cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myocardial apoptosis after cardioplegic arrest in the neonatal lamb.

Abstract Objective Myocardial apoptosis is observed after various cardiac injuries and is also a normal part of fetal cardiac development and early postnatal maturation. Cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion result in ischemic injury and oxidative stress, known triggers of apoptosis. Because the neonatal heart is in a proapoptotic state, we hypothesize that apoptosis is triggered after cardioplegic arrest in neonatal myocardium. Methods We started neonatal lambs (6-8 days old, n=5) on cardiopulmonary bypass and administered cold crystalloid cardioplegia at 20-minute intervals. Total crossclamp time was 70 minutes, and bypass time was 90 minutes. After a six-hour recovery period, the hearts were excised and examined by using TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling; radiolabeled DNA electrophoresis; fluorimetric caspase 3, 8, and 9 activity assay; mRNA microarray; and Western immunoblotting. Control lambs were anesthetized but did not undergo operation (n = 5) or were started on cardiopulmonary bypass for 90 minutes but not arrested (n = 5). Results Lambs subjected to cardioplegia had 5-fold more TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling–positive nuclei compared with that seen in unoperated control animals ( P = .007) and bypass-only control animals ( P = .008). DNA laddering was present in all postcardioplegia hearts but absent among control hearts. Bad and Bcl-X mRNA transcription increased significantly. Caspase 3, 8, and 9 activities were slightly greater than those seen in control animals, but the differences were not significant. No change was detected in Bcl-2, Bax, or Bcl-xL proteins. Conclusions In a clinically relevant model of neonatal cardioplegic arrest, increased apoptotic cell death is present 6 hours after reperfusion, and both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic responses are triggered. The clinical implications of apoptosis after cardioplegic arrest remain undetermined.
Results of a multicenter retrospective implantable cardioverter-defibrillator registry of pediatric and congenital heart disease patients.

Objectives We sought to determine the implications of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement in children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Background There is increasing frequency of ICD use in pediatric and CHD patients. Until recently, prospective registry enrollment of ICD patients was not available, and children and CHD patients account for only a small percentage of ICD recipients. Therefore, we retrospectively obtained collaborative data from 4 pediatric centers, aiming to identify implant characteristics, shock frequency, and complications in this unique population. Methods Databases from 4 centers were collated in a blinded fashion. Demographic information, implant electrical parameters, appropriate and inappropriate shock data, and complications were recorded for all implants from 1992 to 2004. Results A total of 443 patients were included, with a median age of 16 years (range 0 to 54 years) and median weight of 61 kg (range 2 to 130 kg), with 69% having structural heart disease. The most common diagnoses were tetralogy of Fallot (19%) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (14%). Implant indication was primary prevention in 52%. Shock data were available on 409 patients, of whom 105 (26%) received appropriate shocks (mean 4 shocks/patient, range 1 to 29 shocks/patient). Inappropriate shocks occurred in 87 of 409 patients (21%), with a mean of 6 per patient (range 1 to 60), mainly attributable to lead failure (14%), sinus or atrial tachycardias (9%), and/or oversensing (4%). Conclusions Children and CHD ICD recipients have significant appropriate and inappropriate shock frequencies. Optimizing programming, medical management, and compliance may diminish inappropriate shocks. Despite concerns regarding generator recalls, lead failure remains the major cause of inappropriate shocks, complications, and system malfunction in children. Prospective assessment of ICD usage in this population may identify additional important factors in pediatric and CHD patients.
Sodium exchange in dog ventricular muscle. Relation to frequency of contraction and its possible role in the control of myocardial contractility.

Sodium exchange was studied in the arterially perfused papillary muscle of the dog. Three kinetically defined phases accounted for all the myocardial sodium: phase 0 (vascular)-λo (exchange constant) = 3.6 min-1 phase 1 (interstitial)-λ1 = 0.62 min-1; phase 2 (intracellular)-λ2 < 0.020 min-1 in quiescent muscles. The phase 2 exchange rate was proportional to frequency of contraction and increased by approximately 0.004 min-1 for each 1 beat/min increment in rate in muscles demonstrating stable function. A sudden increase in frequency of contraction was followed by a marked increase in phase 2 sodium exchange if muscle function did not deteriorate. This increased exchange required 14 min to achieve a steady state. During this time active tension increased (positive staircase) and then declined to become stable as the sodium exchange stabilized. In muscles in which increased frequency of contraction produced a progressive decrease in active tension and contracture, sodium exchange failed to increase. The characteristics of sodium exchange are compared to those previously defined for calcium and potassium in the perfused dog papillary muscle. It is proposed that alteration in sodium exchange is a primary determinant of calcium and potassium movements and thereby plays a significant role in the control of myocardial contractility.
Selection and evolution of enzymes from a partially randomized non-catalytic scaffold

