cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in the Presence of Embolizing Agents

A numerical simulation has been performed on the blood flow patterns in a multi-branch artery during an embolization procedure. The procedure, performed with drug-eluting particulates is designed to occlude blood vessels which feed a tumor. As particulates are injected into the blood stream, they interfere with the flow patterns which previously had existed uninterrupted. This interference causes a maldistribution of flow down daughter artery branches. The patterns of maldistribution change as the embolizing particle travels down the artery toward the target or as particles begin to accumulate at the target. A consequence of the alterations of flow patterns is that future injections of particulates may be diverted from their intended targets and may, consequently, travel down non-targeted artery branches towards otherwise healthy tissue.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Pathogenesis of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with a Coronary Sinus Connection

The basis for persistence of the left superior vena cava (LSVC), usually associated with cardiac malformations, is poorly understood. We examined 351 staged, serially sectioned human embryos in the Carnegie Embryological Collection and 1208 specimens with congenital cardiovascular malformations in the Pathology Collection of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. A standardized questionnaire was answered for each embryo and autopsy case and a computer program was employed to tabulate concurrent anatomic features. In the normal embryos a symmetric venous system appeared with the heart tube at Carnegie stage 9; the sinoatrial junction translocated to the right and the relationship of the coronary sinus to the LSVC was established by stage 12. The LSVC was patent through stage 20 and subsequently underwent luminal obliteration by compression between the left atrium and the hilum of the left lung. Among the 1208 hearts with a congenital abnormality, 104 (9%) had a persistent LSVC with a coronary sinus connection. Statistically, significantly more frequent associations were found between persistent LSVC and atrioventricular canal defects, cor triatriatum, and mitral atresia and a significantly less frequent association was observed between persistent LSVC and atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale as a primary defect. The normally late embryonic obliteration of the LSVC suggests that its persistence would be secondary to reduce cardiac compression or to blood flow redistribution at an early stage, and the malformations associated with persistent LSVC support that view. Identification of a persistent left superior vena cava with coronary sinus connection should suggest an associated malformation, especially atrioventricular canal, cor triatriatum, or mitral atresia.
Der Lubovitcher Rebbe: Messiah? Jewish St. Augustine?

Friedman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2010. 343pp. $29.95 cloth. ISBN: 9780691138886. In 1862 Moses Hess, a German Young Hege lian, commended the Hasidic movements as practical socialism. The Hasidic geist echoed not Hegel but the Lurianic kabbalah, sum moning Jews to struggle against the ego, so that the soul might ascend to the light of the Creator. Samuel Heilman and Menachem Fried
Microanatomy of vagal body paraganglia in infancy including victims of sudden infant death syndrome.

The microanatomy of vagal body paraganglia (VBP) in the cephalic segment of both vagus nerves was evaluated in an autopsy study of 32 infants one year of age or younger. The study group included 14 victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and 18 non-SIDS cases. VBP in both groups were located at or below the lower border of the ganglion nodosum, and were histologically identical to carotid body chemoreceptors, although spatially dispersed and much smaller in size. Using a combined step and serial sectioning technique, there were no significant differences between the two groups (i.e. SIDS vs. non-SIDS) with regard to microanatomy, number, distribution and size of VBP. The proportion of chief and sustentacular cells was similar to carotid body paraganglia. For the study group as a whole, VBP were present in 89% of vagus nerves, and were typically multiple with good correlation between the number of separate paraganglia on the two sides. Small collections of ectopic parathyroid chief cells were identified in 6% of nerve segments, and histologically should be distinguished from VBP. Although the microanatomy of VBP in the SIDS group was identical to that of non-SIDS, one cannot exclude an underlying functional abnormality with autonomic malregulation.
Superresolution under photometric diversity of images

Superresolution (SR) is a well-known technique to increase the quality of an image using multiple overlapping pictures of a scene. SR requires accurate registration of the images, both geometrically and photometrically. Most of the SR articles in the literature have considered geometric registration only, assuming that images are captured under the same photometric conditions. This is not necessarily true as external illumination conditions and/or camera parameters (such as exposure time, aperture size, and white balancing) may vary for different input images. Therefore, photometric modeling is a necessary task for superresolution. In this paper, we investigate superresolution image reconstruction when there is photometric variation among input images.
NEONATAL SKIN AND SKIN CARE

Infant skin differs from adult skin in several ways. These important differences place infants at increased risk for fluid electrolyte imbalance, thermal instability, skin damage, percutaneous infection, and percutaneous toxicity from topically applied agents. This article includes a review of skin development, as well as the details of current skin care practices in the neonatal nursery. A better understanding of the principles of infant skin care and a more uniform approach to skin care in the neonatal nursery can minimize risks and costs to this special population of patients.
INVERTEBRATE NEUROMUSCULAR ORGANIZATION : PERIPHERAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO BEHAVIORAL VARIABILITY

