cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amiodarone Treatment in Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias

Amiodarone has been used in the therapy of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia, and has often been categorised as a class III rather than a class I agent. However, in patients with ventricular arrhythmias, amiodarone 800mg daily for 14 days prolonged the right ventricular effective refractory period by a mean of 18.8 msec (p less than 0.05), and HV interval by a mean of 5.2 msec (p less than 0.05), these changes being similar to those noted with drugs such as quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide and encainide. The antiarrhythmic efficacy of amiodarone was evaluated in 196 patients with recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia, recurrent ventricular fibrillation or recurrent nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Coronary artery disease, dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy, or other forms of heart disease were present in most patients. After 1 month of therapy, 177 patients continued to receive amiodarone and, during the remainder of the follow-up period, 139 patients had no recurrence of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Sudden cardiac death occurred in 15 patients after a mean treatment period of 10.4 months. Overall, amiodarone was an effective form of therapy in patients with ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.
Improving population estimates with the use of dummy variables

The ratio correlation method of estimating county population may be improved with the use of dummy variables and stratification to represent county “type.” Unsatisfactory results were derived when the ratio correlation technique was applied to West Virginia counties using only such conventional symptomatic indicators as births, deaths, non-agricultural employment, and automobile registrations, probably due to the relatively unique absolute population decrease 1950–1960 that occurred in many counties. To improve the predictive power of the technique: counties were stratified along the lines recently suggested by Rosenberg; dummy variables were introduced to represent such county characteristics as region or rate of development; and stratification and dummy variables were combined in a single test. The average 1960 estimating error for the 55 counties was reduced from 4.6 to 2.3 percent when dummy variables and stratification were used to supplement the conventional indicators.
The problem of temporal order in stimulation and perception.

(1966). The Problem of Temporal Order in Stimulation and Perception. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 62, No. 2, pp. 141-149.
Multiple forms of α2u, a sex-dependent urinary protein of the adult male rat

Abstract A sex-dependent protein ( α 2u ) which exists as multiple isoelectric forms in the urine of adult male rats has also been partially purified from the liver, blood serum and kidneys. Only one electrophoretic form of the protein was observed in liver and serum, which corresponded to the major urinary component α 2u (5.2). The kidneys, on the other hand, contained several forms of α 2u , one of which is not found in the urine. In addition, at least one urinary species of the protein has not been identified in the kidneys. A possible explanation for the differences in the multiple forms of α 2u is discussed.
Combinatorics & power consumption

In this paper the power consumption possible combinations for a number of loads and a single power source are discussed. The proposed mathematical model depends basically on combinatorics to estimate how many ways are possible to operate different loads powered by a single power source. This paper takes into consideration the different conditions and limitations to operate n number of loads limited by their minimum and maximum values of power consumption. Four different cases of operations are discussed and modeled. A flowchart and a step-by-step method to do the calculations for a general case is also illustrated at the end of this paper.
On the determination and construction of MV-optimal block designs for comparing test treatments with a standard treatment

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of determining optimal block designs in experimental situations where υ test treatments of interest are to be compared with some standard treatment in b blocks of size k . A design is said to be MV-optimal in such an experimental setting if it minimizes the maximal variance with which the elementary treatment contrasts involving the standard treatment are estimated. A general method for finding an MV-optimal design is suggested and some sufficient conditions are given under which a design obtained using the proposed method will be MV-optimal. Some examples are also given to show how the results obtained can be applied.
Plasmodium gallinaceum: Hereditary transmission of erythrocyte susceptibility

Abstract Calculations of indices of susceptibility based on incidence of parasite invasion of exotic erythrocytes in chicken embryos infected with Plasmodium gallinaceum were carried out. Erythrocytes of the pigeon ( Columba livia ) were essentially refractory to infection; those of the ring dove (R.D.) were quite susceptible. The erythrocytes of an F 1 hybrid between these two parents were somewhat more susceptible than those of the pigeon but much less susceptible than those of the dove parent. Transmission of partial susceptibility to malaria follows that observed for the total inheritance of pigeon but only partial inheritance of dove antigen into F 1 .
Medical Management of the Failing Fontan

The Fontan operation accomplishes complete separation of systemic venous blood from pulmonary venous circulation in patients with single ventricle anatomy. Operative survival since the first description of the Fontan operation is excellent in the current era through modifications in surgical techniques, identification of patient-specific risk factors, and advances in postoperative care. Improved early outcomes have also resulted in a decline in late mortality for patients who have undergone staged palliation with the Fontan operation. As the number of late survivors from the Fontan operation increases, caregivers will be evermore faced with the challenge of recognizing and managing the patient with failing Fontan physiology. Even after excellent early results, patients with single ventricle lesions remain at risk of progressive ventricular dysfunction, dysrhythmias, progressive hypoxemia, elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, and protein-losing enteropathy, which can result in morbidities including but not limited to, myocardial failure, thromboembolism, and stroke. Consequently, continued long-term survival of patients who undergo the Fontan operation is dependent upon preservation of single ventricle function, avoidance of late complications, and, in the patient with a failing Fontan, recognition and treatment of the underlying pathophysiologic process that has resulted in Fontan failure.
The relationship between parent and offspring comorbid disorders

