cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inversion of the radionuclide regurgitant index in right-sided valvular regurgitation

Estimation of left-sided valvular insufficiency has been obtained using the ratio of left- to right-ventricular stroke counts, i.e., the regurgitant index. The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of the regurgitant index in identifying patients with isolated right-sided valvular insufficiency. We identified 12 patients with tricuspid or pulmonic regurgitation by at least two of the following criteria: (1) pulsatile liver, (2) positive Carvallo's sign, and (3) pulsatile jugular-venous distension. In 9 of the 12 patients, the right-sided insufficiency was confirmed by catheterization or contrast echocardiography and flow-directed pulsed-echo Doppler. The regurgitant index in patients with right-sided insufficiency was 0.59±0.23. This was significantly different from patients with left-sided insufficiency (3.09±0.8; P<0.001) and from control subjects (1.49±0.32; P<0.001). In 11 of the 12 patients with right-sided regurgitant lesions, the regurgitant index was less than 1.0. The hepatic expansion fraction, a possible correlate of an expansile liver, has previously been found to be both sensitive and specific for the detection of patients with right-sided regurgitation. We calculated the hepatic expansion fraction in 6 patients with tricuspid regurgitation (including 3 with pulsatile livers) and 5 controls using the method of Handler et al.. In the present study, the hepatic expansion fraction in tricuspid-insufficiency patients was 4.3% as compared to 4.1% in normals (P=NS). In summary, this study suggests that the regurgitant index may be a sensitive tool for the diagnosis of right-sided regurgitant lesions, while the hepatic expansion fraction does not appear to be useful for identifying tricuspid insufficiency.
A comparison of Fisher vectors and Gaussian supervectors for document versus non-document image classification

This research addresses the document vs. non-document image classification problem. The ability to select images containing text from an OCR processing stream that also includes images of scenes, people, faces, etc., will eliminate unnecessary computation and free up valuable computer resources for other tasks. This is particularly true for high volume OCR systems. Fisher vectors represent images as gradients of a global generative Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) of low level image descriptors, and exhibit state-of-the-art performance for object categorization. Gaussian supervectors represent images by soft clustering low level image descriptors according to posterior GMM mixture probabilities, optionally using MAP adaptation, and have demonstrated state-of-the-art performance for scene categorization. We compare results obtained by applying linear SVMs to Fisher vector and Gaussian supervector representations to categorize images as having only text, no text, or a mixture of text and non-text. We also report the performance of GMM-based soft versions of vectors of locally aggregated descriptors (VLAD) and Bag of Visual words (BOV).
A Shared Parts Model for Document Image Recognition

We address document image classification by visual appearance. An image is represented by a variable-length list of visually salient features. A hierarchical Bayesian network is used to model the joint density of these features. This model promotes generalization from a few samples by sharing component probability distributions among different categories, and by factoring out a common displacement vector shared by all features within an image. The Bayesian network is implemented as a factor graph, and parameter estimation and inference are both done by loopy belief propagation. We explain and illustrate our model on a simple shape classification task. We obtain close to 90% accuracy on classifying journal articles from memos in the UWASH-II dataset, as well as on other classification tasks on a home-grown data set of technical articles.
Imaging Spectrometry: Spectral Resolution And Analytical Identification Of Spectral Features

Spaceborne imaging spectrometers such as the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) are presently under development. Major trade-offs in weight, cost, and performance are related to the spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolution. In this paper, we have investigated the relationship between spectral and radiometric resolution by applying maximum likelihood classification and binary vector analysis to a set of model data. The model data consist of Gaussian spectral absorption features to which various levels of random noise have been applied. The results show that if the rapid, binary vector analysis techniques are to be used, feature depth-to-noise ratios of 10 or greater and Nyquist sampling are required to achieve acceptable classification errors. This translates into a NEAp of 0.5% for a 5% feature depth.
Evaluating the effects of genetic variants of DNA repair genes using cytogenetic mutagen sensitivity approaches

Mutagen sensitivity, measured in short-term cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes by cytogenetic endpoints, is an indirect measure for DNA repair capacity and has been used for many years as a biomarker for intrinsic susceptibility for cancer. In this article, we briefly give an overview of the different cytogenetic mutagen sensitivity approaches that have been used successfully to evaluate the biological effects of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes based on a current review of the literature and based on the need for biomarkers that would allow the characterization of the biological and functional significance of such polymorphisms. We also address some of the future challenges facing this emerging area of research.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided Trucut biopsy of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor

Data on the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided Trucut biopsy (EUS-TCB) for suspected gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor (GIMT) are limited. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic yield and complications from EUS-TCB for GIMT. Consecutive patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal or rectal GIMT from the muscularis propria with a maximal diameter of 20 mm or more were enrolled in a prospective, single-center cohort. An EUS-TCB was performed when on-site fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology review of the lesion was deemed suboptimal. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyoma were defined by the presence or absence of positive immunochemistry (IC) for c-kit, respectively. All GIMTs with a nondiagnostic IC were considered as unspecified. The outcomes assessed included diagnostic pathologic and IC yield (when tested) and procedural complications. In this study, 38 patients (24 women; median age, 62 years) with suspected GIMT (median maximal diameter, 42 mm; range, 20–120 mm) in the esophagus (n = 6), stomach (n = 28), duodenum (n = 3), or rectum (n = 1) underwent EUS-TCB without complications. Final diagnoses included GIST for 20 patients, leiomyoma for 13 patients, unspecified GIMT for 3 patients, and unknown disorder for 2 patients. An EUS-FNA was performed for 33 (87%) of the 38 patients, a diagnostic final cytology for 25 (76%) of 33 patients, and an FNA-IC for 12 (50%) of 24 patients. The EUS-TCB (median, 3 passes; range, 1–8 passes) obtained a visible tissue specimen in 37 (97%) of the 38 patients, with a median overall maximal fragment length of 3.5 mm (range, 0–15 mm). The diagnostic final TCB histology and TCB-IC were obtained, respectively, in 79 and 97% of the samples tested. In this cohort, EUS-TCB provided diagnostic histology and IC for 79 and 97% of the patients, respectively. For the initial biopsy of GIMT, EUS-TCB may be considered an acceptable alternative to EUS-FNA.
Non-Rationality in Belief Sets: Implications for the Theory of Rational Expectations

Although much research supports the proposition contained within the theory of expectations that a causal relationship exists between beliefs and attitudes, little is known about the extent to which logical consistency exists among beliefs about objects in relation to beliefs about reasonable substitutes for them, and the effect of this potential inconsistency on estimates of the belief-attitude relationship. In this study the logical consistency of 364 Japanese consumers’ expressions of beliefs and attitudes were tested regarding eating beef produced by three different countries. The results, which demonstrate significant inconsistency – or non-rationality – in belief sets, are discussed with respect to their implications for estimating belief-attitude relationships.
Molecular basis of interferon action: inhibition of viral RNA translation.

Abstract The interaction of Sindbis virus RNA with ribosomes from normal and interferon-treated primary chick embryo cells was examined in a cell-free system. Hot phenol-extracted 3 H-RNA from Sindbis virus, a virus extremely susceptible to the action of interferon, aggregates with normal chick cell 74 S ribosomes in vitro at 0 ° to form complexes sedimenting at about 250 S. Evidence that aggregates formed from normal ribosomes and Sindbis virus RNA are functional viral polysemes capable of translation is provided by experiments that show (a) the polysome region is comprised mainly of full-sized 40 S Sindbis virus RNA and 74 S ribosomes; (b) polysomes are rapidly broken down upon addition of ribonuclease; (c) incubation at 37 ° initiates polysome breakdown which is complete in 30 minutes; (d) breakdown of polysomes is accompanied by amino acid incorporation which proceeds linearly for 20 minutes and then ceases; (e) polysome breakdown requires a complete energy-generating system; and (f) cycloheximide, a compound known to prevent readout of message, inhibits polysome breakdown. In contrast, Sindbis virus RNA attaches with two-thirds the normal efficiency to ribosomes from chick cells treated with high concentrations of chick-derived interferon. More significantly, the polyribosomal complexes that are formed are not translated, as evidenced by a total lack of both amino acid incorporation and breakdown of the complexes under conditions of protein synthesis that reduce normal ribosome-viral RNA polysomes to monomeric units. Ribosomes from cells treated simultaneously with actinomycin D and interferon exhibit the normal pattern of translation, i.e., polysome breakdown. This result is consistent with the reported inhibition of the action of interferon by actinomycin D. Polyuridylic acid attaches to both types of ribosomes equally well. Pulse-labeled RNA extracted from chick cell polysomes also attaches to both types of ribosomes and the resulting complexes are broken down under conditions of protein synthesis. These results, when integrated with data from the literature, are interpreted to indicate that interferon acts by inducing a translation inhibitory protein which binds to ribosomes and prevents translation of viral RNA while permitting normal readout of cellular mRNA. Several attributes of interferon-mediated interference are discussed in light of this proposed model of interferon action—inhibition of viral RNA translation.
Vibration Analysis of a Multiple-Layered Viscoelastic Structure Using the Biot Damping Model