Early plans for development of this sym? posium were completed with the full encouragement and helpful suggestions of Ann E. Kammer. Unfortunately, Ann passed away without seeing the final product. Therefore, we dedicated the symposium to Ann and would like to do the same with this compendium of papers. Ann received her graduate training at the University of California, Berkeley, and held faculty positions at the University of Cali? fornia, Davis, Kansas State University, and most recently at Arizona State University, as professor and Chair of the Zoology Department. Ann was active in many sci? entific organizations, particularly the Amer? ican Society of Zoologists, serving as Pro? gram Officer for the Division of Com? parative Physiology and Biochemistry (1973-74), member ofthe Education Com? mittee (1978-80) and as Secretary of the Society (1985-87). She was equally active in the American Physiological Society, serv? ing as a member ofthe Task Force on Com? parative Physiology (1976-77), member of the Program Advisory Committee (187778), member of the Comparative Physiol? ogy Symposium Committee (1978-80) and as Associate Editor of The Physiology Teacher (1980-85). Due to the breadth of her scholarly interests, she was elected in 1981 as Fellow ofthe American Association for the Advancement of Science. Ann's research interests ranged from the neurobiological basis of rhythmic flight gen? eration in insects, to the development of flight mechanisms and the underlying neu? romuscular junctions. A selection (my selection) of a few of her papers illustrates
Effects of treatment technique on response of horn flies (Diptera: Muscidae) to permethrin at different temperatures.

The toxicity of permethrin to horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), was determined at 21, 27, and 32°C. Two populations were tested by the treated-cloth technique: a positive temperature coefficient was observed for both populations between 21 and 27°C, whereas temperature had no significant effect on toxicity between 27 and 32°C. When one of the populations was tested by topical application, however, negative temperature coefficients were observed between pairs of successively higher temperatures. Since the treated-cloth technique simulates exposure to insecticide in the field and topical application does not, our results suggest that, at higher temperatures, permethrin will be more toxic to horn flies.
Decreased surfactant dose-response after delayed administration to preterm rabbits.

Preterm rabbits from 14 litters were delivered at 27 d gestation, anesthetized, and treated with surfactant at birth, 15 min, or 30 min after the onset of mechanical ventilation. Doses of surfactant ranging from 0 to 100 mg/kg body weight were given intratracheally and the rabbits were ventilated for 45 min after birth. Pressure-volume curves and dynamic compliances demonstrated that the dose response to surfactant progressively decreased with delayed treatment. Following surfactant treatments of 50 mg/kg at birth, 15 min, and 30 min, peak lung volumes at 35 cm H2O were increased by 49, 30, and 8.4%, respectively over those of untreated controls. Lung lavages from rabbits receiving surfactant at 30 min had significantly higher protein contents and minimum surface tensions on the Wilhelmy balance than those from rabbits treated at birth (23.1 +/- 1.1 versus 16.0 +/- 2.7 dynes/cm), and lung sections from rabbits treated at 30 min had a significantly less uniform distribution of surfactant than those from ra...
MINIATURE WET-BULB TECHNIQUE FOR MEASURING GAS CONCENTRATIONS IN CONDENSING OR EVAPORATING SYSTEMS

Abstract An analysis is presented to show that a miniature wet-bulb/dry-bulb probe can provide easy, rapid, and accurate point measurements of noncondensable gas concentrations in condensing or evaporating systems. The probe consists of a liquid-soaked porous sphere as small as 0.5 mm in diameter with a fine-gauge thermocouple embedded at its center. Performance of the probe is shown to improve with decreasing wet-bulb size. Measurements of only the total pressure and point wet-bulb temperature are needed to determine the local gas concentration for most gas-vapor systems. The use of the technique in systems with steep concentration gradients is demonstrated by application to the well-studied problem of the gas-loaded two-phase thermosyphon. 195pt
A DL server with OAI capabilities: LOVE

We describe integrating OAI (Open Archives Initiative) and DL (Digital Library) capabilities in the integrated prototype DL server: LOVE (Learning Object Virtual Exchange).
Fallout from the biological model: Implications for psychiatric mental health nurses

In the biological, disease-oriented model of psychiatric illness, psychotropic medications are the frontline treatment. These medications have enabled many consumers of psychiatric mental health care to obtain relief from severe and disabling symptoms. Allegiance to the model continues as both consumers and psychiatric mental health professionals anxiously await approval of newer medications promising even greater benefits.
Accelerated cine DENSE MRI using compressed sensing and parallel imaging

Background Cine DENSE (Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes) provides accurate and high-resolution displacement and strain imaging of the heart; however, image acquisition times are relatively long and, due to properties inherent to stimulated echoes, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is relatively low. Accelerated cine DENSE could substantially shorten scan times and/or provide improved spatial and/or temporal resolution; however, the low SNR, requirement to preserve phase information, and cardiac motion present technical challenges. We aimed to develop acceleration methods that overcome these challenges.
Database Access Control in the Presence of Context Dependent Protection Requirements

