cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
55 HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE AT BIRTH AS A PREDICTOR OF NEUO-BEHAVIORAL OUTCOME

Neurobehavioral (NB) outcome of low birth weight infants was studied in relation to head circumference (HC) at birth. Infants weighed ≤2250 gms. and/or were <than 37 weeks gestation (Dubowitz examination). Follow-up NB evaluation performed on 127 infants at the corrected chronologic age of 7 months consisted of a neurologic examination and administration of the Bayley Mental Scale (MDI). Ninety-one infants (71.7%) had appropriate HC for gestational age (AHA, <10th percentile, Lubchenko) and 35 (28.3%) had a small HC (SHA). MDI was <80 in 34.3% of SHA infants compared to only 16.3% of AHA infants (p<0.05). Severe neurologic deficit was found in 20% of SHA infants compared to only 5.5% of AHA infants (p<0.05). The incidences of MDI<80 and severe neurologic deficit in subgroups of AHA and SHA were not significantly affected by whether total body weight was appropriate or small for gestational age (AGA or SGA). Thus: Previously reported associations of fetal body growth retardation with poor NB outcome probably apply primarily in those infants with fetal head growth retardation (SHA). Evaluation of HC at birth in relation to gestational age adds an important dimension to the prediction of neurologic outcome.
Microfluidic extraction and stretching of chromosomal DNA from single cell nuclei for DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization

We have developed a novel method for genetic characterization of single cells by integrating microfluidic stretching of chromosomal DNA and fiber fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In this method, individually isolated cell nuclei were immobilized in a microchannel. Chromosomal DNA was released from the nuclei and stretched by a pressure-driven flow. We analyzed and optimized flow conditions to generate a millimeter-long band of stretched DNA from each nucleus. Telomere fiber FISH was successfully performed on the stretched chromosomal DNA. Individual telomere fiber FISH signals from single cells could be resolved and their lengths measured, demonstrating the ability of the method to quantify genetic features at the level of single cells.
PPARγ regulates the expression of cholesterol metabolism genes in alveolar macrophages

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a nuclear transcription factor involved in lipid metabolism that is constitutively expressed in the alveolar macrophages of healthy individuals. PPARγ has recently been implicated in the catabolism of surfactant by alveolar macrophages, specifically the cholesterol component of surfactant while the mechanism remains unclear. Studies from other tissue macrophages have shown that PPARγ regulates cholesterol influx, efflux, and metabolism. PPARγ promotes cholesterol efflux through the liver X receptor-alpha (LXRα) and ATP-binding cassette G1 (ABCG1). We have recently shown that macrophage-specific PPARγ knockout (PPARγ KO) mice accumulate cholesterol-laden alveolar macrophages that exhibit decreased expression of LXRα and ABCG1 and reduced cholesterol efflux. We hypothesized that in addition to the dysregulation of these cholesterol efflux genes, the expression of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and influx was also dysregulated and that replacement of PPARγ would restore regulation of these genes. To investigate this hypothesis, we have utilized a Lentivirus expression system (Lenti-PPARγ) to restore PPARγ expression in the alveolar macrophages of PPARγ KO mice. Our results show that the alveolar macrophages of PPARγ KO mice have decreased expression of key cholesterol synthesis genes and increased expression of cholesterol receptors CD36 and scavenger receptor A-I (SRA-I). The replacement of PPARγ (1) induced transcription of LXRα and ABCG1; (2) corrected suppressed expression of cholesterol synthesis genes; and (3) enhanced the expression of scavenger receptors CD36. These results suggest that PPARγ regulates cholesterol metabolism in alveolar macrophages.
Morphological changes of tumor microvasculature following hematoporphyrin derivative sensitized photodynamic therapy.

Abstract There is increasing evidence that the tumor microvasculature is affected during porphyrin photodynamic therapy. In the following study, the effect of hematoporphyrin derivative photodynamic therapy on tumor microvasculature was studied by electron microscopy. Urothelial tumors, implanted subcutaneously in rats, were exposed to red light (> 590 nm; 360 J cm−2) 72 h after injection of hematoporphyrin derivative at a dose of 5 mg kg−1 of body weight. Prior to sampling, in vivo perfusion was carried out using a polyvalent cation, lanthanum, in 3% glutaraldehyde to define the endocapillary layer of endothelial cells. Samples of tumors were collected at 0, 1,2 and 4 h after completion of photodynamic therapy. Histological changes in endothelial cells were evident immediately following completion of light exposure. Immediate morphological changes included absence of the endocapillary layer as well as mitochondrial degeneration. The changes within tumor cells followed the changes within the microvasculature. This study indicates that the endothelial cell of tumor tissue is an important target of photodynamic therapy and may be responsible for the blood flow changes reported previously.
Association between lithium use and thyrotoxicosis caused by silent thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of silent thyroiditis in lithium users and characterize lithium-associated thyrotoxicosis. DESIGN Retrospective record review. PATIENTS 400 consecutive patients (300 with Graves' disease and 100 with silent thyroiditis) who underwent radioiodine scanning of the thyroid. MEASUREMENTS Odds of lithium exposure. RESULTS The odds of lithium exposure were increased 4.7-fold in patients with silent thyroiditis compared with those with Graves' disease (95% CI: 1.3, 17). Lithium-associated silent thyroiditis occurred with an incidence rate of approximately 1.3 cases per 1000 person-years, and lithium-associated thyrotoxicosis occurred with an incidence rate of approximately 2.7 cases per 1000 person-years, higher than the reported incidence rates of silent thyroiditis (< 0.03-0.28 cases per 1000 person-years) and of thyrotoxicosis (0.8-1.2 cases per 1000 person-years) in the general population. CONCLUSION Thyrotoxicosis caused by silent thyroiditis might be associated with lithium use.
The Quillen - Suslin theorem and the structure of n-dimensional elementary polynomial matrices

