cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving Communication in Heart Failure Patient Care

Abstract Background Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce sudden death, these patients die of heart failure (HF) or other diseases. To prevent shocks at the end of life, clinicians should discuss deactivating the defibrillation function. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if a clinician-centered teaching intervention and automatic reminders increased ICD deactivation discussions and increased device deactivation. Methods In this 6-center, single-blinded, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, primary outcomes were proportion of patients: 1) having ICD deactivation discussions; and 2) having the shocking function deactivated. Secondary outcomes included goals of care conversations and advance directive completion. Results A total of 525 subjects were included with advanced HF who had an ICD: 301 intervention and 224 control. At baseline, 52% (n = 272) were not candidates for advanced therapies (i.e., cardiac transplant or mechanical circulatory support). There were no differences in discussions (41 [14%] vs. 26 [12%]) or deactivation (33 [11%] vs. 26 [12%]). In pre-specified subgroup analyses of patients who were not candidates for advanced therapies, the intervention increased deactivation discussions (32 [25%] vs. 16 [11%]; odds ratio: 2.90; p = 0.003). Overall, 99 patients died; there were no differences in conversations or deactivations among decedents. Secondary outcomes: Among all participants, there was an increase in goals of care conversations (47% intervention vs. 38% control; odds ratio: 1.53; p = 0.04). There were no differences in completion of advance directives. Conclusions The intervention increased conversations about ICD deactivation and goals of care. HF clinicians were able to apply new communication techniques based on patients’ severity of illness. (An Intervention to Improve Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Deactivation Conversations [WISDOM]; NCT01459744 )
CMB targets after the latest Planck data release

We show that a combination of the simplest $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ attractors and KKLT inflation models related to Dp-brane inflation covers most of the area in the (${n}_{s}$, $r$) space favored by Planck 2018. For $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-attractor models, there are discrete targets $3\ensuremath{\alpha}=1,2,\dots{},7$, predicting seven different values of $r=12\ensuremath{\alpha}/{N}^{2}$ in the range ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}r\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. In the small $r$ limit, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-attractors and Dp-brane inflation models describe vertical $\ensuremath{\beta}$ stripes in the (${n}_{s}$, $r$) space, with ${n}_{s}=1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}/N$, $\ensuremath{\beta}=2,\frac{5}{3},\frac{8}{5},\frac{3}{2},\frac{4}{3}$. A phenomenological description of these models and their generalizations can be achieved in the context of pole inflation. Most of the $1\ensuremath{\sigma}$ area in the (${n}_{s}$, $r$) space favored by Planck 2018 can be covered models with $\ensuremath{\beta}=2$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}=5/3$. Future precision data on ${n}_{s}$ may help to discriminate between these models even if the precision of the measurement of $r$ is insufficient for the discovery of gravitational waves produced during inflation.
Art in modernist architecture: two installations by Amalie Rothschild and Percival Goodman's programme for art

Examining how art has been commissioned and conceived for modernist architectural settings reveals not only conceptual or formal connections between the two, but also their social and practical int...
Evaluating the effect of sediment color on water radiance and suspended sediment concentration using digital imagery

Abstract Satellite remote sensing has been extensively used for estimating the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in coastal and inland waters. The application of this method to smaller waterbodies, however, encounters several limitations, such as the coarse temporal and spatial resolution of satellite images, cloud coverage intercession, and inaccessibility during emergency periods. Conventional digital cameras are used for monitoring the water quality parameters in inland waters, but their application for remote sensing of SSC in inland waters is still under development. The empirical models developed to estimate SSC from digital imagery are usually site-specific and do not consider the effect of the sediment properties such as grain size and shape, sediment color, and types of minerals. The performance of digital cameras for estimating SSC is assessed in this study, and the effect of sediment color on the accuracy of this method is investigated. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted using four different colors of sediment: light gray, dark gray, light brown, and dark brown. The results showed that the red waveband reflectance of digital imagery was more sensitive to the variation of SSC than that of blue and green waveband. The sediment color evidently affected the correlation between the measured SSC and waveband reflectance, even with the same particle size distribution. Sediment with darker color showed the lowest reflectance values, whereas lighter-color sediment has the highest reflectance values. The performance of the developed SSC-reflectance regression models for all sediment colors was assessed at two river sites, i.e., Village Creek, and the West Fork Trinity River. The correlation between measured and predicted SSC for Village Creek, that had the same sediment size and color as the light gray soil, was high ( R 2 = 0.98 ). The correlation was relatively low ( R 2 = 0.55 ) for the West Fork Trinity River and dark gray soil water samples which had a similar color and different sediment sizes. The difference in sediment sizes could explain why the SSC-reflectance model derived from the dark gray soil exhibited poor performance in predicting the SSC for this site. This study demonstrated that consideration of sediment color effect in developing a remote sensing algorithm from digital imagery would result in more accurate estimations of SSC in riverine environments.
The Joy of Religion: author response to commentaries

The Joy of Religion is a counterpoint work to Sacred Pain (Glucklich, 2001). In that older work from 20 years ago, I attempted to explain the widely distributed religious practice of self-hurting. ...
Trends of hospitalizations among patients with both cancer and dementia diagnoses in New York 2007-2017.

