cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
siRNA nanoparticles targeting CaMKIIγ in lesional macrophages improve atherosclerotic plaque stability in mice.

Atherosclerotic lesional macrophages express molecules that promote plaque progression, but lack of mechanisms to therapeutically target these molecules represents a major gap in translational cardiovascular research. Here, we tested the efficacy of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) nanoparticle (NP) platform targeting a plaque-destabilizing macrophage molecule—Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase γ (CaMKIIγ). CaMKIIγ becomes activated in advanced human and mouse plaque macrophages and drives plaque necrosis by suppressing the expression of the efferocytosis receptor MerTK. When macrophage-targeted siCamk2g NPs were administered to Western diet–fed Ldlr−/− mice, the atherosclerotic lesions showed decreased CaMKIIγ and increased MerTK expression in macrophages, improved phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis), decreased necrotic core area, and increased fibrous cap thickness—all signs of increased plaque stability—compared with mice treated with control siRNA NPs. These findings demonstrate that atherosclerosis-promoting genes in plaque macrophages can be targeted with siRNA NPs in a preclinical model of advanced atherosclerosis.
HER2 Testing for Breast Cancer in the Genomics Laboratory: A Sea Change for Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization.

Context.— Guidelines for HER2 testing in breast cancer have changed over time, from the US Food and Drug Administration guideline to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines published in 2007, 2013, and 2018. Objective.— To investigate the change in assignment of HER2 status in breast cancers with equivocal (2+) immunohistochemistry (IHC) results by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) following implementation of the ASCO/CAP 2018 guideline. Design.— The study included 3556 invasive breast cancers that were HER2 equivocal (2+) by IHC and were submitted to our FISH laboratory after July 2018. Reflex testing (with repeat IHC staining) was performed on certain categories of FISH results known as groups 2, 3, and 4. Concomitant review of IHC and FISH was performed on these reflex cases per 2018 guideline recommendations. The FISH data were analyzed to compare US Food and Drug Administration and ASCO/CAP 2007, 2013, and 2018 interpretations. Results.— Of 3548 invasive breast cancers with complete data available, the percentage agreement for FISH according to different guidelines was highest for ASCO/CAP 2018 versus US Food and Drug Administration (96.5%), followed by ASCO/CAP 2018 versus 2007 (93.8%), and lowest with ASCO/CAP 2018 versus 2013 (83.7%). Per the 2018 guideline, reflex IHC testing was performed on 633 breast cancers (17.8%); the majority of reflex testing results were negative (541 of 633; 85.5%). The overall distribution of HER2 FISH results (per the 2018 guideline) was 88.5% negative and 11.5% positive. Conclusions.— By eliminating the equivocal FISH category, the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline significantly reduced the HER2 FISH-positive rate in tumors with equivocal (2+) IHC results.
A pediatric high‐flow nasal cannula protocol standardizes initial flow and expedites weaning

OBJECTIVE Respiratory illnesses compose the most common diagnoses of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units. In pediatrics, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is an intermediate level of respiratory support with variability in practice. We conducted a pre-post intervention study of patients placed on HFNC therapy before and after the implementation of an HFNC protocol. METHODS This was a quality improvement/pre-post intervention study of pediatric patients who received HFNC therapy in our teaching, tertiary care children's hospital between January 2015 and April 2019. Patients were evaluated before and after the implementation of a protocol that promoted initiation of higher flow and rapid weaning. Our primary outcomes were initial flow and rate of weaning pre- and post-protocol; our secondary outcomes were HFNC failure rate (defined as escalation to noninvasive ventilation or mechanical ventilation) and length of hospital stay. Propensity matching was used to account for differences in age and weight pre- and post-protocol. RESULTS In total, 584 patients were included, 292 pre-protocol, and 292 post-protocol. The median age was 20 months, and the indication for HFNC therapy was bronchiolitis in 29% of patients. Post-protocol patients compared to pre-protocol patients had significantly a higher initial flow (median 14.5 L/min vs. 10 L/min, p < .001) and a higher weaning rate of flow (median 4.1 L/min/h vs. 2.4 L/min/h, p < .001). Post-protocol patients also had a lower HFNC failure rate (10% vs. 17%, p = .015) and a shorter length of stay (5.97 days vs. 6.80 days, p = .006). CONCLUSION Among pediatric patients, the implementation of an HFNC protocol increases initial flow, allows for more rapid weaning, and may decrease the incidence of escalation to noninvasive ventilation or mechanical ventilation.
Initial Experience With a Bioresorbable Polymer Anchor.

