cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy Increases Accuracy of Differentiation of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions.

Background & Aims Imaging patterns from endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) have been associated with specific pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). We compared the accuracy of EUS with nCLE in differentiating mucinous from nonmucinous PCLs with that of measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytology analysis. Methods We performed a prospective study of 144 consecutive patients with a suspected PCL (≥20 mm) who underwent EUS with fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts from June 2015 through December 2018 at a single center; 65 patients underwent surgical resection. Surgical samples were analyzed by histology (reference standard). During EUS, the needle with the miniprobe was placed in the cyst, which was analyzed by nCLE. Fluid was aspirated and analyzed for level of CEA and by cytology. We compared the accuracy of nCLE in differentiating mucinous from nonmucinous lesions with that of measurement of CEA and cytology analysis. Results The mean size of dominant cysts was 36.4 ± 15.7 mm and the mean duration of nCLE imaging was 7.3 ± 2.8 min. Among the 65 subjects with surgically resected cysts analyzed histologically, 86.1% had at least 1 worrisome feature based on the 2012 Fukuoka criteria. Measurement of CEA and cytology analysis identified mucinous PCLs with 74% sensitivity, 61% specificity, and 71% accuracy. EUS with nCLE identified mucinous PCLs with 98% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 97% accuracy. nCLE was more accurate in classifying mucinous vs nonmucinous cysts than the standard method (P Conclusions In a prospective study, we found that analysis of cysts by nCLE identified mucinous cysts with greater accuracy than measurement of CEA and cytology analysis. EUS with nCLE can be used to differentiate mucinous from nonmucinous PCLs. ClincialTrials.gov no: NCT02516488 .
Embedded sensory data memory optimization for IoT edge inference with privacy, accuracy, and energy efficiency

In recent years, deep learning is transforming many modern applications. For example, deep learning has demonstrated exceptional performance in disease diagnosis of brain disorders and various forms of cancers due to the availability of a large amount of patients' data. Meanwhile, with the advent of wearable technologies and Internet of Things (IoT), there is a rising interest in providing personalized experience with health recommender systems. Such learning-enabled benefit, however, does come with its own cost, such as associated serious privacy concerns. Sharing personal data carries inherent risks to individual privacy. Due to the substantial requirements for computation and storage resources, today's deep learning systems are typically built upon large, centralized data repositories. Based on this centralized-training paradigm, data owners need to upload their private data to the provider and do not have control over how their private data is being used. To protect privacy, one popular technique is differentially private deep learning algorithms, which add random noise to the computation so that the output does not significantly depend on any particular training sample. When introducing noise, the privacy-guarantee comes at the cost of compromising the inference accuracy of the systems. In addition to the privacy and accuracy design considerations, as the deep learning networks grow, extensive memory accesses consume over 50% of total system power and have become a major constraint to the resource-limited IoT devices. As shown in Fig. 1, during the IoT edge inference process, memory traffic mainly contains two components: (i) synaptic weight storage for neural network models and (ii) sensory data memory to store IoT sensory signals. To reduce the memory pressure, state-of-the art deep learning systems have adopted embedded memory (e.g., exploiting data reuse or designing approximate memories) to store synaptic weight to eliminate off-chip memory accesses. Accordingly, the sensory data storage become dominant for external memory traffic. Particularly, given the number of IoT devices will continue to rapidly increase, the resulting rapid explosion of collected sensory data brings huge pressure for data storage. Consequently, power-efficient embedded sensory data memory is one of the key design considerations for IoT edge inference. This work brings memory hardware optimization to meet the tight power budget in IoT edge devices by considering the privacy, accuracy, and power efficiency tradeoff in differentially efficient deep learning systems. Based on a detailed analysis on these characteristics, mathematical models are developed to optimize the sensory data quality, thereby enabling the optimal power efficiency and inference accuracy with privacy guarantee. Our simulation results show that the proposed technique can enable near-threshold energy-efficient memory operation for different privacy requirements, with less than 1% degradation in classification accuracy.
The Ties That Bind: Britain’s Use of Scottish Highland Dress:

For over 300 years, Britain has influenced Scotland’s national identity. Scottish Highland dress, which consists of kilts and tartans has been appropriated, manipulated, and transformed by the Brit...
Dysphagia and Dysphonia, a Pairing of Symptoms Caused by an Unusual Pair of Diseases: Castleman's Disease and Myasthenia Gravis.

