cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genes Affecting the Activity of Nicotinic Receptors Involved in Caenorhabditis elegans Egg-Laying Behavior

Egg-laying behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by multiple neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and serotonin. Agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors such as nicotine and levamisole stimulate egg laying; however, the genetic and molecular basis for cholinergic neurotransmission in the egg-laying circuitry is not well understood. Here we describe the egg-laying phenotypes of eight levamisole resistance genes, which affect the activity of levamisole-sensitive nicotinic receptors in nematodes. Seven of these genes, including the nicotinic receptor subunit genes unc-29, unc-38, and lev-1, were essential for the stimulation of egg laying by levamisole, though they had only subtle effects on egg-laying behavior in the absence of drug. Thus, these genes appear to encode components of a nicotinic receptor that can promote egg laying but is not necessary for egg-laying muscle contraction. Since the levamisole-receptor mutants responded to other cholinergic drugs, other acetylcholine receptors are likely to function in parallel with the levamisole-sensitive receptors to mediate cholinergic neurotransmission in the egg-laying circuitry. In addition, since expression of functional unc-29 in muscle cells restored levamisole sensitivity under some but not all conditions, both neuronal and muscle cell UNC-29 receptors are likely to contribute to the regulation of egg-laying behavior. Mutations in one levamisole receptor gene, unc-38, also conferred both hypersensitivity and reduced peak response to serotonin; thus nicotinic receptors may play a role in regulating serotonin response pathways in the egg-laying neuromusculature.
Stochastic dynamic programming: advanced computing constructs

A method for fast and efficient numerical solution of stochastic dynamic programming problems is described. The problems arise in optimal control of nonlinear, continuous-time dynamical systems, perturbed by Poisson as well as Gaussian random white noise. The numerical formulation is highly suitable for a vector multiprocessor or vectorizing supercomputer. Advanced computing techniques and hardware help alleviate Bellman's curse of dimensionality in dynamic programming computations. >
Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Method, Revised Edition

Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Method, Revised Edition. Carolyn F. Sargent and Thomas M. Johnson. eds. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 1996 (cloth and paper), xxi. 557.
Retrograde block during dual pathway atrioventricular nodal reentrant paroxysmal tachycardia.

Abstract There are limited reported data regarding the occurrence of retrograde block during dual pathway atrioventricular (A-V) nodal reentrant paroxysmal tachycardia. This study describes two patients with this phenomenon. The first patient had 2:1 and type 1 retrograde ventriculoatrial block during the common variety of A-V nodal reentrance (slow pathway for anterograde and fast pathway for retrograde conduction). Fractionated atrial electrograms suggested that the site of block was within the atria. The second patient had type 1 retrograde block (between the A-V node and the low septal right atrium) during the unusual variety of A-V nodal reentrance (stow pathway for retrograde and fast pathway for anterograde conduction). The abolition of retrograde block by atropine suggested that the site of block was within A-V nodal tissue. Both cases demonstrate that intact retrograde conduction is not necessary for the continuation of A-V nodal reentrant paroxysymal tachycardia. Case 2 supports the hypothesis that the atria are not a requisite part of the A-V nodal reentrant pathway.
Harold S. Johnston (1920–2012)

One of the most exceptional atmospheric chemists of the twentieth century, Harold “Hal” S. Johnston died on 20 October 2012 at the age of 92. Hal's pioneering work on atmospheric kinetics, both in laboratory and theoretical studies, greatly advanced understanding of the processes affecting ozone in the troposphere and stratosphere, especially related to the chemistry and impacts resulting from nitrogen oxides (NOx ).
Open-Loop Performance of a Fast-Response, Actively Controlled Fuel Injector Actuator

This paper describes a study of the frequency dependence of a secondary combustion process response (SCPR) produced by a gaseous fuel injector actuator that was developed for the control of unstable combustor oscillations. Initially, two different approaches are presented for determining the SCPR; one uses pressure data measured in a short combustor and the other uses direct measurements of the global combustion zone radiation in a long combustor. The results of both approaches are in good agreement and show that the fuel injector actuator produces a signie cant SCPR over a 0 ‐ 800 Hz frequency range. The results also show that the phase lag of the SCPR increases almost linearly with the frequency, suggesting that a pure time delay plays a role in the mechanisms that control the SCPR. Additional studies presented in the paper investigate the dependence of the SCPR on the characteristics of the fuel actuator and the main injector geometry. These show that the SCPR strongly depends on the location of the modulated fuel stream injection relative to the location of the primary combustion process, and that a larger SCPR is obtained when the secondary, modulated, fuel stream is injected directly into the primary combustion zone.
Thin Silicon Films Used As Antireflection Coatings For Metal Coated Substrates