Background Anchors are frequently used in reconstructive orthopedic surgery to achieve fixation of soft tissue to bone. Anchors vary with respect to material composition, configuration, and methods of fixation at the site of attachment. The fixation component of anchoring devices has generally evolved from metal-fabricated implants to various types of bioresorbable anchors. The SonicAnchorTM (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI USA) polymer implant provides a unique form of anchor fixation using SonicFusionTM technology to achieve interdigitation within cancellous bone while being radiolucent and providing a small footprint. Methods During a four-year period, 116 patients underwent a reconstructive orthopedic foot and ankle surgical procedure with the use of at least one bioresorbable polymer anchor (SonicAnchor implant). There were 59 males and 57 females, with an average age of 42 years (range: 12-83 years). Results A total of 233 bioresorbable anchor (SonicAnchor) implants were used in 116 patients. Of the 116 patients, 108 (93.1%) achieved successful clinical healing of their surgery at their most recent follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 309 days (range: 14-1,429 days). Eight (6.9%) patients were lost to follow-up prior to clinical healing. Two (1.7%) patients underwent reoperation. Also, 65 (56%) patients had at least six months of follow-up and 36 (31%) had at least one year of follow-up. Conclusions This preliminary clinical trial of patients undergoing soft tissue repair or reconstruction with a bioresorbable polymer appears to perform comparably to other commercially available devices. The lack of adverse events, mechanical failures, or infections further supports the safety of this device.
Letter by Fillinger Regarding Article, “Predictors of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sac Enlargement After Endovascular Repair”

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Schanzer et al.1 I am currently analyzing the M2S database as the co-Principal Investigator on the Characterization of Human Aortic Anatomy Project with Dr Tina Morrison of the US Food and Drug Administration. In our opinion, several issues may confound the interpretation of findings by Schanzer and colleagues. 1. The M2S database is not a consecutive, observational series. By survey, less than one third of users send consecutive patient series to M2S. Most send selected cases that are unusual, difficult, or known to have suboptimal outcomes. How can one draw conclusions about the percentage that meet the anatomic instructions for use in the real world? 2. A large percentage of normal anatomy is purposely excluded. M2S does not release sponsored data. More than 4000 endovascular …
The Annual Journal Impact Factor Saga

![Figure][1] Johannes Czernin T he Journal of Nuclear Medicine Journal Impact Factor (JIF) has reached a new milestone at 10.057 and now ranks #3 among all imaging journals. This achievement should not be overhyped, but it does provide evidence for the high visibility of the published work
Reading and Writing the Latin American Landscape

To Discover, an Intransitive Verb Christopher Columbus's First Encounter with the American Landscape Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Water? The Hurricanes that Foundered and the Swamps that Hindered Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Picaresque Nature: Conquistadors, Parrots, Parasites, Mimics Andres Bello's 'Ode to Tropical Agriculture': The Landscape of Independence 'I do not Weep for Camaguey': Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda's 19th Century Cuban Landscape Rebellion in the Backlands ( Os Sertoes ): The Darwinian Landscape Yuyos are not Weeds: An Ecocritical Approach to Horacio Quiroga The Landscapes of Venezuela: Dona Barbara 'It didn't work, Mother. You should have let me stay here.' Alegria's and Flakoll's Ashes of Izalco Pablo Neruda's Latin American Landscape: Nations, Economy, Nature Love in the Time of Somoza: (Gioconda Belli's Ambivalent Ecofeminism) The Landscape of the Consumer Society: Fernando Contreras Castro's Unica mirando al mar
An adaptive ad-hoc self-organizing method for quasi-periodic sensor traffic

Wireless sensor networks are poised to revolutionize our abilities in sensing and controlling our environment. Power conservation is a primary research concern for these networks. Often, the single most important savings can be obtained by switching off the wireless receiver when not needed. In this paper, we describe an algorithm which allows the nodes to learn the behavior of each other by only observing the transmission behaviors, and from this derive the schedule without external help. Our approach is robust to statistical variations in the nodal transmission periods. We draw important conclusions on the effect of quasi-periodicity on the scalability of the solution. We provide results of numerical simulations that show the effectiveness of our approach.
Keep Your Update to Yourself

An essay from Wired Magazine (UK)'s special edition, The Wired World in 2013. The essay makes the argument that frictionless sharing of reading habits should decline in 2013.
An integrated online environment for antenna education

This article describes an experimental, integrated, World Wide Web based learning and simulation environment for antenna education that supplements the senior-level antenna course offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (further referred to as the "Antenna Web Server" (AWS)). This server is supported by a Mathematica(R) driven gateway, WebMath. The senior-level antenna course at UIUC prepares engineering students for a career in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry. The goals of the course are threefold: (i) to provide students with an analytical and intuitive understanding of antenna physics; (ii) to expose students to antenna computer aided design (CAD) software; and (iii) to introduce students to a variety of antenna structures of practical interest and to developments in the field, especially those related to wireless and personal communication systems. We have observed that the addition of an interactive, a Web based component to the standard lecture mode of teaching assists in achieving these goals. This article relates some of the benefits this teaching approach offers, as perceived by the instructors of this course.
Pharmacodynamic model for chemoradiotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in mice

