cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurologic and Psychiatric Effects of Cytokines and Targeted Biological Therapies

Biologic agents such as therapeutic antibodies, fusion proteins, and biologic response modifiers have revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune diseases by increasing the specificity and efficacy of the therapeutic armamentarium. Just as the first generation of synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (e.g., methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine) represented a major stride in therapeutic efficacy, so too do the biologic DMARDs represent another. At the same time, these agents are associated with risks and side effects, some shared with other anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, and some unique to the class or to specific mechanisms of action. Some of the effects of these biologic agents occur within the central nervous system (CNS), giving rise to neurologic and psychiatric manifestations. These include both adverse effects such as demyelinating disease and anxiety, as well as potentially beneficial effects such as improvements in mood, cognition, and sleep.
Supercharged Jejunal Interposition: A Reliable Esophageal Replacement in Pediatric Patients.

Background:There is no consensus for esophageal reconstruction in the pediatric population. Long defects are commonly repaired with gastric pull-up or colonic interposition; however, jejunal interposition offers several potential advantages in children. One historical concern with jejunal interposit
Partial hepatectomy and laparoscopic-guided liver biopsy in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): novel approach for study of liver regeneration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although valuable information has been gained using a rodent partial hepatectomy model to assess liver regeneration, the ability to apply this research to humans remains uncertain. Thus, liver regeneration was assessed in a non-human primate, the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). METHODS One animal underwent 60% hepatectomy, a second animal underwent 30% hepatectomy, and control surgery (cholecystectomy) was performed on two separate animals. Laparoscopic-guided liver biopsy was performed on days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 30 after surgery. Changes in hemoglobin concentration and alanine transaminase activity were assessed, and liver regeneration was evaluated by measuring the expression of Ki-67. RESULTS All animals survived surgery and laparoscopy. Substantial liver regeneration was induced in the animal that underwent 60% hepatectomy. Excellent tissue specimens were obtained via laparoscopic-assisted liver biopsy. CONCLUSIONS Sixty percent partial hepatectomy in rhesus macaques appears to be an excellent model for the study of hepatocellular regeneration. The procedure was safe, and effectively induced liver regeneration. In addition, laparoscopic-guided liver biopsy allows observation of changes in the liver remnant as regeneration develops, and provides excellent tissue specimens for analysis. Thus, this rhesus macaque partial hepatectomy model will allow further characterization of liver regeneration in a species closer to humans.
Ventricular Tachycardia in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A 45 year-old man with history of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), status-post implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, presents with ICD storm despite treatment with sotalol and is referred for catheter ablation. The case highlights unique features regarding identification, mapping, and ablation of arrhythmogenic substrate in NICM VT.
Mines in the End Zone: Are there Downsides to Team Performance?

Research on teams in organizations tends to focus on understanding the causes of team performance with a focus on how to enjoy the benefits of team success and avoid the negative consequences of team failure. This paper instead asks the question, ‘what are some of the negative consequences of team success?’ A review of the literature on teams is augmented with research from cognitive science, sociology, occupational psychology, and psychology to explore the potential negative long-term consequences of teamwork success. The general topics of groupthink, overconfidence bias, regression to the mean, role overload, and strategy calcification are reviewed while discussing the implications for future research streams and practical team management.
Evaluation of extraction methods for pharmacologically active compounds from anticonvulsant traditional Chinese medicines: Gou Teng, Tian Ma, Jiang Can using DART-TOF-MS.

Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are classified as dietary supplements. Interactions with western medications, the presence of contaminants or adulterants, or a mis-labeled or mis-used CHM may lead to toxicological emergencies that can be undetected in death investigations. Laboratories must be able to efficiently analyze cases in which CHMs are suspected. Five extractions were evaluated for their ability to extract pharmacologically active compounds from herbal matrices: water, ethanol, microwave-assisted (MAE), ethanol : chloroform, and acid-wash. Anticonvulsive and other pharmacologically active compounds in Gou Teng, Tian Ma, and Jiang Can purchased from Beijing, China and New York were compared in the powder and the extracts using Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). Approximately 0.25 g of macerated herb was used per extraction. The water and ethanol extractions were simple liquid extractions. For the MAE, powdered herb was soaked in 65% ethanol, microwaved, and concentrated. The ethanol : chloroform extraction involved soaking in 1 : 1 ethanol : chloroform, sonication, and concentration. In the acid-wash extraction, powdered herb was soaked in acetic acid, followed by addition of sodium hydroxide, hexane extraction, and reconstitution in ethyl acetate. The powdered herbs and extracts were analyzed using a Jeol JMS T100LC AccuTOF DART-MS in positive and negative mode. Of the evaluated methods, no single extraction worked for all active compounds from the three CHMs. The MAE extract contained the most pharmacologically active compounds, while the acid-wash contained the least for the three products. Gou Teng purchased from different sources did exhibit a difference in pharmacologically active compounds, potentially from different species.
A Bundle Of Care That Led To Sustained Low Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis In Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A 10-Year Quality Improvement Project

