cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical hotspot shapes and magnetospheric radius from 3D simulations of magnetospheric accretion

We present an analytical formula for the position and shape of the spots on the surface of accreting magnetized stars in cases where a star has a dipole magnetic field tilted at a small misalignment angle Theta < 30 degrees about the rotational axis, and the magnetosphere is 2.5-5 times the radius of the star. We observed that the azimuthal position of the spots varies significantly when the position of the inner disc varies. In contrast, the polar position of the spots varies only slightly because of the compression of the magnetosphere. The azimuthal width of the spots strongly varies with Theta: spots have the shape of an arc at larger misalignment angles, and resemble a ring at very small misalignment angles. The polar width of the spots varies only slightly with changes in parameters. The motion of the spots in the azimuthal direction can provide phase-shifts in accreting millisecond pulsars, and the "drift" of the period in Classical T Tauri stars. The position and shape of the spots are determined by three parameters: misalignment angle Theta; normalized corotation radius, r_c/R_* and normalized magnetospheric radius, r_m/R_*, where R_* is the stellar radius. We also use our data to check the formula for the Alfv\'en radius, where the main dependencies are r_m \sim (\mu^2/\dot M)^{2/7}, where \mu is the magnetic moment of the star, and \dot M is the accretion rate. We found that the dependence is more gradual, r_m \sim (\mu^2/\dot M)^{1/5}, which can be explained by the compression of the magnetosphere by the disc matter and by the non-dipole shape of the magnetic field lines of the external magnetosphere.
Influence of water depth on nest success of the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow in the Florida Everglades

The restoration of the Florida Everglades rests largely on the ability of managers to re-create a more natural hydrologic regime throughout the remaining natural areas. The Cape Sable seaside sparrow, an endangered subspecies endemic to the freshwater marl prairies of the Everglades, has suffered from changes in the depth and the timing of water flows through its habitat. However, it remains unclear what temporal and spatial aspects of water inputs (both managed and natural) affect nesting success. We monitored 429 nests in two of the six extant sparrow subpopulations over 10 breeding seasons and a variety of water levels. Using an information-theoretic approach, we find that nests initiated early in the breeding season experience substantially higher success rates than those initiated later. We suggest that this seasonal effect is due to a change in predator abundance or activity levels as the season progresses, which are tied to the increase in water levels that accompany the onset of the wet season. In addition, nest success is influenced to a lesser degree by where sparrows choose to nest across the landscape, the height of base water levels within the sparrow's breeding season and the height of water levels when nests are active. Our observation of extreme variability in nest success over the span of a single season suggests that successful late-season breeding, although shown to be important for population recovery, is a rare event. Management actions that maximize the success of late-season broods or increase the number of early broods are warranted, but the ecosystem implications of such actions are poorly understood.
Posterior predictive model checks for disease mapping models

Disease incidence or disease mortality rates for small areas are often displayed on maps. Maps of raw rates, disease counts divided by the total population at risk, have been criticized as unreliable due to non-constant variance associated with heterogeneity in base population size. This has led to the use of model-based Bayes or empirical Bayes point estimates for map creation. Because the maps have important epidemiological and political consequences, for example, they are often used to identify small areas with unusually high or low unexplained risk, it is important that the assumptions of the underlying models be scrutinized. We review the use of posterior predictive model checks, which compare features of the observed data to the same features of replicate data generated under the model, for assessing model fitness. One crucial issue is whether extrema are potentially important epidemiological findings or merely evidence of poor model fit. We propose the use of the cross-validation posterior predictive distribution, obtained by reanalyzing the data without a suspect small area, as a method for assessing whether the observed count in the area is consistent with the model. Because it may not be feasible to actually reanalyze the data for each suspect small area in large data sets, two methods for approximating the cross-validation posterior predictive distribution are described.
Impulsive start of a symmetric airfoil at high angle of attack

The fluid dynamic phenomena following the impulsive start of a NACA 0015 airfoil were studied by using a time accurate solution of the incompressible laminar Navier-Stokes equations. Angle of attack was set at 10 deg to simulate steady-state poststall conditions at a Reynolds number of 1.2 x 10(exp 4). The calculation revealed that large initial lift values can be obtained, immediately following the impulsive start, when a trapped vortex develops above the airfoil. Before the buildup of this trapped vortex and immediately after the airfoil was set into motion, the fluid is attached to the airfoil's surface and flows around the trailing edge, demonstrating the delay in the buildup of the classical Kutta condition. The transient of this effect is quite short and is followed by an attached How event that leads to the trapped vortex that has a longer duration. The just described initial phenomenon eventually transits into a fully developed separated flow pattern identifiable by an alternating, periodic vortex shedding.
beta-Lipotropin in brain: localization in hypothalamic neurons by immunoperoxidase technique.

