cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
47 Consecutive Cases of Pipeline Flex Flow Diversion Utilizing a Novel Large-Bore Intracranial Intermediate Catheter: Nuances and Institutional Experience with the Syphontrak.

Author(s): Lin, Li-Mei; Jiang, Bowen; Bender, Matthew T; Westbroek, Erick M; Campos, Jessica K; Tamargo, Rafael J; Huang, Judy; Coon, Alexander L; Colby, Geoffrey P | Abstract: Background:The increasing complexity of modern neurointerventions has necessitated a shift in intracranial access techniques towards more robust distal support platforms. Here we present our experience with the Syphontrak Support Catheter (Codman Neuro, Raynham, MA, USA) in the triaxial platform for the implantation of the second-generation Pipeline Flex embolization device (PED Flex; Medtronic Neurovascular, Irvine, CA, USA). Methods:We retrospectively identified patients who underwent PED Flex treatment utilizing the Syphontrak at a single institution. The procedural data collected included parent artery tortuosity, patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, other equipment utilized, and catheter-related complications. Results:A total of 47 consecutive aneurysm flow diversions were successfully performed using the Syphontrak. The patients' age ranged from 25 to 80 years (mean 57.3 ± 11.6) and 85% were women. The average aneurysm size was 4.8 ± 2.7 mm (range 2-14). All cases were in the anterior circulation, with 6 (12%) aneurysms located beyond the internal carotid artery termination. Significant cervical carotid tortuosity was present in 23% (11/47) of the cases and moderate-to-severe cavernous tortuosity (cavernous grade ≥2) in 51% (24/47) of the cases. The mean fluoroscopy time was 36.6 ± 14.8 min. In 12/47 cases (26%), vasospasm prophylaxis with intra-arterial verapamil infusion was performed. The Syphontrak was tracked to the intended distal position in all cases, with a 100% technical success of PED Flex implantation. Forty-six (98%) of the 47 patients were discharged home after an average length of stay of 1.38 days. No iatrogenic catheter-related vessel injury occurred. Transient, minor neurological morbidity occurred in 3 cases (6%) and 1 patient had a minor ischemic event (NIHSS score l 4) in the periprocedural period. Conclusion:The Syphontrak is a new large-bore, multi-durometer intermediate catheter (IC) designed for use in modern neurointerventional procedures. We have shown its utility in 47 successful cases of PED Flex flow diversion of a wide range of complexity. The IC provides robust and atraumatic distal intracranial access while also providing an enhanced image quality with its large 0.060″ inner diameter.
Microarray Technology: Unresolved Issues and Future Challenges from a Regulatory Perspective

Despite their growing popularity in the research community, DNA microarray-based gene expression assays have not yet been approved or licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical or regulatory decision-making. While recent publications demonstrated the technical reliability of microarray technology, there are several challenges that still need to be addressed so that microarray-based gene expression data can be accepted for routine use in clinical and regulatory environments. First, appropriate quality-control metrics and thresholds are needed for objectively assessing the quality of microarray data from individual laboratories. Secondly, consensus on the analysis of microarray data is needed. Thirdly, adequate evaluation and validation of microarray results is needed so that non-reproducible chance correlations can be avoided in handling high-dimensional microarray data.
Philosophical Presuppositions of Education for Old Age

What philosophical justification is there for educating older adults? This article presents four models of education for the older adult and examines their assumptions and implications for curricul...
Prediction of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in nuclear power systems

Abstract: This chapter addresses the phenomenon of stress corrosion cracking in light water reactors, and specifically the prediction of the crack propagation rate in stainless steel components in boiling water reactors (BWR). Attention is focused on the various approaches that may be used for life prediction. These vary from analyses of plant incidents, to empirical correlations between the propagation rate and various engineering parameters in laboratory experiments, to algorithms based on knowledge of the processes and mechanism of crack propagation. The chapter concludes with a comparison between prediction and observation for cracking of stainless steels in both unirradiated and irradiated BWR components.
Bipolar Electrosurgical Devices

From the early days of direct cautery and monopolar radiofrequency (RF) instrumentation, bipolar electrosurgical devices have evolved and enabled remarkable surgical outcomes in today’s technologically advanced operating room. Inherent in the bipolar design is an increased degree of electrosurgical safety, and through ongoing innovation, these instruments continue to enhance surgical efficacy and efficiency. Currently, there exist a variety of electrosurgical devices, each with its own unique characteristics and features, but comparative studies that allow meaningful analyses and evaluation are somewhat lacking. Further study and future research are necessary and mandatory in order to keep pace with rapid advancements.
Classification of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders

As is now well known, the development of a taxonomy of the phenomenon to be studied is a necessary first step in scientific inquiry. In psychopathology, the measurement or assessment of the constituent elements (most often referred to as symptoms) is the next step, leading to the classification (diagnosis) of individuals for intervention, research study, or both.
Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism of antibiotics in the elderly

