cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Correction of Scoliosis in Children with Severe Congenital Heart Disease and Palliated Single Ventricle Physiology.

Study design Case series. Objective In this study we focus on this group, and describe the largest cohort to date of single ventricle patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis at a single institution. Summary of background data Outcomes of spinal surgery for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) have evolved and most affected patients have uncomplicated procedures. The risk of perioperative complications remains highest in patients with single ventricle ("Fontan") physiology. Methods We reviewed patients with single ventricle CHD and operative scoliosis repair over a 25-year span. Patients who had undergone a Fontan, bidirectional Glenn, and/or Kawashima procedure before operative scoliosis repair were included. Patients were excluded if they lacked preoperative cardiac care and/or sufficient medical history at our institution. Results Twenty-three patients were included. The average age at surgery was 13.6 years (range, 5-23). Seventy percent of the cohort was female (16/23). The majority of patients underwent a Fontan before scoliosis surgery (20/23, 87%). Patients without intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) had a 67% complication rate (8/12) versus 36% (4/11) in those with intraoperative TXA (P = 0.29). There was a significant difference in estimated blood loss by weight (cc/kg) between non-TXA and TXA patients (P = 0.016). Twelve patients experienced complications (52%), all of which occurred postoperatively. There were no deaths, cerebrovascular events, adverse perioperative cardiac or hemodynamic complications, or wound infections. Using the Clavien-Dindo-Sink classification for postoperative complications, four patients had serious adverse events, including one permanent neurologic deficit. Conclusion Spinal surgery for scoliosis has been performed in selected patients with single ventricle physiology at a single institution without mortality for 25 years. Operative blood loss may be reduced by routine use of TXA. Complications occur most commonly in the postoperative period, and can include pleural effusion.Level of Evidence: 4.
The Tapered Wall Gyrotron Traveling-Wave Amplifier

Gyrotron traveling-wave amplifiers using tapered waveguide circuits are being investigated as a method of obtaining very wide bandwidths at millimeter-wave frequencies. The axial magnetic field is profiled to maintain synchronism. A first experiment using a 70kV, 1 A annular electron beam operating in the TE 01 circular-electric mode produced a 13% small signal bandwidth with 18 dB midband gain at 35GHz. A new experiment is being planned which will operated in the TE0 11 mode with a goal of achieving a two-to-three factor of bandwidth improvement over the first experiment.
Association Between Black Race, Clinical Severity, and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Existing evidence indicates Black patients have higher incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and PE‐related mortality compared with other races/ethnicities, yet disparities in presenting ...
Jus ad Bellum and the War on Terror

In the modern era Presidents of the United States have claimed an imperial authority to use force justified by the war on terror. Such a claim violates the United States Constitution the standards of Jus ad Bellum and is harmful to the American Republic. A return to Jus ad Bellum will both uphold the rule of law, protect the American Republic, and will aid in developing a more pragmatic and effective national security and foreign policy for the United States.
Poor Families in America's Health Care Crisis: The Tattered Health Care Safety Net for Poor Americans

When we met Claudia, a Latina in her late twenties, she was pregnant with her fifth child and had recently separated from her partner. Like so many of the mothers we interviewed, Claudia was engaged in a nearly constant struggle with the welfare bureaucracy over her family's health coverage. The task was made more difficult by the fact that each of her four boys had to qualify for various social services, including Medicaid, separately and because of their different ages according to different criteria. The fact that family coverage was not available to them presented Claudia, as well as the other families we studied, with a wide range of difficulties. Obviously frustrated, Claudia told us about the problems she encountered in trying to comply with the paperwork requirements for Medicaid and other social welfare programs. Despite her best efforts, often one or another of her children was without health coverage. As she explained, When I was pregnant, the clinic told me about the Medicaid. So automatically, when I went for the Medicaid, they told me did I need assistance with money for his diapers and stuff, so I went ahead and applied for it. … They had me going crazy, they ask for so many things. … They want a letter from a neighbor or friend stating who lives in your house, and then they want your proof of income, and they want [to know] how many kids are living in your house, and say somebody comes to stay with you, they want to know who comes to stay with you. They're nosy! They're very nosy, things that it doesn't even make sense why they want to know it, but they want to know it.
Contending Theories of Public Goods Provision: Evidence from Peru

By ignoring the possibility that many ostensibly “public” goods such as education and public health services can be provided excludably - that is, as club/toll or private goods - comparative scholarship has underestimated the importance of clientelism and particularism as a source of government services. Here, I argue that much government service provision in Peru is a result of the particularistic exchange of political support (by voters) for tangible government services (by elected politicians). Peruvian local governments, because of an unusual institutional structure, is a critical case for the study of particularism. Therefore, I test a newly developed theory of particularism and government service provision against existing theory of public goods provision using quantitative data from approximately 1600 Peruvian municipal governments and qualitative observations from about one year in the field. I find that particularism explains substantial variation unexplained by existing theory.
Differential regulation of CD8 T cell responses by surface and endosomal TLRs (INC6P.347)

