cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterotaxy syndrome infants are at risk for early shunt failure after Ladd procedure.

Background Cardiac-specific risks and complications after a Ladd procedure in patients with heterotaxy syndrome (HS) and intestinal rotational anomalies (IRA) are unknown. We sought to (1) describe rates of hospital mortality and early systemic-to-pulmonary (S-P) artery shunt failure after the Ladd procedure in patients with HS and (2) explore risk factors associated with early shunt failure in patients with HS with single ventricle (SV). Methods This retrospective study included all Ladd procedures performed from January 1999 to December 2012 in patients with HS at a single center. Risk factors investigated for early S-P artery shunt failure included birth weight, gestational age, sex, age at and timing of Ladd procedure relative to cardiac operations, and shunt type. Results Ladd procedure was performed on 54 infants with HS and congenital heart disease. Hospital mortality for the entire cohort was 5.6% (3 of 54 patients). Early shunt failure occurred in 19% (4 of 21) of HS infants with SV. Mean preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were higher in HS infants with early shunt failure (20 versus 12.5 mg/dL; p = 0.054). Conclusions Patients with SV and HS with S-P artery shunts are at risk for early shunt failure after a Ladd procedure. A higher mean preoperative BUN level is noted in patients with HS and early shunt failure. Careful risk-benefit analysis is indicated before recommending routine elective Ladd procedures in patients with HS.
The Vermont Experiment 'in State-Mandated Portfolio Program Approval:

Le nouveau systeme d'evaluation utilise par le college de formation des maitres du Vermont a beaucoup aide a la restructuration des programmes, et change la facon dont les pratiques pedagogiques sont apprehendees. L'A. decrit ce nouveau programme de preparation a l'enseignement et donne les premiers resultats positifs et les critiques qui ont ete formulees contre
Measurement of the relative nonlinear coefficients of KDP, RDP, RDA, and LiIO3

Abstract The nonlinear coefficients of RDP, RDA, and LiIO 3 have been measured relative to d 36 of KDP using a cw ruby laser as a pump source. The new values found are d 36 (RDP) d 36 (KDP) =0.92±0.1, d 36 (RDA) d 36 (KDP) =1.04±0.1, d 15 ( LiIO 3 ) d 36 ( KDP ) =11.2±1.2 .
Recent developments in the electronic spectroscopy of amides and α-helical polypeptides

Recent experimental and theoretical advances in understanding the electronic excited states of simple amides are reviewed. Polarized reflection spectroscopy of single crystals of N-acetylglycine shows that the direction of the first pipi* (NV(1)) transition dipole moment of a secondary amide differs by approximately 15 degrees from that of a primary amide. Ab initio calculations on simple amides support this conclusion. Ab initio studies of di- and tri-amides demonstrate that several inter-amide charge-transfer (CT) transitions occur in the 150-175-nm region, between the NV(1) and NV(2) transitions. When the correct dipole transition moment direction for peptides is used in calculations of the circular dichroism of the alpha-helix, the results are much improved over those from earlier calculations that used the direction for primary amides. Studies that consider the mixing of the NV(1) transition with CT transitions are reviewed. These indicate that such mixing is likely to have a significant effect on the absorption and CD spectra of the alpha-helix and other types of peptide conformation. Nevertheless, the independent systems model gives a reasonable first approximation to the absorption and CD spectra of the alpha-helix.
Simulation of IPA gradients in hybrid network systems

Infinitesimal perturbation analysis (IPA) provides formulas for random gradients (derivatives) of performance measures with respect to parameters of interest, computed from sample paths of stochastic systems. In practice, IPA derivatives may be computed either from simulation runs or from empirical field data (when the formulas are nonparametric). Nonparametric IPA derivatives in fluid-flow queues have been recently derived for the loss volume and time average of buffer occupancy, with respect to buffer size, and arrival-rate or service-rate parameters. Additionally, these IPA derivatives have been shown to be unbiased in the sense that their expectation and differentiation operators commute, while their traditional discrete counterparts have long been known to be generally biased. Recent work has further shown how to map the computation of IPA derivatives from a fluid-flow queue to a compatible discrete counterpart without an appreciable loss of accuracy in performance measures. Thus, this work holds the promise of potential applications of IPA derivatives to gradient-based optimization of objective functions involving performance metrics parameterized by settable parameters in a queueing network context. This paper is an empirical study of IPA derivatives of individual queues within queueing systems which model telecommunications networks and some of their protocols. As a testbed, we used HNS (Hybrid Network Simulator) - a hybrid Java simulator of queueing networks with traffic streams subject to several telecommunications protocols. More specifically, the hybrid feature of HNS admits models with mixtures of discrete (packet) flows and continuous (fluid) flows, and collects detailed statistics and IPA derivatives for all flow types. The paper outlines the mapping of IPA derivatives from the fluid domain to the packet domain as implemented in HNS, and studies the accuracy of IPA derivatives in compatible fluid and packet queueing models, as well as the stabilization of their values in time. Our experimental results lend empirical support to the contention that IPA derivatives can be accurately computed from discrete versions by adopting a fluid-flow view. Furthermore, the long-run values of various IPA derivatives are empirically shown to stabilize quite fast. Finally, the results provide the basis and motivation for IPA applications to the optimization of telecommunications network design and to potential new open-loop protocols that take advantage of IPA information.
Differential protracted effects of morphine and ethylketocyclazocine challenges on EEG and behavior in the rat.

