cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication, derivatization, and applications of plastic microfluidic devices

Control of the polymer surface chemistry is a crucial aspect in the development of plastic microfluidic devices. When commercially available plastic substrates are used to fabricate microchannels, differences in the electroosmotic flow (EOF) from plastic to plastic can be very high. Therefore, we have used polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) to alter the surface of microchannels fabricated in plastics. The PEMs are easily fabricated and provide a means for controlling the flow direction and the electroosmotic mobility in the channels. Optimal modification of the microchannel surfaces was obtained by coating the channels with alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(styrene sulfonate). The efficacy of the surface modification has been evaluated by measuring the electroosmotic flow mobility. When microchannels prepared in different polymer substrates were modified with PEMs, they demonstrated very similar electroosmotic mobilities. The PEMs have also been used to immobilize chemically selective molecules in the microchannels. In addition, relatively complex flow patterns, with simple arrangements of applied voltages, have been realized by derivatization of different arms of a single device with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. Flow in opposite directions in the same channel is also possible; a positively derivatized plastic substrate with a negatively charged lid was used to achieve topbottom opposite flows.
Spectroscopic Investigations of Poly(Propyleneimine)Dendrimers Using the Solvatochromic Probe Phenol Blue and Comparisons to Poly(Amidoamine) Dendrimers

The physical and chemical properties of PPI dendrimers' interior were investigated using the fluorescent, solvatochromic probe phenol blue. In aqueous solutions of each generation studied, two discrete dye populations were clearly observed. PPI dendrimers were shown to form a tight, nonpolar association with the vast majority of available dye, within the dendrimer interior, near the core. In the steady-state fluorescence emission spectra, a microenvironment of decreasing polarity in increasingly larger-generation PPI dendrimers (up to G3) was seen for the associated probe. Each of the remaining larger-generation dendrimers provided a microenvironment of essentially equal polarity. Fluorescence anisotropy values for phenol blue in the PPI dendrimers demonstrated the dye's sensitivity to the changing molecular volumes of the dendrimer generations. Model compounds that mimicked PPI's surface groups and branching moieties were used to better define the associated dye's location. The mimics further confirmed that phenol blue was associated inside the dendrimer, where it did not interact with the dendrimer surface groups. The comparison of amine-terminated PPI and PAMAM dendrimers clearly demonstrated the effects of their structural differences and the ability of phenol blue to have sensed those differences, including the initiator core length, branching unit length, and branching unit chemical composition.
Lethality of a suspended clay to a diverse selection of marine and estuarine macrofauna.

In this investigation, an evaluation was made of the lethality of a suspended clay mineral texturally representative of the sediment-size fraction with which contaminants are most commonly associated. The study involved a phylogenetically diverse selection of marine and estuarine macrofauna. The time-concentration mortality response of 16 species of fish and invertebrates indicated widely differing sensitivities to high concentrations of clay suspended in the water. Organisms restricted to muddy bottoms were found to be very insensitive to high suspended clay concentrations. However, some open water fish, fouling organisms, and sandy bottom epifauna were found to be relatively sensitive. Tolerant species were also identified from these groups.
Supplemental Value of Fish Meal Protein in Relation to Other Sources of Protein in the Test Diet

Abstract THE AVAILABILITY of low cost vegetable protein concentrates, synthetic vitamins and numerous unidentified factor sources has resulted in a shift of interest in fish meal as a source of these factors in poultry rations to one of fish meal as a source of amino acids. Bioassay methods have been developed which can be used for evaluating fish meal as a source of amino acids in poultry diets. Grau and Williams (1955) evaluated a large number of fish meal samples when used as the source of amino acids at the 20% protein level. Heiman et al. (1939) and more recently Carpenter et al. (1955) evaluated fish meals on the basis of their ability to supplement mixtures of cereal grain proteins. Attempts to correlate the relative protein quality of fish meals as the sole source of amino acids with their values as a source of supplemental amino acids in poultry diets have …
Tellurium and selenium derivatives of iron and ruthenium carbonyls

Abstract Reaction of M 3 (CO) 12 (M  Fe, Ru) with diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride have been studied. The dinuclear compounds [M(CO) 3 EPh] 2 (E  Se, Te) are obtained as the only carbonylated products in the case of M  Fe, but for M  Ru the dinuclear species are minor reaction products. Major products are two forms of polymeric [Ru(CO) 2 (EPh) 2 ] n (E  Se, Te). Molecular weight measurements indicate that the lower molecular weight polymer has 6–7 units per molecule whereas the heavier one has n = 12–14.
Return of the ice age and drought in peninsular Florida

The recent lull in North Atlantic tropical storm activity apparently is contributing to a significant reduction in rainfall in peninsular Florida. The same phenomenon probably characterized climatic patterns of glacial ages and may have been partially responsible for the aridity indicated by the late Quaternary pollen record of south-central Florida. This parallel between recent climatic trends and reconstructed Ice Age conditions in Florida supports the notion that the Ice Age is returning.
The visual perception of length along intrinsically curved surfaces.

