cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal temperature distribution in a 3D triple-layered skin structure embedded with artery and vein vasculature and induced by electromagnetic radiation

In hyperthermia cancer treatments, a crucial problem is keeping the temperature of the normal tissue surrounding the tumor below a certain threshold so as not to cause damage to the tissue. Thus, obtaining a temperature field of the entire treatment region is important to control the process. In this study we develop a model and a numerical method for obtaining an optimal temperature distribution in a triple-layered skin structure embedded with multi-level blood vessels. The heat is induced by electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The dimensions and blood flow of multi-level blood vessels are determined based on the constructal theory.
Growth Characteristics of Bifidobacteria in Infant Formulas

Four species of bifidobacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum (ATCC 15696), Bifidobacterium breve (ATCC 15700), Bifidobacterium infantis (ATCC 15697), and Bifidobacterium longum (ATCC 15708), were grown anaerobically at 37 degrees C in lactobacilli MRS broth with 0.5% cysteine-HC1 and inoculated at 2.5% into three types of infant formula (based on soy, or milk, or casein hydrolysate) and in nonfat milk followed by incubation at 37 degrees C for 24 h. In most cases, the logarithmic phase of growth for all species varied from the first 8 to 12 h postinoculation. Generation times for B. longum and B. breve were similar, and times for B. infantis were shortest, in all of the formulas. Trends for lactic acid production for all species in all the formulas were similar to trends for acetic acid production. Counts for formulas based on soy or milk were similar for all species except B. bifidum, and those for casein-hydrolyzed formula were always lowest for all species except B. bifidum, for which count was maximal with the formula based on soy. Results suggest that growth characteristics of bifidobacteria in infant formula were species specific and formula dependent and that growth was maximal in the formula based on milk.
Educational Expectations and School Achievement of Urban African American Children

Abstract The mechanisms used to convey parents' and teachers' educational expectations for the academic achievement of low-income African American children were explored using data from the Chicago Longitudinal Study. A total of 712 children were studied. A model of mediated effects was used to test the processes of influence from parents' and teachers' expectations to sixth-grade outcomes. Children's perceptions of expectations were hypothesized to mediate the effect of expectations to school outcomes. Study findings revealed that these perceptions only partially mediated the effects of expectations to sixth-grade reading and math outcomes, yet added unique independent variance to these outcomes. Prior achievement emerged as a powerful mediator of the effects of early educational intervention and sociodemographic variables to sixth-grade outcomes. These findings suggest a need to further investigate the processes of communicating parent and teacher expectations.
The Kinematic Composition of Mg II Absorbers

The study of galaxy evolution using quasar absorption lines requires an understanding of what components of galaxies and their surroundings are contributing to the absorption in various transitions. This paper considers the kinematic composition of the class of 0.4 < z < 1.0 Mg II absorbers, particularly addressing the question of what fraction of this absorption is produced in halos and what fraction arises from galaxy disks. We design models with various fractional contributions from radial infall of halo material and from a rotating thick disk component. We generate synthetic spectra from lines of sight through model galaxies and compare the resulting ensembles of Mg II profiles with the 0.4 ≤ z ≤ 1.0 sample observed with the Keck Telescope HIRES. We apply a battery of statistical tests and find that pure disk and pure halo models can be ruled out, but that various models with rotating disk and infall/halo contributions can produce an ensemble that is nearly consistent with the data. A discrepancy in all models that we considered requires the existence of a kinematic component intermediate between halo and thick disk. The variety of Mg II profiles can be explained by the gas in disks and halos of galaxies being not very much different than galaxies in the local Universe. In any one case, there is considerable ambiguity in diagnosing the kinematic composition of an absorber from the low-ionization high-resolution spectra alone. Future data will allow galaxy morphologies, impact parameters and orientations, Fe II/Mg II of clouds, and the distribution of high-ionization gas to be incorporated into the kinematic analysis. Combining all these data will permit a more accurate diagnosis of the physical conditions along the line of sight through the absorbing galaxy.
Compound heterozygous mutations in the SUR1 (ABCC 8) subunit of pancreatic KATP channels cause neonatal diabetes by perturbing the coupling between Kir6.2 and SUR1 subunits

