cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiologic Substrate, Safety, Procedural Approaches, and Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients after Aortic Valve Replacement

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate the substrate, procedural strategies, safety, and outcomes of catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR). Background VT ablation in patients with AVR is challenging, particularly when mapping and ablation in the periaortic region are necessary. Methods We identified consecutive patients with mechanical, bioprosthetic, and transcatheter AVR who underwent CA for VT refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and analyzed VT substrate, approach to LV access, complications, and long-term outcomes. Results Overall, 29 patients (87% men, mean age 67.9 ± 9.8 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 39 ± 10%) with prior AVR (13 mechanical, 15 bioprosthetic, 1 transcatheter AVR) underwent 40 ablations from 2004 to 2016. Left-sided mapping/CA was performed in 27 patients (36 procedures). Access was retrograde aortic in 11 procedures (all bioprosthetic), transseptal in 24 (13 mechanical; 10 bioprosthetic; 1 transcatheter AVR), or transventricular septal in 1. Periaortic bipolar or unipolar scar was detected in all 24 patients in whom detailed periaortic mapping was performed. Clinical VT circuit(s) involved the periaortic region in 10 patients (34%), 2 (7%) had bundle branch re-entry VT, and 17 (59%) had substrate unrelated to AVR. There were 2 major complications (both related to vascular access). Only 2 patients (9.1%) had VT recurrence. Over median follow-up of 12.8 months, 11 patients died (none as a result of recurrent VT). Conclusions Whereas most patients undergoing CA for VT after AVR had VT from substrate unrelated to AVR, periaortic scar is universally present and bundle branch re-entry can be the VT mechanism. CA can be safely performed with excellent long-term VT elimination.
Abstract WP155: Inhibition of Ras-Related C3 Botulinum Toxin Substrate 1 (Rac1) Exacerbates Endothelial Viability and Regenerative Responses After Stroke in vitro

Brain endothelial cells play an essential role in BBB integrity and vascular recovery after injury. Accumulating evidence shows that Rac1, a Rho-related GTPase, are central in promoting endothelial...
Adding Skill Development to Graduate Marketing: A Case History

Three surveys of graduating MBA’s at “General” University Graduate Business School in 1988, two surveys of corporate recruiters and two published reports have led to the conclusion that MBA students want and need to acquire certain business skills. Among them are: Influencing, Negotiating and Networking. This paper describes initial attempts at teaching these skills and students’ reaction to the experience. Next steps are defined and guidance is provided to educators planning to add business skills to their programs.
Integrative Genomic Characterization Identifies Molecular Subtypes of Lung Carcinoids

Lung carcinoids (LC) are rare and slow growing primary lung neuroendocrine tumors. We performed targeted exome sequencing, mRNA sequencing, and DNA methylation array analysis on macro-dissected LCs. Recurrent mutations were enriched for genes involved in covalent histone modification/chromatin remodeling (34.5%; MEN1, ARID1A, KMT2C, and KMT2A) as well as DNA repair (17.2%) pathways. Unsupervised clustering and principle component analysis on gene expression and DNA methylation profiles showed three robust molecular subtypes (LC1, LC2, LC3) with distinct clinical features. MEN1 gene mutations were found to be exclusively enriched in the LC2 subtype. LC1 and LC3 subtypes were predominately found at peripheral and endobronchial lung, respectively. The LC3 subtype was diagnosed at a younger age than LC1 and LC2 subtypes. IHC staining of two biomarkers, ASCL1 and S100, sufficiently stratified the three subtypes. This molecular classification of LCs into three subtypes may facilitate understanding of their molecular mechanisms and improve diagnosis and clinical management. SIGNIFICANCE: Integrative genomic analysis of lung carcinoids identifies three novel molecular subtypes with distinct clinical features and provides insight into their distinctive molecular signatures of tumorigenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis.
Conclusion: roots and routes

What have we learned about the construction of memory at the moment of the rise of vernaculars in South Asia? This volume has challenged certain inherited notions and shown the productivity of rein...
A Generalized Approach for Non-intrusive Real-time Instrumentation of Standards-based Distributed Middleware

This paper presents a generalized approach for non-intrusive, real-time instrumentation of standards-based distributed middleware for analytical purposes. The approach is implemented in a tool named the Standards-based Distributed Middleware Monitor (SDMM). SDMM uses dynamic binary instrumentation as the method to extract values and other data passed between endpoints. Using dynamic instrumentation allows SDMM to capture information without a priori knowledge of the distributed application under instrumentation. We applied SDMM to applications written in two standards-based middleware, the Data Distribution Service (DDS) and gRemote Procedure Call (gRPC). We show that the data collection process accounts for less than 1% of the performance overhead for both DDS and gRPC case studies.
Chromatography bioseparation technologies and in-silico modelings for continuous production of biotherapeutics

