cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Provision of KEL1-negative blood to obstetric patients: a 3-year single-institution retrospective review

Background KEL1 alloimmunization is a major cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). While select countries have guidelines for preventing transfusion-associated KEL1 alloimmunization, the United States does not. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center instituted a policy in April 2009 whereby women not more than 50 years of age on the obstetric service were transfused KEL1-negative red blood cells (RBCs). We sought to determine compliance and impact for prevention of KEL1 alloimmunization and HDFN. Study Design and Methods All women not more than 50 years of age without anti-K transfused RBCs during an obstetric admission from April 9, 2009, to April 9, 2012, were identified (227). Adherence to policy, factors contributing to nonadherence, and subsequent impact were evaluated. For comparison, all cases of anti-K detection in women not more than 50 years of age admitted to nonobstetric services and all cases of transfusion-associated KEL1 alloimmunization in women not more than 50 years of age during the 10 years prior were identified. Results Eighty-four percent received only KEL1-negative units. Three (1.3%) women not more than 50 years of age on the obstetric service were identified with anti-K, while 17 (1.5%) women not more than 50 years of age on nonobstetric services had anti-K detected; only five of 20 had a prior RBC transfusion. In the 10 years prior, there were 27 cases of transfusion-associated KEL1 alloimmunization in women not more than 50 years of age. There were no cases of KEL1 HDFN in either period. Conclusion Although the findings demonstrate feasibility of providing KEL1-negative RBCs to women of childbearing potential, evidence for clinical benefit is lacking. The low prevalence of KEL1 in blood donors, the lack of significant differences in alloimmunization rates, and no cases of HDFN during the study period questions the clinical benefit of such a policy.
DNA DAMAGE SIGNALS INDUCTION OF FAS LIGAND IN TUMOR CELLS

Many anticancer agents exert their cytotoxicity through DNA damage and induction of apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL), a key component of T lymphocytes, has been shown to be induced by some of those agents. To address what is an early signal for this induction, we constructed a FasL promoter-luciferase reporter gene to investigate effects of DNA topoisomerase (Topo) II inhibitors on FasL promoter activity. Transient transfection assays in HeLa and other tumor cell lines demonstrated that induction of FasL promoter activity in response to Topo II inhibitors such as VM-26 mimicked endogenous FasL expression under the same conditions. The ability of these agents to induce FasL expression correlated with their ability to cause DNA damage. For instance, complex-stabilizing Topo II inhibitors such as etoposide, teniposide, and doxorubicin, which cause DNA damage, strongly induce FasL expression; by contrast, non-DNA-damaging catalytic Topo II inhibitors such as ICRF-187 and merbarone do not do this. In support of the notion that DNA damage triggers FasL induction, we found that DNA-damaging irradiation also induced FasL promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, the catalytic Topo II inhibitor ICRF-187 suppressed VM-26-induced-FasL expression. This suppression correlated with the ability of this drug to inhibit VM-26-induced DNA strand breaks. Together, our results suggest that DNA damage in response to agents such as etoposide and teniposide might serve as an early signal to induce FasL expression.
CONTINUOUS AND DISCRETE DEMAND HUB LOCATION PROBLEMS

Hub and spoke designs have been adopted by many air carriers and motor carriers in recent years. This paper compares rectilinear distance transportation costs for hub networks with two types of demand to investigate how well an idealized model predicts the cost for real-world demand. The idealized model approximates the transportation cost for a hub network serving a continuous uniform distribution of demand in a square service region with equal origin-destination flows. The cost for the approximation formula is compared to the optimal cost for discrete demand hub location problems. The ability of the approximation formula to predict the optimal transportation cost is measured, and the quality of the prediction is related to characteristics of the discrete demand.
Absence of metabolic cooperation in PHA-stimulated human lymphocyte cultures.

Abstract Intercellular communication as detected by ionic coupling and gap junction formation has been reported previously in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocyte cultures. PHA-stimulated mixtures of normal and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HPRT) deficient lymphocytes did not exhibit metabolic cooperation when incubated with [3H]hypoxanthine. These observations suggest that there may be selectivity for compounds transferred by lymphocyte junctions during intercellular communication.
Generalized twistor transform and dualities with a new description of particles with spin beyond free and massless

A generalized twistor transform for spinning particles in 3+1 dimensions is constructed that beautifully unifies many types of spinning systems by mapping them to the same twistor Z{sub A}=({mu}{sup {alpha}}; {lambda}{sub {alpha}};), thus predicting an infinite set of duality relations among spinning systems with different Hamiltonians. Usual 1T-physics is not equipped to explain the duality relationships and unification between these systems. We use 2T-physics in 4+2 dimensions to uncover new properties of twistors, and expect that our approach will prove to be useful for practical applications as well as for a deeper understanding of fundamental physics. Unexpected structures for a new description of spinning particles emerge. A unifying symmetry SU(2, 3) that includes conformal symmetry SU(2,2)=SO(4,2) in the massless case turns out to be a fundamental property underlying the dualities of a large set of spinning systems, including those that occur in high spin theories. This may lead to new forms of string theory backgrounds as well as to new methods for studying various corners of M theory. In this paper we present the main concepts, and in a companion paper we give other details.
Right to Place: A Political Theory of Animal Rights in Harmony with Environmental and Ecological Principles