KATP channels regulate insulin secretion by coupling β-cell metabolism to membrane excitability. These channels are comprised of a pore-forming Kir6.2 tetramer which is enveloped by four regulatory SUR1 subunits. ATP acts on Kir6.2 to stabilize the channel closed state while ADP (coordinated with Mg2+) activates channels via the SUR1 domains. Aberrations in nucleotide-binding or in coupling binding to gating can lead to hyperinsulinism or diabetes. Here, we report a case of diabetes in a 7-mo old child with compound heterozygous mutations in ABCC8 (SUR1[A30V] and SUR1[G296R]). In unison, these mutations lead to a gain of KATP channel function, which will attenuate the β-cell response to increased metabolism and will thereby decrease insulin secretion. 86Rb+ flux assays on COSm6 cells coexpressing the mutant subunits (to recapitulate the compound heterozygous state) show a 2-fold increase in basal rate of 86Rb+ efflux relative to WT channels. Experiments on excised inside-out patches also reveal a slight increase in activity, manifested as an enhancement in stimulation by MgADP in channels expressing the compound heterozygous mutations or homozygous G296R mutation. In addition, the IC50 for ATP inhibition of homomeric A30V channels was increased ~6-fold, and was increased ~3-fold for both heteromeric A30V+WT channels or compound heterozygous (A30V +G296R) channels. Thus, each mutation makes a mechanistically distinct contribution to the channel gain-of-function that results in neonatal diabetes, and which we predict may contribute to diabetes in related carrier individuals.
Electrical resistance to earth of a tree

LIVE TREES are frequently struck by lightning with varying degrees of injury, from bark wounds that may heal so well in a few years that unnoticeable scars are left — to splitting and shattering of the trunk or extreme blasting of the bark, that results in early death of the tree. It is well known in high-voltage laboratories that extremely dry wood is none too reliable for use in surge voltage demonstrations where, as a stunt, one wishes to split wood by means of a high-voltage surge discharge. It was thought that the electrical resistance characteristics of a live tree might play an important role relative to lightning damage. Because values of the electrical resistivity of green (live) wood were not found in a library, it seemed that it might be worthwhile to make measurements on trees adjacent to and similar to a tulip tree, about 100 feet tall, that had been almost mortally wounded by a lightning stroke.
Stable Isotopes from Marine Shells, Ancient Environments, and Human Subsistence on Middle Holocene Santa Rosa Island, California, USA

ABSTRACT We report the analysis of stable isotopes on a suite of marine and estuarine shellfish, along with faunal data, from a Middle Holocene red abalone midden (CA-SRI-191) on Santa Rosa Island, California. Our research suggests that people harvested red abalones, mussels, and estuarine shellfish at about 6000 cal BP. Later in time around 4300 cal BP, people relied on California mussel and sea urchin with only trace amounts of red abalone and no estuarine taxa. Analyses of stable oxygen isotopes from California mussel, red and black abalone, and Venus clam shells indicate that a significant change in sea surface temperatures (SST; ∼2°C) between the two occupations is the primary cause for this discrepancy. Differences between the isotopic values of California mussel and black and red abalone shells from the same strata also suggest that people were probably diving in fairly shallow waters for red abalone rather than obtaining them from the intertidal zone. Our research and other studies in the region s...
Temporal trends in gastrointestinal bleeding associated with percutaneous coronary intervention: analysis of the 1998-2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Background Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Methods The NIS database from 1998 to 2006 was used to identify 1,216,759 PCIs performed for ACS and CAD. We sought to analyze temporal trends in the incidence and in-hospital outcomes of GIB associated with PCI along with its predictors. Results The overall incidence of GIB was 1.04% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02%-1.06%). The incidence of GIB decreased over the study period ( P for trend P P P = .0002), esophageal cancer (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.08-3.69; P = .0288), colon cancer (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.43-2.02; P P P Conclusions Although the incidence of GIB associated with PCI decreased from 1998 to 2006 in the face of aggressive therapies for ACS and CAD, the risk of GIB-associated death remained high. Underlying GI malignancy is a significant independent predictor of GIB associated with PCI; identifying these patients may reduce the rate of GIB.
Forward-backward semiclassical dynamics for systems of indistinguishable particles

Abstract Forward–backward semiclassical dynamics (FBSD) in conjunction with an accurate path integral (PI) description of the density operator provides an accurate, yet practical methodology for simulating important quantum mechanical effects in the dynamics of many-particle systems. In this paper we extend the FBSD methodology to systems of indistinguishable bosons or fermions. Test applications on model systems solvable by numerically exact basis set methods demonstrate that FBSD allows accurate descriptions of the dynamics in fluids characterized by quantum statistics. Specifically, the PI-FBSD methodology successfully captures the frequency shift and spectral narrowing associated with Bose–Einstein condensation. The methodology is also applied to a Lennard-Jones fluid of identical bosons.
Use of stable isotopes in studies on the metabolism of amphetamine (1)

Abstract Microsomal coincubation of 1,1,1-2H3-amphetamine and unlabelled N-hydroxyamphetamine yielded 2H-incorporation into recovered N-hydroxyamphetamine. The mole fraction of 2H in recovered phenylacetone was always close to but less than one, indicating that N-hydroxyamphetamine is not a necessary intermediate in the formation of phenylacetone. However, coincubation of 2H-labelled hydroxylamine with unlabelled 2-nitro-1-phenylpropane indicated an incorporation of 2H into both recovered nitro compound and phenylacetone. Some phenylacetone is thus formed from the nitro metabolite. Similar experiments showed phenylacetone oxime not to be a necessary intermediate in the conversion of hydroxylamine to the nitro compound. Incubation of phenyl-labelled (2H) phenylacetone gave 5 deuterium-labelled metabolites, including small quantities of labelled benzoic acid, indicating that it is a true though minor metabolite.
Perceptions of justice: Clientele evaluations of conflict adjustment by a utility regulatory agency

