cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Précis of The Quest for Reality

In The Quest for Reality I investigate the prospects of achieving a certain kind of general philosophical understanding of ourselves and the world. The idea is to determine how much of our everyday conception of the world is due to the way the world actually is and how much is due only to us. The answer would tell us how things really are, or what is really so, independently of any special human 'perspective' we happen to have on the world, and so independently of all perceivers' and thinkers' responses to the way things are. The traditional distinction between the 'primary' or real and the 'secondary' or dependent or only apparent properties of things is one outcome of this general metaphysical enterprise. In early chapters of the book I focus on the notion of 'a world independent of us and our responses' as it must be understood to give the right sense to the question. I explore some ways of identifying the 'anthropocentricity' or 'peculiarly human perspective' allegedly present in parts of our conception of the world and find them inadequate to the metaphysical task. The general idea of an 'absolute' conception of the world that is meant to give no indication of whose conception it is or of any special features of its possessors is shown to provide no effective criteria of 'absoluteness' beyond its lacking all demonstrative and indexical expressions. Rather than pursuing further a completely general characterization of the goal, I concentrate for the rest of the book on how in particular it can be shown that the colors of objects are not part of such a fully independent world. One possibility would be to start with a purely physical conception of the world, restricted to the austere vocabulary of the physical sciences, which does not mention the colors of any objects. That could show that colors are not part of the independent world only if that physical conception could be known to exhaust the way things are in that world. The admitted truth of the physical account is not alone enough. Support for that further conclusion might seem to come from a metaphysical principle of parsimony or 'econ-
Liberal Democracy and the Problem of Scarcity

A growing recognition of the ecological limits to past forms of industrial production and economic growth has made the problem of scarcity arise as a central political challenge. This article explores the possibility that liberal democracy will not be able to meet that challenge and so must be replaced by new political theories and institutions. It discusses the work of several post-liberal theorists who maintain that ecological constraints will create a legitimation crisis for liberal democracy and that an authoritarian state will probably emerge from that crisis. Criticizing these theorists, the article argues that they underestimate the continuing viability of liberal democracy and concludes that a solution to the problem of scarcity can still be found within the theoretical and institutional resources of the liberal democratic tradition.
A synthetic route to the hexahydrobenzofuran nucleus of avermectins via diazoketone cyclization

Abstract A hexahydrobenzo[AB]furan characteristic of the avermectins and certain milbemycins was synthesized via acid-catalyzed intramolecular addition of a diazoketone to a γ-lactone; subsequent transformations led to structures containing much of the functionality and stereochemistry present in the corresponding segments of these macrolides.
Crosstalk in Ti:LiNbO 3 directional coupler switches caused by Ti concentration fluctuations

We have observed random fluctuations in the local Ti concentration profiles of Ti-diffused LiNbO 3 waveguides. Calculations show that these variations explain the degraded switch extinction ratio (i.e., crosstalk) and other nonideal characteristics observed in LiNbO 3 optical switches. We also demonstrate by calculation a new device configuration for eliminating this source of crosstalk.
Impact of Left Atrial Volume on Clinical Outcome in Organic Mitral Regurgitation

Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to assess the link between left atrial (LA) volume at diagnosis and outcome of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR).Background: Left atrial enlargement ...
A Step-Size Controlled Method for Fast Convergent Adaptive FD-LMS Algorithm in Few-Mode Fiber Communication Systems

Space-division multiplexing using few-mode fibers (FMF) has emerged as a promising technology to overcome the next capacity crunch. The key challenges of FMF systems are inter-modal crosstalk due to random mode coupling and large differential mode group delay (DMGD). Adaptive frequency domain least mean square (FD-LMS) algorithm has been proposed as the most hardware efficient multi-input multi-output equalization method for compensating large DMGD. Except for hardware complexity, the convergence speed of the adaptive FD-LMS algorithm is another important consideration. In this paper, we propose a noise power spectral density (PSD) directed adaptive FD-LMS algorithm, which adopts variable step size to render the posterior error of each frequency bin convergent to the background noise in an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. In a 3000 km six-mode transmission system with 35 ps/km DMGD, compared with signal PSD dependent FD-LMS method and conventional FD-LMS method, our new algorithm could improve the convergence speed by 36.1% and 48.3%, but their hardware complexity will only increase 10.7% and 17.2%, respectively.
Alcohol reduces the number of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in culture

Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were used as an in vitro neuronal cell model to examine detrimental effects of alcohol on cell numbers. Alcohol exposure (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/dl) reduced PC12 cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner. Cells that were treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) incurred less severe reductions in numbers compared with cells that were never treated with NGF. Because NGF stops proliferation of many of the PC12 cells and differentiates them into neuronal-like cells, these data suggest that differentiated, nonproliferating cells are less vulnerable to alcohol-induced reductions in cell numbers. In a subsequent experiment using only undifferentiated PC12 cells, alcohol reduced cell number of both proliferating and nonproliferating cultures; however, the reductions in proliferating cultures were more severe than in nonproliferating cultures. Two mechanisms may account for alcohol-induced reductions of PC12 cell numbers--inhibition of proliferation and killing of cells. PC12 cell cultures are a useful model system to examine mechanism(s) underlying alcohol's depletion of neuronal-like cells.
Stem cell strategies for neuroreplacement therapy in Alzheimer's disease.

