cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aortic root replacement with cryopreserved allograft for prosthetic valve endocarditis

Abstract Background . Our strategy has been to treat aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) with radical debridement of infected tissue and aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft. This study examines the effectiveness of this strategy on hospital mortality and morbidity, recurrent endocarditis, and survival. Methods . From 1988 through 2000, 103 patients with aortic PVE underwent root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft. Abscesses were present in 78%, and aortoventricular discontinuity was present in 40%. Thirty-two patients had at least one previous operation for endocarditis. In 23 patients with a history of native valve endocarditis, the allograft was implanted after one episode (17 patients), two episodes (5 patients), or three episodes of PVE (1 patient). In the 80 patients without a history of native valve endocarditis, the allograft was placed after one previous aortic valve replacement (57 patients), two (19), or three (4) previous aortic valve replacements. Among the 92 patients with positive cultures, 52 had staphylococcal organisms, 20 had streptococcal, 6 had fungal, 4 had gram-negative, and 6 had enterococcal organisms. Mean follow-up was 4.3 ± 2.9 years. Results . Hospital mortality was 3.9%. Permanent pacemakers were required in 31 patients. Survival at 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 90%, 86%, 73%, and 56%, respectively, with a risk of 5.3% per year after 6 months. Four patients underwent reoperation for recurrent PVE of the allograft (95% freedom from recurrent PVE at ≥ 2 years). Risk of recurrent PVE peaked at 9 months and then declined to a low level by 18 months. Conclusions . A strategy of radical debridement and aortic root replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft for aortic PVE is safe, effective, and recommended.
A Family of 12 Human Genes Containing Oxysterol-Binding Domains

Oxysterol-binding proteins (OSBPs) have been described in a wide range of eukaryotes, and are often found to be part of a multi-gene family. We have used bioinformatics and data mining as a starting point for identifying new family members in humans based on the presence of the OSBP signature EQVSHHPP. In addition to OSBP and the recently reported OSBP2, we have found 10 other genes encoding oxysterol-binding domains. Here, we report cDNA and deduced peptide sequences of the previously unknown OSBPs and compare the peptides and genes. All of the genes encode a pleckstrin homology domain, except OSBPL2. However, two of the peptides, OSBPL2 and OSBPL1A, consist of the OSBP domain only. A second OSBPL1 transcript (OSBPL1B) contains 15 additional upstream exons, with a deduced peptide containing a pleckstrin homology domain. Cladistic analysis divides the human OSBP genes into five groups, whose members share similarities in sequence and gene structure; RT-PCR analysis indicates that expression patterns among group members vary widely.
Effects of ribonucleic acid removal methods on proteolytic activity and protein solubility in Candida utilis

Candida utilis was grown under controlled conditions and nucleic acids were removed from whole cells and homogenates by alkaline hydrolysis techniques, en-zymatic methods, and washing with buffer. Homogenization released hydrolytic enzymes and proteolytic activity increased with incubation at elevated temperatures under acidic conditions. Slight proteolysis occurred in all incubated samples and this may contribute to protein insolubilization. Very little protein was lost during incu-bation when compared to similar processes using bakers' yeast. This can be due to lower levels of protease activities in C. utilis. Alkaline hydrolysis methods resulted in hydrolysis of some proteins and irreversible insolubilization of the protein. These methods also destroyed any residual enzymatic activities. Heat denaturation studies suggest that protein insolubilization occurs at neutral pH when heat treatments equivalent to or greater than 85° C for 15 min are used. SDS-PAGE methods were used to characterize and monitor changes in protein. Eighteen proteins and/or sub-units were present at levels of 1% or greater. Results may help to explain changesin functional properties of sample preparations which accompany RNA removal.
Complexes of diisopropyl methylphosphonate with metal salts containing complexing anionic groups

Abstract Although the synthesis of complexes of diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) with metal salts containing anions with coordinating ability presents severe difficulties in most cases, a number of complexes have been isolated and characterized by means of spectral, magnetic and conductance studies. These include nitrato and thiocyanato complexes of the types [UO 2 (DIMP) 2 (O 2 NO) 2 ] and [M(DIMP) 4 (NCS) 2 ](M = Mg, Ni), and quaternary crystalline complexes obtained from systems of the type MgCl 2 -MCl 2 -DIMP-H 2 O (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). No stable or sufficiently pure complexes of DIMP with 3 d or alkaline earth metal halides could be obtained. By utilization of equimolar amounts of anhydrous MgCl 2 and MCl 2 hydrate in the presence of DIMP, chloride ions are transferred from Mg(II) to M(II) and the chlorometallate anion is stabilized by the large complex cation which consists of Mg(II) coordinated to DIMP and water molecules and, in some cases, chloride ions. The complexes synthesized in this way were assigned the structures [Mg(DIMP) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ] [MCl 4 ](M = Mn, Co, Zn), [MgCl(DIMP) 3 (H 2 O) 2 ][NiCl 3 (DIMP)] and [MgCl(DIMP)(H 2 O) 4 ][CuCl 3 ]. DIMP. The latter complex is one of the few examples of a stable compound of the trichlorocuprate (II) anion. The structure of this compound involves one free DIMP molecule enclosed in cavities in the lattice.
A Numerical Study on Diesel Engine Size-Scaling in Low Temperature Combustion Operation