Objectives:To describe a case of coincident Castleman’s disease and myasthenia gravis that initially presented as rapidly progressive dysphagia and dysphonia and to review the unique pathophysiolog...
Interactions between Indirect Excitons in Separate Coupled Quantum Wells

We report on the repulsive and attractive interactions between indirect excitons in a system of separated coupled quantum wells.
Depthwise Separable Convolution based Lightweight HSRRS Image Classification Method

With the development of satellite remote sensing technology, the classification and recognition of high spatial resolution remote sensing (HSRRS) images are widely used in many fields. Convolutional neural network (CNN), as a method with superior performance, has achieved amazing results in the HSRSS classification task. However, the common CNN model with excellent performance generally has a large model size and the slow computation speed. In order to solve this problem, Depthwise separable (DS) convolution is applied to design a lightweight CNN to achieve efficient HSRSS classification. The simulation results show that the DS-CNN with the slight performance loss has realized the compression and acceleration of the original CNN model.
Prompts to Promote Success: Evaluating Utility Value and Growth Mindset Interventions on General Chemistry Students’ Attitude and Academic Performance

Some students struggle with chemistry because they do not find the relevance between chemistry content and their lives or they perceive their intelligence as fixed. Social-psychological interventions (SPIs), brief interventions that target students’ subjective experiences, were developed to address these issues. As a result, SPIs have been associated with gains in students’ academic performance, attitude, and persistence in various instructional settings; however, only a limited number of studies have explored SPIs within a chemistry context. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two SPIs, a growth mindset intervention (GMI) and a utility value intervention (UVI), on promoting students’ academic performance and attitude in a general chemistry course with a large class size. This study also explored a theoretical explanation for the relationship among SPIs, attitude, and academic performance. Each SPI was designed to facilitate instructional adoption and was implemented by posting three prompts incorporated into homework assignments. The results show that the UVI led to a consistent improvement in student achievement, and among students who begin the course with lower attitudes toward chemistry, the UVI led to an improvement in students’ emotional satisfaction and utility value. The UVI’s improvement in academic performance was also observed with a group of students who have been underrepresented in the sciences, although a smaller sample size prevented finding statistical significance. The GMI improved academic performance relative to a comparison group but not to the extent observed with the UVI. The cost-to-benefit ratio associated with adopting SPIs within chemistry instruction seems highly favorable and thus warrants strong consideration among chemistry instructors.
Determination of Lead in Blood by Isotope Dilution Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A method for determination of trace Pb in blood was established by isotope dilution multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICP-MS).The average Pb analytical blank obtained in this laboratory is 5.6 ng.A Nist standard reference materials of(SRM) 955b level 1 and(SRM) 955b level 3 were used to evaluate the accuracy of Pb concentration in blood.The measured values are 40.2 and 207.8 μg·L-1 respecetively,in good agreement with their certified value.The established method was used for determination the Pb concentration of three blood samples,the uncertainty of measurement results were also analyzed and evaluated.The Pb concentration of three blood samples are(102.7±5.5),(181.7±4.0) and(304.1±3.9) μg·L-1.
Vasculitis and Other Causes of Pulmonary Hemorrhage

Pulmonary vasculitis is inflammation and necrosis of pulmonary vasculature, most commonly capillaries.
Gaps in Worker Protections that Increase Essential Workers’ Exposure to COVID-19

States and localities designated more than 55 million Americans as essential workers. Essential workers not only comprise those employed by the health care and food and agriculture industry, but also include teachers, grocery store workers, transit and airline workers, mail and delivery workers, energy sector and utility workers, and domestic workers (Petition for Emergency, 2020). Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately employed as essential workers, with Black Americans the most likely to be essential workers (Petition for Emergency, 2020). Essential workers have been left vulnerable to workplace COVID-19 infections and deaths in large part due to the federal and state government’s failure to enforce health and safety laws (Yearby, 2020). Volume I discussed the need to issue airborne infectious disease specific laws and regulations to prevent workplace COVID-19 infections and deaths. This Chapter will examine how the lack of protective equipment, punitive attendance policies, and the failure to track workplace infections have left essential workers vulnerable to workplace COVID-19 infections and deaths. This paper was prepared as part of the COVID-19 Policy Playbook: Legal Recommendations for a Safer, More Equitable Future, a comprehensive report published by Public Health Law Watch in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation and the American Public Health Association.
Contents of Cannabinoids in Hemp Varieties Grown in Maryland

Coincident with the cannabis legalization and the increased interest in the medicinal use of the plant, the cannabis marketplace and farming have seen tremendous growth. It is reported that there a...
Polymer Electrolytes and Microelectrodes

Polymer electrolytes are ionically conductive, solid solutions of ionic compounds in a polymeric matrix, such as lithium Perchlorate dissolved in linear poly-ethylene oxide, PEO or variants such as the cross-linked “network PEO”. This article describes two recent developments in polymer electrolytes: their use (a) with miniaturized electrodes (“microelectrodes”), and (b) as rigid or semi-rigid solvents to study the solid solution voltammetry of (ionic or non-ionic) molecular metal complex electron donors and acceptors. Progress in adapting electroanalytical methods (cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and AC voltammetry) to solid state voltammetry is outlined, as are recent examples of chemical and transport studies.
Effects of Aircraft Noise on Vigilance Performance and Perceived Workload.