The controllable patterning of micrometer and submicrometer resist features on metal layers is critical for many VLSI processes, but the exposure of photoresist to near normal incidence illumination will result in spatial, energy variations coupled into the photoresist i.e., standing waves. The dominant factor that determines the amplitude of the standing wave is the substrate reflectivity. The deleterious effects of light reflected from the photoresist/substrate interface are well documented. Thin, sputtered Si films have been found an effective antireflection coating for reducing standing wave effects over metal layers and thus improving resist linewidth control, resolution and sidewall angle. The optical constants of Ar sputtered Si have been measured and this data is used to simulate the resultant reflectivity as a function of Si thickness. In our particular application the optimum Si thickness is determined not just by the minimum in reflected signal but also by the minimum required signal to noise ratio required to accurately align the die.
Activity of Desoxycorticosterone Acetate upon Oral Administration

SummaryDesoxycorticosterone acetate was found to be beneficial to adrenalectomized rats upon oral administration, i.e., mixed with food and/or drinking water. Dosages of 0.09 to 0.33 mg daily favor...
Correlation between time reversal symmetry and chirality in certain molecular processes

If a molecule is identified not only by its static spatial constructions, but also by the motions at the sub-molecular level, application of time reversal symmetry operation to a certain molecule could lead to another distinguishable from the original in the sense of sub-molecular motions, a phenomenon now defined as time reversal isomerism. Assessment of the consideration of certain enantiomers as distinguishable time reversal isomers is suggested in order to evoke a comprehensive interpretation of a likely correlation between the two types of isomerisms. The conceptual basis of a connection between absolute asymmetric synthesis under the influence of external fields and the intrinsic time reversal symmetry violation at the molecular level is also established to encourage new experimental investigations on this theme. Chirality 10:289–293, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impurity and fluctuation effects in charge-density-wave superconductors

We formulate a theory of a charge-density-wave (CDW) distorted superconductor, in the presence of impurities and CDW fluctuations. This theory is expected to be applicable to the layered compound $2H$-Nb${\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$. Our primary aim is to compute the superconducting density of states ${N}_{s}(\ensuremath{\omega})$. We also obtain the temperature dependence of the order parameter $\ensuremath{\Delta}$. We show, when all other parameters are fixed, that nonmagnetic impurities will raise the superconducting transition temperature and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$. Since the CDW gap ${W}_{Q}$ is expected to decrease with concentration, this effect should be even more pronounced. For nonmagnetic impurities, ${N}_{s}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ is found to be "BCS-like" with a gap at $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\ne}{\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{\mathrm{BCS}}$, with subsidiary structure at $\ensuremath{\omega}={({\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{2}+{W}_{Q}^{2})}^{\frac{1}{2}}$. As the nonmagnetic impurity concentration is further increased this structure rounds out and ${N}_{s}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ approaches the strict BCS limit. CDW fluctuation effects are expected to lead to fine structure in ${N}_{s}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ at the characteristic phonon frequency. In principle, an analysis of (future) tunneling data will give detailed information about the CDW excitations, some of which has been obtained from Raman spectroscopy.
Smale Horseshoes and Symbolic Dynamics in Perturbed Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations

, which offers an interpretation of the numerical observation on the perturbed NLS system: chaotic center-wing jumping, of course under the ``except one point''—type conditions (A1)—(A3). This study is a generalization of the finite-dimensional study [14] to infinite-dimensional perturbed NLS systems.
Cost-Effectiveness of Dabigatran for Stroke Prophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation

Background—Recent studies have investigated alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but whether these alternatives are cost-effective is unknown. Methods and Results—On the basis of the results from Randomized Evaluation of Long Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) and other trials, we developed a decision-analysis model to compare the cost and quality-adjusted survival of various antithrombotic therapies. We ran our Markov model in a hypothetical cohort of 70-year-old patients with AF using a cost-effectiveness threshold of $50 000/quality-adjusted life-year. We estimated the cost of dabigatran as US $9 a day. For a patient with an average risk of major hemorrhage (≈3%/y), the most cost-effective therapy depended on stroke risk. For patients with the lowest stroke rate (CHADS2 stroke score of 0), only aspirin was cost-effective. For patients with a moderate stroke rate (CHADS2 score of 1 or 2), warfarin was cost-effective unless the risk of hemorrhage wa...
Prolongation of Carrageenan-induced Inflammation in Human Colonic Epithelial Cells by Activation of an NFκB – BCL10 Loop

Carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide that is widely used as a food additive, induces inflammatory responses in animal models and human cells. The carrageenan-induced inflammatory cascades involve toll-like receptor (TLR)4- and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma (BCL)10-dependent activation of NF-κB, leading to increased IL-8 production. Translocations involving BCL10 in the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are associated with constitutive activation of NF-κB. This report presents a mechanism by which carrageenan exposure leads to prolonged activation of both BCL10 and NF-κB in human colonic epithelial cells. Study findings demonstrate that nuclear RelA and RelB bind to an NF-κB binding motif in the BCL10 promoter in human colonic epithelial NCM460 and HT-29 cells. In vitro oligonucleotide binding assay, non-radioactive gel shift assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) indicate binding of RelA and RelB to the BCL10 promoter. Prolonged inflammation follows activation of the BCL10-NFκB inflammatory loop in response to carrageenan, shown by increased BCL10, RelA, and IL-8 for 36 to 48h and increased RelB for 24h following withdrawal of carrageenan after 12h. In contrast, exposure to dextran sulfate sodium, which does not cause inflammation through TLR4 and BCL10 in the colonic epithelial cells, did not provoke prolonged activation of inflammation. The carrageenan-enhanced BCL10 promoter activity was blocked by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and MB-132 which inhibit NF-κB activation. These results indicate that NF-κB binding to the BCL10 promoter can lead to prolonged activation of the carrageenan-induced inflammatory cascade by a transcriptional mechanism involving an NF-κB-BCL10 loop.
Development of biliary and hepatic neoplasms in guinea pigs treated with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine.

