cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Subcutaneous Cardiac Monitoring Technology

Ambulatory cardiac monitoring is a rapidly expanding field and one that is likely to progress beyond electrocardiographic (ECG) and blood pressure recordings. To date, the primary cardiac monitoring focus has been ambulatory ECG (AECG) monitoring. In this setting, AECG monitoring has become a diagnostic tool used daily by physicians of many specialties. In this regard, both wearable and subcutaneous ECG monitoring technologies are now widely available, with the appropriate choice for a given patient being best determined by the frequency with which the patient's symptom recurrences are expected. In other words, the less frequent the symptomatic events, then the longer the monitoring duration requirement should be. However, multiple factors other than the technology used impact success. For example, wearable AECG systems are only capable of monitoring patients for a period of a few days to several weeks due to limited battery longevity, patient intolerance to cutaneous ECG electrodes, the cumbersome nature of the device, or a combination of these factors. Current-generation insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs), on the other hand, offer three years of monitoring and infrequent skin irritation. Additionally, automatic remote download, a valuable feature in many cases, is only offered by certain wearable technologies, but is an option in all currently available ICMs. This report focuses on the current status of subcutaneous ICMs and their indications and limitations. The goal is to highlight the variety of utility of current ICM technologies and to provide insight into potential future subcutaneous ICM applications.
A framework based on (probabilistic) soft logic and neural network for NLP

Abstract Deep neural networks have emerged as a flexible framework that achieved state-of-the-art performance in many NLP applications such as machine translation, named entity recognition, sentiment analysis, and part-of-speech tagging. The main advantage of these neural models is their ability to learn useful representations without hand-engineering features. While this success, these models still suffer from the interpretability issue. More recently, probabilistic soft logic (PSL) is a promising framework based on first-order logic that achieves interesting results in both computer vision and NLP by capturing semantic relationships between entities. Moreover, unifying knowledge-driven modeling approaches and data-driven approaches is a promising framework that will have an exciting impact on structured prediction problems. In this paper, we developed NeuralGLogic a generalization framework of the previous model proposed by Huet al. (2016) that combines deep neural networks with logic rules built either using Soft Logic (SL) or Probabilistic Soft Logic (PSL). Furthermore, we evaluate our framework on different neural network architectures applied to two NLP tasks: sentiment classification and part-of-speech tagging. Experimental results showed that we were able to improve the results over the baselines and outperformed all the previous state-of-the-art systems emphasizing the utility of both SL and PSL rules in reducing the uninterpretability of the neural models thus validating our intuition.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition with N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine: Determining the window of effect in the human vasculature.

Abstract Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with N(G)-monomethyl- l -arginine (L-NMMA) is often used to assess the role of NO in human cardiovascular function. However, the window of effect for L-NMMA on human vascular function is unknown, which is critical for designing and interpreting human-based studies. This study utilized the passive leg movement (PLM) assessment of vascular function, which is predominantly NO-mediated, in 7 young male subjects under control conditions, immediately following intra-arterial L-NMMA infusion (0.24 mg⋅dl−1⋅min−1), and at 45–60 and 90–105 min post L-NMMA infusion. The leg blood flow (LBF) and leg vascular conductance (LVC) responses to PLM, measured with Doppler ultrasound and expressed as the change from baseline to peak (ΔLBFpeak and ΔLVCpeak) and area under the curve (LBFAUC and LVCACU), were assessed. PLM-induced robust control ΔLBFpeak (1135 ± 324 ml⋅min−1) and ΔLVCpeak (10.7 ± 3.6 ml⋅min−1⋅mmHg−1) responses that were significantly attenuated (704 ± 196 ml⋅min−1 and 6.7 ± 2 ml⋅min−1⋅mmHg−1) immediately following L-NMMA infusion. Likewise, control condition PLM ΔLBFAUC (455 ± 202 ml) and ΔLVCAUC (4.0 ± 1.4 ml⋅mmHg−1) were significantly attenuated (141 ± 130 ml and 1.3 ± 1.2 ml⋅mmHg−1) immediately following L-NMMA infusion. However, by 45–60 min post L-NMMA infusion all PLM variables were not significantly different from control, and this was still the case at 90–105 min post L-NMMA infusion. These findings reveal that the potent reduction in NO bioavailability afforded by NOS inhibition with L-NMMA has a window of effect of less than 45–60 min in the human vasculature. These data are particularly important for the commonly employed approach of pharmacologically inhibiting NOS with L-NMMA in the human vasculature.
Viime: Visualization and Integration of Metabolomics Experiments

