cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Efficiency of a Wavelet Transformation Approach to Prospective Monitoring

We prospectively monitor a stochastic process x1, x2, … in an effort to detect quickly some statistical change to the process mean. Initially, the process is monitored with a classic control chart equipped with statistical control limits indicating the process is in control or signaling an alarm sometime after a statistical change occurs. Once the alarm signals, we would then like to ‘look back’ and determine at which point the process changed. To this end, we apply and compare three change-point detection methods under a variety of different assumptions. In particular, two classic methods of Bayesian and maximum likelihood estimation change-point detection are compared with a technique that first applies the discrete wavelet transform to the series and then applies Bayesian methods directly to the wavelet details. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Network security and data integrity in academia: an assessment and a proposal for large-scale archiving

A direct impediment to the optimal use of online databases is the increasing prevalence, severity, and toll of computer and network security incidents. Funding agencies should set up working groups that can provide essential services such as universal backup, archival storage, and mirroring of community resources, consistent with the key goal of security in academia: to preserve data and results for posterity.
2015 Guidelines on Treatment of Hypertension in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Patients with coronary artery disease should have intensive treatment of modifiable coronary risk factors. Dietary sodium should be decreased. Hypertension should be treated with beta blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Long-acting nitrates are effective antianginal and antiischemic medications. Calcium channel blockers may be added if angina pectoris persists despite beta blockers and long-acting nitrates. The American Heart Association/American Society of Cardiology 2015 guidelines recommend a target blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg in patients with coronary artery disease and with an acute coronary syndrome if they are aged 80 years and younger but below 150 mm Hg if they are ≥80 years of age. Octogenarians should be checked for orthostatic changes with standing, and a a systolic blood pressure below 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure below 65 mm Hg must be avoided. Caution is advised in lowering the diastolic blood pressure below 60 mm Hg in diabetics or in patients older than 60 years of age. In addition to the beta blockers carvedilol, metoprolol CR/XL, and bisoprolol, patients with hypertension and heart failure should be treated with diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and patients with persistent severe symptoms with aldosterone antagonists if not contraindicated.
Robotic radical prostatectomy in overweight and obese patients: oncological and validated-functional outcomes.

Objectives To determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on perioperative functional and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) when stratified by BMI. Methods Data were collected prospectively for 945 consecutive patients undergoing RLRP. Patients were evaluated with the UCLA-PCI-SF36v2 validated-quality-of-life questionnaire preoperatively and postoperatively to 24 months. Patients were stratified by BMI as normal weight (BMI Results Preoperatively, obese men had a significantly greater percentage of medical comorbidities (P Conclusions In this series, obese men experienced a longer operative time, particularly during the initial robotic experience. As such, surgeons early in their RLRP learning curve should proceed cautiously with surgery in these technically more difficult patients or reserve such cases until the learning curve has been surmounted. These details, including inferior urinary and sexual outcomes, should be discussed with obese patients during preoperative counseling.
Brain rhythms: enhancing memories.

Summary A new study shows that different processes are responsible for maintaining relevant and suppressing irrelevant information. By promoting the suppression of irrelevant information, memories may be enhanced.
Fourier‐Motzkin elimination method in MOLP problems

This paper introduces a method for finding the non-dominated set in criterion space of an MOLP problem based on Fourier–Motzkin Elimination. The method incorporates a procedure that eliminates decision variables from constraints and transforms a feasible region from decision space to criterion space. While avoiding characterization of the efficient set in decision space, it finds the non-dominated set in criterion space. After the decision maker's most preferred criterion vector has been identified, the corresponding efficient solutions can be found by backward substitution. The method was implemented in MATLAB using a tabular form and computational experiments were conducted. The results indicate that although the method performs well for relatively small problems, it can be computationally intensive for larger problems. Nonetheless, the method is intuitively appealing and it provides useful insights into the geometry and theory of MOLP. As such it makes it a valuable educational tool for students of multi-criteria decision analysis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Baseline characteristics predictive of malignancy among patients presenting with lymphadenopathy: A cancer center experience

Context: Patients who present to tertiary cancer centers solely with radiologic evidence of lymphadenopathy often are diagnosed with malignancy, but it is unclear which baseline characteristics are predictive of a cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective data review to determine baseline characteristics predictive of a cancer diagnosis and the optimal follow-up time for such patients. Results: Sixty-six adult patients with lymphadenopathy were evaluated. Thirty-six patients (55%) were diagnosed with cancer; the most common type was lymphoma. Cancer was diagnosed in 94%, 79%, and 70% of patients with supraclavicular, retroperitoneal, and abdominal lymphadenopathy, respectively. Increasing age and hypertension were associated with a cancer diagnosis in the multivariate analysis. The mean time to diagnosis was 15 days (range, 1-140 days). The average follow-up time was 18 months in patients without a cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients presenting solely with lymphadenopathy at a cancer center have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer if they are at least 50 years old or have hypertension. Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy is highly associated with a malignant diagnosis. We suggest that patients presenting solely with lymphadenopathy should be followed-up for at least 6 months for a definitive diagnosis.
Third-generation GFP biosensors for real-time readout of pH and redox potential in living cells