Summary N-Nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) was administered subcutaneously to 29 male inbred strain 13 guinea pigs at weekly intervals for 4 weeks. The guinea pigs were observed until their death or termination of the experiment at the end of 55 weeks. Of 14 guinea pigs that survived more than 30 weeks, 7 animals developed cholangiocarcinomas and 2 developed hepatocellular carcinomas. Tumors of other sites were not found.
The endothelial cell ecto-ADPase responsible for inhibition of platelet function is CD39.

We previously demonstrated that when platelets are in motion and in proximity to endothelial cells, they become unresponsive to agonists (Marcus, A.J., L.B. Safier, K.A. Hajjar, H.L. Ullman, N. Islam, M.J. Broekman, and A.M. Eiroa. 1991. J. Clin. Invest. 88:1690-1696). This inhibition is due to an ecto-ADPase on the surface of endothelial cells which metabolizes ADP released from activated platelets, resulting in blockade of the aggregation response. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) ADPase was biochemically classified as an E-type ATP-diphosphohydrolase. The endothelial ecto-ADPase is herein identified as CD39, a molecule originally characterized as a lymphoid surface antigen. All HUVEC ecto-ADPase activity was immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies to CD39. Surface localization of HUVEC CD39 was established by confocal microscopy and flow cytometric analyses. Transfection of COS cells with human CD39 resulted in both ecto-ADPase activity as well as surface expression of CD39. PCR analyses of cDNA obtained from HUVEC mRNA and recombinant human CD39 revealed products of the same size, and of identical sequence. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that HUVEC express the same sized transcripts for CD39 as MP-1 cells (from which CD39 was originally cloned). We established the role of CD39 as a prime endothelial thromboregulator by demonstrating that CD39-transfected COS cells acquired the ability to inhibit ADP-induced aggregation in platelet-rich plasma. The identification of HUVEC ADPase/CD39 as a constitutively expressed potent inhibitor of platelet reactivity offers new prospects for antithrombotic therapeusis.
Toward Constructing an Endophenotype Strategy for Bipolar Disorders

Research aimed at elucidating the underlying neurobiology and genetics of bipolar disorder, and factors associated with treatment response, have been limited by a heterogeneous clinical phenotype and lack of knowledge about its underlying diathesis. We used a survey of clinical, epidemiological, neurobiological, and genetic studies to select and evaluate candidate endophenotypes for bipolar disorder. Numerous findings regarding brain function, brain structure, and response to pharmacological challenge in bipolar patients and their relatives deserve further investigation. Candidate brain function endophenotypes include attention deficits, deficits in verbal learning and memory, cognitive deficits after tryptophan depletion, circadian rhythm instability, and dysmodulation of motivation and reward. We selected reduced anterior cingulate volume and early-onset white matter abnormalities as candidate brain structure endophenotypes. Symptom provocation endophenotypes might be based on bipolar patients' sensitivity to sleep deprivation, psychostimulants, and cholinergic drugs. Phenotypic heterogeneity is a major impediment to the elucidation of the neurobiology and genetics of bipolar disorder. We present a strategy constructed to improve the phenotypic definition of bipolar disorder by elucidating candidate endophenotypes. Studies to evaluate candidate endophenotypes with respect to specificity, heritability, temporal stability, and prevalence in unaffected relatives are encouraged.
Inhibition of the Primary Photochemical Events in Rhodospirillum Rubrum by Ubiquinone Analogues

Twenty-one quinone compounds have been tested for their ability to inhibit the primary photochemical events when added to R. rubrum chromatophores. This was determined by measuring their effect on the light-induced absorbance change at 605 nm and their ability to quench the variable portion of fluorescence (Fv). Benzoquinone structures with one or more bromine or iodine substituents and a bulky group (isopropyl, t-butyl, n-hexyl) were particularly effective inhibitors. The most potent of these were 2,3,5-tribromo-6-n-hexyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,3-diiodo-5-t-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone which caused 50% inhibition at less than μM quantities (or about 5 to 10 fold above the phototrap concentrations). From control experiments with egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes containing bacteriochlorophyll, it was shown that although the effective inhibitors also quenched fluorescence when added to this model system, quenching depended on the viscosity of the bilayer and was not very sensitive to structural parameters. In the in vivo system, phototrap activity was inhibited at 77 K to the same extent as room temperature, indicating diffusion was not important. In the control experiments with liposomes, the concentration for which 50% quenching was observed by 2,5-dibromo-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,3,5-tribromo-6-n-hexyl-1,4-benzoquinone only differed by two fold whereas in the chromatophore system, the difference was over 1000 fold; no effect was seen in vivo by the former compound and the latter was the most effective. It is suggested that most of the instantaneous fluorescence (Fo) is from a bacteriochlorophyll component(s) which does not communicate with the reaction center and a higher concentration of added quinone is required before this pigment fluorescence is quenched.
Doping Induced Internal Stress Reduction in Diamondlike Carbon Films Deposited by Pulsed Laser Ablation

