cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-dose epinephrine improves the return of spontaneous circulation rates in human victims of cardiac arrest.

Study objectives: To evaluate the return of spontaneous circulation (RSC) rates in human victims of cardiac arrest treated with standard doses of epinephrine (SDE) or high-dose epinephrine (HDE). Design: Prospective case series. Setting: A university hospital emergency department during 1987 through 1989. Participants: Forty-nine adult victims of non traumatic cardiac arrest. Interventions: At the discretion of the treating physician, patients received epinephrine in bolus doses ranging from 1 to 15 mg. HDE was defined as a dose of at least 0.2 mg/kg; smaller doses were defined as SDE. Patients were grouped as + RSC if they developed a sustained spontaneous palpable pulse or blood pressure and as — RSC if they did not develop a pulse or blood pressure. Measurements: Patients were grouped as + RSC if they developed a sustained spontaneous palpable pulse or blood pressure and as — RSC if they did not develop a pulse or blood pressure. Patients were also grouped by their presenting rhythm. Potentially perfusing rhythm was electromechanical dissociation or ventricular tachycardia. Nonperf using rhythm was asystole or ventricular fibrillation. Rates were analyzed using the Fisher exact test and the two-tailed unpaired t test. HDE improved the rate of initial resuscitation ( P = .008). The effect was greatest in patients with nonperf using rhythms ( P = .014) and disappeared when evaluating patients with potentially perfusing rhythms. No patient survived to hospital discharge. Conclusion: High-dose epinephrine improves initial resuscitation rates in human victims of cardiac arrest. Its greatest effect is in patients with a nonperf using rhythm.
Self‐Attitude Consequences of Forced Compliance

(1966). Self-Attitude Consequences of Forced Compliance. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 359-365.
Analysis of infarct size on myocardial infarction remodeling

In the United States, over one million patients sustain left ventricular (LV) injury after myocardial infarction (MI). LV remodeling is an adaptive process of hypertrophy that includes infarct expansion, reduced contractility and LV dilation. Progressive enlargement of non-ischemic, hypocontractile myocardium in the adjacent zone (AZ) following the transmural MI has been identified clinically, which contributes to the development post-MI cardiomyopathy in patients. Till now, how the early regional biomechanical and cellular changes, particularly in the AZ, relate to LV remodeling process remains incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate the temporal and/or spatial variations of strain/stress and myocyte size in an ovine model with various MI sizes.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Eye tracking on unmodified common tablets: challenges and solutions

This work describes the design and implementation of an eye tracking system on an unmodified common tablet PC. A neural network eye tracker is employed as a solution to eye tracking in the visible spectrum of light. We discuss the challenges related to image recognition and processing, and provide an objective evaluation of the accuracy and sampling rate of eye-gaze-based interaction with such an eye tracker. The results indicate that it is possible to obtain an average accuracy of 4.42° and a sampling rate of 0.70 Hz with the described system.
Insect pest problems of eucalypt plantations in Australia. 1. Queensland.

Summary Some of the most common and damaging insect pests of eucalypt trees in plantations and in native forests in Queensland are listed and discussed. Principal among these are stem boring longicorns (Tryphocaria), wood moths (Xyleutes, Uzucha), lerp insects (Cardiaspina), scarab leaf beetles (Anoplognathus, Epholcis) and subterranean termites (Coptotermes). Of the listed pests of native forests, phasmatids are the only major group yet to cause damage in plantations here.
The three key linkages: improving the connections between marketing and sales

Purpose – In reviewing a spectrum of practice across the 60 member firms of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets, those exhibiting an effective and efficient connection between marketing and sales appear to have three “key linkages” in common: linkages in language, linkages in organization, and linkage in systems. This paper seeks to outline these linkages, and explore how they might be strengthened in business‐to‐business firms.Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint paper, developed by the executive director of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets, after a full day‐and‐a‐half meeting of ISBM member firms discussing marketing and sales linkage, expanded with additional qualitative observations of marketing/sales linkage across a selection of the ISBM membership base of 60 firms.Findings – The study finds that effectiveness of the linkage between marketing and sales requires strong communication. Often one sees marketing and sales professionals talking past one another – th...
Peptide YY in children: a review.

Background Peptide YY has been found to reduce food intake via the vagal-brainstem-hypothalamic pathway. There is some indication that PYY levels may differ in early childhood in comparison with adult studies. Studies of PYY in children have yet to be synthesized. Methods This review synthesized 21 articles including studies with infants/newborns, primary school age children and populations with special health needs. Results Some important differences emerge between studies of PYY in children in comparison to those with adults. In those studies with infants and newborns, there is a high level of PYY in preterm and full-term neonates in comparison with school age children and adults. As children get older the relationship between PYY levels and body composition and obesity is more similar to that of adults. Fasting PYY levels may be lower in obese children in comparison with adults and weight loss may restore a higher postprandial level of PYY in contrast with adults whose levels remain low. Conclusions Additional studies are needed to better understand the role of higher PYY in infancy and to assess the effectiveness of different diets on children throughout time-points in growth and development as well as those with different racial/ethnic background.
In-network surface simplification for sensor fields