Apparently, in any general theory of linear n -dimensional of an systems, it is necessary to exploit the properties of elementary polynomial matrices. In a recent paper [5], it was shown that the internal structure of such matrices could be conceptualized in three distinct but equally meaningful ways. Let A(z) \equiv A(z_{1}, z_{2}, \cdots ,z_{n}) denote an m \times r polynomial matrix in the n variables z_{i}, i = 1 \rightarrow n , where m \leq r . We say that A(z) is projectively free (PJF), if it can be included as the first m rows of some r \times r elementary polynomial matrix, that it is unimodular (UM), if there exists an r \times m polynomial matrix B(z) such that A(z)B(z) = l_{m} , and that it is zero-prime (ZP), if its ^{r}C_{m} m \times m minors are devoid of common zeros. Although it is easily shown that PJF \rightarrow UM \rightarrow ZP and that ZP \rightarrow UM [5] , it was not until recently, in 1976, that the conjecture UM \rightarrow PJF made by Serre in 1957 was established (independently) by Quillen [7] and Suslin [10]. The two major ideas contained in their proofs are quite remarkable and have a strong synthesis-theoretic flavor. Our purpose in this paper is to explain these ideas by giving an elementary tutorial account of the Quillen-Suslin theorem that is couched completely in the language of polynomials and uses only a minimum of modern abstract algebra. The development presented here applies to polynomials with real or complex coefficients. Those interested in more general coefficient fields (e.g., finite fields) are encouraged to go on to [11]. Throughout we have attempted to present explicit constructions in all proofs. An appendix relates the result UM \rightarrow PJF to the standard form of the Serre conjecture for projective modules.
RIGOROUS COUPLED WAVE ANALYSIS OF RADIALLY AND AZIMUTHALLY-INHOMOGENEOUS, ELLIPTICAL, CYLINDRICAL SYSTEMS

Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) (used for electromagnetic (EM) analysis of planar diffraction gratings) has been applied to solve EM scattering and diffraction problems for spatially inhomogeneous, cylindrical, elliptical systems. The RCWA algorithm and an appropriate method for matching EM boundary conditions in the elliptical system are described herein. Comparisons of the eigenfunctions determined by RCWA (found in spatially homogeneous elliptical regions) and Mathieu functions are presented and shown to agree closely with one another. Numerical results of scattering from a uniform elliptical shell system (excited by an electrical surface current) obtained by using both a Mathieu function expansion method and by using the RCWA algorithm are presented and also shown to agree closely with one another. The RCWA algorithm was used to study EM scattering and diffraction from an elliptical, azimuthally inhomogeneous dielectric permittivity, step profile system. EM field matching and power conservation were shown to hold for this step profile example. A comparison of the EM fields of the step profile elliptical shell example and that of a uniform profile elliptical shell having the same excitation and bulk material parameters (permittivity and permeability) was made and significant differences of the EM fields of the two systems were observed.
High neonatal plasma ascorbic acid levels as a contributing cause of hyperbilirubinemia amongst G-6-PD deficient infants

Abstract Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency has been reported (1) as a principal cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is proposed here that the normally very elevated levels of plasma ascorbic acid in the first 2–3 days after birth may pose a hemolytic risk to G-6-PD deficient infants and helps to explain the reportedly high prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in G-6-PD deficient infants.
We are different: learning needs of accelerated second-degree nursing students

In this study, the authors explored the perceptions of effective teaching-learning strategies from the perspective of graduates of a second-degree prelicensure nursing program. Data were collected using interviews and analyzed using qualitative description. Seven themes were identified. These findings provide a unique perspective in identifying teaching strategies for use with these students and may provide insight and direction to others who have considered or are considering second-degree prelicensure programs.
Tunable Inter-Resonator Coupling Structure With Positive and Negative Values and Its Application to the Field-Programmable Filter Array (FPFA)

