cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate mouth rinsing does not affect 6-min walk test performance and blood glucose responses in older adults

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing (MR) prior to exercise has been shown to elicit enhanced performance and energy availability in some studies. Previous literature has concentrated on examining CHO MR strategies for improving aerobic endurance performance in younger athletic adults. Knowledge of the impact of CHO MR on functional performance in older adults is scarce. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if CHO MR would improve 6-min walk test (6MWT) performance, perceived exertion, and blood glucose responses in older adults. Thirty-three individuals (16 males, 17 females), age ≥ 70 years performed two 6MWT trials, one of which utilized a 6.4% maltodextrin CHO MR and one of which utilized a placebo MR. Participants held the MR in their mouth for 20 s prior to the 6MWT, and trials occurred in a counterbalanced fashion. Total distance walked and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded upon completion of each 6MWT. Heart rate (HR), peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP), blood glucose, and blood lactate were measured before and after each 6MWT. CHO MR did not alter the response of any study parameter compared to the placebo MR (p = 0.13–0.94). HR, systolic BP, and blood lactate increased and SpO2 decreased across time (p < 0.01). A 6.4% maltodextrin CHO MR did not alter total distance walked, perceived exertion, or other physiological responses elicited by the 6MWT in older adults.
Characterization of porous fluorohydroxyapatite bone-scaffolds fabricated using freeze casting.

Abstract: With the increasing demand for orthopedic and dental reconstruction surgeries, there comes a shortage of viable bone substitutes. This study was therefore designed to assess the efficacy of porous fluorohydroxyapatite (FHA) as a potential bone substitute. For this, porous FHA scaffolds were fabricated using the freeze casting technique. They were then sintered at 1250, 1350 and, 1450 °C, and microstructural, mechanical, and in vitro properties were analyzed. The microstructure analyses revealed the porosity remained constant within the temperature range. However, the pore size decreased with increasing sintering temperature. The greatest compressive strength and elastic modulus were obtained at 1450 °C, which were 13.5 ± 4.0 MPa and 379 ± 182 MPa, respectively. These are comparable values to human trabecular bone and other porous scaffolds made using hydroxyapatite. This analysis has thus helped to attain an understanding of the mechanical and material properties of freeze-cast FHA scaffolds that have not been presented before. In vitro studies revealed an increasing rate of human osteoblast cell proliferation on freeze-cast FHA scaffolds with increasing sintering temperature, suggesting improved osteogenic properties. Additionally, osteoblasts cells were also shown to proliferate into the interior pores of all freeze-cast FHA scaffolds. These results indicate the potential of porous FHA scaffolds fabricated using the freeze-casting technique to be utilized clinically as bone substitutes.
Event-Related Phase Synchronization Propagates Rapidly across Human Ventral Visual Cortex

Visual inputs to early visual cortex integrate with semantic, linguistic and memory inputs in higher visual cortex, in a manner that is rapid and accurate, and enables complex computations such as face recognition and word reading. This implies the existence of fundamental organizational principles that enable such efficiency. To elaborate on this, we performed intracranial recordings in 82 individuals while they performed tasks of varying visual and cognitive complexity. We discovered that visual inputs induce highly organized posterior-to-anterior propagating patterns of phase modulation across the ventral occipitotemporal cortex. At individual electrodes there was a stereotyped temporal pattern of phase progression following both stimulus onset and offset, consistent across trials and tasks. The phase of low frequency activity in anterior regions was predicted by the prior phase in posterior cortical regions. This spatiotemporal propagation of phase likely serves as a feed-forward organizational influence enabling the integration of information across the ventral visual stream. This phase modulation manifests as the early components of the event related potential; one of the most commonly used measures in human electrophysiology. These findings illuminate fundamental organizational principles of the higher order visual system that enable the rapid recognition and characterization of a variety of inputs.
Temperature-dependent Dynamic Fouling on Superhydrophobic and Slippery Nonwetting Copper Surfaces

Abstract Bioinspired, superhydrophobic and slippery liquid infused surfaces that offer nonwetting characteristics have been explored in recent years for fouling mitigation. However, most of the studies are in the context of biofouling or under static immersion at ambient temperature conditions that are not reflective of the dynamic flow environment in practice. This article presents, for the first time, a systematic study of dynamic fouling of superhydrophobic (SHS) and slippery lubricant-infused surfaces (LIS) over a range of flow and temperature conditions. Copper metallic surfaces were textured via electrodeposition or etching and further functionalized to achieve SHS and, additionally, infiltrated with a lubricant to fabricate LIS. The nonwetting surfaces were studied for their fouling behavior in a rotating Couette flow of a supersaturated calcium sulfate solution at different rotational speed and temperature. Fouling mineral mass accumulation on the different surfaces was measured as a function of time over a period of days using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and the fouled surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Both SHS and LIS showed superior anti-scaling performance at all ranges of variables. An analytical Hill-Langmuir model is presented, for the first time, to describe the time evolution of scaling within 20% accuracy over the range of parameters studied. The study is the first to juxtapose two surface texturing methods, electrodeposition and etching, and two nonwetting surface types, SHS and LIS, subject to a common suite of experiments to elucidate fundamental understanding of mineral fouling on nonwetting surfaces.
Assessing Affinity Between Users and CDN Sites