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergencies in preterm newborns and remains a serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality in this population. Over the past two decades, multicenter groups have reported reductions in the incidence of NEC among preterm infants. Although highly variable, an average rate exceeding 5% was reported by the majority. This coincided with reports of …
Atomic solid state energy scale: Universality and periodic trends in oxidation state

Abstract The atomic solid state energy (SSE) scale originates from a plot of the electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) versus band gap (EG). SSE is estimated for a given atom by assessing an average EA (for a cation) or an average IP (for an anion) for binary inorganic compounds having that specific atom as a constituent. Physically, SSE is an experimentally-derived average frontier orbital energy referenced to the vacuum level. In its original formulation, 69 binary closed-shell inorganic semiconductors and insulators were employed as a database, providing SSE estimates for 40 elements. In this contribution, EA and IP versus EG are plotted for an additional 92 compounds, thus yielding SSE estimates for a total of 64 elements from the s-, p-, d-, and f-blocks of the periodic table. Additionally, SSE is refined to account for its dependence on oxidation state. Although most cations within the SSE database are found to occur in a single oxidation state, data are available for nine d-block transition metals and one p-block main group metal in more than one oxidation state. SSE is deeper in energy for a higher cation oxidation state. Two p-block main group non-metals within the SSE database are found to exist in both positive and negative oxidation states so that they can function as a cation or anion. SSEs for most cations are positioned above −4.5 eV with respect to the vacuum level, and SSEs for all anions are positioned below. Hence, the energy −4.5 eV, equal to the hydrogen donor/acceptor ionization energy e(+/−) or equivalently the standard hydrogen electrode energy, is considered to be an absolute energy reference for chemical bonding in the solid state.
271. Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen über die immunsuppressive Wirkung des Ultraschalls bei Verletzung innerer Organe

Bei einer Direktbeschallung verletzter Organe, wie Leber, Milz und Niere mit 0,8 Watt cm2, bei einem 3 cm langen und 0,3 mm tiefen Schnitt, kommt es innerhalb von 30–60 s zum sofortigen Stillstand der Parenchymblutungen. Keine Organnaht. Nach Reponierung der Organe, Naht und Beschallung der Bauchdekken. Ergebnis: nach 6 Tagen Eroffnung des Bauchsitus und Vorlegung der beschallten Organe: reizlose hauchdunne Narben an Leber, Milz und Nieren, keine makroskopisch pathologischen Organveranderungen. pp. Heilung der postoperativ beschallten Hautnahte. Beim unbeschallten Versuchstier: pathologische Organveranderungen und Exitus.
NON-CHILD SUPPORT EXPENDITURES ON CHILDREN BY NONRESIDENTIAL DIVORCED FATHERS: Results of a Study

Most states' child support guidelines adopt a “cliff” model in providing credits or adjustments for time spent in the nonresidential parent's home. Such guidelines implicitly or explicitly assume that no appreciable expenditures are made directly by obligors for child-rearing expenses at levels of contact or visitation beneath some threshold value, typically assumed to be around 30% time. As guideline developers are acutely aware, these assumptions have proceeded in the absence of any data. The present investigation sought to provide preliminary evidence of such expenditures by using the approach of getting information about the provision of certain benchmark items: clothes, toys and games, bicycles, a bedroom, and support for car-related expenses for teenage drivers. The authors generally found a linear, rather than a cliff-like, relationship of expenditures to time in the nonresidential father's home, with unexpectedly high levels of father's provision of these benchmark items even at quite low levels of contact. These findings support more generous and more continuous adjustments for visitation in child support schemes, to offset nonresidential parent's direct expenditures on children, which appear to be unexpectedly high and arise on a non-cliff-like pattern.
A Technical Note on a Direct Estimate of the Significance of Bias in Forecasts

This paper provides direct test for forecast bias using the Thiel equation. In this test the constant term is simple the difference between the mean of the forecast and the mean of the actual date. A simple data transformation leads to this specification of the constant term. The approach is expanded to include a function with additional independent variables where one is interest in the constant tern being simple the difference of the means of the dependent and any one of the independent variables.
Ion Channels and Lipid Bilayer Membranes Under High Potentials Using Microfabricated Apertures

Membrane-bound proteins are important from both a scientific and a technological point of view. However, their study and application require a stable lipid bilayer to maintain protein function. Here we provide a method for producing lipid bilayers across apertures on a silicon substrate using a Langmuir–Blodgett technique commonly used with Teflon films. These bilayers display the same properties as those across apertures in Teflon in terms of capacitance, conductance, noise, and protein insertion and function. In addition, the bilayers remain stable at higher transmembrane potentials than those in Teflon, typically remaining unbroken over ±400 mV. These properties are demonstrated by the insertion of the staphylococcal protein pore α-hemolysin into pre-formed bilayers, and subsequent current recording at high potentials (±400 mV).
Importance of collateral circulation in the vascularly occluded feline intestine.

