cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The fate of colonic suture lines in high-risk trauma patients: a prospective analysis

Abstract Background: Some authors have stated that virtually all patients with penetrating colon injuries can be safely managed with primary repair. The purpose of this study is to test the applicability of this statement to all trauma patients by evaluating a protocol of liberal primary repair applied to a group of patients at high risk of septic complications. Study Design: We performed a prospective analysis of a liberal policy of primary repair applied to patients at high risk of developing postoperative septic complications admitted to a Level I urban trauma center. Inclusion criteria were full-thickness colon injury and at least one of three additional risk factors: 1) Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index (PATI) of 25 or more; 2) 6 U or more of blood transfused; and 3) 6 hours or longer elapsed between injury and surgery. Results: Of 56 patients studied (55 male, 1 female, average age 28.8 years, mean PATI 35.3), the vast majority had gunshot wounds as the mechanism of injury (89%), PATI 25 or more (95%), multiple blood transfusions (77%), an Injury Severity Score greater than 15 (66%), and a need for postoperative ventilatory support in the surgical intensive care unit (61%). Of 56 patients, 49 (88%) had at least one colonic suture line, and 25 patients (45%) had destructive colon injuries requiring resection. Intraabdominal infections occurred in 15 (27%) of 56 patients and colon suture line disruption occurred in 3 (6%) of 49. Two of these patients developed multisystem organ failure, and death was directly related to breakdown of their colonic anastomosis. Conclusions: On the basis of these data and the relative infrequency of patients in prospective randomized trials with destructive colon injuries, we believe there is still room for consideration of fecal diversion in patients in high-risk categories with destructive colon injuries requiring resection.
TRANSNATIONAL EFFECTS OF FISCAL SHOCKS IN A TWO-COUNTRY MODEL OF DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

This chapter discusses the transnational effects of fiscal shocks in a two-country model of dynamic equilibrium. It presents an analysis for the consequences of a foreign fiscal disturbance—with special attention to employment effects in the short run. The chapter discusses a balanced-budget increase of public expenditures by the foreign country, Star, when the world has been in stationary equilibrium prior to the disturbance. The chapter presents the argument that an increase of G * in the long run will leave the world rate of interest higher, hence leave higher the employment-capital ratio in both countries. World employment will be left higher unless the supply of tangible world savings (S +S*) is strongly reduced by the rise of the rate of interest; a reduction of the world capital stock tends, by itself, to reduce world employment via real balance effects. The presumption is that employment in Star is left higher because, at an unchanged rate of interest, the contraction of the demand for Star's money induced by the increase of G * would create an excess supply of money if there have been no increase of employment in Star. The consequent rise of the interest rate raises several complications but if the relevant interest elasticties are small, which is a reasonable empirical judgment, then employment in Star will indeed be left higher in the long run.
The Conical Methodology and the evolution of simulation model development

Originating with ideas generated in the mid-1970s, the Conical Methodology (CM) is the oldest procedural approach to simulation model development. This evolutionary overview describes the principles underlying the CM, the environment structured according to these principles, and the capabilities for large complex simulation modeling tasks not provided in textbook descriptions. The CM is an object-oriented, hierarchical specification language that iteratively prescribes object attributes in a definitional phase that is topdown, followed by a specification phase that is bottom-up. The intent is to develop successive model representations at various levels of abstraction that can be diagnosed for correctness, completeness, consistency, and other characteristics prior to implementation as an executable program. Related or competitive approaches, throughout the evolutionary period are categorized as emanating from: artificial intelligence, mathematical programming, software engineering, conceptual modeling, systems theory, logic-based theory, or graph theory. Work in each category is briefly described.
Feedback representation of precompensators

An algebraic theory is developed for the design of internally stable control configurations, which consist of dynamic output feedback, inside-loop precompensation, and outside-loop precompensation. The underlying quantity is an equivalent pro-compensator which relates the given system to the desired system, and which may induce unstable pole-zero cancellations. From this equivalent precompensator, the controllers of the final internally stable control configuration are constructed. The main step in this construction involves a partial-fraction decomposition of matrices. The problem of minimizing the outside-loop precompensator (without affecting the transfer matrix of the final system) is considered. For infective systems, the outside-loop precompensator can be eliminated in almost all cases. †This research was supported in part by US Army Research Grant DAA29-80-C0050 and US Air Force Grant AFOSR76-3034D through the Center for Mathematical System Theory, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611,...
Economic simulation modeling of reprocessing alternatives for corn masa byproducts