The potential of continuous bioprocessing is hindered by the bottlenecks of chromatography processing, which continues to be executed in batch mode. Highlighting the critical drawbacks of batch chromatography, this review underscores the transition that the industry has made by implementing continuous upstream process without devising a working model for downstream chromatography operations. Even though multitude of process development initiatives have commenced, the review emphasizes the first principle models of chromatography on which these initiatives are built. Various models of continuous chromatography, which are essential, but not limited to multi-column systems, employed to congeal a unified process are reviewed. Advancements made by several mechanistic models and simulations to maximize productivity and performance are described, in an attempt to provide the integral tools. The modeling tools can be used for development of a strong model based control strategy and can be embedded into the continuous chromatography framework. The review addresses the limitations and challenges of the current modeling methods for development of robust mechanistic modeling and efficient unit operation platform in continuous chromatography.
Study on Suitable Field Collocation Patterns of Rice High Yield Cultivation in Chongqing Area

In order to select the suitable field collocation patterns of rice high yield cultivation in Chongqing area,Yu-xiang 203 and Ⅱ-you838 were used as tested materials,and the effects of field collocation patterns on the emergence and death dynamics of populational stemsand tillers,the dry matter production and distribution,grain yield and yield components of rice were studied. The results showed that the spaced planting was not only beneficial to the germination of stems and tillers and the increase of effective stem tillers number,but also to the increase of dry matter production of rice per plant. For rice population with high grain yield,the aboveground dry weight at full heading stage was 1. 5 times as that at maturity stage,the five leaves length sequence of rice in full heading stage was‘2 3≥1≥4 5'. The recommended field collocation patterns were 26. 6 cm × 33. 3 cm or 23. 3 cm × 33. 3 cm,planting density was 7500-8570 holes /666. 7 m2,2 seedlings per hole.
Regional variation of corneal stromal deformation measured by high-frequency ultrasound elastography.

The cornea’s mechanical response to intraocular pressure elevations may alter in ectatic diseases such as keratoconus. Regional variations of mechanical deformation in normal and keratoconus eyes d...
6636 Removal of a Fibroid Uterus through a Posterior Colpotomy

Study Objective To describe a contained tissue extraction technique through a posterior colpotomy during a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. Design surgical video. Setting Operating Room. Patients or Participants Single patient undergoing a supracervical hysterectomy. Interventions Manual morcellation of a fibroid uterus through a posterior colpotomy. Measurements and Main Results Successful removal of the specimen. Conclusion Posterior colpotomy is a safe and efficient method of specimen retrieval for patients undergoing a supracervical hysterectomy. It allows for use of smaller skin incisions and removal of a specimen in a contained fashion.
Bilingual advantages in executive functioning either do not exist or are restricted to very specific and undetermined circumstances.

Abstract The hypothesis that managing two languages enhances general executive functioning is examined. More than 80% of the tests for bilingual advantages conducted after 2011 yield null results and those resulting in significant bilingual advantages tend to have small sample sizes. Some published studies reporting significant bilingual advantages arguably produce no group differences if more appropriate tests of the critical interaction or more appropriate baselines are used. Some positive findings are likely to have been caused by failures to match on demographic factors and others have yielded significant differences only with a questionable use of the analysis-of-covariance to “control” for these factors. Although direct replications are under-utilized, when they are, the results of seminal studies cannot be reproduced. Furthermore, most studies testing for bilingual advantages use measures and tasks that do not have demonstrated convergent validity and any significant differences in performance may reflect task-specific mechanism and not domain-free executive functions (EF) abilities. Brain imaging studies have made only a modest contribution to evaluating the bilingual-advantage hypothesis, principally because the neural differences do not align with the behavioral differences and also because the neural measures are often ambiguous with respect to whether greater magnitudes should cause increases or decreases in performance. The cumulative effect of confirmation biases and common research practices has either created a belief in a phenomenon that does not exist or has inflated the frequency and effect size of a genuine phenomenon that is likely to emerge only infrequently and in restricted and undetermined circumstances.
Treatment, Bracing, and Modalities in Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP), pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), and pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PLPP) are common and disabling conditions. In this chapter, treatment options are discussed, including physical therapy/exercise, pharmacologic treatments, bracing, modalities, and integrative therapies, such as acupuncture. Conservative management is preferred during pregnancy. Physical therapy is recommended as first-line treatment, focusing on manual therapy and self-mobilization, postural alignment/pelvic tilt, symmetrical body mechanics education, core/gluteal strengthening, and individualized pelvic stabilization exercises. Exercise and patient education prior to and during pregnancy may help minimize symptoms. There is evidence to support the use of bracing (pelvic support belt), and this should be recommended as an option to improve pain with standing and walking. In addition, modalities, such as pillows, heat/cold, and TENS, may be utilized as conservative treatments to help with pain. Acupuncture is considered safe during pregnancy, but certain acupuncture points that stimulate the cervix and uterus should be avoided. Overall, PPGP and PLBP are considered self-limiting conditions and symptoms often resolve within a few weeks to 3 months after delivery.
Epithelial Ingrowth: Epithelial Ingrowth into Visual Axis After Primary LASIK Surgery Treated by Flap Elevation and Scraping

