cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrievable inferior vena cava filters can be placed and removed with a high degree of success: Initial experience.

Objectives Evaluate the success rate of retrievable inferior vena cava filter (IVC) removal in a tertiary care practice. Background Retrievable IVC filters became readily available in the United States following Food and Drug Administration approval in 2003, and their use has increased dramatically. They represent an attractive option for patients with contraindications to anticoagulation who may only need short-term protection against pulmonary embolism. Methods All patients who had undergone placement of a retrievable IVC filter at Mayo Clinic between 2003 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate our initial experience with retrievable inferior vena cava filters at a large tertiary care center. Results: During a three-year-period of time, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN placed 892 IVC filters of which 460 were retrievable. Of the 460 retrievable filters placed (249 Gunther Tulip®, 207 Recovery®, and 4 OptEase®), retrieval was attempted in 223 (48.5%). Of 223 initial attempts, 196 (87.9%) were initially successful and 27 (12.1%) were unsuccessful. Of the 27 unsuccessful initial retrieval attempts, 23 (85.2%) were because of the presence of significant thrombus within the filter and 4 (14.8%) were because of tilting and strut perforation. Of the 23 filters containing significant thrombus, 9 (39.1%) were later retrieved after a period of anticoagulation and resolution of the thrombus. Conclusions Retrievable IVC filters can be removed with a high degree of success. Approximately one in ten retrievable IVC filter removal attempts may fail initially, usually because of significant thrombus within the filter. This does not preclude possible removal at a later date. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time-Dependent Changes in Input Resistance of Rat Hypoglossal Motoneurons Associated with Whole-Cell Recording

The effect of cellular dialysis associated with whole-cell recording was studied in 24 developing hypoglossal motoneurons in a rat brainstem slice preparation. In all cases, establishing whole-cell continuity with the electrode solution resulted in an increase in the input resistance measured in current clamp. The mean magnitude of this increase was 39.7% and the time course of the maximum effect was quite variable. There was no correlation found between the time to maximum effect and the magnitude of the increase in resistance. These data indicate that the passive membrane properties are not constant during whole-cell recording in mammalian motoneurons.
Laryngeal High-Speed Videoendoscopy: Rationale and Recommendation for Accurate and Consistent Terminology

Purpose The authors discuss the rationale behind the term laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy to describe the application of high-speed endoscopic imaging techniques to the visualization of vocal f...
ClearPath: highly parallel collision avoidance for multi-agent simulation

We present a new local collision avoidance algorithm between multiple agents for real-time simulations. Our approach extends the notion of velocity obstacles from robotics and formulates the conditions for collision free navigation as a quadratic optimization problem. We use a discrete optimization method to efficiently compute the motion of each agent. This resulting algorithm can be parallelized by exploiting data-parallelism and thread-level parallelism. The overall approach, ClearPath, is general and can robustly handle dense scenarios with tens or hundreds of thousands of heterogeneous agents in a few milli-seconds. As compared to prior collision avoidance algorithms, we observe more than an order of magnitude performance improvement.
Planning programmes for high-risk infants : a facet analysis of parent-infant communication

Le guide d'Observation Parent/Enfant, un nouvel instrument developpe pour decrire les problemes interactionnels entre parents et enfants, fut utilise aupres d'un echantillon compose de 74 meres a haul risque et de leurs enfants âges d'un an. L'analyse par facette indique que les items issus de l'instrument furent empiriquement structures de facon a correspondre a un cadre de definitions etabli a priori. La sensibilite reactive a la communication de leur enfant, fut l'aspect de la conduite maternelle le plus massivement correlee a la reponse consequente de l'enfant et a sa conduite sociale dans d'autres situations. Il est suggere que les programmes d'intervention qui mettent l'accent sur la “stimulation de l'enfant” seront plus propices a produire une conduite de celui-ci quand lis encouragent aussi les parents aetre davantage sensibles a ses signaux. L'encouragement aux echanges positifs et mutuels entre parents et enfants pourrait servir de base a des interventions preventives aupres des dyades a haut risque. The Parent-Infant Observation Guide, a new instrument designed to screen for problems in parent-infant interaction, was used to rate a sample of 74 high-risk mothers and their one-year-old infants. Facet analysis indicated that items from the instrument were empirically structured in a manner that corresponded to an a priori definitional framework. Contingent responsiveness to infants' communication was the aspect of maternal behaviour that was most consistently related to concurrent infant social behaviour and infant social behaviour in other situations. It is suggested that intervention programmes that emphasise “infant simulation” will be more effective in producing improved infant outcome when they also encourage parents to be more sensitive to their children's signals. Encouragement of positive, mutually responsive exchanges between parents and infants should be the basis of early intervention for high-risk dyads.
Integrating Clinical Experiences in a TESOL Teacher Education Program: Curriculum Mapping as Process

