cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfusion-related sepsis after prolonged platelet storage.

Abstract The antecubital fossa venipuncture site in frequent blood donors can become scarred or "dimpled" and colonized with surface and deep bacteria that are not sterilized by standard iodophor preparation techniques. These microorganisms can be introduced into blood or platelets at the time of donation. Recent advances that permit the prolonged storage of platelets at room temperature before transfusion allow proliferation of these contaminating bacteria, particularly gram-positive microorganisms. Documented are three episodes of platelet contamination with gram-positive organisms and four cases of sepsis in recipients of these platelets, which were obtained through the "dimpled" site of a single donor and stored for at least 80 hours at 22°C before transfusion. In contrast, platelets harvested from this donor's "dimpled" site and stored for not more than 50 hours were transfused to 25 patients without complication. Therefore, the extended storage of platelets at 22°C prior to transfusion demands strict awareness of any possible sources of extrinsic contamination, since gram-positive bacteria can proliferate under these conditions and result in infectious complications in recipients.
Efficient Model Evaluation with Bilinear Separation Model

In this paper, we investigate the issue of evaluating efficiently a large set of models on an input image in detection and classification tasks. We show that by formulating the visual task as a large matrix multiplication problem, something that is possible for a broad set of modern detectors and classifiers, we are able to dramatically reduce the rate of growth of computation as the number of models increases. The approach, based on a bilinear separation model, combines standard matrix factorization with a task dependent term which ensures that the resulting smaller size problem maintains performance on the original task. Experiments show that we are able to maintain, or even exceed, the level of performance compared to the default approach of using all the models directly, in both detection and classification tasks. This approach is complementary to other efforts in the literature on speeding up computation through GPU implementation, fast matrix operations, or quantization, in that any of these optimizations can be incorporated.
Incidence and predictors of acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are at increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). The Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) recently published criteria for AKI after TAVR. We aimed to identify predictors, assess the prognostic impact of AKI after TAVR, and compare various criteria for AKI. Methods Patients with aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR were retrospectively analyzed for periprocedural AKI ( 25% in estimated glomerular filtration rate at 48 hours). Results Acute kidney injury, according to the VARC definition, occurred in 24 (14.6%) of 165 patients after TAVR. Acute kidney injury, according to RIFLE criteria, occurred in 19 patients (11.5%). Men (63% vs 38%, P = .03) and patients receiving blood transfusion (63% vs 39%, P = .04) were more likely to develop AKI. In multivariable analysis, only blood transfusion emerged as a predictor for AKI (odds ratio 3.74, 95% CI 1.36-10.3). Patients who developed AKI had higher in-hospital (21% vs 4%, P = .007) and 30-day mortality (29% vs 7%, P = .004) as compared with patients without AKI. Conclusion Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication of TAVR. Even a small increase (0.3 mg/dL) in baseline creatinine post-TAVR is associated with worse outcome. The poor prognosis of these patients should encourage improvement in patient selection and careful management for prevention of this complication.
Submillimeter-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at the Earth’s magnetic field with an atomic magnetometer

Magnetic resonance imaging in the Earth's magnetic field is achieved using a sensitive atomic magnetometer for detection. We demonstrate images with a submillimeter resolution by recording the flow of two water paths meeting at a $T$-shaped mixer. The high homogeneity of the Earth's field allows the use of weak gradient fields which circumvent the concomitant-field effect. To distinguish the two input channels, we employed selective polarization, which is a unique and noninvasive labeling method for low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Our technique imposes minimal physical constraints on the object under study, in contrast to conventional high-field magnetic resonance imaging. This technique is applicable for microfluidic imaging in laboratory-on-a-chip devices.
Determination of Geosmin and Methylisoborneol in Catfish Tissue (Ictalurus punctatus) by Microwave-Assisted Distillation−Solid Phase Adsorbent Trapping

Methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin (GEO) are algal off-flavor compounds, which when present in catfish tissue create undesirable taste and odors in the prepared products. These undesirable taste and odor problems are not limited to catfish aquaculture. A procedure was developed for the determination of off-flavor compounds in channel catfish tissue that involves microwave radiation distillation with solid phase trapping. This is a modification of a microwave distillation−cold trapping procedure but without the need of a cryogen or a liquid−liquid extraction step. A channel catfish fillet sample is placed in a container located within a microwave oven. This container, which is directly connected to a thermostated condenser containing a solid phase adsorbent, is continually purged with argon gas. The trapped distillate components are eluted with ethyl acetate and then injected into a gas chromatograph−ion trap mass spectrometer for analysis. This technique offers a rapid and sensitive means of off-flavor an...
Intermittent left bundle branch block: anatomic substrate as reflected in the electrocardiogram during normal conduction.

