cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of intramural calcification in coronary intravascular ultrasound images with automated image analysis.

Abstract Background Recent studies have documented the utility of intravascular ultrasonography in quantifying coronary morphologic characteristics and determining an appropriate intervention. Unfortunately, its potential for quantifying lesion calcification is limited by subjective evaluation and manual tracing. The aim of this study was to develop an objective automated method for quantifying calcification in intracoronary images with digital image analysis. Methods Images of human coronary arteries acquired with a 30 MHz intracoronary ultrasound catheter were evaluated with digital image analysis and compared with manual tracings. Calcifications were automatically identified as highly echogenic regions detected by global thresholding within sectors of acoustic shadowing defined as regions devoid of texture. Results The mean percentage agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of detecting calcification in 1-degree sectors of calcified vessels were 82%, 73%, and 87%, respectively. Similar results were obtained in noncalcified images. Conclusion The accuracy of this automated technique was comparable to interoperator and intraoperator variability in manually tracing calcification. (Am Heart J 1998;136:78-86.)
The electroretinogram in strabismic amblyopia.

Neither the studies reported in the literature nor the studies presented in this paper have given evidence of significant or reliable differences in electrical response between the amblyopic and the normal fellow eye. There either are, in fact, no differences, or our technical means are inadequate to uncover them. However, only electrophysiologic studies would seem to be capable of deciding the question whether the retina is or is not involved in the mechanism under-lying amblyopia. It would seem, therefore, worthwhile to attempt further refinements in technique to seek a definitive answer.
A colorful mesozoic menagerie

The past decade has witnessed the greatest fossil gold rush of modern times, producing an amazing picture of the Cretaceous, especially from the Jehol Biota of northeastern China. The discovery of presumed ‘feathered dinosaurs’ and other fossils has amplified the number of new species, more than tripling those described during the past two centuries. New tantalizing material has resulted in unprecedented understanding of the early avian radiation, but has also provided a bonanza for paleontological speculation and controversy.
Statistical fusion of GPR and EMI data

ABSTRACT In this paper, we develop a statistical detection system exploiting sensor fusion for the detection of plastic A/Pmines. We design and test the system using data from Monte Carlo electromagnetic induction (EMI) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) simulations. We include the effects of both random soil surface variability and sensor noise. In spite of the presence of a rough surface, we can obtain good results fusing EMI and GPR data using a statisticalapproach in a simple clutter environment.More generally, we develop a framework for simulation and testing of sensor configurations and sensor fusionapproaches for landmine and unexploded ordinance (UXO) detection systems. Exploiting accurate electromagnetic simulation, we develop a controlled environment for testing sensor fusion concepts, from varied sensor arrangements to detection algorithms. In this environment, we can examine the effect of changing mine structure, soil parameters,and sensor geometry on the sensor fusion problem. We can then generalize these results to produce mine detectorsrobust to real-world variations.Keywords: mine, sensor fusion, statistical, radar, induction, model, UXO, detection
Multiple calcium channel types control glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the hippocampus

Abstract N-type calcium channels play a dominant role in controlling synaptic transmission in many peripheral neurons. Transmitter release from mammalian central nerve terminals, however, is relatively resistant to the N channel antagonist ω-conotoxin GVIA. We studied the sensitivity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices to ω-conotoxin and to ω-Aga-IVA, a P channel antagonist. Both toxins reduced the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials in CA1 pyramidal neurons, but ω-Aga-IVA was the more rapid and efficacious. These results were corroborated by biochemical studies measuring subsecond, calcium-dependent [ 3 H]glutamate release from hippocampal synaptosomes. Thus, at least two calcium channel types trigger glutamate release from hippocampal neurons, but P-type plays a more prominent role. Eliminating synaptic transmission in the CNS, therefore, may require inhibiting more than a single calcium channel type.
Physico-chemical properties of α-crystallin from ox lens

Abstract α-Crystallin was isolated from ox lenses and purified by repeated precipitation at its isoelectric point. Electrophoretic analyses in acid and alkaline solutions at various ionic strengths indicate α-crystallin to be a single component. Sedimentation studies above pH 3.0 at various ionic strengths also indicate that α-crystallin is a single component. At pH 3.0 and below, depending upon the ionic strength, two or three components appear during sedimentation. Sedimentation and viscosity studies suggest that this dissociation is reversible. Sedimentation, viscosity, and light-scattering data at pH 2.0 at various ionic strengths indicate an unfolding of the protein molecule ultimately leading to dissociation. Sedimentation and light-scattering data at pH 9.1 at six ionic strengths (0.1–0.6) indicate nearly a two-fold aggregation of the protein at the higher ionic strenghts, possibly accompanied by a change in the shape of the molecule. Molecular weights and dimensions have been calculated from sedimentation, viscosity, and partial-specific-volume data obtained at pH 9.1 and at six ionic strengths.
Locus of Control and Attitudes of Workers and College Students Toward Members of Selected Occupations1