Abstract Background Cancer and dementia have often been studied in isolation. We aimed to examine the spatiotemporal trend of inpatient admissions with both cancer and dementia diagnoses. Methods Using state-wide inpatient claims data, we identified all hospital admissions for patients aged ≥50 years with both cancer and dementia diagnoses in New York State, 2007-2017. We examined the spatiotemporal trend of the admission using a novel Bayesian hierarchical model adjusting for socioeconomic factor, as measured by Yost index. Results Admissions with the presence of both cancer and dementia diagnoses represented 8.5% of all admissions with a cancer diagnosis, and the proportion increased from 7.1% in 2007 to 9.7% in 2017. The median admission rate was 3.5 (interquartile range: 2.2–5.2) hospitalizations per 1000 population aged ≥50 years, which increased from 2.9 in 2007 to 3.7 in 2017. The admission rate peaked first in 2010 followed by a smaller peak in 2014, before stabilizing at a level higher than the pre-2010 period. Taking into account the spatiotemporal heterogeneity, we found that hospitalizations among those with both cancer and dementia diagnoses were associated with a higher socioeconomic status (the posterior median relative risk for Yost index = 1.046 (95% credible interval: 1.033–1.058)). Conclusions Hospitalizations of patients with both cancer and dementia increased over time. Cancer care providers and healthcare systems should be prepared to provide prevention and management strategies and engage in complex medical decision-making for this increasingly common patient population comprised of individuals with cancer and dementia.
Outpatient surgery for the inpatient: an introduction to postacute care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article considers how postacute care (PAC) facilities such as skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term care hospitals could represent an opportunity for outpatient surgical facilities to improve patient care. In order to understand how these facilities interact with outpatient surgical services, it is first necessary to understand the types of facilities that provide PAC. RECENT FINDINGS The significant costs associated with PAC have led to some proposed regulatory changes. Evidence examining postacute costs following total joint replacement has indicated that these costs may be decreased with cooperative efforts between perioperative physicians and PAC facilities. However, the lack of currently published data on the interaction between outpatient surgery and inpatient PAC facilities creates a need to explore how greater cooperation between these types of facilities could lead to improvements in patient care. SUMMARY PAC facilities are inpatient facilities focused on the rehabilitation of patients recovering from an acute illness or surgical intervention. This article seeks to provide ambulatory practitioners a fundamental understanding of PAC as a starting point for future collaborative efforts with PAC facilities; improving care for patients referred to and from PAC facilities for outpatient surgical care.
TURN Score Predicts 90-day Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients After IV Thrombolysis.

We developed the TURN score for predicting symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) after IV thrombolysis. Our purpose was to evaluate its ability to predict 90-day outcome. We retrospectively analyzed data from 303 patients who received IV rt-PA during the NINDS rt-PA trial. Severe outcome was defined as 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores ≥5, 90-day Barthel index (BI) scores 2. Excellent outcome was defined as 90-day mRS scores ≤1, 90-day BI scores ≥95 and 90-day GOS scores = 1. Agreement between TURN and 90-day outcome was assessed by univariate logistic regression reporting odds ratios (OR) and by areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). TURN was also compared with 6 other scores for predicting sICH or severe outcome. TURN predicted 90-day mRS ≥5 with OR 5.73, 95 % confidence interval (3.60, 9.10), P < 0.001 and AUROC 0.83, 95 % confidence interval (0.77, 0.89). TURN also predicted 90-day mRS ≤1 with OR 5.24, 95 % confidence interval (3.43, 7.99), P < 0.001 and AUROC 0.80, 95 % confidence interval (0.74, 0.85). TURN predicted 90-day mRS ≥5 with OR significantly higher than DRAGON (2.30, P = 0.01), ASTRAL (1.18, P < 0.001), HAT (2.89, P = 0.05) and SEDAN (2.16, P = 0.01), and with AUROC significantly higher than SPAN-100 (0.64, P < 0.001) and SEDAN (0.71, P = 0.01). Likewise, TURN predicted 90-day mRS ≤1 with OR significantly higher than Stroke-TPI (2.89, P = 0.05), DRAGON (2.29, P = 0.01), ASTRAL (1.15, P < 0.001), HAT (2.71, P = 0.04) and SEDAN (2.15, P = 0.01), and with AUROC significantly higher than SPAN-100 (0.58, P < 0.001) and SEDAN (0.70, P = 0.01). Similar results were obtained using 90-day BI and 90-day GOS scores. TURN predicted 90-day outcome with comparable or better accuracy compared to several existing clinical scores.
Profiles of Target-Cell Prolactin and Adrenocorticotropin during Lactational Diestrus