The aim of this study was to assess the extent of collateral blood flow provided by the celiac and inferior mesenteric arteries to the intestines during total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). In anesthetized cats, blood flow to the pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon was measured with radioactive microspheres (15 um in diameter) before and during occlusion of the SMA. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion significantly decreased (by 63%) blood flow to the head of the pancreas. Flow to the neck and tail of the pancreas was not altered. Blood flow to the proximal and distal duodenum was significantly reduced by 35% and 61%, respectively. Along the entire jejunum and ileum, SMA occlusion markedly decreased blood flow by an average of 71%. In the proximal colon, blood flow decreased by 63%, whereas flow to the middle and distal colon was not affected by SMA occlusion. Reduction in total wall blood flow to the small and large intestines was largely due to a marked reduction in mucosalsubmucosa blood flow; muscularis/serosa flow was not affected. The results of this study suggest that total occlusion of the SMA does not compromise blood flow to the neck and tail of the pancreas and middle and distal colon (tissues that are normally perf used with blood 'f rom either the celiac or inferior mesenteric arteries). Perfusion through collaterals maintains flow to the head of the pancreas and gut (from duodenum to proximal colon) to within 30%-65% of control (preocclusion) flow. An important new observation of this study is that collateral blood vessels are much more effective in preventing ischemia in the muscularislserosa than in the mucosalsubmucosa after SMA occlusion.
Seedless laser velocimetry using heterodyne laser-induced thermal acoustics

A need exists for a seedless equivalent of laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) for use in low-turbulence or supersonic flows or elsewhere where seeding is undesirable or impractical. A compact laser velocimeter using heterodyne non-resonant laser-induced thermal acoustics (LITA) to measure a single component of velocity is described. Neither molecular (e.g. NO/sub 2/) nor particulate seed is added to the flow. In non-resonant LITA two beams split from a short-pulse pump laser are crossed; interference produces two counterpropagating sound waves by electrostriction. A CW probe laser incident on the sound waves at the proper angle is diffracted towards a detector. Measurement of the beating between the Doppler-shifted light and a highly attenuated portion of the: probe beam allows determination of one component of flow velocity, speed of sound, and temperature. The sound waves essentially take the place of the particulate seed used in LDV. The velocimeter was used to study the flow behind a rearward-facing step in NASA Langley Research Center's Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel. Comparison is made with pitot-static probe data in the freestream over the range 0 m/s - 55 m/s. Comparison with LDV is made in the recirculation region behind the step and in a well-developed boundary layer in front of the step. Good agreement is found in all cases.
Probabilistic Approaches to Sensor Layout Design, Data Processing, and Damage Detection

This article presents probabilistic methodologies toward the design of a reliable structural health monitoring system, by addressing several types of uncertainties in sensor performance and data, including sensor layout effects and sensor data noise, incompleteness, and variability. The sensor layout is designed to maximize the reliability of damage detection by combining probabilistic finite element analysis, damage detection algorithms, and reliability-based optimization techniques. A Bayesian discrete wavelet packet transform-based denoising approach is presented to perform data cleansing prior to damage detection. A nonparametric system identification method is applied when using incomplete sensor data. A Bayesian method is presented to incorporate possible uncertainties in both sensor data and model prediction and to provide a quantitative measure of confidence in structural condition assessment. These methodologies are illustrated for application to an aerospace structure thermal protection system panel and to a five-story building frame structure, representing two different disciplines. Keywords: structural health monitoring; sensor layout; damage detection; reliability; Bayesian statistics; wavelets; denoising; thermal protection system
Does whole‐organism performance constrain resource use? A community test with desert lizards

Discovering the mechanisms by which communities of co-existing species exist has proven to be one of the greatest challenges for evolutionary ecologists. A recent perspective emphasizes the role of functional traits, such as whole-organism performance, as key limiting factors in the evolution of communities, yet few studies have examined this possibility. We examine how bite force and morphology influence the ability of ten lizard species in a single community to access insect prey, as defined by prey type and prey hardness. We gathered over 3 years of data from a desert lizard community comprised of ten species and found significant variation among species for bite force and prey hardness, as well as significant differences in performance and niche breadth for each species. In general, higher levels of absolute bite force broadens resource accessibility (sizes of prey), and does not generally result in a reduced ability to access smaller prey. For example, large lizard species that are hard biters can still consume soft prey. On the other hand, small lizard species that are weak biters are more limited in their ability to access hard prey, although the overall decline in resource accessibility is modest. Our findings highlight how functional traits can influence which species can access key resources within a community of similar species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, ●●, ●●–●●.
Re-Evaluating Neptunium in Uranyl Phases Derived from Corroded Spent Fuel

