cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interspecies Synchronization in Hatching Time

Abstract Within certain limitations of timing, embryos of one of the two species, Bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), influenced the hatching time of embryos of the other species when embryonating eggs of the two species were in contact during the latter stages of incubation. When the expected hatching time of Bobwhite quail was approximately three days later than that of Japanese quail, neither species exerted a significant influence over the hatching time of the other. Virtual synchronization of hatching time was achieved when Japanese quail were expected to hatch approximately two days ahead of Bobwhite quail and was accomplished by a significant speeding-up of hatching time of the Bobwhite quail coupled with a significant retarding of hatching time of the Japanese quail. Synchronization occurred where Japanese quail were expected to hatch approximately one day ahead of Bobwhite quail; however, in this case, the synchronization was achieved solely by a significant retarding of hatching time of the Japanese quail. When eggs of the two species were set at such a time that they were expected to hatch at approximately the same time, synchronization of hatching time was easily achieved. Where Bobwhite quail were expected to hatch approximately one day ahead of Japanese quail, sycnhronization of hatching time was not achieved even though hatching time of the Japanese quail was significantly speeded-up. Where Bobwhite quail were expected to hatch two days ahead of Japanese quail, neither species exerted a significant influence over the hatching time of the other.
Metformin use and endometrial cancer survival

Abstract Objective Impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes are risk factors for the development of uterine cancer. Although greater progression free survival among diabetic patients with ovarian and breast cancers using metformin has been reported, no studies have assessed the association of metformin use with survival in women with endometrial cancer (EC). Methods We conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study of all patients treated for uterine cancer from January 1999 through December 2009. Demographic, medical, social, and survival data were abstracted from medical records and the national death registry. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. Cox models were utilized for multivariate analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Of 985 patients, 114 (12%) had diabetes and were treated with metformin, 136 (14%) were diabetic but did not use metformin, and 735 (74%) had not been diagnosed with diabetes. Greater OS was observed in diabetics with non-endometrioid EC who used metformin than in diabetic cases not using metformin and non-endometrioid EC cases without diabetes (log rank test (p=0.02)). This association remained significant (hazard ratio=0.54, 95% CI: 0.30–0.97, p Conclusion Diabetic EC patients with non-endometrioid tumors who used metformin had lower risk of death than women with EC who did not use metformin. These data suggest that metformin might be useful as adjuvant therapy for non-endometrioid EC.
Electrochemical characterization of a novel organic electrolyte gel

The fabrication and electrochemical characterization of a variety of self-supported thermorevrsible organic electrolyte gels prepared using l,3:2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS) as a gelling agent are reported. Impedance analysis and cyclic voltammetry were used to examine these gel systems, which exhibit ionic conductivities similar to corresponding liquid electrolyte solutions.
Utilizing optical tomography with ultrasound localization to image heterogeneous hemoglobin distribution in large breast cancers.

Abstract PURPOSE: Angiogenesis in advanced breast cancers is highly distorted and heterogeneous. Noninvasive imaging that can monitor angiogenesis may be invaluable initially for diagnosis and then for assessing tumor response to treatment. By combining ultrasound (US) and near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging, a reliable new technique has emerged for localizing and characterizing tumor angiogenesis within the breast. METHODS: This new technique employs a commercial US transducer coupled with an array of NIR optical fibers mounted on a hand-held probe. The US image is used for lesion localization and for guiding optical imaging reconstruction. Optical sensors are used for imaging tumor total hemoglobin distribution, which is directly related to tumor angiogenesis. RESULTS: Six large breast carcinomas were studied and microvessel density count was then performed on tissue samples obtained from these cancers. Two patients had locally advanced breast cancers and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for 3 months. In one patient, before chemotherapy, the total hemoglobin distribution showed a high concentration at the cancer periphery; the distribution was later confined to the core area after 3 months of treatment. In another patient, as treatment progressed, the maximum hemoglobin concentration decreased from 255.3, to 147.5, to 76.9 wmol/I with an associated reduction in spatial extension. The other four patients had cancers of 2.0 to 3.0 cm in size and were imaged either at the time of core biopsy or definitive surgery. The histologic microvessel density counts from these tumor samples correlate to hemoglobin distributions with a correlation coefficient of 0.64 ( P CONCLUSION: These initial results suggest that this new imaging technique may have great potential in imaging the heterogeneous vascular distribution of larger breast cancers in vivo and in monitoring treatment-related changes in angiogenesis during chemotherapy.
The impact of surface integrity by hard turning versus grinding on rolling contact fatigue – Part I: Comparison of fatigue life and acoustic emission signals