A numerical study was conducted for diesel engine size-scaling in the low temperature combustion regime. Conventional scaling models were found to be inadequate for the low temperature combustion regime where chemical time scales become very important. Equal-time scaling was suggested to ensure the same chemical time scale for the scaled engines. With this approach, combustion phasing was well matched. However, peak in-cylinder pressure was higher in the upscaled engine, which is attributed to more homogeneous mixture conditions due to smaller surface to volume ratio (i.e., less wall friction). The overly enhanced mixing can be compensated with lower injection velocity.
Models for pyroclastic surges and pyroclastic flows

Pyroclastic surges are low-concentration turbulent flows that form in at least three ways: (1) eruption column collapse (ground surge, base surge), (2) elutriation from the top of a moving pyroclastic flow (ash cloud), and (3) directly from a crater without an accompanying vertical eruption column.∗ Ground surge deposits occur at the base and ash cloud deposits occur at the top of pyroclastic flow sequences. Ground surges and ash clouds may move independently of their associated pyroclastic flow, and, like flows directly from a crater, their deposits may occur alone or within any part of pyroclastic flow sequence. The presence or absence of surge layers, their position with respect to pyroclastic flow deposits and their physical characteristics have significance with respect to the characteristics or eruption columns and flowage mechanisms of pyroclastic flows.
Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Melting Heat Transfer

A computational model is presented for the prediction of the heat transfer between a heat-transfer fluid (HTF) and a phase change material (PCM) of a latent heat storage unit. Two models of flow, hydrodynamically fully developed and developing, of the HTF were proposed in this study. A two-dimensiona l enthalpy method was used for the computation of the phase change heat transfer in the PCM. A fully implicit finite-difference scheme was utilized for the calculation of convective heat transfer in the HTF. The unknown time-dependent boundary condition between the HTF and the PCM was found iteratively. The predictions were substantiated by their fair agreement with experimental data. Factors affecting the heat-transfer rates between the HTF and the PCM were studied numerically for both the hydrodynamically fully developed and developing flows. It was found that the Nusselt number is significantly increased by the developing temperature profiles. The developing velocity profiles also increased the Nusselt number. However, the influence on Nusselt number due to the developing velocity profiles was less significant than that due to the developing temperature profiles. Other factors affecting the Nusselt number are discussed.
The importance of heteroduplexes in interpreting the results of PCR-RED diagnostic assays: Application to the analysis of mutations in the steroid 21-hydroxylase gene in a case of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to deficiency of steroid 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) is an autosomal recessive disease that is a major cause of ambiguous genitalia at birth in females. The milder late-onset form of the disease can cause mild virilization in women including hirsutism, infertility, and acne. Characterization of the causative mutations in a patient requires finding mutations on both chromosomes. Methods and Results: We use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digestion (RED), among several other methods, to detect mutations in the CYP21 gene. The authors found two different point mutations in a patient with CAH, V281L and Q318X. Did we find two mutations in trans which would account for the disease, or two mutations in cis with a still unknown mutation(s) on the other chromosome? We devised a method to determine the cis/trans nature of the mutations using PCR amplification, digestion with a restriction enzyme (ApaL I) diagnostic for V281L, gel purification of the mutant band which lacks the cutting site, digestion with a second restriction enzyme (Pst I) which detects Q318X, and gel electrophoretic analysis of the products. Although the results initially supported a cis orientation, consideration of the impact of heteroduplex formation during the PCR on the products of RED showed that the orientation was actually trans. Conclusions: When DNA that is heterozygous for a mutation is amplified using the PCR, four double-stranded DNA products can be formed: the two homoduplexes and two heteroduplexes. The heteroduplex DNA must be considered to ensure correct interpretation of the results of PCR-RED analysis.
Maximum Isolation Precautions for Prevention and Control of Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumanni (MDR-Ab)