Green fluorescent protein variants have been developed that report real-time change in pH and redox potential in living cells. The variants involve cysteine substitutions near the chromophore, which greatly alter the sensitivity of the protein to changes in its environment. Measurements can be made on single living cells in the fluorescence microscope or in cell suspension with an ordinary fluorimeter. The indicators are ratiometric by emission and/or excitation, which means that measurements at two different wavelengths are sufficient to determine both the quantity being measured and the indicator GFP concentration. The photophysics of a novel blue/green dual emission GFP variant will be presented. The design principles, crystal structures and ultrafast spectroscopic analysis of probe response will be discussed in terms of atomic models involving excited state proton transfer. Some applications in living cells will be presented.
“N” transcription antitermination proteins of bacteriophages λ, φ21 and P22

Comparison is made among the amino acid sequences of three transcription antitermination proteins, based upon the DNA sequences of their genes in bacteriophages λ, φ21 and P22. The three proteins are all small (about 100 amino acids), hydrophilic and basic, but otherwise show little homology. A basic region near the amino terminus has several amino acid positions common to all three proteins and is the locus of mutations that alter six different amino acid positions inactivating the λ N protein. A less basic region near the center is the locus of three mutations affecting the interaction of λ N with host nusA protein. The N gene of φ21 has an amino terminus more like that of P22, and a carboxy terminus clearly related to that of λ.
Desipramine-induced increase in norepinephrine transporter mRNA is not mediated via α2 receptors

In situ hybridization for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) was performed in rats receiving short-term (2 days) treatment with either an alpha-2 (alpha 2) receptor agonist (clonidine) or antagonist (yohimbine) followed by saline or desipramine (DMI). The 'saline' group received intraperitoneal injections of either clonidine, yohimbine or saline followed by an injection of saline. The 'DMI' group received intraperitoneal injections of either clonidine, yohimbine or saline followed by an injection of DMI. Dosages given were clonidine (0.10 mg/kg), yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg) and DMI (10 mg/kg). In the 'saline' group, the clonidine/saline animals had significantly less NET mRNA expression compared to the saline/saline animals. In the 'DMI' group an attentuation of the DMI-induced increase in NET mRNA was observed in the clonidine/DMI animals compared to the saline/DMI animals. In both treatment groups, administration of yohimbine did not alter the expression of NET mRNA compared to the appropriate control animals. These findings suggest that the DMI-induced increase in NET mRNA is not mediated via alpha 2 receptors for, although clonidine attenuates DMI's effect, there is no reciprocal enhancement with the alpha 2 antagonist yohimbine. Clonidine's attenuation of DMI's effect may occur via the imidazole receptor as clonidine is an agonist at the imidazole receptor but yohimbine has no known activity at it. Additional studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of the DMI-induced increase in NET mRNA and to correlate changes in NET mRNA with transporter expression at the synaptic membrane.
Neonatal hyperthyroidism in mice has different effects on epidermal growth factor levels in submandibular gland, urine, and blood.

Neonatal Hyperthyroidism in Mice Has Different Effects on Epidermal Growth Factor Levels in Submandibular Gland, Urine, and Blood
Increasing cardiac rate by measurement of right ventricular temperature.

Un stimulateur qui augments sa Frequence en fonction de l'exercice permet au patient d'ameliorer son etat de bien-etre. Les capteurs pourraient utiliser la frequence auriculaire, l'espace QT, le pH, la saturation d'oxygene du sang veineux, la frequence ventilatoire, le debit cardiaque, les mouvements du corps et la temperature sanguine. Afin de determiner l'efficacite de la reconnaissance de l'exercice par utilisant la temperature du sang du ventricule droit, un stimulateur experimental a ete developpe et evalue chez le chien. Un algorithme a ete incorpore dans un stimulateur VVI comportant un microprocesseur, qui pourrait detecter l'exercice et le repos a partir de la temperature sanguine Deux frequences de stimulation etaient done possibles pour ameliorer le debit cardiaque. Des etudes sont en cours peur demontrer la fisabilite d'un tel systeme chez l'homme. A pacemaker that increases pacing rate in response to exercise enables the pacemaker patient to improve his state of well-being. Possible sensors include atrial rate, Q-T interval, pH, venous oxygen saturation, respiratory rote, cardiac output, body motion, and blood temperature. To determine the efficacy of right ventricular blood temperature as an indicator of exercise, an experimental temperature-controlled pacemaker was developed and was evaluated in dogs. A resulting algorithm was implemented in a microcomputer-based VVI pacemaker which reliably detected exercise and rest from blood temperature when totally implanted. The pacemaker generated two pacing rates to provide increased cardiac output. Data is being obtained to establish feasibility in humans.
Propagation of 1-µm bubbles in contiguous disk devices

