cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arterially Delivered Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent Obstruction-Induced Renal Fibrosis

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold promise for the treatment of renal disease. While MSCs have been shown to accelerate recovery and prevent acute renal failure in multiple disease models, the effect of MSC therapy on chronic obstruction-induced renal fibrosis has not previously been evaluated. Materials and Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent renal artery injection of vehicle or fluorescent-labeled human bone marrow-derived MSCs immediately prior to sham operation or induction of left ureteral obstruction (UUO). One or 4 wk later, the kidneys were harvested and the renal cortex analyzed for evidence of stem cell infiltration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as evidenced by E-cadherin/α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and fibroblast specific protein (FSP+) staining, renal fibrosis (collagen content, Masson's trichrome staining), and cytokine and growth factor activity (ELISA and real time RT-PCR). Results Fluorescent-labeled MSCs were detected in the interstitium of the kidney up to 4 wk post-obstruction. Arterially delivered MSCs significantly reduced obstruction-induced α-SMA expression, FSP+ cell accumulation, total collagen content, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, while simultaneously preserving E-cadherin expression, suggesting that MSCs prevent obstruction-induced EMT and renal fibrosis. Exogenous MSCs reduced obstruction-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, but did not alter transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-10 (IL-10), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression. Conclusions Human bone marrow-derived MSCs remain viable several weeks after delivery into the kidney and provide protection against obstruction-induced EMT and chronic renal fibrosis. While the mechanism of MSCs-induced renal protection during obstruction remains unclear, our results demonstrate that alterations in TNF-α production may be involved.
Molecular cloning and comparative sequence analyses of bluetongue virus S1 segments by selective synthesis of specific full-length DNA copies of dsRNA genes.

Abstract Using primers complementary to the conserved sequences of the 3′ ends of bluetongue virus genomic dsRNA segments, full-length DNA clones of all 10 dsRNA genes from the five U.S. BTV serotypes were synthesized and amplified by a novel method (CIampR). This amounts to nearly 100,000 base pairs of dsRNA cloned as unique full-length DNA copies. This continuous one-tube procedure combined cloning of the denatured dsRNA with reverse transcriptase and the selective amplification of full-length DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. CIampR-derived clones of the genomic segment S1 of BTV-11 encoding the serogroup antigen, VP7, were sequenced and shown to be complete copy, containing a total of 1156 by and a long open reading frame of 349 amino acids. Comparative sequence analyses of BTV-11 S1 with those of the other U.S. serotypes show that 95.2% of the nucleotides are conserved between BTV-11 and -10, while only 79.0% of the bases are identical between BTV-11 and -13. Comparison of the VP7 proteins demonstrates that 100% of the amino acids are conserved between BTV-11 and -10 and 93.7% of these residues are identical between VP7 of BTV-11 and -13. The adaptation of the polymerase chain reaction to the full-length cloning and amplification of dsRNA (CIampR) should greatly facilitate molecular studies within the Reoviridae family.
Use of Kirkpatrick-Baez multilayer optics for x-ray fluorescence imaging

We discuss the possibilities for using Kirkpatrick-Baez (K-B) multilayer elements to directly image the fluorescence distribution from a specimen under x-ray illumination. X-ray fluorescence would be collected by K-B elements close to the specimen, with a magnified image formed at an area detector about 0.5 m away from the source. This is in contrast to the use of K-B optics to form a microprobe beam that is rastered across a surface while the x-ray fluorescence is recorded to form a fluorescent image. Tungsten-carbon multilayers on curved substrates have been fabricated at the Advanced Photon Source, and their focusing properties have been characterized by a laboratory x-ray source. Synchrotron applications would illuminate specimens with lithographic patterns, for example, with the image being formed at an x-ray CCD camera. The ability to form an x-ray fluorescent image, and therefore a map of the specimen's elemental distribution near the surface, could provide a useful analytical tool without the usual need for a microfocusing beam. Furthermore, there are interesting possibilities offered by combining fluorescence imaging with x-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES), extended x- ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS), and x-ray standing waves.
NMR relaxation in tissues with weak magnetic inhomogeneities

A theory is presented for describing the effect on the transverse NMR relaxation rate of microscopic spatial inhomogeneities in the static magnetic field. The theory applies when the inhomogeneities are weak in magnitude and the nuclear spins diffuse a significant distance in comparison with a length scale characterizing the inhomogeneities. It is shown that the relaxation rate is determined by a temporal correlation function and depends quadratically on the magnitude of the inhomogeneities. For the case of unrestricted diffusion, a simple algebraic approximation for the temporal correlation function is derived. The theory is illustrated by applying it to a model of randomly distributed magnetized spheres. The theory is also used to fit experimental data for the dependence of the relaxation rate on the interecho time for a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence. The experimental systems considered are in vitro red blood cell suspensions and samples of human gray matter and rat liver. Magn Reson Med 44:144-156, 2000.
Experientializing home appliances to empower the aging population for autonomous living

