cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Treatment of Pituitary Apoplexy: Outcomes in a Series of 20 Patients.

Objective: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical entity and few cases treated with an endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) have been reported. We report our experience of treating pituitary apoplexy using an EEA approach. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on all the patients who underwent EEA skull base and pituitary surgery between December 2003 and March 2012 performed by the senior authors (THS and VKA) and identified patients with pituitary apoplexy. The extent of resection was determined volumetrically and the visual and endocrine outcome was evaluated. Results: From a total of 488 skull base surgeries, there were 241 pituitary cases, of which 20 had apoplexy. The most common presenting symptoms included headaches (80%), endocrinopathy (95%), and visual symptoms (60%). Surgery was performed within 24 hours in 15% of patients, and > one month after ictus in 40% due to late referral. Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 18 (90%) patients. There was one (5%) postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak treated with lumbar drainage. Of 12 patients with preoperative visual disturbances, seven had improvements. For those patients with visual field cuts, only 33.3% showed improvement. There was no postoperative visual deterioration. Two patients developed new transient postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) but there was no new permanent DI. The mean duration of follow-up was 22 months (range: 6 days – 72 months). Conclusion: The endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach is an effective modality to treat pituitary apoplexy with a high rate of GTR and minimal risk. Delayed surgery may result in lower rates of visual field defect improvement.
Quadrupole GC/MS Analysis of Polybromodiphenylethers Ranging to m/z of 959

Quadrupole GC/MS analysis of decabromodiphenylether (DeBDE) known as a kind of fire retardant was developed. Using temperature programmable injection GC and MS of fullscan mode, the mass spectra of DeBDE was successfully acquired. The detected molecular ions are 954, 956, 958, 960, 962, 964 and 966 m/z. The ratio of those is about 2:5:8:10:8:5:2 and agrees with isotope pattern of Br. The quantitation range was obtained for 100 ppb to 100 ppm using 800 m/z with SIM mode. Furthermore, from monoto heptaBDEs and DeBDE were separated.
Modeling of Anisotropic Deformation in Superplastic Sheet Metal Stretching

Currently available models describing superplastic deformation are mostly based on uniaxial tensile test data and assume isotropic behavior, thus leading to limited predictive capabilities of material deformation and failure. In this work we present a multi-axial microstructure-based constitutive model that describes the anisotropic superplastic deformation within the continuum theory of viscoplasticity with internal variables. The model accounts for microstructural evolution and employs a generalized anisotropic dynamic yield function. The anisotropic yield function can describe the evolution of the initial state of anisotropy through the evolution of unit vectors defining the direction of anisotropy during deformation. The generalized model is then reduced to the plane stress condition to simulate sheet metal stretching in superplastic blow forming using pressurized gas. Different ratios of biaxial stretching were investigated, including the case simulating the uniaxial loading condition, where the model successfully captured the uniaxial experimental data. The model is also used to develop a new forming pressure profile that accounts for anisotropy and microstructural evolution.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Is the epithelium premalignant?

Abstract This paper will review the pathologic definition of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, its relationships and epidemiology, and its association with thyroid neoplasms. The epithelium of thyroid glands affected by lymphocytic thyroiditis has been studied by various techniques. Immunohistochemical markers, oncogene changes and genetic mutations that are shared by the thyroiditic epithelium and papillary thyroid carcinoma will be reviewed. Morphologic similarities of the follicular epithelium in thyroiditis and in papillary carcinoma, similar immunohistochemical reactions with markers such as cytokeratin 19, HBME-1 and Galectin-3 and results of ret/PTC oncogene, mutational and loss of heterozygosity studies have raised questions about the nature of the thyroiditic epithelium and whether it is neoplastic or dysplastic. The results of work done in our laboratory in these areas will be compared and contrasted with work cited in the literature. This information will be assessed in terms of its clinical implications to everyday practice.
Total dust, coal, free silica, and trace metal concentrations in bituminous coal miners' lungs.

The analysis of lung and pulmonary lymph node tissues of bituminous coal miners is a continuing study at the Cincinnati laboratory of the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health, Public Health Service. Determinations are made for eleven trace elements (Be, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb), free silica, and coal, noncoal, and total dust. In this paper analyses of tissues from 65 deceased West Virginia bituminous coal miners are compared with results obtained in earlier work. Four specific sections of the left lung are compared as to mineral and elemental concentrations; average lung concentrations are compared with concentrations found in the hilar lymph nodes; mineral concentrations are compared with the concentrations found by other investigators in the lungs of coal miners from other geographical areas; and average lung element concentrations are compared with concentrations found in the lungs of nonminers.
The role of Terzaghi effective stress in linearly elastic deformation