β-Lipotropin (β-LPH) has been localized in hypothalamus and pituitary of sheep and ox by the immunoperoxidase technique. In both species β-LPH was found in perikarya of arcuate neurons as well as in cells of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the pituitary. A large number of immunoreactive axons were found in the arcuate region; some appeared to innervate other neurons and others projected to portal capillaries. Stained fiber segments were also scattered throughout the hypothalamus. The presence of β-LPH in hypothalamic neurons supports the possibility that brain β-LPH may be a precursor for opiate-like or other peptides which may be involved in neuromodulation or neurohormonal activities.
Ecology and Ritual: Water Management and the Maya

How the ancient Maya of the central Yucatecan Lowlands managed their water and land resources remains poorly knownX although crucial to an understanding of ancient political economy. Recent archival research and field data suggest the widespread use of artificially altered, natural depressions for the collection and containment of water, both for potable consumption and agricultural ends. During the Classic period (A.D. 250-900) several of the principal cities in the Maya area constructed their largest architecture and monuments at the summit of hills and ridges. Associated with these elevated centers-"water mountains"-were sizable, life-sustaining reserroirs quarried into their summits. The effect of this town-planning design was the centralization of a primary and fundamental resource. Although elite managers controlled the water source, other decentralizing forces prevented anything similar to Wittfogel's "total power. " However, by ritually appropriating the everyday and mundane activities associated with water by the sustaining population, elites used high-performance water ritual as manifest in the iconography to further centralize control. The significance of modifying the urban landscape in the partial image of the ordinary water hole defines the extraordinary in Maya ritual. El tema de como los mayas antiguos de las tierras bajas del centro de Yucataon administraron sus recursos de agua y tierra permanece raqufticamente explicado, aunque esto se considera muy importante para llegar a entender la economfa polftica antigua. Recientes investigaciones de los archivos e informacion del campo insinuan el extenso uso de las depresiones naturales modificadas artificialmente, para la recoleccion, y el represamiento del agua, para los consumos domeosticos y agrfcola. Durante el perfodo Cla'sico (250-900 d. C.) varias de las ciudades principales en el aorea Maya construyeron la arquitectura mayor y los monumentos en la cima de los cerros y lomas. En asociacion con estos centros elevados-"las montanas de agua"-habfa grandes depositos de agua, las reservas de sostenimiento de vida excavados en sus cimas. El efecto de este diseno de planificacion de asentamientos fue la centralizacion de un recurso principal y fundamental. Aunque los admi
Use of preoperative ultrasound staging for treatment of rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION: Transrectal ultrasound is the standard method for preoperative staging of rectal cancer. This study reviews the accuracy of transrectal ultrasound staging for T3 disease and its use in the selection of patients for neoadjuvant chemoradiation. METHODS: One hundred seventeen patients underwent preoperative transrectal ultrasound evaluation for rectal cancer. Accuracy of transrectal ultrasound was evaluated among 70 patients not receiving preoperative chemoradiation. Forty-seven patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation based on transrectal ultrasound results. Tumor downstaging and early recurrence were evaluated among 45 of 47 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation. RESULTS: Among 70 nonirradiated patients, 19 were pathologic Stage pT3. Transrectal ultrasound correctly identified 18 of 19 patients with Stage pT3 (sensitivity, 94.7 percent). Transrectal ultrasound correctly identified 44 of 51 patients with less than pT3 disease (specificity, 86.3 percent). After preoperative chemoradiation in 45 patients with ultrasound Stage uT3 or uT4 tumors, 56 percent of them experienced a reduction in T stage. Residual nodal disease was found in 31 percent of patients. A complete pathologic response with no residual disease at operation was observed in 22 percent of patients. During a median follow-up period of 21 months after diagnosis, seven patients experienced a recurrence of their disease at a median of 12 months after diagnosis. Five of seven patients with recurrence were among a subgroup of ten patients who both failed to downstage T and had residual nodal disease at operation. CONCLUSION: Transrectal ultrasound is an accurate modality for selecting patients for neoadjuvant treatment. Preoperative chemoradiation produced downstaging in 56 percent of patients. Factors related to early recurrence included residual nodal disease and failure to downstage T after neoadjuvant chemoradiation.
Do Not Drop: Mechanical Shock in Vials Causes Cavitation, Protein Aggregation, and Particle Formation