Designing for an aging population challenges many conventional notions of traditional product design and requires a more detailed description of the attributes that define the breadth of "product" manifestations. By their very nature, products and systems designed for the aging population must better connect their functionality with the user's abilities, environment, and living practices. This approach requires interdisciplinary methods aimed at designing for user experience, focusing on interaction rather than packing each appliance with features and gadgets. Through the careful scripting of product interactions supported by visual form language, meaningful experiences can be generated to improve user confidence and efficiency which ultimately yield empowerment. This Design Research Study uses a collaborative project between Carnegie Mellon School of Design and GE Appliances to introduce some emerging themes and approaches in universal design to empower the aging population in support of autonomous living.
Learning From Fiction: Applications in Emerging Technologies

Understanding the development of public opinion about emerging technologies, when the scope of that emergence is still speculative, poses particular challenges. Opinions and beliefs may be drawn from conflicting experts in multiple fields, media portrayals with varying biases, and fictional narratives that portray diverse possible futures. This article draws on research in cognitive and social psychology to discuss how fiction in particular may influence beliefs about emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and biotechnology. Fiction can affect beliefs about the developments that are most likely, the relative weight of possible risks and benefits, and the desirability of potential technology-related outcomes. These beliefs, in turn, influence public support of regulation and funding, sometimes in ways that have little to do with the actual issues immediately at hand.
Spectroscopic Studies Of Chemical Reactions At High Static Pressures

Unsaturated carbon compounds are unstable at high pressures with respect to denser aggregates. The aggregation reactions can be accelerated by pressure, temperature, photons, and shockwaves. For most compounds, very few details are known about the products, kinetics, and mechanisms of these reactions. We have used several types of absorption, emission and light-scattering spectroscopy to study thermal or photo reactions of cyanogen and naphthalene on the microgram scale in diamond-anvil cells at static pressures to more than 10 gigapascals (GPa). In some cases, products have been recovered for identification by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.
Arginine vasopressin and arginine vasotocin inhibit ovine fetal/maternal water transfer.

Summary: After the infusion of 500 ml 20% mannitol to 12 pregnant ewes, we studied maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and maternal hematocrit responses and monitored blood pressure, heart rate, blood gas, and pH in chronically catheterized fetal lambs at 129–140 days gestation. To examine the effect of arginine vasotocin (AVT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) on fetal/maternal water transfer, the mannitol infusion was repeated 1 day before or after the baseline mannitol study during a 2-h fetal infusion of AVT (7 μU · kg−1 · min−1) or AVP (20–400 μU · kg−1 · min−1) in eight and five animals, respectively. Mannitol was administered to the ewe after 1 h of the 2-h AVT or AVP infusion. The fetal and maternal osmolality and hematocrit responses were compared to the baseline mannitol responses in the same sheep. Maternal and fetal blood gases and pH were measured throughout the study periods during the AVT studies. In four of the ewes, an identical (sham) study was performed substituting 500 ml normal saline for the mannitol infusion to the ewe. Fetal AVP infusion alone produced a significant decrease in fetal plasma osmolality (P < 0.001; two-way analysis of variance) and a slight increase in maternal osmolality (P < 0.05). Fetal AVP or AVT infusion significantly obtunded the fetal osmolality increment induced by maternal mannitol (each P < 0.001); moreover, there was a greater decrease in maternal hematocrit after mannitol alone than after mannitol with AVT (P < 0.05). Fetal hematocrit was maintained unchanged by transfusion with heparinized maternal blood. Maternal and fetal heart rates and maternal blood pressure remained unchanged during the studies. But during the fetal AVT infusion, fetal blood pressure increased from 64 ± 3 to 75 ± 2 mniHg (P < 0.01); fetal and maternal Po2 and pH remain unchanged; and fetal Pco2 increased from 30 ± 2 to 37 ± 4 (P < 0.05). Normal saline (sham protocol) produced no change in any parameter. The data indicate that fetal blood levels of AVP and AVT can influence transplacental water flow. Fetal AVP infusion produces a net gain in fetal water by inhibiting baseline fetal to maternal water flow. Both AVP and AVT infusion inhibit fetal to maternal water transfer after an osmotic stimulus to the ewe.
Experiences of automatic contingency selection algorithms on the NGC system

An essential aspect of modern power system security assessment is the consideration of any contingencies which may arise due, for example, to planned or unplanned outages of lines, and which may cause system overloads or abnormal system voltages. Several methods have been developed during the last few years to address this problem and within the National Grid Company, the /spl Delta/P/sup 2/X outage ranking process has been used in the past. However, this /spl Delta/P/sup 2/X outage ranking method may not identify those critical outages associated with relatively low /spl Delta/P/sup 2/X changes. The paper reports on investigations carried out to determine which simplified methods would ensure that all voltage-based severe outages were identified.
Gender differences in circumstances surrounding first injection experience of rural injection drug users in the United States