Sensing of pathogen/pathogen derived products through Toll like receptors (TLRs) induces dendritic cell (DC) maturation characterized by the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These two signals play a critical role in activation and differentiation of CD4 T cells. However, since the role of TLRs in the regulation of CD8 T cell responses is not clear we sought to address their role in this process. Our results show that although most TLRs induce the CD8 T cell proliferation in-vitro, there are significant differences in the CD8 T cell priming in-vivo to pathogenic infections. Endosomal TLRs (TLR3 and TLR9) that sense nucleic acids show a remarkable ability to induce CD8 T cell responses. However, surface TLRs (TLR2 and TLR4) that sense bacterial ligands were incapable of inducing CD8 T cell responses. Moreover, surface TLRs dominantly suppress the CD8 T cell activation induced by endosomal TLRs. Cell migration experiments show that surface TLR activation skewed lymphoid (CD11c+, CD8+) to myeloid (CD11c+, CD11b+ CD8-) DC populations in the draining lymph nodes. We also found that DC intrinsic TLR2 and TLR4, acting in a MyD88-dependent manner, altered the ability of DCs to prime CD8 T cells. In summary, our results demonstrate that bacterial co-infection dampens the ability of DCs to induce efficient anti-viral CD8 T cell responses.
Down the Rabbit Hole: A Commentary about Research on Parents and Special Education.

This article examines what we know about the experience of parents in the special education system—in particular, parents of children with learning disabilities since the passage of PL-94-142. Toward this end, I offer a review of special education literature about parent and professional collaboration, a rationale for relying upon a plurality of methodological frameworks in conducting research with parents of children with LD, and a challenge to the profession to raise and respond to ethical questions about our naturalized practices in alliance with parents.
Oxytocin knockout mice: a model for studying stress-related and ingestive behaviours

Oxytocin (OXT) that is released centrally is believed to be anxiolytic and have stress-attenuating effects. Oxytocin knockout (OXTKO) mice, a genetic model of OXT deficiency, have heightened corticosterone release after acute stress and greater anxiety-related behaviour in an elevated plus maze compared to wild-type (WT) mice. In the present set of experiments, we recorded the rise in body temperature, referred to as stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH), following transfer to a metabolic cage, which triggers both anxiety and corticosterone release in mice. SIH is a marker of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system. Because corticosterone release after acute stress is typically greater in OXTKO than in WT mice, we measured SIH as a surrogate marker of corticosterone release. Following transfer to a metabolic cage, both OXTKO and WT mice increased body temperature, but to the same degree. Pregnant mice, which are known to have blunted corticosterone release to acute stress, had attenuated SIH after transfer to a metabolic cage compared to cycling mice, but both genotypes manifested the same degree of attenuation. In addition, we tested the effects of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) antagonist/inverse agonist (AM251) upon feeding and SIH in OXTKO versus WT mice. CBR1 antagonists are known to diminish food intake and to enhance corticosterone both basally and following acute stress. Although AM251 blunted food intake, the effect was equivalent in both genotypes. The agent did not affect the SIH response compared to mice treated with vehicle. SIH is excellent for defining anxiolytic or blunted corticosterone responses (such as the stress hyporesponsiveness of pregnancy), but is limited in its ability to detect the heightened corticosterone responses that have been reported in OXTKO mice following exposure to psychogenic stress.
Towards a Graph‐Theoretic Characterization of Popescu‐Rohrlich Box Simulation Strategies

The propensity for certain quantum system to consistently violate Bell inequalities—dubbed quantum nonlocality—has recently been found to be an information theoretic resource in quantum communication that is distinct from entanglement. Accordingly, a useful measurement of “how much” of this resource is present in a given system is needed. One candidate, the PR‐box (sometimes called a nonlocal machine), has been suggested as a possible benchmark, but one of the difficulties in using it has been to determine exactly what kinds of quantum systems are simulable by it. The present work is a first step towards a graph‐theoretic understanding of PR‐boxes that may prove useful in this endeavor.
Action of morphine in obstetric analgesia

