cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic sclerotherapy plus propranolol versus propranolol alone in the primary prevention of bleeding in high risk cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices: A prospective multicenter randomized trial

Background: Analysis of primary prevention studies of the use of β-blockers has shown clear reductions in variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with varices. In contrast, the usefulness of prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy, alone or in combination with propranolol, in the management of these patients is still under investigation. The present study compared the efficacy of combined sclerotherapy and propranolol versus propranolol alone in the primary prevention of hemorrhage in cirrhotic patients with varices and high (greater than 18 mm Hg) intraesophageal variceal pressure. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to propranolol (42 patients) or to propranolol plus sclerotherapy (44 patients). The mean duration of follow-up was 26.8 ± 7.7 and 24.6 ± 9.8 months, respectively. Results: During this period 23% of the patients in the combination group experienced at least 1 episode of bleeding due to varices or congestive gastropathy as compared with 14% in the propranolol group (not significant). Twenty-three patients (52%) in the combination group developed complications as compared with 8 (19%) in the propranolol group (p = 0.002). The mortality rate was similar in both groups (14% and 18%, respectively). The only independent factor predictive of survival was the level of serum albumin. Conclusions: Endoscopic sclerotherapy should not be used for the primary prevention of hemorrhage in cirrhotic patients at high risk of variceal bleeding who are undergoing treatment with propranolol. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;51:652-8.)
Perceived Communication Difficulties of Children With Hearing Loss

The goals of this study were to modify an adult self-assessment questionnaire (APHAP, Cox & Alexander, 1995) to be appropriate for children who are older than 9 years of age, to compare the results of the questionnaire for children with hearing loss to existing adult data, and to examine the agreement between a parent’s perception of his or her child’s disability and the child’s perception. Children with mild hearing loss who were unaided reported fewer problems than did adults who were unaided. Children and adults with mild hearing loss who were aided reported similar problems. Data for children with moderate hearing loss were similar to previously reported adult data. In general, parents’ perception of their child’s communication problems correlated poorly with the child’s scores on this test.
Large-scale fabrication of protein nanoarrays based on nanosphere lithography.

Hexagonally patterned lysozyme nanoarrays have been assembled on silicon wafers by combining nanosphere lithography and surface silane chemistry using vapor and solution deposition processes. The patterned protein regions extend over cm sized regions, and the size of each island is ∼120 nm for the solution-prepared template and ∼60 nm for the vapor-prepared template. Antibody test indicates that the patterned lysozyme maintains its bioactivity on the surface. This new approach offers a fast and reliable method to fabricate protein arrays over large areas with feature sizes comparable to scanning-probe based techniques.
Bioequivalence of immediate-release theophylline capsules.

A three-way crossover study in 18 healthy male volunteers was conducted to evaluate the bioequivalence of three different 200 mg anhydrous theophylline immediate-release (IR) capsules. The products had not been rated as therapeutically equivalent by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) owing to a lack of bioequivalence data. Serum samples were obtained from 0 to 34 h after dosing. Mean time of maximum serum concentration (T(max)) ranged from 1.3 to 1.4 h. Mean values for the maximum serum concentration (C(max)) and the area under the serum concentration-time curves (AUC) differed by /=89 to </=113%. It was concluded that the three products were bioequivalent. In addition, the rapid in vitro dissolution of these formulations, as well as the reported high solubility and high permeability of theophylline, was predictive of the lack of any bioavailability differences among the three products.
Spherical inflation of a class of compressible elastic bodies

Abstract Using a special model that belongs to a new class of elastic bodies wherein the Cauchy–Green stretch is given in terms of the Cauchy stress and its invariants, within the context of the spherical inflation of a spherical annulus, we show that interesting phenomena like the development of “stress boundary layers” manifest themselves. We consider two cases of boundary value problems, one in which there is a cavity in a sphere and the other in which there is a rigid spherical inclusion in a sphere. We show that in the case of a rigid inclusion, it is possible for a pronounced “stress boundary” layer to develop, in that the values of the stresses within this boundary layer that is adjacent to a spherical inclusion are much larger than external to it. We also show that in the case of both the cavity and a rigid inclusion, the stress concentration is an order of magnitude higher than the increase in the deformation gradient, that is, the stress and the stretch do not scale in a similar manner. While the stress adjacent to a rigid inclusion can be 2500 times the applied radial stress, the maximum stretch, which occurs at the rigid inclusion is about 10. While the variation in the stresses are linear in thin walled annular regions, we find that in thick walled annular regions, the variation of the stresses is non-linear.
A cross sectional study of the association between walnut consumption and cognitive function among adult us populations represented in NHANES

Objective To examine the association between walnut consumption and measures of cognitive function in the US population.
Energy‐Level Iterative NMR Method for Sets of Magnetically Nonequivalent, Chemical‐Shift Equivalent Nuclei