A mechanistic model describing the effects of chemotherapy and radiation on platelet counts and endogenous thrombopoietin (eTPO) in mice was developed. Thrombocytopenia was induced in mice by injection of carboplatin followed by the whole body irradiation on days 0, 28, and 56, with platelet and eTPO samples collected over 84 days. The pharmacodynamic model consisted of a series of aging compartments representing proliferating megakaryocyte precursors, megakaryocytes, and platelets with possible eTPO clearance through internalization. The cytotoxic effects of treatment were described by the kinetics of the effect (K-PD) model, and stimulation of platelet production by eTPO was considered to be driven by receptor occupancy. The proposed PD model adequately described the platelet counts and eTPO concentrations in mice by accounting for nadirs and peaks of platelet count, and rebounds in eTPO time course profiles. The estimates of model parameters were in good agreement with their physiological values reported in literature for mice with platelet lifespan of 4.3 days and 185 cMpl receptors per platelet. The predicted duration of the treatment effect was 0.82 h (approximately 5 carboplatin half-lives in mice). The data was not informative about the eTPO stimulatory effect as the nominal precursor production rate was sufficient to account for platelet response to treatment. The model quantified the inverse relationship between eTPO levels and platelet counts and offered an explanation of the tolerance effect observed in the eTPO data. The simulated rebound in free receptors levels correlated with rebounds in eTPO levels. The model suggests that the duration of the toxic effects is determined by the turnover of the proliferating cells in the bone marrow. This indicates that the lifespan of the target cells (megakaryocyte precursors, megakaryocytes and platelets) is a key determinant in the duration of both drug exposure and toxicity due to treatment. The model can be extended to account for pharmacokinetics of exogenous drugs and be applied to analysis of human data.
Reversible inhibition by histidinol of protein synthesis in human cells at the activation of histidine.

Abstract l-Histidinol has been found to be a potent, reversible inhibitor of protein synthesis in cultured human cells. When the culture medium contains 0.005 mm histidine, protein synthesis is inhibited 50% by 0.1 mm histidinol. Histidinol does not significantly affect the transport of histidine into cells or the amount of histidine accumulated in the free amino acid pool. Histidinol probably inhibits protein synthesis by decreasing the activation of histidine since it competitively inhibits the pyrophosphate-ATP exchange reaction promoted by crude histidyl-tRNA synthetase in the presence of histidine, with an apparent Ki of 4 x 10-7 m. Histidinol alone will not support the exchange reaction. The inhibition by histidinol of the over-all histidine charging reaction with tRNA is also competitive. The apparent Ki of histidinol for the charging reaction, under different reaction conditions than the exchange reaction, is 3 x 10-6 m. Histidinol appears to be a useful inhibitor for studying the regulation of macromolecule synthesis in cultured human cells.
Mechanisms of toxicity induced by nitric oxide in human lymphoblastoid cells expressing wild-type and null p53

767 Nitric Oxide (NO) induces cell death and mutagenesis in many in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Biochemical mechanisms through which NO induces cytotoxicity and genotoxicity are unclear. In this study, human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells harboring wild-type p53 and isogenic p53 null NH32 cells were exposed for 1.5 to 16 hours to NO, delivered into the culture medium by diffusion through permeable tubing, at a steady state concentration of 0.6 μM, similar to levels estimated to occur in vivo in inflamed tissues. Thresholds for NO-induced cell death were shown to be 150 μM min in TK6 cells and 300 μM min in NH32 cells. In further experiments, three NO doses for each cell type, namely, 50% of threshold (sublethal), threshold, and 2X threshold (toxic) were used to investigate mechanisms of cell death. In TK6 cells, threshold (150 μM min) or higher (300 μM min), but not sublethal (50 μM min) doses, induced extensive DNA double-strand breaks. In contrast, no DNA double-strand breaks were detected in NH32 cells, even after treatment with a toxic dose (600 μM min). Threshold and toxic doses of NO induced mutagenesis of the TK1 gene in NH32 cells, whereas only the toxic dose was effective in TK6 cells. Increases in TK1 mutant fraction in NH32 cells were substantially greater than in TK6 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential loss and apoptosis were lower in NH32 cells than in TK6 cells. NO treatment caused depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH) in both cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In both cell lines, sublethal doses caused GSH depletion but no loss in viability. By comparison, treatment of TK6 cells with 125 μM BSO (L-buthionine SR-sulfoximine) also caused virtually complete GSH depletion, but no cell death up to 48 hours after treatment. Intracellular GSH level partially recovered during 24 to 48 hours following depletion. Prior GSH depletion by BSO did not increase sensitivity to NO-induced cell killing. Toxic NO doses caused reduced Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein expression, measured by Western blot, in TK6 cells, but increased expression in NH32 cells. Under the same conditions, levels of catalase protein were upregulated only in TK6 cells, and GSH peroxidase levels were unchanged in both cell types. Survival signaling proteins NF-κB p50 and p65, and Akt were suppressed only in TK6 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that mechanisms of toxicity induced by NO in cells expressing wild-type p53 differ from those in isogenic p53 null cells, and that p53 modulates cell death through regulation of oxidative stress and survival signaling proteins. SOD1 and catalase, but not GSH peroxidase, may be p53 target proteins that play important roles in NO-induced stress responses. Although NO effectively induces GSH depletion, this alteration does not appear to be a critical initiating factor for cell death in these human lymphoblastoid cell lines.
Big Data: Next-Generation Machines for Big Science

