cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liquid Biopsies: New Technology and Evidence

Liquid biopsy refers to a broad category of minimally invasive test done on blood or other fluid specimens to detect fragments of tumor-derived DNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The most common method for liquid biopsy in lung cancer is the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which may be used for the initial genotype profiling and detection of mechanisms of acquired resistance to targeted therapy. Other potential uses for ctDNA include evaluation of therapeutic response and detection of postsurgical minimal residual disease. In contrast to ctDNA which is originated from dying cells, EVs originates from living cells and may provide a better evaluation of the cancer biology. Early studies have shown comparable sensitivity for EVs and ctDNA in the detection of targetable alterations. CTCs may be useful to evaluate the risk of tumor relapse after treatment with curative intention.
Decreasing Postamputation Pain with the Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI)

Over 185,000 limb amputations are performed in the United States annually, many of which are due to the sequelae of peripheral vascular disease. Symptomatic neuromas remain a significant source of postamputation morbidity and contribute to both phantom limb (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP). While many interventions have been proposed for the treatment of symptomatic neuromas, conventional methods lead to a high incidence of neuroma recurrence. Furthermore, these existing methods do not facilitate an ability to properly interface with myoelectric prosthetic devices. The Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) was developed to overcome these limitations. The RPNI consists of an autologous free muscle graft secured around the end of a transected nerve. The muscle graft provides regenerating axons with end organs to reinnervate, thereby preventing neuroma formation. We have shown that this simple, reproducible, and safe surgical technique successfully treats and prevents neuroma formation in major limb amputations. In this paper, we describe RPNI surgery in the setting of major limb amputation and highlight the promising results of RPNIs in our animal and clinical studies.
Measure valued solutions to a backward-forward heat equation: a conference report

We examine the asymptotic behavior of measure valued solutions to the initial value problem for the nonlinear heat conduction equation $$ \frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial t}} = \nabla \cdot q(\nabla u),x \in \Omega, t>0 $$ in a bounded domain Ω ⊂R N with boundary condtions of the form $$ u = 0 on \partial \Omega or q(\nabla u) \cdot n = 0 on \partial \Omega $$ .
A Review of “Cleopatra: A Biography”

Cleopatra: A Biography, written by professor emeritus of Greek and Latin at the Ohio State University Duane W. Roller, is a solid and extremely informative account of the life of the last Macedonia...
Ractopamine up take by alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) from soil

Ractopamine is a beta adrenergic agonist used as a growth promoter in swine, cattle and turkeys. To test whether ractopamine has the potential to accumulate in plants grown in contaminated soil, a greenhouse study was conducted with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in two soils having different concentrations of organic matter (1.3% and 2.1%), amended with 0, 0.5, and 10 μg/g of ractopamine. Plant growth ranged from 2.7 to 8.8 g dry weight (dw) for alfalfa, and 8.7 to 40 g dw for wheat and was generally greater in the higher organic matter content soil. The uptake of ractopamine in plant tissues ranged from non-detectable to 897 ng/g and was strongly dependent on soil ractopamine concentration across soil and plant tissue. When adjusted to the total fortified quantities, the amount of ractopamine taken up by the plant tissue was low, <0.01% for either soil.
Neutron scattering studies of Y1-xUxPd3 compounds.

We have performed neutron scattering measurements on two alloys of Y1-xUxPd3 (x = 0.2, 0.45). Our results indicate that the x = 0.45 compound orders antiferromagnetically with a moment of 0.7 mu(B) per U atom and a Neel temperature (T-N) of 21 K Although the x = 0.2 compound does not order above 0.2 K, critical fluctuations associated with antiferromagnetic ordering were observed on cooling from 77 to 0.2 K. The magnetic spectra for both compounds, obtained by polarized inelastic neutron scattering, were dominated by a quasielastic response close to 0 meV, suggesting a magnetic ground state.
An adaptive algorithm for identification of IIR systems

An adaptive identification algorithm formulated with a weight matrix is proposed. The series-parallel model is used with tapped delay lines to represent a dynamic mapping problem. Hyland's idea (1991) using a constraint matrix with Hadamard (element-by-element)-product to preserve the causality of dynamical systems is extended to IIR systems. By introducing an appropriate constraint matrix corresponding to the parameterization we can directly obtain the parameter without subsequent realization. The adaptive step size of the proposed algorithm is derived by using a projection technique. Stability and convergence of the proposed algorithm are investigated with appropriate assumptions. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the convergence of the proposed algorithm. >
Connexin32 is a myelin-related protein in the PNS and CNS