LASIK is the most common refractive surgery performed all around the world. Epithelial ingrowth is a rare complication which usually occurs by postoperative invasion rather than by intraoperative implantation, which suggests that the quality of the flap edge and its apposition are very important [1]. In this case, the isolated island of epithelial ingrowth is located in the visual axis, visualized on postoperative day one, without any epithelial flap edge defect suggesting it was caused by intraoperative implantation.
Studies of the Insulin-like Actions of Polyamines on Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Adipose Tissue Cells

Abstract Two naturally occurring polyamines, spermidine and spermine, mimicked the actions of insulin on lipid and glucose metabolism in isolated rat adipocytes. In the concentration range of 0.001 to 0.1 mm, spermidine and spermine suppressed lipolysis and stimulated conversion of glucose to carbon dioxide. Structure-function studies revealed that the insulin-mimicking properties of polyamines are dependent upon a spatial separation of amino groups. Putrescine (1,4-butanediamine) and 1,3-propanediamine possessed no insulin-like properties. Diamines separated by 5 or 6 carbon atoms were slightly effective whereas those separated by 7 or more carbon atoms were as potent as spermidine. Maximal insulin-like actions of polyamines were shown only in the presence of bovine serum albumin (Fraction V) which was shown to contain amine oxidase activity. Exposure of bovine albumin to EDTA or dialysis markedly decreased the effects of spermidine without influencing insulin effects or amine oxidase activity. The actions of spermidine were also absent in the presence of ovine serum albumin although amine oxidase activity was present. Furthermore, addition of purified amine oxidase to the fat cell incubation preferentially inhibited the actions of spermidine suggesting that the insulin-like properties of these compounds are not mediated through aldehyde products formed by amine oxidase present in bovine serum. Digestion of adipocytes with trypsin which leads to modifications of the insulin-receptor system on the membrane, did not affect the cellular response to spermidine. In contrast, treatment of isolated adipose tissue cells with neuraminidase from Clostridium perfringens abolished the action of both insulin and spermidine on glucose metabolism and lipolysis, but did not alter basal glucose utilization or theophylline-induced lipolysis. Spermidine and spermine (1.0 mm) did not compete with insulin for binding to isolated fat cells. The results of the cellular enzymatic modifications and binding studies indicate that polyamines mimic the action of insulin subsequent to the insulin receptor site.
Handling Dynamic Networks Using Evolution in Ant-Colony Optimization

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a popular meta-heuristic for solving combinatorial optimization problems. ACO uses the concept of ants foraging for food to find good solutions to these types of problems. ACO has been successfully applied to many problems, from the traveling salesman problem (TSP), to the problem of network routing. However, it has been pointed out that ACO does not perform as well as other heuristics in very dynamic problems. At first, this statement seems strange but a close look reveals that the nature strategy that inspires the ACO meta-heuristic has an important element that is lacking in ACO: evolution. This paper proposes a new algorithm, named Evolutionary Ant Colony Optimization (EACO), that combines ACO with elements of traditional Genetic Algorithms (GA), namely: selection, recombination, and mutation. Individual ants are endowed with a genotype that is allowed to evolve through generations of the population. In doing this, the EACO algorithm adds another element of optimization to the ACO algorithm that allows the individual agents (ants) in the algorithm to improve their behavior over several generations. Our results demonstrate that EACO can indeed overcome the hurdles faced by the original ACO.
Observations of ice nucleation by ambient aerosol in the homogeneous freezing regime

[1] We measured the freezing activation curves for ambient particles as a function of relative humidity with respect to water over the temperature range of −40° to −50°C using a continuous flow diffusion chamber, and compared the observations with those for ammonium sulfate particles and predictions from a parametric representation of homogeneous freezing of solution particles as a function of water activity and temperature. Since it has been proposed that the rate of homogeneous freezing depends on solution water activity, we made separate measurements of the hygroscopicity (κ) of the ambient aerosol. Observed κ ranged from 0.1 to 0.2, lower than that of ammonium sulfate (0.6) and representative of a continental aerosol. As predicted for this difference in κ, there was no significant difference between the homogeneous freezing conditions of size-selected ammonium sulfate and the apparent homogeneous freezing conditions of same-sized ambient aerosol. Further, the parameterization predicted freezing fraction-relative humidity relationships for non size-selected ambient aerosol that differed by only 0.5 to 1.5% relative humidity from observed relations at the tested temperatures, well within experimental uncertainty. Our findings confirm that the tested ambient aerosols, with hygroscopicities typical of continental regions, freeze homogeneously as expected based on present understanding for single component solution drops in the laboratory. Results also confirm that freezing is more sensitive to particle size than to composition, for particles containing at least a few percent by volume of hygroscopic species.
A Search for $\Lambda_b$ in $\pi^-$ a Collisions at 515-GeV/c