Metabolomics involves the comprehensive measurement of metabolites from a biological system. The resulting metabolite profiles are influenced by genetics, lifestyle, biological stresses, disease, diet and the environment and therefore provides a more holistic biological readout of the pathological condition of the organism (Beger et al., 2016; Wishart, 2016). The challenge for metabolomics is that no single analytical platform can provide a truly comprehensive coverage of the metabolome. The most commonly used platforms are based on mass-spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Investigators are increasingly using both methods to increase the metabolite coverage. The challenge for this type of multi-platform approach is that the data structure may be very different in these two platforms. For example, NMR data may be reported as a list of spectral features, e.g., bins or peaks with arbitrary intensity units or more directly with named metabolites reported in concentration units ranging from micromolar to millimolar. Some MS approaches can also provide data in the form of identified metabolite concentrations, but given the superior sensitivity of MS, the concentrations can be several orders of magnitude lower than for NMR. Other MS approaches yield data in the form of arbitrary response units where the dynamic range can be more than 6 orders of magnitude. Importantly, the variability and reproducibility of the data may differ across platforms. Given the diversity of data structures (i.e., magnitude and dynamic range) integrating the data from multiple platforms can be challenging. This often leads investigators to analyze the datasets separately, which prevents the observation of potentially interesting relationships and correlations between metabolites detected on different platforms. Viime (VIsualization and Integration of Metabolomics Experiments) is an open-source, web-based application designed to integrate metabolomics data from multiple platforms. The workflow of Viime for data integration and visualization is shown in Figure 1.
Formation of Monofluorinated Radical Cofactor in Galactose Oxidase through Copper-Mediated C-F Bond Scission.

Galactose oxidase (GAO) contains a Cu(II)-ligand radical cofactor. The cofactor, which is autocatalytically generated through the oxidation of the copper, consists of a cysteine-tyrosine radical (Cys-Tyr•) as a copper ligand. The formation of the cross-linked thioether bond is accompanied by a C-H bond scission on Tyr272 with few details known thus far. Here, we report the genetic incorporation of 3,5-dichlorotyrosine (Cl2-Tyr) and 3,5-difluorotyrosine (F2-Tyr) to replace Tyr272 in the GAOV previously optimized for expression through directed evolution. The proteins with an unnatural tyrosine residue are catalytically competent. We determined the high-resolution crystal structures of the GAOV, Cl2-Tyr272, and F2-Tyr272 incorporated variants at 1.48, 1.23, and 1.80 A resolution, respectively. The structural data showed only one halogen remained in the cofactor, indicating that an oxidative carbon-chlorine/fluorine bond scission has occurred during the autocatalytic process of cofactor biogenesis. Using hydroxyurea as a radical scavenger, the spin-coupled hidden Cu(II) was observed by EPR spectroscopy. Thus, the structurally defined catalytic center with genetic unnatural tyrosine substitution is in the radical containing form as in the wild-type, i.e., Cu(II)-(Cl-Tyr•-Cys) or Cu(II)-(F-Tyr•-Cys). These findings illustrate a previously unobserved C-F/C-Cl bond cleavage in biology mediated by a mononuclear copper center.
After the Deportation: Memory Battles in Postwar France

A total of 160,000 people, a mix of resistants and Jews, were deported from France to camps in Central and Eastern Europe during the Second World War. In this compelling new study, Philip Nord addresses how the Deportation, as it came to be known, was remembered after the war and how Deportation memory from the very outset, became politicized against the backdrop of changing domestic and international contexts. He shows how the Deportation generated competing narratives – Jewish, Catholic, Communist, and Gaullist – and analyzes the stories told by and about deportees after the war and how these stories were given form in literature, art, film, monuments, and ceremonials.
Effects of the F94L Limousin associated myostatin gene marker on metabolic index in growing beef heifers

ABSTRACT Objective Our objective was to evaluate fasting heat production in cattle with and without the GDF8 mutation. Materials and Methods The heifers used in this study were genotyped for the myostatin(MSTN) gene mutation to determine their MSTN genotype as either homozygous normal for phenylalanine at amino acid position 94 of MSTN (0 copy; n = 5) or homozygous for F94L variant in MSTN (2 copy; n = 6). Oxygen consumption was measured using portable headbox respiration calorimeters, and heat production was calculated. Results and Discussion Body weight was not different between treatments (P = 0.33), but it did differ across days (P Implications and Applications Therefore, it is likely that cattle with 2 copies of the F94L MSTN substitution have lower maintenance energy requirements than cattle without the MSTN gene. Thus, genotype, if known, should be considered when assessing energy requirements of beef cattle.
Leveraging triboelectric nanogenerators for bioengineering

Summary Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are able to convert low-frequency biomechanical motions into characteristically high-voltage and low-current electrical signals via a coupling of contact electrification and electrostatic induction. Resulting from a unique working principle, TENGs hold a collection of compelling features, including light weight, structural simplicity, cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and a wide range of soft materials choices. Electrical signals generated from human body motions via TENGs could be used as sustainable power sources, active biomonitors, and electrical stimulation therapeutics for bioengineering. Here we comprehensively reviewed the advancements in using TENGs for on-body energy, sensing, and therapeutic applications to build up a body area network (BAN) for personalized health care. We concluded our review with a discussion of the challenges and problems of leveraging triboelectric nanogenerators for bioengineering.
Endobronchial vasculitis in childhood granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Laryngo-tracheo-bronchial disease in childhood granulomatosis with polyangiitis may acutely present with endobronchial small vessel vasculitis without airway stenosis. Treatment should not be delayed in the presence of haemoptysis as it may indicate acute pulmonary capillaritis which can lead to fatal respiratory failure from diffuse alveolar haemorrhage.
Touch restoration through electrical cortical stimulation in humans

