cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demographic Analysis of a Disjunct Population of Froelichia floridana in the mid‐Ohio River Valley

Froelichia floridana (cottonweed) occurs as a disjunct population along the Ohio River in southeastern Ohio. The anomalous occurrence of F. floridana in this area has led to its designation as a state endangered species and a management regime to maintain the habitat conditions in which it occurs. As part of this effort, a restoration site was established on public lands in 1984 from seed collected in areas threatened by development. This study seeks to determine the demographic characteristics of this species in the restored and non-restored managed sites to provide basic ecological information regarding life history parameters and to judge the effectiveness of the restoration. For two years (1997–1998) we collected information on seed bank abundance, field seed germination, plant survivorship, and seed production to create a stage-based transition matrix model. The model suggests that population growth and abundance as assayed by λ (rate of increase) are stable to declining and are similar between the restoration and natural sites. A reduction in competition had a positive effect on population growth. Elasticity analysis showed that plants germinating earlier in the spring and becoming established as an early cohort contributed a greater level of reproductive output than plants germinating in late spring. Lowered population growth for 1997 is attributed to a cooler and dryer than average early spring that delayed germination and subsequent seed production. Elasticity analysis also suggested that the presence of a persistent seed bank was crucial for long-term population maintenance and may allow for recovery in areas of low aboveground abundance through soil manipulation.
Falls in the Institutionalized Elderly

The reports on 72 of 190 accidents occurring among 189 nursing home residents during a 3-month period were drawn at random and reviewed. The majority of the accidents were falls, either major or minor. Personal data on the residents included age, sex, mental status, number of diseases, and number of drugs administered. Data on environmental factors included the time of day and location of the accident, and the concomitant nursing staff patterns. Women of advanced age were more likely to be involved in a major fall, whereas younger men were more likely to be involved in a minor one. Alert, wheelchair-bound elderly patients were at the highest risk, whereas those who used assistive devices were at the lowest risk. Falls were directly related to the number of diseases present and the use of drugs. Most accidents occurred at the bedside during the evenings and nights, with the greatest frequency during the changes in nursing shifts or when the patient was either rising or retiring. Language: en
The Annual Quiz [AP-S Turnstile]

Various puzzles, games, humorous definitions, or mathematical recreations - usually having some relevance to engineering - that should engage the interest of readers.
On universalism : Communitarians, rorty, and (objectivist) liberal metaphysicians

L'A. compare les differentes positions de Rorty, du communautarisme et du liberalisme, sur la question de la neutralite et de la rationalite des conventions communautaires. Examinant l'acceptation du conventionnalisme chez Rawls et rejetant tout relativisme traditionnaliste, l'A. defend la these objectiviste de l'universalisme en s'appuyant sur les arguments de nulle part de T. Nagel et sur la critique objectiviste de J. Hampton. Malgre son rejet de l'universalisme, l'A. montre pourquoi Rawls reste un liberal en son sens deontologique.
Software technology for wireless mobile computing

Some of the possibilities and requirements for mobile computing on wireless local area networks (LANs) are discussed from the systems software viewpoint. The design of the Student Electronic Notebook (SEN) is sketched to provide a partial catalog of problems in building a real system for wireless mobile computing. This project was initiated to investigate the potential of wireless mobile computing to reshape education. Some of the key directions for research in software technology for wireless, mobile computing are examined. Some of the authors' experience with wireless LANs is related. >
Examining predictors of reduction in drinking risk-level among severe-risk trauma patients following a brief counseling intervention

Significant attention has been given to alcohol screening and brief intervention, with the majority of studies focused on the risky drinking population. The more severe-risk population has been excluded purposely although there is limited evidence as to why this has been established as an acceptable procedure. There have been numerous claims made that the more severe-risk drinker would not respond well to brief interventions, however these claims are not made on the basis of empirical research, only general consensus. The purpose of this study was to identify potential predictors of alcohol screening and brief counseling intervention outcomes for severe-risk drinkers. Specifically, age, gender, race, blood alcohol level, counseling intervention type, injury mechanism, and the constructs of the AUDIT assessment use were examined to see whether the variables were able to predict reduction to low-risk levels among severe-risk participants. The current study was a retrospective analysis of a larger randomized clinical trial. A total of 101 participants were identified as severe-risk from the large study (30.3%). All variables were gathered from participant self-report at baseline. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to analyze the data. The results of the analysis highlighted that over two-thirds (67.3%) of the participants reduced from severe-risk (AUDIT >15) to low-risk (AUDIT <8) at six-month follow-up. The average reduction in AUDIT scores was 14 points, representing a large effect size with a Cohen’s d value of 1.68. The two models examined in the logistic regression were non-significant, indicating there is little support for the predictors examined within this analysis. These results imply that severe-risk drinkers can benefit from receiving a brief counseling intervention while hospitalized after a traumatic injury. More research focused on the severe-risk drinker is needed.
Evaluation of intravenous ciprofloxacin in patients with nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections. Impact of plasma concentrations, organism, minimum inhibitory concentration, and clinical condition on bacterial eradication.

