cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transesophageal Echocardiographic Identification of a Bicuspid Pulmonary Valve Associated with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries

We are reporting, for the first time, the echocardiographic identification of a bicuspid pulmonary valve associated with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.
Will the new antiseizure devices fill the gap between drugs and surgery? Treating the brain as a "black box".

Abstract An informed answer to the question Will the new antiseizure devices fill the gap between drugs and surgery? requires that the therapeutic ratio and the devices’ capacity to cost-effectively decrease disease burden globally be considered. Regarding therapeutic ratio, the answer is likely Yes, if and only if, and at a minimum, all relevant seizure variables are quantified, the spatiotemporal behavior of seizures at short and long time scales is better understood, and statistical analyses of efficacy conform to and address the multidimensional, complex nature of seizures. Regarding the capacity of devices to cost-effectively decrease disease burden globally, the answer is likely No, unless: (1) cost-effectiveness is demonstrable and maximal, which requires that devices become the sole therapy; (2) seizure comorbidities are prevented or their seriousness is reduced; (3) patients with pharmacoresistant seizures may rejoin society's mainstream; and (4) disruptive (revolutionary) conceptual and technological advances materialize.
Preserved coronary endothelial function by inhibition of δ protein kinase C in a porcine acute myocardial infarction model

Background Previous studies demonstrate impairment of endothelial-dependent vasodilation after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Though we have demonstrated that inhibition of δ protein kinase C (δPKC) at reperfusion reduces myocyte damage and improves cardiac function in a porcine acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model, impact of the selective δPKC inhibitor on epicardial coronary endothelial function remains unknown.
On the existence of sulfur superoxide and its formation in the combustion of carbon disulfide

The existence of sulfur superoxide SOO is debated upon. The isomer is reported to occur during combustion of CS2‐O2 and COS‐O2 and is apparantly responsible for the continuum absorption in the region 210 to 300 nm. Some commets are presented on SOO absorption. (AIP)
Effect of bromophenacyl bromide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, on the induction and maintenance of LTP in hippocampal slices

The effect of bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, on both the induction and the maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP) was investigated in field CA1 of the hippocampal slice preparation. One hour of BPB application (50 μM) caused a large reduction in the magnitude of LTP induced by a theta burst stimulation (TBS) paradigm. BPB had no significant effect on either the degree of paired-pulse facilitation or the amount of pre-established LTP. Furthermore, the facilitation of postsynaptic responses occuring during TBS and in the first minute following TBS was not reduced by the PLA2 inhibitor. These results indicate that the inhibition of LTP produced by BPB is not due to an effect of the drug on a physiological event that triggers LTP. The data also suggest that PLA2 activation plays a critical role in the expression of LTP, but is not required for the maintenance of the potentiation.
Bacteriological Profile and Shelflife of White Amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Our objective was to compile a bacteriological profile and determine the effect of several storage conditions on the shelflife of white amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The profile showed the presence of Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Micrococcus, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Storage studies on white amur flesh indicated 4°C and 200 μg/mL sodium hypochlorite dip were most effective against coliforms. Packaging in 100% CO2 significantly reduced aerobic bacterial growth (APC) compared to air. Freezing the flesh for 8 wk at - 18°C reduced viable APC, psychrotrophs, and coliforms. Shelflife of white amur should be increased using storage conditions evaluated.
Drill hole predation on fossil serpulid polychaetes, with new data from the Pliocene of the Netherlands

Abstract The fossil record of drill holes in shelled invertebrates is primarily focused on bivalves and gastropods as prey. This study shows by means of an examination of serpulid polychaetes from the Pliocene of Langenboom (The Netherlands) and a review of the literature that drill holes could be much more common in fossil tube-bearing serpulid polychaetes than previously known. A study on a population of 915 specimens of Ditrupa cf. arietina shows that > 18.6% and
Comparison of various oxidants for alum hematoxylin.

Oxidation of 100 mg of hematoxylm in 40 ml of a 3% solution of EAI(SO4),2. 12H2O with 20 mg iodine, 4.5 mg of NaIO3. 3.5 mg of H5IO6, 3.5 mg of NaIO4 or 9 mg KMnO4 gives equivalent results as shown by both staining and absorbance measurements Placing the prepared solutions at 55 C for 18 hours increased absorbance by 1/4 to 1/3 over those kept at room temperature. Two months after preparation, solutions initially placed at 55 C for 18 hours, with no air space in the bottle, had not increased in absorbancy. In simiiar preparations kept at room temperature the absorbance increased from initial values to that of those that had been heated. Solutions in bottles with air space also showed this increase and also had a scum on the surface and sufficient precipitate to require filtering before use.
Sequelae of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Infancy and Early Childhood Among Alaska Native Children