Interest in mechanisms that may control radioelement release from corroded commercial spent nuclear fuel (CSNF) has been heightened by the selection of the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada as the repository for high-level nuclear waste in the United States. Neptunium is an important radionuclide in repository models owing to its relatively long half-life and its high aqueous mobility as neptunyl [Np(V)O + 2 ]. The possibility of neptunium sequestration into uranyl alteration phases produced by corroding CSNF would suggest-a process for lowering neptunium concentration and subsequent migration from a geologic repository. However, there remains little experimental evidence that uranyl compounds will, in fact, serve as long-term host phases for the retention of neptunium under conditions expected in a deep geologic repository. To directly explore this possibility, we examined specimens of uranyl alteration phases derived from humid-air-corroded CSNF by X-ray absorption spectroscopy to better determine neptunium uptake in these phases. Although neptunium fluorescence was readily observed from as-received CSNF, it was not observed from the uranyl alteration rind. We establish upper limits for neptunium incorporation into CSNF alteration phases that are significantly below previously reported concentrations obtained by using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). We attribute the discrepancy to a plural-scattering event that creates a spurious EELS peak at the neptunium-M V energy.
Localization of the growth-associated phosphoprotein GAP-43 (B-50, F1) in the human cerebral cortex

The growth-associated phosphoprotein GAP-43 is a component of the presynaptic membrane that has been linked to the development and functional modulation of neuronal connections. A monospecific antibody raised against rat GAP-43 was used here to study the distribution of the protein in cortical and subcortical areas of the human brain. On Western blots, the antibody recognized a synaptosomal plasma membrane protein that had an apparent molecular weight and isoelectric point similar to GAP-43 of other species. In brain tissue reacted with the antibody, the heaviest immunoreactivity was found in associative areas of the neocortex, particularly within layers 1 and 6, in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, the caudate putamen, and the amygdala. In contrast, primary sensory or motor regions of the cortex, portions of dorsal thalamus, and cerebellum showed only light staining. Staining was generally confined to the neuropil, which showed punctate labeling, whereas most neuronal somata and fiber bundles were unreactive. The pronounced variations in GAP-43 immunostaining among various areas of the human brain may reflect different potentials for functional and/or structural remodeling.
On the centrality of strategic human resource management for healthcare quality results and competitive advantage

Purpose – Healthcare organizations have addressed current error issues by adopting quality programs, which usually include strategic human resource management (HRM). However, little research has focused on the determinants of successful quality programs at healthcare organizations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the centrality of strategic HRM for addressing healthcare errors, error reduction barriers, quality management processes and practices, quality program results, and competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology of this study involves the analysis of questionnaire data from the quality and/or risk directors of 587 US hospitals by factor analysis and regression analysis.Findings – The findings focus on highly statistically significant relationships of strategic HRM with antecedent healthcare error sources, error reduction barriers, and quality management processes and practices, as well as the strategic HRM consequences of perceived quality program results and sustaina...
The role and success of UK waste minimisation clubs in the correction of market and information failures

The UK waste strategy is based upon a concept of a hierarchy of preferable options for handling and disposal of waste. Minimisation is at the top of this hierarchy and several policy strategies have been introduced to encourage the uptake of waste minimisation methodology by industry. Waste minimisation clubs are a key component of the UK waste strategy and an essential vehicle for encouraging industry and commerce to undertake waste minimisation methodology. There have been ∼75 such clubs and they receive support from a wide range of sources, including the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme and Environment Agency. The majority of clubs have facilitated a significant reduction in solid, liquid and gaseous waste arisings alongside financial savings achieved through increased efficiency. Academic literature claims that waste minimisation clubs are highly successful, but this has never been quantified. To address this, the study identifies economic reasons leading to excess waste production, namely market and information failure and then evaluates the role of waste minimisation clubs in overcoming these failures.
A Comparison of National Effects on Individual U.S. Senate Elections

In this article a second look is taken at the effect that national conditions have on individual U.S. Senate elections. In doing so, the effects that presidential popularity, aggregate national economic conditions, and short-term party evaluations have had on individual Senate contests from 1980 through 1996 are examined. In addition to assessing the comparative influence of these national factors, consideration is given to the question of whether open seat contests should be included in the same models as Senate races where the incumbent is seeking reelection. Analyses of results for national, state, and candidate data provide strong evidence that incumbent and open seat elections are sufficiently different in that each merit their own model rather than being included in the same one. In contests where incumbents are seeking reelection, national economic conditions are the dominant national influence on individual Senate races. By contrast, national factors play a very limited role in open seat contests.
Effect of laser radiation on the mobility of electrons in gases