ISSUE: MDR-Ab is a gram-negative bacilli which has been reported worldwide and is recognized as a difficult health-care associated infection to control and treat. In January 2004 we created a new catagory of isolation Precautions to contatin an MDR-Ab outbreak and prevent the organism from becoming endemic in the institution. PROJECT: Beginning in January 2004 we created a new category of Maximum Isolation Precautions to prevent transmission of MDR-Ab based on the control measures reported to us by three large acute care facilities.We define MDR-Ab as isolates susceptible to no more than one class of antimicrobial agents,excluding colistin. To assure we capture cases, the Microbiology Laboratory notifies us of cultures growing MDR-Ab and we survey the microbiology database for isolates of MDR-Ab. For patients colonized or infected with MDR-Ab Maximum Isolation Precautions require a private room and one to one nursing. Gown and gloves are required upon entering the room and a mask is required if MDR-Ab is in the sputum. Nurses caring for patients with MDR-Ab do not concurrently care for any non-MDR-Ab patients. Each patient with MDR-Ab has dedicated equipment. Respiratory, Physical, and Occupational therapists care for only patients with MDR-Ab or see these patients at the end of the day. All providers are asked to limit the number of individuals entering the isolation room. Designated staff performs thorough environmental cleaning. We developed educational materials for staff and patients. Patients colonized or infected with MDR-Ab are flagged with an isolation code in the hospital database. RESULTS: Between January 2003 and October 2005, 52 patients grew MDR-Ab at JHH, 33 (63.5%) of the patients grew the organism more than 48 hours after admission. The incidence of MDR-Ab growing in a clinical culture more than 48 hours after admission was 3.78 per 100,000 patient-days in 2003, 5.20 per 100,000 patient-days in 2004, and 4.27 per 100,000 patient-days in 2005. LESSONS LEARNED: The incidence of MDR-Ab at JHH has been stable over the past 3 years and the number of patients remains relatively low. We feel that our early implementation of Maximum Isolation Precautions is responsible for our successful control of MDR-Ab. Challenges include staffing issues, bed allocation, and added expense. Investigation is needed into alternative, less burdensome infection control strategies for this organism.
Strain rate effect on moisture and hydrogen-induced environmental embrittlement of Ni3Al with and without boron

Abstract At slow strain rates, boron-free Ni3Al was embrittled in both moist Ar and mixture of Ar + 5% H2. In contrast to this, boron-doped Ni3Al was not embrittled in moist Ar, but susceptible to embrittlement in mixture of Ar + 5% H2. These results indicate that while the addition of boron virtually eliminates embrittlement of Ni3Al due to water vapor, it does not eliminate embrittlement due to gaseous hydrogen. This different behavior of the boron-doped Ni3Al tends to suggest that the beneficial role of boron segregation in suppressing moisture-induced embrittlement may be associated with its effect on the interaction between water vapor and the intergranular crack surface, rather than on hydrogen transport along grain boundaries. The environmental component of the embrittlement was greatly diminished at higher strain rates. The increased tensile ductilities of boron-doped Ni3Al as compared to those of boron-free Ni3Al at the higher strain rates then can be interpreted to be due to an intrinsically beneficial boron effect. This suggests that the role of boron in ductilizing Ni3Al is at least two-fold: (1) it acts partly to limit the embrittling effects of water vapor, and (2) it strengthens the boundaries sufficiently to eliminate intergranular failure, but the latter effect seems to be large.
Evaluation of Sequential and Simultaneously Integrated Boost IMRT Methods in Head-and-Neck Cancer

IMRT in H&N cancer has yielded significant dosimetric improvements compared to the conventional 3D conformal radiotherapy. The benefits shown in several studies were delivering higher dose to target volumes while limiting the dose to organs at risk, especially for parotid gland, spinal cord and brainstem. H&N cancer can be treated using the sequential IMRT based on a conventional fractionation approach or the simultaneous integrated boost technique (SIB). The SIB-IMRT approach is used to increase the fraction dose to the boost volume while maintaining the dose to the elective volume at a lower dose level. Several studies with the SIB-IMRT showed that the technique produced better coverage of boost volume and less doses to critical organs and normal tissues in addition to fewer fraction treatment. However, the sequential IMRT may be better than SIB-IMRT for some H&N cases depending on medical and biological parameters. Currently, the fractionation strategy, biologic effectiveness and parameters affecting the clinical outcomes are being investigated in H&N cancer.
Decay and regularity in the inverse scattering problem

Abstract The regularity and decay properties for the potential q ( x ) in the Schrodinger equation − ψ ″ + qψ = k 2 ψ on the line are characterized in terms of the decay and regularity of the reflection coefficients R ± and their Fourier transforms.
p21B, a variant of p21(Waf1/Cip1), is induced by the p53 family.

Alternative splicing or expression from an alternate promoter can produce variants of a gene. To determine whether the p21Waf1/Cip1 locus is regulated by these mechanisms, we searched for and found two transcripts, p21B and p21C, that are expressed from an alternate promoter in the first intron of the p21 gene. While p21C encodes the p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21B encodes a novel protein and the transcript is ubiquitously expressed in 16 human tissues tested. Like p21, both p21B and p21C are induced by DNA damage, p53, and other p53 family members through a proximal p53 response element in the promoter of p21B and p21C. However, unlike p21, which induces cell cycle arrest, we found that overexpression of p21B induces apoptosis. These findings indicate that the p21 locus expresses at least two structurally distinct, but functionally related, variants of the p21 gene from discrete promoters.
A 2.9–30.3GHz fourth-harmonic voltage-controlled oscillator in 130nm SiGe BiCMOS technology

