cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A current-bearing rectangular frame as a field source for certifying electromagnetic search systems

It is shown that a rectangular ungrounded current-bearing loop can be used for the metrological certification of electromagnetic search systems designed to locate and examine underground conductors. Criteria are formulated for choosing the sizes of such loops.
Antenna selection for MIMO systems with closely spaced antennas

Physical size limitations in user equipment may force multiple antennas to be spaced closely, and this generates a considerable amount of mutual coupling between antenna elements whose effect cannot be neglected. Thus, the design and deployment of antenna selection schemes appropriate for next generation wireless standards such as 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) and LTE advanced needs to take these practical implementation issues into account. In this paper, we consider multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) systems where antenna elements are placed side by side in a limited-size linear array, and we examine the performance of some typical antenna selection approaches in such systems and under various scenarios of antenna spacing and mutual coupling. These antenna selection schemes range from the conventional hard selection method where only part of the antennas are active, to some newly proposed methods where all the antennas are used, which are categorized as soft selection. For the cases we consider, our results indicate that, given the presence of mutual coupling, soft selection can always achieve superior performance as compared to hard selection, and the interelement spacing is closely related to the effectiveness of antenna selection. Our work further reveals that, when the effect ofmutual coupling is concerned, it is still possible to achieve better spectral efficiency by placing a few more than necessary antenna elements in user equipment and applying an appropriate antenna selection approach than plainly implementing the conventional MIMO system without antenna selection.
Contributions of the management sciences to the evolution of management information systems

The "management sciences" concern disciplines that identify, extend, or unify scientific knowledge pertaining to the process and substance of management. The field of management science is often closely allied with the area called operations research through common analytical methods and models. The application and implementation of management science recognizes well the behavioral and economic realities of management practice in organizations. During the past twenty-five years, the management sciences and management's use of information systems technology have evolved together. In this survey we highlight three aspects of this mutual evolution: first, as a basis for enunciating and understanding issues involved in theory and practice; second, as providing tools and techniques to solve managerial and technical problems related to MIS design and development; and third, as a component of "MIS technology" available for application and use.
INCORPORATION OF (32P)PHOSPHATE IN RABBIT KIDNEY LECITHINS AS A FUNCTION OF LECITHIN UNSATURATION.

Abstract The incorporation of 32P into rabbit kidney cortex lecithins has been studied. Kidney slices were incubated with inorganic [32P]phosphate, and reductive ozonolysis was employed to determine the 32P incorporation into disaturated, α'-saturated-β-unsaturated, α'-unsaturated-β-saturated, and diunsaturated lecithins. The highest 32P incorporation occurred with the disaturated lecithins, and the lowest was found among the α'-saturated-β-unsaturated lecithins.
Albumin modified by Amadori glucose adducts activates mesangial cell type IV collagen gene transcription

The direct relationship between elevated glucose concentrations and accelerated protein glycation has implicated increased glycation as a potential mechanistic link between hyperglycemia and the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Albumin modified by Amadori glucose adducts has been shown to stimulate collagen secretion by mesangial cells in vitro, and to contribute to the overproduction of glomerular mesangial matrix in vivo. To delineate mechanisms responsible for these effects, we examined the influence of glycated albumin on transcriptional activation of the alpha 1 (IV) collagen gene in renal glomerular mesangial cells. These experiments used a stably transfected reporter mesangial cell line that exhibits responses to media manipulations that are directionally parallel with those of non-transformed mesangial cells, and that expresses luciferase driven by 5'-flanking and first intron regions of the alpha 1 (IV) collagen gene. In these cells, purified glycated albumin stimulated collagen IV gene transcription, whereas glucose-free albumin did not. Further, glycated albumin induced a significant increase in mesangial cell collagen IV mRNA, assessed by Northern blot analysis and quantified by calculation of the ratio of collagen IV mRNA to 18S ribosomal RNA after densitometric scanning. The stimulation of collagen gene transcription and mRNA expression were both prevented by monoclonal antibodies known to specifically recognize Amadori-modified albumin. The findings indicate that glycated albumin promotes mesangial cell transcriptional activation and mRNA expression of the alpha 1 (IV) collagen gene and further implicate increased glycated albumin in diabetes in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
Effect of the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor, MK-421, on experimentally induced drinking

MK-421, the ethyl ester maleate salt of N-(S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenyl-propyl- Ala-L-Pro, is an angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor. An initial objective was to determine whether MK-421, administered at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 mg/kg, ip to 96 female rats 15 min prior to administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (25 microgram/kg, ip), would inhibit the drinking induced by isoproterenol during 2 h after its administration. The water intake induced by isoproterenol was inhibited significantly by 2.5 mg MK-421/kg. When a similar experiment was performed using Angiotensin I (AI) (200 microgram/kg, ip) as the dipsogenic agent, MK-421 (5 mg/kg, ip), administered 15 min prior to AI, inhibited significantly both the dipsogenic and the diuretic effect of AI. However, administration of angiotensin II (AII, 200 microgram/kg, ip) 15 min after MK-421 (5mg/kg) was accompanied by a water intake that did not differ from AII alone. The drink induced by ip administration of 1.0 m NaCl solution (1% of body wt, ip) was not inhibited by administration of MK-421 (5 mg/kg) 15 min prior to allowing access to water while the drink induced by a 24 h dehydration was partially inhibited. Thus, the drinks induced by administraition of either isoproterenol or AI are dependent on formation of AII. That induced by dehydration is partially dependent, while that induced by hypertonic siilinc is independent of the formation of AII.
GILL MORPHOMETRY IN THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN (DECAPODA BRACHYURA)

