cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Correction of Coarctation of the Aorta in the First Year of Life

oarctation of the thoracic aorta produces obstruction to left ventricular outflow with myocardial strain that may be intolC erable to the newborn infant, especially when combined with other anomalies such as ventricular septa1 defect and patent ductus arteriosus. The resultant cardiac failure may respond to medical therapy. If so, an elective operation can be performed when the child is several years older and a better operative risk. When response to medical treatment is inadequate or if heart failure recurs after initial improvement, operation must be performed to prevent a fatal outcome. This report describes our experience with 58 infants who required operation for coarctation of the thoracic aorta during the first year of life. CLINICAL MATERIAL During the 11-year period from 1954 through 1964, 58 infants less than one year of age were operated upon at the Texas Children’s Hospital for coarctation of the thoracic aorta. The series included 39 males and 19 females. Mox were in the first 3 months of life (Figs. 1A and 1B). The majority of infants (93%) developed symptoms during the first month of life (Fig. 2). The mean age at onset of symptoms was 21 days. Forty (70%) of these infants were brought to the physician because of congestive heart failure, the most common initial symptom complex. Other initial symptoms were cyanosis or dusky color after straining, crying, or feeding; growth failure; feeding problems; irritability and sweating; and incidental murmur. Principal physical findings were strong brachial pulses with imperceptible or nonpalpable femoral pulses. All infants had a significant difference in blood pressure between the upper and lower extremities. The mean arterial pressure was 150170 mm. Hg in the upper extremities and 89/68 mm. Hg in the lower extremities. The mean arterial pressure by flush method was 120 mm. Hg in the arm and 58 mm. Hg in the leg.
Ophthalmic Artery Flow Direction on Color Flow Duplex Imaging Is Highly Specific for Severe Carotid Stenosis

Background/purpose Collateral flow patterns are important risk factors for brain ischemia in the presence of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion. Ophthalmic artery (OA) flow reversal, routinely studied by transcranial Doppler sonography, is an important marker for high-grade ICA stenosis or occlusion. The authors sought to define the value of assessing OA flow direction with color flow duplex ultrasonography (CDUS) in the setting of significant ICA disease. Methods Of all patients having routine carotid ultrasound in the neurosonology laboratory between July 1995 and November 2000, 152 had both carotid and orbital (OA flow direction by reduced power orbital CDUS) examinations as well as angiographic confirmation of stenosis to which North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria could be applied. Degree of angiographic stenosis in these 152 patients (304 arteries) was correlated with OA flow direction. Results Of 304 arteries, 101 had greater than 80% stenosis by angiogram. In 56 of these 101 arteries with high-grade stenosis or occlusion, the ipsilateral OA was reversed; however, OA flow direction was never reversed ipsilateral to arteries with less than 80% stenosis (sensitivity 55%, specificity 100%, negative predictive value 82%, and positive predictive value 100% for OA flow reversal as a marker of high-grade carotid lesions). Discussion/conclusions OA flow direction is easily studied with CDUS. Reversed OA flow direction is highly specific (100%) for severe ipsilateral ICA stenosis or occlusion, with excellent positive predictive value, moderate negative predictive value, and limited sensitivity. OA flow reversal is not only quite specific for severe ICA disease, which may be helpful if the carotid CDUS is difficult or inadequate, but may also provide additional hemodynamic insights (i.e., the inadequacy of other collateral channels such as the anterior communicating artery). OA evaluation can provide important hemodynamic information and should be included as part of carotid CDUS if there is any evidence of ICA stenosis or occlusion.
Optimal Continuous Control for Remote Orbital Capture

Optimal control histories are presented for the problem of detumbling (passivating) a satellite. It is proposed that this be done remotely by a robot spacecraft, sometimes referred to as a teleoperator or orbital maneuvering vehicle, in preparation for the return of both vehicles to low-Earth orbit. The dynamics of the coupled two-body system are described with equations of motion derived from an Eulerian formulation (the Hooker-Margulies equations). Two degrees of rotational freedom and one of translation are allowed at the joint that connects the orbital maneuvering vehicle and target spacecraft. The initial condition of the target satellite is free spin and precession. Representative masses and inertias are assumed for both bodies. Application of optimal control theory results in a nonsingular, two-point-boundary-value problem that is solved numerically for the controls, which are principally the external (thruster) and internal (joint) torques to be applied by the orbital maneuvering vehicle. Control histories and vehicle motion are found for both constrained and unconstrained fixed-time optimization. Constraint forces and torques at the joint are determined.
Analysis of organic acids, amino acids, and carnitine in dogs with lipid storage myopathy

Abnormal accumulations of lipid droplets, localized predominantly in histochemical type 1 fibers, were observed in fresh frozen sections of muscle biopsies from 25 dogs with myalgia, weakness, and muscle atrophy. Compared to controls, lactic acidemia, hyperalaninemia, lactic and pyruvic aciduria, variably increased urinary excretion of carnitine esters, and muscle carnitine deficiency were present. These findings support a metabolic block in oxidative metabolism resulting in lactic acidemia in dogs with lipid storage myopathy.
Self-Assembly of Metal Nanocrystals on Ultrathin Oxide for Nonvolatile Memory Applications