An extensive analysis was performed on 8.0 pb-1 of dimuon data produced in pi- - A collisions at 515 GeV/c to search for Lambda_b events in the decay channel Lambda_b --> J/psi Lambda^0, with J/psi --> mu^+ mu^- and Lambda^0 --> p pi^- (and for the conjugate reactions). The data was collected by the Fermilab fixed target experiments E672 and E706. Several cuts were applied to the Lambda^0 (and anti-Lambda^0) to make a clean Lambda^0 (and anti-Lambda^0) data sample. Among the cuts there was a K^0_s mass cut, in which if the Lambda^0 --> p pi^- (or conjugate reaction) had the mass of the K^0_s under the hypothesis of both tracks being pi^+ pi^-, the Lambda^0 (or anti-Lambda^0) candidates were rejected. The results show 2 events in the Lambda_b mass region. Using the E672/E706 measurement of the bb_bar cross-section, and considering the 2 Lambda_b event candidates as signal with zero background, an upper limit to F(Lambda_b) * Br(Lambda_b --> J/psi Lambda^0) was found to be less than 6.2x10^-2 at 90 % C. L. An upper limit was also calculate without using the K^0_s mass cut for the Lambda^0 s (and anti-Lambda^0 s), and again, requiring that the J/psi s originate from secondary vertices, giving that F(Lambda_b) * Br(Lambda_b --> J/psi Lambda^0) J/psi Lambda^0) < 3.2x10$^-2 at 90 % C.L., respectively.
Helicobacter pylori CheZ(HP) and ChePep form a novel chemotaxis-regulatory complex distinct from the core chemotaxis signaling proteins and the flagellar motor.

Chemotaxis is important for Helicobacter pylori to colonize the stomach. Like other bacteria, H. pylori uses chemoreceptors and conserved chemotaxis proteins to phosphorylate the flagellar rotational response regulator, CheY, and modulate the flagellar rotational direction. Phosphorylated CheY is returned to its non-phosphorylated state by phosphatases such as CheZ. In previously studied cases, chemotaxis phosphatases localize to the cellular poles by interactions with either the CheA chemotaxis kinase or flagellar motor proteins. We report here that the H. pylori CheZ, CheZ(HP), localizes to the poles independently of the flagellar motor, CheA, and all typical chemotaxis proteins. Instead, CheZ(HP) localization depends on the chemotaxis regulatory protein ChePep, and reciprocally, ChePep requires CheZ(HP) for its polar localization. We furthermore show that these proteins interact directly. Functional domain mapping of CheZ(HP) determined the polar localization motif lies within the central domain of the protein and that the protein has regions outside of the active site that participate in chemotaxis. Our results suggest that CheZ(HP) and ChePep form a distinct complex. These results therefore suggest the intriguing idea that some phosphatases localize independently of the other chemotaxis and motility proteins, possibly to confer unique regulation on these proteins' activities.
The Effects of Aggregation on Electronic and Optical Properties of Oligothiophene Particles

Solution processing of oligothiophene molecules is shown to produce a range of particles with distinct morphologies. Once isolated on a substrate, the optical and electronic properties of individual particles were studied. From polarized scanning confocal microscopy experiments, distinct particles that are identifiable by shape were shown to have similar emission spectra except in regard to the 0–0 vibronic band intensity. This suppression of the 0–0 vibronic band correlates to the amount of energetic disorder present in a weakly coupled H-aggregate. The studied particles ranged from moderate to almost complete suppression of the 0–0 vibronic band when compared to the emission spectrum of the isolated molecule in solution. All particles were found to have a high degree of geometric order (molecular alignment) as observed from the fluorescence dichroism (FD) values of around 0.7–0.8 for all the studied morphologies. The structural and electronic properties of the particles were investigated with Kelvin pro...
The Effect of Phosphorus on Intergranular Caustic Cracking of NiCr Steel

Abstract This paper reports a study of the effect of phosphorus segregation on the intergranular stress corrosion cracking of a 3.5Ni-1.7Cr steel in 9M NaOH. It is shown that phosphorus, when segre...
A numerical study of pulsatile flow through stenosed canine femoral arteries.

Abstract A numerical study is made of pulsatile flow through stenosed canine femoral arteries for lumen constrictions in the range 0–61%. Comparison of results with in vivo measurements indicates that the pressure drop across the stenosis and the time averaged peak wall shear may be sufficiently large when the areal restriction is 61% to result in the development of atheromatous lesions and endothelial damage proximal to the stenosis, but that these effects are unlikely when the restriction is 44% or less. Local flow reversal is observed in the wake of the stenosis during systole and during diastolic flow reversal, but the rate of development of the local reverse flow is very sensitive to stenosis height. For the more severe stenoses this local reverse flow results in a finite wall shear throughout the wake region, except at the point where the boundary of local reverse flow attaches at the stenosis. The amplitude and phase of the pressure gradient over the stenosis, relative to those in a normal section of artery, were found to be sensitive indicators of stenosis development.
Bidirectional regulation of P body formation mediated by eIF4F complex formation in sensory neurons

