cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of acetaldehyde on human red cell metabolism: evidence for the formation of enzyme inhibitors.

Abstract Since red cells transport and metabolize acetaldehyde in vivo, the effects of acetaldehyde on human red cell enzyme activities were studied. Incubation of intact red cells or undiluted red cell lysates at 37 °C for 4 h with 1–10 mmol/l acetaldehyde decreased only GOT, GPT and aldolase activities among the 26 enzymes tested. No inhibition occurred at 4°C or when acetaldehyde was incubated with dilute hemolysates. Incubation of lysates with other reducing substrates or with acetate inhibited aldolase but not GOT or GPT. Preincubation of lysates with cyanate or fluoride markedly decreased acetaldehyde-mediated transaminase inhibition but not aldolase inhibition. Addition of pyridoxal phosphate, the vitamin B6 transaminase coenzyme, to GOT and GPT assay mixes did not reverse acetaldehyde-mediated transaminase inhibition. These findings suggest that acetaldehyde-mediated aldolase inhibition results from oxidation of acetaldehyde while transaminase inhibition results from nonoxidative acetaldehyde metabolism. When 100–200 μmol/l acetaldehyde is added to lysates at 2-h intervals and when lysates are incubated with ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase and an NAD-regenerating system, enzyme inhibition occurs at acetaldehyde levels approaching those seen in vivo. Thus, the role of acetaldehyde-mediated enzyme inhibition in the toxicity of alcohol abuse warrants further study.
The role of the cubic and quartic Jahn–Teller coupling in the X˜2E ground electronic state of the methoxy radical CH3O

Abstract A spin–vibronic model Hamiltonian accounting for the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic Jahn–Teller interactions with the inclusion of spin–orbit coupling and all important anharmonic effects was developed to study electronic and nuclear dynamics in twofold degenerate electron systems and was applied to the X ˜ 2 E ground electronic state of the CH 3 O methoxy radical (C 3v ). The problem of spin–vibronic eigenvalues and eigenfunctions was solved in a basis set of products of electronic, electron spin, and vibrational functions. The results of calculations show the importance of inclusion of cubic vibronic terms into the model Hamiltonian and the insignificance of quartic terms.
POLYOXOANION- AND TETRABUTYLAMMONIUM-STABILIZED RH(0)N NANOCLUSTERS : UNPRECEDENTED NANOCLUSTER CATALYTIC LIFETIME IN SOLUTION

The solution catalytic lifetimes of polyoxoanion- and tetrabutylammonium-stabilized Rh(0) nanoclusters have been investigated, including comparison to the lifetimes of [RhCl(PPh3)3] (Wilkinson's catalyst), [(1,5-COD)Rh(CH3CN)2]BF4, and 5% Rh/Al2O3 under identical conditions. These Rh(0) nanoclusters, derived from the polyoxoanion-supported organometallic precursor [(n-C4H9)4N]5Na3[(1,5-COD)Rh·P2W15Nb3O62], exhibit catalytic lifetimes that are the longest lifetimes reported for a transition metal nanocluster catalyst in solution, ≥193 000 turnovers for olefin hydrogenation. The Rh(0) nanocluster catalytic lifetimes approach those of a solid-oxide-supported heterogeneous Rh(0) catalyst and are an order of magnitude higher than any previously reported for an unsupported nanocluster in solution. The results are of significance in that they provide the catalytic lifetime evidence needed to support the concept of highly stabilized nanocluster catalysts, such as the present polyoxoanion- and tetrabutylammonium-s...
Spatiotemporal patterns of annual sea turtle nesting behaviors along an East Central Florida beach

Abstract The Florida coastline from Melbourne Beach to Wabasso Beach is one the most important nesting areas for loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta ) in the Western Hemisphere and for green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) in the United States. In this study, we quantified the spatial patterns of numerous loggerhead ( N ≈400,000) and green turtle ( N ≈14,000) and less numerous ( N ≈100) leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ) beach ascents from 1989–1999 in terms of their autocorrelative properties along 40.5 km within this critical reproductive zone. Nesting and non-nesting emergence patterns of loggerhead and green turtles were non-random, favoring the southern half of the study area. Perhaps due to low numbers or differences in nesting behavior, leatherback nest distributions were not significantly different from random. Loggerhead and green turtle nest locations exhibited similar clinal patterns. They were positively autocorrelated at distances less than 10 km and negatively at distances greater than 30 km. These patterns were significantly correlated interannually.
Fate of the inner cell mass in mouse embryos as studied by microinjection of lineage tracers

We microinjected horseradish peroxidase and rhodamine-conjugated dextran into single inner cell mass (ICM) cells of preimplantation mouse embryos to study their fate in culture. Simultaneous iontophoresis of both lineage markers allowed immediate localization of the injected cell by epifluorescence, followed by microdrop culture of individual embryos. After 24 hr in culture, labeled descendants were found in the polar trophectoderm, ICM, and parietal endoderm, providing direct evidence that the ICM contributes descendants to the trophectoderm and the endoderm in the intact mouse embryo. Our results substantiate the totipotency of the ICM during the expanding blastocyst stage and further demonstrate that the ICM is a stem cell population from which cells are recruited into these tissue lineages during growth of the blastocyst.
Introduction to Fire Ecology of the Northeast: Restoring Native and Cultural Ecosystems