The focus of this paper is on the “right to place” as a political theory of wild animal rights. Out of the debate between terrestrial cosmopolitans inspired by Kant and Arendt and rooted cosmopolitan animal right theorists, the right to place emerges from the fold of rooted cosmopolitanism in tandem with environmental and ecological principles. Contrary to terrestrial cosmopolitans—who favour extending citizenship rights to wild animals and advocate at the same time large-scale humanitarian interventions and unrestricted geographical mobility—I argue that the well-being of wild animals is best served by the right to place theory on account of its sovereignty model. The right to place theory advocates human non-interference in wildlife communities, opposing even humanitarian interventions, which carry the risk of unintended consequences. The right to place theory, with its emphasis on territorial sovereignty, bases its opposition to unrestricted geographical mobility on two considerations: (a) the non-generalist nature of many species and (b) the potential for abuse via human encroachment. In a broader context, the advantage of the right to place theory lies in its implicit environmental demands: human population control and sustainable lifestyles.
Breast cancer chemoprevention: current challenges and a look toward the future.

Abstract There is a need to develop new prevention agents for breast cancer risk reduction that would have fewer side effects than the approved agent, tamoxifen, and/or would be effective in preventing estrogen receptor—negative or tamoxifen-resistant, estrogen receptor—positive breast cancers. There also is a need to improve the accuracy of present risk assessment models and to incorporate tissue-based biomarkers to supplement risk prediction tools. Candidate risk biomarkers include the serum hormones insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding protein-3, mammographic breast density, nipple aspirate fluid production, and breast tissue evidence of proliferative breast disease (intraepithelial neoplasia). A variety of techniques have been developed to randomly sample breast tissue to detect precancerous changes and/or detect modulation of proliferation in response to a prevention agent. Based on molecular abnormalities observed in breast intraepithelial neoplasia, a number of drug classes and combinations are suggested as potential chemoprevention approaches. Clinical trial models have been developed to select the appropriate drug dose for subsequent biomarker modulation chemoprevention trials in which the use of surrogate endpoint biomarkers as indicators of efficacy is being explored. If these biomarkers can be validated and shown to reliably predict and monitor response in phase I/II prevention trials, and if favorable modulation is correlated with subsequent decreased cancer incidence, biomarkers may replace cancer incidence as the endpoint in future phase III trials, dramatically reducing the time and expense associated with new prevention drug development.
Nanostructured silicon membranes for control of molecular transport

A membrane that allows selective transport of molecular species requires precise engineering on the nanoscale. Membrane permeability can be tuned by controlling the physical structure and surface chemistry of the pores. Here, a combination of electron beam and optical lithography, along with cryogenic deep reactive ion etching, has been used to fabricate silicon membranes that are physically robust, have uniform pore sizes, and are directly integrated into a microfluidic network. Additional reductions in pore size were achieved using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition of silicon dioxide to coat membrane surfaces. Cross sectioning of the membranes using focused ion beam milling was used to determine the physical shape of the membrane pores before and after coating. Functional characterization of the membranes was performed by using quantitative fluorescence microscopy to document the transport of molecular species across the membrane.
Comparison of adjacent segment disease after minimally invasive or open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a potential long-term risk after lumbar fusion. Its incidence has been evaluated in anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusions, but few studies have focused on transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Relative risk of ASD with open or minimally invasive (MI) TLIF is poorly understood. To report our experience with risk for ASD in patients receiving TLIF and test its association with surgical approach, we performed a retrospective cohort study based on medical record review at a single institution. Eligible patients were ⩾ 18 years old at operation, underwent single-level TLIF during the period 2007-2008, and had at least 6 months postoperative follow-up. Patients were categorized by surgical approach (open versus MI). Primary outcome of interest was development of symptomatic ASD, defined by (1) new back and/or leg pain, (2) imaging findings adjacent to original surgical level, and (3) decision to treat. A total of 68 patients (16 open, 52 MI) were included in the analysis. Groups had similar baseline characteristics, except the open group tended to be older (p=0.04). Seven (10%) patients developed ASD. Mean patient age was 62 years and three were male. Three underwent open and four underwent MI TLIF. Risk of ASD did not differ significantly by surgical approach. The MI group showed a trend toward decreased risk of ASD compared to the open group, although it was not statistically significant. This suggests MI TLIF may be associated with decreased long-term morbidity compared to the open approach. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Mueller matrix roots depolarization parameters