Hard turning and grinding are finishing processes for the manufacture of precision components, such as bearings, gears and cams. However, the effects of distinct surface integrity by hard turning versus grinding on rolling contact life are poorly understood. Four representative surface types were prepared: as-turned, as-ground, turned and polished and ground and polished. Surface integrity was characterized by surface topography, microstructure and micro/nanohardness. Fatigue tests were performed with an acoustic emission sensor and the signal processing software. The surface topographies show that skewness of the as-ground surface is much more negative than the as-tuned one while other surface parameters are equivalent. The turned surface has a thicker strain hardened zone and a thinner thermal affected zone than those of the ground one. The ground surface has higher micro- and nanohardness on surface and in the subsurface than the turned one. The amplitude of acoustic emission signal is the most stable and sensitive signal to fatigue failure. The turned surface may have a longer life (> 84%) than the ground one with equivalent surface finish. The fatigue lives of the bearing assembly are nearly identical for the turned surface versus the polished surface and the turned polished surface versus the ground and polished surface. In addition, polishing may not necessarily improve fatigue life of the machined surface, but increase bearing assembly life as much as 40%.
Research Note: Sampling Technique for Medically Significant Drug Abuse

Although there are many reports of drug habits of students, there has been little information regarding how much of drug abuse is medically significant. Deaths from overdose provide data from extreme cases and are comparatively rare as opposed to admissions to emergency rooms. Further, some drugs of abuse such as marijuana and LSD do not ifi themselves cause death. One practical and measurable indication of significance is whether drug use is the direct or indirect cause of admission to a hospital. With the assistance of the administrators and medical record librarians of several major hospitals in Portland and Salem, we sampled records at regular intervals for the 5 years, 1968 through 1972. These hospitals handle the vast majority of all hospitalizations in this area. All of the records for admissions to the emergency rooms of these hospitals were sampled for the first week in January, April, July, and October for the years 1968-1972. Every emergency room admission note was read, and any note in the chart indicating that the reason for admission was directly or indirectly related to drugs or alcohol was recorded as was the name of the drug when indicated. In addition, data was obtained for all admissions for drug abuse to the state hospital which serves this area. If more than one drug was indicated as a 885
Cyclic AMP stimulates MEG3 gene expression in cells through a cAMP-response element (CRE) in the MEG3 proximal promoter region

MEG3 is a human maternally expressed gene that potentially acts as a non-coding RNA. Our laboratory found that a cDNA isoform of MEG3, MEG3a, inhibits cell proliferation. MEG3 is highly expressed in the normal human pituitary but not expressed in clinically non-functioning pituitary tumors, suggesting that this imprinted gene may be involved in pituitary tumorigenesis. Previously we demonstrated that hypermethylation of the MEG3 promoter region is associated with the loss of MEG3 expression in pituitary tumors, potentially by blocking the binding of transcription factors to their cis-elements. To further investigate the cis- and trans-factors that are important for the regulation of MEG3, we have characterized the human MEG3 promoter. A single transcription initiation site was identified by 5' RACE. Up to 5kb of the 5'-flanking region of MEG3 gene was cloned into a reporter plasmid. Deletion and mutation analysis suggest that a cAMP response element (CRE), located between -69 and -49 of the MEG3 proximal promoter region, is critical for promoter activity. Consistent with this finding, Northern blot analysis demonstrate that elevated intracellular cAMP levels stimulate MEG3 expression in human fibroblasts in culture. Furthermore, gel shifting, ChIP analysis, and co-transfection experiments show that CREB directly binds to the CRE site and stimulates MEG3 promoter activity. Therefore, MEG3 is a downstream target gene of cAMP. Together with the anti-proliferative function of cAMP, our data suggest that MEG3 may interact with the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway to be involved in the control of cell proliferation and other cAMP-related physiological functions.
Representations of the Dirac equation

A representation of the Dirac equation which displays its extreme relativistic properties is discussed. The "spin" appears naturally related to the "position."
Sexual fantasies and sexual arousal in women with a history of childhood sexual abuse

Treatments of female sexual arousal dysfunction for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors could greatly benefit from more information on mechanisms to the sexual arousal problems specific to this population. In this study, 60 CSA survivors and 120 women with no history of CSA (NCSA) participated in an Internet-based survey on sexual arousal and sexual fantasies. Self-reported sexual arousal was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index and a modified version of the Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory: Sexual Fantasies was used to assess frequency and types of sexual fantasies. The frequency of degrading and violent sexual fantasies was not associated with sexual arousal. The CSA group did not report more degrading and violent sexual fantasies than the NCSA group. Greater frequency of conventional fantasies (i.e. sex with one's partner, sex in unusual positions, oral sex) was associated with greater sexual arousal for both groups. Clinical implications derived from these findings include whether enco...
Surface antibodies of human myelogenous leukaemia leukocytes reactive with specific type-C viral reverse transcriptases

