cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Microwave Cure on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Tung Oil-Based/Carbon Nanotube Composites

Tung oil is uniquely reactive among plant-based natural oils due to the series ofconjugated carbon-carbon double bonds in its fatty acid chains. These conjugatedcarbon-carbon double bonds impart a high reactivity towards cationic polymerization in thepresence of other reactive co-monomers, such as divinylbenzene and styrene. An impressivedecrease in the cure time of tung oil-based thermosets has been achieved when the resinsinvestigated were microwaved in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, thefast cure compromised the overall thermo-mechanical properties of the materialsinvestigated. Microwave power, exposure time, and CNT loading effects have been assessedby means of dielectric analysis (DEA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differentialscanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and proton nuclearmagnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy of extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction.Possible reasons were proposed to explain the overall inferior properties observed wheneverfaster cure rates were achieved.
Instabilities due to Magnetic Field Spatial Variations

A departure from the usual assumption of a uniform magnetic field in the calculation of the Harris dispersion relation is shown to lead to new velocity-space instability. If the magnetic field variations are small and if a particle transit time through a complete cycle of the field is less than the instability growth time, an average (velocity-dependent) gyrofrequency may be assumed which leads to negative-mass-type instabilities.
Time to focus on function: Linking microbial community structure to novel aspects of microbial function

One of the fundamental challenges in microbial ecology is to examine how microbial communities that differ in composition may also differ in function. Since the advent of molecular techniques, we have become increasingly proficient at analyzing community structure to fine taxonomic levels, and with ever-increasing depth of coverage. However, we have made less progress in understanding the aspects of microbial ‘function’ that differ between communities. I argue that this is largely due to our traditional approach of measure microbial activities at optimal conditions in potential assays. While this approach allows for comparisons across space or time, or in response to experimental treatments, it provides little information on the rate of these activities under in-situ conditions. Using a simple niche framework, I will explain why this approach is unlikely to reveal functional differences between communities. An emerging new paradigm of microbial function emphasizes (1) the range of conditions under which a function can persist, and (2) the persistence of microbial function in response to stress or disturbance. These novel aspects of function are much more closely linked to microbial community composition than optimal activity rates under ideal conditions which are rarely seen under in-situ conditions. I will also discuss the promises and perils of emerging molecular technologies including proteomics and metabolomics, which will provide new insights into novel aspects of microbial community function.
OXIDATION OF DIAMOND WINDOWS

Diamond windows were heated at 700-900 °C in air for short times to better define the limits of application at high temperature. The infrared (IR) transmission of polished chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond windows was reduced after heating in a furnace at 800 °C for 75 s, while heating at 700 °C for 75 s produced little change. The 800 °C heating caused increased visible light scatter, and increased scatter appears to be mainly responsible for the reduced IR transmission. The forward scatter at 10.6 μm for the CVD diamond samples was 0.8% before heating, 2.8% after heating at 800 °C for 75 s, and 6.2% after heating at 800 °C for 255 s. Single crystal (110) type IIa diamond exhibited little change in IR transmission when heated at 800 °C in air for 255 s, while heating for 555 s at 800 °C caused a significant drop in IR transmittance (6-12%). A slight drop in IR transmittance (1-5%) occurred for a type IIa diamond when heated at 900 °C for 45 s. The etched surfaces were characterized by differential interference contrast optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Talystep surface profiles. Etched features are concentrated at grain boundaries (for the CVD samples) and at sites with residual damage from mechanical polishing that could not be seen before the heat treatment. Deep etch pits formed at grain boundaries that extend into the bulk of samples.
Autoantibodies in Sjögren's syndrome.

Antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor and precipitating autoantibodies were first reported in Sjogren’s syndrome almost simultaneously over 25 years ago (Jones 1958; Weissman 1958; Heaton 1959). These findings were quickly exploited by investigators in Glasgow and Bethesda working separately and together. The high prevalence of rheumatoid factor in Sjogren’s syndrome was established by Bunim and colleagues (Bloch et al. 1960; Bunim 1961) and is considered elsewhere (see chapter on rheumatoid factor by Robert Fox and Dennis Carson in this volume).
Growth of and brine drainage from NaCl‐H2O freezing: A simulation of young sea ice

[1] A numerical simulation is used to predict the early time evolution of the solidification and brine drainage of a binary NaCl-H2O mixture. The mathematical formulation is based on continuum mixture theory as outlined by Bennon and Incropera [1987] and Medjani [1993]. Results yield a simple relationship between surface temperature and cumulative salt mass draining from the ice. Additionally, a scaling analysis of the energy equation leads to a simple parameterization for ice thickness. Results compare well with existing laboratory measurements; however, the delay in onset of brine drainage reported in the literature is not supported by these results. Images generated using continuum salinity and liquid fraction data, overlaid with streamlines generated from velocity data, provide a reasonable qualitative resemblance to laboratory observations of NaCl-H2O ice growth.
A Note on the Effectiveness of Written Versus Aural Two-Sided Messages in Attitude Change