Recent research literature on sensor network databases has focused on finding ways to perform in-network aggregation of sensor readings to reduce the message cost. However, with these techniques information about the state at a particular location is lost. In many applications such as visualization, finite element analysis, and cartography, constructing a field from all sensor readings is very important. However, requiring all sensors to report their readings to a centralized station adversely impacts the life span of the sensor network. In this paper we focus on modeling sensor networks as a field deployed in a physical space and exploiting in-network surface simplification techniques to reduce the message cost. In particular, we propose two schemes for performing in-network surface simplification, namely (1) a hierarchical approach and (2) a triangulation based approach. We focus on a quad tree based method and a decimation method for the two approaches respectively. The quad tree based method employs an incremental refinement process during reconstruction using increasingly finer levels of detail sent by selected sensors. It has a guaranteed error bound. The decimation method starts with a triangulation of all sensors and probabilistically selects sensors not to report to prevent error accumulation. To demonstrate the performance, the two simplification techniques are compared with the naive approach of having all sensors report. Experimental results show that both techniques provide substantial message savings compared to the naivealgorithm, usually requiring less than 80% as many messages and less than 50% for some data sets. Furthermore, though the decimation algorithm does not provide a guaranteed error bound, for our experiments less than 4.5% of the interpolated values exceeded the given bound.
A Theoretical study of the reaction of Mg(3s3p 3P) with H2

Abstract Theoretical calculations on relevant portions of the potential surface of the first triplet state of MgH 2 were carried out at the SCF and MCSCF CI level in order to learn more about the detailed mechanism of the reaction Mg(3s3p 3 P) + H 2 → MgH + H. It was found that this reaction can proceed with essentially no activation barrier (⩽1.8 kcal/mole) above the reaction's 11–12 kcal/mole endothermicity via side-on attack by Mg( 3 P) of the HH bond, whereas end-on attack gives rise to a barrier of ≈ 14 kcal/mole above the endothermicity. Analysis of the orbital occupancy variations along the C 2ν side-on approach coordinate indicates that Mg + -H 2 − partial charge-transfer interactions are important. No indication of a bound or metastable triplet state of MgH 2 was found.
The University of Wisconsin organ preservation solution: Components, comparisons, and modifications

T he University of Wisconsin organ preservation solution (the UW Solution) is a complex one, developed over a 15-year span, with the intent of creating a versatile solution that could be used for preservation of all organs under cold storage or machine perfusion. It has improved preservation of the liver, 1-3 kidney, 4-6 pancreas, 7'8 intestine, 9 heart, 1°-14 and lung. 15,16 Improvements have been shown both for quality of functions as well as increased duration of preservation by cold static storage. Because of the UW Solution, longer preservation times are now being used to advantage. However, as a result, the incidences of primary nonfnnction and initial dysfunction of the liver and delayed graft function of the kidney are not much different from those before the development of the UW Solution. Studies have shown that the longer preservation periods lead to a greater incidence of complications after transplantation of the liver 17,18 and kidney. 5 Whereas many of these complications may be related to donor or recipient factors, most are likely caused by preservation/reperfusion injury. We must continue to identify and minimize these preservation injuries. To make those improvements requires greater knowledge of how solution components affect preservation. In the UW Solution, each component was carefully considered in light of what we knew at the time regarding the biochemistry of ischemic events and reperfusion injury of the transplantable organs. Now, parallel research efforts into the mechanisms of injury caused by hypothermic storage and reperfusion must be meshed with continuing research to improve on current preservation solutions. In this article we review studies that have re-
A SOR iterative algorithm for the finite difference and the finite element methods that is efficient and parallelizable

Abstract An efficient and simple parallel SOR iterative algorithm is presented for the finite difference and finite element methods. Based on domain subdividing and computing sequence reordering, this algorithm has been proven to be efficient and simple to implement. No coloring scheme and no overlapping blocks are required. With this parallel algorithm, not only computations for the mesh points in the subdomain but also computations for the mesh points on the inferace are carried out parallely. In addition, programming efforts to implement the parallel algorithm are simplified. When compared with the results using the conventional sequential algorithm, excellent efficiencies are obtained using the parallel algorithm.
Solution and Fluorescence Properties of Symmetric Dipicolylamine-Containing Dichlorofluorescein-Based Zn2+ Sensors

The mechanism by which dipicolylamine (DPA) chelate-appended fluorophores respond to zinc was investigated by the synthesis and study of five new analogues of the 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-based Zn2+ sensor Zinpyr-1 (ZP1). With the use of absorption and emission spectroscopy in combination with potentiometric titrations, a detailed molecular picture has emerged of the Zn2+ and H+ binding properties of the ZP1 family of sensors. The two separate N3O donor atom sets on ZP1 converge to form binding pockets in which all four heteroatoms participate in coordination to either Zn2+ or protons. The position of the pyridyl group nitrogen atom, 2-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl, has a large impact on the fluorescence response of the dyes to protons despite relatively small changes in pKa values. The fluorescence quenching effects of such multifunctional electron-donating units are often taken as a whole. Despite the structural complexity of ZP1, however, we provide evidence that the pyridyl arms of the DPA appendages particip...
Bacterial pathogens of acute sinusitis in the osteomeatal complex during common colds and wellness.