Across all certification areas, teacher education is being challenged to better integrate clinical experiences with coursework. This article describes the process of curriculum mapping and its impact on the organization of clinical experiences in a master's TESOL program over a 1-year redesign process. Although curriculum mapping has been employed in higher education, this has not yet been extended as a means to integrate clinical or field experiences in teacher education. Document analysis shows how curriculum mapping provided a structure for faculty to engage in developing well-defined, developmental clinical activities as well as a means to foster greater coherence both horizontally and vertically in the TESOL curriculum. An additional affordance of the curriculum mapping process was the collaboration that occurred between TESOL full time faculty and part time clinical supervisors, as well as between TESOL and other teacher education program areas.
Calcium Containing Silicate Mixed Oxide-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Biodiesel Production

A series of calcium containing silicate mixed oxide materials has been developed for biodiesel production. It has been shown that these materials can catalyze transesterification reactions from feedstocks with various fatty acid contents. However, their reaction kinetics for biodiesel synthesis was very slow compared to that of homogeneous-catalyst-catalyzed reactions. Herein, we report fast-reacting solid catalysts for biodiesel production. Two types of materials have been developed: a non-porous and an anionic-surfactant-templated catalysts. Compared to previously reported transesterification reaction by mesoporous calcium containing silicate catalysts, the reaction rates from both families were much faster. In addition, both the preparation time of catalysts and the cost of preparation were significantly reduced. Details in material synthesis and its effect on catalysis are discussed.
The Re‐Internationalization of Banking and the Financial System

Banking and finance during the past several decades have become “re‐internationalized,” not simply “internationalized.” This becomes clear when we compare the institutional features of banking and finance today with those in the early part of this century, the last period in which both had a substantial international dimension. It is further apparent in historical data that are analyzed in the paper: cross‐country spreads between real interest rates over the long period 1835 to 1990, and figures for gross foreign assets available for a number of major countries at key points in time from 1885 to 1994. The paper concludes by discussing the factors responsible for the changes that have occurred in banking and finance during the past several decades.
Finite element approach to mathematical modeling of high-speed elastic linkages

Abstract A general approach is described for deriving the equations of motion of planar linkages in high-speed machinery. Based on the work of several current authors, well-known displacement finite element method is used to develop the mass and stiffness properties of an elastic linkage. To demonstrate the various steps in the analysis, a 4-bar linkage is utilized; however the method is readily extendible to other planar multi-loop linkages. Starting with a typical elastic planar beam element, the nodal displacement and acceleration expressions are derived including the terms coupling the elastic and rigid-body motions. The linkage is modeled as beam elements and its equations of motion are stated in matrix form. Methods are described for systematic assembly of all elements, resulting in the undamped equations of motion of the total system. Conventional forms of structural damping are reviewed and appended to this paper for inclusion in the equations of motion. This paper also includes assumptions made in order to simplify the analyses here as well as facilitate numerical solutions.
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Peroxidase Intermediates

Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Peroxidase IntermediatesAndrew J. Sitter, Catherine M. Reczek and James TernerDept. of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia 23284 -2006ABSTRACTResonance Raman spectroscopy has allowed the direct observation of the Fe(IV) =0 (oxo- ferryl) vibra-tion in activated intermediates of heme enzymes. This mode is markedly sensitive to changes in the hemepocket environment. A study of variations among heme enzyme intermediates is beginning to provide adescription of structure and dynamics in the active site during catalysis.INTRODUCTIONThe activation of oxygen by hemes and heme enzymes is one of the most dynamic research themes incontemporary bio- inorganic chemistry. The importance of this subject is illustrated by a wide array oftopics, of which a few examples are carcinogenesis, detoxification, drug metabolism, and catalyticoxidation of hydrocarbons [1 -4]. The heme enzymes are a large and ubiquitous class of biological cata-
Economic structure and fertility: a comparative analysis.

This study empirically investigates the relationship between the economic structure of populations and their level of fertility, using data from censuses recently conducted in some 50 nations. Findings show that high rates of female labor force participation outside the home and low rates of economic activity of children depress a society’s fertility level, as measured by the crude birth rate or the child-woman ratio. It is also hypothesized, but not confirmed, that the per cent of unpaid family workers in a society is positively related to its fertility level. A model is presented that treats these three components of economic structure as intervening variables through which the exogenous variables, urbanization, industrialization, and education, operate in influencing the fertility level of a society.
On the presence of the genus Tanymastix Simon, 1886 (Crustacea: Anostraca) in Macedonia

