuritiva, a disease of the apocrine sweat glands, has always been a challenging area to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The aetiology is idiopathic and medical treatment offers temporary relief only. Radical surgical excision, therefore, is the mainstay of active management. Aim: To present and evaluate a series of 106 patients of hidradenitis suppuritiva treated in the regional plastic surgery unit of southeast Scotland between January 1990 and December 2000. Patients: Median age at onset was 36 years (range 17–70 years). The patients were predominantly females (88.78%) and heavy smokers (98.1%). Median age before active surgical intervention was six years (range 1–30 years). The patients were divided into a mild group (n=64) and a severe group (n=42). All patients had broad-spectrum antibiotics and multiple incision and drainage procedures before referral from general practitioners, dermatologists or general surgeons. One hundred sites were managed by primary closure (mostly in the ‘mild' group); 29 resurfaced with split skin grafts and 14 with local, fasciocutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps (mostly in the ‘severe' group). Median postoperative follow-up period was three years (range 1–7 years). Results: In the ‘primary closure' series, recurrence rate requiring at least one secondary operation was 69.88%. There was no recurrence, no serious complications and no revision operations in the ‘graft' and the ‘flap' series. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion is required before contemplating primary closure in hidradenitis suppuritiva, even in the ‘mild' variety. This condition should always be treated aggressively by radical excision of all hair-bearing areas and reconstructed with a graft or a flap
Conceptual Design Of A Spaceborne Lightning Sensor

A conceptual design of a broad-area optical lightning telescope sensor (BOLTS) designed to provide full-time (day/night) coverage of the continental United States from a geosynchronous orbit is described. Variations are discussed that could cover the whole globe from four to five geosynchronous satellites or cover only smaller areas with a high (2.5 km) resolution. The design is based on research results of the initial phase of a NASA-sponsored program. The ground resolution will be 8 x 8 km. The focal plane is an 800 x 800 pixel CCD array, electronically subdivided to allow for the high data rates (1000 frames per sec) imposed by the characteristics of lightning flashes. It will detect lightning strokes whose optical power is greater than 10 million watts, with a probability of detection of 0.9, and a false alarm rate of 0.1.
Nursing Program to Meet the Challenge of Caring for Patis with Water Intoxication

This article describes a program that is effective in working with psychiatric patients who have trouble with excessive water intake. The purpose of the program is to provide consistent treatment in a controlled and therapeutic environment in which the special needs of these patients can be met. We incorporate a variety of nursing interventions suggested by the literature to help meet the goals of the program. As a result of the program, disruptive behavior has decreased and patients have learned skills to help them manage their illness. An additional benefit of the program is that working with water intoxication patients is no longer stressful for staff.
Forest Planning in an Oregon Case Study: Defining the Problem and Attempting to Meet Goals with a Spatial-Analysis Technique

Five major management goals were identified for the upper Grande Ronde River Basin on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in northeastern Oregon: to produce high-quality fish habitat, to maintain elk habitat, to restore and maintain forest conditions within the natural range of viability, and to contribute to community economic stability. From the broad goals, specific goals for stream temperature, habitat effectiveness index (HEI), habitat corridors, maintenance of land in late or old seral stages, and a nondeclining even flow of timber were selected. A case study was undertaken in a small watershed that is under typical societal constraints to determine whether one decisionsupport tool, SNAP II+, could evaluate the selected goals in a single planning exercise. Three riparian management strategies and two forest road scenarios were used. The exclusion of harvest and road-building from riparian zones in order to increase habitat protection decreased harvest levels and net present value but maintained preactivity stream temperatures. Other resources were generally maintained within prescribed management levels. Although the technique has limitations (e.g., it does not account for riparian zones in calculations of forage and cover for HEI, and it can use the maximum but not minimum acreage goal for some resources), it shows promise for evaluating management tradeoffs in watershed analysis.
HPC performance analysis of a distributed information enterprise simulation