Wide tuning range voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) are envisioned for applications in radars, broadband communications, phase-locked loops and clock generation/distribution. In this paper, post-layout simulation results of a combined VCO with a ring quadrature VCO (QVCO), an exclusive-OR (XOR) and a fourth-harmonic summation block in 130nm SiGe BiCMOS technology are presented. The combined VCO can be tuned from 2.9 to 30.3GHz. At 2.9GHz, the VCO consumes 32.89mW of power and generates −56.5 dBm (2.24nW) of output power into a 50 Ohm load. At 30.3GHz, it consumes 34.2mW of power and generates −33.5 dBm (398nW) of output power. In both cases, the XOR consumes ∼25mW of power and the fourth-harmonic block consumes ∼5mW of power. The VCO phase noise at 10MHz offset frequency is −102.2dBc/Hz and −86.04dBc/Hz at 2.9GHz and 30.3GHz, respectively. The VCO figure of merit (FOM) is in the range of −136 to −141. The microchip area is 750µm×500µm. This VCO provides the widest tuning range in the 130nm ring VCOs reported till now.
Long-term complications of virus-induced diabetes mellitus in mice

In man, the early metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus are followed by various long-term complications1. The cause of these complications is not clear, but they may be secondary to persistent abnormalities in blood glucose levels2. In mice, several viruses can infect and destroy pancreatic β cells and produce acute-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) characterized by hypoinsulinaemia, hypergly-caemia, glycosuria, polydypsia and polyphagia3. The virus most studied is the M variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus4,5. Long-term complications, however, have been difficult to demonstrate because in most mice, the diabetes is transient and mild. Recently, by plaque purification, we have shown that the M variant of EMC virus actually has two stable variants: one diabetogenic (designated D) and the other nondiabetogenic (designated B). Further studies revealed that the B variant reduces the severity of the diabetes produced by the D variant6. We now report that when mice are inoculated with the D variant alone, many develop severe and prolonged hyperglycaemia followed by some of the long-term complications of diabetes, including reduced lifespan, glomerulosclerosis and ocular changes.
Extending an internally cooled superconducting magnet to higher fields

An internally cooled superconducting (ICS) magnet was built and tested earlier at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and its stability margin as a function of operating fields was measured at an ambient helium temperature of 4.2 K. In the experiment reported here, we retested this magnet with lower bulk helium temperatures. The stability margins of the magnet as a function of temperature were measured. The results demonstrate clearly the flexibility offered by an ICS magnet: The stability margin can be improved substantially or the field output can be extended without sacrificing the stability margin simply by feeding the magnet with lower temperature helium. The analysis made in a previous paper on extended field operation of an ICS magnet is thus confirmed.
How Long Does It Take to Supersize an Eruption

Along-recognized correlation between the volume of major eruptions and the time interval between them suggests that magma may accumulate for about a million years before a supereruption. However, radiometric ages and time-dependent phenomena like crystal growth and compositional homogenization show that the duration of supervolcano magma accumulation could be significantly shorter than this. Crystals in supervolcano magmas may have protracted growth histories and may grow from chemically different hosts as crystallization progresses. Semisolid crystal mushes rather than liquid-rich magma chambers may be the prevalent state of supervolcano feeder systems and should be the focus of geophysical studies aimed at predicting future supereruptions.
Computer programming for generating visual stimuli

Critical to vision research is the generation of visual displays with precise control over stimulus metrics. Generating stimuli often requires adapting commercial software or developing specialized software for specific research applications. In order to facilitate this process, we give here an overview that allows nonexpert users to generate and customize stimuli for vision research. We first give a review of relevant hardware and software considerations, to allow the selection of display hardware, operating system, programming language, and graphics packages most appropriate for specific research applications. We then describe the framework of a generic computer program that can be adapted for use with a broad range of experimental applications. Stimuli are generated in the context of trial events, allowing the display of text messages, the monitoring of subject responses and reaction times, and the inclusion of contingency algorithms. This approach allows direct control and management of computer-generated visual stimuli while utilizing the full capabilities of modern hardware and software systems. The flowchart and source code for the stimulus-generating program may be downloaded from www.psychonomic.org/archive.
HPV-18 E6 mutants reveal p53 modulation of viral DNA amplification in organotypic cultures

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) amplify in differentiated strata of a squamous epithelium. The HPV E7 protein destabilizes the p130/retinoblastoma susceptibility protein family of tumor suppressors and reactivates S-phase reentry, thereby facilitating viral DNA amplification. The high-risk HPV E6 protein destabilizes the p53 tumor suppressor and many other host proteins. However, the critical E6 targets relevant to viral DNA amplification have not been identified, because functionally significant E6 mutants are not stably maintained in transfected cells. Using Cre-loxP recombination, which efficiently generates HPV genomic plasmids in transfected primary human keratinocytes, we have recapitulated a highly productive infection of HPV-18 in organotypic epithelial cultures. By using this system, we now report the characterization of four HPV-18 E6 mutations. An E6 null mutant accumulated high levels of p53 and amplified very poorly. p53 siRNA or ectopic WT E6 partially restored amplification, whereas three missense E6 mutations that did not effectively destabilize p53 complemented the null mutant poorly. Unexpectedly, in cis, two of the missense mutants amplified, albeit to a lower extent than the WT and only in cells with undetectable p53. These observations and others implicate p53 and additional host proteins in regulating viral DNA amplification and also suggest an inhibitory effect of E6 overexpression. We show that high levels of viral DNA amplification are critical for late protein expression and report several previously undescribed viral RNAs, including bicistronic transcripts predicted to encode E5 and L2 or an alternative form of E1^E4 and L1.
Confidence Regions for Distribution Bounds

