cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Cerebral Cooling in a Swine Model of Cardiac Arrest

OBJECTIVE Mild cerebral hypothermia improves neurologic outcome in animals resuscitated from cardiac arrest. This study examined whether one practical external cooling method, i.e., local application of ice to the heads and necks of swine, during resuscitation induces cerebral cooling. METHODS Local external cerebral cooling was examined in a prospective laboratory investigation using 24 female swine in a model of cardiac arrest. The swine were randomized into hypothermia and normothermia groups. Intracerebral temperature was measured in the parietal cortex. Eight minutes after induction of ventricular fibrillation, chest compressions and mechanical ventilation were initiated. The hypothermia group was treated with 1,500 mL of ice in plastic bags applied to the head and neck, while the normothermia group received no extra interventions. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS In the normothermia group, there was no significant change in nasopharyngeal (-0.8 +/- 0.6 degree C), intracerebral (-0.6 +/- 0.8 degree C), or esophageal (-0.2 +/- 0.6 degree C) temperatures during 20 minutes of resuscitation. However, in the hypothermia group, application of ice during resuscitation significantly reduced nasopharyngeal (-2.9 +/- 1.4 degrees C), intracerebral (-2.1 +/- 0.6 degrees C), and esophageal (-1.4 +/- 0.8 degrees C) temperatures. CONCLUSIONS External application of ice packs during resuscitation effectively reduced intracerebral temperatures in swine by an amount that improved neurologic outcomes in previous large animal studies. These data suggest that clinically significant cerebral cooling could be accomplished with a noninvasive, inexpensive, and universally available intervention. Further studies are required to assess the clinical feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of this intervention.
Studies on Cellulose Synthesis by a Cell-free Oat Coleoptile Enzyme System: Inactivation by Airborne Oxidants

Particulate cell wall polysaccharide synthetase from oat coleoptiles could use either guanosine diphosphate glucose or uridine diphosphate glucose; the latter was a much more effective glucose donor. The neutral polymer derived from uridine diphosphate glucose utilization yielded, after cellulase digestion, mostly cellobiose and to a lesser extent a substance tentatively identified as a mixed-linkage β1,4 = β1,3-trisaccharide; only cellobiose was found after guanosine diphosphate glucose utilization. The uridine diphosphate glucose utilizing system was inactivated by peroxyacetyl nitrate treatment of intact tissue and to a lesser extent by ozone treatment suggesting that this system is a possible site of interference with cellulose and non-cellulosic glucan biosynthesis in vivo. Direct treatment of the enzyme in vitro by peroxyacetyl nitrate, iodoacetamide or p-chloromercuribenzoate also inactivated the enzyme, indicating that the mechanism of inactivation possibly involves reaction with sulfhydryl groups.
Age, Human Capital and the Quality of Work: New Evidence from Old Masters

The links between individual ability, human capital investment, and labor productivity are generally hard to address because productivity is unobservable. We overcome this problem by examining artist productivity as reflected in art auction prices. First, we observe an inverted-U shaped age-quality of work profile similar to the conventional age-wage profile. Second, we find that the degree of concavity increases for those with higher native ability. Third, we find that working for a patron rather than selling directly to the market is associated with a flatter age profile. Fourth, we find evidence that formal education increases the concavity of the age-quality of work profile. These results are consistent with the theory and demonstrate that artists respond to incentives to invest in human capital.
Mixed alkyl isocyanide-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene complexes of chromium—II. Secondary-ion, electron impact and chemical-ionization mass spectrometry of the 18-electron species Cr(CO)3(CNR)(R′-DAB)

Abstract Mass analysis of the 18-electron mixed isocyanide-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene complexes [Cr(CO) 3 (CNR)(R′-DAB)] (R = Me, CHMe 2 , CMe 3 or xylyl; R′ = i -Pr, t Bu or Cy) was undertaken using secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), electron impact (EI) mass spectrometry and both positive- and negative-ion chemical-ionization (CI) (PICI and NICI) mass spectrometry. With the exception of the PICI spectra, abundant molecular ions were not present. In all instances, well-defined, structurally informative fragment ions were identified which arise by loss of CO and/or the intact RNC and R′-DAB ligands. Cleavage of the RNC ligands (dealkylation) occurs in the SIMS and EI spectra to give fragment ions containing [Cr(CNH)] + , whereas only in NICI are fragments observed in which the cyano moiety [Cr(CN)] + is present. High-abundance carbonyl-containing fragments are seen only in the case of the CI spectra and are most common in the NICI measurements. These trends are discussed in the light of the Cr-ligand bonding.
Relationship between structure and function of neurons in the rat rostral nucleus tractus solitarii