Abstract Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) has been used extensively as a tool in human neuroscience research and clinically in neurosurgery. Implanted electrocorticography electrodes can deliver electrical stimulation to the cortical surface, eliciting or inhibiting neural activity as an experimental manipulation, or to probe neural tissue function during epilepsy and tumor resection surgeries. Current applications of DCS pave the way for new clinical translation to restore sensation to those who have lost it through spinal-cord injury or stroke. DCS of specific sensory cortical regions in the human brain elicits sensory percepts in specific regions of the body and recent research has shown that DCS can elicit meaningful somatosensory percepts, which may be used for neuroprosthetic feedback and integrated into tasks. In the future, further research using more finely spaced electrodes, tailored patterns of stimulation, and longer term studies will shed light on the intricacies of sensory processing in humans as well as bring these neuroprosthetic applications closer to widespread clinical reality.
Effect of the quantity and duration of application of simulated acid precipitation on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in a forest soil

A study was conducted of the influence of the rate of application of simulated acid rain on N mineralization and nitrification in a forest soil. The rates were varied by applying different quantities of simulated rain for varying periods of time. The soil was exposed in the laboratory to simulated rain at pH 3.5, 4.1, or 5.6 at rates equivalent to 1.5, 2.3, 4.6, 7.1 or 15 times the average rate of precipitation in the field, and then mineralization of soil N or oxidation of added ammonium was determined. The rates of N mineralization were inhibited by precipitation at pH 3.5 or 4.1 when applied for 27 to 234 day at rates 1.5 times greater than that which occurs in nature. Nitrogen mineralization was not affected by simulated rain at pH 3.5 or 4.1 in soils exposed for 156 day at 2.3 times the natural rate of precipitation, for 27 or 81 day at 4.6 times the natural rate, for 54 day at 7.1 times the natural rate, or for 234 day at 15 times the natural rate. On the other hand, mineralization was fastest in soil exposed to pH 3.5 rain for 234 day at 4.6 times the natural rate of precipitation and for 81 day at 15 times the natural rate. Nitrate formation in soil amended with ammonium was inhibited by rain of pH 3.5 regardless of the intensity of rain or the duration of exposure. For a constant rate of rain application, the inhibition of nitrate formation in ammonium-amended soil generally increased with longer periods exposure. The data show that the use of different rates of additions of artificial rain or different periods of exposure to the simulated precipitation will lead to different conclusions on the influence of acid rain on N mineralization in soil.
The role of the Earth's mantle in controlling the frequency of geomagnetic reversals

A series of computer simulations of the Earth's dynamo illustrates how the thermal structure of the lowermost mantle might affect convection and magnetic-field generation in the fluid core. Eight different patterns of heat flux from the core to the mantle are imposed over the core–mantle boundary. Spontaneous magnetic dipole reversals and excursions occur in seven of these cases, although sometimes the field only reverses in the outer part of the core, and then quickly reverses back. The results suggest correlations among the frequency of reversals, the duration over which the reversals occur, the magnetic-field intensity and the secular variation. The case with uniform heat flux at the core–mantle boundary appears most ‘Earth-like’. This result suggests that variations in heat flux at the core–mantle boundary of the Earth are smaller than previously thought, possibly because seismic velocity anomalies in the lowermost mantle might have more of a compositional rather than thermal origin, or because of enhanced heat flux in the mantle's zones of ultra-low seismic velocity.
A role for hormones, gut microbiota and tolerogenic CD103DC in protection of male (NZBxNZW)F1 (BWF1) mice from lupus (MUC8P.805)

Mechanisms leading to gut homeostasis affect both mucosal and systemic immune function, and involve gut microbiota. Tolerogenic dendritic cells (CD103DC) play a role in gut homeostasis, including generation of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). Previously, we found that treatment of male BWF1 mice with anti-CD103 antibody significantly increases disease incidence/mortality. Male CD103DC exhibit significantly greater tolerogenic function than either female or castrated male CD103DC in vitro. This study examines the mechanism of sex differences in CD103DC function, and the role of microbiota in lupus. Sex differences in CD103DC function correlated with increased expression of genes associated with tolerogenic/anti-inflammatory function in males, and pro-inflammatory function in females, and changes in iTreg frequency and function in vivo. Male BWF1 CD103DC expressed more Raldh2, an enzyme required for retinoic acid (RA) synthesis and CD103DC function, and supplementation with RA restored tolerogenic function in female CD103DC. Further, we found that male gut microbiota differed significantly from adult, but not immature, female microbiota, suggesting hormones influence the gut microbiota. Importantly, transfer of male gut microbiota to female BWF1 mice significantly reduced anti-dsDNA antibody production. These data suggest that an interplay between hormones, gut microbiota and tolerogenic CD103DC may play a critical role in providing protection to male BWF1 mice.
Microvascular relations of the trigeminal nerve. An anatomical study with clinical correlation.