This paper considers the problem of constructing an s-confidence region for a pair of parameters which together mark the bounds of a distribution. The problem is solved, and a table provided, for a rectangular distribution; the solution is then generalized.
Optimal decentralized gait transitions for snake robots

Snake robots are controlled by implementing gaits inspired from their biological counterparts. However, transitioning between these gaits often produces undesired oscillations which cause net movements that are difficult to predict. In this paper we present a framework for implementing gaits which will allow for smooth transitions. We also present a method to determine the optimal time for each module of the snake to switch between gaits in a decentralized fashion. This will allow for each module to participate in minimizing a cost by communicating with a set of modules in a local neighborhood. Both of these developments will help to maintain desired properties of the gaits during transition.
Assistive Technology for Cognition Following Brain Injury: Guidelines for Device and App Selection

The widespread use of mobile technologies and applications (apps) among the non-disabled population in the past several years to stay connected, track appointments, stay organized, etc., has had profound implications for those with cognitive disabilities following acquired brain injury. Assistive technology for cognition (ATC) includes the use of these same systems to compensate for common cognitive challenges following ABI. And although the use of mainstream technologies in this population is a potential boon, it can be difficult for rehabilitation professionals to keep up with the changing world of devices, operating systems, and applications (apps). This article provides an overview of devices and apps currently used as ATC and provides guidelines for device and app selection and a framework for facilitating meta-cognition and generalization through the ATC instruction process. (Note: The devices and apps described in this article are not intended to be an endorsement of any particular system.)
Enantioselective fluorescent recognition of chiral acids by cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-based bisbinaphthyl molecules.

The cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-based bisbinaphthyl macrocycles (S)-/(R)-5 and their cyclic and acyclic analogues are synthesized. The interactions of these compounds with various chiral acids are stud...
MR imaging of blood oxygenation‐dependent changes in focal renal ischemia and transplanted liver tumor in rat

The potential of using fast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in conjunction with apnea-induced blood deoxygenation for the noninvasive monitoring of relative perfusion in the rat abdomen has been studied with two experimental models: glycerol-induced focal renal ischemia and transplanted liver tumor. Gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GRE-EPI) (TE of 20 msec at 2T) of liver and kidney was performed before, during, and after a 60-second apnea episode and then was followed in the same rat by contrast-enhanced (a) GRE-EPI and (b) T1-weighted spin-echo imaging (TR msec/TE msec = 200/6) with polylysine-(gadolinium-DTPA [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid]). The results indicate that a noninvasive vascular challenge due to apnea can be used for the detection of focal tissue perfusion abnormalities in rat kidney and liver tumor.
Process monitoring and parameter estimation via unscented Kalman filtering

Nonlinear estimation techniques play an important role in process monitoring since some states and most of the parameters cannot be directly measured. This paper investigates the use of several estimation algorithms such as linearized Kalman filter (LKF), extended Kalman filter (EKF), unscented Kalman filter (UKF) and moving horizon estimation (MHE) for nonlinear systems with special emphasis on UKF as it is a relatively new technique. Detailed case studies show that UKF has advantages over EKF for highly nonlinear unconstrained estimation problems while MHE performs better for systems with constraints.
Comparing Traditional and Computerized Data Collection Methods: Applications for Warning Research

Despite the benefits of the technology, adoption of computerized data collection has been slow. Application development costs and a potential loss of experimental control have both worked to inhibit the advancement of this technology. This study compared a low-cost, Web-based, survey development tool with the traditional paper and pencil method. 91 undergraduates completed a simple warnings experiment using either a paper survey or a Web-based computer survey. Results from these studies were compared to evaluate possible differences associated with delivery method. Analysis of the data found no significant main effect for delivery method and no significant interactions involving method. The lack of differences and similarities in the collected data are encouraging. Web-based data collection methods can enhance existing warnings research methods and participant populations.
Hoodwinking Churchill: Tito's Great Confidence Trick. By Peter Batty. (London, England: Shepheard‐Walwyn Publishers, 2011. Pp. v, 374. $42.95.)