We have investigated the effect of dopants on the reduction of internal compressive stress in diamond-like carbon (DLC) films prepared by pulsed laser deposition on Si(100) substrates. A novel target configuration was used to incorporate dopants into DLC films by sequential pulsed laser ablation of two targets. These dopants include copper, titanium and silicon. The thickness of the DLC films deposited was measured in the range 400nm - 600nm using a profilometer. Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze the chemistry of the films. The shifts of the G-peak position in the Raman spectrum, due to different concentrations of dopant, were used to estimate the internal stress changes. All of the films showed a Raman spectrum typical of DLC films containing a high fraction of sp3 species, with the G-peak centered at around 1510–1560cm−1. The shift of the G-peak due to the presence of dopants was observed for all the DLC films as compared to the undoped one. It was found that Ti has the strongest tendency to reduce the compressive stress of DLC films. This effect increases with increasing concentration of dopants. Silicon was also observed to have this effect, but the G-peak position did not appear to shift with different Si concentrations. Buckling occurred in the as-deposited, undoped DLC film because of the relief of the large compressive stress accumulated in the film, while all the doped DLC films showed good adhesion to the substrate. The results are discussed combining the atomic structure of DLC and the structure and properties of the dopants.
Penicillin-Resistant Streptococci from the Saliva

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUASTREPTOCOCCOS PENICILLINO-RESISTENTE ISOLATE AB LE SALIVA DE PATIENTES CON FEBRE RHEUMATIC.— Le presentia de streptococcos penicillino-resistente in le cavitate oral representa un periculo potential pro le salute general de patientes con febre rheumatic e congenite morbo cardiac quando illes se subjice a un tractamento dental. Esseva studiate le saliva de patientes con febre rheumatic sub tractamento penicillinic a diurne dosage oral. Le streptococcos hemolytic alpha e nonhemolytic esseva identificate per le tests morphologic e biochimic de uso in le microbiologia diagnostic. Le resultatos del studio monstra que 45 ex 58 patientes rheumatic (77,5 pro cento) habeva disveloppate lineas penicillino-resistente de streptococcos, in comparation con solmente 7 del 58 patientes de controlo (12 pro cento).
Conformity to Majority Type as a Function of Task and Acceptance of Sex-Related Stereotypes

Summary It was expected that individuals who have accepted the conventional sex roles would conform most to an All-Male majority when confronted with male-related items, but when the items are female-related, they should conform most to an All-Female majority. he Ss were 204 American male and female students. A conformity instrument, a Masculinity-Femininity scale, and a Women's Liberation scale were administered to the Ss; the last two instruments were used to classify the Ss in terms of acceptance or rejection of conventional sex roles. It was found that with male-related items, Feminine-Females and Anti-Lib Ss conformed most to the All-Male majority; when the items were female-related, Masculine-Males conformed most to the All-Female majority. In general, whereas males conformed to the same extent to different types of majority with male-related items, females conformed most to the All-Male majority; this suggests that the women's movement may be having a greater impact on the men than the women in Ame...
Optimizations and oracle parallelism with dynamic translation

We describe several optimizations which can be employed in a dynamic binary translation (DBT) system, where low compilation/translation overhead is essential. These optimizations achieve a high degree of ILP, sometimes even surpassing a static compiler employing more sophisticated, and more time-consuming algorithms [9]. We present results in which we employ these optimizations in a dynamic binary translation system capable of computing oracle parallelism.
Continued monitoring of the state of qualitative physics

Abstract This editorial contains very brief summaries of the papers that were presented at the First Workshop on Qualitative Physics, but which are not included in the special issue of AI in Engineering on Qualitative Physics.
RFID Terminology and Technology: Preparing to Evaluate RFID for Your Library

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has arrived. It is commonly used in areas as diverse as warehouses and implantable identification chips for pets and livestock. As with any technology, the evaluator must learn certain concepts and terminology. This article presents various basic concepts of RFID and indicates applicability in the library setting. It provides a foundation for addressing privacy concerns regarding the use of RFID in the library. For those considering implementing RFID in their institution, it provides suggested resources for further reading.
Linear Dependence of Gain Scores on Their Components Imposes Constraints on Use and Interpretation: Comment on "Are Simple Gain Scores Obsolete?"