✓ The vascular relationships of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone were examined bilaterally in 20 cadavers of individuals known to be free of facial pain. Fourteen of 40 nerves made contact with an artery, but only four of these showed evidence of compression or distortion of the nerve. In addition, the vascular relationships of 40 trigeminal nerves exposed surgically for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia were studied, and 31 nerves showed compression by adjacent arteries. Venous compression was seen in four of the cadaver nerves and in eight nerves from patients with trigeminal neuralgia. These data support the hypothesis that arterial compression of the trigeminal nerve is associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
p90RSK activation contributes to cerebral ischemic damage via phosphorylation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1476–1486. Abstract Excessive activation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) plays a role in cerebral ischemic injury. The current study investigated whether NHE-1 protein in ischemic brains is regulated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) signaling pathways. A transient focal ischemia in mice was induced by a 60-min-occlusion of the middle cerebral artery followed by reperfusion for 3, 10, or 60 min (Rp). Expression of phosphorylated ERK 1/2 was significantly elevated in the ipsilateral hemispheres at 3–10 min Rp and reduced by 60 min Rp. An increase in phosphorylation of p90RSK, a known NHE-1 kinase, was also detected at 3–10 min Rp, which was accompanied with a transient elevation of NHE-1 phosphorylation (p-NHE-1). Stimulation of p90RSK in ischemic neurons was downstream of ERK activation because inhibition of MEK1 (MAP kinase/ERK kinase) with its inhibitor U0126 blocked phosphorylation of p90RSK. Moreover, direct inhibition of p90RSK by its selective inhibitor fluoromethyl ketone not only reduced p-NHE-1 expression but also ischemic infarct volume. Taken together, our study revealed that reperfusion triggers a transient stimulation of the ERK/p90RSK pathway. p90RSK activation contributes to cerebral ischemic damage in part via activation of NHE-1 protein.
Linear switcher combination with novel feedback

A linear regulator and switching power converter parallel combination with novel control is presented. The power converter is setup to operate without output feedback while the linear regulator operates with output feedback. The control scheme minimizes the linear regulator current for maximum efficiency. A higher order L-C filter reduces ripple. This circuit is appropriate for supply modulation of RF power amplifiers.
HAPLOID PARTHENOGENETIC SPOROPHYTES OF LAMINARIA JAPONICA (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

Parthenogenetic sporophytes were obtained from three strains of Laminaria japonica Areschoug. These sporophytes grew to maturity in the sea, producine spores that all grew into female gametophytes. These female gametophytes gave rise to another generation of parthenogenetic sporophytes during the next year, so that by the year 1990 parthenogenetic sporophytes had been cultivated for 12, 9, and 7 generations, respectively, for the three strains. When female gametophytes from parthenogenetic sporophytes were combined with normal male gametophytes, normal sporophytes that reproduced and gave rise to both female and male gametophytes were obtained. The parthenogenetic sporophytes were shorter and narrower than the normal sporophytes of the same strain. Chromosome counts on mature sporophytes showed that normal sporophytes (from fertilized eggs) were diploid (2n = approximately 40) and that the spores they produced were haploid (n = approximately 20), while nuclei from both somatic and sporangial cells in parthenogenetic sporophytes were haploid. All gametophytes were haploid. Young sporophytes derived from cultures with both female and male gametophytes were diploid, while young, sporophytes obtained from female gametophytes from parthenogenetic sporophytes had haploid, diploid, or polyploidy chromosome numbers. Polyploidy was associated with abnormal cell shapes. The presence of haploid parthenogenetic sporophytes should be use in breeding kelp strains with useful characteristics, since the sporophyte phenotype is expressed from a haploid genotype which can be more readily selected.
Local innovation can't be driven from the top down.

In a recent presentation to UK physicians at Stanford University, Alain Enthoven produced a revealing insight. He had advised the Thatcher government at the outset of the internal market during the late 1980s. He had made the case that because no one understood how to manage risk in the NHS, managed competition should be piloted in some small areas first and only made a mandatory part of national policy once the lessons had been learnt. In this respect, he was ignored, and the 1989 white paper Working for Patients unrolled a phased but universal introduction of the new approach. Ministers come and go, but the Department of Health has behaved consistently as if there were a “correct” central policy regarding structures and that its job is to experiment with the NHS while it works out what this policy might be. The sad irony …
THE COEXISTENCE OF PROTOZOAN-LIKE PARASITES AND MENINGOENCEPHALITIS IN MICE

A small proportion of laboratory mice, which appear to be normal, are in reality suffering from an obscure disease characterized by the presence of marked meningoencephalitic lesions which are often accompanied by protozoan-like parasites. Both the lesions and the parasites closely resemble others previously reported in rabbits, which likewise fail to reveal themselves by pronounced clinical symptoms. In the absence of direct experimental evidence it is suggested either that one species of parasite is capable of producing the lesions in both animals, or else that we have to do with two kinds of parasites which are closely related and, in the stages thus far observed, are indistinguishable one from the other.
On being a pathologist