Industry experience suggests that g-forces sustained when vials containing protein formulations are accidentally dropped can cause aggregation and particle formation. To study this phenomenon, a shock tower was used to apply controlled g-forces to glass vials containing formulations of two monoclonal antibodies and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). High-speed video analysis showed cavitation bubbles forming within 30 μs and subsequently collapsing in the formulations. As a result of echoing shock waves, bubbles collapsed and reappeared periodically over a millisecond time course. Fluid mechanics simulations showed low-pressure regions within the fluid where cavitation would be favored. A hydroxyphenylfluorescein assay determined that cavitation produced hydroxyl radicals. When mechanical shock was applied to vials containing protein formulations, gelatinous particles appeared on the vial walls. Size-exclusion chromatographic analysis of the formulations after shock did not detect changes in monomer or soluble aggregate concentrations. However, subvisible particle counts determined by microflow image analysis increased. The mass of protein attached to the vial walls increased with increasing drop height. Both protein in bulk solution and protein that became attached to the vial walls after shock were analyzed by mass spectrometry. rhGH recovered from the vial walls in some samples revealed oxidation of Met and/or Trp residues.
Centractin is an actin homologue associated with the centrosome

ACTIN is one of the most ubiquitous, abundant and well-conserved proteins of eukaryotes, participating in many crucial cellular processes including the maintenance of cell shape, motility and cell division1,2. Actins from the most divergent sources still share amino-acid identities in excess of 70% (ref. 3). This may well explain why low-abundance homologues of actin have been difficult to isolate. Genes encoding distant relatives of actin in budding and fission yeast have now been cloned3,4. We report here the discovery of a vertebrate actin-like protein, which we name centractin. A full-length complementary DNA clone was isolated whose sequence reveals amino-acid identities with actin of over 50%, increasing to more than 70% when conservative amino-acid changes are considered. Northern analysis and western blotting indicate a ubiquitous tissue and species distribution. Morphological and biochemical criteria show that centractin is associated with centrosomes.
A longitudinal study of urea cycle disorders

The Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium (UCDC) is a member of the NIH funded Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network and is performing a longitudinal study of 8 urea cycle disorders (UCDs) with initial enrollment beginning in 2006. The consortium consists of 14 sites in the U.S., Canada and Europe. This report summarizes data mining studies of 614 patients with UCDs enrolled in the UCDC's longitudinal study protocol. The most common disorder is ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, accounting for more than half of the participants. We calculated the overall prevalence of urea cycle disorders to be 1/35,000, with 2/3rds presenting initial symptoms after the newborn period. We found the mortality rate to be 24% in neonatal onset cases and 11% in late onset cases. The most common precipitant of clinical hyperammonemic episodes in the post-neonatal period was intercurrent infections. Elevations in both blood ammonia and glutamine appeared to be biomarkers for neurocognitive outcome. In terms of chronic treatment, low protein diet appeared to result in normal weight but decreased linear growth while N-scavenger therapy with phenylbutyrate resulted in low levels of branched chain amino acids. Finally, we found an unexpectedly high risk for hepatic dysfunction in patients with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. This natural history study illustrates how a collaborative study of a rare genetic disorder can result in an improved understanding of morbidity and disease outcome.
Indeterminacy and sunspots in a monetary economy with limited participation

Abstract This paper shows that in a monetary real business cycle model with limited participation, the region of indeterminacy depends crucially on (i) the coefficient of relative risk aversion, (ii) the labor supply elasticity, and (iii) the degree of increasing return-to-scale. However, the quantitative impact of the money growth rate is very small.
A 12-pulse diode rectifier with energy storage integration and high power quality on both AC and DC side

The 12-pulse diode rectifier has been widely used in high power applications. Although the dominant 5th and 7th harmonics of the input current are canceled out, the total harmonic distortion is still well above 5%. Therefore additional filtering is required to meet the pertinent standards. In this paper, several methods that deal with the input current harmonics are reviewed. The fundamentals behind these methods are discussed. By utilizing the concept of virtual resistor, a new approach is proposed in this paper to, not only eliminate the AC input current harmonics, but also eliminate DC output voltage harmonics. Moreover, the energy storage integration is possible with the proposed method. We analyze the control and operation of the proposed method. Simulation and experiment results verify the analysis.
Generation of Prescription Maps for Curative and Preventative Site-Specific Management of Bean Leaf Beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Site-specific pest management utilizes spatial information about pest distribution to apply control tactics only where pest density is economically high within a field. This study mapped the spatial distribution of bean leaf beetles and generated prescription maps for site-specific bean leaf beetle management. To characterize and map distributions of bean leaf beetles, geostatistics and spatial analysis with distance indices (SADIE) were used. Overwintered bean leaf beetle adults were randomly distributed within the field. Spatial distribution of the first- and the second-generation bean leaf beetles were aggregated with 76% and 93% of the variability explained by spatial dependence, respectively. This indicated that site-specific management of the first- and the second-generation bean leaf beetles could be possible. Prescription maps for site-specific bean leaf beetle management were generated based on a realistic range of three economic thresholds. This study presents guidelines for generating prescription maps for curative and preventative site-specific pest management.
Smad 3 regulates proliferation of the mouse ovarian surface epithelium.