A technique is described which greatly facilitates the use of the Swalen and Reilly energy‐level NMR spectral analysis method for spin systems having sets of magnetically nonequivalent, chemical‐shift equivalent nuclei and systems in which it is not possible to assign sufficient transitions to link all energy levels within a particular symmetry group of energy levels. As a test of this scheme, results are described for five iterative analyses of the fluorine‐19 spectrum of hexafluoro‐1,3‐butadiene for the cases where the problem is arbitrarily broken into 27, 16, 8, and 4 groups and the actual problem which involves two groups of energy levels. For the 27‐group case it is demonstrated that an excellent set of NMR parameters could be derived based on iteration with only 37 experimental lines to determine the 64 energy levels. The problem of convergence in the cases involving many groups of energy levels is discussed.
Introducing distant interactions in the cluster variation method

Abstract In recent years it has been shown that the thermodynamic stability of metallic alloys and intermetallic compounds at zero temperature win be computed from first-principles electronic structure methods based on the local density approximation with remarkable accuracy. Currently, one of the most demanding objectives is the accurate prediction of composition-temperature phase diagrams of binary alloys using statistical thermodynamical methods such as the cluster variation method (CVM) with as input interatomic interactions derived from first-principles electronic structure calculations. Although the CVM is fast and powerful, it is limited in the spatial range of interatomic interactions. As a consequence, some intermetallic phases cannot be modeled, or cannot be modeled with sufficient accuracy. Therefore, methods for extending the range of interactions that can be considered within a given approximation of the CVM are explored and compared.
An adaptive threshold method to address routing issues in delay-tolerant networks

Many wireless environments face long delays and intermittent connectivity anomalies. A promising solution is delay-tolerant networks, but these networks have inherent issues with routing. Popular mobile ad hoc routing protocols such as AODV and OSPF rely on the existence of an end-to-end path. These protocols first establish a path before traffic is sent. A delay-tolerant network, however, is characterized by intermittent connectivity and consequently for these types of networks, traditional routing protocols fail. This paper proposes an adaptive threshold routing algorithm that builds upon the threshold method proposed in [1]. An adaptive algorithm is an ideal approach for dynamic, challenged, network environments. The adaptive threshold method takes into account changes in the network structure and adjusts the algorithm parameters to optimize performance in terms of reducing network load, lowering the delivery rate of packets, and maximizing packet throughput. Experimental results show that as the network topology changes, the adaptive threshold method not only maintains a high throughput while lowering the network load, it also outperforms the threshold method by reducing the average packet delivery rate.
Extraction of the frequency-domain optical response function of a periodically modulated medium with short optical pulses

The interaction of a short optical pulse with a medium whose optical properties are periodically modulated depends on the modulation phase at the moment of the pulse arrival. A technique of extracting the linear optical response function of such a medium to the cw optical field with a judiciously chosen series of short pulses rather than with cw optical fields is presented. An example of using the technique in numerical simulations is given, and a possible experimental arrangement is discussed. In particular, this technique may be convenient for extracting the optical properties of quantum wells modulated by a terahertz field.
A sparse representation of physical activity video in the study of obesity

Wearable visual devices have many emerging applications in human health monitoring, such as the study of food intake and physical activities. However, these devices produce large amounts of data which must be processed efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we present a video- based health monitoring system for physical activity studies. We utilize an efficient signal extraction method to process and reduce the effects of noises on field-acquired image data. We further develop a maximum likelihood estimator to estimate the walking speed and classify activity patterns (walking or running) in real-time under both indoor and outdoor environments. We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method using three different test video sequences.
New stratigraphic markers in the late Pleistocene Palouse loess: novel fossil gastropods, absolute age constraints and non‐aeolian facies

Four stratigraphic sections in the southern part of the Columbia Basin preserve a sequence of aeolian and non-aeolian sediments ranging in age from 9AE43 to >47AE0 14 C ka based on accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating of fossil molluscs, geochemistry of Cascade Mountain-sourced tephra and association with formally recognized pedostratigraphic units (the Washtucna and Old Maid Coulee soils). Study sections are interpreted as representing concurrent deposition of loess and distal Missoula Flood rhythmites in valleys tributary to main drainages backflooded during the Missoula Floods, and formation of carbonate and iron-rich soils. Sediments belong to the formally recognized L-1 and L-2 loess units established for the Palouse loess, which were deposited in the Columbia Basin subsequent to events of glacial outburst flooding. Sediments associated with the Mount Saint Helens set S and set C tephras in the study sections preserve a fauna of five species of gastropod mollusc which have not been reported previously from sediments of late Pleistocene age in the Palouse region. The fossils comprise two distinct faunules stratigraphically separated by the Mount Saint Helens So tephra. Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating of the fossils collected above the tephra in two of the sections yielded ages of 12AE48 ± 0AE06 and 9AE43 ± 0AE05 14 C kyr. These ages suggest that independent determinations of the 13AE35 14 C kyr age of the So tephra in other areas where Missoula Flood sediments are preserved are probably accurate, and help to refine the age of the latest events in the most recent sequence of catastrophic glacial outburst flooding.
Pharmacogenetic screening for susceptibility to fetal malformations in women