It has been shown that the overall strain of a fluid-filled porous elastic solid is not governed by the Terzaghi effective stress law. The authors show, in the context of anisotropic linear elasticity, that the overall strain may be resolved into a component which is the average strain of the solid matrix and a component due to change in relative pore geometry, and that the latter is determined by the Terzaghi effective stress. This leads to a simple form of the response laws and, in particular, to effective stress laws for overall strain (obtained previously) and for strain of the pore space.
Interferometric measurement of Pb ii spectrum

Interferometric measurement of Pb ii lines produced by hollow-cathode sources were made to improve the values of derived Pb ii energy levels. A total of 50 lines were measured with a Fabry-Perot interferometer, from which values for 29 even levels and 12 odd levels were derived. Where isotope or hyperfine structure was resolved, the data were adjusted to give the center of gravity of natural Pb.
Comparison of the replication and persistence of simian-human immunodeficiency viruses expressing Vif proteins with mutation of the SLQYLA or HCCH domains in macaques

The Vif protein of primate lentiviruses interacts with APOBEC3 proteins, which results in shunting of the APOBEC3-Vif complex to the proteosome for degradation. Using the simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)/macaque model, we compared the replication and pathogenicity of SHIVs that express a Vif protein in which the entire SLQYLA (SHIV(Vif5A)) or HCCH (SHIV(VifHCCH(-))) domains were substituted with alanine residues. Each virus was inoculated into three macaques and various viral and immunological parameters followed for 6 months. All macaques maintained stable circulating CD4+ T cells, developed low viral loads, maintained the engineered mutations, yielded no histological lesions, and developed immunoprecipitating antibodies early post-inoculation. Sequence analysis of nef and vpu from three lymphoid tissues revealed a high percentage of G-to-A-substitutions. Our results show that while the presence of HCCH and SLQYLA domains are critical in vivo, there may exist APOBEC3 negative reservoirs that allow for low levels of viral replication and persistence but not disease.
Whence flavins? Redox-active ribonucleotides link metabolism and genome repair to the RNA world.

Present-day organisms are under constant environmental stress that damages bases in DNA, leading to mutations. Without DNA repair processes to correct these errors, such damage would be catastrophic. Organisms in all kingdoms have repair processes ranging from direct reversal to base excision and nucleotide excision repair, and the recently characterized giant viruses also include these mechanisms. At what point in the evolution of genomes did active repair mechanisms become critical? In particular, how did early RNA genomes protect themselves from UV photodamage that would have hampered nonenzymatic replication and led to a mutation rate too high to pass on accurate sequence information from one generation to the next?Photolyase is a widespread and phylogenetically ancient enzyme that utilizes longer wavelength light to cleave thymine dimers in DNA produced via photodamage. The protein serves as a binding scaffold but does not contribute to the catalytic chemistry; the action of the dinucleotide cofactor...
Using external reference price to reduce resistance to leisure service pricing increases

Zone of tolerance has emerged as a key concept for guiding pricing decisions. It directs that user resistance to prices for new services or price increases to existing services will be minimized if they are within this zone, and that if discounts are to be effective in inducing additional use they should be of sufficient magnitude to be outside this zone. External reference prices can be used to influence users' perceptions of the parameters of the zone of tolerance. Four contexts in which this principle may be effective in the context of leisure services are discussed and illustrated: (i) the use of discounts to induce trial or re-engagement with an activity; (ii) comparative pricing with competitors; (iii) offering a high priced service so the other services' prices are perceived to be relatively low; and (iv) facilitating acceptance of price discrimination.
203. Partial progesterone withdrawal during late gestation increases placental expression of 11β-HSD1 in the rat

Fetal glucocorticoid excess programs adverse outcomes in adult offspring, including hypertension, obesity and insulin resistance. Access of maternal glucocorticoids to the fetus is regulated by the placental glucocorticoid barrier which consists of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) enzyme and P-glycoprotein (Abcb1). Both proteins act to reduce fetal and placental exposure to active, circulating glucocorticoids. In addition, placental expression of 11β-HSD1 is thought to limit the effectiveness of the barrier by local reactivation of inert glucocorticoids. The present study measured expression of placental 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 in normal rat pregnancy and after either partial progesterone withdrawal or treatment with dexamethasone, both of which reduce fetal growth. Placentas were collected and dissected into their morphologically- and functionally-distinct zones (junctional and labyrinth) on days 16 and 22 of normal pregnancy (term = 23 days) and after either dexamethasone treatment (0.75 μg/mL in drinking water from day 13) or ovariectomy (day 16) plus full oestrogen and partial progesterone replacement (to approximately one-third of day 22 levels). Junctional and labyrinth zone expression of 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 mRNA were determined by qRT–PCR. Labyrinthine expression of 11β-HSD1 increased markedly between days 16 and 22 and there was a concomitant decrease in labyrinthine 11β-HSD2 expression. Dexamethasone administration had no effect on the expression of either 11β-HSD isoform in either placental zone. Partial progesterone withdrawal increased 11β-HSD1 expression in both placental zones (1.9 and 3.1-fold in LZ and JZ respectively, P < 0.05), but had no effect on 11β-HSD2 levels. In conclusion, these data confirm the pattern of placental 11β-HSD isoform expression in late rat pregnancy and suggest that that labyrinth zone 11β-HSD1 is normally suppressed by progesterone. Thus, the normal pre-partum decline in circulating progesterone may provide a key stimulus for the marked rise in labyrinth zone 11β-HSD1 that occurs between days 16 and 22 of pregnancy.
Kinetic and pharmacological properties distinguishing three types of calcium currents in chick sensory neurones.

