cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aneurysms of the posterior interventricular septum with postinfarction ventricular septal defect. Echocardiographic identification

Using real-time, two-dimensional echocardiographic techniques, we recently studied six consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by rupture of the posterior interventricular septum. Each patient experienced an inferior wall myocardial infarction, with a prior anteroseptal infarction in one. In each case, the clinical course was punctuated by the onset of heart failure and a low output state prior to, or coincident with, the appearance of a pansystolic murmur. During two-dimensional echocardiographic study, all six were found to have a discrete aneurysm of the posterior interventricular septum. Septal dyskinesis produced bulging of the interventricular septum far into the right ventricular cavity during systole. Our findings suggest that (1) septal dyskinesis and aneurysm formation may be a valuable sign in diagnosing ventricular septal performation; (2) the reported incidence of postinfarction septal aneurysm at surgery or autopsy may significantly underestimate its true frequency; and (3) septal dyskinesis must be considered as a contributing factor to the compromised hemodynamic status of patients with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture.
A GLOBAL EXPONENTIAL OUTPUT‐FEEDBACK CONTROLLER FOR INDUCTION MOTORS

In this paper, we design an output-feedback, rotor position/rotor flux controller for the full-order, nonlinear dynamic model of an induction motor. The singularity free controller does not require measurement of rotor flux or rotor velocity and yields global exponential rotor position and rotor flux tracking. The proposed controller is termed output-feedback due to the inexpensive/simplistic manner in which stator current measurements can be obtained (e.g., the most primitive method of measuring current can be achieved through simple voltage measurements across known resistive elements). Experimental results are included to verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Adaptive mode switching in correlated multiple antenna cellular networks

This paper proposes an adaptive mode switching algorithm between two strategies in multiple antenna cellular networks: A single-user mode and a multi-user mode for the broadcast channel. If full channel state information is available at the base-station, it is known that a multi-user transmission strategy would outperform all single-user transmission strategies. In the absence of full side information, it is unclear what the capacity achieving method is, and thus there are few criteria to decide which of the myriad possible methods performs best given a system configuration. We compare a single-user transmission and a multi-user transmission with linear receivers in this paper where the transmitter and the receivers have multiple antennas, and find that neither strategy dominates the other. There is instead a transition point between the two strategies. Then, the mode switching point is determined both analytically and numerically for a multiple antenna cellular downlink with correlation between transmit antennas.
Synthesis and Characterization of Photopolymerized Multifunctional Hydrogels: Water-Soluble Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Chondroitin Sulfate Macromers for Chondrocyte Encapsulation

To design a carrier for chondrocytes that emulates the critical aspects of native cartilage tissue, hydrogels were formulated from a synthetic component based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and from a natural component, negatively charged chondroitin sulfate (ChSA, a main component of proteoglycans). The synthesis of photoreactive and crosslinkable macromers based on PVA and ChSA is described in detail. A range of macroscopic hydrogel properties was obtained by varying the macromer molecular weight, concentration, and functionality prior to photoinitiated polymerization. Depending on the formulation, the PVA homopolymer gels had compressive moduli (K) ranging from 5 to 1680 kPa with equilibrium mass swelling ratios (q) of 2.4 to 15. Similar variations in pure ChSA gels produced networks with K's from 10 to 2600 kPa and q's from 5.9 to 27.5. Copolymer networks containing both ChSA and PVA had increased mechanics and increased swelling as compared to the homopolymer gels. An additional benefit to incorporatin...
EGFR signaling in podocytes at the root of glomerular disease.

A study in a mouse model of immune-mediated glomerular disease and in people with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis shows activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) signaling in podocytes by a molecule expressed in the kidney (pages 1242–1250). Blocking this axis may open new doors to treat inflammatory kidney conditions.
Discrimination of orientation by rats

Learning to discriminate along the dimension of orientation, rats experienced decreasing difficulty depending on whether the figures were reversed, inverted, reversed and inverted, or rotated, relative to each other, a hierarchy identical to that previously established in humans.
Altered Methylation Substrate Kinetics and Calcium Binding of a Calmodulin with a Val136→Thr Substitution