Enzymes are exceptional catalysts that facilitate a wide variety of reactions under mild conditions, achieving high rate-enhancements with excellent chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivities. There is considerable interest in developing new enzymes for the synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals and as tools for molecular biology. Methods have been developed for modifying and improving existing enzymes through screening, selection and directed evolution. However, the design and evolution of truly novel enzymes has relied on extensive knowledge of the mechanism of the reaction. Here we show that genuinely new enzymatic activities can be created de novo without the need for prior mechanistic information by selection from a naive protein library of very high diversity, with product formation as the sole selection criterion. We used messenger RNA display, in which proteins are covalently linked to their encoding mRNA, to select for functional proteins from an in vitro translated protein library of >10(12 )independent sequences without the constraints imposed by any in vivo step. This technique has been used to evolve new peptides and proteins that can bind a specific ligand, from both random-sequence libraries and libraries based on a known protein fold. We now describe the isolation of novel RNA ligases from a library that is based on a zinc finger scaffold, followed by in vitro directed evolution to further optimize these enzymes. The resulting ligases exhibit multiple turnover with rate enhancements of more than two-million-fold.
17q22–24 Chromosomal Losses and Alterations of Protein Kinase A Subunit Expression and Activity in Adrenocorticotropin-Independent Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia

Context: Primary adrenocortical hyperplasias leading to Cushing syndrome include primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH). Inactivating mutations of the 17q22–24-located PRKAR1A gene, coding for the type 1A regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), cause primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Carney complex. PRKAR1A mutations and 17q22–24 chromosomal losses have been found in sporadic adrenal tumors and are associated with aberrant PKA signaling. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine whether somatic 17q22–24 changes, PRKAR1A mutations, and/or PKA abnormalities are present in AIMAH. Patients: We studied fourteen patients with Cushing syndrome due to AIMAH. Methods: Fluorescent in situ hybridization with a PRKAR1A-specific probe was used for investigating chromosome 17 allelic losses. The PRKAR1A gene was sequenced in all samples, and tissue was studied for PKA act...
Improved right ventricular structure following LVAD support in patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy

Background: Although there are many reports demonstrating hemodynamic benefits of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) on right-sided circulation, it is not known whether the right ventricular myocardium goes through reverse remodeling following LVAD support. Accordingly, the purpose of our studies were: first, to investigate the changes that occur on fibrosis, cellular hypertrophy and intra-myocardial TNFa levels on the right ventricle of LVAD supported patients; second, to define whether the type of LVAD used may influence right ventricular myocardial changes. Methods: We determined the changes that occurred on right ventricular structure following LVAD support by measuring myocyte size, TNFa and total collagen content by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry on myocardial samples from the right and left ventricles of control, failing, and myocardium supported by two distinct forms of LVADs. We found that when compared with control, while myocyte size was not increased in the RV of failing mycardium (22.5 1.6 m vs. 18.2 1.1 m, p ns), both total collagen content (27.6 2.9% vs. 13.2 0.7%, p 0.001), and TNFa levels were increased (35.4 2.8% vs. 1.2 0.4%, p 0.001). Following LVAD support there was a significant reduction in collagen content (20.4 1.1% vs. 27.6 2.9%, p ns and 14.3 1.4% vs. 27.6 2.9%, p 0.01 for pulsatile vs. none and continuous vs. none, respectively) and TNFa levels (3.0 0.5% vs. 35.4 2.8%, p 0.001 and 0.8 0.1% vs. 35.4 2.8%, p 0.001 for pulsatile vs. none and continuous vs. none, respectively) on the right ventricle. Results: This data demonstrates that chronic left ventricular unloading reduces right ventricular collagen and TNFa content. We suggest that the reduction of fibrosis and normalization of cytokine milieu observed may in part contribute to the recovery of right-sided cardiac function associated with chronic mechanical circulatory support.
Influence of Cross-Flow Induced Swirl and Impingement on Heat Transfer in a Two-Pass Channel Connected by Two Rows of Holes

Detailed heat transfer distributions are presented inside a two-pass coolant square channel connected by two rows of holes on the divider walls. The enhanced cooling is achieved by a combination of impingement and crossflow-induced swirl. Three configurations are examined where the crossflow is generated from one coolant passage to the adjoining coolant passage through a series of straight and angled holes and a two-dimensional slot placed along the dividing wall. The holes/slots deliver the flow from one passage to another. This is typically achieved in a conventional design by a 180 deg U-bend. Heat transfer distributions will be presented on the sidewalls of the passages. A transient liquid crystal technique is applied to measure the detailed heat transfer coefficient distributions inside the passages. Results for the three-hole supply cases are compared with the results from the traditional 180 deg turn passage for three channel flow Reynolds numbers ranging between 10,000 and 50,000. Results show that the new feed system, from first pass to second pass using crossflow injection holes, produces significantly higher Nusselt numbers on the second pass walls. The heat transfer enhancements in the second pass of these channels are as much as two to three times greater than that obtained in the second pass for a channel with a 180 deg turn. Results are also compared with channels that have only one row of discharge holes.
Analysis of nanocrystal development in Al-Y-Fe and Al-Sm glasses