We have examined the expression of a gap junction protein, connexin32 (Cx32), in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes. In peripheral nerve, Cx32 is found in the paranodal myelin loops and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures of myelinating Schwann cells, and the levels of Cx32 protein and mRNA change in parallel with those of other myelin-related genes during development, Wallerian degeneration, and axonal regeneration. In the central nervous system, Cx32 is found in oligodendrocytes and their processes, but not in compact myelin, and the levels of Cx32 protein and mRNA increase during development in parallel with those of the other myelin genes. Thus, Cx32 is expressed as part of the myelinating phenotype of both Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, indicating that this gap junction protein plays in important role in the biology of myelin-forming cells.
Calculation of effective section stiffness properties for wind turbine blades using homogenization

The structural behavior of wind turbine blades can be accurately modeled using beam models. The accuracy in the predictions using beam models depends on the degree of accuracy in the prediction of the effective section properties. A simple and efficient method compared with full 3D analysis is developed for the prediction of effective section properties for prismatic slender members of any arbitrary cross-section shape. The technique, which is based on the superposition principle, is developed to include the shear deformation modes in predicting the effective stiffness properties. A homogenization scheme based on strain energy equivalence is employed for calculating the effective properties. The method can accurately predict the full stiffness matrix including the off-diagonal terms. Also a procedure for finding the locations of the weighted centroid and the shear center is presented. The results for four different cross-section shapes including a wind turbine blade section are validated using an existing analysis technique, Variational Asymptotic Beam Sectional Analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drinking sucrose or saccharin enhances sensitivity of rats to quinpirole-induced yawning.

Abstract Diet can impact sensitivity of rats to some of the behavioral effects of drugs acting on dopamine systems. The current study tested whether continuous access to sucrose is necessary to increase yawning induced by the dopamine receptor agonist quinpirole, or if intermittent access is sufficient. These studies also tested whether sensitivity to quinpirole-induced yawning increases in rats drinking the non-caloric sweetener saccharin. Dose–response curves (0.0032–0.32 mg/kg) for quinpirole-induced yawning were determined once weekly in rats with free access to standard chow and either continuous access to water, 10% sucrose solution, or 0.1% saccharin solution, or intermittent access to sucrose or saccharin (i.e., 2 days per week with access to water on other days). Cumulative doses of quinpirole increased then decreased yawning, resulting in an inverted U-shaped dose–response curve. Continuous or intermittent access to sucrose enhanced sensitivity to quinpirole-induced yawning. Continuous, but not intermittent, access to saccharin also enhanced sensitivity to quinpirole-induced yawning. In all groups, pretreatment with the selective D3 receptor antagonist PG01037 shifted the ascending limb of the quinpirole dose–response curve to the right, while pretreatment with the selective D2 receptor antagonist L-741,626 shifted the descending limb to the right. These results suggest that even intermittent consumption of diets containing highly palatable substances (e.g. sucrose) alters sensitivity to drugs acting on dopamine systems in a manner that could be important in vulnerability to abuse drugs.
Conceptual Site Model for the AUES

This chapter presents a superb example of the new mandate from the EPA for a “Conceptual Site Model.” The District of Columbia has been involved in the cleanup of American University Experiment Station (AUES) since its first report in 1996. Lack of precise information on burial sites, contaminants, areas of likely contamination, impact areas, and the fate and transport of contaminants has created a pall of uncertainty for the community and those charged with cleaning up this site. It is in an effort to minimize future duplication of effort and data gaps that the District of Columbia has tackled the enormity of a comprehensive planning document with a conceptual site model. The EPA has set forth an approach for environmental remediation called the “Triad System.” A key step in this is the development of a Conceptual Site Model. This generic approach should be modified due to the unique nature of each site. The EPA has also experimented with conceptual site models for UXO. This model considers historical records, aerial photographs, toxicity and exposure data, site contaminant data, geologic data, hydrogeologic information, residents, other environmental receptors, site development infrastructure information, and professional conjecture. The format recommended by the EPA must be altered slightly due to the uniqueness of the site.
The Use of Surveys in Interest Group Research

Scholars utilize a variety of research methods in studies of interest group formation, presence and influence. From aggregate counts of interest group populations to in-depth participant observation, scholars have used a variety of methods in studies of interest groups' role(s) in the policy process. The application of survey research has proven to be a successful method for obtaining group-specific information across a variety of group types and settings. Though organizational sampling and methods of survey dissemination can differ dramatically across studies, the subfield lacks a comprehensive review of the use of surveys within interest group research. This paucity leaves unanswered several questions regarding the frequency and efficacy of survey research within the subfield. What types of questions have been answered via surveys of organizations? What benefits are provided by this methodological approach? What challenges emerge when surveying interest groups and how have scholars overcome these obstacles? These questions are pertinent to scholars of interest groups and survey researchers alike, and this review provides guidance for the construction and dissemination of future interest group surveys.
JPH-2 interacts with Cai-handling proteins and ion channels in dyads: Contribution to premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy.