Calmodulin is trimethylated on Lys115 by a specific calmodulin methyltransferase. Previously, it was shown that the cam2 mutant (Ile136Thr) of Paramecium has a decreased level of methylated Lys115 [Lukas, T. J., Friedman, M. W., Kung, C. & Watterson, D. M. (1989) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 86, 7331–7335]. To investigate how this substitution affects calmodulin structure, function and recognition by the calmodulin methyltransferase, a calmodulin with a Thr136 substitution ([Thr136]calmodulin) was expressed in Escherichia coli in an unmethylated form for in vitro enzyme activator, calcium binding and methylation kinetic analyses. [Thr136]calmodulin was indistinguishable from wild-type calmodulin in saturating (1 mM) calcium in its ability to activate calmodulin-dependent enzymes and in its steady-state kinetic properties with isolated calmodulin methyltransferase. However, [Thr136]calmodulin did show two defects: a complete inability to be methylated in the absence of calcium; and defective calcium binding. As a result, an approximate 10-fold shift in the K0.5 values for calcium dependence of enzyme activation (shifted from 1.1 μM to 9.1 μM of Ca2+ for NAD kinase) and methylation (from 0.71 μM to 7.2 μM of Ca2+ in 0.15 M K+, 2 mM Mg2+) were observed. Non-denaturing electrophoresis and Tyr138 spectroscopic measurements suggest a difference in the conformation of the calcium-depleted structures of normal calmodulin and [Thr136]calmodulin. Overall, the results suggest that the mutation in this conserved position in the COOH-terminal hydrophobic core lowers calcium-binding affinity and alters the calcium-depleted structure leading to decreased methylation at physiological Ca2+ concentrations.
Innervation of periosteum and bone by sympathetic vasoactive intestinal peptide-containing nerve fibers

Neural control of bone metabolism and growth has been suggested, although the identity of participating neurons and neurotransmitters effecting this control has not been established. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a system of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers that innervate periosteum and bone in several mammalian species. Thoracic sympathetic chain ganglionectomy resulted in an ipsilateral loss of VIP-immunoreactive fibers in the periosteum of ribs, whereas dorsal root ganglionectomy had no effect. Injection of fast blue into rib periosteum labeled a population of VIP-immunoreactive sympathetic postganglionic neurons. Thus, postganglionic sympathetic neurons may provide an important means by which VIP regulates bone mineralization.
Spontaneous evacuation of gallstones.

Abstract The spontaneous evacuation of gallstones was illustrated roentgenographically and was confirmed at operation. Since stones were recovered from the stool and no fistula or alteration in cholesterol metabolism was demonstrated, it seems likely that the stones passed out of the gallbladder via the common bile duct and into the intestine.
Automatic generation of interlocking shapes

Abstract This paper describes methods of automatically generating interlocking shapes on a plane surface. Each shape will nest perfectly (without gaps) when it is repeated over a flat surface according to the stated mathematical rules. Symmetry is the key to these shapes. Interlocking shapes can be used in metal stamping, flame cutting, and packaging to conserve material. There are nine principal types of interlocking shapes. Linear methods of generating all of them are presented. Every shape generated is scrap-free. Furthermore, every possible interlocking shape can be generated by one of the nine methods. An actual computer program using any of the methods would consist of four parts: (1) vertex computation, (2) line input, (3) shape generation, and (4) duplication. Nine computer programs have been written to test the algorithms. The programs are in FORTRAN with subroutines supplied by the Graphics Compatibility System (GCS, developed by the U.S. Military Academy). The programs interact with the user on a Tektronix 4010 terminal and they assume no particular mathematical knowledge from the user.
Infant vocalizations in response to speech: Vocal imitation and developmental change

Infants’ development of speech begins with a language‐universal pattern of production that eventually becomes language specific. One mechanism contributing to this change is vocal imitation. The present study was undertaken to examine developmental change in infants’ vocalizations in response to adults’ vowels at 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age and test for vocal imitation. Two methodological aspects of the experiment are noteworthy: (a) three different vowel stimuli (/a/, /i/, and /u/) were videotaped and presented to infants by machine so that the adult model could not artifactually influence infant utterances, and (b) infants’ vocalizations were analyzed both physically, using computerized spectrographic techniques, and perceptually by trained phoneticians who transcribed the utterances. The spectrographic analyses revealed a developmental change in the production of vowels. Infants’ vowel categories become more separated in vowel space from 12 to 20 weeks of age. Moreover, vocal imitation was documented. Infants listening to a particular vowel produced vocalizations resembling that vowel. A hypothesis is advanced extending Kuhl’s native language magnet (NLM) model to encompass infants’ speech production. It is hypothesized that infants listening to ambient language store perceptually derived representations of the speech sounds they hear which in turn serve as targets for the production of speech utterances. NLM unifies previous findings on the effects of ambient language experience on infants’ speech perception and the findings reported here that short‐term laboratory experience with speech is sufficient to influence infants’ speech production.
Saturation of CVD Diamond Detectors

Summary form only given. A saturation study of a CVD diamond detector was performed using a 400 nm laser and a +250 V high voltage supply. The volume of the 5times0.25 mm CVD diamond wafer was fully excited. This study was divided into two experiments. In the first one, saturation versus incident energy was measured. The laser beam energy was increased from a few tenth of a nanojoule to several hundreds microjoules and the signal in the diamond was recorded. In the second experiment, the detector was hit by a saturated first pulse and then by a delayed second pulse of equal or lesser amplitude (delays of 5, 10, and 20 ns). Full saturation of the diamond wafer was found at 250 microjoules. This energy was used to create the first pulse, and the delayed second pulse was clearly saturated. The reasons of this saturation, electronic limitations and/or saturation of the CVD diamond detector will be presented
Activity-dependent gating of lateral inhibition in the mouse olfactory bulb