Purified immunoglobin G (IgG) from patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia specifically neutralised RT from feline leukaemia virus while purified IgG from other types of leukaemias and from normal blood cells were less reactive and in some cases preferentially reacted with RT from horizontally transmitted primate type-C viruses (simian sarcoma virus-gibbon ape leukaemia virus group). This indicates the presence of a heterogeneous immune response to RT or to an RT-like molecule in humans.
Skeletal Unloading Induces Resistance to Insulin-like Growth Factor I

In previous studies with a hindlimb elevation model, we demonstrated that skeletal unloading transiently inhibits bone formation. This effect is limited to the unloaded bones (the normally loaded humerus does not cease growing), suggesting that local factors are of prime importance. IGF-I is one such factor; it is produced in bone and stimulates bone formation. To determine the impact of skeletal unloading on IGF-I production and function, we assessed the mRNA levels of IGF-I and its receptor (IGF-IR) in the proximal tibia and distal femur of growing rats during 2 weeks of hindlimb elevation. The mRNA levels for IGF-I and IGF-IR rose during hindlimb elevation, returning toward control values during recovery. This was accompanied by a 77% increase in IGF-I levels in the bone, peaking at day 10 of unloading. Changes in IGF binding protein levels were not observed. Infusion of IGF-I (200 micrograms/day) during 1 week of hindlimb elevation doubled the increase in bone mass of the control animals but failed to reverse the cessation of bone growth in the hindlimb-elevated animals. We conclude that skeletal unloading induces resistance to IGF-I, which may result secondarily in increased local production of IGF-I.
Brown recluse spider bite to the face.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must be prepared to manage a variety of maxillofacial infections, both odontogenic and non-odontogenic in nature. While odontogenic infections are quite common, non-odontogenic infections can present with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. An uncommon non-odontogenic infection is the cellulitis secondary to a spider bite. Few spider species have the ability to bite through human skin. Most of these insults result in only a small, red nodule centered within a larger, erythematous plaque. Symptoms are usually limited to pruritus and perhaps mild tenderness. The brown recluse and the black widow are 2 types of spiders that inhabit the United States that can cause serious injury or major medical problems to their victim. The bite of the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) results in an envenomation that can have deleterious effects on the patient. Within 6 hours after the bite, pain and erythema develop at the site. The area of erythema spreads during the first 24 hours and may turn bluish-purple. Necrosis of the skin often occurs 24 to 48 hours later. Signs include bullae formation, cyanosis, and hyperesthesia. Depending on their size, complete resolution of these lesions can take from weeks to months. Systemic symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, vomiting, and arthralgias. Less common but more severe reactions to the venom have resulted in hemolytic anemia, convulsions, renal failure, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and rarely, death. Brown recluse spider bites usually occur on the extremities or the trunk, but bites to the face have been reported. Treatment of a brown recluse spider bite is controversial and ranges from conservative comfort measures including rest, ice compresses, and elevation, to drug therapy and surgical excision.
The role of PtOx in the isothermal rate oscillations of ethylene oxidation on platinum

Abstract A kinetic model has been developed to explain the oscillatory phenomena observed during the oxidation of ethylene on polycrystalline Pt films in a CSTR. Direct measurement of the oxygen activity on the Pt catalyst indicates that rate and oxygen activity oscillations are caused by the periodic formation and decomposition of surface platinum oxide. The model explains semiquantitatively all the experimental observations, i.e., that (1) oscillations occur on the fuel rich side only; (2) increasing rates correspond to decreasing surface oxygen activity; (3) there exist an upper and a lower temperature limit for oscillations; (4) the frequency of oscillations is a linear function of both the ethylene/O2 ratio and the residence time in the CSTR. The thermodynamic properties of PtOx are estimated from the oxygen activity measurements. The model may be applicable to other Ptcatalyzed oscillatory reactions as well.
UNDERSTANDING POSITIVE FATHER-CHILD INTERACTION: CHILDREN’S, FATHERS’, AND MOTHERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

Guided by a systemic ecological framework for father involvement, we investigate children’s, mothers’, and fathers’ contributions to observed father-child interaction. Analyses of 586 married resident fathers, their wives, and a target first-grade child (participants in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care) demonstrate that an additive model of father involvement accounts for the quality of father-child interaction better than a model which focuses on only one component of the system. Father parenting beliefs, child language skills, child social skills, maternal employment, and dyadic mother-child interaction quality each additively and significantly contribute to positive father-child interaction. Father average income and education levels relate to dyadic interaction, but individual and family characteristics account for their effects. Moderational analyses resulted in a significant interaction between father parenting beliefs and child social skills, providing preliminary support for the systemic ecological assumption that father-child interaction is better understood in a model that is not only additive but also interactive.
281 Increased Leptin Levels in Children with Infections