During the past 15 years social psychological research on justice has evaluated hypotheses about linkages among various personal and institutional attributes and variables like outcome favorability and perceptions of procedural and distributive justice in decision-making contexts. This article reexamines hypotheses and findings about procedural and distributive justice using data from the dispute adjustment process used by a state regulatory agency. This study differs from any previous studies of perceptions of justice in two respects. First, the study employs data about the perceptions ofboth sides of a disputing experience before a public authority. Second, rather than using multiple regression and path analysis as in many past studies, we illustrate the value of hierarchical log-linear analysis as an analytical technique. The data analyzed through loglinear analysis permit us to reconsider previous conclusions about the procedural neutrality and participation in dispute adjustment and the linkage of these concepts to the legitimacy of the political regime.
Distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy: comparison of postoperative outcomes and surrogates of splenic function

Objectives Published data on splenic preservation during distal pancreatectomy have been inconsistent. We hypothesized that patients undergoing spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) would have fewer infectious and non-infectious complications than those undergoing en bloc distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS), and that their haematological parameters would be consistent with splenic function.
Translucency of Dental Porcelains

The translucency of comparable shades of five dental porcelains was determined. Both direct transmittance and total transmittance were measured at wavelengths of 400 - 700 nm. For 1 mm of porcelain, the values for direct transmittance were low and averaged 0.13 percent, whereas the values for total transmittance averaged 26.8 percent. Transmittance increased with increasing incident wavelength. These results indicated a high degree of light scattering.
Neonatal Adrenal Hemorrhage: Clinical and Abdominal Sonographic Findings

Four neonates with adrenal hemorrhage are presented. The clinical manifestations included most often an abdominal mass but also anemia, jaundice, hypotension, bluish discoloration of the scrotum, and abdominal calcification. The diagnosis was established in each case upon abdominal sonographic findings. The review of these patients emphasizes the subtle and diverse clinical presentation of adrenal hemorrhage in a neonate and stresses the importance of abdominal sonography in establishing the diagnosis.
Deflation of conjugate gradients with applications to boundary value problems

A method for improving the convergence of the standard conjugate gradient method is given. This method involves the use of auxiliary subspaces It is shown how such subspaces may be constructed for boundary value problems and an analysis of convergence for second order problems is presented.
Immunohistochemical diagnosis of protozoan parasites in lesions of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.

asite also differed structurally from Caryospora sp. because gamonts were not found and schizonts and merozoites were much larger than those of Caryospora sp. In structure, the parasite in the present case resembles the Sarcocystis parasite that causes fatal encephalomyelitis in horses, cattle, and sheep. Although the central nervous system in the infected dog was not examined, its litter-mate died of protozoan encephalomyelitis. 4 Acknowledgements. We thank John Jenkins and Eva Kovats for technical assistance. Montana State University, Agricultural Experiment Station Journal series No. 525847.
ASSAY OF POSTERIOR PITUITARY FACTORS WHICH CONTRACT THE LACTATING MAMMARY GLAND12

IN 1910, Ott and Scott (1,2) discovered that the injection of an extract of the posterior lobe of the pituitary into a lactating goat caused the contraction of theglands and the discharge of milk. These results were quickly confirmed with lactating cats and dogs (3), with dairy cattle (4) and with women (5). As is the case of other effects of the posterior pituitary extracts, there has long been a question whether the factors involved were true hormones and played a normal role in the removal of milk at nursing or milking time or whether pituitrin had only a pharmacological action on certain types of smooth muscle including those present in the mammary gland. It has been known for many years that the injection of pituitrin causes the contraction of the mammary gland and permits the removal of milk which is otherwise unavailable (6).
Black Superintendents on Educating Black Students in Separate and Unequal Contexts.

The negative consequences of school desegregation on Black families, educators, and communities in the US are well documented in education research today. The purpose of this article is to examine the experiential knowledge and wisdom of practice of former Black school superintendents who attended all Black segregated schools and led desegregated school districts. Using critical race theory as a methodological and analytical framework, I seek to advance our understanding of how the positive aspects of valued segregated schools can improve Black education today. Findings include Black superintendent reflections of and calls to action concerning separate and unequal schooling contexts according to the following constituencies: the Black community, the Black parent, the Black teacher, and the Black student. Building on the participant directives for political engagement and community-based activism, I conclude with a discussion about transforming Black education through a political race project aimed to resist educational inequities, advance racial justice, and promote social change in education.
Reduction of aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption for tractor-trailer vehicles

