cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The complications of cholelithiasis caused by state authorization delays

The impact of delay in elective cholecystectomy caused by preoperative state authorization requirements was retrospectively studied. The Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. From 10/92 to 5/94, 146 patients were evaluated in an outpatient surgery clinic and elective cholecystectomy was planned. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (101) patients waited for state authorization prior to cholecystectomy while group 2 (45) patients did not need state authorization. Group 1 patients waited an average of 112 days from the time of diagnosis to the time of surgery while group 2 patients waited an average of 21 days (P<0.001). Group 1 patients were more likely to develop acute complications of cholelithiasis and require admission and urgent cholecystectomy than group 2 patients (22% vs 11%, P<0.05). Group 1 patients requiring emergent treatment were found to have a longer hospital stay (P<0.001), longer operative time (P<0.05), and higher intraoperative blood loss (P<0.005) than group 1 elective cases. Elective cholecystectomy patients who require state authorization have to wait longer prior to cholecystectomy and frequently develop acute complications of cholelithiasis requiring hospital admission and nonelective surgery. This translates into increased patient morbidity and added cost. State authorization requirements act as a barrier to providing timely care, add to cost, and must be considered in the current deliberations on health care policy.
Risk prediction of complications of metabolic syndrome before and 6 years after gastric bypass.

Abstract Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery has been shown to have favorable effects on components of metabolic syndrome. However, the long-term effect of RYGB on predicted risk of end-organ complications is less clear. The objective of this study was to examine long-term changes in predicted risk of metabolic syndrome-related complications after RYGB. Methods The predicted risk of metabolic syndrome-related complications in a cohort of 131 diabetic patients was compared between baseline and last follow-up points after RYGB using validated risk assessment tools. Results After a median postsurgical follow-up time of 6 years (range, 5–9), a mean percent excess weight loss of 60.7±25.1% was associated with a diabetes remission rate of 61%. At long-term follow-up, the levels of glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein, and blood pressure were within the recommended American Diabetes Association’s goals in 85%, 73%, and 63% of patients, respectively (P Conclusion RYGB in diabetic patients results in remarkable control of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, and is associated with a significant reduction in predicted risk of major complications including nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease and mortality in the range of 18–47% at long-term follow-up.
Difficult Biliary Access at ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography allows intervention for a variety of diseases of the biliary tract. Cannulation of the bile duct is the prerequisite step for biliary intervention. Although obtaining biliary access is straightforward in many cases, it can occasionally be challenging. Multiple devices, all with additional wire-guided techniques, have been developed to aid cannulation. More advanced techniques have also been developed to aid biliary access if it is unsuccessful with standard devices. Multimodality techniques can be used if other approaches fail. This article provides an evidence-based discussion of these approaches, and provides insight into their appropriate application.
Temperature profile of a stoichiometric ch4/N2O flame from laser excited fluorescence measurements on OH

The temperature profile of a stoichiometric CH/sub 4//N/sub 2/O flame over a porous plug, atmospheric-pressure burner has been measured using laser excited fluorescence of the OH radical. The technique of rotationally resolved fluorescence excitation scans was extended to the (1,1) vibrational band of the A doublet sigma plus - X doublet pi system to avoid problems of laser beam depletion and self-absorption encountered by this group and previous workers using the (O,O) band. Absorption spectra were obtained in addition to fluorescence spectra. A least squares curve-fitting technique which accounts for the various types of line broadening was developed and applied to two absorption lines in the (O,O) band. The resulting temperature profile is compared to that from fluorescence data reduced using Boltzmann plots. The more complicated curve-fitting approach was later applied to five lines in the spectrum using several combinations of fluorescence and absorption data. Results of all the aforementioned methods were compared to those from OH band reversal and N2 vibrational Raman measurements at the same point in the post flame gases. Excellent agreement was achieved. The results are discussed with emphasis on both the fluorescence diagnostics and the characteristics of the CH/sub 4//N/sub 2/O flame on the porous-plugmore » burner.« less
Selegiline in ADHD Adults: Plasma Monoamines and Monoamine Metabolites