Lateral inhibition is a circuit motif found throughout the nervous system that often generates contrast enhancement and center-surround receptive fields. We investigated the functional properties of the circuits mediating lateral inhibition between olfactory bulb principal neurons (mitral cells) in vitro. We found that the lateral inhibition received by mitral cells is gated by postsynaptic firing, such that a minimum threshold of postsynaptic activity is required before effective lateral inhibition is recruited. This dynamic regulation allows the strength of lateral inhibition to be enhanced between cells with correlated activity. Simulations show that this regulation of lateral inhibition causes decorrelation of mitral cell activity that is evoked by similar stimuli, even when stimuli have no clear spatial structure. These results show that this previously unknown mechanism for specifying lateral inhibitory connections allows functional inhibitory connectivity to be dynamically remapped to relevant populations of neurons.
Calculating optimal modulation periods to maximize the peak capacity in two-dimensional HPLC.

Theoretical calculations are presented to optimize modulation period for maximum total peak capacity in comprehensive two-dimensional HPLC (2D-HPLC) taking into account the effect of modulation on the apparent peak capacity of the first-dimension (1D) separation. Results indicate that modulation periods are most favorable when they are adjusted to ∼2.2−4 times the standard deviation of a 1D peak in order to avoid excessively short run times at the second dimension (2D). Data are presented that effective peak capacities of several thousand in 60 min can be expected for practical 2D-HPLC conditions, utilizing 1D gradient elution followed by 2D isocratic elution, that remain at ∼50−70% of the theoretical maximum peak capacity. This work suggests that lower modulation frequencies and longer 2D separation times than previously proposed are favorable under realistic chromatographic conditions, alleviating some practical problems associated with 2D-HPLC.
The Osmoprotective Function of the NFAT5 Transcription Factor in T Cell Development and Activation

The NFAT5/TonEBP transcription factor, a recently identified rel/NF-kappaB family member, activates transcription of osmocompensatory genes in response to extracellular hyperosmotic stress. However, the function of NFAT5 under isosmotic conditions present in vivo remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that NFAT5 is necessary for optimal T cell development in vivo and allows for optimal cell growth ex vivo under conditions associated with osmotic stress. Transgenic mice expressing an inhibitory form of NFAT5 in developing and mature T cells exhibited a 30% reduction in thymic cellularity evenly distributed among thymic subsets, consistent with the uniform expression and nuclear localization of NFAT5 in each subset. This was associated with a 25% reduction in peripheral CD4(+) T cells and a 50% reduction in CD8(+) T cells. While transgenic T cells exhibited no impairment in cell growth or cytokine production under normal culture conditions, impaired cell growth was observed under both hyperosmotic conditions and isosmotic conditions associated with osmotic stress. Transgenic thymocytes also demonstrated increased sensitivity to osmotic stress. Consistent with this, the system A amino acid transporter gene ATA2 exhibited NFAT5 dependence under hypertonic conditions but not in response to amino acid deprivation. Expression of the TNF-alpha gene, a putative NFAT5 target, was not altered in transgenic T cells. These results not only demonstrate an osmoprotective function for NFAT5 in primary cells but also show that NFAT5 is necessary for optimal thymic development in vivo, suggesting that developing thymocytes within the thymic microenvironment are subject to an osmotic stress that is effectively countered by NFAT5-dependent responses.
Government and Business in Canada: An Interpretation

Professor Aitken reveals a distinctive pattern of government-business relationships against the background of Canada's defensive economic development and its government's active role in the maintenance of national economic unity.
Analysis of a specially structured descriptor-like model

Abstract The analysis of a system model with special structural properties is presented in this paper. In particular, the analytical and simulation techniques for computing the system response in the context of a descriptor-like model is developed. In addition, the stability theorems for this model are also developed. This includes the formulation of both the classical and modern stability methods. The latter method leads to a generalized form of the Liapunov equation. The computational saving associated with using the methods developed here is also discussed.
Pourquoi Tales on the Literacy Stage

Since ancient times, humans have sought explanations for the mysteries of nature's beauty and variety. Like other kinds of folk stories, pourquoi tales can be considered parables about how humans and animals originated in the world or why they look or behave the way they do. This article briefly defines the characteristics of the genre and highlights active strategies for using them in the curriculum so that students can be “up front and center” on the literacy stage, performing through song, digital art, and drama.
A comparison of albumin-bolus therapy versus normal saline-bolus therapy for hypotension in neonates.