To investigate the relationship between the structure and function of neurons in the rostral (gustatory) nucleus tractus solitarii (rNTS), we analyzed the morphological and biophysical properties of rNTS neurons by performing whole-cell recordings in a brain slice preparation. Overall, neurons (n = 58) had a mean soma1 diameter of 16 km, an average dendritic length of 598 km, an average dendritic thickness of 0.91 pm, and a spine density of 0.037 spines/ ym. Neurons were separated into three groups (elongate, multipolar, and ovoid) on the basis of previously established morphological criteria. The highest percentage (49%) of neurons were classified as ovoid, while 35% were multipolar and only 16% were elongate. The most frequently observed firing pattern, in all three cell types, elicited by a 1,200 ms, 100 PA depolarizing current pulse was a regularly firing spike train. However, the intrinsic firing properties of the remaining neurons were different. Thirty-one percent of the ovoid neurons responded with a short burst of action potentials and 44% of the elongate neurons showed a delay in the onset of the spike train following a hyperpolarizing prepulse. Less than 16% of the multipolar neurons demonstrated either of these firing characteristics. Therefore, rNTS neurons with similar morphology do not have unique biophysical properties. However, the data suggest that there may be subpopulations of the three morphological types, each of which displays a different firing pattern. Since the structure and function of the three morphological groups were not strictly correlated, these subpopulations may represent functional groups.
Linkage disequilibrium maps constructed with common SNPs are useful for first-pass disease association screens ☆

To develop an efficient strategy for mapping genetic factors associated with common diseases, we constructed linkage disequilibrium (LD) maps of human chromosomes 5, 7, 17, and X. These maps consist of common single nucleotide polymorphisms at an average intermarker distance of 100 kb. The genotype data from these markers in a panel of American samples of European descent were analyzed to produce blocks of markers in strong pair-wise LD. Power calculations were used to guide block definitions and predicted that high-level LD maps would be useful in initial genome scans for susceptibility alleles in case-control association studies of complex diseases. As anticipated, LD blocks on the X chromosome were larger and covered more of the chromosome than those found on the autosomes.
Dielectric and transport properties of thin polycrystalline CdTe films

The electrical properties of vacuum-deposited CdTe thin films as functions of temperature, frequency, film thickness and applied field for various substrate temperatures are reported. A detailed examination of these results reveals the presence of an electron trap which is 0.58 eV below the conduction band edge with a density of (5−10) × 1015 cm−3. The position of this trap correlates well with the reports of other investigators for CdTe single crystals and thin films. The dielectric constant evaluated (8.70) at 1 kHz is independent of film thickness. The AC conductivity of these samples investigated is proportional to ωn, a being the angular-frequency and n a temperature-dependent quantity; the value of n decreases with increase in temperature. Analysis of the law-temperature frequency-dependent conductivity indicates that hopping is the dominant mechanism of conduction.
Kinetic model options for interpretation of amino acid enantiomeric ratios in Quaternary mollusks: Comments on a paper by Kvenvolden et al. (1979)

Abstract A comparison of linear (to D/L leucine of ca . 0.55) and non-linear (slowing of racemization rates by a factor of ca . 10 × after D/L leucine of ca . 0.25) model kinetics is presented in order to interpret amino acid enantiomeric ratio data in Holocene and Pleistocene marine mollusks from the Pacific coast of the United States. Linear model rate constants for well-dated Holocene and Pleistocene samples are not consistent with probable temperature histories or probable latitudinal differences in effective temperatures for these samples, using reasonable values for the activation energy of racemization. The non-linear model, with a much earlier transition from rapid to slow racemization rates, appears more consistent with available data.
Mechanical and tribological properties of CrAlN-Ag self-lubricating films

Abstract This paper reports on the investigation of the mechanical and tribological properties of reactively sputtered CrAlN-Ag nanocomposite films that were co-sputtered from three individual targets of Cr, Al, and Ag onto Si (111) and stainless steel SS-440C substrates. The deposition parameters included: power to the Cr and Al targets of P Cr = 200 W and P Al = 160 W; substrate temperature T = 300 °C; substrate bias voltage V b = − 130 V; and, power to the Ag target P Ag = 0 to 20 W. The elemental composition of the films was deduced from X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and the Ag content was found to increase with the increase in P Ag . The crystal structure and film architecture were evaluated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The films were found to consist of nanocrystals of Ag embedded in a solid solution of CrAlN with a pattern typical of the NaCl structure. The CrAlN grain size was found to decrease with increasing Ag content in the film. The hardness and elastic modulus of each sample were measured by nanoindentation. The hardness increased initially for a very small increase in Ag content ( P Ag = 5 W) and then decreased substantially with further increases in P Ag . Finally, the coatings were rubbed against alumina balls using a ball-on-disk tribotester. Characterization of the wear tracks were performed by optical profilometry. A significant decrease in the friction and wear coefficients was achieved with CrAlN single and multi-phase films compared to the CrN-based counterpart. For example, a low friction coefficient of 0.23 and a wear rate of 3.0 × 10 − 8 mm 3 /N m. were obtained when the silver content was in the 8% range.
Salt bridge residues between I-Ak dimer of dimers α-chains modulate antigen presentation