Endocrinology can be viewed as a very old science when one considers that ablation of certain of the glands of internal secretion, in particular the gonads, was practiced very early on in our history. (One can even postulate that the bravest among some of our ancestors got hold of a saber-toothed tiger long enough to turn him into a pussycat!) It was not until whole organs, homogenates, or extracts were tested for activity that could repair a deficiency, however, that modern endocrinology began about a century ago. This sort of qualitative bioassay approach continued to be used well past the first third of the present century and involved hormones exclusively in their glands of origin, i.e., hormones in very large amounts. As bioassay sensitivities were improved, detection of a relatively wide range of concentrations became possible in the late 1940’s and 1950’s, and during this period it even became possible to detect some hormones in transit to their targets, but again, the amounts that could be detected were present at the lower concentrations that could be measured in tissues of origin, and therefore the improved methods could detect hormones in blood only if they were present in supraphysiological amounts. Then, in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, came radioimmunoassays (RIAs) and radioreceptor assays (RRAs) that allowed the study of hormones in transit, not only in physiological, but also in subphysiological, concentrations.
High Shear Deformation to Produce High Strength and Energy Absorption in Mg Alloys

Magnesium alloys have the potential to reduce the mass of transportation systems however to fully realize the benefits it must be usable in more applications including those that require higher strength and ductility. It has been known that fine grain size in Mg alloys leads to high strength and ductility. However, the challenge is how to achieve this optimal microstructure in a cost effective way. This work has shown that by using optimized high shear deformation and second phase particles of Mg2Si and MgxZnZry the energy absorption of the extrusions can exceed that of AA6061. The extrusion process under development described in this presentation appears to be scalable and cost effective. In addition to process development a novel modeling approach to understand the roles of strain and state-of-strain on particle fracture and grain size control has been developed.
Iterative joint source/channel decoding for JPEG2000

A framework for iterative joint source-channel decoding of JPEG2000 codestreams is presented in this paper. At the encoder, JPEG2000 is used to perform source coding with certain error resilience (ER) modes, and LDPC codes are used to perform channel coding. During decoding, the source decoder uses the ER modes to identify corrupt sections of the codestream and provides this information to the channel decoder. The decoding is carried out jointly in an iterative fashion. Our results indicate that the proposed method improves the convergence rate as well as the overall system performance.
‘Male-stuffing’ in wasp societies

Intracolony aggression within and between castes of social insects is common1,3. We have observed an unusual aggressive interaction between nestmates of the paper wasp Polistes dominulus. In response to foragers returning to the colony, females (workers) initiate aggressive encounters with males culminating with the male being forced head-first into an empty nest-cell (‘male-stuffing’). ‘Stuffed’ males are unable to feed, so the behaviour seems to ensure that food is preferentially channelled to larvae, which are likely to be more closely related to the workers than are the adult males.
An Apology for Ecumenism in Statistics.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an apology for Ecumenism in statics. Bays model had the difficulty that by supposing all possible sets of assumptions known a priori , it discredits the possibility of new discovery. It had been argued that if significance tests are to be employed to check the model, then it is necessary to state in advance the level of significance α that is to be used and that no rational basis exists for making such a choice. The present proposals excluded the possibilities of attempts to base estimation on sampling theory, using point estimates and confidence intervals and attempts to base criticism and hypothesis testing entirely on Bayesian theory. The Bayes' approach provides some assurance against incredibility as it requires that all assumptions of the model be clearly visible and available for criticism. The scientific method employs and requires not one but two kinds of inference, namely, criticism and estimation; once this is understood, the statistical advances made in recent years in Bayesian methods, data analysis, robust and shrinkage estimators can be seen as a cohesive whole.
Cavitation enhancing nanodroplets mediate efficient DNA fragmentation in a bench top ultrasonic water bath

A perfluorocarbon nanodroplet formulation is shown to be an effective cavitation enhancement agent, enabling rapid and consistent fragmentation of genomic DNA in a standard ultrasonic water bath. This nanodroplet-enhanced method produces genomic DNA libraries and next-generation sequencing results indistinguishable from DNA samples fragmented in dedicated commercial acoustic sonication equipment, and with higher throughput. This technique thus enables widespread access to fast bench-top genomic DNA fragmentation.
Highly conductive solvent-free polymer electrolyte membrane for lithium-ion batteries: Effect of prepolymer molecular weight

Abstract The present article demonstrates the effects of molecular weight of network precursor on properties of solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) comprised of poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) prepolymer, succinonitrile (SCN) plasticizer, and lithium bis (trifluoromethane sulphonyl) imide (LiTFSI) salt using two different PEGDA molecular weights. To provide guidance for crosslinking reaction, ternary phase diagrams of the PEM precursor mixtures were established. Upon photopolymerization within the wide isotropic region, completely amorphous membranes were obtained in several compositions. The PEM having a higher PEGDA molecular weight (i.e., 6000 g/mol) revealed both improved impact strength with an elongation at break of ~80 % and higher ambient temperature ionic conductivity (~1.4×10 −3 S cm −1 ) relative to the low molecular weight counterpart (i.e., 700 g/mol). Both PEMs exhibited excellent electrochemical (4.8 V/Li/Li + ) and thermal (140 °C) stabilities. Specific discharge capacities of the PEM containing half-cells using LiFePO 4 or Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 electrodes against lithium electrode reached the level of ~140 mAh g −1 at 0.2 °C, indicating potential applications in all solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
Genetic Determinant in Escherichia coli Affecting Thymineless Death and Ultraviolet Sensitivity