Abstract One group of six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats was given a series of automatically administered i.v. morphine injections over eight days. Similarly, a second group of six rats was given ethylketocyclaxocine (EKC). Control rats received chronic i.v. saline injections. Tolerance to EEG and behavioral effects of morphine and EKC was demonstrated. At 15 days morphine post-withdrawal, morphine challenges produced EEG and behavioral stupor for a mean of 5 min, followed by EEG and behavioral arousal for a mean of 131 min. In contrast, morphine challenges in saline control rats produced a biphasic EEG and behavioral response consisting of a mean of 85 min of stupor, followed by a mean of 88 min of arousal. However, at 15 days EKC post-withdrawal, EKC challenges produced a biphasic EEG and behavioral response consisting of a mean of 57 min of depression followed by a mean of 55 min of arousal; control saline rats demonstrated similar responses to EKC challenges. Similar results were obtained at one month post-withdrawal for all groups. Thus, protracted effects on EEG and behavior were evident in rats chronically treated with morphine, but not in rats chronically treated with EKC.
Atomistic investigation of the nanoparticle size and shape effects on ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes

Abstract Adding nanoparticle fillers is a potential route to enhance room temperature ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolytes. In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulation to elucidate the role of nano-scale filler size and shape on ionic conductivity. Our key conclusions are that the addition of nanofillers can affect the salt dissociation, lithium-ion mobility, and the dynamics of polymer chains. The repulsive nanofillers of different sizes appear to suppress ion-cluster formation and enhance lithium ion mobility. Smaller size nanofillers are found to be comparatively more effective in increasing the mobility of lithium ions while shape effects appear to be insignificant.
Institutions: The Earth Transformed Program

(1990). Institutions: The Earth Transformed Program. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development: Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 3-44.
Lymphoma risk in psoriasis: results of the PUVA follow-up study.

Objective To assess the risk of lymphoma in patients with psoriasis. Design Prospective cohort study that spans 30 years and a systematic review of the literature. Setting Sixteen university medical centers. Patients A total of 1380 patients with psoriasis who were initially treated with psoralen–UV-A (PUVA) from 1975 through 1976 and who underwent periodic interviews and physician examinations irrespective of their use of any treatment. Main Outcome Measure Incidence of lymphoma relative to that expected in the general US population (original primary end point of the study). Results The incidence of lymphoma in patients who received PUVA and were not exposed to high levels of methotrexate was comparable to that expected in the general population (incidence rate ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.67) but was elevated among those exposed to high levels of methotrexate (≥36 months) (incidence rate ratio, 4.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-12.06). Conclusion Unless exposed to high levels of methotrexate, the risk of lymphoma among members of the PUVA Follow-up Study was comparable to that observed in the general population.
The isolation and characterization of the methyl acceptor protein from adrenal chromaffin granules

Abstract A methyl acceptor protein (MAP), which serves as a substrate for adrenal medullary protein carboxymethylase (PCM, E.C. 2.1.1.24), has been isolated from a hypotonic lysate of adrenal chromaffin granules. The isolated MAP was shown to be distinct from the adrenal chromaffin granule protein, dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH). The properties of MAP, including its amino acid composition, were comparable to those reported for chromogranin A, a major acidic protein found in adrenal chromaffin granules.
Comparative plant responses of Puccinellia distans and Puccinellia nuttalliana to sodic versus normal soil types

Abstract In the Grande Ronde Valley of eastern Oregon, two perennial grass species within the genus Puccinellia ; Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl. (weeping alkaligrass) and Puccinellia nuttalliana Hitchc. (Nuttall's alkaligrass), are weeds that occupy distinct sodic soil patches within agriculturally productive fields. These two species were studied to determine if, under non-competitive conditions, either species exhibited attributes that could allow for the movement of populations into productive soils. Both species had high germination on either sodic or normal soil types. Yet, on both soil types, P. distans grew larger and produced up to 4 times the number of viable seed than did P. nuttalliana . Growth rates and seed production of P. nuttalliana were not affected by soil type; yet, P. distans benefited from the normal soil condition through increased biomass accumulation and seed production. While the phenological development of either species was not affected by soil type; P. distans was able to continue tiller production through out the growing season whereas P. nuttalliana ceased tiller development soon after onset of reproduction. Pucinellia distans adjusted osmotically to a much lower solute potential (−3.6 MPa) than P. nuttalliana (−2.3 MPa) under sodic soils. Under normal soil conditions, P. distans maintained a higher relative water content (80%) than P. nuttalliana (60%) at the same osmotic potential (−2.3 MPa).
Preganglionic stimulation increases the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the superior cervical ganglion by both cAMP-dependent and Ca2+-dependent protein kinases.