A sample of workers rated the members of 20 selected occupations in terms of their perceived competence, altruism, truthfulness, and power. A comparison sample of college students rated these occupations on the same dimensions and on status. The results generally supported Rotter and Stein's argument that members of the general public have stable beliefs concerning the characteristics of members of different occupations, but not their contention that members of the more powerful occupations are seen more negatively than members of less powerful positions. The data also indicated that the attitudinal ratings of the occupations were affected by individual differences in locus-of-control orientation, with externally oriented people rating more of the members of the occupations more unfavorably than ones with internal orientations.
ISOLATION OF BDELLOVIBRIOS THAT PREY ON ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 AND SALMONELLA SPECIES AND APPLICATION FOR REMOVAL OF PREY FROM STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES

Predatory bacteria of the genus Bdellovibrio that prey upon Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella species were isolated from soil and sewage samples. Bdellovibrio isolates 45k (from soil) and 88e (from sewage) attacked and lysed the E. coli and Salmonella strains tested, with log 10 reductions ranging from 2.5 to 7.9 CFU/mL after 7h incubation, using a two-membered culture system. The predators showed activity against the bacteria within the temperature range of 19 to 37C. Bdellovibrio isolate 45k reduced a population of E. coli dried on stainless steel surfaces by 3.6 log 10 CFU/cm 2 following 24 h contact time and at a 10:1 predator to prey ratio and was also effective in reducing the level ofbiofilm cells. Bdellovibrios can potentially be utilized for removal of bacteria from surfaces of food processing equipment and possibly for controlling the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in foods.
Tadpole competence and tissue-specific temporal regulation of amphibian metamorphosis: Roles of thyroid hormone and its receptors

Amphibian metamorphosis is a post-embryonic process that systematically transforms different tissues in a tadpole. Thyroid hormone plays a causative role in this complex process by inducing a cascade of gene regulation. While natural metamorphosis does not occur until endogenous thyroid hormone has been synthesized, tadpoles are competent to respond to exogenous thyroid hormone shortly after hatching. In addition, even though the metamorphic transitions of individual organs are all controlled by thyroid hormone, each occurs at distinct developmental stages. Recent molecular studies suggest that this competence of premetamorphic tadpoles to respond to the hormone and the developmental stage-dependent regulation of tissue-specific transformations are determined in part by the levels of thyroid hormone receptors and the concentrations of cellular free thyroid hormone. In addition, at least two genes, encoding a cytosolic thyroid hormone binding protein and a 5-deiodinase, respectively, are likely to be critical players in regulating cellular free thyroid hormone concentrations. This review discusses how all of these molecuar components coordinate to induce amphibian metamorphosis in a correct spatial and temporal manner. These studies provde us with general clues as to how and why tissues become competent to respond to hormonal signals.
Superconducting quantum interference device with very low magnetic flux noise energy

We have fabricated dc superconducting quantum interference devices incorporating Josephson tunnel junctions with an inductance of about 2 pH and a capacitance per junction of about 0.3 pF. The lowest measured flux noise energy was 3.2 h/ at 1.4 K at a frequency of 202 kHz. When the 1/f noise was subtracted, the white noise energy decreased from around 3h/ at 4.2 K to below 2h/ at 1.4 K.
Lessons learned concerning vaccine safety

The safety of vaccines is an issue that has been with us ever since Jenner, and it will not go away. The author argues that despite what may seem a waste of energy, most proposed relationships between vaccines and reactions must be thoroughly investigated, as some have been proved correct. Investigations that show the putative relationship to be incorrect serve as examples of scientific rigor, which are valuable for the public. The author draws eight lessons for the future from our recent experiences.
THE EFFECT OF THERMAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE THYROID AND ADRENAL CORTICAL GLANDS IN THE ALBINO RAT1

THAT neural mechanisms play the chief part in the control and integration of body temperature regulation seems firmly established (1–6). Recent develop-ments, however, have indicatedthe existence of other accessory or subsidiary structures which play an important role in the evolution of a complete pattern of thermoregulation. Certain of the endocrines have been shown to be concerned with the maintenance of a constant body temperature, viz,: the hypophysis (7, 8), the thy-roid (9, 10), the adrenal medulla (11, 12, 13), and the adrenal cortex (12, 14–17). En-docrine participation in body temperature regulation is thus strongly indicated. In point of fact, the thyroid, by virtue of its control over the metabolic rate, and the adrenal gland (both constituent parts) have been linked together to constitute the most important non-neural accessory thermo-regulatory mechanism.
The elastase inhibitors of swine serum: isolation and partial characterization of the β1-globulin inhibitor and its interaction with elastase