The self-assembly of metal nanocrystals including Au, Ag, and Pt on ultrathin oxide for nonvolatile memory applications are investigated. The self-assembly of nanocrystals consists of metal evaporation and selective rapid-thermal annealing (RTA). By controlling process parameters, such as the thickness of the deposited film, the post-deposition annealing temperatures, and the substrate doping concentration, metal nanocrystals with density of 2–4 × 1011 cm−2, diameter less than 8.1 nm, and diameter deviation less than 1.7 nm can be obtained. Observation by scanning-transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) shows that nanocrystals embedded in the oxide are nearly spherical and crystalline. Metal contamination of the Si/SiO2 interface is negligible, as monitored by STEM, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. The electrical characteristics of metal, nanocrystal nonvolatile memories also show advantages over semiconductor counterparts. Large memory windows shown by metal nanocrystal devices in C-V measurements demonstrate that the work functions of metal nanocrystals are related to the charge-storage capacity and retention time because of the deeper potential well in comparison with Si nanocrystals.
IDENTIFICATION AND CLONING OF GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE DRUG RESISTANCE

A major obstacle in the successful treatment of malignancies is the emergence of drug resistance. We have chosen a Chinese hamster model system to study the gene(s) responsible for multiple drug resistance and the mechanisms by which they arise. To analyze DNA rearrangements, we used adriamycin(ADR)-resistant subclones of V79 cells, 77A and LZ which are resistant to a 5-fold or 3000-fold concentration respectively of ADR relative to V79, and C5, a colchicine-resistant subline of CHO cells which is cross-resistant to a 150-fold concentration of ADR. DNA from these lines was assayed for the presence of amplified sequences by a novel in-gel renaturation technique (I.B. Roninson, Nuc. Acids Res. 11:5413, 1983). Both LZ and C5 cells contain amplified DNA fragments, a subset of which were commonly amplified in these two independently selected lines, thereby suggesting that they contain the gene(s) responsible for a common mechanism of drug-resistance. We have cloned one of the commonly amplified fragments and shown that the degree of amplification of this fragment correlated with the degree of drug resistance. We have also used this fragment as a probe to isolate several phage clones from a genomic library of LZ DNA. Transcription of these clones is being analyzed. We are currently extending these studies to include an analysis of DNA from newly diagnosed and relapsed patients with leukemia.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ASSESSING VITAMIN CONTENT OF FOODS

Significant advances have been made in vitamin assay methodology applicable to foods over the last 10 to 15 years. However, specific problem areas exist that continue to limit the availability of accurate nutrient data for many of the vitamins. This paper will discuss some of the recent advances made in vitamin assay methodology and some of the weaknesses to be overcome in the years ahead.
Successful stenting in ductal disruption favorably impacts treatment outcomes in patients undergoing transmural drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections.

Background and Aim: The role of pancreatic duct (PD) stenting in patients undergoing endoscopic transmural drainage of peripancreatic fluid collection (PFC) remains unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of PD stenting on treatment success in patients undergoing endoscopic transmural drainage of PFC. Methods: This is a retrospective follow-up study of all patients who underwent endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided transmural drainage of PFC during a 5-year period. Double-pigtail stents were deployed in all patients; in addition, nasocystic catheters were deployed in those with abscess/necrosis. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram was attempted whenever feasible in all patients, and pancreatic stents were placed when the duct disruption could be bridged. Success was defined as an improvement in symptoms and resolution of PFC upon follow-up computed tomography at 8 weeks. Results: Of the 110 patients who underwent PFC drainage, 40 (36%) underwent simultaneous PD stenting. Treatment was successful in 95 of the 110 patients (86%). The PFC types were: pseudocyst (62%), necrosis (20%), and abscess (18%). The median duration of follow up was 9.9 months. Those who underwent PD stenting were significantly more likely to have treatment success than those who did not undergo PD stenting (97.5% vs 80%; risk ratio [RR]crude = 1.48, P = 0.01). In the multivariable analysis, this association remained significant (RRadjusted = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.29, P = 0.036), even after adjusting for the etiology of pancreatitis, type and location of PFC, luminal compression at endoscopy, enteral nutrition, white blood cell count, and number of endoscopic interventions. Conclusions: Transpapillary PD stenting improves treatment outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic transmural drainage of PFC.
Medical Ethics in India