Addressing the scientific grand challenges identified by the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Science's programs alone demands a total leadership-class computing capability of 150 to 400 Pflops by the end of this decade. The successors to three of the DOE's most powerful leadership-class machines are set to arrive in 2017 and 2018-the products of the Collaboration Oak Ridge Argonne Livermore (CORAL) initiative, a national laboratory-industry design/build approach to engineering next-generation petascale computers for grand challenge science. These mission-critical machines will enable discoveries in key scientific fields such as energy, biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials science, and high-performance computing, and serve as a milestone on the path to deploying exascale computing capabilities.
Physician Coding and Reimbursement for Urodynamics

In 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) simplified the coding of urodynamics by eliminating several Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. One effect of this was a decrease in the reimbursement for urodynamics to physicians. In addition, CMS has also placed more emphasis on pairing the urodynamic CPT codes with an appropriate International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code. If coded correctly, urodynamic evaluation can still be reimbursed fairly. This chapter attempts to explain the reimbursement for urodynamics, basic coding terminology and provides a step-by-step explanation of how urodynamics should be properly coded.
Fiber Orientation and Compartment Parameter Estimation From Multi-Shell Diffusion Imaging

Diffusion MRI offers the unique opportunity of assessing the structural connections of human brains in vivo. With the advance of diffusion MRI technology, multi-shell imaging methods are becoming increasingly practical for large scale studies and clinical application. In this work, we propose a novel method for the analysis of multi-shell diffusion imaging data by incorporating compartment models into a spherical deconvolution framework for fiber orientation distribution (FOD) reconstruction. For numerical implementation, we develop an adaptively constrained energy minimization approach to efficiently compute the solution. On simulated and real data from Human Connectome Project (HCP), we show that our method not only reconstructs sharp and clean FODs for the modeling of fiber crossings, but also generates reliable estimation of compartment parameters with great potential for clinical research of neurological diseases. In comparisons with publicly available DSI-Studio and BEDPOSTX of FSL, we demonstrate that our method reconstructs sharper FODs with more precise estimation of fiber directions. By applying probabilistic tractography to the FODs computed by our method, we show that more complete reconstruction of the corpus callosum bundle can be achieved. On a clinical, two-shell diffusion imaging data, we also demonstrate the feasibility of our method in analyzing white matter lesions.
Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles with Hollow, Solid, and Amorphous Structures

Conversion of unary metal nanoparticles (NPs) upon exposure to oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and phophorus precursors usually produces hollow metal oxide, sulfide, selenide, or phosphide NPs through the Kirkendall effect. Here, nanostructural control of mixed-phase Ni2P/Ni12P5 (represented as NixPy) NPs prepared through the thermolysis of nickel acetylacetonate using trioctylphosphine (TOP) as a ligand and phosphorus precursor is reported. The P:Ni molar ratio controls the NP size and is the key factor in determining the nanostructure. For P:Ni molar ratios of 1−3, nickel NPs form below 240 °C and subsequently convert to crystalline-hollow NixPy NPs at 300 °C. For higher P:Ni ratios, a Ni-TOP complex forms that requires higher temperatures for NP growth, thus favoring direct formation of NixPy rather than nickel. Consequently, for P:Ni molar ratios of >9, amorphous-solid NixPy NPs form at 240 °C and become crystalline-solid NixPy NPs at 300 °C. For intermediate P:Ni molar ratios of ∼6, both growth mechanisms ...
Bypass Surgery In Limb Salvage: Polytetrafluoroethylene Prosthetic Bypass

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts have proven to be an adequate alternative conduit for peripheral bypass operations. Whether or not one uses PTFE depends on several factors: surgeon preference, individual patient circumstances, or when autologous greater saphenous vein is not available or adequate. These conventional grafts have evolved and undergone modification. The intraluminal surface has been coated with carbon or bonded with heparin. The structure of grafts has been modified with the creation of a hood or cuff, with the incorporation of a stent-graft segment for a sutureless anastomosis, or the fusion of PTFE with an outer polyester layer to minimize suture hole bleeding. This evolution intends to limit graft thrombogenicity, ameliorate the formation of intimal hyperplasia, decrease complications, and improve overall graft patency.
Infant exposure to domestic violence predicts heightened sensitivity to adult verbal conflict