Objective. In 1993-1996, we conducted a nested case-control study to determine risk factors for hospitalization with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection among Alaska Native infants and young chil- dren. In the current study, we returned to former RSV case-patients and their control subjects during 1999 -2001 to determine whether children who are hospitalized with RSV at <2 years of age are more likely to develop chronic respiratory conditions. Methods. For each former RSV case-patient and con- trol subject from remote villages in southwest Alaska, we reviewed medical records, interviewed parents, per- formed physical examinations and spirometry, collected sera, and analyzed chest radiographs. Case-patients were identified through surveillance for RSV hospitalization, and matched control subjects without lower respiratory infection (LRI)-related hospitalization were identified. Results. Hospitalization for RSV infection was asso- ciated with a significant increase in wheezing, LRIs, and asthma diagnosis during the first 4 years of life. The association decreased with age and was no longer signif- icant by 5 years of age. However, hospitalization for RSV infection was associated with increased respiratory symptoms and increased chronic productive cough at 5 to 8 years of age. Children who were hospitalized with RSV were not more likely at follow-up to have allergies, ec- zema, or a positive family history of asthma. Conclusions. Severe RSV infection in infancy may produce airway injury, which is manifested in chronic productive cough with or without wheezing and recur- rent LRIs. Although the association of RSV infection with wheezing seems to be transient, children remain at higher risk for chronic productive cough at 5 to 8 years of age. RSV prevention modalities may prevent sequelae that occur early and later in childhood. Pediatrics 2003; 112:285-290; Alaska Native, respiratory syncytial virus, asthma.
The Pt—O + H2 reaction from initial steady-state potentiostatic conditions☆

Abstract H 2 reactivity with steady-state formed Pt—O is far slower and more complex than H 2 reactivity with transient formed Pt—O ad . Under steady state, dermasorbed oxygen, adsorbed sulphate ions, and the uncertainty in the types and total quantities of associated oxygen make the relationship between the concentration of oxygen and time, or potential, too complex for direct kinetic evaluation. The early, diffusion-independent, open-circuit potential decay from steady state, however, can be described using a model of two capacitive discharges. One process is a double-layer capacitance discharge plus complex adsorption/desorption effects, while the second is the chemical removal of Pt—O by reaction with H 2 .
Microarray gene expression analysis in atrophying rainbow trout muscle: a unique nonmammalian muscle degradation model

Muscle atrophy is a physiological response to diverse physiological and pathological conditions that trigger muscle deterioration through specific cellular mechanisms. Despite different signals, the biochemical changes in atrophying muscle share many common cascades. Muscle deterioration as a physiological response to the energetic demands of fish vitellogenesis represents a unique model for studying the mechanisms of muscle degradation in non-mammalian animals. A salmonid microarray, containing 16,006 cDNAs, was used to study the transcriptome response to atrophy of fast-switch muscles from gravid rainbow trout compared with sterile fish. Eighty-two unique transcripts were upregulated and 120 transcripts were downregulated in atrophying muscles. Transcripts having gene ontology identifiers were grouped according to their functions. Muscle deterioration was associated with elevated expression of genes involved in the catheptic and collagenase proteolytic pathways; the aerobic production, buffering, and utilization of ATP; and growth arrest; whereas atrophying muscle showed downregulation of genes encoding a serine proteinase inhibitor, enzymes of anaerobic respiration, muscle proteins as well as genes required for RNA and protein biosynthesis/processing. Therefore, gene transcription of the trout muscle atrophy changed in a manner similar to mammalian muscle atrophy. These changes result in an arrest of normal cell growth, protein degradation, and decreased glycolytic cellular respiration that is characteristic of the fast-switch muscle. For the first time, other changes/mechanisms unique to fish were discussed including genes associated with muscle atrophy.
Hypotension Associated with Nutritive Failure.

Summary and ConclusionsFollowing the administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate to persons with nutritive failure and hypotension, there was a prompt increase in blood pressure readings and in body weight (the increase in body weight is associated with retention of sodium in the tissues and this problem is being studied further). When the administration of this substance was discontinued, the blood pressure readings promptly returned to normal. During the first week after the administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate was begun, one patient stated that she had great symptomatic improvement; one complained of severe headaches, and she developed a “moon-faced” appearance which gradually disappeared when the injections were discontinued; the third patient noticed only swelling of the ankles. While our findings are of general interest, we do not recommend the use of desoxycorticosterone acetate as a therapeutic agent for hypertension.
Partition of energy between geostrophic and non-geostrophic oceanic motions