Data concerning alcohol and drug abuse and dependence, depression, and antisocial behaviors, among both subjects and their parents, were obtained from a community sample of 1,201 young adults. Although 35% of the sample exhibited alcohol abuse or dependence, 14% marijuana or cocaine abuse or dependence, and 22% reported a parent positive for alcoholism, evidence of comorbidity with depression or antisocial personality was generally rare among both parents and subjects. Over one third of the subjects were negative both for family history and any disorder of their own and 20% reported a problem in both themselves and in one or both parents. These findings lend only partial support for Winokur's depression spectrum disease hypothesis, in that diagnosed children of depressed-only families have a 30% chance of exhibiting substance abuse or dependence alone, whereas diagnosed children of alcoholic-only families have only a 7% chance of exhibiting depression alone.
Maximum Likelihood Calculation of Rh Gene Frequencies in Pacific Populations

IN general, the calculation of maximum likelihood1,2 estimates of gene frequencies requires the preliminary calculation of trial values, followed by the computation of corrections to the trial values, by a method which is essentially Newton's method of successive approximations for getting a root of an equation. In many Pacific populations (Gilbertese, Fijians, etc.), only four or five Rh types CDe/C (R 1 R 1), CDe/c (R 1 r), CDE/c (R 1 R 2), cDE (R 2), and occasionally a little cDe (R 0) are present3, and the composition of the population can be explained by assuming that only three genes, R 1, R 2, and R 0, are present. For such cases the maximum likelihood equations can be solved explicitly, and the best estimates of the gene frequencies obtained without any process of successive approximations. If we designate the frequencies of the five phenotypes, in the order just mentioned, as H K P T and Q, the solution of the maximum likelihood equations gives the following formulae:
Sodium Current in Ventricular Myocardial Fibers

Membrane currents were measured in thin bundles of dog ventricular myocardium under voltage-clamp conditions. A rather large initial inward current which had an equilibrium potential at about + 55 millivolts could be recorded. When the external sodium concentration was reduced, the equilibrium potential for this current was shifted by the amount predicted theoretically for a current carried solely by sodium ions. The size of the sodium inward current ( I Na ) was largely dependent on the preceding membrane potential. The I Na was completely inactivated if the membrane potential was as low as -45 millivolts. Sodium ions are the main carrier of charge during the rapid depolarization phase of the action potential.
Creating graphical interactive application objects by demonstration

The Lapidary user interface tool allows all pictorial aspects of programs to be specified graphically. In addition, the behavior of these objects at run-time can be specified using dialogue boxes and by demonstration. In particular, Lapidary allows the designer to draw pictures of application-specific graphical objects which will be created and maintained at run-time by the application. This includes the graphical entities that the end user will manipulate (such as the components of the picture), the feedback that shows which objects are selected (such as small boxes on the sides and corners of an object), and the dynamic feedback objects (such as hair-line boxes to show where an object is being dragged). In addition, Lapidary supports the construction and use of “widgets” (sometimes called interaction techniques or gadgets) such as menus, scroll bars, buttons and icons. Lapidary therefore supports using a pre-defined library of widgets, and defining a new library with a unique “look and feel.” The run-time behavior of all these objects can be specified in a straightforward way using constraints and abstract descriptions of the interactive response to the input devices. Lapidary generalizes from the specific example pictures to allow the graphics and behaviors to be specified by demonstration.
Healthy Eating Index and Alternate Healthy Eating Index among Haitian Americans and African Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Ethnicities within Black populations have not been distinguished in most nutrition studies. We sought to examine dietary differences between African Americans (AA) and Haitian Americans (HA) with and without type 2 diabetes using the Healthy Eating Index, 2005 (HEI-05), and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). The design was cross-sectional N = 471 (225 AA, 246 HA) and recruitment was by community outreach. The eating indices were calculated from data collected with the Harvard food-frequency questionnaire. African Americans had lower HEI-05 scores β = −10.9 (−8.67, 13.1); SE = 1.12, P < .001 than HA. Haitian American females and AA males had higher AHEI than AA females and HA males, respectively, (P = .006) adjusting for age and education. Participants with diabetes had higher adherence to the HEI-05 β = 3.90 (1.78, 6.01), SE = 1.08, P < .001 and lower adherence to the AHEI β = −9.73 (16.3, −3.19), SE = 3.33, P = .004, than participants without diabetes. The findings underscore the importance of disaggregating ethnicities and disease state when assessing diet.
Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals the perturbation of multiple cellular pathways in HL-60 cells induced by arsenite treatment.