This special issue is composed of papers presented at a conference hosted jointly by the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (New Haven, Connecticut) and Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy (Tallahassee, Florida) to address the history, ecology, and current need for prescribed fire in native and cultural ecosystems in the Northeast region of the United States and eastern Canada. The conference was held at the Yale University campus on February 20–22, 2014 and involved participants from universities, government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and private business. This special issue presents evidence that the fire history and ecology of the Northeast are strongly context-dependent and result from complex interactions of climate, human land use, and physiography, that certain species within the region are truly fire-adapted, and that synergies between fire management for ecological restoration and public welfare can and should be pursued on the modern landscape...
Fifth annual conference on new and re-emerging infectious diseases.

The fifth annual Conference on New and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases was hosted on April 18–19, 2002, by the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The conference featured 8 speakers and 35 poster presentations.
Transition path sampling study of classical rate-promoting vibrations

It is now widely accepted that there is a class of enzymatic proton transfer reactions, which proceed through quantum tunneling. In a series of papers we have argued that some experimental features of these reactions can be explained by assuming the presence of a “rate-promoting” vibration which brings donor and acceptor closer together, thus leading to rate enhancement. There has never been a study of this effect for classical systems. We used transition path sampling to study the equivalent classical problem and found a complicated dynamical behavior that cannot be captured by transition state theory. Slow promoting vibrations lead to reactive trajectories that overshoot the saddle point, but on the other hand the short period of fast oscillations allows the reactants to stay only briefly in a low-barrier regime. There is a competition between these effects, which results to an intermediate value for the frequency of the rate-promoting vibration that is optimal for enhancing the rate.
Piscine macrophage function and nutritional influences : a review

Abstract Macrophage function is an important factor in resistance to infectious diseases in fish. Macrophages are the principal phagocytic cells and play an integral role in the specific immune response. Several factors, including nutrition and environmental stress, are known to affect macrophage function. In economically important cultured fish, the potential for enhancing macrophage function through dietary manipulation is especially attractive. This paper reviews the functions of macrophages, methodologies for their collection, assays to study various functions, and the influences of various nutritional factors on macrophage function.
Dong Zhongshu's Transformation of Yin-Yang Theory and Contesting of Gender Identity

Dong Zhongshu (Tung Chung-shu) (179-104 B.C.E.) was the first prominent Confucian to integrate yin-yang theory into Confucianism. His constructive effort not only generates a new perspective on yin and yang, it also involves implications beyond its explicit contents. First, Dong changes the natural harmony (he) of yin and yang to an imposed unity (he). Second, he identifies yang with human nature (xing) and benevolence (ren), and yin with emotion (qing) and greed (tan). Taken together, these two novelties grant a philosophical basis for the theory and practice of gender inequality in their specifically Chinese manifestations. An analysis of Dong's work shows that the mere complementarity of yin and yang does not guarantee gender equality; they are not fixed categories, but together form a transformative dynamic harmony.
Suppression by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol of interleukin 2-induced lymphocyte proliferation and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity

The major psychoactive marijuana component, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), suppressed proliferation of murine spleen cells stimulated with recombinant human interleukin 2 (IL-2) and also suppressed the appearance of the lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell phenomenon in IL-2-treated spleen cell preparations. Cell function was depressed in a dose-dependent manner with as little as 2.5 micrograms/ml THC (8 microM). In addition, spleen cells previously stimulated in culture with IL-2 and then incubated with THC for 4 h prior to target cell addition, displayed suppressed cytolytic activity against both YAC-1 and EL-4 tumor targets. Killing of EL 4 cells was suppressed at lower drug doses than the killing of YAC-1 targets. These results suggest that THC can suppress several important functions of IL-2 including clonal expansion of lymphocytes, expansion of killer cell populations and stimulation of killer cell cytotoxic activity.
Nonrandom geomagnetic reversal times and geodynamo evolution

Abstract Shermanʼs ω -test applied to the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS) reveals that geomagnetic reversals in the Phanerozoic deviate substantially from random times. For 954 Phanerozoic reversals, ω exceeds the value expected for uniformly distributed random times by many standard deviations, due to three constant polarity superchrons and clustering of reversals in the Cenozoic C-sequence. Reversals are nearly periodic in several portions of the Mesozoic M-sequence, and during these times ω falls below random by several standard deviations, according to some chronologies. Polarity reversals in a convection-driven numerical dynamo with fixed control parameters have an overall ω -value that is slightly lower than uniformly random due to weak periodicity, whereas in a numerical dynamo with time-variable control parameters the combination of superchrons and reversal clusters dominates, yielding a large ω -value that is comparable to the GPTS. Shermanʼs test applied to shorter Phanerozoic reversal sequences reveals two geodynamo time scales: hundreds of millions of years represented by superchrons and reversal clusters that we attribute to time-dependent core–mantle thermal interaction, plus unexplained variations lasting tens of millions of years characterized by alternation between random and nearly periodic reversals.
Being in Pain: a Nurse's Experience