Smad 3 is a signaling intermediate for the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) family; however, little is known about the role this protein plays in the regulation of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Using a transgenic mouse model, we found that in the absence of Smad 3 there was a distinct morphological alteration of OSE cells. Wild-type (WT) OSE was flat with thin cells, while Smad 3-deficient (Smad 3 −/−) OSE was thick with plump cuboidal cells. WT OSE had less immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) than Smad 3 −/− OSE. However, there were no differences in the number of apoptotic cells or Bax and Bcl-2 levels between WT and Smad 3 −/− OSE. Although WT mice had higher levels of serum estradiol than Smad 3 −/− mice, WT and Smad 3 −/− mice had similar levels of progesterone. These data suggest that Smad 3 regulates OSE morphological appearance and proliferation in the absence of high serum estradiol levels or alterations in progesterone levels. Anat Rec Part A 273A:681–686, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sphingosylphosphocholine Reduces the Calcium Ion Requirement for Activating Tissue Transglutaminase

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) catalyzes a Ca2+-dependent transglutaminase reaction resulting in the formation of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine bonds and is activated during apoptosis to catalyze the formation of apoptotic body. We investigate whether lipids that are membrane components and involved in cell signaling could modify the Ca2+-dependent activation of tTG. We found that sphingosylphosphocholine (lyso-SM) was the only lipid to activate transglutaminase at low Ca2+ concentrations. In the presence of lyso-SM (125 microM), transglutaminase was detectable at 10 microM Ca2+, whereas in the absence of lyso-SM, similar activity was obtained at 160 microM Ca2+. Furthermore, in the presence of lipid vesicles lyso-SM retained the ability to enhance the Ca2+-dependent activation of tTG. Lyso-SM did not significantly change the Km for the glutamyl and primary amine substrates. However, the Kact for Ca2+ was reduced from 300 microM to 90 microM. Structure-function studies of lyso-SM analogs indicate that phosphocholine group on C1, the free amino group at C2 and a C4-C5 double bond are critical for the activation of transglutaminase activity. This is the first demonstration that a specific sphingolipid could enhance the activity of tTG and could play a role in vivo in activation of the tTG at physiologic Ca2+ levels.
Hypertension and future cardiovascular health in pediatric end-stage renal disease patients.

Background: There are now numerous studies that have documented an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in young adults who had childhood-onset end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Since the number of such patients surviving to adulthood is increasing, strategies to reduce this risk are urgently needed. Methods: The various risk factors contributing to adult cardiovascular disease in this population will be reviewed, with an emphasis on hypertension and its control. Data demonstrating the prevalence of hypertension in childhood chronic kidney disease as well as the results of improved blood pressure control in ESRD will also be presented. Conclusions: Hypertension is exceedingly common in pediatric ESRD patients and frequently poorly controlled. Efforts to improve blood pressure control in this patient population could potentially reduce future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Treatment of dyslipidemias.

ABSTRACT Objective To summarize recommended treatment strategies for various dyslipidemias. Methods The basic pathways of lipoprotein metabolism are reviewed, and the potential for interventional alterations to correct specific dyslipidemias is outlined. Guidelines for treatment based on published clinical trials, including the consensus report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, are discussed. Results The nonpharmacologic options of diet and exercise are important elements in the treatment of dyslipidemias. In most patients, a reduced dietary intake of fat (particularly saturated fat) should be maintained for 3 months before drug therapy is initiated. The various mechanisms of action of the bile acid resins, niacin, hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, and fibric acid derivatives are described, and their roles in monotherapy or combination therapy for hypercholesterolemia, combined hyperlipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia are examined. Conclusion With an understanding of the metabolic pathways responsible for the production and removal of lipoproteins and an overview of results of previous pharmacologic interventions, clinicians can optimize lipid-lowering treatment in individual patients with dyslipidemia. (Endocr Pract. 1996; 2:30-36)
Interference aware cooperative routing for wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper, we propose a cooperative approach for routing in wireless ad hoc networks. Our solution improves the interference distribution in the network, with an immediate positive impact on the throughput performance and energy efficiency. In determining new routes, we consider not only the cost associated with the current route, but also the potential interference impact of the route on the neighboring nodes. We use this cooperative approach to determine routes for CDMA ad hoc networks, which are known to be severely limited in performance by the near-far effect. Our simulation results using cooperative routing show an improvement in throughput of up to 60% compared to the classic minimum energy routing approach. This improvement is achieved at the expense of only a slight increase in the average energy per bit transmission for an end-to-end path.
The Burden of Parkinson's Disease on Society, Family, and the Individual