The ability of observers to perceive three-dimensional (3-D) distances or lengths along intrinsically curved surfaces was investigated in three experiments. Three physically curved surfaces were used: convex and/or concave hemispheres (Experiments 1 and 3) and a hyperbolic paraboloid (Experiment 2). The first two experiments employed a visual length-matching task, but in the final experiment the observers estimated the surface lengths motorically by varying the separation between their two index fingers. In general, the observers’ judgments of surface length in both tasks (perceptual vs. motoric matching) were very precise but were not necessarily accurate. Large individual differences (overestimation, underestimation, etc.) in the perception of length occurred. There were also significant effects of viewing distance, type of surface, and orientation of the spatial intervals on the observers’ judgments of surface length. The individual differences and failures of perceptual constancy that were obtained indicate that there is no single relationship between physical and perceived distances on 3-D surfaces that is consistent across observers.
QCD with chiral 4-fermion interactions (χQCD)

Lattice QCD with staggered quarks is augmented by the addition of a chiral 4-fermion interaction. The Dirac operator is now non-singular at m{sub q}=0, decreasing the computing requirements for light quark simulations by at least an order of magnitude. We present preliminary results from simulations at finite and zero temperatures for m{sub q}=0, with and without gauge fields. Chiral QCD enables simulations at physical u and d quark masses with at least an order of magnitude saving in CPU time. It also enables simulations with zero quark masses which is important for determining the equation of state. A renormalization group analysis will be needed to continue to the continuum limit. 7 refs., 2 figs.
Importance of Protein-Rich Components in Emulsifying Properties of Corn Fiber Gum

ABSTRACT Purified corn fiber gum (CFG-F) isolated from fine (kernel endosperm-derived) corn fiber that contained ≈2% residual protein was extracted with 70% aqueous ethanol. The aqueous ethanol extract (AEE), which contained 19.5% of the total CFG, contained a high percentage of the proteinaceous material present in the original gum sample. The AEE gum contained 6.81% protein by weight. The residue (R), which constituted 66% of the total CFG-F, contained only 0.55% of protein. The emulsifying properties of R and AEE in a model oil-in-water emulsification system were studied by measuring turbidity after 1, 2, and 3 weeks, particle size after 4 weeks, and by confocal laser scanning microscopy after three months of storage at room temperature. These gums were compared with the standard well-known emulsifiers native acacia gum (NAG) and modified acacia gum (MAG). The results indicate that although AEE contains protein-rich components, it is not as good an emulsifier as the residue which contains only 0.55% of...
Custom-Made Total Temporomandibular Joint Prostheses

In the multiply operated patient and patients with severe anatomic problems that involve the temporomandibular joint, total temporomandibular joint reconstruction with a prosthesis may be necessary. The various systems available currently are discussed in a previous issue of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America. This article discusses the general principles involved in total temporomandibular joint replacement. The choice of which system to use is left to the preference of the individual oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Utility of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in identifying underlying coronary artery disease in patients with depressed left ventricular systolic function

Abstract We assessed the utility of the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in identifying severe coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function. In 336 patients referred for cardiac catheterization with LV ejection fractions
Effect of ouabain on the anterograde effective refractory period of accessory atrioventricular connections in children

The anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory connection was determined before and after the administration of ouabain (0.015 mg/kg intravenously) during electrophysiologic studies in 21 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 10 ± 2 years (range 1 month to 31 years). Each patient had stopped taking all cardiac drugs for more than 36 hours. Determination of the anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory connection was made using the atrial extrastimulus technique. A change in the anterograde refractory period of the accessory connection was defined as an increase or decrease of greater than 10 ms from the value before ouabain administration. The post-ouabain anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory connection increased in 2 (9%) of the 21 patients, decreased in 9 (43%) and was unchanged in 10 (48%). This study demonstrated a decrease in the anterograde effective refractory period of the accessory connection of 43% of patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome after the administration of ouabain.
A toolkit for automating compliance in cloud computing services