Arsenic is ubiquitously present in the environment; it is a known human carcinogen and paradoxically it is also a successful drug for the clinical remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The cellular responses induced by arsenite treatment have been investigated for years; however, the precise mechanisms underlying its cytotoxicity and therapeutic activity remain unclear. Here we report the use of mass spectrometry together with stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) for the comparative study of protein expression in HL-60 cells that were untreated or treated with a clinically relevant concentration of arsenite. Our results revealed that, among the 1067 proteins quantified in both forward and reverse SILAC measurements, 56 had significantly altered levels of expression induced by arsenite treatment. These included the up-regulation of core histones, neutrophil elastase, α-mannosidase as well as the down-regulation of fatty acid synthase and protein phosphatase 1α. We further demonstrated that the arsenite-induced growth inhibition of HL-60 cells could be rescued by treatment with palmitate, the final product of fatty acid synthase, supporting that arsenite exerts its cytotoxic effect, in part, via suppressing the expression of fatty acid synthase and inhibiting the endogenous production of fatty acid. The results from the present study offered important new knowledge for gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of arsenite.
A Cross-Disciplinary Examination of Print Resources on Abortion

Abortion is a highly-charged, emotional topic which often appears in the news, particularly during the confirmation process for a Supreme Court nominee. Community College students continue to ask reference librarians for print resources dealing with this controversial issue. Often we turn to the reliable series “Current Controversies,” “At Issue,” or “Opposing Viewpoints” (all published by Greenhaven Press). Librarians should keep these valuable texts in mind, but also realize that a wealth of information also resides on the reference shelves. This article looks at reference resources from a variety of disciplines (Religion and Philosophy, History, Sociology, Political Science, and Medicine) and examines how they treat the topic of abortion.
Instructional Collaboration with Rural Educators in Jamaica: Lessons Learned from an International Interdisciplinary Consultation Project.

The primary to high school student population in Jamaica has become more academically diverse, and schools are experiencing the pressures of implementing reform programs without adequate financial and professional development support. The schools facing the greatest challenges and needs in Jamaica are often those in the rural areas. Researchers applied the instructional consultation (IC) model to establish collaborative partnerships with educators in rural Jamaica for the purpose of sharing instructional experiences in literacy and mathematics. A definition of IC, the aspect of the model used, and a description of the project and outcomes are provided. Finally, lessons learned relating to the difficulties of staying true to the consultation process and future directions of this partnership are highlighted.
Effects of Visual Cues of Object Density on Perception and Anticipatory Control of Dexterous Manipulation

Anticipatory force planning during grasping is based on visual cues about the object's physical properties and sensorimotor memories of previous actions with grasped objects. Vision can be used to estimate object mass based on the object size to identify and recall sensorimotor memories of previously manipulated objects. It is not known whether subjects can use density cues to identify the object's center of mass (CM) and create compensatory moments in an anticipatory fashion during initial object lifts to prevent tilt. We asked subjects (n = 8) to estimate CM location of visually symmetric objects of uniform densities (plastic or brass, symmetric CM) and non-uniform densities (mixture of plastic and brass, asymmetric CM). We then asked whether subjects can use density cues to scale fingertip forces when lifting the visually symmetric objects of uniform and non-uniform densities. Subjects were able to accurately estimate an object's center of mass based on visual density cues. When the mass distribution was uniform, subjects could scale their fingertip forces in an anticipatory fashion based on the estimation. However, despite their ability to explicitly estimate CM location when object density was non-uniform, subjects were unable to scale their fingertip forces to create a compensatory moment and prevent tilt on initial lifts. Hefting object parts in the hand before the experiment did not affect this ability. This suggests a dichotomy between the ability to accurately identify the object's CM location for objects with non-uniform density cues and the ability to utilize this information to correctly scale their fingertip forces. These results are discussed in the context of possible neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor integration linking visual cues and anticipatory control of grasping.
Control of Antigen Presentation with a Photoreleasable Agonist Peptide

The immunological synapse is a specialized intercellular junction between a T cell and a target cell that orchestrates the engagement of receptors and ligands in space and time as a means of regulating function. Here we introduce a reagent for controlling the spatial and temporal presentation of natural antigen to T cells. Moth cytochrome c (88−103) peptide (MCC), an agonist to the murine T cell receptor AND when presented in the context of H2 IEk major histocompatibility complex (IEk), was synthesized with the side-chain amine of Lys99 conjugated to a photosensitive protecting group, 6-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl (NVOC). Cells plated on supported bilayers displaying mobile intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and NVOC−MCC loaded IEk did not form immunological synapses and exhibited low intracellular calcium levels, similar to cells presented with self-peptide. Irradiation with UV light was sufficient to restore agonist activity in situ.
An image-enhanced DEM of the Greenland ice sheet