The genus Tanymastix Simon, 1886 is represented in Macedonia by two species: Tanymastix stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tanymastix motasi Orghidan, 1945. The fairy shrimp T. stagnalis has been found exclusively in the rock pools containing only several litres of water, above the village of Stracin, N. E. Macedonia. T. motasi is present only in the shallow rainpools, less than 15 cm in depth, scattered over an area of untilled, highly-mineralized pasture land in the Pelagonia Plain, S. W. Macedonia. Both Tanymastix species are the only anostracans in their biotopes.
Elastic Recovery of Polysulfide Base Impressions

Motion pictures were used to measure the elastic recovery of polysulfide base impression materials during clinically simulated undercut removals. Recovery was complex; it involved strain gradients, withdrawal rates, and material thickness. Behavior could be correlated to tests on specimens of simpler geometries. Materials tested were found to be acceptable for clinical use.
Using bulk micromachined structures to enhance pool boiling heat transfer

This paper presents the important results of enhancing the boiling heat transfer of the pressurized water reactors (PWRs) by using LIGA or LIGA-like techniques to add microstructures on the surface of heater elements. The heater elements were made of 10 mm × 80 mm silicon strips with different in-line square micro-pin-fin configurations of 200 μm fin width, 35 μm fin height, and different inter-fin spacing values of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 μm and infinity. The experiments were conducted in de-ionized water at the atmospheric pressure. The input power, heater temperature, steam generation rate and video images of boiling phenomena were continuously recorded. Their relationships was studied and used to evaluate the total boiling heat transfer performance. The optimized microstructures can then be mass-fabricated on PWR tubes by using LIGA or LIGA-like technology. The experimental results suggest that by adding micro-sized in-line pin-fin arrays on heater surface and modifying heater surface morphology, the boiling process can be greatly enhanced through the improvements of vapor nucleation and vapor evolution processes at heater surface, which yields a low wall superheat and achieves a higher boiling heat transfer efficiency. The video images showed that the bubble nucleation sites are located immediately on top of each micro-pin fins. At current experimental setup, the 200 μm-spacing heater has the highest steam generation efficiency.
Toponym Recognition in Historical Maps by Gazetteer Alignment

Historical map documents are increasingly digitized for widespread access, but most are only coarsely indexed with meta-data while the contents are largely unsearchable. We propose to increase search ability by automatically recognizing the place names in these digitized artifacts. Using a word recognition system that produces a noisy ranked list of initial hypotheses from a lexicon of viable toponyms, we form a joint probabilistic model for inferring the most likely latent alignment between image toponyms and a gazetteer of known place locations. After a robust generalized RANSAC algorithm identifies the global alignment, we rerank the toponym hypotheses by their posterior probability. Experiments demonstrate a significant boost in word recognition accuracy on a manually annotated set of 19th century U.S. state and regional maps.
The Phospholipid Profile of Cock Spermatozoa Before and After In Vitro Incubation for Twenty-Four Hours at 41 C

The importance of endogenous phospholipids as an energy source for cock spermatozoa was investigated by comparing the phospholipid profile of control (recently ejaculated) spermatozoa to that of spermatozoa incubated in vitro for 24 hr at 41 C (a temperature comparable to that of the hen's oviduct). No significant differences were observed between control and incubated spermatozoa in total lipids, total phospholipids, or total neutral lipids. There were likewise no detectable differences between control and incubated spermatozoa in their diphosphatidyl glycerol (cardiolipin), phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, or phosphatidyl choline content. A small but significant (P less than .02) decrease for sphingomyelin was detected in incubated as compared to control spermatozoa.
Practice Patterns in Screening for Metabolic Disease in Women with PCOS of Diverse Race-Ethnic Backgrounds.

OBJECTIVES Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk for metabolic disorders, which prompted the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) to publish a 2005 position statement recommending screening for metabolic disease.The purposes of the present study were to 1) to examine changes in screening rates for obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), metabolic syndrome (MetS), hyperlipidemia (HL), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hypertension (HTN) in women with PCOS after publication of the 2005 AACE position statement and 2) to determine if screening rates and metabolic disorders vary by race-ethnicity. METHODS PCOS cases in 2006 (n = 547) and 2011 (n = 1,159) and metabolic disorders were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD9) code. Screening rates for metabolic disorders were determined by the presence of blood tests (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], lipid profile, alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase [ALT/AST]). RESULTS In 2006, ≤25% of PCOS patients underwent recommended screening tests: HbA1c 18%; lipid profile <20%; ALT/AST ≤25%. By 2011, only HbA1c testing had increased (18% to 21%). Obesity increased from 35% to 40%, while other metabolic disorders remained stable. Black women had the highest rates of obesity and HTN in 2011 (Obesity: Black 48%, Hispanic 44%, White 33%, Other 31%, P<.0001; HTN: Black 18%, Hispanic 9%, White 10%, Other 7%, P<.0001). Blacks and Hispanics were screened more often with ALT/AST testing (Black 27/27%, Hispanic 28/27%, White 23/22%, Other 17/18%, P = .02/.03). Screening rates were higher in the endocrine clinic for all metabolic disorders than in other clinics (P<.05). CONCLUSION Despite the publication of recommendations in 2005, screening rates for metabolic disease in women with PCOS remained low across all race-ethnicities in 2011.
Minimally invasive nephrectomy: the influence of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery on patient selection, outcomes, and morbidity.