Large web services employ CDNs to improve user performance. CDNs improve performance by serving users from nearby Front-End (FE) Clusters. They also spread users across FE Clusters when one is overloaded or unavailable and others have unused capacity. Our paper is the first to study the dynamics of the user-to-FE Cluster mapping for Google and Akamai from a large range of client prefixes. We measure how 32,000 prefixes associate with FE Clusters in their CDNs every 15 minutes for more than a month. We study geographic and latency effects of mapping changes, showing that 50–70 % of prefixes switch between FE Clusters that are very distant from each other (more than 1,000 km), and that these shifts sometimes (28–40 % of the time) result in large latency shifts (100 ms or more). Most prefixes see large latencies only briefly, but a few (2–5 %) see high latency much of the time. We also find that many prefixes are directed to several countries over the course of a month, complicating questions of jurisdiction.
Cultured Human Mesothelial Cells are Selectively Sensitive to Cell Killing by Asbestos and Related Fibers: A Potential in Vitro Assay for Carcinogenicity

The use of man-made fibers as substitutes for asbestos is increasing, and it is important to determine the potential health hazards, including potential carcinogenicity, of these fibers. It is of particular interest to develop short-term in vitro assays that could significantly decrease the need for animal testing as well as provide rapid and reliable information to industry during the time that applications for new fibers are being developed. One potential rapid screening assay for mesothelioma-causing fibers is selective cytotoxicity for cultured human mesothelial cells. Cell killing of cultured normal human mesothelial cells by amosite, chrysotile, or crocidolite fibers occurs at levels of exposure approximately 50 fold less those required to produce cell killing cultured human lung fibroblasts. This differential cytotoxic effect is also observed for erionite, a fibrous zeolite linked to mesothelioma in Turkey, and Code 100 glass fiber found to cause mesothelioma in laboratory animals. In contrast, both mesothelial cells and fibroblasts require similar high levels of exposure to fibers such as Wollastonite, glass wool, and refractory ceramic fibers for cell killing. Non-fibrous particulates such as aluminum oxide, and a variety of chemicals are also toxic for both cell types at similar concentrations. Thus, human mesothelial cells, a selective in vivo target to the carcinogenic effects of asbestiform fibers, are also a selective in vitro target of the cytotoxic effects of these fibers. Differential cytotoxicity for cultured mesothelial cells and fibroblasts may be useful for predicting the potential of new man-made fibers to cause mesothelioma.
Two inwardly rectifying potassium channels, Irk1 and Irk2, play redundant roles in Drosophila renal tubule function

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels play essential roles in renal physiology across phyla. Barium-sensitive K+ conductances are found on the basolateral membrane of a variety of insect Malpighia...
Discrete-Time Pricing Models

We now have the necessary mathematical background to discuss discrete-time pricing models; that is, pricing models in which all transactions take place at one of a finite number of times.
An Energy-Conserving and Filtering Method for Stiff Nonlinear Multibody Dynamics

The conservation of energy is necessary for accuracy oflong-term simulations, and also guarantees energystability, which is sought to alleviate any stabilityrestrictions on the time integration step size. We discusssome issues regarding the integration of stiff nonlineardynamics with traditional dissipative and energy andmomentum conserving methods and we introduce a new 2-stagemethod which is an adaptation of the time integrationscheme presented in [1] for rigid multibody dynamics. Bycombining an energy conserving scheme with a substageacceleration filter, we devise an implicit method thatpreserves the energy map and is capable of integratingstiff flexible multibody systems that require numericaldissipation. In order to avoid the artificial stiffnessand the resulting instabilities caused by the enforcementof kinematic constraints, a joint coordinate formulationis adopted to model the rigid components of the system,while a total Lagrangian approach is adopted to model theflexible elements in the system. As the resulting model istypically characterized by a large number of degrees offreedom, we also demonstrate how the method may beextended to incorporate a form of domain decomposition.
Characterization of Amyloid Structures at the Molecular Level by Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is particularly useful in structural studies of amyloid fibrils because solid state NMR techniques have unique capabilities as site‐specific, molecular‐level structural probes of noncrystalline materials. These techniques provide experimental data that strongly constrain the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of amyloid fibrils, permitting the development of experimentally based structural models. Examples of techniques that are applicable to amyloid samples prepared with isotopic labeling of specific sites and to samples prepared with uniform isotopic labeling of selected residues are presented, illustrating the utility of the various techniques and labeling schemes. Information regarding the preparation of amyloid samples for solid state NMR measurements is also included.
Impact of allicin on enzyme activity, cytokine secretion, and gene expression dynamics in oxidatively-stressed epithelial cells (1045.19)