Electrical stimulation of the preganglionic cervical sympathetic trunk increases the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat by a nicotinic mechanism and by a noncholinergic mechanism. We have measured the incorporation of [32P]Pi into specific tryptic phosphopeptides in tyrosine hydroxylase in order to identify the protein kinases that phosphorylate this enzyme in electrically stimulated ganglia. 32P-labeled tyrosine hydroxylase was isolated from the ganglion by immunoprecipitation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was subjected to tryptic hydrolysis. Seven tryptic peptides were resolved from these hydrolysates by two-dimensional thin-layer electrophoresis and chromatography. Preganglionic stimulation (20 Hz, 5 min) increased the incorporation of 32P into four of these peptides. In the presence of cholinergic antagonists, however, electrical stimulation increased the labeling of only one phosphopeptide. From a comparison of the effects of preganglionic stimulation with the effects of agonists that activate specific protein kinases, we conclude that electrical stimulation increases the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase by both a cAMP-dependent protein kinase and a Ca2+ / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. The nicotinic component of preganglionic stimulation appears to be mediated by a Ca2+ / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, while the noncholinergic component appears to be mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Although protein kinase C can phosphorylate tyrosine hydroxylase, this kinase does not appear to participate in the stimulation-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the superior cervical ganglion.
Photoluminescence and triboluminescence of PZT materials at room temperature

Abstract Photoluminescent and triboluminescent (TrL) properties of PZT materials at room temperature were investigated for the first time in this study. Two emissions centered at 2.0eV and 3.0eV were observed, respectively, which were explained by the self-trapped behavior of the intrinsic defects. Moreover, the strong TrL was observed in the PZT film, which was associated with the oxygen vacancies since the TrL intensity of the PZT film was greatly increased after heat-treatment in a reducing atmosphere. These results make it possible for the PZT material to act as light-emission devices and optical stress sensors.
Dynamic Response-by-Response Models of Matching Behavior in Rhesus Monkeys

We studied the choice behavior of 2 monkeys in a discrete-trial task with reinforcement contingencies similar to those Herrnstein (1961) used when he described the matching law. In each session, the monkeys experienced blocks of discrete trials at different relative-reinforcer frequencies or magnitudes with unsignalled transitions between the blocks. Steady-state data following adjustment to each transition were well characterized by the generalized matching law; response ratios undermatched reinforcer frequency ratios but matched reinforcer magnitude ratios. We modelled response-by-response behavior with linear models that used past reinforcers as well as past choices to predict the monkeys' choices on each trial. We found that more recently obtained reinforcers more strongly influenced choice behavior. Perhaps surprisingly, we also found that the monkeys' actions were influenced by the pattern of their own past choices. It was necessary to incorporate both past reinforcers and past choices in order to accurately capture steady-state behavior as well as the fluctuations during block transitions and the response-by-response patterns of behavior. Our results suggest that simple reinforcement learning models must account for the effects of past choices to accurately characterize behavior in this task, and that models with these properties provide a conceptual tool for studying how both past reinforcers and past choices are integrated by the neural systems that generate behavior.
Far-infrared transmission of superconducting KxC60 films.

Far-infrared transmission measurements have been performed on normal and superconducting ${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ films on Si substrates. The films are prepared by thermal sublimation followed by in situ doping in a vacuum-tight cell. The observed peak in the ratio of the superconducting to normal transmittance near 50 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ is consistent with a distribution of superconducting gaps in the range (2--5)${\mathit{kT}}_{\mathit{c}}$.
Vortices in holomorphic line bundles over closed Kähler manifolds

We apply a modified Yang-Mills-Higgs functional to unitary bundles over closed Kahler manifolds and study the equations which govern the global minima. The solutions represent vortices in holomorphic bundles and are direct analogs of the vortices overR 2. We obtain a complete description of the moduli space of these new vortices where the bundle is of rank one. The description is in terms of a class of divisors in the base manifold. There is also a dependence on a real valued parameter which can be attributed to the compactness of the base manifold.
Self-adaptive closed constrained solution algorithms for nonlinear conduction

Self-adaptive solution algorithms are developed for nonlinear heat conduction problems encountered in analyzing materials for use in high temperature or cryogenic conditions. The nonlinear effects are noted to occur due to convection and radiation effects, as well as temperature-dependent properties of the materials. Incremental successive substitution (ISS) and Newton-Raphson (NR) procedures are treated as extrapolation schemes which have solution projections bounded by a hyperline with an externally applied thermal load vector arising from internal heat generation and boundary conditions. Closed constraints are formulated which improve the efficiency and stability of the procedures by employing closed ellipsoidal surfaces to control the size of successive iterations. Governing equations are defined for nonlinear finite element models, and comparisons are made of results using the the new method and the ISS and NR schemes for epoxy, PVC, and CuGe.
Numerical Methods for Fluid–Structure Interaction Models of Aortic Valves