SUMMARY Examination of ECGs in patients with intermittent left bundle branch block (LBBB) may provide insight into mechanisms cause of LBBB. In this study, we obtained ECG files of patients with intermittent LBBB by mail solicitation of cardiologists. The group suitable for analysis included 275 patients in whom both LBBB was documented at least one 12-lead ECG was available which demonstrated absence of LBBB (ALBBB) after the first LBBB ECG. ALBBB ECGs revealed normalQRS in 151 patients (55%), abnormal QRS in 124 (45%). These 124 had one or more of the following: left ventricular hypertrophy 53 patients (19% of total group), myocardial infarction (MI) — 53 patients (19% of total group) conduction disturbance (QRS > 0.10 sec/or axis of −30° to −90°) — 52 patients (19% of total group). Sixty-three MIs were localized in the 53 patients; 31 (49%) were anteroseptal, seven (11%) were anterior, 17 (27%) were inferior eight (13%) were lateral (p ≤ 0.10). The 52 patients with conduction defects had the following: left anterior hemiblock-- 32 patients (62% of conduction defects, 12% of total group), incomplete LBBB 19 patients (31% of conduction defects, 7% of total group), right bundle branch block one patient (2% of conduction defect, 0.1% of total group). More than 50% of the patients with intermittent LBBB did not have abnormal QRS, suggesting an underlying cause of LBBB. If underlying infarction is present, it is most commonly anteroseptal, implying disease of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The site of most intermittent LBBB appears predivisional (His or main left bundle), since preexisting leftsided unifascicular block is infrequent.
Awareness sources and stages in the adoption of specific contraceptives

The paper explores the factors affecting the process whereby a woman comes to adopt the use of a particular contraceptive. Stages in the adoption process are 1) becoming aware of availability of birth-control option 2) learning how to use option and 3) trying method after learning how to use it. During October-December 1962 before the start of a program disseminating family-planning information 1367 married women aged 20-39 were interviewed in Taichung Taiwan. The 1227 women who were reinterviewed during October-December 1963 provided the data for the present analysis. The data shows that the type of contraceptive the source of knowledge about the contraceptive and the interaction of these factors all affect the womans adoption process. The program increased awareness of all methods but it was most pronounced for IUCD oral tablets foam tablet and condom. There was variability in the percentage who progressed from aware to informed and from that to actual trial according to contraception method awareness. A greater percentage of those whose husbands were the source of awareness progressed to informed and those whose awareness sources were husband or mass media were more likely to continue to actual trial. Before the program the majority of contraceptive information came from friends relatives and neighbors. Between surveys more than 1/2 of the new awareness of methods came from home visitors from the program and group meetings.
Prenatal alcohol exposure predicts continued deficits in offspring size at 14 years of age.

Background Growth deficits are among the cardinal features for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome. Growth deficits have also been noted among those who were exposed to alcohol prenatally but who do not have fetal alcohol syndrome. Few studies have observed subjects past early and middle childhood, however, to evaluate the longer-term effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on growth in adolescence. This is a report of the effects of alcohol exposure during gestation on the size of the offspring at 14 years of age. Methods Women were recruited in their fourth prenatal month. These women were interviewed in the fourth and seventh months of pregnancy and at delivery. The women and their children were seen when the offspring were 14 years of age. Results Growth deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure were identified among the offspring at 14 years of age. Weight, height, head circumference, and skinfold thickness continued to be significantly affected by prenatal alcohol exposure after controlling for other significant predictors of size. These effects exhibited a dose-response pattern, and significant effects were found at levels below one drink per day. For example, first trimester alcohol exposure predicted weights of 152 lbs for the offspring of abstainers, 149 lbs for the offspring of light drinkers (>0 and 0.2 and 0.89 drinks per day). Conclusions Prenatal alcohol exposure continues to affect size at age 14 years in this cohort of children followed since their fourth month of gestation.
Aluminum Oxide and Chromium Oxide Coatings on Ceramic Fibers via MOCVD

The overall strength and toughness of ceramic matrix composites is very much affected by the interfacial properties that govern the bonding between the reinforcing fibers and the matrix. The ability to control this interaction is very important. One method involves coating the ceramic fibers with an appropriate material. There is a definite advantage in using lower-temperature processes to produce the coatings: fibers subjected to high-temperature coating processes are more prone to degradation due to microstructure and crystallization changes. Matrix and fiber materials could also react at high temperatures to form a strong bond at the interface making the composite brittle. Metal−organic precursors were used to produce aluminum oxide and chromium oxide coatings on SiC and Al2O3−SiO2 based ceramic fibers. These metal oxides were deposited on the reinforcing fibers by the pyrolysis in air of their respective metal acetylacetonates at temperatures of 500 °C or less. The coated ceramic fibers showed some r...
Neck swellings in children

Abstract Neck swellings are common in children and are a reason for referral to a wide range of surgical specialties. Causes include infections, congenital abnormalities and malignancy. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and embryology of the head and neck are essential to diagnosis. History and examination must encompass all body systems. Investigations include ultrasound and, if the diagnosis is uncertain, excision biopsy.
Electron Spin Resonance and Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Spectroscopy: Application to the Study of Trapped Electrons

V band electron spin resonance-ENDOR spectroscopy has been applied to the study of ''trapped'' electrons in single crystals of polyhydroxy and carbohydrate compounds X-irradiated at low temperature. Evidence is presented from ENDOR measurements of hydroxy proton couplings that electrons are stabilized at intermolecular sites. The electron can be stabilized in the dipole fields of two or three hydroxy groups.
Phase 1 study in malaria naïve adults of BSAM2/Alhydrogel®+CPG 7909, a blood stage vaccine against P. falciparum malaria.