The properties of gain scores are linearly deter mined by the properties of their components. Thus, the reliability of a gain is uniquely determined by the reliabilities of the components, the correlation be tween them, and their standard deviations. Reliability is not inherently low, but the components of gains used in many investigations make low reliability likely. Correlations of the difference between two measures and a third variate are also determined uniquely by three correlations and two standard de viations. Raw score standard deviations frequently tell more about the measurement metric and how it is used than about the psychological processes underly ing the measurements. Correlations involving gains/ differences cannot be understood adequately unless the essential sample statistics of the components are known and reported. Index terms: change scores, classical test theory, difference scores, gain scores, intraindividual differences, measurement of growth, reliability, test theory, validity.
Müllerian-type epithelial tumor arising within a torsed appendix testis.

Because it is a remnant of the mullerian duct system, the appendix testis contains mullerian epithelium that theoretically may produce epithelial tumors similar to those that occur in the female genital tract. Few reports of tumors of mullerian origin arising in the testis exist, and rarely are neoplasms arising from the appendix testis identified. We present a case of a serous cystic neoplasm of low malignant potential derived from mullerian-type epithelium that was located in the torsed appendix testis of a young, otherwise healthy, boy.
Measuring methane and its isotopes 12CH4, 13CH4, and CH3D on the surface of Mars with in situ laser spectroscopy.

In light of the recent discovery of methane on Mars and its possible biological origin, a strategy is described for making in situ measurements of methane and its isotopes on the surface of Mars by laser spectroscopy in the 3.3-μm wavelength region. An instrument of reasonable mass (~1 lb) and power (few watts) is capable of measuring mixing ratios down to 0.1 part per 109 by volume, a hundred times lower than recently reported observations. Making accurate measurements of 13CH4 and CH3D will be more difficult. For measuring 313C to 10‰ and δD to 50‰, sample preconcentration will be required to ~3 parts per 106 by volume for δ13C and to ~40 parts per 106 by volume for δD. This need would be mitigated by the discovery of larger local abundances of methane near the source regions.
Objectivity of the Constitutive Equation for a Material with Memory

The restriction imposed by objectivity on the constitutive functional for a material with memory is well-known. However, the derivation usually given is open to certain objections. A more satisfactory proof is given in this note.
Diabetic osteopathy: report of a relentlessly progressive case, with clinico-pathologic correlations.

A case is presented of diabetic neuropathy with progressive, persistent destruction of the skeletal structure of one foot despite immobilization. Pathologic examination revealed only bland necrosis of the bone and cartilage. The pathogenesis of diabetic osteopathy requires further clarification.
Possible Implications Of Vascular Damage For Tumor Cell Inactivation In Vivo: Comparison Of Different Photosensitizers

Various different photosensitizers were compared to Photofrin® II with respect to their potential for causing direct tumor cell inactivation and/or vascular damage. GaCl-phthalocyanine of mixed sulfonation, while being 10 x more efficient than Photofrin® II in tumor cell inactivation, caused equal vascular photosensitization. Monosulfonated AlC1-phthalocyanine, on the other hand, was sparing to the vasculature, while still exhibiting good tumor cell effects. Large differences in vascular photosensitization were also observed with tetra- and monosulfonated tetraphenylporphines.
Women and rural development in Pakistan

Abstract The study of sex-roles in agriculture and their integration in the rural development processes is a fairly new subject in South Asian geography. In Pakistan such studies are even more recent, because of the segregation of the sexes and Islamic culture in Pakistan. Instead of making women do hard or tiresome work in agricultural fields, Pakistan society treats its women as ‘cultural bourgeoises’, circumspect, decorous, and bearers of the family honor. For those who do work, a slight improvement in economic or social status restricts them from agricultural work, a process called by some ‘negative modernization’. U.S. AID and other agencies are trying hard to change the prevalent patterns in Pakistan, but cultural, structural, and political factors are too old and strong to change quickly. This paper reviews the sociocultural status of women, and their role in agricultural operations. Examples are from Sind and Panjab provinces, the agricultural heartland of Pakistan.
Correlation of basal sphincter pressures measured from the bile duct and the pancreatic duct in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

If basal sphincter of Oddi pressures measured from the pancreatic duct and the bile duct are essentially equal, then measurement of basal pressures from only one duct would be adequate in evaluating sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. We report a series of 88 patients whom we evaluated with sphincter of Oddi manometry. Cannulation of both the biliary sphincter segment and pancreatic sphincter segment was achieved in these patients. Basal sphincter pressures were measured (normal,
A Harmful Interference Model for Unlicensed Device Operation in Licensed service Bands

Recent FCC proceedings have considered the notion of unlicensed device operation in licensed bands. Licensed users are concerned about harmful interference while unlicensed device manufacturers are concerned that harmful interference is an imprecise design concept. This paper addresses two elements to these concerns. First, it develops an explicit model of harmful interference to be included in unlicensed device rules. Such a model provides explicit bounded protection to the licensed user while providing assurances and performance goals to the unlicenseddevice manufacturers. Second, it presents an analytic model for assessing harmful interference that not only provides quantitative analysis, but, also provides insight into how factors such as directional antennas, power control, and licensed channel avoidance strategies affect the aggregate interference. Further, it suggests that complex factors such as unlicensed device modulation schemes can be captured in a simple measurement. These ideas are applied to the notice of proposed rulemaking on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands.
Markov operators and OS-positive processes