• Fifty patients with gram-negative lower respiratory tract infections were treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin to evaluate efficacy and safety. Relationships between individual pharmacokinetics and clinical and bacteriologic outcome were studied. Ciprofloxacin concentrations in plasma were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Respiratory secretion cultures were obtained daily to determine the eradication day of the infecting organism. Susceptibility (minimum inhibitory concentration) to ciprofloxacin and other antimicrobials was determined using standard microdilution techniques. The mean age of the patients was 70 years. They had multiple underlying diseases, and two thirds of them were ventilator dependent at entry. Approximately 50% of the patients had failed previous treatment for the same infections. Patients infected with Enterobacteriaceae or Haemophilus influenzae with minimum inhibitory concentrations of less than 0.25 mg/L responded well to intravenous ciprofloxacin therapy (200 mg every 12 hours). The organisms were eradicated from sputum cultures usually within 1 day after ciprofloxacin therapy was started. Most clinical failures occurred in patients who were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and had multiple underlying diseases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 10 patients with pneumonia, 2 patients with lung abscess, and 1 patient with bronchiectasis. The Pseudomonas isolate acquired resistance during ciprofloxacin treatment in 7 patients with pneumonia and in all of the remaining 3 patients. We conclude that ciprofloxacin is safe and effective at a dosage of 200 mg administered intravenously every 12 hours for nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae or Haemophilus species. Many patients who had failed previous antibiotic treatment for Enterobacteriaceae infections had good clinical response to ciprofloxacin therapy. Studies using either higher dosages of ciprofloxacin or combination therapy should be conducted to determine if acquired resistance can be avoided in Pseudomonas infections. ( Arch Intern Med . 1989;149:2269-2273)
Differentially heated capillary for thermal dissociation of noncovalently bound complexes produced by electrospray ionization

Abstract A heated capillary consisting of two independently heated segments is used to dissociate gas-phase complexes of peptides and β-cyclodextrin. By fixing the temperature in the first segment and varying it in the second segment, the complex is first desolvated and then dissociated. The results indicate that the complex is dissociated in the gas phase rather than in the solution phase of an intact droplet. The thermal dissociation profile, the dissociation temperature and apparent Arrhenius parameters Ea and A are obtained. These values are compared to Ea obtained from blackbody infrared radiation dissociation.
Percutaneous needle biopsy of quadriceps muscle: potassium analysis in normal children.

Previous investigators have documented changes in muscle potassium concentrations in a variety of diseases. Extension of these studies has been limited because of the need for an acceptable procedure for obtaining muscle samples without risk. A percutaneous needle biopsy of quadriceps muscle provides a relatively atraumatic approach to the study of cellular chemistry in children. Evidence is presented that a sample less than 10 −3 the mass of the quadriceps may give significant insight into muscle electrolyte physiology. A preliminary study of muscle potassium in normal children is described which shows that the potassium content of muscle increases with age from 1 to 2,000 days. This represents a significant reduction in the infant's chemical immunity against secondary disorders of potassium depletion during the early postnatal period.
Interferer cancellation in coherent optical RF receivers via optical phase modulation

Cancellation of interfering and resultant distortion signals in a coherent optical down-converting RF receiver is demonstrated. The technique requires no additional signal path hardware, introduces no signal degradation and offers an attractive off-antenna cancellation capability
Computer-mediated intervention to prevent drug abuse and violence among high-risk youth.

This research evaluated a computer-mediated intervention for preventing drug abuse and violence. Research participants were economically disadvantaged youth, defined as early adolescents from households with family incomes below the Federal poverty line. Based on cognitive–behavioral skills approaches shown effective in past research, computer intervention was compared with conventionally delivered intervention in a pretest–posttest, control group design. Outcome findings revealed that youth assigned to the computer or conventional intervention arms achieved more positive pretest-to-posttest gain scores than youth in the control arm on several variables. These variables were: how youth regarded people who used drugs, strategies for avoiding trouble, and ways for controlling their tempers. One item, the ability to refuse drug offers, favored youth in the conventional intervention arm over those in the computer or control arms. Combined with prior work on computer-delivered interventions, data from this study lend added support to the viability of computer approaches for preventing drug abuse, violence, and other problem behavior among early adolescent youth.
Multiple isotope cascade algorithm

Abstract An algorithm is described for balancing the steady-state operation of a separative cascade of the up/down type wherein each head stream is fed upward one or more stages, and each tail stream is fed downward one or more stages. The cascade incorporates refluxing and multiple feed points. Of primary importance is the treatment of multiple isotopes, which requires an iterative solution procedure. Only half of the separation factors can be arbitrarily specified, the other half are found as part of the solution process.
Differential endocannabinoid regulation of baroreflex-evoked sympathoinhibition in normotensive versus hypertensive rats