A Phase 1 dose escalating study was conducted in malaria naive adults to assess the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of the blood stage malaria vaccine BSAM2/Alhydrogel®+ CPG 7909. BSAM2 is a combination of the FVO and 3D7 alleles of recombinant AMA1 and MSP142, with equal amounts by weight of each of the four proteins mixed, bound to Alhydrogel®, and administered with the adjuvant CPG 7909. Thirty (30) volunteers were enrolled in two dose groups, with 15 volunteers receiving up to three doses of 40 µg total protein at Days 0, 56, and 180, and 15 volunteers receiving up to three doses of 160 µg protein on the same schedule. Most related adverse events were mild or moderate, but 4 volunteers experienced severe systemic reactions and two were withdrawn from vaccinations due to adverse events. Geometric mean antibody levels after two vaccinations with the high dose formulation were 136 µg/ml for AMA1 and 78 µg/ml for MSP142. Antibody responses were not significantly different in the high dose versus low dose groups and did not further increase after third vaccination. In vitro growth inhibition was demonstrated and was closely correlated with anti-AMA1 antibody responses. A Phase 1b trial in malaria-exposed adults is being conducted. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00889616","term_id":"NCT00889616"}}NCT00889616
Potential of Vitamin E and Zinc-Amino Acid Complex for the Reduction of Cellulitis in Broilers

Abstract Downs, K.M., Norton, R.A., Macklin, K.S. and Hess, J.B. 2003. Potential of vitamin E and zinc-amino acid complex for the reduction of cellulitis in broilers. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 23: 25–32. A research study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and a zinc-amino acid complex (Zn-AA) on the incidence of cellulitis in broiler chickens. Vitamin E and Zn-AA supplementation did not influence body weight, but subtle feed conversion and mortality treatment differences were observed. Furthermore, a trend in cellulitis lesion reduction was indicated through combined supplementation of vitamin E and Zn-AA. The results of this study indicate an overall positive effect from higher dietary vitamin E and Zn-AA level on cellulitis incidence.
Boehmite Coating as a Consolidation and Forming Aid in Aqueous Silicon Nitride Processing

Silicon nitride powders were coated by boehmite via a sol-gel process to improve the consolidation and forming of aqueous silicon nitride suspensions. The coated silicon nitride suspensions had a significantly higher solids loading than the pore silicon nitride in water. Viscosity measurements and centrifugation showed that the coating changed the long-range interaction between the silicon nitride particles, whereas the pressure nitration study indicated that the oxide coating modified the short-range interaction at particle contacts. Preliminary rheological studies indicated that at pH 3, the boehmite-coated silicon nitride suspensions can gel, as indicated by a wide linear viscoelastic region in dynamic rheological tests. The gelation of coated silicon nitride at pH 3 offers the potential for net-shape forming. Their study establishes a water-based green body consolidation and forming technique of silicon nitride without polymeric additives or organic solvents.
MDR1 (ABCB1) G1199A (Ser400Asn) polymorphism alters transepithelial permeability and sensitivity to anticancer agents

Purpose P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by MDR1 (or ABCB1), is important in anticancer drug delivery and resistance. We evaluated alterations in P-gp-mediated transport of anticancer agents due to the MDR1 G1199A polymorphism.
Micromagnetic transverse correlation length in thin film magnetic recording media, medium noise, and tracking

Abstract We compare the cross correlation coefficient of signal and noise voltages read on magnetic thin film rigid disks by a magnetic recording head at accurately controlled different lateral positions, and deduce from the results a transverse correlation length λ which is a measure of the characteristic lateral dimension of the magnetic microfeatures of the medium. By analyzing correlation data from uniformly magnetized media and from media with saturated and unsaturated written transitions we can determine λ as a function of the medium's state of magnetization. Values of λ inferred from our measurements on typical media are less than 0.5μm, ranging down to several hundred angstroms in some instances. We have applied the short correlation length as the basis for detecting and controlling lateral head displacements.
Process improvement of applying 193-nm lithography to 90-nm logic implant layer