Numerical solutions of Boltzmann's equation are obtained for the distribution of electrons in gaseous Ar in the presence of a dc electric field and a laser field. The calculations are performed at field strengths below those either of electrical or optical gas breakdown in order to study the effect of the radiation on dc-field-induced electron mobilities. The isotropic component of the electron distribution function oscillates with energy as a result of the discrete nature of free-free absorption and stimulated emission. Similar structure has been observed in previous studies at laser-field strengths close to optical breakdown with no dc field present. The radiative processes cause the mobility to increase by roughly the same amount as that obtained by use of the classical model of microwave electron heating, or by removing the laser and increasing the temperature to a thermal energy close to one laser photon. Thus, the energy oscillations in the distribution are not significantly probed by the e,Ar mobility. These findings suggest the use of molecular gases, having vibrationally inelastic-threshold energies in the region of oscillations, to find mobilities more sensitive to the discrete nature of the radiative processes.
Conjoined thoracopagus twins. Pre- and postoperative considerations.

Summary Thoracoabdominally conjoined twins werestudied from shortly after birth, through surgical separation, to successful discharge. Certain special observations are reported in some detail. The postoperative course was complicated by extensive tracheobronchial infection, from which recovery was complete.
The Effectiveness of Simultaneous Thermotherapy with Ultrasound and Electrotherapy with Combined AC and DC Current on the Immediate Pain Relief of Myofascial Trigger Points

Objectives: This study is designed to investigate the immediate effectiveness of combining ultrasound [deep heat] therapy and modified electrotherapy for the treatment of myofascial trigger points [TrPs] of upper trapezius [UT] muscle.Methods: Twenty-six patients [12 males and 14 females, average age 42.1 ± 16.4 years] were studied. All patients had myofascial TrPs in one or two sides of the UT muscles. Fifty skeletal muscles were studied. The involved UT muscles were treated with different methods according to random assignment: Group A muscles were given placebo treatment [Control group]; Group B muscles were treated with only ultrasound [USD]; Group C muscles were given only electrotherapy [ET]; and Group D muscles were given a combination of ultrasound therapy and electrotherapy [USD + ET]. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed by conducting three measurements on each patient before and immediately after treatment: subjective pain intensity [PI], pain threshold [PT], and range of motion [ROM] of...
A New Species of Pseudothrips, with a Key to the North American Species

Pseudothrips beckhami , a new species, is described from Florida, Georgia, and Massachusetts. A key to the North American species is included. P. beckhami is not known to be of economic importance.
Purification of solar grade silicon using electromagnetic field

Non-metallic particles and the metallic impurity elements in the solar cell silicon have a strong detrimental effect on the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Removing these impurities is one of the important tasks for silicon refining. The current paper proposed a new approach to purify silicon - electromagnetic (EM) separation. Since the non-metallic particles and the metallic impurity elements are non- or less-conductive while the molten silicon is well conductive, under EM field, the Lorenz force will push the particles to the boundary layer, thus separate these inclusions. In the current study, a high frequency EM field was imposed on the silicon melt in laboratory scale experiments with a frequency of 60 kHz and 15.0 A current, the non-conductive SiC particles were successfully pushed to the boundary layer close to the crucible wall.
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis: a case report.

CONGO RED-NEGA TIYE fibrillar deposits in the kidney have been described in the literature in the past 4 years. I,2 Using electron microscopy, Alpers et all described fibrillary glomerulonephritis as random fibrillar material in the mesangium and capillary walls that stains Congo red-negative. Fluorescence microscopy of this fibrillar material showed granular deposits of immunoglobulin and complement in the same distribution. Similarly, Korbet et at2 described immunotactoid glomerulopathy with pathologic features identical to those found in fibrillary glomerulonephritis. We present the case of an asymptomatic 66year-old woman with fibrillary glomerulonephritis on renal biopsy and laboratory evidence of a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer, as well as persistent hypocomplementemia. This case is unique in that our patient has persistent hypocomplementemia, indicating a possible association of fibrillary glomerulonephritis with systemic disease.
Overview and critique of stages and periods in canine development

Several aspects of CNS and behavioral developnient in relation to stages of development and the critical period of socialization in the dog are reviewed. Environmental and experiential treatments which may modify ontogeny are discussed. With particular emphasis on the specific and nonspecific effects of such treatment on the developing phenotype and the dependence or independence of a particular behavior or system upon stimulation, with or without which it may or may not develop. A more complete understanding of the evolutionary and developmental processes underlying the integrative development of the brain and behavior in different species is needed.
Psychopharmacological effects of oxycodone in healthy volunteers: Roles of alcohol-drinking status and sex

Background Studies have shown that alcohol-drinking status modulates psychopharmacological effects of several drugs. We sought to determine if drinking status modulates the effects of a prescription opioid, oxycodone, in healthy volunteers. We included sex of the volunteer in the statistical analyses since this is a factor that is known to alter several pharmacodynamic effects of opioids in nonhumans and humans.
The detection of unipolar and bipolar cardiac electrograms with a movable coaxial electrode.