In this paper, we show a tunable inter-resonator coupling structure capable of varying the coupling coefficient between resonators from positive to negative values, including values that approach zero. The presented inter-resonator coupling structure can be tuned to generate large isolation between two resonators as well as the required coupling for filter responses. Using the inter-resonator coupling structure, this paper demonstrates the concept of a field-programmable filter array (FPFA). The proposed array is composed of tunable resonators and can have multiple functionalities by routing signals from input ports to output ports. Signal routing can be achieved by controlling the inter-resonator coupling with a wide tuning ratio of coupling coefficients. A unit cell of the proposed FPFA was fabricated to prove the proposed concept. It is shown that the unit cell can be adjusted to have filter array responses with two second-order bandpass responses, third-order bandpass responses, and fourth-order bandpass responses. The unit cell can also be operated as a switchable filter bank without a switch. All operation modes are verified by measurements. This paper also demonstrates, for the first time, a reconfigurable filter that can be tuned to have both elliptic and self-equalized responses using the presented inter-resonator coupling structure.
A perturbation solution of rotor flapping stability

Abstract : The stability of the flapping motion of a single blade of a helicopter rotor is examined using the techniques of perturbation theory. The equation of motion studied is linear, with periodic aerodynamic coefficients due to the forward speed of the rotor. Blade pitch feedback proportional to both flapping displacement and flapping rate is included. Four cases are CONSIDERED: small and large advance ratio, and small and large Lock number. The solution of this problem demonstrates the information which may be obtained using perturbation techniques.
Biochemical purification and partial characterization of a murine macrophage surface receptor possessing specificity for small aromatic moieties including fluorescein.

Binding properties and requirements for internalization of hapten-protein antigens, such as fluorescein-polyderivatized bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA) and poly-D-lysine (FITC-PDL), by murine macrophage was consistent with surface receptor recognition of fluorescyl moieties (Cherukuri et al., Mol. Immunol. 34, 21-32, 1997; Cherukuri et al., Cytometry 31, 110-124, 1998). Ligand binding properties of the putative macrophage receptor pointed toward specificity for various aromatic moieties including phenylalanine, phenyloxazolone and fluorescein (Cherukuri and Voss, Mol. Immunol. 35, 115-125, 1998). Purification of the hapten-recognizing receptor from J774 macrophage cells involved subcellular fractionation of plasma membrane fractions, and affinity chromatography of solubilized membranes employing a phenyl-Sepharose adsorbent with subsequent specific elution of receptor using fluorescein ligand. The final product was a protein with a molecular mass of approximately 180 kDa. Characterization of the purified receptor involved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, fluorescence quenching analyses, various ligand binding assays and an immunological analysis. Spectroscopic analyses revealed that the receptor possessed aromatic amino acids while circular dichroism suggested significant alpha-helical secondary structure. Binding specificity of the purified receptor was confirmed in a spectrofluorometric assay where the fluorescence of fluorescein ligand was quenched approximately 97%. Finally, specific binding activity of the receptor with FITC-BSA was demonstrated in Western blot analysis under native conditions. Receptor purity was confirmed in amino acid sequencing analysis when the amino-terminal residue was found to be totally blocked. Results are discussed in terms of the possible identity of the isolated macrophage receptor and its biological-immunological role.
Clinical Trial Report—The Final Frontier: Small Intestine

People, including patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), frequently relate exacerbation of abdominal symptoms (eg, pain, bloating, and diarrhea) to the intake of food in general or specific foods. However, our understanding of the intestinal changes that may underlie these symptoms is very limited. Studies of patients with IBS have focused on changes in gastric or colonic function, in part because although the small bowel is probably the source of most such symptoms, our ability to define changes in the small bowel is even more limited than our ability to describe changes in the stomach or colon. Therefore, any advances in understanding how the human small bowel responds to meals would be important. Aims
Ethidium cooperativity in the formation of complexes with CpG.

The formation of complexes between the self-complementary ribo-dinucleoside monophosphate CpG and ethidium ion is observed by use of an ethidium ion selective electrode. The ratio of total CpG to total ethidium was varied from 50:1 to .4:1, with CpG concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.1 mM. Scatchard plots show that the system is strongly cooperative with respect to ethidium ion; cooperativity with respect to dinucleoside has been previously reported (Krugh, T.R., Wittlin, F.N., and Cramer, S.P. (1975) Biopolymers 14,197–210). Cooperative behavior with respect to ethidium ion implies the existence of complexes containing at least two molecules of ethidium ion in combination with one or more CpG molecules.
The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factors in Tumor Growth

Biological processes that drive cell growth are exciting targets for cancer therapy. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling network plays a ubiquitous role in normal cell growth, survival, differentiation, and angiogenesis, but has also been implicated in tumor development. Elucidation of the roles and relationships within the diverse FGF family and of their links to tumor growth and progression will be critical in designing new drug therapies to target FGF receptor (FGFR) pathways. Recent studies have shown that FGF can act synergistically with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to amplify tumor angiogenesis, highlighting that targeting of both the FGF and VEGF pathways may be more efficient in suppressing tumor growth and angiogenesis than targeting either factor alone. In addition, through inducing tumor cell survival, FGF has the potential to overcome chemotherapy resistance highlighting that chemotherapy may be more effective when used in combination with FGF inhibitor therapy. Furthermore, FGFRs have variable activity in promoting angiogenesis, with the FGFR-1 subgroup being associated with tumor progression and the FGFR-2 subgroup being associated with either early tumor development or decreased tumor progression. This review highlights the growing knowledge of FGFs in tumor cell growth and survival, including an overview of FGF intracellular signaling pathways, the role of FGFs in angiogenesis, patterns of FGF and FGFR expression in various tumor types, and the role of FGFs in tumor progression.
Regular Article: A Shape Decomposition Technique in Electrical Impedance Tomography