Controlling critical dimension (CD) uniformity and overlay accuracy are crucial to achieving quality lithography. The continuous reduction in minimum feature and unit cell sizes on semiconductor wafers has posed significant strain to lithography engineers. According to the 2001 ITRS roadmap, the half pitch of DRAM will be 100 nm and the overlay requirement will be 35 nm for the Poly layer in 2003. Up to date, the 193 nm lithography is mainly applied to those critical layers, such as Poly, Contact, Metal and Via in chip process flow. For the non-criticals, such as well and source-drain implant layers, we still use 248 nm or even 365 nm lithography. Such a situation poses potential challenges when we try to improve the overlay accuracy demanded by area reduction on unit cells since a mix-and-match between 193 nm and 248 nm has to be carried out. In the 90 nm logic process, the overlay requirement of implant layer to critical layers are tightened to 60 nm, which has been close to the current limit of tool matching capability between 193 nm and 248 nm. Stimulated by such an issue we start to implement 193 nm lithography into implant layers. In this paper, a full lithographic process characterization for 90 nm logic implant layers using 193 nm lithography is reported. The photo resist swing cure was first generated to determine the resist thickness. A top antireflective coating (ARC) was also applied to reduce the photo resist swing effect. After the target thickness of photo resist is being defined, three different thickness of resist was coated including targeted, thinner and thicker than targeted. Resist coated wafers were through bombardment of implantation species, then were sent to SIMS analysis. Based on the SIMS results, the target thickness is verified to be safe for the high voltage implantation required by process flow. The DOF data were collected for six kinds of patterns. The proximity effect data of 193 nm is only half of that resulted in 248 nm lithography. So, the optical proximity correction (OPC) may not be needed if 193 nm lithography is used. Besides, the CD variation is also improved when compared to the 248 nm lithography, especially when resist patterns are printed on topographic wafers. As the chip continues its shrinkage, the 193 nm lithography will be a must for implant layers at some point.
Scaling of band-gap reduction in heavily nitrogen doped GaAs

The band-gap reduction caused by heavy impurity doping in a semiconductor can be written as $\ensuremath{\delta}{E}_{g}(x)\ensuremath{\propto}{x}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}},$ where x is the mole fraction of the impurities, and \ensuremath{\alpha} is the scaling exponent. It is well known that $\ensuremath{\alpha}=1/3$ for n- or p-type (i.e., charged) doping, where the isolated impurity center forms bound states. In contrast, the incorporation of isoelectronic impurities into a semiconductor commonly results in alloy formation. In this case, the impurities do not form any bound states (with small cluster sizes), and one finds that $\ensuremath{\alpha}=1.$ However, for the case of nitrogen doping in GaAs, although isolated nitrogen impurities do not form bound states, nitrogen impurity pairs do, and we find $\ensuremath{\alpha}=2/3.$ The scaling rule revealed here demonstrates that the dominant mechanism for the large band-gap reduction observed in ${\mathrm{GaAs}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{N}}_{x}$ is the formation of an impurity band associated with nitrogen pair bound states.
Oligomerization is required for p53 to be efficiently ubiquitinated by MDM2.

Wild-type p53 is degraded in part through the ubiquitin proteolysis pathway. Recent studies indicate that MDM2 can bind p53 and promote its rapid degradation although the molecular basis for this degradation has not been clarified. This report demonstrates that MDM2 can promote the ubiquitination of wild-type p53 and cancer-derived p53 mutants in transiently transfected cells. Deletion mutants that disrupted the oligomerization domain of p53 displayed low binding affinity for MDM2 and were poor substrates for ubiquitination. However, efficient MDM2 binding and ubiquitination were restored when an oligomerization-deficient p53 mutant was fused to the dimerization domain from another protein. These results indicate that oligomerization is required for p53 to efficiently bind and be ubiquitinated by MDM2. p53 ubiquitination was inhibited in cells exposed to UV radiation, and this inhibition coincided with a decrease in MDM2 protein levels and p53.MDM2 complex formation. In contrast, p53 dimerization was unaffected following UV treatment. These results suggest that UV radiation may stabilize p53 by blocking the ubiquitination and degradation of p53 mediated by MDM2.
The alien flora of Europe: a taxonomic and biogeographic review

. A geographic and taxonomic overview of the non-indigenous plant species of Europe, based on the ‘Flora Europaea’ is given. The flora of Europe includes 1568 species which have either expanded their ranges within Europe under human influence (naturalized European species) or are of non-European origin (exotic species). The latter group consists of 580 species (37%) which form a diverse group in terms of their taxonomic composition and geographic origin. The exotics are represented by 113 families, of which the Compositae, Rosaceae and Gramineae are most important. The ratio of species to families is low. Most exotic species in Europe originate from the Americas and Asia. Countries of southern Europe have a higher relative number of exotics in their non-native flora than northern ones. The species-range size distribution differs between naturalized European and exotic species; the latter are on average more widespread than the naturalized.
A performance study of the Loma Linda proton medical accelerator