Background Research has demonstrated that there can be substantial gender differences in circumstances surrounding initiation of injection drug use; however, little is known about the gendered dynamics of first injection in rural areas where syringe exchange is inaccessible or among those who predominantly inject prescription medications. The present study examines gender differences in first injection experience among rural residents who predominantly inject prescription opioids.
Effects of Varying Dietary Protein Levels and Feeding Frequencies on Condition and Reproductive Performance of Channel Catfish to Produce Hybrid Catfish

The interspecific hybridization of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, females with blue catfish, I. furcatus, males has been identified as a method to further improve production; however, lack of spawning success has affected its commercial application. To facilitate our understanding of the interaction of brood stock nutrition and reproductive performance, we evaluated the interaction of feed quality and feeding frequency. Channel catfish females were classified into two genetic groups, namely, high and low spawning. The treatments were offered during the spring season 70–90 d prior to the start of the spawning season. Induced reproduction was performed using luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analog. Condition of the fish as well as reproductive performance using spawning success, egg production, egg size, and fertilization at 48 h were determined. Changing protein level of the diet from 32 to 42% did not influence spawning, fecundity, or fertilization, but affected egg size and biochemical composition of the eggs. Increasing the feeding frequency from three to six times per week negatively affected spawning in one of the two genetics groups, did not affect egg production and egg fertilization, but had a significant effect on egg size. Older fish performed better than younger fish in terms of spawning success and egg production.
A comparison of serum and testicular hyaluronidase.

Abstract The enzyme in human serum which degrades hyaluronic acid at pH 3–4.9 has been compared with bovine testicular hyaluronidase at similar activity levels under identical reaction conditions. Serum enzyme activity was maximum at pH 3.7, fell off precipitousty above pH 4.0, and could not be detected above pH 4.9. Testicular enzyme showed an initial optimum for short incubation periods at pH 3.5, but this optimum shifted with longer time of incubation to a broad plateau between pH 4.5 and 6.0. Testicular enzyme activity could be detected up to pH 7.6. At pH values lower than 4.5, testicular enzyme activity fell off much more rapidly from the initial rate than serum enzyme activity. The pH activity data for human testicular hyaluronidase paralleled those for bovine testicular enzyme. No evidence was found that these differences between serum and testicular enzyme with respect to the effects of pH could have arisen from inhibitors or activators in the natural systems. It therefore seem likely that these differences reflect truly intrinsic differences between the two enzymes.
Phase transition in anyon superconductivity at finite temperature

Abstract The magnetic response of the charged anyon fluid at temperatures higher than the fermion energy gap ( T ⪢ ω c ) is investigated in the self-consistent field approximation. In this temperature region a new phase, characterized by an inhomogeneous magnetic penetration, is found. The inhomogeneity is linked to the existence of an imaginary magnetic mass which increases with the temperature. It is explicitly proved that the electromagnetic field magnetic masses and rest-energies are different in the ( T ⪢ ω c )-phase.
Generation of locked-on flow tones: Effect of damping

Abstract The overall objective of this investigation is to determine the effect of variable damping on the pressure response of a deep cavity. The pressure fluctuations arise from coupling between the unsteady shear layer along the cavity opening and a resonant mode of the cavity. The damping of the cavity is tuned to desired values without changes of geometry or other parameters. The amplitude of the cavity pressure fluctuation as a function of flow velocity is characterized for the first, second and third acoustic modes of the cavity. For each mode, variation of the value of damping over a relatively wide range yields corresponding attenuation of the pressure amplitude. For higher acoustic modes and sufficiently large damping, abrupt decreases of the pressure amplitude occur at threshold values of flow velocity. The variable damping of the deep cavity does not significantly alter the eigenfrequencies of the system. The peak response amplitude of the pressure fluctuation, however, occurs at a value of Strouhal number that increases with increasing values of damping. Moreover, this peak response amplitude, when normalized by the free stream dynamic head, generally shows a linear variation with the value of damping, for three acoustic modes of the cavity. The strength of lock-on of the pressure oscillation, as a function of the degree of damping, is evaluated in terms of the coherent and broadband pressure amplitudes. Both amplitudes are attenuated for increased damping; the difference between them, however, remains relatively large (40 dB minimum), thereby indicating well-defined lock-on, even when the amplitude of the spectral peak of the coherent component is substantially attenuated.
Spherical prediction-variance properties of central composite and Box-Behnken designs

For quadratic regression on the hypercube, a single-number criterion, such as a G efficiency that is based on the prediction variance, is often included as one of the criteria when selecting a response surface design, As an alternative to the single-number-criterion approach, the variance dispersion graph, presented by Giovannitti-Jensen and Myers, is a graphical technique for evaluating prediction-variance properties throughout the experimental region. Three properties of interest are the maximum, minimum, and average spherical prediction variances, given the spherical radius. As an alternative to the computer-based approach requiring an optimization algorithm to evaluate these properties, the maximum, minimum, and spherical prediction variances for central composite and Box–Behnken designs can be determined analytically and are functions only of the radius and the design parameters. These functions yield the exact values of the spherical prediction-variance properties of central composite and Box–Behnke...
Thermoelastic Stress Analysis: An NDE Tool for Residual Stress Assessment of Metallic Alloys