Abstract We have infected Escherichia coli strain B3 with F′ factors carrying different lengths of the K-12 chromosome. When the F′ factor carries the tsx to purE segment, the resulting hybrid merodiploid shows increased sensitivity to thymineless death, although leaky deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis is unaffected, as well as increased sensitivity to ultraviolet irradiation. The dominant or partially dominant character of the effect indicates that it is not a product of allelic differences between E. coli K and B at either ras or lon.
Relationship between single-file diffusion of mixed and pure gases in dipeptide nanochannels by high field diffusion NMR

High field NMR diffusometry reveals single-file diffusion of CO/CH4 mixture in dipeptide nanochannels with a coincident mobility for CO and CH4. In contrast to the relationship commonly observed for normal diffusion, this mixture mobility is only slightly smaller than that of pure CO which diffuses much faster than pure CH4.
Propagation of explosive signals in intermediate ocean depths

Experiments were conducted to measure the acoustic propagation loss and received signal characteristics for underwater transmission over distances of 10 to 100 nautical miles in ocean areas of intermediate water depth. Small explosive charges detonated at depths of 800 and 1500 ft were used as the signal source. With water depths of 1000 to 6000 ft, long range propagation was generally by bottom bounce. Wide differences were observed in the propagation loss at various test sites. Changes in propagation over a period of time was determined by crosscorrelation of a series of signals from sequential detonations.
Stem Cells in Teeth and Craniofacial Bones

Stem cells are remarkable, and stem cell–based tissue engineering is an emerging field of biomedical science aiming to restore damaged tissue or organs. In dentistry and reconstructive facial surgery, it is of great interest to restore lost teeth or craniofacial bone defects using stem cell–mediated therapy. In the craniofacial region, various stem cell populations have been identified with regeneration potential. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning the various types of tooth- and craniofacial bone–related stem cells and discuss their in vivo identities and regulating mechanisms.
A Review of Fetal Thoracoamniotic and Vesicoamniotic Shunt Procedures

Fetal anomalies such as lower urinary tract obstructions and fluid-filled space-occupying lesions in the fetal chest can result in severe morbidity or mortality if left untreated. In-utero fetal shunt placement offers the potential to improve outcomes in infants with these conditions. The role of the nurse is paramount in the clinical and psychosocial management of the mother and family.
Ga3+ as a mechanistic probe in Fe3+ transport: characterization of Ga3+ interaction with FbpA

The obligate human pathogens Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and N. meningitidis utilize a highly conserved, three-protein ATP-binding cassette transporter (FbpABC) to shuttle free Fe3+ from the periplasm and across the cytoplasmic membrane. The periplasmic binding protein, ferric binding protein (FbpA), is capable of transporting other trivalent cations, including Ga3+, which, unlike Fe3+, is not redox-active. Because of a similar size and charge as Fe3+, Ga3+ is widely used as a non-redox-active Fe3+ substitute for studying metal complexation in proteins and bacterial populations. The investigations reported here elucidate the similarities and differences in FbpA sequestration of Ga3+ and Fe3+, focusing on metal selectivity and the resulting transport function. The thermodynamic binding constant for Ga3+ complexed with FbpA at pH 6.5, in 50 mM 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid, 200 mM KCl, 5 mM KH2PO4 was determined by UV-difference spectroscopy as $$ \log \,K_{{\text{eff}}}^\prime = 13.7 \pm 0.6. $$ This represents a 105-fold weaker binding relative to Fe3+ at identical conditions. The unfolding/refolding behavior of Ga3+ and Fe3+ holo-FbpA were also studied using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy technique, stability of unpurified proteins from rates of H/D exchange (SUPREX). This analysis indicates significant differences between Fe3+ and Ga3+ sequestration with regard to protein folding behavior. A series of kinetic experiments established the lability of the Ga3+FbpA–PO4 assembly, and the similarities/differences of stepwise loading of Fe3+ into apo- or Ga3+-loaded FbpA. These biophysical characterization data are used to interpret FbpA-mediated Ga3+ transport and toxicity in cell culture studies.
HERG Channel Dysfunction in Human Long QT Syndrome INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT AND FUNCTIONAL DEFECTS

Mutations in HERG are associated with human chromosome 7-linked congenital long QT (LQT-2) syndrome. We used electrophysiological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical methods to study the molecular mechanisms of HERG channel dysfunction caused by LQT-2 mutations. Wild type HERG and LQT-2 mutations were studied by stable and transient expression in HEK 293 cells. We found that some mutations (Y611H and V822M) caused defects in biosynthetic processing of HERG channels with the protein retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Other mutations (I593R and G628S) were processed similarly to wild type HERG protein, but these mutations did not produce functional channels. In contrast, the T474I mutation expressed HERG current but with altered gating properties. These findings suggest that the loss of HERG channel function in LQT-2 mutations is caused by multiple mechanisms including abnormal channel processing, the generation of nonfunctional channels, and altered channel gating.
Individual differences in cerebral metabolic patterns during pharmacotherapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a multiple regression/discriminant analysis of positron emission tomographic data