Propagation margins of contiguous disk devices fabricated on both single- and double-layer garnet films have been measured. These performance measurements for 1-µm diameter magnetic bubble propagation were made on devices with cell sizes of 18 and 30 µm2. The dependence of bias margin on ion-implantation conditions, material parameters, propagation pattern geometries, and temperature is discussed. Deuterium implantation is introduced, together with a new propagation pattern. Implantation with deuterium induces an anisotropy field change similar to that with hydrogen but with 50% smaller dosage. The new propagation pattern, with sawtooth-shaped tracks, reduces the interaction between charged walls of adjacent propagation tracks, thus resulting in improved performance at low bias fields.
Integral representation for vacuum polarization by fermions in uniform non-abelian gauge potentials

Abstract Previous calculations of vacuum polarization in constant SU(2) vector gauge potentials are extended by the derivation of a parametric integral representation for the vacuum polarization of spin - 1 2 isospin - 1 2 matter fields. Renormalization of the effective lagrangian is carried out to obtain a finite gauge-invariant result. Surfaces of singularity thresholds are derived which divide the space of potentials into domains of vacuum stability and domains of vacuum instability where the vacuum decays by the production of particle-antiparticle pairs.
Membrane-anchored cytochrome cy mediated microsecond time range electron transfer from the cytochrome bc1 complex to the reaction center in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

In Rhodobacter capsulatus, the soluble cytochrome (cyt) c2 and membrane-associated cyt cy are the only electron carriers which operate between the photochemical reaction center (RC) and the cyt bc1...
A novel solid-state self powered neutron detector

Detection of nuclear materials is critical in preventing traffic of illicit nuclear materials. Several methods that are based on detection of spontaneous or induced emission of fission neutron are considered. Efficient fast and thermal neutron detectors are generally required. For some applications these detectors must have fast response and should be deployed with large or small detection area. This work expands upon the basic concept of coating a p-n junction solar cell with a neutron detection layer that typically employs either 6 Li or 10 B. 10 B has a larger absorption cross section and results in higher detection efficiency. When an incident neutron interacts with 10 B, it releases an α-particle and a 7 Li ion; this α-particle excites electron-holepairs in the silicon p-n junction. This work investigated a variety of different silicon trench/pillar/hole geometries in combination with the 10 B filling or coating; thermal neutron detection efficiencies as high as 30% are projected. It utilizes trenches spaced as closely as 2 µm and 50 µm deep. Simulations predict that when these single layer detectors are bonded in a multiple layer configuration, efficiencies in the range of 90% could be achieved. Along with nuclear and electrical simulations, a highly controllable deep-reactive-ion-etching (DRIE) recipe is developed for trench/pillar/hole etching. The ability to create p-n junctions along those trenches is presented. Trenches and pillars as small as 2 µm by 2 µm are fabricated and p-n junctions are created along their surface. Smooth, uniform trenches are ready for trench refilling procedures.
Human Endopeptidase 24.15 (THOP1) Is Localized on Chromosome 19p13.3 and Is Excluded from the Linkage Region for Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease

The mapping position of human endopeptidase 24.15 (THOP1) has previously been reported to be within the linkage region for the late-onset Alzheimer disease AD2 locus on chromosome 19q13.3. After localizing THOP1 to the high-resolution cosmid contig map of human chromosome 19, we found that the previous report was incorrect. Results of the hybridization and FISH mapping of positive clones indicated localization of THOP1 to chromosome 19p13.3 and not 19q13.3. This localization is a correction of wrong chromosomal delegation and excludes THOP1 from the region that shows evidence of linkage to late-onset familial Alzheimer disease.
Timing of Paternal Substance Use Disorder Cessation and Effects on Problem Behaviors in Sons

The developmental timing of paternal substance use disorder (SUD) offset on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors was examined in prepubertal sons. Analyses revealed a significant main effect of the developmental timing of SUD offset on both internalizing and externalizing problems. No differences were found between sons of control-subject fathers and SUD+ fathers whose offsets occurred before the son's sixth birthday. However, when paternal SUD extended beyond the boys' sixth year, significant increases in internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors were found. The results suggest the importance of early parental SUD intervention in prevention of the intergenerational transmission of behavioral problems.
Two-Phase Transport in PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes

To date, multiphase computational fluid dynamics models for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells failed to provide even a qualitative depiction of the fuel cell water management. This was primarily due to the inability to capture two-phase phenomena in the cathode catalyst layer and the water saturation equilibrium at the interface between the fuel cell components. A model without the cathode catalyst layer cannot capture dominant mechanisms of water transfer and cannot explain correctly the fuel cell performance. We propose a multifluid, multiphase model consisting of separate transport equations for each phase. The model accounts for gas- and liquid-phase momentam and species transport in the cathode channel, gas diffusion layer (GDL), and catalyst layer and for the current density, ionomer-phase potential, and water content in the catalyst coated membrane. The model considers water produced at cathode by (I) electrochemical reaction, (II) change of phase, and (III) parallel, competing mechanisms of water transfer between the ionomer distributed in the catalyst layer and the catalyst layer pores. Liquid water is transported in the GDL and the catalyst layer due to liquid pressure gradient and in the channel due to gravity and two-phase drag. We have developed a transport equation for the water content. The source/sink terms of the transport equation represent the parallel, competing mechanisms of water transfer between the ionomer phase and the catalyst layer pores. They are (I) sorption/desorption at nonequilibrium and (II) electro-osmotic drag by the secondary current. Another distinguishing feature of this model is the capability to capture water saturation equilibrium at channel-GDL and GDL-catalyst layer interfaces. The computational results are used to study the dynamics of water transport within and between the fuel cell components and the impact of the GDL and catalyst layer properties on the amount of water retained in the fuel cell components during operation. A new dominant mechanism of water transfer between the ionomer distributed in the catalyst layer and the catalyst layer pores is identified. The amount of water retained in GDL is determined by GDL permeability and its pore size at the interface with the channel. The amount of water retained in the cathode catalyst layer is determined by the saturation equilibrium at the interface with the GDL. Models based on the two-phase mixture model are not applicable to PEM fuel cell electrodes.
Why we do not have to worry about speaking the language of the computer

Proposes that while it is not unfeasible that we will be able to communicate directly with computers in ordinary language, it is highly unlikely that this will ever be achieved. As Heidegger pointed out, language is not normally used for the exchange of information but calls to attention some aspect of the world the language users already share. Without this experience of the world, computers are unable to place language in context. Moreover, humans continue to develop and experience, so the context for language is ever changing. This is the challenge for artificial intelligence researchers. Also discusses the practical consequences of this fundamental problem, current solutions and their social implications and dangers.
AN APPLICATION OF QUEUING THEORY TO A CONGESTION PROBLEM IN AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC

The purpose of this paper is to discuss an application of queuing theory as an analytical framework for evaluating the adequacy of physician capacity in an outpatient clinic for medically indigent patients. Specific attention is given to the problems of parameter estimation including service and waiting cost. A method is also discussed whereby the relationship of physician cost and patient waiting cost may be imputed after the fact from observation of actual clinic operations.
SrTiO3 films on platinized (0001) Al2O3: Characterization of texture and nonstoichiometry accommodation

Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction were used to study SrTiO3 films grown on platinized (0001) Al2O3 substrates. The Pt films were epitaxial with an orientation relationship described by (111)Pt‖(0001)Al2O3 and [110]Pt‖[10¯10]Al2O3. SrTiO3 films with two different Sr to Ti ratios, 1.02 and 1.4, were deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. In the film with a large amount of Sr excess, the grain sizes were smaller and a high density of planar defects was observed. The films were predominantly (111) textured, but a weaker (110) texture component was also found, independent of stoichiometry. While the (111) texture could be explained with the excellent lattice match with (111) Pt, the (110) textured grains had a large mismatch with the Pt electrode. We propose that the presence of the (110) oriented grains is due to nucleation at Pt surface defects. Planar defects in the films with a large amount of Sr excess served to accommodate the nonstoichiometry. Comparison with homoepitaxial SrTiO3 films showed that the density of planar defects in the SrTiO3 films on (111)Pt/Al2O3 is insufficient to accommodate all the excess Sr. The influence of the film microstructure on the dielectric properties is also discussed.
Consequences of inventory stockouts

Abstract This article reports the results of a study that investigated the consequences for 180 National Association of Purchasing Management buyers of not receiving delivery (stockout) of products their companies had purchased. The results showed that stockouts often cause costly production disruptions and that buyers often abandon suppliers who can't deliver the product. The study raises a series of sales and distribution management issues.
Quantitative analysis of albumin adsorption onto uncoated and poly(ether)urethane-coated ZnSe surfaces using the attenuated total reflection FTIR technique

An attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared radiation (FTIR) technique has been explored for the in situ quantitative analysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption from aqueous solutions onto a segmented poly(ether)urethane film deposited on a ZnSe internal reflection element (IRE) and onto a bare ZnSe IRE surface. The IR spectral area of the amide II band was used for the quantitative analysis of adsorption. BSA adsorption reached equilibrium within 30 min and changed linearly with solution concentration in the range 0.5–6 wt.% and was found to be dependent on the solution pH and substrate type. At the physiological concentration, BSA adsorption densities of 2.4 mg cm−2 and 3.9 μg cm−2 were obtained for ZnSe and polyurethane respectively. The adsorption density was higher at pH 7 than that at pH 3 or 11, and both α-helix and β-sheet structures were present in the adsorbed layer. BSA adsorbed onto these solids appears to adopt an extended conformation and the long axis of the molecule appears to lie in the plane of the interface. Adsorption density was higher on the more hydrophobic polyurethane surface than on the relatively less hydrophobic ZnSe crystal surface.
Highly swellable free-standing hydrogel nanotube forests