This research sought to determine the difference between the persuasive power of a written two-sided message and an aural two-sided message. Attitudes toward picture phone shopping were measured before and after a persuasive two-sided message about picture phone shopping was given to two student groups. One group was given the message to read while the other listened to the message on tape. The nonparamentic Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the significance of the difference between the attitude change produced by the written message versus the aural message. The effectiveness of the aural medium was superior to that of the written medium.
Galvanic removal of metallic wrought iron from marine encrustations

Historic shipwrecks frequently contain a large proportion of wrought-iron tools, fasteners, and other types of artefacts. Encrustations readily form around such objects in many marine environments. Depending on many factors, the iron objects inside these encrustations may be well preserved, completely disintegrated, or poorly preserved but still present. The latter type of encrustation is every conservator's nightmare because removing the encrustation yields merely a poorly preserved artefact still in need of extensive additional conservation. Neatly separating the artefact from its encrustation in order to obtain a natural mould for casting is generally impossible. Having encountered this problem many times, the authors began to experiment with the extraction of metallic iron from poorly preserved encrusted artefacts using galvanic dissolution. Data on rates of dissolution were gathered for three experimental configurations. The results of a test conducted on an encrusted artefact were promising, but inconclusive.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibits K + current expression in cultured oligodendrocytes

The effects of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a cytokine secreted by activated macrophages, on the electrical membrane properties of cultured adult ovine oligodendrocytes (OLGs) were investigated using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Treatment with recombinant human TNF-α (rhTNF) for 24 to 72 hr produces (i) process retraction in some but not all OLGs, (ii) a reduction in the resting membrane potential with no significant change in membrane capacitance or input resistance over control cells and (iii) a decrease in the expression of both the inwardly rectifying and outward K+ current. The magnitude of the membrane potential change as well as K+ current inhibition was larger in cells with retracted processes. The electrophysiological effects of rhTNF were attenuated when rhTNF was neutralized with a polyclonal anti-rhTNF antibody. The binding of rhTNF to its receptor has been reported to increase GTP binding, to increase GTPase activity of a pertussis-sensitive G protein, and to produce an elevation in intracellular cAMP in other cell types. However, pretreatment of OLGs with activated pertussis toxin failed to attenuate or mimic the effects of rhTNF. Chronic exposure of OLGs to the membrane permeant analogue of cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, resulted primarily in an inhibition of the inwardly rectifying K+ current, an effect which was less than that produced by rhTNF alone and without any of the associated rhTNF-induced morphological changes. This indicates that the effects of rhTNF cannot be entirely accounted for by an elevation in intracellular cAMP. Cycloheximide (CHX), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, mimicked the effects of rhTNF; however, the effects of rhTNF and CHX were not additive. The finding that both ionic current expression and membrane potential were reduced in cells treated with rhTNF that appeared morphologically normal suggests that abnormal ion channel expression in OLGs precedes and may contribute to eventual myelin swelling and damage.
Cultural components of pain: the Arab-American child.

To determine how school-age children from Arab-American cultural group perceive, describe, and respond to painful experiences, 27 children, 8 to 12 years of age, were interviewed. Information was elicited regarding causative factors and word descriptors of pain, feelings, and coping strategies when in pain. Arab-American children could identify sources of pain, use words to describe their pain, and identify coping strategies that are culturally derived to help them deal with their pain.
Influence of Meso Substituents on Electronic States of (Oxoferryl)porphyrin pi-Cation Radicals.

A series of (oxoferryl)porphyrin π-cation radicals generated from porphyrins substituted at the meso positions with highly electron-withdrawing aryl groups has been characterized: tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, 5-(2-chloro-6-nitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-, and 5-(2,6-dinitrophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrins (porphyrins 1−3, respectively). The physical−chemical properties of the oxidized complexes of 1−3 are compared to those of two (oxoferryl)porphyrin π-cation radical complexes substituted with electron-releasing aryl groups: tetramesitylporphyrin (TMP) and 2-iodotetramesitylporphyrin (2-iodoTMP). While all of the complexes examined show close correspondance in a number of spectroscopic parameters, some significant differences were observed. In contrast to observations for the oxidized complexes of TMP and 2-iodoTMP, the resonance Raman marker bands ν2 and ν11, which are indicators of symmetry state of porphyrin π-cation radicals of 1−3, do not show the ex...
Aβ and perlecan in rat brain: glial activation, gradual clearance and limited neurotoxicity