Background: Pathogenic bacteria have been cultured from the osteomeatal complex (OMC) in one-third of adults with apparent acute bacterial sinusitis; however, it is not known whether bacteria are present in the OMC during uncomplicated viral colds in adults. Methods: Adult volunteers were recruited for a study during wellness and at the time of acute common cold. Swab cultures were obtained from the OMC and from the nasopharynx by 2 routes (through the nose and through the mouth). Swab eluates were inoculated on selective agars to detect S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis. Results: Bacterial pathogens were detected in the OMC more frequently during common colds than during wellness (31% vs 8%, p < 0.008). Pathogens detected in the OMC were always present in the nasopharynx of the subject. Conclusion: Bacterial pathogens are present in the OMC in a subgroup of adult patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory illness/common cold. The nasopharynx appears to be the reservoir for bacterial pathogens in the OMC. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Global stabilization over the network with continuous loss of states

This paper considers the problem of global stabilization in network control systems (NCS) with continuous loss of states. In this context, data packet loss is an important issue that must be adequately addressed. Compared with randomly data packet loss, continuous (arbitrary) data packet loss is much more challenging to deal with because it requires to consider the maximum degree of continuous loss of states that a system can tolerate. In this paper, we give a characterization on the maximum sampling rate such that the continuous controller can still stabilize the sampled system. We also provide a condition under which the original controller is still able to stabilize the system in the presence of continuous loss of states. Several illustrative examples are given in the paper.
U. S. Experience of transradial coronary stenting utilizing Palmaz-Schatz stents

Transradial coronary stenting has been associated with a low frequency of vascular complications and shortened hospital length of stay, but few reports of safety and feasibility are available. To determine the safety and efficacy of transradial coronary stenting, our initial experience in 38 patients was reviewed. Palmaz-Schatz stents hand-mounted on Predator (Cordis Corp., Miami Lakes, FL) balloons were delivered through 6 Fr guide catheters. In 1 of 38 patients (3%) radial access could not be achieved. Fifty-five stents were implanted in 44 lesions (3 total occlusion, 18 type A, 19 type B, 9 type C, National Heart Lung Blood Institute Classification). Access time was 7.7 +/- 4.6 min. Procedural success was achieved in 36 patients (97%). In one patient, a stent could not be delivered to a distal circumflex lesion due to marked proximal tortuosity and calcification. Poststenting residual stenosis was 0 +/0 10%. No access-related complications occurred. One patient had stent thrombosis and required repeat angioplasty and stenting. We conclude that transradial coronary stenting is both feasible and safe with a low risk of access complications and with excellent procedural results.
A numerical scheme for particle-laden thin film flow in two dimensions

The physics of particle-laden thin film flow is not fully understood, and recent experiments have raised questions with current theory. There is a need for fully two-dimensional simulations to compare with experimental data. To this end, a numerical scheme is presented for a lubrication model derived for particle-laden thin film flow in two dimensions with surface tension. The scheme relies on an ADI process to handle the higher-order terms, and an iterative procedure to improve the solution at each timestep. This is the first paper to simulate the two-dimensional particle-laden thin film lubrication model. Several aspects of the scheme are examined for a test problem, such as the timestep, runtime, and number of iterations. The results from the simulation are compared to experimental data. The simulation shows good qualitative agreement. It also suggests further lines of inquiry for the physical model.
[1-11C]Palmitic acid: Improved radiopharmaceutical preparation

Abstract A simple synthetic procedure and processing system for the routine preparation of [1-11C]palmitic acid via carbonation of n-pentadecylmagnesium bromide with [11C]carbon dioxide is described. The key feature of this improved synthesis is the facile separation of the 11C fatty acid from the radiolabeled and unlabeled by-products of the Grignard reaction. Using this procedure and system 7.40–9.25 GBq (200–250 mCi) of [11C]CO2 was converted, after a synthesis time of 30 min, into 1.85–2.78 GBq (50–75 mCi) of pure, sterile, pyrogen-free [1-11C]palmitic acid suitable for human use with positron computed tomography.
Two Cases with Unusual Vancomycin Measurements