In the recent years, fluid structure interaction (FSI) models of the aortic valve and root have become increasingly common for two main reasons. The medical reason is that millions of patients suffer from aortic valve disorders. The second reason is that this challenging problem combines several fields of computational mechanics. The key motive for these modeling attempts is their potential to shed light on phenomena that cannot be captured in experiments or in simplified models of solely hemodynamics or structural mechanics. The aim of this paper is to review the state-of-the-art FSI methods in general and their application to the aortic valve in particular. A brief overview of the medical background is provided. The numerical methods and appropriate assumptions are then presented with examples of previous aortic valve models, followed by a discussion of the limitation of current models and recommendations for overcoming them in future research. The methods presented in this paper could help readers to choose the modelling approach and assumptions that are most suitable for their goals.
Do trajectories of household risk in childhood moderate pubertal timing effects on substance initiation in middle school

Previous research on pubertal timing has either evaluated contextual predictors of early puberty or negative adjustment outcomes associated with off-time development, especially early maturation. In this study, we integrated these 2 lines of research by evaluating the moderating influence of early childhood household risk on associations between early puberty and 8th-grade substance use in a longitudinal sample of 1,070 participants. We determined trajectories of early childhood household risk using group-based trajectory analysis. Rates of early maturation were higher but not significantly so in groups with high household risk. Early timing was associated with higher rates of substance initiation only among individuals with a history of high household risk.
The Meta‐Problem of Change

One of the central problems in metaphysics over the last so many centuries has been the problem of change. It plays an important role in a variety of large scale metaphysical debates, in particular the philosophy of time and the metaphysics of material objects. The problem of change is not merely an end game consideration in these larger debates. It is one of the deciding points for which metaphysical view about time and objects one should adopt. Several philosophers have argued that their theory of time or objects is to be preferred since it gives us the best, if not only, solution to the problem of change.1 The problem of change is thus conceived as a problem that a metaphysical theory of time and objects has to solve. And as such it is a central problem in metaphysics. But it isn’t clear if this role of the problem of change is legitimate, since it is not at all clear what the problem of change is, and why it is a metaphysical problem. What is the problem that change gives rise to, and why is it a problem for metaphysics to solve? This question is a largely neglected one, and the answer isn’t at all clear. Many authors who discuss change as a metaphysical problem are rather vague about this. But it is well worth having a closer look at it. In particular, once it is clear what kind of problem the problem of change is, it should be clear what kind of solution one can hope for. This issue quickly goes beyond the problem of change. It leads to the question how metaphysics relates to other disciplines, and what is distinctive about it and its methods. As we will see, many other disciplines address change, and if there is metaphysical work to be done about change as well, it will have to go beyond what is already done in other fields. Thus change
End-to-end dexterous manipulation with deliberate interactive estimation

This paper presents a model based approach to autonomous dexterous manipulation, developed as part of the DARPA Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program. The developed autonomy system uses robot, object, and environment models to identify and localize objects, and well as plan and execute required manipulation tasks. Deliberate interaction with objects and the environment increases system knowledge about the combined robot and environmental state, enabling high precision tasks such as key insertion to be performed in a consistent framework. This approach has been demonstrated across a wide range of manipulation tasks, and in independent DARPA testing archived the most successfully completed tasks with the fastest average task execution of any evaluated team.
Cooling factor for magnetic refrigeration systems

AbstractThe adiabatic temperature change (ΔTad) during the magnetization process of polycrystalline gadolinium and Ni51Mn33.4In15.6 Heusler alloy is directly measured near the Curie temperature. The cooling factor (CF) is introduced as the area under the curve of adiabatic temperature change versus ambient temperature. The CF provides more representative measure of cooling performance in the operational temperature range. Selecting different temperature abscissas qualitatively changes the interpretation of the cooling performance of a magnetocaloric material. In particular, plotting ΔTad versus initial temperature gives a measurably different CF compared to that given by plotting ΔTad versus average temperature.
Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia manifesting as combined-type acute gastric volvulus: a case report and review of the literature

Acute gastric volvulus associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an unusual surgical emergency. We describe a case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with a 4-day history of abdominal pain, nonproductive retching, cough, and shortness of breath. A chest radiograph revealed a large air-fluid level in left hemithorax and the presence of intestinal loops with marked mediastinal deviation. Nasogastric decompression was unsuccessful. Via a thoracoscopic approach, the large fluid-filled stomach was percutaneously decompressed but could not be reduced. Through a left subcostal incision, a left-sided diaphragmatic defect about 4 x 5 cm was encountered. A large portion of small intestines, ascending and transverse colon, strangulated but viable stomach, and a large spleen herniated through the defect. The contents were reduced, revealing a combined gastric volvulus. Once the diaphragmatic defect was repaired primarily, there was insufficient space in the abdominal cavity to contain all the viscera reduced form the chest. Therefore, we placed an AlloDerm patch on the fascia and closed with a wound V.A.C (Kinetic Concepts Inc, San Antonio, TX). Two weeks later, the wound was definitively closed; she recovered uneventfully and was discharged home 3 days later. To our knowledge, only 26 previous cases of acute gastric volvulus complicating a congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children have been reported in the literature. Our patient represents the 27th case and the first combined type acute gastric volvulus case.
Random instances of a graph coloring problem are hard