Abstract 1. 1. The principal elastase inhibitor of swine serum, a β 1 -globulin, has been isolated from serum by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and chromatofocusing. 2. 2. The purified β 1 -globulin was homogeneous by immunoelectrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Multiple zones (isoinhibitors) were produced on anionic polyacrylamide gels. 3. 3. The mol. wt for the native, elastase-inactivated inhibitor and the β 1 -globulin—elastase complex were respectively, 65,467 and 60,000 and 79,667. The amino acid residue weight was 63,331. 4. 4. The electrophoretic mobilities of the native inhibitor, elastase-inactivated inhibitor and the inhibitor-elastase complex were respectively, −3.4, −3.8 and −2.2 × 10 −5 cm 2 /V per sec, the isoelectric points were respectively, 4.78–5.28 (major pIs = 5.15, 5.35), 4.63–5.35 (major pI = 5.13) and 6.02–6.2 (major pI = 6.12). 5. 5. The first order dissociation rate constant for the β 1 -globulin—elastase complex (two-fold molar excess of elastase at 37°C) was 1.9 × 10 −3 per sec with complete dissociation in 40.4 min. The dissociation constant for the complex was 1.47 x 10 −7 M. One mol of elastase was bound per mol of the inhibitor. 6. 6. The β 1 -globulin—elastase complex reacts with antibody to either protein moiety.
Elastic Scattering of Low-Energy Electrons at 180° in CO 2

A technique is described for the study of electrons which are elastically scattered from a gas target into a small solid angle centered at 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} with respect to the direction of the incident electron beam. The method is applied to electron scattering from C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. Information is obtained concerning the nature of the compound state in the 4-eV region.
Depletion of cholinergic neurons of the medullary arcuate nucleus in multiple system atrophy.

Abstract The human arcuate nucleus (ArcN) has been considered akin to the pontine precerebellar nuclei. However, there is anatomical, functional, and clinical evidence that the ArcN may be the homologue of chemosensitive areas of the ventral medullary surface involved in ventilatory responses to hypercarbia and cerebrospinal fluid acidosis. Acetylcholine has been involved in mechanisms of central chemosensitivity. Loss of ArcN neurons has been reported in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a disorder characterized by disturbed automatic ventilation, but the neurochemical identity of these neurons is undetermined. We sought to determine whether the ArcN contains cholinergic neurons and whether these neurons are depleted in patients with MSA. Medullae were obtained from six patients with MSA, five patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and six sex- and age-matched controls. Fifty-micron transverse sections obtained through the mid-olivary levels were processed for acetylcholinesterase (AchE), choline acetyltransferase (CAT), and α-synuclein immunoreactivity. We found that the ArcN contained CAT-positive neurons. There was a significant decrease in density of cholinergic ArcN neurons in MSA but not in PD patients. α-Synuclein-containing inclusions were present in the ArcN of MSA patients. Depletion of cholinergic neurons may provide a substrate for disturbances in automatic respiration in MSA patients.
Anthracycline-induced DNA breaks and resealing in doxorubicin-resistant murine leukemic P388 cells

Abstract Energy-dependent drug efflux is believed to be a major factor in cellular resistance to doxorubicin (DOX). However, recent studies have shown that decreased retention alone cannot account for anthracycline resistance, and possibly other factors, such as drug metabolism, free radical scavengers, and altered DNA damage/repair, may be involved. We have measured DOX-induced DNA damage and its repair in P388 cells sensitive (P388/S) and resistant (P388/R) to DOX. Our studies show 2- to 5-fold less DNA damage, measured as protein-associated single-strand DNA breaks, in P388/R cells when compared to similarly treated P388/S cells. The repair of DNA in whole cells, expressed as percent DNA rejoined, was complete in 4 hr in P388/R, whereas no repair was seen in P388/S cells until 20 hr. No difference in repair of DNA lesions was observed when nuclei were used in repair experiments. The absence of repair in sensitive whole cells may be due to high retention or slow drug efflux. Increase of cellular DOX retention by exposure of cells to trifluoperazine (TFP) or verapamil (VPL) did not result in the increase of DNA damage in P388/R cells. DOX analogs, Af-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32), 4′- O -tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP-adriamycin), and N -benzyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 198), induced 2- to 4-fold more DNA damage than DOX in resistant cells. There was no difference in the poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis of P388/S and P388/R cells exposed to DOX or AD 32. Since ADP-ribose polymer synthesis is associated with free radical-induced DNA damage and is indicative of DNA repair by an excision-repair mechanism, data from these studies suggest that DNA breaks in anthracycline-exposed cells may not be due to free radical production but rather to other mechanisms, such as inhibition of DNA topoisomerase II activity. The present studies, in addition to emphasizing the role of DNA damage in resistance, also underscore the relative importance of DNA topoisomerase II function in anthracycline cytotoxicity.
Ultrashort laser pulse diagnostics using the local spectrum function

A technique for single-shot generation of the local spectrum of an ultrashort laser pulse is demonstrated. The method is based on the time gating of a spectrally decomposed wave and allows reconstruction of pulse complex amplitude profile and real-time visualization of the signal. We apply the technique to the analysis of the output of a mode-locked oscillator and a regenerative amplifier.
Semantic retrieval, mnemonic control, and prefrontal cortex.