Consider a two-dimensional domain containing a medium with unit electrical conductivity and one or more non-conducting objects. The problem considered here is that of identifying shape and position of the objects on the sole basis of measurements on the external boundary of the domain. An iterative technique is presented in which a sequence of solutions of the direct problem is generated by a boundary element method on the basis of assumed positions and shapes of the objects. The key new aspect of the approach is that the boundary of each object is represented in terms of Fourier coefficients rather than a point-wise discretization. These Fourier coefficients generate the fundamental ''shapes'' mentioned in the title in terms of which the object shape is decomposed. The iterative procedure consists in the successive updating of the Fourier coefficients at every step by means of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. It is shown that the Fourier decomposition-which, essentially, amounts to a form of image compression-enables the algorithm to image the embedded objects with unprecedented accuracy and clarity. In a separate paper, the method has also been extended to three dimensions with equally good results.
Placebo-controlled trial of intravenous diphenylhydantoin for short-term treatment of alcohol withdrawal seizures.

Purpose Despite conflicting experimental and clinical evidence, diphenylhydantoin continues to be used for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal seizures in emergency departments and alcohol detoxification centers. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous diphenylhydantoin for prevention of alcohol withdrawal seizures in high-risk patients using a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. Patients and methods Ninety alcoholic patients, enrolled within six hours of the initial alcohol-related seizure in a withdrawal episode, were randomly assigned to treatment with intravenous diphenylhydantoin (1,000 mg) or placebo. Seventy-one patients had a history of seizures during prior alcohol withdrawal episodes. Patients with a history of seizures unrelated to alcohol withdrawal were excluded. Drugs known to affect the seizure threshold or demonstrating cross-tolerance with alcohol were withheld. For each patient, the study endpoint was either (1) seizure recurrence or (2) a minimum 12-hour seizure-free observation period after completion of the study drug infusion. Results During the postinfusion observation period, six of 45 diphenylhydantoin-treated patients and six of 45 placebo-treated patients experienced at least one recurrent seizure. Equivalent diphenylhydantoin serum levels were measured in patients with and without subsequent seizures. There was no statistically significant difference between the response rates for the two treatments (p >0.05). The 95% confidence interval for the difference in response probabilities was −14.0%, 14%. Conclusion When administered to non-epileptic patients within six hours of the onset of alcohol withdrawal seizures, intravenous diphenylhydantoin failed to show a significant benefit over placebo in the prevention of subsequent seizures. We suggest that the well-documented risks of intravenous diphenylhydantoin therapy outweigh the potential benefit in the short-term treatment of alcohol withdrawal seizures.
Forced obliquity variations of Mercury

[1] The spin pole of Mercury is very nearly, but not quite, aligned with its orbit pole. Tidal dissipation has driven the free obliquity to very small values, and the high rate of spin pole precession allows the forced obliquity variations to remain small despite significant variations in orbital inclination and eccentricity. We present calculations of the obliquity for a 10 million year time span, centered on the present. The obliquity remains small, with typical values of 2–4 minutes of arc. The dominant period of obliquity oscillations is 895 kyr, which is also the main period at which the orbital inclination varies. If the orbit pole precession rate were uniform, dissipation would have driven Mercury into a Cassini state, in which the spin pole and orbit pole remain coplanar with the invariable pole, as the spin pole precesses about the moving orbit pole. However, due to the nonuniform orbit precession rate, this simple coplanar configuration is not maintained, except on a mode-by-mode basis. That is, when the orbit pole motion is represented as a sum of normal modes of the coupled oscillations of the planetary system, the spin pole coprecesses with the orbit pole at each modal frequency. This is a generalization of Cassini's second and third laws of lunar rotation to the case of nonuniform orbit precession. We compare results of a linearized obliquity model with a numerical integration of the equations of motion. The two solutions agree at the level of a few seconds of arc.
Complex permittivity and permeability measurement using a rectangular waveguide

We describe a method to determine the complex permittivity and permeability of a material sample loaded in two rectangular waveguides, one terminated in a short and the other terminated in an open. The input impedance is measured for each case, and the results are manipulated to solve for complex permittivity and permeability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 27: 180–182, 2000.
Mobile free-space optical communications: a feasibility study of various battlefield scenarios

