cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pecking Order of Free Radicals and Antioxidants: Lipid Peroxidation, α-Tocopherol, and Ascorbate

Free radicals vary widely in their thermodynamic properties, ranging from very oxidizing to very reducing. These thermodynamic properties can be used to predict a pecking order, or hierarchy, for free radical reactions. Using one-electron reduction potentials, the predicted pecking order is in agreement with experimentally observed free radical electron (hydrogen atom) transfer reactions. These potentials are also in agreement with experimental data that suggest that vitamin E, the primary lipid soluble small molecule antioxidant, and vitamin C, the terminal water soluble small molecule antioxidant, cooperate to protect lipids and lipid structures against peroxidation. Although vitamin E is located in membranes and vitamin C is located in aqueous phases, vitamin C is able to recycle vitamin E; i.e., vitamin C repairs the tocopheroxyl (chromanoxyl) radical of vitamin E, thereby permitting vitamin E to function again as a free radical chain-breaking antioxidant. This review discusses: (i) the thermodynamics of free radical reactions that are of interest to the health sciences; (ii) the fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic properties that are associated with chain-breaking antioxidants; (iii) the unique interfacial nature of the apparent reaction of the tocopherol free radical (vitamin E radical) and vitamin C; and (iv) presents a hierarchy, or pecking order, for free radical electron (hydrogen atom) transfer reactions.
Bowstringing as a complication of deep brain stimulation: case report.

Objective This retrospective case series describes bowstringing as a complication of deep brain stimulator implantation for Parkinson's disease, defined as abnormal tethering of leads between the pulse generator and stimulating electrode, associated with contracture of the patient's neck over the extension cable. There are no previous reports of this specific complication, which presumably has been more broadly classified under hardware-related complications. Clinical presentation Bowstringing may result in discomfort, restriction of movements, and/or equipment malfunction. Patients were identified by postoperative surveillance in clinic and by review of our database of Parkinson's disease patients who had undergone subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulator placement. The incidence of this complication was 2.6% (6/228) in our overall clinic population, composed of 0% (0/181) of patients who received a Soletra pulse generator and 12.7% (6/47) of patients who received a Kinetra pulse generator. Intervention The proportion of patients with bowstringing requiring operative revision was 83% (5/6), with 60% (3/5) patients undergoing conversion to single-channel pulse generators and 40% (2/5) undergoing revision of the original dual-channel pulse generator. Conclusion Factors associated with bowstringing include the use of dual-channel pulse generators and scar lysis complicated by seroma or infection. The mean time from implantation to bowstringing was 8.6 months with a range of 0.5 to 22 months. Bowstringing is a rare but potentially serious complication, and further study is needed to accurately predict and avoid this problem.
The Townsend Ionization Coefficients for Ni and Al Cathodes in an Atmosphere of Hydrogen

Measurements of the first and second Townsend coefficients for ionization by collision have been carried out for surfaces of Ni and Al in an atmosphere of hydrogen. The Al surface was evaporated in an atmosphere of argon and is estimated to be a few hundred molecular layers thick. The values found for the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$- and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-coefficients are compared with the results previously reported for a Pt surface in hydrogen. The values of $\frac{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{p}$, in pure hydrogen, plotted as a function of $\frac{X}{p}$ show a decreasing characteristic between values of $\frac{X}{p}$ from 900 to 1400. The curves of values of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ plotted as a function of $\frac{X}{p}$ show a characteristic photo-emission peak at an $\frac{X}{p}$ of 131, and a gradual rise at the higher values of $\frac{X}{p}$. Sparking potential curves are calculated from the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-values and are compared with the experimentally determined curves.
BROKEN CHIRAL SYMMETRY AND THE eta MESON.

The scheme of broken chiral symmetry given by Gell-Mann, Oakes, and Renner is generalized to include the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ meson with proper consideration of the octet-singlet mixing. It is shown that at least one of the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ and the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ must violate the partially conserved axial-vector current (PCAC) condition (or Adler's condition). This is not simply because they are much heavier than the pion. The analysis of the decays $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}$, which are known for large deviations from the simple $S{U}_{3}$ predictions, indicates that PCAC for the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ is violated rather severely.
Personification of Death, as Seen in Adjective Check List Descriptions, among Funeral Service and University Students

One hundred twenty-nine undergraduate psychology students at a large urban university and 55 students at a college of funeral service completed the Death Anxiety Questionnaire (Conte, Weiner,P GoughH however, belief in an afterlife was associated with differences in death personification only among university students. Men described death as higher on the Adult ego state than did women. In addition African Americans describe...
Features in the broad-band eclipse spectra of exoplanets: signal or noise?