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone/cytokine that links nutritional status with neuroendocrine and immune functions. As a hormone, leptin regulates food intake and basal metabolism, and is sexually dimorphic that is, its serum concentration is higher in females than in males with a similar body fat mass. As a cytokine, leptin can affect thymic homeostasis and the secretion of acute-phase reactants such as interleukin-1 and tumour-necrosis factor. Similar to other pro-inflammatory cytokines, leptin promotes Thelper1 (TH1)-cell differentiation and can modulate the onset and progression of autoimmune responses in several animal models. Many studies in animals have demonstrated that leptin levels increase acutely during infection and inflammation. We studied the leptin response to infections in 27 children with bacterial infections mainly respiratory and urinary tract. Serum Amyloid A protein (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum were measured by particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assays (BNProSpec Dade Behring), procalcitonin (PCT) levels were determined by chemiluminescence (Brahms), while leptin levels were measured by an enzymatically amplified two-step sandwich-type immunoassay (DSL). The main results of the study are summarized in the table: Leptin levels increased in all patients independently of their BMI, at diagnosis of the infection and returned to normal levels after treatment. This is an indication of normal expression of leptin genes and leptin receptor and this suggests that leptin is also an inflammatory marker. Similar results have been described in patients with sepsis, whereas the non-increase of leptin levels was associated with increased mortality. The secretion of leptin in the first hours of inflammation in children is stimulated by the endotoxins of bacteria as it has been shown in animal models. Leptin seems to play an important role being part of the cytokine network and modulating the inflammatory-immune response and the host defense mechanisms.
Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular Disease

Mortality and morbid events are insensitive guides to the efficacy and safety of interventions in chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD). To enhance the ability to find new and effective long-term treatments, especially for the early stages of CVD, a revised strategy for clinical trials should emphasize efficacy on disease progression while monitoring symptoms and quality of life as guides to clinical benefit. Mortality, which is uncommon except in acute or advanced disease, provides at best a crude guide to net efficacy and safety. It must be monitored to support demonstrated efficacy on disease progression without adverse safety effects. This revised approach, made possible by our enhanced ability to monitor the progression of disease, should make it possible to study earlier disease and to improve cardiovascular health while reducing health care costs.
Mode of delivery for the morbidly obese with prior cesarean delivery: vaginal versus repeat cesarean section

Abstract Objective: We sought to describe the peripartum outcome of women weighing >300 pounds (135 kg) who were candidates for trial of labor after a prior cesarean delivery. Study Design: All pregnant women who weighed in excess of 300 pounds and had a prior cesarean delivery were included in this prospective investigation. Student t test, χ 2 analysis, or Fisher exact tests were used. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. P Results: During a 2-year period, 69 patients met the inclusion criteria; 39 (57%) underwent an elective repeat cesarean delivery, and 30 (43%) women attempted a vaginal delivery after prior cesarean delivery. The demographics of age, race, gravidity, maternal weight, and preexisting medical conditions were similar for the two groups. Vaginal birth after prior cesarean delivery occurred in 13% (4/30). Reasons for failure included a labor arrest disorder in 46%, fetal distress in 38%, and failed induction in 15%. The rates of endometritis and wound breakdown were higher in the women undergoing trial of labor (30% and 23%, respectively) than in those undergoing repeat elective cesarean delivery (20% and 8%). The combined infectious morbidity rate was significantly higher for women attempting trial of labor (53%) than those undergoing elective repeat cesarean delivery (28%; odds ratio 1.78, 95% confidence intervals 1.05, 3.02). Conclusion: The success rate for a vaginal delivery in the morbidly obese woman with a prior cesarean delivery is less than 15%, and more than half of the patients undergoing a trial of labor have infectious morbidity. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:349-54.)
Milk Pricing – Past, Present, the 1980's

Abstract Because pricing is the fundamental coordinator of activities in the milk production, assembly, processing, and distribution system, it will be in the forefront of dairy policy issues in the 1980's. As the industry has become concentrated in fewer and larger firms, group bargaining – undergirded by government milk pricing programs – largely has replaced direct negotiations between individual producers and fluid milk processors. The price of manufacturing grade milk – the basic mover of all milk prices – still is established in the open market and based on competitive bidding among dairy products manufacturers. It is uncertain how long competitive prices will determine milk values because an increasing proportion of the United States milk supply is being produced, priced, and marketed as Grade A milk under federal milk marketing orders. Administered pricing of the manufactured dairy products industry likely will evolve if present trends continue.
Intraventricular arginine vasopressin maintains ethanol tolerance

Tolerance to the hypnotic effect of ethanol in mice is prolonged by once daily intraventricular injections of arginine vasopressin. This action is similar to that reported previously when vasopressin was administered subcutaneously. The results indicate that maintenance of ethanol tolerance by vasopressin is a centrally mediated action of the peptide, and is not due to possible aversive properties of peripherally administered vasopressin.
Multilevel examination of diabetes in modernising China: what elements of urbanisation are most associated with diabetes?

Aims/hypothesis The purpose of this study was to examine the association between urbanisation-related factors and diabetes prevalence in China.
Resonant vibrational energy transfer in ice Ih.