This volume, drawing on more recently available information, takes a new look at Prime Minister Winston Churchill's fateful decision in December of 1943 to back Tito and his communist partisans in ...
Properties of ultrahigh-Tg chromophoric polyimides and polyureas as high-performance nonlinear optical materials: architecture-processing-temporal stability relationships

Three complementary approaches to the construction of electric field polable high-Tg (glass transition temperature) polyimides and polyureas as second-order NLO materials are discussed. In the first approach, copolymerization of bismaleimides with o,o'- diallylbisphenol A followed by functionalization with high-(beta) NLO chromophores using a Mitsunobu procedure yields, after poling and curing, a series of heavily crosslinked chromophoric polyimides with Tg values as high as approximately 260 degree(s)C and (chi) (2) responses as high as 1.0 X 10-7 esu (42 pm/V at (lambda) o equals 1064 nm, 1.17 eV). In the second two approaches, copolymerization of the chromophore 4,5-bis(4'aminophenyl)-2-(4'-nitrophenyl)imidazole with bismaleimides or diisocyanates yields polyimides and polyureas with Tg values as high as 292 degree(s)C and partially resonant (chi) (2) values as high as 0.62 X 10-7 esu (25 pm/V at (lambda) o equals 1064 nm). It is found that careful attention to the details of curing and crosslinking during poling results in NLO-active matrices exhibiting negligible decay in (chi) (2) on aging in air at 100 degree(s)C for periods of 1000 - 4000 h. The imidazole- based materials exhibit only approximately 10% (chi) (2) decay on aging for 100 h at 200 degree(s)C under N2.
Numerical investigation on composite material marine current turbine using CFD

A novel manufacturing approach similar to filament winding has been developed and automated and is able to produce the Composite Material Marine Current Turbines (CMMCT), which have significant advantages over traditional designs. This paper presents numerical results to investigate the performance of these turbines. The numerical approach was performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a free stream of water with various hydrodynamic flow conditions. Static torque, extracted power and power coefficient were calculated at different rotating speeds in a free stream with various hydrodynamics flow conditions. The power coefficient of CMMCT was compared to that of traditional current turbines. The calculated results will provide a fundamental understanding of the impeller as a water turbine, and this design method is used to shorten the design process and improve the water turbine’s performance.
Use of the front-view forward-array echoendoscope to evaluate right colonic subepithelial lesions

Background Endosonographic evaluation and sampling of right colonic subepithelial lesions is technically difficult. Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tissue yield of a prototype front-view, forward-array, curved linear array echoendoscope in the evaluation and sampling of right colonic subepithelial lesions. Setting Tertiary referral center. Design Procedural and outcome data on all patients undergoing EUS evaluation of right-sided colonic and pericolonic lesions were collected during a 1-year study period. Main Outcome Measurements Patient demographics, clinical indication, EUS findings, EUS-FNA yield, technical success, and procedural complications. Results A total of 15 patients underwent EUS examination of right-sided colonic lesions with the prototype echoendoscope. The lesions were located in the cecum (n = 12) and the ascending colon (n = 3). The cecum was reached in all examinations within 10 minutes. Twelve patients had subepithelial lesions detected during colonoscopy. Findings included 6 extrinsic compressions from an adjacent normal structure, 1 calcified lymph node, 1 ovarian cyst, 1 prolapsed appendiceal orifice, 1 GI stromal tumor, 1 appendiceal mucocele, and 1 lymphoma. Two patients were evaluated for a pericolonic lesion seen on CT; findings included focal diverticulitis and a metastatic lymph node. In the patient evaluated for an infiltrative mass with previous nondiagnostic biopsies, colonic histoplasmosis was diagnosed. FNA was performed in 6 patients and provided diagnostic samples in 5 (83%). No procedure- or FNA-related complications were reported. Conclusions Endosonographic evaluation and sampling of right-sided colonic subepithelial lesions with the prototype front-view, forward-array, curved linear array echoendoscope is feasible and safe. The yield of FNA is high, consistent with applications in the upper GI tract.
From tools to tasks: discoverability and Adobe Acrobat 6.0

The Adobe Acrobat 6.0 user interface represents the outcome of a research and design effort to make the most important functionality in the product discoverable, easier to learn, and easier to use. One of the challenges facing the Acrobat 6.0 team was the legacy of the existing Acrobat 5.0 product, which had presented users with many tools and little context to explain when or how to use them. The Review and Comment feature area was a business priority for Acrobat 6.0, and a usability study on 5.0 revealed discoverability problems with the commenting tool.Acrobat 6.0 introduced task buttons that provide access to tools and instructional text relevant to accomplishing common tasks. The Review and Comment solution leverages the task button framework and proactively presents UI elements to reviewers when they need them. Iterative user feedback sessions were invaluable for identifying and resolving usability issues early in the product cycle.
Enhancement of low velocity impact damage resistance of sandwich plates