The Mueller matrix roots decomposition recently proposed by Chipman in [1] and its three associated families of depolarization (amplitude depolarization, phase depolarization, and diagonal depolarization) are explored. Degree of polarization maps are used to differentiate among the three families and demonstrate the unity between phase and diagonal depolarization, while amplitude depolarization remains a distinct class. Three families of depolarization are generated via the averaging of different forms of two nondepolarizing Mueller matrices. The orientation of the resulting depolarization follows the cyclic permutations of the Pauli spin matrices. The depolarization forms of Mueller matrices from two scattering measurements are analyzed with the matrix roots decomposition-a sample of ground glass and a graphite and wood pencil tip.
Exposure of human cardiac muscle to radioactive digitoxin in vitro.

Abstract Slices of human cardiac muscle obtained by biopsy at the time of exploratory thoracotomy were incubated with C 14 , labeled digitoxin, in Warburg vessels. The activity of BaCO 3 recovered from CO 2 dissolved in KOH in the center well of the vessels was determined with a thin-window Geiger-Mueller tube and also a flow counter. No radioactivity was detected in the samples even though the slices respired at increased rate in the presence of glycoside. This suggests that digitoxin acts catalytically without conversion to C 14 O 2 by the tissue.
Are hemodynamic parameters predictors of mortality

This article addresses a question that the authors consider to be somewhat rhetorical: are hemodynamic parameters predictors of mortality? It reviews the specific hemodynamic abnormalities and pathophysiologic consequences distinctive to the patient who has decompensation and addresses the data that implicate abnormal hemodynamics as a treatment target associated with increased mortality. The focus is on patients who have decompensated heart failure, defined as left ventricular systolic dysfunction and an acute, subacute, or gradual worsening of symptoms while receiving optimal medical therapy.
Just Savings And The Difference Principle

The issue of just savings between generations presents an important,and for the most part unappreciated, problem for Rawls's theory ofdistributive justice. This paper argues that the just savingsprinciple, as Rawls formulates it in his recent work, standsin tension with the difference principle. When thought through,the just savings principle – and more precisely the foundationon which it rests – give us reason to reject the differenceprinciple in favor of a less egalitarian principle ofdistributive justice.
Effects of patulin on postimplantation rat embryos

Patulin (PAT), a highly toxic, carcinogenic, heterocyclic lactone is produced by a variety of fungal species, including Penicillium and Aspergillus. This compound has been isolated from various apple products and is stable in apple and grape juice and dry corn. It has been reported to be cytotoxic and to exert adverse influence on development in vivo in mice and merits further study and evaluation. In this study, whole rate embryo culture (WEC) was used to determine the teratogenic potential of PAT in vitro. Embryos were exposed to PAT-treated (0.00–62 μM) rat serum for 45 h. The embryos that were exposed to 62 μM PAT were not evaluated because they did not survive beyond 40 h of incubation. The results indicate that PAT induced a statistically significant reduction in protein and DNA content, yolk sac diameter, crown rump length, and somite number count. Patulin treatment also resulted in an increase in the frequency of defective embryos. Anomalies included growth retardation, hypoplasia of the mesencephalon and telencephalon, and hyperplasia and/or blisters of the mandibular process. Thus, the data from the present study provide further evidence supporting the conclusion that the whole rat embryo assay is a rapid and sensitive in vitro method that can be employed to pre-screen developmentally toxic mycotoxins.
Enhancing the Homestay: Study Abroad from the Host Family's Perspective

Abstract: Most foreign language departments encourage their students not only to study abroad, but also to live with host families to maximize linguistic and cultural exposure to the target culture. While there have been a number of studies examining study abroad from the student's and program's perspectives, the native perspective of the homestay experience has been missing. To helpful this void, 24 host families were interviewed in their home settings. The interview data were analyzed using the NUD*IST computer program to determine salient, recurring topics. This article discusses the study design and the major themes that emerged. It concludes with the hosts' recommendations on how students, programs, and the native families themselves can work together to enhance the homestay experience.
Preparation and study of a series of borane and octahydrotriborate derivatives of methylated polyamines

Abstract A series of borane and octahydrotriborate derivatives of methylated polyamines has been prepared for the purpose of finding better neutron-shielding materials. The variance in certain chemical and physical properties with increasing chain length of the basic amines and with an increase in the number of carbon atoms between adjacent nitrogen atoms is discussed.
Cell Wall Composition of Diverse Clovers during Primary Spring Growth