Processing (P) bodies are RNA granules that comprise key cellular sites for the metabolism of mRNAs. In certain cells, including neurons, these RNA granules may also play an important role in storage of mRNAs in a translationally dormant state. Utilizing nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin 6 (IL6), which stimulate cap-dependent translation in sensory neurons, and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators, which inhibit cap-dependent translation, we have tested the hypothesis that cap-dependent translation is linked to P body formation in mammalian sensory neurons. Treatment with NGF and IL6 decreases, whereas metformin increases biochemical association of the P body marker and translational repressor/decapping activator Rck/p54/dhh1 with the 5′-mRNA-cap suggesting an ordered assembly of P bodies. Likewise, diverse AMPK activators enhance P body formation while NGF and IL6 decrease P bodies in sensory neurons. This bidirectional P body plasticity readily occurs in the axonal compartment of these neurons. These studies indicate that P body formation is intricately linked to cap-dependent translation in mammalian sensory neurons suggesting an important role for these organelles in the regulation of mRNA metabolism in the adult PNS.
Misoprostol in the treatment of chronic refractory constipation: results of a long-term open label trial.

Background: Misoprostol is known to be effective in stimulating intestinal transit both in healthy individuals and in patients with chronic constipation when evaluated in short-term trials. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of misoprostol in the long-term management of patients with chronic refractory constipation. Methods: Eighteen patients were offered misoprostol (600–2400 μg/day) as adjunctive therapy in an open-ended, non-blinded trial. All patients were encouraged to continue the drug for a minimum of 4 weeks, after which time the effect on bowel movement patterns was evaluated and continued use of misoprostol was offered to those patients who demonstrated a clinical benefit. Results: Six patients withdrew prior to 4 weeks because of side-effects. In the 12 patients who continued the treatment and were evaluated at 4 weeks, the mean interval between bowel movement frequency had decreased from a baseline of 11.25 to 4.8 days (P=0.0004). Eight patients continued the long-term treatment, with sustained response seen in six. In a subset of patients (n=4) the effect of single-dose misoprostol (400 μg) was evaluated compared to healthy controls (n=5) on post-prandial segmental colonic motility. Misoprostol augmented the colonic motility response to a meal throughout the colon, and this was significantly greater in the left versus right colonic segments (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Misoprostol can be effective as part of the long-term medical treatment of patients with chronic refractory constipation, but side-effects are observed at higher doses and can be a limiting factor. Part of misoprostol's action may be mediated through the augmentation of colonic motility, particularly of the left colon.
A predictive model for estimating rates of primary production in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean

Abstract A primary production model, specific to the subtropical North Pacific, was developed using productivity and chlorophyll data collected at Station ALOHA (22.75°N, 158.00°W) and measured phytoplankton physiological parameters. The production algorithm is a mechanistic, full spectral model that provides depth-dependent photosynthesis rates. Six years of phytoplankton pigment data were analyzed to derive seasonal cycles and to parameterize chlorophyll a (Chl; monovinyl and divinyl chlorophyll a) versus depth profiles. The Chl profiles fit a Gaussian-type distribution with depth over a constant background concentration equal to mixed-layer values. Maximum Chl concentrations were always found below the surface, and the parameters displayed distinct monthly and seasonal patterns. Photosynthesis versus irradiance experiments were conducted at a number of locations and seasons in the vicinity of Station ALOHA to calculate phytoplankton physiological parameters needed for the computation of primary production rates. Relationships were explored between environmental conditions and the physiological and profile parameters in order to develop algorithms based on remotely sensed sea-surface variables and time of year. These relationships were used to model primary production rates using data collected during the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) program. The performance of the model and model parameters were tested by comparing modeled results to those measured directly at Station ALOHA by trace metal-clean, in situ 14C incubation techniques. Monthly averaged chlorophyll profile parameters and a constant maximum quantum yield (0.026 mol C(mol quanta)−1) generates an annual production estimate of 168 g C m−2, which closely resembles that measured at Station ALOHA (181 g C m−2) during the same period. The measured and modeled primary production rates for the subtropical North Pacific are twice as high as values derived from Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) data (60–90 g C m−2) during the period 1978–1986. If the study area near Station ALOHA is representative of most oligotrophic waters, current global estimates of primary production rates have been significantly underestimated.
Long-term safety of dichloroacetate in congenital lactic acidosis.

Abstract We followed 8 patients (4 males) with biochemically and/or molecular genetically proven deficiencies of the E1α subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC; 3 patients) or respiratory chain complexes I (1 patient), IV (3 patients) or I + IV (1 patient) who received oral dichloroacetate (DCA; 12.5 mg/kg/12 h) for 9.7 to 16.5 years. All subjects originally participated in randomized controlled trials of DCA and were continued on an open-label chronic safety study. Patients (1 adult) ranged in age from 3.5 to 40.2 years at the start of DCA administration and are currently aged 16.9 to 49.9 years (mean ± SD: 23.5 ± 10.9 years). Subjects were either normal or below normal body weight for age and gender. The 3 PDC deficient patients did not consume high fat (ketogenic) diets. DCA maintained normal blood lactate concentrations, even in PDC deficient children on essentially unrestricted diets. Hematological, electrolyte, renal and hepatic status remained stable. Nerve conduction either did not change or decreased modestly and led to reduction or temporary discontinuation of DCA in 3 patients, although symptomatic worsening of peripheral neuropathy did not occur. We conclude that chronic DCA administration is generally well-tolerated in patients with congenital causes of lactic acidosis and is effective in maintaining normal blood lactate levels, even in PDC-deficient children not consuming strict ketogenic diets.
Rearing conditions affect chemosensory preferences in young cichlid fish