We have assembled an elevation grid for the Greenland ice sheet using a combination of the best current digital elevation model (DEM) (Bamber and others, 2000a, 2001) and 44 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite images acquired in spring 1997. The images are used to quantitatively enhance the representation of surface undulations through photoclinometry. Gridcell spacing of the new DEM is 625 m. To validate the new DEM, we compared profiles extracted from it and the Bamber and others DEM with airborne laser altimetry profiles collected in the 1990s by the Airborne Topographic Mapper (Krabill and others, 1995). The image-enhanced DEM has a greatly improved representation of decameter-relief surface features <15 km in lateral extent, and reduces the mean elevation error in regions having these features by 20–50%. Root-mean-squared errors are typically 7–15m in the Bamber DEM, and 4–10m after image enhancement. However, the photoclinometry process adds some noise. In very smooth portions of the ice sheet where decameter undulationsare absent, the photoclinometry process caused a slight increase in the rms error, from ~1 min the Bamber and others DEM to ∼2.5 min the image-enhanced DEM. The image-enhanced DEM will be useful for inferring accumulation-rate variations over the undulation field, or for improving maps of bedrock elevation through inversion of surface elevation, for example. We briefly explore the preliminary steps of this latter application.
Origin of Pacific Multidecadal Variability in Community Climate System Model, Version 3 (CCSM3): A Combined Statistical and Dynamical Assessment

Abstract Observations indicate that Pacific multidecadal variability (PMV) is a basinwide phenomenon with robust tropical–extratropical linkage, though its genesis remains the topic of much debate. In this study, the PMV in the Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) is investigated with a combined statistical and dynamical approach. In agreement with observations, the modeled North Pacific climate system undergoes coherent multidecadal atmospheric and oceanic variability of a characteristic quasi-50-yr time scale, with apparent connections to the tropical Indo-Pacific. The statistical assessment based on the CCSM3 control integration cannot exclusively identify the origin of the modeled multidecadal linkage, while confirming the two-way interactions between the tropical and extratropical Pacific. Two sensitivity experiments are performed to further investigate the origin of the PMV. With the atmosphere decoupled from the tropical ocean, multidecadal variability in the North Pacific climate rema...
Skin cream for alleviating seat pain in amateur long‐distance bicyclists

Seat pain is common among amateur bicyclists, who often self‐treat seat pain with skin creams. This research evaluates the efficacy of two commonly used creams, compared with a placebo, for preventing bicycle‐related seat pain. Studied were 188 adults participating in a 500 mile, week‐long amateur bicycle trip. Participants were randomly allocated to receive 0.5% hydrocortisone cream, 10% trolamine salicylate cream, or a nonmedicated placebo cream, in a double‐blind fashion. Each cyclist applied cream to his seat area skin twice daily. After the ride, cyclists were evaluated to determine severity of their seat pain and presence of skin breakdown. The data were analyzed to determine if these outcomes differed among the three groups. Overall, 84.9% of the participants experienced seat pain and 6.9% had seat area skin breakdown, but there were no significant differences among the three cream groups. These results show that hydrocortisone (0.5%) or trolamine salicylate (10%) creams are no more effective than ...
Genomic organization, characterization, and molecular 3D model of GDE1, a novel mammalian glycerophosphoinositol phosphodiesterase.

Abstract Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) catalyzes the hydrolysis of deacylated glycerophospholipids to glycerol phosphate and alcohol. A mammalian glycerophosphoinositol phosphodiesterase, GDE1/MIR16, was recently identified as an interacting protein of the regulator of G protein signaling 16 (RGS16) providing a link between phosphoinositide metabolism and G protein signal transduction [Zheng, B., Berrie, C.P., Corda, D., Farquhar, M.G., 2003. GDE1/MIR16 is a glycerophosphoinositol phosphodiesterase regulated by stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 100, 1745–1750]. To further understand the function and properties of human GDE1, we determined its genomic organization and its biochemical and structural characteristics. GDE1 encodes a 331-residue protein with two hydrophobic domains and contains a GDE domain that shares strong homologies with GDE1-related proteins as well as bacterial GDPDs. The human GDE1 gene is located on chromosome 16p12-p11.2 and contains six exons and five introns. A molecular 3D model, which was built based on the crystal structure of Escherichia coli GDPD (1YDY), provides the first structural information of human GDE1 and suggests a TIM barrel core as typically found in bacterial GDPDs. Furthermore, a model of the putative catalytic motif within the GDE domain was nearly identical to the corresponding domain of GDPD and highlights the individual core residues Glu97, Asp99, and His112, which are crucial to maintaining GDE1 catalytic activity. These studies provide important new insights into understanding the function of GDE1 and GDE1-related proteins.
Occupational hazards and risks faced by Chinese immigrant restaurant workers