Previously, we found that endocannabinoids acting at cannabinoid 1 receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius prolonged baroreflex inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity in normotensive Sprague Dawley rats. The current study investigated whether endocannabinoid signaling was altered in spontaneously hypertensive rats, a model marked by elevated sympathetic activity and depressed baroreflex responses. The effects of endocannabinoids in the nucleus tractus solitarius on baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity evoked by systemic pressor changes or by direct stimulation of nucleus tractus solitarius neurons, which produced depressor and sympathoinhibitory responses, were studied in Sprague Dawley rats, Wistar Kyoto rats, and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Evoked responses were compared before and after microinjection of AM404, which prolonged actions of endogenous endocannabinoids, or microinjection of an endocannabinoid, anandamide, into the baroreceptive region of the nucleus tractus solitarius. AM404 microinjections significantly prolonged evoked sympathoinhibition in Sprague Dawley and Wistar Kyoto rats, but had little effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Microinjections of anandamide prolonged sympathoinhibition in Sprague Dawley rats, with lesser effects in Wistar Kyoto rats and no effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Parallel studies found that density of binding sites of endocannabinoids in the nucleus tractus solitarius was significantly reduced in spontaneously hypertensive rats versus the normotensive rats. Results indicate that attenuated function of the endocannabinoid system in the nucleus tractus solitarius of spontaneously hypertensive rats resulted in less modulation of baroreflex-evoked sympathoinhibition and that reduced cannabinoid 1 receptor density could contribute to blunted baroreflex-induced sympathoinhibition and elevated sympathetic tone characteristic of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
The Function and Pathology of Brown Adipose Tissue in Animals and Humans

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), an endocrine tissue, is an important regulator of nonshivering thermogenesis, energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, extracellular matrix (EMA) homeostasis and signaling, and hibernation. There is a paucity of data about BAT response in laboratory animals because BAT has not been routinely included in regulated safety assessment study protocols. We will present information on the structure, function and pathology of BAT, focusing mainly on younger and older rats from an exploratory study set to study BAT and all other tissues over time, from 6 weeks to 96 weeks of age. The energy supply process is stimulated in mammals mainly by hypothermia and by hypoxia and, in primates, by hypoglycemia. Of these, hypothermia is the main stimulus of brown adipocyte (BA) proliferation. Thermogenesis is achieved in BA in the mitochondria (mt), which are 50 to 100 times more abundant in BA than in any other cell type. The mt response involves a membranous protein in the inner membrane, uncoupling protein (UCP1) or thermogenin. Triiodothyronine (T3) is implicated in the regulation of the UCP1 gene. UCP allows mt to oxidize substrates rapidly without ADP phosphorylation, thus uncoupling oxidation from phosphorylation and promoting instead the dissipation of oxidation energy as heat. Norepinephrine (NEPI) binds to the β3-adrenoreceptor in BA leading to activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which stimulates lipolysis and liberates FFA. Both NEPI and insulin (I) stimulate glucose uptake by BA, and NEPI increases UCP in BA. Nitric oxide (NO) stimulates the biogenesis of mt, redistribution of heat generated by the mt and inhibition of BA proliferation. NO also regulates the binding and releasing of oxygen from hemoglobin (Hgb) and the mt pathway of apoptosis. These effects of NO are mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated gamma receptor coactivator 1alpha (PPARCA). NO is produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mainly in BA, but also in the hepatocytes and cells of the zona glomerulosa. PPARCA in turn increases the expression of nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA). Thus, UCP, T3, I, NEPI, NO, PPARCA1, cGMP, eNOS, NRF-1 and mtTFA are all parts of an interactive cascade connecting the BA functions through the EMA of all tissues to controlling the processes of EMA homeostasis and signaling, tissue normoxia and normothermia, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation of all cells.
Arginine promotes Proteus mirabilis motility and fitness by contributing to conservation of the proton gradient and proton motive force

Swarming contributes to Proteus mirabilis pathogenicity by facilitating access to the catheterized urinary tract. We previously demonstrated that 0.1–20 mmol/L arginine promotes swarming on normally nonpermissive media and that putrescine biosynthesis is required for arginine-induced swarming. We also previously determined that arginine-induced swarming is pH dependent, indicating that the external proton concentration is critical for arginine-dependent effects on swarming. In this study, we utilized survival at pH 5 and motility as surrogates for measuring changes in the proton gradient (ΔpH) and proton motive force (μH+) in response to arginine. We determined that arginine primarily contributes to ΔpH (and therefore μH+) through the action of arginine decarboxylase (speA), independent of the role of this enzyme in putrescine biosynthesis. In addition to being required for motility, speA also contributed to fitness during infection. In conclusion, consumption of intracellular protons via arginine decarboxylase is one mechanism used by P. mirabilis to conserve ΔpH and μH+ for motility.
Inhibition of Rhabditis maupasi (Rhabditidae: Nematoda) maturation and reproduction by factors from the snail host, Helix aspersa.