It has been almost 55 years since my first introduction to the science of pathology in medical school. In addition to my postgraduate training in pathology at Charity Hospital (New Orleans, LA). I moonlighted, as do most house staff, and also did autopsies on house pets for an academically oriented practicing veterinarian.Althoughmy first love has been research in the mechanisms of disease, especially neoplastic disease, I have always been very concerned about the training of pathologists for careers in academic pathology. My experiences and concerns in the latter area compose this short article. My becoming a pathologist resulted from a desire early in life to enter the field of chemistry, to obtain a doctorate in that field, and to conduct research and teaching in organic chemistry. Today, such an approach to an understanding of the pathobiology of disease might not appear to many in either field to be totally discordant; however, in the 1940s and 1950s there was little association between the fields of pathology and chemistry except in the diagnostic clinical laboratory. Even clinical biochemistry was then oriented almost entirely toward diagnosis with little consideration of directly applying any of the fields of chemistry, except analytical chemistry, to an understanding of the mechanisms of disease. My interest in chemistry was initiated by my grandfather, a pharmacist in Bayside, New York City. In 1940 I was 10 years old, and during the summer it was my job to assist in arranging various products on shelves,
The Aminopyrine Breath Test and Serum Bile Acids Reflect Histologic Severity in Chronic Hepatitis

To determine whether the aminopyrine breath test (ABT) and serum bile acid concentrations reflect histologic severity of chronic hepatitis, 56 patients were prospectively evaluated with liver biopsies and ABTs, and the results were compared to results of standard liver chemistry tests; 44 of these patients also had fasting and 2-hr postprandial serum bile acid measurements. Mean values for the ABT were significantly lower, and serum bile acids were significantly higher in patients with chronic active hepatitis with bridging or cirrhosis than in patients with mild chronic active hepatitis or chronic persistent hepatitis. Thirty of 35 patients with bridging or cirrhosis had ABTs less than 5.7% (mean of controls -2 S.D.) and 21 of 25 with mild chronic active hepatitis or chronic persistent hepatitis had values greater than 5.7% (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.84). Fasting and 2-hr postprandial bile acids were also more sensitive than standard chemistries in identifying patients with bridging or cirrhosis. Thus, the ABT and serum bile acids reflect histologic severity in chronic hepatitis patients and may be helpful in selecting patients for liver biopsy.
Comparison of nasalance scores obtained from the Nasometer and the NasalView.

Abstract Objective: Nasalance scores obtained from the Nasometer and the NasalView were compared for five different sentences. Design: Vowel content was controlled in the design of the five stimulus sentences. One sentence was loaded with high-front vowels, one with high-back vowels, one with low-front vowels, one with low-back vowels, and one contained a mixture of vowel types. Subjects: The subjects were 50 elementary school children ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. Each subject was a native speaker of English, had no history of adenoidectomy, and was not currently enrolled in speech therapy services. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were the nasalance scores obtained from the Nasometer and the NasalView for each of the five sentences. Results: There was a significant difference in the nasalance scores between the Nasometer and the NasalView for four of the five stimuli, but not all differences were in the same direction. For two stimuli, the Nasometer scores were significantly ...
Understanding Civil War: A New Agenda

This paper is a summary of several papers written in regards to civil war in low-income countries. It draws several comparisons between the other papers and addresses the importance of understanding how civil wars develop. The research provides a look into the costs of civil war in low-income countries and how the effects of civil war can lower income even further.
Preparation of D‐ and L‐Alanine‐2,3‐13C2

Specifically labeled, optical isomers of alanine were synthesized from acetic-13C2 acid by a six-step procedure with yields of 37–38% of the optically active material.
THE LIGHT REQUIREMENT OF ACID‐BASE TRANSITION INDUCED LUMINESCENCE OF CHLOROPLASTS

— The luminescence that occurs when chloroplasts are taken from an acid environment to a basic one is shown to be dependent on prior illumination of the chloroplasts. The relation between the light absorbed and luminescence is given by the following equation L=Lmax(1-eal where L and Lmax are the light emitted and maximum light emission at high flash energy, respectively, J quanta absorbed per chlorlphyll molecule, and α a constant with a value of approximately 200 chlorophyll molecules per quanta absorbed. The action spectrum of the luminescence is consistent with that of photosystem II. The metastable state formed during illumination decays in the dark via a temperature dependent second order process.
Durability of aneurysm embolization with matrix detachable coils.