This study examined the effects of exposure to intermittent jet aircraft noise played through stereophonic speakers (70dBA or 95dBA maximum intensity) on performance efficiency and perceived workload in a 40-min visual vigilance task. The noise featured a Doppler-like quality in which planes seemed to approach from the monitor's left and recede to the right. Performance in noise, measured in terms of perceptual sensitivity (d***'), was significantly poorer than in a quiet condition. Moreover, in comparison to subjects performing in quiet, those who operated in noise were less able to profit from knowledge of results (KR) regarding performance efficiency. In addition to its negative effects upon signal detectability, noise significantly elevated perceived workload, as indexed by the NASA-TLX. This effect was robust; it was not mitigated by KR, even though KR served generally to reduce the overall level of perceived workload in the study. The consistency of the effects of noise in regard to both performance...
Potentiation of CD3-induced expression of the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) by the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin A and FK506

The activation of blood cells, including T cells, triggers intracellular signals that control the expression of critical molecules, including cytokines and cytokine receptors. We show that T-cell receptor (TCR) ligation increases the cellular level of the protein linker for activation of T cells (LAT), a molecule critical for T-cell development and function. T-cell activation increased LAT messenger RNA, as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by Northern blotting. The TCR-induced increase in LAT expression involved the activation of the serine/threonine kinases PKC and MEK, because inhibitors of these kinases blocked the increase in LAT. Accordingly, the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate up-regulated LAT expression. Strikingly, the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506 strongly potentiated TCR-induced LAT expression, suggesting that the activation of calcineurin following TCR ligation negatively regulates LAT expression. Accordingly, Ca(++ )ionophores, which can activate calcineurin by increasing intracellular Ca(++), blocked the TCR-induced increase in cellular LAT. CsA and FK506 blocked the Ca(++ )ionophores' inhibitory effect on LAT expression. Notably, CsA and FK506 preferentially up-regulated TCR-induced LAT expression; under the same conditions, these compounds did not increase the expression of 14 other molecules that previously had been implicated in T-cell activation. These data show that TCR-induced LAT expression involves the activation of the PKC-Erk pathway and is negatively regulated by the activation of calcineurin. Furthermore, the potentiation of TCR-induced LAT expression by CsA and FK506 suggests that the action of these agents involves up-regulating the cellular level of critical signaling molecules. These findings may have important therapeutic implications. (Blood. 2000;95:2733-2741)
Hollow ion formation and decay in slow Bi{sup 46+}-C{sub 60} collisions

The interaction of slow highly charged ions with many-electron targets leads to the formation of unstable, multiply excited projectiles. We simulated the formation of such hollow ions for slow incident Bi{sup 46+} projectiles and C{sub 60} targets. Our semiclassical overbarrier simulation includes resonant exchange and Auger emission of electrons. It models the dynamical variation of level occupations and charge states during the collision and predicts highly unstable hollow ions immediately after the collision. With respect to the subsequent downstream relaxation of the hollow ions, we propose a simple relaxation scheme that includes autoionizing and radiative transitions. As a consequence of this downstream relaxation, almost all of the resonantly captured electrons are emitted. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Joint Decision Making on Two Perception Systems Using Diversity Rank-Score Function Graph

Joint decision making on multiple visual perception systems have been studied extensively. However, the issues of what to choose (single decision or combination of more than one decision) and how to combine (average, weighted average, score, rank, or other fusion techniques) remain a challenging problem, even in the case of two systems. In this paper, we utilize the combinatorial fusion approach which treats a perception system, in this case human perception, as a scoring system and uses the notion of cognitive diversity to measure the dissimilarity of a pair of scoring patterns (or behavior). In particular, a diversity rank-score function graph is used as a visualization tool to decide which pairs of systems are good candidates to combine. Our work provides a general framework for joint decision making on visual perception systems and a powerful visualization tool for the combination of pairs of decision makers.
Improving Adherence to Cancer Treatment by Addressing Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract Context Many patients with potentially curable cancer do not complete their prescribed treatment regimens because of the toxicity. There is evidence that the common endpoints of many of these toxicities are amenable to quality of life (QOL)-directed interventions. Objectives This study was conducted to determine the effect of a multidisciplinary QOL-directed intervention on patients' adherence to planned chemoradiation (CR) regimens. Methods The results of two randomized controlled trials that used the same QOL intervention were pooled to form a cohort of 61 patients with advanced localized gastrointestinal cancer. Of these 61 subjects, 29 participated in six to eight bi- to triweekly sessions that included exercise, education, and relaxation, and 32 received usual medical care. The primary endpoint was completion of their prescribed CR regimens. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization during CR, rates of adverse postoperative events, and complete pathological response in those undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. Results Significantly, more members of the intervention than the control group completed their planned CR regimens (77.8 vs. 38.2%, P = 0.003). More participants in the control (n = 14) than the intervention (n = 5) group (P = 0.063) required hospitalization. Among those undergoing neoadjuvant CR, those in the intervention group were significantly more likely to complete CR as planned (81.0% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.005) and less likely to be hospitalized (14.3% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.011). Conclusion A structured multidisciplinary QOL-directed intervention delivered to patients undergoing CR may increase the proportion of patients who complete CR as planned and reduce unplanned hospitalizations. Utilization is an important outcome in QOL-directed intervention trials.
Differential synaptic changes in the striatum of subjects with undifferentiated versus paranoid schizophrenia.