Abstract We study factorization problems for Markov operators between probability spaces. The factorable operators are shown to be a σ-weakly closed cone, and examples of non-factorable operators are constructed using C ∗ -algebraic methods. These ideas are applied to the study of OS-positive processes in discrete time, and some examples of OS-positive processes are constructed which cannot be extended to Markov processes.
Identifying Atomic Structure as a Threshold Concept: Student mental models and troublesomeness

Atomic theory or the nature of matter is a principal concept in science and science education. This has, however, been complicated by the difficulty students have in learning the concept and the subsequent construction of many alternative models. To understand better the conceptual barriers to learning atomic structure, this study explores the troublesome nature of this fundamental scientific concept. In order to illustrate the distinction of student understanding by threshold barriers, this study chose three particularly high‐achieving students from an original interview sample of 20 students who were selected from an introductory college chemistry course. The pre‐course and post‐course interview responses were examined and compared in detail. This study considers the concepts of ‘probability’ and ‘energy quantization’ to both describe the structure of the threshold of understanding students’ need to negotiate in their construction of the target model of atomic structure. In this respect, this study sugg...
Internet (WWW) based system of ultrasonic image processing tools for remote image analysis

Ultrasonic Doppler color imaging can provide anatomic information and simultaneously render flow information within blood vessels for diagnostic purpose. Many researchers are currently developing ultrasound image processing algorithms in order to provide physicians with accurate clinical parameters from the images. Because researchers use a variety of computer languages and work on different computer platforms to implement their algorithms, it is difficult for other researchers and physicians to access those programs. A system has been developed using World Wide Web (WWW) technologies and HTTP communication protocols to publish our ultrasonic Angle Independent Doppler Color Image (AIDCI) processing algorithm and several general measurement tools on the Internet, where authorized researchers and physicians can easily access the program using web browsers to carry out remote analysis of their local ultrasonic images or images provided from the database. In order to overcome potential incompatibility between programs and users' computer platforms, ActiveX technology was used in this project. The technique developed may also be used for other research fields.
Morbidity reduction in critically ill trauma patients through use of a computerized insulin infusion protocol: a preliminary study.

Background: Recent data have demonstrated that intensive glycemic control during critical illness improves outcome. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of a computerized hospital insulin protocol (CHIP) on glycemic control and outcome in critically ill trauma patients. Methods: Two, 6-month cohorts were compared, one 6 months prior to chip implementation (pre-CHIP) and one from the 6-month period after implementation (post-CHIP), using finger stick blood glucose values and demographic, injury severity, and outcome variables for adult patients with intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) ≥72 hours. Infectious morbidity was based upon the National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons definitions. Differences between cohorts were assessed using Student's t test and Fisher's exact test for continuous and categorical variables. Results: The 129 pre- and 128 post-CHIP patients were well matched for demographics and injury severity. Significant reductions in mean finger stick blood glucose, rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia, central venous line infection, total infections, and all LOS categories were demonstrated in the post-CHIP cohort. However, mortality was significantly higher in the post-CHIP cohort. Conclusion: This preliminary study demonstrates significant morbidity and LOS reductions with the use of a CHIP, but significantly increased mortality. Further prospective studies are necessary to assess the effects of intensive glycemic control on outcome after injury, particularly in sub populations who might be adversely affected.
Stringency of the 2-His–1-Asp Active-Site Motif in Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase

The non-heme iron(II) dioxygenase family of enzymes contain a common 2-His–1-carboxylate iron-binding motif. These enzymes catalyze a wide variety of oxidative reactions, such as the hydroxylation of aliphatic C–H bonds. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) is an α-ketoglutarate-dependent iron(II) dioxygenase that catalyzes the post-translational hydroxylation of proline residues in protocollagen strands, stabilizing the ensuing triple helix. Human P4H residues His412, Asp414, and His483 have been identified as an iron-coordinating 2-His–1-carboxylate motif. Enzymes that catalyze oxidative halogenation do so by a mechanism similar to that of P4H. These halogenases retain the active-site histidine residues, but the carboxylate ligand is replaced with a halide ion. We replaced Asp414 of P4H with alanine (to mimic the active site of a halogenase) and with glycine. These substitutions do not, however, convert P4H into a halogenase. Moreover, the hydroxylase activity of D414A P4H cannot be rescued with small molecules. In addition, rearranging the two His and one Asp residues in the active site eliminates hydroxylase activity. Our results demonstrate a high stringency for the iron-binding residues in the P4H active site. We conclude that P4H, which catalyzes an especially demanding chemical transformation, is recalcitrant to change.
Cost-effectiveness of prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis undergoing immunosuppressive therapy