A beta1-40 and perlecan (A beta + perlecan) were infused into rat hippocampus for 1 week via osmotic pumps. At the end of the infusion a deposit of A beta immunoreactive material was found surrounding the infusion site. No neurons could be identified within this A beta deposit. The neuron-free area resulting from A beta + perlecan was significantly larger than that found after infusions of A beta40-1 and perlecan (reverse A beta + perlecan), perlecan alone or phosphate-buffered saline vehicle. Following infusion of A beta + perlecan, the glial cells segregated in a manner similar to that associated with compacted amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Activated microglia/macrophages were prevalent within the A beta deposit while the perimeter of the deposit was delimited by reactive astrocytes. Thioflavin S and Congo red staining indicated a beta-pleated sheet conformation of the A beta deposits, implying formation of fibrils. Intact, apparently healthy neurons were found immediately adjacent to the A beta + perlecan deposit. In contrast, reverse A beta peptide did not form congophilic deposits despite the presence of perlecan. Apoptotic profiles visualized with bisbenzamide or TUNEL staining of fragmented DNA were not seen at any of the infusion sites, yet were readily seen in hippocampal sections from animals treated with kainic acid. At 8 weeks, A beta immunoreactivity, Thioflavin S and Congo red staining was reduced, indicating that A beta was being cleared. There also was no evidence of neuron loss by Nissl or TUNEL staining. The zone of apparent necrosis did not expand between 1 and 8 weeks, and in some instances appeared to contract. The consistency of the A beta + perlecan infusion method in producing reliable A beta amyloid deposits permits estimates of the rate at which fibrillar A beta amyloid can be removed from the brain, and may provide a useful model to study this process in vivo. However, the absence of clearly identifiable degenerating/dying neurons at the 1 or 8 week survival times suggests that either fibrillar A beta + perlecan slowly displaced the brain parenchyma during infusion, or neurons were killed very gradually during the process of clearing the A beta.
Developmental flavor experience affects utilization of odor, not taste in toxiphobic conditioning.

Feeding experiences were varied in developing rats and the effects upon flavor neophobia and lithium chloride-induced flavor aversions were observed. In Experiment 1, nursing experience of neonate rats was reduced by artificial feeding via intragastric cannula: the rats then were tested with apple juice paired with lithium chloride injection at weaning or maturity. Conditioned aversions were not affected, but neophobia to novel apple juice was attenuated in artificially-reared rats tested at maturity. In Experiment 2, rats received enriched feeding experience after weaning, which consisted of (a) obtaining many complex flavors, a few of which were paired with poisoning, effortlessly in the home cage, or (b) foraging for various foods on an elevated maze. No dramatic effects on neophobia or conditioned taste aversion for saccharin water were apparent. In Experiment 3, rats were given experience after weaning with vanilla-scented water either paired or unpaired with quinine water, and then tested with the odor of almond or that odor compounded with saccharin water for neophobia and lithium-induced aversions. Flavor-experienced rats exhibited more pronounced odor conditioning and more resistance to extinction of the odor aversion after both simple and compound conditioning. In contrast, saccharin taste aversions were relatively unchanged. Apparently, enriched feeding and drinking experience facilitates the utilization of odor more than taste cues.
Transmitted Drug Resistance in Persons with Acute/Early HIV-1 in San Francisco, 2002-2009

Author(s): Jain, Vivek; Liegler, Teri; Vittinghoff, Eric; Hartogensis, Wendy; Bacchetti, Peter; Poole, Lauren; Loeb, Lisa; Pilcher, Christopher D; Grant, Robert M; Deeks, Steven G; Hecht, Frederick M | Abstract: BackgroundTransmitted HIV-1 drug resistance (TDR) is an ongoing public health problem, representing 10-20% of new HIV infections in many geographic areas. TDR usually arises from two main sources: individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) who are failing to achieve virologic suppression, and individuals who acquired TDR and transmit it while still ART-naive. TDR rates can be impacted when novel antiretroviral medications are introduced that allow for greater virologic suppression of source patients. Although several new HIV medications were introduced starting in late 2007, including raltegravir, maraviroc, and etravirine, it is not known whether the prevalence of TDR was subsequently affected in 2008-2009.Methodology/principal findingsWe performed population sequence genotyping on individuals who were diagnosed with acute or early HIV (l6 months duration) and who enrolled in the Options Project, a prospective cohort, between 2002 and 2009. We used logistic regression to compare the odds of acquiring drug-resistant HIV before versus after the arrival of new ART (2005-2007 vs. 2008-2009). From 2003-2007, TDR rose from 7% to 24%. Prevalence of TDR was then 15% in 2008 and in 2009. While the odds of acquiring TDR were lower in 2008-2009 compared to 2005-2007, this was not statistically significant (odds ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.31-1.38; p = 0.27).ConclusionsOur study suggests that transmitted drug resistance rose from 2003-2007, but this upward trend did not continue in 2008 and 2009. Nevertheless, the TDR prevalence in 2008-2009 remained substantial, emphasizing that improved management strategies for drug-resistant HIV are needed if TDR is to be further reduced. Continued surveillance for TDR will be important in understanding the full impact of new antiretroviral medications.
Geophysical implications of reduction in thermal conductivity due to hydration