A multiple regression/discriminant analysis of positron emission tomographic cerebral metabolic (rCMRglc) data in 10 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients before and during pharmacotherapy was carried out to see if rCMRglc interdependencies distinguished OCD patients from controls. Before therapy, a discriminant function reflecting parietal, sensorimotor, and midbrain rCMRglc interdependencies correctly classified eight (80%) of the 10 patients as OCD; after therapy, six (70%) were classified as controls, most of whom were responders. Before therapy, rCMRglc interdependencies involving basal ganglia, thalamus, limbic, and sensory and association cortical regions distinguished 67% of patients who clinically responded to drug (RESP, n = 6) and 75% of patients who did not (NRESP, n = 4) from controls. After therapy, all RESP were classified as controls; classification of NRESP remained unchanged. The results suggest the conjunctive utility of this method to assess individual differences in rCMRglc during pharmacotherapy, and to explore the neurobiology of OCD.
In Situ Characterization of Proteins Using Laserspray Ionization on a High-Performance MALDI-LTQ-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

The MALDI-LTQ-Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer is a high performance instrument capable of high resolution and accurate mass (HRAM) measurements. The maximum m/z of 4000 precludes the MALDI analysis of proteins without generating multiply charged ions. Herein, we present the study of HRAM laserspray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) with MS/MS and MS imaging capabilities using 2-nitrophloroglucinol (2-NPG) as matrix on a MALDI-LTQ-Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer. The optimized conditions for multiply charged ion production have been determined and applied to tissue profiling and imaging. Biomolecules as large as 15 kDa have been detected with up to five positive charges at 100 K mass resolution (at m/z 400). More importantly, MS/MS and protein identification on multiply charged precursor ions from both standards and tissue samples have been achieved for the first time with an intermediate-pressure source. The initial results reported in this study highlight potential utilities of laserspray ionization MS analysis for simultaneous in situ protein identification, visualization, and characterization from complex tissue samples on a commercially available HRAM MALDI MS system.
A facile approach using MgCl2 to formulate high performance Mg2+ electrolytes for rechargeable Mg batteries

Rechargeable Mg batteries have been regarded as a viable battery technology for grid scale energy storage and transportation applications. However, the limited performance of Mg2+ electrolytes has been a primary technical hurdle to develop high energy density rechargeable Mg batteries. In this study, MgCl2 is demonstrated as a non-nucleophilic and cheap Mg2+ source in combination with Al Lewis acids (AlCl3, AlPh3 and AlEtCl2) to formulate a series of Mg2+ electrolytes, representing the simplest method to prepare Mg2+ conductive electrolytes (no precursor synthesis, free of recrystallization and giving quantitative yield). These electrolytes are characterized by high oxidation stability (up to 3.4 V vs. Mg), improved electrophile compatibility and electrochemical reversibility (up to 100% coulombic efficiency). Three electrolyte systems (MgCl2–AlCl3, MgCl2–AlPh3, and MgCl2–AlEtCl2) were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 27Al{1H} and 25Mg{1H}) spectroscopies and electrochemical analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR studies consistently established molecular structures of the three electrolytes sharing a common Mg2+-dimer mono-cation, [(μ-Cl)3Mg2(THF)6]+, along with an anion (AlCl4−, AlPh3Cl− and AlEtCl3− respectively). Clean and dendrite free Mg bulk plating and viable battery performance were validated through representative studies using the MgCl2–AlEtCl2 electrolyte. The reaction mechanism of MgCl2 and the Al Lewis acids in THF is discussed to highlight the formation of the electrochemically active [(μ-Cl)3Mg2(THF)6]+ dimer mono-cation in these electrolytes and their improved performance compared to reported electrolytes using nucleophilic Mg2+ sources.
Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy of collagen deposition after myocardial infarction

Detection and characterization of the increase in deposition of fibrillar collagen cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) is of great interest to investigators and clinicians. Since conventional staining techniques to visualize collagen deposition in cardiac tissue sections are accompanied by significant limitations, we have developed a new Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy (FT-IRIS) methodology for collagen assessment. Collagen deposition in heart tissue sections of a rat model of myocardial infarction was mapped using the infrared absorbance band centered at 1338cm−1, which arises from collagen amino acid side chain vibrations. This distribution map was compared to conventional staining techniques. Comparison of the size of the collagen scar in heart tissue sections as measured with this methodology and that of trichrome staining showed a strong correlation (R=0.93). A Pearson correlation model between local intensity values in FT-IRIS and immuno-histochemical staining of collagen type I also showed a strong correlation (R=0.86). This study demonstrates that FT-IRIS methodology can be utilized to visualize cardiac collagen deposition.
Aprotinin Inhibits Protease-Dependent Platelet Aggregation and Thrombosis

