cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
mTOR Inhibition Induces Compensatory, Therapeutically Targetable MEK Activation in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Rapamycin derivatives allosterically targeting mTOR are currently FDA approved to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and catalytic inhibitors of mTOR/PI3K are now in clinical trials for treating various solid tumors. We sought to investigate the relative efficacy of allosteric versus catalytic mTOR inhibition, evaluate the crosstalk between the mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways, as well as the therapeutic potential of dual mTOR and MEK inhibition in RCC. Pharmacologic (rapamycin and BEZ235) and genetic manipulation of the mTOR pathway were evaluated by in vitro assays as monotherapy as well as in combination with MEK inhibition (GSK1120212). Catalytic mTOR inhibition with BEZ235 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis better than allosteric mTOR inhibition with rapamycin. While mTOR inhibition upregulated MEK/ERK signaling, concurrent inhibition of both pathways had enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Finally, primary RCC tumors could be classified into subgroups [(I) MEK activated, (II) Dual MEK and mTOR activated, (III) Not activated, and (IV) mTOR activated] based on their relative activation of the PI3K/mTOR and MEK pathways. Patients with mTOR only activated tumors had the worst prognosis. In summary, dual targeting of the mTOR and MEK pathways in RCC can enhance therapeutic efficacy and primary RCC can be subclassified based on their relative levels of mTOR and MEK activation with potential therapeutic implications.
Synthesis and Molecular Structures of Pyridine-Containing Large-Membered Cyclic Bis(alkoxy)silanes(1).

The new cyclic silanes [(C5H3N)(CH2O)2SiMe2]2 (1) and (C5H3N)(CH2CPh2O)2SiMe2 (2) containing 16-membered and 10-membered rings, respectively, were prepared by the condensation reaction of Me2SiCl2 with an appropriate pyridine diol in the presence of Et3N. X-ray studies show that the dimeric formulation for 1 represents a tetracoordinate cyclic silane, whereas 2 has a geometry halfway from a tetrahedron toward a trigonal bipyramid (TBP) as a result of Si−Nax donor action. 29Si and 1H NMR indicate retention of the coordination geometry for 2 in solution that undergoes rapid Si−N cleavage and ring rearrangement. In comparison with other silanes containing five- and six-membered rings that exhibit nitrogen or oxygen coordination, the presence of larger rings, as in 2 and related silanes having sulfur coordination, indicates that retention of donor action persists, thus largely ruling out ring size as a dominant factor controlling the possibility of donor action at silicon. The dimeric silane 1 crystallizes in...
The sites and topology of mitochondrial superoxide production

Mitochondrial superoxide production is an important source of reactive oxygen species in cells, and may cause or contribute to ageing and the diseases of ageing. Seven major sites of superoxide production in mammalian mitochondria are known and widely accepted. In descending order of maximum capacity they are the ubiquinone-binding sites in complex I (site IQ) and complex III (site IIIQo), glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the flavin in complex I (site IF), the electron transferring flavoprotein:Q oxidoreductase (ETFQOR) of fatty acid beta-oxidation, and pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenases. None of these sites is fully characterized and for some we only have sketchy information. The topology of the sites is important because it determines whether or not a site will produce superoxide in the mitochondrial matrix and be able to damage mitochondrial DNA. All sites produce superoxide in the matrix; site IIIQo and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase also produce superoxide to the intermembrane space. The relative contribution of each site to mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation in the absence of electron transport inhibitors is unknown in isolated mitochondria, in cells or in vivo, and may vary considerably with species, tissue, substrate, energy demand and oxygen tension.
Graded-Field White-Light Microscopy

We describe the theory of a new technique of phase contrast imaging using aperture apodization with white light illumination.
Cognitive and learning processes in children with Down syndrome.