Historically, Chinese immigrants to the United States have worked in restaurants to support their families. Hazards and risks associated with this population's work in restaurants are underrepresented in the literature. This ethnographic study used interviews, participant-observations, and follow-up focus sessions with 18 immigrants from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to identify potential physical, biological, enviromechanical, chemical, and psychosocial hazards that they face. Psychosocial hazards were most often mentioned by the participants; biological hazards were not identified in the data. Practice and research implications for addressing health disparities in this population are discussed.
Sigma-1 Receptor Chaperones at the ER- Mitochondrion Interface Regulate Ca2+ Signaling and Cell Survival

Communication between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrion is important for bioenergetics and cellular survival. The ER supplies Ca(2+) directly to mitochondria via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) at close contacts between the two organelles referred to as mitochondrion-associated ER membrane (MAM). We found here that the ER protein sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R), which is implicated in neuroprotection, carcinogenesis, and neuroplasticity, is a Ca(2+)-sensitive and ligand-operated receptor chaperone at MAM. Normally, Sig-1Rs form a complex at MAM with another chaperone, BiP. Upon ER Ca(2+) depletion or via ligand stimulation, Sig-1Rs dissociate from BiP, leading to a prolonged Ca(2+) signaling into mitochondria via IP3Rs. Sig-1Rs can translocate under chronic ER stress. Increasing Sig-1Rs in cells counteracts ER stress response, whereas decreasing them enhances apoptosis. These results reveal that the orchestrated ER chaperone machinery at MAM, by sensing ER Ca(2+) concentrations, regulates ER-mitochondrial interorganellar Ca(2+) signaling and cell survival.
Enhancing the Vibroseis Technique Through Equipment Noise Reduction and Optimizing the Weighted Sum Signal

Deconvolution of the weighted sum signal of baseplate and mass acceleration can prove marginally effective. Noise can interfere and severely limit the data quality. Identifying and reducing noise within the recording equipment has proven effective in reducing these problems. Two main sources of equipment noise are in the telemetry system commonly used for transmission and the accelerometers signal and ground force. Quantifying the noise signature and determining the degree of interference with the data is essential for deconvolving the ground force with recorded vibroseis signal.
Alterations in visually related eye movements following left pulvinar damage in man.

Abstract This case study presents evidence for two subtle types of eye movement abnormalities following surgical resection of the left posterior pulvinar in man. First, visual fixations during vertical pattern matching are on average both increased in number and prolonged in duration compared to controls, although normal fixation durations also occur. Second, unilateral deficiencies during search and scanning performance are associated with eye movements directed into the hemifield contralateral to the lesion. Although direct damage to parietal cortex and indirect damage to other visually related structures cannot be ruled out as other explanations for these deficits, these findings are consistent with recent electrophysiological and behavioral studies of the pulvinar in both human and non-human primates, and suggest a fruitful area for further investigation of pulvinar function.
A new cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus from the salt-marsh mosquito, Aedes cantator (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract The ultrastructure, development, and histopathology of a new cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus of Aedes cantator are described. Virus particles measure 70 nm in diameter, are icosahedral in shape, and consist of a central electron-dense core surrounded by a capsid with six projections. Occlusion bodies are irregular in size (0.5–3.0 μm) and shape and contain several virus particles. Virus particles are assembled within an interconnecting network of fine filaments and are occluded by the deposition of a proteinaceous crystal around groups of mature virus particles within a virogenic stroma. Infections are confined to cells of the cardia, gastric ceca, and posterior portion of the midgut, which hypertrophy and frequently lyse. Infected larvae die during the fourth larval instar or as pupae. The prevalence of infection in natural field populations is less than 1%.
Evaluation of three analyte-specific reagents for detection and typing of herpes simplex virus in cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract The performance of three analyte-specific reagents (ASRs); Cepheid herpes simplex virus (HSV) Typing Primer Probe set (CD), Eragen MultiCode-Rtx HSV-1/2 kit primer mix (ER), and Roche LightCycler HSV-1/2 Primer/Hybridization Probes (RD), was evaluated for detection and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. Of 68 CSF specimens, HSV-1 was detected in 8 specimens and HSV-2 was detected in 17 specimens. ER detected all 25 HSV-positive specimens, whereas CD and RD detected 24 and 23 HSV-positive specimens, respectively. The results of HSV typing with the 3 ASRs were in complete agreement. The analytical sensitivity of all ASRs was determined to be about 10 1 copies/reaction. Our results demonstrate that the performances of all 3 ASRs are comparable and reliable for routine clinical testing in detection and typing of HSV DNA in CSF.
Gross abnormalities of the umbilical cord: related placental histology and clinical significance.