Objective Matrix detachable coils (MDC; Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) are platinum coils coated with a bioabsorbable polymeric material (polyglycolic-polylactic acid). In animal models, the introduction of polyglycolic-polylactic acid-coated coils into experimental aneurysms resulted in a cellular reaction which promoted stable intra-aneurysmal scar tissue formation. The current study was undertaken to assess the durability of aneurysm occlusion after embolization with MDC. Methods All patients undergoing embolization were prospectively enrolled in an endovascular database at our institution. All coils used for embolization were recorded in the operative notes for the procedure. Only aneurysms embolized with 50% or greater length of MDC were included. All patients with Neuroform stents (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) were excluded from the study. Patients were followed with conventional angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. Results During a 20-month period, 131 aneurysms were embolized with MDC. Follow up data (average, 6.9 mo; range, 1.5-22 mo) were available for 82 aneurysms (61 with conventional angiography, 21 with magnetic resonance angiography only). Of the aneurysm patients with follow-up available, 65 had small aneurysms with small necks, three were small aneurysms with wide necks, 12 were large aneurysms, and two were giant aneurysms. Overall, there were 30 (36.6%) recanalizations, 19 (23.1%) of which required retreatment. In two additional patients, retreatment was either recommended (n = 1) or attempted unsuccessfully (n = 1). Fifty-two aneurysms were unchanged or demonstrated progressive thrombosis (63.4%). The recanalization rate for small aneurysms with small necks was 26.1% (17 out of 65) with a 13.8% retreatment rate (9/65). The recanalization rate for large aneurysms was 75% (9 out of 12) with seven requiring retreatment. Conclusion In the absence of Neuroform stent support, aneurysms embolized with the MDC system demonstrated a significant rate of recanalization. Many of the recanalizations were of sufficient size to warrant retreatment. The rates of recanalization observed in the present series were comparable to, or worse than, those reported for bare platinum coils.
The Contribution of Two Categories of Parent Verbal Responsiveness to Later Language for Toddlers and Preschoolers on the Autism Spectrum

Purpose The authors examined longitudinal associations between 2 categories of parent verbal responsiveness and language comprehension and production 1 year later in 40 toddlers and preschoolers wi...
An efficient epimerization of biotin sulfone derivatives to 2-epi-biotin analogs

Reduction of biotin sulfone derivatives leads to 2-epi-biotin analogs. The stereochemistry of the side chain at C2 can be simply deduced from the diagnostic chemical shift pattern of the benzylic protons, rather than through the conventional analysis of the coupling constants using the empirical Karplus equation.
Gene expression of nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses

Nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses comprise major human and animal pathogens in nature. This class of viruses is ubiquitous and infects vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. Our laboratory has been working on the gene expression of two prototype nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses, vesicular stomatitis virus (a rhabdovirus) and human parainfluenza virus 3 (a paramyxovirus). An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L and P protein) is packaged within the virion which faithfully copies the genome RNA in vitro and in vivo; this enzyme complex, in association with the nucleocapsid protein (N), is also involved in the replication process. In this review, we have presented up-to-date information of the structure and function of the RNA polymerases of these two viruses, the mechanisms of transcription and replication, and the role of host proteins in the life-cycle of the viruses. These detailed studies have led us to a better understanding of the roles of viral and cellular proteins in the viral gene expression.
Dialkyl-Substituted Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-Based Polymers Containing 2,2‘-Bithiophene, Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, and Ethynylene Spacers

A series of 3,6-dinonylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based polymers containing either 2,2‘-bithiophene, thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, or ethynylene spacer units were synthesized by Stille and oxidative coupling reactions. Their electronic properties were studied by UV−vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies in solution and in the solid state and compared to poly(3,6-dinonylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene). The introduction of these spacers led to a substantial red shift in the longest wavelength of absorption, indicating that these modifications restore, to a significant extent, the planarity of the system resulting in increased conjugation. Model compounds representing the basic structural unit of each polymer were synthesized, and computations were performed to understand the role of the spacer in dictating the conformation of the polymer backbone.
Effects of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one vapor on peel browning of 'Delicious' and 'Granny Smith' apples: open vs. closed system

Abstract An open and a closed system were used to evaluate the effects of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (MHO) vapor on peel browning or scald development of ‘Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’ (scald susceptible) or ‘Fuji’ and ‘Gala’ (scald resistant) apples. In the open system, fruit were placed on the top of a beaker containing MHO and held in a ventilation hood with airflow of 0.56 m s−1 at 20 °C for 4 days. In the closed system, an open beaker containing MHO, together with 30 apples, was sealed in a 30-l jar, which was opened for 1 h every 2 days for 7 days at 20 °C. Differing scald susceptibilities for ‘Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’ were created using fruit at harvest (least susceptible), fruit stored in regular air (RA) for 4 months or controlled atmosphere (CA) for 6 months 0 °C (most susceptible), or fruit treated with DPA at harvest and then stored in RA for 4 months or CA for 6 months at 0 °C (less susceptible). At harvest, MHO induced peel browning over 100% of the treated area of the four cultivars in the open system but induced no browning on fruit in the closed system. Fruit treated similarly with acetone or ethanol showed peel browning in the open system but not in the closed system. Scald developed after 4 months RA storage in ‘Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’ and after 6 months CA storage in ‘Granny Smith’. Scald increased in these fruit after 7 days at 20 °C. DPA treatment inhibited scald both during storage and during the poststorage period at 20 °C. In the open system, MHO treatment increased MHO concentrations in fruit peel by 100-fold and induced uniform peel browning in the treated area within 24 h in both cultivars regardless of storage condition or DPA treatment. The severity of the symptom increased with time. In the closed system, although MHO treatment increased MHO concentration in fruit peel by 3–10 fold compared with untreated controls, it did not change scald development regardless of cultivar, storage condition, or DPA treatment.
Salicylic acid inhibits gibberellin-induced alpha-amylase expression and seed germination via a pathway involving an abscisic-acid-inducible WRKY gene