Abstract Chemical factor(s) from hemolymph plasma of the snail Helix aspersa inhibit maturation and reproduction of its mantle cavity-inhabiting nematode, Rhabditis maupasi, cultivated in vitro. In liquid cultures, the presence of inhibiting factor(s) interferes with larval development and with differentiation of the reproductive organs in maturing worms. The severity of the inhibition varies directly with concentration of the factor(s). The inhibitor can be separated into two complementary parts: diffusable and nondiffusable. The inhibiting factor(s) is digestible by proteolytic enzymes and precipitates in saturated ammonium sulfate solution, thus indicating its proteinaceous nature. The factor(s) seems to be non-specific since it also inhibits the reproduction of the insect-parasitizing nematode, Neoaplectana glaseri, in vitro.
Transsexualism As a Model of Spiritual Transformation: Implications

Transsexualism is discussed in terms of gender and genitalia more often than in terms of spirit or soul. The outer appearance, or rather the skin, represents the body's transition from one gender to another. Yet it is arguable that the body itself is simply a shell that must be inhabited and animated by the soul to be considered alive and human. This study examines the inner, spiritual life of four people, Christian and non-Christian, two male-to-female and two female-to-male transsexuals, in different stages of gender transition, in an attempt to follow the life of the soul during the outer body's progress toward gender reconstruction. The results suggest that a parallel development of spirit or soul accompanies the transition of the body and appears necessary for the transition to progress. The transsexual transition is compared to other models of transformation: James Fowler's (1940) “faith development,” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's (1965) “theory of evolution,” and Victor Frankl's (1969)“will to meani...
In Google We Trust: Users’ Decisions on Rank, Position, and Relevance

An eye tracking experiment revealed that college student users have substantial trust in Google’s ability to rank results by their true relevance to the query. When the participants selected a link to follow from Google’s result pages, their decisions were strongly biased towards links higher in position even if the abstracts themselves were less relevant. While the participants reacted to artificially reduced retrieval quality by greater scrutiny, they failed to achieve the same success rate. This demonstrated trust in Google has implications for the search engine’s tremendous potential influence on culture, society, and user traffic on the Web.
Therapeutic options in BK virus-associated interstitial nephritis.

CASE PRESENTATION A female in her 30s developed renal failure secondary to mixed connective tissue disease-associated immune complex glomerulonephritis. Her past medical and family history was otherwise unremarkable. She underwent a pre-emptive renal transplantation from her mother, receiving induction with dacluzimab and had an uneventful post-transplant course. Her immunosuppressive regimen at discharge included prednisone 5 mg daily, mycophenolate mofetil 1000 mg twice daily, tacrolimus 4 mg twice daily, and prophylaxis with oral gancyclovir and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, atenolol for hypertension, and famotidine, iron and calcium/vitamin D supplements. Her baseline serum creatinine after the transplant was 1.5 mg/dl. Two years after receiving the transplant, she developed fever and dysuria and was treated for a presumed urinary tract infection (negative urine cultures). Her serum creatinine during this episode increased to 1.9 mg/dl and remained elevated in this range. Her physical examination was unremarkable and her blood pressure was 130/80 mm Hg. A renal ultrasound did not show any abnormalities. A renal biopsy was performed. RENAL BIOPSY FINDINGS Sampling for light microscopy consisted of a single core of renal cortex containing eight glomeruli, all of which appeared histologically unremarkable. There was diffuse, moderate to severe interstitial inflammation involving the entire cortex sampled, and composed of lymphocytes and less prominent plasma cells. The interstitial inflammation extended across tubular basement membranes to produce extensive tubulitis with multiple tubules containing greater than 10 lymphocytes. Proximal tubules also displayed diffuse degenerative changes and interspersed, enlarged, hyperchromatic nuclei with intranuclear viral inclusions typical of BK virus. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for SV40. There was moderate tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis involving 50% of the cortex sampled. Blood vessels appear unremarkable (Figure 1). The renal biopsy findings were diagnostic of BK virusassociated interstitial nephritis (BKVIN). In the light of the diffuse distribution of the interstitial inflammation and tubulitis but more localized viral inclusions, the possibility of coexistent acute cellular rejection could not be excluded.
Critical Depths For Higher Modes By Minimally-Invasive Seismic Profiling: Simulations And Field Test

To measure more complete multi-mode dispersion data and thus improve the accuracy of inversion profiles, the authors recently developed a minimally-invasive hybrid surface-and-borehole method. The new method employs a borehole geophone at selected depths to record seismic waves from a moving source on the soil surface. The goal of this paper is to develop a procedure for estimating the ranges of optimum geophone depths for capturing the higher modes. Stiffness matrix and finite element-based numerical simulations of the hybrid testing method are performed to identify the relationships between critical geophone depths and cut-off frequencies. A preliminary field test is conducted using a vertical geophone placed at five depths while impacts are applied to the soil surface over a range of offsets. Dispersion images from the five geophone depths were superimposed to produce a dispersion image having three modes with improved clarity relative to the surface-only MASW method. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical cut-off frequencies of higher modes is used to validate the prediction of critical depths by the stiffness matrix method. Matching of such experimental and theoretical cut-off frequencies is proposed as additional optimization constraints to reduce the uncertainty of final inversion profiles.
3D FEA Simulations to Assess Residual Stresses in Riveting Processes