Forage digestibility is influenced by plant cell wall composition. We compared changes in cell wall composition of the herbage and plant fractions of four clovers differing in life cycle and growth habit and examined the relationship between digestibility and cell wall composition in these plant fractions. Primary spring growth of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), red (T. pratense L.), subterranean (T. subterraneum L.), and white (T. repens L.) clover was harvested in each of 2 yr beginning in late March and thereafter every 10 d (eight harvests total). Cell wall, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin concentration were determined for leaf, petiole, stem, and reproductive fractions and herbage at each harvest. Herbage cell wall concentration of berseem, red, and white clover increased 3.1, 2.4, and 0.8 g kg −1 d −1 , respectively [...]
Skill Scores Based on the Mean Square Error and Their Relationships to the Correlation Coefficient

Abstract Several skill scores are defined, based on the mean-square-error measure of accuracy and alternative climatological standards of reference. Decompositions of these skill scores are formulated, each of which is shown to possess terms involving 1) the coefficient of correlation between the forecasts and observations, 2) a measure of the nonsystematic (i.e., conditional) bias in the forecast, and 3) a measure of the systematic (i.e., unconditional) bias in the forecasts. Depending on the choice of standard of reference, a particular decomposition may also contain terms relating to the degree of association between the reference forecasts and the observations. These decompositions yield analytical relationships between the respective skill scores and the correlation coefficient, document fundamental deficiencies in the correlation coefficient as a measure of performance, and provide additional insight into basic characteristics of forecasting performance. Samples of operational precipitation probabil...
Thermal expansion and compressibility in superconducting Na x Co O 2 ∙ 4 x D 2 O ( x ≈ 1 ∕ 3 ) : Evidence for pressure-induced charge redistribution

We have performed thermal expansion and compressibility measurements on the recently discovered superconducting material ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}∙4x{\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}(x\ensuremath{\approx}1∕3)$ using neutron powder diffraction over the temperature range 10\char21{}295 K and the pressure range 0\char21{}0.6 GPa. Pressure measurements were done in a helium-gas pressure cell. Both the thermal expansion and compressibility are very anisotropic, with the largest effects along the $c$ axis, as would be expected for a layered material with weak hydrogen bonding nominally along the $c$ axis. Near room temperature, the anisotropies of the thermal expansion and compressibility of the hexagonal crystal structure are nearly the same $[(\ensuremath{\Delta}c∕c)∕(\ensuremath{\Delta}a∕a)\ensuremath{\approx}3\text{\char21{}}4]$, with a 100 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C change in temperature being roughly equivalent to 0.2 GPa pressure. It might be then inferred that changes in atom position parameters are also the same, but this is not the case. While the effects of temperature on the atom positions are essentially what one might expect, the effects of pressure are surprising. With increasing pressure, the thickness of the $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ layer increases, due to the combined effects of an increasing Co-O bond length and changes in the O-Co-O angles of the $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{6}$ octahedra. We conclude that this unusual effect results from pressure-induced strengthening of the hydrogen bonding between the ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}{({\mathrm{D}}_{2}\mathrm{O})}_{4x}$ layers and the $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ layers. The strengthening of these hydrogen bonds requires that charge be moved from elsewhere in the structure; hence, there is a pressure-induced charge redistribution that weakens (lengthens) the Co-O bonds and changes the electronic structure of the superconducting $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ layers.
Adipose tissue mobilization is unaffected by obesifying hypothalamic knife cuts.

Abstract Unilateral electrolytic lesions of the medial hypothalamus have previously been reported to spare starvation-induced lipid mobilization from the ipsilateral retroperitoneal fat pad. This suggests that deficient lipid mobilization contributes to the enhanced lipid deposition which results when such lesions are bilateral. In contrast, unilateral parasagittal hypothalamic knife cuts, which also obesify when bilateral, failed to prevent starvation-induced ipsilateral lipid mobilization. This finding indicates that impairment of neurally mediated lipid mobilization is probably neither a necessary nor a sufficient feature of hypothalamic obsesity.
The relationship between auditory recall and dysfluency in young stutterers

Abstract This study examined the relationship between auditory recall and dysfluent behavior in children. Subjects were 11 stutterers and 11 nonstutterers, ages 4.9–11.10. The Auditory Sequential Memory subtest of the ITPA and the Auditory Attention Span for Related Syllables subtest of the Detroit Test of Learning Aptitudes were administered to both groups. Results indicated that scores on the ITPA were not significantly different. Comparison of the group's scores on the DTLA were highly significant with the control group's scoring 35 months higher. After 6 months of therapy, six children in the experimental group were fluent. Posttests revealed no significant differences on the ITPA. On the DTLA, the experimental group's mean scores significantly increased by 13.9 months. The gain in auditory recall of meaningful material substantiated the hypothesized relationship between auditory recall and dysfluency. This relationship was not viewed as causative of stuttering; data were interpreted as evidence that increased fluency allows children to use previously suppressed linguistic data.
Brazilians and the 1990 United States Census: Immigrants, Ethnicity, and the Undercount