We present an integrated approach for automating service providers’ compliance with data protection laws and regulations, business and technical requirements in cloud computing. The techniques we propose in particular include: natural language analysis (of legislative and regulatory texts, and corporate security rulebooks) and extraction of enforceable rules, use of sticky policies, automated policy enforcement and active monitoring of data, particularly in cloud environments. We currently work on developing a software tool for semantic annotation and natural language processing of cloud ToS and other related policy texts. We describe our implementations of two parts of the proposed toolkit, namely the semantic annotation editor and the EnCoRe policy enforcement framework. We also identify opportunities for future software development in the area of cloud computing compliance.
Orientation relationships and morphology of S phase in friction stir welded Al-Cu-Mg alloy

It is generally believed that S phase has lath-morphology. Both lath and rod-shaped S phase were observed in the present study and a closer observation of the selected area diffraction patterns (SADPs) revealed an interesting difference in their orientation relationship with the matrix. A modified orientation relationship has been recently discovered and related to the S phase morpholgy. Although at this time, the effect of the orientation relationship and morphology of S phase on the mechanical properties of Al‐Cu‐Mg alloys is not understood, it is worthwhile to investigate this observation for increasing the understanding of S phase precipitation and growth. Although there have been several investigations relating to the microstructure of friction stir welds in Al‐Cu‐Mg alloys [1‐4], precipitation and growth of S phase in these welds have not been adequately addressed. Two friction stir welds produced on 1-mm thick 2024T3 commercial aluminum alloy (Al‐4.4Cu‐1.5Mg‐0.5Mn) using different heat inputs were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) operating at 200 kV. The process conditions of these welds are shown in Table 1. The ratio of tool rotation speed and the traverse rate gives the heat index N/v. The tool used for friction stir welding consisted of a shoulder with a diameter of 7 mm and a 1 mm long pin having a diameter of 2.5 mm. Based on the process parameters and the tool dimensions, it can be calculated that the heat input per unit length for the low heat input weld and high heat input weld were 99.8 and 269.8 kJ/mm, respectively. This suggests that the high heat input weld experienced significantly higher peak temperature as compared to the low heat input weld. The location in the heat affected zone (HAZ) just outside the thermomechanically affected zone exhibited coarse S phase, which had precipitated due to the heat of friction stir welding. Figure 1 shows the bright field (BF) images and SADPs from these regions for both welds. The majority of S phase in the low heat input weld (1) exhibited a rod morphology, while the S phase in the high heat input weld (2) exhibited a lath morphology. It should be noted that in the [001] SADP for the low heat input weld, both {112}S and {131}S reflections were strong, while in case of the high heat input welds, only the {131}S reflections were strong.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) alters acute gammaherpesvirus burden and limits interleukin 27 responses in a mouse model of viral infection

Aims To test whether 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) abuse might increase the susceptibility, or alter the immune response, to murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (HV-68) and/or bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions from World Passenger Transport: Reduction Options

Today, passenger transport worldwide is responsible for almost 15 percent of anthropogenic energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most abundant greenhouse gas. If the strong forces that generate travel demand and concomitant greenhouse gas emissions continue, world passenger traffic volume may rise more than fourfold over the 1990 level by 2050. During the same period, carbon dioxide emissions due to passenger transport are expected to multiply by a factor of more than 3, ultimately accounting for 2.7 billion tons of carbon in 2050. Based on these projections, the present study evaluates a range of emission-reduction options. Among these, technological measures offer the greatest potential and are key to drastically reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Radical fuel efficiency improvements in the world's automobile fleet—along with continuations of past trends in the energy intensity of other passenger transport modes—could curtail the projected 2050 baseline emissions level by about 40 percen...
Combined Open Proximal and Stent-Graft Distal Repair for Distal Arch Aneurysms: An Alternative to Total Debranching

We present herein a novel, combined, simultaneous open proximal and stent-graft distal repair for complex distal aortic arch aneurysms involving the descending aorta. In the first surgical step, the transverse arch is opened during selective antegrade cerebral perfusion, and a Dacron graft (DuPont, Wilmington, DE) is positioned down the descending aorta in an elephant trunk-like fashion with its proximal free margin sutured circumferentially to the aorta just distal to the left subclavian or left common carotid artery. With the graft serving as the new proximal landing zone, subsequent endovascular repair is performed antegrade during rewarming through the ascending aorta.
Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA sequences corroborate taxonomic designations based on cuticular hydrocarbons in subterranean termites