A planet's emission spectrum contains information about atmospheric composition and structure. We compare the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) of blackbody fits and idealized spectral retrieval fits for the 44 planets with published eclipse measurements in multiple thermal wavebands, mostly obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The evidence for spectral features depends on eclipse depth uncertainties. Spitzer has proven capable of eclipse precisions better than 1E-4 when multiple eclipses are analyzed simultaneously, but this feat has only been performed four times. It is harder to self-calibrate photometry when a single occultation is reduced and analyzed in isolation; we find that such measurements have not passed the test of repeatability. Single-eclipse measurements either have an uncertainty floor of 5E-4, or their uncertainties have been underestimated by a factor of 3. If one adopts these empirical uncertainties for single-eclipse measurements, then the evidence for molecular features all but disappears: blackbodies have better BIC than spectral retrieval for all planets, save HD 189733b, and the few planets poorly fit by blackbodies are also poorly fit by self-consistent radiative transfer models. This suggests that the features in extant broadband emission spectra are due to astrophysical and instrumental noise rather than molecular bands. Claims of stratospheric inversions, disequilibrium chemistry, and high C/O ratios based solely on photometry are premature. We recommend that observers be cautious of error estimates from self-calibration of small data sets, and that modelers compare the evidence for spectral models to that of simpler models such as blackbodies.
Monitoring Wafer Stepper Performance With Electrical Test Structures

Metal crossbridge electrical test structures have been used to characterize linewidth non-uniformities caused by lithographic systems and processing. Artifacts can complicate the interpretation of electrical linewidth results. Self-heating in crossbridges is an artifact which can cause errors of more than 15%. Self-heating increases as the linewidth decreases. A procedure for eliminating self-heating effects is discussed.
Studies in serial migration.

By studying the experience of serial migrants I hope to begin to answer these questions. Attention to the lives of people who have lived in more than two countries can lead us to a better understanding of new forms of subjectivity new styles of self narration that are taking form. It can help us meet the challenges of developing a more mobile understanding of our social and political worlds. When a serial migrant moves to a third nation she is led to develop a kind of implicit comparative social study. Her comparisons of bureaucracies social norms and political systems move beyond simple contrasts of the new countrys ways with those she knew at home. Whatever educational background a serial migrant has she must make practical sense of problems posed by an increasingly interconnected international system; problems that are often clearer to her than to those who can rely on more stable experiences of economic or social life. Serial migrants are of particular interest to me precisely because of how they implicitly engage with issues of comparative sociology and politics that the most sophisticated social theorists find daunting and that public discourses tend to either vilify or ignore. (excerpt)
Urea-Treated Corn Silage as the Only Forage for Lactating Cows

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the feeding value of corn silage to which from 0.5 to 0.85% urea was added at the time of ensiling. The per cent of total ration nitrogen furnished by added urea averaged 0, 14.8 and 26.8 in Experiment 1 and 0, 25.2 and 38.0 in Experiment 2. Treatment periods for the respective experiments were 70 and 63 days. Concentrates were formulated so that rations within each experiment were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Milk production was not significantly affected by consumption of urea-treated corn silage. However, in both experiments per cent milk protein was lowest (P
Study on Macroscopic Morphology, Microstructure and Hardness of F313 Iron-Based Coatings Prepared by Laser Cladding Using Different Powder Feed Rate

The objective of the present study was to find the influence of powder feed rate on macroscopic morphology, microstructure and hardness of F313 iron-based alloy clad coatings. Controlling powder feed rate can assist with achieving favorable macroscopic morphology, microstructure and hardness. Four different powder feed rate were used in our experiments to prepare clad coatings. The macroscopic morphology, microstructure and hardness were tested using OM, SEM, and Vickers hardness tester. The study founds decreasing powder feed rate is possible to achieve smoother surface, but at the same time thickness of coatings get thinner. Microstructure of cross sections is divided into inter-dendrites eutectic structure and dendritic matrix. In the upper region the microstructure tends to be formed of cellular-like dendrites whereas in the lower region branch-like dendrites tend to form. Hardness decreases with increasing of powder feed rate generally.
New Dimensions in Neuroanatomy: Visualizing the Morphology, Physiology and Chemistry of Neurons

Traditional neuroanatomical methods provide a means for understanding some aspects of cell and tissue organization in the nervous system. However, the boundaries of the field of neuroanatomy have been blurred in the past twenty-five years by interdisciplinary techniques, such as dye-injection methods that combine electrophysiological and anatomical protocols and immunocytochemistry which combines immunological and histological methods. This review therefore takes a very broad view of neuroanatomy, including within this field a variety of “anatomically-based” methods that allow visualization of physiological and molecular features of neurons. Several representative methods are discussed and examples of the data achieved are provided. Although this area of neurobiology has evolved rapidly in recent years, the future holds promise for an even more dramatic revolution as molecular, computer and confocal-microscopic methods are more widely applied to neuroanatomical problems. Neuroanatomy is therefore viewed in this paper as an interdisciplinary field, and this paper might just as appropriately be entitled, “How are neurons visualized?” The answer involves a wide range of methods that allows description not only of static situations, but also dynamic phenomena in neurons.
Blood LH after PGF2α in diestrous and ovariectomized cattle