Two issues involved in the conduct of the 1990 United States census and its problematic final tally are the ethnic categories that were utilized and the enumeration of undocumented immigrants. The experience of Brazilian immigrants in New York City highlights these issues. The census categories hampered the ability of Brazilians to declare their ethnicity, a failing that almost certainly led to an undercount of this segment of the immigrant population. A significant but unknown percentage of Brazilian immigrants are undocumented. Factors that make it difficult to enumerate undocumented populations, including disinterest in the entire census enterprise and fear of detection by immigration authorities, also were responsible for the non-participation of many Brazilians in the 1990 census and for their subsequent undercount.
A heavy unstable fourth family neutrino and the τ-lifetime discrepancy

Abstract The existence of the fourth family heavy unstable neutrino ν 4 with m ν 4 > m τ and the dominant mixing angle ∥ U τ 4 ∥ 2 =0.042–0.10 is postulated from the present data on the lifetime and the leptonic branching ratios of the τ − . The fast decay of a heavy ν 4 makes it undetectable in present experiments, while the future detection at Z 0 factories is shown to be very promising, provided m ν 4 ⩽46 GeV. The contributions of this massive ν 4 and other fourth family fermions to the total decay widths of Z 0 and W ± are considered. If the 90% CL of the present UA2's data on λ z /λ w is valid, either the t-quark or ν 4 or both should be seen ( m t ⩽76 GeV or m ν 4 ⩽46 GeV in the near future. Neutrino counting via e + e − →γν ν is predicted to yield N ν =3. The mass of the fourth family charged lepton is predicted to be m L ⩽43 GeV if the prototype relation between the mixing angle and the mass eigenvalues is valid. The present UA1's bound on m L , m L ⩾41 GeV, is shown to be invalid, while the correct lower bound is the 25 GeV of TRISTAN, implying the likely possibility of detecting the fourth charged lepton L ± in the present and forthcoming e + e − colliders. These predictions can be tested in the near future at the Z 0 factories at SLC and LEP.
Extracellular Matrix as a Driver for Lung Regeneration

Extracellular matrix has manifold roles in tissue mechanics, guidance of cellular behavior, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. Over the past several decades, various pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that many connective tissues may be replaced and/or regenerated using suitable extracellular matrix scaffolds. More recently, decellularization of lung tissue has shown that gentle removal of cells can leave behind a "footprint" within the matrix that may guide cellular adhesion, differentiation and homing following cellular repopulation. Fundamental issues like understanding matrix composition and micro-mechanics remain difficult to tackle, largely because of a lack of available assays and tools for systematically characterizing intact matrix from tissues and organs. This review will critically examine the role of engineered and native extracellular matrix in tissue and lung regeneration, and provide insights into directions for future research and translation.
Validity of Temporal Measures as Proxies for Measuring Acculturation in Asian Indian Survey Respondents

There are few validated acculturation measures for Asian Indians in the U.S. We used the 2004 California Asian Indian Tobacco Survey to examine the relationship between temporal measures and eleven self-reported measures of acculturation. These items were combined to form an acculturation scale. We performed psychometric analysis of scale properties. Greater duration of residence in the U.S., greater percentage of lifetime in the U.S., and younger age at immigration were associated with more acculturated responses to the items for Asian Indians. Item-scale correlations for the 11-item acculturation scale ranged from 0.28–0.55 and internal consistency reliability was 0.73. Some support was found for a two-factor solution; one factor corresponding to cultural activities (α = 0.70) and the other to social behaviors (α = 0.59). Temporal measures only partially capture the full dimensions of acculturation. Our scale captured several domains and possibly two dimensions of acculturation.
Rocket-in-a-Duct Performance Analysis

An axisymmetric, 110 N class, rocket configured with a free expansion between the rocket nozzle and a surrounding duct was tested in an altitude simulation facility. The propellants were gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen and the hardware consisted of a heat sink type copper rocket firing through copper ducts of various diameters and lengths. A secondary flow of nitrogen was introduced at the blind end of the duct to mix with the primary rocket mass flow in the duct. This flow was in the range of 0 to 10% of the primary massflow and its effect on nozzle performance was measured. The random measurement errors on thrust and massflow were within +/-1%. One dimensional equilibrium calculations were used to establish the possible theoretical performance of these rocket-in-a-duct nozzles. Although the scale of these tests was small, they simulated the relevant flow expansion physics at a modest experimental cost. Test results indicated that lower performance was obtained at higher free expansion area ratios and longer ducts, while, higher performance was obtained with the addition of secondary flow. There was a discernable peak in specific impulse efficiency at 4% secondary flow. The small scale of these tests resulted in low performance efficiencies, but prior numerical modeling of larger rocket-in-a-duct engines predicted performance that was comparable to that of optimized rocket nozzles. This remains to be proven in large-scale, rocket-in-a-duct tests.
Atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with known sludge in the left atrial appendage