The viscoelastic damping treatment is a very popular method for attenuating vibration and noise problems. It provides the designer much flexibility in adjusting the system damping to eliminate resonances in the structures. A survey of the previous research on material damping models found inadequacies in developing the numerical models of multiple-layer constrained layers and the introduction of the combination of different viscoelastic damping materials through advanced frequency domain damping models. In this paper, a detailed numerical analysis and design of a multiple-layer constrained damping structure using the Biot damping model are presented to investigate the vibration performance. The nonlinear curve fitting of the complex shear modulus and the transient response solution of the numerical viscoelastic damping structure are also discussed. By the proposed approach, the simple beam problem that is presented can be easily extended to the industrial problem with arbitrary geometries and boundary conditions. The validation of this numerical approach is proven by comparison with the previous closed-form results.
Resolution and characterization of multiple cytosolic phosphatases capable of hydrolyzing fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate in spinach and soybean leaves

The apparent activity of cytoplasmic fructose bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) in crude extracts of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) leaves was only partially dependent on Mg2+. At least two major non-chloroplastic fructose bisphosphatases that differed in dependence on Mg2+ were chromatographically resolved from spinach leaves. The Mg2+-dependent enzyme had an apparent Michaelis constant of 4 μM for fructose-1,6-P2, was highly specific, and was strongly inhibited by fructose-2,6-P2. Enzyme activity was inhibited by physiological levels of fructose-6-P. Both species also contained at least one major enzyme, the activity of which was independent of Mg2+. These enzymes had pH optima near neutrality, Michaelis constants of 25 to 30 μM for fructose-1,6-P2, and were inhibited by AMP. Although hexose monophosphates were not metabolized, the enzymes were not specific for fructose-1,6-P2: phosphate was released from phosphoenolpyruvate and ribulose-1, 5-P2, and with fructose-1,6-P2, as substrate, Pi release was about 1.5-fold greater than fructose-6-P production. It is concluded that only the Mg2+-dependent fructose bisphosphatase, previously characterized, functions in the photosynthetic sucrose formation pathway. Inhibition of the Mg2+-dependent enzyme by fructose-6-P may be involved in regulation of sucrose formation.
ACTIVITY OF ASPARTATE TRANSCARBAMYLASE IN HEART AND LIVER OF THE DEVELOPING RAT.

ASPARTATE transcarbamylase (ATC) catalyses transfer of the carbamyl group from carbamyl phosphate to L-aspartate yielding carbamyl aspartate. This reaction is the first step peculiar to de novo synthesis of pyrimidine bases. Lowenstein and Cohen1 described the distribution of ATCin tissues of the adult rat. Activity was high in liver, intestine, stomach, testis, kidney, lung, brain, and spleen; muscle contained less activity and there was negligible activity in blood and heart.
Geographic Differentiation, Cladistics, and Vicariance Biogeography: Reconstructing the Tempo and Mode of Evolution

SYNOPSIS. Although the literature on speciation is large, surprisingly little attention has been paid to methodological considerations. If there is a general methodology within this literature, it consists of delimiting taxa and their distributions, describing patterns of phenotypic (and occasionally genotypic) variation, noting contact zones and hybridization, reviewing information on past climates and vegetations, and from these constructing a narrative scenario of the pathway of speciation. However, two kinds of knowledge, essential for reconstructing speciation, are typically lacking: a genealogical hypothesis of the relevant taxa based on cladistic analysis, and a hypothesis of the interrelationships of areas of endemism based on vicariance biogeography. Both are necessary to develop and test alternative hypotheses about the mode of taxonomic differentiation. A model of speciation analysis is constructed using taxa of Australian birds as the empirical data base. Cladistic relationships among taxa and vicariance patterns among areas of endemism reveal a specific, nonrandom historical relationship among the areas of differentiation for Australian birds and suggest that type la allopatric speciation (of Bush, 1975) is more common than type lb, that peripheral isolates are less important than previously maintained, and that parapatric speciation is rare. The model can also be used to examine the patterns of concordance between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics during geographic differentiation and to investigate their relative and absolute rates of change.
Studies of microchromosomes and a G-C rich DNA satellite in the quail.

The microchromosomes of Japanese quail fibroblasts are shown to be heterochromatic and nucleolus-organizing. Autoradiographic studies indicate that although some DNA replication takes place early, the time of intense replication is in the late S period after most replication in the macrochromosomes has ceased. Analytical centrifugation of quail DNA demonstrated a main band with a buoyant density of 1.701 g/cm3 and a satellite constituting about 5% of the DNA with a buoyant density of 1.715. The G-C content of the main and satellite band was 42 and 55 percent respecively by both buoyant density and DNA Tm. The satellite band renatured much more rapidly than main band DNA indicating it was composed of highly repetitive sequences. When purified satellite DNA was centrifuged at pH 13 it separated into three portions, a major central band constituting 72% of the satellite DNA, and two smaller bands, one heavier and one lighter than the central band, each constituting 14% of the satellite DNA. This indicated that in a portion of the satellite DNA the bases were non-randomly distributed in the half-DNA helices.
Topographic analysis of the development of individual activation patterns during performance monitoring in medial frontal cortex