We compared responses to bolus infusion of 5% albumin (ALB) or normal saline (NS) for hypotension in neonates. Hypotensive infants were given 10 ml kg−1 of NS or ALB. A second bolus was given for persistent hypotension. Dopamine therapy was started for hypotension after the second bolus. The primary response was increase in arterial blood pressure toward normal range 1 h postinfusion. Secondary measures included duration of normotension, meeting criteria for second bolus, meeting criteria for vasopressor support and cost comparison. Those receiving ALB (N=49 ALB and 52 NS) were more likely to achieve a normotensive state (ALB=57.1%, NS=32.1% P=0.01) 1 h following the initial bolus therapy. Subsequently, the NS group was also more likely to qualify for vasopressor infusion (ALB=24.5%, NS=44.2% P=0.02). Overall cost for either therapy was equivalent. In hypotensive neonates, ALB results in a greater likelihood of achieving normotension and decreased subsequent use of vasopressors when compared to NS.
Exploiting conserved structure for faster annotation of non-coding RNAs without loss of accuracy

Motivation: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)---functional RNA molecules not coding for proteins---are grouped into hundreds of families of homologs. To find new members of an ncRNA gene family in a large genome database, covariance models (CMs) are a useful statistical tool, as they use both sequence and RNA secondary structure information. Unfortunately, CM searches are slow. Previously, we introduced 'rigorous filters', which provably sacrifice none of CMs' accuracy, although often scanning much faster. A rigorous filter, using a profile hidden Markov model (HMM), is built based on the CM, and filters the genome database, eliminating sequences that provably could not be annotated as homologs. The CM is run only on the remainder. Some biologically important ncRNA families could not be scanned efficiently with this technique, largely due to the significance of conserved secondary structure relative to primary sequence in identifying these families. Current heuristic filters are also expected to perform poorly on such families. Results: By augmenting profile HMMs with limited secondary structure information, we obtain rigorous filters that accelerate CM searches for virtually all known ncRNA families from the Rfam Database and tRNA models in tRNAscan-SE. These filters scan an 8 gigabase database in weeks instead of years, and uncover homologs missed by heuristic techniques to speed CM searches. Availability: Software in development; contact the authors. Supplementary information:http://bio.cs.washington.edu/supplements/zasha-ISMB-2004 (Additional technical details on the method; predicted homologs.)
Interveinal Yellowing Caused by Tomato infectious chlorosis virus in Lettuce and Escarole in Southern Italy

In 2005 and 2006, a severe disease of lettuce and escarole, characterized by interveinal yellowing of the leaves, was observed in the Calabria region (Southern Italy). Samples collected were positive in RT-PCR assay when specific primers for Crinivirus were used. The identity of the virus was determined by using Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV)-specific primers and probe. An amplicon of the same size (501 bp) as that from TICV-infected tomato controls, corresponding to the partial Hsp70 viral gene, was obtained from 36 of 40 lettuce samples and from 19 of 24 escarole samples tested in 2005. The sequences obtained had 99-100% nucleotide sequence identity with other TICV sequences. In an extensive survey carried out in 2006 with TICV-specific probe, 92% of symptomatic lettuce and 89% of escarole samples were infected with TICV. Adults of Trialeurodes vaporariorum, harvested from symptomatic lettuce and escarole plants, transmitted the virus to healthy plants of the same species. This is the first evidence of a disease caused by TICV in lettuce in Italy and the first record of TICV infection in escarole.
Isotopic evidence for large gaseous nitrogen losses from tropical rainforests

The nitrogen isotopic composition (15N/14N) of forested ecosystems varies systematically worldwide. In tropical forests, which are elevated in 15N relative to temperate biomes, a decrease in ecosystem 15N/14N with increasing rainfall has been reported. This trend is seen in a set of well characterized Hawaiian rainforests, across which we have measured the 15N/14N of inputs and hydrologic losses. We report that the two most widely purported mechanisms, an isotopic shift in N inputs or isotopic discrimination by leaching, fail to explain this climate-dependent trend in 15N/14N. Rather, isotopic discrimination by microbial denitrification appears to be the major determinant of N isotopic variations across differences in rainfall. In the driest climates, the 15N/14N of total dissolved outputs is higher than that of inputs, which can only be explained by a 14N-rich gas loss. In contrast, in the wettest climates, denitrification completely consumes nitrate in local soil environments, thus preventing the expression of its isotope effect at the ecosystem scale. Under these conditions, the 15N/14N of bulk soils and stream outputs decrease to converge on the low 15N/14N of N inputs. N isotope budgets that account for such local isotopic underexpression suggest that denitrification is responsible for a large fraction (24-53%) of total ecosystem N loss across the sampled range in rainfall.
Novel thermosets obtained by the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of a functionalized vegetable oil and dicyclopentadiene

New polymeric thermosetting resins prepared by the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a commercially available vegetable oil derivative, Dilulin, and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) have been prepared and characterized. A thorough characterization of the modified oil itself has been carried out to elucidate its structure. Grubbs' second-generation catalyst has been used to effect the ROMP of the strained unsaturated norbornene-like rings in the commercial oil. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the resulting thermosetting resins has revealed that glass-transition temperatures ranging from 36 to −29°C can be obtained when the proper ratio of oil to DCPD is employed. Thermogravimetric analysis has revealed that these resins have very similar temperatures of maximum degradation. Extraction analysis has indicated that all the samples had at least a 20% soluble fraction and that the soluble fraction was composed of oligomers, unreacted triglyceride oil, or both. The effect of the soluble fraction as a plasticizer has also been explored. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Two automatic training-based forced calibration algorithms for left ventricle boundary estimation in cardiac images