A high nucleation density is clearly an important prerequisite for the development of nanocrystal dispersions during primary crystallization of metallic glass. A microstructure of 1021 m−3 crystals of 20 nm diameter in an amorphous matrix can be readily detected by TEM, but the net heat generation is too weak for detection by usual DSC methods. This highlights the need for caution in the interpretation of DSC data from amorphous samples. Upon approaching Tg, the enhancement of diffusivity promotes further nucleation and growth. However, the high nanocrystal density (1022–1023 m−3) results in rapid diffusion field impingement which arrests growth. This provides a mechanism to limit nanocrystal growth and maintain the high density of nanocrystals. By modeling the nanocrystal development in terms of diffusional growth including diffusion field impingement, a good accounting is obtained for the DSC exotherm. The characteristic asymmetric exotherm with a relatively sharp onset and a tail at high temperature is an indication of kinetic stabilization of primary nanocrystal development.
Apex cardiogram in patients with prolapsing mitral valve

The characteristics of the apex cardiogram in patients with a prolapsing mitral valve were investigated. Twenty-four patients having typical echocardiographic evidence of prolapsing mitral leaflets and midsystolic clicks (with or without apical systolic murmurs) were studied. Of the 24 patients, 16 (67 percent) had a sharp systolic retraction on the apex cardiogram occurring simultaneously with the systolic click. Sharp systolic retractions were not observed on the apex cardiogram of normal subjects or patients with rheumatic mitral insufficiency. Eight of the 16 patients had either no or a small systolic retraction at rest, but the systolic retraction was elicited or accentuated by standing or inhalation of amyl nitrite. In patients with the sharp systolic retraction at rest, the click and the systolic retraction occurred earlier in systole during standing or inhalation of amyl nitrite. In 12 patients prolapsing mitral valves were confirmed by left ventricular cineangiograms. Sharp systolic retractions were present in the apex cardiograms in eight of these patients; seven of the eight had moderate to severe prolapse of both mitral leaflets. In the four remaining patients who underwent catheterization no sharp systolic retraction was seen on the apex cardiogram, and there was only mild prolapse of one or both leaflets. Sharp systolic retractions occur on the apex cardiogram in the majority of patients with prolapsing mitral valves, and their presence suggests an abnormal contraction due to the systolic decompression of the left ventricle by the prolapsing mitral leaflets.
The role of the accelerator in energy: (Recent development of an accelerator-drive systems (ADS))

I describe the recent development of an accelerator-driven reactor for producing energy, and for transmuting minor actinides and long-lived fission products. To run these reactors in a slightly subcritical condition rather than at deep criticality, the proton accelerator can be a low-powered cyclotron which requires only a small building and site; hence, the cost of generating electricity by this system becomes inexpensive. To get a higher beam current for a circular accelerator, a fixed field alternating gradient (FFAG) synchrotron can be used for driving the subcritical reactor without jeopardizing the reduction of the shock wave created by manipulating the pulsed-mode operation. The induction FFAG is discussed. To reduce the energy costs of transmuting long-lived fission products (LLFPs) such as Tc-99, and I-129, I reconsider the old concept of depositing of them into outer space by not rocket but by an ions thruster.
Public assistance use among U.S.-born children of immigrants

U.S.-born children of immigrants may be less likely to receive some social services than are children of native-born parents if foreign-born parents who are themselves ineligible are less likely to apply on their children's behalf. We use retrospective data from a sample of about 2,400 lowincome households in three U.S. cities to determine whether children with foreign-born caregivers are less likely than children with native-born caregivers to receive benefits from any of five programs over a two-year period: TANF, SSI, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and WIC. The most significant disparities between children of citizen and noncitizen caregivers are in TANF and food stamp use.
Endothelial Cell–Dependent Regulation of Arteriogenesis

Rationale:Arteriogenesis is the process of formation of arterial conduits. Its promotion is an attractive therapeutic strategy in occlusive atherosclerotic diseases. Despite the functional and clinical importance of arteriogenesis, the biology of the process is poorly understood. Synectin, a gene previously implicated in the regulation of vascular endothelial cell growth factor signaling, offers a unique opportunity to determine relative contributions of various cell types to arteriogenesis. Objective:We investigated the cell-autonomous effects of a synectin knockout in arterial morphogenesis. Methods and Results:A floxed synectin knockin mouse line was crossbred with endothelial-specific (Tie2, Cdh5, Pdgfb) and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain–specific Cre driver mouse lines to produce cell type–specific deletions. Ablation of synectin expression in endothelial, but not smooth muscle cells resulted in the presence of developmental arterial morphogenetic defects (smaller size of the arterial tree, reduced...
Knowing what to remember and forget: A developmental study of cue memory in intentional forgetting