It is well known that abscisic acid (ABA) antagonizes gibberellin (GA)-promoted seed germination. Recent circumstantial evidence suggests that salicylic acid (SA) also inhibits seed germination in maize and Arabidopsis. Our study shows that SA blocks barley seed germination in a dosage dependent manner. As an initial effort to addressing the mechanism controlling the crosstalk of SA, GA and ABA signaling in barley, we studied the regulation of α-amylases by SA and a WRKY gene whose expression is modulated by these hormones. Assays of α-amylase activity reveal that GA-induced α-amylase production in aleurone cells is inhibited by bioactive SA, but not its analogs, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. This inhibitory effect is unlikely due to repressing α-amylase secretion or inhibiting α-amylase enzyme activities. Northern blot analyses indicate that SA suppresses GA-induced expression of a barley low pI α-amylase gene (Amy32b). Because our previous data indicate that ABA-inducible and GA-suppressible WRKY genes inhibit the expression of α-amylase genes in rice, we studied the steady state mRNA levels of a barley WRKY gene, HvWRKY38. The expression of HvWRKY38 in barley aleurone cells is down-regulated by GA, but up-regulated by SA and ABA. However, the regulation of HvWRKY38 by SA appears to be different from that of ABA in term of the kinetics and levels of induction. Over-expression of HvWRKY38 in aleurone cells by particle bombardment blocks GA induction of the Amy32b promoter reporter construct (Amy32b-GUS). Therefore, HvWRKY38 might serve as a converging node of SA and ABA signal pathways involved in suppressing GA-induced seed germination.
Microwave-Accelerated Ruthenium-Catalyzed Olefin Metathesis

Microwave heating is an efficient method for the acceleration of ring-closing metathesis reactions using ruthenium-based catalysts. The reaction can be rapidly conducted in either ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim), or in a microwave transparent solvent (MTS) such as dichloromethane.
Breaking with tradition: redefining measures for diet description with a case study of the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica (Gilbert 1896)

Characterization of fish diets from stomach content analysis commonly involves the calculation of multiple relative measures of prey quantity (%N,%W,%FO), and their combination in the standardized Index of Relative Importance (%IRI). Examining the underlying structure of dietary data matrices reveals interdependencies among diet measures, and obviates the advantageous use of underused prey-specific measures to diet characterization. With these interdependencies clearly realized as formal mathematical expressions, we proceed to isolate algebraically, the inherent bias in %IRI, and provide a correction for it by substituting traditional measures with prey-specific measures. The resultant new index, the Prey-Specific Index of Relative Importance (%PSIRI), is introduced and recommended to replace %IRI for its demonstrated more balanced treatment of the relative measures of prey quantity, and less erroneous behavior across taxonomic levels of identified prey. As a case study, %PSIRI was used to examine the diet of the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica from specimens collected from three ecoregions of the northern Gulf of Alaska (GOA) continental shelf during June-September 2005–2007. Aleutian skate were found to primarily consume the commonly abundant benthic crustaceans, northern pink shrimp Pandalus eous and Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi, and secondarily consume various teleost fishes. Multivariate variance partitioning by Redundancy Analysis revealed spatially driven differences in the diet to be as influential as skate size, sex, and depth of capture. Euphausiids and other mid-water prey in the diet were strongly associated with the Shelikof Strait region during 2007 that may be explained by atypical marine climate conditions during that year.
Measurement of attosecond XUV pulses generated with polarization gating by two-dimensional photoelectron spectroscopy

We report on our high speed camera designed for temporal characterization of attosecond pulses (1as =10-18s) generated with the polarization gating technique. The uniform external magnetic field applied on the time-of-flight spectrometer enlarges the acceptance angle (up to 65° for ~20-eV photoelectrons). By collecting two-dimensional momentum images of the photoelectrons, which are ejected by the XUV pulses and streaked directly by the co-propagating polarization gating electric field, we expect to derive the information about the XUV pulses. After the characterization of XUV pulses, the same setup can be used to study complex dynamics of electrons in atoms and molecules with time-resolved spectroscopy.
Slow axonal transport in experimental hypoxia and in neuropathy induced by p-bromophenylacetylurea.