Abstract 1. 1. Increased incidence of stillbirths following the administration of morphine during labor in rabbits is due to the effect upon the mechanism of labor chiefly, rather than to a direct effect upon the fetus. 2. 2. Fetal mortality in the birth of 890 fetuses obtained from 137 litters was as follows: (1) normal controls, 12 per cent; (2) after morphine 13 mg. per kg. at thirty-one days, i.e., the onset of labor, 57 per cent; after morphine 13 mg, per kg. at twenty-six days, i.e., before the onset of labor, 12 per cent; after morphine 1 mg. per kg., i.e., an analgesic dose, at thirty-one days, 23 per cent. 3. 3. Stillbirths were not uniformly distributed but involved chiefly certain litters as follows: (1) normal controls 12 per cent of the litters; (2) after morphine, 13 mg. per kg., at thirty-one days, 59 per cent; after morphine, 13 mg. per kg., at twenty-six days, 10 per cent; after morphine, 1 mg. per kg., at thirty-one days, 20 per cent of the litters. Similarly, marked prolongation of labor was noted in certain litters, the incidence being, respectively: (1) 10 per cent, (2) 41 per cent, (3) none, and (4) 16 per cent. 4. 4. Prior to the onset of labor, the fetuses were alive and survived despite administration of morphine to the maternal animal in large dosage (13 mg. per kg.), as shown in the following experiments: 4.1. a. By direct observation of intrauterine respiratory movements during a period of two hours or longer, it was found that rhythmical breathing of the fetuses was depressed but not abolished. 4.2. b. By hysterotomy, in contrast to expulsion through the birth canal, fetuses were regularly delivered alive at intervals of twelve minutes to fifteen hours following injection. 4.3. c. By measurement of the time of survival of fetuses when breathing nitrogen instead of air, it was found that following morphine the resistance to anoxia was not decreased. 5. 5. In considering the clinical use of morphine in obstetric analgesia, it is of interest to note that under controlled experimental conditions morphine definitely increased fetal mortality by injury of the mechanism of labor and, following a dosage within the range employed therapeutically, the frequency of labor with unfavorable outcome was doubled. Since prognosis regarding the functional efficiency of the labor mechanism depends upon direct observation during labor, it is clear that there is reason to limit administration of morphine until evidence of normal function is obtained.
Structural basis for the activation of 20S proteasomes by 11S regulators

Most of the non-lysosomal proteolysis that occurs in eukaryotic cells is performed by a nonspecific and abundant barrel-shaped complex called the 20S proteasome. Substrates access the active sites, which are sequestered in an internal chamber, by traversing a narrow opening (alpha-annulus) that is blocked in the unliganded 20S proteasome by amino-terminal sequences of alpha-subunits. Peptide products probably exit the 20S proteasome through the same opening. 11S regulators (also called PA26 (ref. 4), PA28 (ref. 5) and REG) are heptamers that stimulate 20S proteasome peptidase activity in vitro and may facilitate product release in vivo. Here we report the co-crystal structure of yeast 20S proteasome with the 11S regulator from Trypanosoma brucei (PA26). PA26 carboxy-terminal tails provide binding affinity by inserting into pockets on the 20S proteasome, and PA26 activation loops induce conformational changes in alpha-subunits that open the gate separating the proteasome interior from the intracellular environment. The reduction in processivity expected for an open conformation of the exit gate may explain the role of 11S regulators in the production of ligands for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.
A first-principles study of the effect of Ta on the superlattice intrinsic stacking fault energy of L12-Co3(Al,W)

Abstract New Co-based alloys containing a L12 reinforcement phase display exceptional high-temperature properties. Early research has shown that the quaternary alloy Co-8.8Al-9.8W-2Ta (at.%) has a high-temperature strength comparable to single-crystal Ni-based superalloys above 1200 K. Associated with high strength is an unusual high density of intrinsic stacking faults within the γ′ precipitates. In this work, Density Functional Theory, the Axial Next Nearest Neighbor Ising model and Special Quasi-random Structures have been used to calculate the stacking fault energy of L12-Co3(Al,W) and the effect of small Ta additions on the stacking fault energy. The model predicts a superlattice intrinsic stacking fault energy of 90–93 mJ/m2, which increases up to 30% when one Ta atom is substituted on the Al/W sub-lattice. This effect can be explained by considering d-band effects resulting from the addition of Ta.
Distribution of 3H‐GABA uptake sites in the nematode Ascaris

The distribution of uptake sites for the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the nematode Ascaris suum was examined by autoradiography of 3H-GABA uptake. Single neural processes in both the ventral and dorsal nerve cords were labeled with 3H-GABA. Serial section analysis identified the cells of origin of these processes as the RMEV-like and RMED-like neurons. These cells belong to a set of four neurons in the nerve ring, all of which are labeled by 3H-GABA. 3H-GABA labeling of at least two other sets of cephalic neurons was seen. One of these pairs consists of medium-sized lateral ganglia neurons, located at the level of the amphid commissure bundle. A second pair is located in the lateral ganglia at the level of the deirid commissure bundle. The position and size of these lateral ganglia cells suggest that they are the GABA-immunoreactive lateral ganglia cells frequently seen in whole-mount immunocytochemical preparations (Guastella et al., J Comp Neurol 307:584-597, 1991). Four neuronal cell bodies located in the retrovesicular ganglion were also labeled with 3H-GABA. These cells, which are probably cholinergic excitatory motor neurons, do not contain detectable GABA-like immunoreactivity. Heavy labeling of muscle cells was also observed. The ventral and dorsal nerve cord inhibitory motor neurons, which are known to contain GABA-like immunoreactivity, were not labeled above background with 3H-GABA. Together with the experiments reported previously (Guastella et al., J Comp Neurol 307:584-597, 1991), these results define three classes of GABA-associated neurons in Ascaris: 1) neurons that contain endogenous GABA and possess a GABA uptake system; 2) neurons that contain endogenous GABA, but that either lack a GABA uptake system or possess a GABA uptake system of low activity; 3) neurons that possess a GABA uptake system, but that lack endogenous GABA.
Two-Dimensional Radiative Equilibrium: A Simple Nongray Problem