Medical ethics in the Indian context is closely related to indigenous classical and folk traditions. This article traces the history of Indian conceptions of ethics and medicine, with an emphasis on the Hindu tradition. Classical Ayurvedic texts including Carakasamhita and Susrutasamhita provide foundational assumptions about the body, the self, and gunas, which provide the underpinnings for the ethical system. Karma, the notion that every action has consequences, provides a foundation for medical morality. Conception, prolongation of one's blood-line is an important ethical aim of life. Thus a wide range of practices to further conception are acceptable. Abortion is a more complex matter ethically. At the end of life death is viewed in the context of passage to another life. Death is a relief from suffering to be coped with by the thought of an eternal atman or rebirth.
Efficacy and safety of segmental ostial versus circumferential extra-ostial pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF) can be performed using a segmental ostial or a circumferential extra-ostial approach. The relative merits and potential limitations of each approach are currently debated. Here we report our early experience with each of these approaches, including their relative efficacy and safety. Methods and Results: Forty patients with drug-refractory AF underwent segmental ostial PV isolation and were compared to 40 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation using a circumferential extra-ostial approach. The latter approach described here is novel in two aspects: (1) the endpoint for ablation was PV isolation and not only delay in left atrial to PV conduction time, and (2) isolation of the right and left PVs was achieved by a single encirclement of ipsilateral veins. At follow-up, 60% of the patients in the segmental group were free of AF compared to 75% of the patients in the circumferential group. There was one thromboembolic cerebrovascular complication during the ablation procedure in each group. Conclusion: PV isolation using a circumferential extra-ostial approach, where the ipsilateral PVs are isolated together by one encircling line of block using electroanatomic mapping, is a technically feasible procedure. This approach is at least as effective and safe as the more established segmental ostial approach for AF ablation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 532-537, May 2004)
Shell Buckling of Imperfect Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes—Experiments and Analysis

Experiments were conducted in which multiwalled carbon nanotubes were subjected to uniaxial compression and shell-buckling loads were measured. A comparison with existing theoretical models shows that the predictions are about 40–50% smaller than the experimentally measured buckling loads. This is in contrast to the classical elastic shell studies in which the experimental values were always substantially lower than the predicted values due to imperfection sensitivity. It is proposed that the discrepancy between the predicted and measured value might be due to imperfections in the multiwalled nanotubes in the form of sp 3 bonds between the tube walls, which introduce shear coupling between them. An analytical model is presented to estimate the effect of the shear coupling on the critical buckling strain, which shows that the contribution from shear coupling increases linearly with the effective shear modulus between the walls. Further, this contribution increases with the number of walls; the increment from each additional wall progressively decreases.
The inverted repeats of Tn5 are functionally different.

Summary The inverted repeats of Tn 5 , which have identical restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns, have different functional properties. They differ with respect to RNA polymerase binding, full promotion of neomycin resistance, the polypeptides coded for by the repeats and their function in the transposition process. There is a weak RNA polymerase binding site present in one repeat and not in the other which seems to be important for neomycin resistance. The two inverted repeats code for polypeptides of different molecular weights, with each repeat appearing to encode two polypeptides. The polypeptides from only one of the repeats of Tn 5 appear to be absolutely required for Tn 5 transposition.
Nucleic Acid Metabolism in Germinating Onion: I. Changes in Root Tip Nucleic Acid during Germination.

Nucleic acid synthesis in the G1 cell population of the 1-millimeter apex of the Allium cepa embryo was studied during the initial 73 hours of germination. Quantitative data indicate that the total amount of RNA per cell began to increase after 18 hours of germination while the initial DNA per cell increase did not occur until some 20 hours later. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of 3H-uridine-labeled total nucleic acid samples indicated that synthesis of all detectable RNA fractions present in the pre-emergent 1-millimeter apex (i.e., cytoplasmic and “chloroplast-like” RNA) began at approximately the same time (18 hours). Synthesis of the various cytoplasmic RNA fractions continued throughout the germination period. Data indicating synthesis of the “chloroplast-like” RNA were obtained only for the initial 36 hours of germination. Specific radioactivity of 3H-uridine-labeled total nucleic acid increased during the first 41.5 hours of germination but then decreased while the accumulation of RNA per cell continued to increase throughout the 73-hour period. In addition, a method is described which reduced the bacterial contamination of Allium seed to a level not detectable by incorporation of radioactive precursors into bacterial ribosomal RNA.
Pulmonary artery agenesis and Kommerell’s diverticulum presenting with hemoptysis

Unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly that is commonly associated with additional cardiovascular abnormalities. We report a case of intrapulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis in a patient with left-sided pulmonary artery agenesis as well as the first description of this anomaly in a patient with a diverticulum of Kommerell. The patient was successfully treated by performing a left pneumonectomy.
Swelling properties of human skeletal and smooth muscle with special reference to age-related variations☆