Background Hemostatic effects of the protease inhibitor aprotinin in cardiac surgery are well described, and recent evidence suggests an antithrombotic mechanism of aprotinin through inhibition of thrombin-mediated platelet activation. We hypothesized that aprotinin provides hemostasis while reducing vascular thrombosis by attenuating protease-dependent platelet function. Methods Rabbits (3 to 4 kg) underwent carotid artery thrombosis induced by electrical current. Treatment animals (n = 8) received aprotinin by a 100,000-KIU bolus followed by a continuous infusion (25,000 KIU/h). Control animals (n = 8) received crystalloid solution. Thrombus weight and time to thrombotic occlusion were determined. Platelet aggregation was examined in response to protease-dependent (thrombin) and protease-independent (adenosine diphosphate, ADP) platelet agonists. Platelet thrombin protease-activated receptor (PAR) expression was analyzed by Western blot. Ear bleeding time and abdominal incisional bleeding were measured at baseline and serially. Results Thrombus weight was decreased by aprotinin (6.1 ± 1.1 mg versus 10.8 ± 1.5 mg, aprotinin versus control, p p p p Conclusions While providing hemostatic effects, aprotinin attenuates vascular thrombosis in part by inhibition of PAR activation, resulting in the prevention of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.
Studies in Lithium Oxide Systems: II, Li2O Al2O3–Al2 O 3

Solid-state reactions between Li2O and Al2 O3 were studied in the region between Li2O.Al2 O 3 and Al2 O 3. The compound Li2 O Al2 O 3 melts at 1610°± 15°C. and undergoes a rapid reversible inversion between 1200° and 1300°C. Vaporization of Li2 O from compositions in the system proceeds at an appreciable rate at 1400°C, as shown by fluorescence. Lithium spinel, Li2 O -5Al2O3, was the only other compound observed. The effect of Li2 O on the sintering of alumina was investigated.
Heterochromatin: a rapidly evolving species barrier.

Recent work has shown that changes in the sequence composition of heterochromatin, or in the factors that maintain that heterochromatin, may play an important role in speciation.
Urea cycle gene expression is suppressed by PFOA treatment in rats

Abstract Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), with an array of industrial uses, is one of the most common perfluoroalkyl acids. Resistance to biological degradation and a global distribution are characteristics that have caused PFOA to become a frequent subject of toxicological studies. PFOA treatment in rodents causes peroxisome proliferation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and transactivation of PPARs. Prior work has shown urea cycle gene expression to be reduced in mice by another PPARα ligand, WY14643. In light of these findings, the aim of our investigation was to determine if PFOA treatment in rats alters expression of genes responsible for ureogenesis. 30 mg/kg of PFOA was administered to adult male Sprague–Dawley rats via oral gavage for 28 days and their livers were harvested. Gene transcription was measured using real time PCR and protein expression was determined through western blotting. We observed a decrease in mRNA for the coordinately expressed urea cycle genes Cps1, Ass1, and Asl; mRNA of the ammonia generating Gls2 was also reduced. Protein amounts for CPS1, ASS1, and OTC were all decreased in the PFOA treated rats, and interestingly there was an increase in the amount of S133 phosphorylated CREB, which is a regulator of urea cycle gene transcription. We conclude that the transactivation of PPARα by PFOA leads to a metabolic shift that favors the catabolism of lipids over proteins, thereby suppressing urea cycle gene expression. Our findings provide further evidence of the effect of PFOA on intermediary metabolism in rodents and add valuable information in assessing the potential risks of PFOA exposure.
Avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus: Anatomic and biomechanical considerations

Avulsion of the profundus insertion occurs most commonly in the ring finger. The exact reason for this predilection is unknown. Clinical observation of patients with this injury reveals that a common finding is that the ring fingertip is usually more prominent or "longer" than any other fingertip during grip. A laboratory investigation shows that during grip the ring fingertip becomes 5 mm more prominent than any other digit in 90% of subjects and that it absorbs more force than any other finger during pull-away testing. These factors contribute to the susceptibility of the ring finger to the profundus avulsion injury.
Information technology in the service society: A twenty-first century lever: National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1994. 270 pp. $29.00 (ISBN 0-309 04876-1)

Abstract LISR considers for review reference works, dissertations, research methods texts, computer software, and professional literature covering the research process and applications of research. Views expressed are those of the reviewers and do not necessarily reflect views of the Editorial Board or publisher. Anyone wishing to write reviews or suggest titles should contact Debora Shaw at the School of Library and Information Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 〈shawd@ indiana.edu or shawd@iubacs.bitnet〉. Publishers, likewise, are requested to forward announcements of new and forthcoming titles that may interest LISR readers.
Parallel construction of multidimensional binary search trees

Multidimensional binary search tree (abbreviated k-d tree) is a popular data structure for the organization and manipulation of spatial data. The data structure is useful in several applications including graph partitioning, hierarchical applications such as molecular dynamics and n-body simulations, and databases. In this paper, we study efficient parallel construction of k-d trees on coarse-grained distributed memory parallel computers. We consider several algorithms for parallel k-d tree construction and analyze them theoretically and experimentally, with a view towards identifying the algorithms that are practically efficient. We have carried out detailed implementations of all the algorithms discussed on the CM-5 and report on experimental results. Index Terms—k-d trees, hypercubes, meshes, multidimensional binary search trees, parallel algorithms, parallel computers.
System Optimization of Compact Monocentric Lens Imagers

Monocentric lenses offer extraordinarily compact wide image imaging onto a spherical image surface. I'll describe design and preliminary experimental results for a walnut-sized 85Mpixel imager, where fiber bundles couple the image to CMOS focal planes.
Cramer-Rao bound on image registration accuracy