Data items in a database are semantically related. Thus, the access control mechanism of a database system must be concerned with the possibility that access to one item may violate a denied access to another item. This study concentrates on two basic semantic relations for protection requirements. By utilizing a graph-theoretic approach, some of the fundamental properties of the protection relations can be readily identified. These properties can then be used as a basis for understanding more general context dependent protection requirements. Two fundamental properties of the two protection relations are found. The first property addresses the question: given a database with a set of protection relations, is it possible to find a maximal subset of the database such that access to one item of the subset will not lead to any violation of a denied access to another item? The second property addresses the question: given a database with a set of protection relations, is it possible to find a sequence of accesses such that the protection requirement is enforced with no violation?
Direct two-dimensional calculations of grain boundary stiffness

Abstract Lennard-Jones based molecular dynamics simulations of capillarity fluctuations in flat, 2D symmetric tilt grain boundaries show that fluctuation in the high symmetry θ gb = 38.2° − Σ7 boundary is consistent with capillarity wave theory, with a grain boundary stiffness Γ gb = 0.31 ± 0.015 ϵ / r 0 . Low symmetry θ gb = 30° − Σ∞ boundary exhibits peaks at certain modes, indicative of vicinal cusps in the Wulff plot.
Order-disorder phase transition of stage one SbF5-graphite

Abstract An order-disorder phase transition of stage one SbF 5 − intercalated HOPG was investigated by 1. (i) electrical resistivity measurements; 2. (ii) differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurements, 3. (iii) the in-plane structure analysis with an energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXD) system. All three experiments give the transition temperature around 185 K. The mechanism of the phase transition is attributed to the ordering process of the neutral species in the intercalant layers. As in-plane structure for the intercalant layer for stage one SbF 5 HOPG is also proposed.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma

SUMMARY Multiple myeloma is highly treatable with novel agents such as proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib) and the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide. However, it remains an incurable disease. Induction regimens incorporating novel agents, as well as autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), have deepened response. Following AHSCT, consolidation and maintenance therapy strategies have been developed to improve response, delay progression and improve overall survival (OS). Maintenance therapy should be effective with minimal toxicity and easily administered. The bisphosphonate zoledronate, thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib improve time to progression and OS when used for maintenance therapy after AHSCT, although it is uncertain whether this improvement in OS can be attributed to the maintenance phase in the case of zoledronate. It is also important to note that few data are available regarding the exact role of bortezomib in the maintenance phase. New therapies alon...
Correlates of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation in dogs

Abstract To elucidate determinants of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation (VF), regional myocardial blood flow, ATP, creatine phosphate (CP), heart rate and blood pressure were compared in 2 groups of anesthetized dogs: those that fibrillated spontaneously upon release of a 15-minute coronary artery occlusion (VF group, n = 8) and those that did not fibrillate when reperfused (No VF group, n = 27). Arterial pressure and heart rate before and during coronary artery occlusion were similar in both groups. Ischemie endo- and epicardial ATP values, measured at the end of the occlusion period, were reduced approximately 20% of nonischemic values in both groups. In contrast, CP (nmohmg protein −1 ) within the ischemie zone was significantly lower in the VF group in both the epicardium (14.3 ± 1.6 in the VF group vs 22.8 ± 2.5 in the No VF group, p ml · min −1 · g −1 in VF dogs vs 0.44 ± 0.06 in No VF dogs (p ml · min −1 · g −1 in VF dogs vs 0.23 ± 0.04 · ml - min −1 · g −1 in No VF dogs (p
Signaling Mechanisms for Activation of Extracytoplasmic Function (ECF) Sigma Factors

Abstract A variety of mechanisms are used to signal extracytoplasmic conditions to the cytoplasm. These mechanisms activate extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors which recruit RNA-polymerase to specific genes in order to express appropriate proteins in response to the changing environment. The two best understood ECF signaling pathways regulate σE-mediated expression of periplasmic stress response genes in Escherichia coli and FecI-mediated expression of iron–citrate transport genes in E. coli. Homologues from other Gram-negative bacteria suggest that these two signaling mechanisms and variations on these mechanisms may be the general schemes by which ECF sigma factors are regulated in Gram-negative bacteria.
The complete dependence of beta-adrenergic drinking on the renal dipsogen

Abstract The drinking that follows hypotensive doses of beta-adrenergic agonists is abolished by nephrectomy but survives ureteric ligation. It is restored to the nephrectomized, hypotensive rat by both systemic renin and intracranial angiotensin II. The thirst of beta-adrenergic activation, therefore, depends on renin-angiotensin for its expression. But unlike other extracellular challenges, beta-adrenergic activation is completely dependent on the renin-angiotensin system for the production of thirst. These results extend the significance of the renin-angiotensin system as a hormonal basis for thirst, operating by peripheral release of renin (the renal dipsogen) and direct action of angiotensin on the brain.
High Speed M-B-M and M-I-S-I-M Detectors For Integrated Optics