Subjects with schizophrenia (SZ) have an increased density of synapses characteristic of corticostriatal or thalamostriatal glutamatergic inputs in the caudate matrix and putamen patches. SZ is a heterogeneous disease in many aspects including symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the synaptic organization in two different DSM-i.v. subgroups of SZ was differentially affected. Postmortem striatal tissue was obtained from the Maryland Brain Collection from normal controls (NC), chronic paranoid SZs (SZP), and chronic undifferentiated SZs (SZU). Tissue was prepared for calbindin immunocytochemistry to identify patch matrix compartments, prepared for electron microscopy and analyzed using stereological methods. The synaptic density of asymmetric synapses, characteristic of glutamatergic inputs, was elevated equivalently in striatal patches in the SZP and SZU versus NC. The SZU also had an increased density of asymmetric synapses in the striatal matrix compared to NC. Moreover, symmetric axospinous synapses, characteristic of intrinsic inhibitory inputs and dopaminergic afferents, showed a dichotomy in synaptic density between the SZU and SZP in the striatal and caudate matrix. These data show discreet differences in synaptic organization between SZU and SZP and/or NCs. The results suggest that abnormal corticostriatal and/or corticothalamic inputs to striatal patches may be related to limbic dysfunction, which is perturbed in both subtypes of SZ. The selective increase in axospinous synapses in the matrix of the SZU subgroup compared to the SZP may be related to more severe cognitive problems in that subset of SZ compared to SZP. Synapse 62:616–627, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Oral Antiplatelet Therapy in Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction, and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Is it Time for a Guideline Update?

Oral antiplatelet drugs are central in the management of acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina/non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the mechanisms that confer the benefits of these agents also increase bleeding risk. Thus, the selection of appropriate pharmacotherapy requires close attention to the delicate balance between reducing the risk of ischemic events and minimizing bleeding risk. A critical review of the 2007 guidelines in these areas and new clinical data with currently available and soon-to-be-approved antiplatelet agents are presented.
A behavioural measure of environmental decision-making for social surveys

There is great benefit in using measures of environmentally significant behaviour – rather than just behavioural intentions or self-reported behaviour – if we are to advance our understanding of the individual and structural factors that influence environmental decision-making. Along these lines, to supplement the use of behavioural intention and self-reported behaviour measures in environmental decision-making research, we identify and validate a simple measure of one form of environmentally significant behaviour: financial support for environmental movement organizations. Using the values-beliefs-norms theoretical framework, we conducted an experiment to examine the performance of this measure of actual behaviour. This behavioural measure meets multiple dimensions of validity – including face, concurrent criterion-related, and construct – as a measure of environmentally significant behaviour in environmental decision-making research. As would be expected, we find that actual donations are smaller than h...
Formation of DNA replication structures in herpes virus-infected cells requires a viral DNA binding protein

Eukaryotic DNA synthesis is thought to occur in multienzyme complexes present at numerous discrete sites throughout the nucleus. We demonstrate here that cellular DNA replication sites identified by bromodeoxyuridine labeling are relocated in cells infected with herpes simplex virus such that they correspond to viral prereplicative structures containing the HSV DNA replication protein, ICP8. Thus components of the cellular DNA replication apparatus are present at viral prereplicative sites. Mutant virus strains expressing defective ICP8 do not alter the pattern of host cell DNA replication sites, indicating that functional ICP8 is required for the redistribution of cellular DNA replication complexes. This demonstrates that a specific protein molecule can play a role in the organization of DNA replication proteins at discrete sites within the cell nucleus.
Monocrystalline iron oxide nanocompounds (MION): physicochemical properties.