Precision registration (alignment) of images is utilized in dim target detection, temporal change detection, and other surveillance applications. The Cramer-Rao bound on the accuracy of parameter estimation governs the fundamental limit on the accuracy of image registration. This presentation derives the Cramer-Rao bound on registration accuracy, with emphasis on how registration accuracy depends on sensor noise, scene geometry, image characteristics and the number of pixels used in the registration process, and compares the Cramer-Rao bound prediction to registration results from the SAIC IR processing code, STAS, for both synthetically generated scenes and real IR data.
Non-radiative recombination in chalcogenide glasses

Abstract Non-radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs in chalcogenide glasses is described using a mechanism of a strong electron-phonon coupling. Recombination proceeds through a transient bonding rearrangement that creates a defect similar to those giving localized electronic states. Incomplete recombination which leaves the defect in a metastable state explains the reversible photostructural change.
Language and scientific communication: The case of the reprint request

This paper reports on a study of Reprint Requests (RRs). It is estimated that tens of millions of RRs are mailed each year, most being triggered by Current Contents. A sample of RRs generated by three papers, plus a ques~onnaire-survey of the requesters for one paper, form the basis of this study into language use patterns in the RR genre. English is ubiquitous, German and French infrequent, Russian and Spanish rare. This language data is significant because it provides unit-level language decision making (as opposed to that at other levels). Various applications of RR research are discussed, including its relevance to the issue of "Third World Science".
Yet another role for natural killer cells: cytotoxicity in immune regulation and viral persistence.

At early times during viral infections, natural killer (NK) cells can contribute to direct antiviral defense (1, 2). The effect is most dramatic when they are stimulated to release the contents of their cytolytic granules for lysis of virus-infected target cells. Type 1 interferons (IFNs), produced during innate responses to infections, induce elevated NK cell cytotoxicity. Killing, however, is ultimately dependent on signaling through NK activating receptors by ligands expressed on target cell surfaces. A complex repertoire of germ-line genes encodes NK receptors (2). Some of these are conserved, whereas others are polygenic and polymorphic. At later times, adaptive immunity, such as that delivered by cytotoxic CD8 T cells, mediates protection. The kinetics and magnitudes of viral replication compared with developing T-cell responses can shift the balance between the virus and an infected host through three states: viral clearance with long-lived immunity, immune-mediated pathology with life-threatening conditions, and functional exhaustion of T cells with resulting chronic infection. The report by Lang et al. in PNAS (3) provides evidence of a role for NK cell cytotoxicity in limiting CD8 T-cell responses, to result in persistent viral infection as well as elevated infection-induced disease. This immunoregulatory function suggests that NK cells direct the balance between the virus and the host, but the results must be considered in the context of the targets of NK cell-mediated lysis, the race in establishing states of infection, and the complexities associated with the experimental systems used to identify the effects.
Surfactant proteins: role in lung physiology and disease in early life

Pulmonary surfactant is an amalgam of proteins and phospholipids which serves to maintain a low surface tension within the alveolar regions of the lungs during changes in lung volume. Recently, two of the surfactant proteins--A and D--have been characterised within the collectin family and found to play important roles in the non-specific host defence of the lung. The field of surfactant biology has attracted the attention of physiologists, biochemists, molecular biologists and clinical scientists in an effort to describe the nature and role of pulmonary surfactant in health and disease. This paper will review the history and content of discoveries in the field of surfactant biology together with pulmonary diseases related to surfactant deficiency or dysfunction.
Counterattitudinal advocacy: When high argumentatives are more persuasible

Although research has found argumentatives are resistant to the persuasive efforts of message sources, it was reasoned in this article that because of their cognitive tendencies argumentatives should be more persuasible in certain other persuasion circumstances such as counterattitudinal advocacy. An experiment was conducted where high and low argumentatives engaged in either pro‐attitudinal or counterattitudinal advocacy on a controversial issue. The results supported the hypothesis that for counterattitudinal advocacy high argumentatives would evidence the most self‐persuasion. A second hypothesis, that low argumentatives would have the most unfavorable attitudes toward the encoding task, also was supported.
Perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity rates among twin pairs at different gestational ages: optimal delivery timing at 37 to 38 weeks' gestation.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the gestational age at delivery associated with the lowest rates of perinatal mortality, respiratory distress syndrome, and long hospital stays among twins, with pair rates used to account for both infants in each twin pregnancy. Study Design: We conducted a population-based retrospective study that analyzed linked birth certificates, fetal and infant death certificates, and hospital discharge data for 8150 twin pairs born in Washington State during 1987 through 1997. The χ 2 or Fisher exact test was used to assess the statistical significance. Results: The nadirs of perinatal mortality rate, respiratory distress syndrome incidence, and long hospital stay rate were seen at delivery dates of 39, 40, and 38 weeks' gestation, respectively. Restriction to pairs delivered vaginally without the induction of labor revealed that the perinatal mortality rate was lowest for delivery at 37 weeks' gestation, the gestational age at which the highest numbers of such spontaneously timed pairs were born. Conclusion: Induction of labor should be routinely considered for twins at 37 to 38 weeks' gestation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:451-8.)
SNP/haplotype associations in cytokine and cytokine receptor genes and immunity to rubella vaccine