[Das Kiemenepithel von Callinectes sapidus Rathbun besteht aus zwei verschiedenen Typen. Der eine Typ, der eine durchschnittliche Dicke von 0,5 /μm aufweist, ist mutmaslich die Hauptstelle fur den Gasaustausch bei der Atmung. Der andere Typ, mit einer durchschnittlichen Dicke von 10 μm, hat vermutlich die Funktion des wirksamen Ionentransportes. Die Anordnung dieser beiden Epithel-Typen wurde an erwachsenen, in Suswasser gehaltenen Krebsen untersucht. Der durchschnittliche Gesamtoberflachenbereich der Kiemen betrug 710 mm2/g. Hiervon waren etwa 45% durch dickes und der verbleibende Rest durch dunnes Epithel unterlegt. Das gesamte dicke Epithel war fleckenweise begrenzt nur auf den vier Hinterkiemenpaaren angeordnet. Bei Messungen der Kiemengestalt wurde ein etwa 2 mm unterschiedlicher Wasserdruck quer durch das Kiemensieb errechnet, der erforderlich ist, den festgestellten Wasserstrom zu befordern. Diese Darstellung befindet sich in Ubereinstimmung mit dem Ergebnis von tatsachlichen Messungen quer durch das Kiemensieb von Callinectes und Carcinus., Das Kiemenepithel von Callinectes sapidus Rathbun besteht aus zwei verschiedenen Typen. Der eine Typ, der eine durchschnittliche Dicke von 0,5 /μm aufweist, ist mutmaslich die Hauptstelle fur den Gasaustausch bei der Atmung. Der andere Typ, mit einer durchschnittlichen Dicke von 10 μm, hat vermutlich die Funktion des wirksamen Ionentransportes. Die Anordnung dieser beiden Epithel-Typen wurde an erwachsenen, in Suswasser gehaltenen Krebsen untersucht. Der durchschnittliche Gesamtoberflachenbereich der Kiemen betrug 710 mm2/g. Hiervon waren etwa 45% durch dickes und der verbleibende Rest durch dunnes Epithel unterlegt. Das gesamte dicke Epithel war fleckenweise begrenzt nur auf den vier Hinterkiemenpaaren angeordnet. Bei Messungen der Kiemengestalt wurde ein etwa 2 mm unterschiedlicher Wasserdruck quer durch das Kiemensieb errechnet, der erforderlich ist, den festgestellten Wasserstrom zu befordern. Diese Darstellung befindet sich in Ubereinstimmung mit dem Ergebnis von tatsachlichen Messungen quer durch das Kiemensieb von Callinectes und Carcinus.]
Tolerance of localization imprecision in efficiently managing mobile sensor databases

Query processing on mobile sensor networks requires efficient indexing and partitioning of the data space to support efficient routing as the network scales up. Building an index structure in an ad hoc manner requires two operations: localization to discover the sensor's position; and assignment to each sensor of the appropriate data space partition. We propose a fully distributed, cost-effective scheme, which integrates localization, indexing and data space management for sensors. We show that without affecting the overall performance of routing and query processing, our localization scheme, which involves merely local interaction, is performed with significantly less message and time cost than traditional approaches.
Mineral element acquisition and growth response of plants grown in saline environments

Abstract Plants acquire mineral nutrients from their native soil environments. Most crop plants are glycophytes and have evolved under conditions of low soil salinity. Consequently, they have developed mechanisms for absorbing mineral nutrients in non-saline soils. Under saline conditions, which are characterized by low nutrient-ion activities and extreme ratios of Na + /Ca 2+ , Na + /K + , Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ and Cl − /NO 3 − , nutritional disorders can develop and crop growth may be reduced. Additions of N and P generally increase the growth of plants grown in N- and P-deficient environments, provided that the plant is not experiencing severe salt stress. When salinity and nutrient deficiency are both factors limiting growth, relief of the most limiting factor will promote growth more than the relief of the less limiting factor. Therefore, addition of a limiting nutrient can either increase, decrease or have no effect on relative plant tolerance to salinity, depending on the level of salt stress. Failure to account for the severity of salt stress when interpreting salinity × nutrient interactions has caused considerable confusion among researchers. Salinity disrupts mineral nutrient acquisition by plants in two ways. First, the ionic strength of the substrate, regardless of its composition, can influence nutrient uptake and translocation. Evidence for this is salinity-induced phosphate uptake in certain plants and cultivars. The second and more common mechanism by which salinity disrupts the mineral relations of plants is by reduction of nutrient availability by competition with major ions (i.e. Na + and Cl − ) in the substrate. These interactions often lead to Na + -induced Ca 2+ and/or K + deficiencies and Ca 2+ -induced Mg 2+ deficiencies. Halophytes have not received the attention glycophytes have in the area of salinity-mineral nutrient relations. Nevertheless, some halophytes may show symptoms of mineral nutrient imbalances despite their remarkable ability to absorb nutrients selectively from soil solutions dominated by Na + and Cl − .
Newborn wet and soiled diaper counts and timing of onset of lactation as indicators of breastfeeding inadequacy.