Plasma monoamines and monoamine metabolites were assessed before and during selegiline treatment in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Selegiline, at low dose, is a selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor type B (MAOI-B). After 2-week placebo baseline, 36 ADHD adults were randomized to 6-week placebo or 20 mg/day or 60 mg/day selegiline, followed by 2-week posttreatment placebo. Twenty-seven subjects continued into a 6-week 20-mg/day or 60-mg/day selegiline period. Behavioral variables included self-rated scores on the Conners' Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale (Conners-ATRS) and performance on a Continuous Performance Task (CPT). Plasma samples were assayed for amines (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine), precursor (DOPA), and metabolites (HVA, DOPAC, DHPG, normetanephrine, metanephrine, 5-HIAA). Selegiline produced dose-dependent changes in monoamine metabolites and DOPA plasma levels. Dopaminergic indices were associated with ADHD symptom severity (Conners-ATRS) and noradrenergic indices with CPT performance. Serotonergic metabolism, challenged by selegiline, correlated with clinical changes. These findings support a multisystem dysfunction underlying ADHD pathophysiology.
Chemoradiation for patients with advanced oral cavity cancer.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Patients with advanced oral cavity cancer (OCC) typically have not been enrolled in clinical trials utilizing contemporary multimodality strategies. There exist dogmatic expectations of inferior outcome in OCC patients secondary to ineffectiveness of treatment and unacceptable toxicity. The purpose of this study was to analyze survival, swallowing function, and incidence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of patients with stage III/IV OCC who have undergone primary concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: All advanced OCC patients who were enrolled in University of Chicago concomitant CRT protocols from 1994 to 2008 were reviewed. One hundred eleven newly diagnosed advanced OCC patients were evaluated. We performed a subset analysis of 27 additional advanced OCC patients who underwent surgery followed by postoperative CRT. Swallowing function was assessed via oropharyngeal motility study, and a Swallowing Performance Status Scale score was assigned. Presence of clinically significant ORN was documented. Results: Median follow-up was 3.25 years. Five-year overall and progression-free survival was 66.9% and 65.9%, respectively. There was no difference in overall or progression-free survival when the surgery-first group was compared with the primary CRT group (P = .88 and P = .86 respectively). Function, without gastric tube requirement, was excellent, with 92.2% of patients able to maintain weight via oral route. Incidence of ORN was 18.4%, occurring in nine of 49 patients evaluated. Conclusions: Our data support the use of primary CRT as a viable treatment option for patients with advanced OCC. Survival is high, and overall function for the majority of patients is satisfactory. Patients with T4 oral tongue cancer may be spared total glossectomy. The incidence of ORN may be considered acceptable, in light of the benefits of enduring life and function. Laryngoscope, 2010
In which language do/should multilinguals think?

Abstract Methods of foreign language teaching and learning are often predicated on the principle that learners need to think as much as possible in a language that they wish to learn. This paper first explores what it means to think in a target language. Next, those factors which determine both unplanned and planned use of more than one language for thinking are discussed, and empirical data from a mini‐survey are presented. Thirdly, the paper considers the role of target‐language thinking in improving language ability, again drawing on empirical data from the survey. Finally, we will look at mental translation in the reading of intermediate college French, the language of thought in an elementary school Spanish immersion programme, and thought patterns in the production of speech acts by college EFL students. The conclusion reached after reviewing the responses from the mini‐survey and the other empirical studies is that there are definite benefits from making an effort to think through the target langua...
CH4–CO2 reforming over Ni-substituted barium hexaaluminate catalysts

A series of Ni-substituted barium hexaaluminate catalysts, Ba{sub 0.75}Ni{sub y}Al{sub 12-y}O{sub 19-δ} (y = 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0), were tested for CO{sub 2} reforming of CH{sub 4} at temperatures between 200 and 900 °C. Temperature programmed surface reaction results show that the reaction lights-off in a temperature range between 448 and 503 °C with a consistent decrease in light-off temperature with increasing Ni substitution. Isothermal runs performed at 900 °C show near equilibrium conversion and stable product concentrations for 18 h on all catalysts. Temperature programmed oxidation of the used catalysts show that the amount of carbon deposited on the catalyst increases with Ni substitution. High resolution XRD of the used Ba{sub 0.75}Ni{sub 0.4}Al{sub 11.6}O{sub 19-δ} catalyst shows a statistically significant contraction of the unit cell which is the result of NiO reduction from the lattice. XRD of the used catalyst also confirms the presence of graphitic carbon. XPS and ICP measurements of the as prepared catalysts show that lower levels of Ni substitution result in an increasing proportion of Ba at the surface.
Phase I Evaluation of Preirradiation Chemotherapy with Carmustine and Cisplatin and Accelerated Radiation Therapy in Patients with High-grade Gliomas

OBJECTIVE: A Phase I study was conducted to determine the safety, toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose of preirradiation chemotherapy using carmustine (BCNU) and cisplatin in the treatment of high-grade gliomas. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas received BCNU and cisplatin after surgery, both before and during definitive radiation therapy. Preirradiation chemotherapy consisted of an administration of 40 mg/m 2 BCNU on Days 1 through 3 and 30 mg/m 2 cisplatin on Days 1 through 3 and 29 through 31 and repeated at 8 weeks to coincide with the start of radiation therapy. Postradiation chemotherapy consisted of an administration of 200 mg/m 2 BCNU once every 8 weeks for four cycles. Radiation therapy consisted of 160-cGy fractions administered twice daily for 15 days, yielding a total dose of 4800 cGy. Dose escalation of BCNU was planned. If hematological toxicity was mild, the dose of cisplatin was to be held constant and BCNU dose escalated to 50 mg/m 2 on Days 1 through 3. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were studied. The hematological toxicity was dose-limiting. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia occurred in each of 10 patients (56%), and Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in each of 9 patients (50%). Other toxicities included anorexia (94%), nausea (83%), emesis (33%), alopecia (94%), mild ototoxicity (50%), and, in one patient, death as a result of BCNU pulmonary toxicity. The median survival time was 14 months. Objective responses occurred in 45% of the patients evaluable for response. The maximum tolerated dose of this combination was 50 mg/m 2 BCNU on Days 1 through 3 and 30 mg/m 2 cisplatin on Days 1 through 3 and 29 through 31 before radiation and repeated in 8 weeks to coincide with the start of radiation. CONCLUSION: This schedule of the preirradiation administration of BCNU and cisplatin with accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy for the treatment of high-grade gliomas provides a less toxic alternative to that of previous studies of preirradiation chemotherapy with these agents and merits further investigation.
Real-time state of charge and electrical impedance estimation for lithium-ion batteries based on a hybrid battery model