Multiple site damage (MSD) in aircraft structures can be defined by the presence of numerous minute cracks arising at different locations such as rivet holes in lap joints. One source of initiation can be due to residual stresses induced in the lap joints during the riveting process. This paper describes a finite element methodology of a quasistatic, displacement controlled riveting process to capture the local geometry features representative of service hole quality for accurate simulation of residual stresses in riveted lap joints. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model that takes into account material, geometric, and contact non-linearities is developed using ABAQUS/Standard 6.4-1 to simulate the joining process. The interest of FE simulations is to conduct parametric studies to observe effects of varying hole clearance, misaligned holes, friction, and presence of debris on the residual stress state in the skin. Based on studies conducted, comments are made regarding any observed variation in tensile hoop stress, which is the primary source of fatigue cracks in riveted lap joints. A relation between the rivet-head deformation ratio and rivet-head height with applied displacement is developed using the finite element model, as a means of controlling the rivet-head deformation.
Infrared surface EM-wave prism spectroscopy of langmuir-blodgett Mn-stearate layers on Ag

Abstract Using the resonant excitation of surface EM waves in a single prism-air gap-metal configuration and a standard infrared monochromator, a globar source and a thermocouple detector, we have obtained well defined infrared vibration spectra of 2-layer and 10-layer Langmuir-Blodgett Mn-stearate films on silver in the 1200–3000 cm -1 frequency region. The magnitude of the carboxylate ion absorption peaks in these spectra indicates that detection of even a submonolayer of this radical is readily possible.
Soluble peptidoglycan fragments stimulate antibacterial protein synthesis by fat body from larvae of Manduca sexta

Both hemocytes and fat body from larvae of Manduca sexta, which have been injected with inducers of antibacterial protein synthesis, contain immunoreactive lysozyme. However, fat body is a richer source and has been demonstrated to synthesize and release lysozyme and cecropin-like peptides (bactericidins) in vitro. Fat body secretion of lysozyme and bactericidins is stimulated by addition of soluble peptidoglycan fragments to culture medium. The rate of lysozyme secretion by fat body varies as a function of peptidoglycan inducer concentration. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that, in vivo, bacteria must be phagocytized and partially degraded (processed) by hemocytes to generate a signal (peptidoglycan) that subsequently induces antibacterial protein synthesis by fat body.
Impacts of Fire and Invasive Species on Desert Soil Ecology

A review of literature shows that both fire and invasive species may cause changes in biological, chemical, and physical properties of desert soils. Although soil may recover from the impacts of fire during succession, these changes are permanent under persistent invasive species. The most severe effects of fire occur under high temperatures with high fuel buildup and soil moisture that conducts heat downward. Deserts typically have low fuel mass and low soil moisture, both conditions that would contribute to lower impacts of fire than in mesic soils. Soil is a good insulator, so soil microorganisms will survive a few centimeters deep even in hot surface fires. Immediately postfire there is often an increase in mineral nitrogen (N) and a decrease in soil carbon (C) and organic N, but these changes are often minimal in desert soils, except under fertile shrub islands that have higher fuel loads and fire temperature. Both hot and cold deserts have experienced slow recovery of native shrubs and increased growth of invasive grasses following fire. Invasive species may either increase or decrease soil N and C depending on fire temperature and site and species characteristics. Mineralization and fixation of N are often high enough after fire that subsequent productivity balances N losses. The elimination of islands of fertility coupled with postfire erosion may be a major impact after fire in grass-invaded shrub lands. In the long term, the interaction of fire and invasive species may result in more frequent fires that eliminate fertile islands and reduce the productivity of deserts. Managers may use fire as a tool to control desert invasives without the concern that N will be irrevocably lost, but this must be done judiciously to avoid eliminating shrubs and further increasing invasive species.
The principle of adequate design and the cardiovascular system

The principle of adequate design (N. Rashevsky,Mathematical Biophysics, 3rd Ed., Vol. II, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1960) is applied to some parts of the cardiovascular system, extending the work of David Cohn (Bull. Math. Biophysics,16, 59–74, 1954;ibid.,17, 219–227, 1955). In addition to the diameterra of the aorta and the peripheral resistanceR, calculated by Cohn, other quantities are estimated as to their order of magnitude. It is shown that the specifications of the average metabolic rate lead, from considerations of design, to the possibility of evaluating the orders of magnitude of the average blood pressure, the systolic and diastolic pressures, stroke volume of the heart, duration of the cardiac period and the volume elasticity of the aorta. The calculated values are of the correct orders of magnitude. The purpose of the paper is to illustrate how the application of the principle of adequate design can lead to the evaluation of the above parameters from purely theoretical considerations, rather than from indirect measurements.
Pyrexia and neurologic outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest

Abstract Objective Therapeutic hypothermia, also known as targeted temperature management (TTM), improves clinical outcomes in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. Hyperthermia after discontinuation of active temperature management ("rebound pyrexia") has been observed, but its incidence and association with clinical outcomes is poorly described. We hypothesized that rebound pyrexia is common after rewarming in post-arrest patients and is associated with poor neurologic outcomes. Methods Retrospective multicenter US clinical registry study of post-cardiac arrest patients treated with TTM at 11 hospitals between 5/2005 and 10/2011. We assessed the incidence of rebound pyrexia (defined as temperature >38°C) in post-arrest patients treated with TTM and subsequent clinical outcomes of survival to discharge and "good" neurologic outcome at discharge, defined as cerebral performance category (CPC) 1–2. Results In this cohort of 236 post-arrest patients treated with TTM, mean age was 58.1±15.7y and 106/236 (45%) were female. Of patients who survived at least 24h after TTM discontinuation ( n =167), post-rewarming pyrexia occurred in 69/167 (41%), with a median maximum temperature of 38.7 (IQR 38.3–38.9). There were no significant differences between patients experiencing any pyrexia and those without pyrexia regarding either survival to discharge (37/69 (54%) v 51/98 (52%), p =0.88) or good neurologic outcomes (26/37 (70%) v 42/51 (82%), p =0.21). We compared patients with marked pyrexia (greater than the median pyrexia of 38.7°C) versus those who experienced no pyrexia or milder pyrexia (below the median) and found that survival to discharge was not statistically significant (40% v 56% p =0.16). However, marked pyrexia was associated with a significantly lower proportion of CPC 1–2 survivors (58% v 80% p =0.04). Conclusions Rebound pyrexia occurred in 41% of TTM-treated post-arrest patients, and was not associated with lower survival to discharge or worsened neurologic outcomes. However, among patients with pyrexia, higher maximum temperature (>38.7°C) was associated with worse neurologic outcomes among survivors to hospital discharge.
Carbon dioxide disposal in carbonate minerals

Abstract We introduce a safe and permanent method of CO2 disposal based on combining CO2 chemically with abundant raw materials to form stable carbonate minerals. Substantial heat is liberated in the overall chemical reaction so that cost will be determined by the simplicity and speed of the reaction rather than the cost of energy. Preliminary investigations have been conducted on two types of processes, involving either direct carbonation of minerals at high temperature or processing in aqueous solution. Promising raw materials are identified in both cases. For aqueous processing, a chemical cycle employing well-known reactions is proposed for digesting and carbonating the raw material. Cost estimates, based on comparison with standard industrial and mining practice, are encouraging. Necessary raw materials are surveyed and vast quantities are found to be easily accessible. Amounts are sufficient to allow utilization of the large known fossil-fuel reserves while avoiding build-up of atmospheric CO2.
Gas chromatographic determination of sodium monofluoroacetate as the free acid in an aqueous solvent

Abstract A procedure was developed for the determination of sodium monofluoroacetate as the free acid by capillary gas chromatography with mass- selective detection. Commercially available polyethylene glycol capillary columns were compatible with injections of highly acidic aqueous solutions which were required for this relatively strong acid. Using monocloroacetic acid as an internal standard, a coefficient of variation of less than 2% was routinely obtained from replicate injections of a 100 μg/ml solution of sodium monofluoroacetate in 1 M HCl. The monofluoroacetic acid/monochloroacetic acid detector response ratio was a linear function of sodium monofluoroacetate concentration from 5 to 200 μg/ml. Since derivatization is not required and mass spectrometric identification of monofluoroacetic acid is obtained, the method offers advantages over previously described chromatographic methods for the determination of sodium monofluoroacetic. The average analyte recovery from 30 to 40 g biological sample fortified with between 2.5 and 100 mg of sodium monofluoroacetate was 81% with relative standard deviation typically less than 7%. The instrument limit of detection was 200 pg sodium monofluoroacetate when the detector was operated in the selection ion monitoring mode.
Bearings-Only Passive Ranging Using Kalman-Bucy And Moore-Penrose Methods

Passive ranging can be performed using a Kalman-Bucy (KB) filter to process noisy sequential bearing measurements made by a moving observer. This can be performed also using the Moore-Penrose (MP) pseudomatrix inverse to obtain a least-squares fit to the observed bearing measurements. The advantage of the MP method is that no linearizations or state/covariance initializations are required. This paper formulates a two-dimensional bearings-only passive-ranging problem for solution by the KB and MP methods and compares the performance of the two methods.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
1195 INTERMITTENT POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION (IPPV) IN RABBITS: EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE VARIATION OF THE INSPIRED GAS

1195 INTERMITTENT POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION (IPPV) IN RABBITS: EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE VARIATION OF THE INSPIRED GAS
Response of SCC-12F, a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, to complement attack