Offspring of the Midas cichlid, Cichlasoma citrinellum, reared with both parents showed a chemosensory preference for their mother over their father on the first day of free-swimming and no clear preference for either parent thereafter. Fry reared in isolation preferred their mother; this preference appeared slightly stronger and longer-lasting in fry reared with only their mother. The preference was reversed in fry reared with only their father.
Regional origins of Philippine overseas contract workers

International labour migration remains a staple feature of the global economy. Especially since the early 1970s, many governments throughout south and southeast Asia have embarked upon overseas employment programmes in an effort to facilitate economic growth and development. In response, a sizeable body of work has emerged to ascertain the effectiveness of overseas employment. Whereas considerable work has examined the volume and destinations of international labour migration, decidedly fewer studies have analysed the origins of migrant workers from labour-sending states. As such, policy formulation is potentially jeopardised, as governments are ill-prepared to specify with any certainty whether migration ameliorates or exacerbates regional inequalities. Using special data-sets provided for the author, this paper examines the regional origins and attributes of overseas contract workers from the Philippines. In the first analysis, the relative contribution of overseas employment is examined. In the second analysis, migrant labour-force participation rates –disaggregated by age, educational attainment and geographic region – are calculated. Findings from the first analysis suggest that regions adjacent to, and including, the National Capital Region are over-represented in their overall contribution to international labour migration. Findings from the second analysis suggest that the labour-absorptive capacity of the Philippines is less for those with some college education, and that the greatest impact of labour export is felt in the areas adjacent to the National Capital Region. Moreover, patterns of migrant origins are contingent upon structural, institutional and social factors. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specific identification of synthetic organic chemicals in river water using liquid—liquid extraction and resin adsorption coupled with electron impact, chemical ionization and accurate mass measurement gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analyses

Abstract Capillary column gas chromatography—mass spectrometry, utilizing electron impact, chemical ionization and accurate mass determinations, was applied to the broad spectrum analysis of synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) in a river located in the North Carolina Piedmont. The river was sampled at three locations several times during a thirteen-month period. The SOCs were isolated by either resin adsorption or direct methylene chloride liquid—liquid extraction. Of the 48 distinct SOCs detected, those found most frequently included atrazine and methyl atraton (triazine herbicides), dimethyl dioxane, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzen, tributylphosphate, triethylphosphate, trimethylindolinone, and tris(chlorpropyl)phosphate. Many of these chemicals are indigenous to industrial and agricultural activities in the Piedmont. Concentrations of the SOCs were in the ng/l to μg/l range. The qualitative and quantitative data were similar for both extraction methods, but the resin method was more tedious and introduced more artifacts.
Stress, social support and housing are related to health status among HIV-positive persons in the deep south of the United States.

Self-report health status measures are consistently associated with medical outcomes and are cost-effective. Studies using such measures find that those who live in rural areas or have limited access to support experience poorer health status and poorer outcomes. A survey addressing these issues was administered to 401 HIV-positive persons throughout Alabama. Hierarchical regression models examined the relation of housing stability, stress, substance use and other variables to physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health status. The sample was 34% female and 66% African-American. Most were receiving antiretroviral medications, and nearly 20% were in unstable housing. Age showed a significant negative relationship to health status. CD4 cell count (p<0.01) was positively associated with PCS; perceived general stress (p<0.02) and housing stability (p<0.04) were negatively associated. The model accounted for 14% of the variance in PCS (p<0.001). For MCS, general stress (p<0.001) was negatively associated and substa...
Effect of an opiate antagonist (naloxone) on the gastric acid secretory response to sham feeding, pentagastrin, and histamine in man.

We studied the effect of the opiate antagonist naloxone on the human gastric acid secretory response to three secretory stimulants: sham feeding, pentagastrin, and histamine. Intravenous naloxone (40 μg/kg/hr) significantly inhibited the acid secretory response to sham feeding without affecting the serum gastrin response to sham feeding. Naloxone also significantly reduced pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated acid secretion. These studies indicate that naloxone reduces acid secretion in response to all stimulants of acid secretion yet tested in humans.
Indian Saints and Nation-States: Ignacio Manuel Altamirano’s Landscapes and Legends