More than three years have passed since Loma Linda treated the first cancer patient with the world's first proton accelerator dedicated to radiation therapy. Since that time, over 1000 patients have completed treatments and the facility currently treats more than 45 patients per day. With a typical intensity of 3 x 10(10) protons per pulse and 27 pulses per minute, dose rates of 90-100 cGy/min are easily achieved on a 20-cm diameter field. In most cases, patient treatment times are 2 min, much less than the patient alignment time required before each treatment. Nevertheless, there is considerable medical interest in increasing field sizes up to 40-cm diameter while keeping dose rates high and treatment times low. In this article, beam measurements relevant to intensity studies are presented and possible accelerator modifications for upgrades are proposed. It is shown that nearly all intensity losses can be ascribed to the large momentum spread of the injected beam and occur at or near the injection energy of 2 MeV. The agreement between calculations and measurements appears quite good. In addition, optimum beam characteristics for a new injector are discussed based upon the momentum acceptance and space charge limits of the Loma Linda synchrotron.
Enhanced survival of bone-marrow-derived pluripotent stem cells in an animal model of auditory neuropathy.

Objective: The loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) is one of the major causes of profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Stem cell replacement therapy, which is still in its infancy, has the potential to treat or cure those who suffer from an array of illnesses and degenerative neurologic disorders, including sensorineural deafness (SNHL). Little is known about the potentials of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their ability to take on properties of SGNs. The two main purposes of this study were to evaluate the survival of mouse MSCs transplanted into normal and ouabain-treated gerbil cochleae and to determine the migratory patterns of MSCs with two differing injection methods. Subjects: Thirty-two Mongolian gerbils, 3 to 4 months old, were used as recipients, and four 6-week-old TgN(ACTbEGFP) mice that ubiquitously express green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used as donors. Design: The animals were deafened by ouabain, which damaged SGNs while leaving hair cell systems intact. After 4 weeks of recovery, the animals received an intraperilymphatic transplantation of 1.0 × 106 GFP-positive undifferentiated MSCs via two different injection methods: scala tympani injection and modiolar injection. Seven days after the transplantation, the survival of MSCs was evaluated by microscopic examination of frozen sections cut through the cochleae of the recipient animals. The number of profiles was counted on the five most central modiolar sections. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine any significantdifferences among mean profile counts across the experimental conditions. Results: Our findings indicated that undifferentiated MSCs were able to survive in the modiolus both in the control and the ouabain-treated cochleae. The average number of profiles found in the modiolus was greater in the ouabain-treated cochleae than in the control cochleae. This difference was statistically significant (P < .01) as determined using a one-way ANOVA and an ad hoc Tukey-Kramer's test. With the scala tympani injection, there were no profiles found in the modiolus either in the control or ouabain-treated cochleae. This finding may indicate that donor MSCs need to be directly injected into the modiolus to replace injured SGNs. Finally, there was no evidence of hyperacute rejection in any of the gerbils despite the use of xenotransplantation. Conclusions: These findings may have important clinical implications as a means of delivering MSCs in the cochlea for stem-cell replacement therapy. Survival of transplanted MSCs into the modiolus of the cochlea may result in regeneration of damaged SGNs.
Flexible Yagi-Uda antenna for wearable electronic devices

Mechanical flexibility along with size, weight and cost are among the main challenges for future wearable electronic devices. In this paper, the effects of bending on a planar flexible Yagi-Uda antenna operating at WLAN (IEEE 802.11) 5.2 GHz are reported. The flat antenna achieves a relative bandwidth of 13% over which S11 is less than -10 dB, a realized gain of 8.1 dB, a front-to-back-ratio of 17 dB and a half-power beam width (HPBW) of 89°. The results showed that the antenna maintained the WLAN (5150-5350 MHz) matching bandwidth required under a wide range of bending angles ΨB.
Visualization of a high-speed, luminous plasma jet using a focusing schlieren technique

The near-field structure of a luminous, high-speed plasma jet was visualized using a stroboscopic focussing schlieren technique. The glow from the jet and the effects of convective currents in the enclosure are overcome by this method thus providing greater details of the near-exit region of the jet.
Actin in the inner ear: the remarkable structure of the stereocilium

The actin filament bundle in the stereocilium of the cochlear hair cell has liquid transverse order, but paracrystalline axial order. A single bonding rule, which determines how a cross bridging protein links neighbouring filaments, accounts for this unusual structure. Such liquid order is possible for bundles of other filamentous proteins.
Effect of pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage lung disease on posttransplantation outcomes