Age-related improvements in human performance monitoring have been linked to maturation of medial frontal cortex (MFC) in healthy youth, however, imaging studies conflict regarding age-related changes in MFC activation patterns. Topographical analysis of single-subject activation enables measurement of variation in location of MFC activation by age, as well as other potentially influential factors (e.g., performance on task). In this study, 22 youth (ages 8-17 years) and 21 adults (ages 23-51 years) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a performance monitoring task examining interference and errors. Single-subject factors (extent of MFC activation, age and accuracy) were entered into a three-level hierarchical linear model to test the influence of these characteristics on location of MFC activation. Activation shifted from a rostral/anterior to a more dorsal/posterior location with increasing age and accuracy during interference. Inclusion of age and accuracy accounted for almost all of the unexplained variance in location of interference-related activation within MFC. This pattern links improvement of performance-monitoring capacity to age-related increases in posterior MFC and decreases in anterior MFC activation. Taken together, these results show the maturation of performance monitoring capacity to depend on more focal engagement of posterior MFC substrate for cognitive control.
The fetal heart program: A multidisciplinary practice model for the fetus with congenital heart disease

Abstract This report describes the infrastructure of the Fetal Heart Program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. We discuss our experience and evolution since implementation of this multidisciplinary practice model in May 2001. Our Fetal Heart Program is currently the main source of referral for admission of neonates with congenital heart disease to our Cardiac Center. A multidisciplinary Fetal Heart Program is the optimal way of managing all aspects of complex congenital heart disease in the current modern era of prenatal diagnostics.
Lenin and Bukharin on the transition from capitalism to socialism: The Meshchersky controversy, 1918

(1976). Lenin and Bukharin on the transition from capitalism to socialism: The Meshchersky controversy, 1918. Soviet Studies: Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 66-82.
Neurosteroid Effects on GABAergic Synaptic Plasticity in Hippocampus

We have previously reported that short-term (48–72 h) exposure to the GABA-modulatory steroid 3α-OH-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) increases expression of the α4 subunit of the GABAA receptor (GABAR...
Alternative promoter usage and alternative splicing contribute to mRNA heterogeneity of mouse monocarboxylate transporter 2.

Expression patterns of monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) display mRNA diversity in a tissue-specific fashion. We cloned and characterized multiple mct2 5′-cDNA ends from the mouse and determined...
Land connectivity changes and global cooling shaped the colonization history and diversification of New World quail (Aves: Galliformes: Odontophoridae)

Aim Range disjunctions are frequent in birds, but the relative roles of vicariance and long-distance dispersal in producing them are debated. Odontophorid quail are widespread in tropical and temperate habitats in the Americas, yet recent phylogenetic studies support the view that they are sister to sub-Saharan African Ptilopachus rather than the widespread Phasianidae as formerly believed. To understand how this 10,000 km range disjunction arose in relatively non-vagile birds, we reconstructed colonization history and diversification of odontophorids with respect to hypothesized dry-land connections between continents (North Atlantic, Beringian, Panamanian) that would have facilitated faunal exchange. Location Africa, Nearctic and Neotropics. Methods We inferred a fossil-calibrated odontophorid phylogeny from DNA sequences (three mitochondrial genes and eight nuclear introns) and modelled ancestral ranges with six probabilistic biogeographical models. We used the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to select the best-fit biogeographical model. Results Ptilopachus and New World quail shared an Old World ancestor c. 32 Ma. During this period, Beringia connected the Nearctic and Palaearctic, and global temperatures were high, such that presence of temperate organisms at high latitudes and direct dispersal across land connections were feasible. The extant New World quail began diversifying in Central America c. 18 Ma; timing estimates and ancestral range reconstructions support the hypothesis that New World quail colonized and diversified in South America following closure of the Isthmus of Panama. Main conclusions The Africa/New World range disjunction between New World quail and Ptilopachus is the result of changes in Earth and climate history, combined with range expansion and diversification in the New World, and range contraction in the Old World. We find no evidence for overwater dispersal in New World quail.
The Management of Postoperative Bleeding

This article addresses the management of postoperative bleeding. The problem is called postoperative bleeding rather than postoperative hemorrhage to emphasize the fact that perfect postoperative hemostasis rather than acceptable postoperative blood loss is the ideal. Postoperative bleeding is a risk of all surgical procedures. The best way to reduce the risk of hemorrhage is to identify and correct potential causes of coagulopathy both pre- and post-operatively.
Postprocessing and corrections of bathymetry derived from sidescan sonar systems: application with SeaMARC II

A procedure for postprocessing bathymetry data provided by a phase-measuring sidescan sonar system is presented. The data were collected with the SeaMARC II system, and are generally characterized by a high level of noise and uneven spatial sampling. Before any spatial filtering is applied, data are selected to remove most of the obvious artifacts and to retain instantaneous depth profiles whose slant ranges increase monotonically from a central location to the edges of the swath. An extrapolation scheme, patterned after a potential field, is proposed to fill gaps in the coverage or to extend the bathymetric swath to that of the corresponding sidescan image when regridding the data to a rectangular frame. To fill the near nadir gap typically found in these data, a specific interpolation methodology is developed that takes into account the slant range of the first bottom return as received by the sidescan sonar itself or by a shipboard echo-sounder. Spatial low-pass filtering is applied through convolutions with parabolic windows whose width is proportional to the footprint of the acoustic beam along track and roughly 1/8 of the swath width across track. Mismatches of contour lines between adjacent tracks are reduced through a statistical method design to correct systematic profile errors. >
Instrumental conditioning of sensorimotor cortex EEG spindles in the waking cat.