These experiments are the first to investigate children’s encoding and use of information about a memory cue in Bjork’s (1972) intentional forgetting task. In Experiment 1, children in Grades 2, 4, and 6 and college students were given cues to either remember or forget after the presentation of each picture. Recall and recognition tests of pictures and cues followed. The procedure in Experiment 2 was identical to that in Experiment 1 except that the list of presentation pictures was altered for some children (Grades 3 and 4) and adolescents (Grades 8 and 9) so that remember and forget cues were associated with particular taxonomic categories. In Experiment 3, the testing component was modified so that children (Grades 2, 3, and 4) and college students were asked to recall only the cue associated with each picture. The results indicated that (1) children as young as second graders encode the cue associated with each picture, although to a lesser extent than do college students, (2) much improvement in intentional forgetting is still occurring during adolescence, (3) only adults adequately cluster their recall by cue, (4) associating remember and forget cues with items from different categories does not increase the differentiation between cues, and (5) eliminating picture recall and recognition has minimal effects on the magnitude of cue judgments. These results suggest that children’s difficulties on intentional forgetting tasks stem, at least in part, from their poorer encoding of information about whether an item should be remembered or forgotten.
Remote steric effect on the regioselectivity of Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation

Abstract Studies on the regioselectivities for the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of conjugated dienoates, trienoates, dienones and dienamides are described. Excellent regioselectivities were obtained in straight chain dienoates, all trienoates, ketones and amides. The remote branched iso-propyl and tert-butyl groups of dienoates greatly lowered the normally excellent regiocontrol. This observation is rationalized in terms of substrate conformational changes, and the steric interaction between the branched methyl group of iso-propyl or tert-butyl groups and the ethyl group on the (DHQD)2PHAL ligand.
When is a negative lymph node really negative? Molecular tools for the detection of lymph node metastasis from urological cancer.

Lymph node status is a critical prognostic factor for atients after radical surgery and lymphadenectomy for rostate, bladder, or kidney cancer. Yet much like our preecessors, urologists in 2004 rely on our colleagues in athology to provide us answers regarding the presence or bsence of metastases in lymph nodes. Pathologists use odern versions of methods and concepts developed long go with the description of the first usable compound miroscope by Antonj van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) and the ork of Rudolf Virchow (1821–1905) who was the first to ecognize that diseases arise from alterations within cells nd tissues. Yet clearly, cancer is a disease of cells having bnormal gene expression, and therefore, diagnosis and rognostication might be augmented by molecular tools. Application of such tools potentially allows more sensitive etection of cancer cells within examined lymph nodes. Alhough additional H&E-stained sections can be cut and examned, immunohistochemical and molecular assays offer enanced sensitivity for the determination of lymph node status. tudies evaluating methods other than additional routine H&Etained sections to enhance sensitivity for detecting lymph ode metastases have been carried out for prostate and bladder ancer, and will be summarized below.
A Matrix Proof of Newton's Identities

(2000). A Matrix Proof of Newton's Identities. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 313-315.
Near-field nano-imaging by nanophotodetector array

The possibility of imaging objects at the resolution of smaller than the optical diffraction limit is of great interest to nanotechnologies and biotechnologies. In this paper, we present a novel near-filed nano-imaging device based on nanophotodetector(NPD) array, which is capable of addressing function. Multi-level Multi-electron(MLME) Finitedifference time-domain(FDTD) method is used to simulate the performance of NPD array. The simulation shows a highest obtainable resolution of 150nm for the light with 1.55μm wavelength. Various photolithography, e-beam lithography and etching back techniques have been developed to realize the NPD device. Up to 4x4 slab version NPD array with various resolutions have been successfully realized. The smallest pixel size is as small as 150nm.
Depression and suicidal ideation in early adolescents

This study sought to determine to what extent depression in young adolescents could be predicted by a variety of demographic and personality measures. A sample of 132 adolescents enrolled in junior high school completed a biographical data sheet, short forms of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a Sensation- Seeking Scale (SSS), the Family Environment Scale (FES), a social support index (SSI), and a life stress inventory (LSI). The nondepressed group differed from the depressed group on a variety of variables, and stepwise multiple regression suggested a significant relationship between depression and life stress and an inverse relationship between depression and family cohesion.
Attachment of wild-type F factor to a specific chromosomal region in a variant strain of Escherichia coli K12: the phenomenon of episomic alternation

A variant strain of Escherichia coli K12 (♂ 3 ) was obtained after ultra-violet irradiation. This strain differs from wild type in the possession of a preferred chromosomal site for the F factor. When wild-type females are infected with the F factor they are converted to F + males which carry the F factor in the infectious state. These F + males (standard) change with low frequency to Hfr males which carry the F factor on the chromosome. When the variant female (♀ 3 ) is infected with the F factor it is converted to an F + male (state II) which changes with high frequency to a specific Hfr male (state I) which carries the F factor at the preferred site ( Hfr 3 ). Male strains carrying the preferred site alternate between the specific Hfr state and the F + state. The mechanism of this alternation is the back-and-forth shift of the F factor between its integrated state of multiplication at the Hfr 3 locus and its autonomous state of multiplication. This process is termed episomic alternation . Episomic alternation offers a physical model for regular changes in state of the gene. The Hfr 3 locus has two allelic forms, high rate of change and standard rate of change. The allele for high rate of change may be considered as a genetic system which occurs in two possible states, state I in which the F factor is present at Hfr 3 , and state II in which it is not.
Cosolvent effects on the micellization of an amphiphilic siloxane graft copolymer in aqueous solutions