This paper proposes a real-time state of charge (SOC) and electrical impedance estimation method for lithium-ion batteries based on a hybrid battery model. The hybrid battery model consists of an enhanced Coulomb counting algorithm for SOC estimation and an electrical circuit battery model. A particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based online parameter identification algorithm is designed to estimate the electrical impedances and open-circuit voltage of the electrical circuit battery model. A SOC compensator is designed to correct the error of the Coulomb counting-based SOC estimation, leading to a closed-loop, accurate, robust real-time SOC estimation. The proposed method is validated by using experimental data collected from a battery tester for a polymer lithium-ion battery cell. The proposed method is applicable to other types of electrochemical battery cells.
Hydrologic and water quality impacts of agricultural drainage

While some of the world's most productive agriculture is on artificially drained soils, drainage is increasingly perceived as a major contributor to detrimental off‐site environmental impacts. Howe...
A Momentum-Based Algorithm for Identifying the Inertia Properties of a Human Body: A Preliminary Study

The body segment parameters (BSP) of a human body are critical information for modeling, simulating, and understanding human dynamics. The determination of BSPs of human bodies has received increasing attention in biomechanics, sport science, ergonomics, rehabilitation and other fields. This paper presents a momentum-based identification algorithm for dynamically estimating the BSPs of a human body. The human body is modeled as a multibody dynamical system, and the momentum equation of the system can be derived by applying the principle of impulse and momentum. It is possible to formulate the momentum equations corresponding to a set of experiment tests into a linear regression form with respect to the unknown BSPs, which then can be solved using the least square method or other methods. The momentum-based algorithm requires inputting position, velocity, and external force data only. Since acceleration and all the internal force data is not needed, the algorithm is less demanding on measurements and is also less sensitive to measurement errors. As a result, it is practically more appealing than the algorithms depending on the equations of motion. The paper presents the momentum-based inertia identification algorithm along with a simulation study of the algorithm using a simplified trunk-leg model representing a main portion of a human body.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Inhibition of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase-mediated CCAAT/enhancer- binding protein β activation and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by salicylate

We have previously shown that salicylate at a pharmacological concentration suppresses CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) binding, thereby reducing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression (Saunders, M. A., Sansores-Garcia, L., Gilroy, D. W., and Wu, K. K. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 18897-18904; Cieslik, K., Zhu, Y., and Wu, K. K. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 49304-49310). We postulated that salicylate targets a kinase that phosphorylates and activates C/EBPβ. Here we report the identification of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) as a target of salicylate. Salicylate inhibited RSK in vivo and blocked the activity of RSK2 purified from cells stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mutation of the RSK-phosphorylation site (T266A) of C/EBPβ abrogated PMA-stimulated C/EBPβ binding activity. RSK activation was required for PMA-induced COX-2 transcriptional activation. Salicylate also inhibited Ras and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation induced by PMA. We conclude that salicylate inhibits C/EBPβ-mediated COX-2 transcriptional activation by blocking RSK activity and Ras signaling pathway.
Surgical treatment of postinfarction rupture of a papillary muscle.

Rupture of a papillary muscle after myocardial infarction produces a syndrome consistent with cardiovascular col­ lapse. In a patient with a previously stable condition, acute pulmonary edema and low cardiac output develop, and in­ tensive resuscitation becomes necessary. The condition is usually related to occlusion of small coronary arteries to the posteromedial papillary muscle.' The clinical syndrome was first reported in 1948 by Davison' and was first successful­ ly treated surgically by replacement of the mitral valve in 1965 by Austen and associates.' The incidence of this syndrome is relatively low-only 22 surgical cases are re­ ported in alO-year series from the Mayo Clinic described in this issue of the Proceedings(pages 1023 to 1030); similarly, only 14 surgical cases were noted in 9 years at Emory University.' Interval Between Rupture and Surgical Treatment.­ Since the first description of surgical treatment of papillary muscle rupture, analysis of series of patients with this entity has been somewhat confusing because of the discrepancy in the time elapsed between the occurrence of the rupture and definitive surgical therapy in the various series. For ex­ ample, a patient with rupture of the papillary muscle 6 hours after myocardial infarction who has acute congestive pulmo­ nary edema, in whom an intra-aortic balloon and intubation have been necessary, and who requires emergency surgical intervention differs considerably from the patient who un­ dergoes a semielective operation 3 months after partial rup­ ture of a head of a papillary muscle and who has chronic congestive heart failure as an outpatient. Thus, the substantial variability in the reported morbidity and mortality data is undoubtedly related to the time interval between rupture and surgical treatment. Even in the current excellent article by Kishon and co-workers from the Mayo Clinic, a disparity exists in the definition of "acute" rupture relative to the time of the rupture and the subsequent opera­ tive treatment. Of their 22 patients, 12 underwent operation
Use of snake venom phosphodiesterase in place of pancreatic ribonuclease for the testing of nucleic acid preparations from tobacco mosaic virus.