OBJECTIVE:To present a review of the literature and research on the pharmacogenetics of congenital defects, with a focus on the need for predictive maternal genotype assays.DATA SOURCE:MEDLINE searches (January 1985–January 1999), past reference reviews, and unpublished research.STUDY SELECTION:Review of relevant human, animal, and basic science studies.DATA EXTRACTION:Data on research on polymorphisms, genotyping, cytochrome P450 enzyme systems, epoxide hydrolase, folate metabolism, metabolism of anticonvulsant medications, molecular genetics of neural tube defects, variations in drug metabolism, and environmental exposures were evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:Data synthesis includes not only a review of the literature but suggests ways such data might be used to facilitate the development of maternal genotype assays, with the goal of preventing birth defects.CONCLUSIONS:Individuals vary in how they metabolize drugs and handle toxic environmental exposures. In an ideal pregnancy, there is no or limited exposure...
The dynamics of axolemmal disruption in guinea pig spinal cord following compression.

Membrane damage has been postulated as a critical factor in mediating axonal degeneration in brain and spinal cord trauma. Despite compelling evidence of membrane disruption as a result of physical insults in both in vivo and in vitro studies, the dynamics of such damage over the time post injury in in vivo studies has not been well documented. Using a well-characterized in vivo guinea pig spinal cord compression model and horseradish peroxidase exclusion assay, we have documented significant membrane disruption at 1 hr, 3 days, and 7 days following injury. Furthermore, the membrane damage was found to spread laterally 10 mm beyond the center of original compression site in both rostral and caudal directions. A second-degree polynomial fit of the measured data predicts a bilateral spread of approximately 20–21 mm of membrane disruption from the epicenter of injury over a period of about 20 days. Thus, this study shows that membrane damage exists days, and possibly weeks, after spinal cord trauma in live guinea pigs. This provides the evidence necessary to investigate the role of membrane damage in triggering axonal deterioration in the future. Furthermore, this study has also revealed a long therapeutical window for membrane repair and functional enhancement following traumatic injury in the central nervous system.
Does Receiving Unsolicited Support Help or Hurt? Receipt of Unsolicited Job Leads and Depression

Does receiving unsolicited support protect or hurt health? This study focuses on the receipt of unsolicited job leads and examines opposite hypotheses on its main and interaction effects with economic strain (lack of full-time employment and the duration of lack of full-time employment) and financial dissatisfaction on depression using nationally representative data of working-age adults in the United States. The distress-reducing perspective expects its main effect to be negative, but the distress-inducing perspective predicts the opposite. Furthermore, the need contingency argument anticipates the two competing perspectives-distress reducing and distress inducing-to have stronger explanatory power for adults with more economic strain and financial dissatisfaction and those with less economic strain and financial dissatisfaction, respectively. Results are consistent with the distress-inducing perspective and the need contingency argument. The findings indicate that the receipt of unsolicited job leads often plays a deleterious role for mental health but that the role varies according to the need for job leads.
Precipitation Characteristics of Trade Wind Clouds during RICO Derived from Radar, Satellite, and Aircraft Measurements

Abstract Precipitation characteristics of trade wind clouds over the Atlantic Ocean near Barbuda are derived from radar and aircraft data and are compared with satellite-observed cloud fields collected during the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) field campaign. S-band reflectivity measurements Z were converted to rainfall rates R using a Z–R relationship derived from aircraft measurements. Daily rainfall rates varied from 0 to 22 mm day−1. The area-averaged rainfall rate for the 62-day period was 2.37 mm day−1. If corrected for evaporation below cloud base, this value is reduced to 2.23 mm day−1, which translates to a latent heat flux to the atmosphere of 63 W m−2. When compared with the wintertime ocean-surface latent heat flux from this region, the average return of water to the ocean through precipitation processes within the trade wind layer during RICO was 31%–39%. A weak diurnal cycle was observed in the area-averaged rainfall rate. The magnitude of the rainfall and the frequency of its occurre...
Origin, scaling, and saturation of nonlinear polarizabilities in donor/acceptor polymers

Summary form only given. Donor/acceptor substituted conjugated molecules possess even-order nonlinear polarizabilities. Existing experimental and theoretical studies have not yet established the precise scaling law of the second-order polarizability /spl beta/ and its the crossover to the bulk. In this paper we use a Collective Electronic Oscillator (CEO) technique to explore the variation of linear, second, and third order polarizabilities in donor/acceptor substituted polymers all the way to the bulk.
Isolation and characterization of IgG1 with asymmetrical Fc glycosylation