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is routinely used to assess for thrombus in the left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. However, little is known about the outcome of AF ablation in patients with documented LAA sludge. We hypothesize that AF ablation can be performed safely in a proportion of patients with sludge in the LAA and may have a significant benefit for these patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing AF ablation at New York University Langone Medical Center (NYULMC) from January 1st 2011 to June 30, 2013. Patients with sludge found on their TEE immediately prior to AF ablation were identified and followed for stroke, AF recurrence, procedural complications, major bleeding, or death. Among 1,076 patients who underwent AF ablation, 8 patients (mean age 69 ± 13 years; 75 % men) with sludge were identified. Patients with sludge in their LAA had no incidence of early or late occurrence of stroke during mean follow-up of 10 months. One patient had a left groin hematoma, and two patients had atrial tachycardias that needed a repeat ablation. TEE at the time of repeat ablation demonstrated the presence of spontaneous echo contrast (smoke) and resolution of sludge. There were no deaths. In a cohort of eight patients with LAA sludge who underwent AF ablation, no significant thromboembolic events occurred during or after the procedure. AF ablation can be performed safely and may be beneficial in these patients. Larger studies are warranted to better determine the most appropriate management route.
Noncontact Ultrasonic Sensing for Seam Tracking in Arc Welding Processes

A novel seam tracking technology based on high frequency ultrasound is developed in order to achieve high accuracy in weld seam identification. The transmission efficiency of the ultrasound is critical for obtaining a sufficient echo amplitude. Since the transmission efficiency is determined by the difference in impedance between the piezoelectric ceramic and air, match layers are designed to optimize the transmission efficiency by matching impedance. Since the air impedance depends on the density and velocity of the ultrasound, which both depend on the temperature, the optimization has been done for a wide bandwidth. Also, the receiving circuit is designed so that its resonance frequency matches the frequency of the ultrasound. As a result, the sensitivity of the noncontact ultrasonic sensor is improved 80-fold. By properly designing the focal length of the transducer, a high resolution ultrasound beam, 0.5 mm in diameter, is achieved. Based on the proposed sensing technology, a noncontact seam tracking system has been developed. Applications of the developed system in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and CO2 gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes show that a tracking accuracy of 0.5 mm is guaranteed despite the arc light, spatter, high temperature, joint configuration, small gap, etc.
Loss of cleavage at β'-site contributes to apparent increase in β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) secretion by β-secretase (BACE1)-glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) processing of amyloid precursor protein.

Several lines of evidence implicate lipid raft microdomains in Alzheimer disease-associated β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) production. Notably, targeting β-secretase (β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1)) exclusively to lipid rafts by the addition of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor to its ectodomain has been reported to elevate Aβ secretion. Paradoxically, Aβ secretion is not reduced by the expression of non-raft resident S-palmitoylation-deficient BACE1 (BACE1-4C/A (C474A/C478A/C482A/C485A)). We addressed this apparent discrepancy in raft microdomain-associated BACE1 processing of APP in this study. As previously reported, we found that expression of BACE1-GPI elevated Aβ secretion as compared with wild-type BACE1 (WTBACE1) or BACE1-4C/A. However, this increase occurred without any difference in the levels of APP ectodomain released following BACE1 cleavage (soluble APPβ), arguing against an overall increase in BACE1 processing of APP per se. Further analysis revealed that WTBACE1 cleaves APP at β- and β′-sites, generating +1 and +11 β-C-terminal fragments and secreting intact as well as N-terminally truncated Aβ. In contrast, three different BACE1-GPI chimeras preferentially cleaved APP at the β-site, mainly generating +1 β-C-terminal fragment and secreting intact Aβ. As a consequence, cells expressing BACE1-GPI secreted relatively higher levels of intact Aβ without an increase in BACE1 processing of APP. Markedly reduced cleavage at β′-site exhibited by BACE1-GPI was cell type-independent and insensitive to subcellular localization of APP or the pathogenic KM/NL mutant. We conclude that the apparent elevation in Aβ secretion by BACE1-GPI is mainly attributed to preferential cleavage at the β-site and failure to detect +11 Aβ species secreted by cells expressing WTBACE1.
Leptin Expression in Hypothalamic PVN Reverses Dietary Obesity and Hyperinsulinemia but Stimulates Ghrelin

BAGNASCO, MICHELA, MICHAEL G. DUBE, ADI KATZ, PUSHPA S. KALRA, AND SATYA P. KALRA. Leptin expression in hypothalamic PVN reverses dietary obesity and hyperinsulinemia but stimulates ghrelin. Obes Res. 2003;11:1463–1470. Objective: In order to circumvent the multiple peripheral effects of hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance, the efficacy of leptin transgene expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to reinstate the central energy homeostasis in obesity was examined. Research Methods and Procedures: A recombinant adenoassociated viral vector encoding either leptin (rAAV-lep) or green fluorescent protein (rAAV-GFP) was microinjected into the PVN of obesity-prone rats consuming a high-fat diet (HFD). Results: rAAV-lep, and not rAAV-GFP, microinjection significantly reduced energy intake and enhanced energy expenditure, thereby resulting in normalization of weight and blood levels of leptin, insulin, free fatty acids, and glucose concomitant with enhanced ghrelin secretion during the extended period of observation. Discussion: Thus, we show, for the first time, that amelioration of leptin insufficiency with enhanced localized leptin availability in the PVN alone can reverse dietary obesity and the attendant hyperinsulinemia and concurrently block the central stimulatory effects of elevated endogenous ghrelin on food intake and adiposity.
Reliability of the behavior problem checklist with institutionalized male delinquents.