The current study examined whether one-year-old infants whose mothers had been victims of domestic violence during the infant's lifetime (exposed; n = 30), compared to those who had not (not exposed; n = 59), would be more likely to experience distress in response to a simulated verbal conflict and whether amount of distress expressed would be influenced by infant temperament. Infants were videotaped during and for five minutes after an experimenter pretended to have a telephone argument. Exposure to domestic violence was related to infant distress following the episode of simulated adult verbal conflict. Temperamental activity, adaptability, and negative mood predicted greater distress only among non-exposed infants. Findings suggest that while only temperamentally more reactive infants would typically display distress in response to verbal conflict, infants exposed to domestic violence may be likely to display distress in response to verbal conflict regardless of temperament.
Effects of exercise on bone mineral content in postmenopausal women.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a 10-month exercise program on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral content/bone width (BMC/BW) of postmenopausal women. Thirty-one women (ages 57-83) completed either a general aerobics exercise program (n = 10), a general aerobics plus upper body weight training exercise program (n = 10), or served as nonexercising control subjects (n = 11). Average compliance rates for the exercise subjects ranged from 72 to 80%. All subjects were pre- and posttested for BMC and BMC/BW in the radius of the nondominant forearm. ANOVA results indicated that there were significant differences between the exercise and control subjects in the amount of change in BMC and in BMC/BW (p < .05) during the course of the study. The exercise subjects experienced mean increases of 1.38% and 1.33% in BMC and BMC/BW, respectively, whereas the control group had decreases of 2.50% and 258%. No significant differences were found for subjects in the two types of exercise...
Infrared Spectrum of Hydrogen Fluoride: Line Positions and Line Shapes. Part I. Experimental Details*

A description is given of the high-resolution vacuum-grating spectrometer that is in use at the University of Tennessee. The mechanical details and the modified Pfund-type optics are described. The calibration system, method of source stabilization, gas-handling system, absorption cells, and methods of recording data used in the investigation of the infrared spectrum of HF are also described. The results of the investigation are given in Part II.
A SIMULATION-BASED ROBUST CONCEPT EXPLORATION METHOD

In early stages of the engineering design process it is necessary to explore the design space to find a feasible range or point that satisfies the design requirements. When robustness of the system is among the requirements, the Robust Concept Exploration Method (RCEM) can be used. In RCEM a metamodel such as a global response surface of the entire design space is used. Based on this surrogate model the robustness of the system is evaluated. In nonlinear or multimodal design spaces a very detailed metamodel such as a very high order response surface might be required to reflect accurately the characteristics of the model. For large design spaces this is computationally very expensive. In this paper, using the Probabilistic Collocation Method (PCM) for generating local response models at the points of interest, a Simulation-Based RCEM is proposed as a very efficient and flexible robust concept exploration method. We believe that using the PCM with other design exploration methods would be equally effective.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Xenotropic virus-related restriction patterns of non-H-2 histocompatibility mutant mice strains

The relationship between alteration in the number of xenotropic virus-related sequences and non-H-2 histocompatibility (H) mutations in mice was investigated. Mutant classifications included gain, loss, and loss-gain mutations. Genomic DNA from a panel of non-H-2 H mutant strains on the C57BL/6 and BALB/c backgrounds was digested with a set of restriction enzymes with varying numbers of sites within endogenous xenotropic-related sequences. The digested DNA was then resolved on agarose gels. Southern blots of digested DNA were hybridized with the pXenv probe specific for the env sequence of xenotropic viral sequences. The number of hybridizing bands varied from 7 to 19, depending on the restriction enzyme and inbred background. Most mutant strains were identical in their restriction patterns to the respective background strains. However, two B6 mutant strains, KH84 and HZ54, differed from C57BL/6 at a single band which appeared to be inherited from BALB/c in the derivation of the two congenic strains. The HZ43 strain lacked a male-specific band shared by both C57BL/6 and BALB/c; this loss was evidently independent of the original mutation which was observed to be autosomal. However, the KH148B and KH84 strains on the C57BL/6 background lacked single B6 bands. Both mutants were classified as gain mutants. An examination of previous reciprocal graft rejection patterns and retrovirus linkage to non-H-2 H loci indicated a strong inverse relationship between a linked retroviral sequence and presentation of a non-H-2 H antigen. This inverse correlation is consistent with reports of gene inactivation following retroviral insertion.
Addition of C2(CO2Me)2 to trans-MeIr(CO)(PPh3)2. Formation and isomerization of MeIr(CO)(PPh3)2[C2(CO2Me)2], and crystal structure of the thermodynamic isomer

Abstract The reaction of C2(CO2Me)2 with trans-MeIr(CO)(PPh3)2 leads to a kinetic isomer which has been characterized by 1H and 31P NMR and infrared spectra and to a thermodynamic isomer which has been characterized by 1H and 31P NMR, infrared, microanalysis and X-ray crystallography. The isomerization occurs readily in solution at room temperature; somewhat more slowly at −20°C. The thermodynamically stable isomer of MeIr(CO)(PPh3)2[C2(CO2Me)2] crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P21/c with a 14.847(2), b 16.648(2), c 15.656(3) A, β 90.595(14)°, V 3869.7(11) A3 and Z = 4. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected with a Syntex P21 automated diffractometer (Mo-Kα radiation, 2θ 5–40°) and the structure was solved and refined to RF 8.6% for all 3631 independent data (RF 4.0% for those 2318 data with |Fo| > 6σ(|Fo|)). The IrI center has a trigonal-bipyramidal environment with the methyl ligand and one PPh3 ligand occupying axial sites (Ir-Me 2.193(14), Ir-P(1) 2.425(4) A). The C2(CO2Me)2 ligand is π-bonded to the iridium atom and lies with its triple bond parallel to the equatorial coordination plane; the equatorial ligands are completed by the second PPh3 ligand (Ir-P(2) 2.402(3) A) and a CO ligand (Ir-CO 1.812(15) A).
Methods for the isolation and characterization of constituents of natural products XX. Rapid column procedures for forming isopropylidene derivatives of submicrogram to micromole amounts of diols