N-glycosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) at asparigine residue 297 plays a critical role in antibody stability and immune cell-mediated Fc effector function. Current understanding pertaining to Fc glycosylation is based on studies with IgGs that are either fully glycosylated [both heavy chain (HC) glycosylated] or aglycosylated (neither HC glycosylated). No study has been reported on the properties of hemi-glycosylated IgGs, antibodies with asymmetrical glycosylation in the Fc region such that one HC is glycosylated and the other is aglycosylated. We report here for the first time a detailed study of how hemi-glycosylation affects the stability and functional activities of an IgG1 antibody, mAb-X, in comparison to its fully glycosylated counterpart. Our results show that hemi-glycosylation does not impact Fab-mediated antigen binding, nor does it impact neonatal Fc receptor binding. Hemi-glycosylated mAb-X has slightly decreased thermal stability in the CH2 domain and a moderate decrease (∼20%) in C1q binding. More importantly, the hemi-glycosylated form shows significantly decreased binding affinities toward all Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) including the high-affinity FcγRI, and the low-affinity FcγRIIA, FcγRIIB, FcγRIIIA and FcγRIIIB. The decreased binding affinities to FcγRs result in a 3.5-fold decrease in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). As ADCC often plays an important role in therapeutic antibody efficacy, glycosylation status will not only affect the antibody quality but also may impact the biological function of the product.
Ferulic acid combined with aspirin demonstrates chemopreventive potential towards pancreatic cancer when delivered using chitosan-coated solid-lipid nanoparticles

The overall goal of this study was to demonstrate potential chemopreventive effects of ferulic acid (FA), an antioxidant, combined with aspirin (ASP), a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug for pancreatic cancer chemoprevention, using a novel chitosan-coated solid lipid nanoparticles (c-SLN) drug delivery system encapsulating FA and ASP. Our formulation optimization results showed that c-SLNs of FA and ASP exhibited appropriate initial particle sizes in range of 183 ± 46 and 229 ± 67 nm, encapsulation efficiency of 80 and 78 %, and zeta potential of 39.1 and 50.3 mV, respectively. In vitro studies were conducted to measure growth inhibition and degree of apoptotic cell death induced by either FA or ASP alone or in combination. Cell viability studies demonstrated combinations of low doses of free FA (200 µM) and ASP (1 mM) significantly reduced cell viability by 45 and 60 % in human pancreatic cancer cells MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1, respectively. However, when encapsulated within c-SLNs, a 5- and 40-fold decreases in dose of FA (40 µM) and ASP (25 µM) was observed which was significant. Furthermore, increased apoptosis of 35 and 31 % was observed in MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells, respectively. In vivo studies using oral administration of combinations of 75 and 25 mg/kg of FA and ASP c-SLNs to MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor xenograft mice model suppressed the growth of the tumor by 45 % compared to control, although this was not statistically significant. In addition, the immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue showed significant decrease in expression of proliferation proteins PCNA and MKI67, and also increased expression of apoptotic proteins p-RB, p21, and p-ERK1/2 indicating the pro-apoptotic role of the regimen. Combination of FA and ASP delivered via a novel nanotechnology-based c-SLN formulation demonstrates potential for pancreatic cancer chemoprevention and could be a promising area for future studies.
Uridine Diphosphate d-Glucose Dehydrogenase of Aerobacter aerogenes

Uridine diphosphate d-glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.22) from Aerobacter aerogenes has been partially purified and its properties have been investigated. The molecular weight of the enzyme is between 70,000 and 100,000. Uridine diphosphate d-glucose is a substrate; the diphosphoglucose derivatives of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, and thymidine are not substrates. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), but not nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, is active as hydrogen acceptor. The pH optimum is between 9.4 and 9.7; the Km is 0.6 mm for uridine diphosphate d-glucose and 0.06 mm for NAD. Inhibition of the enzyme by uridine diphosphate d-xylose is noncooperative and of mixed type; the Ki is 0.08 mm. Thus, uridine diphosphate d-glucose dehydrogenase from A. aerogenes differs from the enzyme from mammalian liver, higher plants, and Cryptococcus laurentii, in which uridine diphosphate d-xylose functions as a cooperative, allosteric feedback inhibitor.
Can Emotions Communicate

In “Reactive Attitudes as Communicative Entities” (2013b), Coleen Macnamara argues that the reactive attitudes—a class of moral emotions that includes indignation, resentment, and gratitude—are essentially communicative entities. She argues that this conclusion follows from the premises that (1) the reactive attitudes are messages, which (2) have the proper function of eliciting uptake from others. In response, I argue that while the expressions of these emotions may fit this description, the emotions themselves do not. The reactive attitudes neither are messages nor have the proper function of eliciting uptake from others, and thus Macnamara is mistaken to conclude that the reactive attitudes are essentially communicative entities.
On the Utility and Disutility of JEBAR