This paper uses Schrag's framework to analyze an episode of pain and to discuss the phenomenological perspective of pain. The experience of pain is explicated through the metaphor of co-present, interwoven fields of consciousness, embodiment, attitudinal posture and custom, time, and space. Interventions based on the metaphor are discussed.
Personal information management in a socially networked world

As more and more information is exchanged digitally, and as the tools for sharing and collaborating become more pervasive, users are presented with new opportunities and challenges in how they manage their personal information. Despite the traditional emphasis on the individual in research related to personal information management (PIM), it is apparent that family, friends, co-workers and other collaborators can strongly influence one's PIM behaviors. In this workshop, we will explore: 1) the role that other people play in an individual's PIM in a variety of collaborative and sharing contexts, and 2) the effects that web and cloud-based services are having on PIM practices. We focus on the challenges users face in an evolving communication ecology when sharing and exposing personal information in a variety of situations.
Reduction of spatial effects on emission line intensity observed from single aerosol particles via diffuse reflectance from an integrating sphere

Collection of emission via diffuse reflectance from an integrating sphere reduces the influence of spatial effects observed when viewing LIBS plasma emission from the backscatter collection mode.
On the Separation, Reattachment, and Redevelopment of Incompressible Turbulent Shear Flow

An experimental and theoretical investigation is presented which describes the character of the mean motion and the structure of turbulence for the separation, reattachment, and redevelopment of the incompressible turbulent shear flow downstream of a single step-type roughness element. For the redeveloping turbulent boundary layer downstream of reattachment, it is shown that the mean velocity profiles constitute a one-parameter family and that as far as the shape parameters are concerned, this one-parameter family is essentially the same as for a boundary layer developing toward separation. This similarity between developing (toward separation) and redeveloping (after reattachment) turbulent shear layers is utilized to establish an integral method for calculating the redeveloping turbulent boundary layer at essentially zero pressure gradient.
Effects of pretwist on biomechanical properties of canine patellar tendon

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect produced on canine patellar tendon of a 90 degree pretwist on the following mechanical properties: failure stress, failure strain, average elastic modulus, and strain energy density. Forty adult mongrel dog cadavers, killed for other studies, were used. Paired patellar tendons were isolated with patellar and tibial bone and the central 4.0-4.6 mm of tendon used for testing. Specimens were elongated to failure using a Materials Testing System (MTS). Only those paired specimens both failing in substance were analyzed. Eight paired specimens were analyzed, both with 0 degree twist, for right-left reproducibility. Thirty-two paired specimens were randomly assigned to four groups: right 0 degree/left 90 degree clockwise pretwist; right 0 degree/left 90 degree counterclockwise; left 0 degree/right 90 degree clockwise; left 0 degree/right 90 degree counterclockwise. No statistically significant differences were present between the paired untwisted specimens in any mechanical property. In the pretwisted specimens, there were statistically significant differences between the group left/clockwise and right/counterclockwise and the group left/counterclockwise and right/clockwise with respect to the mechanical properties failure stress, average elastic modulus, and strain energy density. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for failure strain. For the canine patella-patellar tendon-tibia complex (PPTTC), the mechanical properties failure stress, average elastic modulus, and strain energy density are sensitive to both side (left/right) of PPTTC and direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) of pretwist. Pretwist of patellar tendon grafts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may produce significant changes in their mechanical properties that vary with the direction of twist.
Coups and Conflict in West Africa, 1955-2004: Part I, Theoretical Perspectives

From independence through 2004, the sixteen West African states have experienced forty-four successful military-led coups, forty-three often-bloody failed coups, at least eighty-two coup plots, seven civil wars, and many other forms of political conflict. This two-part article seeks answers to the question, what has gone wrong inWest Africa? Part I uses world-systems and rational-choice analyses to provide theoretical answers involving macro structures and micro leadership behavior. Structural peripherality and poor leadership result in underdevelopment and state weakness, the major structural causes of West African instability. Empirical evidence demonstratesWest Africa's peripheral role in the world-economy, the high risks associated with political leadership in the region, andWest Africa's critical socioeconomic situation. Part II, appearing in the January 2006 issue, will examine new data on coups and conflict inWest Africa and speculate on what can be done to improve the situation.
Computation and Formal Verification of SRT Quotient and Square Root Digit Selection Tables