1. Calcium currents in cultured dorsal root ganglion (d.r.g.) cells were studied with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Using experimental conditions that suppressed Na+ and K+ currents, and 3-10 mM-external Ca2+ or Ba2+, we distinguished three distinct types of calcium currents (L, T and N) on the basis of voltage-dependent kinetics and pharmacology. 2. Component L activates at relatively positive test potentials (t.p. greater than -10 mV) and shows little inactivation during a 200 ms depolarization. It is completely reprimed at a holding potential (h.p.) of -60 mV, and can be isolated by using a more depolarized h.p. (-40 mV) to inactivate the other two types of calcium currents. 3. Component T can be seen in isolation with weak test pulses. It begins activating at potentials more positive than -70 mV and inactivates quickly and completely during a maintained depolarization (time constant, tau approximately 20-50 ms). The current amplitude and the rate of decay increase with stronger depolarizations until both reach a maximum at approximately -40 mV. Inactivation is complete at h.p. greater than -60 mV and is progressively removed between -60 and -95 mV. 4. Component N activates at relatively strong depolarizations (t.p. greater than -20 mV) and decays with time constants ranging from 50 to 110 ms. Inactivation is removed over a very broad range of holding potentials (h.p. between -40 and -110 mV). 5. With 10 mM-EGTA in the pipette solution, substitution of Ba2+ for Ca2+ as the charge carrier does not alter the rates of activation or relaxation of any component. However, T-type channels are approximately equally permeable to Ca2+ and Ba2+, while L-type and N-type channels are both much more permeable to Ba2+. 6. Component N cannot be explained by current-dependent inactivation of L current resulting from recruitment of extra L-type channels at negative holding potentials: raising the external Ba2+ concentration to 110 mM greatly increases the amplitude of L current evoked from h.p. = -30 mV but produces little inactivation. 7. Cadmium ions (20-50 microM) virtually eliminate both N and L currents (greater than 90% block) but leave T relatively unaffected (less than 50% block). 200 microM-Cd2+ blocks all three components. 8. Nickel ions (100 microM) strongly reduce T current but leave N and L current little changed. 9. The dihydropyridine antagonist nifedipine (10 microM) inhibits L current (approximately 60% block) at a holding potential that inactivates half the L-type channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Role of Friendship, Trust, and Love in Strong Latino Marriages

This qualitative study focuses on the role that friendship, trust, and love play in the marriages of 25 Latino couples (50 individuals) who, through a semistructured interview, reported having strong marriages. Latino couples were interviewed using questions developed within the context of Latino culture. A model of how friendship, trust, and love contribute to strong marriages is proposed. Suggestions of how these findings can be used in marriage education are provided.
Child Nutrition, Health Problems and School Achievement in Sri Lanka

Summary This paper estimates the impact of nutrition and health problems on test scores of grade four students in Sri Lanka using a rich dataset on child height, weight, hearing and vision problems, helminthes infections, malaria, and micronutrient deficiencies. The results show that stunting and hearing problems in children have direct impact on tests scores and an indirect effect as parents may adjust to small changes in nutrition and health by changing the education inputs provided to their child. Further, omitting health problems from estimation generally causes an upward bias in estimates of stunting, a common measure of overall child health.
Wireless Motility Capsule Test in Children with Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Objective To compare scintigraphic gastric emptying and antroduodenal manometry (ADM) studies with the wireless motility capsule test in symptomatic pediatric patients. Study design Patients aged 8-17 years with severe upper gastrointestinal symptoms (ie, nausea, vomiting, retching, abdominal pain) referred for ADM were recruited. A standardized protocol for ADM was used. On a different day, participants were given a standardized meal and then swallowed the wireless motility capsule. A wireless receiver unit worn during the study recorded transmitted data. If not performed previously, a 2-hour scintigraphic gastric emptying study was completed at the time of ADM testing. Results A total of 22 patients were recruited, of whom 21 had complete scintigraphic gastric emptying study data and 20 had complete ADM data. The wireless motility capsule test had 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity in detecting gastroparesis compared with the 2-hour scintigraphic gastric emptying study. The wireless motility capsule test detected motor abnormalities in 17 patients, compared with 10 detected by ADM. Dichotomous comparison yielded a diagnostic difference between ADM and the wireless motility capsule test (P Conclusion In symptomatic pediatric patients, the wireless motility capsule test is highly sensitive compared with scintigraphic gastric emptying studies in detecting gastroparesis, and seems to be more sensitive than ADM in detecting motor abnormalities.
Enhancing prehension in infants and children: fostering neuromotor strategies.