Abstract The spontaneous occurrence of a 12–20 cps slow-wave spindle recorded from sensorimotor cortex in waking food-deprived cats was systematically reinforced by presentation of milk. This specific EEG pattern was detected by a filter-relay system, the discharge of which was capable of activating the feeding apparatus within an experimental behavior chamber. After several sessions, with 50 reinforcements per session, this sensorimotor rhythm appeared more frequently and demonstrated a regular temporal pattern of occurrence. The consistent behavioral correlate of this EEG response was the assumption of stereotyped postures, characterized by a complete cessation of spontaneous activity. Withholding milk reinforcement resulted in a considerable enhancement of the sensorimotor rhythm during the initial period of extinction. Such changes were not observed, however, when other patterns of sensorimotor cortex electrical activity were reinforced in a similar manner. We conclude that, in the present experiments, it was possible to establish a conditioned sensorimotor cortex slow-wave response of the instrumental type, and that this sensorimotor rhythm has functional significance as a conditioned “central state” related to the inhibition of phasic motor behavior.
Principles and Application of Range of Motion and Stretching in Companion Animals

Optimal function after injury, surgery, or in patients with chronic conditions requires adequate motion in joints, muscles, tendon, fascia, and skin. Range of motion and stretching exercises are commonly used in companion animal rehabilitation programs to maintain or improve motion of musculoskeletal tissues. Range of motion exercises and stretching prevent adhesions from forming, help scar tissue remodeling, may improve muscle tone, and prevent future injury from occurring. Stretching is used to avoid loss of motion or to regain lost joint motion. Stretching is done manually, using external coaptation, or using therapeutic exercises. Careful documentation of range of motion is necessary.
Syncretism: the politics of Japan's financial reforms

This paper examines how diversely organized capitalist societies evolve by analyzing the transformation of Japan’s financial system since the 1990s. The banking, securities and insurance, as well as the postal financial institutions changed significantly, but are hardly converging to Anglo-American or ‘liberal market’ models. We contend that Japan’s new financial system is best characterized as syncretic, with new, traditional and hybrid forms of practices, organizations and norms coexisting. Syncretism in industry was driven by a distinctive pattern of interest group politics we call syncretization. Strong political leadership, facing serious electoral threats, shifted the policy logic from gradual incremental reforms following traditional interest group dynamics, to rapid reforms that excluded the traditionally powerful interest groups most affected by these reforms. We support the notion that diverse industry outcomes can be complementary to broader political economic reforms that take Japan away from its traditional model, part of a broader ‘convergence towards diversity’.
Traditional Healers and Childhood in Zimbabwe

Traditional Healers and Childhood in Zimbabwe. Pamela Reynolds. Athens: Ohio University Press, 1996. 184 pp.
A correctness criterion for asynchronous circuit validation and optimization

In order to reasonably determine the correctness of asynchronous circuit implementations and specifications, Dill (1989) has developed a variant of trace theory. Trace theory describes the behavior of an asynchronous circuit by representing its possible executions as strings, called "traces." A useful relation defined in this theory is called conformance, which holds when one trace specification can be safely substituted for another. We propose a new relation in the context of Dill's trace theory, called strong conformance. We show that this relation is capable of detecting certain errors in asynchronous circuits that cannot be detected through conformance. Strong conformance also helps to justify circuit optimization rules where a component is replaced by another component having extra capabilities (e.g., it can accept more inputs). The structural operators of Dill's trace theory-compose, rename, and hide-are shown to be monotonic with respect to strong conformance. Experiments are presented using a modified version of Dill's trace theory verifier that implements a check for strong conformance. >
College Students’ Perceptions of their Core Competencies: An Institutional Analysis of Discipline and Gender