The existence of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult human brain provides impetus for investigating possible neuroreplacement therapies for neurodegenerative disease. Due to recent advances in techniques affording isolation and maintenance of NSCs using non-serum culture media, these cells have become exciting candidates for therapeutic strategies. We are able to expand NSCs by mitogenic growth factors in vitro and in defined conditions, NSCs differentiate into each of the diverse brain cell types: neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This article addresses the involvement of amyloid-β precursor protein and the presenilins in NSCs' biology and possible application of NSCs for therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease. Ongoing studies in our laboratory, and recent findings by others using human neural progenitors, serve as the conceptual frame for this article.
Fuzzy system for detecting microcalcifications in mammograms

We present a fuzzy classifier for detecting microcalcification sin digitized mammograms. The classifier post-processes the output form a wavelets-based multiscale correlation filter. Each local peak in the correlation filter output is represented by a set of five features describing the shape, size and definition of the peak. These features are used in linguistic rules by a fuzzy system that is trained to distinguish between microcalcification sand normal mammogram texture. In borderline cases where microcalcifications are buried in dense tissue or appear only faintly, simply drawing a straight threshold across the feature vector values will likely not produce the correct classification. the fuzzy system allows the effective 'threshold' to be drawn across ranges of features values depending upon how they interact with one another. Compared to wavelet processing alone, the fuzzy detection system produces a significant increase in true positive fraction when tested on a public domain mammogram database.
Transformation of Epidermal Cells in Culture

Studies performed on mouse skin have indicated that chemical carcinogenesis can be subdivided into two distinct stages, initiation and promotion. Initiation results from exposure to a classical mutagenic carcinogen and is irreversible even after a single exposure. The permanently altered initiated cell and its progeny may never form a tumor or in any way be recognizable in the target tissue. Exposure to tumor promoters permits the expression of the neoplastic change in initiated cells, and tumors develop. In contrast to initiators, promoters must be given repeatedly to be effective; individual exposures are reversible. A similar biology is suggested by epidemiologic studies of certain human cancers, particularly lung, breast, colon, and uterine malignancies. Studies in mouse skin cell culture have provided new insights into the changes associated with initiation and promotion. Initiated cells appear to be resistant to signals for terminal differentiation and can proliferate under conditions where normal epidermal cells are obligated to cease proliferation and begin their maturation program. This change is essential for an epithelial tumor cell since it provides the ability to grow away from a basement- membrane attachment site. In cultured epidermal cells, tumor promoters are capable of selectively stimulating the growth of certain cells, including initiated cells, while simultaneously inducing terminal differentiation in other epidermal cells. The net effect of these responses to promoters is the clonal expansion of cells stimulated to proliferate. In this way, promoters are capable of increasing the clone size of initiated cells. These cell culture data provided a biological framework for understanding initiation and promotion in terminally differentiating epithelial tissues.
Proteolytic modification of rat prolactin by subcellular fractions of the lactating rat mammary gland.

Abstract The current study explored prolactin proteolysis by rat lactating mammary gland. 125 I-labelled rat prolactin was incubated with tissue fractions of lactating mammary gland and the extent of prolactin degradation and fragment formation was visualized and densitometrically quantitated from autoradiographs derived from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. At pH 4.5, the 25 000 × g pellet of mammary gland converted intact prolactin (23 kDa band) to proteolytic fragments (8–16 kDa bands) in a time- and tissue concentration-dependent fashion similar to that reported previously for rat ventral prostate. The prolactin-degrading and -fragmenting activity in lactating mammary gland was 5–10-times that observed for ventral prostate, the most active male tissue. This activity at acid pH was also demonstrable in other fractions of mammary gland but appeared to predominate in the cytosol. The above activities in mammary virtually disappeared at pH 7.4, appeared sensitive to aspartate and sulfhydryl proteinase inhibitors, and insensitive to serine and metalloenzyme proteinase inhibitors. The distribution of this activity could not be correlated with a particular enzyme marker. These characteristics of mammary gland activity differed significantly from those reported previously for prostate. When electrophoresis was conducted under non-reducing conditions, prolactin proteolysis in prostate and mammary gland was primarily associated with the formation of a more slowly migration product (24 kDa band) with little spontaneous 8–16 kDa fragment formation. Re-electrophoresis of the 24 kDa band under reducing conditions resulted in the appearance of the 8 and 16 kDa fragments. In conclusion, prolactin is proteolytically modified by prostate and lactating mammay gland to a variant of intact hormone (24 kDa band) with a cleavage site in its large loop, by two or more widely distributed, acid-dependent proteinases. Lactating mammary gland, the principal target for prolactin, has the capacity to cleave the hormone in its loop at rates higher than any other tissue examined to date.
Exciton dynamics studied via internal THz transitions