The usefulness of the concept of JEBAR, the joint effect of baroclinicity and relief, in large-scale ocean dynamics is critically analyzed. The authors address two questions. Does the JEBAR term properly characterize the joint impact of stratification and bottom topography on the ocean circulation? Do estimates of the JEBAR term from observational data allow reliable diagnostic calculations? The authors give a negative answer to the first question. The JEBAR term need not give a true measure of the effect of bottom relief in a stratified ocean. A simple two-layer model provides examples. As to the second question, it is demonstrated that the large-scale pattern of the transport streamfunction is captured by the smoothed solution, especially with the Mellor et al. formulation of the JEBAR term. However, the calculated velocity field is very noisy and the relative errors are large.
Application of Self-Organizing Feature Maps to Reservoir Characterization

Neural networks are becoming an increasingly popular analysis tool in a wide variety of applications. One application of considerable interest is reservoir characterization. Calculating reservoir properties has typically been a process of extrapolation or interpolation from a sparse number of locations using geostatistical methods. A neural networks approach allows estimation of reservoir parameters from not only the sparse set of well locations, but also an auxiliary data set such as a complete grid of 3-D seismic data.
Consumer Preference for Product Bundles: The Role of Reduced Search Costs:

Most prior research on bundling from a consumer perspective has focused on how bundles are processed, particularly from a prospect theory or mental accounting perspective. In contrast, relatively little research has examined the factors that might drive consumer preference for bundles versus individual items. This article addresses one such factor: the potential to reduce search and assembly costs. Through exploratory interviews and two laboratory experiments, the authors show that preference for a bundle is greater when bundle choice will reduce search effort than when it will not, particularly among consumers who are less motivated to process information.
Correlates of length of stay in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing inpatient surgery.

Escalating economic constraints require identification of the determinants of length of stay (LOS), since optimizing these may facilitate cost-effective care. However, risk factors for increased LOS are poorly understood. In order to identify correlates of long LOS, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 252 consecutive patients who underwent major inpatient surgery on the gynecologic oncology service at Barnes Hospital during 1990. Of these, 86 had benign disease and 38 were excluded for other reasons, leaving 128 for analysis. The recorded variables of age, race, medical history, measures of nutritional state, primary cancer, prior therapy, blood loss, operating time, and attending surgeon were subjected to regression analysis. In order to avoid reducing cell numbers to insignificant sizes, the linked factors of type of surgery and primary site were not analyzed simultaneously. A separate analysis was performed substituting type of procedure for primary site. The mean LOS was 12 days (range, 4-30). Five factors emerged as significant correlates of longer LOS: decreasing preoperative albumin level (P 0.05) were race, attending physician, number of preoperative medications or medical conditions, body mass index, other radiotherapy, and other primary sites and procedures. Future studies should attempt to determine why elderly, nutritionally depleted women undergoing long or complicated procedures are at high risk for long LOS and should assess interventions designed to minimize LOS for this high-risk group.
Planning for Laobaixing: Public Participation in Urban Transportation Project, Liaoning, China

International experience suggests that in the realm of urban transport, a public participation process can be a valuable complement to the technical planning process in generating good projects with widespread distributional benefits that minimize concentration of adverse impacts. If properly designed, participation processes also offer an opportunity to incorporate the interests of vulnerable groups into the planning process. This paper presents a recent case study of a World Bank financed urban infrastructure improvement project in Liaoning, China, where the successful development of a meaningful public participation process influenced project design to better address the broad needs of the project beneficiaries. Particularly, the participatory process significantly influenced the project design and raised city leaders' sensitivity to public needs. Through the process the project shifted focus from major road expansion to secondary road improvements. Additionally, the participation processes picked up latent issues to better address needs of non-auto users, women and other urban vulnerable. The outcomes of the Liaoning participatory project indicate that a mainstreamed participatory process offers the potential to systematically reveal and address critical issues and public needs early in the planning process, which leads to higher value projects to accomplish investment goals.
Effective energy function for proteins in lipid membranes

A simple extension of the EEF1 energy function to heterogeneous membrane-aqueous media is proposed. The extension consists of (a) development of solvation parameters for a nonpolar phase using experimental data for the transfer of amino acid side-chains from water to cyclohexane, (b) introduction of a heterogeneous membrane-aqueous system by making the reference solvation free energy of each atom dependent on the vertical coordinate, (c) a modification of the distance-dependent dielectric model to account for reduced screening of electrostatic interactions in the membrane, and (d) an adjustment of the EEF1 aqueous model in light of recent calculations of the potential of mean force between amino acid side-chains in water. The electrostatic model is adjusted to match experimental observations for polyalanine, polyleucine, and the glycophorin A dimer. The resulting energy function (IMM1) reproduces the preference of Trp and Tyr for the membrane interface, gives reasonable energies of insertion into or adsorption onto a membrane, and allows stable 1-ns MD simulations of the glycophorin A dimer. We find that the lowest-energy orientation of melittin in bilayers varies, depending on the thickness of the hydrocarbon layer.
Wellens syndrome: a life-saving diagnosis

The diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome relies on clinical history, electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, and cardiac biomarkers; but within the spectrum of acute coronary syndrome, there exist subtle presentations that cannot afford to be overlooked. Wellens syndrome is one such example, in which a patient can present with both ECG changes that are not classic for myocardial ischemia and negative cardiac biomarkers. The characteristic ECG findings associated with Wellens syndrome consist of deep, symmetric T-wave inversions in the anterior precordial leads. However, Wellens syndrome can also present as biphasic T-wave inversions in those same ECG leads. The associated critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery carries an immediately life-threatening prognosis if not recognized promptly (Am Heart J. 1982;103[4 Pt 2]:730-736). We describe a case of a less common manifestation of Wellens syndrome (type 1) followed by a discussion of its implications and management.
Of rats and men

A report on the third biannual 'Rat Genomics and Models' meeting, Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 11-14 December 2003.
Observations and impacts of upstream blocking during a widespread orographic precipitation event

A unique combination of airborne and ground-based Doppler radar observations, stretching continuously from the Alps south to the Mediterranean Sea, is assembled to document profoundly blocked airflow and associated modification of precipitation processes upstream of the Alps during Intensive Observing Period 8 of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme. This diversion of incident southerly low-level winds in advance of a deep baroclinic trough served to reduce markedly the transport of warm, moist Mediterranean air toward the steep Alpine slopes. Heavy rains forecast in this flood-prone region thus failed to materialize, with lighter (though protracted) stratiform precipitation extending over the comparatively flat reaches of the adjacent Po Valley. Release of convective instability did occur, but was displaced well south of the Alps over the coastal Apennine mountain chain and adjacent waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Influences on a variety of scales that evidently led to development of this blocked flow are examined, and multiple expressions of upstream blocking are identified. These range from pervasive down-valley flows observed within multiple deep Alpine river drainages to a larger-scale cool easterly low-level flow channelled alongside the curving south face of the Alps, which was ultimately extruded southward over the Mediterranean. Observed thermodynamic profiles in these contrasting regimes are presented and related to the observed precipitation structure. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.
Work-in-progress: Embedding entrepreneurship in the computing curricula

Two projects at Arizona State University at the Polytechnic campus blend a range of student engagement activities to promote entrepreneurship. The first, ldquofrom .EDU to .COMrdquo, engages students with industry entrepreneurs through on-campus events (colloquia and a Polytechnic showcase event), student engagement projects with SMEs, and internships. The second, ldquoAgile Methods for Entrepreneurshiprdquo proposes curricular modifications, cohort programs with the Polytechnicpsilas business school, lab-oriented practice with ASUpsilas University Technology Office, and an off-campus 2-day workshop with students and real-world entrepreneurs, among other activities. Besides being housed in the same academic unit, these projects also share a common, differentiating approach. First, both emphasize a ldquolearn by doingrdquo approach consistent with the Polytechnic mission. Second, both engage students in entrepreneurship through a variety of activities. We believe the latter point is especially important; in our view entrepreneurship is often promoted through a single highly visible activity. Our approach embeds entrepreneurship across the spectrum of student engagement. This reflects our belief that students must engage repeatedly with entrepreneurs to understand and adopt this cultural norm. In this paper we describe our entrepreneurial engagement activities and discuss preliminary results from the first year of our experience.
The effects of clamping diodes on signal integrity

This paper discusses the so called kickback effect associated with the clamping diodes or ESD circuits of buffers used in high speed digital systems. Based on the lab tests and simulations reported here, it was determined that the kickback effect is caused by the unique clamping characteristics of the CMOS buffers and can be explained through the laws of transmission line theory. The diffusion capacitance of a clamping diode is only an amplifying factor in the mechanism of the kickback effect, increasing the amplitude of the bump to higher levels. In general terms, in order to avoid the kickback effect, buffers should not have clamping currents on their outputs at smaller negative voltages than the clamping voltages of the diode on the far end of the transmission line. Bipolar or BiCMOS buffers or buffers with p-channel MOSFET pulldown transistors satisfy this requirement, but raising the anode voltage of the clamping diode to about +700 mV will also achieve good results. Traditional methods, such as careful impedance matching between the buffer and its loading transmission line can also be used as a solution for the problem. >
Genomic Collaboration of Estrogen Receptor α and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 2 in Regulating Gene and Proliferation Programs