DEPROTEINIZED plant virus preparations are customarily incubated with pancreatic ribonuclease in order to show that their infectivity is not due to residual virus particles. With tobacco mosaic virus nucleic acid, exceedingly small concentrations of the enzyme (10−8 mgm./ml.) are sufficient to abolish infectivity after incubation for 24 hr. at room temperature, whereas tobacco mosaic virus is not affected by a thousandfold higher concentration1. However, under these conditions tobacco mosaic virus nucleic acid incubated without enzyme often loses most or all of its activity1. Shorter times of incubation necessitate the use of higher ribonuclease concentrations, but at higher concentrations pancreatic ribonuclease, when mixed with plant viruses, inhibits infection2–4. This effect occurs immediately after ribonuclease is mixed with the virus and does not increase upon incubation of the mixture2. Consequently, as the ribonuclease concentration is increased and the incubation period shortened, the range within which tobacco mosaic virus nucleic acid is inactivated and tobacco mosaic virus is not affected becomes progressively narrower. If one considers that the effect on the virus of a given concentration of ribonuclease is furthermore a function of salt concentration and of concentration of tobacco mosaic virus2, it becomes evident that the results of incubation studies with ribonuclease must be carefully evaluated before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Numerical taxonomy of soils using spectral information of overlying range vegetation

Abstract Unique spectral “signatures” of rangeland vegetation were used to identify and delineate soil map units associated with a hydrosequence. Single-linkage cluster analysis was employed to obtain relatively objective and “natural” groupings of spectral patterns acquired through an airborne-based spectrometer. Similar numerical taxonomic techniques have been used previously for selected physical and chemical properties to classify soils. One hundred and twenty-eight spectral channels between 1.2 and 2.4 μm were used as variables in the cluster analysis. Derived linkages depicted in a dendrogram showed morphological similarities as well as dissimilarities among nine soil map units and two water bodies. Unique clusters of calcareous, non-calcareous, sodic, and marsh soils and open water could be observed in the dendrogram.
Aktivierung von Disauerstoff und Hydroxylierung von Methan durch lösliche Methan‐Monooxygenase: eine Geschichte von zwei Eisenatomen und drei Proteinen

Methanotrophe Bakterien nutzen Methan als ausschliesliche Quelle von Kohlenstoff und Energie. Der erste Schritt des Methan-Metabolismus, die Oxidation von Methan zu Methanol, wird von einem faszinierenden Enzymsystem namens Methan-Monooxygenase (MMO) katalysiert. Die selektive Oxidation der auserst stabilen C-H-Bindung von Methan bei Raumtemperatur ist eine Meisterleistung, die bisher mit synthetischen Katalysatoren nicht reproduziert werden konnte und die ein betrachtliches wissenschaftliches wie kommerzielles Interesse geweckt hat. Bei der am besten untersuchten MMO handelt es sich um ein komplexes Enzymsystem aus drei loslichen Proteinkomponenten, die alle fur die effiziente Katalyse erforderlich sind: Eine Hydroxylase mit einer Nichtham-Dieisen-Einheit katalysiert die Aktivierung von Disauerstoff und die nachfolgende Hydroxylierung von Methan; eine Reduktase erhalt Elektronen von NADH und ubertragt sie auf die Hydroxylase, von der sie zur reduktiven Aktivierung von Disauerstoff verwendet werden; die dritte Proteinkomponente verknupft den Elektronen- und Sauerstoffverbrauch mit der Oxidation von Methan. In dieser Ubersicht diskutieren wir einige Aspekte der Katalyse durch die MMO-Proteine und behandeln dabei detailliert Studien zum Mechanismus der Aktivierung von Disauerstoff an der Dieisen-Einheit sowie zur Substrathydroxylierung durch die aktivierte Sauerstoffspezies. Ferner befassen wir uns mit der Rolle, die die Bildung von Komplexen zwischen den Proteinkomponenten bei der Regulierung diverser Aspekte der Katalyse spielt.
Occurrence of α, ε-Diaminopimelic Acid in Algae and Flexibacteria

Abstract Diaminopimelic acid (DAP) occurs in a combined form in the cell-wall mucopeptides of bacteria and blue-green algae and in a soluble form used as an intermediate in the synthesis of lysine. The amount of the free form is very small compared to that of the bound form. The four species of blue-green algae and four species of flexibacteria used in this investigation all contained bound DAP, in amounts ranging from 0.32% to 0.04% of the dry weight. A single determination on Beggiatoa alba indicated a DAP content of 0.08%. DAP could not be demonstrated in Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Glaucocystis nostochinearum, or Cyanidium caldarium (significance levels for these determinations were 0.0012%, 0.009%, and 0.0047% of the dry weight, respectively). Experiments with C14-labelled DAP indicated that lysine synthesis in flexibacteria occurs by decarboxylation of DAP, as in other bacteria and blue-green algae. The significance of DAP in the phylogeny of these microorganisms is discussed.
Crime, Edgework and Corporeal Transaction:

This article responds to the call by cultural criminologists for a ‘criminology of the skin’ that attends to the embodied pleasures and emotions generated by certain forms of criminal behavior. Drawing on the ‘edgework’ model of voluntary risk taking and a modified version of Jurgen Habermas’s Theory of Communicative Action, I theorize risk taking in criminal endeavors as an activity linked to the embodied social practices of the life-world. Conceptualized in this way, illicit risk taking can be seen to play an important role in crystallizing the ‘criminal erotics’ involved in some types of crime. Standing in opposition to the disembodied system imperatives of late capitalism, criminal edgework represents a form of escape and resistance to the prevailing structures of political and economic power.
Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of Turbulent Flows for Aeroacoustic and Hydroacoustic Applications

This paper describes the use of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) for problems in which sound radiation is caused by turbulent flow interacting with rigid surfaces. For a complete solution the statistics of the turbulent velocity fluctuations must be defined, and it is customary to base these on spectral analysis. This paper will describe how proper orthogonal modes provide a better approach than spectral analysis for inhomogeneous turbulent flows. One of the additional advantages of POD is that sound radiation problems may be analyzed in the time domain and this may prove useful in rotor noise applications where time-domain calculations are frequently used. For flows that are stationary in time or homogeneous in at least one direction, it will be shown that there are advantages in using a combination of POD and a linear stochastic estimator to describe the flow. This provides a decomposition of the two-point cross-correlation function of the turbulence that requires fewer modes than POD.
The Perceived Importance of Statistics in the Logistics and Transportation Industry

Abstract In this article, we examine the quantitative skills necessary for entry-level managers to be successful in the logistics and transportation industry. A mail survey was sent to executives in ocean carriers, motor carriers, and third-party logistics companies. The responses indicated that statistics played either a critical or a supportive role in the operation of their companies. Sampling, graphics, probability, and quality methods were the most widely used statistical techniques. Among available software, the spreadsheet (Excel) was the top choice. We include suggestions for ensuring that appropriate statistical techniques are incorporated into an undergraduate statistical curriculum.
Dinosaur abundance was not declining in a “3 m gap” at the top of the Hell Creek Formation, Montana and North Dakota

An ∼3 m stratigraphic interval that entirely lacks dinosaur fossils or has very few fossils has been reported at the top of the Hell Creek Formation in the upper Great Plains of North America. The presence of the “3 m gap” in fossil distribution has been cited as evidence that dinosaurs had either become extinct or were on the verge of extinction prior to the bolide impact at the end of the Cretaceous Period. A survey in two areas of North Dakota and Montana reveals that dinosaur fossils in the upper 3 m of the Hell Creek Formation occur in numbers that are comparable to their abundance in other levels of the formation. Evidence for a gradual extinction is absent, and data are consistent with an abrupt extinction associated with an impact.
Systematically Improving Lessons in Teacher Education: What's Good for Prospective Teachers is Good for Teacher Educators

Researchers have advocated building a knowledge base for teacher education based on practitioner knowledge. In this article, the authors, two teacher educators, present knowledge gained from their systematic study of two lessons to help prospective teachers learn to study teaching. They offer a detailed look at the lessons' successes and shortcomings as well as potential revisions. They also reflect on their use of a model for systematically studying lessons, sharing details about their learning during this process. This article attempts to provide a visible, tangible product for other teacher educators interested in helping prospective teachers examine evidence of student learning.
Vinylic halogen exchange reactions in 1,2-dihaloperfluorocycloalkenes

Abstract A variety of 1,2-dihaloperfluorocycloalkenes bearing chlorine, bromine or iodine at the vinylic positions have been synthesized by two different halogen exchange reactions. A novel exchange of vinylic chlorine by hydrogen bromide occurred with a catalyst composed of calcium sulfate and activated charcoal. At 220–280° the yield of 1-bromo-2-chloro- and 1,2-dibromo-perfluorocycloalkenes was 70–95% based on recovered starting material. No addition nor allylic substitution products were found. Metal halide exchange reactions were very slow in low polarity aprotic solvents, but proceeded quickly and in good yields in high polarity aprotic solvents such as dimethylformamide and hexamethylphosphoramide. The observed order of reactivity toward I − was 1,2-dichloroperfluoro-cyclobutene > cyclopentene > > cyclohexene. Displacement of vinylic fluorine halide ion was not observed.
Model validation for mapping specification behaviors to processing elements

Increase in system level modeling has given rise to a need for efficient functional validation of models above cycle accurate level. This paper presents a technique for checking functional equivalence of system level models, before and after the distribution of behaviors in the specification over components in the platform architecture. We derive a control flow graph from models written in system level design languages (SLDLs) and reduce it to a normal form representation using well defined rules. Two models having identical normal form are shown to be functionally equivalent. An equivalence checker based on the above concept is used to automatically check if the architecture level model is functionally equivalent to the specification model. As a result, the models generated for various mapping decisions do not have to be reverified using costly simulations.
Model building for conceptual change