Well-ordered arrays of high aspect ratio nanotubes display structural anisotropy, high surface area, and functionalizable surface morphology. We demonstrated, for the first time, the vapor deposition synthesis of well-ordered arrays of hydrogel nanotubes (i.e. nanotube forest structures) with controllable swelling properties using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes. Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) enabled templating of hydrogel nanotubes from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers with systematically tuned crosslinking ratios. Water uptake and the swelling ratios of the nanotubes monotonically decreased with the crosslink density. For a given crosslinked hydrogel composition, the degree of swelling for the nanotubes was observed to be significantly higher than for the planar films. Furthermore, protein adsorption is systematically moderated through the crosslinking density on nanotube samples, making them potential templates for biomaterials.
Rate coefficients for H2 + NO2 = HNO2 + H derived from shock tube investigations of H2O2NO2 ignition

Abstract Rate coefficients for H 2 + NO 2 = HNO 2 + H, the initiation reaction of the H 2 NO 2 chain, were evaluated from experimental induction times of H 2 -Air-NO 2 mixtures measured in a shock tube, and yielded. k 1 = (2.4 ± 1.0) × 10 13 exp [ −(29000 ± 1000) RT ] cm 3 /mole sec over the temperature range 760°K to 1000°K, and at pressures from 1 to 4 atm. Uncertainties in related rate coefficients lead to an estimated overall uncertainty in log k 1 of ± 0.4. An analysis, invoking the steady state assumption, of the H 2 NO 2 chain related k 1 to experimental induction times and accounted for the main features of the experimental data. Analytic approximations to k 1 were then refined by computer modelling. Subsequent numerical predictions of induction times and NO 2 concentrations prior to ignition were in good agreement with experimental data on H 2 -Air-NO 2 mixtures.
Cleavage of T5 DNA by the Escherichia coli RI restriction endonuclease

Abstract Treatment of wild-type T5 DNA with the Escherichia coli R I restriction endonuclease yields seven duplex fragments which can be separated by sucrose gradient sedimentation and agarose gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of the fragments have been determined by electron microscopy and range from 0.25–28.3 million. Several T5 deletion mutants which contain fewer R I cleavage sites have been studied and a map of the cleavage sites has been constructed. The fragments which contain single-chain interruptions have been identified.
Effectiveness of intra-destination television advertising of tourist attractions and facilities.

Abstract Many destinations contain television channels that primarily exist to advertise tourist attractions and facilities to the destinations’ visitors. However, no empirical research has been published on the effectiveness of such advertising. To help fill this information void, this article reports results from visitor intercept surveys designed to evaluate a tourist-oriented cable TV channel in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. The results were consistent with theoretical expectations. Respondents who watched the channel, compared to those who did not, decided to take a trip that involved visiting the Black Hills significantly fewer days prior to their departures, were more likely to have stated that the Hills or a place therein was the main destination of these trips, and spent more money in the Hills on their trips. During the 30-day study period, about 10.4% of visitor parties had heard of the channel, 5.3% had watched it, and 2.0% were influenced “a great deal” to visit one or more featured attractions or facilities. Estimated audience size was 15,000 visitors and estimated advertising returns on investment for two prominent commercial attractions were $9.20 and $14.00. Suggestions for further research are advanced.
Employee savvy is the key to fiscal success

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify employee financial prowess at every level as a key to good library management beyond the responsibilities of directors.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a general review.Findings – The paper finds that all employees of a library must possess and exemplify a general sense of fiscal savvy.Research limitations/implications – This paper has implications for non‐library directors thinking about their role involving their library's finances.Practical implications – Library leaders are looking for motivational strategies to expand beyond their own financial networking prowess.Originality/value – The paper goes against the prototypical assumption that library managers are the only staff members who need to possess financial strategic skill.
Resilience strategies for new teachers in high-needs areas

Abstract This qualitative study investigates strategies of resilience exhibited by fifteen novice teachers employed in high-needs areas, such as in urban and rural contexts and in special education. Findings indicated that teachers utilised a variety of strategies, including help-seeking, problem-solving, managing difficult relationships, and seeking rejuvenation/renewal. These strategies assisted beginning teachers in building additional resources and support; however, the burden for success and securing resources fell on teachers themselves. Furthermore, the researchers recognised that resilient teachers demonstrated agency in the process of overcoming adversity. Implications for future practice and research are discussed.
Echocardiographic evaluation of the coronary sinus