NP-complete problems should be hard on some (may be extremely rare) instances. But on generic instances many such problems (especially related to random graphs) have been proven easy. We show the intractability of random instances of a graph coloring problem by modifying the NP-completeness theorem.
A scanning angle energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction technique for high-pressure structure studies in diamond anvil cells

A scanning angle diffraction technique with an energy-dispersive solid-state detector (SSD) and white synchrotron radiation has been developed for high-pressure structure studies in diamond anvil cells (DACs). This technique is similar to the CAESAR technique [Y. Wang, T. Uchida, R. Von Dreele, M.L. Rivers, N. Nishiyama, K. Funakoshi, A. Nozawa, and H. Kaneko, A new technique for angle-dispersive powder diffraction using an energy-dispersive setup and synchrotron radiation, J. Appl. Cryst. 37 (2004), p. 947] developed for large-volume presses, but extended to DAC applications with high spatial resolution. The main feature of the technique is the well-defined collimation in the beam path to the detector, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio significantly, compared to routine monochromatic angle-dispersive powder diffraction with area detectors. This is particularly useful and essential for low-scattering materials and for amorphous and liquid diffraction/scattering studies using DACs. Data collected fr...
Nutrient limitation in Crater Lake, Oregon

Experiments were carried out to determine what nutrient (or nutrients) was primarily responsible for limiting phytoplankton productivity in ultraoligotrophic Crater Lake. The experiments included in situ and laboratory nutrient addition bioassays utilizing the natural phytoplankton community, Selenastrum capricornutum bottle assays, photosynthetic responses, photosynthetic carbon metabolism, and response of dark uptake of 14CO2 with the addition of NH 4 + . The results suggested that a trace metal(s) or its availability was the primary factor limiting the epilimnetic phytoplankton productivity. Nitrogen was extremely low, and quickly became limiting with the addition of trace metals and a chelator. Iron is the most likely candidate as the limiting nutrient. Trace metals and nitrogen are also both important in limiting phytoplankton at 100 m, a depth where biologically mediated turnover of nutrients seems to be more important.
Petrogenesis of lunar troctolites

Models of petrogenesis for lunar troctolites are severely constrained by the high Mg(*) (greater than 88) values of the most primitive members of the Mg-rich suite. Melts derived by partial melting of olivine cumulates to the lunar magma ocean have high Mg(*) but are strongly undersaturated with respect to plagioclase. Assimilation of lunar crust cannot bring these melts to the plagioclase liquious without unduly reducing the Mg(*) values of olivine. Partial melts derived by melting a lherzolite primitive interior have higher normative plagioclase contents but require sources with Mg(*) greater than 90. More terrestrial-like Mg(*) (approximately 88) values are permitted if rising thermal plumes are capable of entraining the most Mg-rich cumulates of the magma ocean. The Mg(*) values of lunar troctolites may, therfore, reflect a hybrid source composed of primitive mantle and Mr-rich cumulates of the magma ocean. Higher Mg(*) values may also arise from the reducction of small amounts of FeO to Fe. Alternatively, the parent magmas to lunar troctolites may be impact melts of the anorthositic crust and the Mg-rich dunites cumulates of the magma ocean; the latter were brought to the upper mantle during the overturn of the unstable cumulate pile of the magma ocean.
A comparison of transmural and nontransmural acute myocardial infarction.

The records of one hundred and four patients who had enzyme curves diagnostic for acute myocardial infarction (MI) were analyzed to determine what differences, if any, existed between the clinical course of patients with transmural myocardial infarction (TMI) and patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction (NTMI). The patients were subdivided into the two groups on the basis of accepted electrocardiographic criteria. There were no significant differences in prevalence or type of arrhythmias, occurrence of cardiogenic shock, or mortality in the hospital between the two groups. Enzymes tended to be somewhat lower in those with NTMI than in those with TMI. Clinical congestive heart failure (CHF) occurred more frequently in patients with TMI than in those with NTMI. Therefore, determining by electrocardiographic criteria whether or not a MI is transmural or nontransmural does not make it possible to predict the outcome or pattern of complications in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.
The effects of ruthenium red on reactions of blowfly flight muscle mitochondria with calcium.