Objective To assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of 3 Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis strategies in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) receiving immunosuppressive therapies: 1) no prophylaxis; 2) trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) 160 mg/800 mg 3 times a week, which is discontinued if patients experience an adverse drug reaction (ADR); and 3) TMP/SMX 160 mg/800 mg 3 times a week, which is replaced by monthly aerosolized pentamidine (300 mg) if patients experience an ADR. Methods A Markov state-transition model was developed to follow a hypothetical cohort of WG patients over their lifetimes starting from the time of initial exposure to the immunosuppressive therapy. The effect of PCP prophylaxis on life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, average discounted lifetime cost (ADLC), and incremental cost-effectiveness was estimated based on data obtained from a literature review. Direct medical costs were examined from a societal perspective, and costs and benefits were discounted at 3% annually. Results No prophylaxis resulted in a life expectancy of 13.36 quality-adjusted life years (QALY) at an ADLC of $4,538. In comparison, prophylaxis with TMP/SMX alone increased the QALY to 13.54 and was cost saving, with an ADLC of $3,304. The addition of pentamidine in patients who had an ADR to TMP/SMX resulted in 13.61 QALY, with an ADLC of $7,428. Compared with TMP/SMX alone, TMP/SMX followed by pentamidine increased the QALY by 0.07 at an incremental cost of $58,037 per QALY. Both TMP/SMX alone and TMP/SMX followed by pentamidine prophylaxis strategies dominated the no prophylaxis strategy until the incidence of PCP fell below 0.2% and 2.25%, respectively. Institution of pentamidine therapy for patients with a TMP/SMX ADR increased quality-adjusted life expectancy compared with that with TMP/SMX alone until the incidence of PCP rose above 7.5%. Conclusion Prophylaxis using TMP/SMX alone increased life expectancy and reduced cost for patients with WG receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Replacing TMP/SMX with monthly aerosolized pentamidine in cases of ADR further increased life expectancy, although at an increased cost.
Ab Initio Predictions of New Carbon Hypermagnesium Species: Mg2C and Mg3C

The ground and very low-lying excited states of new Mg2C and Mg3C molecules have been studied using high-level ab initio techniques. Four structures of Mg2C, (C2v, 1A1), (C2v, 3B1), (D∞h, 3∑g-), and (D∞h, 5∑u-), were found to lie within 4 kcal/mol (at QCISD(T)/6-311+G(2df)) of one another. A C3v (1A1) structure was found to be the only low-energy structure for Mg3C. Both Mg2C and Mg3C were found to be thermodynamically stable with respect to all dissociation channels. Dissociation energies are found to be, for Mg2C (C2v, 1A1) → MgC (3∑-) + Mg (1S), 24.6 kcal/mol and, for Mg3C (C3v, 1A1) → Mg2C (C2v, 1A1) + Mg (1S), 41 kcal/mol at the QCISD(T)/6-311+G(2df)+ZPE level.
First Derivative of the Electrocardiogram

A method for obtaining the first derivative of the ECG electronically has been described and the curve of the first derivative displayed with the original ECG. It has been demonstrated that the first derivative emphasizes the high frequency components of the ECG and firmly establishes the fact that these are very real and significant components of the ECG. The ultimate usefulness of this method in electrocardiographic diagnosis remains to be determined.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture in a horse.

Real–time ultrasonography was used to confirm diaphragmatic rupture in a horse that developed pleural effusion following a traumatic event. Pleural effusion, a cranially displaced crus, and a cranially positioned sacculated loop of bowel were seen radiographically. The presence of gas–filled intestine cranial and dorsal to the diaphragm was detected by ultrasound imaging. The use of ultrasound and radiography in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture is discussed.
β-Amyloid-Induced Neurodegeneration and Protection by Structurally Diverse Microtubule-Stabilizing Agents

Deposition of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) and hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein are associated with neuronal dysfunction and cell death in Alzheimer's disease. Although the relationship between these two processes is not yet understood, studies have shown that both in vitro and in vivo exposure of neurons to Abeta leads to tau hyperphosphorylation and neuronal dystrophy. We previously reported that the microtubule-stabilizing drug paclitaxel (Taxol) protects primary neurons against toxicity induced by the Abeta(25-35) peptide. The studies in this report were undertaken to characterize the actions of paclitaxel more fully, to assess the effectiveness of structurally diverse microtubulestabilizing agents in protecting neurons, and to determine the time course of the protective effects of the drugs. Primary neurons were exposed to Abeta in the presence or absence of several agents shown to interact with microtubules, and neuronal survival was monitored. Paclitaxel protected neurons against Abeta(1-42) toxicity, and paclitaxel-treated cultures exposed to Abeta showed enhanced survival over Abeta-only cultures for several days. Neuronal apoptosis induced by Abeta was blocked by paclitaxel. Other taxanes and three structurally diverse microtubule-stabilizing compounds also significantly increased survival of Abeta-treated cultures. At concentrations below 100 nM, the drugs that protected the neurons did not produce detectable toxicity when added to the cultures alone. Although multiple mechanisms are likely to contribute to the neuronal cell death induced by oligomeric or fibrillar forms of Abeta, low concentrations of drugs that preserve the integrity of the cytoskeletal network may help neurons survive the toxic cascades initiated by these peptides.
Effect of an impurity in a quantum resonator.