The primary objective of this report involves studying and developing various experimental techniques for accurate measurement of the mean stress effect in thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA, also recognized as SPATE: stress pattern analysis by thermal emission). The analysis of cyclic mean stresses at the coupon level directly relates to the measurement of residual stresses in structures. In a previous study by the authors, it was shown that cyclic mean stresses significantly influenced the TSA results for titanium and nickel-based alloys, although, difficulties were encountered concerning the quantification of the mean stress effect because of large test-to-test variations. This study continues the effort of accurate direct measurements of the mean stress effect by implementing various experimental modifications. In addition, a more in-depth analysis is included which involves analyzing the second harmonic of the temperature response. By obtaining the amplitudes of the first and second harmonics, the stress amplitude and the mean stress at a given point on a structure subjected to a cyclic load can be simultaneously obtained. The rather complex analysis of the temperature response involves obtaining the first and second harmonic amplitudes for 16384 infrared detectors (128X128 focal plane array). Upon establishing a protocol for mean stress measurements in the laboratory using the TSA technique, the next step is to utilize the method to assess residual stress states in complex structures during manufacturing and life.
Equine Interferon: Characterization of a Viral Inhibitor Induced in Equine Kidney Cell Cultures with Statolon

Although the antiviral effect of interferon has been shown in a number of animal species, there are no unequivocal demonstrations of production of interferon by equine cells. We now report the production of interferon in equine kidney cell cultures after stimulation with statolon. Crude or partially purified equine interferon crossed the species barrier and exerted its antiviral action in a bovine
Lattice Bending in Poly(Diacetylene) Droplets Near Surfaces

Droplets of l, 6-di(N-carbazolyl)-2, 4 hexadiyne (DCHD) diacetylene were prepared by room temperature evaporation of dilute (0.01 wt %) solution of the monomer in chloroform on amorphous carbon-coated mica substrates. HREM and SAED examination revealed small crystallographically textured droplets (:_1 fum diameter) with cracks parallel to the [001] chain direction. The droplet geometry allowed us to investigate the structure of the polymer near edges both parallel and perpendicular to the chain axis. It was found that the curvature of the droplet edge caused a local bending of the polymer crystal lattice. The direct imaging of the molecular organization near the droplet surface allowed an investigation of the mechanisms of lattice bending via the formation of edge dislocations. An understanding of these defects is important in determining how they relate to the optical properties of poly(diacetylenes).
General inequalities, consequences and applications

We present a variety of sharp inequalities of integral, polynomial, coefficient, binomial, exponential, and other types. In particular, we prove inequalities for convolutions with weights generated by the gamma and beta functions. Applications include hypergeometric series, fractional integrals, bi-hermitian forms, and univalent functions. A family of positive definite kernels and related transformations naturally arise in the study. The formulation in terms of positive definite matrices is discussed as well. The research is associated with author's recent result on general inequalities with binomial weights.
Exploring the Ground and Excited State Potential Energy Landscapes of the Mixed-Valence Biferrocenium Complex

Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) have been used to explore the potential energy landscapes in the class II (in Robin and Day classification) mixed-valence biferroceniu...
Managing private forestlands along the public–private interface of Southern Illinois: Landowner forestry decisions in a multi-jurisdictional landscape

Private forest landowners in the southernmost region of Illinois operate within a multijurisdictional, intermixed public–private landscape. As such, they operate within the context of traditionally studied drivers of forest management on private lands, but also manage their lands within the context of the contentious debate about how the Shawnee National Forest is managed. We posited that this debate about the management of public land could affect forest management actions on private parcels. We also studied the effects of traditional drivers in private forest landowner research: land characteristics, demographics, and landowner objectives. Mail survey results for private forest landowners in the southernmost 11 counties of Illinois were used to examine the factors influencing the adoption of four actions: seeking advice from a forester, obtaining a written forest management plan, doing a commercial timber harvest, and implementing timber stand improvement. Results highlighted that traditional personal factors—financial objectives and parcel size—were strongly related to forest landowner management action adoption. Landowners' actions were largely independent of proximity to the Shawnee National Forest and largely independent of overall satisfaction with Shawnee National Forest management. In the context of decreasing parcel size and generally low financial objectives for private forestland parcels, we emphasize the need for policy and practice to better adapt to address these trends in order to maintain sustainable forest management across the landscape.
The role of microtubules and microfilaments in the micronucleus ofParamecium bursaria during mitosis