Simulations of distributed information enterprises using the DIEMS framework were performed on HPC clusters and SMP machines. The simulation results were analyzed with respect to the computation time involved in each process, the number of times processes were executed, the number of simulation rollbacks invoked during each simulation, simulation overhead, and the total wall clock time used to perform the simulation. The analysis identified several performance limitations and bottlenecks. One critical limitation addressed and eliminated was simultaneously mixing a periodic process model with an event driven model causing rollbacks. The second major factor limiting performance on cluster based systems was the cross-node communication. An optimization technique that exploits the knowledge of the publication and subscription paradigm of the information architecture being simulated was developed. This paper describes the simulation analysis, the modifications to the simulation models, the development of an optimization technique, and the impact of the code improvements on simulation performance.
Mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat spinal cord contusion model

This study examined the time course of mechanical and cold allodynia in rat hindpaw after spinal cord contusion. Hindpaw withdrawal threshold to graded von Frey hair stimulation and withdrawal frequency to acetone application were measured in rats subjected to contusions of varying severity, produced by a MASCIS impactor device with a 10 g weight dropped from 6.25, 12.5, or 25 mm. Mechanical and cold allodynia developed following the injury, and differences in the incidence of allodynia and in withdrawal threshold were significant among these groups. The least severe injury (6.25 mm) most consistently caused a decreased hindpaw threshold to mechanical stimulation and an increased withdrawal frequency to cold.
Calculations of low-lying vibrational states of cis- and trans-HOCO

Abstract We report variational calculations of low-lying vibrational states of non-rotating cis -HOCO and trans -HOCO, using the code `MULTIMODE' and a realistic six degree-of-freedom potential surface. The results of these variational calculations are compared with previous five degree-of-freedom calculations [D.H. Zhang and J.Z.H. Zhang, J. Chem. Phys. 103 , 6512 (1995)] in which the full six degree-of freedom potential is averaged over the `spectator' CO stretch. This approximation is found to work better for cis -HOCO than trans -HOCO, and a simple explanation for this is presented. State-dependent rotation constants are calculated from exact rotation/vibration calculations for J =1 for low-lying states of cis - and trans -HOCO.
Intracellular chloride in retinal neurons: Measurement and meaning

Abstract Intracellular chloride acitivity measurements were obtained from mudpuppy retinal neurons using dual microelectrodes, one of which was made chloride-selective by filling the tip with chloride liquid ion exchange resin. In addition ionic substitution experiments were carried out in the perfused retina-eyecup preparation of the mudpuppy. A comparison of the membrane potential and calculated chloride equilibrium potential shows that retinal neurons differ in relative transmembrane chloride distribution. Ganglion cells have anEc1, more negative than the resting membrane potential, whereas amacrine cells have a passive distribution of chloride. Horizontal cells have chloride distributed such that an increase in chloride conductance is depolarizing. On-bipolars have a chloride distribution similar to that of horizontal cells whereas off-bipolars show either passive distribution or some chloride accumulation. These findings are consistent with the idea that chloride ions may play a role as a depolarizing driving force for electrogenic activity of horizontal cells and on-bipolars. Results with Cl substitution experiments are consistent with this interpretation.
The Relationship between Mucosal Iron and Iron Absorption in the Guinea Pig

The non-haeme iron content of intestinal mucosa has been proposed as responsible for controlling iron absorption. In these experiments guinea pigs bled to produce a six-fold increase in iron absorption showed no change in mucosal non-haeme iron content. Earlier conflicting results may be partially explained by the inclusion of a fraction of the haemoglobin iron when using the trichloroacetic acid method for extracting ‘non-haeme’ iron. It is suggested that the iron content of intestinal mucosa cannot be assigned a general role in regulating iron absorption.
Critical lithiation for C-rate dependent mechanical stresses in LiFePO 4

The prevention of capacity loss after electrochemical cycling is of paramount importance to the development of lithium-ion batteries, especially for applications in the electric vehicle industry. The objective of this research is to investigate C-rate dependent diffusion-induced stresses in electrode materials. LiFePO4 is selected as the model system in this study since it is one of the most promising cathode materials used in electric vehicle applications. Finite element models incorporating several factors with concentration dependency are developed in this study including concentration-dependent anisotropic material properties, concentration-dependent and C-rate-dependent volume expansion coefficients, and concentration-dependent lithium ion diffusivity. Our simulation results show that the effect of concentration dependency on mechanical properties and lithium diffusivities cannot be neglected in mechanical stress predictions. We also observe that C-rate has a great effect on how fast the surface concentration is saturated, suggesting that C-rate dependency of the diffusion-induced stresses occurs at a critical lithiation stage: 47.5, 26.5, 10.1, and 6.8 % lithiation for 1, 2, 6, and 10 C, respectively. Mechanical stresses in perfect and cracked particles are also studied. It is observed that the crack surface orientation plays an important role in the diffusion-induced stress. The existence of the crack surface increases mechanical stresses, suggesting that particles inside the material may undergo fractures faster and may accelerate the material deterioration, leading to capacity loss at higher C-rate (dis)charging.
Kinetics and mechanisms of reduction of Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes by soybean leghemoglobin α