SUMMARYLearning to reach for and manipulate objects requires considerable neuromotor control and flexibility. Through environmental and object exploration individual neuromotor strategies expand, and prehensile skills improve, as infants and children overcome constraints. Infants and children with prehensile deficits often have difficulty exploring objects and the environment, thus, may not sufficiently develop the strategies needed to expand their prehensile skills. This article reviews neuromotor factors that influence prehension development, discusses limitations to prehensile function and provides guidelines that can be used to examine and enhance prehensile behaviors in infants and young children based on a task-oriented approach addressing impairments, motor strategies and function.
PUTTING VIOLENCE IN ITS PLACE: THE INFLUENCE OF RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, AND PLACE ON THE RISK FOR VIOLENCE*

Research Summary: This research shows that non-Latino black, non-Latino white, and Latino males and females in the U.S. experience significantly different levels of stranger and non-stranger violence, and that these forms of non-lethal violence are especially pronounced in areas with high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage. Many of the differences between these groups are eliminated once community and other individual characteristics are taken into account. Policy Implications: The results suggest that victimization resources should be geographically targeted at places with high levels of poverty and single-parent families, and that the most stable institutions within these communities be drawn upon to deliver information about victimization prevention and services.
A Further Generalization of Algebras of Cartan Type W

Abstract In this paper, a class of infinite-dimensional Lie algebras, called algebras of Cartan type W *, over a field F of characteristic 0 is studied. These algebras are derivations of the field F ( x 1 , x 2 ,…, x n ). We prove that algebras of Cartan type W * are simple. We also prove that any derivation on an algebra of this type with one indeterminate is an inner derivation.
The relative effects of composition and temperature on olivine-liquid Ni partitioning: Statistical deconvolution and implications for petrologic modeling

Abstract We have used the results of 300 1-bar experiments on Ni partitioning between olivine and liquid to calibrate a composition- and temperature-dependent equation for D Ni Ol / melt (wt. ratio). The equation incorporates the simplified thermodynamic formulation proposed by Beattie et al. (1991): ln D Ni Ol / melt = − 0.618 × ln X Div melt X SiO 2 melt + 9250 T − 4.02 , where T is in degrees Kelvin, X is mole fraction, XDivmelt = XMgOmelt + XFeOmelt + XCaOmelt + XMnOmelt + XCoOmelt + XNiOmelt. The average error of prediction for D Ni Ol / melt is ± 12%. The equation indirectly illustrates the effect of depth (pressure) on olivine Ni contents. It allows more accurate modeling of Ni distribution between olivine and coexisting magma during mantle partial melting and olivine crystallization than temperature-independent empirical equations. Higher Ni contents in primitive olivine phenocrysts (Fo > 90) in OIB compared to those in MORB can be explained by the negative depth effect on D Ni Ol / melt during mantle partial melting.
Femtosecond high-sensitivity, chirp-free transient absorption spectroscopy using kilohertz lasers

A simple method is demonstrated for high-sensitivity, chirp-free measurements of femtosecond (fs) transient absorption over the entire bandwidth of a white-light continuum probe. This technique uses phase-sensitive detection, with spectral scanning and simultaneous adjustment of the time delay between pump and probe pulses; it permits a direct measurement of spectra undistorted by chirp at all time scales, limited only by the resolution of the fs source. The method is applied to study the ultrafast relaxation dynamics of ?-conjugated oligomers and semiconductor nanocrystals.
Increasing hepatitis C prevalence and associated risk behaviors among incarcerated young adults.

This study sought to assess the rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors in young adults 18–28 years of age who were incarcerated in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. The majority of participants reported injection drug use and engaged in high-risk behaviors such as needle sharing. Despite having these risk factors and believing themselves to be at risk, the majority of youths reported no prior HCV testing. Correctional facilities present a unique opportunity to detect HCV infection and provide risk reduction education to young adults, the population with the highest rates of new infections in the US. Seventy-two incarcerated individuals with a history of drug use were approached to participate in the study; 68 completed the screening and interview. The rate of HCV infection among adults <30 years of age and incarcerated at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections in 2011 was high (24 %). In 1998, the rate of HCV among inmates <30 years of age at the same facility was only 11.4 %. These data follow the same increase in HCV infection rates among young adults observed in non-incarcerated young adults across the nation. HCV is the leading cause of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma in the US. Despite a decline and leveling in HCV incidence nationwide, alarming increases in HCV rates among adolescents and young adults have been reported during the period between the years 1992 and 2005. This disquieting epidemic is attributable to injection drug use amongst young adults.
Theoretical Estimation of Vibrational Frequencies Involving Transition Metal Compounds