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are valuable characters for the analysis of cryptic insect species with few discernible morphological characters. Yet, their use in insect systematics, specifically in subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), remains controversial. In this paper, we show that taxonomic designations in Reticulitermes from California (USA) suggested in light of differences among CHC phenotypes are corroborated by phylogenetic analyses using mtDNA sequences. Analyses based on CHC phenotypes and supported, in part, by behavioral and ecological differences have suggested the presence of more species than the two currently recognized: R. hesperus Banks and R. tibialis Banks. We analyze a 680 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase (COII) gene from 45 new (21 collection localities) and two previously recorded samples of Reticulitermes from California using parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. Both methods result in trees with highly similar topologies. Bootstrapping indicates support for six clades of Reticulitermes, and corroborates groupings based on cuticular hydrocarbons. One of the clades, R. hesperus, is already recognized in California, while four clades appear to be previously undescribed taxa. Although identification of the final clade is inconclusive, it includes a sample putatively identified as R. tibialis. Therefore, using phylogenetic analyses we corroborate chemical characters used to identify taxa, associate a chemical phenotype with a previously described species, and provide additional support for undescribed taxa of Reticulitermes.
Teaching Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders to Self-Advocate through Persuasive Writing.

We examined the effectiveness of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model of writing instruction with a self-determination training component for middle school-age students with emotional and behavioral disorders. We randomly assigned students to experimental or comparison treatments during which special education teachers provided the intervention. Students in the experimental groups received instruction on how to plan and write persuasive essays, were trained on self-determination skills, and were taught how to use persuasive writing to self-advocate. Students in the comparison condition received writing instruction with the established school writing curriculum. Instruction for both groups lasted 33 days, four days a week during 30-minute sessions. Experimental students significantly outperformed comparison students at posttest in all the persuasive essay-writing components assessed, in their ability to recall the parts of a persuasive essay, in the self-efficacy measure, and on self-determ...
Effects of High Temperature on Silicate Liquid Structure: A Multinuclear NMR Study

The structure of a silicate liquid changes with temperature, and this substantially affects its thermodynamic and transport properties. Models used by geochemists, geophysicists, and glass scientists need to include such effects. In situ, high-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on 23Na, 27A1, and 29Si was used to help determine the time-averaged structure of a series of alkali aluminosilicate liquids at temperatures to 1320°C. Isotropic chemical shifts for 29Si increase (to higher frequencies) with increasing temperature, probably in response to intermediate-range structural changes such as the expansion of bonds between nonbridging oxygens and alkali cations. In contrast, isotropic chemical shifts for 27Al decrease with increasing temperature, indicating that more significant short-range structural changes take place for aluminum, such as an increase in mean coordination number. The spectrum of a sodium aluminosilicate glass clearly indicates that at least a few percent of six-coordinated aluminum was present in the liquid at high temperature.
Ikaros and Tumor Suppression in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The Ikzf1 gene encodes Ikaros – a DNA-binding zinc finger protein. Ikaros functions as a regulator of gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The biological roles of Ikaros include regulating the development and function of the immune system and acting as a master regulator of hematopoietic differentiation. Genomic profiling studies identified Ikzf1 as an important tumor suppressor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), particularly in ALL that is associated with poor prognosis. This review summarizes currently available data regarding the structure and function of Ikaros, the clinical relevance of genetic inactivation of Ikzf1, and signal transduction pathways that regulate Ikaros function.
Hsp70- and Hsp90-mediated proteasomal degradation underlies TPIsugarkill pathogenesis in Drosophila

Abstract Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) deficiency is a severe glycolytic enzymopathy that causes progressive locomotor impairment and neurodegeneration, susceptibility to infection, and premature death. The recessive missense TPI sugarkill mutation in Drosophila melanogaster exhibits phenotypes analogous to human TPI deficiency such as progressive locomotor impairment, neurodegeneration, and reduced life span. We have shown that the TPI sugarkill protein is an active stable dimer; however, the mutant protein is turned over by the proteasome reducing cellular levels of this glycolytic enzyme. As proteasome function is often coupled with molecular chaperone activity, we hypothesized that TPI sugarkill is recognized by molecular chaperones that mediate the proteasomal degradation of the mutant protein. Coimmunoprecipitation data and analyses of TPI sugarkill turnover in animals with reduced or enhanced molecular chaperone activity indicate that both Hsp90 and Hsp70 are important for targeting TPI sugarkill for degradation. Furthermore, molecular chaperone and proteasome activity modified by pharmacological or genetic manipulations resulted in improved TPI sugarkill protein levels and rescue some but not all of the disease phenotypes suggesting that TPI deficiency pathology is complex. Overall, these data demonstrate a surprising role for Hsp70 and Hsp90 in the progression of neural dysfunction associated with TPI deficiency.
The core histone N termini function independently of linker histones during chromatin condensation.