Abstract Conventionally designed sandwich plates used in marine and ship structures consist of thin, laminated composite face sheets bonded to a relatively thick, compressible structural foam core layer. In service, the external face sheet often makes low velocity contact with floating objects or moorings that may cause reversible local deflection of the face sheet and permanent compression or crushing of the underlying foam, resulting in interface delaminations. Extension of such interfacial cracks under service loads may impair structural integrity. Modified designs that protect the foam core by inserting a ductile interlayer under the external face sheet, first proposed in our recent paper [Dvorak, G.J., Suvorov, A.P., in press. Protection of sandwich plates from low velocity impact. Journal of Composite Materials 38], are analyzed here in much greater detail and compared with their conventional counterparts. Two different interlayer materials are used, a stiff and incompressible polyurethane (PUR), and a compliant and compressible elastomeric foam (EF), together with the same face sheet and core materials. Response of the three different sandwich plate configurations of constant overall thickness is analyzed under uniformly applied load to a span of a continuous plate, and under forces imparted by two shapes of rigid indenters in a low velocity impact. The results show that the PUR interlayer reduces both overall and local deflections of the face sheet, and also the local compression of the foam core and the residual stresses left after unloading. The EF interlayer offers a much better protection against compression of the foam core, while magnifying both overall and local deflections. Both interlayers substantially reduce the strain energy release rates of interfacial cracks driven by residual stresses generated by foam core compression.
Golgi Tubule Traffic and the Effects of Brefeldin A Visualized in Living Cells

The Golgi complex is a dynamic organelle engaged in both secretory and retrograde membrane traffic. Here, we use green fluorescent protein–Golgi protein chimeras to study Golgi morphology in vivo. In untreated cells, membrane tubules were a ubiquitous, prominent feature of the Golgi complex, serving both to interconnect adjacent Golgi elements and to carry membrane outward along microtubules after detaching from stable Golgi structures. Brefeldin A treatment, which reversibly disassembles the Golgi complex, accentuated tubule formation without tubule detachment. A tubule network extending throughout the cytoplasm was quickly generated and persisted for 5–10 min until rapidly emptying Golgi contents into the ER within 15–30 s. Both lipid and protein emptied from the Golgi at similar rapid rates, leaving no Golgi structure behind, indicating that Golgi membranes do not simply mix but are absorbed into the ER in BFA-treated cells. The directionality of redistribution implied Golgi membranes are at a higher free energy state than ER membranes. Analysis of its kinetics suggested a mechanism that is analogous to wetting or adsorptive phenomena in which a tension-driven membrane flow supplements diffusive transfer of Golgi membrane into the ER. Such nonselective, flow-assisted transport of Golgi membranes into ER suggests that mechanisms that regulate retrograde tubule formation and detachment from the Golgi complex are integral to the existence and maintenance of this organelle.
Metabolic and thermoregulatory responses of the rat maintained in acrylic or wire-screen cages : implications for pharmacological studies

Abstract Because of differences in thermal conductivity, it is likely that a rodent's thermoregulatory requirements and their response to drugs and other stimuli will vary in metal and acrylic cages. To address these issues, thermoregulatory responses were measured in rats housed in an envirommental chamber with a floor made of either solid metal (aluminum) or acrylic materials (Plexiglas). Metabolic rate ( M ), evaporative water loss ( E ), thermal conductance ( C ), and tail skin ( T sk ) and core temperature ( T c ) were measured at ambient temperatures ( T a ) of 10, 20, 28, 30, 32, and 34°C. These thermoregulatory variables were essentially unaffected by floor type at T a s of 20 and 28°C. The acrylic floor showed greater increases in M , E , T c , and T sk , but a smaller elevation in C as T a increased from 28 to 34°C. At a T a of 10°C, rats on the acrylic floor had a smaller M compared to that measured on the metal floor. Rats were then injected with saline or 30 mg/kg (SC) of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and placed in an acrylic cage with wood chip bedding or a wire-screen cage at a T a of 20°C. The MDMA caused T c to increase > 2.0°C in rats in the acrylic cage but had no effect on T c of rats in the wire-screen cage. The marked effect of cage type on basal thermoregulatory processes and thermogenic response to MDMA should be useful in the design and interpretation of many pharmacological studies.
P-N compounds. 30. Phosphaminimides. 5. N-phosphinylimino-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridines†

N-[ (Diethoxyphosphinyl)imino] and N-[ (diphenylphosphinyl)imino]-5-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridines were prepared by sodium borohydride reduction of the corresponding pyridinium and 3-methyl pyridinium inner salts. The carbonyl analog of this latter precusor was resynthesized and its structure completely verified.
TH-E-BRCD-03: Automatic Treatment Planning for IMRT, VMAT and IMPT