The formation and structure of micelles by an amphiphilic siloxane-graft-polyether copolymer in water mixed with a polar organic solvent were investigated by a variety of experimental techniques. The cosolvents examined, of interest to waterborne ink and coating formulations, were ethanol, 2-propanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, formamide, sulfolane, and 2-pyrrolidone, and their concentration in water ranged up to 20%. We measured the cmc (critical micellization concentration) by three different methods: diphenylhexatriene solubilization, methyl orange hypsochromic shift, and pyrene fluorescence I1/I3 ratio. These methods gave the same trends on cmc in various cosolvents. The added cosolvents generally cause an increase in the cmc of the siloxane copolymer. Cosolvent physicochemical characteristics such as octanol−water partition coefficient and solubility parameter were used to correlate the cosolvent effects. The component of the solubility parameter that accounts for hydrogen bonding ...
Streamline based grid adaption for Euler and Navier-Stokes: Direct and inverse design applications

A numerical method for solving inviscid steady-state two-dimensional flows is presented and extended to viscous flows. A system of quasi-one-dimensional governing equations applicable to both direct as well as inverse design problems for computing incompressible, subsonic and supersonic flows is derived. A pressure based flux split finite difference approximation is used along the streamlines. The method does not require any complicated grid generation technique. Applications are presented for both direct and inverse problems. The results are compared with exact solutions whenever available.
Negative regulation of gene expression from the HTLV type II long terminal repeat by Rex: functional and structural dissociation from positive posttranscriptional regulation.

ABSTRACT Regulation of human T cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II) gene expression by Rex is mediated by cis-acting elements in the 5′ viral long terminal repeat (LTR). Rex acts posttranscriptionally to enhance cytoplasmic accumulation of incompletely spliced viral mRNAs encoding structural proteins. We report a distinct negative regulatory function mediated by Rex affecting expression from the viral 5′ LTR. Using both LTR-driven CAT reporters and a full-length HTLV-II proviral construct, we demonstrate that Rex decreases total cellular levels of LTR-containing mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Negative regulation is an independent function as demonstrated by structural and functional dissociation from Rex positive posttranscriptional regulation. This negative regulatory action was dependent on nuclear localization sequences, but did not require the previously defined Rex-responsive element (RxRE). Negative regulation was observed in T cell lines but not in B cell lines, suggesting the involvement of cel...
Pressure induced superconductivity in BaMo6S8

Abstract The resistance and a.c. magnetic susceptibility of BaMo6S8 have been measured under pressure. A resistance-anomaly, indicative of the reported structural transformation at ∼ 145 K, was observed. Non-bulk superconductivity with a pressure dependent signal size was induced by a quasi-hydrostatic pressure ⋍ 15 kbar but not a hydrostatic pressure up to 18 kbar down to 1.2 K.
Schwannoma of the Oral Tongue

OBJECTIVE To present a rare, benign lesion of the oral tongue and its treatment. STUDY DESIGN Case presentation and literature review. METHODS Case report. RESULTS A 68 year old male presented with an asymptomatic lateral oral tongue lesion which had been present for several years. Fine needle aspiration was consistent with pleomorphic adenoma versus myoepithelioma. Pathology following complete surgical excision revealed schwannoma. He remains without recurrence following excision. CONCLUSIONS Oral tongue schwannoma is a rare lesion which is treated with complete surgical excision.
Tandem-cycle high-dose melphalan and cisplatin with peripheral blood progenitor cell support in patients with breast cancer and other malignancies