Conceptual change is a popular, contemporary conception of meaningful learning. Conceptual change describes changes in conceptual frameworks (mental models or personal theories) that learners construct to comprehend phenomena. Different theories of conceptual change describe the reorganization of conceptual frameworks that results from different forms of activity. We argue that learners' conceptual frameworks (mental models or personal theories) resulting from conceptual change are most acutely affected by model-based reasoning. Model-based reasoning is engaged and fostered by learner construction of qualitative and quantitative models of the content or phenomena they are studying using technology-based modelling tools. Model building is a powerful strategy for engaging, supporting, and assessing conceptual change in learners because these models scaffold and externalize internal, mental models by providing multiple formalisms for representing conceptual understanding and change. We demonstrate the proces...
VASOPRESSIN-INDUCED NEUROTROPHISM IN CULTURED HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS VIA V1 RECEPTOR ACTIVATION

Structural enhancement of nerve cell morphology has been postulated to be an integral step in the cellular process leading to information storage in the nervous system. To investigate this postulate, we determined whether vasopressin (AVP), a neural peptide that can enhance memory function, would enhance the cytoarchitectural features of hippocampal neurons in culture. Results of these studies demonstrated that in the presence of serum, vasopressin (1 microM), induced a significant increase in the number of neurites, in neuritic length, and in neurite diameter following 48 h of exposure. Morphological complexity was also enhanced following vasopressin exposure as indicated by a significant increase in the number of filopodia/branches, in the sum of branch lengths, and in the number of branch bifurcation points. The number of microspikes decorating neuritic branches was also significantly increased following vasopressin exposure. To determine whether the neurotrophic effect of vasopressin was dependent upon factors present in serum, hippocampal nerve cells were cultured in serum-free media and exposed to 100-1000 nM AVP. Results of these studies demonstrated that in the absence of serum, AVP induced significant enhancement of hippocampal nerve cell growth and that the minimally effective concentration was reduced from 1 microM, as required in the presence serum, to 100 nM. In addition, the time required for a significant increase in nerve cell growth to become apparent decreased from 48 to 24 h. These results demonstrate that AVP-induced neurotrophism is not dependent upon unidentified factors in serum. AVP-induced neurotrophism was found to be mediated by V1 receptor activation. Significant enhancement of nerve cell growth occurred following exposure to V1 receptor agonist (100-1000 nM), whereas exposure to V2 receptor agonist (100-1000 nM) did not increase any of the morphological parameters measured. Considered together, these data indicate that vasopressin can exert a significant neurotrophic effect upon hippocampal nerve cells in culture. Moreover, AVP-induced neurotrophism is a direct effect and not dependent upon unidentified factors present in serum. Enhancement of hippocampal nerve cell growth occurred in the presence of a specific V1 receptor agonist and not following exposure to a V2 agonist, suggesting that activation of the phosphatidyl inositol pathway via V1 receptor activation mediates AVP-induced neurotrophism. Results of these studies are discussed with respect to their implications for understanding vasopressin involvement during neural development and induction of cytoarchitectural modifications associated with memory formation.
Comparison of Cationic and Amphipathic Cell Penetrating Peptides for siRNA Delivery and Efficacy

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short strands of arginine- and/or lysine-rich peptides (<30 amino acids) that use their cationic nature for efficient intracellular accumulation. CPPs have been used for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery by direct complexation with the siRNA anionic phosphate backbone. During this process, however, part of the CPP cationic charges are neutralized, and the resultant loss of free positive charges may substantially compromise CPP’s internalization capabilities and eventually reduce siRNA delivery efficiency. The purpose of this study was to design a novel type of polyplex for siRNA delivery to overcome the CPP neutralization issue. This novel polyplex consists of three components: siRNA, 21mer oligolysine (K21) chemically modified to incorporate CPP conjugation sites (K21-PDP), and CPP delivery moiety. The siRNA was first neutralized by cationic charges of K21-PDP to form a polyplex. Then a cationic (hexaarginine, R6) or an amphipathic (model amphipathic peptide, MAP...
A distribution-free test for symmetry in hierarchical data

Abstract Distribution-free tests for permutational symmetry of correlated variables have been offered recently in the literature. However, situations arise when all the planned measurements are available only on some subjects, while others drop out at various stages of the experiment. The present paper offers a distribution-free statistic for testing permutational symmetry of correlated variables in such hierarchical data, and develops a large-sample chi-square approximation. Explicit expressions for the test statistic have been provided for some special cases.
Porphyrin metalation catalyzed by a small RNA molecule