[1] Laser-flash measurements show that hydration lowers the lattice component of thermal diffusivity (D) for calcic and Fe-Mg garnets, and glasses. Hydration depresses D above the glass transition, suggesting that melts respond likewise. For garnets, which have a wide range of total water and OH− contents (X), ∂(lnD)/∂X = −0.003%/ppm H2O. For olivine and quartz, D is constant, but thermal conductivity (k = ρCPD) decreases because hydration lowers density (ρ) but negligibly changes heat capacity (CP). This finding is geophysically significant: specifically, it suggests that hydration leads to heat retention, promoting convective instabilities and melting.
The Therapeutic Potential of Nuclear Receptor Modulators for Treatment of Metabolic Disorders: PPARγ, RORs, and Rev-erbs

Nuclear receptors (NRs) play central roles in metabolic syndrome, making them attractive drug targets despite the challenge of achieving functional selectivity. For instance, members of the thiazolidinedione class of insulin sensitizers offer robust efficacy but have been limited due to adverse effects linked to activation of genes not involved in insulin sensitization. Studies reviewed here provide strategies for targeting subsets of PPARγ target genes, enabling development of next-generation modulators with improved therapeutic index. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests that targeting the NRs ROR and Rev-erb holds promise for treating metabolic syndrome based on their involvement in circadian rhythm and metabolism.
Lessons from Ontake-san: A comparative analysis of debris avalanche dynamics

Abstract Dynamic aspects of the long runout Ontake-san debris avalanche are evaluated by a comparison of several models. An unsteady numerical model assumes two-dimensional flow of an incompressible biviscous or Newtonian fluid, represented as a continuum with a free surface. Internal deformation of the flowing mass is considered, as well as boundary resistances. Thus flow thinning and deposit shape as well as flow kinematics may be modeled. Parameters are adjusted to match observed runout, with additional constraints on velocity and emplacement time. With abundant constraints for Ontake-san, from careful field investigations by Japanese research teams, our analysis indicates that a substantial decrease in flow resistance occurred as a function of displacement. Constant-property models that match runout tend to overestimate the peak velocities and to underestimate the emplacement times. A staged increase in mobility in both constant volume and variable volume models leads to results consistent with field data. Runout in a channel overflow area was also modeled. Qualitatively similar results have been obtained by other researchers using simple sliding block models with empirical parameters, a slide block model with rational parameter selection, a modified flood simulation, and a multi-element frictional slide model. The relative merits of these models are compared. The field mechanisms associated with this mobility increase with displacement are poorly understood, but the question is now identified as a target for future research at debris avalanche sites, and some plausible mechanisms are considered. The main reason probably involves the entrainment of river water and saturated sediment, leading to enhanced efficiency of fluid pressure mechanisms with undrained shear; in addition, progressive shearing reduced the mean particle size and angularity, and the cohesion and friction (and apparent viscosity) of avalanche debris near the wetted perimeter. Hydroplaning — the shearing of water films and slurries — may have occurred locally.
A second cricket cercal sensory system: bristle hairs and the interneurons they activate

A new sensory system, in the abdomen of the cricketAcheta domesticus, is described. It consists of hair-like receptors, which we have called ‘bristles’, distributed on the cercus and abdomen. The sensory neurons, innervating bristles of a wide variety of shapes and sizes, project to a common area of the terminal abdominal ganglion. This region is distinct from the area called the cereal glomerulus which receives input from other receptor types. Three interneurons, whose dendrites are located exclusively in the projection area of bristle sensory neurons, are then described. These interneurons respond to tactile stimuli of the cercus and abdomen, but not to infrasound or to body orientation as do previously described interneurons. Based on the anatomical segregation of the afferents and interneurons, as well as the functional distinction from previously described cereal sensory systems, it is becoming clear that the cereal system is a multimodal sensory system.
Behind Closed Doors. The Political Economy of Central Banking in the United States

(2006). Behind Closed Doors. The Political Economy of Central Banking in the United States. International Journal of Political Economy: Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 5-23.
Substitutional-interstitial interactions in Ta-Re-N and Ta-Re-O alloys

Abstract Anelastic techniques have been employed to determine the extent of substitutional-interstitial interactions in Ta-Re-N and Ta-Re-O alloys. Analyses of the concentration and temperature dependence of Snoek-type anelasticity in these alloys has disclosed that unassociated N atoms and N atoms in ReN and Re2N clusters relax in Ta-Re-N alloys. The binding enthalpies of the Re-N clusters are ΔHb(ReN) = 3200 ± 600 cal/mole and ΔHb(Re2N) = 4700 ± 2000 cal/mole. There appear to be only small changes in the specific (unit) relaxation strength of N in Ta when it clusters with one or two Re atoms. A wide spectrum of RemO clusters, where m = 0–3, exhibit relaxation in Ta-Re-O alloys. The binding enthalpies of Re-O clusters are probably larger than for Re-N clusters, but the complex nature of the anelastic spectra precludes a quantitative determination.
The value of theoretical models in immunological research

With the increase in understanding of immunological phenomena has come an increase in availability of mathematical models which describe them. Here Judith Rae Lumb argues that theoretical models should be more widely appreciated and used, especially since helpful computer programs are now becoming available.
Repairing the Disconnects in Faculty Teaching Teams