Abstract The relationships between the core histone N termini and linker histones during chromatin assembly and salt-dependent chromatin condensation were investigated using defined chromatin model systems reconstituted from tandemly repeated 5 S rDNA, histone H5, and either native “intact” core histone octamers or “tailless” histone octamers lacking their N-terminal domains. Nuclease digestion and sedimentation studies indicate that H5 binding and the resulting constraint of entering and exiting nucleosomal DNA occur to the same extent in both tailless and intact chromatin arrays. However, despite possessing a normal chromatosomal structure, tailless chromatin arrays can neither condense into extensively folded structures nor cooperatively oligomerize in MgCl2. Tailless nucleosomal arrays lacking linker histones also are unable to either fold extensively or oligomerize, demonstrating that the core histone N termini perform the same functions during salt-dependent condensation regardless of whether linker histones are components of the array. Our results further indicate that disruption of core histone N termini functionin vitro allows a linker histone-containing chromatin fiber to exist in a decondensed state under conditions that normally would promote extensive fiber condensation. These findings have key implications for both the mechanism of chromatin condensation, and the regulation of genomic function by chromatin.
Alterations of sexual function in women with cancer.

Objectives To provide an overview of the alterations in sexuality and sexual function that occur in women with cancer. Data Sources Research and review articles, books, clinical experience. Conclusions Although initial concerns of women with cancer may not focus on sexuality issues, most women want support in dealing with body changes. Cancer and cancer treatment for women can result in changes in sexuality and sexual function that may or may not improve over time. Sexual assessment can provide the basis for various approaches to intervention. Implications for Nursing Practice Sexual assessment is an essential part of nursing practice across the trajectory of cancer. With this information, nurses can plan interventions tailored to address these important alterations in the lives of women with cancer.
Rat Brain Protein Synthesis Declines During Postdevelopmental Aging

Using improved methods to measure brain protein synthesis in vivo (Dunlop et al., 1975) we have established that brain protein synthesis significantly declines in forebrain, cerebellum and brain stem when mature rats (3 months old) are compared to old rats (22.5 months old). The incorporation of (3H) L-lysine into forebrain protein is reduced 11% in 10.5 month old rats compared to 3 month old rats. A further reduction of 9% occurred between 16.5 months and 22.5 months. Our data suggest that reduced levels of protein synthesis initiation may be responsible, at least in part, for this age-related decline.
Pyrolysis of α- and β-deuterostyrene polymers

Recently the depolymerization of addition polymers has been treated in terms of four elementary reactions: initiation, propagation, transfer, and termination; analogous to those reactions which operate in the polymerization process. It is the transfer process which, according to its relative importance, gives rise to differences in polymers in the monomer yield, in the rate vs. conversion behavior, and in the molecular weight vs. conversion behavior. The transfer process is assumed to operate through the abstraction of a hydrogen from the polymer chain by a radical. By substituting a deuterium for the hydrogen at selected points in the polymer chain, the amount of the transfer process should be decreased due to an isotope effect. Two deuterated polymers were made from α- and β-deuterated styrenes and their depolymerization behavior studied. In the case of the α-deuterostyrene polymer the results are compatible with a ½ decrease in the rate of the transfer process and also an increase in the rate of the propagation. The results with the β-polymer imply an increase in both the transfer and propagation rates. The data obtained indicate that in polystyrene the intermolecular transfer process is mainly responsible for the fall in molecular weight of the polymer residue during depolymerization.
Prostate-specific antigen surveillance among men with clinically localized prostate cancer who do not receive initial treatment

Objective To describe the use and determinants of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) surveillance in a population-based cohort. PSA measurements are an important component of surveillance for men with clinically localized prostate cancer who do not receive initial treatment. Methods Using the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare program, we evaluated 7145 men, aged 65-84 years, who had been diagnosed from 1997 to 2002 with American Joint Committee on Cancer, 6th edition, Stage T1-T2, Gleason score ≤7 prostate cancer and received expectant management. For all patients, the Medicare claims were observed until a secondary cancer treatment event, death, or December 31, 2006. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between the primary outcome of annual PSA surveillance and the patient, clinical, and demographic characteristics. Results Of the men with localized Gleason score ≤7 prostate cancer who did not receive initial treatment, 39% underwent at least annual PSA measurement. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, annual PSA surveillance was positively associated with older age (75-84 vs 65-74 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.52), more comorbidities (OR 3.38, 95% CI 2.91-3.93), and residence in a neighborhood with a greater median income (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.46-2.25). A lower likelihood of annual PSA surveillance was associated with black race (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45-0.67). Conclusion Most men with localized prostate cancer who forgo initial treatment do not receive annual PSA surveillance. Additional research is necessary to clarify the benefits and harm of increased surveillance among older men and those with medical comorbidities.
Inability to dehypnotize-implications for management: A brief communication

One of the possible complications of working with hypnosis, and a concern of some, is difficulty in alerting the patient from the hypnotic condition. Although such adverse reactions are rare and infrequently observed, they have been noted for many years. This article presents two cases of inability to dehypnotize and discusses the implications for clinical management of the dynamics that were found to be causally related to such behavior.
Congruences on regular semigroups