Abstract We evaluated the feasibility of tandem-cycle high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with cisplatin, melphalan, and peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs). Fifty patients with high-risk primary (n = 17) or stage IV breast cancer (n = 29) or other malignancies (n = 4) received 2 cycles of intravenous melphalan, 20 to 151.8 mg/m2, and cisplatin, 200 mg/m2, followed by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or G-CSF. Starting at 40 mg/m2 of melphalan, patients also received PBPCs. Delayed platelet recovery defined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for melphalan at 101.2 mg/m2 per cycle. There were no treatment-related deaths. Cycle 2 was delivered at a median of 1.7 months after cycle 1; 72% of patients treated at the MTD received both cycles. Cycle 2 was omitted when patients refused it or had disease progression or toxicities, primarily prolonged thrombocytopenia. Complete response rates in stage IV breast cancer patients increased from 28% pre-HDCT to 55% after cycle 2. At a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 1.5-8.1 years), 11 of 29 patients with stage IV breast carcinoma were alive with 5-year projected progression-free and overall survival rates of 19% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%-41%) and 39% (95% CI, 20%-62%), respectively. Five-year projected progression-free and overall survival rates for patients with stage IV breast cancer in complete response following HDCT versus all others were 35% (95% CI, 15%-70%) versus 0% (P = .01) and 61% (95% CI, 35%-91%) versus 10% (95% CI, 2%-60%) (P = .003; log-rank test), respectively. Estrogen-receptor positivity was predictive of reduced risk of progression (relative risk [RR], 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10-0.65; P=.003) and death (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.72; P=.009) after adjusting for response status. Five-year projected relapse-free and overall survival rates were 71% (95% CI, 43%-96%) and 82% (95% CI, 56%-100%), respectively, for the 17 patients with high-risk primary breast cancer. Tandem-cycle high-dose melphalan and cisplatin with PBPCs is feasible. Preliminary data suggest significant activity in selected patients with stage IV responding breast carcinoma. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(5):284-93.
Queer relics: Martyrological time and the eroto-aesthetics of suffering in Bertha Harris’ Lover

Bertha Harris self-consciously deploys images of medieval female saints in her 1976 novel Lover, prefacing many narrative episodes with their vitae. Her novel's lesbian concerns resonate with the early medieval virgin martyrs, and cross-pollinating this seminal work with aspects of medieval hagiography reciprocally illuminates how each culture represents the highly politicized nexus of the female body, temporality, and erotics. These concerns converge within the relic, an object that tightly knits together the erotic and the aesthetic realms. Such objects can lead to radical relationality across time and participate in generating localized sites where female bodies can achieve possible utopias through aesthetic enshrinement.
Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury: Maturation-dependent relation to epilepsy

There is clinical and experimental evidence that the response to hypoxic and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is age dependent. The effects of perinatal hypoxia, especially its epileptogenic effects, are different in the neonatal brain compared with that of the adult. Experimental models show increased susceptibility of the immature brain to the epileptogenic and toxic effects of hypoxia and hypoxia-ischemia. This article reviews several maturational factors that are likely to contribute to the enhanced vulnerability of the immature brain. Some of the factors known to be involved in the pathophysiology of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy are also known to be critical for normal brain development. These issues are discussed in the context of defining age-specific therapies to prevent hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury in the immature brain. MRDD Research Reviews 3:85–95, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Properties of friction stir-processed Al 1100–NiTi composite

Friction stir-processing (FSP) was utilized to successfully disperse and embed nitinol particles in Al 1100 matrix. Directional residual stresses were introduced in the prepared material that consequently showed improved mechanical properties as found experimentally and through modeled results. No harmful interfacial products could be found in the material as a consequence of processing. The current work highlights the preparation and properties of this composite.
A study of ν4 and 2ν4 of CD3Cl

Abstract The fundamental ν4 and its first overtone 2ν4 have been recorded for CD3Cl at a resolution limit ranging from 0.04 to 0.05 cm−1. The two bands were analyzed simultaneously, resulting in a determination of A 0 − ( 1 3 ) η44 = 2.5930 ± 0.0006 (95% simultaneous confidence interval) and numerous other molecular parameters. The simultaneous analysis was also helpful in determining the location and energy shifts of a perturbation observed in ν4.
Modeling the Performance of an Algebraic Multigrid Cycle Using Hybrid MPI/OpenMP

The rise of multicore cluster architectures has led to intense interest in using a combination of MPI and OpenMP to more effectively program these machines. We present a performance model for hybrid implementation of the solve cycle of algebraic multigrid (AMG), a popular iterative solver for large sparse linear systems and a key component of many scientific simulations. We validate the model on two leading parallel platforms, and discuss implications for applications programmed in a hybrid model on future machines.
Involvement and Political Advertising Effect An Exploratory Experiment

Data from a laboratory experiment which examines the relationship among awareness, attitude formation, and intent to behave over several levels of election races and several levels of advertising show that behavior is easily influencable by a high repetition level of innocuous advertising in the lower-level election; this phenomenon does not hold in the higher-level races. Furthermore, the authors find that this change in behavior is accomplished without an accompanying shift in attitude. Finally, it is found that the shift occurs equally among those subjects who were evaluated as having high involvement with the political process and those evaluated as having low involvement.
A few physical properties of grafted polyethylene and nylon films

Methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, or N-vinylpyrrolidone was graft-copolymerized onto low-density polyethylene or nylon 6 film by simultaneous irradiation method. Higher extent of grafting was attained by liquid-phase grafting than by vapor-phase grafting. The relative change in the degree of crystallinity of backbone polymer caused by grafting was measured with differential scanning calorimetry. In polyethylene-g-vinylpyrrolidone, the degree of crystallinity decreased markedly with the extent of grafting. However, in other grafted films, especially in grafted nylon, the crystallinity decrease was limited, or substantially no decrease was observed in a few systems. Water vapor permeability of the grafted films changed uniformly with increasing extent of grafting, and particularly polyethylene- and nylon-g-vinylpyrrolidone films showed excellent permeability, and some were able to be used as dialyzer. The difference in grafting method, liquid-phase grafting or vapor-phase grafting, produced no difference in those properties. The grafting was found to bring about a change in the molecular orientation of the original film.
Wideband direct antenna modulation using high-Q antennas