Patient A was a 68-year-old woman with a history of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma who presented after several weeks of mucosal bleeding. On admission, her cancer involved 95% of bone marrow cells. She was pancytopenic and febrile (38.3 °C). Leukocyte count was 0.39 × 103/μL (neutrophils, 0.03 × 103/μL), hematocrit 25%, platelet count 21 × 103/μL, relative serum viscosity 2.3 (reference interval, 1.4–1.8), blood urea nitrogen 6.4 mmol/L (18 mg/dL), creatinine 62 μmol/L (0.7 mg/dL), and estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min/1.73 m2. She had an IgMκ monoclonal component of 42.8 g/L. This patient was started on vancomycin 1 g intravenously (IV) every 12 h, ceftazidime 2 g IV every 8 h, and a course of chemotherapy. On day 3 after the beginning of antibiotic treatment, a trough specimen was collected for measurement of vancomycin. The concentration, measured with a Beckman Coulter Synchron competitive turbidimetric immunoassay, was <0.1 mg/L. The result, which was incompatible with ongoing vancomycin therapy, signaled a problem to the technologist. No analytical issues were evident upon review of calibration, controls, and results for other chemistry tests performed on the same specimen. In an attempt to resolve an apparent falsely low result, a 1:1 mix of the specimen was made with the Beckman liquid comprehensive control serum (level 3, 30.4 mg/L) and demonstrated near complete recovery (result of mix after adjusting for dilution, 28.6 mg/L). However, a 1:1 mix with pooled patient serum containing vancomycin (11 mg/L) led to only 15% recovery (result of mix after adjustment for dilution, 1.7 mg/L). The specimen was subsequently sent to another laboratory, where a vancomycin concentration of 9.8 mg/L was measured by use of a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (Emit, Olympus). Patient B was a 64 year-old woman with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma admitted …
Mesh-Mon: A multi-radio mesh monitoring and management system

Mesh networks are a potential solution for providing communication infrastructure in an emergency. They can be rapidly deployed by first responders in the wake of a major disaster to augment an existing wireless or wired network. We imagine a mesh node with multiple radios embedded in each emergency vehicle arriving at the site to form the backbone of a mobile wireless mesh. The ability of such a mesh network to monitor itself, diagnose faults and anticipate problems are essential features for its sustainable operation. Typical SNMP-based centralized solutions introduce a single point of failure and are unsuitable for managing such a network. Mesh-Mon is a decentralized monitoring and management system designed for such a mobile, rapidly deployed, unplanned mesh network and works independently of the underlying mesh routing protocol. Mesh-Mon nodes are designed to actively cooperate and use localized algorithms to predict, detect, diagnose and resolve network problems in a scalable manner. Mesh-Mon is independent of the underlying routing protocol and can operate even if the mesh routing protocol completely fails. One novel aspect of our approach is that we employ mobile users of the mesh, running software called Mesh-Mon-Ami, to ferry management packets between physically-disconnected partitions in a delay-tolerant-network manner. The main contributions of this paper are the design, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive monitoring and management architecture that helps a network administrator proactively identify, diagnose and resolve a range of issues that can occur in a dynamic mesh network. In experiments on Dart-Mesh, our 16-node indoor mesh testbed, we found Mesh-Mon to be effective in quickly diagnosing and resolving a variety of problems with high accuracy, without adding significant management overhead.
New Tools for Quantitative Phosphoproteome Analysis

The success of the various genome sequencing projects (1) and the ability to measure differences in gene expression routinely at the transcription level (2), has shifted a considerable amount of focus towards proteomics—the characterization of gene expression at the protein level (3). Much of this focus has concentrated on methods to identify and measure effectively the relative abundance of a large number of proteins in a rapid fashion (4). Major developments in the areas of protein and peptide fractionation and instrument technology have been required to accomplish these goals. In the vast majority of global proteomic projects most proteins are identified by mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods. The proteins are identified either by matching a set of peptide masses measured by MS to a list of predicted peptide masses or by generating sequence-related information of a single peptide by tandem MS and searching this MS/MS spectrum against an appropriate database. This identification strategy usually provides the identity of the analyzed proteins and sequences of their degraded peptides.
Massive primary chylopericardium: a case report.

Abstract A large pericardial effusion was discovered in an asymptomatic 12-year-old boy admitted for an elective orthopedic procedure. On physical examination, heart rate was 96 and blood pressure was 13070 without paradox. The neck veins were not distended, but heart tones were distant. Chest roentgenogram (CXR) showed an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Echocardiogram showed a massive pericardial effusion compressing the right atrium, with depressed ventricular contractility. Pericardiocentesis yielded 450 mL of chylous fluid. A percutaneous pericardial drain was placed and drained another 400 mL of chyle. Pericardial fluid reaccumulated even though the patient was on a low-fat diet, and 1 week after admission left thoracotomy was performed with partial pericardiectomy and pericardial window. There was 1 L of chyle in the pericardial sac; frozen section of the pericardium showed lymphangiectasia. Chest tube drainage diminished rapidly and the patient was discharged. Follow-up CXR at 1 week showed fluid in both pleural spaces requiring bilateral tube thoracostomies again draining chyle. Even with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), 500 mL/d of chyle drained from the pleural tubes. Right thoracotomy with ligation of the thoracic duct was performed after 1 week of TPN. Pleural drainage abruptly dropped, and there has been no reaccumulation in either the pleural spaces or pericardium at 6-month follow-up. This case dramatically supports early thoracic duct ligation and partial pericardiectomy as the treatment of choice for primary massive chylopericardium.
Distribution of toenail dystrophy predicts histologic diagnosis of onychomycosis