Background In a canine model of premature ventricular contraction–induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CM), Cav1.2 is downregulated and misplaced from transverse tubules (T tubules). Junctophilin-2 (JPH-2) is also downregulated. Objectives The objectives of this study were to understand the role of JPH-2 in PVC-CM and to probe changes in other proteins involved in dyad structure and function. Methods We quantify T-tubule contents (di-8-ANEPPS fluorescence in live myocytes), examine myocyte ultrastructures (electron microscopy), probe JPH-2–interacting proteins (co-immunoprecipitation), quantify dyad and nondyad protein levels (immunoblotting), and examine subcellular distributions of dyad proteins (immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy). We also test direct JPH-2 modulation of channel function (vs indirect modulation through dyad formation) using heterologous expression. Results PVC myocytes have reduced T-tubule contents but otherwise normal ultrastructures. Among 19 proteins examined, only JPH-2, bridging integrator-1 (BIN-1), and Cav1.2 are highly downregulated in PVC hearts. However, statistical analysis indicates a general reduction in dyad protein levels when JPH-2 is downregulated. Furthermore, several dyad proteins, including Na/Ca exchanger, are missing or shifted from dyads to the peripheral surface in PVC myocytes. JPH-2 directly or indirectly interacts with Ca i -handling proteins, Cav1.2 and KCNQ1, although not BIN-1 or other scaffolding proteins tested. Expression in mammalian cells that do not have dyads confirms direct JPH-2 modulation of the L-type Ca channel current (Cav1.2/voltage-gated Ca channel β subunit 2) and slow delayed rectifier current (KCNQ1/KCNE1). Conclusion JPH-2 is more than a "dyad glue": it can modulate Ca i handling and ion channel function in the dyad region. Downregulation of JPH-2, BIN-1, and Cav1.2 plays a deterministic role in PVC-CM. Dissecting the hierarchical relationship among the three is necessary for the design of therapeutic interventions to prevent the progression of PVC-CM.
Neuroblastoma in an Adult: Case Presentation and Literature Review

Neuroblastoma is the most common malignancy in children less than one year of age, but is rare in adults. Adult neuroblastoma differs from pediatric cases by lacking classical features including low incidence of MYCN amplification, elevated urinary catecholamimes, and MIBG avidity. The diagnosis may not be initially considered because of the rarity, which emphasizes the importance of immunohisto- chemical staining and cytogenetic testing in aiding the diagnosis. We present a case of neuroblastoma in a 39-year-old woman who failed to respond to intensive therapy for this malignancy and died within a year after diagnosis.
Effects of magnesium deficiency and thyroparathyroidectomy on calcium active transport by rat duodenum.

SummaryMg deficiency was produced in rats by feeding a Mg-free diet. Ten days of dietary Mg depletion led to an increase in active duodenal Ca absorption in sham-operated animals, but this increase was abolished by thyroparathyroidectomy (TPTX). In addition, TPTX reduced Ca absorption in control animals fed a Mg-con-taining diet. More prolonged Mg deficiency was produced by feeding sham-operated animals the Mg-free diet for 19 days. This condition resulted in more marked hypo-magnesemia and a depression of Ca transport rates to the level observed in the TPTX groups. These results are consistent with the concept that adaptation of duodenal Ca transport in response to Mg deficiency occurs through an increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion; however, direct blood PTH measurements will be required to prove this point.We would like to thank Gail Millar Fishbein for her expert technical assistance.
Analysis of the replication pattern of Chinese hamster chromosomes using 5-bromodeoxyuridine suppression of 33258 Hoechst fluorescence.

Chinese hamster fibroblasts were synchronized and given 5-bromodeoxyuridine for DNA synthesis except during one hour of the S phase when thymidine was present in the medium. In the next mitosis, chromosomes stained with 33258 Hoechst were banded in appearance when photographed by fluorescence microscopy. The bright regions corresponded to the chromosome segments replicated during the thymidine exposure in the S phase. The segments replicated together during any one hour produced three distinct patterns which were characteristic of early, middle, and late S phase. Most of the fluorescent regions corresponded in size and position with G-bands of these chromosomes. There was no correlation between the staining behavior of a band in G-band procedure and its time-or-replication, i.e., both light and dark G-bands were replicated during early, middle, and late S phase. However, it appears that all of the DNA within a single band is replicated together within one third of the S phase.
Characterization of lymphocyte interferons with different species specificities from normal and genetically dystrophic chickens.