Using data from 242 exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant pairs, newborn elimination patterns were analyzed. Sensitivity (Se) and Specificity (Sp) of day 4 (72-96 hours) wet and soiled output, in addition to the timing of onset of lactation, in identifying cases of breastfeeding inadequacy (defined as neonatal weight loss >or= 10% of birth weight) were examined. The usefulness of 2 measures in parallel was also explored. Median number of diapers (wet, soiled) on days 1, 4, and 7, respectively, was 2, 3; 5, 4; and 7, 6. The most efficient day 4 predictor of breastfeeding inadequacy was soiled diaper output or= 72 hours); Se = .86 (95% confidence interval, .73-.99) and Sp = .59 (.55-.63). Fewer than 4 soiled diapers on day 4 when used in conjunction with delayed onset of lactation may be indicative of breastfeeding inadequacy, but low specificity will result in many false positives.
Modeling static and cyclic fatigue in ceramics containing a viscous grain boundary phase

In ceramic materials at elevated temperatures failure is often the result of the propagation of a single dominant crack when the stress is sufficiently high. The surface behind the crack tip is extensively bridged by adhesive viscous ligaments and extent of crack tip shielding by these viscous ligaments depends on the microstructure, strain rate and temperature. A mechanistic model has been developed that takes into account the effects of grain size, width and viscosity of the viscous grain boundary layer and strain rate to predict the ratio of static to cyclic loading lifetime. A single dimensionless scalar parameter has been identified as a critical parameter to determine whether cyclic loading will be equally damaging or less damaging than the corresponding static loading at high homologous temperatures. Model predictions agree with experimental results of various authors.
Gas Pressure Monitored Iodide-Catalyzed Decomposition Kinetics of H2O2:: Initial-Rate and Integrated-Rate Methods in the General Chemistry Lab

The reaction kinetics of the iodide-catalyzed decomposition of H2O2 using the integrated-rate method is described. The method is based on the measurement of the total gas pressure using a datalogger and pressure sensor. This is a modification of a previously reported experiment based on the initial-rate approach.
Estrogen suppresses expression of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) within the mouse uterus

RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) is a membrane-anchored glycoprotein which regulates MMP2 and MMP9 activity and has been proposed to play a role in embryo implantation while misexpression of RECK has been associated with a variety of carcinomas. Unfortunately, understanding on the steroidal regulation of uterine RECK is lacking. To address this gap in our knowledge, we examined steroidal regulation and cellular expression of Reck mRNA and protein within the mouse uterus in vivo. Uterine Reck mRNA and protein were decreased by estrogen, while progesterone alone had no effect. The estrogen-induced down regulation could be partially blocked by progesterone. RECK was localized primarily to luminal and glandular epithelial cells and the level of expression was regulated in a similar fashion as in whole tissue by the steroids. Knock-down of endogenous RECK in human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells resulted in a significant increase in active MMP9 expression but not that of pro-MMP9 or MMP2. These studies demonstrate that RECK expression in the mouse uterus is steroidally regulated and that within endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, RECK regulates MMP9, but not MMP2 activity.
Analog intergration techniques in chromatographic analysis

Abstract Some new analog methods of integration recording are discussed that eliminate the need for pip counting, or for trigger circuitry to sense the beginning and end of “events” in the signal, such as signal peaks. One version especially suited to gas chromatography appears to be the simplest yet devised, requiring only a ball-and-disk integrator driving a light-sensitive paper past a constantly illuminated slit. The paper is a dry, self-developing, commercially available type. By modification of the technique, an array of spots of variable shape and optical density, as in paper chromatography, may be transformed entirely automatically into a configuration from which the integrated density of the original spots may be more directly and rapidly determined.
Phases and electrical conductivity of a hydrous silicate assemblage at lower-mantle conditions

THE presence of a small amount of water in the lower mantle might affect in a significant way the geophysical and geochemical properties of its host mineral assemblage1–5. Here we present experimental observations of the phase behaviour and the electrical conductivity of a hydrous silicate assemblage synthesized from a mixture of (Mg0.88Fe0.12)SiO3 pyroxene and water under the pressure and temperature conditions of the lower mantle. Previous studies have shown that anhydrous (Mg, Fe)SiO3 pyroxene transforms to a perovskite structure under these conditions6–9. We find that, although the hydrous assemblage is also dominated by the (Mg, Fe)SiO3 perovskite phase, it coexists with the so-called hydrous phase D, of estimated composition (Mg, Fe)SiH2O4. Our measurements show that the inclusion of small amounts of water in the silicates can enhance the electrical conductivity of the lower-mantle assemblage by more than three orders of magnitude at these temperatures and pressures.
New bound on the sensitivity of the solution of the Lyapunov equation