Background Onychomycosis (OM) affects up to 10% of the general population and is associated with functional impairment. Clinically, OM can mimic nail psoriasis, trauma, lichen planus, oncyhogryphosis, and other disorders. Laboratory methods for diagnosing OM vary in accuracy and predictive value. Clinical clues to OM would help guide laboratory testing and decrease improper empiric antifungal therapy. Objective The goal of this study was to determine whether particular distribution patterns of toenail dystrophy are associated with fungal infection of the nail. Methods We retrospectively reviewed toenail clippings submitted over a 5-year period to our pathology department for periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining for diagnosis of OM. Results Specimens from a total of 311 patients (130 men, 181 women; mean age: 48.3 yrs; range: 19-97 yrs) were included. Overall, 150 specimens (48.2%) were histologically positive for OM. OM was significantly more likely to be diagnosed in men ( P P P P P P P P Limitations Potassium hydroxide and culture results were not available to correlate with histology. PAS staining of nail clippings has inherent diagnostic limitations. Conclusions Dystrophy of the third or fifth toenails, of the first and fifth nails on the same foot, unilateral dystrophy, male gender, an age over 64, and the presence of tinea pedis are all independent predictive factors of OM. Presence of these patterns of dystrophy may help to clinically distinguish OM and guide laboratory testing.
Lipid absorption in newborn rat intestine.

Abstract There appear to be three distinct regions of cellular maturation within the newborn intestinal epithelium. As crypt cells move onto the lower villus surface, they become transition cells which in turn differentiate into mature villus-absorptive cells. In order to study lipid absorption in cells of each region, proximal segments of intestines of both suckled and corn oil-infused newborn rats were prepared by routine light and electron microscopic methods. Crypt cells were capable of division and, perhaps, of some absorption, whereas villus cells were capable only of absorption. Transition cells were capable of both division and lipid absorption.
Alcohol Exposure In Utero Leads to Enhanced Prepubertal Mammary Development and Alterations in Mammary IGF and Estradiol Systems

Exposure to alcohol during fetal development increases susceptibility to mammary cancer in adult rats. This study determined if early changes in mammary morphology and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/estradiol axis are involved in the mechanisms that underlie this increased susceptibility. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a liquid diet containing 6.7% ethanol (alcohol), an isocaloric liquid diet (pair-fed), or rat chow ad libitum from days 11 to 21 of gestation. At birth, female pups were cross-fostered to ad libitum-fed control dams. Offspring were euthanized at postnatal days (PND) 20, 40, or 80. Animals were injected with BrdU before euthanasia, then mammary glands, serum, and livers were collected. Mammary glands from animals exposed to alcohol in utero displayed increased epithelial cell proliferation and aromatase expression at PND 20 and 40. Mammary IGF-I mRNA was higher in alcohol-exposed animals relative to controls at PND 20, while mammary IGFBP-5 mRNA was lower in this group at PND 40. Hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression was increased at all time points in alcohol-exposed animals, however, circulating IGF-I levels were not altered. These data indicate that alcohol exposure in utero may advance mammary development via the IGF and estradiol systems, which could contribute to increased susceptibility to mammary cancer later in life.
Body Mass Index and Prostate Cancer Severity: Do Obese Men Harbor More Aggressive Disease on Prostate Biopsy?

Objective To examine the association of obesity with the prebiopsy prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, clinical stage, and D'Amico tumor risk in 2 independent cohorts of men with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer from California's Improving Access, Counseling and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer program and from a random sample of men treated at the University of Michigan. We performed multivariate analyses to examine the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with the prebiopsy PSA level, Gleason score, clinical stage, and D'Amico tumor risk, while controlling for demographics. Results The mean age was 61.5 years, and the median prebiopsy PSA level was 6.7 ng/mL. Greater than 70% of men were at least overweight. On univariate analysis, the BMI was not associated with prebiopsy PSA levels, Gleason score, or D'Amico tumor risk. On multivariate analysis, we found no association between BMI and log-transformed PSA, Gleason score, clinical T stage, or D'Amico risk. Advancing age was associated with a greater risk of a higher prebiopsy PSA level, Gleason score, and D'Amico tumor risk. Conclusion Obese men with prostate cancer were no more likely to have a higher prebiopsy PSA level, Gleason score, clinical T stage, or D'Amico risk than those of normal weight. Although we do not know whether the BMI affected the prebiopsy PSA values in those without a diagnosis of prostate cancer, our findings suggest that the BMI does not affect the interpretation of the prebiopsy PSA levels in those with cancer.
Coarse-Grained Atomistic Modeling and Simulation of Inelastic Material Behavior