Fascinating anisotropy decay experiments have recently been performed on H2O ice Ih by Timmer and Bakker [R. L. A. Timmer, and H. J. Bakker, J. Phys. Chem. A 114, 4148 (2010)]. The very fast decay (on the order of 100 fs) is indicative of resonant energy transfer between OH stretches on different molecules. Isotope dilution experiments with deuterium show a dramatic dependence on the hydrogen mole fraction, which confirms the energy transfer picture. Timmer and Bakker have interpreted the experiments with a Forster incoherent hopping model, finding that energy transfer within the first solvation shell dominates the relaxation process. We have developed a microscopic theory of vibrational spectroscopy of water and ice, and herein we use this theory to calculate the anisotropy decay in ice as a function of hydrogen mole fraction. We obtain very good agreement with experiment. Interpretation of our results shows that four nearest-neighbor acceptors dominate the energy transfer, and that while the incoherent hopping picture is qualitatively correct, vibrational energy transport is partially coherent on the relevant timescale.
Bacterial chemoreceptor signaling probed by flash photorelease of a caged serine

A caged serine, a photolabile compound that liberates serine upon photolysis, has been synthesized. Smooth-swimming responses of the bacterium Escherichia coli to caged serine photorelease were videotaped. The mean latency was measured from the videorecords using computerized motion analysis. This time was approximately 0.2 s. Caged photorelease of a photolabile but nonchemotactic serine analogue had no effect on the swimming behavior of the bacteria. A tumbly mutant strain lacking tsr, the serine chemoreceptor, did not respond to caged serine photorelease.
Zipf's law in nuclear multifragmentation and percolation theory

We investigate the average sizes of the n largest fragments in nuclear multifragmentation events near the critical point of the nuclear matter phase diagram. We perform analytic calculations employing Poisson statistics as well as Monte Carlo simulations of the percolation type. We find that previous claims of manifestations of Zipf's Law in the rank-ordered fragment size distributions are not borne out in our result, in neither finite nor infinite systems. Instead, we find that Zipf-Mandelbrot distributions are needed to describe the results, and we show how one can derive them in the infinite size limit. However, we agree with previous authors that the investigation of rank-ordered fragment size distributions is an alternative way of looking for the critical point in the nuclear matter diagram.
Minimally invasive management of uterine fibroids

Purpose of reviewMany minimally invasive techniques have recently been introduced for the management of uterine fibroids. The purpose of this review is to analyse recent data for techniques that are used to manage uterine fibroids.Recent findingsLaparoscopic myomectomy has provided a minimally invas
Facing Quantum Mechanical Reality

Two recent precision experiments provide conclusive evidence against any local hidden variables theory and in favor of standard quantum mechanics. Therefore the epistemology and the ontology of quantum mechanics must now be taken more seriously than ever before. The consequences of the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics are summarized in nontechnical language. The implications of the finiteness of Planck's constant (h > 0) for the quantum world are as strange as the implications of the finiteness of the speed of light (c < infinity for space and time in relativity theory. Both lead to realities beyond our common experience that cannot be rejected.
Computer-generated diagnostic correction of anterior diastemas.

Abstract A technique for pretreatment estimation of appearance following cosmetic change to the anterior teeth by using a computer-generated image has been described. Patients should be advised that the generated projection is an estimation. As with a diagnostic set-up, a computer-generated result can only approximate final treatment. The patient must understand that the result could vary for reasons that might include (1) restorative material, (2) functional occlusal needs, (3) gingival tissue irritability, (4) artificial versus outdoor light, and (5) the angle at which the photograph was made. As technology advances, there will undoubtedly be other applications for computer graphics. The authors have successfully estimated outcomes for prosthodontic, orthodontic, and orthognathic surgical treatment. If properly used, color computer estimations can be successfully integrated in a dental office as a communication tool for the dentist, patient, and laboratory technician.
Novel organic ROM materials for optical 3D memory devices

Abstract We describe novel optical memory materials which we developed for Read Only Memory (ROM) computer storage applications. Their optical and spectroscopic properties are briefly described and the utilization of these ROM materials in 3D optical storage devices, by means of two-photon absorption, is demonstrated.
Emergency Physicians' Prescribing of Asthma Controller Medications

OBJECTIVES. To determine the frequency with which emergency department (ED) physicians prescribe long-term controller medications (LTCMs) for children with asthma, to assess ED physicians9 awareness of and level of agreement with national guidelines for LTCM use, and to identify criteria ED physicians use to prescribe LTCMs and barriers to the use of LTCMs. METHODS. A survey of all physician members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Emergency Medicine who provide care for children in an ED was performed. RESULTS. Surveys were returned by 391 (50%) of 782 physicians. The majority (80%) indicated that fewer than one half of children with persistent asthma were using LTCMs on ED arrival. Although 99% believe that children with persistent asthma should be treated with LTCMs, CONCLUSIONS. ED physicians often encounter children with persistent asthma who are not receiving LTCMs, they believe in the efficacy and safety of LTCMs, and they think that children with persistent disease should be treated with LTCMs, but they prescribe LTCMs infrequently.
Analysis of Single-Phase Convective Heat Transfer and System COP at Higher Power Levels in Thermoelectric-Based Hydronic Cooling and Heating Device