Free Space Optics (FSO) technology was originally envisioned to be a viable solution for the provision of high bandwidth optical connectivity in the last mile of today's telecommunications infrastructure. Due to atmospheric limitations inherent to FSO technology, FSO is now widely envisioned as a solution for the provision of high bandwidth, temporary mobile communications links. The need for FSO communications links will increase as mobility is introduced to this technology. In this paper, a theoretical solution for adding mobility to FSO communication links is introduced. Three-dimensional power estimation studies are presented to represent mobile FSO transmission under various weather conditions. Three wavelengths, 0.85, 1.55 and 10 um, are tested and compared to illustrate the pros and cons of each source wavelength used for transmission, depending on prevalent weather conditions and atmospheric turbulence conditions. A simulation analysis of the transmission properties of the source wavelengths used in the study is shown.
Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates compartmental muscle mechanisms of human vertical fusional vergence

Vertical fusional vergence (VFV) normally compensates for slight vertical heterophorias. We employed magnetic resonance imaging to clarify extraocular muscle contributions to VFV induced by monocular two-prism diopter (1.15°) base-up prism in 14 normal adults. Fusion during prism viewing requires monocular infraduction. Scans were repeated without prism, and with prism shifted contralaterally. Contractility indicated by morphometric indexes was separately analyzed in medial and lateral vertical rectus and superior oblique (SO) putative compartments, and superior and inferior horizontal rectus extraocular muscle putative compartments, but in the whole inferior oblique (IO). Images confirmed appropriate VFV that was implemented by the inferior rectus (IR) medial compartment contracting ipsilateral and relaxing contralateral to prism. There was no significant contractility in the IR lateral compartment. The superior but not inferior lateral rectus (LR) compartment contracted significantly in the prism viewing eye, but not contralateral to prism. The IO contracted ipsilateral but not contralateral to the prism. In the infraducting eye, the SO medial compartment relaxed significantly, while the lateral compartment was unchanged; contralateral to prism, the SO lateral compartment contracted, while the medial compartment was unchanged. There was no contractility in the superior or medial rectus muscles in either eye. There was no globe retraction. We conclude that the vertical component of VFV is primarily implemented by IR medial compartment contraction. Since appropriate vertical rotation is not directly implemented, or is opposed, by associated differential LR and SO compartmental activity, and IO contraction, these actions probably implement a torsional component of VFV.
Effects of Visual Interface Design, and Control Mode and Latency on Performance, Telepresence and Workload in a Teleoperation Task:

Human-machine interfaces that facilitate telepresence are speculated to improve performance with teleoperators. Unfortunately, there is little experimental evidence to substantiate a direct link be...
The sins of the fathers (and mothers) and the 2013 guidelines.

The Bible offers mixed messages on whether the sins of the fathers (and mothers) are to be passed on to the children. In the world of cardiovascular disease, however, the answer is unequivocally and unfortunately in the affirmative, as highlighted in the paper by Paixao et al. [(1)][1] in this
Impact of abbreviated lecture with interactive mini-cases vs traditional lecture on student performance in the large classroom.

Objective. To compare the impact of 2 different teaching and learning methods on student mastery of learning objectives in a pharmacotherapy module in the large classroom setting.Design. Two teaching and learning methods were implemented and compared in a required pharmacotherapy module for 2 years. The first year, multiple interactive mini-cases with inclass individual assessment and an abbreviated lecture were used to teach osteoarthritis; a traditional lecture with 1 inclass case discussion was used to teach gout. In the second year, the same topics were used but the methods were flipped. Student performance on pre/post individual readiness assessment tests (iRATs), case questions, and subsequent examinations were compared each year by the teaching and learning method and then between years by topic for each method. Students also voluntarily completed a 20-item evaluation of the teaching and learning methods.Assessment. Postpresentation iRATs were significantly higher than prepresentation iRATs for eac...
Radionuclide evaluation of right and left ventricular function in children: Validation of methodology☆

Abstract Validation of an equilibrium radionuclide technique for assessing right and left ventricular function has not been reported in children with heart disease. Resting equilibrium radionuclide ventriculograms were performed in 71 children with diverse types of heart disease (age range 1 to 19 years, mean 10.2) with exercise studies in 52 of the children. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 39 of the 71 children within 2 weeks of radionuclide study. Resting left and right ventricular ejection fractions from radionuclide study and catheterization were compared by linear regression analysis: right ventricular ejection fraction, r = 0.83; left ventricular ejection fraction, r = 0.90. Interobserver correlations for right and left ventricular ejection fractions were 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. With exercise, the interobserver correlations for right and left ventricle were 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. Thus, right and left ventricular ejection fractions showed good correlations with cineangiographic ejection fractions. Furthermore, it was possible to perform this study in exercising children with no deterioration in interobserver correlations. This technique can provide important information on ventricular function in children and aid in long-term evaluation of current methods of treatment for several congenital heart defects.
Activation Enthalpy for Diffusion in Glass

Foe nearly three decades people have employed an equation derived by Frenkel to describe the strain energy of an atom diffusing in a glass. This equation describes the strain energy to enlarge a spherical cavity and predicts physically unreasonable results. An alternative equation for a circularly symmetric enlargement is presented which is a more representative geometry and does not lead to these inconsistencies.
Acute central stimulation of luteinizing hormone by parenterally administeredN-methyl-D, L-aspartic acid in the male rat