B. Linearly Tapered Plate A simply supported square plate with linearly varying thickness in the x direction as shown in Fig. 1 was considered. The thickness of such a plate can be functionally represented as in Eq. (18). The approximate frequency for this particular plate with variable thickness was calculated from Eq. (16) and a similar equation representing a second-order correction. The frequency change for various values of taper ratio, a, is shown in Table 1 and compared with the frequency determined from Ref. 3. The fundamental mode shape as determined from Eq. (17) is shown in Fig. 2 and compared to the mode shape obtained from Ref. 3. The mode shape as determined from Eq. (17) is
Lactation Studies. VII. Heritability of Percentage of Complementary Milk

Abstract It was established that percentage of complementary milk was not significantly correlated with stage of lactation ( r = −0.05). Five determinations of complementary milk removed all but 23% of error variance and these observations were used to estimate heritability of percentage of complementary milk. A herd of 81 milking cattle representing 29 sires with more than one daughter was used to obtain five weekly observations on the amount of complementary milk removed with exogenous injections of oxytocin. Heritability of this measurement was estimated from correlation among half-sibs. The heritability estimate was 34±53%. The estimate of repeatability for observations of percentage of complementary milk was 0.77.
The problematic case of ( S )-methylthiirane: electronic circular dichroism spectra and optical rotatory dispersion

Coupled cluster and density-functional theory calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) of (S)-methyloxirane and (S)-methylthiirane have been carried out for comparison to gas-phase experimental data. Coupled cluster simulations of the ECD spectra of both molecules are in excellent agreement with experiment, both for the positions of the transitions and for the signs and magnitudes of the rotational strengths. Density-functional theory yields the correct structure of the ECD spectra, but the transition energies are shifted to lower energies by up to 0.3 eV. Density-functional ORD curves of (S)-methylthiirane exhibit incorrect dispersion due to an early onset of the Cotton pole. The coupled cluster ORD curves of (S)-methylthiirane give the correct sign of the rotations, but overestimate their magnitude by up to 50% at shorter wavelengths. Although temperature-dependent harmonic vibrational corrections improve the comparison between coupled-cluster...
E-Rosette Formation, Total T-Cells, and Lymphocyte Transformation in Infants Receiving Intravenous Safflower Oil Emulsion

There has been much concern about impaired immune function in children receiving infused lipid emulsions. Immunologic studies were carried out on 15 infants maintained on parenteral nutrition with intravenous safflower oil emulsion as part of the infusate. Significant increases in percentage rosette formation, total circulating T-cells, and mitogenesis to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen were demonstrated after only 1 wk of lipid infusion. Additional parenteral nutrition did not further increase any immunologic parameter. These results suggest that infused safflower oil emulsion does not adversely alter cellular immune function. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition7:541-545, 1983)
Retinal detachment with an unusual shape.

Retinal detachment is a relatively uncommon and largely preventable cause of vision loss. Risk factors for retinal detachment include advanced age, previous cataract surgery, high myopia, trauma, and diabetes, as well as intraocular inflammatory diseases and neoplasms (1). A 62-year-old woman presented with a 6-week history of blurred vision in her left eye. Fundus examination of the left eye revealed a sub-total retinal detachment of unclear cause. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbits showed an unusual appearance of retinal detachment, resulting in a star-shaped vitreous body, as evident on this T1-weighted image (Picture 1); there was no evidence of neoplasm or inflammation (2, 3). Although the patient underwent surgery, her vision remained restricted to lights and shadows.
Multiple Timescales and Modeling of Dynamic Bounce Phenomena in RF MEMS Switches

Electrostatically operated RF-MEMS switches are known to suffer from discrete switch bounce events during switch closure that increase wear and tear and lead to increased switching times. Here, we use laser Doppler vibrometer to analyze the switch response of three types of cantilevered dc-contact switches at a 200 ns time resolution. We find that bounce events are multiple time scale events with distinct motion occurring at 10-1 and 101 s timescales in effect high frequency bounces within a bounce. To understand the origin of this effect, we develop a multiple eigenmode model of a cantilever switch with electrostatics, repulsive and adhesive contact forces, and rarefied gas damping and find that the high frequency bounce arises from the transient excitation of the 2nd eigenmode of the cantilever structure of the RF-MEMS switch. This phenomenon not only describes the multiple time scales involved in bounce events, but also shows that the transient excitation of the second mode leads to complex drum roll like dynamics, leading to a series of closely spaced impacts in each actuation cycle. A careful study of the dependence of the phenomenon on contact stiffness and adhesion shows how the landing pad stiffness, adhesion, and actuation voltage in dc contact switches can increase or diminish repeated impacts during actuation.
The astrophysical interest of EUV observations of extra-solar objects