Lymphocytes from thymus and spleen of normal (Line 412) and genetically dystrophic (Line 413) chickens produce two types of interferons (IFNs) with different host cell specificities. The first type, referred to as ChIFN-α, demonstrates antiviral activity on primary normal chicken embryo (CE) cells. This activity is stable at 60°C for 1 h and, in this respect, ChIFN-α is similar to the standard ChIFN-β. In contrast, the second type, referred to as ChIFN-α1, demonstrates antiviral activity in human and simian cells but not in primary CE cells. This activity is labile at 60°C for 1 h. The amount of these two types of IFNs produced in lymphocytes from the spleen of dystrophic chickens was fourfold greater than that produced from normal chickens under similar experimental conditions. In contrast to the lymphocytes from thymus and spleen, the lymphocytes from the bursa of both the normal and dystrophic chickens produced only one type of IFN, namely ChIFN-α1. The development of antiviral state in human cells by ...
Prescriptions for Public-Sector Information Management A Review, Analysis, and Critique

This article reviews, analyzes, and assesses prescriptions for public-sector management of information technology (IT). It draws on four sources of such prescriptions: (a) the best-practices literature, based primarily on expert opinion and focused on managerial processes; (b) the empirical IT research literature, based primarily on quantitative analyses of the IT function; (c) benchmarks (the attempt to develop objective measures of the success of IT in public-sector organizations); and (d) the problem/disaster literature, based primarily on analyses of problems and disasters that have occurred in public-sector IT systems. The best-practices literature offers guidance, but the prescriptions are too general, and the methods for identifying best practices need expansion. The empirical literature is valuable and can provide prescriptions for specific technological questions, but the body of research is too sparse and offers contradictory prescriptions. Benchmarking has potential, but the approach is very un...
The Fight for Political Representation: The Use of the Voting Rights Act and the Federal Court System by Black Plaintiffs in Henrico County, Virginia

There has been an abundance of written work on the historic fight for black political equality in southern urban areas. However, almost no scholarly work exists on the fight for black political equality in the rapidly expanding southern suburbs. This article analyzes the rise of the black population and its fight for political representation on the local governing board in Henrico County, a large suburb of Richmond, Virginia. The article details the increase in the black population in Henrico County from 1950 to 2000 and provides a descriptive analysis how black plaintiffs used the Voting Rights Act in a redistricting suit against the county in 1988. Many arguments made by the defendants and the plaintiffs are similar to the fierce civil right battles, that occurred during the Massive Resistance era in the 1950s and 1960s in Virginia. However, what is unique about this case is that it occurred in the late-1980s and early-1990s in an expanding suburb.
Genetic Modification of Respiratory Capacity in Potato

Mitochondrial respiration was altered in transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) lines by overexpression of the alternative oxidase Aox1 gene. Overexpressing lines showed higher levels of Aox1 mRNA, increased levels of alternative oxidase protein(s), and an unusual higher molecular weight polypeptide, which may be a normal processing/modification intermediate. Evidence suggests that the alternative oxidase protein is further processed/modified beyond removal of the transit peptide. Addition of pyruvate to mitochondria oxidizing succinate or NADH increased the alternative pathway capacity but did not eliminate the difference in the capacity between these two substrates. Induction of alternative pathway capacity by aging of tubers appeared to be more dependent on increased levels of alternative oxidase protein than changes in its oxidation state. In leaf and tuber mitochondria, overexpressing lines possessed higher alternative pathway capacity than the control line, which suggests that changing the alternative oxidase protein level by genetic engineering can effectively change alternative pathway capacity.
EARLY ONTOGENIC CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN HAWAIIAN SEA URCHINS.

Abstract The histochemical method for the detection of alkaline phosphatase according to the schedule of Danielli was applied to whole eggs and embryos and to histological sections of different developmental stages of Tripneustes gratilla and Colobocentrotus atratus. Sections of oocytes showed little or no alkaline phosphatase activity except in the nucleolus. The rest of the nucleoplasm and the whole cytoplasm could not be distinguished from the control. In mature ova of T. gratilla the nucleus showed higher enzyme activity than the cytoplasm. In pigmented eggs of C. atratus this method could not show the enzyme activity in the ovum and cleavage stages in total mount preparations. In both species tissue distribution of alkaline phosphatase occurs with the beginning of gastrulation. In gastrula the archenteron and primary mesenchyme cells had higher activity than the other tissues. In later stages, from gastrula to pluteus, the wall of the gut consistently showed higher activity than other tissues. The primary mesenchyme cells and their descendant skeletogenic cells of the endoskeleton showed the next concentration of this enzyme. The hydroenterocoels, which began as evaginations from the dorsal wall of the gut and had this enzyme, were devoid of activity after separation from the gut. The ectodermal cells of the anterior border of the pluteus also had enzyme activity, although it was lower in concentration than the gut and the skeletogenic mesenchyme cells. Mature eggs, gastrulae and plutei of the Hawaiian sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla were studied biochemically for changes in alkaline phosphatase activity during development. The increase in precipitation produced by the Gomori-Takamatsu technique at the different stages studied parallels the increase in inorganic phosphorus released from the substrate by incubation of similar stage of material in direct biochemical analysis. In the mature ova of this species the Qp value of alkaline phosphatase activity was about half as much as that of the gastrulae and the plutei were about six times as active enzymatically as the unfertilized eggs and about three times as active as the gastrulae.
One-sided cross-validation for nonsmooth regression functions