This paper presents a new methodology for coarse-grained atomistic simulation of inelastic material behavior including phase transformations in ceramics and dislocation mediated plasticity in metals. The methodology combines an atomistic formulation of balance equations and a modified finite element method. With significantly fewer degrees of freedom than those of a fully atomistic model and without additional constitutive rules but the interatomic force field, the new coarse-grained (CG) method is shown to be feasible in predicting the nonlinear constitutive responses of materials and also reproducing atomic-scale phenomena such as phase transformations (diamond → β-Sn) in silicon and dislocation nucleation and migration, formation of dislocation loops and stacking faults ribbons in single crystal nickel. Direct comparisons between CG and the corresponding full molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the present methodology is efficient and promising in modeling and simulation of inelastic material behavior without losing the essential atomistic features. The potential applications and the limitations of the CG method are also discussed.
Predictions for proton-antiproton decay rates of 3D2 charmonium states in exclusive QCD.

We use the methods of exclusive QCD to derive the amplitude for the coupling of $J=2$ quarkonium triplet $D$ states to proton-antiproton pairs. Beginning with this amplitude, we find that $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}(^{3}D_{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\overline{p})}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\ensuremath{\psi}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\overline{p})}$ is in the range 0.08-0.19 depending on the assumed nucleon wave function.
Change in plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase splice-variant expression in response to a rise in intracellular Ca2+

Abstract Background Most eukaryotic genes are divided into introns and exons. Upon transcription, the intronic segments are eliminated and the exonic sequences spliced together through a series of complex processing events. Alternative splicing refers to the optional inclusion or exclusion of specific exons in transcripts derived from a single gene, which leads to structural and functional changes in the encoded proteins. Although many components of the machinery directing the physical excision of introns and joining of exons have been elucidated in recent years, the signaling pathways regulating the activity of the machinery remain largely unexplored. Results A calcium-mediated signaling pathway regulates alternative splicing at a specific site of human plasma membrane calcium pump-2 transcripts. This site consists of three exons, which are differentially used in a tissue-specific manner. In IMR32 neuroblastoma cells, a transient elevation of intracellular calcium changed the predominant pattern from one in which all three exons are included to the coexpression of a variant including only the third exon. Western-blot analysis demonstrated that the newly expressed mRNAs are faithfully translated. Once induced, the new splicing pattern was maintained over multiple cell divisions. Protein synthesis was not required to induce the alternative splice change, indicating that all components necessary for a rapid cellular response are present in the cells. Conclusions Calcium signaling exerts a direct influence on the regulation of alternative splicing. Notably, a calcium-mediated change in the expression of alternatively spliced variants of a calcium regulatory protein was discovered. The change in splicing occurs quickly, is persistent but reversible and leads to a corresponding change in protein expression. The specific nature in which differently spliced protein variants are expressed, and now the fact that their expression can be regulated by distinct intracellular signaling pathways, suggests that the regulation of alternative splicing by physiological stimuli is a widespread regulatory mechanism by which a cell may coordinate its responses to environmental cues.
Modeling non-linear oscillators: a new approach

Abstract A new method for modeling oscillators is presented. Results from this method are superior to those of perturbation techniques, especially when non-linearities are large, and it is computationally just as simple. The method is introduced here by application to the non-linear pendulum and the Duffing equation, but it can be extended to non-conservative oscillators. It is based on a ‘dual’ state variable formulation, in which a second ordinary differential equation is paired with the oscillator's equation of motion. The solutions developed here are followed by a discussion of the underlying mathematics.
Interplay between ferromagnetism, surface states, and quantum corrections in a magnetically doped topological insulator

The breaking of time-reversal symmetry by ferromagnetism is predicted to yield profound changes to the electronic surface states of a topological insulator. Here, we report on a concerted set of structural, magnetic, electrical, and spectroscopic measurements of Mn-Bi${}_{2}$Se${}_{3}$ thin films wherein photoemission and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism studies have recently shown surface ferromagnetism in the temperature range $15\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}\text{K}\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}100$ K, accompanied by a suppressed density of surface states at the Dirac point. Secondary-ion mass spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy reveal an inhomogeneous distribution of Mn atoms, with a tendency to segregate towards the sample surface. Magnetometry and anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements are insensitive to the high-temperature ferromagnetism seen in surface studies, revealing instead a low-temperature ferromagnetic phase at $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}5$ K. The absence of both a magneto-optical Kerr effect and an anomalous Hall effect suggests that this low-temperature ferromagnetism is unlikely to be a homogeneous bulk phase but likely originates in nanoscale near-surface regions of the bulk where magnetic atoms segregate during sample growth. Although the samples are not ideal, with both bulk and surface contributions to electron transport, we measure a magnetoconductance whose behavior is qualitatively consistent with predictions that the opening of a gap in the Dirac spectrum drives quantum corrections to the conductance in topological insulators from the symplectic to the orthogonal class.
Arterial delivery of genetically labelled skeletal myoblasts to the murine heart: Long-term survival and phenotypic modification of implanted myoblasts