Abstract A new bound on the “size” of the variation of the solution of the normal Lyapunov equation under variation of the data is derived. In contrast to a first order bound for differential perturbation, the new bound is exact and still holds under large data variation. It is shown that the new bound is less conservative than those currently available, especially in the case of a high-dimensional Lyapunov equation.
Oxygen Consumption and Salinity Tolerance in Four Brazilian Crabs

Oxygen consumption and mean tolerance level at varying salinities were determined for four species of Brazilian crabs: Panopeus herbstii, Callinectes danae, Petrolisthes armatus and Pachygrapsus transversus. The oxygen consumption increased and tolerance levels decreased in dilute seawater in all species. The tolerance level of each crab reflects its lifestyle and habitat. P. armatus, found only in channels of free-moving salt water, had the lowest tolerance level to dilute seawater and P. transversus, a shore crab, had the highest level of all the species studied. C. danae showed the highest oxygen consumption rate at all salinities. This is presumed to be a result of its more active nature. P. transversus demonstrated the lowest rate of oxygen consumption in all salinities less than 60% seawater.
Morphological study of ZSM—5 grown in the 12na2O/4.5(tpa)2O system

Abstract Starting with batch composition 12Na2O4.5(TPA)2OAl2O39OSiO22000H2O, previously producing spherulitic aggregates ∼ 1 μm, a study was made to determine the effects of various additives and other modifications of the starting composition to promote the growth of larger crystals of ZSM—5 in this system. It was found that partial to complete substitution of sodium salts for sodium hydroxide had a pronounced effect on resulting morphology, yielding crystals up to 80μm, both in a narrow to a wide range of size distribution. Organic additives were found to modify the crystal habit.
Lithium chloride alters cytoskeletal organization in growing, but not mature, cultured chick sensory neurons.

Biochemical analysis indicates that lithium ion (Li+) has deleterious effects on the metabolism of at least two elements of the cytoskeleton in cultured chick dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Phosphorylation of newly synthesized middle molecular mass neurofilament polypeptide (NF-M) is inhibited by 10-25 mM LiCl, and tubulin (Tb) synthesized in the presence of Li+ is subject to rapid degradation. These Li(+)-induced metabolic abnormalities are accompanied by alterations in cellular and cytoskeletal morphology. Treatment of cultures having vigorously growing neurites with 25 mM LiCl results in the cessation of net neurite growth, without causing neurite retraction. Indirect immunofluorescence reveals that in these cultures Li+ provokes an aggregation of NF protein into a dense knot in the cell body/proximal neurite region. The knots contain accumulations of all three NF polypeptides and electron microscopic observation demonstrates that the knots contain intact, but disorganized, filaments. Both the inhibition of neurite outgrowth and NF collapse are reversible. Tubulin and intact microtubules are redistributed in immature cultures treated with Li+ insofar as they are excluded from the NF knots. Neurons in established cultures (e.g., 7 days and beyond) fail to show any difference between Li+ treatment and control conditions in the morphology of the cytoskeletal elements examined.
Comparative rain measurements and rain‐gage performances on a steep slope adjacent to a pine stand

In this study, measurements from two rows of rain gages, extending outward along contours from the edge of a pine plantation on a steep slope, showed that the 45 foot-high trees influenced the amount of rain reaching the ground for a distance not exceeding 34 ft from the edge of the plantation. Seven types of rain-gaging installations were tested for accuracy on a windy, 40 per cent slope, including three types of shielding, gages exposed with the orifice horizontal and with orifice tilted parallel to the slope. Best results were obtained with tilted, shielded gages, but tilted, unshielded gages were only slightly less accurate for the conditions encountered. Shielding of untilted gages proved much less effective than tilting unshielded gages, although superior to a conventionally exposed gage, unshielded and with orifice horizontal. It was demonstrated again that the conventional installation is unsuitable for accurate rain gaging on windy slopes.
Taxonomic revision of Neodohrniphora, subgenus Eibesfeldtphora (Diptera: Phoridae)

The genus Neodohrniphora, subgenus Eibesfeldtphora, is revised and found to include 15 species, 11 of which are new to science, as follows: N. arcuata, bragancai, dissita, elongata, erthali, inferna, isomorpha, leei, pala, prolixa and tonhascai. Subgenus Wallerphora and its single included species, N. mexicanae Disney, is considered part of subgenus Eibesfeldtphora (new synonymy). The taxonomy of N. declinata Borgmeier and a species with which it has frequently been confused is clarified.
LOZENGE TILING CONSTRAINED CODES

While the field of one-dimensional constrained codes is mature, with theoretical as well as practical aspects of codeand decoder-design being well-established, such a theoretical treatment of its two-dimensional (2D) counterpart is still unavailable. Research has been conducted on a few exemplar 2D constraints, e.g., the hard triangle model, run-length limited constraints on the square lattice, and 2D checkerboard constraints. Excluding these results, 2D constrained systems remain largely uncharacterized mathematically, with only loose bounds of capacities present. In this paper we present a lozenge constraint on a regular triangular lattice and derive Shannon noiseless capacity bounds. To estimate capacity of lozenge tiling we make use of the bijection between the counting of lozenge tiling and the counting of boxed plane partitions.
How do Subjects Interpret Items in Olson's Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES)?