Abstract Class II dimers of dimers are predicted to have functional significance in antigen presentation. The putative contact amino acids of the I-A k class II dimer of dimers have been identified by molecular modeling based on the DR1 crystal structure (Nydam et al., Int. Immunol. 10, 1237,1998). We have previously reported the role in antigen presentation of dimer of dimers contact amino acids located in the C-terminal domains of the α- and β-chains of class II. Our calculations show that residues Eα89 and Rα145 in the α 2 -domain form an inter α-chain salt bridge between pairs of αβ-heterodimers. Other residues, Qα92 and Nα115, may be involved in close association in that part of the α-chain. We investigated the role of these amino acids on class II expression and antigen presentation. Class II composed of an Eα89K substituted α-chain paired with a wt β-chain exhibited inhibited antigen presentation and expression of α-chain serologic epitopes. In contrast, mutation of Rα145E had less affect on antigen presentation and did not affect I-A k serologic epitopes. Interchanging charges of the salt bridge residues by expressing both Rα145E and Eα89K on the same chain obviated the large negative effect of the Eα89K mutation on antigen presentation but not on the serologic epitopes. Our results are similar for those reported for mutation of DR3’s inter-chain salt bridge with the exception that double mutants did not moderate the DR3 defect. Interestingly, the amino acids differences between I-A and DR change the location of the inter-chain salt bridges. In DR1 these residues are located at positions Eα88 and Kα111; in I-A k these residues are located at position Eα89 and Rα145. Inter α-chain salt bridges are thus maintained in various class II molecules by amino acids located in different parts of the α 2 -domain. This conservation of structure suggests that considerable functional importance may attach to the ionic interactions.
A sensorless sliding mode observer for the flux magnitude of the induction motor based on the synchronous reference frame model

The paper discusses the problem of rotor flux magnitude estimation for the induction motor (IM) drive and presents a sliding mode (SM) observer that is constructed based on the model of the motor in the synchronous reference frame. To implement the IM control scheme, generally, the magnitude of the rotor flux is needed. If flux regulation is intended, the flux is used in the controller and this generates the d axis reference current. Also, the rotor flux is required if a synchronous current regulation with decoupling compensation is adopted - the flux magnitude is needed to compute the decoupling voltages. Generally, in an IM drive, it is typical to estimate the motor fluxes in the stationary reference frame using an observer and use them for field orientation; then, the flux magnitude can be calculated from the α,β flux components. However, some recently developed observers (that use a speed estimate as an input in the estimation process) do not exactly yield α,β fluxes with accurate magnitude (their phase is accurate though and this allows to obtain the correct field orientation angle). Therefore, in such a case, the flux magnitude needs to be obtained from another source. The paper presents a SM observer for the flux magnitude based on the synchronous reference frame model of the IM. This is developed assuming that the dq axis voltages and currents are available. A speed sensored observer is developed first. Then, this is transformed into a sensorless design by feeding the observer with a speed estimate (which is assumed inaccurate). The paper shows how to design the gains of the observer such that the flux estimation process is insensitive to the speed inaccuracy.
Surgical Management of Massive Labial Edema in a Gravid Preeclamptic Diabetic

Background. Massive labial edema is a rare complication during pregnancy that can jeopardize vaginal delivery, as well as leading to maternal and fetal morbidity. It can be related to systemic pathologies, but has been commonly associated with preeclampsia and diabetes. This increased and sometimes longstanding pressure may result in a “labial compartment syndrome” leading to microvascular damage and tissue necrosis if not resolved in a timely fashion. Case. Massive labial edema was treated first conservatively and then surgically in a gravid diabetic patient with severe preeclampsia. Immediately after Cesarean section, the labial compartment syndrome was relieved surgically and resolved rapidly. Conclusion. When conservative attempts at management of labial edema fail, or rapid resolution is critical to maternal and fetal outcome, surgical alternatives should be considered.
Dose-dependent Enhancement of In Vivo GABAA–Benzodiazepine Receptor Binding by Isoflurane

Background: Abundant in vitro and animal model data suggest the postsynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABA A -R) is an important target for volatile general anesthetics, but the relevance of these models is untested in humans. Because benzodiazepines have also been shown to act via a specific GABA A -R site, they provide sensitive probes for the GABA A -R. Availability of the 11 C-labeled benzodiazepine ligand, flumazenil, allowed us to quantitatively test in humans whether the volatile anesthetic isoflurane affects GABA A -Rs in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. Methods: 11 C-flumazenil positron emission tomography scans were obtained in 12 healthy subjects while awake (control condition) and anesthetized with either 1.0 or 1.5 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane (n = 7 and 5, respectively; isoflurane conditions). Regions of interest included areas of high, intermediate, and low GABA A -benzodiazepine site density. For each subject and experimental condition, the binding of 11 C-flumazenil, expressed as distribution volume (which linearly correlates to maximal binding site density and apparent ligand affinity), was obtained by curve fitting using a two-compartment model. Results: The ratio of distribution volume increased significantly in each examined region during the isoflurane conditions compared with control conditions (P < 0.01, one-tailed t test). Furthermore, the increases in ratio of distribution volume during the 1.5-minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane condition were significantly greater than those measured during 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane inhalation (P < 0.002, one-tailed t test). Conclusions: Isoflurane exposure appeared to enhance receptor-specific 11 C-flumazenil binding in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest the possibility that a conformational change of the GABA A -R is involved in the mechanism of action of isoflurane in the living human brain.
The influence of catalytic activity on the ignition of boundary layer flows. Part III: Hydroxyl radical measurements in low-pressure boundary layer flows