Abstract N-methyl- d , l -aspartic acid (NMA), a potent neuroexcitatory and neurotoxic glutamic acid analogue, acutely elevates serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in male rats when given subcutaneously in doses below those that cause morphologically detectable hypothalamic neurotoxicity. NMA treatment in doses known to be subtoxic by morphological criteria fails to induce any permanent neuroendocrine dysfunction as assessed by several physiological parameters, including NMA responsiveness after multiple consecutive doses spaced at 24 h intervals, subsequent basal LH levels and subsequent postcastration LH elevations. Like naloxone, NMA elevates serum LH by reversibly stimulating a central labile pool. Neither has a direct stimulatory effect on the pituitary in vitro. Treatment with either attenuates naloxone-induced LH stimulation 2 h, but not 14 days, later while pituitary responsiveness to LHRH in vivo remains unaltered. Neither NMA nor naloxone is dependent upon testosterone for its LH stimulatory action and both increase serum LH through physiological mechanisms responsive to testosterone inhibition. It is concluded that subtoxic LH stimulating doses of NMA provide a useful tool in discerning neurotransmitter systems involved in central control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Morphology Development in Asymmetric Poly(styrene-b-tert-butylacrylate) Thin Films by Solvent Annealing

Morphology dependence of asymmetric poly(styrene-b-tert-butylacrylate) [P(S-b-tBA)] thin film on casting solvent, annealing solvent and annealing time was investigated. Two casting solvents, toluene and propylene glycol monomethyl ester acetate (PGMEA), and two annealing solvents, p-xylene and tert-butylacrylate (tBA), were studied. The casting solvent dominated the initial morphology. P(S-b-tBA) film cast from toluene resulted in inverted phase (PtBA cylinders in PS matrix) and the one cast from PGMEA led to normal phase (PS cylinders in PtBA matrix) morphology. The annealing solvents preference to either the majority or the minority block in combination with the annealing time controlled the orientation of the cylinders. When the annealing solvent preferentially interacted with the majority block in the as-cast film, a metastable highly ordered perpendicular cylinder morphology was trapped. The best conditions to obtain perpendicular PS cylinders were casting P(S-b-tBA) film from PGMEA and annealing in tBA vapor for 20 and 25 min on silicon and NaCl substrates
A Student-Made Microfluidic Device for Electrophoretic Separation of Food Dyes

We have developed an undergraduate laboratory activity to introduce students to microfluidics. In the activity, each student constructs their own microfluidic device using simple photolithographic techniques and then uses the device to separate a food dye mixture by electrophoresis. Dyes are used so that students are able to visually observe the separation.
Primary spinal intramedullary adrenal cortical adenoma associated with spinal dysraphism: case report.

OBJECTIVE The authors report a primary spinal intramedullary adrenal cortical adenoma in a patient with spinal dysraphism presenting with bilateral leg pain and urinary frequency. METHODS Magnetic resonance imaging, L2 laminectomy with resection of mass, and pathological and immunohistochemical analysis of resected mass revealed the diagnosis. RESULTS Microscopic and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis as a primary intramedullary tumor of adrenal cortical origin. CONCLUSION The occurrence of a primary adrenal tumor in the spinal cord is rare and difficult to explain based on our understanding of embryology. A review of the relevant literature and discussion of the pathophysiology and clinical implications is provided.
Curriculum Internationalization at AACSB Schools: Immersive Experiences, Student Placement, and Assessment

This article presents results from a survey of AACSB-accredited business schools’ progress in internationalizing their curricula in view of a recent AACSB report. We present data on the use of immersive experiences, degree of success in student placement in internationally oriented careers, and assessment of internationalization efforts. The results indicate growth of internationalization activities at virtually all schools as expected, but these efforts may not always match AACSB recommendations. For instance, AACSB criticized business programs for not coordinating internationalization activities in a strategic manner to improve courses and develop skills needed by international managers. Our survey finds that many schools do not attempt to tie their international experiences to specific courses, but they report the experiences are used to build skills students need. Most institutions also do not examine job placement as a measure of curriculum internationalization success. We find that many schools do n...
Thin-film characterization using a scanning laser acoustic microscope with surface acoustic waves

The use of surface acoustic waves in a scanning laser acoustic microscope for the characterization of the mechanical or acoustic properties of thin films deposited on piezoelectric substrates is demonstrated. Quantitative measurements of mass loading effects of 5000-AA-thick tungsten films deposited on lithium niobate substrates were obtained using 100-MHz surface acoustic waves. No information about the tungsten film could be obtained using 100-MHz compressional waves. Methods of generating surface waves on nonpiezoelectric materials so that this technique could be used on arbitrary substrates are discussed. >
The abnormal pigment in strangulation obstruction