Single and double junction surface structures have been investigated for ultra-fast integrated optical detection. The M-I-S-I-M lateral structure, M-B-M tunnelling and photo-emissive structures are discussed.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Measurement of the far infrared optical properties of solids with a Michelson interferometer used in the asymmetric mode: Part II, the vacuum interferometer∗

Abstract A vacuum far infrared Michelson interferometer for use in the measurement of optical constants of samples placed in one arm of the instrument has been constructed. The features of this instrument are the following : stability of the system ; uncollimated optics to permit the use of small sized samples; provision for the measurement of the samples in transmission or in reflection ; easy exchange of beam-splitters ; easy introduction of filters and polarizers ; simple programing of the optical path sampling positions. The optical and mechanical plan of the interferometer is described and examples, Mylar film transmission and metal mesh transmission, are given to illustrate its performance.
Energy conservation of anaerobic respiration

Microbes save energy from the environment by synthesizing ATP. Understanding microbial energy conservation is important for both theoretical and practical applications. This paper focuses on the common metabolism of anoxic environments—ferric iron respiration, sulfate respiration, and methanogenesis—and analyzes microbial energy conservation on the basis of the thermodynamics as well as physiological models of respiratory reactions. The results of the analysis show that iron respiration synthesizes 1 to 4 ATPs by transferring eight electrons from H2, acetate, lactate, and ethanol to ferric minerals; sulfate respiration makes 0.25 to more than 3 ATPs by transferring eight electrons from the same suite of electron donors to sulfate; methanogenesis yields 0 to 1 ATP by oxidizing four H2 and by disproportionating one acetate. The ATP yields are compared to growth yields and energy thresholds of anaerobic metabolism to explore the impact of energy conservation. Specifically, energy conservation controls microbial growth: in geochemical systems, respiring microbes synthesize up to 5 g biomass per mole of ATP. Energy conservation also requires the environment to supply chemical energy at quantities greater than the energy saved by microbes. These results unify our view of microbial metabolism, and can be applied to evaluating the occurrence and significance of microbial life in natural environments.
Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation during pregnancy.

As noted elsewhere in this issue, many pregnant women continue to smoke during pregnancy despite advice from health care providers that they should quit and/or because they have failed behavioral therapy. Continuing to smoke in the face of compelling reasons not to do so is an indication of addiction—that is, loss of control of drug use. Nicotine is responsible for addiction to cigarette smoking (Benowitz, 1999). The more severe the addiction, the harder it is to quit smoking. More highly addicted smokers obtain greater relative benefit from pharmacotherapy (vs. placebo) compared with less highly addicted smokers (Sutherland et al., 1992). Evidence also indicates that more highly addicted smokers are more likely to quit if they receive higher doses of nicotine medications, whereas less dependent smokers do as well with lower doses of nicotine (Tonnesen et al., 1988). Given that women who continue to smoke during pregnancy are likely to be highly dependent, it makes sense that pregnant smokers would benefit from pharmacotherapy to aid cessation, and that the doses of medications may need to be relatively high compared with those used in less dependent smokers. Data are scarce on the efficacy of medications to aid smoking cessation in pregnant smokers, largely because health care providers have been hesitant to expose pregnant women to medications for fear that the medications may have a negative effect on the pregnancy or the fetus. Thus, the safety of pharmacotherapy is the key question that needs to be resolved before we progress in enhancing smoking cessation during pregnancy. With respect to drug therapy, safety is not an absolute measure. Rather, safety reflects the conclusion that a drug’s benefits outweigh its risks. Because the benefits of pharmacotherapy to enhance cessation in pregnant smokers are unknown, this article focuses primarily on the question of risk, specifically, on the risks associated with cigarette smoking vs. the risks associated with medications that might result in a woman quitting.
Detection of Gauss-Markov Random Field on Nearest-Neighbor Graph

The problem of hypothesis testing against independence for a Gauss-Markov random field (GMRF) with nearest-neighbor dependency graph is analyzed. The sensors measuring samples from the signal field are placed IID according to the uniform distribution. The asymptotic performance of Neyman-Pearson detection is characterized through the large-deviation theory. An expression for the error exponent is derived using a special law of large numbers for graph functionals. The exponent is analyzed for different values of the variance ratio and correlation. It is found that a more correlated GMRF has a higher exponent (improved detection performance) at low values of the variance ratio, whereas the opposite is true at high values of the ratio.
Ultraviolet Spectral Variability and the Lyα Forest in the Lensed Quasar Q0957+561