This article discusses the theoretical estimation of vibrational frequencies involving transition metal compounds.
Studies On Decapod Crustacea From the Indian River Region of Florida. Xiv. a Method for Rapid Preparation of Brachyuran Larvae for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Introduction. ? Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has become an important tool in the elucidation of both gross morphology and fine structures in many groups of crustaceans (e.g. Copepoda, Grice & Lawson, 1971; Ostracoda, Sandberg, 1970; Cirripedia, Rainbow & Walker, 1976; Euphausiacea, Guglielmo & Costanzo, 1977). Although adult decapod crustaceans have been studied in some detail (e.g. Abele, 1971; Mauchline et al., 1977; Hindley & Alexander, 1978; Williams, 1978), scanning microscopy of larvae of this group has received only slight atten tion (Laughlin & Neff, 1976; Bellon-Humbert et al., 1978). The number of SEM fixation procedures has been as varied as the authors who proposed them and the composition of the specimens examined. For example, adult decapod structures such as xanthid crab gonopods (Abele, 1971), integu mental sensilla of pelagic shrimp (Mauchline et al., 1977), hermit crab spines (McLaughlin & Lane, 1975) and chelate pereiopods of penaeid shrimp (Hindley & Alexander, 1978) have been prepared for SEM by dehydration through an alcohol series before airor freeze-drying. Fujino (1975), studied the dactylus of the ambulatory pereiopods of a pontoniine shrimp using an alternate fixation method which involved soaking the appendages in a gluteraldehyde, and then an osmium tetroxide solution. Other fixation procedures involving the scanning of adult decapods can be found in Bauer (1975, 1977) and Felgenhauer & Schr?m (in press). Scanning of decapod larvae, on the other hand, has been neglected. The sparse literature includes the studies of Laughlin & Neff (1976) on the sensory structures of the zoeae of Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould), and Bellon-Humbert et al. (1978) on the development and location of sensory and neurosecretory sites in larval and postlarval Palaemon serratus (Pennant). The latter authors provide to date the only published methodology for preparation of decapod larvae for SEM. Their procedure consisted of washing the larvae in distilled water and in am moniacal water (0.1%), fixing in a 100% ethanol-chloroform mixture (2:1) for a week, and rinsing in 100% ethanol and in n-butanol (3 changes each). During a laboratory study on the larval development of the brachyuran crab, Menippe nodijrons Stimpson (see Scotto, in press), several zoeal stages were prepared for SEM by applying a new methodology. This quick and simple tech nique, which requires a minimal number of chemical reagents, is described below. Materials and methods. ? Representative samples of each zoeal stage of M.
Recovery of lotic macroinvertebrate communities from disturbance

Ecosystem disturbances produce changes in macrobenthic community structure (abundances, biomass, and production) that persist for a few weeks to many decades. Examples of disturbances with extremely long-term effects on benthic communities include contamination by persistent toxic agents, physical changes in habitats, and altered energy inputs. Stream size, retention, and local geomorphology may ameliorate the influence of disturbances on invertebrates. Disturbances can alter food webs and may select for favorable genotypes (e.g., insecticidal resistance). Introductions of pesticides into lotic ecosystems, which do not result in major physical changes within habitats, illustrate several factors that influence invertebrate recovery time from disturbance. These include: (1) magnitude of original contamination, toxicity, and extent of continued use; (2) spatial scale of the disturbance; (3) persistence of the pesticide; (4) timing of the contamination in relation to the life history stages of the organisms; (5) vagility of populations influenced by pesticides; and (6) position within the drainage network. The ability of macroinvertebrates to recolonize denuded stream habitats may vary greatly depending on regional life histories, dispersal abilities, and position within the stream network (e.g., headwaters vs larger rivers). Although downstream drift is the most frequently cited mechanism of invertebrate recolonization following disturbance in middle- and larger-order streams, evidence is presented that shows aerial recolonization to be potentially important in headwater streams. There is an apparent stochastic element operating for aerial recolonization, depending on the timing of disturbance and flight periods of various taxa. Available evidence indicates that recolonization of invertebrate taxa without an aerial adult stage requires longer periods of time than for those that possess winged, terrestrial adult stages (i.e., most insects). Innovative, manipulative experiments are needed in order to address recolonization mechanisms of animals inhabiting streams that differ in size, latitude, disturbance frequency and magnitude, as well as the potential influence of early colonists on successional sequences of species following disturbance.
Dissipative particle dynamics simulation of fluid motion through an unsaturated fracture and fracture junction

Multiphase fluid motion in unsaturated fractures and fracture networks involves complicated fluid dynamics, which is difficult to model using grid-based continuum methods. In this paper, the application of dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), a relatively new mesoscale method to simulate fluid motion in unsaturated fractures is described. Unlike the conventional DPD method that employs a purely repulsive conservative (non-dissipative) particle-particle interaction to simulate the behavior of gases, we used conservative particle-particle interactions that combine short-range repulsive and long-range attractive interactions. This new conservative particle-particle interaction allows the behavior of multiphase systems consisting of gases, liquids and solids to be simulated. Our simulation results demonstrate that, for a fracture with flat parallel walls, the DPD method with the new interaction potential function is able to reproduce the hydrodynamic behavior of fully saturated flow, and various unsaturated flow modes including thin film flow, wetting and non-wetting flow. During simulations of flow through a fracture junction, the fracture junction can be fully or partially saturated depending on the wetting property of the fluid, the injection rate and the geometry of the fracture junction. Flow mode switching from a fully saturated flow to a thin film flow can also be observed in the fracture junction.
HLA-linked and unlinked determinants of multiple sclerosis.