The purpose of this study was to compare transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) andtransesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the evaluation of the coronary sinus and its blood flow. Forty patients were studied by TTE and TEE. The distal coronary sinus and its right atrial communication could be identified in 21 of 40 by TTE, and in all patients by TEE. Coronary sinus diameter measurement at the right atrial communication was possible by TTE in 16 of 40, and in all patients by TEE (maximal diameter 6 to 14 mm, mean 9±2). Flow velocity measurement by pulsed Doppler was possible in 25 of 40 patients (63%) by TEE, and in none by TTE. The flow velocity pattern was similar to central vein flow velocity, wih systolic and diastolic antegrade waves, and a small retrograde end diastolic wave. The coronary sinus cross-sectional area was measured in 5 patients by intravascular ultrasound. It varied in size and shape during the cardiac cycle, reaching a maximum (0.3 to 1.5 cm 2 ) at end diastole, and decreasing by 40% to 70% at end systole. TEE is superior to TTE in the evaluation of the coronary sinus and its blood flow velocity. However, because of the variability in cross-sectional area size and shape, measurement of coronary sinus blood flow may be inaccurate.
Overexpression of VEGF-A in podocytes of adult mice causes glomerular disease

We sought to examine the pathogenic role of excessive VEGF-A expression in podocytes, since it has been reported that diabetic nephropathy and other glomerular diseases are associated with increased VEGF-A expression. The induction of podocyte-specific VEGF164 overexpression in adult transgenic mice led to proteinuria, glomerulomegaly, glomerular basement membrane thickening, mesangial expansion, loss of slit diaphragms, and podocyte effacement. When doxycycline-mediated VEGF164 was stopped, these abnormalities reversed. These findings were associated with reversible downregulation of metalloproteinase 9 and nephrin expression. Using transmission electron microscopy, we established that VEGF-A receptor-2 (VEGFR2) was expressed in podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells. We also found that VEGF164 induced VEGFR2 phosphorylation in podocytes. Further, we were able to co-immunoprecipitate VEGFR2 and nephrin using whole kidney lysates, confirming interaction in vivo. This implies that autocrine and paracrine VEGF-A signaling through VEGFR2 occurs in podocytes and may mediate the glomerular phenotype caused by VEGF164 overexpression. Thus, we suggest that podocyte VEGF164 overexpression in adult mice is sufficient to induce glomerular filtration barrier structural and functional abnormalities similar to those present in murine diabetic nephropathy.
Short-term drought response of N2O and CO2 emissions from mesic agricultural soils in the US Midwest

Abstract Climate change is causing the intensification of both rainfall and droughts in temperate climatic zones, which will affect soil drying and rewetting cycles and associated processes such as soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. We investigated the effect of soil rewetting following a prolonged natural drought on soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in an agricultural field recently converted from 22 years in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). We compared responses to those in a similarly managed field with no CRP history and to a CRP reference field. We additionally compared soil GHG emissions measured by static flux chambers with off-site laboratory analysis versus in situ analysis using a portable quantum cascade laser and infrared gas analyzer. Under growing season drought conditions, average soil N2O fluxes ranged between 0.2 and 0.8 μg N m−2 min−1 and were higher in former CRP soils and unaffected by nitrogen (N) fertilization. After 18 days of drought, a 50 mm rewetting event increased N2O fluxes by 34 and 24 fold respectively in the former CRP and non-CRP soils. Average soil CO2 emissions during drought ranged from 1.1 to 3.1 mg C m−2 min−1 for the three systems. CO2 emissions increased ∼2 fold after the rewetting and were higher from soils with higher C contents. Observations are consistent with the hypothesis that during drought soil N2O emissions are controlled by available C and following rewetting additionally influenced by N availability, whereas soil CO2 emissions are independent of short-term N availability. Finally, soil GHG emissions estimated by off-site and in situ methods were statistically identical.
A high performance high voltage lateral PNP structure

An improved high voltage lateral PNP structure is described. Devices built with the structure have H FE and Early voltage as good as quality discrete devices and maintain f T greater than 1.5 MHz at 350V. The process is simpler than those previously described for production of complementary vertical devices. Experimental results for a range of profiles and geometries are presented.
Basic Pre‐ and Post‐processors for fortran Programs

The BASIC language, available on almost all personal computers in interpreter form, has a number of strengths and some major weaknesses. It is a powerful language in its ability to read to and from the monitor screen, to manipulate strings, and to perform simple graphics. It is a weak language for use in computationally intensive programming, and, in the form usually provided with microcomputers, cannot access the math coprocessor. The FORTRAN language is good for working with large arrays and for performing extensive computations with high precision numbers, but is weak in the areas where BASIC is strong. A typical engineering program consists of three phases, data input, computation, and data output. The user of a microcomputer program expects to be offered easy interactive data entry and correction, fast computation, graphical review of results where applicable, and foolproof program operation including graceful recovery from errors accompanied by meaningful error messages. Satisfying these desires can be accomplished by the programmer who properly meshes the complementary strengths of BASIC and FORTRAN. This paper describes how to write an engineering program package which uses BASIC in accomplishing data input through data-entry screens, FORTRAN in the number crunching phase, and BASIC in the post-processing graphical display phase. Associated problems of formatting files for use by both BASIC and FORTRAN programs, entry of default values during initial data input or data change, and data base management are discussed. The BASIC discussed herein is a Microsoft product available on IBM machines as IBM BASIC and on many compatible machines as GW BASIC. In either case the version must be recent enough that the SHELL command is available. The FORTRAN compiler used in writing the example program discussed later is the Microsoft Optimizing Compiler, version 4.0.
Nutritional support in surgical practice: Part I.