Abstract Swelling properties of human skeletal and smooth muscle have been studied by determining the amount of water imbibed in acid and alkaline solutions. Skeletal muscle swelled maximally at two acid and two alkaline pH levels, while smooth muscle swelled prominently at one acid pH level and over a broad pH range in alkaline solutions. Skeletal muscle shows an increase in ability to swell at pH 10.8 with increasing age. In the case of smooth muscle, there was a shift in alkaline pH of maximal swelling, a decrease in swelling ability at pH 1.7 and an increase in swelling at pH 10.3 with increasing age. Determinations of collagen and tissue solids suggest that changes in collagen concentration may play a role in the age-related variation in swelling ability of skeletal muscle.
Sonochemical production of intermetallic coatings in heterogeneous media

Abstract The production of 5–10 μm fused particles and agglomerates occurs when metal powders in hydrocarbon solvents are exposed to high-intensity ultrasound. The principle mechanism of particle fusion is believed to be interparticle collision caused by the rapid movement of particles propelled by shock waves generated at cavitation sites. An energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) study of the agglomerates produced during the sonication of mixed-metal powders in decane indicates that not only are the metal particles fused by the action of ultrasound but that intermetallic coatings are also developed. By examination of mixed-metal systems (Ni/Co and Cu/Mo) with substantially different tribological characteristics, it has been determined that the coatings are generated by both adhesive wear and direct impact. The mechanisms of ultrasound-induced coatings are discussed.
A new overlay for plaquing animal viruses.

SummaryAn overlay employing tragacanth gum as a substitute for agar in the plaque assay of animal viruses is described. The tragacanth overlay was successfully employed with vesicular stomatitis vi...
Unpacking Resident-Led Code Status Discussions: Results from a Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND The quality of code status discussions (CSDs) is suboptimal as physicians often fail to discuss patients’ goals of care and resuscitation outcomes. We previously demonstrated that internal medicine residents randomized to a communication skills intervention scored higher than controls on a CSD checklist using a standardized patient. However, the impact of this training on CSD content is unknown.
New Drugs in the Therapy of Hypertension

SUMMARY The recent introduction of sympathicolytic drugs in the treatment of severe hypertension suggests a significant therapeutic advance. Of the two agents observed, we have found more satisfactory blood pressure control with fewer side effects and without resistance with guanethidine than with bretylium tosylate. It must be stressed that long-term toxic effects may yet appear. Genest has observed three severe peptic hemorrhages in 28 treated cases and we have seen a peptic ulcer syndrome once in 30 cases. Other severe side effects of late onset have not appeared.
An Achievable Secrecy Throughput of Hybrid-ARQ Protocols for Block Fading Channels

In applications of wireless packet-oriented data networks, a special coding scheme, the hybrid automatic retransmission request (HARQ) exhibits high throughput efficiency by adapting its error correcting code redundancy to channel conditions. Motivated by the increasing importance of secure communication over wireless networks, we investigate secure packet communication based on HARQ over block-fading (BF) channels. More specifically, we consider two legitimate users communicating over a BF channel in the presence of a passive eavesdropper who intercepts the transmission through another independent BF channel. We assume that the transmitter can obtain a 1-bit ACK/NACK feedback from the receiver via a reliable public channel. Under this setting, we consider incremental redundancy (IR) and repetition time diversity (RTD) HARQ schemes based on rate-compatible Wyner secrecy codes from an information theoretic point of view. We study a good Wyner code sequence, with which the legitimate receiver can decode the message and the eavesdropper can be perfectly confused. For a given pair of reliability/secrecy outage probabilities, we derive an achievable secrecy throughput of HARQ protocols for block-fading channels. Finally, we illustrate numerically that HARQ can benefit both throughput and secrecy.
Plant regeneration from leaf protoplasts of Solanum torvum

A protocol to obtain regenerated plants from protoplasts of Solanum torvum Sw a wild species of eggplant resistant to Verticillium wilt is reported. Leaf protoplasts were enzymatically isolated from six-week old seedlings grown in a controlled environment chamber. Protoplasts were plated on modified KM medium (0.4 M glucose)+(mg/l): 1.0 p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (CPA)+1.0 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+0.5 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.02 abscisic acid (ABA). The protoplast density was 5×104 per ml with 5 ml placed in each of two quadrants in X-dishes (100×15 mm). The reservoir medium was modified KM+(mg/l): 0.1 NAA+0.5 BAP+0.1 M sucrose+0.1 M mannitol+0.6% washed agar+1% activated charcoal. Dishes were initially placed in the dark at 27°C. Protoplast division was initiated in 1–2 weeks and 4 weeks later p-calli were 1–3 mm. Plating efficiency was 11% when measured at 3 weeks. Six-week old p-calli were transferred individually onto Whatman No. 1 filter paper layered on modified KM (0.15 M sucrose)+mg/l: 2.0 indoleacetic acid (IAA)+2.0 zeatin+0.5% washed agar for 2 weeks. Subsequently, shoots occurred within 4 weeks at 70% efficiency on MS+30 g/l sucrose+2 mg/l zeatin. Shoots were rooted on half strength MS+10 g/l sucrose.
Stratospheric Ion and Aerosol Chemistry and Possible Links with Cirrus Cloud Microphysics—A Critical Assessment