Abstract Increasing production of corn masa for tortillas, chips, and related snack foods is resulting in large quantities of organic residuals requiring environmentally sound management. These byproduct streams appear suitable for use as livestock feed material, thus eliminating landfilling costs. Possibilities for developing livestock feed include direct shipping to livestock feeding facilities, blending prior to shipping, extrusion processing, pellet mill processing, and dehydration. To assess the viability of these options for reprocessing masa byproducts as livestock feed materials, an economic model was developed and applied to each of these alternatives. Through a series of simulation runs with this model, it was determined that direct shipping was by far the most inexpensive means of recycling masa processing residuals (10–57 $/Mg). Other alternatives examined in increasing order of costs included blending prior to shipping, extrusion, pellet mill processing (3–15, 5–18, and 4–18 times greater than direct shipping, respectively), while dehydration was clearly cost-prohibitive (33–81 times greater). Bagged feed was slightly more expensive to produce than bulk feed (1.1 times greater), and reprocessing costs increased as delivery distance increased, due to increased labor, equipment, and fuel costs, but decreased as byproduct generation rate increased, due to the development of the economies of scale. Alternately, based on a tipping fee of 50 $/Mg, the total estimated cost to landfill ranged from 65 to 112 $/Mg. Based on this cost analysis, direct shipping and feeding to livestock is the recycling option of choice for masa processing byproducts. Although specific details of process configurations and associated costs will vary, similar results are likely for other high moisture food processing residuals destined for utilization as livestock feed or components thereof.
Adolescent research recruitment issues and strategies: application in a rural school setting.

This report discusses adolescent research recruitment strategies in general and specifically, those developed by a research team for a rural school setting. Recruitment of adolescent subjects involves the consideration of several complex issues. These issues include adolescent development, ethical and legal guidelines, and access to school settings. Specific strategies are discussed regarding access and culture of the rural setting, collaboration, and recruitment procedures in relation to their use to recruit adolescent subjects from rural schools. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Studies on protein synthesis in vitro. IV. Concerning the apparent uptake of methionine by particulate preparation from liver.

Abstract 1. 1. When incubated with methionine-C14H3 or methionine-S35, the proteins in mitochondria from rat liver retain radioactivity which is not removed by washing with trichloroacetic acid, alcohol, or ether. 2. 2. Most of the radioactivity retained is removed by reducing agents to give a product soluble in ether. 3. 3. By using the carrier technique the product has been shown to be methyl mercaptan (methanethiol). 4. 4. Methyl mercaptan is formed from the keto acid corresponding to methionine more rapidly than from the amino acid itself. 5. 5. The system responsible for methyl, mercaptan formation is not identical with the thionase preparation of Binkley and Okeson. It is rather labile and insensitive to respiratory poisons, but sensitive to thiols such as homocysteine. 6. 6. The label taken up by the protein of liver slices incubated with methiol-labeled methionine is stable to reducing agents.
In search of occupational illness.

Excerpt Physicians accustomed to precise definitions of diseases in specific molecular terms may be less accepting in today's rapid-paced environment of the efforts of those who classify and descri...
Active chloride secretion by rabbit colon: calcium-dependent stimulation by ionophore A23187.

Addition of Ca ionophore, A23187, to the solution bathing the mucosal surface of descending rabbit colon resulted in a reversal of active Cl absorption to active Cl secretion, a twofold increase in short-circuit current and a 40% increase in tissue conductance without affecting the rate of active Na absorption. These alterations in electrolyte transport are quantitatively similar to those previously observed in response to cyclic 3′,5′-AMP (cAMP) (R.A. Frizzell, M.J. Koch & S.G. Schultz,J. Membrane Biol. 27:297, 1976). When medium Ca concentration was reduced to 10−6 m, the secretory response to A23187 was abolished but the response to cAMP was unaffected. The ionophore did not influence the cAMP levels of colonic mucosa. Addition of cyclic AMP to colonic strips preloaded with45Ca elicited a reversible increase in Ca efflux from the tissue. These results suggest that an increase in intracellular Ca concentration stimulates colonic electrolyte secretion and that the secretory response to cAMP may be due, at least in part, to a release of Ca from intracellular stores.
Easy access to remote graphical UNIX applications for windows users

A barrier deters Windows users from evaluating graphical scientific software that runs only on remote UNIX systems. Graphical UNIX applications are based on X Windows. To make use of X applications, Windows users must install an X server, install communications software for connecting to remote UNIX systems, and configure their systems to display graphics from remote systems. This barrier can be removed by making use of an X server and communications software that run live from CD-ROM. This poster presents such a CD-ROM known as XLiveCD. XLiveCD appears to users as an application that provides a command-prompt that allows them to log in to remote computers. Windows XP/NT/ 2000 users insert the CD into a drive and click twice in response to a wizard. A terminal window appears on the screen and provides a command prompt. From the command prompt users run the secure shell (ssh) to connect to a remote computer and launch applications. X graphics windows are forwarded automatically. XLiveCD is based entirely on open source software and is available free for download. It is a Cygwin environment (from Red Hat, Inc.), including the X.org X server and openssh installed and modified to be run from CD-ROM. The home page is http://xlivecd.indiana.edu/.
Bionomics of Phrydiuchus tau (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) associated with Mediterranean sage in Idaho