Abstract The primary purpose of this investigation was to study cognitive and learning processes in children with Down syndrome using a recently developed instrument, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC). The results obtained from 20 chilren with Down syndrome were compared with those of 20 younger brothers and sisters of children in the experimental group and 20 mental age-matched nonretarded children. As predicted both the siblings (corrected for mental age) and the nonretarded children performed significantly better on both the Sequential and the Simultaneous Processing Scales of the K-ABC. However, there was no significant difference when the results of the Sequential Processing Scale were contrasted with those of the Simultaneous Processing Scale in all three groups. When subtests that use auditory-vocal (Number Recall) and auditory-motor (Word Order) channels of communication were compared with subtests that employ visual-vocal (Gestalt Closure) and visual-motor (Hand Movement) channels of communication, children with Down syndrome performed significantly better on the latter two tests than on the former two tests. The implications of these results as they relate to designing appropriate educational strategies for children with Down syndrome are discussed.
Community Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse: A Survey of Practitioners in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Practitioners from numerous agencies who sought training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in several regional sites under the auspices of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network completed a baseline survey to describe their backgrounds, settings, practices, attitudes, and perceived outcomes with sexually abused children and youth. The results documented a range of experiences and common treatment practices, and identified contributors to practitioners’ use of gradual exposure and perceived levels of positive treatment outcome. The results were not accounted for by geographic region or agency. The findings support recommendations to optimize research and training related to the dissemination of evidence-based treatments in the child abuse field.
Single Ion Channel Recordings with CMOS-Anchored Lipid Membranes

We present single-ion-channel recordings performed with biomimetic lipid membranes which are directly attached to the surface of a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) preamplifier chip. With this system we resolve single-channel currents from several types of bacterial ion channels, including fluctuations of a single alamethicin channel at a bandwidth of 1 MHz which represent the fastest single-ion-channel recordings reported to date. The platform is also used for high-resolution α-hemolysin nanopore recordings. These results illustrate the high signal fidelity, fine temporal resolution, small geometry, and multiplexed integration which can be achieved by leveraging integrated semiconductor platforms for advanced ion channel interfaces.
Conditions of metamorphism in an early Paleozoic blueschist, schist of Skookum Gulch, northern California

The Late Ordovician schist of Skookum Gulch, northern California, is one of only a few pre-Mesozoic blueschist localities in North America. Among these, the Skookum Gulch occurrence is noteworthy because it contains lawsonite and has had a relatively simple metamorphic and structural history.
Identity and counsellor preference

This study investigated the relationship of identity development, measured by the Self-Identity Inventory (SII), universal-diverse orientation (UDO), measured by the Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale- Short (M-GUDS-S), to counsellor preference in a sample of 365 university students. After controlling for personal identity demographic variables, multiple regression analysis indicated SII and UDO accounted for significant additional variance in counsellor preference with Immersion (SII Scale 3), Relativistic Appreciation (MGUDS-S Subscale 2) and Comfort with Differences (MGUDS-S Subscale 3), identified as significant unique predictors. A canonical correlation analysis performed with 11 individual counsellor preference variables as criterion variables and 9 identity salience variables as predictor variables to explore the relationships between identity salience and counsellor preference yielded three significant canonical functions. † Portions of this article were presented as a poster session at t...
An ideal separating extension of affine space

In affine space the set of solutions to a system of polynomial equations does not uniquely determine the system. We extend affine space so that the solutions (in the extension) to a system of equations uniquely determines the system
Item priming and skill learning in amnesia.

Abstract This study employed a semantic decision-making task to examine both item priming and skill learning in amnesia, which traditionally have been demonstrated with separate tasks. Fourteen amnesic patients of mixed etiologies and 14 normal control subjects judged whether words represented animate or inanimate objects. One list was presented repeatedly on four continuous blocks of trials, and a new list was presented on the fifth block. For both groups, decision times decreased significantly from Block 1 to Block 5 (indicating skill acquisition) and increased significantly from Block 4 to Block 5 (indicating item-specific learning). The amnesic patients demonstrated a normal rate of skill learning, but a reduced magnitude of item priming. As expected, the amnesics had significantly impaired explicit memory of the implicitly learned items, as measured by recognition accuracy. The results suggest that both implicit and explicit learning of individual items is impaired in amnesia, despite normal semantic...
Nonlinear identification of ionic polymer actuator systems

Ionic polymers are a class of electromechanically coupled materials that can be used as flexible transducers. When set up in the cantilever configuration, the actuators exhibit a large bending deflection when an electric field is applied across their thickness. Being a relatively new research topic, the governing physical and chemical mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Experimental results have demonstrated nonlinear dynamic behavior. The nonlinear dynamics can be seen in the response of current, displacement, and velocity of the actuator. This work presents results for the nonlinear identification of ionic polymer actuator systems driven at a specific frequency. Identification results using a 5th-degree Volterra expansion show that the nonlinear distortion can be accurately modeled. Using such a high power in the series expansion is necessary to capture the most dominant harmonics, as evidenced when examining the power spectral density of the response. An investigation of how nonlinearities enter into the response is also performed. By analyzing both the actuation current and tip velocity, results show that both the voltage to current and current to velocity stages influence the nonlinear response, but the voltage to current stage is more dominantly nonlinear.
Percolation in Networks with Voids and Bottlenecks