The boundary layer ignition of fuel/air mixtures by heated catalytic (platinum) and noncatalytic (quartz) surfaces was studied through spatially resolved measurement of hydroxyl radicals at total pressures from 40 to 175 torr. Subatmospheric pressure operation increases both length scales and the ratio of surface/gas-phase reaction contribution to ignition, facilitating the study of the effect of surface catalytic activity on the initiation of gas-phase combustion. Fuels studied include ethane, acetylene, hydrogen, and methane, usually premixed in air. Ethane ignition was promoted by catalytic reaction at all equivalence ratios studied. This was a wider range of equivalence ratios evidencing catalytic enhancement than noted at atmospheric pressure in previous studies. At 70 torr, this enhancement was observed from 0.015 < Φ ≤ 0.5. Surface hydroxyl radical production rates were estimated for preignition conditions in the gas phase for ethane in air over both quartz and platinum surfaces. Combustion of hydrogen or acetylene in air at these conditions was not significantly affected by the catalytic activity of the surface, because for the reactions studied, gas-phase reaction was significant near the leading edge of the plate. N2O substitution for O2 severely inhibited the gaseous ignition of the ethane, hydrogen, and acetylene over platinum surfaces, and suppressed preignition OH concentrations to below our detection limits.
An Ovarian Ascorbic Acid Depleting Factor in the Plasma of Adenohypophysectomized Cockerels

A study was made of LH levels in plasma of adenohypophysectomized cockerels, using the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion (OAAD) assay. Validity of using the OAAD assay for cockerel plasma was examined. Although OAAD activity fell during 3-14 days following surgery, there was a significant rise in activity 25 days after surgery. This level of OAAD activity was maintained at least up to 47 weeks post surgery. The OAAD factor had no LH-like effect upon the animal itself, and attempts to identify the factor as LH, by use of alternate gonadotropin assays, were not successful. A dose-response curve based on adenohypophysectomized cockerel plasma did not deviate from parallelism with the LH standard curve. While an assay of an acetoneprecipitated extract of adenohypophysectomized cockerel plasma was negative, OAAD assay of plasma filtered through a Sephadex G-100 column demonstrated 2 active fractions, one of which was identical with a fraction associated with pituitary LH from human, bovine, ovine and porcine sou...
Analysis of Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Gag Particles by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus immature capsids selected from the cytoplasm of baculovirus-infected cells were imaged by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The masses of individual selected Gag particles were measured, and the average mass corresponded to 1,900 to 2,100 Gag polyproteins per particle. A large variation in Gag particle mass was observed within each population measured.
Malaria in macaques

Seven species of malaria naturally infect eight species of macaques in southwestern India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Within malarious areas, the frequency of infections in infected species of macaques varies from 9 to 61%. Natural malarial infections in macaques are relatively benign. The proved or probable vectors of macaque malaria are seven species of mosquitoes that belong to the Leucosphyrus Group of the genus Anopheles. The geographic distribution of macaque malaria apparently is determined by the distribution of the Leucosphyrus Group of mosquitoes, which in turn apparently is determined by the distribution of tropical evergreen rain forest. Experimental infections with three species of macaque malaria frequently are lethal to populations or species of macaques that inhabit areas outside the geographic ranges of the parasites. In populations or species of macaques that are sympatric with experimentally virulent species of malaria, partial resistance probably evolved as a consequence of natural selection acting on favorable mutations.
Public Attitudes Toward Sexual Offenders and Sex Offender Registration

This study explores the relationship between fear of various types of sexual offenders and a belief that those sexual offenders should be subject to sex offender registration. We hypothesized that those who offend against children would elicit the most fear; consequently, the most feared offenders would be rated as most requiring registration. As part of a telephone survey, 733 participants answered questions about fear of sex offenders and agreement with requirements about registration for offenders convicted of incest, statutory rape, marital rape, pedophilia, date rape, and an offense committed more than 10 years prior. Results indicated that all types of sexual offenders elicited some fear from respondents, and fear was related to support of registration requirements.
Pharmacology of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and preemptive analgesia in acute pain management.