Wind-tunnel tests were performed on a scale model of a cab-over-engine tractor-trailer vehicle and several modifications of the model. Results from two of the model configurations were compared with full-scale drag data obtained from similar configurations during coast-down tests. Reductions in fuel consumption derived from these tests are presented in terms of fuel quantity and dollar savings per vehicle year, based on an annual driving distance of 160,900 km (100,000 mi.). The projected savings varied from 13,001 (3435) to 25,848 (6829) liters (gallons) per year which translated to economic savings from $3435 to about $6829 per vehicle year for an operating speed of 88.5 km/h (55 mph) and wind speeds near the national average of 15.3 km/h (9.5 mph). The estimated cumulative fuel savings for the entire U.S. fleet of cab-over-engine tractor, van-type trailer combinations ranged from 4.18 million kl (26.3 million bbl) per year for a low-drag configuration to approximately twice that amount for a more advanced configuration.
Light heavy-fermions in Zn and Ni doped 123 Cu-O superconductors

Abstract The temperature dependence of the specific heat C(T) has been measured for YBa2(Cu1−xMx)3O7 (YBCO) with M = Zn and Ni and 1.2 λ LT = C(T) T at T = 1.5 K reaching values of 100–150 mJ⧸mol K2 for modest Zn and Ni doping. This γLT dependency for Zn doped YBCO has been associated with a localization of d-holes within the CuO2 planes caused by a disorder induced disruption of hybridization within the planes.
Hybrid Method for Determining the Fraction of Plastic Work Converted to Heat

The fraction of plastic work converted to heat is typically measured either by nearly isothermal experiments, in which the thermal energy is measured during a deformation experiment with a calorimeter, or by adiabatic experiments, in which the thermal energy is determined from the temperature rise, measured either during the test or immediately after the test by dropping the sample into a calorimeter. In the present work, the temperature is measured with a single fine-wire thermocouple. The restriction to adiabatic loadings is relaxed by using a hybrid method that combines the measurements with finite difference simulations to calculate the heat losses that occur during the test. These heat losses are then accounted for in the final energy balance to determine the fraction of plastic work converted to heat. The method is applied to annealed 302 stainless steel. The results show that the fraction of plastic work converted to heat is a decreasing function ranging from 0.7 to 0.4 over a tensile strain range of 0 to 0.15. An analysis of the restrictions to this method and of the potential errors is given.
The role of n-3 fatty acids in visual and cognitive development; Current evidence and methods of assessment

Low levels of dietary n-3 fatty acids during development lead to changes in the electroretinogram and visual acuity in rats, monkeys, and human infants. Additional aspects of vision can be measured in infants and may provide further useful information about the nature of the changes induced by n-3 fatty acid deficiency and their potential long-term relevance for formula-fed human infants. Several tests are available to assess the development of specific cognitive functions such as visual recognition and short-term memory. These measures can provide information that is not now available to test the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids are important for other aspects of neural function, including intellectual or cognitive development.
Identification of intra- and interspecific Leishmania genetic polymorphisms by arbitrary primed polymerase chain reactions and use of polymorphic DNA to identify differentially regulated genes.

Arbitrary primed polymerase chain reactions (AP-PCR) were used to amplify different polymorphic genomic DNA fragments from various Old WorldLeishmania species. Using four 10-mer AP primers, geographic isolates ofL. donovani and various Old World species ofLeishmania could be readily distinguished from one another by the pattern of amplified DNA products. Our studies confirmed two important characteristics of AP-PCR: its abilities to amplify a consistent pattern of DNA fragments from the genomes of different isolates of a single species and to identify genetic polymorphisms between the species isolates. We selected three polymorphic DNA fragments that differentiateL. donovani geographic isolates for further analysis. Sequence analysis of the clones derived from these three polymorphic fragments revealed eight unique sequences. Six of eight unique clones hybridized to distinct RNAs upon Northern-blot analysis. Three of these six clones hybridized to RNAs expressed differentially in in vitro grownL. donovani pro- and “amastigotes”. One of the differentially expressed clones, LdE-6-1, exhibited restriction length polymorphisms that distinguishedL. donovani fromL. tropica andL. major. Comparative Northern blotting revealed that LdE-6-1 was differentially expressed in some members of theL. donovani species complex but not inL. major orL. tropica. These results demonstrate that AP-PCR can be used to generate products reflecting particular genes in organisms with low-complexity genomes.
PREVALENCE OF VIABLE TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN BEEF, CHICKEN, AND PORK FROM RETAIL MEAT STORES IN THE UNITED STATES: RISK ASSESSMENT TO CONSUMERS