We present a comprehensive, self-contained, and mechanically verified proof of correctness of a maximally redundant SRT design for floating-point division and square root extraction, supported by verified procedures that 1) test the admissibility of a proposed digit selection table, 2) determine the minimal dimensions of an admissible table for a given arbitrary radix, and 3) generate these tables. For square root extraction, we also provide a verified procedure for generating an initial approximation that meets the accuracy requirement of the algorithm and ensures that the digit selection index derived from successive partial roots remains static throughout the computation. A radix-8 instantiation of these algorithms has been implemented in the floating-point unit of the AMD processor code-named Steamroller. To ensure their correctness, all of our results and procedures have been formalized and mechanically checked by the ACL2 prover. We present evidence of the value of this approach by comparing it to that of a more conventional published paper that reports similar results, which are shown to be fatally flawed.
Hepatic Metastasis From Uveal Melanoma: Angiographic Pattern Predictive of Survival After Hepatic Arterial Chemoembolization

Objective To identify clinical features associated with survival after hepatic arterial chemoembolization (HACE) for uveal melanoma metastasis. Methods Retrospective case series including 11 men and 10 women with uveal melanoma metastasis. Results The hepatic angiographic pattern of metastasis was infiltrative in 12 patients (57%) and nodular in 9 patients (43%). The infiltrative pattern was associated with ciliary body involvement by the primary tumor (Fisher exact test,P = .01) and extrascleral tumor extension (Fisher exact test,P = .01). Mean survival after the first HACE treatment was 7.6 months overall, 3.7 months for the patients with the infiltrative pattern, and 12.7 months for those with the nodular pattern. This difference was highly significant (Kaplan-Meier,P Conclusions The hepatic metastasis pattern can be used to predict response to and survival after HACE. Loss of chromosome 8p may be a biomarker for the infiltrative metastasis pattern. Hepatic arterial chemoembolization may play an important role in the treatment of hepatic metastasis from uveal melanoma in patients with the nodular metastatic pattern. Regular screening for hepatic metastasis in patients with uveal melanoma may be beneficial in identifying those who would benefit from HACE.
Roentgentherapy for cancer of the larynx

Summary Between 1931 and 1946, 128 unselected cancers of the larynx have been treated by radiotherapy. The policy of employing radiotherapy as the primary form of treatment has continued to the present. Although the material reported in this study is numerically small, the results with radiotherapy seem to indicate that the risk to the patient's life is not greater than with surgery and that many patients will survive with larynx intact and without the loss of voice. Surgery following failure with radiotherapy is safe and feasible. Early detection of failures with radiotherapy and the use of radical surgery in properly chosen cases should significantly increase the salvage rate. This bespeaks for the close co-operation between the radiotherapist and laryngologist—a situation which has fortunately made this study possible.
Quantitative analysis of monomer vapor release from two‐solution bone cement by using a novel FTIR technique

Methyl methacrylate monomer can evaporate from bone cement to reach cytotoxic levels of concentrations in the implant bed of total joint prosthesis. Therefore, this study was performed by using a novel Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method to quantify the release of monomer vapor from experimental two-solution bone cement in vitro during polymerization, to examine the effect of surface area versus cement mass, and to explore the effect of initiation chemistry. The results revealed that monomer vapor release is a surface phenomenon. In addition, initiation chemistry plays a major role in controlling the reaction time, and therefore heat concentration and dissipation, which resulted in a higher absorbance peak as initiation chemicals concentration increased. It was concluded that using the FTIR to monitor MMA vapors is an effective technique to obtain quantitative information about monomer vapor release from bone cements during polymerization and provides insight on the polymerization kinetics of two-solution acrylic bone cement.
The nature of ribosomes of spores of Bacillus cereus T. and Bacillus megaterium.

Abstract The characteristics of ribosomes from spores of Bacillus cereus T. and Bacillus megaterium were compared and found to be similar when isolated under identical conditions. Ribosomes isolated by mechanical disruption from dormant spores sediment as 70 S, 50 S, and 30 S particles; have low activity in the amino acid-incorporating system and bind aminoacyl-tRNA poorly. In contrast, polysomes and active ribosomes could be isolated from germinated spores of B. megaterium or spores which had been activated by treatment with mercaptoethanol and urea and lysed with lysozyme. In this procedure, germination of the spores precedes lysis. After germination and before lysis, new RNA is synthesized and polysomes appear. The impaired activity of ribosomes isolated from dormant spores could not be attributed to ribonuclease activity.
Sex differences in property crime in a Danish adoption cohort.

Sex differences in genetic and environmental influences on criminal behavior against property were studied in a birth cohort of 6129 male and 7065 female Danish adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents. Both genetic and environmental factors were found to contribute to variation in liability to property criminality, the relative proportions of variance explained being similar in males and females. Important shared- and nonshared-family environmental factors were present. In separate analyses of average liability toward property criminality, however, convicted females appeared to be more genetically predisposed than convicted males, a conclusion based on the finding that female property offenders were more likely than male offenders to have convicted biological (but adopted-away) offspring. On the other hand, property-offending males and females did not appear to differ in their average shared-family environmental liabilities, since conviction rates did not differ for adoptees of convicted adoptive mothers and fathers. Also, social class in the adopitive parents of convicted sons and daughters were comparable, further indicating that average shared-family environmental liabilities do not differ between the sexes.
Reconciling Distance Metric Methods for Rigid Body Displacements