Far-ultraviolet spectra of the gravitational lens components Q0957+561A, B were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) at five equally spaced epochs, one every 2 weeks. We confirm the flux variability of the quasar's Lyα and O VI λ1037 emission lines in IUE spectra reported in earlier work of Dolan et al. The fluxes in these lines vary on a timescale of weeks in the observer's rest frame, independently of each other and of the surrounding continuum. The individual spectra of each image were co-added to investigate the properties of the Lyα forest along the two lines of sight to the quasar. Absorption lines having equivalent width Wλ ≥ 0.3 A in the observer's frame not previously identified by Michalitsianos et al. as interstellar lines, metal lines, or higher order Lyman lines were taken to be Lyα forest lines. The existence of each line in this consistently selected set was then verified by its presence in two archival FOS spectra with ~ 1.5 times higher signal to noise than our co-added spectra. Lyα forest lines with Wλ ≥ 0.3 A appear at 41 distinct wavelengths in the spectra of the two images. One absorption line in the spectrum of image A has no counterpart in the spectrum of image B, and one line in image B has no counterpart in image A. Based on the separation of the lines of sight over the redshift range searched for Lyα forest lines, the density of the absorbing clouds in the direction of Q0957+561 must change significantly over a distance R = 160 h kpc in the simplified model where the absorbers are treated as spherical clouds and the characteristic dimension, R, is the radius. (We adopt H0 = 50 h50 km s-1 Mpc-1, q0 = , and Λ = 0 throughout this paper.) The 95% confidence interval on R extends from 50 to 950 h kpc. We show in the Appendix that the fraction of Lyα forest lines that appear in only one spectrum can be expressed as a rapidly converging power series in 1/r, where r the ratio of the radius of the cloud to the separation of the two lines of sight at the redshift of the cloud. This power series can be rewritten to give r in terms of the fraction of Lyα forest wavelengths that appear in the spectrum of only one image. A simple linear approximation to the solution that everywhere agrees with the power series solution to better than 0.8% for r ≥ 2 is derived in the Appendix.
The power and peril of administrative databases.

Archives of Internal Medicine Implantable Cardiac Device Procedures in Older Patients: Use and In-Hospital Outcomes Jason P. Swindle, MPH; Michael W. Rich, MD; Patrick McCann, MD; Thomas E. Burroughs, PhD; Paul J. Hauptman, MD Background: Although the effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) alone or in combination is well established, limited data are available on device use and short-term outcomes in older patients. We sought to characterize age-specific practices and outcomes among patients with heart failure undergoing device implantation using a large nationally representative administrative database. Methods: The cohort comprised patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of heart failure who underwent implantation of an ICD or CRT between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005. Data included patient demographics, comorbidities, type of device, procedural complications, length of stay, total cost of hospitalization, and hospital characteristics. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Results: We identified 26 887 patients who received an implantable device. The median age was 70.0 years (17.5% were ≥80 years), 72.6% were male, and 31.3% were of nonwhite race/ethnicity. Compared with younger patients, those 80 years or older were more likely to receive CRT alone. In-hospital mortality increased from 0.7% among patients younger than 80 years to 2.2% among those aged 80 to 85 years and 2.2% among those older than 85 years ( P Conclusions: Despite the fact that most device trials have excluded patients 80 years or older, more than one-fifth of ICD and CRT devices are implanted in this age group. Advanced age is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality following device implantation, suggesting that additional study is needed to define criteria for appropriate device use in older patients.
A Web service composition and deployment framework for scientific workflows

The article presents the Web services framework in the Kepler scientific workflow system and illustrates them with a real-world example.
γ-Ray lenses – taking a deeper look at sites of nucleosynthesis

Abstract Focusing of γ-rays in the nuclear-line energy regime is a feasible and promising approach for high-sensitivity γ-ray (line) studies of individual sources. This approach combines two unique advantages over “traditional” instrumentation for γ-ray astronomy: arcminute resolutions and a decoupling of collection and detection areas, with the corresponding potential for increased sensitivity. Laue Lenses use diffraction on lattice planes in the volume of a crystal to concentrate photons. Suitable crystals for MeV lenses exist, and lenses with >100 keV bandpasses and ∼arcmin fields-of-view are feasible today. Fresnel phase shift lenses present another, longer-term possibility for γ-ray focusing. The current status of instrumentation development, lens missions under consideration, and some of the nuclear astrophysics observations such instruments could enable are described.
Spatio-temporal visually evoked scalp potentials in response to partial-field patterned stimulation ☆

Visually evoked scalp potentials (VESP) have been recorded at 40 electrode sites from each of 3 subjects. Pattern appearance/disappearance was used for whole field and partial field stimulation. The data are displayed as equipotential maps. The topographical features of the equipotential maps show periods of stable organization followed by periods of relatively rapid change. The structure of the maps changes in a consistent pattern with the region of the retina stimulated; the first peak fits well within the framework of the cruciform model of striate cortex. The first and second peaks of the VESP appear to be caused by independent neural generators. The work reported in this paper shows major agreement with other authors and reconciles some points of disagreement between them.
In Vivo Testing of an Infection-Resistant Annuloplasty Ring