Wireless communication techniques have been broadly developed during the past decades due to their extensive applications. One required characteristic of most wireless systems is a wide transmitting bandwidth through a small-size antenna. Although there have been lots of studies on different techniques to broaden the bandwidth of the small antennas, the antenna bandwidth is strictly ruled by the fundamental physical limit. It is well-understood that in linear time-invariant (LTI) structures, antenna bandwidth is in contradiction with the size and hence, small-size antennas suffer from narrow bandwidth. This problem becomes significant when a high-rate data-transmission is required along with a very small-size antenna.
1361 COMPARISON OF A STANDARD AND MICROVOLUME BLOOD AND MEDIA SYSTEM ON THE RATE OF DETECTION OF BACTEREMIA IN PREMATURE INFANTS

A microvolume blood and media system was compared to a standard BACTEC anaerobic vial for its efficacy to detect microorganisms in the small volume of blood obtainable from premature infants. Each culture, when possible, included the inoculation of 0.5 ml. of blood into a BACTEC anaerobic vial (BAN) and 0.3 ml. of blood into each of an aerobic (MA) and an anaerobic (MAN) vial containing 2.7 ml. of trypticase soy broth. Following inoculation, all vials were processed identically. Of a total of 358 culture attempts, 39 were positive in one or more vials. Due to the occasional low volume of blood collected in some of the 39 positive cultures, 8 BAN and 2 MAN vials were not inoculated. Twenty cultures were positive for the same organism in all three vials. When both anaerobic cultures were done, 26 BAN and 23 MAN were positive. In the microvolume system, 31 MA and 28 MAN were positive and both were positive in 23. Differences were not statistically significant. Also, four isolates of Candida albicans grew in MA and MAN vials only. These results demonstrate that microvolume blood and media systems can be reliable.
Assessment of nuclear reaction analysis for the measurement of 18O concentration in organic samples

Abstract Nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) was assessed as a fast and simple method of determining the natural concentration of 18 O in organic samples. Samples investigated included beet sugar, L. aspartic acid, L. glutamic acid, cellulose and sorbic acid. The 18 O(p,α) 15 N reaction was used and after applying a correction factor to the ratio of alpha particles emitted when the samples were bombarded with 0.73 MeV protons, the 18 O concentrations of L. aspartic acid, L. glutamic acid, sorbic acid, and cellulose were determined to be 0.249±0.040, 0.255±0.040, 0.035±0.040, and 0.205±0.040 at%, respectively, using beet sugar that has an 18 O concentration of 0.2044±0.0002 at% as a standard. The correction factor accounted for proton energy losses through the target and the resulting variation of cross section with energy. All the organic samples investigated seemed to be very sensitive to heat and unstable under the beam bombardment.
Cocaine use is associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background The treatment of cocaine-related acute coronary syndromes presents unique challenges. Although percutaneous coronary intervention in cocaine abusers appears to be safe in the short term, longer-term outcomes have not been reported. We postulated that cocaine use would be associated with increased risk for stent thrombosis. Methods We report 30-day and 9-month clinical outcomes including stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and death in 71 cocaine abusers who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention at our institution (66 of whom received a stent) compared with 3216 control patients. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed to control for statistical bias present in nonrandomized study populations. Results Stent thrombosis occurred in 5 (7.6%) of the 66 stented cocaine abusers during the 9-month follow-up period compared to a 0.6% rate of stent thrombosis in the control database, a highly statistically significant difference ( P P = .04) throughout the 9-month follow-up period. There was no significant difference in overall rates of myocardial infarction, death, or repeat revascularization at 9 months. Conclusions Because of the increased risk of stent thrombosis, consideration should be given to a more conservative approach in cocaine abusers who present with acute coronary syndromes.
Methodological validation of an existing telemetry system for QT evaluation in conscious guinea pigs.