Abstract The present investigation re-examines the problem of the response of the ocean to a transient applied wind stress as previously treated by Rossby (1938), Cahn (1945) and Bolin (1953), but with more general conditions on the duration and strength of the applied stress. The chief interest in pursuing this aspect of the problem is to determine in some detail just how much of the energy imparted to the ocean by the wind stress is absorbed by (long) inertio-gravitational motions, and how much goes into quasi-geostrophic current motions. When momentum is added to the ocean impulsively 74 per cent of the energy goes into inertio-gravitational motions. For an addition of momentum uniformly over a 6 pendulum hour period 51 per cent of the energy is absorbed by the non-geostrophic motions. All but 11 per cent of the energy goes into the geostrophic flow when momentum is added for 12 pendulum hours. The inertio-gravitational motions are almost exclusively confined to the internal mode of behaviour of the stratified ocean. It is shown also that the partition of geostrophic energy between the internal and external modes is dependent on the horizontal scale of the flow, a result which agrees with the corrected result of a previous investigation ( Veronis and Stommel , 1955). The process of adjustment of the system is studied quantitatively. A simpler (asymptotic) solution is derived which is valid for large values of time in a region confined to the vicinity of the main stream. The accuracy of the solution and the domain of its validity are increased with increasing time.
Language learning styles: Research and practical considerations for teaching in the multicultural tertiary ESL/EFL classroom

Abstract This article focuses on language learning styles, the overall patterns that give direction to language learning behaviour. The context is the multicultural ESL/EFL classroom at the tertiary level. The authors present key definitions, assumptions, and research concerning ESL/EFL learning styles as related to culture. They provide six new case-study examples of cross-cultural style conflicts in tertiary education settings. Finally, they discuss the optimal management of teacher-student style disparities in the multicultural ESL/EFL classroom.
THE EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE (DEX) AND HYPEROXIA ON THE GLUTATHIONE (GSH) SYSTEM IN RATS. † 2065

Deficiencies in antioxidant defense mechanisms within the lungs of premature infants are generally accepted as predisposing to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Pharmacological management of premature infants often utilizes the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. Investigators have shown, however, that DEX accelerates hyperoxia-induced lung injury, a critical factor in the development of BPD. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of DEX and hyperoxia on the critical intracellular antioxidant GSH. We administered 1 mg/kg DEX or vehicle ip and immediately placed rats in>95% O2. At 0, 24, and 48 h of hyperoxia-exposure, lung, liver and plasma GSH, as well as lung and liver glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were measured. The data were analyzed by two way ANOVA to determine the effect of DEX and hyperoxia, and a modified t test when appropriate. Lung GSH increased in the hyperoxia-exposed rats independent of DEX treatment, while lung GSSG increased in both hyperoxia-exposed and DEX-treated rats. We found no differences in plasma GSH. The earlier increase in lung GSSG suggests that DEX increases the oxidant stress experienced by the lung, and that the possible deleterious effects of glucocorticoid treatment on the oxidant/antioxidant balance should be considered in infants exposed to hyperoxia.Table
Notes on nonlinear shell theory.

Nonlinear membrane shell theory and small perturbations of pressurized membrane shells, noting bending, buckling and vibration of stressed shells
Variational asymptotic homogenization of heterogeneous electromagnetoelastic materials

The variational asymptotic method is used to develop a micromechanics model for predicting the effective properties and local fields of heterogeneous electromagnetoelastic materials. Starting from the total electromagnetic enthalpy of the heterogeneous continuum, we formulate the micromechanics model as a constrained minimization problem taking advantage of the fact that the size of the microstructure is small compared to the macroscopic size of the material. To handle real microstructures in engineering applications, we implement this new model using the finite element method. A few examples are used to demonstrate the application and accuracy of this theory and the companion computer program, VAMUCH. The present results are compared with those available in the literature.
Impact of organic carbon on nitrification performance of different biofilters

Abstract Nitrification rate as a function of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration, with and without the interaction of organic matter, was investigated for three types of biofilters of laboratory scale: floating bead filter, fluidized sand filter, and submerged bio-cube filter. The performance of each type of biofilter was evaluated using a 5-reactor series with synthetic solutions containing different carbon/nitrogen ratios (C/N = 0, 0.5, and 2.0). The tests were run at representative cool water aquaculture system temperatures of 15 and 20 °C. The experimental results showed, within the lower total ammonia concentration range, a first-order nitrification rate with a highly linear regression for all three types of biofilters without the interaction of organic carbon at both test temperatures. However, with the addition of organic carbon, the nitrification rate of all three types of biofilters decreased exponentially. The reduction of nitrification rates of the biofilters was about 60–70% for a substrate concentration of 10 mg TAN l−1 when the COD/N ratio increased from 0 to 3. The temperature impact on biofilter nitrification rate was not significant under the two temperatures tested. The results of this study provide useful information for nitrification biofilter design of cool and cold water applications.
Bile salts and bioelectric properties of rat jejunum.