Background An infection-resistant surface incorporated into a prosthetic cardiac valve has great potential clinical applications. Study Design A sewing ring construct was created using ciprofloxacin-treated polyester. Then ciprofloxacin-treated and untreated constructs were implanted subcutaneously on the dorsum of rats and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus . At 7, 14, and 30 days animals were sacrificed and the implants were retrieved. Each implant was assessed for frank purulence and gross tissue incorporation by a blinded observer. The implants were processed for conventional histology and examined by a blinded Pathologist. Ciprofloxacin-treated rings were also implanted in the absence of a bacterial challenge. At explantation, a maximal zone of inhibition, if present, was measured. Finally, ciprofloxacin was eluted with methanol from the explanted segments and the concentration of ciprofloxacin eluted was determined. Results Ciprofloxacin-treated sewing rings had greater gross tissue incorporation than untreated rings in the presence of a bacterial challenge ( P = 0.005). Ciprofloxacin-treated rings also had a lower incidence of frank purulence, but this did not reach statistical significance. After 14 days of implantation, ciprofloxacin treated rings had fewer neutrophils ( P = 0.018) and greater histological tissue incorporation ( P = 0.017) than untreated rings. The explanted ciprofloxacin-treated rings maintained a zone of inhibition of 3.0 ± 1.0 mm after 1 day of implantation and 1.3 ± 0.6 mm after 2 days. Ciprofloxacin could be eluted in significant quantities from the explanted rings after 7 days of implantation. Conclusions Ciprofloxacin treated polyester can be incorporated into an annuloplasty ring construct that demonstrates excellent tissue incorporation and infection resistance. This study supports the use of this construct in the mitral position in a large animal model.
Trying, Intentions, and the Processes by Which Goals Influence Performance: An Empirical Test of the Theory of Goal Pursuit1

A laboratory-based test of the theory of goal pursuit (Bagozzi & Warshaw, 1990) was conducted with results indicating substantial support for the theory. Goal attainment and task performance were predicted by a measure of trying, which was associated with the 4 mechanisms of effort, persistence, attention, and use of effective task strategies. Trying was predicted by an individual's intention to try. The intention to try was predicted by an attitude toward trying and a subjective norm toward trying. The individual's attitude toward the process and reactions to success and failure correlated with attitude toward trying. However, regression analyses indicated that the reactions toward failure did not contribute to the prediction of the attitude toward trying. Discussion focused on the utility of the theory of goal pursuit for understanding the processes by which goals influence performance.
A computational formula for heat influx in animal experiments

Abstract 1. 1.The bahavioural paradigm in which cold-exposed animals can work for pulses of infrared radiation has been extensively used in the literature, but a formula to calculate the amount of heat obtained has not been advanced. 2. 2.This paper describes a computational formula for heat influx in rats: E = 3.64 · 10 −6 · n · d · I · M 0.6 where E is heat influx (kJ), n is number of rewards, d is reward duration (sec), I is irradiance (mW/cm 2 ), and M is body mass (g).
rAAV9 combined with renal vein injection is optimal for kidney-targeted gene delivery: conclusion of a comparative study

Effective gene therapy strategies for the treatment of kidney disorders remain elusive. We report an optimized kidney-targeted gene delivery strategy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) administered via retrograde renal vein injection in mice. Renal vein injection of rAAV consistently resulted in superior kidney transduction compared with tail vein injection using as little as half the tail vein dose. We compared rAAV5, 6, 8 and 9, containing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or luciferase reporter genes driven by the Cytomegalovirus promoter. We demonstrated that although rAAV6 and 8 injected via renal vein transduced the kidney, transgene expression was mainly restricted to the medulla. Transgene expression was systematically low after rAAV5 injection, attributed to T-cell immune response, which could be overcome by transient immunosuppression. However, rAAV9 was the only serotype that permitted high-transduction efficiency of both the cortex and medulla. Moreover, both the glomeruli and tubules were targeted, with a higher efficiency within the glomeruli. To improve the specificity of kidney-targeted gene delivery with rAAV9, we used the parathyroid hormone receptor 'kidney-specific' promoter. We obtained a more efficient transgene expression within the kidney, and a significant reduction in other tissues. Our work represents the first comprehensive and clinically relevant study for kidney gene delivery.
Treating Pain With Hypnosis

The use of hypnosis for pain control has a strong foundation in the experimental literature, as well as in numerous anecdotal reports. Up until the past two decades, however, there were very few controlled studies supporting its clinical efficacy. A review of the recent literature suggests that hypnosis can be effective for both acute and chronic pain. Clinicians can optimize their effectiveness by attending to both the experimental literature (e.g., increasing patients' expectations) and clinical findings (e.g., matching hypnotic suggestions to the type of pain).
Thermophoretic deposition of aerosol particles in laminar tube flow with mixed convection