In intensity‐modulated radiotherapy(IMRT), including intensity modulated X‐ray therapy (IMXT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), the quality of the treatment plan, which is highly dependent upon the treatment planner's level of experience, greatly affects the potential benefits of the radiotherapy (RT). Furthermore, the planning process is complicated and requires a great deal of iteration, and it is often the most time‐consuming aspect of the RT process. There is also a long learning curve to design the “optimal” plan for the newest technology such as IMPT. However, recent optimization algorithm technology development, especially automatically planning based on some kind of machine learning, have reached a point in treatment planning process where treatment plan can be designed without or with minimum human intervention. In this work, we describe the methodology and validation results of mdaccAutoPlan system: this system has the potential to automate IMXT/VMAT/IMPT treatment planning to the extent that human intervention is minimal. For every new patient, the mdaccAutoPlan system could automatically generate plans (the autoplans) that meet or exceed the institution's dose‐volume constraints by one button click in the TPS. The methodology 1) automatically sets beam angles based on a data mining of previously plans designed by experienced dosimetristsand a beam angle automation algorithm, 2) judiciously designs the planning structures, which were shown to be effective for all the patient cases we studied, and 3) automatically adjusts the objectives of the objective function based on a parameter automation algorithm. We compared treatment plans created in this system (mdaccAutoPlan) based on the overall methodology with plans from the plans created by the experienced dosimetrists. The “autoplans” were consistently better, or no worse, than the plans produced by experienced medical dosimetrists in terms of tumor coverage and normal tissue sparing. This lecture will provide an overview of overall methodology in the “autoplan” system and its validation on the treatment planning process in IMRT, VMAT, IMPT and adaptive radiotherapy planning (ART). Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the bottleneck of current inverse planning and evaluation process 2. Understand the importance of data mining of pre‐existing treatment plans 3. Understand the impact of automation on reducing the learning curve of new technologies 4. Understand the importance of automatic planning on improving quality and consistence of radiation therapy 5. Understand the clinical workflow of automatic planning
Inflammation, atherosclerosis, and aspects of insulin action.

At the American Diabetes Association Postgraduate Course held in New York on 5 February 2005, Alan Chait (Seattle, WA) discussed C-reactive protein (CRP). Although it may not be as predictive of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as cholesterol, hypertension, and cigarette use (1), CRP appears to be the strongest “novel” risk factor thus far identified, showing greater predictive power than homocysteine, interleukin (IL)-6 (2), and other inflammatory markers, such as serum amyloid A (SAA), circulating levels of which parallel CRP, and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. CRP adds prognostic information at all levels of risk based on Framingham score (3). Chait noted that several studies have shown that persons with diabetes without prior myocardial infarction have increased CVD risk, either to the same degree as persons without diabetes but with prior evidence of CVD (4,5) or to a somewhat lower level (6). An important potential linkage between diabetes and atherosclerosis may involve inflammatory factors. CRP is increased by diabetes, as well as by obesity, estrogen, cigarette smoking, chronic infections such as gingivitis, and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, while being decreased by statins (7), fibrates, niacin, aspirin (8), α-tocopherol (in high dose), thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (9), alcohol, and lifestyle factors such as exercise and weight loss (10), with weight loss also decreasing IL-6 levels (11). CRP increases if one simply counts the number of positive metabolic syndrome markers, dyslipidemia, upper-body obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia (12). Furthermore, Chait noted, CVD prevalence is greater in persons with metabolic syndrome without diabetes than in those with diabetes who do not have the metabolic syndrome (13). Similarly, a study of persons from Botnia in Finland showed, that for all levels of glycemia, the presence of metabolic syndrome is associated with an increase in CVD prevalence (14). The metabolic syndrome, then, is both associated …
Sleep as an indicator for pain relief in an infant: a case study.

Sleep was used as an indicator of pain relief for an 8-month-old female infant with meningococcemia who experienced nociceptive input from skin wounds and multiple noxious treatment procedures during her recovery. A sleep activity record documented total hours of sleep, awake/crying, awake/content, and longest hours of sleep after nonanalgesic, and analgesic interventions to mediate the infant's pain. Sleep appears to be a useful indicator of the efficacy of pain treatment for infants.
Content validity in the PROMIS social-health domain: a qualitative analysis of focus-group data.

Our aim was to assess the content validity of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) social health item banks by comparing a prespecified conceptual model with concepts that focus-group participants identified as important social-health-related outcomes. These data will inform the process of improving health-related quality-of-life measures. Twenty-five patients with a range of social limitations due to chronic health conditions were recruited at two sites; four focus groups were conducted. Raters independently classified participants’ statements using a hierarchical, nested schema that included health-related outcomes, role performance, role satisfaction, family/friends, work, and leisure. Key themes that emerged were fulfilling both family and work responsibilities and the distinction between activities done out of responsibility versus enjoyment. Although focus-group participants identified volunteerism and pet ownership as important social-health-related concepts, these were not in our original conceptual model. The concept of satisfaction was often found to overlap with the concept of performance. Our conceptual model appears comprehensive but is being further refined to more appropriately (a) distinguish between responsibilities versus discretionary activities, and (b) situate the outcome of satisfaction as it relates to impairment in social and other domains of health.
Cast restorations made to existing removable partial dentures.

Abstract Procedures for the fabrication of complete cast and ceramoraetal restorations that support existing removable partial dentures are reviewed. Clinical and laboratory procedures are presented. These techniques allow the patient to continue to function with the existing removable partial denture while the restorations are made.
Evidence from Western north america for rapid shifts in climate during the last glacial maximum

The Estancia basin in southwestern United States contains evidence for strong and rapid pulsations in the supply of moisture brought into the region during the last ice age. The pulses were recorded during episodes of stream discharge that spread plumes of fresh water laden with quartz sand over the saline lake. The largest pulses in stream discharge lasted only a few decades, were organized into cycles that were spaced approximately 200 to 250 and 2000 years apart, and were of sufficient magnitude to freshen and maintain the lake at its maximum recorded elevation.