Introduction: The number of elderly people is increasing worldwide. The elderly may be at increased risk of bacterial infections compared with younger adults. Dosing adaptation of antibiotics in th...
Use of Age-Period-Cohort Analysis in Cancer Epidemiology Research

Age-period-cohort (APC) models simultaneously estimate the effects of age—biological process of aging; time period—secular trends that occur in all ages simultaneously; and birth cohort—variation among those born around the same year or from one generation to the next. APC models inform understanding of cancer etiology, natural history, and disparities. We reviewed findings from recent studies (published 2008–2018) examining age, period, and cohort effects and summarized trends in age-standardized rates and age-specific rates by birth cohort. We also described prevalence of cancer risk factors by time period and birth cohort, including obesity, current smoking, human papilloma virus (HPV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Studies (n = 29) used a variety of descriptive analyses and statistical models to document age, period, and cohort trends in cancer-related outcomes. Cohort effects predominated, particularly in breast, bladder, and colorectal cancers, whereas period effects were more variable. No effect of time period was observed in studies of breast, bladder, and oral cavity cancers. Age-specific prevalence of obesity, current smoking, HPV, and HCV also varied by birth cohort, which generally paralleled cancer incidence and mortality rates. We observed strong cohort effects across multiple cancer types and less consistent evidence supporting the effect of time period. Birth cohort effects point to exposures early in life—or accumulated across the life course—that increase risk of cancer. Birth cohort effects also illustrate the importance of reconsidering the timing and duration of well-established risk factors to identify periods of exposure conferring the greatest risk.
Social Media Sharing and Online News Consumption

The ever increasing ubiquity of social media platforms has led to the emergence of an incredibly important positive feedback loop between social media sharing and online content consumption. The potential of this feedback loop is critical to marketers, publishers, politicians, and beyond. However, identifying causal effects in this context is very difficult. The data requirements are quite demanding, calling for data from both social media platforms and content producers. In addition, feedback loops inherently suffer simultaneous equation bias. Using regional rainfall as a natural experiment, we use a novel panel-IV strategy to identify positive and significant cross-region "peer effects" in online news viewership: a 1% increase in within-region viewership causes external viewership to increase by approximately 0.06%. Moreover, evidence suggests that social network sharing is a primary driver of these peer effects. We find that the peer effect is stronger on viewership referred from social network sources compared to viewership referred from search engines. Beyond this, we find that social network connectivity moderates the strength of this peer effect: "strongly-connected" regions exhibit more positive and significant peer effects relative to more "weakly-connected" ones. Our provides a first step in understanding how social media platforms generate value for online content producers.
Bajo el Corazón del Cielo: Six Soliloquies on the Making of Indigeneity

In this response piece, I engage with several aspects of Lopez’s vertiginous excavation of lo indigena in The making of indigeneity to better understand the performative consequences of lo indigena’s curricularization. My engagement with Lopez’s text materializes itself in six loosely connected soliloquies, each reflecting analytical instances in her work that I find insightful and helpful to interrogate what decolonizing indigenous education might look like in the present yet to come.
A MODEL FOR POLLUTANT CONCENTRATION PREDICTION IN COMPLEX TERRAIN

In modeling the distributions of atmospheric pollutants, the study of the effects of the topography on the pollutants is of vital importance. As the terrain is flat, the Gaussian dispersion model is the basic method used to calculate pollutant concentrations. However, the Gaussian dispersion models are found to overpredict the concentration over mountainous terrain (Start, et. al., 1977). In order to better understand dispersion over complex terrain, the sophisticated dynamic model based on second-order closure schemes (Yamada, 1979) has been constructed. Due to the complexity of dynamic model, an alternative approach with the use of statistical method for analyzing the dynamic relationship between the geostrophic wind, vertical heat flux and surface wind over complex terrain was proposed (Kau et. al., 1981). The results were encouraging. It was found that the correlations between the calculated and observed surface wind speed were high for all time periods of the day and night. The surface wind speed was dependent primarily on the slope wind, cross isobaric angle, surface thermal stability and geostrophic wind. The wind direction was dependent primarily on the geostrophic wind direction, aspect angle of the topography, upcanyon direction and cross isobaric angle. In this paper, extending the works of Kau et. al., (1982) intend to predict the pollutant concentration over complex terrain.
Cytokine Treatment of Endothelial Cells Increases Glycoprotein Ibα-Dependent Adhesion to von Willebrand Factor