The one-sided cross-validation (OSCV) method is shown to be robust to lack of smoothness in the regression function. Two corrections for the case where the regression function has a discontinuous first derivative are proposed. Simulation results suggest that proposed modifications of the OSCV method are efficient for regression functions whose first derivative is discontinuous at more than two points. The OSCV method and its modification outperform the cross-validation method and the Ruppert–Sheather–Wand plug-in method in a data example involving a function that, potentially, has one discontinuity in its derivative.
Data Acquisition Computer with Foreground-Background Operating System

An on-line data acquisition computer system is described which runs background computational programs while it is acquiring data independently of and asynchronously with the program. A combination of hardware and software prevents loss of data and destruction of the system through errors in Fortran background programs.
Physician productivity and the ambulatory EHR in a large academic multi-specialty physician group

Abstract Purpose The impact of the ambulatory electronic health record (EHR) on physician productivity is poorly understood. Fear of productivity loss remains a major concern for practitioners and health care delivery organizations and inhibits system adoption. This study describes the changes in physician productivity after the implementation of a commercially available ambulatory EHR system in a large academic multi-specialty physician group. Methods Weill Cornell faculty members implemented on the EpicCare (Epic Systems) EHR between 2001 and 2007 were identified as potential study participants. Monthly visit volume, charges, and work relative value units (wRVUs) were compared pre and post each provider's EHR implementation go-live date. Practitioners who lacked at least 6 months of pre- and post-implementation visit volume and charge data were excluded. Practitioners who did not meet pre-determined system proficiency metrics were additionally identified and became the basis of a non-adopter comparison group. Results 203 physicians met criteria for the analysis. The eligible providers were divided into an adopter and non-adopter cohort based on system proficiency benchmarks. Those practitioners who adopted the EHR had a statistically significant increase in average monthly patient visit volume of 9 visits per provider per month. The non-adopter cohort's visit volume was statistically unchanged. Both the EHR adopters and non-adopters had statistically significant increases (22% and 16% respectively) in average monthly charges in the post-implementation period. Average monthly wRVUs were statistically unchanged in the non-adopter cohort, but showed a positive and statistically significant increase of 12 wRVUs per provider per month for the adopter group. The EHR adoption group showed an incremental increase in productivity once practitioners achieved 6 or more months experience with the EHR, consistent with a "ramp-up" period. A multivariable regression model did not reveal any association between the post-EHR implementation change in wRVUs and several potential confounding variables, including baseline provider average monthly visit volume and wRVUs, date of system adoption, and specialty categorization. Conclusion Provider productivity, as measured by patient visit volume, charges, and wRVUs modestly increased for a cohort of multi-specialty providers that adopted a commercially available ambulatory EHR. The productivity gain appeared to become even more pronounced after several months of system experience. This objective data may help persuade apprehensive practitioners that EHR adoption need not harm productivity. The baseline differences in productivity metrics for the adopters and non-adopters in our study suggest that there are fundamental differences in these groups. Further characterizing these differences may help predict EHR adoption success and guide future implementation strategies.
Biochemical changes in the tongue in neonatal rats during development

Abstract Tongue muscle and overlying epithelium was dissected from 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 and 23 day-old rats suckled by dams fed a 25 per cent protein diet and analysed for DNA and protein content. The cycles of hyperplastic and cytoplasmic growth in the tongue corresponded with those of muscle in general in the rat. However, these cycles contrasted sharply with previous data for facial bones from the same group of rats. The rate of weight gain of the tongue was slower than total body weight gain, although the literature suggests that skeletal muscle weight gain in the neonatal rat slightly exceeds body weight gain.
Model for Estimating Acute Health Impacts from Consumption of Contaminated Drinking Water

Disease transmission models predict the spread of disease over time through susceptible, infected, and recovered populations, and are commonly used to design public health intervention strategies. A modified disease model is linked to flow and transport models for water distribution systems in order to predict the health risks associated with use of contaminated water. The proposed framework provides information about the spatial and temporal distribution of health risks in distribution systems and is useful for understanding the vulnerability of drinking water systems to contamination events, as well as for designing public health and water utility strategies to reduce risks.
Phaseless Measurements Over Nonrectangular Planar Near-Field Systems Without Probe Corotation