Accessing stored knowledge is a fundamental function of the cognitive and neural architectures of memory. Here, the authors review evidence from cognitive-behavioral paradigms, neuropsychological s...
Synthesis and separation of a diastereomeric pair of phosphonopeptide inhibitors of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit

Abstract In this paper we report the establishment of a novel procedure to synthesize a nonhydrolyzable phosphonopeptide dead-end inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This procedure has been optimized to maximize the peptide yield and gives a diastereomeric pair of heptapeptides that can be separated on a C-18 reverse phase HPLC column. The two peptides have been characterized by NMR and the ability of these peptides to inhibit the reacton of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Peptide A has a dissociation constant of 9 micromolar, and is a 10-fold better inhibitor as compared to peptide B. On the basis of this 10-fold greater inhibition afforded by peptide A, this peptide is assiged the all L-form configuration. It is expected that this procedure can easily be adapted to synthesize a variety of different peptide inhibitors which involve a nonhydrolyzable phosphate on an amino acid.
Business schools and the innovation conundrum

Purpose – This paper seeks to heighten and expand understanding of the important role of business education and scholarship in innovation, and consequentially on how this innovation enables business schools to contribute to economic growth and prosperity.Design/methodology/approach – While the foundation of this paper is a new report on the role of business schools in innovation issued by AACSB International, this paper extends the results by integrating more recent studies and reports on innovation.Findings – The report concludes that management and leadership are essential aspects of the innovation lifecycle, and that business schools play a significant role in developing the cadre of individuals with these skill sets.Originality/value – This paper draws on and synthesizes the most recent literature on innovation, as well as relating innovation to issues of economic development and prosperity. In doing this, it calls for business schools to proactively define their unique contributions to innovate and t...
Vascular perfusion of the cochlea: Effect of potassium-free and rubidium-substituted media

By means of vascular perfusion of the cochlea with K+-free synthetic blood, it is possible to maintain the endocochlear potential (EP) at normal or supernormal levels for periods of 20–42 min. The subsequent decline of the EP is comparatively slow. This is in contrast to the immediate onset and rapid decline of the EP during perilymphatic perfusion with K+-free media. Possible implications of these data concerning the mode of generation of the EP are briefly discussed. It is further shown, that synthetic blood, in which K+ is replaced by Rb+, maintains the EP at normal or near normal levels for 2 h.
PROPIONYL CoA CARBOXYLASE ACTIVITY OF OBLIGATE HETEROZYGOTE FOR PROPIONIC ACIDEMIA

Propionyl CoA carboxylase activity was determined in patients and obligate heterozygotes for propionic acidemia and control subjects. The assay was performed on lymphocytes using 14C sodium bicarbonate. There were 5 males and 5 females in the heterozygotes group and 5 males and 4 females in the control group. The table lists the propionyl CoA activity in picomoles/minute/mg protein. Obligate male heterozygotes demonstrated activity one half of normal. However the activity of female heterozygotes was in the same range as that of controls. Although complementation studies could not be performed it is highly unlikely that any of these patients fell into the PccC group in which the heterozygotes do have normal activity since all the patients' fathers did demonstrate the reduced activity. This difference in activity between male and female heterozygotes has also been observed in MSUD. Although there is no explanations for the sex difference the finding is of interest in that it demonstrates that lymphocyte enzyme activity cannot always be relied on to determine the heterozygous state.
STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL EXTRACORPOREAL THROMBOSIS : I. A METHOD FOR THE DIRECT OBSERVATION OF EXTRACORPOREAL THROMBUS FORMATION.

A new method has been described for the study in vivo of thrombus formation in blood circulating extracorporeally in an artificial loop. This method permits of control of many factors, and hence of intensive study of thrombus formation under many and varied conditions. It admits of separate study of the formation of white thrombi and of the deposition of fibrin, which may apparently be independent processes.
Automatic anatomical labeling of abdominal arteries for small bowel evaluation on 3D CT scans

While segmentation of the small bowel on CT scans is helpful for diagnosis and surgery planning, it is challenging to reproducibly identify specific locations within the small bowel. Assigning anatomical names to the individual mesenteric arteries supplying the small bowel may enable more precise lesion localization. It also enables registration of the small bowel from CT scans before and after surgery. In this study, an automated anatomical labeling method was introduced for the mesenteric arterial vasculature. After segmenting the mesenteric vascular tree, features including blood vessel size, direction, relative position and branching pattern were calculated. Known anatomic names were assigned to the major abdominal arteries, and names encoding order and direction were assigned to the arteries arising from the superior mesenteric artery. Five CT scans were analyzed and experimental results showed 73% recall and 79% precision rate. To our knowledge, this is the first reported method to label the smaller branches of the mesenteric vasculature and will have applications for diagnosis and treatment of small bowel disease.
Renato Dulbecco and the new animal virology: medicine, methods, and molecules