We studied the response of a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, SCC-12F, to human complement attack and found that the cells were completely resistant to complement lysis. In the absence of lysis, there was significant C3 deposition and C5b-9 deposition on the cells. Removal of the lipid-linked complement regulatory proteins CD59 and decay-accelerating factor (DAF) by treatment of the cells with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) resulted in increased C3b and C5b-9 deposition on the cells and a slight increase in cell death. Treatment of the cells with complement caused them to release membrane vesicles containing the terminal complement proteins. In addition, complement induced SCC-12F to produce significant amounts of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ). We conclude that CDS9 and DAF are important in the resistance of SCC-12F to complement and that these cells produce membrane vesicles and PGF 2α in response to complement attack. These responses, in the absence of cell death, may be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disease in which complement is deposited.
Micropole) undulator generated photon beam combined with an EBIT to probe ionic electron structure

Abstract Short period insertion devices in high energy storage rings have the capability of generating photons with energies up to the MeV range, emerging in well collimated beams. The interaction of these photons with atoms and ions in an electron-beam ion trap (EBIT) can generate highly ionized atomic species (predominantly through inner shell ionization) up to and including H-like U, and can be utilized to measure photoionization as well as bound-bound transition cross sections in all ionic species. Those may serve as benchmark measurements to test of confirm theoretical calculations. This method of ion generation has the additional advantage that photon beams are not limited by space charge effects, do not contribute to ion recombination nor directly to beam heating, and may be used as a diagnostic tool to study ion distribution inside the EBIT. Such a mode of operation could further increase the range of EBIT devices, which have already proven themselves to be powerful and versatile research tools. A systematic procedure is given to find the best match between parameters characterizing the EBIT vs those of the storage ring and undulator. Based on this, the achievable counting rates are calculated for several cases, and are found to be of interest.
Efficient syntheses of diastereoselectively labeled (3S)-[4-13C]-l-valine, and regioselectively labeled [3-13CH3]-l-isoleucine hydrochlorides

Diastereoselectively labeled (3S)-[4-13C]-l-valine and regioselectively labeled [3-13CH3]-l-isoleucine hydrochlorides were synthesized in 54% and 62% respective overall yields from l-aspartic acid.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with significant coronary stenoses in asymptomatic African American chronic cocaine users

Background Chronic cocaine use may lead to premature atherosclerosis, however, the prevalence of and risk factors for coronary artery disease in asymptomatic cocaine users have not been reported.
Emergence of valence band structure in rare-gas clusters

Abstract The formation of electronic band structure by the valence-shell of Ar, Kr, and Xe clusters was studied for various cluster sizes using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Different widths of the fine-structure components in the cluster spectra are attributed to a splitting of the outermost p 3 / 2 levels due to valence-orbital overlap between neighboring atoms. Photoelectron angular distributions from the cluster differ from the atomic cases and vary substantially for different bands. The evolution of the electronic structure with increasing cluster size emulates the changes of the valence band structure in the transition from a condensed-phase monolayer to the bulk.
Subscapularis Tenotomy: Optimal Approach to Shoulder Replacement: Opposes

Management of the subscapularis muscle-tendon complex is of paramount importance in shoulder arthroplasty done via the deltopectoral approach. Detachment of the subscapularis is a prerequisite for shoulder dislocation and placement of the prosthetic components, and subsequent repair can have a strong influence on functional outcomes. Anatomic integrity of the subscapularis repair has implications for glenohumeral stability, range of motion, and strength, and the degree and rate of healing affect postoperative rehabilitation. The various methods of subscapularis detachment include tenotomy, subperiosteal elevation, and osteotomy of the lesser tuberosity. We review recent literature and offer our own experience in support of lesser tuberosity osteotomy as the optimal technique for subscapularis detachment in shoulder arthroplasty via the deltopectoral approach.
A neurochemical pattern generator SoC with switched-electrode management for single-chip electrical stimulation and 9.3µW, 78pA rms , 400V/s FSCV sensing

This paper describes a system-on-chip (SoC) fabricated in 0.35μm 2P/4M CMOS for high-fidelity neurochemical pattern generation in vivo. The SoC uniquely integrates electrical stimulation with embedded timing management and 400V/s fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) sensing, and manages a novel switched-electrode scheme that eliminates the possibility of large stimulus artifacts adversely affecting electrochemistry. The SoC also leverages the discontinuous sampling inherent in FSCV to reduce the power consumption per sensing channel by ~88% vs. state-of-the-art. The correlation coefficient between the predicted and measured temporal profiles of electrically evoked dopamine in the brain of an anesthetized rat is 0.95.
Biodegradable Polyester / Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of α-hydroxy polyester, polylactide (PLA) and β-hydroxy polyester, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with layered silicates have been successfully prepared by melt extrusion of PLA and PHB with organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) and fluoromica. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are improved compared to the neat polymers. Storage modulus increase up to 40% compared with the pure polymers by adding only 2–3 wt% nanoclay. Biodegradation can be controlled by the choice of the nanoclay used.
Sexual Function in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become one of the major public health challenges worldwide. Emerging data have now clearly demonstrated its impact on male sexual function. The MetS appears to be strongly related to erectile dysfunction as well as hypogonadism. Few randomized studies exist to guide treatment of sexual dysfunction related to MetS; rather, most studies have been observational in nature. Medical therapy has formed the mainstay of treatment, with the advent of surgical intervention as a more recent phenomenon.
OUTCOMES OF A PREOPERATIVE “BRIDGING” STRATEGY WITH GLYCOPROTEIN IIB/IIIA INHIBITORS FOR PREVENTING PERIOPERATIVE STENT THROMBOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH DRUG-ELUTING STENTS WHO UNDERGO SURGERY NECESSITATING INTERRUPTION OF THIENOPYRIDINE ADMINISTRATION