We employ a novel, ultrafast terahertz probe to investigatethe dynamical interplay of optically-induced excitons and unboundelectron-hole pairs in GaAs quantum wells. Resonant creation ofheavy-hole excitons induces a new low-energy oscillator linked totransitions between the internal exciton degrees of freedom. The timeresolved terahertz optical conductivity is found to be a probe wellsuited for studies of fundamental processes such as formation, relaxationand ionization of excitons.
SQUARE-ROOT FORMULA FOR CHOICE REACTION TIME

The power law of choice reaction time, first proposed by Kvalseth (1980), is further discussed. It is shown that the so called Hick-Hyman law is a special case of the power law. It is suggested that a particular square-root case provides a most concise and adequate formula for predicting reaction time when the number of equiprobable stimulus-response pairs ranges from 1 to 10. A potential theoretical explanation is briefly discussed.
Living with a disability: a synthesis and critique of the literature on quality of life, 1985-1989.

The current study describes articles cross-indexed under the keywords “quality of life” and “disability” in Index Medicus for the years 1985 through 1989 to compare their relative merits in terms of research design, sampling details, and the type of quality of life criteria included. Of 833 articles indexed under “quality of life,” 52 (16%) included data about a a disabling condition requiring rehabilitation. Of those 52, only seven (13%) were randomized clinical trials. The modal design was a descriptive survey or case study (N = 22 or 42%). Given the limited rigor in research design and invalid measurements, conclusions about improvement in the quality of life for disabled individuals after rehabilitative care could not be drawn from the studies reviewed. It may be concluded that research on quality of life needs to be better designed and should include more uniform and valid criteria.
Prism adaptation during walking generalizes to reaching and requires the cerebellum.

Adaptation of arm movements to laterally displacing prism glasses is usually highly specific to body part and movement type and is known to require the cerebellum. Here, we show that prism adaptati...
Scientific Drilling Into the San Andreas Fault Zone —An Overview of SAFOD's First Five Years

Abstract. The San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) was drilled to study the physical and chemical processes controlling faulting and earthquake generation along an active, plate-bounding fault at depth. SAFOD is located near Parkfield, California and penetrates a section of the fault that is moving due to a combination of repeating microearthquakes and fault creep. Geophysical logs define the San Andreas Fault Zone to be relatively broad (~200 m), containing several discrete zones only 2–3 m wide that exhibit very low P- and S-wave velocities and low resistivity. Two of these zones have progressively deformed the cemented casing at measured depths of 3192 m and 3302 m. Cores from both deforming zones contain a pervasively sheared, cohesionless, foliated fault gouge that coincides with casing deformation and explains the observed extremely low seismic velocities and resistivity. These cores are being now extensively tested in laboratories around the world, and their composition, deformation mechanisms, physical properties, and rheological behavior are studied. Downhole measurements show that within 200 m (maximum) of the active fault trace, the direction of maximum horizontal stress remains at a high angle to the San Andreas Fault, consistent with other measurements. The results from the SAFOD Main Hole, together with the stress state determined in the Pilot Hole, are consistent with a strong crust/weak fault model of the San Andreas. Seismic instrumentation has been deployed to study physics of faulting – earthquake nucleation, propagation, and arrest – in order to test how laboratory-derived concepts scale up to earthquakes occurring in nature. doi: 10.2204/iodp.sd.11.02.2011
Death versus survival: functional interaction between the apoptotic and stress-inducible heat shock protein pathways

Induction of heat shock proteins (Hsps) following cellular damage can prevent apoptosis induced by both the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathways. The intrinsic pathway is characterized by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), cytochrome c release, apoptosome assembly, and caspase activation. Hsps promote cell survival by preventing MOMP or apoptosome formation as well as via regulation of Akt and JNK activities. Engagement of the TNF death receptors induces the extrinsic pathway that is characterized by Fas-associated death domain-dependent (FADD-dependent) caspase-8 activation or induction of NF-kappaB to promote cellular survival. Hsps can directly suppress proapoptotic signaling events or stabilizing elements of the NF-kappaB pathway to promote cellular survival.
Angular scale expansion theory and the misperception of egocentric distance in locomotor space

Perception is crucial for the control of action, but perception need not be scaled accurately to produce accurate actions. This paper reviews evidence for an elegant new theory of locomotor space perception that is based on the dense coding of angular declination so that action control may be guided by richer feedback. The theory accounts for why so much direct-estimation data suggests that egocentric distance is underestimated despite the fact that action measures have been interpreted as indicating accurate perception. Actions are calibrated to the perceived scale of space and thus action measures are typically unable to distinguish systematic (e.g., linearly scaled) misperception from accurate perception. Whereas subjective reports of the scaling of linear extent are difficult to evaluate in absolute terms, study of the scaling of perceived angles (which exist in a known scale, delimited by vertical and horizontal) provides new evidence regarding the perceptual scaling of locomotor space.
The proto-oncogene Bcl3, induced by Tax, represses Tax-mediated transcription via p300 displacement from the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 promoter.