OBJECTIVES To define clinical scenarios in urology for which laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is indicated and likely to be successful. We report a series of LESS nephrectomies and compare patient characteristics with traditional laparoscopic nephrectomies performed during the same time period. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all laparoscopic nephrectomies (conventional or LESS) performed by a single surgeon at our institution since our initial LESS cases in August 2007. Patients were not randomized; instead the surgeon used clinical judgment to decide with the patient which procedure should be performed. Factors that may have influenced this decision were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Of all minimally invasive nephrectomies, 47% were performed using LESS technique (30/64). One conversion from LESS to standard laparoscopy occurred. Patients undergoing LESS had a smaller median age (47 vs 63.5 years, P = .004), body mass index (24.4 vs 28.4, P = .001), tumor size in nephrectomies performed for suspected malignancy (4 cm vs 6 cm, P = .043), and hospital length of stay (42.7 vs 46.1 hours, P = .006). LESS patients were also more likely to be undergoing a nephrectomy for a benign indication (50% vs 15%, P = .006). The complication rate for LESS and conventional laparoscopy was 13% (4/30) and 15% (5/34), respectively, with similar distributions across Clavien grades. CONCLUSIONS With appropriate patient selection, almost 50% of minimally invasive nephrectomies can be performed using LESS with similar complication rates and outcomes compared with traditional laparoscopy. Younger, thinner patients with nononcological indications or smaller tumors are prime candidates for LESS nephrectomy.
Human papillomavirus is associated with monoclonal gammopathies of unknown significance

When monoclonal gammopathies arise in persons without evidence of plasma cell malignancy or lymphoproliferative disease, the term ‘monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance’ (MGUS) can be used. MGUS is believed to be the preneoplastic phase of lymphoproliferative diseases because many of these patients eventually develop malignant disease, mainly multiple myeloma. We have previously identified human papillomavirus (HPV) in a chronic benign plasma cell tumor of the cervix and in the bone marrow of multiple-myeloma patients. In the following study, we expanded upon our initial observation by analyzing 14 patients with MGUS. Bone marrow biopsies of the patients were analyzed for HPV sequences using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization. Normal controls included 26 bone marrow specimens, 24 analyzed by PCR and two by in situ hybridization. A significant association was found to exist between HPV and MGUS (p=0.001). Among 14 patients iwth MGUS, HPV sequences have been identified in 10 of the bone marrow biopsies. These results suggest that HPV can reside in the bone marrow of a premalignant lymphoproliferative disease.
Tunnel Junction Testbed Based Molecular Devices

Molecule based devices may govern the advancement of futuristic logic and memory devices for the next generation computers. Molecules are strong candidate for becoming important device elements, because chemists can mass produce a variety of molecules with unique set of optical, magnetic, and charge transport characteristics. However, the biggest challenge is to connect two metal electrodes to molecule(s) and develop a robust and versatile device fabrication technology that can be adopted for commercial scale mass production. This paper discusses the scope of utilizing tunnel junction devices as a testbed for developing molecular devices. Specifically, this paper describes the use of a tunnel junction with the exposed sides as a testbed for molecular devices. On the exposed sides of a tunnel junction molecules are successfully bridged across an insulator by chemically bonding them to two metal leads. Sequential growth of metal-insulator-metal layers ensures that separation between metal electrodes is controlled by the insulator thickness to the molecular device length scale. A number of control experiments, including reversing the effect of molecules to retain the tunnel junction testbed characteristics, were performed. TJMDs with ferromagnetic electrodes also exhibited room temperature current suppression and molecule enhanced exchange coupling. This paper will also discuss our recent Monte Carlo simulation that assist in understanding the underlying mechanisms behind the molecule induced transport and magnetic changes on a tunnel junction test bed.
Green’s function for magnetostatic surface waves and its application to the study of diffraction patterns