Endothelial cells (EC) possess at least two membrane receptors for von Willebrand factor (vWF), the vitronectin receptor (VNR, alpha(v)beta3), which recognizes an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence in the C-terminus of vWF, and glycoprotein Ib alpha (GP Ib alpha), which interacts with a region in the N-terminal A1 domain of vWF. In the absence of added cytokines, EC attachment to a vWF substratum is mediated largely through the alpha(v)beta3, with a smaller contribution by GP Ib alpha. In the present study, we have examined the effect of cytokines on the receptor specificity of EC attachment to wild-type vWF (WT-vWF) and to vWF, which had been mutated in the C-terminal RGDS sequence (RADS-vWF). Exposure of human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or to TNF-alpha in combination with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but not to interleukin-1beta (IL-1), increased attachment to RADS-vWF by about twofold. The TNF-alpha-induced increase in EC attachment was accompanied by an increase in cell surface GP Ib alpha expression; GP Ib alpha surface expression was not increased by IL-1. Attachment of untreated HUVEC to WT-vWF could be inhibited 60% to 70% by a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) (LM609) to the VNR and 30% to 40% by the A1 fragment of vWF (containing the GP Ib alpha binding domain). The pattern of inhibition of attachment to WT-vWF was largely unchanged after TNF-alpha treatment of HUVEC. In contrast, the attachment to WT-vWF of HUVEC, treated with TNF-alpha +IFN-gamma was completely inhibited by vWF-A1 and inhibited only 35% by the anti-VNR antibody LM609. Two MoAbs to GP Ib alpha produced similar, but incomplete, inhibition. Pretreatment of HUVEC with the combination of TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma produced a dramatic decrease in VNR expression, confirming previous findings of Defilippi et al. These results suggest that in the presence of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma, the endothelial GP Ib complex is a major determinant of HUVEC adhesion to surface-bound vWF.
Is an Antiracist and Decolonizing Applied Linguistics Possible

This article argues for an uncovering of the multitude of ways in which applied linguistics has functioned as an important and effective vehicle for White supremacy and empire, with its disciplinary roots embedded in assumptions about racial inequalities and racial hierarchies and, equally importantly, the concealment of these forms of racial discrimination which often manifest as innocuous language practices. In particular, the notion of objectivity has played a guiding role in reinscribing Whiteness in much applied linguistics theorizing and research within a global context of inequitable racial power and forms of knowledge production and transmission that are steeped in colonial reasoning. In this piece, the author considers what antiracism and decolonization mean within applied linguistics and asks: Is the discipline of applied linguistics irretrievably rooted in an ontology of race and empire? Or is an antiracist and decolonizing applied linguistics possible?
Brief of Amicus Curiae Professor Kristin E. Hickman In Support of Petitioners, CIC Services, LLC v. Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Sup. Ct.) (Petition Stage)

This amicus brief was filed before the United States Supreme Court, supporting the petition for certiorari in CIC Services, LLC v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 19-930. The issue in the case is whether the Anti-Injunction Act, 26 U.S.C. s. 7421(a), precludes pre-enforcement judicial review of Administrative Procedure Act challenges against Treasury and IRS rules and regulations -- specifically in this case, IRS Notice 2016-66. The brief summarizes and expands upon issues raised and arguments made in some of my previous scholarship.
Clinicians' User Experience of Telemedicine in Neurosurgery During COVID-19.

Background Restricted access to hospitals due to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered practice patterns for elective neurosurgical care. Particularly, telemedicine has become the primary modality of patient visits for nonemergent conditions. This study aimed to characterize user experiences of neurosurgeons and advanced practice providers focusing on perceived utility and barriers of telemedicine in management of elective neurosurgical patients during COVID-19. Methods An online survey was sent to clinicians involved in neurosurgical care using telemedicine with questions focusing on frequency of utilization, duration of patient encounters, benefits of telemedicine, and barriers to current forms of remote patient visits. Survey responses were stratified by clinical position (neurosurgeon vs. advanced practice provider) and subspecialty focus (cranial vs. spinal neurosurgery). Results The survey was completed by 14 of 17 eligible clinicians. Respondents included 10 neurosurgeons and 4 APPs with 57% specializing in cranial neurosurgery and 43% specializing in spinal neurosurgery. During the COVID-19 period, 78% of respondents used teleconference/video conference visits multiple times in a week, and 86% planned to continue using telemedicine after the pandemic. The most common barrier for telemedicine was the inability to perform a neurological examination, while the most common perceived benefit was increased convenience for patients. Conclusions During the COVID-19 period, telemedicine was heavily relied on to ensure the continuation of perioperative care for patients with elective neurosurgical pathologies. While clinicians identified numerous barriers for current telemedicine platforms, the use of telemedicine will likely continue, as it has provided unique benefits for patients, clinicians, and hospitals.
A Physical Patch Model with Topography Effects for GNSS-R Land Applications and DDM Dimulations

In this paper, we study the wave scattering problem of land surfaces for Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) applications. Because the receivers are in the specular direction, both the coherent waves and the incoherent waves make contributions. The effects of Topography slopes and elevations, in addition to the microwave centimeter roughness, influence the coherent waves. Simulation results for Pr/Pt over the 20km by 20km area near the specular point is compared with other models and found to be smaller than coherent model and larger than incoherent model for small rms heights. The results are also found to be smaller than the physical patch model results with elevation effects only. The delay-doppler maps (DDMs) are simulated based on the patch model.
Concessions for Concession’s Sake: Injustice, Indignation, and the Construction of Intractable Conflict in Israel–Palestine:

In intractable conflicts, what factors lead populations to accept negotiated outcomes? To examine these issues, we conduct a survey experiment on a representative sample of the Jewish Israeli popul...
Handheld Technology to Support Vocational Skills of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Authentic Settings: a Systematic Review

Employment enhances community integration and overall quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Rapidly evolving and widely used handheld technologies (e.g., tablets and smart phones) may empower improved outcomes of vocational training for individuals with IDD. This systematic review summarizes and evaluates peer-reviewed studies that involved handheld technology to facilitate vocational training in authentic community-based settings for people with IDD. Eleven studies involving 32 participants with IDD were systematically located and analyzed in terms of key variables, study rigor, and Tau-U effect size estimates. Overall, Tau-U score suggested a large to a very large effect for interventions involving handheld technologies to teach vocational skills. Results are used to offer preliminary guidance for practitioners and to suggest directions for future research and practice.
On the Use and Interpretation of In Situ Load Tests in Weak Rock Masses

Sockets are often constructed into weak rock mass to improve their axial response to applied compressive or tensile loads. This paper first establishes two separate load test databases for the side and base resistances in in situ socket load tests in weak rocks. The databases include the rock socket geometry, rock socket load–displacement response and the rock mass properties. The paper then reviews the available models for the prediction of (i) the axial resistance (compression or uplift), and (ii) axial deformation. The databases are used to evaluate the existing predictive models for axial resistance and axial deformation, and to evaluate the behavior of drilled shafts in weak rock mass. The load test databases are also used to evaluate the effect of rock mass variability on the reliability of foundations in weak rock. Based on the results of the analysis presented, the applicability of the existing models and approaches to the study of socket behavior in weak rocks are discussed.
Proximal Femur Osteotomy Guided with Patient-Specific 3D Print Technology: A Case Report.

Case We present a 17-month-old female infant with a left lower extremity infection. After treating the infection, she developed a pathologic femur fracture malunion with a complex femoral deformity. Three-dimensional (3D) patient-specific prints of her affected and unaffected femora were made, and a corrective osteotomy was templated on the prints. Conclusion By printing the contralateral proximal femur and templating the osteotomy and correction based on the native anatomy of the patient, we were able to simulate the 3D deformity correction and customize an implant to fit the patient's anatomy.
Case Report: Implementation of a Multi-Component Behavioral Health Integration Program in Obstetrics for Perinatal Behavioral Health

Despite growing research and policy attention, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders remain prevalent, burdensome for families, and largely un-treated in the US. Researchers have documented an array of barriers to accurate detection, linkage with effective treatment, and improved outcomes for perinatal women with behavioral health disorders. It is clear that a multi-component approach that integrates evidence-based detection and management of perinatal behavioral health in the context of obstetrics care can be effective. This paper presents the initial development of a program that includes evidence-based components of behavioral health integration in obstetrics in the state of Florida in the US. The FL BH Impact program, guided by the RE-AIM model for program implementation has been developed over the past two years. Program component implementation and preliminary findings are presented. Following the implementation phase, the program has enrolled 12 obstetrics practices and 122 obstetrics providers in program engagement and training activities. The primary program component allows for obstetrics clinician telephone access to comprehensive referral resources for patients and access to consultation with psychiatry. Since program implementation, the program has received a total of 122 calls to this line, with an expected increasing trajectory of calls over time. Results suggest that this program is feasible to implement in across a large geographic area. Challenges to implementation and future directions are discussed. These types of multi-component approaches to improved management and outcomes for PMAD are promising and must be expanded and sustained in the US.
Optical Study of Domains in Antiferroelectric Ceramics

Antiferroelectric ceramics are now highly focused as giant strain actuator materials. In this study, domain formation in antiferroelectric lead zirconate based ceramics (Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.6Sn0.4)1-yTiy]0.98O3) was observed dynamically under an electric field at various temperatures using a high-resolution charge-coupled-device (CCD) microscope system. Field induced polarization and field induced strain were also measured. No domain was observed without an electric field, but clear domains appeared with an electric field due to the phase transition from an antiferroelectric to a ferroelectric state. Results of the optical study can explain well the electrical properties. The behavior of the field induced domains showed a shape memory effect and the domains were well oriented compared with normal ferroelectric ceramics.
Model Reference Control of Distributed Parameter Systems with Applications to the Scole Problem

Abstract Model reference controllers Lave been developed for distributed parameter systems (DPS) and applied to the SCCLE roll beam, mode. equation. When the true partial eifferential. equation representation is used, the resulting control is finite dimensional but defined by an, infinite series which must be trurcatec for application. when a large but finite dimensional approximation to the DPS is used, the resulting control will be finite dimensional, but possibly not adequately representative for the actual DPS. To date the theory for such model reference controllers has beer, developed and is now being applied to the SCOLE roll bean bencing. partial differential equation and to a 16th order finite dimensional representation of the flexible and rigid body modles. Results of the analysis and sore of the preliminary simulation studies are presented.
Buoyant Density Heterogeneity in Spores of Bacillus subtilis: Biochemical and Physiological Basis