OBJECTIVE: To examine the burden of Parkinson's Disease (PD) on society, family, and the individual. SETTING: In-home interviews in Central North Carolina. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 109 people with PD. MEASURES: Standard instruments used to assess income, health status, health-related costs, and household activities. SAMPLE: The sample was weighted toward individuals who were within the first 5 years of post-PD diagnosis. RESULTS: The total per capita societal burden was approximately $6000 per year, the greatest single element of which was compensation for earnings loss for those less than age 65. Government insurance covered 85% of our sample. The largest components of family burden were the burden of providing informal caregiving and that of earnings loss. Spouses providing informal care did so a mean of 22 hours per week. Compared with a random sample of older people, our respondents spent much less time on house and yard work. CONCLUSION: The direct costs of the disease reflect a small portion of the burden. The hidden costs, in the form of lost wages, informal care, and changing roles are substantial. Their magnitude is even more important when we consider that the family generally lives on a fixed income, and the caregiver is an older aged spouse. Medical practitioners will best be able to intervene if they look holistically at the patient with this disease. When treating symptoms themselves, practitioners need to be aware of the high level of pain, fatigue, and depression associated with PD, even in the early stages. The results demonstrate clearly that family relationships are affected early, indicating the importance of providing early referrals to services such as home health, social workers/counseling, and well as PD support groups.
Coordinate regulation of canine glomeruli and adrenal angiotensin receptors by dietary sodium manipulation.

Coordinate regulation of canine glomeruli and adrenal angiotensin receptors by dietary sodium manipulation. Background This study evaluated the effects of dietary sodium manipulation in dogs on the regulation of canine angiotensin receptors (cAT1 and cAT2) in the kidney and adrenal. Methods Isolated glomeruli and membranes from renal medulla and the adrenal gland were used in radioligand binding assays from two groups of dogs: dogs maintained on low-sodium diet for two weeks followed by a high-sodium diet for two weeks (H), and dogs were maintained on the reverse schedule (L). Results Analysis of the binding data showed that dietary sodium manipulation had no significant effects on cAT1 and cAT2 receptor binding affinities in glomeruli, renal medulla, and adrenal tissues. In contrast, dietary sodium loading induced a marked increase in cAT1 receptor expression in both the glomeruli and adrenal compared with receptor expression in salt-restricted animals [H/L ratio: glomeruli (1.5), renal medulla (1.1), adrenal (1.6)] that inversely correlated with the activity of the plasma renin angiotensin system. Conversely, adrenal cAT2 receptor expression was regulated in an inverse manner in the H and L animal groups [H/L ratio: 0.7]. Conclusions This study demonstrates that renal glomerular and adrenal AT1 receptors in the dog are coordinately down-regulated by dietary sodium restriction compared with sodium loading, which is distinctly different from the reciprocal regulation observed for rat AT1 receptors in these tissues. Collectively, these data suggest that postreceptor events in dogs are determinants of the aldosterone response observed during sodium restriction. These findings have important implications for the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system in humans, and suggest that coordinate regulation of AT1 receptors in the adrenal and glomeruli represent a negative feedback mechanism that when functioning normally prevents fluctuations of arterial blood pressure and development of arterial hypertension in response to changes in dietary sodium.
Risk stratification for death and all-cause hospitalization in heart failure clinic outpatients

Background Most heart failure (HF) risk stratification models were developed for inpatient use, and available outpatient models use a complex set of variables. We hypothesized that routinely collected clinical data could predict the 6-month risk of death and all-cause medical hospitalization in HF clinic outpatients. Methods and Results Using a quality improvement database and multivariable Cox modeling, we derived the Heart Failure Patient Severity Index (HFPSI) in the University of Michigan HF clinic (UM cohort, n=1,536; 314 reached primary outcome). We externally validated the HFPSI in the Ann Arbor Veterans' Affairs HF clinic (VA cohort, n=445; 106 outcomes) and explored "real-time" HFPSI use (VA-RT cohort, n=486; 141 outcomes) by tracking VA patients for 6 months from their most recently calculated HFPSI, rather than using an arbitrary start date for the cohort. The HFPSI model included blood urea nitrogen, B-type natriuretic peptide, New York Heart Association class, diabetes status, history of atrial fibrillation/flutter, and all-cause hospitalization within the prior 1 and 2 to 6 months. The concordance c statistics in the UM/VA/VA-RT cohorts were 0.71/0.68/0.74. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing demonstrated excellent risk stratification, particularly between a large, low-risk group (40% of patients, 6-month event rates in the UM/VA/VA-RT cohorts 8%/12%/12%) and a small, high-risk group (10% of patients, 6-month event rates in the UM/VA/VA-RT cohorts 57%/58%/79%). Conclusions The HFPSI uses readily available data to predict the 6-month risk of death and/or all-cause medical hospitalization in HF clinic outpatients and could potentially help allocate specialized HF resources within health systems.
South Pacific tourism promotion.