The bionomics of Phrydiuchus tau Warner associated with the rangeland weed Mediterranean sage, Salvia aethiopis L. (Lamiaceae), in Idaho was evaluated. The phenology of P. tau was closely synchronized with that of Mediterranean sage. Adults emerged from pupation in Mayor June and fed on the rapidly growing foliage of the plant rosettes until mid-June. Estivation occurred throughout the summer when plants were dormant, and adults emerged in the autumn to feed and reproduce. Oviposition occurred from November to April with eggs oviposited singly or in groups of two to four externally in the leaf axils, on the petioles, or on the leaf or crown surfaces. Larvae developed through three instars inside the crown or leaf axil. Pupation occurred in earthen cells between May and June. Larvae often completely destroyed the crown and associated meristematic tissues, resulting in the growth of new shoots and prolonging the longevity of the plant. Larvae were found in plants ranging in size from 1.6 to 43.1 mm crown diameter. Up to 35 larvae were recovered from a Single crown. Smaller-crowned plants were attacked less frequently than larger-crowned plants.
Identification of new classes of ricin toxin inhibitors by virtual screening.

We used two virtual screening programs, ICM and GOLD, to dock nearly 50,000 compounds into each of two conformations of the target protein ricin A chain (RTA). A limited control set suggests that candidates scored highly by two programs may have a higher probability of being ligands than those in a list from a single program. Based on the virtual screens, we purchased 306 compounds that were subjected to a kinetic assay. Six compounds were found to give modest, but significant, inhibition of RTA. They also tended to inhibit shiga toxin A chain, with roughly the same IC50. The compounds generally represent novel chemical platforms that do not resemble RTA substrates, as currently known inhibitors do. These six were also tested in a cell-based assay for their ability to protect cells from intact ricin. Two compounds were effective in this regard, showing modest to strong ricin inhibition, but also showing some cytotoxicity. RTA, with its large, polar active site is a difficult drug design target which is expected to bind small molecules only weakly. The ability of the method to find these novel platforms is encouraging and suggests virtual screening can contribute to the search for ricin and shiga toxin inhibitors.
The effect of povidone-iodine on thyroid function in rats.

Abstract Young male, Sprague-Dawley rats, 60–70 days of age, and adult male Long-Evans rats, 1 yr old, were injected with povidone-iodine (Betadine) at two different dosages. The characteristic pattern of the Wolff-Chaikoff block followed exposure to the free iodine liberated by the povidone-iodine complex causing a reduction in thyroid 131I uptake, depression of the thyroid-to-serum radioiodide ratio, and inhibition of organic iodinations. The marked reduction in the percentages of labeled mono- and di-iodotyrosines (MIT and DIT), and iodothyronines (T3 + T4), the large increase in percentage of labeled iodide and the increase in MIT DIT ratios are changes which are considered as a classic illustration of the consequences of a reduction in thyroid hormone synthesis. This is an example of what is termed the Wolff-Chaikoff effect which usually follows the presence of high concentrations of inorganic iodine.
Spectrophotometric analysis of rat liver lactate dehydrogenase-coenzyme and coenzyme analog complexes

Abstract A study of difference spectra in the range, 300–500 mμ is reported involving highly purified rat liver lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and oxidized or reduced coenzyme or coenzyme analog (nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or acetylpyridine-adenine dinucleotide (AcPyAD). The formation of the binary complexes, LDH · NAD or LDH · AcPyAD is associated with the development of spectral bands with λ max at 335 mμ and 355 mμ, respectively. The observed absorbance is proportional to coenzyme concentration at fixed LDH concentration. The spectral behavior of the LDH · oxidized coenzyme binary complexes is clearly distinguishable from that of the binary complexes involving NADH or AcPyADH. A conclusion is that the binding of oxidized coenzymes to LDH results in a significant change in the chromophoric behavior of a hybridized form of the substituted pyridine ring. The formation of abortive ternary complexes involving LDH · oxidized coenzyme /sd pyruvate or LDH · oxidized coenzyme · /ga-ketobutyrate was accompanied by slow progressive spectral changes which reached equilibrium values, dependent on the concentration of all three reactants. For LDH · NAD · pyruvate λ max , was 323 mμ; for LDH · AcPyAD · pyruvate λ max was 341 mμ. The spectral changes were fully reversible upon dialysis vs. AcPyAD-buffer in the one case but not upon dialysis vs. NAD-buffer in the other. Complete recovery of enzyme activity was noted in each case after dialysis to remove pyruvate or α-ketobutyrate. The spectral changes are considered to be those associated with the allosteric binding of pyruvate or α-ketobutyrate to binary complexes of LDH · oxidized coenzyme with resulting conformational changes in LDH which affect the active sites. No abortive ternary complex involving LDH-reduced coenzyme (or reduced coenzyme analog) -lactate could be detected by spectral means.
In vitro protein translocation across the yeast endoplasmic reticulum: ATP-dependent post-translational translocation of the prepro-α-factor