Abstract A simple, essentially instantaneous and complete reaction for the formation of isopropylidene (acetonide) derivatives of submicro- and microgram quantities of diols is described. The diol dissolved in acetone:hexane (1:4) is brought in contact with a column of Celite charged with a H3PO4P2O5 mixture and the resulting acetonide eluted for analysis. The procedure was modified so that micromole amounts of diols can be quantitatively derivatized in a continuously flowing column.
Poor Correlation Between Oxygen Toxicity and Activity of Glutathione Peroxidase

To test the postulate that increased activity of the glutathione peroxidase system is required for the increased tolerance to oxygen toxicity that develops after several days of prior exposure to 85% oxygen we searched for a combination of increased tolerance but normal activity of the glutathione system. We exposed rats to 85% oxygen for 7 days and then placed them in air. After 0, 10, 20, and 30 days tee estimated the potential role of an antioxidant system by measuring activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GP), and the nmprotein sulfhydryl content (NPSH) of lung tissue. After 7 days in 85% oxygen (0 days in air) activities of G6PD, GR, and GP, were elevated above control values by 189%, 32%, and 126%, respectively, and NPSH was 146% higher. Twenty days later these activities and NPSH were not significantly different from those of control animals never exposed to 85% oxygen. We also tested these rats without increased enzyme activitie...
REDUCTION IN FETAL LUNG LIQUID PRODUCTION WITH CYCLIC ADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE(cAMP) IS ASSOCIATED WITH A REDUCTION IN PULMONARY VASCULAR RESISTANCE.|[dagger]| 1958

At birth, both fetal lung liquid production and pulmonary vascular resistance are rapidly reduced. We have previously shown that mediators of pulmonary vasodilation, including prostaglandins, also cause significant reductions in fetal lung liquid production (J Appl Physiol 1995; 1212). Since cAMP is a known mediator of both lung liquid resorption and of prostaglandin-induced vasorelaxation, we asked whether it might be an important mediator of transitional events at birth. To see if cAMP, at a concentration sufficient to cause significant reduction in lung liquid production, would lower pulmonary resistance, we studied its effects on pulmonary arterial pressure and flow. Eight chronically prepared fetal sheep were studied at 131 ± 5 d gestation. Net lung luminal liquid production(Jv) was measured by plotting the change in lung luminal liquid concentration of radiolabelled albumin, an impermeant tracer that was mixed into the lung liquid at the start of each study. Variables were measured during a 1-2 h baseline, then for 2-3 h following an intratracheal instillation of dibutyryl cAMP (initial concentration ≅10-4 M). Instillation of cAMP reduced Jv from 25 ± 8 ml/h to 4 ± 8 ml/h (P<.001) and pulmonary artery pressure from 46 ± 3 mm Hg to 43± 4 mm Hg (P<.05). There was a modest increase in left pulmonary blood flow (P=.10) such that the calculated pulmonary vascular resistance fell from 0.89 ± 0.24 to 0.66 ± 0.17 mm Hg/ml/min (P<.05). Systemic arterial and left atrial pressures and heart rate did not change significantly following cAMP instillation. Control (saline) instillations(n=6) caused no significant change in any variable.
INFLUENCES OF NATIVE AMERICANS AND SURVEYOR BIASES ON METES AND BOUNDS WITNESS-TREE DISTRIBUTION

Witness trees recorded in surveyors' notes have been extensively used to describe presettlement forest vegetation throughout eastern North America. Relatively few studies, however, have discussed surveying inconsistencies that could affect the quality of witness-tree data in Colonial metes and bounds surveys. To increase the accuracy of these data, we developed techniques to quantify and mitigate the effects of several irregularities in metes and bounds witness-tree data using Lancaster County, southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, as a model. Irregularities included unequal sampling intensities among regions of contrasting topographic relief, and on a finer scale, unequal sampling among landform classes. We mitigated the effects of these inconsistencies by subdividing the study area into physiographic (topographic) sections, and then subdividing each physiographic section into landform classes before witness-tree analysis. Pre-European settlement forests were dominated by Quercus velutina and Q. alba, with Carya spp. in regions of low topographic relief and Castanea dentata in regions of high topographic relief. We then assessed the effects of Native Americans using catchment analysis in which we tallied witness trees within 5 and 7 km of Susquehannock village sites and compared the forest composition to edaphically similar catchment areas of low Native American activity. Elevated frequencies of Carya spp., Juglans spp., and Robinia pseudoacacia, with depressed frequencies of Quercus alba, occurred on sites with a history of Native American occupation, possibly as a result of disturbance or active cultivation. Together, bias-correction techniques and catchment analysis greatly extend the usefulness of witness-tree data by improving methods for evaluating pre- and post-European settlement disturbance on forest change.
Foreign Technology Licensing, Productivity, and Spillovers