Pixel classification algorithms based on temporal information, edge detection algorithms based on spatial information when used in combination are not sufficient for boundary estimation of the left ventricle (LV) in cardiovascular X-ray images. Poor contrast in the LV apex zone the fuzzy region in the inferior wall due to the overlap of the LV with the diaphragm, the inherent noise, and the variability of the modulation transfer function in X-ray imaging systems causes great difficulties in LV segmentation. To overcome the above problems, calibration algorithms were developed by Suri et al. (1996). These algorithms are training-based and provides a correction to the pixel-based classification or edge detection raw boundaries. This paper presents two training-based forced calibration algorithms for correcting the raw boundaries produced by classifiers. The authors force the raw LV contour to pass through the LV apex and then perform the calibration. Over a database of 377 patient studies having end-diastole and end-systole frames, the mean boundary error for the classifier system is 5.20 mm, the two forced calibration algorithms yield an error of 3.14 mm and 3.04 mm with a standard deviation of 2.73 mm and 2.89 mm.
Targeting Protein Phosphatase 1 in Heart Failure

See related article, pages 756–766 Over the past three decades the treatment of heart failure has shifted from a palliative care approach to a more successful focus on neurohormonal modulation through drugs that inhibit β-adrenergic, angiotensin, and aldosterone signaling. Despite these relatively recent advances, the clinical syndrome of heart failure remains progressive in nature. This observation begs the question as to a unifying aberrancy in cardiomyocyte phenotype that occurs in heart failure. More recently great attention has been paid to the alterations in calcium handling and has typically been associated with calcium-transients that are of a lower amplitude and slower decline than normal cardiomyocytes.1–4 This slower decline has been attributed to a decrease in the Ca2+ uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR); and particularly with the relative role of phospholamban (PLB) and the SR Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA).4,5 Whereas previous work has successfully targeted PLB and SERCA in the investigational treatment of heart failure in mouse, rat, and human myocytes, more recent work has focused on the potential modulators of this system to elucidate the pathophysiologic changes that result in aberrant calcium handling.2–6 In this issue, Pathak and del Monte et al show that targeted inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) by increased activity of its inhibitor, inhibitor-1 in the heart, results in enhanced contractility and is protective against the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure stimulated by hemodynamic load.7 In failing hearts, the downregulation of adrenergic receptor and cAMP-dependent protein kinase signaling leads to the inactivation of inhibitor-1 which, in turn, results in increased activity of PP1.7,8 This activation of PP1 leads to the dephosphorylation of phospholamban thus reducing calcium uptake by SERCA-2a. In an important series of experiments in transgenic mice and using gene transfer in rats, Kranias, Hajjar, and …
Reproductive toxicity assessment of lasofoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), in female rats.

BACKGROUND: Lasofoxifene is a nonsteroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). With high affinity to the α and β human estrogen receptors and greater potency than other SERMs, lasofoxifene is potentially a superior treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. In light of the known effects of estrogen-modulating compounds on female reproductive indices, two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of lasofoxifene on female rat cyclicity, reproduction, and parturition. METHODS: One study evaluated effects of lasofoxifene on estrous cyclicity, and the second study assessed effects on implantation and parturition. In the cyclicity study, lasofoxifene was administered to female rats at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg/day for 14 consecutive days. After treatment, there was a 3-week reversibility phase followed by a mating phase. In the implantation study, lasofoxifene was administered to pregnant female rats at doses of 0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days (gestation day [GD] 0–6). Some animals were euthanized on GD 21, and the remainder of the group was allowed to deliver the F1 generation. Several developmental indices were evaluated in the F1 pups through post-natal day (PND) 21. RESULTS: In the cyclicity study, all lasofoxifene-treated females were anestrous by Study Day 7 (1.0 mg/kg) or 9 (0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg). The reversibility phase resulted in restoration of normal estrous cycles by the end of 1 (0.1 mg/kg) or 2 weeks (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg). During the mating phase, no adverse effects occurred in pregnancy success or reproductive parameters. In the implantation study, all doses of lasofoxifene increased pre- and post-implantation losses, increased gestation length, and reduced litter size. None of the developmental parameters measured on the F1 generation was adversely affected. CONCLUSION: Lasofoxifene reversibly altered the estrous cycle and inhibited implantation, consistent with what would be expected from a member of the SERM class. Birth Defects Res B 71:150–160, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Forecasting climate change impacts to plant community composition in the Sonoran Desert region