A general method is proposed for predicting the asymptotic percolation threshold of networks with bottlenecks, in the limit that the subnet mesh size goes to zero. The validity of this method is tested for bond percolation on filled checkerboard and ``stack-of-triangle'' lattices. Thresholds for the checkerboard lattices of different mesh sizes are estimated using the gradient percolation method, while for the triangular system they are found exactly using the triangle-triangle transformation. The values of the thresholds approach the asymptotic values of 0.64222 and 0.53993, respectively, as the mesh is made finer, consistent with a direct determination based upon the predicted critical corner-connection probability.
Activation of Aluminum as an Effective Reducing Agent by Pitting Corrosion for Wet-chemical Synthesis

Metallic aluminum (Al) is of interest as a reducing agent because of its low standard reduction potential. However, its surface is invariably covered with a dense aluminum oxide film, which prevents its effective use as a reducing agent in wet-chemical synthesis. Pitting corrosion, known as an undesired reaction destroying Al and is enhanced by anions such as F−, Cl−, and Br− in aqueous solutions, is applied here for the first time to activate Al as a reducing agent for wet-chemical synthesis of a diverse array of metals and alloys. Specifically, we demonstrate the synthesis of highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles on carbon black with stabilizers and the intermetallic Cu2Sb/C, which are promising candidates, respectively, for fuel cell catalysts and lithium-ion battery anodes. Atomic hydrogen, an intermediate during the pitting corrosion of Al in protonic solvents (e.g., water and ethylene glycol), is validated as the actual reducing agent.
Neuronal responses in the frontal cortico-basal ganglia system during delayed matching-to-sample task: ensemble recording in freely moving rats

Electrophysiological recording of single neuron activity has been conducted in rats to investigate the patterns of distributed neuronal responses in the frontal cortico-basal ganglia system that code information during a spatial-delayed matching-to-sample task (DMTSt). Rats were trained to press one of the two retractable levers presented randomly as a sample response. The first valid nose-poke after a delay resulted in the presentation of both levers. Pressing the same lever as the sample lever led to a water reward (match to sample), whereas pressing the lever opposite the sample lever resulted in a time-out (house light turned off). One hundred seventy-one neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), 51 in the dorsal striatum (STR), and 93 in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) were recorded during DMTSt. Different patterns of neuronal responses were observed during different behavioral episodes (sample, delay, and match phases) in all three recording areas. Space-related neuronal responses specific to the side of the lever pressed were more often found in the sample phase than in the match phase in all three areas studied. Neuronal responses specific to either correct or error trials were observed with similar percentages in the mPFC and the NAc, while the incidence of correct/error-coded activity in the STR was lower. Ensemble neuronal activity that coded sample versus match lever presses was observed in three out of five rats in sets of trials with similar speed and trajectory of lever press. The results reveal specific patterns of neural responses in the frontal cortico-basal ganglia system in rats during the DMTSt and suggest the existence of specific neuronal coding for different behavioral events associated with a learned short-term memory process.
THE AUTOXIDATION OF TETRAKIS‐(DIMETHYLAMINO)‐ETHYLENE

— The reaction of tetrakis-(dimethylamino)-ethylene (I) with oxygen in non-hydroxylic solvents gives tetramethylurea (II), tetramethyloxamide (III), tetramethyl-hydrazine (IV), and bis-(dimethylamino)-methane (V) in yields that are virtually independent of solvent and temperature, or whether chemiluminescence occurs. Autoxidation over water solutions, however, first gives octamethyloxamidinium peroxide (VI) which then hydrolyzes to give III and dimethylamine, and undergoes an alternative demethylation reaction to give tetramethyl 2-(dimethylamino)-2-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)-acetamidinium (VIII) and formate (IX) salts. Both courses of autoxidation are observed in solutions containing lithium chloride, in methanol or in water-dioxane mixtures. A common intermediate is suggested.
State of the art and science in postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Learning objectives After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Examine clinicopathologic factors to determine the best timing for breast reconstruction. 2. Develop treatment plans for all patients for breast preserving reconstruction. 3. Determine the best approaches for partial and whole breast reconstruction. 4. Be familiar with advanced techniques in breast reconstruction. Background Often, the decision to perform a partial or total mastectomy hinges on reconstructive issues, not oncology-related considerations. Methods Innovative timing and reconstruction approaches are being implemented after partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Results Among patients undergoing repair of a partial mastectomy defect, immediate or delayed repair before radiation allows for use of remaining breast tissue for repair. Innovative approaches include breast remodeling, local rotation advancement, and concentric mastopexy and breast reduction techniques to recontour remaining breast tissue. Delayed repair after whole-breast radiation usually is not preferred and is performed with autologous fat grafting or a flap. However, partial breast radiation allows for safe delayed repair after irradiation using the same techniques used for preradiation repair. The optimal timing for breast reconstruction after mastectomy remains a topic of controversy. Adjunct techniques for implant-based postmastectomy reconstruction include the use of acellular dermal matrix and autologous fat grafting, especially in the setting of radiation therapy. Techniques also include a more focused use of flaps only in the setting of radiation therapy with increasing use of new perforator-based autologous tissue flap options. Conclusion Innovative approaches to breast reconstruction have evolved to provide restorative healing for patients and hasten return to their modern, active lifestyles.
The other beetle-hunter