The feasibility of observation of EUV sources is assessed. Many stars have been detected in the EUV range (λλ 100–1000); line fluxes from others can be predicted. Selected astrophysical problems are reviewed that can benefit from EUV spectroscopy. Included among them are the physics and dynamics of stellar coronae, confirmation of nuclear surface burning on cataclysmic variables, evolutionary properties of white dwarfs, the helium abundance in the interstellar medium, and spectroscopic signatures of neutrino oscillations.
Superfluids in confined geometries : fourth sound and other modes

The hydrodynamics of superfluids in confined geometries (capillaries, porous media, etc.) is investigated theoretically. Hydrodynamic equations are derived. The mode structure is calculated, i.e., explicit expressions for the dispersion relationsq=q(ω) are given. Experimental applications for4He-II and superfluid3He are discussed.
Effect of morphine and flunixin meglumine on isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration in goats

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of morphine and flunixin meglumine on isoflurane (ISO) minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in goats. Study design Prospective, randomized experimental study. Animals Five adult, wether goats from 1 to 3 years in age, and weighing 24–65 kg. Methods Anesthesia was induced using ISO, which was delivered via a mask. Goats were intubated and ventilated to maintain an end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration between 25 and 30 mm Hg (3.3–4 kPa). End-tidal ISO concentration was measured using an infrared analyzer. The baseline ISO MAC that prevented purposeful movement in response to clamping a claw was determined. Following baseline MAC determination, each goat received one of the following four treatments intravenously (IV): morphine (2 mg kg −1 ), flunixin (1.5 mg kg −1 ), flunixin (1.5 mg kg −1 ) plus morphine (2 mg kg −1 ) or saline, and the MAC was re-determined. Goats were studied at weekly intervals, and each goat received each treatment in a randomized fashion. Results The baseline ISO MAC for the control treatment was 1.43%. Morphine reduced the MAC by 29.7%. Flunixin did not significantly decrease the MAC nor did it potentiate the effect of morphine on MAC. The quality of recovery was good in all cases. Conclusions Morphine (2 mg kg −1 , IV) significantly reduced the ISO MAC in goats and did not adversely affect the quality of recovery. Clinical relevance The use of morphine, at the dose studied, in association with ISO anesthesia, will allow a clinically significant reduction in the concentration of ISO required to maintain general anesthesia in goats.
Prognostic factors in stage D2 prostate cancer treated with a pure nonsteroidal antiandrogen

Background. Prognostic factors have been shown to be important when stratifying patients with prostate cancer into randomized trials and counseling the individual patient regarding his chances of response to treatment. However, there are no reports on prognostic factors in patients with Stage D2 prostate cancer treated with a pure antiandrogen as monotherapy. Methods. The authors studied a variety of possible prognostic factors among 150 patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with an antiandrogen (Casodex, Imperial Chemical Industries, Wilmington, DE). Results. In a univariate analysis, performance status; extent of disease (EOD); pretreatment hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) levels; and extent of disease (EOD) on bone scan all were found to be significant prognostic factors (P < 0.05). Pretreatment serum testosterone levels, identified as one of the most important prognostic factors, was not identified as significant in the current study. Conclusions. Although the pretreatment testosterone level was shown to be an important prognostic factor in previous studies, using other modes of androgen ablation (reducing testosterone to below castrate levels), the current study suggests it may not be a helpful factor if the therapy used is antiandrogens as monotherapy. This may relate to the different mode of action of antiandrogens, which do not reduce serum testosterone levels.
Shortwave radiative parameterization of large atmospheric aerosols: Dust and water clouds

A parameterization of the single scattering properties of an aerosol for a dust layer in the solar spectral region is presented. The parameterization scheme accounts for the microphysical changes of an aerosol layer and is applied to dust and water clouds. A scaling parameter is presented which describes, simply and effectively, the optical properties of an aerosol layer with a large effective size parameter.
Theoretical Investigation of Enolborane Addition to α-Heteroatom-Substituted Aldehydes. Relevance of the Cornforth and Polar Felkin−Anh Models for Asymmetric Induction

The addition of enolborane nucleophiles to chiral α-heteroatom-substituted aldehydes (CH3CH(X)CHO, X = F, Cl, OMe, SMe, NMe2, and PMe2) was investigated using density functional theory by means of B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations, with particular emphasis on determining the relevance of the polar Felkin−Anh and Cornforth models for asymmetric induction in these reactions. The relative energy of the polar Felkin−Anh and Cornforth transition-state structures is found to depend on the nature of the α-heteroatom substituent, with electronegative substituents (F, OMe, Cl) favoring Cornforth structures, while less electronegative substituents (PMe2, SMe, NMe2) favor polar Felkin−Anh structures. These transition-state preferences are correlated with the relative energy of the corresponding rotamer of the uncomplexed reactant aldehyde, indicating that the transition states are particularly sensitive to the conformation of the aldehyde. The proposed Nu → σ*C-X interaction that forms the basis of the polar Felkin−Anh mo...
Mechanisms of renal injury and progression of renal disease in congenital obstructive nephropathy.