The prevalence of viable Toxoplasma gondii was determined in 6,282 samples (2,094 each of beef, chicken, and pork) obtained from 698 retail meat stores from 28 major geographic areas of the United States. Each sample consisted of a minimum of 1 kg of meat purchased from the retail meat case. To detect viable T. gondii, meat samples were fed to T. gondii-free cats and feces of cats were examined for oocyst shedding. Initially, 100 g of meat from 6 individual samples of a given species were pooled (total, 600 g), fed to a cat over a period of 3 days, and feces were examined for oocysts for 14 days; the remaining meat samples were stored at 4 C for 14 days (until results of the initial cat fecal examination were known). When a cat fed pooled samples had shed oocysts, 6 individual meat samples from each pool were bioassayed for T. gondii in cats and mice. Toxoplasma gondii isolates were then genetically characterized using the SAG2 locus and 5 hypervariable microsatellite loci. In all, 7 cats fed pooled pork samples shed oocysts. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were detected microscopically in the feces of 2 of the cats; 1 isolate was Type II and the second was Type III. Analyzed individually, T. gondii was detected by bioassay in 3 of the 12 associated samples with genetic data indicating T. gondii isolates present in 2. The remaining 5 pooled pork samples had so few oocysts that they were not initially detected by microscopic examination, but rather by mouse bioassay of cat feces. Two were Type I, 1 was Type II, and 2 were Type III. None of the cats fed chicken or beef samples shed oocysts. Overall, the prevalence of viable T. gondii in retail meat was very low. Nevertheless, consumers, especially pregnant women, should be aware that they can acquire T. gondii infection from ingestion of undercooked meat, and in particular, pork. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 66 C kills T. gondii.
A Novel Copper-Mediated DNA Base Pair

DNA encodes information in the sequence of the four deoxynucleotides dA, dT, dG, and dC. The key element for information storage and retrieval in this four-letter alphabet involves selective hydrogen bonding in the complementary base pairs dA:dT and dG:dC. Are these universal bases a unique structural solution for the genetic code, or are there other base pairing schemes that can be incorporated into DNA? To address this question, we and others have begun to synthesize and evaluate base pairs with alternate pairing interactions. The ability to generate additional such pairs would not only increase the capacity of DNA for information storage 1 but would also allow the replication of DNA containing novel functional groups. 2 In addition, nucleic acids completely built out of artificial base pairs could lead to novel polymers with interesting chemical and physical properties. Efforts to expand the genetic alphabet have focused largely on two strategies: hydrogen bonding patterns different from those in dA:dT and dG:dC 3 and hydrophobic packing interactions. 4,5 Here we describe a new strategy which is based on the metaldependent pairing of two nucleobases. 6,7 We have designed a base
Pulsatile spinal cord surrogate for intradural neuromodulation studies

We have designed, built and tested a novel spinal cord surrogate that mimics the low-amplitude cardiac-driven pulsations of the human spinal cord, for use in developing intradural implants to be used in a novel form of neuromodulation for the treatment of intractable pain and motor system dysfunction. The silicone surrogate has an oval cross section, 10 mm major axis × 6 mm minor axis, and incorporates a 3 mm diameter × 3 cm long angioplasty balloon that serves as the pulsation actuator. When pneumatically driven at 1 Hz and 1.5 atmospheres (≈ 1140 mm Hg), the surrogate's diametric pulsation is ≈ 100 μm, which corresponds well to in vivo observations. The applications for this surrogate are presented and discussed.
Use of a polytetrafluoroethylene graft to prevent recurrence of saphenous vein graft aneurysm after coronary artery bypass grafting

From the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Disclosures: Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication Jan 31, 2013; accepted for publication Feb 13, 2013; available ahead of print March 8, 2013. Address for reprints: Eric E. Roselli, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 9500 Euclid Ave, Desk J4-1, Cleveland, OH 44195 (E-mail: roselle@ccf.org). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2013;145:1674-5 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2013 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2013.02.033
Swine flu, pandemics, and critical care

The recent discovery of a new strain of swine flu (officially known as Influenza A /H1N1/ Mexico City 2009) and the ensuing epidemic demonstrates the collective vulnerability of humankind to pandemic spread of respiratory viruses. We have been planning for pandemic influenza for decades and it is now upon us. This new strain is a hybrid virus with its major surface hemagglutinin antigen sequences derived from swine, human and avian flu sources. This new virus is highly communicable by human-to-human transmission; fortunately, at least thus far, it appears to have relatively low pathogenecity potential with an overall low mortality rate in the single digits. The enlarging pandemic is centered primarily in young, healthy, adolescent populations. This segment of the population is typically high mobile and exposed to crowded environments (schools, social gatherings, traveling) and is infrequently immunized with annual influenza vaccines. The degree of protection afforded by previous vaccination with prior Influenza A H1N1 strain antigens is currently the matter of some debate.
Predicting solubilities of vinyl polymers