The ability to replace damaged myocardial tissue with new striated muscle would constitute a major advance in the treatment of diseases that irreversibly injure cardiac muscle cells. The creation of focal grafts of skeletal muscle has been reported following the intramural injection of skeletal myoblasts into both normal and injured myocardium. The goals of this study were to determine whether skeletal myoblast-derived cells can be engrafted into the murine heart following arterial delivery. The murine heart was seeded with genetically labeled C2C12 myoblasts introduced into the arterial circulation of the heart via a transventricular injection. A transventricular injection provided access to the coronary and systemic circulations. Implanted cells were characterized using histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase, immunofluorescent staining for muscle-specific antigens, and electron microscopy. Initially the injected cells were observed entrapped in myocardial capillaries. One week after injection myoblasts were present in the myocardial interstitium and were largely absent from the myocardial capillary bed. Implanted cells underwent myogenic development, characterized by the expression of a fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA1) and formation of myofilaments. Four months following injection myoblast-derived cells began to express a slow-twitch/cardiac protein, phospholamban, that is normally not expressed by C2C12 cells in vitro. Most surprisingly, regions of close apposition between LacZ labeled cells and native cardiomyocytes contained structures that resembled desmosomes, fascia adherens junctions, and gap junctions. The cardiac gap junction protein, connexin43, was localized to some of the interfaces between implanted cells and cardiomyocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that arterially delivered myoblasts can be engrafted into the heart, and that prolonged residence in the myocardium may alter the phenotype of these skeletal muscle-derived cells. Further studies are necessary to determine whether arterial delivery of skeletal myoblasts can be developed as treatment for myocardial dysfunction.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LIVER UPON ESTROGENPROTEIN BINDING IN VITRO1

THE liver has long been regarded as the major site of inactivation of the estrogens and other steroid hormones (cf., Pincus and Pearlman, 1943; Pearlman, 1948). Recent evidence has, however, suggested that this organ may perform a dual role in estrogen metabolism, functioning both in the “activation” and inactivation of these compounds (Roberts and Szego, 1947). The mechanism of this activation may involve the elaboration by hepatic tissue of the circulating estrogen-protein complex, estroprotein (Roberts and Szego, 1946; Szego and Roberts, 1946). Investigations of the capacity of surviving liver and other tissues to promote the binding of estrogen to the serum proteins have been made possible by the availability of estrone-16 C14 of high specific activity2 (cf., Heard et al., 1951). The low order of magnitude of the substrate concentration in the present experiments is in sharp contrast to that employed by previous investigators, and may be considered a closer approximation to the physiological levels li...
Absorption and Subjective Effects of Caffeine from Coffee, Cola and Capsules

Coffee is often perceived as producing greater pharmacological effects than cola. The present study compared the magnitude and rapidity of peak caffeine levels and subjective effects between coffee and cola. Thirteen users of both coffee and cola (mean daily caffeine consumption = 456 mg) ingested 400 mg caffeine via 12 oz unsweetened coffee, 24 oz sugar-free cola or 2 capsules in a random, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design. Subjects provided a saliva sample and completed subjective effect scales 15 min before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after ingestion. Mean peak saliva caffeine levels did not differ between coffee (9.7 +/- 1.2 micrograms/ml) and cola (9.8 +/- 0.9 micrograms/ml) and appeared to be greater with these beverages than with the capsule (7.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml; p = NS). Saliva caffeine levels peaked at similar times for coffee (42 +/- 5 min) and cola (39 +/- 5 min) but later for capsule (67 +/- 7 min; p = 0.004). There was no main effect of vehicle or interaction of vehicle and drug on magnitude of peak effect or time to peak increase on self-report scales. In summary, peak caffeine absorption, time to peak absorption, and subjective effects do not appear to be influenced by cola vs. coffee vehicle. Perceived differences in the effects of coffee vs. cola may be due to differences in dose, time of day, added sweetener, environmental setting or contingencies.
Absence of premalignant histologic, molecular, or cell biologic alterations in prophylactic oophorectomy specimens from BRCA1 heterozygotes