Purpose of reviewNSAIDs have served as analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic medicines for over a century. A novel class of NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, was introduced in 1999. All NSAIDs and aspirin inhibit active sites of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. Recent studies have de
A heat-capacity function with velocity dispersion for isotropic solids

Abstract Structural interpretation of the low-temperature heat capacities of glass has required the derivation of a new function for the lattice heat capacities of isotropic solids. The new formulation permits estimates to be made of acoustic cut-off frequencies and corresponding limiting wavelength. The latter is twice the effective mean distance between centers of primitive cells. No primitive cells are known for glasses from independent evidence. Consequently, the function is verified by comparison with the lattice heat capacities of monatomic crystals having one-atom primitive cells. Deviations from the function are expected because of the unavoidable anisotropies of the crystals, but these are surprisingly small and easily recognizable. Except for these deviations and uncertainties in experimental lattice heat capacities, the function appears to agree well with experiment at all values of C v up to its classical limit. The function is applied to diamond, which has a two-atom primitive cell, to illustrate the manner in which wrong choices of the cell become evident. For both diamond and NaCI, it is shown that this scheme of calculation yields results in good accord with published calculations on lattice dynamics. Application of the function to glasses involves unique considerations and is reserved for a separate paper. The function can be used to make approximate calculations for moderately anisotropic crystals (see Appendix II).
Selection of patients for programmed ventricular stimulation: A clinical decision-marking model based on multivariate analysis of clinical variables

Abstract Objective. This study was conducted to assess the utility of clinical variables in predicting the inducibility of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in a heterogeneous group of patients undergoing programmed ventricular stimulation. Methods. Variables were considered in a simulated chronologic order to determine the incremental information added by the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) and left ventricular ejection fraction. All patients undergoing baseline programmed ventricular stimulation for induction of ventricular tachyarrhythmia during a 30-month period were included in the study. Fourteen historical, ECG, signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular wall motion variables were evaluated for their ability in predicting inducibility of a sustained ventricular arrhythmia, a “positive” event, at programmed ventricular stimulation. Results. On univariate analysis of the clinical variables, comparison between patients with positive or negative results showed significant differences in 10 of the 14 clinical variables: major cardiac diagnosis, history of ventricular tachycardia, myocardial infarction by history or ECG, all five signal-averaged ECG variables; left ventricular ejection fraction and presence of left ventricular aneurysm. On multivariate analysis, five independent variables were determined to be important: history of ventricular tachycardia, historical or ECG evidence of myocardial infarction, history of loss of consciousness, filtered QRS duration on the signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular ejection fraction. However, with sequential multivariate analysis, a model based only on historical and conventional ECG data was found to do as well as a model that included signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular ejection fraction data. Conclusions. Routinely available noninvasive historical, ECG, signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular wall motion variables can be used to accurately predict the outcome of programmed ventricular stimulation. The majority of the predictive power was obtained with the routine model, using only historical and ECG data. The signal-averaged ECG and left ventricular wall motion analysis added no significant incremental information.
THE EFFECT OF INCREASED ANTIPNEUMOCOCCAL IMMUNITY ON THE INCEPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL LOBAR PNEUMONIA IN THE DOG

In view of the finding that one or more attacks of pneumococcus lobar pneumonia experimentally induced in dogs failed to protect the animals against subsequent infection, an attempt was made to determine whether or not the dog's antipneumococcal immunity could be enhanced to the degree of complete resistance to the experimental disease. To this end dogs were passively immunized by the intravenous injection of large quantities of both unconcentrated antipneumococcus horse serum and concentrated antibody solution and actively immunized by vaccination with killed and living cultures of pneumococci. None of these procedures were found to result in constant protection against the pulmonary infection. The disease, however, was of brief duration, the lesions of limited extent and usually sterile within 24 hours. A combination of active and passive immunization produced no better results. It was only when immune bodies and leucocytes were implanted with the infecting dose that prevention of infection was secured with any degree of constancy. Even under these conditions the lesion sometimes involved a considerable portion of a lobe. The factors involved in the inception of experimental lobar pneumonia are discussed and the bearing of this study on the prophylactic immunization of human beings against pneumococcus pneumonia is suggested.
Tense and Truth Conditions

The B-theory of time holds that McTaggart’s A-series of past, present, and future is reducible to the B-series of events running from earlier to later. According to the date-theory—originally put forth by J.J.C. Smart and later endorsed by by D.H. Mellor—the truth conditions of tensed or Asentence-tokens can be given in terms of tenseless or B-sentences and, therefore, A-sentence-tokens do not ascribe any A-determinations of pastness, presentness, or futurity. However, as Nathan Oaklander has argued, the date-theory does not provide an adequate analysis of the ontological truth conditions of irreducible A-propositions. I show that the co-reporting theory—which holds that for every A-sentence-token there is a B-sentence that differs in sense but reports the same event or state of affairs—escapes the objections Oaklander has addressed against the date-theory.
Spiritual well-being and depressive symptoms among cancer survivors

Purpose Depression is common among patients diagnosed with cancer and may be inversely associated with spiritual well-being. While numerous strategies are employed to manage and cope with illness, spiritual well-being has become increasingly important in cancer survivorship research. This study examined the association between spiritual well-being and depressive symptoms.
Configurational entropy of binary hard-disk glasses: nonexistence of an ideal glass transition.