Accurate solubility limits of polymers are best expressed by molecular weight fractionation curves. Individual curves may be obtained for each polymer–solvent (–nonsolvent) system. A method for predicting solubility behavior, based on solubility parameter δ and hydrogen bonding index γ, is proposed here. The correlation is of the form where [η] = intrinsic viscosity of precipitated polymer; T = absolute temperature; (v.f.) = volume fraction of solvent; R = (δs − δn) − 0.3(γs − γn); Q = (γp − γe)2.2/(δp − δe); p refers to polymer; s refers to solvent; n refers to nonsolvent; e refers to solvent system at theta temperature; and a,b,c, and k are fitted constants. The correlation was derived from data for poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and polyacrylamide. It probably is limited to systems in which the precipitate occurs as a liquid.
Assessment of Physical Stability of an Antibody Drug Conjugate by Higher Order Structure Analysis: Impact of Thiol- Maleimide Chemistry

Purpose To provide a systematic biophysical approach towards a better understanding of impact of conjugation chemistry on higher order structure and physical stability of an antibody drug conjugate (ADC).
The journey through grief: insights from a qualitative study of electronic health record implementation.

Objective To improve understanding of facilitators of EHR system implementation, paying particular attention to opportunities to maximize physician adoption and effective deployment.
Resveratrol Mimics Ischemic Preconditioning in the Brain

Recent studies in a variety of species including mammals showed that resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4''-trihydroxystibene) treatment and caloric restriction increased silent information regulator 2/sirtuin 1 activity, which mediated increase in life span/cell survival. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phytoalexin and a well-documented cardioprotective agent. Similarly, ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to be both cardio- and cerebroprotective against subsequent ischemic insults. A major emphasis in this field is to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate this phenomenon. The goal of this study was to define whether resveratrol can emulate IPC neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia. Employing an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia, the organotypic hippocampal slice culture, we report that resveratrol pretreatment mimics IPC via the SIRT1 pathway. Blockade of SIRT1 activation by sirtinol after IPC or resveratrol pretreatment abolished their neuroprotection. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which resveratrol induces ischemic tolerance in a prophylactic manner may provide a novel therapy against stroke or neurosurgical procedures.
Energetics of reactions of O−aq and of O−-transfer reactions between radicals

Abstract Free energies of formation of various free radicals such as O−aq, CO-3aq, CO−2aq, and X−2aq (X  Cl, Br and I) have been derived and used to calculate standard potentials of radicals and free energies of their reactions. O−aq is an oxidizing radical with a potential E 0 ( O − aq +H 2 O 2OH - aq )= 1.9V , i.e. electron pick-up is accompanied by simultaneous breakage of a water molecule in the hydration shell. Water is also decomposed in the reaction between two O−aq radicals, HO2− + OH− being much more probable products than O+2OH−. O−aq is almost as strong a hydrogen atom abstracting radical as the hydroxyl radical. CO−3aq can denote O− to various radicals. These reactions may occur directly or via a complex that hydrolyses. O− -transfer occurs in competition with electron transfer from the substrate radical to CO−3aq. Transfer of O− from CO−2aq or HCO3aq radicals to form carbon monoxide is strongly exoergic. The formation of CO in the radiolysis of acid solutions of formate is explained by O−-transfer between the intermediate radicals. O−-transfer from a radical to an electrode is also considered.
Radiative Absorption in a Hollow Cylinder: Application to Microstructured Optical Fiber Fabrication

Radiation absorption of an infinitely long hollow cylinder with Fresnel boundary is studied using the ray tracing method. Since the radiative heat transfer is the dominant heat transfer mode in optical fiber drawing, the current radiative transfer model can provide insights into physical processes for microstructured optical fiber fabrication. Effects of refractive index, optical thickness and geometry on radiative heat transfer are studied. The results of this study can also serve as benchmark solutions for radiative heat transfer for other methods, such as the finite volume method and the discrete ordinates method for participating media with Fresnel boundary.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Global Quantitation of Solvent Effects on the Isomerization Thermodynamics of 1,2-Dichloroethane and trans-1,2-Dichlorocyclohexane

The conformational equilibrium of the trans-gauche isomerization of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and the axial, axial−equatorial, equatorial isomerization of trans-1,2-dichlorocyclohexane (T12D), both dissolved in diethyl ether, are studied using Raman spectroscopy. The C−Cl stretch band areas of the two conformers are measured as a function of temperature and pressure. The resulting area ratios, calibrated against NMR measurements, are used to globally quantitate the complete set of isomerization thermodynamic functions in solution, as well as the corresponding solvent excess contributions (by comparison with vapor-phase results). The effects of pressure on the two isomerization processes are found to be opposite in sign, as the polar isomer (gauche) of DCE is favored at high pressure and low temperature, while the more polar (equatorial, equatorial) form of T12D is driven in the opposite direction. The excess enthalpy (and energy) of reaction is negative for both reactions, while the reaction volume is nega...
High frequency impedance spectroscopy on ZnO nanorod arrays