A subgroup of patients with end-stage lung disease develop secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH results in worse prognosis in these patients. However, it is unclear if this effect prevails in the immediate- and long-term outcomes of these patients after lung transplantation (LT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pretransplantation PH on immediate- or long-term posttransplantation outcomes. A retrospective chart review of post-LT patients at Henry Ford Hospital from January 1995 through January 2008 was done. Patients were grouped by presence or absence of PH and were compared using chi-square or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous variables. Kaplan-Meier estimation was used to evaluate primary and secondary outcomes. Among the patients included in the study, 25 had PH. This group consisted mostly of females (68%). There was no difference in the indication or type of LT in the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference in freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS; P = .42), time to onset of BOS (P = .82), grade of BOS (P = .21), or cummulative acute rejection (CAR) score (P = .66). There was no difference in overall mortality at 3 and 5 years (P = .57) or time to death (P = .25). Number of A1 rejection episodes was the only significant predictor for BOS (P = .001). In conclusion, PH due to end-stage lung disease does not have any effect on early or late posttransplantation outcomes. There is predisposition for females with end-stage lung disease to develop secondary PH more so than males. The number of A1 rejections increases the likelihood of development of BOS. A larger multicenter study is needed to confirm the results of this pilot study.
Principal congruences in de Morgan algebras

A congruence relation θ on an algebra L is principal if there exist a, b )∈ L such that θ is the smallest congruence relation for which ( a, b )∈θ. The property that, for every algebra in a variety, the intersection of two principal congruences is again a principal congruence is one that is known to be shared by many varieties (see, for example, K. A. Baker [ 1 ]). One such example is the variety of Boolean algebras. De Morgan algebras are a generalization of Boolean algebras and it is the intersection of principal congruences in the variety of de Morgan algebras that is to be considered in this note.
Crystallization kinetics of low-density polyethylene and polypropylene melt-blended with a low-Tg tin-based phosphate glass

The nonisothermal and isothermal crystallizations of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in phosphate glass (Pglass)–polymer hybrid blends were studied through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As the Pglass volume fraction was increased, the percentage crystallinity decreased. The half-time for crystallization decreased as the propagation rate constant rose, for both of the polymer matrices, with increasing Pglass concentrations. The Pglass was observed to be a nucleating agent for formation of two- or three-dimensional spherulites in the hybrids. Tensile modulus improved for both of the Pglass–polymer hybrids up to 40% Pglass, but the energy to break decreased. Tensile strength changed slightly with the addition of Pglass to the LDPE matrix, exhibiting a larger value than that of pure LDPE at 30%. The tensile strength decreased as more Pglass was added to the PP matrix. The observed differences between tensile properties of the Pglass–PP and Pglass–LDPE hybrids at identical Pglass volume concentration were found to be consistent with that of the crystallization behavior of the hybrids. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3445–3456, 2003
The lifetime of the 2,2-dimethylcyclopentane-1,3-diyl biradical by the cyclopropylcarbinyl radical clock method

Abstract The lifetime (τ) of the triplet 1-cyclopropylcyclopentane-1,3-diyl biradical (6) has been determined by the cyclopropylcarbinyl radical clock method to be 4–14 ns. This value is much longer than that of the norcyclopropyl analog 2 but is shorter than τ of the normethyl analog 5. These results support the existence of the gem-dimethyl effect but bring into question the previously reported very short τ of 2.
Global analysis of muon decay measurements

We have performed a global analysis of muon decay measurements to establish model-independent limits on the space-time structure of the muon decay matrix element. We find limits on the scalar, vector, and tensor coupling of right- and left-handed muons to right- and left-handed electrons. The limits on those terms that involve the decay of right-handed muons to left-handed electrons are more restrictive than in previous global analyses, while the limits on the other nonstandard model interactions are comparable. The value of the Michel parameter $\ensuremath{\eta}$ found in the global analysis is $\ensuremath{-}0.0036\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0069$, slightly more precise than the value found in a more restrictive analysis of a recent measurement. This has implications for the Fermi coupling constant ${G}_{F}$.
A framework for understanding distributed (deadlock detection) algorithms

Distributed algorithms tend to be difficult to understand and even more difficult to prove correct. Using distributed dead-lock detection as a running example this paper presents a framework for stating, understanding, and proving the correctness of distributed algorithms for decision problems. The framework consists of a series of complexity levels. To simplify the initial levels, we treat the data structure of the algorithm as a database, and use the database notions of views and transaction atomicity. For each complexity level, we state theorems that need to be proved for each algorithm. The framework is illustrated using several existing deadlock detection algorithms. Finally, it is shown that the framework suggests new algorithms using the best features of several existing algorithms.
Recent advances and new horizons in aerial payload delivery

This paper discusses a progress in improving a touchdown accuracy of an aerial payload delivery over the course of the last decade and overviews new applications brought by the smallest and most accurate systems. Specifically, the paper reviews the key features of a Blizzard aerial delivery system and introduces several research projects on delivery of small payload / sensors / ground robots and establishing short-range short-term mesh networks.
ADAM12 Transmembrane and Secreted Isoforms Promote Breast Tumor Growth A DISTINCT ROLE FOR ADAM12-S PROTEIN IN TUMOR METASTASIS