Animal virology -- the study of viruses that prey on animals and human beings -- deserves historical treatment if only because since the 1950s it has become one of the most important fields in the biomedical sciences. Nowadays, it is central to the understanding of many infectious diseases, including AIDS, and the non-infectious scourge of cancer. Yet the development of the new animal virology -- "new" because it was a biological science as distinct from an arm of clinical practice in medicine -- is richly suggestive not only because of its salient importance to medicine but also historiographically. It provides an opportunity to examine the role of several important issues in the development of modern biology, not least the interplay between medical goals and the practice of basic science, the influence of patronage on scientific development, and the role of methods, techniques, and research schools in the advancement of a field.
α-Alkylidene- γ -lactone synthesis: α -methyl and α-benzylcinnamic acid dianion addition to ketones

Abstract α-methyl and α-benzylcinnamic acids and lithium diisopropylamlde (DIPA) generate stable dianlons that as addition reagents are useful for the synthesis of α-methylene-and α-benzyl Idene-γ-lactones.
Altering Risk Following Child Maltreatment: Family and Friend Support as Protective Factors

Although the long-term effects of cumulative childhood maltreatment (CCM) include a variety of adverse consequences, many individuals are resilient following such experiences. This study explored the role of social support from family and friends in buffering long-term outcome following CCM, examining both main and moderating effects. Participants included 344 college aged men and women. Findings revealed strong promotive (main) effects of social support from family and friends that were associated with a reduction in symptoms of depression/anxiety and anger/hostility, regardless of the severity of abuse experienced. Support generally acted as a buffer (moderator) against negative outcomes for individuals with lower, and not higher, levels of CCM. The role of family support in moderating outcome was complex, particularly with respect to women’s later dating victimization; here family support functioned as a protective factor at low CCM, but as a vulnerability factor at high CCM.
Developmental Disruption of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Function in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex by Noncontingent Cocaine Exposure During Early Adolescence

Background Drug experimentation during adolescence is associated with increased risk of drug addiction relative to any other age group. To further understand the neurobiology underlying such liability, we investigate how early adolescent cocaine experience impacts medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) network function in adulthood. Methods A noncontingent administration paradigm was used to assess the impact of early adolescent cocaine treatment (rats; postnatal days [PD] 35–40) on the overall inhibitory regulation of mPFC activity in adulthood (PD 65–75) by means of histochemical and in vivo electrophysiological measures combined with pharmacologic manipulations. Results Cocaine exposure during early adolescence yields a distinctive hypermetabolic prefrontal cortex state that was not observed in adult-treated rats (PD 75–80). Local field potential recordings revealed that early adolescent cocaine exposure is associated with an attenuation of mPFC gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition evoked by ventral hippocampal stimulation at beta and gamma frequencies that endures throughout adulthood. Such cocaine-induced mPFC disinhibition was not observed in adult-exposed animals. Furthermore, the normal developmental upregulation of parvalbumin immunoreactivity observed in the mPFC from PD 35 to PD 65 is lacking following early adolescent cocaine treatment. Conclusions Our data indicate that repeated cocaine exposure during early adolescence can elicit a state of mPFC disinhibition resulting from a functional impairment of the local prefrontal GABAergic network that endures through adulthood. A lack of acquisition of prefrontal GABAergic function during adolescence could trigger long-term deficits in the mPFC that may increase the susceptibility for the onset of substance abuse and related psychiatric disorders.
Efficient transfer of large DNA fragments from agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl-paper and rapid hybridization by using dextran sulfate.

We describe a technique for transferring electrophoretically separated bands of double-stranded DNA from agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl-paper. Controlled cleavage of the DNA in situ by sequential treatment with dilute acid, which causes partial depurination, and dilute alkali, which causes cleavage and separation of the strands, allows the DNA to leave the gel rapidly and completely, with an efficiency independent of its size. Covalent attachment of DNA to paper prevents losses during subsequent hybridization and washing steps and allows a single paper to be reused many times. Ten percent dextran sulfate, originally found to accelerate DNA hybridization in solution by about 10-fold [J.G. Wetmur (1975) Biopolymers 14, 2517-2524], accelerates the rate of hybridization of randomly cleaved double-stranded DNA probes to immobilized nucleic acids by as much as 100-fold, without increasing the background significantly.
Experimental investigation of PHY layer rate control and frequency selection in 802.11-based ad-hoc networks