The need for acquiring the near-field phase with a high precision has imposed a stringent condition for measuring the antennas pattern at high frequencies in indoor facilities. The phaseless near-field techniques are introduced to overcome the necessity of operating with costly high frequency vector instruments. Many algorithms are proposed by the researchers and among them the Iterative Fourier technique is proved a viable solution for planar near-field systems. This paper discusses a difficulty in implementing this technique in nonrectangular facilities, such as plane-polar and bipolar, and introduces an iterative algorithm to alleviate it. The measurement of the co and cross-polarized field necessitates the corotation of the probe with the antenna under test to maintain the polarization, for all the nonrectangular planar systems. The corotation increases the hardware complexity of these measurement systems. Therefore the proposed algorithm which alleviates the probe corotation can significantly simplify the hardware involved. The convergence and stability of the proposed algorithm is studied and it is shown how one can control them. The developed algorithm is implemented using simulated near-field for two different types of antennas. The applicability of this algorithm is also assessed by employing a bipolar phaseless near-field measurement.
Histopathologic Correlates of Inducible Ventricular Tachycardia in Two Experimental Canine Models of Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT Ventricular tachyarrhythmias are the leading cause of sudden cardiac death. Determination of the substrates conducive to the initiation of ventricular tachyarrhythmias remains an important clinical goal. The purpose of this study was to correlate electrophysiologic and histopathologic parameters conducive to the initiation of sustained ventricular tachycardia using programmed electrical stimulation in two canine models of myocardial infarction. Histopathologic correlates included: infarct pattern (heterogeneous vs. homogeneous morphology), distribution (viable epicardial or endocardial rim), and size. Twenty-one adult dogs were randomly divided into two groups:(1) 12 dogs underwent two-stage, 2-hour occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD); and (2) nine animals had permanent, complete occlusion of the LAD with latex embolization. Using programmed ventricular pacing with two premature ventricular extrastimuli, initiation of ventricular tachycardia was attempted at both 1 and 2 weeks after infarction with the chest closed and opened each time. Electrophysiologic evaluation of the infarct type correlated significantly with the histologic morphology of the infarction (p
Robust Control of Markovian Switching Stochastic Systems with Noise Dependent States and Inputs

A problem of state feedback stabilization of discrete-time stochastic processes under Markovian switching and random diffusion (noise) is considered. The jump Markovian switching is modeled by a discrete-time Markov chain. The control input is simultaneously applied to both the rate vector and the diffusion term. Sufficient conditions based on linear matrix inequalities (LMI's) for stochastic stability is obtained. The robustness results of such stability concept against all admissible uncertainties are also investigated. An example is given to demonstrate the obtained results.
Central Command Architecture for High Order Autonomous Unmanned Systems

This paper is the first in a two-part series that introduces an easy-to-implement central command architecture for high-order autonomous unmanned aerial systems. This paper discusses the development and the second paper presents the flight test results. As shown in this paper, the central command architecture consists of a central command block, an autonomous planning block, and an autonomous flight controls block. The central command block includes a staging process that converts an objective into tasks independent of the vehicle (agent). The autonomous planning block contains a non-iterative sequence of algorithms that govern routing, vehicle assignment, and deconfliction. The autonomous flight controls block employs modern controls principles, dividing the control input into a guidance part and a regulation part. A novel feature of high-order central command, as this paper shows, is the elimination of operator-directed vehicle tasking and the manner in which deconfliction is treated. A detailed example illustrates different features of the architecture.
LENGTH SCALE AND TIME SCALE EFFECTS ON THE PLASTIC FLOW OF FCC METALS

We examine size scale and strain rate effects on single-crystal face-centered cubic (fcc) metals. To study yield and work hardening, we perform simple shear molecular dynamics simulations using the embedded atom method (EAM) on single-crystal nickel ranging from 100 atoms to 100 million atoms and at strain rates ranging from 107 to 1012 s−1. We compare our atomistic simulation results with experimental data obtained from interfacial force microscopy (IFM), nano-indentation, micro-indentation and small-scale torsion. The data are found to scale with a geometric length scale parameter defined by the ratio of volume to surface area of the samples. The atomistic simulations reveal that dislocations nucleating at free surfaces are critical to causing micro-yield and macro-yield in pristine material. The increase of flow stress at increasing strain rates results from phonon drag, and a simple model is developed to demonstrate this effect. Another important aspect of this study reveals that plasticity as reflected by the global averaged stress–strain behavior is characterized by four different length scales: (1) below 104 atoms, (2) between 104 and 106 atoms (2 μm), (3) between 2 μm and 300 μm, and (4) above 300 μm.
Famotidine therapy for active duodenal ulcers. A multivariate analysis of factors affecting early healing.