The etiology of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-induced adult T-cell leukemia is linked to the expression of the viral oncoprotein Tax. Although the mechanism of retroviral transformation is unknown, Tax interferes with fundamental cellular processes, including proliferation and apoptosis, and these events may directly link Tax to early steps in malignant progression. In this study, we examined the interplay between Tax and the potent proto-oncogene B-cell chronic leukemia protein 3 (Bcl3). Bcl3 is a critical regulator of cell survival and proliferation and is overexpressed in HTLV-1-infected cells. We found that Tax induced Bcl3 expression through stimulation of the NF-κB pathway. An intronic NF-κB binding site within the Bcl3 gene served as the primary target of Tax-induced NF-κB activation. We next considered the consequence of Bcl3 overexpression on Tax function. Interestingly, we found that Bcl3 formed a stable complex with Tax and that this complex potently inhibited Tax-dependent HTLV-1 transcription. Importantly, Bcl3 associated with the HTLV-1 promoter in a Tax-dependent manner and inhibited the binding of the critical cellular coactivator p300. The conserved ankyrin repeat domain of Bcl3 mediated both Tax binding and inhibition of p300 recruitment to the HTLV-1 promoter. Together, these data suggest that Tax-induced Bcl3 overexpression benefits the virus in two important ways. First, Bcl3 may promote cell division and thus clonal proliferation of the virus. Second, Bcl3 may attenuate virion production, facilitating immune evasion. One consequence of this regulatory loop may be Bcl3-induced malignant transformation of the host cell.
Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases Prevents the Synthesis of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 during Decidualization in the Baboon

During pregnancy in the primate, uterine stromal fibroblasts are transformed into decidual cells. Decidualization is associated with extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in ECM degradation. We hypothesized that MMPs also contribute to regulation of IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), a biochemical marker of primate decidual cells. We reported that IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) with steroid hormones [36 nm estradiol-17beta, 1 microm medroxyprogesterone acetate (P), and 100 ng/ml relaxin] induces in vitro IGFBP-1 synthesis. This study demonstrates that IL-1beta also induces stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) mRNA and synthesis of the latent form of MMP-3 (pro-MMP-3) protein in baboon stromal fibroblasts. In contrast, hormones (particularly P) negatively regulate MMP-3 because their addition decreases IL-1beta-induced pro-MMP-3 protein. The ERK and p38 MAPK pathways induced by IL-1beta regulate pro-MMP-3 because inhibitors PD98059 (20 microm) and SB203580 (1 microm) prevent its synthesis. The nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitory peptide, SN50 (50 microg/ml), or proteasome inhibitor, MG-132 (1 microm), did not inhibit pro-MMP-3 synthesis but appeared to enhance it. The role of MMPs in IGFBP-1 induction was investigated using a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, doxycycline, and specific MMP-3 inhibitor, N-Isobutyl-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-glycylhydroxamic acid (NNGH). Both inhibitors caused the dose-dependent decrease of IGFBP-1. alpha-Smooth muscle actin, which is down-regulated during decidualization, was partially up-regulated by doxycycline or N-Isobutyl-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-glycylhydroxamic acid. This suggests that alpha-smooth muscle actin is modulated by changes in ECM caused by the action of MMPs/MMP-3. Disruption of actin filaments enhances IGFBP-1 induction. Thus, our data imply that IL-1beta-induced MMPs and particularly MMP-3 may up-regulate IGFBP-1 by disrupting the actin cytoskeleton as a result of ECM degradation.
Performance of srbi2ta2o9 for low-voltage, non-volatile memory applications

Abstract The performance of SrBi2Ta2O9 for ferroelectric non-volatile memory applications is investigated. The temperature dependence of the hysteresis loops, small signal capacitance-voltage measurements, and fatigue resistance are reported. Increasing temperature accelerates fatigue, but excellent fatigue resistance to greater than 1012 cycles is found for temperatures of 125 °C and below. The difference between current-time curves for switched and unswitched capacitors using high-speed pulse measurements indicated the availability of 5.7 μC/cm2 for 3 V memory operation.
It isn't all about language: communication barriers for Latinas using contraceptives.

Purpose: Little is known about barriers that Latinas in the United States face in preventing unintended pregnancies beyond those of language and cost. This study examined factors inhibiting contrac...
Feasibility and predictability of perioperative PET and estrogen receptor ligand in patients with invasive breast cancer.