Abstract To define the effects of endocardial positioning on the sensing electrode's ability to detect the cardiac electrogram, a specially designed coaxial lead system with a movable, large surface area (50 mm 2 ) proximal ring electrode and a small surface area distal tip electrode was placed transvenously in 17 mongrel dogs. When the sensing ring electrode was used in a unipolar mode, there were slight but insignificant decreases in R-wave amplitude while the ring remained in the ventricle. When the electrode was moved out through the valve into the atria there was a marked decrease in R-wave sensing, however, this was accompanied by a significant increase in P-wave amplitude. When the ring electrode was used in conjunction with the tip as a conventional bipolar system, the sensed R wave remained at uniformly high levels except when the two electrodes were very close together at the tip. P-wave amplitudes were not detected in the bipolar mode until the ring entered the atria.
Phase behavior of model lipid systems: Solubility of high-melting fats in low-melting fats

The solubility behavior of three high-melting fats (tripalmitin sample, PPP-S; cocoa butter-stearin, CB-S; and palm oil-stearin, PO-S) in five low-melting fats (tricaprylin, CCC; canola oil; sunflower oil; lard-olein, LD-O; and palm oil-olein, PO-O) was studied. To create the solubility curve, the high-melting fat was first equilibrated in the low-melting model lipid system between 25 and 62.5°C for 1 wk. The amount of high-melting fat dissolved in the low-melting model lipid system was then determined by analyzing TAG compositions in the liquid phase using GC. The low-melting CCC formed partial solid solutions with each of the high-melting fats as a result of its very short chain length. PPP-S formed an ideal solution in all of the low-melting fats except CCC. The mixtures of CB-S/LD-O, CB-S/PO-O, and PO-S/LD-O deviated from ideality, illustrating closer interactions between TAG from CB-S and PO-S and those from LD-O or PO-O. The melting temperature and heat of fusion of the high-melting fats calculated from the Hildebrand equation was very close to those determined by DSC.
The effect of Clostridium difficile toxin on colonocyte prostanoid activity.

Abstract Antibiotic-associated colitis is caused by Clostridium difficile toxin. However, the pathophysiology of this entity is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of C. difficile toxin on colonocyte cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. A transformed colonocyte cell line (Caco-2) was grown to confluency on 6 well plates. The cells were stimulated with graded concentrations of C. difficile toxin. In separate experiments, the cells were pretreated for one hour prior to stimulation with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, or the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. The culture media was collected one hour following C. difficile stimulation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-keto prostaglandin F1α (6KPGF), thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were determined in the media by an ELISA. Platelet activating factor (PAF) concentration was determined by a RIA. C. difficile toxin stimulated PGE2 and 6KPGF levels in a dose dependent fashion but failed to stimulate TxB2, LTB4 or PAF. Prostanoid production was inhibited by indomethacin dose dependently but was not inhibited by dexamethasone. The presence of indomethacin resulted in production of PAF. Our results show that the effects of C. difficile toxin on colonocytes are mediated by cyclooxygenase activity. The increase in PAF formation associated with indomethacin administration suggests that the prostanoids modulate PLA2 activity and inhibit PAF formation.
The Width of Keratinized Gingiva During Orthodontic Treatment: Its Significance and Impact on Periodontal Status*

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of orthodontic therapy on the width of the zone of keratinized gingiva. Pre- and post-treatment photographic slides, plaster study casts, and cephalograms were examined. The labial surfaces of 966 teeth in a sample of 100 orthodontic patients were studied. Widths of the keratinized gingiva were determined from photographic slides. Crown lengths were measured from the study casts, and measurements were performed on the cephalograms. Data were collected and analyzed in three categories: 1) The overall changes in the width of the keratinized gingiva and the lengths of the clinical crowns during the course of orthodontic therapy; 2) An analysis of grouped data with a comparison of the pre-existing widths of keratinized gingiva to the post-treatment periodontal status of the patient; and 3) A correlation analysis of the changes in the dimensions of the tissues to the changes in tooth position as measured on the cephalograms. The results of the study revealed: 1)...
Highly Subcooled Boiling in Crossflow