Congenital obstructive nephropathy accounts for the greatest fraction of chronic kidney disease in children. Genetic and nongenetic factors responsible for the lesions are largely unidentified, and attention has been focused on minimizing obstructive renal injury and optimizing long-term outcomes. The cellular and molecular events responsible for obstructive injury to the developing kidney have been elucidated from animal models. These have revealed nephron loss through cellular phenotypic transition and cell death, leading to the formation of atubular glomeruli and tubular atrophy. Altered renal expression of growth factors and cytokines, including angiotensin, transforming growth factor-β, and adhesion molecules, modulate cell death by apoptosis or phenotypic transition of glomerular, tubular, and vascular cells. Mediators of cellular injury include hypoxia, ischemia, and reactive oxygen species, while fibroblasts undergo myofibroblast transformation with increased deposition of extracellular matrix. Progression of the lesions involves interstitial inflammation and interstitial fibrosis, both of which impair growth of the obstructed kidney and result in compensatory growth of the contralateral kidney. The long-term outcome depends on timing and severity of the obstruction and its relief, minimizing ongoing injury, and enhancing remodeling. Advances will depend on new biomarkers to evaluate the severity of obstruction, to determine therapy, and to follow the evolution of lesions.
Joint metal artifact reduction and material discrimination in x-ray CT using a learning-based graph-cut method

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is an effective nondestructive technology used for security applications. In CT, three-dimensional images of the interior of an object are generated based on its X-ray attenuation. Multi-energy CT can be used to enhance material discrimination. Currently, reliable identification and segmentation of objects from CT data is challenging due to the large range of materials which may appear in baggage and the presence of metal and high clutter. Conventionally reconstructed CT images suffer from metal induced streaks and artifacts which can lead to breaking of objects and inaccurate object labeling. We propose a novel learning-based framework for joint metal artifact reduction and direct object labeling from CT derived data. A material label image is directly estimated from measured effective attenuation images. We include data weighting to mitigate metal artifacts and incorporate an object boundary-field to reduce object splitting. The overall problem is posed as a graph optimization problem and solved using an efficient graphcut algorithm. We test the method on real data and show that it can produce accurate material labels in the presence of metal and clutter.
The specific binding of small molecule isoprenoids to rhoGDP dissociation inhibitor (rhoGDI).

Abstract The activities of small G-proteins are in part regulated by their interactions with GDI proteins. This binding is thought to be dependent on the C-terminal isoprenoid modification (geranylgeranyl or farnesyl) of these proteins. G-proteins are generally isoprenylated/methylated at their C-terminal cysteine residues. A quantitative fluorescence assay is reported here to evaluate the specificity of binding of rhoGDI. A rhodamine-labeled geranylgeranylated/methylated cysteine derivative is used to measure its binding to rhoGDI. Saturable binding in the low micromolar range is found with various geranylgeranylated/farnesylated analogues. Interestingly, the carboxymethylated derivatives bound significantly better than their free acid counterparts, suggesting that the state of methylation of the analogues is important for binding. The binding is also selective with respect to isoprenoid. Analogues containing hydrophobic modifications other than geranylgeranyl or farnesyl do not bind with significant affinities. These data demonstrate a substantial degree of specificity in the binding of isoprenoids to a protein important in signal transduction.
The Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's lumbar spine analysis form: a prospective study of patients with "spinal stenosis".

A form for accurate and reproducible record keeping was introduced into the orthopedic practice of one author at Rush-Presbyterian- St. Luke’s Medical Center (RPSLMC) in 1976 and has been used in the evaluation of each new patient with a lumbar spine problem since that time. In order to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of this form, a small subset of these patients (i.e., those with “spinal stenosis”) who had had decompressive surgical treatment were recalled, reexamined, and the form redone completely. The format of the form then was changed (without changing the content) in order to give a numeric score to the various clinical subcategories covered in the history and physical examination. Within the parameters studied, significant changes were found in both of the major categories of pain and objective physical findings. This suggested that patients with “spinal stenosis” obtained definite, measurable benefit from surgical decompression during the period of 1 - 3 years following their surgery.
Almost periodic solutions for delay-differential equations with infinite delays

One of the most widely methods for establishing the existence of almost periodic (a.p. for short) solutions of systems or ordinary differential equations is based on a general result due to Amerio [ 1 J, a generalization of an earlier result for linear a.p. systems due to Favard. In essence, this basic method consists of showing that if a solution is in a compact set in the statespace for all t and has a certain separation property with respect to other such solutions, then if this same property holds for all systems in the socalled hull of the given system, this solution will be a.p. This result in fact relates to a necessary as well as sufficient stability condition for a fairly general dynamical system to have an a.p. solution; cf. [2, Chap. 51. In fact Miller [3] used the idea of embedding the a.p. system in a more general dynamical system and was thus able to obtain a local stability condition for the existence of a.p. solutions without using the separation conditions due to Favard and Amerio. Most stability conditions for the existence of a.p. solutions known prior to Miller’s result were in terms of global stability conditions. For a fairly complete and comprehensive discussion of a.p. solutions for a.p. systems, the books by Fink [4] and Yoshizawa [5] are recommended. For a more general discussion of the idea of embedding a.p. systems in dynamical systems, cf. Sell [6]. For ordinary differential equations with fixed finite time delays, much of the method based on Amerio’s separation result can and has been adapted to obtain similar stability conditions for the existence of a.p. solutions; cf. [7], for example. Miller in [3] shows that local stability conditions can also be used for such delay-differential equations. Results for delay equations with infinite time delays based on Amerio’s separation condition have also been obtained; cf., for example, Hino [B]. However, for such systems which do not involve substantially fading memory, not much seems to have been done; one of the main difficulties in such infinite delay systems arises from the fact that bounded solutions may no longer remain in compact subsets of the state
The junctional zone beneath migrating epidermis.