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine whether the increased serum LH which occurs within 12 hr after a luteolytic dose of PGF 2α is dependent upon changes in progesterone or estradiol secretion. In the first experiment, exogenous progesterone abolished the increase in serum LH caused by a subcutaneous injection of 25 mg PGF 2α in diestrous heifers, but not in ovariectomized heifers. In the second experiment, progesterone pessaries were removed at 6 hr after a subcutaneous injection of 25 mg PGF 2α . LH remained at pre-PGF 2α values while the pessaries were in place, but began to increase within 1 hr after they were removed. Blood estradiol also remained at pre-PGF 2α values until the pessaries were removed, and began to increase at 2 hr after pessary removal. We conclude that the increase in serum LH within 12 hr after PGF 2α treatment in diestrous cattle is dependent upon withdrawal of progesterone; it is not due to increased serum estradiol.
The effects of trade openness on regional inequality in Mexico

This paper attempts to shed light on the debate about the effect of trade openness on regional inequality, by exploring the specific mechanisms through which this relationship might operate. It does so by testing the hypothesis, based on endogenous growth theory, that a region’s ability to capture the benefits of trade openness depends on key regional characteristics—its critical endowments—and therefore the degree to which trade will reduce regional inequality in a given country is mediated by the geographic distribution of its endowments. I test the hypothesis in Mexico, using statistical analysis of an original sub-national dataset that runs from 1940 to the present. The results indicate that opening up to trade benefits more those regions with lower levels of education, thereby tending to reduce regional inequality. However, opening up to trade also benefits more those regions with higher levels of income and infrastructure, thereby tending to increase regional inequality. This latter effect is greater than the former, so that the overall effect of trade openness is to increase regional inequality.
Novel strategy for cerebral 13C MRS using very low RF power for proton decoupling.

One of the major difficulties of in vivo 13C MRS is the need to decouple the large, one-bond, 1H-13C scalar couplings in order to obtain useful signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and spectral resolution at magnetic field strengths that are accessible to clinical studies. In this report a new strategy for in vivo cerebral 13C MRS is proposed. We realized that the turnover kinetics of glutamate (Glu) C5 from exogenous [2-13C]glucose (Glc) is identical to that of Glu C4 from exogenous [1-13C]Glc. The carboxylic/amide carbons are only coupled to protons via very weak long-range 1H-13C scalar couplings. As such, they can be effectively decoupled at very low RF power. Therefore, decoupling of the large 1H-13C scalar couplings can be avoided by the use of [2-13C]Glc. An additional advantage of this strategy is the lack of contamination from subcutaneous lipids because there are no overlapping fat signals in the vicinity of the Glu C5 and glutamine (Gln) C5 peaks. The feasibility of this strategy was demonstrated using 13C MRS on rhesus monkey brains at 4.7T. Magn Reson Med 57:265–271, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
K2: an estimator for peak sustainable power of VLSI circuits

New measures of peak power in the context of sequential circuits are proposed. This paper presents an automatic procedure to obtain very good lower bounds on these measures as well as the actual input vectors that attain such bounds. The initial state of the circuit is an important factor in determining the amount of switching activity in sequential circuits and is taken into account. A peak power estimator tool K2 was developed using genetic techniques. Experiments show that vector sequences generated by K2 give much more accurate estimates for peak power dissipation than the estimates made from randomly generated sequences.
Analysis of Large-Scale Incidents on Urban Freeways

Traffic incidents on urban freeways are a major source of congestion and travel time uncertainty. In particular, large-scale incidents have longer durations and need more incident response resources. These incidents cause severe problems such as longer traffic queues, substantial delays, and secondary incidents. Large-scale incidents deserve more attention by practitioners and researchers. The objective of this study was to analyze large-scale incidents and explore their correlates and implications for traffic operations. An innovative analysis method based on a detailed incident data set from Hampton Roads, Virginia, was developed. This study defined large-scale incidents as having a minimum duration of 2 h, according to guidance from the "Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices." The study discovered how the spatial and temporal patterns of large-scale incidents varied. Forty percent of the large-scale incidents blocked all lanes of traffic during some point in their duration. Rigorous statistical models were estimated to quantify associated key factors that included incident characteristics, roadway geometry, traffic flow, and operational responses. Results indicated that given large-scale incidents, their longer durations were associated with extreme events, for example, occurring in a work zone, the presence of curvature on the segment where the incident occurred, morning peak hours, and occurrence of secondary incidents. The new findings provide insights concerning the understanding of large-scale incidents and have certain implications for effective incident management.
Neurophysiologic effects of chemical agent hydrolysis products on cortical neurons in vitro.