Addition of conjugated bile salts increased transmural- and transserosal-potential, differences of sheets of rat jejunum. Removal of Cl− from buffer solutions minimized the bilesalt induced bioelectric changes. Bile-salt induced doubling of tissue resistance was not explained by an observed increase in net Cl− serosa → mucosa flux. Electrical effects were unrelated to concentration and were observed only when bile-salt solutions perfused the jejunal mucosa. The molecular events associated with bile-salt interactions with the plasma membrane affecting ion fluxes may relate to their unique effects on sterol absorption.
Reducing Residual Risk in Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) spans the human lifespan, including primordial, primary, and secondary prevention efforts. Extensive evidence from epidemiological, genetic, and animal studies confirms the central importance of elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) in atherosclerotic CVD events.1 The Cholesterol Treatment Trialists Collaboration provides per-person documentation from large-scale randomized clinical trials of the striking reduction in CVD events per 1 mmol (38.8 mg/dL) of LDL-C lowering with statins over a wide range of baseline LDL-C values.2,3 It is worth recalling that the major statin trials were not designed to determine the effectiveness of titration to LDL-C or even to non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals by statins but were fixed-dose comparisons of various statins against placebo and then, more recently, large-dose statin therapy versus moderate-dose statin therapy. What is not so clear is whether we can intervene to reduce so-called residual risk further in secondary prevention patients optimally treated with statin therapy. A promising short list of proposed potential targets other than LDL includes efforts to promote smoking cessation and therapies to improve the prothrombotic and inflammatory state of the metabolic syndrome and to control elevated blood pressure.4 Article see p 1979 The article by Mora et al5 in this issue of Circulation is helpful in shedding light on this unresolved but important clinical problem. The investigators used data from a large-scale clinical trial of secondary prevention patients called Treating to New Targets (TNT). They evaluated risk factors for recurrent CVD events in those treated with intensive statin therapy (atorvastatin 80 mg/d) to address the challenges inherent in further risk reduction for those who had major cardiovascular events despite high-dose (atorvastatin 80 mg/d) statin therapy. The trial design of TNT included enrollment of participants with chronic coronary artery …
Octagonal quasicrystal tilings

Abstract Octagonal quasicrystal tilings belonging to four different local isomorphism (LI) classes are generated by taking the duals of selected quasiperiodic tetragrids. The four classes produced may be divided into two pairs. Either member of each pair may be decomposed (inflated or deflated) to reproduce the other member of the pair, and, of course, itself. One of the members of each pair consists of squares and rhombs, while the other is derived from a singular tetragrid and thus consists of octagons and hexagons as well. Each member of the first pair not only admits a single infinite 8-fold tiling, but also an infinite cartwheel tiling. Each member of the other pair admits two different 8-fold tilings and, in addition, an infinite 4-fold tiling. Contrary to the published square/rhomb LI class of the first pair, the square/rhomb LI class of the second pair is somewhat more complex in that it contains two inequivalent tiles of each type.
Effect of particle size on lead absorption from the gut.

Abstract The relationship between particle size and absorption of lead particles from the gastrointestinal tract of the rat has been investigated. Preparations of metallic lead of particle size between 0 and 250μ were incorporated in laboratory rat diets and absorption determined by measurement of tissue lead concentrations attained under standard conditions. An inverse relationship was found between particle size and lead absorption; this relationship was most marked in the 0 to 1001μ range. A five-fold enhancement of absorption was observed from the diet with lead particles of mean size 6μ, compared with 197μ particle size. Lead absorption from dried paint films containing lead chromate and lead octoate was measured using a similar technique. A marked enhancement of absorption was observed for both paints when particle size was reduced from 500 to 1,000 μ to < 50μ.
Regulation of replication protein A functions in DNA mismatch repair by phosphorylation

Replication protein A (RPA) is involved in multiple stages of DNA mismatch repair (MMR); however, the modulation of its functions between different stages is unknown. We show here that phosphorylation likely modulates RPA functions during MMR. Unphosphorylated RPA initially binds to nicked heteroduplex DNA to facilitate assembly of the MMR initiation complex. The unphosphorylated protein preferentially stimulates mismatch-provoked excision, possibly by cooperatively binding to the resultant single-stranded DNA gap. The DNA-bound RPA begins to be phosphorylated after extensive excision, resulting in severalfold reduction in the DNA binding affinity of RPA. Thus, during the phase of repair DNA synthesis, the phosphorylated RPA readily disassociates from DNA, making the DNA template available for DNA polymerase δ-catalyzed resynthesis. These observations support a model of how phosphorylation alters the DNA binding affinity of RPA to fulfill its differential requirement at the various stages of MMR.
Ethnography's warrants

“Assuming your argument is empirically sound, so what?” Ethnographers are especially vulnerable to this question because their warrants are commonly diffused throughout their texts, because they aim to describe what is obvious to their subjects, and because such rude questions usually are raised only silently. Perhaps the most common warrant for ethnography is a claim that social forces have created a moralized ignorance that separates research subjects and the research audience. The author discusses several dilemmas that plague ethnographers when they attempt to bridge the gap, and then he describes the strategy of naturalistic ethnography. Last, he briefly addresses a broader range of warrants, identifying five additional, frequently used, complementary justifications for ethnographic studies.
The Spiritual Side of the Ethics Crisis