Thanks to a fateful letter, the theory of evolution by natural selection was unveiled 150 years ago this week. Andrew Berry and Janet Browne celebrate the letter's writer, Alfred Russel Wallace.
Simplified logic for first-order and second-order mismatch-shaping digital-to-analog converters

Mismatch-shaping digital-to-analog converters (DACs) have become widely used in high-performance delta-sigma data converters because they facilitate delta-sigma modulators with multibit quantization. Relative to single-bit quantization, multibit quantization significantly relaxes the analog circuit performance necessary to achieve a given level of data converter precision, but significant digital logic is required to perform the mismatch shaping. In modern very large scale integration processes optimized for digital circuitry, this tends to be a good tradeoff in terms of both area and power consumption. It is nonetheless desirable to minimize the digital complexity as much as possible. Moreover, in delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters the mismatch-shaping logic is in the feedback path of the delta-sigma modulator, so it is essential to maintain a sufficiently small propagation delay through the mismatch-shaping logic. This paper presents and analyzes several variations of the switching blocks within a tree-structured mismatch-shaping DAC that result in the most hardware-efficient first-order and second-order mismatch-shaping DAC implementations yet known to the authors. The variations presented allow designers to tradeoff complexity for propagation-delay reduction so as to tailor designs to specific applications.
Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel anti-hepatitis C agents : N3,5'-cyclo-4-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-vic-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one derivatives

Several 6- and 7-monosubstituted N3,5'-cyclo-4-(beta-d-ribofuranosyl)-vic-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one derivatives as well as the 5-thiono analogue were synthesized, providing structure-anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity relationships for the series. Among the compounds synthesized, the 6-bromo, 7-methylamino, and 5-thiono analogues exhibited more potent anti-HCV activity in an HCV subgenomic replicon cell based assay (EC90 = 1.9, 7.4, and 10.0 microM, respectively) than the lead compound N3,5'-cyclo-4-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-vic-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one (EC90 = 79.8 microM).
Validating Social and Cultural Capital of Hyperghettoized At-Risk Students

This study investigated how school leaders recognize and validate cultural and social capital of hyperghettoized at-risk students. Two primary research questions drove this research: (1) Did traditional school leaders recognize the social and cultural capital of at-risk, African American students? (2) How did an effective school leader validate the cultural and social capital of at-risk African American students. The findings indicated that traditional school leaders did not validate, or even accommodate, the social and cultural capital of hyperghettoized students. However, the school leader highlighted in this study was able to validate the capital of what became very academically and socially successful hyperghettoized students. Findings also highlighted the implications of how school principals may lead in a socially just manner as they attempt to value children equitably.
Security in military/commercial communication gateways

Military organizations typically use both military unique and commercial infrastructures to carry communications. The increasing desire for "seamless communications" is driving research into the benefits that may be obtained from connecting these different infrastructures. This paper considers the unique security requirements that arise when military and commercial infrastructures are interconnected. Issues include protecting sensitive information, maintaining effective access controls, and protecting system availability. The paper discusses specific methods for addressing these issues, and examines how these methods might be implemented with current or emerging technologies.
On ill-posed anisotropic diffusion models

This paper describes a class of ill-posed anisotropic diffusion models of the type presented by Perona and Malik (1990). The analysis is based on a previous result that anisotropic diffusion is a steepest descent motion on an energy surface and its behavior is thus determined by the shape of this energy surface. We show that the class of diffusion models are ill-posed because the energy surface is discontinuous at all continuous images, and all step images, which are dense in the space of piecewise images, are global minima of the energy surface.
Comparison of solvation-effect methods for the simulation of peptide interactions with a hydrophobic surface.