Increased levels of ADAM12 have been reported in a variety of human cancers. We have previously reported that urinary ADAM12 is predictive of disease status in breast cancer patients and that ADAM12 protein levels in urine increase with progression of disease. On the basis of these findings, the goal of this study was to elucidate the contribution of ADAM12 in breast tumor growth and progression. Overexpression of both the ADAM12-L (transmembrane) and ADAM12-S (secreted) isoforms in human breast tumor cells resulted in a significantly higher rate of tumor take and increased tumor size. Cells expressing the enzymatically inactive form of the secreted isoform, ADAM12-S, had tumor take rates and tumor volumes similar to those of wild-type cells, suggesting that the tumor-promoting activity of ADAM12-S was a function of its proteolytic activity. Of the two isoforms, only the secreted isoform, ADAM12-S, enhanced the ability of tumor cells to migrate and invade in vitro and resulted in a higher incidence of local and distant metastasis in vivo. This stimulatory effect of ADAM12-S on migration and invasion was dependent on its catalytic activity. Expression of both ADAM12 isoforms was found to be significantly elevated in human malignant breast tissue. Taken together, our results suggest that ADAM12 overexpression results in increased tumor take, tumor size, and metastasis in vivo. These findings suggest that ADAM12 may represent a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.
Monthly Variations in Solid Generation

The monthly quantities of residential, commercial, industrial and other wastes generated between 1985-1989 in Brown County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. are analysed. For each month and each waste type, the quantity of waste generated is compared with the monthly average and the difference is computed as a percentage. The means and standard deviations of these percentage differences are computed for each month using the five values computed for each of the five years. The generation patterns for residential, commercial, construction and demolition wastes, and discarded tires show lower than average generation in winter months and higher than average in summer months, with the residential and commercial components being the most predictable. Ash has the opposite pattern with the most produced in winter months. General industrial wastes are produced at an almost constant rate throughout the year, typically varying by less than 10% from the monthly average. Sludge appears to be the least predictable component of the wa...
The Electrocardiogram after Mastectomy

The electrocardiograms before and after operation have been compared in 20 patients undergoing left mastectomy and in 19 patients undergoing right mastectomy. There are highly significant increases in the amplitude of the QRS complexes recorded over the precordium after left mastectomy, except in lead V6. There are highly significant increases in the amplitude of the QRS complexes of leads V3R and V1 after both left and right mastectomy. These data are not completely explained by a diminution of distance between the recording electrode and the myocardium or of electrical resistance following the excision of soft tissue. The possible relationship is suggested between the precordial voltage changes and the altered thoracic volume conductor.
Abstract P5-17-03: A new strategy for testing therapies to be effective against seemingly untreatable cancers

Background: Despite a tremendous progress in understanding the genome and biology of cancer, there has been only a slow and limited progress in treating advanced disease and metastases. One main reason for this lack of progress is that preclinical testing is performed with little attention to the true nature of the disease. Most therapy-resistant cancers are highly heterogeneous and they constantly evolve. Methods: Here we describe a strategy for getting to the roots of an aggressive cancer and then evaluating therapies (single agent and combination therapies) for their ability to eradicate such roots. To model the roots of often untreatable disease, i.e., triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer, we started with a well-characterized SUM149 cell line (harbors BRCA1 mutation, oncogenic p53 mutation, has defective RB pathway due to p16 deletion, and lacks of PTEN protein expression). The roots can be selected by applying metabolic challenges (e.g., lack of glucose or glutamine in culture medium). The cell-based model based on most adaptable subpopulation of cancer cells is ideally suited for evaluating combination therapies that are required for combating a heterogeneous and evolving disease. Results: The rare metabolically adaptable (MA) variants (0.01% cells in SUM149 cell line), which can survive and grow without glutamine indefinitely, are structurally adaptable as well (highly enriched in mesenchymal phenotype), resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, and highly metastatic to multiple organs- lungs, liver, brain, and skin from fat pad xenografts in nude mice (Singh et al., PLoS ONE, 2012). Our function-based selection is more powerful than the biomarker-based selections for isolating the type of rare cells that drive the disease. Our recent CGH array and gene expression microarray data provided evidence of widespread chromosomal imbalances associated with the selection and evolution of MA variants. Interestingly, these analyses revealed that the molecular networks that drive obesity (thus important in cancer) are also important in the survival of MA variants. We are now investigating a variety of experimental therapies (safe sensitizers, inhibitors of drivers, and chemotherapies) to identify those which may eradicate most adaptable breast cancer cells in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. It is noteworthy that our assessment of response versus resistance to therapies is based on long-term assays (1-2 months). Short-term assays, which are often used to assess proliferation and apoptosis, are not good at predicting response in the clinic. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that the MA cells are resistant to most drugs tested thus far as single agent, supporting the validity of our cell-based model. The strategy described here to realistically model therapy resistance and to overcome it has a potential of big clinical impact if it can be aligned with clinical trials. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P5-17-03.
The stress response systems: Universality and adaptive individual differences