The presence of estrogen receptor (ER) in breast cancer is a prognostic indicator for both disease-free and overall survival. 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-estradiol (18F-FES) with PET is a noninvasive test for evaluation of ER expression and has been used for predicting response to endocrine therapy in patients with ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to correlate 18F-FES PET and ER expression in patients with primary, operable breast cancer. Methods: Forty-eight patients were prospectively enrolled in an institutional review board–approved protocol and signed an informed consent form. All patients had undergone 18F-FES PET preoperatively. Clinical characteristics, tumor characteristics, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Immunohistochemical analysis for ER and progesterone receptor (PgR) percentage expression (46 surgical, 2 core biopsy specimens) was performed. 18F-FES PET standardized uptake value (SUV) of the breast lesion was correlated with percentage immunohistochemistry ER and PgR expression. 18F-FES PET SUV was quantified, with a value of 1.5 or more considered positive, and ER and PgR was quantified, with 1% or more considered positive. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was available for 44 patients (42 surgical, 2 core biopsy specimens). We used a microarray platform, and estrogen-related gene expression data (ESR1, ESR2, and PGR) were compared with 18F-FES PET SUV (Spearman rank correlation). Tumor size, ductal histology, grade, HER2-neu overexpression, PgR expression, estradiol level, body mass index (BMI), and lean BMI were compared with 18F-FES PET uptake using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Forty-eight patients completed our protocol, and 2 patients did not undergo surgery because bone metastases were identified preoperatively on 18F-FES PET. Eighty-three percent of our patients were stage I or II, with a median tumor size of 1.9 cm. Forty-one patients underwent a sentinel node biopsy. Twenty-one patients had nodal involvement. 18F-FES PET identified 5 patients with axillary nodal uptake (median SUV, 3.0; range, 1.7–6.9). These 5 patients had ER-positive breast cancer, and all had more than 4 positive nodes at the time of axillary node dissection. 18F-FES PET SUV was associated with immunohistochemistry ER expression. The sensitivity and specificity of the 18F-FES PET for the breast lesion were 0.85 and 0.75, respectively. Estrogen and progesterone gene expression (ESR1, ESR2, and PGR) was not associated with 18F-FES PET SUV (Spearman rank correlation). We found a significant correlation between 18F-FES PET SUV and tumor size (P = 0.0015) but not with ductal histology, grade, HER2-neu overexpression, PgR, estradiol, BMI, or lean BMI (logistic regression). ER expression (P
The Evolution of Spiral Structure

In attempting to study the evolution of spiral structure in galaxies, one may concentrate either on our own Galaxy, or on external galaxies. In our own, only a small part of the total time scale can be spanned and it is best therefore to consider other galaxies as well and try to order them in a sensible morphological sequence, in the hope that this will represent an evolutionary sequence. But one should not forget the cautionary tale of stellar evolution: in early studies the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram was interpreted as a sequence in which stars began their existence as red giants, then moved on to the upper end of the main sequence and evolved down it. An understanding of stellar evolution depended on the realization of two crucial factors in the problem: the role played by the masses of stars, and the development of a chemical inhomogeneity through the exhaustion of the nuclear fuel, hydrogen, in the central core. In galactic evolution, I fear we may be lacking some vital information or understanding that is as basic and fundamental as these were to stellar evolution.
A Sampling Theorem for solutions of the Dirichlet Problem for the Schrödinger Operator

A sampling series is derived for solutions of the Dirichlet problem in the half-space for the stationary Schrodinger operator
Substance Abuse Problem Severity Among Rural and Urban Female DUI Offenders

Objectives: Although there has been an overall decline in the rates of driving under the influence (DUI) over the past two decades, this decrease has not occurred uniformly across all groups of DUI offenders. For example, the proportion of female DUI offenders has significantly increased. Furthermore, DUI arrest rates remain higher in less populated areas of the country. The present study examines indicators of problem severity among female DUI offenders across graduated levels of rurality. Methods: A total of 19,094 substance abuse assessment records from females convicted of DUI between 2002 and 2006 in Kentucky were examined. Beale codes were used to define the extent to which the county of conviction was rural. Results: Rurality was significantly and positively associated with multiple DUI offenses, being underage, drug problems, prevalence of DSM-IV-TR substance dependence and abuse criteria, being referred to substance abuse treatment rather than an education only intervention, and referral noncompl...
Endovascular treatment of mesenteric ischemia.

Objectives: Our goal was to describe a single-center's experience in managing acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia with endovascular therapies. Background: Open surgical revascularization has been considered the historical gold standard treatment for mesenteric ischemia though it poses considerable morbidity and mortality risk. An aging population with increased comorbidities makes endovascular treatment a more attractive treatment option. Methods: Consecutive subjects receiving percutaneous mesenteric interventions for acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia from 2004 to 2010 were identified retrospectively. Information on comorbidities, symptoms, screening tests, procedural outcomes, and follow up was obtained. Results: Thirty-one patients received percutaneous mesenteric interventions during this period. The mean age of the population was 65.0 years with roughly equal proportions of males (48.4%) and females (51.6%). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent (hypertension 45.2%, diabetes 25.8%, dyslipidemia 38.7%, nicotine use 45.2%). Procedural success was 93.5%; no periprocedural complications were reported. During a mean follow up of 13 months, 16.1% required repeat revascularization and 22.6% died. Endovascular treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia was successful (n = 8) and no patient required open surgical revascularization acutely or during follow-up. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of mesenteric ischemia is a safe and effective therapy with acceptable long-term results. Our experience with acute mesenteric ischemia suggests that percutaneous treatment may be an effective alternative to surgical revascularization in appropriately selected patients. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regional Study of No-Till Impacts on Near-Surface Aggregate Properties that Influence Soil Erodibility