Abstract The slow axonal transport of proteins radiolabeled by incorporation of [35S]methionine was studied in motor nerves of rats subjected to chronic hypoxia. The conditions involved exposure to an atmosphere of 8–10% oxygen for periods of 3, 5, or 10 weeks. An experimentally verified computer model predicted a drop in mean endoneurial oxygen tension from 30.5 to 19 mm Hg, despite a measured increase in circulating hemoglobin from 16 to 22 g%. Nerve conduction velocity was unaffected during the early stages of hypoxia. After 10 weeks of hypoxia, conduction velocity still appeared normal in the sciatic nerve but was reduced in the caudal nerve by 2.5–4.5 m/s. At no time, however, was there evidence of impaired slow axonal transport, which proceded with a mean velocity between 1 and 2 mm/day. Another set of experiments was performed to evaluate slow axonal transport in motor nerves of rats with peripheral neuropathy induced by the toxicant,p-bromophenylacetylurea. The results suggested a lower transport velocity in rats showing total hindlimb paralysis as compared with rats showing only mild to moderate motor dysfunction. The difference, however, could have reflected accelerated transport in mild neuropathy. In our view, the observations in experimental hypoxia- and toxicant-induced neuropathy are noteworthy for the resistance of slow transport to perturbation of the neuronal environment.
Bioengineering Quantification of Left Ventricular Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure is the prevailing cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. It is the sequela of the deleterious left ventricular (LV) remodeling process. So far, the mechanisms of the cardiac remodeling process are not completely understood. A clinically relevant large animal model is an essential vehicle for studying the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling. In our laboratory, we have developed a reproducible ovine model of post-infarct chronic cardiac remodeling. Throughout the study period of an animal, the functional and geometric changes of the LV were monitored by echocardiographic and bioengineering means.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
An evaluation of a passive monitor for mercury vapor.

This paper summarizes an evaluation of a passive mercury monitor made by the 3M Company. The monitor was compared to dynamic sampling methods used for the determination of mercury. The monitor was tested for accuracy, precision, interference from chlorine, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and the effects of temperatures and face velocity.
The Naive Argument against Moral Vegetarianism

The naive argument against moral vegetarianism claims that if it is wrong for us to eat meant then it is wrong for lions and tigers to do so as well. I argue that the fact that such carnivores lack higher order mental states and need meat to survive do suffice to undermine the naive argument.
Thermodynamic limitations for fullerene formation in flames

Thermodynamic driving forces for fullerene formation in flames are considered from three different perspectives: 1) global equilibrium, 2) free energy changes for individual reactions leading to fullerene formation, and 3) relative stabilities of C30Hx polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The ranges of conditions which promote formation of fullerenes and their precursors are determined.
Survival of Hatchery-Reared Lake Trout Stocked Near Shore and Off Shore in Lake Ontario

Abstract Establishing a stock of mature, hatchery-reared fish is necessary to restore a self-sustaining population of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Lake Ontario. Stocking fish off shore rather than near shore to reduce predation on these fish by large lake trout or piscivorous birds may enhance survival of hatchery-reared fish and accelerate establishment of a population of adults. Results of an earlier study did not support routinely stocking fish off shore by helicopter in Lake Ontario, but stresses associated with helicopter stocking suggested another method of transporting fish off shore might enhance survival. I conducted this study to determine whether stocking lake trout off shore by barge would enhance first-year survival. Two lots of yearling lake trout were stocked at each of four locations in Lake Ontario in May 1992. One lot was stocked from shore, and an identical lot was transported by barge 3.4–10.4 km off shore of nearshore locations and stocked in water 46–52 m deep. Fish were recove...
Analysis of boron in CVD diamond surfaces using neutron depth profiling

Abstract Neutron depth profiling (NDP) is a method of near surface analysis for isotopes that undergo neutron-induced positive Q -value charged particle reactions, e.g., (n,alpha), (n,p). Because of its large cross section and large Q -value, the 10 B(n,α) 7 Li reaction has been widely employed for NDP studies. We have used the NDP technique to study the concentration and distribution of boron in CVD diamond layers. The measurements were made using the new Cold Neutron Depth Profiling instrument at the NIST Cold Neutron Research Facility. The diamond samples were prepared at the Materials Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. The doped diamond single crystal films were grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition from a mixture of methane, hydrogen and diborane. Natural type IIa crystals cut along the (001) plane were used as substrates. Results of the measurements are presented.
The effects of thematic importance on story recall among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comparison children.

This study examined the recall of televised stories for younger (4–6 years) and older (7–9 years) children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under two different viewing conditions (toys present/toys absent). Each child watched two Rugrats television programs, once with toys present and once with toys absent. Immediately after viewing a program, the child completed a free recall of the observed story. Comparison children’s recall increased more than ADHD children’s as importance level increased, and comparison children recalled more information overall than children with ADHD. When toys were present, children with ADHD retold less coherent stories than comparison children, as indexed by smaller correlations between the story units recalled and the order of these units in the story. In summary, children with ADHD demonstrated multiple difficulties in story comprehension. These findings add to our understanding of the differences in higher-order cognitive processing abilities between children with ADHD and comparison children, and suggest important areas of focus in designing more effective academic interventions for children with ADHD.