This article analyzes the rewards and challenges for cross-disciplinary team teaching in management education. Individual-, group-, organizational-, and institutional-level obstacles are addressed. Based on the authors' experience in planning, teaching in, and evaluating multiple semesters of a cross-disciplinary core course for MBAs, the article outlines steps that individual faculty members, teaching teams, and management programs or schools can take to improve the success of cross-disciplinary faculty teams.
The human Genome project and breast cancer

T he Human Genome Project (HGP) is likely to affect breast cancer in three major ways. First, by studying the normal function of all the genes in the genome, the different genes involved in the development or progression of breast cancers will be identified. Second, simple molecular diagnostic tests for breast cancer will be developed. Third, better and more effective treatment targeting the genetic alterations in breast cancer may be developed. With the identification of BRCAl as the first gene that determines genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility is already a reality. lP3 The attention paid to this recent discovery by the news media and the conflicting and sometimes frightening information disseminated are already drawing many women to seek counseling regarding their risk for breast cancer and options for prevention. I will therefore focus this discussion on issues of genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility. Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of death for women. By the year 2000, it is estimated that 1.5 million new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed annually worldwide. In the United States, there continues to be a 2% per year increase in the incidence of breast cancer.4,5 This perceived breast cancer “epidemic” is due partly to an absolute increase in the number of women at risk and lifestyle changes. For example, as many more baby boomers enter the ages when breast cancer is diagnosed, the absolute numbers of women diagnosed will increase, In addition, more breast cancers are diagnosed as the percentage of elderly women in the population increases because age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer. Lifestyle changes that may contribute to an increase in the rates of breast cancer include younger age at menarche (less than 12 y), later age at first full-term pregnancy, later age at menopause, and reduced breast feeding practices.6-8 As more women choose to develop a career before starting their families, the interval between menarche and first full-term pregnancy has been prolonged. Epidemiologic studies previously suggested that breast cancer risk increases the longer the interval between the age at menarche and the age at first full-term pregnancy, supporting the hypothesis that hormonal fluctuations related to o 1997 by me Jacobs mite monthly menstrual cycles play a role in breast carcinogenesis.6-s Unfortuof Women’s Health
Essential Roles of Bdp1, a Subunit of RNA Polymerase III Initiation Factor TFIIIB, in Transcription and tRNA Processing

The essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene BDP1 encodes a subunit of RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription factor (TFIIIB); TATA box binding protein (TBP) and Brf1 are the other subunits of this three-protein complex. Deletion analysis defined three segments of Bdp1 that are essential for viability. A central segment, comprising amino acids 327 to 353, was found to be dispensable, and cells making Bdp1 that was split within this segment, at amino acid 352, are viable. Suppression of bdp1 conditional viability by overexpressing SPT15 and BRF1 identified functional interactions of specific Bdp1 segments with TBP and Brf1, respectively. A Bdp1 deletion near essential segment I was synthetically lethal with overexpression of PCF1-1, a dominant gain-of-function mutation in the second tetracopeptide repeat motif (out of 11) of the Tfc4 (τ131) subunit of TFIIIC. The analysis also identifies a connection between Bdp1 and posttranscriptional processing of Pol III transcripts. Yeast genomic library screening identified RPR1 as the specific overexpression suppressor of very slow growth at 37°C due to deletion of Bdp1 amino acids 253 to 269. RPR1 RNA, a Pol III transcript, is the RNA subunit of RNase P, which trims pre-tRNA transcript 5′ ends. Maturation of tRNA was found to be aberrant in bdp1-Δ253-269 cells, and RPR1 transcription with the highly resolved Pol III transcription system in vitro was also diminished when recombinant Bdp1Δ253-269 replaced wild-type Bdp1. Physical interaction of RNase P with Bdp1 was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down assays.
Ventricular tachycardia: Prediction of response to oral aprindine with intravenous aprindine

Abstract Aprindine was administered both intravenously and orally to 25 patients with ventricular tachycardia refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic agents to test the hypothesis that the response to intravenous aprindine predicts the response to oral aprindine. Ten patients had incessant ventricular tachycardia and 15 had paroxysmal sustained inducible ventricular tachycardia. Eleven patients (43 percent) had conversion to sinus rhythm with intravenous aprindine (nine with incessant and two with paroxysmal sustained ventricular tachycardia). Thirteen patients (all with paroxysmal sustained ventricular tachycardia) manifested slowing of the tachycardia without conversion, whereas in one patient with incessant ventricular tachycardia, the tachycardia became less frequent and nonsustained after intravenous aprindine. All 11 patients who had conversion to sinus rhythm with intravenous aprindine remained free of ventricular tachycardia during oral treatment with aprindine (at 2 weeks) and for a follow-up period of 2 to 38 months (mean 16 ± 13). Of the 14 patients who did not have conversion to sinus rhythm with intravenous aprindine, 12 had spontaneous or inducible ventricular tachycardia, or both, at evaluation 1 to 2 weeks after initiation of oral aprindine. In conclusion, administration of intravenous aprindine to patients with ventricular tachycardia is helpful in predicting the subsequent response to oral aprindine. In addition, the pattern of ventricular tachycardia predicted the response to aprindine; patients with incessant ventricular tachycardia tended to respond, and those with paroxysmal sustained ventricular tachycardia tended not to respond.
Variations in pesticide leaching related to land use, pesticide properties, and unsaturated zone thickness.