In this study we examined the perceptions of 1,852 senior college students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities as freshmen and as seniors at a large research-intensive university in the southeastern United States. From a list of twelve core skills (e.g., critical thinking, writing, oral communication, leadership), we examined the underlying factors at both freshman and senior levels and explored differences by gender and by academic discipline. Using principal components factor analysis two distinct dimensions were extracted: (1) collaborative learning skills and (2) personal development. Using multiple multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA), we found significant differences between male and female students in their perception of their skills and abilities both as entering and graduating college students in their oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and their ability to communicate with people different from themselves. Students from different academic disciplines (Engineering, Business, and Liberal Arts and Human Sciences) tended to perceive their proficiency level differently in terms of their interpersonal skills, leadership skills and ability to communicate with people different from themselves. Knowing areas where students differ in their skills and abilities can help faculty, administrators, and staff to re-examine curricula and to offer opportunities for all students to realize the personal, social, economic, and occupational benefits of a college education.
Gas-phase optrode measurements of oxygen in calorimetric vessels

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of oxygen and heat rates are useful for the determination of thermodynamics and kinetics of metabolic and chemical reactions involving oxygen. Optrodes have not previously been used to measure oxygen inside calorimetric vessels. The optrode used in this study produces
Effective null pointer check elimination utilizing hardware trap

We present a new algorithm for eliminating null pointer checks from programs written in Java™. Our new algorithm is split into two phases. In the first phase, it moves null checks backward, and it is iterated for a few times with other optimizations to eliminate redundant null checks and maximize the effectiveness of other optimizations. In the second phase, it moves null checks forward and converts many null checks to hardware traps in order to minimize the execution cost of the remaining null checks. As a result, it eliminates many null checks effectively and exploits the maximum use of hardware traps. This algorithm has been implemented in the IBM cross-platform Java Just-in-Time (JIT) compiler. Our experimental results show that our approach improves performance by up to 71% for jBYTEmark and up to 10% for SPECjvm98 over the previously known best algorithm. They also show that it increases JIT compilation time by only 2.3%. Although we implemented our algorithm for Java, it is also applicable for other languages requiring null checking.
The Control of Protein Synthesis

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss some subjects of importance in the field of protein synthesis and to present an integrated interpretation of some of the key observations within the framework of the association-induction (AI) hypothesis.
Molecular systematics and a revised taxonomy of the onocleoid ferns (Dryopteridaceae: Onocleeae).

Nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene were determined for all five species of the onocleoid ferns (Dryopteridaceae tribe Onocleeae), including both varieties of Onoclea sensibilis, and for outgroup member Blechnum glandulosum. Together with GenBank sequences of three additional onocleoid accessions and four additional taxa representing the outgroup Blechnaceae, these were analyzed cladistically under the optimality criteria of maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood. Maximum parsimony yielded a single most-parsimonious tree with the three accessions of Onoclea sensibilis var. sensibilis left as an unresolved trichotomy. Maximum likelihood yielded a single set of three optimal trees whose only topological variation was in the trivial positioning of the three accessions of Onoclea sensibilis var. sensibilis relative to each other. Thus tree topologies of the onocleoid ingroup under maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood were completely congruent. Matteuccia orientalis and M. intermedia formed the basalmost ingroup clade strongly separated from the remaining taxa and sister to them. Onoclea sensibilis is strongly separated from its sister clade of Matteuccia struthiopteris plus Onocleopsis hintonii, and the two varieties of Onoclea sensibilis are well differentiated from each other. Matteuccia struthiopteris and Onocleopsis hintonii form the least strongly supported clade. Levels of sequence divergence among onocleoid taxa are compared with values from other taxa, and morphological and chromosomal data used in previous, noncladistic studies of the onocleoids are reevaluated in light of this rbcL phylogeny. Matteuccia orientalisand M. intermedia should be recognized in their own genus Pentarhizidium, and the previously recognized varieties of Onoclea sensibilis are supported at least at varietal rank and possibly at the rank of species. Molecular and morphological data bearing on the circumscriptions of Matteuccia and Onocleopsis are equivocal but perhaps most concordant with their continued recognition as monotypic genera.
The effect of switch speed, and buffer limitations on the performance of a multichannel ATM switch with output queueing

The authors present a queuing analysis of an internally nonblocking N*N ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switch employing multichannel transmission groups with partially shared output buffers. The analysis is based on a discrete-time D/sup (A)//D/c/B queuing model. Bulk input traffic with constant bulk interarrival time (D) and general bulk-size distribution (A) is considered. The impact of switch speedup on the performance is explicitly taken into account. It is found that the switch speedup required to approach the ideal performance, obtained by having the switch fabric run N times as fast as the input and output channels, is small compared with N. This makes the practical realization of the proposed switch architecture feasible. >
Initiating insulin in type 2 diabetes

There are a variety of oral hypoglycemic agents available for use in type 2 diabetes. Despite the increasing choices of oral agents, insulin therapy remains the most effective means to lower blood glucose and often must be used. There is some controversy as to the best approach to the initiation of insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes. The approach we favor begins with basal insulin with later addition of premeal rapid-acting insulin. Drug Dev Res 69:116–118, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The environmentalist who cried drought: Reactions to repeated warnings about depleting resources under conditions of uncertainty