The kernel of a congruence on a regular semigroup S may be characterized as a set of subsets of S which satisfy the Teissier-Vagner-Preston conditions. A simple construction of the unique congruence associated with such a set is obtained. A more useful characterization of the kernel of a congruence on an orthodox semigroup (a regular semigroup whose idempotents form a subsemigroup) is provided, and the minimal group congruence on an orthodox semigroup is determined.
DynaCT imaging for intraprocedural evaluation of flow-diverting stent apposition during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms

The treatment of large, complex intracranial aneurysms is being increasingly performed using flow-diverting stents (FDS) such as the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED; ev3, Irvine, CA, USA). Malapposition of a FDS to the parent artery wall decreases the likelihood of aneurysm obliteration and increases the risk of both immediate and delayed complications. DynaCT scanning (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) is a novel imaging modality which uses a flat plane detector to generate CT images using the same C-arm employed for digital subtraction angiography. We present a 40-year-old woman with an unruptured, 11 mm cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm who was treated with endovascular obliteration using a PED. Intraprocedural DynaCT scan performed after PED deployment demonstrated incomplete stent apposition to the parent vessel which could not be detected on digital subtraction angiography alone. Balloon angioplasty was performed to improve apposition of the stent to the vessel wall. There were no procedural or clinical complications. The aneurysm shrank in size at follow-up angiography 6 months after the procedure and will be monitored for progressive occlusion. While gross stent malapposition is readily evident after stent deployment, minor instances of malapposition may be undetectable by standard angiography. Therefore the use of DynaCT imaging may improve intraprocedural stent visualization and potentially avert long-term endovascular aneurysm treatment complications associated with inadequate stent apposition.
Fundamental spheroidal mode observations of aspherical heterogeneity

Summary. Accelerograms from the IDA network have been processed to obtain 2193 multiplet locations (apparent centre frequencies) for the fundamental spheroidal modes 0S5-0S43- Great circles connecting the 72 source-receiver pairs provide a good sampling of the Earth's major tectonic regions, although the distribution of their poles is biased to high latitudes. Estimates of the degenerate eigenfrequencies, corrected for this bias, are significantly greater than Gilbert & Dziewonski's values for l≥ 10. The differences between the observed degenerate eigenfrequencies and those calculated for radial reference models display jumps between 0S10 and 0S11 and between 0S18 and 0S19 that cannot be explained by radial Earth structure or random noise processes; we attribute these jumps to Coriolis coupling between 0Sl and 0Tl+1. The RMS relative scatter in the multiplet location measurements, corrected for noise, decreases from about 1.4 × 10−3 for l≤ 10 to about 0.8 × 10−3 for l≤ 40 and is evidently caused by aspherical heterogeneities in the Earth's crust and mantle. Corrections for hydrostatic ellipticity significantly reduce the scatter for l < 17, but the reductions at higher angular orders are less than expected; in fact, ellipticity corrections actually increase the scatter for 19 ≤l≤ 27. Implied by this observation is some kind of aspherical heterogeneity whose effects on fundamental-mode multiplet locations above l∼ 20 are negatively correlated with the ellipticity perturbation. Using high-frequency approximations we have inverted the multiplet location data for the local eigenfrequency perturbations, δωlocal, associated with the six major tectonic provinces in Jordan's regionalization. The local eigenfrequencies within the ocean basins increase systematically with crustal age, in agreement with dispersion measurements at higher frequencies, and those within the continents are most positive for Precambrian cratons. The δωlocal values for the cratons are generally greater than those for average ocean basin and comparable to those found in older oceanic regions. The local eigenfrequency variations decrease in absolute magnitude with decreasing angular order number, but they remain coherent to frequencies as low as 2 mHz (0S12). We present evidence which suggests that non-asymptotic effects contribute appreciably to the data variance at low frequencies and thus may corrupt the local eigenfrequency estimates derived from the asymptotic theory.
Utility of Sparse Concentration Sampling for Citalopram in Elderly Clinical Trial Subjects

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the disposition of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, could be robustly captured using 1 to 2 concentration samples per subject in 106 patients participating in 2 clinical trials. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters describing citalopram's disposition. Both a prior established 2-compartment model and a de novo 1-compartment pharmacokinetic model were used. Covariates assessed were concomitant medications, race, sex, age (22-93 years), and weight. Covariates affecting disposition were assessed separately and then combined in a stepwise manner. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of citalopram were well captured using this sparse sampling design. Two covariates (age and weight) had a significant effect on the clearance and volume of distribution in both the 1- and 2-compartment pharmacokinetic models. Clearance decreased 0.23 L/h for every year of age and increased 0.14 L/h per kilogram body weight. It was concluded that hyper-sparse sampling designs are adequate to support population pharmacokinetic analysis in clinically treated populations. This is particularly valuable for populations such as the elderly, who are not typically available for pharmacokinetic studies.
Does aphid salivation affect phloem sieve element occlusion in vivo