Abstract The neurophysiologic effects of chemical agent hydrolysis products were examined on cultured cortical neurons using multielectrode array (MEA) recording and the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Measurement of neuronal network extracellular potentials showed that the primary hydrolysis product of soman, pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA), inhibited network mean burst and spike rates with an EC 50 of approximately 2 mM. In contrast, the degradation product of sarin, isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA), and the final common hydrolysis product of both soman and sarin, methylphosphonic acid (MPA), failed to affect neuronal network behavior at concentrations reaching 5 mM. Closer examination of the effects of PMPA (2 mM) on discriminated extracellular units revealed that mean spike amplitude was slightly diminished to 95 ± 1% (mean ± S.E.M., n = 6, P
Direct determination of organic hydrogen in oil shales by low-temperature ashing

Abstract Direct determination of the organic hydrogen content of oil shales was achieved using low-temperature ashing to separate organic hydrogen from the rock. This organic hydrogen content, particularly useful in characterizing the organic materials in oils shales and other sediments, has been available only by laborious and indirect procedures. Treatment of a sample with the low-temperature asher (LTA) oxidizes organic hydrogen into water which is recovered and weighed. Four oil-shale samples representing the two major deposits of the United States of America were used to demonstrate the method. Directly determined organic hydrogen values compare favorably to the indirect values available on the demonstration samples. Mineral hydrogen contents can also be determined after LTA treatment by analyzing the organic-free residue. This method should be easily extended from oil shales to other organic-bearing sedimentary rocks.
Traditions and change across the arts: case studies of arts education

This study describes the operational curriculum of arts education (visual arts, music, dance and drama education) in two elementary schools, using a qualitative, case-study methodology. The paper presents four orientations of arts education: (a) the Social orientation (arts as community builder); (b) the Subservient to academics orientation; (c) the Affective orientation; (d) the Discipline-based orientation. To understand the roles that the arts serve in the school, one needs to examine larger contexts including the goals and ideology of the school, and teachers’ beliefs. An examination of these roles reveals tensions between the traditional functions of the school arts and the push for curricular change in the scholarly literature and state departments of education.
The Cl to NCl branching ratio in 248-nm photolysis of chlorine azide

The primary reaction products from 248-nm chlorine azide photolysis are identified in a collision-free experiment. In contrast to all previous reports, the radical channel producing Cl + N3 (95 � 3%) is seen to dominate the photochemistry. The molecular channel producing NCl + N2 (5 � 3%) was also observed. 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Biaxial Orientation of Polylactide/Thermoplastic Starch Blends

Abstract The biaxial stretchability and film properties of polylactide/thermoplastic starch blends were investigated. Polylactide (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) were blended in various proportions. Blends containing 27, 42 and 60 wt.% TPS were prepared via a twin-screw extrusion process. Interfacial modification was performed by grafting the PLA with maleic anhydride. These blends were subsequently cast into sheets and biaxially drawn using a laboratory biaxial stretcher. The morphology of extruded strands and cast sheets was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The compatibilized blends exhibited a much finer morphology as well as preferential minor phase size orientation along the machine direction. The addition of starch did not affect significantly the biaxial stretchability of the pure PLA. Even at high starch content (60 wt.%), the biaxial draw ratio at which the sample breaks is very similar to that of the pure PLA. At higher temperatures, all blends could be stretched at signific...
Oxygen regulates invasiveness and virulence of group B streptococcus.

The facultative anaerobe group B Streptococcus (GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen of pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly. Although several virulence factors have been identified, environmental factors that regulate the pathogenicity of GBS have not been well characterized. Using the dynamic in vitro attachment and invasion system (DIVAS), we examined the effect of oxygen on the ability of GBS to invade immortalized human epithelial cells. GBS type III strain M781 invaded human epithelial cells of primitive neurons, the cervix, the vagina, and the endometrium in 5- to 400-fold higher numbers when cultured at a cell mass doubling time (td) of 1.8 h than at a slower td of 11 h. Invasion was optimal when GBS was cultured at a td of 1.8 h in the presence of ≥5% oxygen and was significantly reduced without oxygen. Moreover, GBS grown in a chemostat under highly invasive conditions (td of 1.8 h, with oxygen) was more virulent in neonatal mice than was GBS grown under suboptimal invasion conditions (td of 1.8 h, without oxygen), suggesting a positive association between in vitro invasiveness with DIVAS and virulence.
Comparative Trace Elemental Analysis in Cancerous and Noncancerous Human Tissues Using PIXE