The nuclear hormone receptor, estrogen receptor α (ERα), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play key roles in hormone-dependent cancers, and yet their interplay and the integration of their signaling inputs remain poorly understood. In these studies, we document that estrogen-occupied ERα activates and interacts with extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), a downstream effector in the MAPK pathway, resulting in ERK2 and ERα colocalization at chromatin binding sites across the genome of breast cancer cells. This genomic colocalization, predominantly at conserved distal enhancer sites, requires the activation of both ERα and ERK2 and enables ERK2 modulation of estrogen-dependent gene expression and proliferation programs. The ERK2 substrate CREB1 was also activated and recruited to ERK2-bound chromatin following estrogen treatment and found to cooperate with ERα/ERK2 in regulating gene transcription and cell cycle progression. Our study reveals a novel paradigm with convergence of ERK2 and ERα at the chromatin level that positions this kinase to support nuclear receptor activities in crucial and direct ways, a mode of collaboration likely to underlie MAPK regulation of gene expression by other nuclear receptors as well.
Running Reduces Uncontrollable Stress-Evoked Serotonin and Potentiates Stress-Evoked Dopamine Concentrations in the Rat Dorsal Striatum

Accumulating evidence from both the human and animal literature indicates that exercise reduces the negative consequences of stress. The neurobiological etiology for this stress protection, however, is not completely understood. Our lab reported that voluntary wheel running protects rats from expressing depression-like instrumental learning deficits on the shuttle box escape task after exposure to unpredictable and inescapable tail shocks (uncontrollable stress). Impaired escape behavior is a result of stress-sensitized serotonin (5-HT) neuron activity in the dorsal raphe (DRN) and subsequent excessive release of 5-HT into the dorsal striatum following exposure to a comparatively mild stressor. However, the possible mechanisms by which exercise prevents stress-induced escape deficits are not well characterized. The purpose of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that exercise blunts the stress-evoked release of 5-HT in the dorsal striatum. Changes to dopamine (DA) levels were also examined, since striatal DA signaling is critical for instrumental learning and can be influenced by changes to 5-HT activity. Adult male F344 rats, housed with or without running wheels for 6 weeks, were either exposed to tail shock or remained undisturbed in laboratory cages. Twenty-four hours later, microdialysis was performed in the medial (DMS) and lateral (DLS) dorsal striatum to collect extracellular 5-HT and DA before, during, and following 2 mild foot shocks. We report wheel running prevents foot shock-induced elevation of extracellular 5-HT and potentiates DA concentrations in both the DMS and DLS approximately 24 h following exposure to uncontrollable stress. These data may provide a possible mechanism by which exercise prevents depression-like instrumental learning deficits following exposure to acute stress.
The Lotto Jackpot: The Lump Sum Versus the Annuity

Lotto players who win the jackpot must choose to receive their winnings as either an annuity or a lump sum. Students in an introductory finance class can determine the best alternative, applying their knowledge of present value and tax considerations to an interesting 'real world' financial decision. Using the current lottery in your state further piques the students' interest. The lump sum payment is taxed immediately, whereas the annuity payments are taxed when they are received. Analysis of a $6,000,000 jackpot shows the annuity netting the winner $686,899 more than the lump sum.
Anatomically detailed dolls and the evaluation of child sexual abuse allegations: Psychometric considerations.

Although anatomically detailed dolls are becoming the most commonly used tool in the validation of sexual abuse allegations, their use is not without significant problems. This evaluation of the psychometric properties of the dolls using the existing empirical literature reveals that there is considerable difficulty in the standardization of the dolls, administration and scoring procedures, and training in the doll's use. Furthermore, appropriate norms have not been developed. Although good interobserver reliability has been reported, the construct and criterion-related validity has not been demonstrated consistently. The current lack of an empirically based psychometric foundation does not support the use of the dolls in validation interviews, nor the admissibility of doll-based evidence in legal proceedings.
Stimulation of p-aminohippurate transport by slices of rat renal cortex following in vivo administration of triiodothyronine.

SummaryAdministration of T3 to weanling rats caused a marked increase in PAH transport in renal cortical slices but had no effect on NMN transport. When added directly to slices in vitro, T3 inhibited PAH transport. The results therefore indicate that T3 is transported as an organic acid and specifically stimulates the acid transport system, not by a generalized metabolic effect, but directly by substrate stimulation.
Evolution of shock-induced orientation-dependent metastable states in crystalline aluminum.

The evolution of orientation-dependent metastable states during shock-induced solid-liquid phase transitions in crystalline Al is followed using moving window molecular dynamics simulations. The orientation-dependent transition pathways towards an orientation-independent final state Hugoniot include both ``cold melting'' followed by recrystallization in [110]- and [111]-oriented shock waves and crystal overheating followed by melting in [100] shock waves. The orientation-dependent dynamics take place within a zone that can extend up to hundreds of nanometers behind the shock front.
A Terrible Quartet Injury of the Elbow: A Terrible Triad Variant with a Capitellar Shear Fracture: A Case Report.