Objective To identify factors that influence the rate of healing of duodenal ulcers. Design A stepwise multivariable statistical analysis of patients with duodenal ulcer in a multicenter, prospective, open-label study. Healing was assessed by endoscopy at 4 or 8 weeks. Antacid use and symptoms were recorded in a daily diary. Subjects Of 135 patients, ages 19 to 86, 50% had a previous duodenal ulcer, 46.7% smoked, and 34.8% had melena or hematemesis. Interventions Famotidine, 40 mg orally, at bedtime for 4 or 8 weeks depending on endoscopic evaluation of ulcer healing. Limited antacid use was permitted. Setting Office practices, hospital practices, and university-based medical centers. Measurements and main results Multivariable analysis identified five independent predictors present at the time of diagnosis that influenced ulcer healing. The odds of not healing for each risk factor after simultaneous adjustment of the other risk factors were as follows: alcohol use, 6.5 (CI, 2.0 to 20.7, P less than 0.002); ulcer size greater than 10 mm, 4.2 (CI, 1.5 to 11.6, P less than 0.005), bleeding symptoms. 3.5 (CI, 1.2 to 10.2, P less than 0.03); and a previous duodenal ulcer, 3.1 (CI, 1.05 to 9.0, P less than 0.04). The use of salicylates or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before treatment was associated with an improved odds of healing (adjusted odds ratio, 0.2; CI, 0.1 to 0.9, P less than 0.04). The percentage of patients achieving complete ulcer healing after 4 weeks of famotidine decreased inversely with the number of risk factors present, ulcer size, and the quantity of daily alcohol use (P less than 0.001). Fewer than half of those patients who still had severe pain at day 7 achieved healing at 4 weeks (P less than 0.001). In contrast, smoking and 23 other factors had no statistically discernible effect on ulcer healing with famotidine. Conclusions Five variables present at the time of diagnosis independently influenced the rate of ulcer healing at 4 weeks: alcohol use, ulcer size, bleeding symptoms, a previous duodenal ulcer, and previous use of salicylates or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Embedded foreign body in the facial bones

In a patient who suffered multiple knife wounds, wounds of the face, facial sinuses, orbit and nose were of particular interest because the knife blade broke off flush with the frontal sinus. On clinical examination there was little or nothing, except a proptosed right eye, to suggest the extraordinary knife wound track. The foreign body was removed in an uncomplicated surgical procedure that produced immediate improvement of the proptosis and eye movement. The patient's recovery was uneventful.
A swine model for teaching endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) imaging and intervention under EUS guidance.

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has evolved into a clinically useful imaging modality. Widespread application of EUS has been hampered by the long learning curve and the paucity of training programs. We report here our efforts to develop an animal model for teaching endoscopic ultrasound. Materials and methods The protocol for performing endoscopic ultrasound in live pigs included general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilatory support. An echo-endoscope was then inserted into the pig gastrointestinal tract, and attempts were made to obtain ultrasound images that were comparable to human endoscopic ultrasound images. Intervention under EUS guidance was then attempted in the swine. Results It was possible to image the esophageal and gastric wall, pancreas, aorta, celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, liver, and portal vein. The images obtained were analogous to human endoscopic ultrasound images. EUS-guided interventional techniques were also carried out, including EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration and celiac plexus neurolysis. Conclusions A swine model appears to be useful for hands-on teaching in endoscopic ultrasound imaging and intervention under endoscopic ultrasound guidance.
Determination of surface-diffusion kinetics of adatoms in epitaxy under step-flow growth conditions

In an analytical and Monte Carlo simulation analysis of an interrupted step-flow growth on a vicinal substrate, we find that the asymptotic behavior of the adatom monomer density during recovery is dominated by a single exponential decay, $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}{Dt/4L}_{\mathrm{terrace}}^{2}).$ Here $D$ is the adatom diffusion coefficient over flat terraces, and ${L}_{\mathrm{terrace}}$ is the averaged width of the terraces. Consequently, by monitoring the recovery of optical reflectance difference or reflection high-energy electron diffraction from such a surface, one should be able to determine reliably the adatom diffusion coefficient under high-temperature growth conditions.
Amithiozone (tibione) analogs from aralkyl ketones

The antitubercular thiosemicarbazones listed in the literature have been restricted almost exclusively to those derived from aldehydes. In the present report, a group of 18 thiosemicarbazones prepared from aralkyl ketones has been described. The carboxyl or amino group has been introduced into three of the products in an attempt to change their properties or activity. p-Chloroacetophenone thiosemicarbazone was found to have four times the in vitro effectiveness of 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone.
Sourcing Strategies of European and Japanese Multinationals: A Comparison

Based on a typology of sourcing strategies, this study identifies various sourcing patterns adopted by European and Japanese multinational manufacturing firms in serving the U.S. market. The study has found that the product's market performance is not at all related to its life–cycle stage in world trade or to production location, but is positively related to the internal components sourcing and negatively related to the product adaptation. The findings strongly support Levitt's call for a global product.
Jitter vs. additive noise in magnetic recording: Effects on detection

Noise on thin-film magnetic recording media is often modeled as a transition jitter, whereas particulate media noise is taken to be additive. Although these two noise mechanisms can produce similar spectra their effects on detection can be markedly different. This paper analyzes these differences for several signaling/detection schemes and concludes that where transition jitter dominates, peak detection of
Crop water stress index relationships with crop productivity