Experiments were performed on a heat exchanger equipped with multiple thermoelectric (TE) modules. The TE-HX serves as the basic system component in a simple hydronic modular Peltier heat pump system designed to provide chilled or hot water for domestic use (or supplementary building climate control) of small residences [1]. The present work focuses on the detailed convection analysis inside the TE-HX component when 10 thermoelectric modules are utilized. The local heat transfer coefficient at different points along the channel are measured at steady-state, first, when a continuous heater is installed and then when replaced with 10 TE modules. The experimental heat transfer coefficients obtained are compared with available empirical correlations for “transition” (3000 < ReDh < 7000) turbulent flow inside the channel with fair-to-good results. Next, the resulting coefficient-of-performance of the TE heat pump system is measured with its value depending both on system input power and water flow rate. Testing showed that performance degradation, i.e. reduced COPs, occurred when operated at higher power levels but remains satisfactory for up to 688 Watts with higher flow rate.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Function of phosphorylation sites on pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Abstract Evidence is presented that dephosphorylation of the three phosphorylation sites on bovine kidney pyruvate dehydrogenase by pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase is random. The relative rates of dephosphorylation were in the order site 2 > site 3 > site 1. Phosphorylation site 2, and possibly site 3, function, in addition to site 1, as inactivating sites. However, the presence of phosphoryl groups at sites 2 and 3 did not significantly affect the rate of dephosphorylation at site 1 or the rate of reactivation of the enzyme by the phosphatase. The rate-limiting step in the reactivation of phosphorylated pyruvate dehydrogenase is apparently the dephosphorylation at site 1.
Laparoscopic cholecystostomy with delayed cholecystectomy as an alternative to conversion to open procedure

Background: Acute cholecystitis carries the highest incidence of conversion from planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery due to unclear anatomy, excessive bleeding, complications, or other technical reasons.
Indomethacin-induced augmentation of insulin release☆

Abstract The effect of indomethacin, a potent prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor upon portal venous glucose, glucagon, and insulin, was examined in eight glucose-loaded, nondiabetic adult male mongrel dogs, by examining the response of each animal to a standard enteral glucose challenge with and without indomethacin pretreatment. Mean portal venous insulin rose after glucose loading with the rise after indomethacin pretreatment being significantly greater ( P P
Lower Bound to the Ground-State Energy and Mass Polarization in Helium-Like Atoms

Using a method which involves finding the expectation value of the square of the Hamiltonian, lower bounds to the ground state energies of He, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{O}}^{6+}$ have been obtained from existing Hylleraas-type wave functions. The limit of error in the Chandrasekhar-Herzberg 18-parameter helium upper bound, -2.9037063 atomic units (a.u.), is found to be in absolute value less than 0.00179 a.u. and "probably" less than 0.00009 a.u. (\ensuremath{\sim}20 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$). These results would seem to indicate that the Hylleraas series is not as rapidly convergent as previously thought.Again using existing Hylleraas-type wave functions, values have been obtained for the mass polarization (specific mass effect) in the same helium-like atoms. The value obtained for helium is somewhat different from that given by Bethe.
Relationship of sex-role stereotypes and self-actualization.

Self-actualization is an illusive construct that has been the focus of many personality theories. Rogers (1951) conceptualized a self-actualized person as one who is efficient in self-expression in interpersonal relations. Maslow (1971) has hypothesized that the self-actualized person makes no real strong differentiation berween the roles and personality appropriate for either sex. Some empirical evidence exists that strong sex-role stereotypes restrict the individual's flexibility of expression (Btm, 1974). Conversely. the androgynous individual or one who is free of rigid sex roles seems better prepared to deal with new interpersonal situations. Although there appears to be a relationship between androgyny and self-actualization, little has been published on its nature. The present study examined the differences in androgyny among groups of adults of high and low self-actualization. Subjects were 32 male and 32 female graduate volunteers attending Arizona State University. All 64 subjects were administered both the Personal Orientation Inventory (Shostrom, 1964) and the Bem Sex-role Inventory (Bem, 1974) using a counterbalanced procedure. On the basis of self-acmalization scores obtained from the Shostrom scale, the group was divided at the med~an into high and low self-actualized groups wich 32 subjects per group. Mean androgyny scores from Bem's scales were calculated for both groups and berween group differences evaluated by using a t ratio. Specifically, an androgyny score is the difference becween an individual's masculine and feminine self-endorsement, an ideal score being zero. The mean androgyny score for the high self-actualized group, -.07 (SD = 1.05), was significantly nearer zero than that of the low self-actualized group, -.78 (SD = .84; t~ = 2.18, p < .05). A further analysis showed no significant difference becween males and females on either androgyny or self-actualization scores. These results provide tenmtive support for the contention that individuals who are highly self-actualized are also free from strong sex-role stereotypes. Perhaps, traditional concepts of masculinity and femininity restrict an individual's flexibility in self-expression in new interpersonal situations. Androgyny may expand the range of behavior for both sexes, permitting people to respond more effectively in diverse situations.
Identification of a region in G protein γ subunits conserved across species but hypervariable among subunit isoforms

The heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins, G proteins, consist of three distinct subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. There are 12 known mammalian gamma subunit genes whose products are the smallest and most variable of the G protein subunits. Sequencing of the bovine brain gamma(10) protein by electrospray mass spectrometry revealed that it differs from the human protein by an Ala to Val substitution near the N-terminus. Comparison of gamma isoform subunit sequences indicated that they vary substantially more at the N-terminus than at other parts of the protein. Thus, species variation of this region might reflect the lack of conservation of a functionally unimportant part of the protein. Analysis of 38 gamma subunit sequences from four different species shows that the N-terminus of a given gamma subunit isoform is as conserved between different species as any other part of the protein, including highly conserved regions. These data suggest that the N-terminus of gamma is a functionally important part of the protein exhibiting substantial isoform-specific variation.
Three-dimensional Nanoanalysis with the Local Electrode Atom Probe

The commercial introduction of the local electrode atom probe (LEAP) in 2003 has significantly increased the volume that may be analyzed with atom probe tomography (APT) [1] and dramatically reduced the time required to acquire the data. Data sets from this instrument typically contain between 0.25 and 100 million atoms. APT experiments can now be performed in a few minutes rather than days. The large field of view, typically 50-100 nm, also enables a larger diversity of microstructural features to be investigated: coarse (~50 nm) and fine (~1 nm) features or low number density features such as dislocations in the vicinity of a strengthening precipitate and segregation at boundaries. The fundamental information obtained with this instrument is the atomic coordinates and the mass-to-charge ratio of the atoms in the sampled volume. This three-dimensional (3D) information may be processed in a variety of ways. For example, a carbon atom map of a Cottrell atmosphere at a dislocation in steel is shown in Fig. 1. The lateral extent of the carbon segregation was estimated to be ~7 nm and the local level of carbon was found to vary between 5 and 10%.
Effect of chronic administration of phenobarbital, or bromide, on pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam in dogs with epilepsy.

Background Levetiracetam (LEV) is a common add-on antiepileptic drug (AED) in dogs with refractory seizures. Concurrent phenobarbital administration alters the disposition of LEV in healthy dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of LEV in dogs with epilepsy when administered concurrently with conventional AEDs. Animals Eighteen client-owned dogs on maintenance treatment with LEV and phenobarbital (PB group, n = 6), LEV and bromide (BR group, n = 6) or LEV, phenobarbital and bromide (PB–BR group, n = 6). Methods Prospective pharmacokinetic study. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after LEV administration. Plasma LEV concentrations were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. To account for dose differences among dogs, LEV concentrations were normalized to the mean study dose (26.4 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on adjusted concentrations, using a noncompartmental method, and area-under-the-curve (AUC) calculated to the last measured time point. Results Compared to the PB and PB–BR groups, the BR group had significantly higher peak concentration (Cmax) (73.4 ± 24.0 versus 37.5 ± 13.7 and 26.5 ± 8.96 μg/mL, respectively, P < .001) and AUC (329 ± 114 versus 140 ± 64.7 and 98.7 ± 42.2 h*μg/mL, respectively, P < .001), and significantly lower clearance (CL/F) (71.8 ± 22.1 versus 187 ± 81.9 and 269 ± 127 mL/h/kg, respectively, P = .028). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Concurrent administration of PB alone or in combination with bromide increases LEV clearance in epileptic dogs compared to concurrent administration of bromide alone. Dosage increases might be indicated when utilizing LEV as add-on treatment with phenobarbital in dogs.
Error Structure of Multiparameter Radar and Surface Measurements of Rainfall Part I : Differential Reflectivity

Abstract Fluctuations in the radar measurements of ZDR are due to both signal power fluctuations and the cross-correlation between the horizontal and vertical polarized signals. In Part I of this study, these signals are simulated for an S-band radar for backscatter from rain media, which is characterized by a gamma model of the raindrop size distribution (RSD). The parameters N0, D0, m of the gamma RSD are then varied over the entire range found in natural rainfall. Thus, the radar simulations contain the effects of both statistical fluctuations and physical variations. We also simulate sampling of raindrops by disdrometer. The sampling errors are related to the Poisson statistics of the total number of drops in the fixed sample volume and to the statistics that govern the gamma distribution of drops as a function of size. We simulate disdrometer RSD samples over the entire range of N0, D0, m values found in rainfall, so that the effects of statistical fluctuations and physical variations are introduced....
The αβ T Cell Repertoire Comes into Focus

The size of the lymphocyte repertoire is of great interest, but direct information has been elusive. Moon et al. (2007) report the enumeration and isolation of naive CD4 + T cells and show their numbers could predict the size and diversity of the primary immune response.
Electron transfer facilitated by superoxide dismutase: A model for membrane redox systems?