The article discusses the failure of the current positivistic and materialist business ethics paradigms to adequately deal with the enormity of the contemporary business ethics crisis. Citing behavioural research into the linkage between beliefs, values and behaviour, the author suggests spiritual renewal as a solution based on the ‘fallenness’ of mankind and the reality of human evil. The concept of faith, obedience and the resulting ‘kingdom consciousness’ (May and Whittington 2003) is explored as a basis for spiritual renewal leading to behavioural change. The process of renewal is depicted as a synergistic, mutually supportive relationship between faith and action.
Invasive Fishes Generate Biogeochemical Hotspots in a Nutrient-Limited System

Fishes can play important functional roles in the nutrient dynamics of freshwater systems. Aggregating fishes have the potential to generate areas of increased biogeochemical activity, or hotspots, in streams and rivers. Many of the studies documenting the functional role of fishes in nutrient dynamics have focused on native fish species; however, introduced fishes may restructure nutrient storage and cycling freshwater systems as they can attain high population densities in novel environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a non-native catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) on nitrogen and phosphorus remineralization and estimate whether large aggregations of these fish generate measurable biogeochemical hotspots within nutrient-limited ecosystems. Loricariids formed large aggregations during daylight hours and dispersed throughout the stream during evening hours to graze benthic habitats. Excretion rates of phosphorus were twice as great during nighttime hours when fishes were actively feeding; however, there was no diel pattern in nitrogen excretion rates. Our results indicate that spatially heterogeneous aggregations of loricariids can significantly elevate dissolved nutrient concentrations via excretion relative to ambient nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations during daylight hours, creating biogeochemical hotspots and potentially altering nutrient dynamics in invaded systems.
Lexical ambiguity and information retrieval

Lexical ambiguity is a pervasive problem in natural language processing. However, little quantitative information is available about the extent of the problem or about the impact that it has on information retrieval systems. We report on an analysis of lexical ambiguity in information retrieval test collections and on experiments to determine the utility of word meanings for separating relevant from nonrelevant documents. The experiments show that there is considerable ambiguity even in a specialized database. Word senses provide a significant separation between relevant and nonrelevant documents, but several factors contribute to determining whether disambiguation will make an improvement in performance. For example, resolving lexical ambiguity was found to have little impact on retrieval effectiveness for documents that have many words in common with the query. Other uses of word sense disambiguation in an information retrieval context are discussed.
Interface effect on mn-containing self-formed barrier formation with extreme low-k dielectric integration

The combination of self-formed barrier (SFB) and extreme low-k (ELK) dielectric is an attractive candidate for interconnect integration beyond 28nm-node regarding to low RC delay and Cu filling. Attempt is made to understand the formation mechanism of SFB through combinations with various ELK dielectrics in this study. In terms of wiring and dielectric reliabilities, the combination of Mn x O y SFB and ELK with the lowest k value in this study could have the best reliability results if a suitable patterning approach is selected. Furthermore, the property requirements for interface on which SFB will form are studied by an additional thin CVD dielectric liner deposited on the patterned ELK dual-damascene structure. It is found that the suitable interface for SFB formation with high corrosion resistance and robust electro-migration (EM) performance would need higher carbon content and the existence of nitrogen.
Recruitment of minority and underserved populations in the United States: the Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities experience.

Objective The recruitment of minority and underserved individuals to research studies is often problematic. The purpose of this study was to describe the recruitment experiences of projects that actively recruited minority and underserved populations as part of The Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) initiative.
Hybrid FDTD/AUTOCAD® method for the analysis of BOR horns and reflectors

Horns and reflector antennas, which are bodies of revolution (BORs), find widespread use in the areas of communication and radar systems. In this work, we present a highly efficient, BOR finite-difference time-domain (BOR/FDTD) technique for the analysis of these antennas. This approach allows us to employ a 2D finite-difference lattice that projects a 3D Yee cell in the cylindrical coordinates (ρ, ϕ, z) onto the (ρ, z) plane, and substantially reduces the computational burden in the process. To analyze arbitrary BOR geometries, we develop a mesh generator that uses the commercial design tool AutoCAD® to systematically generate the geometrical and material input files for the BOR/FDTD solver. We also apply a near-to-far-field transformation, based on a line integral along a contour of equivalent electric and magnetic currents, to evaluate the radiation patterns of these antennas in a highly efficient manner. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 236–243, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10881
Direct geologic evidence for oceanic detachment faulting: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 15°45′N: Comment and Reply COMMENT

[MacLeod et al. (2002)][1] made a strong case that subhorizontal corrugated surfaces adjacent to the slowly spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 15°45′N are exhumed fault surfaces that have been uncovered by normal faulting associated with oceanic-lithosphere divergence (see also [Cann et al., 1997
A virtual environment architecture

Part of MITRE's charter as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) is to objectively evaluate and compare current technologies, and to recommend courses of action for numerous government programs. As such, the authors have been involved in assessing workstation, graphics, and user interface technology. They are currently developing a virtual environment architecture (VEA), to be used as a foundation for several prototype applications. >
Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Man? Is the Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor to Blame or to Thank?