This paper presents the two-dimensional (2D) Green's function (GF) of magnetostatic surface waves (MSSWs) in real space and the frequency domain, i.e., the spatial propagation pattern of MSSWs emitted by a point wave source in a tangentially magnetized slab geometry, including the effect of finite damping. The theory first derives an inhomogeneous differential equation of the spin system under a magnetostatic approximation. This equation is translated into a Sturm-Liouville problem by introducing a Hermitian operator, and solved by the eigenfunction expansion technique, which yields an integral expression of the GF in the form of a 2D inverse Fourier transform. The obtained GF demonstrates various features characteristic of MSSWs, such as strongly anisotropic propagation, angular confinement of energy flow from the wave source whose limit angle is defined as the critical angle for the group velocity ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{g}$, and semicaustic beams along ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{g}$. We then calculate the 1D spatial profiles and 2D diffraction patterns of MSSW propagation by convolving the GF with various wave source distributions, and compare them with experimental results observed on a tangentially magnetized Permalloy film. Comparison between these numerical and experimental results shows excellent agreement.
G M1 -gangliosidosis: Chromosome 3 assignment of the β -galactosidase-A gene ( β GAL A )

The structural gene (βGALA) coding for lysosomal β-galactosidase- A (EC 3.2.1.23) has been assigned to human chromosome 3 using man-mouse somatic cell hybrids. Human β-galactosidase-A was identified in cell hybrids with a species-specific antiserum to human liver β-galactosidase-A. The antiserum precipitates β-galactosidase-A from human tissues, cultured cells, and cell hybrids, and recognizes cross-reacting material from a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis. We have analyzed 90 primary man-mouse hybrids derived from 12 separate fusion experiments utilizing cells from 9 individuals. Enzyme segregation analysis excluded all chromosomes for βGALA assignment except chromosome 3. Concordant segregation of chromosomes and enzymes in 16 cell hybrids demonstrated assignment of βGALA to chromosome 3; all other chromosomes were excluded. The evidence suggests that GM1 gangliosidosis is a consequence of mutation at this βGALA locus on chromosome 3.
Adolescent use of Norplant implants: clinic services, policies and barriers to use.

Introduction: The purpose of this article is to review the experiences of family planning clinic providers in making Norplant available to adolescents. We look specifically at the proportions of women receiving the implant from these providers who are teenagers, the policies adopted regarding implant education and whether or not parental consent is required for minors. Pricing policies and the implications of high method cost for teenagers are discussed. Finally, some of the policies adopted by state agencies related to adolescent use of the implant are reviewed. Methods: The data come from two national surveys conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI). The first, a survey of family planning agencies, collected data from 616 family planning providers of clinic services (response rate 69%). The second surveyed the Medicaid, health and welfare agencies in all 51 jurisdictions about policies related to Norplant. Results: Over one-quarter of all contraceptive implants inserted by family planning agencies were provided to teenagers. Teenagers were routinely informed about the implant in about 85% of those clinics offering implant services. Few state agencies notify women about the implant. Twenty-three percent of all family planning agencies providing implant services report that parental consent must be obtained prior to implant insertion. The Medicaid program has paid for a majority of implant insertions at family planning agencies. Conclusions: Teenagers who rely on publicly funded family planning clinics for contraceptive services face a variety of barriers in obtaining Norplant. High method cost, parental consent requirements and issues related to Medicaid eligibility are likely to deter some teenagers who might otherwise choose Norplant.
SLEB3 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is strongly related to SLE families ascertained through neuropsychiatric manifestations.

Seizures and psychosis are neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations of a large number of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Since NP manifestations were part of the SLE phenotype for some, but not all SLE affecteds, we hypothesized that those SLE patient families with NP manifestations might be more genetically homogeneous at loci important to NP-related SLE, and hence have increased power to detect linkage. We identified 23 families of European-American (EA) origin and 20 families of African-American (AA) origin, in which at least one SLE patient in each family was diagnosed with the presence of NP manifestations. A total of 318 microsatellite markers at an average marker density of 11 cM were genotyped. Uncertainty of the genetic model led us to perform the initial genome scan by a multipoint non-parametric allele sharing linkage method. Once the evidence of linkage was suggestive, we then performed parametric model-based linkage by maximizing the relevant parameters to define a parsimonious genetic model. We found the maximum multipoint parametric LOD score was 5.19 and the non-parametric linkage score (Zlr) was 3.12 (P=9×10–4) for EA NP pedigrees at 4p16, previously identified as SLEB3. The segregation behavior of this linked locus suggests a dominant mode of inheritance with an almost 100% homogeneous genetic effect in these pedigrees. The results demonstrated a significant increase of LOD score to detect SLEB3 when the families were further ascertained through NP, compared with the analysis of all EA SLE families together.
Cooperative Learning, Critical Thinking and Character. Techniques to Cultivate Ethical Deliberation

Effective ethics teaching and training must cultivate both the critical thinking skills and the character traits needed to deliberate effectively about ethical issues in personal and professional life. After highlighting some cognitive and motivational obstacles that stand in the way of this task, the article draws on educational research and the author's experience to demonstrate how cooperative learning techniques can be used to overcome them. Since relatively little attention has been paid to the efficacy of cooperative learning in the area of ethics, this analysis also serves to illuminate additional areas for research.
GLC determination of PPB levels of citrate by conversion to bromoform