We study the thermodynamics of a binary hard-disk mixture in which the ratio of disk diameters is =1.4. We use a recently developed molecular dynamics algorithm to calculate the free-volume entropy of glassy configurations and obtain the configurational entropy degeneracy of the supercompressed liquid as a function of density. We find that the configurational entropy of the glasses near the kinetic glass transition is very close to the mixing entropy, suggesting that the degeneracy is zero only for the phase-separated crystal. We explicitly construct an exponential number of jammed packings with densities spanning the spectrum from the accepted “amorphous” glassy state to the phase-separated crystal, thus showing that there is no ideal glass transition in binary hard-disk mixtures. This construction also demonstrates that the ideal glass, defined as having zero configurational entropy, is not amorphous, but instead is nothing more than a phase-separated crystal. This critique of the presumed existence of an ideal glass parallels our previous critique of the idea that there is a most-dense random close packing for hard spheres Torquato et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2064 2000. We also perform free-energy calculations to determine the equilibrium phase behavior of the system. The calculations predict a first-order freezing transition at a density below the kinetic glass transition. However, this transition appears to be strongly kinetically suppressed and is not observed directly. New simulation techniques are needed in order to gain a more complete understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of the binary disk mixture and, in particular, of the demixing process during crystallization. © 2007 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.2775928
The role of long-range forces in Porin channel conduction

A fully self-consistent 3D Poisson P3M Brownian dynamics solver is used to investigate the role of the long-range electrostatic forces on the selectivity and conductivity of OmpF porin. Our simulations show that even with zero applied bias, the long-range interactions are an important component of the total potential energy. In addition, the long-range force due to mobile carriers is shown to play a role in facilitating the flow of anions through the OmpF channel by screening the effect of the negative fixed charge of the protein.
Steam oxidation of fuel in defective LWR rods

Abstract Oxidation of UO 2 by pure steam at pressures of 7 and 70 atm and 500°C and 600°C was measured in a thermogravimetric apparatus. The kinetics are linear, vary as the square root of the steam pressure, and are consistent with initial rates extrapolated from higher-temperature experiments in 1-atm steam. At temperatures characteristic of normal operation of defective fuel rods, the rate of hydrogen production by thermal oxidation of the fuel in steam is small compared with that due to cladding corrosion. The presence of H 2 in the steam has a much greater retarding influence on fuel oxidation than on cladding oxidation. Other potential sources of fuel chemical reactivity in steam, including reaction in cracks in the hot pellet interior and radiolysis of steam by recoiling fission fragments, do not result in significant fuel oxidation. During the incubation stage of fuel-rod degradation, the bulk of the evidence indicates that fuel oxidation is not a major source of the hydrogen in the fuel–cladding gap that eventually may cause secondary-hydriding failure of the rod.
LOGIC-Insulin Algorithm–Guided Versus Nurse-Directed Blood Glucose Control During Critical Illness The LOGIC-1 single-center randomized, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE Tight blood glucose control (TGC) in critically ill patients is difficult and labor intensive, resulting in poor efficacy of glycemic control and increased hypoglycemia rate. The LOGIC-Insulin computerized algorithm has been developed to assist nurses in titrating insulin to maintain blood glucose levels at 80–110 mg/dL (normoglycemia) and to avoid severe hypoglycemia ( RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The investigator-initiated LOGIC-1 study was a prospective, parallel-group, randomized, controlled clinical trial in a single tertiary referral center. A heterogeneous mix of 300 critically ill patients were randomized, by concealed computer allocation, to either nurse-directed glycemic control (Nurse-C) or algorithm-guided glycemic control (LOGIC-C). Glycemic penalty index (GPI), a measure that penalizes both hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic deviations from normoglycemia, was the efficacy outcome measure, and incidence of severe hypoglycemia ( RESULTS Baseline characteristics of 151 Nurse-C patients and 149 LOGIC-C patients and study times did not differ. The GPI decreased from 12.4 (interquartile range 8.2–18.5) in Nurse-C to 9.8 (6.0–14.5) in LOGIC-C ( P P = 0.00016). The proportion of severe hypoglycemic events was decreased in the LOGIC-C group (Nurse-C 0.13%, LOGIC-C 0%; P = 0.015) but not when considered as a proportion of patients (Nurse-C 3.3%, LOGIC-C 0%; P = 0.060). Sampling interval was 2.2 ± 0.4 h in the LOGIC-C group versus 2.5 ± 0.5 h in the Nurse-C group ( P CONCLUSIONS Compared with expert nurses, LOGIC-Insulin improved efficacy of TGC without increasing rate of hypoglycemia.
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery and esomeprazole similarly efficacious for symptoms in people with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease who respond well to proton pump inhibitors

Commentary on: JP Galmiche, J Hatlebakk, S Attwood, et al.. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery vs esomeprazole treatment for chronic GERD: the LOTUS randomized clinical trial. JAMA2011;305:1969–77.
Expression of α-Transducin in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Stably Transfected with the Human δ-Opioid Receptor Attenuates Chronic Opioid Agonist-Induced Adenylyl Cyclase Superactivation