Abstract The in vitro synthesized precursor of the α-factor pheromone, prepro-α-factor, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was translocated across yeast microsomal membranes in either a homologous or a wheat germ cell free system. Translocated prepro-α-factor was glycosylated, sedimented with yeast microsomal vesicles, and was protected from digestion by added protease, but was soluble after alkaline sodium carbonate treatment. Thus prepro-α-factor was properly sequestered within yeast microsomal vesicles, but was not integrated into the lipid bilayer. In marked contrast to protein translocation across mammalian microsomal membranes, translocation of prepro-α-factor across yeast microsomal membranes could occur posttranslationally. This reaction required protein components in the yeast microsomal fraction that could be inactivated by alkylation or proteolysis, was ATP-dependent, and was insensitive to the presence of a variety of uncouplers and ionophores.
An experimental investigation on smart laminated composite structures featuring embedded electro-rheological fluid domains for vibration-control applications

Abstract A proof-of-concept investigation is presented herein on a class of macroscopically smart composite laminated structural materials and also monolithic materials containing voids filled with electro-rheological (ER) fluids. The elastodynamic behavior of beam-like structures fabricated in this class of materials is shown to be controllable by selectively tuning the electrical field imposed upon the ER fluid domains in the structure. Investigations on controlling the transient response of cantilevered beams are presented. These experimental studies undertaken clearly demonstrate the ability of this class of smart laminated materials to change their natural frequencies, structural damping properties and dynamic stiffnesses in real-time, thereby providing a new vibration-control strategy for the engineering community.
Transport of water in frozen soil: V, Method for measuring the vapor diffusivity when ice is absent

Abstract A new experimental method is introduced for determining the relative magnitudes of liquid and vapor diffusion by using a small amount of soluble chemical as a tracer. The theoretical justification of the method is presented for the case where ice is absent. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated by an experiment using marine-deposited clay.
The effect of ovary implants on juvenile hormone production by corpora allata of male Diploptera punctata

In the cockroach Diploptera punctata, vitellogenic basal oocytes stimulate juvenile hormone production by the corpora allata. Experiments with males were designed to determine whether oocytes must grow vitellogenically in order to stimulate juvenile hormone production. Two ovarioles with vitellogenic basal oocytes were implanted into unoperated and sham-operated males that do not produce vitellogenin, and males with denervated corpora allata, that produce more juvenile hormone, and sometimes more vitellogenin. Males with corpora allata in similar conditions were injected with saline as controls. In males with denervated corpora allata compared to sham-operated and unoperated males, the implanted basal oocytes showed a greater increase in length, protein, and vitellin content. Juvenile hormone synthesis by denervated corpora allata in males with ovariole implants was greater than in controls. In 10 of 50 males with denervated corpora allata in which one or no ovarioles grew, juvenile hormone production was not higher than in controls. This suggests that if sufficient juvenile hormone is not present to produce vitellogenin, or oocytes do not take vitellogenin up, juvenile hormone production is not stimulated. In sham-operated males implanted with ovarioles, no difference was detected in juvenile hormone synthesis compared to controls. However when unoperated males were used a significant increase was detected. This suggests that intact nerves from the brain to the corpora allata restrained juvenile hormone production so that ovarioles could elicit only slight stimulation of the corpora allata, and oocytes continued vitellogenesis but more slowly than in denervated males. Thus the extent of vitellogenesis appears to determine the ability of ovaries to stimulate juvenile hormone production.
The bacteriophage λ CI protein finds an asymmetric solution

The CI protein of bacteriophage lambda (lambdaCI) is both a repressor and activator of transcription that has served as a model for understanding how gene regulatory proteins work. A dimeric DNA-binding protein, lambdaCI also forms higher-order oligomers that allow it to bind cooperatively to both adjacent and nonadjacent operator sites within the phage genome. The ability of phage lambda to transition efficiently from one program of gene expression to another depends upon the formation of these higher-order protein-DNA complexes. A recently determined crystal structure of a DNA-bound lambdaCI dimer reveals that the two subunits of the dimer adopt different conformations. This unexpected asymmetry helps explain how these higher-order complexes are assembled.
Even Cancers Want Commitment: Lineage Identity and Medulloblastoma Formation

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Yang et al. (2008) and Schuller et al. (2008) show that Hedgehog activation in either multipotent neural stem cells or developmentally restricted progenitors causes only medulloblastomas to form. These data suggest that some stem cell-derived tumors must commit to a specific lineage in order to grow.
Mammalian Mitochondrial Intermediate Peptidase: Structure/Function Analysis of a New Homologue from Schizophyllum commune and Relationship to Thimet Oligopeptidases