The reduction of low-molecular-weight Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes by soybean leghemoglobin alpha was characterized using both kinetic analysis and 1H-NMR experiments. Whereas Fe(III) (CN)6(3-) was reduced through an outer sphere transfer over the exposed heme edge, all other Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes investigated were reduced via a site-specific binding of the metal to the protein. Reduction of all metal complexes was enhanced by decreasing pH while only Fe(III)NTA reduction kinetics were altered by changes in ionic strength. Rates of reduction for both Cu(II) and Fe(III) were also affected inversely by the effective binding constant of the metal chelate used. NMR data confirmed that both Cu(II)NTA and Fe(III)NTA were bound to specific sites on the protein. Cu(II) bound preferentially to distal His-61 and Fe(III) exerted its greatest effect on two surface lysine residues with epsilon proton resonances at 3.04 and 3.12 ppm. The Fe(III)NTA complex also had a mild but noticeable line broadening effect on the distal His-61 singlet resonance near 5.3 ppm. Like hemoglobin and myoglobin, leghemoglobin might function not only as an oxygen carrier, but also as a biological reductant for low-molecular-weight Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes.
Large-scale metagenomic clustering via quasi clique enumeration and read assignment ambiguity resolution

Clustering of metagenomic reads from the set of sampled species at the resolution of a taxonomic level is an important problem in metagenomics. The problem is challenging due to 1) large scale of metagenomic sequence data, and 2) difficulty in distinguishing between homologous reads obtained from different species. In addition, classification at a hierarchy of taxonomic units is important, and it is difficult to judge what level of read similarity is appropriate to achieve the best quality clustering for any given taxonomic unit.
Preparation and Characterization of Alkoxy-Derived SrZrO3 and SrTiO3

High-purity strontium, zirconium, and titanium alkoxides were synthesized and characterized as precursors for complex oxides. Simultaneous hydrolytic decomposition either of strontium and zirconium alkoxides or of strontium and titanium alkoxides was used to obtain nearly stoichiometric, ideally mixed SrZrO3 or SrTiO3 powders of high surface activity. As-prepared helium-dried SrTiO3 is crystalline before calcination. An ultraviolet radiation technique demonstrates the nucleation and growth of SrZrO3 crystallites in the calcination temperature range to 350°C. The experimental results are supported by ir, TGA, and X-ray diffraction data. The high degree of control over purity, mixing uniformity, and crystallite size demonstrates the value of the alkoxide precursor approach for the solution of reproducibility problems encountered in the synthesis of electrical-quality ceramics.
A phase II trial of docetaxel and erlotinib as first-line therapy for elderly patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Docetaxel is the standard first-line agent for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). The combination of docetaxel with molecularly targeted therapies may offer the potential to increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of cytotoxic chemotherapy for prostate cancer. Previous studies demonstrate activation of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in prostate cancer. Erlotinib is a specific inhibitor of the tyrosine-kinase activity of EGFR. The goal of this study is to determine the anti-cancer activity docetaxel combined with erlotinib for the treatment of elderly subjects with AIPC. This is a multi-institutional Phase II study in patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate and age ≥ 65 years. Patients were requred to have progressive disease despite androgen-deprivation therapy as determined by: (1) measurable lesions on cross-sectional imaging; (2) metastatic disease by radionucleotide bone imaging; or (3) elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA). Treatment cycles consisted of docetaxel 60 mg/m2 IV on day 1 and erlotinib 150 mg PO days 1–21. Patients with responding or stable disease after 9 cycles were eligible to continue on erlotinib alone as maintenance therapy. Characteristics of 22 patients enrolled included: median age 73.5 years (range, 65–80); median Karnofsky Performance Status 90 (range 70–100); median hemoglobin 12.1 g/dl (range, 10.0–14.3); median PSA 218.3 ng/ml (range, 9–5754). A median of 6 treatment cycles were delivered per patient (range 1–17). No objective responses were observed in 8 patients with measurable lesions (0%, 95% CI 0–31%). Bone scan improvement and PSA decline was seen in 1 patient (5%, 95% CI 0.1–25%). Five of 22 patients experienced ≥ 50 % decline in PSA (23%, 95% CI 8–45%). Hematologic toxicity included grade 3 neutropenia in 9 patients and neutropenic fever in 2 patients. Common non-hematologic toxicities (≥ grade 3) included fatigue, anorexia, and diarrhea. Docetaxel/erlotinib can be delivered safely in elderly patients with AIPC. Anti-cancer disease activity appears generally comparable to docetaxel when used as monotherapy. Hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity may be increased over docetaxel monotherapy. Prospective randomized studies would be required to determine if the toxicity of docetaxel and erlotinib justifies its use in this setting.
Evolution of Small Ti Clusters and the Dissociative Chemisorption of H2 on Ti