The effect of high or low levels of trace metals in human tissues has been studied widely. There have been detectable significant variations in the concentrations of trace metals in normal and cancerous tissues suggesting that these variations could be a causative factor to various cancers. Even though essential trace metals play an important role such as stabilizers, enzyme cofactors, elements of structure, and essential elements for normal hormonal functions, their imbalanced toxic effects contribute to the rate of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of complexities in the body cells which may lead to DNA damage. The induction of oxidative-induced DNA damage by ROS may lead to isolated base lesions or single-strand breaks, complex lesions like double-strand breaks, and some oxidative generated clustered DNA lesions (OCDLs) which are linked to cell apoptosis and mutagenesis. The difference in published works on the level of variations of trace metals in different cancer tissues can be attributed to the accuracy of the analytical techniques, sample preparation methods, and inability of taking uniform samples from the affected tissues. This paper reviews comparative trace elemental concentrations of cancerous and noncancerous tissues using PIXE that has been reported in the published literature.
Young Children's Reading Behaviors in Various Classroom Contexts:

This is a study of classroom context and how it shapes children's beginning reading behaviors. Three first-grade children were observed and tape-recorded twice weekly during reading instruction for the first 10 weeks of school. Patterns of reading behaviors emerged through a constant comparison of conditions under which each of the behaviors occurred. The three children in this study learned to interpret the various classroom reading contexts and their responses reflected the conditions of each. The salient conditions included: (a) the instruction, (b) the implicit and explicit rules for functioning within that context, (c) the texts the children read, and (d) the physical and affective characteristics of the context. The differences in the contexts were often quite subtle, yet children followed instructional foci and read accordingly. It was evident that some behaviors occurred across contexts, whereas others did not. For example, children did not transfer many of the skills they were able to employ during the direct instructional settings to unguided reading time. Implications for theory and practice are offered to explain the reading behaviors of the young children. The context of any reading event shapes and influences the reading that occurs, particularly as children learn to read conventionally. This study is derived from situated cognition theory which holds that learning occurs in situations, and learners' thinking and actions are adjusted to meet the demands ofthat specific situation (Raphael, 1984; Rogoff & Lave, 1984). Thus, any measure of learners' cognitive processes in one setting may be invalid if generalized to what the learners might do in more "natural environments" (Rogoff, 1984, p. 2). The learners' perceptions of the learning environment, or context, also play a key role in their behavior and in what is learned (Raphael, 1984). This study examines the effect of the situational context on children's reading or emergent reading behaviors (i.e., story reenactments).
Aging effects on cycle length dependence of heart rate variability

The effects of normal aging on heart rate variability (HRV) and on the cycle length (CL) dependency of HRV were assessed in 24 hour recordings obtained from 66 subjects divided into 3 groups: healthy young subjects, healthy elderly subjects and age matched elderly patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). The results show: (1) 24 hour HRV decreases with normal aging; (2) the CL dependency of HRV also decreases with normal aging; (3) CL dependency persists in the healthy elderly to a variable degree, even at a very advanced age, but not in age-matched elderly patients with IHD, and (4) the degree of decrease in HRV and in CL dependency differed for different HRV measures, presumably reflecting differences in underlying autonomic mechanisms.
ISS of Switched Systems and Applications to Switching Adaptive Control

In this paper we prove that a switched nonlinear system has several useful ISS-type properties under average dwell-time switching signals if each constituent dynamical system is ISS. This extends available results for switched linear systems. We apply our result to stabilization of uncertain nonlinear systems via switching supervisory control, and show that the plant states can be kept bounded in the presence of bounded disturbances when the candidate controllers provide ISS properties with respect to the estimation errors. Illustrative examples are included.
Physical therapy management of a patient with Eagle syndrome.

The purpose of this care report was to describe the physical therapy management of a unique case involving a 50-year-old white female with complaints pertaining to the craniofacial, cervical, thoracic, and brachial regions with known Eagle syndrome as a complicating factor. Intervention consisted of manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. The Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and subjective complaints were used as outcome measures. The patient was tested at initial visit, discharge, and at a 3-month follow-up. At discharge the patient reported complete cessation of craniofacial symptoms, her CCFT score had improved by 4 mmHg, and the NDI score had improved by 10%. At the 3-month follow-up, the patient's CCFT had improved an additional 4 mmHg and the NDI score had declined by 4%. The cumulative outcomes were an 8 mmHg improvement in the CCFT and a 6% increase on the NDI. Although subjective complaints and CCFT scores improved, clinically significant improvement with the NDI...
The Relative Odds of Lifetime Health Conditions and Infectious Diseases Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Compared With a Matched General Population Sample

To address the understudy of health conditions and infectious diseases that are not strictly related to sexual transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM), this study examined the relative o...
Renal microcirculatory effects of lovastatin in a rat model of reduced renal mass

Objectives. Patients with reduced renal mass are at increased risk of developing renal failure. A remnant kidney model has been used to study the hemodynamic and structural changes that occur. We recently reported that the lipid-lowering agent lovastatin preserves renal function in this model. The purpose of the present study was to determine the specific effects of lovastatin on the renal microcirculation of rats with reduced renal mass.
Measurement of right ventricular mass and volume by three-dimensional echocardiography by freehand scanning