Abstract Mitochondrial intermediate peptidase (MIP) is a component of the mitochondrial protein import machinery required for maturation of nuclear-encoded precursor proteins targeted to the mitochondrial matrix or inner membrane. We previously characterized this enzyme in rat (RMIP) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (YMIP) and showed that MIP activity is essential for mitochondrial function in yeast. We have now defined the structure of a new MIP homologue ( SMIP ) from the basidiomycete fungus Schizophyllum commune. SMIP includes 4 exons of 523, 486, 660, and 629 bp separated by 3 short introns. The predicted SMIP, YMIP, and RMIP sequences share 31-37% identity and 54-57% similarity over 700 amino acids. When SMIP and RMIP were expressed in a yeast mip1 Δ mutant, they were both able to rescue the respiratory-deficient phenotype caused by genetic inactivation of YMIP, indicating that the function of this enzyme is conserved in eukaryotes. Moreover, the MIP sequences show 20-24% identity and 40-47% similarity to a family of oligopeptidases from bacteria, yeast, and mammals. MIP and these proteins are characterized by a highly conserved motif, F-H-E-X-G-H-(X) 2 -H-(X) 12 -G-(X) 5 -D-(X) 2 -E-X-P-S-(X) 3 -E-X, centered around a zinc-binding site and appear to represent a new family of genes associated with proteolytic processing in the mitochondrial and cytosolic compartments.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: Techniques for portal localization

Finding and establishing access into the portal vein remains one of the more challenging aspects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures. Numerous methods to localize the portal vein have been described. Wedge venography remains the noninvasive technique that most consistently shows the portal vein anatomy. Attention to a few procedural details improves both the safety and efficacy of wedge venography. The full spectrum of invasive and noninvasive localization techniques are reviewed.
Mapping Lubricin in Canine Musculoskeletal Tissues

Lubricin, also known as superficial zone protein or PRG4, has many distinct biological functions, including lubrication, antiadhesion, and as a regulator of cell growth. This study investigated lubricin in canine musculoskeletal tissues using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. One or more variants were noted in canine flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, A2 pulley, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), knee lateral collateral ligament (LCL), articular cartilage, meniscus, muscle, and skin. We found 6 N-terminal lubricin splicing variants. The variants with larger sizes were identified in FDP tendon, ACL, LCL, A2 pulley, and cartilage. Lubricin was distributed both on the tissue surfaces and at the interface of fiber bundles within tissues, but this distribution varied by tissue type. We conclude that lubricin is present in many tissues; variations in splicing and physical distribution suggest that the variants of lubricin may play different roles in different locations.
Skeletal morphogenesis in the urodele skull: II. Effect of developmental stage in thyroid hormone-induced remodeling.

This study investigates the effect of developmental stage on thyroid hormone (TH)-mediated remodeling in the skeletal tissues of hemidactyliine plethodontid urodeles. Rate of morphogenesis was quantified in 17 metamorphic tissues for three different size-age classes of Eurycea bislineata larvae immersed in a metamorphic dosage of T4 . Extent of morphogenesis after a 3-week immersion was also quantified in these tissues plus four larval ones for the full size range of E. bislineata larvae and for less complete size ranges of E. wilderae, E. longicauda guttolineata, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, and Pseudotriton ruber larvae. Although all tissues respond more slowly with decreasing size/age, two tissue-specific effects are evident in all species. Larval ossifications are less inducible than metamorphic ossifications, and progressive metamorphic events are more retarded and, in some cases, more prone to abnormal morphogenesis than regressive ones. The first effect agrees with the prediction that tissues that naturally remodel at metamorphosis are more responsive to a metamorphic dosage of TH than those that respond at a larval stage and lower TH. The second effect agrees with the prediction that progressive morphogenesis is more likely to be impaired at small size than regressive morphogenesis, although the frequent discrepancies between individuals of similar size implicate developmental age more than size in this effect. Collectively, these two effects provide only equivocal support for the hypothesis that direct development in plethodontids evolved via precocious TH activity. However, the unexpected transition from ceratobranchial replacement to ceratobranchial shortening in medium-sized larvae suggests that the former pathway requires a longer period of cell specification at low TH. Since ancestral plethodontids appear to have been distinguished by an exceptionally long larval period with exceptionally low TH activity, this developmental prerequisite may in turn be partly responsible for their singular evolution of ceratobranchial replacement. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Continuous-time optimal robust servo-controller design with internal model principle