In the last twenty years, researchers have proposed a few different methods to establish a norm (or, metric) for both planar and spatial rigid body displacements. Desire to meaningfully quantify a displacement composed of rotation and translation stems from a requirement to ascertain “distance” between two given displacements in applications, such as motion approximation and interpolation, mechanism synthesis, collision avoidance, positioning, and robot calibration and control. In this paper, we show that the various seemingly different shape independent norm calculation methods based on approximating displacements with higher dimensional rotations via orthogonal matrices, or polar decomposition (PD) and singular value decomposition (SVD) can be reconciled and unified in the mathematically compact and elegant framework of biquaternions. In the process, we also propose an elegant and fast method for such norm calculations.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
On multiparameter ergodic and martingale theorems in infinite measure spaces

A unified proof is given of several ergodic and martingale theorems in infinite measure spaces.
Do women know which IUD they are wearing

Family Planning clinic patients wearing IUDs were asked the type they were wearing, and the actual type was identified in the pelvic examination. About 19 percent of 268 women wearing four types of IUDs did not correctly identify the type that they had. Incorrect or unknown perception that might be a medical risk was held by more than half of the wearers of the Dalkon Shield. Each user of an IUD should be given a card stating IUD type, date of insertion, date of reinsertion if applicable, and instructions in case of complications. The problem of incorrect identification may be exacerbated as the number of devices increases and with the trend toward use of medicated IUDs which must be periodically removed and replaced. Comparable studies in different populations of IUD users are needed.
Theory of the Negative Magnetoresistance in Magnetic Metallic Multilayers

The Boltzmann equation is solved for a system consisting of alternating ferromagnetic-normal metallic layers. The in-plane conductance of the film is calculated for two configurations: successive ferromagnetic layers aligned (i) parallel and (ii) antiparallel to each other. The results explain the giant negative magnetoresistance encountered in these systems when an initial antiparallel arrangement is changed into a parallel configuration by application of an external magnetic field. The calculation depends on (A) geometric parameters (the thicknesses of the layers); (B) intrinsic metal parameters (number of conduction electrons, magnetization and effective masses in the layers); (C) bulk sample properties (conductivity relaxation times); and (D) interface scattering properties (diffuse scattering versus potential scattering at the interfaces). It is found that a large negative magnetoresistance requires, in general, considerable asymmetry in the interface scattering for the two spin orientations. All qualitative features of the experiments are reproduced. Quantitative agreement can be achieved with sensible values of the parameters. The effect can be conceptually explained based on considerations of phase-space availability for an electron of a given spin orientation as it travels through the multilayer sample in the various configurations and traverses the interfaces.
CAR-Independent Gene Transfer to Accomplish Efficient and Specific Genetic Modification of Target Cells Via Adenoviral Vectors

CAR-Independent Gene Transfer to Accomplish Efficient and Specific Genetic Modification of Target Cells Via Adenoviral Vectors
Prolactin response in beef cows and heifers suckling one or two calves

Summary. Blood was collected, at 5-min intervals for 3 h, via jugular cannulation every 14 days during the first 4 months post partum from beef cows and heifers, 4 suckling 2 calves and 4 suckling 1 calf. Calves were isolated from the dams to prevent suckling for approximately 4 h before and 2\m=1/2\h during sampling to obtain baseline values for prolactin, measured by radioimmunoassay. During the last 30 min of sampling, calves were allowed to suck. Milk samples were also collected at 28-day intervals from 60 females, 30 with twins and 30 with single calves, beginning 2 weeks after calving and continuing until calves were weaned at 180 days of age. No differences were observed between dams with 1 and 2 calves for baseline plasma prolactin level or for prolactin response to the suckling stimulus by 1 or 2 calves. However, milk prolactin concentration was significantly higher (P < 0\m=.\01)for dams with 2 calves, probably reflecting the more frequent suckling that occurs with twins. Milk prolactin value in this study was not highly correlated with the post-partum interval to first ovulation from another study on these animals. It is concluded that prolactin is not the primary factor controlling the longer post-partum interval to first ovulation in beef cattle with twins.
Risk factors for recurrent heart failure events in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT-II).