In Pygmalion , Henry Higgins asked, “Why can’t a woman be more like a man?” But when it comes to hypertension, Henry actually should have asked, “Why can’t a man be more like a woman?” Women have lower blood pressure (BP) and a lower incidence of hypertension than aged-matched men through much of their lives.1 We need to understand why, because a better understanding of what protects the female from this potentially devastating disease ultimately could lead to new therapeutic treatments for both men and women. According to the American Heart Association, hypertension is a disease that afflicts >73 million people and kills >50 000 people per year in the United States alone. Uncontrolled hypertension leads to heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure. Surprisingly, we still do not know the cause of essential hypertension, although it accounts for >90% of all cases of hypertension. In this issue of Hypertension , using a model of angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced hypertension, Sampson et al1 suggest that the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) provides a major clue for solving the mystery of sex differences in hypertension. Ang II infusion is a widely used experimental model of hypertension, because inhibitors of Ang II synthesis and action have been very effective clinically to treat hypertension. In fact, most hypertensive patients respond to Ang II synthesis inhibitors and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers, indicating that essential hypertension is primarily Ang II dependent. Thus, the mechanisms uncovered in this experimental model are likely to be clinically relevant. At high doses, Ang II (400 to 800 ng/kg per minute) can elicit a “rapid direct pressor” response in a matter of hours. At low doses, Ang II (100 to 200 ng/kg per minute) increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) gradually over …
System justification, work ethic, and just-world beliefs: A motivated reasoning perspective

This document summarizes my program of research that utilized a motivated reasoning perspective to examine factors that contribute to prejudice, discrimination and victim blame. After briefly introducing the work, I start with a review of motivated reasoning, and in particular system justification theory, as a theoretical backdrop with which to examine work ethic and just-world beliefs. Study 1 examined the effects of individual differences in endorsement of work ethic, applicant race, and resume quality on thoughts, impressions, and support for hiring in response to an individual applying for a job. Results indicated that when participants high in work-ethic beliefs were presented with an applicant whose resume quality was low and who was also Black, they were motivated to use the resume quality information as an additional piece of evidence to justify disadvantaged group status. Studies 2 and 3 examined the role of an applicant’s sexual orientation, source of infection, and participants’ beliefs regarding whether sexual orientation as a choice in predicting support for admittance to a free prescription drug coverage program for individuals with HIV/AIDS. These studies found that when infection was uncontrollable, participants who believe that sexual orientation is a choice were less likely to support admittance for the gay (vs. heterosexual) applicant. In other words, these participants appear to have used the sexual orientation of the gay applicant as a way to explain infection (when infection was uncontrollable), thereby reducing the threat to their just world beliefs and justifying the system where gay men are a disadvantaged group. Study 3 also examined motivation to control prejudice as a competing motive that overrode these effects. Finally, Studies 4 and 5 examined individual differences in endorsement of just-world beliefs as a moderator of the effect of
Phonons and Their Coupling to Magnons in n =2 Ruddlesden-Popper Compounds

The number of absorption and Raman optical modes for each Wyckoff orbit in the high-temperature tetragonal (I4/mmm) parent lattice of the Ruddlesden-Popper compounds Ca$_3$X$_2$O$_7$, with X=Mn or X=Ti is given. We analyze the effect of sequential perturbations which lower the symmetry to Cmcm and Cmc2$_1$ and finally include magnetic ordering. We determine the power law behavior (within mean field theory) for the cross section for photon absorption and Raman scattering of modes which appear as the symmetry is successively lowered. In the Cmc2$_1$ phase we give a symmetry analysis to discuss the magnon-phonon coupling which in other systems gives rise to "electromagnons." From our results we suggest several experiments to clarify the phase diagram and other properties of these systems.
Prediction of body weight from body measurements in grass cutters

In order to predict the body weight of grass cutters from linear body measurements, the weights and measurements of 50 intensively managed female grass cutters aged 5 months were fitted into linear, quadratic and cubic regression models. Highly significant (p < 0.01) R 2 values ranging from 74 to 98 % were obtained indicating that all body measurements were good predictors of body weight. Although quadratic and cubic models gave slightly higher R 2 values than linear models, it is recommended that farmers should use a simple linear equation based on tail length or heart girth to predict the body weight of their grass cutters. The recommended equations are (weight in kg) = 0.47 + 0.08 (tail length in cm) and (weight in kg) = 0.32 + 0.07 (heart girth in cm).
Effects of position quantization and sampling rate on virtual-wall passivity