Environmental stress can alter cell permeability by influencing tight junctions and inflammatory mediators. Allicin is a botanical derived from garlic that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The objective of the current experiment was to determine if allicin can mitigate oxidative stress using a Caco-2 cell model. The experiment was arranged in a 3 x 2 factorial with three concentrations of allicin (0, 40, or 80 µM) and two concentrations of oxidative stressor, hydrogen peroxide (0 or 100 µM). Cells were incubated with allicin or hydrogen peroxide for 24 or 3 h, respectively. There was an increase in reactive oxygen species with hydrogen peroxide incubation, whereas a combination of allicin and hydrogen peroxide increased superoxide dismutase activity. Supplementation with allicin ameliorated the effects of hydrogen peroxide on catalase activity and reactive oxygen species. Gene expression of NFκB tended to increase and occludin expression decreased with hydrogen peroxide treatment, whereas...
Posterior Gastropexy (Hill)

Hiatus hernia with severe reflux esophagitis resistant to conservative management is a clear indication. Successful execution of this operation requires that the esophagus be long enough to suture the esophagogastric junction to the level of the median arcuate ligament without tension (5–7 cm of intraabdominal esophagus).
New bounds for the acyclic chromatic index

An edge coloring of a graph G is called an acyclic edge coloring if it is proper and every cycle in G contains edges of at least three different colors. The least number of colors needed for an acyclic edge coloring of G is called the acyclic chromatic index of G and is denoted by a ' ( G ) . Fiamcik (1978) and independently Alon, Sudakov, and Zaks (2001) conjectured that a ' ( G ) ź Δ ( G ) + 2 , where Δ ( G ) denotes the maximum degree of G . The best known general bound is a ' ( G ) ź 4 ( Δ ( G ) - 1 ) due to Esperet and Parreau (2013). We apply a generalization of the Lovasz Local Lemma to show that if G contains no copy of a given bipartite graph H , then a ' ( G ) ź 3 Δ ( G ) + o ( Δ ( G ) ) . Moreover, for every e 0 , there exists a constant c such that if g ( G ) ź c , then a ' ( G ) ź ( 2 + e ) Δ ( G ) + o ( Δ ( G ) ) , where g ( G ) denotes the girth of G .
L-Form Induction, Morphology, and Development in Two Related Strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Two related strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae , one the parent and the other an L-form revertant, were studied for their propensity or ability to produce L-forms under the influence of penicillin. The parent strain produced L-forms in nutrient solid media in an osmolarity range between 0.85 and 5.0% NaCl concentration whereas the revertant strain did so between 0.5 and 3.0% NaCl concentration. When various hyperosmolar media were tried without penicillin, recovery of L-forms from the revertant strain was optimal at a salt concentration of 2.0%, whereas the parent strain occasionally produced a few L-forms on 3.0% salt medium only. The process of penicillin-induced transformation from bacteria to L-form followed an unusual morphological sequence, beginning with beading of the bacterial body, followed by disintegration into granules from which the L-form colony derived. No large bodies were seen during the initial process of L-form induction, but they evolved later from the original granules and had the potential to reproduce L-type growth. The spontaneous development of L-forms in hyperosmolar media had a different morphological sequence starting with elongation of the bacteria into filaments which later developed polar and central dilatations from which granules and L-type growth developed. The differences in biological behavior between these related bacterial strains suggest that the revertant strain developed new properties, probably of genetic origin. Consequently, the assumption that L-forms revert to the “parent” bacteria may not always be justified. It can be made only after the biological properties of the parent and the revertant organisms have been properly identified. Images
Participatory Action Research: Collective Reflections on Gender, Culture, and Language.

Abstract The focus of this article is the experiences of three undergraduate students who engaged in a participatory action research (PAR) project with a group of preadolescent Latina girls attending a public school in Boston, MA, USA. The aim of the 2-year project was to explore how the girls constructed knowledge about girlhood and other gender-related issues. In this article, I (Alice) briefly describe the PAR project. The remaining sections focus on the research team's reflections. Julieta, a native of Romania, discusses how her life experiences growing up in Romania during the Communist regime helped her to identify with some of the girls’ life experiences. Anastasia, who was born and raised in Greece, describes how dialogue, a basic tenet of PAR, assisted her in developing collaborative relationships of trust with the research participants. In the third section, Nikos, who is also a native of Greece, describes how participating in a collaborative process with a group of girls from a dramatically different background than his own challenged him to reflect on his maleness, his ethnic beliefs, and his assumptions about public education in the US. The last section states the importance of teacher educators pursuing PAR-type experiences with college-aged students. The team's reflections offer insights into how engaging in participatory experiences with school-aged students can provide rich, informative, and effective opportunities for non-United Statesian students to gain a better understanding of the many issues related to public education in the US.
The area-time-integral technique to estimate convective rain volumes over areas applied to satellite data - A preliminary investigation