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the performance impact of two important PHY layer design options that arise in 802.11 ad-hoc networks. In particular, throughput results are provided for multi-hop ad-hoc networks with and without PHY auto-rate control and for single vs. multiple frequencies. The study is motivated by the fact that default 802.11-based ad-hoc networks using commercially preset auto-rate PHY and a single frequency channel suffer from performance degradations caused by link quality fluctuations and MAC layer self-interference respectively. A baseline ad-hoc network scenario is set up on the ORBIT radio grid testbed at Rutgers and is used to determine end-to-end multi-hop flow throughput with default rate control and single channel operation. These results are then compared with those obtained with multiple channels and alternative PHY-rate selection methods demonstrating the potential for significant performance improvements. We observed significant improvements in end-to-end flow throughput, as much as 4x for multiple channel vs. single channel and 3x for optimally controlled PHY rate vs auto-rate.
Vanishing criteria in multiterminal source coding

In Shannon theory literature, nuances of closely related, yet formally dissimilar, vanishing criteria have not been widely studied. For example, the distinctions between the vanishing-distortion and the vanishing-error criteria, and between the vanishing-rate and the zero-rate coding are still not well understood. In this paper, with the help of our recently proposed canonical theory, we show that each pair gives rise to two related geometries, obtained by interchanging the order of section and closure operations on an underlying set. For amenable problems, that set is closed, and hence the rival geometries are indistinguishable. However, we believe that there exists an (intransigent) problem with an underlying open set for which those geometries are distinct. Our belief is buttressed by the fact that the vanishing-error and the zero-error coding problems, involving similarly interchanged section and closure operations, are known to sometimes differ
A new model for the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H)

S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) pastes are generally based on the notion that the dimeric calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) that begins to form at the end of the induction period is not a stable phase. It is implied that its formation simply marks the beginning of a rather lengthy equilibration process. This statement is based on the fact that the arrangement of Ca2+, OH– and (Si2O7)6– ions in the C-S-H at this time has no long range order (C-S-H is X-ray amorphous) and the fact that the dimers present in the C-S-H will seemingly polymerize and form dreierketten of the 3n-1 type with time. It has been suggested that the localized layers of C-S-H that contain these dreierketten are structurally related to tobermorite that has been modified in various ways, including omission of bridging tetrahedra and partial replacement of silicate ions by OH– groups. As an alternative, it is suggested that the dimeric C-S-H that forms soon after setting and hardening may actually be a metastable phase in its own right, a rigid gel precursor phase whose stability is related to its calcium content. Should calcium concentrations fall below the level needed to stabilize the phase (a phenomenon that can be initiated by rising temperatures and/or portlandite precipitation), the dimeric C-S-H will undergo a phase change forming nano-sized fragments of tobermorite/jennite-like C-S-H. The proposed model differs from current models in that it proposes a relatively rapid equilibration followed by a much slower diffusion-controlled phase change process. Although both models predict the same outcome, i.e. a mature paste sample will normally contain a mixture of dimer and dreierketten, the new model gives a raison d’etre for the presence of consistently large amounts of dimer throughout the entire hydration process.
Cellular microtransport processes: intercellular, intracellular, and aggregate behavior.

▪ Abstract Ionic and molecular transfer among cells occurs by a variety of transport processes operative at different length scales. Cell membrane permeability and electrical conductance derive from channel proteins producing pores at the molecular (ultrastructural) scale. Intracellular mobility involves the dynamics of motion through the complex ultrastructure of the cytoplasm. These phenomena unite in the larger-scale (microscopic) process of gross intercellular transfer. When such movement occurs among sufficiently many cells, it in turn begins to reflect their average collective (macroscopic) behavior as bulk tissue. This article surveys selected aspects of intercellular and intracellular transport, with emphasis on detailed mechanistic theory, experimental probes of cellular permeability, and systematic transcendence from small to large length scales.
Interleukin-17 in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease: the good, the bad, and the unknown

This editorial refers to ‘Circulating levels of interleukin-17 and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction’, by T. Simon et al. , doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehs263 Over the past few years our understanding of the importance of adaptive immunity in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has considerably increased.1 Profound abnormalities have been observed in specific subsets of CD4+T cells, including type 1 helper T (Th1) cells,2,3 CD4+CD28nullT cells,4 and naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg cells).5 Recently a new lineage of CD4+T cells, type 17 helper T (Th17) cells producing the signature cytokines interleukin (IL)-17, IL-21, and IL-22, has been identified.6 This has fundamentally changed the Th1/Th2 dichotomy paradigm. The Th1 cell subset is characterized by interferon (IFN)-γ production and T-bet expression, whereas the Th2 cell lineage shows IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 production and GATA-3 expression. At the other extreme, Treg cells expressing FoxP3 are essential to maintain the homeostasis of cell subsets involved in adaptive immunity by contact-dependent suppression or by releasing anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1.7 Like Th1, Th2, and Treg cells, specific polarizing cytokines—TGF-β, IL-6, and IL-23—are required for differentiation of Th17 cells which express the transcription factors retinoic acid orphan receptor (ROR) α and RORγt. However, Th17 cells do not represent a homogeneous lineage, as they can be reprogrammed to other T-cell subsets depending on the cytokine environment.6 Accordingly, IL-17 can be co-expressed with a variety of other cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-4. Indeed, a mixed Th1–Th17 subgroup expressing both T-bet and RORγt has been recently identified in the setting of autoimmunity.6 Plasticity …
Emerging role of relaxin in the maternal adaptations to normal pregnancy: implications for preeclampsia