Hotter and drier conditions projected for the southwestern United States can have a large impact on the abundance and composition of long-lived desert plant species. We used long-term vegetation monitoring results from 39 large plots across four protected sites in the Sonoran Desert region to determine how plant species have responded to past climate variability. This cross-site analysis identified the plant species and functional types susceptible to climate change, the magnitude of their responses, and potential climate thresholds. In the relatively mesic mesquite savanna communities, perennial grasses declined with a decrease in annual precipitation, cacti increased, and there was a reversal of the Prosopis velutina expansion experienced in the 20th century in response to increasing mean annual temperature (MAT). In the more xeric Arizona Upland communities, the dominant leguminous tree, Cercidium microphyllum, declined on hillslopes, and the shrub Fouquieria splendens decreased, especially on south- and west-facing slopes in response to increasing MAT. In the most xeric shrublands, the codominant species Larrea tridentata and its hemiparasite Krameria grayi decreased with a decrease in cool season precipitation and increased aridity, respectively. This regional-scale assessment of plant species response to recent climate variability is critical for forecasting future shifts in plant community composition, structure, and productivity.
Faceted search and browsing of audio content on spoken web

Spoken Web is a web of VoiceSites that can be accessed by a phone. The content in a VoiceSite is audio. Therefore Spoken Web provides an alternate to the World Wide Web (WWW) in developing regions where low Internet penetration and low literacy are barriers to accessing the conventional WWW. Searching of audio content in Spoken Web through an audio query-result interface presents two key challenges: indexing of audio content is not accurate, and the presentation of results in audio is sequential, and therefore cumbersome. In this paper, we apply the concepts of faceted search and browsing to the SpokenWeb search problem. We use the concepts of facets to index the meta-data associated with the audio content. We provide a mechanism to rank the facets based on the search results. We develop an interactive query interface that enables easy browsing of search results through the top ranked facets. To our knowledge, this is the first system to use the concepts of facets in audio search, and the first solution that provides an audio search for the rural population. We present quantitative results to illustrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the faceted search and qualitative results to highlight the usability of the interactive browsing system. The experiments have been conducted on more than 4000 audio documents collected from a live SpokenWeb VoiceSite and evaluations were carried out with 40 farmers who are the target users of the VoiceSite.
Role of cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors in ADH release in normal humans

Although animal studies have shown that cardiopulmonary receptors regulate the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), human studies have produced conflicting results. Consequently, we studied 17 normal healthy men to determine the ADH response to selective unloading (decreased stretch) of cardiopulmonary low-pressure receptors by thigh cuff inflation in the supine position. Thigh cuff inflation of 30 to 40 mm Hg decreased the central blood volume and right atrial pressure (cardiopulmonary receptor load), while mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure were unchanged (arterial baroreceptor load). Thigh cuff inflation to this level did not alter plasma osmolality or cardiac output. Plasma ADH increased an average of 67% (p less than 0.01) following thigh cuff inflation compared to the preceding supine baseline. After thigh cuff deflation (n = 6), the ADH decreased toward preinflation values. We conclude that selective unloading of the cardiopulmonary receptors in humans increases plasma ADH levels.
Membranes with common ion pumping

Liquid membranes containing a macrocyclic polyether can move or pump a specific cation against its concentration gradient. The cation flux is not proportional to the difference of the cation concentration but to the difference of the product of cation and anion concentrations across the membrane. The results are inconsistent with existing theories of ion transport, but can be explained in terms of ion pairs.
An evaluation of the uniform stress hypothesis based on stem geometry in selected North American conifers

The uniform stress hypothesis of stem forma- tion was evaluated by comparing stem taper of Abies bal- samea, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea rubens, Pinus contorta, Pinus elliottii, Pinus palustris, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus taeda, and Pseudotsuga menziesii to the taper expected if stems develop to uniformly distribute bending stress. The comparison was conducted by regressing stem diameter at height h (D h ) against bending moment at h (M h ) using the model Dh=φ (Mh) δ where φ and δ are fitted coeffi- cients, and testing for δ=0.333, the hypothesized value. Twelve curves were fitted with the model. Seven of the fitted values of δ were significantly different from 0.333, but eight of the values were within ±10% of 0.333 and eleven values were within ±15% of 0.333. Where the fit- ted value of δ was >15% of 0.333, residuals were biased with height. Fit by relative height, values of δ were with- in ±10% of 0.333 for large portions of these stems. While most of the fitted values of δ support the uniform-stress hypothesis, the values of δ for Pseudotsuga menziesii trees clearly did not. Many of the fitted values of φ were inversely related to the modulus of elasticity (E) of green wood reported for these species. With the exception of Pseudotsuga menziesii, growing conditions appeared to account for extraordinary values of φ. Increases in φ with stem height corresponded with reported decreases in E with height. The covariance between φ and E suggests some regulation of bending curvature by adjustments in cross-sectional area. These results suggest that stems taper to maintain a uniform bending curvature and that when E is relatively constant within and among stems, diameter along the stem or across stems can be predicted from bending moment using a simple power function.
Dissecting the Cow