The extent to which tillage systems modify the near-surface soil aggregate properties affecting soil's susceptibility to erosion by water and wind is not well understood. We hypothesized that an increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) content with conservation tillage systems, particularly no-till (NT), may improve near-surface soil aggregate properties that influence soil erodibility. This regional study assessed changes in aggregate resistance to raindrops, dry aggregate wettability, and dry aggregate stability as well as their relationships with changes in SOC content. Four long-term (>19 yr) tillage systems including moldboard plow (MP), conventional till (CT), reduced till (RT), and NT were chosen across the central Great Plains at Hays and Tribune, KS, Akron, CO, and Sidney, NE. The kinetic energy (KE) of raindrops required to disintegrate 4.75- to 8-mm aggregates from NT soils equilibrated at -0.03 and - 155 MPa matric potential was between two and seven times greater than that required for MP and CT soils in the 0- to 2-cm depth in all soils. At the same depth, the water drop penetration time (WDPT) in aggregates from NT soils was four times greater at Akron and Hays and seven times greater at Sidney and Tribune compared with that in plowed soils. Aggregates from NT soils were more stable under rain and less wettable than those from plowed soils particularly in the surface 0 to 5 cm, but RT had lesser beneflcial effects than NT management. The SOC content increased with NT over MP and CT and explained 35% of the variability across soils in aggregate wettability and 28% of the variability in resistance to raindrops in the 0- to 2-cm depth. Aggregate wettability explained 47% of the variability across soils in KE of raindrops required for the disintegration of aggregates. No-till management did not affect dry aggregate-size distribution and stability except at Akron where mean weight diameter (MWD) in RT and NT was 50% lower than in MP management in the 0- to 2-cm depth. Aggregates in MP and CT soils were either stronger or equally strong when dry but less stable when wet than in NT soils. Overall, NT farming enhanced near-surface aggregate properties affecting erosion by water but had small or no effects on dry aggregate stability.
Stochastic Basis of Onsager's Minimum Principle

The phenomenological equations of motion of thermodynamic quantities, and Onsager's minimum principle, are correct only to the extent that fluctuations are neglected. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the problem and gives a criterion for the validity of the phenomenological approximation.
Utilization of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during repair of congenital cardiac defects: a survey of North American centers.

Background: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been increasingly utilized during repair of congenital cardiac defects. Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to assess the practice of TEE in this setting. Methods: A survey was sent to 70 centers in the United States and Canada; replies were obtained from 65 centers (93%). Responses were grouped into four categories: (1) Performance of intraoperative echocardiography, (2) performance practices, (3) equipment and probe issues, (4) billing and reimbursement. Data were available from all responding centers unless specified below. Results: All responding centers employed intraoperative echocardiography, with 98% employing TEE. All responding centers employed intraoperative echocardiography. The majority of centers (72%) utilized intraoperative echocardiography in all cases or all open cases except atrial septal defects, while the remainder employed it selectively. The average duration of TEE experience at responding centers was 6.1 years. Transesophageal echocardiography was primarily the responsibility of cardiologists, with most centers having individuals meeting published TEE training guidelines. The large majority of centers performed both pre- and postbypass TEE studies. Equipment and probes were widely available. All centers disinfected the TEE probe between studies, but for longer times than recommended. Conclusion: Utilization of intraoperative TEE during surgery for congenital heart disease is widespread; the results of this survey may be useful to individual institutions as they evaluate their utilization of intraoperative echocardiography.
Role of Intravenous β-Blockers in the Treatment of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Of Mice (Dogs, Pigs) and Men

But Mouse, thou are not alone, In proving foresight may be in vain: The best laid schemes of mice and men, Often go awry, And leave us nought but grief and pain, For promised joy! — —Robert Burns, “To a Mouse” (1785) Reimer et al1 have been widely acclaimed for helping to usher in the reperfusion era in the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Using a dog model of proximal circumflex artery ligation for different periods of time, they demonstrated that a “wave of cell death” develops first in subendocardial myocardium and progressively spreads to midepicardial and subepicardial myocardium over hours. Transmural infarct size was 38% after 40 minutes, 57% after 3 hours, 71% after 6 hours, and 85% after 24 hours of ischemic injury. The presence of a subepicardial zone of ischemic but viable myocardium that might be salvaged by early reperfusion established the anatomic justification for fibrinolytic therapy and primary percutaneous coronary intervention to modify infarct size in patients with STEMI. Article p 2909 Interestingly, the article that immediately followed the Reimer et al article in the November 1977 issue of Circulation was by the same group and was entitled “Infarct Size Reduction by Propranolol Before and After Coronary Ligation in Dogs.”2 Using the same animal model, they randomized dogs to intravenous propranolol before coronary occlusion, intravenous propranolol 3 hours after coronary occlusion, or saline infusion and euthanized the dogs at 24 hours without restoring reperfusion. Pretreatment with propranolol decreased transmural infarct size from 85% to 52%, whereas delayed treatment was about half as effective, decreasing infarct size to 71%. Whether other pharmacological or mechanical interventions added to reperfusion therapy can further reduce myocardial infarct size has been a major area of preclinical and clinical investigation for 3 decades.3 There have been dozens of …
Evaluation of a Novel Myoelectric Training Device

ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Prosthetics 1 1.2 Control Algorithms 2 1.3 Focus of Study 4 1.4 Specific Aims 5 Chapter 2: Materials and Methods 6 2.1 Experimental Design 6 2.2 Experimental Details 12 Toy Car 12 Data Processing: EMG Control Box 13 Chapter 3: Results 21 3.1 Time and Error Data: Day 1 vs. Day 2 21 3.2 NASA TLX: Day 1 vs. Day 2 25 3.3 Time and Error: Day 2 only 27 3.4 NASA TLX: Day 2 only 29 3.5 Regression Equations 31 3.6 Learning: Time vs. Total Errors Correlation 34 High Learners 35 Low Learners 37 Chapter 4: Discussion 39 4.1 Hypothesis 1 39 4.2 Hypothesis 2 40
ICT Policies as a Means to Inhibit Social Exclusion: The South African Case

Social exclusion is a multi dimensional phenomenon that manifests itself in the exclusion of an individual from one or more of the four following activities: production of goods and services, consumption, civil engagement, and social interaction. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been argued to have the potential to reduce these forms of social exclusion. However, the extent to which they deal with these different forms of social exclusion remains unknown. Therefore, in this study we examine how ICT policies in South Africa are being employed to reduce social exclusion. In particular, we analyze which dimensions of social exclusion are targeted in telecommunication laws and one of the ICT initiatives of the South African government, Multi-Purpose Community Centers (MPCCs). Using a framework that portrays the four forms of social exclusion within the discourses used in phenomenon debates (redistributionist, moral underclass, and social integrationist) for analysis, we find that ICT policies in South Africa address two of the four forms of social exclusion: production of goods and services and civil engagement, spanning both the redistributionist and social integrationist discourses of social exclusion.
Smoothing And Interpolation With Radial BasisFunctions

Smoothing and interpolation are two aspects of the problem of "fitting" a function to data. In some instances one has only smoothing, in others only interpolation and in others both smoothing and interpolation. We shall assume that interpolation means that the function values at a data location match the data values, this property is variously called perfect or exact. In many applications the function and perhaps even its form are unknown, i.e., there are no state equations and hence one must make some form of assumptions in order for the problem to be well-posed. Although we begin with an example where the data locations are in 1-space, we shall mostly consider the case of k-dimensional Euclidean space. There are at least two different objectives in fitting a function to data (as we shall see these are really equivalent but lead to different approaches to the problem), one is to obtain a function in analytic form and secondly, to estimate or compute the values of the function at non-data points. At the end we shall also consider a form of smoothing that is somewhat different and more akin to filtering.
Ethanol Reforming on Co(0001) Surfaces: A Density Functional Theory Study

A computational study using density functional theory is carried out to investigate the reaction mechanism of ethanol steam reforming on Co(0001) surfaces. The adsorption properties of the reactant, possible intermediates, and products are carefully examined. The reaction pathway and related transition states are also analyzed. According to our calculations, the reforming mechanism primarily consisting of dehydrogenation steps of ethanol, ethoxy, methanol, methoxy, and formic acid, is feasible on Co(0001) surfaces. It is also found that the reaction of formaldehyde yielding formic acid and hydrogen may not be an elementary reaction. The dehydrogenation of ethoxy possesses the highest barrier and is accordingly identified as the rate-determining step.
p28, an Anionic Cell-Penetrating Peptide, Increases the Activity of Wild Type and Mutated p53 without Altering Its Conformation

p28, a cell penetrating peptide, binds to the DNA binding domain (DBD) of p53, inducing a post-translational increase in intracellular levels of wild type and mutant p53 activating pathways that inhibit cancer cell proliferation at G2/M. Cancer cells respond to p28 with an increase in p53 activity, except when mutations either alter DNA contact or completely unfold the DBD. The increase in p53 activity is accompanied by a significant reduction in the level of the E3 ligase COP1, with no alteration in p53 conformation. This suggests p28 can activate p53 over a wide range of conformational mutations by inhibiting the binding of COP1 to p53.
Hypoglycemia unawareness prevention: Targeting glucagon production

Insulin-dependent individuals with diabetes are at risk for a severe hypoglycemic event that may predispose them to several repeat episodes during which the normal counter regulatory mechanisms that protect against hypoglycemia fail to be activated. This state of hypoglycemia unawareness is characterized by a failure of glucagon release, preventing mobilization of endogenous glucose stores from the liver. We describe the discovery of a novel hormone, produced in pancreatic delta cells, which stimulates glucagon production and release, particularly under low glucose conditions. We hypothesize that this hormone, called neuronostatin, may be effective as a co-therapy with insulin to prevent repeated, potentially fatal episodes of recurrent hypoglycemia.
Why do we love to hate ourselves