The use of the area-time-integral (ATI) technique, based only on satellite data, to estimate convective rain volume over a moving target is examined. The technique is based on the correlation between the radar echo area coverage integrated over the lifetime of the storm and the radar estimated rain volume. The processing of the GOES and radar data collected in 1981 is described. The radar and satellite parameters for six convective clusters from storm events occurring on June 12 and July 2, 1981 are analyzed and compared in terms of time steps and cluster lifetimes. Rain volume is calculated by first using the regression analysis to generate the regression equation used to obtain the ATI; the ATI versus rain volume relation is then employed to compute rain volume. The data reveal that the ATI technique using satellite data is applicable to the calculation of rain volume.
A general method for determining the contribution of split pathways in metabolite production in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract We describe a simple method using 13 C labeling and NMR spectroscopy to determine the flux contributions of alternative pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that produce the same metabolite with identical labeling patterns. Cells were incubated with a 13 C-labeled precursor for one of the branches, and the absolute enrichment of the product and its metabolic precursor(s) was quantified. The ratio of the absolute enrichment of the product to that of its precursor reflects the contribution of the pathway. The method was applied to the biosynthesis of glycine in yeast, which can occur from threonine via threonine aldolase or from serine via serine hydroxymethyltransferase. [2- 13 C]Aspartate and [2- 13 C]serine were used as labeled precursors for the threonine aldolase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase pathways, respectively. The data show that in cells possessing both pathways, the serine hydroxymethyltransferase pathway contributes 65–75% of the total glycine production. In comparison with other approaches, this method provides an inexpensive, flexible alternative to determining the flux contributions of split pathways under controlled conditions and should have wide applicability in the metabolic engineering of microorganisms.
Sustained Attention and the Type a Behavior Pattern: The Effect of Daydreaming on Performance

The present study examined the ability of Type A and Type B subjects to sustain attention during a 40-min visual vigilance task. It was predicted that Type A subjects would perform better than Type B subjects and that the performance of both groups would be related to the frequency of daydreams during the vigil. Type A subjects outperformed Type B subjects with regard to perceptual sensitivity (A') and number of signal detections. Although both groups reported an increase in the number of their daydreams as the vigil progressed, Type A subjects reported fewer daydreams during each period of watch than did Type B subjects. In addition, an inverse relationship was found between the number of signal detections and the frequency of daydreams.
Economics of epilepsy surgery.

Objective: Surgical decision-making is a complex process. First, a medical decision is made to determine if surgery is necessary. Second, another medical decision is made to determine the type of surgery. Third, a corporate decision is made if such a surgery is financially feasible. Finally, a legal decision is made to proceed or refuse the chosen surgery. This paper examines these issues in the case of surgery for medically intractable epilepsy and proposes a method of decision analysis to guide epilepsy surgery. Materials and Methods: A stochastic game of imperfect information using techniques of game theory and decision analysis is introduced as an analytical tool for surgical decision-making. Results: Surgery for appropriately chosen patients suffering from medically intractable epilepsy may not only be feasible, but may be the best medical option and the best financial option for the patient, families, society and the healthcare system. Such a situation would then make it legally or ethically difficult to reject or postpone surgery for these patients. Conclusions: A process to collect data to quantify the parameters used in the decision analysis is hereby proposed.
Galatians 2.20 in Context

When interpreted in its context in the argument of Galatians, Gal 2.20 is an important part of Paul's discussion of justification by faith. It functions as a depiction of justification apart from any consideration of Jew or Gentile status. This conclusion is based on an examination of the flow of Gal 2.15–21, a consideration of 2.15–21 in its larger context, and a study of 2.20 itself. This role of Gal 2.20 has frequently been overlooked due to inherent difficulties in interpreting the passage and to specific features about the way scholars have interpreted the verse and the larger passage.
Stabilization by potassium of adsorbed hydrogen on Pt(111)

The adsorption and desorption of hydrogen on potassium-covered Pt(111) surface have been studied with TPD and SIMS. With increasing K , the saturation amount of hydrogen adsorption decays exponentially, the sticking coefficient decreases, but the desorption activation energy and pre-exponential factor for H 2 desorption increase. There is no evidence for direct K-H interaction. Models are proposed for the drop of the sticking coefficent, the drop of the saturation coverage and the stabilization of the adsorbed H.
Formation of a strategic manufacturing and distribution network with transfer prices

Abstract We propose a profit maximization model for the decision support system of a firm that wishes to establish or rationalize a multinational manufacturing and distribution network to produce and deliver finished goods from sources to consumers. The model simultaneously evaluates all traditional location factors in a manufacturing and distribution network design problem and sets intra-firm transfer prices that take account of tax and exchange rate differentials between countries. Utilizing the generalized Benders decomposition approach, we exploit the partition between the product flow and the cash allocation (i.e., the pricing and revenue assignment) decisions in the supply chain to find near optimal model solutions. Our proposed profit maximizing strategic planning model produces intuitive results. We offer computational experiments to illustrate the potential valuable guidance the model can provide to a firm's supply chain design strategic planning process.
Psychopathy, conduct disorder, and stigma: does diagnostic labeling influence juvenile probation officer recommendations?