The "virtual wall" is the most common building block used in constructing haptic virtual environments. A virtual wall is typically based on a simple spring model, with unilateral constraints that allow the user to make and break contact with a surface. There are a number of factors (sample-and-hold, device dynamics, sensor quantization, etc.) that cause virtual walls to demonstrate active (nonpassive) behavior, destroying the illusion of reality. In this paper, we find an explicit upper bound on virtual wall stiffness that is a necessary and sufficient condition for virtual wall passivity. We consider a haptic display that can be modeled as a mass with Coulomb-plus-viscous friction, being acted upon by two external forces: an actuator and a human user. The system is equipped with only one sensor, an optical encoder measuring the position of the mass. We explicitly model the effects of position resolution, which has not been done in previous work. We make no assumptions about the human user, and we consider arbitrary constant sampling rates. The main result of our analysis is a necessary and sufficient condition for passivity that relies on the Coulomb friction in the haptic device, as well as the encoder resolution. We experimentally verify our results with a one-degree-of-freedom haptic display, and find that the system can display nonpassive behavior in two decoupled modes that are predicted by the necessary and sufficient condition. One mode represents instability, while the other mode results in active tactile sensations.
Version 6 of the consensus yeast metabolic network refines biochemical coverage and improves model performance

Updates to maintain a state-of-the art reconstruction of the yeast metabolic network are essential to reflect our understanding of yeast metabolism and functional organization, to eliminate any inaccuracies identified in earlier iterations, to improve predictive accuracy and to continue to expand into novel subsystems to extend the comprehensiveness of the model. Here, we present version 6 of the consensus yeast metabolic network (Yeast 6) as an update to the community effort to computationally reconstruct the genome-scale metabolic network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288c. Yeast 6 comprises 1458 metabolites participating in 1888 reactions, which are annotated with 900 yeast genes encoding the catalyzing enzymes. Compared with Yeast 5, Yeast 6 demonstrates improved sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for predicting gene essentiality in glucose-limited aerobic conditions when analyzed with flux balance analysis. Additionally, Yeast 6 improves the accuracy of predicting the likelihood that a mutation will cause auxotrophy. The network reconstruction is available as a Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) file enriched with Minimium Information Requested in the Annotation of Biochemical Models (MIRIAM)-compliant annotations. Small- and macromolecules in the network are referenced to authoritative databases such as Uniprot or ChEBI. Molecules and reactions are also annotated with appropriate publications that contain supporting evidence. Yeast 6 is freely available at http://yeast.sf.net/ as three separate SBML files: a model using the SBML level 3 Flux Balance Constraint package, a model compatible with the MATLAB® COBRA Toolbox for backward compatibility and a reconstruction containing only reactions for which there is experimental evidence (without the non-biological reactions necessary for simulating growth). Database URL: http://yeast.sf.net/
Suicidality and Its Relationship to Treatment Outcome in Depressed Adolescents

This study investigates the impact of suicidality on treatment outcome in 107 depressed adolescents who participated in a clinical trial, and received either cognitive-behavioral (CBT), systemic-behavioral-family (SBFT), or non-directive-supportive therapy (NST). Suicidal depressed adolescents had a higher dropout rate and were more likely to be depressed at the end of treatment, in large part due to the particularly poor response of suicidal patients to NST. The relationship between suicidality and treatment response was mediated by severity of depression and hopelessness at intake. Hopelessness should be specifically targeted early in treatment. Suicidal depressed adolescents should not receive NST but a specific treatment like CBT.
ON THE EFFECT OFWORD ERROR RATE ON AUTOMATED QUALITY MONITORING

This paper studies the effect of word-error-rate (WER) on an automated quality monitoring application for call centers. The system consists of a speech recognition module and a call ranking module. The call ranking module combines direct question answering with a maximum-entropy classifier to automatically monitor the calls that enter a call center, and label them as "good" or "bad". We find that, in the monitoring regime where only a small fraction of the calls are monitored, we achieve 80% precision and 50% recall in classifying whether a call belongs to the bottom 20%. Additionally, the correlation between human and computer-generated scores turns out to be highly sensitive to word error rate.
Effects of Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation on Brain Glucose Metabolism