Most items in the FACES inventories may, from a layperson's perspective, reflect an underlying linear model—the more cohesion or adaptability, the better for marital or family functioning. If so, m...
Contribution of oxygen radicals to altered NO-dependent pulmonary vasodilation in acute and chronic hypoxia

Chronic hypoxia (CH) increases pulmonary arterial endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) expression and augments endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO)-dependent vasodilation, whereas vasodi...
A Public Administration Moment: Forging an Agenda for Financial Regulatory Reform

financial regulation. E-mail: akhademi@vt.edu The numbers are staggering. As the financial crisis deepens, American financial companies will lose an estimated $3.6 trillion in non performing loans and lost asset value (Lohr 2009). Nationally, home prices have fallen more than 18 percent from peak levels?as much as 40 percent in some states?and in 2008, lenders initiated more than 2.25 million home foreclosures (Duke 2009). The plunge in stock values in the U.S. markets and across the globe has depleted retirement savings and pension fund values by more than $2 trillion (Orszag 2008) and erased capital on corpo rate balance sheets. The toll of
Plateau potentials in pancreatic islet cells are voltage-dependent action potentials.

Islet cells stimulated by a steady glucose concentration above a certain threshold (usually 5–7 mM) display cyclic membrane potential changes1. This islet electrical activity consists of action potentials (spikes) superimposed on a depolarized plateau (see Fig. 1). Higher levels of glucose prolong the plateau phase and shorten the silent phase until the plateau potentials merge to produce continuous spiking at 20–25 mM. The fraction of each cycle spent in the plateau phase correlates with glucose concentration and insulin release rate2, suggesting that control of the onset and offset of the plateau is important in the regulation of insulin release. The abrupt transitions between silent and plateau phases suggest that the plateau is a persistent, voltage-dependent action potential as in cardiac muscle. This idea is supported by evidence3 that Ca2+ influx is stimulated by K+ depolarization of islets. However, this voltage dependency can be explained by electrical evidence4,5 that the spikes are generated by voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents. Furthermore, there is evidence against the voltage dependency of the plateau because it seemed to be unaffected by intracellular current injection and K+ depolarization, which clearly affected spiking5,6. As there are alternative explanations (see below) for these last negative findings, we have re-examined this important question using a new technique of direct electrical stimulation of entire, isolated islets using a suction electrode. Contrary to the previous negative findings, our present results clearly show that the plateau potential is a voltage-dependent, persistent action potential.
Adenocarcinoma of colon at ureterosigmoidostomy site 14 years after conversion to ileal loop

Abstract Adenocarcinoma of the colon is a rare complication of ureterosigmoidostomy that must be given thought to and investigated whenever rectal bleeding or obstruction complicates this form of urinary diversion. The eleventh reported case is presented, representing the first case in which the lesion developed fourteen years after conversion of the ureterosigmoidostomy to an ileal conduit.
Relation of health-related quality of life to metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression and comorbid illnesses.

Relation of health-related quality of life to metabolic syndrome, obesity, depression and comorbid illnesses
Embolization of parasitized extrahepatic arteries to reestablish intrahepatic arterial supply to tumors before yttrium-90 radioembolization.

Abstract Purpose To perform embolization of parasitized extrahepatic arteries (EHAs) before radioembolization to reestablish intrahepatic arterial supply to large, peripheral tumors, and to evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of this intervention. Materials and Methods Among 201 patients retrospectively analyzed, embolization of 73 parasitized EHAs in 35 patients was performed. Most embolization procedures were performed during preparatory angiography using large particles and coils. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), C-arm computed tomography (CT), and technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin ( 99m TcMAA) scintigraphy were used to evaluate the immediate perfusion via intrahepatic collateral channels of target tumor areas previously supplied by parasitized EHAs. Follow-up imaging of differential regional tumor response was used to evaluate microsphere distribution and clinical outcome. Results After embolization, reestablishment of intrahepatic arterial supply was confirmed by both DSA and C-arm CT in 94% of territories and by scintigraphy in 96%. In 32% of patients, the differential response of treatment could not be evaluated because of uniform disease progression. However, symmetric regional tumor response in 94% of evaluable patients indicated successful delivery of microspheres to the territories previously supplied by parasitized EHAs. Conclusions Reestablishment of intrahepatic arterial inflow to hepatic tumors by embolization of parasitized EHAs is safe and effective and results in successful delivery of yttrium-90 microspheres to tumors previously perfused by parasitized EHAs.
Antibacterial lysine analogs that target lysine riboswitches