In this study we investigated the interaction behavior between thirteen different small peptides and a hydrophobic surface using three progressively more complex methods of representing solvation effects: a united- atom implicit solvation method (CHARMM 19 force field (C19) with Analytical Continuum Electrostatics (ACE)), an all-atom implicit solvation method (C22 with GBMV), and an all-atom explicit solvation method (C22 with TIP3P). The adsorption behavior of each peptide was characterized by the calculation of the potential of mean force as a function of peptide-surface separation distance. The results from the C22/TIP3P model suggest that hydrophobic peptides exhibit relatively strong adsorption behavior, polar and positively-charged peptides exhibit negligible to rel- atively weak favorable interactions with the surface, and negatively-charged peptides strongly resist adsorption. Compared to the TIP3P model, the ACE and GBMV implicit solvent models predict much stronger attractions for the hydrophobic peptides as well as stronger repulsions for the negatively-charged peptides on the CH3-SAM sur- face. These comparisons provide a basis from which each of these implicit solvation methods may be reparameter- ized to provide closer agreement with explicitly represented solvation in simulations of peptide and protein adsorp- tion to functionalized surfaces.
α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist PNU-282987 Attenuates Early Brain Injury in a Perforation Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Background and Purpose—Early brain injury is an important pathological process after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonist PNU-282987 attenuates early brain injury after SAH and whether α7nAChR stimulation is associated with down-regulation of caspase activity via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling. Methods—The perforation model of SAH was performed, and neurological score, body weight loss, and brain water content were evaluated 24 and 72 hours after surgery. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used for quantification and localization of phosphorylated Akt and cleaved caspase 3. Neuronal cell death was quantified with TUNEL staining. α7nAChR antagonist methylcaconitine and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin were used to manipulate the proposed pathway, and results were quantified with Western blot. Results—PNU-282987 improved neurological deficits both 24 and 72 hours after su...
Reduced-rank minimum variance receiver for asynchronous CDMA systems

The minimum variance receiver has been proposed to blindly suppress the multiple-access interference in CDMA channels by minimizing the receiver's output variance based on constrained optimization. We consider the reduced-rank minimum variance receiver in asynchronous CDMA channels. The reduced-rank detector uses a reduced-rank approximation of the covariance matrix of the received data. When the covariance is known, the reduced-rank receiver cannot perform better than the full-rank receiver. However, when the covariance matrix is estimated, we demonstrate that the optimal reduced-rank receiver outperforms the full-rank receiver. The reduced-rank receiver is implemented adaptively using a subspace tracking algorithm; its performance is better than the conventional full-rank recursive least-square adaptive receiver.
Temperament and response to the Trier Social Stress Test

Objective: The personality characteristics behavioural inhibition and neuroticism have been associated with mood and anxiety disorders and, in some studies, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. We recently reported that low levels of Novelty Seeking were associated with elevated plasma cortisol responses to the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test in healthy adults with no psychiatric disorder. The present study tested the association between temperament and HPA axis function in the same group of subjects using a standardized psychosocial neuroendocrine stress test. Method: Subjects completed diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Results: Novelty Seeking was inversely associated with plasma cortisol concentrations at baseline and throughout the TSST, but was not related to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Conclusion: Results of this study extend our previous finding in the Dex/CRH test to a psychosocial stress test. Future investigations are needed to replicate these findings and further elucidate how temperament and personality are linked to HPA function.
Writing-to-Learn Assignments in Content-Driven Courses.

Instructors in the communication sciences face many challenges when trying to help students develop all of the knowledge and skills necessary for them to become competent clinicians. The primary purpose of this article is to discuss some ways to increase the amount of writing that occurs in the classroom, as well as help instructors use writing to help students develop ownership of the process.
Smoking Desistance and Personality Change in Emerging and Young Adulthood

INTRODUCTION We attempted to replicate and extend (Welch, P., & Poulton, R. [2009]. Personality influences on change in smoking behavior. Health Psychology, 28, 292-299. doi:10.1037/a0013471) findings regarding the relationship between smoking involvement and personality change. METHODS Two time frames (18-25, 18-35) in a cohort of college students (N = 489 at baseline) followed for 17 years were used. Impulsivity, neuroticism, and 4 measures of smoking involvement were assessed at each time point. RESULTS Individuals who desisted in smoking involvement tended to exhibit the largest decreases in neuroticism and impulsivity from ages 18 to 25. From ages 18 to 35, changes in smoking involvement were only significantly associated with changes in impulsivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to the literature demonstrating decreasing neuroticism, and impulsivity correlates with decreased substance involvement during emerging adulthood.
MVSS: Multi-View Storage System