Risk Factors for Recurrent Heart Failure. Background: This study was designed to identify risk factors for recurrent heart failure (HF) events in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II (MADIT-II). Methods and Results: The Prentice, Williams, and Peterson (PWP) statistical model was utilized to identify and compare risk factors for 1 or ≥2 HF hospitalizations among 1,218 patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the MADIT-II trial. Risk factors for a first HF hospitalization included treatment with an ICD (HR = 1.31; P = 0.05), New York Heart Association class >II (HR = 1.95; P 120 ms (HR = 1.41; P = 0.01), diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.51; P = 0.003), heart rate ≥80 (HR = 1.35; P = 0.04), diuretic therapy (HR = 1.82; P 20; HR = 1.45; P = 0.01). In contrast, prerenal azotemia was the only risk factor that was independently associated with a significant increase in the risk of ≥2 HF hospitalizations (HR = 1.52; P = 0.027). The occurrence of 1 HF event after enrolment was associated with a 2.8-fold (P < 0.001) increase in the risk of death, whereas after the occurrence of a second event there was a 6.7-fold (P < 0.001) increase in the risk of subsequent mortality. Conclusions: In MADIT-II, prerenal azotemia was the only significant and independent risk factor for HF progression after a first event, and recurrent HF was the most powerful predictor of mortality. These findings stress the importance of identifying risk factors for HF progression among patients who receive an ICD for primary prevention. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1217-1223, November 2010)
The hydrothermal syntheses and characterization of one- and two-dimensional structures constructed from metal-organic derivatives of polyoxometalates: [(Cu(bpy)2)(Cu(bpy)(H2O))(Mo5O15)(O3P(CH2)4PO3)].H2O and [(u2(tpypyz)(H2O)2)(Mo5O15)(O3PCH2CH2PO3)].5.5H2O [bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, tpypyz = tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine].

The hydrothermal reaction of CuSO(4).5H2O, Na2MoO(4).2H2O and 2,2'-bipyridine with the bridging diphosphonate ligand H2O3P(CH2)4PO3H2 yields the one-dimensional chain [(Cu(bpy)2)(Cu(bpy)(H2O)2)(Mo5O15)(O3P(CH2)4PO3)].H2O; the introduction of a second bridging component in the reaction of Cu(MeCO2)2.H2O, MoO3, H2O3PCH2CH2PO3H2 and tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrazine yields the network solid [(Cu2(tpypyz)(H2O)2)(Mo5O15)(O3PCH2CH2PO3)].5.5H2O.
ITO-free large-area flexible organic solar cells with an embedded metal grid

Abstract We report on ITO-free large-area flexible organic solar cells with embedded thick metal grids. Embedded thick metal grids on flexible substrates allow uniform spin coating of thin layers of PEDOT:PSS (PH1000) semitransparent electrodes and organic semiconductor layers. A transparent SU8 photo-patternable polymer is used as a flexible substrate. Electroplated copper metallic grids, up to 15 μm thick, defined by photolithography, produce a shadow area of 5.5% of the active area. Inverted solar cells with an active area of 9.3 ± 0.2 cm2, exhibited a fill factor of 0.53 ± 0.06, and an open-circuit voltage of 808 ± 5 mV and a short-circuit current density of 5.5 ± 0.5 mA/cm2, yielding a power conversion efficiency of 2.4 ± 0.4% under 100 mW/cm2 air mass 1.5G illumination. The fill-factor and open circuit voltage values of large-area solar cells are comparable to values reported on small-area solar cells.
Neuritis of the cauda equina, a chronic idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis in the horse

Four cases of neuritis of the cauda equina (NCE) were studied by light and electron microscopy. Examination of sacral intradural rootlets revealed inflammatory cell infiltrates and an array of myelinated fiber changes which included myelin stripping by invading mononuclear cells and macrophages, as well as splitting and vesiculation of myelin lamellae without obvious participation by leukocytes. More distally in the extradural roots, there was marked granulomatous inflammation, and demyelinative changes were overshadowed by widespread evidence of irreversible axon damage. In all cases, unusual crystalline inclusions appeared in the endoneurium and sheaths of the rootlets and fascicles. The changes in NCE were compared and contrasted with those observed in acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinative neuropathies.
Delayed diagnosis of childhood low-grade glioma: causes, consequences, and potential solutions

Diagnosis of childhood brain tumors is delayed more than diagnosis of other pediatric cancers. However, the contribution of the most common pediatric brain tumors, lowgrade gliomas (LGG), to this delay has never been investigated. We retrospectively reviewed cases of childhood LGG diagnosed from January 1995 through December 2005 at our institution. The pre-diagnosis symptom interval (PSI) was conservatively calculated, and its association with race, sex, age, tumor site, tumor grade, and outcome measures (survival, disease progression, shunt use, seizures, extent of resection) was analyzed. Cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 were reported separately. The 258 children had a median follow-up of 11.1 years, and 226 (88 %) remained alive. Greater pre-diagnosis symptom interval (PSI) was significantly associated with grade I (vs. grade II) tumors (p = 0.03) and age >10 years at diagnosis (p = 0.03). Half of the 16 spinal tumors had a PSI > 6 months. PSI was significantly associated with progression (p = 0.02) in grade I tumors (n = 195) and in grade I tumors outside the posterior fossa (n = 134, p = 0.03). Among children with grade I tumors, median PSI was longer in those who had seizures (10.3 months) than in those who did not (2.5 months) (p = 0.09). Delayed diagnosis of childhood LGG allows tumor progression. To reduce time to diagnosis, medical curricula should emphasize inclusion of LGG in the differential diagnosis of CNS neoplasm.
Review of observation-based analysis of the regional factors influencing ozone concentrations