Pesticide leaching through variably thick soils beneath agricultural fields in Morgan Creek, Maryland was simulated for water years 1995 to 2004 using LEACHM (Leaching Estimation and Chemistry Model), Fifteen individual models were constructed to simulate five depths and three crop rotations with associated pesticide applications. Unsaturated zone thickness averaged 4.7 m but reached a maximum of 18.7 m. Average annual recharge to ground water decreased from 15.9 to 11.1 cm as the unsaturated zone increased in thickness from 1 to 10 m.These point estimates of recharge are at the lower end of previously published values, which used methods that integrate over larger areas capturing focused recharge in the numerous detention ponds in the watershed. The total amount of applied and leached masses for five parent pesticide compounds and seven metabolites were estimated for the 32-km 2 Morgan Creek watetshed by associating each hectare to the closest one-dimensional model analog of model depth and crop rotation scenario as determined from land-use surveys. LEACHM parameters were set such that branched serial, first-order decay of pesticides and metabolites was realistically simulated. Leaching is predicted to be greatest for shallow soils and for persistent compounds with low sorprivity. Based on simulation results, percent parent compounds leached within the watershed can be described by a regression model of the form e -depth (a ln t 1/2 -b ln K oc ) where t 1/2 is the degradation half-life in aerobic soils, K oc is the organic carbon normalized sorption coefficient, and a and b are fitted coefficients (R 2 =0.86, p value=7 ×10 -9 ).
Anandamide transport inhibitor AM404 and structurally related compounds inhibit synaptic transmission between rat hippocampal neurons in culture independent of cannabinoid CB1 receptors

N-(hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonamide (AM404) is an inhibitor of endocannabinoid transport. We examined the effects of AM404 on glutamatergic synaptic transmission using network-driven increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+] spikes) as an assay. At a concentration of 1 microM AM404 inhibited [Ca2+]i spiking by 73+/-8%. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A), the vanilloid VR1 receptor antagonist capsazepine (CPZ), and treatment with pertussis toxin failed to block AM404-mediated inhibition. AM404 (3 microM) inhibited action-potential-evoked Ca2+ influx by 58+/-3% but failed to affect calcium influx evoked by depolarization with 30 mM K+, suggesting that the inhibition of electrically evoked [Ca2+]i increases and that [Ca2+]i spiking was due to inhibition of Na+ channels. Palmitoylethanolamide (PMEA), capsaicin (CAP) and (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-N-(4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenamide (VDM11), compounds structurally similar to AM404, inhibited [Ca2+]i spiking by 34+/-10%, 42+/-18% and 67+/-12%, respectively. Thus, AM404 and related compounds inhibit depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx independent of cannabinoid receptors, suggesting caution when using these agents as pharmacological probes to study synaptic transmission.
Modeling first-order distributed feedback semiconductor lasers at NIR

This work demonstrates the modeling process of calculating coupling coefficients of first-order distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers, operating on transverse electric modes in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum range. Optical waveguides are common structures in semiconductor lasers. The structure has dielectric layers and a metal grating layer. The interface between the metal layer and its neighboring dielectric layer has a sinusoidal corrugated geometry. Coupling coefficients are important parameters when analyzing laser performance. To calculate the coupling coefficient of a shiny-metal-grating waveguide, an electromagnetic model is constructed by truncated Floquet-Bloch formalism (TFBF). Ray optics technique is also used to calculate the coupling coefficients. These two methods have close results.
A Tale of Two Brothers: Anomalous Coronary Arteries in Two Siblings

We report a case of a 10-year-old boy with aberrant left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, whose presenting sign was cardiac arrest. The patient's asymptomatic younger brother was found to have aberrant right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva. This is the first report of a familial clustering of coronary artery anomalies in which the initial presentation of one subject was sudden cardiac death and a sibling harboring a similar lesion was identified while asymptomatic.
Strain Differences in the Facilitatory Action of Angiotensin on Noradrenergic Transmission in the Rat Mesentery