We have previously described a novel monocrystalline iron oxide nanocompound (MION), a stable colloid that enables target specific MR imaging. In this study, the physicochemical properties of MION are reported using a variety of analytical techniques. High resolution electron microscopy indicates that a MION consists of hexagonal shaped electron-dense cores of 4.6 ± 1.2 nm in diameter. This iron oxide core has an inverse spinel crystal structure which was confirmed by x-ray powder diffraction. Chemical analysis showed that each core has 25 ± 6 dextran molecules (10 kD) attached, resulting in a unimodal hydrodynamic radius of 20 nm by laser light scattering. Because of the flexibillity of the dextran layer, the radius is only 8 nm in nonaqueous reverse micelles. At room temperature, MION exhibit superparamagnetic behavior with an induced magnetization of 68 emu/g Fe at 1.5 T. Mossbauer studies show that the saturation internal magnetic field is 505 KOe, and blocking temperature is at 100 K. The R1 relaxivity of MION is 16.5 (mM-sec)-1 and the R2 relaxivity is 34.8 (mM-sec)-1 in aqueous solution at 37°C and 0.47 T. In vitro phantom studies show that the detectability of MION in liver tissue is less than 50 nmol Fe/g tissue using gradient echo imaging techniques.
Sleep rhythmicity in infants: index of stress or maturation

The rhythmicity of bouts of quiet sleep (QS) was assessed, starting immediately after the baby's birth. The subjects were 58 healthy fullterm, single-birth, newborn infants, 26 females and 32 males. Using a non-intrusive recording procedure, their sleep was monitored for 24-h periods on the 1st and 2nd postnatal days in the hospital, then for 2 days in the home at 6 months. The cyclicity index permitted determination of the degree of periodicity as well as whether the recurrence of QS bouts showed significant periodicity. The number of subjects with significant cyclicity increased from 34% of the group on postnatal day 1 to 73% at 6 months; cyclicity scores (CS) increased from 0.71 to 0.86; and mean cycle length increased from 51 to 57 min. Infants with significant cyclicity on day 1 had lower mental scores at 6 months; but infants with significant cyclicity at 6 months had higher mental scores at 1 year. In addition, the infants with significant cyclicity on day 1 had lower birth weights and were born to younger mothers; but these relationships were also reversed at 6 months. Finally, cyclicity scores at 6 months were significantly correlated with 1-year mental scores, but the function of this relationship was quadratic. Thus, while significant cyclicity was found from the first postnatal day, the results suggest that regularity in QS cycles in the newborn period has negative implications for development, while such regularity at 6 months has positive implications-although excessive rigidity in rhythms at the later age, in terms of extremely high cyclicity scores, was also an indicator of developmental compromise.
Sex chromosomal anomalies: prospective studies in children.

This report represents a summary of the current status of a prospective study of 51 children with sex chromosomal aneuploidy (SCA). The children were identified in an unbiased fashion during the years 1964–1974, and their growth and development have been documented in order to define the natural history of individuals with SCA. Siblings are similarly followed as a partial control for environmental and other genetic influences. These children and adolescents have developmental patterns which, although within normal limits, in general are below the mean for their ages. The mosaics are more similar to their siblings than the pure karyotypes. The significant variability in the phenotypes of propositi is stressed. The frequent diagnosis of SCA prenatally makes the definition of prognosis for the different karyotypes of even increased importance.
Doppler Echocardiographic Assessment of the Hemodynamic Benefits of Rate Adaptive AV Delay During Exercise in Paced Patients with Complete Heart Block

To determine if rate adaptation of the atrioventricular (AV) delay (i.e., linearly decreasing the AV interval for increasing sinus rate) improves exercise left ventricular systolic hemodynamics, we performed paired maximal semi-upright bicycle exercise tests (EXTs) on 14 chronotropically competent patients with dual chamber pacemakers. Nine patients with complete AV block (CAVB) and total ventricular pacing dependence during exercise comprised the experimental group. Pacemakers in these patients were programmed randomly to rate adaptive AV delay (AVDR) for one EXT and fixed AV delay (AVDF) for the other EXT. AVDF was 156 msec; AVDR decreased linearly from 156-63 msec from rates of 78-142 beats/min. The other five patients had intact AV conduction and comprised the control group who were exercised in identical fashion while their pacemakers were inhibited throughout exercise to assure reproducibility of hemodynamic measurements between EXTs. Cardiac hemodynamics were calculated using measured Doppler echocardiographic systolic aortic valve flows recorded suprasternally with an independent 2-MHz Doppler transducer during a graded ramp exercise protocol. For analysis, exercise was divided into four phases to compare Doppler measurements at submaximal and maximal levels of exercise: rest, early exercise (1st stage), late exercise (stage preceding peak), and peak. Patients achieved statistically similar heart rates between EXTs at each phase of exercise. Although at lower levels of exercise cardiac hemodynamics did not differ, experimental patients (with CAVB) showed a statistically significant benefit to cardiac output at peak exercise with heart rates of 129 +/- 13 beats/min (AVDR: 9.4 +/- 2.8 L/min; AVDF: 8.2 +/- 2.6 L/min, P = 0.002), stroke volume (AVDR: 74.1 +/- 25.6 mL; AVDF: 64.3 +/- 24.4 mL, P = 0.0003), and aortic ejection time (AVDR: 253.3 +/- 35.7 msec; AVDF: 226.7 +/- 35.0 msec, P = 0.002). Duration of exercise, peak rate pressure product, peak aortic flow velocities, and acceleration times did not differ. In contrast, control group patients (intact AV conduction throughout exercise) showed no statistical differences between any hemodynamic parameters measured at any phase of exercise from the first to second exercise test. These data demonstrate that systolic cardiac hemodynamics measured echocardiographically at the high heart rates achieved with peak exercise are improved with AVDR compared to AVDF in chronotropically competent patients with complete AV block. This is due primarily to improved stroke volume and a longer systolic ejection time with AV delay rate adaptation.
Development of the En Masse Elimination Algorithm for Actuator Grouping Optimization