Abstract Objective To evaluate umbilical cord abnormalities predisposing to mechanical cord compression and determine their relationship to adverse clinical outcomes and stasis-associated histologic changes in the placenta. Methods Placental slides of 224 singleton pregnancies with gross cord abnormality (true knots, long cords, nuchal/body cords, abnormal cord insertion, hypercoiled cords, narrow cords with diminished Wharton's jelly), delivered on or after 28 weeks gestational age, and 317 gestational age-matched controls, were reviewed and specifically evaluated for the following histologic changes: (1) fetal vascular ectasia, (2) fetal vascular thrombosis, (3) and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy/avascular villi. These changes were analyzed in relation to both clinical information and findings at gross pathologic examination. Results Gross cord abnormalities were associated with stillbirth, intrauterine growth restriction, non-reassuring fetal tracing, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and increased rate of emergency Cesarean section. At microscopic evaluation, cases with gross cord abnormalities showed a statistically significant association with both ectasia and thrombosis in the fetal vasculature, as well as changes of fetal thrombotic vasculopathy in the terminal villi. When considering individual gross cord abnormalities, long cord and nuchal cord had the highest rates of thrombosis-related histopathology. Finally, cases with both abnormal cords and histologic thrombosis had significantly higher rates of adverse outcomes, including IUGR and stillbirth. Conclusion Gross cord abnormalities predispose the fetus to stasis-induced vascular ectasia and thrombosis, thus leading to vascular obstruction and adverse neonatal outcome, including IUGR and stillbirth. We recommend a thorough histopathologic evaluation of all placentas with gross cord abnormalities predisposing to cord compression.
RAGE and the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease

The multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), is a signal transduction receptor that binds advanced glycation endproducts, certain members of the S100/calgranulin family of proteins, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), advanced oxidation protein products, and amyloid (beta-sheet fibrils). Initial studies investigating the role of RAGE in renal dysfunction focused on diabetes. However, RAGE also has roles in the pathogenesis of renal disorders that are not associated with diabetes, such as obesity-related glomerulopathy, doxorubicin-induced nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, lupus nephritis, renal amyloidosis, and ischemic renal injuries. Experiments that have employed transgenic mouse models, pharmacological blockade of RAGE, or genetic deletion or modification of RAGE indicate that modulation of RAGE expression or function affects the functional and pathological properties of these nephropathies. Accumulating evidence links RAGE to the pathogenesis of nephropathies, indicating that antagonism of RAGE might be a strategy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Oxidative metabolism, extracellular potassium and sustained potential shifts in cat spinal cord in situ.

Changes in the ratio of reduced/oxidized cytochrome a, a3 were measured by reflection spectrophotometry in decerebrate cat spinal cord during microelectrode monitoring of extracellular K+ and extracellular potential. In ‘resting’ cord, cytochrome a, a3 was approximately 60% reduced, compared to 30% in cerebral cortex and 1% in isolated mitochondria. Stimulation of a dorsal root or afferent nerve caused linearly correlated responses, consisting of oxidation of cytochrome a, a3, elevation of K+0 and a negative shift of potential. In spinal cord, unlike cerebral cortex, the local volume of blood increased upon stimulation. The rate of recovery of the oxidation response of cytochrome a, a3 was consistently faster in cord than in cortex. Pentobarbital (i.v.) in anesthetic dosage reduced the amplitude and slowed the rate of recovery of all 4 parameters, indicating that the optical signals originate from gray matter. It is speculated that the spinal cord, even more than cortex, may depend for its viability on the maintenance of PO2 above a certain level, and that much of the metabolic activity following stimulation is associated with the restoration of ionic gradients.
Chylothorax after heart/lung transplantation

Abstract Chylothorax is a potentially serious complication of lung and heart–lung transplantation. This article describes the clinical course of chylothorax in 3 heart–lung allograft recipients. We discuss management options, including dietary modifications, octreotide infusion, thoracic duct ligation and emobolization, and surgical pleurodesis. In addition, we describe the novel use of aminocaproic acid to reduce lymph flow. We propose a multidisciplinary approach for the management of chylothorax that includes both medical and surgical options.
A read-decoupled gated-ground SRAM architecture for low-power embedded memories

In this work, a gated ground SRAM architecture based on a seven transistor (7T) bit-cell is proposed. The proposed cell shows higher data stability and yield under varying process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) conditions than the conventional 6T cell. A single-ended sense amplifier is also presented to read from the proposed cell while a unique write mechanism is used to reduce the write power to less than half of the write power of the 6T cell. The proposed cell consumes similar silicon area and leakage power as the 6T cell when laid out and simulated using a commercial 65-nm CMOS technology. The ground gating is done by selectively controlling the column virtual ground (CVG) of accessed word in a row. This significantly reduces the leakage power consumption and enables implementing multiple words per row, which lowers multiple-bit data upset in the event of radiation induced single event upset or soft error. In addition, the proposed cell inherently has a 30% larger soft error critical charge, making its soft error rate (SER) less than the half of that of the 6T cell.
Effect of radial artery harvest on collateral forearm blood flow and digital perfusion