Management of fracture-dislocations of the elbow presents a difficult challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Hotchkiss coined the term “terrible triad injury” because of the historically poor outcomes of elbow dislocations with both radial head and coronoid fractures1. The mechanism of injury commonly is a fall on an extended arm with a valgus stress on the elbow, producing a posterolateral elbow dislocation. Axial loading of the radius to the distal part of the humerus can also produce a shearing force in the coronal plane across the capitellum2. Capitellar shear fractures are quite uncommon, however, accounting for less than 1% of all elbow fractures3,4. Our review of the English-language literature failed to locate any case report of a terrible triad injury with a capitellar shear fracture. Both terrible triad injuries and capitellar fractures can lead to substantial morbidity because of loss of elbow motion and stiffness. O’Driscoll et al. postulated that, during a typical terrible triad injury, with the arm extended, the elbow becomes fixed and the body produces a posterolateral rotatory moment causing the ligamentous stabilizers of the elbow to fail laterally to medially5. Fractures of the radial head and coronoid can occur as the ulna dislocates posterolaterally to the capitellum. We present a case of a rare injury pattern of an elbow dislocation with a radial head fracture, a coronoid fracture, and a capitellar shear fracture after a low-energy fall. While in cases of complex elbow dislocations either the capitellum or the radial head can fracture, our case suggests that both structures may fail. Clinical suspicion of both a terrible triad injury and a capitellar shear fracture may be warranted in patients with complex elbow …
Study of Nitrobenzene Wastewater Treatment by the Associative Method of Spraying and UV/O3

The study aims to find out an economic and effective treatment process for the nitrobenzene wastewater.Deal the wasterwater atomi-zing with spray nozzle.Meanwhile,O3 is sent to the system,and UV ray is used in the experiment.The result shows that the effects of reaction condition such as drop size,pH value,reaction time and concentration of nitrobenzene was importent to the removal rate of nitrobenzene.The research result shows the associative method of multilevel spraying and UV/O3 is effective.The optimum reaction conditions were as follows: the drop size is 50 μm;the concentration of nitrobenzene is 50 mg/L;pH is 8;reaction time is 30 minutes.The removal rate of nitrobenzene reached 94.34% in the first spraying-oxidation and 98.25% in the secondary spraying-oxidation.
Regulation of Pineal α1B-Adrenergic Receptor mRNA: Day/Night Rhythm and β-Adrenergic Receptor/Cyclic AMP Control

Mammalian pineal function is regulated by norepinephrine acting through α1B- and β1-adrenergic receptors (ARs). Noradrenergic stimulation of α1B-ARs potentiates the β1-AR-driven increase in cAMP, serotonin N -acetyltransferase, and melatonin production. In the present study, we describe a 3-fold daily rhythm in mRNA-encoding α1B-ARs in the pineal gland, with a peak at midnight. Pharmacological studies indicate that this increase in α1B-AR mRNA is due to activation of β-ARs. Second messenger studies indicate that α1B-AR mRNA is increased by agents that increase cAMP, including dibutyryl cAMP, cholera toxin, forskolin, or vasoactive intestinal peptide. These observations indicate that α1B-AR mRNA can be physiologically regulated by a β-AR-dependent enhancement of cAMP. It also was observed that in vivo and in vitro changes in α1B-AR mRNA are not accompanied by similar changes in α1B-AR binding, indicating that turnover of α1B-AR protein is significantly slower than that of α1B-AR mRNA and that post-transcriptional mechanisms play an important role in regulating α1B-AR binding.
Early in-theater management of combat-related traumatic brain injury: A prospective, observational study to identify opportunities for performance improvement.

BACKGROUND Combat-related moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (CRTBI) is a significant cause of wartime morbidity and mortality. As of August 2014, moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries sustained by members of the Department of Defense worldwide since 2000 totaled 32,996 cases. Previously published epidemiologic reviews describe CRTBI management at a "strategic" level, but they lack "tactical" patient-specific data required for performance improvement. In addition, scarce data exist regarding prehospital CRTBI care. METHODS This is a prospective observational study of consecutive CRTBI casualties presenting to US Role 3 medical facilities. Admission variables including demographics, initial clinical findings, and laboratory results were collected. Head computed tomographic scan findings were noted. Interventions in the first 72 postinjury hours were recorded. Early in-theater mortality was noted, but longer-term outcomes were not. RESULTS Casualties were predominately injured by explosive blasts (78.6%). Penetrating injuries occurred in 42.9%. On arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was less than 8 for 47.7%. Hypothermia (temperature 45 mm Hg, 50%) and hypocarbia (Paco2 < 36 mm Hg, 20.3%) were common on presentation. Head computed tomographic scan most commonly found skull fracture (68.9%), subdural hematoma (54.1%), and cerebral contusion (51.4%). Hypertonic saline was administered to 69.7% and factor VIIa to 11.1%. Early in-theater mortality at Role 3 was 19.4%. CONCLUSION Avoidance of secondary brain injury by optimizing oxygenation, ventilation, and cerebral perfusion is the primary goal in the contemporary care of moderate-to-severe CRTBI. Ideally, this crucial care must begin as early as possible after injury. Given the frequency of hypotension, hypoxia, and both hypercarbia and hypocarbia upon Role 3 arrival, increased emphasis on prehospital management is indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV; epidemiologic study, level III.