Summary o 1. Spectrophotometric absorption curveswere plotted for peritoneal fluids or intestinal contents from seven patients with strangulation obstruction, one patient with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, and the following experimental animals: 31 dogs with strangulation obstruction, 4 dogs with hemorrhagic pancreatitis, 6 dogs with bile peritonitis and 2 pools of peritoneal fluid from 54 rabbits with strangulation obstruction. 2. Essentially normal hemoglobin was found in most specimens. Several contained hemochromogen-like substances. An abnormal pigment similar to the hemin pigment described in 1949 was found in only one specimen. This specimen was a terminal peritoneal fluid from a dog with experimental strangulation obstruction. Peritoneal fluid from a companion dog operated upon at the same time served as a control for subsequent studies. 3. The quantitative bacteriology of theperitoneal fluid containing the abnormal pigment and that of the control peritoneal fluid were similar. Each peritoneal fluid was lethal for mice and dogs when injected intraperitoneally. The presence of the pigment was not related to either bacterial flora or lethality, and is not explained.
Benchmark Heat Transfer Data for Micro-Structured Surfaces for Immersion Cooled Microelectronics

Pool boiling from a surface featuring micro-pyramidal re-entrant cavities (mouth size 40 μm) etched in silicon, on a glass substrate, was studied. All experiments were conducted in the dielectric fluid FC-72 at one atmosphere. The heat sink is designed to eliminate spreading through the substrate, and back heat loss. Experimentation showed that the critical heat flux was 12.8 W/cm2 . A high speed camera (400fps) was used to record and quantify the effect of heat flux on departure diameter and bubble emission frequency. Both departure diameter and frequency showed an increasing trend with heat flux. Comparison with existing literature are also presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
On zeroes of superpotentials in F-theory

Abstract We discuss the 3-brane partition function in F-theory. We show that the partition function has a zero when the Euclidean 3-brane passes through a world-filling 3-brane. We also discuss the dependence on 2-form field-strengths.
Judaism and the Origins of Erich Fromm's Humanistic Psychology The Religious Reverence of a Heretic

This article explores the Jewish roots of Erich Fromm's humanistic psychology: its ethical values, conception of human nature, and societal aspirations. It analyzes key concepts in Fromm's humanistic psychology that have Jewish antecedents, including biophilia, the rejection of idolatry and group narcissism, moral universalism, and free will. It explicates Fromm's major work addressing Judaism and humanistic psychology, You Shall Be as Gods: A Radical Interpretation of the Old Testament and its Tradition, along with other texts written by Fromm that address Judaism and interpret it with a secular, humanistic orientation. The article examines how Fromm situates the Bible, the Talmud, and various rabbinic texts in relation to the development of Jewish civilization, its liberal humanistic philosophy, and the universal relevance of these texts and the values that they transmit.
Hydroxy nitrate production in the OH-initiated oxidation of alkenes

Abstract. Alkenes are oxidized rapidly in the atmosphere by addition of OH and subsequently O2 leading to the formation of β-hydroxy peroxy radicals. These peroxy radicals react with NO to form β-hydroxy nitrates with a branching ratio α. We quantify α for C2–C8 alkenes at 295 K ± 3 and 993 hPa. The branching ratio can be expressed as α = (0.045 ± 0.016) × N − (0.11 ± 0.05) where N is the number of heavy atoms (excluding the peroxy moiety), and listed errors are 2σ. These branching ratios are larger than previously reported and are similar to those for peroxy radicals formed from H abstraction from alkanes. We find the isomer distributions of β-hydroxy nitrates formed under NO-dominated peroxy radical chemistry to be different than the isomer distribution of hydroxy hydroperoxides produced under HO2-dominated peroxy radical chemistry. Assuming unity yield for the hydroperoxides implies that the branching ratio to form β-hydroxy nitrates increases with substitution of RO2. Deuterium substitution enhances the branching ratio to form hydroxy nitrates in both propene and isoprene by a factor of ~ 1.5. The role of alkene chemistry in the Houston region is re-evaluated using the RONO2 branching ratios reported here. Small alkenes are found to play a significant role in present-day oxidant formation more than a decade (2013) after the 2000 Texas Air Quality Study identified these compounds as major contributors to photochemical smog in Houston.
From the top down

Body symmetry in animals came very early as shown by the metazoan imprints from the Ediacaran period (600–543 million years ago). Even now, symmetry represents a sign of fitness. Why, then, did the approximately 500 species of flatfish of the order Pleuronectiformes discard such a predominant characteristic primarily with the eye and orbit? Flatfish, as represented by the sand dab, Citharychthys , on the cover, hatch from eggs as bilaterally symmetrical, transparent fry that live near the ocean surface more or less as plankton and have the same fusiform body shape as most other fish. In these animals, transparency, except for the pigment in the eye, is a camouflage technique and is common to many piscine species. High in the water column these young flatfish feed on smaller planktonic creatures until metamorphosis. Their metamorphosis is vastly different from other species of fish because they become flattened and compressed and simultaneously move to deeper water to become bottom dwelling. That alone would not be so unusual, but along with the bodily compression, one eye, with corresponding bony changes, migrates to the opposite side of the body to join …
Friends and foes in the plant world: A profile of plant ingestions and fatalities

Introduction. Plants are beneficial as foodstuffs and many have medicinal properties. However, some plants also have the potential to produce toxicity. The objective of this study was to characterize plant exposures that involve humans and to discuss those that are associated with morbidity and mortality, as well as some that have undeserved bad reputations. Materials and Methods. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) 1983–2009 annual reports were reviewed to identify all plant-related fatalities. The 2000–2009 AAPCC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System and the National Poison Data System databases were queried to identify all plant ingestions. The data were analyzed to identify the specific plants, the age and gender of those who were exposed, the reason for the exposures and patient outcome. Results. During the decade of 2000–2009, 668 111 plant ingestion exposures were reported, 621 109 were single substance exposures with no co-ingestants, and the age was known in 611 708 of the exp...
Functional effects of FGF-13 on human lung fibroblasts, dermal microvascular endothelial cells, and aortic smooth muscle cells.