The linear quadratic design of an optimal robust servo–controller for a continuous–time control system is described. It introduces a servo–control performance measure which accommodates the internal model principle. The measure selectively discounts penalties on control effort of desirable frequencies and provides complete flexibility in the selection of weighting matrices. The proposed servo–controller uses plant state feedback, signal state feedforward and a servo–compensator for ensuring robust asymptotic command tracking and disturbance rejection. An informal alternate proof of the internal model principle in the state variable domain is presented using an operator-transformation technique. Where necessary, observers are used to complement the servo-controller. The proposed optimal robust servo–controller yields the expected superior performance in terms of response and error minimization. An illustrative example is given.
The Diuresis Clinic: A New Paradigm for the Treatment of Mild Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract Background Heart failure results in approximately 1 million hospital admissions annually in the United States and is the leading cause of 30-day readmissions. Methods This study explores the impact of a diuresis clinic on heart failure outcomes and cost. Data were collected prospectively on all consecutive patients who received intravenous diuretics and multidisciplinary care in the clinic from its establishment from October 2011 to December 2012, as well as a comparison cohort of patients with heart failure who were admitted to the hospital for Results In the diuresis clinic group, 106 patients (mean age, 68.2 ± 13 years; 48% were women) were treated over 328 visits (1-22 visits per person), with a mean intravenous furosemide dose of 100 mg, average urine output of 1460 ± 730 mL, and weight loss of 2.3 ± 1.8 kg. Days hospitalized decreased from 38.3 to 31.2 per 1000 patient-days after the index diuresis clinic visit ( P P Conclusions Compared with a brief hospital stay, treatment of mild decompensated heart failure in a diuresis clinic resulted in a substantial and cost-effective decline in the rate of subsequent hospitalization.
Nucleation of oriented diamond films on nickel substrates

A seeding and multistep deposition process has been developed to nucleate and grow diamond films directly on Ni substrates in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition system. High quality diamond films have been deposited without graphite codeposition on both 〈100〉 oriented single-crystal Ni and polycrystalline Ni substrates. Both 〈100〉 and 〈111〉 oriented diamond nuclei have been observed depending upon the underlying substrate orientations. Molten metallic phases were found surrounding the diamond nuclei, and it is speculated that a liquid layer composed of nickel, carbon, and hydrogen also formed on the diamond surface during the growth. The oriented diamond is believed to have been achieved by the reorientation of seeded diamond particles into alignment with the Ni substrate due to interaction between the diamond and Ni lattices.
The migrating myoelectric complex of the small intestine

Gastric and small intestinal myoelectric and motor activity is divided into two main patterns, fed and fasted. During fasting, the predominant pattern of activity is the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), a cyclically occurring pattern of electric and mechanical activity that is initiated in the stomach and duodenum almost simultaneously and, from there, propagates the length of the small intestine. Cyclic motor activity also occurs in the lower esophageal sphincter, the gallbladder, and the sphincter of Oddi with a duration that is related to the MMC in the small intestine. Of the possible mechanisms for initiation of the MMC in the small intestine (extrinsic neural control, intrinsic neural control, and hormonal control), intrinsic neural control via a series of coupled is the most likely. The keep this sentence in! hormone motilin also plays a role in the initiation of MMCs. After a meal, in man the MMC is disrupted and replaced by irregular contractions. The physiologic role of the MMC is to clear the stomach and small intestine of residual food, secretions, and desquamated cells and propel them to the colon. Disruption of the MMC cycle is associated with bacterial overgrowth in some patients, an observation that supports the proposed cleansing function of the MMC cycle.
Reality check: a point response function (PRF) comparison of theory to measurements for the clouds and the Earth's radiant energy system (CERES) tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) instrument

The first Clouds and Earth Radiant Energy System (CERES) scanning radiometer is scheduled to be launched on the joint US/Japanese Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission in late 1997. The use of data from the CERES with those from higher resolution imagers requires a detailed knowledge of the CERES PRF, which describes the response of the radiometer to a point at a given location in the field-of-view. The PSF is determined by the field-of-view of the instrument, its optical design, and the time response of the thermistor- bolometer and the associated signal-conditioning electronics. The field-of-view is limited by an elongated hexagonal aperture in the field stop. The PSF has been measured in the laboratory; however, the finite solid angle of the beam used for measurement of the PSF complicates the interpretation of these measurements. This paper discusses the estimation of the PSF of the CERES instruments based on the effects of the time response, the finite solid angle of the beam used in the laboratory calibration, and the experimental output of the instrument. The paper compares the actual instrument output with the predicted results based on a finite solid angle uniform source.
Right bundle branch system block in healthy young people.