Summary This paper uses plant-level data from the manufacturing sector of Chile to investigate whether foreign technology licensing generates productivity spillovers to other plants in the same industry and to other plants in vertically related industries (potential suppliers and buyers of output). The results show that licensing in upstream sectors increases productivity of plants that purchase intermediate inputs from them. However, licensing in downstream sectors has a negative effect on productivity of suppliers of intermediate inputs. Finally, there is no evidence of intra-industry spillovers from foreign technology licensing.
Efficient Sensitivity Analysis of Structures with Local Modifications. I: Time Domain Responses

AbstractThe time evolution of the parameter sensitivity of a nonlinear dynamical system is essential to its successful design, control, and identification. For an important class of systems, the governing equations of motion can be expressed as a linear system of ordinary differential equations augmented with a low-rank parameter-dependent (generally nonlinear) vector function. This paper builds on previous efforts by the authors to devise an approach for computing not only the responses of such systems but also the sensitivities of their responses to changes in design parameters in a computationally efficient manner. The proposed solution procedure first segregates the degrees of freedom appearing in the augmented functions from those that involve only linear deterministic operations. Second, the responses and sensitivities of the augmented terms are determined by solving the Volterra integral equations of reduced dimension. Finally, the responses and sensitivities of all remaining desired outputs are co...
On a Basic Class of Multi-Item Inventory Problems

The paper evaluates and compares classes of multi-item inventory problems, where joint order of several items may save a part of the setup cost. A cost ratio and simple decision rule are determined for joint versus individual orders in specified cases. The comparisons call for the necessity of a new policy for reorder point-triggered random output multi-item systems. This policy, the “random joint order policy,” operates through the determination of a reorder range within which several items can be ordered. The existence of an optimum reorder range is proved, and a computational technique is demonstrated with the help of a machine-interference type queueing model. Under favorable conditions the results exhibited on the diagram of optimum reorder ranges are generally applicable. The random joint order policy model is especially suitable for computer controlled inventory systems.
Circumference and girth

Let G be 2-connected graph with girth g and minimum degree d. Then each pair of vertices of G is joined by a path of length at least max{1/2(d − 1)g, (d − 3/2)(g − 4) + 2} if g ⩾ 4, and the length of a longest cycle of G is at least max{[(d − 1)(g − 2) + 2], [(2d − 3)(g − 4) + 4]}.
Mathematical modeling of fluidized bed combustion. 4: N2O and NOX emissions from the combustion of char

Abstract Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the emissions of carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of char prepared from a commercial coal in a bubbling fluidized bed. Combustion gases escaping from the surface of the bed were sampled and analyzed for N 2 O, NO, NO 2 , CO and CO 2 as a function of time by means of a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. The experimental variables include char size and loading, inlet oxygen concentration, inlet CO concentration and bed temperature. A single particle reaction–diffusion model was developed first. The detailed chemistry of NO and N 2 O formation destruction is complex. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions considered most pertinent were included in an extension of the single particle char combustion model reported earlier. This single porous char particle model was integrated into a three-phase hydrodynamic description of the fluidized bed reactor. This system model for fluidized bed combustion was developed in response to the observation that most previous system models, including those that incorporate details of NO X emissions, are based on the two-phase theory of fluidization. However, two-phase models are unable to predict the gas back-mixing and the recycle peak in solids-mixing. The non-isothermality of the bed resulting from the gas-phase reactions was taken into account through inclusion of an energy balance for the bubble phase. The effect of the variation in superficial gas velocity on bubble properties and cross-flow was included through an overall mass balance. Calculations from the system model, including details of homogeneous NO X reactions far from the char particles, compared well with data on the emissions of CO, CO 2 , NO and N 2 O for various experimental conditions. The validated model was then used to investigate the influence of operating conditions on the conversions of char-nitrogen to NO and N 2 O from the simultaneous combustion of char and propane in a fluidized bed with an air/propane mixture as the fluidizing medium. The most significant factors were found to be bed particle size and char diameter.
Immunolocalization of the calcium-sensing receptor in developing human kidney

The calcium-sensing receptor (CSR) is a G-protein receptor that plays a critical role in calcium regulation. In the kidney, the CSR regulates calcium reabsorption in the thick ascending limb, where stimulation of the CSR inhibits calcium reabsorption in response to increased calcium in the peritubular fluid. In the collecting duct, apical CSR activation may play a role in osmoregulation, increasing water excretion in response to increased luminal calcium. We studied the ontogeny of the CSR in developing human kidney using immunohistochemical methods. The CSR is first expressed in the S-shaped body in the region destined to form the ascending limb and distal tubule. Other regions of the S-shaped body, as well as ureteric buds, do not express the CSR. The CSR is observed in thick ascending limb as early as 20 wk of development. The CSR is not observed in proximal tubule or collecting duct between 20 and 40 wk of human development. During early human renal development, CSR expression is limited to the thick ascending limb and distal tubule, where this receptor may play a role in calcium homeostasis between 20 and 40 wk of human development.
A synchronization algorithm to facilitate joint detection