Abstract Citric acid may be determined at the ppb levels in sewage effluents, natural water bodies, and other ecological systems by gas chromatography with an EC detector without prior sample preconcentration. Citrate is converted to bromoform through a pentabromoacetone intermediate. Of the various Kreb's cycle acids, amino acids, NTA, and citrate chelators, only 3-oxopentanedioic acid interferes.
Are Current Changes Unprecedented

Although uncertainty and rapidity of change in radiology may seem like a recent occurrence, the history of radiology in the United States demonstrates that change and instability are the status quo ante.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation by photodynamic therapy

Simultaneous exposure of Merocyanine 540 dye containing cultured tumor cells to 514-nm laser light (93.6 J/cm2) results in virtually complete cell destruction. Under identical conditions, 40% of the normal progenitor (CFU-GM) cells survive the treatment. Laser- photoradiation treated, cultured breast cancer cells also were killed, and living tumor cells could not be detected by clonogenic assays or by anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibody method. Thus, laser photoradiation therapy could be useful for purging of contaminating tumor cells from autologous bone marrow.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Semi-Exact Solution for Solidification of a Binary Solution on a Cold Isothermal Surface below Eutectic Temperature

The solidification of a binary solution on a cold horizontal surface below eutectic temperature is solved using a semi-exact method. The temperature distributions in the solid and liquid zones are obtained by exact solutions, while heat transfer in the mushy zone is obtained by an integral approximate method. The locations of the interface between solid and mushy zones and interface between mushy and liquid zones are obtained by coupling the temperature distributions in the three regions. The effects of initial temperatures, wall temperatures, and initial concentrations on the solidification of the binary solution are investigated.
Statin Withdrawal After Major Noncardiac Surgery: Risks, Consequences, and Preventative Strategies

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research suggests that statins improve perioperative cardiac outcomes by attenuating inflammation. Conversely, some studies suggest that withdrawal of statins after surgery results in an upsurge of inflammation and adverse cardiac outcomes. METHODS: We performed a literature search using multiple medical databases to examine the basic, clinical, and experimental evidence supporting the existence of a statin withdrawal state. Studies examining outcomes associated with statin withdrawal were narratively synthesized. RESULTS: Published evidence suggests that statin withdrawal is associated with worse cardiac outcomes in a variety of scenarios, including acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, and surgery. Although certain reasons for postoperative statin cessation are difficult to avoid (eg, ileus after surgery), we posit that many perioperative clinicians may be unaware of the importance of statin resumption in a timely fashion. This lack of awareness translates into preventable harm and an opportunity for outcome improvement. We introduce innovative practices through which perioperative practitioners may prevent statin discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring the resumption of statins after surgery should become routine practice for perioperative providers. We highlight knowledge gaps and identify a research agenda aimed at better understanding this practice. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Management of symptons associated with advanced cancer: olanzapine and mirtazapine

Advanced cancer patients are polysymptomatic and often receive multiple medications for symptom relief. Common symptoms include anorexia, weight loss, delirium and depression. Olanzapine and mirtazapine may have several advantages over older agents despite increased acquisition costs. Both medications can treat several symptoms with a low risk for drug-drug interactions and with only once- or twice-daily dosing. Drug side effects are low, compared with more conventionally used agents. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of both agents are unique and explain many of the benefits. More research and clinical experience will be necessary to define their role in the palliation of advanced cancer.
Electrical resistance of Ni-Au alloys

Abstract The electrical resistance of quenched Ni-Au alloys has been observed over a range of composition from 35% to 60% Ni from 4°K to 300°K. The resistance is anomalous for compositions near the critical composition for ferromagnetism.
The effects of oxidized phenolic compounds on the infectivity of four "stable" viruses.

Abstract Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), potato virus X (PVX), sowbane mosaic virus (SMV), and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were incubated for various intervals with commercial mushroom tyrosinase and 2 × 10 −3 M catechol, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), or chlorogenic acid (CA) and tested for infectivity by direct assays and by assays of repurified virus. Alfalfa mosaic virus was totally inactivated in less than 10 min by oxidized catechol, but was not inactivated by oxidized DOPA or CA. Both PVX and SMV were partially inactivated by oxidized catechol, but were not inactivated by oxidized CA. SMV was partially inactivated by oxidized DOPA, but PVX was not. TMV was not inactivated by any of the three phenols tested. The level of inactivation of each virus exposed to oxidized catechol was reproduced when that virus was exposed to similar concentrations of tetrachloro- o -benzoquinone (TCQ). The results suggest that inactivation resulted from reactions between virus and the o -benzoquinone molecule rather than other possible oxidative intermediates. As the o -quinone molecule became more complex, its ability to inactivate a wide range of viruses decreased. Comparisons between assays made directly in the oxidized solutions and assays made after repurification suggest that oxidized phenols have little, if any, effect on host susceptibility when applied as part of the inoculum.
A maturity model for assessing the completeness of climate data records