To investigate the role of G-protein beta gamma subunits in delta-opioid signal transduction, we have transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the human delta-opioid receptor (hDOR/CHO cells) with the G(alpha)-subunit of transducin-1 (hDOR/T1/CHO). Inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C beta (PLC beta) activation was measured in each of these cell lines. Because PLC beta(3) activation in CHO cells has been shown to be mediated by free G(beta gamma) subunits derived from G(alpha i/o), the action of transducin was confirmed by measuring a significant attenuation of (+)-4-[(alpha R)-alpha-((2S,5R)-4-Allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80)-mediated maximal inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in transducin-expressing cells of 59 +/- 12% compared with control cells. The acute inhibition of cAMP formation was unchanged between control and transducin-expressing cells. We show that cells stably expressing the human delta-opioid receptor exhibited a pertussis toxin-sensitive cAMP overshoot in response to chronic application of SNC80. After 4 h of pretreatment and washout with 100 nM SNC80, maximal forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in hDOR/CHO cells increased by 229 +/- 37% compared with buffer-treated cells. Expression of transducin in hDOR/CHO cells diminished this response: hDOR/T1/CHO cells showed no significant change in maximal forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation after pretreatment and washout. These data indicate that the expression of alpha-transducin scavenges free G(beta gamma) subunits and, furthermore, that free G(beta gamma) subunits play a role in opioid-mediated PLC beta activation and adenylyl cyclase superactivation, but not acute inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in hDOR/CHO cells.
Evidence That Adhesive Sites on the Tips of Oviduct Cilia Membranes Are Required for Ovum Pickup in situ

Previous studies have established that the tips of rabbit oviduct cilia contain a high density of anionic sites and that the binding of polycations such as poly-L-lysine to these sites completely inhibits cilia-mediated ovum transport in vitro. We have developed a method for delivering polycations to the epithelial surface of the intact oviduct to determine whether the blockage of anionic sites will inhibit normal ovum transport in situ. The successful administration of poly-L-Iysine to the fimbrial surface caused a 94% inhibition in the pickup of ovulated ova when compared with contralateral control oviducts. These data suggest a new function for oviduct cilia in ovum transport.
Structure-Based Discovery of a Novel, Noncovalent Inhibitor of AmpC β-Lactamase

beta-lactamases are the most widespread resistance mechanisms to beta-lactam antibiotics, and there is a pressing need for novel, non-beta-lactam drugs. A database of over 200,000 compounds was docked to the active site of AmpC beta-lactamase to identify potential inhibitors. Fifty-six compounds were tested, and three had K(i) values of 650 microM or better. The best of these, 3-[(4-chloroanilino)sulfonyl]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid, was a competitive noncovalent inhibitor (K(i) = 26 microM), which also reversed resistance to beta-lactams in bacteria expressing AmpC. The structure of AmpC in complex with this compound was determined by X-ray crystallography to 1.94 A and reveals that the inhibitor interacts with key active-site residues in sites targeted in the docking calculation. Indeed, the experimentally determined conformation of the inhibitor closely resembles the prediction. The structure of the enzyme-inhibitor complex presents an opportunity to improve binding affinity in a novel series of inhibitors discovered by structure-based methods.
Chemistry of Primitive Solar Material

The paper reviews chemical processes that occurred in the cooler outer regions of the primitive solar nebula (PSN) at the time of intimate chemical contact between the preplanetary condensate and the nebular gas. The elemental composition of the PSN is discussed, the 15 most abundant elements in it are listed, and numerical models of it are examined. Various condensation models are described and tested against observed properties of the planets, their satellites, and the asteroids. The chemistry of abundant volatile elements in the PSN is investigated along with stability limits of graphite in a solar-composition gas, regions of dominance of the most abundant carbon-containing gas species in the same gas, and implications of the moon's composition for its origin. Some theories that have been proposed as alternatives to the condensation models are noted.
Enhancing the benefits of professional sport philanthropy: The roles of corporate ability and communication strategies

Abstract Building upon scholarly work on corporate associations, social identity, and corporate philanthropy, this study aimed to: (1) identify the effect of perceived corporate ability (CA) associations of professional sport organizations (PSO) on consumer support of their nonprofit partners and (2) understand communication strategies that enable PSOs to gain greater business benefits from their philanthropic activities. The results of an experiment supported the role of perceived CA in influencing consumer intentions to donate to a PSO's nonprofit partner, and further showed that this perception had a greater effect when respondents’ identification with the PSO was low. The finding also indicated that a message describing a PSO's donation of a large amount of money for a cause could create positive attitudes toward the PSO. These findings extend recent work on professional sport philanthropy by demonstrating that—under certain conditions—such an activity can enhance benefits for both PSOs and their nonprofit partners.
Author reply: Empathy Versus Narrative: What Exactly is the Debate About? Response to my Critics

In response to my critics, I highlight areas of agreement and disagreement. I also argue that my view is better suited than narrativism to account for the difficulties that we encounter in trying to understand other agents. Moreover, the points brought up by Gallagher and Hutto do not succeed in showing that our understanding of an agent’s reasons for acting proceeds independently from reenactive empathy.
A Lie transform perturbation scheme for Hamiltonian averaging in self consistent systems