BACKGROUND The high mortality associated with ovarian carcinoma is largely a reflection of the inability to diagnose the disease at an early stage; the identification of a histologic lesion or molecular marker associated early stages of transformation would represent an important advance in understanding the natural history of this cancer. The existence of individuals with germline mutations in the ovarian and breast carcinoma susceptibility gene BRCA1 represents a unique opportunity to search for such premalignant alterations in ovarian tissues that are at unusually high risk for tumorigenesis. In this study, the authors addressed the hypothesis that pathologically normal ovaries removed from BRCA1 heterozygotes are likely to display premalignant histologic, molecular, and/or cell biologic alterations that may provide insight into early stages of ovarian tumorigenesis. METHODS Ovarian tissues from 18 BRCA1 heterozygotes and from 20 age-matched controls were examined in a blinded fashion for histologic evidence of surface epithelial pseudostratification, epithelial inclusion cysts, deep cortical invaginations of surface epithelium, increased stromal cell activity, and surface papillomatosis. Immunohistochemical analyses for expression of BRCA1, p53, and ERBB-2 and quantitation of cell proliferation (Ki-67 expression) and apoptosis (TUNEL assay), were also performed on all specimens. RESULTS Although histologic alterations were observed, there was no difference in frequency between cases and controls. Analysis of BRCA1 expression revealed ubiquitous nuclear immunoreactivity in the surface epithelial cells of all ovaries. Similarly, no evidence was found of p53 overexpression in any ovarian tissue or of a difference in ERBB-2 expression between cases and controls. Finally, no differences were observed in epithelial cell proliferation or apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Clinically, normal ovaries from BRCA1 heterozygotes do not show evidence of premalignant alterations in histology, molecular markers, cell proliferation, or apoptosis, indicating that such changes are likely rare. Cancer 2000;89:383–90. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Polyethyleneimine-DNA Interactions

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a cationic polymer with primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups separated by an ethylene bridge. PEI is available in both linear and branched forms, and many molecular weight forms are available commercially. PEI is amongst the first and very versatile transfection agents to deliver DNA to cells for gene targeted studies and therapeutic applications. By virtue of their cationic nature under physiologically compatible ionic and pH conditions, PEI can bind with DNA. Using total intensity and dynamic laser light scattering studies, we determined the efficacy of linear (22 kDa and 25 kDa) and branched (0.6 kDa, 1.2 kDa 10 kDa and 25 kDa) PEI to condense a 5256 base pair plasmid DNA (pGL3). Linear PEIs were more efficacious than branched PEIs in condensing plasmid DNA to nanoparticles. EC50 values (concentration of PEI at 50% condensation) were 0.054 and 0.075 microgram per milliliter, respectively, for linear and branched PEIs when the condensing buffer contained 10 mM Na+. Hydrodynamic radii of DNA nanoparticles were comparable (158 nm for linear and 150 nm for branched) when PEIs were used as condensing agents. Straight lines were obtained when log[EC50] was plotted against log[Na+], where Na+ is the sodium ion concentration in the buffer used for plasmid DNA condensation. The slope of this plot, dlog[EC50]/dlog[Na+] is a quantitative measure of the relationship between multivalent and monovalent ions in condensing plasmid DNA. Our results showed a slightly negative (−0.016) slope for 22 kDa and 25kDa linear PEIs and slightly positive (0.033) slope for 25 kDa branched PEI. Taken together, our data show that PEIs are excellent promoters of DNA condensation to nanoparticles. Plasmid DNA condensation might be a possible mechanism by which PEIs drive DNA transportation in cells.
Effect of ultraviolet-C light on quality and microbial population of fresh-cut watermelon

Abstract The influence of ultraviolet (UV-C) light (1.4–13.7 kJ m −2 at 254 nm) on the quality and microbial populations of fresh-cut watermelon [ Citrulus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] was investigated and compared to that of common sanitizing solutions used for fresh-cut produce. Dipping cubes in chlorine (40 μL L −1 ) and ozone (0.4 μL L −1 ) was not effective in reducing microbial populations and quality was lower in cubes receiving these aqueous treatments compared to UV-irradiated cubes or control. In commercial trials, exposing packaged watermelons cubes to UV-C light at 4.1 kJ m −2 produced >1 log reduction in microbial populations by the end of the product's shelf life without affecting juice leakage, color and, overall visual quality. In further experimentation, lower UV-C dose (1.4 kJ m −2 ) reduced microbial populations to a lower degree and only when complete surface exposure was ensured. Higher UV-C doses did not show any difference in microbial populations (6.3 kJ m −2 ) or result in quality deterioration (13.7 kJ m −2 ). Spray applications of hydrogen peroxide (2%) and chlorine (40 μL L −1 ), without subsequent removal of excess water, failed to further decrease microbial load of cubes exposed to UV-C light at 4.1 kJ m −2 . When properly utilized, UV-C light is the only method tested in this study that could potentially be used for sanitizing fresh-cut watermelon.
Slum Real Estate: The Low-Quality High-Price Puzzle in Nairobi’s Slum Rental Market and its Implications for Theory and Practice

Summary This study of 1755 households in Nairobi’s slums challenges the conventional belief that slums offer low-quality low-cost shelter to a population that cannot afford better standards. In Nairobi, slums provide low-quality but high-cost shelter. Although slum residents pay millions of dollars in rents annually, and better quality units command higher rents, very little is being re-invested to upgrade quality. To resolve the challenge that the Nairobi puzzle poses for theory and practice, we develop a new analytical framework for understanding quality of living conditions. Improving conditions in Nairobi’s slums requires, we argue, two simultaneous interventions: alteration of the tenure mix to enhance owner occupancy and infrastructure investment.