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization when performing joint detection in a quasi-static flat-fading channel with Additive White Gaussian noise (AWGN). Conventional detectors avoid performing joint detection due to the computational complexity involved in both synchronizing and then decoding two signals simultaneously. This paper proposes a system that detects the presence of interference during the decoding of a primary signal and determines the point in time where the interference begins. A genetic algorithm that continues decoding the primary signal while performing frequency and channel synchronization on the interferer is presented. Once synchronization is completed, a detection algorithm that allows the simultaneous decoding of the primary signal and the synchronized interferer is implemented. It is demonstrated by simulation that the span of 12 symbols, the length of an 802.11 training sequence, is sufficient for effective synchronization and joint detection. The deficiencies of the system and potential avenues for improvement in future work are explored.
Operational definitions of inventory record accuracy

An inventory stock record is in error when the information on the stock record is not in agreement with the actual physical situation. We address the questions of what is meant by inventory record accuracy as reported in the literature and what should be meant by this term, in the context of the inventory record accuracy problem defined by the Naval Supply Systems Command. The need for, and suggestions of, operational definitions of error measures are demonstrated in terms of the reporting of accuracy statistics, the formulation of inventory record accuracy goals, and the determination of corrective measures.
Catalytic disproportionation of CO in the absence of hydrogen: Encapsulating shell carbon formation

Abstract The catalytic disproportionation of CO in the absence of H2 resulted in carbon depositing as a lamellar form of graphite on the surface of the catalyst metal particles, as opposed to the filaments more commonly discussed in the literature. Carbon deposition on supported Ni and Co catalysts was investigated using TEM. The mechanism for this form of carbon deposition, and the tendency for specific numbers of layers of carbon to deposit on the specific catalyst metals, is discussed. It is stressed that some form of hydrogen must be present in order for filaments to form. Metal dusting of the catalyst caused by filament growth might be avoided by lamellar deposition, improving catalyst longevity. For regeneration of catalytic activity, the Boudouard reaction was used to remove deposited carbon from the catalyst surface.
Use of a species-specific antibody for demonstrating mouse neurons transplanted to rat brains

A cell surface monoclonal antibody specific for mouse central nervous system neurons was used to identify mouse tissue transplanted to neonatal rat brains. Neuronal cell bodies and processes were stained in the transplants. Immature axons were stained growing out of the transplants into the host brain; and in mature brains unmyelinated axons and terminal plexuses were demonstrated. The technique allows a variety of studies to be performed on transplant-host interactions, especially in circumstances where the two are closely apposed.
Cyclotron emission asymmetry from Kirchhoff's law in a mode-conversion layer.

Cyclotron radiation of both fast (Alfven waves) and slow (Bernstein) waves from a mode-conversion layer is considered to find relations between cyclotron absorption and emission in an inhomogeneous plasma. The relative emission ratios among various modes are calculated and asymmetries of emission are discussed. From relations between emission and absorption, a form of Kirchhoff's law for a mode-conversion layer is proved from general thermodynamic arguments and from the mode-conversion tunneling equation.
Optimal control of microgrids - algorithms and field implementation

A microgrid is a collection of distributed generation assets, storage devices and electrical and/or thermal loads connected to each other. In this paper, a generic model-predictive control algorithm for microgrids is presented. The algorithm has been implemented at Bella Coola, a remote community in British Columbia, Canada. The approach comprises two parts: unit commitment to decide the optimal set of distributed generators that must be switched on to meet predicted load requirements, and convex optimal control to minimize operational costs once the commitment is known. The unit commitment problem is recast as a 0-1 Knapsack problem and is solved via dynamic programming, while the optimal dispatch problem is posed as a sparse linear programming problem and solved via off-the-shelf software. Worst-case complexity and scalability considerations, and not optimality, often drive algorithm choice in industrial control settings; therefore, the solution proposed in this paper is efficient and can be rigorously bounded in terms of memory and run-time. Simulation results using real field data, practical considerations, and details of the implementation at Bella Coola are provided.
Tumor Angiogenic and Hypoxic Profiles Predict Radiographic Response and Survival in Malignant Astrocytoma Patients Treated With Bevacizumab and Irinotecan

Purpose The combination of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) –neutralizing antibody, bevacizumab, and irinotecan is associated with high radiographic response rates and improved survival outcomes in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. The aim of these retrospective studies was to evaluate tumor vascularity and expression of components of the VEGF pathway and hypoxic responses as predictive markers for radiographic response and survival benefit from the bevacizumab and irinotecan therapy. Patients and Methods In a phase II trial, 60 patients with recurrent malignant astrocytomas were treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan. Tumor specimens collected at the time of diagnosis were available for further pathologic studies in 45 patients (75%). VEGF, VEGF receptor-2, CD31, hypoxia-inducible carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α were semiquantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry. Radiographic response and survival outcomes were correlated with these angiogenic and hy...
Complete population trapping in two-photon ionization

Abstract We find a condition for complete population trapping in a two-photon ionization model. We show this is the essential property of the model because both ionization channels are via an intermediate resonant state.