Experiments were carried out to determine the influence of fluid flow and liquid subcooling on flow boiling heat transfer of Freon-113 across horizontal tubes. The data cover wide ranges of velocity (1.5 to 6.9 m/s) and extremely high levels of liquid subcooling (29 to 100°C) at pressures ranging from 122 to 509 kPa. Thin-walled cylindrical electric resistance heaters made of Hastelloy-C with diameter of 6.35 mm were used. The azimuthal wall temperature distributions were measured with five thermocouples around the heaters. The data were compared with Chen's two-mechanism model with modification for subcooled flow boiling. A new nucleate boiling suppression factor for cross flow was developed. The improved model could predict the present data and Yilmaz and Westwater's (1980) data well with a mean error ratio of 1.02 and standard deviation of 0.17.
N=2 supergravity in ten dimensions

We construct the complete Lagrangian of extended supergravity in ten dimensions by dimensional reduction of the eleven-dimensional theory. We find a compactification of the $D=10$ model to the $D=4$ model with internal manifold ${M}_{4}(\mathrm{compact})\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{S}_{2}$.
Semiautomatic vessel wall detection and quantification of wall thickness in computed tomography images of human abdominal aortic aneurysms

Purpose: Quantitative measurements of wall thickness in human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) may lead to more accurate methods for the evaluation of their biomechanical environment. Methods: The ...
A public policy agenda for academic medicine

A summary observation In the emerging health care market place, there is a fundamental question for academic medicine: "Can teaching physicians and teaching hospitals price their services competitively, and financially support their educational, research, and community service missions?" Systematic evaluation of the problem 5 as well as anecdotal evidence 6 suggest the answer is no. The Balanced Budget Act of 1995 did include a Teaching Hospital and Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund championed by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX), and on June 13, 1996, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) introduced the Medical Education Trust Fund Act of 1996. Both of these proposals address the need for a broad-based, shared responsibility financing approach to ensure the vitality of the nation's teaching hospitals and medical schools. Both proposals need the attention and enthusiastic support of all stakeholders interested in the future of our health care system.
The gp49A gene has extensive sequence conservation with the gp49B gene and provides gp49A protein, a unique member of a large family of activating and inhibitory receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

Members of the gp49-related family of mouse and human immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily receptors have significant amino acid sequence homology in their C2-type, Ig-like domains and include the killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. We now report the cloning, complete sequence, and organization of the mouse gp49A gene that encodes the only member of this newly-appreciated family without either of two mutually exclusive functional motifs, namely, immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) or a charged transmembrane amino acid for heterodimerization with activation molecules. The gp49A and gp49B genes are 94% identical over 5.6 kilobases, the 5′ flanking regions are 94% identical over 1900 nucleotides, and the 3′ flanking regions are 97% identical for 121 nucleotides and then diverge completely; the gp49B gene encodes gp49B1 bearing two ITIMs. As measured by flow cytometry with specific antibody, gp49A is expressed on immature bone-marrow-derived mast cells, mature serosal mast cells, and several mouse mast cell lines. The substantial sequence identity of the introns of the gp49A and gp49B genes is comparable to that of the exons, establishing the gene pair as the most homologous of the gp49-related family and suggesting that the gp49A and gp49B genes arose by duplication with relatively little subsequent mutation. The findings also represent the first demonstration that gp49A is expressed on mast cells in tandem with inhibitory gp49B1, and establish that the gp49A gene is not a pseudogene, but rather encodes a protein product with characteristics different from the other family members.
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in morbidly obese and super morbidly obese patients

Abstract Background Our objective was to compare the outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] 50) patients. Methods A prospective analysis of 120 patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB at a community based teaching hospital between January 2002 and August 2002 was performed. Sixty patients with BMI 50. Study endpoints included: operative time, length of stay, and overall complication rates including early ( 7 days) complications. Results Mean BMI in the obese group was 44.6 (range 39 to 49) versus 58.6 (range 50 to 100) in the superobese group. Medical comorbidities, age, and sex distribution were similar in both groups. Mean operative time in the obese group was 128 minutes (range 75 to 225) versus 144 minutes (range 75 to 240) in the superobese group. The overall complication rate was 10% in the obese group versus 20% in the superobese group. ( P = 0.2) With regard to the obese group, the early complication rate was 5% (n = 3). These included 2 upper gastrointestinal bleeds and 1 respiratory failure. The late complication rate in this group was also 5% (n = 3). These were all anastomotic strictures requiring endoscopic dilation. In comparison, in the superobese group, the early complication rate was 8% (n = 5). These included 2 upper gastrointestinal bleeds, 1 pneumonia, 1 superficial wound infection, and 1 small bowel obstruction. The late complication rate in this group was 12% (n = 7). These included 4 anastomotic strictures, 1 incisional hernia, 1 pulmonary embolism, and 1 anastomotic leak. There were no conversions to open gastric bypass or deaths in either group. Median length of stay in both groups was 2 days. Conclusions Our data demonstrate no significant difference in operative times, complication rates or length of stay between morbidly obese and super morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic RYGB. Laparoscopic RYGB is safe and technically feasible in the super morbidly obese patient population.
Field measurements of the flux and speed of wind‐blown sand