A model is developed to investigate the thermophoretic deposition of aerosol particles on the wall of a relatively cool cylindrical tube. A key aspect of the flow is the presence of mixed convection. Continuity, momentum, and energy equations are solved to determine the velocity and temperature profiles of the system. Additionally, an aerosol population balance that incorporates thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion is solved. The results indicate that more particles deposit at shorter axial distances in downward flow through a vertical pipe than in upward flow. This behavior is traced to the larger residence time associated with downward flow, despite the presence of a reduced radial temperature gradient relative to the upward configuration. Model predictions also indicate that a bulk Richardson number (Ri) of at least unity is necessary, but not sufficient for free convection effects to be important. The additional evaluation of a local Ri provides a more reliable indicator.
Quality control of polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine by nephelometry.

A nephelometric method was used for quantitative analysis of individual polysaccharides (PSs) in a polyvalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine using CRM(197) as carrier protein. Using this method, the individual types 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F PSs were found to range between 82.3 to 119% of the manufacturer's indicated values. During conjugation using reductive amination, pneumococcal PS was first oxidized to introduce aldehyde groups. Higher or lower levels of antigen-antibody reaction were observed in periodate activated and then reduced PS of some serotypes compared to non-treated PS. Use of oxidized and reduced PS may provide an early indication of change in conjugation process. Furthermore, since the final monovalent and polyvalent conjugate vaccines gradually change during the storage period, the nephelometry provides an useful analytical method for stability study of these vaccines.
Targeted Disruption of Gnas in Embryonic Stem Cells

Mutations in the gene encoding the stimulatory G protein of adenylyl cyclase (Gαs) are present in subjects with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, a syndrome of characteristic developmental defects and, in some patients, resistance to multiple hormones that stimulate cAMP accumulation (pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia). As the first step in generating a model of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, the gene encoding Gαs (Gnas) was disrupted in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by homologous recombination. Northern blot analysis and immunoblot analysis demonstrated that steady-state levels of Gαs messenger RNA and Gαs protein in targeted ES cells were approximately 50% of levels in untargeted ES cells. In response to 10 μm forskolin and to various concentrations of isoproterenol (0.1–3.0μ m), cAMP accumulation was reduced in the Gαs knockout ES cell lines, relative to wild-type ES cells and to five of six ES cell lines with randomly integrated targeting vector. These results support the role of Gαs haploinsu...
Effect of the Bulky Side Chain on the Backbone Structure of the Amino Acid Derivative Valinamide

Rotational spectra have been recorded for five isotopic species of valinamide, the amide derivative of the amino acid valine. The rotational constants for the normal species are A = 3019.242(1) MHz, B = 1473.0587(7) MHz, and C = 1252.5350(8) MHz. Ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G** level identified six conformational minima with three different orientations of the isopropyl side chain and two different intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. None of the theoretical structures reproduces the fifteen experimental moments of inertia derived from the rotational constants. Least-squares fits of the theoretical structure with χ1 = 300° and an amide-to-amine intramolecular hydrogen bond find that the amino amide backbone torsional angle Ψ increases from −9.3° to +9.7(30)°. The nitrogen atomic coordinates of the least-squares-fit structure were found to be in agreement with the coordinates calculated using Kraitchman's equations for single isotopic substitution, but the nitrogen coordinates of the the...
The impact of industry shocks on takeover and restructuring activity

Abstract We study industry-level patterns in takeover and restructuring activity during the 1982–1989 period. Across 51 industries, we find significant differences in both the rate and time-series clustering of these activities. The interindustry patterns in the rate of takeovers and restructurings are directly related to the economic shocks borne by the sample industries. These results support the argument that much of the takeover activity during the 1980s was driven by broad fundamental factors and have general implications for the stock price spillover effects of takeover announcements, corporate performance following takeovers, and the timing of takeover waves.
Longing for Mourning

“Longing for Mourning” is a meditation on the verities of events that establish the ostensible stability of supposedly ordinary relationships—commitment, house-buying, and marriage. Influenced by the long history of meditations and commentarial literature on loss and aesthetics, this biographical essay is written as an aesthetic embodiment of theoretical positions. It ruminates on the forms through which time, death, loss, and repeated mourning transform such verities when they are the life story of an interracial, interclass, transcontinental and transnational relationship between two women.
Spectra and structure of organophosphorus compounds. XXV. Raman and infrared spectra and conformational stability of ethyldimethylphosphine.