Lysine riboswitches are bacterial RNA structures that sense the concentration of lysine and regulate the expression of lysine biosynthesis and transport genes. Members of this riboswitch class are found in the 5′ untranslated region of messenger RNAs, where they form highly selective receptors for lysine. Lysine binding to the receptor stabilizes an mRNA tertiary structure that, in most cases, causes transcription termination before the adjacent open reading frame can be expressed. A lysine riboswitch conceivably could be targeted for antibacterial therapy by designing new compounds that bind the riboswitch and suppress lysine biosynthesis and transport genes. As a test of this strategy, we have identified several lysine analogs that bind to riboswitches in vitro and inhibit Bacillus subtilis growth, probably through a mechanism of riboswitch-mediated repression of lysine biosynthesis. These results indicate that riboswitches could serve as new classes of antibacterial drug targets.
Plug-in hybrid with fuel cell battery charger

Abstract A new approach on vehicular fuel cell technology uses an on-board regenerative fuel cell (RFC) stack as a battery charger. The RFC's electrolyser capability uses grid electricity to produce hydrogen and oxygen during an overnight charging process. By using the RFC to recharge the vehicle's battery pack during the day, the size of the battery pack can be reduced by >50%. A sensitivity analysis evaluating vehicle specification and component performances suggests that small RFC stacks (e.g. 1 kW ) would be commercially viable in plug-in vehicles at prices as high as $1800/kW for the RFC stack. The combination of a RFC stack and a battery pack would cost less than the either an appropriately sized battery pack or fuel cell stack alone. Vehicles using so-called tribrid power systems based on the combination of RFCs, battery packs, and internal combustion engines (ICE) could be viable decades before vehicles powered solely by fuel cells that rely on a hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Meta-[211AT]astatobenzylguanidine: Further evaluation of a potential therapeutic agent

Meta-[211At]astatobenzylguanidine ([211At]MABG) is an astatinated analogue of meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) that could be of value for therapeutic applications. The initial goal of this study was to determine whether [211At]MABG is taken up, like MIBG, by a specific uptake-I mechanism. Norepinephrine and desipramine (DMI) decreased [211At]MABG uptake in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. This uptake was found to be energy-dependent: In mice, pre-treatment with DMI reduced uptake of [211At]MABG at 1 hr post-injection in the adrenal and in the heart. Tetrabenazine at a dose of 40 mg/kg reduced uptake of [211At]MABG in the mouse heart in vivo (69% of control) whereas up to 100 microM of tetrabenazine did not affect the in vitro uptake of [211At]MABG in SK-N-SH cells. In SK-N-SH cells, 53% and 38%, respectively, of the initial uptake of [211At]MABG was retained at 4 hr and 6 hr. For no-carrier-added (n.c.a.) [131I]MIBG these values were similar, 60% and 48%. The ability of SK-N-SH cells to incorporate [3H]thymidine was reduced to less than 50% of control values when treated with as little as 3.2 nCi of [211At]MABG. In contrast, no significant reduction in the thymidine uptake was observed, even with 80 nCi of n.c.a. MIBG.
Modified molecular charge similarity indices for choosing molecular analogues

Toward the goal of defining a molecular charge similarity idex that best quantifies the concept of molecular similarity as it relates to biological activity, we have evaluated a variety of definitions of the molecular charge distribution function, ρ, for use in the charge similarity index formalism. Spatially distributed nuclear charges are incorporated into electron distribution functions to approximately account for the screening of core electronic charge and to model the net effect of the total charge distribution in a manner that better reflects the inherent relation to the molecular electrostatic potential. The resulting charge similarity indices are evaluated based on their sensitivity to relative molecule displacement and their ability to meaningfully group or order a simple set of molecular structures: CH3CH2CH3, CH3OCH3, and CH3SCH3.
INVERSE SEESAW NEUTRINO MASS FROM LEPTON TRIPLETS IN THE U(1)Σ MODEL

The inverse seesaw mechanism of neutrino mass, i.e. , where ∊L is small, is discussed in the context of the U(1)Σ model. This is a gauge extension of the Standard Model of particle interactions with lepton triplets (Σ+, Σ0, Σ-) as (Type III) seesaw anchors for obtaining small Majorana neutrino masses.
Localization of the Sixteenth Century Map Called the Maguey Plan

Sanders (1970) has recently attempted to analyze settlement pattern and demography at the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, on the assumption that an early map called the Maguey plan represents a part of the city. A careful analysis of the physical layout of the community shown on the map, and of several written and pictographic glosses added sometime after the original map was completed, supports the view that the Maguey plan actually shows an island settlement located in a region which had been expropriated by Tenochtitlan following that city's conquest of Azcapotzalco in the early fifteenth century.
The natural history of egg allergy

Background Egg allergy is very common, affecting 1% to 2% of children. It is generally thought that the majority of children with egg allergy develop tolerance in early childhood; however, this has not been examined in a large cohort with egg allergy. Objective The purpose of the study was to estimate the proportion of children with egg allergy who develop egg tolerance and to identify predictors of tolerance development. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with egg allergy seen in a tertiary referral clinic. Patients were considered to have developed egg tolerance if they tolerated concentrated egg. Results Kaplan-Meier analysis predicted resolution in 4% of patients with egg allergy by age 4 years, 12% by age 6 years, 37% by age 10 years, and 68% by age 16 years. Patients with persistent egg allergy had higher egg IgE levels at all ages to age 18 years. A patient's highest recorded egg IgE, presence of other atopic disease, and presence of other food allergy were significantly related to egg allergy persistence. Conclusion A majority of patients with egg allergy will develop egg tolerance, although the rate of tolerance development is slower than described previously. Egg IgE is predictive of allergy outcome and should be used in counseling patients on prognosis. Clinical implications Most patients with egg allergy are likely to develop egg tolerance by late childhood, with the exception of patients with an egg IgE greater than 50 kU/L, who are unlikely to develop egg tolerance.
Spectra of scaling indices for fractal measures: theory and experiment