Abstract The Tourism Council of the South Pacific (TCSP) has been set up to foster regional cooperation in tourism development and to adopt a regional approach to the promotion of an area which receives a negligible share of international tourism. By pooling resources the TCSP member countries will be able to promote their unique image worldwide, and even Fiji, the area market leader, stands to gain. Australia and New Zealand have always been the main tourist-generating markets for the South Pacific island region but their low population density means that TCSP must target North America, Western Europe and Japan if they are to improve their tourism industry significantly over the long term.
Imaging modes with an annular detector in STEM

Abstract An alternative to the use of electron holography as a means for enhancing bright-field image resolution in STEM is given by the use of a thin annular detector which intercepts the outer edge of the central beam spot and gives an image resolution 1.7 times better than that of normal bright-field STEM imaging with an axial detector. This has been confirmed experimentally for the case of a small limiting objective aperture. High-resolution images have also been obtained in the “marginal imaging” mode with the central beam spot just inside the annular aperture so that the image contrast approximates to the square of the differential of the projected potential distribution.
Double elongations of partially cleft palates and elongations of palates with complete clefts

A METHOD of elongating partially cleft palates was described in 1936,* the principle of which is that practically the entire soft tissue of the palate is freed from the bone, the major palatine arteries are loosened but not cut, and the entire mass of tissue is immediately set back-as a direct flap with preservation of its arterial supply-so that the anterior part, from just behind the incisors, is anchored all the way back at the posterior border of the bone. A gain in length is thus obtained equal to about as much as the expanse of denuded bone, the object being to have the longest possible functioning palate, to assist in nasopharyngeal closure in speaking and eating. Some of the original illustrations of the procedure in Figs. 1 to 4 show the complete freeing of the tissues from the bone, the preservation of the arteries and the anchoring of the palate to a little bridge of nasal mucosa that has been left behind for this purpose. The closure of the cleft itself is done usually at the same operation-as a preliminary step-in children, but may be done as a separate operation. In adults two stages are advisable because of excessive bleeding. The sequence of the elongation and the closure does not have to follow a definite rule; therefore, a field is opened for older children and even adults, who have had clefts closed many years before, to have their palates elongated in an effort to obtain better speech. Observations made or emphasized since the original publication may be summarized, as follows : 1. It is still thought that the direct flap, elevated and immediately set back, so that the least possible thickening will take place, is superior to the delayed flap method of elongation. 2. Preservation of the major palatine arteries (often called the posterior) is possible in nearly all patients, and freeing is effected by careful loosening of all tissue around the artery, gently stretching it from the foramen and, if necessary, carefully cutting it away from the palate flap. These methods have seemed better than trying to dislodge the artery from its bony canal by trying to remove the posterior wall of the canal. The palate may be gotten so free by this dissection plus complete separation of the aponeurosis from the bone that it may be easily “set-back,” practically against the posterior pharyngeal wall in most instances. This finding is in contradistinction to that of others who think that preservation of the arteries prevents elongation. This may seem somewhat of an equivocal point but it makes possible closure and elongation in a single stage, and it may give a less scarred and
An analysis of heat removal during cryogen spray cooling and effects of simultaneous airflow application

Background and Objective: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is a method used to protect the epidermis from non-specific thermal injury that may occur as a result of various dermatological laser procedures. However, better understanding of cryogen deposition and skin thermal response to CSC is needed to optimize the technique. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Temperature measurements and video imaging were carried out on an epoxy phantom as well as human skin during CSC with and without simultaneous application of airflow which was intended to accelerate cryogen evaporation from the substrate surface. An inverse thermal conduction model was used to estimate heat flux and total heat removed. Results: Lifetime of the cryogen film deposited on the surface of skin and epoxy phantom lasted several hundred milliseconds beyond the spurt, but could be reduced to the spurt duration by application of airflow. Values over 100 J/cm 3 were estimated for volumetric heat removed from the epidermis using CSC. Conclusions: ‘‘Film cooling’’ instead of ‘‘evaporative cooling’’ appears to be the dominant mode of CSC on skin. Estimated values of heat removed from the epidermis suggest that a cryogen spurt as long as 200 milliseconds is required to counteract heat generated by high laser fluences (e.g., in treatment of port wine stains) in patients with high concentration of epidermal melanin. Additional cooling beyond spurt termination can be avoided by simultaneous application of airflow, although it is unclear at the moment if avoiding the additional cooling would be beneficial in the actual clinical situation. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:477‐486, 2001. fl 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gene expression and gene therapy in experimental duodenal ulceration.