Abstract Background: Changes describing digital and forearm circulation after radial artery harvest have been reported infrequently. Methods: This prospective study examined digital perfusion and forearm collateral circulation preoperatively and postoperatively in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with radial artery free grafts. Noninvasive evaluation was conducted with digital photoelectric plethysmography and color flow and pulsed Doppler studies. Results: Thumb perfusion index decreased from 1.25 to 0.84 (30%, P P P P Conclusions: Our study identified a mild reduction in digital perfusion and an increase in ulnar artery flow velocity and diameter with no clinical sequelae or compromise in hand function after radial artery harvest in properly selected patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;123:512-6
Measurement of lithium and deuterium on NSTX carbon tiles

Here, we report results from nuclear reaction analysis of lithium and deuterium on 50 carbon tiles removed from NSTX (National Spherical Torus Experiment) after campaigns in 2006 and 2007 during which lithium was evaporated onto the vessel wall. Measurements give lithium and deuterium concentrations versus depth and the variation in coverage with position in the machine. The lithium was within a few microns of the surface indicating little transport by diffusion through the carbon. Lithium coverage was higher on tiles facing the lithium evaporator than on tiles shadowed from it by the center stack. The deuterium coverage was highest in the private flux region between inner and outer strike points of the high triangularity plasmas used.
Robust support recovery using sparse compressive sensing matrices

This paper considers the task of recovering the support of a sparse, high-dimensional vector from a small number of measurements. The procedure proposed here, which we call the Sign-Sketch procedure, is shown to be a robust recovery method in settings where the measurements are corrupted by various forms of uncertainty, including additive Gaussian noise and (possibly unbounded) outliers, and even subsequent quantization of the measurements to a single bit. The Sign-Sketch procedure employs sparse random measurement matrices, and utilizes a computationally efficient support recovery procedure that is a variation of a technique from the sketching literature. We show here that O(max {k log(n − k), k log k}) non-adaptive linear measurements suffice to recover the support of any unknown n-dimensional vector having no more than k nonzero entries, and that our proposed procedure requires at most O(n log n) total operations for both acquisition and inference.
Tanakamiyama: A Classic Japanese Pegmatite District

Tanakamiyama, , sometimes written (Mt. Tanakami; roughly 600 meters in elevation), lies just east of the city of Kyoto, on the southern end of Lake Biwa, in Shiga Prefecture (fig. 3). It is part of...
Effects of lead on the renal response to extracellular volume expansion

Subacute lead exposure has been observed to inhibit the natriuretic response to isotonic saline expansion in adult female rats. Three-week exposure to 0.5% lead acetate in drinking water resulted in a moderately high blood lead concentration of 57 ..mu..g/100 ml and up to 60% inhibition of the natriuretic response to extracellular volume expansion. This ability of lead to inhibit natriuresis following volume expansion (an induced stress) may be a more sensitive index of lead poisoning than alterations of renal function in nonstressed animals. Lead exposure had no effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or plasma aldosterone concentrations, and in the presence of large doses of DOCA (a mineralocorticoid) this inhibitory effect of lead was still persistent. Amiloride completely blocked the antinatriuretic effect of lead in volume-expanded lead-poisoned animals, causing a twofold increase in water and electrolyte excretion while having minimal effects on volume-expanded controls. It is concluded that lead interferes with the action of a third factor, controlling natriuresis.
Regeneration and biosynthesis of dytiscid defensive agents (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae).

The defensive secretions of the dytiscid species,Agabus seriatus (Say) andAgabus obtusatus (Say), were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The intrinsic ability ofA. Seriatus andA. Obtusatus to regenerate their prothoracic gland defensive secretions under laboratory conditions was determined by analyzing the secretions every seventh day for five weeks. Both beetles regenerated ∼ 80% of their prothoracic gland components within two weeks.A. seriatus was injected with [4-14C]cholesterol and after a three-week regeneration period 7.5% of the14Clabel was found in the steroidal defensive secretion from the prothoracic glands.
The transmembrane domain of the molecular chaperone cosmc directs its localization to the endoplasmic reticulum

The molecular basis for retention of integral membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is not well understood. We recently discovered a novel ER molecular chaperone termed Cosmc, which is essential for folding and normal activity of the Golgi enzyme T-synthase. Cosmc, a type II single-pass transmembrane protein, lacks any known ER retrieval/retention motifs. To explore specific ER localization determinants in Cosmc we generated a series of Cosmc mutants along with chimeras of Cosmc with a non-ER resident type II protein, the human transferrin receptor. Here we show that the 18 amino acid transmembrane domain (TMD) of Cosmc is essential for ER localization and confers ER retention to select chimeras. Moreover, mutations of a single Cys residue within the TMD of Cosmc prevent formation of disulfide-bonded dimers of Cosmc and eliminate ER retention. These studies reveal that Cosmc has a unique ER-retention motif within its TMD and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TMDs of resident ER proteins contribute to ER localization.
Properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) extrudate prepared by hyperbolic convergent flow and high pressure