The isolated perfused rat mesenteric vasculature preparation was used to assess the contributions of presynaptic as well as postsynaptic mechanisms in the adrenergic potentiating action of angiotensin II in different rat strains. Angiotensin II (3 ng/ml; 2.5×10 12M) potentiated vasoconstrictor responses to periarterial nerve stimulation in mesentery obtained from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by 102.5±6.2% (p < .05) but did not significantly affect responses in mesentery from Wistar (W) rats. Responses to nerve stimulation were increased in W rats by 22.6±12.9% (p < .05) at higher concentrations of angiotensin II (10 ng/ml; 8.5×10-12M). The facilitatory actions of angiotensin II on nerve stimulation responses were antagonized by saralasin. Angiotensin II (2.5 or 8.5×10 12M) had little or no effect on responses to norepinephrine in mesentery from either SD or W rats. Blockade of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake potentiated the effects of angiotensin II on the responses to nerve stimulation in mesentery from W ...
What is new in pediatric traumatic brain injury

Purpose of review Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to discuss emerging concepts and to provide an update on the clinical evaluation, management, and predictors of outcome after pediatric TBI. Recent findings We review the epidemiology, patterns of injury, and pathophysiology of pediatric TBI and focus on selective ‘hot topics’ such as biomarkers, glucose control, and the potential benefits of hypothermia after pediatric TBI. Summary As TBI is the leading cause of death in children, research in this area is needed to advance our knowledge of the sequelae after and improve outcomes of children with TBI.
Clinical criteria for mainstreaming mildly handicapped children

Although integrating handicapped children into regular classrooms has become well established educational practice, the clinical decision to mainstream a given child should be based on systematic consideration of several factors. Among these are age, pervasiveness and degree of handicap, curriculum, social skills, class size, teacher competency, and family resources. These criteria are discussed, along with various approaches to, and the pertinent evidence for and against, mainstreaming.
Interocular Transfer of Orientational Effects

Prolonged exposure of one eye to a diagonal line grating produces masking or decreased sensitivity for similar test gratings presented to the contralateral eye. These aftereffects are orientationally selective and suggest that narrow orientationally tuned channels found by electrophysiological methods in the visual cortex of the cat and the monkey may have neural correlates in the human brain.
A single institutional experience with 43 pregnancies in essential thrombocythemia.

Objectives We describe the periconception circumstances and outcome of 43 consecutive pregnancies in an unselected group of young women with essential thrombocythemia (ET). Patients and methods We retrospectively studied 74 consecutive cases of young women with ET seen at our institution, among whom 43 pregnancies occurred in 20 patients. Results Of the 43 pregnancies, 22 (51%) were successful (21 term and 1 preterm live births) and 21 (49%) ended in miscarriages (1 ectopic pregnancy, 2 elective abortions, 16 first-trimester spontaneous abortions, 1 stillbirth at 22 wk, and 1 abruptio placentae at 33 wk). Management of ET at the time of conception included either no specific therapy (16 cases) or the use of aspirin alone (24 cases), a cytoreductive agent (2 cases), or heparin (1 case). There were no significant differences with respect to platelet count or the effect of treatment with aspirin, either at the time of conception or during the first trimester, among cases of successful pregnancies (22), all miscarriages (21), or first-trimester spontaneous abortions (16). The findings were similar when the analysis was restricted to only first-time pregnancies. In patients with multiple pregnancies, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy was not predicted by the outcome of the first. In general, in successful cases the last two trimesters were mostly uneventful, with healthy offspring being reported in all cases. Conclusions Pregnant patients with ET have an increased risk of first-trimester abortion which is not predictable by preconception platelet count or aspirin therapy. In addition, our experience does not support the use of prophylactic platelet apheresis during delivery.
Single Neuronal Snare Complexes Zipper in Three Distinct Stages

SNARE proteins drive membrane fusion by assembling into a four-helix bundle in a zippering process. Here we used optical tweezers to observe in real time a long-sought SNARE assembly intermediate in which only the membrane-distal N-terminal half of the bundle is assembled. Our finding supports the zippering hypothesis, but suggests that zippering proceeds through three sequential binary switches, not continuously, in the N- and C-terminal halves of the bundle and the linker domain. The half-zippered intermediate was stabilized by externally applied force which mimicked the repulsion between apposed membranes being forced to fuse. This intermediate then rapidly and forcefully zippered, delivering free energy of 36 kBT to mediate fusion.
The Adverbial Theory of Properties

The paper presents a novel version of universalism—the thesis according to which there are only universals, no individuals—which is cashed out in terms of an adverbial analysis of predication. According to the theory, every spatiotemporal occurrence of a universal U can be expressed by a sentence which asserts the existence of U adverbially modified by the spatiotemporal region at which it exists. After some preliminary remarks on the interpretation of natural language, a formal semantics for the theory is first provided, along with an intended interpretation of its key metaphysical imports. Follow some commentaries on the spatiotemporal manifold and determinable properties.
The management of necrotizing enterocolitis by “patch, drain, and wait”