Analyzing the costumbrista sketches of Ignacio Manuel Altamirano as a single multi-faceted work, and comparing his treatment of popular Catholicism in different communities, this study represents a new reading of the author’s writings. It proposes that Altamirano’s juxtaposition of religion and modernity across urban-rural and ethnic continua reveals the author exploring the possibilities of Indian-centered nationalism rooted in what he describes as the innately American, independent spirit of rural indigenous Catholic practice. In short, camou- flaged in a traditional, eclectic genre, Altamirano identified the foundations of the national character in Indian popular religion long before twentieth-century indigenismo looked to contemporary Native American culture for inspiration.
Apoptosis Is the Predominant Form of Epithelial Target Cell Injury in Acute Experimental Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Cutaneous and mucosal epithelial cells are primary targets of injury in acute graft- versus -host disease (GVHD), the principal complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Recent experimental data in skin suggest that early lesions may precede morphologic evidence of direct infiltration by effector cells. The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the mechanism and kinetics of epithelial injury in acute GVHD produced in mouse strains (B10.BR/CBA) receiving bone marrow transplants across minor histocompatibility loci. Skin and tongue mucosa of hosts receiving CD8 T-cell–enriched, whole T-cell–enriched, or T-cell–depleted bone marrow transplants were sequentially harvested and studied histologically and by the terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase end ligation technique to detect apoptotic cells. Apoptosis involving putative stem cells is the predominant form of cellular injury in acute experimental GVHD. Although apoptosis correlated with the onset of lymphocyte infiltration relatively late in CD8-mediated disease, apoptosis was bimodal in whole T-cell–mediated disease, with an early peak that preceded histologic evidence of lymphocyte infiltration. These findings establish a central role for apoptosis in epithelial cell injury in acute GVHD and indicate that T–cell composition of the donor marrow inoculum may influence the pattern and kinetics of epithelial damage.
The "Screening Phase Transitions" in the Two-Dimensional Coulomb Gas

The Mayer series of a Coulomb gas with fixed ultraviolet cutoff is studied in two dimensions. In particular, we show the existence of infinitely many thresholdsT n =(e 2/8πk)(1-1/2n)−1 k=Boltzmann's constant,e=electric charge,n=1, 2,..., which are conjectured to reflect a sequence of transitions from pure multipole phase (the Kosterlitz-Thouless region) to a plasma phase (the Debye screening region) via an infinite number of “intermediate phases.” Mathematically we prove that the Mayer series' coefficients of order up to 2n are finite if the temperatureT is <T n. ForT<T ∞ all the coefficients are finite and the gas can be formally interpreted as a multipole gas with multipoles with finite activity.
Antimicrobial peptides bind more strongly to membrane pores

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, usually cationic peptides, which permeabilize bacterial membranes. Understanding their mechanism of action might help design better antibiotics. Using an implicit membrane model, modified to include pores of different shapes, we show that four AMPs (alamethicin, melittin, a magainin analogue, MG-H2, and piscidin 1) bind more strongly to membrane pores, consistent with the idea that they stabilize them. The effective energy of alamethicin in cylindrical pores is similar to that in toroidal pores, whereas the effective energy of the other three peptides is lower in toroidal pores. Only alamethicin intercalates into the membrane core; MG-H2, melittin and piscidin are located exclusively at the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface. In toroidal pores, the latter three peptides often bind at the edge of the pore, and are in an oblique orientation. The calculated binding energies of the peptides are correlated with their hemolytic activities. We hypothesize that one distinguishing feature of AMPs may be the fact that they are imperfectly amphipathic which allows them to bind more strongly to toroidal pores. An initial test on a melittin-based mutant seems to support this hypothesis.
Long-term P and K applications : I. Effect on soil test incline and decline rates and critical soil test levels

Phosphorus and K fertilization during the last 30 to 40 yr has led to increased levels of soil test P (STP) and K (STK). Soil test incline rates with continued fertilizer application, decline rates in the absence of fertilizer application, and the critical soil test level for yield response have to be known for long-term economically and environmentally sound crop production. A 20-yr study was conducted at two sites to determine: (i) the incline rates of STP and STK during a 12-yr application period, (ii) the decline rate of STP during an 8-yr residual period and during a 20- yr period on unfertilized plots, and (iii) the critical soil test value corresponding to no yield response to broadcast P or K. Initial Bray P 1 and exchangeable K soil tests were 22 and 150 ppm, respectively, for a Webster clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Endoaquolls) located at Waseca, MN, and 10 and 228 ppm, respectively, for an Aastad clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive Pachic Udic Haploboroll) located at Morris, MN. Phosphorus and K were broadcast annually for 12 yr at rates of 0, 50, and 100 lb P 2 O 5 /acre and 0, 50, and 100 lb K 2 O/acre. For the Webster soil, STP increased by 0.42 and 1.92 ppm/yr with the 50- and 100-lb P 2 O 5 rates, respectively, and by 0.69 and 2.49 ppm/yr for the Aastad soil Decline rates of STP ranged from as high as 3.3 ppm/yr at an initial STP of 40 ppm to 0.4 ppm/yr at initial STP of ≤10 ppm. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields were not increased by broadcast applications of P when STP was >13 ppm on the Webster soil and >19 ppm on the Aastad soil. Year-to-year STK variability was very high and precluded calculation of incline or decline rates or the critical STK concentration. These 20-yr results suggest that crop producers with very high STP levels could refrain from applying P and should use periodic soil testing to monitor the drawdown of STP. Soil test P can be maintained at 18 to 20 ppm for optimum profitability by applications of 40 to 50 lb P 2 O 5 /acre per yr.
Changes in poverty and inequality in developing countries