Abstract We studied the effects of FGF-13 and FGF-2 on human lung fibroblasts, dermal microvascular endothelial cells, and aortic smooth muscle cells. FGF-13 induced cell growth of lung fibroblasts and aortic smooth muscle cells but had no effect on dermal vascular endothelial cells. FGF-2 induced cell growth in all the three cell types. FGF-13 and FGF-2 had little effect on IL-6 production by lung fibroblasts and aortic smooth muscle cells and substantially enhanced that induced by IL-1α. In contrast, FGF-13 and FGF-2 had little effect on IL-6 production by dermal vascular endothelial cells, either alone or in synergy with IL-1α.
FHIP and FTS proteins are critical for dynein-mediated transport of early endosomes in Aspergillus.

FhipA and FtsA in Aspergillus (human FHIP and FTS homologues) are critical for HookA-dynein–mediated early endosome transport. FhipA and FtsA are required for HookA–early endosome association. FtsA...
Impact of Electronic Computerized Surveillance on Hospital Epidemiology Surveillance Workflow at a Large Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center

ISSUE: Regulatory agencies as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend instituting programs which emphasize patient safety and lead to sustainable quality improvement. Hospital leadership must endorse and consistently emphasize the importance of such programs in order to be successful. This study describes the importance of unit level leadership and to the successful adoption of a hand hygiene monitoring technology. PROJECT: Three hospitals within the same healthcare network installed a radio frequency identification (RFID) hand-hygiene compliance monitoring technology. One 150-bed hospital (1) monitored 82 employees in a 12-bed ICU and 22 bed medical-surgical unit. The second 454-bed hospital (2) monitored 94 employees in a 12-bed MICU and a 23 bed orthopedic unit. A third 85-bed rural hospital (3) monitored 59 employees on a 6-bed ICU and a 29 bed medicalsurgical unit. Two of these facilities approached clinical implementation of the technology by directly involving nursemanagers in the performance feedback mechanism. These managers received individual compliance scores for their staff and were personally involved in dissemination of that data. They were also involved with setting performance expectations at the unit level and ensuring accountability to those expectations. The third facility relied primarily on the infection preventionist to communicate expectations and results and to ensure performance at the unit level. RESULTS: Although the facilities are in the same network, their implementation of the same hand-hygiene monitoring system yielded differing results. The two hospitals with heavily engaged nurse managers achieved dispensing increases of 70.8% and 130.2% and hand-hygiene compliance rate increases of 33.6% and 50.4% respectively. The hospital with only peripheral nurse manager involvement saw a dispensing increase of only 2.8 % and a 43.6% decrease in compliance. Using an electronic proxy for healthcare-associated infection, researchers identified 8.7% and 17% HAI reductions in units withnursing leadership involvementanda50%healthcare-associated infection increase in the unit with less unit leadership involvement.
Work in Progress: Adapting the Treisman Model to Computer Science

We have implemented a workshop program adapted from Treisman's work in first-year calculus. Recent work in collaborative techniques in computer science has focused on programming, but our work examines the effects of the workshops on the discrete mathematics, data structures, and algorithms courses. Most of our students transfer from community college and are commuter students, spending little time on campus and thus studying alone. An approach similar to Treisman's could improve the performance of students with these characteristics. A preliminary analysis suggests that the workshops have an impact on student performance in the discrete mathematics and algorithms courses. Our work extends the previous work in calculus by adapting the workshops to computer science and applying similar analysis methods to determine efficacy. In addition, to provide insight for future workshop implementation, our work seeks to understand how students solve computer science problems. We do so by analyzing student responses in interviews involving a problem solving task.
Investigation of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Designs

Results of a bench-scale model investigation of the dispersion impact on Subsurface Flow ConstructedWetland(SFCW) designs are presentedin this arti cle. The research involved determining the dispersion number as interstitial velocity, a function of aspect ratio and flow rate, was varied. The range of dispersion numbers foundwas from 0.107 to 0.345. Results indicatedthat as the aspect ratio is decreased below 2:1, increased dispersion occurs. Additionally, an increase in dispersion number with increasing flow rate for larger aspect ratios (6:1, 3:1, 2:1) was revealed. Interstitial velocity was shown to control dispersion number for higher flow rates; however, aspect ratio controlledthe dispersion number when the ratio was reduced below 2:1. This research provides a valuable tool intended for estimating the dispersion impact when applying alternative models to the design of SFCWs.