Aspects of stratospheric ion chemistry and physics are assessed as they relate to aerosol formation and the transport of aerosols to upper tropospheric regions to create conditions favorable for cirrus cloud formation. It is found that ion-induced nucleation and other known phase transitions involving ions and sulfuric acid vapor are probably not efficient processes for stratospheric aerosol formation, and cannot compete with condensation of sulfuric acid on preexisting particles of volcanic or meteoritic origin which are larger than about 0.15 micron in radius. Thus, galactic cosmic rays cannot have a significant impact on stratospheric aerosol population. Changes in the stratospheric aerosol burden due to volcanos are up to two orders of magnitude larger than changes in ion densities. Thus, volcanic activity may modulate the radiative properties of cirrus clouds.
Reasoning on gestural interfaces through syndetic modelling

Recent advances in user interface development have been mainly driven by technical innovation, based either on new interaction devices and paradigms, or on algorithms for achieving realistic audio/visual effects [Connor92] [Robertson91a] [Robertson91b] [Berners92]. In such a rich environment, the user potentially interacts with the computer by addressing concurrently different modalities. While the technology driven approach has made possible the implementation of systems in specific application areas, it largely misses an undelying theory. This makes it difficult to assess whether this technology will be effective for users with the consequence that cognitive ergonomics is becoming an urgent requirement for the design of new interactive systems. Attention has been paid to the psychology of terminal users from the very beginning of human-computer interface research [Martin73]. However, existing established design techniques do not readily accomodate issues such as concurrency and parallelism, or the potential for the interaction with multiple interface techniques [Coutaz93].Recently, works have taken place investigating models and techniques for the analysis and design of interactionally rich systems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives as it can be found in the DSV-IS book series edited by [Paterno94] and [Bastide95]. Formal methods have been one of a number of approaches; others include cognitive user models, design space representations, and software architecture models. Applications for formal methods are well known, see for example [Bowen95], and [Gaudel94]. However, none of the cited applications use formal methods to examine the user interface. One reason is that the factors that influence the design of interactive systems depend mostly on psychological and social properties of cognition and work, rather than on abstract mathematical models of programming semantics. For this reason, claims made through formal methods about the properties of interactive systems must be grounded in some psychological or social theory.This paper builds on previous works carried within the ESPRIT Amodeus project and shows how a new approach to human-computer interaction, called syndetic modeling, can be used to gain insight into user-oriented properties of interactive systems. The word syndesis comes from the ancient greek and means conjunction. It is used to emphasize the key point of this approach: user and system models are described within a common framework that enables one to reason about how cognitive resources are mapped onto the functionality of the system.
Visual Therapy Results for Convergence Insufficiency: A Literature Review

This paper is a review of the literature relative to treatment results for convergence insufficiency utilizing vision therapy training procedures. Vision therapy is shown to improve the nearpoint of convergence and fusional convergence and to ameliorate associated symptoms. The overall cure rate is 72%. Furthermore, the training results appear to persist for at least 2 years if the patients are initially cured and are independent of age until the late presbyopic years. Also, recent studies indicate the type of training procedures which yield the most effective training results.
The power of paradox in learning to teach

This chapter makes the case for engaging teacher candidates with matters of personal identity and integrity, using explorations of the paradox of self and role, in teacher education programs dominated by a focus on professional knowledge and skills, based on the analysis of interviews with novice teachers.
Phonation offset in tracheoesophageal speech.

Abstract Tracheoesophageal (TE) speakers often have difficulty producing the voiced–voiceless distinction. Phonation offset (POff) as a TE speaker transitions from a vowel to a stop consonant may be altered, possibly contributing to listener misperceptions. The purposes of this study were to: (1) compare the duration of POff in TE versus laryngeal speakers, and (2) compare POff between TE productions that were accurately versus inaccurately perceived. Phonation offset and offset duration as a proportion of the stop gap (%POff) were greater for the TE versus the laryngeal samples. There was no difference in POff or %POff when comparing accurately to inaccurately perceived TE samples. Tracheoesophageal speakers may have less ability to halt neoglottal vibration compared to laryngeal speakers’ ability to stop glottal vibration. Comparable POff for accurately and inaccurately perceived TE samples suggests that POff may not be a particularly salient acoustic feature to the voicing distinction, at least for stop consonants. Learning Outcomes (1) As a result of this activity, participants will be able to describe what phonation offset is relative to the voicing distinction. (2) As a result of this activity, participants will be able to describe phonation offset in tracheoesophageal speakers relative to laryngeal speakers. (3) As a result of this activity, participants will be able to describe whether phonation offset in tracheoesophageal speech has perceptual saliency for listeners.
Executive Dysfunction Precedes Memory Decline and Is Related to Increased Stress in Preclinical MCI (P07.162)