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo) by freehand scanning provides highly accurate the piecewise smooth subdivision surface reconstruction method. The complexity of right ventricular (RV) a challenge in accurate 3D geometry presents a challenge in accurate 3D assessments of its physical parameters. The authors measured the accuracy of their 3D echo technology in measuring RV mass and volume. From 10 bovine hearts, the freewall mass and endocardial volume were measured. The hearts were imaged by 3D and the RV contours were manually traced. The endo- and epicardial surfaces were reconstructed RV volume and mass from the reconstructions were compared to true measurements. 3D echo RV volume overestimated true volume (y=1.2x, r=0.998, SEE=3.2 ml, p<0.001), over a range of volumes (14-62 ml). The mean overestimation of RV volume by 3D echo was 6.2 ml, or 15.8% of the mean true volume. 3D echo mass agreed well with RV mass (y=1.0x, r=0.996, SEE=4.5 g, p=0.031) over a range of 47 to 79 g. Mean difference between 3D and true mass was 3.4 g, or 5.4% of the mean true mass. In conclusion, RV mass and volume can be measured accurately from 3D echocardiograms acquired using freehand scanning and reconstruction by the piecewise smooth subdivision method.
Factors That Influence Outcomes Of The Mitrofanoff And Malone Antegrade Continence Enema Reconstructive Procedures In Children

ABSTRACTPurpose: Surgical techniques that provide adequate urinary and fecal continence in children with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction are becoming increasingly used. We reviewed our experience and discuss factors that influence outcome.Materials and Methods: Between 1994 and 2000, 65 stomal procedures were performed in 47 patients. For the urinary continent catheterizable channel we used appendix in 60% of cases, a continent bladder tube in 20%, a Yang-Monti tube in 16% and ureter in 4%. For the antegrade continence enema continent catheterizable channel we used appendix in 85% of cases, a Yang-Monti tube in 5% and a cecal tube in 10%. In the 19 patients who underwent simultaneous Mitrofanoff and antegrade continence enema procedures the urinary continent catheterizable channel was appendix in 21%, a Yang-Monti tube in 32% and continent vesicostomy in 47%. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on compliance status. In addition, percentile body weight for age was evaluated.Results: Stomal c...
Using Economic Models to Measure the Impact of Sports on Local Economies

Economic impact studies have been applied to a wide range of sporting and recreational events, which are increasingly viewed as an economic development tool besides their recreation benefits. Impact studies rely on the multiplier concept to determine total impacts. This paper addresses the issue of how to estimate correctly the multiplier and thus the total economic impact. The theoretical framework of impact analysis is presented. Examples of correct interpretations of data and modeling procedures are provided.
EXPERIMENTAL TRANSFER OF TRICHOMONAS GALLINAE (RIVOLTA, 1878) FROM WHITE-WINGED DOVES TO MOURNING DOVES

Isolates of Trichomonas gallinae (Rivolta, 1878) from white-winged doves, Zenaida asiatica (L.), were transferred experimentally to young mourning doves, Zenaida macroura (L.). Twenty-three of 25 mourning doves developed infections with isolates of T. gallinae from 25 white-winged doves. In addition, eight of eight rock doves (Columba livia Gmelin) were infected with duplicate isolates. All infected recipient birds harbored avirulent isolates except for one mourning dove which died from extensive oral lesions. However, repeated attempts using this isolate of T. gallinae to produce lesions in additional recipients were unsuccessful. Despite the findings of this study, it was suggested that future dove management strategies consider the possibility of disease outbreaks involving white-winged doves and susceptible populations of mourning doves.
The Type IV Pilin of Burkholderia mallei Is Highly Immunogenic but Fails To Protect against Lethal Aerosol Challenge in a Murine Model

Burkholderia mallei is the cause of glanders and a proven biological weapon. We identified and purified the type IV pilin protein of this organism to study its potential as a subunit vaccine. We found that purified pilin was highly immunogenic. Furthermore, mice infected via sublethal aerosol challenge developed significant increases in titers of antibody against the pilin, suggesting that it is expressed in vivo. Nevertheless, we found no evidence that high-titer antipilin antisera provided passive protection against a sublethal or lethal aerosol challenge and no evidence of protection afforded by active immunization with purified pilin. These results contrast with the utility of type IV pilin subunit vaccines against other infectious diseases and highlight the need for further efforts to identify protective responses against this pathogen.
Laryngeal cryptococcosis: Literature review and guidelines for laser ablation of fungal lesions