Echo planar imaging (EPI), the gold standard technique for functional MRI (fMRI), is based on fast magnetic field gradient switching. These time-varying magnetic fields induce electric (E) fields in the brain that could influence neuronal activity; but this has not been tested. Here we assessed the effects of EPI on brain glucose metabolism (marker of brain function) using PET and 18F 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)FDG). Fifteen healthy subjects were in a 4 T magnet during the (18)FDG uptake period twice: with (ON) and without (OFF) EPI gradients pulses along the z-axis (G(z): 23 mT/m; 250 mus rise-time; 920 Hz). The E-field from these EPI pulses is non-homogeneous, increasing linearly from the gradient's isocenter (radial and z directions), which allowed us to assess the correlation between local strength of the E-field and the regional metabolic differences between ON and OFF sessions. Metabolic images were normalized to metabolic activity in the plane positioned at the gradient's isocenter where E=0 for both ON and OFF conditions. Statistical parametric analyses used to identify regions that differed between ON versus OFF (p<0.05, corrected) showed that the relative metabolism was lower in areas at the poles of the brain (inferior occipital and frontal and superior parietal cortices) for ON than for OFF, which was also documented with individual region of interest analysis. Moreover the magnitude of the metabolic decrements was significantly correlated with the estimated strength of E (r=0.68, p<0.0001); the stronger the E-field the larger the decreases. However, we did not detect differences between ON versus OFF conditions on mood ratings nor on absolute whole brain metabolism. This data provides preliminary evidence that EPI sequences may affect neuronal activity and merits further investigation.
Insulin resistance and ischemic myocardial injury post-percutaneous coronary interventions.

The paper by Uetani et al. ([1][1]) in this issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions reports that a greater degree of insulin resistance is associated with worse short-term and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in Japanese patients who underwent elective percutaneous coronary
Rapid combinatorial screening of inkjet-printed alkyl-ammonium cations in perovskite solar cells

Abstract Herein we demonstrate that efficient perovskite solar cells can be fabricated by a desktop multi-channel inkjet printer. In this approach, different alkyl-ammonium counterions were loaded separately into the printer cartridges and deposited onto PbI2 coated substrates. Structural as well as electronic properties of perovskite solar cells can be tuned by varying the composition ratio of multiple cations in-situ through the RGB color codes of the multi-channel inkjet printer. This roll-to-roll compatible technique provides rapid and facile screening of multiple and mixed counterion perovskite solar cell systems with high reproducibility, potentially leading to possibilities of high-throughput screening technique in future perovskite solar cell fabrication.
Cost-utility of treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a Markov state-transition decision analysis model.

Background and Objective: Clinicians must choose between an increasing number of medications for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with different routes of administration, adverse effects, costs and efficacies. We constructed a decision analysis to help inform treatment choices in PAH. Methods: We created a Markov-type model to evaluate 1-year treatment with bosentan, treprostinil, epoprostenol, inhaled iloprost, sildenafil, sitaxentan and ambrisentan. Transition probabilities were based on observed transitions between WHO functional classes, adjusted by relative risk of improvement in a 6-minute walk test. Utilities were based on reported values for each functional class, adjusted for burden of treatment administration. Costs were estimated from Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement data. Sensitivity analyses evaluated changes in efficacy, utilities and costs. Results: Treatment with sildenafil was less costly and resulted in a greater gain in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with other treatments. Treatment with ambrisentan and bosentan resulted in the same gain in QALYs as sildenafil, but at a higher cost. Sensitivity analyses had minimal impact on these results. Conclusions: Based on this model, sildenafil is a cost-effective treatment for PAH with a low price and a net increase in QALYs. The results from this analysis are a tool to help guide clinicians in deciding which PAH medications to use; however, the final decisions should be individualized because the effectiveness of therapy, resulting utilities and acceptable costs will differ with each patient.
Single-electrode He microplasma jets driven by nanosecond voltage pulses

Excited by 5 ns, 8 kV voltage pulses, a 260 μm-diameter, 8 mm long helium plasma jet was generated with a single-electrode configuration in ambient air. Application of fast high voltage pulses (≥1012 V s−1) resulted in rapid acceleration of the microplasma plumes; within 5 ns the plume velocity reached 8 × 105 m/s, almost three times higher than that of the plasma jet generated with the pulsed voltage of the same amplitude but with a lower increase rate (1011 V s−1). Importantly, the ultrashort electric pulses were able to efficiently deposit energy in the plasma during the initiation process, which may be responsible for the rapid acceleration of the ionization wavefronts during the streamer onset, as well as efficient production of reactive plasma species including O(5P) and N2+(B2Σu+) via electron-induced processes. Emission spectral comparison between the plasma jets excited with 5 ns voltage pulses and with 140 ns voltage pulses showed enhanced O(5P) and N2+(B2Σu+) emission by the shorter pulses than the longer ones, while the vibrational and rotational temperature for both plasma jets are at 3000 K and 300 K, respectively.
Other PDEs of Mathematical Physics

Chapter 12 discussed one of the most important PDEs of mathematical physics, Laplace’s equation. The techniques used in solving Laplace’s equation apply to all PDEs encountered in introductory physics. Since we have already spent a considerable amount of time on these techniques, we shall simply provide some illustrative examples of solving other PDEs.
Humanistic Inquiry in Marketing Research: Philosophy, Method, and Criteria:

As the conception of what marketing is has evolved, so must the methods of inquiry also evolve. Marketing now is viewed as a socially constructed enterprise. Thus, what is needed are inputs from th...