A unique spindle apparatus develops during mitosis in the micronucleus ofParamecium bursaria. During interphase the micronucleus contains short microtubule profiles and clumps of condensed chromatin. Throughout mitosis the nuclear envelope remains intact. During prophase, cup-shaped structures termed microlamellae develop in close association with regions of condensed chromatin. Each micromella consists of an outer sublamella, an inner sublamellae, and ring-shaped structures termed microsepta that join the two sublamellae. Microtubules elongate parallel to the division axis. During metaphase, the microlamellae appear to act as kinetochorelike structures that aid in the alignment of the chromosomes. The microlamellae appear conical and join to a meshwork of microfilaments at their apices. Further toward the polar regions the microfilaments join with microtubules that converge and terminate near the nuclear envelope. During metaphase-anaphase and anaphase the chromosomes are apparently moved by the microfilaments pulling on the kinetochorelike microlamellae. Also during metaphase-anaphase, extranuclear microtubules join the nuclear envelope of the micronucleus to microtubule elements of the cell cortex. By anaphasetelophase, microlamellae and the microfilament meshwork degenerate and microtubules represent the only spindle elements. The evidence of this report supports the hypothesis that microfilaments can participate with microtubules in the movement of chromosomes.
“A Gangster and a Gentleman” How Street Life–Oriented, U.S.-Born African Men Negotiate Issues of Survival in Relation to Their Masculinity

This article presents a content analysis of two group interviews with street life–oriented, U.S.-born African men that addresses issues of masculinity. The two group interviews are drawn from a more extensive dissertation data set that includes 371 surveys, 22 individual interviews, and 2 group interviews. The men specifically in the group interviews were asked to listen to and remark on a popular street life–oriented hip-hop song titled “A Gangster and a Gentleman” by Styles P. Findings indicate that for many of these men, masculinities are crafted in the face of inhumane socioeconomic conditions. In fact, findings reveal that their masculinity plays a vital role within their street-life orientation, thus serving a profoundly critical function in the development of street life as a “site of resiliency.”
Dodging the glass ceiling? Networks and the new wave of women entrepreneurs

Openings of women-owned businesses have radically accelerated recently. This paper explores the causes and results of this phenomenon. Noting the predictive weaknesses of the canonical neoclassical...
Correlation Between Surface Gulf Stream and Bottom Flow New 5000 Meters Depth

Abstract Spectral analyses of three long-term (8 months), deep (∼5 km), current-meter records located on the Scotian Rise (∼40°N, 62°W) and a time series of the average northerly position of the surface Gulf Stream System obtained from analyses of satellite data give evidence, at a period of about 2 weeks, that the Gulf Stream System is influencing the ocean in this region from the surface to the bottom.
Philosophical Underpinnings of Student Affairs Work on Difference.

Kathleen Manning identifies seven philosophical positions in relation to the broad issue of difference. Recognizing and understanding where they stand in this matrix allows educators to work more effectively with students, faculty, and staff about the complex and sometimes contested issue of difference.
The Human Platelet Dense Granule: Serotonin Uptake, Tetrabenazine Binding, Phospholipid and Ganglioside Profiles

The functioning and composition of human platelet dense granules were studied using granules purified by Percoll fractionation. Reserpine-blockable serotonin (5-HT) uptake by the dense granule fraction was characterized and also demonstrated in the crude membrane fraction. Tetrabenazine (TBZ)-displaceable [3H]ketanserin binding was used to label the granular 5-HT transporter. Scatchard analyses, Hill plots, displacement curves, and binding kinetics indicated that TBZ-displaceable [3H]ketanserin binding labeled a site similar to that previously reported for chromaffin granules and synaptic vesicles. Analysis of phospholipid profiles in platelet fractions revealed that most platelet lysolecithin was associated with the dense granule fraction. Ganglioside analysis indicated that the predominant platelet ganglioside, GM3, was highly enriched in the dense granule fraction. The data lend further support to the idea that the 5-HT transporter complex is similar in platelet dense granules, chromaffin granules, and synaptic vesicles. However, the ganglioside and phospholipid findings clearly distinguish the types of storage sites and raise questions concerning the functional roles of dense granule GM3 and lysolecithin.
Scanning optical microscopy with an electrogenerated chemiluminescent light source at a nanometer tip.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence at electrodes with effective diameters down to 155 nm was used as a stable light source for near-field scanning optical microscopy imaging of an interdigitated ar...
Alternate mode dispatching: the impact of cost minimisation

When a shipper may use a variety of trucks to ship less-than-truckload shipments, shipping cost is the relevant criterion for evaluating alternate dispatches. This point is demonstrated by optimally solving 15 dispatching problems from industry in two ways, once minimising distance, and second time minimising costs, when a mixed private fleet and a common carrier are available. The distance minimising dispatches are, on the average, 35% more expensive than the corresponding cost minimising ones, but part of this difference stems from assumptions which are necessary to compare these two criteria.
430 IMMUNOLOGIC PROFILE OF GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENT PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER GROWTH HORMONE REPLACEMEN