Abstract We propose a new formalism to characterize fractal measures, such as strange attractors of dynamical systems, which uses a function f(α). Here α is the scaling index of the measure about a point on the fractal and f(α) is the dimension of the set of points on the fractal with the same value of α. The spectrum describes the global scaling structure of the measure. The spectrum includes as special points the Hausdorff dimension of the fractal and the scaling indices of the most rarefied and the most concentrated regions of the measure. We apply this formalism to two well-known transitions to chaos: the route via period-doubling and the route via quasiperiodicity. In both cases we find a universal spectrum which includes previously discovered scaling numbers. Both spectra have been measured experimentally on a forced Rayleigh-Benard system.
Variability of tumor response to chemotherapy. II. Contribution of tumor heterogeneity.

Host factors that might be associated with the variable response of tumors to effective chemotherapy were studied in B6C3F1 mice bearing transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma 16/C tumors and treated with melphalan. Tumor response ranged from regression to an unpalpable size to growth under treatment. That biochemical resistance of the cell population was not primarily responsible for the variability was demonstrated by passage of responsive and nonresponsive tumors into new hosts followed by treatment with melphalan. When the implanted subcutaneous tumor weighed 1.0 g or less (usually 12 to 13 days postimplant), both the plasma levels of melphalan and the variability in plasma levels were similar to those observed in tumor-free mice. With tumor progression beyond 1.0 g, an increase in mean plasma levels and in variability, but not in plasma half-life, was observed. A correlation between the dose of melphalan administered, the schedule, and the percentage of tumor responses was found. There was no correlation between the plasma levels in individual mice following a given dose of melphalan and subsequent tumor response. Also, there was no correlation between the plasma levels of melphalan in individual mice following the second, third or fourth treatment in a multiple-dose treatment schedule and the response of the tumor in that mouse to previous treatments. Prior therapy (1, 2 or 3 doses administered 4 days apart) either prevented the increase in plasma levels that occurred in mice bearing untreated advanced tumors or reduced the plasma level (and the variability) to approximately that found in tumor-free mice. Whether this was a direct result of the effects of melphalan on the host or an indirect result of tumor inhibition is not known. A similar study in tumor-free mice indicated that prior treatment had only minimal effects on subsequent plasma levels. These studies indicate that heterogeneity of the host was not a major factor in variable tumor response if therapy was initiated when the tumors weighed 1.0 g or less.
Novel Nanoscale Organic Materials for Optimal Photovoltaic Functions

Covalently linked electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A) with conjugated organic building blocks are novel materials for potential solar cell applications, because these molecular p-n junctions can minimize the exciton diffusion and transform the charge separation from interdomain to intramolecular processes. Hence, the bottleneck of the exciton diffusion in many bulk heterojuction materials can be eliminated. Meanwhile, these planar conjugated assemblies, such as supermolecules, multiblock oligomers and polymers, have strong tendency to π-π stacking to form continuous channels for charge carriers to hop/diffuse to respective electrodes. A quartet D-A assembly has been synthesized with bis-oligothiophene (BOTH) and bis-perylenediimide (BPDI) derivatives attached to a benzo template. The electronic structures and dynamics of photoinduced charge separation and recombination of this quartet molecule and reference compounds in solutions and films were studied at isolated the molecular level in solutions as well as at the molecular assembly level in films with stacked structures. Two different dynamics of charge separation and recombination associated with two types of donor/acceptor pair conformations in solution were observed. This molecular system exhibits a more efficient charge separation than charge recombination processes in both polar and non-polar organic solvents, as well as films. More efficient charge separation and slower charge recombination due to the covalent linkage indicating that the material is a potential candidate for photovoltaic studies in solid-state.
Quantification of left atrial flow velocity distribution in atrial fibrillation using 4D flow MRI