As large arrays of actuators become increasingly common in adaptive structures, many systems do not have enough power supplies to control each actuator individually due to design, weight, or cost constraints. This issue can be addressed by grouping multiple actuators together and powering each group with a single power supply. As this is done, it is important to determine which actuators to group together, that is, optimize the groupings for best performance. Currently, GAs and other heuristic algorithms are used to determine this grouping, where a global optimum or even acceptable solution is not always guaranteed. In order to effectively group the actuators and insure that the global optimum is found, a new method is developed in this research - the EME technique. This is an efficient algorithm that will locate the global optimum without having to examine every possible grouping combination. In this article, a detailed explanation of the EME algorithm is given and the efficacy of this method demonstrate...
Low Noise Direct Detection Sensors for Millimeter Wave Imaging

As millimeter wave electronic component technologies have matured, passive millimeter wave (mmW) imaging using direct detection is emerging as a cost effective approach to imaging through obscuring materials, such as clothing for concealed weapons detection or sand for rotorcraft landing. This paper reviews the basic operation of W band direct detection receivers, and describes progress made at HRL in the development of mmW front end IC components. InP HEMT LNAs provide high gain and low noise, appropriate for high sensitivity front ends that require relatively short integration times. Sb-based MMIC detectors provide high sensitivity and low noise, relaxing the gain requirements of the LNA. Finally, promising results of the ongoing DARPA MIATA program demonstrate reasonable sensitivity of a purely passive imaging module, the first step toward imaging without the need for LNAs.
Determinants within the C-terminus of the human norepinephrine transporter dictate transporter trafficking, stability, and activity.

Abstract The function of the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) depends on its presence at the cell surface. A role for the hNET C-terminus in trafficking the transporter to the surface has been suggested by the report of a bovine NET C-terminal splice variant that accumulates within heterologous host cells [1] , and a human variant homolog has also been reported [19] . We examined the relevance of the C-terminus of hNET to trafficking and function using transfected LLC-PK1 cells. The intracellular and surface expression of NET proteins was evaluated by Western blots, and their functional capacities were assessed using transport assays. We found that the C-terminal residues encoded by hNET 1a enable the efficient maturation and surface expression of hNET and therefore critically impact transporter activity. Alternative splicing causes the retention of immature hNETs within the cell, whereas introduced C-terminal deletions result in significant degradation. The loss of the terminal isoleucine alone ( Δ 617-hNET) is sufficient to cause the degradation of hNET, an effect that can be mimicked by nonconservative point mutations at the terminal position. The phenotype of Δ 617-hNET is recapitulated in neuronal SK-N-MC cells, but is significantly less severe in HEK-293 cells, suggesting a role for host cell factors in enabling the biosynthetic progression of wild-type hNET. Additional proximal residues may act at other steps to affect the expression of the fully mature protein on the cell surface (Q608A) and to more directly affect transporter activity (F609A). Together our studies document a critical contribution of the hNET C-terminus to transporter trafficking, stability, and function.
A Meta-Analysis of Campaign Contributions' Impact on Roll Call Voting*

Objectives. Conventional wisdom about the link between campaign contributions and roll call votes is that contributions rarely matter because groups tend to give to like-minded legislators. This meta-analysis examines the conventional wisdom by analyzing published research on this topic. Methods. More than 30 studies are pooled to produce more than 350 individual tests of the contributions-roll call link. Extending meta-regression (Stanley and Jarrell, 1989), a logit meta-analysis is conducted to summarize the literature and assess the importance of various modeling choices. Results. We find that some, but not all, model specifications have an impact on whether significant results are present. Models that control for friendly giving by including a measure of legislators' ideology and that include more than one contributions variable are less likely to produce significant results. Conclusions. After considering the impact of model choice on study results, we conclude that one-third of roll call votes exhibit the impact of campaign contributions.
Medicaid--implications for the health safety net.