430 IMMUNOLOGIC PROFILE OF GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENT PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER GROWTH HORMONE REPLACEMEN
Risk stratification for sudden death in patients with coronary artery disease

Approximately one-half of all deaths in patients with coronary artery disease occur suddenly and unexpectedly. The majority of these events appear to result from ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Although acute ischemia or infarction may precipitate such events, data suggest that a large proportion of these are not due to acute ischemic events. Rather, primary electrical phenomena that are a consequence of previous myocardial infarctions, such as intramyocardial reentry or other mechanisms, cause most of these events. These events usually occur without any apparent precipitating factor. While we have effective treatment for survivors of cardiac arrest, a minority of arrest victims survive the acute event. Thus, there is a need to identify patients at risk for these events before they occur, in order to institute prophylactic therapy.
Pectinatone, a new antibiotic from the mollusc siphonaria pectinata

Abstract A new polypropionate antibiotic with a γ-hydroxy-α-pyrone ring was isolated from the marine molluscs Siphonaria pectinata
Defense Reforms of Russian Defense Minister Anatolii Serdyukov

This article examines the sweeping military reforms of Russian Defense Minister Anatolii Serdyukov and the future outlook for the Russian Armed Forces. Anatolii Serdyukov has had a meteoric rise from obscurity. His background in business and career in the Federal Tax Service made his appointment as Defense Minister extremely unlikely and many commentators speculated that his tenure would be short. Serdyukov has been proving his detractors wrong and is rapidly transforming the Russian Armed Forces, by many accounts enacting the most radical reforms in 100 years.
The linear complementarity problem with a parametric input

Abstract The linear complementarity problem (LCP) and its importance is well known. Over the past decade, an increasing number of studies have focused on the theory of sensitivity analysis which discusses a local perturbation behavior of current solutions in response to small disturbances of data. There are two questions, however, that remain unclear: (i) What condition, if any, results in changes of nonzero variable sets? (ii) If a nonzero variable set stays the same for certain perturbations, can LCP solutions be expressed as a function of the current solution and perturbed parameters? In this paper, we examine the two issues for the LCP with a single parametric row and general random matrices. The outcome of this paper significantly improves the results obtained in previous research. In particular, we establish the conditions which ensure the convexity of basis set and uniqueness of solution basis in both situations.
Regional trends in the timing of Alleghanian remagnetization in the Appalachians

Pole positions related to remagnetized components isolated in Appalachian limestone and redbed rock units range over about 60 m.y. of the Permian-Carboniferous apparent polar wander path for North America. Apparent ages of remagnetization are older in the southern Appalachians and younger to the north. If the remagnetizations are associated with fluids expelled during the Alleghany orogeny, then the apparent remagnetization age trend could describe the timing of thrust-sheet emplacement.
The effect of maternal and cord-blood vitamin C, vitamin E and lipid peroxide levels on newborn birth weight

Background Newborn birth weight has been shown to significantly correlate with the blood levels of vitamin C. Objective This study was planned to answer the question of why vitamin C levels correlate with birth weight; does such correlation reflect a protective effect of vitamin C on fetal growth, by its antioxidant characteristics or does it correspond to the nutritional status of both the mother and the fetus. We examined the hypothesis that maternal blood levels of vitamin C, but not vitamin E influence newborn birth weight. We determined maternal and newborn blood levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, and lipid peroxides (an index of oxidative insult) and the birth weights of full-term newborns delivered at our hospital. Results Compared with maternal blood levels, newborns have higher levels of vitamin C and lipid peroxides, but lower levels of vitamin E. There was a significant correlation in levels between mothers and their newborns for blood levels of vitamin C (r = 0.82, P < 0.01) and vitamin E (r = 0.61, P < 0.02) but not for lipid peroxides (r = 0.001). This suggests that maternal vitamin C and vitamin E intake can influence fetal vitamin C and vitamin E levels. Linear regression analysis shows a significant positive relationship between newborn birth weight and maternal plasma vitamin C (r = 0.51, P < 0.02). Similarly, there was a modest but significant positive relationship between newborn birth weights and newborn vitamin C levels (r = 0.61, P < 0.05). However, there was no relationship between maternal or fetal vitamin E or lipid peroxides levels and the newborn birth weight. Conclusions This study with a small number of subjects suggests a significant association between newborn birth weight and maternal and newborn plasma vitamin C levels. Lack of relationship between birth weight and vitamin E and lipid peroxides suggest that antioxidant function of vitamin C does not appear to have a major role in the effect of vitamin C on birth weight.
Children in Research: Informed Consent and Critical Factors Affecting Mothers:

Thirty-three mothers whose ill children had been enrolled in clinical trials were interviewed about their experiences giving informed consent. The qualitative data from mothers of children with cancer and mothers of children with diabetes were compared and contrasted using narrative analysis techniques. Results suggest four critical factors that differentiated and defined their informed consent experiences: immediacy of the threat to the life of the child, trajectory of illness-related events, opportunities for autonomy, and expertise of mothers in managing their child’s illness and in negotiating the health care system. Implications for practice and research with families whose ill children are enrolled in clinical research are discussed.
Evaluation of Extended Interval Dosing Aminoglycosides in the Morbidly Obese Population

Aminoglycoside dosing has been studied in the obese population, typically recommending an adjusted weight utilizing a 40% dosing weight correction factor (IBW
Impact of shallow-living radiolarian flux variations on North Atlantic Cycladophora davisiana percentages

Abstract The cause of high Cycladophora davisiana percentages, a deep-living (maximum abundance > 200 m) radiolarian species, in high-latitude (> 45°) late Pleistocene deep-sea sediments has been much debated. In this paper we show that in four subpolar North Atlantic cores these late Pleistocene high percentages (> 20%) result more from a reduction of other radiolarian flux, predominantly shallow-living species ( C. davisiana flux relative to Holocene flux. These findings are similar to those reported from the North Pacific (Hays et al., 2013). In both oceans, the late Pleistocene to Holocene shallow-living species' flux increase is larger than the concomitant decrease of C. davisiana flux. Similarly, high C. davisiana percentages (> 20%) found today in Okhotsk Sea Holocene sediments (Kruglikova, 1975; Robertson, 1975; Morley and Hays, 1983) result from low radiolarian concentrations in the overlying dicothermal layer (20–150 m) where year round temperatures are near 0 °C. It is likely that the high C. davisiana percentages in North Atlantic late Pleistocene sediments were caused by a similar overlying stratification that had important biological consequences for radiolarians and other plankton. A more significant time transgressive increase in Shallow and Others radiolarian Assemblage flux occurs initially in the southernmost core in mid-Holocene, ultimately recorded at the northernmost site during the late Holocene. Here flux of the Deep Assemblage and C. davisiana also increases.
Turbulent flow in a pipe

The model used to describe turbulent flow is based on a non linear relation between the stress tensor and the rate-of-strain tensor. The turbulent velocity distribution for incompressible, one-dimensional flow is examined.
Fondaparinux (Arixtra(R)), a safe alternative for the treatment of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?

Fondaparinux, a pentasaccharide which selectively binds to antithrombin III, has negligible to no cross-reactivity with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies in in vitro studies. The la...
Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels I. Microscopic structure by freeze-etching and critical point drying techniques

Froeze-etching (FE) and critical point drying (CPD) techniques were employed to prepare samples for investigating surface and bulk structures of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels by scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogels were obtained by freezing homogeneous solutions containing PVA polymer in either water or an aqueous solution of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). An oriented porous structure was observed in the PVA hydrogel prepared without DMSO. The structure on the surface was found to be more porous than in the bulk for PVA hydrogels prepared from aqueous DMSO solutions. For given compositions of the hydrogels, samples prepared by FE technique showed a highly porous fibrillar structure on the surface, while those prepared by CPD technique showed a collapsed fibrillar structure with much less porosity. This marked difference indicates a collapse of the surface structure caused by the CPD technique. The CPD technique also led to significant reduction in porosity and loss of fibrillar structure in the bulk. Volume shrinkage of hydrogels caused by dehydration in ethanol may be responsible for the surface collapse as well as alteration of bulk structure. The FE technique reveals a more native structure of hydrogels than the commonly used CPD technique. However, it suffers from disadvantages such as charging and structural damage at high magnifications.
Anomalous temperature equilibria due to E × B drive and the nuclear dynamo

Abstract On reversal of the magnetic field of a mirror confined plasma (or minimum B mirror confined plasma) the electric fields will also reverse, forming a nuclear dynamo configuration, and lead to E × B drive of the nuclei to energies higher than those of the electrons. For small gyro-orbit radii, a, the E × B drift velocity is Vd = cE/B and the maximum drift energy is W = 1 2 M(2V d ) 2 = 2Mc 2 E 2 /B 2 . For nonsmall a, the drift velocity is more complicated and the maximum drift energy is reduced but still much larger than that of the electrons. Since this E × B heating occurs in about one-fourth of an ion cyclotron period it is much faster than ion-electron slowing down and the mean ion energy may be much higher than that of the electrons, leading to increased nuclear reaction rates and relatively reduced radiation loss rate. The nuclear dynamo, a reversed magnetic field plasma configuration with inwardly pointing electric fields, will have maximum ion collision velocity at or near the axis and minimum ion velocities nearer the periphery. This will ensure higher reaction rates near the axis and maximum loss rates of lower energy ions near the periphery where the mirror is open ended. This may permit some direct electrical conversion of charged particle power since electrons will preferably exist at smaller radii and positive ions at larger radii. A major technological problem associated with fuel feed to a reacting plasma, such as the tokamak, is resolved in the nuclear dynamo configuration since fuel ions will be accelerated by the negative potential to the core of the plasma where further ionization and scatter will lead to irreversible trapping of fuel nuclei.
Incorporating prior knowledge of urban scene spatial structure in aperture code designs for surveillance systems