Objective: We sought to explore the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints with perceived stress in healthy elderly and these perceptions9 impact on objective cognitive performance. Background Growing evidence supports the emergence of objective cognitive abnormalities in individuals who have only a subject complaint of cognitive decline but no spousal report of decline. Individuals with subjective cognitive complaints who score 0 on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) are rated as stage 2 on the Functional Assessment Staging (FAST). FAST stage 2 elderly individuals may be at increased risk of progressing to CDR 0.5, and have significantly worse performance on the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFs) verbal fluency switching task, greater hippocampal atrophy, and lower A-beta 1-42 cerebral spinal fluid levels than elderly individuals without subjective complaints. Design/Methods: Sixty four healthy elderly individuals (24 females, mean age 71) acquired from the community who had a CDR of 0 and no neurologic, psychiatric, cardiovascular, diabetic, nor cancer history were evaluated with the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ-Code), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The Kendall9s tau was performed to determine the relationship between the PSS and IQ-Code and linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationship among the D-KEFs switching task with PSS and IQ-Code. Results: Subjective cognitive decline was significantly associated with greater perceived stress (Kendall9s tau = 0.217, p = 0.021) and perceived stress was significantly associated with lower performance on executive language function as measured by the D-KEFs switching task (F=4.057, p = 0.048). Conclusions: These preliminary observations suggest a healthy elderly individual9s stress is related to their perceived cognitive decline and is associated with a decline of executive language function. If individuals in FAST stage 2 are at increased risk to progress to CDR 0.5 then executive decline may precede memory abnormalities. Supported by: The Nohlgren-Menne Fund. Disclosure: Dr. Mega has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis. Dr. Sherman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Luz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rogers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siaroff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Erwin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baraban has nothing to disclose.
Normal Flora and Acute Inflammation

THE indigenous microbial flora has recently been recognized as being involved in the maintenance of the resistance of the host to infection. Oral administration of non-absorbable antibiotics produces a marked reduction in the enteric flora of the animal host, which is associated with an, increased susceptibility of the host to parenteral infections1. Animals raised in the presence of a restricted gastrointestinal microflora likewise respond abnormally to experimental infections2. Animals reared in the germ-free state are also hypersusceptible to a variety of infectious agents administered by a number of different routes3–6. These findings leave no doubt that the normal flora somehow enhances the ability of the host to deal with infection, not only within the habitat of the flora, but systemically as well. The mechanism of this enhancement is obscure.
Calculated blood loss in severe obstetric hemorrhage and its relation to body mass index.

Objective To evaluate total calculated blood loss at the time of severe obstetric hemorrhage. Study Design This is a prospective observational study of women with obstetric hemorrhage. Women who received a blood transfusion for hypovolemia and those in which a body mass index (BMI) could be calculated were included. Total blood volume lost was calculated. Blood loss was analyzed in relation to maternal size as reflected in the BMI. Results Fourteen hundred forty-three women meeting inclusion criteria delivered at our hospital between March 2002 and June 2006. The median calculated volume of blood lost was 3529 mL, and 93% of women sustained losses ≥3000 mL. The blood loss sufficient to provoke signs and symptoms of hypovolemia was proportional to the woman's BMI. Conclusion Women who develop hypovolemia during childbirth have suffered very large losses of blood, and infusion of blood products is required to restore circulation and prevent further morbidity.
Serum requirements for survival of 3T3 and SV3T3 fibroblasts

Abstract A serum factor that is labile to the action of pepsin is required for survival of 3T3 and SV3T3 cells. This ‘survival’ factor is distinct from growth-promoting factors in serum. Some properties of the factor are described.
Dynamics of orbiting flexible beams and platforms in the horizontal orientation

Abstract The dynamics and stability of large orbiting flexible beams and platforms oriented along the local horizontal are treated both analytically and numerically. It is assumed that such structures could be gravitationally stabilized by attaching a rigid lightweight dumbbell at the center of mass by a spring loaded hinge which also could provide viscous damping. For the beam it is seen that the small amplitude inplane pitch motion, dumbbell librational motion, and the anti-symmetric elastic modes are all coupled. The three dimensional equations of motion for a circular flat plate in orbit with a two-degree-of-freedom gimballed dumbbell are also developed and show that only those elastic modes described by a single nodal diameter line are influenced by the dumbbell motion. Stability criteria are developed for both examples and a parametric study of the least damped mode characteristics together with numerically simulated transient responses are carried out.
In vivo deep tissue fluorescence imaging of the murine small intestine and colon