Medicaid is the nation's health safety net, but as Diane Rowland explains, its growing role and increasing costs in the face of state budgetary pressures and the federal deficit have made it a target for reform that could fundamentally reshape the program.
Potassium catalyzed methane production from graphite at low temperatures (473–673 K)☆

Abstract The steady-state production of methane from high-density pure graphite and water vapor in the temperature range of 473–673 K is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by potassium compounds that are formed on the surface of the graphite. Surface composition is characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy.
Writing Required in Graduate Courses in Business Administration

The increasing proportion of graduate students to undergraduate students in ESL academic preparation programs in the United States suggests that more information is needed about language use in graduate courses. This article reports on the characteristics of writing assignments found in syllabuses for graduate courses in business. First, the types of writing assignments and the vocabulary used to label those assignments are analyzed and discussed. Second, the use of prompts to guide the writing of the assignments is examined. Finally, implications are suggested for ESL writing courses for nonnative speakers who are planning to enter (or already attending) U.S. graduate degree programs in business.
Effect of hydrocortisone on beta-adrenergic receptors in lung membranes.

Abstract It has been observed that glucocorticoids potentiate beta-adrenergic stimulation of cardiovascular and airway tissues. In order to investigate the mechanism of this potentiating action, we examined the effect of glucocorticoids on the number and affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors in animal lung tissues, by a direct binding technique using [125]I-Iodohydroxybenzylpindolol ([125]I-HYP), a potent beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Specific binding of [125]I-HYP to rat lung membranes was saturable with 386 fmol of [125]I-HYP/mg protein at saturation. The apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of [125]I-HYP for beta-receptors was 221 nM. Chronic administration of hydrocortisone increased the density of beta-adrenergic receptors by 70% from 386 fmol to 657 fmol/mg with some decrease in the affinity of [125]I-HYP for beta-adrenergic receptors. By contrast, adrenalectomy produced a 29% fall in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors without altering the affinity of [125]I-HYP for beta-receptors, and this change was reversed by exogenous adminstration of hydrocortisone. The present study suggests that glucocorticoids may participate in regulating the density of beta-adrenergic receptors, and may potentiate beta-adrenergic receptors stimulation, at least in part by increasing beta-receptor density in tissue membranes.
Doubly differential detachment cross sections for 0.5-MeV H- on He including projectile excitation to H(n=2).

Detailed theoretical results are presented for the electron-detachment cross section, doubly differential in both the electron momentum and angle, for the process 0.5-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+He\ensuremath{\rightarrow}H(n=2)+${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+${\mathrm{He}}^{\mathrm{*}}$. As discussed briefly elsewhere [C. R. Liu and A. F. Starace, Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 407 (1989)], the laboratory-frame doubly differential cross sections (DDCS's) for electron detachment in the forward direction are shown to depend sensitively on the low-energy states of the H(n=2)-${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ three-body system. In particular, the angular dependence of characteristic cusp and shape resonance features is presented. We find that the projectile frame DDCS for detached electron energies in the vicinity of the shape resonance peak is nearly isotropic. This is due in part to the $^{1}\mathrm{P}$ symmetry of the resonance feature, which limits the angular distribution to constant and ${\mathrm{cos}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\theta} terms, and in part to cancellation in the integral over momentum transfer on which the coefficient of the ${\mathrm{cos}}^{2}$\ensuremath{\theta} term depends.We also find that the rapid variation of these cusp and shape resonance features with angle in the laboratory frame requires that experimental angular and energy resolutions be accounted for in order to obtain good agreement with the measured results of M. G. Menendez and M. M. Duncan [Phys. Rev. A 36, 1653 (1987)] on the energy spectrum of detached electrons coincident with the formation of H(2p). The DDCS's for 0.5-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+He\ensuremath{\rightarrow}H(1s)+${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$+${\mathrm{He}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ are also presented. When these latter results are added to those for producing H(n=2), the sum gives good agreement with the experimental data of M. G. Menendez and M. M. Duncan [Phys. Rev. 20, 2327 (1979)], which include all final states of the H atom, thereby confirming the important contribution the H(n=2) states make to the total-detachment cross section. We present evidence on the sensitivity of these results to the choice of the average excitation energy of the helium target. Finally, we pinpoint the origin of our predicted Gailitis-Damburg oscillations in the DDCS near threshold as stemming from a rapid decrease of an analytically known phase appropriate for long-range dipole fields.
How menopause affects oral health, and what we can do about it

After menopause, women become more susceptible to periodontal disease. We believe the problem is due in large part to estrogen deficiency with resulting bone loss and inflammatory processes. Osteoporosis and periodontal disease are best diagnosed early so that treatment can be started sooner and fractures and tooth loss can be prevented.
Current practice in patient selecting for long-term mechanical circulatory support

With the advances of mechanical circulatory support, the selection of patients has undergone many changes over the last decade. Determining who is suitable for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is important to understanding the overall risk and outcomes. As devices improve, it is expected that changes will continue in this field. This review describes current state of patient selection, evaluation, and optimization prior to implantation of a long-term circulatory support device.
Pre-steady-state transient currents mediated by the Na/K pump in internally perfused Xenopus oocytes.