To protect against loss of photo-assimilate-rich phloem sap, plants have evolved several mechanisms to plug phloem sieve tubes in response to damage. In many Fabaceae, each sieve element contains a discrete proteinaceous body called a forisome, which, in response to damage, rapidly transforms from a condensed configuration that does not impede the flow of sap to a dispersed configuration that plugs the sieve element. Aphids and other specialized phloem sap feeders can ingest phloem sap from a single sieve element for hours or days, and to do this, they must be able to suppress or reverse phloem plugging. A recent study provided in vitro evidence that aphid saliva can reverse forisome plugs. The present study tested this hypothesis in vivo by inducing forisome plugs which triggered aphids to switch behaviour from phloem sap ingestion to salivation into the sieve element. After salivating into the sieve element for various periods of time, the aphids were instantaneously cryofixed (freeze fixed) in situ on their leaf. The state of the forisome was then determined in the penetrated sieve element and in nearby non-penetrated sieve elements which served as controls for sieve elements not subjected to direct aphid salivation. Forisomes were almost always in close contact with the stylet tips and thus came into direct contact with the saliva. Nonetheless, forisome plugs in the penetrated sieve element did not revert back to a non-plugging state any faster than those in neighbouring sieve elements that were not subjected to direct aphid salivation.
Trust law, sustainability, and responsible action

Abstract The problem of managing for sustainability is marked by the need to make decisions on behalf of others and by the uncertainties that attend such decisions. However, the economic literature on sustainability has paid scant attention to how decisions on behalf of others might differ from decisions on behalf of oneself. And, when risk has been modeled explicitly, the expected utility hypothesis has generally been used: a generation acts sustainably if the expected value of the next generation’s utility is not less than the present’s. This paper investigates how we think about responsibly acting on another’s behalf by looking to the United States law of trusts because in important respects the current generation views its responsibility to the future as a trust relationship. Trust law illuminates responsible decision making under both risk and uncertainty. Even under conditions of risk more conservative action than would be suggested by the expected utility hypothesis is warranted. Because it emphasizes preservation of trust principal and disavows profit maximization, trust doctrine indicates that special caution should be exercised in conditions of uncertainty. Finally, resource economic concepts of strong sustainability, the precautionary principle, and the safe minimum standard of conservation are interpreted according to trust principles.
All-fiber source of high-power picosecond pulses at 1.5μm using short heavily-doped phosphate-fiber amplifier

We report using short, heavily-doped active phosphate fiber for generation of picosecond pulses at 1.5 mum, with the peak power of 19 kW which results in a record-high aerial power density of 24 GW/cm2 in the fiber core.
Low Likelihood of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients With Cirrhosis and Altered Mental Status

Background & Aims Given the myriad causes of altered mental status (AMS), patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy often present a diagnostic dilemma. In light of the perceived bleeding tendency of patients with cirrhosis, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is often feared, so these patients frequently undergo non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the head. However, little is known about the diagnostic yield of CT for patients with cirrhosis presenting with AMS. Methods We analyzed all unique admissions of patients with cirrhosis who underwent head CT from 2003 through 2013 (N = 462) at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. By using blinded reviewers, we coded the indications and results of the CT scans separately and evaluated patient characteristics associated with acute findings. Results A higher proportion of patients who presented with falls or trauma, focal neurologic signs, or history of ICH were found to have ICH (13 of 146, 8.9%) than of patients who presented with AMS, headache, or fever (1 of 316, 0.3%; P Conclusions Despite abnormal hemostatic indices, patients with cirrhosis presenting with AMS in the absence of focal neurologic deficits or trauma have a low likelihood of ICH.
A note on the conformal quasi-invariance of the Laplacian on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold

We consider the Laplacian on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold with constant scalar curvature (e.g. Euclidian space with an arbitrary signed inner product or its conformal compactification and coverings of this) and show that for this minus a constant we have quasi-invariance with respect to an action of the conformal group on functions.
Dispersion characteristics of moderately thick microstrip lines by the spectral domain method