SUMMARY The changes that take place in skin explants in vitro at the interface between migrating epidermal cells and dermis have been examined by light and electron microscopy and by immunofluorcscent antibody techniques. In the first 24 h epidermal cell migration occurred in the absence of any of the usual components of this junctional zone. After 48 h of incubation antigenic determinants of the basal zone were detected and basal lamina was demonstrated ultrastructurally. It is proposed that migrating epidermal cells do not need a complex and specialized junctional zone and that these cells are themselves responsible for the elaboration of new basal lamina.
Lincoln's Reflective Patriotism

Abstract In speech and deed, Lincoln's statesmanship manifests the possibility of an honorable, reasonable, and just love of country—that is, a reflective patriotism imbued by a republican love of liberty under God's Providence. In his speeches and writings, Lincoln consistently underscored that love of country must be governed by “reason,” “wisdom,” and “intelligence.” Thus, in his First Inaugural, March 4, 1861, he characteristically appealed to the combined forces of “Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land.” Lincoln's reflective patriotism was nurtured by his gratitude to the Founders and measured by his fidelity to a national Union dedicated to the universal moral principles of the Declaration under the particular rule of law established by the Constitution. Historically, it was articulated as an alternative to rival forms of allegiance that Lincoln opposed as both unjust and unreasonable during the Civil War era—namely, section...
Weight loss goals among African-American women with type 2 diabetes in a behavioral weight control program.

African-American women with type 2 diabetes experience limited weight loss in behavioral weight control programs. Some research suggests that overly ambitious weight loss expectations may negatively affect weight losses achieved but it is unknown whether they affect weight loss among African-American women. The current study examined personal weight loss goals and expected satisfaction with a reasonable weight loss among African-American women with type 2 diabetes starting a behavioral obesity treatment. We also explored associations among these factors and weight loss treatment outcomes. Self-identified African-American women (N = 84) in a 24-session group program were assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. At baseline, women indicated weight loss goals of 14.1 ± 6.6 kg (14% of initial weight). They also reported relatively high expected satisfaction with a reasonable weight loss (7–10%). On average, participants lost 3.0 ± 3.9 kg (3% of initial weight) and attended 73 ± 21% of group sessions. Neither weight loss goals nor expected satisfaction with a reasonable weight loss was correlated with either actual weight loss outcome or attendance. Having higher personal weight loss goals was associated with lower expectations of satisfaction with a reasonable weight loss. This suggests that African-American women with type 2 diabetes enter treatment hoping to lose far more weight than they are likely to achieve. It is important to understand the psychosocial sequelae of failing to reach these goals on subsequent weight maintenance and future weight loss attempts within this population.
Effects of stratification on the performance of solar air heating systems

Abstract A theoretical model is presented which predicts the effects of stratification in the rock bed storage unit of a solar air heating system. The results are presented in terms of a stratification coefficient which is defined to be the ratio of the actual useful energy gain to the energy gain that would be achieved if the rock bed were maintained at a uniform temperature. This stratification coefficient is shown to be a system constant which depends on only three dimensionless system parameters.
EFFECTS OF UNILATERAL SUCKLING ON NURSING BEHAVIOR AND C-FOS ACTIVITY IN THE CAUDAL PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY IN RATS

In rats, suckling elicits kyphosis-the bilaterally symmetrical, upright, humpbacked nursing posture-and maximal expression of the immediate early gene c-fos in a region of the caudal periaqueductal gray (cPAG) that mediates the sensorimotor integration of kyphosis. We determined the effects of prepartum unilateral nipple removal on nursing behavior and c-fos expression during a 60-min mother-litter interaction on Day 7 postpartum. Compared with dams suckled by 6 pups bilaterally, dams suckled unilaterally displayed essentially normal maternal behaviors, including kyphosis. Unilaterally suckled dams, however, showed an increase in the abnormal prone nursing posture, a decrease in proportion of kyphotic nursing of total time over pups, and a 20% higher contralateral/ipsilateral ratio of cPAG neurons expressing c-fos. These results are consistent with an incompletely lateralized neural pathway conveying suckling stimulation to the cPAG and provide a mechanism whereby kyphosis is elicited by unilateral suckling when pups initiate nursing from their supine dam.
Kinetic Parameters and Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozyme Activities Support Possible Lactate Utilization by Neurons