The biochemical and physiological basis of density heterogeneity in Renografin of Bacillus subtilis W23 spores was determined by analysis of metals, macromolecules, and dipicolinic acid in the two density classes of the population. Germination rate and heat resistance were measured in both density classes. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed that heavy spores (density = 1.335 g/ml) have 30% more calcium than light spores (density = 1.290 g/ml). Other metals found in greater amounts in heavy spores were manganese and potassium. However, light spores had more sodium than heavy spores. The amounts of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and proteins were the same in both types of spores, but light spores contained more lipids, whereas heavy spores had 30% more dipicolinic acid than light spores. Calcium and lipid were excluded as causes of the heterogeneity in density in that alteration of their contents in spores did not detectably affect the density of these spores. Spores of two densities were genetically similar. Furthermore, light density spores arose earlier during sporulation than heavy spores as determined by releasing refractile forespores at various times during sporulation. We concluded that light spores represent an incomplete stage in development because they became heavy when reinoculated into spent sporulation medium. This must involve the additional accretion or synthesis of dipicolinic acid.
Automated synthesis of constrained generators

Knowledge compilation is an emerging research area that focuses on "compiling" a problem solver's inefficient, explicit knowledge representation into more efficient, implicit forms. This paper presents a technique that transforms a declarative problem description (specifying the problem but not how to solve it) into a reasonably efficient, generate-and-test problem solver. Our technique performs constraint incorporation, modifying the parameter generators so they only generate values that satisfy the problem constraints. Successful constraint incorporation depends upon choosing the right solution representation (i.e., the set of parameters). Having expressed a constraint in terms of a particular set of parameters, incorporation fails if the constraint is not factorable into constraints on the individual parameter generators. RICK, a Refinement-based constraint Incorporator for Compiling Knowledge, is a prototype program that compiles a problem specification into a problem solver using least commitment, topdown refinement to achieve constraint incorporation. RICK refines an abstract solution representation to avoid premature commitment to representations that hinder constraint incorporation. RICK is able to incorporate local constraints that constrain relatively small portions of the entire solution. We have tested these ideas by having RICK automatically construct a house floor planning problem solver.
Rapamycin Selectively Blocks Interleukin-2-induced Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Gene Expression in T Lymphocyte EVIDENCE FOR INHIBITION OF CREB/ATF BINDING ACTIVITIES

Abstract The macrolide rapamycin arrests T lymphocytes stimulated by interleukin-2 (IL-2) at G1/S. We have recently found that IL-2 induced an increase in the binding of discrete transcription factors of the ATF/cAMP-responsive element binding factor (CREB) family at G1/S, and that this effect was inhibited by rapamycin (Feuerstein, N., Huang, D., Hinrichs, S. H., Orten, D. J., Aiyar, N., and Prystowsky, M. B. (1995) J. Immunol. 154, 68-79). We now show, by using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, that rapamycin inhibited selectively the synthesis of three discrete IL-2-induced soluble proteins (35 kDa/pI 5, 68 kDa/pI 4, 110 kDa/pI 4.3). Analysis of nuclear proteins demonstrated that rapamycin selectively blocked the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), an obligate cofactor of DNA polymerase-, an important component for DNA replication. Rapamycin inhibited the IL-2-induced PCNA mRNA, and the murine PCNA promoter activity in IL-2-stimulated cells. Inducible CRE-binding proteins were shown previously to be required for PCNA promoter activity in IL-2-stimulated T lymphocytes. Using DNA binding gel mobility shift assay we demonstrated that rapamycin potently inhibited the binding of CREB/ATF transcription factors to CRE elements in the murine proximal PCNA promoter. These results suggest that PCNA is a preferred target in a rapamycin-sensitive transduction pathway, and that the mechanism by which rapamycin inhibits PCNA gene expression may involve the inhibition of the interaction of CREB/ATF transcription factors with CRE elements in the proximal PCNA promoter.
Studies on polynucleotides. The linkage of deoxyribopolynucleotide templates to cellulose and its use in their replication.

Abstract Poly(dT) with the average chain length of 80 nucleotides and containing 3'-phosphate end groups was condensed with cellulose by the use of a water soluble carbodiimide. The product, which contained free 5'-hydroxyl groups at the terminal thymidine residues, was phosphorylated using [γ-32P]ATP and the polynucleotide kinase. A synthetic deoxyribo-oligonucleotide segment corresponding to a portion of the Escherichia coli tyrosine tRNA gene (dC-C-C-CA-C-C) was extended at its 3'-OH end by growing a polythymidylate chain using deoxypolynucleotidyltransferase. The thymidine at the 3' end of this product was covalently linked to the 5'-phosphate end (32P-labeled) of the cellulose-linked polythymidylate by using polynucleotide ligase and poly(dA) as the template. Replication of the specific sequence dC-C-C-C-A-C-C in the above cellulose-linked polynucleotide was investigated by using a short (rA)n or poly(dA) as primers suitably hybridized to the poly(dT) region. The product of replication was readily separated from the template after denaturation and was characterized by nearest neighbor frequency analysis.
Biochemical Characterization of the ctr Mutants of Escherichia coli