The COW, or Console On Wheels, is the primary operator interface to the SLC accelerator control system. A hardware and software description of the COW, a microcomputer based system with a color graphics display output and touch-panel and knob inputs, is given. The ease of development and expandability, due to both the modular nature of the hardware and the multitasking, interrupt driven software running in the COW, are described. Integration of the COW into the SLCNET communications network and SLC Control system is detailed.
Protein Chain Pair Simplification under the Discrete Fréchet Distance

For protein structure alignment and comparison, a lot of work has been done using RMSD as the distance measure, which has drawbacks under certain circumstances. Thus, the discrete Frechet distance was recently applied to the problem of protein (backbone) structure alignment and comparison with promising results. For this problem, visualization is also important because protein chain backbones can have as many as 500-600 $(\alpha)$-carbon atoms, which constitute the vertices in the comparison. Even with an excellent alignment, the similarity of two polygonal chains can be difficult to visualize unless the chains are nearly identical. Thus, the chain pair simplification problem (CPS-3F) was proposed in 2008 to simultaneously simplify both chains with respect to each other under the discrete Frechet distance. The complexity of CPS-3F is unknown, so heuristic methods have been developed. Here, we define a variation of CPS-3F, called the constrained CPS-3F problem ($({\rm CPS\hbox{-}3F}^+)$), and prove that it is polynomially solvable by presenting a dynamic programming solution, which we then prove is a factor-2 approximation for CPS-3F. We then compare the $({\rm CPS\hbox{-}3F}^+)$ solutions with previous empirical results, and further demonstrate some of the benefits of the simplified comparisons. Chain pair simplification based on the Hausdorff distance (CPS-2H) is known to be NP-complete, and here we prove that the constrained version ($(\rm CPS\hbox{-}2H^+)$) is also NP-complete. Finally, we discuss future work and implications along with a software library implementation, named the Frechet-based Protein Alignment & Comparison Toolkit (FPACT).
Relative Performance of Automatic Rain Gauges under Different Rainfall Conditions

Abstract Six different types of automatic rain gauges, including tipping bucket, weighing, capacitance, optical, disdrometer, and acoustical sensors, were deployed for 17 months (September 1993–January 1995) at the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Florida. Different rainfall conditions encountered during the experiment included wintertime stratiform frontal rainfall, intense springtime convective systems with extremely high rainfall rates (over 100 mm h−1), summertime convective storms, mesoscale convective systems in the rainy season (September–October), and one tropical storm (Tropical Storm Gordon). Overall, all of the rain gauges performed well, with intercorrelations of order 0.9 or better using 1-min rainfall rates and biases of less than 10%; however, each showed limitations under different rainfall situations. In particular, under extremely heavy rainfall rates (over 100 mm h−1), the disdrometer and tipping bucket rain gauges biased low, while the optical rain ga...
Imaging assessment of patellar instability and its treatment in children and adolescents

Transient patellar dislocation is a common entity in children and adolescents, characterized by lateral dislocation of the patella, usually with spontaneous reduction. Many predisposing conditions have been described, including trochlear dysplasia, excessive lateral patellar tilt, patella alta and lateralization of the tibial tuberosity. Associated injuries are bone bruises of the patella and lateral femoral condyle, tears of the medial retinaculum that include the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), tears of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle, injuries of articular cartilage, and intra-articular bodies. Children who are refractory to conservative management, have a large cartilage defect, or are at substantial risk for recurrent dislocations are candidates for surgical procedures to prevent future dislocations. Procedures can include MPFL repair or reconstruction, tibial tubercle repositioning and lateral retinacular release. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the imaging findings of transient patellar dislocation in the acute setting, the normal imaging appearance after surgical intervention, and post-surgical complications.
Autoignition of H2 + air: a theoretical investigation

Developpement d'un modele decrivant un ecoulement unidimensionnel continu et 17 reactions elementaires pour 9 especes chimiques. Presentation et discussion des predictions obtenues a l'aide de ce modele
Towards personalized smart wheelchairs: Lessons learned from discovery interviews

We posit that it is necessary to investigate the personalization of smart wheelchairs in three aspects interfaces for interaction, controllers for action (top-level, middle-level, and low-level), and feedback in interaction. Our team has been selected as an Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Team by the National Science Foundation to pursue customer discovery research to explore the commercial viability of smart wheelchairs. Through the process, our team has performed more than 110 interviews with powered wheelchair users, manufacturers, therapists, policy makers, and non-profit organization staff. Our findings revealed that the acceptability of fully autonomous systems by the users is still challenging and highly-dependent on the severity of the disability. Furthermore, the cost, ease-of-use and personalization are the most important factors in commercializing smart wheelchair technologies.
Simplification of Calculating Methods of Glyceride Distribution

Calculating methods of the glyceride distributions proposed by Kartha, Youngs, and Vander Wal were simplified. Youngs' method was modified. Kartha's formulas were assumed to be approximate formulas for calculation of Vander Wal's glyceride type distribution.
IR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen wäßriger Lösungen mit Hilfe der ATR-Technik