We present a numerical study of the influence of disorder on quantum-mechanical transmission by considering the presence of an impurity in a T-shaped quantum-wire junction. The device is modeled as an electron waveguide of finite cross section. Transmission and reflection probabilities are computed by use of a waveguide-matching technique. The calculations show that the transmission of the two-dimensional electron gas through the narrow-wide-narrow geometry can be both enhanced and suppressed by the presence of a repulsive impurity potential. Although perfect transparency is not generally achieved with the presence of a single impurity, we find a 100% modulation of conductance as one device parameter is changed, which is robust against the scattering. If the impurity is located in the narrow-wire region, a periodic oscillation appears in transmission due to multiple reflections between the impurity and the stub region. We also examine an attractive scatterer.
Critical gameplay: designing games to critique convention

This paper discusses the critical gameplay design project and its newest evolution. After being exhibited in several international venues in 2009-2011, the project has evolved to employ a more pointed critique of game culture and how people play. The paper describes, Big Huggin', an affection game, Match, a game of procedural racism and Healer, and an unshooter about the Nanjing Massacre. These games continue to explore the notion of values in design.
Chaos in the embryo

The chromosomes of human embryos seem to be more unstable than previously thought. An analysis of embryos derived from in vitro fertilization reveals high rates of structural abnormalities (pages 577–583).
Structural Requirements for N-Trimethylation of Lysine 115 of Calmodulin *

Calmodulin is trimethylated at lysine 115 by a highly specific methyltransferase that utilizes S-adenosylmethionine as a co-substrate. Lysine 115 is found within a highly conserved six-amino acid loop (LGEKLT) that forms a 90 degrees turn between EF-hand III and EF-hand IV in the carboxyl-terminal lobe. In the present work a mutagenesis approach was used to investigate the structural features of the carboxyl-terminal lobe that lead to the specificity of calmodulin methylation. Three structural regions within the carboxyl-terminal lobe appear to be involved in methyltransferase recognition: the highly conserved six-amino acid loop-turn region that contains lysine 115 as well as the adjacent alpha-helices (helix 6 and helix 7) from EF-hands III and IV. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues in the loop show that three residues, glycine 113, glutamate 114, and leucine 116 are essential for methylation. In addition, subdomain (individual helix or Ca(2+) binding loop) exchange mutants show that the substitutions of either helix 6 (EF-hand III) with helix 2 (EF-hand I) or helix 7 (EF-hand IV) with helix 3 (EF-hand II) compromises methylation. Charge-to-alanine mutations in helix 7 show that substitution of conserved charged residues at positions 118, 120, 122, 126, and 127 reduced lysine 115 methylation rates, suggesting possible electrostatic interactions between this helix and the methyltransferase. Single substitutions in helix 6 did not affect calmodulin methylation, suggesting this region may play a more indirect role in stabilizing the conformation of the methyltransferase recognition sequence.
The crystal and molecular structure of trimeric [L2CuCl2]3, L=N,N-diethylnicotinamide

Abstract The complex prepared with a 2:1 molar ration of L = N,N-diethylnicotinamide to anhydrous copper(II) chloride has been crystallized from ethanol as the trimeric unit [L2CuCl2]3. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 16.618(1), b = 8.253(2), c = 28.194(1) A, β = 117.3(4)°. The trimeric unit utilizes a crystallographic center of symmetry. Least squares refinement of the structure using 3692 independent intensities has yielded an R factor of 0.059. Each molecule consists of two five-coordinate and one six-coordinate copper center. The μ,μ-dichloro bridging system is asymmetric with a Cu⋯Cu separation of 3.686 A. The CuN distances range from 2.004(4) to 2.027(4) A and the CuCl distances from 2.264(2) to 2.982(-) A. The copper coordination spheres are compared to that in (py2CuCl2).
Effects of multiple daily insulin injections on peripheral glucose disposal in Latin Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To evaluate the effects of insulin in multiple daily injections (MDI) on peripheral glucose disposal in Latin American patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods and Results Ten Latin American patients (four men and six women) with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 32 and 45 years were evaluated. All women were premenopausal and had regular menstrual periods. A hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp procedure was performed at baseline and was repeated approximately 2 years after insulin monotherapy on MDI was initiated. Both genders had comparable baseline anthropometric and laboratory features, including a mean body mass index > 30 kg/m2and percent body fat > 30%. Baseline percent hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%) was 9.5 ± 1.5%, and post-intervention HbA1c% was 7.0 ± 1.2%. The peripheral glucose disposal rate at baseline was 4.5 ± 2.2 mg/kg/min fat-free mass and at postintervention was 3.6 ± 2.3 mg/kg/min fat-free mass. Conclusions Despite a significant improvement in glycemic control, MDI did not seem to increase the insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate. Underlying obesity and increased percent body fat may have been the most counteracting factors on the potential improvement in insulin sensitivity expected with insulin monotherapy.
A dual particle‐diffusion model for porous adsorbents in fixed beds

A new adsorber model, the MADAM-DPD, can adequately predict entire breakthrough curves for most solute-adsorbent combinations.