Interrater and 2-week test retest reliability coefficients were determined for subscales of the Behavior Problem Checklist on 50 males incarcerated in a state receiving facility for delinquent adolescents. Raters were 22 dormitory counselors, 2 of whom rated each child after 1 week and again after 3 weeks of observing the boys. Interrater reliability ranged from .06 to .68 on the various BPC subscales and was .50 overall, reflecting wide variation in the agreement of raters in rating boys on different dimensions. Test-retest reliability coefficients for the same rater at 2-week intervals were higher (.71 overall) and also varied among subscales. Raters were able to agree best on aggressive, acting-out behaviors. Other personality dimensions tapped by the BPC were rated with less reliability in this particular setting.
Applications of gamma ray angular correlations to the study of biological macromolecules in solution.

Applications of Gamma Ray Angular Correlations to the Study of Biological Macromolecules in Solution
Copper, copper alloys and the electron concentration concept

Abstract For a long time copper has been considered a one electron metal with a filled d-shell, thus being the first normal element after the transition metals. The properties of copper do not resemble those of the alkaline metals. It is shown that the properties and alloy behavior of the copper column metals are better accounted for if the filling of the d-shell is placed between copper and zinc, silver and cadmium, or gold and mercury leaving copper, silver, and gold as transition metals. The f.c.c. phase extending through the iron-cobalt-nickel-copper diagrams is limited by the breakdown of the d-bonding at about 38% zinc. Increasing the average number of electrons above this limit causes electrons to fill the d-shells in copper, nickel or other transition metals leaving one or zero outer electrons for the lattice control of the Hume-Rothery β, γ and ϵ phases.
Molecular Features of Community-Associated Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains in the United States

We characterized 30 community-associated extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates collected from five hospitals in the United States. Nineteen sequence types were identified. All sequence type 131 (ST131) isolates had the fimH30 allele. IncFII-FIA-FIB was the most common replicon type among the blaCTX-M-carrying plasmids, followed by IncFII-FIA and IncA/C. Restriction analysis of the IncFII-FIA-FIB and IncFII-FIA plasmids yielded related profiles for plasmids originating from different hospitals. The plasmids containing blaCTX-M or blaSHV were stably maintained after serial passages.
Probing the function of Asp128 in the low molecular weight protein-tyrosine phosphatase-catalyzed reaction. A pre-steady-state and steady-state kinetic investigation

The role of Asp128 in the catalytic mechanism of the low Mr protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been investigated by a combination of site-dir...
Optical measurements of the condensate phase

We propose a light-scattering scheme to measure the relative phase of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates and its diffusion rate. The proposal relies on the existence of two independent condensates coupled to a common excited state. To this end, we consider a two-well ground-state potential together with excited-state trap wave functions that extend over the whole region. When the first trap is driven by a weak monochromatic laser field, the light scattered from the second trap has a nonzero mean-electric field amplitude with a phase shift proportional to the difference of the condensate phases. When both condensates are driven, the phases of the two laser fields can be adjusted to cancel the scattering completely by a quantum interference. The particular value of the laser phase difference that gives zero scattering determines the relative phase of the two condensates.
Persistent Elevation of Plasma Insulin Levels Is Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Young Adults The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background Hyperinsulinemia has been considered to be a potent cardiovascular risk factor. The present investigation examines persistently elevated fasting insulin levels from childhood to young adulthood and its influence on cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and Results A longitudinal cohort was constructed from two cross-sectional surveys in a community-based population over an 8-year period: 1606 individuals (39% were black) aged 5 to 23 years participated in the first survey. Stability in rankings (persistence) of insulin levels was shown by the presence of significant correlations between year 1 and year 8 values (r=.23 to .36, P<.0001), with a greater magnitude in older subjects. Compared with subjects with levels of insulin consistently in the lowest quartile, those with levels always in the highest quartile showed higher (P<.001) levels of body mass index (+9 kg/m2), triglycerides (+58 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (+11 mg/dL), VLDL cholesterol (+8 mg/dL), glucose (+9 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure ...
Nonhomogeneous propellants as random media