Gastroduodenal ulceration is still poorly understood and changes in gene expression may provide new mechanistic insights. Previously, we demonstrated that angiogenic growth factors are potent ulcer healing agents, and the synthesis of bFGF, PDGF and VEGF is enhanced early in duodenal ulcer healing. The initial molecular event in duodenal ulceration seems to be the organ-specific early release of ET-1 in the pre-ulcerogenic stages after the administration of duodenal ulcerogen cysteamine in rats. We also briefly review here data from literature indicating a central role of ET-1 in gastroduodenal ulceration. After studying the involvement of immediate early genes (e.g. egr-1, Sp1) in ulcer development, we now investigated expression of other genes in the duodenal mucosa in the early stages of chemically induced duodenal ulceration in rats. Following a brief review of principles of gene expression and gene therapy, we review our preliminary gene expression studies, involving monitoring about 1200 genes which revealed about 160 signals and prominent changes in about 30 genes in the early stages of experimental duodenal ulceration. Cysteamine enhanced ET-B receptor gene expression in 30 min, while transcription factors (MAX, STAT 3) showed increased expression in 12 h. We recently also initiated gene therapy studies to enhance the local synthesis of PDGF and VEGF to accelerate duodenal ulcer healing, using a single dose of naked DNA (ND) or adenoviral (AV) vectors of VEGF and PDGF in rats with cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. Gene therapy with ND or AV of VEGF or PDGF significantly accelerated chronic duodenal ulcer healing, and increased levels of VEGF and PDGF were detected by Western blotting and ELISA in duodenal mucosa after both VEGF and PDGF gene therapy. Thus, gene expression studies provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of duodenal ulceration and VEGF or PDGF gene therapy seems to be a new option to achieve a rapid ulcer healing.
Postamenorrheic versus postpartum strategies of contraception.

The postpartum strategy of inserting an intra-uterine device shortly after a birth essentially eliminates the risk of conceiving again before starting contraception but maximizes the overlap between wearing time and postpartum anovulation when protection is not needed. In contrast, the postamenorrheic strategy of delaying insertion until right after the woman’s first menses all but removes overlap with anovulation but allows a chance of conception before start of contraception because sometimes an ovulation precedes the first menstruation.
Financial accountability: a missing link in university financial reporting systems

There has been a public outcry in recent years for better accountability of resources consumed for higher education. Legislators in various states have responded with performance criteria and mandates for accountability. It is hoped that through such measures, universities will become better custodians of public funds leading to better and more efficient utilization of limited resources. The criteria developed is diverse and touches upon a variety of issues. However, their effectiveness in providing change is not yet tested. Through an in‐depth review of the university accounting system, we propose here that the missing link is financial accountability in the traditional responsibility accounting/managerial accounting approach for assessing performance and seeking improvement.
The Effects of Arterial and Pulmonary Shunts on the Dynamics of Aortic Coarctation

This communication deals with the manner in which collateral arterial channels and a persistent ductus arteriosus affect the dynamics of an uncomplicated aortic coarctation which was studied experimentally by means of artificial shunts and registration of pressure pulses. The conclusion is reached that effective collaterals or a surgical subclavian-aortic shunt can be effective dynamically in reducing hypertension and left ventricular strain and in providing an adequate flow through tissues despite the fact that the femoral pressure pulse does not revert to a normal form. The presence of an aortic-pulmonary shunt affects aortic pressure both through reduction in aortic resistance and augmentation of systolic discharge until very severe degrees of coarctation exist. The right ventricle of the normal heart can function as a systemic ventricle only when the aorta is almost completely occluded.
Surface Modification of Conventional Polymers by Depositing Plasma Polymers of Trimethylsilane and of Trimethylsilane + O2: I. Static Wetting Properties

Abstract The static wetting properties of TMS (trimethylsilane) and TMS + O2plasma deposited films on eleven low energy conventional polymers were investigated using the sessile droplet method. The static advancing contact angle is an excellent indication of the change in surface state properties from plasma surface modification. However, traditional contact angle measuring techniques possess a methodological limitation, which can leave a water droplet on the substrate surface for up to 3 min before a measurement is obtained. The static “advancing” contact angles of different size water droplets on teflon and nylon surfaces were observed to change significantly in 2 min while equilibrating with the surface and surroundings. A new quick image-capturing device enables static contact angle measurement 2 to 4 s after contact with the substrate. This technique virtually eliminates the time dependent effects of evaporation and surface state change, which are believed to be responsible for the change in static advancing contact angles. Furthermore, static contact angles independent of droplet volume and contact time may be taken as a surface characteristic property, which is denoted as the intrinsic static contact angle, θS. The static “advancing” contact angle, measured in this fashion, indicated that the wetting properties of TMS and TMS + O2plasma polymer deposition on 10 conventional polymers were modified virtually independent of the underlying substrate. The average advancing contact angles on TMS and TMS + O2modified polymers are θS= 94 ± 2.2 (cos θS= −0.0645) and θS= 32 ± 6.9 (cos θS= 0.8452), respectively.
Thermodynamic polydispersity and the Flory exponent.