A test procedure based on complementation in mixed extracts is described for the assay of heat-stable protein and enzyme I of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system. The test was used to assay a collection of pleiotropic carbohydrate mutants of Escherichia coli (ctr mutants) and revertants of these mutants. All mutants were found to lack enzyme I of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transferase system. Revertants of these mutants to complete wild phenotype regained enzyme I-forming ability. Reversion to partial wild type was not accompanied by restoration of enzyme I-forming ability.
Characterization and multiplexing of correlated traffic from sources with different time constants

Single server, discrete-time queueing systems under independent or Markov arrival processes and deterministic service requirements have been studied widely in the past. The fixed service time is usually set equal to one (the network-time-constant), defining the time unit of the discrete-time system axis. Such queueing systems have been adopted for the modeling of statistical multiplexers in slotted communication networks supporting sources of (fixed size) packetized information. In this paper, a statistical multiplexer fed by Markov packet sources is considered. Unlike previous considerations, the time-constant of the sources is assumed to be greater than one. As a result, packets cannot be generated over consecutive discrete-time instants whose distance is less than the source time-constant, although the source may be active; both the cases of Markov sources with single and double time-constants are considered. The resulting packet traffic is characterized and the formulated queueing model is studied. In addition to presenting an analysis of a statistical multiplexer fed by quite general Markov traffic streams, this study concludes that the negative impact of source traffic correlations on statistical multiplexing can be reduced substantially when sources with time-constants greater than one are considered. Even in the absence of correlations, the guaranteed idleness of the source within a source-time-constant's interval is shown to have a positive impact on the multiplexing process. Finally, some numerical results for the case of multiplexed packetized voice sources are also presented.
The lactam of α-guanidinoglutaric acid (1-amidino-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid)

Abstract α-Guanidinoglutaric acid (α-GGA) has been reported to occur in the cerebral cortex after epileptic seizures. No physical characteristics of α-GGA have been given. A practical procedure for the preparation of α-GGA is reported here. α-GGA forms a lactam in aqueous solution at 80°C. It is proposed to substitute this lactam, 1-amidino-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (pAGlu), for pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) at the N-terminal position in neuropeptides to modify their biological characteristics. l (+)-Glutamic acid was reacted with S -methylisothiourea ( I ) at pH 10 in aqueous solution to form l (−)-α-guanidinoglutaric acid: mp 165–168°C, [α] d 22 = −22.7 ( C = 4.2 m HCl). α-GGA reacted promptly with excess reagent to form a salt, S -methylisothiourea-α-guanidinoglutarate: mp 209–210°C, [α] d 22 = −13.0 ( C = 4,2 m HCl). I was removed from the salt with aqueous picric acid, since I readily formed an insoluble picrate, S -methylisothiourea picrate (mp 225–228°C). Alternatively, the salt was added to a cation exchange column, and the α-GGA was eluted with molar ammonium acetate buffer, pH 9.5. Its lactam, 1-amidino-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, mp 248–249°C, [α] d 22 = +2.1 ( C = 4,2 m HCl), formed a picrate (mp 196–199°C).
Spectroscopic study of dinitrophenol herbicide sorption on smectite.

Sorption of two dinitrophenolic herbicides, 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC) and 4,6-dinitro-2-sec-butylphenol (DINOSEB) to smectite was studied using FTIR, HPLC, and quantum chemical methods. The high affinity of DNOC and DINOSEB for smectite surfaces was attributed to site-specific interactions with exchangeable cations and nonspecific van der Waals interactions with the siloxane surface. The positions of the νasym(NO) and νsym(NO) vibrational modes were perturbed by the exchangeable cations with similar changes occurring for both alkali and alkaline earth cations as a function of ionic potential. The cation-induced changes to the vibrational bands of the NO2 groups indicate that exchangeable metal cations are coordinated to -NO2 groups. Quantum chemical methods predicted a red-shift of the νasym(NO) band and a corresponding blue-shift of the νsym(NO) modes, as was observed experimentally. The nature of the smectite surface itself did not strongly influence the vibrational modes of sorbed DNOC or DINOSEB on ...
An investigation of Fe3Zr phase

Abstract The existence of the controversial Fe3Zr is confirmed in this study by optical and TEM imaging, electron diffraction and STEM composition analysis. Fe3Zr has a cubic morphology in the as-cast alloy and a polycrystalline morphology in the annealed alloy. Electron diffraction patterns indicate its crystal structure belongs to Th6Mn23 type rather than Ti2Ni type. Fe3Zr and α-Fe should be equilibrium phases in the alloy in the temperatures. The presence of the metastable phase Fe2Zr may be the result of a larger driving force for its formation and the extremely slow growth rate of Fe3Zr. Fe3Zr particles are a product of a reaction similar to a peritectoid reaction: Fe2Zr + Fe(α) = Fe3Zr. Its growth rate in most cases depends on the diffusion of Fe atoms through the Fe3Zr outer layer to the Fe2Zr core. The volume fraction of Fe3Zr is less than 4% after a 48 hour annealing at 1190 °C.
Late onset of heart block after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease

Late onset of complete heart block is a potentially dangerous complication after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease. The characteristics of patients with late-onset heart block have not been well described. A retrospective review of a pacemaker database was done to identify patients who presented with new onset heart block between 1988 and 2006, after they had been discharged from the hospital after open heart surgery with normal AV conduction. Fifteen patients were identified. The age at the time of the last surgery before the onset of heart block was 2.0 ± 3.2 years (range: 3 days to 10 years). Nine had a ventricular septal defect repair, four had an atrioventricular canal, and two other patients had other types of heart defect. The last EKG available for analysis before the onset of heart block had been obtained 5.1 ± 6.5 years (range: 7 days to 16 years) after surgery. The symptoms at the time of presentation were variable. Four patients presented with fatigue or exercise intolerance, two with syncope, two with congestive heart failure, and one with irritability, and the remaining six patients were diagnosed during routine follow-up. The time between open heart surgery and placement of a permanent pacemaker was 6.8 ± 7.3 years (range: 2 months to 19 years). There were seven patients in whom the onset of heart block was more than 6 years after surgery. Late onset of complete heart block after open heart surgery could be dangerous when presenting without warning. These data would support the notion that patients should be followed for life after repair of congenital heart defects, with special attention to the conduction system, particularly after repair of septal defects.
Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of LY121019.

LY121019 is a new semisynthetic lipoeptide antifungal agent with potent in vitro fungicidal activity against multiple clinical strains ofCandida albicans andCandida tropicalis but is 10–100 fold less active againstTorulopsis glabrata andCandida parapsilosis. Its in vitro activity againstCandida albicans andCandida tropicalis is comparable to that of amphotericin B. The in vitro fungicidal activity of this new agent supports further investigations into its use in treatment ofCandida infections.
Environmental periodicity and ecosystem stability

Abstract Simple ecosystem models involving a primary producer, nutrients, and a herbivore are developed with metabolic dependence on periodic functions representing solar radiation and temperature. Simulation results suggests that the models yield generally stable output provided that equilibrium values for the state variables are positive in the nonperiodic analog. Linear dependence of plant growth on nutrient supply leads to a larger stability domain than that produced by hyperbolic dependence.
Mapping Genes Encoding Microsomal ω‐6 Desaturase Enzymes and Their Cosegregation with QTL Affecting Oleate Content in Soybean

The microsomal ω-6 desaturase enzymes, which catalyze the desaturation of oleic acid to linoleic acid during fatty acid biosynthesis, are encoded by the FAD2-1 and FAD2-2 genes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Breeders aim to incorporate the high-oleate trait into soybean germplasm in order to improve the nutritional value and oxidative stability of soybean oil. The objectives of this study were to map the isoforms of the FAD2-1 and FAD2-2 genes and investigate the association of these genetic loci with the oleate phenotype in three populations segregating for oleate content. The populations were grown in replicated multienvironment fi eld trials. According to linkage analysis conducted for two of the populations, FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B mapped on Linkage Groups O and I, respectively, while the closely linked FAD2-2A and FAD2-2B isoforms mapped on Linkage Group L. Oleate quantitative trait loci with minor effects were detected in the proximity of FAD2-1B and possibly FAD2-2B on Linkage Groups I and L. Quantitative trait loci affecting maturity were also detected on chromosomal regions adjacent to the FAD2 genes. The genotyping assays developed for the FAD2-1A, FAD2-1B, and FAD2-2B isoforms, as well as their linked simple sequence repeat markers, can be used in soybean breeding programs for the elevation of oleic acid seed content through marker-assisted selection.
Parathyroid-induced angiogenesis is VEGF-dependent.

Background. Autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue after parathyroidectomy is successful at salvaging parathyroid function. The relatively high success of parathyroid transplantation is thought to be due, in part, to the ability of parathyroid tissue to induce angiogenesis and thus recruit a new vasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor produced by a number of tumors and hypoxic tissues. Using a 3-dimensional intact microvessel angiogenesis system, we evaluated the role of VEGF in the stimulation of angiogenesis by human parathyroid cells. Methods. Freshly isolated rat microvessels embedded in a 3-dimensional collagen I matrix were treated with healthy 1-mm3 fragments of human parathyroid tissue or isolated parathyroid cells. Other gels were supplemented with VEGF165 or FLT-1 soluble receptor fusion protein to bind VEGF. After 11 days in culture, the gels were stained with Gs-1 lectin, a marker for rat endothelium, and linear growth of the microvessels was determined by using image analysis. Parathyroid production of VEGF was determined with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results. A significant increase in microvessel growth was seen in parathyroid coculture (8.4 ± 1.0 mm) versus VEGF165 supplemented gels (6.2 ± 0.3 mm, P <.01). VEGF165 significantly augmented parathyroid-stimulated angiogenesis (13.7 ± 2.4 mm, P <.05 vs parathyroid alone). Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we identified VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) induction within 1 hour of parathyroid explant, with a 12-fold increase by 24 hours. Treatment of parathyroid cocultures with 0.2 μg/mL FLT-1 soluble receptor protein completely eliminated the parathyroid induction of angiogenesis. Conclusions. Parathyroid tissue expresses low levels of VEGF mRNA, which is significantly upregulated on explantation. Furthermore, the increased VEGF expression is essential to drive parathyroid-induced angiogenesis in our model. However, our data suggests that other parathyroid-produced factors are involved in mediating parathyroid-induced angiogenesis. (Surgery 2000;128:458–64)
Comparison of microRNA deep sequencing of matched formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and fresh frozen cancer tissues.