This paper presents new data on poverty, inequality, and growth in those developing countries of the world for which the requisite statistics are available. Economic growth is found generally but not always to reduce poverty. Growth, however, is found to have very little to do with income inequality. Thus the "economic laws" linking the rate of growth and the distribution of benefits receive only very tenuous empirical support here. Copyright 1989 by Oxford University Press.
Effect of Molecular Adsorption on Optical Losses in Metallic Nanostructures

Chemical engineering of metamaterials to reduce optical losses is studied by first principle density functional theory. Contribution of the surface states to optical losses is studied by calculations of the imaginary part of the dielectric function for several organic molecules (water, methanol, and ethanol) adsorbed on the (111) surface of Ag nano-slabs. Substantial modifications of optical functions of metallic nano-slabs in near infrared and visible spectral regions, caused by surface states and molecular adsorption, are predicted, discussed, and compared to experimental data.
Temperature dependence of electron focusing in In 1-x Ga x As/InP heterojunctions

Transverse electron focusing is studied in a two-dimensional electron gas in the lattice-matched ${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathit{x}}$As/InP system, as a function of temperature (3 KT180 K) and areal electron density (5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{a}}$9.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$). Focusing is observed up to temperatures above 100 K. The electron mean free path in this system is influenced by phonon scattering at temperatures above 30 K. The purpose of this study is to provide experimental data on the dependence of the amplitude of the focusing peak on temperature, along with mobility data in the same temperature range. The decay of the focusing peak amplitude with increasing temperature is not solely correlated with the reduction in electron relaxation time \ensuremath{\tau}, as calculated from mobility. The results could possibly indicate a temperature dependence for the small-angle scattering. The energies involved in this focusing experiment scale as \ensuremath{\Elzxh}/2\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\approxeq}kT${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ at low temperature (4 K), while they scale as \ensuremath{\Elzxh}/2\ensuremath{\tau}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$kT at Tg15 K. This implies that thermal smearing of the Fermi surface is also important.
Mo/Cr Metallization for Silicon Device Interconnection

A molybdenum and chromium double layer contact has been developed for the first level metallization of VLSI circuits. An 800A layer of chromium deposited under a thick molybdenum conductor provides good ohmic contact to p+ and n+ silicon and also promotes metal adhesion to the substrate. The molybdenum has good step coverage and acceptable current carrying capacity when its thickness exceeds 5000A. Both metals are sequentially sputtered in one pump-down and patterned with a single RIE step using CCl4 + O2. One pm diameter contacts and 1.5µm wide lines are formed in VLSI geometries using all dry etch processes. Electrical characteristics and thermal reliability were evaluated as a function of annealing temperature. Contact resistance and shallow device junctions are stable up to 500°C for p+/n diodes and up to 450°C for n+/p diodes. The sheet resistance of the film in contact with silicon rapidly increases at 525°C as silicon outdiffuses to form (MoxCrr−x)Si2 The mechanism and cause of the high temperature degradation was studied by mean of SIMS, x-ray diffraction analysis, SEM and electrical measurements.
A Simple Technique for Estimating Latent Trait Mental Test Parameters

A very simple and economical method for estimating initial parameter values for the normal ogive or logistic latent trait mental test model is outlined. The accuracy of the method in comparison with maximum likelihood estimation is investigated through the use of Monte-Carlo data. The study yields a number of observations concerning how sample size and true item parameter values of the data influence both estimation methods.
Gas chromatographic and liquid chromatographic separations of geometrical isomers of tris(2,2,7-trimethyloctane-3,5-dionato)chromium(III) and cobalt (III) chelates and other Cr-β-diketonates

Abstract A number of metal chelates with the anion of the recently synthesized ligand, 2,2,7-trimethyloctane-3,5-dione (Htod) have been investigated for their use in gas and liquid chromatographic separations of transition metals. Cr(tod)3 shows extraordinary stability in gas chromatographic columns at temperatures high enough to produce reasonably rapid elution. Cr(tod)3 and Co(tod)3 form geometrical isomers, which can be separated on a 5-μm particle size, reversed-phase (RP), surface-bonded silica analytical high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) column with acetonitrile and water as eluents, on a normal-phase column, and by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and HPTLC with hexane and methylene chloride. The metal chelates and the isomers of the more stereochemically rigid complexes have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and, in the case of the diamagnetic Co(tod)3 by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Additionally, the separation of all of the geometrical isomers in a mixture of Cr(tfa)3, Cr(fod)3 and Cr(tod)3 was accomplished in a single RPLC experiment. (Abbreviations: Htfa  1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-heptanedione; Hfod  6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione.)