A periodic focusing system is reduced to an equivalent continuous focusing one for a beam with space charge by averaging over the lattice oscillations. The Lie transform perturbation method is used to canonically transform the laboratory phase space variables to slowly oscillating variables. A similar averaging over the lattice period was performed by R.C. Davidson, H. Qin and PJ. Channell [Phys Rev ST 2, 074401 (1999)] using the Poincare-Von Ziepel perturbation method. The Lie transform method offers certain advantages in that it retains the original form of the Hamiltonian before beginning the process of canonical transformation to a slowly oscillating coordinate frame. On the other hand, the Poincare-Von Ziepel method requires one to make a Taylor expansion of the Hamiltonian in terms of the as yet undetermined expansion terms of the transformed phase space variables. The Lie transform method avoids such a Taylor expansion and so the formulation is less tedious. It will be demonstrated that performing the reverse transformation to the original phase space variables is also straight forward in the Lie transform method.
Automatic Segmentation of the Caudate Nucleus From Human Brain MR Images

We describe a knowledge-driven algorithm to automatically delineate the caudate nucleus (CN) region of the human brain from a magnetic resonance (MR) image. Since the lateral ventricles (LVs) are good landmarks for positioning the CN, the algorithm first extracts the LVs, and automatically localizes the CN from this information guided by anatomic knowledge of the structure. The face validity of the algorithm was tested with 55 high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets, and segmentation results were overlaid onto the original image data for visual inspection. We further evaluated the algorithm by comparing automated segmentation results to a "gold standard" established by human experts for these 55 MR datasets. Quantitative comparison showed a high intraclass correlation between the algorithm and expert as well as high spatial overlap between the regions-of-interest (ROIs) generated from the two methods. The mean spatial overlap plusmn standard deviation (defined by the intersection of the 2 ROIs divided by the union of the 2 ROIs) was equal to 0.873 plusmn 0.0234. The algorithm has been incorporated into a public domain software program written in Java and, thus, has the potential to be of broad benefit to neuroimaging investigators interested in basal ganglia anatomy and function
Photochemical Synthesis of Bicyclo[1.1.1]Pentane‐1,3‐Dicarboxylic Acid

Photochemical synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid intermediate: 1,3-diacetylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane product: Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid Keywords: acylation; addition, miscellaneous; haloform reaction; halogenation, bromination; oxidation, COCH3 CO2H; photochemical reactions
Heme pigment levels in chicken broilers chilled in ice slush and air

Abstract Ice-slush-chilled versus air-chilled broilers were studied for differences in the heme pigment levels in the gizzard, breast, and thigh muscles. Significant differences (P −.97) and aL values were significantly positively correlated (r>.85) with the total heme pigment levels present in the breast muscle.
Differentiation of enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacteroides and Haemophilus species in gram-stained direct smears

The accuracy of examination of the Gram-stained direct smear to classify presumptively Gram-negative rods into three morphotype groups, that is, (a) Enteric bacteria, (b) Pseudomonas, and (c) Bacteroides or Haemophilus, was evaluated. Randomly selected clinical strains (4-9) each of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Ps. aeruginosa, B. fragilis, and H. influenzae were used to produce peritonitis or subcutaneous abscesses in mice. A Gram-stained direct smear was prepared from exudate collected from each animal. The direct smears were examined to classify bacteria observed into one of the three morphotype groups. The percent accuracy was 82, 56, and 95, respectively, and 76 overall. The assumption was made that classification was based primarily on differences in length and width of the organisms. To test this hypothesis, we prepared scanning electron photomicrographs from each specimen of exudate and measured the lengths and widths of bacteria. Examination of the Gram-stained direct smear was more accurate for classification of enteric bacteria, H. influenzae, or B. fragilis. Electron microscopy was more accurate for classification of Ps. aeruginosa. The higher length-width radio should be helpful in recognizing Ps. aeruginosa in direct smears.
Influence of Total Parenteral Nutrition on Tumor Growth and Polyamine Biosynthesis of Fibrosarcoma-Bearing Rats after Induced Cachexia:

The effect of a protein-free diet (PF) or a restricted intake of chow (RI) and subsequent host repletion with total parenteral nutrition (PF-TPN, RI-TPN) on tumor growth and polyamine metabolism of fibrosarcoma-bearing rats was examined. Host weight was significantly reduced by PF and RI. Tumor growth was reduced in malnourished rats with the PF regimen resulting in the greatest decrease. Rats receiving TPN after 14 days of the RI or PF regimens had higher host weight and plasma albumin levels than malnourished rats. Tumor growth during TPN was evaluated as the percent increase and compared with that of the respective malnourished rats. The percent increase for RI-TPN rats was significantly greater although a trend toward an increase was also evident for PF-TPN rats. Tumor ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and putrescine levels were increased for PF rats and decreased for RI rats while tumor ODC activity was consistently increased by TPN. Tumor growth, ODC activity, and putrescine levels were simulta...