This study investigated the potential influence of labeling a juvenile as psychopathic. Juvenile probation officers (JPOs; N = 260) rendered hypothetical recommendations based on eight mock psychological evaluations. The evaluations varied the presence of two diagnostic criteria (antisocial behavioral history and psychopathic personality traits) and diagnostic labels (psychopathy, conduct disorder, no diagnosis) in order to distinguish criterion effects from labeling effects. The diagnostic criteria of antisocial behavior had a substantial effect on JPO recommendations (effect sizes .50–.79), while the diagnostic criteria of psychopathic personality traits had a more limited effect. Surprisingly, diagnostic labels had little effect, and there were no appreciable differences between conduct disorder and psychopathy diagnoses. These findings illustrate the importance of distinguishing diagnostic criterion effects from diagnostic labeling effects.
Factors Influencing Bolus Dwell Times in Healthy Older Adults Assessed Endoscopically

Objectives/Hypothesis: Scant data exist on normal bolus dwell time assessed during flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). The purpose of this study was to examine bolus dwell time in healthy older adults. Because it has been previously reported that some healthy older adults aspirate, we also sought to determine if bolus dwell time varied as a function of aspiration status. Study Design: Prospective. Methods: Seventy-six healthy volunteers from the seventh, eighth, and ninth decades of life participated. Dwell times were analyzed via FEES as a function of pharyngeal location, liquid type, delivery method, puree type, viscosity, age, and gender. Results: Longer dwell times were evidenced with the eldest participants, straw delivery, and the smallest volume. Adults in the ninth decade were 4.8 (P = .01) and 3.8 (P = .02) times more likely to have longer dwell times at the vallecula and 7.1 (P = .002) and 3.8 (P = 0.02) at the pyriform sinus than those in the seventh and eighth decades, respectively. Longer dwell times at the vallecula and pyriform sinuses were 2 and 2.38 times (P < .0001) more likely for straw than cup delivery, respectively. Boluses of 5 mL were 1.5 times (P < .05) more likely to result in longer dwell times than larger volumes. Bolus dwell times did not significantly differ as a function of aspiration status. Conclusions: Advanced age, straw delivery, and small volumes yielded longer dwell times. These variables should be considered before diagnosing an abnormal bolus dwell time in elder patients.
An additional approach for interpretation of multiple discriminant analysis in business research

Abstract Several useful approaches for interpreting multiple discriminant analysis (MDA), including graph plots, have recently been illustrated for business researchers. This article proposes and illustrates an extension of the traditional plotting procedures in MDA that allows the depiction of both group overlaps and differences among groups. We also discuss several other interpretational approaches in MDA.
Hope in Context: Developmental Profiles of Trust, Hopeful Future Expectations, and Civic Engagement Across Adolescence

Hopeful expectations for the future have been shown to play an important role in the positive development of youth, including youth contributions to society. Although theory and some research suggest that familial socialization may influence future-oriented cognitions, little work has focused on the possible interrelation of parent–child relationships and the development of hope, particularly during adolescence. Accordingly, the first goal of this study was to identify developmental profiles of youth with respect to hopeful future expectations (HFE) and parental trust across adolescence. Next, we explored whether these developmental trajectories were related to youth Contribution, indexed by community leadership, service, and helping attitudes and behaviors. We used growth mixture modeling to simultaneously examine trajectories of adolescents’ perceived connections with parents (indexed by parent trust) and HFE among 1,432 participants (59 % female) from Waves 3 through 6 (Grades 7 through 10) of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. A four-profile model provided the best fit to the data, with the following profiles: Moderate HFE/U-shaped Trust; Moderate HFE/Increasing Trust; Both Decreasing; and Both High Stable profiles. We then explored whether hope-trust profiles were related to youth Contribution in Wave 7. Contrary to hypotheses, results indicated that the profile reflecting the greatest discrepancy in HFE and trust across early to middle adolescence (i.e., Moderate Hope/U-shaped Trust) was associated with the highest mean Contribution scores. The implications of the findings for future theory and research are discussed.
Shock-wave thrombus ablation, a new method for noninvasive mechanical thrombolysis