Abstract Ruthenium red inhibits the respiration-dependent uptake of Ca2+ by blowfly flight muscle mitochondria, notwithstanding previous findings that these mitochondria apparently do not possess a specific Ca2+ carrier in their membranes. The inhibition approaches 100%, and is found both in the presence of inorganic phosphate (which potently stimulates the uptake) and in its absence. On the other hand, ruthenium red does not interfere with the activation of the mitochondrial α-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase by Ca2+. This activation, therefore, involves Ca2+-binding sites of a special class which are insensitive to ruthenium red, in spite of their location on the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Lagrangian exploration of the California undercurrent, 1992-95

Abstract During the period 1992–95, nineteen isobaric RAFOS floats, placed in the California Undercurrent at intermediate depths (150–600 m) off Monterey and San Francisco, California, reveal a region of varying width of subsurface, poleward flow adjacent to the continental margin. The float trajectories exhibit three patterns: poleward flow in the undercurrent; reversing, but predominately alongshore, flow adjacent to the continental margin;and, farther offshore, anticyclonic motion accompanied by slow westward drift. Flow continuity of the undercurrent exists between Pt. Reyes and at least Cape Mendocino with an average speed dependent on the float depth. Speeds were variable, but common features were acceleration occurring to the south of Pt. Arena and deceleration to the north of Cape Mendocino. An important mechanism for floats, and water, to enter the ocean interior from the undercurrent is through the formation of submesoscale coherent vortices.
Mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugs: the search for synergy

Purpose of reviewThe aim is to review rational polytherapy of antiepileptic drugs in terms of conventional and novel mechanisms of action, consider combinations that might be beneficial when used as polytherapy, and discuss whether animal models can predict clinical efficacy.Recent findingsMany pati
Endoscopic appearance of the jejunum in a patient with gluten-sensitive enteropathy and a gastrojejunostomy

The jejunum in a patient with gastroenterostomy and gluten-sensitive enteropathy was examined endoscopically. The mucosa was diffusely erythematous without ulceration or friability. Valvulae conniventes were present and normal in number and appearance. Gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy were proven to be useful procedures in the evaluation of patients with postgastrectomy diarrhea and malabsorption.
Copper(I) 1,1-dithiolate cluster transformations. Synthesis of [Bu4N]6[Cu6(S,i-MNT)6], i-MNT=[S2CC(CN)2]−, from [Bu4N]4[Cu8(i-MNT)6] with sulfur. Reaction of the cyclic hexanuclear complex with phosphine to give the tetrahedral [Bu4N]4[Cu4(i-MNT)4] which oxidizes in solution to give the homocubane [Bu4N]4[Cu8(i-MNT)6] and [Bu4N]2[Cu(i-MNT)2]

Abstract The novel sulfur-rich cluster anion, [Cu6(S,i-MNT)6]6−, 2, is obtained from the reaction of the homocubane, [Cu8(i-MNT)6]4−, 1, and powdered sulfur in acetonitrile solution under basic conditions. Compound 2 crystallizes in the R bar 3 space group with a=33.519(5) A, b=33.519(5) A, c=11.748(2) A, γ=120°, and V=11431(3) A3. The molecule contains six trigonally coordinated copper atoms linked together into a 12 membered ring by the six sulfur atoms of the bridging sulfur-rich i-MNT ligands. Six CuI atoms are located at the vertices of a nearly regular hexagon. The mean distance between the two planes of alternating CuI atoms is 0.345(2) A. When 2 reacts with triphenylphosphine, a sulfur atom is removed from the disulfide containing ligands to give [Cu4(i-MNT)4]4−, isolated as the [ n B u4N]+ salt, 4. This tetranuclear species also can be synthesized directly from [Cu(CH3CN)4][PF6] and [ n B u4N]2[i-MNT] in acetonitrile. Compound 4 crystallizes in the C2/c space group with a=38.351(6) A, b=38.468(8) A, c=32.685(5) A, β=124.94(1)°, and V=39527(12) A3. The anion reveals discrete units of four copper atoms at the vertices of a distorted tetrahedron, bound to four i-MNT groups acting as “tridentate” (μ1, μ2) ligands. The cluster anion also is found as [BzEt3N][ n B u4N]3 [Cu4(i-MNT)4], 5. Compound 5 crystallizes in the C2/c space group with a=27.306(7) A, b=14.127(3) A, c=27.868(6) A, β=121.22(2)°, and V=9193(4) A3. In solution the tetranuclear species transforms with oxidation into the Cu8 homocubane, 1, and the paramagnetic anion [CuII(i-MNT)2]2−, isolated as the [ n B u4N]+ salt, 3. Spectroscopic evidence, including UV–Vis and 13 C−NMR , for the cluster transformation is presented. Compound 3 crystallizes in the P21/n space group with a=10.036(1), b=16.724(2), c=14.234(1), β=91.37(9), and V=2388(0). The anion in 3 is planar with the copper atom located on the center of symmetry. Pertinent 13 C chemical shifts (ppm) and absorption maxima (nm) with extinction coefficients in parentheses are as follows: 1, 14, 20, 24, 59, 79.8, 116.5, 197.7; 404 (ϵ=86 000 M−1 cm−1), 320 (ϵ=60 000 M−1 cm−1). 2, 14, 20, 24, 59, 61.7, 118.5, 119.5, 158; 380 (ϵ=85 000 M−1 cm−1), 350 sh (ϵ=74 000 M−1 cm−1). 3, 450 (ϵ=15 000 M−1 cm−1), 350 (ϵ=80 000 M−1 cm−1), 340 sh (ϵ=43 000 M−1 cm−1), 315 sh (ϵ=25 000 M−1 cm−1). 4, 14, 20, 24, 59, 70.8, 120, 209.5; 380 (ϵ=92 000 M−1 cm−1).
Observational learning in horses