On admission, a group of high-risk patients who are potential candidates for surgery can be identified, in whom prompt initiation of preoperative enteral or parenteral nutrition may reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality irrespective of the nutritional status. Among these are patients with inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal fistulas, and pancreatitis. Substantial nutritional support has little or no direct effect upon the pathogenesis of the disease, but the discontinuance of oral intake may well have a beneficial effect on the basic disease process. Thus, the provision of enteral or parenteral nutrition gives the patient an optimal opportunity to marshal host defenses in support of healing. In organ system failures, e.g., acute renal failure, liver failure, and pulmonary failure, appropriate nutritional support may assist the patient in coping with the abnormal intermediary metabolism resulting from such failure until satisfactory organ system function returns. From this review, it seems reasonably clear that the initially malnourished patient is less able to successfully withstand the adverse effects of vigorous therapy and/or severe illness than is the well-nourished individual. Hence, correction of malnutrition, either before initiating therapy or concomitant with the treatment, is very likely to be beneficial.
Toxicity of cephalothin for McCoy cell cultures.

SummaryCephalothin, in concentrations present in patients on treatment with the drug, produced a marked inhibition of growth of the McCoy strain of cultured human cells and morphologic evidence of toxicity.
Like nobody else: the secrets of metaphorical style

Metaphor is pervasive in literature, and metaphorical choices can be seen as central to what we call an author's 'style.' This study provides an illustrative overview, based on fifty-page prose excerpts from fourteen authors representing diverse genres and periods. Categorizing examples by frequency, syntactic form and meaning, a clear characteristic or combination of characteristics readily emerges for each novelist. Having covered these, we then look in more detail at the semantics of metaphor in Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things. Finally, we hypothesize that an expanded study, considering the function of metaphors in text and their interre lationships, could yield an increasingly fine-grained measure of metaphorical style.
A lexical analysis of keywords in high level programming languages

Abstract Lexical characteristics of nine high level programming languages, Ada, APL, BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, LISP, Pascal, PL/I, and SNOBOL, are discussed. The proper-ties considered include keyword number and length, keyword relationship to English words, and similarities among languages in the use of keywords. Some broader implications of these lexical characteristics are addressed.
Chickens, eggs and hippocampal atrophy.

A new study provides the strongest evidence yet that a smaller hippocampus may be a predisposing factor toward, rather than a consequence of, post-traumatic stress disorder.
A study of gauge properties of the Bethe-Salpeter equation for two-fermion electromagnetic bound state systems

The Bethe-Salpeter equation for the electromagnetic bound state of two fermions is considered in a large class of covariant and axial gauges. To facilitate this study, we find it convenient to recast the B-S equation into a form such that the relative time coordinate has been eliminated. We thus obtain an exact single-time bound state equation, equal in content to the B-S equation, which can be treated by techniques familiar form Schroedinger theory. Using this equation, we find, in these nonradiation gauges, that there are an infinite number of B-S kernels contributing at O (m (Z..cap alpha..)/sup 3/ln(Z..cap alpha..)/sup -1/) or O (m (Z..cap alpha..)/sup 3/) to the bound state energy. We show that one can establish a pairwise cancellation of these contributions resulting in no net O (m (Z..cap alpha..)/sup 3/ln(Z..cap alpha..)/sup -1/) or O (m (Z..cap alpha..)/sup 3/) contributions to the energy. This is in agreement with results obtained in the radiation gauge and with results experimentally observed. The appearance of an infinite number of kernels contributing at this low order in Z..cap alpha.. reflects the presence of noninstantaneous pieces in the photon propagator in these nonradiation gauges and exposes the difficulties encountered in attempting to do boundmore » state calculations in such gauges.« less
Calculations And Measurement Of The Performance Of Converging Neutron Guides

If properly designed, converging guides may be used to increase the current density of neutrons in a beam from a parallel neutron guide. The disadvantage of this type of device is that there is an increase in beam divergence. The spatial and angular distributions of the beam emerging from a converging guide are generally nonuniform, and the performance of the guide is dependent on the neutron's wavelength. Analytic and numerical methods of calculation are briefly discussed, and the results of selected Monte Carlo numerical calculations are presented. Measurements on a scaled down version of a converging guide system are reported and found to compare well with calculation.
Brightness Temperatures of Saturn's Disk and Rings at 400 and 700 Micrometers.