Abstract Some of the approaches that have been developed in the Aeronomy Laboratory and used to determine the rate and amount of ozone that is photochemically produced in the atmosphere from human-made and natural ozone precursors are reviewed below. The results were obtained from analysis of our field measurements that were made in the United States of the concentrations of O3, O3-precursors, the photochemical intermediates, and other photochemical products, as well as other atmospheric parameters. The utility of these approaches to identify the individual processes that lead to the formation and loss of ozone and O3-precursors are described and some of the crucial uncertainties that still remain are identified. The information obtained using these observational approaches include: (1) the apportionment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO) and the oxides of nitrogen (NOx=NO+NO2) among the various anthropogenic sources; (2) the importance of natural VOCs/CO and NOx relative to anthropogenic VOCs/CO and NOx in photochemical ozone production; (3) identification of the mechanism for the photochemical chemical production and photochemical processing; (4) the determination of the instantaneous rate of photochemical production of O3; (5) the efficiency of tropospheric ozone production relative to the NOx concentrations; (6) the importance of NOx relative to VOCs and CO in determining observed O3 levels.
Robotically assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy compared with open radical hysterectomy.

Background: Radical hysterectomy is a common and effective treatment of early cervical cancer. Modern advances include the use of robotic assistance to perform equivalent minimally invasive procedures. The purpose was to compare surgical and short-term outcomes, as well as margins, between robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and open radical hysterectomy. Methods: The first 30 cases of robotically assisted type III radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer were compared with the 30 previous cases of open type III radical hysterectomy. Body mass index, length of operation, nodal yield, margins, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were all documented and compared. Results: The 30 patients undergoing robotically assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy were similar in body mass index to the women undergoing open radical hysterectomy (34 kg/m2 robotic, 32 kg/m2 open, P = 0.22). The mean operating time was 154 minutes compared with 166 minutes in the open arm (P = 0.36). The mean blood loss was 165 mL compared with 323 mL in the open arm (P = 0.001). The mean pelvic nodal yield was 25 nodes compared with 26 nodes in the open group (P = 0.45). The mean parametrial margin size was not significantly different between groups. The mean postoperative length of stay was 1.4 days compared with 2.8 days for the open cases (P Conclusions: Radical surgery for cervical cancer can be accomplished using the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, Calif) with acceptable blood loss, operating time, parametrial margins, and nodal yield. Future studies need to address long-term outcomes.
RF Systems for High-Field MRI: Problems and Possible Solutions Based on Computational Electromagnetics

This paper provides RF coil studies at ultra high field MRI. The results and conclusions are based on experimental findings with MRI systems and computational electromagnetics using the finite difference time domain method. The outcome of these studies is then utilized to provide new avenues and techniques to improve the performance of RF head/body coils for human MRI at very high fields.
The nature and dynamics of internet pornography exposure for youth.

Abstract We examined exposure to Internet pornography before the age of 18, as reported by college students (n = 563), via an online survey. Ninety-three percent of boys and 62% of girls were exposed to online pornography during adolescence. Exposure prior to age 13 was relatively uncommon. Boys were more likely to be exposed at an earlier age, to see more images, to see more extreme images (e.g., rape, child pornography), and to view pornography more often, while girls reported more involuntary exposure. If participants in this study are typical of young people, exposure to pornography on the Internet can be described as a normative experience, and more study of its impact is clearly warranted.
2-Bromoethanesulfonate Affects Bacteria in a Trichloroethene-Dechlorinating Culture

Long-term exposure to 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES), an agent known to inhibit methanogenesis, altered the bacterial community structure of an anaerobic enrichment culture that reductively dechlorinated trichloroethene (TCE). BES did not hinder the dechlorination of TCE or other chlorinated ethenes as previously reported, although different intermediates and end products were observed.
Miniature self-powered stick-on wireless sensor node for monitoring of overhead power lines

This paper presents the design, fabrication and experimental results of a self-powered wireless sensor node that can be easily attached to overhead power lines for continuous condition monitoring. The entire sensor node, including a wireless radio platform, a power conditioning circuit and analog sensors, is powered by an AC electromechanical energy harvester, which converts magnetic field energy emanating from the current in the power lines to electric energy. The prototype presented in this work measures temperature on overhead power lines and reports these readings to a base station. The relationship between the current carried by the power lines and the the frequency at which it is able to report the temperature readings is shown by both simulation and experimental results. This work demonstrates the ability of the AC electromechanical energy harvester to power commercially available sensing and wireless electronics. Its small footprint will allow the easy installation of these sensor nodes, and potentially enable the large-scale deployment of such wireless sensor nodes for electric power infrastructures at lower costs.
Effects of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on postprandial hyperglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract To determine whether an agent such as WY-41,747, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, could be useful as an adjunct to insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, postprandial plasma glucose concentrations were determined in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes rendered euglycemic with the Biostator insulin infusion device under four conditions: (1) subcutaneous minipump infusion of insulin alone (13 ± 1 units) over 30 minutes beginning 30 minutes before ingestion of a meal using insulin doses determined by the Biostator; (2) the same conditions as 1 but beginning immediately before meal ingestion; (3) the same conditions as 1 but with less insulin (7 ± 1 units) accompanied by the analogue (0.01-0.05 mg/kg); (4) the same conditions as 2 but with the analogue and less insulin (11 ± 1 units). Administration of the somatostatin analogue increased the effectiveness of insulin in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and permitted satisfactory postprandial glycemic control when the insulin infusion was initiated immediately before meal ingestion. Administration of the analogue suppressed postprandial plasma glucagon and triglyceride concentrations and delayed xylose absorption. These results suggest that subcutaneous administration of a long-acting somatostatin analogue such as WY-41,747 along with insulin may be clinically useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Results from the Telescope Array and review of HiRes