Objectives/Hypothesis To describe the demographics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of laryngeal cryptococcosis. Antifungal therapy guidelines are provided and the use of laser ablation is discussed. Data Sources PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, and Embase databases and one patient who presented to our institution's otolaryngology department. Review Methods A review of the English-language international medical literature was conducted using the terms (“larynx” or “laryngeal diseases”) and (“Cryptococcus” or “cryptococcosis”) to identify reported cases of laryngeal cryptococcosis. Databases were searched from inception through January 2015. Results Eighteen cases were identified and reviewed, including the first reported case of potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser ablation. All patients presented with hoarseness, and two (11%) presented with acute airway obstruction that required tracheotomy. Six patients (33%) were immunocompromised, including three (17%) who had an underlying human immunodeficiency virus infection. Seven cases (39%) described an exophytic mass. Histopathology indicated pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia in seven of the 17 reported results (41%). Methenamine silver stain was used in 12 of the 15 described cases (80%) to identify the fungus. Lumbar puncture results were reported for seven patients, none of whom had meningitis. Antifungal therapy was used in 15 cases (83%), and two (11%) received additional laser ablation treatment. Eleven patients (61%) had complete resolution. Conclusions Laryngeal cryptococcosis is a rare cause of persistent hoarseness. Most patients have complete resolution after treatment. For complex and obstructive cases, laser ablation coupled with antifungal therapy can successfully manage laryngeal cryptococcosis in select patients. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2015
Active noise blocking: Non-minimal modeling, robust control, and implementation

This paper presents a new modeling and robust control approach for active noise blocking (ANB). The proposed modeling technique is based on a new non-minimal state-space realization (NSSR) of continuous-time multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. The NSSR model generates a non-minimal set of states for a given system, using measured inputs and outputs, without differentation. From the NSSR model, using an H∞ model reduction technique, a reduced-order state space (RSS) model is derived with known states. A multi-model H∞ state-feedback (MHSF) control is then designed, in an LMI framework, for multiple RSS models of the system. This control design has an increased robustness against modeling uncertainty when different frequency responses of the system belong to a bounded convex set. Hardware experiments using a digital signal processor (DSP) have been carried out in order to verify the applicability and the performance of the proposed NSSR-based modeling and vibration control of a plate for active noise blocking (ANB) in a 3D acoustic enclosure.
Smoking prevalence and cessation characteristics among U.S. adults with and without COPD: findings from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

AbstractIntroduction: Cigarette smoking is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD) but many persons with COPD continue to smoke. Quitting can help prevent the development of and complications from COPD. This study examined whether smoking and cessation behaviors differed among adults with a) COPD, b) asthma, c) other chronic conditions only, or d) no chronic conditions. Methods: Smoking and chronic disease status was obtained from 488,909 adults aged > 18 years using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; 9,476 current smokers and recent quitters in 5 states responded to additional questions about cessation. We computed age-adjusted prevalence of smoking and past-year quit attempts, and used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of past-year quit attempts. Results: Similar to the overall sample, in the 5-state sample, 47.3% of adults with COPD were current smokers versus 23.1% of those with asthma, 28.8% of adults with other chronic conditio...
Utility of Carotid Duplex in Young Adults with Lower Extremity Atherosclerosis: How Aggressive Should We Be in Screening Young Patients?:

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and degree of carotid disease in patients with premature lower-extremity atherosclerosis. Seventy-six young men (mean age at onset of symptoms 42 (0.5) years) with premature lower extremity atherosclerosis who underwent complete carotid duplex scans were studied. The mean lowest ankle : brachial index was 0.49±0.02. Forty-seven patients (62%) required interventions to treat advanced leg symptoms, and 18 (24%) experienced disease progression during the study period. Carotid duplex scans showed internal carotid occlusions in eight (11%); advanced or critical plaque disease (60–99% diameter loss) in 14 (18%); moderate plaque disease (40–59% diameter loss) in 16 (21%); mild plaque disease (intimal thickening or 1–39% diameter loss) in 18 (24%); and normal carotid arteries in 20 (26%). Comparing the 20 subjects with normal carotid arteries to the 56 with any evidence of disease, there were no differences in age of onset, risk factors, coronary artery disease, mean ankle : brachial index, number of interventions, disease progression, amputation, or death. Fifteen (27%) of the patients with carotid atherosclerosis ultimately developed transient ischemic attack or stroke; 13 of these had advanced carotid stenoses or carotid occlusions. In conclusion, carotid plaque disease is prevalent among patients with premature atherosclerosis of the lower extremity. The presence of carotid atherosclerosis is not related to the degree of lower extremity atherosclerosis, nor to the rate of disease progression. Carotid duplex scans are indicated to screen these young patients for compelling lesions that might warrant prophylactic carotid endarterectomy.
Analysis of permanent magnet machines using crossing macro-elements

A hybrid method of magnetic field calculation in slotless/slotted permanent magnet machines is proposed. Depending on the chosen calculation model, the method combines 2D/3D analytical solutions in the airgap with Grinberg's/boundary element or finite element methods for other regions of the motor. The fast convergence between different types of solutions is achieved by using the Schwartz technique for overlapping sub-regions.
Determination of arsenic in urine by wet digestion-hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Objective:To establish an accurate and simple determination of universal detection of arsenic in urine.Methods: Mixed acid sample digestion in the electric panel heating with thiourea,ascorbic acid to pentavalent arsenic to trivalent arsenic pre-reduction,and then potassium borohydride as reducing agent,to 5% HNO3 as the medium,with the AFS-230E direct determination of atomic fluorescence spectrometer.Results: The optimal experimental conditions,good linearity was presented within the arsenic concentration range of 0.0 μg/L~20.0 μg/L;and the correlation coefficient was 0.9999,the lowest detection limit of the method was 0.164 μg/L,relative standard deviation(RSD) was 0.4%~1.2%,the recovery was 98.6%~103.5%.Conclusion: The method is simple,precise,which high recovery rate,which is to determine a reliable method of urinary arsenic.
Mechanisms of Memory T Cell Activation and Effective Immunity.