The radio-frequency (rf)-to-microwave impedance spectra of solution grown ZnO nanorods have been measured from 0.1 to 50 GHz using vector network analysis. To increase interaction with rf/microwave fields, the nanorods were assembled by dielectrophoresis into arrays on coplanar waveguides. The average complex impedance frequency response per nanorod in an array was accurately modeled as a simple three-element circuit composed of the inherent nanorod resistance in series with a parallel resistor-capacitor representing the contact. The nanorod resistance dominates at high frequencies while the contact impedance dominates at low frequencies, permitting a quantitative separation of contact effects from nanorod properties. The average inherent resistivity of a nanorod was found to be ∼10−2 Ω cm, indicating the nanorods were unintentionally highly doped. Accuracy of the inherent resistance measurement was limited by the highly conductive nature of the nanorods used and the upper limit of the experimental freque...
Hemodynamic Evaluation of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping in Man

Intra-aortic balloon pumping is effective in reducing left ventricular peak systolic pressure and increasing cardiac output in patients with severe cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Associated with these effects is a reduction in intravenous catecholamine requirements and increased sensitivity to diuretics. Reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is implied by improvement in arterial blood gas saturation (reduced arterioalveolar gradient) and was shown directly in one patient. Total myocardial oxygen consumption is probably reduced by counterpulsation. Platelet levels have not fallen significantly with adequate heparinization and the slow infusion of low molecular weight dextran. No complications have occurred related to femoral artery cannulation, nor has there been significant damage to the aorta. The findings suggest that this system is a safe means of assisting the failing left ventricle. The high mortality in this series (seven of eight patients) is related to t...
Tacit collusion in differentiated cournot games

Abstract In a simple oligopoly with quantity setting firms, we analyze the conditions under which more product differentiation makes tacit collusion easier. It is found that the net effect can go either way.
A Structural Investigation of Ga3−xIn5+xSn2O16

The structure of the recently reported transparent conductor, Ga3−xIn5+xSn2O16(0.3<x<1.6), was established by a combination of high-resolution electron microscopy, convergent-beam electron diffraction, and Rietveld analysis of powder diffraction data (X-ray and time-of-flight neutron methods). This “T-phase” compound has an anion-deficient fluorite-derivative structure whose space group isI41/a. Although there are similarities to the parent oxide structures, the T-phase lacks one of the distorted InO6octahedra observed in In2O3, which may account for its inability to be donor-doped by Sn.
Sampling improvements in atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is being used as a routein method to determine sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and many other metallic elements in oils, fats, milk and other substances. Copper and iron can be measured directly in milk without sample preparation. When highly acidified samples are run, a new plastic-lined nebulizer is useful to prevent spurious results due to corrosion. A new sampling device, the Graphite Furnace, can analyze extremely small samples and gives detection limits in the picogram (10−12 g) range.
Inhibition of Experimental Dental Caries by Antibiotics

A variety of antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents were tested for their ability to inhibit the development of dental caries in Sprague-Dawley rats receiving the drugs in a coarse-particle sucrose-containing diet. Drugs which inhibit gram-positive microorganisms were effective inhibitors of caries, whereas agents which are active solely against gram-negative bacteria did not inhibit caries development. In vivo efficacy of the agents tested generally, but not invariably, paralleled in vitro inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus mutans strain FA-1, an organism which was isolated from carious Sprague-Dawley rats and which is known to induce caries in gnotobiotic Sprague-Dawley rats. Caries was significantly inhibited when 1-ephenamine penicillin (20 units/mg) was administered intermittently in the diet, 1 day per week or 1 week of every 4 weeks, but protection against caries was greatest when the same amount of the drug was fed continuously.
Hypoxic cell death in the human NT2-N neuronal cell line. Involvement of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors 1758

Hypoxic cell death in the human NT2-N neuronal cell line. Involvement of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors 1758
Evaluating calibrations of normal incident pyrheliometers

When an Eppley Normal Incident Pyrheliometer is calibrated against an Eppley Hickey Frieden Absolute Cavity Radiometer, the instrument systematically deviates from the absolute cavity readings. The reason for this deviation is not understood. Comparisons are made between one pyrheliometer and an absolute cavity radiometer on selected clear days over a period of 8 months in Eugene, Oregon. The ratios of the readings from the two instruments are correlated against wind speed, pressure, temperature, relative humidity, beam intensity, and zenith angle to determine if any of these parameters statistically influence the calibration process. Wind speed, pressure, beam intensity, and air mass are shown to be statistically significant factors in determining the responsivity of the normal incident pyrheliometer. The results of these tests are evaluated and discussed. Use of air mass instead of zenith angle is proposed for calibration reports.
Latent herpesvirus infection of tests and spinal ganglia of turkeys with semen abnormalities