Abstract Biological reactivity to psychological stressors comprises a complex, integrated system of central neural and peripheral neuroendocrine responses designed to prepare the organism for challenge or threat. Developmental experience plays a role, along with heritable variation, in calibrating the response dynamics of this system. This calibration occurs through setting of response thresholds in the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the expression and use of trait-specific gene products and environmental elements that build alternative phenotypes. Whereas natural selection tends to favor developmental plasticity when the fitness of alternative phenotypes can be predicted from observable cues, genetic polymorphisms are most likely to be maintained when the advantages of niche specialization are high and organisms can evaluate and select their niches. Well-developed theories of both adaptive phenotypic plasticity and adaptive genetic variation in the stress-response systems have been advanced in the literature. Taken together, these theories strongly suggest that variation in stress-response phenotypes has been shaped by natural selection, is an adaptation to multiniche environments, and involves an integration of genetic influences and condition-sensitivity.
Brain 5-hydroxytryptamine correlates of behavior: Studies involving spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats

Brain area 5-hydroxytrhptamine (5-HT) turnover and behavioral correlates were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats. SHR appeared to have hyperfunctional 5-HT systems as evidenced by the finding that brain area 5-HT turnover times were 53% lower in SHR, with significant changes seen in the limbic forebrain. SHR, while less active upon initial testing of spontaneous motor activity than Wistar rats, did not habituate as readily to the testing procedures as evidenced by higher activity than Wistar rats in repeated testing stiuations. In the light of other data indicating that 5-ht systems are predominantly inhibitory to ongoing behavior, these data suggest that habituation, as determined in this study, is an active process that is retarded in the SHR because of hyperfunctional 5-HT systems. Spontaneous activity of SHR was inhibited less than that of Wistar rats by a conditioned stimulus which is consistent with the observations of others that 5-HT systems tend to suppress responsiveness to external stimuli. While spontaneous activity data suggested that SHR were more emothinal than Wistar rats, the SHR also exhibited a higher avoidance rate in an unsignaled shuttle avoidance procedure which is usually indicative of a lower emotional state.
Construction and destruction of MHC class I in the peptide-loading complex.

Tapasin enhances the loading and editing of peptide 'cargo' onto major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, yet it cannot do so alone. Two new reports show that the oxidoreductase ERp57 assists tapasin in these activities.
Waiting to Be Asked: Gender, Power, and Relationship Progression Among Cohabiting Couples

The majority of young married Americans lived with their spouses before the wedding, and many cohabited with partners they did not wed. Yet little is known about how cohabitating relationships progress or the role gender norms play in this process. This article explores how cohabiting partners negotiate relationship progression, focusing on several stages where couples enact gender. Data are from in-depth interviews with 30 working-class couples (n = 60). The women in this sample often challenged conventional gender norms by suggesting that couples move in together or raising the issue of marriage. Men played dominant roles in initiating whether couples became romantically involved and progressed to a more formal status. Although women and men contest how gender is performed, cohabiting men remain privileged in the arena of relationship progression. The findings suggest that adherence to conventional gender practices even among those residing in informal unions perpetuates women's secondary position in intimate relationships.
Design issues of a strongly distributed object based system

Cell, a model for strongly distributed object based systems is discussed. Its components, the nucleus and the membrane, are presented and their characteristics are described. The notions of trading and type transparency in the context of the Cell model are described and issues related to their design and implementation are presented. >
Cellular and Functional Imaging of Cardiac Transplant Rejection

Heart transplantation is now an established treatment for patients suffering from end-stage heart diseases. With the advances in immunosuppressive treatment, the survival rate for transplant patients has improved greatly. However, allograft rejection, both acute and chronic, after heart transplantation is still a limitation leading to morbidity and mortality. The current clinical gold standard for screening rejection is endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), which is not only invasive, but also error-prone, due to the limited sample size and the site location of sampling. It would be highly desirable to have reliable and noninvasive alternatives for EMB in monitoring cardiac allograft rejection. The objective of this review is to highlight how cardiovascular imaging can contribute to noninvasively detecting and to evaluating both acute and chronic allograft rejection after heart transplantation, in particular, cardiovascular MRI (CMRI); and how CMRI can assess both immune cell infiltration at the rejecting organ, and the cardiac dysfunctions resulting from allograft rejection.
MARIACHI: A multidisciplinary effort to bring science and engineering to the classroom

MARIACHI is a unique endeavor that integrates research at the frontier of our knowledge of the universe, with a broad program of training, education, advancement, and mentoring. Its scientific goal is to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays whose origin may provide insight into the evolution of the universe. The detection technique is novel and is based on radar-like technology (where signal processing plays a crucial role) and traditional scintillator ground detectors. The wide educational program flows from the research concept and involves students at all levels (high-school, undergraduate and graduate) working with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and educators.