The sequential growth of small titanium clusters with up to 15 atoms and the dissociative chemisorption of H2 on the minimum energy clusters have been studied within density functional theory under...
Comparative study of the kinetic behavior of ground and excited state radical pairs in micellar solution

Abstract The kinetics of geminate processes of ground and excited diphenylmethyl radical pairs have been examined in micellar solution using laser photolysis techniques. The radicals do not escape from the micelles in the submicrosecond time scale in which geminate processes — which are controlled by spin evolution — take place. Excited radical lifetimes are 120–140 ns in micellized radical pairs, but become comparable to typical homogeneous values (circa 250 ns) in the presence of magnetic fields.
A Volume Constrained Variational Problem with Lower-Order Terms

We study a one-dimensional variational problem with two or more level set constraints. The existence of global and local minimizers turns out to be dependent on the regularity of the energy density. A complete characterization of local minimizers and the underlying energy landscape is provided. The Γ -limit when the phases exhaust the whole domain is computed.
Baire class of the Lyapunov indices

Then their properties were studied as functions on B. In particular, Theorem i, which shows that the functions ~(-),k = i ..... n belong to the second Baire class (see [4, 5]), was proved. Since, by definition, each Baire class is contained in the next one, there naturally arises the problem of unimprovability of this theorem, i.e., about the strict belongingness of the Lyapunov indices to the second Baire class (see [5]). For abstractly defined morphism (I), this problem cannot have a unique solution. Thus, e.g., if the base consists of a single point, then each function on it is of zero class. We can give examples of the morphisms (i) with discontinuous Lyapunov indices. However, the present problem will be solved in this case if we indicate objects for which the functions ~(.), k= I,..., n belong to the second, but do not belong to any preceeding class.
Fragments generated by pH dissociation of ME-virus and their relation to the structure of the virion

Abstract ME-virus, in the presence of 0.1 m -chloride ions at pH 5.7, can be thermally dissociated into 14 s subunits, free RNA and an insoluble precipitate (I-protein). The 14 s is a pentamer that can be further dissociated with 1 to 2 m -urea into five 5 s subunits. By sedimentation equilibrium measurements the 14 s subunits weighed about 425,000 daltons; the 5 s subunit weighed about 86,000 daltons. The latter subunit is a protein molecule (protomer) composed of one each of three non-identical polypeptide chains α, β and γ and is believed to be generated by dissociation of a δ chain from each of 60 structural subunits in the capsid. The I-protein contains the two minor components δ and e which are always found in virus preparations; it also contains a definite proportion of the α, β and γ chains. The stoichiometry of the non-δ portion of the I-protein is consistent with that expected for a structure (e-pentamer) analogous to a 14 s pentamer containing one e chain in place of one of the five β chains; the amount of precipitate implies that there are two such e-pentamers per average virion. Thus I-protein is believed to consist of two separate components (a) e-pentamers and (b) δ chains. The requirement for 12 fivefold vertices in an icosahedral particle and the five-co-ordinated nature of the pentamers suggest that the ME-virion is composed of 12 × 5 or 60 protomers; the composition of the I-protein is consistent with the hypothesis that there are 58 (α, β, γ, δ) protomers for every 2 (α, e, γ) protomers. The ME-virion behaves as if its 60 subunits were held together by two sets of bonding sites; (a) type 1 sites binding 12 pentamers together to form the 60 subunit shell and (b) type 2 sites binding 5 protomers together to form pentamers. It is proposed that mild acid dissociation of ME-virus is due to specific rupture of type 1 bonding sites and that dissociation of pentamers into protomers by molar concentrations of amide is due to dissociation of type 2 bonding sites.
Voyager 2: Energetic Ions and Electrons in the Jovian Magnetosphere