Successful experimental and clinical experience with thrombus ablation has been attained with high-power acoustic energy delivered in a catheter. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of noninvasive thrombus ablation by focused high-power acoustic energy. The source for high-power acoustic energy was a shock-wave generator in a water tank equipped with an acoustic lens with a fixed focal point at 22.5 cm. Thrombus was prepared in vitro, weighed (0.24 +/- 0.08 g), and inserted in excised human femoral artery segments. The arterial segments wer ligated, positioned at the focal point and then randomized into either test (n = 8) or control (n = 7). An x-ray system verified the 3-dimensional positioning of the arterial segment at the focal point. A 5 MHz ultrasound imaging system continuously visualized the arterial segment at the focal point before, during and after each experiment. The test segments were exposed to shock waves (1,000 shocks/24 kv). The arterial segment content was then flushed and the residual thrombus weighed. The arterial segment and thrombus were fixed and submitted to histologic examination. The test group achieved a significant ablation of thrombus mass (0.25 +/- 0.15 vs 0.07 +/- 0.003 g; p = 0.0001) after application of shock waves. Arterial segments showed no gross or microscopic damage. Ultrasound imaging revealed a localized (1.9 +/- 0.5 cm2), transient (744 +/- 733 ms), cavitation field at the focal point at the time of application of focused shock waves. Thus, focused high-power acoustic energy can effect noninvasive thrombus ablation without apparent damage to the arterial wall.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Theoretical Modeling of the Size-Dependent Influence of Surface Tension on the Absorptive Partitioning of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds

The influence of surface tension on the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is investigated in this study using a size-dependent absorptive partitioning model. A theoretical framework is offered to estimate the surface tension of multi-component aerosols consisting of organic compounds and water. The size-dependent influence of surface tension on the absorptive partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds is examined via numerical simulations of systems of representative pre-existing aerosol (PA) components and semi-volatile organic compounds that have been observed to constitute SOA. Results indicate that if nonpolar organic species constitute a significant fraction of the PA, the Kelvin effect on SOA formation may be negligible. However, if PA is dominated by polar organic compounds, the Kelvin effect on SOA formation is significant when the PA initial diameter is smaller than approximately 200 nm. If the PA is an aqueous aerosol, the Kelvin effect on SOA formation is most important. A simplified computational scheme for estimation of the Kelvin effect is developed in this study and feasibly could be coupled into three-dimensional air quality models that simulate SOA formation. Available observations also suggest that future modeling and analysis of SOA formation may need to consider the Kelvin effect. Concrete testing of the purely theoretical model presented here requires carefully designed observations that examine the phase distribution of secondary organic compounds between the gas phase and aerosol particles small enough to be affected by surface tension.
Pulsed laser deposition of conductive metallo-dielectric optical filters

We describe the fabrication by room-temperature pulsed laser deposition of a transparent conductor comprising alternating layers of silver and aluminum oxide, forming a metallo-dielectric filter. Transmittances of 0.7 over specific wavelength bands were achieved with resistivities as low as 6.0×10-6 Ω cm, almost two orders of magnitude lower than that of the best single-substrate thin films, such as indium tin oxide. The resistivity can be predicted without adjustable parameters and designed using a simple parallel-circuit model; the optical properties are well described by standard matrix transmission calculations. This demonstrates that pulsed laser deposition may be used to fabricate prototypes of high-quality transparent conductors with predictable properties for conducting windows where low-temperature deposition is critical, as in organic light-emitting diodes and for non-linear optical films.
Management of septic shock in the pediatric emergency department in 2004

Abstract This discussion outlines the current management strategies for infants and young children with septic shock. Septic shock is diagnosed in the clinical context of suspected infection and persistent signs of decreased perfusion. While antimicrobial therapy is directed against the common age-associated pathogens, “goal-directed” hemodynamic support is the critical focus of resuscitation of the child with septic shock. Aggressive fluid therapy and the use of inotropic drugs to attain and maintain normal cardiac index constitute the current recommendations of goal-directed therapy. Administration of up to and more than 60 ml/kg of crystalloid may be necessary during the first 30 to 60 minutes of resuscitation. In the absence of randomized controlled trials in infants and children with septic shock, dopamine is the consensus first-line drug for fluid refractory shock. Hydrocortisone therapy is reserved for use in children with catecholamine resistance and suspected or proven adrenal insufficiency.
Trends in educational assortative marriage in China from 1970 to 2000

This research examines trends in educational assortative marriage in China among first marriages from 1970 to 2000 using data from the 2000 China Population Census and the 2001 Chinese Demographic Reproductive Health Survey. The results reveal decreasing educational homogamy rates from 1970 to 1980. However, the estimated odds of educational homogamy increase substantially between 1980 and 1995 and then grow at a slower pace in the late 1990s. Further, in urban areas, increasing rates of resemblance between spouses occur a decade earlier and at a higher level, compared to rural areas. Overall, the results indicate that senior high school graduates and college graduates in the late 1990s are less likely to marry those with less education than those in the 1970s in modern China.
Generation of human monoclonal antibodies to cancer-associated antigens using limited numbers of patient lymphocytes.