Results: Mean age was 65±1.2 years and all patients were men. Surgery occurred after a mean time of 13.9±1.7 and 8.7±2 months post stenting for noncardiac and cardiac surgery respectively. A glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor was administered preoperatively for a mean of 7.1±0.4 and 7.8±0.7 days, respectively then discontinued 4 hours before surgery. The majority of patients continued to receive aspirin through the perioperative period (33 patients for NCS group and 15 patients for cardiac surgery group). Clopidogrel was restarted as early as possible in the postoperative period. Among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, two patients (3.9%, 95% conidence intervals 0.5%, 13.5%) had acute stent thrombosis in the immediate postoperative period and four patients had major bleeding by the GUSTO criteria. One of the cardiac surgery patients had probable stent thrombosis one hour post surgery.
A De Novo Designed Metalloenzyme for the Hydration of CO2

Protein design will ultimately allow for the creation of artificial enzymes with novel functions and unprecedented stability. To test our current mastery of nature’s approach to catalysis, a ZnII metalloenzyme was prepared using de novo design. α3DH3 folds into a stable single-stranded three-helix bundle and binds ZnII with high affinity using His3O coordination. The resulting metalloenzyme catalyzes the hydration of CO2 better than any small molecule model of carbonic anhydrase and with an efficiency within 1400-fold of the fastest carbonic anhydrase isoform, CAII, and 11-fold of CAIII.
On the molecular basis of action of cytochalasin B.

Tritium-labeled cytochalasin B binds rapidly and reversibly to mammalian cells, and a class of high-affinity sites (Kn ≅ 10−7 M) and a class of low-affinity sites (KD ⩾ 10−5 M) are detected. In red blood cells, the high-affinity binding sites (about 3 × 105 per cell) are associated with the plasma membrane, and at least 80% of these appear to be intimately related to the glucose transport system. Fractionation of cellular components of platelets by differential centrifugation and gel filtration chromatography reveals that the high-affinity binding sites in these cells are also associated with membranous materials. A substantial number of the low-affinity binding sites can be traced to platelet actin. The binding of cytochalasin B to actin is consistent with the alteration of intrinsic viscosity and morphology of actin filaments in vitro by the compound at concentrations of around 10−5-10−4 M. The interaction of cytochalasin B with actin may account for its inhibitory effect on various forms of cell motility.
Energy randomization is complete in [C5H10O]+˙ ions with the oxygen on the middle carbon

The relative intensities of the losses of ethyl groups from opposite sides of the 3-pentanone ion formed by isomerization from its enol isomer are shown to be equal when corrections for protonated acrolein formation, isotope effects, and overlapping ethane losses are made. Thus the ion decomposes symmetrically, implying ergodic behavior, as concluded by Depke and Schwarz.
Grappling with herpes: Herpes gladiatorum

Initial reports of herpes gladiatorum, a skin infection of wrestlers caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), focused on case histories and clinical presentations of this disease. To more adequately address broader epidemiologic questions concerning this skin infection, we surveyed members of four southeastern college wrestling teams, sampled high school and college athletic trainers nationwide, and obtained serum specimens from members of one college wrestling team for HSV antibody studies. Nine of 48 (18.8%) college wrestlers in the southeastern athletic conference reported histories of herpes gladiatorum. Wrestlers with a prior history of oral HSV infection (cold sores) were less likely to report HSV skin infection than wrestlers without cold sores (RR = 0.25; 95% C.I. 0.03 to 1.8), while wrestlers with exposure to opponents with cutaneous HSV lesions were at high risk to develop herpes gladiatorum (RR = 9.4; 95% C.I. 2.2 to 40.0). The national survey of athletic trainers indicated that 7.6% of college wrestlers and 2.6% of high school wrestlers had HSV skin infection during the 1984-85 season. Herpes gladiatorum is a common problem among college wrestlers, and morbidity associated with this skin disease can be significant.
Adnexal mass secondary to extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) with associated amyloid deposition

Systemic amyloid light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is usually seen in association with a plasma cell disorder. Amyloid deposition associated with extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a rare phenomenon that is not typically associated with systemic AL amyloidosis. We describe the unusual case of a patient with an adnexal mass secondary to MALT lymphoma with associated amyloid deposition.