Relaxin is an approximately 6-kilodalton peptide hormone secreted by the corpus luteum, and circulates in the maternal blood during pregnancy. Relaxin administration to awake, chronically instrumented, nonpregnant rats mimics the vasodilatory phenomena of pregnancy. Furthermore, immunoneutralization of relaxin or its elimination from the circulation during midterm pregnancy in awake rats prevents maternal systemic and renal vasodilation, and the increase in global arterial compliance. Human investigation, albeit limited through 2010, also reveals vasodilatory effects of relaxin in the nonpregnant condition and observations consistent with a role for relaxin in gestational renal hyperfiltration. Evidence suggests that the vasodilatory responses of relaxin are mediated by its major receptor, the relaxin/insulin-like family peptide 1 receptor, RFXP1. The molecular mechanisms of relaxin vasodilation depend on the duration of hormone exposure (ie, there are rapid and sustained vasodilatory responses). Newly emerging data support the role of Gα(i/o) protein coupling to phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt (protein kinase B)-dependent phosphorylation and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the rapid vasodilatory responses of relaxin. Sustained vasodilatory responses critically depend on vascular endothelial and placental growth factors, and increases in arterial gelatinase(s) activity. Gelatinases hydrolyze big endothelin (ET) at a gly-leu bond to form ET(1-32), which activates the endothelial ET(B)/nitric oxide vasodilatory pathway. Although the relevance of relaxin biology to preeclampsia is largely speculative at this time, there are potential tantalizing links that are discussed in the context of our current understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease.
Folds and cuts: how shading flows into edges

We consider the interactions between edges and intensity distributions in semi-open image neighborhoods surrounding them. Locally this amounts to a kind of figure-ground problem, and we analyze the case of smooth surface occluding one another. Techniques from differential topology permits a classification of edges based on what we call folds and cuts. Intuititively, folds arise when a surface "folds" out of sight, which in turn may "cut" another surface from view. The classification depends on tangency between an edge tangent map and a shading flow field. Examples are included.
ENDOCRINE PROBLEMS IN PELVIC SURGERY WITH PECIAL REFERENCE TO VICARIOUS MENSTRUATION.

The study of endocrine function is perhaps at its most perilous stage. So marvelous have been the results of the earnest and scientific work of pioneers in the field that the medical profession is in danger of imitating the attitude now assumed by the general public, accepting any and every oracular dictum concerning the application of internal secretion therapy to practice, demanding only the authority of the printed word, and forthwith making the innocent patient material for research. Medicaments are being exploited which we know on sober reflection to be too highly potent for indiscriminate use. It is fortunate that we are beginning to see in the literature a note of caution, and that conservative summaries of present limitations, and careful experimental studies offset to some degree the flood of impulsive conclusions often stated as positive facts, with which we are all familiar.
Simulating multidimensional optical wave-mixing signals with finite-pulse envelopes

Closed expressions are derived for resonant coherent multidimensional spectra carried out with temporally well-separated pulses. The roles of the pulse carrier frequencies, phases, bandwidths, and envelopes can be readily analyzed. These results are particularly suitable for the design of new pulse sequences and for implementing coherent-control pulse-shaping algorithms for optimizing these signals to meet specific targets.
Functional components of grape pomace: their composition, biological properties and potential applications

Summary The roles of functional foods on human health have been realised by more and more researchers, food producers and consumers. Functional food ingredients from both plant and animal sources such as dietary fibre, soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate and omega 3 fatty acid have been widely used in functional food product development. Many fruit processing by-products such as grape, apple and orange peels are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, dietary fibre and unsaturated fatty acids, hence have potential to serve as functional food ingredients. In this review, we summarise recent advancement of research in grape pomace (GP), the residual of grapes after wine making. The polyphenol profile of GP and their biological, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, the stability of GP polyphenols in food system, the interaction between GP polyphenol and other food ingredients, as well as the functionalities of grape seed oil and GP fibre are covered.
Power control for an asynchronous multirate decorrelator

For code-division multiple-access (CDMA) wireless systems employing multiuser detection, the varied bit-error rate (BER) requirements of multimedia traffic dictate the use of transmitted power control. Using a decorrelator in an asynchronous multirate direct-sequence CDMA system, it may be necessary for different users to combat the noise enhancement and the propagation losses to varying degrees depending on individual requirements. In this context, we propose a power control algorithm for a multirate decorrelator that is suitable for a class of BER-based link quality objectives. If the uplink channel gain of the desired user is known, then it is straightforward for each user to choose the transmitted power needed to meet its target BER objective. In practice, however, the uplink channel gain is often difficult to measure. To avoid this measurement, we employ stochastic approximation methods to develop a simple iterative power control algorithm. In this algorithm, each mobile uses the output of its own decorrelator to update its transmitted power in order to achieve its BER objective. We show that when a user's bits have nonzero asymptotic efficiencies, the power control algorithm converges quickly in the mean square sense to the minimum power at which a user achieves its quality-of-service objective.
Structure of the Yersinia enterocolitica molecular-chaperone protein SycE.