The demand for climate information, with long observational records spanning decades to centuries and the information's broad application for decision making across many socioeconomic sectors, requires that geophysicists adopt more rigorous processes for the sustained production of climate data records (CDRs). Such processes, methods, and standards are more typically found in the systems engineering community and have not generally been adopted in the climate science community. We propose the use of a maturity matrix for climate data records that characterizes the process of moving from a basic research product (e.g., raw data and initial product) to a sustained and routinely generated product (e.g., a quality-controlled homogenized data set). This model of increasing product and process maturity is similar to NASA's technical readiness levels for flight hardware and instrumentation and the software industry's capability maturity model. Over time, engineers who have worked on many projects developed a set of best practices that identified the processes required to optimize cost, schedule, and risk. In the NASA maturity model, they identified steps in technology readiness, denoted as the technology readiness level (TRL). TRL 1 occurs when basic research has taken the first steps toward application. TRL 9 is when a technology has been fully proven to work consistently for the intended purpose and is operational.
Diethylstilbestrol and adenocarcinoma of the vagina

In the latter 1960s, 7 young women with vaginal cancers were treated in New England, primarily at the Massachusetts General Hospital. They were unique because of their young age (15-22 years) and the histologic characteristics of these vaginal tumors (clear cell adenocarcinomas). Dr Robert E. Scully and 11 published a clinicopathologic study of these tumors, and at that time their association with prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) was not known. We were aware, however, that the 7 cases exceeded the total number of these rare tumors in young women that could be identified in the world literature up to that time. These patients had been treated by the senior gynecologists at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Drs Howard Ulfelder (Chairman of Gynecology), Francis Ingersoll, and Thomas Green. As a junior facultymember, I also had been involved in their care. The mother of one of the patients related to Dr Ulfelder her concern that her prenatal care had included ingestion of DES, and she believed this may have been responsible for her daughter's tumor. A case-control epidemiologic study was planned to investigate the sudden occurrence of a cluster of these rare tumors in the Boston area. Dr David C. Poskanzer, a neurologist, was recruited because of his epidemiologic training, and Dr T.C. Colton, of the Harvard School of Public Health, was also consulted for his advice in the statistical design of the epidemiologic investigation. By the time the study had begun, there was an eighth patient who had also been treated elsewhere in Boston. We selected as controls for each patient 4 daughters from the birth records of New England hospitals in which the 8 patients had been born. A comprehensive epidemiologic questionnaire was designed to investigate the maternal, paternal, and patient health histories of the 8 subjects and 32 control subjects. During the course of the administrat ion of the questionnaire, another mother from the original 7 patients, whose daughter had died of the tumor, spontaneously reported that she "...had taken DES during pregnancy" and felt "certain" it was the cause of her daughter's cancer. The results of this study, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1971,2 showed that 7 of the 8 mothers of the daughters with cancer had taken DES for the treatment
Defect-free optical assembly of polystyrene spheres

We present preliminary results from an experimental study of optically-assisted assembly. Interference patterns, formed by the intersection of two coherent laser beams, result in periodic one-dimensional potential wells ("optical trenches"). Polystyrene spheres become trapped in these potential wells and subsequently self-assemble into a two-dimensional periodic structure. The spacing between optical trenches is adjusted dynamically, which offers the freedom to dynamically control the lattice constant, offering a recipe for defect-free assembly which begins with annealing at large lattice constant and subsequent compression into a close-packed structure.
Ambient ozone (O3) in three Class I wilderness areas in the northeastern USA: measurements with Ogawa passive samplers.

Abstract Ambient ozone (O 3 ) was measured in two Class I wilderness areas, one within the White Mountain National Forest in north central New Hampshire (NH) and one within the Green Mountain National Forest in southwestern Vermont (VT), for six weeks between 5 July and 16 August 1994, using Ogawa passive nitrite-coated filter samplers and a one week exposure period each time. Results for 7-day mean ambient O 3 concentrations from the passive samplers were compared to results from a co-located continuous ultraviolet photometric O 3 analyzer both in NH and VT. Although the size of the data set was small, agreement through simple linear regression between mean 7-day O 3 concentrations determined by the continuous monitors, and those obtained from the passive samplers was generally very good (adjusted R 2 = 0.759; p = 0.0003). Overall, excluding the one outlier value, any observed differences in the results obtained by the two methods when comparing co-located passive samplers to the continuous monitor within a given study location, appeared to be solely due to experimental error.
Knockout Corner: Neurobehavioural consequences of a serotonin 5-HT2C receptor gene mutation