A field experiment was conducted to measure the flux and speed of wind-blown sand under known conditions in a natural setting. The experiment, run at Pismo Beach, California, involved a tract 100 m long (parallel with the wind) by 20 m wide. The site was instrumented with four arrays of anemometers to obtain wind velocity profiles through the lower atmospheric boundary-layer, temperature probes to determine atmospheric stability and wind vanes to determine wind direction. From these measurements, wind friction speeds were derived for each experimental run. In order to measure sand saltation flux, a trench 3 m long by 10 m wide (transverse to the wind direction) by 0·5 m deep was placed at the downwind end of the tract and lined with 168 collector bins, forming an ‘egg-box’ pattern. The mass of particles collected in each bin was determined for four experimental runs. In order to assess various sand-trap systems used in previous experiments, 12 Leatherman traps, one Fryberger trap and one array of Ames traps were deployed to collect particles concurrently with the trench collection. Particle velocities were determined from analysis of high-speed (3000 and 5000 frames per second) motion pictures and from a particle velocimeter. Sand samples were collected from the trench bins and the various sand traps and grain size distributions were determined. Fluxes for each run were calculated using various previously published expressions, and then compared with the flux derived from the trench collection. Results show that Bagnold's (1941) model and White's (1979) equation most closely agree with values derived from the trench. Comparison of the various collector systems shows that the Leatherman and Ames traps most closely agree with the flux derived from the trench, although these systems tended to under-collect particles. Particle speeds were measured from analysis of motion pictures for saltating particles in ascending and descending parts of their trajectories. Results show that particle velocities from the velocimeter are in the range 0·5–7·0 m s−1, compared to a wind friction velocity of 0·32–0·43 m s−1 and a wind velocity of 2·7–3·9 m s−1 at the height of the particle measurements. Descending particles tended to exceed the speeds of ascending particles by ∼ 0·5 m s−1.
Detailed studies of pixelated CZT detectors grown with the modified horizontal Bridgman method

The detector material Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) achieves excellent spatial resolution and good energy resolution over a broad energy range, several keV up to some MeV. Presently, there are two main methods to grow CZT crystals, the Modified High-Pressure Bridgman (MHB) and the High-Pressure Bridgman (HPB) process. The study presented in this paper is based on MHB CZT substrates from the company Orbotech Medical Solutions Ltd. [Orbotech Medical Solutions Ltd., 10 Plaut St., Park Rabin, P.O. Box 2489, Rehovot, Israel, 76124]. Former studies have shown that high-work-function materials on the cathode side reduce the leakage current and, therefore, improve the energy resolution at lower energies. None of the studies have emphasized on the anode contact material. Therefore, we present in this paper the result of a detailed study in which for the first time the cathode material was kept constant and the anode material was varied. We used four different anode materials: Indium, Titanium, Chromium and Gold, metals with work-functions between 4.1 eV and 5.1 eV. The detector size was 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.5 cu cm with 8 x 8 pixels and a pitch of 2.46 mm. The best performance was achieved with the low-work-function materials Indium and Titanium with energy resolutions of 2.0 keV (at 59 keV) and 1.9 keV (at 122 keV) for Titanium and 2.1 keV (at 59 keV) and 2.9 keV (at 122 keV) for Indium. Taking into account the large pixel pitch of 2.46 mm, these resolutions are very competitive in comparison to those achieved with detectors made of material produced with the more expensive conventional HPB method. We present a detailed comparison of our detector response with 3D simulations. The latter comparisons allow us to determine the mobility-lifetime-products (mu tau-products) for electrons and holes. Finally, we evaluated the temperature dependency of the detector performance and ls-products. For many applications temperature dependence is important, therefore, we extended the scope of our study to temperatures as low as -30 C. There are two important results. The breakdown voltage increases with decreasing temperature, and electron mobility-lifetime-product decreases by about 30% over a range from 20 C to -30 C. The latter effect causes the energy resolution to deteriorate, but the concomitantly increasing breakdown voltage makes it possible to increase the applied bias voltage and restore the full performance
Differences in consumption patterns of single-parent and two-parent families in the United States

Different patterns of single-parent and two-parent families in six major expenditure categories are examined using the 1989 Consumer Expenditure Survey. Comparisons are made of the influence of permanent income, family size, region, race, gender, age, and education of the head of the family on the expenditure categories. The results show that with the exception of expenditures on shelter, the two groups differ significantly in their consumption patterns.