A new measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum using the Telescope Array surface arrays is presented. Results on the composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays from air-fluorescence measurements of shower maximum distributions are presented. Preliminary data from the Telescope Array experiment are compared with HiRes measurements as well as Pierre Auger Observatory results. Systematic errors are discussed. Preliminary results on large scale anisotropy are shown.
The social evolution of bacterial pathogenesis

Many of the genes responsible for the virulence of bacterial pathogens are carried by mobile genetic elements that can be transferred horizontally between different bacterial lineages. Horizontal transfer of virulence-factor genes has played a profound role in the evolution of bacterial pathogens, but it is poorly understood why these genes are so often mobile. Here, I present a hypothetical selective mechanism maintaining virulence-factor genes on horizontally transmissible genetic elements. For virulence factors that are secreted extracellularly, selection within hosts may favour mutant 'cheater' strains of the pathogen that do not produce the virulence factor themselves but still benefit from factors produced by other members of the pathogen population within a host. Using simple mathematical models, I show that if this occurs then selection for infectious transmission between hosts favours pathogen strains that can reintroduce functional copies of virulence-factor genes into cheaters via horizontal transfer, forcing them to produce the virulence factor. Horizontal gene transfer is thus a novel mechanism for the evolution of cooperation. I discuss predictions of this hypothesis that can be tested empirically and its implications for the evolution of pathogen virulence.
Outcomes for Carotid Blowout Interventions in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Methods: We performed an extensive literature search using PubMed and found 274 articles referencing tumor invasion of the carotid, with 31 articles describing carotid reconstruction in the setting of tumor invasion. There were no reports using Artegraft for carotid reconstruction. Results: A 65-year-old man presented with a large left neck mass. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the neck demonstrated a complex 9.1-cm 5.9-cm 7.5-cm mass encasing and invading the cervical internal carotid artery (Fig 1). Fine-needle aspiration revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, he had an incomplete circle of Willis on CTA and no viable vein conduit on duplex mapping. The patient underwent en bloc resection of the left neck tumor, including a portion of the cervical internal carotid artery, followed by reconstruction with the Artegraft (Fig 2). Brachytherapy catheters were left in place, followed by pectoralis major rotational flap for coverage. At the conclusion of the procedure, there were multiphasic Doppler signals throughout the graft. The procedure was well tolerated, and the patient had an uneventful course with no neurologic sequelae. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of tumor invasion of the internal carotid reconstructed using Artegraft bovine heterograft as conduit. This novel approach provides an alternative to synthetic conduit when there is an increased concern for infection and need for a durable repair in a patient without suitable autologous conduit.
Creating Old World Wisconsin: The Struggle to Build an Outdoor History Museum of Ethnic Architecture (Krugler)

This work is a book review considering the title Creating Old World Wisconsin: The Struggle to Build an Outdoor History Museum of Ethnic Architecture by John D. Krugler.
Progesterone and 20α-hydroxyprogesterone stimulate the in vitro release of GnRH by the isolated mediobasal hypothalamus

Abstract An in vitro perifusion system was used to investigate the effect of progesterone (P 4 ) and 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP) on the release of GnRH from isolated hypothalamic tissue of the adult ovariectomized estradiol-17β primed rat. Pulse delivery of P 4 stimulated GnRH release not only from the isolated mediobasal hypothalamus-anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area (MBH-AHPOA) complex but also from the MBH alone. Release of GnRH from the MBH was also increased by 20α-OHP. These results suggest that the in vivo increase of circulating P 4 or 20α-OHP associated with the initiation of the preovulatory LH surge may play a role in regulating the timing or amplitude of this surge by directly stimulating the release of GnRH from the MBH.
Ensembles of neural networks with generalization capabilities for vehicle fault diagnostics

This paper presents a two-step ensemble approach for vehicle fault diagnostics, an ensemble selection algorithm, BFES, and an analog Bayesian ensemble decision function, A-Bayesian-Entropy. We show through experiments that a neural network ensemble designed and trained by the proposed methodology, and selected by BFES with A-Bayesian-Entropy as the ensemble decision function can generalize well to vehicle models that are different from the vehicles used to generate training data.