Abstract This experiment was designed to determine if a horse could learn the location of grain by watching another horse find grain in one of two feed buckets. Both experimental and control groups contained 9 quarter horses consisting of five 2-year-old mares, two 2-year-old geldings, and two 3-year-old geldings. Two mature geldings were used as “demonstrators”. An “experimental” was a horse that could watch three times daily another horse, the “demonstrator”, choose between and eat grain from a black or white bucket, only one of which contained grain. A “control” was a horse that could watch a demonstrator in the same arena for 3 min daily when both feed buckets were removed. When the demonstrator was removed on each of 15 successive days, the experimental or control horse was given five trials to determine if it could find the feed bucket with grain. No significant difference between experimentals and controls occurred for both first and total correct choices and for time to reach the feed bucket with grain. We conclude that no observational learning occurred. This experiment was also used to determine if the identity of horses that learned rapidly by trial and error could be predicted by the time it took to reach the feed bucket with grain. Data from the last three trials of experimentals and controls were combined. Significantly less time to find feed was needed by horses with more than the median number of correct choices. Both number of correct choices and time needed to contact a feed bucket summed over the first 5 days accurately predicted the same data summed over the last 10 days. We conclude that horses that learn rapidly by trial and error make correct choices rapidly, and that these horses can by identified after 5 days of testing.
Syntheses and Characterization of Ruthenium Complexes Containing a Doubly Linked Dicyclopentadienyl Ligand and Acetonitrile Ligands

The reaction of a mixture of isomers of 4,4,8,8-tetramethyl-tetrahydro-s-indacene (1) with Ru3(CO)12 afforded cis-{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(CO)4, (2) in 68% yield. Reaction of 2 with Br2 gave cis-{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(CO)4Br2 (3) in 88% yield. Reaction of 3 with AgOTf yields cis-[{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(CO)4(μ-Br)][OTf] (4), while reaction of 3 with Me3NO and AgOTf yields cis-[{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(CO)2(MeCN)2(μ-Br)][OTf] (5). Reaction of 3 under more forcing conditions with AgOTf in MeCN gave cis-[{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(CO)2(MeCN)4][OTf]2 (6), while a MeCN/C6H6 solvent combination afforded cis-[{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(η6-C6H6)2][OTf]2 (7) in a 64% yield. Removal of the benzene ligands in 7 can be accomplished by first adding H− to the coordinated benzene ligands to afford cis-{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(η5-C6H7)2 (10). Subsequent protonation of 10 in MeCN afforded [cis-{(η5-C5H3)2(CMe2)2}Ru2(MeCN)6][OTf]2 (8) in 88% yield. Structural data for 4, 5, 7, and 10 are reported.
SOME DETERMINANTS OF EXPECTANCY OF SUCCESS

Male and female subjects in sixth-grade, tenth-grade, and college classes attempted to solve five anagrams, stating their expectancy of success prior to each anagram and their causal attributions for success and failure following each anagram; at the conclusion of the task they assessed the factors responsible for their performance. They then stated the number of simple addition problems they expected to solve in a limited time, attempted the problems, and assessed the factors responsible for their performance. The results support a model of achievement behavior derived from attribution theory and suggest that among the determinants of expectancy of success are the person's perceptions of his ability for the task and of the outcomes of previous encounters with it, as well as achievement-related social stereotypes such as sex-role stereotypes. Some possible implications of the results for remedial education are suggested.
Regression from local features for viewpoint and pose estimation

In this paper we propose a framework for learning a regression function form a set of local features in an image. The regression is learned from an embedded representation that reflects the local features and their spatial arrangement as well as enforces supervised manifold constraints on the data. We applied the approach for viewpoint estimation on a Multiview car dataset, a head pose dataset and arm posture dataset. The experimental results show that this approach has superior results (up to 67% improvement) to the state-of-the-art approaches in very challenging datasets.
AN AIR-DRIVEN ULTRACENTRIFUGE FOR MOLECULAR SEDIMENTATION

Details of construction are given for an air-driven ultracentrifuge for molecular sedimentation. This instrument, like the standard oil-driven machine of Svedberg, uses rotors giving a 6.50 cm. radius of rotation and has cameras of great depth of focus.
A numerical investigation of the effect of induced porosity on the electromechanical switching of ferroelectric ceramics

Ferroelectric ceramics have many applications ranging from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to explosively driven power supplies. In addition to chemical compositions and processing methods, porosity is an important material parameter that can affect both the electrical and mechanical responses of a ferroelectric. The main objective of the current study is to gain preliminary insight on the possible effect of porosity on the switching behavior of ferroelectrics. Numerical simulation was used to address the research objective. The numerical code used is an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian, multi-material, multi-physics finite element code developed by Sandia National Laboratories. To accomplish the research objective, a phenomenological electromechanical model developed by Landis was first implemented in the code. The effects of void density, which ranges from 0 to 11%, and shape, which includes sphere and cylinder, were then investigated through a parametric study. The study indicates that the remanent ...
Optimal selection of primary controlled variables for an acid gas removal unit as part of an IGCC plant with CO 2 capture