The crystal structure of the Yersinia enterocolitica molecular-chaperone protein SycE, which specifically binds the YopE protein, has been solved to 2.0 A resolution by molecular replacement. The crystal contains two SycE dimers per asymmetric unit; a novel feature of this crystal, when compared with closely related SycE structures, is a well ordered carboxy-terminal peptide in one protomer of each dimer. The peptide binds a hydrophobic patch of a neighboring molecule in a manner similar to that seen in a SycE–YopE chaperone–target complex, suggestive of low-affinity `self-binding' through which the carboxy-terminal peptide might suppress counterproductive interactions with non-target proteins in vivo.
A Challenge to Critical Understandings of Race

In this article, I demonstrate fundamental weaknesses in the ability of critical understandings of race to produce reliable knowledge of how social actors use social comparisons as a way to align self with ingroup. I trace these weaknesses to two sources: The first is relying on social status as an explanation for race-based assessments, ingroup motivations, and social constructions of otherness. This is opposed to leaning on assessments grounded in social psychological research that links properties of human cognition to the development and maintenance of social identities. The second weakness is an open support for activist research that is often situated in radical multiculturalism. Because critical race scholars openly side with racial minorities’ interests, they tend to establish incomplete assessments of social behaviors and social constructs linked to racial identities in order to maintain their stated political allegiances. To demonstrate these and other weaknesses, I draw upon the theoretical insights of social identity theory which is used to reassess Bell and Hartmann's (2007) critical race analysis of diversity dialogue in American society.
ZNO-on-nanocrystalline diamond lateral bulk acoustic resonators

This paper reports, for the first time, on thin-film piezoelectric-on-diamond composite bulk acoustic resonators. These resonators benefit from the large elastic modulus of the nano-crystalline diamond to increase the resonance frequency, and the high electromechanical coupling of the piezoelectric transduction to reduce the motional impedance. More than 1.8times increase in the resonance frequency is measured for devices fabricated on 2 mum thick diamond compared to the same size devices made on 6 mum thick silicon on insulator substrate. A device with 5 mum feature size exhibits a high resonance frequency of 1.2 GHz. A small motional impedance of 225 Omega is reported for a device operating at 173 MHz. The temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) is measured to be as small as -2 ppm/degC as a result of including an oxide layer in the device structure.
Ethical Principles and Processes Guiding Dialysis Decision-Making

When the US Congress created the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Program in 1972, it gave physicians the responsibility of determining which patients were "appropriate" for dialysis. Congress provided no guidance on who should be selected or how. Only five years later, Dr. Belding Scribner, the father of chronic dialysis, noted that there was a need for a "deselection committee" because virtually all criteria for dialysis patient selection had been slackened, if not abandoned. In 1991, the Institute of Medicine Committee to Study the Medicare ESRD Program recommended the development of a clinical practice guideline because they noted there were "an increasing number of [dialysis] patients with limited survival possibilities and relatively poor quality of life." In 2000, the Renal Physicians Association and the American Society of Nephrology heeded the Institute of Medicine committee's recommendation and published Shared Decision-Making in the Appropriate Initiation of and Withdrawal from Dialysis. In 2010, prompted by a substantial body of new research evidence, the Renal Physicians Association published a second edition of this clinical practice guideline. This article describes the application of the ethical principles of respect for patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and professional integrity, and the ethical process of shared decision-making in making decisions about starting, withholding, continuing, and stopping dialysis with patients and families. It urges examination of medical indications and identifies appropriate limits to shared decision-making when the burdens of dialysis can be predicted to substantially outweigh the benefits.
Groundwater flow to a horizontal or slanted well in an unconfined aquifer

[1] New semianalytical solutions for evaluation of the drawdown near horizontal and slanted wells with finite length screens in unconfined aquifers are presented. These fully three-dimensional solutions consider instantaneous drainage or delayed yield and aquifer anisotropy. As a basis, solution for the drawdown created by a point source in a uniform anisotropic unconfined aquifer is derived in Laplace domain. Using superposition, the point source solution is extended to the cases of the horizontal and slanted wells. The previous solutions for vertical wells can be described as a special case of the new solutions. Numerical Laplace inversion allows effective evaluation of the drawdown in real time. Examples illustrate the effects of well geometry and the aquifer parameters on drawdown. Results can be used to generate type curves from observations in piezometers and partially or fully penetrating observation wells. The proposed solutions and software are useful for the parameter identification, design of remediation systems, drainage, and mine dewatering.