Recently we described a novel technical approach with enhanced fluorescence detection capabilities in two-photon microscopy that achieves deep tissue imaging, while maintaining micron resolution. This technique was applied to in vivo imaging of murine small intestine and colon. Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), commonly presenting as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis, are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. We have developed a Giα2 gene knock out mouse IBD model that develops colitis and colon cancer. The challenge is to study the disease in the whole animal, while maintaining high resolution imaging at millimeter depth. In the Giα2-/- mice, we have been successful in imaging Lgr5-GFP positive stem cell reporters that are found in crypts of niche structures, as well as deeper structures, in the small intestine and colon at depths greater than 1mm. In parallel with these in vivo deep tissue imaging experiments, we have also pursued autofluorescence FLIM imaging of the colon and small intestine-at more shallow depths (roughly 160μm)- on commercial two photon microscopes with excellent structural correlation (in overlapping tissue regions) between the different technologies.
InAs/GaAs short-period strained-layer superlattice modulators grown using advanced digital reflection high-energy electron diffraction techniques

Abstract We report the growth optimization of multiple quantum well and modulator samples containing InAs/GaAs short-period strained-layer superlattice (SPSLS) well using our advanced digitized reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) system. Modulator samples for both 980 nm and 1.06 μm wavelengths have been investigated. Samples with narrow room temperature absorbance linewidths and rapidly decaying absorbance tails are necessary for state-of-the-art modulators. We have employed various conventional (only As shutter open) and total growth interrupt times (all shutters closed), as well as different InAs and GaAs growth rates in order to optimize the SPSLSs.
Conserved Binding Mode of Human β2 Adrenergic Receptor Inverse Agonists and Antagonist Revealed by X-ray Crystallography

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large fraction of current pharmaceutical targets, and of the GPCRs, the beta(2) adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) is one of the most extensively studied. Previously, the X-ray crystal structure of beta(2)AR has been determined in complex with two partial inverse agonists, but the global impact of additional ligands on the structure or local impacts on the binding site are not well-understood. To assess the extent of such ligand-induced conformational differences, we determined the crystal structures of a previously described engineered beta(2)AR construct in complex with two inverse agonists: ICI 118,551 (2.8 A), a recently described compound (2.8 A) (Kolb et al, 2009), and the antagonist alprenolol (3.1 A). The structures show the same overall fold observed for the previous beta(2)AR structures and demonstrate that the ligand binding site can accommodate compounds of different chemical and pharmacological properties with only minor local structural rearrangements. All three compounds contain a hydroxy-amine motif that establishes a conserved hydrogen bond network with the receptor and chemically diverse aromatic moieties that form distinct interactions with beta(2)AR. Furthermore, receptor ligand cross-docking experiments revealed that a single beta(2)AR complex can be suitable for docking of a range of antagonists and inverse agonists but also indicate that additional ligand-receptor structures may be useful to further improve performance for in-silico docking or lead-optimization in drug design.
Scalar and neutrino fields in the Gödel universe

Some properties of the Godel universe are demonstrated, such as closed timelike lines, and new coordinates are found. The scalar and neutrino field equations are solved and the eigenvalue spectra are calculated. The scalar field has a discrete spectrum, but the neutrino field has, in addition, a continuous spectrum due to the coupling of neutrino spin and rotation in the Gōdel universe. The mode solutions do not form a complete set for either the scalar or neutrino fields; therefore, a quantum field theory cannot be constructed in the usual manner.
Stability and Activity of Pt/ITO Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media

Abstract Because of the activity for carbon materials to rapidly form peroxide-like species in alkaline media which cause considerable membrane degradation, there is a significant need to find stable non-carbon support materials for Pt and other oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of platinum supported on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrocatalysts for the ORR in alkaline media. Platinum was deposited onto ITO by galvanic displacement and the Pt/ITO was physically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical experiments showed that Pt/ITO catalysts outperform commercial Pt/Vulcan in terms of both activity and stability. The specific activity and mass activity of Pt/ITO were about 2.5 times that of Pt/Vulcan. After 300 potentiometric cycles in O2-saturated alkaline electrolyte, only 17.4% loss in the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) was observed for Pt/ITO, which compares favorably to Pt/Vulcan at 37.5%. The good durability of Pt/ITO at a relatively high specific activity provides one of the first examples of successful deployment of a non-carbon support for anion exchange membrane fuel cell catalysts.
A novel model for evaluating nerve regeneration in the composite tissue transplant: the murine heterotopic limb transplant

Purpose For individuals who have experienced debilitating upper extremity injury or amputation, hand transplantation holds the potential for drastic quality of life improvement. This potential depends on adequate nerve regeneration into the transplant and reanimation of graft musculature. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a murine heterotopic limb transplant model for evaluation of nerve regeneration in a composite tissue allograft (CTA). We also compare the effects of various immunosuppressive regimens on nerve regeneration in this model.
Solutions of singular integral equations from gas dynamics and plasma physics

In this paper we give the explicit form of the solutions of the singular integral equations associated with some models of gas dynamics and plasma physics which are extensively investigated in the existing literature. In particular, we deal with equations on infinite and semi-infinite contours, where the data are assumed to be meromorphic functions. In this context we rederive some published results and present some new results which show how our method can be successfully used to obtain the explicit form of the solutions in much more general cases than those found in the literature.
Ultra-low power Al 2 O 3 -based RRAM with 1μA reset current