The Voyager 2 encounter has enhanced our understanding of earlier results and provided measurements beyond 160 Jupiter radii (R(J)) in the magnetotail. Significant fluxes of energetic sulfur and oxygen nuclei (4 to 15 million electron volts per nucleon) of Jovian origin were observed inside 25 R(J), and the gradient in phase space density at 12 R(J) indicates that the ions are diffusing inward. A substantially longer time delay versus distance was found for proton flux maxima in the active hemisphere in the magnetotail at Jovicentric longitudes lambda(III), = 260 degrees to 320 degrees than in the inactive hemisphere at lambda(III), = 85 degrees to l10 degrees . These delays can be related to the radial motion of plasma expanding into the magnetotail, and differences in the expansion speeds between the active and inactive hemispheres can produce rarefaction regions in trapped particles. It is suggested that the 10-hour modulation of interplanetary Jovian electrons may be associated with the arrival at the dawn magnetopause of a rarefaction region each planetary rotation.
Confirmatory factor analysis with preterm NBAS data: A comparison of four data reduction models

Abstract A widely used data reduction (cluster) system for the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is a seven-cluster model developed by Lester (1983) . Minimal information, however, is currently available concerning the psychometric properties of these clusters. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of Lester's factors and compare it to other data reduction models. Preterm infants who received NBAS examinations prior to discharge from the Special Care Nursery were subjects in the study. Three alternative models to Lester's were developed based upon previous factor studies and clinical experience. Confirmatory factor analyses were then performed on the four models using the LISREL VI maximum likelihood procedure. The results indicated that none of the four models tested could be confirmed. The two-factor model (orientation and arousal) appeared to be the best fitting of the four models. The results further indicated that multiple-factor models such as Lester's have significant correlations among the factors. In terms of item analysis, low to moderate reliability coefficients were found for the NBAS items. Although preliminary, these findings indicate a need to reconsider the nature of NBAS data. Development of scoring systems which account for the relationships among the factors might more accurately reflect the nature of behavior as measured by the NBAS.
Voluntary Stigmatization and Social Comparison: Single Mothers View Their Lot1

This research examined the impact of voluntary Stigmatization, depression, and self-esteem on downward social comparisons. The stigmatized group was 51 mothers who chose to become parents as single women; 51 demographically similar married mothers were the nonstigmatized group. The women described their stressors and rated these stressors relative to other mothers of the same marital status and relative to mothers who differed in marital status. Consistent with downward comparison theory, Stigmatization increased the likelihood of making downward comparisons. Contrary to the theory, high self-esteem and low levels of depression resulted in self-enhancing comparisons, but only when individuals compared themselves to others who differed in Stigmatization status. The combination of these individual difference variables and Stigmatization increased the tendency to make downward comparisons.
The policy consequences of political corruption

Controversies abound over whether political corruption handicaps the disadvantaged, facilitates government action, or simply inflates government costs. Multivariate analysis using data from the American states supports none of the hypotheses. Rather, corruption appears to have virtually no policy impact, either directly or in interaction with party competition.
The Flexor Pollicis Longus and its Relation to the Anterior and Posterior Interosseous Nerves

Sixty paired cadaver upper extremities were dissected to study the anatomy of the flexor pollicis longus in the forearm and its relation to the median and anterior interosseous nerves. An accessory head was noted in 33 (55%) of 60 specimens. The accessory head was noted to pass anterior to the anterior interosseous nerve in all specimens. The accessory head was noted to pass posterior to the median nerve in 57 specimens, and anterior to the nerve in three. Tendon or muscle anomalies were noted in eight specimens (13%), seven of which involved an anomalous attachment between the FPL and the flexor digitorum profundus of the index.