Field experiments between 1983 and 1987 were used to study the effect of crop development on crop water stress index (CWSI) parameters and the relationship of CWSI with the yield of cotton and grain sorghum. The absolute slopes of nonstressed baselines (NSBL) generally increased until canopy cover reached 70% (Table 1). NSBL derived from data collected when canopy temperature exceeded 27.4 °C had greater absolute slopes and higher R 2-values than NSBL that included all diurnal measurements (Table 1). Average CWSI values of cotton and grain sorghum grown under varying soil water regimes were negatively correlated with yield. Grain sorghum yield was more sensitive to CWSI values than was cotton lint yield (Figs. 1 and 2). Multiyear data analysis indicated that yields from cotton that experienced a completely stressed condition during part of each day during the boll setting period would be 40% of those from completely nonstressed cotton (Fig. 3). Negative values of CWSI computed for cotton growing under non-water stressed conditions were associated with uncertainties in calculations of aerodynamic resistance (r aand in estimating canopy resistance at potential evapotranspiration (r cp).
Dose response explorer: an integrated open-source tool for exploring and modelling radiotherapy dose–volume outcome relationships

Radiotherapy treatment outcome models are a complicated function of treatment, clinical and biological factors. Our objective is to provide clinicians and scientists with an accurate, flexible and user-friendly software tool to explore radiotherapy outcomes data and build statistical tumour control or normal tissue complications models. The software tool, called the dose response explorer system (DREES), is based on Matlab, and uses a named-field structure array data type. DREES/Matlab in combination with another open-source tool (CERR) provides an environment for analysing treatment outcomes. DREES provides many radiotherapy outcome modelling features, including (1) fitting of analytical normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and tumour control probability (TCP) models, (2) combined modelling of multiple dose-volume variables (e.g., mean dose, max dose, etc) and clinical factors (age, gender, stage, etc) using multi-term regression modelling, (3) manual or automated selection of logistic or actuarial model variables using bootstrap statistical resampling, (4) estimation of uncertainty in model parameters, (5) performance assessment of univariate and multivariate analyses using Spearman's rank correlation and chi-square statistics, boxplots, nomograms, Kaplan-Meier survival plots, and receiver operating characteristics curves, and (6) graphical capabilities to visualize NTCP or TCP prediction versus selected variable models using various plots. DREES provides clinical researchers with a tool customized for radiotherapy outcome modelling. DREES is freely distributed. We expect to continue developing DREES based on user feedback.
Solar and thermal energy harvesting with a wearable jacket

This paper presents the design of a wearable energy harvesting jacket, which harvests energy from solar and body heat in the outdoor environment. The energy harvesting system consists of 16 photovoltaic (PV) cells, 12 thermoelectric generators (TEGs), and five power management chips, and it charges two AAA NiMH batteries in series. The 16 PV cells are partitioned into four zones (chest, back, right and left shoulders), where PV cells in the same zone are roughly subject to the same irradiation level. All the PV cells in the same zone are controlled to operate at nearly the same maximum power point. Six TEGs are connected in series to increase the output voltage, and two sets of those six TEGs are controlled by the same power management circuit. The average power harvested by the solar system ranges between 475 mW to 500 mW on a sunny day. The power generated by TEGs lies in μW range due to the low temperature gradient available within the jacket. The prototype illustrates the proposed solar energy harvesting system with partition of cells into different zones is simple, yet effective.
A 10-b, 300-MS/s power DAC with 6-V pp differential swing

A 10-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is presented that delivers 6-Vpp into a 100-Ω differential load. The circuit is implemented in 45-nm CMOS SOI, which provides benefits for using a FET-stack current buffer. The measured DNL is better than 0.44 LSB. The DAC consumes 476 mW and achieves a peak SFDR of 54.4 dB and a minimum IM3 of -55.6 dBc. This DAC demonstrates the largest output swing and highest power efficiency for a highresolution (>8b), high-speed (>100MS/s) DAC.
Refrigerant distribution in the vertical header of the microchannel heat exchanger – Measurement and visualization of R410A flow

Abstract This paper presents the R410A adiabatic upward flow in three vertical headers of microchannel heat exchangers. All microchannel tubes are inserted into the half depth. The objectives are to explore what affects R410A distribution and attempt to predict the distribution. R410A is circulated into the header through the (5 or 10) tubes in the bottom pass and exits through the (5 or 10) tubes in the top pass. It represents the flow in the outdoor heat exchanger (usually used as the condenser) when it is used as the evaporator in the heat pump mode of reversible systems. The quality was typically varied from 0.2 to 0.8 and the mass flow rate from 1.5 to 4.5 kg h−1 per tube. The best distribution was observed at high mass flux and low quality. The experiment and visualization reveals the flow pattern effects in terms of homogeneity and momentum. The churn flow had better distribution since the two-phase mixture was more homogenous and the distribution was better at high mass flux in the header because the higher momentum liquid was able to reach the top exit tube.
A numerical model of the electrodynamics of plasma within the contaminant gas cloud of the Space Shuttle Orbiter at low Earth orbit

A two-dimensional cloud was used to study the plasma dynamics within the outgas cloud associated with the Orbiter. It is shown that the polarization field is not symmetric about the direction of motion of the outgas cloud. It rotates in a way that can be predicted in simple cases by the ratio of the Hall and Pederson currents within the outgas cloud. The polarization field magnitude produced in the model was not large.