Genetic methods, especially segregation and linkage analysis and supplementary tests on identity by descent and phenotype distributions, help to clarify the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). They reveal two determinants, one tightly linked to DR2 haplotypes in the HLA system, the other unlinked, which interact to simulate loose linkage.
Spontaneous release of stable viral double-stranded RNA into the extracellular medium by influenza virus-infected MDCK epithelial cells: implications for the viral acute phase response

The viral factor responsible for triggering the acute phase response, or ‘flu’ syndrome, associated with many acute viral infections is not defined. One candidate viral factor is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) generated during viral replication. In this report we demonstrate by reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain reaction that nuclease-stable viral RNA was released from influenza-infected MDCK epithelial cells at the time of cell lysis. Removal of virion-associated RNA by ultracentrifugation left equal amounts of positive-and negative-strand viral RNA in the medium that resisted degradation by endogenous RNase in the medium and by exogenous RNase added prior to phenol extraction. These data are the first demonstration that viral RNA with characteristics of dsRNA is spontaneously released from dying influenza virus-infected cells, and thus is available to amplify cytokine induction and contribute to systemic disease.
Derivation and Validation of a Bayesian Network to Predict Pretest Probability of Venous Thromboembolism

Study objectives: Bayesian networks analyze interdependencies between predictive variables. A genetic algorithm can be constructed that maps the directions and magnitudes of these dependencies to produce a framework to estimate probability of the value of any one of the variables according to the values of the other variables. We derive and test the diagnostic accuracy a Bayesian model designed to assess the conditional probability of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: A genetic algorithm was used to construct a Bayesian network that was manipulated using commercial software (Netica). The fitness function was derived from analysis of the interrelationships of 26 clinical variables prospectively collected on 3,148 emergency department (ED) patients originating from 10 hospitals. All patients underwent standardized testing, including pulmonary vascular imaging. A positive endpoint (VTE+) was anticoagulation or vena caval interruption within 90 days. Eleven percent of derivation subjects were VTE+. The best-fit model was selected using a population of 75 competing models that were updated over 50 generations of the genetic algorithm search process. The resultant model was tested in a validation population of 1,427 ED patients who were evaluated for VTE at 2 hospitals from 2001 to 2003. All 1,427 had the same 26 variables prospectively collected using the same explicit variable definitions that were used in the derivation set. The 90-day VTE+ rate was 8% in the validation population. For statistical analysis, the model output was normalized to a score from 0 to 100 points, and diagnostic accuracy was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: When tested in the derivation set, the Bayesian model produced an area under the ROC curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 0.80). A score less than 3 generated the lowest likelihood ratio negative (0.07). When the model was tested in the validation population, the area under the ROC curve was 0.83 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.87), indicating good overall diagnostic accuracy. In the validation population, 711 of 1,427 (50%; 95% CI 47% to 52%) patients had a score less than 3 (test negative), which yielded a sensitivity of 90.3%, a specificity of 54.0%, and a pretest probability of 11 of 711 (1.5%; 95% CI 0 to 3.0%). Conclusion: A Bayesian network derived from a large multicenter sample demonstrated good diagnostic performance in a large, 2-center validation population. Bayesian network analysis represents a promising methodology to provide clinicians with an accurate point estimate of pretest probability for VTE.
Industrial-scale radio frequency treatments for insect control in walnuts: I: Heating uniformity and energy efficiency

Conducting industrial-scale confirmatory treatments is the final step in developing commercially and environmentally sound insect control technologies for in-shell walnuts using radio frequency (RF) energy as an alternative to chemical fumigation. Improving heating uniformity of in-shell walnuts in the industrial process is essential to ensure insect control without quality degradation. An industrial-scale 27 MHz, 25 kW RF system was used to determine the heating uniformity of in-shell walnuts. Non-uniform vertical temperature distributions were measured in the RF unit, indicating that mixing and circulated hot air were needed to obtain the required treatment uniformity. Using a uniformity index derived experimentally for the RF unit, we showed that a single mixing of the walnuts was required to optimize heating uniformity. The predicted standard deviation of walnut surface temperatures was verified experimentally. The average energy efficiency of two RF units in series was estimated to be 79.5% when heating walnuts at 1561.7 kg/h. This study provided the basis for subsequent evaluations of treatment efficacy and product quality needed in developing an industrial-scale RF process to control insect pests in walnuts. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Possible Diversifying Selection in the Imprinted Gene, MEDEA, in Arabidopsis