Observations at wavelengths longer than 300 microns provide temperature measurements at deeper layers in the atmosphere of giant planets because opacities are reduced. Submillimeter observations of Saturn were made in November 1979 when the inclination angle of the rings was 1.2 degrees. A 55 sec focal plane aperture was used along with two filters with spectral passbands of 300 to 800 microns (mean wavelength approximately 400 microns) and 500 to 850 microns (mean wavelength approximately 700). Mean brightness temperatures of 121 + or - 12 K at 400 microns and 139 + or - 15 K at 700 microns are reported. The brightness temperatures fall below predictions of atmospheric models at shorter wavelengths, requiring an opacity source besides the pressure-broadened hydrogen lines. In combination with measurements at larger inclination angles, the results yield a 400 micrometer brightness temperature for the rings of approximately 75 K.
Potential degradation in image quality due to selective averaging of phase-encoding lines in Fourier transform MRI.

The properties of the image noise for selective averaging of phase-encoding lines have been investigated. For a given acquisition time, selective averaging results in a signal-to-noise ratio penalty compared to averaging all lines equally. In addition, selective averaging yields a non uniform distribution of noise characteristics in spatial frequency space, which can result in a change in the texture of the image noise. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
Disruption of radiation-induced aversion to saccharin by electroconvulsive shock

Abstract In two related experiments it was observed that laboratory rats shifted their previously stable preferences for a 0.1% saccharin solution to an inclusion of water in their fluid intake after low-dose X-irradiation, but failed to do so when given a single electroconvulsive shock in some temporal proximity to the exposure period. The retrograde amnesia exerted by the shock treatment was even effective in trace and in backward conditioning situations. A conditioned aversion failed to develop during more than 5 days after irradiation in rats given ECS with exposure. The results were taken to underline the learning character of the radiation-induced aversion.
Penetration of neostigmine, physostigmine, and paraoxon into the squid giant axon

Abstract The penetration of the cholinesterase inhibitors neostigmine, physostigmine, and paraoxon into the axoplasm of the squid giant axon has been determined by measuring cholinesterase inhibition with the magnetic diver technique. Neostigmine (5 × 10 −2 M) neither penetrated significantly into control axons nor into axons pretreated with 25 μg cottonmouth moccasin venom/ml, and neostigmine did not affect conduction. Significant penetration of neostigmine (0.5–1.0 per cent) was observed after pretreatment of axons with a concentration of venom (100 mg/ml) which itself blocked conduction. The approximate levels in the axoplasm of paraoxon (10 −2 and 10 −3 M) were 5 per cent of those in the external media, whereas physostigmine (2.5 × 10 −3 and 10 −5 M) attained levels about 10 times as great. Only the higher concentrations of the two inhibitors affected conduction. The apparent discrepancy between penetrability and blocking potency is discussed.
Editorial: Molecular Endocrinology articles in the spotlight for February 2012.

This month’s issue of Molecular Endocrinology features many excellent articles. Here are a few that stand out. “FOXO1/3 Depletion in Granulosa Cells Alters Follicle Growth, Death and Regulation of Pituitary FSH” by Liu et al. finds that ovarian-derived factors other than, or in addition to, inhibin selectively suppress expression of the pituitary Fshb gene leading to undetectable levels of serum FSH that contribute to infertility. Forkhead box O1/3 (FOXO1/3) depletion also contributes to infertility and abnormal ovarian function through a loss of coordination with both activin to regulate genes that control follicle growth and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) to influence the expression of genes that control apoptosis. Shi et al. “Androgens Promote Prostate Cancer Cell Growth through Induction of Autophagy” (freely available at http://mend.endojournals.org/) demonstrates that androgen receptor (AR) signaling increases prostate cancer cell growth, in part, through the induction of autophagy. Autophagy, although classically thought of as a catabolic process, appears to facilitate cellular remodeling events that are necessary for growth/division. The mobilization of lipid depots through autophagy is one of the major remodeling events that contribute to enhanced prostate cancer cell proliferation. Interestingly, androgens initiate the autophagy-mediated process though increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a known oncogenic risk factor. “HDAC7 Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis by Reversing RANKL-Triggered -Catenin Switch” by Jin et al. shows that histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) inhibits osteoclast differentiation by preventing -catenin down-regulation and suppressing NFATc1. HDAC7 also inhibits precursor proliferation by attenuating -catenin function and cyclin D1 expression. Finally, the authors show that osteoclastic HDAC7 deletion increases bone resorption and decreases bone mass. These findings are clinically significant in light of the therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors for several diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Congratulations to the authors of these articles as well as all of February’s authors. Donald B. DeFranco, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief, Molecular Endocrinology