Pre-steady-state transient currents have been investigated in the vegetal pole of Xenopus oocytes using the open-oocyte vaseline-gap technique of Taglialatela, Toro, and Stefani (Biophysical Journal. 61:78–82, 1992). Voltage pulses 40 ms in duration were made from a holding potential of -40 mV to command potentials over the range -160 to +60 mV in increments of 20 mV. Current records (averaged 20X; sampled every 200 microseconds) in the presence of dihydroouabain (DHO) or absence of external Na+ (Nao) were subtracted from current records obtained under Na/Na exchange conditions, i.e. internally perfused with 50 mM Na+, 5 mM ATP, and 5 mM ADP (K(+)-free) and externally superfused with 100 mM Na+,K(+)-free solution. Transient currents were dependent on intracellular Na+ and nucleotides, and diminished by activation of forward pumping; they were also reduced by 10 micrograms ml-1 of oligomycin B applied to the external solution. These properties of the pre-steady state currents are consistent with the Na/K pump operating in its electroneutral Na/Na exchange mode. The voltage dependence of the DHO- and Nao-sensitive transient currents was analyzed using a pseudo two-state model in which only the rate coefficient for Nao-binding/reocclusion is voltage-dependent (Rakowski, R. F. 1993. J. Gen. Physiol. 101:117–144). The apparent valence of the charge moved during the on (zq-on) and off (zq-off) of the pulse were 0.96 +/- 0.05 and 0.95 +/- 0.05 for Nao-sensitive, and 1.10 +/- 0.07 and 0.85 +/- 0.06 for DHO-sensitive transient currents, respectively. The total amount of charge moved (Qtot) and the mid-point voltage of the charge distribution (Vq) were 230 +/- 15 pC and -56.2 +/- 5.1 mV, and 268 +/- 34 pC and -67.0 +/- 7.6 mV for Nao- and DHO-sensitive transient currents, respectively. The apparent valence (zk) and the voltage at which the forward and backward rates are equal (Vk) obtained from the relaxation rates were 0.80 +/- 0.05 and -129.3 +/- 10.0 mV, and 0.86 +/- 0.10 and -135.1 +/- 9.0 mV for the Nao- and DHO-sensitive pre-steady state currents, respectively. The values of the parameters were not statistically significantly different between the Nao- and DHO-sensitive transient currents. Excluding the first 600 microseconds after the onset of a voltage step which was not temporally resolved, transient currents showed no indication of a rising phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
ASTM Single Fiber Room Temperature Test Standard Development

Development of an updated single filament test standard for tensile strength determination has been undertaken by a joint government-industry task group under the auspices of the Subcommittee C28.07 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This update was initiated in response to a need expressed by people involved with fiber testing. A fiber testing workshop in 1991 attracted a wide range of attendees with concerns regarding the uniformity of testing methods and comparability of resulting data in the fiber literature. With the inception of a C28.07.07 Task Group for Ceramic Fibers, an effort to conduct round robin testing was begun among interested government and industrial test facilities. User surveys and discussion groups were also employed to determine areas of concern with the current standard test method, ASTM D 3379-75. Shortcomings in the current standard were identified and methods of addressing these areas were discussed with experts including fiber manufacturers, testing facilities and composite manufacturers. Among the main concerns was the method and application of fiber diameter measurements.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Viscosity profile of the lower mantle

The viscosity of the earth's mantle is an important factor in studies of mantle convection and other problems in geodynamics. The present investigation is concerned with a determination of the variation of effective viscosity across the lower mantle from models of the Gibb's free energy of activation G(asterisk) and the adiabatic temperature profile. The variation of G(asterisk) with depth is calculated using both an elastic strain energy model, in which G(asterisk) is related to the seismic velocities, and a model which assumes G(asterisk) is proportional to the melting temperature.
The immunobiology of cord blood transplantation

Despite significant recent advances in the applicability and outcome following unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT), infections remain a major cause of mortality associated with poor immune recovery in the first 6 months after UCBT. Enhanced immune reconstitution not only could improve survival by reduced transplant related mortality, but may also favorably impact on relapse incidence by improved graft-versus-leukemia effects. This review will summarize our current understanding of the biology of immune recovery post-UCBT with an emphasis on adaptive T cell dependent immunity. New efforts to boost immunity will be also highlighted including our own laboratory, where ex vivo T cell expansion is pursued towards adoptive immunotherapy.