Coevolutionary conflict among imprinted genes that influence traits such as offspring growth may arise when maternal and paternal genomes have different evolutionary optima. This conflict is expected in outcrossing taxa with multiple paternity, but not self-fertilizing taxa. MEDEA (MEA) is an imprinted plant gene that influences seed growth. Disagreement exists regarding the type of selection acting on this gene. We present new data and analyses of sequence diversity of MEA in self-fertilizing and outcrossing Arabidopsis and its relatives, to help clarify the form of selection acting on this gene. Codon-based branch analysis among taxa (PAML) suggests that selection on the coding region is changing over time, and nonsynonymous substitution is elevated in at least one outcrossing branch. Codon-based analysis of diversity within outcrossing Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea (OmegaMap) suggests that diversifying selection is acting on a portion of the gene, to cause elevated nonsynonymous polymorphism. Providing further support for balancing selection in A. lyrata, Hudson, Kreitman and Aguade analysis indicates that diversity/divergence at silent sites in the MEA promoter and genic region is elevated relative to reference genes, and there are deviations from the neutral frequency spectrum. This combination of positive selection as well as balancing and diversifying selection in outcrossing lineages is consistent with other genes influence by evolutionary conflict, such as disease resistance genes. Consistent with predictions that conflict would be eliminated in self-fertilizing taxa, we found no evidence of positive, balancing, or diversifying selection in A. thaliana promoter or genic region.
Partial Hydrogenation of Soybean Oil with Minimal Trans Fat Production Using a Pt-Decorated Polymeric Membrane Reactor

Partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils is carried out to improve the chemical stability and raise the melting point to produce semi-solid products such as margarine. Trans fatty acids formed during traditional hydrogenation have come under intense scrutiny with regard to human health. Here we report partial hydrogenation of soybean oil using a high performance integral-asymmetric polyetherimide membrane sputtered with platinum to deliver hydrogen directly to or near the catalytic sites. Oil flows past the platinum-coated “skin” side of the membrane while dissolved molecular and some atomic hydrogen is supplied from the highly porous substructure of the membrane. The membrane has a high hydrogen flux but is essentially impermeable to soybean oil. Hydrogenation using our metal/polymer catalytic composite membrane produced oil with only 4 wt.% total trans fatty acids and 14.5 wt.% C18:0 saturates at IV of 95 while the conventional Pt/C slurry reactor produced more than 10 wt.% TFA and the same amount of C18:0 saturates under similar conditions of temperature and pressure. Our concept requires hydrogen pressures of only about 65 psi and temperatures near 70 °C. The polymeric base membranes used here have been mass produced and can be packaged in spiral wound modules. The relatively mild reaction conditions and the direct pathway to produce useful membrane modules combine to make our concept promising for near-term application.
A preliminary assessment of the regional dispersivity of selected basalt flows at the Hanford Site, Washington, U.S.A.

Abstract Dispersivity is one of the hydraulic parameters that controls the distribution in groundwater of chemical constituents migrating from a source region. Therefore, knowledge of the range of dispersivity values along likely flow paths from proposed high-level nuclear waste repositories is important for assessing how well a site will perform in limiting releases of radionuclides to the environment. A primary reason why dispersivity has not been analyzed with regional-scale data is the general lack of suitable environmental tracers that have been in the hydrologic environment for long periods of time. Such tracers could normally result from some natural event, perhaps disruptive, that may have transpired in the geologic past. Such an event may have occurred at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site in the State of Washington, resulting in a chemical enclave of regional proportions. A preliminary interpretation is that the enclave occurs immediately down-gradient from a hydraulic barrier, possibly a fault, which may have placed deeper formations in hydraulic connection with the upper basalts. With this hypothesized source for constituents making up the enclave, the observed concentrations are employed in a preliminary attempt to assess the regional dispersivity. This is the single conceptual model being tested in this paper. The mathematical method employed assumes that the concentration data conform to what would be expected of a perfectly symmetrical enclave, and part of the problem deals with identifying that symmetry. The results obtained are quite reasonable when compared to the range in dispersivities determined in laboratory, tracer, and model-scale studies.
An efficient synthesis of 3-aminoisothiazolo[5,4-b] -quinoline from quinoline

Treatment of readily available 3-formylquinoline-2-thiol (1) with ammoniacal sodium hypochlorite directly afforded isothiazolo[5,4-b]quinoline (3) in high yield, probably via 3-formylquinoline-2-sulfenamide (2). Facile conversion of 3 to the corresponding 3-amino derivative (7) was accomplished by the following sequence: base induced opening of the isothiazole ring to 3-cyanoquinoline-2-thiol (5), oxidation of 5 to the corresponding stable sulfenamide (6) and sodium ethoxide catalysed reclosure of the isothiazole ring which provided 3-aminoisothiazolo[5,4-b]quinoline (7).
TIME-DEPENDENT NUCLEATION IN PARTITIONING TRANSFORMATIONS