Three studies examined the impact of warnings about depleting resources. In Study 1, participants played 16 trials of a 5-person resource dilemma game with complete resource uncertainty. After trial 12, participants were told they were close to depleting the resource, and thereafter received no additional warnings. Size of harvests dropped after the warning, but rebounded within 3 trials to pre-warning levels, a pattern stronger under low harvesting variability. In Study 2, participants received warnings after trials 12 and 16 of a 22-trial game. Again, harvesting dropped after the first warning, but rebounded to pre-warning levels within 3 trials, a pattern stronger under a short-term vs. a long-term warning. Harvesting was unaffected by the second warning. In Study 3, when participants received no feedback about others’ harvests, harvesting dropped after both warnings, and was lower among those led to believe the resource would last a short number of trials. 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Fire and Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems

Abstract Wildlife managers often resort to prescribed fire to restore sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems thought to have been affected by fire exclusion. However, a fire mosaic of burned and unburned areas may be tolerated by certain wildlife but can be detrimental to sagebrush obligates. This article assesses evidence about the historical frequency and pattern of fire in sagebrush ecosystems and the need for prescribed fire. Fire-scar data from nearby forests require adjustment to estimate fire rotation, the time required to burn once through a sagebrush landscape. Estimates from forests require correction for unburned area and because sagebrush burns less often than forests. Recovery time also might indicate fire rotation. Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana) recovers within about 35–100 or more years after fire, and Wyoming big sagebrush (A. t. ssp. wyomingensis) requires 50–120 or more years. Fire rotation in other ecosystems is 2 or more times the recovery period. Together, ...
Transversely isotropic hyperelastic-viscoplastic model for glassy polymers with application to additive manufactured photopolymers

Abstract A typical feature of additive manufactured photopolymers is that their mechanical behavior depends on the printing direction. Hence, this work aims at developing a material model to predict the inelastic deformation and failure of glassy polymers with such an effect. To achieve this goal, a transversely isotropic hyperelastic-viscoplastic model is proposed, which considers the effects of strain rate, pressure, temperature, and printing direction. In addition, a modified Tsai-Wu failure criterion is proposed to predict the macroscopic failure of glassy polymers with strain softening. The proposed model is applied to simulate the deformation and failure of additive manufactured lattice structures. Experimental and simulation results indicate that the mechanical behavior of additive manufactured lattice structures depends on not only the lattice orientation but also the printing direction.
Cultivating Sacramentality through Administrative Work: Guidance from St. Benedict on Being a Catholic Department Chair.

One dilemma encountered by department chairs and administrators at Catholic colleges and universities is how to respect the pluralistic religious views of the faculty while being faithful to one’s own and the institution’s Catholic tradition. The Rule of St. Benedict offers guidance that can result in deepening the respect for all individuals by welcoming all as Christ, adapting to the temperament of the individual, and listening with the ear of one’s heart. Through these practices one may cultivate a sacramental vision of the world in oneself and within the academic culture of the department or institution, creating an environment in which all can feel valued.
Promoting Responsible Caribbean Tourism

The paper examines the extent to which - if any - that political or governmental actors promote the idea that United States engage in Caribbean tourism that is socially responsible, ethical, os socially conscious.
YELLOW SADDLE GOATFISH ARE TEAM PLAYERS

![][1] Spectacular discoveries within coral reefs continue to be made and in recent years the Red Sea has proven to be a treasure trove for neuroethologists in particular. For those interested in animal cognition and the evolution of cooperative behavior, a rich and diverse list of
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT CUSTOMIZATION BASED ON PARAVALVULAR AORTIC REGURGITATION LOCATION

Current limitations of transcatheter aortic valve replacement include paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR). We hypothesized that there are varying propensities for location of PAR in the Medtronic CoreValve and the Edwards Sapien Valve. The secondary goal was to longitudinally evaluate PAR
Growth of III-N materials and devices by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

The characteristics of III-V nitride semiconductor epitaxial layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition are of interest for the realization of many technologically important devices. This paper will review heteroepitaxial growth on (0001) sapphire substrates as well as the selective-area and subsequent lateral epitaxial overgrowth on masked substrate surfaces.
Carvedilol for Chronic Heart Failure:Clinical Observation of 38 Cases

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of carvedilol in the treatment of chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods We selected 76 cases of CHF in our hospital from Jan.2008 to Jan.2010 and divided them randomly into treatment group and control group,with 38 in each.Both groups were given conventional therapy including oxygen,antispasmodic,cardiac,diuretic to maintain water and electrolyte balance,and carvedilol was added to treatment group,with its initial dose of 2.5mg,bid,after 1 week increasing to 5mg,bid,later doubling the dose every 2 weeks to the target dose of 20mg,bid.The clinical observation and comparison were made in the two groups before and after treatment by echocardiograph changes including left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 94.74% and that of the control group was 78.95%,with a significant difference between the two groups.LVESD and LVEDD of the two groups were decreased,with a lower level of the treatment group compared with the control group.LVEF of the two groups was increased,with a significant increase in the treatment group.Conclusion Carvedilol is effective in the treatment of CHF,but its dose should be strictly controlled,with more attention to adverse reactions.
Calculation of Constant Power Lithium Battery Discharge Curves