The Raman (10–3500 cm−1) and infrared (50–3500 cm−1) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid ethyldimethylphosphine, CH3CH2P(CH3)2. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. From the fact that several distinct Raman lines disappear on going from the fluid phases to the solid state, it is concluded that the molecule exists as a mixture of the gauche and trans conformers in the fluid phase with the gauche conformer being more stable and the only one present in the spectrum of the solid. From a temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid, the enthalpy difference between the gauche and trans conformers was determined to be 134 ± 32 cm−1 (383 ± 92 cal mol−1). Relying on group frequencies and relative intensities of the infrared and Raman bands, and in some cases infrared band contours, a complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer. The assignment is supported by a normal coordinate calculation which was carried out utilizing a modified valence force field to obtain the frequencies of the normal modes and the potential energy distribution. The CH3-P torsions have been observed at 208 and 185 cm−1 in the gas phase and from these frequencies the periodic barriers to internal rotation have been calculated to be 905 ± 95 cm−1 (2.56 kcal mol−1). The CH3-C torsion was also observed in the gas phase at 217 cm−1 from which a periodic barrier of 1134 cm−1 (3.22 kcal mol−1) was calculated. The asymmetric torsional mode has been observed for the gauche conformer in both the infrared and Raman spectra of the gas at 91 cm−1 with evidence of ‘hot bands’ at lower frequencies. All of these results are compared with corresponding quantities for several other organophosphines.
Abstract 4104: Moderate calorie restriction activates autophagy during tumor growth suppression

Multiple mouse models of pancreatic, colon, prostate, skin and breast cancer have shown that calorie restriction (CR) prevents obesity and suppresses tumor development and growth. In normal muscle, studies have shown that mild CR attenuates the age-related impairment of autophagy, cellular damage, and cell death. Autophagy is a survival response in solid tumors that co-localizes with hypoxic regions, allowing tolerance to metabolic stress. Autophagy also protects cells from genome damage and limits both inflammation and cell death as possible means to tumor suppression. Thus, we hypothesized that autophagy plays a major role in CR-mediated tumor inhibition. To test this hypothesis, we utilized immortalized baby mouse kidney epithelium (iBMK) tumor cell lines. iBMK cells were first immortalized by E1A and dominant negative p53 (p54DD) transfection, and rendered apoptosis-deficient by Bcl-2 overexpression. They were then transfected with oncogenic Ras and EGFP-LC3 plasmids. Cell lines were either autophagy deficient through knockout of the essential autophagy gene Atg5 (Atg5 -/-) or were autophagy competent (Atg5 +/+). Female nude mice were fed either control AIN-76A diet ad-libitum or a CR regimen (isonutrient; 30% reduction in calories relative to control group) for 8 weeks prior to subcutaneous flank injection of cell lines (n=15 per group). CR mice were significantly lighter, had decreased body fat percentage, and had lower fasting glucose levels (p CR; p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4104. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4104
Probabilistic Modeling of Platelet Aggregation: Effects of Activation Time and Receptor Occupancy

Abstract A mathematical model is constructed to predict the probability that a collision between two activated platelets results in doublet formation mediated by fibrinogen cross-bridges. The model is used to explore the effect of time from activation, looking at both simultaneous and non-simultaneous activation times. Also considered are the impact of blood fibrinogen concentration and various shear rates. The idea of hydrodynamic efficiency [Tandon & Diamond (1997) Biophys. J.73, 2819–2835] is extended by varying the separation distance which is considered to be a collision. From fitting the model to data [Xia & Frojmovic (1994) Biophys. J.66, 2190–2201], it is found that the hydrodynamic efficiency corresponds to short interaction distances (≈14 nm). The model predicts that the probability of forming a doublet increases quickly after activation, remains near its maximum for a significant time interval, and then declines. This may contribute to the regulation of the time and location of platelet aggregation, by ensuring that platelets are more likely to aggregate near an injury, rather than downstream in the vascular system. A newly activated platelet has a high probability of cross-bridging with an already activated platelet. Fibrinogen concentration strongly affects the time course and the equilibrium values of the aggregation probability. These results indicate the importance of considering the progression of the reaction between solution fibrinogen and surface receptors in determining a platelet's ability to aggregate.
Polymorphism and Utilization of Human VH Genesa

The human VH germline repertoire comprises approximately 100 elements, which can be grouped into seven families based on nucleotide sequence similarity. Members of different families are interspersed throughout the complex, with limited sets of alleles identified for most loci. Linkage disequilibrium between most elements is weak. Variation within the population can be attributed to differences in nucleotide sequence between allelic genes as well as to differences in the number of genes present. Gene number per haplotype varies as a result of the common occurrence of insertion/deletion polymorphisms, which may be small, involving a single element, or may be extensive, involving four or five elements. In some cases, such polymorphisms may involve duplication of a functional VH gene segment on some haplotypes and deletion of the gene on others. The resulting variation in germline composition of the VH locus may have profound effects on VH gene utilization.
Sudden death in an infant with aberrant origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva of the aorta: Case report and review of the literature

An infant who had aberrant origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva of the aorta died suddenly secondary to acute myocardial infarction. Although this coronary artery anomaly has been acknowledged in previous reviews as a potential risk for sudden death, this is the first documented case of its occurrence that we could find in our review of the literature.