Abstract A model is presented and solved numerically for the time-dependent nucleation of a precipitate, coupling the interfacial and long-range diffusive fluxes. The effect of pre-existing cluster distributions is studied. Results from the numerical calculation are compared with those from the classical theory of nucleation. The introduction of coupled fluxes decreases the steady-state nucleation rate and increases the induction time over that from the classical theory, often by several orders of magnitude. The composition of the parent phase near a cluster of the new phase is shifted toward the new phase composition. Such linked-flux nucleation can be important for microstructural control of solid-state precipitation processes, and may explain the formation of the nano-structured composites in some devitrified metallic glasses. Approximate expressions for the size-dependent cluster growth rate, steady-state nucleation rate and induction time are derived and checked against the results of the numerical calculation.
A Note on Average Tau as a Measure of Concordance

Abstract A computationally convenient way to find average tau is pointed out, and the possibility is raised of simple chi-square tests of significance for average τ as well as Kendall's coefficient of agreement u. A method for obtaining the rank order of “best fit” to a group of rankings in terms of average tau is also discussed. Finally, an “analysis of agreement” is proposed based upon a partition of average tau into agreement within and between experimental groups.
Crosslinking of Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunits with chlorambucilyl oligoprolyl phenylalanyltRNA molecular rulers

A series of P-site probes, chlorambucilyl-(Pro)n-Phe-tRNAPhe, were prepared and reacted with poly(U)-directed Escherichia coli MRE 600 ribosomes. Upon binding of the probes to ribosomes, 90% of the cpm bound were not released following subsequent interaction with puromycin. In the absence of poly(U) or in the presence of poly(C), binding was limited to the amount of cpm bound if ribosomes were incubated in the presence of puromycin before adding modified tRNA and poly(U). AcPhe-tRNAPhe was a competitive inhibitor of chlorambucilyl Phe-tRNAPhe. Binding to 50S subunits was strongly stimulated by poly(U), while binding to 30S subunits was not. Crosslinked 50S proteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Crosslinking with molecular rulers containing zero prolines led to poly(U)-dependent labeling of L1 and L27. With rulers containing five prolines, L6, L25, L28, and the group L18,23,24 were labeled. Analysis of crosslinked ribosomal RNA on sucrose density gradients revealed almost no cpm in the 16S or 23S peaks, but only in the 5S peaks. This was observed with molecular rulers containing either zero or five proline residues.
Contrast and cost savings by implementation of a multidose bulk IV contrast delivery system.

Purpose In an effort to standardize clinical operations and reduce intravenous (IV) contrast costs, the authors' department switched from 100-mL single-use IV contrast vials to a multidose IV contrast delivery system using iopromide 370. The purpose of this study was to assess IV contrast use, waste, and cost savings resulting from the implementation of this multidose system. Methods A review was conducted of consecutive pulmonary embolism (PE) CT angiography, head and neck (HN) CT angiography, and abdomen/pelvis (AP) CT examinations performed according to standard department protocol 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the implementation of a multidose IV contrast delivery system. The amount of contrast loaded and injected for each examination was recorded, and total contrast used and wasted were calculated. Volumes of used and wasted contrast were compared before and after implementation using Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. Associated cost savings are reported. Results There were 32 PE, 27 HN, and 124 AP examinations performed using the 100-mL single-use vial technique and 27 PE, 25 HN, and 175 AP examinations using the multidose technique. Use of the multidose system resulted in average reductions in used contrast volume of 15.9, 35.1, and 11.4 mL, respectively, for PE, HN, and AP examinations (Wilcoxon's P Conclusion The implementation of a multidose bulk IV contrast material delivery system results in significant contrast and cost savings.
The Declining Advantages of Democracy: A Combined Model of War Outcomes and Duration

The authors estimate a dynamic model to assess the effects of democracy on war outcomes and how these effects vary over time. Using quantitative data drawn from interstate wars between 1816 and 199...
Long-term Efficacy of a New Formulation of Prostaglandin E1 as Treatment for Erectile Failure

AbstractPurpose: We determined the long-term efficacy of intracavernous injection of a new formulation of prostaglandin E1 (Caverject* *The Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Michigan.) as treatment for erectile failure.Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done at a university affiliated Veterans Affairs medical center. Subjects with erectile failure received injections of prostaglandin E1 at the office and self-administered injections at home for up to 18 months.Results: Of 16 patients who performed home injections 15 completed 6 months and 10 completed 18 months of therapy. Patient and spousal satisfaction with intercourse was 90 percent for months 1 to 6, and patient satisfaction was 95 percent for months 7 to 18.Conclusions: Prostaglandin E1 was highly effective at producing penile rigidity and an erection with satisfactory vaginal intercourse.