Presents MVSS, a storage system for active storage devices. MVSS offers a single framework for supporting various services at the device level. It provides a flexible interface for associating services to a file through multiple views of the file. Similar to views of a database in a multi-view database system, views in MVSS are generated dynamically and are not stored on physical storage devices. MVSS represents each view of an underlying file through a separate entry in the file system namespace. MVSS separates the deployment of services from file system implementations and thus allows services to be migrated to the storage devices. The paper presents the design of MVSS and shows how different services can be supported in MVSS at the device level. To illustrate our approach, we implemented a prototype system on PCs running Linux. We present results from the prototype implementation to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Echocardiographic Tissue Characterization Demonstrates Differences in the Left and Right Sides of the Ventricular Septum

The left and right ventricular function of the heart are influenced by the complex structure of the ventricular septum. The cyclic variation of ultrasonic backscatter over the cardiac cycle is known to be sensitive to both structural and functional characteristics of the myocardium. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the measured magnitude and normalized delay of cyclic variation between the left and right sides of the ventricular septum in normal adult subjects (N = 31). The measured mean magnitudes of cyclic variation were found to be 4.9 ± 0.4 dB and 2.4 ± 0.3 dB (mean ± SE; p < 0.0001) and the corresponding normalized delay values were found to be 0.94 ± 0.05 and 1.59 ± 0.12 (mean ± SE; p < 0.0001) for the left and right sides, respectively. These results show significant differences in the measured magnitude and normalized delay of cyclic variation between the left and right sides of the ventricular septum in normal subjects that appear consistent with predictions based on previously described models of cyclic variation of backscatter and reported measurements of transmural differences in strain properties of the septum.
Generation of Connection Matrices for Digital Simulation of Converter Circuits Using the Tensor Approach

The tensor approach to simulating converter circuits with time-varying topology depends on the generation of connection matrices which relate the independent variables of the reduced networks resulting from the opening of some switches, to the independent variables of the complete network in which all switches are closed. Thus far, specific procedures for generating the connection matrices for three phase bridge circuits have been developed, but these procedures are not readily extendible to other circuit configurations. This paper describes a general method that has been developed to automatically generate such connection matrices for any drive circuit. Examples on three common ac drive circuits are given to illustrate the method.
Perspectives on the hemoperfusion of drugs and toxins.

(1987). Perspectives on the Hemoperfusion of Drugs and Toxins. Biomaterials, Artificial Cells and Artificial Organs: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 305-321.
14. Ventricular Fibrillation & Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest14.4 The Changing Landscape of Ventricular Fibrillation in Cardiac Arrest

Objective To define the apparent changes in ventricular fibrillation (VF) as cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. (OHCA) Methods Retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired observational data of OHCA in a population-controlled setting with a single emergency medical service (EMS) system between 1991-2004. Results In the study period there were 338 all-cause arrests, with 203 (57%) in homes, 85 (24%) in public locations, and 69 (19%) in other locations (hotels, nursing homes). VF incidence during 1991-1997 was 24/100 000/person-yr and during 1998-2004 it was 11/100 000/person-yr (p<0.001). During 1991-1997, 61/110 (55%) of arrests in homes were in VF and from 1998-2004, 32/93 (34%) were in VF (p=0.003). During 1991-1997 48/51 (94%) of arrests in public places were in VF and from 1998-2004 22/34 (64%) were in VF (p<0.001). Conclusion VF as the cause of OHCA declined dramatically in both home and public settings, both in absolute numbers and in percentage of initial rhythm. This decreased incidence has obvious implications for potential cost-effective and therapeutic benefit from placement of automated external defibrillators.
The Termination of Consent Decrees in IDEA Class Actions