Standard battery testing procedure consists of discharging the battery at constant current. However, for battery powered aircraft application, consideration of the cruise portion of the flight envelope suggests that power should be kept constant, implying that battery characterization should occur over a constant power discharge. Consequently, to take advantage of existing battery discharge curves it would be useful to have a methodology that can extract a constant power discharge curve from a constant current discharge curve. The development of such a methodology for lithium batteries is described in this article.
Partition chromatographic separation of pesticide residues from fats

A simple, rapid, and efficient partitioning column consisting of acetonitrile on Florisil has been developed for the separation of pesticides from fish, beef, and butter fat. The efficiency of the cleanup column is between 97 and 100%. Nine pesticides having partition coefficients between n-hexane and acetonitrile of less than or equal to 0.05 were satisfactorily separated from fat with good recoveries. When the column was used to clean up temephos in a fish extract, 99.91% of the fat was eluted with 20 ml n-hexane with no loss of the pesticide.
Assessing the Mechanism by Which a Cholesterol Recognition Amino Acid Consensus (CRAC) Motif Recognizes Membrane Cholesterol

The RTX family of toxins include a number of leukotoxins and cytolysins produced by Gram-negative bacteria, that share many structural features, including a cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif that regulates the toxins’ binding to cholesterol. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which the CRAC motif recognizes cholesterol and characterize the resulting changes in secondary structure, using a combination of spectroscopic, calorimetric, and microscopic techniques. Our model RTX protein is LtxA, a leukotoxin produced by the oral pathogen, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Initially, we demonstrated that LtxA-mediated cytotoxicity is regulated by the toxin's affinity for cholesterol. With a small peptide derived from the CRAC motif of LtxA, we measured the affinity of the motif for cholesterol and a variety of cholesterol derivatives, while also characterizing the conformational changes resulting from binding of the peptide to each cholesterol derivative. We found that the hydroxyl group of cholesterol has the greatest effect on the affinity of the CRAC peptide, with the other structural features having a significantly smaller impact. Understanding the conformational features of this CRAC peptide and the mechanism by which it recognizes cholesterol will allow us to develop novel therapeutics that target cholesterol. We have demonstrated that CRAC peptides are able to inhibit LtxA cytotoxicity and expect that they could also be used to develop therapeutics to prevent many types of diseases in which cholesterol plays a role.
The difference between dead and away: An exploratory study of behavior change during companion animal euthanasia

Abstract Anecdotal reports suggest that animals might have a sense of dying and death, although little sustained scientific research has been conducted on death awareness in animals. We set out to systematically gather data from veterinarians regarding their own personal observations of animal behavior when another animal is euthanized. In our survey of 153 veterinarians in South Carolina, 54% reported that they rarely, sometimes, often, or always observe a change in nearby animals' behavior at the time of euthanasia. Behavior change was most often mentioned as occurring among dogs (sudden silence, agitation, and barking), yet horses were also noted as exhibiting behavior change. The reasons offered by veterinarians for these behavior changes were detecting scent of chemical changes in the dying body, awareness that the animal is ill and/or deceased, empathy, responding to changes in the physical and emotional states of the animal, release of the euthanized animal's spirit, similar grief to that of humans, and reaction to the emotions of humans.
Adaptive acquisition protocol design for local CNR maximization in flexible SPECT and PET scanners

We present an adaptive acquisition protocol design technique with the goal of improving local contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) for flexible SPECT and PET scanners in which the data acquisition parameters at each view can be modulated. Such flexible scanners include rotating SPECT scanners, dual head coincidence imagers, SPECT scanners with variable collimators and those where collimators move in relation to detectors. Variable acquisition parameters include per view scan times (both PET and SPECT) and collimator types and dimensions (SPECT only). In this work, we focus on scan times per view as the parameters of interest. Our technique consists of two steps: (i) acquisition of a scout scan dataset that is reconstructed to determine the region(s)-of-interest (ROI) and the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) (ii) constrained optimization of a rapidly computable theoretical CNR metric to determine the acquisition protocol that maximizes the approximate CNR at the ROI. The optimization is performed under the constraints that the total scan time is fixed and that the scan time at each view is at least the time spent at that view during scout scan. This ensures that the scout scan dataset becomes part of the final dataset and is not wasted. We describe the theoretical CNR approximation and validate our approach via simulations. We demonstrate significant improvements to local CNR values compared to alternative scan-time allocation approaches.