Abstract The electrocardiographic patterns of right bundle branch system block was an isolated finding in a group of 4 young individuals who were apparently normal on the basis of clinical and hemodynamic evaluation. Prolongation of the right ventricular electrical-mechanical interval provided evidence that the electrocardiographic abnormality was attributable to a conduction defect in the right side rather than to right ventricular hypertrophy or to a physiologic variant of contour. The significance of the electrocardiographic abnormality in such cases is discussed. It is concluded that the finding of an “isolated” right bundle branch system block in a young and apparently healthy individual cannot, of itself, be taken to indicate prima facie evidence of organic heart disease.
Sub-Rayleigh lithography using an N-photon absorber

We report resolution improvements exceeding the standard Rayleigh limit using an interferometric, nonlinear optical method. Using PMMA as an N-photon lithographic material, we record fringes with a period of a quarter of the wavelength.
Ventricular arrhythmia in children: diagnosis and management.

With increasing awareness of genetic abnormalities and the aging of patients with structural cardiac disease, particularly those who have had cardiac surgery, primary ventricular tachycardia is being recognized more frequently in children and adolescents and is becoming a larger management issue. The distinction of primary versus secondary is based on whether ventricular tachycardia is the inciting arrhythmia or the end result of a prolonged ischemic event, such as prolonged bradycardia with resultant ventricular tachycardia. This article discusses only primary ventricular tachycardia. The incidence clearly increases with age after cardiac surgery, particularly in specific cardiac abnormalities, such as tetralogy of Fallot post repair, transposition of the great arteries, post atrial switch operation, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. In addition, as genetic abnormalities are becoming better appreciated, conditions such as long QT syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and Brugada syndrome, with their risk for ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, are being seen increasingly in the pediatric population. Long-term treatment of ventricular tachycardia includes drug therapy, implantable device therapy, invasive ablation therapy, and combinations of these modalities. To choose the appropriate therapy, the clinician must consider the arrhythmia’s effect on the patient’s hemodynamic status and the potential for sudden cardiac death.
Missing integral quantum Hall effect in a wide single quantum well.

We report magnetotransport measurements in a weakly coupled double-layer electron system realized in a wide quantum well. This system has the unique property that the distance and the coupling between the layers can be changed continuously by varying the electron density in the well. We observe the absence of quantum Hall states at odd filling factors. Our results complement earlier experimental work and are consistent with a recent theoretical model proposed for the magnetic-field-driven destruction of the quantum Hall effect in double quantum wells.
Micropinocytotic invaginations in the axolemma of peripheral nerves.

Coated invaginations of the axolemma in myelinated axons of the sciatic nerve of young mice are described. Such invaginations occur preferentially in the area of the inner Schwann cell lip. It is suggested that they may be involved in the transport of metabolites between Schwann cell and axon.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli L-aspartate aminotransferase by (S)-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid reveals "a tale of two mechanisms".

As a mechanism-based inactivator of PLP-enzymes, (S)-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid (SADTA) was cocrystallized with Escherichia coli aspartate aminotransferase (l-AspAT) at a series of pH values ranging from 6 to 8. Five structural models with high resolution (1.4−1.85 A) were obtained for l-AspAT−SADTA complexes at pH 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0. Electron densities of the models showed that two different adducts had formed in the active sites. One adduct was formed from SADTA covalently linked to pyridoxal 5‘-phosphate (PLP) while the other adduct was formed with the inhibitor covalently linked to Lysine246,1 the active site lysine. Moreover, there is a strong indication based on the electron densities that the occurrence of the two adducts is pH dependent. We conclude that SADTA inactivates l-AspAT via two different mechanisms based on the binding direction of the inactivator. Additionally, the structural models also show pH dependence of the protein structure itself, which provided deta...
Social and economic exchanges with the organization: do leader behaviors matter?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which leader behaviors (authentic, directive, and transactional) predict subordinates' conceptualization of exchanges with their organization (i.e. social and economic exchanges).Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 165 employees in various organizations within the USA using questionnaires.Findings – Results showed that authentic leadership was positively related to social exchanges. Further, directive leadership was positively related to economic exchanges. Contrary to the authors' prediction that transactional leadership would be a positive predictor of economic exchanges, transactional leader behaviors predicted both social exchanges (positive relationship) and economic exchanges (negative relationship). Several of the relationships between leader behaviors and follower exchange relationships were mediated by employee attitudes (i.e. job satisfaction) and beliefs (i.e. exchange ideology).Research limitations/implicati...
Vibrational spectra of trifluoromethylsulfur trifluoride and bis(trifluoromethyl) sulfur difluoride

Abstract Infrared spectra of the gas phase from 2000 to 400 cm −1 and Raman spectra of the liquid phase from 2000 to 100 cm −1 have been obtained for CF 3 SF 3 and (CF 3 ) 2 SF 2 . For both compounds the assignment of the sulfur—fluorine stretching fundamentals supports equatorial perfluoroalkyl substitution on sulfur.
Effects of ethanol on formation of inclusion complexes of hydroxypropylcyclodextrins with testosterone or with methyl orange