Abstract We present a model for nonhomogeneous solid propellant combustion that treats the nonhomogeneity as a small random perturbation of a homogeneous deflagration. Our model is based on our previous work (Margolis and Armstrong, 1986) and, unlike most previous models which are quasi-steady and one dimensional, allows for a fully nonsteady, multidimensional response of the deflagration to both spatial and temporal nonhomogeneities. In one calculation, we assume a random spatial distribution for the solid pyrolysis rate coefficient and obtain fluctuation statistics for the burning propellant in terms of the statistics of the random propellant medium. In another calculation, we obtain the burning rate response to a deterministic external pressure fluctuation. Our results are particularly applicable to nitrocellulose/nitroglycerin propellants, which are typically “almost” homogeneous.
THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA GAME AND COOPERATION IN THE RAT

Cooperation in pairs of rats playing the prisoner's dilemma game was investigated. Six pairs of animals were taught to make either cooperative or uncooperative responses by running to one or the ot...
Cirrhosis of the liver in children

Summary Forty proved cases of cirrhosis from the records of The St. Louis Children's Hospital, have been classified and discussed. Clinical and pathologic findings have been outlined and brief comparison made with the picture in adults. Cirrhosis in children is rare, but not so rare as has been supposed. Defined as a diffuse fibrosis of the liver, it can be brought about in a variety of ways, some of which depend upon inheritance and some upon major derangement in some other organ system. The classification used here is etiologic in general; its limitations are those of the material at hand, which, although unusually large, is not representative of all known forms of the disease. Obstructive biliary cirrhosis is due almost always to congenital anatomicanomaly. Clinically it is distinguished by an obstructive type of jaundice in the newborn infant and pathologically by interlobular fibrosis, bile stasis, and moderate inflammatory infiltration. Nodular cirrhosis usually develops in childhood rather than in infancy, andis insidious in onset. Jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly are the most constant findings. The atrophic stage is rare. The liver shows extensive perilobular fibrosis, focal regeneration, and mononuclear cell infiltration without bile stasis. Cirrhosis is a rare sequela of erythroblastosis fetalis. In addition to theusual clinical and pathologic findings of erythroblastosis there is diffuse fibrosis of the liver. Congestive cirrhosis is the result of repeated severe passive congestion ofthe liver that alternates with periods of relative compensation. Clinically it is overshadowed by the primary disease of the heart. The excess fibrous tissue is central to the lobule rather than diffuse or peripheral. Hyperemia and dilatation of the sinusoids are typical. The liver is enlarged rather than shrunken. Hepatic vein thrombosis as a cause of congestive cirrhosis is rare. A variety of toxins are capable of causing necrosis in the liver, which, ifit is not too extensive, is followed by fibrotic repair. There seems to be nothing distinctive about this sequence as it occurs in children. Two typical cases of hepatolenticular degeneration are described. So far as the liver is concerned they are indistinguishable from ordinary nodular cirrhosis. The incompleteness of our understanding of this field is emphasized by the presentation of seven unclassified cases which illustrate the difficulties in exact diagnosis.
Observations from the Analyses of Magnetic Field and AC Loss Distributions in the NHMFL 32 T All-Superconducting Magnet HTS Insert

A 17 T high-temperature superconducting two-coil magnet (insert) to be operated in a 15 T low-temperature superconducting multisection magnet (outsert) is the most demanding part of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory all-superconducting 32 T magnet system. The HTS coils are of the pancake type and to be wound with REBCO coated conductors/tapes manufactured by SuperPower, Inc. The distribution of AC losses in the HTS windings during the magnet charging/discharging process are computed and analyzed with due regard for the AC loss density dependence on the magnetic field and the field angle. The calculations are based on the measured magnetization of a representative sample against magnetic field and field angle. The results enable determination of heat load on the magnet and its cryogenic system. Since the magnet is of the pool-cooled type, a related helium vapor bubble problem can develop owing to the high field and field gradients, and the diamagnetic susceptibility of helium.
Comparative analysis of volatile metabolomics signals from melanoma and benign skin: a pilot study

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) as biomarkers of cancer is both promising and challenging. In this pilot study, we used an untargeted approach to compare volatile metabolomic signatures of melanoma and matched control non-neoplastic skin from the same patient. VOC from fresh (non-fixed) biopsied tissue were collected using the headspace solid phase micro extraction method (HS SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS). We applied the XCMS analysis platform and MetaboAnalyst software to reveal many differentially expressed metabolic features. Our analysis revealed increased levels of lauric acid (C12:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) in melanoma. The identity of these compounds was confirmed by comparison with chemical standards. Increased levels of these fatty acids are likely to be a consequence of up-regulated de novo lipid synthesis, a known characteristic of cancer. Increased oxidative stress is likely to cause an additional increase in lauric acid. Implementation of this study design on larger number of cases will be necessary for the future metabolomics biomarker discovery applications.