A limiting dilution method for the efficient transformation by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of human B lymphocytes has been applied to the production of human monoclonal antibodies to ovarian cancer-associated antigens. Limited numbers (e.g., 2 X 10(5)) of EBV-infected B lymphocytes from ovarian cancer patient spleen, lymph node, tumor, ascites and blood were successfully transformed using this method. An immunofiltration assay system was employed to identify EBV transformants secreting IgM antibody which reacted selectively with ovarian cancer patient ascites tumor cells, but not with a mixture of normal cell types. A miniature Western blot assay was utilized to screen for IgG reactivity to protein species in detergent extracts of ovarian cancer tumor cells. EBV-transformed cells selected after screening were then fused with heteromyeloma fusion partner SHM-D33 resulting in efficient recovery of hybridomas secreting MAb of the desired specificity. Human MAbs which selectively react with antigens associated with ovarian cancer tumor cells were obtained.
The Role of Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Vascular Events

We read with interest the meta-analysis conducted by Raju et al on the role of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. We are intrigued by the differences between the findings of this meta-analysis and a recent meta-analysis conducted by Seshasai et al. Both metanalyses included the same 9 clinical trials, with similar utcomes. Yet there are discrepancies between the 2 studies ith respect to the absolute number of strokes (720 vs 749), otal cardiovascular events (1861 vs 2107), total cardiovasular mortality (627 vs 674), and all-cause mortality (1859 s 1962) in the study by Raju et al compared with the study y Seshasai et al, respectively. The difference in cardiovascular events may be exlained by different definitions because the study by Sesasai et al does not define cardiovascular events. The difference in the other end points is more perplexing given
In vivo uptake of triglyceride fatty acids and free fatty acids by ovarian follicles of hens (Gallus domesticus).

Abstract 1. 1. Short-term functional hepatectomy and appropriate labeling of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride and free fatty acid plasma pools provided a means of measuring unidirectional fluxes of fatty acids from these two plasma pools to ovarian follicles. 2. 2. The plasma to follicle triglyceride fatty acid flux was approximately tenfold greater than the plasma to follicle free fatty acid flux. The triglyceride flux varied with follicular size and was maximum for follicles in the 0·5-1·5 g range. 3. 3. In the functionally hepatectomized hen 66 per cent of the plasma free fatty acid pool is derived from the VLDL triglyceride. 4. 4. In the hen, the liver is the major site where plasma free fatty acids are esterified.
Rapid evolution and specialization following host colonization in a yucca moth

Host shifts followed by specialization can result in sympatric genetic differentiation, and may have fuelled the diversification of phytophagous insects. This study examines a recent colonization of a non-native host by Prodoxus quinquepunctellus (Lepidoptera: Prodoxidae). Allozyme differentiation was detected among different host feeding populations, yet was nearly absent among similar host feeding populations in sympatry. Geographical patterns of allozyme variation showed a much higher level of population structure among populations feeding on the derived host. Conversely, mtDNA haplotype frequencies were nearly homogeneous in the derived populations compared to the ancestral populations, suggesting a bottleneck and/or rapid fixation of haplotypes following host colonization. Moth emergence coincided with host plant flowering, and phenological differences between host species translated into allochronic isolation between populations feeding on different hosts. Derived moth populations also differed significantly in three ovipositor characters from ancestral populations. These findings suggest rapid host-specific genetic differentiation, and specialization of moth emergence time and ovipositor morphology following host colonization.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy following laparoscopic port placement in a patient with ovarian cancer

► Gynecologic oncology patients can be exposed to both chronic and acute physical and emotional stress. ► Gynecologic oncology patients appear to represent an at-risk population for the development of Takotsubo's cardiomyopathy.
Effects of Cessation of a Structured and Supervised Exercise Conditioning Program on Lean Mass and Muscle Strength in Severely Burned Children