Abstract Introduction:Guinea pigs are suitable for in vivo QT assessment of newly discovered drugs at the pre-clinical stage because of the ease with which these animals can be handled, the lower amount of compound required for testing, and the similarity of the ion channels between the guinea pig heart and the human. Our purpose was to provide detailed methodological information on an existing telemetry recording system for use in evaluating QT interval prolongation in guinea pigs. Methods: Hartley guinea pigs weighing 400–700 g were used to investigate the appropriate configuration of electrodes to record defined T-waves and the influence of the surgical implantation of a transmitter on the QT interval, as well as to determine the appropriate formula for QT correction. In addition, the validity of using telemetry-monitored guinea pigs was tested by using compounds with (positive references) or without (vehicles) a QT-prolonging effect. Results: A lead with the negative pole placed between the scapulas and the positive pole positioned close to the sternum was found to be the most appropriate to obtain well-defined T-waves. The period for recovery from transmitter implantation was estimated to be at least 1 week. The best-fit formula for our telemetry guinea pig model was a modified Bazett's formula. QTc was prolonged significantly in guinea pigs given positive references, and the QTc was unaffected when the animals were given vehicles. Discussion: We believe that the information provided herein will be a quite helpful guide for researchers to evaluate the QT interval reliably and reproducibly in this telemetry guinea pig model.
Accurate and fast stray radiation calculation based on improved backward ray tracing

An improved method of backward ray tracing is proposed according to the theory of geometrical optics and thermal radiation heat transfer. The accuracy is essentially raised comparing to the traditional backward ray tracing because ray orders and weight factors are taken into account and the process is designed as sequential and recurring steps to trace and calculate different order stray lights. Meanwhile, it needs very small computation comparing to forward ray tracing because irrelevant surfaces and rays are excluded from the tracing. The effectiveness was verified in the stray radiation analysis for a cryogenic infrared (IR) imaging system, as the results coincided with the actual stray radiation irradiance distributions in the real images. The computation amount was compared with that of forward ray tracing in the narcissus calculation for another cryogenic IR imaging system, it was found that to produce the same accuracy result, the computation of the improved backward ray tracing is far smaller than that of forward ray tracing by at least 2 orders of magnitude.
XXVII. On the remarkable fossil trees lately discovered near St. Helen's

(1844). XXVII. On the remarkable fossil trees lately discovered near St. Helen's. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 24, No. 158, pp. 165-173.
Alcohol Expectancies Among Adolescent Nondrinkers: They May Not Be Drinking Now, But They're "thinkin bout it"

Abstract Purpose To examine the associations of alcohol expectancy outcomes and valuations with intention to use. Method A total of 157 adolescent nonusers completed anonymous self-report surveys. Results Adolescents who perceived more access to alcohol, expected less negative and more positive drinking outcomes, and evaluated positive outcomes favorably reported greater intentions to drink in adulthood. Conclusion Findings may be useful for efforts to further delay the initiation of alcohol use.
Peroxidase and Lipoxygenase Influence on Stability of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) during Frozen Storage

The effect of blanching treatments and packaging materials on lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD) activity and fatty acid stability of two cultivars of sweet corn (Jubilee and GH-2684) were evaluated during 9 mo storage at −20°C. Complete inactivation of LOX and POD was obtained with 9 and 15 min of steam blanching, respectively. Relative fatty acid content revealed no change in fatty acid composition during storage. Control of degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) did not depend on oxygen permeability of different packaging materials. Blanching had little effect on PUFA degradation after 9 mo storage.
Photon scanning tunneling microscope study of optical waveguides

A novel technique, photon scanning microscopy, is shown to probe directly the evanescent field outside a planar and a channel waveguide. The decay lengths for these evanescent fields were measured and correspond well to the decay lengths of the evanescent fields calculated for each structure. Two‐dimensional scanning at constant intensity or constant height reveals lateral variations in these fields due to topographic changes, index of refraction inhomogeneities, or modal variations within the waveguide.
Effect of feeding rolled flaxseed on milk fatty acid profiles and reproductive performance of dairy cows.

The objectives were to study the ef- fects of feeding rolled flaxseed (FLX) to early-lactation dairy cows on milk yield, milk components, and milk fatty acid profiles as well as on measures of cow re- production. Lactating Holstein cows, on 3 commercial dairies, were fed either an early-lactation ration (CON) or a ration that was similar in protein, energy, and fat content but that included FLX (0.85 kg of DM/ cow per day). Within each dairy, cows were allocated alternately to breeding pens upon leaving the fresh pen (approximately 10 ± 5 d postpartum). Pens (n = 4 to 5 pens/dairy) were randomized to treatment (n = 2 to 3 pens/treatment per dairy). Pen (CON, n = 6; FLX, n = 7) was considered the experimental unit and data were analyzed as a split plot with pen as the whole-plot error term. Cows fed FLX had greater (P ≤ 0.06) pro- portions of cis-9, trans-11 C18:2, C18:3n-3, and C20:0 fatty acids in milk fat and a lesser (P = 0.03) propor- tion of C20:3n-6 fatty acid when compared with cows fed the CON diet. Treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.24) milk yield, milk protein, protein yield, milk fat, or milk fat yield. No interactions (P ≥ 0.52) were found be- tween treatment and season of the year or parity, or be- tween treatment and days open, pregnancies per AI at first or second service, or pregnancy loss. In conclusion, feeding FLX at 0.85 kg/cow per day (DM basis) altered the fatty acid profile of milk, but milk yield, milk com- position, and reproductive performance of dairy cows were not affected.