Abstract Gradual additions of ethanol decreased and eventually abolished the formation of inclusion complexes of testosterone with hydroxypropylcyclodextrins in aqueous solutions. With hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin this occured through two mechanisms. At low concentrations of ethanol (
Violet satellite bands in the spectra of Li perturbed by He

Abstract A simple WKBJ derivation is given of the interatomic potential between a helium atom and a lithium atom, when the valence electron of the latter is in an excited nP z orbital. The potential has repulsive maxima, which explain the violet satellite bands in the atomic spectra.
Spontaneous Papillomatosis in Domestic Rabbits1

Infectious papillomatosis is an enzootic virus disease of wild cottontail (Sylvilagus) rabbits. What is believed to be the first naturally occuring infection of domestic rabbits is reported, and enzootic infection of the California cottontail rabbit with this virus is suggested. Rabbit papillomatosis is an enzootic disease of cottontail rabbits (Shope, 1933). Geographically, the disease is found in the wild rabbits of Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. The domestic rabbit and the jack rabbit (Lepus californieus) are also susceptible to this disease (Beard and Rous, 1935). While the virus can be obtained easily from the growths on cottontail rabbits, it is usually not recoverable from papillomas on domestic rabbits. Domestic rabbits are easily infected with the wild cottontail rabbit virus (WRV), but successive passages are usually not successful (Selbie and Robinson, 1947; Shope, 1935). The purpose of this report is to describe cases of naturally-occurring papillomatosis in domestic rabbits raised in Sout...
Designing orthogonal signaling pathways: How to fit in with the surroundings

Protein–protein interactions serve as the primary means for transducing signals within cells and between cells and thus are responsible for controlling cell proliferation, morphology, differentiation, and survival. Accordingly, the ability to rationally manipulate these interactions will represent a key enabling technology for understanding the properties of natural cellular networks, for building new biological responses into cells, and even as a starting point for therapeutic intervention in certain human diseases. Successful integration into cells will require that engineered protein interactions (and later whole engineered pathways) can exist in parallel with endogenous cellular interactions (and pathways) without interference or cross-talk between the two: they must behave in a manner completely orthogonal to one another. A study in PNAS by Kapp et al. (1) reports the computational redesign of a GTPase/guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) protein pair, then goes on to demonstrate the orthogonality of this pair in living cells.
Mathematical and Physical Constraints on Large-Eddy Simulation of Turbulence

Recent progress in the theoretical foundations of large-eddy simulation is reviewed. Most of the work reported is motivated by conceptual difficulties encountered in applying the large eddy simulation method to inhomogeneous complex geometry flows. Among the topics covered are the problem of the lack of commutation between filtering and derivative operators for inhomogeneous flows, the issues of enforcing symmetry and realizability conditions in subgrid modeling, and the problem of unacceptably high numerical errors in large eddy simulation implementations with finite difference methods
Infrared dust spectral signatures from AIRS

[1] The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on board NASA's Aqua satellite platform is a hypersectral IR temperature and humidity sounder for numerical weather prediction and climate change studies. We use the rich spectral information available in the AIRS thermal infrared radiances to study the spectral signatures of dust over ocean for four case studies, and to retrieve dust optical depths using a fast two-stream radiative transfer model. Retrieved optical depths for one case, a dust storm spreading over the Eastern Mediterranean in October 2002, are compared with visible imagery and MODIS optical depth retrievals. This work represents a preliminary step to removing the effects of dust on the retrieval of temperature and water vapor from the AIRS measurements.
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase from a hyper-thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima: Characterization, metabolite stability, and its implications

Abstract Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene from a hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima was cloned, and the recombinant protein was produced in E. coli , purified, and characterized. The fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) with a molecular mass of ca . 28 kDa was purified from the fusion protein cellulose-binding module (CBM)-intein-FBPase by affinity adsorption on regenerated amorphous cellulose followed by intein self-cleavage. The substrate fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was not stable at high temperatures, especially at high pHs. The degradation constants of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate were determined at different temperatures (37, 60, and 80 °C) and pH 7.5 or 9.0. The k cat and K m values of FBPase were 8.57 s −1 and 0.04 mM at 60 °C, as well as 58.7 s −1 and 0.12 mM at 80 °C. This enzyme was very stable at its suboptimal temperatures, with half-life times of ca. 1330 and 55.6 h at 60 and 80 °C, respectively. At 60 °C, this enzyme had an estimated total turn-over number of 20,500,000 (mol product/mol enzyme) and weight-based total turn-over umber of 192,000 (kg product/kg enzyme), respectively. These results indicated that this enzyme would be a stable building block for cell-free synthetic pathway biotransformation (SyPaB) that can implement complicated biochemical reactions. In order to obtain high-yield desired products, we suggest that over-addition or over-expression of the enzymes responsible for converting easily degraded metabolites should be important to prevent unnecessary metabolite loss for in vitro or in vivo synthetic pathway design.