Abstract Suman OE, Herndon DN. Effects of cessation of a structured and supervised exercise conditioning program on lean mass and muscle strength in severely burned children. Objective To determine whether the benefits of exercise by burned children are maintained 3 months after the exercise program is concluded. Design Randomized, controlled prospective study. Setting Pediatric burn hospital. Participants Twenty severely burned children with a 40% or greater total body surface area burn, with main outcome measures completed before exercise training, immediately after 12 weeks of exercise training (intervention), and 12 weeks after training ended. Intervention Randomization into a 12-week standard rehabilitation program at home (n=9) or a 12-week standard hospital rehabilitation program supplemented with an exercise-training program beginning 6 months after burn injury (n=11). Main Outcome Measures Assessment of lean body mass (LBM) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and of leg isokinetic muscle strength at a speed of 150°/s were done before, after the 12-week rehabilitation and exercise training program, and 3 months after the exercise program was completed (12mo postburn). The effects of exercise on the dependent variables were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. If we found a significant overall effect of time and/or intervention, we did a post hoc test for multiple comparison (Holm-Sidak). Results are expressed as mean ± standard error. Results The mean percentage increase in LBM and muscle strength was significantly greater in the exercise group (6.4%±1.9%, 40.7%±8.6%, respectively) than in the no-exercise group (1.9%±2.6% vs 3.4%±4.5%, respectively). Three months after cessation of the exercise program, LBM remained relatively unchanged in the no-exercise group (3.5%±1.8%). In contrast, LBM in the exercise group increased significantly (10.7%±4.8%, P =.03). In addition, muscle strength further increased by 17.9%±10.1% in the exercise group versus 7.2%±3.4% in the no-exercise group, although neither percentage increase was significant ( P =.08 for exercise vs P =.61 for no exercise). Absolute values in LBM and muscle strength for both groups at 12 months postburn continued to be below historical or concurrent age-matched, nonburned children. Conclusions Participation in an exercise program resulted in a greater improvement in LBM and muscle strength in the exercise group than in the no-exercise group. Three months after the exercise training ended, there were persistent mild-to-moderate increases in LBM and muscle strength. Absolute levels continued to be below previously reported nonburned, age-matched values, however, which underscores the need for continued exercise to improve LBM and muscle strength in severely burned children.
Cytosine arabinoside effects in mouse cerebellar cultures in the presence of astrocytes

Organotypic cerebellar cultures derived from neonatal mice were exposed to recent preparations of cytosine arabinoside that destroyed oligodendrocytes and drastically reduced granule cells, but did not reduce the astrocyte population. The cultures were analysed by light and electron microscopy, and by extracellular electrophysiological recording. Purkinje cells survived in greater numbers than in untreated explants and sprouted excess recurrent axon collaterals that formed heterotypical synapses with Purkinje cell dendritic spines. These changes were similar to those found in earlier studies with a cytosine arabinoside preparation that did reduce the astrocyte population, in addition to destroying oligodendrocytes and granule cells. Results with recent cytosine arabinoside preparations that differed from those obtained previously included astrocytic ensheathment of Purkinje cells and apposition of many unattached dendritic spines, encasement of heterotypical synapses by astroglial processes, a loss of Purkinje cell somatic spines, and a lack of somatic hyperinnervation of Purkinje cells by sprouted recurrent axon collateral terminals. All of these differences were attributed to the presence of adequate numbers of competent astrocytes. Heterotypical synapses formed by sprouted recurrent axon collateral terminals and Purkinje cell dendritic spines were functional, as indicated by cortical inhibition in response to antidromic Purkinje cell activation in the absence of somatic hyperinnervation. These results give further definition to the role of astrocytes in cerebellar development and plasticity.
A foxy hedgehog: Wynne Godley and macroeconomic modelling

Wynne Godley has made enormous contributions to macroeconomic modelling. They are reviewed here in connection with his recent book with Marc Lavoie, Monetary Economics: An Integrated Approach to Credit, Money, Income, Production, and Wealth. Copyright The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.
The Role of Parvovirus B19 in Aplastic Crisis and Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease)

In 1984, simultaneous outbreaks of aplastic crisis and erythema infectiosum occurred in northeastern Ohio. Sera were analyzed from 26 patients with aplastic crisis: 24 had IgM specific for parvovirus B19, five had B19-like particles by electron microscopy, and 13 had DNA from B19; no sera from 33 controls had evidence of recent infection with B19 (P less than .0001). DNA from B19 was also detected in specimens of throat gargle and urine from two patients with aplastic crisis. Sera from 36 of 51 children with erythema infectiosum had B19-specific IgM, compared with serum from one of 42 susceptible controls (P less than .0001). DNA from B19 was detected in sera from only two of 51 patients who had erythema infectiosum. The secondary attack rates among susceptible contacts decreased with age (overall total, 49.6%). Differential rates of asymptomatic infection were observed among black (68.8%) and white (20.0%) household members (P = .003). These were the first identified simultaneous outbreaks of aplastic crisis and erythema infectiosum. Their occurrence provided an opportunity to study the epidemiology and spectrum of B19 infection with geographically and temporally matched comparison groups; our results support the hypothesis that infection with parvovirus causes these two clinical entities.
Organizational Theory, Organizational Communication, Organizational Knowledge, and Problematic Integration.

In this paper we argue that 3 traditions of theory about organizational communication have special relevance to the ideas of problematic integration theory. In the rational structure tradition, organizations are described as mechanisms for suppressing or overcoming integration problems, as rationally designed communication processes achieve a system-level resolution that may ignore or override any individually experienced integration problems. In the organizing process theory tradition, values are recognized as important elements guiding organizational sense making or emerging through organizing or learning, but amazingly diverse and unintegrated social structures can stand as resolutions (broadly defined) of integration problems. Finally, in the structurational tradition, the diverse values of organizational groups are treated as emerging and being resolved in many ways in local practice, whereas structural constraints imply that local resolutions will enter into a body of generally relevant organizational knowledge only in limited ways.