Transition metal oxide (TMO) resistance random access memory (RRAM) is considered a promising candidate for future non-volatile memory application for fast switching speed, long retention time and superior scaling properties [1]. In order to satisfy product requirements, elimination of the electroforming process of fresh RRAM device, sufficient program/erase voltage margin, and low power consumption are required. Among the various resistive layer materials, Al 2 O 3 prepared by traditional sputtering method is so far not an attractive candidate due to its relatively small active voltage [2] and large programming current [3] compared to other TMO materials. In this paper, RRAM devices with atomic-layer deposited (ALD) Al 2 O 3 as resistive layer material and Al electrodes are fabricated which show stable bipolar resistive switching behavior without the electro-forming process. In addition, the reset current is ultra-low (~1μA) with adequate switching voltage margin. To investigate the influence of Ti-interfacial layer on the Al 2 O 3 switching mechanism, bi-layer top electrode Al/Ti/Al 2 O 3 /Pt memory cells were also fabricated for comparison. For these devices, a unipolar switching behavior was observed.
The Preovulatory Prolactin Surge: An Evaluation of the Role of Dopamine*

This study examined the contribution of dopamine (DA) to the control of PRL secretion during the preovulatory PRL surge. Immature female rats were injected with PMSG on day 28. At selected times during the periovulatory period, rats were injected with different pharmacological agents, and jugular blood was collected at frequent intervals. Blood PRL levels in vehicle-treated rats were low on the morning of day 30, rose 15- to 20-fold to peak levels from 1400-1500 h, were maintained at a plateau from 1900-2300 h, and were reduced to basal levels on the morning of day 31. Haloperidol, a DA antagonist, induced a 20-fold rise in PRL before the surge, a 2-fold rise above peak PRL levels at 1500 h, and a 50-fold rise on the morning of day 31. In contrast, haloperidol failed to alter PRL release during the plateau phase. Apomorphine, a DA agonist, reduced PRL levels when injected during either the peak or the plateau phase. Injection of 5-hydroxytryptophan, a serotonin precursor, increased PRL levels at all times examined. Anterior pituitary PRL content was reduced to 30% and 10% of the presurge level during the peak and plateau phases, respectively, but increased on the morning of day 31. Basal PRL release by hemipituitaries incubated in vitro paralleled the anterior pituitary PRL content, with markedly less PRL secreted during the peak and plateau phases compared to the presurge period. However, the percent inhibition of PRL release by hemipituitaries incubated with 50 nM DA was similar at all times tested. These data indicate that the peak PRL surge occurs in spite of DA input to the anterior pituitary, a continued responsiveness to DA inhibition, and a diminishing pituitary PRL content. We conclude that a nondopaminergic mechanism, possibly involving a PRL-releasing factor, is responsible for the peak. The plateau phase probably results from an absence of DA input to the anterior pituitary together with a reduction in the releasable pool of PRL. The termination of the PRL surge is caused by the restoration of DA input.
Different Functions of "Alarm" Calling for Different Time Scales: a Preliminary Report On Ground Squirrels

The predator-evoked calling of California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) was studied in the field during the reproductive season. Three different sources of data indicated that adults call more after, than before their young have reached the age of first emergence from natal burrows. During exposure to a tethered rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis oreganus) and to a freely-moving dog (Canis familiaris), and in natural encounters with a coyote (Canis latrans) or bobcat (Lynx rufus), calling was more frequent after than before young first emerged. We concluded that California ground squirrels call in order to warn their offspring about predators, like other ground squirrel species do. In order to see the increase in mammalian predator evoked calling after pup emergence, we had to separate calling on the basis of its temporal organization. Nonrepetitive calling involved spacing a few vocalizations irregularly in time. Calls patterned in this way were more common early in an encounter, became more frequent after pup emergence, and more consistently elicited immediate reactions. Such calling was probably used to warn pups. Repetitive calling comprised rhythmic emission of a series of vocalizations. Calls organized repetitively were more common later in an encounter, were not emitted more frequently after pup emergence, and less consistently evoked immediate reactions. These and other differences between the two temporal patterns of vocalizing led us to propose that repetitive calling represented a "tonic" communicatory effort (as in SCHLEIDT, 1973). Repetitive inputs to other squirrels may act "cumulatively" in a longer time scale than nonrepetitive calling, so as to cultivate or maintain vigilance in other squirrels. The repetitive caller could benefit by using the enhanced reactions of these more vigilant squirrels as a source of information about the predator. We propose that predator-prey episodes may be understandable from an "epigenetic" perspective. That is, the first alarm calls during an encounter should shift squirrels from an unwarned to a warned status; subsequent calling must then function in some other way than as a warning.
Transpersonal phenomenology: The corporeal schema.

(2000). Transpersonal phenomenology: The corporeal schema. The Humanistic Psychologist: Vol. 28, No. 1-3, pp. 275-317.