Dhaliwal's comment1 on Zwaan et al 2 nicely refutes what has been called ‘the hypothesis of special cause’3—the notion that when things turn out wrong, the cognitive processes leading to that outcome must have been fundamentally different (ie, error-prone) from when they turn out right. Dhaliwal's argument recapitulates thinking that is over 100 years old; one of the early contributors to psychology, Ernst Mach,4 wrote (in 1905): ‘Knowledge and error flow from the same mental source; only success can tell one from the other’. What is interesting here is not that the hypothesis of special …
Study on Current Efficiency and Back EMF during Preparation of Al-Mg Alloy by Molten Salt Electrolysis

Al-Mg alloy was prepared in MgF2-LiF-KCl electrolyte system by molten salt electrolysis with MgO as raw material.The effects of electrolysis duration and current intensity on current efficiency and magnesium content were investigated.Back EMF was measured by continuous pulse computer method.The results show that current efficiency rises first and then drops with increasing of current intensity and electrolysis duration.Magnesium content in alloy rises first and then drops with increasing of current intensity while rises with electrolysis duration.Current efficiency is 87% under electrolysis at I=3 A for 2h.Back EMF decreases 0.5 Vafter feeding for 45 min.Magnesium is distributed evenly in Al-Mg alloy with no obvious segregation.
2013 centralized water supply in rural areas Xiangzhou analysis of test results

Objective To grasp 2013 Xiangzhou District centralized water supply in rural water sanitation project Methods Xiangzhou District for 2013 Xiangzhou District Rural centralized water supply project dry season and wet season of 112 water samples including microbial indicators 4,toxicological indicators 11,were tested and statistically sensory properties and general chemical index of 33 indicators 18,for drinking preliminary analysis of major pollutants in water.Results 112 copies were detected in water samples(wet and dry seasons each 56 parts),a pass rate of 49.11 %,of which 44.64 %pass rate on wet,dry season pass rate of 53.57 %;major pollutants in water samples of microbial contamination,sensory properties and general chemical indicators slightly substandard,toxicological indicators are standard.Conclusions Xiangzhou district health situation of rural safe drinking water is not ideal,mainly from microbial contamination.
Based on the Integration and Class Teaching to Credit Financing Pattern Analysis——In the 《International Freight Agency Practice》 Curriculum Reform Practice as an Example

In 2010, according to the ministry of education of 《the national medium and long-term education reform and development compendium(2010-2020)》 and 2012 《about comprehensive sereral opinions on improving the quality of higher education》,to train qualified modern international carriage of goods by senior applied technology talents for the purpose, analyses the characteristics of the 《internation freight agency practice》, must be for the teaching of the course content, teaching methods, assessment methods and practice teaching reform, combining teaching, learning, doing and class accommodation, according to the actual development needs to the Beibu Gulf region, improve the students' comprehensive vocational ability.
Effects of slag basicity on the slag composition and slag-iron separation of carbon composite bauxite pellets

Effects of slag basicity(wCaO/wSiO2)on the slag composition and slag-iron separation of carbon composite bauxite pellets were investigated by FactSage thermodynamics software,XRD analysis and coal-based direct reduction and smelting experiment.The experiment result shows that the slag basicity has an important influence on the slag composition and slag-iron separation of carbon composite bauxite pellets.When the basicity is 1.0or 1.5,the nuggets size is the largest and the effect of slag-iron separation is the best,the nuggets yields are 91.55%,44.53% respectively.When the basicity is 0.5,the nuggets size is smaller and the effect of slag-iron separation is worse,the nuggets yield is 65.43%.When the basicity is 2.0,the nuggets size is the smallest and the effect of iron slag separation is the worst,the nuggets yield is 44.53%.XRD analysis indicates that,when the basicity is 0.5,1.0,1.5and 2.0respectively,the smelting slag composition isα-Al2O3-CaAl2Si2O8,α-Al2O3-CaO·6Al2O3-Ca2Al2SiO7,CaO·6Al2O3-Ca2SiO4-Ca2Al2SiO7,Ca2Al2SiO7-Fe2SiO4 respectively,and the content of FeAl4O7,CaAl4O7 and Fe is lower in the slag.
Cloud Computing:Implementing an Essential Computing Platform for Future Power Systems

Because of the continuous expansion of modern power systems,ever increasing computation and data processing capabilities are demanded for power system analysis. The existing computing platform of power systems,however,cannot meet these computational requirements. Given this background,an advanced power system computing platform based on cloud computing is developed. The basic concepts and main technical characteristics of cloud computing are introduced first. The cloud computing is then comprehensively compared with another large-scale distributed computing technology,namely grid computing. From aspects of the hardware components,system architecture and software technology,the implementation of power system cloud computing is presented in details. The potential applications of cloud computing in a number of areas,including power system security assessment,power flow and optimal power flow computation,system restoration,system monitoring and control,scheduling and reliability assessment,are clarified. Several important research problems to be resolved are finally discussed.