An effective immune response to vaccination is, in part, a complex interaction of alleles of multiple genes regulating cytokine networks. We conducted a genotyping study of Th1/Th2/inflammatory cytokines/cytokine receptors in healthy children (n = 738, 11–19 years) to determine associations between individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)/haplotypes and immune outcomes after two doses of rubella vaccine. SNPs (n = 501) were selected using the ldSelect-approach and genotyped using Illumina GoldenGate™ and TaqMan assays. Rubella-IgG levels were measured by immunoassay and secreted cytokines by ELISA. Linear regression and post hoc haplotype analyses were used to determine associations between single SNPs/haplotypes and immune outcomes. Increased carriage of minor alleles for the promoter SNPs (rs2844482 and rs2857708) of the TNFA gene were associated with dose-related increases in rubella antibodies. IL-6 secretion was co-directionally associated (p ≤ 0.01) with five intronic SNPs in the TNFRSF1B gene in an allele dose-related manner, while five promoter/intronic SNPs in the IL12B gene were associated with variations in IL-6 secretion. TNFA haplotype AAACGGGGC (t-statistic = 3.32) and IL12B promoter haplotype TAG (t-statistic = 2.66) were associated with higher levels of (p ≤ 0.01) rubella-IgG and IL-6 secretion, respectively. We identified individual SNPs/haplotypes in TNFA/TNFRSF1B and IL12B genes that appear to modulate immunity to rubella vaccination. Identification of such “genetic fingerprints” may predict the outcome of vaccine response and inform new vaccine strategies.
Hiatal hernia and chronic unremitting asthma

An incidence of hiatal hernia of 48.1% was found among 54 children suffering from “chronic unremitting asthma” compared to 13.5% among 74 controls, clearly showing that herniae are more common in asthmatics (P<0.001). In asthmatic children herniae were more common in those patients whose height and weight approached the mean for their age and sex (0.01<P<0·02; P<0.001 respectively). Asthmatic patients who had normal oesophagi were generally short and underweight. By contrast, no significant difference could be found in controls with and without hiatal herniae with respect to height and weight. The patients' ages, duration of symptoms, and results of respiratory function tests were similar in asthmatic children with and without herniae. The possible clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Relationships Between Salt Diapirism, Faulting, And Sedimentation On a Gulf of Mexico 3-D Data Set

A 3-D seismic dataset centered around a salt diapir in the northern Gulf of Mexico is utilized in the analysis of the interactions between salt movement, faulting and sedimentation. Asymmetries in reflector truncations and interval thinning into the dome imply preferential salt withdrawal from updip and contemporaneous development of a rim syncline on the northern flank. A major counter-regional fault system cuts the northern flank of the structure and combines with radial normal faults to control sediment distribution. The spatial distribution of canyon systems and slump deposits was influenced by recent basinward salt displacement.
Epileptic encephalopathies: cognitive and behavioural aspects

Cognitive and behavioural co-morbidities are frequent among children with epileptic encephalopathies. This paper will review the type and severity of difficulties seen in the various epileptic encephalopathy syndromes and review possible underlying mechanisms for these problems.
Isomer-specific influences on the composition of reaction intermediates in dimethyl ether/propene and ethanol/propene flame.

This work provides experimental evidence on how the molecular compositions of fuel-rich low-pressure premixed flames are influenced as the oxygenates dimethyl ether (DME) or ethanol are incrementally blended into the propene fuel. Ten different flames with a carbon-to-oxygen ratio of 0.5, ranging from 100% propene (ϕ = 1.5) to 100% oxygenated fuel (ϕ = 2.0), are analyzed with flame-sampling molecular-beam mass spectrometry employing electron- or photoionization. Absolute mole fraction profiles for flame species with masses ranging from m/z = 2 (H2) to m/z = 80 (C6H8) are analyzed with particular emphasis on the formation of harmful emissions. Fuel-specific destruction pathways, likely to be initiated by hydrogen abstraction, appear to lead to benzene from propene combustion and to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde through DME and ethanol combustion, respectively. While the concentration of acetaldehyde increases 10-fold as propene is substituted by ethanol, it decreases as propene is replaced with DME. In con...
Reconstructing Andrew Johnson

Bergeron, Paul H., ed. The Papers of Andrew Johnson. Volume 8: May-August 1865. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1989. Pp. xvi, 716; $37.50. Bowen, David Warren. Andrew Johnson and the Negro. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1989. Pp. xviii, 206; $29.95. Castel, Albert. The Presidency of Andrew Johnson. Lawrence, Kansas: The University of Kansas Press, 1979. Pp. viii, 262; $29.95. Sefton, James E. Andrew Johnson and the Uses of Constitutional Power. Boston: Little, Brown, 1990. Pp. xii, 212; $9.95 hardbound, $5.95 softbound. Trefousse, Hans L. Andrew Johnson: A Biography. New York: W. W. Norton, 1989. Pp. 463; $25.00.vvvv