Two major missions of Surveillance systems are imaging and ground moving target indication (GMTI). Recent advances in coded aperture electro optical systems have enabled persistent surveillance systems with extremely large fields of regard. The areas of interest for these surveillance systems are typically urban, with spatial topologies having a very definite structure. We incorporate aspects of a priori information on this structure in our aperture code designs to enable optimized dealiasing operations for undersampled focal plane arrays. Our framework enables us to design aperture codes to minimize mean square error for image reconstruction or to maximize signal to clutter ratio for GMTI detection. In this paper we present a technical overview of our code design methodology and show the results of our designed codes on simulated DIRSIG mega-scene data.
Livestock Manure Windrow Composting Runoff And Infiltration Characteristics from Laboratory Rainfall Simulations

Windrow-composted livestock manure has been shown to be less hazardous to the environment compared to manure directly applied to cropland and other agricultural areas. Although offsite contaminant losses through runoff and leaching can occur during the composting process, these losses are suspected to increase under different compost moisture conditions and as composted materials mature. This research quantified the effects of windrow-composted livestock manure and straw bedding components on runoff and infiltration characteristics from laboratory rainfall simulations. Compost samples collected on three dates at approximately the beginning (day 0), middle (day 30), and end (day 60) of a June-July 2004 field research windrow composting period were used for this rainfall simulation study. Replicated compost windrow-shaped cross-section samples were constructed in a specially-designed Plexiglas container apparatus for viewing and recording infiltrated leachate wetting front position boundary movement from si...
Coupled heat transfer and viscous flow, and magnetic effects in weld pool analysis

A finite element formulation and analysis is developed to study coupled heat transfer and viscous flow in a weld pool. The thermal effects generate not only buoyancy forces but also a variation in the surface tension which acts to drive the viscous flow in the molten weld pool. A moving phase boundary separates molten and solid material. Numerical experiments reveal the nature of the highly convective flow in the weld pool and the associated thermal profiles. The relative importance of buoyancy, surface tension, phase change, convection, etc. are examined. We also consider the sensitivity of the solution to the finite element mesh and related non-linear numerical instabilities. Of particular interest is the coupling of the thermal and viscous flow fields for the case when radial flow is inward or outward.
Activity of the Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-86 POU transcription factor modulates olfactory sensitivity

The activity of transcription factors modulates several neural pathways that mediate complex behaviors. We describe here the role of the POU transcription factor UNC-86 in the olfactory behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans. unc-86-null mutants are defective in response to odor attractants but avoid odor repellents normally. Continuous UNC-86 activity is necessary for maintenance of odortaxis behavior; hyperactivation of UNC-86 by fusion to a VP16 activation domain dramatically enhances sensitivity to odor attractants and promotes odor-attractant adaptation. UNC-86 is not expressed in olfactory sensory neurons but is expressed throughout the life of the animal in the AIZ interneurons of the odorsensory pathway. We suggest that UNC-86 transcriptional activity regulates the expression of genes that mediate synaptic properties of AIZ and that hyperactive UNC-86::VP16 may enhance the expression of synaptic components to affect the capacity to analyze and process sensory information.
The natural history of COPD: confirming and going beyond Fletcher and Peto

“The natural history of chronic airflow obstruction”, initially published in the BMJ in 1977 by Fletcher and Peto [1], and preceded by a fuller monograph [2], has long been a part of the landscape of pulmonary medicine. Their insights have helped form our collective thinking as we interpret pulmonary function in relation to ageing and lung disease. In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal ( ERJ ), Sanchez-Salcedo et al. [3] contribute to our knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical status and progression in a study of 103 younger and 463 older patients followed for ≥2 years. All patients attended specialised pulmonary clinics, had smoked for ≥20 pack-years and were (presumably) symptomatic from their physician-diagnosed COPD. The majority (59%) of the younger patients were “active smokers” compared with only 20% of the older group. The rapid decliners in this study may be considered similar to the susceptible smokers who demonstrated rapid decline in the study by Fletcher and Peto [1]. The Fletcher–Peto cohort was a random sample of 792 employed middle-aged Caucasian males who were followed for 8 years. Presciently, 37 years ago, this cohort demonstrated that not all smokers are susceptible to losing lung function and that in the susceptible smokers, continued smoking accelerates loss. As in the Fletcher–Peto cohort, which followed only males, and in the BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, exercise capacity) cohort study by Casanova et al. [4], in which 92% were male, the study by Sanchez-Salcedo et al. [3] is heavily weighted to males, with 85% of the younger and 92% of the older patients being male. Data on females were provided by the Framingham Offspring Cohort [5 …