MicroRNAs regulate several aspects of tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Most cancer tissues are archived formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE). While microRNAs are a more stable form of RNA thought to withstand FFPE-processing and degradation there is only limited evidence for the latter assumption. We examined whether microRNA profiling can be successfully conducted on FFPE cancer tissues using SOLiD ligation based sequencing. Tissue storage times (2–9 years) appeared to not affect the number of detected microRNAs in FFPE samples compared to matched frozen samples (paired t-test p>0.7). Correlations of microRNA expression values were very high across microRNAs in a given sample (Pearson’s r = 0.71–0.95). Higher variance of expression values among samples was associated with higher correlation coefficients between FFPE and frozen tissues. One of the FFPE samples in this study was degraded for unknown reasons with a peak read length of 17 nucleotides compared to 21 in all other samples. The number of detected microRNAs in this sample was within the range of microRNAs detected in all other samples. Ligation-based microRNA deep sequencing on FFPE cancer tissues is feasible and RNA degradation to the degree observed in our study appears to not affect the number of microRNAs that can be quantified.
The scoliosis of congenital heart disease.

Abstract Scoliosis occurs with greater frequency in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) than in the normal population. In a random survey of 121 adolescent and adult patients with CHD, 44 per cent had scoliosis; in 19 per cent of these patients, the scoliosis exceeded 10°. Patients with cyanotic forms of CHD were more commonly affected than acyanotic patients. The severity of the scoliosis was also greater in the cyanotic group, particularly in the male patients. While the time of clinical detection and period of rapid progression are in adolescence, the onset of the curvature radiographically begins at an earlier age. Curves beginning before six years of age are the ones likely to progress to significant scoliosis. It is urged that careful attention be directed to analysis of serial chest radiographs in patients with CHD so that scoliosis can be detected and quantified and treatment can be begun when the curves show evidence of rapid progression.
Non-invasive brainstem monitoring: the ocular microtremor

The ocular microtremor (OMT) is mediated by the oculomotor area of the brainstem and is altered in several pathologic states, including traumatic brain injury, general anesthesia, brain death, coma, Parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis. The EYETECT tremor monitor is a non-invasive means of measuring the frequency and amplitude of this microscopic tremor. It has been clinically tested in these clinical scenarios and has been found to be a reliable means of detecting the depth of anesthesia, and has been useful in predicting outcome in coma and traumatic brain injury patients and in confirming brain death. This paper reviews the scientific literature on the EYETECT OMT monitor, describes the underlying physiology and discusses the potential for future works and clinical use of this innovative technology.
Boundary conditions for thermal lattice Boltzmann equation method

We propose a thermal boundary condition treatment based on the ''bounce-back'' idea and interpolation of the distribution functions for both the Dirichlet and Neumann (normal derivative) conditions in the thermal lattice Boltzmann equation (TLBE) method. The coefficients for the distribution functions involved are determined to satisfy the Dirichlet or Neumann condition with second-order accuracy. For the Dirichlet condition there is an adjustable parameter in the treatment and three particular schemes are selected for demonstration, while for the Neumann condition the second-order accurate scheme is unique. When applied to inclined or curved boundaries, the Dirichlet condition treatment can be directly used, while the Neumann condition given in the normal direction of the boundary should be converted into derivative conditions in the discrete velocity directions of the TLBE model. A spatially coupled formula relating the boundary temperature, boundary normal heat flux, and the distribution functions near the boundary is thus derived for the Neumann problems on curved boundaries. The applicability and accuracy of the present boundary treatments are examined with several numerical tests for which analytical solutions are available, including the 2-dimensional (2-D) steady-state channel flow, the 1-D transient heat conduction in an inclined semi-infinite solid, the 2-D steady-state and transient heat conduction inside a circle and the 3-D steady-state circular pipe flow. While the Dirichlet condition treatment leads to second-order accuracy for the temperature field, it only gives a first-order accurate boundary heat flux because of the irregularity of the cuts by the curved boundary with the lattices. With the Neumann condition on the curved boundary, the accuracy for the temperature field obtained is first-order. When the tangential temperature gradient on the boundary is decoupled, second-order convergence of the temperature field can be obtained with Neumann conditions.