Abstract Membranes, which are an amalgam of proteins and lipids, effect electron transfer through largely unknown mechanisms. Using albumin with bound fatty acids as a model, we have investigated the possible role of these two membrane constituents in electron transfer. In the presence of albumin:fatty acid, there is substantial enhancement of the reduction of ferricytochrome C by ferrous iron. To assess the possible role of free superoxide in cytochrome C reduction, we added mammalian copper/zinc containing superoxide dismutase ( Cu Zn SOD), which catalyzes the transfer of electrons between superoxide anion radicals, forming oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Surprisingly, in the presence of either albumin or fatty acid free albumin, Cu Zn SOD actually accelerates electron transfer from ferrous iron to ferricytochrome C. By contrast, neither inactive Cu Zn SOD nor active manganese SOD facilitates the ferrous iron-dependent reduction of cytochrome C. These results suggest that, in some circumstances, Cu Zn SOD may transfer electrons to alternative acceptors and that such transfer depends upon the unique reduction/oxidation reaction mechanism of Cu Zn SOD. If so, this ubiquitous enzyme could be involved in regulating cellular electron transfer reactions as well as acting as a superoxide ‘detoxify-ing’ agent.
Uncommon Cause of ST Elevation

A 73-year-old man presented with severe postprandial epigastric pain that did not radiate. He had 6 episodes of emesis followed by retching. The character of the pain was different from past anginal symptoms. At his local emergency department, a chest roentgenogram revealed air presumably within a large intrathoracic hiatal hernia (Figure 1). Computed tomography was notable for the stomach being almost entirely intrathoracic and distended with an organo-axial volvus configuration (Figure 2). A nasogastric tube was inserted, and he was transferred to our institution. His medical history included hiatal hernia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. He had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 26 years previously with vein grafts to his left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery. Ten years ago, he had redo surgery with a left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery. His medications included aspirin, β-blocker, angiotensin receptor blocker, statin, and nitrates. He was afebrile; his pulse was 73 bpm and blood pressure was 169/87 mm Hg. Chest examination revealed a significant systolic upper sternal …
Salinity and the global water cycle

Author Posting. © Oceanography Society, 2008. This article is posted here by permission of Oceanography Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Oceanography 21, 1 (2008): 12-19.
Linear-Chain Structures of Platinum(II) Diimine Complexes

The structures of three linear-chain platinum(II) diimine complexes have been determined [Pt···Pt, A]: Pt(bpm)Cl_2·0.5(nmp) (3) [3.411(1), 3.371(1)], Pt(phen)(CN)_2 (6) [3.338(1), 3.332(1)], and Pt(bpy)(NCS)_2 (7) [3.299(2)] (bpm = 2,2‘-bipyrimidine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine, nmp = 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone). The Pt···Pt distances in these and in seven related compounds range from 3.24 to 3.49 A. While we find evidence of interligand interactions influencing these structures, the Pt···Pt bonds are the most important of the stacking forces. The metal−metal distances are generally consistent with an electronic structural model in which σ-donor/π-acceptor ligands strengthen Pt···Pt bonding interactions (for example, the Pt···Pt distances in 3 are 0.04 and 0.08 A shorter than in the bpy analogue). We have also found that the yellow form of Pt(dmbpy)(NCO)_2 (1b) (4,4‘-dimethyl-2,2‘-bipyridine) has a columnar structure; however, in contrast to the linear-chain form (1), which is orange, the Pt atoms are well separated (>4.9 A). Interestingly, the yellow form is 7% denser than the orange form; this result is consistent with the concept that directed intermolecular interactions give rise to lower density polymorphs. Crystal data: (3) monoclinic, C2/m (No. 12), a = 12.668(4) A, b = 15.618(6) A, c = 6.704(3) A, β = 93.43(3)°, Z = 4; (6) orthorhombic, Pbca (No. 61), a = 38.731(13) A, b = 18.569(3) A, c = 6.628(1) A, Z = 16; (7) orthorhombic, Pbcm (No. 57), a = 10.349(3) A, b = 19.927(5) A, c = 6.572(3) A, Z = 4; (1b) monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 17.313(4) A, b = 12.263(3) A, c = 14.291(4) A, β = 114.00(2)°, Z = 8.