An investigation of configurational properties of the thermodynamic ensemble of linear polymers during equilibrium polymerization is initiated. Our Monte Carlo calculation performed on a square lattice using the Jari\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{}-Bennemann model indicates a nonuniversal temperature- and stiffness-dependent asymptotic power-law behavior of the average square radius of gyration for polymers of a given weight S, R\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} $^{2}$(S,T)\ensuremath{\approxeq}A(T)${\mathrm{S}}^{\ensuremath{\nu}(\mathrm{T})}$. In the limit of zero temperature, the average polymer weight and the average square radius of gyration diverge as R\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} $^{2}\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}$ $^{\ensuremath{\nu}}$, where the exponent \ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\approxeq}\ensuremath{\nu}(0) depends on stiffness and differs from the Flory and Gaussian values.
The Safety of Bacillus thuringiensis for Human Consumption

Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) provides one of the most prominent biologically based pesticides. Bt affords a high degree of safety to the environment, non-target organisms and humans in combination with its effectiveness in controlling numerous insect pests. These features fill a pressing need to produce food and fiber for a growing population without eroding environment and health. Extensive safety testing and a history of human exposure without adverse effects have proven Bt to be one of the most important reduced risk pesticides. Not only is Bt effective against targeted pests, but it is safe enough to humans to be exempted from many of the precautions that apply to conventional synthetic chemical pesticides.
Abstract 1347: The role of cell-cell contacts in the survival of extracellular matrix detached mammary epithelial cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Normal epithelial cells require attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) in order to survive. When detached from the ECM, normal cells will undergo apoptosis through a process known as anoikis. The ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase is well known to antagonize anoikis although the precise molecular mechanisms are not entirely known. Interestingly, we have discovered that the overexpression of ErbB2 in non-malignant mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) results in substantial aggregation of cells that coincides with protection from anoikis. Therefore, we were interested in understanding if these aggregates could be involved in the evasion of anoikis induction. We found that the disruption of cell-cell contacts in ErbB2-overexpressing MCF-10A cells (using methylcellulose or by antagonizing the formation of adherens junctions) induces caspase activation. Furthermore, in cells that form large aggregates, ErbB2 can physically interact with E-cadherin and EGFR in a fashion that prevents the internalization of EGFR and ultimately its lysosome mediated degradation. The disruption of aggregation causes the ErbB2/EGFR/E-Cadherin complex to fall apart and subsequently results in EGFR degradation in the lysosome. This degradation of EGFR diminishes signaling through the MAPK pathway which prevents the induction of anoikis. In summary, these data suggest that oncogenic signaling through ErbB2 promotes the formation of cellular aggregates that function to prevent EGFR from degradation and subsequently to block the induction of anoikis. Citation Format: Raju Rayavarapu, Nicholas Pagani, Brendan Heiden, Zachary T. Schafer. The role of cell-cell contacts in the survival of extracellular matrix detached mammary epithelial cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1347. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1347
Accelerated Stability Studies of Microencapsulated Anhydrous Milk Fat

Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate the physical and oxidative stability of encapsulated milkfat. A model system similar to non-dairy creamer was used with anhydrous milkfat instead of tropical oils. Spray dried emulsions were maintained at 25 °C and 43.7±2.6% relative humidity with and without UV acceleration. Surface and encapsulated fats were analysed for peroxide value, 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acid contents, and head space hexanal. Oil droplet size distribution and powder morphology were monitored. The surface fat in both control and UV exposed powder decreased in the first 24 h and remained constant thereafter. The encapsulated fat showed a slower weight reduction in the UV-treated samples, perhaps due to oxidation-induced polymerization which reduces lipid extractability. The surface fat in the UV-exposed powders oxidized far more rapidly than that in the encapsulated fat. Despite the large differences in oxidation between the control and the UV-exposed powders, no discernable change was observed in their physical properties. Either no physical change occurred because of hindered molecular mobility or, physical changes did occur but were not detected by the methodology used. Work is continuing to investigate this phenomenon.
Pharmacogenetics and development: are infants and children at increased risk for adverse outcomes?

Over the past two decades, pharmacokinetic data have clearly demonstrated that development can markedly influence the absorption, distribution, excretion, and -metabolism of xenobiotics. With respect to many of the processes that govern drug metabolism, the underlying pharmacogenetic determinants that may control either the affinity or the capacity of a drug or toxicant substrate for the enzymes responsible for its biotransformation appear to be altered as a function of development by mechanisms that are, for the most part, not well defined. Nonetheless, for many xenobiotics, the pharmacogenetic-developmental interface produces a “pattern” for drug metabolism that, when characterized, supports the pharmacokinetic properties (eg, drug clearance) reported for many agents across the pediatric age spectrum. With the exception of a few relatively well-characterized adverse drug effects (eg, toxicity of 6-mercaptopurine in patients with absent thiopurine methyltransferase activity, increased incidence of hepatotoxicity to valproic acid in young infants), the relationship of development and pharmacogenetics to enhanced toxicity risk from xenobiotic exposure is poorly defined. However, failure to adequately appreciate the pharmacokinetic consequences of the pharmacogenetic-developmental interface and to individualize therapy accordingly may lead to a clinically significant risk of drug therapy, namely, over- or underdosing.