We report here the isolation and characterization of a 35-nucleotide (nt) RNA that catalyzes the related Cu(II) insertion into mesoporphyrin IX with a k{sub cat}/K{sub m} value of 2100 M{sup -1} s{sup -1}, close to the value for the metalation of mesoporphyrin with Fe(II) catalyzed by recombinant human ferrochelatase. This work demonstrates the ability of RNA to catalyze a reaction closely related to that required for the biosynthesis of the essential cofactor, heme. The small size of the catalytic sequence motif found here should facilitate structural studies. Moreover, mutants of this RNA may be selected to display other porphyrin-based activities: ferrochelatase activity, reversible oxygen binding with RNA-bound heme, peroxidase activity, or complementation of ferrochelatase-deficient (heme H{sup -}) auxotrophs which could ultimately lead to in vivo complementation of ferrochelatase deficiency using gene transfer techniques. 25 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
A close-coupling theory of associative detachment of electrons from negative ions

Abstract The theory of associative detachment is examined starting from a close-coupling framework. A set of coupled equations is postulated. These equations are reduced to a single integrodifferential equation; iterative and semiclassical methods are developed for solving this equation. The relationship with the local-complex-potential method is discussed. The present status of calculations using this method is mentioned.
Effect of neoadjuvant temozolomide upon volume reduction and resection of diffuse low-grade glioma

Maximal safe resection is associated with prolonged survival in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG). It has been suggested that neoadjuvant temozolomide may provide sufficient tumor shrinkage to facilitate aggressive surgical debulking. We examined the impact of temozolomide upon volume reduction and resectability of LGG. We retrospectively identified 20 adult patients with biopsy-proven, deemed not totally resectable LGGs, treated initially with temozolomide. Volumetric 3D (calculated from serial FLAIR images) and 2D tumor measurements were obtained prior to treatment and at 3 months post-treatment. The anticipated extent of resection (EOR) at the 2 time points was measured based on anatomical limitations, calculated as: [(total tumor volume - unresectable tumor volume)/total tumor volume] ×100. Eloquent cortex, deep structures and corpus callosum were considered unresectable. Mean tumor volume was 68.4 cm(3) pre-treatment and 49.5 cm(3) at 3 months post-treatment. The mean change from baseline to 3 months after treatment was -32.5 % (p < 0.001). Mean 2D pre-treatment area was 28.6 and 23.3 cm(2) at 3 months post-treatment. The 2D change was also significant, with mean change of -17% (p < 0.001). 5% had partial response; 40% minor response; 45% stable disease; and 10% progressive disease by RANO criteria. Mean pre-treatment anticipated EOR was 67.2 and 71.5% at 3 months post-treatment. The mean change from baseline was 4.3% (p = 0.10). Our findings demonstrate significant volumetric and 2D reduction of LGG with temozolomide. Although this tumor shrinkage might facilitate radical surgical resection in some cases, our data failed to show statistically significant improvement in anticipated EOR.
Calculations of the Equilibrium Vapor Pressure of Water over Adhering 50–200-nm Spheres

Treatments of condensation on aerosols generally assume the particles to be spherical implying that the condensate presents a positively curved surface to the surrounding vapor. In contrast, the region between two adhering spheres supports a pendular ring of condensation which may result in a condensate-vapor interface with negative curvature. According to the Kelvin equation, the equilibrium vapor pressure over such surfaces is depressed relative to a planar surface and therefore the substrate particle shows entirely different condensational characteristics than for an isolated sphere of similar size and composition to the adhering spheres. In this paper, literature results are utilized to develop general approaches to the calculation of the curvature of the pendular ring of condensation between two macroscopic spheres (radii > 10 nm) that may differ in size and composition. Results of calculations for specific cases are given for spheres of 50, 100, and 200 nm and for a range of condensate-substrate con...
Spectral Image Estimation for Coded Aperture Snapshot Spectral Imagers

This paper describes numerical estimation techniques for coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers (CASSI). In a snapshot, a CASSI captures a two-dimensional (2D) array of measurements that is an encoded representation of both spectral information and 2D spatial information of a scene. The spatial information is modulated by a coded aperture and the spectral information is modulated by a dispersive element. The estimation process decodes the 2D measurements to render a three-dimensional spatio-spectral estimate of the scene, and is therefore an indispensable component of the spectral imager. Numerical estimation results are presented. Keyword list: coded aperture snapshot spectral imager, system modeling, spectral image estimation
A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN VARIATIONS IN PREPARATION OF A STARCH SUBSTRATE IN AMYLASE VISCOSIMETRY

The results of employing different concentrations of starch and starch from different lots as substrates in the viscosimetric estimation of amylase concentration have been compared with the object of ultimate attainment of reproducible standards, independent of successive comparison.
HARMONIC-OSCILLATOR ANALOGY FOR THE VENEZIANO MODEL.