With the rise of institutional reform litigation in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education, public institutions such as schools, prisons, foster homes, and mental health centers frequently came under the control of federal court injunctions and consent decrees. A defining feature of this institutional reform litigation was the unprecedented length of time in which courts remained involved in reform efforts. As courts assumed increasing control over governmental institutions - and as they did so for increasingly long periods of time - questions emerged about how, and by what standards, their supervision should terminate. This paper focuses on one aspect of this "termination debate" - sunset clauses in consent decrees - in one case category - IDEA class actions. The IDEA class action case category provides a fertile context for this analysis because: (1) there are many examples from which to draw - there are at least 59 IDEA class actions and most contain settlements with sunset clauses; and (2) IDEA class actions - unlike in many other areas of institutional reform litigation - lack settled and uniform standards for termination. As a result, the sunset clauses that govern termination in IDEA class actions vary tremendously from case to case, as does the litigation that surrounds them. The spectrum of IDEA sunset clauses is vast: whereas some emphasize finality by setting strict time deadlines for termination, others emphasize substantial or total compliance by requiring defendants to achieve specific results before any deadlines can be triggered. Looking to five case studies (with a particular focus on Chicago's Corey H v. Board of Education litigation), this paper first explores the broad spectrum of termination standards and, second, analyzes the factors - such as the scope of the litigation strategy and the nature of the remedy sought - that influence their creation. It suggests, inter alia, that the terms of sunset clauses can be explained in large part by the nature and breadth of the remedies that the plaintiffs seek. This paper is available with a group of other like papers at the Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse (search for case studies).
Genetic Transformation of Trees via Direct Gene Transfer

The recent successes in genetically-engineering trees have in large part been due to advances in both the microculture and the gene transfer technologies. Besides regeneration, a critical problem with microculture has been developing efficient techniques for selecting cells and tissues that are expressing the inserted foreign genes. One solution has been the use of liquid overlays of the selective agent. In regards to gene transfer technologies, both vector-mediated and direct gene transfer techniques have been successful, particularly with Populus. However, the versatility and efficiency of particle bombardment appears to be a major advantage that may lead to the rapid adoption of such methods in biotechnology programs utilizing tree species.
Deliberative Decision-Making in One Medical Workplace Setting

This dissertation is a qualitative case study aimed at exploring the interdisciplinary deliberative process engaged in by medical professionals from a range of specialties in weekly Tumor Board meetings at a community hospital. Tumor Board meetings are collaborative deliberations about how to provide the best care for patients suffering from cancer. After observing over 40 patient case presentations at 23 different Tumor Board meetings, interviewing Tumor Board participants, and analyzing a set of representative medical workplace documents used by the Board, a substantive theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) about Tumor Board deliberations is proposed. Specifically, medical professionals’ deliberations are traced and analyzed for the kinds and forms of evidence invoked at particular times and in particular contexts during the meeting. Findings from this study have several implications for the field of rhetoric and writing studies. For instance, textual guidelines play a central role in the decision-making process. Theories about how medical professionals make explicit the relationship between claims and evidence vis-a-vis textual guidelines are explored, therefore. Also, medical images play a central role in the decision-making process. Theories about how various semiotic modes, particularly medical images, give way to certain argumentative affordances (Gibson, 1955) are also explored. Finally, theories about how to conduct site-based investigations of deliberative rhetoric are discussed—in particular, the ways in which stasis theory is useful for understanding how deliberative processes unfold.
Tandem Glycosyl Iodide Glycosylation and Regioselective Enzymatic Acylation Affords 6-O-Tetradecanoyl-α-d-cholesterylglycosides

A generalized synthesis of α-d-cholesterylglycosides has been achieved using one-pot per-O-trimethylsilyl glycosyl iodide glycosidation. Both cholesteryl α-d-glucopyranoside (αCG) and cholesteryl α-d-galactopyranoside were prepared in high yield. These compounds were further esterified using regioselective enzymatic acylation with tetradecanoyl vinyl ester to afford 6-O-tetradecanoyl-α-d-cholesteryl glucopyranoside (αCAG) of Helicobacter pylori and the corresponding galactose analogue in 66-78% overall yields from free sugars. The tandem step-economy sequence provides novel analogues to facilitate glycolipidomic profiling.
An analysis of seasonal biases in satellite and reanalysis rainfall products in the Savannah River basin

Satellite-based precipitation data are a viable source of information in data-sparse regions and are particularly valuable for hydrological modelling applications. Several studies of satellite-based precipitation focus on monthly or greater timescales, but a relatively fewer number have been done on the daily or sub-daily scales. Also, biases in satellite-based precipitation data are often region-specific and such information is important for quantifying input errors in hydrological models. Our study builds upon these needs by examining biases in daily precipitation data for a watershed in the southeastern United States. We observed biases that occur seasonally and by magnitude. Seasonally, precipitation correlates well in most seasons but summer, likely due to the sporadic nature of convective precipitation that is a common precipitation mechanism in this region during the summer. Daily precipitation biases are around 5 mm, but the sign of the bias varies by season, with positive biases in all seasons bu...
Shock tube measurements of the tert-butanol + OH reaction rate and the tert-C4H8OH radical β-scission branching ratio using isotopic labeling.