Die ATR-Methode eignet sich zum Vermessen wasriger Losungen, wenn man die Mehrfachrefiexionstechnik so anwendet, das starke Wasserabsorptionen nicht einen grosen Teil der Information des Spektrums verdecken. Einfachreflexion eignet sich vor allem fur Losungen mit 2 M und groserer Konzentration. Es wurden organische Sauren, Phenole, Amide, Saccharide und anorganische Verbindungen vermessen. An einem Beispiel aus der Praxis wurde gezeigt, das auch quantitativ mit der ATR-Methode gemessen werden kann.
A CASE REPORT OF PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY OF RENAL CANDIDIASIS AFTER AN OPEN HEART SURGERY

A variety of complications can occur following open heart surgery. A remarkable progress in antibiotics has been achieved nowadays, but on the other hand, we are facing a new complication of the mycotic infection. This time we experienced an infant with congenital heart disease (ventricular septal defect) associated with unilateral renal candidiasis after open heart surgery, which was successfully managed by ultlasonography-guided percutaneous nephrostomy. A 3 day old female infant was referred to the hospital because of heart murmur and tachypnea. The patient diagnosed as ventricular septal defect based on ultrasonographic and intracardiac cathether examinations. Open heart radical operatin was performed. On and after 50th day following the operation, high fever over 38°C continued and a mass locating in the right upper abdomen was palplate. The patient did not respond to chemotherapy. Abdominal CT and ultrasonography revealed a remarkably swoolen left kidney and dilation of the renal pervis. Obstructing candidiasis of the urinary tract was suspected. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous nephrostomy was performed, and soft material filling the urinary pelvis was removed. Histologically the material was diabnosed as fungal clot. Percutaneous nephreostomy with antegrade amphotericin B irrigation, coupled with systemic antifungal therapy, was effective. This regimen would be the mainstay of treatment.
Pregnancy testing and counseling

Pregnancy testing and counseling are increasingly accepted as necessary services for adolescents within the primary care setting. For teenagers in need of a pregnancy test, the easy-to-perform, highly sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay analysis for measuring beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) is ideal. However, no single beta-HCG analysis should be taken as absolute evidence for the presence or absence of pregnancy. Instead, an integrated approach using all of the health care professional's skills in adolescent health care should be taken. In some cases a careful history and physical examination will confirm the pregnancy. At other times serial quantitative serum HCG titers, pelvic ultrasonography, and culdocentesis may be necessary to rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy or threatened abortion. For more than three quarters of pregnant adolescents the pregnancy is unplanned and may represent a major conflict for themselves, their partner, and their families. When such an event occurs the health care professional will frequently be sought as a resource. Successful pregnancy counseling has many components. The adolescent will need to visualize the counselor as an available, sensitive, nonjudgmental individual who believes in the right of the pregnant teenager ultimately to progress to her own decision. The counseling process should be firmly based on an understanding of adolescent psychosocial and biologic development, crises intervention techniques, and family dynamics. The counselor needs to be a reliable information source. If the adolescent decides to go to term, programs offering comprehensive prenatal services to teenagers should be identified. Information concerning high-quality, low-cost abortion services also will need to be available for those who wish to terminate. It is important to monitor the quality of care given in prenatal and abortion service referrals. Few adolescents currently choose to place their babies for adoption. Counseling in this area is especially needed. Several types of adoption procedures are available and at appropriate times during a teenager's neonatal care adoption should be presented as a reasonable alternative to parenthood. Throughout this process, the health care professional will have opportunities to discuss a wide variety of health related topics with the adolescent and often her partner and their respective families. Ideally, whatever her final decision, it is the goal of the counselor to make the experience a positive and maturing influence on her life and the lives of other persons involved.
The Arms World

The ARMS system is an open-loop, explanation-based learning system with an architecture very much like that of the PEBLS system. It has two main components: a learning element and a performance element. Both of these components manipulate, through a symbolic representation stored in the database, some problem-solving domain (see Figure 4.1). In Chapter 5, we discuss the symbolic representation and the learning and performance elements; but first, in this chapter, we describe the problem-solving domain.
Linear Functions and Graphs in Several Variables

This chapter outlines linear functions and graphs in several variables. It presents plotting in 3-D and the case of linear functions in detail. The main idea of differential calculus is that smooth functions microscopically look like linear functions so one needs to understand the linear case before proceeding with calculus of several variables. There are three major types of graphs: explicit, implicit, and parametric. Explicit graphs are of the form z = f ( x ) or z = f ( x , y ) with all variables plotted and are probably the most familiar to you. Implicit or contour graphs are seldom used in one variable, but are often used in two. The contour graph of the height of a mountain is called a topographical map. If z = h ( x , y ) gives the height z above a base plane point ( x , y ), then the contour map is a plane filled with curves of constant height.