The influence of the metallization thickness on the propagation characteristics of the microstrip lines is modeled by utilizing the computationally efficient spectral domain method with an approximate Green's function. The Green's function is based on the current and charge distribution at the top and bottom surfaces of the microstrips. The calculated effective dielectric constants and impedances are plotted for single and coupled microstrip lines as a function of frequency. It is seen that the effective dielectric constants obtained from resonance measurements are in good agreement with the calculated values for moderately thick (t/W >
Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of primary familial and congenital polycythaemia

Primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) is an autosomal-dominant proliferative disorder characterized by erythrocytosis and hypersensitivity of erythroid progenitors to erythropoietin (Epo). Several lines of evidence suggest a causal role of truncated erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) in this disease. In this review, we discuss PFCP in the context of erythrocytosis and EpoR signalling. We focus on recent studies describing mechanisms underlying Epo-dependent EpoR down-regulation. One mechanism depends on internalization mediated through the p85 regulatory subunit of the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase, and the other utilizes ubiquitin-based proteasomal degradation. Truncated PFCP EpoRs are not properly down-regulated upon stimulation, underscoring the importance of these mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PFCP.
Challenges and prospects for restoring urban streams: a perspective from the Pacific Northwest of North America

Undoing harm caused by catchment urbanization on stream channels and their resident biota is challenging because of the range of stressors in this environment. One primary way in which urbanization degrades biological conditions is by changing flow patterns; thus, reestablishing natural flow regimes in urban streams demands particular attention if restoration is to have a chance for success. Enhancement efforts in urban streams typically are limited to rehabilitating channel mor- phology and riparian habitat, but such physical improvements alone do not address all factors af- fecting biotic health. Some habitat-forming processes such as the delivery of woody debris or sediment may be amenable to partial restoration, even in highly disturbed streams, and they constitute obvious high-priority actions. There is no evidence to suggest, however, that improving nonhydrologic factors can fully mitigate hydrologic consequences of urban development. In the absence of effective hydro- logic mitigation, appropriate short-term rehabilitation objectives for urban channels should be to 1) eliminate point sources of pollution, 2) reconstruct physical channel elements to resemble equivalent undisturbed channels, and 3) provide habitat for self-sustaining biotic communities, even if those communities depart significantly from predisturbance conditions. Long-term improvement of stream conditions is not feasible under typical urban constraints, so large sums of money should not be spent on unrealistic or unreachable targets for stream rehabilitation. However, such a strategy should not be an excuse to preclude potential future gains by taking irreversible present-day development or rehabilitative actions.
Mutations in deoB and deoC alter an extracellular signaling pathway required for activation of the gab operon in Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, a lacZ fusion to the gabT gene is activated by the accumulation of two self-produced extracellular signals, indole and a second unidentified signal (signal-2). Extracellular indole contributes approximately 25% of this activation and signal-2 is responsible for the majority of activation. Using an E. coli strain unable to produce indole and containing a gabT::lacZ fusion, a genetic approach was used to search for genes involved in the production of signal-2. A spontaneous E. coli mutant, MJ1, exhibited significantly less signal-2 activity based on the ability of spent culture supernatants from this mutant to activate the gabT::lacZ fusion. Genetic analysis of MJ1 revealed that it contained two mutations, one in thyA and a second unknown mutation, designated spl1 (signal production locus) that led to loss of signal-2 production. The spl1 second-site mutation arises at high frequency in a thyA− background because it suppresses the loss of viability. This study demonstrates that mutations in deoB and deoC were capable of suppressing the loss of viability in thyA mutants and concomitantly resulted in loss of signal-2 activity in conditioned medium. Interestingly, both deoB and deoC mutations in an otherwise wild-type background resulted in higher levels of gabT::lacZ expression in cells at low density. It is hypothesized that deoB and deoC mutations result in an enhanced rate of signal-2 uptake and thus deplete signal-2 from the external medium.
The Child Consultation Rating Scale

A consultation psychopathology rating scale is described for use in assessing psychopathology in pediatric patients and their families in a tertiary care general teaching hospital setting with high acuity and rapid patient turnover. The scale is composed of twelve consultation variables, thirty patient variables, and fourteen parent variables. It includes a global rating and a DSM-III-R diagnosis for both parent and child. Pilot findings using the scale are described for sixty pediatric patients and thirty controls. Interrater reliability using Kendall nonparametric correlations between raters was obtained for each variable and achieves significance ranges from p less than .05 to p less than .001. Applications to training pediatric and psychiatry residents in the systemic observation of child psychopathology are discussed.
Mechanisms of placental carbon dioxide transfer

Abstract Following acetazolamide infusions into four fetal monkeys (73 to 98 mg per kg) consistent increases in Pco 2 and decreases in pH were measured in umbilical artery blood. These changes were not accompanied by significant changes in bicarbonate concentration and in only one experiment by an increase in lactate content.