Lactate is potentially a major energy source in brain, particularly following hypoxia/ischemia; however, the regulation of brain lactate metabolism is not well understood. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isozymes in cytosol from primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes, and freshly isolated synaptic terminals (synaptosomes) from adult rat brain were separated by electrophoresis, visualized with an activity-based stain, and quantified. The activity and kinetics of LDH were determined in the same preparations. In synaptosomes, the forward reaction (pyruvate + NADH + H(+ )--> lactate + NAD(+)), which had a V (max) of 1,163 micromol/min/mg protein was 62% of the rate in astrocyte cytoplasm. In contrast, the reverse reaction (lactate + NAD(+ )--> pyruvate + NADH + H(+)), which had a V (max) of 268 micromol/min/mg protein was 237% of the rate in astrocytes. Although the relative distribution was different, all five isozymes of LDH were present in synaptosomes and primary cultures of cortical neurons and astrocytes from rat brain. LDH1 was 14.1% of the isozyme in synaptic terminals, but only 2.6% and 2.4% in neurons and astrocytes, respectively. LDH5 was considerably lower in synaptic terminals than in neurons and astrocytes, representing 20.4%, 37.3% and 34.8% of the isozyme in these preparations, respectively. The distribution of LDH isozymes in primary cultures of cortical neurons does not directly reflect the kinetics of LDH and the capacity for lactate oxidation. However, the kinetics of LDH in brain are consistent with the possible release of lactate by astrocytes and oxidative use of lactate for energy in synaptic terminals.
Skin age testing criteria: characterization of human skin structures by 500 MHz MRI multiple contrast and image processing

Ex vivo magnetic resonance microimaging (MRM) image characteristics are reported in human skin samples in different age groups. Human excised skin samples were imaged using a custom coil placed inside a 500 MHz NMR imager for high-resolution microimaging. Skin MRI images were processed for characterization of different skin structures. Contiguous cross-sectional T1-weighted 3D spin echo MRI, T2-weighted 3D spin echo MRI and proton density images were compared with skin histopathology and NMR peaks. In all skin specimens, epidermis and dermis thickening and hair follicle size were measured using MRM. Optimized parameters TE and TR and multicontrast enhancement generated better MRI visibility of different skin components. Within high MR signal regions near to the custom coil, MRI images with short echo time were comparable with digitized histological sections for skin structures of the epidermis, dermis and hair follicles in 6 (67%) of the nine specimens. Skin % tissue composition, measurement of the epidermis, dermis, sebaceous gland and hair follicle size, and skin NMR peaks were signatures of skin type. The image processing determined the dimensionality of skin tissue components and skin typing. The ex vivo MRI images and histopathology of the skin may be used to measure the skin structure and skin NMR peaks with image processing may be a tool for determining skin typing and skin composition.
Treatment approaches for children with Tourette's syndrome.

Tourette’s syndrome has been of neurologic and psychiatric interest since the original description of this condition by Gilles de la Tourette in 1885, and it has been associated with a wide variety of treatments over the years. With the advent of advances in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology, a neurobiologic approach has emerged with the application of many drugs from the fields of neurology and psychiatry. In addition, many of the comorbid conditions that coexist, such as attention deficit disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), are amenable to both pharmacologic and behavioral approaches. Drug treatment has included dopamine receptor blockers for tics, dopamine agonists, dopamine depletors, and stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), noradrenergic drugs for tics and ADHD, serotonergic drugs for OCD, and chemical denervation for involuntary movements with the use of botulinum toxin and stereotactic surgery. It is the purpose of this review to outline the various approaches that are currently available as treatments, realizing that as new drugs are introduced in neurology and psychiatry, they too will find their way into treatment options.
Electrodeposition of CU2SE thin films by Electrochemical Atomic Layer Epitaxy (EC-ALE).

Electrochemical atomic-layer epitaxy (EC-ALE) is an approach to electrodepositing thin-films of compound semiconductors. It takes advantage of underpotential deposition (UPD), deposition of a surface limited amount (a monolayer or less) of an element at a potential less negative than bulk deposition, to form a thin-film of a compound--one atomic layer at a time. Ideally, the 2-D growth mode should promote epitaxial deposition. We report the formation of compound Cu2Se, at room temperature by electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE). Cyclic voltammograms were used to determine the deposition potentials of each element. An automated deposition program was used to form 750 cycles of Cu2Se thin films. Electron probe microanalysis was done to determine the stoichiometry of the thin films. X-ray diffraction of the 200 cycle deposit indicated the presence of polycrystalline Cu2Se. The atomic ratio of Cu/Se in the thin films was found to be 2. Band gap of the thin films were determined by reflection absorption measurements. The band gap of the 200 cycle Cu2Se films was found to be 1.6 eV. X-ray diffraction of 350 and 750 cycle Cu2Se films, indicated the deposits consisted of Cu3Se2 and Cu2Se.