The present study confirms that herpesviruses (LF) previously isolated from testes and buffy coat cells of male turkeys with semen abnormalities establish a latent infection in testicular cells. These experiments also present the first evidence that these herpesviruses are harbored latently in cells of spinal ganglia. One-week-old turkeys were inoculated with either the LF isolates or the prototype turkey herpesvirus FC 126; allowed to mature sexually through one breeding season and necropsied at one year of age. Persistent infections with all viral isolates were confirmed by repeated reisolation of the viruses from buffy coat cells and the development of specific precipitating antibodies. The herpesviruses were also isolated from several tissues by cocultivation on primary chick kidney cells. Primary testicular cells required subcultivation for the induction of viral replication. Latent viruses were demonstrated byin vitro explantation of testicular and spinal ganglion biopsies which, at the time of explantation, contained no detectable infectious virus, viral antigens or particles. After prolongedin vitro explantation of explants of testes and spinal ganglia tissue yielded infectious virus and viral antigens and particles were identified in outgrowing explant cells.
Polyacrylamide based ICG nanocarriers for enhanced fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging

Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDA approved tricarbocyanine dye. This dye, with a strong absorbance in the near infrared (NIR) region, has been extensively used for fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging in vivo. ICG in its free form, however, has a few drawbacks that limit its in vivo applications, such as non-targetability, tendency to form aggregates which changes its optical properties, fast degradation, short plasma lifetime and reduced fluorescence at body temperature. In order to bypass these inherent drawbacks, we demonstrate a polyacrylamide based nanocarrier that was particularly designed to carry the negatively charged ICG molecules. These nanocarriers are biodegradable, biocompatible and can be specifically targeted to any cell or tissue. Using these nanocarriers we avoid all the problems associated with free ICG, such as degradation, aggregation and short plasma lifetime, and also enhance demonstrate its ability towards photoacoustics and fluorescence imaging.
Optimal Sample Size Allocation in a Thorough QTc Study

It is important to calculate the proper sample size for a thorough QTc study to ensure adequate study power without enrolling unnecessary subjects. In current practice, at least two tasks need to be performed to rule out clinically relevant QT liability of the study drug: (a) demonstrate that the largest 90% two-sided upper confidence bound for the baseline-adjusted mean differences between the study drug and the placebo is less than 10 ms; and (b) establish assay sensitivity of the study. Traditionally, the sample size is determined by the primary task (a), and then subjects are equally assigned into each treatment arm. This practice might not be the most appropriate method. In this article, an optimal sample size allocation scheme is introduced and discussed.
Femtosecond laser micromachining for volume optics fabrication

A femtosecond laser is used to create a new type of volumetric diffractive optical element. The structured elements are designed to perform diffractive functions including pattern generation, and angular multiplexing.
Control theory inspired considerations of the mathematical models of defibrillation

One efficient approximate solution of the bidomain equations, which are used as a mathematical model of the heart tissue electrical properties, has been described. Moreover, the selected algorithm for discretization of partial differential equations, consisting of the method of separation of variables and modal analysis technique, results in the state space representation of cardiac electrical activities, which makes the model suitable for applications of modern control theory. Also, the finite-dimensional model reveals the connection to the older models of defibrillation - simple circuit equivalents. Finally, an optimal controller designed for the generalized version of a simple parallel resistor-capacitor circuit has been applied to one- and three-mode expansions of the bidomain model.
RETRIEVAL OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS FROM MOMENTS OF THE PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

Abstract A technique is described for efficient retrieval of families of smooth model distributions, such as lognormals or modified gammas, from the lower moments of the particle size distribution from which aerosol optical properties can be accurately computed. The Multiple Isomomental Distribution Aerosol Surrogate (MIDAS) technique, along with the quadrature technique of McGraw et al. (1995 Geophys. Res. Lett. 22 , 2929–2932), is evaluated by computing the extinction efficiency, asymmetry parameter, backscatter fraction, 180° backscattering cross section, upscatter fraction, mass scattering efficiency, and a direct shortwave forcing at 8 wavelengths for 28 test distributions derived from field observations of marine, continental, urban and stratospheric aerosols. For the 224 single wavelength evaluations with retrieved modified gammas the average magnitude of error for each of the computed optical properties was 2% or less, with the exception of the 180° backscattering cross section (4%), establishing the accuracy of the technique. It is concluded that this approach is useful for obtaining aerosol optical properties from the first 6 moments of the size distribution, permitting confident determination of these properties from models in which aerosol evolution is represented by evolution of the lower-order moments.
Role of Litigation in Preventing Product-related Injuries

Injuries and the law are connected in many important ways. The law can be a powerful tool for reducing the risk of injury (1). Laws can compel certain individual behaviors, such as seatbelt use, and prohibit other behaviors, such as speeding, to protect the safety of us all. Laws can also require product manufacturers to design and market their products in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of injury. Product safety rules are enacted at all levels of government—federal, state, and local. Sometimes these laws, called statutes, are enacted directly by a legislature. Often, however, the details of safe design are delegated to administrative agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission, for promulgation and enforcement. These administrative rulings are referred to as “regulations.” There is a substantial body of literature that evaluates the effectiveness of a variety of product safety statutes and regulations, and often they have been proven effective in controlling the risk of injury (1, 2).