Studies employing nonselective serotonin 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists and antagonists have implicated this receptor subtype in many of the actions of serotonin. To further examine the function of this receptor, 5-HT(2C) receptor mutant mice were generated; studies of these animals reveal pleiotropic neurobehavioural effects of the mutation. Three examples are described: (1) Mutants exhibit chronically elevated food intake and the development of an obesity syndrome during the 'middle-age' portion of their lifespan. Their potential utility as a model of human obesity is further indicated by their enhanced sensitivity to high-fat feeding, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes. (2) 5-HT(2C) receptor mutants also display infrequent and sporadic spontaneous seizures. Further studies suggested the presence of globally enhanced neuronal network excitability in these mice. These findings raise the possibility that 5-HT(2C) receptors mediate a role for serotonin in the suppression of seizure activity. (3) Behavioural analysis of mutant mice revealed abnormal performance in a spatial learning task and altered exploratory behaviour, associated with perturbed long-term potentiation restricted to the dentate gyrus perforant path synapse. Taken together, the above findings implicate 5-HT(2C) receptors in the serotonergic regulation of feeding, neuronal network excitability, and hippocampal function.
Teen drivers and the risk of injury to child passengers in motor vehicle crashes.

Objectives: The first aim was to examine the relationship between driver's age (novice teens, older teens, and adults) and child passenger's restraint status, front row seating, and injury risk. The second aim was to explore whether there was an excess injury risk to child passengers in teen crashes compared to those in adult crashes by examining the contributing factors. Methods: A cross sectional study involving telephone interviews with insured drivers in a probability sample of 12 163 crashes involving 19 111 children was conducted. Sequential logistic regressions were employed. Results: Among child passengers aged 4–8, appropriate restraint was <1% for novice teens, 4.5% for older teens, and 23.6% for adults. Front row seating for children <13 years was more common in the novice teen group (26.8%) than in the other two groups. Compared with children riding with adults, those with both teen groups experienced excess injury risk. After adjusting for crash severity, there was a 43% reduction in the odds ratio (OR) for novice teens (OR 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14 to 2.19) and a 24% reduction for older teens (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.42 to 3.26). After adjusting for vehicle type, child's restraint status and front row seating, there was a further 19% reduction in the OR for novice teens (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.88) and a further 13% reduction for older teens (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.66). Conclusion: These findings suggest ways in which graduated driver licensing laws may be further enhanced to better protect child passengers from the excess injury risk associated with teen crashes.
Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis: epidemiology and management of recurrent disease

Effective therapies exist for the treatment of both vaginal trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Recurrent trichomonas infection is uncommon, and significant metronidazole resistance remains rare. The management of metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis is dependent on susceptibility studies, which can be used to guide higher doses of metronidazole therapy. Recurrent BV is common. A mechanism for reestablishing the normal vaginal flora with H2O2-producing lactobacilli remains elusive. The management of this recurrent infection is based upon a longer duration of therapy with currently available antibiotic regimens and documentation of a clinical response using composite clinical criteria and Gram's stain of the vaginal secretions.
Combined surface characterization and tribological (friction and wear) studies of CVD diamond films

The tribological properties of polycrystalline chemically vapor deposited (CVD) diamond films grown on silicon substrates and containing varying amounts of amorphous carbon impurities were investigated. Films were characterized by secondary electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface morphology and roughness and by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy for amorphous carbon (a-C) content. Friction measurements were performed with a Rockwell C hemispherical diamond tip in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and in ambient air. In vacuum, the friction coefficient rises monotonically from 0.6 in a region with substantial a-C to 0.85 in a region with pure diamond. Under ambient conditions, the friction coefficient is substantially lower than that in vacuum and deceases slightly (from ∼0.19 to ∼0.16) with the decreasing a-C content. Under both vacuum and ambient conditions, the friction coefficient was observed to be independent of load over the range of 0.1–0.5 N. The friction values are discussed in terms of adhesion between the diamond tip and the film. Qualitative scratch hardness measurements were performed in UHV by measuring the minimum load at which plastic deformation occurs for a single traversal of the tip. Scratch hardness is found to increase with increasing diamond content of the films. The wear mechanism of the pure diamond regions was evaluated by examining wear tracks with SEM and AFM. The wear tracks showed evidence of spalling, buckling, and grain pull-out indicative of a cohesive mode of failure (failure at grain boundaries). A decrease in surface roughness in the wear tracks indicates asperity wear. Adhesive failure at the Si substrate interface or of a phase transformation of the diamond film was not observed in this load regime.