The operative management necrotizing enterocolitis continues to be associated with substantial mortality and many difficulties. A new approach is presented with illustrative cases. Neither resection nor enterostomy is a part of this approach, which emphasizes maximum salvage of compromised intestine. Major features of this method are prolonged hyperalimentation, gastrostomy, minimal bowel handling, transverse approximation (“patching”) of the upper and lower margins of a limited number of major perforations, and extensive and prolonged drainage of the peritoneal cavity by Penrose drains placed from both diaphragms to exit sites in the inferior aspects of both lower quadrants. Enteric fistulas developed in the majority of cases presented (4/5) and were “captured” by one or both of the Penrose drains with disappearing peritonitis and the formation of “de facto” enterostomies at one of the drainage sites (generally the left side). “De facto” enterostomies that did not close spontaneously were closed operatively. This approach may also be of value in the management of midgut volvulus with extensive vascular compromise of the midgut.
A systematic review of the use of Botulinum toxin type A with subpectoral breast implants

Summary Objective To determine the efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections for pain relief following placement of subpectoral tissue expanders and breast implants. Methods MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from their inception to December 2012 to identify studies reporting the efficacy of perioperative BTX-A injections following breast surgery with subpectoral prostheses. Study designs included controlled and uncontrolled studies. Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria (2 prospective controlled cohort, 3 retrospective cohort and 2 case series). Five studies assessed the efficacy of BTX-A and three measured pain improvement as a primary outcome. The studies enrolled 427 women: 91.8% received intraoperative BTX-A injection at the time of tissue expander breast reconstruction and 4.7% following augmentation mammaplasty. Only 3.5% of women received BTX-A injections in the postoperative setting. Overall, all the studies demonstrated improvement in pain and favorable side effect profile without any major adverse effects. However, the quality of this evidence was low. Conclusion The results of this systematic review suggest that BTX-A may alleviate postoperative pain associated with the placement of subpectoral tissue expanders and implants. The available data on outcome assessment of this practice are inconsistent and lack methodological rigor. With paucity of high-level evidence to support this practice in implant-based breast surgery, further studies are needed.
Multiphoton excitation ionization of N(2) following collisional energy transfer with H(2)O: a potential measure of molecular mixing.

A multiphoton ionization excitation of N2 following collisional energy exchange with optically excited H2O was demonstrated, and its potential for measuring H2O–N2 mixing at the molecular level was evaluated. In this process, N2 is sensitized by a collisional energy exchange with H2O molecules excited by a tunable KrF laser. The sensitized N2 molecules are further excited and ionized by two additional photons of the same laser pulse. Independent images of sensitized N2+ emission at 391.4 nm and by OH at 308 nm formed by the dissociation of excited H2O were obtained along a laser beam traversing slow dry-air and N2 jets entering room air. Although effects of O2 and N2 collisional quenching were noted, such images can potentially be used to measure H2O–N2 molecular mixing and the concentration of H2O independently. The detection of H2O nucleation by this technique suggests that imaging of H2O droplet evaporation or visualizing and monitoring H2O condensation may also be possible.
Recovery after robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: the patients’ perspective

Little information exists about recovery after robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. We sought to report on subjects’ perioperative experience. Subjects were queried about resumption of activities such as work and driving, bowel function, whether recovery went as expected, and whether they would recommend this surgery. Use of pain medications, pain scores, and perioperative data were collected N = 21. All would recommend surgery to a friend. 13/18 (72%) felt their recovery went better than expected, and none responded it was worse than expected. 9/21 (43%) did not use narcotics after the day of surgery, with 15/21 (71%) no longer taking narcotics by postoperative day 4. Fifty-five percent experienced their first postoperative bowel movement as painful. Based on this survey, most patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy will not require narcotics beyond postoperative day 3. Nonsteroidals are the mainstay of pain management. This survey highlights the importance of preventing postoperative constipation/ painful defecation.
Right and left ventricular diastolic flow field: why are measured intraventricular pressure gradients small?

El llenado diastolico ventricular derecho e izquierdo (VD/VI) comporta un flujo que cambia rapidamente en una camara cuya geometria sufre cambios temporales en su tamano y en su forma; el VD es la cavidad para la que es mas dificil elaborar un modelo analiticamente, puesto que tiene un aspecto triangular al examinarlo desde la parte frontal, y muestra cortes transversales irregulares de forma semilunar. En consecuencia, la dinamica de fluidos diastolica en situacion de salud y de enfermedad plantea grandes dificultades. De igual modo, las anomalias de llenado ventricular diastolicas y la disfuncion diastolica son componentes importantes de la insuficiencia cardiaca, que se reconocen en la actual Clasificacion Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-10, codigos I50.30-33). Actualmente se considera en general que la importancia clinica de la disfuncion diastolica es de largo alcance. Sin embargo, el hecho de que el llenado VD/VI dependa de un gran numero de factores e interacciones hace que su evaluacion y valoracion clinica resulten dificiles. En este breve articulo, me centrare en conceptos cardiodinamicos que tienen importancia clinica en relacion con las interacciones de los mecanismos de dinamica de fluidos subyacentes a los patrones de llenado intracardiaco. Estas interacciones son la causa de que los gradientes transvalvulares de presion de llenado auriculoventricular e intraventricular mensurables sean pequenos.