Effective immunization induces the development of populations of robust effector lymphocytes specific for the immunizing antigens. Amongst them are cytotoxic/CD8+T lymphocytes, which few will further differentiate into long-lived memory cells persisting in the host and exhibiting improved functional characteristics. The current model is that such memory cells can confer rapid host protection upon cognate antigen-mediated activation and direct killing of infected cells. In this chapter, we discuss work from our group and others that highlight the contribution of inflammatory cytokines to memory CD8+ T cell activation and of cytolysis-independent mechanisms of host protection.
Abstract 5179: Inflammatory breast cancer cell motility: Understanding the role of E-cadherin and gli1 in IBC migration and the development of a novel high content assay to assess cell migration

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer and is now regarded as clinicopathologically distinct from neglected locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). In addition, African-Americans, native Americans and younger women are disproportionately affected with IBC having the worse survival. The molecular mechanisms underlying the invasiveness of IBC are not clear. Interestingly, upregulation of the integral membrane protein E-cadherin is the marker reported to be seen most consistently in IBC. In contrast to IBC, E-cadherin is typically reduced in most cancers and the subsequent loss in cell-cell adhesion results in the rapid progression to an invasive and metastatic phenotype. Inactivation of the E-cadherin cell adhesion system can occur by a number of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Gli1, the main transcriptional activator of hedgehog signaling, can promote loss of E-cadherin. Gli1 induces expression of Snail which is then found to downregulate E-cadherin expression. In an IBC cellular model, SUM149, we have identified elevated levels of Gli1. Further, inhibition of Gli1 using siRNA caused apoptosis in these cells. We hypothesize that the invasiveness of IBC cells is modulated in part by a connection between E-cadherin and Gli1 levels in IBC and that modulating this pathway will lead to changes in IBC cell motility. This project has two main objectives: 1), Investigate the expression levels of E-cadherin and Gli1 in IBC cells and their roles in IBC motility, and 2), Develop and validate a high content microscope-based assay for measuring motility of IBC cells. Cell motility assays were performed in six-well plates with Gli1 siRNA treated SUM149 cells that resulted in reduced motility and viability of these cells compared to control siRNA treated cells. These results suggest that targeting Gli1 can reduce IBC's invasiveness. This pathway provides opportunities for identifying molecules that might affect tumor invasiveness. We have also developed a novel live cell high content phenotypic screen for modulators of IBC cell motility that may potentially lead to new therapeutics for IBC. An understanding of how any of these molecules affect the Gli-Snail-E-cadherin system would provide useful tools for better probing the role of this pathway in IBC. Furthermore, the high content migration phenotypic assay should be generally applicable to investigating a range of invasive cancer types. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5179.
Capacitance Spectroscopy for Quantifying Recombination Losses in Nonfullerene Small‐Molecule Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

The light intensity dependence of the main photoelectrical parameters of the nonfullerene small-molecule bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:perylene diimide (T1:PDI) shows that the nongeminate recombination losses play an important role in this system. A simple approach for the quantitative analysis of capacitance spectroscopy data of the organic BHJ solar cells, which allows to determine the density of free charge carriers as a function of applied bias under standard working conditions, is demonstrated. Using the proposed capacitance spectroscopic technique, the nongeminate recombination losses in the T1:PDI solar cells are quantitatively characterized in the scope of the bimolecular- and trap-assisted recombination mechanisms. Their contributions are separately analyzed within a wide range of the applied bias.
Control of an Isomerization Column/Reactor Process

The control of a distillation column with a side reactor is studied for the conversion of n-butane into isobutane for use in the alkylation process. Fresh feed of a mixture of propane, isobutane, n-butane, and isopentane is fed to a distillation column. A vapor sidestream is withdrawn in the stripping section of the column and fed to an isomerization reactor in which some of the n-butane is converted to isobutane. Reactor effluent is fed back into the column in the rectifying section. Isopentane is removed in the bottoms, and moderate-purity isobutane is removed in the distillate. The control of the purity of the isobutane product can be achieved in two alternative ways: manipulating sidestream flow rate to the reactor or manipulating reflux ratio. The latter method is demonstrated to be better because manipulating sidestream flow rate presents potential control problems due to the existence of multiple steady states.