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia characterized by irregular electrical activity in the left atrium (LA). Thromboembolism is the most serious complication of AF, usually manifesting as stroke or systemic embolism (1). This is thought to be linked to the increased risk of thrombus formation in the LA due to a decrease in blood velocity (stasis) or flow abnormalities. A better appreciation of the underlying mechanisms and risk factors for thrombus formation in the individual patient are needed to improve risk stratification and therapy planning. Using 4D-flow MRI, time resolved blood velocity measurements can be made in patients with AF. The aim of this study was to compare LA velocity distributions in different groups of AF patients. We hypothesize that persistent AF results in more deranged LA flow patterns with reduced velocities which may be related to an increased risk of thrombus formation and thus stroke. Methods MRI data were acquired from 31 AF patients (mean age 63+/-10.5) from two groups (n=21 post-treatment, in sinus rhythm, n=10 in persistent AF). Each subject underwent gated 4D-Flow MRI on 1.5T and 3T MR systems (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). After noise filtering, Maxwell, and eddy current correction, time resolved pathlines were emitted from planes placed manually over the pulmonary veins at the junction with the LA (Fig 1). The LA was segmented and the distribution of velocities was quantified by histogram analysis. Mean velocities were calculated for each subject group. In addition number of voxels with velocities greater than 0.2m/s was calculated. The selection of the velocity threshold was based on previous TEE results which found that systolic LA velocities less than 0.2m/s constitute a risk factor for stroke (2). Results Qualitative observation of the blood flow patterns in patients showed very different patterns between those subjects imaged in sinus rhythm and those in persistent AF. Fig 1 displays clear differences in blood flow at end systole (A,D), early diastole (B,E), and mid diastole (C,F) for a post-intervention AF patient in sinus rhythm and in persistent AF. The quantitative results from all subjects are summarized in fig 2. Patients with persistent AF had a mean blood flow of 0.14±0.03m/s, lower than AF patients in sinus rhythm (0.19±0.04m/s, p=0.006). 14% of the velocity values for patients in AF were greater than 0.2m/s, lower than patients in sinus (35%, p=0.004).
Inhibition of platelet aggregation and thromboxane production by pinacidil.

Abstract We examined the effects of pinacidil on in vitro platelet function and arachidonic acid metabolism. Pinacidil is an arterial vasodilator currently undergoing clinical trials. Although its mechanism of action is yet undetermined, there is evidence that the activity of other vasodilators may in part be mediated through their effects on arachidonic acid metabolism. Alterations in platelet function were investigated by measuring ADP-induced aggregation in aliquots of human platelet rich plasma that were preincubated with pinacidil. Changes in arachidonic acid metabolism were determined using washed platelets incubated with 14C labeled arachidonic acid after preincubation with pinacidil or indomethacin. The arachidonate metabolites formed were extracted, separated by thin layer chromatography and quantitated via liquid scintillation spectrometry. Pinacidil inhibited platelet aggregation in a concentration dependent manner with 94% inhibition at 0.005M pinacidil. Pinacidil also caused concentration dependent inhibition of TXB2 production (63% inhibition at 0.01M) with reciprocal increases in PGE2 and PGF2α production. There was no significant alteration in arachidonic acid utilization. Indomethacin (0.01M), as expected, inhibited TXB2 as well as PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis. We conclude that, under the conditions of our assay, pinacidil inhibits platelet aggregation and specifically inhibits thromboxane synthetase, an action different from that of indomethacin. Alterations in the relative synthesis of vasodilating and vasoconstricting prostaglandins may be one mechanism whereby pinacidil exerts its antihypertensive activity.
Cluster-size distributions for irreversible cooperative filling of lattices. II. Exact one-dimensional results for noncoalescing clusters.

We consider processes where the sites of an infinite, uniform, one-dimensional lattice are filled irreversibly and cooperatively, with the rates k/sub i/, depending on the number i = 0,1,2 of filled nearest neighbors. Furthermore, we suppose that filling of sites with both neighbors already filled is forbidden, so k/sub 2/ = 0. Thus, clusters can nucleate and grow, but cannot coalesce. Exact truncation solutions of the corresponding infinite hierarchy of rate equations for subconfiguration probabilities are possible. For the probabilities of filled s-tuples f/sub s/ as a function of coverage, thetaequivalentf/sub 1/, we find that f/sub s//f/sub s+1/ = D(theta)s+C(theta,s), where C(theta,s)/s..-->..0 as s..-->..infinity. This corresponds to faster than exponential decay. Also, if rhoequivalentk/sub 1//k/sub 0/, then one has D(theta)approx.(2rhotheta)/sup -1/ as theta..-->..0. The filled-cluster-size distribution n/sub s/ has the same characteristics. Motivated by the behavior of these families of f/sub s//f/sub s+1/-vs-s curves, we develop the natural extension of f/sub s/ to s< or =0. Explicit values for f/sub s/ and related quantities for ''almost random'' filling, k/sub 0/ = k/sub 1/, are obtained from a direct statistical analysis.
Deuterium magic angle spinning studies of substrates bound to cytochrome P450.

We report solid-state deuterium magic angle spinning NMR spectra of perdeuterated adamantane bound to the active site of microcrystalline cytochrome P450cam (CP450cam) in its resting state. CP450cam contains a high-spin ferric (Fe3+) heme in the resting state; the isotropic shift was displaced from the diamagnetic value and varied with temperature consistent with Curie-law dependence. A nondeuterated competitive tighter binding ligand, camphor, was used to displace the adamantane-bound species. This addition resulted in the disappearance of the hyperfine-shifted signal associated with a perdeuterated adamantane bound to CP450cam, while signals presumably associated with adamantane bound to other cavities persisted. We simulated the deuterium spinning side-band intensities for the enzyme-bound species using dipolar hyperfine coupling as the only anisotropic interaction; the deuterium quadrupolar interaction was apparently averaged due to a fast high-symmetry motion. These data provide direct support for pr...