The structure and properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) segments prepared by high-pressure extrusion in a pseudohyperbolic die were examined. The translucent segments showed relatively high levels of orientation, crystallinity, and modulus. Higher melting point, larger crystal size, and higher loss modulus peak temperature (Tg) were observed for these segments as compared with those prepared earlier in our laboratory using the conventional 90° conical die. This seems to indicate that a hyperbolic profile is very effective in producing and maintaining a highly aligned chain network in a flowing melt.
Atmospheric Corrosion Products on Al, Zn, and AlZn Metallic Coatings

Abstract Because the atmospheric corrosion products that form on the surface of Al, Zn, and AlZn hot-dip coatings on sheet steel are difficult to characterize, they have not been extensively studied in the past. In this study, the composition and structure of products formed in industrial and marine environments were identified, and the effects of time, side exposed, and surface chromate treatment were described. Amorphous aluminum sulfate hydrate is the most abundant corrosion product on Al and AlZn coatings in both environments; it is well formed after only three years of exposure and is changed little after nine years. Al hydroxides were also present on aluminum-containing coatings exposed to the marine atmosphere, but not on those in the industrial atmosphere. The groundward side of the AlZn-coated panel exposed 250 m from the Atlantic Ocean had roughly as much AlZn sulfate hydrate as the skyward side of a panel exposed 25 m from the ocean. This finding discounts sea spray as the source of sulfur and ...
Closed-loop phase diagrams, vaporization, and multicriticality in binary liquid mixtures

The coupled Potts-Ising models of Walker and Vause, which successfully describe closed-loop phase diagrams in hydrogen-bonding mixtures, are generalized to encompass the vapor phase, and are studied using position-space renormalization-group techniques. Global phase diagrams are generated, exhibiting such features as miscibility-immiscibility criticality, liquid-vapor critical points, critical end points, and bicritical and tricritical points. In addition, new types of phase diagrams are found, involving upper and lower azeotropes, for example, which are expected to be physically realizable in experimental systems.
Time and strain dependent thermal expansion of carbon‐black filled SBR elastomers

Length-temperature measurements were made on unfilled and carbon-black filled vulcanizates of styrene-butadiene rubber. As in earlier experiments on polybutadiene, transients in thermal expansion behavior were observed following abrupt changes in the temperature. The nature of this time dependence was not dramatically affected by either the level of equilibrium strain or the structure and loading of the carbon-black filler. Both the magnitude of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion and the point of thermoelastic inversion were sensitive to the presence of carbon-black. A model based on considerations of occluded rubber and strain amplification in the free rubbery matrix was used successfully to rationalize the observed behavior of the filled compounds.
A history of legally required employee benefits: 1900‐1950

Between 1900 and 1950 most of today’s legally required employee benefits were developed. Political and social forces influenced a transformation of individual and societal value systems, including a shift of substantial personal welfare responsibility from the individual to governments and businesses. Workers’ compensation, America’s first social insurance, ushered in legally required strategies designed to provide for workers’ particular needs. In addition, the Social Security Act of 1935 provided old age retirement payments and created an unemployment insurance program, among other things. Each of these came into being amid much debate, and America’s political, economic, social, and business structures were changed forever with their passage.
Crowd simulation for emergency response using BDI agents based on immersive virtual reality

Abstract This paper presents a novel methodology involving a Virtual Reality (VR)-based Belief, Desire, and Intention (BDI) software agent to construct crowd simulation and demonstrates the use of the same for crowd evacuation management under terrorist bomb attacks in public areas. The proposed BDI agent framework allows modeling of human behavior with a high degree of fidelity. The realistic attributes that govern the BDI characteristics of the agent are reverse-engineered by conducting human-in-the-loop experiments in the VR-based Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). To enhance generality and interoperability of the proposed crowd simulation modeling scheme, input data models have been developed to define environment attributes (e.g., maps, demographics, evacuation management parameters). The validity of the proposed data models are tested with two different evacuation scenarios. Finally, experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effect of various crowd evacuation management parameters on the key performance indicators in the evacuation scenario such as crowd evacuation rate and densities. The results reveal that constructed simulation can be used as an effective emergency management tool.
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN URBAN AEROSOLS

Over the past 25 years, much information has been obtained on the biological, physical, and chemical properties of particular organic matter (POM). Organic fractions of urban particulate matter have been found to be tumorigenic in mice and mutagenic in certain strains of bacteria, indicating that such materials may be significant in the etiology of environmental diseases. Hundreds of organic compounds have been identified in the organic aerosol. It is suggested that as sampling and analytical methods become more sophisticated, it will be possible to identify hundreds more and to see more clearly the composition differences between sources, sampling locations, and seasons. The paper reviews the properties of POM in urban atmospheres and considers methods for determining the sources of POM, with emphasis on long-term trends, seasonal variations, diurnal patterns, and transport characteristics.