This work is focused on the development of a rigorous, model based approach for the selection of primary controlled variables as part of a plant-wide control system design methodology. Selected controlled variables should exhibit good self-optimizing control performance while not sacrificing controllability. The approach developed in this work for the controlled variable selection problem results in a large-scale, mixed-integer optimization problem. For solution of this problem, a parallelized, bi-directional branch and bound (BNB) algorithm has been developed so as to solve the problem on large computer clusters, taking advantage of MATLAB® Distributed Computing Server™. The proposed method is then applied to an acid gas removal (AGR) unit as part of an IGCC power plant with CO2 capture.
The changing relation between the Canadian and U.S. yield curves

Abstract The term structures of Canada and of the United States, two countries with historically interdependent economic ties, have been closely linked. We investigate the link between Canadian and U.S. yield curves and show previously strong correlations between yield curve components dissipate after Canadian monetary policy reforms in the early 1990s. We attribute the separated ties to the adoption of explicit inflation targets in 1991 and the maintenance of credibility in price stability as a central policy goal by the Bank of Canada. The effect is particularly evident in the diminished cross-country correlations of the short term bond yields. Additionally, there exists strong evidence of cointegration before the reforms, evidence which weakens after the policy change date. Lastly, the results on the term structure are shown using a vector autoregression with an endogenously determined break date for Canadian and U.S. estimates of the three-factor Nelson and Siegel (1987) yield curve model.
Outpatient second trimester pregnancy termination.

We evaluated the efficacy of initiating a second trimester medical abortion outside of a health care facility using patient self-administered serial intravaginal misoprostol. Patients scheduled for second trimester medical termination of pregnancy were randomized to an inpatient or outpatient group. Both groups received a single 200-μg vaginal misoprostol tablet every 6 h. No other abortifacients were used. The home group self-administered the misoprostol and returned to the hospital for clinical reasons or after 24 h and again at 48 h. Forty-two women were assigned to the inpatient and 45 to the outpatient groups. There was no difference between the groups in demographics or indications for terminations. The median hours from first misoprostol to delivery of the fetus was 12 and 14 (inpatient versus outpatient, respectively; p = 0.28). The total median hours in hospital were 24 versus 11 (inpatient versus outpatient, respectively; p <0.05). Two patients (4%) in the outpatient group delivered the fetus outside of the hospital. There were no cases of hemorrhage in either group. Outpatient initiation of second trimester medical termination with self-administered misoprostol is effective and decreases time of hospitalization.
Extended active optical lattice filters: filter synthesis

In this paper, we study the synthesis of asymptotically stable filters from a unit cell of a two-dimensional tunable lattice filter architecture consisting of four four-port couplers and four waveguides containing semiconductor optical amplifiers. Upper bounds on the number of gains that will produce a filter with a priori prescribed poles, for a specific system, are obtained. We also provide sufficient conditions on the reflection-type coefficients, characterizing each four-port coupler, which ensure that real-valued gains, taking values in [0,1], exist so that the filter is asymptotically stable. Finally, we motivate the notion of a transmission zero of a filter and discuss the possibility of simultaneously placing both poles and transmission zeros for the unit cell.
Doping-driven Mott transition in the one-band Hubbard model

A powerful diagrammatic impurity solver is shown to permit a systematic study of the doping-driven Mott transition in a one-band Hubbard model within the framework of single-site dynamical mean-field theory. At small dopings and large interaction strengths, we are able to access low enough temperatures that a reliable extrapolation to temperature $T=0$ may be performed, and ground state energies of insulating and metallic states may be compared. We find that the $T=0$ doping-driven transition is of second order and is characterized by an interaction-strength dependent electronic compressibility, which vanishes at the critical interaction strength of the half filled model. Over wide parameter ranges, the compressibility is substantially reduced relative to the noninteracting system. The metal-insulator transition is characterized by the appearance of in-gap states, but these are relevant only for very low dopings of less than 3%.
Skin temperature biofeedback for Raynaud's disease: a double-blind study.

The lack of control procedures inherent in most of the experiments conducted to assess the effectiveness of skin temperature biofeedback in the treatment of Raynaud's disease renders the results inconclusive. In this study, control groups and a double-blind approach are adopted. Thirty-six patients, carefully screened for a diagnosis of primary Raynaud's disease, were assigned to a skin temperature increase group (N=12), to an EMG relaxation control group (N=12), or to a notreatment control group (N=12). All patients kept records of their symptoms for the duration of the study. Each subject in the two training groups received 20 sessions, the last 2 conducted under cold stress. Data analysis according to original group assignment, as well as following regrouping of subjects according to several learning criteria, showed that while all patients reported a marked decrease in the number of vasospastic attacks, no significant differences were found among the three groups on the clinical measures used to assess symptomatic relief. The general improvement reported must therefore be attributed to nonspecific factors.