The overall rate constant for the reaction tert-butanol + OH → products was determined experimentally behind reflected shock waves by using 18O-substituted tert-butanol (tert-butan18ol) and tert-bu...
Pitch control for flight in heavy-weight airdrop based on feedback linearization theory and variable-structure control

To reduce the impact on the flight safety from the translation and extraction of inner cargo in a flying aircraft,we develop a novel controller which combines feedback linearization with variable structure.The system is decoupled and linearized by using the nonlinear linearization theories of input-output feedback.On this basis,by applying the variablestructure theory,we design the inner loop for velocity control and pitch control for ensuring the system for robustness.Combining the inner loop control with the outer loop PID control for flight-altitude,we build the entire flight control system.Simulation results show that this method is feasible and useful.
Secure Incentive-Based Architecture for Vehicular Cloud

Cloud computing has emerged as a viable technology for supporting utility computing. In the future, vehicles are likely to be equipped with devices that have large computation and communication power as well as large storage. Such computation power and storage are often underutilized. People in several areas such as traffic management, parking management, etc. can benefit from utilizing the unused computation, communication and storage capabilities of the vehicles on the road as well as from the traffic information collected by the vehicles to provide services. In this paper, we propose a secure architecture for the vehicular cloud to support the above-mentioned services. The architecture encourages vehicles to contribute their underutilized resources to the cloud by issuing tokens which can be used by the vehicles to get services from the cloud.
Implantable devices and electrotherapy for arrhythmias.

Three decades of technologic advances have brought cardiology to the imminent realization of an all-purpose, multiprogrammable combination device. A pacemaker for all rhythms, it will provide antibradycardia backup, antitachycardia pacing, low-output cardioversion, and defibrillation backup. The present state of the art is reviewed.
Characterization of the proteins of the intestinal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter

Absorptive intestinal epithelia, such as that of the winter flounder, absorb salt via a bumetanide-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport mechanism on the brush-border membrane (BBM). The present study demonstrates the first molecular characterization of the intestinal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter and its unique regulation. The photoaffinity bumetanide analogue, 4-[3H]benzoyl-5-sulfamoyl-3- (3-thenyloxy)benzoic acid, specifically labeled three groups of proteins in flounder intestinal microsomal membranes (MM): a approximately 180-kDa peptide, prominently labeled, and diffuse bands at approximately 110-70 and 50 kDa, less intensely labeled. Subcellular fractionation revealed a single prominently labeled protein of approximately 170 kDa in BBM but not in basolateral membranes (BLM) and little or no labeling of proteins of approximately 110-70 or 50 kDa. Polyclonal antiserum raised against the Ehrlich ascites cell cotransporter identified a 180-kDa peptide in MM and a 175-kDa peptide (pI approximately 5.4) in BBM but none in BLM or in the cytosol of flounder intestine. As predicted from the regulation of cotransport in this tissue, phosphorylation of this protein is increased by guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent but not by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase. In addition, phosphorylation of the protein is not increased by protein kinase C or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase but is increased by the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A. Finally, calyculin A preserves the inhibitory effect of cGMP on ion transport, even in the absence of the nucleotide, suggesting that phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms are crucial in cotransporter regulation. Thus the flounder intestinal cotransporter is a approximately 175-kDa BBM protein that can be regulated by phosphorylation.
The Amritsar Massacre, 1919–1920

On 13 April 1919, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered a patrol of Indian troops under his command to fire on a crowd of some 25,000 unarmed Indian men, women, and children in the Jallianwallah Bagh in Amritsar. About ten minutes later, their ammunition virtually spent, he ordered them to cease shooting. Hundreds of people lay dead, thousands more wounded littered the ground. Dyer led his troops from the Bagh, leaving the injured to fend for themselves; the curfew imposed on Amritsar kept would-be rescuers from collecting the dead and getting medical attention for the wounded until the next day. Many died overnight.
Deep Tattoo Recognition

Tattoo is a soft biometric that indicates discriminative characteristics of a person such as beliefs and personalities. Automatic detection and recognition of tattoo images is a difficult problem. We present deep convolutional neural network-based methods for automatic matching of tattoo images based on the AlexNet and Siamese networks. Furthermore, we show that rather than using a simple contrastive loss function, triplet loss function can significantly improve the performance of a tattoo matching system. Extensive experiments on a recently introduced Tatt-C dataset show that our method is able to capture the meaningful structure of tattoos and performs significantly better than many competitive tattoo recognition algorithms.