A model for particle scattering amplitudes is based on the harmonic-oscillator Green's function. The model is Regge behaved, and in first approximation is a zero-width theory. The derived amplitudes are very similar to Veneziano $n$-point functions although they lack duality.
Nephron filtration rate and proximal tubular fluid reabsorption in the Akita mouse model of type I diabetes mellitus

An increase of glomerular filtration rate (hyperfiltration) is an early functional change associated with type I or type II diabetes mellitus in patients and animal models. The causes underlying glomerular hyperfiltration are not entirely clear. There is evidence from studies in the streptozotocin model of diabetes in rats that an increase of proximal tubular reabsorption results in the withdrawal of a vasoconstrictor input exerted by the tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) mechanism. In the present study, we have used micropuncture to assess single nephron function in wild type (WT) mice and in two strains of type I diabetic Ins2+/- mice in either a C57Bl/6 (Akita) or an A1AR-/- background (Akita/A1AR-/-) in which TGF is non-functional. Kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of anesthetized mice was increased by 25% in Akita mice and by 52% in Akita/A1AR-/-, but did not differ between genotypes when corrected for kidney weight. Single nephron GFR (SNGFR) measured by end-proximal fluid collections averaged 11.8 ± 1 nl/min (n=17), 13.05 ± 1.1 nl/min (n=23; p=0.27), and 15.4 ± 0.84 nl/min (n=26; p=0.009 compared to WT; p=0.09 compared to Akita) in WT, Akita, and Akita/A1AR-/- mice respectively. Proximal tubular fluid reabsorption was not different between WT and diabetic mice and correlated with SNGFR in all genotypes. We conclude that glomerular hyperfiltration is a primary event in the Akita model of type I diabetes, perhaps driven by an increased filtering surface area, and that it is ameliorated by TGF to the extent that this regulatory system is functional.
Cyclodextrin complexation: influence on the solubility, stability, and cytotoxicity of camptothecin, an antineoplastic agent.

The solubility of camptothecin (CPT), a highly potent antineoplastic agent, as a function of different concentrations of cyclodextrins (α-cyclodextrin, α-CD; β-cyclodextrin, β-CD; and γ-cyclodextrin, γ-CD; hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, HP-β-CD; and randomly substituted dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin, RDM-β-CD, and dimethyl-γ-cyclodextrin, RDM-β-CD) in 0.02 N HCl solution at 25°C was investigated. The results showed a linear increase in the solubility of CPT with increasing concentration of CDs. The apparent stability constants (Kc) for the CPT complexes with α-CD, β-CD, γ-CD, HP-β-CD, RDM-β-CD, and RDM-γ-CD were 188, 266, 73, 160, 910, and 40.6 M−1, respectively, suggesting that RDM-β-CD afforded the most stable complex. At a 25% w/v concentration of RDM-β-CD, the solubility of CPT was 228.45±8.45 μg/ml, about 171 times higher than that in 0.02 N HCl. The stability of CPT in pH 7.4 buffer at 25°C also increased linearly with an increase in the concentration of RDM-β-CD. The observed pseudo-first-order hydrolysis rate constants (kobs) for the free and complexed CPT were 11.8×10−3 and 1.18×10−3 min−1, corresponding to an increase in half-life of CPT from 58.7 to 587.3 min, respectively. The preliminary cytotoxicity study against the human-derived myeloid THP-1 leukemia cell line showed RDM-β-CD/CPT and HP-β-CD/CPT complexes to be about two-fold more active than free CPT. In conclusion, the results showed that CDs, in general, and RDM-β-CD, in particular, are effective complexing agents and can be used to improve the solubility and stability of CPT. The increase in cytotoxicity of CPT in the presence of CD is likely due to an increase in its stability.
Intelligent Classification of the Drop Hammer Forming Process Method

Forging is a cost-effective way to produce net-shape or nearnet-shape components. Forged components are used throughout the manufacturing sector in many different applications. Owing to the lack of an accurate process model, modern forging operations still largely rely on operator skills and experience. The expertise of skilled operators can help to develop a forging process model. However, these operators’ expert knowledge is accumulated through years of hands-on experience and is often biased towards their own heuristic. It is well known that accurate acquisition of this type of knowledge is challenging and time-consuming. In this paper, an innovative approach is developed to acquire forging process knowledge automatically by combining learning ability of the neural networks with the structured knowledge representation of rule-based systems. The approach is applied to the classification of process methods used in a type of impression-die forging, namely, drop hammer forming. Specifically, process data from an aerospace company’s production facility are collected. The data are processed and then used to train a back-propagation neural network. By analysing the connections and weights of the trained neural network, concise and intelligible rules are extracted. These rules can be used to allow a clearer specification of the drop hammer forming process plan and to shorten learning curves for novice operators.
Lateral cerebral ventricular enlargement in chronic schizophrenia.

• To investigate if cerebral ventricular enlargement is associated with chronic schizophrenia, computerized tomography scans from 73 psychiatric patients were compared with 56 asymptomatic volunteers all less than 50 years old. Ventricular size was significantly greater in the subgroup of 58 chronic schizophrenic patients than in the controls. Of the chronic schizophrenic patients, 40% were outside the control range; 53% exceeded 2 SDs of the control mean. Neither duration of illness nor length of hospitalization correlated with ventricular size. The 44 chronic schizophrenic patients who had never been treated with electroshock therapy (EST) had larger ventricles than controls. A group of seven nonchronic schizophrenic patients also had enlarged ventricles; the eight patients who were either schizoaffective or nonschizophrenic did not differ from controls. This study shows that lateral cerebral ventricular enlargement is associated with chronic schizophrenia; it suggests that this is not a result of treatment.